Chili #2 from Cook-off

Out of all the ten pots of chili at our reunion chili cook-off, I liked the #2 pot the most. It was bean-less and a little spicy - I like a little kick. I topped it off with Frito chips and cheese! Yumm. Here is the recipe.

Happy Birthday Grandma & Grandpa Clark

We were lucky enough to have some time on our trip back from Yellowstone to stop and visit Dad and Luanne. They fed us a wonderful spaghetti dinner and topped it off with pie and brownies! The kids had a great time trying to beat grandpa at Monopoly Deal (we love this game). Porter pulled through and took the win. It's fun to watch them get into the game, they all love competition especially when grandpa is playing!

Happy Birthday to both Dad and Luanne - their birthdays are two days apart! We love you both and hope you have a great celebration. Corbin just happened to be born on Dad's birthday so they share that special day together.

Mom, I Tried to Tell You

I am trying to catch up from last weekend's traveling and packed days. Monday I answered a phone call that I thought would be a short call, but it ended up being a longer call. While I was on the phone, I had to get the kids in the car and drive to the YMCA. I dropped off the kids on the curb so they could easily get to the Youth Activity Center (YAC) while I parked. I was distracted when I saw my sister, Tisha, also arriving at the same time.

For a moment, I had a strange feeling that I had forgotten a child. But I dismissed the thought, thinking that I saw all three of them hustle inside the building. So I parked and then went upstairs to workout for 25 minutes before their swim lessons. As I picked them up from the YAC, I asked where Olivia was. The workers said they had not seen her today. It was then that Vivian told me that I had forgotten Olivia and had left her home! What? Why didn't you tell me? Vivian told me that she tried to get my attention but that I was on the phone.

I have never done that before....luckily she was home safe with Corbin. I quickly called her on the phone to make sure she was okay. I dropped off the others for swim lessons and told Olivia's teacher what had happened...I'm sure they had a good laugh at me. Then I exercised during their lessons for another 25 minutes. I had to chuckle at myself...wow, I can't believe that I did that! At least she was at home safe - I think it was a wake up call to both of us.

Heavenly Majesty Exhibit

The Idaho Falls and the Washington D.C. visitor's centers are hosting an amazing exhibit this summer called "Heavenly Majesty", which is a display of photographs from the NASA Hubble Telescope. The pictures captured only a fraction of the greatness and wonder of the universe and of God's great power.

At the exhibit they had descriptions of each photograph. Here is the description of the "Eagle Nebula", which corresponds with the photo on the bottom left.

This is a picture of the information they posted by the photograph.

I walked away knowing that we are certainly surround with "worlds without number"! Merdian Magazine sums it up well went it stated, "Truly, no mortal hand could have painted these canvases; this is the work of Divinity."

Merdian Magazine had a great article about this exhibit - but the link doesn't work anymore. It explained how the exhibit came to be and why. (Here is a link to a news clip about this event.)

"The exhibit, entitled ‘Heavenly Majesty: Images of Creation,’ was conceived and developed by Rob Woodhead, a member of the Church from Reston, Virginia who serves on the Cultural Arts Committee of the Visitors’ Center. Although he is not a scientist by profession, Brother Woodhead has long enjoyed astronomy as a hobby. It occurred to him one day how appropriate it would be to show images of the cosmos at the Visitors’ Center, so close to the temple—the place that represents the ordering of the universe.

The committee loved the idea. Brother Woodhead based the exhibit on ten beautiful images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, which has a particularly clear view of the heavens since it orbits the earth beyond the densest layers of the atmosphere. These NASA images are in the public domain, and easily accessible via the Internet, but Brother Woodhead’s vision went far beyond what one could normally see on a home computer screen.

So he and another member of the committee, Ginny Bywater, found a print shop that could print the images on a large scale and at the highest resolution available—the largest being 4 feet by 7 feet. Each of the images was paired with a verse of scripture testifying of God as our majestic Creator.

Brother Woodhead emphasized that “an exhibit like this can be held anywhere, in any exhibit hall you could find, but to hold it on the temple grounds gives us an opportunity to provide an environment where people can get free access to the high resolution images…and a spiritually uplifting environment that gives new dimension to the immensity of space.” In few other venues could one so openly and so effectively connect the creations to the Creator." (Meridian Magazine)

Here is the link to the Hubble Telescope - this would be a cool site for your children (or even yourself) to explore!

McComber Family Reunion

Here is a picture of the Grissom/Winward family (Paul's family) with spouses and grandchildren (Jonathan and Jacob were not present).

Look at that cute little cabin. Some of the family slept in these little houses (oh, the beds were so short!), others brought 5th wheels/trailers, and some of us roughed it in a tent!

I caught a picture of Paul with his mother and also with his favorite cousin, Josh.

Oh, it looks like Daniel and Corbin are up to some mischief....like sneaking dessert before it's time to eat!

As soon as we arrived the kids started catching grasshoppers. Then they got brave enough to dump them down the back of my shirt! After the third or fourth grasshopper rescue, I threatened that the next person that tried would get it in their underwear - that brought a stop to that!

Paul's father, John, was happy to see everyone. Two years ago he had a stroke that makes it difficult for him to communicate with others, however, he totally understands everything we are saying.

The meals were wonderful at the reunion. We were fed like kings! The first night we enjoyed a chili cookoff - oh, it was so fun to try the 10 different varieties. My favorite was made by Paul's mother, Juanita.
We slept in our new tent that has been waiting 1 1/2 years to be used! The guys set it up and I arranged the sleeping quarters. Guys build and girls decorate, right!?

The kids had fun swinging at the pinata - they all got their share of candy!

This McComber (Paul's grandmother's siblings and extended family) was a success and a lot of fun. It was well organized and planned. The kids had a great time playing with each other and the parents had fun visiting. I have to say that it was enjoyable and that we survived the two nights in a tent (yes, it was chilly).

The kids had a blast swimming. Our camp site was right across from the pool! Included is a picture of Paul's siblings (from left to right): Daniel, Julia, Carrie and Paul (Missy hadn't arrived yet).

Tent vs. Hotel Camping

I was home a couple weeks ago when I was telling my mother of all our summer plans. She was disappointed that we weren't taking the kids camping. Oh, I don't really like to camp or at least haven't in the past. She insisted that my kids need that opportunity. (We have taken them camping - it's just very rare).

I said, "Mom, my kids think camping is when you stay in a hotel room." She didn't like that answer and kept pestering me about this NEED to camp. I guess it wouldn't be too bad if we had 1) room in our van for all the stuff camping requires (we don't have a trailer), 2) if we had a pop up trailer with heat and electricity and protection from the rain, 3) if we didn't camp by noisy neighbors, 4) if I felt totally safe from animals and crazy people - come on, there is no lock, just a zipper... and the list continues!

Besides all of my reasons I decided to cancel our hotel accommodations because it was $320 for just two nights in West Yellowstone and camp in a tent at the KOA campground for $80 (40/ night). I still think $40 a night is a rip off for a piece of ground for a tent - don't you? Anyways, this campground is the gathering place for our family reunion. At least it has a swimming pool!

I guess my mom can be proud of me now! It won't be too bad because the reunion organizers are preparing all of the meals, except one. I don't have to haul up cooking equipment - which is a life saver!

We are in for some camping fun this summer!

My New Blog Title

I have been looking and pondering about a new blog title for quite some time. I asked some friends for some suggestions and one suggested "Hear me Roar". What? Obviously he hasn't read my blog because I don't think I am roaring to others in my posts. But his idea and the phrase I found did have something in common- lions!

When I re-read Julie Beck's opening session talk from the 2010 BYU Women's Conference, I found my answer. Here is a portion of her talk. "I have said lately that women are like lionesses at the gate of the home. Whatever happens in that home and family happens because she cares about it and it matters to her. She guards that gate, and things matter to that family if they matter to her. For example, if the lioness at the gate believes in the law of tithing, tithing will be paid in that family. If that family has a humble little portion of ten pesos coming in, that lioness will safeguard the one peso if tithing is important to her. If that lioness at the gate knows about renewing her baptismal covenants with God, she will be in sacrament meeting on Sunday, and she will prepare her children to be there. They will be washed, cleaned, combed, and taught about that meeting and what happens there. It isn’t a casual event, but it is serious to her, and it will be serious to them. The lioness at the gate ensures that temple worship is taken care of in the family. She encourages that participation. She cares about seeking after her ancestors. If the lioness at the gate knows about and understands missions, missionaries, and the mission of the house of Israel, she will prepare future missionaries to go out from that home. It is very difficult to get a lion cub away from a lioness who doesn’t believe in missions, but if the lioness believes in a mission, she will devote her life to preparing the cub to go out and serve the Lord. That’s how important she is. Service happens if she cares about it.

Sisters, you are each like the lioness at the gate. This means that there has to be some prioritizing. I was taught years ago that when our priorities are out of order, we lose power. If we need power and influence to carry out our mission, then our priorities have to be straight."

I just love that phrase and the divine role that we as women carry forth- it is my new theme! For her complete talk, click here.

P.S. This photo at the top of my blog is a picture of the Lions Gate at Hampton Court. Hampton Court Palace was built by Cardinal Wolsey, starting in 1514, although some time in the 1520s it became the property of King Henry VIII. The Lion Gates are at the Bushey Park entrance to the Palace. The gates were made for Queen Anne, and her initials are engraved into the columns. The wrought-iron gates may have been made by Jean Tijou, a French artist, and are more recent than the pillars; they might on the other hand have been designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Jean Tijou did make the wrought-iron screen in the Southgardens, in approx. 1694.

Tonya and Kids Visit

Tonya and the kids flew in from Texas Monday night. We are lucky to spend some time with them and have them stay the night with us. I introduced Tonya to a little bit of freedom when I mentioned that her and I should go out to lunch at Costa Vida and leave the children home. We were the only patrons in the whole restaurant. By 11:00am I am hungry, especially when I forget to eat breakfast (which almost never happens but did that day).

Then we came home and feed the children and then we snuck out again for an hour. Porter was sure happy to earn a little babysitting money - and everyone was safe and happy once again!

Last night after dinner, the kids watched a movie while us adults played a few rounds of Monopoly Deal. Tonya and I braved Albertsons with all the children because she let them each pick out $1 worth of candy for the movie. Then Paul taught us how to play the game "Smurfing". It was a fun late night!

This morning Tonya and Ashlee went to get their hair cut and I took the boys swimming at the YMCA. Tonya was reluctant to let me take them but I promised that they would be safe and that I would give them my full attention. All the kids had fun and we made it home happy and well.

After lunch, Tonya asked what close we could organize! She loves to clean, dejunk, and organize. So I took her up on that offer and we tackled the girls bedroom and closet, which seems to need a deep clean every three weeks. It looks great now and feels good - I don't like knowing that closets are messy. Thanks Tonya for the help and extra push!

Porter has had a great time playing with Jesse and Jaren. They have pulled out the legos, the i-coaster, and the matchbox cars. Meanwhile Olivia and Vivian have been sharing Ashlee and loving all this cousin time.


We had dinner at Souper Salad. The kids loved choosing their own foods and filled up on icecream at then end - Olivia topped everyone with 5 servings!

I need to get a picture of Tonya and me - people can always tell that we are sisters and fiesty ones at that!

100 Years of Broadcasting

We had almost the best seats in the house (thanks to Uncle Larry) - we were 10 rows from the front center out of 21,000 seats! It was awesome. In front of us we saw Elder Nelson, Elder Perry and President Monson and his wife.

Here we have Tiffani, Mom, Tara, Niels, and Keith. The performance was outstanding! It was the celebration of the choir with their 100 years of broadcasting!

Information about the Choir:

The 360 members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir represent men and women from many different backgrounds and professions and range in age from 25 to 60. They reflect a medley of unique lives and experiences and are brought together by their love for singing and their faith. Their incomparable voices are the common chord that unites to form the choral group known all over the world as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

The Choir has appeared at 13 world's fairs and expositions, performed at the inaugurations of five U.S. presidents, and sung for numerous worldwide telecasts and special events.

Five of the Choir's recordings have achieved "gold record" and two have achieved "platinum record" status. The most popular was the Grammy-Award-winning 1959 release of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Battle Hymn of the Republic

On the way to the Conference Center, I stopped for a quick photo by the Salt Lake Temple where Paul and I were married 16 years ago!




Here is another video by the Tabernacle Choir - I love this song, Praise to the Man, about our past prophet, Joseph Smith.

American Revival is Today

I am excited to be in SLC today to experience the American Revival. I will take good notes and get back with you later! Here is some information I found online:

What is Glenn Beck's American Revival??

“Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give the earth itself and all it contains rather than do an immoral act. And never suppose that in any possible situation, or under any circumstances, it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing, however slightly so it may appear to you... From the practice of the purest virtue, you may be assured you will derive the most sublime comforts in every moment of life, and in the moment of death.”- Thomas Jefferson, 1785 Thomas Jefferson said a number of memorable things about the young country of America and what it truly meant to be an American, but the above sentiment holds a special meaning. It speaks not to our laws or freedoms, but to the noble character and human spirit that lies at the heart of our laws and freedoms. Jefferson is telling us that morality and honor should be cherished and preserved, for without them all else is lost..

Sadly, today Jefferson’s words fall on deaf ears in our halls of power, and the key to turning this country around lies in returning to the bedrock values that were instilled by our Founding Fathers and inspired by our creator. Glenn Beck’s American Revival is the beginning of that process--a daylong event with the goal of reviving Jefferson’s beliefs and your country. Through the lessons learned from our history and the real stories behind today’s headlines, Glenn and his guests will return your attention to the fundamental ideals of Faith, Hope and Charity to engage your passion and show once and for all that it’s not “they the politicians” but we the people who have the power to restart the heart of America.

This event is unlike any other Glenn has ever undertaken—it’s a full day of Glenn Beck—he’s the explosive opener, the grand finale, and an integral part of every moment in-between. Here’s some of what you can expect…

A clip from Glenn Beck's American Revival Tour which is coming to Salt Lake City. Insider pre-sale begins Thursday, April 28th...

INTRODUCTION

• The End of America and looking back to the founders as a plan to find a way out
• Let the plan begin…change yourself, and this will change the world

FAITH & DAVID BARTON

• One nation under God
• From Columbus, to the Pilgrims, to the Declaration of Independence: the USA is a country built on faith
• If we become complacent in the recognition of God then we lose our liberties.
• Our founders understood not only that irrevocable limitations can be placed on government when God is recognized as the source of our rights, but also that if we became complacent in the recognition of God then we would lose our liberties
• David Barton will explore the importance of faith as a foundation on which this country was built and its importance in rebuilding America as a thriving nation

HOPE & DAVID BUCKNER

• Lies permeate our society, and people are losing hope
• People are looking for leaders and people want the truth
• America has cut itself off from the truth – it is time to restore it
• Join David Buckner as he discusses Hope through Truth – restoring Power to the Individual
• Buckner will provide both the economic facts and realities as well as offer concrete steps that individuals can take to achieve economic stability and regain the optimism to be as innovative, scrappy and empowered as the founding fathers of the USA

LUNCH

CHARITY & JUDGE NAPOLITANO

• Americans are the most charitable people in the world
• With a return to the founders and an understanding of our Constitution, the possibilities for being a charitable people is even greater
• The Constitution and Bill of Rights guarantees us freedoms
• Our government is no longer faithful to the Constitution, and those in positions of power need to understand that they are voted in to serve the people, not be their masters
• When citizens are relieved of government regulations that violate the Constitution, their power as individuals can be restored, giving them the freedom, opportunity and wealth to be truly charitable
• Join Judge Napolitano as he discusses The Primacy of the Individual and Fidelity to the Constitution
• Judge Napolitano will clarify the rights spelled out by the Bill of Rights and Constitution, illuminating the documents that our founders created, and will lay out a path for returning to a nation in which the government exists for the individual

GLENN BECK’S KEYNOTE SPEECH

• The Future of America
• Remember what we talked about today to put our country back in order
• Look to the past, to our founders and restore it
• Look at the heroes of the past, because the next great American hero is among us

Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert

On Saturday, July 17, at 7:00 p.m., there will be an Internet broadcast of the Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert, featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square (click here for more info).

I will be lucky enough to watch this performance live in person tonight! I know my heart will be touched. After participating in two different Stake Treks to Martins Cove, I have even a greater appreciation for the pioneers. They had great faith and courage to sacrifice everything, even their lives if necessary to trek west and gather in Zion.

Key Lime Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes yesterday and they were fabulous. I have to tell you that they were SO MUCH better after being refrigerated a full 24 hours - the flavor was perfect. I took these last night to a potluck but they are much better tonight!

I tweaked the cool whip topping. Check out this recipe post for the details and this one for the homemade cake mix that I used in place of the white cake mix (a great way to use up items you already have on hand)!

I'm still wanting to do a cupcake exchange - let me know if you are in (after the kids are back in school)....I want 12 people to participate!

It's in the Bag

I came across a new food storage book, It's in the Bag, at Costco a few weeks ago and I met the authors, Michelle and Trent Snow. It was nice visiting with them and talking with someone that loves food storage and has great ideas!

She wrote this book based on a simple concept of putting complete meals together and storing them in individual bags. She says, "My bag meal system is simple. Everything you need to prepare a complete meas is in the bag." That means all the ingredients including the spices and water - except the occasional pantry item such as peanut butter, oil, or vinegar.

Michelle has a blog, Welcome to the Food Storage Revolution. She says that you can store 84 bag meals under a queen size bed! I like this idea because everything you need for the meals is already gathered in one spot with the recipe attached to the bag. Plus it would be easy to mass produce these.

















My first bag meal, Linguine with Clam Sauce, comes from my recipe collection. I displayed all the contents of the bag which are the ingredients for the recipe. Notice the V8 Fusion bottle, it is full of water (I also added a 16 oz water bottle to the bag - so there is enough water to cook the noodles and use for the broth). The two cans of corn were added to make the meal more complete. The recipe is inside the bag, the books suggesting attaching a paper CD cover to the outside of the bag and then place the recipe inside that pocket.

Collective vs. Individual Salvation

I just recently was made aware of this whole idea of collective salvation. The idea was a very new concept to me, it is taking me a while to get my thoughts out. Sorry about the teaser title - it accidentally posted before I had even written my comments!

I heard a couple statements from our current President, Barak Obama that jumped out to me. Here they are with references:

1st Statement:
EOB: All of that, thirty years after Dr. King and the civil rights movement. This seems almost
incredible to me, at times, to think that in thirty years, this is all the progress we’ve been able to make?
Obama: Well, you know, it is frustrating, I think. I talk a lot in the book about my attempts to renew the dream that both of my parents had. I worked as a community organizer in Chicago, [and] was very active in low-income neighborhoods working on issues of crime and education and employment, and seeing that in some ways certain portions of the African-American community are doing as bad, if not worse, and recognizing that my fate remained tied up with their fates. That my individual salvation is not going to come about without a collective salvation for the country. Unfortunately, I think that recognition requires that we make sacrifices, and this country has not always been willing to make the sacrifices necessary to bring about a new day and a new age. (source: Eye's on Books Interview with Barack Obama 8/9/95)

2nd Statement:
"Each of you will have the chance to make your own discovery in the years to come. And I say “chance” because you won’t have to take it. There’s no community service requirement in the real world; no one forcing you to care. You can take your diploma, walk off this stage, and chase only after the big house and the nice suits and all the other things that our money culture says you should by. You can choose to narrow your concerns and live your life in a way that tries to keep your story separate from America’s.But I hope you don’t. Not because you have an obligation to those who are less fortunate, though you do have that obligation. Not because you have a debt to all those who helped you get here, though you do have that debt.It’s because you have an obligation to yourself. Because our individual salvation depends on collective salvation. Because thinking only about yourself, fulfilling your immediate wants and needs, betrays a poverty of ambition. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential and discover the role you’ll play in writing the next great chapter in America’s story." Candidate Obama said this in a 2008 commencement address to Wesleyan University.

Back to my thoughts:
It really bothered me to hear the concept taught that we are not saved individually but collectively. Oh, that is so untrue and wrong, it goes against all church doctrine. This all goes back to the war in heaven where we were presented with God's plan. Christ volunteered to carry out the plan and give the glory to God, which allowed for us individually to make our own choices - thus moral agency. However, Satan's plan was for us to all return to heaven and the Glory would be his not God's. How could we all return to heaven? There would obviously be no choice or accountability (I know this is a lot in a nutshell).

We have been taught the principal of individual salvation by many church leaders, although that terminology isn't usually how it is referenced. I hope you take the time to read the quotes below.

Quote 1:
"The development of faith in the Lord is an individual matter. Repentance is also an individual matter. Only as an individual can one be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. Each of us is born individually; likewise, each of us is “born again” individually. Salvation is an individual matter." (Russell M. Nelson, “Salvation and Exaltation,” Liahona, May 2008, 7–10)

Quote 2:
"Why cannot salvation be entirely an individual matter? It is individual, in one sense, but salvation in its fullest sense involves other people [as families we are here to help each other]. Families, for example, are the essential units of exaltation; and it is only through the covenants received in the temple that the family acquires an eternal nature. Moreover, we receive strength and support and are given opportunities to grow by associating with others who have made the same covenants we have. (Robert J. Matthews, “Our Covenants with the Lord,” Ensign, Dec 1980, 33–34)

Quote 3:
"We have been sent here to work out our individual salvation through the tests and challenges of daily life. We cannot do that by relying heavily upon the borrowed light of someone else’s testimony. As we receive inspiration when we hear prophets, leaders, and peers bear their testimonies, those spiritual feelings should further enhance our desire to strengthen our own convictions." (Donald L. Staheli, “Securing Our Testimonies,” Liahona, Nov 2004, 37–39)

Quote 4:
"While our individual salvation is based on our individual obedience, it is equally important that we understand that we are each an important and integral part of a family and the highest blessings can be received only within an eternal family." (Robert D. Hales, “The Eternal Family,” Ensign, Nov 1996, 64)

This next excerpt comes from a great talk that explains what salvation and exaltation means - one is given to all men through Christ's sacrifice and the other is a gift available to us dependent on our obedience to His laws and the covenants we have made with Him.

Quote 5:

"What does it mean when people say, “I am saved”? Generally it means they are saved from death. This type of general salvation comes to all people by the grace of God alone. General salvation comes regardless of obedience to gospel principles or laws and results solely in resurrection from the dead. In this respect, salvation is synonymous with immortality, in that the resurrected person will live forever. Resurrection comes to every person born into this world through the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, whether one confesses Christ or not. Whether a person is wicked or righteous, each person will receive the gift of immortality through Jesus Christ....

All mankind will thus receive general salvation...The true value of the sacrifice of Christ means much more than this general salvation which comes to all mankind. There is an additional salvation that God has planned for his children. This additional salvation is an individual salvation and is conditioned not only upon grace, but also upon obedience to gospel law." (Theodore M. Burton, “Salvation and Exaltation,” Ensign, Jul 1972, 78)

I Know I am Doing God's Work

This is a good reminder to all of us moms of our important role - I wouldn't trade it for anything. We are doing God's work!

Amen to Suzanne's comment! Now that my youngest will be in first grade many wonder what I will do with my time. I will continue doing what I am doing! I remember a Mother's Day program that touched my heart. One lady spoke about working during her motherhood years (not out of necessity) and that she gave her best years to something else besides her children. She had tears of regret.

I love the words that we are taught in the Family Proclamation to the World, "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed."

Gourmet Cupcakes Galore

I found out about this cupcake cookbook one day as I was discovering new blogs. Wendy has a great blog called "There's Always a Reason to Bake" - click here. On her blog she has a lot of great everyday recipes and some new cupcake recipes that I didn't see in her new book.

Yesterday I baked three cupcake flavors, including: Choc. Chip Cooke Dough, Double Fudge, and Rocky Road. All of the recipes begin with a cake mix (so they are super fast and easy). Since these all used a chocolate cake mix, I was able to split each recipe into thirds! I must be craving these because normally I don't bake when it's in the high 90's.

Here they are with Rocky Road (on front row) followed by Cookie Dough topped with Cool Whip and chopped chocolate chips, and Double Fudge (no icing needed because it is full of chocolate and cream)!

I want to try several more delicious sounding flavors - Banana Cream Pie, Banana Foster, Key Lime Pie (Paul votes for this one next), Pina Colada, Pink Lemonade, Sour Cream Blueberry, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, Cookies and Cream Dream, Slippery Butterfingers, and Root Beer Float (there are many more to choose from, I didn't write down the whole book).

I think it would be fun to have a Gourmet Cupcake exchange! We each bring 12 cupcakes and then go home with 12 new ones to try!

What do you think?


Sign up if you are interested, so far we have:
1 - Marne
2 - Tisha
3 - Me
4 - Emily R.
5 - You?
6 - You?
7 - You?
8 - You?
9 - You?
10 - You?
11 - You?
12 - You?

Crafts and More

I am having fun in my clean craft room (post here)! I made this birthday card that has a pop-up birthday cake inside. It was my first attempt at using this new die-cut that works with my Big Shot (post here and here). I look forward to making more!

The girls like to craft with me. They are hooked on the Making Memories Slice machine. They made several tags that they are going to write notes on for friends.

This past week they have been attending a summer camp put on by a couple girls from church. Wednesday was princess day - they made crowns, painted their fingernails, ate snacks on china and played games. They are having a great time.

I Am America

Powerful song - I love it!
Here are the lyrics to the song, I am America, sung by Krista Branch (her website).

I Am America

Pay no attention to the people in the street crying out for accountability. Make a joke of what we believe say we don't matter cause you disagree. Pretend your kings, sit on your throne, look down your nose at the peasants below. I've got some news; we're taking names we're waiting now for the judgment day.


I Am America, one voice united we stand. I Am America, one hope to heal our land. There is still work that must be done. I will not rest until we've won. I Am America.


You preach your tolerance but lecture me. Is there no end to your own hypocrisy? Your God is power, you have no shame, your only interest is political gain. You hide your eyes and refuse to listen. You play your games and abuse the system. You stuff your pockets while Rome is burning. I've got a feeling that the tide is turning.


I Am America one voice united we stand. I Am America one hope to heal our land. I will not give up on this fight I will not fade into the night, I Am America.


You stuff your pockets while Rome is burning. I've got a feeling that the tide is turning. I Am America, one voice united we stand. I Am America, one hope to heal our land. I Am America, one voice united we stand. I Am America, one hope to heal our land. I will not give up on this fight I will not fade into the night, I Am America.

Classes Begin Today

I am excited that Glenn is offering classes to help educate Americans. I know I have a lot to learn about our country. It begins tonight! If you don't watch it live tonight on Extreme, you can always catch it later (but you must be a subscribed Insider Extreme). Here is a directly link to all of this information - click here.

June 7, 2010

Beck University kicks off this evening with our first course, Faith 101 with Professor David Barton. Here is an outline of what you can expect to learn this evening...

Faith 101 Course Outline - The Black-Robed Regiment
Those who were long considered some of the most influential leaders in securing our independence and form of government are today largely unknown: the clergy and ministers of the American Revolution. The British called them “The Black Regiment” because of the black robes they wore; today, they are known as “The Black Robed Regiment.” Significantly, John Adams extolled that “the pulpits have thundered” and that ministers such as the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Mayhew and the Rev. Dr. Samuel Cooper were among the most influential in the movement that led to independence. Learn about these now unsung heroes of the American Revolution – leaders such as the Revs. Jonas Clark, John Steel, Peter Muhlenberg, Francis Willard and many others who not only preached liberty but even picked up their guns and led their churches to fight for liberty!

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American History Stories You Never Read in School

I want to teach my children about American History so when Mandy Baker mentioned these books, I felt like she had an answer to my goal. I just ordered these books and am excited to read them to my children. They can be found on Amazon or here (where I bought mine).

American History Stories You Never Read in School

. . . but should have! If you could judge a book by its cover, you’d be right this time! This original 1889 school textbook was discovered in a rare book sale, and the reader was so touched by the patriotic spirit represented that he determined to reprint it. The stories are captivating enough to entice my teenagers, but I love to read them aloud to the whole family. Stories include: “Daughters of Liberty,” “Boston Tea Party,” “Paul Revere’s Ride,” “Origin of Yankee Doodle,” “History of Our Flag”, “Lydia Darrah Saves General Washington,” “Benjamin Franklin,” and many more. Illustrated with original lovely black-and white-drawings and photographs. Paperback, 150 pages.

We the People (Sequel to American History Stories)

This patriotic schoolbook was originally printed in 1890 to teach children about their tremendous American heritage. This volume begins where American History Stories You Never Read in School (on top) leaves off. Having successfully beaten the greatest Empire of his time, General George Washington is elected the first President of the new United States. Here we are given a rare glimpse into his noble character as President. We learn of the administration of the great Thomas Jefferson, his wise expansion of our borders and his love for his countrymen and his fiddle. We learn more of what the British were up too after the Revolution, and how we had to fight and beat them a second time in the War of 1812. Paperback, illustrated, 158 pages.

Hometown for the 4th

The 4th started with a Boy Scout pancake breakfast at the church! The girls were in sausage heaven, eating at least 6 each (probably more).

We attended the Albion parade. It was short and sweet - the kids came home happy with a bag of candy! The funniest entry were the camels with Bin Laden and the hunter behind him.

We enjoyed a bag of cotton candy for $1.00. This was probably the coldest 4th that I have experienced - the morning started off at 49 degrees.

We also squeezed in time to play at Storybook Park and grab ice cream cones at Gossners (with Kameron). Oh, I love the black licorice flavor!

Sunday we attended a 4th of July musical performance at the King Fine Arts Center at BHS. It is a wonderful program of patriotic music that they have offered to the community for many years. The kids and I attended it along with Mom, Tara, Niels and Gage (I didn't get a picture of them). We also visited with the Redder family - Kam and family were in town from Arkansas along with Kara and family from Vegas (she is expecting twin girls).

It was a great 4th of July! It was nice being with family. Mom and Keith were great hosts. Olivia reminded Grandma often how much she loved her and how yummy her food was! This weekend we roasted giant marshmallows, ate lots of yummy food, stayed up late, had fun with Tara's cricut machine making vinyl lettering, visited grandma/pa Clark and Aunt Kathryn (I found out she's a Glenn Beck fan, too!), visited Marcus and Rebekah, played croquet (the boys did), and probably gained a couple pounds!

The Spirit of Liberty and the Fire of Patriotism

A wonderful message of patriotism was shared prior to the sharing of testimonies in sacrament meeting. Bishop Guy Redder read a portion of this talk, "The Test" that was given by President Boyd K. Packer in the Nov. 2008 Ensign - click here for the link to the full talk. It is a powerful message of teaching our children patriotism and love for our country. This is one of my goals to instill in my children a love for American and to continue to stand for truth, righteousness, freedom and liberty!

Here are excerpts from this message:

On July 24, 1849 the saints in Utah celebrated! They had been driven from their homes and persecuted terribly. They had sought protection from the United States President, Martin Van Buren, who told them, “Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you."

Here are "the final paragraphs of their third petition addressed to the Congress of the United States:

“The afflictions of your memorialists have already been overwhelming, too much for humanity, too much for American citizens to endure without complaint. We have groaned under the iron hand of tyranny and oppression these many years. We have been robbed of our property to the amount of two millions of dollars. We have been hunted as the wild beasts of the forest. We have seen our aged fathers who fought in the Revolution, and our innocent children, alike slaughtered by our persecutors. We have seen the fair daughters of American citizens insulted and abused in the most inhuman manner, and finally, we have seen fifteen thousand souls, men, women, and children, driven by force of arms, during the severities of winter, from their sacred homes and firesides, to a land of strangers, penniless and unprotected. Under all these afflicting circumstances, we imploringly stretch forth our hands towards the highest councils of our nation, and humbly appeal to the illustrious Senators and Representatives of a great and free people for redress and protection.

“Hear! O hear the petitioning voice of many thousands of American citizens who now groan in exile … ! Hear! O hear the weeping and bitter lamentations of widows and orphans, whose husbands and fathers have been cruelly martyred in the land where the proud eagle … floats! Let it not be recorded in the archives of the nations, that … exiles sought protection and redress at your hands, but sought it in vain. It is in your power to save us, our wives, and our children, from a repetition of the bloodthirsty scenes of Missouri, and thus greatly relieve the fears of a persecuted and injured people, and your petitioners will ever pray.”

After the saints had been in the Utah valley for two years, they celebrated their freedoms and liberty.

They built a bowery on Temple Square. They erected a flagpole 104 feet (32 m) tall. They made an enormous national flag 65 feet (20 m) in length and unfurled it at the top of this liberty pole.

It may seem puzzling, incredible almost beyond belief, that for the theme of this first celebration they chose patriotism and loyalty to that same government which had rejected and failed to assist them. What could they have been thinking of? If you can understand why, you will understand the power of the teachings of Christ.

Their brass band played as President Brigham Young led a grand procession to Temple Square. He was followed by the Twelve Apostles and the Seventy.

Then followed 24 young men dressed in white pants; black coats; white scarves on their right shoulders; coronets, or crowns, on their heads; and a sheathed sword at their left sides. In their right hand, of all things, each carried a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. The Declaration of Independence was read by one of those young men.

Next came 24 young women dressed in white, blue scarves on their right shoulders and white roses on their heads. Each carried a Bible and a Book of Mormon.

Almost but not quite as amazing as their choice of patriotism for a theme was what came next: 24 aged sires (as they were called) led by patriarch Isaac Morley. They were known as the Silver Greys—all 60 years of age or older. Each carried a staff painted red with white ribbon floating at the top. One carried the Stars and Stripes. These men were a symbol of the priesthood, which was “from the beginning before the world was” and had been restored in this dispensation.

And so on that day of celebration in 1849, “Elder Phineas Richards came forward in behalf of the twenty-four aged sires, and read their loyal and patriotic address.” He spoke of the need for them to teach patriotism to their children and to love and honor freedom. After he briefly recited the perils that they had come through, he said:

“Brethren and friends, we who have lived to three-score years, have beheld the government of the United States in its glory, and know that the outrageous cruelties we have suffered proceeded from a corrupted and degenerate administration, while the pure principles of our boasted Constitution remain unchanged. …

“… As we have inherited the spirit of liberty and the fire of patriotism from our fathers, so let them descend [unchanged] to our posterity.”

Three things about that 1849 commemoration were both symbolic and prophetic: first, that the young men carried the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence; next, that each young woman carried the Bible and the Book of Mormon; and finally, that the old men—the Silver Greys—were honored in the parade."

(Boyd K. Packer, “The Test,” Liahona, Nov 2008, 88–91)

4th of July Ideas

Here is a Pottery Barn place setting. I like how the ribbon adds a splash of color. I am excited for a yummy BBQ - I'm looking for a perfect hamburger recipe right now.

Two years ago I got creative with the girls hair. Have fun with ribbon! (Olivia July 2008)

Viv's had the short curly hair - I miss that! July 2008

Stars on a Stick from "How Does She" - these rice crispy treats would be fun for the kids to make!

Here is a tutorial at Betz White to make a cute pinwheel brooch.

Easy and Colorful dessert from Southern Living! Whip this up in a couple minutes.

Cute flag t-shirts - they look easy if you have a sewing machine and an old red shirt.

Wow, look at the decor! Check out the blog "Centsational Girl" for more information and tutorials to make the fabric banner and pom poms. Plus in that post she has 126 various 4th of July ideas with pictures.

Firework Pom Poms

Your guests will be surprised when you cut the cake! Look at this cool flag cake from the "Make it and Love It" blog.

This is a cute idea - garland for your next BBQ from Jesse Kate Designs with tutorial!