Mixed Nuts

More pics of the people who call me Momza...
Dara aka Daisie and Deano.

Dean aka the soft spot in my heart.

Diana aka Nana...and her fun Red homecoming shoes that she loves so much!

The newlyweds

they have too much fun!

Familial Friday

These are my peeps. From L to R top: My very wonderful DIL-Tisha aka Tenesha, David Scott, Mr. Wonderful, Me, Dani, Dean, Nana L to R front: Daisie, Boofus, and the Caboose.
*funny story: last night after dinner, I was leaning on the kitchen island, listening to Mr. Wonderful talk about his day. The Boofus comes over and starts poking me with his pencil--without thinking, I did a back-kick in self-defense--not a forceful kick at all, just raised my foot behind me to block his poke--well, immediately he does a half-laugh-half-squeal and drops to the ground! "what happened?" "Aww mom you got me in the balls." "The what?" "The scientific word is nuts." "Where did you hear this language?" Mr. Wonderful and the Boofus both reply: "School." So he lay there writhing and laughing at the same time. I giggled too, I really had not taken aim or used any force, and the fact that he was laughing assured that he was not really injured. What a kid. ugh. Dontcha love school? Should I call his Science Teacher?
"Is this what you're teaching 3rd graders nowadays? What happened to bottle rockets and baking soda?"







****



These were taken last May at the Boise River shoreline in Eagle, Idaho--which was approx. 2 miles from our home there. I love these kids. David Scott is hands-down the funniest person I have ever met. When he was a rotten teenager (a term of love in our house)--no matter how mad I would be at him, he could say one thing and make me laugh! SO I stood there, pointing at him, and said, "That's funny!-BUT you're still in trouble!"



And this of course, is an outtake from Dani & Mr. Idaho's engagements, taken at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. She makes me laugh too. And Mr. Idaho's "Jim Halpert face" always makes me smile. On Mother's Day when I was alot younger (4 kids at the time), all I wanted for a "gift" was to be able to get myself dressed for church without interruptions. That and to have everyone else dress themselves. Well, ha! that didn't happen: all the kids were fussin' and feudin', some couldn't find their shoes, there was weepin' and wailin' and gnashin' of teeth goin on! I stepped down the hall into the front livingroom, and pointed to all of them:" All I've ever wanted was to be a Wife and Mother!--AND YOU PEOPLE ARE RUINING THIS EXPERIENCE!" lol Of course, I had to laugh as soon as the words came out of my mouth--so ridiculous. Hey, being a Mom is alot of work. But so far, in my life, it's all been worth it.

I have alot to be thankful for...my kids are healthy and happy. Kent has a job in an economy that is struggling. Everyone does their best for the most part. That gives me peace and joy.

I have to remember this b/c tomorrow is Saturday and it gets way crazy around here on Saturdays: breakfast with the elders, piano lessons, messy kitchen, kids running in and out, late nights, and early Sunday mornings.

I am blessed. I am blessed. I am blessed. Ahhhh...okay Saturday, Bring it on!

Sense and Sensability

I found this and had to post it. My all time fav movie... If you haven't seen it, GO get it today! Just go!

Forgiving Ourselves ~Ch.1~

FORGIVING OURSELVES by Wendy Ulrich

Introduction:
The Story of the Widow's Son (1 Kings 17) I have had many moments in my own life, not recently, but still, where I wondered if I have been forgiven of the weak choices I have made--asking the question, Is the Atonement for ME? I can see Christ's Atonement covering everyone else's sins, generally, but MINE...well, I should have known better, I made a selfish choice, I knew better...maybe I don't deserve His forgiveness. At least not right now. Not today. Not until I have suffered enough to deserve it."

The passages that spoke to my heart:
*"We can learn to more grace-fully adapt to life in the schism between our celestial ideals and our earthly limitations." (Thank you...I need to remember that principal and not be unrealistic about my limitations.)
* "As we learn by our own experience that God tells us the truth and that competing versions of reality will fail us in the end, we come to profoundly trust him." (I have had alot of experiences that tell me that He is indeed my Father, and knows what will truly bring me joy.)

* "We accept that regret and sorrow over our sins and errors are part of the price we pay to participate in that plan." ( The law of Free Agency is my gift.)

ALMA THE YOUNGER (Alma 36):

*of note:*"A harrow is a farming instrument for turning over the soil, breaking it up and tearing it open so something new can grow there." ( I never knew that...it sounds hopeful!)

*"What can deliver people from the pain of seeing the harm they have done? Only the hope that it can be repaired. Christ can save not only [Alma] but also all those he has hurt."(that's the kind of sin that burdens us most...when it affects others.)

*"There is a time for harrowing, but that time is before, not after the tender seeds of faith and repentance have begun to sprout. We need not continue to harrow ourselves after we have changed our mind, heart, and behaviour and glimpsed God's grace." (Thank you.)

*"Sometimes we also long for that chosen status out of fear that we cannot really be loved by God unless we too are flawless." [like Jesus Christ] In contrast, the Savior humbly offers to share with us all that He has. He acknowledges that we too have a difficult path to walk in mortality. He did His job so we could do ours."(Learning and doing my part.)

*"Self-forgiveness requires a mature understanding of the purpose of life, which is not to get back to God in the same state of innocence and purity we were in when we left Him. Rather our charge here is to learn the compassion, humility, discipline, and understanding of good and evil that come only with experience and risk, failure and resilience. Our charge is to get back to God much, much wiser and better than when we left Him, something we can accomplish only through travelling the bruising, bloodying roads of mortal temptaion, affliction, and periodic failure as well as the roads of triumph, satisfaction and ultimate joy."(This helps me to not only see my role differently as a daughter, but also as a wife and mother.)

*"We are not here to be quiet, but to learn to make the beautiful music of endless creativity and life."( I LOVE this...it speaks to my soul and gives me permission to live life outloud!)

*"Christ is the Great Redeemer --not the Great Preventor." (Again, I can trust in the Atonement.)

IN this first Chapter, our basic beliefs are sorted out...fact and fiction...and the peeling away of fictitious thoughts/beliefs was freeing for me. For my heart. And by doing so, helps me to see others in a different light as well.

SO my Book Club sisters, PLEASE share all of your thoughts and the passages that touched your heart! And if there's another way to do this better, speak up!

It Passes All My Understanding...

Cherie Call...love the message.

Does everyone have their book?

So, I'm ready if you are. I've belonged to book clubs before, but not an online one...so all suggestions are welcomed and encouraged so we can get the most from this experience!

If you've got your book, let's start the 1st Chapter! You will love this book, I promise.

HOPE and CHARITY

This is a sad post. So if you're having a bad day, you may want to skip this today.

Did you read about the Father of FIVE who killed his children, his wife and then himself in California? He & his wife had both been laid-off and TOGETHER they decided that since they cannot care for their chidlren, this was the solution to their sorrow.

I sat and read the story as sorrow filled my own heart. I kept thinking, where are their friends? Family? Neighbors? How did it get so bad that these two parents, once-upon-a-time-sweethearts lost all hope and saw death as their only option?

I know times are hard. Believe me, I do. After going thru a year--that is one solid year-- of gainful unemployment for my husband--I get it. But we were not alone in that year. We had friends who rallied around, we had home teachers and visiting teachers, 2 good Bishops, and an awesome Relief Society President--they checked up on us, walked with us thru the hard days and carried us along. That was one very long year.
We ate thru our food storage. We blew thru our savings after 6 months. And then, we leaned into our faith and each other. We found part-time jobs, I did my doula thing & home staging that helped; we did all we could to take care of our family, and then we prayed.
HOPE was one thing that kept us going. HOPE lifted my spirits on the really tough days.

How did this family in California have absolutely no hope? Where was everyone they knew?

I feel a stirring within, that is going to make me walk down the street today and talk to a neighbor I have suspected for a while now is having a hard time. I think she needs a friend. I'm good at that. I can be her friend, if she will let me.
Listen, we have to take care of each other. We have to do our Part where we live. Look beyond the end of our own noses and care for someone else.

So I gotta go bake something. What? I dunno. But I'll find something, make it and take something warm to my neighbor. Today, I will make a difference however I can.

*Note: when I got to her door, she was on the phone, so I just dropped off the goody with a smile. I didn't get to visit with her, but at least she knows I was thinking of her. It's a start!

Blagojevich a WHO?

Is it just me??? Doesn't he? I'm just sayin'.

Book Club Invite!

So I got this book, I read it. I loved it. LOVE it! So much, I am reading it again. But this time, I'd really like company while I read it, so I am inviting YOU, anybody, Special Person to read this with me.
I thought we'd go Chapter by Chapter together and discuss it, real friendly-like (My only Mayberry RFD reference) and see if I can get this message to stick to my brain cells when it seems most everything else is slipping out.
The Author, Wendy Ulrich, is on the Speaking tour of TIME OUT FOR WOMEN...she is that AWESOME. She was also my son's Mission President's Wife...the Mission Mom. I love her book so much because it changes me when I read it. Did ya hear? It changes me. That's big.
SO go get it and let me know if you're gonna get it. Because for the next week or so, that's what I am blogging about.
C'mon...You know you want to!

Take THAT Pioneer Woman!

So I visit "Pioneer Womans" blog...and her post today is about how her husband hired a Sushi Chef to come to their house and make sushi for her and all her Oklahoma friends. Nice, I thought. How sweet.

THEN! I remembered our OWN Sushi and Fondue Night last year in Boise.

Of course, we had the missionaries over. E. Knowles (from CA) and E. Zant (from TX)...ready to eat! I think David Scott & Tisha & Diana made about 10 platters full of Sushi. And no, I don't make it. I don't even want to learn how to make it--cuz once I do...well, you know what happens after that. Shhhhhhh.

It was all so yummy. I feel a Sushi night comin' on this weekend. Hmmm better go find my chopstix.

Then I got to thinking, IF I could choose to have a chef come over and do anything, what would it be? Well the practical side of me wins on this one: I'd have someone make enough freezer meals to fill both of my fridges to capacity so I would get a break from cooking.

Last night, I was SO not into cooking dinner, that I made french toast for the kids and gave Mr Wonderful leftovers. Yeah, I felt guilty. But then again, no one complained. The kids ate every bite with a smile. No yucky vegetables, spicy stuff or weird sauce on their plates to deal with...so maybe I will forgive myself today.

Pioneer Woman has quite the life. The only non-family member that brings food to us is the Pizza Guy.

"Hey Mom, There's More than Just Girls in Here!"

The Boofus...age 9. Lover of dogs, racer of pinewood derby cars, builder of contraptions, shooter of air-soft guns, brother of 5 sisters, and 3 brothers. Only boy in the house with 4 sisters and a Mom, and his comrade, Dad.

Last night, was Mutual and Scouts. Mr. Wonderful stayed home with the Caboose and I filled the car with Nana, Daisie (pictured here), Taylow and The Boofus, headed for Church.

(Taylow & Nana pic) On the way there, the FIRST thing that HAS to be done is finding THE radio station the girls want to hear. They know not to "land on" RAP but these girls would do great on that once-upon-a-time-show "NAME THAT TUNE"---they push the "NEXT" button before I can even make out 3 notes..."no, no, no, no, wait--no, no, YES!" comes the chant from the backseat.

Joseph is silent for most of the ride, waiting I suppose to get a word in edgewise. Did you know girls can yammer at twice the speed of sound?

Their words are mixed with squeals of disgust and delight all at once! The conversations spin themselves into mangles only they understand:"Did you hear about...?" "Yeah, only I heard it was..." "Oh but-!..." SQUEAL! LAUGHTER!-- and suddenly they burst into song as their favorite parts are playing on the radio!



*** Joseph waits until he is sure I will hear his still-little-boy-voice: "Hey, Mom?"...he says almost pleading, "There's more than just girls in here, k?"

I knew what he was asking for...can we be respectful of his needs too? We turned down the radio, the girls calmed their rants and squeals and all gave a soft apology to Joseph:" Oh, sorry Joseph--sorry little guy!"

Yeah, he always gets the sympathy hugs. Growing up with this many sisters, when he IS finally able to date in 6 years, he will speak the language of teenage girls. When I went into his room last night to say "good night", he was humming the song that was playing in the car.
*do you see him tucked in this pic?

Not Too Much To Carry

byWilliam Adolphe-Bouguereau.(http://www.goodart.org/artofwb.htm). I love his art. I always have. I've bought some of his prints for my daughters. Many of his subjects were young women and girls...doing daily things like knitting, carrying water, or just listening to one another, being kind to each other. I am all about that stuff. I've heard it's really good.

Wordful Wednesday TOPIC: "Wishes"

I have recently begun following the blog: "Chocolate on my Cranium" . She invited others to participate in Word-Prompted blog posts. Topic today is "Wishes". I thought I'd give it a try.

"Wishes"
Most of my wishes
have never come true.
I've tried sittin' & wishin',
they just never do.

But LOTS of my Dreams
have found a way
to come into my life
and worked and stayed.

I dreamt of a family
of my very own
Lovely and kind
and sweet in my home.

I dreamt of a husband
who calls me "sweetheart"
who brings me a smile
and remembers his part.

I dreamt of the woman
I wanted to be
Then I got down to work
and molded that "me".

My wishes are all
too small for my heart
I am what I am
from the Dreams that I start.


Cheesy. I know. I'm all about Cheese though. Want crackers with this cheese?

We're Havin' a Heat Wave...a Tropical Heat Wave...

It's January 21st. There's snow on the ground here in Colorado Springs. And the weatherman says it's gonna get up to 69o today. So my son, my Boofus, dug out his SHORTS to wear to school today.
Dontcha love his long white socks? I did my motherly duty, and mentioned he might want to put on different socks, you know, the "footie" kind...he said what he's been sayin' alot lately:
"Mom, who cares?" Did I mention he's 9 years old? Oh, and he's missing FIVE teeth. lol.
If he loses anymore, we'll have to feed him thru a straw. For now, he just cuts up his food really tiny and chews on one side. The side with the most teeth.

A New Look! Thanks Laurel!

Yea! for Me!

This Just In...President Obama

I listened to his speech. I was uplifted. Hopeful. Grateful I am an American.

OPEN

These are 3 things we do that give us joy as we seek to share our faith with others.

First, Open your hands. Serve others. With no underlying motive. It brings joy no matter what. Just the act of giving of yourself is the reward.

Second, Open your heart. Get involved. An Open Heart is welcoming, not judgemental, not arrogant, but loving, humble, appreciative of the talents and inherent value of everyone around you. It means to bear one another's burdens and their joys.

Third, Open up the front door and invite people inside. When was the last time you invited someone you don't know into your home? It can be your kids' friends, husband's co-workers, your neighbor down the street. Opening our home--whether the beds are made or the dishes are done--does not matter, it's how others feel once their inside. I have found most people are genuinely good-natured and appreciate friendship.

And that's how I share what I know about the Gospel. It comes as a natural consequence of my friendships...as easy as sharing a good recipe or a great movie. Once you open your heart the possibilities can be eternal.

Weekend Wonders

Miracles and tender mercies. That's what my weekend felt like. I'm still collecting my thoughts and in wonder of the events we witnessed.

Let's see, Friday night the missionaries came over again, to teach about the Law of Fasting. Which isn't a criminal-type law, but a covenant law. When we fast, we are committing our focus to a purpose and become more of a partner with our Father in Heaven, seeking His blessings and will. Simply Put: It is more purposeful prayer.
So at the end, one of the missionaries, E. Nuttall asked if Taylow would fast on Sunday in preparation for her confirmation. Just then, E. Gulbrandsen stopped him, and instead, gave a promise that if Taylow and our family would begin our fast that night after dinner, that her father would request a meeting with the missionaries. That took us aback, but feeling the spirit in his words, we agreed. Well, that cut out my Saturday morning breakfast that we make for the family and missionaries--no sausage gravy and biscuits for any of us. (I was kinda glad to not have to get up early tho, so that was okay.)
Saturday morning was spent getting ready for the baptism. Nana and Taylow made a ton of brownies and PB&J sandwiches for the refreshments afterward--cuz when we asked Taylow what her fav treat was, she said PB&J sandwiches! Somewhere, I even got a nap in...yea!
The baptism was at 3pm. It was one of the sweetest experiences I've had in a long long time.
The Program was lovely. The room was packed with friends, missionaries, ward members and family. Taylow's Mom, Brother, and yes, her Father were there too. (In his shoes!) Her Mom brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Mr. Wonderful performed the baptism. She had to be "dunked" twice lol, cuz her foot popped up. That was kinda funny. When he told her, we could hear her say, "Are you serious?" lol So yup, he was, and she was baptized again!
The rest of the program was carried out by our YW's president who spoke on the Holy Ghost, and Mr. Idaho, along with 2 other young men we've known a long time shared their testimonies. One of them, Matt, also allowed us to share our faith with him a few years ago, and was baptized and now serves in his YSA ward and in the Denver Temple. The story there is that he asked Dani out in college, and on their first date, she gave him a Book of Mormon. It took him 2 years, but he jumped in and hasn't looked back. The other, Eric, is also a convert we've known since Dani was in HS.
That's another story. Anyway, those 3 shared their testimonies. Perfect.
The girls and I were supposed to sing "I know that my Redeemer lives"--but they forgot to put it in the program, so we didn't. Actually, we were relieved! lol We sing acapella and enjoy it, but we were glad to be able to just sit this one out.
It is hard to describe how strong the Spirit was there...we all felt the Holy Ghost there so intensely. Taylow just beamed...from head to toe. She is still beaming. Her father stayed until the end of the program, then told her he loves her and left. He was humbled. He'll be back.

She was confirmed in Church yesterday by Mr. Idaho and what a great blessing. Her "journey" to that moment was mentioned, and how our Father in Heaven has been with her every step of the way. I was emotional. Imagine that. Taylow's so so happy. She glows from the inside out.


After church, our Ward Mission leader, Bro. B asked if Mr. Wonderful and I would participate in a combined RS & Preisthood meeting in 2 weeks. The theme, I believe is about becoming or being a "Gospel sharing" family. Mr Wonderful asked if that request would cancel out our speaking assignment for next week. Um no.

I've been thinking about Bro B's request since then. And all of the things that have transpired over the last couple of weeks with Taylow and her father and the missionaries and my own baptism. It's alot, and I won't go into it all here.
But I chose that picture by Liz Lemon Swindle on this post for a reason. I love this picture. I bought it and Liz signed it many years ago for one of my daughters who was having a hard time.
Sometimes we are like Mary at the tomb. She is looking for Jesus Christ--it had been a long week for her, and I imagine she had not slept in days , especially over the weekend, because of all the horror of the Crucifixion. Can you even imagine? She probably hadn't eaten anything either, so heavy was her heart. And recall also, that the earth had been in a tumult of shaking and darkness. She probably left as soon at the first light of dawn to go to Him. And then, getting to the tomb and finding it empty, you can feel the anguish on her face. Her heart is surely broken.
Yet, there He is right behind her. Within a moment of her discovery of an empty tomb, He will show her the Power of God...a resurrected Being. HIS resurrected body.
It reminds me that when I am troubled and feel despair, my Savior is truly right behind me. Near to me. And I too can be shown His love and His power.
I've seen that so brilliantly this past week in Taylow's life. She did wade out into her own "Red Sea", even up to her neck. And she did not drown. We walked with her, but more important, her Father in Heaven led the way, opening the sea waters as it were. Her anguish is gone. Her joy is full. She is Clean. She has taken her place.

Stuffed Pork Chops Recipe

I'm making this Saturday night.
Stuffed Pork Chops:

Boneless pork chops
Stove top stuffing mix for pork
salt
pepper
olive oil
onion
celery
sweet basil or tarragon

SO this is super easy. Slice the pork chops in the center, to cut a little pocket.
Saute the celery and onion in the olive oil, and add the herb of your choice to the Stove Top stuffing mix and make according to the box directions.
Stuff the porkchops.
Sprinkle with salt & pepper.
Place in baking pan/dish. Cover with tinfoil. Bake on 375o until chops are thoroughly cooked, about an hour. Take off the foil for the last 10 minutes to brown meat and cook-off fluid.

Serve with a salad, mashed potatoes or whatever your family will eat!

Miracles in Due Time

Well, this has been a week of miracles in Momza's House.
Taylow has been preparing for her baptism and it has been a faith-testing and faith-rewarding week.
She has rec'd all of the missionary discussions. She has prayed and received answers to her prayers. We've fasted and prayed for her and with her. Last week, our E. Gulbrandsen gave her a solemn promise that her father would indeed be in attendance at her baptism, if she remained true and faithful. That's a big promise. As the days went by, and her father became more and more irate with her, she expressed doubt about that promise. Yesterday, she came over to the house, with her sadness, and said she didn't think she could be baptized without her father's support. So we told her that is not our decision to make, but is between her and Heavenly Father, and we'd support her in whatever she chose. I did tell her this:

"The Adversary is well aware of what is about to happen. You are about to take your Divine Place in the Kingdom of your Heavenly Father. Noone else can take that place for you. It is only yours to claim. So don't think that Satan is not aware of what you're about to do--or that he isn't interested in causing you the most grief in the place where it matters most to you. He has been "The Devil" long before you or I were born--he's been at this stuff for centuries.
Your faith is being tested. Think of Moses and the Red Sea. Alot of people think that Moses just walked up to the shoreline of the Red Sea, and God in his Might, parted it before Moses even put his toes in the water. I don't think that God did that. I think Moses had to not only get his feet wet, but may have even walked into the Red Sea until it was up to his neck. THEN, the Sea waters parted and the hebrews walked through it. Taylow, right now, you have your feet wet. So you keep walking, and we'll walk with you. We will not let you drown. Your Heavenly Father will not let you drown. Just keep praying and walking in Faith. Everything will work out."

Well, she went down to Nana's room and within thirty minutes she came up, beaming like a ray of sun had planted on her heart. The missionaries again came to the house--this time to interveiw her for baptism. As they finished up, the topic came up about her father attending the baptism. Taylow smiled and said, "Well, I don't think he'll be there in person, but I think he will in his heart." I smiled and said, "Hmm Well I think he'll be there in his shoes."

Flash forward to this afternoon:
Her dad called and asked her to come over to the house after school. (She is living here as of yesterday...I didn't write that yet, I don't think.) Anyway, she went over, and came back so absolutely thrilled. He asked her if it's still okay to come to her baptism tomorrow. (In his shoes.)

After much celebrating...which for a bunch of girls in our house translates into jumping up and down and squealing, I said, "what would have happened if you'd just let go yesterday?"

We miss out on so many blessings when we lose sight of who we really are...daughters of God.
We are entitled to all that He has...but we must do our part, even if it's just holding on for dear life or walking until we are in water up to our necks. The Seas do part and we do behold the majesty of God. It's true.

Junie B. Jones

So I know I was asking about a "good read" and all...then my 2nd grader brought this book home for us to read "together"...and I'd forgotten how much I love Junie B. Jones when I was a Teacher's Assistant last year. I have listened to and read with, 26 different second graders all last year, the Junie B. Jones books. That's alot. And I love listening to little kids read. So the Caboose and I started reading it, and I found it so delightful, I just kept on reading, even after she left for school. So maybe next week I'll attack some work of literary genius, but until then, I've just gotta find out what Junie is gonna end up doing to whom, In Room One, First Grade.

Chicken Linguine Alfredo Florentine

I made this for dinner last night. It was delish!
Chicken Linguine Alfredo Florentine

Linguine noodles ( or your favorite noodle)
2.5 lbs. Chicken breasts ( I use the flash-frozen from Walmart)
2 TB Minced Garlic
2 TB Olive Oil
Cracked Pepper
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Alfredo Sauce (Easy & Quick--use the bottled kind or make your own)
Spinach (frozen or fresh) about 1 cup
Mushrooms, sliced about 2 cups (I used fresh last night, but canned is good too--but not 2 cups if canned!)
Salt
In LARGE pan, saute garlic in olive oil. Add chicken. Brown, then cut into cubes. Add some pepper.
Now, get your water boiling for the noodles. I add salt & olive oil to the water.
To the Chicken, add your mushrooms. (drain the water, if canned). Add the spinach. Add the nutmeg.
Cover with the Alfredo sauce. Simmer until warmed through.
Serve over cooked noodles.
Voila!

New Beginnings...for everyone

Last Night: Our Ward's Young Women's "New Beginnings" Program.
That's when the older girls (aged 16-18) welcome the younger girls (12 year olds) into the Young Women's program and explain what it's all about. The YW Leaders are extraordinary women themselves. I've been in presidencies over the years and I'm still in awe of the other women who are called to serve in this capacity. They love these girls. My girls. And I love them for it.
There's a new "Value" this year: " Virtue". I love that they added this.
Taylow went with us. Our YW President just wrapped her arms around her like they'd known each other forever. And Taylow met with our good Bishop for a few minutes. It's all set: the baptism is Sat. at 3pm. It is indeed a New Beginning for Taylow. I love this girl.

Taco Soup Recipe

Out of my new Ward Cookbook. C. Brady is the chef!
TACO SOUP
1 lb. hamburger, browned, season to taste ( I'm using gr. turkey)
1 can kidney beans
1 can tomato sauce 15oz.
1 can pinto beans
1 can tomatoes with green chilis
1 can black beans, optional
Fritos
sour cream
cheddar cheese
Simmer all day or make just before serving (the longer it cooks the better). Put Fritos in a bowl and top with soup, cheese and sour cream.

*Note: I did make this, but I substituted corn for black beans. I added some fresh cilantro, minced onions, garlic and taco seasoning to the meat. And I didn't put the chips in the bowl, but served them on the side along with some tortilla chips and popcorn. I know, popcorn sounds weird, but I have little kids, and they thought it was great!

What's so Good about being a Parent Anyway??

So I'm reading the news headlines and come across this story, maybe you've read it too, about the Dad who was arrested because he was trying to sell his teenage daughter for a case of beer. (I didn't read the story, just the headline.)
I was utterly disgusted about it. Really, I was. Then, and this is embarassing, I admit--while the missionaries were teaching Taylow tonight about eternal families...somehow we got the giggles--I think it started because someone made a crack about wanting eternal families, but not so much when our sweet children become teenagers! And before I knew it, I shared the headline about the dad selling his teenager for a case of beer. Okay yeah, it was repugnant, preposterous, and a disgusting reality...but in my head, at that moment, I laughed and said "My kids are WORTH so much more than a case of beer! I'd want at least a new car for Nana!"

Then, I was reading a Book Review for " No Kids: 40 Reasons for Not Having Children" by french author Corrinne Maier. The author, a mother herself, sited some of her reasons for not having children: Some include: "childbirth is torture, children will destroy your time and your freedom, and you will inevitably be disappointed by your child."

Then the reveiwer shared her reasons for having her own children:
"What makes people interesting is what they endure. Pain. Fear. Sadness. Disappointment. Loss. All these things parents will endure in varying degrees throughout their lifetime and that of their child.Does parenting bring great joy? It certainly can. But there is never a guarantee that the joy will outweigh the pain. To be a parent is to introduce an excruciating element of risk into your life. It is to create something that can either elevate you or completely destroy you.
And she ended with this:
"It has to do with a Chinese proverb that my father often quotes: Don’t pray for a happy life, pray for an interesting one.And so in answer to Ms Maier’s book of witty and spot-on reasons why you shouldn’t have children, I will offer just one reason why you should have children.Because it will make your life more interesting."

So all of this got me to thinking. What would I say are the Pros and Cons of being a Mother?

So here's a short list of Cons:

*I haven't slept in since 1983.

*My waistline disappeared after baby #6 and hasn't been seen since. My waist used to be shaped like an hour-glass but now resembles a goldfish bowl.

*I've spent more money on toys than I have on anything I ever wanted. Collectively, that is, only to be told by my subordinates that "there's nothing to do."

*My heart walks outside of my body at all times. And sometimes, it gets in cars with other teenagers who don't buckle up or drive the speed limit. And other times, it doesn't look when crossing the street. And there's nothing I can do about it.

*I'm "on alert" 24/7...ready with a bandaid, a hug, a lap, a teary eye, whatever.

*My cellphone is nothing more than a ball on an invisible chain. I cannot leave the house more than 10 minutes without it ringing:''Hello?" "Mom?" "Yeah?" "Where are you?" "I'm at Albertsons/WalMart/Costco/Target--didn't you ask [someone at home] where I was?" "When are you coming back?" "Well, let's see, it's um 4 o'clock Tuesday right now...yeah, I'm lookin' at Thursday of next week. Be good, don't play with scissors or knives, change your underwear, brush your teeth, and stay out of the fridge until I get back, ok?"

*Oh, and I never get the last glass of juice. Or the last cookie. Last anything. But there's always a single drop of juice left in the container, in the fridge. And for reasons only aliens understand, a half of a cookie is left in the package on the pantry shelf.

*When I go to the above Stores...I have to ask Myself, OUTLOUD: "What day is it" What's my name?" when filling out a check.

Those are just a few of my CONS.

Now onto the PROS of Motherhood:

*Having 7 children, six of whom are expected to grow into mature, responsible (there's still some mystery about a few) adults, I figure I have a one-in-six chance of not being put in an Old Folks' home.

*My bread never turns moldy, nor does the milk go sour. It doesn't last that long.

*I don't have to EVER ask for extra cash at the check-out. My kids smell cash on me like a bear after hibernation smells--smells--well, smells anything edible.

*I get to drive a big honkin' '02 Suburban with 9 passenger seating and yell at other drivers in the guise of protecting my "life's treasures" (aka kiddos)...and feel totally justified. Whereas, if I drove a sporty lil coupe, I would feel guilty and have to repent.

*I'm never alone. Ever. "cept in the bathroom. (wait, is this on the right list?)

*My teenage daughters tell me if I'm dressing like a "granny" or if I'm lookin' "super frumpy" to the point that they send me back to my room to change clothing, so I don't embarass myself. Or is it so I don't embarass them?

*Ok ok, I got a few more good ones: I'm more patient. Less selfish. I can cook enough food for a small country. I know all the words to the book, "Love You Forever" by heart. I can sing "eensy weensy spider" when I am dead-tired, on my feet, rocking back and forth in the middle of the night. I can find tiny little people shoes so fast I should be listed in the Guiness World Record book. In fact, my uterus is a tracking device, just as that kinda yucky comedienne, Rosanne, says it is. I know all the Episodes of He-Man, Carebears, Sailor Moon, Sesame Street from 1983-2003, Barney songs, Bear in the Big Blue House, Blues Clues, She-Ra, and all the Spice Girls songs. Plus, as the TV says, MUCH MUCH MORE!

* I can take a shower, wash and dry my hair and get fully dressed in a half hour. Sometimes, it must be noted, I may have forgotten to put on my bra before my shirt, or my slip or walked out the door in my houseslippers or even forgotten to put mascara on BOTH eyes before I leave--but hey- I'm out the door, and that's all I'm saying.

* I can change diapers with my eyes closed.

* I can say "NO" in different languages.

* I can cook dinner, listen to a child practice piano, while another child reads to me outloud, take a phone call about Scouts, unload the dishwasher, and toss in a load of laundry simultaneously. Booyah!

* I can text b/c I have teenagers.

* I can see blood, urine, vomit, spit-up (baby vomit), and poop and not actually gag.

* My child can say "MOM" 50 different ways and I can tell what they're feelin' or what they're after.

So there you have it. A short view into my otherwise un-INTERESTING LIFE. My kids do make me more interesting. They are the legacy I will leave behind. My life's work. And whatever it costs to make their lives worthwhile is worth the cost. They have taught me more about my strengths and weaknesses than a new car ever could.

Don't tell my kids how good I've got it, k?

Shanks.

What about you? Is your kid worth a Ford or a years' supply of diet Pepsi? Share your thoughts!

Bloggerville, Lend me Your Ear!, er, Book!

Okay, so I am in need of your help--any of you out there in bloggerville--puhleeeze.

I have reached the time in my life where I have, dare I even say it?--free time! That's right! I have time to do whatever I want and it is utterly amazing. Oh, and please please PUH LEEZE don't tell me to do Geneaology. That's work. I may change my mind at some point in time, but for right now that's just. more. work.
So I've been thinking I need to broaden my horizons. I'd been reading Nicholas Sparks books, and they were charming up until this last book where, by the end of the book, I could've cared less if the two main characters had pulled guns and shot each other. So, here it is. I'm puttin' it out there...give me a really good suggestion for a really good read.
Don't leave me hanging. If I don't get my hands on a great book soon, I may have to resort to coupon clipping or geneaology. Don't make me do it.
Put your suggestions in the comment below!!!!

A Blue Ribbon for Nan

This is for Nannette Jones
You've earned this ribbon girlfriend. Heavens, you've earned enough to wallpaper your house! For what?? Oh don't be COY!
You know what?! Walking around a mall for 2 hours with your soon-to-be-Bride looking for bridesmaid dresses in yet-to-be-decided colors, with the patience of a Saint!
Can I just say this: I feel your pain.
So on this not-so-auspicious occasion, let me announce to my blogging world that my friend Nan has earned this blue ribbon.
We left the Mall and she was still on good terms with her daughter and fiance, and last I saw, a smile still on her face!
Well done!
SPEECH SPEECH!!

Holy Places--Book Review

I received this book from one of my kiddos for Christmas. I love it.

The artwork and the stories are equally inspiring.

The Weather Grill

Yesterday it snowed. And snowed. All day. But it wasn't a snow day. And I just noticed the one half of our grill is missing. Boofus probably made some contraption out of it. ugh. that boy.

We normally have a perfect veiw of the Mountains with Pike's Peak right to the left, and also the Air Force Academy right there too.

I took this when the clouds started lifting...so you can see the foothills.

I love snowy days.

Another blog-friend posted pics of her garden's earth worms in Arizona. We won't see that kind of weather here for another few months. I'm okay with that. I lived in Phx for 8 years. Those summers beat our winters for intensity. Just thinking about those hot summers makes me wanna roll in the snow right now.

Weekend Whatevers

The breakfast Saturday went well.
So, after piano lessons, I found a quiet corner and started reading this book. I usually like N. Sparks books. I was excited to begin reading this one. And even though the first few chapters were "ugh" I kept reading...just waiting for it to get better. For a surprise twist or something. That never happened. It was predictable. Every stinkin' bit of it. Don't get me wrong, I love happy endings! But, oh this was so dissappointing. I finished it by the evening and felt like I wasted my time.









Sunday was Church of course. We were running late and didn't get to Church until 5 mins. till it started. That feels late to me. I hate being late. We like to get there about 25-15 minutes earlier than the meeting. That gives us a chance to get to our seats, say our "hellos", get stuff from the library if need be, and then just enjoy the prelude music and focus on why we are there. So, b/c we were late, we missed our favorite seats: the Second row. We've been sitting in the second row for a long long time. With a big family, we take up most of a row...and that also means I can't sit next to every child. So I need help. That help comes from the pulpit. Sitting where the kids can see the speaker clearly, see their emotions as they speak, helps them to feel the spirit.

My philosophy on this is simple: When our family decides to go to say, a movie or a sporting event, we leave to get there early ON PURPOSE so we can get good seats, go buy snacks, meet up with friends, watch the previews, etc., etc.,...Church meetings are more important than that.
And our conscious effort to make it mean more is reflected in our efforts to get there early and prepared.
As a result, we know we have to get up early enough, be prepared the night before (especially since our meetings are at 9am this year!), and leave in plenty of time. So we do. Only yesterday, my 13 yo lost track of time, and we left about 10 minutes later than usual. So we sat in the front row. Yeah, there's no going backwards for me, if I can help it. Front row is fine when Second row is taken.
A painful experience came when I was sitting with my class in Primary, and was handed the latest edition of our Ward's cookbook! At first I checked to see if my submissions were included and correct--then I perused through it and my mouth started watering and I became keenly aware that I had not eaten breakfast! What an awful thing!

Diana wasn't with us because she went to church with Taylow, at our suggestion. She said it was highly entertaining...there was alot of music with a 5 minute sermon and they were done!
Taylow is still planning on her baptism this Saturday, barring any contention with her dad.
Her Dad is coming around too. The missionaries taught her Saturday, at our home, and they promised her that her father will be at her baptism on Saturday. (that's called revelation, right there.) Then last night, Nana, Taylow and I went to witness a baptism. A young man from El Salvador was getting baptized and it was a sweet experience.
We also got Dani & Brad's proofs online and looked at all 400 of them. Twice. Picking out our favorites and laughing at the goofs. I'll post some when I am allowed to, as per the copyright of the photographer.

OH! And we got a call from the Executive Secretary last night. Yup, our family has been asked to speak on "Having Family Home Evening" in 2 weeks. We all laughed, and one of the kids said, "We better make sure we have it over the next two weeks!" smart aleck.


SO, WHAT DID YOU DO OVER THE WEEKEND???

Sausage Gravy & Biscuits RECIPE

So I've added this to go with the Biscuit post earlier. I know, I should've just kept them together, but I'm not that smart.

Simple Sausage Gravy

Jimmy Dean's ground pork sausage

(u can use whatever kind you like, some are more spicy, I just use the breakfast sausage b/c I have little kids still)

Milk

Pepper

Red Pepper, optional

Corn starch

Brown the meat. Drain the fat. Add about 3 cups of milk per tube of meat. ( I think that's a pound, but I dunno.)So ADD 2 cups to the pan but SAVE 1 cup of milk and add 2-3 TBS cornstarch to it, stir until it's dissolved. Then add it to the hot meat and milk. Stir until thickened. Heat to a smoothe boil. Add the seasonings you prefer. The Red pepper gives it a kick. You can add some salt to taste.

When it starts to cool is when it thickens too. Serve over biscuits.

What's fer brekfest Momza?

Waffles and Ice Cream!

We feed the missionaries on Saturday mornings.
When we get a new one in, I ask him what his favorite thing for breakfast is, and try to make it for him.
Our last new guy was from Samoa...he requested SPAM and EGGS. Which meant I had to go buy SPAM on purpose. He loved it.

Our new guy is here from Idaho--he actually went to the same high school my Nana went to before we moved here, tho they didn't knwo each other.
He requested Waffles & Ice Cream.

He happens to be training a sweet new Elder from Texas...we're having my famous Granny Buttermilk Biscuits and sausage gravy next week.
We've been feedin' the missionaries breakfast for years now...I no longer have to chase the dinner calendar at church, and it just works out better for our family's schedules if we do it this way.

Granny’s Buttermilk Biscuits
Preheat Oven 450o

IN your deep biscuit bowl add 4 cups of Flour. Make a large hole in the center slightly packing sides with back of hand. IN the hole place:
1 ½ TB Baking Powder
1 TB Sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cream of tartar (optional)

Mix dry ingreds w/ fingers stirring in small amounts of flour. MELT ¾ cup CRISCO in small pot. Set aside.
Add 2 1/2 cups BUTTERMILK to hole and stir being sure you miss in all dry ingreds. Add melted Crisco. Mix thoroughly. Stir round & round.
When dough is heavy enough scrape from hands and fingers with back of knife.
Wash & dry hands.
Now sprinkle DRY FLOUR over dough, start kneading. Working from sides folding inwards all the time. Don’t over knead. Make sure your dough has dry flour sprinkled over top.
With floured hands, PINCH off a BIG hand full and ROLL around in your hands until it forms a large biscuit.
PLACE biscuits in LARGE baking pan greased with CRISCO.
Now give a slight push on top with your knuckles.
PLACE biscuits just touching each other.
Brush tops with melted BUTTER..
PLACE in Preheated Oven: 450o. until golden brown.

If you need the Sausage & gravy recipe, let me know!

Happy Birthday Donny Osmond!

Happy Birthday Donny Osmond!
See those girls in the audience about to spontaneously combust in their seats? I'd have given anything to be one of them! Wasn't he just dreamy? And wow, the way he danced was just so so Groovy. (Some of my BFF's back then thought he was "cheesy"--but hey, I love Cheese!)Alas, we only met in my dreams. But, I do have a personally autographed picture of him to Moi.

It says,

"To Dawn, All My Best, Love, Donny

What he wanted to write but couldn't was:

" I know you loved me more than any other 12 year old girl in the world and you shall always have my heart."

Yeah, Donny and me...we're soul mates.

(I got itin 1988, from my ex-husband's ex-girlfriend whose husband was one of Donny's attorney's in the late 80's and in their ward in Orange County, and he really did sign it. )
So this is my Donny Osmond "story": Of course I idolized him...what's not to love, right? I had all of his albums (that's right, youngun's I had albums, not cd's!), his posters plastered my walls, and deep purple WAS the color of the shag carpet in my bedroom! (My mom was very patient with my obsession.) And I always got the latest copy of "Tiger Beat" magazines to keep up with his TRUE life moments. (Don't go tellin' me those articles weren't true. Don't be a hater.)
Anywho, I recall reading that he was a "Mormon"...and in my little Baptist mind, I thought that was like being "Italian." Really. Hey, he looked Italian, didn't he? Dreamy.
And when I had the chance to get his autograph, even tho' I was in my mid-20's and a mom of three, I couldn't pass it up! And yes, I even framed it!
So Happy Birthday Donny, I'm just a month late (his real bday is Dec 9th, oops!) but that's okay, right?
From the love of your life.

Are Mormons Christians?

Jeffery R Holland. The Answer is Yes. For those of you who have been told otherwise, this post is for you. Not to
"convert", but to educate. And that's all I have to say about it. ~Dawn

Sleepless Night, Quiet Morning

I had a rough night. Ever have on of those nights where you re-play certain events of the day OVER n OVER n OVER, until you are so sick of thinking, you find yourself getting peeved with your own brain?

I had one of those nights. As I "SHARED" yesterday, our good friend/second-daughter decided she wants to become a member of the Church we belong to...and part of that process includes baptism. Well, that sly devil, Satan himself, that "puke" as I call him, poked his ugly head in and caused a stir.

Taylow's father came over and to my surprise, accused me of "betraying" him! At first I was taken aback. Then I asked him why he felt that way.

"Well, I entrusted the care of my daughter to you, and you know I belong to [another faith] (he said which faith, but I'm not going to say which, because it really doesn't matter)--and now she wants to belong to yours."

(Hmmm. Yep, that's true, I thought. How did it get to this?)

"Well, Taylow's been coming to my house since she was 7 years old--[every day after school, every weekend, all summer long, Christmas breaks (even this past Christmas, when he took his current wife and their daughter to Palm Springs for a "family Christmas break" and left Taylow with us in our care...she wasn't invited.!!!),she came to our home in Idaho, she keeps her clothes here, she spends the night here even on school nights]-- so just as you might send a child to China who knows no chinese, after awhile, they're gonna learn Chinese. This is a house full of Mormons...she's picked up the lingo simply by being here. We've never sat down with her and "talked" to her about our faith. That wouldn't be right--in fact, it would be under-mining you and your ex-wife. And frankly, I've got a house full of kids, and have no inclination to be responsible for another one on that level. So, no, I've not betrayed your trust."

Well then this poor fellow sorta vented for the next half hour about how miserable he is about his failed 1st marriage and failing 2nd marriage, and "this" is just one more thing he has to deal with, and "just wants it all to go away!" Un-hunh. I see that. I understand your feelings. And how long have you felt this way, sir? Yeah? Okay go on."

"Well", says he, " I know you have a great family here. I even told Taylow to look for a better example in her friends' homes of what happy marriages and family life look like. I told her that. Because, well, because our family is very very dysfunctional, and I know that's not good. I even told her when she was younger to watch YOUR family--but I never wanted her to become a Mormon. Not ever. Not while she is under my roof!" (Did he just give me a back-handed compliment?)

Hmmm. Okay. And now that she's eighteen and can choose for herself who/what/how she wants to express her faith, you feel she has been what?--brainwashed? un-duly influenced?" (And if she doesn't choose YOURS, she is exiled? Oh that's true love right there, sir. You should write a book on it.--I didn't say that outloud)

He got antsy and exassperated, tossed his hands up in the air a few times. I felt sorry for him.

What would you like me to do, sir? How can I help you?

"I don't want anyone to...to...to influence her, except Me. It's my job as her father to show her how to properly worship, noone else's."

"Okay." I said. "So let me make sure I understand what you want from me--You do not want me to talk about or express my faith to your daughter while she is in my home, under any circumstances--is that right? "

He shakes his head affirmatively.

"Okay. Well, I've never done that purposefully TO her, and at the same time, let me just tell you that I love your daughter. She's easy to love. She's a good young woman, and she's always, as far as I have ever seen, been obedient to her parents. She's smart, intelligent--(my goodness, she's just gotten scholarships to both Nebraska and Baylor--so we know she's smart!)--and I trust her judgement about the path she wants to take in life. We love her no matter what Church she belongs to, and she knows that. We love her unconditionally. And because of that, we'll support whatever choice she makes. She's seen my house turned upside down when the youngest were babies...she has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly here, we've never put on a facade around her. And you can ask her about that. So to make any sense of this, we're the same as always and couldn't change if we wanted to around here to influence your daughter"....(heavens, I'm doing all I can to influence my own kids, it never occurred to me that I was influencing some one else's child.)

And on and on it went for another 15 minutes...then, it was as if all of the air in his lungs expired, he had nothing left to say.

So this experience rambled on and on in my brain all night. It was unsettling. How can ANYONE be so ignorant as to think the environment their child is engulfed in, doesn't affect them? Heavens, isn't that why we have "choice" schools, "charter" schools, and the myriad of other activities and clubs that we as parents carefully ponder as to what is best for our child? AND!--When did I become accountable to him? This isn't Burger King, fella, you cannot have it your way! (Should I tell him that in fact, this is closer to Dairy QUEEN...we have a select menu, no substitutions...you want a Peanut Buster parfait, dang it, you're getting peanuts not pecans!--there's an analogy in that one...I'm sure of it.)

UGH! What he wanted was a babysitter. Someone to care for his child while he was doing whatever he's been doing these past 10 years. Only, he never interveiwed me beforehand to inform me of his expectations..."You may care for my child, don't let them run with scissors or cut their own hair, feed them when hungry, include them in everything you do to make them feel valued b/c I don't have the time, but whatever you do, don't teach them to pray or to do any of that other stuff". He wanted her to watch our ways, but not adopt them. Am I the only person who sees this man as foolish & selfish? Or is it selfish and foolish? How about if I capitalize it: FOOLISH AND SELFISH. yeah, that's better.

Well, he left--with his demands out in the open--with his pride in his hand. And his tearful daughter on my couch. We hugged her, loved on her, and cried with her.

The only things I said to her last night was "things will work out." And they do. They always do.

People make sacrifices for their faith every day, all over the world. It causes the thought to rise in me that there is indeed this inherent, innate force within each of us that speaks to our whole being and it drives us to give up all we have, if need be, in search of our Creator, to have a relationship with Him that surpasses every other relationship we have on this earth. And the realization of that search is rewarded beyond any earthly reward imaginable. It is worth what it costs.

And I have a headache.

Sharing What You Know

Sharing. I'm the oldest of Five kids. You might say I know how to share. I'm also the Mother of Seven children. Because of environment alone, there's not room for selfishness, generally. I share 99% of everything I own or have access to. It comes with the Choices I've made.




I'm also teaching my kiddos to share. They all have their "own" things that they are encouraged to share at their own discretion, but for the most part, everything is counted as "community property" in our home. We rarely sit down to dinner with just our family.


There's usually someone else or a few someone else's to share our meals with--and that's fine with me. The kids will "ask" if their friends can join us to make sure--some nights I may not have made enough to share--but more often than not, there is plenty to go around. It's what we do. As the Caboose said months ago, "We are the Andersons and we are Powerful!"
I still love that she thinks that way. It'll probably change once she is 14, but I'll take it for now.



Along with our food, folks and fun (*wasn't that from a Mickey D's commercial?), we also share our hearts. We mourn with those that mourn, and try to share our joy with others' joy too. We're not perfect at this, but we do love our friends. We live so far away from extended family that our friends ARE our Family.

One more thing we share is our Faith.

My husband and I are both converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I joined when I was 16 and he joined at 22.

We believe, and have taught our children that sharing our testimonies should come as a natural consequence of our friendships with others. We don't have to do anything more than to be true friends.

That being said, we have had the great privilege of claiming a beautiful young gal as a friend, nay, another daughter and sister to our family. We've know Taylow (nickname) since she was in 2nd grade with Nana. Her parents divorced the previous year, and neither chose to be "available" to her--in jest, I always says they got divorced and we got custody. She spent almost all of her weekends with us, and nearly every day after school. She just did whatever we were doing: going to mid-week activities with my kids whether it was for school or church, camping trips, grocery shopping, and to Church dances when she turned 14, Family home evening, family prayer, missionary farewells--you name it, she was there! When she was 14, she started telling everyone she was "Mormon"--at that point, I invited her and her mom to have the missionary discussions. She wanted to be baptized THEN, but her father said she had to wait until she was 18.

Last month, she joined us on our trek to Salt Lake City, Utah for the wedding and sealing of our oldest daughter, Dani in the Salt lake Temple. She will never be the same after that trip. She came home determined to be baptized. She said she realized what made our family so "good" (her words, not mine!) was our religion. She said she's never felt so happy as she felt while she was on Temple Square, and every "Mormon" she met was happy too. She wants "a Mormon boy to take her to the Temple" (specifically, the Laie Hawaii temple). She wants a Forever Family.

With her permission, we invited the missionaries over Monday night. We'd met with the elders previously and told them all about Taylow, and we also told them that we support her in whatever she decides to do. We love her regardless of her choice of faith. So, they came over and we played the game "Curses"--so fun! Then, they changed the mood, with Taylow's permission and spoke to her about the Gospel. The Spirit of the Lord was upon us and E. Gulbrandsen asked Taylow if she felt like she would pray about being baptized January 17th.

Soon! She smiled and said she would. My heart was full then, as it is now. After careful consideration and prayer, she IS getting baptized on January 17th. She is 18 now.

I share this because of the many misconceptions non-LDS have about our beautiful loving faith. We do not need to coerce, connive, oppress, or convince others of the truthfulness of our beliefs.

They speak for themselves. We Are our Faith. If my choices in life do not reflect my faith, then what good does it do me at all? Or those around my sphere of influence? We each have many gifts we can go out into the world and share...but I suggest there is nothing more fulfilling than sharing what is most precious to us...our faith. What gives us courage and peace to face this world with an upheld head and an open heart? It is our faith. How you express your faith is how a person knows what is important to you, is it not? And because I am keenly aware that I cannot and will not dictate what my older children express their faith, I do encourage them to find out for themselves. When my eldest son was 16 years old, we had a very short conversation:

DS: Um, I don't think I wanna be Mormon anymore, Mom.

Momza: Yeah? What do you think you wanna be?

DS: I'm thinkin I'd like to be a Taoist.

Momza: Taoist? What's a "Taoist"? What do they believe in?

DS: Well I've been reading alot on it and they believe that everything has a spirit and you have to be really good and loving.

Momza: Hmmm...well, where do they meet?

DS: I don't know.

At this point, I pull out the Yellow Pages, find a listing for a Taoist temple, call the number and listen to a pre-recorded message.

Momza: Well, they meet at midnight on Saturday nights, downtown off Tejon. So, we'll go.

DS: Yeah, right. Like you're gonna let me. Whatever.

Momza: Hey, if that's what you choose to be accountable to, you're going to be the best Taoist in all of Colorado Springs. So we'll go.

He smiled without saying another word. Ever. About becoming a Taoist. Ever.

Years later, as he was leaving to serve his mission in the Canada Montreal mission, I asked him about that day. He said, "Oh yeah, I was just trying to push your buttons."

I often have wondered if I had dug in my heels and strongly opposed his desire to inquire about another faith, what the outcome would've been? How one expresses their faith in God is so personal, we as parents must be sure to allow questions and support our children as they find the answers they need.

I like that poem by Edgar Guest, "I'd rather see a sermon, than hear one any day.

Wow. long post today. I need an editor.