Just wanted to say Happy Halloween and to wish my sister a happy birthday! Yes, she was born on Halloween! Hope you have a great day, sis!
Oh, and these are the ghost lollipops, I said Hannah and I would make. A fun little project for us to do together.
Today was Silly Day at preschool which of course meant "wear your halloween costume to school" day. The kids looked so cute in all their costumes. They had a little parade around the school and Hannah did her thing... waving and marching all around. I love the pictures of Hannah with her teacher. It is so much fun to be the parent and participate in all these things that I remember loving as a kid. Hannah definitely loves Halloween and loves each time she is able to put on her costume.
For those serious bloggers out there. I came across the latest thing.... Blog Bumper Stickers. Some of them are just so-so, but this one I thought was funny. If you are looking for another graphic to put on your site, check it out.
In our household, we hear a song from Mary Poppins, oh about every 20.5 minutes. You would think by now I would be absolutely sick and tired of the darn thing, but not so. I think I am more in love with this timeless classic now than I was years ago as a child when I would watch clips of the movie on my grandpa's 8 mm movie projector. (One of my favorite childhood memories by the way).
I think the reason I am more in love with Mary Poppins is because of Julie Andrews and her absolutely breathtaking, crystal clear, "I-wish-I-Could-Hit-That-Note" voice. As I listen to her voice each day in the minivan (thanks to Hannah and her love for Mary Poppins), I just can't get over the fact that Julie Andrew's voice is "practical perfect"! I personally think she just might be the best female singer of all time.
And to top it off, I have been hearing great things about the broadway musical Mary Poppins that I now long to see that show too (maybe if it makes its way to San Fran or LA.) Here's wishing!
My suggestion to you.... if you haven't watched this movie in awhile, dust it off and stick it in the dvd player/VCR and give it a viewing. You won't be sorry. Besides I think the day is that much better if you have "A spoon full of sugar" stuck on the brain. How could you not?
And just for fun... Here are some great quotes from the movie.
"That's a piecrust promise. Easily made, easily broken."
"We can't have them gallivanting up there like kangaroos, can we?"
"First of all I would like to make one thing quite clear. I never explain anything."
"Close your mouth please, Michael, we are not a codfish."
"You know, you *can* say it backwards, which is "dociousaliexpiisticfagilcalirupes" - but that's going a bit too far, don't you think?"
Introduction:
I actually got my undergrad in Health Promotion. So, I am pretty familiar with this topic.
Q: Name all the things that you ate yesterday for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Scripture Discussion:
Put these items on the table and have the girls look up these scriptures.
Soap – D&C 38:42 (be clean, inside and out)
Clock – D&C 88:124 (retire and rise early)
Fruit – D&C 89:11 (in season)
Meat – D&C 89: 12 (sparingly)
Grain – D&C 89:14 (staff of life)
Shoes – D&C 89:20 (exercise)
Q: Why do you think Heavenly Father has given us these instructions?
Explain that there are at least three areas in which we should develop healthy habits.
1. Eat a well-balanced diet
2. Get proper Exercise
3. Get proper rest
1. EAT A WELL BALANCED DIET
Q: Did you eat foods from each of the food groups? How could you make your diet more well-balanced?
INFORMATION/ STATS:
Daily caloric intake for teenage active teenage girl = 2200 calories.
Sugar = (4 grams is equivalent to 1 teaspoon) in a serving of the food.
The average American eats about 155 pounds of sugars a year or 39 teaspoons day!*
A teenage girl aged between 11 and 14 should aim to eat no more than 54g sugar in one day (just under 11 teaspoons).
DID YOU KNOW?
1 bowl of Cheerios = 1/2 tsp. sugar
1 bowl of Total Raisin Bran = 3-4 t. sugar
1 chocolate bar = 7 ½ ts. sugar
1 12 oz can cola soda = 9 t sugar
1 can of Apple Juice = 8 ½ t. sugar
10 oz. glass of Malted Milkshake = 710 t sugar
(I brought in a teaspoon and a container of sugar and measured out each item’s sugar content).
RULE OF THUMB: Foods with 10 grams or more of sugar is considered HiGH sugar. Less than 2 grams is considered LOW.
2. GET PROPER EXERCISE
Q: What do you do for exercise? What is your favorite way to exercise? How could you make exercise a more regular part of your life?
I held up visuals of different snack foods (potato chips, slice of cake, pizza, etc) and told them how long you have to run, walk, swim, etc to work of that particular food. (I got the information from Parents magazine (I think Sept 07 issue).
3. GET PROPER REST
Q: What do you do for rest and relaxation? How well do you follow the counsel in Doctrine and Covenants 88:124?
QUOTE:
“When our appetites control us, when we neglect to keep our bodies and minds in the best possible condition, we may not be literally breaking the Word of Wisdom, but we are neglecting a sacred trust that the Lord has given to us when he gave us our marvelous bodies” (Lindsay R. Curtis, “I Have a Question,” Ensign, June 1975, p. 21).
Have class members read 1 Corinthians 3:16–17.
QUOTE:
President David O. McKay stated: “The healthy man, who takes care of his physical being, has strength and vitality; his temple is a fit place for his spirit to reside. … It is necessary, therefore, to care for our physical bodies, and to observe the laws of physical health and happiness” (“The ‘Whole’ Man,” Improvement Era, Apr. 1952, 221).
Q: How does it make you feel to know that you are a temple of God? Any thoughts?
Q: Ask yourself: How well are you taking care of your temple?
Not only is it important for you to be healthy now, because it is these practices and habits you form now that are important later in life when you need to be healthy for others too.
QUOTE:
“Womanhood should be intelligent and pure, because it is the living life-fountain from which flows the stream of humanity. She who would pollute that stream by tobacco, poisonous drugs, or germs that would shackle the unborn is untrue to her sex and an enemy to the strength and perpetuity of the race” (David O. McKay, “These Two Together,” Improvement Era, May 1969, p. 2).
Since I am a mother to a new baby, I will discuss briefly the importance of properly caring for my own health and the health of my child.
* The benefits of proper health practices before having children (possibly emphasizing the Word of Wisdom, proper nutrition, rest, and exercise).
* The benefits of good health practices during pregnancy (including following a doctor’s counsel and taking no harmful drugs).
* How knowledge of good health rules has been and will be beneficial to her child.
TAKE AWAY:
I found these cute Halloween tins at Target in their dollar spot and filled them with trail mix and a tag that says “Eat well. Exercise Often. Sleep Tight.”
If you wanted to tie specifically the Word of Wisdom into this lesson… you could start the lesson off with this quiz and then move into the scriptures.
Quiz
• What is the Lord’s law of health usually called? (The Word of Wisdom.)
• Where in the scriptures is the Word of Wisdom found? (Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants.)
• Is drinking coffee violating the Word of Wisdom? (Yes.)
• Are there more “dos” or more “don’ts” in the Word of Wisdom? (More “dos.”)
• Does unnecessarily using drugs violate the Word of Wisdom? (Yes.)
• Does the Word of Wisdom list foods that are good for us to eat? (Yes.)
• Can you overeat and still keep the spirit of the Word of Wisdom? (No.)
We had our ward's annual Harvest Festival Chili Cook-off tonight and guess who got third place. Yep! There were probably 15 entries and I came in third. I used the recipe on my last entry and then changed it just a bit adding things here and there. How fun to win. Next year, I am gunning for first.
Okay, So I love when people post recipes. It helps me out so much, so I thought I would contribute too (hopefully help someone else out). I have come up with The Weekly Grub. I will post our weekly dinner menu and a link to the recipes. We will see how good I am at keeping this up, but I will try. So, here is week #1.
All of which were really good and easy.
Sunday - Chicken Pot Pie (It has everything in it, no need for anything else).
Tuesday - Shrimp Enchiladas with green salad.
Thursday - Broiled Salmon Over Parmesan Grits (or polenta) and broccoli
Saturday - Pumpkin Chili We took this to our church Fall Festival chili cook-off.
NOTE: All other nights we had leftovers.
What is a Uniqua, you ask? It is what my dear daughter is going to be for Halloween. She insisted and had her mind set on being Uniqua from the Backyardigans. I am sure no one is going to know what she is, but at least she knows what she is.
I had to do a photoshoot with the girls in the halloween costumes. So, here you go - a sneak peak of them all dressed up for Halloween.
My friend (Heather) gave me the cutest matching dresses from Gymboree for Ella's baby shower months ago. Well, it is now finally cool enough to wear them. So, this sunday I dressed the girls up in their matching dresses and oh, my how cute they were. So, yes I had to get pictures.
Here are just a couple that I was able to get. It was right before church so the lighting wasn't great and the girls were only so-so cooperative (so the pictures have a few flaws), but I don't care, I am glad I got them. Thanks Heather for helping my girls looks so darn cute!
What a great tip I found about your nice cake stand you seem to only use once a year. Take almost any cake stand with a cover and it transforms from a fruit bowl to a cake stand to a veggie tray with a dipping saucer. And I have even seen it used as a punch bowl too (replace the fruit with punch). Who would have thought? But I am glad someone did... great idea!
After months of planning, preparing and getting it up and ready, I am proud to announce my new business.... ABW Photography.
The idea behind this photography business is to capture my client's "life moments".
"Life moments" can be a newborn coming home for the first time or a senior's picture at the end of their last school year. A teenager's cheerleading competition or a tea party play date. And of course family photos, birthday parties or sporting events.
I am so excited about this and hope that you enjoy the site. If you know anyone that lives in the Frenso, Ca area... spread the word! Thanks!
Hannah had another soccer game this weekend and boy was it cold. The wind was blowing like crazy. Luckily, the little kids didn't care one bit. Here are some pis of the game, her team and a spectator. Only 2 more games left of the season.
I am not much of a sports fan. I do appreciate the thrill of a good game every now and then and I am part of a Fantasy Football league (Undefeated 6-0, thank you very much). For the most part though, my husband watches sports alone. But not this week. The Boston Red Sox are playing the Colorado Rockies in the World Series... what a match up! For the most part, it is always Red Sox Nation in our household, but now it is Rocktober!
This is going to be so much fun. My husband is a huge Red Sox fan and myself being from Denver, Colorado I am a Rockies fan deep down inside. So, now it is husband against wife, East against West, Red against Purple. Let the game begin! Go Rockies!!
Lesson 37: Maintaining Chastity through Righteous Living
OBJECT LESSON:
At the beginning of the lesson I asked the girls who had brought their scriptures. The ones who didn't raise their hands, I started to give little candy bars. (you will probably get a response.) I then went on to my lesson. At the end of the lesson I handed out king size versions of the candy bars to the girls that did bring their scriptures. I told them the “little” candy bars were “instant gratification” in life. And the King size bars were the eternal blessings. If you do what the world says is okay, you may get some pleasure now, but if you do what Heavenly Fathers commands you to do, the reward is always better than you ever dreamed of. You may have to wait longer to see it, but it is always worth the wait.
The reason I am going over these definitions is because although they might seem harsh or uninviting right now, they need to know what is right and wrong, because they chastity applies not only as teens, but until the DAY they are married. So, this lesson is to be sure they know what it means to be chaste now as teenagers and more importantly, when they are seriously dating in their 20’s or engaged. (most importantly when they are engaged and in love).
DEFINTIONS:
• Masturbation: To sexually stimulate oneself. “Masturbation. I have heard it called “self abuse”.
• Homosexuality: “ ‘Sexual desire for those of the same sex or sexual relations between individuals of the same sex,’ whether men or women”
• Adultery: Sexual intercourse with someone other than one’s own lawful husband or wife.
• Fornication: Sexual intercourse by the unmarried (see President Kimball Speaks Out, pp. 10, 12).
• Necking: Passionate kissing and intimate contact (see President Kimball Speaks Out, p. 8).
• Petting: “Fondling of the private parts of the body for the purpose of sexual arousal” (President Kimball Speaks Out, p. 8).
• I added pornography and oral sex (you can choose to discuss or leave out, but I hear too many stories where girls didn’t think they were having sex because it was oral and I want to be sure the girls know it is WRONG).
DATING ROAD RULES – whenever you are on a date, each time you pass these roads signs I want you to remember these dating rules.
STOP - with a goodnight kiss!
NO PASSING ZONE - Passes are not acceptable
SOFT SHOULDERS - etc., are hard to resist so...Dress Modestly!
NO PARKING! (The sign for this is just a car with the diagonal line through it)
YIELD! - to the Lords spirit...especially when dating!
ONE WAY - There is only (one way) to achieve worthiness for a Temple Marriage
DISCUSSION
Have the class members read these scriptures together and discuss how the principles taught in the scriptures will help them maintain their chastity.
The following are some principles that should be discussed:
• Word of Wisdom D&C 89:5-7
• Modesty in word, dress, and action A of F 13
• Fasting D&C 59:13-14
• Love of God, self, others
• Study of the scriptures D&C 18:33-34
• Doctrine and Covenants 121:45–46 (virtuous thoughts)
• Doctrine and Covenants 58:2 (obedience)
• Doctrine and Covenants 93:49 (prayer)
• Doctrine and Covenants 59:9 (sacrament and Sabbath day)
TRUE STORY:
With him at his side was a lovely girl, slight of frame and beautiful of face and form. It was obvious that they loved one another, for as they sat together across the desk from me, he reached quietly for her hand and there were meaningful glances. The melodious voice was hesitant and a bit choked with emotion as he introduced his girl friend, and there was pleading in their eyes. “We are in difficulty, Brother Kimball,” he said. “We have broken the law of chastity. We prayed and fasted and agonized and finally came to the conclusion that we must try to make adjustments. “That junior prom date was a turning point. It started out a very special one. But as I see it now, it turned out to be a tragic one, the beginning of our troubles. When I saw her coming downstairs that night, I thought no girl was ever so beautiful and so sweet. We danced through the evening; and then when we sat in the car, long and silently afterward, my thoughts became unruly as we became more and more intimate.
“Neither of us dreamed what was happening to us,” he continued, “but all the elements were there to break down resistance. We did not notice time—the hours passed. The simple kisses we had often exchanged gradually developed into petting. We stopped at that. But there were other nights—the bars were down. We loved each other so much that we convinced ourselves that it was not so wrong merely to pet since we sort of belonged to one another anyway. Where we ended one night became the starting point for the next night, and we continued on and on, until finally it happened—almost as though we could not control ourselves—we had intercourse. We had even talked about it and agreed that whatever else we did we would not go that far. And then when it was late—so late—so everlastingly late—we woke up to the meaning of what we had done.”
Can we be forgiven, Brother Kimball?” the young couple asked.
“Yes,” I replied, “the Lord and his church can and will forgive, but not easily. The way of the transgressor is hard. It always has been and it always will be. The Lord said: ‘I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite’ ” (Luke 12:59).
But I went on to tell them that in his goodness he provided for us a way to forgiveness. One may do as he pleases, but he cannot evade responsibility. He may break laws, but he cannot avoid penalties. One gets by with nothing. God is just. Paul said, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7).
QUOTES:
President Kimball then counseled the young couple: “Immorality does not begin in adultery or perversion. It begins with little indiscretions like sex thoughts, sex discussions, passionate kissing, petting and such, growing with every exercise. The small indiscretion seems powerless compared to the sturdy body, the strong mind, the sweet spirit of youth who give way to the first temptation. But soon the strong has become weak, the master the slave, spiritual growth curtailed. But if the first unrighteous act is never given root, the tree will grow to beautiful maturity and the youthful life will grow toward God, our Father” (“President Kimball Speaks Out on Morality,” Ensign, Nov. 1980, pp. 94–95).
“Good habits are not acquired simply by making good resolves, though the thought must precede the action. Good habits are developed in the workshop of our daily lives. It is not in the great moments of test and trial that character is built. That is only when it is displayed. The habits that direct our lives and form our character are fashioned in the often uneventful, commonplace routine of life. They are acquired by practice” (Delbert L. Stapley, in Conference Report, Oct. 1974, p. 25; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, p. 20).
STORY AND EXERCISE:
One young woman evaluated her daily activities and habits and set goals for maintaining her standards. She knew that her happiness now and in the future depended on her maintaining her chastity. Tell the following story:
Tamara accepted the prophet’s challenge to keep a journal. Before she began dating, she decided to write in her journal the personal commitments she had made about dating. She resolved to date only boys who had standards similar to hers. There would be no parking, no necking, no petting, and she would always have a prayer by herself before going out, to ask for strength to keep her commitments.As she dated, she recorded her experiences and maintained her standards even though she was pressured not to. She remained true to the commitments that she had recorded in her journal. While attending a university, Tamara became acquainted with an outstanding Latter-day Saint young man. They often talked together and developed a close friendship.
One day, in a casual conversation, the subject of Tamara’s journal and the commitments she had made years earlier came up. It was then that this young man determined that their friendship must develop into an eternal partnership. He had been searching for a companion who had established high standards and maintained them.
I then passed out a PURITY PROMISE contract and told them to take these home and finish reading the book (we gave each of the girls the book titled “On Guard”) and to prayerfully decide and write down their own promises regarding their dating standards as Tamara did. And to put this contract where they will see it daily to serve as a frequent reminder to maintain personal purity through righteous living.
CONCLUSION:
COOKING FROG ANALOGY: I also told the story about how you cook frogs. If you put frogs in a pot of boiling hot water, they'll jump right out. But if you put them in and slowly turn up the heat, they won't notice it and eventually they'll be boiling and ready to eat. Satan works the same way. First its sitting in a car for hours talking to a boy, then then it is kissing the boy alone in your house, then passionate kissing, then a little inappropriate touching, then kissing in a bed, then more touching, then clothes aren't on and then you have passed the point of no return.. you are burned/cooked.
TAKE HOME: I gave them a quote attached to a bag of gummy frogs that read – “You Don't have to Kiss All The Frogs While Searching For Your Prince”
Remind the young women that they can maintain their chastity and personal purity by obeying gospel principles and by developing righteous daily habits and activities. As they do, they will find the joy that the Lord promises to all the faithful. Explain that we must develop habits of obeying gospel principles every day. Inconsistent efforts will not help to keep us pure and clean.
A follow up report on Hannah's "alledged" kissing episode. It has been drawn to my attention that it is naive of me to think that my daughter wouldn't be kissing boys at this age. That I am one of those parents that says "no, not my child, she wouldn't do that" when in fact they are. I don't want to be one of those parents, so I have had a rude awakening that my life as a parent of a cute, outgoing little girl has truly begun.
We had a conversation with Hannah telling her that we don't kiss boys. We can kiss our family members but not boys. And the ironic thing is that she behaved the way she always does when she is caught doing something she knows she shouldn't be doing. (She hugs me with her arms around my neck... that is a sure sign).
It is crazy that in today's day and age something as cute as 3 years old kissing can't be taken at face value - sweet, innocent and just plain adorable. With all the crazy things that happen in elementary schools and on buses... and she is not that far away from that environment (3 more years). We have to teach her now what is appropriate and okay, so she knows later on. It is sad that life has gotten to this point, but I guess that is what being a parent is all about... teaching and protecting our children in this crazy world of ours.
I found this adorable little lunch bag on Etsy. So, cute with the polk-a-dots and little red apple. If I were still a working woman, this little thing would come with me to work everyday! I love it!
I have been a subscriber to Martha Stewart Living for almost 10 years now. I get a subscription every year for Christmas (thanks mom!). I have also subscribed to Everyday Food, but let that subscription go (just because). But there is a great deal that I found on another website where you can get both magazines for a ridiculously low price. So, it looks like I will be subscribing to both publications again! And I get a free tote too!
And for those that just want Everyday Food there is a great deal there too. And you get a free apron. 
Hannah had her first field trip yesterday. Her class went to the local pumpkin patch. They started out the day with a lesson on pumpkins and how they grow. Then all the parents and kiddies loaded on the tractor and went for a ride around the farm. Then the class had snacks and a class picture and then it was off to pick a pumpkin to take home.
As for mom, it was great except for the allergies that hit me hard and my camera battery dying on me so I couldn't get a picture of the class or her in the pumpkin patch. But we have to go back anyway with dad, so I can get pictures then. It was fun to finally be a mom on a field trip :-)
And I have to tell you about this little boy in the picture with Hannah. His name is Evan. Last week, Hannah was telling us that she likes her teachers and Evan. Chris asked who is Evan? I had no idea. The next day, we are walking to class and this little boy is yelling "hannah, hannah". It was evan! Then he told her "no kissing me today." His mom said that he is making it up. I have to think so.. I can't imagine Hannah trying to kiss boys yet, but you never know (she isn't shy).
Posts
All Comments
