Random Thoughts Thursday

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Doesn't anyone else have random thoughts on Thursdays anymore?

Making Halloween costumes is not inexpensive.  But I've been doing it for the last 9 years.  I really can't stop now.  (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.) (Besides, they last longer when they're homemade.)

I'm hungry.

I had something in my mind I wanted to link to today, but I can't remember what it was.  Sorry.

I want to write real posts again, but there seems to be very little time for that.  And yet my house is still a mess.  What do I do all day?

While volunteering at the girls' school so far this year I have almost made three kindergartners cry.  Am I that scary?

Okay, time for lunch.  Finally!

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Maybe Jesus Never Had Sisters

A little over a month ago, our family was asked if we could prepare a musical number to present during the church service a few weeks later.  I'm fairly certain this request came not because our family possesses any particular musical talent*, but more likely because we posses three very adorable daughters.  I was told it could be our entire family, just the girls, a solo by anyone (my vote was for Chris, but for some reason he didn't think that was a good idea), or just a piano piece.

I figured our best bet was to have just the girls sing.  They jumped at the chance.  We chose a children's song, one of my favorites, called "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus", and the practicing commenced.

There's nothing quite like hearing sweet, angelic voices sing about all the ways they're trying to emulate the Savior while the owners of those voices are engaging in near fistfights over who gets to stand where and whether anyone should be touching anyone else.

Fortunately they managed to get that all out of their systems before the big day.  For all everyone at church knows, our girls are always as calm and composed as they were that morning.

What they don't know won't hurt them.


*Chris just read this out loud, and Ellie announced indignantly, "I'm talented!"  So I guess we posses one musical talent, as well as three adorable daughters.  Sorry.

Random Thoughts Thursday

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I have been such an apathetic blogger lately, and I’m so disappointed in myself. If not for Thursdays, this would probably be one of those blogs that drive me crazy, because I keep thinking, why have a blog if you don’t write in it! I’ve started a few posts, but I seem to lack the motivation to actually post them. I’m working on that.

I’m turning into a true Oregonian. I walked home this morning from dropping the girls off at school. In the rain. Without an umbrella. Go me.

Last night Chris and I watched the first-ever episode of Lost. Yeah, we’re a little behind the times.

This morning Ellie woke up in tears. Apparently she had a dream involving a green machine that was turning dogs into candy, and it was very distressing.

We start Girl Scout meetings next week. I’m gearing myself up for that added level of craziness.

If you’re looking for a great way to waste an entire day, check this out. The girls and I have become addicted. Coolest internet game ever.

I am, apparently, the kind of person who gets completely overwhelmed by big messes. Rather than deal with it, I tend to just shut down and ignore it, hoping it will just go away. That strategy’s not working out so well, though.

Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting would be really tasty for breakfast, don’t you think?

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Random Thoughts Thursday

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All week long I’ve been telling myself I’ll write this on Wednesday night and have it auto-post first thing Thursday morning. So much for that. Sorry, folks.

Sometimes I forget about time zones. I’ll see that someone left a comment at 4:30 in the morning and I worry about what they were doing up so early. Then I remember that they live on the East coast, and I feel better.

We ate all the brownies I baked in the midst of pear canning on Sunday. I needed a snack that wasn’t fruit. But now they’re gone and I want something sweet and chewy. I think I’ll bake cookies.

Vicki and her friends are helping the school counselor make a short how-to movie about behavior in the school cafeteria. How cool is that?

I love our school.

This morning I did code-of-dress check in all the classrooms. Only 3 kids not dressed appropriately, hooray!

Have I mentioned before that I love the girls having a school uniform? Even if it’s technically just a dress code? It makes our mornings go so much more smoothly.

I have this weird feeling life is about to get a lot busier. I’m having a hard time understanding how that could be, seeing as how I already feel like life is much busier than it ever has been.

I’m enjoying the mornings with just Ellie. We love walking home together after dropping her sisters off at school.

If you're not a reader of EPBOT, the fabulous new(ish) blog by Jen, the hilarious creator of the equally fabulous Cake Wrecks, there is one post in particular you need to read.  In short, she had a really, really bad day, but she found something that cheered her up, and she decided to turn it into a B.A.D. (day) instead.  Click here to learn more!

Alrighty, now, how about those cookies? Chocolate chip or snickerdoodles…any suggestions?

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Your turn!

A bit of advice for the linky tool: please link directly to your Random Thoughts Thursday post, and not to your entire blog. To do this, simply click on the title of your post. This will take you to that post's page, and you can then copy and paste that url into the linky. This way people linking from my blog won’t have to scroll through any other posts you might put up to find your randomness. Thanks!

A Time and a Place

Sorry in advance for two kind of heavy posts in a row.  I'm sure my kids will do or say something hilarious any day now, and we'll be back to the light, fluffy fun that is normally this blog!

Being Obama supporters, we stand out a little bit in our church. Not too many Mormons are up there with us, but we don’t mind too much. At church, it’s the Gospel we have in common that matters, after all, not the politics. Some Sundays we joke about parking our Obama bumper-stickered car next to the car with the Mitt Romney bumper stickers, but chances are no one would even notice. We wouldn’t be making any sweeping statements, anyway; it just makes us giggle. By now we’re used to being different and we like being that way.

This morning Chris and I spent a wonderful three hours in the temple, a place of quiet reflection, learning, and worship for worthy members of the Church. We were joining some friends who were attending for their first time and being joined eternally as a family. A husband, wife, and their two sons together forever – what a beautiful thing. We were honored to be invited to share such an intimate and joyful occasion with them, and we’re so happy for them. It was a great morning, full of love and friendship and the Spirit.

We left the temple feeling refreshed and renewed and walked across the beautiful grounds to our car, where we were immediately brought crashing back to earth.

Someone had left a small card stuck in the driver’s side window with a hand-written statement saying something to the effect that if we were just doing our homework we’d learn how much Obama was working against the Church.

Wow.

I’m guessing whoever left us that note saw our bumper sticker and was horrified. They probably decided that the best thing they could do, as a patriotic American, was to share their “knowledge” with people they clearly felt were less-enlightened than they. The note was obviously scrawled in a hurry; they probably thought they were doing us a favor. In all honesty, what came across was just plain old self-righteousness. We’re secure enough in our faith and our convictions that, while the rudeness bothered us, we’re not deeply affected by this petty attempt at persuasion. However, I can’t help thinking about what might have happened if our situation had been different.

Suppose we’d come to the temple this morning seeking guidance or reassurance for troubled hearts?

Suppose we were just returning to the temple after years of inactivity?

Suppose we were, like our friends, attending the temple for the very first time?

Suppose we weren’t even Mormon, but just visiting the grounds out of curiosity?

The temple is supposed to be a place of peace, love, and Godliness. Only members of the Church who have shown a willingness to make very specific and sacred covenants with God are allowed inside. Those who attend often leave filled with the Spirit and renewed in their convictions to lead a Christlike life. Church members spend a good amount of conversation with non-members explaining why not just anyone is permitted inside.

What does such a passive-aggressive attempt at political persuasion outside the building say to an outside observer about the hearts of the people inside?

It took one crazy preacher with a match and an agenda to inflame the whole of the Muslim world; it could take just one person with a pen and an opinion to change someone’s views about Mormons and the temple.

Fortunately, I do know that our note-writer is a rare soul; most people who attend the temple would never even think about doing something so crass. We know many people at church who strongly disagree with us politically, but we still see them as wonderful, Christlike people. I’d like to believe that our anonymous note-writer is also a good person who just thought they were righting a wrong.

So here’s the lesson I’ve chosen to take from this experience: think before you speak out.

Not everything needs to be said. You may not like President Obama; well, I don’t like Glenn Beck. But we don’t have to agree politically in order to agree about anything else. We really don’t. Religion and politics do not mix well, but they don’t need to. Jesus spent time with Pharisees and sinners alike, and the wonderful thing about His plan is that we are allowed the agency to make our own choices. If you don’t agree with my choices, and you feel it necessary to speak up, speak up directly to me. Leaving anonymous notes definitely won’t do anything positive for your cause. Trust me.

So if you get nothing else out of this post, please, please remember this: there’s a time and a place for everything. It’s a wonderful thing to have so much diversity in the world. Differences of opinion are what make life interesting. But there’s a time and a place for bringing up those differences.

And the House of the Lord is not it.

A Common Word (reposted)

There's a good chance everyone reading this right now can remember exactly what they were doing 9 years ago today when the world changed forever; I know I can.  I will never, ever forget the shock of turning the channel from the childlike innocence of Sesame Street to the unthinkable horror that was New York City that day.  It was a tragic day for all Americans, yes, and we should never forget it, but it was also a tragic day for Muslims the world over, and that's also something we should never forget.

What follows is something I originally wrote and posted on March 11, 2009, but it feels appropriate to me, particularly in light of recent events, to repost it today.  May we always remember the spirit of brotherhood and love that we all embraced in the fall of 2001 and strive to return to that attitude in our dealings with our fellow men, regardless of their race, religion, or values.

A few months ago I read a book called The Faith Club. It was written by three women – a Muslim, a Christian, and a Jew – who met together in the wake of 9/11 to discuss their beliefs and to try to come to an understanding of each other. It was fascinating to follow the journey each of them made as they learned and reached out to each other. What on the surface seemed like a simple thing – a social gathering, a time to build friendships and learn a little from each other – became a turning point for all three as they struggled not only to understand the beliefs of the other two women but also to gain a deeper understanding and testimony of their own as they were challenged in ways they had never been before. It was inspiring. I have a friend who is an Orthodox Jew, and we’ve discussed our religions, and their similarities and differences. Reading this book made me wish I knew a Muslim woman, too, so I could start my own faith club. Of course, I’d probably include another Christian, of the more mainstream variety (I already have one in mind!), since Mormonism is different enough to warrant some discussion there as well.

Anyway, since reading this book, I have had such a desire to come to an understanding with people of different faiths. I’m not looking to agree with them, or have them agree with me. I just want to understand and find common ground. All three of these major world religions come from the same beginning. We are all Abraham’s seed. There are major doctrinal differences, things that will probably never be agreed upon, but we all pray to the same God, whether we call Him by the same name or not.

This brings me to the purpose of this post. Lately I have noticed that a lot of Christians (Mormons included) still seem to harbor ill will towards followers of Islam. The more I see or hear of this, the more it upsets me. I’ve been having a hard time sitting by quietly and allowing these things to go unchallenged. I suppose I can understand the sentiment behind the mindset; after all, terrible things have been done in this world in the name of Islam. However, I firmly believe that these things are being done by people who either do not fully understand the true message of their religion, or who chose to follow only select words, without giving heed to the full meaning in conjunction with the rest of their religious beliefs. I am no expert on Islam, and cannot even claim to be an expert on Christianity or Mormonism, but I do believe that none of these faiths condone the things that are being done in the world today in the name of God. It makes me sad to see the way all of Islam is being lumped together as a religion that tolerates, supports, and even encourages violent acts.

The truth is that, just like there are different sects of Christianity who hold to different sets of doctrine, there is a small portion of Muslims who believe it is the will of God that they engage in jihad, or holy war, against other nations. But this is not true of the majority of Muslims. It amazes me how we Christians are so willing to believe this misleading information when there is so much out there that gives incorrect “facts” about our own beliefs. There are websites dedicated to informing the world that all Mormons are polygamists and all of Mormonism is of the devil, in the same way that there are sites that would have the world believe that all Muslims are jihadists and that all Islam is evil. They’re out there; we’ve all seen them at some point, and when they’re about our own beliefs we’ve all been disgusted and outraged that anyone could be so misinformed and disrespectful about something we hold sacred. Why, then, can we be so willing to believe things about other religions without doing unbiased research. Ah, the appeal of a Faith Club…

I have been bothered by this for awhile now, feeling like I should say something to stand up for a people, who, in my experience and study, I have come to believe are generally kind and peace-loving, but I haven’t known how to go about it. Until yesterday, that is, when I read this article in The Oregonian. It talked about an open letter to Christians written and endorsed by many Muslim leaders. This letter, titled “A Common Word Between Us”, calls for an understanding between Muslims and Christians, using passages from both the Qur’an and the Bible to make its point. It establishes the fact that the two greatest commandments in both Islam and Christianity are to love God above all else and then to love your neighbors – all your neighbors. Who can argue with that? And, given that, who can really believe that Islam teaches unprovoked war with others?

I’m not writing this to start anything. I’m not necessarily even looking for comments this time (although they’re always welcome!) This is just something that has been on my mind for a long time, and I finally found a way to bring it together and put my thoughts and feelings down in print. I have a great love for my Father in Heaven, and for the faith that has led me to that love. But I also have a great respect for those who are strong in their own faith, even though it may not agree with mine. I want to learn as much as I can about those faiths so that I can understand my fellow men, and grow to love them as my neighbors. Regardless of whether you agree with me or not, I strongly encourage everyone who reads this to take a look at the Common Word website, and to take some time to think a little bit about loving our God and loving our neighbors, and allowing all men the privilege to worship how, where, or what they may.

I will leave you with the concluding paragraph of “A Common Word”:

So let our differences not cause hatred and strife between us. Let us vie with each other only in righteousness and good works. Let us respect each other, be fair, just and kind to another and live in sincere peace, harmony and mutual goodwill.

Random Thoughts Thursday

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I keep meaning to post these earlier in the day, but I’m just not that organized.  One day! (maybe)

Having just Ellie at home again is weird. But she loves it. Having Mom all to herself again has almost erased the sting of not being able to start kindergarten until next year. Almost.

Why can’t I find the book I want to read?

Insurance companies make my head hurt.

I want a bigger car.

If I get a bigger car, I know at least a dozen people who will automatically assume it’s because I’m pregnant. I’m most definitely not, and will not be for a looooong time, if ever again. But I still want a bigger car.

I have a feeling I’m going to get sucked into a bigger role in the school’s parent group because I plan to attend the meeting next week. It’s not pride; I just know how things work at our school. I’m not sure how I feel about this.

I finished reading Where the Red Fern Grows to the girls two weeks ago. It was as bad as I'd feared. Do you have any idea how hard it is to read out loud while sobbing? And that was just because I knew what was coming! We hadn't even gotten to the sad parts yet. Soon we’ll watch the movie. Can’t make it through that without sobbing, either.

Even though no one sees it but me, it’s still embarrassing when I type too fast and spell my own name wrong.

I have lots and lots of pears getting very very ripe in my kitchen. I should probably do something with them. Today.  Now, even.

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Yay For Learning!

Today was the first day of school.  We loaded up the backpacks, loaded the backpacks onto the kids, took the annual in-front-of-the-tree pictures, and headed down the road.

Of course, it didn't take long before I was the one loaded up and hauling everything to school.

In honor of the back to school season, I'd like to share something I found in Lexi's morning journal from last year, which we did not just find as we were cleaning her backpack out last night in preparation for this morning.  Of course not.  We would do that kind of thing waaaaaay in advance.  Way.

But I digress.

Here, for your reading pleasure, is a 7-year-old girl's idea of a dream house.  Spelling is, of course, in its original form.

My Dream House
by Lexi


My dream house is the prfictly pink palis.  It has 200 bedrooms, 200 bathrooms, a humungis yord that has a swiming pool, a grdin, a made, a prsunol cook, a watre, a puppy, a kitin, a woredrob, a pink shet, a pink pelo, a pink machris, 200 pink dresis, a pink bed, a geigatikc liveing room, and my geigatikc bedroom.

All I can say is wow.  And good luck with that.

Random Thoughts Thursday

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I have a lot to do today. And here I am, at the computer.

I hate it when I discover grammar mistakes in my writing. But all of you reading it probably love it. And I’m not telling where it is. Ha.

Sometimes with Project 365 it’s hard to choose just one picture. Case in point: I chose the picture I did for this day because we went to the beach and I thought I should post a picture showing that, but I really liked this one, too, and almost posted it.  I've been thinking about it lately and wanting to share it anyway. So here you go:

Uncle Britton autographed her hand because he looks just like the guy (in the middle) in this band and he was trying to convince the girls that it was really him, or his alter ego, or something:

We got the coolest frames for our kitchen wall. Chris and I sat down and chose the pictures to go in them the other night. Now we just have to find the time to put them up.

I’ve started babysitting more again, now that school is almost upon us. I have a boy I’m tending now. Changing little boys’ diapers is a lot different than changing girls’.

School starts in less than a week. Suddenly I’m really ready and not at all ready at the same time. Weird.

And I think Vicki still needs more clothes. Ugh. Stop growing!

Yay for nicer weather! Now maybe my in-laws will believe us when we tell them the sun does really shine on Oregon (occasionally!)

Okay, off to do some cleaning (but not because above-mentioned in-laws are coming into town or anything, heh heh.) Then maybe I’ll reward myself with a Hershey Bar left over from last weekend's S’mores. Oooh, maybe I’ll make microwave S’mores!

There is no such thing as too much chocolate, but if there were, it would be in my house and I’d be forced to do something about it. For the sake of the children, you know. Or something…

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One Last Hurrah

Saturday we celebrated summer one last time in true Oregon style. Rain? Who cares!*

*We planned a similar adventure for Memorial Day but cancelled due to rain.  It ended up being 90 degrees that day.  So, hoping for a similar outcome, we went ahead with our plans this time.  The outcome was not similar.  We had fun anyway.

We spent the day at Trillium Lake near Mt. Hood with our good friends Tod and Donna and their three kids, who are conveniently close in age to our own kids.

Chris and Tod put up a shelter, which we mostly used to protect our stuff from the rain, since we chose the moment of the biggest rainfall to take our walk around the lake.

Ellie helped.

We love Trillium because there's plenty to keep the kids occupied all day long and the scenery is breathtaking.

Lexi and Anya found this great seesaw tree and spent a good part of the day bouncing up and down.

Vicki and Kate named trees on our walk around the lake.

This one is called Curly:

This all I saw of Ellie and Leif for pretty much the whole walk.

In fact, it’s almost the only picture I have with Leif in it. He was pretty busy the whole day.

I have more pictures of Ellie, though. Like this one:

She was wondering what might live in there. I think it’s rather fortunate for her that nothing does.

Lexi found a tree stump and declared herself Queen of the Forest.

And Vicki worked on figuring out what she can still do with one good arm.

She can still make cobbler.  Yum.

Unfortunately we had to cut our day a little short, due to the rain and cold (and broken arm), but clearly everyone had a good time.

And we still got to eat our S’mores, they were just prepared in a less conventional, but still very tasty, way.