It's Great to Be 8!

Our little man was baptized on August 31st, 2013.  I can hardly believe it.  He looked so excited and handsome.  He was a little nervous about everyone watching him, but I talked him through it and he was great!  He was the only one from our ward, so he selected the whole program.  Here is what he had:

Conducting/Presiding: Grandpa Mortimer (Because he is our Bishop)

Opening Song: When I Am Baptized (Uncle Joseph led the music and Aunt Sarah played the piano for this one.)

Opening Prayer: Kabren Baller

Talk on Baptism: Uncle Dan

Musical Number: Grandma Mortimer sang "My Heavenly Father Loves Me".  Mom played the violin while she sang and Aunt Carrie accompanied.

Baptism - Dad baptized.  Uncle Jason and Aidan were the witnesses

Talk on Holy Ghost: Andrew

Confirmation: Those who participated in the circle were - Dad, Grandpa Mortimer, Uncle Dan, Uncle Nate, Brother Manwaring, Baca, Uncle Troy, Uncle Jason, Uncle Tyler

Closing Song: If the Savior Stood Beside me.  Uncle Joseph led again and Aunt Carrie played the piano.

Closing Prayer: Aunt Shezrae

The day after he was presented to the ward as the newest member.  Shane got up and bore his testimony so Max wanted to.  He headed up and sat next to his Dad.  Shane went first and then Max.  Max was the last one to bear his testimony.  He started his testimony and then was overcome by the spirit.  He broke into tears, finished and then literally ran down to me and hugged me.  There was pretty much not a dry eye in the entire congregation.  It was very special and I realized what a tender spirit I am raising and how I need to do so much better, and yet, that I must be doing something right.  I am so proud of him.  I am so proud that he wants to be a member of the church and the example he is to me.  I love you Max!

Blue & Gold

Max will be turning 8 this year!  Because of that he will enter Cub Scouts.  This is a whole new world for us.  They invited all the boys who would enter scouts this year to the Blue and Gold Banquet.  It was a lot of fun and we all made a cake that went along with the Under the Sea theme.

Max wrote BAIT.  Pretty good!

Cake decorators, please don't judge.  This was our first time with homemade fondant.

Getting a little welcome award.

Neighborhood Party

Our neighborhood/ward had their annual party.  They had a human-size fuze ball.  That was pretty cool and a great idea for a family reunion.  They also had face painting and they would spray your hair.  Everyone got into that except Aidan and me.

Hard to see, but there is blue down the middle.

Haircut for the Trees

The weather has not been working in our favor when it comes to yard work this year. Finally, the stars aligned! My Dad was free, the weather was nice, and the elder's quorum was picking up people's yard debris if they needed help. We have a couple LARGE trees that have died and they needed cut down. In addition, we have quite a few fruit trees that were never pruned before us and we didn't know where to start. My Dad took a pruning class, so we were grateful for his help. We borrowed a chain saw and the men got to work. Max and Joseph hauled a bunch to the street and the Elder's Quorum was able to pick up over half of it before they had all their trailers full from various yards and ours. We got some fire wood for camping trips and cleaner, smaller, more manageable trees in the end. It looks so different. I got a couple pictures of them hard at work taking down some trees. Also there is a video of them getting one tree down. It darn near hit me! What was really funny was how manly it made them feel. The first tree they knocked down. Right after, with all the adrenaline, they were high fiving and all. Super awesome!

Lesson Time

It was my turn again to do the combined Young Women lesson at church. I get so nervous standing up in front of people and I have been extremely emotional with some things lately. I was really worried that my mind would get away from me. I said a little prayer before I started, that I would make sense. I don't even remember half of what I said, but there was a great spirit in the room, so I know the Lord blessed me. I was able to share a fun YouTube video from Mormon Messages. The girls liked it and I hope you will too.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Mashed Potatoes

We recently had a ward game night. They had a Wii game called "Just Dance". It was so fun to play and to watch. Fortunately I remembered my camera was in my car when two members of the bishopric and their wives got up to play the game. My Dad and Mom and our neighbors danced to a few dances, but Shane caught them on tape with Mashed Potato. Hope you'll enjoy watching...especially if you are in the ward.

Divine Nature Project

For my Divine Nature Project I decided to focus on the kitchen. What I mean by that is that I get in a rut sometimes as to what to make for dinner. You know how you have your staple dinners that you have over and over? I recently watched the show "Worst Cooks in America" and I was inspired to try something new. I need to be better and I need to have some new ideas so our dinners don't get boring. I did 14 days of new recipes. Some of them I have done similar items, but I knew the recipes would give me a new way to do them and possibly make them easy enough to do on a more regular basis. So, I will post all 14 of the recipes and tell you how they went. Try some, especially if I list they are yummy.

Knowledge #3 - Part 2

Last night I was able to finish my personal progress experience for Knowledge #3. I did the first part here. Then I had to attend a play. I went to Annie. It was at the local Jr. High and one of our Beehives was in the play. I was supposed to think about the 13th Article of Faith while I watched it. If I was going to see a show with an Article of Faith in mind I guess it is good it was a children's play. Even then, there were things that I could learn from in it of what I should not do in order to keep my life in line with the 13th Article of Faith. Of course, Miss Hannigan liked her "medicine" and then FDR always had a cigarette. I think they could have done without this because he liked to talk with it in his mouth and that was a little annoying. Miss Hannigan was brutal to the orphans and of course, there is the deceit by Miss Hannigan, Rooster and Rooster's girlfriend. In seeking after those things that are lovely I think I need to make sure I am lovely as well. I need to make sure I am a good example, enjoyable to be around, and loving to those around me.

Good Works #3

Reach Mosiah 18:7-10, and in your journal list three ways you can comfort others or help them bear their burdens. Do the things on your list, and tell a family member or leader about the experience and how your attitude and understanding have changed.

I think that three ways I can comfort others and bear their burdens are the following are all encompassed in being a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places. If I am doing what my Savior and God would have me do I would always be helping others. Sometimes the simplest of comforts is giving someone a hug. Sometimes bearing a burden is simply washing a sink full of dishes. My Mom helps me daily by watching my children while I work each day. Fortunately I don't have to work very much, but I can't explain the relief I feel knowing that my Mom is watching my babies and not a stranger. I could help others in this way as well. I can help watch children of my friends so they can go on much needed dates or to the temple and not worry about their kids. There are so many things that are so small, but that I can do. I am blessed with great examples who have taught me how to do this. I also have great ward members who relieve my burdens, like my great visiting teachers who brought amazing meals to our family when we brought London home from the hospital. The Relief Society Presidency also visited us in the hospital and brought me flowers and London a little stuffed puppy. These are simple things I could do as well, that are not hard, but relieve so much and comfort so much!

Good Works #2

Service is an essential principle of family living. Help plan your family's menus, obtain the food, and prepare part of the meals for two weeks. During that time help your family gather to share mealtimes. Report to your class what you have learned.

I forgot to post about this one when I did it. What Mother doesn't do this on a regular basis? This was the easiest experience to pass off. I do this on a regular basis. I do the grocery shopping, menu planning and the cooking. Aidan likes to help cook a lot. I love that he enjoys to come in the kitchen and cook with me because it is a good time to talk with him about school, girls, homework, sports or just goof off. He is a great help! I learn so much from doing this part of my job as a wife and mother. I not only learn about budgeting and cooking, but I learn about my family. We make it a point to always eat dinner together. We also eat together for other meals, but sometimes everyone is running around. Dinner is the best time to have everyone sitting down together and talking and enjoying each other. When the older boys walk through the door, the first thing they ask, besides where is London, is what is for dinner and when are we eating. It is funny because we usually eat at about the same time every night, but this tells me they enjoy it and they have an interest in this time. We really enjoy this time together as a family.

Individual Worth #2

Learn about the importance of patriarchal blessings by studying about them in True to the Faith and recent conference talks. Find out why they are given and who can give them. Discuss with a parent or Church leader how to prepare to receive a patriarchal blessing and how it can teach you of your worth and identity and be a guide throughout your life. If you have not received your blessing, prepare to receive it.

I have received my blessing and I received it when I was 14. I have to admit that I don't know if I was ready to receive my blessing. It says you should prayerfully ponder and decide when the time is right. When I was growing up it was kind of like when you turn 12 you start mutual, 16 you date, and 14 you get your blessing. I was fortunate enough, however, to have a kind patriarch who spoke to me and my parents before the blessing and explained a lot to me. I was then able to receive my patriarchal blessing, or father's blessing from my Heavenly Father through the stake patriarch. My blessing has helped me in my life so much. I can see how the things it says helped me when I was younger and how the meaning has changed now that I have my own family.

Our stake recently had a fireside from the stake patriarch where he went into detail about preparation for the blessing and what would be in the blessing. True to the Faith also tells you to that not all the blessing may be realized in this life, but could be in the next life as the blessing is eternal. I love that.

As an added bonus, the stake patriarch who gave me my patriarchal blessing is now a sealer at the Mt. Timpanogos temple and he performed the sealing for me and Shane when we were married. This was a special moment.

Knowledge #2

In your journal list talents you have and others you would like to develop. Read Matthew 25:14-30. Learn a new skill or talent that will help you care for your own future family or home (for example, playing the piano, singing, budgeting, time management, cooking, sewing, or child care). Share with your family, class, or Young Women leader what you have learned.

Sometimes it is hard for me to express my talents. There are things that I feel I am good at, but there are other things that I try to develop and I am not sure if I am that great, but I try to develop them anyway. Here is a list of some of the things I think are my talents:

Singing
I love to sing. I think I am pretty good, but I feel I need to work on it more. I love to be in ward choir because I can do it there. I used to be in community theater and wouldn't mind doing that again now that I am married. I have to say that sometimes in community theater there were some groups of people that I wouldn't really want to be around. Not that they are not nice, we just don't have the same belief systems. Now that I am married I may not feel the same pressures to go hang out with them all the time and could just enjoy the acting and singing part of it.

Violin
This is a good example how not practicing can make you lose your ability. I don't think I am as good as I once was. I do feel proud of the ability I do have and that I can hear when things are out of tune. I also love to teach violin and I think I am a better teacher than violinist.

Being a Mom.
I can be hard on myself about this one sometimes, but I must be doing something right because my kids are such good kids. They also love me. I love that Max feels like he needs to run back in the house and kiss me goodbye when he is going to a friend's house and has forgotten to kiss me goodbye. I love how London loves to give me kisses and hug me. I love how they smile at me and love to snuggle with me when they are ready for bed. Aidan and Andrew also make me feel like a good parent. I know that they have 3 other parents teaching them right from wrong, but it makes me feel good when Andrew wants me to be part of his movies and when Aidan talks to me while we make dinner all about school and all his teachers and before I know it, an hour has passed and we are closer. They constantly remind me what is good in life. I must be doing right.

Budgeting
I feel it is so important to pay our tithing. Paying our tithing and proved to be the best tool in budgeting for us. We have been able to do more things on less because of paying our tithing. We have also been really good at sticking to a budget and not going into debt. I am very proud of this.

Work
I am proud of the work ethic my parents taught me. I try to work really hard at what I do, wherever I am. I believe that my employer deserves nothing less than myself. I hate to mess up and take pride in my work. I take criticism and I think I am more hard on myself than the person who might criticize me. I think my parents did a great job instilling in me a desire to do my best. They are great parents!

Something I have wanted to improve upon is sewing. When I was younger I took a class from my Aunt and also took sewing in junior high. I just haven't done it in a long time and when I have had to it has not been quick and easy. In high school I had to sew a 10 foot flag for Color Guard. I had to use a french stitch, which I had never done before. That flag took me FOREVER and was part of a Young Women project back in the day. So, the talent I have been working on is bow making. I have been sewing bows for London. I have made fabric bows on my new sewing machine and also hand sewing ribbon and other fabric bows. I also made some curtains for Alex's bedroom. I am very proud of myself for this accomplishment. If I get brave I might try to sew a 4th of July outfit for London this summer. Wish me luck!

Knowledge #3 - Part 1

Memorize Article of Faith number thirteen and recite it to a parent, leader, or another adult. Then visit a museum exhibit or attend a performance that involves dance, music, speech, or drama. Using this article of faith as a guide, evaluate what you saw and heard. In your journal write your thoughts about how you can use this article of faith as a guide for all you do so the Holy Ghost will be your constant companion. Share those thoughts with a parent or leader.


I memorized the following article of faith:

"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say we follow the admonition of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy we think after these things."


Then I was going to go to my little sister's play at school, but that night London was admitted to the hospital. So, stay tuned so I can finish this goal. It looks like I will be heading to Annie at the Junior High or a museum.

Faith #3

Living gospel principles requires faith. Read about faith in the Bible Dictionary or True to the Faith. Faith in the Savior Jesus Christ leads to action. Choose a principle such as prayer, tithing, fasting, repentance, or keeping the Sabbath day holy. In your own home or another setting, plan and present a family home evening lesson about how faith helps you live that gospel principle. If possible, ask a family member to share an experience that has strengthened his or her faith. Share your own experiences as well. In your journal write down one of those experiences and describe your feelings about faith.

Tonight for family home evening I volunteered to do the lesson. I thought this would be a fun experience to pass of and it touched me. In reading about Faith I was immediately drawn to the principle of tithing for the topic of my lesson. Shane and I have always made it a point to pay our tithing. I knew that it had blessed us because we have had what we need. We haven't always had a lot to spare, but we have not gone without. You often hear of the stories where someone was short $100 and that amount miraculously appeared in an envelope on the porch. I had never had one of those experiences, but I had faith in this principle anyway. I had Shane share a story with the boys where we did have one of these experiences. In 2004 we were about to head to Grantsville for a school program. I had just picked Shane up and he had received a random bonus check. We left his work and came to a light. I pushed on the brakes for a red light and a loud grinding noise was all we heard. Not good! We kept going, but the sound was worse. We ended up not being able to go to the program and headed straight to a repair shop. They gave us an estimate and the amount for the repairs was exactly what we had received in the bonus. Amazing!

The thing that touched me the most in the reading I did was the following:
"Miracles do not produce faith but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm one’s faith."

Spring 2008 was devastating for Shane and me. We were told that we would not have any more children. It would take a miracle. Shane and I felt so strongly that we were not done having children, biologically. We had pondered adoption and after hearing the news we attending the first meeting at LDS family services, but I just couldn't complete the entire application. Shane and I prayed so hard for the opportunity to have a baby. I was in church one Sunday and the Bishop spoke. He promised that if we were to be obedient to a certain principle of the church the deepest desires of our hearts would be realized. My heart burned when I heard this. At that moment I exercised my faith like I never had before. I dedicated myself to this principle and tried to be more obedient in following the other commandments. Two months later I took a pregnancy test and it was positive. Two weeks after that I went to see my specialist where he said, "God could not have put this baby in a better spot." This miracle could not give me faith. I had to have the faith, but then, a miracle confirmed my faith. Now, our little miracle has the middle name, Faith.

Divine Nature #1

What are some of the divine qualities of a daughter of God? Read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (see page ii), 2 Peter 1, Alma 7:23–24, and D&C 121:45. In your own words, list the divine qualities discussed in your reading. Think about how you can discover and develop each of these qualities. Record your ideas in your journal.

Virtue, knowledge, temperence (in all things), (full of) patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, humble, submissive, gentle, easy to be entreated, long suffering, diligent in keeping the commandments at all times, always thanking God, faith, hope, charity, good works, we are created in the image of God, we are beloved spirit daughters, to nurture.

I think that so many of these qualities go hand in hand. At times this seems overwhelming I have to admit. How do we develop all of these. I think I have to take it one step at a time and make sure that I notice the good things I am doing. If I remember that I am a beloved daughter of God who is created in His image it helps. Some of the little things that tell me I am moving in the right direction go along with being a Mother. Max is so sweet. He isn't to the "I'm too cool to kiss Mom" stage. He will walk up to me, put his face right up to mine and pucker up for me to give him a kiss. I must be doing something good and using some of these qualities if this is how he acts. Or, when I look at London in the face and she smiles and then leans her head into my chest and snuggles me, I must be doing something good.

Another interesting thing I noticed in "The Family..." is that it says responsibilities we have with our divine qualities. One of them is to help our spouse and the father of our children as an equal spouse. I loved the wording of this. It didn't just say help my spouse with his father duties. It said to help the Father. I know there are things I can't do to help Shane with the older boys, I am not their Mother. But, I do know that it is my equal responsibility to help him when they are with us. I can love them equally, share with them equally, teach them equally, pray for them equally. This was a cool thing to think about.

Personal Progress

I have been serving in the Young Women program for most of our marriage. For different reasons, however, I have not served in one ward for more than 1 year at a time. In order for a leader to complete the Personal Progress Program you must serve for 1 year. I never knew is that meant cumulatively or consecutively, but I assumed consecutively. Well, I have been serving now for almost a year and a half in the young women program and I don't have my personal progress completed. In fact, I haven't even started! I think I procrastinated thinking I wouldn't be in for a year. But come on, shouldn't I be trying to improve myself regardless of whether I will be serving for a year or not?! I decided I was being dumb. I have set a goal to do my personal progress and complete the new program that has been issued. I just got my new personal progress book. I have looked through it and already passed off a couple goals.

And, did you know that you don't have to be a young woman or a leader to complete personal progress? Now, you can complete it just if you are a woman. If you are a mother of a young woman you can't receive it before she does, but if you aren't, you can get it any time. It is really cool! I will keep you posted on how I am doing, and don't be surprised to see posts about it. This blog is basically my journal, so for many of the times I must write in my journal, I may write here. Wish me luck, and if you want to do it too, do it!

Pioneer Day Parade

This morning we had a ward breakfast and Primary Pioneer Day Parade. It was a lot of fun! We decorated Max's bike for the parade, but last night when he saw Uncle J he decided he needed to ride in the handcart that Uncle J would be pulling. We didn't want him to go unoticed, so he surprised everyone with a confetti/streamer gun. He shot it off when no one was suspecting. It was great fun. The parade turned around and came back, so both sides got streamers. I have short videos below.

Max in the Handcart. He borrowed a hat from Grandma and Grandpa. They opened the closet and he had to have the Indianna Jones hat.

The handcart crew.

Our neighbor with some of the streamers.

Cutie Pie, London, waiting for the parade to start.

I Love to See the Temple

Thursday night we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. It is very tall and thin. We had a good time and enjoyed the peacefulness of it all. From the front of the temple you can look out and see the Draper Temple and the Jordan River Temple. You can also see downtown SLC, so if a few of the buildings were cut shorter, you would see the SLC temple. Pretty cool!

Draper Temple Open House

Tuesday night we were fortunate enough to go to the Draper Utah Temple Open House. I thought they did a good job at explaining all the rooms to both our kids as well as to Kwana. She thought it was beautiful. It was also cool because there was a picture in the church after that was of the Korean temple so now she is going to look for it when she goes home. She also said the only other temple she has been to was a Buddhist Temple. She said that it was scary and dark and she was surprised at how bright this temple was inside. She also LOVED the baptismal font. We rode the red bus to get to temple (They had 3 different parking lots). The blue buses came 3 times while we waited and the green was almost constant. Everyone in line concluded that we had chosen wrong by being in the UofU bus line! If you get a chance to go, do. The Celestial room has an amazingly tall ceiling and so it is just beautiful. It is also interesting to see so much wood used in a temple.

The 3 boys waiting for the bus

Max and Shane waiting for the bus

Suzy waiting for the bus

Kwana waiting for the bus

Aidan waiting for the bus

Andrew waiting for the bus

All of us waiting for the bus. (Man is my face swelling lately!)

Fall Clean Up

The youth in our ward are awesome! We had a fall clean up day today. We have been preparing for a couple weeks. We have a TON of bushes in our back yard and they are just getting unmanageable. They are overtaking our fruit trees and there is no place to put a garden, which I am determined to put in this coming year. We decided to get rid of all our bushes and just leave our trees. This morning the youth came and picked up our GIANT pile of shrubs, then they even raked up some of our leaves! So awesome! Here are some pictures of all the boys working on the yard before fall clean up.