A Thought For Thursday.

I think this one speaks for itself.

And I love it!

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I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein.

The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom.

Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, charity-the pure love of Christ-will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy and happiness.

Marion G. Romney

*****

I testify of these truths President Romney taught.

I can't wait for this weekend to be counseled and taught at the feet of our dear Prophet and those called to serve with him.

My Amazing Joy.

I love this picture of my amazing kids! Even though you can't see all of all of them, you can see their eyes. And the eyes are the window to the soul. Let me tell you a little about these amazing souls.

Isaac's soul is filled with laughter. His soul is compassionate, determined, creative, sweet. Isaac's eyes show his tenderness. His kindness. His love for so many things.

***

Samuel's soul is larger than life. His soul is meant for great things. Amazing things. His eyes show his fight. His zeal. His heart. His humor. His soul is a loving one.

***

Ruthann's soul is filled with passion. Her soul is full of friendship and love for all she meets. Her beautiful eyes betray her heart when she looks into your eyes.

***

My amazing kids have such strong and determined spirits. I can see the potential for greatness in each of their eyes. Wow! I am so grateful to be their mom!

They are my Joy!

Laps For Lyndsay.

Whether this sweet little girl touched your life or not I would like to invite as many as possible to participate in

Laps For Lyndsay.

Saturday October 16

8am-noon

Weber State University Stadium

My family will be walking. You can run if you want. The point is to raise money so Lyndsay's family can help children with Epilepsy and their families by providing funds to attend the National Ability Center in Park City where they provide children with a fun environment to spend some time.

If you would like to participate, go to Active . com, search Laps for Lyndsay and sign up!

If you want more information, call or email me!

(p.s. If it were me, I'd be curled up in a ball in my bed and unable to function. Lyndsay's family is amazing! and they are using Lyndsay's name and spirit to help others! WOW!)

A Thought For Thursday.

I was doing the bedtime cuddle with Sam earlier this week. It was especially warm so I said, "Sam, will you turn on your fan? I'm hot." To which he says, "Well, dad thinks you're hot!"

So my thought for Thursday is a question...

Does your sweetie think you're Hot?

And do your kids know it?

This N That.

He hopped out of the shower to see what his head looked like with shampoo on it. Then he carved his initials. Strange child.

And he did invite me in to see...so I took the picture.

He was grateful it was just a head shot!

My allergies ate creating havoc! Seriously.

My nose itches and I look like I'm always pickin it. I'm not. Just itchin!

The recent fires in a location where we would be living but chose to stay here have caused us to revisit our 72 hour kits. Or, um, lack thereof.

There is 1 thing I blame it on...

Procrastination.

And disinterest.

I know that's 2, but they just go together to make one.

Trust me.

We just recently had a 5th Sunday meeting to discuss preparedness and stuff.

The lady in our ward who is the specialist for that has a nice 72 hour kit.

Her trailor.

It's got everything in it to keep their family going for at least 72 hours.

I am going to have Daniel redo the laundry room so we can store our stuff in there.

And I am in the process of putting it all together.

And, for my own delight and pleasure...

The Tomato Sandwich!

Yum.

I'm gonna go make one now.

Sweet.

Mmmm. A sweet treat.

I grabbed one.

The wrapping was pulled taught.

I popped it open.

I pulled the sweet treat out and popped it in my mouth.

ROT!

It was fermenting!

I spit it out fast and grabbed this one.

It was much better!

On another sweet note...

Primay Program Practice.

And I wasn't in charge.

I answered just a couple of questions.

I sat back and enjoyed as the kids ran through their parts and sang the songs.

Sweet!

Flashback Friday.

First...
Look at this picture.
Just for a minute...

Aahhhhh....
Now! We just recently went to pick up a Victrola from Daniel's parents. It was made in 1918. Daniel fixed some stuff in it so he gets it. There is still a gear that doesn't work. If you happen to have a Victrola hanging around with a gear that works, let me know.

Along with the Victrola came tons of old records. Vinyl. Remember?? No?! When were you born??

Oh the sound of vinyl records playing...

My kids just didn't get it. "Those would NOT fit in our DVD player!" Nope.

So now scroll back up to the top.....And then come back!

Shaun Cassidy.

Met her on a Monday and my heart stood still.

Do you remember him?

Somebody told me that her name was Jill.

All this vinyl record stuff brought back a memory.

I knew what she was thinkin when she caught my eye.

A memory that brought tears to my eyes.

She looked so fine I thought my oh my.

I had Shaun's DaDoRonRon record.

Picked her up at seven and she looked so fine.

I played it on my very own record player.

Some day soon I'm gonna make her mine.

All.

The.

Time.

Oh Shaun, I wanted to marry you!! Please call me!

One day I set my beautiful Shaun Cassidy-my dream boat-DaDoRonRon record out in the sun.

On the little brick wall.

I left.

When I came back the vinyl had melted.

Shaunny Shaun Shaun had melted into the shape of a large vinyl taco.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Shaun...I miss you.....

And when I walked her home. Da Do Ron Ron Ron Da Do Ron Ron......

A Wanted Poster and Art Class.

Sam made this wanted poster several days ago. It's been on the hall wall ever since. So far, no one has been captured.

"Blue Choochoo Wanted. Call.......Now."

By Sam

Look at those angry eyes.

Ruthie was in her blue jammies when they started playing this game.

Choochoo is Ruthie. And I don't know who the 2 stick people are in front of Blue Choochoo.

Accomplices maybe? And...

A good friend of mine who happens to be in our ward started an Art Class. She invited kids 8-12 years old to take a 4 week class where they would be able to learn the basics of art. I asked if Ruthie could take the class even though she's only almost 7. Of course.

So last night Ruthie AND Sam started the Art Class.

They learned about texture.

Here is Ruthie's butterfly. With texture. And yes! Sam is taking the Art Class, too. He loved it and this is his texturized Caterpillar.

You can see where the only boy in the class for this month ran out of textured steam and just scribbled down the poor semi texturized Caterpillar.

Have a great texturized day!

Monday Madness.

Two mornings in a row now. The silly goat on top of the calf shed. She makes us laugh. And laughing is better than crying!!

Today marks 4 years since China filed our paperwork for another baby.

It stinks!

But laughing is better than crying!

4 years and 9 months of knowing another child should be here.

And having empty arms.

But I have to remind myself.

Laughing should be better than crying.

My kids are awesome.

Sam had his little guy here lift a cucumber. So very strong!

Little every day reminders that my family is by far the best family in the world.

And I'm strongly reminded that laughing is way better than crying!

Today was the deadline for showing proof of fixing or selling or whatever with our van. Cause I got a ticket. So I called the police dept and talked to a clerk. Shouldn't they be nicer while dealing with people? I told her all the proof I have is pictures. I haven't gotten the check yet from the insurance. I don't have proof of towing. Except pictures.

She told me I could have until the 30th. Then she hung up on me.

I almost cried.

Then I remembered my incredible family.

Then I remembered the silly goat on the calf shed.

And Daniel said, "What do you expect from a government worker?"

And I laughed.

Because laughing is better than crying.

An Era Is Over.

The tow truck finally came.

The dude loaded it up onto the truck.
Loading. Loading.

Then he began to drive away.

Good bye mini wimpy van.

Have I told you how much I LOVE my Durango?!

The Difference.

The difference between boys and girls when it comes to homework

Mom and the Boys:
Do you have homework?...Uuuuummmm...Do you have homework?....YES! I hate homework. Whoever invented homework should be shot...Let's get your homework out and get it done...I hate homework...I know, let's get it done fast...Grumble grumble grumble...Hey, this is easy, come sit down and get it done fast, you are so good at this...I don't understand it, I don't want to do it, I hate homework...I don't care if you hate it, get over here and do it. NOW!...Okay.........I hate homework...*then he will get up and walk away when I'm not looking*...Get back here and finish your work. It's almost done...I don't want to...NOW...Okay...See? Easy peasy lemon squeezy...Dumb homework, grumble grumble grumble...

Mom and the Girls:
Mom! I have homework, can I do it now?...Sure, get it out and get started...Mom! I need to read to the whole family, too, can everyone please come over so I can read to everyone?...boys:I don't want to read, I hate reading, whoever invented reading should be shot!...But I need to read to everyone! Whaaaa...Calm down, you can read to me...But my teacher said I have to read to EVERYONE in my family!...You can read to mom and dad and the boys can listen as they walk by...NO! I have to read to everyone in my family! And I want to do my homework, what day is it?...Wednesday...My homework isn't due until Friday, darn!...Can you turn it in early?...No I have to turn it in when teacher says. Can you make me some homework. PLEEEEEASE?!?!?!...Okay. I hate homework. Whoever invented homework should be shot...C'mon mom, make it hard homework...Do I have to? Grumble grumble grumble...

Sometimes even a mom hates homework.

A Butterfly Wish.

What a beautiful day. Clear skies. Sunshine. Warmth. Butterflies. Ruthie said it would have been better if Lyndsay could have been there. We said she was there. In spirit. But alive. We'll have to tell her all about it when she's resurrected. Okay. We'll remember all the details. The purple. The flowers. The butterflies. The love. The tears. The thumbs up. The bracelets. The talks. The music. The strong spirit. The knowledge that we will see Lyndsay again.

We said our goodbyes as a family on Monday night. Ruthie wore her princess dress that we bought especially for this day. She had a sparkly headband. When we got there, Lyndsay's aunt took our VIP (Very Important Princess) and her family up to cut in the line. We saw Lyndsay. She wore makeup! Yes!!! A big thumbs up from mom. I told her to bring lipstick when she rises with the just. It will complete the look. And Lyndsay will be elated.

The funeral was absolutely beautiful. A wonderful tribute to Lyndsay and to our loving Savior. Little children are alive in Christ. What more can you say!? The music was beautiful. We all sang the Popcorn Song and did the actions. Lyndsay was probably chuckling at that.

At the graveside, Lyndsay's mom asked all the moms in the family to come up and get a butterfly. They had gotten Monarch Butterflies, all individually boxed, (Safely and humanely! No butterflies died!!) to give to each family. Lyndsay loved butterflies and if you make a wish on a butterfly, it will fly to heaven and make your wish come true! Our family went and took our butterfly box and when I asked my family what our family's wish would be, well, we were all thinking the same thing. We made our wish and let our butterfly go. She left the box and flew straight to heaven. She had a special purpose...to get our wish right to heaven. Right away. Other butterflies stayed on fingers and sleeves. What a sight it was! So many beautiful butterflies.

As we left Ruthie said Lyndsay would have loved being there.

She was.

Choosing Flowers.

Choosing Flowers shouldn't be this hard. As I have looked at countless numbers of flower arrangments to send to Lyndsay's family, I have found finding the right ones difficult. She is such an amazing girl. She is strong and she is a princess. A fairy even. And her favorite colors are purple and pink. And yet purple and pink flowers, though easy to find, are hard to match to Lyndsay. She has her own flowers on the front porch of her home. You can't match that!

I finally decided on an arrangement. I know flowers die. I remember taking plants and flowers from my brother's funeral and putting them in my home. When the last one died, I cried. It felt like Aaron had died all over again. The arrangement isn't going to be breathtaking. It won't be the center of talk and awe. It will barely get noticed. But I will see it. And I will know her favorite colors are in it. And I will know that Ruthie was a big factor in picking it.

And as I read Lyndsay's obituary tonight, I cried and I remembered that it isn't the flowers that matter. It's the experiences. It's the memories. It's the way she touched our lives and is now touching so many more.

We love you Lyndsay. We hope you do notice the flowers. But more importantly...we hope you know how much we love you!

(P.S. I am crying as I type this. If it doesn't make sense, just chalk it up to not being able to see well!)

A Thought For Thursday.

My thought for today is for those who mourn.

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I need thee every hour

Most gracious Lord

No tender voice like thine

Can peace afford

I need thee

Oh I need thee

Every hour I need thee

Oh bless me now my Savior

I come to thee

I need thee every hour

Stay thou near by

Temptations lose their power

When thou art nigh

I need thee

Oh I need thee

Every hour I need thee

Oh bless me now my Savior

I come to thee

I need thee every hour

In joy or pain

Come quickly and abide

Or life is vain

I need thee

Oh I need thee

Every hour I need thee

Oh bless me now my Savior

I come to thee

I need thee every hour

Most holy One

Oh make me thine indeed

Thou blessed Son!

I need thee

Oh I need thee

Every hour I need thee

Oh bless me now my Savior

I come to thee

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As we miss our sweet little Lyndsay, I know we need our Savior.

She is with Him and has no more pain or suffering.

We miss you Lynds!

We love you!

See you soon!