Preparing to Move

May 1st we moving to a house just down the block from where we currently live.  For a family who can't stand moving we sure have moved a ton lately and we are ready to settle in for a while.  We found a yellow house that matches our Grandmas' and Grandpas' yellow houses.  The neighborhood is nice and super friendly.  We live four houses down from another family with girls the same ages as our family.  Although we can't move in until May we have been busy with yard work and cleaning things up outside. 

Edwin planted the strawberries for summer.

Grace loves sticks and our new place has a yard full of them.

James enjoys being outside and now that it's warm enough to play, he's mobile enough to eat everything he touches.  Alas, his outdoor yard days are currently spent strapped into the carseat.

Anne's favoite spot is in the leaf pile.  She likes to carry the piles all over the yard so we just keep raking and raking and raking.

Grace is responsible for smashing the leaves. 

The proud doctor planted approximately 24 raspberry bushes and four blueberry bushes. 

More pictures will come as we get complete the moving process and settle in.  For now we are excited to have signed a 3-year lease agreement to lock in the rent payments.  We will be painting in May and we will certainly spend most of our leisurely activities learning to cultivate a garden.  Ah, a place to meet our needs and a yard to play in.....it will be a glorious summer!

FHE 1/19/2009 Plan of Salvation

For family home evening this year we opted to start reciting scriptures and the Articles of Faith. Our theme for the year is based on Moroni 7:45 "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." Each month we will discuss one definition of charity and recite the scripture up to that point. So for January we have talked about "charity suffereth long." By the end of the year we will have discussed every part of the scripture in detail and we should have it memorized by then. It is a good reminder for me to raise a family the Lord's way. Although this started out with the intention to help the family, so far I think I will be the one benefiting the most from this endeavor. But we all know a happy home has a happy mom! This year we have created a FHE job chart. Every week Grace and Anne turn the wheel to decide who gets to do which jobs. Although the details of our FHE aren't necessarily important to anyone else but me I want to keep a record without keeping another piece of paper, notebook, or object I need to keep track of. So here it is posted on my blog. Conducting: Dad Opening Prayer: Grace Song: Mom- I Have a Family Here on Earth 1st Article of Faith Shared by Anne and Brad (our visitor) Scripture: Moroni 7:45...."Charity suffereth long"-Grace Lesson: Plan of Salvation I have a really cute visual aid a mission companion drafted for me. It uses little spirit people I traced out of tissue paper. Due to no scanner there are no visuals to attach at this time, however, my scanner issue is to be remedied in the near future (Thanks Susan!) and then I can start scanning in my visuals for your convenience. Testimony Sharing: Mom Closing Prayer: Anne Activity: Glow stick catch Treat: Ice Cream with chocolate syrup and pink and purple sprinkles!

FHE 1/05/09 and 1/12/09

1/05/09 Uncle Richard and Aunt Jessica came and spent the night with us. They were traveling from Oregon to school and we were glad they came to visit despite their long travels and all the responsibilities they had to complete before school started. For FHE we established our theme for the year, put together a FHE responsibility chart, and played with glow sticks in the dark (one of our favorite activities)! 2009 Theme: Charity Scripture: Moroni 7:45 January- Charity Suffereth Long Article of Faith #1 1/12/09 Conducting: Dad Opening Song: #252 Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel/Chorister: Anne Opening Prayer: Mom Article of Faith: Grace Scripture: Charity Sufferth Long Moroni 7:45 Lesson: We summarized the book Berenstain Bear's and the Trouble with Chores. We enjoy reading the book as a family and it made it easy for everyone to realize what happens to mom when she is responsible for doing all the chores in the house. It also teaches us how we feel when no one does any cleaning. It is necessary for everyone to do a little bit so we can all play and have a good time together. Everyone chose a chore they wanted to be responsible for every day. We printed a chore list so we can remember our responsibilities, and we promised to help one another with our daily tasks so we can have a happy home. Grace is willing to help a lot more simply because she chose for herself what she was going to do, and Anne is pleased (almost to the point of being smug) because she is able to help and do things like big people! I'm optimistic about this endeavor! Testimony: Anne Closing Song: #252 Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel/Chorister: Anne Closing Prayer: Dad Activity: Grace-We played catch with glow sticks in the dark!

FHE 12/01/2008 Christmas Scriptures

Opening Song: Joy to the World

Opening Prayer: Edwin

Lesson: We decided to start the scripture reading program for Christmas found in the Friend Magazine this month. Check out the links below and you can read along with us!

1 Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7 GAK 113

2 Luke 2:1–7 GAK 200 3 Luke 2:8–20 GAK 202 4 Matthew 2:1–12 GAK 203 5 Matthew 2:13–15 GAK 204 6 Luke 2:40 GAK 206 7 Luke 2:41–52 GAK 205 8 Matthew 3:13–17 GAK 208 9 John 9:1–17, 32–38 GAK 213 10 Matthew 8:23–27 GAK 214 11 Matthew 19:13–15 GAK 216 12 Matthew 5:1–10; 6:9–13 GAK 212 13 John 11:1–3, 17–27, 41–44 GAK 222 14 Luke 17:11–19 GAK 221 15 Matthew 21:12–15 GAK 224 16 Matthew 26:17–30 GAK 225 17 Matthew 26:36–45 GAK 227 18 Mark 14:42–46 GAK 228 19 Luke 23:32–46 GAK 230 20 John 20:11–18 GAK 233 21 Luke 24:36–43 GAK 234 22 3 Nephi 11:1–17 GAK 316 23 3 Nephi 17:1–10 GAK 317 24 Joseph Smith—History 1:14–20 GAK 403 25 D&C 76:22–24 GAK 240

Closing Song: Joy to the World

Closing Prayer: Jennifer

FHE 11/24/2008 Nativity

Opening Song: Away in a Manger Lesson: The First Christmas Closing Song: Away in a Manger We unpacked and displayed our Nativity for Family Home Evening. As we unwrapped each piece we talked about the people who are a part of the first Christmas. When we were all done Grace said, "Baby Jesus is cold. He needs a blanket...a pink silky." So Baby Jesus has a blanket at our house this year!

FHE 11/17/08- Temper

Opening Song: #62 All Creatures of Our God and King Opening Prayer: Grace Lesson: The Turkey with the Terrible Temper This story was given to me from Linda M (a member in our ward). She is a retired storyteller who has kindly copied several of her collected stories to share with me. This story was written by Avon Compton and illustrated by Tammy Jane Compton Tom was a little turkey with a terrible temper. One day he had a fit and turned red. The other turkeys laughed at him because he was red all over. Tom ran away and sulked under his favorite tree. The wise owl in the tree told Tom he needed to control his temper if he didn't want to turn colors all over. The next morning when Tom woke up he was brown again, but he had a red feather in his tail. That day Tom lost his temper again and this time he turned blue all over. The other turkeys mocked him and Tom ran away again to hide. The next morning he woke up and found he was brown again but he had a blue feather in his tail. So the story goes on and every day Tom loses his Temper and changes colors. He turns purple one day, green another day, and yellow the following day. Each morning he wakes up to see that his brown coloring has returned, but his tail has a colorful reminder of the temper tantrum he had the previous day. Finally Tom faces a situation that normally leads to a flying rage, but he controls his temper. Because he controls his temper he turns white all over. Tom doesn't mind being white and the next morning he is proud of his new white tail feather. Tom returns to visit the wise owl and thank him for his help. The owl tells Tom to display his tail proudly because he learned to control his temper.

I made felt turkeys and feathers in each color and did a flannel board presentation for the kids. Edwin enjoyed the story and visuals too.

Closing Song: #301 I am a Child of God Closing Prayer: Grace Activity: We turned all the lights off and played with glow sticks. Then we ate cupcakes and visited. It was a good night.

FHE 11/10/08- Enjoy The Show

Opening Song: I am a Child of God

Opening Prayer: Grace

Lesson: Enjoy the Show

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

Closing Song: I am a Child of God

Closing Prayer: Mom

Grateful Tree- This week our neighbor and her baby Emily joined us for Family Home Evening. We called Dad at the hospital (since he was working overnight) and he contributed to our Gratitude Tree.

Grace- Miss Lisa (the librarian) and the Library

Anne- Neighbors and their pets

Mom- Ability to read the scriptures

Dad- The Wife

Deeann- Love and Family

Emily- Food, Baths, Friends

FHE 11/03/08 Charity

Opening Song: As I have Loved You

Opening Prayer: Grace

Scripture: Moroni 7:45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Lesson: Showing Gratitude is part of developing a Christ-like heart. This November we want to focus on our blessings and show gratitude for the things we have. We made a Gratitude Tree that hangs on the wall and we cut out paper leaves to display our blessings. This week Grace was grateful for Molly Bunny, Dorothy Dolls, and toys. Anne was grateful for milk and sippy cups (so are mom and dad since they help her to go to sleep easily and sleep through the night!) Dad is grateful for our home. Mom is grateful for a happy family. We will continue to add to our gratitude tree throughout the month.

*Side note* I have received many comments on my FHE posts and I want to state for the record what I post on line looks much more pleasant than what happens at home. Tonight's FHE was filled with crying, temper tantrums, time outs, burned food distractions, and over all exhaustion. It took three times as long to complete, but it ended on a happy note with a relatively happy family. Maybe this is the consequence to skipping out the last two weeks. Whatever the case may be....we spent time together and worked through a challenge together. Overall I would have to say it was still a successful Family Home Evening...just a little rough around the edges!

FHE 10/06/08 Obedience

Obedience

Opening Song: Hymn #237 Do What is Right

Opening Prayer: Mom

Lesson: Edwin had the lesson prepared for this evening but the hospital called and the doctor had to leave. So the girls and I sat on the piano bench and tried to talk about obedience. Grace's little mind was stuck on The Wizard of Oz. (She watched it for the first time today and loved the entire movie and that's all she wants to talk about...flying monkeys, a mean witch, a good fairy witch Glenda, Dorothy's shoes, and the poor dog.) So when scripture stories didn't capture her attention I tied the make-shift lesson to the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy was told by the Wizard to get the Wicked Witch's broom stick. The Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Lion helped Dorothy get the broom stick. Because they obeyed the wizard's directions each person received the thing they were looking for and they found happiness. We can have a happy home when we obey.

FHE 09/01/08-Fasting

Opening Song: Hymn #140 Did You Think To Pray?

Opening Prayer: Mom

Lesson: Queen Esther saved her people through prayer and fasting. Fasting is a special prayer to Heavenly Father. Heavenly Father wants us to fast the first Sunday of every month. When we fast we give up food and water for one whole day. Grace and Anne are too little to give up food for a day. However, Grace and Anne can give up snacks during sacrament meeting on fast Sundays. This sacrifice will be a good way to show Heavenly Father you are willing to follow his commandments. This Sunday is fast Sunday. Grace and Anne can say a special prayer with mom and dad, and we can fast as a family.

Closing Song: Hymn #140 Did You Think To Pray?

Closing Prayer: Mom

Activity: We danced to Hawaiian Roller coaster- Lilo & Stitch Soundtrack

FHE 08/25/2008

Choose the Right Opening Song: Hymn #239 Choose the Right Opening Prayer:Daddy Lesson: When Moses was in the wilderness with the Israelites the people were not obeying Heavenly Father. They were not listening and following Moses. Heavenly Father wanted the people to obey. Snakes bit many people and made them sick. Moses told the people to look at the snake on his staff if they wanted to be healed. Some people disobeyed. They died. Others obeyed and they were healed. Mommy and Daddy give rules and directions in our family to keep us safe and happy. Holding hands in the parking lot is a family rule. Holding hands will keep Grace and Anne safe from danger. It is important for Grace and Anne to always hold hands in the parking lot. We can be a happy family by following the rules. Closing Song: Hymn # 239 Choose the Right Closing Prayer: Mommy Activities: We role-played a parking lot scenario in the house. Grace and Anne practiced holding hands and walking. We colored CTR shields and played Simon Says. When Grace refused to follow directions she sat on the floor while we continued to play with Anne. Grace soon joined the game again. After the games we decided to go for a walk and Grace and Anne did a great job holding hands in the dangerous parking lot. It was a great night.

FHE 08/18/08

Establish A House of Prayer

Opening Song: Hymn# 300 Families Can Be Together Forever Opening Prayer: Mom Lesson: We have baptism prayers, sacrament prayers, personal prayers and dinner prayers. Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. Earlier this week Edwin commented that work has been an easier transition than he imagined. He is able to adapt to his irregular sleep schedule and he feels comfortable being the doctor. I said that it is an answer to Grace's prayers. Every day Grace prays that daddy will be a good doctor. This week Grace also prayed specifically to find apricots at the Farmer's Market. When we returned home from the market she prayed and thanked Heavenly Father for the yummy apricots she could eat! Closing Song: Hymn# 300 Closing Prayer: Grace Activities: We played with dad while he was still awake

This evening Grace prayed over her McDonald toys so Anne wouldn't want to play with them.....I laughed hysterically.

FHE 08/11/08

Establishing a House of God

Doctrine and Covenants 88:119 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

Opening Song: Hymn #30 Come, Come Ye Saints

Opening Prayer: Dad

Lesson: Establishing a House of God

We read and discussed Doctrine and Covenants 88:119

Closing Song: Hymn# 301 I am a Child of God

Closing Prayer: Mom

FHE 8/04/08

Family

Edwin was working late this week and I had an entire lesson prepared with visuals and things for the girls to do. However, things changed when I opened the door!!!

At 6pm there was a knock at the door and I saw my neighbor Jack standing outside. I immediately invited him inside when he said he couldn't stay long. He apologized for such a short notice, but felt impressed to invite me and the family to his wedding at 6:45. I of course agreed and told him we would be dressed and on time. He left and I panicked when I realized that I had 45 minutes to dress myself and both girls. We had hair that needed to be combed and dinner to eat.

I quickly dressed while dinner finished baking in the oven. Grace refused to eat until she was in her wedding dress with her wedding shoes! Once dressed Grace danced around the house telling me she was beautiful and she was excited to go to Jack's wedding to see Pam in a beautiful white dress. Anne was pretty content with whatever happened, but she made sure that she had a bow in her hair too.

So there we were at the church for a wedding for family home evening. Edwin was working and unable to attend, but we had a great time any way. Grace sat through the ceremony with her arms folded the entire time and Anne walked around smiling at the bride and groom.

It was a wonderful way to spend family home evening!!! On the car ride home we discussed marriage as a fundamental part of families and that one day Grace and Anne can be married in the temple like mom and dad.

There were only a few people there (most every

FHE 7/21/2008

Last week's lesson was a bit unusual for us, but none the less it is was it is.

We grabbed Bee Movie at the grocery store while we were there and came home. We had dinner, watched a movie and then we had an open discussion. This month's theme has been about how Jesus made the earth and we can use these creations for our benefit. So....well, bees are insects and they teach us that we must work hard and share our skills and blessings with others. Happy FHE this week!

FHE 7/28/08

Opening Song: Hymn #62 All Creatures of our God and King Opening Prayer: Anne Lesson: The Ant Family- We need to do service in the home like Serve-Ant, the youngest child in the ant family. (Thanks Dodie for the story and visuals.) Closing Song: Hymn #62 All Creatures of our God and King Closing Prayer: Grace We played with the marble run and built castles for the Princesses. It was a very girly night because dad is working. We miss you daddy and we look forward to you coming home tomorrow (even if you are exhausted).

FHE 07/14/08

Teeth are for Food

Opening Song: Hymn# 62 All Creatures of Our God and King

Opening Prayer: Anne

Lesson: Teeth are for food. They are not for biting bodies. Food goes into our mouths and through our stomach. It then passes through our duodenum and into our colon. We need to keep our bodies healthy by eating good food and using the toilet regularly.

Closing Prayer: Mom

Activity: We played with our interactive body book and then used many fruits to make smoothies.

Lesson was adapted to help Anne learn that teeth are for biting food and not bodies. She has started biting (it may be in part because she is cutting her molars) and unfortunately Grace is the one who is being bit the most often. Grace enjoys learning about her body and how it works. It was a great night for everyone.

FHE 07/07/08

Family Home Evening

Opening Song: Hymn#62 All Creatures of Our God and King
Opening Prayer: Dad
Lesson: Heavenly Father and Jesus Made the Animals. We need to respect all creatures. Closing Prayer: Grace
Activity: We talked about the ducks, geese, squirrels and other animals we see at our new house. Feeding the animals appropriate food is one way to treat the animals with respect. Then Grace and Anne named several animals they like to see (cats, dogs, cows, horses, geese, fish, and many more). We then went for a stroll along the river.
Treat: Chocolate "America Birthday" Cake

FHE- Power of God and Power Tools

Family Home Evening

Opening Song: Hymn #136 I know that My Redeemer Lives

Opening Prayer: Grace

Lesson: Prophets Teach the Truth

Closing Prayer: Mom

Activity: We went shopping for Power Tools at the local hardware store. The girls and I played a scavenger hunt and found many things to do while daddy did some price comparisons and decision making. We enjoy going to the hardware store as a family because there is something for everyone. Grace and Anne liked playing with all of the door locks on display. Anne really liked the pull handles and the pivoting display boards. Grace pretended to lock the door and go potty. When we were tired of the door knobs we moved over to the lawn mowers (I liked pretending to drive the lawn mowers and tractors at the John Deer Store when I was a child). Although the riding lawn mowers were exciting they didn't compare to the porch swings. We enjoyed our time together and we especially liked coming home to eat yummy treats!

We are excited about watching conference this weekend. It will be a great experience.

FHE- Choices

Family Home Evening

Opening Song: Hymn #136 I know that my Redeemer Lives

Opening Prayer: Anne

Lesson: The Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ allows us to make choices.

We showed the girls a picture of Jesus Christ praying in Gethsemane and a picture of his resurrection. Because Jesus atoned for our sins and was resurrected we can return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ if we make good choices and follow the teachings of the gospel. It is important to learn to make choices and accept the consequences of our decisions.

Activity: Grace was given two choices (Jelly Beans or Starbursts). Grace chose jelly beans. Daddy was given Starbursts. Grace was allowed to choose the 2 jellybeans she wanted to eat.

Closing Song: Hymn #136 I know that my Redeemer Lives

Closing Prayer: Grace

We changed our family rules to...

I choose to obey.

I choose to be nice.

I choose to use good manners.

My mission companion started blogging recently and I really enjoyed seeing her FHE activities on the blog. Thanks Rachel C. for the great idea.