Blackmail

It's all fun and games 'til someone pulls out the scrapbook and starts digging into your past. We all have those photos that should never have been taken. Seriously, what inspired my mother to take a picture of my 4-year-old backside when I sported a super swimmingsuit wedgy? Why did a picture of me picking my nose ever make it into the books...a constant reminder that some habits weren't the easiest for me to break.

Now that I am a Mom I find myself following the same disturbing pattern. Something about the sight of Isac bopping into the room wearing Haddy's dress and hair bow made my fingers itch to take a picture. I'll keep it tucked away somewhere and use it only when necessity demands.

Somethin' to Smile About

After a great audition, Trevor is happy to announce that he's been asked back for a second season with OSF. As you can see, we're grinning about the news.

Sophia wants her grin to display 8 teeth, so 4 more are cutting through her sensitive little gums right now.

If you asked Haddy about the news, she would fill your mind with stories about her life. Her stories would involve mean witchies and dancing princesses. She'd probably even pull out a book from the stack that she's been memorizing and make you laugh with her interpretations of it.

Isac is more reserved. When asked, "Are you excited to be in Ashland another year?" He replies, "Dad, will you just wrestle me again?" As long as Dad's in the picture, he doesn't care where we are.

As for Trevor and I, we hope that another year in Ashland gives us opportunities to do more than we've been able to do the last 4 months. There are so many people to see, places to go, and ice cream flavors to sample.

I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Isac ran in the house after Church and yelled, "I go to the Church of Jesus Christ!!"

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"Um....Heavenly Father loves me."

I hadn't thought of it that way, but it was undoubtedly true.

God does love us. He loved us enough to send Jesus Christ to the earth, who organized a Church with all the keys to happiness. When this true Church fell into spiritual decay, a complete restoration was required. Our loving God called upon the Prophet Joseph Smith to be the one to reorganize Jesus Christ's Church upon the earth. Today, the Church is led by President Thomas S. Monson.

In a time when the world may seem dark to many, a great light has penetrated the earth. The gospel of Jesus Christ brings light and love into our home. Membership in the Church gives us peace, knowing that Heavenly Father really does love us.

*We love this website that reminds us about God's love for us. If you ever need a lift, visit it! We dare you! http://www.mormon.org/

You Have Your Hands Full

An old lady stops us on the sidewalk and exclaims, "You have your hands full!"

A man states, "You're pretty busy, aren't you."

An inquisitive woman in the grocery store asks, "Do you plan on having any more?"

After hearing "You have a full load" a third time, Isac turns and asks, "Why do people always say that?"

I can't imagine why.

An Age of Questions

Isac is four. Four-year-olds feel bigger the morning of their Birthday. They walk around the house showing you how high they can reach and what they can climb because they are four. When they crash their new big bikes they get right back on; they can "read" books to their sisters; they cut their own pancakes with a fork. Most of all, four-year-olds ask questions.

• "Mommy, why do you have so many balls on you?" (Freckles...)
  
• "Why does Jesus tell you to eat lettuce?"
  
• "Will I be bigger like a Dad when I am 4?"
  
• "Will I have a lots of hair when I get 4...like Dad?"
  
• "Will I be shot like Joseph Smith when I get bigger?"
  
• "When I feel hot, is that my spirit?"

That doesn't mean four-year-olds don't provide a lot of answers.

• "When I get bigger, like Daddy, I will eat too many treats and get sick...because I can choose that."


• "For my Birthday I would like a toy store....or....um...maybe just a toy that makes bananas and chocolate into cars."
  
• "Haddy, you need to hold my hand so I can keep you safe." (On a long walk home from the park).


• "You will miss me when I am 5." "Why?" "Because I will be so bigger."


• Trevor was helping Isac ride his bike outside. As they approached a hill, Isac stopped and Trevor urged him on. Isac replied, "No, Dad. I need to stop and pretend something." He then acted out a crash with sound effects and actions.


• Isac was praying quietly in the corner and announced that he had ask for "there to be no food or water" like Nephi when he prayed for a famine. I ask, "but what if I get hungry?" He walked back to the corner and prayed that there would be food and water.

We're happy to have our inquisitive, entertaining, sensitive four-year-old blow out another candle on his birthday cake.

My Relief Society Family

Although I was excited to be with Trevor again, it was hard to say goodbye to my family after a long visit, not knowing the next time we would see each other.

Happily, at Church today I realized that I am still amongst family. I looked around at some of the women in Relief Society that I admire and I knew that these were women from whom I could learn so much--women like my own mom and sisters who prioritize their lives around the gospel of Jesus Christ and know how to nurture and sustain families.

I am grateful to have an extended Church family and specifically, to belong to an organization of women who have a clear sense of identity and purpose. When I am wiping smeared jelly off of the kitchen table and sweeping Cheerios off the floor I must repeat in my mind part of the Relief Society declaration: I am a woman of "faith, virtue, vision, and charity, who...find[s] nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood." I often disguise this nobility by wearing T-shirts covered with fingerprints and snot streaks on my shoulder, but I repeat the phrase over and over.

Other phrases contained in this declaration are equally empowering. I am a woman who "increases [my] testimony of Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture study." I am not blindly following tradition. I independently pray to know that Jesus Christ is the literal son of God, He atoned for the sins of the world, and amazingly enough, He knows me.

I am part of a "worldwide sisterhood, united in devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior and exemplar." I long to be like the women in Relief Society who are commited to loving others and trying to do what He wants them to do.

As quoted by the Relief Society, I "dedicate [myself] to strengthening marriages, families, and homes...delight in service and good works...love life and learning...and understand [my] divine destiny." These are lofty goals that give me direction. They help me know how to prioritize my life so that I am not too consumed with things of little importance.

When I follow this declaration, I can say "no" in order to protect the limited time I have to be with my children while they are young. I can find ways to get outside of my own circle to serve others. I can learn from women who have a wealth of knowledge in literature, gardening, maintaining food storage, journaling, cooking, exercising, and parenting. Most importantly, when I feel overwhelmed by inadequacy, I can hold on to the fact that I am a daughter of God. I am making a journey of mistakes but I hope for a celestial destination.

Only a loving God who understands women perfectly would inspire Joseph Smith to organize such a sisterhood. I am so grateful for my Relief Society family.

These talks remind me of who I am...or who I want to be. When I'm reevaluating priorities, feeling overwhelmed, or needing validation, I love reading these talks.

• Julie B. Beck, “What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 109–12. http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=e22a26cb31cf5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1
• James E. Faust, “Instruments in the Hands of God,” Ensign, Nov 2005, 114 http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=1ed178de9441c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
• Margaret D. Nadauld, “The Joy of Womanhood,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 14–16 http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=571fa1615ac0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

Happy Birthday, Mommy

Happy Birthday, Mom! We love you and hope you had a very fun and enjoyable Birthday.