Anyone Love James Bond???

Just had to share this:

What's the acceptable waiting period....

between Thanksgiving and working out?

Seriously, I really feel the need to hit the gym. But we still have family visiting, and to be honest, I'm still feeling gluttonous. In my mind, I keep thinking that I deserve a break and shouldn't feel pressured to work out until the guests are gone. Makes sense, right?

But if I wait too long, I'm sure to find more and more arguments to avoid the gym. And with Christmas right around the corner, I can't afford to sit on my butt too much!

So there has to be an "acceptable" number of days that we can justifiably take some time off from the gym. How long do I have before I'm just seriously delusional???

Christmas Carols Already????

This is for you, Alison!!!

Straight No Chaser




And check out this one on Della Hill's blog. It's a cute turkey day video/song.

Overcoming Writers Block

I'm trying random stuff....

Some of my best and longest lasting friendships are with former roommates. I think that means I was more likeable when I was single.

I really detest girly stuff. I hate having to get my hair cut or taking the time to paint my toe nails. And shaving??? I wish there was another way to not be hairy! (Another way meaning one that didn't require any time or effort.)

I didn't really like Twilight, the movie. I was expecting way more..... Ducking and running for cover now.....(OUCH! Stop throwing things at me!!!!)

I think I know everything and it shows. It's a horrible trait - to be so knowledgeable. It's extremely annoying to all I come in contact with. I know this. Because I KNOW EVERYTHING!!!!

When I have writers block, I'm terribly boring. It's a tragedy. So I have convinced myself that if I just write anything, it will pop me out of my rut..... Still trying....

Target's Method products are great because they're non-toxic and you can make your own slave labor with your children. They can clean the bathroom and help clean the kitchen without danger of poisoning themselves.

Okay - here's the explanation for my boring random stuff. I got tagged and I haven't had any writing inspiration of late, so this is what you got. :D It was supposed to be six random things about myself.

I'm tagging anyone who reads this whose name has an odd number of letters in it. (Yeah, I know that's not exactly what the rules say, but work with me here.)

Wait! Don't ignore the tag!!! I want to read random stuff about you, so please blog some crazy stuff and let me know!!! I need more inspiration!!!

Here are the rules:

1) Link to the person who tagged you. (Anderson And Our Fun)
2) Post the rules on your blog (copy and paste 1-6).
3) Write 6 random things about yourself.
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6) Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Check out this store!!!

So, I saw this giveaway on Motherboard's blog, Crazyland. I thought the necklaces were so cute, I had to pass the word on.

You can register to win the giveway at this site: Half Full

Check it out!

Here's the store:

Are you hiring someone to clean your house?

...said my mom when we were talking about Thanksgiving dinner and all the people who are coming to my house next Thursday.

me: No.... money's kind of tight right now.

my mom: Well, who's going to clean your house, then?

me: Um..... me???

my mom: Okay, well at least get the downstairs done.


I'm starting to feel the pressure..... good thing it works for me. :D

Yeah. I Know. I Heard Ya.

So the last couple days have been filled with doggie barf, doggie diarrhea, doggie baths, and lots of cleaning. The dog obviously ate some plant outside or something and got sick from it. For those of you who already commented about doggie messes previously....please note the post title above.

The highlight of it all??? Matt coming home, referring to the dog being sick, and saying, "I'm not happy about this." And me saying, "You're not happy???? I cleaned it up all day!"

Still want to support Prop 8?

Got this in email....

SEND A QUICK EMAIL TO GOVERNOR & STATE OFFICIALS IMMEDIATELY

Nancy Kraemer who is involved with the Republican Headquarters and is very knowledgeable on this said we need to encourage ALL who can to email or write letters to ALL the State Assemblymen and State Senators encouraging them not to put into process the overturning of Prop 8. She said even just an email saying "Do not overturn Prop 8" is good as they don't read any full letters; they just take note if you're for or against. And to not just limit it to the Assemblymen or Senator who represents your area, but send it to ALL in the State....and there is an urgency in getting it done quickly..as always.

1. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger - governor@governor.ca.gov
2. Sam Annestad - State Senator - senator.aanestad@sen.ca.gov
3. Doug LaMalfa - State Assembly - assemblymember.lamalfa@assembly.ca.gov
4. Rick Keene - State Assembly - assemblymember.keene@assembly.ca.gov

Note that some, including an earlier email from me, are saying that we've lost momentum since 2000 when we received 61% of the vote on prop 22 and 53% on prop 8. At second glance we had 4.3 million votes in 2000. This year we added a million + to that number, 5.3 million. The opposition just had more involved on their side, which reduced the %.

Following the Prophet and Prop 8

I am very upset about all the protests about Prop 8, especially from members of the church. I was on a Mormon blog earlier this evening and they explained how we shouldn't follow the Prophet if his words aren't supported by scripture. This is baffling to me. So I'm posting a talk by Ezra Taft Benson that talks about fundamentals in following the Prophet.

I followed what the Prophet said because HE'S THE PROPHET. I don't have to understand, I don't have to agree, and I don't have to like it. I will continue to support Prop 8 until the Prophet gives us different direction. And the talk below explains it all very clearly. Please take a minute to read this talk. I can't think of a more relevant message that speaks to the dissension going on right now.

First Presidency Message
Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet

President Ezra Taft Benson,
Of the Quorum of the Twelve

Ezra Taft Benson, “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet,” Tambuli, Jun 1981, 1

(Address given Tuesday, February 26, 1980 at Brigham Young University)

My beloved brothers and sisters. I am honored to be in your presence today. You students are a part of a choice young generation—a generation which might well witness the return of the Lord.

Not only is the Church growing in number today, it is growing in faithfulness and, even more important, our young generation, as a group, is even more faithful than the older generation. God has reserved you for the eleventh hour—the great and dreadful day of the Lord (D&C 110:16). It will be your responsibility not only to help to carry the kingdom to a triumph but to save your own soul and strive to save those of your family and to honor the principles of the inspired constitution of the United States.

To help you pass the crucial tests which lie ahead, I am going to give you today several aspects of a grand key which, if you will honor, will crown you with God’s glory and bring you out victorious in spite of Satan’s fury.

Soon we will be honoring our prophet on his 85th birthday. As a Church we sing the hymn, “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” (Hymn no. 196). Here then is the grand key—Follow the prophet—and here are fourteen fundamentals in following the prophet, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

First: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.

In section 132 verse 7 of the Doctrine and Covenants [D&C 132:7] the Lord speaks of the prophet—the president—and says:

“There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred.”

Then in section 21 verses 4–6 [D&C 21:4–6], the Lord states:

“Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;

“For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.

“For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.”

Second: The living prophet is more vital to us than the Standard Works.

President Wilford Woodruff tells of an interesting incident that occurred in the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith:

“I will refer to a certain meeting I attended in the town of Kirtland in my early days. At that meeting some remarks were made that have been made here today, with regard to the living prophets and with regard to the written word of God. The same principle was presented, although not as extensively as it has been here, when a leading man in the Church got up and talked upon the subject, and said: ‘You have got the word of God before you here in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants; you have the written word of God, and you who give revelations should give revelations according to those books, as what is written in those books is the word of God. We should confine ourselves to them.’

“When he concluded, Brother Joseph turned to Brother Brigham Young and said, ‘Brother Brigham I want you to go to the podium and tell us your views with regard to the living oracles and the written word of God.’ Brother Brigham took the stand, and he took the Bible, and laid it down; he took the Book of Mormon, and laid it down; and he took the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and laid it down before him, and he said: ‘There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God from the beginning of the world, almost, to our day. And now,’ said he, ‘when compared with the living oracles those books are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books.’ That was the course he pursued. When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation; ‘Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth.’ ” (Conference Report, October 1897, pp. 18–19.)

Third: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.

God’s revelation to Adam did not instruct Noah how to build the Ark. Noah needed his own revelation. Therefore the most important prophet so far as you and I are concerned is the one living in our day and age to whom the Lord is currently revealing His will for us. Therefore the most important reading we can do is any of the words of the prophet contained each month in our Church Magazines. Our instructions about what we should do for each six months are found in the General Conference addresses which are printed in the Church magazine.

Beware of those who would set up the dead prophets against the living prophets, for the living prophets always take precedence.

Fourth: The prophet will never lead the Church astray.

President Wilford Woodruff stated:

“I say to Israel, the Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as president of the Church to lead you astray. It is not in the program. It is not in the mind of God.” (The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, pp. 212–13.)

President Marion G. Romney tells of this incident which happened to him:

“I remember years ago when I was a bishop I had President Heber J. Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting I drove him home … Standing by me, he put his arm over my shoulder and said: ‘My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it.’ Then with a twinkle in his eye, he said, ‘But you don’t need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray.’ ” (Conference Report, October 1960, p. 78.)

Fifth: The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or diplomas to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.

Sometimes there are those who feel their earthly knowledge on a certain subject is superior to the heavenly knowledge which God gives to his prophet on the same subject. They feel the prophet must have the same earthly credentials or training which they have had before they will accept anything the prophet has to say that might contradict their earthly schooling. How much earthly schooling did Joseph Smith have? Yet he gave revelations on all kinds of subjects. We haven’t yet had a prophet who earned a doctorate degree in any subject. We encourage earthly knowledge in many areas, but remember if there is ever a conflict between earthly knowledge and the words of the prophet, you stand with the prophet and you’ll be blessed and time will show you have done the right thing.

Sixth: The prophet does not have to say “Thus saith the Lord” to give us scripture.

Sometimes there are those who argue about words. They might say the prophet gave us counsel but that we are not obliged to follow it unless he says it is a commandment. But the Lord says of the Prophet, “Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you.” (D&C 21:4.)

And speaking of taking counsel from the prophet, in D&C 108:1, the Lord states:

“Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Lyman: Your sins are forgiven you, because you have obeyed my voice in coming up hither this morning to receive counsel of him whom I have appointed.”

Said Brigham Young, “I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call scripture.” (Journal of Discourses, 13:95.)

Seventh: The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.

“Thou has declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear,” complained Nephi’s brethren. But Nephi answered by saying, “The guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.” (1 Ne. 16:1–2.)

Said President Harold B. Lee:

“You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may conflict with your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life … Your safety and ours depends upon whether or not we follow … Let’s keep our eye on the President of the Church.” (Conference Report, October 1970, p. 152–153.)

But it is the living prophet who really upsets the world. “Even in the Church,” said President Kimball, “many are prone to garnish the sepulchres of yesterdays prophets and mentally stone the living ones.” (Instructor, 95:527.)

Why? Because the living prophet gets at what we need to know now, and the world prefers that prophets either be dead or worry about their own affairs. Some so-called experts of political science want the prophet to keep still on politics. Some would-be authorities on evolution want the prophet to keep still on evolution. And so the list goes on and on.

How we respond to the words of a living prophet when he tells us what we need to know, but would rather not hear, is a test of our faithfulness.

Said President Marion G. Romney, “It is an easy thing to believe in the dead prophets, but it is a greater thing to believe in the living prophets.” And then he gives this illustration:

“One day when President Grant was living, I sat in my office across the street following a general conference. A man came over to see me, an elderly man. He was very upset about what had been said in this conference by some of the Brethren, including myself. I could tell from his speech that he came from a foreign land. After I had quieted him enough so he would listen, I said, ‘Why did you come to America?’ ‘I am here because a prophet of God told me to come.’ ‘Who was the prophet?’ I continued. ‘Wilford Woodruff.’ ‘Do you believe Wilford Woodruff was a prophet of God?’ ‘Yes, sir.’

“Then came the sixty-four dollar question, ‘Do you believe that Heber J. Grant is a prophet of God?’ His answer, ‘I think he ought to keep his mouth shut about old-age assistance.’

“Now I tell you that a man in his position is on the way to apostasy. He is forfeiting his chances for eternal life. So is everyone who cannot follow the living prophet of God.” (Conference Report, April 1953, p. 125.)

Eighth: The Prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.

There will be times when you will have to choose between the revelation of God and reasoning of men—between the prophet and the professor. Said the Prophet Joseph Smith,

“Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof until long after the events transpire.” (Scrapbook of Mormon Literature, vol. 2, p. 173).

Would it seem reasonable to an eye doctor to be told to heal a blind man by spitting in the dirt, making clay and applying it to the man’s eyes and then telling him to wash in a contaminated pool? Yet this is precisely the course that Jesus took with one man, and he was healed. (See John 9:6–7.) Does it seem reasonable to cure leprosy by telling a man to wash seven times in a particular river, yet this is precisely what the prophet Elisha told a leper to do, and he was healed. (See 2 Kgs. 5.)

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:8–9.)

Ninth: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter—temporal or spiritual.

Said Brigham Young:

“Some of the leading men in Kirtland were much opposed to Joseph the Prophet, meddling with temporal affairs …

“In a public meeting of the Saints, I said, ‘Ye Elders of Israel, … will some of you draw the line of demarcation, between the spiritual and temporal in the kingdom of God, so that I may understand it?’ Not one of them could do it …

“I defy any man on earth to point out the path a Prophet of God should walk in, or point out his duty, and just how far he must go, in dictating temporal or spiritual things. Temporal and spiritual things are inseparably connected, and ever will be.” (Journal of Discourses, 10:363–64.)

Tenth: The prophet may well advise on civic matters.

When a people are righteous, they want the best to lead them in government. Alma was the head of the Church and of the government in the Book of Mormon; Joseph Smith was mayor of Nauvoo and Brigham Young was governor of Utah. Isaiah was deeply involved in giving counsel on political matters and of his words the Lord himself said, “Great are the words of Isaiah.” (3 Ne. 23:1.)

Eleventh: The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.

The learned may feel the prophet is only inspired when he agrees with them, otherwise the prophet is just giving his opinion—speaking as a man. The rich may feel they have no need to take counsel of a lowly prophet.

In the Book of Mormon we read:

“O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

“But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

“And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.” (2 Ne. 9:28–29, 42; italics added.)

Twelfth: The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.

As a prophet reveals the truth it divides the people. The honest in heart heed his words but the unrighteous either ignore the prophet or fight him. When the prophet points out the sins of the world, the wordly either want to close the mouth of the prophet, or else act as if the prophet didn’t exist, rather than repent of their sins. Popularity is never a test of truth. Many a prophet has been killed or cast out. As we come closer to the Lord’s second coming you can expect that as the people of the world become more wicked, the prophet will be less popular with them.

Thirteenth: The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—The highest quorum in the Church.

In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord refers to the First Presidency as “the highest council of the Church” (D&C 107:80) and says “whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those, the First Presidency, whom I have sent …” (D&C 112:20).

Fourteenth: The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

President Harold B. Lee relates this incident from Church history:

“The story is told in the early days of the Church—particularly, I think, at Kirtland, Ohio—where some of the leading brethren in the presiding councils of the Church met secretly and tried to scheme as to how they could get rid of the Prophet Joseph’s leadership. They made the mistake of inviting Brigham Young to one of these secret meetings. He rebuked them, after he had heard the purpose of their meeting. This is part of what he said: ‘You cannot destroy the appointment of a prophet of God, but you can cut the thread that binds you to the prophet of God, and sink yourselves to hell.’ ” (Conference Report, April 1963, p. 81.)

In a general conference of the Church, President N. Eldon Tanner stated:

“The Prophet spoke out clearly on Friday morning, telling us what our responsibilities are …

“A man said to me after that, ‘You know, there are people in our state who believe in following the Prophet in everything they think is right, but when it is something they think isn’t right, and it doesn’t appeal to them, then that’s different.’ He said, ‘Then they become their own prophet. They decide what the Lord wants and what the Lord doesn’t want.’

“I thought how true, and how serious when we begin to choose which of the covenants, which of the commandments we will keep and follow, we are taking the law of the Lord into our own hands and become our own prophets, and believe me, we will be led astray, because we are false prophets to ourselves when we do not follow the Prophet of God. No, we should never discriminate between these commandments, as to those we should and should not keep.” (CR, October 1966, p. 98.)

“Look to the Presidency and receive instruction,” said the Prophet Joseph Smith. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 161.) But Almon Babbitt didn’t, and in the Doctrine and Covenants section 124, verse 84 [D&C 124:84], the Lord states:

“And with my servant Almon Babbitt, there are many things with which I am not pleased; behold, he aspireth to establish his counsel instead of the counsel which I have ordained, even that of the Presidency of my Church.”

In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”, for our salvation depends on them.

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.

2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.

3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.

4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.

5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.

6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.

7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.

8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.

9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.

10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.

11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.

12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.

13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.

14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.

I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captain—how close do our lives harmonize with the Lord’s anointed—the living Prophet—President of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.

May God bless us all to look to the Prophet and the Presidency in the critical and crucial days ahead is my prayer.

I Feew Wike a Woman!

At first, I couldn't think of anything to post about, but then I remembered that on Thursday I was driving home with just my 4 yr. old in the car. And Shania Twain came on the radio. Savannah LOVES "I Feel Like a Woman" so she was singing along. Only she doesn't quite have her L's down yet. So it came out, "I feew wike a woman!"

Needless to say - HILARIOUS being belted out of the mouth of a 4 year old.

*********************

Tonight we were working on Wyatt's 3-D model of his latest research project - a wild animal. He chose to learn about the king cobra. So I had this great idea that we could get small paper cups and stack them loosely with wire in the middle and form it into the shape of the snake, using parts of paper plates for the flaring thing. Then we'd modge podge black crepe paper onto it.

It was great in theory...... Practical application? Not so much.

It's kind of a tricky thing. And since it's due on Monday, we couldn't nix it and come up with something else at the last minute. I guess that's what I get for procrastinating. Matt and I had to help with the modge podging because it was a little more complicated than we expected. Matt kept saying, "I better get an A on this!"

But it does look really cool! I'll post a picture of it when it's done.

A Post in the Midst of Hot Flashes....

Yes. I get hot flashes. I've been getting hot flashes since right before my hysterectomy. I know I'm only 38, but I guess my body wants to make sure I suffer for a LOOOOOOONG time. LOL!

I usually get them when I'm stressed, sick, or in the middle of the night. Why I'm getting them today (and the last several days)? Probably because I'm still getting over my cold.

Something I've learned (and my husband has learned this, too) - when I'm having a hot flash, I have NO PATIENCE, I'm GROUCHY, and IRRITABLE.

But I'm going to push through this hot flash - which is lasting FOR FREAKING EVER - and post about how wonderful my friends are that I serve with at church. I'm in the Primary Presidency and it is just the greatest presidency I've been in EVER! Everyone is working so hard right now and I just had to say I think they are just so wonderful!!!!

Thank you Jennifer, Annie, Kristin, and Kim!!!! You guys ROCK!!!!!

a post for NaBloPoMo

oh - I hate these posts when you HAVE to come up with something. I feel like my funny bone was surgically removed. Okay - so what to write....

An update on my cleaning schedule..... what cleaning schedule???

It kind of hasn't worked, but in my defense, I've had a cold all week and felt like I was walking around in a bubble.

And my kids have been NORMAL!!!! No funny or odd things to report there. And the worst thing that's happened to me is all the good Halloween candy is GONE!

On a side note - I've learned that a person can consume a gallon of orange juice in two days. And that no matter how long you wait, laundry doesn't do itself. The dog won't drink water out of the black bowl (WEIRD). And several handfuls of peanut butter pretzel nuggets are not what health professionals would deem a good serving of protein and carbohydrates.

IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE ELECTION

The elections were coming. I was not liking how it was going after the primaries. I have been very troubled by this election. We had candidates that I was not happy with and propositions that were very controversial.

When Prop 8 was first introduced, I thought, "What's the big deal?" I didn't think it was worth worrying over and didn't particularly feel a need to fight for it. But then we got instructions from the First Presidency of our church. I was shocked. It didn't take long to get on board, though.

The more I learned about what was happening, not just in California, but all over the nation regarding gay marriage, the more concerned I got. And the more vested I became in the fight for Prop 8. I've never hated gay people. I have gay friends that I love. And I was heartbroken that they would be sad or angry that I was supporting Prop 8. But we are commanded to follow the prophet. And the prophet said we needed to do all we could to support Prop 8. So we did.

We cut our own expenses to contribute money and we volunteered our time. We posted signs and shared opinions. We did it because we felt in our hearts it was right.

The Bible story that has repeatedly come to mind is the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22.

1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Abraham was commanded by the Lord to sacrifice his son. He obeyed, even knowing that it was not in line with the teachings of the Lord. The Lord stayed his hand and provided another offering. But Abraham had proved his loyalty to the Lord.

We were asked to support Prop 8. Regardless of how we feel about it, it was a commandment. I never thought we would be asked to just blindly follow. I didn't even realize at first the similarities in what we were asked to do and what Abraham was asked to do. My testimony has grown because of it.

In the past, I've frequently visited an author's message board. Her son is gay and she was encouraging people to vote against Prop 8. I very respectfully shared why I was going to vote FOR Prop 8. It turned into a very long and very civil discussion. People who didn't agree with me were still civil. They expressed their disagreement, but people also learned a lot about possible consequences if Prop 8 failed.

Today, someone asked about our views on Prop 8 since it passed. This is what I posted:

this is a sensitive subject

Posted by Tracy on 11/5/2008, 14:54:07, in reply to "prop 8"

While I supported and voted for Prop 8, I understand that there are others who are hurt by it. But we had conflicting rights and concerns and one side had to win. And while it could have been initiated and accomplished in a different way to appease everyone, there's always the chance that no matter what anyone came up with, people wouldn't have been happy.

My heart breaks for those that are hurting. But I feel that the people's voices were heard and should be respected. And I think the fact that California and the nation voted Obama in as president proves that we're not a nation and people controlled by prejudice and descrimination. Prop 8 was not a civil rights issue and didn't pass because people were prejudiced. It passed because people have fundamental beliefs about the family.

I really hope that we can all accept things and find ways to live together, instead of continuing to fight. I fought hard for Prop 8, and I'd do it again. But that doesn't mean I enjoyed it or that I want the contention to continue. I really hope we, as a people, can heal after this election.

Since that post, I have received numerous replies that have been excruciatingly hateful. I am amazed at the level of anger and hatred that has multiplied since we fought for something the Lord set for us. I thought the fight would be over after the election. But I'm comforted knowing that we obeyed and we did what we knew to be right.

In D&C 4:2, it reads: "Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day."

Stepping away from Prop 8 and towards the election in general, I am deeply troubled that John McCain and Barack Obama were the best our country had to offer. I liked John McCain slightly better than Obama. Or maybe I should say, I thought he'd be a better president. I didn't like either of them. But Obama won and now we're moving into a new administration.

I have said on many occasions in political discussions that I don't think any policy or law is going to fix our country until we fix the character and integrity of the people and rebuild the family. We are in a different world than ever before.

I don't think there has EVER been a time when good and righteous parenting was more important. It is imperative that we all, as mothers, fathers, teachers, leaders, take it upon ourselves to teach our children what is right. To strengthen their spirits that they might have the fortitude to overcome the world that is falling apart around them. We have an obligation to provide our children with the knowledge and understanding to take on the challenges that they will face and find ways to improve life for themselves and others. We need to raise future teachers and leaders. People who will, when asked, follow the Lord. Even blindly, if asked to do so. I'm overwhelmed by these responsibilities. But I will try my hardest to be the kind of mom I need to be and follow the Lord.

Yesterday, after the election, I thought the fight was over. But today it's becoming more clear to me that it's really just beginning.

HELP! I need a snack recommendation that starts with S

I have a cold, so I don't want to make something. Any ideas on what I can buy pre-made that starts with an S?

Thanks so much!

Yeah, I know - ANOTHER POST

This is inspired by Della Hill's Be Grateful, Sunday post. As I thought about what I was grateful for, I at first started thinking of all the things I always say - family, gospel, etc. So I thought I'd take this down the "What I don't realize how thankful I am for..."

So here it is... I'm thankful for:

1. makeup
2. deodorant
3. epidurals
4. disposable diapers
5. flushable wipes
6. dishwashers (the mechanical kind)
7. washing machines
8. water bottles
9. orthodontics
10. Lasik
11. automobiles
12. DVR
13. ipods
14. frozen yogurt
15. Ghiridelli chocolate
16. running showers
17. blogging
18. road side service
19. air conditioning
20. Ibuprofen

It makes sense to me, but...

Today I'm going for random. My cold has taken a turn for the worse. I feel like that scene in Haunted Mansion where Eddie Murphy is down in the mausoleum and he just stole the key and all the zombies are getting out of their crypts coming after him. That's what's happening in my body. The mucus is taking over and it happened all of a sudden. Yuck!!!

***On to the next topic....Okay - so my mother-in-law is coming on the 12th. (NO! It's not another scene from Haunted Mansion, unless you count the scene when they first get to the mansion and it's dusty and there are cobwebs everywhere and you're thinking, "Man! They really need to clean!")

(We watched a movie Halloween night. Wanna guess what we watched?)

Okay, so Matt & I are going to Virginia for a quick trip and his mom is coming to babysit. So now I'm in panic mode. I don't care if my house is clean when my family comes, but with my in-laws, it's a different story.

So I figured if I set myself a schedule to get it all cleaned, then I can get it done in time. Cuz really, it's probably a month long job. But if I work fast, I can probably get the most important stuff done in time.

Here's what I'm thinking:

Monday, Nov. 3 - master bedroom

Tuesday, Nov. 4 - master bath

Wednesday, Nov. 5 - vacuum & mop floors

Thursday, Nov. 6 - dust office & living room

Friday, Nov. 7 - family room, Savannah's room, & kids bath

Monday, Nov. 10 - guest room & guest bath

Tuesday, Nov. 11 - kitchen

This is my plan. I hope that by putting it on my blog, I'll be motivated to get it done. (I know - I can see you ROFLOL!!!)

And seriously, if you're thinking all these jobs can be done in one day - there's a reason you haven't seen my whole house!!!

***Next topic...... I'm doing the NaBloPoMo challenge (National Blog Posting Month). The deal is you're supposed to blog every day for a month.

Here's a button if you want it:

<a href="http://www.nablopomo.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Chocoholic" src="http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp176/superseriousblogs/nablopomo3.jpg"/></a><script type="text/javascript">
${widget.hasDynamicSize}</script>

It was created by MomBabe. I got it from Melissa B's blog.

***Next topic.....you have to check out my friend Melissa R's blog. She & her hubby look so authentic in their Halloween getup. ROCK ON!!!!

***Last topic (I promise!!!)....please vote on my poll (to the right). I never know how to reply to comments, so I'd like to get a consensus. Thank you! Thank you!

FINALLY - A New Look

My blog was really bugging me. I was feeling claustrophobic every time I saw my blog page, so I finally got it all fixed up. I love all the blog helps and buttons for websites, but it was just too much, so I created another blog where I can keep all that stuff. It's all at Mormon Blog Stalker (the button is on the right side of my blog). I like gathering up stuff to play with on my blog, so if you want to dress up your blog, check it out. There's going to be all kinds of stuff for blogs. Right now I have some stuff - it's going to take me a little bit of time to get all the stuff on it that I want. But my plan is to really stock it well, so I'm going to keep adding to it. Check back when you get a chance to see what's new. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Food Storage Gone Wrong

Did you know...

1. #10 cans of fruit can explode.
2. When they do, they look like someone put a straw in them and blew them up until there were no edges. ANYWHERE.
3. When they explode, the liquid sprays the entire inside of your cupboard.
4. Then it runs down the sides, past all the shelves, and pools at the bottom.
5. If you don't catch it soon enough, it all hardens into a hard carmel-like substance.
6. And it starts to SMELL. BADLY.
7. When you move the cans, they start making a hissing sound. Like the air hoses that you use to put air in your tires.
8. If you don't think before you move them, you spray your whole kitchen.
9. You have to take a ton of breaks during cleaning because the smell is GROSS.
10. You may never be able to eat peaches again.