EASTER & the general women's conference

The General Women’s Conference last night was just awesome.  I look forward to it all year long…especially now that I get to take one of my daughters with me!  And I love that it fell on Easter weekend this year.  We attended the broadcast in our stake center next to the Columbia River Temple.  The overall feeling I came away with was that service needs to be our purpose in life…ever reaching out to those in our circle of influence.  I especially loved the question to consider — “What if their story were my story?" 

Cheryl A. Esplin said, "We live in a contentious world. We give service when we don’t criticize, when we refuse to gossip, when we don’t judge, when we smile, when we say thank you, and when we are patient and kind.”  

Another favorite came from Niell F. Marriott:  “What does the Savior do continually?  He nurtures.  He creates.  He encourages growth and goodness.  Women and sisters, we can do these things!"

Happy Easter!  The promise of the Resurrection is real!  I find no greater joy than in my efforts to be an honest disciple of Christ.  I need Him every day, and I’m grateful to revere Him now and always.

popcorn popping & thoughts on thumb sucking

Luke is 15 months old now, and I’m pretty sure it’s been one of the fastest ventures from 0-15 months I’ve experienced yet!  Each child just grows up faster & faster, darn it!  

He’s happiest of all when he’s outside…or doing something really dangerous...like climbing.  Last month he climbed a box speaker in our basement.  He fell (of course) - leaving the bridge of his nose with a pretty deep puncture wound.  It scared me really bad, but he was okay.  I’m a little worried it might leave a permanent scar, but I’m sure it’s just going to take some time.

And…he’s a thumb sucker alright, about like AnnMarie was.  Oh, I learned a lot about thumb sucking through our experience with AnnMarie.  She being our first child, I was so paranoid about her sucking her thumb, & I’m not sure we handled it the best in those early years (nagging, scolding, and just taking it out over & over again), but I guess there’s a reason the oldest child is often referred to as the guinea pig, right?  I remember noticing a few issues with the alignment of her front teeth and being overly concerned by it, but honestly, when I look back at her 2-3 yr. old pictures now, I don’t even notice a thing!  

I personally recommend against bitter tasting products that you put on the thumb itself (sticky, messy, and ineffective - at least for us).  AnnMarie was just so darn stubborn about it that’d she’d suck her thumb regardless of the taste and how long is lasted.  I tasted it myself just to give it a fair shake, and yes, it was awful…and stayed in my mouth for DAYS after...making everything taste like metal.  Yuck.

Even still…I’ve read that the majority of thumb suckers break the habit on their own before turning five years old.  Others quit closer to eight.  AnnMarie stopped completely a few months after her 3rd birthday largely due to an incentive program we initiated that motivated her to stop...but not until after A LOT of trial and error.  Given that whole experience, I’m not too concerned about Luke’s habit, especially during toddlerhood when he feels that he really needs his thumb and it truly offers him that secure, happy feeling he’s seeking.

 Anyway, just thoughts for now.  Each child is so different, and what worked for one may not work for another.  Time will tell.  Regardless, there’s something very sweet about it, and I look forward to him waking up every day just so I can kiss on his fat little cheeks.  

outside after supper & a few thoughts on Easter

OH - how I’m so enjoying this warmer weather.  My whole being just feels better when I can get outside and take it all in.  The cherry blossom trees around these parts are just gorgeous right now!  We’ve been able to get outside after supper which is always fun.         

Our tree project is coming along nicely thanks to Jared.  We’re up to 40 trees planted along our back fence line so far...with about 20 to go.     

I’ve been making a more deliberate effort this week leading up to Easter to just focus on & teach my children about the events during the final week before Christ’s Crucifixion & Resurrection.  THIS has been a great guide!  My relationship with the Savior has become a very personal one.  I know He lives!  I feel His love for me daily!  With Him nothing is impossible - and all disappointments in this life can be overcome.