Ponderize October 18 & 25, 2015

I didn't post about my ponderize scripture for this past week.  I chose Doctrine & Covenants 10:5.  It has always been a favorite scripture of mine.  A friend of mine recently said that she felt like Satan was trying to destroy her family and I don't doubt that he is.  He attacks even the best and the strongest anyway he can because he does not want us to win.  But don't forget the promise that President Hinckley stated so well,

"We are engaged in a great eternal struggle that concerns the very souls of the sons and daughters of God. We are not losing. We are winning. We will continue to win if we will be faithful and true. We can do it. We must do it. We will do it. There is nothing the Lord has asked of us that in faith we cannot accomplish."

Prayer is one of the many tools we are given to help us win.

This week I wanted to choose a scripture about temple work.  I chose Doctrine & Covenants 127:4. Tony and I are taking the kids to visit the Oklahoma City temple this week.  It will be the 22nd temple we have performed ordinances in together (if swapping turns doing initiatory counts ;).  

We have been given the responsibility to seek out our family members who need temple work performed and to go and do it.  So go and do!

Tyler State Park

We didn't let Mom's broken toe mess up our camping trip. We had been looking forward to it for quite some time. 

Mom had to sit and watch most of the fun (I did get into the kayak once) but there was plenty of fun to watch. The kids loved the dirt, riding bikes, hiking, kayaking, and swimming in the lake! (The water was so clear! It was beautiful. The kids liked watching the fish swim nearby.)

There was a fire ban, so we didn't get to make s'mores, but we were glad for Grandma and Grandpa's camp trailer that let us make our meals. It's more fun to cook over the fire, though!

It was a successful trip!

Ellie Bean

Remember how babies get bigger and it's just not fair?? This little Ellie Bean is a couple days short of six months!! 

She's still bald as can be, but she rolls all over the place. She's started thinking about sitting on her own. She loves her some baby cereal and we're going to introduce vegetables very soon. 

She's a pretty happy baby so long as mom doesn't cheat and eat dairy. She's started sleeping longer at night! Woohoo! She almost always has a smile to share. 

We're so glad Miss Ellie Texas is ours forever!

Bryton, don't look at this blog post. It'll make you queasy.

Moms do crazy things. They wake up at 4am to feed babies. After they put the baby back down they really want to go to sleep, but they get up when the two year old calls for them. They take the two year old potty. The lay down by the two year old. The two year old needs water, so the mom grumbles a bit and goes to get water. 

This is when bad things happen. The mom is just trying to be a good mom, but she's also trying to go back to sleep. So, she doesn't turn on any lights. To turn on lights risks the waking of the entire house. To leave the lights off risks the chance of kicking the kitchen chair that didn't get tucked in just right. 

This is when the mom again proves she is crazy. Because even though she almost passes out from the pain, the pain is soon triumphed by her anger. Anger because this mom has a million things to do this morning and urgent care wasn't supposed to be on the list. 

Ponderize: 1 Nephi 15:24

My Ponderize scripture for this week is 1 Nephi 15:24.  I recently started rereading The Book of Mormon and came across this scripture.  What wonderful promises we have been given if we will hearken and hold fast to the word of God.  I believe the word of God to be both the scriptures and the living prophets.  What are you doing to hold fast to the word of God?

Also, if you are a mother or father, go listen to Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's April 1983 General Conference address, "Within the Clasp of Your Arms."  It is powerful, uplifting, and will make you want to be a better parent.

Little Reads: The Cotton Candy Catastrophe at the Texas State Fair + Fair Recommendations

The Cotton Candy Catastrophe at the Texas State Fair by Dotti Enderle
5 out of 5 stars

This book has been a repeat read at our house, as well as at the library story time.  No matter how many times it is read, it never gets old.  Plus, we love reading books that we can then experience for ourselves!  If you live in Texas, you need to read this book.  Whether you love the fair, or you never have been, this is the perfect way to introduce little people to the State Fair of Texas.  

What are you most excited to see at the fair?

Big Tex and cotton candy! (Hyrum)

Candy! (Lindi)

Interactive questions:

Does Jake know what's happening behind him? 

What would you do with all that cotton candy?

What color is Jake's cotton candy? 

**Bonus**

Hyrum and Lindi's State Fair of Texas Recommendations

Favorite Activities

Hyrum: The Pee Wee Stampede

Imagine a bunch of little kids riding stick horses in a mock rodeo and you'll know what the Pee Wee Stampede is.  This kid loved dressing up, busting his bronc, and getting to keep his event number (he even wore it today), and a blue ribbon!

Lindi: Mother Goose Story Time

My little girl is becoming a serious book lover.  Add to that some fun songs and you've got her.  (Ellie also appreciated the cool, shady tent for taking a nap in.) 

Favorite Treats

Both kids will say that cotton candy was the treat that won, but I can't forget to mention the delicious funnel cake!!

Ponderize: Alma 1:25

If you were unable to listen to General Conference this weekend, I invite you to find the time to listen or watch. I cannot wait to read and consider President Russel M. Nelson's words. I know that I can make changes in my life as I try to become the covenant woman he described.

Another of my favorite talks was by Devin G. Durrant. I loved it because he had a challenge, something that I could begin to do now that would bring blessings into my life. He invited us to "ponderize" a scripture each week. Ponderizing is part pondering and part memorizing. Ponderizing is as simple as putting a scripture somewhere where we can review it often throughout the week. So, I've picked my scripture for the week. Alma 1:25. It will be on my lock screen as well as my bathroom mirror. 

What scripture will you ponderize this week?

Join me at General Conference

The next two days are some of my favorite days of the year.  We get to sit down as a family to listen to prophets and apostles.  They will teach us those things our Heavenly Father wants us to know.  They are truly inspired by heaven.  Come and see.

Click here to learn how you can watch!

Little Kicker

This little guy started Little Kickers. This year he is on Coach Rachael's Red Team. He has only had one practice and they practiced dribbling skills. He has improved significantly since last year!

What I like best is seeing what a good listener he is.  When the coach asks him to hold his ball and stand on the line, he does just that! What a kid!