Today's favorite moments included . . .
. . . watching my sister be married in the temple today. Outside the temple she and Sean were their usual cheerful, slightly zany selves, but as they knelt across the altar in the sealing room you could see that they took the covenant they were making very seriously. The solemn power of the moment took my breath away. It was awesome to realize that two people who had been single up til that moment can now be a family for eternity.
. . . watching Joy revel in the happiness of family gathered for such a wonderful occasion.
. . . spending more time with my cousins who live afar off.
And another thing . . .
. . . while the Lord never intended us to live in monasteries or convents, after today's temple experience I can understand the appeal of them. It's so easy to be happy, loving, reverent, and at peace in the temple, and it would be wonderful to feel that way all the time. On the other hand, we're here in mortality to learn and grow, and we do that best when we face challenges and overcome them. While I can't live at the temple full-time, I'm glad I can at least visit now and then to recharge my spiritual batteries and get a clearer perspective.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Buzzin' Cousins and a Big Train
Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .
. . . Joy running into G-pa's rose bush and getting stuck among the thorns.
Today's favorite moments included . . .
. . . riding the train out to my parents' home with the kids (Phillip was already there with the car). I haven't ridden a big train since I was a child, and it was a fun adventure to share with Joy and Daniel.
. . . going out for a burger with my sweetheart while my family watched the kids.
. . . touching base with extended family at my sister's pre-wedding dinner. I was too busy tending Joy to socialize as much as I would like, but it was still pleasant to see them (and their babies, in some cases), and hear how they're all doing.
. . . watching Joy have tons of fun playing with her second cousin.
. . . Joy running into G-pa's rose bush and getting stuck among the thorns.
Today's favorite moments included . . .
. . . riding the train out to my parents' home with the kids (Phillip was already there with the car). I haven't ridden a big train since I was a child, and it was a fun adventure to share with Joy and Daniel.
. . . going out for a burger with my sweetheart while my family watched the kids.
. . . touching base with extended family at my sister's pre-wedding dinner. I was too busy tending Joy to socialize as much as I would like, but it was still pleasant to see them (and their babies, in some cases), and hear how they're all doing.
. . . watching Joy have tons of fun playing with her second cousin.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Anger, Fear, Pestering--The Dark Side Are They
Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .
. . . Joy's little plate smashing on the kitchen floor when she accidentally dropped it after dinner (leaving just two salad plates intact of the original twelve). At least I didn't have to wash it later.
. . . Joy being in "perpetual pester mode" with Daniel all day. Tonight when I finally sent her to her room Daniel followed right after her (it's his room, too, and he can't resist opening a closed door). At first I objected, but then I realized if she started bugging him again he'd leave and she couldn't follow, so I just let him go in. Ironically, they got along better after that.
Today's favorite moments included . . .
. . . finding a few nice shirts at a the maternity store while my dear husband watched the kids. Since I've now sidelined nearly all of my normal clothes for the next few months, and most of my maternity clothes wore out their welcome two or even four years ago, it's nice to have a few new additions to add some welcome variety.
And another thing . . .
. . . Happy Star Wars Day. May the Fourth be with you.
. . . I love nearly everything about Trader Joe's. I love their friendly staff, their good prices (on most things), their varied clientele (which ranges from hippies to yuppies), their sample counter, and even the groovy oldies they play over their sound system. My only gripe about them has been their frozen entrees. With the possible exception of their pizzas, every one of their frozen meals I've microwaved has been forgettable if not outright lousy.
That is, until the kids and I discovered their Mac 'n Cheese at the sample counter recently. We've bought it twice since, and I've given up looking for a good mac 'n cheese recipe because this stuff is so easy and much tastier than anything I've yet produced. Sometimes it really is better to leave things to the professionals.
. . . Joy's little plate smashing on the kitchen floor when she accidentally dropped it after dinner (leaving just two salad plates intact of the original twelve). At least I didn't have to wash it later.
. . . Joy being in "perpetual pester mode" with Daniel all day. Tonight when I finally sent her to her room Daniel followed right after her (it's his room, too, and he can't resist opening a closed door). At first I objected, but then I realized if she started bugging him again he'd leave and she couldn't follow, so I just let him go in. Ironically, they got along better after that.
Today's favorite moments included . . .
. . . finding a few nice shirts at a the maternity store while my dear husband watched the kids. Since I've now sidelined nearly all of my normal clothes for the next few months, and most of my maternity clothes wore out their welcome two or even four years ago, it's nice to have a few new additions to add some welcome variety.
And another thing . . .
. . . Happy Star Wars Day. May the Fourth be with you.
. . . I love nearly everything about Trader Joe's. I love their friendly staff, their good prices (on most things), their varied clientele (which ranges from hippies to yuppies), their sample counter, and even the groovy oldies they play over their sound system. My only gripe about them has been their frozen entrees. With the possible exception of their pizzas, every one of their frozen meals I've microwaved has been forgettable if not outright lousy.
That is, until the kids and I discovered their Mac 'n Cheese at the sample counter recently. We've bought it twice since, and I've given up looking for a good mac 'n cheese recipe because this stuff is so easy and much tastier than anything I've yet produced. Sometimes it really is better to leave things to the professionals.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Solar Cornbread
Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .
. . . a bunch of small, cumulative frustrations, culminating with my kids dumping a big box of Cheerios all over the floor while I was trying to make lunch. You would think roaring like Luke Skywalker when he's being zapped by the Emperor at the end of Return of the Jedi would be cathartic, but it really wasn't, and it left my throat kind of sore. Good thing we had a cold smoothie with lunch.
Today's favorite moments included . . .
. . . watching Joy push Daniel along in a toy car at the park. It always warms my heart when they play together and help each other out.
. . . baking some really good cornbread in my solar oven. It was my first attempt at solar baking, and I was a little intimidated because the temperature is lower than most recipes call for, and it can vary somewhat. I placed the cornbread in the solar oven with a prayer in my heart, and I was very pleased with the result. What to try next--solar bread, cake, or cookies? Pizza, anyone?
Btw, if you'd like a play-by-play of today's solar adventure, I posted pictures and commentary on our family blog.
. . . a bunch of small, cumulative frustrations, culminating with my kids dumping a big box of Cheerios all over the floor while I was trying to make lunch. You would think roaring like Luke Skywalker when he's being zapped by the Emperor at the end of Return of the Jedi would be cathartic, but it really wasn't, and it left my throat kind of sore. Good thing we had a cold smoothie with lunch.
Today's favorite moments included . . .
. . . watching Joy push Daniel along in a toy car at the park. It always warms my heart when they play together and help each other out.
. . . baking some really good cornbread in my solar oven. It was my first attempt at solar baking, and I was a little intimidated because the temperature is lower than most recipes call for, and it can vary somewhat. I placed the cornbread in the solar oven with a prayer in my heart, and I was very pleased with the result. What to try next--solar bread, cake, or cookies? Pizza, anyone?
Btw, if you'd like a play-by-play of today's solar adventure, I posted pictures and commentary on our family blog.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
World Affairs and Broken Glasses
Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .
. . . our internet going down. Thank goodness for a techie husband who can fix such things.
Today's favorite moments included . . .
. . . playing as a family in the cool twilight.
And another thing . . .
. . . a while back Daniel nearly destroyed my spare pair of glasses (he detached the wire that held a lens in, and bent the frame halfway to next week).
Fortunately, Lenscrafters agreed to fix them for free today.
Unfortunately, they required me to sign a waiver that I wouldn't hold them accountable for any damage, and when they were reshaping the frame they snapped it apart.
Fortunately, they said the jeweler a few doors down could solder the frame back together.
Unfortunately, he charges $35.
Fortunately, he agreed to fix my glasses today and call when they're done.
Unfortunately, he hasn't called.
Sigh.
. . . on a more serious note, I learned (as you probably have) that Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. counter-terrorism troops last night. I've heard that many exuberant celebrations spontaneously sprang up over the news, but though I'm glad justice was finally served and he won't be able to orchestrate any more attacks, I can't quite bring myself to cheer and dance because a fellow human being was gunned down. What's more, I'm not yet sure what difference this will make in the War on Terror. America won a highly symbolic victory last night and I'm proud of my country for persevering to achieve what it set out to do ten years ago, but did we truly weaken Al Qaeda by eliminating its leader, or will another terrorist simply step into his place and carry on business as usual?
. . . our internet going down. Thank goodness for a techie husband who can fix such things.
Today's favorite moments included . . .
. . . playing as a family in the cool twilight.
And another thing . . .
. . . a while back Daniel nearly destroyed my spare pair of glasses (he detached the wire that held a lens in, and bent the frame halfway to next week).
Fortunately, Lenscrafters agreed to fix them for free today.
Unfortunately, they required me to sign a waiver that I wouldn't hold them accountable for any damage, and when they were reshaping the frame they snapped it apart.
Fortunately, they said the jeweler a few doors down could solder the frame back together.
Unfortunately, he charges $35.
Fortunately, he agreed to fix my glasses today and call when they're done.
Unfortunately, he hasn't called.
Sigh.
. . . on a more serious note, I learned (as you probably have) that Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. counter-terrorism troops last night. I've heard that many exuberant celebrations spontaneously sprang up over the news, but though I'm glad justice was finally served and he won't be able to orchestrate any more attacks, I can't quite bring myself to cheer and dance because a fellow human being was gunned down. What's more, I'm not yet sure what difference this will make in the War on Terror. America won a highly symbolic victory last night and I'm proud of my country for persevering to achieve what it set out to do ten years ago, but did we truly weaken Al Qaeda by eliminating its leader, or will another terrorist simply step into his place and carry on business as usual?
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tired but Loved
Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .
. . . waking up really tired. Curse my night owl habits!
Today's favorite moments included . . .
. . . when Daniel was walking out the door for a stroll with Daddy, he paused and pointed to me, indicating that he wanted me to come, too. I needed to stay home with Joy (who was still napping), but it was sweet to know that Daniel wanted me to join them.
. . . plotting new experiments with the solar oven, since the days are getting longer, sunnier, and hotter. You don't actually need a hot day to cook in a solar oven (a sunny winter day works fine), but I'm especially loathe to heat up my kitchen on hot days. I'm planning to try chili and cornbread on Tuesday. Wish me luck!
. . . waking up really tired. Curse my night owl habits!
Today's favorite moments included . . .
. . . when Daniel was walking out the door for a stroll with Daddy, he paused and pointed to me, indicating that he wanted me to come, too. I needed to stay home with Joy (who was still napping), but it was sweet to know that Daniel wanted me to join them.
. . . plotting new experiments with the solar oven, since the days are getting longer, sunnier, and hotter. You don't actually need a hot day to cook in a solar oven (a sunny winter day works fine), but I'm especially loathe to heat up my kitchen on hot days. I'm planning to try chili and cornbread on Tuesday. Wish me luck!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Worship, Cake, and Nefarious Morning Glories
Today's favorite moments included . . .
. . . attending the temple with my family as my sister and her fiance received their endowments. It was wonderful to be in the temple together.
. . . pulling weeds with Joy. She quit after a few minutes because it was hard work, but before I knew it she was right back by my side pulling up those nefarious morning glories bent on world domination. We didn't get all of them this afternoon, but every little bit helps and I was proud of Joy for giving me a hand even though it was hard work.
And another thing . . .
. . . the temple cafeteria has odd priorities. The entrees tend to be limited and mediocre, but there are countless delicious desserts to choose from. Most eating establishments do things the other way around.
. . . attending the temple with my family as my sister and her fiance received their endowments. It was wonderful to be in the temple together.
. . . pulling weeds with Joy. She quit after a few minutes because it was hard work, but before I knew it she was right back by my side pulling up those nefarious morning glories bent on world domination. We didn't get all of them this afternoon, but every little bit helps and I was proud of Joy for giving me a hand even though it was hard work.
And another thing . . .
. . . the temple cafeteria has odd priorities. The entrees tend to be limited and mediocre, but there are countless delicious desserts to choose from. Most eating establishments do things the other way around.
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