I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my four children on demand, visited their doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my son's boy scout uniform with staples and a glue gun.
I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.
Here are my Christmas wishes:
I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.
I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month two pregnancies ago.
If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.
On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with three kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.
I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.
If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.
If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season.
Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.
It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.
Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.
This week we got a new addition to our family. Tom and I talked about it a lot, not sure if we could handle another mouth to feed, but Tom had heard a story on the radio that melted his heart.
So I took the kids to Animal Control and we found a perfect little kitten for our family.
She's a 3 month old gray tabby and she was promptly named Duchess. You know, like from Aristocats? How would we ever think of pet names without kids' tv shows? All the people in our house love her, she's very tame and cuddly and tolerates all of the Bug's physical affection. She and the dog are getting used to each other. Just now they were both laying on the sofa within breathing distance of each other and there was no noise. A vast improvement from just a few days ago when he knocked over the Christmas tree trying to get to her.
And yes, I'm still trying to fill a nurturing void that I feel by accumulating furry children.
Stephanie over at Diapers started an online book club using General Conference talks. Every Sunday she picks a new talk from the last Conference and then throughout the week people can post comments to have a "discussion." I'm so excited about this because I will hopefully have an easier time working personal scripture study into my day. I can read the talk one day, read the individual scripture references following days and (if I have time) delve deeper into the meaning and circumstances surrounding the scriptures themselves. I encourage all of you to join us!
What would you do if you were called to be president of say, the Primary and the Music Leader is extremely unreliable. This person does a great job (when she shows up) and has great ideas (that sometimes get followed through on).
Now, let's also say that this person's spouse writes their own play of " A Christmas Carol." This person calls you up begging for help in filling extra slots because they need boys and hey! you have boys the right age. Then you are told that two of your kids have been cast to play the children of Scrooge's ex-girlfriend and that you are needed for the choir. Well, a couple of weeks go by and it's getting closer to time for rehearsals to start and you ask this person when you and your family are needed only to be told that the cast is full. That's right, the parts were taken away from YOUR kids and given to someone else. THEN, on Thanksgiving you are chatting with a cousin-in-law and SHE tells you that her kids are playing the children of Scrooge's former girlfriend! And in the mean time your kids keep asking when they are going to be in A Christmas Carol. You are at a loss as to what you should tell them and just change the subject each time they bring it up.
Now. You have to go out of town for an unexpected family funeral and get home very late Saturday night. The next morning, lo and behold, said Music Leader doesn't show up. No phone call. Nothing. Zip. Zilch. Then you run into said Person at Wally World the day of Opening Night for the play. She apologizes for not letting you know she wouldn't be there on Sunday but after all, she's been up to 2:30 a.m. every night working on sets for the play and oh by the way, could you help out in the box office tonight?
Not that this happened to me. It's all hypothetical. I'm just sayin', What would you do?
Lately I've been having a lot of body issues. After the Tank was born I joined Weight Watchers and lost 48 pounds. I was 7 away from my goal when I found out I was expecting the Bug. I turned into an eating maniac during that pregnancy and gained back everything I had lost because I was just going to join WW again after I delivered. Well, I've struggled in losing those pounds for almost three years and lately I've hit my limit. I got back to what I weighed the first time I joined WW and I think a few extra have snuck in there.
So, in addition to getting on track and reaching my goals there's a new blog that joins weight loss with........Twilight! Eclipsed is a Twilight-themed weight-loss cheerleader. I love Twilight and can't wait for the next movie to come out. Even more, I want to be able to wear one of these shirts in a smaller size. Who's with me?
There's also a fantastic blog that gives you the entire WW program for FREE! Go to Gina's WW Recipes to find out.
My fantastic-super-talented-SIL started another blog showing her creative talents made edible. She just started her own cake business and has a site showing what she can do. Everyone head over and check it out!
Due to my lack of musical instrument training (ie: my mom played piano and organ and I know neither) I realized that there is some education that I just can't provide myself. So, in less than an hour I will be taking Tweedledum and Tweedledee to their first piano lessons. Any tips on motivating them to keep at it when they get really frustrated?
A few months ago my sister-in-law introduced me to Bakerella. She is a brilliant woman who obviously does not have kids of her own or she would not have the time to come up with everything that she does. I'm so grateful for her inspired creations for they have added some new, super-easy rotations to my small arsenal. This is her original post for Cake Pops and she has come up with variations for every holiday. They are the cutest things EVER and are delicious to boot.
My absolute favorite of hers are Mini Maple Pancake Muffins . You take pancake batter, mix in some chocolate chips and bake it in mini-muffin pans at 350 for 10-13 minutes. Pancake muffins - Puffins! The kids love them cause they are little and get to dip them in the syrup. I love them cause I'm not standing over the griddle and the kids don't use as much syrup. They are only dipping them, not sending them swimming on their plates.
While I love the season of fall with a passion, I've never been a big fan of Halloween. I don't really enjoy dressing up or the stress of deciding what to be. I think of it as another holiday to endure before we get to the ones that really count, Thanksgiving and Christmas! But, being the great Mom I am I try hard not to stifle the Spirit of Pretend that exists in my children. I do however love the excuse to sew fantastic costumes that will be used for dress-up play for years to come. So, next year I am banning store-bought costumes so that I can indulge my inner seamstress. That and if I have hear that a child is not wearing a piece of their costume because, "It's itchy!" one more time I'm going to scream.
Why is it that one of our first words becomes harder for us to say the older we get? As toddlers we say no to everything, even when we don't mean it. When we become adult women we realize that more is expected of us than we can possibly give but guilt and pressure bend us to agree to do the things that we really can't. There are never enough hours in the day and we aren't SuperWoman. And I've decided I'm okay with that.
I wish I could be at every Daisy Girl Scout meeting, helping. I wish I could be at every Tiger Cub meeting. I wish I could be a volunteer in the Tank's classroom. But there's only one me.
This year I have taken on finishing my bachelor's degree, homeschooling my children, and two week cross-country trip and accepted the calling as Primary President. What makes me think I can do all of it on top of my everyday duties as a wife and mother? Something has got to give and I've realized that it has to be the one thing I never prayed about.
Homeschooling? Prayed for months. Primary president? I received a confirmation that I would receive the call before I was asked into the bishop's office and already knew who my counselors were supposed to be. My children? Each one of them is a blessing from the Lord and have been greatly wanted before they arrived in our house. The family trip is already over.
That leaves my schoolwork. I never prayed if now was the right time for me to finish my degree. Why do I think I know better than the Lord? Why do I think that I can do more than what He has asked of me? We are never given more than we can handle with His help, but that only applies to the things that He asks us to take on. Not all the extras that we think we can squeeze in.
So for now I'm slowing down so that I can find more joy in my journey. This stage will not last forever and before I know it I will be searching for projects to fill my time.
I'm also hiring a cleaning lady so my house isn't a complete disaster all the time.
Tonight at the dinner table the Bug was standing up in her seat singing nursery rhymes and church songs. The other kids were applauding her and she would then take a bow while saying, "Thank you, thank you." She is now dancing around the house singing, "I love you, I love you, I love you."
Sweet moments like this that counterbalance the bickering and screaming.
P.S. My account of our big trip across the country is coming.
Or not. Maybe the roof will just cave in around me as I finally get to cross "Blogging" off my mental to-do list. And I can't think of anything else witty to say so here are just the facts Ma'am.
Tom is working like crazy these days. We are gearing up for our two-week trip to NM, stopping at several Church history sites, Arches Nat'l park and the Grand Canyon along the way.
I got to go visit my mom to help her recover from her hysterectomy (another future event for me to look forward to?) and got to indulge in chile rellenos and sopaipillas.
Tweedledum is super-excited to start homeschool and Tweedledee is not. She keeps telling me she wants to go to regular school now that all her friends are not around to play with during the day.
The Tank is going to be going to pre-K. I had filled out paperwork last year for him to be put in one of the "over-income slots" in Head Start. There was never any room and he had a great year at Mom's Day Out. I had been getting nervous, wondering how I was going to keep him and Tweedledee separated so they could each get their work done this year when I got a random phone call from the HS director and that they had a spot open for him this year. Priority is given to a 4 year-old who falls in the over-income area over a 3 year-old who is under the income limit. So I called Tom and we felt it would be a good experience for him. I think he was starting to feel a little left out of all the "school experiences". After all, he watched the twins ride the school bus for a year and then go off to the big school last year. I think some structure away from home will give him the boost we both need to have a successful homeschool next year.
The Bug is officially in her terrible twos. Her language developed in leaps and bounds while I was out of town and now has no problem telling me exactly what she wants. She is starting to pick up some back talk from the big kids that needs to be nipped in the bud all the way around.
As I write, Tweedledum is at his first Cub Scout campout with Daddy. Of course, it's pouring rain so he is getting the full experience. In the morning they will be going for a hike and the "big boys" are cooking and doing some afternoon activities with them. I cannot describe the look of pure joy and pride when Daddy finally got home from work and they got the car packed up to leave. I hope Cub Scouts is everything he expects it to be, he is so excited. My heart is just bursting for him to have, maybe, found his niche.
Jana over at The Meanest Mom is teaming up with the Shabby Apple to give away one of their super-cute, super-modest dresses. Go on over for your chance to win! Or not, cause I *really* want one of these dresses.
That's No Good Reason. I wish I had a fabulous family vacation to regale you with or could say that I've been slaving over my schoolwork or the kids' quilts or some home improvement project. Alas, I have only my sluggish laziness to blame. I have lots of post ideas bouncing around in my head and will hopefully be getting to them soon. After all, I know how much my public needs me....
I apologize for being MIA. I'm taking summer classes and they are very intense. Particularly History of Sacred Places. Here's a quick catch-up on what's been going on here. And as soon as I find my cord to hook my camera to the computer I will upload all the pictures I have actually been taking.
The twins finished kindergarten and we are all very glad to be done with public school. No more fighting against biorhythms or remembering who has gym/music/library/art which day. Tweedledum and Tweedledee are now 6 years old and we had a great visit from my mom. She got to come for their birthday and got to experience the Strawberry Festival while she was here.
We learned that a Fireman's Parade is a bad idea, no matter how much the kids say they want to go and that there is not too much of a good thing when it comes to strawberry shortcake. Or chocolate-dipped strawberries. Or strawberry pancakes. Or anything else you can imagine to put strawberries on. It's also a really good time to stock up on strawberries for making jam.
I went to an LDS homeschool conference in Virginia a couple of weeks ago and am so ready and energized to begin this new journey with my family. The Spirit spoke to me again so strongly that this is the right thing to be doing with me kids. I'm not anti-public school now. I just know that this is what's right for our family and I have to follow that prompting. I heard some really great talks that can even apply to those that do not homeschool. But they deserve their own posts so remind me to write about them later, okay?
Finally, a month ago I had a brilliant idea. Let's get some chickens! See, a good friend of mine lives outside city limits and has several chickens for laying eggs and also got some meat chickens when they went on sale this spring. I really wanted to have some meat chickens of my own to raise and so I can feed my family some hormone-free meat for once. So, I asked my dear friend if I could keep some chickens at her house. Yes, but the first couple of weeks it was still too cold for them to be outside at night because they were still cute and fluffy and didn't have their protective feathers yet. So I had to keep them at my house. We made a cozy home out of two plastic totes and put a baby gate on top to keep the dog away and them from jumping out. They had a light to keep them warm even after we could move them to the back porch. Oh yeah, I didn't talk to Tom about the chickens before I bought them and wasn't home when he got home from work that night so he saw them unexplained. How many you ask? 18. Tom then pointed out that we live inside city limits and that it's not legal for us to have farm animals! Oops. They now have a home out in the country and will soon be making their way to my freezer. After all, they are ready to be "processed" when they are 8-12 weeks old.
I know I've been MIA for awhile now. I promise I'm going to be posting about everything we've been up to very, very soon. I'm trying out a new title (one that fell out of my mouth earlier this afternoon) and taking votes for the new one or my oldie but goodie. What do you think?
giveaways that I'm already trying to win. MMM is doing another giveaway with Shelf Reliance, this time with their Thrive line. The winner gets 6 #10 cans! But don't go enter cause I really want this.
I figure if I enter enough giveaways, eventually I'll win something, right? There's an amazing one going on over at The Meanest Mom. I know there's probably no chance I will get anything but I can dream...
This week I had to write a theology paper for my Hebrew Scripture Study class and I was originally going to write it on either the temple (Solomon's, not our current ones) or the sacrificial system. Luckily, I was also visiting my fabulous SIL while the kids were one spring break and finally got to start reading "Eve and the Choice made in Eden," by Beverly Campbell. I was quickly inspired to change my topic and here is the result. I also got to start an oh-my-gosh-you-have-to-read-this- series called "Standing in Holy Places," by Chad Daybell. Here is the publisher's description because I can't do any better:
'Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints . . .' (D&C 84:4)
In the near future, Tad and Emma North and their children live in a United States that is growing increasingly wicked. The Norths and their extended family notice that many Latter-day Saints are being deceived by alluring temptations, and they wonder how much longer the Lord will allow American society to continue its downward spiral.
Then comes an invitation from Church leaders for the Saints to gather together. This invitation isn't well-accepted--and even openly mocked--but those faithful Church members who trust in the Lord soon find themselves accomplishing monumental tasks. Join these humble yet heroic Saints as they embark on an unprecedented journey to build New Jerusalem.
The Great Gathering, the first novel in the Standing in Holy Places series, paints a vivid picture of exciting prophesied events that still must occur before the Second Coming. If you have an interest in what awaits the members of the LDS Church, this series should definitely be on your reading list!
So far only two books are out and there are going to be five. The third one comes out this summer. Everyone has to read this! Drop whatever book you are in the middle of and order this one! Jsut to warn you, he doesn't take a whole lot of time for character development which made me a little crazy and it took me longer to get all the characters straight, but the meat of the story is so incredible and extremely inspiring to get those 72-hour kits put together!
Here's my paper. Enjoy!
A Theological study of Eve
To some she is known as Mother Eve and others see her as the one who is to be blamed for all the worlds' problems.Some see her as a divine individual and others see her as weak.I believe that Eve and her story is one of the most misunderstood in all of time and that misunderstanding is the basis of all thought that women are less than men.How is it that a gender that is seen as the Mother of All Living in the Bible is also viewed as shameful in some cultures?
Eve was not an afterthought. "And God said, Let usmakeman in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (Ch.1 vs.23) "….but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him." (ch. 2 vs. 20) God knew that the only way for the earth to be inhabited was for there to be male and female and for both of them to be given dominion over the land and all the beasts that dwelt there.Eve was given to Adam as a helpmeet, not as someone for him to reign over.A definition of helpmeet is a partner who helps and a partner is one who is equal to the task at hand.Partners are joint in their goals and ways of reaching those goals.Eve was given to Adam to be his partner and for them to work together in the goals they had in their life.
"And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof.And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." (Ch. 2 vs. 22-23)Does this tell us that Eve was a literal creation from apart of Adam?Or is this figurative?The Hebrew word tsela, which is what is translated as rib, actually means "side."Also, every other use of the word in the Hebrew canon is in reference to a sacred object such as the Temple, the Tabernacle or the Ark of the Covenant.By using this same word to refer to Eve, we can learn that she and Adam were created as two equal beings by the master builder.In the book of Jeremiah, he speaks of 'keepers of my tsela', which he means to be bosom friends or inseparable companions.If we then apply this same meaning to Eve, we know that she was not made from the rib or out of the rib but that she was the rib. "And the rib….made he a woman…" (Ch.2 vs. 23)The Lord made Adam's closest and most trusted companion to be a woman, Eve.
Before Adam and Eve were given the commandment to not partake of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, they were first given the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth.They knew what their goal was, but had no knowledge of how to get there."And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed." (Ch. 2 vs. 25) They were not ashamed because they were like little children, not knowing the physical differences between them and what needed to be done for them to multiply.It wasn't until they had partaken of the fruit that their eyes were opened and they were given the knowledge necessary for them to reach their goal.If Eve, and subsequently Adam, had not eaten the fruit mankind never would have been born.It's not that we would all be living in paradise in the Garden of Eden, we would not be living at all.Adam and Eve were given the freedom to choose just as we all have the same in our lives.Eve inherently knew that if she didn't choose to eat the fruit, she would never be able to fulfill her higher purpose which was to bear children.
The pains of childbirth are not a punishment for the sin that was committed by Eve.We read in the scriptures many times that there is to be opposition in all things, Light and Dark, Good and Evil, Pain and Pleasure, Life and Death.If Adam and Eve had stayed in the Garden they would have continued to exist in immortality, a state of limbo.There had to be the opposition of death for there to be birth.The oppositional process of creating children is no different.While there is pleasure in the creation of them and the raising of them, there is also pain in the process of bringing them in to this world and pain in the sorrow they can rent upon the hearts of their parents.
While many claim that Eve's act in the Garden was one of sin and defiance for which women need to be punished, we can learn that woman's place next to man is a revered one.One that is equal in honor to Adam.Women were not created as a weak sidekick to the burly strength of men, but were created to help, lift, and work alongside during the trials and perils of life.
Modern Molly Mormon- http://modernmollymormon.blogspot.com/- is doing a giveaway with Shelf Reliance! They are giving a Cansolidator (oh how I wish it was a Harvest system) away. Head on over and check it out!
Is it because my sleep this week has been so erratic that it's now become habit? Is it because I have children that are light sleepers and I *love* seeing how many creaks I can make in the floor before they wake up? Is it because we have an extraordinarily crappy mattress? Is it because there just aren't enough hours in the day? (Maybe!) Or is it because it's the only time in a 24-hour period that I don't have anyone clamoring for a piece of me? Ding, ding, ding!!! We have a winner!
This has been a week from you-know-where. Last weekend Tom came down with crud in his chest and Monday morning woke up gasping for breath and making me think he was dying in general. I took him to the doctor that afternoon, because he insisted on waiting to see if he felt any better by lunchtime, where they ran a flu test (negative), a strep test (negative) and then sent him over to the hospital for x-rays to see if he had pneumonia (also negative). In the mean time, our wonderful elderly neighbor was at home with the kids (who had interrupted their Family Home Evening to come over). While Tom was finishing up I dashed back home to let the neighbor go and be there when the rest of the Primary presidency got to my house for our meeting! They stay with the kids while I go back and pick up Tom.
Tuesday he's still no better and I'm signed up to volunteer at the book fair going on at the twins' school. Wednesday he's worse so I take him back to the doctor while the Tank and the Bug are at Mom's Day Out. There they hook him up to saline, a breathing treatment and a shot of steroids. And oh, yeah he's been having some heart palpitations so they do an EKG on him. I get back from picking up the kids when he tells me that the EKG was abnormal and the hospital was sending an ambulance over to pick him up right away! I scramble to get the kids taken care of, dropping the younger two off at a friends' house and arranging for Tweedledum and Tweedledee to ride the bus home with a friend. Thinking my husband is dying and envisioning what my future beholds as a widowed mother of four young children, I get back over to the hospital where my MIL meets me in the waiting room and tells me it was a false alarm!!! Yeah, no one at the doctor's office thought that administering an EKG after a nebulizer and steroids would have any effect. Finally, someone prescribes him an antibiotic for his BRONCHITIS! So, after MIL thanked Tom for the afternoon off I take Tom home and then begin picking up the kids and realize that oh, yeah! we have soccer practice in 45 minutes. Would other moms have blown off soccer?
Thursday I'm in recovery mode running more trips to the store for clam chowder ("the good kind!") and what?! our bank account is overdrawn?! Get that taken care of and am grateful for once that we have a credit card *for emergencies* so I'm able to go to the store. Tweedledum and Tweedledee tell me when they are home from school that I have misread ALL of the notes sent home from the school and the Easter Egg Hunt is Tomorrow, not next week when we won't be here so now I have to go to the store, again, and get 12 eggs and something that's not candy to put in them. The dollar store in out of eggs but has good fillers so I get those and head over to WallyWorld to get the eggs and run into tons of people, get in the sloooooowest express lane which has given me time to realize I still haven't submitted my homework for the week so now I have that to look forward to when I get back instead of my bed.
Today I'm still in recovery mode because lo and behold, I'm PMS-ing! But I did get the girls' Easter dresses finished and have made way in the novel I'm reading.
Am I complaining? Heck yeah! Do I feel bad about it? Heck no! I don't think I complain about everything that's on my plate very often. BTW, we got Buster back last week and betwixt everything else I've been chasing him down because there are two dogs across the street that he thinks are his best friends and while writing this post I was interrupted by a child with a sore throat in need of medicine.
I discovered a quick way to make garlic breadsticks. They are NOT as good as The Olive Garden but my kids devoured them and they looked very pretty next to my spaghetti and meatballs.
Step 1: Buy Pillsbury Pizza Crust dough
Step 2: Unroll dough and cut into strips.
Step 3: Twist strips and after placing on baking sheet, brush with garlic butter. Bake them for a couple of minutes LESS than what the package says.
I was perusing some of my favorite sites this morning and found these fantastic recipes. Amazingly enough, I actually had everything on hand to make them. Thank you food storage!!! I had just made my own chicken stock yesterday and this was the perfect venue to try it out. Enjoy!
White Chili from http://everydayfoodstorage.net
1 C. Chopped Onion (1/4 C. dehydrated onions) 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 t. ground cumin 1 t. dried oregano, crushed 1/4 t. ground red pepper 3 15 1/2-ounce cans great northern (white) beans, drained and rinsed (1 lb. (2-1/2 C.) dried white beans, cooked and rinsed) 2 4-ounce cans diced green chile peppers 4 C. chicken broth 3 C. chopped cooked chicken (3 10 oz. cans of chicken-you can also use the water from the can as part of your chicken broth) 2 C. shredded Monterey Jack cheese (8ounces) Sour Cream 1. In a 3 1/2 to 6-quart slow cooker place the onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, red pepper, beans 2 cans chile peppers, broth and cooked chicken. Stir to combine. 2. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 7 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Stir in the cheese until melted.
Better Than Jiffy Cornbread Recipe (from http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/):
Grind: ½ cup of popcorn kernels to make ¾ cup cornmeal Combine: ¾ c. cornmeal, 1 ¼ c. flour (I used whole wheat), ¼ c. sugar, 2 tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. salt Add: 1 c. milk, ¼ c. veg. oil, 1 large egg, beaten; stir until dry ingredients are moist Bake: At 400 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean
There's a giveaway at a fantastic homeschooling blog that I found. The giveaway is for the Itty-Bitty Bookworm curriculum. That's right, an entire curriculum. This is literary activity curriculum for kids ages 18 months- 5 years. I'm so excited to know about it! Head on over to http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com/ to see examples of the lesson plans and to enter yourself a chance to win it.
We are now in the 4th round of strep throat for the season and the Tank has just become our 4th victim. I was the first one to catch it this time, then Tweedledee and Tweedledum. I really hope the Bug doesn't catch it. The Tank has been the most pitiful.
On the upside I am loving my new grocery shopping system! Everyone has to go over to www.theobsessiveshopper.net and check out everything she has. I got boxes of Fiber One bars for 50 cents each! And I'm going to go stock up on my favorite shampoo (Herbal Essences) at Rite-Aid for $1 a bottle. I know, I really have got to pare down my expensive tastes.....
Another high note, I found someone to help me get my house in order (literally). I've never been a great housekeeper but lately it's gotten really out of control. Tom, I apologize profusely again. I'm convinced that I could get rid of half the stuff in our house and everyone would function just fine. We start pitching next Wednesday and I hope to post the progress as it is made. I hope everyone else has a great week!
For this week, write about a half-page each (no more than one page total) on the books of Daniel and Esther. You will need to answer how each book helps to shape Israel’s life and faith, especially given the difficulties they are facing. Why does Esther not mention God? Why is Daniel located in the writings rather than in the prophets? Include some reasons why you think each book is important and its reason for being included in the Scriptures.
I think that the difficulties facing Esther and Daniel were essential for the Israelites to continue in their faith throughout their trials at the hand of those who reigned over them. Both the stories of Daniel in the lion's den and Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego being cast into the furnace show the power of God to those who believe in him doubtlessly. To have continued faith when faced with a den of hungry lions or being burned alive, shows remarkable encouragement and puts the daily trials for someone else into a different perspective. I think that Daniel is included in the scriptures to show the Israelites that God does not forget any of his children. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were most likely seen as ordinary men, yet God protected them when they showed absolute faith in Him.
I think that Daniel is included in the writings, and not with the prophets, because the stories it tells are not foretelling of the future. They don't predict a great destruction that will take place if the people don't listen to what Daniel has to say. They are stories of faith and absolute obedience to the Lord. I can speak from personal experience that following dietary guidelines is easy when you are with peers of the same belief. But when you are the minority and must withstand pressures to forego what you believe to be right, it is much harder to stand your ground. I was never faced with imminent death, but it can seem that way when you are a teenager.
The story of Esther shows the Israelites that God rewards those that do not deny their faith, even when faced with death. Not everyone who refuses to deny their religion may be saved from physical death in this life, but they will most certainly be saved from a spiritual death if they have a pure heart with real intent. Esther had to survive a physical death so that she would succeed in saving the numerous lives of those, her people.
I think that the story of Esther is important because it shows loyalty to one's faith and God. I think that Esther's belief is so implied by her actions that deliberate mentioning was not necessary. The story talks about her being a Jew because those are "her people" that she must save. Esther's story shows courage when the easy thing would have been for her to keep silent and not risk her own life. She was rewarded for her courage by not only saving the lives of her fellow Jews, but her own life was spared by the king.
The book of Job is the only book in the Hebrew Scriptures where the main character is not a patriarch or an Israelite. Briefly summarize the book of Job, noting the main ideas it contains. Then state why you believe it is included in the Scriptures, despite Job not seemingly being a part of Israel. What value does it add to the Hebrew canon? Would there be a “hole” without it?
Job was a man who was described as "perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." He was perfectly faithful to God and had everything that would define wealth at that time, a wife, children, animals, land and friends. Satan wants to make a wager with the Lord that Job is only so faithful because of all the goodness he has in his life. God agrees to test Job and let him become subject to the Adversary. Job loses everything but his wife. His children and animals die, his body becomes covered in boils and his friends forsake him.But in all that happens to him, he never loses his faith in God. He never blames God and turns away from Him.
I believe the story of Job is included in the scriptures because of the hope and reassurance it gives to its readers. Even though Job does not seem to be a part of Israel, he still shows his faith in God. In the case of Job, God really had become silent but we know that in our darkest hours we are not alone. We always have God there, waiting for us to talk to Him and ask for His help.
I believe there would be a "hole" without the story of Job. In no other story in the Bible does a person lose everything, through no fault of his own, and not curse God. Job's losses were not the result of bad choices that he had made. He was tested because of his goodness and love for the Lord. What other story teaches us of the faith that we are capable of even when we have been afflicted physically, spiritually, psychologically and temporally?
The value that the story of Job adds to the Hebrew canon is equal to the value of the story of Adam and Eve. The book of Job not mentioning Abraham or Moses does not reduce the value of its message. The lessons we can learn from Job's trials are just as essential as those we learn from the prophets, if not more so. The story of Job shows us a man who does not have any prestige in the government or as a leader of the people. He is a common person who is living the way he was taught, most likely by his parents and other family members.
Pick one of the minor prophets (or two if there is not enough information in one), and write a page summarizing the prophet’s message. Include his target audience, date of composition, and, if possible, where the prophet lived. Include in your paper if the prophet’s message was personally meaningful and how.
One of the most well-known stories of the Old Testament is that of Jonah. In addition to having his own book in the Old Testament, he is mentioned previously in the second book of Kings. In chapter 14, verse 25 reads that the king of Israel, Jeroboam II '….restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath unto the sea of Arabah, according to the work of the Lord, the God of Israel, which he spoke by the hand of his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who was of Gath-hepher.' Gath-hepher was located in the tribe of Zebulun according to Joshua 19: 10-13. According to monastic tradition of area, this town is now El-Meshed, a present Arab village which is located three miles northeast of Nazareth. Because Jonah is mentioned at the time of Jeroboam II we can place his lifetime at 788 B.C.
Jonah is commanded by God to go and preach repentance to the people of Nineveh, which was a great city in Assyria. Jonah was not surprised by the fact that he had received a call from God, but in where he was to go. Jonah was a Hebrew and the inhabitants of Nineveh were Gentiles so for Jonah to be sent to the heathen enemy and give them a chance for repentance went against everything that Jonah had been taught of his people. The thought that everyone was given a chance to repent, and not just those who were God's chosen people, was shocking for him and very difficult for him to follow.
Jonah boards a ship bound for Tarshish, which was in the opposite direction of Nineveh. God sends a great storm, threatening the ship and every life on it, and Jonah offers himself to be thrown overboard because he knows that he is the reason for the storm. The other men on the ship plead with Jonah for any other answer before finally giving in to him. Even after they do so, they plead with the Lord to forgive them for what they view as the shedding of innocent blood. Jonah is swallowed by a whale and sits in its belly for three days. Jonah offers a sincere and meaningful prayer of repentance to God and vows that he will fulfill the mission that had been given to him. The whale is directed by God to expel Jonah onto the dry land.
Jonah enters Nineveh and cries repentance to them, proclaiming that in 40 days time that they will be destroyed if they do not change their wicked ways. Everyone in Nineveh believes Jonah and repents, dressing themselves in sackcloth and ashes to show their humility. Jonah is furious that God has forgiven them their trespasses, not understanding God's love for all of His children. God provides a gourd for Jonah to give shelter from the sun and heat of the desert. During the night God causes a worm to enter the gourd, destroying it and creating pity for the gourd from Jonah. God then asks Jonah how he can have pity for a plant whose creation he had no part in, but none for thousands of God's children who had never been taught right from wrong.
The lesson to be learned from Jonah is that our charge is to be humble and charitable to all of God's children. Regardless of their knowledge of Him or not.
Christians tend to quote Isaiah because they believe he was predicting the coming of Jesus as Messiah. Three favorite passages are Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7, and 52:13-53:12. Read these passages in context, and write a one page paper stating whether you believe Christians are drawing proper conclusions and why.
I believe that Christians are drawing the correct conclusions about the stated scripture passages. Part of a prophet's job is foretelling future events whether they are for the good of the world or seem catastrophic. Isaiah 7:14 can be cross-referenced to Matthew 1:23 in which Matthew states, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."There is an additional reference confirming Isaiah's prophecy in the Book of Mormon, in the book of Alma. In Alma 7:10 it states, "And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even a son of God." This can be compared to Luke 1:35, "And the angel answered her, and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) This can be compared to Luke 1:32-33, " He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end."
"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief….he was despised and we esteemed him not." Isaiah 53:3 is prophetic of how Jesus was received when first beginning his ministry on the Earth. Jesus was rejected when he began preaching at the synagogue in his hometown. The local people did not think he was anything special for they only knew him as Jesus of Nazareth, a carpenter, the son of Joseph."But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed." Verse Five foretells of the crucifixion that will happen and that only through the atoning sacrifice of Christ can we be saved and given eternal life.
"He was oppressed, and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep, before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off from the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken."." Verses seven and eight go on to continue the description of what Christ was to endure before being crucified, in that he did not receive a fair trial and given to the mercy of the people by Pilate.
Is there a term for snatching ideas from other blogs? In scrapbooks it's called *scraplifting*. Anyway, here is another one that I read and thought it was just too fabulous to pass up. You set 101 goals to be accomplished in 1001 days. It works out to be a length of almost 3 years which is my speed when it comes to getting things done. I don't know if I can actually come up with that many goals but I think I can turn it into a perpetual list so that it comes out to 101 in the end. So here goes! :
Me - Physical
Lose 2 pounds and repeat 20 times.
incorporate exercise into my daily life, even if it's taking an extra trip up and down the stairs
take a Pilates class so I can be more effective while doing my home video
Take better care of my skin
Wash my face twice daily
paint my nails weekly, even if it's clear polish
Me-Spiritual
start daily scripture study again
Keep up with Gospel Doctrine reading assignments
Read Ensign cover to cover each month
complete Visiting Teaching each month
reinstate regular temple visits with DH
read "Jesus the Christ"
read "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder"
read "Preach My Gospel"
be a more active member missionary
invite 5 friends to church
Me-Miscellaneous
increase typing speed
post regularly on my blog
date night at least 2 nights a month
learn to make soap
learn to weave baskets
expand bow-making knowledge to include woven headbands
declutter the office
delcutter the garage
learn to make an awesome pumpkin roll
be better about writing Thank You notes
clear out recipes I don't use
rotate food storage
establish 3 month supply
make 72-hour kits
read "The Chronicles of Narnia"
read "Gone With the Wind"
watch "Lord of the Rings"
buy "The Bread Baker's Apprentice" and learn how to make more than sandwich loaves and Irish Soda bread
continue taking online courses
develop writing skills by taking courses and/or seminars
have a square foot garden of vegetables I buy most in the freezer section
stay on top of housecleaning regimen so it doesn't build up and drive me nuts
Kids-to do for them
say yes more often
begin homeschooling
start chore rotation
be more like Michelle Duggar and less like Kate Gosselin
have daily family scripture study
have FHE
See! I'm only up to 43. I'll have to keep brainstorming.
Thank you to everyone who has chosen to participate in my swap! I have enough people so now I need everyone to email me your address so that I can send the items out as they get made.
I got to have a fantastic, solid-2-hour, uninterrupted nap this afternoon and now I can't sleep. How in the world did this happen, you ask? Well, DH's sister had a show choir performance and he took the three big kids to see it while the Bug was napping. I took advantage of said nap and laid down to *read*. So, you all get to reap the rambling benefits! Of course, whenever I'm awake so is my stomach. So, now I'm hungry and having a bowl of delicious Honey Kix. I've heard that people who get restful, regular sleep also weigh less. I think I've found the connection...
For everyone that I did not get to send emails to, I found this fantastic website on a fellow blogger's page that makes food storage fun and easy. I know, food storage and fun are not words you expect to find in the same sentence. But this really, really is! Go to this page
I'm personally in love with their newly improved 3 month food calculator. I've tried doing the same thing on my own and honestly, it's been too long since I took an Excel course for me to make everything work right.
*At the request of DH, some editorial changes have been made since my original posting. He felt I was a little harsh towards the children.
I have been such a long-time fan of this show that I can't believe these words are coming out of my mouth (fingers?). I am boycotting Jon and Kate plus 8. I'm tired of how snotty, uptight, rude, mean and hateful she is. She's a total basket-case when it comes to the kids' clothes and who in the world buys two puppies right after putting new carpet in their house?
Kate is so rude to Jon. She's insulting, sarcastic and belittling to him during the show's interview sessions. Do I get irritated at things my husband does? Yes. Do I want to say things off the top of my head that might hurt his feelings? Sometimes. But I don't. Because I love and respect him and appreciate him for what he provides for our family. There have been times that I have bitten my tongue and not said things because I knew it would hurt his feelings and that I would regret it later. I wonder if she ever regrets anything she says? Does she ever watch herself on tv? And if so, how can she not see her behavior as wrong? I chose to stay home with our kids and am grateful for every moment of it. Even the crazy, hair-pulling ones.
They flaunt their being "Christians" so much yet her behavior is anything but. And in several of the viewer e-mail answer shows she has commented that their fans are "crazy, we're just a normal family." How's that for gratitude?! Because of those*crazy fans* Jon is now able to work from home and they just moved into a new house because of the benefits they receive from TLC and their new book.
So, I am asking all of you who truly do love and respect your spouses to join me in my boycott. I know it may be a hard step, but you can do it!
List two to four of the most important people of this era and discuss who they were, what they did, and why their deeds were important to Israel’s faith and culture. Weigh their importance to that of Moses, noting where they were similar and different from him.
Of all the people in the history of Israel at this time I believe that the most important are Samuel, David and Solomon. All played a pivotal role in the direction that Israel would go following their leadership. Samuel was destined for the role of a prophet before he was born and because of the circumstances surrounding his conception.
When Samuel is three years old he is taken to the tabernacle to live and learn under the direction of Eli, the high priest. When Samuel was still a child he was visited by the Lord and called as a prophet. Samuel knew that the people of Israel wanted to be ruled by a king and not judges. Samuel prayed to God and was given permission to call a king. The next day Samuel was visited by Saul who was very righteous and was anointed. It is interesting to note that Saul was anointed to be Captain, not King. It does well to serve as a reminder that only the Lord is King. Samuel was significant in Israel's history and culture because he was the last judge they knew and he provided the way for the period of kings to begin. Samuel was similar to Moses in that he also received auditory witness from God that he was to become the prophet.
David was a shepherd boy whose older brothers served in Saul's army. He was visited and anointed by Samuel to become the next king of Israel. He was the only one who was able to defeat Goliath. David's popularity quickly rose after the defeat of Goliath which began the jealousy and downfall of Saul. Saul was also jealous that David had been anointed the next king and not Saul's son, Jonathan. David eventually had to build an army against Saul for protection and after the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, David was able to assume the role as king. David is a pivotal figure in Israel's history because it was through him, that for the first time, the people received full possession of the land promised to them by Moses. David also made the way for Jesus Christ to be born, for His lineage was of the House of David. David was similar to Moses in integrity by the way that David spared Saul's life when given the opportunity to kill him, but is different from Moses because of the ways that David conducted himself with Bath-sheba and Uriah.
Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba. Solomon was anointed by Nathan after the death of his father, David. Solomon was very wise and righteous and wanted to establish a permanent residence for the tabernacle. At this point the Ark of the Covenant that was constructed by Moses in the wilderness was over 300 years old. It was through Solomon's dedication to the Lord and willingness to do His will that Solomon was allowed to begin the construction of the temple. The reign of Solomon was also one of peace and unity throughout the kingdom. Solomon was similar to Moses in his righteousness and leadership, demonstrated in his judgment of the two women both claiming to be the mother of a dingle baby. Solomon was also similar in that he was the one to finally be entrusted with the task of building a temple to the Lord. Moses was given the same responsibility which had to be carried out in a different manner due to the lack of permanent residence.
I've been told that I'm a crazy person. Sometimes I believe the critics, but I frequently know that my loads that I carry will bless me in the end. One of the loads that I am carrying right now is school. I am so close to finishing my bachelor's degree that I can actually taste it. I am working on a Regents of Bachelor Arts degree through West Virginia University by taking online classes and this semester I am enrolled in Communication if Families (a child development course) and Hebrew Scripture Studies (through the dept. of religion). Because I'm the type of person who needs LOTS of affirmation I'm going to be posting my weekly essays for my religion course. It has been so interesting and fascinating to get to study the political and cultural settings for the time of the Old Testament and has provided great insight to later events in the New Testament and current events happening today.
In a one-page single-spaced paper, discuss the role of Moses in founding of the nation Israel. Be sure to include the important historical facts of his life, both before and after the exodus. Why do you think God chose him to lead such an important task? What are some of the evidences that Moses was an ordinary person? Why was he ultimately unable to enter the promised land?
Moses was destined to become the leader of Israel from his birth. When the Egyptian princess finds him in the bulrushes, it is evidence of God preserving Moses' life to enable him to do the Lord's work later. Being raised in Pharaohs' court as an Egyptian prince teaches Moses what he will need to know later to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.After Moses is grown he kills an Egyptian who is beating an Israelite and must then flee for his life. He travels to Midian, north of Egypt and is shown God in a burning bush where he is given instructions to lead the children of Israel to freedom.
Moses leads them back to Israel and shows Pharaoh numerous plagues to show him God's power. I think that Moses was chosen before he was born to be the chosen leader to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt and save them from the slavery inflicted by Pharaoh. With every prophet God has preserved their life early on, showing them His power and love all the while preparing them for the work He will eventually call them to do. Pharaoh eventually lets them go free but chases them and corners them at the Red Sea, which God enables Moses to part the Sea saving the Israelites and drowning the Egyptians. Moses and the Israelites continue to wander the desert, bringing his wandering to a total of 40 years before Joshua assumes the role of leader. Joshua is the one to finally bring the Israelites to the Promised Land.
When Moses is speaking to God at the burning bush, Moses' initial reaction is to doubt his own ability to lead the Israelites to freedom. Moses considers himself a simple man and does not think the Israelites will think him capable of the task. Moses also does not think himself eloquent enough of a speaker to be the mouthpiece on Earth for God. God reassures him that He will be there, guiding Moses and providing the way. God also provides a way to prove to the Israelites that Moses is the chosen leader by showing them signs. Moses was given the power to turn the staff in his hand into a serpent and pouring water from the river onto the dry land and turning it into blood.
I don't think that Moses was unable to enter the Promised Land, but that God was so pleased with him that He took Moses back to heaven without having to taste death. In Deuteronomy chapter 32, God tells Moses to go to Mount Nebo in the land of Jericho to see Canaan. He is instructed to stay there to die but then in chapter 34 after Moses is shown all the lands that have been saved for the tribes it says in verse 6 that the Lord buried Moses in the valley of Moab but that "no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day." I believe that once Moses had brought the children of Israel to the Promised Land that his mission in this life was done and that God translated him. There are later accounts of Moses appearing as an angel of the Lord and he would not have been able to do that if his body had not already been resurrected and in a perfect state. When Jesus Christ is transfigured on the mount and Peter, James and John are with him Moses and Elijah appear to them (Matthew 17:1-5). Later after Christ has been resurrected he appears with Moses and Elijah to give the keys of the priesthood to Peter, James and John.
I absolutely love handmade items. I love going to craft shows to see what wonderful talents other people have. I also love exploring new crafts myself and making items for other people. That's why this idea is so perfect for me. I got this off of a bloggy-friends' page.
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!
My choice.
For you.
Hand made!
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! 2- What I create will be just for you. 3- It'll be done this year. 4- You have no clue what it's going to be.
The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!
Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!!!
A new reward system has been put into action here and I'm loving it! The tv situation had gotten seriously out of control with Patrick being a total couch commando and I was tired of the kids never doing anything when asked the first time. I wanted to have something that could be done calmly and NOT involve them getting something material. A friend told me about a method she saw on Nanny 911 and it's been working great. Are you ready?
Each child has a jar with their name and every time they do something the first time or without being asked they get a marble in their jar. Extra marbles can be earned for volunteering to do extra chores.
When they earn 5 marbles they get to redeem them for 30 minutes of tv time. They can save the 5 and wait until they get to 10 and either have 60 minutes of tv time or 60 minutes on the computer. This is the *only* way to watch tv or play on the computer.
If only one child has 5 marbles then they get to watch in solitude in our room. If they are caught putting more marbles in their jar than they earned, they lose all of them and start over.
They are allowed to watch videos on the VCR in the boys' room or Living Scripture dvd's downstairs.
In the past week, a total of 90 minutes has been watched.
Some people who shall remain nameless have been bugging me to post some videos on here. And now that I have a fabulous new camera from DH for Valentine's Day, I can! So, this is typical Cate. Cute and adorable one second, screaming the next because she thinks I'm leaving her. I also still can't understand half of what she says.
I know it's been forever since I've put up pictures of the kids so I tried to get a variety of shots. Some of you have already seen some of these from my Facebook account, so bear with me.
Please excuse her cleavage
Pretty new birthday outfit from Grammie
Sorry I still can't figure out how to turn the pics the right way
Other than him being a well-known Latter-day Saint he is a fantastic Conservative (not Republican, Conservative)who tells it like it is and IMO much more entertaining than Rush. So, in addition to my last post I bring you..... Proof our children are being brainwashed in public schools:
I like to think that I'm conscientious of what shows the kiddos watch. I limit their choices to Noggin, PBS, Nick Jr. and Playhouse Disney. I don't let them watch Nick or Disney in the afternoon because I think the shows are highly inappropriate for anyone under the age of 12. Apparently I haven't been doing a good enough job at ensuring that we produce good little conservatives in this family.
Beth keeps asking why we don't recycle. And telling me I should visit thebiggreenhelp.org. When I ask why I should go to this site she shrugs her shoulders, "I don't know, the tv said to." Another favorite recitation is that "Everyday is Earth Day." Tom wants to teach them to say that recycling is a crock and my dad supposedly has some stats proving that recycling is not economically efficient. I don't think that would go over too well at school. What do you think?
The ladies over at mormonmommyblogs.blogspot.com have some fantastic giveaways for January. You seriously need to go check them out and enter for a chance to win something. Just don't take what is rightfully mine! ;) All yo have to do to enter is write a comment on that post. Good luck!
Shortly before Christmas my MIL ("NeNe" to the kids) took each of my kids on a shopping expedition to our local Dollar Tree for them to pick out gifts for their siblings. While Thomas was on his trip somewhere along the way he was given a 4-H stickerl. You know, the four leafed clover. He stuck it on his hand and they were on their way. Later Thomas and NeNe stopped at The Donut Shop (Buckhannon's answer to Dunkin Donuts) for a treat.
For some odd reason there is a video lottery machine and Keno screens inside The Donut Shop.
Thomas found his way over to the video machine and started pushing buttons which brought up the "You Won!" demonstration. Thomas thought he actually won something and re-named himself Lucky-Man Thomas. The rest of the day all we heard was, "I'm Lucky-Man Thomas!"
I have this new favorite webpage www.mormonmommyblogs.blogspot.com. On some of the super-hilarious blogs I have read I have also found several bloggers linking to a fellow LDS blogger http://seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/ At first look it seems like any other LDS couple blogging about their lives. Or so I thought. Seriously?! How is this funny? I love reading about other moms struggles in getting things right with their kids in this topsy-turvy world we live in and even find the musings of www.themeanestmom.blogspot.com hilarious. The title alone deserves an award. However, if you have a problem with good, faithful LDS moms using blogs to keep in touch with friends, family and as a way to vent the frustrations in their lives I don't find it very funny. Grrrr!!!
I realize that this is a country with freedom of speech and whomever is taking time out of their pitiful lives to make fun of other so much has the right to do that. And most of you will tell me to suck it up and just not read it. Well, I won't read it again but I also will not sit by and let my wrath not be heard! Just like you would recommend/not recommend a restaurant or other place of business to friends so too am I NOT recommending you visit this fake blog!
I also realize that by posting the link I am providing the opportunity to boost the webpage's hits, so don't write me about it.
No, I have not fallen off the face of the Earth. I know I've been totally MIA for this past month. Call it a combination of holidays and me not feeling very inspired/creative/talented. We survived the holiday season, having a quiet Christmas at home with just us. DH cooked Christmas dinner as one of my presents and it was exquisite! Standing rib roast, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted green beans... it was delicious. We went to my dad's house in Virginia for a few days and then went to my SIL's new house in Harper's Ferry for New Year's Eve. The twins are now back to school and Beth has just finished her second bout with strep throat/scarlet fever.
Several items have been constantly entering my mind recently. The first is how much I struggle with envy. I try so hard to not be envious of what others have that I may not. I recognize how hard my hubby works for what we have. Part of me knows that I should just be satisfied with what we are able to manage right now and we should live below our means, blah blah blah. Our parents grew up in tiny houses with one bathroom all their lives, I should be happy with the one and a half that we have. Then the other part of me is afraid that it will never be enough and why can't I have the big 5,000 sq. foot home! My home is overflowing with STUFF that I could do without, at least half of it. I swear I could get rid of half of everything and function just fine.
Yet I still get the "i need" urge when I wander the aisles at WallyWorld. Wallyworld is my escape. I will have a short list of things I have to get and will take three times as long as I need to get through the store, simply for the soothing, mindlessness I get from walking the aisles. No one is pulling on me, or asking me questions. I don't have to do more than one thing at a time. I can just focus on my items one at a time and if I happen to run into someone I know, I can stand and talk to them as long or as little as I please. As I wander I see new kitchen gadgets that make cooking prepwork look so much easier on my favorite Food TV show, or baskets and buckets that will surely help me organize my house and get rid of the chaos. I feel that as Latter-day Saints we "can't" do a lot, i.e. drink alcohol, gamble, but by golly! We can spend money!
I have been trying so hard lately to uplift myself and strengthen myself spiritually. I actually read my scriptures and try to remember to pray daily. I have turned off the tv during naptime and do not let myself get sucked into daytime tv. If i do watch something during the day it is most likely a Women's Conference talk from BYU tv that I recorded. Or maybe another episode of NCIS that I'm now hooked on thanks to my dear, sweet SIL who insisted I watch an episode with her while we were visiting. In all this uplifting and spiritual immersion, I have been seriously comtemplating the idea of homeschooling our kids next year. I know. Me. Homeschool. Never thought you would read those two words in the same sentence, did ya? I have been feeling impressions for quite awhile now that this is the right thing to do so I finally told DH about it and , as I assumed he would, he totally flipped out on me. We are still in the research/negotiation stage so I will keep you filled in on this. I just get more and more scared when I think about everything that kids are exposed to these days and how much worse will it be when they get to high school? I know that kids need to learn to deal with outside influences and stand up for what they believe in. But they also need to be "in the world and not of the world" and I will do everything in my power to prevent my kids from going through some of the pain and suffering I dealt with due to falling prey to worldy temptations.
I have acquired a new hobby, making hairbows for my girls. I have lots of people asking to buy them now. Of course, this comes right when it will soon be illegal for me to sell them without extensive, pricey testing for lead. Everything I have thought on the topic infuriates me and is better said by my favorite talk radio host Glenn Beck.
Whew! I know that was a lot and you're probably just as exhausted from reading it as I am from writing it. There are many more thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head lately but for now I must go investigate the mysteriously large bump that just occured over my head on the second floor.
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