Bryar's Journey Through Life.

2012-02-03T15:28:00.000-08:00

I just did this today. Not bad for my first portrait . I am learning from a wonderful website called

http://www.fivepencilmethod.com/tutorials/

I love it!!!!

Hope that you have fun looking. : )

I want to read this.

2011-12-16T05:35:00.000-08:00

I am posting this because I want to read it but cant seem to find time to sit at the computer and do so. Maybe you might also be interested. :) Hugs and Merry Christmas all.

HOMESCHOOL AND HOUSEWORK!
by Tamara EatonDoes the combination of homeschool and housework seem like oil and water--they just don't mix? It used to seem like we were either successful in homeschooling or housework but never both in the same day. It's easier now-- our kids are older, we have a good system and most importantly-- lower standards! We would never make the cover of "Better Homes and Gardens" but at times we could qualify for "Cluttered Homes and Jungles"!
Here are some tips that have worked for our family:
SIMPLIFY & DECLUTTER!
Make a list of everything that needs to be done then work toward your goal. Don't despair over the things still undone but know you'll get to it eventually. In the meantime, work at maintaining what you've already accomplished so it doesn't get so cluttered again.
Be RUTHLESS--get rid of things you don't use or need! Organize into three boxes: Throw away, Give away, and Put away.
Invest in inexpensive storage containers for things you must keep. We purchased 19 gallon rectangle storage boxes with lids for $5 each from K-Mart and use them for to store homeschool supplies, library books (we could qualify as a branch of our public library with all the books we check out!), clothes, "treasures", legos, toys, etc.
Don't try to do too much all at once. Focus on one area at a time and set reasonable goals. Perhaps one room a week? Or one closet a week? This way the rest of your routine doesn't suffer as much and you're not totally exhausted.
Limit "knickknacks" and go for clear spaces to make cleaning easier. We already have plenty of "educational clutter" to "decorate" our homes!
Take 15-30 minutes to do some of those "dirty jobs" that you've been putting off for ages. Clean one window, or one drawer. Then stop and get back to the normal routine.
OUR DAILY ROUTINE:
In earlier years when my children were too young to help out much around the house, I neatened up the house before bedtime each evening. That helped us get off to a better start the next morning. After breakfast I would get them started playing while I quickly did the morning chores. Afterwards, my day was free to play with them, teach them, care for them and enjoy them. I loved it! (Although it certainly had its shares of frustrations at times!) I stayed home a lot, which was my main secret for success.
Now that my children are older, they have regular kitchen chores which don't change except two or three times a year so it's easy for everyone to know what is expected. I can also tell at a glance who has done his job--no more confusion about which child is responsible for each chore. Then each child picks a part of the family room to clean up quickly. I neaten up the bathrooms, living room, master bedroom and help the youngest two clean up their room.
We try to have 9 AM as our deadline each morning to have all chores completed and the main living area picked up. Then we schedule several quick pick-ups a day: after lunch, before supper, and before bedtime. Friday mornings are for "deep cleaning"--many hands make light work, then we have "computer school" for the rest of the day or the kids do educational projects.
If the house is a wreck and standards are creeping way too low, we take off from school and other activities and concentrate on getting things in order. Instead of "nagging" the children, we politely and firmly tell them what we need done. (In our home, children who don't follow instructions when asked, get added jobs or responsibilities.)
TRAINING CHILDREN TO HELP:
It's been my experience that young children are the most enthusiastic helpers! It's important not to overwhelm them though because what looks like a small task to us, can seem enormous to them. It's best to have them work along beside us. Even a 2 year old can fold bath cloths, pick up toys and books, etc. with mom close at hand working, too.
I rarely tell younger children (7 and under) to do something without sticking around to see that it's done and working right beside them. This helps create good work habits. As they get older, I give them more responsibility and expect them to be able to complete a task whether I am there or not.
It's easier to be consistent if I require a small amount and make sure it's done. Otherwise, they get into the habit of not obeying right away, or not finishing a job. I use the same principles to train older children who have poor working habits. Many parents don't like the way their kids clean up, but they don't take the time to demonstrate more efficient ways to do it. We want to help our children learn to do a job well.
William and I have also put on "training workshops". We pretended to be a couple of the children and demonstrated poor working habits, contrasting them with good working habits. The children thought it was hilarious! Then we purposely messed up the den and allowed each child to come in and clean it up as fast as he could, timing him. We demonstrated time-saving motions and encouraged them to use them. They all did a very good job, from the oldest down to the youngest. The (at that time) 3 year old won the contest!
Young children are notorious for messing up the house. It helps to keep an eye on their activities during the day as a preventative measure--otherwise they start many different activities and forget to put anything away. Or they scatter their things all over the house! It also helps to create special play areas using a small quilt or child-sized table and chairs in the main homeschooling area. This confines their toys to a specific area and they enjoy being in the center of things. They can be taught to play quietly, or to go to another room if they're distracting the rest of the children.
Be consistent in training children to help with chores. I had years when I'd wonder if my kids would EVER get to the point where they wouldn't need supervision or to be reminded. Eventually consistency paid off. They aren't perfect yet (kids usually don't see all that moms see!), but they generally do their jobs without reminders and can manage the whole house, if necessary. (At least the teens can, the younger two are still "in training"!)
Two years ago, I was very sick and for several months my older four children did all the housework and most of the cooking and helped take care of the younger two children. It made all the difference in the world, and was good training for them, too. They practiced teamwork and since then, have viewed our home as our joint responsibility--often they tell me to go do something else and let them take care of the cleaning up. Hang in there, it is worth it!
BAD ATTITUDES:
If anyone whines or complains about working, I give them a little extra work. If they keep on, I add some more. It nips it in the bud! Bad attitudes are catching, so I try to keep a positive attitude myself about work. We put on peppy music and get it done as fast as we can. Teamwork is great!
If someone is purposely dragging his chores out and not cooperating, a little extra work solves this problem, too. We always seem to have an area beneath a couch that needs cleaning or a porch to sweep!
CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS:
I have organized the younger children's room so that it is easier to keep neat. We use large rubbermaid tubs with lids to organize their toys. Their favorite toys stay out, but everything else is stored in their closet which is off limits to them. Occasionally we rotate toys.
They have legos in one container, little cars and trucks in another container, and dolls and accessories in another. They each have a "treasure drawer" where they keep their very special treasures (bird feathers, pretty rocks, letters, drawings, pogs, etc.). Each morning I help them straighten their room, and check it several times a day, too. It stays neat this way and they enjoy playing there so much more! If I weren't involved, it would be a mess constantly.
Older children sometimes need encouragement, too. They look at their disorderly bedrooms and don't know where to begin! It helps for them to have some steps to follow. This is what we do:
Make beds.
Pick up all clothes.
Pick up all books.
Pick up any toys.
Pick up any paper or trash.
By this time the room should be presentable and they have room to vacuum and dust, etc. What was once a insurmountable task becomes possible!
QUICK PICK-UP GAMES:
"Around the World" - Usually we divide the family room into parts and each child has a part to clean, but sometimes we play "Around the World". Each person works his way around the room clockwise until everything is neat and clean.
"The Age Game" - Everyone picks up the same number of items as his own age, then if there are items left over, they do it again. Only problem is when they want the parents to pick up the same number of items as their age--whew!
"Mr. Jones is Coming!" - We clean up the house as fast as we can, pretending that Mr. Jones is coming over at a specific time. If we finish in time, we celebrate with a tea party. If we need more time--well sometimes "Mr. Jones" gives us a call and says he has been delayed for a bit! Sometimes Dad dresses up as "Mr. Jones" and comes around to the front door and rings the bell. Inspection time follows!
KEEP YOUR PERSPECTIVE!
I find that I go in cycles --there are times we're caught up in other projects and we let the housework go, only doing the basics. Other times, I get in the mood (or force myself!) to make our standards higher and in the process, usually move some furniture around and make it cosier, redecorate, etc. I do the same thing with extra baking and elaborate cooking.
William has told me many times that although he appreciates us having the house extra neat and clean and cooking extra special meals, he also appreciates all the time and effort that is going into our homeschooling and discipling our children. He also encourages me to write, work on the computer, keep up with my reading, and do other things. I appreciate his balanced view because sometimes I feel guilty over the simple meals or how the laundry is never totally done. But we are enjoying our family so much and we know we won't have that many years left before they will no longer be under our roof!
Elisabeth Elliot shared the following essay written many years ago by an unknown mother in one of her newsletters ( Elisabeth Elliot Newsletter, P.O. Box 7711, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107-7711 -$7 yr.) She says while not too many women iron sheets these days, it is still possible to let many other things take precedence over the primary task.
"I am sadly concerned that thousands of mothers are so over-burdened that the actual demands of life from day to day consume all their time and strength. But of two evils, choose the lesser: which would you call the lesser--an unpolished stove or an untaught boy? Dirty windows, or a child whose confidence you have failed to gain? Cobwebs in the corner, or a son over whose soul a crust has formed, so strong that you despair of melting it with your hot tears and fervent prayers?
I have seen a woman who was absolutely ignorant of her children's habits of thought, who never felt that she could spare a half-hour to read or talk with them--I have seen this woman spend ten minutes in ironing a sheet, or forty minutes icing a cake for tea, because company was expected.
When the mother, a good orthodox Christian, shall appear before the Great White Throne to be judged for the "deeds done in the body," and to give her report of the master's treasures placed in her care, there will be questions and answers like these:
"Where are the boys and girls I gave thee?"
"Lord, I was busy keeping my house clean and in order, and my children wandered away."
"Where wert thou while thy sons and thy daughters were learning lessons of dishonesty, malice and impurity?"
"Lord, I was polishing furniture and making beautiful rugs."
"What hast thou to show for thy life's work?"
"The tidiest house, Lord, and the best starching and ironing in all our neighborhood!"
Oh these children, these children! The restless eager boys and girls whom we love more than our lives! Shall we devote our time and strength to that which perishes while the rich garden of our child's soul lies neglected, with foul weeds choking out all worthy and beautiful growths? Fleeting indeed, O mother, are the days of childhood, and speckless windows, snowy linen, the consciousness that everything about the house is faultlessly bright and clean will be poor comfort in that day wherein we shall discover that our poor boy's feet have chosen the path that shall take him out of the way to all eternity."--Author Unknown
If I'm tempted to be discouraged over the state of my house, I remember the scripture I prayed many years ago when I was unable to conceive: "He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord!" (Psalm 113:9) I am filled with thankfulness that the Lord so abundantly answered our prayers with six precious children! ( Note: March 2002 we were blessed with our seventh, a precious little "mid-life bonus blessing" from the Lord!) They are MORE than worth ALL the work involved in keeping house for them! Give your children a hug and offer up a prayer of thanksgiving for them and don't forget to greet your dear husband with a hug and kiss and a cheerful hello when he gets home from work-- chances are, he won't even *notice* how the house looks!
© Copyright Tamara Eaton 1994-2005, all rights reserved.
Permission is given to reprint any of Tamara's articles in non-profit publications as long as the article is reprinted in full and contains the copyright information and website address. Please send a copy of the publication to :Deeper Life Family Ministries, P.O. Box 909, Killen, AL 35645.
We have always homeschooled our seven children (elementary through high school and beyond!) and enjoy encouraging other families in their homeschooling, parenting and in the Lord! For more help and information, please join us on the Christian Homeschool Fellowship Message Board.
[ Please don't forget to include your email address within the body of your message--we've had some of our responses returned due to insufficient email addresses! ]
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"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord;
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Isaiah 54:13
William & Tamara Eaton: eaton@chfweb.com

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Worth reading!!!

2011-12-05T22:55:00.001-08:00

Your Refined Heavenly Home

DOUGLAS L. CALLISTER

Half a century ago Elder Adam S. Bennion of the Quorum of the Twelve was the assigned speaker at this devotional. His address was preceded by a stirring passage from Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni, performed by one of the university’s fine choral groups. Elder Bennion was so touched that he began his message with these words: “I will shorten my remarks today so that this musical masterpiece may be performed for us a second time at the close of this assembly.”
The nearer we get to God, the more easily our spirits are touched by refined and beautiful things. If we could part the veil and observe our heavenly home, we would be impressed with the cultivated minds and hearts of those who so happily live there. I imagine that our heavenly parents are exquisitely refined. In this great gospel of emulation, one of the purposes of our earthly probation is to become like them in every conceivable way so that we may be comfortable in the presence of heavenly parentage and, in the language of Enos, see their faces “with pleasure.”¹
Brigham Young said: “We are trying to be the image of those who live in heaven; we are trying to pattern after them, to look like them, to walk and talk like them.”² To prepare us to do this, the 13th article of faith encourages: “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”³ Refinement is a companion to developed spirituality. Refinement and spirituality are two strings drawn by the same bow.
Today I would like to peek behind the veil that temporarily separates us from our heavenly home and paint a word picture of the virtuous, lovely, and refined circumstances that exist there. I will speak of the language, literature, music, and art of heaven, as well as the immaculate appearance of heavenly beings, for I believe that in heaven we will find each of these in pure and perfected form.
God speaks all languages, and He speaks them properly. He is restrained and modest of speech. When God described the grand creational process of this earth, He said in measured tones that “it was good.”⁴ We would be disappointed if God had to use “awesome” or other exaggerated phrases in every paragraph.
Britain’s Ben Jonson said: “Language most shows a man: Speak, that I may see thee.”⁵ Our language reveals our thoughts, our virtues, our insecurities, our doubts, even the homes from which we come. We will feel more comfortable in Heavenly Father’s presence if we have developed proper habits of speech. We not only wish to see God’s face “with pleasure,” we want to open our mouths with confidence that our speech harmonizes with the refinement of heaven.
We will thrill to hear exalted beings express their sublime thoughts in perfectly chosen words. I suppose that the language of heaven, properly spoken, may approach a form of music. Did C. S. Lewis have this in mind when he wrote: “Isn’t it funny the way some combinations of words can give you—almost apart from their meaning—a thrill like music?”⁶ At Jesus’ birth the angels appeared and spoke, not sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”⁷ We now try to capture that beauty in song, but the original angelic utterance was in spoken words, which thrilled like music.
Van Wyck Brooks, in his biography The Life of Emerson, told us that Ralph Waldo Emerson was invited to speak at the commemoration of the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. After proper introduction Emerson presented himself at the pulpit and then sat down. He had forgotten his notes. He preferred to say nothing rather than words not well measured. For some, it was Emerson in one of his most eloquent hours.⁸
A few years ago I overheard a Church leader lament the fact that he never had time for anything except to read the scriptures and other works of literature and to prepare talks. His wife admiringly responded, “I know, dear. We all know. We know every time you stand up to speak.” As he spoke, listeners saw. The unremitting preparation through a lifetime of reading great literature naturally produced messages eloquent in both phrase and substance.
Refinement in speech is more than polished elocution. It results from purity of thought and sincerity of expression. A child’s prayer on occasion may reflect the language of heaven more nearly than a Shakespearean soliloquy.
Refinement in speech is reflected not only in our choice of words but also in the things we talk about. There are those who always speak of themselves, and they are either insecure or proud. There are those who always speak of others. They are usually very boring. There are those who speak of stirring ideas, compelling books, and inspiring doctrine. These are the few who make their mark in this world. The subjects discussed in heaven are not trifling or mundane. They are sublime beyond our most extended imagination. We will feel at home there if we are rehearsed on this earth in conversing about the refined and noble, clothing our expressions in well-measured words.
I grew up in a home in which the Sunday afternoon meal was an institution. We remained in our church attire. My parents almost always invited a special guest to join us at the dinner table. Several times it was the then president of this university. We were expected to remain at the table and converse about worthwhile things. In later years, as a student at this school, we attempted to do the same, often gathering in one of the Heritage Halls’ kitchens on a Sabbath afternoon for a reverie of uplifting conversation.
Is there a generation today that needs to be superficially entertained? What is the prospect of a young man sitting in a dorm on Friday evening to read a great book and be thrilled by the music of the masters? Is Friday evening a frenetic flight to see where the entertainment and action will be? Could our society produce a Newton or a Mozart? Can 85 channels and uncountable DVDs ever fill our insatiable appetite to be entertained? Do any unwisely become addicted to computer games or Internet surfing, thereby missing the richer experiences of great reading, conversations, and music enjoyment?
One wrote: “We need the slower and more lasting stimulus of solitary reading as a relief from the pressure on eye, ear and nerves of the torrent of information and entertainment pouring from ever-open electronic jaws.”⁹ This solitary reading should evidence our spiritual and refined taste in selection of the reading materials.
Another said: “[Education] has produced a vast population able to read but unable to distinguish what is worth reading.”¹⁰ This happy chapter of your lives at Brigham Young University will help you focus on reading materials of greatest worth.
I don’t know whether our heavenly home has a television set or a DVD machine, but in my mind’s imagery it surely has a grand piano and a magnificent library. There was a fine library in the home of President Hinckley’s youth. It was not an ostentatious home, but the library contained about 1,000 volumes of the rich literature of the world, and President Hinckley spent his early years immersed in these books. When President Hinckley once came to my home, he spent time perusing the library. He observed the 50-volume collection of the Harvard Classics, commented that he has the same collection in his home, and said he had read much of it. To be well read, however, it is not necessary to possess expensive collections of literature, for they are available to rich and poor alike in the libraries of the world.
President David O. McKay was inclined to awaken at 4:00 a.m., skim read up to two books each day, and then commence his labors at 6:00 a.m. He could quote 1,000 poems from memory. We knew that whenever he stood at the pulpit. He referred to the grand masters of literature as the “minor prophets.” He was a living embodiment of the scriptural admonition to “seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom.”¹¹
My wife and I recently spent four years on Church assignment in Eastern Europe, residing in Moscow, Russia. We often traveled on the Moscow underground subway called the Metro. We noticed the bowed heads of the Russian passengers, for they were reading Tolstoy, Chekhov, Dostoyevsky, or Pushkin—and, sometimes, Mark Twain. The people were poor, but they were not obsessed with their poverty. They possessed the rich tradition of Russian literature, art, and music.
Elder James E. Talmage, before his call to the Twelve, was a mining geologist. He once spoke of the features of certain geology he had observed during a field trip more than a year before. He explained that he could not with certainty recall the terrain until after he developed a photograph he had made of the location. The photographic plate had been laid away in darkness for an extended time. It had only been exposed to the light for one-fiftieth of a second—but the image was indelibly impressed on the negative, awaiting a future date to reveal its message.¹²
The lesson does not escape us. The images to which our minds are exposed are held in store, seemingly forgotten, even for years. But at the crucial moment they re-present themselves to influence our thoughts and lives. And so it is with the music, literature, art, media, and other images to which we are exposed. The pamphlet For the Strength of Youth states: “Whatever you read, listen to, or look at has an effect on you. Therefore, choose only entertainment and media that uplift you.”¹³
These are the words of President McKay:

As with companions so with books. We may choose those which will make us better, more intelligent, more appreciative of the good and the beautiful in the world, or we may choose the trashy, the vulgar, the obscene, which will make us feel as though we’ve been “wallowing in the mire.”¹⁴

If we know the books located at the bedside, we know much about the man.
A good book, such as the scriptures, becomes a lifelong companion. A thoughtful man wrote:

An unliterary man may be defined as one who reads books once only.¹⁵

I can’t imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once.¹⁶

Clearly one must read every good book at least once every ten years.¹⁷

The sure mark of an unliterary man is that he considers “I’ve read it already” to be a conclusive argument against reading a work. . . . Those who read great works, on the other hand, will read the same work ten, twenty or thirty times during the course of their life.¹⁸

Of all the works worthy of repetitive reading, the scriptures stand paramount, for they are not founded in the opinions of men. Over the years I have oft remembered the counsel of the late Hugh Nibley: “If you pray for an angel to visit you, you know what he’ll do if he comes. He’ll just quote the scriptures to you—so you’re wasting your time waiting for what we already have.”¹⁹
Many years ago, while living in another part of the country, I became acquainted with a fine Latter-day Saint young man. He was a superior athlete, but he had never attended a cultural event. Living in the same community was a lovely young LDS sister. She spoke French as well as English. She played the violin. She presented herself as a refined daughter of God. One day the American Ballet Theatre came to our town. A group of us decided to attend, including this young man and young woman.
Now and then I glanced at the young man during the ballet. His eyes were riveted on the stage. Windows of new appreciation were opened. After the performance he approached me privately and said, in reference to the refined young sister, “Where have I been all of my life? This is what I want in my home. This is what I want as the mother of my children. Until now I thought only physical appearance mattered.” I gently reminded him that she would likely be drawn to one of refined nature, like herself, and it was time for him to look within.
Dear daughters of God, you are the crown jewels of all of His creations. There has never been a sunset, symphony, or work of art as lovely as you. May you catch the vision that you are destined to be a refined and regal queen, honored by an uncountable posterity, worlds without end.
If we could peek behind the heavenly veil we would likely be inspired by the music of heaven, perhaps more glorious than any music we have heard on this earth.
When some music has passed the tests of time and been cherished by the noble and refined, our failure to appreciate it is not an indictment of grand music. The omission is within. If a young person grows up on a steady diet of hamburgers and french fries, he is not likely to become a gourmet. But the fault is not with fine food. He just grew up on something less. Some have grown up on a steady diet of musical french fries.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell said:

We . . . live in a world that is too prone to the tasteless, and we need to provide an opportunity to cultivate a taste for the finest music. And, likewise, we’re in a world that’s so attuned to the now that we need to permit people to be more attuned to the best music of all the ages.²⁰

A few years ago I made my way to the bedroom of one of my sons to say good night. He was a junior in high school. As I approached his room, I heard the strains of Tchaikovsky’s sixth symphony. I was surprised. I knew the boy loved sports, but I didn’t know he loved Tchaikovsky. Months later, as my wife and I were listening to a videotape of three tenors singing, our son came in and sat down. He listened and saw, and a new appreciation developed. He said: “You never told me about opera.” He took the videotape to his room, and I never saw it again. Appreciation of the finest in music does not depend upon your age.
President J. Reuben Clark of the First Presidency, one of our greatest Christ scholars, used to listen to inspirational music in the evening before he began his insightful writings concerning the life of the Savior. The music opened his spiritual pores, as it does for all of us.
Recognizing the penetrating influence of great music, Oscar Wilde had one of his characters say: “After playing Chopin, I feel as if I had been weeping over sins that I had never committed, and mourning over tragedies that were not my own.”²¹ After the first performance of Messiah, Handel said: “My lord, I should be sorry if I only entertained them; I wish to make them better.”²² Haydn “dressed in his best clothes to compose because he said he was going before his maker.”²³
There are events of life so sublime that they cannot be imagined without the companionship of beautiful music. We could not have a Christmas without carols or a general conference without sacred anthems. And there could not be a heaven without music of surpassing beauty. Brigham Young said: “There is no music in hell, for all good music belongs to heaven.”²⁴ It would be punishment enough to go to hell and not hear a note of music for all eternity.
This would be a good time to sift through your music library and choose primarily that which uplifts and inspires. It is part of the maturing process of your eternal journey. This would also be a fine time to learn a musical instrument or improve musical skills now partially possessed.
On the eve of his release, one of my fine missionaries during my tenure as a mission president spoke of a girl at home with whom he intended to renew association.
He inquired, “How will I know if she is the right one?”
I suggested, among other things, that he invite her to a cultural event. If she responded that this would be of no interest to her, then maybe he should pursue other alternatives. But if she had compelling spiritual qualities and could be enthralled by culture on Friday and love the athletic contest on Saturday, she might be the type of young lady he could choose as the mother for his children. It might be balanced and rewarding to be paired with her for eternity.
That which has been said about bringing great language, music, and literature into the home may be said with equal truth of great art—perhaps tastefully displayed in our heavenly home. It may also be said of our physical appearance and manners, as well as the order of the place in which we live, the way we offer our prayers, and the way we read God’s word.
I once had opportunity to visit briefly with Audrey Hepburn, the great actress of days gone by, at the time she was making the movie My Fair Lady. She spoke of the opening scene in the movie in which she depicted a modest, unpolished flower girl. Her face had been besmirched with charcoal to make her seem part of her surroundings. “But,” she said, with a twinkle in her eye, “I was wearing my Chanel perfume. Inside I still knew I was a lady.” It doesn’t take expensive perfume to make a lady, but it does require cleanliness, modesty, self-respect, and pride in one’s appearance.
Many years ago an associate of mine decided he would please his wife by sharing with her a very specific compliment each night as he arrived home. One night he praised her cooking. A second night he thanked her for excellence in housekeeping. A third night he acknowledged her fine influence on the children. The fourth night, before he could speak, she said: “I know what you are doing. I thank you for it. But don’t say any of those things. Just tell me you think I am beautiful.”
She expressed an important need that she had. Women ought to be praised for all the gifts they possess that so unselfishly add to the richness of our lives, including their attentiveness to their personal appearance. We must not “let ourselves go” and become so casual—even sloppy—in our appearance that we distance ourselves from the beauty heaven has given us. Every man has the right to be married to a woman who makes herself as beautiful as she can be and who looks in the mirror to tidy herself up before he comes home. Every woman has a right to be married to a man who keeps himself clean, physically as well as morally, and takes pride in his appearance. A husband should hurry home because of the angel who awaits him, and that angel should be watching the clock awaiting his arrival.
Occasionally a young man comes home from his mission and hastens to distance himself in appearance from everything associated with missionary service. He becomes slovenly. Heaven blushes. The young man who wants an exemplary spouse needs to look in the mirror and ask why she would want him. Then he should shave and press his clothes.
Years ago I attended a stake conference in California at which the wife of the stake president shared this story: She had been born considerably after the other children in the family, and her father was unusually protective of her. When a suitor would stop by to pick her up for a date, the father would look him over very carefully and then say: “Do you want to date my princess? Go home and wash your car and shine your shoes. Then I will give my permission.” I sometimes wonder if our Heavenly Father whispers the same when we date His precious daughters. The Book of Mormon speaks of a people who “did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.”²⁵
There are those who flippantly say: “How I look has nothing to do with how God feels about me.” But it is possible for both earthly and heavenly parents to have unspoken disappointment in their offspring without diminished love. I say it again: Sometimes heaven blushes but loves on.
President Joseph F. Smith, the sixth president of the Church, owned few things, but he took care of them. He was fastidious in his appearance. He pressed his dollar bills to remove the wrinkles. He allowed none but himself to pack his overnight bag. He knew where every article, nut, and bolt of the household was, and each had its place.
Would this be true of the environment in which you live? Is it a house of order? Need you dust, clean, and rearrange before you invite the Spirit of the Lord into your apartment? President Lorenzo Snow said: “The Lord does not intend that the Saints shall live always in dens and caves of the earth, but that they shall build fine houses. When the Lord comes he will not expect to meet a dirty people, but a people of refinement.”²⁶
David Starr Jordan, a former president of Stanford University, wrote:

To be vulgar is to do that which is not the best of its kind. It is to do poor things in poor ways, and to be satisfied with that. . . . It is vulgar to wear dirty linen when one is not engaged in dirty work. It is vulgar to like poor music, to read weak books, to feed on sensational newspapers, . . . to find amusement in trashy novels, to enjoy vulgar theatres, to find pleasure in cheap jokes.²⁷

I once heard a story about an imaginary king whose wife gave birth to a baby boy. The parents knew that the lad would someday inherit the kingdom. Desiring that their son be a wise king, fully familiar with the needs of the people over whom he would reign, the king and queen took the infant into the country to be raised as part of a peasant family. He was to be told nothing of his secret destiny until he became a man.
At the appropriate time the king and queen returned to the country to confer on their son the kingdom. They were greatly disappointed. Having been told nothing of his appointed destiny, he was exactly that which life had prepared him to be. He understood the proper care of animals and the gathering of crops, but he knew nothing of armies and palaces and courtyards and presiding. He had lost his vision.
It should not be difficult for you to glean the truth in this story. Another King, your Father in Heaven, has sent you away from His presence to have experiences you would not have had in your heavenly home—all in preparation for the conferral of a kingdom. He doesn’t want you to lose your vision. You are children of an exalted being. You are foreordained to preside as kings and queens. You will live in a home and environment of infinite refinement and beauty, as reflected in the language, literature, art, music, and order of heaven.
I close with the words of President Brigham Young: “Let us . . . show to the world that we have talent and taste, and prove to the heavens that our minds are set on beauty and true excellence, so that we can become worthy to enjoy the society of angels.”²⁸ Even more, that we may enjoy the refined society of heavenly parentage, for we are of the race of the gods, being children of the Most High.
This is my testimony and my humble supplication for you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
1. Enos 1:27.
2. JD 9:170.
3. Articles of Faith 1:13.
4. Genesis 1:4.
5. Ben Jonson, Timber; or, Discoveries Made upon Men and Matter (1640).
6. C. S. Lewis, letter of 21 March 1916, paragraph 3, in The Letters of C. S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves (New York: Collier Books, 1986), 96.
7. Luke 2:14.
8. See Van Wyck Brooks, The Life of Emerson (New York: The Literary Guild, 1932), 297.
9. Storm Jameson, Parthian Words (New York: Harper and Row, 1970), 123.
10. George Macaulay Trevelyan, English Social History: A Survey of Six Centuries, Chaucer to Queen Victoria (London: Longmans, Green and Company, 1942), 582.
11. D&C 88:118.
12. See James E. Talmage, “The Parable of the Photographic Plate: An Episode in Field Work,” Improvement Era, April 1914, 503–505.
13. For the Strength of Youth: Fulfilling Our Duty to God (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2001), 17.
14. David O. McKay, Pathways to Happiness (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1957), 15.
15. C. S. Lewis, paragraph 24 of “On Stories,” in On Stories: and Other Essays on Literature (New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982), 16.
16. C. S. Lewis, letter of February 1932, in Letters to Greeves, 439.
17. Lewis, letter of 17 August 1933, in Letters to Greeves, 458.
18. C. S. Lewis, chapter 1, paragraph 4, in An Experiment in Criticism (New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982), 2.
19. Hugh Nibley, “Gifts,” BYU lecture, 13 March 1979, in Approaching Zion, vol. 9 of The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley (Salt Lake City and Provo: Deseret Book Company and Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1989), 87.
20. Neal A. Maxwell, remarks at the inauguration of KRIC-FM, Ricks College, May 1984.
21. In Oscar Wilde, “The Critic as Artist,” part 1 (1891).
22. In George Hogarth, Musical History, Biography, and Criticism (New York: J. S. Redfield, 1848), 67; see “A Tribute to Handel,” Improvement Era, May 1929, 574.
23. Reid Nibley, in Hal Williams, “Dr. Reid Nibley on Acquiring a Taste for Classical Music,” BYU Today, April 1980, 14.
24. JD 9:244.
25. Alma 1:27.
26. Lorenzo Snow, in Wilford Woodruff, Fourth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: History of His Life and Labors as Recorded in His Daily Journals, prep. Matthias F. Cowley (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1964), 468.
27. David Starr Jordan, The Strength of Being Clean: A Study of the Quest for Unearned Happiness (New York: H. M. Caldwell Co., 1900), 25.
28. JD 11:305.

A blog worth my post.

2011-10-21T05:33:00.000-07:00

So a friend of mine told me about a blog that I have fallen in love with and I have to share. It is www.theredheadedhostess.com I in recent years have kept a scripture journal but I love the way that she does hers. So go and take a look. She is also on my blogs I follow list.

Faith

2011-10-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready to go to my mothers retreat and I have these writing assignments that I have to do. One that I worked on tonight is on faith and as I started writing this is what I came up with.
The things that we do or act upon, weather hard or not will tell us what we have faith in.
For example: If we pay tithing then we have the the faith that God will do as He has promised that the "windows of heaven will pour you out a blessing that you will not have room enough to receive it." Mal. chapter 3:10
If you attend the temple on a regular basis and you have the faith that making, keeping, and renewing those covenants will bless your lives.
So how do we increase our faith? I believe then acting upon those promptings and commandments even when it is hard will help our faith to grow.
To have our faith grow we have to let go of what we think we know and rely on what the Lord tells us we should do. Even if the world or your knowledge tells you other wise. We have to know that the Lord will not lead us down paths that will make our lives harder. He wants us to grow closer to Him and He will lead us to Him if we can just start acting on our promptings and His commandments.
I hope that this makes sense as it is almost midnight.

marthas cut.

2011-09-07T14:51:00.001-07:00

Martha's hair was growing out and I really like it short so I cut it also. Here are her pics.

New hair cuts

2011-09-07T13:56:00.000-07:00

I got tired of looking at Corlies hair the way that it was so I cut it. I like it I think it turned out really cute. I also did Daniels. : ) Cor said that she REALLY likes it. Also here is her Quilt that I finally got done.

The best granola recipe in the world. (That I have found)

2011-09-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

In big microwave safe bowl mix together
2 C Brown Sugar
1 C Honey
1/3 C water
Microwave sugar mixture on high for five minutes. It will become liquid caramel. Watch carefully, it will bubble up. Remove from microwave and put in
3 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt

While the sugar mix is microwaving combine in an extreamly large bowl
10 C rolled oats
6 C nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, millit, etc.)
2 C grains ( I like to use a 7 or 10 grain mix that I get at Winco. You can also use wheat germ or oat germ or any other grain, Quinoa, millet, ect.)
4 C unsweetened shredded coconut. (You can also pick this up at Winco or any health food store should have it.)

Poor hot sugar mixture over oats and mix to coat. Spread granola in a single layer in 4 ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake at 275 in upper and lower oven racks for 45 minutes and up to one hour, rotating pans halfwat through cooking to produce iven browning.
When cooled, scrape granols into a large bowl with metal spatula, add dried fruit if disired: rasens, currants, sultania, apricot, purne, fig, date, mango, pineapple, babana, ear, apple cherry, etc.)
My fav. it dried cranberries.
Store in airtight container in fridge to keep nuts and seeds fresh. Unless you are like my family who runs through this stuff in less then a week. : ) Then it is just fine it the pantry.

Another great recipe that I want to try.

2011-08-22T19:37:00.001-07:00

Healthy and Thrifty – “Instant” Oatmeal

The latest report on America’s obesity rates and trends paints a gloomy picture for what’s to come if we don’t make positive changes. One finding on the report was that lower income households were more obese mainly because they choose cheaper, packaged food rather than more expensive fresh items. Packaged foods might seem cheap at first, but they will cost you in the long run. Although there are numerous packaged items we could easily make at home, I will start with the popular instant oatmeal packets. Do you enjoy the selection of flavors in the personal packets of instant oatmeal? Check the nutrition facts and you’re sure to find an unhealthy dose of added sugar, salt, and various starches or gums to create that thick consistency.

I am against the packaged convenience items like “100 Calorie” packets and instant oatmeal packs. You usually get less and pay more when just for a little time saved. The packets also seem to be lower quality ingredients too, so they’ll cost you in the long run. So what if you were to make your own “instant package” by assembling ingredients you buy in bulk? Buying rolled oats from a bulk department or a big canister of store-brand or Quaker rolled oats is the base to creating your own packages. I opt for the bulk department oats as they are the least expensive way to go. If you’re partial to a certain “healthy” brand of instant oatmeal, then buy organic rolled oats in bulk; problem solved.

Making your own of something is great because it allows you to actually know what’s in it and adjust to your personal tastes. To create a basic instant oatmeal package, you only need a few items; from there you can add extras for more flavor and nutrition.

Basic Instant Oatmeal Recipe
- 3 Cups Quick-Cooking or Rolled Oats*
- Non-fat Powdered Milk – If you’re lactose intolerant or vegan, it’s ok to leave this out
- Salt – Optional
- Small zip-up baggies

*Quick-cooking oats are more processed to allow for quicker cooking times; I find rolled oats still cook just fine and contain more of the “whole” oat. It’s up to you on which to use, but you will have a little extra fiber from the less processed rolled oats.
Put 1 cup of oats in a blender or food processor and blend on high until powdery. The powdered oats help create a thick oatmeal for that comforting, creamy oatmeal. Set the powdered oats aside in a small bowl. Put the following ingredients into each zip baggie: 1/4 cup un-powdered oats, 2 Tbsp. powdered oats, 1/2 Tbsp. non-fat powdered milk, and 1/8 tsp. salt. Fill each bag until you run out of ingredients. The powdered milk is a great addition for extra protein, but can be omitted if you desire.

To cook: Empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and let stand for 2 minutes. For thicker oatmeal use less water, for thinner oatmeal use more water. You can also mix the packet contents with water and microwave for 1 minute, stir, and then microwave another 20 to 30 seconds.
Now you have a basic recipe to make your own oatmeal packets that can be kept at home, stored in your desk at work, or packed to take with you on the road. If you like plain things, you can stop here and be on your way with this recipe, but for extra flavor, I like to add a few things.

Variations – add listed ingredients to each packet

Apple-Cinnamon - 1 tsp. stevia granules, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, and 2 Tbsp. chopped dried apples
Plain and Sweet - 1 tsp. stevia granules or 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
Brown Sugar and Cinnamon - 1 Tbsp. brown sugar and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Cinnamon Raisin - 1 tsp. stevia, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, and 1 Tbsp. raisins
Health Nut - 2 Tbsp. of raw or toasted wheat germ, 1 Tbsp. of your favorite nuts (almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, etc.), 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, and 1 tsp. stevia granules
S'Mores - 6 mini marshmallows and 1 Tbsp. dark chocolate chips to each packet
Cocoa - 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 tsp. stevia granules
Pumpkin Pie - 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ginger, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg, dash of allspice, 1 tsp. stevia granules
Pumped Up Protein "PrOats" - 1/2 scoop of your favorite flavored protein powder and 1 tsp. stevia granules; I use an all natural whey protein sweetened with stevia. My favorite brands are Energy First and Dymatize.

There are many combinations to use that will make flavorful and nutritious oatmeal. The variations above are not set in stone; try taking something from one and adding it to another as you see fit. I always stress that you should have fun with your creations in the kitchen and include family when applicable. Enjoying your time creating meals is a great way to ensure you make more food in the home than going out to eat. This translates to a healthier and happier life for you and your family.

Another option for those hot summer days is to make a no-cook oatmeal. This is not very transportable as refrigeration is needed, but is a nice change when something hot just doesn’t sound appealing when it’s 100+ outside. To make this version, just mix any of the combinations above into 3/4 cups of water or milk; or 1/2 cup of non-fat yogurt (I use plain, but vanilla or another flavor is a great treat) in an airtight container. Mixing pumpkin puree, applesauce, or peanut butter also makes for a great tasting breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. Place the mixture in the fridge and let sit over night or 8 hours. This will be ready to eat right out of the fridge in the morning; you can even grab it and go if running late. Add fresh or frozen fruit when mixing if you want; blueberries, strawberries, banana, or papaya are some of my favorite fruits to add.

This is a simple way to choose a healthier option and maybe enjoy your food more. I always go back and forth with my boss at work as he thinks he “needs” some of these convenience items. S.P., if you’re reading this, hope you give it a try before buying your gourmet instant packs! More healthy and thrifty tips will come in the near future, please continue to follow and share my blog with friend and family!

Essential Oils part 2

2011-08-18T15:56:00.000-07:00

Part 2 of my oils webinar.
Synergy
Is the combining of oils. The reason that we combine the oils?
-Is so that they can work together in the right combination and they will have more frequency.
-The ability to reach various layers and aspects is enhanced.

Fun Fact: All oils are...
a)Anti-Bacterial
b)Anti-fungal
c)Anti-viral
d)Anti-parasitic
e)Anti-septic
Some are more then others but all of the essential oils have some of these and so if you are out and about and you get cut or burned or what ever need to sanitize use what you have until you can get what you need.
Essential oils have been shown in laboratory studies and clinical trials to destroy or seriously inhibit the growth of all bacterial tested.
A few oils and what they are good for
Cinnamon-Huge anti-viral
Candila- Best oil for yeast infections and is an anti-fungal
Fennel- Good to dilate a women when ready to have a baby. (PLEASE do NOT use oils on pregnant ladies unless you know what you are doing!!!)
Sandlewood, Myrrh, Meditation(Frankincense, myrrh, myrtle, rosewood. sandlewood, spruce)is good for MS, and Alzheimer's and other brain related problems. I will explain this a little later probably in part 3
External application: Oils penetrates even the hardened cell walls
When applied to the skin it seeps into your blood system and then can go to any and all parts of the body. Muscles, Nerves, Organs, Joints
It is good to apply oils as close to the problem as possible. So if you are having kidney problems then you will want to rub your oil on your lower back etc.
The beautiful part of oils is that there are no side effects and they cant really hurt you unless you are pregnant.
That is all for this section. I will write again soon

Essential Oils webinar part 1

2011-08-17T20:14:00.000-07:00

Hi all, I just got done listening to a great oils webinar. It gave me a lot of info that I wanted to share. So here is part 1
First they talked about the history of oils
Ayurveda- Oldest Aromatics
Egyptians- Hieroglyphics
Biblical- 188 references
Renaissance- Those who were exposed to the rats which carried the black plague by ship were resistant to the plague because they were also carrying and handling cinnamon and one other spice which I have forgotten. Which gave them a boost in their immune system.
Modern day- 2 ways
*Therapeutic- the use of pure essential oils
*Perfumery- Chemically stabilizing note some people will say that they are allergic to oils because they have broken out or had a bad reaction to them in perfume it is not the oil that they are having a problem with it is the stabilizer that they use in the perfume.
There have been astonishing results in both physically and emotional well-being in those who use oils.
Why?
Because of frequency.
Frequency is the rate or energy of how fast something vibrates. The faster it vibrates or the higher the frequency in our bodies the better we feel and the healthier the body is. Some ways that we loose this frequency is by stress, depression, sugar, white flour, yelling, any negative emotion and unhealthy food.
We can help the frequency on our body by the use of oils.
Oils help stabilize and nurture specific organs and systems.
Oils can be combined into blends that work together to help and compliment each other and their functions.
Frequency is specific for each individual plant
Essential oils are really concentration of plant material
Blossom oils are the most powerful and have the highest frequency that is why they are more expensive.
They can be used topically and aromatically.
Ways that you can use topically
*Massage
*Roller Bottle
*Shampoo and lotions
*Bath
*Spray bottle with water and oil
Aromatically
*On a cotton ball
*On your collar
*In the carpet
*In a defuser
*On your pillow
*Any way that it can get into the air
Other ways to use the oils
*Brush your teeth
*Cooking
*Cleaning
*Any ways that you can imagine
You should not ingest it or take them internally
A few reason you should not ingest them.
*When ingested your stomach acid destroys the molecules and when combine with food becomes impure
*If it was able to get through all of your digestive system unharmed by a jell capsule and made it into the small intestine and into the blood stream it would take 30-45 minutes. Topically and aromatically it takes only moments to absorb into the skin and them only up to 10 minutes to get to the part of the body that it is needed for.
*Ingesting some oils can cause sickness and/or death.

Dilution of oils
Teens and Adults 10-12 drops of carrier oil with 4-5 drops of essential oil
Babies 15-20 drops of carrier oil with 1-2 drops of essential oil
Children 12-15 drops of carrier oil with 2-3 drops of essential oil
Do not mix your carrier oils with your essential oils before hand. The carrier oil will over time break down your essential oil and they will not work as well if at all
When sick or need of your oils for whatever reason use every 4-6 hours
As a preventative use about once a week to twice a day.
Sorry this is so random these are just my notes and so there you go. This is the first part of my lesson in oils. : )
If you are interested in what some of my favorate oils are and what I use them for just hit me with a message and I will contact you when I get some time. : )

2011-08-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

I really wish that my camera would have been able to get this rainbow but here is the best it did.

Here is my childrens bathroom I changed from frogs to this. I love it and so do the kids.

Shenna's cup cakes

2011-08-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

Shenna's birthday cup cakes. :)

Cute hair

2011-07-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

I was looking at videos on youtube about how to perm my hair and I found out how to curl my hair so it kind of looks like a perm but it is not. I really like it.

finished house!! well bottom level anyways,

2011-07-13T07:02:00.000-07:00

Here is the deck that we put on. We still have a few things to do but it is almost done. The slits in the deck by the house that is a window well.

Here is the house all finished. The bottom half anyways. I need to get a latter for the top half.

New house color

2011-07-10T06:39:00.001-07:00

Here is the color that we are painting our house. I have the gray next up is the white and black. Anyone have a latter about 150 ft latter that I can use? : )
What do you think?

2011-06-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was talking with my friend and she was saying that when she tells people that the only thing that she is studying right now is the Book of Mormon and other scripture, that they give her funny looks and they thing that she is crazy. Well, I was reading in my study manual and Pres. Benson actually said
"The book of Mormon helps us discern truth from error:"
"We...Should know the Book of Mormon better than any other book. Not only should we know what history and faith-promoting stories it contains, but we should understand its teachings. If we really do our homework and approach the Book of Mormon doctrinally, we can expose the errors and find the truths to combat many of the current false theories and philosophies of men."
With that said shouldn't we just be studying the Book of Mormon and other doctrine that can help us understand the jewels that lies there in? Shouldn't we study so that we can be close to the spirit and so that we can gain personal revelation? That we can know the pathways that the Lord would have us take?
Also, when we study and ponder what the Lord would have us are we not more likely to stand up for what we believe because the Spirit of the Lord will be with us and help us do what is right. Weather walking out of a movie or standing up and saying we need to change this or I need to leave. Or maybe not something that bad like standing up for a friend or not eating or drinking something when the Lord tells you not to.
For example green tea extract, the world tells you that green tea has a lot of cancer fighting and fat fighting antioxidants in it. Yet the Lord tells us in the Word of Wisdom that tea (hot drinks) are not for the body. Even if you cool it down iced tea or the like is not good for us. No matter what the world may say.
So, if we study the Book of Mormon and the like, as Pres. Benson tells us to then we will be led and guided by the Spirit and the Lord will give us direction and guidance in our lives.
I think that if we all took my friends lead and read and really studied the Book of Mormon and the bible then we would all be a better people. Then we would live more like we know we should. We would be able to live the kind of lives that is pleasing to the Lord and I know that Satin would not have the influence that he does. Not only that but our trials would not seem as bad because we would be able to feel the Spirit of the Lord helping us through our trials and we would become a better people for it.

A few pictures of different things.

2011-06-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

Martha found this little guy hiding behind out garbage can. Couldn't fly but sure wanted to.
I love spring. : )

Here is my first ice cream cake. I think it turned out awesome. The cake was chocolate and the ice cream was strawberry. : )

Here are the girls in their beautiful dresses that their grandma made for them for Easter.

Hi all, It has been a while sense I have been able to update. Life is really crazy right now. We are still doing school and so I cant really get on the computer much. So here are some pictures. Have fun and enjoy.

Steve gave me roses for Mothers day.

2011-05-07T20:16:00.000-07:00

Note the boy!!!! So silly
Corlie took these pictures.

Karissa's unicorn cake

2011-05-07T20:02:00.001-07:00

Here is Karissa's birthday cake. We just got it done today. Every part is edible. I love the little unicorn. I know that Karissa will as well. Enjoy!!!

In Zions

2011-05-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

This is some of the wild life that we saw while in Zions. And the caterpillars are what happens when you stay in one place to long.

Our hike up in St. George

2011-05-03T14:14:00.003-07:00

We went on a few hikes while we were away. I loved this one because of the Temple veiw.

More pictures from our honeymoon

2011-05-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

This is what I would love to have on a smaller skale in my back yard. I love the water trees and grasses. And sense I am wanting to do the aquaponics I am sure that this would work great for the fish part of it. Oh how nice it would be to have something like this in my yard. : ) I think we will start to dig. : )

Part of our 12th year honey moon

2011-04-30T17:19:00.000-07:00

We went up to Zions for part of our vacation and I got Steve on a horse. If you knew how scared he was of doing this you would realize how awesome this is. He got bucked off of a horse and never got back on. Anyways, we had a blast and it was a "life changing experience."
More to come later. : )

Martha's 11th birthday

2011-03-06T18:09:00.000-08:00

Her cake. We did sing and blow out candles but I let Steve be in charge of the camera and so he didn't get the picture. He claims that something want wrong with the camera. Oh well. Here is the pic after the fact.

Best friends :)

Her earings. So cute :P Steve said that he thought that 11 was an ok age to get earings so she was sooooo excited and loves them.

Steve was excited to climb the wall. He was waving to Karissa I am sure who was on the frog ride. LOL

He picked a really hard area and so he didn't get as far up as he would have liked.

Shenna with Dippin Dots. :P

Cutest smile ever!!!! She LOVED the Dots. She ate hers plus whatever Karissa left which was like half. Plus a bite of the other kids.

Daniel climbing the wall.

So we didn't do our usual birthday for Martha. We decided to go and play at Trafalga fun center. It is in Lehi and it was a good time. Karissa LOVED the frog ride. She went on that ride probably 30+ times. LOL So cute. In fact we told the kids two more rides so they chose to go on the rock wall so we told them just that one activity because it takes so long for them to go through the line and Karissa got to go on the frog ride like 10 times or so. I think she got the better deal of all. Anyways, It was a lot of fun then we came home and had cheese cake which she wanted to have instead of a cake. : ) It was nice that I didn't have to worry about a cake for her. Well, we were all really tired and ready to go by the time we left. In the summer we will probably go again when the outside rides are open as well. Cute part of the day for Shenna was she got to eat Dippin Dots for the first time that was so cute to watch her reaction. Wish I could have gotten a better picture but I got what I got. Enjoy the pictures. : )

Homemade chocolate chips

2011-03-02T19:55:00.000-08:00

Still in the hardening process. But doesn't it look good!?!

Steve's words "Those are really good."

So I needed a chocolate fix tonight. Sometimes we just need those and I had no chocolate chips in the house and felt like chocolate covered nuts so I got on the net and found this recipe.

Homemade Chocolate chips

1/2 c cocoa powder
1/2 c sucanat or rapadura
1 c coconut oil or butter
1T vanilla

Place all but the vanilla in a glass jar. Place a pan with water on the stove and turn it on to high till it starts to get the little bubbles on the bottom of the pan turn down to medium heat and place your jar of goodness in the pan. This acts as a double broiler. Let sit for about 5 min stir and let sit again for another few minutes stir do this till your butter is melted. Place the vanilla in the mixture and place in a wax lined pan and smooth out evenly. There will be sucanant crystals but it doesn't make a difference cool in fridge for a few hours or until hard then break up and bake your cookies with them or just eat.

Inspire not require and a little bragging. :)

2011-02-25T12:29:00.000-08:00

So I have been really impressed lately on how well inspire not require has been working. Daniel has started to read and is doing ok and Karissa comes to me almost every day and asks to learn to read she is starting to sound things out and because Shenna is there she also wants a turn so I am teaching my 2 year old the sounds of letters. I love that we are a reading family. I am also really impressed with my two older girls. I do not know what reading level Cor is at so I got a Leven Thump book and she is reading it with no difficulty and I read on the net that it is a 4.6 grade level. In school she would be in 3rd. I have a feeling she is more like a 5-6 grade level. Martha is not quite there but she will get there I have no doubt. Is she continues to follow her sisters lead. Then in no time we will all become great readers and have a thirst for knowledge. I love it in the morning I get up and tell the girls that it is time to get up. When I go in there to get them up again to make sure that they are getting dressed both of my girls are reading in bed. Some times they don't eat breakfast till 10:30 because they just cant put the books down. We went to the library today and when we got home the girls vanished. LOL I went to Cors room and there they were, both with their nose in a book. It makes me happy. I know that they are not classics but I am just glad to have them reading every chance they get. The classics we will read together for now and when they are ready to read them on their own that will be great. I think any reading is great reading for now.
We were packing to go on a trip and my girls tried to pack all of their books. :) Who needs clothes right? LOL. I had to tell them only 3 books each for our week trip.
I love that they are reading and that my younger kids want to start having love of learning days. It makes me think that I am not going to mess them up after all.:) Which of coarse is a good thing.
Above are how I found my girls after the library. Enjoy.

Daniel's cake

2011-02-18T18:36:00.000-08:00

I just got done with daniel's cake. What do you think?

Home made can rotator

2011-02-16T21:28:00.000-08:00

I got the instructions on how to make a can rotator on the net at www.foodstoragemadeeasy.net and here is what it looks like. LOVE IT I am going to make a ton of these to keep the new stuff in the back and the old stuff up front. Each one of these holds 8 cans if you dont use the very top and 12 if you do. : ) I still need to paint them. We shall see if that happens.

Corlies birthday party

2011-02-16T21:11:00.000-08:00

The cake and the birthday girl. Amazingly enough I got the cake done in a day then just had to put the "palm" leaves on tonight. So here is the finished product. Tomorrow I will be making Daniel's moon cake. So look for more cakes in the next few days. : )
Instead of a goody bag we made candy lays because she wanted a tropical birthday. I likes the idea. Even better is when Jared and Kellie came over and took over that little project so that I could get the pizza out. : ) Thanks guys.

The gifts. : ) Kellie found all but one of the Narnia series so one of us will get her the one that is missing. Then she will have her own set. We are loving these books. She is also into the Magic tree house books and loves all of them!!!!! They are way to easy for her but if she loves them I dont mind her reading them. : )

We had a good time tonight. I am glad that it is over however. Now tomorrow is Daniel's then I am done for a while as we (the 2 oldest and me) are going to go to a hotel to have a girls outing. : ) I am so excited about her birthday.: ) Anyways, here is pics of Cor's day. She got a whole trundle of books. It is a good thing that she asked for a book shelf for her birthday so that she has a nice place to keep all of her books. : ) She also got a bead making kit and her and Daniel are going to combine their birthdays to get a tramp. : ) Glad that they said yes to that one

Are you just reading to them?

2011-02-16T20:57:00.000-08:00

Mary Cassatt, "Reading to Children"

So much has been said about the importance of reading to our kids; and those of us who do can attest that it’s a formative experience–on so many levels:

* Bonding
* Laughing
* Making memories
* A shared language
* Gratitude
* Reliving the past
* Pity and compassion
* Empathy for others
* Tenderness
* Shared stories/quotes/inside jokes
* Moments of transparency and unguarded confiding
* Feelings of righteous outrage and commitment to make a difference
* Self discovery and desire to improve
* Exploring new ideas/places/words/peoples/images
* Connecting with our ancestors/predecessors
* Deepened affection for family
* –and so much more…

It occurred to me one day last week, when I was teaching a little lesson for a group of friends and their kids (we take weekly turns for an hour of class before the kids play together), that I do something a little more than just reading. It’s one of those things that comes so naturally that sometimes you forget to even comment on it or suggest it to others.
pig3 February 2011 Inspire!

Odenbach

As I taught our little group about the the power of stories to help us “Remember”, I retold the traditional folktale of the 3 Little Pigs–not the Disney version, but the one where the piggies actually get gobbled up because their houses were not made to last. And then I did what I always do: I started to ask questions about the story.

We had a discussion about it. In technical mentoring terms, we had a “debriefing.” It took longer to discuss the story and listen to the responses from the kids and their moms than it did to tell the thing, and it could have gone on for three times as long. There is so much to talk about when you have a good quality story!

I found a version on the web that’s really close to the one I read to the kids. You can view it here. (Click on the arrows at the bottom of each illustrated panel to “turn the page”.)

Some of the things we discussed:

* Why did the piggies leave their first home?
* Where did the little pigs get the materials to build their houses?
* Does it seem strange that the man gave away the straw/wood/bricks just because the pigs needed them and asked for them–without paying?
* Do you think the man would have given away the materials if they hadn’t asked?
* Who in our lives gives us what we need, just because we ask?
* Why is asking an important part of that process?
* How did the pigs get the houses? [They built them]
* How much did they cost? [Only the cost of their labor]
* So basically, they all cost the pigs the same amount; which house was the most valuable, and why?
* Why would a pig ask for free materials of lesser value, and put his effort into building a house that doesn’t actually do what a house should do–protect and shelter?
* Do we ever ask for things that aren’t of lasting value?
* Do we ever put our effort into things that don’t serve our interests? How/What?
* Did the unfortunate piggies try to avoid the wolf? Why were they unable to do so? [Because they had not prepared adequately]
* Did the wise piggy try to avoid the wolf? How? [He put in extra effort to use the resources he had been freely given by the man so that the wolf wouldn't be able to enter his home. He also made plans and sacrifices in an effort to never be in the same place with the wolf when he had to leave his home.]
* What happened to the foolish piggies? Does misfortune ever come to those who mean well but do less than they could?
* How does this apply to us?

barros book war love February 2011 Inspire!

Source: Skeptically.org

There are many more questions that could come from such a story. But obviously, just any old version of the story doesn’t provide such fertile thought. Some common versions are stripped of the details that make this one such a great discussion. This is why we recur to the classics. They stay around generation after generation, retelling after retelling, because they have more than a bossy moral at the end; they have myriad open questions embedded in the details.

Not all stories are created equal; not all reading times are created equal. It sort of brings to mind the computer science term, “Garbage in, garbage out.” The common acronym is: GIGO. It means, the quality of output is determined by the quality of input. How many times have we pulled out our hair in frustration because our computer (or vacuum, or car, or…) isn’t reliably doing what we need it to do? Somewhere in the programming, design, construction or planned obsolescence of the tool we were confronted with its limitations. And yet, a sleek, well designed program can really make your life a dream and simplify your work; and there’s nothing as quite so glorious as a vacuum or car that you absolutely love!

When it comes to family reading time (or personal reading, or leisure pursuits), are we choosing materials freely available to us that don’t serve our interests? Are we putting in the time and effort, but getting inferior results?

GIGO. The lesson of the 3 Pigs tells us this:

* Choose the highest quality materials
* Put in the extra effort to put them to work (Don’t just read; interact. Don’t just lecture; listen.)
* Shun, dismiss and expel the influences that distract, compete or deceive

GettyFamilyReading February 2011 Inspire!I think sometimes moms and dads feel overwhelmed, frustrated or disillusioned with their family’s education and have no idea that the fix could be as simple as having a family reading time with a great classic. Consider: if I had chosen a different version of the 3 Little Pigs, what kind of discussion might have ensued? How might I have spent that 30 minutes? What additional effort or floundering might I have gone to, and never had such an enriching and bonding experience with my kids and friends?

To my way of thinking, it would have been a lot harder, and a lot less fulfilling. When we’re engaged with a great classic, I don’t have to have 7 different lessons going on for 7 different kids at home. They each take from that experience something that applies to them specifically. In fact, my 18-year-old daughter happened to pass by the parlor while I was leading the 3 Pigs discussion and she stayed to take it in. It was every bit as interesting and relevant for her as it was for my neighbor’s 4 year old. She commented to me afterward that she hadn’t realized how much there was to think about in that story! My response: that’s the power of classics and mentors. GIGO. Quality in, quality out.

And in this case, quality also translates to all the wonderful feelings and experiences I listed at the beginning of this article. After such a discussion, the natural result is a spirit of harmony and productivity that never fails to lead to other wonderful projects and happy times throughout the rest of the day. Isn’t that more productive and less stressful than the alternative?

What do you think will happen to your family’s education when you input the classics and debrief with interactive listening? What will the output be? Sounds like a good time to employ the scientific method….

Corlies cake almost done.

2011-02-14T17:15:00.000-08:00

I have been working on this today. Still need to get on the palm leaves but besides that it is done. :)

Hello kitty cake

2011-02-04T20:46:00.000-08:00

Here is my latest cake. It has been a while sense I have done any cakes so here is my latest cake. I had Kellie write because her hand writing is better. LOL!!!!

Oatmeal

2011-02-03T08:32:00.001-08:00

This should be on my health blog but I love it so much that I am going to post it here.
One of my favorite ways to eat oatmeal is.....
1/2 C uncooked oatmeal and 1/2 C water.
Microwave for 2-3 min. until the water is gone.

3 drops lemon extract from Doterra. Contact me if you need some. : )
Or 1/2 tsp orange flavoring. The lemon is better. : )
1/4 C craisins
1/2 C almond vanilla flavored
2 tsp agave nectar
Mix and enjoy. Try the oatmeal before you add the agave. It may not need it depending on your sweet tolerance.

We also love chopped banana's in it with cinnamon, or frozen blueberries in the oatmeal when you cook it so that the blueberries are hot with almonds. It would be great with almond extract or lemon and poppy seeds. Mmmmm We like to pretend that we are eating healthy muffins. You get the taste and not the sugar or any thing refined. : )
Did you know that when you eat whole foods your system has to work harder and so you burn more calories. : ) Yes you heard that right. Eat healthy and burn fat because your system has to work to digest. : ) I learned that yesterday. : ) AND LOVE IT!!!!!

My kids on the piano. Getting better every day.

2011-01-29T07:36:00.000-08:00

My living room

2011-01-26T11:57:00.001-08:00

I still need another can of paint for the rest of the room and my little hallway by the front door but here is what the main room looks like.

Love this and why we dont watch much TV. : )

2011-01-26T11:15:00.000-08:00

This link is incredible and a must read it only takes a minute and it explains why I don't watch very much TV any more. The only time that we watch TV is when the babysitte is here. And Steve and I will on occasion for date night. But maybe that is even to much. Something for me to think about.

http://saraweaver.blogspot.com/2011/01/charlie-and-chocolate-factory.html

I cant figure out how to put this link on so that you can just click it so you are going to have to copy and past. But it is really good and I suggest you read it.
I will keep working to figure out how to just click on it.

2011-01-14T16:56:00.000-08:00

The pattern was a little big but this was my first time sewing a dress. Well, really sewing anything. I love it and will be making all of the girls one or more of these. Got to make one for Corlie that fits better. But she loves it. Thanks Kellie for coming over and helping me. It was a great time. : )

Conquering the storms...... of life

2011-01-06T05:03:00.000-08:00

My daughter came home with a piece of paper and said that she really liked this painting. I love Kinkade as well. So I took a look at it and the title of this painting is conquering the storms. I thought about this name and then I looked at the picture. In the sea there is a boat. Then I thought about what it could signify. We are the boat. The harsh water is the world and Christ is the light house who will guide us safely home. I love that behind the light house is a beautiful cozy warm house. If we can just battle through the storms of life and follow Christs light we will be able to make it home to His presents again. What a wondrous day that will be. I cant wait to show the kids this picture and share with them what I come to by looking at this picture. I may have to get my hands on this one.

Princess and the goblin by George Mcdonald

2010-12-30T20:56:00.000-08:00

We just finished Princess and the goblin by George McDonald. It was such a great story. It had a lot of adventure in it. Not just for girl this is a great story with a brave boy and a magical great great great grandmother. I cant tell you all that happens because I don't want to spoil it for you. A really great book and will read it again to my kids. I think that this is on my list of favorites for kids classics. We really loved it, and after we got to one part of the book I had to finish it with the kids in one sitting. My jaw is tired from all of the reading that I did. Great book really on my top 10 list for kids lit.

Wheat Flour Tortillas with Maria J. Ronquillo

2010-12-29T08:27:00.000-08:00

These tortillas are REALLY good! Thought that Id share. : )

2010-12-27T08:50:00.000-08:00

For a FHE we went to see the lights at temple square with our friends. This is on the street outside of the temple grounds.
I love this area. It is the reflection pool and in the middle of it is Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in a manger. Beautiful!!!!
Temple. Who wouldn't want to be married in a castle like this? This is what I tell my children. : )
This is on the side of the reflection pool.
Me.

These are our friends that are like family to us. : ) Jared, Audry, Caden, Delton, and Morgan.

Home made raw caramel dip

2010-12-22T18:21:00.000-08:00

1 C raw cashews
1 C medjool dates pitted about 8-10
1/4 C agave
2 tsp vanilla
pinch sea salt

Place cashews in water and cover for2-3 hours
in another bowl place dates in water and soak for 2-3 hours
drain nuts and dates save the date water
in blender combine everything and add 6-8 Tbsp of date water
blend till smooth and serve with apples.
I cant wait to try this one. : )

RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms

2010-12-16T18:48:00.000-08:00

Bringing the true meaning of Christmas back

2010-12-16T08:17:00.000-08:00

So this year our Christmas is looking a bit different. We are focusing more on Christ then in Santa. We celebrate Christmas because it is Christs birthday. So we are not doing Santa at all this year. We are doing 3 presents that represents the 3 gifts give to Christ by the wise men. On Christmas we will sit the kids down and read the story of Christs birth and when the wise men give their gifts we will pause and give the gifts to our kids. So what are the gifts? The first is something that they need (gold) the second is something that they want (frankincense) that something homemade (myrrh).

We also are doing a stocking for Christ. It is white and on Christmas eve we will put in our gifts to Christ in the stocking. Our gifts are not temporal they are ways that we can better ourselves and bring us closer to Him. They are things like pray night and day from now on, or scripture study daily, or stop using unkind words, or not yelling anymore, or keep the house cleaner so that the Spirit can dwell in the house. Those type of things.

We also are doing a 12 days of Christmas secret Santa to a family. That shows the kids that it is not about what we get but what we can give to others and not get recognition for it.

So these are the things that we are doing that I hope are showing the kids what the true meaning of Christmas is.

So why am I doing the Christ and forgetting the Santa? I hear once and it made sense to me that when we focus so much on Santa and not on Christ that when the kids find out that there is not Santa and that it was all just make believe then they have a tendency to also think that Christ also make believe. They never saw Santa and he was supposed to be filled with love, kindness, unselfishness, giving, and every thing else that he represents. Yet he is not real. Christ if also filled with those things and the kids never have seen Him ether so how can Christ be real if Santa is not. I feel like that was a truth when I heard it and it made sense to me. Besides my little Corlie 2 years ago figured out that there was not a Santa and she did it in front of the other kids and so I told them all that it was just a fun game that parents like play. They were ok with that and so the transition to this kind of Christmas was easy for me. : )

Well, I hope that these are some ideas that you can use to help you and your family get back to the true meaning of Christmas. We also read a Christmas devotional everyday here is the link to that. You can start now and still get some great stories in.

http://hccl.byu.edu/faculty/HuntsmanE/Seasonal-eh/Advent/Christmas%20Season%20Book%20complete

Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

2010-12-14T11:04:00.000-08:00

Youth book list.

2010-12-14T07:45:00.000-08:00

Classics for Young Readers

These are the kind of books that I like to read to my kids. : )

ForSupport and Resources, click here.

Here is an introductory list of books that may be of interest to the Love of Learning, Transition to Scholar and Scholar children; please review and categorize according to your family’s criteria of appropriate literature.

Check out these titles at your library!
An Amazon.com link* is provided for your convenience so you can learn more about each title, read customer reviews, or purchase, if you want to buy your own copy.

*Affiliate links: While your price remains the same, any purchases made on Amazon.com that originate from these links result in tjed.org receiving a portion of the proceeds. So if you’re planning to shop Amazon, please start here! Thanks for supporting TJEd.

Alice In Wonderland, Carroll
Animal Farm, Orwell
Asimov on Numbers, Asimov
The Anne of Green Gablesseries, Montgomery
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
“Battle Hymn of the Republic“, Julia Ward Howe
Ben-Hur, Wallace, Johnson
The Bible (click here for a list of passages itemized by story/content)
Brighty: Of the Grand Canyon, Henry
Black Beauty, Sewell
The Black Stallion series, Farley
The Chronicles of Narnia series, Lewis
Collected Works of Edgar A. Guest
“The Concord Hymn“, Emerson
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Twain
The Constitution of the United States
David Copperfield, Dickens
Davy Crockett Legends
The Declaration of Independence
The Diary of a Young Girl, Frank
Don Quixote, Cervantes
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Stevenson
Dred Scott Decision
The Education of Henry Adams, Adams
Eight Cousins, Alcott
Emily Post’s Etiquette
“In Flanders Fields“, McCrae
Flatland, Abbott
The Foundation series, Asimov
Frankenstein, Shelley
“The Gettysburg Address,” Lincoln
“The War Inevitable”, Henry
The Great Brain series, Fitzgerald
Gulliver’s Travels, Swift
Mythology, Hamilton
“Hamlet,” Shakespeare
Heidi, Spyri
The Hiding Place, Boom
History Reborn, Anderson
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Twain
“I Have A Dream,” King
Ivanhoe, Scott
The Hobbit, Tolkein
Island of the Blue Dolphins, O’Dell
Joan of Arc, Twain
Jo’s Boys, Alcott
Journey to the Center of the Earth, Verne
“Julius Caesar,” Shakespeare
The Jungle Book, Kipling
King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table
Laddie, Porter
The Last of the Mohicans, Cooper
“Let America Be America Again,” Hughes
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates
The Little Britchesseries, Moody
Little Lord Fauntleroy, Frances Hodgson Burnett
Little Men, Alcott
Little Women, Alcott
The Lonesome Gods, L’Amour
The Lord of the Rings series, Tolkein
“The Man with the Hoe,” Markham
Mathematicians Are People, Too (2 volumes), Reimer
Moby-Dick, Melville
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
National Velvet, Bagnold
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the English Language; see also: Online 1828 Dictionary
North to Freedom, Holm
“O Captain! My Captain!,” Whitman
“Old Ironsides,” Holmes
Old Yeller, Gipson
Oliver Twist, Dickens
Paul Bunyan and Other Tall Tales
The Phantom Tollbooth, Juster
“The Present Crisis,” Lowell
“The Road Not Taken,” Frost
The Real Benjamin Franklin, Allison
The Real George Washington, Parry
The Real Thomas Jefferson, Allison
The Robe, Douglas
Robinson Crusoe, Defoe
The Sackett Series, L’Amour
Saxon Mathseries
The Secret Garden, Burnett
Soldiers, Statesmen & Heroes, Parry
Shakespeare’s Sonnets
Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers, Kavanaugh
Stuart Little, White
Summer of the Monkeys, Rawls
The Swiss Family Robinson, Wyss
Tom Sawyer, Twain
Treasure Island, Stevenson
The Trumpet of the Swan, White
The Doctor Dolittleseries, Lofting
White Fang, London
The story of William Tell
Where the Red Fern Grows, Rawls

Adult classic book list from TJEd.

2010-12-14T07:43:00.001-08:00

Classics for Adults

For Support and Resources, click here.

Here is an introductory list of books that you might want to include on your list of classics.

Acton, The History of Freedom
John Adams, “Thoughts on Government”
Aquinas, “On Kingship”
Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics
Aristotle, Politics
Aristotle, Rhetoric
Augustine, The City of God
Aurelius, Meditations
Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Austen, Sense and Sensibility
Bacon, Novum Organum
Bastiat, The Law
Bastiat, “That Which Is Seen and That Which Is Not Seen”
Benson, “The Proper Role of Government”
The Bible [click here for an itemized list of stories from the Bible]
Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy
Bronte, Wuthering Heights
Bronte, Jane Eyre
Carson, The American Tradition
Capra, The Tao of Physics
Chesterton, Orthodoxy
Churchill, Collected Speeches
Cicero, The Republic and The Laws
Clausewitz, On War
Confucius, The Analects
Constitution of the United States
Copernicus, On the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres
Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Dante, The Divine Comedy
The Declaration of Independence
Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
Descartes, A Discourse on the Method
Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
Dickens, Great Expectations
Douglas, Magnificent Obsession
Durant, The Story of Civilization (11 Volume Set)
Einstein, Relativity
Emerson, Essays
Euclid, Elements
Frank, Alas, Babylon
Franklin, Letters and Writings
Freud, Civilization and Its Discontents
Galileo, Two New Sciences
Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Goethe, Faust
Hobbes, Leviathan
Homer, The Iliad
Homer, The Odyssey
Hugo, Les Miserables
Hume, Essays Moral, Political, and Literary
Jefferson, Letters, Speeches and Writings
Keegan, A History of Warfare
Kepler, Epitome
Martin Luther King, Jr., Collected Speeches
Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Lavoisier, Elements of Chemistry
Lewis, Mere Christianity
Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
Lewis, The Weight of Glory
Lincoln, Great Speeches
Locke, Second Treatise Of Government
Machiavelli, The Prince
Madison, Hamilton and Jay, The Federalist Papers
Marx and Engels, The Communist Manifesto
More, Utopia
The Magna Charta
Mill, On Liberty
Milton, Paradise Regained
Mises, Human Action
The Monroe Doctrine
Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws
Newton, Mathematical Principles
Nicomachus, Introduction to Arithmetic
Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil
The Northwest Ordinance
Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four
Plato, Complete Works
Polybius, The Histories
Potok, The Chosen
Plutarch, Lives
Ptolemy, Almagest
Shakespeare, Complete Works
Skousen, The 5000 Year Leap
Skousen, The Majesty of God’s Law
Skousen, The Making of America
Smith, The Wealth of Nations
Solzhenitsyn, “A World Split Apart”
Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago
Sophocles, The Oedipus Trilogy
Stowe, Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Sun Tzu, The Art Of War
Thackeray, Vanity Fair
Thoreau, Walden
Tolstoy, War And Peace
Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War
Tocqueville, Democracy in America
Washington, Letters, Speeches and Writings
Weaver, The Mainspring of Human Progress
Wister, The Virginian

TJEd Book list for children

2010-12-14T07:38:00.001-08:00

Classics for Young Children and Family Reading

For Support and Resources, click here.

There is treasure in the shared experience of family reading. Nothing can compare with the time we spend together–hands busy and mouths still–listening to a beloved story.

Here are some ideas for titles that can be read together as a family, or for very young readers. Some are more appropriate for Core Phase, some for Love of Learning, etc. You be the expert on your family!

Aesop’s Fables
Andersen’s Fairy Tales
Beauty and the Beast
The Besty-Tacy Series
The Bible (click here for suggested passages for young children)
The Blind Men and the Elephant
“Casey at the Bat”
Charlotte’s Web
Chicken Little
A Christmas Carol (can be scary–use discretion or paraphrase as needed)
Cinderella
Dinotopia Series
Dr. Seuss books
The Emperor’s New Clothes
The Story Of The Other Wise Man
The Gift of the Magi
The Giving Tree
“God Save the Flag”
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
The Goose that Laid Golden Eggs
Grimm’s Fairy Tales
“The Highwayman”
Hansel and Gretel
Jack and the Beanstalk
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
“Lincoln, The Man of the People”
Little Boy Blue
The Little Engine That Could
The Little House Series
The Little Red Hen
Little Red Riding Hood
McGuffey’s Readers
Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes
“Paul Revere’s Ride
Perloo The Bold
Peter Pan
Peter Rabbit
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
Pinocchio
Pollyanna
The Princess and the Pea
Puss in Boots
Rapunzel
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Rip Van Winkle
Robin Hood
Rumpelstiltskin
Rudyard Kiplng’s Just So Stories
Sleeping Beauty
The Song of Hiawatha
Snow White
Tales from the Arabian Nights
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
The Three Little Pigs
The Ugly Duckling
Tom Thumb
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
The Wind in the Willows
Winnie-the-Pooh
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Adult math book list

2010-12-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

Plato, Timaeus; First mathematical treatise of western thought
Aristotle, Analytica Priora et Posteriora; System of deductive logic and method
Euclid, The Elements (in three volumes); Exhaustive compliation of Greek geometry
Archimedes, The Sand Reckoner; Introduces base-ten system, principle of the logarithm
Archimedes, Method; Foundation of integral calculus
Apollonius, Conic Sections; Exhaustive work on the conic sections
Nicomachus, Introduction to Arithmetic; Compilation of arithmetic principles
Ptolemy, The Almagest; Greek trigonometry used to record star positions
al-Khowarizmi, al-jabr w’al-muqabalah; First treatise on algebra and Hindu-Arabic numerals
Fibonacci, Libro di bacci; Introduces Hindu-Arabic numerals to Europe
da Vinci, Linear Perspective; The mathematical elements of painting
Stevin, La Disme; Systematic treatment of decimal fractions
Cardano, Ars Magna; Solves cubic and bi-quadratic equations, imaginary numbers
Galileo, Two New Sciences; Challenges Aristotle’s law of falling bodies
Descartes, Geometry; Lays the foundation of analytical geometry
Fermat, On the Theory of Probabilities; Pascal lays the foundation of probability
Newton, The Principia; Invention of calculus and defines gravity
Bernoulli, Law of Large Numbers; Lays the foundation of statistics
Euler, Seven Bridges of Konigsberg; Lays the foundation of topology
La Place, Celestial Mechanics; Applies calculus to heavenly orbits
La Place (Sommerville translation), Celestial Mechanics [click here for online text]; Expansion of La Place’s work
Boole, Symbolic Logic; Discovery of symbolic and boolean logic
Abbott, Flatland; Fictional work about mathematical dimensions
Poincare, Chance; Probability and statistics [click here for online text]
Poincare, Mathematical Creation; How to create mathematics
Mendeleev, Periodic Law of the Chemical Elements; Lays the foundation for the periodic table
Whitehead, Principia Mathematica; Deepest study of the foundations of mathematics
Polya, How to Solve It; Problem solving
Jeans, Science and Music; Lays the foundation for the physics of music
von Neumann, Games and Economic Behavior; Lays the foundation of game theory

Living math list

2010-12-14T07:27:00.000-08:00

I have some of the Sir. Comference books and I love them. : )

Check out these titles at your library!
An Amazon.com link is provided for your convenience so you can learn more about each title, read customer reviews, or purchase, if you want to buy your own copy.

Affiliate links: While your price remains the same, any purchases made on Amazon.com that originate from these links result in tjed.org receiving a portion of the proceeds. So if you’re planning to shop Amazon, please start here! Thanks for supporting TJEd.

Donald in Mathmagic Land (DVD)
Anno, Anno’s Counting Book
Anno, Anno’s Journey
Anno, Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar
Anno, Anno’s USA
Anno, All in a Day
Anno, Anno’s Magic Seeds
Anno, Anno’s Magical ABC: An Anamorphic Alphabet
Burns, Greedy Triangle
Burns, Spaghetti And Meatballs For All!
Calvert, Multiplying Menace: The Revenge Of Rumpelstiltskin (A Math Adventure)
Ellis, What’s Your Angle, Pythagoras?
Lee, 5-Minute Math Problem of the Day
McKellar, Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss
McKellar, Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail
Neuschwander, Amanda Bean’s Amazing Dream
Neuschwander, Mummy Math: An Adventure in Geometry
Neuschwander, Patterns in Peru: An Adventure in Patterning
Neuschwander, Pastry School in Paris: An Adventure in Capacity
Neuschwander, Sir Cumference and All the King’s Tens
Neuschwander, Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone
Neuschwander, Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter
Neuschwander, Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi
Neuschwander, Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland
Neuschwander, Sir Cumference and the First Round Table
Scieszka, Math Curse
Tang, The Best Of Times
Tang, Grapes Of Math
Tang, Math Appeal (Mind-Stretching Math Riddles)
Tang, Math Fables
Tang, Math Fables Too
Tang, Math For All Seasons
Tang, Math Potatoes: Mind-stretching Brain Food
Tang , Math-terpieces
Schmidt, The Life of Fred (everything!)

Princess Academy

2010-12-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

We just finished Princess Academy. It was one of the best books that I have read. And the girls loved it so much that they would not let me put it down. A chapter would end and they would beg for another one. This is the first book that I have read to them that they have done that. Even with Fablehaven and Peter Pan they did not ask for more. It was such a GREAT book. A must read and I am recommending this one to EVERYONE!!!!!

2010-12-01T08:42:00.000-08:00

Homemade Advent Calendar
by Carletta on November 30, 2010
Around this time last year, we were counting down the days until our new baby arrived. This year, we’re counting down the days until Christmas with this homemade advent calendar.

You can make this calendar in less than one hour using materials you already have in your home.
Supplies:
white posterboard
red construction paper
green construction paper
yellow construction paper
brown construction paper
glue
scissors
Instructions:
Print the tree, ornament, star and gingerbread patterns. Cut out the patterns, and trace them onto colored construction paper.
Cut out 24 pairs of shapes, making a total of 48. Staple each pair together in the upper left corner.
Glue the back of each pair of shapes to the poster board. Leave the top shape free so you can write on the inside.
Print and cut out the advent numbers. Glue the numbers to the front of each pair of shapes.
Write a Bible verse, the name of an activity or the location of a surprise inside each shape. Use a small piece of tape to keep the shape closed until the day you are to open it.

Printables:
Christmas Tree and Ornament Patterns

Star Pattern

Gingerbread Pattern

Advent Numbers

Using Your Calendar:
Write an instruction inside each shape. Our calendar contains a mix of the locations of inexpensive treats like stickers or candy (for example, “Look in the Sandbox”), and activities that I have planned, such as “Make Christmas Cards,” “Bake Cookies with Mom,” and “Ice Skating at the Mall.”
If you run out of ideas, read 25 Things to Do Leading Up to Christmas

If you want to keep your calendar focused on Christ, fill each day with Bible verses that present the Christmas story.
Enjoy!

Here are some scirptures that you can use.
Biblical Advent Calendar: Countdown to Christmas Idea

Dec. 1 John 1: 1-5

Dec. 2 Isaiah 9: 2-7

Dec. 3 Isaiah 11: 1-10

Dec. 4 Jeremiah 33: 14-16

Dec. 5 Luke 1: 5-10

Dec. 6 Luke 1: 11-17

Dec. 7 Luke 1: 18-25

I started a new yahoo group

2010-11-27T23:44:00.000-08:00

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/learn_about_food_storage/

This group is for all of you out there who want to do more with your food storage or who what to know what the heck to do with it. I just got put in as the emergency preparedness specialist in my ward and I am really excited to share what I learn as well as hear your tips and tricks. Please go and check me out and sign up so that we can learn and grow together. : )

Day 23 of gratitude journal

2010-11-24T06:54:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for early mornings. I love to have quiet time to study and pray and meditate before the kids wake up. Getting up is usually really hard for me but when I actually do it. I love the mornings even better then the nights. When I get enough sleep the day is new and the stresses of the day are not on my mind at the beginning of the day. I actually really love it and I have more time then at night before I go to bed.

Day 23 of gratitude journal

2010-11-23T17:25:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for my discussion groups even though I as quiting 2 of them. (Crying) I am still going to read the lit and books. I am just not going to go to the discussion part unless I am totally free. I was just called to be the emergency preparedness specialist. And I had gotten to busy. I was going to 3 groups 2 callings and 2 church activities and that was just me. With Steve being Bishop I needed to do a clean up of my activities. (Sill crying) But I am grateful for my book clubs and my callings and my discussion groups. These groups keep me learning things that I would not learn if it were not for them. So I am grateful for them. I am grateful for the wonderful people that I have met through them. There are so many wonderful people out there and I am lucky enough to get to know a few of the many.

Day 22 of gratitude journal

2010-11-22T14:30:00.000-08:00

I am so grateful for the scriptures. I heard once that prayer is how we communicate with God and the scriptures are how He communicates with us. I think that is true. A lot of our problems can be solved by reading out of these wonderful books. If you don't find your answer out of these books then reading them will bring you closer to the Spirit of the Lord and you will be in tune with His promptings and will for you.

Day 21 of gratitude journal

2010-11-21T18:45:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for prayer. We are so blessed to have communication with our Heavenly Father. He loves us so much and He wants to hear from us. He sent us to this earth but provided a way to say in contact with us. I am so grateful that we were not left alone here on this earth. And that we have a way to communicate with Him.

Day 20 of gratitude journal

2010-11-20T16:03:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for the opportunities to serve others.

Day 19 of gratitude journal

2010-11-19T13:20:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of my talents that I have

This lovely lady was my first opportunity to doula.
I love birth it is the most beautiful thing and a very natural process. There is nothing more beautiful then seeing the process of one of our Heavenly Fathers children coming into this world.
I have not taken classes for photography but I would love to one of these days develop this skill. I need more lenses and a new battery to do this. Oh well. I don't think that I am that bad. This was a sun rise.

Baking and cooking. I can bake almost any thing. Some times it takes a few tries but I usually get it down. I am a good cook. : )

This was my second cake. Over time I think that I am getting pretty good at this. Below are some more of the cakes that I have done.

For a funeral

Friends B-day

Karbears birthday cake. She had a tea party: )

Painting. I love to paint. It is my out when I am having a hard time. That is if we can afford the paint.

I am sure that I have more some where. LOL I just cant seem to find them. :D J/K I don't want you all to feel inadequate. LOL Ok I'll stop now.

I am grateful for all of my talents. I am grateful for the discovery of new ones as well as the ones that I already know that I have. I am also grateful for the talents of others. : )

Day 18 of gratitude journal

2010-11-18T07:55:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for the living prophet. I am so grateful for our prophet Pres. Monson. I am grateful to live on the earth at a time when we have a living prophet to lead and guide us. We are so blessed to have him on the earth today to lead and guide us. As well as his counselors and the general authorities of the church.

Here is a little bit about him. Enjoy.
President Thomas S. Monson
Thomas Spencer Monson (born August 21, 1927) is the 16th and current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). As president of the church, Monson is considered by adherents to be a prophet, seer, and revelator of God's will on earth. A printer by trade, Monson has spent most of his life engaged in various church leadership positions and in public service. Appointed by Ronald Reagan to the President's Task Force for Private Sector Initiatives, Monson is also a recipient of the Boy Scouts of America's Silver Buffalo and the World Organization of the Scout Movement's Bronze Wolf—both awards the highest given in each organization. Monson has received three honorary doctorates and serves as Chairman of the Church Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System.Monson was ordained an apostle at age 36 and served as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from March 12, 1995 until he became President of the Church. He succeeded Gordon B. Hinckley as church president on February 3, 2008.BiographyMonson was born on August 21, 1927, in Salt Lake City, Utah to G. Spencer Monson (1901–1979) and Gladys Condie (1902–1973). The second of six children, he grew up in a "tight-knit" family—many of his mother's relatives living on the same street and the extended family frequently going on trips together. The family's neighborhood included several residents of Mexican descent, an environment in which he says he developed a love for the Mexican people.[5] Monson often spent weekends with relatives on their farms in Granger (now part of West Valley City), and as a teenager, Monson took a job at the printing business his father management.From 1940 to 1944, Monson attended West High School in Salt Lake City. In the fall of 1944, he enrolled at the University of Utah. Around this time he met his future wife, Frances, whose family came from a higher social class on the east side of the city. Her father, Franz Johnson, felt an immediate connection because Monson's great uncle had baptized him into the LDS Church in Sweden.In 1945, at age 17, Monson joined the United States Naval Reserve and anticipated participating in World War II in the Pacific theater. He was sent to San Diego, California but was not moved overseas before the end of the war. His tour of duty lasted six months beyond the end of the war, and after it was completed he returned to the University of Utah. Monson graduated cum laude in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in business management. Monson did not serve a full-time mission as a youth and married at age 21.After college he rejoined the Naval Reserve with the aim of becoming an officer. Shortly after receiving his commission acceptance letter, his ward bishop asked him to serve as a counselor in the bishopric. Time conflicts with bishopric meetings would have made serving in the Navy impossible. After discussing things with church apostle Harold B. Lee, (his former stake president), Monson declined the commission and applied for a discharge. The Navy granted his discharge in the last group processed before the Korean War. Lee set him apart six months later as a bishop—mentioning in the blessing that he likely would not have been called if he had accepted the commission.Monson taught for a time at the University of Utah, then began a career in publishing. His first job was with the Deseret News, where he became an advertising executive. He joined the advertising operations of the Newspaper Agency Corporation when it was formed in 1952. On October 7, 1948, he married Frances Beverly Johnson in the Salt Lake Temple, and the couple eventually had three children: Thomas Lee, Ann Frances, and Clark Spencer. Monson later transferred to the Deseret News Press, beginning as sales manager and eventually becoming general manager.While with Deseret News Press, Monson worked to publish LeGrand Richards's A Marvelous Work And A Wonder. He also worked with Gordon B. Hinckley, the LDS Church's representative on publications, with whom he later served in the First Presidency.[edit] Young adulthood and local church leadershipOn May 7, 1950, Monson became an LDS bishop at age 22. He had previously served as ward clerk, ward YMMIA superintendent, and as a counselor in a bishopric.[10] At the time, Monson's Salt Lake City ward contained over 1,000 people, including 85 widows whom he visited regularly. He continued his visits to these widows when he was released after five years of service. He brought them gifts during the Christmas season, including poultry he had raised himself. Monson eventually spoke at the funerals of each of these women.At age 27, Monson became a counselor to a stake president in Salt Lake City, and he became a mission president at age 32. As mission president, he presided over the Canadian Mission of the LDS Church from 1959 to 1962, supervising church missionaries who were not much younger than he was. The Canadian Mission consisted of Ontario and Quebec; it was under the leadership of Monson that missionary work began among the French-speaking population of Quebec.Upon his return to Utah after his mission to Canada, Monson resumed his work with the Deseret News until he was called to be an apostle in 1963 at age 36—he was the youngest apostle in the church since Joseph Fielding Smith, who had become an apostle in 1910 at age 33. Prior to being called as an apostle, Monson held a few positions on church committees, including the Priesthood Home Teaching Committee.Monson, accompanied by Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, shakes hands with George W. Bush on May 29, 2008, in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City, Utah. ApostleshipAs an apostle of the LDS Church, Monson worked in many capacities all around the world. With his business background, he helped oversee many operations of the church including KSL Newsradio and Bonneville International. He was chair of the Scripture Publication Committee in the 1970s that oversaw publication of the LDS Church edition of the King James Bible and revised editions of LDS Church scriptures containing footnotes and guides. He has also overseen the church's Printing Advisory, Missionary Executive and General Welfare Committees. While an apostle, he continued his education and received his master of business administration degree from Brigham Young University in 1974.Monson also oversaw church operations in Eastern Europe and helped the church gain access to its members in the Soviet bloc. In 1982, he organized the first stake in East Germany and was instrumental in obtaining permission for the church to build a temple in Freiberg, East Germany, in 1985.First PresidencyFollowing the death of Church President Spencer W. Kimball in 1985, newly-installed church president Ezra Taft Benson asked Monson and Gordon B. Hinckley to serve as his second and first counselors, respectively. At age 58, Monson became the youngest member of a First Presidency since 44-year-old Rudger Clawson in 1901.[citation needed]Monson and Hinckley also served as counselors to Benson's successor, Howard W. Hunter. When Hinckley succeeded Hunter in 1995, Monson became his first counselor. He served until Hinckley's death on January 27, 2008. As the second in seniority among the apostles behind Hinckley, Monson simultaneously served as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Boyd K. Packer served as Acting President).Monson, accompanied by Apostle Dallin H. Oaks and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, delivers family history records to U.S. President Barack Obama[edit] Church PresidentMonson became the 16th president of the LDS Church on February 3, 2008, succeeding Gordon B. Hinckley, who had died seven days earlier. Monson selected Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf as his first and second counselors, respectively. When Monson was born, there were fewer than 650,000 members of the church in the world, with most of them being based in the western United States. When he became president, there were over 13 million members worldwide, with the majority of the membership living outside the United States and Canada.As of October 2008, Monson has announced thirteen new temples.He and his counselors in the First Presidency met with President George W. Bush on May 29, 2008 during his visit to Salt Lake City. He and apostle Dallin H. Oaks later met with Senator Harry Reid and President Barack Obama in the Oval Office on July 20, 2009, presenting Obama with five volumes of personal family history records.LegacyMonson dedicated the Rexburg Idaho Temple on February 10, 2008. Temple dedicationsAs President of the Church, Monson has dedicated nine LDS Church temples: the Rexburg Idaho Temple on February 10, 2008; the Curitiba Brazil Temple on June 1, 2008; the Panamá City Panamá Temple on August 10, 2008 the Twin Falls Idaho Temple on August 24, 2008; the Mexico City Mexico Temple (re-dedication) on November 16, 2008; the Draper Utah Temple on May 20, 2009; the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple on August 21, 2009; the Vancouver British Columbia Temple on May 2, 2010; and The Gila Valley Arizona Temple on May 23, 2010.As a counselor in the First Presidency, Monson dedicated seven church temples; he dedicated the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple in 1986 and six in 2000: the Louisville Kentucky Temple, the Reno Nevada Temple, the Tampico México Temple, the Villahermosa México Temple, the Mérida México Temple and the Veracruz México Temple. Monson also attended the dedication of many other church temples while a member of the Quorum of the Twelve and while in the First Presidency.Volunteer workMonson has continued to be active in community and civic affairs. He is past president of the Printing Industry of Utah and a former board member of the Printing Industries of America. A Life Scout and Explorer crew member in his youth, Monson has served in several adult Scouter leadership capacities: merit badge counselor, member of the Canadian LDS Scouting Committee, chaplain at a Canadian Jamboree, and a member of the General Scouting Committee of the LDS Church for ten years. He has been a proponent of the Scouting for Food drive, and since 1969, he has served on the national executive board of the Boy Scouts of America. He also represented the Boy Scouts of America as a delegate to the World Conferences in Tokyo, Nairobi and Copenhagen.He served on the Utah State Board of Regents. In December 1981, U.S. President Ronald Reagan appointed Monson to the President's Task Force for Private Sector Initiatives. He remained with the initiative until it completed its work in December 1982.Political activismSee also: Homosexuality and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsIn June 2008, Monson and the other members of the First Presidency sent a letter to local congregations in California, urging them to support Proposition 8 by donating their time and resources, stating that, "Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage. Monson similarly signed a letter in 2000 regarding Proposition 22.[citation needed]AwardsMonson has received various awards related to his volunteer and educational involvement. In 1966, Monson was honored as a distinguished alumnus by the University of Utah. His first honorary degree, an Honorary Doctorate of Laws, was conferred upon him in April 1981 by Brigham Young University. Subsequent honorary degrees include a Doctor of Humane Letters from Salt Lake Community College (June 1996) and an Honorary Doctor of Business from the University of Utah (May 2007).For his service to Scouting and the community, Monson has received the Boy Scouts of America's Silver Beaver Award (1971) as well as the Silver Buffalo Award (1978), which is the highest honor bestowed by the BSA. In 1993, Monson also received the Bronze Wolf, the highest honor and only award bestowed by the World Organization of the Scout Movement.[citation needed] His citation for this award (bestowed at the October 1993 Priesthood Session of General Conference) says, "In his assignments throughout the world as a leader of [the LDS Church], President Monson has worked tirelessly to bring about the advancement of Scouting in many countries. He has worked closely with the World Organization of the Scout Movement to find ways to strengthen the links between the Church and national Scout associations. He is a committed, solid, hard-working volunteer in the Scout Movement. His Scouting leadership has been exemplary. The Salt Lake chapter of Rotary International also honored Monson at its international convention with its Worldwide Humanitarian Award.In Slate.com's "80 Over 80," a list of the most powerful octogenarians, Monson placed first in 2009.PublicationsMonson has written a number of books, some of which are compilations of speeches given by him, or of inspiring quotes. Others discuss particular LDS gospel themes.Pathways to Perfection Be Your Best Self Christmas GiftsFavorite Quotations from the Collection of Thomas S. Monson Live the Good Life The Search for Jesus Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith: From the Life and Ministry of Thomas S. Monson Faith Rewarded: A Personal Account of Prophetic Promises to the East German Saints (Invitation to Exaltation Meeting your Goliath A Christmas Dress for Ellen

Day 17 of gratitude journal

2010-11-17T12:58:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for the opportunity to home school my children. I love that we live in a country and at a time where we are free and able to home school. There was a time not long ago when it was not really an option. When my parents started home schooling there was a lot of opposition. I am so grateful for their work and the work of others who made it so that I could be a home schooler and not have to be ridiculed for it. I am grateful for my friend who introduced me to Thomas Jefferson Education. I love the principles and and through lots of prayer I know that it is the way that we are supposed to school our children.

Day 16 of gratitude journal

2010-11-16T12:41:00.001-08:00

I am grateful for my patriarchal blessing. It has a lot of wisdom and warning in there and I am so grateful for the blessing of having it in my life.

Day 15 of gratitude journal

2010-11-15T18:12:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for my husbands job and the food that we have in the house. There was a time once when I was growing up that my parents didn't have the money to purchase food for us kids. We ate popcorn for 2 weeks. All my mom could do was cry because she knew that her kids were hungry. I hope to NEVER have to deal with that. I am so grateful that I have never had to deal with that. I know that there are people every where that do have to deal with that and I don't know that I would be able to do that. So I am so grateful that I have not had to thus far.

Day 14 of gratitude journal

2010-11-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for the priesthood power. I am so grateful that our Heavenly Father loves us enough to let us have this blessing here on the earth today. It is amazing how the Lord gives us little bits of His power. If you have the faith it really does work. It is like when Christ was on the earth and He performed all of those miracles. The Priesthood is that power. It is truly an amazing gift.

Day 13 of gratitude journal

2010-11-13T13:00:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for my husbands job and for the blessing of being able to stay home with my kids. I am grateful that he has a job that provides us with the blessings of food, clothes, shelter, etc.

Day 12 of gratitude journal

2010-11-12T09:27:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for books. There is so much knowledge out there and really wonderful books out there. I love to read and I love to learn. I am so grateful for those people out there who have taken their tallent of writing really great books so that I can learn from them.

My amazing home made bread

2010-11-11T18:34:00.000-08:00

Ok I have been promising you all my bread recipe. So here it is. This makes about 7 loaves. The night before you plan to cook your bread mix together

6 cups of warm water with

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar or 1/4 c plain yogurt

1/3 c oil or butter.

Then add sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, oats, flax seed, millet, 7 grain cereal (this is a dry multi grain cereal that is a hot fine grain cereal not a cold cereal.) You can leave out any or all of these but I REALLY REALLY love my bread. : )

Add your wheat flour enough to make thick dough about 12-14 cups. I put enough that if I add any more I will have to use my hands instead of just a spoon.

Set over night 12-24 hours. The longer you leave it the more the phytic acid will be destroyed, but the more sour it will be as well.

INFO ON WHY TO SOAK YOUR BREAD: Phosphorus in the bran of whole grains is tied up in a substance called phytic acid. Phytic acid combines with iron, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc in the intestinal tract, clocking their absorption. Whole grains also contain enzyme inhibitors that can interfere with digestion. Traditional societies usually soak or ferment their grains before eating them, processes that neutralize phytates and enzyme inhibitors and in effect, predigest grains so that all their nutrients are more available. Sprouting, overnight soaking, and old-fashioned sour leavening can accomplish this important predigestive process in our own kitchens. Many people who are allergic to grains will tolerate them well when they are prepared according to these procedures. Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon, Pg 25

Turn on your oven to get it warm your yeast will love you for it. : )

The next day mix in 1/2 c warm water Make sure that if your using glass cup to

do this you make the water a little hotter then your yeast would like the glass will cool down the water. Check the water temp before you add any other ingredient's

3Tbsp salt

1 Tbsp soda

2 Tbsp yeast. Let it sit for about 10 Min.

add 1 C honey

and mix in 3 cups white flour or wheat flour. I add white so that I don't add in any phytic acid back in to our bread.

mix this mixture into the wheat mixture and then add in enough flour till bread dough bounces back and it is A LITTLE sticky but not much.

Turn your oven off!!!!

Place this dough ball on a clean surface and wash your bowl. Spray it with cooking spray and then place your dough back in the bowl. Knead it a few times to get the oil on top of your dough. Place a kitchen towel over your bowl and let it raise I do this twice. Then it is time to place in your pans and let it raise one more time. When that is risen turn on your oven to 350 and cook for 15 min. Take out if you don't want your tops to get to dark and place foil shinny side up over your bread and place back in the oven for about another 15 min. You should smell the bread and if you have glass pans it should be brown but not dark. Take out and enjoy!!!!

Note: To add seeds to the top brush with egg white then roll top in seeds before you put it in pan. Makes it pretty. : )

I know that this seems like a long process but it really isn't bad. I like starting it the night before. It makes it feel like it goes fast. : ) Half the work is done. The night before. : ) Every time I make this Steve asks how we can start to sell this bread. : ) Maybe some day when I don't have any thing else to do. LOL ya right like that will ever happen.

Day 11 of gratitude journal

2010-11-11T10:12:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for inspired people. I am so grateful for those who influence my life who make me want to be a better person. There are a few of these kind of people in my life. Some are good friends and some are more like acquaintances. I love inspired people who also write books for me to be inspired. I am truly blessed to know people who are living their mission in life they have a spirit about them that one tends to gravitate to. Thanks for all of you who inspire my life. Please note that I am also grateful for people who were inspired before my life as well as those that are in my life now.

one of our sewing projects

2010-11-10T11:41:00.000-08:00

So on Tuesday's we sew and this is what I sewed. I made this needle holder so that I could keep them in one spot. The kids tried to do Christmas tree ornaments. I will get a pic of that on later. Here it is. SOOOOO CUTE : )

Day 10 of gratitude journal

2010-11-10T09:28:00.000-08:00

My siblings. They all mean so much to me. I love them and think about them often. Family is the most important thing in this life. I often tell my children that friends are nice but that family will last forever. Friends come and go, but that family will ALWAYS be there and that we need to develop those relationships.
I am REALLY close to one of my siblings I call her everyday. I can honestly say that besides my husband she is my BEST friend. We have common goals and we think alike. She also inspires me and I look to her for wisdom. She is truly amazing and probably my biggest blog fan. LOL I think that is because I call her and make her look. LOL
I don't want you to think that I have a fav. sibling because that is not the case. All of my siblings have a special place in my heart. We just work at our relationship more then my other siblings.
I am so grateful to have come from a big family. I am grateful for the blessings that I have received from everyone of my family members. I am also grateful for their spouses we have really been blessed with having these other people enter into our family. I hope that all of my siblings know that I love them and that they have all helped me in one way or another. : )

Halloween Party

2010-11-09T13:02:00.000-08:00

Before the spiders, front door.
Before the spiders looking from the kitchen to the living room.

Martha got the spiders to look like they are hanging. Cool : )

Home made candle Abra.

Some of the food.

Our guests. One of my best friends. This girl is like a sister to me. : )
Not sure what he was supposed to be but at least he dressed up. I am a bumb and didn't.

This is my friends hubby. I am so lucky to have them as a family friends. : )
My friend Kim. She looked so cute!!!! As always. : )

Hahaha. She is going to love me for putting up this picture but I just had to. This is another one of our friends. Her and her hubby came as smores. LOL She is the marsh mellow and he was the gram cracker. So cute!

Cor did the make up.

Here is our Halloween party pics. We had a good time and I hope your holiday was great as well.

Day 9 of gratitude journal

2010-11-09T10:09:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for my father. He was always so fun and such a hard worker. He was an electrician. He worked in factories a lot and then would come home and pitch in. If mom had every thing done he would start on remodeling the house. We were ALWAYS taring down walls or moving them or some thing. He instilled in us a sense that we can accomplish anything as long as we put our mind to it. We can never be to busy because dad never was. My dad is ALL about service as well. My mom while she was and is the one we turn to for advise my dad is the one we turn to when we need to learn service and true love for our fellow men. Thanks you dad for all that you do for me and my family and for others. You are a great example. Love you.

Weather calls for rain

2010-11-08T10:25:00.001-08:00

This is what our rain looked like today. It was so fun to watch the kids play in the snow. It was really cute that my brothers little baby was out there before I could get his coat on. I felt like having an early Christmas so while we were doing our chores we listened to Christmas music and then the kids went out to play then came in and we had hot cocoa. Oh, how fun it is to play in a one house open yard. LOL

Day 8 of gratitude journal

2010-11-08T06:21:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for my mother. She is such a great women. She instilled in me my values, she took time to teach me important life skills that I am so grateful for. She was my mentor and she was the person who helped me find who I am. She was always the one I turned to when there was hard times. I can actually say that she has always been my best friend. I am so blessed to have her as my mother and I am so grateful for her sacrifices to raise children who are God fearing, trusting, faithful people. She was always so selfless in raising us and I will always be grateful for that sacrifice. Thanks mom I love you!!!

Day 7 of gratitude journal

2010-11-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for my friends. I am truly blessed to have friends that are like family. I love that when I am having a hard time and need to talk that I can call up any one of my friends and they will ALWAYS in courage me, but not be afraid to tell me hard things when necessary. I love that I can just walk into there houses, and that they can just walk into mine. That they will drop what they are doing or involve me and it is just like family. I don't know what I would do with out them in my life. I really am blessed and I hope that they feel the same way. I am grateful for the blessing of having such great people in my life that care so much about me and how I am doing. I am truly blessed and grateful for this blessing. My mom always said "After you are married it is important that your husband be your closest relationship. However you need to have at least one good friend to talk to. That your husband can not replace what another women can give you." She was very wise in this and again I am so blessed to have many friends and a handful of friends that I have described above. You know who you are and if not then we need to talk. : )

Love you all!!!! Night

Day 6 of gratitude journal

2010-11-06T06:23:00.000-07:00

I guess sense today is my week to run my co-op it would be a great time to tell you that I am so grateful for the opportunity to have this co-op. It gives me a chance to serve my fellow men. It is a great way to get cheep but GOOD food on people's tables. grocery store. I love to serve and this is a great way to do it. Plus I really do love the food, and the surprise because we don't get to choose what comes and we don't know before so it is like Christmas every week. It is usually a great variety with new foods in it as well so we expand our veggie/fruit knowledge and tastes.

Day 5 of gratitude journal

2010-11-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

I am so grateful for our founding fathers who worked so hard for our freedoms. They are men who I want my kids to know about with their passion for freedom. I want them to understand what our country means and how it is a beacon to the world. I want them to know that these men were men of God and that they were inspired to bring about a great country that is chosen by God. And as long as we are righteous that it will stay a blessed country. Even though I feel like our country is not what it should or could be I know that it will be what it should and can be when Christ comes again. Until then we will do our best and look forward to what it will be again. I love our founding fathers and I love what they stood for and the freedoms that we have because of them.

Going back in time

2010-11-04T22:17:00.001-07:00

Do you ever find yourself going back in time? This is what I feel is happening to me slowly but surly. I like it though. It keeps me very busy but also makes me appreciate the little things like blogging. LOL. So what has taken me back in time? Well, for one I now make my own bread every Thursday. I start it on Wednesday and ferment it then I finish it on Thursday. It has got to be the best bread that we have ever eaten. And it is healthy which is a great thing. : ) Second my dryer is out and I want to have a clothes line. Tuesdays are our big wash day so I think it would be fun to have a clothes line and teach the kids what it is like to hang the washed clothes out to dry. Our washer is on the outs as well but I am NOT quite to the point of washing by hand. But hanging the clothes out to dry then iron them after they come in. I think that these are skills that we will need to get back to eventually. I want my kids to know what it feels like to get back to the basics and pair down what we think we NEED to survive. I don't NEED a dryer plus it would save me on electricity because I wouldn't be running the stupid thing ALL day long. I may have to do the load a day instead of the once a week. Ya like I can really stick to doing laundry only once a week anyways. But I could do one load a day and then on Tuesday do the BIG jobs of ironing if needed and mending then putting away . Well, I think it would be a good thing and I don't think that it would be very expensive to put one together. Ill let you all know how that goes. I think Steve thinks that I am crazy. LOL But he is NOT complaining about my bread. I smile inside just thinking about my bread and my (will be) clothes line. I think it is a different feeling with the choosing then the have to. I don't think that if I had to make bread and line dry clothes it would be as much fun but because I get to choose to do it, it does make me smile. : )
Well, that is all for now. See you tomorrow with what I am grateful for.

Day 4 of gratitude journal

2010-11-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

Today is day4 of my gratitude journal.

I am so grateful for my kids. They are all such a blessing in my life. They keep me very busy but at least I am never bored. : )

My Martha is has such a wonderful spirit she fills our world with art. She loves to draw and I think that when she comes into her own she will show us her true self and her talents. She has never had an easy life but I know that she will be a very strong person when she is older.

Corlie, she is such a strong confident person. She has a confidence that lets me know that she will accomplish anything that she sets her mind to.

Daniel, well what can I say he is a boy. LOL!!! I am so grateful for him. He and I have a great mother, son relationship. He is so helpful and he loves all of his siblings. He loves attention and he loves to be outside. I am so glad that he is a part of our family. We are very blessed.

Karissa, she LOVES EVERYONE!!!!! We often have to PULL her away from who ever is at the door. She is funny and loving and is the light of our family at this point.

Shenna, well she is the baby. She is spoiled by her older sister Corlie. She has a very strong will and I feel she will grow up to be a very successful person and will be able to get her way with what ever she wants. LOL she has that down now why would it change. LOL she is a joy!!!!

Day 3 of gratitude

2010-11-03T18:39:00.000-07:00

#3 I am so grateful for my husband. I feel truly privileged to have him in my life. I used to tell people that he keeps me grounded and I keep him high (more like entertained) lol. He is truly am amazing person and I am so very lucky to have him. I love that we have a great marriage and that we have common goals and that we have a respect for one another. I am grateful that our marriage is such that our children as young as they are talk of marriage in the temple. That shows me that we are setting such a great example to them. I am grateful for his leadership in our home and that he takes his calling serious. I am grateful for his love for the gospel and for his family. Did I mention that he is a truly amazing father? Well he is and he loves us so much. He is truly my one and only and I am so lucky to have the best. : )