Lessons Line upon Line

Checkin' Out

2012-02-09T19:16:00.001-07:00

My Grandpa would say this phrase every time I would hang up with him on the phone. "When are you coming again? I'll probably check out before then." I would respond that he wouldn't check out, and I'd see him or talk to him again. He always told me he loved me before we hung up on the phone.

Yesterday he checked out. And just in the manner he would have liked - quick and with his dignity. I was called and told he went to the hospital in the early evening. When I called back later (because I had silenced my phone), he had passed.

The tender mercies we have seen as a family have been that he passed quickly. He carried his dignity with him and did not need to have assisted care. He was not alone at his home. He did not fear death. He understood that death is part of God's plan to be with family and friends and await the resurrection.

Snapshot

2012-01-30T12:06:00.006-07:00

He was trying to get his shirt off and put his arm through the neck of his undershirt. He then pulled his arm out of the t-shirt and got stuck. He wanted a picture taken of it.

He was smiling. Naturally.

The boys put a rubber glow-in-the-dark rat on my head and then took the camera from me. This is the result.

A very blue sky....and a beautiful boy.

A forced smile.....

After a very exhausting day, he fell asleep at the table.

While the cat is away...

2012-01-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

...the mice will play.

Notice I'm in the background.

With my camera.

Nice shoes...

I stepped out of the car to check in with someone. Underfoot got my camera and took pictures. Here are a few shots I found after downloading to the computer. I saved only the best.

A goofy face.

Simple and Sweet

2012-01-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

"We realize that the purpose of our life on earth is to grow, develop, and be strengthened through our own experiences. How do we do this? The scriptures give us an answer in one simple phrase: we “wait upon the Lord.” Tests and trials are given to all of us. These mortal challenges allow us and our Heavenly Father to see whether we will exercise our agency to follow His Son. He already knows, and we have the opportunity to learn, that no matter how difficult our circumstances, “all these things shall [be for our] experience, and … [our] good.” ~ Robert D. Hales, October 2011

We have been learning about our purpose and what we can do. My boys have expressed it through paint and picture word reminders.

Snapshot

2012-01-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

At the Zoo

My parents came at the beginning of January. They decided to make a kitchen make over. The bench they made just was placed and so I want to reveal the makeover. Here are the after shots. I didn't take any before pictures. The amazing part is they built a bench to hold our 5-gallon food buckets of flour, sugar, chocolate. Everyone should have a chocolate bucket.

Thanks for the make over!!!

My Mom's Designer's Touch - No Before action shots

Four New Items - A Fan/Light, Blind, Plate, and Sign above door

Installing the bench

New Bench - Hiding Place for the Food Buckets

Rather Long and Large - It holds 9 5-Gallon buckets.

Creative Dating or Family Activities

2012-01-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

We have a goal to do a date once a week this year. So far we are 3 for 3! YEAH!!!

Here are 100 date ideas. Some are free.

1. Go scuba diving
2. Play cops and robbers on horseback
3. Walk all the dogs in the neighborhood
4. Go rabbit or rat hunting
5. Go for a bike ride
6. Sand mumping or icing
7. Swing at the park
8. Ricket your own house
9. Fire escape sitting or jumping and swinging
10. Mountain climbing
11. Water balloon fight
12. Glacier sliding
13. Go tubing down a stream
14. Race toy trains
15. Roller skate or skate boarding
16. Build a dam in a stream or gutter
17. Paint a barn or house
18. Make mud pies and eat or throw
19. Take a midnight hike with flashlights
20. Go bug collecting
21. Take sunrise hike with breakfast
22. Snipe hunting
23. Tip toe through the sprinklers
24. Ride a jeep to the top of a mountain and cook dinner
25. Go duck hunting
26. Have a scavenger hunt
27. Garage or house clean
28. Rent hondas (4-wheelers)
29. Hayride and hootenanny
30. Go caving and exploring
31. Kite making and then flying
32. Climb trees
33. Create out of dirt, sand play
34. Go catch frogs and then have a frog jumping contest
35. Go to a drive-in in a truck and have a candlelight dinner in the back
36. Rent a truck (moving van) and have a party inside
37. Take a sight seeing tour of your city
38. Visit a fish hatchery
39. Go bird watching at the Aviary
40. Play pool
41. Skiing
42. Play ping pong
43. Play tennis
44. Moonlight strolls
45. Picnic
46. Play catch
47. Go for drives around or in mountains
48. Fix dinner and watch movie
49. Go antiquing
50. Go on the merry-go-round
51. Visit travel agencies
52. Walk through the fog (rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc.)
53. Have a "Lost Ten Tribes" dinner party, Judah brings meat, Levi brings salad, Ephraim brings dessert, etc.
54. Go to the hotel and watch T.V. with sedate members of society
55. Go through an old junk drawer
56. Bottle fruit
57. Watch trains or planes come in
58. Wash cars
59. Color in coloring books
60. Go pumpkin caroling
61. Go to drive-in with date and younger brother or sister
62. Play kick the can
63. Pull taffy
64. Put together model cars
65. Play people watching
66. Take little children to the zoo
67. Baby-sitting
68. Free concerts, museums, etc.
69. Entertain at hospitals
70. Study sessions
71. Home-made light shows
72. Plan tournaments--Jacks, tennis, tiddlywinks, etc
73. Throw frisbees
74. Early morning game of tennis and breakfast before work
75. teach how to make bread
76. Start a Sunday night study group
77. Go to a baseball game late (You might get in free.)
78. Go fishing
79. Frog jumping contest
80. Write letters
81. Play football in the park
82. Jump on the sand dunes
83. Hiking
84. Have a street dance
85. Roller skating
86. Watermelon bust
87. Swing in the park
88. Miniature golf
89. Play cowboys and Indians
90. Boys cook dinner for the girls
91. Christmas caroling (in August or December)
92. Cook pancakes and watch cartoons
93. Find ghost houses
94. Go tubing or icing
95. Go water skiing
96. Put butcher paper on tables and finger paint with chocolate pudding
97. Weed a garden or plant seeds/garden
98. Make cookies and then take them to the neighbors
99. Have a pig party by tying people's wrists together and serving spaghetti without forks
100. Do murals on the sidewalk with chalk

Bowling - 100 Year Old Tradition

2012-01-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

Some where in the early 1900s, Martin Christensen introduced into the family bowling ONCE a year only New Year's Day.

My great-Grandparents continued the tradition with their children. The tradition continued to my maternal Grandparents to my Mom and now our family.

My Auntie Lyn sent a report to the Christensen family sharing:

After a few decade hiatus we are trying to pick it up again. We had a great, GREAT morning. They invented bumpers after I had mostly finished raising our children. Due to the lateness of this innovation Eric and I didn't carry on the bowling tradition with our little ones. Pay for 4 preschoolers to throw gutter balls all morning while I'm chasing them off of the lane - no thank you. Our health insurance didn't cover that much psychological post-bowling care.

Cousins then responded that the tradition is alive and well coast to coast in the United States. Since New Year's Day was Sunday we all went on Monday. I'll share a few of their responses.

"I don't think I've EVER had more fun bowling. Even if I was slaughtered by a 3 year. Next time maybe I'll try the Zoolander move after every bowl." ~ Nicol

Utah

"The Christensen tradition is still running strong in Southern Maryland. I have great memories of when we all younger and together enjoying this tradition." ~ Colleen

Southern Maryland

"The tradition is still hanging on in Northern California followed by chili and corn bread at the Christensen's home in California." ~ Todd

California

My favorite response was from my Auntie Ann, "Bumpers are all fine and good but I'm not playing unless they invent a ball that doesn't break your nails." Unfortunately I don't have a picture of them. It didn't come through on my email...

Arizona

Look at the triumph in his face! He threw the ball all by himself. Around frame 5 he insisted on carrying his OWN ball, throw his OWN ball, and cheer for HIMSELF! What a determined boy!

Simple and Sweet - Triumph!

2012-01-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

I've been cleaning off my desk. I found on my desk a jotted list of things I hoped to do month by month in 2011. I have looked at the list when I have found it over the passed year. I am grateful for what did get accomplished and a sweet man to support me in getting them done.

A screen at the Phoenix Science Museum - It took a cool family picture.

If it is in purple it happened or even cooler I blogged about it. If it is in black it was a no go...

January - Pancake Breakfast (tune piano & buy Joy School curriculum - our first lesson from the bought curriculum)
February - Nothing written down
March - Underfoot's birthday party (cake recipes used - Applesauce Cake, Caramel Devil Food's Cake, and Sour Cream Cake) and Spring Break - Idaho (kind of happened when we surprised my parents at Easter - only 72 hours)
April - Easter
May - Swim Lessons
June - Swim lesson and Locey Reunion
July - Kirkham Reunion
August - Joy School Curriculum
September - Nothing written down
October - Family Pictures and Fake Grass (A philosophy changed happened this month.)
November - Pie Party - last picture
December - Christmas Advent with Pictures Books - Advent Jesse Tree

Usually I'm not very realistic about the goals I write down. The list goes on sometimes for pages. This simple list happened even though I didn't blog about all of them. Yippee!

Happy New Year to your next year's dream, hopes, and adventures!!!

Grandma Fry's Jello Salad

2011-12-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

Beth Fry is my Sweetheart's Grandma. She would make the follow dish each time her family got together. I guess they got together every Sunday for dinner.

Per his request, I made it for him this Christmas at his request. I called his sister to get the recipe who served it at the annual family reunion 2 years ago. He took a bite and said, "This sure brings back a lot of memories."

Grandma Fry's Jello Salad
Source: Merris Hutchings

Ingredients
1 large box lime jello
1 small box orange jello
4 cups mini marshmallows
2 cups boiling water

1 8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise (Miracle Whip is the what the original calls for)
1 9 oz. can crushed pineapple
2 cups cool whip or whipped heavy whipping cream (the recipe calls for dream whip if you have it)

Make lime jello per directions on the box in a 9 x 13. Let it set in the frig. After green jello is set, mix and dissolve orange jello, marshmallows, and boiling water. Let cool to the consistency of eggs whites. While it is cooling, cream together cream cheese and mayonnaise until it is smooth. Add pineapple and whipped cream to cream cheese mixture and stir until smooth. Mix orange jello and cream cheese mixtures until well blended. Add to the top of the green jello. Let set. Serve.

I let it set overnight. It was firm by morning. As you can tell, I didn't blend as well as I could have.

Watching the flowers grow...

2011-12-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

The sweet boy painted this picture. He presented it to me with a story.

Mom - This is a picture of you watching the flowers and me grow.

He has insight. I am watching him grow and grow quickly. My heart wants him to stay in his sweet boy stage. He is thoughtful, kind, helpful, and a little sassy at times. Mary watched her Son "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." I would like to follow the example of Mary and help my sons grow in intelligence, physical prowess, spiritually, and socially. We have started to talk about going to school next year and how excited he is to go to "high school" (elementary). We have some specific lessons to learn together before we make the school leap together.

Jesse Tree Advent Summary

2011-12-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a summary of our Advent.

Day 5 - Isaac and the Lamb

Day 6 - Jacob's Ladder

Day 7 - Joseph

Day 8 - The Ten Commandments

Day 9 - The Promised Land

Day 10 - Ruth and Boaz

Day 11 - David

Day 12 - Josiah Find the Law

Day 13 - The stem of Jesse

Day 14 - The Lion and the Lamb

Day 15 - The Prince of Peace

Day 16 - The Good Shepherd

Day 17 - The Suffering Servant

Day 18 - A Heart with writing on it

Day 23 - The Light of the World

Day 24 - The Angel

Day 25 - The Birth

Snapshot: December 18-26

2011-12-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

They wanted their picture taken together.

Joy School presentation. He was singing "The Perfect Present."

Our family adventure to see the lights at the LDS Mesa Temple.

Riding the METRO light rail - part of our family adventure.

Our train lover said when he got comfortable, "This is fun."

Lifting his own body weight.

Making a dam in a water table.

Not really sure if they are ready for Christmas.

Now they are ready.

A book about Hurricane. He loves to look at it.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you for joining us for our advent! Our hope is that as you will ponder as did Mary and do as she "kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."

Merry Christmas!

Angels

2011-12-24T23:18:00.001-07:00

Many angels came and shared the birth of Jesus. We learned today about the shepherds.

We watched a new set of Bible videos. The text is taken from the Bible and are lovely.

Let Your Light Shine

2011-12-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

Day 23

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

When you wish upon a star....

2011-12-22T12:50:00.001-07:00

Have you ever wished on a star? Have you ever looked into the heavens and wondered great deep thoughts?

The wise men knew what the star meant when it appeared in the sky. They knew and packed up for an adventure. Do you know wise men who seek and know the signs of the coming of Christ?

My Auntie has a plaque that says, "Wise men still seek Him....."

We are leaving for a family adventure! We hope to see lights and make memories! And to have good conversation for seeking Christ!

Be A Builder

2011-12-21T23:30:00.001-07:00

Moving away from home was an exciting adventure. First to college. Then on a mission. And finally with my Sweetheart. Home in my heart will always be Idaho. I know that I have a family now, and our home is where we are living. Yet in my heart, Idaho is my promised land. I love how well I know the land where I came from. I love the people there. I love my growing up and the many, many memories it evokes.

Many prophets talked about how the children of Israel would one day be carried off as slaves because of their disobedience. Yet they were promised they would return to build the walls of their promised land in Jerusalem. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem and started the work. The people in the land weren't too keen on him doing this work, and tried to trick him to leave his work. He answered them saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" (source)

If the children of Israel were to return to Jerusalem before the birth of Christ, how do we prepare for the Second Coming of Christ? He is promised to return. The signs prophesied of Christ's coming surround us. Russell M. Nelson says:

Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord “shall suffer persecution.”¹ That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives.

How you deal with life’s trials is part of the development of your faith. Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. The Lord has reminded you, your children, and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord’s path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people.²
(source)

(source)

We can be builders and like Nehemiah not be tricked by what will come. We each have worth in the sight of our Savior and must follow his commandments. I am learning to hope for a home with God and have that be where my heart is at all times.

Just Stand

2011-12-20T23:05:00.003-07:00

Have you ever felt betrayed or forgotten or hated? Have you ever had to stand up for something with your personal image on the line?

In the Old Testament, many heroes stand for events such as these. Usually they were not in the land of their inheritance. Esther did. Daniel did. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego did. Each was faced with a death sentence for what they stood.

Consider that for just a moment. Are there things we face death for? People? Morals? I have not been threatened with physical death. I have though felt some of the sting of spiritual death. In my heart, I recognize the times I didn't want to stand up because I didn't want to look foolish. Those events are very clear in my memory. That is embarrassing to admit. I knew the truth and feared what others would say.

How can this great change occur? Howard W. Hunter gives encouragement saying,

A successful life, the good life, the righteous Christian life requires something more thaan a contribution, though every contribution is valuable. Ultimately it requires commitment—whole souled, deeply held, eternally cherished commitment to the principles we know to be true in the commandments God has given. We need such loyalty to the Church, but that must immediately be interpreted as a loyalty in our personal habits and behavior, integrity in the wider community and marketplace, and—for the future’s sake—devotion and character in our marriages and homes and families.

If we will be true and faithful to our principles, committed to a life of honesty and integrity, then no king or contest or fiery furnace will be able to compromise us. For the success of the kingdom of God on earth, may we stand as witnesses for him “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death.” (Mosiah 18:9.) (source)

Source

As I ponder where this might begin, I am struck by how my behavior is magnified by my sons. The place to start to stand as a witness in our homes with our families.

Home is strongest and most beautiful in which we find each person sensitive to the feelings of others, striving to serve others, striving to live at home the principles we demonstrate in more public settings. We need to try harder to live the gospel in our family circles. Our homes deserve our most faithful commitments. A child has the right to feel that in his home he is safe, that there he has a place of protection from the dangers and evils of the outside world. Family unity and integrity are necessary to supply this need. A child needs parents who are happy in their relationship to each other, who are working happily toward the fulfillment of ideal family living, who love their children with a sincere and unselfish love, and who are committed to the family’s success. (source)

With the idea that it starts at home, the parents of Esther, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego must have taught them the law, and at some point they made their decision. As I have participated in our advent this season, I have found areas in where I need to better myself as an individual, spouse, and parent. The hope for this change comes through knowing Jesus Christ better and having faith in the atonement that I can repent and change to truly stand as a witness.

Small and simple

2011-12-19T23:03:00.000-07:00

The Tale of Three Trees is a story that is the dream of three different trees. The trees imagine for themselves greatness. Their actual use is significantly less glamorous as a manger, fishing boat, and a cross.

Source

Each tree realizes that their dream has come true after an encounter with Jesus Christ. The trees realize "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" (Alma 37:6). The trees were not made into something super flashy.

The town of Bethlehem was not a flashy town either. It was a quiet town. A quiet birth happened there. Because of this birth which was discreet and announced to shepherds, we will each have eternal life which is the greatest gift of God!

Snapshot: December

2011-12-18T23:06:00.000-07:00

A great hit

Burning pine limbs

Revenge on the hot chocolate

At Scouts this week, the boys came to our house and had hot chocolate. Hurricane spilled the hot chocolate down his body. Sweetheart got to practice first aid and then the boys got to review their skills. Later that night, Hurricane “attacked” the hot chocolate. He put multiple knives in the hot chocolate container. We found it after he went to bed. I guess that is his way to get back at the hot chocolate. It is kind of a Clue game: the Hurricane in the kitchen with the knives

Our Inn Keeper/Wise Man

A surprise in the mail

A surprise after work

In my heart....

2011-12-18T22:41:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, I was a missionary. Since I was 3 years old, I talked about going on a mission. I wanted to go so much that I bought a fake engagement ring because of all the marriage talk around me. I wasn't dating anyone, and no one was looking my way so my $10 purchase could have been better placed like into a package of Oreo cookies.

Made with buttons from Sweetheart's Grandma's sewing items

In my heart, I wanted to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I wanted to share the love that I had felt from the Savior with other people. And I got to do it. Every day for 18 months, I wore a name tag over my heart saying I was a disciple of Jesus Christ.

My Missionary Tag

In Jeremiah, a prophesy is shared about our day. The prophesy says that God "will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people" (source). In our day, God says that his children on the earth will want to know him, to follow his plan, and will want to share the good news with others. They will be good people and will carry the name of Christ on their hearts. Not all Christians wear the name of Jesus Christ on a name tag. They emulate it in their lives by living the law which is their love of God and their love of their fellowman.

Scraps from the dresses I wore a missionary. My Mom made it into a quilt for my first Christmas after my mission.

I am grateful for my neighbors of other faiths that show they love God through their actions and their expressions of faith. Dieter F. Uchtdorf said:

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation; it is a pathway, marked by our loving Father in Heaven, leading to happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressible fulfillment in the life to come. The gospel is a light that penetrates mortality and illuminates the way before us. (source).

I hope that others can see in our actions that we choose a path that will lead to happiness even without a name tag on our chest.

The Atonement during Christmas

2011-12-18T10:35:00.001-07:00

To celebrate Easter during Christmas might seem odd. Because of Christmas we have Easter. This post was to go up yesterday, but we spent the day as a family doing odds and ends.

The past few days have been the prophesies of Isaiah. Jesus Christ said, "Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah."

In Isaiah 53, Isaiah gives a complete description of what the crucifixion would be. As we read this, what struck me was "yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him." God the Father knew that Jesus Christ was willing and had covenanted in the counsel in heaven to follow through on "this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Heavenly Father did not take pleasure in the suffering of his son nor does he take pleasure in our suffering. He knew that it needed to happen for our happiness.

Our happiness is improve when we following the teachings of Christ such as prayer, service, scripture study, and having a Christian heart. In keeping with Christ's admonition to study Isaiah, Richard G. Scott about the power of scriptures in our lives.

Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. (source)

I hope each of us can find Christ in our Christmas to ponder the miracle of his birth to bring about the miracle in our live to live with God again.

The Good Shepherd

2011-12-16T21:59:00.001-07:00

Underfoot has been talking about helping people. We talked about what it means to rescue someone. Sometimes it is when they are hurt or in need of food. Other times it is when they are sad.

Day 16

We then watched this video and talked about how sheep know the voice of their shepherd. We hope we are teaching our sons to the know the voice of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.

Where or where......

2011-12-15T18:40:00.001-07:00

When I thought of this topic, I thought of the hymn, "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" Today in my life, I am busy trying to get Christmas done. I am working on finishing up the last present. I feel very anxious and nervous that I'm not doing the other "things" on my to-do list.

The hymn asks questions of where, when, and who. The third verse answers all the questions.

He answers privately, Reaches my reaching In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend. Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.Constant he is and kind, Love without end.

Day 15

Isaiah prophesied that Christ would be the Prince of Peace. (Handel also used this same passage in his Easter presentation of the Messiah. Interesting how we now use it at Christmas.) Christ promised "peace I leave with you, peace I give unto you." I can feel this promised peace through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost can communicate with us the peace my heart craves so much knowing that it comes from Jesus Christ and him keeping his promise.

Some times the whispers are so quiet I can miss them in my hurry.

“If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most. . . . It is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Things That Matter Most," Oct. 2010 general conference).

In our family we are really trying as parents to be consistent and to listen to the peace the Savior brings. We believe the peace starts with practice in our home.

“Since 'no other success can compensate for failure' here, we must place high priority on our families. We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship” ("Of Things That Matter Most").

I hope that you can find the time to rejoice and feel the peace of the Savior today.

High on the Mountain Top

2011-12-14T13:31:00.001-07:00

One week ago at church, the women had a social gathering. (We call this gathering an additional Relief Society meeting meaning it isn't on Sunday.) The purpose of the meeting is to bring women closer to Christ. The evening had food, conversation, and an opportunity to share a Christ-centered family tradition. Many ideas were shared of giving gifts through service organizations or to a family in need, filling a manager with hay for acts of service, each member of the family unwrapping a picture of Christ as the first present on Christmas morning, and many others.

One of our traditions is the Advent Jesse Tree. Over the past 13 days, I have shared each day of the advent by adding my own thoughts and feelings building up to the birth in Bethlehem through the Old Testament.

As we opened the "gift" today, Underfoot asked if after Christmas the picture could be put into his room for the rest of the year. I think it is sweet because the scripture we read talks about how a little child shall lead them.

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6-9)

Isaiah prophesies of Jesus Christ's Second Coming. He sees that we will have peace on the earth after the coming of Christ. "Isaiah taught that even the animals will live in harmony: wolves, leopards, lions, and bears will no longer hunt lambs, goats, and calves" (source). Isaiah 11 is to encourage and give hope to the followers of Jesus Christ in a world where wickedness will be the same as in the days of Isaiah.

"And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people" (Isaiah 11:10). An ensign is a flag, a banner, or a standard that signals to others what the beliefs are of a group of people. My Dad's favorite hymn is High on a Mountain Top. For me, this anthem says that there is a "bigger picture" in God's plan than the pinhole approach sometimes I have. Isaiah shared this vision because he knew that men and women in the winding-up-scenes before the Second Coming would need to remember the Savior's love.

I am reminded each day recently through our advent experience that God does love his children and wants to teach them of His plan so they can return to live with Him. Our day is not isolated to receive the word of the Lord. He has given it to His children throughout all time - Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, Ruth Esther, and many more.

The Giving Tree

2011-12-13T12:22:00.001-07:00

Isaiah talks about how the "stem of Jesse" will come to judge us in righteousness. Olive tree are and were very common in Isaiah's area.

Source

Here are a few things I learned from a talk called The Olive Press:

The olive tree is a perennial, not a deciduous tree. Its leaves do not seasonally fade nor fall. Through scorching heat and winter cold they are continually rejuvenated. The tree is thus evergreen, or “everolive.”
Without cultivation it is a wild, unruly, easily corrupted tree. Only after long, patient cultivating, usually eight to ten years, does it begin to yield fruit.
New shoots often come forth from apparently dead roots.
Today some trees, still productive on the Mount of Olives, are known by scientific measure to be at least 1,800 years old.^a
Even after the harvest, the olives are bitter, useless to man or beast. To make them edible, one must place them in a large stone box, layer them with salt and vinegar, make more layers of olives, and add more purgatives. Slowly the bitterness is purged from them.
To produce olive oil, the refined olives had to be crushed in a press. The mellowed and seasoned olives were placed in strong bags and flattened on a furrowed stone. Then a huge crushing circular rock was rolled around on top, paced by a mule or an ox and a stinging whip. Another method used heavy wooden levers or screws twisting beams downward like a winch upon the stone with the same effect: pressure, pressure, pressure—until the oil flowed.

Source

Truman G. Madsen spoke on this topic better than I about how Jesus Christ is the stem of Jesse and how Christ is similar to an olive tree and the fruit it produces. I encourage you to read Madsen's words.

My own paralells from the point above are:

We are forever living. Because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, we will gain immortality. We may grow and change with time but our spirit lives on.
Today we tied Ruth and Boaz to Obed to Jesse to David. Each was given the promise that Jesus Christ would be born through their lineage and what an honor it was for them. They were taught the commandments and given the choice to choose if they would follow Jesus Christ. "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ" (source).
The gift of the atonement makes it possible for new life to come to each of us. We can repent and make a better life.
We lived before we came to earth, and we will live again after this earth life.
Some times we are bitter and mean, time, care, and experience helps each of us to be more specific in how we want to be better to ourselves and to each other.
The refining process comes to each of us in our trials. We can either choose to reach out and ask for the aid of the Savior or suffer on our own.

All things denote there is a God even the new growth from an apparent dead stump and the hope that comes with new life.

On Target

2011-12-11T20:12:00.001-07:00

We are really big into weapons around here. (We have two boys that are all boy.) When a weapon is taken away, Hurricane will use his finger to shoot anyone. He will shoot at Underfoot until Underfoot says to stop it. This morning they opened up the greatest weapon - a sling.
Daddy told the story of David and Goliath. He talked about David being obedient to Heavenly Father and not being afraid of the Philistine army. It was tradition in the days of David for the two armies to get together and pick two guys - one for each team to fight it out. Whoever won the fight won the battle. Goliath was HUGE. David was a teenager.

Source

Taunting was very common. When David shows up on the field, Goliath says, "Am I a dog?" Goliath was insulted that a little boy was coming before him, but no one else would fight.

David responds by saying:
The battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.

For the advent I made this ornament, and Underfoot was super excited because he thought I was going to make a full size one for him to use. When thinking about the battle, I consider that the battle for my sons may not be to face a flesh and blood Goliath but a battle to stand for truth and to be obedient to ALL the commandments of Heavenly Father.

Russell M Nelson said:

You faithful Saints do not have to fight life’s battles alone. Think of that! The Lord declared, “I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”¹⁷ Later came this promise to His faithful people: “I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their children’s battles, and their children’s children’s, … to the third and fourth generation.”¹⁸

Our beloved President Thomas S. Monson has given us his prophetic witness. He said: “I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments.”

President Monson continued: “My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”¹⁹(Source)

Our weapons may be our testimony in the Savior, Jesus Christ, of his birth, life, teachings, death and resurrection. I hope to keep my own testimony bright.

Pure Religion

2011-12-10T19:46:00.001-07:00

Last Christmas we learned about the Advent Jesse Tree. The family that invited us to participate explained to me one of their Christmas family traditions. When their daughter and son were young, they would receive a lot of presents from family for Christmas. The parents wanted their children to have a more giving heart and decided that they would make Christmas special for someone else. Their inspiration was from James 1:24

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

The parents with their children put together a plan. They decided they would pray through out the year for the inspiration to know of a widow who would need to feel the love of Christ at Christmastime. Usually this would be the first Christmas without their spouse. Once a widow was identified they would learn who she was and would prepare gifts with her and her children in mind.

Source

The giving vehicle was the 12 days of Christmas. They called it their 12 Days Ministry. Instead of giving one item and building to 12 gifts, they would give specific items they knew the family would love. They would leave a note like a ransom letter out of magazine letters so the family could never identify them. They giggle as they would tell of their night time marauding and daring dashes to safety from being discovered.

Another widow sought for aid after the death of her husband. Elimelech and Naomi had two sons and decided to move to Moab because of the famine in Bethlehem. Both sons married women in the country they were living. At the death of Elimelech and his sons, Naomi decided to return to the land of her heritage. Orpah decided stay in the land, and Ruth said, "for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."

Ruth followed Naomi. Ruth supported them by gathering the left over grain in the fields. Boaz saw this and asked the gathers to leave enough to support Naomi and Ruth.

Day 9 of Advent

Naomi knew the custom of her people was that the widows would be taken care of by family members. Naomi instructed Ruth on the custom and how to have Boaz claim her as a wife. Boaz being honorable did marry her. They were promised that through them the Savior would be born.

Source

Boaz took care of the widows in his care. He followed the example that the Savior would teach about caring for the lonely and poor in spirit.

Last Christmas the above mentioned family were directed to a widower. He in turn would write each evening about the gifts he received, but more importantly he wrote about the change he felt come over him to feel the joy of the Christmas season as he had his first Christmas without his wife. He felt the heavens were opened to him, and he was blessed.

At first he wrote, he was curious to know who his "angels" were. But as time continued, he respected their wish to remain anonymous. Each night before picking up the gift, he would offer a prayer to heaven for them. On the 12th night, he shared his manuscript with his "angels." They don't know how the 12th night turned out. This was the first detailed written response they have had. I shared this post with the family, and they responded by saying,

Since we started the 12 Days ministry, we actually haven't exchanged gifts with anyone (friends or family so the journal we received from him was on only gift but undoubtedly the best gift we've ever received from when we used to exchange Christmas gifts. I would venture to say it was the best gift any of us has ever received, regardless of the gift-giving occasion.

As this family shared this story with me, I felt the love of the Savior and his mission is being carried out by his faithful followers on this earth.

How do you plan to share the love of Christ this season with someone?

Too Hard to Try

2011-12-09T18:39:00.001-07:00

Have you ever been paralyzed because of fear of failure so you don't even try? Now consider for a moment an event or task that you knew would be hard, and you accomplished it. For me, I can think of many things that I am fearful in even starting because I'm not sure of the outcome like teaching my child to read. It seems overwhelming and instead of having patience that he is learning I get frustrated with my inability to teach him. I will purposely put up obstacles so I don't have to do it.

Instead of getting on my knees and asking heaven for help, I act like the children of Israel in the desert. Twelve spies were sent by Moses to look at the land of Canaan. They came back with a glowing report that the land "floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it." The fruit was of grapes that had to be carried by two men, figs, and pomegranates (Genesis 13:23). The land was ideal. Yet 10 of the 12 spies said, "We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we" (source). Caleb and Joshua (the other 2 spies) were ready to go and claim the land. The people voted in favor of fear and were left to wander in the wilderness for 40 years.

Source

40 YEARS! What blessings am I delaying because of my fear? Why do I not trust in the Lord to make the pathway bright so he will help me on this journey? Joshua eventually said, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." Joshua was to lead a new generation into Canaan. Only a few who left Egypt came into the promised land.

Day 9 Advent

Caleb came into the land also. He was to defeat the Anakims, the giants. He showed his faith by saying, "Give me this mountain." He said to Joshua, "as yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me [at least in the spirit of the gospel and its call and needs]: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, … both to go out, and to come in” (Josh. 14:7–8, 10–11).

Spencer W. Kimball compared our journey now to Caleb's journey,

This is my feeling for the work at this moment. There are great challenges ahead of us, giant opportunities to be met. I welcome that exciting prospect and feel to say to the Lord, humbly, “Give me this mountain,” give me these challenges.

Humbly, I give this pledge to the Lord and to you, my beloved brothers and sisters, fellow workers in this sacred cause of Christ: I will go forward, with faith in the God of Israel, knowing that he will guide and direct us, and lead us, finally, to the accomplishment of his purposes and to our promised land and our promised blessings.

“And Jesus said unto him, No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). (Source)

With the examples of the past, I can teach my son to read. I can conquer my giants. My friend, Suzette, says often, "I can do hard things."

Source

What blessings do you want but fear to ask for because of the figurative or literal giants in your way?

Late into the Night

2011-12-08T14:50:00.001-07:00

Last night after reading our bedtime story, Underfoot asked if he had been a good boy that day. He had been wonderful! He played hard and listened to instructions. I asked him how he knew what it meant to be good. He said very matter-of-factly, "Well God tells us how."

We went on to talk about reading scriptures, saying our prayers, and listening for answers from God. Daddy came in and said we also learn from prophets.

This morning when we opened our advent we talked about how Moses got the commandments and that they had been written by the finger of God. (Underfoot is really into writing in his own language currently.) He said these are the things that helps us be good.

Somewhere in his brain he made the connection. He wants to be good.

I wonder what other conversations we will have late in the night so he will be a good boy and eventually a good man.

Any Dream Will Do

2011-12-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

We did something fun and watched "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." My boys sat there watching instead of eating their lunch. They listened to the music and watched the colors.

The show is a lot of fun with the musical genres presented. Joseph's dreams sent him on an adventure of a lifetime. He went and did things that only a few can dream about doing.

Day 7 of Advent

The best part of Joseph is he kept his base of knowing who he was and knowing that there was a plan for him. He kept himself chaste and ended up in jail. He always did his best and was trusted in Potiphar's home, the prison, and eventually by Pharaoh. (Genesis 37; 39-46)

As I look as Joseph, he was prepared to be the "dreamer" to save his family from eventual famine. In my own life, I wonder what God is preparing me to do to save us from "famine" in my daily activities. I have not been hated by my family, sold as a slave, gone to jail, or met and organized a mass national effort. I do have the choice to teach my children will say "we do not doubt our mother knew" God's plan for our family and that regardless of what happens God will guide us.

How do you see God's plan in your daily journey?

A Pure Heart

2011-12-06T12:06:00.001-07:00

My cousin, Benjamin, is a dear. He and I have had discussions about his hopes and dreams. He didn't talk much about his hurts.

Benjamin being reverent as a 2 year old.

When Benjamin was born, he was born with truncus arteriousus. His family gave him a name and blessing the very same day as his birth before his first operation. When I was around Benjamin, he was happy to just be who he was. He had his feet planted solid - like a firm foundation. He knew who to look to for his inspiration.

Benjamin was a believer in doing the right things. He believed in making covenants with God like it says in Psalms 24:

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob.

Jacob's ladder is referred in this psalm. Jacob had a dream on his way to find his Uncle Laban and to marry Leah and Rachel. Jacob dreamed that he sees a ladder that extends from Earth to God. On the ladder he sees ministering angels that teach the way to return to Heavenly Father (Genesis 28:10-22.) Jacob is given a vision on what he must do to return to heaven by making sacred covenants with him of baptism, confirmation, and temple covenants. After making the covenants like Job, he must "endure" to be happy.

Jacob is so affected by his vision that he names the place Bethel which is a holy place. Our home and temples can be similar in their holiness when we seek to be obedient to God.

Jacob is also promised that Jesus Christ will be born through his family in his dream. What a promise to know of the coming of the Savior and to believe that his redeeming power will happen as if it has already happened!

Benjamin, Boo (nephew), Button (niece)

Benjamin's goal was to return to the Savior, Jesus Christ. I am grateful for his example to want to return to his Heavenly Father and how well he endured. Benjamin's physical heart in this life failed him, but his pure heart helped him continue on his mission to teach the plan of salvation.

A Test of a Lifetime

2011-12-05T08:34:00.001-07:00

Last night late my parents called to share some tragic news and to provide me with some encouragement in our family goals. I learned that a friend's son had been struggling with headaches for the past week or so and had sought medical help. Yesterday he had a severe headache and decided to stay home from church while his expecting wife and 3 children went. When they returned home, he was in a coma. He was pronounced brain-dead last night, and today a medical team will give life to others with the donation of his organs. My heart mourns for this sudden, tragic loss of a father, husband, brother, and son.

Now if this were the only event that my friend's family had experienced it would be tragic. Yet over the past year, a Grandmother has passed away, a newborn child has passed away, and a horrific car accident took place that broke bones but didn't take any life. Our family friend has suffered. They seek the balm of Gilead to heal and repair their hearts and wounds.

Day 5 of our Advent

Abraham passed tests throughout his lifetime. He was to be sacrificed by his father. His wife was sought by the Egyptian court. Sarai and he ached because of infertility. He lived in Canaan, a desert that was not very desirable. Abraham and Sarah's miracle son was asked to be a sacrifice. Abraham's difficulties are written (Abraham 1:7-12; Genesis 20:1-12; Genesis 15; Genesis 17:4-8; Genesis 22:2.)


Source

A miracle occurs in each of his trials because of his faith in Jesus Christ. He is saved from death. His wife is protected. They have a son. The desert produced for him and made him a wealthy man. A ram is found in the bush for the sacrifice. God talks to Abraham and teaches him that Abraham's willingness to sacrifice is similar to the God's real sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Source

Abraham showed his faith in God's plan by acting. He struggled, cried, and went forward to be obedient. Our family friend has faith in Jesus Christ also and hopefully through their trials they will cling to the promises God gives that all will be made well in the end. Through Abraham's and our friend's struggles, they know that they can trust in Jesus Christ. Barbara Thompson said:

Our testimonies fortify us and strengthen us as we face challenges in our daily lives. Some people struggle with difficult health problems; some experience financial problems; others have challenges in their marriage or with their children; some suffer from loneliness or unfulfilled hopes and dreams. It is our testimony, combined with our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and our knowledge of the plan of salvation, which helps to get us through these times of trial and hardship. Source

I hope that each of us will take strength from Abraham and Isaac's example and go forward with faith.

As Many As the Sands of the Sea...

2011-12-04T17:47:00.001-07:00

We all make promises. We know that God makes promises called covenants. The covenants God makes are two way. He promises a portion if we do our part. God's promise to Abram was that God "will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2).

Russell M. Nelson spoke about Abraham talking specifically about the covenants made.

The covenant God made with Abraham¹³ and later reaffirmed with Isaac¹⁴ and Jacob¹⁵ is of transcendent significance. It contained several promises, including:

Jesus the Christ would be born through Abraham’s lineage.
Abraham’s posterity would be numerous, entitled to an eternal increase, and also entitled to bear the priesthood.
Abraham would become a father of many nations.
Certain lands would be inherited by his posterity.
All nations of the earth would be blessed by his seed.¹⁶
And that covenant would be everlasting—even through “a thousand generations.”¹⁷

Abraham's children have blessed the nations of the world, and God has kept his promise.

Rain, Rain Go Away....

2011-12-03T15:45:00.001-07:00

We have had rain the last 3 days. In Arizona we get most of our rain during the monsoon season. (Our average is less than 12 inches of rainfall a year. When we lived in Pennsylvania we got just under 40 inches a year.) It has turned "cold" here (50 degrees), and we have bundled up. I know that is nothing to complain about when it is mid-30s other places.

My Gamma Rae LOVED to talk about the weather. She also loved talking about being obedient to prophets. So in honor of the rain and my Gamma Rae, we opened our advent ornament about Noah.

The rain just drips off the roof in sheets.

Noah did his best to teach the people to follow Jesus Christ, but God commanded Noah to build an ark. And Noah was obedient. The people thought evil and acted upon their evil thoughts by being violent or carnal. With the ark finished and loaded with all its animals, no rain fell for seven days. Then the heavens opened and dumped for 40 days. Then it took about 11 months for the water to go down.

God promised that he would never flood the earth again. He gave us a symbol of the rainbow. All things testify there is a God (Alma 30:44). The rainbow is a specific covenant made by God to us his children that the earth will never be flooded again.

Amos teaches that God reveals his plan to His prophets. Noah was a prophet and tried to teach the people. The people did not choose to listen and got drowned. We believe that we have a prophet who speaks today to warn us as Noah did. Thomas S. Monson recently spoke about Standing in Holy Places. He reviews the Ten Commandments and how we can be strong.

We are happy to know that God loves his children to give us prophets to lead and guide us as he has for his other children in different ages.

That We Might Have Joy

2011-12-02T10:13:00.001-07:00

Daddy let me sleep in this morning. Hurricane came into our room with the bucket of ice cream. I told him to go ask Daddy to help him hoping that Daddy would take the ice cream away and give them breakfast. When Underfoot came to ask if it was time to open our advent, it was time to get up. I was greeted with this face. And grabbed the camera.

And this face. (He's learned to eat a little more cleanly.)

The bucket of ice cream was ALL GONE.

I love the huge serving spoon they pulled out.

After the boys cleaned up the mess, we opened Day 2 - Adam and Eve and the choice they made in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 2:23-25, Adam and Eve were husband and wife. What a great gift! To know that marriage is valued and given of God.

Adam and Eve were given a direction from God to multiple and replenish the earth and to not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; "nevertheless, [they] mayest choose for [themselves], for it is given unto [them]." Adam and Eve had to make a choice. The greatest gift from God is our freewill or agency.

Satan deceived Eve. Eve partook. Adam then ate to stay with his wife because he knew she couldn't stay in the Garden of Eden, and he would be alone. They cleaved together as they were commanded. They brought forth children and went to work which reminded me of this post.

Even though I woke up to a little mess, I had a chuckle. Adam and Eve made it possible for me to feel joy and misery. "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25). We are "free to choose liberty and eternal life."

I am grateful to make choices and have great joy in two very resourceful boys.

Straight and Narrow

2011-12-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

Sweetheart and I had a discussion last night about being willing to sacrifice and to follow the plan that God has set for us. We talked about how sometimes the unknown will cause us to shrink from asking for God's will. It reminds me of a scriptures that says, "the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them." The he is Jesus Christ.

An example in the Bible of such a man that was willing to seek, sacrifice, and follow God's will was Josiah.

Josiah is an more unknown man in the Bible (2 Kings 22-23). His story shows his conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He showed how leadership can change a nation. He made great sacrifice to have his people AND the Northern Kingdom to return to God.

Here is a video that explains the story of Josiah. Josiah's father was an idol worshiper and participated in human sacrifice. The beginning of the video show a representation of this. This is a warning so that you will not be shocked.

Joseph B Wirthlin talked about staying on the straight and narrow.

King Josiah was a king of Judah who reigned in righteousness. When he was only eight years old, he succeeded his father as king. Scripture tells us that although he was just a boy, Josiah “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, … and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.” (2 Kgs. 22:2.)

The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.” (D&C 3:2.)

Even though these teachings of the Savior are plain and direct, we are still at risk of getting sidetracked. Some people choose to follow the teachings of the Lord and of his living prophet only when convenient, but reject them when sacrifice or deeper commitment is required. Some fail to follow only because his divine teachings do not agree with their own preconceived notions. (Source)

In the end of our conversation last night, Sweetheart said to me, "If you don't ask, how can you change. We already know it will be hard, but the reward is so worth it. We've been promised." The promise is when covenants are made with God the Father and Jesus Christ "then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life....unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive." And for me in parenting, this promise is to have the peace of mind of knowing that I am doing my best. Taking the first step and asking always the hardest. And last night I took the first step.

In the beginning....

2011-12-01T09:26:00.001-07:00

After staring at the colorful bags on the wall, THE DAY HAS COME to open the bags one by one for the next 25 days. Underfoot was so excited this morning he was motivated to get ready faster than usual.

Our advent is here!

The Advent Jesse Tree starts with the creation of the world and goes through the prophesies in the Bible (mostly Old Testament) of Jesus Christ's birth and what his mission on the earth will be. We use the scriptures and devotionals from the book and add the passages of scripture from the Book of Mormon and statements from living prophets.

We opened the first "present" and found a globe or a picture of the world.

Our story starts with the pre-earth council with God presenting to us His marvelous plan. He wanted to create an earth and to have His spirit children come to earth and gain a body and to choose if they wanted to return to live with Him. God knowing that we would make mistakes wanted to provide a Savior for us. Jesus Christ volunteered to be the Savior. Lucifer also volunteered. Jesus wanted to follow God's plan of creation and let us make our own choices. Lucifer wanted to compel everyone to return to God's presence and have the glory and honor of God. We made our first choice to either follow Jesus Christ or to follow Lucifer in that pre-earth council. A war ensued where Lucifer and his legions were expelled from the presence of God. Lucifer became Satan or as Mary Ellen Edmunds says, "what's his no face."

Then came IN THE BEGINNING! The world was created in and is recorded Genesis 1 and John 1:1-5. The earth was created for US!!! In the Book of Mormon we are taught that the creation is for us to bring about the eternal purposes of God.

Our beginning came before the world was created. God created the world for us His children with Jesus Christ as our Savior. The formation of the earth was the start with the sun, moon, stars, land, water, plants, animals, and Adam and Eve to follow. This was the beginning of God's plan taking shape. The earth is marvelous, beautiful, and provides everything we need to live and to serve others.

My favorite part is that God's plan is He took each one of in consideration and had a perfectly detailed plan. He gave me choice, and even though I am not perfect, God the Father planned and provided a Savior in Jesus Christ.

What is your favorite part of God's creation for you?

A Hiatus...

2011-11-30T04:30:00.000-07:00

Time has slipped away.

Source

I want to return to writing and attempting to express myself clearly. And sharing photos. Photos most of all...

One day I hope to be wise and share insights of things that I have learned and will hopefully help someone else on their path. I guess that is mostly what I want to find.

As I said almost one whole month ago, I went to Time Out for Women. I learned that I have wisdom to share and should share my experiences. Hopefully my experiences will help someone else. I have always hestitated to share because I am not perfect. I want others to have a good opinion of me and to receive the "praise of Catan." (Settlers of Catan is a favorite game of my Sweetheart's. That is our way of saying we need praise or an atta' boy.)

My goal this year was to be comfortable in my own shoes again. To be happy with me. I have been there a few times in my life - my childhood, as a missionary, and at the end of graduate school. I have been searching again for who I am now as a wife, a mother, and living away from my family. Except for my mission, I have always lived very close to family. I could rely on them to be physically there for me (with food, a listening ear, or just company.) When I moved away across the United States, I feel that I lost me in figuring out my new role as a wife and then as a mother.

In my quest this year, I still feel that I have floundered and then a lot of my questions were answered in quiet whispering when I went away for 36 hours. I needed to be quiet and listen to myself. I needed to change my comparing view of how other mothers parent and how I parent. I found that I know and love my children and don't need to make them do the things that I see other children doing. I felt that even though my family is not physically close; they pray for me every day and are concerned for my welfare.

(Side note: My brother was so concerned about me that he would search the Craig's List listings for a car when we only had one car to drive, and I was at home with no car. He would call when he saw one. We brought a car on his recommendation. The car's name is Fred Ignatowski.)

I have learned to include my children in my "work." It takes longer and has more clean ups. The payoffs are surprising. My children are not as grouchy because I am not as grouchy. My husband is happy. I am learning to be patient with myself.

As the Christmas season is almost upon us, we decided to make an advent. Underfoot is SO EXCITED! He helped me wrap the advent. Hurricane helped me hang it on our wall. Last year we participated in a Jesse Tree Advent and are doing it again this year. This advent takes from the creation of the world and goes through the prophesies in the Bible of Jesus Christ's birth and mission on the earth. The culmination of the advent is the birth of Jesus Christ.

Underfoot & Hurricane with our prepared advent.

I am learning to be more comfortable in my shoes and to happy where I am. I am starting with my children and celebrating each day with them. My Sweetheart has noticed the difference.

Snapshot

2011-11-27T18:06:00.001-07:00

Sonora Desert Museum

Pulling the dead tree....

Digging up the tree...

Putting away the wood stake....

Sonora Desert Museum

Snapshot

2011-11-20T19:21:00.001-07:00

Here are few snapshots into our last 2 weeks...

Cleaning Out the Attic for a $1 Sale

Day 2.5 of a fever. He ended up having a double ear infection.

He had bronchitis. We had to do breathing treatments. He hated them.

Steam Engine No. 844

The end of a long day.... I had paint on my neck for who knows how long.

My Cute Boy

My Energy Filled Boy

The Pie Party 2011

A Teaser

2011-11-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

I went to Time Out for Women conference this past weekend. I enjoyed what I learned, who I spent my time with, and what I learned I can change.

This was one of the many videos shown. The best part of it was the explanation. Hilary Weeks, the songwriter and musician, gave that we each experience trial in our mortal experience. As part of that experience we will have sorrow and joy.

She shared at the end of the music video presentation she invited anyone who wanted to participate in the music video to come and show up. When they arrived on site, they were asked to name their greatest heartbreak and write it on the poster board. The participants didn't know they would be asked before coming.It made for a very powerful statement because we all can name our heartbreak easily. Hopefully we see the joy and blessing of what has come from the heartbreak.

Over the next few days, I hope to share what I've learned and how I hope to choose to become.

Snapshot

2011-11-06T19:55:00.000-07:00

Here is a peek into our week....

Thomas, Mama the Wich, & McClintock

Thomas

A field trip with Sweetheart to an open pit mine

A display tire for the equipment

The Bounty of the Field Trip

Something Beautiful

2011-11-02T00:25:00.000-07:00

My BIL shared this. It is beautiful to watch the different flowers blossom. Like in our own lives, we each have a time and season.

What is your season now?

Life of flowers from VOROBYOFF PRODUCTION on Vimeo.

Snapshot

2011-10-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

Here is a snapshot into our week...

The T-ball Crowd Cheerers

Hitting the Ball


Nailing the ball high into the sky.

Coming home.

Our Cowboy. (The other one wouldn't turn around.)

Caught ya'!

2011-10-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

Life around here has been busy lately. So busy that I can't seem to get ahead until this week. (I finally wash, dried, AND PUT AWAY laundry. First time in 3 weeks.)

What has been happening? The last week of September our LDS ward, our local congregation divided geographically, was split into two congregations. We were basically HUGE! With the change on Sunday night, Sweetheart and I had no assignments to volunteer in the ward. Until Monday morning....

I was asked to help with chartering our new BSA pack, troop, crew, and venturing group. I was driven and tried to get to every boy and parent between the ages of 8 - 18 to register them for the new BSA group by the next Sunday. Then I was asked to help in Relief Society by the next Sunday.

So since the new assignment, my boys have been watching a little more movies than usual. Yesterday morning, Underfoot got up before we did and turned the computer on. He turned it to his new favorite show on the website, The Friend. He then went to the *new* animated scriptures and watched the Book of Mormon Stories over and over again. I couldn't get my camera to catch him, but when we did, he smiled that smile as big as all outdoors.

Not the big happy - but "I'm smiling because if I do I might be done with work" smile.

I can't wait to catch up with others' blogs that I've missed over the last few weeks. Here is a Book of Mormon forum that has been happening all month. Jocelyn has created the forum to answer questions about the Book of Mormon.

Simple & Sweet: Have I Done Any Good.....

2011-10-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

I sat down for a moment to read some of my favorite blogs. Sweet Bennett's Mom is paying it forward to another Mom. Then the following giveaway idea was shared at my friend Roo's blog. I would hope to bring joy so others and in turn you will bring happiness to more. Post a comment to participate.

Image Source: Me @ Simple & Sweet

Please join in the fun-
1. I will make a little something for the first 3 people that comment on this post. It will be a surprise and will arrive before the end of the year. (I might get ambitious and choose more than 3....)
2. When you comment on this post, you agree you will play too (a.k.a. pay it forward). Share the giving love on your blog by promising to send a handmade goodie to the first three people that comment on your blog post.
3.You must have a blog.
4. After commenting on my post, you post this (or similar) on your blog to spread the love.

I can't wait to see what sweet little (or big) goodie I'll dream up to share.

A Meme

2011-10-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

Diapers and Divinity is hosting a post General Conference Meme.

General Conference Highlights, October 2011

1. Who were your three favorite speakers?
I loved Elder Richard G. Scott's about the scriptures, Barbara Thompson about personal revelation, and Elder Neil L. Anderson about family.

2. Which talk spoke to you the most?
I really like Ian Arden about time management. I listened to priesthood meeting on Monday. I was direct and amazing!

3. What was your favorite Hymn and why did it move you?
I loved "I Am A Child of God" because both my boys perked up and sang. I always love a Primary choir.

4. Which speaker was the best dressed? (Come on, we can have a little fun.)
President Uchtdorf has stylish ties.

5. Were there any topics that you felt like were repeated often? Any conference “themes”?
For our family, we found a lot was spoken about prayers, scriptures especially the Book of Mormon, listening to the Holy Ghost and following his promptings, service, and that we are engaged in a war with Satan (that the battle field is not as distance as we would like to hope and believe.)

6. Share a few of your favorite quotes from any of the talks (paraphrasing is fine).
A memorized scripture will be a friend. - Richard G. Scott
Fathers who protect virtue are heroes. - Elaine S. Dalton
Look up to cheer up! - Carl Cook
Wait upon the Lord. - Robert D. Hales
There is no fear in love. - L. Tom Perry

7. Name something(s) that made you smile or laugh during conference.
My sons listening so hard that they could get a treat for our "designated" talk words. The words changed every talk. They did really well and started to listen for extra words.

8. Was there any evidence that your children paid attention?
Yes. They loved to see President Monson. Hurricane would say President Monson is my favorite over and over.

9. What doctrine did you learn as you listened to the choir(s) sing?
Endure. Endure. Endure. You can endure knowing you are a child of God.

10. Did the music enhance your General Conference experience? How?
Yes. Music is powerful, and it gives the body something to do to recharge fore the 2nd hour of the session.

11. What are some of your post-conference goals?
Better time management. Listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I want our home to happy. Very happy so we will do prayer, scriptures, and fight the good fight.

Dirty Work

2011-09-27T22:12:00.000-07:00

We have been preparing our fall garden (which we planted last night). All of us have moved dirt, poop, and more dirt. A lot of dirt. Nothing like a huge farm just a few cubic yards of dirt with a double tire wheelbarrow. The following are pictures on a break.

Hurricane got dirt/manure in his eyes, ears, nose, and other unmentionable parts.

Proud of a job well done!

He doesn't tend to get as dirty as the rest of us.

If anyone ever tells you chickens are vegetarians, you need to watch them eat bugs. Lots of protein there.

Our Muscle!

Simple and Sweet: General Conference

2011-09-26T22:38:00.001-07:00

As we approach LDS General Conference, we look forward to learning from prophets and apostles. For our preparation, we post the pictures of some of the men we know will speak and learn their faces, names, and something they did in their career or life. This practice has made the men and women speaking to us more real.

When it comes time to listen, we draw a picture and put their picture and our drawing together to remember what they talked about. After the April 2011 LDS General Conference, Underfoot continually talked about Elder Quintin L.Cook's talk about women and how incredible they are.

We have found this works for our family now. I am excited to spend time with my family for the weekend and to learn what I can do better as a wife, mother, daughter, and friend.

Hopefully....

2011-09-22T16:25:00.001-07:00

I've been quite busy with just stuff (new ward meaning a new unit number for our new BSA Scouting unit and transferring all those boys, canning 50 pounds tomatoes, swimming lessons, spider bites to name a few). I'll be back soon. Like hopefully tomorrow......

Here is what has kept me the MOST busy..... They're worth it!

Simple and Sweet: Family Pictures

2011-09-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.

“Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3).

Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness,

(My Parents & Brother returning from an LDS mission.)

to provide for their physical and spiritual needs,

(Grapes from our yard.)

and to teach them to love and serve one another,

(Nephew & Niece)

observe the commandments of God,

(Vacation Bible School)

and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.

(Flags of Freedom at Cedar Badge Graduation)

Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

A text exert from The Family: A Proclamation to the World

~~~~~

I really enjoyed this post about a family and the choices they have made for teaching their children, freedom, and forgiveness. It touched my heart.

Simple and Sweet: Family Mission Statement

2011-09-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

Sweetheart and I talk every once and a while about where we want to be in 5 years, 10 years, and farther into the future. We begin the discussion and then one or both of us gets frustrated with the topic [usually me] because the vision he doesn't exactly match the my ideal. We revisit this topic almost ever time we travel any distance over an 1 1/2 hours.

When we moved the moon, I decided on a family mission statement without much input. I had vinyl letters made and put it up on the wall. [by golly we are going to have a direction....]

This is by our front door.

Sweetheart loves me and supports the idea's of my mission statement for our family. But it is not OURS.

This hangs in the laundry room just before we leave the house.

Tonight. We will begin again. Not the car. But at our table. As a family. With our boys. Something we as a family sink our teeth into (like key lime pie for dessert with coconut in it) and memorize and work toward.

And then after the discussion, we will revisit it again. Until it ours. Together.

~~~~~~~~~~

Join a few others who are considering their family's mission vision.

Celebrate Family Blog Party

2011-09-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

Last year I participated in a blog event called CELEBRATE FAMILY. This is when I shifted my vision in blogging to sharing what my beliefs and the occasional recipe or two. This led the way to 30 Days of Pie, sharing about Provident Living, and the blog's name change.

The second annual CELEBRATE FAMILY will run from September 9-23rd. This blog party will feature ideas, testimonies, giveaways, and insights on all things FAMILY! The hostesses for the party follow:

Chocolate on my Cranium
focus the effect of the Proclamation to the world – tackling the major issues facing families today

We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ
focus will be on teaching the proclamation to younger children

The Red Headed Hostess
focus will be teaching the proclamation to teenagers as well as personal study tips for adults

Welcome to the Madness

focus on applying the principles of the proclamation to our families

I will be participating and hopefully you will too in blog hops on Monday and Thursday. Write a post about that day's topic and link to it on the official blog hop page (one of the above or all the above.)

Here are the topics for the blog hops:
Monday, Sept. 12th – Family Mission Statements – Do you have a family mission statement? Not yet? Well, write one and feel free to share it with us!
Thursday, Sept. 15th - Photo Essay: Photos that "say" something about the Family Proclamation.
Monday, Sept. 19th – Family Home Evening (FHE) Lessons pertaining to some part of the Proclamation.Thursday, Sept. 22nd – How the Proclamation has impacted your family personally.

Here are my posts from last year. I enjoyed sharing my feelings, remembering about my family, and the motivation for change. I thought I'd share those posts again.

Adam & Eve & Weeds

Canning in the Basement

Book Quote: Unbroken

2011-09-06T21:07:00.002-07:00

"Though all three men faced the same hardship, their differing perceptions of it appeared to be shaping their fates. Louie and Phil's hope displaced their fear and inspired them to work toward their survival, and each success renewed their physical and emotional vigor. Mac's resignation seemed to paralyze him and the less he participated in their efforts to survive, the more he slipped. Though he did the least, as the days passed, it was he who faded the most. Louie and Phil's optimism, and Mac's hopelessness, were becoming self-fulfilling."
— Laura Hillenbrand (Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption)

This quote struck me. Hope and optimism are synonyms for me. I find hope in many parts of my life. Yet at times I fear. A paralyzing fear. This fear has limited what I do and what I don't do. Hillenbrand said this in such a way that I want to let go of the fear and move forward relying on the Living Water.

How do you conquer your fear or paralysis?

Simple and Sweet: Anniversary

2011-09-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

Marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other human relationship. ...

Marriage is the foundry for social order, the fountain of virtue, and the foundation for eternal exaltation. Marriage has been divinely designated as an eternal and everlasting covenant.⁷ Marriage is sanctified when it is cherished and honored in holiness. That union is not merely between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God.⁸ “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other.”⁹ Children born of that marital union are “an heritage of the Lord.”¹⁰ Marriage is but the beginning bud of family life; parenthood is its flower. And that bouquet becomes even more beautiful when graced with grandchildren. Families may become as eternal as the kingdom of God itself. ...

Celebrate and commemorate each day together as a treasured gift from heaven.

~ Russell M. Nelson, April 2006

Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes

2011-08-31T08:18:00.000-07:00

I must feel most comfortable with posting food since that is what I have done lately.

Someone in our family is allergic to raw bananas. Since we belong to a food co-op we tend to get bananas every week. I have to find creative ways to use bananas in a cooked form.

This recipe is what I found. I even uses whole wheat. Instead of grinding the whole wheat into flour, I add a cup to the blender when I mix it. It saves on dishes.

We then stack them and pour homemade blackberry syrup and yummy syrup (a.k.a. buttermilk caramel syrup) all over it.

We served these pancakes for supper.

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked rolled oats

1 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons dry milk powder

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

2 cups milk

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 banana, mashed

Directions:

1.	Place the rolled oats into the jar of a blender and blend until the texture resembles coarse flour. Whisk together the blended oats, whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, dry milk powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
2.	Whisk together the egg, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Stir in the mashed banana. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir just until moistened. Let the batter stand for 5 minutes.
3.	Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium-high heat. Drop batter by large spoonfuls onto the griddle, and cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry, about 2 minutes. Flip, and cook until browned on the other side. Repeat with remaining batter.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

2011-08-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

When Sweetheart wants to make cookies, this is what he makes. He found the recipe before we married. He will make it with our boys on Sundays for a family activity. There is a picture tutorial.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Source: Internet before we married

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (if desired)
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups uncooked rolled oats

Cream shortening and sugars; beat in eggs and vanilla until light and fluff y.

Sift dry ingredients minus the oats, nuts, and chocolate.

Add sifted ingredients to creamed mixture.

Add oats, chocolate, and nuts.

Drop chocolate chip cookie batter by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. We ball all the cookie dough and freeze it on a cookie sheet. We then have pre-made raw cookie balls at a moments notice for fresh cookies.

Bake chocolate chip cookies at 350 F - about 12 to 15 minutes, depending on oven and baking sheet/stone.

We tried an experiment to cook on the BBQ grill. It didn't work too well. But we tried something new to not heat up the house.

Makes about 8 dozen chocolate chip cookies.

Here is the recipe without the tutorial.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (if desired)
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups uncooked rolled oats

Cream shortening and sugars; beat in eggs and vanilla until light and fluff y. Sift flour with salt and soda. Stir in sifted dry ingredients, chopped walnuts or pecans, rolled oats, and chocolate chips.

Drop chocolate chip cookie batter by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake chocolate chip cookies at 350 F - about 12 to 15 minutes, depending on oven and baking sheet/stone. Makes about 8 dozen chocolate.

Wheat Consequences

2011-08-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Sweetheart and I took a few minutes to ourselves on Saturday. Underfoot came to use the restroom and said that Hurricane had gotten a lot of food out. We walked around the corner and found this small pile of wheat. We looked down into the kitchen and found half of the 5 gallon bucket out and on the ground. He liked the feel between his fingers and toes.

Hurricane was informed he needed to clean it up (with help of course). He was not pleased. So much so he took a handful of wheat and threw it into the front room and then the entry.

He was obedient and helped clean. It gave some feed to our chickens too. He was trying to be service-minded, I'm sure.

Some wonderful lessons have come from this experience for me:

For the first time in a long time that Hurricane has done something outside the boundaries we have set like don't get into the food, I chuckled instead of getting frustrated and having my own tantrum. Not a belly laugh but chuckled about what he did. I chuckled at his reaction. I hugged him and helped him. So I had a glimpse into what Heavenly Father feels as a parent when I "get into the food" or do something wrong and need a hug and help to return to feeling peace again in my life.
Clean up like repentance takes time. And some times help from other people. Hurricane could not have clean up the wheat mess by himself. I cannot be "clean" all the mistakes I've made without Jesus Christ as my Savior. He will help me sweep up the piles of wheat so I can vacuum it up.
Hurricane thought it was unfair about having to clean up, but he did it. I think that my trials are not fair some times. I can do it too.

Hurricane's temporal lessons are spiritual lessons for me. Jeremiah talks about how God knew him before he came to earth and had a mission for him to perform. All lessons are spiritual and temporal. God knows us and allows us to have experiences temporally to bring us to Him spiritually and vise versa. God repeats this lesson over again in the New Testament, Book of Mormon, and through modern day experiences. Paul talks about how we are natural and spiritual in Corinthians. God is merciful to care for all his children through all different times.

How have you seen God's hand in your life in a temporally and spiritually?

Simple and Sweet: Fondue

2011-08-22T22:39:00.000-07:00

For our anniversary, Sweetheart took me to The Melting Pot for dessert. I remembered that we own a fondue pot. It was a wedding gift that was seasoned this year.

When I explained to Underfoot what we were going to eat, he was a little hesitant. The second time he responded like this:

Then we introduced Hurricane to fondue....

And got this.

I love those intense eyes.

And this.

Our recipe is

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup 60% cocoa chips
1 cup homemade caramel
1/2 cup chopped pecans
pound cake cut up in 1 inch cubes
strawberries
cherries (pitted of course)
apples
marshmallows
other yummy things to dip

Warm the caramel. Turn off the heat and stir in the chips. Add the nuts.Cut up fruit and cake. Dip and enjoy!

Garden Boxes a.k.a. No Bend Over Gardens

2011-08-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

When we lived in Pennsylvania, we participated in a community garden with individual plots for a minimal fee. This was Sweetheart's introduction to gardening. He loved going after work to the garden to week and see how plants were growing. We had the chance to meet people in the community that we would not have met otherwise. Our first year we planted only 30 tomato plants. For a family of 2 with a baby on the way, 30 tomato plants were a huge commitment. We bottled up tomatoes for the winter and shared with neighbors. We loved the garden.

When Sweetheart took a job on the moon. We had to seriously consider what we would do for a garden. Let me explain about living on the moon. The moon is actually on earth. The sun is so hot and the lack of water that everything disintegrates. No traditional decomposition of rotting and turning into black rich-smelling soil. Any and every thing gets baked to disintegration. The sun skips the decay process completely.

The funny thing is when we see water or soil we smell it and look at it longingly knowing the power of that black beautiful dirt.

On our moving day, we purchased with our Pennsylvania Grandpa garden boxes from the Amish. The boxes are made out of insulated garage door panel. The length is 11 feet.

11 foot section

The width is 3 feet. They 3 foot sections were cut in Pennsylvania before the panels were loaded onto the moving truck.

3 foot section

The corner pieces are secured with angle iron and pre-drilled holes that are bolted together.

Angle iron inside the box with the bolts on the outside

We then bought black soil, manure, and added compost to make a gardening space. It is fascinating how much the plants eat the soil. When we are done with a season, the soil will have dropped around 6 to 12 inches. We are continually buying manure, soil (black), and adding compost for to have healthy dirt. We know if the dirt is healthy if the worms we purchased and put into the soil have multiplied and filled the bed. Worms are not common here.

Our growing season is 60 days give or take a day. We can plant and harvest if we are diligent 4 times a year. We just harvested corn and have watermelon, cantaloupe, beans, basil, and various squashes growing.

Embarrassed

2011-08-16T21:20:00.000-07:00

I hate to be embarrassed. I wrote it out in a previous post and then pulled it because my pride was hurt. When I get embarrassed, I lose my temper. Especially with my family.

I'm not good at laughing or finding humor. Unless it is sarcastic humor. I'm good at that.

I'm NOT good at laughing at myself. So when I get embarrassed, anger is easier than to admit I'm foolish. To quote Obi Wan Kanobi, "Who's the more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?" I hate to look foolish or to be a follower of a fool.

I don't like to look dumb. When I'm embarrassed, I feel dumb, stupid, and like a failure. So that sums it up.

A little more humble me is writing this second post instead keeping the venom I spit with the first post.

Pioneering Today: Education

2011-08-12T05:34:00.002-07:00

Lindsay is my guest pioneer today, and she hails from a private family blog. Lindsay and I met when she moved to Idaho State University. We are buddies. Every end of semester I would got to her and have her braid my hair into cornrows. No fuss hair. She has always been a great cheerleader and a super-loyal friend to anyone she calls friend. She has never been a quitter in school, relationships, family, or love.

I always knew I would go to college. I wouldn't say that it was a requirement or even expected in my family. It was encouraged, but I never felt that if I decided not to go that I'd be kicked out of the family. It's hard to describe, but it's just one of the things you did. I think it comes from being in a family of educators. My parents are teachers, my mom's dad, stepmother and brothers were teachers, my dad's sisters are teachers, you get the idea. We, ourselves, were not allowed to be teachers, at least not as our primary job.

Anyway, when I moved to Utah at the age of 16 and would tell my friends about my plans to go to school, it never occurred to me that it wasn't ok until I saw their reactions. I actually had a friend once tell me that it was an "unrighteous" choice to go to school and not plan to get married after high school. I don't know if there were talks then from general authorities about women getting an education, but I remember a number of them while I was in college getting one. What I didn't know then, was how going thru the college experience and getting the degrees I did would lead me to where I am today.

ISU Valentine's Day - Lindsay, My Brother, Lisa, and Me

I started out at Dixie College in St. George, Utah with the ambition to be a pharmacist. That hope was dashed when I got to Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho and never got into pharmacy school. I finished my BS in Microbiology and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to start working, with the goal of entering physician's assistant (PA) school after a year of working.

Lindsay and Me - Thanksgiving 2009 - Many years after ISU

The Thanksgiving after I graduated from ISU, my grandfather told me that I should look at getting a master's degree. When I explained my plans of PA school, he thought it was a good idea, but that I should look into something else as well. Being that I just finished my BS and had a good job, I was a little discouraged, especially with the idea of having to write a thesis. Luckily, I found a program at the University of Utah in which I wouldn't have to write one.

During my last semester of my master's program, I was invited to interview at the Arizona School of Health Science for the (PA) program. I made the alternate list, but that's as far as I got. I tried again the next year, but didn't even get an interview. At that point I had been at the same job for over three years and was ready for a change. I started thinking about looking for a new job. A former co-worker was leaving for medical school and suggested I apply for his job at a different section of the reference lab I worked at. I applied, with a lot of coaxing from friends, and a few weeks later I was offered the job, and I moved to the basement of the building where I had a cubicle, my own desk, my own computer, my own phone and an AMAZING boss!

After a couple of years I was starting to get board again, and my brother suggested that I look at going to medical school, since he was having so much fun. I took the MCAT a couple of times, but didn't do well, so I didn't bother applying. In the meantime I was talking to medical testing vendors that I had worked with. One of them asked for my resume and forwarded it on to her company's HR. A couple of months later I was working for a new company, still working at the lab I was familiar with most of the time, but also traveling the west coast of the United States, with occasional trips to the east side of the US and out of the country. The company had me on a track to become a manager of a region, and I was contemplating the possibility of going to nursing school.

Lindsay and Hubby on their wedding day

Before I either of those could happen, I got married, instantly became a mom to 2 beautiful little girls, quit my job and moved to a foreign country. Never in a million years would I have thought I would be where I am today, but the degrees I got opened doors I never would have dreamed of, and possibilities that I never knew existed.

Pioneering Today: Vision of What Can Be

2011-08-11T07:33:00.001-07:00

Lindsay is a spunky, energetic pioneer guest. Lindsay hails from Lindsay Sue Photography and her family's private blog. Lindsay is always gracious, merry, and quick with a joke. She and her husband are expecting their first baby in a week. Last week in church someone asked if she was going to have their baby. She replied that the due date was in 2 weeks, but a baby could come late. She is much more the realist than I was with my first baby who came only 13 days after his proposed due date. I hope the best for when her daugther comes!

A modern day pioneer? Never really thought I could have endured as the pioneers of old. Physically they had some amazing trials. It makes me question what a pioneer really is? To me it's someone who has a vision of what can be and works and sacrifices all to achieve that goal. Someone who has more faith than fear and willing to step into the unknown. I suppose it was soon after being baptized that I even considered being a 'modern day pioneer.'

I was 18, on my way to college and the only member in my family. Though that wouldn't last long because my sister and brother soon followed, not to mention doing baptisms for the dead (after that I truly felt there was an army in heaven of my ancestors who now were members as well). Serving a mission in Japan was also a first for our family. It was challenging in every way but I knew I needed it.

For me, for my parents and for my future family. I'd say the biggest decision (after being baptized) in my life was choosing to be married in the temple. Satan knows how and where to pull. Dating a non-member who wanted to marry me made things tough. Maybe he'd change and accept the gospel someday. But maybe he wouldn't. I'm not a gambler, but deciding wasn't easy either. Thank goodness for patriarchal blessings. I already knew my answer before praying and fasting about it. I made the decision that I'd rather be single my entire life than not be married to someone who was worthy and be married in the temple.

Lindsay and Her Sweetheart

I'm so grateful for that decision, which has brought be some of the greatest joys in my life thus far. I'm thankful for the pioneers of old and for those men and women today who, despite all obstacles and trials, press forward in faith. I'm thankful for good friends and family who surround me. Those who have challenges I might not even be aware of- but they are good people doing the best they can. Being pioneers, stepping into the unknown with hope and faith that they are on the path of happiness.

Pioneering Today: Parenting

2011-08-10T05:33:00.003-07:00

My sweet friend who wrote this has a very quick humor and is a very observant and driven individual. When she does something, she does it well. Because of her pioneering story and per request, I am keeping her identity a mystery. What she has to say touched my heart. I never would have guessed about her background from knowing her. She is a beautiful, supportive wife and a very purposeful, focused, and loving parent. I learn from her with each of my interactions.

My father grew up in an abusive home and my mother in a neglectful one. Therefore, I received abuse from my father and neglect from my mother as a child. After many years, I realized that it was not that my parents didn't love me, it was just that they didn't know how to show it. They did not have the tools. I endeavor to hold back the tide of familial tradition in order to create a better kind of home for my children. I learn from friends, mentors, the Gospel, and the Holy Ghost in order to forge from ore the tools that have not been passed down through my family's generations. While I am not perfect, I am a vast improvement on my parents' example. I hope my children will improve on my example, but I hope to at least begin a tradition of trying to do better.

Pioneering Today: Never Speak Guile

2011-08-09T05:33:00.009-07:00

Nicole is my guest pioneer today. She hails from Lance, Nicole, and Jacob.

Nicole is often found with a smile on her face and a kind word on her lips. She seeks for the good in other people and openly recognizes others' accomplishments and feats. She is most proud of her son, Jacob, and rejoices in Jacob's abilities and love. She and her husband, Lance, act as if they are still honeymooners with always a gentle touch or a quick smile.

Why, in our country, is faith is considered fanaticism? Public references to religion often bring suspicion. Television shows dramatize secular groups being attacked by Christian zealots. Political candidates are viewed apprehensively if they are too dedicated to their beliefs.

That's why I think that living the gospel of Jesus Christ is like pioneering a new frontier in today's world. A pioneer has courage. They are among the first in an enterprise, and fearlessly go where others have not gone before. Many of us do that, in the choices we make every day, by standing up for our beliefs, fearlessly telling about our religion, and trying to be true Christians.

The more a person rises in the public eye, the more closely their religious beliefs are scrutinized. As I watch the various presidential candidates begin their campaigns, I can't help but cringe when I read things like this, from members of the LDS faith:

“I can’t say I’m overly religious,” Jon Huntsman told Fortune magazine last year. “I get satisfaction from many different types of religions and philosophies.” In a TIME magazine interview, he said, “I’m a very spiritual person and proud of my Mormon roots." Pressed on whether he is still a member, he said, “That’s tough to define."

On the other hand, when I read the following, I was much more impressed:

There are some who “would prefer it if I would simply distance myself from my religion, say that it is more a tradition than my personal conviction or disavow one or another of its precepts,” Mitt Romney said in a 2007 speech. “That I will not do. I believe in my Mormon faith and I endeavor to live by it."

I don't support Mitt Romney just because he's Mormon. In fact, I don't agree with several of his policies. But I do think it's awesome that he stands up for his beliefs. He's being a pioneer.

Though it's difficult to be a pioneer when everyone's watching, it's even harder to be a pioneer when no one is watching. Like my friend Jenna. We met in college. Our group of friends was having a hard time getting along. A bunch of twenty year old girls, all living together, trying to date, go to school, and work? No stress there...

Well, gradually, everyone started talking behind each others' backs within our group of friends. All kinds of critical, ugly, jealous things. And it got worse and worse. Talking just seems like talking, until it changes the way you act to the person. My friend Jenna got sick of it. She was tired of listening to her friends speaking unkindly about her other friends when they weren't around. So she asked me to join her - we would be the first two of our group to make the pact. Hopefully the rest would follow. We promised to each other that we wouldn't speak unkindly about any of our friends, or let others do it in our presence.

Well I'm still trying to keep that pact! Being critical of others is really easy. It's a path travelled more often than not - a wide road full of people. Jenna is a pioneer. She was taking the road not taken, the path less travelled by. And it has made all the difference to me.

Pioneering Today: Embracing Adventures

2011-08-08T05:32:00.009-07:00

My first pioneer is Cyndy. She is a great supporter of her husband and a champion for her children. She embraces life! She hails from Life is a Great Adventure! I have learned from Cyndy about friendship and having a friendship of balance, accepting life's circumstances and making the best out of those circumstances. She's a farm girl and knows about stepping in and getting to work. (Not that non-farm girls don't know about work. It is just shoveling out manure that molds a character in some way.) She has shared with me how she accepts God's plan and how He will direct her path for me. Now to Cyndy

Thank you for inviting me to this series.

Now, onto being a pioneer.

There have been many times in my life when until someone made a comment or pushed me through an unexpected door, I may have sold myself short. Going to college was never a big goal of mine. However, my senior year a friend made an interesting statement to me, that made me realize that I had potential. I then received an acceptance letter to a college out East, one that I had not applied to, yet due to an organization I took part in, not only was I accepted, they offered me their Presidential scholarship. While I turned it down, it made me realize that I needed to get serious and stop selling myself short!

While in college I had the opportunity to travel with the orchestra to Russia. What an amazing and beautiful country! I believe they do everything bigger in Russia (sorry Texas). After college I went to Mexico on a mission trip, wonderful! And on one to Chicago, moving.

I grew up on a farm, which my parents still live on. Yet, whenever I have had the chance I have traveled. Short trips, long trips, international trips, mission trips, work trips, fun trips. My husband also lived in the same house growing up, since he was 3 years old.

So now, with twelve years of marriage under our belt, we have lived in seven different homes, in five different states. We're really not settlers.

Cyndy & Her Sweetheart

My husband joined the military after we were married. I am not the only military spouse. I am not the only one who has to deal with deployments, or TDY's (shorter trips state side or abroad), or training schools far from where we live. I am not the only one who never knows just what to expect from my husband's schedule, the long hours, the crazy hours, the unexpected.

There are days that a smile easily comes to my face. There are days that it is hard to get out of bed. We all have those days. I cannot count the number of ways I could choose to handle any of these surprises or changes in life. Life is fantastic at changing things up just when things get a bit settled.

"Pioneers, by their nature, are ready to adapt to whatever may come their way." Pr. Alan Field.

Tomorrow is a new day with new adventures. I may think I know what tomorrow may bring, however, when tomorrow brings its shining face to my window, I am ready to adapt to whatever, however, I may need to. In that way, I am a pioneer. I embrace the uncertainty, the challenges, and the adventures. One day I may become a settler, a part of me longs for that. Right now, I am okay with being a pioneer, moving on to the next trail that needs to be blazed.

Simple and Sweet: Grandparent Videos

2011-08-07T15:46:00.001-07:00

My parents and youngest brother are attending the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in Sweden. They gone to serve a mission working in a booth for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While they have been there, they have sent messages home to their grandchildren, children and fathers.

My boys love to watch the video clip over and over again. The first clip they sent was about 14 seconds long. I think they watched it about 6 times a minute. They would smile each time their name was said, and Hurricane would say, "Again."

My Parents ~

Moses from Uganda ~

They have reported to us a little about their experiences and the people they have met through email. My Dad shared this:

We are having about 800-900 people visit a day in the exhibit. The tent is now getting very hot because of the sun shine. .... Each day we have several who take us down because of our stand on homosexuality or sexual purity. They simply cannot understand the concept.

We also have many sweet experiences. We have many more of those than we do those recounted above. I had a man from Mexico City that lives by the temple there. He was a lawyer who has 17 lawyer who work for him. He asked me to tell him about the Church because he drives by the temple each day. Most who ask questions have had friends who have taught them or have been good examples.

I am grateful they want to include us in their experiences. I look forward to when they come home for more detailed experiences.

~ ~ ~ Blog Series: Pioneering Today ~ ~ ~

Tomorrow I am starting a series that has been bouncing around in my brain. In Utah, ever year since 1848, a celebration has taken place celebrating the settlers of the Salt Lake Valley. They are considered pioneers for being the first to do something. I have asked different women to share how they are modern day pioneers. I haven't asked them to write about any specific topic. They each have chosen their own. The responses have been varied and lovely. I hope you will join me in celebrating these modern day pioneers!

Hide and Seek

2011-08-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

This little Hurricane and I are always playing hide and seek. He is quite darling and happy and independent. When he has his mind set, he is very seldom deterred. He loves to have his picture taken and is always willing to pose for a shot. The following shots are our game of hide and seek and where I usually find him.

He hid in the refrigerator. I looked and found him when I heard the refrigerator beeping. (Blessed beeping.) He was helping himself to a snack.

He hid in the kitchen again. I found him after ending a phone call. He found the powder sugar bucket. He helped himself and shared with his brother. He probably used over 2 cups in his own clothing in addition to what was on the floor, table, and other storage buckets. There was a nice fine coating on the computer too.

He hid in my bed at the call of bed time. I looked in his room, where Daddy was, and by the new train set. He was hiding in my covers. This happens frequently. Last night I found him in my bed with the lotion bottle open. He looked at me and asked, "What's that noise?" The AC unit had just kicked on competing with the 100 degree heat.

I love him dearly and can't seem to keep ahead of him. His curiosity will bring many awesome opportunities. And maybe one day I'll teach him the true game of hide and seek.

Provident Living: August

2011-08-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

This quote was given in 1979. Very close to the time I was born. In 2011, the prophesies from the scriptures about the last days (like Paul describes to Timothy) are in the news, media, and in all lands. As I read the article that the quote is from the message struck me to the important of having temporal welfare taken care of so that spiritually needs may be met and thrive. If the basic needs of life are not met, other desires and/or wants cannot be met.

For the moment we live in a day of peace and prosperity but it shall not ever be thus. Great trials lie ahead. All of the sorrows and perils of the past are but a foretaste of what is yet to be. And we must prepare ourselves temporally and spiritually. - Bruce R. McConkie April 1979

Provident Living Goal: Learn to preserve food in a way you haven't tired before. (The link has a list of all different kinds of ideas.)


Image Source

Storage Goal (3 month supply):

25 quarts fruit and or vegetables per person
6 pints of jam or jelly per person (not everyone is a jam or jelly type replace with dried fruit, nuts, or snacks)
Feminine hygiene needs (tampons, pads, wipes, yeast infection treatment, or any other items used during the month)
School Supplies
Pet Supplies

Image Source

72 Hour Kit:

1 can tuna per person
1 can pork and beans per person
1/2 pound dried milk per person
2 packets hot cocoa mix per person
2 instant soup packets per person (ROTATE)
Disposable plate, cups, bowls, silverware
Pet supplies - dish, leash, extra water

Spiritual Goal: Have Family Home Evening with your family. Make sure at least one Monday is set aside for doing something fun for the whole family. One Monday can be for service.

Book Corner: The Magic Pillow

2011-07-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

Have you ever sought for wisdom? Would you like to know the future? My questions sound like a cheesey advertisement for some snake oil for divination of future events. The charm and straight forward Chinese folk tale told by Demi talks about being happy with what you have and who you are.

A poor boy gets lost during a snow storm and stays at an inn. At the inn there is a magician. When evening comes, the magician and the boy have a discussion about wealth and the future. The magician tells the boy, "The greatest gift of all is having wisdom for with wisdom you can find the Truth!" The magician then offers a magic pillow for the boy to sleep on to find wisdom for himself.

When the boy wakes, he dreamed about what it would be like to have wealth, "It is a wonderful gift indeed, and it has given me great wisdom. Now I know what it would be like to be a great man and have money, power, and fame. And now I know that I am happy just the way I am!"

As I read this book, I thought of what I could be doing instead of being a Domestic Goddess. (Domestic Goddess definition is a women who in plain terms is a stay-at-home wife and mother. It goes on the tax forms as occupation.) In my meditation I found that there is nothing so precious as wiping peanut butter off faces and walls, finding my child with the maple syrup bottle drinking the syrup like it is a Capri Sun, reading the same book over and over again, playing cars on the floor, or snuggling tears or a sleeping child.

I am grateful that I am who I am. Over the past few months, I've been sorting through how I may parent better. Not in a casual everyday I can improve on that aspect of what I do sort of way. It has been more of an in-depth look at if I am preparing my children for their future lives and what do I need to change in me so they will be better.

Provident Living - July

2011-07-22T09:00:00.001-07:00

The quote that is on the calendar has a quote that I can't find the reference. I don't want to quote someone and then have it be wrong or taken out of context. So there is no motivational quote this month. Just for reference, I started type out a calendar that my Mom gave me for Christmas. I continue to do it month by month. This month I'm late. Really late. Like July is almost over.

Provident Living Goal: Make a goal to eat healthier. For example: Less sugar and more fresh vegetables and fruits, less meat....

Join a food co-op like Bountiful Baskets

Storage Goal:

50 pounds of sugar or honey per person
Ten #10 cans powdered milk per person (Powder Milk ideas - a friend's blog)
2 toothbrushes per person, toothpaste, and mouthwash (if you use mouthwash)
Infant Needs - formula, baby food, Tylenol, diapers, wipes, and anything else your heart desires

72 Hour Kit Goal:

Prepare blankets or sleeping bags to be accessible at a moment's notice
Emergency blankets (silver foil)
Gather items to entertain your family and include in kit
Paper and pencils
Mosquito repellent
Camp stove or portable BBQ and fuel
$25 cash

Spiritual Goal:

Share what you have learned about your family with someone. Or take the family names you prepared last month to the temple.

No Sense of Humor

2011-07-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been accused of not having a sense of humor? Around here we tend to be a little serious. I admit it is on the extreme end. I think it is worry of messing up our children or not laughing at our own mistakes. We just don't laugh too often. Mostly it is me.

Partly it is being married to a scientist who when we married didn't get sarcasm.

Here is my example. J A, my Sweetheart's buddy, came to town for a weekend visit when we lived in Pennsylvania. J A was doing an internship in New Jersey. As I was leaving for work, Sweetheart asked me what they should do that day. (See we were still newly weds.) I said off handed, "Tear out the kitchen floor and lay down some new flooring." I wasn't serious. Who in their right mind would ask their friend to do a remodel job during their vacation? Well......Sweetheart did.

Sweetheart went to the kitchen and pulled up half the flooring in one lift of the linoleum. The floor was practically done. Right.......

I had gone to a training an hour away. I get a call on the phone during a break. "Hi Honey. Could you come down to Lowe's and pick out a new flooring. The other color isn't available any more." I sat in silence. "What???" "I tore out the floor and am ready to put down the new one. I just need you to come and pick out the new floor." "Whaaat?" Here is the classic line though. "That's what you asked me to do today." "I was kidding. You know sarcasm. I thought you'd go play games or Frisbee or something. Is J A okay with it?" Dumb question on my part. He must have been, or they wouldn't have been at Lowe's. "I still need you to pick out a color so I can fix the floor. The linoleum is in the dumpster." So needless to say we got a new floor. And the floor didn't go in as fast as the linoleum came out.

The floor turned out beautiful! J A and Randy came to his rescue and helped him finish the floor. They are true friends that gave Sweetheart a little razing but are true friends.

Sweetheart is a dream. He is wonderful! He is better with sarcasm.

So why do I bring up having no sense of humor? We went to a family reunion. My Auntie said something to me. I mumbled something back. She asked in amazement, "Don't you have a sense of humor?" I answered back deadpanned as can be, "I guess not." Then there was an awkward silence. Her question got me thinking. I don't have the sense of humor I once did. I don't joke or layer my meanings with sarcasm or hints of something just a little off. I've guarded myself and am so painfully serious that my temper flares instead of my laughter.

So how do I change that? Where is the first step? Recognition, I'm sure says the counselor part of me. Okay I've recognized there is a problem. I need to be different. Being different is more than just doing something different. Being is a change of heart that changes my mannerisms. God will help me in being different. He will whisper to my heart peace for me to experience being still and knowing He is and is helping me.

My goal is to be observant about good and to write it down. Like right now my boys are playing with the globe balloons we got from the library reading program. They ask me to watch them bounce, chase, and bonk each other and then they laugh. A real genuine laugh.

And maybe I should mention that the floor in the kitchen at our new house could be pulled up.....I wonder when J A is coming for a visit again.

And the headline....

2011-07-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

I did it! I made a header. It isn't professional or perfect. It is a first attempt and something for me to try and make better.

I followed this tutorial. So I accomplished using my goal of using my photography and bringing something simple. It will become better over time.

Summer Trip

2011-07-15T05:30:00.013-07:00

I like lines from books. I read this line just before we left on vacation. It was quite fitting.

Mormon Flats

"What is summer without a trip to somewhere special?"
The Penderwicks

Temple Square

I'm guest blogging over at Rachel, Write Here today.

Garlic Cookies

2011-07-14T09:51:00.002-07:00

We grew garlic over the winter since it is a cold weather crop. After harvesting the garlic to put in our summer garden, I peeled it and chopped it up. This is our entire crop.

Preserving garlic in oil has to be done very carefully. If not done properly, botulism can occur, and that is just ugly. I chose to freeze it. I took the chopped garlic and made "garlic cookies." One teaspoon is usually the one clove of garlic. By placing in 1 teaspoonful on a parchment covered cookie sheet, it was then frozen. The frozen cookies were taken off and put into another freezer bag for ease of use because it is already measured out. It works like a dream.

The garlic looks a little like macaroons to me.

Trying The New....

2011-07-11T20:21:00.000-07:00

I am trying to find a way to keep my blog more simple without the flashy colors. I want it to be more appealing with my photography on it. For a time, it will be simple without any flare until I learn how to make a header the appropriate size and hopefully a cute button.

Hopefully I will learn soon enough so it isn't too bare and startling white....

Any suggestions would be welcomed. My friend, Rachel, has a cute blog with darling colors. I want some color but nothing distracting.

I tried these pictures but their pixels were too big. Just a lot to learn.....

Green, flowers, and mountains with snow in June.

Waterfall from a culvert. I like how it splashes.

Renewal

2011-07-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

We went on vacation and are renewed with....

a new focus
revised goals
and more hope.

Here's looking forward. Thanks for sharing our journey!

Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

2011-06-17T05:10:00.001-07:00

Here is a chocolate cake that is really yummy. My husband likes the cake with peanut butter icing. I prefer it with a chocolate cream cheese frosting and a raspberry filling.

Hurricane asked for a train cake. I dyed the icing green. A lot of food coloring. Peanut butter does dye just if you were wondering.

Chocolate Cake
Source: Michelle Locey

2 cup flour
2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cup oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup boiling water

Mix dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients except boiling water. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Stir in boiling water. The batter will be thin. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes in 2 (9) inch or 3 (8) inch pans. Cool for 10 minutes in pans. Place on wire rack to cook completely. Frost.

Peanut Butter Icing
Source: Sally Houser
1/2 cup butter
1 1/4 cup peanut butter
6 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix together the following ingredients in this order. Blend in milk starting with 1/4 of a cup and continuing to add additional milk until the icing is a spreading consistency, then mix on high until light and fluff y. Spread on cooled cake.

Moments That Matter Most

2011-06-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

I watched this video this morning. It is a beautiful reminder of why I want to be a Mom and how I can improve in being a Mom.

Also it will help me with a positive perspective. I hope you enjoy.

Here's to slowing down a little to focus on the significant.

Shower Savings

2011-06-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

Shower curtains can start to look a little dingy after we bath next to it months upon end. The curtain holds the dirt as it dries and doesn't just roll off.

Source

Here is a hint that will extend the life of the curtain and bring a clean smell to the bathroom. Take the curtain off the hooks and wash on a delicate cycle. Return the curtain to the rod and let dry.

Just an idea.

Cold Sore

2011-06-13T05:05:00.002-07:00

I had some body work done through physical therapy. I didn't think the tail bone adjustment was such a big deal until a cold sore announced it's presence. (I'll spare you the picture of the actual cold sore. They are nasty.) Usually stress and body pain are an open invitation for a cold sore, or I get a real good hard nasty bonk in the lips. (like seeing stars kind of bonk)

As my cold sore heals, I feel very embarrassed and believe that everyone is staring at my lip. (My piano student actually did this last time.You've got to love a child's honesty and innocence.) I medicate it. I ignore it. I pick at the scab when it gets too gross. I do so much more laundry because I don't want those germs on anything. I don't want to share the virus so there are no kisses from anyone - Sweetheart or boys. I feel very lonely.

I've thought about what parallels cold sores have to the soul. My thinking has been surrounded by choices made and the consequences for all choices. Some choices bring immediate happiness that is long lasting without a negative impact. Other times the choice made harbor a secret that cause ache, worry, and pain. Similar to a cold sore, the consequences are not immediate or even shown to others. Yet over time the constant wear shows through with behavior and some times even a physical appearance. The miracle of change and repentance make the ache, worry, and pain go away but not the memory of what occurred. The memory is always there to know that I don't want to go back.

This may be a simple comparison and not completely thought through but current and real to me. I believe that I have worry that causes me to live below happiness. The effects are in me, my family, and our home. Change is necessary. Especially with me.

Change is constant. Happiness may be constant within change by choice.

This Week in Pictures - May/June

2011-06-05T21:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to our train lover. The cake didn't turn out like I had envisioned in my head. Peanut butter frosting doesn't do well in 90+ degree heat. (Yes the green frosting is a peanut butter.)

I wore the same dress the weekend we met. We met on Memorial Day weekend 6 years ago.

Camping on his birthday. A special cupcake just for him.

Joy School Recognition

Revamped closet

Bowling

Touring a EC-130 for the squadron's 30th Anniversary

This gives new meaning to a 5-point harness. He loved being buckled up into the plane.

Birthday Giveaway

2011-06-03T05:13:00.000-07:00

Hilary had a birthday this week! Shout hooray! She wants to do a giveaway for her birthday! Now isn't that generous or what?

Hilary is a consultant for Shelf Reliance. She writes the blog THRIVE Hive about her adventures in the different products and what she likes best. She also wants to help people get the most bang for their buck! Now that is the generous part.

She has lots of ways to enter to win. Just thought I'd pass the word along.....

Taking it Seriously

2011-06-02T08:14:00.003-07:00

I've just finished reading To The Far Blue Mountains. The main character, Barnabas, talks about marriage. I thought it was worth sharing. The question is asked by his bride-to-be, Abigail.

"You don't think marriage is serious?"

"Of course, I do. It is the ultimate test of maturity, and many find excuses for avoiding it because they know they are not up to the challenge, or capable of carrying on a mature relationship."

Marriage inherently is a challenge with two people of a different family backgrounds and philosophies. They come together to create what is their family and who they are which takes time, commitment, energy, and maturity.

Provident Living - June

2011-06-01T16:13:00.000-07:00

"I do not want to be a calamity howler. I don't know in detail what's going to happen in the future. I know what the prophets have predicted. But I tell you that the welfare program, organized to enable us to take care of our own needs, has not yet performed the function that it was set up to perform. We will see the day when we will live on what we produce."

President Marion G. Romney

I searched for this quote in many areas. The source is from a welfare session of General Conference in April 1975. I have seen it quoted but have not found the entire talk. It is referenced in this article and this welfare quote.

Provident Living Goal:

Make a goal to have 6 months wages in savings for emergencies. Write a realistic plan to make it happen.

Storage Goal:

First Aid Kit (with current medications and supplies)

72 Hour Kit:

Container for holding a kit. Large garbage can with wheels or a back pack for each family member is recommended. Find a place in your home that is easily accessible for storing the kit. You will need to be able to grab it at a moments notice.

I really prefer the back packs to let each person carry their own load and to let them be responsible for themselves. Here are some ideas that different people have done from How Does She? and Jocelyn. They can also be purchased through various people. A purchased kit will not have the clothing for you or your children or the underwear/diapers you might want.

Spiritual Goal:

Learn about one family member from your family tree or prepare at least one family name for temple work.

My Cowboy

2011-05-24T04:52:00.003-07:00

He is in love with being a cowboy. He loves to fight against the "bad guys." He especially loves it when someone will play his deputy so he can be the sheriff.

His favorite animal is a horse. (My favorite animal was a horse too. I asked for that every Christmas for years. I also asked for world peace.) He likes John Wayne too. He likes that John Wayne is a good guy. Usually John is called Sheriff McClintock around here. It is a mixture from Rio Bravo and McClintock.

My hope is he is growing up to be like the person in this statement.

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. [source]

He is a hard working, honest, and a darling smiled cowboy. He stands up for what is right and true especially when it comes to being kind to his brother and having justice go his way.. He obeys for the most part, is helpful by doing his jobs, and and is cheerful. I hope it sticks.

Finally Grown Ups

2011-05-21T05:52:00.001-07:00

Ever since we married, we had a bed without a bed frame. We were kind of like graduate students (at least one of us was). We moved and no furniture. (We still don't have furniture in our front room besides 1 couch.)

We like to buy from yard sales or friends' garages that are storing great treasures. (My favorite name for a yard sale/garage sale is Tag Sale. It is something we saw when we visited Connecticut. I love it!)

So when I went on an adventure in February, I saw this great bed frame. I thought about it and thought about it and thought....(you get the picture). I finally called and bought the bed frame!

My Sweetheart was on an over night camp out with the Boy Scouts. The seller brought it to my house so I could set it up and surprise my Sweetheart. I attempted to make the change by myself but didn't have the balance to hold both sides while putting the frame together. In the morning, C came and helped me put it together! I was very appreciative! We cleaned our room and dejunked. It is now super clean.

My Sweetheart's reaction, "We are finally grown ups." So that is how you know you are a grown up.

Potato Salad with a Twist

2011-05-20T04:59:00.001-07:00

I had extra beets on hand, and I was craving potato salad. So I mixed the potatoes and the beets. It makes for an interesting colored salad. If you have extra beets, this is a different alternative to cooked beets.

Tuna sandwich, Potato/Beet Salad, Pears, Sugar Snap Peas

Potato Salad
12 Eggs (hard boiled, shelled)
8 Potatoes (cubed and cooked)
4 Beets (cubed and cooked)
1 cup mayonnaise (add or subtract mayo to liking)
A good squirt mustard
1 tablespoon garlic
1/2 cup relish or pickles

Mix together and chill. Salt and pepper to liking.

First Hair Cut

2011-05-18T05:26:00.001-07:00

My Hurricane started to look a little disheveled because his hair was a little too thin. He was starting to get curls at the back of his head.

I put the hair into three pony tails. One for me and one for each Grandma.

He wasn't completely sure about it at first.

But he let me cut it.

He then wanted to look at the clipped hair.

The end product. He was very pleased with himself.