Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Fun Stuff

My friend Nancy turned me on to a great, free downloadable program that you can turn your blog into a book. Instant Journal!!! There are multiple other book ideas you can use this program for as well. CHECK IT OUT I'm hooked.

If you haven't been using your blog follower what are you waiting for!! It saves me lots of time and I never have to play catch up with my favorite blogs. Check it out on you dashboard.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Kidspeak

At our home the English language is the primary language spoken and is sometimes sprinkled with French, Spanish, Japanese or any other language for that matter. At meal times though our English is peppered with our kidspeak. If you ever dine with us, here are some translations you made need.

Frosted Mini Wheats: 'greasy sweets'
Rice Crispy Cereal: 'sizzles'
Toast cut into triangles: 'turtle toast'
a cube of butter: 'butter in the bowl'
Parkay butter spray: 'chucker butter'
a piece of cheese: 'naked cheese' {'naked' can also apply to any item that may normally have something on it but is not desired to be on it at that time. verb form is 'nakeded'}
Chicken drumsticks: 'chicken-on-a-bone'
Quesadilla: ' cheese wrapped up' or 'cheese folded up'
A half of an apple: 'a heart apple'
May I have a piece of toast?: 'May I have my bread cooked?'
Eggs: 'eggies'
Ramen: 'noodles'
refried beans with cheese: 'cheesy beans'
Ketchup: 'dip-it'
sour cream: 'cream'

Soda is generally not liked because it is too 'spicy'. Most dinner items are described with words like yuck, ewww, gross, disgusting and blahh. Also there is lots of screaming and crying as well in regards to vegetables and anything that looks different.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

For your consideration-

At this time of the year, as the election draws near, I want to share these things with you because I feel that it is important that everyone understand that you do not and should not settle for the lesser of two evils. We are asked to prayerfully consider our voting decision and most of the time we need to seek else where than the national main stream media for what is out there. Please take the time to consider the options. The videos will take some time but are well worth it. the first video is a Press Conference hosted by Ron Paul with 3 third party candidates including Chuck Baldwin who I am going to support. Following the video are excerpts from an email that Garin and I received that I whole heartedly agree with and finally more information on Chuck Baldwin. Enjoy.




Voting for the lesser of two evils has been a part of our electoral process for so long that many of us have just accepted that we are doing our best by voting for the one least capable of damaging our nations fabric. Voting for the lesser of two evils is a sin in the eyes of the Lord. Oh that was bold no? Read on. I'll start off by quoting a constitutional scholar from George Withe University and Pres. Benson.
Vote for the right people, as the spirit directs even if they seem to have no chance. President Benson said, 'The Lord says that he holds man accountable for their acts in relation to governments. (D&C 134:1) We must follow this council from the Lord: "Honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil. (D&C 98:10)" Note the qualities the Lord demands of those who are to represent us. They must be good, wise and honest.' (Ensign Nov 1987) Also note that he said WE must seek DILIGENTLY for such men. It is not enough just to choose what we perceive as the lesser of two evils on the ballot. In the coming years we must follow the prophets and 'diligently seek out good, wise and honest men" to vote for. They may not win, but the Lord will not hold us accountable for electing Satan's servants. If you cannot find a candidate whom you feel the Lord would have you support, may I suggest you write in a candidate ... you feel confident would fill the position honorably and further the Lord's plan. Above all; cast a righteous vote.There was a two party system in the United States in 1844, much like there is today. In regards to the question of whether to vote for the "Whig" candidate or the "Democratic" candidate in the election of 1844, and his unwillingness to vote for either, the Prophet Joseph Smith stated:
....we shall have the satisfaction of knowing that we have acted conscientiously, and have used our best judgement. And if we have to throw away our votes, we had better do so upon a worthy rather than an unworthy individual who might make use of the weapon we put in his hand to destroy us. ( Times and Seasons, Nauvoo, IV, 441. Cited also in Roberts, Comprehensive History, II, 208-209.)

Additionally, Hyrum Smith, the prophet's brother stated:
We engage in the election the same as in any other principle: you are to vote for good men, and if you do not do this it is a sin: to vote for wicked men, it would be a sin. Choose the good and refuse the evil. Men of false principles have preyed upon us like wolves upon helpless lambs. Damn the rod of tyranny; curse it. Let every man use his liberties according to the Constitution. Don't fear man or devil; electioneer with all people, male and female, and exhort them to do the thing that is right. We want a President of the U.S., not a party President, but a President of the whole people; for a party President disenfranchises the opposite party. Have a President who will maintain every man in his rights. (History of the Church, Vol. 6, Chapter 15, page 323).

President Benson stated that the book of Helaman would be our best guide to follow as a type and shadow of our day. What does it say about how elected officials would gain the popularity of our votes?
Helaman 6:17 For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain. Helaman 6:38 And it came to pass on the other hand, that the Nephites did build them up and support them, beginning at the more wicked part of them, until they had overspread all the land of the Nephites, and had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils, and to join with them in their secret murders and combinations. Helaman 6:39 And thus they did obtain the sole management of the government, insomuch that they did trample under their feet and smite and rend and turn their backs upon the poor and the meek, and the humble followers of God.

This is how the enticings work. We are thrown a branch here and there and after some time we eventually find that we're hanging on to the whole tree. This is not an all at once proposition. Now we know the doctrine and guidelines under which we should operate and can act as agents unto ourselves in electing those who will uphold the constitution of the U.S. ....

We are given a warning:
Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law-to do your business by the voice of the people. And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.How do we not choose iniquity when those are sometimes our only options? How do we move forward and repair what is clearly not working? After all the definition of insanity is doing the same thing (toting the party line) while expecting a different result. The answer is to seek the Lords advise and through revelation and ACT upon those promptings. He knows the end from the beginning. In these times of such silent deceit, it is difficult to know the wolves from the sheep. Fortunately, the Holy Ghost has a sharp shears. Now I know full well that those who put this into practice are in the minority of the population. The chances for real change (not to be confused with what Obama offers) are slim. However, our faithful actions will be counted for righteousness and therein lie the blessings. We cannot hold back the rolling waters of the great deep but we can most assuredly stand firm in the knowledge that we stood our ground valiant in our testimony and fearless of the consequences. There most certainly is a "portent of stormy weather ahead" to which we better take heed. Attending the temple, living our covenants and keeping our eye on the prophet will help us live in a manner that will qualify us for heavenly help whenever we choose to ask for it. And do we ever at this time.

Chuck Baldwin

The Constitution Party

LDS for Baldwin

Thursday, October 16, 2008


There is just something about a new pair of jeans- that fit wonderfully- that is so great! No matter what size you wear or what mood you are in they can really make you feel good about yourself. My current favorites- the Sweeheart from Old Navy. {They're on sale right now ;) }

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

How did you get engaged?


In April of 1998, Garin and I drove from Utah to Washington to meet my parents. It was Easter weekend so Garin used that to create his idea for asking me to marry him.

After arriving at my parents home we whisked away to a near by rest area. I know a rest area sounds strange but at the time it was the only private (because no one goes there) and still park like place I could think of. My parents live in a farming community so there were little choices- anyway. He took me there and made me close me eyes while he prepared an Easter egg hunt.

I had to find each egg in numerical order. In each egg was a scripture that related to love and marriage in some way that was special to him. I didn't know how many eggs there were so I kept expecting that the next one would have a ring in it, and each time the egg felt too light to have a ring in it. At the end of the hunt, and still no ring,I started to wonder if he was tricking me. Instead of the ring in an egg it was in his scriptures and he had planned to smoothly drop to one knee with scriptures and ring in hand. It didn't exactly go as planned, the ring fell in the grass at me feet and he had to do a little searching. It didn't ruin anything, it was still a very sweet and thought out gesture. I will never forget it.

My ring was designed by Garin a few weeks before so I knew generally what it would look like but it was so much more beautiful in person than on paper. I cherish it so much because it comes from his heart and imagination.

Monday, October 13, 2008

I know, I know

I haven't posted in a while and thank you for continuing to check back. My mind is a little fried right now. We are moving into the holiday season and school and other projects have me a little crazy. So in an effort to get back on track here is a fun little video. My kids LOVE Scooby-Doo and memorized this little rap from one of the cartoons. It is entertaining as well as educational. Have a great day!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

The Wilson's posted this fun packet for General Conference. I thought I'd pass it along!