Trials of Trust

This time around for Woman to Woman Morning Glory and Lei have asked us to share an important quote and what it means to us. I absolutely adore quotes, in fact I collect them. If you have ever been to my house then this is obvious to you as you will see them all over the place.

Having to choose just one quote to share is quite a challenge, but I decided to share a rather lengthy quote that has always filled me with immeasurable peace and comfort when life gets so hard that I sometimes question whether or not I have the strength it takes to endure it.

“Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.

“To exercise faith is to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing with you and that He can accomplish it for your eternal good even though you cannot understand how He can possibly do it. We are like infants in our understanding of eternal matters and their impact on us here in mortality. Yet at times we act as if we knew it all. When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you. That support will generally come step by step, a portion at a time. While you are passing through each phase, the pain and difficulty that comes from being enlarged will continue. If all matters were immediately resolved at your first petition, you could not grow. Your Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son love you perfectly. They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love.

“I testify that when the Lord closes one important door in your life, He shows His continuing love and compassion by opening many other compensating doors through your exercise of faith. He will place in your path packets of spiritual sunlight to brighten your way. They often come after

Making My List and Checking It Twice

Since we are getting ready to go on a long road trip to visit family, I only have one thing on my mind – PACKING.

Of course I keep putting it off. I dread packing and having to think about it. It makes me irritable. Packing for adults is one thing, but packing for kids and toddlers just about puts me over the edge as you have to remember so many fine details.

So instead of actually packing right now, I thought I would spend my time wisely by blogging and making a list of a few things I need to remember to take with:

1. Camera

2. Camera cords – I am sure we will need to recharge our batteries at least once and I want to be able to download pictures to our computer.

3. Laptop – I don’t think I can go that long without blogging and checking my email.

4. Settlers of Catan – You never know when you might have some spare time for a fun game.

5. Earplugs – My two year old son has been incessantly whining and bellyaching lately so I want to make sure I have a way to escape the noise in the car.

6. Benadryl - The kids

My Photography Tips

Just recently as I was perusing the gazillion digital pictures we have looking for some good shots of my husband with the kids, I made a startling discovery. It turns out that most of our camera time is focused solely on the kids rather than including mom and dad in the picture. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I do want to make sure we accurately record history. Both Rudy and I are around a lot of the time, but that isn’t the story our pictures tell. Most of the time I shy away from the camera and so does my husband.

So what works for me? This summer when I am out and about enjoying life with my family, I am going to make sure I

Coloring My Own Mustache

Feeling Special and Feeling Lucky

Hopefully my specialness and luckiness doesn’t end with the magic number three … and wouldn’t you know it?!? Just as I was getting ready to publish this post the mail carrier came with yet another padded envelope. Now I am special and lucky four times over.

1. Last week I won a free book from Lucy of The Doctor is In when she held a contest to name her online book club. I submitted “Lucy’s Eclectic Literature Club” and I was the lucky winner.

2. Last week I also received a pleasant surprise package in the mail from the lovely and generous Kim of Temporary? Insanity. She sent me a gorgeous love box as a belated anniversary present! Thanks, Kim, your thoughtfulness never ends!

 

3. Just this morning I was informed that I won

Menu Plan Monday – June 17, 2007

The last week of school is finally upon us. It is hard to believe my little daughter is now a kindergarten graduate. They grow up so quickly. I sometimes find myself wishing for life to slow down just a little … or maybe I am the one who just needs to quit rushing around. Imagine that.

This will be my last menu plan for this month because once school is out we are heading on a road trip. Thank goodness for vacations – they give you a break from normal every day life.

Monday: Whole Wheat Red Enchiladas, veggies and fruit

Tuesday: Baked Macaroni and Cheese, veggies and fruit

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Hawaiian Chicken Bake, fruit and veggies

Friday: Clean fridge out to get ready for trip

If you never know what to cook for dinner and/or you need more recipes, please visit Laura The Organizing Junkie. She kindly hosts Menu Plan Monday.

A Tribute To Fathers

“A father’s calling is eternal, and its importance transcends time. It is a calling for both time and eternity. Harold B. Lee truly stated that, ‘the most important of the Lord’s work that you [fathers] will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home.’ …

“Your homes should be a haven of peace and joy for your family. Surely no child should fear his own father. A father’s duty is to make his home a place of happiness and joy. He cannot do this when there is bickering quarreling, contention, or unrighteous behavior. The powerful effect of righteous fathers in setting an example, disciplining and training, nurturing and loving is vital to the spiritual welfare of his children.” ~ Ezra Taft Benson

I am so incredibly grateful for the righteous father that raised me and is still raising me. His patience, his many sacrifices, his endearing love and his Christlike example have all helped shape the person I have become. And of course, I am grateful for my own husband and the amazing father he is to our beautiful children.

A kind, caring and loving Father is a priceless gem to have in one’s life. I am also eternally grateful for my Father in Heaven.

Happy Father’s Day!

**Artwork courtesy of Yolanda Barjoud

Reading Makes You Smart

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~Anna Quindlen

TV. If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they’ll have with twenty-six. Open your child’s imagination. Open a book. ~Author Unknown

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them. ~Mark Twain

We have always been good about reading to Keri on a daily basis and now she consistently even reads to herself. However, reading to Cory has been more of a hit and miss practice. He actually loves to look at books and it is incredibly cute to see him “reading” them to himself. He has a whole bookshelf full of board books and nearly every day he will go up to the bookcase and bend over with his little tush in the air until he finds the book he is looking for. He definitely has his favorites he likes to cycle through, but his favorites are continually changing.

More often than not I will sit down and cuddle with Cory and read him a story, but I want to start doing this on a more consistent basis. This is going to be my new habit for the week. Every day before

My Real Life Max and Ruby

If you have little kids in your house or even if you are a grandparent, then chances are you probably know who Max and Ruby are. “Max and Ruby” is an animated preschool show which is based on the popular Max and Ruby children books written by Rosemary Wells.

“The episodes present stories about Max, a rambunctious, anthropomorphised toddler bunny, and his big sister, Ruby, a patient, goal-oriented (and sometimes restricting) 7-year-old girl bunny. The show presents an uplifting message for its audience by showing Max and Ruby playing together and exercising respect and love in resolving their conflicts.”

Cory and Keri make the perfect Max and Ruby. Not too long ago this scenario played out:

Keri (Ruby): “Cory, please get down.”

Cory (Max): In toddler jibberish, “Down!”

Keri (Ruby) : “That’s not getting down. You don’t have to say the word. You have to do it.”

Do your kids, grandkids, nieces or nephews remind you of certain fictional characters?

Rudy As A Father

Since Father’s Day is on Sunday, I thought I would list some ways why I think my husband is a remarkable father to our two mostly cheerful and nearly always energetic children.

1. He enjoys singing songs to them. He even makes up some of his own.

2. He loves to read to them.

3. He likes taking them outside to go to the park, to go on nature walks, to go to the zoo and to go bike riding.

4. He excitedly sits and watches The

Works-For-Me: Picking A Good Watermelon

Summertime always means there will be plenty of watermelon consumption in our house. We prefer super sweet and crisp melons, but how does one guarantee that the melon you pick from the overflowing bins at your local market will fit your criteria? Here are a few simple tips that I always abide by:

1. Knock or slap several different watermelons while they are still sitting in the bins. Find the one with the hollowest sound and the highest pitch.

2. Make sure the melon is firm and symmetrical, without bruises, cuts or dents.

3. The watermelon should be heavy for its size.

4. The belly or underside of the watermelon should have a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened.

For more Works-For-Me-Wednesday ideas, please visit Shannon of Rocks In My Dryer.

Happy Kindergarten Graduation, Keri!