This past week we tried something we hadn't before. The boys were ecstatic to something out of the ordinary..lol..since I have a tendency to get in a rut with the day. I gathered some pictures from the Harris Burdick collection and we wrote stories to go with the pictures. The boys had so much fun. I even offered to type them up etc. if they would just tell me the stories. I did this with James but Luke wanted to write his down. It was a blast.

Here is Luke’s. It went with the picture (shown above) titled Uninvited Guest.

It was Friday. The day mom and dad went out on a date. Mark, an 11 year old had to stay home. “We’ll be back at 10:30.” Mom said. IT was 4:00. So he had to wait six and a half hours! L “Don’t let the zombie bite!” Dad said with a smile. IT was a family joke. “I won’t.” Mark Said. “Bye!” They left locking the door. One hour later, he heard a knock at the door. He went to the door. The door knob turned. He was sure he had seen the door knob turn. He ran behind the couch. The door flew open! In stepped the zombies! They went to the kitchen and opened the fridge. One got a soda. The other got a hunk of meat and started to cook it on the stove. “But Zombies don’t exist!” Mark said. But they were right in front of him. They turned around. Mark ducked. But it was to late. They saw him. He ran. They ran after him. One got him by the arm. The other was reaching for his hear. Mark’s heart was pounding. He reached up and his then his dad was laughing at him! Then his mom was there. “We wanted to see how brave you are.” They said laughing.

The End.

So what story would you come up with to go with that picture????

A Knight'ts Christmas Tree

For knights today the boys decorated and donated a Christmas Tree to the senior citizens center for their annual Tree Festival thing..the tree will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to the local animal shelter. At our last activity we made the ornaments. Big THANKS to the local Baptist Church for donating the tree. And huge thanks to the other ladies and parents who have helped out so much this semester.

Updated blog

Ok Katy...I updated my blog.

Katy on Santa's lap

Katy crawling through the jungle gym.

Katy and her oldest boy Nate.

Now what?

This last week has been a politically perplexing one for me as I have been trying to figure out my feelings for the new incoming president. Over the last year I have become fairly nervous over the promises that Senator Obama has made concerning taxes, government involvement etc. Several friends forwarded this article written by Rachael DeMille and it has enlightened me immensely. The DeMille's are the authors/co-authors of A Thomas Jefferson Education , Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning, and A Thomas Jefferson Home Companion. I am still reading the article over and over. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Thank you Rachael for letting me post it!

Now What?
By Rachel DeMille

Well, the U.S. presidential election is finally over. While there are a lot of people who couldn't be happier about it, a majority of Americans either didn't vote for Obama or did so because he was the lesser of two evils. The reality of what comes next is so overwhelming as to almost be panic-worthy. American industry is teetering on the brink of disaster. The global financial markets are on a roller coaster ride that sometimes threatens to go right off the tracks. Joblessness is up, consumer confidence is down; societal decay seems to be the only trend that's holding steady. What a recipe for a big, fat bummer.

Seems like the only thing left to do is buy food storage and gas masks. Wait, what? Did you say something? I'm hearing some shy mumbles from the back of the room... No, come on, it's okay--speak up... Okay, just whisper it to me...

Really? You mean that?

Guess what I'm hearing? It doesn't seem to make any sense, but I have to admit that I've been thinking the same thing. I'm hearing that in spite of everything going to the dogs, you don't feel appropriately discouraged. In fact, you're saying that you feel a strange sense of peace, of purpose, of resolution. You're saying that somehow the difficulties in the world don't seem personally, deeply threatening. No, that's not perfectly accurate--you do have concerns about the future; but somehow the over-riding feeling is a particular rightness of things that doesn't seem to jibe with the
exterior.

Guess what? I feel it too.

You know what I think? I don't think we're in denial. I think we were born for such a time as this. I think many of you men, and women, have never felt completely at home in the post-industrial consumerist society. You never felt inclined to play the game, and you were never really rewarded by that system for your greatest
gifts, sacrifices and contributions. And I think that all of a sudden you are feeling like the "game" is almost over.

It may be that's too pessimistic a prediction. But even if things mellow out a bit on the "Now what??!! " chart, all this turmoil in the wake of 9/11 has definitely taken the buzz out of the feel-good high our society has been trying to maintain. It's looking like the bliss we purchased on credit over the last few years has
finally been repossessed by thugs in business suits. The house has folded, the cashier is closed, and the world is starting to talk about things that really matter to you with a new sense of earnestness that gives you hope.

It sort of has a familiar feeling to me. It's like when you go to a funeral--a good one. You know, a very old person who was well beloved and ready to move on. There is a mixed feeling of sobriety in learning to live with the loss and joy for a life well-lived.
And there is no small measure of introspection as those in attendance shed, for a time, the trivialities of everyday life and share love and grief, comfort one another and allow past rifts to fade in importance.

I think that as a society we are figuratively attending just such a funeral. There is mourning, yes. It was a good run, wasn't it? We were greatly blessed by the ease of that age. But there is also peace, and yes, resolve. We will be better people because of this loss.

Okay, I've made my point. Almost too well--the not-bummer bummer. Luckily, I have another point to make. This one builds on the first one, and is an even bigger not-bummer. In fact, I think you could accurately say that it's an anti-bummer.

As I said, this point builds on the first one, which I will reiterate in simple terms: The Rules Just Changed. In order to elaborate on this, I would like to first codify the old rules and explain their application, and then The New Reality.

The Rules

1. If you're not completely satisfied, return it for a full refund. Whether it's a new cell phone or an old husband, you can always change your mind. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority, and we have the resources to secure your business.
The New Reality: Business will increasingly put restrictions (re-stocking fees, time limits, store credits) on their refund policies. Fewer businesses will have deep pockets for providing us with unquestioning customer service to satisfy our unrestrained indecision, carelessness and disloyalty. Consumers will be more
conservative in their purchases and will be more inclined to recycle and reuse.

In societal terms, the reduced affluence and tighter job market will induce many people to realign their criteria for success to more manageable, human terms. Since they have little control over downsizing and market contractions, they will increasingly look for fulfillment in personal development. This bodes well for
relationships and marriages, as well as for businesses and institutions that serve the personal development market niche.
The minimized emphasis on absolute satisfaction and increased conservatism in new acquisitions will translate to more invested partners who are willing to work on repairing and revitalizing existing relationships instead of shopping around. The
trickle-down to more stable families, more spiritually engaged congregations, more dedicated community service and more altruisticphilanthropy will make up a lot of the difference in social services that may be abridged on a governmental level.

We can only hope that reduced government budgets might also result in reduced regulation and allow more freedom for innovation and initiative, which will in turn awaken in the Average Jane or Joe a shift from "it's not my problem" to "if not me, then who?".

2. Risk is absorbed by the government and/or corporations. Failure is unacceptable in our society. We'll take care of you. Your deposits are protected, your child will not be left behind, a chicken in every pot.

The New Reality: The old American virtues of getting up off the mat and pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps will gain new ascendancy as people's expectation of rescue is diminished and the necessary societal values of self-reliance and interdependence within a local community, including caring for our own, are
re-awakened in the cultural psyche. The government's ultimate failure (and the public's acknowledgement of it) to be everything to everybody will put pressure on government to incentivize private and grass-roots ventures that seek to fill the gap.

This is good news for businesses that focus on social entrepreneurship, and to needy individuals who are merely disadvantaged by a circumstance that has a simple remedy. No need to enroll in a program with rules and compliance doctrines. Get
what you need (whether it be a business suit for job interviews or a week's groceries until your first paycheck starts), say thanks and move on. Allow your neighbors to fill your need, and do what you can to be somebody else's solution. In the past several decades, such solidarity and cooperation were hard to come by; but
the New Reality will bring out our true spirit of community. The now-petty domestic squabbles won't mean anything when compared with the need to face together our common threats in order to succeed.

3. You get what you pay for. Whether you invest in social security, Medicare or a college degree, your future is taken care of.
The New Reality: Prestige and security are no longer feasible priorities. The safest investment is in human capital. The new system will reward those who add value in very practical terms. Translation: the old idea of a prestigious diploma being a ticket
to a great future is going the way of the dodo and the cassette player.
We've long known that college education and job training are rarely the same thing. The New Reality contains the additional bummer that a degree will no longer be any substantive advantage to entering a secure or profitable career. The professions that used to be the realm of prosperity: medicine, law, big business, finance--are not only so highly taxed, regulated and litigated as to suck the profitability out of them, they are also the industries to take the hardest hit in the new bummer paradigm. Pretty much all those blokes now work de facto for the government, and the
government's flat busted.

What does this mean for you and me? It means, to say it again, that an investment in human capital is our best bet for our free and prosperous future, and that of our posterity. In plain terms: be your own best asset. Not your house, your resume, your bank account. You. Learn the things about history, economy, politics, human nature, relationships, finances, health and so forth that make you an asset in every situation, to everyone you meet. As you do this, you will be able to recognize opportunities and marshal resources to rise to those opportunities. You will be a blessing to your family and community throughout your life, no matter the changing circumstance. In fact, as Socrates argued to Crito, even your death cannot mitigate your value to your children and the others you influence. Your nobility, your virtue, wisdom, diplomacy and courage, will inspire greatness in others and move the cause of liberty.

This is an amazing opportunity for those who deal in self-help, private academies, online teaching and alternative higher education. With a more level playing field, the dinosaurs of the late era cannot compete. Their overhead, their lack of agility and their competing priority to maintain their previous splendor will render them unresponsive to the new marketplace; and those with the ability to deliver educational opportunities at a fraction of their cost will gobble up their clientele--certainly enough of it to allow for a vibrant and competitive atmosphere where choices abound and opportunities for education for this time will be economically viable for both the service provider and the consumer.
It boils down to this: if you've been putting off getting your financial house in order, making amends with your physical health, building great family relationships and/or getting a world-class education, then there is no time like the present to take the next right step. Consider carefully before investing in other things over which you have little control. Define success and progress in terms of becoming and serving. The other baskets look like they might go up in flames. Time to put your eggs in your basket.

The new realities feel, to individuals born with your particular package of gifts and aspirations, like coming home. You were born to help people in crisis. You were born to fix things. You were born to lead with moral courage (either by force of personality or by quiet example) in a time when the figurative earth is quakingunder the feet of everyone else around you and they want someone to hold on to.

So back to the original question: Now what?
My answer: the time, the circumstances, the opportunities are all in place; this is your time to shine.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,talented and fabulous?

Actually who are we not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And when we let our own light shine,

we unconsciously give other people

permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,

our presence automatically liberates others.

Used by permission of the author. Copyright, Rachel DeMille, 2008.
www.tjedonline.com

Groceries....and glitter boy

Its been a while since I did a really good grocery trip...the sales the last few weeks have been..well..lacking. However, they made up for it this week. And so did I come to think of it..lol..
We bought:
20 bottles of ALL detergent
10 cake mixes
10 cans of frosting
24 boxes of Betty Crocker potatoes
20 Swave deodorant...(a lifetime supply...if you get one for christmas don't be offended!)
22 cans of Progresso soup
20 jars of peanut butter
11 bottles of Dove shampoo/conditioner
way to much cereal
some tic tacs
more hamburger helper
a bunch of cookie mix


We spent $258, but our savings amount with sales and coupons was $499.48...plus I still have a coupon for $30 off my next shopping trip. Not bad for one day's work. Now I need to make it all fit in my cupboards...hhmmmmm.









On a side note..the other day while I was cleaning up a dozen eggs that Ben had thrown all over my kitchen, somewhere he found a bottle of glitter that I didn't know we owned. He had fun sprinkling it all over the living room floor. It only took seconds to accomplish, but we are STILL finding glitter on things.

A blind date....

Cory wrote this for one of his classes...its not exactly how I remember it, but it gets the gist of it down..lol.. the picture was taken right after Cory's mission.--before we broke up. (Yes we did break up!!)


Blind dates, that seems to be the way it works in my family. My mother and father were set up on a blind date and three days later they were engaged to be married! If my dad had had his way they would have been engaged after two days, but he had to wait for my mom to make sure it was right. They have now been married for 40 years.

In my senior year, my wife and I met on a blind date as well, but we did not get engaged three days later. I had been set up with Bonita (my wife) so that her friend (Cheri), the one we were double dating with, could check me out. After our blind date, I dated Cheri for a while but then I realized that Bonita was the one that I wanted to be with.

It was a lot of fun reading this chapter and looking at it in the context of meeting my wife and dating her former best friend. I was able to go thru all of the stages of relationship development that Knapp and Vangelisti talked about in the book. In this paper I will look at each of the coming together and coming apart, as it pertained to me meeting and getting together with my wife.

First was the coming together. After our first blind date the three of us did a lot of things together. This started the initiating stage and we all became good friends. Then Bonita went to Salt Lake for a few weeks in the summer to stay with family. This left me alone with Cheri and of course we moved to the experimenting phase. She would keep asking me more and more things about myself that I was not sure I wanted to share with another person. I knew that if I did, it would open me up to getting close to her. Finally, I decided that I would open up to her and that moved us into the intensifying phase. I believe that the interaction phase came when Bonita came back from Salt Lake and saw us holding hands. Luckily for me I knew that the bonding phase would never happen, because after getting to know Cheri I knew that I could never live with her.

As soon as I knew that It was not going to work out, I began to feel the stage of differentiating. I started to look at all of the differences that we had and how those differences moved us farther apart. Then we moved to the circumscribing stage where we limited our communication. It seemed like we had nothing in common to talk about anymore. This is the stagnating phase. When she moved away to go to college we moved into the avoiding stage. I don’t know if this was technically avoiding or more logistics. Although even with her moving away, she would come back on weekends and brakes from school and would try to act like we were still together. So I had to take it to the last phase and terminate the relationship by having the dreaded breakup talk.

It was nice to finally brake up officially Cheri so I could allow my feelings Bonita to express themselves. By the time this happened Bonita had gotten involved with another boy from her symphony group. We ended up in the initiating and intensifying stage for a lot longer then what it was with Cheri. Finally Bonita was talking to her "boyfriend" on the phone one day and said something about me to him and he said "you are always talking about Cory. Cory this, and Cory that why don’t you go be with Cory?" She said ok, and hung up the phone, never to be with him again. I just so happened to be there at her house when she had this conversation with him and she let me know what had happened. We tried for some time to continue in the “just good friends” phase for a time because I was going on a mission and could not get married until after that. All of the experimenting and intensifying just naturally moved our relationship into a coming closer together in our interaction. There was never a formal “Will you wait for me?” but we both knew that we would be together. After a long two years on a mission and a few bumps in the road after I returned (I wont go into detail or this paper will be way to long), we got engaged. This was an interesting experience for us because as far as Bonita was concerned we had broken up. We went right from the circumscribing and stagnation phase of coming apart to the bonding phase. Almost all of the people that knew us were amazed because they thought it was over. Now twelve years later and three boys, with one more boy one the way, we still know that we are “meant for each other” and that knowledge keeps us going through all of the hard times.

The other day I was in my social psychology class and he was giving us a test about schemas that are easily active in are mind. He asked us to write five things down about ourselves, then about our best friend, and then about our second best friend. When he got to this part I did not know what to do. I just sat there staring at all of the other people in the class writing things down. I realized that my wife is my best friend and I have no second best friend. There are many people that I would call acquaintances or may even introduce them as my friend to others, but there are no other people that I would call my best friend. That is reserved for my wife and none else.

Knights...err..Soldiers of Freedom activity

For knights this week we had been reading about Stonewall Jackson. I had no idea that he was such a powerful character, not only that but a very devout Christian. He only went to school a few months in his life, but was still able to graduate the top of his class at West Point. The entire story was amazing to me. And to think that it was friendly fire that eventually took his life. That was the turning point in the Civil War that let the Union eventually win.
I had the boys bring an item in a paper bag that reminded them of what they had learned in the book. It was so fun to see the different items that the boys picked up on. One boy brought scriptures, another boy brought sticks (from when he lived on the Mississippi and cut wood for the steamboats), another brought an old gun and one boy brought a big stuffed fish from when Tom would fish for the whole community. The boys made hardtack and johnnycakes, and I had a costume for the boys to dress up in like a civil war soldier boy to take their pictures in sepia, but we ran out of time to do this...bummer! I had also gathered stories of some of the children who were in the civil war, i had a big activity planned with this but we didn't have time for that either.
HOWEVER, we had the ROTC come and do military drills with the boys and the boys loved it! It was interesting to see the boys slouch and act like little boys when the Sgt. started, but by the end of the hour they were standing up tall, walking erect, and acting so organized and sharp! It was great!! I reminded me of something from Taming of the Shrew (I did learn something) that if you treat people a certain way, they will act a certain way.

Taming of the Shrew

I have just finished reading the story Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare and have found myself utterly confused. Not only was I confused about how my entire bag of dark chocolate had disappeared, but I was confused about the story line and for the life of me I couldn’t fathom why in the world was I choosing to read Shakespeare. I don’t hate Shakespeare, but I have never had that burning desire to read anything by him, attend his plays, or to even try to understand him. The urge simply wasn’t there. So, as I have attempted to understand this complex plot of switching characters, who loves who, and a play within a play, I have tried to find something that would spark some sort of craving to enjoy more Shakespeare. It reminds me of the first time I tried dark chocolate. The first time I didn’t like it, but I had heard how good it was so I tried it again. The next time it wasn’t so bad. But by the third and fourth time, I had developed a longing for that sweet, bitter, intense long lasting flavor of dark chocolate. Milk Chocolate was not chocolaty enough for me, I needed MORE.

That is why I was grateful for the character of Kate in this play. She was the type of character that when you first meet her, she didn’t come across as a likeable character. Binding her sister up and slapping everyone who crosses you, isn’t the best way to make a good impression. But, nonetheless, that was her choice of reputation. She was harsh, difficult to be around, and an overall not somebody that you would want to be around upon meeting. It reminded me of my attitude towards Shakespeare. She continued to be like this until someone was determine enough to find her otherwise. Petruchio’s first design may have been about the dowry he would have received, however, upon further study, he was able to have an enjoyable woman that was tamed to his preference.

I still don’t understand everything that happened in the play within the play, however if compare it to my favorite dark chocolate, I think I will be able to take another bite and enjoy it a little more. I will savor this bite and continue to try to understand it. Then I will take another and another small bite until I am able to find the intensity of Shakespeare that I can understand and enjoy.

Knight of Freedom Summit!!!

For the past two days we finally were able to defend our Kingdom of Kolob against the rebellious Ceredic. Ceredic, the Queen's brother, has been causing trouble in the kingdom, spreading rumors that he was the rightful King. However, because of his rebelious behavior, his father bestowed the crown upon the noble and wise Igraine. Ceredic stormed the castle and demanded the crown, which he was promptly denied, and escorted from the castle. For two days our brave knights trained for the danger that looked eminent, and sure enough, Ceredic demanded the kingdom and they were ready to fight for their queen. Our brave knight were successful, and Ceredic chose to remain in the kingdom and to stop inflicting rebellion in the hearts of its residents.

It was a great weekend!!!


For more pictures see: Misty's Blog

The Chosen

For our book this week we read "The Chosen" by Chaim Potock..I haven't turned in my paper yet..but here it is.....
Solomon Radasky was born in Warsaw, Poland. Out of the 78 member of his family, he was the only one to survive the terrors of the holocaust. He was beaten numerous times, forced to watch others die, and he experienced other horrors that only he will remember. His sisters and mother were killed when they had no money to give the German soldiers. His father and brother were killed when they were caught smuggling bread to the ghetto. His other relatives boarded trains, and he never heard from them again. When he found himself surrounded by Germans one day, he ended up at Auschwitz, terrified of what lay ahead, he decided that he wanted to live each day. One day, he was with a group of 50 men and one of them had snuck a cigarette and smoked it, the guards found out and demanded that they tell who had the cigarette. The group wouldn’t tell. So, the guard took 10 of the men and had them line up on the hanging gallows. Each of the men had to place the rope around their neck and were being told to step off their box. Solomon was one of those men. However, at the last moment, another guard came by and demanded to know what was happening and immediately stopped the proceedings. Solomon was then forced to work in the crematoriums that were murdering thousands of his people. He would bury their ashes with sand from a nearby sandbar. Regardless of the atrocities that he witnessed, Solomon lived to see the end of World War II.

The holocaust was a terrible time in recent history. We have heard many stories of survivors and victims surface for the last 60 years—each one more terrible than the last. I have been taught ever since my early childhood that everything has a purpose, that we must accept God’s will. But I have always had a hard time accepting man made tragedies, such as the holocaust, to the will of God.

Reading The Chosen has awakened some trouble that I have had when dealing with “God’s will.” Was it God’s will that two airplanes struck the twin towers and killed thousands of people? Was it God’s will that my uncle died, who was a deeply religious man with 4 young children under the age of seven? Is it God’s will that the economy is a mess? Is it God’s will that I get a job, homeschool my children, or have pancakes for breakfast? When is it God’s will? And when is our agency the cause of our own destruction.

Lorenzo Snow said that “As man is, God once was; and as God is, man may become.” (President Spencer W. Kimball quoting in "Our Great Potential" from the April 1977 Priesthood Session of General Conference) God was once a man like ourselves and has overcome the carnal state. He did this through his own agency. His father did not give him the answers to all of this questions, he had to search them out and learn for himself. In this, agency became such a sacred thing that God was willing to allow 1/3 of his children to be cast out of his presence, knowing that they would never attain their full glory. God would rather allow us to damn ourselves, then to force his agency on us.

Rev Sanders said that the holocaust was God’s will. That it was God’s will for the 6 million Jews to be annihilated. If this was the case then the hate that Hitler had for Jews, and all of those like him that murdered the Jews, must have been God’s Will also. Just because God allows bad things to happen doesn’t mean that it is His will. Bad things have always happened to good people. Other people’s agency has a constant affect on what happens to our lives. It is only up to us to decide how we respond to the situations that we find ourselves. Did Hitler have to choose to wipe out an entire generation of Jews? No. He could have chosen a different life. God gives us laws and guidelines, and then it is up to us to follow them according to our own dictates. Just as we must allow our children to learn and grow with their mistakes, we cannot force them to learn or obey our rules, but they do learn through the mistakes that they make. People make horrible decisions. They choose to surrender their agency to alcohol and drugs, pornography, modern technology, even our own tempers and weakness can affect our decision making abilities. If our children make these mistakes, does that mean that it was our will that it happens?

We must teach, guide and inspire all that we can, but the choices of our children make are still our children’s mistakes. Alma 36:6 says “…behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions..” God has given us a guide written in the scriptures that we may choose to follow, he sent his Son, Jesus Christ to live as an example for us to follow, and he has promised to answer our prayers and to send the Holy Spirit to be a personal guide whenever we need his help. The teachings are there, it is up to us to choose to follow them. To hold God responsible for the mistakes of Man is unfair. Man’s mistakes are man’s mistakes. Not God’s will.

So, what is God’s will? Surely with God’s power he is able to step in and not allow the drunk driver to strike the other car. Surely God is able to send his angels to safely guard the soldiers in battle. He can and He does. Who knows how many time God has lend his assistance to us, his children, as we stumble and we learn to walk in this mortality. God assists us in love, in feeling peace in trials, and overcoming the challenges that we have. Romans 8: 28 states “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” This means that no matter what comes our way, God knows that we will be able to bring good about through it.D&C100:15 “Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly...” Trials, temptations, and tragedies happen to everyone, as nobody is immune to the consequences of ourselves, others and the effect they will have on us. Because of this, God has promised everyone that He will assist us in every way that he can. Just as a loving parent will help their child try again after we fall off a bike, or will patiently help a child learn to read letter by letter, God can comfort and assist us in our trials. Will it still be hard? Of course. God loves us and will strengthen us in our time of need. Deuteronomy 23:5 says . “..but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee”

Solomon Radasky had a curse become a blessing in his life because he had the knowledge of gematriya. The same gematriya that Danny and Reuvan enjoyed so much. This simple mathematic concept was the beginning for Solomon Radasky’s will to survive the war. On his arm the number 28232 was tattooed onto his arm. The separate numbers add up to 18. In the Hebrew language since the letters of the alphabet stand for numbers. The letters which stand for the number eighteen spell out the Hebrew word "Chai,"which means life. Solomon chose life and he is one example of understanding that it was not God’s will to have the Jews go through this terrible ordeal. Just as Reuvan and his father knew it was not God’s will. They understood that it is our choice to intervene and make something of ourselves in spite of our problems and trials that come around. God gave us the agency to be a force of good on the earth or bad on the earth. We cannot control God’s will or the will of evil man. All we can do is control how we react to it.

Tonights dinner...

Ok tonights dinner was a huge success...even Ben had 3 bowls of it. :-D And Cory gave me a big thumbs up. So, I thought I'd share....

Cheesy Corn Chowder--from my Taste of Home magazine June 2008

6 bacon strips chopped
3/4 cup chopped sweet onion
2 1/2 cups water
2 1/2 cups chopped potatoes
2 cups sliced fresh carrots
2 tsp chicken bouillon
3 cans gold and white corn, drained
1/2 tsp pepper
7 tablespoons all purpose flour
5 cups milk
3 cops shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup cubed process cheese (Velveeta)

In Dutch oven, cook bacon and onion over medium heat until onion is tender. Add the water, potatoes, carrots and bouillon; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Stir in corn and pepper. In a large bowl, whisk flour and milk until smooth; add to soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add the cheeses; cook and stir until cheeses are melted.

Side note...we used canned potatoes and instead of the carrots and corn we used a bag of mixed frozen vegetables (those that were on sale this last week..lol..) Plus we didn't have that much shredded cheese , but it still was a very rich soup. My tummy is quite full..lol.. Not a recipe for the dieter.

ENJOY!

Adventures in the corn maze

Last friday was homeschool day at the Corn Maze in Washington.
The boys were so excited to go.



The maze seemed a little over whelming at first.














Ben didn't know if he was going to make it!
















Thankfully Dad was tall enough to see in all the corn-ness.















And we finally found Luke in the tall stalks.



















We did find the bell!! Ben loved ringing it.















Finally! We made it out alive!!

Conference bingo...sorta

So the boys played conference bingo this morning, and it didn't go quite as planned. Ben got a little carried away, so the break between conference was spent..well..cleaning it up. Ben is now banned from the bingo game.

Temple in Rome!!!

Ok I'm sure I'm not the only one ECSTATIC about the announcement today of an LDS temple in Rome, Italy. The historical significance to this just blows my mind! With the history of Rome, and religious Rome, I am literally thinking that I never really thought there would be a temple in Rome...maybe somewhere else in Italy, but ROME?!!
In September's Liahona there was even an article featuring the youth in Rome.

"Here is one thing that these youth aren’t satisfied with, and that’s the number of times they can attend the temple. Without a temple in Italy, the Church members in Rome drive about nine hours (one way) to the Bern Switzerland Temple. Trips to perform baptisms for the dead are infrequent. But even though the temple is far away, these youth keep it close to their hearts by striving to hold onto the special feelings they receive when they attend.

“When I’m at the temple, I feel at home,” Sami says. “Every time I grow a little more.”

“My favorite part about the temple is that I feel the Spirit very strongly,” says Andrew. “I know that our ancestors are thanking us for helping them. We give them a gift.”

Dalila agrees. “It is beautiful to feel that the people accept what we are doing for them. It’s a wonderful experience.”

Arianna wraps up her friends’ comments: “All the things they said are true. The temple is a holy place on earth, and it doesn’t matter that the temple is in Switzerland or Spain. The Spirit is always the same, and we can grow every time.”

Present-day Rome is littered with broken pieces of ancient buildings, stairways, and arches—pieces of once-grand structures destroyed by stronger forces. The youth in Rome, on the other hand, take the pieces of their lives—the gospel, scriptures, family, standards, the temple—and develop solid testimonies that withstand the negative influences of the world."

I love General Conference, listening to the Prophet is so edifying and it fills my spritual resivor. What a blessing to live in these latter days to listen to a living prophet.

shopping shopping shoppin

Here is today's shopping adventure.
With a grand total of $67.81
We even splurged on a pineapple..yum yum

Little Britches

I'm taking a night class, and as part of the class we read a book every couple weeks and write a paper about each book. The book that we read and studied this week was Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers by Ralph Moody. This book is truly a life transformational book...if you let it. It can be a simple story of a boy growing up, but it can also be a book that that can teach you to be a better parent.
Ranching is not a new lifestyle to me. I grew up among the alfalfa fields, the truckloads of hay, and the endless cattle and farm animals. I had the wise dad that would give me advice any time I needed it and there was always a perfect sunset to watch in the evening. Ok, so maybe it wasn’t as picture perfect as I would like to remember but I cherish my upbringing as I cherish this book.

While reading this book I have found myself re-evaluating my character and teaching character to my children. I have always thought that I was brought up on “good” principles. I was raised in a close LDS family and although character wasn’t discussed or formally taught, I do remember having conversations with my Dad about character. I think I was like Ralph in many cases. I remember having the same thought processes and rationalizations that led me to the same amount of trouble (if not more). But now that I’m a Mom, I find it more difficult to teach these things to my kids. Ralph’s dad and my dad seemed to have a talent for teaching right and wrong. This is a talent that I obviously haven’t been handed so I would like to learn and develop it. If Ralph was able to practice swinging around a moving horse, I should be able to learn how to teach character to my children.

So, in taking the advice of learning from the classics, I want to learn from Ralph, his father, and the many learning experiences and see if I can apply them to myself.

One common behavior that Charles had whenever he was disciplining Ralph, was his control of temper. He never lost control of his anger and always seemed to have the “big picture” in mind when talking to Ralph. It was always a matter of “Is this the kind of man you want to be when you are older?” not “What were you thinking?!”(The latter taken from my own story of raising kids.) When Ralph stole the chocolate, Charles didn’t rant and rave about the chocolate, but he calmly and firmly discussed the problem, why it was a problem, and what a better solution could have been. In other situations, such as when he was herding cows with Fanny, Charles would simply point out Ralph’s goals that he had and asked him if his current behavior would help or hinder him in reaching his goals. No yelling or belittling Ralph, just a simple refocus on what his goals were and how he could reach them. I think of my boys and how I discipline them and point out their faults and I realize that I am far from Mr. Moody’s example. I have a tendency to point out their shortcomings in a non-loving, judgmental way that will most likely not produce the same results that Charles Moody was able to have. I think that is why Ralph respected his father so much is that when he was disciplined, it was done privately, amicably, quickly, and then it wasn’t dwelt upon in the hours/days to come. This simple formula of discipline would transform my home. If I would discipline my boys privately, with respect, quickly and then move on, I believe the entire atmosphere would change in my home. Not only would there be less yelling but then I would be able to have those opportunities to teach the character attributes that I would love my boys to have. Instead of dwelling on the problems and situations that arise, to take those situations and try and put a positive spin on it.

One part of the story has been mulling in my mind the past few days. When Ralph comes back from seeing the sheriff and his father says to him that” a man always made his troubles less by going to meet them instead of waiting for them to catch up with him, or trying to run away from them.” (p.147) The more I have thought about this quote, the more disturbed I have felt. I have always been a protective mother to my kids. I am the mother hen with all of her chicks under her wings. Recently I have been involved with a local boys group and a situation has arisen that makes me wonder if I am being over protective and not letting my boys “face their troubles.” Am I teaching them to shrink under pressure and to flee the situation, am I teaching them to not face the bullies but to just leave or quit the group? When do I draw the line between protecting my kids and defending them (as Charles did with the school teacher) or letting them learn their own lessons (as Ralph did with the sheriff). I don’t have an answer to my own question yet, but it has given me reason to ponder the situation more and to reassess my involvement (or over-involvement) as a parent.

Blokus anyone?

So this past week our family activity was a game of Blokus. Luke received it for his birthday--mainly because I love playing it even if I am terrible. Well, at the end of the game Cory had one piece to few and insisted that Luke had lost a piece. Luke was adamant that he had not lost any pieces. So, Luke had to prove it. So, he sorted them. And guess what. Luke did not lose a piece. HHhhhmmmmm.....

Today with the Knights of Freedom

For knights of freedom this week the boys read a rather difficult biography about Abraham Lincoln. It was very poeticaly written and above their little 1o year old heads. So kudos to them for sticking with it! Afterwards we had "Abe Lincoln" talk to the boys over at Ancestor Square. He knew everything about Abe Lincoln you could imagine and he did a very good job. The boys loved it! We had a great time!

More groceries

So its time for our weekly grocery adventure. This time we purchased
8 bags of cereal
8 jars of gourmet pace salsa (this one made me so excited! the price was regularly 3.99...but with it being on sale for $2 and having a $1 off coupon with the sale made it just $1!!! Chips and salsa for dinner tonight!)
48 cans of cream of chicken soup
26 cans of a variety of the chunky soup--those big cans that Cory loves..lol..
plus some crackers, mac and cheese, and such
my total was $201
After sales and coupons my total was.....$62

Tomorrow a new sale starts....bwaa haa haaaaa

Ode to Ray

Well Ray....since you never read my blog, lol, I feel it necessary to give you a proper birthday blog post. :-) Since today you are turning 30!!!! Love you Ray!

Ray's first day home from the hospitol, can you believe how great my mom looks! And she just had a baby! My dad is cute too. :-D

Happy Birthday to the music maestro Dr. Brown
-- my favorite brother!!

I love apples!!

Lately we have been having an apple fest. Apples have been my ultimate craving during this pregnancy so I had an AWESOME friend pick up a couple boxes from the Red Barn when she was up north. We have been in Apple HEAVEN! These were the best Galas I've EVER had! I had to botttle a few to rationalize my apple frenzy, so it has been a fun day!The boys were great help! They peeled almost ALL of the apples for me. Yeah BOYS!!


This was the first time I tried Clear Gel. The bottles on the left was the Clear Gel, on the right cornstarch. I love the golden, clear color of the Clear Gel. I will probably use a lot more.



Oh the apples were good!