Testimony.

This year for family home evening, we are delving into the Book of Mormon more.  We are taking the Gospel Art picture kit (the old one) and taking one picture at a time, discussing the story, and reading the most pertinent verses out of our scriptures TOGETHER.  Lynn struggles to look them up on her own, and this is a way to help her become a little better at it.  She is so excited to read them out loud, and the little girls are really enjoying it as well.

Every week, we do a re-cap of sorts, to refresh our minds as to where we are in the storyline of the book.  Tonight, Peyton went on and on about how Nephi was really a princess. ;)  Great story telling skills that girl has.

The story we were on was about the arrival of the Liahona, how it worked, and how they needed to be in order for it to work properly.

I shared a couple of stories about faith with them, personal experiences, (one that I realize I should record here..) and likened that to how the Liahona worked.  They needed to show faith, believing that it would give them direction.  Lynn was so sweet, as I was finishing she asked if she could share a story with us.

She re-told the story of her day at kindergarten, when she found no one in her classroom, and ran back outside to find me, only to find I had left.  She did cross paths with a sister in our ward (someone Lynn didn’t know), who calmed her down, reassured her, and helped her get safely back to school.

At the end of Lynn’s story, she told us, “I know that Heavenly Father blessed me.  He sent Sue to me so I could get back to school safely and so I wouldn’t be sacred.”

How proud was I!!  She gets it!!!

After the prayer, and after I sent off the little girls to get their pajamas on, I held Lynn back.  I asked her if she knew what she had just done.

“No…”

“You don’t know what that was that you just told all of us?”

She just shook her head.

“That was your testimony.  You shared something that you believe.  You shared a story of when you had to use your faith, and you told us how you were blessed.  That is your testimony of faith.” 

I am so thankful for family home evening, for this time of learning and sharing, to see how my children really do understand and grow from the teachings of the gospel.

Day 21.

This might just sound silly, but today, I am thankful for the talks given in sacrament meeting about Gratitude.

I felt kind of funny sitting there listening, thinking how thankful I was for talks about being thankful, living a life full of gratitude.

They just helped me feel that much better about the aspect of my life I am focusing on right now.  Hopefully this will be a great habit, that I can view everything in a thankful light, even after this time of the year is gone. 

I am also thankful for the atonement, the testimony I have of it, that I know of it’s effects personally.  I am thankful for the road of repentance, that I can begin each day with prayer, an invitation to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost and strive to do better than I did the day before.  I am thankful that when I fall short, I can repent of it, try again, and continue on the path to be the best woman I can be.

I am thankful for the mercy of a loving Father in Heaven, who gives me do-overs all the time.

Day 7.

Prayer has always been in my life.  Some people pray only when times are difficult, some only when they are in need of help, but it is something that has always been a constant in my life.

Lately, I have been trying to have my prayers be more personal.  To really talk with my Heavenly Father about what is important to me, what makes me happy, what I worry about, what is going on.  My prayers seem so much more sincere, when I am able to speak my thoughts.  Even when it is something that seems as ridiculous as, “I want to make healthier choices in what I eat today.”  The help, the motivation, inspiration, is always there.

I am so thankful, that whenever there is something that is bothering me, something that I am worrying about, something I am excited for, I KNOW that He is right there with me.

If it is important to me, then it is of interest to Him as well.

I am thankful to be able to come to my Heavenly Father in prayer, whenever I need to.  I can be standing in the line at the store, and a thought will pop into my head, I can pray.

I can ask for help to remember important things.  To be able to recall information when I need it.  What a blessing!

I am thankful to know that He hears every single prayer, and He also answers them in the way that is best for me.

So blessed.

I am feeling extremely blessed today.

It’s not just today in particular.  I have seen the hand of my Heavenly Father in my life more frequently.  I am so thankful for so many things. 

I have been doing so many private posts lately, not wanting to put ALL of it out there.  My worries are my worries.  While I don’t want to share everything with everyone, and quite frankly, most of what I worry about seems so small and insignificant in comparison to what we see in the world today, I just keep it to myself.  They consist of tender mercies and experiences that I am just not ready to share with everyone.

I have been trying to get back to the basics.  There have been many lessons taught  that are further strengthening that resolve.  They come from all over, not just Sunday meetings, but in other inspired writings, whether they be the scriptures, or what a random blogger has written.  They come from inspired friends and family sharing their knowledge.

I have to bear my testimony today of prayer, of the Book of Mormon, and the study of scripture.

As I continually pray for comfort, I am continually blessed.  As I search out the best decisions to make, I am always guided.   It seems like life has been a sort of a puzzle lately.  With school starting again, trying to find the time to do all those things that need to be done, managing a household as well, I have been praying for guidance and comfort.  Yesterday for some reason, was a particularly worrisome day for me.  (Maybe it has something to do with Ashley starting school this week…)  I prayed constantly.  As the nighttime approached, I said my private prayer, and left my worries and stresses in the hands of my loving Heavenly Father.

This morning, I started my day again with prayer with the girls, and we set out about our day.  It is amazing how much I am able to accomplish when I go about things in the right order, just how much I am blessed!  Today hasn’t been any different.  I have prayed for help with my goals, re-establishing good habits, and as I go about, trying to do those things that I have set out to do, I get them done.

I know I have help.

I sat to read my scriptures, and yet again, was blessed.

I won’t post the entire reference here, but a link (in case you are interested), and some of what touched my heart today.

My reading was 2 Nephi Chapter 4:

“ 20 My God hath been my ^asupport; he hath led me through mine ^bafflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

  21 He hath filled me with his ^alove, even unto the ^bconsuming of my flesh.”

“23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me ^aknowledge by ^bvisions in the night-time.

  24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty ^aprayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.”

“34 O Lord, I have ^atrusted in thee, and I will ^btrust in thee forever. I will not put my ^ctrust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his ^dtrust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

  35 Yea, I know that God will give ^aliberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ^bask ^cnot amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the ^drock of my ^erighteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.”

I KNOW that these scriptures were preserved by the hand of the lord to be brought forth in these times for our benefit.  I know that we have  loving Heavenly Father who only waits for us to ask for His help, and He lovingly and willingly blesses us.

I am so thankful for the comfort I have.

(I just wish I would have received some direction as to NOT putting on my make up BEFORE I read this!)

The tale of a tooth..

Little Lynnie-lou-hoo has a few loose teeth.  They are not terribly wobbly yet, but are slightly wiggly right now.  They have been that way for a while.
New year's day, amid your sleepy fog, the little girl informed me that her other bottom tooth had suddenly become more wiggly.
I really shouldn't say suddenly..  she was sneaking and snacking on some tortilla chips.  Those babies always help with the loosening process.
I am the parent who enjoys this stuff.  I could sit and wiggle and tug at a tooth all day.
I loved losing teeth.
So needless to say, I would beg and bribe her to let me pull at it and wiggle it for the rest of the day.  It would usually end with her squealing (Merrill says it was more screaming than squealing..) and then Merrill would tell me to leave it, and her alone.
During one of our wiggle moments, it was made even more loose.
It was quite exciting.
She was pretty determined to get that out before bedtime, but she was too nervous.  It was set to finish the next day.
We said family prayers, tucked the girls in, and went about our getting ready for bed, when I heard quiet sobbing coming from the girls' room.
It was Lynn.
She was afraid that her tooth was going to fall out while she was asleep, travel down her throat, and either she would choke on it, or would have to keep an eye out for it for the next couple of days..  if you know what I mean.
After asking her what she would rather do, it was eventually decided that we would pull it out right then.
After more wiggling and tugging in the bathroom, Lynn decided that she wanted to be the one to extract it.
Then the tears began.
She was so scared!
I tried to reassure her, to no avail.  I asked her again, what she wanted to do about it.  Her answer, "Say a prayer."
I had a proud mom moment in that second..  the kind of moment where your heart jumps up in your chest a bit, you feel choked up, tears brim at your eyes, and your whole body feels warm and fuzzy..  you know that moment?
Oh, my girl...
I got over myself, and said, "Okay..  let's do it."
We folded our arms, and I waited..  and waited.
I opened one eye only to find her tear-filled eyes looking back at me.  Her lip began to quiver and she said, "I want you to say it..  I don't know what to say."
Then came the teaching moment, which was a teaching moment more for me, than it was for her.
"Honey, you say whatever you are feeling.  He understands.  There is no certain way to say it, there is no wrong way to say a prayer..  you just talk, tell Him how you feel.  Sometimes you don't even need to talk.  Sometimes we cry and He knows exactly what we are feeling."
"How does He know?"
"Heavenly Father has known you longer than even I have known you.  He has known you so long, He knows you so well, that He knows what you will choose to wear tomorrow.  He loves you and He wants you to tell Him how you feel.  Talk to Him like you talk to me..  tell me, how do you feel?"
"I am scared.  I am scared that it will hurt and I don't want it to hurt.  I want it out so I can go to sleep and not worry that I will swallow it."
"Then that is what you tell Him."
After that, there was the sweetest prayer said on the floor or our rubber ducky bathroom.  The two of us kneeling together, and my little girl saying a very sincere prayer to her loving Heavenly Father.  She told Him just how she felt and ended with a tearful "Amen".  Then she set to getting that tooth out.
We got it out, and she tells me it only hurt "a little bit".
Now I have to record and remember this, not only for her, but for myself.  There are so many times that life can seem so overwhelming to me.  Putting it into perspective, I think that there are others out there with so many bigger worries or problems than my own..  but they are my own.  I have to remember that He cares.  It is ME and He cares.  He wants to know how I am feeling.  He wants me to ask for His help.  He is waiting to help me and bless me.  I just have to come to Him.  Sometimes all I want to do is cry, and I need to remember that He understands that too.
I love my girls.
I know that He loves them too..  and He loves me that very same way.

This Christmas...

As I sat wrapping gifts at 3 am, early Christmas morning, I was hoping that the girls would remember this Christmas for many reasons..
Trying to make it the most memorable Christmas to date, took a lot of energy, and backfired multiple times, quite frankly.  Our "Plan B" seemed to really sink in, and had me feeling guilty, thinking that "Plan B" should have been "Plan A" the whole time.
We wanted to have all of the fun of Christmas, and still have the spiritual side, the true meaning, being taught and shared in our home.
We took away most of the emphasis on the Santa part. emphasized the spiritual.
Now don't mistake me, we ALWAYS focus on Christ, He is the main part of our Christmas, but we have fun..  we do have small children here...
I think we were successful.
As we were walking around Temple Square Tuesday night, Ashley kept saying, "Mom, I just have this word stuck in my head!  It won't leave and I just don't want to forget it...  Jesus is the reason why we have Christmas."
See, success.
That was the soundtrack to the next two days.  I was thankful to have it playing in my head during the rush, hustle and bustle of all the last minute things, especially the things that went a little wrong.  It helped to put it all into perspective.
I was most thankful for the days leading up to Christmas, reading books that tell the story of Christ's birth, not only from the view point of people, but from the animals too.  The stories of His life, all that He did.  There were books that taught us about service, loving one another, thinking more of others than your self.  I am so thankful that every night, as we read those books, I was able to share my testimony with my girls..  they also learned to understand what I was saying while emotional, quite emotional at times.
I know, even though I wasn't present, that He was born, that He lived, that He atoned for all..  He died for all that we may ALL live again.
I am so thankful for the miracle of His birth, for this time of the year when the best seems to come out of everyone..  I am thankful to be able to spend it with loved ones.

I hope your Christmas was as good as mine.

Testimony..

Today was a great day.
Merrill woke up at 3:30 am not feeling too well.. hoping it's no big deal. I was feeling bad that he was going to miss out on this great day.
I got to take the girls to the first half at our ward, then head off to my younger brother's ward for the baby blessing.
What an awesome day!!
My brother has come a long way.. he's had some trials in his life, and I can say, I have always been praying for him.. praying for his happiness.
It is interesting to see how Heavenly Father has His plan and it is in His time as well.
There have been some great moments, incredible blessings in the life of our family, but some of the greatest, are with my little brother and his family.
The day he and his sweetheart were married in the temple.. there was a thankful family prayer uttered that night. To see how far he's come, what he always wanted, and it was now his.
They recently celebrated their 3rd anniversary, and they have been trying to add to their little family ever since the day they were married. Again, trials and hardships adorned their path, but here they are..
More prayers of thanks.
I am not only thankful for the people that these events have added to our life, but thankful to my Heavenly Father for the lessons learned along the way..
We want things so badly, and in this society, we want them (and can usually get them) right now.
Yet we are taught patience, and we are taught that His time is the time.
I sat in their fast & testimony meeting pondering these thoughts.. just so grateful.
Love you Kev & Randee!
Now can we take some pictures soon? ;)

Life..

Sometimes it takes a wake-up call to remind us, yet again, of how fleeting life is.
I am thankful for the gospel, for my testimony of it.
I am thankful that life doesn't end with the grave, that those we love, live on, and we will be with them again.
Lives are taken too young, it seems to us.
I look at the deaths of some pretty awesome young men, to be a blessing.
I have family on the other side that needs some teaching.

Just a reminder..

Thanks NieNie... I have been needing this...

Merry Christmas...

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people.
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
"And... ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." -Luke 2:10-12
This selection of scripture was directed towards the shepherds who were watching their flocks at night. Humble people, humble circumstances. What did they know of this world? What did they know of Heavenly Father's plan? They went to see, and they didn't just walk... the scriptures tell us they hurried. What great faith it must have taken to see a messenger of the Lord, then to listen, go and see.
I hope that amid the fun and excitement of this day; the shredded and torn wrapping paper that will be all over my living room floor, my family will have something more... an understanding of the Peace, Happiness, and Joy, the great message of Love, that this single event in the history of time means for us. He lived as "a babe in swaddling clothes" and He lives today.
I pray that we can all be humble and have the faith to listen, and to go and see what great works the Almighty has in store for each one of us.
Merry Christmas...

Sky Angel Cowboy...

Our Sunday School teacher told us about this incredible boy, his witness... I know I e-mailed it to quite a few of you, but thought I'd share with everyone...
What a message!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh5Fa6vZuFo

Hi.. my name is chubby...

Look at this kid! She really dislikes this coat. This was a rare moment when it was silly to her, so, I had to capture it! Reminds me of what we used to say as kids... "Hi. My name is chubby..." as we squished our cheeks together to look silly and distort our voices.
We had quite a day today... I'll post about it later.
Had a really good conversation with Jacks today. It is funny how we are on the same page as far as goals and desires for our families. It's also neat to know there are others out there who have similar concerns and struggles.
Things that happen every day, further testify to me, that I have a loving, kind, caring Father in Heaven, who puts people in our paths to uplift us and reaffirm what we already know to be true.

From the corridors of Mindy's brain...

I've been dong some thinking lately...
(Like that nice shot of my inner nose area.. I know, totally flattering...)
This whole private blogging thing...
I understand the need to go private.. I have been kicking the idea around for a LONG time now. Off and on, the need arises. Mom was soooo worried when I was preggers with Pey that some psycho would stalk me, somehow render me senseless, and give me a totally involuntary c-section and steal my cute baby girl.
I told her that I don't post info, especially specifics, until after the event has transpired. I try not to post too much information (unless it's about my children's bowel movements, questionable language, or my sex life ;)..) like addresses, details about where I hide my huge stash of cash... etc.
I have decided, for the time being to leave my blog open. But I totally understand why a lot of you are changing...
Let me explain why I am not...
Not saying I am awesome or anything.. but I am continuously drawn to the fact of the friendships that are made or strengthened through this outlet. Ally, I wouldn't even know you if it weren't for blogging! Look at all that I would be missing? I think of how many people need other people out there, who could benefit from the examples of others. I wouldn't want to close that door, even if there's the chance that some crazy yahoos might enter through that same door. Speaking of crazy yahoos, I have crazy friends who have moved away, I wouldn't have found them, and have been able to keep in touch without blogging.
I find blogging as a way to share my testimony... first of all, to have it recorded for my kids, and my grand kids, but to have it out there for others. Hopefully the influence is for the better... there will always be negative people out there, criticism is a part of life. I have had to take some every now and then, I don't crumble when some body leaves a negative comment. I am so oblivious most times, I don't even take it the way it was meant to be taken. If I don't like what someone has to say, I can always delete the comment, and then let everyone wonder what the comment said... ;)
Another reason, to connect with others. Old friends, new friends, potential friends...
How many homemakers/mother are out there, and have a not so good day? How many find another blogging homemaker/mother that can twist it into a positive, and helps you to remember that it is just a moment? To let it go? I have found that when my kids have gotten into something, or behave in a way that makes me want to scream, I think, "This is bloggable..." and my attitude towards my child and the situation changes, for the better.
At the risk of sounding totally naive, I believe that if some sicko out there wants either my personal information, or desires to stalk me, they will find a way to get it, or to get to me ( and good luck, I'd totally kick your ass(es).. 3 brothers, who taught me well, my 9mm..). Blogs were not the beginning of this kind of activity. We just have to be careful about what we post.
I personally have no beef posting pictures of my kids. I also am aware of freaks out there who would think certain thoughts when they see how cute my girls are. I am not going to bait them, I am not going to post pictures of my kids that I would not scrapbook. Fact is, people see my kids everyday out in public, I am not going to put a brown paper sack over their heads to hide them from everyday people, some who are the sickos aforementioned... I also cannot control the thought or feelings of people. I don't stay awake at night worrying about what the checker at the store was really thinking about Ashley when she said that naughty word...
Bottom line, we are here for each other. We share our talents, feelings, inner-most thoughts, joys, hardships, memories, laughs, but most of all, we share support. I love that when I am having a hard time, I get encouragement. I love it!
I cannot privatize my blog.
There might just be someone, someday, who might just need something that I might write... maybe.

I've had a lot of quiet thinking time, trying to put my feelings into words.
Our ward had a boy pass-away in his sleep early Sunday morning. While I can't say that I knew him well, I knew him. I was in primary for a little over a year with him, until he turned 12 and advanced to Young Men. All I have to say about him, and his family, is how awesome they are. He was such a remarkable boy, not your typical 12 year-old boy. Calm and quiet, polite. He knew his stuff! His parents have taught him well. They have such awesome testimonies of the Gospel! While I would like to think that I would be strong in this situation, I feel that I would crumple, hide in my bed and mourn. But at the same time, I feel happiness, I feel comfort in the knowledge that I have. I feel peace.
I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for us.
I know that He sent His Son, our Savior.
I know that while on earth, He taught many and performed miracles.
I know that He atoned for our sins.
I know that our Savior died.
I know that He was resurrected.
I know that He lives.
I know that beacuse of all of this, I can be forgiven of my faults and shortcomings, my mistakes and sins, that there is mercy, for me, and that after this life, it doesn't end.
I know that we can be an eternal family.
Because of all this, I know that my Heavenly Father loves me.
I haven't seen the Savior. I haven't seen my Heavenly Father. But, I know that they live. I know because I have tested it. I am reminded everyday by the feelings I have in my heart. I know because of the spirit I feel when we read the scriptures, or that I get when we pray. This gives me comfort. While I hope and pray, that my family won't have to experience this trial, I hope that I would have the strength, and the presence of mind to remember what I have been taught. To not let the sadness make me question what I know. To take this knowledge, paired with faith, to understand that I don't know it all, and be comforted.

Not a pity party..

Okay, so this is one of those posts where I am pretending that this is my journal, not like I am talking to my friends... but I really am... so I am just writing in my "journal" now, no need for pity...
Talked to mom yesterday. She caught me up on the whole Grandma situation. Grandma has been gradually going downhill for a while now, it just seems to be getting worse. Not eating, wandering in the night, confusion, not remembering things, mumbling incoherently, sleep-like state most of the time, losing a lot of weight...
So Monday, mom went up to clean their house. She had to get grandma up and get her breakfast. She asked her what she wanted to eat and grandma told her one of her breakfast cookies. So mom asked her how to heat it up. That's when grandma told her to cut open the top of the package, and microwave it on high, for two minutes. The microwave promptly began smoking, hence, mom almost started a house fire. Grandpa said that grandma had done it a couple of days before, she can't remember even repetitious daily things. So grandma starts to eat something else for breakfast, something not burned... and starts mumbling. Mom can't understand what she is talking about. She does pick up, "Okay, I'll get out of bed now and go and eat my bread and butter..." Later, after mom took dad to the eye doctor (everything is fine there...) and after Peg has come to see what mom is panicking about, grandma doesn't remember any of it. At dinner, mom has to feed grandma, she can't pick up her fork. She won't even answer questions. She seems to be asleep. She doesn't eat very much and tells mom she is full. Mom didn't argue and let her have dessert, that 's all she is interested in eating. Grandpa is really worried. He doesn't think he'll be able to get her into the house, he lost his leg in WWII... so mom goes home with them, gets them all settled and goes home to gather things to go and stay the night. Grandma has fallen so many times in the night, and grandpa can't help her up. A couple of weeks ago, she got up and fell, he tried to help her up and he ended-up falling too. Mom and dad had to go up and help. This has happened a lot, that mom and dad go and help her get up. So mom goes back to their house, starts getting ready for bed and she can hear grandpa saying their nighttime prayer.
"We are so thankful that we have been able to be together for so many years, to be able to be in our home together. Please bless us that we can be together for just a little longer. Help Maxine that she won't be so confused when she wakes up. Help her to not wander in the night. Bless me that I won't be lame, so I can help her. Protect us from those who would harm us, from thieves..." I am just crying thinking of my sweet grandpa pouring out his heart to Heavenly Father, begging for more time. Even if death isn't close, he doesn't want to be separated, her in a nursing home, him not there... The next day mom makes some phone calls. She had some questions for the man who is over the set-up of the trust account. He tells her to get the funerals planned an paid for, that way, Medicaid cannot get to that money if she does end-up in a nursing home, again. So mom and Peg go and get the funerals all planned and paid for. Mom has also been reading a lot about death, the process of it. She says it's like reading about grandma. The body puts aside physical needs to prepare itself spiritually for what is to come, that explains a lot.
So they got her a spot in an assisted living place. The level of care seems to be not as high as grandma needs. Mom and grandpa don't feel good about it, so they cancel it. They started looking into other options. The next day, they found out that grandpa's VA benefits will help pay if he is there too. So they have their name in at a place, where they can have a suite, together...
So Lynn and I had a talk about what Easter is really about. She understands the Resurrection she gets that. So I felt it was only fair to warn her about what is to come with grandma. I really feel like it will be soon, and I want her to be prepared. So I told her that grandma isn't doing to well. Asked her what will happen if grandma doesn't eat at all, etc. She knows. I ask her what grandma will be like after she has died, "Her body will be all better, she won't hurt, and she'll remember things and not be so tired." So I tell her this will be sad for us because we will miss her, but it is a good thing, she won't have these problems any more. Grandpa will be lonely, but he'll be happy because she will be better. Lynn says that we'll have to go and visit him a lot so he won't be so lonely. Then, she adds, "But what about all the other grandpas?" She is so sweet.
I am so happy that my girls have gotten to know my grandparents, I am sad that Peyton won't know her in this life, but am so thankful for Heavenly Father's plan. I know that it's not the end, she'll know her.

Oh Spit...

**A layout is posted at the bottom... whoopie!!!*Apparently Peyton has been chatting with other babies in the area... they have informed her that spitting-up is the cool thing to do. She really hasn't been spitty, until I said that...
I made banana-nut bread this morning... this is why. Lynn was watching "Anne of Green Gables" on KBYU this morning. I needed to get some things done, i.e. laundry, make the beds, get ready, make my banana-nut bread before the bananas are really bad... but Peyton had different plans. She didn't want to nap unless she was being held, so I put two and two together: she wanted to be held, Lynn wasn't doing anything. They both loved it. Peyton got a good nap.
Sisterly love... and a messy face...
So here's the page... page two will come soon, when I get part two of the pics... again, there's one for me, the one posted is for Peyton.
So I have been thinking a lot, excuse me while I think out loud (clickety-clack clack)...
Our wonderful state has recently passed legislation on booster seats. 8 and under or under 4' 9", needs to be in a booster. So our little family, who cruises around in a Honda Civic, do the math, 5 of us, 3 under 8, the backseat of a Civic... we can't fit three car seats... But laws when we planned on having Peyton were different, we weren't breaking any laws. So my thoughts are that the state can't force us to buy a new vehicle... but legislation for smoking in a car with children (as a secondary offense), and thus endangering children, did not pass because a car is a person's private property, and the state can't dictate what a person can or cannot do while in their car... hmmm...
Another issue about the safety of children... my friends and I have recently gotten into a discussion about SIDS. I do not want to seem naive, but, I feel like there is so much more to SIDS than just tummy sleeping. There has to be a link with how strong the baby is, health, what the home life is like... I also feel like there is something that needs to be said about Heavenly Father's plan. Not all things are able to be explained. Maybe that is part of the plan. I don't mean to be insensitive.. I have never had to endure an experience like this, nor do I know anyone who has. I just find it interesting. As I was talking about it with my mom the other day, she said the same thing. Our testimonies make us more confident as moms to know what is right and good for our families, our children, even when "knowledge"tells us otherwise... again, don't want to start a firestorm, just wanted to voice my opinion. I believe there is something more to it...
10 years... Hallie will be 10 this next week. 10 years is big to me. That is how long Mer and I have been together... there will be the story and a slide show later so you all will love 10 years just as much as I do!
I am so not looking forward to the time change tomorrow... I have a baby's schedule to figure out and a meeting to go to... arrggghhhh!
P.S. Spring is officially here... Mer worked a half-day today... that only happens when he absolutely needs to. We are thankful when things pick-up business-wise, it's just hard to let go of our Saturdays together...

sNoW!!! (part II...)

Mer said that he spent a total of 15 minutes in the warehouse today, to eat a quick lunch, and to type up a UPS item... The rest of his day was spent either in the plow truck or the backhoe, moving snow. Someone came and plowed my driveway :)... Mer said it wasn't him, so thanks to whoever did it... Dix? I attempted to shovel just a path from my door to the garbage can... Laughable. Do you realize how much of your abdominal strength is involved in shoveling???

We had a fun day inside. I put on "Narnia". Kind of felt like our day, lots of snow and all. Lynn is so smart. She was asking me a lot more questions about the movie and why certain things were happening. It was a great teaching experience about symbolism. She understands the atonement a lot more now than just a few months ago. I think C.S. Lewis is someone who really knows the Savior. A neat experience to be able to bear my testimony.

Oh, and here's my layout...