Time for Decision Making...

After an extra year of school Evus has finished applying to grad schools and we are now in the process of deciding where to go.

At the beginning of Fall Semester we put up a Grad Draft as Evus started pouring through different school programs trying to find ones that fit what he wants to do.  We started out with a list of over twenty and slowly around 8 made it up on the wall but slowly they were slimmed down to the to three:

After prayer and work Evus has slimmed his choice down to two!  So everyone, where should we go:

"I will give you a pattern in all things..."

Over a year ago I bought a dress pattern on a whim and decided I wanted to learn how to sew, right...so I went to my mother-in-law and got some much needed tips on attacking a clothing pattern.  She helped define the jibborish in the step by step instructions and then gave the greatest piece of advice: make the pattern with an old sheet or something like it FIRST so you make your mistakes on that instead of on your nice fabric.  So I went to Deseret Industries--I LOVE that store--and bought an old pink curtain.  It was EXHAUSTING making the dress...so many times unpicking mistakes and in the end what did I have...an old curtain in the poor form of a dress ha!:)  and I was so burnt out I put it all away and didn't make the dress with the actual material. 

Over a year later (now) I bought some cheap material from (once again) Deseret Industries and decide to pull out the old pattern.  I did the pattern a little bit differently and here is the finished product #2

Doesn't it look great, aren't I amazing!!! Now check out the back!  HA not so amazing!

I couldn't help but laugh at how terrible it looks from behind and inspite of it you better believe I'm still going to wear it!
Maybe one day I'll actually try making it with the nice material I bought so long ago that still remains in my material box.

Its crazy trying to make a dress.   So many pieces that need to fit together just right and matching seams.  I like to cut corners, I get impatient trying to follow a pattern and start to rush cutting each piece out.  However,  I learned while making the dress that I saved myself a lot of frustration in the long run when I took time to follow the patterns.  Miraculously, edges met and lined up perfectly when I followed the pattern.  Where I sped through and did not understand instruction before plunging in (the zipper) I ended up with an ugly result.  It made me think of a scripture given by the prophet Joseph Smith in Doctrine and Covenants 52:14.  God has given us patterns in all things.  How to treat our neighbors, how to treat our families, even how to treat our enemies.  Christ is the perfect pattern for us to use to know how to live our lives.  We have patterns for building a strong home that can be a refuge from the storms of life.  We have patterns for how to have lasting marriages and how to teach children with love.  We sometimes forget these patterns and try to cut corners but there is power in following the patterns. 

Today I'm thankful for heavenly patterns.

Finding Rest as a Mother in Zion

Rest unto Your Souls--Elder Per G. Malm General Conference October 2010

In our day to day actions, it is the small and simple things that will have a long-lasting impact.  What we say, how we act, and how we choose to react will influence not only ourselves but also those around us.  We can build up or we can tear down.   A simple and positive example is a story told about my grandmother.  She sent one of her young children to buy some eggs.  The trusted child was probably joyfully walking home along the road but most of the eggs were broken when the child arrived home.  A friend of the family was there and admonished my grandmother to scold the child for behaving badly.  Instead, Grandmother calmly and wisely said "No, that will not make the eggs whole again.  We will simply use what we can and make some pancakes that we can enjoy together."
When we learn to handle the small and simple daily things in a wise and inspired way, the result is a positive influence that will solidify harmony in our souls and build up and strengthen those around us.

This talk has come to my mind so many times over the past several months.  It is so easy sometimes to be impatient with my children when they disobey or make mistakes.  I am trying to build that inner peace through seeking inspiration from the spirit so that I can be a positive influence in my home.  Scolding doesn't make eggs whole again and anger can hurt my children's tender hearts.  I am so grateful for the times when I have asked for inspiration when frustrated and the spirit has helped me to find a better way to reach my children and teach them with love.  I find that I have had more of those experiences when I am daily studying my scriptures and kneeling in personal prayer.  It gives me great inner peace when I parent the way the spirit directs and I am so grateful for this talk.  Just wanted to share it with anyone out there who might need it too.  It has been a strength again for me today.

Winter Get Away

A week ago the hubby and I dropped our kiddos off with his parents to take off for a day and go cross country ski.  Evus got a pair of skiis for Christmas and has loved putting them to good use.  It definitely helps that there is a groomed trail right behind our home.  We headed up to Harriman State Park and had a lot of fun, though I later feared my legs would fall off.  It was so beautiful in the park, all the pine trees were covered with snow and there were swans in the river.  I fell once when distracted by the swans...that is my excuse anyway.  Evan fell a little too, mainly in his attempt to skate ski, that is his new goal.  I won't even attempt it.  I am out of shape.  Our kiddos had a lot of fun with Grandma and Grandpa and two aunts.  It was a great day and I wish we could do that more.  We wanted to take the kids and go this weekend, Evan has Monday off...but as it always turns out we are all sick with a cold and that is why I hate January...there I said it "HATE January"...blah, blah, blah, nasty blah January.  Is it over yet?  I feel like I should just pencil in SICK all over the month of January on my calendar because with kids at least one of us is sick for the entire month...blah. Okay I'm done.  Yeah cross country ski!

Growing Up is Hard to DO!

So we are trying to switch our little Porky over to only one nap (instead of his regular two)...

Growing up is hard to do...

We also converted his crib into a day bed and it has been a challenge keeping him in it at bed time and nap time.  He is amused by his new freedom.  It would appear he has a hard time staying in the bed when he is asleep too.  I found him in an attempt to climb back in after rolling out the other morning...but he fell asleep mid-ascent...at least that is what we think he was doing.

Growing up is so hard to do...