Testimonies

Just wanted to share an experience from Sunday, mostly as a journal entry for myself.

Paisley and Easton both got up and bore their testimonies in sacrament meeting. It was Paisley's first time, Easton's second or third time. They bore simple testimonies that are similar to other children's testimonies. Paisley, however, added, "I love Jesus and I know that Jesus loves me." It was very sweet. As I was sitting there I wondered if I should let them go up at this young age. I just wondered if it took time away from some of the adults that might want to share their testimonies. But, they both did it on their own and so I figured it was okay.

Then in Relief Society, they turned it over for testimonies for the last few minutes. One sister in our ward got up and said that she wasn't planning on baring her testimony but that she had been touched by a sweet little girl's testimony. She repeated what Paisley said about her love for our Savior. She said that she was glad that her parents had taught her that He loves her. Then she ended by saying that she also wanted Jesus to know that she loves Him.

That really taught me a lesson. Every one's testimonies are important, no matter how small or how simple. You just never know what will be said that will touch some one's heart or that may be something that they need to hear. I am thankful that my children felt the need to publicly express their love of the gospel and of the Savior. I am glad that my daughter was able to touch some one's heart with her sweet, simple testimony.

I voted!

This is the 3rd presidential election that I have been old enough to vote in. I am really sad to say that today is the first time that I have voted for our president. I just really didn't feel that big of a need to vote. I felt that need this time around. It could be that I am older, I have children, and I really worry about the future of America. It also has a lot to do with a broadcast on the Sounds of Sunday by Glen Rawson this last Sunday.

You can read his message here. He talked about the Boston Tea Party and how that eventually led up to the Revolutionary War and our country's independence and freedom. I really enjoyed that part of the message. But, the part that really stuck with me was the last couple paragraphs.

He said, " Boston went to war for a voice in government, the right to vote. Now my friends, the right to vote is a fundamental expression of man's God-given agency.

Sadly, in the last presidential election, less than 50% of Americans voted. Or in other words, they surrendered the governing of their lives to someone else – which is exactly what Lucifer wanted in the first place."

That really struck me. We live in America where so many people have died for the right to vote. If I do not vote, not only am I not taking advantage of what so many people have done for me, but I am turning over my right to choose. Lucifer's plan did not involve freedom. His plan did not involve free agency. That is why his plan was not chosen. We have free agency, and as Americans we have the right to vote. I will not let that agency go to waste again.

As I waited in the long line to vote and then to turn in my ballot, I was proud. I really felt a sense of pride. I voted. I took advantage of this great right that we have. I am not turning it over to anyone else, I am putting in my say.

Forgive me for my moment on my soap box. I really felt strongly about that today.

Another small thing happened there that I wanted to share. Paisley and Avery were with me at the school when I voted. By the time I was waiting to hand in my ballot, Avery had had it! She was crying and there was nothing I could do to console her. Paisley, on the other hand, had been given a "job". There was a super nice lady working at the table. Paisley when to get an "I voted" sticker and the lady asked her if she wanted the job of ripping the stickers off the roll so that people could take them. I think she saw what a bad time I was having with Avery and thought she would help by keeping Paisley busy. I really appreciated that and Paisley thought it was fun. The lady behind the table kept telling Paisley and the people in line what a good job Paisley was doing. Anyway, the lady behind me in line, also seeing my struggle with Avery, said, "Can I just tell you that I think it is good that you brought your children with you to vote? Now, your daughter (Paisley) will have a memory with the stickers and she will remember this time. I am all about memories." I had never given that a thought. I was just trying to get through the time until I could leave. She was right. It was neat that Paisley got to be involved in the voting process, if even just a small job. And, she will remember. She felt important. I was, at that moment, also happy that I had brought my children so that they could see their mother use her right to vote in America.

Halloween

Well, it is over! A day that I always look forward to, but by the end of the day am so glad is over for another year. It seems like we are always rushing from one place to another. There are costumes to deal with and sugar highs from WAY too much candy consumption to deal with. In my opinion, Halloween is really a holiday for the kids. But, my kids had a great Halloween and so I am happy!


Easton dressed up as Anakin, (don't know the correct spelling, sorry!) from Star Wars. I tried to get him to be Darth Vader because I liked the costume better, but he insisted on being the "good guy". He really had fun.


Paisley dressed up as a cheerleader. She went to a cheer leading clinic in the spring and they were selling their old uniforms for really cheap, so it worked out to be a great costume.


Avery was Marie from the Disney Aristocats movie. I somehow didn't get any really good pictures of her with the hood on, but she is cute nonetheless.

We did a lot of trick-or-treating. We visited all of the kids' grandparents and they were so spoiled. We got tons and tons of candy, more than we will EVER eat. Avery threw up in the parking lot of the restaurant that we ate at. That was fun. At least it was in the parking lot and not in the restaurant or the car. She acted totally fine afterwards. I think it might have been from WAY to much candy consumed in one day that her body is SO not used to. She has been fine since.


She also had a few meltdowns during the day due to lack of good naps in the previous couple days.


This is grandpa, my dad, with all his grand kids.

Overall, though, it really was a fun couple days. I really enjoyed the time I spent with Dave and the kids and our other family members.

Wrestling Fever

(Easton is the one in the white t-shirt)

Easton has been in wrestling for the last couple of weeks. He has really been enjoying it. I think with his aggressive personality that wrestling is right up his alley. The only problem we've had is reminding him that wrestling is to stay at wrestling and that we don't wrestle our sisters! :)

Last night was his first wrestling meet. It was against another elementary school. Each boy on our team got to wrestle once. He was so excited for his first match. As a mother, I wasn't sure how I would feel watching him wrestle. I didn't know if I would be worried or what. But, when he got up to wrestle I was just filled with pride! It was a lot of fun for me to watch him. He really did a great job. He was very aggressive and really worked hard. He seemed to know and was trying several different moves. The match went almost 3 full rounds. Right at the end, he got pinned. He just kind of laid there, and later he said he had gotten hurt. He was pretty sad that he lost, but I was just so proud of him. I think he may have a future in his sport like most of his uncles and his grandpa before him. It was just a fun night, and I am excited for more to come!!

Scary Kids

Just a scary/cute picture of Easton and Paisley at the Fall Festival at our elementary school where they got their faces painted. (They were trying to be scary, but they are so darn cute that being scary is hard for them!) :)

Sisters!

I grew up with two younger brothers. As much as I love my brothers, I always wished for a sister and it was never to be! Luckily I have 6 really great sisters-in-law who are as good as sisters to me. But, I always hoped that Paisley would have a sister, and as luck would have it, Avery came to our family! It is fun to see what a little "mom" Paisley is to her. Avery really loves Paisley. If something is wrong with Avery and I can't comfort her at that moment, she will go to Paisley and is totally content with that. The other day I was doing a puzzle with Paisley. I was getting a bit tired of Avery being really "needy" right then. I couldn't hold her and help Paisley with the puzzle. So, I set her down and told her she will have to just sit by mama. Well, she kind of cried and went over to her next best "mama", Paisley, and climbed into her lap and Paisley just held her. It was so cute. I am so thankful that they have each other and I hope that they stay close forever!

OUCH!

Just wanted to show Avery's wound from church on Sunday. Sacrament meeting hadn't even started yet. I wasn't paying attention, but Avery was standing on the bench. She fell off and somehow rug-burned her head in the process. She either burned it on the material on the bench in front of us, or when she landed on her head on the floor. Either way, she cried very hard and I could immediately see the burn. Poor girl!



And, I had to add a picture of her cute bum in these Halloween pants!! Sooo cute!

All grown up!

This is Avery's first attempt at getting herself ready! Funny, huh? I was just impressed she got them on all by herself, even if one was on the wrong foot! :)

Our first attempt, not too shabby!

For all of the 19 months of Avery's life, she has been without a dresser. Up until now we used a storage container that had 3 drawers, and she also used a drawer in Paisley's dresser. But, it has been frustrating to have her clothes in two places and not enough room for all her stuff, too.

Dave's mom and dad were nice enough to give us a dresser that they had in their basement. It used to be Dave's sister's when she was little, and she is 8 years older than Dave. And, Dave's parents bought it used all those years ago. So, it has seen many years and many, many moves. But, as is the case with most old furniture, it was made to last. So, Dave and I decided to strip it down, replace the pulls, and paint it.

The kids helped us sand down the drawers.



The dresser has been sitting in our garage half-finished for a while now. On Saturday we decided we had to finish it while the weather was nice and we could do it outside. It was a lot of work and time consuming. But we finished it. We thought it turned out really nice.

We didn't take a before picture, I really wish we would have. But, there was flower decals on it and these old pulls.



Here is the finished dresser.



I put all of her clothes in it today. It is so nice to have finally. I feel much more organized! Thanks John and Shirley!