Music appreciation

In this world where the vulgar and crude are considered acceptable and even desirable, we desire to teach our children an appreciation for things of quality and beauty. Elder Douglas L. Callister said it best:

"The nearer we get to God, the more easily our spirits are touched by refined and beautiful things...When some music has passed the tests of time and been cherished by the noble and refined, our failure to appreciate it is not a condemnation of grand music. The omission is within. If a young person grows up on a steady diet of hamburgers and french fries, he is not likely to become a gourmet. But the fault is not with fine food. He just grew up on something less. Some have grown up on a steady diet of musical french fries." (emphasis added)

Monumental Giveaway

The more I learn about the pilgrims and founding fathers the harder it is to comprehend how our country has strayed so far from the ideals and beliefs that it was founded on. From career politicians to socialized healthcare and lifelong welfare, banning prayer and all references to religion in schools (yet teaching about sexual practices contrary to their beliefs), infringing on second amendment rights, reckless national debt, and so on.

Skiing in Garmisch

This last weekend we went down to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, one of our favorite places in Germany. This is our third time staying down here at the Edelweiss resort, the last time Ethan was only 11 months old. The boys took ski lessons while Grant, Olivia and I hung out and "rested". 

Simple things Sunday

We're spending this weekend skiing in Garmisch but I wanted to share a few favorite moments from last week. My baby girl is now six weeks old, and getting so big! She is sleeping 6-7 hours at night and is cooing and smiling all day long. She's such a blessing to our family!

Idar-Oberstein

My husband is on the high council in our stake and last week he was speaking in the Baumholder branch, so we decided to go with him and make a day of it. We packed a picnic lunch and drove up to the castle in Idar-Oberstein, just a few kilometers away. 

Teaching the reluctant learner

One of the reasons I love homeschooling is because every child learns differently and when you have a small number of students you are teaching it's fairly easy to accommodate their different learning needs whereas in a public school setting they would likely fail to thrive.

But what do you do when a child is simply not interested? I found a secret weapon that works for us, maybe it will work for you too...

The REAL Saint Patrick

Next Sunday we'll be celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Who is Saint Patrick and why do we celebrate this day? Oddly enough it has nothing to do with little green men or four leaf clovers...I had heard of Saint Patrick before, but never really knew much about him (other than he was a missionary in Ireland) until I was reading the Trial and Triumph story to my sons. We have been studying this as one of our many books in our homeschool and the sad thing is most of these stories I am hearing for the first time.

Patrick was abducted by pirates as a young boy and taken to Ireland as a slave. At first he was bitter and despised his captives, but later began to pray and discovered God. He was taught the ways of Christianity as a young boy, but like many youth, though he paid little attention at the time. However, the teachings of his parents and church leaders eventually came to his mind at this greatest time of desperation.

He said "...I found myself pasturing flocks daily, and I prayed a number of times each day. More and more the love and fear of God came to me, and faith grew and my spirit was exercised, until I was praying up to a hundred times everyday - and in the night nearly as often. So that I would even remain in the woods and on the mountain in snow, frost and rain, waking to pray before first light. And I felt no ill effect, nor was I in any way sluggish - because as I now realise, the Spirit was seething within me."

God later spoke to him in a dream telling him to catch a ship bound for his homeland, Britain. He had several hardships and miracles along the way home, but finally reached his friends and family. He could not settle into a life of ease, however, the people of Ireland called to him in his dreams and he knew he must return to share with them the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He suffered much as a missionary, being tortured, enslaved, and twelve times his enemies nearly killed him. But many were also converted to Christ and Patrick said "...daily I expect murder, fraud, or captivity...but I fear none of these things. I have cast myself into the hands of God Almighty, who rules everywhere, as the prophet says: 'Cast your cares upon God, and He shall sustain you'."

After serving the people of Ireland for more than forty years and suffering untold trials, he said "The greatest gift in my life has been to know and love God; to serve Him is my highest joy." Surely he fulfilled the scripture in Matthew 10:39 "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."
Perhaps we can find a better way to honor this man who devoted his entire life to God and to serving his fellow men. I'll start by teaching my children about the great man he was and the lessons we can learn from his life.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana & Winter Quarters, Nebraska Temple Pictures

I realize these two temples have nothing in common except that our friend Barbara Matson is so willingly sharing her images of these two temples with us! Thanks again Barbara! As always, you can download these images for personal use at http://freeldstemplepictures.com

I've got mail...

My boys have been playing postmen for the past few weeks. Every day I get brought a little envelope (or three) filled with handmade love. Olivia gets her fair share of letters too...

Olivia's Blessing Day

We brought Olivia to church today for the first time to receive her name and blessing. It was such a special occasion and I felt of what a precious angel she is and of her great potential. She looked so adorable in her little dress (and even waited until after the blessing to leak through the onesie and diaper all over her back). 

Joshua's Five!

My Joshua boy turns five today! We love his huge smile and tender little feelings. He loves to spend all day drawing and building things. He is quite the creative little boy. We sure love you Joshua!

What are your favorite things to do?
Draw and Build

What are your favorite foods?
Pizza and Noodles

What do you want to do for work when you grow up?
Be an Engineer

What is your favorite color?
Red

What is your favorite poem?
The Owl and the Pussycat

Billings, Montana Temple Pictures

A HUGE thank you to Barbara Matson for sharing these beautiful images of the Billings Montana temple! 

ABCMouse.com Review

I have seen reviews everywhere about ABCmouse.com and finally had to try it out for myself. I resisted trying this for a long time because I was primarily looking for something for my oldest and I knew this would be too easy for him, but it's perfect for my younger boys.

Decorating with Pictures

Have you been following this fabulous series about decorating with pictures? There are some AMAZING ideas out there! I'm guest posting today on a few ideas for decorating with pictures in a temporary home, visit Kristen Duke Photography to check it out!

Catching up...

Here are some random photos of what we've been up to day to day...

We got the boys a trampoline (finally!) and they had a blast putting it up and are thoroughly enjoying it (we just need to finish putting up the net)...