Sunday Post

One thing that I have learned in my ethics class is that for something to be morally objective it needs to be made public, otherwise it serves no purpose. I find that in my meetings at church I gain so much while there, but as the week goes by I tend to forget what was taught. Which is probably one reason why it is good to go every Sunday, anyway . . . as I was saying, I would like to share something that I learned. Hopefully I'll be able to keep it up every Sunday. Today in Relief Society we had a lesson on virtue, which was excellent, but I am sharing a quote that was printed on our Relief Society bulletin. "It is by faith that you can lay hold upon every good thing. I pray with all my heart that your faith will be increased, that you are a daughter of a loving God. I testify to you that you have been one of the valiant ones to reach the point where you now are in this journey of life. Just as you are marked as a target by the enemy of righteousness, you have been protected and watched over by your Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ. They know you. They know all of the forces and individuals around you. They know what is ahead of you. And so, they know which of the choices you make, which of the circumstances around you will make the most difference in keeping you walking in the light. I testify that by the Spirit of Christ and by the Holy Ghost, you may walk confidently in whatever difficulties will come. Because you are so valuable, some of your trials may be severe. You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you exercise faith."
- President Spencer W. Kimball
This quote meant a lot to me. I hope it does for you as well.

Vacation Photos

By the end of the day we were pretty tired. I bet you couldn't tell.

Chesapeake Bay. It may not quite be the ocean, but it may as well be.

Just after her baptism. She is definitely a sweet, spirited little girl.

Waiting for dinner at Outback. She wanted to open her presents before we sat down, hence, the tiara.

Lincoln Memorial: This place was huge. As a matter of fact, everything there was.

Lincoln Memorial: Our camera died before we could get a better photo of it and the reflection pool.

Washington Monument: We had a hard time capturing the whole thing!

First and last stop, Vegas.


Photos are not chronologically placed. Actually, last comes first and vice versa. P.S. Thanks Jen for informing me of the SD card that I can put in my computer. I'm a little techno-challenged.

I may have lost the fight, but we won the war.

For the past couple of weeks it seems that Quentin and I have been in a power struggle. He seems to think that he can do everything by himself and any help that I try to give turns out to be a fight. In my child development class I am learning about Piaget's stages and Quentin is in between the autonomy vs. shame and doubt and the initiative vs. guilt stages. Learning about these stages has helped me to better understand my child. Last night Quentin was bound and determined to button the shirt of his pajamas all by himself. It was bedtime and I wasn't willing to wait while he did it, so we fought about it for about 10 minutes. I would try and put the shirt on him, but as soon as I did he would take it off before I could button it. So, I gave in and let him try to do it by himself, assuming that he would get frustrated soon and just let me do it. Well, there were four buttons on the shirt and he took about 5 minutes for each button. He was patient and determined to finish the job himself. I sat in his bedroom with him while he did it and encouraged him everytime he was getting it right and praised him when he got a button through. I cannot explain the joy that I felt in taking the time to praise my son for a job well done and for his glowing smile as he felt accomplished in buttoning up his own shirt. It was definitely a fight worth losing.

Getting Spring Fever?

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am so ready for the sunny days to come. I'm dreaming up ideas for fun things to do outside with my kids. I just can't wait to see the trees all green and flowers blooming. It's hard enough to be cooped up inside with a 3-year-old who just wants to get his energy out. So, do any of you have some good ideas for coping with the winter chill? And what are some fun summer ideas that you are wanting to do? I'm wanting to go swimming, take the kids to the park, go on walks, and hopefully go to Lagoon or a waterpark when Kristin is here.

A good trip . . . An even better family.

Well, I very much wanted to post a blog full of pics from my first big vacation; but, of course, we left our USB cable and charger to the camera in the hotel in Maryland. Unless, by some miracle, that we have simply misplaced it in all our luggage (Doubtful, but possible). We did have a nice time on our vacation, it was really good to see Kristin and be a part of her baptism. That was the highlight of our time there. She is so sweet and fun to be around. We also went to D.C. and saw the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and The White House, in which James tried to gain privileged access to the front gates (That didn't work out so well) ;) I wanted to go through the holocaust museum, but we were pressed for time with only a 2 hour meter and limited amount of change at hand. We also went to the Chesapeake Bay, that was really beautiful. Crystal and I went shopping Saturday morning and got a Pedicure/Manicure (Thanks Crystal). The mall was huge!!! Of course, to me, any thing is larger than little old Rexburg. There was a 24 plex theater in the mall and we all went to He's just not that into you. Funny movie. I liked it.
What I realized from going on this trip is that I'm not missing all that much of the world. It's great to get to know new people and cultures and to see new sights, but what I loved the most was time with my husband and time with Kristin. I dearly missed our kids at home and wished we could've been all together. I also realized that life doesn't stop when you go on vacation. We came back with housework and homework knocking at our door. If I wasn't behind before, I definitely am now. Thanks to all of my family members for helping out with watching Quentin. It's so great to have family around that is loving and supportive.

Winter Fun!!!

We decided that we better make use of all the snow we got and went to my parents house to play. Our camera died before we could get pictures of Caroline outside with us. James was having fun making a HUGE snowman. Quentin didn't stay long on the tube, he decided that it would be more fun to play with the kitten and the neighbors dog. When Caroline came out, she had fun riding on the sled and just about fell asleep while riding.