Daily Journey

At the beginning of the year, I joined a group of people on a journey.  


The journey involves reading the Standard Works in a year.  For those who are members of the LDS church, the Standard Works include; The Bible, (New and Old Testament), the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price.  There are 2468 pages in all, which averages to about 7 pages of scripture reading a day.  Easy, peasy, right?

  I must admit, I have NEVER read the Old Testament word for word.  I've read some scriptures here and there but have never delved in to it as I am now.  It's refreshing and an eye opener!


Emily Freeman, an author and frequent speaker at Time Out for Women, has made this journey her brain child.  
She has a "Journal/blog" "Daily Closer to Christ" where she writes her insights of the passages of scripture that we read that day. 
 Her thoughts are poignant.  Her pictures are beautiful.   
She likens the scriptures to us; you and me. 
 She helps shed light on those things that may be confusing. (Let's face it, much of the Old Testament can be confusing)


I would like to share part of her first journal entry that she wrote to invite us to join her.


She tells of seeing a hopscotch, drawn with chalk, on a street by her home.  Usually a hopscotch has 10 spaces. This one had 110!  The words, written in chalk, at the beginning of the "course" reads, "For those 10 and under. Enter If You Dare!" 

These are Emily's words:


"As the enthusiasm of the designer captured my imagination I couldn’t hold back the happy giggle.  She had spent the good part of an afternoon setting up a challenging course.  I wondered how many of her friends dared join her adventure…and how many finished?


In the spirit of this enthusiastic hopscotch designer I am about to invite you on a journey.  I have spent the good part of a month exploring this idea, and I should probably warn you ––this isn’t your average journey.

The masthead for this adventure reads:

FOR THE WILLING ADVENTURER…

Enter if you are weary and in need of a rest
   Enter if you are looking for hope, or peace  
       Enter if you seek answers to questions of the heart  
           Enter if you shoulder a burden heavier than you can bear on your own
                  Enter if you long for the companionship of the Lord

"Maybe sometime during the next few weeks you might decide that this adventure is for you.  If so, perhaps you could spend some time thinking about just what your heart needs from this journey.  What would you like to gain from this experience?  You might consider reading Elder Bednar’s talk, A Reservoir of Living Water, as you prepare.  As always, this is an open ended invitation, which means you can invite anyone you want to join us on this journey.

Already I feel my heart preparing for the New Year.  I feel the reaching, the yearning for growth, the desire for 2012 to be a different year than 2011 was.  I ponder opening my heart wider to allow Him more room for molding me, shaping me, leading me.  What better way to be led than through His word daily?  What better way to be molded and shaped than by learning from those He has molded and shaped before.  Holy words on gilded pages.  This year my soul longs to know more of those words.

Will you join us?"

It's not too late to join.  You can jump right in with both feet.  After all, we've been reading for only 28 days!  You haven't missed much, only the creation of the world, Adam and Eve, Joseph being sold into Egypt, the plagues, the Israelites leaving Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the building of the tabernacle.  But you already know those stories,  You can go on Emily's blog and read her insight and then continue on the journey with us.  Click here for a reading schedule.

It's a good way to start a new year. 

Simple Treasures Are The Best and Story@Home Giveaway!! Winner!

Many years ago, when I was feeling like I could conquer the world, I announced that I was going to make a history book of my Grandpa and Grandma Hansen's family.  

Mae and Arthur Hansen

I contacted all 10 of their children (my uncles and aunts) and 60+ cousins and asked them to submit a family history and a recent family photo.  Reality hit about two months in to the project when only a third of the family had submitted histories and I was already overwhelmed with the daunting task.   Although the history book was a futile attempt, I acquired a great treasure from my 95 year old Grandmother.  She sent to me her life history, hand-written on notebook paper and "bound" with two pieces of brown yarn.  That was so much like Grandma!

How I love these 10 pages filled with snippets of her life and presented in her own special way.

We all have stories to tell.  How do you present your story?  No matter how you tell your stories, someone is going to want to hear them. 

I'm so excited for the Story@Home that is being held March 9th and 10th.  This conference will be filled with workshops, performances, and presenters that will help us explore ways to use the power of story in our home! It all takes place in beautiful Salt Lake City.

This conference is sponsored by Cherish Bound and Family Search.  It will be the "In" place to be this March.  You'll be Informed, Inspired, Intrigued and Involved!

Grab a friend, a sister, a mother, a daughter and come, participate and enjoy!

For more information go here.

Now for the exciting part!  I have a full conference ticket to give away to one lucky reader!           If you aren't able to go, perhaps you know of someone who would love to attend and you could be totally awesome and gift this ticket to them! 

To enter this giveaway, just leave a comment. Giveaway is now closed.  

The Winner is Natalie!!!

For extra entries:

"Like" the Story@Home Facebook page

Tweet or blog about this giveaway and Story@Home. 

Send me some Peanut M&Ms!

Giveaway will end Monday, January 23, at Midnight.  

If you want more chances to win a ticket, go to Camille's blog.  She's giving away a Full Conference Ticket too!  

Good luck and hope to see you there!

A Little of This and A Little of That!

HAPPY 85th BIRTHDAY, DAD!

We celebrated my Dad's 85th birthday last Saturday.  He and Mom are both going strong and are still great examples to all of us.  My brother, Gerald, and his wife, Cherrie, were there.  My sis wasn't able to make it but we still had fun!  Just in case you're wondering, NO, I am not my Mother's sister!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AD!

Two days later, Miss Ad had her 7th birthday.  Since they moved far, far, away, I wasn't able to be there to ...er...help with the cake! This was taken BEFORE the cake was sliced.  I think there was an earthquake in the kingdom!

STILL TRYING TO HEAL!

Do you remember the blister on my husband's foot after our 15 mile walk in September? Well, instead of healing, it just became a nice deep hole in the bottom of his foot.  He finally went to a wound clinic and has had a couple different treatments to get it to heal.  The latest is this fashionable boot.  We're hoping this will do the trick. He's anxious to get back on the basketball court.  Then we'll have more injuries!

THE BIG AND THE SMALL!

You ought to know that I couldn't do a post without including my latest babies! They're two weeks old now and absolutely adorable!  Grady, on the right, was 11 lbs 7 oz when he was born.  Langston, on the left, was 7 lbs 14 oz.  Can  you see the difference 4 lbs and an inch makes in a newborn?  I bet by the time they're a year old, they'll be the same size. 

Babies do NOT like being undressed.  Just ask Langston!

(Makes me want to swaddle both of them and rock in the rocking chair.)

I have a 4 day weekend!  Woo Hoo!

Proper Terminology

I have thought of doing this post for the past several months but didn't want to risk offending anyone.  After my daughter told me the story of Keiti, I decided to combine both stories. 
Experts have said that when we talk to our children about "delicate" subjects, we need to use the proper terminology.  We've had 2 beautiful baby boys born this past week.  Both boys were circumcised.  Each time a diaper is changed, Vaseline is put on a gauze and placed over the circumcision to prevent sticking and promote healing.  
Four-year-old Keiti watched Mom change baby brother's diaper. 

 Mom asked Keiti to get the Vaseline and gauze.  Keiti asked why and Mom told her it was to put on his penis.  Keiti looked confused and asked, "What is a penis?"  Mom told her it was what they call his "potty".  Keiti furrowed her brow then said, with a smile, "That's such a cute name for it!"


Hang on while we go back in time over 30 years.  My 80 year old grandfather went to his doctor.  The doctor, during examination, asked my Grandpa a question about his penis.  Without missing a beat, Grandpa looked the doc in the eye and said, "Doctor, I'm just a common, ordinary man, you DON'T have to use your medical words with me!"


Now we know WHY it's important to use the proper terminology.

A Great Way to End a Christmas Break

We had a wonderful Christmas filled with family, friends, music, fun and surprises.  Even though we looked forward to all the festivities that come with the season, we were anticipating the arrival of some very special people.  

Wednesday, December 28th, Grady Conway  arrived in all his glory.   Weighing in at 11 lbs 7 oz, and measuring 22 1/2 inches, he captured our hearts and put us in awe.  Can you believe he was induced a week earlier than his due date?   

Mr. Cy is so excited to finally get a brother.  

Welcome to the world and to the family, sweet Grady.

Not wanting to be left behind for long, twelve hours later, Langston Tuiasoa  was born.  He weighs 7 lbs 14 oz and is 21 1/2 inches long. He too was born a week before his due date.  I have a feeling he'll be called  "Link" since that's what his brother and sister have been calling him for the past 5 months. 

As you can see, he's in good hands with his 4-year-old sister, Keiti.

Look at that sweet boy!  Welcome Baby Link!  

I'm in Grandma Heaven!

Music and Christmas

I love Christmas music, especially the songs about Jesus, shepherds, wise men, and silent and holy nights.  I admit that when the Christmas music is played on the radio stations in November, I listen to that station.  There's something magical, emotional and nostalgic that comes from music.   

I found an old hymn book that was used many years ago while my children and I were taking piano lessons.  Our teacher was an octogenarian named Dott Lowder.  She was tiny, single, talented and very patient.  We loved her.  She deserves a post all to herself so I'll save that for later.   This book is a real treasure.  She always fingered the songs we played.  She felt that we needed to learn the hymns well enough to play for church and she liked to add a little something extra to make them more elaborate.  You'll notice on Silent Night she has written G G.  Those are the "chimes" and they need to be played with a light staccato.

You'll impress those listening unless you lose your place after playing the "chimes".  Believe me, I know. You'll also want to be sure the song is written in the same key or your chimes will sound awful! Believe me, I know.

Music can calm a troubled heart and a fussy baby.  The Corbanator knows how to entertain Baby Neil with his own rendition of Jingle Bells.

Take a lesson from Corban; if you forget the words, be sure to back up and sing faster to get over the part where you made a blunder, then end with a flourish.  Your audience will love it!

Enjoy some Christmas music today and if you decide to play Silent Night for your family, be sure to add the chimes.   (You're welcome for the music lesson)   

These Things Make Me Smile!

Here are a few pictures of things that have made me smile this week.  Some were taken by me, some were sent to me.  

Andy, Miss Em and Mr. Cy at the Mo Tab Christmas Concert.   Em and Cy were SO good to sit through the whole concert even though it was WAY past their bedtime. (It was past mine too)

Newlyweds, Jeanette and Julio decorated their apartment for Christmas.  One day they may have a REAL fireplace for hanging stockings.

The sentiment on Baby Neil's shirt is so true!  Who wouldn't want to kiss those adorable little cheeks?

This picture was taken shortly after Kels discovered that Keiti's make up is REAL!!

If I had my Christmas shopping and wrapping done, I'd really be smiling.  Hope you're more ready than me!  Have a good week!

Wedding, Friends, and a Recipe

My last post was about my new Smart Phone.  Just FYI, an hour after I posted, my new "Smart" phone broke!  The touch screen didn't allow touching.  I've been a little reluctant to post about things I like, or brag about new things I have or people in my life.  Who knows what will happen within the hour?  

Hopefully, that was just a quirk because I'm posting again!

Lots have happened and I can make this post a super duper long one or make it a condensed version.   

As you know, Camille got married in November...on a cold, cold, day!

 A few weeks later, she had an open house in Rexburg, on a cold, cold, day! I've decided my camera doesn't like the cold because it didn't work.  I couldn't get one single picture of the happenings that evening.  However, I felt some warmth when I met 2 of my favorite blogging buddies. I also pilfered these photos from their blogs.  I admit it.  

I met Kimmie for the first time that night.  She is  friendly, warm, generous, and an all around good person. I love that lady.  Her husband, Tracy, and their son, Ethan also came.  What a pleasure to meet all of them.  Ethan is a great kid!  He had me smiling the whole time we talked.  You should go to Kimmie's blog to get a recipe for the cinnamon almonds she gave me.  You'll also find a plethora of other recipes, food storage ideas, and all kinds of fun on her blog.

Tauna and her husband and granddaughter came to the open house.  I've met Tauna before and couldn't wait to see her again!  She brought me huckleberry and apple syrups! We had a good visit, when I wasn't chasing grandkids!  It's wonderful how we can bond with our blogging friends and feel like we've known them forever! I hope to be able to see more of these ladies since I will be visiting their city more often.

Just another example of how close we can become to people we meet online. My daughter, Jill, is expecting a baby this month.  She was given a baby shower by a group of people who follower her on Twitter.  

The woman who had it at her home had never met Jill before!  

(She's obviously a good artist!)

Here is a recipe for a pasta salad that we served at Camille's reception.  It makes a TON and it's so good and pretty!  I've made it a couple of times since the reception and taken it to parties.  I've had several people ask for the recipe but you get it without even asking! It's perfect for Christmas eating because of the red and green ingredients.  

Pasta Salad

1 12 oz. pkg bow tie pasta

1 12 oz. bag of multi-colored pasta

1 cup grapes cut in half /or craisins

1 1/2 cups chopped celery

4 green onions, chopped

1 can drained  pineapple tidbits

1 cup cashews

3 cooked chicken breasts, cubed

1 cup mayonnaise 

1 bottle Kraft coleslaw dressing

In a LARGE pot, cook both bags of pasta until just tender. While pasta is cooking, cut up grapes, celery,  onions and cooked, cooled chicken..  Place in a LARGE bowl.  (Did I mention this recipe makes a ton?)  Drain the pineapple and add to the other ingredients in the bowl.  Drain pasta through a colander and run cold water over the pasta.  Place well-drained pasta in the LARGE bowl with the other ingredients.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayo and coleslaw dressing.  Pour over ingredients in the bowl.  With a LARGE spoon, stir until everything is coated and delicious looking!  

The last few times I made this recipe, I didn't put in the chicken.  Be prepared to feed an army or have lots of leftovers.

One more thing.  

I get to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert Friday night! (Try saying that 3 times fast) 

Nathan Gunn and Jane Seymour will be performing!  

I'm very excited!

How Smart is Your Phone?

A few weeks ago we changed from T-Mobile to Verizon because our daughter, Jeanette, works for Verizon and could get us a smokin' deal on the service.  She talked me in to getting a Smart Phone with the data plan. 

Last week I had to deliver some things to a near-by city.  I had the address and figured I knew where it was.  After driving around for 15 minutes in a futile attempt to find the street, I remembered my phone and called the number to the place and asked how to get there.  The woman who answered asked where I was, then told me where to go (you know what I mean). None of her directions got me to my destination.  It was getting dark and I knew I'd be in big trouble if I didn't find it soon.  I was beginning to think I needed some divine intervention and then it occurred to me that my Smart phone could help me find it!  Duh!! I checked it out on map quest and found the place! 

 Welcome to the 21st Century, Connie!

I discovered the voice feature on my phone and have been using it to type texts and emails.  However, the texts don't always match what I say.  For instance, I snapped a picture of the beautiful flowers in the back of my car that we were transporting to Rexburg for Camille's wedding openhouse.  I sent it to Andy with the message, "Can we fit these AND all the cupcakes in the truck?"  It came out "1015 at cupcakes in the truck?" 

The next text was with a picture of everything packed in the back of the truck.  I said, "Everything's tucked in nicely!"  It typed, "Everything text in my sleep!"

Sent an email to a woman in our ward to see if she got her visitng teaching done.  I said, "You able to see your ladies this month?"  It typed, "We able to see your dating this month?"

Maybe I should take the gum out of my mouth before speaking.

"Before You Came Old!"

A few years ago, Joan, Lorie, and I visited an elementary school where there was a special education unit.   The three of us worked in the transitional kindergarten class at another school and several of our former students were in this special ed class.  I approached the desk of a boy who was busy coloring.  

I squatted down so I was eye level with him and said, "Hi Tanner!"  He looked at me then broke in to a smile and said, "I know you!  You used to be my teacher before you came old!"  


Is there a fine line that defines the time between being young and "coming" old?  


Perhaps it's when you decide that coloring your hair is a real pain and you allow the new color (or lack there of) to display itself in all its glory.  


Maybe it's when the sales clerk thinks you're your mother's sister!


Is it determined by how many or how old your grandchildren are?


Could the defining line be when you're given a senior discount at a restaurant without being asked?


While standing in a long line to vote and someone comes up and offers you a chair, does that mean you're old?


Maybe it's being in the bottom half of the half-marathon finishers.


I can't be old when, inside, I feel like I'm 20.  In my opinion, old is ALWAYS 10 years away.


Please excuse me while I get my dose of Geritol.