Sock or Puppet?

The Beauty of Fractions

I attended Peter's parent/teacher conference this morning (Cooper's was conducted via email) and spent some time waiting in the hall for my turn. The kids are studying fractions and I noticed a new display of projects on the wall outside their classroom.

Can you guess which is Peter's? When you think you've figured it out, scroll down for the answer.













Did you pick this intricate ocean scene? If so, then you're right!

Peter struggles in school, not with the material, but with the focus and discipline required of fourth graders. He often leaves assignments unfinished or simply tells his teacher he's not going to do whatever she's asked. This choice does not lead to happiness.

But on this day? His teacher told me that several of the kids had trouble with this project. They couldn't visualize how the shapes they cutout would become a final picture. Peter had no such trouble. He moved to a table by himself and worked without interruption for an hour.

In the midst of the stress and strain that school is for Peter, it was lovely to see this fraction-themed beacon of hope.

Trading Places

The boys have a few days off from school for parent/teacher conferences, so they had more time at home today that usual. During our late breakfast of Cream of Wheat, they decided they should spend some time being each other. Before I could stop them they had traded clothes and seats at the table. All four kids thought it was hilarious, at least until Peter got cold because he was wearing too-small clothes.

They played the game again tonight. I walked into their room to find Peter wearing a pajama shirt that was definitely not his size and Cooper taking on the Peter role of jumping on the beds. I whisked Cooper out and played along. I read to Peter and tucked him into Cooper's bed, because Cooper always goes to sleep first.

Peter didn't like the game so much after that.

Cultural Enrichment

We had a fun day at the local children's museum with some friends this week. I didn't take many pictures since I was busy chatting and not losing my children, but I did get a few.

They had a cool traveling display about China which included a section on Chinese theatre.

It also taught about Chinese schools.

The girls were all happy to pose for this picture, because who doesn't want to sit in a giant pink chair? Also, Phoebe wore those boots to church this week because she couldn't find her regular church shoes.

Behind Sophie is the water section of the museum. We've been to several children's museums that have water tables, but this was the first that also had soap and water tables. The bubbles were awesome and included a ring big enough to make a bubble Sophie and I could stand in. On an unrelated note, I hope to someday take non-blurry pictures of Sophie on a consistent basis.

Thanks for the fun day Lisa! The girls and I had a great time.

The Ticking Clock

There's something wonderful about having my blog posts written the night before they publish. Somehow, that one act makes me feel prepared and ready for each day. At least, more prepared than I feel on the days that I post at 11:52 at night, after having spent most of the day slightly distracted from my many other obligations because I've been thinking about what I can possibly write on my blog before I sleep that night.

It's now 11:53, in case you were curious.

Big Girl Bed

We were the happy recipients of a free twin bed this weekend. That means that Phoebe no longer needs to sleep in the toddler bed. And, as is typical of younger siblings, when the older brother or sister is done with something, it gets passed down.

I think Sophie is pleased, don't you?

A Two-Girl Bin

Two Whole Hands

Near the end of December Peter turned ten. I'm a bit befuddled about how the last ten years rushed by so fast, but my confusion at the passage of time did nothing to dampen the joy of his birthday. We were still in Texas, so it was a day full of family, fun, and food.

Speaking of food, Aunt Melody and Uncle Dallin stayed at a hotel that boasted Texas shaped waffles as part of their breakfast buffet. After reading the ingredients and telling the hotel staff about her nephew's upcoming birthday, they happily consented to letting her bring three of the Lone Star state breakfast goods as a gift to Peter. The rest of us enjoyed regular shaped waffles.

Nana Shari, Aunt Kate, and Aunt Melody went to a lot of effort to decorate for his birthday, including this cool Minecraft banner.

After breakfast, Peter opened his gifts which included some awesome ebooks and his very own Minecraft account. After his pure glee subsided (but not by much), and the littles had naps, we headed to an indoor playground and arcade for our birthday activity. 

Peter and Cooper stuck together as they climbed through the playground and spent Papa Ron's tokens at the arcade.

Phoebe and Nathan were buddies and kept pretty close to each other the majority of the time we were there.

And Sophie and Sam, well, they really did their own thing for most of the outing, but we did get this cute picture of the two of them together.

Peter may have been the tallest child there, though I doubt he was the oldest.

After the kids were sweaty and exhausted, we headed back to Bryan's parents' house. While we had been out, Aunt Melody and Aunt Kate had prepared a Minecraft wonderland.

Behold, the Portal to the Nether.

Bottles of various forms of potion.

The awesome cake that dictated my too-late bedtime the night before, with accessories added by Aunt Kate while we were out playing, the whole creation a Pinterest win if I've ever seen one.

The amazing spread of food, each with a coordinating label explaining what the item would be in the world of Minecraft.

And this picture shows how Peter felt about all the work that had been done to celebrate him and his birth.

After a dinner of In'N Out (which the kids hadn't had since August 2014) and lots of cake, Peter got the present he'd been asking for since we told him we were going to be in Texas for his birthday. Peter, Bryan, Uncle Dallin, Uncle Ben, and Aunt Kate all played Minecraft together. Peter was in heaven.

It was a wonderful day for Peter; he truly felt happy.

And now, as is our tradition, the annual list of favorites, with two extra "Tenth Anniversary" lists for good measure.

FAVORITE FOOD: Cheese Pizza

FAVORITE ANIMAL: elephant

FAVORITE CANDY: Milky Way

FAVORITE BOOK: Minecraft Gameknight999 Series and The Mystery of Herobrine

FAVORITE COLORS: blue and red

FAVORITE SHOWS: Phineas and Ferb/Mighty Med

FAVORITE MOVIE: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
FAVORITE SONG: the Minecraft theme song
FAVORITE BOARD GAMES: Rush Hour/Blockus

FAVORITE CARD GAME: Solitaire
FAVORITE VIDEO GAMES: Minecraft/Gravity Guy/Agar-io
FAVORITE THINGS TO DO: Coding and Lego Digital Designer 
FAVORITE MEMORY FROM BEING 9: Seeing cousin Harmony for the first time
FAVORITE PLACE: The front room of Nana Shari and Papa Ron's house
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Art

FRIENDS: Zaid, Cooper, Phoebe, Mom, Dad, Reed, Conner, Micheal, Talha, Spencer

Top 10 Places Peter has visited:

1. Boondocks
2. Thanksgiving Point
3. New York City
4. Washington DC
5. Disneyland
6. Legoland
7. Grandparents' houses
8. Atlantic Ocean
9. Pacific Ocean
10. home

Top 10 Books Peter has read:

1. Percy Jackson series
2. Kane Chronicles series
3. Five Kingdoms series
4. Harry Potter series
5. A Wrinkle in Time
6. Thanksgiving is Here
7. Our Marching Band
8. Julius the Baby of the World
9. Invasion of the Overworld
10. Pete's a Pizza

Rare and Magnificent

Welcome to our tour of "The Rare and Magnificent." Directly ahead you'll notice a mythic specimen. If you look closely, you'll see Peter doing his homework without anyone standing over him, constantly reminding him it needs to be done. Please, no loud noises or quick movements, he startles easily.

Half Full or Half Empty?

On Sunday evening, during dinner, I introduced the concept of optimists and pessimists. I talked about what the two perspectives mean and how they are different, then I challenged each person to choose to be optimistic at least once this coming week.

Yesterday I read the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to Cooper, Phoebe, and Sophie. Peter was downstairs doing homework. About halfway through the book, the following exchange took place.

Peter: (from the other room) He's being the opposite of an optimist!

(Cooper and Phoebe made sounds of agreement.)

Me: That's right, he is. And what is the opposite of an optimist called?

Peter: (in all seriousness) A therapist!

Service Is Love

We had a Valentine's weekend full of good deeds. I spent a big chunk of Saturday helping at the funeral I mentioned on Friday. While I did that, Bryan encouraged the kids to give me exactly what I wanted for the holiday: a clean house. Bryan and Cooper folded the clothes from the gargantuan pile of laundry that had taken up residence in our room.

Phoebe and Peter cleaned their rooms. Bryan sent me this picture of Phoebe's room. Peter's room took a little longer, so I didn't get an after picture of that one.

I think Sophie's contribution was being happy and sweet, which is a lovely service all its own.

Because the laundry was done and folded and the rooms were clean, I was able to set out everyone's clothes for church the night before. That was important since we have early church and I needed to be there early to practice with the trio I was part of for Sacrament meeting. That led to my second, much sought-after gift: we were on-time to church!

After church, Bryan and I got what might be the loveliest present of all: an uninterrupted nap. Of course that meant that Sophie slept late as well since neither Bryan nor I woke her up at her usual time, and then she didn't go to sleep at her usual hour later that evening, but the nap was worth a slightly later bedtime. This nap was made possible by the big kids not chasing or yelling or throwing or jumping or doing any of their other, often loud, activities.

My favorite public displays of affection are acts of service.

How did you spend your day of love?

The Other Phoebe

The adult son of a member of our ward passed away recently. His funeral is tomorrow at our church building and I'm in charge of making the program. That means I've spent a fair amount of time the last week reviewing funeral programs and funeral etiquette online. I've also met with the grieving mother twice to find a picture of her son to use for the front of the program. Thanks to prayer and Facebook, we found a happy, flattering picture. Bryan is currently editing and polishing the program.

The sister in my ward is named Phoebe. I had only spoken to her once prior to this week, just long enough to say hello, introduce myself, and tell her about my own Phoebe. Now she talks to me like we're old friends. I think that's her nature. The other Phoebe is seventy-three years old and has lived a very different life than I expect my Phoebe will live, and yet, they both have a flair and a spunk that makes them seem similar. They're both delighted to know another Phoebe.

I've never been on the planning side of a funeral. I've prepared musical numbers for several funerals, but I've never helped with organizing food or speakers or any of those important details. I'm really not doing much this time either, but I've been a sounding board for the Relief Society president as she organizes food for the 125+ guests, and I've listened while the elder Phoebe spoke about plans and family drama and happy memories of her son.

It has been a week of education.

Sometimes You Need Your Own Space

Dance In Air

Our ward held the annual Cub Scout Blue and Gold Dinner last night. The theme was Chinese New Year and a local karate troupe performed. The majority of the show was choreographed to music. It was pretty spectacular. Those kids did all kinds of jumps and flips and even had a number that used weapons. The cub scouts and their siblings were appropriately impressed.

Sophie was especially taken with what she saw. She kept commenting on what she had seen, even up until she went to sleep.

The Force Is Strong With These Two

Goal!

It's been my goal since the beginning of the year to get to bed by 11 o'clock each night. I didn't make it at all during January. The first week of February went the same way.

Until last night.

I was in bed, lights out, phone down, by 10:59! Granted, it took me a few extra minutes to fall asleep, but I didn't look at the clock again, so I'm going to count it as a win.

The real question: can I make that happen again tonight?

Toccata and Fugue

Bryan and I just got back from a date. As a service, a sweet sister in our ward offers her Friday evenings to families with young kids so the parents can have some time without small people in tow. The kids were asleep when she got here and she enjoyed sitting and reading in our living room so much that she said she'd love to come and do it again sometime.

As we were tidying the house, preparing for the babysitter, the kids asked who was coming over. I know her because she's the first counselor in the Relief Society presidency. She's also one of our ward organists. I thought the kids might remember her from that, so I said, "She's the ward organist with blonde hair."

Phoebe responded, "What's the organ? Oh wait, I know, it's the spooky piano."

We had a great night eating sushi and talking while the wonderful spooky pianist took good care of our kids.

Not Just a Trim

I took the girls for haircuts last week. I planned that they would both get trims. When I asked Phoebe what she wanted to do with her hair she said, "I'm going to cut it short, to right here." Then she indicated near her chin. I verified several times that that was what she really wanted. She assured me that she really wanted a bob, so she we went for it.

She was so happy with it at first, then she started to doubt her choice. After lots of positive comments from the grownups at church she's feeling more confident about it. I think she looks darling.

Sophie's isn't much shorter, but it is tidier. She keeps walking up to us, grinning, and saying, "My haircut?" She's a doll.

Texas Family Pictures 2015

A few days after Christmas we all got fancy and smiled a lot for my camera.

Here's the whole group.

Grandparents and the best picture we could get of all the grandchildren.

I love this picture.

Melinda, Jake, Nathan, Sam, and baby sister!

Dallin, Melody, and sweet baby Harmony.

And our little bunch.

Postponed

Friday morning Sophie had her checkup certifying that she was healthy enough for surgery.

On Friday evening she had the sniffles.

By Saturday night she had full blown croup.

Yesterday morning she still had a little cough and a few sniffles, but was mostly better. When the pre-op nurse called to give me the time of the surgery, I mentioned the croup.

When it comes to General Anesthesia, croup is a deal breaker.

The possibility of a complication was too great and I was told I had to reschedule. The doctor only performs these surgeries on the first Tuesday of the month, and she'll be out of the country in March. That means the new date is April 5.

I'm glad that the doctors are so careful, but I am worried that the tumor will continue to grow. We are looking into the possibility of having a different doctor perform the surgery if it means an earlier date. That said, I also believe that the surgery will happen when it is supposed to happen.

Thanks to everyone that was praying for Sophie; I'm sure those prayers have a two-month shelf life.

Eleven Homes

I spoke in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. It was my sixth talk in four years, which means I should be perfecting my talk-writing craft. It was a good talk, not my best, but definitely what I was prompted to give. And no one in this ward has heard me give a talk before, so they don't know about my skills. That's a boastful way of saying that my parents did a great job teaching me how to write and present talks, so now when I stand at the podium to speak, I appear to know what I'm doing.

Testimony

Imagine your perfect house. What does it look like? What does it feel like? If you’re like my five-year-old daughter, then it’s very fancy. If you’re like my husband, there would be no clutter at all. In fourteen and a half years of marriage, my husband and I have moved eleven times. So I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time imagining my perfect home. For our first apartment, we didn’t have much stuff to move, some books and clothes, dishes and towels, the normal newlywed paraphernalia. It all fit into our one-bedroom apartment, but my husband and I still discussed where each item should go. We curate each place we live. We’re determined to make each location feel like a home.

In his April 2008 General Conference talk, Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “A testimony of the gospel is a personal witness borne to our souls by the Holy Ghost that certain facts of eternal significance are true and that we know them to be true… A testimony of the gospel is not a travelogue, a health log, or an expression of love for family members. It is not a sermon. President Kimball taught that the moment we begin preaching to others, our testimony is ended.”

In the October 2006 General Conference, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then Elder Uchtdorf, described a testimony as “a warm and familiar word in our religious expressions. It is tender and sweet… When we talk about testimony, we refer to feelings of our heart and mind rather than an accumulation of logical, sterile facts. It is a gift of the Spirit, a witness from the Holy Ghost that certain concepts are true.”

We didn’t have much to put on our walls, but we didn’t have a lot of wall that needed decorating. Much like our first apartment, a testimony starts small. It begins with the Holy Ghost witnessing to you of a truth. My earliest memory of my testimony was a firm knowledge that Heavenly Father loved me and sent me to a family that would love me and care for me. I knew those things because we sang them in the Primary songs “I Am a Child of God” and “Families Can Be Together Forever.” I felt happy when we sang them; I recognized the truths they taught.

My parents and teachers told me these things, but I had to gain my own testimony of their truthfulness. Elder Uchtdorf went on to say, “A testimony is a most precious possession because it is not acquired by logic or reason alone, it cannot be purchased with earthly possessions, and it cannot be given as a present or inherited from our ancestors. We cannot depend on the testimonies of other people. We need to know for ourselves.”

Why do we need a testimony?           

Elder Uchtdorf taught, “A testimony provides proper perspective, motivation, and a solid foundation on which to build a life of purpose and personal growth... A testimony motivates us to choose the right at all times and in all circumstances. It motivates us to draw nearer to God, allowing Him to draw nearer to us. Our personal testimony is a protective shield, and like an iron rod it is guiding us safely through darkness and confusion.”

The walls of a home offer protection and warmth. What we choose to put in our home can dictate how we feel when we’re there. Likewise, a testimony fortifies us and protects us, no matter our location.

            How do we receive that witness of the Spirit for ourselves?

            Remember the story of Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life. Lehi gathered his family and told them about his dream of the iron rod and the tree that grew fruit that was desirous above all else. Nephi wanted to gain his own testimony of what his father taught.

First, he had the desire to know for himself. He had to want to gain a testimony of those things.

            Next he prayed and asked God. The answer he received is a beautiful and in-depth explanation of the vision which comprises chapters 11-14 of 1^st Nephi. At the end of his own vision, Nephi went back to his father’s tent and he found his older brothers, Laman and Lemuel, arguing about some of their father’s teachings. They told Nephi that they didn’t understand what their father had taught. Verse 8 says “And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?” Then in verse 9 “And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.”

            We must desire to know, as Nephi did, then we must ask.

Each of our moves has required research. While it was just the two of us, we had fewer space and location needs. But as our family has grown to include our four children, my criteria for each subsequent home has grown more stringent. When our oldest started school, my search grew even lengthier. We study as much as we can about each place, then we pray for confirmation that we are going in the right direction.

            Elder Uchtdorf taught, “Search the scriptures. Have questions; study them out; search in the scriptures for answers.”

First we desire to know. Then we ask. Then we study by searching the scriptures and the words of living prophets. Then, we ask again.

            At the end of Alma chapter 5, after preaching to his people the Nephites, Alma gave voice to a concern from the congregation: “Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.”

Did you hear what he did? He fasted and prayed many days.

            We desire, we ask, we seek for answers, we fast and pray, we study more, we ask again.

            Are you sensing a pattern?

            In the October 2014 General Conference, President Uchtdorf counseled, “Let us acknowledge that most often gaining a testimony is not a task of a minute, an hour, or a day. It is not once and done. The process of gathering spiritual light is the quest of a lifetime.” He goes on to say, “The more we incline our hearts and minds toward God, the more heavenly light distills upon our souls. And each time we willingly and earnestly seek that light, we indicate to God our readiness to receive more light. Gradually, things that before seemed hazy, dark, and remote become clear, bright, and familiar to us. By the same token, if we remove ourselves from the light of the gospel, our own light begins to dim—not in a day or a week but gradually over time—until we look back and can’t quite understand why we had ever believed the gospel was true. Our previous knowledge might even seem foolish to us because what once was so clear has again become blurred, hazy, and distant.”

Just as building a testimony takes time, allowing a testimony to slip away can happen so gradually, that you don’t even realize it’s gone until it is too late.

             Once we have moved in to a new house, unpacked, found a shelf for each toy and dish, we’re done, right? Unfortunately, that is not the case. Much of my time each and every day is spent doing laundry and dishes and cleaning messes left by creative and imaginative children that are more engaged in a world of make-believe than in putting away the piles of toys around them. The rest of my time is spent trying to get those same kids to clean up their own messes. It is a continual cycle, but I do it because a clean house helps us all think more clearly and it’s much more pleasant to live in.

            Creating a home and creating a testimony are not so different. They both take time, pondering, patience, study, and at least in my case, prayer. They are both a continual process of learning and changing and maintaining. Letting those testimony-building daily devotionals slide is like skipping your chores. It might not be noticeable after one day, or two, or maybe even a few weeks. But you will soon notice that something is missing.

            Elder Cecil O. Samuelson spoke about Testimonies in the October 2011 General Conference. He said, “A testimony is similar to a living organism that grows and develops when treated properly. It needs constant nourishment, care, and protection to thrive and prosper. Likewise, neglect or deviance from the pattern of living that a testimony clarifies can lead to its loss or diminishment…”

            In addition to continuing to study, fast, and pray, we must do at least one more thing to keep our testimonies strong. We must share them. My house looks, and feels, its best, when we’re having company over. I’ve considered inviting people over just so I’ll have to dust and vacuum. If you know that you’ll need to share your testimony, you will be more likely to maintain it.

Elder Samuelson advised, “teaching someone else what we know strengthens our own testimony as we build that of another. When you give someone money or food, you will have less. However, when you share your testimony, it strengthens and increases for both the bearer and the hearer.”

And Elder Oaks counseled, “We gain or strengthen a testimony by bearing it. Someone even suggested that some testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them… Our children should also hear us bear our testimonies frequently.”

I took to heart the suggestion made in Conference a few years ago to share my testimony in simple ways during my regular, daily conversations. I talk about going to church on Sunday. I mention how excited I am for General Conference. And a few months ago when I walked by a group of parents at my sons’ school and heard them speaking in a negative manner about the church, I walked over, stuck my hand out, and said, “Hi, I’m Margot, and I’m a Mormon. Some of the things you were saying weren’t correct, but I’d love to answer any questions you might have about my faith.” I was just as shocked as they were.

Elder Oaks went on to admonish, “As we testify of the truth we know, we should faithfully follow the caution to speak “in mildness and in meekness” (D&C 38:41). We should never be overbearing, shrill, or reviling. As the Apostle Paul taught, we should speak the truth in love.”

I’m a writer and love to read and learn, but when my second child was born I felt my brain begin to atrophy. After praying to know what I should do, I was prompted to start a blog. This was almost eight years ago, when blogging was still crazy popular. Now, I hate doing things that are popular, but I started a blog anyway. I wrote to keep my brain sharp. Blogging has fallen out of favor, but I still blog. In fact, I post something every weekday. Sometimes I share a picture of my kids or a funny thing they’ve said, sometimes I type up my random thoughts for the day. But often, I write about the Gospel. I listen closely to the promptings of the Spirit to know what I need to post each day. I share talks that the kids and I give in church, I write about General Conference and studying my scriptures. I write my testimony.

I know that Heavenly Father loves me. I know that his Son Jesus Christ lived and died so that I might have the chance to repent of the mistakes I’ve made and return to live with Heavenly Father. I know that President Monson is a living prophet and that he leads the church today. I know that the Priesthood is the power of God on the earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith translated it and restored the church to the earth. I know that Heavenly Father sees our potential and, if we will trust in him, he will lead us to the places and people that will help us to grow. I know that I need the eternal truths taught at the Temple. I know that the Holy Ghost will speak to us if we will only listen.

Like my dream of a perfect home (mine would be full of books, a well-tuned piano, and have a red door) a testimony needs to grow and change. I do not live in that home yet, but I like to imagine it. My testimony is not yet what it could be, but I keep working toward my ideal.

Brothers and sisters, my home is not a showroom. It is not fancy, but it is safe and it is a place where the Holy Ghost can abide. Your testimony does not need to be fancy either. Like a home, it should have a strong foundation, warmth, and truth. And as you build and strengthen your testimony, you will have the desire to share it.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.