We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice In Christ

The Star-Spangled Banner

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Tue, 29 May 2012 12:18:00 +0000

Thanks to the kindness of my friend Camilla (for watching my girls) I had the opportunity to accompany Guy at field day at school on Friday.

During "opening ceremonies" they played the Star-Spangled Banner as they do every Monday morning in school. We were standing together as teams made up of a mix of ages when the song began. As it played, I noticed only a few sweet voices ringing out in unison...and they were mostly the younger voices. I searched for Guy in the crowd and sure enough, he was singing the words to the national anthem along with another little boy from his class.

I was so proud of him. Among a sea of adults and older kids, it was the youngest children who made the sweetest contribution that morning and knew enough to do so.

I made my way over to him, knelt by his side and started singing too.

Once again, I was so grateful that Guy got the teacher that he did for Kindergarten this year, because I know that she's the one that taught Guy to sing the National Anthem.

FHE was an all-weekend thing...bike rides to the park, kickball games, cookouts, s'mores, swimming...we had a blast together! But I think teaching our children to sing the national anthem or to say the pledge of allegiance or to stand when the flag passes by or to thank a serviceman would make for a great FHE activity. You can check out The Smithsonian website for some educational activities to help kids learn about the Star-Spangled Banner.

480 Months of Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Sun, 27 May 2012 13:37:00 +0000

My parents are celebrating 480 months of marriage today...which to the rest of us translates as 40 years. My parents celebrate their marriage anniversary on a monthly basis, which was always very confusing for us growing up! But there has never been any confusion in our minds about how they feel about each other...it's true love! The forever kind.

I was so fortunate to be raised by two people who love each other

and who honor each other with complete fidelity!

Thanks, Mom and Dad!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Seriously Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Sat, 26 May 2012 13:59:00 +0000

It's the unofficial start of summer! Woohoo!

I really appreciate that so many of you shared your summer plans with me. You gave me a few ideas and got me all fired up for fun this summer.

Since you shared your summer ideas with me, I thought I'd give you a little peek into what we'll most likely spend a lot of time doing this summer:

Playing some serious kickball in the neighborhood.

As you can see, we've also got ourselves a serious cheerleading squad...

...and a seriously cute mascot.

And now Steve has a serious new fire pit to roast marshmallows in.

(An early Father's Day gift!)

Ok, maybe it's not that serious around here...but our summer is off to a great start!

Hope yours is too! Have a safe and fun Memorial Day Weekend!

We are off to a baptism for a friend and then to the pool!

The Gift of Giving Life: Take 2

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

The Gift of Giving Life

This review is a stop on the Virtual Book Tour for The Gift of Giving Life by authors Felice Austin, Lani Axman, Heather Farrell, Robyn Allgood, and Sheridan Ripley.

In my original review of this book that I shared a few weeks ago I named this book my "Book of the Year for 2012." After reading just one essay, I just knew...It was that GOOD! Now that I've partaken of the offering in its entirety, I want you to know that I stand by that declaration.

I have given birth to three beautiful children (each 18 months apart)...and I am now in the fourth month of my fourth pregnancy. Needless to say, I had my first three kids at a break-neck pace. Probably so fast that I didn't take time (or have time) to consider fully the many rich spiritual lessons that childbirth provides.

I have had to wait longer than I'd hoped to welcome baby #4 into our lives. In that time, I have been "seasoned" by actual years of "in-the-trenches" Motherhood, and I now approach childbirth with a new, enriched understanding of all that this step entails--and it's true significance in the grand scheme of things.

When you hold your first newborn in your arms, it's amazing and intimidating, empowering, and yet revealing about how little you actually know about anything! Now that I've been stripped of what I thought I knew going into motherhood, about the plan that I thought was best I am now ready to really learn the lessons that the Lord wants me to learn through this amazing process of giving life.

Strangely enough, holding "The Gift of Giving Life" in my hands for the first time was not unlike holding a new baby. As I read each of 20-some essays, I was able to experience what each mother experienced. I held their babies in my arms and walked in their shoes, and I feel wiser for it.

Covering topics such as pain, fear, patience, loss, faith, preparation, scriptural history of infertility, the importance of giving birth, the symbolism of Christ's atonement in giving birth, the equality of men and women's roles in this process, trust in God's will for us--this book has really helped me to see many of the lessons that are "built-in" to the process of "giving life."

In just the first few essays, the book showed me how little I understood about the power that I held and then worked quickly to fill in the gaps and help me connect the spiritual dots.

Amazingly the lessons extend beyond giving birth and into the very way that we experience life.

For instance, on the topic of fear/pain, I was blown away by this excerpt:

"...The Buddhists say that pain is inevitable, but suffering is a painful feeling about pain. Pain is simply a sensation, but suffering comes from thinking that what is shouldn't be. I saw that no matter what happened to me in this life, I could trust that God had me in mind and that life happens for me, not to me. It's all for my good."

"I envisioned myself looking at the possibilities for my earth life, accepting all the risks, and saying, "I am willing, send me. I am willing to be the one who is betrayed. I am willing to be physically uncomfortable. I am willing to lose a child. I am willing to be...lost, confused, hurt, offended, upset, in pain, maimed. I am willing, send me. I want to feel what it is to be alive, to love, to forgive. I am willing to face pain so that I might know true joy."

"...I had always said, '"I want to be like Jesus,'"...Was I truly willing?...He was willing."

Can I also say, "Here am I, send me?

That is just one incredible and courageous observation taken from one of the dozens of essays that you will find in this beautiful book. (This one was called "Goddess in Embryo" by Rebecca Overson, p. 252.)

I would go on and share each insight from the book that rocked my world, but I found it so deeply personal that it's difficult to articulate. Each woman, whether you've given birth or not, will take something (many things) extremely personal and faith-building away from the essays in this book.

Also note: the book is written for an LDS audience and assumes a basic understanding of what we know about God's plan for his children. Even so, I think many of the concepts presented in the book might just ring true to your experience, and will be an extremely enriching, thought-provoking read, whether you're Mormon or not.

Would you like to know more about The Gift of Giving Life?

Visit The Gift of Giving Life site to sign up for their newsletter and to receive a free Meditation MP3 as well as tips to help increase spirituality in your pregnancy and birth.

For my readers I have a coupon code for 10% off a copy of The Gift of Giving Life. Click here and after you add the book to your cart use this coupon code. GWFWXR3F This code is good until Father’s Day 2012.

PS - The winner of yesterday's book giveaway was comment #36 "Heather"...Please email me, Heather!

All Over the World (comment to win)

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:39:00 +0000

I received this book from Deseret Book a while back...It's called "I Believe in Jesus Too" by Mark S. Nielsen. It shows how children all over the world go to church, take the sacrament, get baptized, participate in family home evening, and ultimately believe in Jesus.

I'd like to send you my copy of this book...so if you'd like to win it, please tell me what you'll be doing with your children this summer...It can be vacation plans, family traditions, summer camps, chores, chilling out, or even a course of study. Just let me know in a comment on this post and you'll be entered to win.

I'll announce the winner (chosen randomly) tomorrow morning.

Please remember to leave your email address and/or blog address when you comment.

Have a great day!

The Graduate

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:48:00 +0000

She's graduated!

Diploma and all...so, look-out world!

I can't believe two years have passed since that fateful day when Scarlett begged me to let her go to school along with her big brother. I didn't want to send her. I wanted to keep her home with me for one more year. I couldn't bear to "lose" two in one year!

Looking back now, I can see how that first year was most formative for her and how she blossomed in this school's faith-filled environment. Our home has been blessed with a never-ending stream of lyrics coming from our sweet songbird. That has been my favorite part...Scarlett singing her little heart out! That is the part that I will hold onto forever.

Now guess who's eager for her turn!

Anniversary FHE

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:53:00 +0000

Today, we are celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary!

So last night, we decided to pull out our wedding photos and our anniversary book (which we received as a wedding gift) to show the kids during family home evening.

(If at this point, you are beginning to think, "Geez, these people will make an FHE lesson out of anything," well, you'd be right. And so can you! It's your family time...do what you want!)

Anyway, the kids were thrilled.

They are of the age that they think Mommy looks beautiful in her wedding dress and in just about any dress for that matter...and that Daddy is actually a prince. I would love for that to always be the case.

We looked at pictures and talked about what it means to be married and sealed in the temple and what "anniversary" means. We also filled out "year 8" in our anniversary book which is like a baby book for your marriage. We each took turns saying something memorable about our year. I think the kids enjoyed adding to the book and watching our family grow from page to page/year to year.

This year, we'll be adding another member to our family, and we are all excited about that.

What else will the year hold...I wonder?

PS - Be sure to sneak a peek at That Good Part's FHE experience!

The Man Who Knew the Tooth Fairy

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:09:00 +0000

So, I was standing in line at the grocery store with my kids today after school when Guy announced the his first tooth was going to fall out!

I was excited for him, but I was also thinking, oh great, how was this not on my radar? There is no way that the Tooth Fairy is going to be able to make it to the bank to get a $1 coin at 4:15pm. Please don't fall out tonight.

Despite being in the "express lane," we were all standing there stalled by the man in front of us who was having trouble with the check-out. I am pretty sure it was the grocery store's machines that were malfunctioning, but nevertheless, it was irritating.

And so we waited.

And while we waited, Guy continued to wiggle, and wiggle, and wiggle his little tooth.

He also intermittently announced his loose tooth status to everyone around us.

(So proud!)

I just accepted that his tooth was going to come out and it was going to throw a wrench in my day's plan. Sigh.

The grocery store clerk finally managed to get the problem fixed and as the man in front of us (who was actually the cause of the bottleneck) was checking out he asked Guy over his shoulder, "Did I hear that you are losing a tooth?" Guy said, "Yes!" and demonstrated his tooth wiggling abilities.

Then the man did something that won him hero-status in my book: He reached out his hand to Guy and gave him a $1 coin. He said, "The Tooth Fairy wanted me to give this to you...now you'll still need to put it under your pillow when it comes out and she'll swing by and pick it up."

I had already pulled my phone out to snap a photo of Guy before his tooth fell out, so I made sure to get one of my new hero as well.

PEOPLE: There is a God in Heaven...and He is intimately involved in the details of our lives.

And he cares about little children and their first loose tooth and about Mommies who care about those little boys.

And there are saints and angels and heroes walking around among us.

Sometimes we don't recognize them, because they wear LA Dodgers caps and ride around in electronic wheelchairs, but they are definitely there. And they are listening to the promptings of the spirit, ready to step in and perform small miracles at a moment's notice.

May we always recognize these tender mercies and give credit to the true source!

I couldn't think of a better ending to the life of that first little tooth! :)

And I am thankful tonight for a Heavenly Father who is always just a wish away and who is always willing to prove it!

PS - The tooth came out about five minutes after we returned home from the grocery store. And the kids each have their own theory about how that man knows the Tooth Fairy!

Art Gallery Birthday Party

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:42:00 +0000

Do you see Scarlett? (left-side of this photo?)

She's been beaming like that for weeks now in anticipation of her 5th birthday.

Well, the day has finally arrived, and we are living it up.

Previously, we've done an Art Party and a Paper Bag Princess party...but this year, she wanted to have a family birthday party, so we are throwing her an Art Gallery Party. It's a very exclusive showing of her artwork and creations. ;)

Very low-key, but I think she's going to LOVE it.

(If I were feeling more ambitious, I'd probably invite friends and serve hors d'oeuvres...you get the idea. But this is more our speed right now. She has requested McDonald's for dinner and we are getting an ice cream cake to enjoy together at home as a family...surrounded by the imaginations of her creative little mind!)

I have to run now and collect more of her drawings to add to our "collection." Actually, they are kind of rare to find in the house, because she often gives her drawings away to teachers and friends who need cheering up!

That's our girl! We love you, Scarlett! Happy Birthday!

PS - If you are looking for some more inspiration, I've got a post up on the Friend website this week about teaching our children to "stand in holy places" online.

Have a good one!

What You Do With Your Name

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:03:00 +0000

Autumn excited about becoming a BIG sister!

We followed lesson #13 in the FHERB at FHE last night.

It was all about taking Christ's name upon ourselves at baptism and honoring that name by the things that we do. The lesson suggested hiding strips of paper with our names on them throughout the house and sending the kids on a hunt to find both their first and last name.

After they found their names, we discussed how and why each name was chosen. Then we talked about what our last name means and things we can do to honor our family name. The kids all know how lucky we are to have the word "Christ" as part of our last name. It is a constant reminder to each of us to follow in his footsteps.

But at baptism, we take Christ's name upon us by covenant, which is a much more serious and deliberate commitment. Through baptism, we promise to bring honor to the name of Christ as we serve others, forgive, share, be kind, etc.

After the lesson was over, we brainstormed some possible names for the baby who is coming to our family. It got pretty silly there near the end! Then we went out for ice cream, because it just felt like the antidote to a sopping wet day!

Hope you guys had a great time at FHE last night and be sure to check out That Good Part!

Half the Battle

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:32:00 +0000

Scarlett - Caught red-handed getting into my make-up before church yesterday!

Most days, Scarlett is a nearly-never-ending stream of stories and songs and commentary, which is quite the turn-around from her 2nd birthday where she barely said a word and was almost too shy to open her gifts.

This week, Scarlett is turning five years old and she just told me that she knows what she wants to be when she grows up.

This is a question that the teachers ask all the kids at my children's preschool at the end of their final year. During their "graduation ceremony" the teacher reads their answers as they cross the stage. It's all quite dramatic. (You might remember that Guy said he wanted to be a soldier when he graduated from preschool last year, which also took me by surprise.)

So, I asked Scarlett to tell me what she told her teachers she wants to be when she grows up. She said it as if I should already know the answer: "A Mother!" And then she turned and ran out to play in the rain with the other kids.

Sweet satisfaction...and she'll be an amazing one for sure!

Earth to Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:36:00 +0000

Before leaving for school this morning, Guy looked at his picture in the frame on our wall and said, "Mom, can we switch out the pictures for all the kids?"

I looked at the photo, which is a few years old and reluctantly agreed that we could.

I have been keeping the photos the way that they are because they are just my favorite photos of my kids ever. They are all the perfect age, perfect expressions on their faces. They are just so "them."

As I swapped out the old photo for the new one taken in Kindergarten this year, I realized that the photo that I thought was from two years ago was taken when Guy was three. The other one that I found behind it was taken when he was just two.

Earth to Me..."Your kids are growing up!"

I am so proud of them....so happy for them. Guy is reading. Scarlett is heading to Kindergarten, and Autumn has begged me to let her attend preschool this year, and I have given in to her wishes!

As I take down these old photos of my children and compare them to each other...I can see their growth and it makes time seem to pass much faster.

After the Primary children sang in Sacrament meeting yesterday, a brother in our ward leaned over to me and said, "I sure hope you are video taping your beautiful children every day, because when you are my age there isn't anything you wouldn't give to be with them at this age again for just five minutes!"

Anyway, I am reminded of the frames my Mom gave us when we started school. They were shaped like apples and had slots for us to keep a school photo of ourselves taken each school year. I need to get some of those now...for myself! (Anyone know where I can find one?)

Because of Bro. Robertson's comment, I am thinking about doing a daily video diary with my kids this summer! Earth-life: You pass too quickly, but I am glad for reminders to enjoy each day.

PS - I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday! I sure did!

Priesthood Power

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:08:00 +0000

Tonight, I sent the boys off to the Fathers and Sons Camp-out/Priesthood commemoration. But before I sent them off, I baked them a couple dozen chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, and at the last minute, I pleaded for a blessing.

I felt a little silly asking for one, because it seems sort of trivial. I've been stuffed up for two days now and nothing has alleviated it. This means I can't sleep, and it's difficult to eat or read stories to the girls...because I have to breathe out of my mouth. Sounds small, but it was interrupting things and knowing Steve would be gone this weekend at the camp-out, I didn't want to risk feeling this way without any help.

So I asked. (Mama always said, "You don't ask, you don't get.") And I got.

What I got was a blessing of healing, but also a blessing of guidance, a blessing for wisdom about what it means to bear a child in this world, a blessing for increased revelation for all of our children.

After that beautiful blessing, we had a family hug. Scarlett asked me if I had felt the Spirit, and I said yes. Guy asked, "Then why aren't you crying?" We laughed and explained that you don't always cry when you feel the spirit. :)

We waved to the boys and I ran out and gave Guy one of these bracelets that I made for him to wear over the weekend. He tried it on and then had second thoughts about it, I think because wearing bracelets seemed like a "girl-thing." But then Steve took one and showed Guy that real men can wear a gift from their Mama and not feel ashamed! :) After seeing Steve put his on, Guy took his back again. :)

I walked back into the house and suddenly noticed that I was breathing freely again through my nose...no more suffocating stuffiness! And THEN I started to cry.

I cried knowing already that I had received a powerful blessing, delivered by a man who worthily bears the Priesthood of the Lord. I bear God's children. Steve bears the power to bless those children (and me). Together, we do the work of the Lord in our little family.

It it truly a blessing to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints....which makes the fullness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ and his priesthood available to each one of us.

Have a great weekend!

The Gift of Giving Life

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:41:00 +0000

I read a ton of books for my kids, but I am pretty selective about what I read for myself. I have wasted plenty of time reading books that the world deems worthy of obsessing over, and I gave those up long ago...out of frustration and lack of time.

Since that time, I've noticed an interesting thing occurring: The truly remarkable, life-changing, and best books for me...have found a way to find Me...not the other way around.

Last year, it was "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom. This year, it is "The Gift of Giving Life," by Heather Farrell, et al.

It arrived in the mail yesterday, and my first thought was, hmmm, looks thick...but it was quiet in the house so I flipped open to an essay about midway through the book.

I was blown away by what I read. Here is an excerpt:

"...I had always said, '"I want to be like Jesus,'"...Was I truly willing?...He was willing."

Can I also say, "Here am I, send me?

I'll admit that when I heard about this book on my friend Heather's blog, I wondered if it was going to be very granola...and TMI. I wondered if it was going to push certain ways to be a Mother. I wasn't sure I'd fit into their recommended "way".

But from the taste that I received yesterday, I realized that this is going to be the adventure of a lifetime (times 22 women's lifetimes)...as that is what giving the gift of life to another person is: the adventure of a lifetime.

Although I've only just begun the journey through this book, I am able to say with confidence that this book is one of those life-changing books that "found me."

This is my book of the year! It is more than a book on Motherhood or giving birth. It is a book about placing your hand squarely in the Lord's and saying, "Here am I, send me!"

You can read more about this book at http://thegiftofgivinglife.com/

Thanks Be to God!

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:17:00 +0000

Today has been a Plan B type of day...you know one where Plan A seems to not want to work out quite right. We missed the bus. I forgot to buy Scarlett a white t-shirt that she needed for preschool today. I had to make an unnecessary trip to Walmart upping my voyages to that side of town to three for the day. And all of our clean laundry sits on my bedroom floor for the fifth (?) day in a row. These things are really nothing to complain about, but some days, you know, they just wear on a girl. (Especially when that third unnecessary trip takes place in the middle of nap time!)

Sometimes, I figure I just ought to cry more. It could prove to be a very productive form of stress relief, I think. But I don't. I usually just suck it up and keep moving. Sometimes I don't know I need to cry until I get on the phone with my Mama, or I stop to recall the events of the day.

For instance, while the three kids and I waited fruitlessly at the bus-stop this morning, we noticed a mini-van full of adults with varying forms of disabilities. They stopped at the intersection and turned left in front of us. One woman was slumped over in the front passenger seat. One person, seated midway back was wearing extensive head-gear. The third fellow was seated in front of a folded-up wheelchair.

Scarlett noticed immediately and curiously asked, "Why is that girl just sitting there like this?" and not knowing how to describe what she saw, she imitated the expression on the woman's face.

I explained, "Scarlett, some people's brain and body don't work together right, so they can't make their bodies do what they want them to. (Like the girl we saw in a wheelchair at the park last week? Yes.) I bet the woman saw you just now and thought, "Look at that cute little girl, I want to wave to her." But her body wouldn't listen to what her mind wanted her to do, so all she could do was sit and watch you as she passed."

I told Scarlett that this is probably a source of sadness or frustration for people like the woman she saw...and this is why she must wave first and let people know that she sees them too.

I was retelling this story to my Mom on the phone just now as I lamented having to make these tiresome trips knowing that meant that the laundry would sit on the floor for yet another night. And as I retold it, I cried, and realized, once again, how important perspective is to our enjoying happiness in this life.

It makes me hearken back to the talk given by Russell M. Nelson in General Conference called "Thanks Be to God." In it, he reminds us of many physical and spiritual gifts that we have to be thankful for: our bodies, the ability to age, our body's ability to heal itself and to reproduce. But he adds, "Be we reminded that a perfect body is not required to achieve one's divine destiny."

What is required is our daily effort to access "the power of the Atonement so that we can truly change, become more Christlike, and qualify for the gift of exaltation and live eternally with God, Jesus Christ, and our families.³³ For these powers, privileges, and gospel gifts, thanks be to God!"

I am thankful for modern prophets (and modern mamas!) whose teachings help me to realize that "Thanks Be to God" is really the only perspective that is needed to see life clearly.

Each Can Sing the Sweetest Song

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:54:00 +0000

Honestly, I wasn't quite sure what we would be doing for FHE last night. Steve wanted to spread mulch in the back yard together, but it had been raining all day, so I opted to have a quick lesson instead: enter The Friend magazine!

We read the first story about canaries with gray on their wings in which President Monson teaches that although the world judges us by our outside appearance, the Lord values different qualities and "looks on the heart." Regardless of the way we are viewed by the world, each of us can "sing the sweetest song" to the Lord by using our talents to love and serve others.

Apparently, I took too long to make copies of the accompanying coloring page, because in the meantime, everyone decided to pretend fall-asleep on the floor and then scare me when I walked into the living room. It worked...well, it made me laugh anyway. Goofballs!

The children were pretty invested in coloring and recording (with Steve's help) the ways that they can help others and "sing their sweetest song" for the Lord. I was happy to see that Autumn (who is three) was so engaged in the lesson. She was excited to show that she knew the story was going to be about a "bird!!!!" and to say that her contribution to others could be to "kiss...and hug" them.

What can I say? The girl knows what her strengths are!

Steve and the kids did end up spreading mulch after all...and the children had a BLAST doing it. I'm pretty sure that if that was all we did all evening for FHE, they would have been pretty happy with that. I however have a mulch and mud-coated floor to rectify today. C'est la vie!

I am so thankful to have the words of the prophets at my fingertips via The Friend magazine...it makes holding FHE so simple and such a joy!

The Friend + crayons = FHE

(Oh and throw a little mud in there for good measure!)

PS - Be sure to explore That Good Part's FHE experience from last night.

Mormon Myth-Busting

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:09:00 +0000

My friends and I were quoted in an article that ran on the front page of our local paper on Sunday. I had a heck of a time trying to get it into a format that you could read, so please enjoy!

If you enjoyed this article, please email Marcia Moore and thank her for her work.

mmoore@dailyitem.com.

Perhaps they'll do more positive pieces about Latter-day Saints if she hears from people like you!

Also, check out another article that I found particularly well-done yesterday:

"Race, religion collide in campaign."

What We'd Miss Without Sunday Bliss

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Sun, 06 May 2012 22:40:00 +0000

Happiness is....a substantial Sunday nap,

waking up to find that hubby has made cookies,

and enjoying bubbles in the back yard with my kids.

Have I mentioned how much we love our back yard? It is our secret garden, a respite from the world.

We've got ducks hatching in the front yard, and baby bunnies in the back.

And every morning our scripture study is often distracted because we are watching the beautiful birds that come to our feeders and nest in our trees. The hard work of two years has really paid off.

We worked hard in our back yard yesterday, but as I sit here today I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who says that once a week we need to CHILL...and appreciate the work of His hands and realize that there's really not much we can do to improve upon it!

Who Are the People in Your Family?

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

We have two big family reunions coming up this summer, and my kids' excitement over these reunions almost trumps their excitement over the new baby that's coming...I said ALMOST!

Because we don't get to see most of our cousins very often, I decided we should spend FHE getting reacquainted with their faces and talking about our memories of each family member.

Since my side of the family is having their reunion first, we started with the Hatches, and we'll do the Christensens in a separate FHE.

Disclaimer: My camera battery died, so I had to use my phone, but the finished tree looks pretty cute!

First, I printed off recent photos of each family member, and Guy and Autumn helped me cut them out and lay them face-down on the carpet.

We sang Families Can Be Together Forever, then Steve and I talked about the families that we came from. We asked the children to guess how many brothers and sisters we each have and then asked them to name some of their cousins and tells us something that they liked about each relative that they could name.

After they shared what they liked about (or shared a memory of) someone in the family, that child was allowed to select a picture from off the floor to tape onto "Our Family Tree".

They announced the name of the person in the picture (if they knew it!) and shared something about them. Then they wrote the person's name under their photo. We grouped photos by family on our family tree.

This was a fun, hands-on activity that really helped the children to understand "who are the people in our family?" and what their relationship is to each other.

Here are some of the things that the kids said about family members:

"I like Uncle Jake, because he always chases me around the house!" - Scarlett

"Granny gives us smiley face cups." - Scarlett

Guy said, "Sam and Cody always play games with me."

Scarlett said, "Henry is a baby, and Uncle Hank played a game catching us at Granny's house."

"Aunt Dawn sends us homemade cards. Ella writes us stories and letters." - Scarlett

We will keep the family tree up and talk about it from time to time in order to reinforce the children's connection to their aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Please take a minute to check out what went down in FHE over at That Good Part!

The Long Night is O'er

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:10:00 +0000

I was feeling the Spirit pretty strongly in church yesterday...It had a lot to do with the hymns we sang. Joseph Smith's First Prayer, Jesus, Once of Humble Birth, and Hark, All Ye Nations all touched me especially, when we sang:

"Searching in darkness, nations have wept;
Watching for dawn their vigil they've kept.
All now rejoice; the long night is o'er,
Truth is on earth once more.

Oh, how glorious from the throne above
Shines the gospel light of truth and love!
Bright as the sun this heavenly ray,
Lights every land today."

In my mind's eye, I could see nations of humble people weeping through the long night, waiting for the light and knowledge that would set them free. I envisioned myself and others who have waited through what seems like a long night, keeping our vigil and our faith that the Lord will keep his promises. And as the chorus rang out, the spirit testified to me that the Lord has always kept his promises, that truth is on earth once more (what a reason to rejoice!), and that the light of the gospel is to be the light that we hold up to get us through the dark nights of this life.

I am so thankful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am thankful to have a personal relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ, to know personally that he lives and that he cares about and is involved in the affairs of this world and in each chapter of our individual lives.

The Best Thing About Being Pregnant

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:01:00 +0000

The best thing about being pregnant is telling the people who love you and seeing their happiness at hearing your news.

Yes, blogging friends, I AM PREGNANT.

And this is why I haven't been a very frequent blogger as of late.

All of my creative juices are being pumped to my belly instead of my brain.

And I'm pretty OK with that.

I am three months along, and my kids have known the entire time!

They have done an amazing job at keeping "our family secret," especially Scarlett who is over-the-moon about this and thinks that SHE will get to be the baby's mommy when he or she arrives!

Probably the best reaction came from my friend Vicki who cried when I told her. It touched my heart that I had a friend who knew me so well, cared about me so much, understood what I had been through, and was tender-hearted enough to shed tears at my news.

And I want to thank my other friends who have known and helped me through the yucky days (and some worrisome days too) by bringing a meal, watching my kids, and being good and caring friends. My love to each of you!

Yay! So now you all know too!

LET'S CELEBRATE! :)

I Didn't Vote for Mitt Romney

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:34:00 +0000

Guy did.

Happy Voting today to Primary voters in

Pennsylvania,

New York,

Connecticut,

Delaware,

and Rhode Island!

And thank you to NPR for reminding me to vote today!

I would have remembered sooner or later, but since I heard it early in the morning I was able to take my kids before school. They love being involved the voting process! (And getting to wear the "I voted today!" sticker!)

Now go get your own!

PS - For those who still do not get my joke...
Yes, I did vote for Mitt Romney...but my kids cast the ballot.

Manners FHE

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:03:00 +0000

What happens at FHE, stays at FHE.

Unless you blog about your FHEs...which I do, so here we go.

I asked Scarlett to lead us in singing "Kindness Begins With Me," but instead we got a rip-roaring rendition of John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt. And that's pretty much how our night went: high-energy all the way. (We did eventually get to sing the song about kindness as Scarlett loves to lead and sing.)

I asked Guy to read any verse of scripture he wanted to us. He started at Genesis 1 and just kept going. Steve and I exchanged very satisfied looks as we watched Guy proudly reading scriptures to us on his own.

I used the lesson to review what constitutes "good manners." Common courtesies like using an "inside voice," putting others' needs first, sharing, speaking kindly, showing gratitude.

Since I didn't feel like doing the lesson I had planned, I was glad that I had my "back-up box" of FHE lessons to go to. Years ago my mom was part of an FHE lesson exchange group. She has passed on some of those prepared lessons to each of her children.

The lesson on manners had little bad and good manners "people" on popsicle sticks with a little story to go along with it. Very simple. The kids enjoyed holding up each character and deciding if that person ever lives at OUR house.

We did some role playing of good manners in all sorts of situations such as what do you say when a friend knocks on your door and wants to play? What do you say and do when they leave? How do you act courteously at church? What do you do when you finish a meal? What if you accidentally step on someone else's foot or walk between two people who are having a conversation? It's good to lay out the manners landscape for the kiddos every now and again, although this is something that we try to teach and model day in and day out.

I absolutely do not love it when other people correct my children on their manners. After all, pointing out the bad manners of others...is bad manners. Don't they know that? :)

I like manners. While appropriate behavior varies from situation to situation and from country to country, it's best to remember the reason why we try to use good manners: to show respect and kindness for others. If we remember the reason why customary "good manners" exist, we'll always know what to do.

Because

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:06:00 +0000

Just because.

That's a real reason, right?

We Feel It a Pleasure to Serve Thee

noreply@blogger.com (Jocelyn Christensen) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 01:27:00 +0000

Last September, our area was devastated by severe flooding from the Susquehanna and other surrounding waterways. The historic Bloomsburg Fairgrounds sat under eight feet of water. The damage was so bad that they had to cancel the fair last year, which has been running for over 150 years.

This weekend, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in central Pennsylvania came together to perform a day of service. Our "Mormon Helping Hands" painted benches and bandstands, cleaned up water-damaged storage facilities, and helped bring the fairgrounds back into working condition.

Honestly, I wasn't super excited about leaving my house at 7am on a Saturday, but I must say that I am glad that I did. Our group painted and painted and painted. In the end, we could really see the good that we accomplished. Beautiful green benches and paint all over our clothes.

I especially felt the Spirit confirm to me that God was pleased with our efforts during the remarks made by representatives of the fair. The service day organizer encouraged us to "remember the special feelings we felt today."

My favorite lines from men who represented the fair and community were:

"Although the sun was hidden behind clouds today, God was smiling down on us. He was definitely part of the proceedings today. There is no doubt about that. Thank you for the good that you have done. You will never know how much it means to us."

And another man said:

"We will NEVER forget you."

I will never forget you. This is the effect that service has on others. I have never forgotten certain people who have reached out to help me at crucial moments in my life. The Savior served us, and for his sacrifice, we must "never forget" Him. And this is why we serve...to honor the service that Jesus Christ performed for each of us.

There was indeed a special spirit there today. A spirit of love and friendship and appreciation and unity. I am thankful to our stake president who encourages us to unite in a day of service. This yearly event has become a beloved tradition in my heart, and I am glad that my children are beginning to be able to participate as well.