Lovin’ Lily

So Lily was excited about doing something special for valentine's day. This is such a perfect holiday to fit her personality! Anyway, she made each person in her class a valentine water bottle that said "Love Juice". Attached was a packet of lemonade to mix with the water. She had a blast making them up and labeling them. Only problem was that the crate of 20+ water bottles was too heavy to take on the bus. So I took them to school, only to discover that she was very particular that her friends not see them before it was time for delivery.  So her teacher, Mrs. Hexam, helped her find (during the middle of class) a hiding place across the hall. She is a very patient and nice teacher.

Another lovin' Lily moment came in a photo shoot that Stacy (Lexi's friend) and Lexi did for Lily one random night.

First Late Night

Olivia inquired what she was going to do that was "fun" while everyone went to ski school this January. I told her we would have loads of fun and we tried, but nothing was as much fun as the night that was declared "late night". She was able to invite 2 friends over to have some fun. We rented movies and a wii game, and did crafts. We also made heart shaped pancakes. I almost had as much fun as Olivia, Emery Hatch, and Emily Miller. Cute & sweet little dolls.

We had only one minor hitch, when Stephen called declaring the he was hung up at work and not going to make it to ski school. This effected me because he had Mason, Lexi, and Lily's boards in his truck! I got the honored privilege of driving up to Kelly Canyon, with 4 kids in the car that needed to go to the bathroom, to deliver the boards and then quickly make it back home to put on a late night. Never a dull moment….:)

He’s a Star

Mason is progressing along the ranks of scouting and at this past Blue and Gold Scout Banquet/Court of Honor found himself with 6 more merit badges, a 10 month camper award, and a scout advancement to Star Scout. He is has only 1 more required merit badge to go for his eagle and is beginning to get excited about his upcoming project. He would love to groom and mark a mt. bike trail up at Kelly Canyon for his project. He will see what the committee says when the time comes closer!

Four came a knocking at the door

My sweet little boy turned 4! He had a great Sunday birthday. He came to church all geared up to be sung to in Primary and he wasn't disappointed. He got his treat and went to visit the bishop for another special prize in 6th ward fashion. I love being able to see Primary through his eyes – it is truly a sweet blessing in my life. He loves to sing, "Choose the Right" and "Nephi's Courage". Nephi is his scripture hero and he wants to "go and do the things the Lord commands".

Because his birthday was on Sunday we delayed opening presents until after church. He was so excited to unwrap his gifts and he enjoyed each tear of the paper. His big gift was a CD Player. He has been enjoying it everyday and blasts it so loud that I have to threaten him that I will take it away if he can't turn it down. A special treat was getting to have the Puzey Family up for dinner – some of JT's favorite people. We had fun with an impromptu talent show and then Grandparents – Baldwins and Parkers arrived to share some Lego Cake and Ice Cream.

A note on JT's personality. He is quite a talker – until he is around someone he doesn't know, and then he turns into a shy guy. I am working with him to say good-bye & thanks to his pre-school teachers. I hope that by the last day we conquer this! As soon as he hops into the car he won't stop talking about all of the great adventures he had. He really likes to play games on the computer now that he has mastered clicking with the mouse. He also loves to play games on my iphone or the ipad. He seems to really enjoy Scooby Do, and likes to play with Olivia and tease her too. His favorite color is blue. He likes to watch Mason jump his bike and play with remote control cars, he "helps" Lexi practice her voice lesson or clean her room – she likes to spend time with the little dude, and Lily is one of is best babysitters and cleaner of his room. He will never turn down spending time in the garage with Stephen. He loves his dad to tuck him in to bed at night, but when he comes to mom and dad's room in the middle of the night – he seems to like to find Mom.

JT is a special guy and our family is soo lucky to get to experience his life with him in our home.

37 Years old and slowly gaining the wisdom of being able to say NO

I turned 37 on February 24. Thirty-Seven! For some reason that just seemed a lot older than I expected? I admire those that have lived longer than me and respect their wisdom, ambition, and determination to endure well. I eagerly hope to be like them as I join the ranks of getting older and wishfully wiser too. Having said that and genuinely meaning it, I am a little caught off guard to "feel old" when I voice aloud (or write it down) the official grand total of the years I've been living. 37 – wow. It is good to be here though. I'm happy to learn from the experiences of life – good and bad.

A thought on being wiser…

I have a confession to make: I quit ward choir.

it is not characteristic of me. I have been self-evaluating/questioning my decision for the past month since calling the choir director and resigning. At the time if felt like the best plan for survival but the last few weeks I began to doubt and wonder if: I am not willing to sacrifice as much as others? or if I'm not being supportive enough? These thoughts plagued me more each day, until one day my visiting teachers showed up. I laughingly expressed my doubts to them and then I heard their words of advice come. Words that I already tried to tell myself but didn't know how to believe until somebody else verified with their opinion too. "Those feelings of doubt are from Satan." Of course he would want me to feel guilty and unworthy and judged by others for not attending choir. How silly my thoughts all sound in retrospect! It IS WARD CHOIR after all NOT Sacrament meeting.

I believe it is possible for me to get too excited about all of the "good/better" things offered through the programs of our church, in which I am readily willing to support and attend and join all in the hopes of becoming a better person/wife/mother, that I begin to go whacky and think of these supplemental options as mandatory. Taking this approach, for me, can be counterproductive, as noted above. I realize now the need for me to back pedal a bit and realize which things are "BEST". I credit my wise mother for teaching me and giving me the green light and the courage to say, "NO" (temporarily) to a church thing such as choir. She helped me understand that there is a season and time to do all good/better things, and that my eternal salvation doesn't hang on the thread of ward choir right now. It will be nice to get the opportunity to sing again someday, but for now I am supporting the ward choir from the fourth row back on the left hand side of the chapel with my husband's arm around me. I've learned to cherish (not take for granted) singing praises each Sunday through opening, closing, and sacrament songs as a rewarding spiritual investment.

This little experience has taught me the wisdom of enjoying the simple & essential ways the gospel offers me to progress toward to my eternal goals. 1. Deep contemplation and learning through the SCRIPTURES. 2. Devotion to remember the Savior through heartfelt understanding of the SACRAMENT prayers. 3. Personal REVELATION and reminders to live worthy to be a part of an eternal FAMILY through TEMPLE Attendance. 4. Less treats and handouts and more meaningful SERVICE and genuine concern for sisters I visit teach, for all youth in my ward (YW/YM as well as Primary Kiddos), and especially my FAMILY. 5. Humble & submissive PRAYERS offered and regularly linked with FASTING.

I can see that by saying NO more often to the nice to do list it can really help me feel liberated and at peace! I hope these simple goals will stick to me long and I won't have to relearn them very often in my old age (hahaha) as life "happens".

President’s Weekend

We took a ride north for President's Day Weekend and found ourselves on an icy path the new Parker Cabin. It isn't quite finished, which is one of the reason's for our visit, but it was just as much fun! We spent a little time cutting and nailing trim and then topped off the visit with a spin in the snow. It was a fun time to spend with Grandpa and Grandma Parker, Paul & Karma, and the Miller Fam. Paul & Karma got our family excited about acrobats – hence the fun photos. Chalked up to another great family memory.

p.s. sorry the pictures are such terrible quality.

Learning to Swim

I have been on a quest to achieve balance in my life for several years! It is a game that I play with myself that I never feel like I'll come close to winning. I study articles, I vent about it with my friends, I talk about it while I eat dinner with Stephen on our dates, I look for examples around me, and then I feel bewildered as I excuse myself falling short. I set the goal and put new ideas into motion and then realize after random evaluations that I need to try again. On some days I can't take the time to care, because I am spinning and juggling and swimming in the sea of insanity, but yesterday, as I drove down the road in my dirty car all by myself I noticed the beautiful weather and the promise of spring nudged at my memory. It spiraled random thoughts in my head until I ended up with the idea that just like the seasons are constantly changing – so are the events in my life. I determined that just when I begin to feel a handle on "things" and feel optimistic that I can manage, a "new" event enters the scene and the balancing act starts over. And so the story goes….This has to be why as I constantly seek balance, I feel like I'm on a treadmill for life. The trick, I discovered through my thoughts yesterday, is to keep the objective in mind, but also be realistic & flexible with myself and just keep trying. I think this is the process Heavenly Father has in mind. Balancing life is more of a quest or journey – something ideal to try for, but it most certainly will never have a finality or end – like sleeping and eating. And now that I stopped to process it all, I like this concept of "balancing" more. There is a great article in the February 2012 Ensign on it all.

The words of Dory the fish from "Finding Nemo" find new meaning to me and I sing, "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim." 

Learning to Swim

I have been on a quest to achieve balance in my life for several years! It is a game that I play with myself that I never feel like I’ll come close to winning. I study articles, I vent about it with my friends, I talk about it while I eat dinner with Stephen on our dates, I look for examples around me, and then I feel bewildered as I excuse myself falling short. I set the goal and put new ideas into motion and then realize after random evaluations that I need to try again. On some days I can’t take the time to care, because I am spinning and juggling and swimming in the sea of insanity, but yesterday, as I drove down the road in my dirty car all by myself I noticed the beautiful weather and the promise of spring nudged at my memory. It spiraled random thoughts in my head until I ended up with the idea that just like the seasons are constantly changing – so are the events in my life. I determined that just when I begin to feel a handle on “things” and feel optimistic that I can manage, a “new” event enters the scene and the balancing act starts over. And so the story goes….This has to be why as I constantly seek balance, I feel like I’m on a treadmill for life. The trick, I discovered through my thoughts yesterday, is to keep the objective in mind, but also be realistic & flexible with myself and just keep trying. I think this is the process Heavenly Father has in mind. Balancing life is more of a quest or journey – something ideal to try for, but it most certainly will never have a finality or end – like sleeping and eating. And now that I stopped to process it all, I like this concept of “balancing” more. There is a great article in the February 2012 Ensign on it all.

The words of Dory the fish from “Finding Nemo” find new meaning to me and I sing, “Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.”

I’m gonna go and take a chance….

Meet the new Lexi! She is sporting a new "do". Yesterday, she took the plunge and chopped off almost ALL of her hair. She is so bold, brave, & confidant. I am a bit jealous of her qualities. I guarantee that I don't have the kind of self-confidence she does, let alone back as a freshman in high school! Being the conservative person that I am, I went through all of the reasons with her that she may not like short hair, but she stuck to her guns. In fact, I think she even wanted it cut more after these conversations. When we got to the one about how basically 90% of all boys like long hair better on girls, she said, "I don't care about any stinking boys. I don't have to impress them. They should like me for who I am – what's inside!" Bamm!! That is right! Way to be Lex – you are so right on. She is lucky to have a beautiful face and be able to carry long or short hair well. Kacie Hatch King cut it for her and was so dang cute while she cut it. It was a fun experience for Lex. I'm sure this will be a moment she will always remember. She was so excited the night before her hair cut that she couldn't even sleep. She has always loved the song, "Whole Wide World" from Mindy Gledhill – it must be "her" song, listen to it and decide for yourself. Once this girl makes up her mind with anything involved she is unstoppable. I think she is a bit like her dad – LOVE that about her!

Comments:

kenzie said…

WOW lexi!!!!!!!! i love your new look!
it’s super cute!!!
Thursday, January 26, 2012 10:05:59 AM

Jana said…

I love it Lex…you look awesome!
Thursday, January 26, 2012 2:57:34 PM

Stacie said…

I am loving it! Way cute! You could get away with anything though! You are so adorable! Love ya!
Wednesday, February 01, 2012 8:06:22 AM

Paige said…

i love it lex! you look adorable!!!!! And i love what you said about the boys who should like as you are! 🙂 i love you!!!!
Wednesday, February 01, 2012 4:06:37 PM

Worthy and Willing

For one last  journal entry this month I thought I would put in some kind of random thoughts I put together to share at a meeting. I was asked to talk about "The Role of the Church" from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2010 Handbook. In the handbook it states, "The Church provides the organization and means for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to all of God's Children. It provides the priesthood authority to administer the ordinances of salvation and exaltation to all who are worthy and willing to accept them." Hope this makes sense to anyone who chooses to read…

The organization of the Church helps us put the knowledge of the gospel into motion. Our Heavenly Father has laid this out to help us reach our full potential as a human being on the earth. It enables us to be taught and then choose with our free agency the path required to salvation & exaltation. The most obvious way is through the ordinance of baptism and then later temple covenants we make; but it is also found in the week to week  progress that goes on each Sunday as we come to church.  Not only do we have the privilege of partaking of the sacrament, through the means of the priesthood, to remind us of these covenants and recommit to follow the Savior's teachings, we each take turns to serve in different capacities to help fellow members learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is a great to see the joy and happiness that comes into their lives  as they do the will of the Lord.  Other times we get to the chance to be the one who support the leaders by being humble & teachable. Either way gives us the opportunity to spiritually prepare ourselves for the ultimate goal of exaltation. Really stop to think about it??
Our family scripture study this week gave me an opportunity to see how the role of the church worked back even in the days of Alma.
In the middle of the book of Alma, Alma heads a mission to reclaim the apostate Zoramites who have denied Christ and built the Rameumpton to worship with set prayers.  When he gets there, Alma prays and begins to go forth preaching the word of God in their synagogues, houses, and streets. After much labor, he eventually ends up finding some people who were "humbled because of their afflictions." These people were not allowed to meet with the apostate people because of the "coarseness of their apparel". Alma is able to have success to teach these people. As he teaches he compares the word unto a seed that must be planted and nourished. He explains that when the seed is nourished, "it can grow into a tree from which the fruit of eternal life is picked." In verse 23 of Chapter 33 in Alma, He says, "And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so noursith it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen."  This is the part that sticks with me the most from both the paragraph in the handbook as well as the end of verse 23 is that they each remind us of our free agency: the handbook states: "all who are worthy and willing to accept them". The verse says:"And even all this can ye do if ye will."  So it's essentially up to us. It is important for us to remember to do what our leaders ask of us –if it is from the Prophet and Apostles, our Area Authorities, Stake Presidency, Bishopric, and on down – we should be willing to accept and be ready to be humble and do the things we are taught. My nephew is on a mission in Paraguay right now. His letter from last Monday shared an experience of a less active family he and his companion have been working with.  The dad of the family continuously told the missionaries week after week that he would be at church on Sunday, and week after week my nephew and his companion would be devastated that they had not come – but the missionaries persisted. Finally a week in a half ago on a Thursday this father told the missionaries he was tired of lying to them and that he would not be at church the coming Sunday. The missionaries were deflated because they had invested a lot of energy in the form of prayer and faith on this family's behalf. They went back on Saturday and had a great visit and a defining moment where my nephew said he was inspired to share certain scriptures about Nephi and Captian Moroni and then invite this father to be like the men in the scriptures. He then followed up and expressed how much he loved and genuinely cared for their family.  The next day was Sunday, in his letter Elder Babock said, "Sunday, right as sacrament meeting was about to start, Claudio Ferreira and the whole family came walking through the front doors. I felt such a love for them, and for the tender mercies that the Lord always shows us. I came to learn something that a great missionary once taught me: 'We don't discourage members, we encourage them to become great leaders and members.' I know without a doubt that we can all become like the great scriptures heros and leaders, if we just have faith and take that faith to action. I came to learn that great lesson this Sunday, and am thankful for the knowledge that the Lord has trusted in me.