Rapid Writes

In high school I took a creative writing class from Ms. Eberman (f0r those of you who remember her) because I figured that I wasn't much of a writer. One of the exercises we did in the class was called rapid writes where we had to write EVERYTHING that came into our head in two minutes of writing. I got to thinking about that the other day and decided it was time to practice that again. For those of you who may be interested in doing it one of the stipulations is that you cannot omit something because you think it is silly or innapropriate. So beware, here goes...

well I am off writing and not much is coming to my mind except that mistake I just typed and fixed. That is a no no. In this exercise you just have to go and not fix. I am not really sure what to write it is as if I have writers block or something. Oh I know I can talk about Braxton and his eating habits. He loves to go to the fridge and chose something to eat. In fact this morning he came in and wanted to eat as soon as he woke up. I was a little grumpy and I didn't want to be involved in the eating so I was grumpy to him.

For some reason that didn't seem as meaningful as it used to be. It also seemed like there was a lot more written. I don't know if it is because we used to write longer or if it was because we were using pencil and paper. I may have to play with that and see what I come up with.

End of the Month

it's the end of the month and I want to remember the things that I have been grateful for through out the month so here they are.

31 *for the new dishwasher sitting in my livingroom waiting to be installed, as well as being able to go to the temple last night, and also the scriptures that really do provide light and knowledge into our lives. If I can find the movie Cinderella to buy today before it goes back in the Disney vault I'll be thankful for that too.
30 *for a good workout after far too long not working out.
29 *for the possibilities that are coming with the housing market changing.
28 *to have the love of my husband in my life.
27 *to have been alive during the time President Gordon B. Hinckley led the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
26 *for my good friend Becca (on her birthday) even though she lives far.
25 *for a very busy and enjoyable week.
24 *for my wonderful husband on his birthday.
23 *for the opportunity to serve my friends at a luncheon after burring their small baby today.
22 *for the blessing of discounts & coupons when you are on a tight budget.
21 *for a great evening spent with my family. Thanks!
20 *for the time I have had with my husband, son and all the people in my life because any one of them could be gone tomorrow.
19 *remembering how fun and important date night is!
18 *for when I get a good night sleep (hopefully that can happen tonight).
17 *for a great day of work at Eddie Bauer.
16 *for my clean kitchen most the week.
15 *for my clean kitchen and made bed.
14 *for the additional happiness and ambition I am feeling today do to the goals I have set with Kent.
13 *for the lesson's you learn when you read the scriptures like you are supposed to.
12 *for goals set with Kent so we can improve our relationship.
11 *for dinner at Applebee's with my husband and son, and lunch at Carrie's with my friends Carrie & Jerusha.
10 *my wonderful friend Carrie shared the gift of Landmark education which has changed her life.
9 *Wonderful health care and being able to afford it.
8 *Braxton's ability to stay up late when we need him to without loosing his good disposition.
7 *Good naps after you play games too late.
6 *for friend's who will get together and enjoy a fun night of games.
5 *Friends who make time to spend with me
4 *Children Braxton's age so he has other's to interact with
3 *Braxton's great health and development reported at his well check visit.
2 *that the Lord knew I would need to help provide an income this winter and inspired my friend to call me and ask if I wanted a seasonal job.
1 *for the priesthood and it's availability in my home because of Kent

Looked like Fun...

I was reading my friend Kari's blog and loved this fun post about names so I had to play. Here it goes...

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) - Ty Escort
*Doesn't that sound a little manly for me?
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) - Brown Thin Mint
*Somehow I don't think that name will hold up on the streets
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) - M.Rob *This one is awesome
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)- Yellow Dog
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) - Kunz Provo
*That is the worst soar opera name ever!
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) - Robma *This one's pretty cool
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) - The Green Smoothie
*Is that my superhero name or my villain name?
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) - Ivan Ross
9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite scent/perfume/cologne, favorite candy) - Rain Swedish Fish *This one makes me laugh
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) - Holdaway Ivan *Again can you see me going by this name?
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) - Wilson Washington
12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) - Spring Calla Lily
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) - Rasberry crewie
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) - Malt o meal Honeylocust
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) - The Visiting Sunshine Tour

What are your names?

We thank thee O God for our prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley

As many of my friends have already begun to blog, I too mourn the loss the world feels tonight. A prophet of God has returned to live with his master and his loved ones. We actually recieved the call before it was breaking news. Kent's co-worker has ties to Larkin mortuary who were called to take care of the body that has housed this soul for almost a century. This coworker called and informed Kent. A few minutes later we found the breaking news on TV. My prayers go out to his family as they mourn the loss of such a lovely father, grandfather, brother, grandfather, etc.

As I have thought about Gordon B. Hinckley's teachings and what he has accomplished as a prophet there was one talk that stood out in my mind above all other talks. It was a talk given at a CES fireside I attended in the conference center in September of 2001. The talk becomes even more meaningful when you realize it was given two days before 9/11.

The quotes I would like to share from this prophet are the inspired encouragings of hope and gladness...

"The world is full of naysayers who think that people your age (18-30) have lost their way. I disagree. Let me say that I am very proud of you. I think you are the finest generation this Church has ever produced. Because of you, I have no fear concerning the future. You are ambitious. You are trustworthy. You are loyal to the Church and its principles. You have great confidence in one another. You work together with love and appreciation and respect one for another. You are faithful, and you are true. You love the Lord, and you pray."

President Hinckley talks of the negitivism in this world and pleads with us to, "stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we try to "accentuate the positive." I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort."

In addition to that plea he adds, "look for the remarkable good among those with whom you associate, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism, that our faith exceed our fears. When I was a young man and was prone to speak critically, my wise father would say: "Cynics do not contribute. Skeptics do not create. Doubters do not achieve."

He also warns that there will be tough times ahead, but "Do not despair. Do not give up. Look for the sunlight through the clouds. Opportunities will eventually open to you."

Finally he asks us to "Believe in yourselves as sons and daughters of God—men and women with unlimited potential to do good in the world...Believe in one another as the greatest generation ever yet to live upon the earth."

I am so thankful for the prophet Gordon B. Hinckley who has given so much to this church. I believe that there is sadness in this world to have lost such a great man, but I also believe that we have been left with a legacy to follow his words and become the men and women he saw us to be. It is true of his work when he quoted Madame Curie saying, "So little time. So much to do." He did so much in such a short time and I will forever to grateful to him for his work. I will forever be grateful to say that I was alive during the time when the church was lead by the great prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley.

PARTY TIME!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YA BIG STUD!

For Kent's birthday we celebrated all week. I told you about Monday's birthday dinner already, but I didn't tell you about his actual birthday. First of all the day started VERY rough. Wednesday night we had things going on and Braxton got to bed late. So this morning we had a horribly grumpy morning. I still hadn't been able to get Kent's birthday presents so we had a bit of shopping to do...let me remind you, shopping with a grump. Without the nitty gritty details let's just say that Braxton has truly learned how to throw a fit when things aren't going his way.

Kent was a very lucky boy. He got the movie, "Hunt for the Red October" (He's been wanting this movie for a very long time.) He also got four new sets of garments. My favorite thing that I gave him was a poem (I wrote) with Braxton's hand and foot prints on it. Here's is the poem:

My Dad is the Dad for Me

Naptime is over, his engine roars
As he comes rolling in
I jump on the couch and to my feet
To give him one big grin

He’s my hero, friend, and my dad
He loves me this I know
No one makes me feel this glad
It pains me when he has to go

He teaches me of right and wrong
And dangers of which I have to know
If only it didn’t make me cry and
Break my heart when he says no

He hides and I seek him hoping to find
Laughter and giggles galore
Big and strong yet gentle and kind
We can always play just a little more

My dad is really quite the man
He works long and hard for me
He gave me his eyes that I may grow
Up to see all that tomorrow will be

I have his hands so they might be
Strong and catch me when I fall
My feet become sturdy as I walk
Especially now while I am small

Here is one of the few pictures I have of Kent's good side. ha ha ha

For the celebration of Kent's birthday we went to Nickelcade. For those who don't know it is an arcade where all the cames cost nickels instead of quarters. We invited our good friends Taylor and Carrie and their kids and I was so glad. Near the end of the evening Carrie and I Competed in Dance Dance Revolution and it was a blast. I am seriously contemplating finding the home version for a good workout.
This is a picture of Kent two years ago on his birthday and one of our friends gave him this lovely hat to wear. Does it remind you of Shrek?

Sum it all up

Braxton is so weird sometimes. He is wearing the salad tongs around his neck.

Well I finally got my internet back online and was able to post those things I wrote from the other days. Today I just wanted to give a short update. I was able to have my family birthday dinner Monday night and it was a blast. We did a short lesson on the vision of the tree of life and I was amazed at home much my nieces and nephews knew. Afterward Michaela and Ashlyn had a dance they wanted to show us and it was really fun to watch Michaela dance and Ashlyn follow like a devoted fan. It meant the world to her to have her big cousin pay attention to her. That also reminds me of a thought I had the other day. I was thinking of how much Levi loves Braxton and that makes me so happy. I'm sure some day Braxton will look up to Levi and the fact that he loves Braxton now gives me hope that he will care about Braxton then. I have a few pictures of the cute kids all dancing.

Michaela, Brianna (back), Kylie (front), Ashlyn

Brian and Shanalea said that Brianna told them she wants to have a birthday party with her Aunt Marlies this year (we have the same birthday coming up in a month). What a sweet heart!

Michaela, Aaron, Ashlyn (behind Aaron), Brianna, Kylie
Michaela, Aaron, Brianna, Ashlyn, and Kylie.
This was quite dramatic with a slow rising by all the girls.

Michaela, Aaron (what a great dancer), Ashlyn, Shanalea (in background), Kylie.
The dance was fizzling out at this point.

Also Braxton didn't throw up last night. I am actually wondering if he wasn't throwing up due to a gag reflex because he'd always cough before throwing up and last night I turned on the humidifier and there was no problem. It's nice to have my little boy back and especially nice to be getting sleep again.

Just a couple of grandchildren pictures for grandma and grandpa.

Austin (in front), Aaron (behind), Kylie (front), Ashlyn (middle), Brianna (back), Michaela (behind Kylie), Levi, Braxton, and Kent (to keep Braxton in the picture).

I'd also like to tell of the miracles of tithing today. Now to the nonbelievers this would sound like hogwash I am sure, but I know this is just one little way the Lord is blessing me for paying my tithing. Braxton was very close to being totally out of diapers and we didn't have too much money to go buy more until today. I went to Costco to get diapers and wipes because we were almost out of both and I priced out the huggies in comparison to the Kirkland brand and the huggies were cheaper per diaper so I got them. When I compared the wipes the Kirkland were cheaper by pennies and I decided to go with them. While I was standing in line a woman (who didn't work there and didn't have to tell me) told me that if I got the huggies wipes with the diapers they had a coupon at the register for $8.00 off if I wanted. I ran back and got the wipes and felt like those little things added up to let me get the most for my money when the budget is tight. I am so thankful for the love I am feeling from my Heavenly Father.

Thoughts from a Sunday in January

written on Monday 1/21/08

I am so thankful to Kent that he let me go to all of church Sunday. I left church feeling spiritually full. I am not sure if this comes from the effort in reading scriptures that I have put in or if it is from lessons well prepared or both. Probably a little bit of both. First off I really enjoyed the lesson we studied in Relief Society on the nature of God. I had read the lesson previously and enjoyed it, but I hadn’t been fully enlightened. The girl who taught our lesson is an EXCELLENT teacher. She shared not only from the lesson manual, but also from a talk out of the January 2008 Ensign. The talk was entitled “Our God Truly is God,” by Elder Douglas L. Callister. I came home and read the talk after she shared some very touching quotes out of it. I would like to share a few with you in case you haven’t read that article. “With its 107 million cells, connected to the brain by over 1 million neurons, the eye is more perfect than any camera ever invented. It caused Charles Darwin to humbly admit, “That the eye with all its inimitable contrivances…could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest sense.” Another quote that I really enjoyed, “This earth departs from its orbit of the sun by only one-ninth of an inch every 18 miles. If, instead, it changed by one-tenth of an inch every 18 miles, we would all freeze to death. If it changed by one-eighth of an inch we would all be incinerated. Did this all happen by accident?” I am thankful to know that I am a daughter of God and He loves me!

In Sunday school I really enjoyed the lesson on Lehi's vision. It was a great reminder to me that we need to hold so tightly to the words of God. I also learned (probably again) that the tree represents Jesus Christ. Which is interesting when you realize that he holds the keys to eternal life as a tree would hold on to fruit.

I loved our Sacrament meeting. The two speakers were from the older singles ward and they had some great insights. The first brother spoke on gratitude. He quoted one of the apostles in saying, "I think there's no true character without gratitude." I learned so much that I would like to share, but my notes are all jumbled and I can't seem to tie the ideas together. I guess all in all I am grateful for the gospel in my life and the peace that it brings to me. Whenever I have need to know what direction to go all I have to do is get on my knees, read the scriptures, and go to church where I can find the direction and clarity I need.

Sick, sick, sick

written Monday, Jan. 21

When children are sick and throwing up it makes you feel awful. You would do anything to make them feel better and you are more than willing to hold them and comfort them to make it seem all is well. Last night at 2:00 am I did not feel this way. In fact I was quite frustrated with Braxton. Let me clear up these feelings for you. Thursday night Braxton developed Diarrhea. Friday he had it once and Saturday he had it once also. Friday he wasn’t hungry and he didn’t act like himself. That night at 11:00 pm he threw up. Saturday came rolling around he seemed as if all was better and we were free and clear to get out of the house finally. Then Saturday night came the 2:30 am throw-up. Kent and I decided that Kent would stay home with Braxton and I could go to church. When I got home Kent said that other than a little cough Braxton seemed completely fine. We had to reschedule a family birthday dinner from Sunday evening and I was really craving the good food and company I had anticipated. Since Braxton was seemingly better I decided that I should reschedule for today since we had also planned on having a play date with the children. Again after a day of being just fine we woke up at 2:00 am to Braxton crying and discovered throw-up. Of course today he is hungry and seems just fine, but who knows what tonight will bring. I am just so frustrated! How do I coop myself up in this house day after day after day with a sick kid who just doesn’t seem to be sick? Then on the other hand how do I take him out with the fear that I may be exposing a viral germ to everyone we encounter? In addition to all that Kent and I are struggling to have sanity without one good nights sleep! Aghhhhhhhhh!

Myriad of thoughts…

There are a lot of thoughts I need to get out so I hope that they all go together in an understandable way. First off I feel I have learned and grown leaps and bounds this week. When I married Kent I was absolutely happy with my choice of husband. I did marry the love of my life and I was so excited to build a life with him. We had good times and struggled at times but generally we were happy. In my career efforts I always longed for the day when I would be able to bring a child into our home and be a stay at home mom. Nineteen months ago I did that and I have never looked back. This week I have had a reality check as to what happens in our marriages when we don’t continue to focus on them and give them the nourishment they need.
No, we are not desperately in trouble, but my marriage has been suffering deeply and I have been in denial for quite a while. I took all day Friday and read a book entitled, Avoiding Emotional Divorce, by Dr. John Lewis Lund. We received this book as a wedding gift and I am really grateful because it has opened up my eyes to our problems and given me solutions to turn our marriage into the bliss it once was and should now be. One of these solutions is to have a weekly date. This is a date without the children, outside the house, where you focus of each other and no one else. The last date Kent and I really had was in November and I LOVED it. It was as if I had started eating again after a long fast, but I had forgotten about that feeling until Saturday night when I was able to “eat” again.

Kent and I went and saw the movie, August Rush. I highly recommend the movie to anyone. The movie is about a boy who looses his parents and through a delightful musical journey searches to find them. As I watched the movie I was reminded of the desire of all God’s children to be in a loving family with a mother and father. It made me very grateful for the blessings of the temple and to be eternally sealed with my family. I also realized the kind of love and passion I should have for my family and how I should enjoy them. Kent and I are going to work extra hard to find that spark and love that makes a couple eternal. Our family can only have joy if the foundation is strong and we are going to do some strengthening. I challenge each one of you who is beginning to neglect your marriage to make date night and your spouse the HIGHEST priority after your relationship with your God.

In addition to the joy of our movie there were also a few tears on our date. I found out that my friend lost her premature baby after three weeks of life. My heart and prayers are with them. I took over a plant with a card today (Sunday) and I saw the pain in the father's eyes and I can only imagine what kind of pain their family is going through. My constant prayer is that I can listen to the spirit and if they are in need of something that I can be one to help. I am so saddened by their loss and yet grateful for the time they spent with him and the knowledge that they will be able to reunite with that precious boy again and enjoy raising him in the millennium. The only peace you can find is in knowing these kinds of truths!

In dealing with the trials of our relationship Kent and I have been trying to read the scriptures daily as a family. It has only been a week or two, but I DO see a difference in our home when the scriptures are a greater part of that home. I have all ready grown closer spiritually to my Savior and my Heavenly Father. My faith has grown two because I have so much hope and joy in the prospects of the future. I feel as if I am in control of my life and my choices. I know the Lord is on my side and I will continue growing closer to him through prayer and scripture study so I can be guided by His holy spirit. Truly, “This is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

Personal History (in place of Sunday)

I'm answering for a weeks...



What is your favorite food and how do you prepare it?



I have a few favorite foods. The first is Chicken Broccoli casserole. It has broken pieces of Chicken with frozen broccoli. Basically you top it with cream of chicken and cheddar cheese soup and then top it off with bread crumbs and bake it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

The other foods that I love are most vegetables and many fruits, and all kinds of fish. I really love fish I wish my budget would allow me to eat it more often.



What is your favorite dessert?

When it comes to my favorite dessert I would have to be something that involves ice cream. I love Ice cream Sundae's as well as ice cream floats and one of my favorites that I rarely get is fried ice cream. I also really enjoy ice cream and brownies. If I had to pick another dessert without ice cream it would probably be a pie. Specifically banana cream or pumpkin.

What is your favorite poem?

I'm don't know a lot of poetry so I can't really say, but one poem that I really enjoy is the one entitled sick, by Shel Silverstein. I will have to research more and more poems to find my true favorite.


Do you have a favorite author? Who? Why? Tell about favorite books as a child, youth, and adult. What do books mean to you?

I can't say that there is one author where I have read their books over and over. When I was younger I loved the Boxcar Children. As a preteen to teenager I loved the Tales of Sweet Valley High and anything written by Jack Weyland (a well known LDS author). I loved and cried when I read his first book Charly. As an adult books have opened up a whole new world. I love to learn things about myself and other people. A few of the books I have loved are; The New Peoplemaking, by Virginia Satir; The five love languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment, by Gary Chapman; and one of my favorite books is entitled; Left to Tell, Discovering God admist the Rwandan Holocaust, by Immaculee Ilibagiza. I also really enjoyed a jr. high book entitled, East, by Edith Pattou. It has been a real joy each and every time I find a new great book.

Blessings and Growth

Lately I have been faced with the reality that my baby is no longer a baby. He has become so smart. There are a few things he does that expose the grown up Braxton. For instance:*He's starting to throw tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants.

*He knows what belongs to him, where things go and he helps to put them there.

*He brings me his boots and coat when he wants to go outside.

*He stands on the couch and tries to open the door for his dad when he comes home.

*He's learned to open the closet doors in his room and tries to hide from us as he plays with the food storage.

*He will no longer sit in the high chair. He wants to sit at the table for meals.

*He signs please and thank you 50% of the time without being shown how.

*He's picking up on words and signs quickly.

*He jabbers on the phone with Grandma and Grandpa Kunz for quite a while without surrendering the phone back to us.

*He gets mad at us when we tell him no.

*He brings us diapers and wipes when we ask him to (and he wants to do it).

*He recognizes nursery and starts to cry the closer we get to the door, but does fine once he's in there.
These are the majority of developmental signs I can think of. In addition to the joys of having a toddler instead of a baby I have realized the blessings of my tithing are coming to pass. I think I mentioned that Kent and I had a large sum of tithing money that we had to pay in December. I told the Lord that I was exercising a lot of faith to pay it and I would need a miracle if I paid it. I have to be honest I kept waiting for some large check to come spontaneously from heaven and it hasn't. I did have a check my parents gave us for Christmas that helped and there is a small check the church said they wrote to me that I never cashed so they are going to rewrite it.

In addition the Lord blessed me through my family in other ways. Our computer needs to be rebuilt due to a virus I think we have contracted. That means all my data will be wiped out unless it is saved elsewhere. Kent and I wanted to get a jump drive for Christmas but we couldn't afford it. I have been trying to save my many pictures of Braxton on the costco site, but I can only download 16 pictures at a time before it freezes up again. My brother called me a few weeks ago and told me about an external hard drive that was discounted because it had been returned or something like that. To make a long story short we were able to get the hard drive for $10 less than the store purchased it. We did a little wheeling and dealing and they made the mistake of telling us we could have it for that much and kept their word despite their mistake.

The other thing we have been in need of was a new printer, but again there was no way that we could afford one right now and I have been going nuts being the ward activities chair and not being able to make any handouts. Well my sister happened to loose her cell phone and when she went to get a new one they were giving a free photo printer away with the camera phone. They had no need for just a printer even though it prints pictures better than their current printer. Knowing that we were in need of a printer they gave it to us .

In addition we have been slowly able to get out from underneath our bills. Instead of having things turned off before we pay the bills we have been able to pay the bills and then receive the notifications. So things are REALLY looking up for us these days. I have a lot of faith and hope in what we may get back from our tax returns also. I am so thankful for my reestablished testimony of tithing. I have always had a testimony of tithing and I was really struggling not being a full tithe payer. Kent felt differently about how to approach things initially, but through prayer and the Lord's help he was willing to help me get our full tithe paid and I hope that he too sees these blessings and realizes how we can not afford to ever not pay tithing. I am so grateful for the opportunity the Lord has given us to follow this commandment and receive the blessings of heaven. There truly isn't room enough to receive all the blessing if we are faithful to the commandments of God!

I made a fort and Braxton and I enjoyed laughing and playing in it. Too bad the camera was cold from being out in the car and made for bad pictures.

Braxton wanted to just hang out on top of the fort for a while.

One night I put a pillowcase over Braxton's head and he thought it was so funny...
We just laughed and laughed as he tried to walk to me with the pillowcase on.
Brayden, Braxton, and Logan enjoyed playing under the Christmas tree at our playgroup Friday.
It's so good to see my good high school friend Chelsi. I'm so glad that I was able to celebrate the addition to their family that will be coming in a month or less. YEAH Chelsi! I know you can do it all natural when you are married to the mountain man!

The Keystone of my Religion

The other day I was on the churches web site and there was an article discussing a talk where Elder M. Russell Ballard urges students in Laie, Hawaii "to use the Internet — including blogs and other forms of “new media” — to contribute to a national conversation about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." As most of you who read this blog know the lesson in Sunday School for the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints was entitled "The Keystone of Our Religion." I am always excited whenever we begin a year of studying the Book of Mormon.

Near the end of the lesson there was a quote read that stated that the members of the church come under condemnation when we do not read the Book of Mormon. I have to admit that I am guilty of the sins of ommission concerning this charge. I also realized (as I pondered that thought) the truth of that statement. Joseph Smith and many other men and women sacrificed so very much so that I might have this precious fountain of doctrinal knowledge. How can I take lightly the charge to read the Book of Mormon? I should be reading it with all the passion that I would a novel and really even much much more.

I have a goal this year to follow along with the reading for the sunday school lessons and thereby reread the Book of Mormon. I am very grateful for the Book of Mormon. I myself have had my own witness of it's truthfulness. One night as I asked the Lord if this book was truly his word I was overwhelmed by the spirit with a feeling of warmth and peace and I knew that the Lord had answered my prayers. The Book of Mormon is the true word of God and I am so thanksful for my witness of the Book. I know that Jesus has suffered for all our sins as well as our sorrows. I am thankful for the opportunity to read about the lives of the Nephites who looked to God for their strength. I am grateful for the lessons I will be able to learn from the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, of which I am truly grateful.

Snowman and Braxton Update

There are so many ways to start out this post, IE:
Frosty the snowman, knew the sun was hot that day...
If you build it he will eventually melt...
You can spend your whole life building, Something from nothing One storm can come and blow it all away, Build it anyway... (Martina McBride, Anyway)


I'm sure that from all of these starts you have an idea what has happened. Yes, after finally finishing our snowman this...

...is what we are left with. Yesterday morning I noticed the top of the snowman was melting and his hat was falling off. When I left the house around 4:00 pm this is what I found. It has been a crazy 24 hours. The temperature has warmed and a hard wind has been blowing in a storm that is finally here. In fact I had troubles getting to sleep last night due to the strong winds that were loud and alarming. Keep looking back to see if Frosty ever makes it back again this year (if you haven't seen what the last Frosty looked like please scroll down and see.)

On Thursday Braxton had a well check up and it was VERY successful. Braxton screamed when they weighed him, but other than that he did well. The Dr. was amazed at all she was able to do without Braxton getting upset. In fact it even seemed she enjoyed the check up. So here are Braxton's stats:

Height: 32 1/2"

Weight: 22 lbs. 13 oz.

Head Circumference: 48.2"

That my be laughable to some of you since you all may have babies that are six months and practically weigh the same, but I will have you know that Braxton jumped this time in his weight. He has always followed the group at the fifth percentile and at one time he weighed so little the he was actually off the chart. I am SO proud to say (as was his Dr.) that he has jumped to above the tenth percentile. The secret to my success? Who the heck knows, but I am thrilled with these results. I guess my son has finally gained a good appetite. Hooray!

A date I'll never forget

On January 2nd, 1995 my life changed and I have had a longing in my heart ever since. It's been 13 years that I have lived without my cherished grandmother Erna Rogers Holdaway. Next year I will have lived half my life without her. My younger brothers and sister barely remember her if at all. My husband and my children will never know her and I will spend a large portion of my life being affected deeply by the life she lived. I have been struggling through life the last little bit and so I have been relying heavily on my savior to take care of me and my family. Today in my struggle I turned on the TV and flipped to the BYU channel.

There was a devotional on as usual. It was something I needed to hear. I won't go too much into the talk so if you are interested in reading it here is the link. It was a talk by Mary Ellen Edmunds entitled, "It's About Time." She talked about using our time wisely and near the end of her talk she asked what you would be willing to give up to spend time with someone who has passed from this life. I immediately thought of my grandma. The answer for me...ANYTHING! I would give up all my money, all my possesions, I would give up a clean house, I would give up so much. Sister Edmunds then challenged, "Let's spend time now doing the things and saying the things that matter most..." As I was crying thinking of how I miss my beloved grandma a thought popped into my mind. Is there someone here on this earth that I would give up the same things for if they would be gone tomorrow? Then why not now? Why don't I give up those things and spent the time I have with the one's I want to spend that time with the most?

So this year I am making that sacrifice to spend more time with friends and family. My friends and family are the most important people in my life and I am going to make an added effort to show that that statement is true. When it is all said and done what are we going to wish we had done? I guarantee that I am not going to wish that my house had been cleaner. I am not really going to wish that I had made more money. If my house is always clean and I made a lot of money I will probably wish that I had spent more time with my friends and family so my goal is to hopefully live my life so that when I leave I have no regrets! I love all of you and look forward to the good times we will spend together this coming year. Thanks for being a part of my life!

Happy New Year!

I was amazed. Braxton rang in the new year with the rest of us and didn't even fall asleep in the car on the way home (20 minute drive home). We didn't even have a huge grump on our hands either. We got a honeybaked ham from Kent's work for Christmas so we shared it with Brian and Cheryl and their families at Cheryl's house. It was actually a pretty low key party because mostly we just watched movies and ate. As usual Erik made delicious food (we are so happy to have him in our family for other reasons too, but especially for all the good food he makes). We had some great meatballs and shrimp wrapped in bacon. MMMMM! Have I ever mentioned how I love shrimp and seafood? Just curious.

We watched Meet the Robinson's and Transformers. Kent and I hadn't seen transformers and we were quite impressed. About ten to fifteen minutes before midnight transformers was over and Kent went outside to get ready to set off fireworks we had left from July. They were pretty fun. After that it was back home to sleep. Today was basically sleeping in shifts. I took an early nap while Kent and Braxton took later naps.

In the spirit of new year's I looked over my goals from last year and I am setting some goals for this year. Last year my goals were:

*visit teach monthly
*attend temple monthly
*15 min. scriptures 5 days a week; 3 conference articles a week
*morning and night prayers
*drink enough water daily
*eat three + fruit and veggies daily
*exercise 30 min. 4 X weekly
*Spend 1 hour quality time with Kent weekly

I did fabulous on visit teaching until about September and I felt my testimony of visiting teaching grow a lot. My companion and I are going to have to recommit ourselves and find the time when we can go visit. I did well with temple attendance, but still could do better. Scripture reading I still struggled with as well as prayers. I did well on the healthy stuff for a few months, but then I lost that as well. I think Kent and I did pretty well at spending time together, but I think we still need even more time and we need to make date night more important even if we don't have the money to do much I still need to be courted.

My new goals are a little less ambitious in hope to actually accomplish them this year. First:

*Keep up visit teaching monthly
*Attend the temple at least 12 times this year (makes monthly sound pretty pathetic this way)
*Read scriptures every day and study 15 min at a time for three times a week.
*Stay 100% on top of paying tithing!!! (This one is a must)
*Exercise at LEAST 3 times a week for 30 min. or more.
*Keep a rolling list of gratitude's DAILY for mental health.
*Make sure and have happy play time with Braxton each day

This is a little bit more simple, but I think I can feel good about it. One thing I learned from November and December is that as I took the time to write down what I was thankful for each day it truly helped me to have perspective. I wanted to continue in December, but as I got distracted I got down and I was less and less able to see what it was I truly did have which spiralled me into more depression. So I am going to keep going on my thankful blog on the side. I also think this may help me out with my seasonal depression. I pray that 2008 finds me happiness and growth as well as mentally, physically, and spiritually strong. I pray that I can find positive things to focus on in my life and have better perspective in dealing with my struggles. I wish the same for all my friends and family. I love you all!

The snowman who finally was

So Sunday during church there was a great snowstorm so Kent asked me if I wanted to go out while Braxton napped and finish building the snowman. It was that perfect wet snowman snow and since I figured this could be our last chance to make the snowman exist I did it. Our neighbors kids needed to get out of the house so they joined us. I have to explain the design. Kent had some paint from work in the truck which is why the eyes, mouth, nose, and buttons are bright orange (you know, construction colored). I was a little worried, but then I figured out how to make hair out of my dead plants and Kent thought of the flower pot for a hat and now I am absolutely proud of the snowman who finally does exist!

P.S. Even though it's hard to see this snowman does have arms!