easter booty
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Friday, March 25, 2005
Get out of the Boat
First of all, BEAR DOWN ARIZONA! Rich almost had to do CPR on me last night during the last 30 seconds or so--YIKES! But the cats pulled through and now they have to face the Fighting Illini on Saturday. I think we should all start our fasts early and pray for the Wildcats. Um, yeah, and then I was struck by lightning. But seriously, go cats.
Secondly, I have been waiting to post these notes until I could find the article referred to and link to it, but I can’t find it, so I am gonna post anyway.
At stake conference, Elder White came down from Canada to share some insights with us (and to release my Dad-in-law from the stake presidency—it’s nice to have him back!). He talked about how we shouldn’t be upset by our trials, as they are an essential part of the growth experience we are supposed to be having. The more we experience and survive, the more god-like we become. You already knew that, but he had some good quotes form a talk by SW Kimball in 1978 on tribulation (if you can find it, I’ll be your best friend). He also said that we should be undaunted by our trials or our weaknesses. You gotta have faith. He talked about how we tend to see things in the world as the world sees them and we need to remember what TRUTH is—Jacob’s definition: things as they REALLY ARE. Meaning, after this big show is over and we see things through God’s eyes we’ll understand the difference between the worldly vision and things as they really are.
Then the meat of the message—he talked about the bible story where Jesus appears to the disciples on the stormy Sea of Galilee and they get scared then realize it’s him. He calls for them to come to him, but the only one who tries is Peter. People tell that story and mock Peter for thinking he could walk on water like Jesus, but Elder White said we should be more like Peter—he was the only one with the faith to get out of the boat. When Christ called, he answered and stepped out of the boat with faith. And for a minute, His faith was strong enough to allow him to walk. But when he wavered, he sank and Jesus caught him. Of course you can guess how this applies to us. The Lord asks us to do things we don’t think we can do, but we need to have the faith to get out of the boat and know, if we somehow waver, He will always be there to rescue us and turn our weaknesses or fears into strengths if we remain willing.
Get out of the boat. That’s good stuff.
Secondly, I have been waiting to post these notes until I could find the article referred to and link to it, but I can’t find it, so I am gonna post anyway.
At stake conference, Elder White came down from Canada to share some insights with us (and to release my Dad-in-law from the stake presidency—it’s nice to have him back!). He talked about how we shouldn’t be upset by our trials, as they are an essential part of the growth experience we are supposed to be having. The more we experience and survive, the more god-like we become. You already knew that, but he had some good quotes form a talk by SW Kimball in 1978 on tribulation (if you can find it, I’ll be your best friend). He also said that we should be undaunted by our trials or our weaknesses. You gotta have faith. He talked about how we tend to see things in the world as the world sees them and we need to remember what TRUTH is—Jacob’s definition: things as they REALLY ARE. Meaning, after this big show is over and we see things through God’s eyes we’ll understand the difference between the worldly vision and things as they really are.
Then the meat of the message—he talked about the bible story where Jesus appears to the disciples on the stormy Sea of Galilee and they get scared then realize it’s him. He calls for them to come to him, but the only one who tries is Peter. People tell that story and mock Peter for thinking he could walk on water like Jesus, but Elder White said we should be more like Peter—he was the only one with the faith to get out of the boat. When Christ called, he answered and stepped out of the boat with faith. And for a minute, His faith was strong enough to allow him to walk. But when he wavered, he sank and Jesus caught him. Of course you can guess how this applies to us. The Lord asks us to do things we don’t think we can do, but we need to have the faith to get out of the boat and know, if we somehow waver, He will always be there to rescue us and turn our weaknesses or fears into strengths if we remain willing.
Get out of the boat. That’s good stuff.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Where is Spring?
On Wednesday night, we had the much-anticipated “Amazing Race” for the combined Young Men/ Young Women Activity at church. We had carefully planned out 6 challenges for 6 teams, printed out clues and passports and Robyn even made a trophy. We forgot that March is usually the snowiest month of the year here in Montna.
True to history, there was a full-on blizzard and I had to adjust my challenge (I was supposed to meet the teams at the dock of the lagoon and have them row across, grab a flag, and row back to pick up their next clue). I thought the lagoon might be iced over by the time the race started, so I just had the kids run AROUND the lagoon and grab the flag. Meanwhile, Rich drove the girls over to my van to see how things were going (to see if I had the sense to stay in the van instead of standing on the dock freezing to death--I did). They hopped in the back of the van to keep me company and they watched Spring for Strawberry Shortcake on the van’s DVD player.
If you haven’t been lucky enough to watch this video every single day and have it memorized (Hi, MATT), I’ll tell you what happens. Strawberry Shortcake wants to go plant her berries, but spring is late! She looks at her calendar and it’s March 21st, but outside it’s still and slushy, snowy, muddy mess. So she and her friends go and visit Old Man Winter and turns out he’s waiting for Spring, too—and Spring is a little fairy who’s goofing around. They find her and tell her to get her butt in gear and make the winter go away. Spring finally learns why her job is important and Strawberry Shortcake and her posse get to plant their respective crops and life is good again.
As I sat in the front of the van, I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be cool if we could just go down to Arizona and capture Spring and bring her back with us? Because, yeah, I now it’s like this every winter, but MAN, I am so sick of winter EVERY MARCH! This year it’s especially bad because Easter is in March and it will be all muddy and sad. The only consoling thought for me is that, hey—it’s moisture and we need it—I will be glad to have soft wet soil to plant MY GRASS and FLOWERS—MY VERY OWN— in this year.
So there’s your answer, Matt, in a round-about way. According to S.S., Spring is a little fairy who is having a little too much fun down in the WARMER climates to come up here and save us from winter. Maybe you’ll feel better if Arizona wins tonight. We can hope (or be REALLY depressed…;))!
True to history, there was a full-on blizzard and I had to adjust my challenge (I was supposed to meet the teams at the dock of the lagoon and have them row across, grab a flag, and row back to pick up their next clue). I thought the lagoon might be iced over by the time the race started, so I just had the kids run AROUND the lagoon and grab the flag. Meanwhile, Rich drove the girls over to my van to see how things were going (to see if I had the sense to stay in the van instead of standing on the dock freezing to death--I did). They hopped in the back of the van to keep me company and they watched Spring for Strawberry Shortcake on the van’s DVD player.
If you haven’t been lucky enough to watch this video every single day and have it memorized (Hi, MATT), I’ll tell you what happens. Strawberry Shortcake wants to go plant her berries, but spring is late! She looks at her calendar and it’s March 21st, but outside it’s still and slushy, snowy, muddy mess. So she and her friends go and visit Old Man Winter and turns out he’s waiting for Spring, too—and Spring is a little fairy who’s goofing around. They find her and tell her to get her butt in gear and make the winter go away. Spring finally learns why her job is important and Strawberry Shortcake and her posse get to plant their respective crops and life is good again.
As I sat in the front of the van, I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be cool if we could just go down to Arizona and capture Spring and bring her back with us? Because, yeah, I now it’s like this every winter, but MAN, I am so sick of winter EVERY MARCH! This year it’s especially bad because Easter is in March and it will be all muddy and sad. The only consoling thought for me is that, hey—it’s moisture and we need it—I will be glad to have soft wet soil to plant MY GRASS and FLOWERS—MY VERY OWN— in this year.
So there’s your answer, Matt, in a round-about way. According to S.S., Spring is a little fairy who is having a little too much fun down in the WARMER climates to come up here and save us from winter. Maybe you’ll feel better if Arizona wins tonight. We can hope (or be REALLY depressed…;))!
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Heidi and Addie on the way to church on Sunday the 20th. They looked so cute, I had to take a picture. Today I had a moment with Heidi that just about melted my heart. I have been so busy, I haven't had much time to savor her sweetness, but today while I was doing work on the computer, she just sat under my desk rubbing my foot and babbling to herself. Her noises have taken on a talking sound with lots of different consonants and inflection, and they were punctuated with little squeals of contentment. There she was, sitting on the floor just touching my foot, having a ball. I just had to pick her up and we had a little "chat." She is such a little treasure, with a strong spirit and a twinkly little smile! It's hard to believe that she'll be a year old in 25 days! I love my Heidi
Friday, March 18, 2005
Married with Children
I got to visit two good friends while I was in Utah, both of whom are creative geniuses and neither of whom has children. While we chatted, one was knitting (yes, knitting) a Joey Ramone doll while the other was shopping a garden catalog, mentally designing a fabulous flower garden. What was I doing? Trying to get Addie to use the potty and stay in the yard, And cleaning up Heidi's poop, which escaped on to my lap and eventually required a bath. Oh, my. For that afternoon, my life was all about poop.
Later I read a post about one said friend and her husband trimming and bringing home spring's first pussywillow branches. I felt a twinge of envy for such a peaceful moment with my husband. Even if we did find time to take a walk, we'd eventually be talking about our parenting and/or house building concerns. And if we found pussy willows, I would admire them and think, "I can't take them home--one more thing for Heidi to try to eat, one more thing to pack and move."
But I still love to read about her life. There is so much in it for me to aspire to. I suppose envy is not the right word--"aspire to" is better. Here is an email I sent to her:
It was so nice to visit the other day, even though it was a poopy day (so was yesterday--with a fever, too!). I can't wait to see how Joey Ramone turns out.
I think we can each envy each other for different things. I certainly don't regret having my girls, but I miss Rich so much in this mad, mad rush of child rearing and house building. I know everything has gone how it's supposed to, but I sometimes wish we'd had time together to create more traditions and have more romantic legends and symbols that keep the two of us bound even in the rush of things. We have been commited to our weekly date (and I am SO glad--the prophets are surely inspired, because those few hours a week really make such an enormous difference--without them, empty-nesters must sit back and find that there is just nothing left of their pre-kids relationship!) and I know it will get us through the next decade or so, but I so look forward to bike rides and walks and secret places again someday. That's actually one of the factors in my trying to be healthy--after all the child-bearing and raising, I want there to be something (energy, health, beauty) left for Rich and me to enjoy on our own!
Sometimes I reach across the king bed, two girls between us, and grab his hand and say, "I love you... I miss you..." SIGH. So enjoy your husband double when you think of us and our babies!
Later I read a post about one said friend and her husband trimming and bringing home spring's first pussywillow branches. I felt a twinge of envy for such a peaceful moment with my husband. Even if we did find time to take a walk, we'd eventually be talking about our parenting and/or house building concerns. And if we found pussy willows, I would admire them and think, "I can't take them home--one more thing for Heidi to try to eat, one more thing to pack and move."
But I still love to read about her life. There is so much in it for me to aspire to. I suppose envy is not the right word--"aspire to" is better. Here is an email I sent to her:
It was so nice to visit the other day, even though it was a poopy day (so was yesterday--with a fever, too!). I can't wait to see how Joey Ramone turns out.
I think we can each envy each other for different things. I certainly don't regret having my girls, but I miss Rich so much in this mad, mad rush of child rearing and house building. I know everything has gone how it's supposed to, but I sometimes wish we'd had time together to create more traditions and have more romantic legends and symbols that keep the two of us bound even in the rush of things. We have been commited to our weekly date (and I am SO glad--the prophets are surely inspired, because those few hours a week really make such an enormous difference--without them, empty-nesters must sit back and find that there is just nothing left of their pre-kids relationship!) and I know it will get us through the next decade or so, but I so look forward to bike rides and walks and secret places again someday. That's actually one of the factors in my trying to be healthy--after all the child-bearing and raising, I want there to be something (energy, health, beauty) left for Rich and me to enjoy on our own!
Sometimes I reach across the king bed, two girls between us, and grab his hand and say, "I love you... I miss you..." SIGH. So enjoy your husband double when you think of us and our babies!
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