Together, we make a family.

2012 Theme: Families Are Forever

2012-01-11T20:27:00.004-07:00

One of the things that I cherish most about my faith is families being together forever. What a thoughtful, loving, and smart Father in Heaven we have, to place us in family units. We support each other, we love each other, and we help each other be better.

To help our family continue building strength, we prayerfully decided that our 2012 family theme would be "Families Are Forever."

As we go throughout the year, a special focus will be placed on this. FHE's will be about family, discipline will refer back to the family. Everything will be family!

Our first real FHE was to introduce the theme. Essentially, we came up with ways that we can strengthen our family and wrote them on cups. Then, we stacked the cups to make a "castle" (as the kids called it), like so:
The ways we can build our family (which we all came up with together) are:
* Go to the temple.
* Ask daddy for a blessing.
* Follow the prophet.
* Help mommy make dinner.
* Clean the house together.
* Help mommy with the dishes.
* We each fold our own clothes.
* Do service together.
* Give lots of hugs & kisses.
* Help mommy do the laundry.
* Always have Family Home Evening.
* Go to church every week.
* Tell the truth.
* Read our scriptures.
* Do family history.

As we stacked them, we talked about each one. Then we talked about what would happen to our family if some of the cups were missing. So, to demonstrate, we pulled a cup out of the bottom. Guess what happened?
The kids SQUEALED in delight! So we quickly wrapped up, saying that our family would be its strongest if we remembered to do those things together.

And then the kids continued to build and destroy castles for the next 30 minutes. The cups were demolished, but we had a great time!

Here's to 2012 - all about our family.

Temple Lights

2012-01-04T14:56:00.007-07:00

I want to be better about taking our children to the temple grounds. They can feel the spirit and experience the temple just by being able to walk around! Through this, I know that their love for the temple will grow, and they will greatly look forward to the day they get to go.

Over the holiday break, we went to go see the temple lights. We took Grandma and Grandfather Franklin with us! We went and saw Courtney and Matt's new house, went back to their current house for dinner, and then went to see the lights.

There are no words to describe the feeling there. Here are some highlights.

Sariah's favorite part: The Nativity. She's entranced with the baby Jesus, and the star that was above him. When we pulled up to the temple, she immediately spotted the star and said, "There's the star! That's where baby Jesus is! Let's go!"

Matt, my sister's husband. If you look closely, you can see their brand new baby, Ashlynn, tucked away inside his jacket:
Courtney's cute butt with the two kindred spirits:

You know how family pictures go. Never a good one. Best we could do! Don't you love my niece running to be in the picture with us?!
Courtney's cute family:
Grandma and Grandfather Franklin:

My favorite part, the wisemen. They are my favorite because they traveled YEARS to go see the Christ child. He was a toddler by the time they got there! These camels are huge, and are far away on the opposite side of the visitor's center, demonstrating their travels. Such reverence when looking at them from afar.
A cute story. While inside the visitor's center, we went up to the Christus statue to listen to the presentation. Sariah was in my arms, and we were standing at the back. In the middle of the presentation, Sariah leans her head against mine and whispers in my ears, "Mom, why isn't Jesus wearing any shoes?" (The Christus is a statue of the resurrected Christ, with his arms outstretched so you can see the nail prints in his hands.) I kind of chuckled to myself and then answered with: "Because He's now living with Heavenly Father, up in heaven. There aren't any thorns or stickers, just nice soft ground."

It was a wonderful experience, and one that I look forward to doing each year!

Grandma and Grandfather Franklin

2012-01-02T14:25:00.009-07:00

Jared's parents joined us for Christmas! They flew in on Christmas Eve, and stayed until New Year's Eve. They were missed the minute their plane took off.

Grandma and Grandfather Franklin, in pictures:

The 3 generations:

Because they are from Illinois, they did a lot of this (basking in the sun):

It was truly touching watching our two children fostering a loving and cherished relationship with this set of grandparents. They played on the floor together, played outside together, played in the bathtub - they couldn't get enough of one another!

Thank you, Grandma and Grandfather Franklin, for making our Christmas so special. It wouldn't have been the same without you!

A Decade

2011-12-28T14:16:00.004-07:00

What could you accomplish in a decade? (In no particular order)

3 college degrees (2 B.S.'s and 1 M.Ed.)

2 beautiful children

7 foster puppies

5 different homes

4 cars (2 old and 2 current)

0 fights (disagreements? of course! but no fights.)

14 church callings

Infinity inside jokes

Infinity hugs and kisses

Infinity tears of joy and pain

And the numbers keep growing...

It is hard to believe that I have been married for 10 years! That is 1/3 of my life! I was a bride at 20 years old, and it was the best decision I have ever made or will ever make. Who knew marriage could be so wonderful, enlightening, hard, trying, and speechless?

I love, am hot for, adore, treasure, and am thankful for my bacon bringer.

NOTE: Maybe when I unpack the boxes of books, I'll post some neat pictures from when we got married!

Sariah's Family

2011-12-26T14:53:00.001-07:00

Sariah's favorite gifts from Christmas are her two dollies from Grandma Franklin, her Zhu Zhu pet from her cousin, and her Ballet Teddy (named "Rose") from Santa.

She takes very good care of them all.

She will be a very sweet mother one day.

Stud Muffin

2011-12-12T14:52:00.001-07:00

Noodles = Horsies

2011-12-05T14:50:00.003-07:00

What?

You mean foam noodles aren't supposed to be horsies?

Giddyup!

Pistachio Sneaker

2011-12-01T14:47:00.002-07:00

This boy LOVES pistachios. He calls them "almonds." He'll sneak them any time he can get his hands on them!

Gross

2011-11-27T14:44:00.004-07:00

It's a good thing I love them dearly.

Being a mom is so glamorous.

Stubborn Streak

2011-11-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

This little girl has one amazing stubborn streak. Case in point.

The rule in our house is: "If it's not in your dirty clothes' basket on laundry day, it doesn't get washed." This particular 4 1/2 year old knows how to pick up her clothes and put them in her laundry basket because I taught her how!

One week, she wouldn't pick up her clothes because she couldn't see them. They were on the floor, but her room was too messy to even get to them! She and Emerson always play hard in her room, so it's usually a disaster.

(NOTE: I was never required to keep my room clean. My mom knew that our room was our domain, so she would just shut the door and know that we knew where things were. I am alright if Sariah's room is messy. She'll reap the consequences. Can't find her shoes? Then she doesn't get to go with me. Can't find her crayons? Then she doesn't get to color. You get the point.)

The only day I make Sariah pick up her room is on Saturdays. Saturdays is our cleaning up day. this particular Saturday, she wouldn't pick it up. So she stayed in her room All. Day. This is what her room looked like at 7:00pm:
It also looked that way on Sunday at 7:00pm. It wasn't until Monday morning, at the thought of not going to preschool because her room was still messy, that she decided to pick it up.

And she had everything picked up and put away in 10 minutes flat.

Really? 2 days to do 10 minutes' worth of work?

Yup.

Wish I Could Say More

2011-11-20T21:03:00.004-07:00

On Thursday night, as I was putting Sariah to bed, she was frustrated with the fact that she had to go to bed. She told me, "MOM! I can't close my eyes because then I won't be able to stay awake in the dark!"' Kind of the point. =)

On Friday night, after attending an amazing Mexican dinner in honor of my dad's retirement from practicing law, I joined my 2 sisters and some girlfriends to go see "Breaking Dawn Part I." All I have to say is "meh."

Nothing new here! Just a new appreciation for my testimony, my husband, and my children. Wish I had more to say! Sometimes, nothing to report is A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

Chocolate Milk

2011-11-13T19:24:00.002-07:00

Sariah loves rides in the afternoons, putting the windows down and letting the wind blow in her face. She's beautiful and peaceful when she does this. Here, she is singing "I Love To See the Temple" as we go for our afternoon drive.

Sariah thrives on routines. She has ever since she was born. When she knows what is coming next, she feels smart. She feels secure. She is happy. When that routine is thrown off, she becomes confused, insecure, and unpredictable.

Part of her daily routine is her morning chocolate milk. She wakes up, comes to get her dad (who is usually just getting out of the shower), and he makes her some chocolate milk. She snuggles on the couch with her yellow blanket, watches "Curious George" and drinks her milk. Once the show is over, and her milk is gone, she comes to get me and we start our day.

On Friday morning, her dad wasn't home when she woke up. He was helping my dad with his computer. Sariah came to get me, and with pouty lips, expressed her dissatisfaction that Jared wasn't there to get her milk. I told her I would do it! I was up to the task! As tears rolled down her cheeks, she explained that only her daddy could make her the chocolate milk. I couldn't make it right, so I couldn't do it. She then told me how much she loves her daddy, missed him when he wasn't there, and missed her chocolate milk.

My heart was both happy and sad at the same time - happy that she loved her daddy's chocolate milk so much, but sad that she missed him when he was gone. She happily showed me how to make the chocolate milk like daddy did, and was happy enough. I hope that she and Jared will continue to create these kinds of traditions, even into her teenage years, to strengthen their relationship.

The Right Words

2011-11-11T13:09:00.005-07:00

This sweet little baby, Landon, never got to meet his daddy. His daddy was killed in Afghanistan 3 weeks before he was born.

One of my difficulties is finding the right words. Often, my words come out in the wrong way either making me sound stupid, or offending someone, or sticking my nose in someone's else's business, or coming across as I have been offended when I really haven't. My words rarely come across the way I intend them to.

So as I think about Veterans Day, how do you thank someone for serving our country? For giving their life so we can enjoy our freedom? For saying thank you, while others are losing spouses and children? So instead of expressing my gratitude (which will never do anyone justice), I am going to share my favorite pictures.

Happy Veterans Day. May we always be thankful.

Stickers and Flashlights

2011-11-06T12:58:00.001-07:00

As a young mother, you hear it all the time. "Enjoy every stage in their lives because they're gone before you know it." I know, I know.

Sometimes it's hard, especially when you have a squirly two-year-old who wants to put stickers all over the house, shine flashlights in peoples' eyes, throw things over the wall into the neighbor's yard or in the street (on purpose!), hit, yell, tease his sister mercilessly, and defy every rule you have set forth.

But thankfully, most of the time it is easy. Especially when you get hugs, kisses, I Love You's, snuggles, thank you's, waves goodbye, wrestling, and song-singing time.

The other day, I had just about had it. James was a tyrant. He was throwing a hard brush across the room. After 2 warnings of me putting it away, he threw it a third time. I confiscated the brush, and he ran over to Sariah and hit her in retaliation. So what do I do? Scoop him up (not gently, mind you) and sit him in the naughty corner. Yes, we have a corner of the house dedicated to time-outs and punishment. While James sat in the corner, sobbing "I'm sorry, mommy! I'm sorry, mommy!", my heart melted. After the 2-minute timer went off (1 minute for every year they are old), I sat down next to him. I explained that he was in the naughty corner because he hit Sariah. He lost the brush because he didn't listen, but he was being punished for hitting his sister. He needed to tell Sariah sorry for hitting her. Which he did, and gave her a hug.

What a wonderful gift we have - agency. We get to choose how we parent, and how we react to situations. James even got to choose if he wanted to throw the brush, just one more time, even after 2 warnings. And I got really upset. How many times do I make my Heavenly Father upset? After repeated council to read my scriptures, say my prayers, bear my testimony, and countless other commandments? Does he put me in the "naughty" corner? I'm sure he would like to once in a while! But just like James got another chance at playing, we all get another chance if we say we are sorry and make it right. I will always forgive James, no matter what, just like my Heavenly Father forgives me...no matter what.

Ghosts and Goblins Galore!

2011-10-30T19:37:00.004-07:00

I'm sure there were a lot of Rapunzels this year. But I'll bet you that none of them had a prettier head of hair than this beautiful girl:
And if you know James, you know there is no costume that would describe him better!
Happy Halloween!

Angels Among Us

2011-10-09T19:38:00.006-07:00

Sometimes, there are no words to describe the feeling you get when you hold a brand new baby. My younger sister brought this angel into her family on Friday afternoon. I felt so close to heaven as I held her, smelled her, cuddled her, and even listen to her squawk. Welcome to the family, little girl!

Jared and James stayed in Tucson while I whisked Sariah off to Mesa to stay with Courtney's little girl while she was in the hospital. Courtney has to have c-sections, so she was in the hospital for a few days. She will go home tomorrow. Sariah and Makenzie had the GREATEST time together!

We played, we ate, we napped, and we played some more. But most importantly, Sariah taught Makenzie how much fun it is to run around in just your underwear.
We had a blast, and we can't wait to get back up there and snuggle the new baby some more! That's about as close to heaven as you get.

2011-09-30T09:49:00.004-07:00

"Now, brothers and sisters, we are anxious to listen to the messages which will be presented to us today and tomorrow. Those who will address us have sought heaven’s help and direction as they have prepared their messages. That we may be filled with the Spirit of the Lord and be uplifted and inspired as we listen and learn is my prayer."

-President Thomas S. Monson.

Growing up, I didn't really know that there was General Conference on Saturdays! (No offense mom and dad.) This year, we are going to try things a little different. I mean, how do you have your two squirly children get anything out of conference? Well, you really don't, but you plant the seeds.

Here's my plan.

Saturday: Have conference on, and we will listen. I won't make the kids sit down and watch it, but we will have it on as we play in the living room, and hang around the house.

Sunday: Print out these packets for our children to play with while we listen to conference in the morning, which we eat homemade cinnamon rolls. The afternoon session? Probably treated the same as Saturday - have it on while we enjoy each other as a family.

I want my children to grow up with the prophet's voice being familiar, positive, and loving. I want my children to know that there are sessions on both Saturdays and Sundays. I want to have a special date in the evening of Saturdays with my children while the men are at the priesthood session. We have to start somewhere, right?

Enjoy conference! Even if you aren't a member of the church, or haven't gone to church in a long time, you can still watch it online. You will be amazed at how uplifted and peaceful you will be after watching it. Go here to learn more.

Forget Me Not

2011-09-25T14:05:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, I went to our stake Relief Society service project - making blankets, stockings, and bags for an organization called Aviva. They provide children who have been taken from their homes by CPS with the necessities they need while in foster care. Hearing the experiences of these children made my eyes fill up with tears. I knew I was doing a good thing, and it was fun to be there amongst the hustle and bustle.

Afterwards, I watched the General Relief Society broadcast where I heard a talk that I will never forget. President Uchtdorf talked about the little flowers that often get overlooked in a garden because they are small. Our eyes tend to notice the large and beautiful flowers, and don't normally notice these little blue ones - the forget-me-nots.

In his talk, he listed 5 forget-me-not things to remember in my life. My heart was touched, and I felt he was speaking to me. As I talked about in my last post, my life is a little chaotic right now, but soon to slow down with my job setting in. I felt forgotten. Not after this talk. I know I am not forgotten, and I know that I have been given the strength to carry on.

1. Forget not to be patient with yourself.
2. Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.
3. Forget not the happiness that surrounds you.
4. Forget not the "why" of the gospel.
5. Forget not that the Lord loves you.

I am reminded that my efforts ARE good enough. What I do each day is important. Even if it's just changing a diaper, playing in my messy living room with my children, or making spaghetti for dinner.

I am reminded to be happy every day, with my children, my husband, and my lot in life. To find joy in my children, as they do in me.

I am also reminded that I am not alone, that I am loved, that I am buoyed up, and that I am the daughter of deity. I am so blessed, and I am happy.

Who Am I?

2011-09-20T14:00:00.001-07:00

I have struggled with this question somewhat lately. I am a wife, a mother, and a teacher. But I am also a daughter of my Heavenly Father. I know this to be true.

I have recently been blessed with a full-time online teaching position. I have prayed for this exact position for several years, and it has finally happened. The hard thing is - adjusting. I no longer feel like a great wife, an adequate mother, or an exemplary teacher. Because the learning curve with this job is huge, I don't feel like I am doing anything quite right.

I have to remember that this will pass. I will settle into a routine, I will be what I once was, and this career will greatly bless our family. And although my daily role will change daily - nurse, wicked witch (when playing dress-up), taxi cab, and chef - my most important roles will always be there. Wife. Mother. Teacher. Daughter of my Heavenly Father.

Pure

2011-09-18T13:52:00.001-07:00

Children playing is a beautiful thing to behold. The simplicity of what they choose to play with and the delight they experience when they discover something new is enlightening! I adore my children (all 3 of them - Emerson included), and my heart feels as happy as my children look in these pictures.

Our children are pure, innocent, happy, and curious. I am going to do everything I can, alongside my companion, to arm them with the protection they need to brave the world. I can't protect them from it all, but I can teach them how to fight. The key is knowing how to fight myself.

But for now, fighting with hoses, water, and mud will suffice.

He Swings, He Fallls!

2011-09-12T13:32:00.005-07:00

Yesterday was a rough day for James.

I heard it from down the hall. It was at the beginning of Relief Society, and I could hear his cry growing louder and louder. The nursery worker pops into the Relief Society room, but doesn't see me. He immediately leaves, dashing around to try and find me. He escapes with my wailing son, and I chase after him. "Ed! Ed! I'm right here!" He turns around, and relief floods his face. He's telling me about how James pulled a table down on top of him and it smacked him right between the eyes. As he is talking, I can see the bump on his head, right between his eyebrows, getting larger and larger.

I thank Ed for his quick reaction to find me, and I bring James home. I give him some Tylenol, because I know he'll have a huge headache soon, give him some lunch and cuddles, and lay him down for a nap. This is, of course, after I watch for signs of a concussion. I was sure that he would wake up this morning with black and blue eyes, forehead, and nose. To my pleasant surprise, it wasn't as bad as I imagined!

The bridge of his knows is hugely swollen, as is the space between his eyebrows. His right eye is starting to turn black and blue, but this is about as worse as it's going to get.

James isn't a very brave boy just yet, so this experience really traumatized him for a little bit. He will grow up, and learn to be a little more careful in his play. But for now, I am content with the fact that I was the only one he wanted and could help him feel better.

In other news - I took Sariah to the doctor today. Diagnosis? Strep throat. Just what we need!