I'm A Mormon

One of our missionaries stopped by last night and challenged us to construct a profile on www.mormon.org. With a member of our church running for president, there are a lot of questions about our faith. Unfortunately there is also a lack of truth to some of what is being said about what we believe. Some published articles by would be 'professionals' claim things like we are not Christians, which is not true. We follow a loving Heavenly Father and know his son, Jesus Christ is our Savior. I have made a profile on the site for the public to view and it is now displayed as a button on the right side of my blog. Clicking on it will take you to the site and answer all the hard questions about what we believe as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Father-Son Date

I'm behind... WAY behind... TOO behind but here we go.

Today was a busy day. It was my day off, normally hallowed ground for family time in my world. Our area had a Regional Relief Society Conference featuring Sister Allred of the General Relief Society Presidency in Madison TN (hour+ drive that felt like 20min in our packed van of fun women). The meeting was really great, the company was equally uplifting and I even got to see a few old friends I wasn't expecting to bump into. But that's not the point so I'll move on. Mike graciously encouraged me to go so I left the babies with him till I got back at 230p. THEN I had to rush home to get Cora Grace ready for a friend, Abigail's 2nd birthday party at 3p. While I would be gone I had encouraged Mike to think about taking Evan somewhere, just the two of them since that NEVER happens that we are apart like that. He reeeeeeaaaallllly wanted to do some 'spring cleaning' he had started this morning but I 'admonished' him to please take an hour break to take Evan to a playground and dinner.

A little back story, we had some terrible storms come through all of Tennessee (and surrounding states) on Friday afternoon and early evening. We needed to run some errands so as soon as we felt safe, we took off, planning to get the kids a burger or something. Evan saw "Old McDonalds" and begged to stop there. When we tried to, they told us they couldn't take orders for 30minutes (assumably from the storms knocking out power? we had no damage in our area thankfully, so I don't know what happened?). So we tried to explain to an expecting "old mcdonalds hamburger" 3 year old, it was 'broken right now' for him to try to understand-hopefully avoiding a melt down. :) Anyway, we left and got a burger for them elsewhere and he was fine. Today however, in Mike's Daddy time and after visiting a couple playgrounds with Evan, this was the continuation of that scenario:

Evan asked Mike, "is Old McDonalds still broken? Is it 'fixed' now?" and "Did somebody charge it?"

Anytime in our home something is 'broken', it means it needs new batteries or we need the cord to charge his beloved Spooka. So I guess he thought, someone might have plugged it in to juice it up. :)

He got to go INSIDE Old McDonalds (maybe his 3rd time, if that), sitting by the window the drive thru people pass (they waved to everybody. cute!), so he was thrilled but the best part was after he ate his kids meal, Daddy got them an Ice Cream sundae to share. :) Mike said he LOVED it so much, he had to ask him to slow down but that at some point, could tell, Evan was getting brain freeze cause he started shivering. Mike asked him if he was cold, Evan said "Yeah... I want to cuddle with you." Awwwwe! I just love that little guy (the big guy too). I'm so thankful Daddy took time to go out with just Evan, I'd like to do that more regularly now that Evan really understands where he wants to go etc. I can't wait for a Mommy-Son Date report. :) The End.

Jesus wants Evan for a Sunbeam!

Jesus wants me for a Sun BEAM

to shine for Him each day.

In every way try to please HIM

at home, at school, at play.

A Sun BEAM

a Sun BEAM

Jesus wants me for a Sun BEAM

A Sun BEAM

A Sun BEAM,

I'll be a Sun BEAM for Him.

 :)

Can you believe it? Do you know what this means? My BABY is getting too old. :( I really do believe it but I don't want to. On the other hand, I'm looking forward to him growing up of course. I'm just in sort of denial about Evan being a Sunbeam and in Primary now at church. :/ Doesn't he look so big sitting there? I checked on him during 'Sharing Time' where the kids were singing "Once there was a Snow Man". Evan was on his feet, jumping as usual, and watching my friend Stacey direct the music. He was copying her hand movements with giant smile on his face while he bounce, bounce, bounced. :) Warms a mommies heart. Later I checked on him in his new class with Sharelle as his teacher. She's babysat him before and likes him so I thought she would like him. We'll see. He's not the sit down the whole time kind of kid, it may be a test for her till he learns to do what everyone else is doing. Luckily he's had a lot of practice in day care. Primary will be great for him cause his bestest friend ever, Hayden is now in the CTR 4 class so he see's him and his other friend Dallin for that section of time. Lucky guy. I'll wait for a report that he keeps getting up to hug and play with them. ;) Lastly, this years Primary theme is "Choose The Right" so all the kids got CTR rings. That was really brave to give to my cray 3 year old but he loves it and didn't want to take it off for bed. I'll try to keep it safe for him to wear every Sunday because it is very important to him. I will also try to take a special picture of him wearing it since as I type, I realize I haven't done that. Bad mommy! Anyway...

Dear Evan,

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you for growing up into such a nice young man. We love when you sing to us, say please, thank you and show patience, even though you are only 3. You are a good example to us when you show us and Cora Grace, how to be reverent at church by sitting still, being quiet and folding your arms. It is very exciting that you are in the Sunbeam class and in Primary now. You will get to learn all about Jesus and Heavenly Father's love for us and how you can be more like them. You are so lucky to have a smart teacher and great leaders in Primary so we hope you love it. We love you and can't wait to hear about all that you are learning.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Next year, his feet will probably touch the ground. :/. Sitting on his row with a few of his classmates. There are about 6-8 kids in his class I believe. Including Annabelle who was Evans Pebbles to his Bam Bam for Halloween a couple Halloweens ago.

Can you stand it? He's sitting there all sweet (this is before all the bouncing) and listening intently to the welcome song for visitors.

Amanda is the current Primary president and is introducing each of the new class of Sunbeams. I wasn't quite fast enough to get this without it blurring. oops. :) Do you see his red bulging eyes? Yes, it's because it's NAP time, 1pm for church. "Ay caramba!" as Bart Simpson would say. That's all I have to say about that. But if you see me with patches with baldness come Monday's, know it's because church is at 1pm this year (again... nap time.) and I have two children between 19mo-3 years that need some sleep at that time. I am however devising a plan to wake them up early at maybe 730a (they don't get up before 830) so I can at least convince CG for a 1030 or 11am nap. Wish me luck.

After church I got a sweet text from my brother Bennett who's son Luke is a month older than Evan. (They are in California). He asked how Evan's first day as a Sunbeam was. Awe. It was so nice that he thought about us. With 4 young kids, I'm glad he has time to know anyone else exists. I had completely forgot that I had 3 nephews start Sunbeams today too! I was actually happy to hear that he said Luke also had a hard time sitting the whole time of sharing and singing time. It confirms my son is a normal boy as I suspect. lol. I texted Jesse and Jenalyn to see how it was for them. Lucky Jenalyn got to sub for Liams class so she got to see it all. He's 9 mo older than Evan so he's way more mature but still 3 of course. Lucky for the permanent teacher to have varying levels of maturity in the class. Evan's energy may be a balance to  Liams type of reverence. lol. ;) Anyway, it's fun to have cousins the same age, having milestones together (if I only could remember this in advance). They will share so many as the years go by. Yay!

Biblical Thoughs by Lila

So I teach Sunday School for the Young Singles (18-30) in my congregation. I love them, they are so so smart and funny and good great people. We have a lot of change (attendance) since they are mostly students and they move to our college town then home for summer etc but still, I have a great group for the summer. They make me want to be a better teacher every week and keep me on my toes. As a result, I learn a lot myself even though I'm teaching. Anyway, this year, I have the privilege to teach from the New Testament inspired lesson manual. Each lesson and subject gets better and better and I am growing in my own understanding of Heavenly Father's Plan for us, as I teach. This week I just really loved the inspiration I felt and even had a little lesson in putting to work what I was teaching.

Imagine two gift boxes and the gifts you'd like to receive.

Box One represents one of the greatest gifts we can receive in this life. The 2nd box represents what the Lord called "the greatest of all the gifts of God". I don't know about you but I want them already :). The lesson was # 24 and roughly encompassed John chapters 14-17 when Jesus Christ was preparing his Apostles for his departure. It is definitely a compelling part of the mortal ministry of Christ-full of doctrines and advice for his disciples then and us today.

One thing the Savior left the Apostles with was "The Comforter" or the Holy Ghost. Before his death they had received Manifestations of the Spirit but not until his death did he leave them with the "gift" of the Holy Ghost to testify of God's plans for us on earth. Here is the described mission of the Holy Ghost: Comforts, Teaches, Brings truths to our remembrance, Testifies of the Savior, Guides us into all truth, shows us things to come and Glorifies the Savior. Ok so again, I think I could dig following that guy, right? :)

Box ONE: Gift of the Holy Ghost. check.

We talked about now that we've received this gift (after baptism), how we can remain worthy of it and how can we recognize it. I also want to ask, how do we help ourselves feel worthy of guidance of the H.G.. Galatians 5: 22-23 describes perfectly what I try to remember when I feel discouraged or even down. 22. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. In other words, Satan cannot influence or effect us if we have these attributes in our hearts and actions. I know I constantly feel inadequate and could use this encouragement and was grateful for this reminder.

The Apostles were further prepared for Jesus' death and resurrection by the Savior when he said "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). I cannot tell you how many insecurities and frustrations in my life have been or could have been alleviated by following this council. Either way, it impressed me to study and teach this too and I had to share it.

Finally, in what I consider a poetic and touching conversation with the Father, Jesus stood between us and and Him to plead for our salvation in John chapter 17. ("the great intercessory prayer) In it He said "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (john 17:3)

Box 2: Eternal Life

The lesson teaches that in the first part of his prayer, Jesus described the things he had done toward fulfilling his mission that the Father sent him to do. The lesson then asks how we report on our efforts to Heavenly Father and in that, I know I could improve greatly. If at the end of our day, we reported our efforts to serve him during the day, we'd have a lot less time to complain about anything wouldn't we. :) Note taken lesson... another thing I am happy to put on my long list of things I will work on.

I wanted to journal this for myself to read later but also felt it is motivating for others ready to hear it so I was determined to share it on the blog. I hope you are inspired by these scriptures (however scatterbrained it was portrayed) and by the sacrifice our Savior made for us. His final days were filled with work to do. He never gave up on his purpose on earth to the very end and that inspires me that I have time to improve and become my best self, mother, wife, sister, daughter etc every moment of my life. Be patient with me. I'm a little stubborn and defensive at first with somethings but I can really come around if you let me. :) God bless!

Our big Week... End. Before our new beginning.

After the already documented day of court on April 25th, C.G. was out of it...

... but still oh so good and cute. Daddy didn't mind lending her a shoulder. :)

The kids totally earned a little swim party after naps. They had the best time together and Evan figured out how to make the squirt toys squirt water for the first time ever:

um... yes. this IS the cutest bathing suit you've ever seen. ha ha. it was a gift at her baby shower that is finally fitting her. I couldn't bring myself to putting a big ol' diaper on her cause her buns looked so adorable in it! Thankfully she was potty free.

 Fast Forward to Saturday, April 30th, We are at the temple to FINALLY be sealed to Cora Grace. Ahhh... What a beautiful day it was by the way.

 And the friends and family that were able to make it to the ceremony are below (minus Chuck Scott who had to get home to Freda who wasn't feeling well. Sorry we missed getting your picture!). It was fun to take everyone's picture individually with Cora Grace. She loved it too? :) ha ha ha.

2nd couple: Amy and Asher, we had only met through the phone and computer through Tennessee FSA and we invited them to come, partly so we could finally meet them! Thank you guys so much for coming to our sealing, it was very special to have you there to celebrate the joy we share in Adoption.

 Here's the girl of the day... Cora Grace. Her dress was made by my sister in law Jennifer who is married to my brother Bennett who came to the Sealing and Blessing with my mom. Ben and Jen are the parents of Juliet (thier #4) who is 4 hours older than C.G. and just as cute. Let me just also mention that Jen made this dress while caring for 4 children, one being a nursing 6mo old and a husband. She hurried the job too because we thought we would be doing this 5 months ago. I am so happy her dress still fit after being made in December. That is a little blessing cause she worked so hard on it and I loved the design so much. Thank you Jen, you know we love you so much, we wish you and the kids could have made it out but we'll plan another time for you to make a trek to Tennessee from California. ha ha ha.

Our friend Rachel took many of these pictures of us. Thank you so much, we really appreciate your generosity and we got some good shots!

don't worry, that's Rachel's shadow to make sure she didn't fall while I took this picture. whew.

see! ;)

Not only did Jen make the dress but she made this bracelet for Cora and she even made it the whole day before riping it off and losing it. I found it later near her crib. Thankful. :)

My Mommy, Karla and my brother Bennett (6th of 11 children) were the representatives for my 10 siblings. :) If only airfair wasn't so ridiculous right now, more would have been able to make it but we were happy that anyone could come from California and we definately felt the love of all my family who wanted to come. I'm working on a transporter for any future events ya'll want to come to so you won't have to miss so much work or spend so much money to come see me (and vice versa). We enjoyed the 2 of you. We aren't used to that little of family around when we're together are we? ha ha ha. Usually we have around 30 people minimum at our family get togethers... homesick for California all the sudden.

Our local temple here in Franklin/Nashville Tennessee. We feel so blessed to have a temple so close to our home.

Sunday, May 1, 2011 was Cora's blessing. Michael gave it and was assisted by Bennett W. Spencer O., Stephen J.,  Christopher W., and Joel R. (maybe missing someone? hope not, sorry if I am). It was very nice: blessed that she was surrounded by love by parents, family and ward family. that many prayers were given in her behalf that she would be here. blessed to be strong, healthy, happy and that she has a sweet spirit. she will have a strong bond with her brother. blessed to recieve an education where she will seek knowledge and share it with others. she will be blessed with a love of the scriptures and the words of living prophets and testimony of Jesus Christ that she will share with others. blessed to choose a worthy husband who she will go to the temple with and be sealed as a family and to have children. At the end she was blessed again to know she is loved by all those around her.

When Bennett came back to sit down he said she was doing gymnastics in their arms, ha ha ha. Michael said she did a 360. :). Normally babies are around 1 month and sleeping when they recieve this blessing but Cora's couldn't be done until finalization and she was practically a toddler. Good thing they were all strong men. :)

4 others besides myself took notes of the blessing, thank you so much. Not only will I keep it for her but now my family who couldn't be there can 'hear' it. :)

Papa George and Grandma Jennie came from Nashville to hear my blessing.
 (although I'm not sure how much they heard as they were graciously entertaining Evan so I could hear and write what I could. Thank you!)

Evan showing some love to his official sister. It couldv'e been worse. ;)



Sealed

What a beautiful day we had today. What a blessing. Thank you for all that were able to make it and share this special moment with us. We enjoyed our visit with you and your spirits of love.

(more pictures and commentary from today, tomorrow after we have pictures of her blessing in the morning)

Sunday Meeting

Sunday was Fast and Testimony meeting at church as it was the first Sunday of the month. When I feel, moved I really enjoy getting up to share my testimony. Even if I was moved, there wouldn't have been a chance as there really was a steady stream of folks going up and it was really nice. Each one had something great for me to hear. Anyway, this Sunday Mike stayed home with the kids because Evan really wasn't feeling well Saturday with a lot of congestion etc. He was exhausted all day and we knew he would be irritable and sickly again for Sunday. Since I teach the 2nd hour (Young Single Adult Sunday School), there's no point in bringing C.G. who was healthy  so she got to stay at Daddy day-care too. Point being, I was alone for Sacrament meeting and instead of wrestling with Evan or trying to entertain him in order to keep his 'energy' from bursting out of our row, I was... Listening! I could hear people talking and knew what they were saying! LOL. Although I'd rather my family was there, for this Sunday, I was glad I could pay attention. I have had a lot on my mind lately and you are about to hear me babble a lot about it.
So first...I will paraphrase the comments that affected me. Sunday the bishop started the testimonies by inviting us to not put off repentance when we need to. He then shared a story where he described that this year, his family of 5 children and his wife sacrificed celebrating Thanksgiving and New Years weekend in order to get some projects finally done around their house. Hardwood floors were down for Thanksgiving and ALL their bathrooms were out of commission this past weekend as they tiled them all. He gave you the impression this is something they had been really needing and this was finally the time they could do it, they had all the materials and sounds likely that there was a details agenda to follow in order to finish at deadline. Although difficult at time it was finally finished, every little detail in place, including barricading the bathrooms while the tiles were setting... Enter his sweet 3yr old daughter, carefully stepping through the barricade and now many of the tiles were moved and uneven. But the analogy was that no matter how hard we try, plan and prepare, something can come into our lives to 'mess it up' so we must be prepared to fix it/repent. To me, he was also saying no one is exempt, we are all prone to things happening in our life that throw us off our path. I was kinda happy and relieved to be reminded of this lesson because no matter how much I want things to be going well, I fall short of my goals constantly. Many time's I forget to let God take over when I should and I wallow in self pity, blame and doubt for way longer than I would prefer! This is something I made a goal immediately to remedy. Next our friend Spencer gets up and is impressing me with his story. He went shooting (yes guns) the other day with Mike and some others and he described and old rifle he has from the 60's. Because of it's quirks and age, you must clean it right away before it 'gunks up' as he said. I assume he learned his lesson from personal trial or obedience to the rules of getting to own the gun where maybe someone else learned a lesson. Well he gets home, goes to his workbench to clean it ... no cleaning solvent. He was so disappointed with himself for not being prepared cause he knew immediately the consequence. Even using whatever he had around the house wouldn't work properly. He relayed it to life and our journey to return worthily to live with our Heavenly Father when this life is done. We may know the rules and think we have all the tools it takes to get there but we are bound to forget to stock up on what we need when we need it if we are not carefully taking an 'inventory' of our lives. He reiterated what the bishop was saying that no matter how prepared you feel, don't take for granted what can come and block your way (I'm a horrible para phraser, sorry! but i do know how it sparked something in me and that is all that matters). What I have taken from these two stories in these gentleman's testimonies was that I need to keep working hard at what I know how to do and learn how to do what I've dismissed as too hard. Don't take 'stocking up on ingredients' for granted so I can always make the cake. Make it a priority and know that I may fail but should keep working to make it as perfect as I can. Next it was good ol' Brother Liddell, I just love this guy and am grateful that I have been able to work with him in our Ward so much. Poor guy got all emotional recalling feelings and lessons of life and love he learned from his earthly parents, both long deceased. Those lessons he is thankful for and looks at fondly in his memory as he used them to teach his own children now. I imagine part of the emotion is seeing his children 'getting it' and teaching it back to him and their peers. I am also grateful for the lessons on love and life my parents have taught me. I do not always express my appreciation to them but do my best. Although my mom is what I would consider "the speaker of the house" in our household, I know my parents equally cared, prayed and supplicated over each of us in our trials and joys. I appreciate the many hours of counsel I received from my mother only to see her turn around and give more hours to another sibling in need. I am grateful for parents who are a good example to me of how to live a righteous life and by living that life with patience and understanding I will be blessed.
Last but not least, one of my favorite people to listen to is my friend Stacey. She is not perfect I'm sure but no one knows what could possibly be wrong with her that hasn't been translated yet (he he he). :) She is a lover of the scriptures and a student of the gospel. Now, I also love the scriptures and to study the gospel but she really really gets it! This time, she was speaking something plain and true that when she is seeking guidance for something in her life, she prays that what she reads in the scriptures will pertain to her quarry. Right now she was focused on parenthood and motherhood and being a wife I think she said. If it's not what she said, it's what I need so it's what I 'heard'. ;) Without words, she reminded me to: 1. Study the scriptures better and more often and 2. Pray for a specific guidance for what I stand in need of. I needed that spin on my studying also. I do pray before reading or studying but I'm always so worried about retention with the brain I have that I'm focused on praying for retention and understanding but in my personal study I will be working harder on asking to see the ways the scripture passages I'm reading, specifically pertain to my concern at the time. Thank you Stacey!
I have been quite reflective for the last few months. I have been really concerned about my self spiritually, physically and psychologically. I feel inadequate. I would like to communicate with Mike better: He has always been generous with his time for me and patient with my temper. I remember when I was younger praying that someone who married me would be able to hear what I have to say (when I'm upset) cause I can tend not to make sense. Well, I got him and I'm grateful not only does he use that gift but that I recognize it and give him credit for it. I do not want to say anything bad about parenthood or about my children cause both things are sacred to me and a gift I dreamed about and prayed for since I was a little girl, but, it is not easy. It has nothing to do with poopy diapers or crying children, skinned knees or when they wet the bed. It is when you have watched your angels all day and realize you ate nothing, that you blogged or something while they napped instead of the laundry and your husband is about to come home - silently thinking "what have you done today!?". It's the zombie parents tired from the day giving an obligatory welcome home hug and kiss then sitting in separate rooms to 'relax' afraid you will implode if you recount why you are so tired now. :) It's the lack of real conversation with Mike, the no dates without kids, the messes piling up so you can give them all your all, it's the house closing in on you cause there is just no more space, it's staying up way to late and waking up too early. I know how to 'fix' these things but haven't made the time. I also know this is an ongoing challenge but it is worth it to me because I am building an eternal family. A new obsession of mine is a show on the Biography channel or something, Beyond and Back or something like that where people literally die and come back then recount their experience to the show. In a way I am jealous of these people who get to remember the love and peace of God's presence, some are shown the good deeds of their life, some are shown 'snap shots' of the joys they experienced on earth and one lady described 're-living' her life in God's presence which included giving birth to her daughter and watching her grow but literally playing with her again (even though the daughter was now in her 20's at the time of her death). But as my lesson taught on Sunday... "We need not visit the Holy land to feel him close to us. We need not walk by the shores of Galilee or among the Judea hills to walk where Jesus walked. In a very real sense, all can walk where Jesus walked when, with his words on our lips, his spirit in our hearts, and his teachings in our lives, we journey through mortality".
So I can wait to be in God's presence and remember the words above. I'm looking forward to a full life on Earth to rear my children. Hopefully I will live worthy to hear that I taught them something good, one day. I only mentioned these few testimony's born on Sunday but I benefited not only from all of them tangibly but also spiritually because I knew they followed the spirit to go up in front of a congregation to tell us what they believe. Anyway, that's my 'sermon' for 2011. I just had to share because the day was so powerful for me. Thanks for listening.

Service

I am so excited about this service project that Mason K in our ward is doing with local Child Protective Services. Today in Relief Society, they announced that for his Eagle Project, he is making a sort of stuff sack for the kids. When they are removed from the home, apparently the case worker or representative shows up to the home, gives the kids a trash bag and 20-30min to cram whatever they can in it before they have to leave. I cannot express the sadness this inspires in me. Thinking of the fear and confusion it insites in these children when they are taken from their homes (for probably excellent reason!). But when they have such a short time to pack their life, it's a comfort to me to think at least for some, it won't be in a trash bag.
The women at church have been asked to help out by bringing fabric, ties and sewing machines to church on the 11th where we will make bags for the children to place their stuff in. I am really excited to be part of this and hope it inspires more service in the community. I don't have the supply list yet but if you have extra old fabric, thread or long shoelace/something to use for the tie that you aren't using and that you want to donate, please let me know and maybe we can arrange to meet each other somewhere. I'm sure it doesn't matter if it matches and I assume they will be the size of a large pillowcase or something just to give you the idea. I will post pictures of the outcome. If you are reading this and intersted in helping out, please let me know how you want to be involved and I'll see if they need the extra hands/sewing machines etc. I can't wait to talk about this again.