The Jason and Shelly Turpin Family: Are you happy?

I had planned on entitling this week “It is what it is,” but last night I ran into an old Bishop. After Jason and I brought him up to date on the last decade, he asked me, “Are you happy?” “Yes. Yes, I am happy.” I answered instantly. I have a loving and supportive husband and I have six children. I am a mother, which is all I want to do and be. My children are beautiful and learning and becoming. Through them and from them, I am learning and becoming. I truly agree with Sister Stevens when she said this in General Conference:

Our Father in Heaven, in His great wisdom and love, sends His spirit sons and daughters to this earth as children. They come to families as precious gifts with a divine nature and destiny. Our Heavenly Father knows children are a key to helping us become like Him. There is so much we can learn from children.

I am grateful for that chance encounter. It’s nice to stop and look at life as a whole, rather than as its individual components and be reminded that life is beautiful and wonderful and I came here to follow a plan. I’m grateful for that little divine coincidence last night!

I was going to call this week “It is what it is” because we spent two days down town doing appointments. Bella is going to do what Bella is going to do and regardless of the plans the doctors make, she follows her own plan. So it was a week to re-adjustment my expectations and just accept that Bella is who she is and will lead us in the medical world.

The rest of the week was pretty much a week long mental health day for me. I am trying to learn to take it easy on myself, without guilt. That’s hard for me.

On Tuesday we did a lot of baking! Sammi made us oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and bread. Lizzy made us some banana bread. Yummy day!

Jessi had a project on Red Pandas. She had to bring in a display – good thing she is so good at making things from clay!

Wednesday night was a big activity for Becca. She has been planning a Life Size Clue Game for months. As president, a lot fell on her. Tons of preparation and work. Sammi helping her out and the room. This was a huge learning experience for her.

Thursday (and part of Wednesday) our nurse called out. That always adds a level of stress to the day. Things like getting the kids to and from school, picking up Becca from Orchestra, those types of things become issues. And then my washer decided to throw some fun in there. So now I know exactly how many gallons of water my washer can hold. So fun!

My beautiful Bella and doing Speech together:

These I love – playing together and my sweet crazy Bella!

Thursday night was the final Orchestra concert of the year. It was four hours long – so the girls and I stayed home and Jason got to go and listen to our girl play. They are excellent! Auditions for next year are next week. Becca has been working so hard this month trying to get ready. How I hope she does well and is pleased with her placement. The girls and I had ice cream while Dad and Bec were gone!

Friday Joy got to take cupcakes to her school to celebrate her summer birthday. They also had a Library trip and pizza party that day. School ends for her next Friday. She has grown so much there. I’m glad that she got to go to a “typical” preschool.

My tomato – that I grew from seed – is now taller than some of my children. It makes me happy! Becca and I made Strawberry Jam – never done that before. It was a lot simpler than I thought it would be. Can’t wait to eat it. Too bad we are giving most of it away for teacher’s gifts!

Saturday, busy as usual. Two birthday parties and one wedding reception and lots of work around the house. I got to go out to lunch with my mother – that was a nice break from life! Jason put up our new outside light – love it! A bit of nostalgia for our first house in Utah with the craftsman style lines. Sweet Joy got a goose egg on her forehead. The girls were upstairs cleaning. Joy hid behind a door, and when Sammi went in to vacuum that room, pow!, right in the head. She got lots of snuggles for that one!

Jessi got to try out a cello – she loved that! She says “It just felt right.” She will be taking 5th Grade Strings next year. The debate is whether or not to start lessons over the summer!