The Little Things make Christmas

It's the Little things that count. I love to have Christmas decorations. I love the feeling of Christmas time!! This time of the year, is a time when I am trying harder to be a better person and trying toreach out to others. As I dropped Rebeckah off this morning at preschool there was another little girl that was coming up The preschoolers were scheduled to go on a field trip today and they were asked to bring a dollar. Apparently this little girl had forgotten or lost her dollar and she was just sad and crying because she felt she had failed in not bringing her dollar. The teacher went down to see what the matter was and carefully slipped a dollar in her pocket without her realizing and then told her to check her pocket just in case she had missed it. When she pulled out the dollar she was so happy.
I have seen this happen many times in my life. When I am faithful and keep the commandments things happen that I can't explain. Like paying tithng and fast offering. We wonder how we will make it to the end of the month sometimes or how we will survive but yet when we put the Lord first he will take care of us. We don't know how and sometimes we can't explain how our prayers are answered but we will survive until the end of the month or until the next pay check comes. Just like this little girl was comforted because she found her dollar in the pocket the Lord blesses us and comforts us and answers our prayers in many of the same ways.

Piano

I have really tried the past few years to play the piano. This is a talent I would love to have but it has been a very hard talent for me to develop. Well, after the ward divided and we didn't have many players I felt like I should volunteer to be the pianist. I did this for just over a year. Sometimes went better than others. There was a time or two that I felt like I failed but I always thought in the back of my mind that if I could do a Primary Sacrament meeting program I will have accomplished my goal. Well, I did play for a Sacrament meeting program. I did a few mistakes but I was very blessed and now my life is changing and I'm working on developing other talents. I'm thankful that that time in my life. I still play simple primary songs or Hymns but I will just probably play at home now. As our family sang in Sacramant meeting today I thought about playing, but I get so nervous when I'm in a group that I didn't think (or maybe I lacked the faith and time to practice) as I was feeling sorry for myself I looked back to the time when I was blessed enough to play for the Primary Program and count my blessings.

The Best Scripture

The best scripture adding a few words was discovered tonight while reading our family scriptures. We were in Helamen 13 and it was talking about how the Nephites were so wicked and they stoned the Prophets. Their only reply is that if they could have lived in the days of their fathers they wouldn't be so wicked. So I started to think how it applys to us. How we feel it would be easier to live in the days of the pioneers, or seen visions, or met Joseph Smith. Then it said how they were choosing such wicked leaders and in Helamen 13:29 it said. O ye wicked and perverse generation ;how long do yea suppose that the lord will suffer you? Yea how long will yea suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides ("like Obama") yea how long will will ye choose darkness rather than light? We all started to laugh except my mom who didn't hear me so we axplained it and she smiled so we now have a new favorite scripture. :)

It will be OK!

"True Doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior" Boyd K. Packer
I find myself saying a lot lately that "Everything will be OK. Life has a way of not knowing what is around the next corner. And I believe that sometimes we are thankful that we don't know what is coming because knowing the future would scare us to death. We have revelation that helps us to know more so that we can prepare but to acutally know what will happen before it happens... we wouldn't live by faith.
In the last few weeks, I have talked with many people who have many struggles. Some of them are simple and some are more complex. I don't know that the complexity of the problem is the issue. Sometimes looking at the problem when we are in the middle of it, it seems over whelming, but if we can look at it from a different angle it is sometimes easier to know how to handle it. There are times when there doesn't seem to be an answer and we just have to go forward with faith. I think going forward with faith is the hardest because you don't know how it will turn out and even though we know that Heavenly Fahter is in charge of our lives sometimes we don't want to turn our lives over to him. We lack the faith that it takes. When I feel overwhelmed, I try to say my prayers and do the best I can each day. I read my scriptures, say my prayers, try to make the best of everything, be the best I can be and Then I pray that the Lord will let me know in the time and place what I should say or do or whatever. And sometimes all I can say is "It will be OK"

These are some of my favorite pictures that I have taken in my photography class. I'm not the best but these have been fun. Some of the things that I have learned are that it is important to put your subject at ease. It is also important to try to

portray a feeling, emotion or idea that is associated with the person. They eyes are the key.

My True Love

I just love my husband. He is always doing silly things! He is an amazing person, It does take a while to know him and understand him. He is not going to put on a show for anyone. He is true and honest (He won't say anything behind your back that he wouldn't say to your face, he is a true friend.

Lisa and Di came home for the weekend. I was so surprised. They will just be here for Sat. so they can go to their own ward on Sunday. I had to run Jake up north to get a peice of metal out of his eye. While I was gome, Lisa went out and asked Lynn if he would take them up to Yearns to play a while. He looked at the amount of work he has and sighed and said, "I guess it has waited for a couple of days it and it will be still waiting when I get back." They went to Yearns and had a good time throwing snow balls and throwing rocks. He always takes time for us... even when there are other things to do. I'm so thankful for this man in my life. He is a wonderful husband and Father and he honors his Priesthood.

Birthdays! We have had Aunt Dona down and what a day it has been. It might have been my birthday but Dona did the total sacrifice in making my day a Day to Remember:D. It started this morning and we had a plan for Dona the only problem was that instead of happening at 10:00 this morning it idn't happen until 6:00 tonight. Aunt Dona told us a story about how when she was young she was canning and fell off the porch and broke her leg. She hollered at her friend inside to call an ambulance. She did call the ambulance but when the friend found out how much it would cost she sent the ambulance on it's way. Aunt Dona told us how she felt like she had been cheated because she never got her ambulance ride. Well the children and I decided that she had been deprived and she needed an ambulance ride. More to come:D

Family History

I'm trying to get busy on the Family History that the Stake Presidency has challenged us to do. Several yeas ago My Aunt Shirley and I worked on it and it was incredible how things would just fall into place and I could get to LSalt Lake on a day that worked for her. I felt that information was there just waiting for us to do. Now as I look at the new Family search we are missing some information or there are families that are not connected. I have this wonderful old book that Aunt Shirley gave to me that has a list of families that were in switzerland and Ella Berger Wursten paid someone from there to find this history and then she has worked on doing the history and making sure everything is done. I look at this book and it has taken me a few days just to figure out how the names are connected. She also gave me a stack on histories and family group sheets. I went to the Center only to be told I need a road map so I know where I'm going, or a pedigree and family groups so I can see wht needs to be done. I have randomly just typed in names but then I can't keep track of who Ihave done and who I haven't. I feel a bit overwhelmed but the Stake Presidency has promised us that we will be blessed if we do this and I know we will. I guess I'll take it one step at a time and get it done.

I'm sure it never happens at your house, but at our house the toilet paper roll seems always to be empty. Everyone in family counsel complains that they are the only one that ever changes it on a daily basis, and yet it always seems to be empty. Last night dad went in there and did his chores and for the first time in months got the last few squares off the roll. as he sat there pondering whether to be kind and install a new one a sly grin made it's way across his face, and he picked up a stray crayon that happened to be there by the sink, and wrote upon it "HA HA!"in bright red letters. The roll still stays there waiting for someone that has charity and compassion to make a change. Just hope you aren't the next one in trouble in there.

Life's blessings!

I want to just say that my Family is the best. Through thick and thin they are there for each other. It is really amazing in this world where there are struggles and problems what happens when you work together. My Heavenly Father has blessed me so much and I'm so thankful for all of them, extended family and so forth. Thanks also to family and friends. I have been very blessed in my life!

Harv

Hello Friends!!!

Once again I have decided to try the blogging world.... for this once at least. Many of you know our faithful truck Harv, well again he has gone through a tragedy. This of course deserves a post: Harv has been a trooper. He's been there through thick and thin and has always pulled through for us!

When we first got Harv 4 years ago from my Aunt RaNae we were told that, "He is on his last leg and probably won't last too much longer." I loved him from the start! All the scratches and dents didn't make a difference to me. It just added character and from that first moment I knew we were meant for each other! :)

Since that first day Harv has been through a bunch and for someone who was on his last leg he has been AMAZING!!!

First of all Harv hit a deer. (Actually, Mom hit the deer, but Harv got the rotten end of that deal.) :) The deer mashed in the front bumper and almost knocked the radiator off. However it held on by one screw. (That screw is still holding on!! Can you believe it!?!)

Secondly, there was a milk spill. This was really bad! If any of you have ever spilled milk in your car you know how bad it STINKS!! It's the worst thing ever! Especially in the summer cause the heat gets to it and makes the smell about 10 times worse.... I tried everything to get rid of the smell: vacuuming, power spraying it out, air freshners, eventually I decided that I would have to just redo the carpet. It was a job! It had to take out the seats, rip out the old carpet, round up some new carpet, cut it out, and piece it all together. After hours of hard work and dedication, the bad smell was finally gone! Thank goodness!!

Thirdly, my family borrowed Harv to haul wood and someone accidently threw a piece of wood a little too hard and it went straight through the back window. Luckily, that one was a pretty easy fix. A trip to the junk yard for a new window fixed that!

Then, came all of the struggles with the handles. The door on the passenger side was hard to get open from the inside. I guess when it had been hammered by so many people for so many years those plastic handles have a tendency to give out on you! Can you believe it!?! Finally the inside gave out and I made another trip to the junk yard for a new handle. That all worked great until the outside handle BROKE OFF!! After that my brilliant father fashioned a new handle for th passenger side door. That worked great for a few weeks until the door accidently got locked. Now unfortunately it will remain locked. Because despite all of our loving care, soft coaxing tones and gentle tugs it still won't unlock. So the fate remains: if you want to get in or out quickly you get to jump through the window!

Now, for our latest adventures!!! Diana and I are in Cedar City attending Southern Utah University. Diana's car gave out on her. (That's another story for another day.) So on my birthday my AWESOME parents surprised us and brought Harv down for Diana! It was the best birthday ever... for both of us!! :) Over the next few days, everything was going great! We had to run to wal-mart for some groceries, but before we could both pile in, we decided to see if we could lock the drivers side door and make sure that Harv would be all safe and secure in this crazy little college town. So I climbed in and locked it and Di stayed outside to see if she could unlock it. Well, unfortunately, while trying to unlock the door she got a little over exuberant and the plastic handle came off in her hand!!! We were both shocked! I quickly climbed out of Harv to see if I could be of assistance, and I might have accidently let the door shut! OOPS!!! (Now remember, the other door DOESN'T open!!) and both of the windows happened to be up! We were in a real pickle!!!

So now what!?!? When you live two and a half hours away from your Amazing Dad, you have to use your other resources, so of course that meant our trusty brother-in-law, Joe! It was Joe to the rescue!!! (This was the second time he had to rescue us in the middle of the night! We are getting really good at the "Damsels in Distress.") He came up with this brilliant idea of shoving a hanger through a gap the the door and trying to hook the hanger around the handle and pull it open . . . . .

Here's the two mastermind going at it! They were doing all the easy stuff so Katie and I got stuck with the hard job of trying to document everything. It was a chore! Here's the camera crew, hard at work!! Like always!! :)

(Sorry some of the pictures are sideways! Try resting your head on the keyboard if you need to! It helps to get the correct angle!!) :)

We were all pretty distressed!! Poor Harv!!!

But don't worry too much!! The camera crew never gets discouraged!! Just keep SMILING!!!!

Eventually Joe and Diana suceeded in prying the handle open but it was a huge ordeal! Here are the two champions!! Just looking at the two of them, you would think that they had climed Mt. Everest!!

nde">Thanks to Joe, Diana has her trusty truck back and we are in buiness agian. Now all we have to do is get a new handle on it! Everything will be great! Harv has pulled through for us agian!! Our trusty truck is the best ever!! We love you Harv!!!

So, as you can see Harv is definatly one-of-a-kind! Where else would you ever get such a truck!! He just never quits! Harvard is a GEM!! (Thanks everybody, especially Dad, Joe, Ben and everybody else that has helped keep Harv in running order, you are the best!!)

Cross Country

I finally gave in. Ben has been telling me for 3 years how fun Cross Country is. I did Summer Cross country last year and then I didn't do it anymore. Then this year as I was slaving away at work I decided I needed to do something besides work, school, homework, eat, sleep and more homework. So I talked to a couple of my friends and (some in XC) and decided that I was actually going to stick it out this year.
I went to practice Thursday and Friday... I thought I was going to die! But that's nothing compared to what I feel today I can't even walk straight. :D lol I love the people in it. So that makes it all worth it right... :S

Matthew and the horse

This is Steve McDonald teaching Matthew how to take care of the horse

Rebeckah riding

Matthew was in his glory

Matthew just learning how to ride

We do a lot of work with Steve McDonald. Steve knew tht Matthew loves horses. Steve and his wife Maureen invited us upfor dinner and to let the children ride the horses. Matthew was i his glory. Maureen taught him how to ride the horse and guide it how to make it turn and how to get it to stop. It was a small enough horse that Matthew could even get on and off of it by himself. It was almost as much fun as riding it. Alll the children tht wanted a turn had one. But Matthew rode as much as he could then the next morning he informed me he was ready to go to Steve's again. We had a wonderful evening and something that the children will remember for a very long time

Ben in full custome.

Laura and Miriam had the part of the Heavenly child. We curled Laura's hair in ringlets andit was beautiful.

Ben with his wig on for the Indian part

Mark was Angel Moroni

It was drenching wet. One of the first nights they canceled the dress rehersal because it rained so much

Pageant was so fun. I love it because the whole family gets involved. We have other pictures with everyone in custome but I'm not sure where they are at. I guess I'll have to find them. The best part of pageant is the testimony that grows as we do it.

Youth Conference

Karri Stevens and Amy Young are wonderful Young Women leaders. I'm so privledged to work with them.

You had to hang onto the rope above your head and walk across. It was a bit scary.

Getting off the rope you climbed up and then to the bridge was pretty difficult also.

This is how we climbed up. It felt like 25 feet but Lynn said it was only qt. It was a long ways.

We had so much fun at Youth Conference. we did different activities and then we compared them to life and to our lives. Sometimes Life isn't always easy but we have to keep trying. I loved the experience. I was so grateful that I could go. They didn't have enough room for everyone to go but at the last minute I was invited and it ws well worth it. I'm thankful for my older daughters who took care of everything at home. Boy do I miss them!!

This is when we went to the Ute Sanpete. Matthew was so intrigued with the rodeo that he set there the whole night with out hardly moving.

I figured out how to download pictures. I love pictures. I'm even going to take a photography class so maybe I will improve. I'm just going to download pictures and write captions under it and it might be short but at least it's a bit of what is going on.

Lynn came

Playing at the Park

Shopping

Playing at the Park

This is the big ball that you sit on and jump out at the tree and here you go

Shopping

Miriam at the Park
Laura

This is a boiler that Lynn was working on.


This is is by the river waiting for the Duck race

Dad's are such an important part of our lives. The last weekend that Lisa and Diana were here we had made plans to go to Idaho to visit Aunt Dona. She has been a favorite around here and the girls promised that we would go visit her. She has such a fun sense of humor and keeps us laughing all of the time. I think we arrived late Friday and poor Dona was waiting up for us. She had beds made and all ready for us. That is quite a job. Saturday we went shopping and down to the river to see the duck race and walk around, then Sunday we went to church and then we found this fun ball that you swing out of a tree on. Lisa and Di commented on how if we had been home we would of had Lynn there with us and how they loved the visit but wish Lynn had come with us. We planned on leaving on Tuesday morning but by Monday the children were pretty homesick. We comtemplated about going home but then we found out that Lynn was working out of town so it didn't matter if we were home or not. I had gone to the park with Lew (Dona's husband) and had a fun time. As we were walking home Lynn called and said well, I need to know your plans are you coming home tonight or should I come up. I didn't know what he was talking about. He said Lisa, Diana and Hannah had called him and told him he had to come up. Everything fell into place and Lynn came. He was planning on going to Manti to get a trailer for a job he was doing but he was able to get another one closer and it was all well. It was so good to have everyone one there that we could. We were still missing a couple of children but that couldn't really be helped. Lynn came up that night and then we all went home the next morning. It was a really fast trip for Lynn.Lynn had to laugh the next morning as he said everyone was so glad to see him but once he was there it was like everything was all right and we went about life. It doesn't matter who is there but if there is someone missing it like a big hole until they come. It made it easier for the girls to go knowing that their Dad would come if they needed him.

Agency

My lesson a couple of weeks ago was on agency. A I studied my lesson it amazed me how much control Satan wants in our lives. I guess I had never realized how much Satan wants control of our lives. Everything Satan wants to give us is addictive. Even the good things Satan will try to emtrap us with them. I have watched many young people with telephones and they text and text. They can hardly have a conversation with someone in the room that they are supposedly visiting with because of the texting that they are doing. I have seen how addictions can destroy people's lives. Then we can look at the other side of how our Savior gives us agency. Wouldn't it be easy if it was addictive to get up at 5:30 every morning to read our scriptures. As we do it we can see the happness it brings into our lives and we can see that has wonderful blessings but it's still hard to get up every morning to read our scriptures. We have the agency to choose as long as we choose correct.
When I taught my lesson I was telling my children about my thoughts. Finally with their help I came up with the idea of offering my young women what looked like a wonderful carmel apple. I borrowed the recipe from Karri Stevens and made the best looking carmel apples that I have ever made it my life. Then I had a plain regular apple. I asked the class which they wanted. They all choose the carmel apple. I cut it up and gave each of them a piece. Sara looked at it and said this isn't an apple. I smiled and we talked about how Satan makes everything look like it is wonderful but when you partake from Satan it turns into an onion. One Young Woman asked if she could have a bite of it anyway. I told her she could and it was terrible. She spit it right out. We all laughed and talked about how even though it looks appealing, it is nasty. It was a fun object lesson and I felt like a good lesson. I just need to remember how convincing Satan is in his traps. He can always make it look really good. It is only with The Lord that we can get the good that we are looking for.

Time goes to fast

Lisee Di (they don't appreciate when I call them that ) are packing up and getting ready to move out. It makes me kind of sad. Life has a way of moving forward and day by day it doesn't change much but then before you know it these little angels that have been so much fun in so many ways and grown up and moving on. I will miss them more than they will know but I'm so proud of them and the choices that they have made and who they are.
This summer they have had a job that has taught them that it isn't what they want to do for all of their lives. They have cleaned from 7 - 3:30 every day. It has paid them miminum wage and has given them the money to pay for their apartment plus a few extras. It was worth it but the part that made it bearable is that they were together. I have admired them as they get up at 5:30 every morning so that they have time to read their scriptures. Oh the example that they have set. I'm so glad that they will be together down at SUU. For a while Di was thinking about some other options and that would have been fine but as she prayed and fasted about it she felt good about going to SUU with Lisa. They have been so close all of their lives. They bring out the best in each other and they love each other. They will have a great year together as they go forth.
I will miss most of all staying up late and talking Laughing with them and the gospel talks we have had. I will miss their example and their love.
Thanks my children you are ALL the best!!! This is written about Lisee Di but it goes for all of you. I love you all.

Chicken-Beef

I went swimming today with the little kids. I haven't been for a while so it was a little crazy!
The Goose decided that she was big enough to swim, and sure enough, she SWAM!!! She was swimming all around in the deep end! We stayed with her the whole time, but if you let go, she would swim for all she is worth! I was shocked! Only 4 years old---and swimming!
Matthew was pretty funny too. When we showed him Goose could swim he decided he could try, but ONLY if we held onto him the entire time! :D I tried to get him to let go and just hold onto the noodle, but there was NO WAY! I kept trying to get him to let go and just swim with the noodle. This is how it went:
Diana: Come on, Matthew. I think you're a chicken!
Matthew: I am NOT a chicken-beef!
Diana: A chicken-beef? What's a chicken-beef?
Matthew: A chicken-beef is someone who can't swim without a life-jacket or a noodle.
Diana: Well, it sounds like you are a chicken-beef to me.
Matthew: NO! You are!

Later

Diana: Hey silly!
Matthew: Silly what?
Diana: Silly. . . Chicken-beef!
Matthew: Well you're a silly crock-rat!
Diana: What is a crock-rat?
Matthew: Someone who calls people a chicken-beef!

So, there you have it. :) I love my family!

-Diana-

Righteous young men make the best wicked actors!

Pageant is upon us. This year I am privledged to do Harvest and also Christ in America. They invited me to help with picking out the parts. It was really fun. As I was watching Ben try out for Captain Moroni I thought he was doing pretty good. Then when Ben changed parts and was doing Zarahemna Brother Swenson came up to me and said "Wow, look at him!" Good kids that know who they are and where they are going make the best wicked people They don't worry about what others think because they are content with themselves. I was really impressed. As I watched other Young men try out I could see that it was really true. You can tell the young men who have testimonies and are happy themselves as who they are. This is true for Peter and Benj and others that i observed at the very last of pageant tryouts.

Sod between the houses

The grass between the 2 houses ha been non existent for quite a while. I have tried acouple of times to plant grass but it seems to get tromples out. A new lady in our ward is not to impressed with grass so she took out all the grass inthe front yard. She had a sign on it "free". I took the sign off and then the boys and I went up to get it. Then we located Dan the Dugger. He was out getting topsoil and offered to bring us a load. He dumped the load as close to the grass as he could then he brought in his front end loader and dumped the dirt where we needed it. Jake and the rest of the boys tried to even it out and then we planted sod. It looks so nice. I will attach pictures. We will wear out the grass in spots where they go to the back yard to work but I will put something htere to protect it a bit. The children have loved it and have run back and forth. I have loved it too!

Busy Week!!

I have been super busy lately. First of all about 2 weeks ago the drama teacher came to me and asked me if I could be in play and have one of the medium parts because the other girl who was going to do it got really sick and couldn't hold anything out. :( I felt so bad for her she really wanted to do it. So I had to learn a medium part of the play in not so much time.... Thanks to Vanessa and some of my family members we got all of it memorized. It was a really good experience but I don't think I will ever do another play. :D
Next I was super nervous for show choir tryouts and of course they were the same week and so I didn't think I did very good but to my surprise... I made it!
Next I come home from school today and Lisa is telling me all of her good news like how she got a car, computer, camera... all of the basic college nessesities in on week and she doesn't have a penny of debt. I was pretty excited for her. Then she pops anther awesome pointer of my life out. Travis (the owner of the Bakery) called me and wanted to interview me!! I went in like 45 mins. later I walk in and the first thing he asks is, "How's everyone?" and I told him everyone was really good. Then the real surprise came the next thing he says is, "We can probably hire you." and then he puts me on the schedule. :D I am one happy excited camper.

Steak for Dinner?!?!

Once Upon a Time, we were all craving steak for dinner. . . only one little problem: NO STEAK!!! We thought about this for a few minutes and Dad's face suddenly lit up!

So he quickly went to work!

The solution:

What a brilliant dad we have!! We are sure glad he knows how to use those nifty power tools!!! The finished product:

WA-LA We had steak for dinner anyways!!! Beautifil, and delicious I might add!! Who else ever would have thought to cut up the roast with the band saw so we could have steaks??? Only my Dear Old Dad!! :) And we all lived Happily Ever After!

Thanks Dad!!

It's not funny!

The dear OLD dad has some nasty confessions to make. It really isn't funny. The power went out this morning for about an hour and a half or so, and I had some patterns to draw, so I was in the house. I hear a knock at the door, and look out the window and see no new vehicles or anyone. I just figured it was our little Becky playing the "I knock on the door and you answer it" game that she has dicovered and grown quite fond of. I dutifully went to the door to do my part, and took hold of the door knob. Then a nasty thought came into my head. I'll scare her! So I yanked the door open and snorted really loud and then a man's belt buckle was staring me in the face. He only jumped about four inches, and had eyes the size of saucers. I don't think he lost any water though. He must have perfect bladder control.
Next I got a call from uncle George, and he told me another sober story. His friend Marty rents the other half of the building they work out of and is the bishop of his ward. Apparently one of the sisters has a son that is a little mentally handicapped. He is adult, and can pretty much take care of himself, so mom left him home alone, and ran some errands. Sometime along her route she got a call from her handicapped son. He was pretty excited, and said "Mom, there is a troll in my closet!" As only a mother can do she comforted him and told him to calm down and he would be alright, she would be home in a while. He hung up the phone and a few minutes later it rang again. She answered it and it was her son. "Mom, you gotta come home there is a troll in my closet! Again she calmed him down, and told him he would be alright, she only had a few things left, and she would be right home.
A few minutes later another call came and he said "Mom, you gotta come home now!,I caught a troll and he is in my closet!" With all the excitement coming through the phone, she thought she had better get home and find out what was going on, and make sure he was alright. As she tried to open the front door the couch was in the way blocking the door. You can imagine the thoughts going through her mind as she finally got in the house through the obstacles. Her son told her to hurry upstairs and see the troll that was in his closet. When she got up into his room he had a dresser in front of the closet door, so she helped him pull it out of the way, and opened the closet door. there to her astonishment was a dwarf, looking up at her with a horrified look on his face. Apparently he was out "witnessing" for the Lord all by himself, and when he knocked on the door he got kidnapped, and thrown in the closet. I bet he didn't think it was funny either!
This evening Laurie went to women's conference up at BYU. She told the kids they could watch a movie. Most of us voted for Hogan's heros. Matthew came over to where I was doing some things on the computer and said (holding two old video cassettes with the lables worn off them, )"Which one do you want to watch?" Of coarse I didn't care, and without looking up I said "Hogan would be fine" Next thing I knew the movies were under my nose, and He said these are the only two. I asked "What are they?" "Seven brides for seven brothers" and Blackbeard's ghost". We have watched both of those movies a few times this week, so I said "Hogan".
He sat down by me and said "dad is your favorite color black?". I said "no, everyone knows it's green" He hardly had time to think before he said " This movie has grass in it, and it's green!
We watched "Blackbeard's Ghost".

Outta Luck!

Typical Saturday morning. . . We were all kindof lazing around the front room waiting for something exciting to happen. Then in happened! Matthew had been trying ot get on his computer all morning, and I guess he just got sick of trying.
"Mom! This thing hates me! I'm outta luck!"
We all wondered where he got that from, but we are probably all to blame. I guess we need to start being more optimistic. (But it was funny anyway!) :)

Egypt

As I have been studying my lessons I have had a thought come to me that really has had made me think. We have been studying about the Israelites and their desired freedom.They had the desire to be free but if Moses had performed these miracles and the Pharaoh has just let them go the Israelites hearts weren't turned to our Heavenly Father. The miracles like his staff turning to a serpent and his hand with leprosy made their lives harder because then they had to go and gather their own stubble. They weren't sure that Moses was a blessing. The last plague of killing all the first-born helped them to have enough faith to follow Moses out into the wilderness. They had to get uncomfortable enough that the Israelites really wanted to go and the Egyptians wanted them gone. Israel was to be taken out of Egypt in much the same way that Egyptian must be taken out of Israel.
It is a two way road, to get rid of the wicked desires, we must completely remove ourselves from the environment. How many of us have Egypt in our hearts? We are satisfied with our lives and we don't trust in the Lord enough. We are content to stay in Egypt because our needs are being met. We have our home and food to eat, we are comfortable! If the Lord wants us to go out of that comfort zone we want him to make it easy! We want to have our home and food there so that we just have to walk right in and make ourselves comfortable again! That way we don't have to work for it. It's easier to stay where we are rather than going out into the wilderness and having to eat manna and trusting in him to take us where we need to go.... so that we can return and live with him again. We must have the faith to trust in him and follow the plan that he has laid out for us. Then once we truly come to trust on him, we can return to live with him for all eternity!
Laurie

Riding Mark instead of the piano bench
Alaina helping Mark paly the baritone

Laura and Miriam

I just found this picture of Di and thought it was cute. Iodn't know what she is doing

ok I didn't send all these pictures to Rachel but I was having so much fun I just thought I would post a few more and enjoy them.

Hannah and Rebeckah
Lynn goofing off with the girls

Lynn and Laurie

Matthew and Rebeckah decided to go tree climbing whilewaiting for everyone to get out the door for church

My cute Lisa

Matthew and Rebeckah showing off their tongues, after they had a sucker

I love this picture of Hannah

Matthew and Rebeckah riding the saddle that Uncle Philip gave Matthew

My adorable Timothy

Ben and Diana on Jr. Prom Night

We sent my cousin Kathy pictures for her to show Rachel. We randomly went around and took some pictures and then we also sent some that we had promised. They were so fun I thought I would post them.