Some Reasons Why I Love Them

We have had a string of bad luck with our vehicles lately.  Our tranny blew on one, my alternator went on another, and DH work car has a fuel problem.

Lucky me, I married a super smart man who can fix things!

He can also drive a tractor.

Is it so wrong that I actually find this sexy?!

"Hey Mom, I put clothespins on my mouth!"

Why yes you did.  Yes you did.

I love to walk in a room and see this sight.  What a joy to see my children learn and read.

Apparently when you don't have sunglasses, you make your own out of grass so you can lay out in the sun on a beautiful day!  We call this one "Captain Dork Knob" when this happens, as he has an incredible sense of humor!

Having a family that I love is such a blessing.

Cheers

I Love to See the Temple

15 years ago today, I married my best friend in the Cardston, Alberta, Canada temple.  That temple holds a special place in my heart today.

 

Calgary, Alberta, Canada Temple

This is our new temple in Alberta.  Each temple is beautiful and the house of the Lord, but we always have a special place in our hearts for each one we experience different things at. 

This one will always hold that place in my heart as the one I got to take my kids through before it was dedicated. 

What a beautiful and spiritual experience for all of us.

I can hardly wait till the dedication, which they are broadcasting to all of the stake buildings, on Sunday.

If you would like to learn more about the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, please feel free to click here.

Cheers

Back to School

One of my very favorite things to do with my boys each year is our Back-To-School photo shoot.

 

I think they love it too.

 

This year I have been a little stressed with the preparation to moving.  (the bank, the lawyer, finding a place...etc!)  I totally forgot to do our beginning of the year shoot.

 

Bad mom!

 

So, being the great kids they are, they reminded me.  More than once!

 

My KC is 13.  He has passed his Grandma in height, one of his Aunties, and is closing on another of his Aunties!  I am a little worried that he will pass his 6' tall Momma soon.  I give him two years, but still...crazy talk!  He is a whiz in the kitchen and loves to play his piano.  If I can't find him, I can pretty much guarantee his nose is stuck in a book somewhere. 

My GQ is developing his own style.  He thinks that he is a little "GQ" when he gets dressed and loves to look his very preppy best all the time.  His hero is his Uncle Keegs and is super excited to move just because we will be closer to him!  He is my loving little man and would happily cuddle all day long!  Just don't tell anyone though because at 11 that is pretty uncool.

MH is a very old 7.  He thinks he is just as old as his brothers and thinks it is very unfair that he can't just do everything they do.  He is still my baby though and I am milking it for all it is worth!  We explore the natural world by running, playing and getting dirty.  That is the best part of being a boy!

What are your favorite traditions?  What things do you do each year that you or your kids enjoy the most?

Cheers

Garden Produce

This might be the biggest kick I grew this year...

These tiny chocolate bell peppers are so small.  I hate bell peppers, but these are adorable!

Cheers

Mormon Musings

In class yesterday we discussed a particular piece of scripture.  It was in Heleman 4:11-13.

11 Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, ^awould not have happened had it not been for their ^bwickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God.

12 And it was because of the ^apride of their hearts, because of their exceeding ^briches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the ^cpoor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a ^dmock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites—

13 And because of this their great wickedness, and their ^aboastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands.

 

We had an interesting discussion about if this happens in our day or not.  There were many opinions but what I found interesting was the "shopping list" of sins that is found in this passage.  There are many things that I see today when I look around.

 

I also found the passage particularly interesting that states that the people "who professed to belong to the church of God." were also among them.  It was not just the "bad" people, but also the "good" people who were doing these things.

 

Interesting story.

 

DH and I were meeting with a man on Saturday.  He is not of our faith, but he works with many people who are, and has respect for them.  He really wanted us to know that he does not work on Sunday.  Many of his clients have asked him to, but he does not. 

 

He stated something rather profound to us. 

 

No matter how he justifies it, if he makes that one exception, that is the one that doesn't work.  The deal falls through, the client pays too much, it takes too long, etc.  If he works on Sunday, it is not a good thing.  If he takes Sunday off...all is well.

 

There are good people and not so good people.  In an out of the church.

 

We are not perfect.

 

What a profound set of things for me to put together this weekend. 

 

I am still thinking on these things, but I thought I might pass on the condensed version of things to you so that maybe you might have something to share or to think about.

Cheers 

Mormon Musings

I'm kind of digging the title...maybe it should be a regular feature?! 

My good friend Carrie has me guest posting today, answering questions.  Go check it out.  (please... :D)

In Sunday School yesterday, I was asked to read this quote.  It hit me so hard, I want to share it with you today.

"To be a righteous woman during the winding-up scenes on this earth, before the Second Coming of our Savior, is and especially noble calling.  The righteous woman's strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times.  She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home - which is society's basic and most noble institution.  Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife."
(The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 326-27)

What a powerful reminder to me what an influence I can be to my children.  What a wonderful reminder as well to me that I am good enough.  Being a woman can sometimes be less than satisfying to the world, making someone who chooses to stay at home seem even less, but this reminds me that I also have an important job.  One that is not paid, but is important none the less.

Cheers

Searching....

For a couple years now I have been on a quest.

I want the perfect cloud photo.

I love clouds and the beauty that they are. 

But to capture them is so hard.

I really hope I am not alone in my obsession.

Capturing something that holds my fascination so thoroughly is a quest.  (not a bad thing right?)

Cheers

Field Trip - Temple Square, Salt Lake City, UT

When we took our trip, I got to visit with one of my old roomies. 

Me on the Left, Cassi on the Right

College sometimes seems like so long ago.

It is so nice to have someone that I can still keep in touch with, and still pick up and enjoy just as much as I ever did as a college girl.  It is also a blast that our kids (and hubby's) enjoy each other as well...

...check it out...

What a silly bunch of kids!  (all of the photos used above are Cassi's.  the ones below are mine)

While visiting, we took a side trip to temple square.  I have always wanted to take my kids, but we don't often make the trip to SLC.  (try almost never...I have only been three times in my life time now...)

Here is a brief overview of the things we saw and did while there.

I seem to have some sort of fascination with steeples.  The symbolism of an ever pointing steeple is something I think about often as I try to go in the right direction with my life.

One of the key ingredients on so many of our temples is the angle Moroni.  I was interested to see one up close in the museum.  I was also interested to learn that each one is not the same.  Such interesting things you learn in a museum!

There was a really cool place for the kids in the museum.  We finally convinced our kids to take a turn on the dance floor...

Ever since the Tabernacle was finished it has been my goal to visit.  (see the obligatory steeple photo!)

You can even go inside on a tour.  My oldest is a piano player so this was especially exciting to see in real life for him.  Can you just imagine the feeling you would have as you played such an instrument?!

The artwork displayed throughout was also beautiful.  Mixed in with some of my old favorites were some I had never seen before.  This one was particularly striking to me.  I have imagined the scene in many ways, but this one seems the most true to me.

While on the tour, they take you right up to the very top of the conference center.  The view was fabulous (even from far away from the edge!) and the garden above amazing!

I loved this statue of Joseph Smith.  He is an amazing man.

I love pretty much anything with Christ as the focal point...and what is more focal then a huge statue of Him?!

We took a turn around a few other buildings as well, and the tour guides were such knowledgeable and friendly people.  What a fun and informative exploration of the temple square.

If you have never been, or live close, make the time to take that trip.  It is so worth it!

Cheers

How Beautiful

When travelling through the state of Utah, we saw this little sign for something called the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. 

Being the curious sort, and really liking sand...we turned off to explore.

So glad we did.

For the beauty of each hour Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flow'r, Sun and moon, and stars of light, 

Lord of all to thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the Beauty of the Earth, Hymn #95 (second verse)

What beauty the Lord has provided for us to explore and appreciate. 

I am so very thankful for this beautiful earth and the delights that we have to view and explore.

Cheers

Links and Lists

Bryce Canyon, UT

While away I didn't have regular Internet and because of that had some massive pile up in email, google reader, pinterest and facebook reading.  Some of it I just couldn't do or read.  (sorry)  But those I did get to read were fabulous!

Maybe you already have taken the time to read or see these things, or have already made and done them...but just in case you missed it...here are some of my favorite things that I had piled up:

1. If you remember our foray into homemade toothpaste...you might remember I am looking for things to use.  This one popped up on my reader and it looks like I might like it a lot.  I will be making it soon.  (and putting it in a pump like this looks like such a good idea!)
2. A while back I found hemp hearts in Costco.  My oldest and DH love them on pretty much everything, but I am struggling on what to put them on.  These look like they would fit the bill...chocolate makes everything taste good right?!
3. Have you seen the Sean Rapier skit?  The one that he starts his stand up with all the things we say as we start our talks in Sacrament meeting?  You haven't?  I didn't either until I read MMM's post from the other day.  Here it is in case you missed it too. Watch it, you will be glad you did.
4. Ok, we all know I love preparedness.  You didn't know?  Sorry...I love preparedness stuff.  One of my greatest passions is food storage.  This encompasses so very much.  Sometimes when we actually have a food storage...we don't have a place to put it.  For this reason, this little booklet was something I pinned right away when I saw it!
5. I am not a big fan of sweet potatoes, but they are growing on me.  I have a few dishes I like with them in it.  I am going to try these out, but fry them...because everything tastes better fried.  :)
6. I love photography...have a whole board on pinterest (even if it is one of my smallest ones) devoted to ideas and tips.  This looks like an awesome way to send out your Christmas card without the missive that seems to accompany it.  Love it!
7. Coming soon I am posting a fun series...well, I think it is fun.  It is going to be called "Summer Camp".  I have guest posters and a couple giveaways and some printables.  Yay!  This is one of the things I wanted to include but didn't quite make the cut.

Well, that was a bit longer than usual, but I hope you found something you didn't see before, or could use.

Cheers

I Love to See the Temple

This break of mine was a truly amazing family vacation. 

I know it is probably underwhelming to you as I did have posts scheduled, but I missed you!  I have so many things I want to tell you...

I am sure you want to know all about my vacation, the things we did, the places we visited, the books I read...NO?!  Well, too bad.  Ha ha.  I have a few...

One of the very best parts of our vacation was the opportunity to go to many temples that we passed.  This was quite possibly the best part of my vacation.  Well, the part I loved the most. 

I am going to start a temple wall of the temples we have visited as a family, so I took photos galore!  Here is a sampling of the photos I took of the ones we visited:  (the last 4 photos are from lds.org)

I love to see the Temple.

I'm going there someday.

To feel the Holy Spirit,

To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God,

A place of love and beauty.

I'll prepare myself while I am young,

Jordan River, UT

This is my sacred duty.

Oquirrh Mountain, UT

I Love to See the Temple - Children's Song Book #95

Provo, UT

The house of the Lord is a beautiful and spiritual place to be.  I am truly grateful for the opportunity to visit so many of the holy temples.  What a blessing it is.

St. George, UT

We are indeed blessed to have so many temples on the face of this earth.  I am blessed to live within 3 hours of two temples...6 hours from 2 more.  You hear stories of people saving for years, selling all they own for a chance to go one time.  I am so thankful that this is not a sacrifice I have to make.

What a blessing to have taken my boys with us to view and tour the grounds of all these beautiful places as well.

I know that these buildings truly are a house of the Lord.  I know that eternal ordinances are performed in these places.  Ones that truly do matter.  This I know.

Cheers