Memorizing

So I’ve been thinking a lot about Sister Beck’s talk, and what I need to do to implement some of her ideas. As I was pondering on this, I came across President Charles W. Dahlquist’s talk at the Draper Temple Fireside. He was just released as the General YM President. He spoke on memorization and how he had his daughters memorize numerous poems growing up. ANYWAY, he said the following,

“What is the value of memorization? TO HELP US REMEMBER. To put the knowledge down in to the recesses of our souls, so that we can draw on it when we need it! PREPARE NOW, MEMORIZE NOW, STRENGTHEN NOW so that you are prepared when difficult situations arise.”

Isn’t that so true!!! This can apply to lessons learned in school, at church or at home. Think of all the tedious studying a doctor does during med school and how valuable it is when he needs to recall it. Think of how a scripture or hymn planted deep in our minds can provide an answer or help later on.

On my mission we had to memorize the discussions. The reason that we were instructed to do this was so that we would know the teaching and principle inside and out. I love the strength and security that I have from the scriptures that I have memorized.

I believe that songs and rhythm help us to memorize. I’m thankful for the Primary songs that teach doctrine to little minds without them even realizing it. I love the songs taught at school help the kids remember.

ANYWAY, back to what I implemented to put this into action. My kids are constantly reading the cereal boxes in a daze in the mornings. They are half awake and in slow motion. So I have a page in a sheet protector that I lay on the table every night after dinner has cleared. In the sheet protector in small lettering it has the quote from President Dahlquist on memorization, (so they will know WHY we are doing this), and then in bold large lettering I have a quote that I want them to memorize. In weeks to come I’m going to have them memorize poems, scriptures, quotes, you name it. I’m really excited about this because the kids have been excited. Of course it’s something new, but I’m determined to make it a habit to have them memorize things that are good.

SOOO, do any of YOU have any great quotes, poems, …. Let me know!

I Cried Tonight

Tanya, don’t read this post.  I mean it Tanya if I hear that you read this … I’m going to be very upset.  Now that Tanya is not reading, I will tell you why I cried.  It started out with this on Sunday:

Yes, she looks nice and soft and gentle, but then things started to happen ……

She started------.turning into a brute and climbing out of her highchair.  Oh did you think that I was going to say something bad happened to a kitty.  No, something bad happened to my baby, she got big on me.  And tonight she sat in a new booster seat AT the table.  As the highchair was whisked out tears DID fall.  I don’t want my baby to get big and that’s why I didn’t want Tanya reading this.  (Not because Tanya is the vet technician)  I just didn’’t want Tanya to see what will happen to HER baby!

I have to add just a few more of the kitty pictures from today.  Jerrica LOVES to “softly” hold the kitties.

See Tanya, she really is soft and sweet with them.

You aren’t looking anymore are you?!?  Because sometimes, just sometimes the petting may feel like pushing.  And the teeth might start to bite down for a STRONG, little hug for the kitty.

Oh we better end this post before PETA gets a hold of any more of these kitty photos.

Gardening with Plastic Knives

Look what is on my tomato plants!!! No it's not the big horned worm, I'm sure he will be coming later this summer. My tomatoes have blossoms. I took a picture extra close so that you could see them. I took the wall of water off just for a minute to show you the plant itself growing.

Now for the gardening tip of the week. It is Plastic Knives. You know how you get a package of mixed plasticware and use all of the spoons and forks, but never the knives. This is the perfect use for them. I use them as markers for my plants. You just write with a Sharpie on the handle and jam the knife into the ground. I even mark the colors on my mixed tulips and gladiolas in case I want to move them around after the plant has withered. I also mark the various vegetable seeds that I use. I may have two rows of peas of two different varieties, but like to know which performs better. Once again the plastic knives to my rescue. I learned this years ago when Grandma Jackie would have me come down and write on her knives and help her label in her greenhouse. You can see my knives here: http://mymixofsix.blogspot.com/2009/03/sprouting-and-budding.html

Medieval Day

Another dress up day at school. Nathan has been studying the Medieval Ages. They had a huge feast with their hands for lunch. Parents had brought in fried chicken, apple slices, cubed cheese, baked potatoes and pie for dessert. Then they rotated between three different stations. The first was the "Market". They could buy shields, jeweled goblets, leaf crowns, or felt Robin Hood hats. Nathan and Asa opted for the shields. They also would perform for additional coins. Nathan juggled scarves.

The next room was completely dark with only a few stain glass windows. It was the monastery. Each child sat by a battery operated candle and copied quotes and phrases using a plume and ink. They had monk chanting music in the background. All of the kids had to take a vow of silence before they could enter the room. They were given pieces of bread of small cups of water as they wrote.

Here is Nathan in the stocks. I wish that I could've brought it home to put Ashley in!

Outside was sword fighting and relays on stick horses. The kids had to joust their sword through rings.

The last room was the castle. They sat at the long feast table and enjoyed minstrels playing and acts from the court jesters.

Here is Nathan's class. I wish that I would've taken a picture of all three classes when they were together because they looked so cute in their costumes. Anyway, it was fun and I think they learned a lot.

One thing that I learned is that the monks sure had a lot of peace and quiet to ponder and think. While we were in that room, I could actually think! I feel that we live in such a time in our lives so filled with technology that we do not have the quiet to think. I know that I always have the music going and someone on the cell phone. I need to turn things off to make the peace and quiet I need to ponder and think.

Canning

This has been a week of CANNING!!!  Yesterday after the zoo, Cari and I went to the cannery and stocked up on quite a few things.  Cari is definitely the professional at the cannery.  The lady there was raving about how flaky and moist potato rolls are that are made with the potato flakes.  I’m excited to get the recipe from her and give them a try.  Anyway, just wanted to thank Cari again for helping the Thompson’s out on their food storage.

Then today Lorinda came over and made Strawberry Freezer Jam with me.  We did take a picture together, but I decided the jam looked more photogenic than I did.  I LOVE strawberry freezer jam and think that I better make some of Grandma Jackie’s bran rolls tomorrow!

I just love adding to my food storage! 

The Halloween Book

Shutterfly is always giving away freebies. They recently had a free 8 by 8 book. I decided to do a Halloween one of all the years since we have been married. I tried to give each year a two page lay-out. I thought that it would be a fun coffee table book for October. I have the kids in their costumes scrapbooked, but thought that it would be neat to have all the years together. It was really fun and easy to make. The key to the book though was that it was FREE!!! Here are a few photos that I took before I stuck it in the Halloween box. I think I might do a Christmas one now.

Jacob's Art

Just wanted to share Jacob's art from this week's class. He is finally finished with his shading projects and is very excited about his current project. He is working with color now! I love how excited the entire family gets to see his latest project. He is definitely our artist!

Earth Day

Today was Earth Day. I couldn't send my kids to school to sit indoors and not enjoy our beautiful earth. SOOO we had a family field trip day and I took them to the zoo. The weather was perfect! We had a really fun day together. One of our favorite parts of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are the giraffes. I love this next series of photos.

First, Ashley finds an extra giraffe cracker just lying on the ground.

Then she shows her giraffe friend what she has.

Last but not least she has to taunt the giraffe to see how long his tongue really is. See Jerrica isn't the only one that Ashley teases.

Besides feeding the giarrfes, we also fed the birds. As you can see girls aren't the only ones attracted to my Jacob!

This peacock seemed to follow us the entire day, puffing and squawking. I had to laugh once again at Ashley. She kept yelling at it constantly, "Don't be such a mean cock!" The boys kept trying to get her to say peacock, but she had "cock" set in her mind!

Now that it's Spring there were quite a few new animals. I loved watching the orangutans swinging with their baby. Even the little giraffe walking around with his mother. The animal mothers didn't seem to have a care in the world. They weren't cleaning their house, doing projects, running errands, worrying about dinner - they were just playing with their babies. I need to learn from the animal kingdom I guess. I sure need to spend more time playing with my kids instead of getting caught up with the mundane schedule of life.

Gardening after the Snow

They are still ALIVE!!!

I always plant my tomatoes the first week of April in the Wall of Waters. I start them from see and feel like they get too spindly if they aren't put outside. However,here in Colorado we have major amounts of snow in April. This past week we had a big drift of snow in my garden. I'm always amazed at how much stronger and greener the tomatoes look after a big snow. The wall of waters sometimes are frozen yet keep the plant warm like an igloo. Anyway, I just had to take a picture today of how big and green the tomato plants are looking.

Below is a picture of my experiment. Mom has always said that tires warm up the plant's root system making the fruit redden faster AND produce more. I shall soon see!
It has been sooo warm that all I want to do is work outside. I have planted my peas, onions and as I have mentioned the tomatoes. Tonight I let the kids help me touch up our little wooden garden signs. I need to get a couple more dowels. I think dad needs to cut a few more veggie signs for me. Are you up for it dad?
Last but not least is my little gardener, non stop talker that helps me WAYYY tooo much. She always comes outside in these glamorous garbs. I couldn't resist getting some shots of her today. This picture doesn't show her little skirt and princess heels that she trips around in.
Anyway, I'm SOOO excited to be able to work outside now in such beautiful weather!

Music

I LOVE music! I love to listen as I clean, as I exercise, even when I'm just veggin' I love to listen. I also enjoy playing the piano. Depending on my mood I play different pieces. I think that is one of the reasons I have my older four taking lessons right now. Stephen and I are very anal that they practice daily. It's so fun to hear their progression and see them enjoy playing.

Music connects people, both those playing and those listening. I have always enjoyed playing or singing in a group where everyone can just "feel"it. This video below is such an example of two friends together having fun playing the instruments that they love.

Oh how music touches our spirit and emotions! I am so grateful to have music in my life!

Learning from Sister Beck

What a special privilege I had on Friday and then Saturday morning to be taught and counseled by Sister Beck, the Relief Society General President. She was warm, humorous, down to earth and her message spoke to each person in the audience. As she began to speak she said, "This is your meeting and I have come to help you with those things that you have concerns or questions about." She asked the sisters to pose questions that they needed counsel or guidance with and then spent the time teaching, counseling, sharing scriptures, quotes from our recent conference and stories that answered those questions.

She talked of how our children are born with a mission call and when they are 19 they will receive their assignment. And to make our home an MTC right now. On Saturday she shared how she taught her children the scripture mastery scriptures at the breakfast table. I thought of how smart that is to have Articles of Faith, Scriptures or Pictures from the Gospel Art Scripture Kit with the stories on back to have my kids read instead of the cereal box, as they are aimlessly eating they can be learning!

One of the questions posed was how do we handle all of our responsibilities we are given as women and mothers. She talked about how women don’t just work one shift a day they work all 3 shifts - morning shift, swing shift and night shift. She emphasized how important it was to save our best for the swing shirt, that time of day when children come home from school and need our attention, husbands come home, dinner is held with the family and children are put to bed. That’s the most important time of the day, a time when a mothers influence is the greatest. Everyone is tired and hungry, they are vulnerable and thus teachable. My problem is I'm hungry and tired too. I need to do better on this one.

She talked of the Most Important Skill to develop is to Hear and Heed the voice of the Lord. Also to take care of the short term needs first and then focus on long term needs. No wonder FHE never works BEFORE dinner!

On Saturday she had a fantastic idea of buying an inexpensive copy of the Book of Mormon and writing questions in the front of it and then the answers you find in the back. I will start out reading with questions but I have a hard time remembering them. At any rate I LOVED this idea.

She spoke on how the Spirit magnifies our time and abilities. I thought how important and more efficient I can be if I ALWAYS have the Spirit with me.

The main topic on Saturday was counsels and how much they can accomplish. Satan doesn't like counseling. He likes the authoritarian rule. I know when I counsel with my YW presidency or even with Stephen on the kids, ideas and goals are formed. Counseling for a few minutes can save years of problems.

Anyway,it's getting late and I'm probably starting to ramble with my thoughts and notes from those great meetings. I'm grateful for them this weekend. I know these teachings from Sister Beck will make me a better mother, YW President, and disciple of Christ.

Kaylee's Immigration Day

Can I first say how much I love this photo with Kaylee all excited and her teacher Ms. Smith cheesing in the background! This week Kaylee had immigration day. She had to research an ancestor and come to school as the ancestor. She wanted to be one from Grandma Hester's side of the family. A quick call to Grandma Brenda and she had her person. She was Armelda Damron from France. Armelda arrived in the United States with her husband and three children. A few weeks after arriving she died. Her husband got on a train with their three children and gave the conductor his money telling him to take them as far as the money would go. He ended up in Thatcher, Arizonia with 25 cents in his pocket and three children to care for. One of the children had Hester Elizabeth, who is Kaylee Elizabeth's Great-Grandma. She still lives near Thatcher in Winslow.

Part of her immigration packet that she had to prepare was a pedigree with pictures and then another with names. On immigration day, they presented their doll and character to the class and then the immigration process started. They had to pass a citizenship test with questions about the Statue of Liberty, our country's national anthem, first US president, etc. Then they had to go to various stations to check their health because the US will not take "sickly people from other countries" If they were found sick or didn't pass the citizenship test they were sent to an area with candy as medicine and help in learning about our country. When everything was passed they would receive their own green card. It was a fun day for her. I enjoyed seeing how all of the kids had dressed up to represent their ancestors. There were ponchos with sombreros, grass skirts with fowers tucked in hair, and even a little short/suspenders outfit from Germany with a hat.

The Perfect Snow

Do you know what the perfect snow is? We do because we live in Colorado. The perfect snow is thick, fluffy and WET. You can do many fun things in the perfect snow and below is what we did today in it! (You may need to click on a picture to see it a little closer)

Snow fun did not end here! Stephen took the FIVE older kids sledding. I sacrificed and stayed here in the warm house with Jerrica! At any rate we had a fun day in the snow.

My Birthday

Don't be deceived, I DID have another birthday, BUT DID NOT get any older! I DID have a wonderful day filled with cards, calls, emails, gifts and just a lot of love from all of my family and friends. My 90 year old Grandma Coley even called me on my special day. She is always so good to remember birthdays. The fun present of the day was the new Nikon lense that I have been wanting for a while now. Thank you Stephen! You WILL be thanking ME for all the pictures that I will take of our children!

Isn't this a nice BIG photo of the lense!

The Kittens Have ARRIVED

The momma was sooo big that everyone thought she would have a dozen. Speaking of guesses, Grandma Charla had everyone guess how many they thought she would have and then promised them a dollar for each kitten if they were right. Shelby Spillane was the winner with FIVE! Two are grey with no tails. Then one calico, one all black and then a black one with white face and feet. They are soo cute! I can’t imagine having a litter of kids and having some crawling all over me as I’m trying to push others out. Thank goodness mine came one at a time!

Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies

I love snickerdoodle cookies, but don't care for the hard crunchy, classic recipe. However, I LOVE this recipe! The sour cream keeps them soft. Today I made a batch of them.

WARNING: They disappear quite quickly after they are made. I always smile at the work and effort that go into the kids sneaking and even just reaching the fresh cookies!

Make-A-Plate

Have you ever made these? One night for FHE last month the Spillane's came over and the kids drew and colored on the round trace papers. We shipped them off and the plates came back shortly before the Spillane's left. Anyway, just wanted to post the kids creativity. I remember and STILL have my plate that I made when I was little. I know, I'm a pack rat, but I bet all my sisters still have theirs!!! Here is the plate site http://www.makit.com/

Easter in Colorado

We woke up to snow and had thick, wet snow coming down all day. It really felt more like Christmas than Easter. That's Easter in Colorado though! Here are a few photos of the day.

Our books that we enjoyed this year for Easter. It's interesting that they are both on finding and having friends. We have been reading Edward Tulane for a few nights now and are almost to the end. I should've finished tonight with an extra couple of chapters, but my patience was finished for the day to say the least. I wanted to put the kids in bed at 6:00!!!

Then continuing on with Easter activities, can I just say these glow in the dark eggs can entertain kids for a VERY long time. I think we will be playing with them YEAR AROUND!

I have to add one photo of the egg dyeing. I couldn't believe how many eggs the kids ate both during and after dyeing them!

All in all it was a beautiful, white Easter!