Peace that passeth all understanding

 July's scripture of the month:  Philippians 4:7

   And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I love this scripture so much. A woman referred to it as she explained that she feels peace in spite of, or in the middle of, a specific trial she never thought she could endure. She doesn't quite understand it, but she is grateful for it.

This scripture also reminds me of a quote where the Savior says "My peace I give unto you . .  not as the world giveth". I think there are so many fun and wonderful and happy things about this world - but none of it is comparable to the peace the Savior offers us.

Just a few gentle reminders . . . .

 before I head out for the day:

still special

 It's Pioneer Day today, which used to be a much bigger deal around here than it is now. Some of that has to do with being too busy to celebrate, I guess. But it sure has me thinking about my parents and my ancestors. I get a lot of strength from knowing them and knowing of them. I am looking forward to changing the living room decor soon to represent my heritage.

My Mom's last Pioneer Day was so significant, as I didn't realize then it would be one of the last days that she was coherent and could eat. I will always cherish that I took the time to bake her things she loved to mark the day. 

Last night I smiled as I had such a simple dinner that reminded me so much of my dad and my upbringing and my heritage. I had to stop at the grocery store for something else after work, and decided to get a chicken pot pie for my dinner. I had some leftover chicken and vegetables at home to add to it, and it was great. Frozen chicken pot pie was one of my dad's favorite meals. I remember him buying and cooking it for us, and just had the attitude that it was a special treat. When I pulled it out of the oven last night I remembered not to just dig into it. For some reason, he always turned it over, upside down, and pulled the little foil or paper pie plate off, and then dug into it. 

I miss my parents so much. I guess I always will. 

Another song for my playlist

A lot of wisdom in this song by Dolly Parton. When you think about it, she's very successful, but has had a lot of hard times too. She's both been praised and been made a joke throughout her life, but she keeps going with optimism and tries to make this a better world. 

I've added this one to my "Be Brave" playlist, and I love it. (It's a little long, but even the last few lines are so profound, in my opinion).

Oops, a few more!

 I just got these off Reggie's phone and want them to be on the blog - I think I'll move them to their matching post later.

4th of July weekend

 Fourth of July weekend was great because I got to do so many things with the Pineda family that I've wanted to for a long time. Friday, the 4th, we went to the Academy of Sciences for Dino Days.

The roof of the Academy

After that I headed home for a Power Nap and to get some stuff done and Reggie went with them to a family street fair type of thing on the portion of the Great Highway that is now an official park: walking, biking, etc. It's official name is the Sunset Dunes. Below is a preview of what they are doing to it. Not my pictures but from the internet. I hope to go soon to see for myself.

Love this sign because it points out Luke's restaurant, where he is the bread baker: Outerlands

In the late afternoon we had a dinner of hot dogs, mac. salad, and Julia's homemade pie, while watching our traditional 4th of July movie "The Sandlot".

Saturday we sat around the table eating a pancake breakfast. After getting some more moving in/organizing done in the basement they went out and Reggie & I went to see the new Jurassic World movie. (I am a sucker for all the Jurassic movies). That night we made our "Sandlot Smores" and listened to fireworks going off in the neighborhood. Also, it was luckily a sunny day, which felt even more festive. I was happy that the kids played in the backyard with some of the toys I've been buying/finding for them. Addy & Isla specifically have been cleaning the backyard all week. They love it and have some plans for it.

Sunday was church and Bear is in my Primary class. What a sweet experience for me. In the afternoon we finally did the Volcano science experiment that we've done with the other grandkids earlier in the year. We also played a game I got for them from the Academy gift shop, as their prize for June's "Children's Author of the Month" : Beehive Mancala.

Also, throughout the weekend I read book after book to Talia and got Bear to do some puzzles. I also bought these for the grandkids, but had loaned them out to my preschool class first. They finally came full circle. 

And now I've got those going-back-to-work-tomorrow blues. I am usually gone from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, and am wiped out by the time I get home. I am telling myself that it's like being on a business trip, and so it's ok if I am not present until the weekend. More work ahead of me, and more fun too. All is well. 

Picking Olallieberries 2025

 Such a simple thing of which the thought has gotten me through the work week: picking olallieberries. I headed down the coast Saturday, mid morning. It was a beautiful drive - cool and clear and sunny and cloudy all at the same time. 

The parking lot to the R & R farms was full, and lots of people were there. Yet  people were spread out among the rows enough that it was quiet and peaceful.

I picked about 4 lbs. After getting them home I decided I should have picked more. I mean, there are so many ways to eat these sweet berries. I plan on having several breakfasts with them this week, and I've frozen baggies full of them for later. Julia says Isla loves to bake, so we'll see what she ends up doing with them during the week.

But - if we run out of olallieberries quickly, that's ok. The farm had a sign telling that raspberries will be ready for picking in August, so I just might have to go back.

June's author of the month

I wrote the following on Facebook in June:

"Still doing my Childrens'-Book-Author-of-the-Month theme, and June is Kobi Yamada (thanks for the suggestion Laurel ). I am so impressed with 3 of his books, pictured below. I think they are simple and profound. I think they can help people at any age navigate life and keep a healthy perspective. When I'm not reading them to the kids at school or the grandkids, I'm reading them to myself, just to help me stay brave. So if you have a child in your life - or even if you don't - I highly recommend reading these books, over and over and over."

Iolani Palace & the Pick Up

 A tour of the Iolani Palace is something I've wanted to do for a while. I love history. History is fascinating.

Finally, after a week of camp, we picked Isla up. It was so much fun seeing her and the other students showcase what they had learned about their Hawaiian heritage.

I love when they play their I'pus!

And that's a wrap! Three grandchildren down, nine to go, as far as attending this summer camp. There is no guarantee that they will all get in (#s wise), but we will continue to hope. If any do not get in then we hope to go to Hawaii together anyway and show them as much as we can of their Grandpa Hanaike's heritage.