My Newest Hero

I recently have had an unquenchable desire to study our founding fathers. Currently I don't know where this information I am obtaining will come in handy but I am enjoying the journey. I have not always been a history buff and was once counted among those who say,"history is in the past, why study it-who cares?" But as a homeschooler I understand the critical need of having a classical, well rounded education and that me leading the way is the only chance they have in developing a leadership education for themselves. As you can tell from my book shelf most of what is on there are books centered around the early American history. One must ask, "what makes this country so great anyway, how is it different?" How we went from being common farmers to claiming victory over the worlds strongest empire and eventually walking on the moon followed by becoming the most powerful/rich nation on earth in less than 200 years, is inconceivable. How George Washington, a simple farm boy with a meager education became captain, without pay and setting aside his personal desires and wishes led an army of starving, ragged, unpaid, illequipted farmers for 8 years to victory of a nation who dominated the world and never lost a war as of yet is nothing short of a miracle. The British had 2 million trained militia and America only a quarter of a million rusty and rugged farmers willing to fight for liberty. British wealth was 1000 times greater than America's; how did we win? Perhaps George Washington can account best, "We have...abundant reason to thank Providence for its many favorable interposition's in our behalf. It has at times been my only dependence, for all other resources seemed to have failed us. I was but the humble agent of favoring Heaven, whose benign interference was so often manifested in our behalf, and to whom the praise of victory alone is due." He went on to becoming the first president, against his own wishes. He opened the letter and tried to read it, but stumbled badly. he paused, then pulled from his pocket a pair of new spectacles, which only his closest aides had ever seen him wear. he fumbled to put them on, but seemed to have difficulty. Finally, he said simply, "Gentlemen, you must pardon me. I have grown gray in your service and now find myself growing blind." He also lost his teeth due to the harsh conditions and starvation he surrendered to during the war. Finally his hearing began to fail him. Truly this man was a grand example of liber and public virtue. In 1778 it didn't matter that he could not read or write well. He was trustworthy and of sound judgement and that is what mattered. That is what should matter. Anyone can get an education, but without character what are we? The more character an individual has the more he is capable of. In conclusion, I answer why we must study our history...It is who we are, it is our heritage and our inheritance. We must continue the greatness that our founding fathers possessed. As George Washington said, " Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness." Our freedoms/happiness depend upon our education. I have learned so much from this book about him and it is my goal to adapt the good qualities he possessd. I cannot fathom how somebody so good existed. How do we become that virtuous? He is one I hope to meet and converse with.

A dream realized

Today was a dream realized when all three of my girls played in Sacrament together. One cannot imagine the work that goes into a piece multiplied by 3 players and complicated by Timing. However, after a lot of hard work, practice and heavenly help they did a beautiful job. Jessica's cello teacher was kind enough to join us to even out the voice of the cello. Sorry it is not complete, my camera died. (this was taken in the foyer the night before we preformed.) They are playing the same song that is on my blog but because we could not find any written music for it Diane Austin (violin teacher) listened to the track and wrote the music for the two violins and Jessica's teacher wrote the cello part.

Our Love Story

I love the holidays, and it's fun to update blogging with each months new holiday. This month, because of Valentines I chose to focus on our love story. I love this song because it brings back so many memories for me. We were both so young, and the older I get the more I fatham just how frightening that really was. But I was blessed with a responsible, hardworking, great father and husband and honorable man in one package. I have been able to stay at home with my children our entire marriage and be the mother of my dreams, not because I am perfect but because I am simply here with them every day. And while he is in a transitional period,career wise, working 18 hours a day and we only see him on Sunday and sometimes Saturday, I am grateful for the commited man he is to me and his family. I know it is a means to an end and we are so excited to be entering the helicopter industry. I am also beginning to understand that the longer you are married, if your marriage is based on the principles of the gospel you become one. How neat is it to know I am sealed for eternity to my other half. We started out as just two kids, really, then before you know it, with a lot of work and years of bonding we are still together. With the high divorce rate it really is a wonder. Some people have asked me what made the difference with us and I don't really know how we beat the odds so young, other than two factors: Work and gospel principles. We applied both. I also am grasping onto just how fast life goes, and while most of our pictures are of our children there are a few of us that I compiled into this little slide show. I am excited to report that we are privleged and spoiled to have the opportunity to go on a meditteranian cruise in June. Of which I hope to add to our little portfolio of us.

Our Love Story

So I had this really great post and then my 2 year old shut the computer off. Thanks!! Till next time I have some time to make another one.

'Tis the season!

It is the season for families, friends and fun. I love the spirit of giving that changes everyone. In general, people seem to be a little more kind, forgiving and open to new friendships. I think a lot of it has to do with the spirit of Christ. One cannot remember him and forget to love their neighbor. It is magical and even enchanting how the world all over embraces the principles of love. And I can't help but think that the more we simplify during this precious season the more we can gain from it. It's the little things like cuddling up with your children to a classic movie, snuggled in a blanket. It's during such times that we sit around the table and read another chapter of a great book while sipping on homeade hot chocolate that the miracle of the season takes place. It happens when the door bell rings and another dear neighbor has dropped off some kind of gift and the children squeal with glee because someone remembered them. It's during those snowy days that you can sit around in a circle and cut homeade snowflakes to display that memories are formed. It's the simple things like taking a widow a plate of food, in my case, playing music for the neighbors or sharing homeade cookies that we contribute to the magic ot the season. Tis the season to refocus, reform and remember Him.

Our traditions are mostly centered around books

Christmas!

My first year to decorate our new staircase!

Our Christmas Home!

Halloween was so much fun. I found some things from around the house and a few ideas from Martha Stewart and we created the costumes. It is a lot of work, and one day I think they will have an inkling of what it takes to be a parent. But in the mean time we created another memory and that is what matters. From Youngest to oldest...Joseph is a black goat. Brett is a firefighter. Justin, who insisted on being a pumpkin got it. Jessica is the statue of liberty. MaKayla is a beehive (thanks Martha) Alexis is Medusa...she loves greek mythology.

Halloween

My dear mother-in-law took our little Jessica after her baptism for a few days. She likes to take the kids once a year for nearly a week to spend time with them and in my mind she mentors them. I am so thrilled by this as I find so much good and wisdom in her that she can pass down to my children. And I know that we as parents cannot do it all-we need extended family help. As we are young and still learning wisdom, our elders have so much of it already figured out to offer that I see them as a gold mine of knowledge. But what hit me the most was what my mother-in-law had to say about Jessica. Usually she is pretty honest and does a personality check on each of the kids while they are there. And quite honestly, she was nervous to take Jessica. (She has always been "the hard one") But upon returning she found so much good in her that me as a parent kind of knows is there, but we get caught up in the day and chaos of it to really pay attention to who are children are deep down. She had everything good to say about her and never paid any of my children so many wonderful compliments. My thoughts in sharing this are these; Why do we always find the fault in our children first. Why is that the first thing we notice and why does that seem to smother all the good? Jessica has so much good to offer as in my mother-in-laws words are, "there was never a more thoughtful, unselfish, gracious and helpful child-she was absolutely perfect." But in my day most of what I see is a little girl who is lost in the numbers of a big family. I am afraid all I have paid attention to is her lack of cooperation and tantrums (yes, at 8 years old). I am grateful for the insight and inspiration to find the good, focus on the good. I believe it is our job as parents to find the genius in our children and develop it. Parenthood is not just about feeding and cleaning them. It is about finding out who they are, their hopes and dreams and mentoring them through that so they can achieve their mission and purpose in life. It is my faith, hope and prayer that I can do this in all of my children. BIG to do list!!!

Perserverance

As I have watched my children each in the two year old stage and noticably my last one there now I have had something hit me. Children are determined. They don't give up, no matter how many times they fall when learning to walk, or crawl, roll over or even talk. They just keep going. When is it that most of us loose this quality of perserverance? One could only imagine what the world would be like if people maintained that courage and confidence that we all once owned. Where does it come from and why does it end? Just one of those things I hope to perserve in my children and adopt in myself.

I have had it hit me really hard lately how fast little ones grow. I am so thankful to be a mother. It has challenged me in ways I never imagined. Motherhood has taken me to a place that I can only believe is a small glimpse of my heavenly parents and the selfless life of our Savior Jesus Christ. And when times get tough and laundry, diapers, meals and cleaning don't ever seem to end-somewhere you forget all of that and all that is left are the memories. So it is my goal to make sure that I take the time to create them. Somehow, somewhere between the noise, chaos and drama there has got to be a sense of who I am and exactly what I am doing. There is an overwhelming responsibility placed on my shoulders and often I feel unequal to the task, but I have a vision for each of my children and I know that when I fall short the Savior will pick up the rest. As I recently heard a quote I have adapted the faith that the Lord does not give us a challenge just because of who we are but of who we may become.