Christmas With a Capital "C"

Certified & Root canal

I am now (re) certified in 1st aid, CPR & AED.

Saturday morning Crue, Another girl from the gym & I went & did our morning long re-cert class. At first we were afraid it was going to be one LOOONG morning.

But the instructor ended up having an odd sense of humor & it turned out to be not too bad!

(Oh, & the State renewed my Nursing License... like there was any doubt... all they wanted was my $100! Kind of scary, huh!)

So while we were doing CPR, Steve had to take Ben to 2 birthday parties... which meant, while Ben was at the parties he had to deal with M&M NOT getting to go to 2 parties!

So he used his think... he took them to Home Depot to work on projects.

The first Saturday of the month they always have a "parent/child" building project.

This week they built picture frames.

So it all worked out well.

Sunday, we all played hookey.

There are sooo many people out with the flu.

Don't know if it is H1N1 or not, but just not wanting to take the chance... and we are all run down... so we just decided to hang low & have a nice "day of rest"

And that is exactly what I did.

I stayed in bed ALL day... only got up to go to the bathroom.

It was GREAT!

I'm still paying for it though... the house will never be the same.

Then Monday... oh Monday!

What a way to start the week, with a root canal.

It wasn't bad...

I was only numb for 12 hours.

Only took a little over an hour.

She only broke off 1 instrument in my tooth, but she was able to seal it up so it shouldn't ever bother me.

My roots were super curved & went way up into my sinuses.

And it ONLY cost $1,223... ONLY =D

But this is how i looked for the next 12 hours...

The kids (including Steve) thought it was HILARIOUS!

Then i went and did Zumba, yes... I had a root canal & then went & did Zumba!

Today is parent/teacher conferences...

So that means NO school for M&M and only 1/2 day for Ben!

YAY???!!!

Our 1st Football Game

Last night we went to our very 1st football game ever.

It was our local High School vs a rival High School.

It was also our Elem School's night as a spot light night.

We got to go early & sit as a group.

The cheerleaders did face painting, had donuts & hot chocolate for us, passed out special treats & 5 kids were chosen for a special half time relay.

The school mascott, an Eagle, spent the whole night pretty much in front of us.

M&M LOVED him.

We were very happy about that.

We weren't sure how they were going to respond to the oversized characters of Disney.

So when they loved the Eagle, we knew they would love Disney.

So we told Molly, "this is just like Disney'.

She Perked up & said "This is Disney?"

Crap, we could have just brought them here & told them the football stadium was Disney & been good to go!

(btw, in the video below Max is in the orange hood)

They wore a path between where we were sitting, the Eagle & the box of donuts the cheerleaders brought us!

Ben was trying so hard to watch & understand the game.

Too bad we couldn't really explain it to him.

Steve & his stupid hat.

It's like a male version of Marge Simpson... he thinks he rescued it from the garbage, but i threw it away again =D

This one is blurry, but she did not sit still the ENTIRE night!

Max sitting still during a VERY RARE moment!

Getting ready to go out during half time.

With a few of his many cheerleaders trying to calm his many nerves down.

during the end of his relay.

With his 2 cheerleader helpers.

The 5 chosen kids & the cheerleaders

Before the game started... patiently waiting!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Today was #37 for me!!

And it was actually one of the best birthdays I have had in a long time.

I wasn't expecting much... cause honestly, lately they haven't been much... & i have come not to expect much.

But it really turned out to be nice.

I was woken up this morning at 6am... YAY... NOT!

To 3 singing angels???

Singing "Happy Birthday Samanfah"

Then they insisted that dad gets up to get my presents.

They each hand me a little gift bag marked with the "Pandora" symbol on them.

Inside are 2 Pandora charms (except for Molly's bag, which only has 1 charm. I guess, it was supposed to have 2 in it... but somewhere between Steve paying for it & the lady bagging it up... it was lost!)

BUT there was no Pandora bracelet.

I just figured... well, I didn't know what to think.

It is Steve were talking about...

maybe he forgot to buy it...

maybe i would get it for Christmas...

maybe i wouldn't get it at all...

WHO KNOWS.

Oh well, whatever.

Then the kids decorated me up with the bows from the bags!

Ben made me 4 slices of (burnt) toast for breakfast.

I got ben on the bus.

Then at 8am, a friend stopped by & picked Max & Molly up & took them to her house to play until their bus came to take them to school.

So i got 3 hours & 45 minutes to MYSELF this morning.

HEAVEN!

After I got them to school, I went to the gym for my workout.

I was greeted by 1 very excited Crue.

She could hardly contain her excitement, she wanted to give me my gift right then...

So I GLADLY post-poned my cardio & went to get my gift(s).

First she had gotten us a (ONE) donut hole.

We took 1 bite & she said "Ewww, that's gross. Throw it away".

She literally took it away & tossed it.

So i got 1/2 a donut hole.

She's a mean one...Mr Grinch.

Then I got a Hoops & Yoyo card that told me i didn't have wrinkles or flappy arms =)

Then I got IT...

My PANDORA BRACELET...

She & Steve were in kahoots (or however it's spelled!)

She got me the bracelet & a PINK BLING charm.

So sneaky they all are!!!

I LOVE my bracelet.

It's basically a charm bracelet & the kids (or whoever else wants to buy me charms... =D...) can add charms to it.

Molly gave me the gift charm. Ben the flower charm. Crue the pink bling. max the heart. Max the purse (cause i like to shop), Ben the knot charm.

While I was in the gym Suz & her class called.

I never take my phone with me when i'm training... but today I did, cause i KNEW she would be calling & i didn't want to miss her call.

Then when i got home from the gym there was a bag waiting on the door & it had these chocolates in it with another Hoops & Yoyo card.

I have never had the dark chocolate ones.

Oh, were they ever yummy!

Then for dinner we went to a new mexican place I wanted to try.

It was OK.

They were super slow.

The food was ok.

Steve's soup was really good, but 3/4 the way done, he bit down into something hard.

We found it & it was something metal.

We told the waitress & she took it back to the chef.

It was part of his knife!!!

They kept apologizing ...

Ben said "Can we PLEASE quit talking about this. This case is NOT going to go anywhere".

I almost spit my water across the table.

They took like $20 off our bill.

Then i stopped at Costco for gas, to return 2 outfits of Mollys & to get Chocolate milk for M&M's school lunches.

On the way home from dinner we called Gigi for her birthday. The kids TRIED to sing. Ben was singing some weird song, Max wanted to do the cha-cha-cha song. Molly didn't want to sing. Then it came to the "are you 1, are you 2, are you 3." Ben insisted on going all the way. OY! Finally took it off speaker & just gave him the phone.

When I got home, there was a GC waiting on my computer from the Massey's!

Then we had cake.

Trying for a group self portrait...

Didn't work!

Still didn't work again!

Ben & Max eating the candles.

Molly eating the icing with her fingers.

Now the kids are in bed.

And my birthday is almost over.

It has been a good day... a very very good day!

No School..

There is no school today... it's election day.

They use our Elementary School for the polls.

So this morning I decided to be a good mom & get up & make the kids pancakes.

Apple strudel pancakes...

in the shape of Mickey Mouse =D

And while I was in the kitchen slaving away...

Ben was in my room making my bed.

And Max was finishing up a load of laundry!

Cracks me up.

He LOVES doing the laundry.

I haven't done a single load in 2 weeks now.

I don't even have to ask him...

He gets up every morning & just starts working on the laundry.

Yesterday he was getting ready to work on a load & I told him not to... I told him we should do our bed sheets first so they could be dry before bedtime.

I told him to go up to his room & get their sheets & I would get my sheets & we would get them started.

He got the biggest grin on his face & he said

"WOW... I am SOOO LUCKY!"

yeah... lucky is right!!!

Halloween

This year I had NO desire for Halloween at all.

I didn't decorate.

I didn't do fun costumes for the kids.

We skipped most of the parties.

Yes, I was a Halloween Bah Humbug & was proud of it!!!

Halloween night around 5:30, steve took the kids out trick or treating for about 20 minutes. They each came back with a pumpkin 1/2 way full of candy. Were they overly excited? Not really. They ate a few pieces of candy & that was about it.

The doorbell rang twice. The first group of about 10 kids were about 13 years old. Steve & the kids found them on their way home & they had them follow them back to the house. The 2nd group came around 8. This group of about 10 were about 16-18 year sold. This is the group that really turns me of on halloween!!!

Kids & Steve went upstairs to bed. I stayed downstairs & finished reading my Jodi Piccolt "Handle with Care" book (that was the BEST part of Hallowen).

And all I can say is YAY! Halloween & October are OVER!

Hopefully November will be better.

BUT usually by this time of the year, I have ALL of my Christmas shopping done.

How much do I have done this year?

NONE.

Not only do i have NONE of it done, I haven't even made any of the lists yet.

OOPS!

Ringworm & jibbitz

Ben has ringworm on his face. Yeah! It is a fungus... NOT a worm. Probably got it from school. Double Yeah! I diagnosed him myself... not hard to do. And i was treating him myself at home with over the counter ointment. But it wasn't getting better. So yesterday we took him to the derm. He said
#1- it is ALL over the schools.
#2- it has now become resistant to over the counter ointments. if you get it you have to go to the doctor & get a Rx for a Rx strength ointment. Even the Rx strength has to be used longer than it was intended!
#3- The same thing is happening with head lice. You can no longer treat head lice with other the counter treatments. It is becoming resistant to that treatment. You are needing to get a Rx from the doctor for a Rx strength formula.

These "Bugs" are mutating... they are getting bigger & stronger. It is really starting to get scary. Pretty soon, nothing is going to be strong enough to fight them!

Ok, off my "gloom & doom" soap box!

So, if you get ring worm... don't try to treat it yourself... go to the doctor!

Found the cutest Jibbitz for the kids crocs...

Ben got lizard eyes

Max got a snake

Molly got a caterpillar with a flower

Steve got human eyeballs, but i forgot to take a picture... i know you're crushed!

Preschool Halloween

Molly's class

Max in the parade

Molly in the parade

Max's class

Super SUPER Max, Super SUPER Molly, & Super SUPER Miss Irene

I'm not Santa...

... i'm an Elf!

Vampelf!

Max has started doing laundry.

I don't mean kind of, just for fun, helping a little...

I mean, he has seriously started doing the laundry.

He sorts darks, lights & denim (with 100% accuracy).

He loads the washer.

Starts the washer.

Adds the detergent.

Turns the machine on.

When it turns off, he transfers the wash to the dryer.

Turns the dryer on.

When the dryer turns off, he takes the clothes out & puts them in the bucket to be folded.

Takes the lint out of the trap.

Then starts all over again.

The other day, he did 3 loads of laundry for me.

And no unders turned pink or any other funky color!

If I could only teach him to fold & put it away... he does try to fold it, but hasn't quite mastered it yet.

The other 2 have NO desire to help with household chores.

Max LOVES to help me around the house!!!

Wonder how long that will last???!!!

Corn Pit

On Friday we met some of M&M's school friends at a local "farm" type place before school for some fun.

They had a big, fun hay maze, a pond with ducks, cages with random bird type things...

but the BEST thing of all was this giant corn pit.

Instead of a sand pit, it was a corn pit... full of dry corn.

The kids rolled, dug, buried, dove... you name it... they did it!!!

Their friends

It's soooo beautiful out there!

All the friends on a bridge.

I was so jealous, i wanted to get in & play too.

So, i kinda did...

I got in enough to bury Max!

See the video below!

Primary Program

Today was our Primary Program.

First off I just have to say that all 3 kids did an EXCELLENT job.

I couldn't have been any more proud of them!

Seriously.

I worked with them & all 3 of them KNEW their parts PERFECTLY!

During practice Max NEVER got his part right.

But today when he got up there... he NAILED it.

Not only did he say it PERFECTLY, but he needed NO help... and he said it nice & loud & you could totally understand him.

Oh, he was the one I was worried about & he so got it.

Max: "I lived with my Heavenly Father before I came to earth."

During practice Molly ALWAYS got her part perfectly, never needing help.

Today when she got up there she was sooo busy smiling at all of her friends & visitors that came to see her that she got a little distracted & forgot what she was doing.

While she did do a great job, she did need a little help.

She was a little harder to understand than Max... but still did an excellent job.

Molly: "I am created in the image of God. My body is a temple."

Ben of course, knew his part.

During the singing you could hear him belting out the songs... up there swaying back & forth so hard it would make Stevie Wonder look still!

I asked him why he was waving his hand around like HE was directing the music.

He said it helps him concentrate... when his hand is moving, he sings better.

When he got up to say his part, he paused, he then re-arranged all of the papers on the podium (the helpers notes), then stood up tall.

And in his loud, but monotone voice read his part.

Then as an ad-lib at the end (& in an even louder voice), ended with a great big "THANKS"

Camy (the helper) told me that during practice, when it was his turn he would always organize all of the papers on the podium, so she learned to remember where her place was in the program =)

Ben: My dad has many responsibilities. He goes to work to help provide food & shelter for my family. THANKS!

Since this was the Sunday before Halloween Molly & I decided to match.

We both wore black & our black/orange stripe tights!

i need to find me a pettiskirt tutu like Mollys so we really can match next time =)

After the program!

The kids had lots of visitors/friends/support today for the program.

It was soooo sweet of them to come today for the kids.

I know it meant a lot to them & it helped them perform to their best.

Thanks again Wee, Miss Irene & Miss Hane

Grade School Halloween Party

Friday night was Ben's school Halloween party.

This year I just did NOT get into it.

I usually totally deck the house all out for Halloween... I told Steve if he wanted it done this year, then he had to do it... so guess how many decorations were put out...

Did you guess NONE?

Well, you are wrong!

He actually went out & bought 2 pumpkins =)

We have yet to carve them, but we have them.

Yes, the kids were upset, but they will get over it.

I just had way too much on my plate, & I told them, if they wanted the house decorated for Christmas this year, then I just couldn't do Halloween.

So far, believe it or not... everyone HAS survived.

I tried talking the kids into not doing costumes either... just forgetting the parties & trick-or-treating... taking the money we would have saved, which would have been significant... and going & doing something fun or just letting them spend it.

I really think I could have convinced them, well MOST of them.

But guess who threw the BIGGEST fit.

Ben? NO!

Max? NO!

Molly??? NO!!!

It was STEVEN!!! Yes, Steven insisted on everyone having costumes, going to all the parties & that they go trick-or-treating.

So on Thursday night, I informed him that Ben still didn't have a costume for the party the next night & I sent the 2 of them off costume shopping!

Max is going as Super Super Boy this year.

Molly as his side kick Super Super Girl.

(don't know where they came up with the extra "super"... but they insist on being called by the extra super!)

After we got dressed they were running around looking for people to save. Max climbed onto the dining room table. Molly said "Super, super Boy... I will help you save him. But I can't get onto the table, will you help me up?" Max grabbed Molly by 1 arm & he pulled her up onto the table all by himself. After she got up there she said "Wow Max... i mean super, super boy. You's STWONG!" Then Max jumped down. But Molly couldn't jump down "I can't jump down. I'm scawed". So patiently super super boy went back over to the table, pulled out a chair for her & helped her get off the table.

Yes, even super SUPER hero's have to ride in cars, sit in car seats & wear seat belts.

Try explaining that to 4 year olds!

Ben created his own costume.

Still not exactly positive what he is supposed to be... but he was very proud of his creation!

Max (I mean super SUPER boy) flicking rats into buckets.

The 1 thing Max WON'T eat.

Cupcakes with eyeballs on them!

Molly ate the eyeballs off the tops of all the cupcakes!

Max still wouldn't touch them, even after the eyeballs were gone.

Ah, finally a non-eyeball cupcake!

We did have a great time at the Halloween Party.

It was the first time we made it thru the Haunted Hallway without having to leave early or with tears.

Molly was faking fear.

Max got a little upset at Mr Pin Head.

When we got home Max was asking about him.

I told him it was just someones daddy dressed up. Just like his daddy dressed up like a vampire, someone elses dad dressed up like Mr Pin Head.

Oh, he got that now.

"But, who put all those pin in his head"

Then i explained it was just a mask that had all the pins in the mask. And then he put the mask over his head.

"OOOOhhhhh, gotcha! So it was all fake?"

YES! Now you get it.

Spent all night telling him that & he finally got it!

2 front teeth... cooking class... long lost picture from Tx

WARNING- The 1st picture contains blood!

Ben finally lost his 2nd front tooth.

He came running in with his tooth bleeding.

He thought it was pretty cool.

With the 1st tooth, he lost it while eating a pear. With this one, he lost it while eating Kielbasa & Saurkraut! (yep, that's my boy!)

Max & Molly thought it was pretty cool too!

He now looks pretty silly!

And if he loses too many more teeth, he will have to start eating his meals thru a straw!

He found that kind of funny!

Today was his 3rd & final cooking class.

Ben LOVES to cook.

Too bad I hate it sooo much & I don't have the patience to let him play in the kitchen & I can't teach him anything.

Today he made ghost pancakes.

and bat cinnamon rolls.

He also made spiced pumpkin seeds.

I found this long lost photo on a photo card.

Great Grammy with Baby Ella.

Yup, she looks thrilled doesn't she!

Ella is staring at "fannie the fan" (the ceiling fan).

Be Your Best Self- Monson- RS Lesson

The lesson this week is titled “Be your Best Self” from the April 09 Conference by President Monson. This talk was given to the men during the Priesthood session. The main theme of the lesson was on being the best Priesthood holder you can be. And since this is RS & the YW are joining us today, I just changed it slightly. Anytime Priesthood was mentioned, i just substituted it with being the best MEMBER you can be.

Elder Harold B. Lee described the members of the church as "the Lord's troops against the forces of evil."

Any thoughts on how we become such troops?

When Pres Monson addressed the brethren, He outlined the basic principles of the gospel that apply to each one of us.

#1. He stated, “Although our journey through mortality will at times place us in harm’s way, may I offer you 3 suggestions which, when observed and followed, will lead us to safety.

They are:
1. Study Diligently
2. Pray Fervently
Live Righteously

These suggestions are not new; they have been taught and repeated again and again. If we incorporate them into our lives, however, we will have the strength to withstand the adversary.
Should we ignore them, we will be opening the door for Satan to have influence and power over us.”

What types of situations place us in harms way?

Play Movie: Spiritual Crocodiles.

Take a cell phone to class in your briefcase or bag. Near the start of the lesson, answer it as though you heard it ring (or have someone actually call you). Turn away from the class a little as you talk into it so it seems real, and have the following "conversation:"
Hello....Yes...oh, hi......no, I didn't know that......thanks for letting me know......yes, I appreciate the information......thanks for telling me, I feel better......I will do that......see you later.....bye.
Apologize to the class for the interruption, then start the lesson again.

What could we have done to avoid the crocodiles?

Have cell phone ring again. This time pick up your scriptures and put them to your head like a phone. Repeat the exact same conversation.
Hello....Yes...oh, hi......no, I didn't know that......thanks for letting me know......yes, I appreciate the information......thanks for telling me, I feel better......I will do that......see you later.....bye.

#1 study our scriptures diligently.

#2 President Monson said , "crash courses are not nearly so effective as the day-to-day reading and application of the scriptures in our lives. Become acquainted with the lessons the scriptures teach. Learn the background and setting of the Master’s parables and the prophets’ admonitions. Study them as though they were speaking to you, for such is the truth. If you will study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased.”

President Monson suggests that if we study the scriptures daily we will have power to resist any temptation that is put before us. The Holy Spirit will guide us as we study.


Lehi’s Vision – See page 69 of Gospel Art Book
The prophet Lehi and his son Nephi were each shown in vision the importance of obtaining and then holding fast to the word of God.
Concerning the Iron rod Nephi said to his brothers, “And I said unto them that the rod was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.
Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would
give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things.” 1 Nephi 15:24-25


#3 During a ward conference the stake presidency called on a number of ward officers to speak. After many members stood, the president then called Thomas S. Monson to the stand, the secretary of the deacons quorum. He doesn't remember what he said, but he does remember the experience and lesson learned.
.
"Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you." - Apostle Peter

And how can we always be ready to give an answer?
We have to be prepared.
.
By studying diligently, we will always be ready to give our answers.

How many of us have cereal for breakfast?
How many get up every morning & pour ourselves a bowl, sit down to eat & put the box right in front of us where we can read it while were eating?
We can read the panel 3 times in the 10 or so minutes it takes us to eat.
You probably have the list of ingredients & the RDA memorized by now.
How about trying an experiment.
Put the box aside & put your scriptures in front of your bowl.
Now you can get another kind of Daily Recommended Allowance. The most important kind.
The kind that increases spiritual awareness, a good feeling inside, and answers to your problems.
Take the phrase “Make breakfast the most important meal of the day” to a totally different level.

What are some creative ways to get your scripture reading in?

How many have a CTR ring?
What does it stand for? Choose the Right.
How about another meaning... how about Choose to Read.

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#2 Pray Fervently

With God, all things are possible. Remember the prayer of the Prophet Joseph, offered in that grove called sacred. Look around you and see the result of that answered prayer.
Adam prayed; Jesus prayed. We know the outcome of their prayers. He who notes the fall of a sparrow surely hears the pleadings of our hearts. Pres Monson reminds us that with God all things are possible. He refers to the scripture, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God."

Isn’t that such a wonderful and simple promise? If we are in need of anything, the scriptures tell us that we simply need to ask God. They also ask us to always have a prayer in our heart. If we do this, Satan will have no power over us. I know that our Heavenly Father does answer prayers. All we need to do is ask and it shall be given to us.

What difference does it make if you know that heavenly Father really listens to you when you pray?

ME: My Dear Father in Heaven

HF: YES!

ME: Don t interrupt me. I m praying.

HF: BUT YOU CALLED ME

ME: Called you? I didn t call you. I m praying My dear Father in Heaven

HF: THERE. YOU DID IT AGAIN.

ME: Did what?

HF: CALLED ME. YOU SAID, "MY DEAR FATHER IN HEAVEN." HERE I AM. WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

ME: But I didn t mean anything by it. I was just, you know, saying my prayers for the night. I always say my prayers. It makes me feel good, kind of like getting my duty done.

HF: OH ALL RIGHT. GO ON.

ME: I m thankful for my many blessings.

HF: HOLD IT! HOW THANKFUL?

ME: What?

HF: HOW THANKFUL ARE YOU FOR YOUR "MANY BLESSINGS"?

ME: I m well I don t know. How should I know? It s just part of the prayer. Everyone has always said that I should express my thanks.

HF: OH, YOU'RE WELCOME. GO AHEAD.

ME: Go ahead?

HF: WITH THE PRAYER.

ME: Oh yea. Let s see bless the poor and the sick and the needy and the afflicted.

HF: DO YOU REALLY MEAN THAT?

ME: Well, sure I mean it.

HF: WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT?

ME: Doing? Who me? Nothing, I guess. I just think that it would be kind of nice if you got control of things down here, like you have up there, so people don t have to suffer so much.

HF: HAVE I GOT CONTROL OVER YOU?

ME: Well, I go to church. I pay my tithing. I don t

HF: THAT ISN'T WHAT I ASKED YOU. WHAT ABOUT YOUR TEMPER? YOU HAVE A PROBLEM THERE AND YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR FAMILY SUFFER. THEN THERE'S THE WAY YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY ALL ON YOURSELF. AND HOW ABOUT THE KIND OF BOOKS YOU READ?

ME: Stop picking on me! I m just as good as some of the rest of those I see every Sunday at church.

HF: EXCUSE ME I THOUGHT YOU WERE PRAYING FOR ME TO BLESS THE NEEDY. IF THAT IS TO HAPPEN, I'LL HAVE TO HAVE HELP FROM THE ONES WHO ARE PRAYING FOR IT.

ME: Oh, all right. I guess that I have few hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably mention some others.

HF: SO COULD I.

ME: Look Father, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than usual. Bless the missionaries to be led to those that are honest in heart.

HF: YOU MEAN PEOPLE LIKE RALPH?

ME: Ralph?

HF: YEAH. THE GUY AROUND THE CORNER.

ME: That Ralph?!? But he smokes and drinks and never goes to church.

HF: HAVE YOU HAD A LOOK IN HIS HEART LATELY?

ME: Oh course not. How can...

HF: I HAVE LOOKED AND IT IS ONE OF THOSE HONEST HEARTS YOU WERE JUST PRAYING ABOUT.

ME: Well then. Get those missionaries over there. Do you think I like having a non-member for a neighbor?

HF: AREN'T YOU SUPPOSE TO BE A MISSIONARY? I THOUGHT I'D MADE THAT PRETTY CLEAR.

ME: Hey, wait a minute. What is this , criticize "me" day? Here I am doing my duty, keeping your commandment to pray, and all of a sudden you break in and start reminding me of all my problems.

HF: WELL, YOU CALLED ME. AND HERE I AM. KEEP ON PRAYING, I M INTERESTED IN THE NEXT PART. YOU HAVEN'T CHANGED THE ORDER AROUND HAVE YOU? GO ON

ME: I don t want to.

HF: WHY NOT?

ME: I know what you will say.

HF: TRY ME AND SEE.

ME: Please forgive me of all my sins, and help me to forgive others.

HF: WHAT ABOUT BILL?

ME: See! I knew it! I knew you d bring him up! Listen, Lord. He told lies about me and I lost my job. Everyone in that office thinks I m a real jerk, and I didn t do anything.

HF: BUT YOUR PRAYERS. WHAT ABOUT YOUR PRAYERS?

ME: I didn t mean it.

HF: WELL AT LEAST YOU ARE HONEST. I GUESS YOU ENJOY CARRYING THAT
LOAD OF BITTERNESS AROUND, DON'T YOU?

ME: No, I don t. But I will feel a lot better as soon as I get even.

HF: DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET?

ME What secret?

HF: YOU WON'T FEEL BETTER, YOU'LL FEEL WORSE. YOU LISTEN TO ME. YOU
FORGIVE BILL AND I'LL FORGIVE YOU.

ME: But, Lord, I can t forgive Bill.

HF: THEN I CAN'T FORGIVE YOU.

ME: No matter what?

HF: NO MATTER WHAT.

ME: Oh all right .Please help me to control my feelings and not yield to temptation.

HF: GOOD. GOOD, I LL DO JUST THAT. BUT YOU STOP PUTTING YOURSELF IN ALL THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE YOU CAN BE TEMPTED.

ME: What do you mean by that?

HF: QUIT HANGING AROUND THE MAGAZINE RACK AND SPENDING SO MUCH TIME IN FRONT OF THE TUBE. SOME OF THAT STUFF IS GOING TO GET TO YOU SOONER OR LATER. YOU'LL FIND YOURSELF INVOLVED IN SOME TERRIBLE THINGS BEFORE LONG AND DON'T USE ME FOR AN ESCAPE HATCH, EITHER!

ME: An escape hatch? I don t understand.

HF: SURE YOU DO. YOU'VE DONE IT LOTS OF TIMES YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A CRISIS SITUATION, AND THEN COME RUNNING TO ME. "LORD, HELP ME OUT IF THIS MESS AND I PROMISE I'LL NEVER DO IT AGAIN"! IT'S AMAZING, BY THE WAY, HOW THE INTENSITY AND QUALITY OF YOUR PRAYERS IMPROVE WHEN YOU ARE IN TROUBLE. DO YOU REMEMBER SOME OF THOSE BARGAINS YOU TRIED TO MAKE WITH ME?

ME: Well, I don t think oh yeah like the time Mom s visiting teacher saw me coming out of that movie about oh brother!!!

HF: DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR PRAYER? I DO. "OH GOD, PLEASE DON'T LET HER TELL MY MOTHER WHERE I'VE BEEN. I PROMISE I'LL GO TO NOTHING BUT G RATED FROM NOW ON". SHE DIDN'T TELL YOUR MOTHER, BUT YOU DIDN'T KEEP YOUR PROMISE, DID YOU?

ME: No Lord, I didn t. I m sorry.

HF: SO AM I. GO AHEAD AND FINISH YOUR PRAYER.

ME: Wait a minute. I want to ask you a question. Do you always listen to my prayers?

HF: EVERY WORD. EVERY TIME.

ME: Then how come you never talked back to me before?

HF: HOW MANY CHANCES HAVE YOU GIVEN ME? THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TIME BETWEEN YOUR "AMEN" AND YOUR HEAD HITTING THE PILLOW FOR ME TO DRAW A BREATH. HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO GIVE AN ANSWER?

ME: You could, if you really wanted to.

HF: NO. I COULD IF YOU REALLY WANTED ME TO. CHILD, I ALWAYS WANT TO.

ME: Father, I am sorry. Will you forgive me?

HF: I ALREADY HAVE. AND THANKS FOR LETTING ME INTERRUPT. I GET LONELY TO TALK TO YOU SOMETIMES.

ME: Good night. I love you.HF: GOOD NIGHT. AND I LOVE YOU.

Our Heavenly Father does hear and answer prayers. If you pray for something, you had better be ready to do it. If you pray for missionary work to prosper, you better be helping. Do not pray with vain repetition. If you don't mean it, don't pray it.

#5 Bishop H. Burke Peterson: “ I want you to know that I know that whenever one of Heavenly Father’s children kneels and talks to him, he listens. I know this as well as I know anything in this world-that Heavenly Father listens to every prayer from his children. I know our prayers ascend to heaven. No matter what we may have done wrong, he listens to us.

“I also believe he answeres us. I don’t believe he ignores his children when they talk to him.”

FIVE FINGER PRAYER

1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember.

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, the bishop & our church leaders. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that it is our weakest finger -- as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger -- the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "the least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinky should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have
prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

#6 Pres Monson said, “To those within the sound of my voice who are struggling with challenges and difficulties large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer.”

#7 Sister Daisy Ogando lives in New York City, home to more than eight million people. Some years ago Sister Ogando met with the missionaries and was taught the gospel. Gradually, she and the missionaries lost contact. Time passed. Then, in 2007, the principles of the gospel she had been taught by the missionaries stirred within her heart.
One day while getting into a taxi, Daisy saw the missionaries at a distance, but she was unable to make contact with them before they disappeared from view. She prayed fervently to our Heavenly Father and promised Him that if He would somehow direct the missionaries to her once again, she would open her door to them. She returned home that day with faith in her heart that God would hear and answer her prayer.
In the meantime, two young missionaries who had been sincerely praying and working to find people to teach were one day examining the tracting records of missionaries who had previously served in their area. As they did so, they came across the name of Daisy Ogando. When they approached her apartment the very afternoon that Sister Ogando offered that simple but fervent prayer, she opened the door and said those words that are music to every missionary who has ever heard them: “Elders, come in. I’ve been waiting for you!”
Two fervent prayers were answered, contact was reestablished, missionary lessons were taught, and arrangements were made for Daisy and her son Eddy to be baptized.
Remember to pray fervently.
#3. Live righteously.

The final suggestion on how to be our best self is to live righteously.

It seems like a simple task but Satan is working very hard to make us fail.

However, we need to make the choice to follow the council of the Lord so that we can live with peace and happiness. He has given us the plan of protection and happiness and all we need to do is live worthy of those blessings.

#8 (All members) may not necessarily be eloquent in their speech. They may not hold advanced degrees in difficult fields of study. They may very well be of humble means. But God is no respecter of persons, and He will sustain His servants in righteousness as they avoid the evils of our day and live lives of virtue and purity

Some 900 miles north of Salt Lake City is the beautiful city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, home of the famous Calgary Stampede, one of Canada’s largest annual events and the world’s largest outdoor rodeo. Several years ago, a marching band from a large high school in Utah had auditioned for and had received one of the coveted entries to march in the Calgary Stampede Parade. Months of fund-raising, early-morning practices up and down the streets, and other preparations were undertaken in order for the band to travel to Calgary and participate in the parade, where one band would be selected to receive the first-place honor.
Finally the day for departure arrived, with the eager students and their leaders boarding the buses and heading north for the long journey to Calgary.
While en route, the caravan stopped in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, where the group remained for an overnight stay. The local Relief Society sisters there prepared sack lunches for the band members to enjoy before departing again. Brad, one of the band members, who was a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, was not hungry and decided to keep his lunch until later.
There the lunch sat by the rear window as the July afternoon sun shone through. Unfortunately, the sack lunch contained an egg salad sandwich. (No further details needed here!)
Sometime before arriving in Calgary, Brad grew hungry. Remembering the sack lunch, he gulped down the egg salad sandwich. As the buses arrived in Calgary and drove around the city, the members of the band grew excited—all except for Brad. Unfortunately, all that grew within him were severe stomach pains and other discomforts associated with food poisoning. You know what they are.
Upon arriving at their destination, the band members exited the bus. Brad, however, did not. Although he knew his fellow band members were counting on him to play his drum in the parade the following morning, Brad was doubled over in pain and was too sick to leave the bus. Providentially for him, two of his friends, Steve and Mike, who had recently graduated from high school and who had also recently been ordained to the office of elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood, found that Brad was missing and decided to look for him.
Finding Brad in the rear of the bus and learning what the problem was, Steve and Mike felt helpless. Finally it occurred to them that they were elders and held the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood to bless the sick. Despite their total lack of experience in giving a priesthood blessing, these two new elders had faith in the power they held. They laid their hands on Brad’s head and, invoking the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, in the name of Jesus Christ uttered the simple words to bless Brad to be made well.
From that moment, Brad’s symptoms were completely gone. The next morning he took his place with the rest of the band members and proudly marched down the streets of Calgary. The band received first-place honors and the coveted blue ribbon. Far more important, however, was that two young, inexperienced but WORTHY priesthood holders had answered the call to represent the Lord in serving their fellowman. When it was necessary for them to exercise their priesthood in behalf of one who was desperately in need of their help, they were able to respond because they lived their lives righteously.


#10 In 2 Nephi l5:20 we are told that there are those “that acall bevil good, and good evil, that put cdarkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
Can you tell the difference in the "light" that is offered?
#11 2 Nephi 12:5 O house of Jacob, come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord; yea, come, for ye have all agone astray, every one to his bwicked ways.
What does it mean "walk in the light of the Lord"?

As you walk in the light of Christ, you have the opportunity to influence others.
Are you a good influence or like the Flu Bug on the commercial where he knocks on the door, comes in and makes himself at home, and makes everyone living there miserable?

#12 When I was a freshman in high school, there was someone in my life who I looked up to. I wanted to be just like her. I spent hours copying her handwriting, studying the way she fixed her hair, the way she walked and talked. She was my hero and a major influence in my life. I thought I would follow her anywhere….
Finally my day had come, or at least I thought so. I was invited to "hang out" with her and a group of her friends. Imagine my surprise when I was offered my first joint. Suddenly my world stopped as I watched her start smoking, telling me it was okay. I was stunned. This is not what I expected. This is not what I expected from someone I’d admired for so long and I wished I could be anywhere but there and I felt terribly sad.
Somewhere I had the courage within me to say "no thanks" and I left the room. My relationship with my "hero" changed from that moment on and has never been the same. The light I had once felt had dimmed and I didn’t like the darkness I was feeling.
I have often thought of that pivotal moment in my life. I could so easily have followed her…I had for so many years. But at a turning point in our lives, she turned left and I turned right, and our lives have been on different paths since. There are many lights in this world vying for our attention and at a time when I needed greater light, the light of Christ was there for me. I know also that same light was there for her – she just choose not to follow.

There are many turning points in our lives. Satan is not going to tempt us just once. He is going to work on us and try to wear us down. Our friends can have a tremendous impact on our lives.
Each of us will have times in our lives when we may have to flee from a situation to save our spiritual lives.

How many of you know the Primary Song – Do As I’m doing, Follow Follow me – Do as I’m doing, Follow Follow me. Every once in a while look around you to see who is following and ask yourself, "Is the example I set worth following? Am I a follower of Christ?

#13 Know that - "That which is of God is light, and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light" (D&C 50:24)

When we set a good example, we increase the light around us as those who follow us also radiate the light of Christ. You can choose to be a single candle or you can be a light in a candelabra as you surround yourself with others who also radiate the light.

On a clear night you can look into the sky and see a million stars.
Some are brighter than others.
Some really catch your attention as they twinkle in they sky.
Wendy Watson used the term, "Spiritual Wattage" in a talk she gave at Woman Conference in l997.
Have you ever thought about your wattage?
Are you a 50 watt,
l00 watt,
or do you have the capacity for 3 way lighting.
Are you a flashlight – a bright light that leads others in moments of darkness, 
A search light – that searches for those who may be lost or a
Christmas light – light that gives the gift of "light"?
Maybe you're a stop light – you’ve stopped progressing. 
A flashing yellow light – Proceed with caution – Testimony unstable. 
Hopefully you are a green light – and are searching diligently in the light of Christ – as Mormon taught his son Moroni and asked us to do. #14 (Moroni 7:l9) Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the alight of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a bchild of Christ.
And when someone shouts, "Hey, who turned out the lights – you can be the light that helps to safely guide others back to Christ.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.

#14 President Monson states: "In a world today we face difficulties and challenges, some of which can seem truly daunting. However, with God on our side we cannot fail. It is not a time to fear, but to go forth with courage.

If we just have faith & we do the simple & basic things that we are told to do... read the scriptures, pray, be worthy... everything will work out. It may not be when or exactly HOW we want it to... but HF knows what is best & he knows the plan & it will all work out.

In closing he stated, are we prepared for our journey through life? The pathway can at times be difficult. Chart your course, be cautious, and determine to study diligently, pray fervently, and live righteously.
Let us never despair, for the work in which we are engaged is the work of the Lord. It has been said, “The Lord shapes the back to bear the burden placed upon it.”
The strength which we earnestly seek in order to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world can be ours when, with fortitude and resolute courage, we stand and declare with Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”10

All I want for Christmas... (Well, Halloween)

Ben finally lost his 1st front tooth.

We were beginning to wonder if it was ever going to come out.

It was just hanging there by a thread.

Kids at school were even commenting on it.

It was practically sideways in his mouth for day... pretty disgusting if you ask me.

And it would bleed & bleed & bleed.

Then finally on Thursday night... it came out.

He seemed kind of "uh" about it.

He put it under his pillow for the tooth fairy.

Then about 3 in the morning he came downstairs in a panic... he couldn't find his tooth.

We informed him that the tooth fairy had already come & had taken his tooth.

(More on that horrible night in a minute)

We are just hoping there is a mighty giant tooth ready to fill in that huge gaping hole in his mouth... can you say $$braces$$.

All he wants for HALLOWEEN... is his tooth back, so he can eat his candy!

But for now, it is a great resting place for his tongue!

... and Max didn't want to be left out of the picture taking fun!

And he wants to make sure you notice his big plastic earring!

---

On to the horrible night.

So after Ben came down in a panic looking for his tooth, we didn't want him to go back up... we were afraid he would wake the other 2 kids. So we just had him get in our bed.

An hour later, here comes the high pitched whines of the one & only Molly.

We know it is here before she hits the first stair, just from the high pitch of her voice.

"I can't find PO!"

I'm looking at her like, what the freak are you talking about...Po is in his bed in Texas... why do you need Po.

"NO! Not that Po... My other Po"

Thankfully Steve was coherent enough to know she was talking about her panda bear.

I bought her a bear when we were in DC.

The bear's name was Po... that is why i got him for her... but i didn't know she had him upstairs & so when she was asking for him I had NO clue what she was talking about.

So Steve went up to find him for her.

But the next thing I know... Molly AND Max were down in my bed!

Yes, pointless story.

Just not much sleep that night!

----

And I might as well tell the story of my chin.

Steve got out our 9+ foot ladder to change some lightbulbs.

Well, he couldn't get it to fold up, so i had to.

It was too hight for me, so I laid it down.

When it closed it was heavier than I was expecting & it pulled me forward.

Normally I would have just fallen... end of story.

But my feet got caught between the 2 parts of the ladder, so when i fell, i went down at an odd angle & really couldn't catch myself.

So I went down on the point of my chin.

Not only did I feel, but i HEARD my jaw jam up into my ear canal.

I have bad TMJ anyways, so i have no idea if or how much more I messed my jaw up.

Just so happened I had a dentist appt the next day.

My dentist didn't even look at my jaw.

He said unless the jaw was fractured (which we both agreed it wasn't), there is absolutely NOTHING that can be done about it.

All that pain & suffering & no battle wounds to show, except for a bruise across the tops of my toes where the ladder slammed down =(

------

Then today at church the RS pres & i needed to update the VT list.

We are both NEW to this.

We got everything into the computer (about 1.5 hours worth of work) & boom... deleted EVERYTHING!

I mean EVERYTHING.

Had to start over from scratch.

Square 1.

No districts.

No companionships.

No routes.

NOTHING AT ALL.

Completely blank screen.

So another 1.5 hours, just to get it back to where we originally started!

3 hours & it was like we were never there!!!

----

M&M are more than excited about Disney.

I ordered trading pins from Ebay... we have practiced trading (just so there are no surprises) & they understand how to trade with others.

We got all of our pins on their lanyards...

Max insisted on wearing his lanyard of pins to school!

We asked them who they wanted to eat with... so many fun characters to choose from...

who did they pick?

The princesses... NO!

The Little Einsteins..... NO!

The Mad Hatter... NO!

They wanted "Puddo" (Pluto).

That is the ONLY character that they care to see!!!

All I can say is if Pluto isn't "in the house"... Disney World could very well fall on 11/18!!!