Because of Him

Because of Him, I have had the opportunity to have my beautiful family.  Because of Him, my sins are no more.  Because of him, I can repent when I've done wrong.  Because of Him, I may have Eternal Life.

Happy Easter!

I didn't cry, but smiled

I have spent the last week at my mom and dads, and traveling to Kearns, UT and all around.  I finally got home and the first thing I did, even before doing laundry and putting things away, was take down the tree.

It's simple...we needed the room to move in our tiny apartment.  Even so, I'll miss our lovely tree.

This year's tree was the most beautiful tree we've ever had.  I loved it, and any angels daring to enter our wild home probably loved it too.  My mom and I joke that we do it for the angels, because visitors and/or guests are few and far between.  There were many days I'd sit on the couch for a moment when I had one, and just looked at my pretty tree.  It made me happy.  And filled my heart with many memories.

While I didn't cry, I smiled as I carefully and delicately took down each ornament, the garlands, the lights & bows, and lovingly packed them into their tissue-paper homes for the next eleven months.

When Tanner and Taylor turned around from watching a movie I put on for them, the questioned if Christmas was over.  I replied, "Even though I'm taking down all the decorations, Christmas is all year round.  If we are kind to one another and show our love for each other, Christmas is always here."

That seemed to satisfy their little minds.  I hope our little family can keep the Christmas Spirit in our hearts and spread it from our home each day, not just on Christmas Day.

{Merry Christmas!}

For our friends and family who are regulars here, I'll spare you the Christmas Letter as you're aware of the wonderful, the crazy and the great things we've experienced this year.  However, we want to still let you know of our gratitude for you, and especially of our testimonies of Jesus Christ.

We are so very blessed to have both your love and support and the love of Christ present in our lives.

Thank you.  And Merry Christmas!  We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

and because I really cannot decide which card I like better, here's option two.  *giggle*

Sanctify Yourselves

Again.  Profound.  I am so thankful for my husband who worthily holds these sacred priesthood powers.  My heart is full, to know that we have the blessings of the priesthood evident in our own home.

Would you like to know more?  Go HERE.

♥♥♥

Striving, ever striving

"We would do well to slow down a little...focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most."

For convenience, the link to the talk:  Of Things That Matter Most

"Diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the World."

-President Dieiter F. Uchtdorf 

Just a little reminder for myself that I wanted to share.  Now I need to go wash my running makeup from my face and do the dishes.  ♥

{I am a Child of God}

***pause the music on the sidebar...you'll thank me later***

Saw this uplifting video this morning as I was preparing for Singing Time.  I get to substitute as the Primary chorister today and am super excited!  We're learning Hymn 27, Praise to the Man.  Such a powerful and mighty song.  We're going to sing with gusto and reverence and love every minute of it!

Plus I just painted my fingernails a bright red and fit into a skirt I haven't worn for 3 years!!!

It's a good day.

I'm so grateful for the knowledge that I have of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know that I am a Child of God and that he loves me.  My heart is full of gratitude to Him for blessing me with such a wonderful and beautiful little family.  How wonderful it is, that if I do my part, I can live with them for Eternity!  I know that we are His children, and that He knows us and loves us and wants us to return to live with Him.



I am a Child of God.  And so are you.  I hope you enjoyed this little video.

tender mercy

I have been running errands all day long.

Got to Wal*Mart for one of the last ones, and paid for my goods, hopped in my car, and wouldn't you know it; the derned thing would. not. start.  

If you've been a fly on our wall, you'd know that we're having car issues all the way around over here.  BUT we're so blessed to have two cars...for convenience...and luckily at least one is always working.  

Anyways, back to my tender mercy...

The car parked directly in front of me (hood-to-hood) 's owner happened to get in his car as I got in mine.  For some blessed reason, he didn't quickly back up and go on his way as I've done leaving each parking lot today.

I got out, popped the hood to see if the battery was corroded (as we've had to wire-brush it off on occasion), but it looked clean to me...good thing, because I just cleaned out the car and put the wire-brush in the garage.

I got back in, and said a little prayer.  I had left the phone at home, and that was the only thing I thought to do...When I turned the key, the engine wouldn't turn over...really?  I prayed!   

Thankfully, this gentleman got out of his car, and asked if I needed help...and you can guess the rest.

Moral of the story:  Tender mercies.  Always be available to listen to the Spirit so you can help be somebody's tender mercy.  God answers our prayers, but it's usually through somebody else that he get's through to us.

Inspiration

Please pause the music on my sidebar and enjoy this inspirational video...

**I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a Relief Society Conference in my Stake this morning.  It. Was. Wonderful.  The only bad part was I didn't have my diaper bag, so I didn't have tissues, or a burp cloth, or ANYTHING to wipe my wet and teary face with.  LOL!  I learned a few things about myself, as well as what I can do better to improve my attitude and circumstances, if you will.  This "Mormon Message" was shared in the last class I could attend before slipping home to nurse Kortlen...and I felt like I couldn't hardly breathe both times I watched it...but I didn't want to bawl in the middle of all the women, so I just held it in.  My heart wants to burst.  With gratitude, with comfort, and with love.

I keep watching it over, and over, and over.  Part of what keeps drawing me in is President Ucktdorf's passionate voice, part of it is the beautiful and intense music.  But the most important and inspirational part to me is the meaningful message.  Guess it's just something I need to hear today.  Right now.

"President Dieter F. Uchtdorf invites us to rely on the Spirit and use our divinely inherited ability to create things of substance and beauty. "

Enjoy.



Hopefully my renewed drive to eliminate unnecessary distractions (good-bye Facebook, netflix, questionable movies, computer time and television) will allow me to be closer to the Spirit and I'll be able to be available to listen more closely to guidance and direction.

Hopefully my children will appreciate the new attitude and tone in our home.

Hopefully communication between all individuals in our home will improve.

And hopefully, we'll find the peace and balance we've been taught to invite into and create in our home.

Today before my mom left, she helped me hang a picture of Christ prominently in our living room.  We've never had a picture of Christ hanging where it's the first thing you see.  Thanks, mom!  (And thanks dad, for letting us climb on you on the couch to hang everything else.)  My next 'to-do' is to finish and print a picture of a Temple for our living room, our bedroom, and our boys' room.  I have big ideas...just need the weather to be nicer, and the paycheck to be bigger.

I also re-hung a document our church issued in 1995, called, "The Family:  A Proclamation to the World".  You can read the actual document, and about it, HERE.  It means so much to me and my little family.

Big changes.  Little changes.  Changes, period.  Change is good.  And these changes are for the better.  They're inspired, and maybe you'll find a little inspiration in them to improve your own life, if that's what it needs.  It's what our family needs right now.

_____________________

And yes.  I completely deleted myself from facebook.  Not just my friends this time. The best part?  I don't even feel a tiny bit bad about it.  LOL!  If you don't know how to get a hold of me by now, maybe we're not as close as I thought.  :)  And if you'd like to *be* a close friend, shoot me an email...maybe we can work something out.  In fact, I'm sure we can. 

{to do}

I am actually excited by my {to-do} list this week.  I've been in a sort of down-n-out funk for the last few weeks, but I am determined to not be a downer for everyone who has to be around me.

This week I get to:

...have a few kids over to play most the day because their mom is on bed-rest.  I'm very excited to have them come, because my kids will usually do better with someone else to play with.  Plus, I usually feel better by serving...it's like a sweet elixir to raise my spirits in a most wholesome way.

...get to make my first funeral potato casserole for a funeral!  I know this sounds silly, but I am excited to be able to help with this!  The 'regular help' is all gone for spring break, so now's my chance! I just have to make it and drop it off...but I'm so thankful that I CAN help, and am ABLE to.

...organize and de-clutter.  Hopefully in preparation for a move! (nothing in the works other than numerous applications, but if I'm ready for 'that day', then it'll be less stressful, right???)  There are seven large totes full of seasonal clothing in our garage, all belonging to children who live in this household.  There is NO reason that three little boys under the age of five should have seven totes of clothes.  So, it is my BEST intention to go through them THIS WEEK!  And either sell or donate that which was rarely worn and probably won't be worn.  If anything, group them into the correct sizes and seasons.

...prepare to be spiritually fed and uplifted.  A friend linked to THIS SITE in preparation for this weekend.  WHAT is this weekend???  It's the 181st General Conference for our Church, where we get to hear the inspired words of our Prophet, leaders and those who have been asked to talk to anyone who will listen.  You don't have to be a member to hear what is said, or feel of the wonderful Spirit of Christ and His teachings.  It's held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, but is broadcast throughout the world via internet and satellite.  If we can't get it on the tv, we'll watch and listen to it at byutv.org or at lds.org.  Join us! (Need a little something to keep kiddos both young and old occupied?  Check THIS out.  :)  )

...love on my husband, who is rarely home anymore.  He's working so hard for his little family; we are SO  excited that he gets to have both Saturday AND Sunday off this weekend!  I plan to make some delicious gluten free meals so he can enjoy himself as much as we will.  I also plan to let him have some daddy-son time.  *giggle*  And maybe a nap each day.

...get in some needle & thread therapy with some freshly dyed muslin.  It's been hanging on a kitchen chair for a week now, and I can't wait to sink my hands into some quick stitching!!!

...and maybe even clean my kitchen.  Like the kind of clean I did the day before Kortlen finally came...the kind that results in cupboards being emptied, wiped clean, and reorganized, complete with some new food storage!  It shouldn't be too bad, where I just did it eight months ago, but still, that was eight months ago and it desperately needs to be done again!

"If there is a task to do, do it with a smile!  Do more than you are asked to do and go the second mile."  A song my mother would frequently sing when we were dragging our feet at anything...so I hope to be able to do my tasks with a smile and go a second mile to boot!

A New Year {2011}, a new me

Making Changes....

...to be a better me.
A better wife.
A better mother.
A better daughter and sister.
A better person, one moment at a time.

This morning Ryan asked me what my New Year's Resolutions were.

My reply, which I have thought about for a few weeks now, was "To be a better person". That's it. I think he was expecting me to outline some complicated list a mile long, which is something I do every year...then tape it to the bedroom wall, where it reminds me where I'm falling short.

Yes, I want to lose weight, exercise every day, read my scriptures and to my kids every day, have a spotless home and dinner on the table when Ryan get's home from work, complete a million different projects, some important, some selfish. But ultimately, I want to be a better me.

I want to be the daughter of God that I know He knows I am. I know I cannot be perfect every day. I know that every moment won't be ideal. But I know that I want to make the effort to be a better me.

I still have a 'list' of sorts, but it's more of a routine I hope to follow to accomplish my goal of being a better person.

I liked this short clip that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has, and the simple message of moving forward.  Not dwelling on the 'past', but looking forward to the future.  I am grateful for the knowledge of the Atonement in my life, so that for those moments that are imperfect, I can repent, and move onward, and focus on enjoying life, not just enduring it.

I'm excited to talk to Tanner's Joy School friends on Tuesday about goal making and accomplishing those goals.  I've been thinking about what kind of goals I can help my children set.  Like learning to tie their own shoes, trying one new food a week (this will most likely consist of vegetables and fruits we regularly offer, but they haven't touched!), saying "I Love You", or "I'm Sorry", or "How can I help you?" more.

I am excited to feel uplifted by regular scripture study, gratitude during my prayers, peace in my heart even if a situation I find myself in less than ideal.

So, here's to a brand new year, with wonderful and cherished memories in 2010, and exciting and learning experiences in 2011.

Happy New Year!

Christmas Day 2010

We woke up to find that our elf had found our candy cane stash!

And that Santa had come just as he had promised...

...leaving letters for the boys who had worked so hard to write some to him...

Our boys each got a want (dart gun/bumbo for Kortlen), a need (shoes/snow gloves/onesies), a wear (long-sleeve T) and a read (a book) from Santa, and I made their quilts, pillows and the car mat...everything else is from our *Secret Santa...we. are. blessed. So very. blessed.)

Painted in the wee hours of the morning...for many days...on 40" x 60" of duck cloth.  I even got a cardboard tube from an upholstery store for free to roll it on...talk about labor intensive!!!

Finished quilts for the bunkbeds, pillows to read with, and smaller monster ones to keep the monsters away at night (they're super ugly, but that's what happens when you "create" at 2 am).  Also, labor intensive...during more wee hours in the week between birthdays and Christmas Eve. 

Growing up, we had a tradition that we could not open presents until Grandma and Grandpa Crandall had come...so we invited Ryan's parents to come Christmas morning to watch the kids open their presents.  It was a fun way to be with them without having to go to Rexburg and then to Chesterfield in the same day.

The boys throughly enjoyed the morning, and Kortlen just wanted the wrapping paper and a nap.  Go figure!

It was simply magical to watch them, their expressions, and the excitement in their eyes and voices.

To put it modestly, we'll have games to play  and toys to play with for YEARS before I'll hear "I'm Bored".

___________

After a yummy breakfast of Apple Pancakes, grapefruit and milk, Grandma and Grandpa Poulsen headed off to visit more grandkids, and we picked up and packed our bags to head to Grandma and Grandpa Crandall's house.

Going there never disappoints.  Not only did they have so much fun playing with their adoring aunts and uncles, but they played non-stop with their new Buzz and Woody.

*This picture taken on new year's day...didn't get a good one on Christmas day!

 My mom's tree is always gorgeous!

 And we had another wise man join the family!

The day wouldn't be complete without the reading of Christ's Birth.  There's a real baby in that manger, too!  Check out the shepherd's sheep...and the lovely little angel! 

It was a fabulous day, filled with memorable gifts, fun visits, and great reflection on the greatest gift of all, our Savior.

Our hearts are full of gratitude to our Heavenly Father, our loving family, and wonderful friends.

__________

We got to go to my parent's ward on Sunday, and then Ryan had to get back home for work, but I decided to stay for some more adventures, and hoped that Ryan would get some better sleep when he was home.

Christmas Eve 2010

Ryan had to work till 7pm, so I started a 'new' tradition for our little family (since we weren't going anywhere!).

We made Homemade Pizza, that was TO DIE FOR!  It was delicious!

The best part, was the cheesy crust (I put cheese in it, per Tanner's request) and the fact that the kids ate ALL their food!  I got a couple extra peppers, and we were all happy and fed.

I can't remember where I got the recipe for the dough, but it was SUPER easy.  And pretty good, too.

Christmas Eve Pizza Dough
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp yeast
4 to 4 1/2 cups flour (I think I used 4 and then added more when I kneaded it)

Mix all ingredients, and gently knead 10 times.  Let rise 60 minutes in a greased bowl, covered with greased plastic wrap (I just used Pam spray). (You could let it rise for 30 min with a towel over it in a very warm place, or with a small heating pad under it set to LOW.)

The directions said to roll out, but after trying to roll and toss and making a mess, I just hand pressed it onto a lightly greased (Pam, again) pizza pan.  I made sure it went slightly over the edge, because I cut 'strips' of mozzarella cheese to encase in the crust.  You can see in the picture with Tanner and Taylor that I just pinched the dough around the cheese.  Tanner was SUPER excited about the 'cheese-bites' crust.  (He had seen a commercial for Pizza Hut's Cheese-bites crust, which gave us this great idea!)

Before I put the sauce and toppings on, I got a fork and jabbed the dough about every inch so we wouldn't get big air bubbles.  Then we piled it on!  We just used a generic brand of sauce, did 3/4 lb grated mozzarella cheese, 1/2 pkg pepperoni, 1/2 pkg ham/Canadian bacon, 1/2 of a chopped green pepper, and 1/2 of a medium finely chopped onion (so the kids didn't notice them, even though they put them on!) and then more cheese.  I totally forgot to prep and put on the olives and pineapple...but hey, whatever works!

Bake @ 500* F for 10 minutes (I did 15-ish, because of the stuffed crust and abundance of toppings).

This dough recipe makes enough for a VERY LARGE pizza (the crust was nice and thick), or you could do a medium one and bread sticks...that's my plan for next time.  (Super cheap, super fun, and super yummy!)

__________

After cleaning up dinner, we sat down to watch "The Nativity", a 5 minute film on Christs' birth, and then "Mr. Krueger's Christmas", another 26 minute film put out by the Church; one of my favorite Christmas movies, with many fond memories from my childhood.  Plus, Jimmy Stewart is just so sweet, and old, and lonely.  I always wanted to be Clarissa, and leave my mittens, in hopes that I might be the recipient of that gentle reminder, the piece from his Nativity, the baby Jesus.

Every year my parents would take us around to grandparents' and great-grandparents' homes to 'be' a nativity...we usually grumbled by the 4th time, but it was so worth it.  :)  Such a neat tradition my parents held true to every. single.  year.

The boys then got to open one present that Santa had brought earlier that day, and then we left him a little snack - even one for Rudolf.

After family prayers, we turned on the Christmas tree lights and everything else off and snuggled in our beds, hoping we'd hear reindeer hooves on the roof in our sleep!

There really *IS* a Santa!

We {believe}.  
Oh, yes we do!  
He personally came to our home, and it. was. lovely. 

We hope you all have a 
VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

May the Spirit of Christmas fill your heart and homes as it has ours.  

How is your tree holding up?

Ours has been slightly traumatized today...

Behold, the dart gun.  Our boys got some from grandpa Poulsen (excuse:  They were really good wisemen in the play) and needless to say, some darts have gone astray from their intended targets.

: : :

On a happy note...I can hardly wait to snuggle with my hubby next to this:

It's "What's On" on our local news station tomorrow night...oh, can't see what I'm talking about?  Here:

It's a Holiday Hearth...A fire on our tv.  :)  I'm sure we can find something to do while there's a 'blazing fire' *cue floor heater on the feet* and the chillins (if you're not a Crandall, that's "Crandall" for Children.) are soundly slumbering.  We are in desperate need of some romantic time together.  LOL!  I'm talking about real adult-to-adult conversation besides something involving a checkbook or what's for dinner.  

: : :

In other news, we have written the same letter to Santa nine times today.  All because the "a" isn't connected, or a line for the "n" went too long, or an entire name was written backwards.  *palm-to-forehead*

Our son is a perfectionist, and it is cracking me up.  I finally got him a pencil with an eraser, and he is having MAJOR writing issues.  I wish he'd just leave the mistakes, but he refuses that it look anything less than perfect.  I tried to explain during a melt-down that it's okay to make writing mistakes when we're learning, but he wouldn't have any of that.  I have NO idea where he got this trait from.  We have yet to actually draw a picture of a gift idea for Santa to bring.  The clock is ticking...like way too fast.


Sometimes I'd like to see what is going on inside his brain.  He has done this on nearly every letter, and now on the envelope...

Do you see what I see??? 

Perfectly Backwards.  :)  Should I be concerned?

: : :

Santa's workshop is planning on closing tonight.  Hallelujah!  My sewing machine is a workhorse and I've had to explain WHY not to go into mommy and daddy's room the week before Christmas a hundred times today.  (I cannot remember to shut our bedroom door when I leave the room!)  A certain five-year-old just doesn't get it!  He came across some surprises and I had to make him pinky-promise not to tell Taylor what mommy made.  I think he secretly likes to keep secrets like this.  

So, now begs the question:  how are all of you Mrs. Clause's and your misters holding up?  Is Santa's shop closed for holiday yet?  

A {Nativity}

We have an amazing Activities Committee in our ward.  This year for our ward's Christmas party, we had a Saturday morning breakfast (pancakes, casserole, fruit, yogurt, juice and chocolate milk) with a very special Nativity program.  The cultural hall was completely decorated in reds and greens, with elegant, childish, and reverent Nativities.

After a delicious and filling breakfast, we were taken on a horse-drawn hay ride around the block, to a live nativity, where we heard shepherds, wise men, and Joseph recount the birth of Christ, followed by the Elder missionaries that shared a special message of Christ.  We then warmed up with hot chocolate, and returnd inside to listen to beautiful Christmas music and visit.

Here's some fun pictures of the morning!

 My little brother came to help me with my boys, since I got to be involved a little with the music...

...and since Ryan was one of the Shepherds...

..the wise men...

...Joseph, Mary, a real baby (I was surprised!  It was about 30 degrees outside!) and a beautiful Angel...

While I played Christmas melodies, Kortlen did this for a half hour:

 ...NO surprise there!

Thank you, Clay, for being such a great Uncle!  And a pretty cool little brother.  :) 

The Spirit of Christ and Christmas were surrounding us all morning.  It was a wonderful feeling.

We are now so glad that we were invited to take part in this special event!  (Next time we won't gripe about how over-the-top the preparations are *embarrassed* ).  There was a lot of time, effort, and preparation that went into such a neat experience!

Easter Sunday

Growing up, Easter Sunday was more than just the Easter Bunny and candy...We focused on the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and how wonderful it is that our Father in Heaven has a plan of salvation which enables us to return to live with Him.  My parents taught us well, yet still spoiled us.

Even into my teenage years, the Easter Bunny would bring us a basket with a new spring outfit (which we usually had to wait for weeks, sometimes months, to wear because of weather) and some candies.  Our baskets were strategically hidden so we would take a few minutes to find them, if not hours.  Every year, it seemed that Keith would find everyone's baskets before his own.  Poor kid. 

This year Ryan and I decided to shake things up a bit.  Neither boy really needed any clothes (but my mom still got them each an outfit to place in their baskets) and having just paid $$$$ in denstist bills for Tanner, I was not wanting to fill plastic eggs or a basket full of candy.

Tanner got a bike (which was partially his Birthday present, though he didn't know it) and some trinkets.  Taylor found the car caddy and some books (along with the same trinkets:  playdough, a wooden alligator to paint, coloring book and water colors, a game of go-fish, and a picture of Christ) in his basket.

Taylor was indifferent about the scattered plastic eggs which had Sacajawea coins in each, and didn't much care for his basket till he saw the peeps.

They were easily consumed before breakfast, which made it easy to get their teeth brushed and candy out of the way. Tanner on the other hand, loved finding the eggs, found Taylor's basket before his own, and was jealous that Taylor got a book and a rabbit.  "Where's my rabbit?"  he exclaimed, not understanding that he got a bike, instead.

All in all, it was a fabulous day.  I love when Conference Weekend is the same weekend as Easter.  The boys played with playdough and painted and had fun quietly playing in their room while Ryan and I were blessed to listen to the leaders of our church teach and instruct us via internet and satellite broadcast. 

The Easter Bunny was quite generous to Ryan...He claims to have found an ipod touch in his basket, but really bought it just days before, pestering me about buying one...silly husband.  Little did he know that Tanner and I would have more fun with it and he didn't stand a chance at getting to use it!  Tanner played with daddy's new toy for hours...the boy can't count to ten in numerical order, or any order, but he can play games and run the electronic device as if he'd been born with one.

My dinner pictures weren't so fortunate, lucky for you.  We had simple ham, mashed potatoes, freezer corn, my favorite, and Jell-O Ribbon salad which was a childhood favorite of mine.  The boys loved it, and I think I'll have to plan ahead to make it next time.  It. took. all. day. long. to make.  It made me happy that Tanner and Taylor would actually eat it!  For desert:  Easter Cupcakes (remember them from last year?) with green coconut and jellybeans on top.

Hope you each had a fabulous Easter Sunday!

Showing Love Through Words

I have a friend.  Her name is Emilie, and we've never met, but I like her, so she is my friend.  Her outlook on life is inspiring.  I love the way she finds time to do the little things.  Through her generous nature and amazing testimony, she has created many beautiful things.  One of my favorite things recently, is her Family Home Evening Blog.  She, with her husband, have created "A Year of FHE" lessons in accordance with the counsel of Latter-Day Prophets.

We, as a family, have been very successful with using her FHE blog as a resource for our Family Home Evenings.  We started out with a bang, and I'm proud and excited to let you all know that we've been successful in at least one night for our family each week.  We're 6 & 6 (for 2010)!

I'll admit, that on February 1st, we deemed dinner with our family at a local resturaunt and games afterwards as our weekly FHE.  There was not a spiritual message this night, but many compliments were paid to the boys for their good behavior, and the Spirit was present in our car on the way home and for the remainder of the evening.  It was very uplifting. 

The 'scheduled' lesson from Emilie's blog this week was titled "Showing Love through Words".  It was a topic that needed to be addressed within in the walls of our home.  It was essential for our family to communicate to each other and to understand the power of words. 

Granted, we had to adapt the lesson for our younger children, but I pray with all my heart that we each learned and will be able to quickly apply that lesson in our home.  Far too often, I am quick to yell, get upset, or bothered by the sweet things and not-so-sweet things my children and even husband does or doesn't do.  I really appreciated this lesson, and asked one question to each family member that I hoped would help us to do better:

"How does our home feel when we yell and say mean words?"

The various answers were touching.  Our sons were sincere and honest.  Ryan was silly, till I gave him the stink-eye, and I shared my testimony with my family about speaking kind words.

Proverbs 15:1 reads:  "A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger."  Recently, and especially today, I felt like throwing in the towel from all the yelling, badgering, bickering, and complaining going on in my home.  It was downright depressing.   And I was just as much to blame as the other three family members. 

I would say tonight's lesson was a successful topic.  It didn't fix our problem areas, but helped us to see that we need to drastically improve the feeling in our home.

If you missed it above, the link to Emilie's FHE blog is HERE.

If you feel like Family Home Evening is something you'd like to try, consider this:  It can be fun.  It doesn't have to be stressful, and you don't have to be LDS to get involved with your family life!  Something your family does together to show that you love each other, or to serve a neighbor, or to become closer to Christ 'counts'.

I challenge you to make one night a week meaningful for your family.  I think you'll like what it does for you, your spouse, your children, and your home.