"How do we, amidst the challenges of our lives, gain the vision necessary to do those things that will bring us closer to the Savior? Speaking of vision, the book of Proverbs teaches this truth: 'Where there is no vision, the people perish' (Proverbs 29:18). If we are to prosper rather than perish, we must gain a vision of ourselves as the Savior sees us."
—Elder O. Vincent Haleck,
"Wise parents prepare their children to get along without them. They provide opportunities for growth as children acquire the spiritual maturity to exercise their agency properly. And yes, this means children will sometimes make mistakes and learn from them."
—Elder Larry Y. Wilson,
"Only upon the Principles of Righteousness", General Conference, Apr. 2012
"Our most important work is always within our own home and family. It is within families that the Church is established and real growth occurs. We are to teach our children the principles and doctrines of the gospel. We need to help them have faith in Jesus Christ and prepare them for baptism when they are eight years old. We must be faithful ourselves so that they can see our example of love for the Lord and His Church. This helps our children feel joy in keeping the commandments, happiness in families, and gratitude in service to others."
—Elder David F. Evans,
"Was It Worth It?", General Conference, Apr. 2012
“I do not know who in this vast audience today may need to hear the message of forgiveness inherent in this parable [of the laborers in the vineyard], but however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines."
—Elder Jeffrey R. Holland,
"The Laborers in the Vineyard", General Conference, Apr. 2012
See this thing…
It’s huge! Would I be caught dead on the top of it? NO! I have a child that loves to climb to the top and did so several times the evening we were there. Can you guess who it was? It’s really not a hard guess if you know my children, even a little.
I made Chicken Shawarma for dinner tonight. So good! I also made the naan that is linked in the recipe. It is the best naan recipe I’ve ever tried.
If you’ve never checked out this blog, you should.
You would have thought that today was Christmas and last night Christmas Eve… except for the fact that our children don’t have any problems going to sleep on Christmas Eve and often have to be woken up on Christmas morning.
Sam could NOT sleep last night. When Rick came home and went to check on them, he found Sam on the top bunk in his sisters room. Not sure when that happened. When I tucked him in he was in his own bed. At 11 p.m. he came downstairs chipper as could be. He thought he had slept and had just woken up real early. Thinking about it makes me tired… He stayed up and watched a basketball game with Rick and then slept with us. I’m not a kid in my bed person, but of all our kids, he’s the easiest one to have with us… until last night. His knees kept ending up in my back. I need a nap today!
Anyway, back to the birthday boy. He wanted waffles and sausage for breakfast, so I got up this morning to get things ready so we could all eat together before Rick left for work. Sam asked if he could open presents before breakfast… again, he was so excited. After the present carnage, I told him the only school he had to do today was his spelling since he has a test tomorrow. I thought it was only fair because the other kids have summer birthday’s and won’t have to do school on their birthday’s. He was totally down with that. I also told him he didn’t have to do any jobs today, the other kids would be doing them for him. He also didn’t have a problem with that. I did forewarn Evelyn of these events yesterday. I didn’t want to blow her mind or hear any whining about it today. You know about how life isn’t fair and all that garbage!
Sam has made quick work of his new Lego set and I’m sure there will be plenty more buildings come to life from the Lego Book of Ideas he got from Papa and Susu. He’s had a ton of fun flying the kite he got from Auntie M and Uncle Sergio. He recently got a couple new cars for his electric train and Grammy and Grandpa got him a building to add to his set. I think it’s been a pretty good day for the kiddo! Can’t believe he’s 7! He’s requested homemade pizza with sausage for dinner and we are going out for ice cream after lunch. (He doesn’t know that part yet!)
