Mission Miracle

Sometimes my mission feels like a lifetime ago, and sometimes it feels like it was nothing more than a dream. Did I really live in Taiwan? Were the people I found and loved and taught really as committed as I remembered? Did I really do any good? The answer I received lately from a generous and ever-loving God was yes to all three questions. 

This revelation came on the heels of a rather difficult month and was such a gift. Sometimes I get so lost in my current mothering mayhem that I forget about the many life's and the amazing me's of the past. And Heather as a missionary in Taiwan, now that was a good look! She was bold. She was confident. She worked hard, loved Jesus and expected miracles. And a few weeks back when I visited with one of my new members for the first time since her baptism I was reminded that that Heather still lives in me. I can't tell you how refreshing it felt.

Nearly a dozen years ago I taught a mother and her two young children about the gospel of Jesus Christ and they quickly and confidently decided to get baptized. I remember feeling so much joy that day, but I couldn't have imagined how that family would continue to bless me through the years. About six months ago Julia, the mother, wrote to tell me that her daughter, little Jenny, had decided to serve a mission. I was ecstatic and immediately asked where she would be sent: Sister Zhang was going to serve the people of Sacramento. 

The odds are too small for me to ever believe something like this is a coincidence. No, this was the hand of the Lord. Out of all the missions in the world I serve in hers and teach her family the gospel and then out of all the missions in the world she serves in mine to share the gospel with my people. Even the thought of it now gives me goosebumps. Really though, how cool is that?

On a recent trip to Sacramento I tracked down Sister Zhang, who had been in the field all of a week, and promised her breakfast in exchange for some precious P-Day time. She and her companions obliged, and I was dancing around Farmgate a la 2007 James Wigginton asking me on our first date! Our meet-up in the El Dorado Hills Whole Foods was full of hugging, stories and so many tears. Like, seriously, the floodgate opened wide and I was nothing but gushing. I couldn't help it, I felt more joy than I knew possible. Later that week I read about Ammon in the Book of Mormon who saw some old friends again and when he realized that they were still believers fell to the ground, overcome with emotion. I get it. I so get it. And I'm so grateful. 

Sister Zhang told me that her Mom is serving in the Relief Society presidency. She told me that back in Taiwan they would attend the temple in Taipei together weekly. She told me that her father, still not a member of our church, has already been so impressed by Jenny's mission that he is urging his son to follow suit. I told her about finding and teaching her family, about the day of her baptism, and how sad I was that I couldn't find any pictures to show her from that day. Remember when Cinderella pulls out the unbroken glass slipper to the surprise and glee of the palace worker? Well that's how I felt when she pulled out the very picture I thought was lost from her bag. A picture with baby-face me and a whole slew of other missionaries who surrounded her family on their baptism day. She carries around that picture to show people that she was once on the receiving end of the gospel message, and that she knows it is true so truly and deeply that she now wants to share it as a missionary. Her testimony is beautiful and her spirit glitters.  

There are probably a million reasons that Jenny is in Sacramento and there are probably a million people that she will impact, but tip top on that list is definitely Heather Wigginton, the former Mai JieMei. She has reminded me that the work I've done, and the work I am doing now, will bring future payouts that I can't begin to imagine. She brought me hope all the way from Taiwan. Xie Xie, sweet girl. 

The picture!

 My family with Sister Zhang.

Together again after such a long time. I love that girl, and will probably be stalking her again soon!

Cross country

Cross country is over, soccer is nearly over, and even though months ago when our fall sports kicked off I was so excited for things to get crazy busy again as for here and now, oh I'm just thrilled for things to slow the heck down! For at least a little bit we're not going to be racing to the track in Culver every Tuesday and Thursday evening and instead we're just going to chill, and play, and maybe finish some homework before 9 pm! I am so excited. That being said, Talmage had such a terrific cross country season that it's hard to see it go. Over the course of the season he cut his 3K time by 30 seconds and pushed himself even when it was hard and sometimes despite himself. Running is in his blood and I'm so excited to see where it will take him. Good job T, we're so proud of you!

Grandparentals

I've felt particularly grateful lately for grandparents and substitute grandparents who freely give my children so much love and attention. Last weekend we went to Sacramento and made the most of our 48 hours in town by visiting both MePa and the Big Wigs. A few days after we returned home James and I got a card in the mail from Papa and Gigi thanking us for helping them with a project. Quinn doesn't know how to read yet but the second she found out the card was from them she scooped it up, put it in her purse, and carried it around the house for the rest of the day, occasionally "reading" it's contents to Coco. Silly as it sounds, seeing Quinny love on that card and knowing that the people who sent it to her love her even more made me so happy. These kids are lucky, and so am I. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture with Quinny and the Big Wigs on this visit, but here are a few other grandparental photos of late.

Apple Hill with Mema. Favorite fall tradition right there, especially when you play hooky from school/work to go and it's warm enough for shorts!

BA is a brilliant substitute grandma to my kids. I didn't think they could adore her more, but then she adopted Casper and all four of them want to move in!

My parents came into town a few weekends ago and the boys all got to go to a UCLA football game thanks to, shocker, fabulous tickets from one of the partners at James' firm. 

While the boys were away, us girls sure played! Dinner, shopping, parks, oh my! It was a blast!

A fuzzy pic of me and my Mama! On this last trip to Sacramento Quinn cried for a full hour after we left because "I missssss Mema!" It may sound harsh, but my response? "Join the club!"

Grandma Winnie and Bruce have been so generous with their time and it's not gone unnoticed. They come down for short visits quite often and we all love having them close! 

Happy November Day Sunset

Early in our marriage James and I decided it was bogus that May 1st was the only start of the month to get a special name so on the first day of each month we always wish each other a happy (whatever month it is) Day. This post was started on November Day and this sunset happened on November Day but today is the day it's finally gettin' some lovin' on the blog. Late as usual, and life goes on.

Our whole house turned pink as this brilliant November Day sunset shone through our windows. I was bathing the little girls, totally unaware of the color factory happening in our living room, when all of the sudden both boys started screaming, "Mom! You have to get out here! You really have to see this!" I ran to the front of our house, hoping something horrifying was not at the other end of their plea, and was met by the pinkest of rooms and one of the prettiest sunsets my eyes have ever seen. I'm a sucker for colors co-existing together so this sky full of oranges and blues, pinks and yellows, purples and peaches all living in harmony and complimenting each other spoke to my soul. I ran back to the bathroom, scooped both babies out of the tub, and barely got their towels around them before bursting out the front door so they could see what I had seen, so they could feel as I had felt. I love a good sunset, and I love that my boys knew me well enough to share the view.

Today was a hard mothering day. Not even my endless round of "Love at Home" could squelch the fighting and attitudes and general circus-like behavior from the four youngest Wigs and I spent my day refereeing and disciplining on repeat. The kids hated dinner, an episode of Daniel Tiger was the best I could do for FHE and the baby is still wailing from her bed but when I go in she screams louder, "Not you! I want Dada." Not my best work, and frankly, not theirs either. I can't stand days like this and I'm hoping that tomorrow's sunrise shines smiles and love and happiness on our little home.

In the meantime though, how grateful I am for that beautiful moment on November Day when my babies and I clung to each other on our lawn until the sky was dark, each commenting endlessly on how lucky we were to see such beauty from the steps of our own home.

So much Halloweening

Here's the deal. What you are about to see is not organized or brief or perfect. What you are about to see is two weeks of Halloween events and utter chaos shoved into one post--published weeks and weeks after Halloween--because frankly I'm just too tired to do it any other way. And maybe busy too, sigh. 

That being said, Halloween this year was just so ridiculously fun in the most low-key sort of way that I'm excited to get these pictures on the blog for memory's sake. Cora was old enough to understand how awesome it is to knock on a door and be rewarded by candy for no other reason except for her cuteness and oh. my. gosh. it was so fun to watch. The boys are pros and kept reminding me about all of the fun traditions they couldn't wait to check off the list--decorations, check. Pumpkins, check. Chili with our BFF's, check. Gorging on candy while watching a Halloween movie, check. And Quinn, I mean, could Quinn be any cuter as a super hero and then a construction worker? Nope, she rocks our world! It was a good year to be a Wig, that's for sure. 

So without further adieu, this is Halloween. 

(At least the rare moments when my camera made an appearance!)

Let's start with a photo-series that will prove I don't always save the best for last:

 These pictures of Maxwell and Cora are almost too good to be true, don't you think?!

  Toddler party at the Sorenson's--always a good time.

 Trunk-or-treating Super Wigs thanks to Tataipu hand-me-downs and a generous dress-up box! This year was a no-buy Halloween, and we did good.

I almost expected them to run off in the Batmobile together. Or at the very least hijack a car from the trunk-or-treat! I love these blonde bombshells.

 Squeezing every last second out of those skeleton dresses.

 Pumpkins of choice this year: Quinny Cat, Garfield for T and a scary lantern for Ev. Coco stickered hers to death!

 Halloween play-school at our pad.

Crazy hair day for this crazy crew.

Cora was totally to blame for the Halloween morning costume change because heaven knows all she wanted to be was a princess all along. When Quinny found out that Coco was being Sofia it took two seconds before she was wearing her hard hat.  

 Palms Preschool Ring Pop Walk was a hit, and Quinny was being so helpful to her baby sister.

 

 2nd grade Halloween party FTW.

 

My four pumpkins with their four pumpkins ready for a night full of few tricks and a whole lotta treats.

In every single set of pictures I take, there are at least a couple with Cora looking adoringly at Quinny. They are lucky to be sisters and just so cute together...until Quinn takes the hammer and starts chasing after the poor baby.  

A hard nights work! This is the equivalent of a brown Trader Joe's bag filled to the very tip-top. Need some candy? You know where to find it!

Although this binge eating and watching tradition usually is a boys-only event, this year the girls somehow conned us into letting them stay up too. No one went to bed until way past 10 but it was a really fun night and the kids were all so good. They're growing up, and I adore them.