Pumpkin Craft

Yesterday I made these cute pumpkins to place on my entry hall table as Halloween decorations. The inspiration came from a photo I saw on someone else's blog yesterday, and now I can't find it. Nonetheless, I thought they turned out pretty darned cute, and they were so easy to make. My kind of craft project: easy, fast, little to no mess, and even fun. All that was required to make these was some ribbon and a hot glue gun.

Oh, and by the way, last night for FHE my husband read a story in the Friend that was about the Law of the Harvest--just another teaching tool for this month's theme. It was titled "My Brother and the Puppy," from an interview with Elder Keith R. Edwards, in the September issue.

Scripture of the Day: Revelations 14:18-19

Halloween Parties

Over the weekend we were invited to an adult only Halloween party. I am excited to go and trying to figure out what costumes to put together. My husband said that since he has to chop down a tree in our backyard we could just use the branches and go as trees. {audible gag} I told him he could go as a tree and I would go as either Isaac Newton (think apples) or George Washington (think cherries). Or anything else--just not a tree. Can you imagine how uncomfortable it would be going as a tree? Anyone have a good costume idea out there for us? Please comment if you do.

Anyway, the invitations to the party were really well done. I am talking Martha quality. They were made by the super talented Mimi Right. Here's a poor quality picture of them--lack of quality due to my photo skills and camera flash. For a much better photo of it, check out this blog post.

If you are interested in throwing your own shin dig for Halloween, there are these darling invitations available for FREE on the Internet. Go here for the download. Note how these invitations go along perfectly with this month's pumpkin/Halloween/harvest theme :-). (Thanks to Pikes Pickles for the tip).


Scripture of the Day: Revelations 14:15

Educating Zion

One of my very favorite speakers is Jeffrey R. Holland. He was the president of BYU during my undergraduate years. Then, on my mission, he was in the area presidency for the Europe North Area where I had the pleasure of hearing him speak in person several times. Now I usually just relish hearing his talks in General Conference. Today, though, I read a talk he gave on education Zion and thought I would share a favorite part. I felt it put into perspective efforts I am making to help my family study the scriptures, learn, and grow. I hope you enjoy it as well. You can find the entire text of President Holland's speech here.


Brigham Young's metaphor for life was the academy, and the principal schoolmaster was his beloved Joseph Smith. Of Joseph he said, "He took heaven, figuratively speaking, and brought it down to earth; and he took the earth, brought it up, and opened up, in plainness and simplicity, the things of God; and that is the beauty of his mission."¹⁵ How plain was that view of life? How simple? To Brigham Young, quite simple. "What are we here for?" Brigham asks, then answers, "To learn to enjoy more, and to increase in knowledge and in experience."¹⁶ "The object of this existence is to learn," he taught.

How gladly would we understand every principle pertaining to science and art, and become thoroughly acquainted with every intricate operation of nature. . . . What a boundless field of truth and power is open for us to explore! We are only just approaching the shores of the vast ocean of information that pertains to this . . . world, to say nothing of that which pertains to the heavens.¹⁷

Hugh Nibley says, "The treasures of the earth are merely to provide us with room and board while we are here at school."¹⁸ And Brigham Young, speaking of property and possessions, said, "They are made for the comfort of the creature, and not for his adoration. They are made to sustain and preserve the body while procuring the knowledge and wisdom that pertain to God and his kingdom, in order that we may preserve ourselves, and live for ever in his presence."¹⁹ "And when we have lived millions of years in the presence of God and angels, . . . shall we then cease learning? No, or eternity ceases."²⁰

("A School in Zion;" 1988 BYU Devotional address)

Scripture of the Day: D&C 56:16

Year of Miracles #25

This week's miracle is Patch. Today is his 11th birthday and suddenly the weather today is cool and lovely and perfect. It was just like that the day he was born.

I went into labor early in the morning on the 10th. He was five days late by then, so when the contractions started I was so happy. I remember being so warm and uncomfortable and bloated while I waited and paced and hurt all that day. It had been the longest summer I could ever remember. Or maybe it just felt that way. But by late afternoon the contractions were finally close enough that we could head to the hospital.

After being checked in to the hospital they were concerned because he had not dropped much and I was not dialated hardly at all (maybe a 2). And every time a contraction would come his heart rate went down. By then it was after 11 pm and the decision was made to do an emergency c-section. I was scared to death. This was my first baby and things were not supposed to go like this.

They took me from the LDR room to surgery on a gurney and then quickly prepared for the delivery. They must have thought the epidural I had had six hours prior was still working because they started the incision while I was still awake. Of course I started yelling at them to stop because it hurt so bad, but the last thing I remember was the doctor telling the anesthesiologist to put the gas over my mouth.

I awoke the next morning, groggy and very sore. I noticed through the window that gray clouds had rolled in and it was windy. Finally, cool weather. But really all I wanted to see was my baby. I asked the nurse to bring him and a short time later she wheeled in the bassinet. All I can remember thinking was how beautiful he was, so white and small and almost shining. And definitely perfect.

Patch is still kinda white, although he has lots of freckles now. He is not small anymore. In fact, I am guessing he will be as tall as I am before his next b-day. And he still shines in my eyes. He is such a great kid and tries hard at everything he does.

Happy bithday Patch! I love you!


Scripture of the Day: Isaiah 17:4-5

Police Beat #10

Yeah for Fridays! And for the antics of BYU students!

A BYU employee was driving down the hill near the Tanner Building, when his vehicle was hit by a water balloon. He thought the balloon came from the direction of the Tanner Building or Helaman Halls. There are no suspects.

A conflict, due to a failure to communicate and talk problems out, was reported between two 18-year-old female students living in M. Smith Hall in Heritage Halls. The roommates have been arguing over apartment chores and accusing one another of destroying each other’s food. Profanity and some hair pulling was involved. This has been turned over to the housing office for a resolution.

Police found a parked car with two individuals in it in the southeast corner parking lot of 2230 North and University Parkway. Police said the couple was there for “romantic purposes”.

An assault was reported in R Hall of Deseret Towers. One male student threw a bug on another male student who retaliated by spraying shaving cream on the male that threw the bug. Shaving cream got in the eyes of the first student and the argument quickly escalated and became a physical confrontation.

An individual reported male students singing to female students outside of Hinckley Hall in Helaman Halls. The males were advised to leave due to complaints.

Scripture of the Day: Eccl. 11:4

In Support of Proposition 102

I just read this very well written article supporting Proposition 8 in California. It was posted on the blog Sue's News, Views, and Muse. Since I am not as talented a writer as Sue, I thought I would simply post a link to hers since Arizona is fighting a similar fight under the title Proposition 102.

A second great blog post is this one on Pike's Pickles, which includes a video of an interview with some Massachusetts parents of elementary school age children and the impact the change of marriage in their state has had on the schools. It is sad and scary to think about.

Finally, there is a brief outlining 8 specific reasons why the definition of marriage should not be changed. The reasons are very compelling and numerous real-life cases are cited with full footnotes. It is a reliable read.

I urge you to read these and contemplate the tremendous impact society (and our families) will witness if the definition of marriage is changed. It is time to step up to the voting booth and make our voices heard.

October Break, Patch's Brithday Prep, and Other Miscellaneous Stuff

The kiddos are out of school today and tomorrow for October break. Yesterday was only a half day of school as well. They get very excited for these days off, but then by 8 a.m. complain to me that they are bored! Reminds me of when I was their age, complaining to my mom, "I'm bored of it." She'd always say, "Bored of what?" and I would be annoyed :-).

If I did not have some computer work to do I would plan more outings and activities for them... that is the down part of having to hold down a job. But in this day and age having a job is a huge blessing! We will head out to Costco today to buy treats for Patch's birthday, which is on Saturday. He is having a movie party, so we will buy things for a fake concession stand. He is excited to have a shopping trip to buy junk food legitimately.

Getting back to the subject of work, remember I gave a few bids a few weeks ago on some focus group projects? Well, one came through this week. Yeah for me! The money earned from this project will be my Christmas budget money, so I am really grateful for this well-timed blessing.

The ad agency got approval from their client and they called to let me know. I will have to find some North Scottsdale/Phoenix/Paradise Valley residents to attend the brainstorm session (which pays $65 for 90 minutes). Let me know if you know someone who might be willing to participate. The topic of the brainstorm session is shopping.

In other news, I have got to get decorated for Halloween. I started out with an idea last week. The idea required the use of candy corns. So I bought the candy corns but never quite got around to the decorating. Instead I kept munching on the candy corns. I finally had to put them all in a baggie and had my husband take them to work. I just can't be trusted around candy corns!

Speaking of Halloween, check out this fun pumpkin-themed family night I found on The Homespun Heart. It goes perfectly with the monthly theme, so I think I will be duplicating it for my family.

Well, I guess that is enough rambling for today. I hope your Thursday morning is going well!

Scripture of the Day: Proverbs 25:13