Summer has come and gone. We just finished the first week of school. I have to say, it was a really enjoyable summer, and the first one we really got to spend together as a walking family of three (Olivia couldn't walk her first year and Michael was gone last summer.) Between two trips to Utah for family, camping in Georgetown, family coming to enjoy Montana's beauty, and billion fishing trips, it was the perfect amount of busy and restful.
Our dear Wards were gone for the summer with an internship in Absorkee, so we got to go fishing and camping with them as well. It was a great little Father's Day weekend for Michael, who also got his XBOX, so he was a happy camper. We went out to breakfast at a cute diner and then went to Fishtail. They are finally home and it is popysicle and dress up parties nonstop.
Michael was able to go out and visit his thesis area a few times. During one of his trips, Butte had a true Butte celebration of Evil Keneival days. It was pretty epic.
We frequented the farmers market a few times and LOVED the fresh fruit and salmon. The baked goods were kind of meh.
Michael has been called as Sunday School President and I am still the Relief Society Secretary. Olivia is still rocking nursery and loves her Sister Frank who is also my Visiting Teaching companion. She is in her 80s and I LOVE getting to spend this time with her.
In May we went down to Utah for Mama Vineyard's surprise party. It was so much fun! The following month we also went to Utah for Gammie Camp, which was also amazingly fun. Our next Utah trip is planned for December break, which is bitter sweet.
Nicki and Camille both had babies within a few weeks of each other and I just want to love and cuddle on them!
It is CRAZY to me that the summer is gone. I think we have finally established ourselves here in Butte. I am participating in a local No Excuse Mom group that I love. We are running our first marathon together this week. Olivia is still as cute as every. She officially sleeps in a big girl bed and is just so grown up in breaks my heart. I am so lucky to be her mom.
Life is crazy. One day you can feel like everything is just peachy, and the next you can be stuck on your arse thinking where the heck am I? It is through those butt kicks we learn the most. I have had some dark days the last few days where I had lost hope and confidence in everything and everything around me. I was scared. I was lonely. I felt pathetic... every way that Heavenly Father would never want me or any of us to feel. I was able to talk through and cry out a lot which helped me realize that I am a daughter of God, and He loves me, Catherine Renae Vineyard. When we pour our hearts out to the Lord, He does listen. He cares.
I was reminded of a quote from Frozen (don't judge, I've only seen it a billion times) where it says: People make bad choices when they are mad or scared or stressed which is SO TRUE. When we feel loved, valued, and cared for, we can be who it is we were meant to be at our fullest potential. We can do what is expected of us and more, all because we value ourselves and feel valued by others. I want to instill that into Olivia. I want her to know her value and her worth. We watched a video clip at church today about a woman who had MS and for seven years the men in her ward would come over and get her set up in bed. Every single night for seven years, and counting. It discussed about how these men never saw an end in sight, how they constantly looked for other ways to get out of it. BUT, they stuck with it in the end. This lady was alone, her husband left her once he found out she had MS. Her sons could only do so much and needed help. There was a clip of her talking about how she appreciated them helping her and how she felt like she was of value. She didn't feel brushed aside or ignored. She was loved! We all are loved and we are all of value.
Read your scriptures. Say your prayers. Pay your tithing. Do all of these things even when you are afraid or don't feel like it is doing anything. It is. Talk to your Heavenly Father about it. He will help you, all you have to do is turn to Him.
