tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17655696339206034912024-03-19T00:58:31.995-07:00...just another Mom?Thoughts, opinions and a little ranting about the world I live in. These will be in a range from things I struggle with to wonderful insights I have had and will probably involve some observations along the way.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.comBlogger398125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-78882678337994636662014-05-02T00:02:00.000-07:002014-05-02T00:02:25.054-07:00What would this Genie grant?I love collecting oil lamps. I have them from all over the world - Jerusalem, Mount St. Michelle, Lancaster Pennsylvania, Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco (and no, it is not made of chocolate) etc. Some of my lamps are useful, especially in a black out, but most are just pretty to admire. There is even a story of a lamp that most of us have heard of. A magic lamp that when rubbed, grants three wishes to his master. When it comes to Genealogy, we are all the genies, but we don't grant wishes, we give service.<br />
<br />
Genealogy service comes in three different ways. First we research our history so that we can know how and with whom we are connected to. This is often called "finding our roots". The second way we serve is by sharing the stories of our ancestors and ourselves with our 'currently alive family'. Our ancestors have a wealthy understanding of what it takes to survive, to build a great country, to sacrifice to bring forth the next generation. Many of the same concerns we struggle with now, they did then - how to put food on the table, how to connect with cute but obnoxious teenagers, how to handle adversity. The details of the concerns may be different, but the strength and faith are the same. It is just as important for us to record our story for our current and future family. I call this "finding our leaves". The third way we serve is by going to the temple and doing the ordinance work for our ancestors. I have a strong conviction that we are "on the same team" as our ancestors are and each of us were given a job/chore that reflected our talents, abilities, and availabilities. If we are on this earth at this time, one of our assignments is to do our genealogy/family history. There is no one on this Earth whose family history is "finished". That is just not the nature of genealogy/family history. New records are being discovered, indexed and made available all the time. New history is being made all the time. New family is being made all the time. Even if your family history was "as complete as it could possibly be" 10 years ago, it is not now. Many events have happened in the last 10 years, many records made available, and there are those who are now available to have their work done who 10 years ago were not yet eligible. For example, my Grandma West collected information about her siblings. She passed on about the same time as her siblings and their work remained undone. I have been able to recently go and do the work for my great aunt Gertrude and her husband. She and her husband had no children. I was able to finish researching her work and when I found that their temple work had not been done for them, I requested their names to do their work. This is not work that could have been done earlier, even if my Grandma West had "finished the genealogy work for our family".<br />
<br />
Our biggest reason to come to Earth is to become more like Jesus and Heavenly Father. We can only do that when we are willing to sacrifice ourselves in the same ways that they have. When we are willing to put our selfish desires, our insecurities, our free time on to the altar. When we are willing to let the Salvation of our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, and their children and spouses ahead of our selfish desires. When we are willing to do the work and not let the 'cup pass from us', that is when we become more like the Savior. That is when we are living to the measure of our creation because certainly our Heavenly Father would not send in his weakest team to clean up the loose ends. He does not send us down without a life line to connect us up to resources he has made available. He kept us until this time when he has let loose the records of the world so that even a busy mother of 6 can squeeze in time on a daily basis to search records that are hundreds of miles away from her home. I have been able to down load census records, marriage records, journals, pictures of ancestors, pictures of headstones, even search grave yards for additional family members that were as of yet unaccounted for.<br />
<br />
Often stories of magic genies granting wishes come with the realization that even when you are given what you think you want, it has down sides you did not know about. Conversely, with genealogy it has upsides that you do not yet know about. From personal experience as a person who has enjoyed temple service through out my life, it is a totally different experience when you have researched someone, know their family-your family, and have gone through the appropriate process to make sure that their work needs to be done (and has not already been done by someone else). It is an amazing spiritual experience; one that changes you/your family for the better. It is a wonderful feeling to have to unite families back together. This work will unlock the windows of heaven and you will have blessing to much to receive.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-45655998555470911632014-01-11T22:06:00.002-08:002014-01-11T22:06:38.190-08:00Some of my best ideas I get when I am talking with my kids...Tonight I was talking with Anna and our conversation turned to sincerely complimenting others. Out of the blue I suggested to her what a wonderful opportunity it would be to build up our friends if before we got together with them, we thought to ourselves of 2-3 qualities that we admire about them. Once we are with them, we could find ways to compliment them about the qualities we admire and respect about them. After I shared this idea, I just thought about what a wonderful effect it could have on others as well as ourselves.<br />
<br />
I don't claim ideas that come this way. When I am surprised by the good idea and learn from the good ideas that come out of my mouth, I always feel that they are from God through his Holy Spirit. This was one of those ideas. How blessed I am.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-60778284487408319552013-12-29T05:53:00.002-08:002013-12-29T05:53:33.774-08:00Santa Is GoneSanta is gone;<br /> all the gifts unwrapped.<br /> It is time for the New Year <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> to be mapped.<br /><br /> As we make our plans<br /> may we remember and pray,<br /> "To our dear Lord",<br /> and follow His Way.<br /><br /> When trials come,<br /> and they surely will.<br /> Let us remember their purpose-<br /> His Peace to feel.<br /><br /> Like a warm slice of bread<br /> that needs some butter-<br /> may we remember Christ <br /> and Love One Another.<br /> -Kristina Park 2013</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">I wrote this yesterday as I lay snuggling in bed with my 4 year old son. He was cold and tired (and had not been feeling well) so I snuggled to warm him up and hopefully to get him to fall back asleep. As I lay there I thought of how I will miss Christmas, but I was glad to see the commercial side of Christmas gone. I am thrilled with how this poem turned out.</span>Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-11600261317619746522013-06-11T21:31:00.000-07:002013-06-11T21:31:03.243-07:00Article about giving presentations and how to handle Q & A. I put it into bullet points to make it easier for me to read.Arizona Republic 05/29/2013, Page CL01 <br />
<br /> Get the Q&A session right. <br />
After a presentation, speaker should keep engaging audience<br /><br />
By Anita Bruzzese Gannett <br />
<br />
You’ve just finished your big presentation and take a quiet breath of relief. Not so fast. A critical part of your presentation is about to take place. And if you’re not careful, it could spin out of control and undo all your hard work. That’s because it’s now time for the question-and-answer period. <br />
Many speakers believe that once they’ve gone through their PowerPoint, they’re off the hook. They can answer a few simple questions and head for the exit. <br />
<br />
But speakers can make many mistakes when starting their question-and-answer session, says Ben Decker, an executive at Decker Communications. Some mistakes and reminders:<br />
<ol>
<li>Don't respond, “That’s a good question!” when an audience member makes a query. “That’s a bad habit,” Decker says. “It’s just a filler while they try to think of something to say, or they’re trying to give a pat on the back to the person who asked it. But that can alienate the other audience members when you don’t say the same thing to them when they ask a question.” </li>
<li>Speakers should not be afraid to pause before answering a question to gather their thoughts, he says. At the same time, they should think about how to link answers to a main point made in the presentation. “Question-and-answer sessions are as much of the communication experience as the presentation or speech,” Decker says. “It could be even the most important part in order to get buy-in.” </li>
<li>Another problem: A speaker may try to back away from a confrontational questioner or deny what is being said, says Nick Morgan, founder of Public Words. Instead, a speaker should move and stand next to the questioner, facing the same direction. This strategy maintains your authority but calms down the questioner because “they really are looking for recognition,” he says. “Then, instead of rejecting what they’re saying, reflect it. Say something like, ‘What I hear you saying is that you’re upset by my proposal because you feel I’ve left out the shepherds and the sheep. Is that fair?’ ” Morgan says. This helps gain the person’s agreement, he says. “Then, you can say something like, ‘I appreciate your point of view. In fact, you remind me of a story. ...’ and then you gradually change the subject by taking it in a direction that you want to go in,” Morgan says. </li>
<li>Decker agrees that you never should argue with someone in the audience. He recommends having a half-dozen stories at the ready to use to evoke emotion and help connect you with the audience. </li>
<li>When a question is off topic or too elementary, a speaker needs to respond with something like, “Can we take that offline? That’s really not on topic for our group time together, but I’d be happy to chat with you afterward,” Morgan says. </li>
<li>The question-and-answer session should not be viewed as something to just get through at the end of a presentation, Decker says. It’s an opportunity to hammer home points and connect with your audience. </li>
<li>One key to that connection is making sure you look directly at the questioner when the query is being made, then direct the answer to the audience to make them feel included, he says. </li>
<li>Morgan advises speakers not to panic if they don’t immediately get a question. “Be prepared to wait a full 6 seconds,” he says. “That’s how long it can take before someone responds. But it won’t take any longer than that. If you don’t wait, you send out a signal to your audience that you don’t really want to hear from them, and they will abide by that signal.” </li>
<li>‘‘Question-and-answer sessions are as much of the communication experience as the presentation or speech.” </li>
</ol>
BEN DECKER <br />
Executive at Decker Communications <br />Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-26702731796179597222013-06-01T06:58:00.001-07:002013-06-01T06:58:31.504-07:00Is it just tantrums or a developmental disorder?I read this article and thought it really expressed the differences between tantrums and melt downs (behavior from a child who is not developmentally able to communicate needs). These are not my own ideas, however I agree with them. - Kristina<br />
<br />
<a data-linkname="post/header/meta/title/8-signs-behavior" data-linkposition="post/header" href="http://www.babble.com/kid/8-signs-behavior/" rel="bookmark">8 Signs It’s More Than a Discipline Problem</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.babble.com/kid/child-development/8-signs-behavior/">http://www.babble.com/kid/child-development/8-signs-behavior/</a><br />
<h2>
Is it just tantrums or a developmental disorder?</h2>
<div class="author-time">
<span class="mobile"><img alt="bcjenniferjeannepatterson" class="avatar avatar-96 photo avatar-default" height="1" src="http://cdn.www.babble.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/d3899eaf2b95f7cbee775af936692145.jpg" width="1" /></span> <strong><a data-linkname="post/header/meta/author/bcjenniferjeannepatterson" data-linkposition="post/header" href="http://www.babble.com/contributor/bcjenniferjeannepatterson/"> Jennifer Jeanne Patterson </a> </strong> <span class="divider">|</span> <time datetime="2011-10-20 10:00"> October 20th, 2011 at 10:00 am</time></div>
For years, friends, family and professionals told <a href="http://www.consultingforspecialneeds.com/">Lucy Pritzker</a> her young son, who was prone to meltdowns, was simply willful. “He’s manipulating you,” they said.<br />
“But it wasn’t about our parenting. It didn’t make sense,” Pritzker said. “I knew him on a level other people didn’t. He’s a good boy. His meltdowns weren’t about him getting his way. He’d be so apologetic afterwards. You could see the pain he was putting himself through because he felt so badly about his behavior.”<br />
Turns out Pritzker was right. Now, at age 11, her son has been diagnosed with a nonverbal learning disability as well as PDD-NOS, an autism spectrum disorder.<br />
According to the CDC, 17% of children have a developmental or behavioral disability – and less than 50% are identified as having a challenge before they’re old enough to start school. Frequently, parents tune in before pediatricians do. So how do you know if your child’s behavior stems from a discipline problem or a developmental delay?<br />
“All tantrums have a communicative intent,” says Michelle Suarez, MS, ED, founder of <a href="http://www.kidsconsulting.org/Site_3/Home.html">Kaleidoscope Interactive</a>, which offers families therapeutic intervention and behavioral support. “The key is to understand the whys.”<br />
Clinical psychologist Dr. Matthew Cruger of <a href="http://www.childmind.org/">The Child Mind Institute</a> in New York City agrees.<br />
“Parents need to ask, ‘Is their child misbehaving because their child is a child, with limited experience understanding why their parents are setting developmentally appropriate rules? Is their child simply trying to get his or her way?’,” Dr. Cruger said. “Or is their child experiencing some kind of anxiety because they are pushed to do something they would prefer to avoid? These can be typical reasons why a tantrum occurs.”<br />
Here are some questions you can ask yourself during a temper tantrum to help determine whether it’s manipulative or potentially a developmental issue.<br />
<strong>1. You don’t understand the cause of the tantrum.</strong><br />
<strong>Manipulative:</strong> Your child pitches a fit when you say, “No, I will not buy you a toy.”<br />
<strong>Atypical development:</strong> Your child cannot explain why he is upset – and you can’t figure it out. “Parents become in tune with their child’s reactions. You know when your child is fussy and upset, that they are tired,” said Dr. Cruger. “But if you are uncertain about or unable to predict your child’s reactions to stimuli, that may be a sign that something is amiss.”<br />
<strong>2. Bribes or positive reinforcements don’t work.</strong><br />
<strong>Manipulative:</strong> Before you enter a grocery store, you say to your child, “You can have a lollipop if you behave.” And she behaves.<br />
<strong>Atypical development:</strong> If/then statements often don’t work. “With young children, you can have an incentive for them to focus on to guide their behavior,” Dr. Cruger said. “But for children with atypical development, a trigger – like the proximity of strangers or too loud noise – might disrupt their ability to keep that cue in the forefront of their minds.”<br />
<strong>3. You can’t stop the tantrum.</strong><br />
<strong>Manipulative:</strong> Your child hollers for a toy. You give in and buy it – and the tantrum stops.<br />
<strong>Atypical development:</strong> You give in and buy it – and the tantrum keeps going. “Some kids get so emotionally aroused that the situation transitions from the toy to needing help calming down,” Dr. Cruger said. “Others tantrum for a long time because they have difficulty controlling their impulses or reactions – which would enable them to calm down and manage their response.”<br />
<strong>4. Your child doesn’t feel satisfaction after the tantrum.</strong><br />
<strong>Manipulative:</strong> Your child is happy with the result of her tantrum. She got her toy.<br />
<strong>Atypical development:</strong> Your child is exhausted from the tantrum. And may no longer want the toy. “One of the markers of atypical development is how rigidly a child wants to hold onto a set routine for doing things in order for them to feel calm,” Dr. Cruger said.<br />
<strong>5. Your child can’t calm herself down when upset.</strong><br />
<strong>Manipulative:</strong> Your child knows to find mom or dad to feel better. And does.<br />
<strong>Atypical development:</strong> Your child throws a bike. “One of your jobs as a parent is to teach your children how to soothe themselves,” Dr. Cruger said. “Atypically developing children may have a hard time regulating their reactions based on the direction of their parents because on a brain basis, they are not tuned in to social relationships the same way.”<br />
<strong>6. You notice your child’s environment triggers the tantrums.</strong><br />
<strong>Manipulative:</strong> Your child screams and kicks to try to get you to comply to a request.<br />
<strong>Atypical development:</strong> Your child becomes overwhelmed by feelings or his environment, like a change in plans or noise, and may cover ears/hide. “If it’s those sort of stimuli, or being forced out of a routine that a child has a preference for, that are provoking a reaction, that may be a good reason to consider an evaluation,” Dr. Cruger said.<br />
<strong>7. Your child’s teacher has concerns.</strong><br />
<strong>Manipulative:</strong> Your teacher says your child is well-behaved at school.<br />
<strong>Atypical development:</strong> “Some kids with atypical development function very well with adults, but not with peers,” Dr. Cruger said. “That’s where teachers’ input can be very valuable. The teacher won’t be the person making a diagnosis, but they might be highlighting concerns for you about how things go.”<br />
<strong>8. Your gut tells you there is something more going on.</strong><br />
<strong>Manipulative:</strong> You know in your heart you shouldn’t give in, but you do.<br />
<strong>Atypical development:</strong> Your gut says your child is different. “Your gut is a good instinct in many cases. Parents often say, ‘We always knew something was a little different,’” Dr. Cruger said. “They’re really describing at an early age their child was much less responsive to their interactions and involvement.”Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-2752200881520498382013-04-16T09:29:00.001-07:002013-04-16T09:29:47.713-07:00long hair and giftedThis morning was the typical roller coaster ride at breakfast. I have been looking for a way to describe JJ's "giftedness" in academics to him and the other kids. JJ perceives it as he is smarter than the other kids his age/in his family. When evaluating in specific areas (that the school measures) that is true, over all I don't know that he is smarter than others. <br />
<br />
To give you an idea of where he is on IQ, he ranks in the 99th percentile in all areas. This means if you take 100 kids his age and rate them according to intelligence, he would be the 99th smartest kid in that group. My understanding is that it is the "highest mark" that one can receive. This is not a total surprise as I have had many teachers tell me that (even in Advanced Level Placement classes) he stretches the class/teacher to their learning peaks in lessons often bringing up elements to the lesson that are far beyond the typical academics for that age. Also because our family is a multiplex autism family (meaning that we have multiple kids with autism) we have been involved in a couple of research studies that involved giving each member of our family IQ tests. From this experience, we learned that both of our sons were advanced (JJ was given it when he was 3 years old, Andrew 5 years old at the time). The evaluator would not share their score (that was part of the deal with the research agreement) but she told me that she was amazed to see both of our son's get up into the 8-9 year old range. She also mentioned that she stopped testing him not because she thought he did not know the answers, but because he seemed to be purposely telling her the wrong answer to see her reaction.<br />
<br />
We are in the middle of trying to figure out a better placement for JJ. The school district has a self-contained gifted class room that they are starting next year. It will be made up of kids that are gifted in all areas (that they measure for academics). In many ways I think this will be fantastic for JJ. We are waiting to see if he is accepted, hopefully we find out today.<br />
<br />
Anyway, back to breakfast this morning, I looked at Anna and it hit me -- describe how length of hair does not affect femininity. So I asked the kids, "Does the fact that Anna has long hair and I have short hair affect whether or not we are girls?" <br />
Right away Andrew chirped in, "Well, yeah, she is a girl and you are not, but it had nothing to do with hair. She is young and you are not" (again with Andrew telling me I am old...what is with that kid?). <br />
OK, I forgot who I was talking to and did not choose my words as carefully as I should have. "Alright good point Andrew. Does our hair length affect our femininity?"<br />
"No mom."<br />
Back to my point I was trying to make, "Well, if someone thought that hair length was the only measure of what makes a girl, I mean female, than they might think that I am not a woman." At this point I bring the parallel points that I was initially trying to make about being gifted. We talk about how Anna and Andrew are gifted in piano/musical abilities, JJ is academically gifted in his learning style, etc. I focus on how many people are gifted in different areas, but even if some aren't gifted that doesn't mean they are not smart.<br />
<br />
Being with my kids, I feel like a world traveler who goes from Chicago to New York by way of the Ukraine. I had never guessed how much teaching I would do as a mother. I have a feeling that many of the things that I verbally teach to my children are due to their Autism/lack of ability to socially learn (picking up learning from watching others learning) sometimes called incidental learning. I also recognize that this is part of the nurturing that society does not recognize as a major responsibility of parents, and specifically mothers. It is trivialized to the point that as long as we find reputable sports clubs, high achieving schools or daycare that we are fulfilling that duty. Somehow our job as parents is to help our children feel fulfilled and entertained. I think there is a great underestimation in the need for these conversations and learning experiences with our rising generation. It is the opportunity where we can develop skills, compassion, and wisdom within our children that takes an incremental development that can't happen when we are eating on the go, watching TV during dinner or in school.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-6975493767468041642013-04-14T01:33:00.001-07:002013-04-14T01:33:52.001-07:00I have achieved my ultimate plan...(Andrew)...I only need to get 3 million more of these X-wing fighters and I can take over the world!<br />
<br />
Mom (sitting in the front seat driving the car out of the Hobby Lobby parking lot) - So should I start saving more 40% off coupons for you?<br />
<br />
Andrew - When I get home I can have my ice cream and sit down and start working on this model.<br />
<br />
Mom - Uh...do you know what time it is? It was 7:40 when we left. Your bedtime is 8:00 dude.<br />
<br />
Andrew - Lady put the pedal to the metal!<br />
<br />
Mom (laughing and to herself) You are quite a character. (Then I get flashes of my childhood memories. Our pediatrician walking into the room and asking me a question to which I reply very matter-of-factly, but in a very untypical humorous way, and he chuckles, shaking his head saying to my mother, "She's a character, isn't she?" My mom agrees. Fast forward to being in the counseling office in high school preparing applications for college. The guidance counselor asks me to describe myself so I respond that, "I am a character." She gives me an odd look and politely asks me if I understand what that means.<br />
<br />
Back in the car in Arizona, Andrew - I would appreciate it if you could make sure you are going the speed limit or slightly above it.<br />
<br />
<br />
Side note - When I relayed this conversation to my husband, he smiled and commented, Andrew sure got his sense of humor from you.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-27445707483691529582013-03-26T20:50:00.000-07:002013-03-26T20:50:00.111-07:00but I am a good crocodile...Rosi has lately been enjoying pretend play(one of my first children to do so, which is slightly unique because she is child number 5). When she is in the bath she will often say, "I am a crocodile, but I am a good crocodile..." She likes pretending she has a big old crocodile mouth by using her arms, but she never does anything menacing or hardly at all other than to state her "creed".Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-6005218719445416292013-03-25T08:17:00.000-07:002013-03-25T08:17:00.395-07:00How a pig gets slaughtered by Andrew (10 yrs old)We are sitting at the table eating cereal and Andrew starts having a conversation/monologue about something he has been reflecting on lately...how they slaughter pigs.<br />
<br />
"Well, first I thought maybe they starve the pigs to kill them. (Mom thinking...ohh, that is horribly mean. How inhumane can you be?) But then I realized that if you starved the pigs, then they would lose all their fat and a lot of their muscles too. (Me again...Wow, good analysis of how ineffective that would be). So then I thought that maybe the froze them to kill them. (Yep, it's me again...That would have to be a huge fridge. And what would you do with a frozen dead pig? You would have to defrost it to butcher it.) So then I finally decided that they wait until the pigs are sleeping and sneak up on them and cut their necks. (Well, at least that is slightly more humane.)"<br />
<br />
Afterward we had a discussion about slaughter houses and how they worked. We even discussed Temple Grandin and her work on creating more humane slaughter houses (last I had heard she had designed at least a third of the slaughter houses in the US). Temple is a Professor at Colorado State (?) and also has autism. She is probably one of the most famous people in the Autism community. She is a fun and informational lady to listen to, but definitely not a comedian. She is very practical and such a great example.<br />
Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-11155914507633428722013-03-24T20:24:00.004-07:002013-03-24T20:24:46.983-07:00MarriageWell, I would expect that there will be a lot of discussion this next week or so about marriage. For me it is simple, the government should stay out of marriage...completely. Marriage is a religious sacrament (or ordinance, depending on your faith). It has occurred for millennia through many different religions regardless of the government. The United States government did not create marriage. To me that means that it does not have the authority to modify it. State and federal governments have given benefits to married people, not because they are married, but because they believe that married people benefit our government. Often reasons such as stability and building up of the next generation of our society are sited for such benefits. That may be true, but for me marriage is further reaching than that.<br />
<br />
In the LDS faith we believe that parenthood and the right to procreate are important parts of our Eternal growth. That these are merely steps in a much longer path. We believe that it is a privilege to join in marriage and then afterward to join together to become one flesh, figuratively as well as literally. We understand that on Judgment Day we will stand accountable to God, the Father (and His son Jesus Christ) for how we choose to join with God in the experience of Creation (birthing/having children). This is one of the main reasons why LDS people don't engage in premarital sex (I understand this is a struggle for many, and some are not successful in abstaining before marriage).<br />
<br />
We also believe that all children are entitled to a father and a mother. We believe that God designed genetics this way (requiring a man and a woman) because this is the way that God set up the standard for marriage. I honestly believe that before God told Adam and Eve to go forth and "multiply and replenish the earth" that he married them, right there in the Garden of Eden.<br />
<br />
Now I have been asked if love should not be enough to justify marriage. To this I say no. I believe that it is a desirable element to have, but I believe marriage should require other things before even love. I believe it should require the commitment of both as a minimum for the rest of their lives (within the LDS faith you can choose to be married for your life as well as for all eternity). I believe that they should share their standards and have the same vision of life. I believe that they should share a desire to raise up a family. For me there were several men that I loved deeply that I decided not to marry because while we had much in common, I knew that beyond love we did not have what it would take to be successful in marriage.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-77468227423532767202013-03-23T08:16:00.001-07:002013-03-24T20:54:15.877-07:00Conversation with JJJJ: I like lots of fruits and vegetables.<br />
Mom (skeptical): Really? Cause I can only thing of one, no two that you like - Carrots and red delicious apples.<br />
JJ: No, I also like bananas, Red Delicious Apples and Granny Smith Apples.<br />
Mom: Hmmm- that means you and Grandpa Williams have something in common. You both like Granny Smith apples. <br />
JJ: Too bad his last name is Williams and not Smith.<br />
Mom: We actually have a great grandma Smith - Sarah Ervene Smith.<br />
JJ: Well then, she is our great, great, granny smith. Hey, I have a joke. What apple is related to the Red Delicious...the Granny Smith!<br />
<br />
<br />
This is an example of me talking to JJ about healthy eating choices. No wonder he still hasn't figured it out. As his mother I am a college educated, street smart (by way of growing up with 5 brothers and 3 sisters...maybe I should call that big family smart) mother who can't have a conversation to reach a predictable teaching because having conversations with her kids (especially JJ) are more like using a roller coaster to go grocery shopping.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-1921765308997411822013-03-20T07:20:00.001-07:002013-03-20T07:20:16.428-07:00Me unloading the dishwasher, Andrew eating breakfast at the table:<br />
Me: Andrew (10 yrs old) did you know that when I was a kid there was a time we had to wash the dishes by hand because the dishwasher broke and G'ma and G'pa did not replace it right away?<br />
Andrew: That is terrible. How did you have time to play video games? Um...did they have video games back then?<br />
<br />
<br />
Ugh, is that what it feels like to get old?<br />
<br />Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-37255131927929469972013-03-16T12:23:00.001-07:002013-03-16T12:23:23.276-07:00sibling conversationsJJ (8 yrs old) - I wish they did not have a law about not being allowed to marry your siblings.<br />
Mom (none of your business old) - Hmm, why JJ which sibling would you want to marry?<br />
JJ, sheepish look on his face, smiles - Anna.<br />
Mom - She is sure nice huh?<br />
MM , (5 yrs old) - Yeah, she's nice. If I could marry a girl, I would marry her.<br />
Andrew (9 yrs old) - Well, you can't marry someone your same gender...how would you have babies? I think I would marry _______ (girl in his class). Mom, if you read my journal you would know I have a crush on her (giggle, giggle).<br />
Mom - am I suppose to be reading your journal? Do you want me to?<br />
Andrew - Well, maybe not all the time, but you could sometimes just to make sure I am not getting into trouble.<br />
Mom - Umm, OK.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I love seeing my kids perspective on things, and I learn a lot of things I did not know, like how I am SUPPOSE to be reading my son's journal. Never would have guessed that one. It is good to see some of my teachings coming out in their natural conversations. Now if you will excuse me, evidentially I have been neglecting some juice 4th grader journal reading.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-1061534904067413752013-02-24T16:54:00.001-08:002013-02-24T16:54:25.142-08:00No picture neededIt is the curse of mom bloggers (and maybe bloggers on the whole) to want to take pictures to go along with their stories. I struggle with this, because I feel like I am sending a mixed message to my kids when I tell them "No don't do that" while I am fighting back a smile and taking a picture. So as an attempt to catch some funnies that I decided best to not take pictures off...<br />
<br />
-Today after church JJ (size 8-10) came down stairs wearing William's (size 3) sweatpants. I was impressed he was able to fit them on. In all fairness to JJ, they fit like a pair of biker shorts, although I would have thought the elastic cuffs and waist band a bit to tight for my taste.<br />
<br />
- Yesterday I walked though the kitchen to find William standing on the counter with the PBH (Peanut Butter and Honey) cupboard open. He was asking (I think himself), "Where's the honey?" When I walked up to him, he casually turned to me and said that (pointing to a mostly empty container of honey) has no honey, where's the honey? Smiling inspite of myself, I looked around and saw the other honey container (we have two smaller one's we refill from bulk bottles of honey) over by the stove. I pointed to it (I do not have a voice right now due to sickness) and he giggled and hopped down to get it. Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-42700064764995164352013-02-19T08:43:00.000-08:002013-02-19T08:43:01.149-08:00A daisy by any other name, would smell as sweet...waitConversation with Andrew after he finished cleaning the kid's bathroom. The bathroom had a lot of globs of dried toothpaste (guess who is one of the biggest offenders of spilling toothpaste?).<br />
<br />
Mom: Andrew that bathroom sure looks great. You did a good job.<br />
Andrew: Thanks mom, I really got my back into it.<br />
Mom: ?..oh, you really put your back into it?<br />
Andrew: Yeah, there is lots of elbow grease in that one.<br />
Mom: Oh, you used a lot of elbow grease?<br />
Andrew: Yep, it is clean because of my back and elbow grease.<br />
Mom: Well, you did a great job.<br />
Andrew: Mom, can we discuss it at family counsel?<br />
Mom: Discuss what Andrew?<br />
Andrew: That people need to clean up a mess after they make it, not leave it there for it to dry.<br />
Mom, smiling: Sure Andrew. I think that would be a great.<br />
<br />
PS Andrew did a great job in family council explaining how hard he had to scrub and scrape to get the toothpaste off and how simple it would be for everyone (he and JJ) to use less toothpaste as well as clean up right after a spill if you make a mess. <br />
<br />
It always makes me giggle with my vocabulary-affluent children use euphemisms that are not stated correctly. It usually catches me off guard, then makes me smile. Another one Andrew uses a lot is "squashed like a tomato". He is often reminded that it a grape, not tomato, but for the life of me, I can't figure out why tomato hasn't caught on. Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-44967740622298424032012-11-07T14:28:00.000-08:002012-11-07T14:28:00.449-08:00Fall break or fall fun?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_xJfdhbAA3QUtok1ZOrprd18zidL_hdcnIppxrwDrp6d3eP_zH_PVSMuNi6L-jONwxOIHxoLuhZKiDT9ktGExRpya65xwLBd7WN49tEElfNeDR3jBG0esFwwO6aQSHrPy7b08E3NRog/s1600/WP_000315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_xJfdhbAA3QUtok1ZOrprd18zidL_hdcnIppxrwDrp6d3eP_zH_PVSMuNi6L-jONwxOIHxoLuhZKiDT9ktGExRpya65xwLBd7WN49tEElfNeDR3jBG0esFwwO6aQSHrPy7b08E3NRog/s320/WP_000315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is one of the many pictures that I could have taken over fall break. My kids had so much fun playing together. I think this vacation is the one that bridged the gap for me. It was lovely to see my kids play independent of me and my negotiating, refereeing, and judging. It was so great to see the creative juices flow. I think this one they were writing a play of sorts and JJ was using our backgammon game as a briefcase and Anna looks like she, MaggieMae, and RosiLee are all dressed up to do some serious shopping. William I think was trying to hide behind his hands, but missed his face as he ran off right after I clicked this and never came back. Andrew is diving into the picture although I am not sure he was actually directly playing with his siblings at that time.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-22822458803539356212012-11-06T10:44:00.000-08:002012-11-06T10:44:00.845-08:00The Bubble Master<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGtvjH2BzidRpj3wUYbq7WTcpXvaNTn7YnEdws7VZIanpoOdZru8THBuKHJj-cYTF6Nl0aAsW8LcLTPoZ9K7aCt3uGK00Xz301XAjM2-TQFwolCOZTAhVFQlgs1e3twnnUZcfIPz_49A/s1600/WP_000325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGtvjH2BzidRpj3wUYbq7WTcpXvaNTn7YnEdws7VZIanpoOdZru8THBuKHJj-cYTF6Nl0aAsW8LcLTPoZ9K7aCt3uGK00Xz301XAjM2-TQFwolCOZTAhVFQlgs1e3twnnUZcfIPz_49A/s320/WP_000325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My kids love both of their parents, however, there is one place that dad by far outshines mom - the bathtub. Rosi and William love when daddy washes them up because they get bubbles. Well, they actually get bubbles with Momma too because I rub bubbles all over their bodies to get them clean. Daddy makes bubbles - just for popping, watching, but mostly for giggling. The kids just get such a delight out of these huge bubbles. This bubble is about 15 inches long. It starts at his right hand and goes all the way down to the edge of the upper bath tub rim. The twins just love these huge bubbles and beg, plead, and giggle for more. Jeff always willing to put on a good show, willingly agrees to making more. Unfortunately it is often let to mom to be the clock-cop and tell them they need to hurry up and get out and dressed as we are late for church.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-24163519197396803122012-11-03T14:32:00.000-07:002012-11-03T14:32:00.225-07:00Even MaggieMae's need piano lessons too...and recitals!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUT-HsS06dEgk_qKWOxHF_obru4HWftBogYb9wwdG33QG63yxaxzqo3usrBrP1Hiky8JlNiz26nD43d1z7ULUVt1MrPTPTUnpBIkLB8Hh_BczpxOhPXpN0XKAukaHYUSOExJP5MBGQkMc/s1600/WP_000324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUT-HsS06dEgk_qKWOxHF_obru4HWftBogYb9wwdG33QG63yxaxzqo3usrBrP1Hiky8JlNiz26nD43d1z7ULUVt1MrPTPTUnpBIkLB8Hh_BczpxOhPXpN0XKAukaHYUSOExJP5MBGQkMc/s320/WP_000324.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
MaggieMae has wanted to take piano lesson's for about a year now. I have relented and taught her a few lesson's myself. When she realized that we were having a recital, she wanted her own as well. So she got one on her own. I am happy to report that unlike her mother, she played her pieces perfectly. She knows two or three songs and enjoys playing them.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-22582641950568412442012-11-02T13:12:00.000-07:002012-11-02T13:12:00.804-07:00Piano recital Oct 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXekOf7suWsv356QjCQy6iyMcBnJrV4ox9OzoJdsSjh-pxik9frXZYuZJRcdUM7lXFMe_P9NwGLNXr2lndAbsBAixpJze0MzMwBapVKPrjzGcOVgSvILyJlW6WvmxPZasusM0kxY-Ytw/s1600/WP_000320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXekOf7suWsv356QjCQy6iyMcBnJrV4ox9OzoJdsSjh-pxik9frXZYuZJRcdUM7lXFMe_P9NwGLNXr2lndAbsBAixpJze0MzMwBapVKPrjzGcOVgSvILyJlW6WvmxPZasusM0kxY-Ytw/s320/WP_000320.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Andrew playing Mr Brahms famous lullaby and Green Frog Hop. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IdDLiegSIzteE1YV59mLkypOaQdjAt6ixqADbWVvy6qXFeZ3Hz8cIbl6QcIptDTYU0oq1k2ynXivnAE1mjj7d0rRDyoe5OE08PGtuCN2vQSNdGvxTErWhn_p6wMtMtKvrEV_6FbXCik/s1600/WP_000321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IdDLiegSIzteE1YV59mLkypOaQdjAt6ixqADbWVvy6qXFeZ3Hz8cIbl6QcIptDTYU0oq1k2ynXivnAE1mjj7d0rRDyoe5OE08PGtuCN2vQSNdGvxTErWhn_p6wMtMtKvrEV_6FbXCik/s320/WP_000321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anna playing Away in a Manger and Elves Silver Hammer.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePXnhy9Nk8-r7PiOLGIeQ0Oy9DwX3xzBxWua5y3IGEsej_Pk6_GW2s8xUvpyZZQ653ZmT-RptKGWb51YUOKmpUPPsMQvxLfUGyNMu1sOxFxx4Xdei40LAXU6YbXRF00X25ZvGNjiHqjo/s1600/WP_000322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePXnhy9Nk8-r7PiOLGIeQ0Oy9DwX3xzBxWua5y3IGEsej_Pk6_GW2s8xUvpyZZQ653ZmT-RptKGWb51YUOKmpUPPsMQvxLfUGyNMu1sOxFxx4Xdei40LAXU6YbXRF00X25ZvGNjiHqjo/s320/WP_000322.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kristina playing Ooga Booga Boogie and Be Thou Humble.</div>
<br />Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-1236203227846909552012-11-01T14:21:00.000-07:002012-11-01T14:21:00.167-07:00What or who is a princess anyway?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgEydsOZieMGtVmpsByfvgbz2ELZA9SbyKv2IQFIt5Ode2kWpm2NpLyH-_g5S8hy4KQ-XvfgYgFlaJEKgCM3XDsj4bCGskhbb9AxqFS7hm_fvgRVjdVLRI5ksNFxrTIjhF8Fzk0O5oIs/s1600/WP_000314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgEydsOZieMGtVmpsByfvgbz2ELZA9SbyKv2IQFIt5Ode2kWpm2NpLyH-_g5S8hy4KQ-XvfgYgFlaJEKgCM3XDsj4bCGskhbb9AxqFS7hm_fvgRVjdVLRI5ksNFxrTIjhF8Fzk0O5oIs/s320/WP_000314.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
This is RosiLee's favorite costume to wear. She calls it a princess costume. Obviously it is Minnie Mouse, who while she may be as rich as a princess, to my knowledge has no royal blood. It got me thinking after hearing Rosi call this her princess costume about how she really doesn't know what a princess is. So much of what our kids learn is not based in fact or reality but rather on trust and love for parents. It could be very overwhelming if you let it be. I guess I realized that we as parents are responsible to teach our children so much, it made me wonder if we really stop to think about how we evaluate what we see in the world around us and how we share it with our kids.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-61173736990134743672012-10-30T14:14:00.000-07:002012-10-30T14:14:00.541-07:00William's surgery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUV2x1tPciAKnY736CWaqHsIDQsSg8Xi_5iZDQrD0ygJD1p8o7P5VQKSHEBMJPkxg7_YLvxoOVpWkqaEYSVNzc_0Mi9gyA8OSAt-wM23FR_uJAV42dnOMtXDcITRGL9MtSSt6Cp249c0/s1600/WP_000310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUV2x1tPciAKnY736CWaqHsIDQsSg8Xi_5iZDQrD0ygJD1p8o7P5VQKSHEBMJPkxg7_YLvxoOVpWkqaEYSVNzc_0Mi9gyA8OSAt-wM23FR_uJAV42dnOMtXDcITRGL9MtSSt6Cp249c0/s320/WP_000310.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is William after he recovered from the anesthesia of his surgery. He has a sippy cup full of ice water, an apple juice box, a hamburger, and a chicken wrap. He just alternates between these four and falling asleep. As I drove home I would check up on him every 30 seconds or so (probably should have found someone to drive for me) but the poor guy was just all over the place. He would literally go from drinking his water, to his juice and then back again without stopping for more than a breath. Then a bit of the hamburger and more drinking. I had grabbed a chicken wrap to help with my hunger. I did not get more than a bite before he sequestered that from me and added it to his feast. What causes a guy to be so hungry? Well, this was about 2:30 in the afternoon. He was not able to eat before surgery so he had not eaten since the night before. It took him almost 2 hours to come out of the anesthesia and even then he kept falling asleep all afternoon.<br />
<br />
About two weeks ago he had a surgery was for a hydroseal. It is basically a pocket of water that is formed in his scrotum when it leaks out from his abdominal cavity. It is along the same lines as a hernia. He has had it for a year or so and we have watched it to see if it would go away, get worse, etc. We decided we have not paid enough our our deductible yet this year, so we decided he needed it.Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-62474695020644069032012-10-28T13:03:00.001-07:002012-10-28T13:03:45.756-07:00Church party - trunk-r-treat 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkbo2NCNRLCpfTXOBPZcwGT8eODYEduRso3PpDMlFNK5XhGu3PUJP6eNAj1G70yDFMkrxQfPAC54-vEJsAJuK46yb2GYwbGX1yREupJOJa1mgQlAZ2wudFj3olYIFqOCGkz-HoKIYVHQ/s1600/WP_000366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkbo2NCNRLCpfTXOBPZcwGT8eODYEduRso3PpDMlFNK5XhGu3PUJP6eNAj1G70yDFMkrxQfPAC54-vEJsAJuK46yb2GYwbGX1yREupJOJa1mgQlAZ2wudFj3olYIFqOCGkz-HoKIYVHQ/s320/WP_000366.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Andrew - Soviet Army guy - famous quote for this Halloween,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"The problem with all this chili is that they put beans in them."</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQQgRfRVZ3faI0ng8phNYRfusf8i5lw7A08Z8E8RRFVrsdgX-aXyz-4cpffkVilxYJbtC_l02Q7ZcywC0Kf5cIM9E16zRsG4W0z8F-loU2OWQtFTbHZWEO_SvjsGKNwRTFdSiQNJ5GB4/s1600/WP_000368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQQgRfRVZ3faI0ng8phNYRfusf8i5lw7A08Z8E8RRFVrsdgX-aXyz-4cpffkVilxYJbtC_l02Q7ZcywC0Kf5cIM9E16zRsG4W0z8F-loU2OWQtFTbHZWEO_SvjsGKNwRTFdSiQNJ5GB4/s320/WP_000368.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anna dressed up as a gypsy girl.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4UOsstNUiZ8piBuyNsU4mGtokImpWg3LysYyyno1yTDUSM1pRoQNuQEp_BuR35bvKthfs2LhOy4jfzRJff6eJocPym-2aKaMeXt_P-rfEPr4z98cSNiwjuwPl09uFttuVat4DMu21Zw/s1600/WP_000369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4UOsstNUiZ8piBuyNsU4mGtokImpWg3LysYyyno1yTDUSM1pRoQNuQEp_BuR35bvKthfs2LhOy4jfzRJff6eJocPym-2aKaMeXt_P-rfEPr4z98cSNiwjuwPl09uFttuVat4DMu21Zw/s320/WP_000369.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
William's "costume" - he was a three year old boy who loves candy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
JJ is in the background wearing his Lego "Max" (the mascot for Lego).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF90O-NGwo_pt-O_3mbHBeVjNiu6PZywZswLW3ibds0gEEt7xyPVD0ICj3xuC58il_EkbfeTTBAespwp8hder9mPDWlZ9FVMS4Dcqo0YcKAl7Fy4ajZxkgVxyeW7c_KzndUCAW14ydYk/s1600/WP_000367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF90O-NGwo_pt-O_3mbHBeVjNiu6PZywZswLW3ibds0gEEt7xyPVD0ICj3xuC58il_EkbfeTTBAespwp8hder9mPDWlZ9FVMS4Dcqo0YcKAl7Fy4ajZxkgVxyeW7c_KzndUCAW14ydYk/s320/WP_000367.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
RosiLee and MaggieMae decided to both dress up as ballerinas.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-90389893230100469582012-08-26T16:06:00.000-07:002012-10-28T13:06:53.315-07:00In monsoon rains you don't try to stay dryI love standing in the rain during a monsoon rain. It is like someone is taking a bathtub of water and dumping it on your head...continuously. I don't try to stay dry during these storms, usually the child within me escapes and I enjoy running around and getting wet for a few minutes. You don't try to stay dry in weather like that. You enjoy it while it lasts (Arizona has over 300 sunny days a year - that is completely sunny, not a cloud in the sunny sky. It helps one appreciate the rain and especially a good storm.) <br />
<br />
There are a lot of storms in one's life. The most thought of but probably least common (at least in Arizona) is the weather type. There are other types - storms in relationships, families, work, personally, etc. Lately our family is enduring another not often talked about and probably not even noticed by most -a storm of blessings. In the last few months we have had a child go "into remission" from a disease that causes tumors, a great promotion for my husband (and a raise!), money sent from family we were not expecting, the opportunity to spend a few weeks visiting most of our extended family, a great vacation, a new king size bed, an opportunity for me to have a temporary job and still be able to be at home most of that time, opportunity to see one of our siblings get married, cars that are older than our children continue to run well, a brand new sectional couch that is large enough for our eight person family given to us, twins currently potty training, and I am sure the list goes on. There have been a few times in my life where I have experienced the "window of heaven open and pour out a blessing so great there is not room enough to receive it". This is one of those times. I am indeed grateful and appreciate that this is not suppose to be the normal flow of life, but rather an occasional burst of joy and blessings. I appreciate such a wonderful outpouring for our family. We truly feel like we have been blessed a hundred fold of anything we could have possibly done.<br />
<br />
In monsoon rains you don't stay dry, but that is ok. Rain is good for many things, especially for getting you wet. I like being soaked and I am.<br />
<br />Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-64456969883813890332012-06-23T18:14:00.001-07:002012-06-23T18:14:28.341-07:00When I grow up...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOyB5c6wabwTq2GqnMA9zknHI0qtgdVeJNcleIVT-ftnfPCNXuMGmqfzxvoK5pDKUdDnZ-fvigdSxrGMzXeSqs61fmuFK3KmbvJj3jDYVg9ms_wn1gKMIpbFg6M3jhjU69ewAws9ey7o/s1600/Jeff2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOyB5c6wabwTq2GqnMA9zknHI0qtgdVeJNcleIVT-ftnfPCNXuMGmqfzxvoK5pDKUdDnZ-fvigdSxrGMzXeSqs61fmuFK3KmbvJj3jDYVg9ms_wn1gKMIpbFg6M3jhjU69ewAws9ey7o/s320/Jeff2.JPG" width="251" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jeff made a wonderful stew for dinner tonight. MaggieMae complimented Jeff on it and told him, "When you grow up, you should be a chef."Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1765569633920603491.post-38187622898439330662012-06-23T18:12:00.001-07:002012-06-23T18:12:20.200-07:00What does the President (of the USA) do?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHMOFoFB0jX_rhrn7E7_W9nG4jr-h5XawkO7_fpNeThBT_hTYZVa8-sVvOj9SpqLZFUqqlBr1gsAgwhT092S9YK5KriF_wkA_T_0lgm1ylrjlkGAnaomYfTcOps0kHsUb3Us6sdDHurs/s1600/MaggieMae.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHMOFoFB0jX_rhrn7E7_W9nG4jr-h5XawkO7_fpNeThBT_hTYZVa8-sVvOj9SpqLZFUqqlBr1gsAgwhT092S9YK5KriF_wkA_T_0lgm1ylrjlkGAnaomYfTcOps0kHsUb3Us6sdDHurs/s320/MaggieMae.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Tonight at dinner we were discussing with the kids why we support Mitt Romney for President (more on that later). MaggieMae asked a follow up questions, "Since the President's job is to protect us, does that mean that his job is to tell Captain Righteousness (think Captain Kangaroo crossed with Green Lantern that appears monthly during Sunday School to teach the children about choosing the right) to get all the bad guys?". Sigh, if only it were that easy Maggie. Of course my initial reaction (besides laughing) was isn't that a conflict of what a lot of people interpret of "separation of church and state", probably violates many defense contract laws, civil liberties groups, etc.<br />
<br />
<br />Kristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223836058175963104noreply@blogger.com0