STORMS...and the storms of life

So, we've been through a bunch of severe storms...there have been tornado warnings night after night and so it got to the point where we started putting the kids to sleep in bathtub so we didn't have to pull them out of bed in the middle of the night when the sirens went off, as we stumbled down the stairs in the dark because of course the electricity was out, etc.

We lucked out and just had branches everywhere, many people had whole trees up rooted and destroyed roofs, car damage, etc.

Also, the month of April was a roller coaster of a month for me.  Doug was going to be deployed, then he wasn't, then he was, then he wasn't, then we learned we needed to move out of our house because the landlord was moving back (pcsing...so goes the Army) and we had entered a very competitive rental market since 20,000 soldiers are coming back from Afghanistan, so prices are higher for houses much smaller than the one we've been spoiled with at a crazy good price).  Also, I got put into Young Womens...this isn't a negative, just knowing myself and that I will want to give my whole heart  to this calling but how do I do this when I feel I'm barely managing being a decent mother of 3 VERY active boys, and not knowing if I'm going to have a husband here or in Afghanistan or what the heck is going on in the next year of my life!  I just need more faith!

My little men on Easter

It's been storming all day, but we did get a quick pic of the boys after church just before they stripped down for lunch, peanut butter bon bons dipped in chocolate, Easter egg hunting, and egg dying/decorating.  (I forgot to change a setting on my camera before I took these, so they're not the best...oh well)

 We had to hold the Easter egg hunt in the playroom because of the weather.  A few friends joined us.

And this is the turkey Doug shot on Friday and we ate it for our Easter feast as a family.  Colt and Jax even loved it.

In honor of Easter

Thinking about showing this to the Young Women this Sunday...yes, I've been released from my two previous callings...now onto my 4th calling in 9 months...1st Counselor in the Young Womens...I think the Lord is trying to keep me in my toes...it's really just bringing me to my knees.

I really enjoy this clip by Elder Holland.

(sorry had to remove it because it was always playing...no pause?)

"Have I done any good in the world today?"

Seriously my new motto.  After this past weekend's General Conference, I've a been re-energized in my callings as Ward Welfare Specialist and Compassionate Service Leader.  Feel more and more the importance of serving others, caring for the poor and needy, teaching self-reliance, and becoming more self-reliant myself.  I didn't know that this was the 75th Anniversary of the Church Welfare System until it was mentioned during conference.

I notice 7 repeating themes during conference:

1.  REVELATION- comes line upon line, precept on precept, more common than "Big Spiritual Experiences."; let us be those whom the Lord can rely on to receive the promptings of the Spirit; often times the answer comes when our feet (serving, ACTing, doing) than on our knees; by being the answer to someone else's prayer, ours will be answered
2. SELF-RELIANCE/WELFARE- very important to have these to be true disciples of Christ, esp. giving self-less service; exercise come economic discipline; when love becomes the guiding principle, it becomes True Religion- a manifestation of our Gospel Beliefs
3.  TRIALS- are for our growth, why we are here, don't resent them; endure them well and we'll become more like Christ and be who He needs us to be;  hard things happen before beautiful things can occur
4.  TEMPTATION- rid of worldliness and increase to qualify for the Holy Ghost; by establishing Celestial traditions, we will combat the unrighteous traditions of the world.
5.  MARRIAGE- single men, get married and stay married.  Marriage between man and woman is of God and having a family helps rid us of our selfish desires and become more like Christ.  Pure joy is found within the family.
6.  HIGH STANDARD- God expects us to follow, and it requires work, humility, and faith; are we willing to received correction "divine chastening",
7.  TITHING- those who pay their tithing tend to be more self-reliant because the Lord gives them knowledge on how to be provident on 90% of our income; our faith is strengthened, prevents divorce

I took a survey among my friends and family of a theme that stood out in conference.  And the majoring of responses showed a consistent theme of Self Reliance/Welfare/Give to poor and needy/Service.  Second, was in relation to the Family/Marriage/Temple.

How I love the gospel of Jesus Christ!  It inspires me to live a life of love and service to my husband, children, friend, family, and ALL of God's children.  Yay for a great conference!

Being the Best Mom you can be...more important than money

I wrote this to a friend who was stressing about paying off student loan debt. I thought I should post it here just in case I have a daughter-in-law who might have similar feelings in the future. (I do look at this blog as my personal family history...just need to get it printed).

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The sacrifice we make to be the BEST MOTHERS we can be, whether financial, physical, emotional, etc. is pleasing unto God. There is no greater counsel than to follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost. The world will teach you to value money and God teaches that where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.

Don't let Satan sway you from feeling confident in doing the Lord's will. The prophets have counseled us to be wise with our spending...and to be present in the here and now...and that no success out of the home can compensate for failure in the home. You, my friend, have always been very aware of your spending...don't let it make you crazy, it should bring peace. The debt was for the future well being of your family...take peace in that. And might I add that you guys have a job that provides for your family and aren't you thankful for that!! Law school helped you to get where you are...what a blessing!

We are counseled to keep our bodies healthy and to do physical activity...that is a good thing and if Gold's Gym membership is what helps you do that, great! It's worth the investment to maintain your sanity...that's what helps you be the best mom you can be...that a GREAT thing. Also, you guys having a getaway so you can maintain a strong, healthy married is another good thing. You want that weekend to be enjoyed...not analyzing every penny...that's not rejuvenating. By coming back from a weekend of L-O-V-E you'll both be ready to meet the parenting demands with more energy and love.

Choose to BECOME...(TOFW 2011 theme)

"All things are POSSIBLE to him that BELIEVETH" Mark 9:23




Of course I loved every minute of it. Though I organized a group of 14 of us to attend, to keep myself focused on why I was there, I went on my own to sit 3 rows up from the stage, right behind the presenters to get the "most" out of this experience. Here are some of my notes and inspiration received:

Mary Ellen Edmonds

• A rose seed is a rose from the moment it's planted until it dies. Same goes for our identity, we are God's child from the moment born until we die.
• You are real and absolutely unique. Heavenly Father knows you, your name, your thoughts/feelings, your hopes/dreams, etc.
• Satan does NOT want you to know who you are.
• Shred every unclean thought. "Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not"

Kris Belcher

• Help me to know thy wil and LIVE it.
• Everyday CHOOSE to turn your adversity to Heavenly Father.
• Let the wind blow so we can become who He wants us to become (parrallel Bro. of Jared and vessels that traveled in the dark, blew to safety)

Hillary Weeks

• "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become."
• Loved her new songs "That's who I am" and "I danced in the Rain" ...new cd out in the fall, can't wait
• Her experiment. Avg. person thinks 300 negative thoughts/ day. She used a clicker to count negative thoughts (around 170/day) and then decided to count positive thoughts instead (over 1200-best day)
• I need to write down my "windows of Heaven"...the things greater than I could imagine that God has blessed me with (Doug, BYU Event Management Job, Timberline Middle School job, my kids, my High School experience, Dental School experience)
• "Circumstance can't change, our thoughts can"
• Phillipians 4:8 (make quote board) "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things arehonest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things arelovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
• "Extraordinary moments can happen during ordinary days."
• "You briefly get to know your child as a child, the majority will be as an adult."
• Fill your mind with positive thoughts of succeeding on the things that are most important."
• When you encounter difficulty, you're being prepared for something.
• When you have a million things to do in the day, pray to know what is the most important thing for you to do and then DO that one.

Merrilee Boyack "Blazing Your Trail"

• be Bold and fearless
• be Eternally minded
• be Creative
• be Outward focused
• be Meek
• be Enlightened
• be U...unique
• read book "Stand for the Family" and visit standforthefamily.org
• Spirit daughters come from the most creative being- God.
• Don't conform or compare- that's Satan

Bro. Hilton III "Nothing shall be impossible before you"

• Be encouraged in His grace, not discouraged by comparisons (Matt. 17:20)
• Pres. Uctdorf- shouldn't compare, just do the best you can
• Pray for the strength of the Lord
• "Fear Not" and "Fear ye Not" appear 100x's in the scriptures; "Be Not afraid" appears 35 times in scriptures
• The battle against good and evil is not ours, it's God's.
• Teach boys the answer to life's problems are in the scriptures.
• Walk forward in faith---do NOT fear---it's not until our "feet our we" will the Lord provide a way
• No Fear, go Foward (Exodus 14:11-28)
• Do His will, then you'll know the doctrine---that's how we gain a testimony (John)
• "Although some blessings dont' come until the next life, nothing shall be impossible before you."

Emilee Freeman

• "What have I been called to do right now in this time in my life?"
• Pray to find out what purpose the Lord has for me.
• It's extremely important for you to trust in the Lord, learn what purpose he has for you and "settle it in your heart."
• The Lord looks at what we will become, we should too.
• Put a picture that strengthens your testimony of Christ in each room. Let the boys choose it. Write "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ" under it.
• Record the moments when you see the Lord loving you.
• Serve the Lord with all your heart, hold back nothing. Consecrate your life to the Lord.

As I knew I would Icame home on a spiritual high. I embraced each of my kids with long hugs and a BIG kiss for Doug. And when I saw Jax's bed head at 5pm and learned he didn't have shoes on either for his soccer pictures, I was able to keep an eternal perspective and not worry that the coach's son was that way...he's only 5 right. =)

When your week feels like this...

Sunday

1. Doug gets set apart as Elder's Quorum President
2. Learn of 3 families in need of meals, babysitting, prayers (ward Compassionate Service Leader)
3. Meeting with committee @ big youth event, discuss marketing (special assignment from Bishop)
4. Discuss ward family garden with the family donating the land (ward Welfare Specialist)
5. Kim, doug's sis, in town

Monday

1. Clean house, do laundry
2. Compassionate service committee meeting
3. Calm down over exhausted 3 year old 
4. Make a gluten free meal for a family
5. Lower crib because 14m old figured how to climb/fall out of it
6. Feed the missionaries
7. F.H.E.
8. Respond to voicemails and texts about families in need
9. Let Doug know that I love him and support him in his new calling (he's overwhelmed)
10. Prepare for preschool...didn't happen

Tuesday

1. Deal with the fact your 14m old kept you up all night and that you don't know why he's super fussy and won't sleep in his bed
2. Prepare for preschool 
3. Implement preschool for 9 super hyper kids...why didn't I have the hyper bug too
4. Feel overwhelmed with all that needs to get done
5. Put all three boys down for naps, snuggle with the 3 and 5 yr. old to make sure they actually fall asleep (need happy boys tonight)
6. Return more phone calls, start emails that need to be sent out, get distracted by one and then end up distressing on my blog =)
7. Need to start dinner
8. Prepare for marketing meeting with youth tonight and to watch kids cause Doug has EQ meeting

Wednesday-Saturday (much the same) but adding

1. Fellowship a few sisters
2. Set up meals for a family
3. Get a group together to clean another lady's house
4. Be visit taught
5. Learn to make chicken bruschetta at our first cooking group
6. Soccer meeting- Doug's the coach
7. Send email to Preschool parents and then Preschool again 
8. Get "ward family garden" email info details, create sign up sheet, posters made, start spreading the word
9. Return library books and get "food" ones for preschool.
10. Finish editing photos from a recent shoot.
11. Go to the temple in Nashville with Doug
12. Organize carpool and lodging for Time Out for Women (convince one husband to let his wife attend)
13. Confirm babysitter for this weekend since Doug has to work another Saturday (grr)- write up detailed schedule for my kids for her
14. Rejoice in the fact that I'll be getting my cup filled this weekend...can't wait for T.O.F.W.!!!

...be thankful you have a strong healthy body to get it all done!!! (pep talk for myself)

Dr. Suess Preschool Party

Reading, singing, eating, rhyming, creating...

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:21

Today coming home from church Jax says, "Daddy, quick get your seat belt on before the policeman comes and gives you a sad ticket and then you have to sell all your knives and guns!"

Amazed at the connection Jaxon made today from a discussion we had last fall.  I had explain to the boys the importance of wearing their seatbelts.  In addition to the safety concerns, I explained if the policeman gave us a ticket because they were not wearing their seatbelts, then they'd have to sell their toys to pay for it because it would be a lot of money.  How interesting that Jaxon connected knives and guns as Daddy's prize possessions that those would be the treasures he would have to sell.

So out of curiosity I ask, "What would Mommy have to sell if she got a ticket?"  To this Jax replies, "Your kids...and your husband!"

My heart grew five sizes as he KNEW that my most precious possessions are my kids and my husband!!!  I then turned to Doug and said, "Even our kids know what we treasure most."

Doug in his defense says, "Ya, but I would never sell the kids!"

I was then contemplating all the other responses that Jax could have said like my computer, cell phone, sewing machine, fabric, clorox wipes, washer and dryer, camera, friends, etc. as I do spend a lot of time with each of these items.  But thank goodness he feels that my kids and husband are my biggest treasure and that's where my heart is also.

Below are pics my cousin Jeannie took when they came to visit the beginning of this year (including the one as our blog header).  I LOVE THEM!!!  Thank you Jeannie!

My TREASURES, My HEART!  I love you guys!

Knights and Princess Party

So my darling 5 year old decided he wanted to set our dinning room table at 7:30am this morning.  As he climbed up on the counter to get the "big people" plates out of the cabinet, he says to calm my questioning face, "Mom look, I'll be real careful.  I use two hands."  I cautiously observe as he climbs up and down to bring down 6 plates.  He continues on to the silverware and asks questions like, "Is this left?" I have an idea what he is doing, but he's never done this before except when we learned about it in preschool and that was back in November and we used "kidware."  I decide to get down the nice glasses as I only have 6 left and really don't want to loose anymore.  He says, "thanks Mom" and keeps going.

Then he says, "Come look Mom!"  So I do.  This is what I see.

"Now can we go to the store to buy my toy?" he anxiously waits for my response.  I give him a hug and say, "I just love that you used your head and creatively came up with a way to make me smile.  Remember what I said about your toy?  You may earn that by being obedient, but this could be a fun way to celebrate Valentine's Day.  How about we plan a little lunch date with some friends and use the place setting you've arranged."  He pauses for a moments and then the ideas just start to flow.  I told him I better write this all down so we could remember.

His party plan as follows:

Knight and Princess Valentine Party by: Jaxon McArthur

Menu

Fish 

Spinach w/ Ranch

Carrots and Broccoli and Dip

Cookies 

Water, Juice, or Milk

Dress

Girls- Princess Hats

Boys- Knight Hats

Game

Princess Game:  The princess is in the tall tower (the bunk beds) and then someone calls for all the knights to save the princess.

Knight Game:  Ride horses, find a dragon, and fight the dragon.

Welcome Sign

Heart with words that say, "We're having a Valentine's party!  Come in right now before it starts." 

And Jax says he's going to draw it.

He also said to me, "No toys out and no watching movies and no making big messes."

Invites

He listed 9 friends and then Jesus.  

My heart just warmed with love for this little party planner.  How I love his creativity, his desire to make people happy, how he loves being around friends, and his detailed planning of this Valentine event.

love my sweet boy!

Pictures from the party today (actually Valentine's Day).  Oh, and I have to add that when Jax was passing out his invitations at church yesterday, he gave one to the Bishop, the clerk, and his favorite 16 year old babysitter who's a priest.  It made them smile.

February is good for remembering the things you love

like the fact that my boys made their beds yesterday w/o being asked.

(finally wrote some blogs that I've been meaning to for a long time now...here they are)

And that I love my friends from Morgantown.
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And that I love the beach.
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And that I love to be creative and throw parties.
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And that I love spring (groundhog says it's coming soon) and celebrating Easter.
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And that I love living in the US where freedom reigns (crazy stuff going on in Egypt right now).
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Funnies 2010

September

Talon- "Excuse my bum," he says after making an elephant noise (toots).

Jaxon- "Mom, this is going to make you so laugh," he says as he turns around with his tongue out and eyes rolling.

Jaxon- with wet hair and comb in hand, "When I'm in High School this is how I will do my hair." ....he's sleeking it back. "But for Preschool today, I'll do it like a dragon."

Jaxon- throwing a fit because he can't get his belt through the last loop. I offer help and he replies, "I DON'T NEED HELP, I JUST NEED MYSELF!" I looked at him and bursted into laughter. He paused and cracked a smile through the tears too.

Jaxon- "If I have 10 pennies, I give 1 penny to the church." Then we ask, "If you have 10 dollars, how many do you give." He replies, "1 dollar ." "Very Good." we say. "Now if you have 100 dollars, how many do you give for tithing." Jax thinks for a while and then replies, "10 dollars." Doug and I are stunned in amazement. We ask, "How did you get so smart?" After a moment of thought he stats, "It's because I watch Dinosaur Train."

April

Jaxon- Trying to give Jaxon his allergy eye drops we say, "It will feel funny." He replies/cries, "I don't want to laugh."

"Mom, look at my fossils!" he joyously shouts as he points to his rib cage and sucks in his belly.

Talon-phrases that make me smile 1. "ohhhh-tay!" 2. "Mommy I nEEd you!" 3. "Baby Colton loves me."

phrases that don't make me smile 1. "NnnnO!" big pouty face
2. "I want a diffa one (cup, show, shirt, etc.)" as he throws his head back and screams. 3. "why?...why?...why?" no reason ever seems to be good enough

And when he doesn't get his way, "But I'll be so sad."

March 2010
Jaxon- Upon showing me his lined drawing says, "Mom, this is your chart. When you and Dad listen and obey, you get to write a letter here. You have to listen and obey what I say. OK Mom?"

Talon- Saying a prayer over our mac-n-cheese, "Bless Mommy, Daddy, Jaxon, baby Colton, my elephant, my tiger, my anklyosaurus, my velociraptor, Grandpa, Grandma, Kimmie, Aunt Jenny..."

February 2010
Jaxon- "Mom, I want to be married in the Utahraptor Temple."

To my 1 year old

Colton,

From the moment you were born, you've had my heart.  I think I've had yours too.  You are by far, the Biggest Mama's boy compared to your brothers.  To know that I bring so much comfort to your life, fills me with love.  I'm sure one day you won't need me as much, but right now I savor the midnight snuggles, morning snuggles, midday snuggles, while I'm cooking dinner snuggles, and bath time snuggles.  You also have been my longest nurser.  We made it over a year!!!  And on one side too!  When it comes to food your favorites are blueberries, pancakes, banana bread, bananas, peas, black beans, mac-n-cheese, veggie stir-fry, smoothies, spaghetti,  corn, and I really could on.  You learned to crawl sooner than your brothers too at the end of your 7th month you took off and Dad calls you "Turbo."  You love being on the move, exploring, climbing, getting into drawers, cupboards, the trash, going up and down stairs, and don't mind crawling on grass or sand at all.

Your personality is bursting with playfulness.  You love to play peak-a-boo with anything- your yellow blanky, your sippy cup, a toy, the bathtub, anything.  You love being chased up the stairs. Your brothers' underwear drawer and you have some magnetic attraction and you always make yourself laugh and seek a laugh out of us as you try to put them on your head.  If someone in the room is laughing, you always give an additional courtesy laugh and then that makes us laugh even more.  You hate it when I leave, esp. when I leave you in the car for a moment to pick up your brothers from preschool...serious freak out...whimpers and all..breaks my heart.  I fear you have been traumatized with my attempts to get you sleep through the night (which, by the way, I'm hoping you'll start a pattern of here soon) or when I don't respond to your needs fast enough.  Son, I know you'll understand when you have 3 sons under the age of 4 one day.

You love music, dancing, and especially love your left hand...your comfort that I'm sure you'll be using until your 10!  Maybe I should have gone the pacifier route...no, you needed the self soothing tool.  Your brothers just adore you.  Talon loves to wake you up in the morning, much to my dismay, to share his morning news that the suns up.  Jax loves to pat you on the head and shares toys with you frequentlly.  Talon loves to sneak food off your plate and you don't seem to mind.  Hope you always enjoy sharing. Daddy just absolutely adores you.  When he comes home from work, you light up and say "Hi Da-Da!" and start your happy dance- stand up, bounce your bum up and down dance, sit back down, and then lay on your belly while you wait for daddy to pat your back and play.  Daddy now gets up with you at night as we are weaning and you're beginning to find comfort in him as well.

I love you my sweet boy!  Thanks for the joy you bring to my life daily.

Your Mama



Your Birthday Party

I took your 1 year old photos of course while you were on the move....love you my little love!  Here's a few of my favorites, to see more go to my photography blog.

Tennessee Christmas

Growing up in our household meant listening to Amy Grant's Christmas Album over and over and over until Dan would say enough.  "Tennessee Christmas" was one of our favorites.  Daniel even learned to play it on the piano for a recital and I sang it.  Well, this year my Mom, Dan, Hunter, Daniel, Adrienne, and baby Aaron joined us for our first Christmas all together since Daniel and Adrienne were married.  It was HEAVENLY!!!

Wore fun pajamas....note, that is their cousin Aaron, not Colton.

 POLAR EXPRESS NIGHT

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 GINGERBREAD HOUSES OUT OF CARDBOARD BOXES.

What a cute family they make.

My contribution to the project while Doug and the boys cut, duct taped, and decorated the sides.

Colton was in bed and missed out on the fun. But these boys had a great time.  

 BOUGHT STOCKING STUFFERS FOR A SECRET SOMEONE.

 MADE CHRISTMAS COOKIES AND HOMEMADE BREAD WITH NANA.

CHRISTMAS DINNER BASKET to a needy family (a McArthur tradition where you doorbell ditch it)

And then

PERFORMED "Is There Room?" (the musical-script I wrote for our ward Christmas party)...acting this out with our limited costumes and cast was quite comical...but at least Daniel and I dueted "Tennessee Christmas" and it ended with everyone singing "Silent Night."

CHRISTMAS MORNING...the unwrapping

Mom really wanted a family photo of us all and to do a display on her wall, so I helped her out by editing pics,  getting great frames, and starting her family wall for her.  

Doug was determined to get Colt to walk before his 1st birthday...didn't happen.

 FAMILY MUSICAL NUMBER AT CHURCH...this was a first, we all sang "I heard the bells on Christmas day."  Hunter started it off a capela the base part only, Mom played it through on her flute, then Doug and I dueted the 2nd verse, all the boys (Dan, Daniel, Hunter, and Doug) sang the 3rd in parts, then the whole family in parts on the 4th, and then the organ and congregation joined in on the last verse.

My amazingly talented brother Hunter.

This is me rehearsing...I was very nervous as I don't sing in church....I mean by myself or in a duet....choirs, sure.

 GRAND OLE OPRY RESORT...we visited this amazing resort in Nashville and it was decorated to the hilt in lights and Christmas decor'....amazing.

I thought we needed a photo under this sign.

Colt conked out.