SHALL I START OVER . . . . AGAIN ??

Well, two nights ago I was having a horrible, terrible time.  Life seemed to be sucking me under.  Not having anyone else to turn to at the moment, I decided to blog about my woes.  It was a horrible post.  I ended up just deleting it. I guess I'm glad I did. It really wasn't very nice, or happy.

Anyway, I've been thinking a lot the past day.  After having my pity party, I've come to the conclusion (yet again) that I just need to suck it up and move on.  I also came to the conclusion that I need to make the choice to find happiness in serving others.  Specifically in serving my family.  Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my family! And I do find joy in serving them.  But I guess what I'm getting it, is that I end up taking so much of it for granted. I take my family for granted, and the BLESSINGS that it brings to serve them. Hence I eventually just get to feeling like all I'm doing is giving, giving, giving, sacrificing, sacrificing, sacrificing, and never getting anything in return.  More to the point, feeling like MY cup is not getting refilled.  Therefore, how can I possibly go on serving them, if I have nothing left to give?

Truly motherhood is the most difficult career in the world.  It is the most undervalued, most unappreciated, and most solitary job in the history of the world.  The most "unthanked" job too!

Two dear friends ended up making comments on my posts.  Wow.  It really touched me and just reading their short, sweet comments lifted my spirits.  So I wonder, why can't men (specifically my husband) figure out how to do that themselves?  Just a word of encouragement!  I'm afraid my husband doesn't know what to say, and therefore he says NOTHING.  Many times that just leaves me feeling even worse. I can't say it's his fault. He grew up in a family that just never really talks.  Not openly, and not about things that need to be talked about.  So he never learned how to do that.  I, on the other hand, will talk your hind leg off if you let me, and many times I say TOO much (like I did in my post!)  So I guess we're good for each other in the long run, eh?

And yet, motherhood is still the most glorious job in the world.  The job with the greatest, eternal benefits that NO OTHER JOB will ever be able to offer. THIS is what I need to keep reminding myself of! To keep remembering.

So why am I so miserable (like I was a day ago?) Well, I guess we all get down from time to time.  I guess it's part of life.  And yes, sometimes my cup goes unfilled for days or weeks or months at a time.  That is when it is even more crucial that I turn to the Savior.  He can fill my cup faster than anyone!  Why don't I ever remember that easily?

I was reading the blog of a frirend tonight. His wife passed away on December 10, 2010.  Leaving him and their two young kids behind. Very sad.  But in his post he said this:

“I have learned from her to serve wherever the Lord needs me. No calling is too small, nothing we do for others is insignificant in the sight of the lord. As it says in Matthew:

    "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." - St Matthew 25:40

I hope to continue Krista's legacy and always be engaged in a good cause and serve the Lord wherever and whenever He needs me. To serve the Lord we must serve others and it is in serving others that we forget ourselves and find joy and peace.”

Isn’t that beautiful? It made me remember that if I choose to look for the bright side, choose to be happy, choose to serve with a joyous heart, remembering that I am not only serving my family, but my Savior as well, then I will more easily be able to feel that fulfillment that comes when you lose yourself in the service of your fellow being.  And what more important “fellow being” do we have than our own family?

I am grateful for dear friends.  Whether the miles separate us or not, their influence is still felt.  They help to remind us that 1.) there IS someone who cares, always.  2.)  There is someone who understands.  3.) There is someone who is going through similar trials and we are not alone.  And last but definitely not least 4.)  There is someone Above who is holding us in the palm of His hand, and if we trust in Him, ALL things will work together for our good.  ALL things.

I am humbled and grateful that my Savior has reached out to me, through friends, to remind me of these things.  A nice “slap in the face, slap on the back, and “you can do it” encouragement from the Redeemer of the World!  I know that my Redeemer lives.  He has touched my life in so many ways that are undeniable. 

I am so thankful for friends that took the time to reach out and encourage me.  Those few words have made a lasting impact.

I feel much better than I did 24 hours ago.  Now I need to buck up and find my “happy place” again - remembering that I am engaged in the most important work of the world… raising our children!

Thank you, dear friends.  Thank you, my Savior!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's about time, eh? :)


Well, our New Year kicked off to a great start.  All are healthy and fine.  Life is good and we are so terribly blessed.  We are so grateful!


Bob is off on a Scout Camp-out right now, due back tomorrow by lunch time.  Jonathan was out last night with friends at the Dollar theater watching "Alpha and Omega" (cute movie!).  One of the girls happens to be his "interest" at the moment.  She's a cute girl, very shy, but very nice too.  He met her at Rising Generation Chorus where they both are chorus members.  It's fun to watch him go through the "liking" stages with girls and get so excited to see her and "text" her and go out on group dates with her.:)

This past weekend, the weirdest thing happened.  All of a sudden I came down with a feeling of being bloated, cramps, and eventually the chills.  And I mean THE CHILLS.  For 1 hour I shook VIOLENTLY and was freezing.  Why?  I have no idea.  I did ask for a blessing though, and as always am so thankful my husband holds the Holy Priesthood and is worthy of giving me a blessing at anytime.  Within 5-10 minutes of receiving the blessing I felt better and was then able to sleep.  Sometime during the night my fever broke (WET pillow!) and the next day I was tired and stayed in bed as much as possible.  I still had a very light "fever-ish" type sweat and feeling, but did mostly OK.  The following day, Sunday, I stayed home from Church, in bed again.  By that night I was really feeling back to normal almost.  I still took it easy though, just in case.  But by Monday I was back to normal and getting back into the routine of things.


Well, by Tuesday I had broken out with THREE cold sores/canker-sores/fever blisters on my lips.  I've only had a cold sore twice in my life, and that was in the past 1 1/2 years.  So to have THREE at the same time is a bit much.  They are painful!  So I'm still medicating them and trying to get over those.


I am wondering if these are just "signs" of another infection somewhere in my body that I'm not aware of.    I suppose time will tell.


I am just feeling very grateful for my family, specifically my wonderful husband.  He loves me so totally and unconditionally.  He is true and faithful.  He comes home to me and the kids every night.  He sacrifices for us and does a smash-up job at work too.  He magnifies his church calling (Scout Master) and  is always willing to help others in need.  People call on him all the time to help.  And we are happy he is able to.  He loves me.  This I know.  All he has done, all the "fruit" that has "fallen from this tree" has proven to me that he loves me.  I am so thankful for that.  I love him dearly and I so look forward to spending Eternity with him.
I do not know what people do who do not have the knowledge of the gospel in their lives.  I see divorce all around.  I see children's lives destroyed by divorce.  And how did I get so lucky and blessed as to have such a good and faithful husband?  I am just so thankful.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010 !

The Nine Family - Christmas 2010 - Volume 21

Season’s Greetings!  We hope your year has been a good one and that you are all doing well!  Our family has carried on and has felt the Lord’s continued blessings in our lives. Our quick update on each of us:

Emily - 3rd Grade

Emily Claire (9) - is now in 3rd grade.  Where has the time gone?  She is active with her Activity Day girls at Church as well as our homeschool support group and enjoying her Geology class and History Heroes class there a great deal.  This year she also joined Future Generation Chorus, a premier “feeder” chorus for Younger Generation Chorus of Plano (the one Jessica used to be a member of.)  She is learning to sing and perform in front of people (quite a feat for her!) and is doing a great job of it.  She is taking piano lessons as well as art lessons this year and really loves them.  She has quick wit, deep logic, and notices everything around her. She is also our homemaker, our worrier, and continues to be so obedient (we’re STILL not used to that! But we LIKE IT!)  She is a fantastic girl!

Jonathan - 11th Grade

Jonathan Wagner (16) - is now in 11th grade.  We can hardly believe he’s almost done with high school!  He stays active with his Scouting and Young Men’s activities, friends, our homeschool support group where he takes a German Music class, The Making of America class, a Preach my Gospel class, a New Americans Writing/Interviewing/Research class on immigration, and is also involved with The Statesmanship Club of North Texas.  He also joined Rising Generation, the “high school” chorus after Younger Generation (all three choruses are under the Younger Generation umbrella.)  He is really developing his love of music and his great voice and range, and he loves it!  However, I think the pretty girls in the chorus make it hard to tell whether he likes the music most or the girls. He is our “Mr. Fix It” man that Bob has trained well and we rely on him a great deal when Bob is not around.  He has really matured this past year, is inspired by serving others, and is developing his leader qualities.  He continues to play basketball and he was also excited to go to Philmont Scout Ranch this year and climb Mount Baldy with his troop and his dad! An unforgettable experience. He has a huge sense of humor and loves to laugh, but is a deep thinker and ponderer, and really takes things seriously when appropriate.  He’s a good, wonderful young man!

Jessica - College

Jessica Marie (20) - is now living at home again (not a big surprise for us) and discovered for herself the value of a college education, hence she is back in college and doing much better this time!  It’s amazing what happens when you actually attend class and do the work!  She works full time and attends school part time and is hoping to buy a car this coming year.  Her sights are set on a Major in Music Production, though she still has hopes of attending her Horse Whisperer School once the degree is under her belt.  Time will tell.  She’s full of life and positive attitudes!  She is still our social butterfly and loves anything to do with being around people, shopping, music, dancing, singing, being “random,” going out, and just being around more people and trying everything!  She is maturing and learning to take on more responsibility and learning about the deeper, more serious things in life.  She is a wonderful woman!

Teri Sue - continues to stay busy with homeschooling the kids, serving as the Primary Pianist at church, the Secretary for our homeschool group (a non-profit organization that she helped to start the past two years), teaching The Making of America class for the teens of the group, keeping up with the kids, the chores, the errands, and Bob.  I must say though, it is NICE to have a trustworthy son that can help drive the younger child to/from classes and activities or run errands for you!  I continue to be politically active and try to stay on top of current events, as well as news and information on education, natural health, and religion.  She is still the meanest Mama in the world. :)

Bob - was promoted to Assistant VP of Technology at Concentra Inc., and continues to love his job.  He is blessed with a wonderful company and great peers that he works with and who honor integrity, family, and hard work.  He has traveled quite a bit the past 6 months (GA, FL, RI, NJ, MA) for his job, but they are mostly small trips.  We miss him when he’s gone.  Bob has been called to be the Scout Master for our Troop, and he has put his whole heart into it.  He loves it!  It’s his “hobby.”  He loves working with the boys and helping them on their trail to Eagle.  He takes them on monthly campouts, and they have all sorts of activities the rest of the month.  It takes quite a bit of time, but it’s worth the sacrifice when you see the impact it has on these boys.  He has participated in Daddy/Daughter Dinner/Walz/Activities with Emily, went to Philmont Scout Ranch with Jonathan and the troop, climbed Mount Baldy, (lost 75 lbs in preparation for it all!,) has continued with his on-the-side job as photographer (something he enjoys doing!,) and continues to be the greatest husband and father we could ever ask for.  He leads our family by example first, has never complained, fixes everything in our lives (homes, cars, computers, tears, hearts…) and keeps the humor going!  He is definitely our hero!

This year we actually had company!  Nana (Bob’s Mother) and Uncle Howard (her brother) drove down to visit us! We had  a wonderful time being together, Nana teaching Emily how to crochet, talking genealogy, eating out, catching up on each other’s news, and showing them a bit about our lives here in Plano. We were sad to see them go, but Emily was the most sad!  She misses having grandparents around.

Bob, Teri, Nana, and Uncle Howard

 Our family looks forward to the new year with some special events happening:  Teri’s niece, Jenny L., is engaged to be married next year in Salt Lake City, Utah;  at the beginning of June, Jonathan will be traveling to Branson, Missouri, to perform in three different venues there with Rising and Younger Generation Choruses; and in late June he will be participating in a region-wide, professional production put on by the LDS Church for the year of Jubilee.  Teens from several states will be participating and it promises to be a huge, spectacular event! (think Olympic opening ceremonies!)  We are looking forward to all these!

At this favorite time of year, we pause to reflect on the birth of Him who has made all things possible for each of us, even Jesus Christ.  We pray that He will shower you with His tender mercies and blessings throughout the New Year and that we will all be able to recognize His hand in our lives.  What a glorious day that must have been for those shepherds to stand at his cradle and welcome Him to the world.  As we strive to remember that day, we send you our love and wish you each a very Merry Christmas and a  prosperous and blessed New Year!

Let us never forget the Reason for this Season...

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIFT ... NEVER-ENDING LOVE

Each day I receive a great newsletter in my email inbox.  It's from the Love & Logic Institute.  Have you ever read "Parenting With Love & Logic" by Foster Cline and Jim Fay?  I have only read parts of it, and am hoping to finish it!  It removes the oft heard words "I wish children came with handbook!," that so many of us have uttered!

Well, in today's newsletter the quote was fantastic and I wanted to share it here:

"Have you noticed how much effort some folks put into finding just the right Christmas gifts for their child? I bet you know someone who doesn't think twice about spending endless hours - or even days - scouring store shelves for that awesome action figure, digital doodad, or doll their child has been wanting.

"Let's think about it. Is there anything wrong with this? What's the problem with spending lots of time and energy looking for neat and nifty Christmas gifts for our kids?

"Nothing. But…

"What happens when we exert more energy on finding these gifts than showing our youngsters what a gift they are to us?

"Ouch! I've done this. Yes, I've fallen into this trap! I've worn-out myself trying to make things perfect that I've forgotten the most perfect gift of all: the expression of never-ending, unconditional love.

"We're all wired to need it. All of us yearn for a relationship with someone who will love us forever, regardless of how stinky we behave. Isn't this the greatest gift we can give our loved ones? Isn't this what Christmas is really about?

"During this Christmas season, my hope is that you'll…
spend more time playing with your kids than you spend shopping for them;remember that the gift they really yearn for is you; hug them and smile into their eyes as often as possible; and show them through your never-ending love what a precious gift they are."

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible.

Dr. Charles Fay

©2010 Love and Logic Institute, Inc. All copyright infringement laws apply. Permission granted for photocopy reproduction and forwarding. Please do not alter or modify contents. For more information, call the Love and Logic Institute, Inc. at 800-338-4065.

I thought that was great 'food for thought'. :)

Hope you are enjoying your Christmas season cuddling, loving, and being loved!

MORMON MEN ARE MALE CHAUVINISTS (!!! - ???)

I just read THIS awesome article on Meridian Magazine online.

It made me think several things, many of which were awe-inspiring!

But being the opinionated, non-politically correct, in-your-face-and-my-own-face-about-the-truth kind of person, the thing that I can't shake is this thought:

I find it ironic that MANY, if not most, of the other "Christian" religions in this country teach as part of their theology that WOMEN are to be SUBMISSIVE unto their HUSBANDS.  Granted, most of those churches have some kind of clause thrown in stating that the wife does not have to submit if the husband is telling them to sin.  However, humand nature being what it is... there are way too many husbands that take that submissive thing and RUN with it.  I've known many personally.  (I've even known some in the LDS church, though by percentage they are way fewer!)

Now, when I say that many, if not most, of other "Christian" religions, I say it from experience.  Not because I read it somewhere, though I certainly have many times.  I've known couples from just about every single "Christian" religion there is, and in all the cases I can think of, the wife is to submit to the husband.  And in MANY of those cases, it's not a pretty, righteous thing.

The IRONY is this:  They ALL point an accusing finger at the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, accusing the church of preaching and raising male chauvinists who do nothing but command their wives, and that the wives are all some kind of "slave".  I have personally had a therapist ask me, upon finding out I was LDS, if my religion taught me to be subserviant unto my husband.. insinuating that perhaps that was part of my problem!  I couldn't believe it!!

So... as I read this article, all those thougths came flooding back to me.  Having been practically raised in the CATHOLIC church, having attended MANY other "Christian/Protestant" churches, having known many people of other "Christian" faiths, and some of non-Christian faiths, having studied world religions (beginning in College, and henceforth), and having been active in my own LDS faith the past 27 years, I can say with 100% certainty that I believe that NO ONE teaches the DIVINE, ROYAL, SACRED, HALLOWED, SPECIAL, and EXEMPLARY role of WOMAN as does the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

I remember when I was dating Bob back in the day, and our Church's World General Conference was about to take place, I had the thought that I wanted to attend the General Priesthood Meeting.  Mind you, this is a meeting that only those who hold the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood usually attend.  It is intended as a World General Conference Session for the men of the church throughout the world, where they are lovingly counseled in the ways of better-manhood, better-husbandhood, better-fatherhood, better-sonhood, better-brotherhood and all other "hoods".  I have not known of a woman to ever attend a General Priesthood session before or after this time.  (That's not to say there hasn't been in the history of the world, only that it is unheard of and very rare.)

So, I attended.  Bob was cool about it, thought he thought, in a nice way, that I was being weird.  But that's exactly what I am - unconventional.  Well, in the 27 years of my being active in the Church I have attended 27 World General Women's Conferences, and while I have been inspired by each of them in different ways, I say to you that I have NEVER felt held higher, on a higher pedastal, than I did coming out of that General Priesthood Meeting!  Now, I know they don't always focus on just women, but that year I felt that all of the talks were about how to "see" your wife, daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, etc. as the Daughter of God that she is.  How to TREAT her like the Celestial Daughter of God that she is, how to support her, inspire her, uplift her, and NEVER command her, rule over her, uninspire her, or do harm to her either mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, educationally, or any other "-ally" way!  I came away from that meeting feeling like I had a lifetime of living and learning to do before I would ever be worthy of the ETERNAL and HIGH ESTEEM with which the prophet and brethren of the Church held women; the SPECIAL, eternal and BEAUTIFUL role of WOMAN/WIFE/MOTHER/SISTER, and the way they were trying to get the men and boys to think about women!

Being an LDS woman, I have been counseled by my husband, prophet, and Church leaders, all of these 27 years, to be the best Daughter of God I can be, to be the best Mother/Sister/Friend in Zion I can be, to get all the EDUCATION I can possibly get, to make sure I lovingly remind my husband to be of help around the home and with the kids, and to make sure I do all I can each day of my life to keep my "lamp" filled with "oil" (and that "oil" might be different things on different days!)

My husband has been the archtype of husbands.  Not only is he the world's greatest "Mr. Fix It" and fixes everything in our home and cars himself, but he sacrifices every single day to support the kids and me, he puts God first (which in turn makes me trust him more, and feel safer with him), he has never once pointed out my faults and weaknesses, he has never once said anything unkind in terms of "I wish I'd never married you/etc".  He has been nothing but supportive and loving, and self-sacrificing for our family and me.  Aside from God, he puts me first.  He has taught our children, and especially our son how to honor womanhood, first by example, then by word and teachings.  He has forgiven the most horrible weaknesses of mine, and put up with a TON of doo-doo from me over the years.  And he does not hold any grudges over it nor recall it to my memory even ONCE.  He has led our family by EXAMPLE first and always.  He has maintained his faith, has always been meek and submissive to the Lord's teachings and life's trials, he has kept all of his Temple Covenants, and he has always strived to choose the right in every aspect of his life.  If anything he has suffered through terrible times when I was the one who was "bossing" him around, or telling him of HIS faults and weaknesses, or to have put up with my weaknesses and stubbornness!

My husband is the reason behind my strong desire to improve every day of my life.  Of course I want to improve for Heavenly Father, for the Savior, and for myself and my children.  But my husband is the inspiration behind my greatest desires to improve and "be perfect even as {Christ is} perfect".  I want to be the best I can for HIM.  Because he has loved me UNCONDITIONALLY and ETERNALLY.... very much like my Savior has!  More than anything I want to make my Savior happy, and second only to that  I want to make my husband proud of me and happy!  He has never cheated on me, even in thought!  He has always come straight home to me after work, and looks forward to spending time together with me and our family.  His greatest desire has always been, and remains, to be with ME eternally.

HOW can anyone possibly think, much less accuse the Mormon church of teaching such heresies!  And what's more, how can anyone who used to be a member of this Church (or might still be) accuse the Church of such terrible things!?  Well, for the ex-members, it's not hard to figure out how or why they'd do such a thing.  But for those who are still members, perhaps they would do well to double check themselves.  I am confident if they did so in the true light of the Spirit, that they would find that it's not the CHURCH that is teaching such chauvinistic ways, but rather their church, their family, or the husband, or perhaps they themselves that are causing the issue.  The LDS Church has never, and will never teach such false doctrines.

As for people who are not members of the Church, all I can say is that they should give the Church a trial run before believing what their pastors, family, friends, teachers, or "experts" are telling them about the LDS Church.  "By their FRUITS ye shall know them."  I feel pretty confident in stating that, percentage wise, the LDS church has produced more "good fruits" than any other.

No where in the world will you see a Church honor womanhood to the heights that the LDS church does!  No where in the world will a woman be respected and honored and put on a pedastal higher than in the LDS Church.

I am thankful that this brave, inspiring sister wrote this article!  I am sad that she had to suffer through the chauvinistic trials that her husband and church forced upon her.  I pray for her, that the Lord will continue to bless her and her children, that they may always lean on the simple, eternal, and beautiful truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as found in the one and only true Christian Church - even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

(I know, I know... I'm passionate, politically/religiously incorrect, I sound jugemental, and I need to be more Christ-like!  I know!!! I'm working on it... ) 

"BE OUR GUEST"!!

This past week Emily had a very special date!  Yes... I said "date".... even though she's only 9.

I'll back track a bit first.  In our Church when young girls are between the ages of 8-11, they take part in what is called Activity Days.  Every other week they meet with adult leaders and they do all sorts of fun activities, from doing service projects in the families and community, to creating crafts, learning how to knit or crochet or sew, learning how to cook, attending cultural events, hiking, swimming, and all sorts of other stuff.  It's all about teaching them to be responsible, manage their time, and learn to become righteous, service-minded, and productive adults in their family and society.  

So this past Friday they hosted an elegant evening of walzing and dinning for the girls and their fathers.  The theme was "Beauty and the Beast"! (I thought that was funny!)

Emily got ready in her best outfit!  We even curled her hair.  Bob got dressed up as well, and they headed up to the Church.  They had a brother from the Church, and his wife, teach them how to dance the walz and other dances.  You ought to see this guy dance!  He's great!  Emily had a grand time and so did Bob. :)  They had delicious food (ham, homemade mashed potatoes, salad, etc.) and dessert (homemade cheesecake).

Here are some pictures from the evening.  :)

A couple of these are 'fuzzy' but that's ok.  You can't always control how others take photos. :)

READY TO GO.......

AT THE DANCE.......

(HAD to put this one in, even though it's fuzzy.  Emily was so excited about the "Barbie Belle" being the center piece at her table!)

Learning how to walz ......

Walzing with Daddy.....  And he is the BESTEST Daddy in the whole world!!!

And here are all the girls singing their "menu" to the tune of "Be Our Guest"...  Below are the CUTE words to the song!  (*Emily is the third from the right, in her fancy white dress we bought her for her baptism last year! Yes! It still fits her! Yay!)

VERSE 1

Be our guest

Be our guest

Put our service to the test

Tie your napkin 'round your neck, Papas

And we provide the rest

Soup du Jour

Hot hors d'oeuvres

Why, we only live to serve

Try the grey stuff, it's delicious

Don't believe me? Ask the dishes

They can sing

They can dance

After all, Dads, this is Church

And a dinner here is never second best

Go on, unfold your menu

Take a glance and then you'll

Be our guest

Qui (WE), our guest

Be our guest

VERSE 2

Sliced ham

Homemade rolls

Mashed potatoes feed your souls

We'll prepare and serve with flair

A culinary cabaret

You're not home

You might be scared

But the banquet's all prepared

No one's gloomy or complaining

While the flatware's entertaining

(as this point, Bob, of course, picks up his flatware and makes it "dance" around the plate!)

We tell jokes

I do tricks

With my fellow candlesticks

And it's all in perfect taste

That you can bet

Come on and lift your glass

You've won your own free pass

To be our guest

If you're stressed

It's fine dining we suggest

Be our guest

Be our guest

Be our guest!

HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS ANYONE?

Each week our homeschool group meets at one of the member's homes for "Clubs & Classes".  It's our weekly "co-op" of sorts, where the kids all take various fun classes and get to spend time together forging friendships.

Well, about two doors down from this family's home, is this:

It actually made me shiver when I first saw it!  That spider is about 1/2 the size of my Ford Expedition! Incredible!  If you looks closely, off to the left, you can see the human remains 'wrapped' in the spider web cocoon, having been supposedly devoured by this lovely, plastic, hairy arachnid with six red, beady eyes!  YUCK!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We celebrated Halloween at our Ward Halloween Party.  It was AWESOME!

I think it was the best Ward Halloween Party we've ever been to! Not the usual stuff.  First of all, they held out outside... partly on the baseball field and partly in the parking lot adjecent to the field.  There was face painting, bean bag toss, "fishing" in the kiddy pool, a huge bounce house, a Halloween piñata, and all sorts of other games for the kids.  Of course, all the kids, and many of the adults, were dresed up in their costumes!  The adults had a chili cook-off/contest.  We had 17 different kinds of chili.  I, personally, only took one tablespoon of each kind, and I was STUFFED by the end!  There were about 4 or 5 different kinds of cornbread to go along with it, and also grilled hot dogs, apple cobbler, brownies, and other desserts.  The kids got "prizes" for all the games (that being candy) and so they got to go home and eat sweets again!  The weather was gorgeous!  Just perfect!  By the time the sun went down, we were ready to leave. So we all helped pick up, pack up, and ship out.  Tons of fun!

After the Ward Halloween Party, we came home to carve our own pumpkin! Emily was DYING to carve a real pumpkin, and since we hadn't done it in about 12 years, we decided it was time to do it. All kids deserve the experience of carving a pumpkin!  So here is Emily's first try at it!

 

Not too shabby, huh?  I helped her with the teeth, the top-right bone, and the nose area, as well as the lid and teaching her how to clean out the inside.  Bob helped her with the bottom-left bone.  But she did the rest.  It was fun!  And this was our first "fancy" carved pumpkin!  Usually we just drew our own drawings and carved them, but Emily wanted this skull and bones. Go figure!

Last weekend, we celebrated Emily's 9th birthday at Amazing Jake's. Here are some pictures from that event.

 This is the (actually yummy) food at Amazing Jake's that SAT on the table for what seemed like an eternity, while I had to run around and take care of the kids, the questions, and making sure things went ok.  I FINALLY got to eat it.  After it got cold. That tomato-basil pizza was to die for!

The birthday girl with her friends.... (and Jonathan hiding in the background!)

Riding the Merry-go-Round!

 

I think this was one of the biggest hits!  She had been wanting a "Zumbuddy" for the past 2 or 3 months! I guess it was the "toy du jour!" One of her best friends got it for her! Can you tell she's happy? (heehee!)

 

Then we came home and Emily got to open the family gifts. (No, she didn't get two yellow Zumbuddies! She just couldn't put it down! heehee!)

She had a wonderful day, and got tons of gifts which she LOVES and is crazy about!  I guess it doesn't get better than that when you're 9 years old, does it?

I LOVE THIS QUOTE

The truth oozes from this quote by Elder Boyd K. Packer:

"History demonstrates over and over again that moral standards cannot be changed by battle and cannot be changed by ballot. To legalize that which is basically wrong or evil will not prevent the pain and penalties that will follow as surely as night follows day."

There's been a lot of hype lately over his talk at this last General Conference.  The truth is always hard to take.

You can click HERE to read his talk.

Have a great day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Well, yes, I'm another year older today.  Funny thing is, I feel like I'm still 25.  Time is a funny thing.  You live your whole life (when you're young) thinking about the future and "what will become of me?"  Then, somewhere along the way, life just 'happens' to you. You get your college degree, you get married and/or start your career, you may have children, you are busy, busy, busy with those children for the rest of their lives.... and it never stops.  But somewhere in there, amidst all that "life" that is happening, your mind now shares space with "what used to be of me" right along with what's left of "what will become of me?"

I have this feeling that one day, before we realize it, our minds will be fully consumed with "what became of me!"  And I hope there's an exclamation point at the end of that sentence, rather than a question mark! :9)

I love my life.  I have been blessed beyond measure.  I have the greatest husband in the world for ME.  He is perfect for me... still!  God knew what He was doing when He told us both to marry!  And I am so thankful I listened to Him!  We have three beautiful, intelligent, smart, capable children who have great things in store for them that the Lord sent them to earth for.  I look forward to seeing their own lives unfold and see "what will become of them?"

I was blessed with wonderful, strong, giving parents.  They were not perfect. Neither are we.  But they LOVED us, and we children knew it beyond  a shadow of a doubt.  From my Father I learned that it is never too late to change and improve. That old dogs really CAN learn new tricks!  It just takes you making up your mind to do it.  From my Mother I learned to have faith and never, ever, give up.  The sun will always come out again tomorrow.  Tomorrow is a new day.  It is always darkest right before the dawn, so don't give up! Time has a way of healing all wounds, and things have a way of always getting better.

My parents died when I was 29.  Now I am 46. Ten more years and I will be the same age my mother was when she died.  That is surreal to me.  I miss them.  Especially on special days like birthdays, Christmas, Mother's/Father's Day, and special occasions.  I know they see me and keep a watchful eye over me and my family. I know they see all that is going on - with all their kids.  I just wish I could see THEM.  I wish I could FEEL their skin on mine - hugging me.

Happy birthday to me.

Today will be a normal day.  Getting school done with the kids.  But hopefully Bob will take me out for dinner somewhere! ;9)  Maybe we can even watch a movie together at home.  That's another funny thing.  When we were younger it was "the thing" to leave our home and go "out" for a date.  Now, it is more cozy to STAY HOME for a date.  Sometimes we prefer to send the kids to the dollar theater so that we can stay home ALONE and enjoy our home and our 'togetherness' without anyone else around for a change.  Funny how life changes things.

I love my life.  I have a good life.  I have much I still hope to do and improve about myself.  I want to be more Christ-like.  Less judgmental. More merciful.  A peacemaker.  I want to learn, learn, learn as much as I can about all sorts of things.  I particularly enjoy learning about the Lord's Gospel, politics, history, Geography, Space, America, our bodies/health, how to be a better parent, and so much more.  I love to learn new things.  I love to learn languages and all about people and their cultures.  I love psychology, music, and art. I love nature, the seasons, flowers, and aromatherapy smells.  Particularly Menthol, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Vanilla, Evergreen, and Patchouli. :9)

I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, above all else.  Secondly, I love my husband.  Thirdly, I love my children.  Everyone else comes after those.  I am so thankful to have made it this far in life, and to have learned all I have learned this far.

If there is anything I would leave the world in terms of 'wisdom'.... well, there are way too many quotes for that.  But here are a few... OK, many...  of my favorites. :9)  It will give you a "glimpse" into my own soul:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows. It empties today of its strength." - Corrie Ten Boom

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie Ten Boom

"Even as the angry vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him....Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness...And so I discovered that it is not our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His.  When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives along with the command, the love itself." - Corrie Ten Boom

"A coward is much more exposed to quarrels than a man of spirit." - Thomas Jefferson

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." - Thomas Jefferson

"No freeman shall be debarred the use of arms." - Thomas Jefferson

"Be polite to all, but intimate with few." - Thomas Jefferson

"You wouldn't worry so much about what other people think of you, if you knew how seldom they do!" - my mother

"You cannot have a rainbow without the rain!" - my mother

"A home without books is a body without soul." - Marcus Tullius Cicero

"Ability without honor is useless." - Marcus Tullius Cicero

"No $2 prayer will receive a $2,000,000 answer." - anonymous

"Nature soon takes over if the Gardener is absent." - Anonymous

"If you choose to follow Christ, you will not have many friends." - me

"No other success can compensate for failure in the home." - David O. McKay

"The Lord works from the inside out.  The world works from the outside in.  The world would take people out of the slums.  Christ would take the slums out of the people, and then they would take themselves out of the slums.  The world would mold men by changing their environment.  Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature." - Ezra Taft Benson

"When you put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives." - Ezra Taft Benson

"When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power." - Ezra Taft Benson

"Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right." - Ezra Taft Benson

"True repentance involves a change of heart and not just a change of behavior." - Ezra Taft Benson

"The tenth plank in Karl Marx's Manifesto for destroying our kind of civilization advocated the establishment of "free education for all children in public schools."  There were several reasons why Marx wanted government to run the schools...one of them [was that] 'It is capable of exact demonstration that if every party in the State has the right of excluding from public schools whatever he does not believe to be true, then he that believes most must give way to him that believes least, and then he that believes least must give way to him that believes absolutely nothing, no matter in how small a minority the atheists or agnostics may be.'
"It is self-evident that on this scheme, if it is consistently and persistently carried out in all parts of the country, the United States system of national popular education will be the most efficient and widespread instrument for the propagation of atheism which the world has ever seen." - Ezra Taft Benson

"The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it." - Ezra Taft Benson

"Rights are either God-given as part of the divine plan, or they are granted by government as part of the political plan. If we accept the premise that human rights are granted by government, then we must be willing to accept the corollary that they can be denied by government. I, for one, shall never accept that premise." - Ezra Taft Benson

"It is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read." - Ezra Taft Benson

"Testimony is to now and to feel. Conversion is to do and to become." - Dallin H. Oaks

"You can never get enough of what you don't need, because what you don't need won't satisfy you." - Dallin H. Oaks

"If we choose the wrong road, we choose the wrong destination." - Dallin H. Oaks

"Tolerance obviously requires a non-contentious manner of relation toward one another's differences.  But tolerance does not require abandoning one's standards or one's opinions on political or public policy choices. Tolerance is a way of reacting to diversity, not a command to insulate it from examination." - Dallin H. Oaks

"A woman with a mother heart has a testimony of the restored Gospel, and she teaches the principles of the Gospel without equivocation. She is keeping sacred covenants made in holy temples. Her talents and skills are shared unselfishly. She gains as much education as her circumstances will allow, improving her mind and spirit with the desire to teach what she learns to the generations who follow her." - Julie B. Beck

"It is not possible to make real change all by ourselves. Our own will power and our own good intentions are not enough. When we make mistakes or choose poorly, we must have the help of our Savior to get back on track. We partake of the sacrament week after week to show our faith in His power to change us. We confess our sins and promise to forsake them." - Julie B. Beck

"Try a little harder to be a little better." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"If life gets too hard to stand, kneel." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"You have not failed until you quit trying." - Gordon B. Hinckley


"Cultivate an attitude of happiness.  Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Be grateful, be smart, be clean, be true, be humble, be prayerful." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"If we could follow the slogan that says, "Turn off the TV and open a good book" we would do something of substance for a future generation." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"The willingness to forgive is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity.  It is one of the great virtues to which we all should aspire. Imagine a world filled with individuals willing both to apologize and to accept an apology. Is there any problem that could not be solved among people who possessed the humility and largeness of spirit and soul to do either -- or both -- when needed?" - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"When I say do your best, I mean your very best. You are capable of so much more." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"The remedy for most marital stress is not in divorce. It is in repentance and forgiveness, in sincere expressions of charity and service. It is not in separation. It is in simple integrity that leads a man and a woman to square up their shoulder and meet their obligations. It is found in the Golden Rule, a time-honored principle that should first and foremost find expression in marriage." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"Forget yourself and get to work." - Gordon B. Hinckley's father

"Gratitude is a sign of maturity...Where there is appreciation: there is also courtesy and concern for the rights and property of others." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"If we are worried about the future, then we must look today at the upbringing of children." - Gordon B. Hinckley

"We should not assume; however, that just because something is unexplainable by us, it is unexplainable." - Neal A. Maxwell

"I thank the Savior personally; for bearing all which I added to His hemorrhaging at every pore for all humanity in Gethsemane. I thank Him for bearing what I added to the decibels of His piercing soul cry atop Calvary." - Neal A. Maxwell

"You are free to make your own stupid decisions." - Bob Nine