Im in the Process of Being "Rebuilt"

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself."


— C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)

Easter 2011

Well, the Easter bunny was very accommodating, and came to our house early Saturday morning (per Karen's request). The children were very excited to find their baskets stuffed with sugary-deliciousness.

Creed was most excited about the mashed carrots he got in his basket.

No matter where (or how easy) Cameron's basket is hidden... his always seems to be the last found. I am afraid to admit he must have inherited those detective skills from his Mother. I think next year, in our letter to the EB, we will add a "PS-- Please leave Cam's basket on the floor next to his bed."

In the afternoon, we had cousins over for an egg hunt in the back yard (because our kids needed a little more sugar coursing through their veins). It was fun to see their excitement as they ran to find each egg.

On Sunday morning, we began the day by playing Handel's Hallelujah Choir throughout the house (as a part of our Easter week activity). It was a beautiful sunny day. The children were so excited to get into their new clothes that Grandpa and Grandma had bought them. It was fun to all match. And... man I have cute kids!

For dinner, we had a turkey-- which despite me accidentally roasting it upside down-- turned out just great. It really was a wonderful weekend. I am so grateful for my knowledge of the atonement and resurrection. It truly is a reason to CELEBRATE!!!

I did it!!!!

I did it! 11 days ago, I set a goal to read the entire Book of Mormon by Easter, and I did it! I wish I could say it was easy, but the truth is that it was quite a challenge--but, then again, I suppose all things worthwhile usually are.

Here are a few of my thoughts on the experience:

*Our minds think and ponder on the things we choose to lend our time to. Throughout the course of the 2 weeks, I found myself thinking about what I had read, imagining how I would have felt if I had been in the stories I was studying, and even laying in bed awake at night pondering on the meaning of what I had learned. It was refreshing to think on things that truly matter as opposed to the trivial things I usually have cluttering up my mind.

*Heavenly Father's "time" is not the same as our "time". There have been many times, in the past, that I have chosen to forgo my personal scripture study because I had too many things to do that day. At the beginning of this experiment, I didn't know how I was going to read and do all of the many things on my daily "to-do lists". I discovered that when I focused on reading first, Heavenly Father magnified my efforts in all the other areas, and I was able to accomplish everything on my list (and then some).  To complete the entire book within 2 weeks, I had to give a good portion of the day to reading. I have since decided that if I could do that, I should be able to give 10 itty-bitty minutes to reading each day in the future.

*I have felt the warmth and peace of the Holy Ghost more in the past week and a half than I have in a long time. It has been a precious treat to have him as my companion. I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

*I found myself hungering to "feast" on the word. In the beginning, it was more difficult to read, but as time went on, I wanted to read more and more. I read in the car while I waited for Ryan to come out of his office. I read as I walked the halls at the children's school (during Karen's speech). I read while I waited at the doctor's office. I could feel my soul being nourished as I read-- and it felt good.

*My children have benefited from seeing me read my scriptures. I have found them thinking and asking more about the scriptures. One day, I had told the children about what I had read (In Alma 58) It was about Helaman (and Gid and Teomner), and one of his genius strategic plans that allowed them to capture a city without bloodshed. The next day, Kailani said, "Mom, that was such a cool plan. I can't believe they snuck back into the city while the Lamanites slept! Helaman was sure a smart man."

*Isaiah is confusing, and I don't understand very much of it... yet!

*The Book of Mormon is true. I truly believe that it is a record containing the word of God, kept by ancient prophets, but written for us in our day. It truly is "another testament of Jesus Christ."  As I read about all the people who sacrificed (even their lives, and the lives of their loved ones) to preserve the record, so that I can read it with such ease and convenience, I am so humbled.  I am embarrassed that I so often take it for granted. It makes me so grateful to my Father in Heaven. I am amazed that He loves his children so much-- even when we so easily forget His hand in our lives. I love my Savior. It has been so special, at this Easter time of year,to more fully focus on Him and His teachings. I believe that He did appear to the Nephite people, as a resurrected being. Reading about His charity and mercy towards them during that visit is always one of my favorite parts of  the Book of Mormon. It testifies of His love. I know He loves me, even though I am full of so many faults. I want to follow His example and be like Him.  The space between who I want to be (and hope to become), and who I actually am is disheartening.  However, I know that all He expects of me is that I do my best.  He has promised to make up the difference. I am doing my best... and because of that, I hope to be able to meet Him with confidence when He comes again.

Karen's Easter Letter

In our family, it is an Easter tradition to write a letter to the Easter bunny, asking him to come fill our baskets on Saturday instead of Sunday. I like this tradition, because it helps my children think about what Easter is really about, and put their testimony of the resurrection into words. This year, Karen wrote the letter (or dictated it to me), and she did a wonderful job.

The picture is of a bunny hiding eggs.

The bottom of the picture is eggs hidden in green grass.

Karen returning from placing the letter in the mailbox (lucky mailman).

Here is what it said, "Dear Easter bunny, Will you please come on Saturday instead of Sunday? We want to think of Jesus and the resurrection on Sunday because that is what Easter is really about.  Don't forget, we love candy...and finding eggs. Love Karen"

Also, this year-- each night after dinner-- we have a little lesson and do a little activity teaching what happened to Jesus the week prior to Easter Sunday. For Palm Sunday, we talked about what Hosanna means. We acted out the triumphal entry. For Monday, we talked about Jesus cleansing the temple. We each wrote things on a little piece of paper that we think Jesus would want us to "cleanse" from our house (like teasing, criticizing, whining, etc.).  We crumpled up the papers and swept them out of our house. Each night we put a picture that represents that day (from the gospel art kit) on the wall.  So far, everyone seems to be enjoying it.

Kyle's 10th Birthday

Kyle turned 10 last Saturday! It was the same day as Kailani's baptism. I was so happy with my children. They were completely content to share their special day with each other. Kyle enjoyed having all of the family in town. He also enjoyed eating at Craigo's on his birthday. Kyle is such a good boy, and brings me so much happiness. Here are a few pictures from the day:

I love my little niece's face in this picture... I know what she needs for her next birthday! ;0)

Kyle told me he didn't make a wish when he blew out the candles because "he had already had the most perfect birthday, and has everything he wants."  And, it never hurts to throw in a cute picture of my little Creed...

Kailani's Baptism Day

Kailani was baptized last Saturday. It was so fun to see how excited she was! For the entire week before, she would wake up and say, "I can't believe I am getting baptized in ____ days!"  I loved seeing her enthusiastic desire to covenant with Heavenly Father. It reminded me of the people of Ammon in the Book of Alma, and how excited they were to fully covenant to live the gospel, and bury those things that were keeping them separate from the Lord.  I hope Kailani can carry that enthusiasm with her forever. 

It was so fun to have all of the family come.  My parents are so wonderful, and are always bending over backwards to serve my family and make up for the many areas that I fall short.  I am so grateful to belong to the family that I do! My Dad gave a wonderful talk at Kailani's confirmation-- as usual. Ryan did a wonderful job too.

To celebrate the big day, we went to Pizza Pie Cafe (AKA Craigo's) afterward. It is Kailani & Kyle's favorite place. It was a lot of delicious fun.

Kailani wrote her feelings in her journal that night. She said, "I'm so excited that I am baptized! I'm so glad that everybody came that I wanted to come. I loved it. It's also Kyle's b-day.  When I went under the water I felt all clean....  I had a great time."

I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Ryan and Cameron got to go to the priesthood session of General Conference together (for the first time) yesterday. Cameron wasn't really sold on the idea of more conference when he left, but he came home very happy-- so hopefully he will remember that in October. Ryan told me that after the session, they went out for ice cream. While they were walking into Wendy's, some upstanding citizens drove past them and yelled "Bleepin' Mormons" out their window. Cameron leaned over laughing and whispered to Ryan, "Actually we prefer to be called members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Get it right you ruffians!" Way to go Cams! Looks like someone was listening to President Packer's Conference address after all!

10 Months Old!

I sure love this baby! He has brought me so much joy, and I absolutely adore being his Mother. He is such a snugly little guy. He is very good at running errands with me, and seems to be content to simply sit on my lap or lay his head on my shoulder. I love his little personality and sweet blue eyes. He is starting to get a sense of humor, and does little jokes. He can wave bye-bye, and clap his hands to cheer. He is especially proud of his new trick...

I love when he plays with his cars he makes a motor sound with his lips.

I sure love this boy.

Cameron's Church B-ball Game

Cameron played his first-- and last-- young men's basketball game on Thursday night. He didn't know if he wanted to go, so I was really proud of him when he decided to go give it a try-- especially after his coach chose not to pick him up (as previously arranged), so Cams had to run up to the game at the last minute.
I think Cam's felt out of place, but I thought he looked like he was just as skilled as the rest of his team (the final score was 4 to 34. We were the "4".)  All of the boys looked like they were having a good time. However, when it was over, and we climbed in the car-- Cameron exclaimed, " I am NEVER doing that again." I suppose only time will tell...