Mormon Mommy Blogs

Lets Discuss - Sacrament Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Mormon Mommy Blogs) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:56:00 +0000

Sacrament Meeting.

We all go (or should) and if you have kids they may get bored. Unless you're super righteous, then they don't.

My kids seem think they need crayons, paper -- and if I would let them-- scissors and glue to "make it through" Sacrament Meeting. I let them break it out before the Sacrament Hymn and then once again after the Sacrament is over. Once they hear the opening chords of that hymn start, they have to put all their stuff away and sing at the top of their lungs.

It's the rules. At least my rules. What are your rules with regards to activities during sacrament meeting?

Then lets talk food. I don't bring any treats at all to church because it's not Snackrament Meeting its Sacrament Meeting. My friend however brings sandwiches and sippy cups filled with milk for her kids. Other families have bags of cheerios, crackers and I have even seen a candy bar or two.

What do you do?

Is it "Snackrament" meeting for you or no?

What about that bag-o-tricks? When does it come out-- if at all?

And, I'll be totally honest with you-- I may die a little inside if you tell me that your kids sit quietly with their arms folded singing kumbaya in their heads all through church because mine? Not so much.

Ready. Set. Discuss.

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YouTube Finds

noreply@blogger.com (Mormon Mommy Blogs) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:28:00 +0000

We have a testimony of YouTube and we'd like you to know that WE know it's true. These videos make us feel all sorts of sparkly inside. Enjoy Peeps.

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A Case of the Mom Frump: Take Two

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Be gone Frumpy Mom!

Well, some months ago, I wrote a piece about being a frumpy mom.

And people had ALL kinds of things to say about it. From, "You and me both!" to "Oh my gosh you basically pulled a bait and switch on your husband!"

Yes, people feel very very strongly about this whole subject.

So, all of the comments really got me thinking and considering.

Since then, I've been making an effort.

I know, shocking, right?

I am attempting, these days, to get dressed in the morning, not just throw on whatever. I am trying to learn more about what looks nice and what goes with what.

I am far from perfect. I still throw on yoga pants some days. But I throw on a skirt on a weekday quite often now too.

My clothes still get covered in goo, it's true. Today my white tunic (why did I buy white?) got smeared with graham cracker. But, I have found that is what stain spray is for.

And the result?

Well, I don't think my husband loves me any more than before.

I don't think anyone has noticed the change at all.

Except me of course.

I do like looking nice. I do like walking around with my four kids and thinking, "Yes, my children are crazy, but at least I look put together!"

I still fail at wearing my wedding ring. Sorry. It's just not my thing. Husband is looking into plain bands for me.

I still don't put on make-up everyday. I don't think I ever will. I am allergic to most, and they make my face hurt!

But my hair is as neat as I can make it. My clothes are clean (as I can manage) and as "outfit-like" as possible.

It's a good thing.

I must MUST place this disclaimer: I have purchased almost nothing to make this switch. The few pieces I have bought were from the thrift store, a blouse here and there and a couple of skirts and even a pair of second-hand skinny jeans (GASP!). I know my budget has no wiggle room, name brands from the mall are NOT an option. If you're interested in making a change, I strongly suggest you start with thrift stores. Because if you buy something that doesn't work for you, you're out four bucks instead of forty.

I guess the moral of the story is: Don't knock it til you've tried it.

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Morgan blogs about life. And you know, stuff. Check her out!

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Word to your Mother

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:59:00 +0000

Before I had children, I was a morning person. Now I am a night owl. This is because it's the only time that I can legitimately get away with doing nothing.
So I sit, by myself, in the dark, and enjoy the silence.... it's not weird. It's motherhood. ******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Time to get Mad

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

"When things look bad, and it looks like you're not gonna make, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb mad dog mean." ~Clint Eastwood

Recently, I faced a few setbacks at work. Things did not pan out the way I wanted them to, and I was incredibly frustrated.

When I was a kid, and something went wrong or turned out differently then I expected, I would hold onto the negative feelings; 2 weeks later, I would still be stewing over the incident. What I didn't realize was that moping never solved my problem. As I held onto certain issues, I kept myself from being able to move on to take advantage of new opportunities.

My wise mom taught me a great trick for dealing with setbacks. She said that when something goes wrong you need to determine a set period of time you're going to allow yourself to be mad, and once that time has passed, you need to drop the issue and begin looking forward.

So here's my current method for handling life's disappointments: The moment something doesn't go my way, I tell myself - "Ok Kyle, you've got 24 hours to be as angry, sad, frustrated, upset, emotional, negative as you want. But, once that 24 hours is over, you've got to let go and move on."

Then I've got 24 hours to let my emotions go CRAZY!

"Sad Kyle" usually mopes around the house, watches a sad movie, and eats a lot of candy. (more candy than I usually eat)

"Angry Kyle" puts Eminem, Limp Bizkit, and Jay-Z on, then goes into RAGE mode.

No matter what the situation has been, it has been incredibly helpful for me to follow this pattern for learning to let go of anger, disappointment, frustration. I t has allowed me to really let the emotion go crazy for a short period of time before I'm able to let go and then embrace new opportunities.

What do you guys like to do when things go wrong? How do you let go of the negativity?

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Kyle is Marketing Director at Blickenstaff's Vintage Toy & Candy store. He is also a competitive bboy!

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Just Like Her

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I love this picture of my middle daughter. Out of our three kids, she is hands down the happiest. She lives in her own little world, set to her own sound track, and thinks life is not complete unless she's wearing a skirt.

She's also a joy to give gifts to. Each gift, from a box of cereal to a pony, is greeted with an enthusiastic gasp of air and squeal of delight. She can honest to goodness play with a string for an hour at a time happily.

I want to be like her when I grow up.

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Myrnie blogs about life over at I, Wonder Woman and talks about her latest gardening, home school, and homesteading projects at DIY Mama.

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Snow and Ice

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

For the past couple of weeks, we have had snow.

All the roads have been covered, the roofs covered in white, the driveways are slick and icy, and the trees wear a shimmering crown high up in the boughs. I love the way that snow changes the landscape, the way it glistens, and the way it changes my perspective.

I love and appreciate seeing all the different seasons throughout the year. (Something that I never had when we lived in the desert). But, along with all the beautiful white stuff, comes the cold, the ice, the fog, and even more of that bone chilling, windy cold air.

It has seemed to me like I just can not get warm enough this year. We have the fireplace, heaters, and blankets, but somehow, I am still cold.

One of the things that I have really had to learn with this winter season is that, if I can change my focus to something else, (and wear a sweater or a sweatshirt), I can forget about the cold and find the beauty in each day. I can forget about my longing for spring and color blooming everywhere, and instead appreciate the here and now.

I have learned that it is easy to get complacent in our own lives. We see the same things day in and day out. We have the same family living under our roof, the same child who listens and picks up, the same husband who fixes lunch (or maybe doesn't fix lunch), the same house to live in, clothes to wear, and food to eat. Sadly, the same old things cease to look like blessings in our eyes, and instead start being something we expect to have instead of a blessing to have.

Take the snow for example. When it is fresh and new, it looks magical. It makes everything around us look like a wonderland. I love to see the faces on my girls when we all go play in the snow together. It brings joy to my heart and to their eyes. What a blessing for us to spend time having fun together, instead of doing our normal, everyday, living together things. However, that same snowfall, also means that we have to make several trips to the woodpile each day, we have to shovel the driveway, and sometimes even walk to work because of the ice in the road. It can take away the magic that I found earlier in the morning if I do not keep my focus on the good instead of on the perceived bad that comes from snow. The snow has not changed, instead the way that I am looking at it has changed.

I have learned that blessings are a lot like snow. When they are new and fresh in our eyes, we see them and recognize the Lord's hand in them. We know He has answered our prayers to bring us to this point. But when the blessings become a common, everyday occurrence, we start to forget the magic. The blessing is still there, but we are focusing our attention on the perceived negative, instead of being grateful for that which we really do have.

I have discovered that changing my heart to one of gratitude, profoundly affects the world around me.

When I approach my life as something to be truly thankful for, I find more and more things that really are blessings in my life. I have found God's hand in the world around me in so many more ways than I ever thought possible.

So today, my challenge to you is to simply look around you. List the things in your heart and mind that you are grateful for. Write them in your journal, or even on a notebook page and hang them where you can see them often. When you start to doubt that you are blessed, go back and look at your list. In my life, I have found that some of my greatest trials are responsible for bringing me some of my richest blessings.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~Melodie Beattie

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Patty Ann is a busy mother, grandmother, and wife. She lives her life in the woods she loves up on the top of a beautiful mountain. She loves music, photography and writing. Most of all she loves her Heavenly Father and enjoys writing about his influence in her life. You can find her on her blog at Pitterle Postings

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I Am a Child of God Printable

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

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You would like more LDS printables, yes?
We thought so.
To kick things off, we have this fantastic "I am a child of God" print in six different colors. It's an 8x10 print, so you can either print it off on your computer, or you can send it to your local photo printer.
It would look GREAT framed in your hall, your entry, or your child's bedroom. Promise.
Click to download the I am a Child of God Printable from Mormon Mommy Blogs

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Walking on Stormy Seas: On Serving in the Church

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:05:00 +0000

Can I be really honest? I'm going to write from my heart here, in the hopes that it might help someone else. I'm not digging for compliments or looking for someone from my stake to say, "Oh, but you do such a good job."

Here's my secret: I really struggle in my calling. It's very difficult for me on a multitude of levels.

Two years ago, I was called to the stake presidency. This meant my release as a bishop--a calling that had been a challenge, but that was deeply rewarding on a variety of levels.

At first, the calling was accompanied by a spiritual high. Being interviewed, called, and taught by a General Authority was invigorating and nourishing to my soul--beyond my ability to express.

But before long, the high faded and reality set in. I love the men I serve with. They are some of the best men I've ever known. But I am younger than they are, and much different in many ways. I frequently felt like the odd man out--not because of anything they did, just because of who I am.

I found myself in new situations that stretched me and worked spiritual and emotional muscles that had grown weak. I won't bore you with details, but the calling became very, very difficult for me. Periods of bleak depression set in, punctuated with positive things as well.

Why am I saying this? Well, because I think it's important for us to understand that callings are meant to be difficult in that they are given to us to help us grow, to refine us--and that is inherently going to be difficult.

I also think that many people assume that someone who is serving as a bishop or in a stake presidency somehow has it made--that they don't struggle with doubts and weakness and so on. I have come to believe that this view is as pervasive as it is false.

I once extended a calling of great responsibility to a man. He accepted, but confided in me some of his doubts and fears. He seemed surprised when I empathized with these fears and explained some of my own struggles, and those of others I knew.

But more than that, I tell this story because I want to share the resolution, hoping it might help someone else.

As I went through my period of darkness and depression, I cast about, searching urgently for something--for peace or guidance--something to help me. I knew I had years ahead in this calling and was desperate for a scrap of light to help me.

I finally found that scrap as I read in Matthew. One night, as the disciples were tossed about in a boat, Jesus walked out on the water to meet them.

Filled with what I assume was exuberance and energy, Peter asked the Savior to bid him come out on the water. The Savior agreed, and Peter jumped out of the boat and walked on the water.

And then Peter saw the waves and felt the wind--he noticed all that was going on, all the reasons he couldn't walk on the water and he began to sink and called out for help. The scriptures record that Jesus immediately stretched forth his hand and caught him.

The next verse says this: "When they were come into the ship, the wind ceased." (Matthew 14:31). To me, that implies that Peter and Jesus--together--walked back at least a few steps to the ship.

Peter's experience, it seems to me, provides a pattern. Jumping out of the boat and running across the waves to the Savior must have been exhilarating--a physical and spiritual high. But then, realty set in and Peter was surrounded by a storm. As he sunk, he cried out for help--which came. And then, together, the Lord and Peter finished the task.

The darkness of my depression felt like going under the waves, causing me to call out. And, as with Peter, I found the Savior's warm rescue. Now, I'm trying to walk with Him as I do my best in my calling. I am convinced that most of us feel, from time to time, that we are walking (or sinking) in stormy seas. The trick is to reach out for that hand that will always be there.

Photo credit: Stained Glass Window--First Baptist Church (Hamburg, Arkansas)

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Braden Bell is a husband, father, teacher, director and author. He blogs about all of these things at bradenbell.com.

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Word to your Mother

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Emotional Vampires suck. Don't let them eat your heart out.

Sunday Devotional - The Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Elisa) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:02:00 +0000

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What Got Me Through

noreply@blogger.com (Elisa) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Whenever I have a problem I Google it.

I do. I totally Google my problems with the hopes that I'll find that magic solution in 2.1 seconds with the answers listed in order of importance --from best to worst -- with ten pages to choose from.

Of course I pray about it, too, and ask my friends and family members for advice. But eventually I turn to Google and ask it what I should do. I am always hopeful that this time the solution to my problem is as easy to find as typing "what do I do" into Google.

It's not.

But I keep doing it, hoping that I'll find those magic solutions.

Don't we all wish our problems could be solved just by asking Google? We're looking for the solutions, we're asking the questions and sometimes it's really hard to hear the answers from Him. So, we turn to "the world".

Only "the world" typically doesn't have the heaping dose of hope that we are searching for.

When I am in the middle of my muck, I try to attend everything I can to see if the Lord will reach out to me and give me my answers. Womens Conference? Yes. Time Out For Women? Yup. Stake Relief Society Conferences? You Bet. Enrichment Meetings (or whatever it is they're calling it these days)? Sure.

The problem is that rarely have I found that version of hope, comfort or even an answer that I am so desperately searching for. Why? Because sometimes in order to get that nugget of hope that will keep me pushing forward requires other people to be vulnerable and to share. And that, my friends, is a scary thing for most of us to do--open up and be vulnerable. Sharing our struggles and trials does just that-- it makes us vulnerable and easy targets for trolls.

So what do we do? We keep quiet and share nothing... and keep Googling trying to find what it is we are searching for--hoping eventually we will find it.

When you're struggling it's lonely and hard . It's so much work to try and figure out how to solve your problems. Especially when those problems include other people.

This idea made us both Caroline and I start to think: How many other people out there are searching for answers or some hope-- via Google? How many people are Googling their trials? Their problems? Their stresses with the hopes of finding something that will get them through? Some sort of answer that worked for someone else?

That's really why we Google. We want help. We want answers. Solutions. Hope.

My son doesn't want to go on a mission...
I'm super sick, what's wrong with me...
My daughter has spinal-bifada...
My husband likes porn...
My baby died and I'm falling apart...
My mom has been given 6 months to live...
I have cancer...
My child has a severe mental illness...
My marriage is falling apart...
My kid is on drugs...
My husband had an affair..

How do I cope?
WHAT DO I DO?

Maybe deep down we know we aren't really going to find that magic 8-ball answer when we Google it. But it sure would be nice if we could at least find someone else who has traveled the road we are traveling. It would be nice to read how they muddled through the muck and what Gospel principal, quote, or scripture they held onto that got them through. Or in the very least helped them hold on for just one more day.

That's where YOU and MMB come together.

Everyone has trials, problems and stress in their life. And, we want to help you, via Google, find some hope when you need it most. Hence our new feature here on MMB called "What Got Me Through"

We will feature various bloggers who currently have or had a problem, trial or stress and the gospel principal, quote or scripture that helped them cope, and gave them hope... Got them through. And, we're going to show you how you're not alone and hopefully give you a little something to hang onto that can help get you through.

We're really excited about our new series and have several posts ready for posting. If you are interested in sharing what helped get you through a specific trial-- but don't want everyone to know-- you can do so anonymously. Send us your post and let us know if you want it anonymous or if you want it linked (and where) and we will take care of the rest.

Make sure to title it what you would Google if you were looking for some sort of answer and we will take care of the rest so that Google will find your words of encouragement that someone else is so desperately searching for.

Let's populate the Internet with hope, people. Let's use it for good.

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Story? Slam!

noreply@blogger.com (Mormon Mommy Blogs) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

This is Cassie Ashton.

She's a professional story teller, and will be facilitating the Story Slam at the Story at Home conference.

And guess what? My family had the whole 'story slam' idea completely wrong!

I have three sisters, and we really get a kick out of each other. Seriously. Sometimes we hear bone crack.

But most of the time we get along great.

Now, the way my family is structured -- and I grew up thinking everyone's family worked this way -- is Girl - Boy - Girl - Boy (deceased) - Girl - Boy - Girl, all two calendar years apart.

My mom has been napping for the last 20 years. Very well-deserved.

So, if you took the time to do the math, you'll see that each of us girls is four years apart in age. I'm the oldest, which also makes me the Boss. Stands to reason.

Amber is the youngest, which in our family makes her the Keeper of the Family Lore. She knows everyone's birthdays -- including in-laws and grandkids -- and she has memorized every single story every told by anyone at any time in our family.

Here's the problem: My family are all a bunch of filthy liars. You should hear the nonsense they spin about me when we were kids and I was merely teaching them how to work independently by foisting my chores onto the nearest sucker while I watched "All My Children."

What? You should see Jill's house. Spic and span, day or night. Think that just happened? Ha! Don't make me laugh.

The really great stories are about Kim, who shares a birthday with Jill but with four years difference. Kim is the 'sweet' one. Beware, all ye who are introduced to 'sweet' women. They conceal wicked, brilliant, calculating hearts. The kind of hearts that, when their older sister (by four years, to the day) is frantically searching for her new bikini in preparation for a weekend getaway with friends, and is nearly beside herself because the friends will be here any second now, and somehow if they have to wait a few extra minutes Lake Havasu will dry up into dust and they'll have to spend the weekend running through the sprinklers in the back yard -- the SWEET sister will very SWEETLY help her look for the lost swim suit.

That sweet, sweet girl will go through closets, empty drawers, and sort through unfolded laundry, all the while cooing sympathetically at her hysterical sister. Eventually, Big Sister will settle for last year's model and trek off to Lake Havasu, ashamed to be seen in a bathing suit that is 11 whole months old but happy to be on her way.

And then -- THEN -- the next day, when their mom is changing sheets on all the beds, she'll find the missing bikini, hidden beneath the mattress belonging to the SWEET sister!

This is where the Keeper of the Family Lore comes in. Big Sister has no sooner arrived home when Littlest Sister shares the tragic saga of loss, shame, and betrayal that solves the Mystery of the Disappearing Bikini.

Up the stairs marches the Big Sister. Into the Sweet Sister's room she storms. Heated words are exchanged. Sweet Sister is unrepentant. Big Sister is incensed. More heated words. More lack of repentance. More rage.

Until finally, the sunburned Big Sister flies out of the Sweet Sister's bedroom, and -- SLAM! goes the bedroom door with such force that the house is moved three feet off its foundation.

Growing up, that was what we might have called a "Story / Slam."

But in real life, a Story Slam is something totally different! I know! Doesn't that beat all?

In a real Story Slam, professional story tellers have a set amount of time in which to tell a story, often on a given subject and frequently off-the-cuff. It's fast and exciting and not for the faint of heart, much like Black Friday at Walmart. Only you're less likely to lose an arm at a Story Slam, which to my way of thinking is a good thing.

Pictured above is Cassie Ashton, who is one of the facilitators at the Story at Home conference in March, 2012. I'm really looking forward to watching the performances by some of the best storytellers in the business.

In fact, if they call for any tales about bathing suits and sisterly love, I might just march myself up onto that stage and share my story.

Slam and all.

Contributed to MMB by DeNae Handy, who also has two brothers. They have their own stories to tell, including the one about the Mexican police officer and the sleight of hand that kept them out of a Tijuana jail.

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Julie B. Beck and Mormon Mommy Blogs

noreply@blogger.com (Mormon Mommy Blogs) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:19:00 +0000

If you could ask Sister Julie B. Beck, the General Relief Society President, any question what would it be?

Yes. I mean ANY question.

Such as:

Why do only men hold the priesthood?
How do women really fit into the church? Do they have a place?
Why were Relief Society Meetings-- formerly known as Enrichment-- formerly known as Home, Family and Personal Enrichment--formerly known as Homemaking done away with?
When is it OK to say NO? Is it ever?
What are we supposed to do with that new book they just put out? (Daughters in my kingdom)

Chew on that for a minute while we explain why we're asking.

Several weeks ago Elisa was invited to attend --on behalf of Mormon Mommy Blogs -- a meeting at church headquarters to discuss how The General Relief Society Presidency and Mormon Mommy Blogs could work more closely together-- facilitating discussions between the two regarding what the real issues and concerns are that women are facing.

Yes. I was totally scared.

However, it was an incredible experience -- spiritual even -- and out of that brainstorming session Sister Beck suggested an idea that we think you all will LOVE.

We are asking YOU to tell us what the real issues and concerns are that you are facing and we will take them back to Sister Beck. We get to sit down with her for 90 minutes and talk-- unscripted-- about what YOU tell us you want us to ask her along with what YOU feel some of the real issues and concerns are that women are facing today. This will all be taped by The Mormon Channel and made avaliable for your viewing pleasure.

Pretty Amazing, right?

So. Back to our original question: If you could ask Sister Beck ANY question(s) what would it be? Tell us in the comments. If you want to be anonymous-- that's totally fine, too, just shoot us an email. We also want to know what the real issues and concerns are that women are facing today so we can take that back to discuss with her.

Ready. Set. Comment.

*EDIT January 9 2012: comments are now closed.

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January 2012 Visiting Teaching Handout

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:56:00 +0000

The January 2012 Visiting Teaching Message is about *drumroll* VISITING TEACHING!
If you haven't made a resolution for the year, we'd like to suggest this: Get to know the sisters you visit. Don't just make it another box to check on your to-do list. Talk to the sisters, pray for them and with them, and really make an effort to be the kind of Visiting Teacher you know you can be.
Click here to read this month's message.
Click here to download the MMB Visiting Teaching Handout.
Thanks to Melissa Bastow for letting us use her cute digi scrapbook kits, particularly Butterflies in Disguise!
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Word to Your Mother

noreply@blogger.com (Elisa) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

We all have those craptastic days where we just want to kill people.

You don't?

It's just us? Dang.

Well. In case you do, the best advice we can give you is this:

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Our Favorite Things from Deseret Book + A Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Mormon Mommy Blogs) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:54:00 +0000

***GIVEAWAY CLOSED***

Deseret Book is one of the sponsors of MMB and we are super excited to be able to present to you "Our Favorite Things" from Deseret Book via MMB's Wish List.

We made ourselves a handy-dandy wish list so that our family and friends can easily shop for our Christmas presents and our birthdays (which are FAST approaching, BTW).

Deseret Book is so awesome and they want to share with YOU some of YOUR favorite things, too. All you have to do is head over to Deseret Book, make your Wish List and then come back and tell us in the comments what some of the things are on your list (up to $100). Giveaway closes Monday, January 2nd Midnight MST.

Check out some of our favorite things from our list below:

Caroline: I can't find my scriptures anywhere so naturally the top of my wish list is a new quad. In red. Because I like red. I also like that everything is contained in one book. It makes being righteous so much easier.

Elisa: I'm jonesing for a pretty scripture bag. The one I have right now is so un-cool (think Target's reusable shopping bags). This bag? Swanky all the way. I want it like I want air.

Caroline: I love board games and I especially love playing Word on the Street. When I saw that Deseret Book had a junior version? Over the moon, people. OVER THE MOON. You should play it. Like now.

Elisa: My family loves Ticket to Ride. LOVES IT. We play it whenever all the aunts and uncles get together. We even have the iPhones and iPad Apps and we play it there, too. It is a wicked fun game for the entire family to play together. We are saving our pennies and nickles for this European version of our favorite family game. (note: my little kids ages 8 and under have a hard time with it, but my teens? LOVE IT!)

Caroline: Most people have addictions to Diet Dr. Pepper. OK. I have that, too. But I ALSO have an addiction to piano music. Sheet music. Choir music. ALL Music. I love to play the piano and I'm pretty good at it, too. I really like this Hymn Book because it combines the hymns with these awesome paintings that really capture the message of the hymns. It's a great way to help your kids visually SEE what the hymns are trying to portray. Love it. WANT it.

Elisa: My addiction, in addition to being Diet Coke, is Cookbooks. I loves me a good cookbook. I will sit and read the entire book cover to cover salivating over every single recipe. I have them all over my house as "art" -- sitting on my coffee tables and garnishing various bookshelves. And the one I'm jonesing for right now? Our Best Bites.

I feel all sorts of sparkly inside because I remember when these girls launched their Über famous blog and asked to be listed on MMB. They had me hooked at "Can you list us, please?" Then they won the coveted MMB Spotlight Award way back in the day when we had people vote for their favorite blogs listed on MMB and then we spotlighted them. (back when there were only about 800 of you-- now? There's over 3,768 of you listed! < fist pump > )

I want this book because then I can show my friends and say "I knew them when... Sort Of"

Caroline: I love musicals. And my kids love musicals. And watching musicals with my kids is crazy hysterical because they have to dance and sing along with all the actors-- mimicking the actors. Cracks. Me. Up. These days I'm all about my kids being entertained and dancing their pants off. Makes laying on the couch so much more fun. Oh. And Donny Osmond ain't too bad either.

Elisa: It's a toss up for me between these two books. I can't decide which one I need more-- The Five Spiritual Solutions or The Entitlement Trap. I have four kids ranging in ages from 17 to 3.5 and I needs me some help with those pesky teens. They are killing me slowly with the vampire hours they keep and their growing "needs."

---

What are you waiting for?

Head on over to Deseret Book and create YOUR Wish List. Then, to enter this giveaway just pop back over here and tell us in the comments what item(s) are on your wish list. We'll choose one lucky reader at random to win a few of the items from THEIR Wish List (up to $100).

If you want an extra entry in this giveaway, head over to Deseret Books Facebook Page and give them a Like. Then come back and tell us in the comments.

Giveaway Closes January 2nd, midnight MST.

Go forth and enter.

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Word to your Mother

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Do you want to be the best neighbor ever?
Have you ever wondered how you could be the hero of the neighborhood?
Of course you have.
LUCKILY, we have the answer.
It's called: putting your neighbor's trash can away.
That wins you twelve HUNDRED good neighbor points.
True story. And you are welcome.

********
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By The Third Verse

noreply@blogger.com (Elisa) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

The chorister took her place,
raised her hand
just as the pianist began:

"There is beauty all around
When there's love at home.."

I know this song. I wonder where she got her shoes.

"There is joy in ev-'ry sound
When there's love at home..."

Oh this must be her first time playing this song. She missed a note.
Who's the regular pianist? Shoot. Can't remember.
Glad it's not me, thank goodness. I'd be awful.

"Peace and plen-ty here a-bide,
Smiling sweet on ev-'ry side,
Time doth softly, sweetly glide
When there's love at home."

Oh here comes the chorus. Which part is mine? How high are the high notes?
Oh I'll just sing low and see where my voice goes.

Love at home, love at home;

Too high, too high!

Time doth softly, sweetly glide
When there's love at home.

Whew.
Verse Two. I wonder whose teaching today?

There's only, like 10 of us in here.

Where is everyone? Vacation I suppose.

In the cottage there is joy
When there's love at home;

I have a cottage. A home. {smile}
Shoot, what's the next verse?

Roses bloom beneath our feet;
All the earth's a garden sweet,
Making life a bliss com-plete

I miss having all the kids home.
Sure hope David Scott n' Tisha come home to visit
over the holidays.

When there's love at home.

What if they can't come?

Love at home, Love at home.

Man, that would be awful if they can't come.
No, they'll come. We're the only family we have.
They'll be there.
Where are we? Oh yeah...

Making life a bliss com-plete
When there's love at home.

Pay attention. I probably sound like an old windbag.
Hope noone can hear me.
Last verse. What am I making for dinner?

Kindly heav-en smiles above
When there's love at home;

I love you Heavenly Father.
Thank you for my family.

All the world is filled with love
When there's love at home.
All the world is filled with love
When there's love at home.

I'm glad there's three verses.
I wonder if it takes everyone else this long
to think about the song too?
Three verses is a great idea.

Sweeter sings the brooklet by;
Brighter beams the azure sky.

Azure...my favorite "if I were a crayon, what color would I be" color.
And green.

Oh there's One who smiles on high

Heavenly Father, I love the azure sky. Thank you. It's perfect.
Like You.

When there's love at home.
Love at home,
Love at home;

Kent. I love him. Oh! Stay on key.

Oh, there One who smiles on high
When there's love at home.

*art credit Bing free images

Dawn is married to her own Mr. Wonderful and is the mother of 7 children. She lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado and blogs it all at Momza's House.

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Wife Support Part Four: The Hunter Comes Home

noreply@blogger.com (Elisa) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

“When was the last you heard from him?”

“I got a text on Sunday afternoon.”

Five days ago. Even though he might not have cell coverage in the mountains of Central Oregon, I found it worrisome that Oscar hadn’t made some kind of attempt (smoke signal, flying pigeon, SOMEthing) to communicate with his wife, my sister-in-law, Susan. Could ten days of elk hunting be that absorbing? Actually, we weren’t even positive that it would be only ten days.

“When will be you home?” Susan had asked before they left.

“Oh, when we’re done.”

Oscar and his teenage son, Cooper, had been obsessively plotting their father/son adventure for weeks. A lot of time, money, and dreams had been invested. Susan had supported the whole enterprise, even though it’s the last thing in the world she would do herself. Lucky for her (or rather, for Oscar), Susan’s profession has given her a lot of relationship expertise; she often teaches about gender differences in her corporate/professional training.

But as she and I hung in suspense that night over the phone, debating whether to call out the canines, I wondered if her womanly heart would override her intellectual reasoning; I knew mine would.

Suddenly – just as I was looking on-line for the Park Service phone number -- she gasped:

“Mona! You’re not going to believe it! I just got a text: ‘The hunters return!’ And there’s the car pulling into the driveway!”

She hung up before I could give her a last piece of advice: Don’t yell at him!

Turns out, she didn’t need it.

At dinner the next night, my honey and I were happily regaled with the outdoorsman’s exploits; while Susan beamed. Susan beamed, and I marveled. How did she do it? How many wives would let their husbands disappear into the wilderness like that, respecting his masculine desires, sympathizing with his motives, trusting his abilities to stay safe, believing in his promises to return home, and not undermine the whole thing because she was out of her comfort zone while he was out of pocket?

I’m thinking not too many.

Susan had chosen in this instance, to react like an A+ Wife all the way: she Appreciated, she Approved, she Admired, she Accommodated Accomplishment, she Accepted, and she showed Allegiance (loyalty). And the plus? She meant it: Authenticity.

With that kind of best friend at home, how could a nice guy return with anything less than a big smile, a big kiss and a big, smelly elk?

“How many did you bag?” my husband asked Oscar after hearing about near-zero temperatures and getting lost in the snow-covered forest.

“Two – “ Oscar answered simply – “elk burgers. They make great ones at a little café at the foot of the mountain.”

I looked at Susan.

She was still beaming.

Mona shares and teaches romance at Mona's Musings with a Hint of Romance and posts daily at Mona's Musings on Facebook. and is the award-winning author or With Mine Own Hand: The Musical Account of Nephi. Based on her experience and study of two fathers, one husband, three sons, two grandboys, and seven brothers, she is writing a book about UNDERSTANDING MEN (go figure). Women say her live presentations on the subject are like going to Zumba class (though she's not sure what that means). Her Relief Society version is world famous (well, Canada is on the schedule).
See Mona's Musings for into. Photos from petalpower on Fliker (top) and Dreamstime.com

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I'm A Christian and I'm A Mormon

noreply@blogger.com (Elisa) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

I love my Savior Jesus Christ.
He is my Redeemer and my truest, dearest Friend.
I know that He loves me and knows me by name.
I worship Him and my Heavenly Father and noone else.
Not Joseph Smith--the man who restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth
or
Thomas S. Monson, the man who is called as our Prophet today.
I do not worship them.
I love their testimonies of Christ and their witness of His Divinity.
I am a Christian because I follow Christ.
I am not an Evangelical.
I am not a Protestant.
I am a Latter-Day Saint.
A Mormon.

Politics are not my thing.
I vote when I believe in a candidate
on any level--
local, regional or for POTUS...
and when I don't believe any of the candidates
I don't vote
for a "party" out of loyalty.

But it's near-impossible to ignore
the media's and politician's remarks about
my faith.
It has even been "spoofed" on the
Jon Stewart show recently.
I wasn't laughing.

The spoof was unilaterally discrediting
the Protestant, LDS and Jewish faiths--
but it wasn't funny.
It was unnerving.
And yes, I get that that's the point--
to bring to light the "ridiculousness"
of the very topic of
"faith" and contrast it with politics.
It doesn't fit.
Not in the world we live in
in 2011.

Truth is the world would be better if politics
had a moral, ethical, spiritual standard as it's foundation
we all know that,
but then we're mixing Church and State
and that's inherently controversial right there.

The LDS Church doesn't tell me who to vote for--
it just says to vote for the best candidate that my conscience allows.
I don't know Mitt Romney.
I've been reading up on him this last year,
assuming he might run again for President.
I'm not going to vote for him simply because he's
a member of my faith.
I know what he believes as a member of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
What I don't know is
what he believes in as a
Republican Politician.
Truth is, I'm not sure about him yet.

I used to be Protestant.
I was raised in the Baptist faith--
and my father's side of the family are all members of
The Holy Pentecostal faith.
Some of them have their theology degrees from
The International Bible College in San Antonio, Texas
and have run their own churches.
My father graduated from that same place.
But he chose not to be a pastor/reverend when he
became a young adult.
Frankly, it was because of the salary;
he became a salesman of goods
rather than a salesman of God.

When I was a teenager,
I studied the LDS faith at the invitation of a wonderful friend--
and chose for myself to be baptized into it.
I wasn't brain-washed or tricked into it.
Nope, I was taught the doctrine and invited to pray and know for myself
if it was true.
The Holy Ghost answered that prayer
and I have been a member going on 33 years next month.
Yes, it was that powerful of an answer
that changed my life forever.

I don't appreciate being told that I'm not a Christian
by people who profess to know Christ themselves.
I know Christ.
I have felt His love for me
in my darkest hours.
The Holy Ghost whispers peace to my soul
and witnesses the truth of all things to my heart and mind.
I am a Christian.
So when I hear from someone who has their own agenda--
political, social, or otherwise
that they know my faith better than I do,
it is insulting and wrong.
I know what I believe and in whom I put my faith.
I am not "misguided" or "deceived"--
it is literally the opposite.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--
we recognize that all faiths have good in them
as they extend the invitation to follow Christ.
Our time isn't spent together bashing other faiths
but strengthening our own.
That's why you don't hear a huge backlash from the
14+ Million members across the globe
when we're accused of all kinds of stupid things.
We don't have horns,
We don't have more than one spouse,
We don't do anything weird in our temples.
We do wear sacred garments.
And I find that that's a confusing topic of interest to people outside of our faith,
because if you look around
many faiths have unique sacred items of dress,
though usually on the outside
where ours is worn on the inside.
Just as our prayers are not to be shouted in public
for attention
Neither are our personal tokens of faith.
It's truly personal.

Okay, so I'm off track a bit--
I just wanted to set the record straight for anyone
who is not LDS and reads this to know
that I am a Christian and a Mormon.
The sign on my church building reads:
The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints.

*art credit Simon Dewey

Dawn is married to her own Mr. Wonderful,
the mother of 7 children and 2 grandsons.
She lives in the foothills of Pikes Peak, Colorado
and blogs her life at Momza's House

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Word to your Mother

noreply@blogger.com (Caroline) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Sometimes, life is extra for hectic and dinner prep time seems to disappear altogether.
We want you to know, that it's okay to not have a fancy homemade meal every night.

Cold cereal is a perfectly acceptable and valid dinner choice.
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If You're Happy and You Know It

noreply@blogger.com (Elisa) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

If you're happy and you know it - it's because you chose it. (now clap your hands)

One of the best parts of traveling is the opportunity to interact with people from other cultures. Despite the fact that our lives are completely different, there are certain parts that somehow seem to resonate no matter how different you are.

You can travel the entire world and find something that holds true no matter where you are. There are poverty stricken people who get up each day and smile as they walk to work. There are financially stable individuals who get up each morning and are upset as they drive to work.

Until last week, it had been about six years since I had traveled outside America. Six years, living in comfort, working, earning money, eating regularly. When your basic needs are met on a consistent basis you tend to take the for granted and then get frustrated by the little trivial things. I just got back from a trip to Peru where I was reminded that my happiness doesn't depend on whether I get a big raise, have a flat screen TV or anything else.

My happiness depends on me. Not money. Not TV. Not anyone else. I decide whether I wake up and smile with gratitude, or wake up disgruntled and ungrateful.

During my trip I was completely overwhelmed by the generosity and warmth of the local people who (in my American mindset) had literally nothing. I saw kids kicking a soccer ball made of trash with smiles on their faces.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I had to be reminded that happiness is a decision, not something bought or just given to me.

I thought a lot about my youngest siblings. They have more than I ever had as a child. They have more than any of these Peruvian kids could ever dream of. And yet they are miserable. There entitled attitude leads them to believe they will never have everything they deserve. What a shame.

Take a second right now to think of everything you have and just smile. You and I have been blessed with a lot. Let's remember to smile and be grateful.

-----

Kyle Aldous is a the Marketing Director for Blickenstaff's Vintage toy & Candy store in Provo, Utah. He loves to breakdance and teaches at a variety of studios in Utah Valley.

Photo Credit : Barnaby Wasson

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Wife Support Part Three: Teaching a Knight to Knit

noreply@blogger.com (Elisa) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

My daughter chatted with me this morning about headaches, tiredness, and mood swings. Of course, I prescribed all the mommy-remedies: scripture study, prayer, sleep, nutrition, exercise, etc. but we both know the real and irreversible problem: she’s a WOMAN.

Life, for women, has become rather complex. Everyone knows it. In the smorgasbord world our sister-progenitors bequeathed us, we are generally, or at least too often – despite our BEST efforts – fraying at the edges. Some are coming unraveled. Knitting ourselves back together again is a daily ritual. The lucky ones have husbands who are also handy with the knitting needles; men who know how to pick up our dangling strings – and patch us back up.

It usually takes quite a while, however, for husbands to learn to purl with those big fingers. To sit quietly and listen, validating our feelings, letting us clean out toxic emotions; resisting Mother Nature’s call to action – the inborn male trait to fix things – is tough on a good guy. When their damsel is in distress, a good guy’s inclination more often than not is to take it personally. (Even if he has nothing to do with it!)

She whines, she whimpers, she weeps.

The knight on horseback feels restless. He is a hero after all (or wants to be), and a hero – obviously -- IS the answer, or has all the answers. So when the moat is filling with her tears, his options are: get depressed, get away, or get to work! And how do we frequently respond when he chooses to charge and champion (solve everything)?

You don’t understand! (more weeping) You’re not helping at all!

Gone are the days when any nice fella who could zing a bulls-eye, slay a dragon, and charm in the bedchamber (provide, protect, and procreate) was a shoe-in for Lady Marion. Today, women expect a whole lot more from their men. Psychotherapist is just one of the roles he probably didn’t expect when he showed up in his shining amour on your wedding day. Listening, validating, supporting, can be a strange, new, world for a man of action. Your job may be to gently persuade your nice guy that emotional intimacy is a BRAVE new world--- a world that takes just as much courage, if not a different sort of courage -- as life in the camps; and that, as a woman, you need him to rescue you THERE.

Meanwhile (back at the castle), give him space: room (physically and emotionally) where, and when, he can be alone, rest up, rejuvenate, work through problems, and then suit up again in his chain-mail before you send up the next distress signal.

Remember: he’s trying; a hero’s life is exhausting. It’s a long process.

Your understanding of his maleness helps him want to nurture you emotionally; and your admiration of his manliness (the beautiful things peculiar to men) will give him hope that he is not only the knight, but the “knitter” of your dreams!

NEXT UP: Wife Support Part Four: The Hunter Comes Home. Mona shares and teaches romance at Mona's Musings with a Hint of Romance and posts daily at Mona's Musings on Facebook. and is the award-winning author or With Mine Own Hand: The Musical Account of Nephi. Based on her experience and study of two fathers, one husband, three sons, two grandboys, and seven brothers, she is writing a book about UNDERSTANDING MEN (go figure). Women say her live presentations on the subject are like going to Zumba class (though she's not sure what that means). Her Relief Society version is world famous (well, Canada is on the schedule).

See Mona's Musings for into. Photos from Dreamstime.com

******** Get MMB’s newest posts in email or in your blog reader. Follow us on: Twitter, Become a Facebook Fan and keep-up via Networked Blogs!

Sunday Devotional - Kids and Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Elisa) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 19:37:00 +0000

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