As Bill Cosby says... Brain Damage

Nighttime is ... playtime for some reason at our house.

Tonight was no exception.

We let the girls sleep in the same room on a regular basis (except when their behavior separates them) - because we think it's a good thing...and they LOVE it.

My hubby had been up twice to tell them to settle down, and put M, our two year old back into her bed. She is always climbing into bed with her big sis K, our four year old. My husband told me to go up after he'd been in there twice - to play the, "be quiet or Daddy will come and separate you" card.

Well, a little while later they were still playing, talking, and enjoying each other. So my hubby R went up and found that M had a poopy diaper. The conversation below, nails her personality to a T.

R: After I change your diaper you are going to your bed. You are not talking, playing or doing anything else. Do you understand?

M: Yes.

R: After I change your diaper, you are going to bed. Nothing else. Do you understand?

M: Yes.

R: What are you going to do after I change your diaper?

M: Play.

Gongxi Facai

Monday was the Lunar New Year... or Chinese New Year.

So... Gongxi Facai - we celebrated with good friends on Saturday. Everyone brought yummy food, and company. After we ate there was a little Wii, Cranium and Mulan for the kids. We had about 24 kids at the party and 16 adults. Awesome.

I was going to upload a bunch of photos - but am taking the lazy route - so here's a slide show.

Auction for NieNie

My beautiful, talented, amazing friend ~J is hosting a HUGE auction for NieNie.

Go check it out.

And... I'm busy today...but this morning when I went into the girls rooms - I found them both inside of M's crib, cuddled under the blankets talking.

K: I'm the mommy duck.
M: Oh, I'm the baby duck.

Then after they brushed their teeth I put their hair in pig tails. They wanted skirts today, it's a little gloomy, we've had rain... so they are wearing tights. I think tights and skirts on little girls is so adorable. They make me smile on a gloomy, cloudy day.

Happy Friday.... Hope ya'll have a great weekend...I have big plans - will let you know later. Cheers!

BoM

This year I'm working on being more consistent with my Book of Mormon reading.

I started slow on Sunday... and today I was reading 1 Nephi 3:31 and 1 Nephi 4:1 (see...slow)

Laman had already gone to see Laban about the brass plates, and was turned away, accused of being a robber. Then Nephi, the baby brother comes up with the idea to take all their valuable, material possessions to Laban as a currency for the plates of brass. So Laman, Lemuel, Sam and Nephi try a second time to get the brass plates, and Laban chases them off with his guards, thereby keeping the treasure and plates.

Laman and Lemuel are steamed. They're freaked out from being threatened, they already don't want to go into the wilderness, and now all the things they value are gone. So they do something totally irrational and thoughtless, they start beating their younger brothers.

An angel comes down and stops them. He chastizes them, and then leaves. Here's the part that hit me. I've read this so many times, and this is the first time I've really noticed the following two verses:

And after the angel had departed, Laman and Lemuel again began to murmur, saying: How is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands? Behold, he is a mighty man, and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty; then why not us?

Then in Chapter 4:1 Nephi responds:

And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying: Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?

He then continues to remind his brothers of how God helped Moses part the red sea... and then the brothers follow Nephi, and try a third time to gain the plates.

What hit me first was how Nephi, after his brothers beat him, simply stayed focused on the task at hand - obtain the brass plates. If I had older brothers that were crazy, beating me... I'd be terrified to speak back...let alone stay on course with my mission. I admire Nephi for that ability to stay on course and endure persecution at the hands of his family members.

Then I thought about the challenges we face as latter-day saints. We've all felt a personal struggle with the work on proposition 8. I admit until the Prophet came out with that formal letter asking us to do all we can to support, and protect families through marriage between one man and one woman, I was sporting a laissez-faire attitude. I just figured, the world is going to pot anyway, the forces that want it to disintegrate are louder, with more money and own the airwaves... anything we do is tiny.

Then that letter came. When I heard the call from the Prophet, whom I sustain, despite my trepidation, despite my heart strings, I knew there was only one thing I should do. I know there were times in the early campaigning that my faith wavered. So it was nice to read these two verses and remember, we are to do all we can to do what is right. We need to remember that it is in His hands. We need to remember that He has more power than any nation in the world. I need to remember that putting my trust in God is always the right thing to do. I need to remember that feeling intimidated by the voices of Babylon can be overcome by remembering who I am, and who God is.

And on a more personal level, that people who seek to hurt us, don't matter. We just need to focus on our eternal goals, and keep steady....come what may.

Frankly, I am grateful. I am blessed.

And lo, the heavens opened

And the angels raised their voices and sang, quietly at first,

Then, more melodious as the rise of their voices rose against the wind.

The Shepherds stilled their flocks and strained to hear the glorious sound.

The Wise Men traveling from afar caught a joyous whisper.

Soon, the whole of the earth wept in ecstasy as they heard the angels sing in one boisterous, thunderous chorus....

YES WE CAN

And lo, Barack Obama was born in a manger.

Joining the Dumbwagon

Proving that he's another celebrity that likes to demonstrate his lack of intelligence regarding democracy... Tom Hanks.

Making a Mess down Memory Lane

I've discovered that when I get the itch to organize, purge and file around the house - I also discover things I totally forgot about.

I think it's day three of organizing the study. I found these photo proofs from my wedding... a little over 7 years ago. I realized that I don't have the requisite professional wedding photo hanging on a wall in our home. So... please help me pick 2-3 that would do. They were taken on film...

My... to look young, svelte and glowing again.


A.



B.



C.



D.



E.



F.



G.

Breakfast

...in my neck of the woods

This week we are enjoying temperatures in the low 70s and high 60s. It's like it's summer. I love it. I love fresh, plump blueberries and raspberries. Good morning!

$25.00 for peace of mind

Saturday evening I was stringing beads for bracelets, rings... girly activity for my girls.

M (age 2) was sticking her hands in the beads and stirring them...

A little while later she started touching her nose. Then she complained about her nose.

My anxiety started to get active.

It was 20 min to 10pm - when the Urgent Care center closed.

I called them and begged them to wait for us - it takes at least 15 min to get there.

We were in our elephant pajamas from Christmas. I didn't even grab my bra. I was floppy.

I went up to 85 mph - on accident. I ran from the car with M... to be greeted with a dark reception area.

My heart stopped.

I yanked on the door anyway.

HALLELUJAH! They were there. They waited. They thought M was so cute.

The Doctor looked in M's nose - she said she put a bead in there.

He didn't see any beads. He said it would eventually stink and irritate her if there was one.

I paid $25.00 and drove like a maniac... with pajamas and floppy boobs... all totally worth it.

I slept like a baby.

ps. of my girls... M would likely be the one to get into this kind of trouble...which is why I totally took her seriously... meanwhile, she just liked going on a trip to see the doctor.

What's Your Word?

Your Word is "Fearless"

You see life as your one chance to experience everything, and you just go for it! You believe the biggest risk is being afraid and missing out on something amazing. Sometimes your fearlessness means you're daring. You enjoy risky activities. And sometimes your fearlessness means you're courageous. You're brave enough to do the right thing, even when it's scary.

What's Your Word?

Just call me...

Dulaine....I love my new sunglasses...

Passing Gas

Last night... as I writhed and contemplated how I would kneel at the porcelain thrown, I was somewhat, pleasantly, surprised. I kept myself hydrated with Ginger Ale. I munched on saltines whenever the saliva folks were working overtime in my mouth and I figured I should have something to throw up - so I ate chicken noodle soup. I even snacked on some blueberries for color when the dastardly dead would finally ...ultimately happen.

I watched my face color fade to a dreary, 70s yellow with track lighting. I had to lay down to avoid the light-headed drunken walk. Despite all this I did not anticipate on a few things. The ache in my back as if a disc wanted freedom, the extra gas (urp!) I would expel through my mouth and... well the flatulence. I have a friend who says she doesn't fart. She just has flatulence. Either way... it is ... what it is.

So last night as I finally made peace with the fact that it was my turn to surrender to the flu... it turns out I was saved by loud tummy (intestine?) noise...and powerful, chi like ... well farts. The noise kept me up...and it was a tossy-turny kind of a night. BUT... I did not throw up. Eventually the chills left and I felt my body temperture go back to normal.

This might be too much information - but I like to remember it as my own little miracle. Seriously - I believe in miracles...even in the form of... gas. The burps and farts, as lady-like as they are... saved me... tender mercies baby... tender mercies.

Wretched Mr. Winter

I am not a fan of being cold. I despise being cold. If I was ever lost in a frozen wasteland I'd curl up in a ball and stop moving. Cold makes me lethargic and miserable. If you know me, you know I crave sunshine, beach-weather. I like tropical humidity. I ache for natural solar power - that's where I get my energy.

The last few years... January has brought disease. Two years ago we had the flu. But I kept feeling nauseous for three months...and discovered that I happened to also be pregnant with M. Last year - we were all sick with colds. This year, finds us saying "January Blows".

It didn't help that my little girls were sick with colds an entire month leading up to Christmas. Then have them drop like flies to the call of the flu. Seeing your babies throw up destroys me. They can't understand what's happening. They're terrified of it. It was worse when they were even younger and they tried to swallow it back down. This is one case where I'd rather do it for them....it's so desperately sad.

Now my hubby is dealing with it. Listening to him suffer through this was awful. The only thing I can be grateful for is that he was home when the girls were going through this. I had someone to help me....not lose my mind. I am grateful that my girls are ... out of the woods at this point... and am hopeful that I may escape unscathed. Afterall - I have to take care of my honey and girls.

Winter blows... the only thing that helps is that we live in California, where the sun comes out and there isn't snow mixed with nasty slush sitting around. The chance to leave the house ... is a lifesaver.

Agency and Healthcare...

... or how the enslavement begins.

Healthcare - to those emotionally, irrationally attached to a gov't run program... is in the end... all about agency. And it seems that in this particular issue, those that want it - couldn't give a rat's bum about anyone else's agency but their own.

There's been a woman in the blogosphere having a royal fit, attacking the Church as a whole and members who do not agree with her views regarding healthcare. Now I am perfectly fine with people deciding they have different opinions, but for the love of pete... the frothing at the mouth becomes a big, huge turn off, in the midst of calm, rational thought and factual arguments.

My daughters recently watched Robin Hood. The old school Disney version where Robin Hood and the lovely, Maid Marion are foxes. They're hawt like that.

It was fun listening to the dialogue of those days, and it was fitting to hear how the wrongful King John used higher, and multiple taxes to get back at the people who protected Robin Hood. It made me think about the stories from the Book of Mormon and Bible, where heartless, power hungry Kings and Judges sought glory for themselves through foisting burdens upon the people.

That's why when I read a libertarian's comment, S. Logan recently, that I just couldn't stop cheering.

I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend you go read the insightful post from beginning to end. But if you don't have time, here's one of my favorite parts from the post:

When social inequality exists, how does scripture tell us to fix the problem? Alma, as the High Priest to the Church and the Chief Judge to the Nephite people (thus leading both the religious and political organizations), gives us an excellent example when he saw the great social inequality among his people.

“Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted. Now this was great cause for lamentations among the people, while others were abasing themselves, succoring those who stood in need of their succor, such as imparting their substance to the poor and the needy, feeding the hungry, and suffering all manner of afflictions, for Christ’s sake…” (Alma 4:12-3). Does this sound familiar? Are we currently having great ‘lamantations’ in our own country and among our own people over those in need? Certainly.

Because he led both organizations, Alma was able to either politically or religiously act. I ask, what did he do? Did he pass more laws that chained the people down with heavy taxes? No, such is discussed throughout the Book of Mormon as a condition detested by the Lord. Did he pass laws that tried to create more ‘equality’ among the people? No. Did he do anything politically to extend the arm of government into the affairs of the people to force them to take care of their moral imperative and duty? No. In fact, he completely gave up the judgment seat altogether! What did he then do? He went to preach the word of God!

Before we ridicule this and laugh at such a proposition that preaching the word of God is more influential in changing society than is passing political laws that coerce the individual, first examine WHY he did this.

“And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them” (Alma 4:19). What was Alma’s point? To “stir them up in a remembrance of their duty”. How influential was preaching the word of God as opposed to inflicting artificial ‘equality’ within society through coercion?

“And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just – yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them — therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 30:5). What lead the people to do that which was just? What awakened and stirred the people’s remembrance of their individual duty? Was it positivist law? Was it forced equality? Was it forcing one man into his duty? No, the Lord’s way is established — God will force no man to perform his moral duty.

“Know this, that ev’ry soul is free, to choose his life and what he’ll be; For this eternal truth is giv’n: That God will force no man to heav’n. He’ll call, persuade, direct aright, And bless with wisdom, love, and light, in nameless ways be good and kind, but never force the human mind. Freedom and reason make us men; Take these away, what are we then? Mere animals, and just as well the beasts may think of heav’n or hell. May we no more our pow’rs abuse, But ways of truth and goodness choose; Our God is pleased when we improve His grace and seek his perfect love.” Of a truth, the Lord is pleased when we obey the commandments and take care of those in need; however, he is particular in how we obey such commandments.

Alma’s example shows us that the power of a testimony in Christ can convert the soul to do that which is just by its own inner moral duty. Socialism’s entire structure denies this real possibility of changing the course of humanity through the gospel of Christ to allow man to be morally responsible without being coerced into such duty. Was this not the fault of the very people who killed the Christ? Did not the Pharisees and Sadducees of Christ’s day believe that the ‘Messiah’ would come to rule in political matters? Yet Christ’s real message was for the individual to morally act and take personal accountability and thus throw of their own chains. While the Pharisees and Sadducees looked to man’s government as their solution, Christ changed people’s hearts who then took themselves out of their own bad situations. After all, this is a message continually taught by our own Church leaders: The world takes a man out of the slums, but the gospel of Christ takes the slums out of the man who then takes himself out of his own slums. There are several examples in the Book of Mormon alone that re-illustrate this exact principle. It is beyond contest.

Go... READ ON HERE.

The more I learn, the more I read, the more I recognize what matters - the more I see how every story in the scriptures applies to us, reminds us, warns us and aides us in discerning what is pertinent in our lives. We really are so blessed.