Keeping Busy

I just had a realization; besides watching Mr Rogers in the morning with Faith, I haven't watched TV at all for months! I did see a bit of the Inaguration since it was on PBS and Faith was sick that day and it just switched over. I haven't even seen the news. Not that I am saddened even a bit by this realization. I just look at my list and see that I still have plenty to do. Good thing we have never bought a TV of our own or paid for cable.

Mommy's Little Princess

Faith is my little mirror. She helps me put on my 'pretties' every morning and just recently figured out how to twist off the top of the mascara. Last week she was a bit sickly, but still had to mimmick me talking on the phone (one of the few things I could do while cuddling her on the couch) and fell asleep with her princess phone and pretty pink pillow case.

My Favorite Part of the 2009 Inauguration

I was a bit hesitant to watch the inauguration yesterday, frankly I wasn't thrilled that Obama was being sworn in. He'll do fine and all, but lets not get into my political views. LUCKILY, just before Pres Obama gave his speech, he had Aretha Franklin sing 'My Country Tis Of Thee.' I was hooked as soon as I saw that hat! Who else, but the woman who created "RESPECT" could get awy with that on national television! It made me so happy. Then I was prepared to hear the speech. Applauds for Jon Favreau for keeping the speech pure American, and perspecively broad. I also thank NBC for keeping the commentary about Obama's lineage pure; his is the first president to be born outside of the continental United States of an Iowa native and Kenyan. The father left the picture when he was 2 years old. So is he black? Whatever.
They also mentioned that the mother-in-law was moving into the White House to help the First Lady raise the girls. What kind of dynamics are really going to be in the White House now?

Principles of Prayer

Elder David A Bednar gave a General Conference address on Prayer. It was quite the talked about talk. Yet, as I was going over it, I was most impressed by the lovely simplicity, the back to the basics, and 'old things made new' in his words.

Principle #1; Prayer becomes more meaninful as we counsel with the Lord in all our doings.
"Consider this... There may be things in our character, in our behavior, or concerning our spiritual growth about which we need to counsel with Heavenly Faith."

Principle #2: Prayer becomes more meaningful as we express heartfelt gratitude.
"As we strive to make our prayers more meaningful, we should remember that 'in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments' (D&C 59:21). Let me recommend that periodically you and I offer a prayer in which we only give thanks and express gratitude. Ask for nothing; simply let our souls rejoice and strive to communicate appreciation with all the energy of our hearts."

Principle #3: Prayer becomes more meaningful as we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart.
"Just as expressing gratitude more often in our prayers enlarges the conduit for revelation, so praying for others with all of the energy of our souls increases our capacity to hear and to heed the voice of the Lord."

Images of Happiness

Another Birthday!

Faith has been celebrating her birthday like the Danish celebrate Chistmas; three days and going! She got to make a trip with me to ToysRus on Tuesday to spend the monies from grandparents and enjoyed her toys while in the cart. They gave her a birthday crown which she wore proudly the rest of the day until Danny got a hold of it and ate the straps.
Then on Wednesday night, the official birthday day, we celebrated with cupcake cones at the Ricks home and she got to open all her presents again, plus some others that Josh and I had secreted away including a princess set with tiara.
During her enthusiasm to blow out her 2 candle, Faith moved her face right into the flame and felt a little heat. She was not deterred however (even after Josh blew the candle out the first time when he thought she couldn't do it and then cousin Aidan blew it out again) and finally made her wish come true on the third good blow.





This morning, she got to open the cards that we had forgotten the day before, including a crown in the card from Aunt Annmarie and Uncle Ted! Talk about princess! She has been enthralled all day with her doll house (thanks Grammy and Grandpa H) and her my little (big type) ponies (thanks Grandma Shell and Grandpa Dan).

A grateful pioneer

As I took yet another frigid shower this morning, I contemplated how the pioneers/early settlers would count it as a blessing to have running water in their home, whatever the temperature.

Our water heater has been on the fritz since Saturday. The pilot light won't stay lit. They have tried fixing it twice since then, with no success, leaving me waiting for a part to come today so they can try and fix it yet again. I have not had a hot shower in 5 days. I am still alive, and rather invigorated. We bathed the kids in luke warm water on Monday night, but after having to place Faith in front of the heater for 10 minutes to stop the shivers we decided to just let them stink for a few days. Last night, one of the best parts of Faith's birthday party at the Ricks home was being able to take a warm bath! She was just as excited when I said 'bath' as she was when I put the cupcake in front of her.

As the pioneers would say, in all things we are blessed. We still have water in our house. We have strong bodies to withstand the shock of cold water. And, we have family close by who do have hot water for when we really do need it.

Family Fun Night

Josh and I decided that part of resolutions 2009 we would institute a weekly Family Fun Night. We tried it out, and we LOVE IT! This week's fun started out with dancing in tutus, until the Mission Impossible theme song came on the music mix and it was a stick up in the house. Faith has a really good shot, albiet she probably doesn't know that she is even shooting, or mimicking it; she just knows if she puts her hands together and makes a 'pshwwwweh' noise daddy falls over. Effective wrestling.

Somebody's had a birthday

Too much Little Mermaid

Sunday hairdos are pretty fickle, but they can be subject to the movie we are watching to keep Faith still. I hadn't realized until I was done that I had created a sea shell on my daughter's head. Oh well.