Snowman? Sunbeam? Welcome to Primary 2014

Rodney came down the stairs a couple hours ago singing "Do you want to be a Sunbeam?"
Why?!! Why?!!

He's to blame for this, OK? :)

I realize there are many improvements that could be made on this, but for the time being, we can call this the first draft. How adorable is Frozen, by the way?! I want to go see it again. Every day. For the rest of my life. I kid. A little.

I'm visualizing this being sung by the primary chorister to that full front row of (almost) babies when they join the big primary room early in January. For us, that's about 10 hours from now. ;)

Hope you enjoy.

I paused and read the scriptures...

I am blessed beyond measure.

I was raised by wonderful parents, who blessed me with five beautiful siblings, all of whom mean more to me than I'll ever be able to express.

My relationship with my immediate family and extended family is very much in tact, which so many friends are not able to say. 

I get to do what I love. Pretty much all day every day. That's another post.

I have a loving husband, who was also raised with strong moral values and courage, and who provides and fathers and magnifies his duties at home, at work, at church, and otherwise.

I have been privelaged to carry three remarkable little boys in my womb, deliver them without much ado, and watch them grow into darling, healthy little boys, ages 9, 8 & 6.

I have been dealt a wonderful hand of cards.

BUT, aside from that obvious, outward display of the many ways I have been blessed, I have also been blessed to know, with a deep conviction, of God's plan for me. That's more inward and invisible, yet I still know that I am His daughter. I know that He loves me and cares for me. I do my best to let my light shine in a way that will truly glorify Him (Matthew 5:16). 

I believe that God put in place, in the spring of 1820, almost 200 years ago, a turn of events that would truly affect mankind forever, and for good. That was the year in which "The First Vision" took place. The rest, as they say, is history. One tangible effect of that vast history is a book which I have in my possession. It is The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It is a companion to the many testimonies of Him in the Holy Bible. I love the scriptures.

Today, I felt impressed to pause for a moment, and read from The Book of Mormon. It was while I was eating my lunch, watching the news. CNN was broadcasting a live presidential address, where President Barrack Obama outlined the need for greater concern for our planet. He framed his comments with a quick history lesson - when humans first orbited the moon in the year 1968. Mankind was able to see something like they/we had never seen it before! A new appreciation for God's creation had been stirred. He further described the work of scientific advancements in these last couple hundred years, and within my heart and mind, a slight feeling of tension and fear began to erupt.

I felt (and still feel) a sense of sadness that we don't know how much longer this Earth will be able to sustain us. President Obama had been successful at addressing a need for change - with me, at least. I'm not trying to endorse one political party or person. Not at all. But the message - It's a message we all need to hear - and not only "hear" but DO something about! Just then, a thunderstorm rolled in, and my satellite signal was lost. I had just finished my lunch, was pondering on the meaning and gravity of the things I had just heard, and out the corner of my eye, I could see the Book of Mormon sitting on the ottoman, where it was left after "Family Home Evening" last night. I felt impressed that I should pause for a few minutes. I even had a specific book that I felt that I should turn to. In my mind, I could feel that Alma, Chapter 5 is where I should turn. And so I did. I read each word carefully and thoughtfully.  

I am here to say that I love that book of scripture. In this chapter, Alma the younger (son of Alma), is preaching to a wicked and idolotrous group of people in the land of Zarahemla. As I read it - this is going to sound so silly, but just hear me out - I could hear Alma the younger deliver his words almost as a presidential address - of a need for change! We've all heard an address like this. Think of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. It is powerful! It is moving! THAT is the exact enthusiasm with which Alma the younger speaks! The subject is simple - Repentance and Salvation. And also a remembrance of their fathers and what they knew to be true. One of my favorite verses in the whole 62-verse chapter (full of wonderful verses - FULL!) is verse 38. Alma says: "Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which year are called, behold ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd." 

I testify that these words are true. I know that Jesus is "The Good Shepherd." He calls me to him, to listen to his voice, and to follow his admonitions. He loves me and wants me to be happy, and so, I will follow him.

"The Atonement" in a few words

I heard these words spoken by Dieter F. Uchtdorf tonight, and decided I should try to creatively bring them to life.

You may click picture to enlarge

Timeline of 12/7/12 - 12/12/12.

'Tis the Season.

Friday. Jackson coughs.

Saturday. Playtime at birthday party. Good times. Sickness fell that afternoon and evening on three little Steelboys (in the form of fever, more coughing, etc.). OTC Meds administered.

Sunday. Sickness continued. OTC Meds administered.

Monday. Sickness continued. Sickness was on it's way out, though. OTC Meds administered.

Tuesday. Sickness brought Jackson to pediatrician's office to be diagnosed with pneumonia. Closer to bedtime, Carter returned to super-sick. Thank you, Brady for being almost all better. OTC and Rx Meds administered.

Wednesday. Jackson & Carter seen at pediatrician's office. More meds for Jackson. Flu diagnosis for Carter. More OTC and Rx meds administered.

Wednesday night at 9:00. Chilly night. Three kids took showers, after which I pampered the heck out of them, blowing warm air from my blow dryer onto their towel laden bodies. They sigh in thankfulness and joy. Their hair blow-dried. Lotion applied on chapped upper lips, nostrils and hands. Hugs and warm feelings. That was by *far* my favorite part of the last five days.

Mosiah 24:14 "Ease the burdens..."

While visiting my Aunt June recently, I noticed a hand written scripture she keeps on her refrigerator. It is a passage from The Book of Mormon, specifically the book of Mosiah, Chapter 24, verse 14. It would not be a stretch to assume that this scripture has buoyed her up in spirit countless times, as she has been through so very much in the last several years. I love the Book of Mormon, and have a testimony that these words are true.

A little photoshop creation of this special scripture

pint sized compliments

Since I last posted, Brady has potty trained. So has Carter. It's a thing of beauty.

Kidding. It has been a long, long time though, hasn't it?

Today a typical Steelboy thing happened. We were out and about, driving in the car (it had been a good 30 seconds since we left our house), when Brady got mad at Carter, and hit him. I didn't see it happen, but I heard something, not to mention the outcry that ensued, so I shouted said in a soft tone, "What happened?" Brady answered "I hit 'im!" Honesty is my favorite.

So, naturally, moms should punish hitters. It came to me only after a few seconds, "Brady! Now right now I want you to tell Carter 10 reasons that you love 'im! Now. Get started. Go. Now."

"He plays with me. He wrestles with me."

"Tell him he's got beautiful blue eyes!" I might have said.

"He has beautiful blue eyes. He's nice."

I suspect a few were duplicates.

Afterward, Carter just beamed! In the rear view mirror I asked him, "Carter, did you love that - hearing all those nice things about YOU?" His face said yes.

Brady's feelings now hurt that he "never has people say nice things about him" motivated me to invite Thing 1 and Thing 3 to pay him the same respects. It got started with Jackson's "He's nice. He plays with me." They are so creative with their compliments, those Steelboys. "He looks so cool in his black and white clothes!" I might have said.

With only about 2 more minutes of the car ride left till we reached out destination, I suggested that it was time to shower Jackson with compliments. In unison, the other two offer "He's good at basketball." "He's got the best smile!" I might have said. We went on and on with a few more personalized comments about Jackson, and when needing only one more nice sentence, the most sincere little Carter-man spoke up with my favorite line of the day: "When I ask him to play hero factory with me, and he says no, he says it in a nice voice." 5-year old honesty. Top that!

A couple hours later. Sweet boys. Ish.