Orion Gives The 6th Article of Faith

And here is the latest thing he's done in Primary: The 6th Article of Faith.

I printed off his article of faith and prepared to be by his side in case he needed my help. He insisted on doing it all by himself this time. Kids grow up too fast. It makes me want to cry sometimes when I realize how independent he grows each day. He sure knows how to make me smile though. I love this silly kid to pieces.

There Is Safety in Following the Prophet

Orion's First talk. I've been meaning to post this for a while now but just haven't gotten to it. Orion gave this talk back in March of this year. His first in primary ever. Sorry, the picture quality and sound is so poor. I brought my camera but the sweet lady I asked to tape it said it shut off on her and she didn't know how to turn it back on. She used her little camera instead. Still, you can hear most of it. I'm copying the talk below so that you can read along with him if you'd like. It's also for our family record I suppose. I was so pleased with how well he did. He wasn't shy at all. Not like I used to be.

Anyways here's his talk:

There is safety in following the prophet.

Noah was a prophet in the Bible.

He told the people to repent because a big flood was coming but they just laughed at him.

So he built a big boat and put his family and 2 of each animal on it.

Those who didn’t listen to him perished in the flood.

This is Lehi.

Lehi was a prophet in the Book of Mormon.

God told him that Jerusalem would be destroyed.

He left his wealth and riches to live in the wilderness for many years.

Heavenly Father kept Lehi and his family safe.

Joseph Smith is a latter day prophet.

He translated the Book of Mormon and told us to read it.

There is safety in reading the scriptures.

Reading the scriptures can bring us peace and comfort.

We still have a prophet today.

His name is Thomas S. Monson.

If we listen to him carefully, we can all be safe too.

I leave you these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Total Body, Mind, Spirit Makeover

I've had a few counseling sessions and they've been rather productive. More so than I thought they would be. I don't know what I was so afraid of. I'm silly. I've been re-introduced to and encouraged to read Dr. Laura. I've read her books before and love her. I must admit I needed this reminder. Recommitting to all this is great. So along with therapy lately, I'm going to be really focusing in on my health. My overall health. And just plain learning how to be happy.

I've been giving in to too many sweet treats lately. Sugary breads, pastas, crackers and Costco's churros. Don't even get me started on that one. Just too addicting. I suppose I have a strong emotional bond with churros because it was a treat my Dad and I would always enjoy every time we went to Disneyland. But they're way overpriced there. I think they're up to $3.75 a churro now. At Costco, the bread on the inside is softer, the outside is crunchier, the cinnamon and sugar are way sweeter, and for just a buck, the churros are way bigger. I guess they've marketed their product well. What can I say? I'm an addict. To sugar. And it's definitely taken its toll on my health.

I'm going to be embarking on a week long juice fast. I believe I will be starting on October 4th. I have a friend who has asked me to do it with her, and since I've been wanting to do it for a long time now and have been putting it off, I've decided that October 4th, is as good a time as any to start. At least I won't be doing it during the holidays.

Anyways, just wanted to document my latest health craze. I think it will be a good way to reset my body, clear out toxins, and re-energize my cells. I'm determined to do it. I've been given a special recipe by my cousin who did a three week fast herself along with colon hydrotherapy. She swears she never felt better. And I must admit she looks better. Her skin glows and she looks way healthier. So, Romy you're my inspiration.

In case anyone is dying to know what I will be drinking for a whole week this is my specific plan:

3 times a day I will be having freshly made juice of:

-3 carrots

-1 celery stalk

-1/4 of a cucumber

-1/4 of a beet

-1 slice of radish

-2 dandelion leaves

-1/2 chard leaf

-1/2 kale leaf

-1 brocoli spear

-1 handful of cilantro

-1 inch square of ginger

-pinch of salt

-pinch of cayenne pepper

1 Time a Day:

-1-2 ounces of wheatgrass juice depending on my needs.

-1 young Thai Coconut's water for extra electrolytes.

On occasion throughout the week I might have:

-1 Cup of carrot/orange juice

And plenty of water every day.

Along with all this, I intend to get out for regular bike rides every day, the way I've been doing with my kids dragging along in the bike trailer. Gotta make the most of the sunshine that's left. I will also be focusing on playing as often as I can with my kids. Even if that means that my laundry will turn into the Sierra Nevadas. And I really want to focus on my spirituality a lot more. If I'm really going to try to make myself over, I'm going to focus on all three aspects of health and overall wellness. Body, Mind and Spirit. So here goes. Our bishop has encouraged our ward on several occasions to read the scriptures for an hour a day. He calls it the Hour of Power. I've succeeded on some days. But I haven't been consistent. Throughout my cleansing week, I would like to make that a focus. I will strive to read ONE HOUR a day.

Anyways, just wanted to write down my goals. Yet again. Here's to recommitting. Here's to my Makeover.

Remembering 9/12

Warning in advance: Please forgive the random thoughts all piled together into one post. Just things I need to get out and be honest about.

Okay, some of you may know I've been dealing a bit with some post partum depression. I don't know if it's the hormones that kick into place whenever I wean my babies but it surely seems to be a trend. I've almost reached a year of nursing Hinckley and I just started giving him a bottle to make things a bit easier for myself. But it seems that whenever I do this with my kids (yes it happened with Orion and Chrys also) I go into PMS to the 10th power. Anyone out there know what this could mean? I've often wondered if I might have some vitamin or mineral deficiency. Perhaps it's that I've recently begun to exercise again. I know. I don't know what takes me so long. Perhaps it's the chaos and stress of dealing with my parents' health. I worry and stress over many different things and don't cope well. That might explain why my eyes get extra hazy. I can literally feel the pressure of tightening muscles behind my face and in my neck and shoulders.

Whatever the reason, I know the solution is NOT in prescriptions. And so I refuse to see doctors that might even mention the idea of having to take a drug of some kind. I don't enjoy pretending that everything is okay when a plethora of destructive emotions is running rampant. I need to be honest with myself and others in order to move forward because denial can be very destructive. So without getting into too much detail, I've decided to get some counseling, continue getting up to bike ride in the mornings with my kids, try to squeeze in some extra yoga practices, read my scriptures more regularly and just plain find things that make me laugh more often.

If you haven't gone to see Kung Fu Panda 2 with your children yet, please do. That movie is deep. I've seen it a couple times now and find it rather amusing, thrilling, and touching all at once. Not to mention, the hours of creativity that have gone into the film. I've always wanted to go into Computer animation myself. But priorities changed for me. That doesn't make me appreciate it any less though. I love the clever jokes that are thrown into such films in order to appeal to the wider audience of kids at heart. And that is what I'm struggling and desperately trying to find these days; my child within. I need to lighten and loosen up no matter what silly trials our family may be going through. I've decided I have too much to be grateful for to NOT be happy.

I've thought a lot about 9/11 and how blessed I am to live in a free country. No matter how bad it seems to be getting, I know my history and am pleased to be a part of it. I know who the founders were and what they stood for. I know they put their trust in God and that they were inspired men. I am blessed to have a loving husband who wants to help me to heal and three wonderful children who actually encourage me to smile. I have too many wonderful reasons to be happy. I think about those who've lost members of their families in the events that took place, and I have no reason to frown. My family is all still with me. And I know better. I know that deaths are not the end. And though I miss my grandparents, I know they are happy and want me to be happy also.

Through all this, I've had thoughts of ending my marriage or even my life. I know I would never have the courage to go through with any of them, nor would I ever want to put my children through such an ordeal, but arguments arise and situations such as this do escalate and I refuse to let the adversary win. I know without a shadow of a doubt that he knows me. That he knows my weaknesses and wants nothing more than to make my life miserable. But I also know that my Heavenly Father knows me even better. And that if I put my trust in him, that he will help me to overcome my weaknesses. I need to Remember him in all that I do. Because I know how easy it is for me to forget. I know how easy it is for people in general to forget what happens in history and to repeat past mistakes. So this post is about Remembering. Remembering those who fought to keep our country free. Remembering that there are still those who fight for justice and freedom today. Remembering that with God, all things are possible. And remembering that after 9/11, there was 9/12. And people do pick themselves up by the bootstraps to start anew after a fall. And knowing, I CAN DO THE SAME.