Sunday, May 31, 2009
Cute!
Here is a picture of Sarah in her costume for her upcoming recital. She isn't that into dancing right now, but I told her she had to at least finish her recital and then she could quit. She says she doesn't need lessons because she already knows everything. :-)
It...is...SUMMER!
I love the warm months. I love to go outside with my family and bike, hike, walk, run, swim, play and just sit and enjoy a popsicle. Here are some of the highlights from when I, or someone else, remembered a camera.
A couple weeks ago we went on a little family hike with our friends the Anderson's and Whitney's. Steven was angry that he had to be in a pack, and Sarah was jealous, so they took turns. Steven was all about climbing and throwing things (preferably himself) in the water. :-)
On Memorial Day we went up the canyon with the Anderson's and Fitch's and had a little fire and roasted marshmallows. The kids built their own "fire" and sat around instead of our real one.
I think this next set of pictures is really cute. Here is a picture of Drew and Sarah kissing when She was about 7 mo old and again on Memorial Day. Drew kissed the other girl that's looking first, so Sarah asked for one. If this keeps up I might have to talk to them, but for now, it's a cute photo op. ;-)
Last Friday we visited our good friends the Nielsen's. I was really bummed when they decided to move a whopping 30 min away because we don't see them enough. The kids had a lot of fun playing together. Come back April!!! (my friend, not the month) ;-)
A couple weeks ago we went on a little family hike with our friends the Anderson's and Whitney's. Steven was angry that he had to be in a pack, and Sarah was jealous, so they took turns. Steven was all about climbing and throwing things (preferably himself) in the water. :-)
On Memorial Day we went up the canyon with the Anderson's and Fitch's and had a little fire and roasted marshmallows. The kids built their own "fire" and sat around instead of our real one.
I think this next set of pictures is really cute. Here is a picture of Drew and Sarah kissing when She was about 7 mo old and again on Memorial Day. Drew kissed the other girl that's looking first, so Sarah asked for one. If this keeps up I might have to talk to them, but for now, it's a cute photo op. ;-)
Last Friday we visited our good friends the Nielsen's. I was really bummed when they decided to move a whopping 30 min away because we don't see them enough. The kids had a lot of fun playing together. Come back April!!! (my friend, not the month) ;-)
Monday, May 25, 2009
Family Gems
I have many people that I admire, and most of them are women and mothers. I have come into contact with some amazing women in my life. I served with a sister that you couldn't pay to get upset. You could yell a string of profanities at her and she would smile, give you a hug, and tell you she loves you. So many of the great men and women in society talk of their mother's and how they never heard unkind words leave their lips. Although these women might be rare, they do exist.
I am unfortunately not one of them, and this isn't a plea for all my great friends to tell me otherwise. :-) I unfortunately get upset when I shouldn't, and do so over silly things. I need to try constantly to stay focused on what is important. When I am a little frazzled I like to do a scripture search on the subject I need, like patience, humility, patience, etc. I also like to go on LDS.org and read talks on particular subjects. I'll list some at the bottom. :-)
A couple weeks ago I had a rough night and snapped at Sarah more than I should have and felt really bad. While on LDS.org I came across a cool new thing they offer called Family Gems. You can look up quotes on a lot of different subjects and sign up to have them emailed to you when new ones come out. Here is the one from today:
Blessings Will Come When We Make Our Home a Sanctuary
Posted: 25 May 2009 12:00 AM PDT
"Let us make our homes sanctuaries of righteousness, places of prayer, and abodes of love that we might merit the blessings that can come only from our Heavenly Father. We need His guidance in our daily lives."
Thomas S. Monson, "To Learn, to Do, to Be," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 61
Someday I'll only read scriptures and talks to build my testimony and not to keep me from being a jerk, but until then, I'm grateful for these resources.
Finding Joy in the Journey by Pres. Thomas S. Monson
Are we not all Mother's? by Sheri Dew
Daughter's of God by M. Russell Ballard
Toungue of Angels by Jeffrey R. Holland
Slow to Anger by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley
I have some good ones on tempers as well if you need a good suggestion. :-)
I am unfortunately not one of them, and this isn't a plea for all my great friends to tell me otherwise. :-) I unfortunately get upset when I shouldn't, and do so over silly things. I need to try constantly to stay focused on what is important. When I am a little frazzled I like to do a scripture search on the subject I need, like patience, humility, patience, etc. I also like to go on LDS.org and read talks on particular subjects. I'll list some at the bottom. :-)
A couple weeks ago I had a rough night and snapped at Sarah more than I should have and felt really bad. While on LDS.org I came across a cool new thing they offer called Family Gems. You can look up quotes on a lot of different subjects and sign up to have them emailed to you when new ones come out. Here is the one from today:
Blessings Will Come When We Make Our Home a Sanctuary
Posted: 25 May 2009 12:00 AM PDT
"Let us make our homes sanctuaries of righteousness, places of prayer, and abodes of love that we might merit the blessings that can come only from our Heavenly Father. We need His guidance in our daily lives."
Thomas S. Monson, "To Learn, to Do, to Be," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 61
Someday I'll only read scriptures and talks to build my testimony and not to keep me from being a jerk, but until then, I'm grateful for these resources.
Finding Joy in the Journey by Pres. Thomas S. Monson
Are we not all Mother's? by Sheri Dew
Daughter's of God by M. Russell Ballard
Toungue of Angels by Jeffrey R. Holland
Slow to Anger by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley
I have some good ones on tempers as well if you need a good suggestion. :-)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
My babies first buzz
Mike and I decided that I have more say in Sarah's appearance and he in Steven's. Mike thought Steven was growing too much of a mullet, so he insisted I cut it. Then his brother brought his clipper case and Mike wanted it buzzed. I'm pretty proud of my handy work considering he was a 1 1/2 yr old moving target, but it probably is better for the summer months.
Before
After (a little girl had pored a bucket of dirt down the slide right before he went down on his belly)
Here is a cute picture of Steven on his uncle Andy's bike. He loves to sit on it and wouldn't go inside until Andy let him.
Before
After (a little girl had pored a bucket of dirt down the slide right before he went down on his belly)
Here is a cute picture of Steven on his uncle Andy's bike. He loves to sit on it and wouldn't go inside until Andy let him.
Vegas Vacation
Last week Mike and I went to Vegas to celebrate our five year anniversary. Mike's mom was nice enough to watch the kids for us so we could enjoy this time together before summer semester started. We took in some of the sites like M&M world, and Coke world. We also walked to the nicer hotels to see how the better half live. (or the more indebted ;-) I doubt we'll vacation there again any time soon, but it was nice to be together.
The big event for the trip, and what made it all worthwhile, was going to see "Phantom" at the Venetian on Wednesday.
Getting there turned out to be quite the adventure. The show started at 7PM, and it wasn't until be boarded the bus at 6:40 that we realized there was no way it was going to get there in time. We got off the bus and had to run the 1.3 mi there. I had dressed up a little and was wearing cute strappy sandals that I couldn't run in, so I had to run barefoot. In case you're wondering, Vegas is dirty on all levels. :-) We arrived as they were shutting the doors and the show started five minutes after we took our seats. Here is a pic of my foot. (I'm sorry if you don't like feet)
The show was amazing! Even Mike liked it, which is really saying something. After the show we went to see the fountains at the Bellagio again until my paws had had it.
We missed the kids a lot and were grateful for our own bed, but it was a really nice trip.
The big event for the trip, and what made it all worthwhile, was going to see "Phantom" at the Venetian on Wednesday.
Getting there turned out to be quite the adventure. The show started at 7PM, and it wasn't until be boarded the bus at 6:40 that we realized there was no way it was going to get there in time. We got off the bus and had to run the 1.3 mi there. I had dressed up a little and was wearing cute strappy sandals that I couldn't run in, so I had to run barefoot. In case you're wondering, Vegas is dirty on all levels. :-) We arrived as they were shutting the doors and the show started five minutes after we took our seats. Here is a pic of my foot. (I'm sorry if you don't like feet)
The show was amazing! Even Mike liked it, which is really saying something. After the show we went to see the fountains at the Bellagio again until my paws had had it.
We missed the kids a lot and were grateful for our own bed, but it was a really nice trip.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Invisible Mother
To all you wonderful mother's, especially mine, that are an inspiration to me. We have the most important job in the world, but those that are blessed by sometimes don't even know. I'm grateful for all the sacrifices my mom had to make for my sisters and me. Thanks mom, I love you!
The Invisible Mother......
"It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously, not.
No one can see that I'm on the phone, or cooking, or vacuuming the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The Invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Can you pick me up at 5:30?'
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe .
I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.' In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, 4 life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
1. No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.
2. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
3. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
4. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything .
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte . I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile about. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.
The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my daughter to tell the friend she's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want her to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to her friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot see if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women. "
The Invisible Mother......
"It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously, not.
No one can see that I'm on the phone, or cooking, or vacuuming the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The Invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Can you pick me up at 5:30?'
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe .
I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.' In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, 4 life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
1. No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.
2. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
3. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
4. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything .
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte . I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile about. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.
The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my daughter to tell the friend she's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want her to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to her friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot see if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women. "
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Happy B-day Ash
This is a little bit late, but better late than never right? :-) Last week my baby sister Ashley brought her new boyfriend, Dave, out for a last minute visit. It also happened to be her birthday, so we celebrated both.
This is the cake I made her
Actually, I made that cake for our Relief Society b-day dinner last Thursday. (It's supposed to be crooked, I promise) The sisters only ate two of the layers, so I re-used the last one for my sister. Yes, I recycled the cake. :-)
It was my 1st attempt at a "fancy" cake, so I was pretty happy it turned out ok.
Sarah "made" her own cakes for Ashley, and you can see them spread out around the table.
Dave is a really nice guy, and it was a great, albeit short, visit. I kind of tricked him into driving her. He likes to mountain bike, so I sent them a link to a great trail Mike and I like to go on. I just failed to mention that it was supposed to rain all weekend. Oops! ;-)
Thank you so much for coming to see us Ashley. I miss you already! Love you!!!
This is the cake I made her
Actually, I made that cake for our Relief Society b-day dinner last Thursday. (It's supposed to be crooked, I promise) The sisters only ate two of the layers, so I re-used the last one for my sister. Yes, I recycled the cake. :-)
It was my 1st attempt at a "fancy" cake, so I was pretty happy it turned out ok.
Sarah "made" her own cakes for Ashley, and you can see them spread out around the table.
Dave is a really nice guy, and it was a great, albeit short, visit. I kind of tricked him into driving her. He likes to mountain bike, so I sent them a link to a great trail Mike and I like to go on. I just failed to mention that it was supposed to rain all weekend. Oops! ;-)
Thank you so much for coming to see us Ashley. I miss you already! Love you!!!
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