Lately Mia has been adding movies to our Netflix queue. She also knows how to send them to the top of the queue. I was checking it out tonight in anticipation of returning some tomorrow. This is what was on our list...
1. Barbie: A Christmas Carol
2. High School Musical 2 - we have yet to see the first one
3. Cinderella III: A Twist in Time - We have seen this
4. Tinker Bell
5. Flushed Away - We've seen it
6. Air Bud Spikes Back
7. Air Bud
8. Shrek (Widescreen) - we own it
9. Shrek 2
10. Shrek (Full-screen)-remember, we own it
11. Shrek the Third - watched it about a month ago
12. Horton Hears a Who!
13. Kung Fu Panda
That's my girl!!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Loopy
I about going on a 15 hour day on 4 hours sleep. I be loopy and I caint spell.
This is making the rounds on my girls' Facebooks. I think it would be mighty fun to assign ourselves to a personality and offer up who we think matches these personalities... Incidentally, I had many of these books when I was about six!
I think I am the geek and I will admit it, the annoying one. I think Valerie is about 4 of them and Matt is CLEARLY the "one that always gets hurt."
This is making the rounds on my girls' Facebooks. I think it would be mighty fun to assign ourselves to a personality and offer up who we think matches these personalities... Incidentally, I had many of these books when I was about six!
I think I am the geek and I will admit it, the annoying one. I think Valerie is about 4 of them and Matt is CLEARLY the "one that always gets hurt."
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Uncle Roy
Two weeks ago, my uncle Roy passed away at the age of 87. He was my father's youngest brother, the last of twelve covenant children of John James and May Belle Fisher Croshaw to leave this mortal sphere. He was certainly a favored uncle of mine. Some of you may remember him. I regret that I did not make him a more prominent part of all your lives, as you would have benefited from knowing him. Mom and I attended his funeral in Utah. The experience confirmed what I have always known of him: his was a life honorably fulfilled. Following is the entry I made in his family's online guestbook. If you would like to read more of him, see his obituary.Roy Fisher Croshaw was a benevolent, honest, and gentle man. All who crossed his path were the better for the experience. He impacted countless lives for good. It was an honor to call him Uncle.
We do not doubt his distinguished graduation to an exalted level of the Spirit World for a jubilent reunion with his progenitors. Together they will continue to advance the cause of truth as they did here in mortality. The world and we lingering mortals are all the lesser from Uncle Roy's passing. We are now left to follow his principled example, and fill the void.
Respectfully,
The David Croshaw Family
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Idol II
I feel like
this is a repeat of last week! Barf!
I do not like ANYONE but Allison, she really did a great job with "Alone!" It is SUCH a difficult song to sing! I did not like Kris at all and do not know what Simon, Paula and Randy were talking about, that Michael Jackson song was awful. I feel the same about Megan from SLC.
I wanted to like Matt, the welder, but I don't, though he is another "good guy."
Normund Gentle is funny though, but a teeny bit belligerent to the point I really don't want to see him back on in a couple weeks, but that is my opinion.
I did like Jesse though, I thought she did a great job with Bette Davis Eyes.
I was not a lover of Adam, but I am betting that Randy mentioning the word "Twilight" will get all the little girls to vote for him. Sigh.
this is a repeat of last week! Barf!I do not like ANYONE but Allison, she really did a great job with "Alone!" It is SUCH a difficult song to sing! I did not like Kris at all and do not know what Simon, Paula and Randy were talking about, that Michael Jackson song was awful. I feel the same about Megan from SLC.
I wanted to like Matt, the welder, but I don't, though he is another "good guy."
Normund Gentle is funny though, but a teeny bit belligerent to the point I really don't want to see him back on in a couple weeks, but that is my opinion.
I did like Jesse though, I thought she did a great job with Bette Davis Eyes.
I was not a lover of Adam, but I am betting that Randy mentioning the word "Twilight" will get all the little girls to vote for him. Sigh.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Family Blog Evening, No. 2
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” Proverbs 16:32
I've learned something recently, and I thought it might be a good subject for FBE. I've been working really hard on controlling my negative emotions or at least the expression of them. I hope Alex forgives me for sharing something rather personal.
A couple of weeks ago I got upset at Alex for something, (the relevance of which is not important at this time) but I didn't tell him I was upset, because I've learned that many times when I'm angry I say things I shouldn't and then I end up feeling much worse than I did before I say them. But I was upset and I was justified and as much as I tried not to be angry, the angry feeling didn't go away. I sat and stewed over this issue for a good day or two, but I prayed that I would be able to see the sitaution through Alex's eyes and know if I was in some way not being fair in my assessment of him and the situation.
At the end of the second day, I went to bed only to be woken at about 3am as Alex was closing the bathroom door. I sensed that something was wrong, so I asked him if he was sick and he said "no". I then asked him if he was stressed, and he said "yes". He hadn't been able to sleep at all that night he was so worried about work and other family-related issues. We then talked about it a little bit and I held him tight and eventually he fell asleep. It was one of those intimate "growing closer" moments. We all have them with our spouses, our siblings, our kids or our friends. They are the moments when one is suffering and the other aleviates their suffering a little by just being there. I knew at that moment that had I allowed the anger I'd felt earlier in the day to overcome me, I would have missed this opportunity to peacefully and lovingly support my husband and strengthen our marriage. And not only that, the expression of my anger would have compounded the stress he was already feeling, which makes me cringe now that I understand the kind of pressure he was under.
I remember once shortly after I came home from my mission, Becky said or did something that made me really mad. (Of course, now I have no idea what it could have been.) I prayed in that moment that I wouldn't get upset and amazingly the feeling of anger vanished. Of course, at that time my levels of self-control and my proximity to the Spirit were probably well above-average, but still...it worked!
We all know that families and homes are destroyed because of anger. President Hinkley reminded us: "So many of us make a great fuss of matters of small consequence. We are so easily offended. Happy is the man who can brush aside the offending remarks of another and go on his way. Grudges, if left to fester, can become serious maladies. Like a painful ailment they can absorb all of our time and attention."
"I plead with you to control your tempers, to put a smile upon your faces, which will erase anger; speak out with words of love and peace, appreciation, and respect. If you will do this, your lives will be without regret. Your marriages and family relationships will be preserved. You will be much happier. You will do greater good. You will feel a sense of peace that will be wonderful."
We all know how wise and good President Hinkley was and I know what he said is true, because I did it and felt the peace he described and my home was a better place because of it. This week, let's all commit to do a little better and not say things we'll regret. I'm sure if we do it, as President Hinkley has promised, we'll notice the difference in our homes...and ourselves.
I've learned something recently, and I thought it might be a good subject for FBE. I've been working really hard on controlling my negative emotions or at least the expression of them. I hope Alex forgives me for sharing something rather personal.
A couple of weeks ago I got upset at Alex for something, (the relevance of which is not important at this time) but I didn't tell him I was upset, because I've learned that many times when I'm angry I say things I shouldn't and then I end up feeling much worse than I did before I say them. But I was upset and I was justified and as much as I tried not to be angry, the angry feeling didn't go away. I sat and stewed over this issue for a good day or two, but I prayed that I would be able to see the sitaution through Alex's eyes and know if I was in some way not being fair in my assessment of him and the situation.
At the end of the second day, I went to bed only to be woken at about 3am as Alex was closing the bathroom door. I sensed that something was wrong, so I asked him if he was sick and he said "no". I then asked him if he was stressed, and he said "yes". He hadn't been able to sleep at all that night he was so worried about work and other family-related issues. We then talked about it a little bit and I held him tight and eventually he fell asleep. It was one of those intimate "growing closer" moments. We all have them with our spouses, our siblings, our kids or our friends. They are the moments when one is suffering and the other aleviates their suffering a little by just being there. I knew at that moment that had I allowed the anger I'd felt earlier in the day to overcome me, I would have missed this opportunity to peacefully and lovingly support my husband and strengthen our marriage. And not only that, the expression of my anger would have compounded the stress he was already feeling, which makes me cringe now that I understand the kind of pressure he was under.
I remember once shortly after I came home from my mission, Becky said or did something that made me really mad. (Of course, now I have no idea what it could have been.) I prayed in that moment that I wouldn't get upset and amazingly the feeling of anger vanished. Of course, at that time my levels of self-control and my proximity to the Spirit were probably well above-average, but still...it worked!
We all know that families and homes are destroyed because of anger. President Hinkley reminded us: "So many of us make a great fuss of matters of small consequence. We are so easily offended. Happy is the man who can brush aside the offending remarks of another and go on his way. Grudges, if left to fester, can become serious maladies. Like a painful ailment they can absorb all of our time and attention."
"I plead with you to control your tempers, to put a smile upon your faces, which will erase anger; speak out with words of love and peace, appreciation, and respect. If you will do this, your lives will be without regret. Your marriages and family relationships will be preserved. You will be much happier. You will do greater good. You will feel a sense of peace that will be wonderful."
We all know how wise and good President Hinkley was and I know what he said is true, because I did it and felt the peace he described and my home was a better place because of it. This week, let's all commit to do a little better and not say things we'll regret. I'm sure if we do it, as President Hinkley has promised, we'll notice the difference in our homes...and ourselves.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
croshaw home updates
i just erased my first blog. do not navigate away from the page when you are looking at the photos. the kitchen is almost done, and while we had the guy here working (rusty jackman), we decided to get a few things done in the pretty in pink bathroom. get your last look at the pink formica. any ideas on paint color? i would love green, but i already have three green rooms. i am thinking blue, dad is thinking not blue. anyway, we are excited. the tile is a bit dark upstairs, but it is really pretty. i am thinking of a light countertop. anyway, i hope you are all well, especially my darling grandchildren. xoxo mom/debby
p.s. included a photo of dad working on dana and jason's kitchen.
Three down, nine to go
Just have to say that I couldn't be happier about the way AI turned out tonight. I thought David and the Grace girl were the best, and I really wanted Michael, the rough neck. What do y'all think?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Next American Idol
My picks from tonight
Annop
Tatiana
RickeyBraddy
Danny
Alexis
I am just going to put it out there. I think Danny Gokey will win. He is amazing, inspiring, humble, and cute. And MAN. He can SANG!
I am just going to put it out there. I think Danny Gokey will win. He is amazing, inspiring, humble, and cute. And MAN. He can SANG!I also liked AnoopDog, and RikkyBobbi or whoever was second. The only girl I really liked was Tatiana (say it aint so!). Alexis did ok though.
I was so uncomfortable with the horrid performances that I fast-forwarded through most of the rest. The girls were smoking hot, but terrible vocalists! TERRIBLE! Especially the one in the photo behind Danny.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Biggest Loser a la Croshaw
Abby and I have been emailing back and forth trying to devise a new plan to get the whole family healthy. I personally have about 10 post-marriage lbs. I'd like to get rid of. Y'all remember the guys weight-loss bet that lasted for about a total of about 3 weeks before they all gave up, even with Abby, the Weigh-in-Nazi, hounding them for their stats.
We thought if we could do something like guys against girls we might inspire a little more competition. The guys have more to lose, but they gave up after 3 weeks last time. I'm just sayin'...
Another idea is to reward the biggest worker-outer (person with the most minutes on a treadmill, sidewalk, bicycle, weight machine, etc.).
Another idea and something that inspired us recently was something we read in the New York Times. (Leave it to them to state the obvious.) If you put money where your mouth is, you're more likely to stick with it. We're not saying $ has to be involved, but we are saying that if we did it, Abby or I would probably win. ;) (In reality, I'd love for Alex to win. Haha, just kidding honey...kind of.)
I forget sometimes that I have a public health degree, but I'd be more than happy to actually use it to inform and inspire us all on a weekly basis (via the blog). In fact, below is my first installation.
We're very open to your ideas, and want to get something going soon. So, comment away!
10 Super Foods (They have more nutrients per calorie than most other foods)
1. Berries- high in antioxidants. These little ones lower your risks of cancer, heart disease, stroke, cataracts, Parkinson's, Alzheimers and arthritis.
2. Broccoli- helps prevent cancer, heart disease and much, much more
3. Citrus Fruit- Vitamin C, Vitamin C, Vitamin C and if any of you suffer from digestive issues (you know what I'm talking about) eat an orange and with the fiber in that lovely orange fruit those issues will disappear.
4. Garlic- It's been called medicine in a clove. This little food wonder has preventive qualities, but can also be used to lower cholesterol, bloood pressure and reduce likelihood of blood clotting.
5. Nuts- protein, protein, protein and no cholesterol. In fact, they can help lower your cholesterol. Have any of you read section 89 of the Doctrine & Covents recently. We seriously all eat too much meat. Those of you with a real winter, have an excuse. The rest of us don't. Nuts can help us meet our protein needs without the saturated fat & cholesterol found in meat. However, beware. They are nutrient dense and have lots of calories, so pace yourselves!
6. Oats- packed with fiber, manganese, selenium and magnesium they help lower cholesterol and stabilize gluose levels. Diabetics (and the rest of us) should eat up!
7. Salmon- is rich in Omega-3s, which are essential for normal growth in young children. In adults they reduce the risk of heart disease by stimulating blood circulation. There is also evidence they help those suffering with depression or anxiety, and for all of you men they've been shown to slow prostate tumor growth. However, beware, because of the mercury levels found in fish these days, they say you shouldn't eat it more than once a week, especially pregnant women.
8. Spinach- Loaded with Vitamin C, fiber, calcium and much more, it is the best food you can eat to prevent macular degeneration (poor eyesight leading to blindness).
9. Tomatoes- These luscious red gems are near and dear to my heart. It's theorized that the first tomatoes were domesticated by the Aztecs in Mexico. They called them ‘xitomatl’ (pronounced zee-toe-má-tel). Loaded with vitamins C & A, they are powerful fighters against cancer and heart disease. You should eat tomatoes both cooked and raw. Lycopene, which protects against prostate cancer, is found in its most potent form in cooked tomatoes.
10. Avocado- Also a favorite, and also an Aztec food. Although the Aztecs originally ate it as an afrodisiac, it's actually a heart-friendly food that lowers cholesterol. Avocados are a fruit. They have more potassium than a banana and the highest fiber content of any fruit. They are also loaded with vitamins B, E and K.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Family Blog Evening
Crystal's post, below, is generating enough interest that it will serve as the Family Blog Evening topic for this week (see explanation on Feb 8 post.) I expect (hope) to see comments from Matt, Jason, Ray, and Alex. Wives, it's your responsibility to advise them accordingly. Next Sunday, Mom and I will be traveling, so Leslie, we deligate you to post the topic for that week.
Love you all,
Dad
Love you all,
Dad
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Someone pinch me, I think I'm dreaming.
Did Norman Gentle SERIOUSLY make the top 36!?!??!?! Can I get a "Woot! Woot!" I'm so excited about this season.
Amendment to the post, I saw something that said his personality is really "Normund Gentle." And I totally get the hoo.....t joke too.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Family Blog Evening
In our sacrament meeting today, one of the speakers talked about all her siblings being scattered around parts of Idaho and Oregon, and how, to keep track of everyone, her father had started conducting a sort of weekly Family Home Evening with all of them through their family blog.
Mom and I thought that was a great idea, very germane to our mission statement, so we decided to try it. I'll start, and she and I will then take turns each Sunday evening, posting a gospel topic about which we would like to have your separate families talk amongst yourselves and apply a comment sometime during the subsequent week. No pressure, but we would also like to see the branch family comments occasionally come from those who don't often blog, people like -Oh, I don't know-maybe Ray, Alex, Matt, Jason, for instance. If you can't get to it every time, we'll all understand. We don't want this to be an obligation, but an opportunity to share and communicate.
If Mom and I are traveling, or for any reason can't post on a given week, we will assign one of you to sub for us in determining and posting the topic for that week.
OK, on to tonight's topic. I was spiritually impressed by a hymn that we sang in our ward's choir practice today. The lyrics generated some deep memories and feelings for me. Page 293 of the current English hymnal - "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good". It's a newer addition to our hymnal so if yours is older, it may not be there. So click this link which will get you to the music portion of the Church website, and you can play the tune, adjust the tempo, etc, and sing along - it's like a karaoke machine for hymns. As you go through it, really try to contemplate it's meaning to you. OK, I'll set it up by giving you my impressions, and I can't wait to read yours.
The hymn speaks of good friends, people the Lord sends into our lives to help us. Mom and I have many good friends who would absolutely qualify in that way. What a great influence and what tremendous support they have been in our lives. I'm sure you all have Christ-like friends like that, and that you are each such a friend to others.
I think that, primarily because of the second and third verses, this hymn is often sung at funerals, but what a great reflection of the Plan of Salvation. As I sang these verses, I thought of my mother and father who, more than anyone else, "strengthened my faith and enriched my days." I also think of your good mother, who has contributed greatly to my life in that way. I can't think of her without thinking about all of you who have enriched my life. Becoming a husband and father forced me to focus on someone beyond myself, to learn to sacrifice for others. Beyond those vital lessons I continue to be impressed with the other things you teach me through your examples of "devotion to the Savior's name." My parents and all of you are friends, "gifts" the Lord has bestowed on my life, friends I just happen to be sealed to. "What greater goodness could I know?" Beyond those special family relationships, the world is full of many good people, inside and outside the Church, to whom we can be such friends, and who will then be such friends to us and others.
Dad
Mom and I thought that was a great idea, very germane to our mission statement, so we decided to try it. I'll start, and she and I will then take turns each Sunday evening, posting a gospel topic about which we would like to have your separate families talk amongst yourselves and apply a comment sometime during the subsequent week. No pressure, but we would also like to see the branch family comments occasionally come from those who don't often blog, people like -Oh, I don't know-maybe Ray, Alex, Matt, Jason, for instance. If you can't get to it every time, we'll all understand. We don't want this to be an obligation, but an opportunity to share and communicate.
If Mom and I are traveling, or for any reason can't post on a given week, we will assign one of you to sub for us in determining and posting the topic for that week.
OK, on to tonight's topic. I was spiritually impressed by a hymn that we sang in our ward's choir practice today. The lyrics generated some deep memories and feelings for me. Page 293 of the current English hymnal - "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good". It's a newer addition to our hymnal so if yours is older, it may not be there. So click this link which will get you to the music portion of the Church website, and you can play the tune, adjust the tempo, etc, and sing along - it's like a karaoke machine for hymns. As you go through it, really try to contemplate it's meaning to you. OK, I'll set it up by giving you my impressions, and I can't wait to read yours.
The hymn speaks of good friends, people the Lord sends into our lives to help us. Mom and I have many good friends who would absolutely qualify in that way. What a great influence and what tremendous support they have been in our lives. I'm sure you all have Christ-like friends like that, and that you are each such a friend to others.
I think that, primarily because of the second and third verses, this hymn is often sung at funerals, but what a great reflection of the Plan of Salvation. As I sang these verses, I thought of my mother and father who, more than anyone else, "strengthened my faith and enriched my days." I also think of your good mother, who has contributed greatly to my life in that way. I can't think of her without thinking about all of you who have enriched my life. Becoming a husband and father forced me to focus on someone beyond myself, to learn to sacrifice for others. Beyond those vital lessons I continue to be impressed with the other things you teach me through your examples of "devotion to the Savior's name." My parents and all of you are friends, "gifts" the Lord has bestowed on my life, friends I just happen to be sealed to. "What greater goodness could I know?" Beyond those special family relationships, the world is full of many good people, inside and outside the Church, to whom we can be such friends, and who will then be such friends to us and others.
Dad
Saturday, February 7, 2009
You know you're a Clevelander when....
You know you're a Clevelander when you watch the weather forecast and see it's going to be 25 degrees tomorrow and say to yourself, "oh nice, it's going to be warm tomorrow."
Actually it was in the 50s today so I can't really complain, except I was indoors working all day.
Here's a couple rants now:
1) Does anyone know Al Gore's phone number? I need to call him and tell him to bring his Nobel Prize for Global Warming research to Cleveland and help me shovel the 4 feet of snow off my driveway with it so I can go to work. It makes me want to drive home the long way home and use more fossil fuel just to spite him. (I shoveled the snow 3 times the other day, the last time being at 2:00 am when I got home from work, I had to shovel because the plow blocked me so I couldn't get to my garage).
2) Seriously, do you have to report 9 year olds getting shot on the news? Every night the news kicks off with reports of people getting killed. Why does that have to be the most noteworthy news for the day. I miss Idaho with their "boring" news that's not about innocent people getting shot.
The End
Actually it was in the 50s today so I can't really complain, except I was indoors working all day.
Here's a couple rants now:
1) Does anyone know Al Gore's phone number? I need to call him and tell him to bring his Nobel Prize for Global Warming research to Cleveland and help me shovel the 4 feet of snow off my driveway with it so I can go to work. It makes me want to drive home the long way home and use more fossil fuel just to spite him. (I shoveled the snow 3 times the other day, the last time being at 2:00 am when I got home from work, I had to shovel because the plow blocked me so I couldn't get to my garage).
2) Seriously, do you have to report 9 year olds getting shot on the news? Every night the news kicks off with reports of people getting killed. Why does that have to be the most noteworthy news for the day. I miss Idaho with their "boring" news that's not about innocent people getting shot.
The End
Friday, February 6, 2009
Remember Snacking Cake?
I thought I would share this recipe with you guys. I found this recipe on the back of a package of flour. We used to have snacking cake for breakfast. The beauty of it is that you mix and bake the whole thing right in one pan. I'll give the recipe for a 9 x 13 pan . Half for 8 x 8 pan.
1 2/3 c flour (can add some wheat flour)
1 c brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 c water
1/3 c vegetable oil
1 t vinegar
1/2 t vanilla
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, brown sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt in pan with fork. Stir in water, oil, vinegar and vanilla completely. Bake until wodden pick in center comes out clean--35 to 40 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Applesauce snack cake: Omit cocoa and vanilla. Stir in 1 1/2 t allspice (or cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves). Reduce water to 1/2 c add 1/2 cup applesauce.
Chocolate Chip Snack Cake: Omit cocoa and vanilla. Add 1/3 c chopped nuts, sprinkle 1/3 c mini or regular chocolate chips over batter.
Double Chocolate: add 1/2 c chocolate chips.
Oatmeal Molasses Snack Cake: Omit Cocoa and vanilla. Stir in 3/4 c quick cooking oast, or regular oats, and add 1 t allspice into flour mixture. Stir in 2 T dark molasses.
I often made banana snack cake with left over bananas, 1/2 c water, 1/2 c mashed bananas and 1/2 t cinnamon. You get the idea, mix dry ingredients, add liquid ingredients. You can add pumpkin instead of banana or applesauce, etc.
1 2/3 c flour (can add some wheat flour)
1 c brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 c water
1/3 c vegetable oil
1 t vinegar
1/2 t vanilla
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, brown sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt in pan with fork. Stir in water, oil, vinegar and vanilla completely. Bake until wodden pick in center comes out clean--35 to 40 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Applesauce snack cake: Omit cocoa and vanilla. Stir in 1 1/2 t allspice (or cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves). Reduce water to 1/2 c add 1/2 cup applesauce.
Chocolate Chip Snack Cake: Omit cocoa and vanilla. Add 1/3 c chopped nuts, sprinkle 1/3 c mini or regular chocolate chips over batter.
Double Chocolate: add 1/2 c chocolate chips.
Oatmeal Molasses Snack Cake: Omit Cocoa and vanilla. Stir in 3/4 c quick cooking oast, or regular oats, and add 1 t allspice into flour mixture. Stir in 2 T dark molasses.
I often made banana snack cake with left over bananas, 1/2 c water, 1/2 c mashed bananas and 1/2 t cinnamon. You get the idea, mix dry ingredients, add liquid ingredients. You can add pumpkin instead of banana or applesauce, etc.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
American Idol is Back!
So, who are your favorite picks, before the final 20? I really like the roughneck, guy who works on oil rigs--jasper?. I like the diva black girl who survived. I like the single mom-megan from slc who sang the really original song. I liked that girl ann marie. i liked the bald buy, a little heavy. don't like puerto rico girl, her laugh drives me nuts, really like the guy from hollywood dark hair who auditioned in san francisco, i think he has been in wicked, great voice! i like jesus, i really liked that first group that performed, three guys and a black girl, liked the acapella group. really like the guy and his friend who were in the acapella group. one of the friends wore glasses. i like the guy with his lip pierced twice--nathaniel marshall, very emotional, and i like the blonde girl with the dark hair underneath. (they were together with nancy wilson) so glad bikini girl is off. I LOVE NICK! i think they like frankie. do you like the blind guy? i liked lil and matt giraud. i am certain i am forgetting some, but what do you think?
Sunday, February 1, 2009
A good day
Today was a very good day- it started off early for me (and for Matt too) as Asher woke at 1, then at 4, which is typical, but I could not fall back asleep at 4. I have a lot of things on my mind, mostly the kinds of things that keep most adults up and generally, I am so exhausted I engage in a typical train of thought, and fall back into sleep fairly quickly, but today that did not happen, so at 4 am, I decided to bear my testimony in my mind as I tried to fall back to sleep. This is something I do when I am having trouble sleeping and as I did this, I was aware of many things I am have testimony of, but especially that I am grateful for this knowledge when so many other things are things of which I remain horrifyingly unsure.
I was up first, so I did my morning things, woke the three children (I jest) and we all got ready with no cross words exchanged (maybe the first time ever, mornings are fun anyway, but with 4 of us to get ready and 2 to feed (Valerie is still not the best at fasting quite yet, but she is getting better), it makes for certain challenges, but we left on-time and happy this morning. I even gave everyone high fives in the car for the lovely morning.
At church, our Young Women president bore her testimony, then our girls got up one after the other and I felt compelled to get up so I asked Matt to move his legs so I could. He did and I sat there for a minute, and the 2nd of our twins got up. They were raised in an orphanage in Russia till they were either 6 or 8. They speak the language of my heart. I love those girls, so then Matt whispered "go!" and I did. It was a pleasure to testify of some of the things I know to be true. The most-humbling is that I have a father in heaven who loves me. That has always brought me a strange, tenuous joy because I don't even know what it is like to have a father on earth who loves me, but certain moments in my life, and tender mercies during my days have shown me throughout my life, my Heavenly Father has given me people to love me and to be loved by me, a family of my own, experiences I would have never dreamed of and for the most part, great peace. That is an assurance to me that yes, I am loved by my Father in Heaven.
As I closed, I noticed the screaming baby, was in fact, Asher, so I went to him and took him to the foyer and after circling the chapel twice and admiring the other babies in the foyer, I came back in to sit. That is when Matt told me Valerie had gotten up to bear her testimony too! I could not believe I missed it and I could not ask what she said, so I reached over and pet her for a while, grateful for that experience for her (her first time EVER to do that) and that I have been able to raise her in the knowledge of the most-important things on this earth.
In young women, we closed with testimonies and since many had already borne the things they know to be true, we got to hear more about these precious girls' knowledge and... Valerie got up again to say she knows the Church is true, that Joseph Smith restored the Gospel, that Jesus died for her and that she can be with her family forever and that if my brother and his wife so choose, they can be reunited with Gavin again. That just... I can't explain it. I am so grateful Valerie has a knowledge of those things and to all of you parents, I thank you on behalf of your children for being an example to them and letting them grow and develop their own testimonies. That is the most-precious gift above all. Sometimes, parenting really is so amazingly rewarding.
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