just takin' some time away from blogging is all...

Coffee

The topic of "coffee" has been coming up
around the house by the two youngest yahoos.

"What does it taste like?", they've wondered.

Now, nearly everyone who knows us,
knows we're Mormons.
And being Mormons,
well, we abide a principle called
"The Word of Wisdom"--
based on a revelation given from our Heavenly Father
to Joseph Smith
and recorded in
The Doctrine and Covenants,
Section 89.

I learned the WoW when I joined the Church
as a young teenager.
I'd been raised in a home with every substance
that the WoW declares as un-healthy--
coffee
tea
alcohol
cigarettes
harmful drugs--
all of it.
I'd seen the adverse affects,
mainly addiction and sickness--
up close.
So when I was told it would be wise for me to avoid those things,
it was a no-brainer
and I never looked back.

So the yahoos haven't been around
any of that in our home,
ever.
I can't recall if the oldest yahoos ever even
asked about coffee,
but lately the youngest two have
for whatever reasons.
It could be commercials for Micky D's
caramel-chocolate-mocha-something
(which to me sounds like alot of sugar
in a small cup of coffee)
or seeing Starbucks every which way.
Or that both their teachers drank coffee last year,
and even some kids came to class with their
Starbucks cups.
I don't know.

But, about two weeks ago,
I told the Caboose that the next time we went out to eat,
I'd let her order a cup of coffee.
Hey, the stuff is so awful,
it's FREE in most places,
so after careful thought--
and I mean ALOT of careful, logical thought,
I told her she could try it.

Last night,
with just the youngest two home
while Daisie is away on Trek,
we went out to dinner.
The place was pretty much empty,
our waitress was just filling up sugar jars,
so I asked her to bring two cups
one-third filled with coffee.
I even told her that the kids had never tried it,
so this was a first for them.

She was so helpful--
she said she'd even put on a fresh pot
for us.

So within minutes,
here came the two piping hot cups of coffee.
She also brought out little cups of half-n-half
and lots of little sugar packets.

The yahoos had to let it cool for a few more minutes,
and while that was going on,
we talked about the
Word of Wisdom with them.
And hey,
even the waitress was listening!
So that was kinda cool.

Mr. W. who used to love coffee before we met
suggested they taste it straight up first.
The Boofus took a tiny sip and said he liked it.
Then the Caboose used a spoon to sip from
and also declared it wasn't too bad.

I asked them,
"Why do you think Heavenly Father would tell us
not to drink coffee?"
The Caboose answered,
"Because it's so good, He wants it all for him self!"
We just died laughing.
A minute later I asked, to Boofus,
"Why do you think the prophets would tell us it's
not good for us?"
He replied, smiling,
"Because they want it all."
Ugh.
Smarty pants.

We let them add whatever they wanted to it,
to "doctor" it up to taste.
Into their cups went 2 little things of creamer,
and one-
no two-
no two-and-a-half packets of sugar.
Remember,
their cups are barely 1/3 full.

After they'd added what was available to that little cup,
tried their concoctions, then
pushed their cups aside and were done.

How much did they drink?
According to Boofus,
his tastes added up to "a gulp";
while The Caboose said hers added up to
"a whole spoonful."

Boofus said he'd like to try his with some flavorings
like "gingerbread" or "Peppermint"--
acknowledging that it's the flavorings that would make
the coffee taste better.
And then, realized he can do that with hot cocoa,
which tastes better than coffee to start with.
Logic works.

And that was that.

I'm a convert.
I had to make the same choice--
it seems logical to me that exposing them to such
a simple thing as coffee
will help them feel empowered by their own choice
to understand the Word of Wisdom on the lowest level
so that when it comes to the more powerful things
like alcohol and drugs,
they will know from experience that it's not going to be
a pleasant experience
no matter whose advertising it
or pushing them to indulge.

Will my yahoos turn into coffee-drinkin-fiends?
Will they think that by giving them permission to try coffee
that they have permission to try the other things like cigarettes or alcohol?

Well, I don't believe so.
We used the experience as a teaching moment,
and got the exact results I was certain we would.
Coffee is no longer a mystery to them.
Just as birth is not a "giggle-giggle" to my children.
It's knowledge.
And I read that when you're honest with your kids about stuff,
at appropriate ages,
they'll be able to trust you more as a parent.
N' so far, that has worked for me.

Any thoughts??

P.S. I should've added that Mr W and I talked with the yahoos about the fact that it really isn't the taste of coffee
that most people are addicted to, but the addictive substances. And there are many many people all over the world that can't even start their day without coffee and drink it throughout the day to keep them going.
Tasting it confirmed that to them. Afterwards, they both commented on the "bitterness" and the "blah-ness" (according to the Caboose)...so that point was made.  Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to be strong and healthy, thus the Word of Wisdom.

O! Pioneers!

In the LDS faith,
July 24th is a special day--
it's celebrated because that's the day
the pioneers arrived into the Salt Lake valley,
after many months of walking and walking and walking and walking--
it's the day Brigham Young said something like
"This is the place."
and all those with him said,
"Finally!"
I'm just kidding, I don't know what the others said,
but that's definitely what I'd have said if I'd been there.

Or maybe I'd have said something else like,
"Ya sure? there's awhole lotta nuthin' down there."
But then again, I hear Brigham Young was a force to be reckoned with,
so I probably woulda just been relieved to have the journey over with
and kicked off my walkin' shoes.

Those early pioneers paved the way
for thousands of others seeking religious freedom.
Their names are honored and revered in the Church so much,
that I wonder if any of those early pioneers had a single flaw.

You know what I mean?


My family tree doesn't have pioneers on it.
I'm a convert to the LDS faith,
so for all I know,
my ancestors coulda harassed the saints all
along the way.
Who knows.

Actually, my maternal grandmother's family is from
"Great Britain"--
Grandma didn't say
"the UK"
or
"the United Kingdom"--
it was always "Great Britain".

And that's all I know about her.
Oh and her name was Fannie Mae.
Not even kidding.
Fannie Mae Murphy.

My paternal grandfather's family were from the Southern US--
and as far as I can tell,
nothing but gamblers and moonshiners on one side
and bible-thumpers on the other.
Definite potential there for some "Mormon Persecutors".

I really don't have a clue about them.
Ancestry.com hasn't revealed anything either.

But as far as I do know,
the first member of the LDS Church
on my family tree
is
Me.

My first husband's family tree is covered
with Mormons...
and they can trace their roots to both Brigham Young
and Joseph Smith.
You wouldn't know that to look at them--
but it's true.
They claim that Zina D. Huntington Jacobs Smith Young
is a matriarchal figure in their family tree.
I've read as much as I can find on Zina,
and her life reads quite interesting.
It's more than I want to share here,
but all that has been written of her goodness and faithfulness
was hard-earned and she deserves every bit and more of the praise given.
Once, many years ago,
my former in-laws said I didn't deserve to be a "Johnson"
because I was a convert to the Church.
Their pedigree was a source of pride for them.
Those words cut sharply
as they were meant to.
Simply being born and raised into the LDS faith
apparently elevated them above others,
in their minds.
They hadn't crossed the plains,
they hadn't been asked to sacrifice anything to be members,
yet they got the privilege of claiming a heritage
that was hard-earned for their ancestors.
And somehow, my own sacrifices--
that of being thrown out of my parent's house
with the clothes on my back,
and severed family ties
for joining the LDS church
wasn't enough to be considered "deserving" of a family name.

That is messed up, isn't it?
Yeah, I miss them more than I can say.

Last night, at midnight, our Stake here in Colorado Springs,
loaded up all of the youth
who wanted to go,
and headed up to Wyoming
so the kids could participate in a Mormon Pioneer Trek.
They're sporting pioneer clothing,
will be pulling loaded handcarts for twenty-five miles
over the same terrain that Brigham Young led those early pioneers over.
The kids will sleep in tents,
sing pioneer songs,
and hopefully,
come to a better understand and appreciation for their pioneer heritage,
so that when it comes to their own trials in life,
they will have the fortitude and conviction to their faith
to stay true to the Gospel and enjoy the blessings thereof.

I went up to the Chapel last night
and helped the kitchen brigade load
forty-four coolers of food for the trekkers' lunch today.
Into each cooler went:
9 frozen capri suns (there's plenty of water available, so this was extra)
9 handmade sub sandwiches
9 apples
9 bags of chips
9 rolls of Starburst
and 9 napkins.
And lotsa love--
there were many hands working together.

Each youth going was assigned into a "family"--
tho' none are really related,
and then the "families" were assigned into a
"Company"...
just as Brigham Young organized the trek
back in the day.

As I finished up in the kitchen,
it was time to go and leave Daisie
there
in her red bonnet,
long cotton skirt and apron
and white cotton top.
I gave her a big hug and reminded her of her pioneer heritage--
"When you get tired and hot,
think of Zina.
When you're wondering why
you signed up for this in the first place,
remember her footsteps are in that piece of earth.
Take heart and courage from knowing that she too,
did something hard.
It will make you feel better.
Be a blessing to others on the trail, just as Zina was..
I bet she never imagined her posterity--YOU-- would willingly travel
that way just so you could appreciate her more.
And surely,
she will be smiling down on you, Sis."

Hugs and kisses and then out the door I went.

When I came home last night,
I wondered to myself if Zina appreciates me;
appreciates my efforts to teach my children the same gospel
she converted to at the age of 14--
nearly the same age I was when I converted at 15.
And tho I did not travel her ways,
or go thru her trials,
I have gone thru my own to take my place in
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I wondered if my efforts were enough?

A good friend told me a few years ago,
that while I may not have a pioneer pedigree,
I am a Pioneer in my own right,
and someday,
my posterity will hold my name with honor.

Today, right now, I'm sitting here
thinking about my daughter on the Mormon Trail
in Wyoming.
I'm hoping she is having a great time.
Praying that it's not too hot,
that her feet don't hurt,
and that she's looking at the dirt beneath her feet
and thinking of Zina.

A Birth Story

Remember this Remarkable Birth Story?

Well, the momma has written her own birth story memories.
And they are every bit as awesome
as she is,
and I know,
just know,
you're gonna love it.

Grab a tissue,
head over to
Please, Sir, I Want Some More.
Part One....
And
Part Two.

This is where I count on all of my blog-friends
to share their sisterhood.
Mwah!

Food. It's What's Fer Dinner!

In an effort to save money this summer,

I cut back on my food bill.

Made it a goal to save a few bucks

by skimming around the "extras" in my menu planning.

I'm here to say

it wasn't worth it.

I was cranky.

La familia was cranky.

We was one cranky bunch o' familia.

(I'm not really fluent in spanish, fyi,

but for some reason, my brain rolodex pops that word

"familia" out, everytime I think about "family",

so there ya have it.)

Anyway,

it boils down to this:

We like food.

We are, in fact, 

"Foodies"--

and trimming the "extras" off 

like salsa and chips, 

cutting back on side dishes,

or little treats every now n' again--

well, 

it was depressing.

So I stopped that.

And we're good.

You can cut back on many things,

to bring your budget under control--

combine trips to save gas,

for instance,

and surely, food bills should be managed carefully--

but when noone's looking forward to dinner,

somethin's gotta give.

A sweet gal in our ward asked me if

I wanted to participate in something called

A Meal Exchange--

that's where you only have to cook one meal a week,

but you make enough for 4 other similar-sized families.

Just the main dish.

I said something along the lines of

"Heck Yeah!"

I'm excited to try this out.

We moms will get together and plan a menu,

find out allergies n' stuff,

and go from there.

My kids aren't particularly picky eaters--

and have no allergies,

so hopefully this will be an easy deal.

I like easy.

So I'll let you know how this goes.

In my ideal world,

this sounds like a money-saving venture,

yet exciting---

to savor other cooks' menus

and not have to cook it!!

YES!!!

Sounds good to me.

Doesn't it sound good to you?

Have you ever done anything like this?

Results?

Yay or Nay?

Food. It's What's Fer Dinner.

To The Moon and Back Again--Thoughts on NASA

I grew up in the age of the Man on the Moon.
I remember Neil Armstrong's
"One step for man
one giant leap for mankind."
It was the Age of Aquarius
in full blown technicolor.

I remember TV anchor, Walter Cronkite's emotional-filled report--
cereal box manufacturer's even put his broadcast
on the back of cereal boxes.
We carefully cut out the round paper disk,
and though it was a bit warped,
placed the phonograph needle on the paper
and listened to Mr. Cronkite's words
again
and
again.

It was history
and we knew it.

From our parents to our teachers
to our neighbors and the world,
we all knew
going to the moon
was not just a science fiction fantasy--
it was a reality
and a big deal.

I grew up in Florida.
We lived in Titusville,
just across the Indian River
from NASA's Cape Canaveral launch pad.

Our little oceanside town would fill up
with tourists from all over the country
when an Apollo launch was scheduled.

My mom used to clean our house like a new penny,
and rented my bedroom out for a night to tourists
for those launches.
A person could see the launch pad from our roof.
Our school made sure we were on the playground
if a launch took place during school hours.

We couldn't see the launch pad from the playground,
but we knew when the spaceship was lifting
because the earth shook around us.
It was powerful.
We'd shade our eyes with our hands,
as we watched for the large fireball in the sky--
and were never disappointed.
Amazing. Simply Amazing.

Most of my classmates' fathers worked for NASA,
so did my Uncle Bob, and eventually one of his daughters,
my cousin, Coleen also worked there.

Growing up in Florida,
we learned about Amerigo Vespucci
and Ponce de Leon's search for the fountain of youth
and St. Augustine...
Alot of exploration and discovery back in the day.
NASA is what the good part of America is all about--
daring to dream there is more than meets the eye,
exploring the Universe
and discovering the strength and determination of mankind.
An environment like that,
made a lasting impression on me--
nothing is impossible or out of limits
if you just try your best.
And never give up.

When the Challenger Shuttle exploded,
I sat on the edge of my seat,
glued to the television.
I didn't just turn on the TV after the news,
no, I had been watching the lift-off as it happened.
I will never forget the look on Christa McAuliffe's father's face.
Bewilderment, then pain.
I felt the same way.
And like many,
wondered if that tragedy was the end of the program.
Gratefully, it wasn't.
And that was January 1986.
So here we are, 2011,
and it's over.

It saddens me that America is putting the NASA program on the back burner--
the money isn't there anymore
for exploring and discovery beyond the end of our noses.

Yes, I get that there are enough problems right here
on the soil of our earth to keep us busy for the next 100 years--
wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, pestilence, etc, etc.,
yes, we'll keep our noses to the ground and put money into those
mostly man-made problems,
but the loss of NASA is a big deal.

Looking to the stars has always been mankind's source of hope
even in the darkest hours.
We long to be above the shackles of mortal life
and understand the bigger picture
to give us purpose and meaning.

It's not enough to know what's beneath our feet,
we need more than this.
So we look to the stars for answers.
And until NASA, we didn't know much about the stars
beyond their constellations--
NASA brought the stars home to us.
We didn't have to get in a spaceship to go see,
Astronauts invented technology that brought the stars
home for us...
with moon rocks,
and glorious photos
and the 10 million-watt smiles on their faces
as they emerged from their shuttles--
letting us all know that the adventure they're returning from
was completely, literally
out of this world!

My thoughts are with the families of NASA today.
I hope they get many more chances
to bring the stars home to us mere mortals.

Oh I hope they do.

Because Time is too Short to Waste

We interrupt my summer frivolity to vent the following:

It's 7:30am.
I actually watched the sunrise this morning
and that was nice n' all,
but I'd have rather been sleeping.

My thoughts are
bouncing off my brain cells
like they're pinballs in a flashy arcade.

Work.
I like working.
I like colors and design,
I like working on a team.
As a Momza to 7 yahoos,
I am definitely a team player.
I like the gals I work with--
alot.
We get along great
which makes our work pleasant.

What's not connecting for me
is our lack of leadership.
We have a super manager--
she's able and kind and if it weren't for her,
I'd have quit months ago.

Problem solving is something I'm kinda good at...
I look every which way at a situation
and work on it until the kinks are worked out.
I expect success.

However, our designer isn't interested in team work.
And that bugs me.
There is no communication on her end--
what she's working on,
who she's working with,
etc.
It's all top secret.
For no dang reason.

It seems she is a one-man operation--
I can't figure her out.
And believe me,
after working with her since last fall,
I've tried.
We support her efforts to the nth-degree
and get nothing back.
That bothers me.
There's alot of work that goes into realizing her designs--
paperwork,
phone calls,
physical labor,
customer/client relations
but she doesn't seem to notice.

She calls us "girls"--
I'm a Granma, FCOL.
lol
And while that didn't used to bug me,
this week,
it really does.

We found out yesterday,
by sheer accident,
that our designer is remodelling the
house that is in
"Home Al*ne" outside of Chicago.
Yesterday.
After her trip.
Why didn't she tell us?
That's kinda cool, ya know?
Why wouldn't she tell her team about her projects?
She just doesn't. Ever.

Which is very weird to me.
I think it's time to move on.
Because I believe, that whatever you're giving your time and energy to,
if you have a choice,
should be something that ignites your heart,
gives you opportunities to learn and grow and serve others...
and when it's not a good fit,
it's time to try something new.
Time is too short to waste, ya know?

We now return to our regularly scheduled ridiculousness. Carry On.

What My Yahoos Say To Each Other On Facebook

Dara Cristine 

Oh my gosh! I think I got kinda the best news ever! Um...i'm kinda in shock! Ha!

July 14 at 10:31am via Text Message ·  · 

• 
  

  Lisa  likes this.
• • 
    

    Danielle M.  ‎'bout time someone finally told you that you're adopted.
    

    July 14 at 12:04pm ·  ·  2 people

Dara Cristine

Is all packed and ready for trek! And my bucket is under 10lbs!

8 hours ago via Text Message ·  · 

• 
  

  Diana Claire  likes this.
• • 
    

    Danielle M.  Impressive. I can't even give birth to a child under 10lbs.
    

    5 hours ago ·  ·  3 people
  • 
    

    Leandra dani: Bahahaha!!
    

    5 hours ago · 

Dani to Me:

• Danielle M. 

  Mom, I need you to do me a favor...just go put the mustard next to Joe. He needs to confront his fears!

  13 hours ago ·  ·  · See Friendship
  

  • 
    

    You and Diana Claire  like this.
  • • 
      

      Diana Claire  I think a corndog is necessary as well.
      

      13 hours ago ·  ·  1 person
    • 
      

      Danielle M.  Agreed.
      

      13 hours ago · 
    • 
      

      Dawn   LOL
      

      13 hours ago · 
    • 
      

      Katie  I want to come :)
      

      11 hours ago ·  ·  1 person

Dani to David Scott:

Danielle M. 

After looking through your pictures I realized you look nothing like the rest of us. Are you sure we're related?

July 6 at 8:32am ·  ·  · See Friendship

• 
  

  You, Dara Cristine  and Diana Claire  like this.
• • 
    

    David Scott Pretty sure you're adopted... at least that's what everyone in our 6th grade class thought :P
    

    July 6 at 8:39am ·  ·  2 people
  • 
    

    Dawn  David Scott has a point...he was born in a birth center and wasn't ever outta my sight...and Dani, you were born in a hospital. In Missouri. I've always loved you as my own though.
    

    July 9 at 8:57pm ·