From the Mouth of My Babe

Maddie with her cousin, Harper, last week when they came for a visit. Synchronized swimming?

While thumbing through some of Isaac's papers after school I asked him, "Isaac, are you interested in attending a wrestling camp over Christmas break?"

After a moment's thought, he replied in all seriousness, "Nah, I'd rather do Kung-Fu or take ninja classes." And then he followed his response with an Napoleon-Dynamite-like air kick.

Priorities

I have been thinking a lot lately about priorities and how to keep my most important ones at the center of my life. This is not an easy thing for me. I feel like there are constant distractions that try to pull me away from what is most important. While most of these distractions aren't inherently bad, they shouldn't be given the amount of time and attention that they sometimes get. I love the most recent conference address by Elder Quentin L. Cook entitled "Choose Wisely." It was given during the Priesthood session of conference but I think it can apply to men and women alike. One of the most meaningful quotes for me from his address stated:

"Sometimes it feels like we are drowning in frivolous foolishness, nonsensical noise, and continuous contention. When we turn down the volume and examine the substance, there is very little that will assist us in our eternal quest toward righteous goals. One father wisely responds to his children with their numerous requests to participate in these distractions. He simply asks them, 'Will this make you a better person?'”

I have tried to ask myself that question as well as I go about my day to day life. Will this make me a better person? Though I have a long way to go, it has helped me begin to choose with a little bit more wisdom just how I use my time. I would love your thoughts on how you have found success in keeping your priorities in check and how you have made time for what is most important even with so many distractions. 

We all worry about our kids. I know you worry about yours. I worry about mine. Sometimes it is easy to feel overwhelmed with all the evil that there is in the world. How will I ever protect my children from the constant pull of pornography? How can I raise them to hear the still, small voice of the Spirit over all the "nonsensical noise" that constantly surrounds them? And how can I teach them how loved they are despite my imperfections and lack of parenting know-how? I was talking to Ryan about getting discouraged-because I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to motherhood. I told him that even when I feel I am giving it all I can, I always end up lacking. He lovingly reminded me that no one is perfect and I realized that all I can do is give it my best each day. That is just what the Atonement of Jesus Christ is all about. I can give it my all, and it won't be enough. But Christ will make up the difference. He always does. And even though there will continue to be increasing darkness throughout the world, the light of His Gospel is burning brighter than ever. And light always trumps the dark. Always. He really can make all things right. I am thankful for the peace that knowledge brings.

Our Utah Trip and other Recent Snap Shots

We had an eventful October, highlighted mostly by our trip to Utah for my grandpa's funeral. In the last 7 years that we have lived away from Utah, Ryan and I have lost 4 grandparents. My grandpa is the fifth. When we learned of his death we decided we didn't want to miss anymore funerals. so we quickly got to work on travel arrangements. Miraculously we were able to find dirt cheap flights with only four days notice (a tender mercy for sure), so we all headed north. As I sat and listened to the funeral service, I felt so grateful to be a part of it. To be there in person was such a blessing, and even more so to be a part of the posterity of such a wonderful grandfather. I love my family so much.

My parents and all five of my siblings (in order from oldest to youngest, starting with my brother) at my grandpa's funeral last month.

Fischer and Isaac, twin cousins.

Davis at the grave site. 

My mom with her sister at the casket.

The weekend of the funeral happened to fall on the same weekend that my parents throw their epic Halloween bash each year. My children have never been able to attend so it was pretty sweet that we were able to be there this year.

Nathan and Luke. Two chubby cousins, a bee and a monster.

Siblings Ryan and Shannon, showing some of their ever-present rivalry. Shannon brings her kids to this party every year. She is an honorary Roundy. Her son even refers to my dad is his "third grandpa."

Ryan's dad and my dad, shooting the breeze. There's a little bit of a bromance going on here, as long as politics aren't the subject of conversation.

I dressed up as Minnie Mouse for the party and Allie is a zombie nurse from Walking Dead. All of my sisters as well as my parents helped so much to make our trip possible, letting us borrow clothes and costumes and cars and carting my kids everywhere. We couldn't have done it without them.  

My neice, Natalee. My kids want to be just like her when they grow up. I'm totally ok with that. She and her brother, Carson, are the cream of the crop. 

My CT sister, Becca (who now lives in SLC) stopped by with her kids to attend the big Halloween bash. I am so thankful I got to see her. I have missed her more than I can say since we both moved from the east coast. She helped me through three of the craziest years of my life. I don't know how I would have done it without her.

Maddie with baby Carter, hanging out under grandpa's backyard trees before the party.

On Sunday afternoon we got to spend time with Ryan's family and even meet our new neice, Tess while she and Krystal were visiting.

Krystal and Baby Tessly. She is so mellow and sweet. 

Anyone who has ever met Ryan's dad tells me that Nathan looks exactly like him. I'm so glad Nater warmed up to him (he's a hard sell with unfamiliar people these days). We love, love. loved our visit with family

Two Ninja Turtles, a toothless dragon, and Tink on Halloween night. 

Is this what your kitchen table looked like on November 1st? 

Thank you Dum Dums and Nerds for making it possible for me to mop my floor on Saturday morning. 

Maddie's selfie. She is pretty proud of her newly toothless grin. 

So many treats, so little time. Living it up at Ryan's company picnic this weekend.

Maddie loved the face paint almost as much as the balloon animals. 

Welcome November!

Grandpa Bond

My Grandpa at his 90th birthday party a couple of years ago. 

My maternal grandfather passed away this past Saturday. While there is always some sadness that accompanies death, his passing mostly brings me feelings of happiness and peace. I know that is a product of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The sting of death really is swallowed up in His atonement because I know I will see my grandpa again one day, and I know that he is now reunited with my grandma. Thinking of them together makes me really happy.

This weekend we will get to celebrate his life, and I will see cousins that I haven't spent time with in years. From what I understand, almost all of them will be there. What a great way to honor a great man. My grandpa was kind, charitable, soft spoken, and hard working. And he was a great teacher. Anyone who knows my mom can vouch for fact that he must have taught his children well and been a pretty great father, because she is one of the best people I know. He also had a great sense of humor. I remember the code to a lock that he had on his suitcase when I was a kid was 007. 

I am proud to be counted among his posterity.

From the Mouth of My Babe

We did the math and because our family has been slowly reading the Book of Mormon (very slowly), we have spent approximately 7 months plowing through the book of Alma. We finished it on Sunday and celebrated with an ice cream party. Maddie announced that she wants to go to Disney Land when we finish the entire BOM. 

A few thoughts by Davis, all voiced in the past day or two:

"It's like I always say, there's no such thing as too much bacon."

"Mom, when you sneeze, it kind of freaks me out."

"Mom, you know what would be really disgusting? Drinking water that's full of rotten lemons! That would be totally loathsome."

After both Isaac and Maddie complained about dinner: "Mom," Davis replied, "Dis dinner is so dewicious. I weally weally wuv it." (he is a brown-noser extraordinaire)