"Choose you this day whom ye will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Chin up-you are doing a great work!

My sister in law sent this to me as a comment that someone made about our husbands' grandmother.  It is very inspiring and worth sharing with others who struggle to juggle all the daily tasks that come with having a family and raising children:

"After one mother was lamenting about how hard it is with so many children and feeling looked down upon by others who don't have large families this was a response from a grandmother who is part of the group:

"President Gordon B. Hinckley’s sister, Sylvia, lived in the small town that I grew up in. She was extremely brilliant and was the Valedictorian at BYU when she graduated. She could have done anything or been anything in this world. She was a shining example to me all of my growing up years. She had 11 children, married to a farmer, and she died of cancer in the late sixties when her youngest child was 8 years old.

A neat and tidy, very kindly sister from the ward came over to Sylvia’s home to help out one day. She went to the kitchen and thought that she would start with the dishes. Milk buckets and strainers, piles of dishes were everywhere. Too discouraged to help with that, she went to the laundry, unbelievable amounts of dirty clothes met her. Then she thought that she could iron some clothes---yes, this was in the days of ironing! Piles and piles of unironed clothes! Too overwhelmed, she went to the mending. Again, too much to even contemplate. I am unsure how many chores overwhelmed her, but she left having done nothing to help.

But at Sylvia’s funeral, both President Hinckley and President Kimball spoke. They told of what a perfect example of womanhood she was. They said that her reward was assured because she put having children and raising them with firm testimonies above all else. President Hinckley went so far as to say that other women had not made that sacrifice and choice and had put lovely homes and calmer lives ahead of that greater and far more important choice. I don’t remember their exact words as this was a long time ago, but the message was clear. Choosing a large family is choosing chaos, and humility by being looked down upon, but it is also choosing life in a righteous family for Heavenly Father’s beloved spirit children. It is the same choice Adam and Eve made in the garden—perfect, orderly life vs. chaos and trials. They made the right choice and we do too, when we choose family first.

Chin up, you are all doing a great work, the most vital work that we are ever to do during our life on earth. Family is what it is all about."
 



Sunday, February 24, 2013

Recipe for Happiness

I've been going through my cookbooks, and in the front of an old one, I found this recipe by Julie Smith:

Recipe for Happiness

1 cup good thoughts
2 cups sacrifice
3 cups forgiveness
1 cup good deeds
1 cup consideration
2 cups of your own faults, well beaten

Mix thoroughly-add tears of joy, sorrow, and sympathy.  Flavor with love and kindly service.  Fold in 4 cups of Prayer, Faith, and Enthusiasm.  Spread all into daily life and blend well with human kindness. Serve with a smile at all times, and it will satisfy the hunger of many people less fortunate than yourself.

Friday, February 22, 2013

For all my mom friends who haven't seen this yet...

We are the moms, and our children should listen to us!  :)  And, fortunately, they do grow up and realize we are not as awful as they had supposed.

Starting our seeds

We started planting seeds on the 6th of February.  Lots of lettuce, some spinach, and Jane did lots of flowers. 
 2 weeks later, on the 20th:  Lots of bachelor buttons up, some Lupines are getting there first true leaves, lettuce seeds have not sprouted with a very high ratio-I think the seed must be too old.  I should probably check the dates:)


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Learning co-op

We had a a great time today at our learning co-op.  We worked on learning out states and capitals and then went swimming for over 2 hours.  It was super fun-the kids had a really great time.  We are so glad to have everyone who is in the group.  Friends are great.  Thanks to Daphne for taking some pictures:)


Thanks for the pictures, Aleah!  :)


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

No Bake Cookies-lazy method


This is my favorite recipe for no bake cookies:

1 1/2 CUPS SUGAR
1/2 CUP BROWN SUGAR
3 TBL. COCOA ( I LIKE THEM WITH CAROB TOO)
1/2 CUP MILK
1/2 CUP MARGARINE-IMPERIAL STICK
--------------------------------------------------------
BRING TO BOIL, STIRRING CONSTANTLY, FOR 1 MIN.  REMOVE FROM HEAT, ADD:

1 CUP PEANUT BUTTER
1 TSP. VANILLA
3 CUPS OATS

IF YOU HAVE LOTS OF TIME, FEEL FREE TO DROP BY SPOONFUL ON COOKIE SHEETS.  IF NOT, PUT IN CAKE PAN AND WHEN COOL, CUT IN SQUARES.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Love this quote!

Brethren,  . . . as men of the priesthood, we have an essential role to play in society, at home, and in the Church. But we must be men that women can trust, that children can trust, and that God can trust. In the Church and kingdom of God in these latter days, we cannot afford to have boys and men who are drifting. We cannot afford young men who lack self-discipline and live only to be entertained. We cannot afford young adult men who are going nowhere in life, who are not serious about forming families and making a real contribution in this world. We cannot afford husbands and fathers who fail to provide spiritual leadership in the home. We cannot afford to have those who exercise the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God, waste their strength in pornography or spend their lives in cyberspace (ironically being of the world while not being in the world). . . 
And so to all who are listening, wherever this message may reach you, I say as Jehovah said to Joshua, “Be strong and of a good courage” (Joshua 1:6). Take heart and prepare the best you can, whatever your circumstances. Prepare to be a good husband and father; prepare to be a good and productive citizen; prepare to serve the Lord, whose priesthood you hold. Wherever you are, your Heavenly Father is mindful of you. You are not alone, and you have the priesthood and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"Brethren, We Have Work to Do", by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Click HERE to see the full talk

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Learning co-op Rollerskating




Super fun learning co-op meet today: Rollerskating and Valentines party:) We all had an awesome time and are so glad that the rollerskating rink isn't closing after all! We are planning to go once a month.








Sunday, February 10, 2013

Learning Co-op

We had a really great time at our learning co-op this week.  We learned how to play "Fort Knox" and then divided up in groups to do our academics.  In my group we worked on the states and capitals with m&m bingo.  This month's challenge:  Memorize all the states and capitals.  Rewards for those who do!  :)  There was a little time left, so we played in the park and the moms had a great time visiting while the kids had a great time playing.  I love our group and the time we spend together.    This week's meet:  Rollerskating and Valentine's Party.




Friday, February 8, 2013

Missionaries

My sister-in-law did a really great post on missionary service in the Mormon church.  I really enjoyed reading it and thought you might like it too!
Here is a link to it:  http://chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com/2013/02/i-want-to-be-missionary-now.html#.URXQkaU72Do
We are getting very excited for our own missionary son to return from his 2 year mission in Brazil in about 1 1/2 months!!!!!  (heart leaping for joy)  It really is pure joy to have children loving the Lord and willing to devote their time to serving Him.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Planetarium Trip for Learning Co-op

We had an awesome time at the Planetarium last Friday night.  We went for the live star talk that happens the first Friday of each month.  It was interesting-Jed and Ada got a little wiggly, but the rest of us really enjoyed it.