Josh

Josh has rented a tux for Junior Prom.

Conference Weekend

I always look forward to General Conference. I love hearing the messages and seeing the leaders speak. Unfortunately, not all of my children feel the same. I spend time beforehand preparing snacks and quiet activities for the younger children in hopes of a less disruptive session. This year I bought some hat looms and yarn. We begin the Saturday morning session with a Pop Tart breakfast. This was exciting we have never before had pop tarts for breakfast. Then everyone started a hat and quietly worked on the hat for much of the time. Next I took out the bingo cards and skittles. During the afternoon sessions we had snack food: crackers & dip, jerky, cheese ball and jelly bellies.

Tyra and Caleb came over on Saturday. Nathan and Whitney came on Saturday and Sunday. After the sessions on Sunday we had a turkey dinner. Nate invited over more friends to share dinner and play Swashbuckled (Fun pirate game). It's always nice to have family and friends around.

The messages were inspiring. I can't wait until they come out in print so I can study them. Yesterday, I spent the whole class time reviewing General Conference with the students. I really enjoyed their insight.

Another Week

Last night we went swimming for Family Home Evening. The kids love to go to the BYU indoor pool. The boys like the high dives. They challenge each other to jump off the highest dive (25 feet) that is only open for a few minutes every hour. I noticed a funny thing last night as I watched Andrew and James each ready to jump off the short dive. Their swim trunks were exactly the same color and style except that Andrew's were covering his knees and James' were a little short. They were wearing the wrong suits. I don't know if they ever noticed.

Tonight for Young Women's the laurels will tie a senoir quilt for Johannah. Rather than just sewing 2 pieces of fabric together, I pieced a quilt top together. Her chosen colors were black and white. I really had a tough time sticking to just black and white. I'm not quite finished yet, I will need to spend some time this afternoon finishing the edges and sewing the back on. I'll have to take a picture and post it.

Josh is busy planning his Junior Prom date. He has lots of ideas. He was shocked to find out how much it will cost for just 1 date.

Well, Kate got a hair cut last week. She looks really cute. Her hair is now shoulder length. She has been wearing it to school with a headband. Very cute.

Be Strong in the Lord

Yesterday the high school kids were out of school. They spent most of their time playing video games on the computers. Nathan even came over to play for a while.

As I was thinking about a lesson for family night I thought I could incorporate the idea of video games. At the beginning of family night I asked the boys how they win the game, how they keep strong and powerful. They explained how to get extra men and gold and food and shelter. This was a great lead in to the lesson I had planned. I had read a talk given by Elder M. Russell Ballard, entitled, "Be Strong in the Lord". We began by reading Ephesians 6:10-13 (take unto you the whole armor of God). Elder Ballard says, "I like to think of this spiritual armor not as a solid piece of metal molded to fit the body but more like chain mail. Chain mail consists of tiny pieces of steel fastened together to allow the greater flexibility without losing protection. I say that because it has been my experience that there is not one great and grand thing we can do to arm ourselves spiritually. True spiritual power lies in numerous smaller act woven together in a fabric of spiritual fortification that protects and shields from all evil." Elder Ballard lists 6 things that will help us build our own spiritual chain mail.
1 - Protective Power of Prayer, D & C 10:5
2 - Procective Power of the Scriptures, 1 Nephi 15:24
3 - Draw on the Mericiful Grace of God, Ether 12:27
4 - Watch Yourselves, Mosiah 4:30
5 - Don't Waste the Days of Your Probation, 2 Nephi 9:27
6 - Reverence Invites Revelation, D & C 6:12
Elder Ballard says, "The Lord has given us specific doctrines and principles that show us how to clothe ourselves in the armor of God so we can stand against the powers of evil...As with chain mail, you need simply to add small, individual pieces of armor each day through prayer, scripture study, focusing on things that matter, and acting in a reverent manner."

End of Semester

Yesterday was the end of the semester for the younger kids. Kate & Andrew got out of school early yesterday and we went to see "Bedtime Stories" at the dollar theater. Johannah, Josh, James & Jacob have Monday off.

Thursday we went to a ballroom fundraiser. We ate luau food and watched a Polynesian dance program. Nathan, Tyra and Caleb came.

Josh asked a girl to Junior Prom. This is Josh's description. Andrew dressed up in dark clothes and was placed in a box that looks like a giant sized crayon box. He walked of to the door with a frozen cube of butter with a "J" taped to it. Then he walks away. 15 minutes later he comes back with microwave popcorn package that has a note that says, "Now that I've buttered you up, I'd explode if you would go to Junior Prom with me." Also the letter "O" was attached to the popcorn. Then he walks away. 15 minutes late he comes back with the reset of the letters of Josh's name and he walks away.