Journal

So, I received a journal from Chad last year for my birthday and I finished filling it a week ago. I've never completed a journal. Now that I have and I haven't bought another one I realize that I miss writing in it. I made writing in it part of a to do list that became habit. Now I am missing it badly. I heard on the radio that we are living in record times. That we should keep a journal and record the proceedings for our posterity. Right now, the US is on the brink of great change. I believe that we are experiencing great change, but I don't really write about that. I hardly ever write about the economy or the health care reform, unemployment, or politics. I keep up with them on a very basic level, but I don't write about it. The question is, did those that kept journals during the great times of our history, did they write about current events when they were in the news or did they wait until it affected them? How much should I dedicate to writing about current events from the news? For example, did anyone note in their journal that JFK's brother passed away Tuesday? What is most notable is that in the 60's he was drunk and got in a car accident that killed his female passenger. The really big problem: He didn't report the accident/death until the next day. Who in my generation knows this? Does it matter? I focus on my blessing and what funny/quirky things that my kids do. I write about spiritual experiences and about family activities. Do those of you who keep a journal write about the happenings of the news or current events? Do you write a brief paragraph or choose once a week to view the world? What do you do? Just wondering.

Oops!

I normally try to be pretty neutral about my religion as I love my friends that are of a different faith as much as I love my LDS friends. However, I have to give some religious background so that you can get the full scoop of my embarrassment. So bear with me. In our religion we have temples that we go to. There we covenant with the Lord and receive blessings. Not only do we do this for ourselves, but we do it for the dead as well. Now, just because we do it for the dead doesn't mean that they have to be LDS. Heavenly Father would never make someone be LDS. Think of it as a gift card that you can use if you want. It's all about agency. So, it is a sacred setting. Anyway, my husband and I had the opportunity to go the temple last night. We decided to do sealings. This means that we stood in as proxy for husbands and wives and were sealed for time and all eternity for them. Anyway, we were in the middle of this when I started not feeling well. Yep, I passed out. Then, Chad had me sit by him and I passed out again. I was very embarrassed. They called the doctors and nurses to come and help me. Funny thing about passing out, you dream. It feels very weird to wake up from a dream and be in the temple, when you expect to be in bed. It really throws off your perspective on things. I asked Chad how long I was out and he said 30 seconds max, so how did I have a dream that felt like I was asleep for hours? I am still embarrassed, but I know that no one looks down on me for this. The temple workers were so kind and caring. I guess it could have been worse, but I felt like I ruined a very special experience. Anyone else ever pass out during a special occasion? Or is it just me?

My Kids

Kids say and do the funnest things. Somethings I am not in the mood to hear or witness these things, but I have been trying to lighten up lately. I wanted to record a few thing that my kids have done lately.

On Sunday we had some friends over for homemade bread and jam. McKayla loves to play with this family's little boy who is a year older than she is. She dressed up in a princess outfit and they played. After he left she said, "He didn't say I was beautiful." I had to clarify, but what she said was spot on. She was sad that the little boy didn't notice she'd dressed up. I told that boys don't really notice those things. She asked why and I redirected her to her father. He simply said that "boys are dumb."

Last night we were have family home evening. We were talking about the importance of family prayer and why we pray. McKayla noted that Jesus had super powers. She said that He can make faces and all sorts of things. We are not sure where this came from, but we did tell her that He had the power to create things. She wants His super power. I had to tell her that Jesus was very special and only He has His superpower.

Last, I was taking a bath this morning, after my workout. I felt especially tired so I thought that I needed a bath. Next thing I know Ariana had climbed in the bath tub with me. She left her cloths on. I had to get the camera and take a picture. She was happy as could be simply swimming in her jammies.

I love my girls and I am so greatful for them and their sweet spirits.

The Rising Generation

On Saturday we had a special opportunity to hear from the leaders of our church. They spoke directly to this area. One of the main topics was the rising generation. The speaker really emphasised the importance of supporting the youth. Not only the youth in our immediate family, but cousins, nieces, nephews, and neighbors. I am amazed at how much I love the youth. I think of my nieces and nephews, as well as my own kids, and how many people support and love them. I am grateful for this gentle reminder that our youth needs us. They need us to protect them. tThey need us to guide them and help them navigate this crazy world. Cheers to the rising generation.

Still Summer

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Uninspired

I have been uninspired lately. I really don't know what to write about. Nothing bad is going on, it is simply a down time for our family. I guess I am feeling like the summer is slipping away faster than I want it to. I normally look forward to a change in season's, but with Chad in school, it is much harder to enjoy. It is harder for me to get out and enjoy friends and neighbors. I don't see everyone as much as I do in the summer time. It makes life more challenging. I was thinking about holding a craft get together once a month. People could come and scrapbook, quilt, or anything that they want. However, then I worry that no one will show up or too many will show up. Last winter I tried to have a playgroup, but no one came. Perhaps, I remember how isolated I felt last winter, and I dread the same feelings. Nevertheless, winter is slowly coming and soon fall will be upon us. I am thinking of the pumpkin patches and the leaves. I also love going on the pumpkin walk in Shelley. I love make delicious zucchini bread. I need to find joy in the seasons and not dread the winter months.

Bead Dealing

My friends Stacy and Karen have become obsessed with bead jewelry. I admit that it's cute, but they are obsessed. Last night I went over to Stacy's house and they were at it again. So, I made a bead watch. I'm now hooked. Mine isn't as great as theirs, but I like it. Now I want to make more, and I am thinking what easy Christmas presents they make. I told Chad about it and he encouraged me to get some stuff. I gave him a funny look and asked him if he knew what that meant. I think his idea was a couple of bags of beads and that was it. Oh no, you need to buy at least 20 different styles so there is variety, plus watch faces, and the string, glue,... well you get the point. Had Chad seen the stuff my friends had, he would have never made the suggestion. So, do I add more crafty junk to my growing pile or resist temptation?

Yes, the picture is upside down and there are little hands in it. So difficult to photo a masterpiece with little ones.

Canning

So I told you that we had a lot of produce. I took a large bag to my family in Boise, and then I went and picked some more yesterday. We will eat it, but when? So, I decided to get out my trusty pressure cooker last night. I canned 4 pints of beans, 3 pints of carrots, and 1 quart of tomatoes. These will be delicious in a hearty winter stew. Yum!

I started with fresh, dirty veggies from my garden, and then I put them in the sink.


Then I washed and sorted all of my veggies.


Then I canned them. I can use them as they are or in stews. I am very excited.

Health and Whole Wheat

When I first became a stay at home mom, I had aspirations to cook all of the meals and not buy any processed foods. This became harder and harder as my husband ate lunch and dinner at his work place. I noticed that I don't really cook any more and my kids were eating way too much junk. This week I decided to fix that. I wrote down every meal we would eat, including snacks, and only bought that at the grocery store. My husband is no longer going to eat what the cafeteria at his work provides. He has gained a lot of weight from bad food, over eating, stress, and lack of sleep. I have a little hand grinder for my wheat. It took me some time, but I can grind my wheat. This morning it fell apart. I'm not sure why, but it did. It took me 2 hours to make whole grain pancakes. Finally I sent my husband over to get my mother-in-law's electronic wheat grinder. All I can say is WOW! It ground up the wheat so fast and it was much finer than what my hand grinder can do. I love it. (I promise I will take good care of it and return it!) It's a good thing that I borrowed it because I have whole wheat pasta, whole wheat waffles, wheat bread, whole wheat blueberry muffins, and other things on the menu. It takes some time, but I feel good knowing what we are eating. I am also blessed to have a wonderful garden harvest. We have been eating fresh peas, beans and carrots from our garden. We have tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, and pumpkins as well. I feel so blessed to eat of the earth and to teach my children how to do this as well.

So Much Fun

Make a Smilebox scrapbook