Beating the Winter Blues With Cake

I'm a firm believer in the power of cake. Call it emotional eating, call it feeding the gray, cold weather...call it whatever you like but I assure you it gives you a little "rush" like nothing else can. Now I don't necessarily advocate making a cake without a solid reason...although I would be happy to provide a solid list of "good reasons" to make a cake...I suggest finding a person you love (and even just like alot) and celebrating their birthday. If you have the good fortune of coming from a large family and then being smart enough to marry into a big family, you have lots of birthdays to choose from. We can pretty much find a birthday to celebrate any month of the year, any day of the month. I love it. And it doesn't hurt that these are people who I love celebrating...people I love need big cakes. And now this paragraph has come full circle.
In the last week, we have had the amazing good fortune of celebrating two wonderful people. First, my father-in-law who technically doesn't have a birthday every year. He was born on leap year...if you celebrate on February 28th, you are a day early. But if you celebrate March 1st, you are a day late. So we just pick a day and eat cake...and tell him how much we love and appreciate him. He is a man/father/grandfather who deserves lots of celebrating. Our family has the good fortune of living exactly 3.2 miles from him...and we would be lost without his amazing talents, abilities, and generous service. Thank you Grandpa!


Grandpa being silly.

Grandpa being scary.

Grandpa finally blowing out the candles before the house burns down...
(Refer to coconut birthday cake story...)

The next birthday belonged to my fabulous sister-in-law. My brother showed his finest smarts in choosing this amazing woman to marry. She has blessed our family with grace, elegance, wisdom, humor, and so many talents. Her culinary skills are expert. Her ability to host a party is exquisite. Her ability to speak French is perfect. She is all I hope to be when I grow up...I consider it a huge blessing to call her "sister"...and to live 20 minutes away.

How I love a party with these people...Happy Birthday wonderful ML!

Now it must be said that if you are going to spend much time eating lots of cake, it needs to be somewhat balanced with a little moving. We took care of that on Saturday with our annual cross country skiing trip! This year we headed up to Soldier Hollow in Midway, UT for a day of brilliant blue skies, warm spring weather, and smooth snow gliding. It was perfect!

OK, so "smooth" gliding may be a tiny bit of an exaggeration but we fall with much grace and drama...I feel quite confident in saying my children get all their drama from their father...OK, so that is an exaggeration as well. The drama they get from their mother. No question. The cool, level headed, calm they get from their father. It really would only take 5 minutes in our house to figure that out...but back to the skiing.

I am amazed at how effortlessly my children strap on their skiis and head out. No fear. No hesitation. And then Chris and I spend the rest of the day trying to keep up with them. Young legs go much faster than "old" legs who eat too much cake.

She has the shortest legs but the longest endurance. This little girl cross country skiied for 2 hours before giving any indication that she was getting tired! She is a natural.

Don't we look so hip and "Utah"? We really do love it. I love that we have a "winter" activity that the whole family loves doing. Next year we may venture to the actual mountains and see if our enthusiasm is as big for the "downhill" part of skiing.

This is how you get the 6 year old back to the lodge when you have pushed her too far....

I needed the big dose of vitamin D and family time. It truly did my soul good.

So here is hoping that you have lots of people you love around you, lots of reasons (made up or real) to eat cake, and a warm day to go outside, lift your face to the sun, and feel grateful!  

Winter Blues Game

Who would like to play a little game? Something to brighten these long winter days?

I found this lamp at anthropologie...

Anthropologie Lamp

And I am so in love that it hurts. But so does that little price tag...$98.00 for a lamp shade is currently out of my budget...unless we quit eating for a couple of weeks (Don't think that I haven't entertained that idea very seriously.)

So here is my challenge. Let's all make one. But there are some ground rules! First, the whole project MUST cost less than $10.00. Find a lampshade that you already own, go to Good Will, garage sale, steal a neighbor's...and the materials must be inexpensive. I'm thinking a darling little number out of felt. I'm shooting for less than $5.00. Then, take a picture of it and post it on your blog and/or send it to me and I'll post it on my blog. Or better yet, send all your darling creations to me and I can keep them.

So...who wants a little challenge? Ready...set....GO!

Singing the Winter Blues

In my bedroom sits an old blue desk.


The desk is old and worn. It has 2 rectangular drawers with round, smooth knobs. On the top of the desk is a squiggly, white line that travels around the perimeter of the desktop. I like to imagine that someone had a boring, drab day and felt inspired to liven things up with a little change. They didn’t have money for a long vacation or time to spend on a big elaborate project so they opened that old jar of white paint and painted a design on top of their desk. I found this desk at an old mill that is now an antique shop. And I fell in love with it. There was something comfortable and soothing about the desk. I loved the random white squiggle line and smooth knobs and more than that, I could picture myself sitting at the desk looking out my bedroom window. And here I sit.

 This is what it looks like outside my window right now.

It is a rather drab day. The sky is gray and it makes the rest of the world look like it is covered in a thin gray layer. The grass is brown. The tree is bare. I love my blue Adirondack chair because it reminds me that warmer, brighter days are coming. It helps keep my sunny perspective when winter starts to feel just long and gray.


I have had a cold and cough for WEEKS now. Or it feels like weeks. No energy, tired, coughing, phlegm, yuck. It could be so much worse and I feel so grateful for good health. But it can make a day seem a little grayer.


Today Jacob is sick. It is Sunday and the doctor’s office is closed which is so unfortunate because I think he has strep throat and we can’t get him antibiotics until tomorrow. He also has strange swelling around his eyes. I don’t know if it is related to his throat or if he is having an allergic reaction to something but he is miserable.


But even in the middle of the gray, we have had lots of happy. In an effort to promote the good will and optimism of a gray winter, I’d like to share some of our happy.


1) Mr. Popper’s Penguins.


Every month my children have to read a book and do a book report. This month Matthew chose to read Mr. Popper’s Penguins and do a diorama of a scene from the book. Doing the diorama ended up involving the whole family because who can resist penguins made out of play dough and a giant refrigerator made from a box? The book is delightful and very old fashioned. We loved reading it and imagining penguins making a nest in an icebox!

2) Fancy Nancy Tea Party


One of Hannah’s friends invited her to attend a Fancy Nancy Tea Party at the library. It was a glorious affair! She dressed herself as fancy as she could manage and then we did a very elegant “heart” hair do. She came home waving her gold trimmed fan and speaking to us with her French accent! Nothing like a little fancy to chase away the gray!

3) Jacob turned 10 years old.


My boy is 10. A decade. No more single digits. Oh how I love my boy! I have felt such a close connection to him since I was pregnant with him. He is so smart. He is silly and genuinely funny. He loves to read and write stories. (He is so talented at both of those things.) He loves his friends and I have watched him this year really striving to be a good friend. He is considerate and very aware of others feelings. He bears his testimony every Fast Sunday and I always get teary eyed as I watch him express his feelings for the principles of the gospel. He understands so much. He is curious and inquisitive. He loves adventures. He is willing to try anything. He is really learning to be a good older brother and I am so proud of the moments I see him caring for and protecting his brother and sister. He loves hamburgers and pizza and Olive Garden. He loves to go to movies. He loves playing soccer and board games. He loves the computer and the Wii. He knows how to tell a good story and not skimp on the details. When I ask him a question, he gives me a good full answer instead of a grunt. I love being with him. I feel honored and blessed that the Lord would entrust such an amazing spirit to my care for a short time. Keep your eye on my boy. He is going to leave a big footprint on this world!

4) Matthew Doing Amazing Flips


In an effort to channel Matthew’s amazing energy, we signed him up for gymnastics. And true to form, he picked it up like a natural. He attends classes twice a week and he amazes me with his fearlessness and athleticism. He flips, swings, bounces, jumps, and astounds me with what he can do!

5) An Evening At The Ballet


Because we love fancy around here, we gussied ourselves up again and attended BYU’s ballet production of “Cinderella”. We had a fabulous gaggle of girls to share the evening with and it was so much fun! We started with heaping bowls of pasta and salad at Brick Oven and then ohhed and ahhed our way through the ballet with all the glitter and sparkles and fluffy tutus. My daughter and my cousin’s daughter could not contain the giggles when the prince presented himself. We were sitting in the second row and I truly could not get the two of them to stop laughing. When I asked what was so funny, Sophie said, “The prince forgot to put his pants on” and Hannah announced, “And he is wearing BALLET SLIPPERS!” which then sent them into another round of giggles. I do have to admit that I always have a somewhat uncomfortable reaction when the men appear in their tights. Those tights are just so unforgiving. And I wasn’t ready to give the 5 year olds a male anatomy lesson in the middle of the ballet.


After the ballet, our 2 little girls took off into the lobby to get some “autographs”. They refused to have the performers sign their programs and presented their bare little arms instead. I’m not sure who had the idea but they ran around until every last dancer had been solicited. Unfortunately, the autographs have gone the way of all good body paint…

6) VALENTINE’S DAY


Jacob and Hannah insisted on homemade valentines this year and they turned out so cute! (Thank you Abby and Family Fun website) We woke up on Valentine’s Day and found that our house had been attacked by Cupid…there were balloons everywhere and pink and red hearts covering every surface. I found a message written on my bathroom mirror and covered with hearts. There were flowers and chocolates and my Valentine even made me 2 CD’s of “somewhat romantic” and “very romantic” music! I was so touched! When was the last time I had a romantic “mix” made for me? I kept calling him all day to tell him how much I loved it…and to giggle at the songs he had chosen. He did SO much to make the day special for me and the kids. He brought fancy balloons home for Hannah after work and took me out to dinner at my favorite Thai restaurant. But my favorite part of the day was lying in bed that night eating chocolates. Chris made the day so amazing with all he did. I felt so loved and adored and grateful for a husband who understands how much the small things mean.

7) Dancing and Reading


And in our house there is always much dancing. Random, spontaneous dancing. But my absolute favorites are the mornings I wake up on my own and wonder why the house is so quiet. I tiptoe out in the family room and find my 3 children curled up on the couches and chairs devouring books. My kind of family! Makes my little heart sing!

Count your blessings name them one by one,


Count your blessings see what God has done,

Count your blessings, name them one by one.


In the process of writing this blog, the sun has peeked out. I see some blue sky and it has made all the gray disappear. Being grateful enables me to see the world in a whole different way.


Go count your blessings…

Fun For All!

We love our school. I love that the state of Utah is encouraging options for all of its students. Charter schools are public schools, funded by the government, free of cost to any interested families, that offer an alternative to families and students. I don't believe there is one right way to educate children. Having choices in schools is not about "good and bad", it is about being able to make a choice that is right for your child and family. We have a wonderful neighborhood elementary school...truly wonderful! But when we were preparing to send our oldest child to kindergarten, we realized he had some unique needs that our neighborhood school did not seem able to best equip. And so we looked at options and found one that fit his needs, his style of learning, and fit our family's educational philosophy. Like I said, it isn't about being better, it is all about being best for MY children.

Some of the things I love about our school are:

Core  Knowledge Curriculum

My kindergartener's new favorite hero. Do you know who is? What American iconic item is named after him? My children's charter school is an official Core Knowledge visitation site...a prestigious and unique honor. Not very many schools have earned that recognition. It is an AMAZING curriculum that aligns with the Utah State Core Sequence but enhances a child's opportunity to explore these subjects in greater depth.

• Saxon Math

I've spent most of my life being terrified of math. My kids love math and they are totally "getting" it. Love this program. Just don't ask me what this problem is or how to solve it. (I'm breaking out in a cold sweat just looking at it.)

• Classical Education

I want my children not only to learn about science, history, literature, music, art, etc., but I want them to be able to think about it, express their opinions and feelings clearly, to be able to write, create, compose, and have the confidence to do anything and be anything they want. I want them to have a framework to place the ideas and philosophies they learn. I want them to have respect for the world they live in and the many different people they live with. I feel that classically educating children gives them these tools. Core knowledge teaches them the facts and classical education teaches them how to think about those facts. It is a powerful combination to give a child.

There are so many other reasons I could give.

I love literature circles and the written works my children are exposed to. I love the smaller class sizes and higher teacher and instructor ratio per student. We have a phenomenal staff and faculty. They are truly some of the most talented, dedicated educational professionals I have worked with. My children have loved their teachers and they are the constant that keep us coming back year after year. I love our music and art program. I love the high level of parent involvement and input. I love my children’s friends. We truly feel so blessed to be attending this school.

 Knowledge is power if you teach a child how to use what they learn. Teach them to think, act, and give them a lifelong thirst for knowledge. I don't want school to be a chore and endless string of useless information. I want school to be a place that excites and ignites them. And I want what they learn to give them a hunger for learning that will last a lifetime.

 

Don’t be afraid to demand the best for your child. Look around in your community, explore the options, and decide what is best for your child. There are so, so many wonderful schools in Utah. Our neighborhood schools and charter schools offer so much to a wide variety children. Find out what they are all about and then enjoy having the choice to choose what is best for your family.

 

My Love Affair with Books.

I am a book junkie. I have book buying "sources/contacts" all over the place. I have bought books in warehouses, stores, online, from paper book orders, airports, thrift stores...really, if there is a place that offers me a delicious, enticing book, I'll buy it. At one time I was a card carrying member to 3 different libraries. I know where all the libraries are within a 60 mile range of my house. I personally know my local librarians. I have been known to wander over to the library in the middle of the day (ALL BY MYSELF) and hang out with my favorite librarians for a little while...always in the children's section. I'm sure they have adult books but who needs that kind of baggage in their life? The children's librarians know my children. I love that. Shouldn't every child have a personal relationship with their local children's librarian? I think it should be a mandatory community relationship! (Although I did get rear ended by a gentleman the other day who  got out of his car and admitted that he didn't see me because he was waving to his garbage man that was in the lane next to him! I seriously had no comment to that.) Anyway, I love books.

Maybe I should be more specific...I love children's books. I have read more than my share of adult literature and I've sworn it off. If I try to pick up a fiction book written for adults then I am guaranteed one or more of the following:

1. an affair
2. sex abuse
3. domestic or child abuse
4. mental illness
5. tragic death
6. People whose lives have been seriously messed up by a combination of #1-5.
7. Too much sex and drinking
8. A disease that I have never heard of but will spend the next month wondering if I have.
9. Cancer
10. Mean Parents

You get the point...

I'm not saying you don't get these themes to one degree or another in a children's book, but you don't get it thrown in your face the way you do in adult fiction. And in so much nitty, gritty detail. Adult fiction doesn't usually make me feel happy. It can be a real downer...

I have also discovered there is an unspoken hierarchy in my life for the books I'm reading and how I feel about them. I have a red basket on the floor next to my bed. This basket contains all the books I'm hoarding and waiting to read. It is a basket of anticipation and hope. When my red basket is getting low, I get bummed. When it is filled to overflowing, then I feel happy! I try and never let my basket of anticipation get low. Just for fun, I currently have the following books in my red book basket:
a) The Legend of Bass Reeves (by Gary Paulsen)
b) I, Coriander (by Sally Gardner)
c) Matched (by Ally Condie)
d) Get a Clue: Operation Golden Scepter (by Julian Press)
e) Hands-On Physical Science Projects (my daughter is obsessed with science projects right now)
f) Freeing Your Child From Anxiety (by Tamar E. Chansky)

Once a book is chosen from the basket, it rests on my blue desk next to my bed. If the book is wonderful, there it will stay until it's completion. (Right now it is a delightful book called "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia...Newbery Honoree book.) Unfortunately, if the book is not holding my interest, it gets moved to the car. On the front seat of my car sit the books that didn't reach out and grab me but I'm not ready to give up on yet. I read these in my down waiting periods...red lights, picking kids up from school/scouts/band/gymnastics/science club, sitting in the Chick-Fil-A drive thru, etc.

And in the bathroom lies the low of the low...the potty basket. These are books that only get read if someone has to go to the bathroom really bad and is desperate for reading material. I don't want to be mean to the book so this is its last stop before the "thrift" store. One more chance for someone else to wander in and "discover" the book. Right now I have a book called "The 100 Thing Challenge"...but today it will make its way out my door. I've had enough of it.

The thrift box is purgatory...book hell. Not many books make it to this outer darkness but occasionally...just occasionally...

And now I must go address the other issues in my life. What a random post.

BOOK OF MORMON CHALLENGE: Parenting #1

PURPOSE: What can I learn about being a better parent to my children? What divine guidance does this book provide about parenting?



February 1-6, 2011


This has been such an interesting adventure so far.


Reading with such a specific purpose in mind opens up perspectives and brings ideas to mind that I have never considered before. And given the number of times I’ve “started” reading the Book of Mormon, I thought I had these first few pages pretty covered!


I was born of goodly parents. I have inherited a legacy of faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus Christ that is inspiring and humbling. My ancestors each have a story. And while these stories share a common thread of faithfulness, sacrifice, and testimony, each story differs in how these individuals gained their testimonies, what refiner’s fire they faced to polish and refine their faith, and how the circumstances of their lives shaped and molded their characters. Each story is an inspiration to me. I see so much of myself in some of my family…both my strengths and weaknesses. And I see so much that I wish I possessed. Reading the first few verses of Nephi brought to my remembrance how precious our lives are and how our legacy of faithful living can bless generations to come.


My parents had/have testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because they had gained this precious knowledge, there was no doubt in their minds that they would raise children and guide their family using the principles and ordinances of the gospel. I was born and I was taught in all the learning of my parents. I have watched my parents live and be guided by these principles during all the phases of our family’s life together. My parents bore testimony to us children, they prayed for us, held Family Home Evenings, held family prayers, attended the temple, and placed the gospel and their children first and foremost in their lives. And I watched. I can’t say that “listening” carefully to what my parents always said was my forte but I’m hard pressed to find a child…especially a teenager…that is a talented listener. Children are observers. They will do what you do and say what you say and reflect back to you how they are treated and how they feel about themselves.


Nephi watched his parents very carefully.


He listened to what they taught and he observed with both physical and spiritual “eyes” what they did.


His parents took the time to share special experiences with him and bear testimony of what these things meant to them. (1 Nephi 1:5-15)


He watched his parents pray and knew without a doubt the depth and sincerity of their testimonies and feelings for the Savior. (1 Nephi 1: 15)


Nephi understood what the Spirit was and how it worked.


He saw his parents be completely obedient without questioning why or how. His family abandoned every worldly possession they owned to be faithful to the Lord. And despite the trials and afflictions, he observed his parents showing gratitude to the Lord for His blessings and tender mercies. (1 Nephi 2:3-4, 7).


I feel blessed to share so much in common with Nephi. Allow me to share an experience we had in my family that is so similar in some ways to what Nephi describes in these first few verses of the Book of Mormon and that I believe has had a significant impact on my life.


When I was 5 years old, my father was called to be a mission president of the Goteborg, Sweden mission. He was 29 years old at the time he received this call…my mother was 25 years old. They had 3 children, ages 5, 3, and 1, and my mother was expecting their fourth child at about the time they were expected to report for the mission president’s training seminar. (My mom feels pretty confident that she was the only mission president’s wife nursing a newborn at the training seminar!) My father was still establishing his career and they had just purchased their first home. When the call came, they accepted. Now as a wife and mother, I can only begin to understand what some of my concerns and questions would be. But those concerns and questions did not prevent them from preparing for this call that the Lord had extended. My mother had my sister on June 13th and our family departed for Sweden in July.


My father had served his mission in Sweden and could therefore speak the language. My mother had never left the United States. As we arrived, my dad had many new responsibilities to attend to and missionaries to be acquainted with. My mother had 4 small children that needed to be taken care of and a household to establish in a foreign country without the knowledge or benefit of being familiar with the language and culture. But step by step, the Lord provided all our family needed…both physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I know there were tears, discouragement, frustration, and moments of hopelessness. But from those moments were born some of the fondest, sweetest memories and friendships our family has ever known. Those 3 years in Sweden are the backbone of my childhood. They are my first memories. They are some of my most cherished memories. That legacy of faithfulness and trust in the Lord formed the foundation of my own testimony and determination to lead a life serving the Savior. My parents had a 5th child while living in Sweden. My mother learned the language and served in the church…including as a counselor in the Primary presidency. I grew up surrounded by full-time missionaries and was blessed by their faith and testimonies. Can you imagine a more perfect childhood? It was a wonder! And last spring I had the chance to visit my parents in Sweden with my own husband and children and to share all this wonder with them. We went back to Goteborg where my parents spoke at a Stake Conference and I had the chance to be reacquainted with some many wonderful friends who blessed our lives during that time. I saw my “childhood” home and we frolicked in the woods where I played. I took my children to see the school I went to and the naked statue in the middle of town and ate Swedish hot dogs and candy that tasted just the way I remembered them. And I felt deep gratitude for all of it. That my parents were in tune with the Spirit, that they possessed a united determination to be faithful in all things, that they were willing to drop everything and leave when a call from the Lord took them to the “wilderness”. For their faith and optimism. I have been blessed by their obedience and faith. And I sincerely hope in my life that I will follow their example and always respond as Nephi did…”I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:7)


And so I have my work cut out for me. My children need a mother who lives what she preaches. They need to see and feel me living what I believe. There will come a time in each of their lives when they will be required to stand on their own faith and testimony. Every person has to come to that crossroads and decide where they will stand. But until that day, I want them to have a firm foundation to stand on, a place in their lives where they are safe and loved and feel every day the workings of the Spirit in their lives. I want them to see and understand sacrifice and trials and afflictions and to know they are evidence of the Lord’s deep love for us. I want them to know what the Spirit feels like and the power of this gift in our lives. I want them to know how to find answers on their own and to have the courage to follow where the Lord leads them.


The entire book of 1 Nephi is testimony of a young man who learned precious gospel truths from his parents, gained a firm testimony of Jesus Christ for himself, and was able to accomplish great miracles because of this learning and testimony. What will your children be asked to do by the Lord? Will they be ready? What are we doing every day to prepare our children? Do we contemplate and ponder how what we do, how we react, and what we share with our children is preparing and blessing them for what lies ahead? All Nephi was able to do he was prepared for ahead of time…by loving parents and a loving Heavenly Father. When the time came, he was ready.


Definitely changes how I see my little people and the big people they are becoming.

A Challenge!

Who wants to join me for a fabulous new challenge??? C'mon...raise those hands high! (If you are like my husband, starting a conversation with a line like that doesn't sit well. He refuses to raise his hand to anything until he gets ALL the details. Smart man.)


I have been thinking a great deal lately about 2 things.


First...I've been thinking about my blog. There have been several times that I have debated going private but every time I do, I feel like there is purpose in being able to share some of me with the world. My life is very ordinary but at the same time extraordinary. I am a woman who lives and loves the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am an imperfect wife in love with an imperfect husband. We have our ups and downs but our marriage is real and full of passion and love (those of you visiting over Christmas break got to see some of that passion...it can run in 2 very different directions). I am a mother to 3 amazing children. Really amazing. I love being a mother but I also struggle with all the realities of being a stay-at-home mom who sometimes feels  like she is going to bite the heads off the My Little Ponies if she has to play with them one more time. Blogging has provided an outlet for me to write, share, and feel validated in a million different ways. I faithfully read my family's blogs and love the connection it gives us to each other despite distance. I love my siblings and reading about the challenges and joys my sisters/sister-in-laws/nieces/cousins/etc. are dealing with. Blogging has made me feel less alone and less crazy. It has connected me with family, friends, and "cyber" friends that I may not have met in person but have nonetheless shared common experiences, emotions, and circumstances. Blogging has been a blessing in my life.


Second...I've been thinking about the goal I set at the beginning of the year to read my scriptures more faithfully with real purpose. I've been contemplating personal revelation and how I can better use the scriptures to address real questions, problems, or concerns in my life. My children and young women often come to mind...how can I help them better understand personal revelation and the subtle yet powerful workings of the Spirit? How can I share my testimony of the Book of Mormon and how it works miracles in my life? And then I had an idea....an idea that I think could be powerful...not only for us an individuals but for those that read and follow our blogs. So here is the challenge...


I bought myself a brand new Book of Mormon and a red scripture marking pencil.

I have spent several days thinking about and contemplating what it is that I really needed the Lord's help and inspiration with. And then I wrote it in the front of my new Book of Mormon.

"What can I learn [from the Book of Mormon] about being a better parent to my children? What divine guidance does this book provide about parenting?"


My goal is to try and finish the Book of Mormon by June 2011. I realize that may seem like a long time but I'm trying to be realistic and allow myself to read slowly and thoughtfully. Everything I mark in this copy of the Book of Mormon or write in the margins will relate to these specific questions at the beginning. And I would like to share my thoughts, feelings, and impressions about what I'm learning here on my blog.


I would like to invite those of you that are interested in joining me to take the challenge and post your journey on your individual blog.


I realize this may seem like too personal a thing to share in a public blog world and if you wish to take the challenge, then you may absolutely choose what the perameters look like for you personally. But here is my sincere hope and desire...I want to share my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I want to share how it affects me personally and give others the chance to see how this book changes my life daily...in real time. I want those that are interested in reading my blog to see what I'm learning and perhaps feel a desire to take a similar journey. I want to share how the Holy Ghost testifies and prompts and encourages through the pages of the scriptures and how individuals can change and learn and grow by following the Lord's commandments and counsel. I want to share how this book can indeed solve very personal concerns and problems and answer the deepest most sacred questions of our souls. And so we are going to get personal.


I would love to have you join me in this journey on your blog. Each time I post something from my reading and studying of the Book of Mormon, I will call that post "BOOK OF MORMON CHALLENGE: PARENTING" in my title. Those of you that would like to join me can let me know and I will create a special blog roll on my sidebar so we can all follow each other and benefit from each other's reading, studying, and pondering. As I stated before...feel free to set the bounaries you are comfortable with but I am hopeful some will choose to take the challenge. It definitely helps me stay on track and is so inspiring to read about and share in others journeys. It gives me ideas and insight I would never consider on my own. But please understand I am asking you to choose your own topic/question for reading and studying...I chose mine because it is what I feel that I need the greatest help with. But please choose your own topic. I love diversity!


Just to get you thinking, here is some food for thought. A wonderful talk given by Elder M. Russell Ballard about using the internet to share the gospel!


Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet

What Mormons and Disneyland Have In Common

Remember how our family visited the new Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center in San Diego at Thanksgiving time and I told you how I was absolutely astounded that the church now had their very own "Disneyland"-esque ride that rivaled Pirates of the Caribbean? Remember that? (If you need a refresher with some visual images go visit here.)

Well the fun just goes on and on and on.

Today we had Stake Conference. It was wonderful and uplifting but really did not have much to do with Disneyland. Before we left for church this morning, the power went out. And when we arrived home, the power was still out. We had been trying to sit still for a very long time and the idea of trying to entertain ourselves in a home with no electricity seemed too daunting for my feeble mind so I proposed a field trip to the Church History Museum in SLC. It had been a long, long time since we had been there and I had seen on the news this week that they had opened a new children's exhibit. So with a bag of pretzels and chocolate covered pomegranates, we were off.

We arrived at the museum and received an absolutely delightful,  interesting, very kid friendly tour from "Cindy", a docent at the museum who used to be an elementary school teacher. She gave our family a private tour through the church history portion of the museum that really was wonderful! She hit the highlights, kept the pace brisk, told great stories, pointed out fascinating objects, and kept the children engaged and entertained. It was wonderful! I want her to be our "nanny/tour guide" every time we go to a museum.

The boys trying out the "family bunk" aboard the 1800's immigration ship. And I thought it was bad when they all climbed in bed with me now...

Looking at the big ship...the docent told us that when the museum opened the boxes containing all the little model figurines they had ordered to put on this model ship, they discovered they were all bar floozies and drunken sailors. The art department immediately went to work painting the dancing girls into pioneers.



Our little pioneer children measuring themselves against the wheel of a covered wagon. MC was starting to feel as sulky as he looks...it was toward the end of the tour and he was losing his patience.

 After our tour of the main floor, she took us upstairs and turned us loose in the new children's exhibit. And it was just like Disneyland all over again. Really. We have SUCH a cool church with extremely clever, creative, inspired people all over the place. After playing/dancing/throwing/listening/eating plastic food/collecting plastic eggs from stuffed chickens/playing computer games/fishing from Nephi's boat/helping Moroni with the golden plates/building the temple in Bountiful/etc., I've decided I'm going to increase my tithing donations. There definitely is no bigger bang for your buck! (Was that too irreverent?)

HB pulling vegetables in the garden to serve the missionaries that came to dinner.

MC with his Bountiful temple that he constructed.

Chris and JC trying to lift the golden plates. They were really heavy...and poor Joseph Smith was carrying these while being chased by very angry people.

More fervent preparations in the kitchen for dinner with the missionaries.

Oh, the dancing. It was my FAVORITE! I could've stayed at this station all day if there weren't other patrons patiently waiting their turn. You better believe I'm going to get myself one of those fabulous skirts...

MC playing some of the fun computer games...

HB helping Mormon adbridge the golden plates...

and JC and I mixing a little Andean primary music.

We also stopped to see the amazing...no, breath taking...nativity set that my parents just purchased in Sweden. They were able to contact the artist and have their very own set made. It is beautiful!!!!

And before we left, Chris and the kids delivered deep sermons from the conference center pulpit.

Finally the dinner for the missionaries was ready. It was quite a feast!

On a less irreverent note...stake conference this week focused on families and the blessings of the temple. We heard some excellent talks and I truly am leaving this weekend even more determined to be a better wife and mother. I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for His love, guidance, example, and the joy He shares that is truly deep and life changing. I love my wonderful husband. He is a gentle, patient, strong, faithful man who blesses my life every day in so many different ways. He is also an incredible father...right now he is outside the bedroom door doing an impromptu shadow show on the wall with our daughter. I am grateful for my children. They are amazing! They are sweet, strong, smart wonderful people and I love being their mother.

The church history museum was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon together. I love having experiences together as a family...adventures and exploring and being together create deep memories that bind you together in a way nothing else can.

Hooray for the gospel of Jesus Christ...hooray for families...and hooray for wonderful memories!!!