The Fobert Family

First Temple Trip

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members are able to enter the temple beginning at the age of 12, providing they are worthy, to perform baptisms for the dead. We believe that certain ordinances, like baptism, are essential to receive exaltation and to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again, yet many people, our own ancestors even, have not had the opportunity to be baptized during their lifetime. We as members receive special temple recommends, after an interview with an ecclesiastical leader, stating that we are worthy to enter the house of the Lord to perform these sacred ordinances. That's why our church is also so interested in family history work. We believe that once the temple ordinances have been performed, those who have passed on will have the agency, the choice if you will, to accept or reject these ordinances. A few weeks ago Meilani was able to go with us to the Oakland Temple for the first time to do baptisms for the dead. She was able to stand as proxy to be baptized in behalf of some of her own ancestors. Ben was able to perform the baptisms and I got to watch and feel the flood of the Spirit as I felt more connected to my own extended family. I know that families are forever and am so thankful for the opportunity to search out my ancestors and to provide a great eternal service for them.

It was a special day to be in the temple with Meilani.

Afterwards we went to lunch just the three of us.

Scouting Progress

Eli recently earned his Bear award and became a Webelo when he turned 10. He's already earned several pins since moving up and continues to enjoy scouting with his buddies.

MHHS

In his capacity as school board member, Ben got to take a tour of the Mountain House High School construction. He took Sariah with him as she wasn't able to make it to the ground breaking last summer. It's pretty exciting to watch the progress everyday. We are so thankful to all who have aided in the process of getting our own high school in town. It's going to be beautiful and a great blessing to Mountain House.

Mr. Hansen pointing out the gym I think.

Sariah in front of a classroom building. There's a tiny flag waving from the top up behind her. Love it!

Time Out

In March Meilani and I went with some of our friends to a Time Out for Women and Time Out for Girls weekend in Visalia. It was a whirlwind of a weekend but we had a blast. Meilani really enjoyed spending time with some of the other Young Women from our ward and my mommy friends and I loved hearing the great uplifting speakers at the conference. I shed a few tears listening to Chris Williams share his story of forgiveness after a drunk driver killed his wife and two children. You can watch the mormon message about him here. I also loved Emily Watts who was hysterical. She had me laughing and crying at the same time. She talked about riding a segway and drew an analogy about how in life, just like on a segway, we're not progressing or moving forward unless we're slightly off balance. Perfect balance equals standing still. Quite profound I thought. That little tidbit made me feel so much better as I most definitely am never perfectly balancing all I have to do. Remember how behind I am on this little blog?

Most of the gang. We were missing a few who weren't early risers.

Some of the girls.

While us big girls were gone, Dad took the other kids to Altamont Park where there is a huge dirt field the kids love to play on. Soon there will be a school on that site, but our kids love building forts in the mounds of dirt for now.

Basketball

Meilani and her school basketball team. Meilani had a great season with her Questa team and also played on a team through the Tracy basketball league She's really growing as an athlete and was a great leader on her team this year. It's so fun to watch her.

Sariah and Eli also played basketball this year in the Mountain House basketball league. It was a great experience for both of them and their first experience playing that sport. Both Sariah and Eli learned a great deal and had a lot of fun with their respective teams. We're so glad that the sports opportunities continue to grow in our little town. I'm not sure how I managed to attend two games a weekend for several months and not take a single picture. Actually, I know exactly how it happened. With Ben at school most of the time, wrangling Seth and Ammon by myself, in bleachers instead of a grass field where they could run and play, was a feat in and of itself, but I'm sad I didn't drag the camera out at least once. Next year I suppose.

New Sandbox

Some friends of ours were getting rid of this sand box, so we snagged it. Score! The goal was to occupy the little boys in the backyard so that mom could get some stuff done around the house. Mission accomplished, only now, we've got sand covering every surface in our home. The cost of a few minutes of quiet.

Family Party

We had a family dinner to celebrate Eli and Liam's February birthdays.

Sethie sure loves Grandmom. He's made it his responsibility to help her to and from the bathroom anytime she's over visiting. He even waits patiently on the stairs for her to finish so he can help her back to her seat. So sweet.