Today it was aproximately 40 degress and rainy. This is the conversation that we had this morning.
N: Mom! I am getting my coat on so we can go to the park.
C: Yea, we too!
Me: We aren't going to the park.
N:What? Why not.
Me: It is raining, it is cold and I am not taking you to the park.
N: (thinking.....) How about a walk? Lets go for a walk!
C:Yay! A walk!
Me: No. We are not going for a walk.
N: I know! If we can't go for a walk, lets go for a jog!
C: Yay! lets go jogging!
I am such a party pooper. We never did go to the park, on a walk or jogging. Because I just don't want to.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Helping out
So I am a stay at home mom. I love it. My husband goes to work nearly each day to support us. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Some weeks my husband ends up working more hours than usual. Some days there are church responsibilities to deal with. Or a needy family member. Sometimes we just don't get to see him as much as we would like to.
I try to do what I can to help out during these times. I have tried random little things to ease the burden. In the end though, the best help I can be always comes back to the same thing.
Making sure I keep things running smoothly at home.
I like going out to visit people. I enjoy socialising. I like feeling helpful. Sometimes the best help I can be is right here in my home.
Tonight he has been called away to help someone else. Tomorrow is the same way. I am so grateful that he is willing to be there when needed.
I want to be there when needed. I just happen to be needed here right now. Getting kids dinner. Getting scriptures read and teeth brushed. Tucking in and reading stories. That is how I help. That is how I lift that burden.
Some days you get to be the actor out on stage. You enjoy the light and the applause.
Some days you get to be stage crew. Making sure that everything goes well for your actor.
Some weeks my husband ends up working more hours than usual. Some days there are church responsibilities to deal with. Or a needy family member. Sometimes we just don't get to see him as much as we would like to.
I try to do what I can to help out during these times. I have tried random little things to ease the burden. In the end though, the best help I can be always comes back to the same thing.
Making sure I keep things running smoothly at home.
I like going out to visit people. I enjoy socialising. I like feeling helpful. Sometimes the best help I can be is right here in my home.
Tonight he has been called away to help someone else. Tomorrow is the same way. I am so grateful that he is willing to be there when needed.
I want to be there when needed. I just happen to be needed here right now. Getting kids dinner. Getting scriptures read and teeth brushed. Tucking in and reading stories. That is how I help. That is how I lift that burden.
Some days you get to be the actor out on stage. You enjoy the light and the applause.
Some days you get to be stage crew. Making sure that everything goes well for your actor.
A miracle
Pretty much no matter what I make there will be at least one compliant stating that for some reason or another this dinner is unacceptable. On occasion we might have something along the lines of tator tots, fish sticks, chicken nuggets etc. I have few problems those nights. However I just can't feel good about feeding my kids that stuff all the time. ( Even if I occasionally enjoy it.)
Tonight I tried a new dish. Beef potpie. I took my chicken potpie recipe and dumped canned beef in in place of the chicken. Pure culinary genius, I know.
Bracing myself for the barrage of disgust, I sat down to eat. There were minimal comments on what we were having. Toward the end of the meal we had a conversation that went something like this:
V: I love potpie mom!
N: Yea! It is so good! It is my favorite!
V: I love the crust best!
N: The crust is really really yummy.
Me: Thanks guys, I am glad you like it. I try to make things you like.
N: Mom you are a really good cook!
( At this point I am so happy. I am an alright cook, but my kids don't seem to realize it most of the time.
V: Yea, you are really good at cooking, but I bet Mrs. Hilliard is better ( his teacher at school.)
Um... thanks guys.
At least we didn't have a fight over whether or not they actually had to EAT any of it.
Tonight I tried a new dish. Beef potpie. I took my chicken potpie recipe and dumped canned beef in in place of the chicken. Pure culinary genius, I know.
Bracing myself for the barrage of disgust, I sat down to eat. There were minimal comments on what we were having. Toward the end of the meal we had a conversation that went something like this:
V: I love potpie mom!
N: Yea! It is so good! It is my favorite!
V: I love the crust best!
N: The crust is really really yummy.
Me: Thanks guys, I am glad you like it. I try to make things you like.
N: Mom you are a really good cook!
( At this point I am so happy. I am an alright cook, but my kids don't seem to realize it most of the time.
V: Yea, you are really good at cooking, but I bet Mrs. Hilliard is better ( his teacher at school.)
Um... thanks guys.
At least we didn't have a fight over whether or not they actually had to EAT any of it.
Monday, March 28, 2011
If you didn't know...
If you didn't know....
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. If you were unaware that is the official name of the "Mormon" church. Thus making me Mormon.
Now when it comes up in conversation what religion I affiliate myself with there are some rather standard issues that come up. One of which I would like to address in this post.
"You're a Mormon? Don't they do polygamy?"
Polygamy, also known as plural marriages can be found in Mormon history.
History, as in over. No longer.
An official declaration was issued in October of 1890 abolishing the practice church wide. Did you read that year correctly? 1890.
That means it has been 121 YEARS since the practice was used!
Here is an excerpt from the official declaration. You can read it for yourself-
"...We are not teaching polygamy or plural marriage, nor permitting any person to enter into its practice, and I deny that either forty or any other number of plural marriages have during that period been solemnized in our Temples or in any other place in the Territory...
Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the Church over which I preside to have them do likewise.
There is nothing in my teachings to the Church or in those of my associates, during the time specified, which can be reasonably construed to inculcate or encourage polygamy; and when any Elder of the Church has used language which appeared to convey any such teaching, he has been promptly reproved. And I now publicly declare that my advice to the Latter-day Saints is to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land."
~Wilford Woodruff~
President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Now that we have established it is no longer going on in the official Mormon church I would like to briefly touch on the fleeting time period when it was in deed practiced.
The revelation to Joseph Smith, the prophet who restored the gospel, or if you like better "founded the Mormon church", mentions it is to "multiply and replenish the earth."
If you do research on the subject you will find that most of the men involved didn't actually like the idea. However, it then boils down to " Is God real? Does he actually issue commandments?" If you don't think that God is really there or that he doesn't actually care what you are doing, than it doesn't matter much what goes on in your life. On the other hand though, if God tells me to do something I'd like to end up on his side when the dust settles.
Polygamy was a test of faith. It was not popular and actually not even that widely practiced. Only certain men were asked to become polygamists. It was not something just anyone could do because it sounded fun.
Gordon B Hinckely, LDS prophet from 1995-2008 said,
“This Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church.... If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church.
In this dispensation, the Lord commanded some of the early Saints to practice plural marriage. The Prophet Joseph Smith and those closest to him, including Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, were challenged by this command, but they obeyed it. Church leaders regulated the practice. Those entering into it had to be authorized to do so, and the marriages had to be performed through the sealing power of the priesthood. In 1890, President Wilford Woodruff received a revelation that the leaders of the Church should cease teaching the practice of plural marriage (Official Declaration 1).”
So let's move past the polygamy, whatever your opinion on the topic may happen to be. Let's move to issues and events happening now!
I am going to try harder to set a great example.That way when people hear "Mormon" they will think of something more like "She was so honest, or generous. So firmly committed to Christ."
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. If you were unaware that is the official name of the "Mormon" church. Thus making me Mormon.
Now when it comes up in conversation what religion I affiliate myself with there are some rather standard issues that come up. One of which I would like to address in this post.
"You're a Mormon? Don't they do polygamy?"
Polygamy, also known as plural marriages can be found in Mormon history.
History, as in over. No longer.
An official declaration was issued in October of 1890 abolishing the practice church wide. Did you read that year correctly? 1890.
That means it has been 121 YEARS since the practice was used!
Here is an excerpt from the official declaration. You can read it for yourself-
"...We are not teaching polygamy or plural marriage, nor permitting any person to enter into its practice, and I deny that either forty or any other number of plural marriages have during that period been solemnized in our Temples or in any other place in the Territory...
Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages, which laws have been pronounced constitutional by the court of last resort, I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the Church over which I preside to have them do likewise.
There is nothing in my teachings to the Church or in those of my associates, during the time specified, which can be reasonably construed to inculcate or encourage polygamy; and when any Elder of the Church has used language which appeared to convey any such teaching, he has been promptly reproved. And I now publicly declare that my advice to the Latter-day Saints is to refrain from contracting any marriage forbidden by the law of the land."
~Wilford Woodruff~
President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Now that we have established it is no longer going on in the official Mormon church I would like to briefly touch on the fleeting time period when it was in deed practiced.
The revelation to Joseph Smith, the prophet who restored the gospel, or if you like better "founded the Mormon church", mentions it is to "multiply and replenish the earth."
If you do research on the subject you will find that most of the men involved didn't actually like the idea. However, it then boils down to " Is God real? Does he actually issue commandments?" If you don't think that God is really there or that he doesn't actually care what you are doing, than it doesn't matter much what goes on in your life. On the other hand though, if God tells me to do something I'd like to end up on his side when the dust settles.
Polygamy was a test of faith. It was not popular and actually not even that widely practiced. Only certain men were asked to become polygamists. It was not something just anyone could do because it sounded fun.
Gordon B Hinckely, LDS prophet from 1995-2008 said,
“This Church has nothing whatever to do with those practicing polygamy. They are not members of this Church.... If any of our members are found to be practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those so involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church.
In this dispensation, the Lord commanded some of the early Saints to practice plural marriage. The Prophet Joseph Smith and those closest to him, including Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, were challenged by this command, but they obeyed it. Church leaders regulated the practice. Those entering into it had to be authorized to do so, and the marriages had to be performed through the sealing power of the priesthood. In 1890, President Wilford Woodruff received a revelation that the leaders of the Church should cease teaching the practice of plural marriage (Official Declaration 1).”
So let's move past the polygamy, whatever your opinion on the topic may happen to be. Let's move to issues and events happening now!
I am going to try harder to set a great example.That way when people hear "Mormon" they will think of something more like "She was so honest, or generous. So firmly committed to Christ."
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Pictures from momhood
This is Naomi's rendition of a family get-together.
Things like this totally make being a mom worth it.
Victor wrote this last year as a letter to my brother serving a mission in Idaho.
Doesn't he just melt your heart?
But then, sometimes you find things like this....
A marshmallow impaled on the spool holder of my sewing machine. Oh, and some Chuck-e-cheese tickets. Where else would one but such items but in mom's sewing machine?
Monday, March 21, 2011
Cheese
I asked my husband to divide up a large bag of cheese and lable it.
I think he is sending me a message.
Redecorating
If you have never been to my house I would like to introduce you to some of the fabulous decorating it contains. This is the inside of a closet.
As far as I can tell they just varnished over some pictures they liked. It was crazy.
This is after I primed it.
This is the near end result. My aunt gave me a gallon on "gecko green." I painted the wall on the other side of the room this color. I love it. The closet needed one more coat and some touch up.
I like it better than the Bee Gees.
Parenting styles
Possibly it is just my personality.
Possibly it is my circumstances.
Possibly is is a flaw.
What ever the cause happens to be, I seem to find more and more I am rather different than the mothers around me.
In the last week I have had 2 conversations with really awesome women about getting kids ready for school in the morning. I will spare you all the details. The thing I found interesting is that they both pick out the clothes their children will wear and pack their lunches.
As I said, maybe I am just flawed.
Before I ever see my son in the morning, I expect him to have made his bed, said his prayers and be dressed for school.
Even if I am still sleeping I expect him to get this done.
80% of the time he is actually dressed. Bed making, prayers.... we'll just say the percentage isn't quite as high.
After that is onto getting himself breakfast and packing his own lunch.
Maybe I am just a heartless mom but I honestly expect my child to be able to handle such things because:
A: I believe he is old enough.
B: He needs to learn to take care of himself.
C: I have other kids who need way more care.
I do not want this post to come across as offensive or mocking to those that do such things for their children. This is just my parenting style. Your children were sent to you on purpose. Mine were sent to me for a reason. Perhaps this is what my family needs. What your family needs will most likely be different.
One of the flaws, I prefer to think of it as a trait, that I have is the intolerance for assumptions. Do not assume I will make you breakfast. Do not assume I will wake you up in the morning. If I wake up and decide that I want to make waffles for you I want it to be a fun surprise, not a disappointment that mom doesn't have time today.
Once in a while I am in the kind of mood to surprise. I love seeing my son's face when I hand him his already packed lunch. But I am also glad he is fully capable of packing it if I decide not to.
In the end my job is to teach. Whether I am actively pursuing a teaching career or not, my children are learning. Good or bad, they continue to absorb. I am trying to teach life lessons. I will try to set a good example.
Possibly it is my circumstances.
Possibly is is a flaw.
What ever the cause happens to be, I seem to find more and more I am rather different than the mothers around me.
In the last week I have had 2 conversations with really awesome women about getting kids ready for school in the morning. I will spare you all the details. The thing I found interesting is that they both pick out the clothes their children will wear and pack their lunches.
As I said, maybe I am just flawed.
Before I ever see my son in the morning, I expect him to have made his bed, said his prayers and be dressed for school.
Even if I am still sleeping I expect him to get this done.
80% of the time he is actually dressed. Bed making, prayers.... we'll just say the percentage isn't quite as high.
After that is onto getting himself breakfast and packing his own lunch.
Maybe I am just a heartless mom but I honestly expect my child to be able to handle such things because:
A: I believe he is old enough.
B: He needs to learn to take care of himself.
C: I have other kids who need way more care.
I do not want this post to come across as offensive or mocking to those that do such things for their children. This is just my parenting style. Your children were sent to you on purpose. Mine were sent to me for a reason. Perhaps this is what my family needs. What your family needs will most likely be different.
One of the flaws, I prefer to think of it as a trait, that I have is the intolerance for assumptions. Do not assume I will make you breakfast. Do not assume I will wake you up in the morning. If I wake up and decide that I want to make waffles for you I want it to be a fun surprise, not a disappointment that mom doesn't have time today.
Once in a while I am in the kind of mood to surprise. I love seeing my son's face when I hand him his already packed lunch. But I am also glad he is fully capable of packing it if I decide not to.
In the end my job is to teach. Whether I am actively pursuing a teaching career or not, my children are learning. Good or bad, they continue to absorb. I am trying to teach life lessons. I will try to set a good example.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Comunication
Sometimes I try to sit and cuddle my baby. She is more like a toddler at this point. Less cuddling, more demanding. As I sit here at the computer holding her, trying to get to just snuggle up to me, I look at her eyes and try to beam my message to her brain.
My message: "Just lay your head down on my shoulder. It will feel nice, you'll like it."
Her response: Sitting straight up, looking directly at me and pointing out the door way in a very defiant manner.
She may be nonverbal. But she sure can boss you around sometimes.
My message: "Just lay your head down on my shoulder. It will feel nice, you'll like it."
Her response: Sitting straight up, looking directly at me and pointing out the door way in a very defiant manner.
She may be nonverbal. But she sure can boss you around sometimes.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
A Cautionary Tale.
Since we all know that my blog is actually a children's book review page, I thought I would share some of my recent discoveries.
Meet Jim-
Jim is the main character in a "children's" book entitled "A cautionary tale. Jim who ran away from his nurse and was eaten by a lion."
If you stumble upon this book in your library feel free to check it out. Sit at home, read it to yourself, admire the pictures, the fold outs, the funny little details. Do NOT however, read it to your children or allow them to look through it.
Jim does in fact run away from his nurse and yes he is eaten. The lesson is very sound. Children should learn to stay with the adult they are with. I do not think, however, the severed head was a necessary touch; nor was describing the lion starting at his toes and recounding the manner in which it worked its way up Jim's body. It was a surprisingly terrible book for children. I do NOT recommend reading this to young kids, or allowing them to look through it.
On the other hand, there are other fabulous books out there. Here is another one we picked out on the last trip to the library.
Humorous, well illustrated, entertainingly written, great moral, and a bit of a surprise ending. I thoroughly enjoyed it. So did my kids.
Let me know if you find any fabulous, or terrible books!
I am glad there are people who know what they are doing.
There is a wonderful woman I attend church with who happens to be a nuclear physicist. She is absolutely wonderful. Her equally entertaining husband is NOT a nuclear physicist. He has started sending out emails about the nuclear situation in Japan in English that is more decipherable than science speak. I personally have not felt concerned over the situation, but feel that I should pass along the info to anyone who would feel better understanding what is going on. If you would like to have a greater grasp on the situation-read on. If you couldn't care less. Go to this blog instead- it's about badly decorated cakes. Very entertaining.
Email from a nuclear Physicists husband-
1. I live on the West Coast. Am I in danger?
Email from a nuclear Physicists husband-
1. I live on the West Coast. Am I in danger?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Meet my brother
My brother went to school for sound engineering. ( And learned some other stuff on the way.) On a whim he and his friends decided to put together some videos to put in a competition for Jones Soda's new energy drink. It would be a nice resume builder to come in 15th or so in a national competition. They put in two entries. They won 2nd and 4th. He is very excited.
He also won a bonus award called the "Darth Bader Award." (Ryan Bader is a MMA fighter- mixed martial arts. Apparently he likes to just pick his favorite video and give them his own award.) Since Bader liked my brothers commercial so much, he will pay for Roger to go to Texas to attend the South by Southwest Festival. No, that doesn't mean much to me, just that my brother is awesome and won a free trip.
Here is the clip that got 2nd prize.
I am very proud of him. I was really impressed with how high a quality commercial they put together.
He also won a bonus award called the "Darth Bader Award." (Ryan Bader is a MMA fighter- mixed martial arts. Apparently he likes to just pick his favorite video and give them his own award.) Since Bader liked my brothers commercial so much, he will pay for Roger to go to Texas to attend the South by Southwest Festival. No, that doesn't mean much to me, just that my brother is awesome and won a free trip.
Here is the clip that got 2nd prize.
He is the one that actually grows the beard.
You can go to http://zooppa.com/contests/whoopass#/awards if you want to see his 4th place one, also very entertaining, or any of the other entries.
I am very proud of him. I was really impressed with how high a quality commercial they put together.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
NInja School
That evening at dinner she was telling her elder brother about the incredible ninjas in this video and the awesome moves of the band members. Then she gave us this fabulous quote: " I think ninjas are real and I hope they are because I want to fight them. I need to practice my fighting moves."
My little princes, ready to start ninja training.
Ethan's cousin is taking taekwondo (sp?) right now. We told her maybe Amy could teach her some ninja moves, since she taking ninja classes right now.
Amy lives next door and I saw her get out of her car this afternoon. Naomi was ready to fly over there to begin her ninja training. Seeing as Amy is a college student, I assumed she had homework to do and would be off to work later that evening. Naomi did not accept this reasoning stating : " No mom, she doesn't have homework. They don't give homework at ninja school." I had to explain Amy was taking other classes besides her ninja classes.
I need to talk to Amy, the ninja master, to schedule a training session. Maybe some day this week my little princess will begin.... Ninja school.
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