Easter traditions

Apparently I've made the same pact with the Easter Bunny as my mother did and he has agreed to come a day early. This was a tradition I grew up with and love the idea of making Sunday a more holy day instead of holiday. Also, several, several years ago I took each kid's Easter basket, tied it with a colored yarn different from the others, hid the basket, and wound the string all through the house (sometimes the yard), ending at their bed. When they woke up they had to follow the string to their basket. I did this for a few years, then got burned out. That string took a lot of time.

This year Kiersten requested that I do it again. So I obliged. Tyler wasn't too keen on helping, but once he got into it, he really went all out, going around the outside of the house, out the 2nd story windows, taping it to the ceiling. After the baskets were all carefully hidden and string crisscrossed throughout the house, he admitted it was pretty fun. I want to continue it even if it does require a few hours.

This year I also wanted to focus more on the real Easter. It seems that every year it creeps up on me and I haven't really spend any time preparing. We do the bunny thing on Saturday, go to church on Sunday, and call it good. It seems the whole month of December is spent preparing for Christmas Day, so why not the same for Easter. At least I could devote a week. I decided this year to start on the Sunday before Easter Sunday and hold a little "day in the life of Christ" devotional where we would discuss what happened each day leading up to Easter. I gathered all the gospel art pictures portraying that week and we got the first two days hung up on our timeline. But then it was spring break and we were gone a couple of days and it just didn't happen like I wanted it to. It was a good start and next year I'll do better.

 

A temple sealing

Yesterday I attended the sealing of a cousin in the Rexburg Temple and was so grateful to be able to go. I LOVE being in the temple. When we arrived there was a lot of chaos and commotion outside as brides and grooms and families were picture taking. But inside it was quiet and serene and such a contrast from what was taking place outside. I was able to sit for about 20 minutes and ponder and think and look in those mirrors that go on f. o. r. e. v. e. r. I reflected on my own sealing and what an amazing day it was (and how I hated having everyone looking at me). But I loved being reminded of those sealing words that bound Tyler and me together literally for eternity. What an amazing promise if we keep our covenants.

I also loved that the sealer performed the sealing first thing so that the couple could relax as he gave them some counsel. Something he said stuck with me. The husband is the presider and his wife is a counselor whom he should counsel with often. And then the Lord is the other counselor. I've always known that by having a temple marriage, you are covenanting with the Lord and allowing him to be a third member of that marriage. But I'd never quite thought of Him as being a counselor like in a bishopric. I liked that analogy.

After we had all given our congrats and hugs, the sealer shut the doors and left that happy couple in the sealing room by themselves for just a few minutes. Oh, how I wished we had been able to do that. I love the idea of having a few minutes alone, together, to reflect on what just occured and perhaps take a second look in those mirrors before tackling the remainder of a crazy day.

And to think that I'll be able to do it all again in a few weeks. I can hardly wait. Bring on the Kleenex. I think I'm going to need a whole box.

Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting

One of my favorite sessions at Women's Conference was a class on fasting by Sister Kathleen Perrin. Fasting is one of the vices in my life. I like food too much and it's hard to go without. I read a biography on Ardeth Kapp, and in it she tells how once a week she would fast. I thought about doing it because in doing it I know there is tremendous power. But after a couple of times life crept up on me and I am again doing just the monthly fast that we as Latter-day Saints do.

How to Teach Children about Fasting

1. Teach by example

2. Teach the joy of sacrifice

3. Fast with a family purpose

4. Teach about the needy

5. Serve simple meals

6. Give up favorite foods

7. Give up snacks at church (for little ones)

8. Base fasting time on age

I've struggled in the past knowing how to teach my kids, especially when it's not something I really enjoy myself. But I came up with a couple of traditions to help remember that it's Fast Sunday and to enjoy the sabbath, not just endure.

1. We make it pizza night the night before, complete with cinnamon breadsticks. I always began fasting as a child the following morning, and it was hard to begin a fast that way when you're already hungry. This way we begin our fast with a meal and a prayer where ideally we discuss what or who we could fast for. It doesn't always happen that way but it's how I envision it.

2. Fast Sunday meal is always a roast and potatoes. Awhile ago we discovered that cross-rib roasts are soooo good cooked in the crock pot for 8 to 10 hours. So Fast Sunday morning I get up and put the roast in and then we eat later in the day, not right after church. It helps extend the fast a little longer. So far my kids have not complained about not eating immediately after church. It was only a couple of years ago that I fasted for an entire 24 hours. And each time gets a little easier.

3. This Sunday is also our journal Sunday. I want my kids to be journal writers and record their feelings and happenings in their lives. I know they'll appreciate it later when they are older and will be glad they've written. To help facilitate this we make a treat to be eaten Sunday evening AFTER they've written in their journal. Erik allowed me to read his journal today and it was the typical I did this today and we did that, and I decided I want to help with their writing by giving them assignments once in awhile to write on a particular subject.

Why We Feel Our Fast Is Not Answered

1. We cannot fast and pray away someone's agency. As much as we would like to, especially when we see someone making wrong choices, it just isn't in the Lord's plan. We should instead fast and pray to understand the Lord's will; to change the things we can change; and for strength to face challenges, not for them to be removed.

2. We do not understand the Lord's timetable. Sister Perrin gave an example of a family who fasted and prayed for their eldest daughter who was not yet married, who had been on a mission, earned her doctorate, and was teaching college classes. She did end up getting married, but much later in life to a student in one of her classes who was quite a bit younger. Some things just don't happen when we'd like and we have to have the patience and faith to accept that. The Lord is in charge!

3. We don't recognize the answer.

4. We are fasting for what we want, not for what the Lord wants for us.

5. We fail to see the many ways in which we have been blessed. Sometimes fasting should be just for the bounteous blessings God has given us.

6. We don't receive the answer we expect. Another story was told of a young woman who suffered through her teenage years with migraine headaches. Again the family fasted and prayed and thought they were not getting an answer. In her early 20s the prognosis came that one of her kidneys was not functioning and had not been since she was very little and it would need to be removed. After the removal of the kidney the headaches stopped. It was definitely not an answer the family expected.

The Lord answers our prayers more so when we fast, and prayer coupled with fasting is the way to understand Heavenly Father's will for us.

Influential Teachers

Every man and every person who lives in this world wields an influence whether for good or evil. It is not alone what he says, it is not alone what he does it is what he is. Every man, every person radiates what he or she is. It is what we are and what we radiate that affects the people around us.--David O. McKay, Improvement Era, 1966

Bishop and Sister Harman are amazing teachers. I've never known any quite like them. Their influence has touched me as I'm sure they've touched others simply by magnifying their calling. This year Erik had the privilege of having them as his CTR 8 teachers. For Christmas they gave each child in their class a homemade pillow, carefully hand-stitched and sewn.

Bishop Harman was our bishop when we moved into the ward 3 1/2 years ago. Shortly after, he was released and put in the Primary as a teacher with his wife to help. Homework is part of their curriculum and every child earns Cold Stone certificates depending on how many "homeworks" they've handed in. When it is their class's turn for Sharing Time, the class is invited to their home the week before for dinner and to practice. They never miss a baptism. I have been very impressed with their level of commitment and their love of the gospel and for the children in Primary. Having them as teachers has been a blessing for Erik and for me. Thank you Bishop and Sister Harman for your dedication.

A Disney Christmas

So the big morning arrived and I was very excited to share our trip with the kids. As they came down the stairs they giggled with excitement, Ash especially, as they scrutinized the BIG, HUGE present in the middle of the floor.

They unwrapped.

And unwrapped.

And unwrapped some more.

Only to find they had a puzzle to put together.

I finally had to give them some hints to look at all the wrapping paper (mickey mouse and princesses) and the puzzle they've been putting together all month. Oh, then the light came on . . . but only to try and figure out how to make the letters spell MICKEY MOUSE. Can I just say clueless. Kiersten eventually figured out DISNEY but couldn't quite figure the NDAL. Nate finally said, "Disneyland." And then they all looked rather confused. We explained we were going to Disneyland in three weeks only to have Erik say, "Are we going to miss school?"

The big box contained three items: the letters spelling out Disneyland, a countdown calendar to hang on the fridge, and Disney t-shirts (which were wrapped in yet another box).

I had such an enjoyable time shopping this Christmas, wanting to find Disney-related presents. I was very excited when I even found wrapping paper. My Disney finds were t-shirts, water bottles, treat sacks for their Christmas stockings, bouncy balls, drinking cups for the kitchen, Mickey dolls, Disney dollars to spend, Mickey jammies for Kiersten who desperately needed new ones, and princess jammies for Ash who desperately did not need new ones (but they were princess ones and went so well with my themed Christmas buying and she LOVES everything princess right now and they were such a good deal . . . I'm sure if Ty were with me when I bought them he would have talked me out of them, but since he wasn't I got to make the final decision and they came home with me.).

The excitement is mounting with each passing day. I think the realization is finally setting in especially after I took some time to sit down with them at the computer and look at pictures of Disneyland and Sea World (I guess I should mention we are also going to San Diego).

DISNEYLAND, HERE WE COME

"Establish a house of order . . ."

Last Tuesday our stake had a combined enrichment night featuring Marie Ricks, an organizing guru. When I told Tyler I was going to an organizing seminar, he asked, "Why?" I think I'm a pretty organized person but I do enjoy getting more tips and so I went.

• Hurricanes. We all have our own personal hurricanes, complete with names. The key is to keep in the eye of the storm where it is the most calm. Work from the inside out (take care of yourself FIRST).
• Plan on paper. None of us have that great of memory to be able to remember everything down to the minute details. Write it down.
• Have your children return and report on task/assignments they've been given.
• You'll get more done if you go slow, i.e. spend more time planning.
• Get rid of HALF of everything. If you have 20 pairs of shoes, give 10 away. If you have 6 frying pans, give 3 away.
• You cannot teach and train a child when you're in a hurry.
• A child's room is his home. Teach them to keep their room tidy

Marie Ricks's Seven Days to Better Organization
www.houseoforder.com
SUNDAY

Organize for the week

Hold family council and plan next week: who is doing what, who is going where, who needs a ride, help

MONDAY

Prepare

Plan out today: commitments, chores, projects

Deal with paperwork

Fix up your personal desk. Everyone needs a place to think, plan, and work

TUESDAY

Bathrooms and Laundry: get your children to help

WEDNESDAY

Kitchen: clear off counters (it's easier to wipe off a counter that is not filled with clutter), clean out cupboards, condense tools to an area where they are first used

Closets: put like things together

THURSDAY

Budget: cut up cards, buy by the year

Groceries: buy more . . . less often, shop early, shop alone, shop with a list

FRIDAY

Watch children until they obey: keep a low voice, steady eye, and thank them. Tell kids what need to be done. Don't tell them what to do.

Be early: start planning right away when you know about a commitment and it's fresh on your mind. Make phone calls early, prepare dinner early, run errands early. Being early means things get done better.

SATURDAY

Garage: what can we discard, give away, hang up? Get stuff off the floor. Use shelves.

Kids bedrooms should be SIMPLE: do they have too much stuff, teach housekeeping skills

SUNDAY

Review week and plan again

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My Attempt at Organization

I made this binder several years ago and couldn't live without it. Neither could my kids. They refer to it more often than I do to see what's on the lunch menu, to look up a phone number, to find a coupon, to see what chores they've been assigned. It has helped immensely in helping our family run a little more smoothly.

SMCU

Super Money Credit Union
Small kids = Little money = Large future dividends

Our Members

Mission
To teach our members how money works, where it gets spent, how to save, how to be charitable, how to budget, how to track their money via a check register.

Rules
1. The CEO (Dad) and CFO (Mom) will not pay for store-bought, after-school snacks anymore (fruit snacks, granola bars, etc.).

2. The CEO and CFO will pay for 4 school lunches; the other must be a home lunch. However, the member may take home lunch every day, thereby saving some money.

3. Chores will be assigned each Monday. The member has the week to complete the chores. If they are not completed by Saturday at 8 pm, a fine of $1 will be assessed and the member must still complete the chores.

4. Payment for practicing the piano will be $.50 for every 3 days of practice or 1 candy bar from candy bar basket.

5. Every Monday is payday. The option of direct deposit is available.

Services
1. The CFO will serve as the banker. Withdrawals and deposits can be made at any time.

2. Limited African foreign currency exchange is available.

History
Tyler and I wanted to experiment with a family credit union (bank is an indecent word at our house) to help our kids understand money. Erik Leary created the name and Super Money Credit Union was founded on Monday, February 25, 2008, in Stansbury Park, Utah, with four members and $27.53 in equity.

slave labor

I've had 2500 envelopes sitting on my floor, waiting for me to stuff. One of my duties as treasurer of the Stansbury Park Community Association is collecting voluntary dues from all the residents to help pay for the different events we sponsor throughout the year. Every time I looked at those boxes of envelopes, my tongue would start to dry up at the thought of stuffing and licking every one. I did get about 500 done until . . .

one day the light bulb came on.

Hirelings: my kids, their cousins, some neighbor kids
Job description: stuff envelopes
Pay rate: a penny an envelope
Cost of slave labor: $17.91