Ambitious April

Knee'd I say more?

2012-01-16T14:27:00.000-08:00

Oliver and I were chatting about how I am going to be getting my knee brace off on Wednesday, when I go into my doctors appointment. I was telling him how I would be able to do more things like I used to do. He says , "Oh like beating up Daddy and tickling him. And you can make cookies again!."

Sleeping Beauty

2012-01-06T23:50:00.001-08:00

My niece Charlie feel asleep while we were watching Cake Boss. She is taking up half the bed. I have enough room, but not sure were Levi will sleep tonight.

Do You Know The Muffin Man?

2011-12-10T11:38:00.001-08:00

...The Muffin Man!?

We are busy making our yearly ornament for friends and family. And when I say 'we' I mean the kids make one each and I have made about 40.

This year we picked these half eaten gingerbread men. They are surprisingly easy to make and each one ends up being truly unique. (Some look more tortured than others)

Best Dad Ever

2011-11-14T22:25:00.001-08:00

Tipping

2011-11-10T12:40:00.001-08:00

The only way to leave a tip.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T23:26:00.000-07:00

When October rolls around it is crunch time for costumes. The boys are always VERY specific about what they want to be. I am talking color specific...like that is the wrong shade of red for Mario and her wears black shoes I need black shoes only! I love hearing what they come up to be each year and I try to make it happen for them.

This year I pulled together 9 costumes total. I came up with the ones for our family and some for some friends. It is something I LOVE to do.

Below:
Josef 14 is Dr. Who #10 (David Tennant)
Ian 11 is Mario and he has a Toad Stool
Kaleb 8 is a Mad Scientist
Oliver 6 is a Toy Story Alien again

Jack-o-Lanterns 2011

2011-10-30T19:59:00.000-07:00

The boys carved the pumpkins they found at Linder Farms into some adorable Jack-O-Lanterns. This year they all did about 85% of the work. In past years we have done most of the actual work involved while they were just project managers. We told them to keep the designs simple so they would be successful. The finished faces have a cartoon quality to them. They turned out great!!

Superheroes

2011-10-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

Levi and I came up with another fun couples costume this year. Everyone has wanted to be a superhero at one time or another. Why not in your 30's? Here we are as Wonder Woman and Superman. These are not costumes though...in our real lives we really do have to have super human abilities to survive raising 4 boys, homeschool, and endure12 years of marriage.

Count Gourdula

2011-10-29T18:13:00.000-07:00

Ian got some small gourds and created this guard guy. He is so proud of it. He is a vampire gourd so we named him Count Gourdula.

It's Fall Again!

2011-10-25T21:01:00.000-07:00

Mitchell Boys @ Homeschool Day at Linder Farms, Kuna, ID Oct 2011

The first frost was today. All my pumpkin leaves died and I can see what our harvest will be.
I am going to start warming up the oven for some baking.
The boys Halloween costumes are almost finished.
All the Halloween decorations are hung up.
Tree leaves are turning colors.
Hot Chocolate sounds yummy.
I broke out my boots and sweaters and put them in my closet.
I am looking forward to my favorite season!

Guess What?!

2011-10-25T20:57:00.000-07:00

I'm Pregnant!

Surprised?!

Me too!

My MIL went to her Visiting Teaching interview tonight. Greeted by congratulations from the Relief Society President about how I am due soon and they have me on the list for a baby blanket. Needless to say my MIL was shocked at the news.

Needless to say, I am NOT pregnant. I have no idea who in the ward reported it the the Relief Society.It's pretty funny. Maybe they could let me know my due date...

BTW Picture is from 2004 when I was pregnant with Oliver

Oliver loves frogs

2011-10-23T18:36:00.001-07:00

Oliver made this frog craft and is so proud of it.

When Pigs Fly

2011-10-20T00:06:00.000-07:00

My 2nd son Ian is 11! I can hardly believe it! He wanted his cake decorated with Gir from a cartoon he likes called Invader Zim. It turned out pretty good.

Ian is an amazing kid; lovable, creative, and fun. I am looking froward to seeing him bridge these pre-teen years to manhood.

Facebook Characters 9/14/11

2011-09-14T19:37:00.001-07:00

I stumbled upon this blog where a man drew charactures of all his facebook friends. I thought it looked fun!Here is my first one. I am hoping to do one or two a week. I've been thinking I should start drawing again anyway. This is a fun way to practice. I wonder if my Facebook friends can 'guess who?'.

Chubs wears the cone of shame

2011-09-04T21:22:00.001-07:00

We had to take poor Chubs into the Emergency Vet over Labor Day weekend. He had a small bump on his right cheek that grew over night, to about the size of a golf ball. The vet said it was an abcess due to another cat scratching him outside. The nurse shaved him and then the vet lanced it open. We have to keep it open and let it drain...it is not pretty. We are putting warm compresses on him for as long as he will let us hold a cloth on his face. His least favorite part of the whole ordeal has to be the antibiotic pill he has to take every 12 hours.

Here he is in all his sad kitty-ness. He was so humiliated at having to where the cone he tried to go back into his carrier (which he hates) just so no one would see him.

I Wish I Could Meet Him!

2011-09-02T20:28:00.000-07:00

The younger two boys are in the bathroom together getting ready for bed. I am on facebook, overhearing them...

Kaleb says, " He made our whole world."
Oliver says, " And all the other planets too."
Kaleb says, " He is so awesome!"
Oliver, "I know, I wish I could meet him!
Kaleb, " Well you will one day, after you die and then you can live with him."
Oliver, " That is so cool."

Mitchell Family Reunion: Day 1

2011-08-17T15:37:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we headed out for the 2011 Mitchell Family Reunion. This years reunion was hosted by Levi's brother Birney, he invited us all to Seattle for a fun filled week. This first day we drove from Meridian, ID to Shoreline, WA. We arrived in the evening.

CLICK ON PAGES TO ENLARGE

Kingston, WA

2011-08-02T08:25:00.001-07:00

This morning at 6am we took a car ferry from Edmonds, WA across to Kingston. It was a short 30 min ride that cost $40, but it sure beat the 3 hour drive a toll booths going via land. In Kingston we stopped for gas and saw these weird carved wooden statues out front. Here are pictures of Oliver with the bear and Josef in the car. I sure missed his face the last 6 weeks while he was with his Uncle in Washington.

Pikes Place Market Seattle, WA

2011-08-01T17:12:00.001-07:00

Had a nice day walking around Pikes Place Market. We saw lots of neat things for sale, many were handmade. We ate lunch at Ivers. The boys loved feeding the seagulls their French fries. Then we headed to the Seattle Aquarium and the gum wall. Pictures to come when we get back.

Victor Steinbruek Park Seattle, WA

2011-08-01T10:44:00.001-07:00

Waiting to tour Pikes Place with a bunch of nuts.

Seattle roadtrip- Thorp, WA

2011-07-31T19:23:00.001-07:00

We stopped at Thorp Fruit and Antique Mall in Thorp, WA. We bought some cherries and sweet peas. They have a fantastic homegrown taste! Upstairs they have a huge antique store with adorable kitchy items. I loved all the quilts and coveted the fiestaware display. Oliver was really excited about these jumbo yard decorations and actually WANTED his photo taken, which never happens. Enjoy possibly the last photos of him from this trip.

Roadtrip to Seattle - Granger, WA

2011-07-31T18:32:00.001-07:00

We stopped in the small town of Granger and wondered at the dinosaur themes gas stations. The clerk told us the town had a dino theme. We drove down Dinosaur Drive for a fun tour of 12 dinosaur sculptures. The kids named each one as we took the photos.

Man-speak

2011-07-11T23:29:00.000-07:00

Overheard from downstairs-

Oliver (6) walks into room where his Dad is folding laundry.
Oliver says, "Your names Bob and I'm Joe."
Levi replies, "OK."
Oliver pauses and then says in a cool deep voice, " Hey Bob."
Levi replies, " Hey Joe."

The Gift of Change

2011-06-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

picture from My Thoughts, My Feelings Blog

"Dwell not on the past. Use it to illustrate a point, then leave it behind. Nothing really matters except what you do now in this instant of time. From this moment onwards you can be an entirely different person, filled with love and understanding, ready with an outstretched hand, uplifted and positive in every thought and deed." (Eileen Caddy, Spiritual Writer)

Kaleb's Baptism

2011-06-04T22:36:00.000-07:00

Wednesday

2011-05-19T00:52:00.000-07:00

SO my day started out not so great I had awful allergies and unplanned early morning dental appointments.

Afterwards I took some allergy meds and got a nap.

Tonight I made some brownies and took them to Tanya's Mary Kay Grand Opening, which was lots of fun all thanks to my brownies! Here is the recipe if you are now craving brownies: Mmm-Mmm-Better-Brownies

We went out afterwards for some impromptu Karaoke singing. I sang Heartbreaker by Pat Benetar for the first time in front of a real audience. I channeled my inner 80s rock diva and I think I nailed it. I might be able to sing like you Pat...but I am pretty sure I could never work those spandex pants and horizontal stripes like you can. Guess you can't be great at everything.

Have A Heart?

2011-05-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

Me: "Kaleb and Oliver please clean the table off. "
Kaleb(7): " It's not my turn!"
Me: " On Sundays no one has assigned chores you just do what you are asked and help out from the kindness of your heart."
Oliver(6): " I don't think I have a heart."

Mothers Day

2011-05-14T14:47:00.003-07:00

The boys gave me these cute charms for Mothers Day. They each brought me a handmade card and their charms. Levi gave me the silver chain to put the charms on. Its adorable!

When cheeseburgers attack.....

2011-05-14T14:47:00.001-07:00

....fight back!

My Church Talk on the Gifts of the Ressurection

2011-04-16T22:20:00.000-07:00

The GIFTS of the Resurrection

INTRO:

Hello my name is April Mitchell, I’m married to Levi Mitchell who is the youngest son of long time ward members Barry and Elinda Mitchell. We have four boys ranging in ages from 13-6. We have been boomerang children off and on through out our 12 years of marriage, so we’ve been in this ward a few times, a year here and a few months there. I’m a convert, and this was the first ward I ever attended. I would tag along with Levi’s parents to find out what Mormons were all about. So Its always refreshing to come back to the Meridian 1^st ward. To see old friendly faces, of course they are more friendly than old.

Since I am a convert, I was not raised in this Church. I was raised up in various Evangelical churches. I am the oldest of 4 children to a single mother. We lived with my Grandmother on and off throughout my childhood. She is an extremely passionate and faith filled person. When I was very young my Grandmother had just become a newly ‘born again’ Christian she shared her new found faith with our family. Our church was an excitable bunch. We played tambourines to worship music and the pastor prayed over those in his congregation with gusto and drama. In this atmosphere of constant celebration, I used to crawl into bed with my Grandmother and beg her in my small voice “ Can you read me the story of when Jesus Died on the Cross?” I remember a lot of emphasize being placed on the part about how he died on the cross for me, an extreme sacrifice, but this was not my favorite part of the story. The Trial, Atonement, and Crucifixion of Christ, to me as a child, were the sad stories that lead to the Happy Ever After. My favorite part of the story was the ending the Resurrection of Christ.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth and preached His gospel of love. He was betrayed by one of His closest associates. He was subjected to the cruelty of an unjust trial and sentenced to death. He then died on a cross between two thieves on Calvary’s hill. His lifeless body was buried in a borrowed tomb, the entrance sealed by a great stone and Roman soldiers placed to guard it. Faithful women came that first Easter morning to dress the body of their beloved Master. They were surprised and grieved to be greeted by an empty tomb. When angels spoke these wondrous words to them:

“Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:5–6).

The Resurrection of Christ and our own eventual Resurrection are gifts given to us by a loving Heavenly Father. There are blessings without end within the Gift of the Resurrection. I will attempt to explain a few of them.

Christ our Savior Lives

One of the first gifts of the Resurrection is the knowledge that Christ our Savior lives and is not lost. We have many accounts in the scriptures of those who have testified to seeing, hearing and touching the Resurrected Christ.

The Resurrected Savior appeared to the faithful Nephites.

“And … behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.

“And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world”

And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:

Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:

Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.” (3 Ne. 11-8-17)

Christ dies but he is not gone, he was resurrected and lives on.

Lesson in faith

Along with the JOYOUS gift of knowing our Saviour lives on after death, is a GIFT OF INCREASED FAITH by truly believing in the resurrection of Christ and gaining a testimony of its truth and reality.

Even the disciples just shortly after his death and burial, began to lose faith and be confused. They wondered at what had happened to their Lord, why his body was gone. Their first response was to assume someone had stolen his body. You will recall that the disciples, who walked and talked with Christ on the road to Emmaus, did not recognize him at first. His true self was veiled from them. They were talking and worrying about what had become of their Lords body. Christ still unrevealed to them brought them to mind of all the scriptures concerning his resurrection. Later, “their eyes were opened, and they knew him,” when they reflected, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:31–32.)You will also recall that Jesus said to Thomas, “Be not faithless, but believing. …

The world is full of doubt and cynicism about Jesus, about who he was and the reality of His resurrection. We observe with sorrow those who deny Christ, denying His virgin birth, his ministry, and resurrection. What a great victory Satan would win if he could just convince men there is no Christ, that his death was his end! Satan has waged that war from the beginning. Matthew recorded that the chief priests gave “large money” to the soldiers guarding Jesus’ tomb, to have them spread the story that “his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept” (Matt. 28:12–13). It is sad to report that the soldiers “took the money, and did as they were taught” (Matt. 28:15). If Satam could just convince us that Christ was not who he said he was and that he was not truly resurrected, wouldn’t our faith be truly dissolved.

Without true belief in the Resurrection of Christ, our faith is meaningless. The Apostle Paul said, “If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and [our] faith is also vain.” ( 1 Corinthians 15:14.)

The Resurrection of Christ provides an opportunity for us to test our faith. Do we truly believe? Do we accept his Atonement? Believe he was truly Resurrected?

Christ said to Thomas, “Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:27, 29).

Gift to all:

Let every man and woman count himself immortal. Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection. Let him say not merely, "Christ is risen," but "I shall rise." ~Phillips Brooks

Jesus was the first to be resurrected (2 Nephi 2:8), and because of his Resurrection, all people will be resurrected (2 Nephi 9:22; Alma 11:42, 44). All mankind will rise from the dead. Resurrection is a gift to all.

Amulek declared: “The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame. … Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous” (Alma 11:43–44; emphasis added).

President Ezra Taft Benson has told us that the literal resurrection of every soul who has lived and died on earth is a certainty, and surely one should make careful preparation for this event. A glorious resurrection should be the goal of every man and woman, for resurrection will be a reality. Nothing is more absolutely universal than the resurrection. Every living being will be resurrected. “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:22.) (Apr. 1992The Meaning of EasterBy President Ezra Taft Benson)

We will recieve perfected bodies :

The restoring of our perfected bodies to our spirits is central to the gift of the Resurrection.

In the book of Alma it tells us that when we are resurrected, our spirits are reunited with our perfected bodies, never to be separated again (Alma 11:43, 45). Resurrection is essentially—the reuniting of the spirit and body in its perfect form.

The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame. (Alma 40:23-26)

President Joseph F. Smith said “that those from whom we have to part here, we will meet again and see as they are. We will meet the same identical being that we associated with here in the flesh.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith (1998), 91.)

President Spencer W. Kimball amplified this when he said, “I am sure that if we can imagine ourselves at our very best, physically, mentally, spiritually, that is the way we will come back.” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball (1982), 45.)

Immortality

The Gift of the Resurrection assures us that we will become immortal beings. The Saviors own Resurrections illustrates this promise of Immortality. Death is not the end. The Savior has promised us that “Because I live, ye shall live also.” (John 14:19.) When we die, it is not our end, we can rest assured in Gods promise of immortality.

In the book of Mormon the 179 year old prophet Enos shares with us his testimony of assured immortality. “And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.” (Enos 1:27)

Knowledge:

When we are resurrected the knowledge and intelligence we gained here on earth “will rise with us in the resurrection” (D&C 130:18–19).

In a talk given at BYU in 1992 President Hinkley shared, “What a miracle is the human mind. Think of its power to assimilate knowledge, to analyze and synthesize. What a remarkable thing is learning, the process whereby the accumulated knowledge of the centuries has been summarized and filtered so that in a brief period we can learn what was first learned only through long exercises of research and trial and error.

Education is the great conversion process under which abstract knowledge becomes useful and productive activity. It is something that need never stop. No matter how old we grow, we can acquire knowledge and use it. We can gather wisdom and profit from it. We can be entertained through the miracle of reading and exposure to the arts and add to the blessing and fulfillment of living. The older I grow, the more I enjoy the words of thoughtful writers, ancient and modern, and the savoring of that which they have written.

Under a divinely given mandate, we are to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). And “whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection” (D&C 130:18). (I Belive, Ensign August 1992, Gordon B Hinkley)

This is a great blessing to us from our Heavenly Father, all the knowledge we have learned here on earth will become part of our eternal and immortal selves.

Promise of Spiritual Perfection:

Our Resurrection also provides us with the gift and promise of true spiritual perfection. C. S. Lewis, who had unusual insight into “things as they really are” (Jacob 4:13), had this to say about what we can do once we get the perspective of immortality clearly in our minds:“The command be ye perfect is not idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. Christ is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command. He said (in the Bible) that we were “gods” and He is going to make good His words. If we let Him—for we can prevent Him, if we choose—He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or goddess, a dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness. The process will be long and in parts very painful; but that is what we are in for. Nothing less. He meant what He said” (Mere Christianity, New York City: Macmillan Paperbacks, 1960, page 160).

In a presentation to the Quorum of the Seventy, Elder Alexander B. Morrision shared this thought- “The command “be ye … perfect” (Matt. 5:48) cannot be executed overnight, or even by the end of mortality. It takes much, much longer to overcome all our weaknesses and qualify ourselves for godhood. Christ’s resurrection, which assured our immortality, provides the time necessary for us to at least seriously attempt to pursue the goal of perfection. (By Elder Alexander B. Morrison An abridged version of a presentation to the Quorums of the Seventy, 17 March 1994.)

Understanding the resurrection helps us understand our eternal nature:

The following verses of poetry are from a poem by Emily Bronte, titled No Coward Soul is Mine. Her sister, Charlotte Bronte believed they were the last lines her sister ever wrote.

There is not room for Death,
Nor atom that his might could render void:
Thou - Thou art Being and Breath,
And what Thou art may never be destroyed.

When we understand the Resurrection we begin to understand our own true eternal nature. The understandings and realization of our eternal nature is a special Gift from our Heavenly Father. The promise of life beyond the grave gives us a different perspective of ourselves and those around us. We learn we are immortal creatures, we realize that life, does not end with the grave, and does not begin with the cradle. We lived before we came to this earth. We will live on after we leave this earth. We are eternal creatures, who if we are true and faithful, may return to celestial halls and live again with the mighty God who is the Father of our spirits. And Our Savior, whose resurrection makes it all possible, will be there to wrap us “in the arms of [His] love” (D&C 6:20).

Resurrection eases the pain of losing loved ones:

The promise of the Resurrection is a great gift, which can comfort us when we lose a loved one.

President David O McKay taught us that as Christ lived after death so shall all men, each taking his place in the next world for which he has best fitted himself. The message of the resurrection, therefore, is the most comforting, the most glorious ever given to man, for when death takes a loved one from us, our sorrowing hearts are assuaged by the hope and the divine assurance expressed in the words:“He is not here: he is risen.” [See Matthew 28:6.] Because our Redeemer lives so shall we. I bear you witness that He does live. I know it, as I hope you know that divine truth. " (Chapter 7: The Significance of the Resurrection," Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, (2003) 11. In Conference Report, Apr. 1944, 125.)

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:54–55.)

Resurrection is an ordinance:

Resurrection is one more ordinance that we need to receive to obtain celestial glory. The ordinance of resurrection will be administered after we have died. In an 1872 address President Brigham Young said “We are in possession of all the ordinances that can be administered in the flesh for salvation, and exaltation, but there are other ordinances and administrations that must be administered beyond this world, one being the ordinance and the keys of the Resurrection. They will be given to those who have passed off this stage of action and have received their bodies again, as many have already done and many more will. They will be ordained, by those who hold the keys of the resurrection, to go forth and resurrect the Saints. This is one of the ordinances we cannot receive here, and there are many more. We will operate here, in all the ordinances of the house of God which pertain to this side the veil, and those who pass beyond and secure to themselves a resurrection pertaining to the lives will go on and receive more and more, more and more, and will receive one after another until they are crowned Gods, even the sons of God. (President Brigham Young address he gave on August 24, 1872 in Farmington, Utah, and reported by David W. Evans.)

Fullness of Joy:

After our Resurrection when our Spirit and element become inseparably connected we will receive a fullness of joy. (D&C 93:33)

Those spirits who have died look upon the separation from the body as bondage; (D&C 138:12–17, 50 When we are resurrected it will be a joyous time of celebration because our spirits will be reunited with our perfected bodies. We will be whole and complete. We will be able to experience a great fullness of joy.

Summary

We can know our Savior lives, by learning of the Resurrection of Christ through the scriptures and testimonies of those that have seen him. Our faith is increased when we believe in Christ’s resurrection, even though we have not seen or touched him. Resurrection is a gift and promise to all. Through our own resurrection we will be reunited with our perfected bodies and receive immortality. We are promised that all our knowledge gained on earth will rise with us in the resurrection. After our resurrection true spiritual perfection is made possible for us; we will truly be able to obey the commandment “be… ye perfect” (Matt 5:28). When we understand the Resurrection we will understand our own eternal natures and the eternal nature of those around us. The joyful promise of resurrection helps to ease the pain of losing loved ones, as we rest assured we will see them again. After our glorious Resurrection day we will truly experience a great fullness of joy and our own Happy Ever After.

CLOSING

I leave you with these hopeful words from a hymn by Eliza R Snow.

Though deepening trials throng your way, Press on, press on ye Saints of God! Ere long the resurrection day Will spread its life and truth abroad, Though outward ills await us here, The time, a longest, is not long. Ere Jesus Christ will reappear, Surrounded by a glorious throng, Lift up your hearts in praise to God, Let your rejoicing never cease. Though tribulations rage abroad, Christ says,“ In me ye shall have peace.” (Through Deeping Trials Hymn #122)

AMEN

A rousing game of Scrabble

2011-04-12T01:11:00.001-07:00

My MILs impressive XBox Scrabble play; she put down the word FETA ...which also gave her ARF and NA.

Sunday afternoon

2011-04-10T12:01:00.001-07:00

I'm just lounging around with Levi.

Even Jackie loves me

2011-04-10T00:01:00.001-07:00

Thrift Shopping for 80s Costume

2011-04-09T20:41:00.001-07:00

So we are doing an 80s theme for Girls Night Out Karaoke. Found this awesome big mesh shirt and these comfy cotton stretch leggings at Goodwill in Meridian. I bought the leggings but passed on the mesh shirt...looking for something a little more Madonna party girl and less Golden Girls.

Just for Fun: Husbands

2011-03-27T22:59:00.001-07:00

My niece: Princess Charlie

2011-03-27T22:56:00.001-07:00

Awesome thrift store find....

2011-03-09T14:54:00.001-08:00

I found this awesome dress at a thrift store. The tags were still on it. Imagine that! I bought it and am going to save it for a costume...maybe Minnie Mouse?

Ahhh!

2011-03-04T13:36:00.001-08:00

Looking forward to a Girls Night Out tonight, where conversation does not revolve around what people need from me, Legos, or Xbox.

Things I just don't understand...

2011-02-25T13:54:00.000-08:00

I just do not understand why people shop and lay perishables in the non perishable aisles...its just rude! Saw this little bacon in the toy aisle at Walmart, Then at an Albertsons and found a box of icecream on one of those french bread racks right by the register. If you don't have time to put it back give it to an employee of the store... for cryin out loud.

Yep, that's bacon next to the puzzles.

Breaking hearts...

2011-02-12T00:40:00.001-08:00

...since 1981

Went thift store shopping today and found this cute sunglasses with a little sparkle on the sides. I had to buy them after seeing the brand name and date.

I was born in 1981!

Spring

2011-02-05T08:21:00.000-08:00

Wearing Spring colors in protest of Winter.

Go away! Bring on the sunshine!

Headed into my thirties...

2011-01-31T22:43:00.000-08:00

I just turned the BIG 3-0-!

For those of you already there, I agree it is not that bad...but it is bit of a transition for me. Or at least I am making it that way. My husband has an awful attitude about birthday's.
"Eh! It's just another day." he says.
NO! It is not just another day.
It is the day you were born and the world will never ever be the same. You only get one special birthday day a year and you never get to be that particular age again or get that particular year back.

You only get to turn 30 once. Why not make it fabulous?

I felt like I had already lived a lifetime before I had even turned 20. Those of you the very closest to me know what I am talking about. Those that don't just know that I have basically been serving as someones parent since I was about 6 years old on. My friend in high school used to call me "Mom." That is how devastatingly responsibly I have always been. I also have seen many many things in my life so far, both good and some very bad.

I spent my 20's giving birth and building up my own little family of 4 boys with Levi. We tried hard to have baby # 5 but have really just given up any hope at this point. Oliver is 5 now and I really am just done with babies (knock on wood) I LOVE babies, don't get me wrong. I just am ready to transition to a new part of my life.

When I think back on the old me. I really have changed a great deal in the last decade and some things have stayed the same.

20 30

mother of 1 1/2 boys

mother of 4 boys

size 8 size

14 and shrinking (I hope)

all natural blondie

all natural blondie

liquid foundation, minimal natural look

powdered mineral foundation, braver with color and eyes

supportive public school parent

dedicated-die hard- homeschooling parent

young idealistic new mom

realistic practical mom with a purpose

new convert to the LDS Church

people think I've always been LDS- I've gone pro.

married to my DH

madly in love with my DH

never read a classic book

devourer of all literature

a bit shy, never spoke in public

veteran public speaker and Karaoke star

organizer of family parties

organizer of large events for BSA, homeschoolers, etc

amateur poet

still an amatuer writer dreaming of publication

survived much drama from my family

survived a major postpartum depression and live with mild chronic depression

struggled to get kids down for naps

struggle to keep balance in spite of chaos

all about the little kids stuff

all about finding time to be mom, teacher, wife, me, friend

kept opinions to self

likes to tell it like it is

So on to the fun stuff
...how did I celebrate??!!

First I got over night sitters for all the boys...wohoo! Freedom!

Then I went out to a dance club for the first time in my whole life with Levi, a friend and my family; my mom, sisters and brother. It was so much fun !!

Levi and I got a room at the Hyatt in Boise. They remodeled and it was so nice!! A very calm spa like atmosphere.

When we checked into our room these were waiting for me from my sweet hubby. He had them delivered before we arrived.

Later when we came back from the club this was waiting...have I told you what a romantic my husband can be when he actually tries.

Ok so moving past the mushy stuff...

Onto the yummy stuff.

I got two cakes !!

Yes 2 people!

30's not so bad... really!

The Teen Years

2011-01-31T21:36:00.000-08:00

Hard to discipline smart-alicky 13 year olds when you are laughing.

Ian says to Josef in a reprimanding tone. " Remember! Your supposed to help me when you are done with your chores.

Josef says in the same tone. " Remember! I don't care."

Pet Me!

2011-01-14T22:40:00.000-08:00

Bowling 2

2011-01-14T22:38:00.000-08:00

Bowling

2011-01-14T22:37:00.000-08:00

My Little Computer Friend

2011-01-01T18:58:00.000-08:00

Cookies For Santa

2010-12-28T20:05:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve we made some gingerbread cookies for Santa.

Just after I took this picture Kaleb (7) says, " I don't even look like I've been cooking!" Then he grabbed a handfull of flour and rubbed it into the front of his apron.

Here I am looking very cheesy.

Ha! And Levi after I made him look like he was cooking too!

Nutty Elves Craft

2010-12-28T20:04:00.000-08:00

We usually make one new ornament every year. We make it in bulk and then pass them out as gifts to friends, neighbors, and family.

This year we picked this little craft from Family Fun called Nutty Elves.

photo from Family Fun.com

They were pretty easy to make with the bigger boys (10 and 13). The little boys (7 and 5) had trouble because of the small size of the peanuts, but they made about 5 each. Oliver (5) loved gluing on the noses. You could easily do these assembly line fashion as a family, giving each person a part based on their abilities.

Tips:

Pre-make hats and shoes.
Cut arms and legs ahead of time with wire cutters.
Pose them before you glue them in.
Use tacky glue and have hot glue gun on hand.
Hot glue to wrapped candy canes

After we assembled the elves, I hot glued them in fun poses onto wrapped candy canes. We used fishing line for the hanger and I just hot glued it to the candy cane to make it secure.

We think they turned out cute and hope they last a few years. They sure made people smile when they opened them.

A little debate...

2010-12-28T19:10:00.000-08:00

...is always healthy. We went to a homeschool activity where we played some games and had a little debate session. The debate on Xbox verses Wii was pretty heated.

Christmas Spectacular

2010-12-28T16:44:00.000-08:00

A friend had us over to organize a Christmas performance all day with the kids and then we performed later at a dinner with family and friends. The kids had a blast!

Bookshelves

2010-12-28T10:33:00.000-08:00

Single girls...add this to your man wish list!
Love Levi bunches, but I overlooked the importance of a man with this trait.

Exercise isn't always fun, but it sure is FUNNY!

2010-12-14T08:21:00.000-08:00

Perspectives

2010-12-13T14:07:00.000-08:00

When you suffer from depression one of the first things you learn in treatment and therapy is altered perspectives. Not everyone views the world the same way. Our perspective is how we see the world through our own lens. These lens can be tinted, coated, and fogged up by all kinds of things like culture, up bringing, education or lack of education, experiences, tramas, stress, addiction, gender, ethnicity, etc. Depression is a HUGE lens that alters perspective. To help you cope and counteract the effects the Depression lens has on your perspective, your therapist may have you practice looking at things in your perspective and then how they really are. It can be a very challenging exercise depending on how depressed you are or how long you've been living with depression and your altered perspective. You are pretty much having to tell your brain what it thinks is crap and then you have to try to tell it how it really is. They call this cognitive therapy, but I like to call it the Twilight Zone.

Anyway, I stumbled upon this funny little comic about how people generally see the world and how it really is. The little monsters make it even cuter. You'll probably need to visit the original to read everything.

Yummy!

2010-12-08T10:20:00.000-08:00

Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell got us some Christmas-y donuts for snack today. More snowman carnage in December, as the boys ate the heads off the snowmen first, and were then disappointed that they weren't jelly filled.

Everyone loves a Parade!

2010-12-04T14:57:00.000-08:00

Ian, Kaleb, Oliver and I attended the Meridian Winterland Parade today. Josef wasn't with us because he is still feeling sick, we left him in bed. It was fun, but cold. The boys collected quiet a bit of candy. Oliver ended up with a frisby,he turned it upside down and held it out like his own personal offering plate. "More candy please, sir?" Then we headed to Hasting's Hardback Cafe, sat on thier couch with some cocoa and watched the snow fall outside the big front windows.

Here some photos of us with our after parade glow.

Ahh! That blissful Christmas-y feeling!

My Favorite Billboard

2010-12-01T21:13:00.000-08:00

If you didn't know, well, I will just tell you. I am not a huge fan of advertisements. I understand thier place in modern society and such, but I still find it annoying to be walking down the street, sitting in a restaurant, or reading a magazine or newspaper I PAID for and be bombarded with ads.

So that is why THIS is my very favorite billboard in the whole wide world.

Street Artwork by Bansky

It's Snow Fun...

2010-12-01T17:57:00.000-08:00

Snow Painting

The boys have always loved to put food coloring in a squirt bottle and use it to paint the snow.
Today they made a snow alien.

And gave the little owl totem a new dye job for his freshly grown hair.

Snow Day!

2010-12-01T10:52:00.000-08:00

GUESS WHAT?!

It SNOWED!!!!

The boys spent the morning playing in the snow and shoveling off the driveway and sidewalk.

Kaleb was master of the snow man!

Until...

He was seriously out done by our neighbors.
Talk about trying to keep up with the Joneses...we just couldn't compete with that!

Those who are sensitive may want to look away now...

Snowman carnage.

Ian just having a blast, he's buried his whole body in the snow and then exploded out, just before I took this photo.

What is it? Any guesses?

Maybe I'll tell you....

Maybe not.

Happy Snow Day!!

What I'm Watching: My Six Loves

2010-12-01T10:30:00.000-08:00

A few nights back I couldn't sleep, because I missed Levi. So I decided to watch a movie. I watched this cute 1962 movie titled My Six Loves on Netflix. This film was sweet and heartwarming, with mild cheesiness and a few singing numbers thrown in. A little like Cheaper by the Dozen and Please Don't Eat the Daisies. An actress exhausted from work goes to her Connecticut home only to find even more work and craziness, as six orphaned children hiding out on her property become her personal problem. Along comes the overly helpful and handsome town minister to "help" her with the problem. In the end, everything is happily ever after just like all movies should end.

Just For Fun: Gift Ideas

2010-11-29T23:45:00.000-08:00

While perusing the Cyber Monday deals I found these must have gifts...

Come on you KNOW you want a pair!

For that Neat Freak in your life who is always wearing a baseball cap. I just love the tag line...turns your hat into another pocket!!

You can find this on Etsy.com! I think it is this seasons must have accessory (in the trailorhood that is!).

Just for Grandma 'cause she's old but she's not dead yet!

for the bacon enthusiast in your life...

Just for Dad

Thanksgiving Weekend

2010-11-28T12:13:00.000-08:00

The Mitchell's had a great Thanksgiving weekend!! Did you?

First off we started last Monday night with a Pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving dinner at my SIL Heathers house, which was very yummy.

Then Levi got home Wednesday night, I picked him up kissed him goodbye and headed out for a Girl's Night Out singing Karaoke with my favorite girls Tanya, Tambi, and Stacey. We are never boring together.

On Thursday we ate our official Thanksgiving dinner at Golden Corral in Boise with Levi's parents. We love going there, this was our 4th year. It's become a family tradition and my most favorite holiday. No cooking, no cleaning, no huge grocery bill, and no trying to figure out what to do with all the leftovers. It's my low maintenance holiday and lets me focus on gearing up for Christmas, which we all know is the best holiday EVER!!

Early morning Friday, Levi and I got up early and shopped till we felt like dropping. Got a few good deals on Christmas gifts for the mini Mitchell's. We went out to lunch at Tucano's Brazilian Grill which is really yummy. You should go there, if you haven't yet. After lunch we were so stuffed and so sore from shopping we could barely walk out. We made it home in time to store the Christmas gifts in storage and pull out all the Christmas Decorations in anticipation of the weeks of decorating Levi's Dad does for Christmas.

Nevada Wolf Pack cornerback Duke Williams #20 breaks up a pass intended for Boise State Broncos wide receiver Austin Pettis #2 at Mackay Stadium in Reno, NV on Friday night Nov. 26.

Joe Jaszewski / Idaho Statesman

Then we were off for date night to watch the BIG game-BSU vs Nevada on a BIG screen. We even had matching blue and orange fleece pullovers on, it was cute. Still wish I had gotten a photo of that..Ah well ..maybe next game. Wow! What a game it was too! Nevada won which is sad for BSU. It was such a close game lots of tied scores, down to seconds in the game, lots of suspense and Boy was it sad when we lost. Levi and I had a nice evening out though.

Saturday was another early morning as we headed to Boise with the boys to participate in the Boise Holiday Parade. The theme this year was Christmas Around the World. We were hoping it wouldn't rain, and thank goodness it didn't! It was really cold though and it snowed the whole time. A local homeschool mom hosted a Homeschool float this year. She organized it all and it went really smoothly...she is amazing!! We even won the Children's Choice award. It was cold, but fun...cold fun. I just love parades!!

Well now it is Sunday, Levi headed out early this morning to play with traffic and snow and ice for the next few weeks. I'm exhausted and am off to take a nap now. Ta Ta for now!

The Dentist

2010-11-28T11:24:00.000-08:00

I had a few close encounters with the Dentist this week.

This first one was when I went in for pain, which turned out to be from my wisdom teeth coming in. Apparently at 29, I have the mouth of a 19 year old, which would be flattering, except it really hurts to have those molars coming in.

Lucky me! They are just starting to come in so we have to wait a bit till they are erupted. Erupted like a volcano, hence the large amount of pain building up under my gums.

Wah! Let me whine a bit, ok, just humor me.

The next encounter was for my regular cleaning because of course during the other visit they noticed I was overdue and scheduled me A.S.A.P for a routine torture session...I mean cleaning.

Once in the chair, they lay you back and shine a bright light in your face. That way you are blind and don't see them coming at you with sharp instruments. You are then asked to lay there for an undetermined amount of time with your mouth wide open, trying not to drool on yourself, while a masked and gloved hygienist scrapes your teeth and stabs your gums repetitively. All the while you are laying there unable to talk or defend yourself as they lecture you on your bad dental habits and make lame jokes. When you are all done they send you on your way with a free toothbrush... like that's going to make it all better!!

I am always so glad to get out of that chair!!

Walk, Don't Run!

2010-11-21T11:06:00.000-08:00

WALK, DON'T RUN!

If you are a mother, you have said this phrase or a version of it on SEVERAL occasions, especially if you have one of those kids who only has one speed...fast.

Kaleb has heard this phrase more than my other boys, so you'd think maybe that would make him slow down but no, he does not. Inevitably he got hurt.

I had just gotten home from Planet Beach with my Mom and Josef tells me Kaleb feel down the stairs and is now laying in my bed. I went up and checked on him. He said his arm hurt. It looked a little swollen but nothing else, I was thinking a sprain maybe. When I asked him what happened he said, " I was just going down stairs and I don't know what happened and then I fell down and bent my arm back. "
" How were you going down the stairs?"
"Just walking."
"Walking?"
"Well, walking quickly."
"Were you running?"
"Yes."

After getting the REAL story, I learned it had made a popping noise when he fell on it. In we went to the ER, because of course it is a Saturday at 5pm and the Urgent Care place just closed at 4pm.

We got some lovely X rays, that showed Kaleb had a buckle fracture across his radius and ulna just above his wrist.

They set his arm in a splint and referred us to an Orthopedist to visit, after the splint was on for one week. At the Orthopedists we got a few more x-rays of his arm. They confirmed it was fractured. Then let him pick out his cast color. The glow in the dark and camouflage options were pretty amazing, but he opted for his favorite color blue. The Orthopedist was great with Kaleb, and told him everything he was doing and why. He even explained how the cast worked and how the gauze set up. As it was setting it made a fun crackling noise, like Rice Krispies in milk as the chemicals in the resin were activated and began to harden. Thank you Dr. Schneider!

Oh! By the way...Walk, Don't Run is also the title of this cute and funny Cary Grant film. He is a bit older in this one, but still very handsome. It is set during the housing shortage of the Summer Olympic Games in 1964, Cary Grant and younger man are without accommodations and answer and ad from an American who is offering a room. The young woman forgot to specify she wanted a FEMALE roommate. Cary Grant acts as a sort of charming and annoying cupid between the young lady and the young man. Fun movie!

Pocket Mod

2010-11-21T10:48:00.000-08:00

Just check it out, its fun, easy and the best planner EVER!

http://www.pocketmod.com/

Just For Fun : Celebrity Guy Fan Club

2010-11-21T10:47:00.000-08:00

I know most girls go ga-ga over Brad Pitt or Matthew McConaughey...

But not me I like the nerdy, misunderstood, and funny guys the best...

like John Cusack...Say Anything ( His sister is awesome too!)

and Brendan Frasier...George of the Jungle ( no explanation needed), Encino Man, The Mummy, and With Honors

and I know he seems like one of the regular hunks with all those muscles and everything...
but REALLY he is a regular geeky guy disguised as a hunk
...honest!

Vin Diesel- The Chronicles of Riddick, Saving Private Ryan, XXX

also my list would not be complete without ...

Collin Firth...Pride and Prejudice and Bridgette Jones Diary...sigh

So which celebrity guy fan club are you part of?

A Day at Zoo Boise

2010-11-21T10:29:00.000-08:00

Levi was home for Halloween weekend. We were headed to Julia Davis just to play at the park, when we saw the zoo and it was just too tempting. We had a great afternoon with Levi.

We love the prairie dogs and they were especially fat this year, which just enhanced their cuteness 100 %.

These turtle shells are so much fun for the kids...

...and the adults.

Turtle, Turtle!

Oliver loves this giant Komodo Dragon. They look like mini dinosaurs to me.

Josef hiding behind a large maple leaf.

Look, we're nesting!

Oliver had no trouble making friends here.

Ian's favorite type of animal are the cats. Apparently this is a Leopard, not a Cheetah. I was informed by Ian that you can tell by the pattern of the spots.

These are Wort Hogs and I was telling Oliver how it was Pumba from the Lion King and I started singing to them "Hakuna Matata" and their little tails began to wag. When I stopped singing their tails were still. I started singing again and the tails wagged again. They liked it!

Here's Oliver with a giant snake. He wasn't too scared though, we've seen bigger live snakes at my friend Tanya's house.

Well that's a wrap! Sometimes you just gotta take a trip on the wild side.

Happy 32nd Birthday Levi!

2010-11-16T08:56:00.000-08:00

My sweetie turned 32 on the 9th. That glow is all 32 candles.

He made it home just in time for cake, he literally drove into town at around 8pm on his birthday.

I missed the blowing out the candles photo...so we recreated it (above). It's pretty funny.

We don't get to spend everyday with him, but we are always greatful we get to spent the most important days with him.

Hapy Birthday, LEVI!

Veteran's Day

2010-11-11T22:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Veterans' Day

to all those who have served!!

Thank you so much!!

I am getting this posted really late, but if I can push the Publish Post button by midnight...it counts right?

The photo above is my oldest son Josef, he wanted to be a Marine for halloween. The jacket he is wear is actually his Grandfathers unifirm from the 60's. He looked so handsome and I love that he would be willing to serve out country and knows that is an option for his future.

A few days ago the boys and I went to a presentation out at Gowen field hosted by Idaho Military History Museum. We had never been there before. It was a great museum! They had many displays ranging from the civil war to present. It was fun pointing out the different branches of the military to the boys and the various wars and which of our family members served and at which time. There were also so gun and canon demonstrations the video below is of everything going off at the same time, again the weapons range from those used in the Civil war to those used in the present. We had a great time and learned a bit of military, world, country, and family history. We also couldn't hear very well for a while after all the canons and guns were done. : )

Sweet Tooth

2010-11-04T22:29:00.000-07:00

I just love Halloween candy!!

I dress my kids up all cute and walk them door to door letting them beg for candy from our neighbors.

Then we come home and I get to raid their buckets for my favorites.

Hey, I am owed!

If I have to put up with thir sugar high and then low.I better be sugared up too.

I don't take all their candy, just a few favorites.

Number one confiscated candy being the chocolates, like mini Snickers bars and tootsie rolls.

I also am fond of those little cinnamon bears, which are really too hot for kids anyway, mine always spit them out...so really I'm rescuing them. Its a charitable act.

I enjoy red licorice too, especially Twizzlers which are SO 1980 something.

Two of my very favorites are the Green Apple Blowpops and Apple Jolly Ranchers, because they taste like 6th grade. One taste and it's spring one more month till schools out, I am on the bus ( which smells like rubber, exhaust fumes, and stinky feet) riding home from middle school my window half rolled down, whispering with a friend about some cute boy.

My all time favorite candy to find in my kids Halloween buckets would have to be Banana Laffy Taffy. It is king of taffy flavors and you just can't beat the bonus joke on your wrapper. My sister and I used to read these jokes aloud and just roll on the floor laughing, not because they were all that funny, but it was just fun to laugh.

Unfortunately it is November now and all that's left of the Halloween candy are the stuff no one wants to eat. I'll have to wait till next October for a bite of nostalgia for my sweet tooth.

Homeschool: Soapy Science

2010-10-25T13:10:00.001-07:00

We got this great idea over at Latter-day Homeschooling blog. She found it in a book called Blast Lab or under a second title Super Science Lab by Richard Hammond.

Soap Monsters

Basically you need:
bar soap (no strong scents) We used Lever 2000 because we had it on hand
knife
plate
paint
paint brushes

Cut the soap into a chunk. Place on plate and microwave for up to 2 min on High. Let dry for 30 min to an hour. Add details to your monster with paint to make it come alive.

Some tips we learned when doing this project

use smaller pieces of soap (you could quarter one fullsize bar and get good sized monsters)
No need to microwave for a full 2 minutes just stop the microwave when you are happy with your monsters look, if you do for full time you risk burning the soap and it smells REALLY bad
Place outside to dry ( it was cool here so they set up faster)
Use dry brushes with the paint, the water makes the soap dissolve

This was a great project for learning about the nature of water molecules. We watched this little video over at TeacherTube before we started to review. Then I wouldn't let the boys paint the monsters until they told me why the soap turned into a monster. They were all able to tell me. I think this is much more graphic way to show that water molecules expand when heated then other experiments we have done.

ThirTEEN!

2010-10-24T23:17:00.000-07:00

I am officially the mother of a TEEN!

Picking Pumpkins

2010-10-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

We had our yearly excursion to Linder Farms this past week. We went as part of a homeschool fieldtrip set up by another homeschooling mother. It's been our fall tradition for about 4 years now.

Out at the farm, they have added a few things, like these climbing tires Josef and Ian scaled.

We also took advantage of the new photo oppurtunity.

The Corn Box was a hit! The boys even buried Ammeme.

Everyone (including me) found that perfect pumpkin to take home to carve later.

So what are some of your favorite Fall traditions?

Bad writing...

2010-10-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

So I'm reading a book series by Aprilynne Pike. ( I love her name, it is so much better than my -just April.) It's a pretty desent spin on the mix of the human and fairy worlds. It is not the best fairy book I've ever read, but it's cute.

The more I work on my own novel and pick my serious writing apart, the more I pick apart others writing when I read. I am not doing it to be critical, but sometimes things jump out at me and scream, "Where was the editor on this one?!"

I'm not sure what you call it (I'm sure there is a literary term for it...anyone know?) but in this series she keeps restating things she already said. It's not like she is using the phrase to help the story, to create more drama, or dialogue. It it just annoying. Levi read the books also and agrees. When the writing distracts from the story, well...it's bad writing.

Example:
She nodded but didn't smile, it wasn't a smiling moment. (obviously!)

So note to self.....
when writing do not insult your readers by restating the obvious.

Tag Your It!

2010-10-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

use image url:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_omvaocXZYZU/TLOsZCxeiQI/AAAAAAAAAzg/b6lyf13wzMw/s1600/tag_logo.jpg

I was tagged by Arya @ Life the Good and the Bad

Here are the rules...

She asks me 8 questions, I answer them and then I tag 8 friends and ask them 8 questions :) Sounds like fun so lets get started...

1. What is your favorite place to be & why?

Home,

2. What is your favorite pizza topping?

Chicken, tomatoes, artichoke, mushrooms and bacon

3. Do you own a sewing machine?

Why yes, but I don't use it much

4. How many pets do you have & what kinds?

One cat named Chubs, who is an orange tabby

5. What was the last place you ate at?

Um, Arctic Circle, I had the Halibut

6. What is your favorite holiday & why?

Thanksgiving, because it is a low maintenance holiday for me (we go to a buffet) and I can just focus on enjoying my family

7. What TV show is your "Guilty Pleasure"?

Bones and Pushing Daisies

8. How did you decide to start blogging?

Thought it would be an easy way to keep friends and family updated on out family, but now it's morphed into a purely selfish thing, because I love to make new blog friends, read what they have to say and also just to express myself

Here are my questions for my 8 people:

1. What is your best excuse for not getting something done?

2. If you had only 24 hours to live, what would you do?

3. If the whole world were listening, what would you say?

4.If money were not an object, what would you do with your life?

5. What is the weirdest thing you will ever admit to having done in the past?

6. What place in the US would you most like to visit? Why?

7. What place outside of the US would you most like to visit? Why?

8. Who would you want to play you in the movie about your life (pick for various stages if you like)?

And yep those below have been TAGGED:

1. Michelle

2. Lia

3. Ganine

4. Emily

5. Lori

6.Elizabeth

7. Amy

8. Stephanie

Status Quote Meme

2010-10-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

Funny or weird Facebook (or Twitter) status updates that I've seen...my comments in red

Trying really hard to Love thy neighbor. (looks like trouble in the 'hood)

That's three fights between my neighbors today...almost had to call the cops for one of them. These people are freaking crazy. (not from same person as above, it must be in the air...restless suburbia)

Today, I spent five minutes shaking a bowl of Jello because it looked cool. I regret nothing.

What do we want? A cure for procrastination!!! When do we want it?! NEXT WEEK!!

If you ever get the sudden urge to run around naked, stop and sniff some Windex first... it'll keep you from streaking! ;D

Touch my armpits, DEATH WISH! :l (TMI)

i may have just cried while i peed. (again TMI and you might want to get checked for a UTI)

AND I got some AWESOME news in an email yesterday. But I can't share it. I'm sworn to secrecy for now. (That is just so wrong! Don't say you have great news and then says it's secret!)

When calling a psychic hotline if they don't greet you by name, hang up (good point!)

Sometimes life is fragile

2010-09-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

photo from the Quran and Science website

Sometimes... it is hard to understand why people do the things they do. Most of the time we are good people. We are doing the best we can with what we have, or don't have. We come from different perspectives and are on different paths. We can glow with love, kindness, and compassion. We have the ability to love greatly and uplift others, so that they are made so much braver, stronger, and brilliant having known us. We try to make the places where they connect with others positive. These connections are often fragile threads, easily broken and strengthened by simple and often unconscious actions. The threads we tie to others can cause pain, or damage, or hurt and we change who that person is and how they see us. It is hard to manage all these connections sometimes. Even seemingly insignificant contact can alter so much within us.

I love it so much when I know people enough to know their story, we all have one. The story of us. Not just a genealogy,or a timeline of our life, or even a list of our accomplishments or failures... but the real story. All our hurts, and joys, challenges and triumphs that make us who we really are. You can't truly understand a person, till you understand their story, how they are connected to this world by a thousand tiny fragile threads.

We Moved...AGAIN!

2010-09-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Yes, we moved....AGAIN. Our lease was up on our apartment. We were readdressing some financial issues and wanted to pay down our debt. We wanted to move closer to Boise. Nampa was not feeling like home. We needed a cheaper rental, so we could pay down the debt and save for a down payment on a house. We looked all around this valley and the cheapest, homiest place we could find was the upstairs at Levi's Parents house in Meridian. I know...we are the WORST kind of boomerang children.

It is not so bad... really, it's actually quite nice. We all get along swimmingly. Levi is gone so much it's nice to have some other people around. Levi's parents get to spoil their grandchildren and they don't even have to leave the house to do it. I am helping to remodel the upstairs...free slave labor... Two rooms down, a bathroom, and one more popcorn ceiling to go! (I actually love doing it, it's fun. )We all like each other...so why not?

So there are a lot of mixed emotions that go into moving back in with the parents. I am hesitant to tell people because most reactions are negative,"Oh, you poor thing.". " You should NEVER live with family!.", "I could never do it." My in-laws are fortunately very awesome and kind people and really easy going like my husband and very generous to share half their home with us for a while...these are all great blessings.I can see how it could go badly for some people, but I really don't see that happening in this situation.

I was wondering if others have had positive experiences with Multigenerational living situations. Seems my initial search brought up lots of negative information targeted at irresponsible boomerang children, but after a little digging I found others willing to share the positive side. I know my Grandmother grew up living with her Grandparents for a few years and had such fond memories of sitting with her Grandmother as she sewed. Most of my own life we lived with my Grandmother, since my Mom was a single mom with 4 kids. I have some amazing memories and a very close relationship with my Grandmother because of it. I grew up in Florida were is is not uncommon for families to all live together either in the same home or on the same property. While a great deal of it's success does depend on the people and their relationship, it can work in the real world, and bring families closer together in the end.

Here is a fun post about the positive aspects of Multigenerational living:

Top 10 List – Living with the In-Laws, Moments that Make It by Gwen Woods

Here is a great article on the Come Back of Multi-Generation living and some thoughts on why:

Multi-Generation Living Makes a Comeback

Someone ever wrote a book about it:

Living Together Again by by Sharon Graham Niederhaus and John L. Graham

There was a great segment on ABC about it.

Well it certainly isn't the answer for everyone, but it is a huge blessing for us right now. Anyone else out there bunking with the in-laws?

August 2010

2010-09-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

Hello, my long neglected blog.
I have missed you.
I am so far behind on posts. I'm going to be marathon blogging just to get through August and September.

August was a crazy month for us; a family reunion, a funeral, a move, and a birthday all in one month.

The family reunion was for Levi's immediate family. It's a new family tradition we are starting. We'll have one a year in the summertime. Everyone was able to attend. Here we all are, plus Savannah's boyfriend. I am sure years from now we will think...who was that boy? I hosted the reunion this year, it was a Luau theme as you can see from the Hawaiian shirts and leis. This picture is really funny...got some strange expressions going on. At the reunion we had talent acts, the limbo, a hula contest, and hula hooping. Here are a few more photos, if you are wondering about our hula skills...we are pros! We had so much fun!!! Birney (aka Greatest Uncle Ever) is hosting the one next year in Seattle, we are all looking forward to it.

Levi's Grandpa Kidd died a few days before the reunion, so it was all very bittersweet. He would have loved the reunion.We drove over to Ashton, ID for the funeral. It was such a lovely service, and so very many of his family and friends attended. He was always very kind and loving to me, you always just felt like one of his grandchildren. He loved the boys and it was so nice for them to get to know their Great Grandfather while he was alive.

Yes, we moved AGAIN, but hopefully it will be the 2nd to the last time...I hope.We are living in the upstairs of Levi's parents house, paying off some debt and saving for a home. Wish us luck!!

We are helping to remodeling the upstairs. It has been fun and also hard work. Check out this cool paint job my friend helped me with. Yes, that is all paint...can you believe it? She has these awesome patterned rollers from the 70's. I think it turned out beautiful! The color is a little off in the photo, but it is a Sage Green.

Last, but just one day before the last day of the month. Ian turned 10!! Double Digits. Isn't he a cutie?! Happy Birthday, buddy.

"I don't know what the future may hold, but I know who holds the future."

~Ralph Abernathy

delicious ambiguity

2010-09-08T23:05:00.001-07:00

Hope

2010-09-07T13:06:00.001-07:00

“Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out”

~Vaclav Havel

Sunday Citar: Sons

2010-09-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. If you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes."

~Walter Schirra Sr.

Welcome to Sunday Citar! This blog quote meme was created by Tabitha @ FreshMommy. You can stop by her blog to see the quotes and photos that she and everyone else is loving right now.

Talk: The Family Guidebook-Families

2010-08-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

Talk written and given for church...

Family Guidebook: Building An Eternal Family

By April Mitchell August 2010

Levi and I were asked to talk about this little booklet, Family

Guidebook. It’s pretty handy; I wished I’d had a copy when I first

joined the church 11 years ago. The Family Guidebook provides easy to

read and straight forward information on the family, Heavenly Fathers

purpose for the family, and concrete ways we can strengthen our

families. It could be a great tool for educating those investigating

the church, giving them specific ways in which the gospel can help

bring their families closer together. The booklet could also help

new members, who are learning so many new things about the

church, transition into their new roles within the gospel. It

functions as a great reminder to members as well, of the purpose of

the family and the things we can do to make our families eternal. It

is short and straightforward. In the first half of the booklet it

talks about the importance of family, how families are organized, and

it provides information about teaching the gospel in the home.

Importance of Family in Heavenly Fathers Plan

As an investigator one of the first things that attracted me to the

church was its focus on family. My first real up close encounter with

a Mormon family was my husband’s family, although Levi was inactive at

the time and remained so until about 5 years ago, his parents were

very devoted and faithful members of the Church. I was very surprised

at how their family interacted with one another. They actually liked

each other. They talked and no one shouted. There was no fighting or

bickering or mean spiritedness. They spend large amounts of time with

each other, playing games and just enjoying each others company. They

choose to spend time together and it wasn’t even a holiday. These were

almost alien things to me, although I came from an average family, we

did not have what this family had. I wanted that for the family I was

creating with Levi.

A long time ago in a heavenly plain, we all accepted the Plan of

Salvation. We all wanted to come to this earth and be born into a

family. Heavenly Father organized us into this basic unit of families

as a way to provide the ideal place for us to learn the gospel and to

grow in faith and understandings, so just as we arrived here born to a

family we would return to him with our family joined together. In the

Doctrine and Covenants it describes how families are essential. He

created the earth that we could gain physical bodies and form families

(see D&C 2:1–3). He established His Church to exalt families. He

provides temples so that families can be together forever (see D&C

138:47–48).”

The church places great importance on the sacredness of family. In

this past April’s General Conference 11 talks out of 16 had to do with

the family.

In his Conference talk Elder Russell M. Nelson tells us… "while the

family is under attack throughout the world, The Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints proclaims, promotes, and protects the

truth that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal

destiny of His children. “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” and

our vast family history efforts are but two evidences of how this

Church brings hope and help to the sacred institution of the family.

We teach that God’s love for His children is infinite. Regardless of

race, nationality, or gender, He loves all of them.1 He has done so

from the beginning and will continue to do so. He invites all to gain

eternal exaltation for their family.”

FAMILY LIFE

Heavenly Father wants us to strive for an ideal family and an eternal

family here on earth. But our families are not perfect…not yet.

I saw this cute plaque once that said:

This is the future site of a perfect family.

Currently, however, it is under, mental, physical, and spiritual construction.

Inquires concerning inconveniences or apparent faults are to be directed to :

HEAVEN DEPARTMENT OF FINISHED WORKS

Thank you for your patience

Families are divinely designed as the basic social unit of life here

on earth. Families are complicated. Each family is unique, having it’s

own traditions and culture. Families provide a sort of ideal Perti

Dish in which we can grow and learn. Within a family you mix in a

myriad of personalities, preferences, and opinions, to which we add

extremes in experience, emotion, and situations-where we are tried and

tested and prepared to endure life in this world so we can enjoy

eternal and celestial life in the next.

When we accepted Heavenly Father’s plan, we knew it would not be easy

here. Just as when we become mothers and fathers, we know it will not

be a piece of cake. We are often overwhelmed by our family

responsibilities. However, we are not alone, and we do not have to do

it all alone.

Sister Tanner a former Young Women General President has said “I think

on the subject of rearing children that we will probably have people

in our audience who are going to start feeling bad about themselves. I

think the discrepancy between the ideal and the reality of everyday

life sometimes seems very large to us as mothers and fathers. But I

believe that being a mother and father is an eternal role, an eternal

calling, if you will, and that with that calling, as with any calling,

we are blessed with a mantel. We need that mantel, and we need that

spirit with us as we rear our children. In fact, I think like Elisha,

we need a double portion of that spirit as we rear our children. I

believe that we’re blessed with that. These are Heavenly Father’s

children, not just ours. They are His spirit children, and He will

bless us with a double portion of that spirit.”

Following President McKay’s well-known statement “No other success can

compensate for failure in the home,” he went on to say: “The poorest

shack in which love prevails over a united family is of greater value

to God and future humanity than any other riches. In such a home God

can work miracles and will work miracles.” (In Conference Report, Apr.

1964, p. 5.)Rex D. Pinegar, “‘Home First’,” Ensign, May 1990, 9)

It is vitally important that we allow God to work within our homes.

That we invite him there regularly and that we call upon him to help

us in our weakness. Just as it says in Philipians 1:6 …it is important

that we be confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a

good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. I

would like to add that the work God has begun in your families he will

continue to do, you are not alone in your efforts and you can be

confident he will bless you as you strive to create an eternal family.

TEACHING THE GOSPEL IN OUR HOMES

There is one single very specific way that we can create the ideal and

eternal family Heavenly Father has intended us all to have and will

help us to achieve.

….We must teach the gospel within the walls of our own homes…

One of my favorite scriptures about teaching the gospel to my own

family is Deuteronomy 4:9- were it says Only take aheed to thyself,

and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou bforget the things which thine

eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of

thy life: but cteach them thy dsons, and thy sons’ sons;

Part of the reason I like it is it says sons and I have four boys, so

I feel like God is talking just to me. And I know how true it can be

that if we do not share the gospel with others, especially those

closest to us, we will lose our own testimonies bit by bit.

The Family Guidebook provides a large section on how to go about

teaching the Gospel in the home. There are specific activities that

have been inspired and proven. We can strengthen our families through

Family Home Evening, Family Prayers, and Scripture Study. We can use

our time with our families to teach and guide them…though the paying

of tithing, during mealtimes, bedtime stories, while working together,

holding family council, interviews, and other wholesome family

activities.

“We must take up our God given responsibility of teaching our own

children the gospel we believe in says Elder Neil L. Anderson in his

Conference address.

Elder Anderson goes on to say that…"if a child is not listening, don’t

despair. Time and truth are on your side. At the right moment, your

words will return as if from heaven itself. Your testimony will never

leave your children.

As you reverently speak about the Savior—in the car, on the bus, at

the dinner table, as you kneel in prayer, during scripture study, or

in late-night conversations—the Spirit of the Lord will accompany your

words.

As you do your best, the testimony of Jesus will gently distill upon

your children’s hearts. They will go to their Heavenly Father in

humble prayer and feel His influence through the power of the Holy

Ghost. A stronger personal faith in Jesus Christ will prepare them for

the challenges they will most surely face."

Family scripture time, Family prayers, and FHE are the most tried and

tested tools we can use to teach our families the gospel in our homes.

Family Scripture

Family Scripture time can be such a sacred time devoted to feeding his

sheep, with his word. There is no substitute for reading straight from

the actual scriptures. There is power there within those pages. If

your child can read, they should be reading the scriptures aloud with

the family. Sometimes our scripture reading is just so-so and just

part of the routine, and other times it is profound and inspiring.

In our own family every able reader takes turns reading 2 scriptures

till we are done with our passage for the day. Scripture reading does

not have to be dry and boring. Instead of reading through the so and

so, begat so and so, who begat… and so on for most of the chapter we

try to pick out specific stories in the scriptures to tell, just as

Christ taught in parables and tales it is often easiest to remember a

certain story then a specific verse. Sometimes we like to use

different voices for the characters if they speak. I often stop the

reading when an important principle is being learned by a character in

the scripture and we talk about it. We also rephrase the scriptures to

make them personal by adding in our own names in place of pronouns .

It is important for us to find ways to make to the scriptures

applicable and relatable in our families life during family scripture

readings.

Prayers

One of the sweetest parenting moments is teaching a small 2-3 year old

child to pray to our Heavenly father. Showing your small child how to

fold their arms, be very still, and talk to Heanvenly Father…as they

speak to him in their simple language. They thank him for their family

and for special blessings on their toys.

When Ian was 6 he shared with me one morning his simple testimony of

prayer. He had had a bad dream and was scared instead of waking us up,

he said a small prayer asking for comfort. Through his simple faith he

received the comfort he needed and was able to get back to sleep on

his own.

Family Home Evening
FHE was introduced to the church in 1915 by a statement from the First

Presidency. In it they gave this specific promise if we would hold FHE

within our homes.

“If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will

result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith

will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will

gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset

them.”

FHE is a great way to start traditions and create memories that last a

lifetime. You are setting aside just a few hours once a week just for

your family-to learn the gospel, to have fun and laugh and play, and

just be together building memories. As fun as it can be, sometimes it

can be a challenge to hold FHE, with busy schedules, bad attitudes,

and perhaps tired parents and whiny children.

In a recent church Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting: Building up

a Righteous Posterity

Sister Beck, Elder Oaks, Elder Holland, and Sister Lant had the

following banter:

I was raised in a big family. My parents had a lot of children. And

that means there were a lot of opinions and a lot of work to care for

this family. But they used the tool of family home evening to really

teach us. Every week we sang “Love at Home.” That was the opening

hymn. And I remember as a teenager thinking it was really tiresome to

sing that hymn every week.

Elder Oaks

Sometimes that hymn is sung through clenched teeth.

Elder Holland

And by assignment.

Sister Lant

Sometimes it’s the mother’s clenched teeth.

Sister Beck

It was more a belief than a practice. But every week, Dad would say,

“Now we’ll sing our opening hymn, ‘Love at Home.’ ” And when I was

about 14 or 15, in that age when you question everything, I asked my

father, “Why do we have to sing this hymn every week? There are a lot

of good hymns in the hymnbook we could sing.”

And he looked at me very sternly, and he said, “When you have learned

lesson 1, I will teach you lesson 2.” And I don’t know what lesson 2

was; we didn’t ever get there, but I have to say that after the

passage of many years, I look at my family, and we do love one

another. We did, somehow, over the years, learn to love each other

because that was lesson 1 my parents wanted to teach. They didn’t try

to cover everything. They knew if they started with that, it would

work.

I know that family home evening is an inspired program. At times we

may doubt it’s effectiveness as we do not see immediate changes in

attitudes. Satan does not want us holding FHE, he will try all in his

power to prevent you from holding regular FHE. That is why a dear

friend of mine uses an old Nike Motto to motivate her to keep plugging

along with the things of life in spite of all the challenges. I think it applies to the attitude we need to have with FHE as well.

“Just Do It”

In closing I would like to share a thought from an Ensign Article by

Barbara Thompson

“It is the responsibility and blessing of each of us to strengthen our

families and homes. Each of us is in a different family situation.

Some families have a mother and father with children at home. Some

couples no longer have children at home. Many members of the Church

are single, and some are single parents. Others are widows or widowers

living alone.

“No matter what our family looks like, each of us can work to

strengthen our own families or help in strengthening others.”

I bear my testimony that our Heavenly Father has organized us into

families so we can work together to meet the trials and challenges of

this life. Our families provide a safe haven and a support group. They

are our sanctuary and they are vital necessary to our salvation. If

we take the opportunity to do the small, and simple things outlined in

this booklet we will gain the reward of a righteous posterity, a

happier home life, and family we can and want to spend forever with. I

say these these things in the Name of Jesus Christ Amen

Fear

2010-07-26T23:17:00.000-07:00

"Being from Earth, as you are, and using as little of your brain as you do, your life has pretty much been devoted to dealing with fear."
"It has? "
"Well everybody on Earth deals with fear -- that's what little brains do. "

from the movie Defending Your Life

Sunday Citar: Home

2010-07-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

Trailer Park Study 1

by Brain Stewart

“Home is not where you live, but where they understand you”
~Christian Morganstern

Welcome to Sunday Citar! This blog quote meme was created by Tabitha @ FreshMommy. You can stop by her blog to see the quotes and photos that she and everyone else is loving right now.

Sunday Citar: Loving Others

2010-07-19T22:36:00.000-07:00

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
Mother Teresa

Dear Reader,

I am so sorry I am about to ramble, bear with me. Hope it makes some sense, if not...love me anyway.

We are all connected to one another in this life. Each interaction with another person,wither positive or negative binds us to their experience like a tiny thread. Sometimes it is hard to understand why people do the things they do or even why we ourselves do things. Most of the time we are good people. We are doing the best we can with what we have, or don't have. We come from different perspectives and are on different paths.We try to make the places where our paths connect with others, like thread, a positive thing. We can glow with love, kindness, and compassion. We have the ability to love greatly and uplift others, so that they are made so much braver, stronger, and brilliant having known us. But sometimes the threads we tie to others cause pain, or damage, or hurt and we change who that person is and how they see us.The damage can be intentional or more often just from neglect. How fragile the balance can as we interact with one another.

There is one key ingredient that often makes all the difference in how these threads are bound. The ingredient is love. Love is powerful stuff. I am not talking about the mushy sort of love, but merely the affection and acceptance of others. Love is an attitude, an emotion, and a way of seeing others. If you love someone, you do not notice so much their faults. You see them as a friend, as an equal, so you are not so shy about talking to them, accepting them, showing them compassion. They can feel your affection for them and it makes your life and theirs a little easier.

There is a huge difference between truly loving a person and just knowing you are supposed to be loving toward a person. We have all felt it, that kind, well meaning person, who wants to love you, but has an awkward way of going about it. They want to serve you, but their heart is just not in it. Most of the time they don't even taken the time to know you, and jump straight to trying to serve needs you don't even have. Love does not lie and it can't be faked. So step back, try to get that lovin' feelin then befriend them and see who they are and what they may need. No one likes a clumsy lover. (hee hee)

I have found myself in situations where I just really didn't like someone...not for a particular reason, just they didn't seem to fond of me either, so why bother liking them. It's a bad attitude- I know. Later on I usually have my bad attitude weighing heavily on my heart. In repentance I try to challenge myself to love them. Not just jump in all half-hearted and go try to be their friend or anything (remember no clumsy lovers), just to feel love toward them, in spite of anything else. Let me tell you, it can be hard. It is so much easier just to not like people. In fact its pretty easy, you can almost always find something wrong with people. I find when I learn to love them, things change a little. No, we do not become best friends, but I feel different and I see that person in a different light. The thread that connects us is not indifferent anymore because of neglected, but full of love and possibility.

Wishing you lots of love.

~April

Welcome to Sunday Citar! This blog quote meme was created by Tabitha @ FreshMommy. You can stop by her blog to see the quotes and photos that she and everyone else is loving right now.

True Love

2010-07-17T22:10:00.000-07:00

"It isn't Romeo and Juliet every day, but Harry thinks I'm OK, and I love him."

I just had to blog about the OG's, if you haven't heard about them yet...well you are in for a treat! Married for 73 years Harry Cooper (aka Pop Pop, age 98) and Barbara Cooper(aka Cutie, age 93) are the stars of their own video blog. They are also on facebook and twitter. (Who says technology is for the young?) The Coopers are living it up at Hollenbeck Palms retirement home in CA. OG stands for Original Grandparents , and the blog full of original content including videos, Ask Grandma Anything, and Pop Pops Adventure Corner are sure to bring a smile to your face. These golden seniors are full of love, fun, and great advice with a lifelong perspective.

http://the-ogs.com/

Kittens

2010-07-13T18:34:00.000-07:00

The stray cat we took in a few months ago named Rosy had kittens, I am not sure how old Rosy is, but we think this was her first and last litter. She had 3 kittens right away and the last one took a little longer. So four all together. She is doing fine and nursing them.

An Adventure

2010-07-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

“Life is either a great adventure or nothing.”
-Helen Keller

I've sent Josef on his first huge adventure. A 5 day, 50 mile Scout canoe trip on Lake Lowell, then the Snake river and onto the Payette River. They will travel 50 miles by canoe all together. I sent him off well informed and prepared, full of the spirit of adventure. I packed soap, toothbrush, and clean underwear that I am sure will not be used, but I did my duty as a mother by including them. I also told him to keep his life jacket on at all times, if could even see the water, he should have it on!