Pinwheels and Projects.

A few weeks ago (13 October 2011) our ward did a celebration of personal progress, Young Women in Excellence. It was really touching to hear each girl share their testimonies and talk about the different projects they've been working on. The Personal Progress program is definitely an inspired one.

(The theme was "Color Me Beautiful"-- Choosing to be beautiful in the Lord's eyes and finding strength and courage (much like David who stood up against AND defeated Goliath) to stand up for what we know to be good and right, even if the World thinks otherwise.)

What great Young Women we have!
It's fun getting to know them better.

(One of the Young Women thought us leaders should pose as different Disney princesses. Can you tell which ones we are? Actually, I have no clue who I"m representing...just knew that I was supposed to be holding a "sword" ;0))

*Pinwheels = accordian circles & yoyos :0)

While on the subject of my calling in the Young Women's organization, I have to mention a training we had a few weeks ago (15 October 2011). Elaine Dalton came to train the YW leaders of 8 stakes in the area. I felt so blessed to have been able to be there (thanks to wonderful Bry who stayed home with the kids ALL day long!). Sister Dalton was so inspiring! She was personable, down-to-earth, in tune with the current needs of these girls...and such a masterful speaker and teacher. I came home that night saying that she was my new hero. It's true. I'd love to grow up and be like her :0) A few things I took away from the training were to try to be like Jesus, help each girl feel the spirit and feel loved, and remember that repentance/change is possible!

M is for Mormons & Muslims.

(14 October 2011)

As many of you know, our awesome neighbors and friends, Kate & Steve, moved in July while we were in Utah. We were so sad to come home to their apartment being empty. Thankfully they haven't forgotten about us and even made it a point to come and visit all of us at Park Forest while driving through to Georgia ;0) We decided to plan a big "neighbor party" for the night they were in town. It was so great to see them and for our new neighbors (Taylor & Martha and Nelli----who we love. How do we bless out with such great neighbors?) to mix and mingle with everyone.

(Kate had that little man laughing within seconds of her arrival. Too cute!)

(You've got to click and enlarge this one.)

We had a potluck BBQ (well Azhar brought most of the food. Delicious.), had s'mores, celebrated all the Summer birthdays (thanks to Alaa!) AND finished off the evening by dressing in Muslim attire and taking pictures. Oh what good times! Brie was learning the letter M that day and during the evening someone pointed out jokingly that M is for Mormons and Muslims. Perfect :0) Oh how I love our neighbors. We really did bless out!

(Left to Right--Bry, me, Azhar, Essam, Hessan,
Martha, Taylor, Kate, Steve, Hisham, Abdul, Layan, Alaa)

Our Alphabet Table.

(10 October 2011)

About six months ago we put up a cute alphabet on Brie's closet door and started singing the ABC's with her. I didn't want to do much else with the alphabet at that point since she was only 2. Then a few weekends ago I talked to a girl who teaches Kindergarten. She said that with the new curriculum (that the Federal government is imposing/putting into place) that by the end of Kindergarten the kids will be expected to be writing in sentences. In sentences?! Are you kidding me? Needless to say I came home and decided to be a little more assertive about teaching Brie the letters of the alphabet. The following Monday we started with the letter A. I set up our "Alphabet Table" in the dining room, wrote a Big A and a little a on our board and then had Brie be an alphabet detective with me. We looked around the house for anything that started with an A and set it on our table. Throughout the day the meals and activities centered on the letter A. That night we had Angel Hair Pasta with Artichoke hearts and Asparagus. It was different but fun. And so our learning of the letters began. I have to admit that by day 3 I realized that I subconsciously set too high of expectations.... wanting her to recognize each letter as the days went on. I started getting frustrated when she wasn't able to tell me that Animal started wtih A and that Crackers began with C. Thankfully I had a quick change of heart and realized that if nothing else I wanted her to have fun with the alphabet. Plus our daily letter was helping me get more excited about each new day.... it provided a nice structure to which I could add my own personality and creativity. In any case, we're on the letter O and are really enjoying each day. I'm grateful for our little Alphabet Table and feel that through it the Lord is helping me to be a more proactive and attentive mom...just what I was needing!

At the end of the alphabet I'm going to compile a book for Brie to have. Hopefully it will help her to remember some of the fun things we've done, crazy things we've eaten, and letters of the alphabet that we've started to learn together.

**Once we're finished I'll devote another post
with a compilation of pictures, activities, menus, etc.**

Keepin' it Real--Knobby Knees.

(in my snowflake "costume" for my Creative Dance Concert)

Today a friend of mine posted on her blog about the ballet class she has recently started, how she really enjoys it, but feels really silly too. I couldn't help but think back on my childhood. From preschool til 6th grade I did Creative Dance (BYU's modern dance program for children). I LOVED it!!!! My 6th grade year we didn't get signed up in time so my friend and I decided to do ballet. Here we were 12 yr olds (starting those lovely awkward years) learning ballet with a bunch of 5 year old kids. We did "Little Red Riding Hood" and I was the big bad wolf, imagine that...tallest kid in the class ;0)

The above picture is from when I was 6 or so. I was dressed and ready to go for my concert. Cute! Look at those knobby knees...still have those beauties. During my teenage years I complained to my Mom about them and she said, "sorry, you get them from me, but I get them from my Mom." And yep, so far I have passed them on to my kids. Sorry in advance, but not something that I can change!

a Whole Herd.

I had to dedicate a post to the good ol' walking group. I've really come to enjoy it and want to remember the details a long time from now...when this wonderful season in St. Louis has come and gone.

3x/wk
8:30: meet at the stop sign
8:30-9:15 ish: walk the loop
9:15-10:00ish: kids play at playground while the moms chat

Our group fluctuates between 3 moms to 12 moms. On average each mom has 2 kids. Can you imagine when 12+ moms come pushing double strollers?! It's quite the sight to see!


After we've rounded the corner by the church the older kids get out and run down the path...


...and up the hill to the play ground. Don't worry, we keep an eye on them!


In a matter of minutes the park turns into a stroller parking lot :0)

All Together.

I'm not quite sure how this day came about, but at one point I realized that although Bryan and I try to go to the temple frequently as a couple that we rarely go as a family. Bryan and I decided that we'd set a Saturday (9 September 2011) to go. The Friday before I set out pictures of temples on Brie's little table in our dining room. That day she also helped me to straighten up and clean the house in preparation for the next day. Saturday morning we all got cleaned up and dressed in our Sunday best and loaded in the car to drive the relatively very short distance (20 min.) to the St. Louis Temple. On the way there we all sang the primary song, "I Love to See the Temple" and Brie, with her sweet little voice, continued to serenade us as we drove. Once there, I took some pictures, then we walked a little around the grounds, talking to Brie about how special the temple is and that someday she too will be able to go inside. It was a sweet experience. We hope to make it a quarterly family tradition.

"When you come to the temple you will love your family with a deeper love than you have ever felt before. The temple is about families."

—Richard H. Winkel

I love to see the temple.
I’ll go inside someday.
I’ll cov’nant with my Father;
I’ll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth:
A fam’ly is forever.

"As we come unto Christ and journey to higher ground, we will desire to spend more time in His temples, because the temples represent higher ground, sacred ground."

—Joseph B. Wirthlin

I hope to make the temple more and more of a priority. I know that as I do the Lord blesses me to see things with a spiritual and eternal perspective. What peace and clarity can be found within the walls of the temple. What a blessing to have such a place of love and beauty where we can turn for refuge and guidance. I am especially grateful to know that if I live worthily my family and I can all be together (sealed together) for all eternity. I hope to live my life in such a way that I can always have my dear sweet Bry, Brie and Alexander by my side. What blessings the temple can bring us.

**I've been working on this post for a few days now, but what a perfect day to post it. During General Conference today President Monson announced several new temples which will be built...two of which hold special significance: Provo, Utah AND Paris, France!**