Lydia's Debut

Purse-onal Journey

Our ward had our Relief Society birthday dinner this week. The theme was, Our purse-onal Jouney, and the focus was on how we as women have come to Christ during the different stages of our lives-- all built around the idea of purses. This quote by President Monson was mentioned at the beginning of the program:

"My dear sisters, each of you is unique. You are different from each other in many ways. There are those of you who are married. Some of you stay at home with your children, while others of you work outside your homes. Some of you are empty nesters. There are those of you who are married but do not have children. There are those who are divorced, those who are widowed. Many of you are single women. Some of you have college degrees; some of you do not. There are those who can afford the latest fashions and those who are lucky to have one appropriate Sunday outfit. Such differences are almost endless. Do these differences tempt us to judge one another?

"Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who worked among the poor in India most of her life, spoke this profound truth: 'If you judge people, you have no time to love them.' The Savior has admonished, 'This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.' I ask: can we love one another, as the Savior has commanded, if we judge each other? And I answer—with Mother Teresa: no, we cannot.

"In a hundred small ways, all of you wear the mantle of charity. Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out."

I had the chance to write the words to a fun song to introduce the purse theme. We sang it in a group of six-- each of us, by ourselves or in a pair, acting out the words for each stage of life while pulling the appropriate items from our purses. I had such fun with these animated ladies!

BLESSINGS FROM PURSES

by Amber Dahl

(to the tune of “Count Your Many Blessings”)

An early morning picnic in the canyon cold.
About this morning rendezvous, I was not told.
I reach into my purse and every doubt does fly,
My pink petunia lipstick helps my sweet spirit shine.

While looking at the Cheerios, I turn in fear,
To see my toddler throwing down a bottle of root beer.
Past cookie crumbs and potty treats and nail files,
Are baby wipes for bottoms and for Safeway aisles.

Forgot your lunch, oh here-- take this granola bar.
Let's safety pin your hem before you leave the car.
Here's spending money, cell phone, and a hug goodbye,
The scriptures on my iPhone help the time till curfew fly.

My hair is done, I'm late for work, no time to eat,
It's raining, my umbrella's not beneath my seat.
I grab a bag of trail mix from my purse and find
A grocery ad for shelter from the storm outside.

I'm driving in my Buick way before the sun.
My temple shift's at 6 until my back is done.
'Neath brag books full of grandkids and sudoku for my mind,
With bifocals my temple recommend I'll find.

CHORUS
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count the many blessings that from purses come!
Count your blessings, breath mint anyone?
Or sauté pan, or rubber band, or green squirt gun?

The Assignment

Harrison wanted to play the Wii. It was NOT Friday night. Or Saturday morning. Hence, Wii is not allowed at our house. So, I took the opportunity to create a learning experience.

The Assignment: To write at least half a page, in his best handwriting, convincing me that he should get to play the Wii. He also had to include how he would handle any difficulties that arose. After he turned in his initial paragraph, we continued a written exchange.


In the end, I needed a nap anyway. He won. (Or. . . we both won!)

Harrison: A Glimpse into Fleeting Childhood

Harrison is often dirty. His face has been known to be smeared with dirt, jam, chocolate, paint, syrup, and pizza sauce. The backs of his hands and his jeans bear the same stains. I used to feel frustrated (okay, frustration still occasionally gets the best of me) that no matter what we ate at a family meal, a good portion of it ended up on his face, body, and clothing. Then one day I had the quiet thought in my mind that he wouldn't always be this little, and I gave my frustration a stern talking-to: "Quiet down-- enjoy every smile through the cereal on his chin."

My sister, Heidi, has the following quote on her blog. I think every mom of boys must feel her heart flutter when she reads it. It definitely makes me think of my four darling packages of truth, beauty, wisdom, and hope.

"A boy is Truth with dirt on it's face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair, and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket." - Alan Marshall Beck

Ode to Fathers and Sons

I asked Maxwell what his favorite season was.

"Winter. And Fathers and Sons." Here's to one of our favorite seasons.

Garden In!

Then.

Now.

Jeff and the kids got our garden built, installed, and planted a couple of weeks after Lydia was born. I felt sad to have them do it without me, but my nurturing and cultivating were needed elsewhere. It is so fun to see things starting to grow! Two green thumbs up for Jeff and kids!

New Big Brother

Micah with "baby sister." He loves to touch her head, share his blanket, give her kisses, and even tried pulling her for a ride on his blanket once. Each interaction between them is so endearing-- well, except for the ride-on-the-blanket one. Turns out he just wanted his blanket back. Next time, just ask, Micah. I'll be glad to oblige.