We need a little Christmas...

As usual, Christmas has crept up on me.  And even though I feel fairly organized, we don't have a tree up because we've been dealing with other things.  Christmas music has been playing in our home, I've been performing Christmas songs with a women's seeing group, and the ward Christmas party is tonight.  So I'm not going to sweat the small stuff.  So what if our house doesn't look like the Griswald's.  As long as we've are remembering the reason for the season, I think we are doing just fine.

Even though Santa is visiting the party tonight, one of the things that will be in the treat bag is this picture and scripture.  The kids will be singing The Nativity Song and Away In a Manger, and we wanted to keep the Savior uppermost in their thoughts.

And for some sweet Christmas music, Design Mom posted this on her blog today.




{Can't help but think of the scene in Miss Congeniality. Hilarious.}

Prize...31 Days of Creating with Meaning

When I listened to the talk What I Hope My Granddaughters and Grandsons will Understand about Relief Society given by Julie Beck at last month's Relief Society Conference, one of the lines that really jumped out at me was this:

I hope my granddaughters value the temple as did the sisters of the first Relief Society, who believed that temple blessings were the grand prize and great goal of every Latter-day Saint woman.

It's like the words were lit up on a marquee.  I knew I had to do something with it!  So here's what I came up with: a mixed media, re-purposed canvas.

Here is some more from that paragraph:

I hope that, like early Relief Society sisters, my granddaughters will strive daily to become sufficiently mature to make and keep sacred temple covenants and that when they do go to the temple, they will pay attention to all that is said and done. Through the blessings of the temple, they will be armed with power and blessed to receive “the key of the knowledge of God.”  Through the ordinances of the priesthood found only in temples, they will be blessed to fulfill their divine, eternal responsibilities, and they will promise to live as committed disciples. I am grateful that one of the Lord’s primary purposes in organizing Relief Society was to give the women the responsibility to help each other prepare “for the greater blessings of the priesthood found in the ordinances and covenants of the temple.”

This is what the canvas looked like.  I picked it up, with its yellow frame, at a garage sale a while back for $3.00!

 With some paint, paper, and the oh-so-fabulous mod podge, a temple scene was born.  To make the tree look 3-D-

 I just stacked up some paper punches and glued them together to make extra large pop dots.

 The temple, cloud and sun were cut freeform because I like the imperfect look.  Then I thought it was a little bit too much blue, so I wadded up a paper towel and pounced some white on the background.

To make the "grand prize" ribbon, I just cut 2 strips of 12x12 inch paper about 2 inches wide and made accordion folds 1/2 inch wide and then glued the strips together on the ends to make a circle, scrunched it together in the middle, and hot glued it to a piece of cardstock cut into a circle.

I know my ribbon is sideways, but I wanted the words "are the" to be going the right way, and I wanted "grand prize" to be on the rosette.  So I took some artistic license.   Instead of Moroni, a simple yellow flag adorns the tallest spire.  The flowers are made like these spiral ribbon flowers, only mine are very loosey goosey  These flowers by Donna Downey, or these on the Studio Calico blog would have been way cute, but I was already done when I found them.  Maybe for the next project...

I used black ink around everything to make it pop off the canvas, and then I even took a black pen and doodled around a bit.  I was a little bit scared to, but got over it quick and started drawing, mainly around the outsides of everything and some scallops on the banner.

For more detail, click on the picture to zoom in.

Even though losing my domain put me into a tailspin, I'm going to try to catch up on my 31 Days of Creating with Meaning.

The temple is a House of God, a place of love and beauty...

The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

Front view of the Nauvoo, IL, Temple.

Nauvoo, IL, Temple

These pictures were taken by Natalia at age 12 when she was in Nauvoo for my cousin's wedding.  She went there with her Grammy, aunts and cousins.

I have a special place in my heart for the Nauvoo temple; my Great-Great-Great-Great Grandparents lived adjacent to the temple. That Grandmother Nancy Naomi Alexander Tracy was present when the cornerstone was laid, and later had to leave behind the temple and her children who had died while they were living in Nauvoo when they were forced to leave and move West.  I know she took great solace in knowing they had an eternal family and that she would see those children again someday.

My sister Monie and her husband Kyle live in Nauvoo and she and my other sister Tara were both married there.  My sister Emily and her family were recently sealed to their adopted son in the Nauvoo temple.

 

This is the St. Louis temple.  Our family was sealed here in 2010.  It was a wonderful and amazing experience that I thought might never happen.  But it did.

Here are Joe's (the birthday boy!) thoughts about that day:

My brothers and sister and I went to the childrens rooms and played with some toys.  We changed into our white temple clothes  We had a snack and watched a movie about temples.  I explored the hallway, and then we went to the sealing room and met our parents.  There were a lot of people from church and my grammy and grandpa were there, too.  We were sealed as a forever family.  It was very special.

We went back to the childrens rooms to change into our church clothes.  We met a family with 24 kids.  One of the sisters was getting married that day.  They had so many people in their family that they drove a bus instead of a car.  I'm happy that my family can be forever.

There are no words to describe what a special day it was, and I am grateful to my Heavenly Father to have my family gathered close around me for time and all eternity.

I'm linking here: 

 

Celebrate the Family

Does anyone remember the old commercials that ended:  Family--Isn't it about time?  This is one of my favorites, with lots of action and adventure.



Montserrat from Chocolate on My Cranium is co-hosting the 2nd annual celebration on The Family: A Proclamation to the World; Celebrate Family 2011 along with Jocelyn from We Talk of Christ We Rejoice In Christ, Shannon from The Redheaded Hostess (who inspired me to start a real-live Scripture Journal) and JRoberts from Welcome to the Madness.

I'm so excited, because I obviously need some help in keeping the family #1.  I always get bogged down in the everyday stuff--like making sure everyone has clean underwear and showers on a regular basis--and not enough time on what will strengthen the family ties.

I was thinking about families, or more specifically, our family, while delivering stacks of laundry to the kids' rooms, and I saw the poster that Joe has hanging in the boys' room with his name broken down like this:  Joyful, Outstanding, Smart, Enthusiastic, Polite, Heroic.  And believe me, he is all of those things.

But that also got me wondering what words I would use to describe FAMILY.  I'm going with Friendship, Attitude, Marriage, Integrity, Love, You.  So many different words can be used, but I have specific reasons why I chose these for my "acronym".

First is Friendship.  Our family has to be friends with each other, or have a mutual respect for one another, if our family is going to have the strength to hold off Satan and the ways of the world that come creeping into our lives.  You know what they say about the weakest link, and I don't want our family to have friendship be that weak link.

Here are a few quotes to help me in my journey.  I love me some quotes.

Could anyone be more deserving of respect than a literal child of God? Each of us—husband and wife, parent and child—has that marvelous heritage and potential. Sometimes we lose sight of each others true worth. But as we give respect, our love deepens, potential blossoms, and eternal relationships grow stronger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our family-centered perspective should make Latter-day Saints strive to be the best parents in the world. It should give us enormous respect for our children, who truly are our spiritual siblings, and it should cause us to devote whatever time is necessary to strengthen our families. Indeed, nothing is more critically connected to happiness—both our own and that of our children—than how well we love and support one another within the family.”

What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest  M. Russell Ballard

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happiness in Family Life

is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love,compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.

~ The Family: A Proclamation to the World ~

It all boils down to this.  It's one of the most basic things we learn in the Gospel and is the second commandment.

Prior Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance

Be Prepared.

Almost every time my family goes on a trip I am the last person out of the house. I stop and look around, just to make sure I am not forgetting anything. I want to be totally prepared for whatever we might encounter. Do I have extra water bottles? It never fails that a mile or two down the road Monkey will be "so thirsty!" Did I remember to pack the toothbrushes, the hairdryer, and extra socks?

Preparation is so important, no matter what we are doing. In order to do something right, we need to have all of the proper tools. One of my Grandmother's sayings was "Prior planning prevents piss-poor performance." If we didn't have something fully planned out and it showed, she would say, "PPP!" And we knew what she meant. And she really had a point!


I recently read an article that recommended starting with an emergency water supply and a 72-hour Emergency Kit.  That really is common sense stuff, so why hadn't I thought of it that way?  The most important thing we will need in an emergency is water, then food and other emergency supplies.

The earthquake in Japan yesterday just drove home that point to me.  If there was an earthquake, fire, or any other kind of disaster (Katrina ring a bell?), are we prepared to evacuate our home on a moment's notice?

We have 72-hour Kits.  They are stashed in the hall closet.  Each of the kids has a backpack with supplies, food, clothes, and water.  We go through them twice a year and rotate the food out, packing new items in their place.  There are ready-made kits available, but ours are morphed together from my original Emergency Kit that my parents had for me and things that we've added along the way.

Some things we have in the kids' packs:

• change of clothes and shoes (shoes can be tied onto the outside of the backpack to save room)
• small first aid kit
• toiletries including:
• small bottle of shampoo
• small bar of soap
• toothbrush and paste
• toilet paper
• whistle
• flashlight with batteries packed separately
• waterproof matches
• emergency blanket
• poncho
• food to last 72 hours*
• a book and a coloring book and pens or crayons
• multi-tool or pocket knife
• some hard candy or fruit snacks (in an emergency you need something feel-good, too!)
• several water bottles, plus two 2 liter bottles of water

*The food we pack is VERY simple.  I buy boxes of Protein bars at Costco and divy them out.  I'll also add things like trail mix, fruit leather,  regular granola bars and jerky.  I even have cans of peanuts, cans of sardines and small tins of beans and franks (they have pop tops to eliminate the need for can openers.)  I try to keep it to food that does not need to be cooked.  We've packed hot cocoa mix and oatmeal packets, but those would require hot water to prepare them properly, even though they could actually be eaten cold or even dry.  I don't think beggars will be choosers. I also like to keep a combination of carbs and protein to keep energy up.  If there is an emergency, chances are calories will be burned with the adrenaline that is pumping!

Some things I want to add:

• a rope
• garbage bag
• plastic spoons
• a paper or tag with contact information and phone numbers for home, cell phones, and family in another area that may not be affected by the emergency.
• travel pack of baby wipes (always handy, especially when you don't have a lot of water available)
• a couple of matchbox cars for the little boys

Other things to pack for young children (of which I have none anymore):

• diapers
• baby food/formula
• medications
• small toys
• extra extra clothes
• receiving blanket 

Can you think of anything else that should be added to a Kids Emergency Kit?

I hope we never have to use these, but I feel better knowing they are ready and available.  And I don't want my grandma shaking her head and saying, "PPP!"

Here are some more links for 72-hour Emergency Kit information:

Ready.gov

72hours.org

The American Red Cross

Article from TheProvince.com

What had me cracking up this morning...

My New Life

Stephanie is such an inspiration to me. I've followed her blog and her story since before her accident. Her family took care of her babies while she was in a coma for months. Brother Holland's words at the end of the video are so powerful. And Stephanie has survived the ultimate "trial by fire".

CRAZY!

And then it was October. I think I missed September. Really. I don't even remember it!



I've been busy with, well: kids, chickens, Mellisa's kids, PTO, and it still feels like I'm more behind than ever.



But, since I should be doing something productive, I'll forget about work and share some of my new favorite things:



The Black Apple is awesome. I love Emily Martin's art! Now Jenny Hart from Sublime Stitching has Black Apple patterns. Makes me want to take up embroidery.



This is my favorite song right now. Something about the guitar. Mmm.



Sunflower seeds. I just read in a magazine that if you crave something salty, eat sunflower seeds. The magnesium in them gives you a natural energy boost. I can totally justify my addiction to seeds now. Need I say more?

When I'm in a scrapbooking rut, I go here to PageMaps. Love it!

Can't wait for conference!

FHE Games

+ = FUN!

We've had so much success with our "Scripture Spoons" that Andy had the idea to play "Scripture Candy Land" tonight. I'll let you know how it goes.

Reflections of Christ

Because of the time change we were actually early to church this morning. I commented to Andy that wouldn't it be nice if we had a time change every Sunday, and he said that eventually it would catch up to us. Oh, well.

I have choir practice Sunday mornings at 8:15, and this morning we practiced the song we will sing for Thanksgiving "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing", which is a beautiful song.

Tonight while checking my e-mail, I received one from Deseret Book about a new book, Reflections of Christ. Photographer Mark Mabry first shot the photos for the Reflections of Christ exhibit as a way to promote the Mesa Arizona Temple's Easter Pageant. Reflections of Christ is fast becoming internationally known to people of many Christian faiths and the exhibit is currently touring the United States and Canada.

If you click here, you will find a video of some of those photographs accompanied by that song, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". Trust me, those few minutes will be worth it.

Family Home Evening Idea

We try to plan Family Home Evening in advance, but sometimes the most fun we have had has been when we've been the most spontaneous.

A couple of weeks ago we decided to play Scripture Spoons. We laid out 5 spoons, then played the regular Spoons card game, but left the Jokers in. Whenever a Joker was passed, someone would read a few verses from the scriptures. Then, when a player collected a hand with four-of-a-kind and grabbed spoons, whoever was left without a spoon read some more.

We played for quite a while, and will probably play every few weeks.

What? It's October already? No, really, you're kidding, aren't you.

Wow, where did September GO! Not to mention this whole year. Lots going on here in the middle of MO, not the least of which is my new baby neice. I'll post pictures soon. (forgot the camera. Oops!) Oh, wait, I'll steal one of Tara's pictures. Her name is Kady Scarlett, and I'm already her favorite Auntie.

I know you're dying to hear more from me (just kidding!) so I'll post some more soon!

Pioneer Day #1

Pioneer Day commemorates the entry of Brigham Young, and the first group of Mormon Pioneers in to the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, where the Latter-day Saints settled after being forced from Nauvoo, Illinois and other locations in the eastern United States.

In addition to being an official holiday in Utah, Pioneer Day is considered a special occasion by many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On Pioneer Day, some Latter-day Saints reenact walking the Mormon Trail or entering the Salt Lake Valley by handcart.

When I was growing up in rural Wisconsin, I loved Pioneer Day. We would celebrate in different ways, but one of my sisters and my favorite Pioneer Day was the year Dad built an actual handcart (to be used in the handcart races, of course!) We played endlessly with that handcart. Mellisa made Emily and I tote her around all over the farm in it.

Sugardoodle has a ton of fun activities to do the whole week. I think the kids and I will plan some fun things to do on Pioneer Day. We’ll let you know what we decide!

Win a book!

Author Anne Bradshaw is sponsoring a contest on her blog, and the prize is an Advance Reader’s Copy of J. Scott Savage’s new book, Water Keep. It’s the first book in his new five book Young Adult fantasy series called Farworld.

The published hardback version of Water Keep appears in stores this September 2008. This paperback ARC is a collector's item of which only a few are given away.

If you have a blog and would like a chance to win this ARC, just (1) mention this contest on your blog, then (2) link over to Anne Bradshaw and leave a comment letting her know about your post. To quote Rachel Ray, “Easy Peasy!”

Contest runs through the end of June. Winner will be drawn at random from the comments on Anne’s post. Prize will be sent directly from the publisher, Deseret Book’s Shadow Mountain.

*I must say that I love YA Fantasy. And by an author who is also LDS? Cool!*

Happy Easter!

We've filled the eggs, made the food, and baked some Hot Cross Buns. We're ready for Easter.

Or maybe not.

Like most of the holidays we celebrate, Easter, of course, began as a religious observance.

I decided to check out the Easter lesson in the Family Home Evening Manual, and there is an Easter Program already outlined, which I adapted to use for our family.

Another great resource is a new website by the LDS church about our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

And as much as I LOVE them, it really isn't about the chocolate bunnies.

Easter is about the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, who died that I might live.

The Passing of a Prophet

President Gordon B. Hinckley, leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, prophet, seer and revelator, died Sunday evening at the age of 97. President Hinckley was the prophet for most of my adult life, and it has been a blessing to be able to hear and follow his counsel. President Kimball was the prophet I from my childhood, but I remember so much more that President Hinckley said and did. The six B's, which went to the 9 B's, all of the temples that were built and dedicated, his sense of humor that went hand-in-hand with his amazing spirituality.

Andy and I were privileged to hear him and Sister Hinckley speak at the Sacramento Area Conference 11 or 12 years ago. It was held at the Arco Arena, which was filled with people in their Sunday best eager to hear the words of a living prophet. He was an amazing example of leadership tempered with humilty.

This is how I will always remember him: "I am no longer a young man filled with energy and vitality. I am an old man. I'm given to meditation and prayer. I would enjoy sitting in a rocker, swallowing prescriptions, listening to soft music, and contemplating the things of the universe. But such activity offers no challenge and makes no contribution. I wish to be up and doing. I wish to face each day with resolution and purpose. I wish to use every waking hour to give encouragement, to bless those whose burdens are heavy, to build faith and strength of testimony."

He has left such a legacy.

One more quote from the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley: "We honor best those who have gone before when we serve well in the cause of truth."