Tae Kwon Do

Tae Kwon Do has been a very good outlet for our strong, active Sam. His instructor is great--very strict, but good on the positive feedback.

Sam said in a conversation today, "C---- had to sit in time out because he tried to kick me. He was being soft, but we shouldn't kick. We should only kick in Tae Kwon Do class. I can kick really hard. When I kicked, Master S---- said, 'I really heard that snap.'"

Green Apple Scarf

I've finally finished my scarf (my first knitting adventure). It took me a few tries to get the width right, but I finally did it! I used a lovely hand-dyed wool and a seed stitch for the "pattern." It's a shame that it took me so long. The weather is warming up just when I'm ready to wear it.

The color isn't quite right in these pictures. The first picture is probably the best representation of the color.

Washington

Miriam came home from school the week of President's day with the old George Washington/cherry tree story. We all know that's false, right? Out of all the stories that could have been shared, and I'm pretty sure ol' George had an interesting life, her teacher chose to share a myth. They missed school for this holiday, so we have there attention. Couldn't we tell a true story about the man? Maybe she could have mentioned something about the Revolutionary War or the constitution. She could have even told of his greatness in refusing the office of President for a third term, showing that he believed in a country that didn't give too much power to only one man. If those stories seem too boring to captivate first greaders, I'm sure the woman could have found something else.

I can't decide if her teacher meant to tell this story. Maybe she explained that the story is told to show the honesty and integrity of our first president. Is it possible that this strong image of honesty will help Miriam as she learns more about him in the future? She will believe all his other great deads because she knows that he is honest. Or, will she ignore history in the future because some of her first lessons included myths taught as truth. She may think, "What can I believe, you make up stories." Which is more important, stuffy old facts or lovely myths? We revere Washington, so why not make him into some kind of legend? I'm thinking that Washington doesn't need made up stories to show his greatness. He did some pretty amazing things. Can we please teach our children about his real accomplishments.

Red Velvet Valentine

~success~

Lucky You

{Lucky you!The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

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. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, 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!}

How Do I Love Thee...

happy valentine's day.

Sam and I decided to make some valentines on this snowy day. We also made them on Monday and I'm sure that Miriam will want to have a go when she sees glitter all over the kitchen table. It was fun to take a minute to make something for my children and husband and to write a little love note.

And tomorrow, red velvet cupcakes. Mmmmm, any dessert with the word velvet in it is all right by me. It's a good thing there are holidays to finish out the winter.

Here are the things I am happy about on this grouchy, not enough sleep kind of day:

-Crunchy peanut butter on a spoon with chocolate chips
-nap time/quiet time
-carpools (on the weeks that I don't have to drive)
-homemade bread rising on the counter
-and a new The New Yorker in my mailbox

Here I come to save the day

Miriam ran through the living room in only her underwear hollering, "Super Girl to the restroom!"

December

These are some of the things we have enjoyed this month.

Playing Samuel the Lamanite and dodging marshmellows. Sam said, "Repent!"

Playing in the snow. Ben loves all things outside.

Making delicious molasses candy (on the second try).


Watching Miriam tap, tap, tap, tapioca.

Singing Christmas songs in the tabernacle.

Christmas Lights

For a family night outing, we went to the Layton City "Lights Before Christmas." Yes, they are a tad cheesy (mermaid and peacock displays), but the kids loved it. Ben was especially excited. He kept yelling happily, telling us all about the lights around him.

We have been having a lovely Christmas month so far. The shopping is done and the cards are almost done. I only need to make some molasses candy to send out to our neighbors. The smell of molasses candy cooking on the stove signifies the real beginning of Christmas for me. I hope all my Christmases can be this simple in the years to come. I feel like we've been able to enjoy many quiet evenings, lovely outings, and simple discussions about the Savior. All is well in our world right now. I hope you are all enjoying this season as well.

Window Shopping

I have enjoyed thinking about this necklace today. Now, I'm not usually one for jewelry and I'm not usually a fan of words on jewelry, but this necklace makes me smile. It makes me think of all things little girl.

The close up picture is a link to the site with this necklace, and other such things.

Cloudy Days

Some days, unfortunately, my hair looks like this. And some days I'm super grouchy. I just need to remember that I'm a mom, even on my bad days. The scriptures say, "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children" (Isaiah 54: 13). Wouldn't it be great if my daily goal was to give my children peace? To send them out on their daily adventures with peace in their heart. Maybe I need to include in my morning routine the song my friend Sarah taught me. "Go now in peace. Go now in peace. May the love of God surround you, every where, every where, you may go." I have such rumblings in my soul that I wish I could calm. If my heart is full of goodness and peace, my children can have that peace too. So today, I will try to breath deeply and take it slow. I will think before I respond, giving myself the opportunity to act as I ought to act. And in doing so, I can have and give peace.

Leftovers

For breakfast, I think I'll have a banana
and a slice of pecan pie. Mm.

It's Autumn Time

We've trying to enjoy this lovely fall weather. I'm dreading the cold months to come. While I enjoy jackets, sweaters, scarves, mittens and hats, I do not enjoy the weather that requires these clothes. Well, I enjoy the snow a little bit. It would be great if it was only snowy and cold from December thru February. Spring starting in March would be great.



We gathered some sticks and flowers and made a fairy house. Miriam decided that the mini pumpkin could be the table. It was great fun creating a little house out of our outdoor gatherings. We each contributed what interested us most. I enjoyed finding interesting sticks, Sam liked finding berries for food, and Miriam enjoyed adding the flowers. Ben is just happy doing anything outside.




Miriam recently asked about the tooth fairy. "Mom, Carly told me that her friend told her that the tooth fairy is just your mom. Is she right?" Hmmm....I had to quickly come up with a way of telling her the truth while still giving her space to enjoy the magic in such things. A couple days after this conversation, she asked if Santa was real and before I could answer she said, "Oh yeah, I know. He's real." I guess she just wasn't ready to hear about that one.

Mostly we just follow the kids on the whole Santa thing. I say vague things like, "Santa is the fun part of Christmas" and "Santa is magic." I'm not quite able to create the story for them. I feel like I should be the source of truth for them, but I also want them to have the magic and fun of these mythical figures. Spencer and I have decided that if they ever ask us point-blank, we'll tell them the truth. Miriam almost got that this year. I suspect she'll ask again soon. How do you balance this truth/myth thing?

Celebrate

Yeah! A new president! I'm so excited. Have fun watching and reading the news today.

Outside

There's nothing like standing out in the cool, autumn morning with the warm sun on my face. Little Ben is happiest outside, which helps me to better enjoy my day because I am also happiest outside. This is something I regularly forget. If I'm having a bad day, I just need to step outside and take a deep breath of fresh air, and I'm a different person. Take a minute and just enjoy what is going on outside your house right now, rain or shine. Doesn't that help?

Halloween

doughnuts

pumpkins

costumes

Happy Halloween!

Kirtland Temple

Blossoming

Gifts

My trip to see Sarah in Cleveland was lovely. I began and ended the trip with the book, Gift From the Sea. The author writes of her experience alone on an island. The beginning chapters talk of finding peace--of taking a breath from the chaos that can happen with children, housework, etc. This is just what I needed, what I hoped my trip would give me. While there, I was given great gifts.



Sarah provided me with my own little sanctuary. Her finished attic was my home for the week. I had my own door to close and a small desk for writing. On a table by my bed there was a candle and in the bathroom, some bath salts. Every morning I came down to a delicious and wholesome breakfast (with a vitamin by my plate) and every night I enjoyed homemade lasagna's, pasta's, and other such yumminess (none of which I had to prepare). In short, Sarah took care of me.

As a mom, I have the divine role of nurturer to my family. Sometimes, as I am caring for the needs of my family, I forget that I too need nurturing. This little 'kerchief from Sarah will remind that I can nurture myself and create a nurturing environment among the women around me.



And of course, there was pie--not just one pie, but six. Sarah and I decided to throw a pie and paint-chip poetry party. She invited her new friends and we ate and laughed and snapped our fingers. This reminded me that life is joyful. I can love my life. That is a choice.

Without the noise of everyday, I remembered a lot about myself. I have always wanted to play the violin. Somehow this came up after the pie party. During lingering conversations with the last guest and the remarkable woman said, "I have two violins. I should just give you one." I laughed and thought, "Well, she'll probabgly change her mind when she really thinks about what she's offered." She didn't.

I discovered a scripture that explains my week in Ohio. "And make proposals for peace . . . and all things shall work together for your good." I have had a great need for some peace and healing, and God provided a way for me to find that, and hey, a violin too.

So nurture your soul, find joy, and open your heart to the love and gifts from God.