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I've changed my blog font. This larger format should hopefully make it easier to read...:>)

Also...I was unable to insert the picture credits for my post below "Bless-ed Sabbath". They are included here.

www.freepages.roots.web.com
www.wallpaperstock.net
www.stitchthrutime.com
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www.travel.webshots.com
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BLESS-ED SABBATH

What a wonderful day the Lord has prepared for us...a day of rest...a day of rejuvenation.

“REMEMBER THE SABBATH-DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY”



At the beginning of the new year, our church hours went back to an early schedule, which is nice in some aspects, though there is no more staying up late on Saturday nights…well, I do anyway :)

Hubby hopped out of bed—I drug myself out. Seven fifteen or seven thirty is not early, but, alas, I have never been a morning person. I am a night owl living in a day world.



Washed, cleaned, and dressed...



...Out into the beautiful Spring-like morning we went.



The little boys were ready when we got to their house. They looked so adorable in their little three-piece suits. :) Armed with scriptures, wipes, and snacks, off to church we went.



Adrien had a cold with accompanying cough, so I kept him out of Nursery, and he came with DH and I to Sunday School and with me to Relief Society. Julian went to his Sunbeam class where they made little heart pictures, which were so cute. :) I just love the little creations that children make.





After church, I tied on my red gingham apron and fired up the griddle!



It was a pancake brunch...



(Mine were pumpkin with milk chocolate and white chocolate chips)



After brunch, the little guys were antsy. When Julian asked to play outside, I said a quick, “Yes”! Did they have fun! In the dirt with a little garden shovel digging for plants and planting rocks. :) After they got their full dose of play and vitamin D, I called them in and popped them into a bubbly bath.



It always feels good to see the little people playing and then getting them cleaned up! They bubbled and poured and played for a nice long time in the warm bathroom. Aren’t we spoiled with electricity and fans that heat our bathrooms?! The pioneers had it tough in so many ways.



In the meantime, our home teachers called on us bringing Valentine cookies in hand!



While my honey and son were able to visit, I was busy talking to Mom on the phone. She and Dad just gotten back from a trip, and it was great to know that they made it home safely. I missed them! At the same time, my daughter and her boyfriend decided it was time to take the little people back to Mama, so they had to be dried and dressed. Then, off they set...



Having my spirit fed at Church, my body fed at home, and my heart fed by my babies made for a bless-ed Sabbath Day.

THE DEVINE ROLE OF WOMEN

The apostles have always taught the divine roles of women and how precious we are to our Heavenly Father. It has always given me a sense of peace and importance, especially in the world today and how women are portrayed. We do have a great role, even a celestial one.

From this month’s visiting teaching message, the article Understand the Divine Roles of Women: “I have a testimony gained from pondering and studying the scriptures of a plan of happiness given to us by our Father in Heaven. That plan has a part for His daughters. We have the female half to take care of, and if we don’t do our part, no one else is going to do it for us. The half of our Father’s plan that creates life, that nurtures souls, that promotes growth, that influences everything else was given to us. We can’t delegate it. We can’t pass it off to anyone. It’s ours. We can refuse it, we can deny it, but it’s still our part, and we’re accountable for it. There will come a day when we will all remember what we knew before we were born. We will remember that we fought in a great conflict for this privilege. How do we meet this responsibility? We daily put our energies into the work that is uniquely ours to do” (Julie B. Beck, Relief society general president).

“…Every sister in this Church who has made covenants with the Lord has a divine mandate to help save souls, to lead the women of the world, to strengthen the homes of Zion, and to build the kingdom of God” (Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—“Women of Righteousness,” Ensign, April 2002).

“…Because of their distinctive temperaments [men and women] and capacities, males and females each bring to a marriage relationship unique perspectives and experiences. The man and the woman contribute differently but equally to a oneness and a unity that can be achieved in no other way” (Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles--“Marriage is Essential to His Eternal Plan,” Ensign, June 2006).

“The Lord has blessed women with divine attributes of love, compassion, kindness, and charity…No matter what our individual circumstances are, we all have the opportunity to edify and nurture others” (Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the relief society general presidency--“Feed My Sheep,” Ensign, November 2007).

“To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times” (President Spencer W. Kimball—“Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters,” Ensign, November 1978).

I love the role of women. I love the innate desires of motherhood and nurturing souls. I love and appreciate all my blog sisters and the wholesomeness I find here. It is a rarity to find such a group of women who are striving daily to serve their Heavenly Father.

Blessings to you all.

A FUNNY FOR FRIDAY

JOURNAL OF THE HEART

I had a wonderful and memorable evening with my wonderful son. As he is leaving in just a few short months for two years, I am taking EVERY chance I get to spend time with him, and how I cherish these hours—reading scriptures together...doing dishes...just talking. It is quite unbelievable to me that our mother-and-son time is coming to an end—an end at least as I know it. It is such a bitter sweet time in life, my last baby for ever. I will never enjoy more, will never add to my little flock. It is such an innate thing that the Lord has put within us to bear children, to collect them under our wings, to protect them. When this season closes around us, it is all but impossible to shut off the feelings and the intrinsic nature inherent to our souls.

In years past, I could listen as others spoke of these very things. I could sympathize, but I could never empathize as I so keenly do now. What a mind-boggling period of life—even of motherhood. In retrospect, it went in the twinkling of an eye. My child raising years are but a memory now. Just under a year ago, those responsibilities, and I term it thus simply due to a deficiency in my present vocabulary, came to an abrupt end. It came not as a surprise but rather as confusion. It was a great relief—it is a great sorrow. I don’t want to be done. It isn’t fair. I don’t want to forever be without my babies—those little people who for so many years have been under my care. Yes, indeed, they are and always will be my babies, nonsensical as it may sound. I thought silly the women who spoke such words just a few short years ago. Certainly they aren’t babies any more I would think. No, but now and only now, do I feel the sharp-edged emotions those ladies must have then felt. It is hard, to say the least, to move forward…though I will.

Sweetness resides in our adult relationships, which I treasure with each of my children. The humor they bring about in my life…the joy they cause in my heart…the mature natures to which they have attained…I relish all of these beautiful qualities in the people I raised up. Bitterness is inherent in letting them go—in being forced to concede—in not desiring to do so. It is not in my timing; it just is.

My sweet little Elliott, who every few feet through the mall, wanted to stop and pray when he was but a wee small boy. That handsome little blonde-haired man who touched my heart—his own so tender. My how it aches…no…stabs—as I see the brevity of our time together. Two years is long, but it can be endured. Forever, though, is not so easy to swallow. He will return but for a short time at his mission’s close and then a move to Utah to attend BYU. In search of his eternal mate will then be his mission then forward into the new life they will create.

These thoughts quite possibly pour out onto the page as pitiful contemplations to the unknown reader. Yet, to me they are real…all too real. It comes to all, I know. We endure…we move on. Some even rejoice in their new found freedoms. I mourn. I knew this time would arrive; I just never knew it would come so fast and hurt so bad. I am indeed thankful to my Father in Heaven who chose me as the mother to these wonderful beings. I am grateful that I have been blessed by their lives…have grown from them…have learned from them. A small thing really as compared to many trials that I could have, and I am fully aware of this fact. Many mothers lose their sons to the prowess of war—-some to accident—-others to addiction. I am truly blessed. The realness of this “little” thing, however, does indeed tax my heart and my emotions.

I am proud of these babies who have grown to fine young adults. I am honored to be called their mother.

Our fun mess--Elliott teaching himself the keyboard--Me crafting





My boy...

A FUNNY FOR MONDAY

I think that this was meant to be a little jab at the theory of evolution... ;)

THE SIMPLE WOMAN'S DAYBOOK

FOR TODAY FEBRUARY 2, 2009...

Outside my window...Overcast and chilly--a good day for being inside.

I am thinking...That I am thankful for my grandbabies.

I am thankful for...My husband, who is such a hard worker.

From the learning rooms...I am continually learning (or at least trying) to better myself.

From the kitchen...Ruthann's Hillbilly Spaghetti Pie left overs for lunch...Mmmmm, a little Italian...Sausage and Sauerkraut for dinner...Mmmmm, a little German. :)

I am wearing...Warm clothes--love the Winter. I can always put on more clothes, unlike the Summer time.

I am creating...My life! Ha. I am always a work in progress, and it is a true creation!

I am going...No where in particular today--maybe a quick run for a soda.

I am reading...Proverbs 2.

I am hoping...That this headache will subside. It has lasted WAY too long. :/

I am hearing...The creeks and groans of the house when no one else is around.

Around the house...Did some good cleaning and all the laundry on Saturday. Just need to tidy up and run the vacuum today.

One of my favorite things...We were able to visit Punxsutawney, PA, the home of Phil the groundhog. Their library had Phil and a few other fill-ins in a little habitat. PA has a lot to be happy about today!

A few plans for the rest of the week:Work: Lab Tuesday and Wednesday, Lincoln Center Tuesday and Thursday, and Hospital Friday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...My Family. We got these taken at Christmas time.

My husband and son on the left; Middle Daughter and boyfriend next (the two dark-haired ones); Oldest Daughter, Son-in-law, and three grandbabies on the right (the blonde family); Me lying down. We have had our photographer for many years. He is always open to and suggests different fun arrangements.



If you would like to join us, please visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.