You Are What You Eat

Micah's new word (phrase) for the week is "cheese ball."  He asks for them by name.  Here he is in a moment of glory.  Don't worry, I only let him eat a handful so I could get the photo.

Addendum

Lawyers!  My children are clearly violating these rules.

Valentine's Day 2010

Despite my better judgment, I couldn't resist taking on a project.  Here is the finished work.  (Neither idea is my own.  The matchbox valentine idea comes from here, and the candy bar valentine idea comes from here.)

Release

Three years, lots of sweat and tears.  

One less ball to juggle, but leaving is a struggle.

I was released today from my calling as primary president.  I've run the gamut of emotions, but overall I think change is good.  It will probably take some time for me to feel some "release," but I'm starting to get used to the idea.   Lots of important lessons learned in the past three years, but here are a few thoughts:

1.  Everything we need to learn about the gospel, we learn in Primary.

I am a child of God

I know my Father lives

All over the world at the end of day, Heavenly Father's children kneel down and pray

Live like His Son

Try to be like him -- try, try, try

Jesus said love everyone

Did Jesus really live again after He had died?  Oh yes!  And so shall I!

It shouldn't be hard to think about Jesus, not hard at all

I feel my Savior's love in all the world around me

I'm trying to be like Jesus, I'm following in His ways

I love to see the temple

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain

Listen to the still small voice -- listen, listen

Search, ponder and pray

Follow the prophet -- he knows the way

I will go, I will do, the thing the Lord commands

Love one another

Kindness begins with me

Keep the commandments -- in this there is safety and peace

Dare to do right!  Dare to be true!

My life is a gift, my life has a plan

I hope they call me on a mission

Families can be together forever

When we're helping we're happy

Give, oh give

The wise man build his house upon the rock

2.  Children have a tremendous power for good.  They can (and do) take the spirit they feel in Primary into their own homes and make their families stronger.  

3.  We -- the grownups -- have much to learn from the children.  As the scriptures say, we all need to become like little children.  

It's been a good three years!

Trampoline!

Hannah got her wish.  Through much pestering and persuasion, we broke down and bought a trampoline this weekend.  Danilo spent a chunk of the day assembling it, and the kids spent the remainder jumping to their hearts' content.  Last night, both Hannah and Olivia fell asleep as soon as their heads hit their pillows. They were out.  That side effect alone makes the trampoline worth every penny.

Here they are in mid-flight.  Bliss!

If Hannah Had $100

I love this.  In case you need some translation, here's what Hannah wrote:

If I had $100.00 I would give 50 to my mom.

I would spend the other 50 on a trampoline and jump very high.

And I would spend it on a pet.

And the pet would be a cat.

And I would play with the cat with yarn.

Just imagine what she might do with $1 million!!