So basically I hate spiders, all kinds, sizes and shapes. My poor kids don't get to go to the reptile house int he zoo because I am scared of seeing the tarantula, yes, it's that bad. Over this last month and a half I have been on a mission of self betterment. I am learning new things each day and working a little harder than maybe I normally would to know the Lords will and do it.
Now you may ask yourself, How in the world do these two things go together? well, let me tell you. when you are working to do better in your life, the Lord blesses you, and then you are filled with compassion. Today when I was doing my laundry I was waiting for the water to fill the basin so I could put some product into the water. with the lid up I just sat there contemplating the to do list when I noticed a tiny spider scurrying around on the top of the still dry portion of laundry. My first impulse was " HA!, now you can't enjoy running around my house!" and then my new found compassion turned on. I felt incredibly guilty as I stood there and watched him run to and fro looking for a dry place and then eventually when there was none. he drowned. I couldn't help but think, what if it was me and the person stood there laughing and not willing to help?
so I ask, how is that fair? the thing I dislike probably MOST in this world, is the thing I suddenly feel racked with guilt over not saving. Is this what lies in my future? goodness! I just don't know then how to reconcile my pity with my fear....
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Satan, hangin with the Hellers
I have a Friend who has been REALLY sick. IN effort to help her in any way possible, a whole bunch of us have been taking turns hanging out with her two littlest ones. One is Jacks age and the other is two. Now. Jackson hasn't really gotten to hang out with these friends a lot only at church and birthday parties so, it was really exciting that payton and Treyson were coming over to play- except Jack didn't know what Treysons name was and apparently when he asked Payton what it was, he mis-heard. SO here I am cleaning my kitchen And all the sudden I hear " Satan is cutting my hair, Satan is cutting my hair!!!!" as you can imagine I quickly got to the boys, only to realize that yes TREYSON was trying to cut Jacks hair. he actually had a fist full of hair and scissors ready to go! I took care of the situation and then explained to Jack that the " baby's" name was NOT satan. Apparently he didn't believe me, because later I heard things like " Satan just hit me!" and "Satan is mopping the floor with our toy broom and toilet water!". So I laughed until about two o'clock when Jack finally believed me that it was Treyson NOT satan .
say what?!!
The other day I heard mikes deacon, say something like" I typed into Google pictures _____'s name and he popped up right on my computer. That got me curious- SoI went to google pictures and I starting typing in things too. OH MY GOSH! It really is scary! put in my name- and yes, up comes a picture of me, same with both my sisters. I tried it with our maiden too, just to see- and Up came a whole bunch of things on a town with our last name (which I had forgotten existed) I decided maybe its time to get my self some Somerville apperal, I mean after all, I am a part of the Somerville family, am I not? lol. it just made me laugh, so here's the link to all you Somervilles who may what to check it
OUT!
OUT!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Jog-a-thon
Olivia's school has a Jog-a-thon. She jogged 12 laps! we were so proud of her. here is a short video of the event.
Well hello again...
Over spring break, We took a family trip over to Monterey! It was SO beautiful there! We went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Olivia LOVED the new sea horse exhibit and Jack was excited about the diver we saw feeding the fish. They have huge tanks there and the whole experience was so wonderful!Easter was nice. it was really laid back and we enjoyed our morning, remembering what the day was about and then had a feast at mikes parents house.these last few weeks have been so crazy it seems like we have hardly had time to breath, but we are excited as the days grow closer to school wrapping up and olivia being home each day with us!
Monday, April 13, 2009
becuase I said so
Today I ask Jackson to do something. I asked him to wash his hands because they were COVERED in cake and icing, he didn't want to do it, So he asked me "why?". In that moment I really needed him to go wash his hands but he just couldn't see the reason why. So after talking a while I finally said, " sometimes you have to do things just because I said so."
I started to think about this concept. IN his mind there was nothing wrong with being dirty and spreading the filth every where around him. In my mind I could only see how it would make things so much harder for every one around him if he stayed in such a messy state. I wondered if the Lord sometimes tells us the same thing.
We are given many commandments and asked to keep them. As we learn of his ways, we often question him as to why. Our father in heaven loves us so much that most of the time he lovingly opens our heart to understanding. BUT, I wonder if sometimes he doesn't just say " sometimes you have to do things just because I said so" our Fathers vision is all encompassing, while ours is so limited. Sometimes even if he explained we would not understand, and maybe sometimes we just don't want to do what he asks of us and are trying to get out of it by asking "why?". This is what Jackson was doing this morning. He knew washing up was " work" and he just didn't see the need to work for something he didn't understand. I realized that while I definitely don't have all the answers that I think I need to be successful, its O.K! As long as I follow the Lord's commandments, and Do my best every day, I will never have to worry when he says " because I said so". I won't have to question his directions because I will have a relationship of trust and love.it will be built strong enough to follow him, even when I don't fully understand the "whys" of his directions. I will have confidence even when he says " just because I said so".
I started to think about this concept. IN his mind there was nothing wrong with being dirty and spreading the filth every where around him. In my mind I could only see how it would make things so much harder for every one around him if he stayed in such a messy state. I wondered if the Lord sometimes tells us the same thing.
We are given many commandments and asked to keep them. As we learn of his ways, we often question him as to why. Our father in heaven loves us so much that most of the time he lovingly opens our heart to understanding. BUT, I wonder if sometimes he doesn't just say " sometimes you have to do things just because I said so" our Fathers vision is all encompassing, while ours is so limited. Sometimes even if he explained we would not understand, and maybe sometimes we just don't want to do what he asks of us and are trying to get out of it by asking "why?". This is what Jackson was doing this morning. He knew washing up was " work" and he just didn't see the need to work for something he didn't understand. I realized that while I definitely don't have all the answers that I think I need to be successful, its O.K! As long as I follow the Lord's commandments, and Do my best every day, I will never have to worry when he says " because I said so". I won't have to question his directions because I will have a relationship of trust and love.it will be built strong enough to follow him, even when I don't fully understand the "whys" of his directions. I will have confidence even when he says " just because I said so".
Saturday, April 11, 2009
HAPPY EASTER!
I posted this last year and This year I am actually going to try it out with the kids! I can't wait.
This is a great tradition to start with the family. Read from the scriptures as you spend time together baking cookies. Each step of the recipe parallels a truth from the quoted scriptures.
Ingredients: 1 cup pecan halves
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
3 egg whites
1 pinch salt
1 cup white sugar
Directions: Preheat oven to 300° F (150° C).
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matthew 27:57-60
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matthew 27:65-66
Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! Explain that on the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matthew 28:1-9
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
just joey
my sweet Joey is growing so fast! when Olivia and Jack were little we would video them just being them. so yesterday after Joeys bath I decided to do that for Joey. He is OBSESSED with his feet right now. His only goal in life is to get them in his mouth, and while he has yet to be successful, he can see his goal in plain sight and is determined...so anyway, enjoy him, we always do!
Its a big day for boo!
Today is my birthday! I woke up to VERY happy kids! They, with their dad, made me a breakfast of cinnamon rolls and strawberries, with orange juice. Then we opened presents. I love my little ones so much! To see the smiles as they gave me things, and the sweet cards that told me they would love forever....I don't think I ever really knew what birthdays were all about until becoming a mom.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
these are pictures from Olivias field trip. it was SO much fun!!!
the Elders 
Sunday, April 5, 2009
kid update!!
Joseph:
is Four months old!! we think he is around 17-18 lbs! He is one big boy. none of his clothes fit, we went and bought him a couple of 9 mnth outfits and they are fit him"comfortably". He can almost sit up on his own now and he rolled over once. He is so happy, always happy. we noticed he loves to flirt with women who have DARK hair, they are his favorite ( with the exception of his mom and sister of course). He loves music and I find myself singing constantly because he smiles at you the whole time you sing to him, who wouldn't want to sing to a baby like that? he is....our little joey, who, we think has to be the most loved baby in the whole world.
Jackson:
Man, this sweet smiling boy is a wonderful handful! He is a little to smart for his own good! he is starting to read (yes he turned 4 less the a month ago) and he can do basic math, he loves earth science, and history. The other day we had the best conversation on the way home, it went something like this (oh, and try to picture him walking from the kindergarten class with his shorts, beanie hat and a super man cape, and everything he says is in a-matter-of-fact tone):
mom: You know buddy when I was your age I wanted to fly just like you do...
Jack: I can fly.
m: you can?
j: yup.
M; That's so cool so you are just like superman and batman, and...who else??
J: Jesus. Jesus can fly to...right mom?
M: WELL.. I guess the scriptures say he did "descend" and "ascend" out of the heavens I guess that is like flying.
J: actually I don't think he flies, he Jumps.
M; he just jumps out of heaven? and then jumps back?
J: yes.
M: can you do it to? can you jump to heaven?
J: yes, if I wanted to
M: can you show me?
J: no...I don't want to.
LOL, he cracks me up! then talked about the great wall of china, the Nile river, redwood trees and crocodiles. I don't even know what to do with him. happy as always, and never scared to tell me NO...My favorite conversations happen when Jack is around.
OLIVIA:
my goodness she is getting big! she has been sick the last few weeks, but I think she is finally getting better. she had open house, she showed us around her whole class room. She is getting to be quite the artist. she can read like there is no tomorrow. she is learning how to write proper paragraphs and is always writing a letter to this person or that person, she sounds out all her own words and rarely asked for help anymore. This last week she has become quite a phone talker, she has been leaving messages to anyone she could. she loves the warm weather because we have been playing more sports outside. All the worry we have had with her is starting to get a little better, she is starting to play again. At recess and I even have had a few astonished girls come tell me Olivia spoke to them- its pretty funny! I get to help in class a lot so I know all her class mates really well. she is a beautiful girl and its nice to see her doing so much better. She really wants to learn to play the piano, but Won't let me teach her! hmmm, I suppose a stubborn girl isn't a suprise from a stubborn mom. so hopefully I can figure out how to get someone to trade me lessons for lessons? We will see.
Anyway I know I haven't been writeing consistantly, things really have been SO much crazier then even normal, I would love to say it will get better, but I can't see it doing that which means I just have to learn how to be better myself. that way I can handle it all! I love you all, and really I will figure out whats up with the camera and when I do- watch out pictures!!
is Four months old!! we think he is around 17-18 lbs! He is one big boy. none of his clothes fit, we went and bought him a couple of 9 mnth outfits and they are fit him"comfortably". He can almost sit up on his own now and he rolled over once. He is so happy, always happy. we noticed he loves to flirt with women who have DARK hair, they are his favorite ( with the exception of his mom and sister of course). He loves music and I find myself singing constantly because he smiles at you the whole time you sing to him, who wouldn't want to sing to a baby like that? he is....our little joey, who, we think has to be the most loved baby in the whole world.
Jackson:
Man, this sweet smiling boy is a wonderful handful! He is a little to smart for his own good! he is starting to read (yes he turned 4 less the a month ago) and he can do basic math, he loves earth science, and history. The other day we had the best conversation on the way home, it went something like this (oh, and try to picture him walking from the kindergarten class with his shorts, beanie hat and a super man cape, and everything he says is in a-matter-of-fact tone):
mom: You know buddy when I was your age I wanted to fly just like you do...
Jack: I can fly.
m: you can?
j: yup.
M; That's so cool so you are just like superman and batman, and...who else??
J: Jesus. Jesus can fly to...right mom?
M: WELL.. I guess the scriptures say he did "descend" and "ascend" out of the heavens I guess that is like flying.
J: actually I don't think he flies, he Jumps.
M; he just jumps out of heaven? and then jumps back?
J: yes.
M: can you do it to? can you jump to heaven?
J: yes, if I wanted to
M: can you show me?
J: no...I don't want to.
LOL, he cracks me up! then talked about the great wall of china, the Nile river, redwood trees and crocodiles. I don't even know what to do with him. happy as always, and never scared to tell me NO...My favorite conversations happen when Jack is around.
OLIVIA:
my goodness she is getting big! she has been sick the last few weeks, but I think she is finally getting better. she had open house, she showed us around her whole class room. She is getting to be quite the artist. she can read like there is no tomorrow. she is learning how to write proper paragraphs and is always writing a letter to this person or that person, she sounds out all her own words and rarely asked for help anymore. This last week she has become quite a phone talker, she has been leaving messages to anyone she could. she loves the warm weather because we have been playing more sports outside. All the worry we have had with her is starting to get a little better, she is starting to play again. At recess and I even have had a few astonished girls come tell me Olivia spoke to them- its pretty funny! I get to help in class a lot so I know all her class mates really well. she is a beautiful girl and its nice to see her doing so much better. She really wants to learn to play the piano, but Won't let me teach her! hmmm, I suppose a stubborn girl isn't a suprise from a stubborn mom. so hopefully I can figure out how to get someone to trade me lessons for lessons? We will see.
Anyway I know I haven't been writeing consistantly, things really have been SO much crazier then even normal, I would love to say it will get better, but I can't see it doing that which means I just have to learn how to be better myself. that way I can handle it all! I love you all, and really I will figure out whats up with the camera and when I do- watch out pictures!!
late again on a sunday night...
These last few sundays I have been staying up late trying to get my last minute stuff together. For any one who knows me well, you know about " the class". for those who don't let me fill you in. over three years ago I took a little class from sister Kathleen Wilson in the heritage ward. it was once a week for a couple hours in sarahs basement, It changed my life. It changed how I looked at myself, my father in heaven and those around me. I found I could begin to become the women of God I knew always exsisted somewhere in there, after all I am a daughter of the most high king right?
As I and many of my friends learned at the feet of this wonderful woman, we were also told we would have to share our knowledge with others. As the years have moved on, I have tried to share what I could here and there to those who would listen. These next few weeks I am attempting to teach it in a more formal setting with notes, hand outs, talks and everything else I can muster up. so that the full depth of my knowlege gained can be shared. I know I am not doing this alone. I feel the powers of both sides each day through this process. On the one hand my mind is filled with amazing Ideas and memories come so much clearer then usual. I am able to put together the outline with what seems like effortless ease. then there is the other side, which makes me slow to sit down and work on it and I feel SO incapable at times. the side that says " what are you doing crazy woman?" but I know which side is stronger and I welcome its guidence and love. It feels good to immersed in the Lords words and work. It just feels good! I pray that I can continue to work to be worthy of his guidence so that those whom I share my knowledge, which I have gained through his loving kindess, can bless their lives as it has mine.
As I and many of my friends learned at the feet of this wonderful woman, we were also told we would have to share our knowledge with others. As the years have moved on, I have tried to share what I could here and there to those who would listen. These next few weeks I am attempting to teach it in a more formal setting with notes, hand outs, talks and everything else I can muster up. so that the full depth of my knowlege gained can be shared. I know I am not doing this alone. I feel the powers of both sides each day through this process. On the one hand my mind is filled with amazing Ideas and memories come so much clearer then usual. I am able to put together the outline with what seems like effortless ease. then there is the other side, which makes me slow to sit down and work on it and I feel SO incapable at times. the side that says " what are you doing crazy woman?" but I know which side is stronger and I welcome its guidence and love. It feels good to immersed in the Lords words and work. It just feels good! I pray that I can continue to work to be worthy of his guidence so that those whom I share my knowledge, which I have gained through his loving kindess, can bless their lives as it has mine.
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