My 8 little spooks....oh, so scary/sweet/darling/creative

 

My Dave turned the big 30!

Our wonderful son Dave is 30 years old today!  He has been such a delightful son through all those 30 years. I can't praise him enough. He was easy to raise and he continues to be just a good all-around man. Here are some things I love about my son Dave:

He takes his role of husband, father and provider seriously.  He has worked hard in school to complete his education, get and advanced degree, get a good job 

and be responsible in providing for his family.  He is very intelligent.

He and Courtney make a good team.  He shows love and respect to his wife and loves her a lot.

He is an exceptional father.  He takes his turn doing all the needful things as a parent and he is a great dad to little Charlie and baby Maggie.

You can depend on Dave.  He does what he says he will do.

He  and Courtney just bought their first home.  He now takes on more responsibilities for the yard and other manly things around the house.  He is slowly but surely learning how to do more home repairs along the way.

He is loved my his family, his nieces and nephews and the extended group.  Everyone loves Dave.

He is a BYU Cougar fan through and through.   His dad raised him well and he is a stalwart, even wearing his BYU clothing almost exclusively after work.  Now that shows support!  With the time difference, he is sometimes up watching the football games until the wee hours of the morning.  

Yes, even the bad games.

He is a handsome young man with dark curly hair.  His hair use to be really blond in his childhood, but now it is dark.  He currently is sporting a beard although

 I don't think it will be a permanent fixture.

He teaches the youth in their church congregation and does a great job serving when he can.

He is always fun to talk to.  He shows interest, love and support.  

His friends from years gone by remain loyal and true.  Dave is a good friend to many and he and Courtney have many couple friends with whom they enjoy doing lots of fun things.

He loves the gospel of Jesus Christ and tries to live his life in such a way as to follow the example of the Savior.  

He is kind and considerate of me and his father.  He makes keeps in touch with us and truly cares about our well-being.

Rick and I love our son Dave and look forward to many more years and birthdays ahead to celebrate him and the good life he leads.  Happy 30th birthday Dave or V IV as we like to call him!

 

The pursuit of happiness

I've been interested in the study of happiness for some time now.  How can we find happiness, maintain it and help others do the same? Factors that influence happiness are 50 percent genetics, 10 percent circumstances and 40 percent activities a person chooses to do.  I came across this interesting article in the paper.  Here are some of the ideas from the article and a few of my own thoughts. 

Ten things that supremely happy people do:

• Happy people surround themselves with other happy people. Joy is contagious. People are four times more likely to be happy in the future with happy people around them.  So true.  It is hard to be around people who complain, whine, criticize, gossip, moan and groan.  It is so much funner to be around people who are positive and even though they have challenges, to rise above those challenges and choose to be happy.

• Happy people try to be happy. When happy people don’t feel happy, they cultivate a happy thought and smile about it. I've noticed that happy people get up and get going.  They find purpose to their lives.  They get out and serve and help and somehow their problems become easier to face.

• Happy people spend money more on others than they spend on themselves. Givers experience what scientists call the “helper’s high.”  Spending money on someone is great, but spending time with them is greater, in my opinion.  Time spent doing something worthwhile or something the other person is interested in is great fun and so rewarding.

• Happy people have deep in-person conversations. Sitting down to talk about what makes a person tick is a good practice for feeling good about life.  I love to talk to people.  Everyone who knows me knows this about me.  I'm way more interested in talking to someone and finding out about them than watching a movie with them, or playing a game or playing cards (heaven forbid!).  Interesting conversation makes me happy!

• Happy people use laughter as a medicine. A good old-fashioned chuckle releases lots of good neurotransmitters. A study showed that children on average laugh 300 times a day versus adults who laugh 15 times a day.  My husband and I love to laugh.  We've had some very hilarious times and we have had a lot of laughter in our marriage. I love that about him.  He makes me laugh on a regular basis.  A great sense of humor cannot be under valued!

• Happy people use the power of music. Researchers found that music can match the anxiety reducing effects of massage therapy.  I'm a believer in listening to music.  I love a wide range of music and I have it going almost constantly.  Music is the expression of the soul.

• Happy people exercise and eat a healthful diet. Eating a poor diet can contribute to depression.  I don't think people realize the truth of this statement.  Getting up and getting moving is a positive thing.  Eating well helps the body, mind and spirit.  These two essentials (exercise and healthy eating) are extremely important to being happy.

• Happy people take the time to unplug and go outside. Uninterrupted screen time brings on depression and anxiety.  I have to limit my screen time.  Since I'm on a screen at work for five hours a day already, I have to be careful not to get more screen time when I get home.  I love to get out and walk with a friend or by myself listening to some wonderful music.  Being in nature rejuvenates the mind and spirit.

• Happy people get enough sleep. When people run low on sleep they are prone to feel a lack of clarity, bad moods and poor judgment.  True statement.  I don't do well when I haven't been sleeping well.  Melatonin helps me and also I find that I cannot nap in the afternoon very often or I can't sleep at night.  Finding the right balance is critical, but I'm definably not a happy girl when I haven't had enough rest.

• Happy people are spiritual. I'm a believer, not only is this statement but also in faith and a belief in God.  Finding strength beyond our own and knowing we aren't along brings a lot of comfort and peace.  Knowing where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going beings a lot of happiness and peace.

Victor Frankl from his book Man’s Search for Meaning said: “Even the helpless victim of a hopeless situation, facing a fate he cannot change, may rise above himself, may grow beyond himself. He may turn personal tragedy into triumph."

Love this article too about expressing gratitude and smiling and how they affect happiness, and this powerful talk from Elder Holland "Like a Broken Vessel."

Defining ourselves as LDS church members

More transparency.  I'm in favor of it.
In the past decade especially, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has moved towards being more open about why we do what we do as members of the church.  Church leaders and PR firms have worked to shed more light on the our history, our doctrine and our practices.  The internet has helped to spread the good word about our beliefs, teachings, theology and doctrine. 
For example:

Our belief first and foremost in Jesus Christ as the head of our church.  The church has published videos recreated to show the life of Jesus Christ as taught in the New Testament.  They are not only very well done, but the creators/director/producers have gone to great lengths to assure doctrinal and historical accuracy. The videos are shared with the world at no charge on the internet.

I'm a Mormon campaign is shared in major cities on billboards and buses and other means to show what actual people who are members of our church are like.

Meet the Mormons movie that was recently released in movie theaters across the country. The movie shows the lives of six members of the church and introduces people who may not be familiar with our church to have a glimpse into the lives of a few of its members.






Mormon.org where you can view profiles of actual members of the church and read responses to frequently asked questions.   Some profiles are even of people I know.  Jordan. Dave. 

Check out the NEWS ROOM to read more responses on a variety of subjects that are of interest and may answer questions about policy and practices inside the LDS church.  The church is also answering questions in meaningful ways and dealing with issues in the past that have been a stumbling block for some.Here are some examples:
  

Questions about polygamy?  Check here.
and most recently here.
Questions about the LDS church stance on marriage?  Check here. 
Questions about same sex marriage?  Check it out here. 
Questions about women in the church and how they are treated?  Here.
Most recently the church has shared information on temple garments and why members of the church who have made sacred promises in the temple wear them.  Check here to watch the video and read more information.

My thought is that we should be open and forthright in sharing our past, present and future.  The less mystery there is, the more understanding is likely to take place.  While we know that everyone won't agree with or support our beliefs or positions, hopefully they will at least come to understand us a little better and extend some grudging respect for what we stand for.  There is certainly much available on the internet that is negative about the church and our beliefs, but instead of letting other people define who we are and what we believe, I'm thrilled to see more transparency.  I'm a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I'm grateful for the direction church doctrine gives me in my life.  I believe in Jesus Christ and I'm trying to be on one of His followers.

Good gift giving ideas for grandparents (parents)

I saw this great list and wanted to keep track of it for the future.  

My blog is a good place to store it/share it.  

100 SPECIFIC NON-TOY GIFT IDEAS:

Season Passes

- Zoo
- Museum
- Butterfly Conservatory
- Aviary
- Aquarium
- Amusement Park

One-Time Passes

- Movies
- Bowling
- Swimming
- Theatre Performance
- Go see a sporting event
- Disney On Ice
- Circus
- Ice Skating
- Roller Skating
- Mini Golf
- Concert

Experiences for Kids

- Horse & Buggy Ride
- Train Ride
- Ice Cream Vouchers
- Special dinner out
- A Trip to the Fire Station
- A Trip to Chuckie Cheese (buy the tokens ahead of time so you have something to wrap!)
- Coupon book with "time" gifts (ie. an afternoon making cookies with mom)

Older Kids or Grown-Ups 

- Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Wine Tasting
- Zip Lining
- Helicopter Ride
- Trip to the Spa (Mani/Pedi, Massage, Facial, etc.)
- Rock Climbing
- Trip to Arcade

A Class or Season of Lessons

- Swimming
- Sports
- Gymnastics
- Dance
- Karate
- Musical Instrument
- Pottery Class- or paint your own pottery
- Art Class
- Craft class (ie. knitting)
- Horseback riding lessons

Family Experiences

- A night(s) away at a local hotel (with a pool)
- A hotel with an indoor waterpark
- Camping (depends where you live & how much you love Winter camping ;)
- Road trip
- Give them travel/camping gear needed for the experience you'll be gifting so that they have a physical item to unwrap

Physical Gifts that aren't Toys

- Books
- Games
- DVD
- CDs of fun kids music
- Craft kits
- Science kit
- New art supplies
- Magazine Subscription
- Monthly Craft Kit Subscription
- Fun Bath Supplies (colour-changing water, crayons that write on walls, foamy soap, etc.)
- A wagon to pull kids in when you go on walks
- Stationary
- Special Christmas Tree Ornament
- Wrist watch
- Piggy bank
- Memory/Photo Book
- Journal

Fun "Needs"

- Kid furniture 
- New bedding that they really like
- Bedroom décor/Promise of a total room makeover
- New hat, mitts, etc.
- Bike
- Scooter
- Roller skates/blades
- Basketball hoop
- Trampoline
- Swing set (for big ticket items like this, grandparents can pitch in)
- An item they need, but they wanted a more expensive version than you would normally buy (ie. boots/clothes)
- Colourful band aids
- Sled/toboggan/other winter outdoor things
- Sleeping bag
- Flashlight 
- Toy box
- Personal set of scriptures
- Jewelry box


Learning Tools

- Telescope
- Magnifying glass
- Strong Magnet
- Science Kit
- Magic Kit
- Cookbook & Apron/Chef Hat
- Easel
- Chalkboard
- Gardening tools
- Bug-catching tools (better if you don't live somewhere that's snowy ;)
- Binoculars
- Globe

Others

- Educational App they can play on your phone/ipod/tablet or Computer Game
- Items they need for lessons (costume/instrument/etc.)
- A new game for a game console
- A refill for an easy bake oven or other toy requiring refills
- A pet! (perhaps a "certificate" saying that you will go and pick one out together)
- Pet Accessories/supplies
- iTunes gift card

Thanks to Heather at Raising Memories for this wonderful list!

LaVell Edwards game day stew

It felt like a stew for dinner kind of day today. I know a picture of stew isn't all that appealing, but trust me when I say that you will love this easy to make stew.  I got the recipe out of the newspaper years ago from Patti Edwards, wife of former BYU head coach LaVell.  She said this was a favorite dish of her husband who liked to come home after playing BYU football on a Saturday (back in the good ole days) and enjoy some stew for dinner.  Add some corn bread or a hard roll and you're set.

Here's how you make it:

1 lb quality stew meat (get a good grade of stew meat so it won't be too tough)

3-4 cups of carrots depending on how many you like

3 large potatoes

1 package dry Lipton onion soup mix

1 large onion 

2 cans of mushroom soup depending 

1 can water

Chop all ingredients and stir together.  Simmer in a crock pot on low for 5-6 hours or bake at 200 degrees for 5-6 hours.  

If you Google LaVell Edwards game day stew, you'll see the recipe all over the place.  I guess the good word gets around.

Dave and Courtney get a home

We're so excited for Dave and Courtney to get their first home.  It is lovely!  They moved in last weekend and they are getting all set up.  I'm so happy for them.  All their hard work and years of education and training are paying off.  Charlie is going to have lots of space to explore and enjoy. I got to see this neighborhood when I visited them last and it is a great community.  I can't wait to visit them!