Monday, September 29, 2008

My Crazy Eights

8 Favorite TV Shows:

Lost
Grey's Anatomy
Little House on The Prairie
The Office
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Anything HGTV
The Biggest Loser (especially when I'm eating Ice Cream-HAHAHA)
The X- Files ( have to rent them)

8 Favorite restaurants:

Bajio
Chili's
Del Taco
Famous Dave's
Teriyaki Bowl
(these are more special than favorite:)
Ivar's in Seattle
Lorena's
Al Forno's

8 things that happened yesterday:

survived church
worked on Family Search Indexing
took a nap
was woken up 6 times during that 1 hour nap
spent some alone time with my kids
made a yummy soup
worked on some family history
stayed up late reading

8 things I look forward to:

no more allergies
Olivia's birthday
The Holidays
cooler weather
Our Christmas Surprise for our kids
General Conference
Saturdays
reading Breaking Dawn again

8 things on my wish list:

a quiet day to myself
organization
a new van
a little elbow room in a pretty place
shedding some pounds
shopping spree
a trip to Hawaii
a trip to Europe


If you read this, you're tagged- show me your crazy eights!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

A Favorite Scripture

2 Nephi 4: 15-24, 27-35 from the Book of Mormon

15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.
24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.


27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?
32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!
33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.
35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Journal Jar

A few years ago at an enrichment meeting I received a journal jar. It is a simply decorated jar full of potential memory preserves. The label touts that if one were to answer all the questions (about 100) they would have a nice little personal history started. I've decided that since my blog is essentially a journal and history of my current life that I might actually attempt to use my otherwise idle jar. I'll record the questions so you can start your own memory storage if you so desire.

Do you recall any outstanding family trips or summer holidays experienced as a child?

As a child, my dad was in the military so sometimes life felt like were on extended family trips. Usually when we moved we spent a lot of our free time experiencing the sights and history around us. I really enjoyed all the places we went from Williamsburg to Langley to Joshua Tree to the Denver Zoo and so on. All of this has extended into my adult life and so I am constantly dreaming of places to go and dragging my family here and there but I think we are all the better for it. It makes for great life experiences.
Not many of our excursions were over-nighters or for very long (unless it was to visit Grandma's house). I think this had to do with the fact that we were a family of 6 rowdy children who drove our parents crazy and that we were always cursed by Murray's Law- yes, I meant Murray not Murphy-. What is that you say? Well it is Like Murphy's law (whatever can happen will happen)but for our certain Murray Clan it applies specifically to cars, freak accidents and vacations unless you are my brother David who unfortunately lives in its shadow. One of our biggest vacations I remember took us on a tour of D.C. , Mount Vernon, and other Civil War sites. It was a true Murray's law example. It was a great trip. I loved it. But it rained and rained and rained. We camped and got soaked, we fished and got soaked, we toured museums and battlefields and got soaked. As I mentioned before 6 kids, and all that rain made potty breaks a constant bother as well. Because we were camping we had our gear in the car and my dad decided that while in D.C he didn't want to leave a certain knife in the car I'm not sure if it was because he didn't want it stolen or because he didn't want it on the streets on D.C in a homeless persons hands. Any way my mom kept it in her purse. Well the Smithsonian didn't take too well to that knife in my mom's purse. They confiscated it and almost arrested my dad. Needless to say my parents were glad to get home from that trip. The knife was never returned.
Another fun memory I have is travelling to Tennessee from California a few times for a family reunion at my great grandparents home. We would usually caravan with my dad's parents and our cousin. We all took turns riding in the grandparents car. That was the best place to be because Grandma new how to pack awesome snacks and we could eat whatever and whenever we wanted. One year my brother, my cousin and I spent the whole trip singing 'the Gambler' and 'On the Road Again' at the top of our lungs, nonstop. We thought we were so coool- HAHAHA. If we ever had to go to the bathroom Grandma made us use a Planters peanut can- that, not so fun.
I just love trips and could go on and on. I'll save that for a place where don't have to keep reading. I hope you enjoy reminiscing about your childhood trips.

Monday, September 22, 2008


Do you have a cure for thumb-sucking?????

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Are you feeling a little tired after church?

Do you feel a little tested and tried in your church duties? Feast on this quote from President Henry B. Erying, from the 2002 Ensign.

"You are called of God. The Lord knows you. He knows whom He would have serve in every position in his Church. He chose you. He has prepared a way so that He could issue your call... The person who was inspired to recommend you for this call didn't do it because they liked you or because they needed someone to do a particular task. They prayed and felt and answer that you were the one to be called."
" You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice. Your hands to lift the same as His hands. His work is to bless His Father's spirit children with the opportunity to choose eternal life. So, your calling is to bless lives. That will be true even in the most ordinary tasks you are assigned and in moments when you might be doing something not apparently connected to your call. Just the way you smile or the way you offer to help someone can build their faith."
"There will be times when you will feel overwhelmed. One of the ways you will be attacked is with the feeling that you are inadequate. Well, you are inadequate to answer a call to represent God with only your own powers. But you have access to more than your natural capacities, and you do not work alone. The Lord will magnify what you say and what you do in the eyes of the people you serve."

He will not leave you comfortless! John 14

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

A little catching up to do.

I haven't been very diligent in getting my daily posts out and I still have my contest to do but I've been a little tied up trying to be more diligent at housework (BLAGH). So here is what we did this weekend.

Saturday was our annual Lagoon day for Garin's work. It's their nice way of saying thanks to the employees and we look forward all year to attending.



Everyone soaked after Rattlesnake Rapids. We had fun being able to go on more rides together and our 2 oldest are all about roller coasters. We took turns with them.
Livvy wasn't so sure about the spinning rides, she kept saying ' it makes me have a stomach'.
Her sisters were sweet and helped her along.
Sunday was Amellia's 7th birthday. Being Sunday and since we all were tired from the day before so it was a low key celebration. But now that she has made her list and has her b-day money tomorrow is a much anticipated shopping trip.


Monday, September 15, 2008

Laura and 'Manly'




I have always loved The Little House on the Prairie television series. My favorite episodes are the ones when Laura falls in love with Almanzo. At one point when I was living in Provo I could watch it 3 times a day if my work schedule fell at the right times. I remember sitting with my roommates sapping over the romance. I still watch it nearly everyday and have hooked my children now as well. (Hubby still just rolls his eyes- I'll get him soon!)




Strangely I have never read the books, I don't know how that happened. So for school we are beginning to read the series together and practice some pioneering skills. I recently (on my own) finished Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It is about Almanzo as a boy. I just loved this book it was so endearing. Not only was it an interesting story but filled with life lessons and useful information in regards to planting and harvesting. I don't have any boys of my own, but if I did I would encourage them to read this book.




Laura and Almanzo Wilder
1885
google images

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Sunday Brunch

I'd like to share some thoughts from our Regional Conference Broadcast we attended this morning.

Elder Ballard, member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, reminded us that we should be following the promptings of the Holy Ghost more promptly and diligently. It told us a story of when he was a bishop and missed an opportunity because he put off a prompting. He told of a woman in his ward who had been on his mind all day but due to the late hour of the night in which he had free time he chose to not bother her and visit her the next morning. Upon arriving at her home that morning he was greeted by his daughter with tears in her eyes because her mother had passed in the night. He regretted that chance he missed to bless and comfort her in her time of passing.
I am always second guessing my promptings. It is something I struggle with. But I know that as I exercise that ability I will get better at it. Not every prompting will be life changing but we won't know that unless we are obeying.

Sister Lant, General Primary President talked of raising our children righteously. She cited D&C 68 (v25-28) as being a guidance for us parents. She said that even if we are diligently saying prayers and reading scriptures and having family home evening it is no excuse to not keep trying harder to do better, there is always room for improvement. We should beware of allowing Satan to enter our homes and over booking our schedules.
I don't think any of us don't want to raise righteous families. But it is an on going battle in the world we live in. I would encourage you with your spouse (or not if you don't have one) to evaluate things in your home and find one thing to change or improve. It is a good way to start and open up communication. Something that we have enjoyed doing is a morning devotional.Our devotional includes prayer, song, stories from the friend, scripture memorization, etc. It helps set a mood for the girls for the day. Maybe something like this would benefit your home even if you had to do it at night, make it what your family needs.

President Monson, President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talked about prayer. He shared with us many endearing stories and poems but his main message was about making our homes a house of Prayer.
When I think of a house of prayer I think of the temple. Somewhere for reflection where the Spirit of the Lord can dwell. That is hard to come by sometimes in the daily chaos but it inspires me to want to find ways to create a more peaceful environment around me. It also inspires me to encourage more meaningful prayers and making sure my children have a better understanding of the power of prayer.
The primary scripture for this month is Mark 11:24 'Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them.'

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Thursday, September 11, 2008

Patriot's Day

We all remember, with perfect clarity, where we were today- seven years ago. I was asleep, ready to give birth any day, when I was awakened by a phone call from Garin. It was hard to pull myself out of sleep and try to comprehend what was being said to me. And then we all watched TV for days.
When I think about these events and all that has passed since then I hope that I don't ever fall 'asleep' to love of country. That I remember with perfect clarity all that has passed in the history of our country to make it a blessing to live here. We don't have to be a solider in a battle to fight our cause for freedom. We can vote. We can be good neighbors. We can build our communities in righteousness and love. We can be educated. We can be prepared. Happy Patriot's Day!

Oh beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
AMERICA! AMERICA!
May God thy gold refine.
'Til all success be nobleness and every gain divine.

Oh beautiful for Patriot's dream that sees beyond the years,
Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears.
AMERICA! AMERICA!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.

verses 3&4 America the Beautiful

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

You Wouldn't Want To Be....


This book by David Stewart and David Salariya is one of our favorite books. It cracks me up! It is full of wonderful facts and humor- especially the weird and disgusting. For example, on the page where you are learning about the gross procedures to mummification, a dog can be seen in the background running away with an arm in it's mouth.
There are a bunch of them from a sailor with Christopher Columbus to Vikings to Aztec human sacrifices. We check them out from the library over and over again. If you haven't read them yet, go to the library now! you won't be disappointed.
*p.s.- today is the last day for my little game so I will be getting back on the winners and stuff shortly.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Did ya hear the one.....

Riley told me this joke yesterday:

What did Dela*ware to the Ball????

I*da*ho??? Al*ask*a!

She learned at class shes taking about the States. I thought it was a good one ;)
My kids love to tell jokes. They always make up their own that are complete nonsense but some how still hilarious. I'm always glad when I get a real (and actually funny) one.
Do you have a good one?

Monday, September 8, 2008

Granola

On Friday, the girls and I had a baking day. One of the items we made was granola. I love granola and this is my favorite recipe. I got the recipe from my sister EMM.

Mix:
6 cups oats (rolled or old fashion)
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup powdered milk

Mix and then add to dry mixture:
2/3 cup honey
2/3 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla.

When the mixture is well combined spread on 2 baking sheets that have been sprayed with cooing spray. Bake at 350F for 10 to 15 minutes. the granola will be golden brown. When it has completely cooled you can break it up. Store it in an airtight container.

My Variations:
I sprinkle the top of the granola with cinnamon prior to baking. After it is cooled I mix in almonds and craisins for cereal or m&ms and nuts for a snack. Also, this time I didn't have any wheat germ so I used 1/4 cup ground Flax instead and it worked just as well.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Happy 1st Blog-versary to me!

Hooray! I made it one whole year of blogging. I started blogging because a couple of my friends had started one and it seemed like it met all the needs I wanted out of my myspace page that I wasn't getting. It also has been a fun way to feel like I'm keeping a journal.
I have loved getting to share my daily life with my family and friends who live so far and some who are close. I have enjoyed being able to share our fun and my thoughts and feelings.
So for my blog-versary I have set a couple goals for myself. I will blog everyday even if it is just a random nothing. I want to increase my readership but 10%. This is where you come in. I want you to post a link on your blog of your favorite post of mine or something you think your readers would like about me. I'm looking to make new friends and find some old.
I will check everyone on my favorites list to see who played and have a drawing. I don't have a prize to show or woo you with because I want it to be tailored to the winner. Ill close my contest on WED. the 10th.
So here is to another year and many more to come! Thanks for reading and being apart of my life. I look forward to sharing more time with all my blogging buddies out there no matter how near or far you are.
Have a good Sabbath.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Basement Bowling

We had a good time the other night bowling in our basement on our PS3. It is fun game that Garin downloaded that allows you to 'bowl' with the controller. We all love it and it is easy enough for everyone to play competitively. Riley won the night with a score of 157 but even Olivia who had the lowest score still got a 91.
Rockin' to Starlight by Muse, everyone's favorite song. Our toothless wonder.




Here is a video of Claire having a good time, sorry it is a little dark.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Bingham Canyon Copper Mine

Last Saturday we took a trip to the Bingham Canyon Copper mine. Garin works on a Kid's club magazine for the company he works for. His page this time is on big stuff and this is the perfect place to see big 'Stuff'! (Don't you love Amellia's shoes and socks! Her fashion sense cracks me up sometimes!)
The mine is the largest man made excavation in the world and can be seen from space! The size of it is almost unbelievable. My picture doesn't do it justice so click here! This mine has produced 17 million tons of copper and they plan to continue mine well into the future. It is deep enough that you could stack 2 Sears towers on top of each other in it and still not reach the top. If you have time to read or browse here is some more interesting information.
This is a tire of the trucks that hall the debris out of the pit to be processed. Each tire on these big trucks costs from $18,000 to $26,000 and lasts just 9 months.
These trucks are 23 ft tall and can hall 255-320 tons of rock! The shovels that load these bad boys can scoop 98 tons at a time. And when they are down in the pit they look like little toys.
Besides the pit they have an interesting museum as well at the visitor center. This is definitely a great place to take some time and visit.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Drumroll please...

Okay so you've been down the 'road I travel', now look at us 'through my eyes'. There are a few little changes I want to make still. I hope you will enjoy another reading year with me. My official 1 year is on Sunday so be looking for that and some posts I've been meaning to get up as well. Let me know what you think and what you'd like to read more of on my blog. I'm looking for any suggestions. Have a nice day!