An Unexpected Blessing

I am so excited!  We found a free piano on Craigslist and my wonderful, strong husband, along with a couple of awesome friends, drove over an hour away to pick it up for me on Tuesday.

I don't know how to play the piano but I have always wanted to learn and to teach my children to play.  I never bothered taking lessons since I had no way to practice but I am now in luck.

I wanted so much to be able to play hymns for my family but thought there was no way of affording a piano for at least another 10 years.  I know Heavenly Father blesses us when we have righteous desires.

 Isn't is gorgeous?  Or maybe it's just like children where we all think ours are the best ;)  I am proud of my piano!

Modesty and Femininity

Lydia at Home Living writes  a beautiful post that helps us remember why dressing modestly is so important. 

I LOVE DRESSES! When I was younger I used to wish I could live in the "olden days" so that I could wear big pretty dresses every day.  My wedding was a dream come true with that big beautiful gown and I didn't want to take it off!

In school I would wear skirts or dresses occasionally but I got tired of every person I saw asking me why I was dressed up that day. 

After I "grew up" I realized peer pressure did not effect me so much anymore, so now when I feel like wearing a skirt or a dress I do it!

Just as Lydia in the post mentioned I am not an only dress person.  I believe in modesty and looking appropriate no matter what is worn.  Going to BYU-Idaho there was a dress code.  We could not wear overalls, shorts, flip flops etc.  on campus.  I loved this because it taught me that we need to look the part.  We should not go to our job in sweats and big t-shirts.  Just like we wear our Sunday dress for church and worship we should look nice and presentable for the job we are doing.

I know that when I get up every morning and spend about 15 minutes putting on some makeup and clothes and fixing my hair I feel better and do my job as a mother better throughout the day.

 Elder Bednar said... 

The Church’s temples are recognized throughout the world for their beauty. The buildings are made of the finest materials and constructed with true craftsmanship.
We must be thoughtful and careful about how we dress and what we put on our personal temples. Like it or not, other people make judgments about the restored gospel by what they see us in.

I know my body is a temple and I strive every day to dress it in a way that I can be a true example and follower of Christ.

Gender Roles are Sacred

I read this article in the news which made me cringe and mourn for this child.

I think it's a boy!?!?

Storm's parents have decided to keep their child's gender a secret in hopes that he or she will grow up with no "stereotypes." Really? 

Stocker and Witterick say the decision gives Storm the freedom to choose who he or she wants to be. "What we noticed is that parents make so many choices for their children. It's obnoxious," adds Stocker, a teacher at an alternative school.
This is so sad. First of all gender is a very important part of us and should not be confused and second how can we expect our children to make their own decisions with their "freedom to choose" if we don't first teach them?

 The Family: A Proclamation to the World states  "Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose."

President Kimball clarified the eternal significance of gender identity when he said: 

“Some people are ignorant or vicious and apparently attempting to destroy the concept of masculinity and femininity. More and more girls dress, groom, and act like men. More and more men dress, groom, and act like women. The high purposes of life are damaged and destroyed by the growing unisex theory. God made man in his own image, male and female made he them. With relatively few accidents of nature, we are born male or female. The Lord knew best. Certainly, men and women who would change their sex status will answer to their Maker” 

As we can see Satan is working harder than ever to destroy our eternal identities and the family.

President Kimball also said:

“Many of the social restraints which in the past have helped to reinforce and to shore up the family are dissolving and disappearing. The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us. …

“… There are those who would define the family in such a nontraditional way that they would define it out of existence. …

“We of all people, brothers and sisters, should not be taken in by the specious arguments that the family unit is somehow tied to a particular phase of development a moral society is going through. We are free to resist those moves which downplay the significance of the family and which play up the significance of selfish individualism. We know the family to be eternal.” 

 ^{I know that gender is an essential characteristic that we are born with and it is important to remember our roles as men and women.  I look around and often see the unisex trend in dress and actions.  We must not let this influence of society distract us from our sacred eternal identities.}

^{I am grateful for my role as a woman, mother and wife.  I enjoy being feminine and love my duties that go along with it.  I hope that I can remember my eternal role as a fulfill my duties.}  

Mother's Day

I know this is a day late but I was having too much fun with my kiddos this weekend!

I love Mother's Day because I am so grateful for what my mother did to raise me and many other mothers and women who influenced me for the better.

But most of all this Mother's Day I really reflected upon how much I love being a mother.  I believe we must first decide that we want to love being a mother.

There is nothing more I would rather do with my life than to sacrifice myself for someone else, especially my sweet little kids that Heavenly Father has trusted me with.

I am grateful for what they teach me.  I have realized lately that sometimes I get too caught up in getting things done that I forget my main goal everyday is to teach, train and nurture my children. 

I have to often remind myself that NEVER is EVERYTHING going to be done.  I need to just stop what I am doing sometimes and read that book to my children or build a Lego tower with them.  When my child is talking to me I need to stop what I am doing and really listen.

Here are my greatest blessings!!

 Anna and I before church when she was 3 weeks old... the memories!

This is in the hospital after Joshua was born.  It seems so long ago, even though it's only been 10 months.

 Pictures of my babies in the hospital right after they were born.  I bet you can guess who is who.

Happy Mother's Day!

Prophecy

Here is a great post on Being a Mother Who Knows of a prophecy by Heber C. Kimball that really caught my attention.

"An army of Elders will be sent to the four quarters of the earth the search out the righteous and warn the wicked of what is coming. All kinds of religions will be started and miracles performed that will deceive the elect if that were possible. Our sons and daughters must live pure lives so as to be prepared for what is coming. After a while the Gentiles will gather by the thousands to this place and Salt Lake City will be classed among the wicked cities of the world. A spirit of speculation and extravagance will take possession of the saints, and the results will be financial bondage.

"Persecution comes next and all true latter-day Saints will be tested to the limit. Many will apostatize and others will be still not knowing what to do. Darkness will cover the earth and gross darkness the minds of the people. The judgments of God will be poured out on the wicked to the extent that our Elders from far and near will be called home, or in other words the gospel will be taken from the Gentiles and later on carried to the Jews.

"The western boundary of the State of Missouri will be swept so clean of its inhabitants that, as President Young tell us, when you return to that place, there will not be left so much as a yellow dog to wag his tail. Before that day comes, however, the Saints will be put to tests that will try the integrity of the best of them. The pressure will become so great that the more righteous among them will cry unto the Lord day and night until deliverance comes.

"Then the prophet and others will make their appearance and those who have remained faithful will be selected to return to Jackson County, Missouri, and take part in the up building of that beautiful city, the New Jerusalem."

Passed down in personal family records. Printed in the Deseret News, May 23, 1931. 


This really caught my attention as I have been pondering all that has been going on in our world and country as we move closer to the second coming of our Savior. 

Also because I live in western Missouri right next to Jackson county! 

These last few months our stake leaders have been preaching preparedness like crazy.  Our stake president recently said that the time to prepare is over, and that we are either prepared or not.  They have specifically said that those in our stake WILL need our food storage supply.

We have money set aside for this and in the next two weeks we are getting all the rest of the supplies we need for our basic year supply but of course will continue to add over time.  I also just re-stocked my 72 hour kit which we keep in our tornado shelter. 

I hope each of us is prepared not only temporally, but spiritually, for the second coming of Jesus Christ.   The Lord has said, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30).

You can go to your LDS local cannery to can food.  Here is another great site to buy food storage.

Homemade Baby Wipes

I make my own baby wipes, which saves a lot of money.  I spend about $0.75 per pack verses $2.50 in the store.  Plus if I run out I can take about 2 minutes to make another pack instead of running to the store. I only go through about one pack a week since I only have one in diapers now, aahhh... the luxury.

You need to first purchase a tubberware container that will fit a half roll of paper towels.

Then you cut the roll in half (or have your husband do it if your wimpy like me).
Bounty brand works best.  Then take out the tube.

Next you measure 2 1/2 cups of hot water.  Add 2 Tablespoons of generic baby bath (generic helps keep mold from growing and it's cheaper) and 2 Tablespoons of vegetable or baby oil.


Mix together and pour over a half roll in the container. 

Put the lid on and turn upside down for about 5 minutes and there you have it, homemade baby wipes!

You can just reach into the middle of the roll where the tube used to be for the first wipe and they will dispense just like regular wipes.

They are a bit thinner than some you buy in the store, but work great! Plus I have often thought some from the store were too thick and a bit of a waste.

Enjoy!

Garage Sale Season Has Begun

Saturday was my first day of garage sales for the season.  For those who don't know I am a CRAZY garage saler.  I look forward to it and count down all winter long. 

Here is what I got.  All for $28

bookshelf, office chair, thread holder, candle, books, 6 shirts, 1 pair shoes, bath toys, plastic rocking horse, 10 yards of material, rags, baby doll, and a ball.

*the things in bold are ones that were specifically on my list. 

I'd say first day was a success!

I usually don't spend that much every week but I have been wanting a book shelf for months! So I am very excited.  Without the book shelf I would have spent $12. 

A Few Garage Sale Tips:

1. Don't be afraid to bargain! I offered about 1/2 price and got it with everything but the book shelf.  The book shelf was already such a great deal I just went for it otherwise I knew the next customer would have it.  So don't be too greedy if it's a larger item that's already a great deal.  Most people just want the stuff out of their house.

2. Make a list of what you are looking for so that you don't just end up buying random things you don't need.  I almost always buy more than is on my list but I keep it to a minimum and only buy things I would use.

3. Again, don't buy junk! Just because it's a good deal doesn't mean you have to get it.

4.  Look for neighborhood sales and get there early.  I spent all morning Saturday in one neighborhood.  I got there 10 minutes late and it took me almost 15 minutes to find a parking spot!

5. Find ads for sales on Craigslist and local newspaper.  You can also just follow signs around town.  

Buying used saves more money than anything you can do (I mean thousands of dollars if you compare!).  Good luck and I hope you find some awesome bargains!

If you need something quick to entertain your kids while you cook dinner

It's simple...

paint, brush and paper plate.

 Sorry about the immodesty ;)

It entertained for about 10 minutes and got everyone out of wining mode and wiped up quickly.

Try it :)

Awesome Easter!

We had a really great Easter this year and it was really fun to see Anna start to understand the meaning of Easter and the joy and blessings that the Savior's resurrection brings to us. 

In our family the Easter Bunny comes on Saturday.  So after Daddy got back from hunting the kids got to search for their Easter baskets and have an Easter egg hunt.

We had great amounts of fun and messes!

 She had to eat each piece of candy in the egg before she would get the next one.  We are soooo lucky she didn't throw up that night!

  He's cheering Anna on.

Nathan and I spent about two hours cleaning up Saturday night after the kids went to bed.  We wanted everything in order so that Sunday was relaxing and we could remember and focus on our Savior.

Easter Sunday was wonderful.  We were actually early to church for the first time in months! (hopefully we can keep that up. )

We sang Easter hymns on the was to church and the messages were great.  My only problem is that they didn't even sing my favorite hymn!  One of my favorites is "He is Risen" and I look forward to singing it in church every Easter.  I even had it stuck in my head for several days prior.  Though we sang other good ones I was sad.

So what did I do...I made the family sing it with me like 10 TIMES that evening.  They are good sports.

Here is our family Easter picture that only took 8 times to get right.(Family Christmas picture took 24 times!!) 

I made Easter dinner for the first time all by myself.  I admit there were moments in the process that I was sure it was bound to fail.  But it actually turned out great! Yes, I made the starving family wait to eat so that I could take pictures of my grand accomplishment.

 My awesome ham that I am so proud of!

Judging by the look on Joshua's face, it was a success. 

I loved having my husband with us for Easter this year.  It was such a special time to remember the resurrection of my Savior.  My faith in him grew this Easter as I studied passages from the scriptures on his death and resurrection.  I know that he lived a perfect life and suffered for my sins and afflictions.  I also know with surety that he was literally resurrected and has a body of flesh and bones(Luke 24:39) and that if I keep my covenants and live worthy I too can be resurrected and live forever.  I testify that he is the Savior of the world.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

He Is Not Here, but Is Risen

Swiffer vacs are wonderful things

This is my son's face after I turn the swiffer vac off.  This is a regular occurrence whether it's the swiffer, vacuum or mop.  Glad to know I have a future helper.

I feel the same way about my swiffer!!

I am going crazy!

It's a complete miracle!!!!!! Joshua slept through the night two nights in a row and only woke up once last night.  I finally slept through the night, which I haven't done in over 2 YEARS! Well, I guess it could be worse ;)

Anyways, I don't know what to do with myself.  My body does not know how to NOT be sleep deprived.  I have been so used to it that I actually felt kinda yucky and lazy after sleeping through the night (though I'm sure I could adjust back to non interrupted sleep quite nicely).

Yes, my son is 9 months old and is just starting this but I was prepared for worse. Anna did not sleep through the night until 15 months and she was up between 3-6 times a night usually.  Now I am not expecting every night to be perfect but yes, I have two children almost sleeping through the night. 

Bring on the next one :)

Here is my sweet guy:

  This is during his first haircut and the tooth brush kept him still the WHOLE time.

For those who are looking for answers to get their babies to sleep through the night, my answer is that THERE ISN'T ONE.  I know, it's sad but I have read a billion books and tried advice from a million people and nothing worked for my kids.  They just had to grow out of it. 

I know that this has been one of my little trials so that I can learn patience.  I have learned to give my selfish desires to the Lord and put my whole heart into serving and sacrificing for someone else.  What a great blessing this has been!  Now you really know I'm crazy lol. 

I know I have a long ways to go so who knows how many more sleepless babies I will be blessed with, but I always know that my Savior is there to help me with any trial or struggle in my life to help me learn and grow from it.

Spring Fun!

I love Spring, especially here in Missouri! It probably seems so wonderful because I have been trapped inside for the last 4 months with two kids under the age of two who have way too much energy!!!! Well, needless to say, my kids LOVE being outside and we have enjoyed every minute of the beautiful weather this week since it will be raining all next week.  Here are some of our adventures. 

 Anna loves her tricycle

 Playing outside and making bread all day wore her out

 We went to McDonald's after dinner the other night for ice cream and yes, my children love it! Probably got that from me ;)

 He was trying to play hide and seek at the park

 We spent 4 hours at the park and walking this morning.  Anna came up to me with a dandelion and said "Jesus created the flowers."  Oh how sweet.   I told her that he also created the grass and trees and everything beautiful.  She then said, "Jesus created the park for Anna, it's beautiful."  Children are so sweet.  Just walking today and seeing the new growth really reminded me of Easter and the resurrection of the Savior.  He is the reason we have hope for a new and everlasting life. 

I love the spring and enjoy spending all day with my wonderful kids.  I am so blessed to be a stay at home mom.  Speaking of good weather a thunderstorm is happening outside right now. lol Well, let's just hope we don't have a tornado warning tonight, it's getting to that season. aawwww!

Pictures I should have posted a long time ago

I never posted pictures of Anna's birthday party, so here they are.  She had a few friends over for Elmo cake and ice cream the day before her birthday and then we had some ice cream on Sunday(her actual birthday) as a family.

 She loves baby dolls!

 This is my girl with her baby doll, necklaces and lip gloss. She is in heaven!

 I took the kids to the science center in St. Louis when we went to the temple last month.  Here they are standing on a T-rex footprint.

This is what my car looks like after our 6 hour(round trip) temple trip. 

Our Fun/Crazy General Conference Weekend

 First of all, there is going to be a temple in Meridian, ID!!! This is my home town and I am so excited!  I started crying when I heard the news.  What a blessing it is to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ restored on the earth today and a living Prophet to guide us.  I am so grateful to be able to serve and worship in the temple of the Lord and receive it's blessings.

My poor husband had to work a really long shift on Friday and didn't get home until Saturday at 8:30am so he crashed for most of the day until Priesthood Session.  So I was on my own with the kids.

I got a set of these pictures of the First Presidency and the Apostles from lds.org for about $5 and then I got clear contact paper and put it on each picture front and back to keep them durable and clean.  When one of the prophets or apostles would get up to speak I would help Anna find his picture and she had fun learning their names.  I know a 2 year old can't find much interest in General Conference but I wanted a way to at least involve her a little bit and get her excited so that she doesn't just think of conference as a boring thing mom and dad watch twice a year. We now have these awesome pictures to pull out every conference and for family home evenings. 

This is my general conference experience with a 2 year old and 8 month old:  We get back from the park and I turn conference on the computer while we find the picture of President Monson.  Everyone decides they are starving so I try to feed them while I am listening (some what).  Anna escapes out the front door and starts running for the park because she wants to put Tigger in the swing.  I run after her and Joshua starts screaming because I walked away from him.  It takes me a little while to calm them down and then Anna has to go potty every 3 minutes and Joshua follows us into the bathroom and screams because I won't let him play in the toilet.  Joshua has a blowout poop so I miss a talk because of that.  I get everyone on the couch to watch and I have Joshua laying on my lap fussing and drinking his bottle and then Anna is sitting on my shoulders trying to stuff Cheezits into my mouth and giggling. 

It was quite an adventure but I love my sweet little children and they are worth it and I know that they will learn to love General Conference too as they get older.  Even though I didn't get to hear every talk live(thank goodness we can listen to and read it again here) the spirit was so strong in our home and the Prophets and Apostles and God spoke to us and encouraged us!

P.S. When I first got married I was set on taking wonderful notes of every session and going to the church for most sessions so that I would not miss anything.  But obviously I had not been a mother of little children yet.  Now I understand the importance of motherhood and doing my best to be an example of the Savior to my children even if I don't hear every word of conference(or church for that matter). :)

Happy 25th Birthday to My Wonderful Husband!

Happy Birthday Nathan!  Just so you all know, I am married to the best man.  We have been married for a little over three years now and they have been the best three years of my life. 

I realized most all of our pictures are of the kids but here is a sweet one of him and Anna.  I love it because it reminds me of what a great father he is.  I also couldn't ask for a better husband who is always supportive of me and always putting me first(hopefully I can become more like him).  I am also grateful for his faith and devotion to the Gospel and his Savior.   I love my husband!

We went bowling today which Anna absolutely loved until she got tired and everybody started screaming so we went home for nap time.  Nathan had to work tonight so we didn't even have his cake yet. But he did convince me to let him open his present this morning.  He got some new hunting gear.  Not too eventful since it was in the middle of the week, but a fun day.

My Big Helpers

My children don't play with their toys very much but yes, they love to help me!

Anna helping me make laundry soap.

Apparently he needed a diaper change.

At least she shares the stick of butter with her brother.

They LOVE to help me clean out the fridge.

They are helping me make pizza crust.


I love my kids!