November 4, 2008

The United States made history this election day by putting the first colored president in office. While Obama wasn’t the candidate I voted for I am happy I was able witness this historic event. It really is amazing to see how far we have come as a nation in terms of civil rights. It was just 90 years ago that women received the right vote. I am very grateful for the brave women who suffered unmentionable atrocities so that women could have the right to vote. To read more on the woman’s suffrage movement view the following link. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/tactics.pdf

Soap Box Sunday

We had a very powerful lesson in relief society yesterday on gratitude. The lesson started off listing off people who we knew were truly happy and then another list of people who were unhappy. After much discussion we came to the conclusion that the stark difference between people who are truly happy and those who are not is gratitude.

Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the twelve apostles said “Gratitude is a state of appreciation, an act of thanksgiving, which causes us to be humble because we recognize an act of kindness, service, or caring from someone else which lifts us and strengthens us.” Conversely, he said “Ingratitude is the attitude of being unaware or not recognizing when someone has assisted us or helped us or, even worse, when we know we have been helped and have not given thanks privately or publicly.”

What struck me the most in this lesson was a point on entitlement, how often do we say to ourselves “why is this happening to me” or “I’ve done everything I’m supposed to” or “this isn’t fair”. I have often heard myself say these things as if I’m entitled to something better or as if what I have isn’t good enough. This is how Satan wants us to feel because we become so blinded by our selfishness that we forget how blessed we are which ultimately leads to unhappiness.

I have been the recipient of countless blessing, enumerable services and acts of kindness. I would be remised if I didn’t say how appreciative I am for my Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ for all the blessing I enjoy in my life. I am incredibly thankful for our families who have helped us in so many ways!! I am thankful for the people who positively influence and shape our children’s lives. I am grateful to the mothers of our children who work hard to provide for them and who affectionately care for them. I am grateful to my son who has taught me not only to love but what true joy is. I am grateful for my Husband who has gone without so many times so that I don’t have to, who always puts my needs first, and who loves me unconditionally. He has been an incredible example to me in so many things and I am very grateful to have him in my life!

Trick-or-Treat!!

This year by far was the best Halloween we’ve had! Aiden was finally old enough to fully understand and appreciate trick-or-treating!! Of course he dressed up as Spiderman! He’d asked me the night before what I was going to dress up as so Michael and I decided to go as the Dread Pirate Roberts and Princess Buttercup. We really couldn’t find much in the way of costumes the night before Halloween but I did find a princess crown and wand. Michael was able to make a mask out of an old black shirt; the rest of his costume was easy, black shirt, pants and shoes. When Aiden saw my costume I told him I was a princess to which he replied “Mommy, where’s your princess pants?





Rose and Phil came to our house with the boys to pose for pictures on the porch; this has been a tradition of ours for three years running.



After pictures we all headed to Grandpa Robbins to trick-or-treat.



Then we went to Christine’s for dinner and trick-or-treating. It was so fun to watch Aiden and his cousins run from door to door yelling trick-or-treat!



There was a one house with a witch passing out candy. Aiden was very scared until I turned her in to a nice lady with my fairy princess wand.



At the end of the night we headed back to Christine’s to watch Ichabod and drink hot chocolate.

Soap Box Thursday

I didn’t do a soap box Sunday this week so I’m doing a soap box Thursday instead. A few weeks ago my mom gave me some really good advice to pray for my “enemies.” I kind of took the advice tongue and cheek but I’ve been thinking about it since she said it.

The word enemy in and of itself is pretty strong, according to websters.com an enemy is “a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another; an adversary or opponent.” In flashes of anger I have at times felt hatred for others, and have even felt like getting even. Thankfully reason kicks in and these are just fleeting thoughts, part of my human idiocy factor I guess. I also know there are others who have felt this way toward me. I have been taught that it is a sin to feel this way, and as I have become an adult I know this to be true – these feelings are toxic.

In Matthew 5:44 it says “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” I decided I would try an experiment and take my mother’s advice and pray for my enemies. As I did this, I learned in this process that it is not enough to pray that your enemy’s hearts will be softened, that they will see things your way, or that they will come around. We must come to the Lord in all sincerity for this person and pray for this person independently of ourselves. We must pray to see these individuals as the Lord does, to love them as he does, and to pray for their happiness and well being.

This has been one of the most liberating and humbling experiences of my life. I suddenly felt compassion for someone whom I resented. I suddenly felt an appreciation for their set of circumstances. All feelings of hate and anger completely dissipated, and I suddenly felt peace.

I realize that this is an ongoing process that I must constantly be praying for my “enemies” day and night. It is not just a onetime ordeal. It is a difficult thing to do when you feel anger but the Lord wisely commands it. He does this for us, for our well being, so that we can feel peace so that we can move on.

Look who’s talking too!!



Mathew is starting to talk a lot more and the things he has to say are soooo cute!!

Mathew loves Scooby doo! If you ask him about Scooby doo, he’ll say “Scooby Doo!!” Or he’ll break out into song singing “scooby dooby doo where are you...."

He loves to pretend! This weekend he chased his shadow as he made monster movements shouting “Monsta!, Monsta!”

He loves his baby brother whom he affectionately refers to as “Den Dee”

When he is hungry he says “I want dinner!” regardless of what meal time it actually is

While playing in the park he missed the ball that was rolled to him and he says “oh man!!”

Happy Birthday Aiden!!

Yesterday we celebrated Aiden’s 3rd birthday!! We had a Spiderman party and invited all of Aiden’s aunts, uncles, and cousins! We had quite the crowd, 17 in total!!



The cousins all dressed up as Spiderman, it was so adorable! They ran around the house using their “punching whistles” as Adam called them and pretended to throw spider webs at each other!



Aiden was completely spoiled and had an absolute ball! I was absolutely thrilled because it was so important for to have this day be special and memorable for Aiden. After all, we were celebrating his birth!!



Now for the sappy part! I am truly blessed to have this little angle in my life. Having Aiden has been my single greatest accomplishment! He has completely changed my life in a way I never could have imagined or hoped for. He inspires me to be a better person every day. When I saw Aiden it was love at first sight! When I first brought him home I used to watch him sleep and would often cry out of pure joy! I truly believe that motherhood is the closest thing we have to Godliness. I am so grateful to have Aiden in my life and I pray that the Lord will continue to guide me as I strive to raise a valiant young man who will grow to serve and love the Lord! Most of all I pray that Aiden will have Joy in his life!

Happy Birthday Angle Baby!!

Slumber Party!!

A couple weeks ago I promised Bear he could have a sleep over with Aiden at my house. Tonight was the big night. Rose wasn’t sure I could hack it especially with Michael out of town but I assured her I was up for that task. Then I guilted Sam into hanging out so I would have back up just in case.

This is their first official sleep over because there was no babysitting required. The boys have been anticipating this big day ever since I mentioned it, so I went out of my way to make sure it was everything they hoped it would be.

When Bear arrived I explained that we were going to eat pizza, popcorn, candy, and lemonade aka pooh pooh drink! Bear brought cheetos and moon pies as well. I explained that we were going to get belly aches to which bear responded “AWESOME! Mom We’re going to get belly aches!”



After pizza the boys decided to play football, a favorite past time. Bear brought his helmet special for this occasion. The boys grabbed an over sized stuffed bunny and took turns charging and tackling it.





After a while they were tired and told me to bring out the big bed! (air mattress). We made up the bed and popped in Dumbo. We ate popcorn, sour patch watermelons, and candy corn, and lemonade of course.



Soon the boys tired from this and wanted to play toys, so they dumped out Aiden’s basket of toys and took turns throwing them on the bed. Aiden jumped off the bed and landed on a car which cut his foot pretty good. I took him into my room to doctor him up. Bear came in to inspect the damage and said “oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I don’t like blood!”

Once we got that taken care of they decided to play superheroes! Aiden insisted that bear wear his “Spiderman jamy-jams with wings!” The boys played superhero fight – throwing webs at each other, flying and such. In their “fighting” Bear says “Oh Crap!” Aiden explained to Bear that “We don’t say oh crap, we say oh darnet!”



Bear then got an “ouie” on his foot and informed me he would need his socks on. Rose left some of Phils socks here so I put them on Bear. The boys thought that was pretty “awesome” and Aiden wanted some of Michael’s socks to wear. He went running as fast as he could into my bedroom and exclaimed “I’m gonna ware my daddy’s socks!!”



Finally the boys tired and we put on Toy Story and they both eventually fell asleep. Here’s crossing my fingers they sleep through the night!!