This Week at Our House #5

1. What a crazy, busy week for all of us. Work started out pretty difficult, but John was able to make some real progress by the end of the week. I have been so exhausted this pregnancy that John has been doing dishes, making the kids clean, and cooking meals. He even made the kids and had himself clean all three of our bathrooms. This is the first week since I grew up and left home that I have not cleaned a bathroom. I am very, very grateful for John's help. I really do need it right now.
2. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday morning I spent a couple of hours at the state Capitol at meetings for laws that UFU is going to support and helping out the interns learn about how to support laws that support family values. This is a little rough, especially when I have to bring 4 little kids. We still plan on doing this and making it to key committee meetings and standing there hanging out to give request slips to the legislatures when we have the time. On Tuesday, we had the Marriage Rally at the state capitol. We walked in with our whole family and it there was such a peaceful feeling there. The highway patrol was called in to keep the protesters peaceful. That made a huge difference. The speakers were wonderful, and the best thing of all was there were way more than the 1000 needed people attending!! A lot of work went into this, and it turned out brilliantly!
3. I got a call from Ruth's seminary teacher on Wednesday. He started by saying you have a wonderful daughter (I actually know that). Then he told me that there is a girl in the class with some developmental issues, who was crying because of some things that had been said in the class. During an assignment to practice being missionaries, Ruth chose her as a partner and helped her calm down and leave the class happy. I asked Ruth about this. Apparently, the girl was crying because the majority of the kids in the class were making fun of her. She said the other kids who were not participating, just kept silent. When Ruth had the opportunity she went to the girl. Ruth said she hates her new semesters seminary class because the kids are either mean or quiet. I know she had planned to change classes. A bunch of her close friends are in the other class at the same time. However, this incident has changed her mind. She has decided to stick it out and help this one girl. I am very happy with my daughter's integrity, and very sad for this poor girl and the other seminary kids that are hurting her feelings.
4. After school on Tuesday, Kate spent time making posters for the rally. Then we went to rally, got home late, had ice cream, and sent everyone to bed. Kate didn't finish her math homework. The next day, Kate told her math teacher that she did not finish her homework because she went to the marriage rally. Her teacher said, "Okay, that is a good reason." Then he said, "which rally?" She is lucky he is pro-family. There were opposing rallies at the Capitol that day. 
5. I finally found the right motivation to get Johnny to keep up with his school work. I told him that every time I look up his grades and find her has missing work, he will have to eat beans for dinner that night and lunch the next day. Since then, Johnny has finished all his missing work and kept careful track of his due dates. I will have to make sure to come through with this punishment. Next year, he'll be in 9th grade when his grades start counting for college. I shouldn't complain too much, though. He currently has 3.8 accumulative gpa.
6. How  do you get a quiet child to talk to you and tell you about things? Adam has never been much for conversation and John and I are trying to figure out how to make him our good friend. I try and get him to talk to me when I take him to school each morning. He just never has much to say. He does seem happy. He is obedient and good. He reads his scriptures and says his prayers faithfully everyday, so I think he is doing well.
7. Rachel has a new little friend that she has been walking home from school with. She's really enjoying his company. They are in the same class, and his family lives just around the corner from us.
8. Anya went faithfully with me to the Capitol building every morning. She saves her homework to do there. She's being really sweet (so far) about the back and forth to the Capitol and then immediately off to school. 
9. Joseph came with me to the Capitol the three mornings too. He gets a little whiney, but he's always happy to go back. 
10. I stayed home from church with Arwen today and Josh gave John a real run for his money during Sacrament meeting. It is very clear that Josh knows he can get away with a lot more with John than he can with me. He ran off several times, was loud, and just plain old naughty. 
11. At the Capitol on Friday, Arwen's little personality really began to surface. She would take her toys and stick them right in the middle of whatever the other kids had going on (drawings, trains, puzzles). When the other kids would try and remover her things, Arwen would scream. She was such a little stinker. I did not know she had that in her.
12. We had the ultrasound and baby number 10 is a girl!!!!! We plan to name her Susan after my great, great, great grandmother, Susan Ealand, who  immigrated from England. Baby Susan wiggled all through the ultrasound. I loved seeing her little profile and her wigglieness. Everything is looking great, intact, and measuring just right. She looks like another healthy little child We have been very, very blessed with all of our children and that my body has been strong enough to carry all of them.

This Week's Pictures

It's a ...

And the Pattern continues...

girl, girl, boy, boy, girl, girl, boy, boy, girl, ?

Can you guess? It's a _______________ !!!!

This Week at Our House # 4

Ruth, Kate, and I made these delicious homemade eclairs

1. John has been working side by side with me on the political stuff. He has also picked up a lot of slack as this pregnancy leaves me extremely fatigued in the evenings. He has been washing dishes and making dinner about every other night. I am so grateful for his help.
2. I spent a lot of time this week helping to prepare for the UT marriage rally. I've been to 2 meetings, have spent quite a bit of time trying to spread the word, and influence people to attend or help in whatever way they are comfortable.
3. Ruth got her driving permit this week. She really needs time to practice in a large empty parking lot. She's not ready to hit the road, but neither was I my first few hours driving. 
4. Kate had the science fair on Thursday. She also had an additional science project that she enjoyed doing with the people who came to see the science fair. Kate's very studious, and very annoyed with how much work it takes to be studious.
5. I told my kids that I would ease up on my media restrictions if they kept their rooms clean and their beds made. Johnny and Adam have gone from having an extremely messy room to one of the cleanest rooms in the house.
6. Adam kept his room cleaned and faithfully made his bed everyday this week. I am still not sure the extra video game time is worth it, though.
7. Rachel is often quiet in the car while I drive her to school. If I try and get her to chat, she'll either talk too quietly to hear over the sounds of the motor, or just get annoyed. A few days ago, while trying to engage her in conversation, I remembered that she had been telling me a lot about a boy named Logan. I asked Rachel if she wanted to marry Logan. She perked up and said, "No way!" Her reason surprised me. Rachel said she could not marry Logan because Logan has blonde hair, and while blonde hair looks good on little boys, it looks bad on grown up boys. She said that she had to marry someone with brown hair. 
8. Ugh... Anya, my little kindergartener now has math homework three days a week. She is doing the same math as Rachel is doing in second grade. I think she needs more playtime, and less busy work time. I hate homework!
9. Joseph and I enjoyed doing puzzles together, making cookies, and playing memory. It may be hard to make him sit down with me to play, but he is so much happier when I do.
10. Potty training Josh is going to take a long time. I can just tell. He just does not care if he walks around in wet pants. I suspect it is going to be a good 3 to 4 months before he starts caring. Kate took 4 months, and Johnny took 3 months. All of my other kids took between 2 days and 2 weeks. I thought that maybe I had started Kate and Johnny too early, but now I am thinking it is just personality. Josh is already 3 and the latest of all of my kids to potty train. I have been feeling fairly patient about the mess, so I think I will stick to it and hopefully get him independent before the baby comes.
11. Arwen's just cute. We all love to watch her play. 
12. I didn't feel this baby move for three full days this week, and was feeling pretty nervous about that. I didn't really know what to do at this early point in the pregnancy, so I just did nothing. Over the last two days, I have been feeling the baby move plenty again. I have the ultrasound on Saturday. It will be a nice relief to see the baby moving around. I look forward to when it gets a little bigger and I really know when the baby moves and when it doesn't.

This Week's Pictures

Josh's picture of a truck

Rachel's fairy

Anya's Fairy

Joseph's Fish

Rachel's Picture of Adam as Dr. Who

Adam's picture of Rachel

Utah Please Stand for Marriage

On Dec 20th, Federal District Judge Shelby struck down UT's referendum 3 which defined marriage in the UT constitution as the union of one man and one woman. On Tuesday, January 28th we are asking the citizen's of UT who support traditional marriage and referendum 3 by coming to the state capitol building at 7pm. There will be some excellent speakers in favor of laws that protect the rights of children to be raised by both their mother and father.

From the Family: A Proclamation to the World, we understand that "Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children," and that, "Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity."
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In my personal opinion, I do not think it is an accident that UT's marriage amendment went first. I feel like it is God giving a large gathering of Latter Day Saints the opportunity to lead the rest of the nation.

The rally is a good, visible way to show support. If you cannot attend, you can still donate to help this event go forward.

If you are uncomfortable with the idea of a rally, please send emails to your state representatives and senators asking them to fund the lawyers the state needs to see referendum 3 through to the Supreme Court.

We have been called to support traditional marriage and children being raised by a mother and father. The final paragraph written by Prophets, seers and revelators that knew what we would be facing 19 years into the future called all of us: "WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

Utah is leading the way to the Supreme Court. Please stand up and be counted. Silence speaks just as loudly as words.

This Week at Our House # 3

1. John had an ordinary week with work everyday. He has been helping me a lot more around the house and letting me get a more rest. I have really appreciated that a lot.
2. I'm still surviving January. Every morning, I have to go out and scrape frost off the van in the dark before driving the kids to school. I find this task rather painful. Just a couple more months and I won't have to endure this anymore.
3. On Friday, Ruth wanted to stay after school to find all of her classes for next term. I said she could and I would pick her up around 4. When I got her from school her friend needed a ride home too. As I drove Ruth and her friend home, Ruth talked to me and told me all about her day just like she does everyday. I was very pleased that Ruth was totally the same girl in front of her friends as she is with me everyday. I think that means Ruth has some really good friends.
4. Kate got a 4.0 last term. Kate has a couple of good friends now that she hangs out with everyday. She is shy and it took her a long time to make some good friends. I am very pleased to have her happy with friends now. Kate had lots and lots of homework all week. She seems to want the whole family schedule to revolve around her homework. That's not going to happen. She would also like to be chore free if she has lots and lots of homework and that is not going to happen either. But I did threaten to ground her from doing homework for a week if she did not do her chores-- worked like a charm. :)
5. Johnny had a normal week of school with nothing very special. Since he started a new semester, he no longer has PE. He is stuck having health. I feel bad. I know he would much rather have a whole year of physical activity.
6. Adam read the scripture in Primary today. He read John 3:17 which says, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." But Adam left out the "not" and read that God sent his Son into the world to condemn the world. John had a good laugh over that.
7. Rachel has been doing her own hair very nicely every morning. She has also gotten really good at getting herself ready for school in the mornings while I drive all the older kids into school. Rachel seems pleased with her independence. I am pleased with it too. 
8. Anya had a birthday party with a bunch of her kindergarten friends, a couple of neighbor's, Rachel, and her cousin Ada. We had a little tea party with a mini tea set, mini food, and hot chocolate. After the tea party, the little girls played and painted their nails. The little girls were so cute and calm. I love little girl parties. 
9. Arwen played with the wii u remote and turned on some unknown app on the wii. Jospeh in exasperation said, "Why do little kids always get things." I had to laugh!!! I am not sure there is anything left in this house that Joseph hasn't gotten into. He seems to constantly be on a treasure hunt looking for the gold that John and I must be hiding somewhere.
10. Joshua had his 3rd birthday on Friday!!! My mom sent him a big dump truck and back hoe that he has slept with every night since. Josh knew his birthday was coming. On Thursday we would ask what was happening tomorrow and Josh would happily declare, "My birthday!!" He loved his train cake, and his presents. He will not admit to being 3, though. He says he's 2, 10, or 8. He's such a sweety. We love having little Josh in our home! 
11. Arwen was a tad grumpy this week. She seems to be experimenting with temper tantrums. She is finding out that in our home, a temper tantrum means you sit in your room until you calm down. 
12. I am feeling baby # 10 moving around more and more. It always makes me happy to feel those tiny flutters. 

This Week's Pictures

Most Recent UFI Post: What is Religious Freedom?

I have been working a bit with a couple of state senators to make sure UT is putting laws in place to protect the religious and their property as gay marriage may go forward. As I have been doing this, I have had to think a bit about what religious freedom really means. I used a paragraph from my Captain Moroni post and secularized the rest to come up with an essay about religious freedom for United Families International. I wanted to share it here as well, since this is a topic that has become close to my heart.

What is Religious Freedom?

As gay marriage and non-discrimination ordinances which include sexual orientation and gender identity become legalized throughout the world, an atomic bomb of sorts is spreading its way through the legal system. Where ever gay marriage is legal, the common religious belief that marriage is a union between a man and a woman is then considered bigoted under the law. The state becomes required to teach gay marriage and gay sexual relationships equally alongside heterosexual marriage and sexual relationships in schools, or the public schools are bigoted. Business owners, fertility doctors, family lawyers, adoption agencies, judges and clerks are required to treat homosexual marriage, sexuality, and parenting as equal to heterosexual marriage, sexuality, and parenting.  Eventually, religious institutions, universities, buildings, and clergymen will be facing the same conundrum. Law suits are already filed against churches. Religious Freedom and Sexual Freedom are in opposition. They cannot stand together equally in the law. When sexual freedom wins, religious freedom loses.

What then is religious freedom? Those who ratified the Bill of Rights in early American history recognized that the right to religious freedom is far more than a “right to worship.” Religious freedom pertains not only to what one does in the church or in the home. It is the right to express faith in public as well as private and to act on one’s religious convictions about justice and the common good in carrying out the duties of citizenship. Religious freedom allows the freedom to “exercise” religion in the public square.

Laws that force the individual to set aside their religious convictions as a “price of citizenship,” deny freedom of religion. By its very nature, religious freedom includes a right to leave one religious community and join another religious community, or the right to change one set of beliefs to one more fitting to the individual’s conscience. In a society where religious freedom is honored, the laws strictly exclude the use of civil authority to punish or impose penalties on those who change faiths or have a different set of beliefs from the majority.

The cry for “equality” forces everyone to act on one belief system. It trades freedom to act according to one’s conscience into a forced set of beliefs and actions for all. Yes, changing the laws so that every individual’s sexual behaviors are treated equally under the law sounds nice. But is it worth the cost? Religious freedom and sexual freedom cannot stand together equally in the law. When sexual freedom wins, religious freedom loses.

This Week at Our House # 2

1. John got sick with a fever, runny nose, sore throat, and a cough. He worked from home most of the week. I kind of think he likes being sick, because his favorite thing to do is stay in bed all day and that is exactly what he got to do.
2. As I wrote #2 on the title of this post, I realized that we are now only 2 weeks into January and really not that far. I hate January! Well, really, I hate winter. Though, I am quite certain I would rather endure winter for three months than big yucky, freaky bugs all year long.
3. Ruth had lots more school work than usual this week. I think she is going through the end of the term rush with tons to do and turn in. Ruth and Kate went alone with a friend and no adult to the mall for the first time in their lives. I thought they were going to City Creek Mall, just a few minutes from our home, but it turns out they went to Layton Mall, a good 25 minutes from our home. I felt dumb, not asking which mall they were going to. I have a lot to learn about letting my children go and go safely. Fortunately, they have phones and were texting me (for money :)) while at the mall.
4. A British man living in the United States visited Kate's geography class so students could ask him questions about Britain. Kate asked him "Now that you live in America, are you going to celebrate the fourth of July?" She is such a nut!The second term ended for Kate on Thursday and she had Friday off. She is now half way through the 9th grade. This has been a tough year for Kate. I know she is relieved to make it with excellent grades to the half way point. The same night Kate went to the mall, I was going to a political gathering to learn about a bill in the legislature. Kate was planning on going with me when her friend offered to take her and Ruth to the mall. Kate said she had a political thing to do. I told her not to worry and to go to the mall. Her friend said, "You can do politics when you are 100. But you are only a teenager for a short time." It wasn't hard for Kate to decide. I am sure she was planning on the political event so I wouldn't be alone.
5. Johnny played games with John all week long. I haven't looked at his final grades, but I hope they are good. He goofed off way too much this term. He better get more serious. He had straight A's first term, and then he thought it was too easy and got lazy-- BOYS!
6. We finally found a book that Adam enjoys. He has been reading Franny K. Stein this week, and instead of asking every 3 minutes when is reading time is over, he's gone a little over time. I hope he learns to love reading soon. Kate didn't love it, until 7th grade, so I still have hope for Adam who is only in the 3rd grade.
7. I love that Rachel always comes and tells me about her school day! I love when my kids seek me out, hang out with me while I cook and clean, and just talk to me. Rachel's so good at that. I love the companionship that I have with little Rachel.
8. Anya had her birthday on Thursday!!! She is now a darling 6 year old. And she is my most independent 6 year old yet! Anya can pretty much do anything for herself! She is smart, well behaved and a good friend. We sure love having Anya in our family! She had a fun little family party on her birthday and she is planning a little tea party birthday party for a few of her friends this coming Saturday!
9. Joseph is learning his alphabet and numbers so quickly. Academically Joseph is very ready to start kindergarten. He can concentrate for a long time when he is drawing and building. I think as long as he finds school challenging enough, he will behave himself at school. Joseph's a smart little guy. 
10. Josh has continued to potty train this week. He is sort of getting it. At least, he has no accidents as long as I take him to the bathroom enough. He has only once told me when he needs to go, though. I think it will be a bit longer before I can truly say he gets it. For now, things really aren't too bad. He is ready to learn, and I am ready to endure.
11. Arwen is still our little cutey. We all just adore her. She has discovered toys and just loves to play all day long. 
12. I started feeling baby # 10 moving around this week. That is the part of  pregnancy I love and want to remember. This baby seems to start moving around when I relax in bed at night. I have been staying up a little later to enjoy those little movements. Baby # 10 is 17 weeks along now. 

This Week's Pictures

Joshy LOVES his trains

Anya trying to pose.

The first 1000 piece puzzle to be finished in our home