cowboy up!!

Heehaw what a time. All the cowboys and cowgirls came out tonight to dance by the light of the moon. Great birthday party on Monday afternoon. It was fun.

Here's what we did:
Gave hats (to cowboy up)
Played pin the badge on the sheriff (used bandannas over there eyes, they got to keep it and be villains and wear them over there nose and mouth for a while)
3 legged horse stampede (had a three legged run to the rattle snake game)
rattle snake rope jump (shook a rope on the ground they jumped over it)
paper bag sheriff puppets (earned there badges so they could carry a gun)
shot down the Indians (gave dart riffles and they got to keep the Indians they took down)
Ate vitals (hot dogs, lumpy apple sauce, & dirt(chocolate covered raisins)
had cake and ice cream

We had a blast. What a great day. Happy birthday Seth.

Final 5 interview

“You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.”
Abraham Lincoln


This is it. The end. He will never be five again. I told him when he got up. He better do his favorite things, he will never be five again.

Here is his final 5 Interview.

What is the best thing about being Five? "You don't grow up so fast"
What is your favorite thing to do as a five year old? "Swim"
What is your favorite food? "Meat, Mac and cheese"
Who are your best friends? "Three of you (points to dave and I and then points up to heaven, meaning Jesus)"
What is your favorite color? "Blue"
Who is your all time favorite teacher? "Mrs. Oakeson"
Who is your favorite friend at school? "Dallen" (Stuart)
Who is your favorite girl friend? "You got me there (Heehee) Niomi" (Naomi Kehl)
What do you want to be when you grow up? "Painter"
How many kids will you have? "2, cause"
What do you think heaven looks like? “White”
What does Dad do at work? “lays down tile”
Who is a person you know that seems the most like Jesus? “That lives down here? You two”
What do you think your wife will be like? “That’s a hard one, I’ll put a NO on that one... Cute”
If you were going to spend one year on a desert island and could only take three things with you, what would they be? “Cup, a lot of food, a mattress”
Who is your favorite uncle and why do you like him so much? “Cliff, cause he likes me”
What sounds and smells do you think Joseph and Mary had in the stable on Christmas night? “Shoot… Clean, No sounds”
What is the nicest thing I ever did for you? “took me to Toys R Us”
When is a time that I hurt your feelings? “Today when you wouldn’t let me get a drink”
If people Chose the right, what are some we wouldn't need? “Toys”
If you could be in a movie that you've seen, which one would it be, what character would you play? “Rattittoi, I would be Remi”
How is love at our house different than love in the movies? “The Gospel”
What is the difference between being smart and being wise? “Smart is you know a lot of things. Wise means your being nice to other people”
What is your favorite outfit? “Pajamas”
What is the hardest part about being 5? “You got me on that one, I’ll put a NO on that”
What is your favorite memory? “To much things…Going to the ice skate place, going bowling, going to Cabelas”
When you pray, how do you picture God? “Happy”
What is your favorite Scripture Story? “Nephi broke his bow.” Why do you like it? Because he tried, I like to try too.”
If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be? “Turtle, cause then I wouldn’t have to eat your kind of supper.”
If you could go in a time machine, what would you like to visit? “I’ld like to see my Great Great Grandpa… My Viking Grandpa” (Paul I Paulsen)
What is the most important choice you will ever make? “Choose the Right”


This was so much fun. Wish I had it on video. I will miss my five year old. But I bet I will love six too.

talents Young women talk M2L44

Read: Wombat Devine

Lets read a story about receiving gifts: Matthew 25:14-30 If you can answer your question with out help you will get a treat
1.Why did the master call his servants to him?
2. What did he give the first servant?
3. What did he give the second servant?
4.What did the third servant receive?
5. What did the first servant do with his money?
6. What did the second servant do ?
7. What did the third servant do ?
8. Which servants pleased the master ?
9. Why was the master displeased with the last servant?
The parable of the Talent is a very simple story. I have found 7 habits of developing your highly effective talents to consider
1- Starting point is not important. Jesus was just as happy with the man with 2 talents as the man with 5. So starting point does not matter but what you do with it.
Story: I have a dear friend that has a talent of growing a garden. Just as some of the things in her garden are making fruit like peas doesn’t mean that the corn is of less value.
Some of us are born with lots (five talents). Others are born with little (one talent).
Story: Thurl Bailey was an excellent student in school with strong family support, but had never picked up a basketball until the 7th grade. He faced great disappointment when he was cut from the school basketball teams in 7th and 8th grade. At that time he was 6 feet 8 inches tall. In 9th grade he made the team and was co-captain, but played very little. Deciding he really enjoyed playing, he put a lot of effort into learning the game. When he graduated from high school, he was offered 300 college scholarships. After graduation from college, he was in the first round draft picks for the NBA. He has now retired from the Utah Jazz.

Quote: What matters isn’t what we’re given — it’s what we do with it that matters
2- Don’t judge others by where they started. Judge yourself by your own starting point. If you received five talents, don’t pat yourself on the back that you’re already above average. If you have abundant talents, you should expect even more from yourself.
Story: I was student body vise president over activities for salt lake community college. I had not experience I just needed my college paid for. People could of judged me that I was some popular girl that new about politics but I was faking in.
I had to pick a committee of 7 to work with me, each person was to represent a category and plan activities for there group. I had to find someone over: family, the arts, lectures, ect. I interviewed lots of people that wanted a scholarship too. I pick not always the most talented people but the one that I felt would work the hardest, and make the biggest difference.


There may be times in your life where you only have one talent, work hard with it and do the best you can.
Quote: Grow where you are planted.

3- What can we take to heaven?
The knowledge we gain from our talents will rise with us in the resurrection but the Applauds will die, the sparkles will fade. You can’t take the afghan that you crocheted or your favorite trophy. Only will we take the knowledge. We have been entrusted with certain talents. We can bury them in the ground out, or we can push out of our shells and strive to create increase for all.
4- It is ok if you don’t succeed with your talents.
Story: One of my sisters tried out of a lot of stuff and was let down a lot of times in school. Is she any worse for the ware. No she tried she put her best foot forward and gave it her all. Did she Bury her talent? No She tried. Jesus told the 3rd servant ”You wicked, lazy servant. I believe that Jesus is saying that inaction is wicked.
Don’t be lazy. Give it a shot. Give it a try.
Being faithful is what Jesus praised them for.
Quote: Faith without Works is Dead,

Very interesting. He didn’t praise them for being perfect or awesome. But he praised them for their faith, not for their results. If one of the servants had invested money and lost some, I think they would still have been praised for their faithfulness
5- Another great quality of the story is the lack of competition. The servants aren’t competing with each other for their master’s favor. The one who made 5 was not putting down the guy with two. This is an individual sport.
Utensils: Just as you would not want to eat spaghetti with a Spoon or Ice Cream with a fork you can’t get the best part the gooiness or salad with a knife. We are all different and valuable at one time or another.

Story: My sisters and I are very competitive with one another. To much so that when we were young we that were quite good at mountain biking and skiing would make it almost not fun for some with less ability to go out and enjoy the sport. We should not be in competition with each other. It brings someone down and lifts someone up.
6- What’s the ultimate reward for the faithful servants?
What do you think Heavenly Father wants us to get from our talents?
Although Jesus doesn’t say it, it seems obvious they don’t get to keep the money. The two successful servants aren’t even working for their own increase. It’s not their money. They’re working for the increase of their master. Their true reward is to share in their master’s happiness. So happiness is the reward, and happiness comes from serving others.
To make a Quilt for myself is great, But to make one knowing that I am giving it away is the best. It makes me happy.
I am learning to crochet so I can give away baby blankets to my friends.
Focus on creating increase for others, then you will feel great joy in doing that, and it ultimately creates increase for you too.

Quote: Instead of trying to achieve happiness, happily achieve.
7- We want to be the Faithful servants right? Well faith and fear are opposites. Jesus implies in The Parable of the Talents, creating abundance requires you to move beyond fear. If you’re too fearful, scared, embarrassed, suspicious or distrustful, you’re going to bury your talents. This will get you “weeping and gnashing of teeth,” not happiness. You might think that fear and suspicion will keep you from getting in trouble, but really they just cause you suffering and pain.
Story: Vinnie, a friend of mine, teaches a great lessen about fear. He asks can you break this cinder block with your hands. Every one is to scared that they will get hurt. If they try they do not really go for it and can not break it. He then breaks the brick. After people has seen that you can do it they loss there fear and can do it too. If you hesitate at all it will not break. You have to have faith that you can do it and move forward like you will achieve.

You can do hard things if you don’t have fear.

I am scared to play my viola. I am scared that I will mess up. Or that I won’t be as good. I need to get over this.
Summary of the 7 Habits: To live in abundance, you must move beyond fear, competition and work to create abundance for others, and happiness will be your reward.

Memorize: Matthew 25:29



Make a list of the Gifts or talents you have been given in one column on the left. What are your blessings? It is thanksgiving time.

Play Song

On the right write how can you use your talents to serve others? Cook: serve it to others Read:to a child or learn something new you can share Crochet: a hat to give away Sew: a present Decorate:a festival of trees Sing: for others to hear
They will bring you great joy as you learn to serve others with the gifts you have been given.

As you develop your talents, you will come to know the amazingly “Divine” young women you really are and find great joy and happiness in sharing these talents with others.

Serve them pie I made:

bummer of a day "to the pain"

"I had a bummer of a day," Seth said to me just now. "All because of three things, You got off the phone and looked at me mean, I couldn't find you and (Drum roll please) someone made fun of my patch." I ask, a little kid? "No someone bigger than you," he said. They said to other "big people" "Look at that kid in the patch," and then they laughed.

Wow, we are having some big learning days around here. I think...

Am I going MAD, or did the word "think" escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic land mass. The Princes Bride (Vizzini)


I think we are going to get stronger. Its amazing that sometimes as adults we say or do things we forget and they hurt someone else for a long time.




Westley: "To the pain," means the first thing you lose will be your feet below the ankles, then your hands at the wrists, next your nose.
Prince Humperdinck: And, then my tongue I suppose. I killed you too quickly the last time; a mistake I don't mean to duplicate tonight.
Westley: I wasn't finished. The next thing you lose will be your left eye, followed by the right . . .
Prince Humperdinck: And, then my ears, I understand. Let's get on with it.
Westley: Wrong! Your ears you keep, and I'll tell you why. So that every shriek of every child at seeing your hideousness will be yours to cherish, every babe that weeps at your approach, every woman who cries out: "Dear God, what is that thing?" will echo in your perfect ears. That is what "to the pain" means. It means I leave you in anguish, wallowing in freakish misery, forever. The Princess Bride

True Friends

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia "
(Charles Schultz)




The people who make a difference in your life are NOT the
ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.
"They are the ones who care. "

I have a few true friends.

Keri Linford and Daina Mangone had a shower at my house today. Two of my personal friends sent gifts to people they hardly knew to support me in giving a shower. Life is the best when you have people around you that like and love you.

When it is all said and done. True friends are the best.

I will not hope for applause that dies, Awards that tarnish. Achievements that are forgotten. Accolades and certificates that get buried. I will hope for a few true friends that will always stand by me know matter how silly or stupid I may be. It is so easy to love those that love me back. I hope to truly be one that cares.

Gratitude talk to the Young Women M2L42

Gratitude talk

Does any one have anything great that happened this week? Anything you are grateful happened to you?

I just wanted to go around the room and let everyone say something they were thankful for this week. It doesn’t have to be big anything that was a blessing to you this week?


Read Story: Fannies Dream,
It's about a girl who is waiting for her fairy godmother to come and get her ready for the mayor's ball so she can meet her rich handsome prince. She never comes, who comes instead is a hard working man from the next farm down the road. She marries him and they have children, hardships etc. But he treats her good and they are happy in spite of hard times and hard work. After all that her fairy godmother does show up one night apologizing for being late and offers to take her to the mayor's ball where a visiting general is waiting. She decides that she would rather stay right where she's at. I thought it was a good story that illustrates how important it is to find happiness right where we are and to be grateful for what we DO have instead of wishing for what we don't.


Story: Gordon T. Watts, “A Grateful Heart,” New Era, Sept. 1999, 4
As a young boy, life on our small family farm was heaven. Often in our humble home there were not as many shingles as we had roof. The rest-room facility was connected by a long path that required some advance planning, and sometimes my worn shirt had more buttonholes than buttons. The Saturday night bath in front of a warm stove, where your body experienced both extremes in temperature, was a luxury.
Then something changed. I started school and began to notice possessions I had not known. Some had nice clothing, beautiful homes with all the modern conveniences, and newer automobiles. Many my age were not required to arise early and do chores before going to school, only to go home at night and do them all over again. While they were popular and confident, I became backward and shy. Regretfully, I began to forget how happy I had been with my basket of blessings as I indulged in comparing their seemingly endless bushels to mine.

Quote 2: President Benson
“I traveled the wonderful state of Idaho for eight years for the university. I went to every town and hamlet, and it was not uncommon for me to be away for two weeks. Then I’d go home and, as a stake officer, change clothes and be gone again. Once when this happened, one of my little girls came to the door, waved, and said, ‘Come again, Daddy.’
“I used to miss my family, and one particular Sunday I found myself in Pocatello, Idaho. I got thinking about my family, so far away, and I thought, ‘Well, I’ll just run down to Whitney [where some family members lived] and see if I can attend sacrament service.’ I arrived just as the meeting was about to start. The bishop invited me to sit with him on the stand.
“The meeting started, and the counselor who was conducting called on me to say a few words. I had been sitting there thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could be home every Sunday and go to church with my family? Just think what a joy it would be.’ Well, as he introduced me, he said, ‘Brothers and sisters, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a job like Brother Benson? He’s always on a trip.’ I thought, ‘Yes, how true to life. Distant pastures usually look greener.’
“I hope we can be happy where we are, be grateful for our blessings—now, here—accept the challenge that is ours and make the most of it, and not be envious of others. …
“God help us to be grateful for our blessings and never to be guilty of the sin ingratitude.



Is it important to find happiness right where we are and to be grateful for what we DO have instead of wishing for what we don't.?


Quote 1:From Gordon T Watts of the seventy

Gratitude begins with attitude. We must use caution not to be drawn into the growing populace of ungrateful people who have become calloused to blessings as they bicker in misery


Story: Seth’s Glasses

What qualities are not one of gratitude?
Has any one been to a poor country? Are they happy? I went to a talk this fall by brother Dean Hughs He talked about competition and sarcastically he said we should go in and make them have organized sports so that they can learn to really enjoy the game of soccer. We need to not be competitive with one another.



The American way: 2 stories

Story 1:If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, you can bet the water bill is higher.

Story 2:There is a story of a man that was fishing with his friend on a tropical island
He told his friend I have got to get out of here
Oh where do you want to go
I want to go to America and get an education so I can work for someone else so I can learn to do business so I can start a business so I can go to new york and make great money so one day I can retire and go to a tropical island and fish in the morning and eat fruit in the after noon.



Is the bucket half empty of half full….Are we grateful we can Love, Work hard, Go thru tough stuff, Serve others, Learn don’t you just love going to school, are we grateful that our fathers go to work every day to provide for our needs, are we glad our mom cooks food we don’t like……

Story: Israelites and Moses living in the wilderness. There lives had been pretty tough they lived under a wick ruler and were slaves. Then they were freed and the red sea parted. Was life happy were just thankful thankful thankful after that. They were hungry. Are you happy when you are hungry? I am a grump. I need food and sleep to be happy. They did to. Moses prayed. Sorry lord to bug you again, we are hungry.
Exodus 16:4- They received mana what was mana. They also received meat. Some birds were on the ground. God had heard there cries he wanted them to be happy. They ate this for a long time.

What is your favorite food? What would fall from heaven for you…?

Exodus:16:35
Would you still love your favorite food when it fell from the sky 40 years later? They complained. They were no longer grateful. What is our mana? What have w e wanted and hoped for and now we are a little tired of it?

Attitude of Gratitude

Story of : The man at the gas station was all loaded up moving. Saw another family pull in moving also coming from the city he was going to . He asked What were the people like in the place you are moving from. The other family was very wise and said. How were the people in the place you left. They were rude and stuck on them selves. I am sure you will find our old town the same.

Ten Lepers - what is the story…?

Quote 2- From Gordon T Watts of the seventy

Contemplating the Savior’s question “But where are the nine?” gives cause for deep reflection. In President Hinckley’s opening remarks during the April 1998 general conference, he said: “And so, my beloved brothers and sisters, let us rejoice together now as we celebrate with appreciation the wondrous doctrines and practices which have come as a gift from the Lord in this most glorious time of His work. … Let us ever be grateful for these most precious gifts and privileges and act well our part as those who love the Lord” (Ensign, May 1998, 6).

Only one returned. One of the few.

The few
The easy roads are crowded; the level roads are jammed,
And the pleasant little river with the drifting folks is crammed,
But up yonder where it's rocky, where you get a better view,
You'll find the ranks are thinning and the travelers are few,
Where the goings smooth and pleasant you will always find the throng,
That many mores the pity seem to like to drift along,
But the steeps that call for courage and the task that's hard to do,
In the end result is glory, for the never wavering few.


The Only one said thank you. One of the few. I am sure the others had a thankful heart. I am sure they were running around so excited to find there friends and loved ones. They were absolutely happy but they did not say thanks.

Quote:

Gratitude is deeper than thanks; Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts." President David O. McKay


How many times have you told your father thanks for going to work today?
Mom thanks for this meal you have prepared, even if it is not your favorite.
How many times have you told your friends, Thanks for being there for me?
We can learn to have Gratitude for what we have by serving others.
President Gordon B. Hinckley has taught: “Gratitude is of the very essence of worship. … When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 250).


Scripture:
“ ‘And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more’ (D&C 78:19)” (“All This and the Gospel Too,” New Era, Nov. 1991, pp. 4–7).
Today when you go Home I want you to write a list What you are thankful for and then ask. are some things we should be grateful for no matter how big or how small?
Have we said thanks…?
Lets take 5 minutes to make a list:

My list:
People I love and people that love me
Good examples: Farmor and Berdy Wardle
Seasons: Fall, Snow, Warmth, sunshine
The satisfaction of Hard work: gardening, hands on hard work, completing a big project
Exercise and how it makes me feel
That I can learn new things; Good books, sometimes I figure things out,
That I believe in my self and other believe in me
That I love to serve others
Empathy from my trials for others
I peace from the gospel: prayer, scriptures, good teachers, the holy ghost
A wonderful home: with love, warmth from the cold
Goodly parents that love the lord

At this thanksgiving season let us be one of the few that thank heavenly father for our everyday lives like fanny.

I am thankful for the places I have been placed. That I live in the land of the free, that we have the beautiful mountains surrounding us and we just had fall. That we can be educated, that we have been organized into families that love us and care for us. That heavenly father has given us so many great blessings.

To close, What can we do to show our graditude? Think of something you can do to show thanks: Marilynn Williams at thanksgiving time invites a group of her friends over and has a thankful lunch She invites people she is thankful for. I once got a card from a friend at thanksgiving saying I am thankful for you. I loved that. I wanted to give each of you a Thank you cards and a few minutes to begin to show our gratitude to someone by writing a thank you note.

Regional Conference

A successful marriage is not finding the right person, its being the right person.

We had an awesome conference.

There was another good better best talk. Story: This man brought home a carving of Jesus holding out his hand in from of him. His daughter came into his office and said "Dad, Jesus says to Slow Down." This is so true. We need to have time to be there for our kids, husbands and to stop to let the holy ghost talk to us.

Pres Packer said:
My grand daughter and her brother were out playing. Her brother was making a trap to catch birds. She told her brother that trap will never catch on bird. She went inside and prayed that the trap would not work and then came outside and kicked the trap to pieces.

That is how we should be. We should have faith and ask for help and then do all that we can do.

He said another story about an older couple that he had seen some where and had asked his friend if they were strong in the church. The friend to him "No." Then he asked if they were strong in the Gospel, and the friend said "Yes." We should be more worried about living the gospel. The spirit of the Law not the Letter.


He then said that he was sending his son and his family far away off to school. He told his son with tears in his eyes to go and find his kids a grandpa. He then said that we should value the older people and seek them out. That we should not hire a professional for an opp ion, but ask an older and wiser neighbor for advise. Love this. Miss you Farmor. I love Dorthy German. I want to be better at this. I love being with the wise loving women that I can learn better how to love unconditionally from their example.




Some marrages are made in heaven, but they have to be maintained on earth.
- Mrs Miracle

The prophet President Hinkley spoke also. He talked about marriage.

I took what he said to say: "Heidi, you have a great marriage. Dave is so good to you. He supports you in your desires and helps you achieve what you believe you should. Do not be a complainer. Be grateful. Cultivate your talents for they will enrich your family.

The church has not come out and said how many children you should have. This is between the Lord and you. It is very private and we should not judge each other over this. That was great to hear. It is funny both, Marta with 7, and I with 1, feel very judged by our Mormon peers on this one.

It was a great conference. Loved it.

The Little Nut

The great oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground.
Mrs. Miracle


Seth got his glasses today. He looks so cute. His glasses are great. I like them alot. His right eye appears bigger and bluer than ever. He has Ambliopia. His right eye has not ever focused. Today was its first time to see 20/100 vision with his new glasses.


He told me "I was not going to like them, that was my plan, so I would not have to wear them. But, I do, I like them a lot."

Tomorrow we start patch therapy 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

I hope he, the little nut, can stand his ground on this. Build his vision and his character and grow to be a strong good person. That when he is done, he has courage and great self esteem.

It isn't difficult to make moutains out of a mole hill, just add dirt. I hope we can keep this a small mole hill.

You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.