Pit Stops

During our drive to and from UT this last weekend for my brothers wedding we stopped in Malad Idaho to feed Jane and take a car break. It is the neatest little city. It made me realize that even the little tiny cities of this country have a rich heritage and a people of ingenuity. We ate at a ma&pa BBQ joint on the way down. It had picnic tables, sunflowers, a firepit and bark on the ground. It was a blast eating there.

Then on our way back we looked up a park to go feed Jane and enjoy the beautiful weather. It was located right next to their LDS Chapel. It was the most beautiful church building I've ever seen. It was built in 1913, had stained glass windows, balcony seating and an amazing old organ. They even let James play it for a little while....he was a giddy little boy!

While we ate and played at the park James looked up the city in Wikipedia and learned some really neat facts: the 5th JCPenny was opened here!, the town is the 2nd most Welsh populated area other than Wales, they've had a major flood and earthquake, they have a Welsh festival each year (we missed it by 1 weekend, but heard them practicing music at the church!)....there were so many neat things to learn about the small town. I've decided that on every road trip we should stop I small cities and look up thier history. It was so much fun and we even had a short treasure hunt to find some of the things talked about! I feel we "walked in the shoes" of the Malad people for just a brief moment in time.

Fruits of Labor

Our little garden is finally starting to show some fruits!!!!! It is so amazing to witness the simple complexity of a seed. How incredible it is to me every time a seed grows up to be a little plant that we can eat and be sustained from.

Can't wait to make our first little salad from the garden! Crossing my fingers we still get lots more! I want a bucket load of tomatoes, beans, zucchini and peas! We'll see how the garden keeps up as the summer goes along.

I love these beautiful lilies that pop up each summer. They are the only plant that pre-owners of our home put in. I really need to landscape more, but I'm grateful we at least have these!

Fathers Day~2014

Happy First Fathers Day to a really great daddy!!!!! Jane and I were so excited to wake up today and give Daddy James a banana/PB/Chocolate smoothie and his gifts. We just love that man! (Now we all just need a miracle potion to make these colds go away!)

Each years tradition is to give James his favorite drink: Reeds Ginger Beer. And luckily a store has it right by us, so I don't have to go hunting :). Our 'fun' gifts were a bookmark with pictures of Jane on it and some awesome Kabob Baskets to grill and cook with on our new fire pit. I'm excited to see what delightful things we'll make in them! 

Fathers really are so important! Good Fathers!! And I was so blessed to be raised by one and to marry one. There is nothing more a child wants more than a dad that thinks they are the tops and that in turn thinks their Daddio is their hero. Some things I love about my father are his goofiness, his love for adventure, his knowledge of the constellations, and how he seemed to always know the answer, his ability to work hard, his care for 6 children, his friendly and giving personality, how he loves to cook and teach others. He is a cream of the crop! And then there is James...he is just a new Father but I've already seen so much in him that shines of a #1 Dad! He is also goofy and can make some of the craziest faces that make Jane (and I) laugh. He is a patient and thoughtful man that gives compliments and sincerely helps with whatever he can. His love for learning also makes him a great teacher, which I love! I'm thankful he enjoys the outdoors, cooking, eating and being together as a family. We all laugh when Dad reads stories, cause he has the funniest voices! We are thankful for his strong testimony of the scriptures and the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is thrifty and smart, he is random and fun, he is caring and helpful, faithful and worthy. He is a true gentleman as well and opens the door for me and shows tenderness to me, which I so want our children to see and know. Especially our sons someday. For chivalry is a trait that should never become old fashion. James is a one of a kind! Jane is lucky to call him Dad!

So, hurray to Fathers, young and old!We love you and are grateful for all you do!

(Just one more of this happy daddy's girl)

Strength in Standards

I know it's Father's Day tomorrow and this post may seem directed towards mothers/women. But these two hot topics have been on my mind as of late and hey they effect men as well in a great way. These are my strong and tender feelings on the subjects and I know there are many opposite opinions, but I feel strongly to share what I learned today in my readings while feeding Jane.

The topic of the family organization and of women wanting the priesthood are very talked about and debated subjects. Two of which I greatly feel will affect our communities, societies, nations and the world. There is NOTHING more in important than the family, nothing. It is the most basic and fundamental unit in society and therefore one of the most important in considering the future of our world. I was reading the great booklet: "Daughters in My Kingdom" and this section brought some beautiful confirmations of my feelings on these two subjects: “Guardians of the Hearth”: Establishing, Nurturing, and Defending the Family. (Chapter 9).

“Many of the social restraints which in the past have helped to reinforce and to shore up the family are dissolving and disappearing. The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us. 

“… There are those who would define the family in such a nontraditional way that they would define it out of existence. … 

“We of all people … should not be taken in by the specious arguments that the family unit is somehow tied to a particular phase of development a mortal society is going through. We are free to resist those moves which downplay the significance of the family and which play up the significance of selfish individualism. We know the family to be eternal. We know that when things go wrong in the family, things go wrong in every other institution in society.”

I believe this wholeheartedly!!!!!! As the family unit is in question and bent to meet "selfish individualism" and the phases of society then our very core of civilization is rocked. This is not to say that peoples choice and agency should be taken away but it also means that truths and standards should NEVER be changed. No matter what the culture of the time. The role of men and women isn't set to make us unequal or to stereotype each other, they are set to bring order, joy and fulfillment of divine traits within each sex.

"In harmony with timeless principles about the sacred nature of home and family, Melchizedek Priesthood quorums help men fulfill their responsibilities as sons, brothers, husbands, and fathers. The Relief Society helps women fulfill their responsibilities as daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers. Relief Society sisters have always supported one another in efforts to strengthen families, learn practical skills that improve their homes, and make their homes places where the Spirit can dwell."

The Relief Society is the largest women's organization in the world. If women truly understood the great strength and power it could/does have to influence the world for good they would not be seeking other avenues to fill that need/desire. When a group of focused, faithful, strong and courageous women work together for a cause there is no greater group of influence in the world. Also, do women not realize they have a unique and powerful role that they've inherited that no man can replicate?  

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: “Sisters, we, your brethren, cannot do what you were divinely designated to do from before the foundation of the world. We may try, but we cannot ever hope to replicate your unique gifts. There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman. … All women have within their divine nature both the inherent talent and the stewardship to mother.”

It saddens me that the children who inherit the future have women who are not thinking of them first, but selfishly of themselves. The priesthood can't even work under that kind of spirit. If it's used to gratify ones own desires it's not the priesthood. 

“Hold your heads high, you wives, mothers, homemakers. You engender life and enrich it. Don’t trade that pervasive force for fleeting, surface trinkets. Cherish it, enlarge it, magnify it. You hold a mighty office." Barbara B. Smith.

Women need to understand that selflessness is the key to a strong woman, that's what motherhood, nurturing, comforting and strengthening others is all about! So, no matter if your married, have children, work...etc. you have divineness in you to nurture!

Sister Julie B. Beck taught about the role of nurturing: “To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers [should] create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world. Working beside children in homemaking tasks creates opportunities to teach and model qualities children should emulate. Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. … Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women.”

I believe strongly in these two topics and felt strongly to write down my thoughts on them. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored gospel with all truths pertaining to life. The questions of the world are answered in living scripture! I know that standards and truth are not to be changed by the whims of man and culture. I know that the home, family and womanhood are crucial to the betterment of society. I know that all are given agency and choose the paths they go down. But I know that the principles of Christ's gospel always bring Joy, Safety, Strength and Hope. 

I am so grateful for a father and husband who hold and honor their priesthood. And for ancestors and a mother who've shown me what a powerful woman is. How thankful I am for the family!

To read this great chapter go here;

https://www.lds.org/relief-society/daughters-in-my-kingdom/manual/guardians-of-the-hearth-establishing-nurturing-and-defending-the-family?lang=eng

To read a powerful proclamation on the role of man and woman and the importance of family, read this:

https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation?lang=eng

Sickie Ugh!!

Well today Jane and I are battling wretched head colds. Yuck yuck! Luckily right now I have it worse than her. We took a nap together and then I gave her a cool down bath (since it's upper 80's). And we used her soft hair brush for the first time and had lots of splashing. I love this sweet baby girl. Oh and did I mention she's got rolling over down pat :)

For the Love of Babies

Babies are such a blessing! How much one learns from taking care of a baby. As one serves the endless needs of a little one there is a testing fire, a perfect love, an accomplished victory in the small things...so much is taught by such new life. As I brought my first little baby into the world I thought, "Oh I love babies, this is going to be so fun, I've worked with children so much this shouldn't be too challenging." But then a realization hit that I had just signed up for the hardest 24+ hour job I had ever taken on. The testing fire had begun.

My sweet little Jane has a bit of colic and will cry incessantly at times, mostly evenings. She has not gained the weight that the charts say she should, which makes a mother feel inadequate and like a failure. She refuses formula. She needs constant human touch. Doesn't like to sleep. But my goodness she is the sweetest little Miss Muffit in all the land. She melts my heart everyday with her smile, giggle, coos, funny faces and soft skin. And amongst all the difficulty and lack of sleep I always come back for more of her. In the testing fire one learns what perfect love is all about.

Outside Janes window there is a spring Robins nest. It has been so fun observing these sweet little chicks grow and watch their faithful parents take care of them. What dedication they have in building a secure nest, sitting on the eggs to keep then warm, gathering worms and bugs to feed those little beaks that are wide open and ready to eat. Each time the red bellied parent would land all the little beaks would pop open with endless chirps. It made me ponder how similar new life is. It needs constant care, nourishment and love. There is pure love in taking care of little ones that learn so quickly about this big world.

Accomplished victory occurs as you strive to do tummy time, even when they're screaming about it, and you witness there first roll over. It's the joy that fills you when you find out what makes them giggle the first time and smile when they see you. When you think of all a baby has to learn in its early months of life it's incredible! They are amazing all that they develop and begin to do. I am so thankful for the calling to care for my little one(s). And I am sure as fellow mothers and caregivers can attest, it's the most difficult and worthwhile of jobs. All for the love of babies!!

Ps. Happy 5 Months little Jane!!!!

I LOVE America!!

Let Freedom Ring!!! In memory of D-Day we hung our flag today. I LOVE the American flag, I LOVE the Plede of Allegiance, I LOVE my grandfathers who fought for this country, I LOVE the Founding Fathers, I LOVE living in Idaho, I LOVE this country.

I want my children to know, to REALLY know, how blessed they are to live in America and to honor and respect the freedoms they are privileged to live with. Freedom is not free, it's been fought for, and I think many of us enjoying the soil of this Nation don't remember that. Our era feels entitled to everything without really making much of an effort. The red and white stripes and stars of our flag bring out a great reminder to us all of those who've given their lives to make it wave proudly! 

May we remember always the blessings of Freedom!!!!!!!

The Summer Pit

We were gifted our combined birthday present early this year, which is going to be so fun to use all summer long!!! I love fire pits, roasting mallows, the smell of an open fire, cooking hot dogs, watching the flames, talking and telling stories...some favorite summer times are spent around a fire.

James is gourmet when it comes to hot dog time. He got fancy chicken sausage: Cajun style and a feta/spinach with rosemary. Mmmmmmm they were quite delicious!

Jane got to suck on my favorite fruit of all time; the apple. She seemed to enjoy it but got fairly distracted by her little towel. So hard to decide on what to hold and chew as a baby :)

"I Eat at Mom's"

I had an appointment and class at our local WIC office this morning. I was learning about introducing foods to baby Jane. This little lady is growing so fast and we just adore her! She ate her first (solidish) food at our family reunion...a lemon!! Her cute Aunt Paige put a cut lemon in Janes mouth and we all waited for a reaction that's classic with a baby tasting a lemon....however, Miss Jane loved it!! She was sucking it dry! It was quite funny and we all just laughed at how she just sucked away. Maybe she's got her daddy's taste buds. 

At my appointment they gave us a free spoon that tells you if the foods too hot and a free t-shirt. I thought the phrase was pretty funny, "I eat at Moms." The journey of breast feeding this baby girl has taught me a great deal and still continues to teach me. There is great patience and stillness needed to accomplish breastfeeding. I have such a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of our bodies and the purpose of this life. And this may seem silly but breast feeding has strengthened that testimony. We are made to accomplish our greatest callings in life. And women's is to be a mother , a nurturer! And how incredible is it, that we are built to provide all the means for our little ones. In this fast paced world of ours we are encouraged to "be still" and when you are a breastfeeding mama you are somewhat forced to have that "be still" time. I am so grateful that Jane eats at "moms" for it has taught me so much. And this is not to condemn or think less of those that use formula or to say breast feeding is the only way, for I most certainly believe we are all different, moms and babies. What a beautiful process it is to raise a child!