Meet Fermie

That's right. We have a pet gecko thanks to Kiersten and her friend Cambree and their ingenuity. Their sixth grade class held an end-of-year auction and since neither one had enough money to buy the class pet on their own, they combined and bought it together. We got first dibs since Cambree is out of town for the weekend. I'm not really fond of the gecko. Just make sure she stays in her cage.

We ate our traditional chocolate cake for breakfast to celebrate the last day of school, and Kiersten spotted our first mouse, thankfully, in the garage. We might need a pet cat to join Fermie if the mice sightings keep up. With all this rain the neighbor's kitty just isn't doing its job.

Closer to Christ - Days 59-65

DAY 59

Scripture study: Alma 54-56

Mark and ponder: Exodus 19:5-6

Scripture thought of the day: Jeremiah 50:5

Thought of the day: "In our utter desolation, what could we women do but pray? Prayer was our only source of comfort; our Heavenly Father our only helper. None but he could save and deliver us." -Amanda Barnes Smith, Haun's Mill, Missouri, October 1838

DAY 60

Scripture study: Alma 57-58

Mark and ponder: Alma 57:21, 58:40

Scripture thought of the day: Psalms 62:6-8

Thought of the day: "Gospel hope is not a vague, wishful desire, but a powerful expectation, a conviction, that Jesus Christ will save us. This hope in the Lord Jesus Christ includes the expection of a glorious resurrection, indeed, hope that all of God's promises will be fulfilled in our behalf." -Lili de Hoyos Anderson

DAY 61

Scripture study: Alma 59-60

Mark and ponder: Alma 60:36

Scripture thought of the day: Joshua 24:15

Thought of the day: "In his wisdom, Captain Moroni didn't just look for weaknesses to shore up. He also focused on strengths in the Nephi defense so that if the attach from the enemy got too fierce, there would be safe places. As part of our ongoing effort to fortify our marriage, my husband and I also look for our strong places. They are easier to find through prayer. In prayer I have found that Heavenly Father loves us even more than we ourselves do and truly wants our relationships to succeed." -Michelle H. Bagley

DAY 62

Scripture study: Alma 61-63

Mark and ponder: Alma 62:49

Scripture thought of the day: Psalms 45:1-2

Thought of the day: "Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon put honor and humility in perspective . . . The scriptures teach us that honor includes such things as faith and trust in the Lord, payment of tithes and offerings, fear of the Lord, humility, and obedience." -Robert D. Hales

DAY 63

Scripture study: Helaman 1-4

Mark and ponder: Helaman 3:29-30

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 38:9

Thought of the day: "The spirit of God never generates contention. It never generates the feelings of distinctions between people which lead to strife. It leads to personal peace and feelings of union with others. It unifies the soul. A unified family, a unified Church, and a world at peace depends on unified souls." -Henry B. Eyring

DAY 64

Scripture study: Helaman 5-8

Mark and ponder: Helaman 5:12, 8:14-15

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 81:5-6

Thought of the day: "Climbing the gospel ladder toward exaltation will require more than a casual commitment to the gospel, more than a few visits to church on Sunday, more than a passing familiarity with the scriptures as we endure faithfully to the end." -David Sorenson

DAY 65

Scripture study: Helaman 9-10

Mark and ponder: Helaman 10:4-5

Scripture thought of the day: 1 John 1:8-9

Thought of the day: "But in coming here [to earth], we forgot all, that our agency might be free indeed, to choose good or evil that we might merit the reward of our own choice and conduct. But by the power of the Spirit, in the redemption of Christ, through obedience, we often catch a spark from the awakened memories of th immortal soul, which lights up our whole being as with the glory of our former home." -Joseph F. Smith

Brotherly smiles

I seriously cannot get enough of this photo. I think my mom must have taken it while she was at our house, and I have made it my desktop picture. Every time I sit at my computer it's one of the first things I see and I have to smile. It must be something about Alex's smile that looks just like Erik's. And who can't love a baby's first two teeth. He's starting to cut a few more on top and I'm a little sad about that. I'm gradually losing my baby.

Something I had to relearn about the atonement

I don't know who was more inspired this week when it came to the sacrament meeting talks, the bishop or the speaker, Sister Cook. But I do know I was meant to hear it. I was meant to learn more about the healing power of forgiveness through the atonement.

I had been wronged the week before and let it fester all week as I waited for an apology, even to the point of saying it would take a long, long time for me to get over it.

Well, that was wrong of me. I have been commanded to forgive all men and that means not holding on to the hurt anymore, because isn't that what the atonement is all about.

And the moment I decided to do just that, I felt so much lighter.

The atonement works! It really does if we just let it.

By the way, Elder Bednar gave a great address on this very subject titled In the Strength of the Lord.

A panoramic view of the last 10 days

It just so happens that birthday week and the end of school activities collide . . . every year. This year was no different with a few extra (special) events added to the mix.

Friday commenced our fun-filled crazy week which I've highlighted here.

Saturday I hosted a bridal shower for my new sister-in-law, Angelene. Here's how a conversation with Nate went this week.

Nate: "I can't believe I have a new aunt."

Me: "Ya, and you'll get to see her Saturday."

Nate: "What do you mean?"

Ash: "Nate! This Saturday we are having a baby shower for her."

You'd have thought it was a baby shower when they opened my gift of baby clothes. No pressure. None at all.

Sunday was our traditional 3rd Sunday Siesta. Tyler and I got the idea several years ago from our sister-in-law Jo. Once a month we host an informal get together with family and friends. Bring a treat and come and visit. There is usually a puzzle to put together.
Monday was a birthday get together with cake and ice cream for mom (Grandma), Uncle Jacob, Kiersten, and Erik. This is truly birthday week for us.


Tuesday my first baby went from this:

To this:

The poor girl had CORE testing on her birthday (BTW, we just found out she scored a perfect 100 on her math and only missed one on her language arts), but Grandma and I managed to steal her away for lunch during a snowstorm. And when she came home from school, there was one more surprise waiting.

Making the toy room into Kiersten's own room was something I've been wanting to do for awhile. Natalie and Ashlyn took over the project and made it something special.


Wednesday Nate had his recorder concert (Can I just say how impressed I was with their sound? Mrs. Workman can work miracles.), Kiersten had her orchestra concert, and Erik was receiving his Arrow of Light. Something had to give. Unfortunately, we didn't make it Kiersten's performance.

Oh ya, it was also Night of a Thousand Stars where the kids get to showcase the books they've written and illustrated. Nate informed me Tuesday night that he only had one page done. I came unglued and sadly he spent a long couple of hours putting it together. But after talking with other moms in his class, it sounds like the teacher wasn't all that into it. Nate wasn't the only one so far behind. Frankly, it just wasn't like him. Anyway, he got it done and all is well.





Then it was a race to get to the church for Erik. He is now officially a boy scout. I feel like I've become my mother in regards to scouting. It was a push to get him this far and I vowed I would never push my boys through the scouting process. I'm going to encourage him as much as I can but it won't be my eagle hanging on the wall.




Thursday morning Erik was busily taping and painting to finish his cardboard box car for the 5th grade drive-in movie. After getting him off to school I pretty much spent the day in a fog dealing with a head cold, achy teeth, and a baby who I've self-diagnosed with RSV again. Bring on the breathing treatments.



Friday I sent Kiersten to Lagoon with her friends for a discounted DARE day

and Ash had her kindergarten graduation. Afterwards I took her to McDonald's for a lunch date. It was a good old fashioned class reunion when she discovered her best friend Makayla (I don't know her and I'm sure I spelled her name wrong) in the play area along with another boy from her class. Ash says, "I thought I would never see her again!" They exchanged phone numbers and are hoping to get together this summer.


(Ash with her teacher, Miss Womack)

Saturday was Erik's big day, spent at Tracy Aviary and dinner at Chuck-a-Rama where the waitresses sang to him. He totally ate that up. This is a kid who really enjoys being in the spotlight.

Sunday we finished up with birthday pie for Erik and Alex. Two candles representing the number 11. Eleven years for Erik's life and eleven months for Alex's life.

I'm not even going to attempt to document this coming week. Let's just say there's a few awards assemblies, a field trip that has been washed out, field day, 6th grade graduation, a soccer game and practice, YW and scouts, a spelling bee, Lego League club, and we're scheduled to close on our Stansbury house tomorrow. BRING ON SUMMER! And, you know how we live in Seattle and all, well, I'm ready to move back to Salt Lake, to the desert.

Oh, that's right. I already live there.

I'm off to entice Mother Nature with a little Beatles, "Here comes the sun."

Closer to Christ - Days 52-58

DAY 52

Scripture study: Alma 37-38

Mark and ponder: Alma 37:35-37

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 88:118

Thought of the day: "Yes, the scriptures do give us counsel and prepare us in all things. They are pertinent to the situations we find ourselves in daily: how to meet temptation . . . how to handle hurt feelings, maintain family stability, be a good neighbor, and manage one's finances; the list extends as far as study and human need will take us." -Thomas E. Hays

DAY 53

Scripture study: Alma 39-41

Mark and ponder: James 1:12-16

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 63:47

Thought of the day: "By obedience to the laws of the gospel, you can lift yourselves above the quagmire of sin that surrounds us in this world. In addition to helping you to become better servants of the Lord, obedience to these laws will help you to be better in everything you undertake in life . . . because you will know that your life is acceptable to your Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ." -Joseph B. Wirthlin

DAY 54

Scripture study: Alma 42-43

Mark and ponder: Alma 42:27-28

Scripture thought of the day: 2 Nephi 2:28

Thought of the day: "Sometimes . . . a person . . . is almost overwhelmed and wonders, 'Can the Lord ever forgive me? Can I ever forgive myself? but when one reaches the depths of despondency and feels the helplessness of this position, and when he cries out to God for mercy in helplessness but in faith, there comes a still, small, but penetrating voice whispering to his soul, 'Thy sins are forgiven thee.'" -Spencer W. Kimball

DAY 55

Scripture study: Alma 44-45

Mark and ponder: Alma 44:4

Scripture thought of the day: Joel 2:32

Thought of the day: "It is my constant prayer to God that He will have mercy upon us and preserve us from the great enemy who knows he has only a short time in which to work. I have been made to tremble and quake before the Lord and to call upon him with all my heart almost day and night . . . Maybe it is through suffering that we are to be made perfect. At least it has the effect of drawing us nearer to the Lord, which is a blessing." -Mary Fielding Smith

DAY 56

Scripture study: Alma 46-47

Mark and ponder: Alma 46:12-14

Scripture thought of the day: D&C 109:54

Thought of the day: "You are like titles of liberty as you strive to protect your families from such intruders as selfishness, harshness, anger, and strife. Your banner stands for peace and love and service to your families. You don't have to be Captain Moroni to make a difference. Our Father in Heaven needs you to be who you are, in your family. You are very important . . . We call upon you to take a stand for kindness and goodness and service to those you love most, our families." -Sharon G. Larsen

DAY 57

Scripture study: Alma 48-50

Mark and ponder: Alma 48: 11-13, 17

Scripture thought of the day: 3 Nephi 27:27

Thought of the day: "The power of one person is apparent throughout the scriptures as we see the influence of . . . Mormon and Moroni . . . often alone, standing as one, even as each of us on occasion must stand alone in a sometimes hostile world. Yet as these valiant servants of the Lord were not entirely alone, neither will we be, if we are worthy of His companionship and the companionship of the Holy Spirit." -Wm. Rolfe Kerr

DAY 58

Scripture study: Alma 54-56

Mark and ponder: Exodus 19:5-6

Scripture thought of the day: Jeremiah 50:5

Thought of the day: "President Joseph F. Smith and his counselors promised church members that is they would gather their children around them once a week and instruct them in the gospel, those children in such homes would not go astray. It is time for us to think of turning the hearts of parents to children now while living . . ." -Harold B. Lee

This boy's favorite place to hang out

Doesn't his shirt say it all? Alex absolutely loves the garbage in my office.