Oh boy, a year since my last post!

Wow, has it really been that long since I last updated this good, old blog? I guess so. The date must be off on my last post though because it is July 2014 right now. Kaley was baptized one year ago, not one month ago.

Moving along, recently there has been a lot of chatter in our LDS church about women becoming ordained to the priesthood. Also, the group advocating for female ordination to the priesthood wants gender equality. There have been so many discussions and conversations on both sides of the issue. What I am learning is that none of us are in a position to judge others. I learn this lesson over and over again in life.

I have read a lot, a very lot, of articles and discussions about this topic on both sides. Of course it makes sense to me that if we are indeed to become like God, as God, then yes, women will one day hold the priesthood. I don't know when that will be, and I'm not sure that I care to have it on my mind.

The questions raised on the topic should be up for discussion. However, I cannot say that I support public action on this topic. Questions and discussions are great. We can all learn from another person's point of view. Public displays or actions (candle vigils, peaceful demonstrations, etc.) are not options for me.

Because there has been so much chatter on this topic, I just wanted to make sure I jotted down my thoughts and where I stand on this topic. I would like my children and grandchildren to know. They may wonder or question my thoughts and feelings one day. Now they will know how I felt and where I stood.

The question is, what will you tell your children about your beliefs on this topic?

Catch up

 Ok, I don't know if I even remember how to blog! I do remember that just before I stopped blogging, blogger changed everything on here, and I pretty much hate it. Boo! Maybe that's why I've let this little family blog go by the way side. In an effort though to catch up and keep current, here are two pics from last summer. Now that this summer has begun (2014), I figure I should get things in order.

Kaley Rose, our middle child, was baptized last summer in Newport Beach, Ca. We drove home. Don't even get me started about driving 18 hours. I will say this, we are NOT doing that drive anymore. When we move (assuming we move next summer when Dr. Drew gets out of the Army), we will ship the car home and fly there.

Above photo is with my family: Dad, Mom, Jean & Bryan, Emma, Dr. Drew, Kaley, Me & DJ, Scott, and Heidi and Domenico

This pic is with Drew's parents, Dave and Carol
I think we did the baptism and 18-hours-long drive in August. Don't quote me on that!
Oh, and Scott played I Am a Child of God on the guitar while Kaley, Emma, and Drew Jr. sang with all of their cousins. For me, that was the highlight.

Moving On

 The owner of our home is raising the rent. We knew she wanted to do that after we'd lived here for two years. But we had hoped she wouldn't when she saw how well we took care of her yard. Not only have we tended to it, we have improved it. All of the neighbors are so sad to loose us, and we are sad to leave them. We cannot stay and pay more for rent AND pay her water bill all summer for this HUGE lawn. If you don't know, CO is in drought status and thus, we can only water 2 days/week. With that, when we go over our allotted 2,000 cubic square feet, which we will with this property, all water used thereafter is charged at a rate double the norm. NOT COOL!

 So on we go. We are staying at the same school, staying in the same ward, staying her in the same city. We will now be just a couple of blocks down from the famous Broadmoor Hotel. The original owner of our new home was a master gardener. But renters for the last couple of years have not kept up the garden. So we really look forward to getting it back into good shape.

 These pics are of the backyard. Inside, the kids will all have their own rooms. I hope this will decrease the contention the girls have with one another. They currently share a bedroom and a one-sink bathroom. Not a good mix. Hopefully, separate spaces will improve their relationship and our family dynamic. I am really putting a lot of hope into this change.

This summer will be busy, but I look forward to it. I will miss living on our mountain so very much. The Broadmoor area is flat. The benefit of that is great pavement for walking, bike riding, etc. 

So much to do, so little time.

*Did I tell you we are doing this move on our own? We are. The military has paid for all of our moves thus far, but they don't do moves for you when it's not a PCS (post change of station, I think!)

So we took the kids to a free science fair at the high school on post. Let me take this opportunity to say how impressed I was with the building, was not expecting it to be so nice, so fresh! 

Moving along, the highlight was rocket building and launching.

Em and DJ prepare to launch E's rocket as high as the sky. Notice DJ's too small hat from the zoo. He insists on wearing it everywhere. He has new hats that fit, cool ones. But no, he MUST wear the too- small, obnoxious green-w/-multi-colored-animals-on-it hat. What's a mother to do?

E's rocket went further than the kid who was already running 50 yards ahead of her. It was sweet. Success brought the desire to launch one more, and another, and yet, another.

Even my friend's 2 year old, who I was watching for the afternoon, wanted to get in on the action!

I'm yearning for spring weather

So we had a "blizzard" here in CO last weekend. We only ended up with a couple of inches of snow. But the temperature was cold, as in 20 degrees. Since I ended going home three times in the last five months, I am really hankering for green grass, flower buds, and warmer weather. This has been a LONG winter. For the first year and a half that we lived here, I wanted to stay for good. California sure is looking better with each passing winter-weather week we have here.

So check out this post on how to make spring flowers last longer in your home. It's from designmom.com. I do love her posts. I will study this information well so that when we do get some warm weather around here, I will be ready to bring the fruits of it indoors.

I Need a Dream

So I'm looking for a dream, a hobby, or a goal. 
I can't remember dreaming about anything as a kid, other than that I'd grow up and get married and be a mother. That's all happened by now. So, what is next?

I'm thinking of a getting a masters degree. But I cannot figure out what I would get it in. International Relations (since the world is so crazy right now, seems quite applicable) or maybe in political relations (again an area hopefully on the very brink of change) or something more scientific? I've always been fascinated by the idea of using hydrogen technology for fueling the cars of the future (got my hands on some cool info and saw some cool demos when I worked on Capitol Hill, and that was like 10 years ago).

While I begin to look into programs and options, I signed up for a 5K in Denver, the Rave Run. Some ladies from church are doing it, and it sounded like a good goal to set and achieve: get in shape by April 20 in order to run a 5K. 

My father in law asked me recently whether or not I saw myself spending my time and talents in church service or in public service. It was a good question. I was not sure what the answer would or could be. But, me thinks I will know rather soon. Stay tuned.

Just for fun, here are some Christmas pics. I haven't even done a Christmas post yet. We went to Cali. We drove. It was long. Enough said about that. Until I get around to posting pics from that trip, here are some from before the C-A Va-Cay!

 At a tree lot enjoying free fun while searching for that perfect tree.

 What is it about balloons? For kids, they make the world go 'round.

 Oh my! What luck! All 3 kids smiling!!!

Seriously, just LOVE the anticipation on his face and in his body language. He is on pins and needles waiting for that balloon!

Perspective

“I have heard thy prayer, 

I have seen thy tears: 

behold I will heal thee” 

(2 Kings 20:5).

I came across this scripture on another site. A site I hopped over to via a link from Cjane's blog. Cjane is another discussion for another day (hint:gets to the topic I still want to discuss on here: "Women wearing pants to church that ONE Sunday") Moving along though, I have felt the thruthfulness of the above scripture made manifest to me a few times lately. It is so applicable right now in our world. 

I think of how it applies to the families affected by the tragic shooting in CT. I think of how it applies to the woman sitting in Relief Society, experiencing grief because of a husband who is unworthy to be her help meet. I think of children and wives who have been abused by a spouse or father. I think of the disappointment and rejection people feel when a break up occurs or even worse, a divorce. 

The words of the scripture above bring comfort and a reminder that we are always God's children, no matter our age or circumstance. He loves us.

And this ...

Free agency is a part of the Plan of Salvation. God cannot choose for us. Choice is a gift He gave to us. So when others misuse their agency, He must allow them to do so. Even if someone prefers evil, the choice must be his or hers to make. So in His wisdom, He provides a way to fix the consequences of those who make a wrong choice. He heals and makes whole those who are wiling to partake of His peace and love. 

I am thankful that He loves me. 

Today's Tragedy

Today's tragedy is a sobering moment that urges reflection. I was going to blog about feminism and Mormonism today. But something has just happened that takes priority of the mind. In CT at an elementary school 27 people have been shot and killed, 18 of them being children. Most of them appear to be kindergarteners. Little facts are known right now as the story is still unfolding. What is known is that the shooter was a 24-year-old male from Hoboken N.J. who had 2 guns. His mother is a Kindergarten teacher at the school.

My heart aches, and I have shed tears for the families in CT. I am resisting the urge to run to pick up miss E from our elementary school early. Miss K is home finishing up with the flu. DJ doesn't have preschool on Fridays, so he is here with me too.

The best advice I heard today was from a doctor or psychiatrist (can't remember) on one of the major networks who said to explain to your children that this is a rarity. It is like how rare it is to be struck by lightning when playing in the rain. We know it can happen, but we still let our kids go outside and play in the rain because it is so rare. I think that will help a child have perspective on this tragedy.

However, she ended her segment saying, "Assure your kids they are safe." But with the Columbine shooting, the shooting at Va Tech, and others, how can we assure our kids that they are safe? I don't think we can say that. We can say that the schools and teachers work very hard to keep kids safe and that they put safety as a top priority. We can say that we as parents pray for the safety of our children at school every day. That is something I posted on facebook this morning. I realize that in the world today, I now need to pray every morning for my kids' safety before I leave them at school. Frightening to think that that is reality.

So where is the peace in our world today? Where can we turn for peace following tragedy? I just gave a wonderful Relief Society lesson on this a few Sundays ago. It was full of fabulous quotes from one of our past prophets, George Albert Smith. You can read/reference it here. You have to look to God to find peace in a tumultuous world, for He is a source of security. He maps out a plan for peace in His teachings of the gospel.

When miss E gets home from school, or before the kids go to bed tonight, I will remind my children that God gives us a guide to peaceful living. It is found in the gospel, in the Plan of Salvation, and in the scriptures.

Evil exists and evil people exist. There is evil in the world because free agency is allowed. It is a part of the Plan of Salvation. We cannot change other people, but we can change ourselves. Through the atonement we utilize the repentance process and can be made whole. Sorrow, sin, pride, heart break, you name it ... can all be repaired or forgiven through the atonement of Christ.

I pray for peace in the world. I pray that righteousness will prevail and that as we are so close to celebrating the birth of our Savior, more hearts will turn to Him who provides peace and love for those who are willing to partake of it.

Happy Halloween

This was quite possibly our best Halloween yet. 

The kids are older. We know our neighbors better, 

and the weather was just right.

 After meeting two-doors down for dinner with our neighborhood, the kids TOOK OFF for their 1st round of trick-or-treating. 

Yes, just the 1st round!

 They RAN up and down the street, which made it hard for Jr. and his buddy to keep up. Every now and then, we met up with the big kids (see K and JR. below). For the most part though, 

I couldn't keep up. As a result, this post isn't peppered with pics. 

Also, I never got one of all 3 kids together. BOO!

 The 3 boys in all our photos are the exact ages of my 3 girls. 

Why is it that we always live next to boys, boys, and more boys???

No matter, bc all of the boys in our neighborhood are so good. 

The kids here are the nicest we've ever met.

 I'm weird. I like taking pics of the backs of people. 

There's something fun though about the anticipation 

of the door opening and getting to add to one's loot. 

I like capturing that moment in a pic.

 E's pumpkin below, 

which she carved by herself this year for the 1st time.

 K's pumpkin, carved with help from Dad.

Upon tucking the girls into their beds, I asked, 

"Wasn't this such a fun night?" 

To which K replied, "It was SPECTACULAR!"

*For the record, I have never seen E so hyper on a Halloween night. She never stopped talking. Even after I whispered into her ear, prompting her to not dominate conversation, she said ok and kept talking! Bless the hearts of the boys who politely sat at the table, feigning interest. Her mouth was like the Energizer bunny, it kept going, and going, and going ... all night long!

Fun in the warm Colorado sun!

 This is what we did all summer long. It was a combination gift from us and both sets of grandparents for K's birthday. 

We found it on sale at Target after I'd scoured the internet for one.

 Somersaulting downward was a hit.

 Above cousin K tumbles down, and below cousin B slips down.

 cousin A gives it a try

 Not to be outdone by the rest, Jr. climbed up by himself

 and shot down by himself.

 It was so deep at the bottom, he nearly went under.

 The hose water was super cold, even on the hottest of days.

But they all still kept going back for more. 

The cousins are now back in Ca. 

Plenty of friends and neighbors have come over 

to join in the fun though.

Recorder Concert

 Last year, at the end of the school year, E played in a 3rd-grade Recorder Concert. It was not until this school year that she told me, "Mom. I just always put my mouth on the recorder and pretended to play, but I didn't really play it." Nice. So here are some photos of E air playing her recorder. BTW, you can't even see her in the photo above. She was in the very back row. What you can see is her pink dress. So, you really have to look for her on the big screen below. That was the only way we could see her face.

 See her? With the white top and cool cat sunglasses?

 Never one to be left out, K wanted a pic as well.

 Just for kicks, I decided to throw in some 

cool Colorado cloud pics. 

 awesome

K's Fairy Birthday Party

  K wanted a fairy party for her birthday last year. Before my mom left from visiting us over her spring break, we went to Hobby Lobby (super love that store!) to buy some decorations. Then we planned out the par-tay. Mom later mailed me the homemade invites along with some pieces she cut out for the home made wands I put together with the girls and my glue gun.

 We sang to K and everyone decorated their own cupcake.

 She opened her presents a little early 

because a couple of the girls had to run to another party.

 I totally forgot to take a picture of the food before everyone dug in. Here's the aftermath. I got food ideas from Pinterest. Oh, and there are the wands that my mom sent us butterfly cut outs for. They turned out cute, but after the girls waved them around during a game of Capture the Fairy, most of the butterflies broke off. Boo!

 These homemade mushrooms turned out really cute too. 

The girls and I painted them days before. 

I think even Jr. got in on that act.

 Uh-oh. Do I spy a troll in our fairy garden?

 Cousin A enjoyed bubble blowing.

Playing Capture the Fairy while everyone waited to be picked up by parents.

Easter

Last Easter I snapped some pictures of the kids exploring what the Easter Bunny left in their baskets.

We also joined some other families in the ward for an egg hunt at a local park. It was cold. So very cold. The kids had fun of course because they were collecting eggs full of candy.

 My mom was visiting with us, 

so she and Dr. Drew helped Jr. find some loot.

 Also, the cousins were living here at the time. 

Cousin hang time makes everything more fun for kids.

 my girls

 cousins