Thanksgiving Highlights

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It ties with the Fourth of July. WHY these are my favorite holidays is still somewhat unclear in the recesses of my mind--maybe because there is no pressure involved--as long as you have a little food, everyone's happy. Maybe because the Fourth was the precursor to my birthday. . . who knows. We had a fun day yesterday. Our highlights:

** Food, glorious food! It is SO nice not to have to put together an entire Thanksgiving dinner by yourself. So here's a little hint--the more people you invite, the less food you have to make. Of course, then half the food ends up in the trash because the kids won't eat it, but whatever.

**Homemade butter. Turns out Lucy learned how to make homemade butter in class this week. We put her knowledge to work and made our own butter for Thanksgiving dinner. Guess what? Delish. If you are really nice to me, I'll share our super-secret recipe.

**Friends and family. The Powells, David, Seth, friend Yanny, friends Finlaysons, friends Julie and kids=lots of fun. Later, more friends joined us for games. These neighbors live 2 houses down, we all love games, but we only seem to do it on Thanksgiving Day. Maybe we'll go for a few more game nights this next year.

**Games. We loooooooooooooooooooove games here at the homestead. We played spoons (woohoo . . . Zach didn't pull anyone across the table this year), Pit, Apples to Apples, Greed, and Catch Phrase.

**Humor. (1)Our friend L. leaned over to her son during spoons and said, "Hey! Don't use the word cra*. It's not nice." (Names abbreviated to protect the innocent.) Two seconds later, L. yelled, "CRA*!! I needed that card." Gave me a good laugh. (2) While playing Catch Phrase, friend L.'s word was cra*. (I know . . . what are the odds?) Her clue? "This isn't a nice word." My sister C. spouted off a list of not nice words so fast it made my head spin. Luckily it was one of the first four words she said or I might have had to print this one in asterisks. (3) David and Seth--together in the same room--for several hours. Need I say more?

**Gratitude. There's something inherently right about a day set aside just to say thank you. Could we do this 4 times a year? I'm only making the turkey once, though, so we'd better come up with some different feast foods.

Happy late Thanksgiving to all.

Grounded!

Lucy is officially grounded for the first time. What is she grounded from, you ask? Is it friends? No. Is it sleepovers? No . . .we don't do those. Is it playtime? Again, no. What about TV? Computer? Video Games? No, no, and no. She is grounded from books. Yes, that's right. It's books. Do I know that you should never, ever, stifle your child's desire to read by using books as a punishment? Yes. Do I know that reading is fabulous and desirable and a great way to learn about the world? Yes.

However, I also know that she "forgets" to put down her books at night when she is supposed to be sleeping and ends up cranky the next day from lack of sleep. I know that we decided it was finally time to follow through and crack down on the stashes of books she keeps hidden in her room so that when we take away one book, she quickly pulls out another as soon as we leave the room. Friday night, I caught her reading a book after she was supposed to put it down. I asked her what a fair punishment would be and she came up with no books on Saturday. Saturday morning, she went to clean her room and got distracted by some books she found down there. Her will to obey quickly succumbed to the temptation and I found her down there reading instead of cleaning. Her idea for a punishment was, again, no books for the rest of the day and on Sunday.

This morning she secretly read a book before we knew she was awake. She is always scrupulously honest when I ask her if she did it, so she 'fessed up quickly and I reminded her of the punishment SHE came up with. Less than an hour later, Kye came upstairs complaining, "Mom, Lucy won't play a game with me because she's reading a book." I ran downstairs and found her in her closet, under the bottom shelf, surrounded by suitcases and bins (so no one would see her) with a book in hand. AHA! Caught again. She's now lost books (except the scriptures and the Friend magazine) for the next several days AND she lost the privilege to check out books at the library on Friday. Many tears and much wailing ensued, but I explained that she needed to understand there are consequences to our actions, etc. So, I've gotta ask, have any of you had to ground your children for reading too much? What are some alternative disciplines for this one? Any ideas?

Flashback Friday

I bought a massive fake Christmas tree in AZ a few years ago. I didn't go prelit for some inexplicable reason and each branch has to be put in and spread out with painstaking precision, followed by hours of putting on lights and days of itchy, scratched hands. Ridiculous. Anyway, last year I really couldn't find the motivation to get it up. Adam was still pretty little, Zach seemed to be traveling quite a bit, I was trying to get everything done for Thanksgiving and then get the Christmas shopping done. As silly as it sounds, putting up that Christmas tree felt like another thousand miles yet to walk to me.

I have had pretty good luck with awesome friends my whole life. Tender mercies, you know. Living in this neighborhood has been icing on the cake, friend-wise. So last year, some V.F.F. (very fantabulous friends) came to the rescue. They showed up at my house one afternoon and helped me put my tree up while the kids played together. I learned a great lesson that day. Well, several, but let's keep it simple. Acts of friendship and service do not need to be grand gestures. Friendship is laughing and talking. Friendship is bringing over food and borrowing cream cheese. Friendship is sympathizing and sharing. Friendship is putting up Christmas trees. I will remember this act of friendship for the rest of my life. Thank you, friends.

Conspiracy??

Agent 00A has an assignment from the powers that be. His mission? Search and destroy. Everything that is within arm's reach must be moved, dropped, or transferred to another location . . . mainly the floor. I caught him in the act:

I love this phase.

Flashback Friday-Zeeky

October 2006

October 2007

A More Determined Discipleship

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.'

"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.

"Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat." (Neal A. Maxwell, "A More Determined Discipleship," Ensign, February 1979, pp. 69–73)

Rant

Take out the soap box for a moment. Ahe-he-he-hem. Regarding the backlash of the passing of Prop 8 in California.

In 1972, Elder Mark E. Peterson said, “If the world goes against the revealed word, we nevertheless must be loyal to God, regardless of what the world may say. We have had fingers pointed at us before and we have always survived.”

“As true followers of Christ, we must be willing to suffer for his truth if need be; and when the rains of criticism descend and the floods of disapproval appear and the winds of ridicule beat upon our house, let us remember that, after all, we are founded upon a rock—the rock of Christ—and we shall not fail.” (Ensign, May 1972, p. 63)

Imagine with me for just one minute. Imagine a country that extremists and some protesters seem to want: a nation in which religions may believe what they want, but must keep it a secret. A nation in which religions may not express opinions, especially when it comes to moral law. Better yet, a nation in which there are no organized religions at all. A nation, though founded on a strong belief in moral law—in God’s law—that must now ignore its origins and give in to every whim of each group that calls, “NO FAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRR!” A nation that cannot be guided by its voters. (After all, what right do the VOTERS have to make amendments? I mean c’mon!! Isn’t that what judges are for?) Really think about it—what would such a nation be like?

I do not mean to counter anyone’s right to their own opinions. 48% of the voters in California would disagree with me vehemently. That’s okay—that’s their right. But it’s my right to fight for what I believe in. It’s my right to follow the counsel of the prophet. It’s my right to display “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” in my home and share it with others. It’s not only my right—it is truth founded upon the rock of Christ.

Okay, step down. Soap box put away. Get on with your weekend--have a great one.

Flashback Friday

I'm running out of themes for my Flashback Friday--so I went for some belly shots.

10 days before Adam was born.

3 weeks before Isaac came.
Two weeks before Kye was born.

Now I just need to get a scanner that works so I can scan in some pictures for better Flashbacks. Anyone know a good scanner to get?

Top Ten--October 2008

10) Adam’s new nickname: Ole Blue Lips. *Sigh* Adam is getting bigger . . . and stronger. He fights me tooth and nail the entire 20 minutes of each breathing treatment. One morning, I was tired of fighting and put it off. By the time I gave him a treatment, his lips were blue …well, actually a purplish blue. In my defense, he was acting perfectly happy, running around playing. Still, I’m not proud. So the fight goes on . . .

9) Favorite sayings this month:
L: I suspect that . . .
K: By evil golly rotten!
I: KABOOSH!
A: Mamamamamamama. Hiiiiiii!

8) Fish food flavored oatmeal. Goldie lives in the kitchen. We had her on our dresser in the bedroom for awhile, but she kept me awake at night burbling at the top of the bowl. Drove me crazy. So now she’s in the kitchen so we remember to feed her & Isaac chose to feed her right as I set our oatmeal on the counter. Fact: Oatmeal and fish food are close to the same color. I pulled out a couple of flakes before serving the oatmeal. Question: Was there more? Answer: No one complained about fishy tasting food, so . . . no??

7) Isaac: Maybe on my next trip I’ll go to South Dakota. Maybe on my next trip I’ll go to heaven to see Captain Moroni. Maybe on my next trip I’ll go to space!

6) Lucy’s book talk: Suspect. Object. Suggest. Certain. Actually. Absolutely. Are these normal vocabulary words of a 7 year old? Really! She’s my first, so I don’t know, but when I hear “Hmmmmmm, I suspected as much,” coming out of Lucy’s mouth—I just have to laugh. What a wonderful kid!

5) Kye is smart! I mean that kid has a lot of brains. So many, in fact, that he fits in to a grown man’s baseball cap. Not kidding. It’s on the smallest fit, but STILL!

4) (Complements of Isaac’s friend Weston.) After a quick trip to the doctor to check if Adam had an ear infection, Weston exclaimed, “That sure was a fun trip to fix Adam!”

3) Lucy turns 8. At breakfast, Kye said, “Lucy, you’re great! Happy birthday. Isaac and I really DO think you’re great.” Awwwwwwwww!

2) Road trip to Arizona! Nothing better than 10 hours in a car with the kids by myself, refereeing spats, listening to giggling, trying to listen to a book on CD, throwing baggies of snacks to the back and hoping they hit their mark, and making it safely to our destination.

1) Zach’s redeeming himself. (Remember my kids’ shameful lack of sports knowledge?) I knew the kids understood sports a little better when the MoTab stood to sing in General Conference Sunday morning. Kye asked if we were watching the last song. I said, “No, it’s just a rest song.” Kye sighed in frustration, “How many quarters are left?”

Baptism

Lucy's baptism was an incredibly special experience for us. Zach's parents flew in from AZ, and we had all of our Utah family and several friends there to participate. It was beautiful, my heart was full, and we felt the Spirit so strongly as Zach baptized and confirmed Lucy a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My only regret: I didn't get any pictures of Lucy with Gma and Gpa D. Whoopseedaisy. Still, beautiful day, beautiful memory.

Dad and Lucy, just before we left home

Lucy and the boys
Lucy--so excited for her baptism

Mom and Lucy, ready to go.

Almost time--

Lucy with Bishop Hansbrow, Uncle Spencer, Zach, Gpa D, Uncle Ben and Uncle Seth after she was confirmed.

Thanks to those who came--we are grateful for your love and support.

My own testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ grew as I witnessed Lucy's baptism and confirmation. My gratitude and love for Zach deepened as I watched him use the Priesthood to bless our lives and to help Lucy follow Heavenly Father's plan. My prayers were answered as I felt the deep love that Heavenly Father has for each of His children.

Lucy's Birthday Party

Opening presents

Whoo-wee! Exciting Crowd
Like I said . . .

Holding a birthday staff (from Sarah L)

Lucy's birthday

I read a book once that overused the word "poignant" atrociously. So I refuse to use it, even in reference to how I felt watching my firstborn turn 8 last week. It FELT . . . insert a synonym to the "p" word here . . . to realize how much she's grown up. A lot of you have been there, and know how it feels, so enough said.

8 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT LU-LU-LU-LU

1. She shares my love of reading and trips to the library. I know exactly how it feels to get lost in a new world and want to stay there for awhile. We'll go to our first Mother-Daughter book club at the library in a few weeks!

2. Her smile could blind you, it's so bright. A few years ago, she turned to me, smiled and said, "Mom, am I glowing? Because I feel like I am."

3. She wears her heart on her sleeve. As we left AZ a few weeks ago, she sadly reported, "Mom, I miss my cousins ALREADY! When are we coming back?" When I took her to see HSM3, there was a sad part, and I heard her sniffling. I turned to see her wiping her eyes on her shirt as she sobbed. She's giggly and goofy and smiley and happy and sad and mad and earnest and thoughtful.

4. She is interested in everything! She loves piano and gymnastics and spiders and movies and books and racing and playing and homework and projects and math and riddles and computers and music. We never lack for conversation with Lucy around.

5. She currently wants to work with horses when she grows up. She's been researching all kinds of jobs you can have with horses. Right now it's a toss up between a horse-policewoman and working on a ranch.

6. She often gets "full" after 3 bites. The food she loves, she LOVES. The food she doesn't love . . . well, it would take all day to list them here. Someday that girl is going to go on a mission and have to eat food she hates just to be polite. Until then, we'll keep encouraging her to try new things.

7. She's adventurous (except when it comes to food). She has no hesitations trying new things, going new places, meeting new people (usually), or imagining new worlds. Her dearest wish is to go to Hawaii someday--even more than Disneyland.

8. She's tender hearted. (See #3) She also tries hard to do the right thing, to help out, to read her scriptures and say her prayers, to be her best self, and to try again when things don't always work out.

I love my little girl. HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY, LUCY-LU!

Happy Halloween Day!

Sarah L. made up a Halloween song a few years ago, and I stole it for my title. It was a great song--the kids and I sing it every year. The tune is along the lines of the "We just figured out Blue's Clues" song. So thanks, Sarah L. I'd like a new Thanksgiving song for this year, please, if you could get working on that. Thanks so much.

Here are a few friends I'd like to introduce you to:

"Minja" Lu

Mini- Captain Moroni

Leonardo

Cute Random Football Player, lover of kit kats and smarties