Posted by Molly | Under Family | Monday Sep 29, 2008
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We’re trying to get better at enforcing the “nobody gets down from the dinner table, nobody has dessert until everybody is finished with their dinner” rule in the house, which means attention must be paid to the three year-old girl. We all know how well this can go over….at times, its nothing short of Miraculous, and other times, it just a flop! Recently, I have wondered where the nourishment is coming from…in the past week, I believe there have been more meals at McDonalds (not exactly my idea of healthy) and milk, than anything else. Partially my fault, yes! Completely…no! She has gone to bed 3 times this week without having eaten more than 3-5 bites of her meal.
Because I have been having this particular problem, I decided to search the web and find some other people who have been trying different things! Below is a bunch of ideas that I have collected from others.
Parent Hacks
I have two super-finicky kids. Who only eat the “plain” versions of what I prepare for dinner. Who reject entire categories of food. So who do you think has stuck steamed broccoli spears into a bed of rice and presenting them as “baby trees?”
We’ve told them that certain foods will make them make certain noises (like eating this bean will make you baa like a sheep).”
“Give them a straw for thin food such as soup, yogurt, etc.”
Create faces out of whatever is on the plate. (Piles of black beans for eyes, ketchup for a mouth, etc.)
Calls the plum pits “dinosaur eggs.”
Offers to “smash” any rejected food. Then her daughter will eat it. Hm. A texture thing maybe?
If you have any great ideas, please share them here with us!
Posted by Molly | Under Main | Friday Sep 26, 2008
The airlines have chosen to put our children in a situation that many parents are not comfortable with. Some airlines have said that we can choose to watch or not watch, but, how do you tell a 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-year-old, ‘Don’t look at the screen,’ when it’s basically all over the cabin? You don’t! If you would like to have a say, and support a responsible and moral cause, please visit KidSafeFilms.org and sign the petition.
How many times have you said, “I just have to get that closet cleaned out!” How many times have you actually followed through? Yeah, I know…I would love to think that I followed through more often than not, but, just recently I went through my walk in closet and cleaned it out. Uh, only to find that I was too tired at the end, to take all the sorted stuff out and put it where it went. So, now I have 5 or so boxes that need to be hauled out.
I am half way there, but that doesn’t really count when the whole idea was to be able to walk in it without having to shuffle around boxes. Today, I was twittering and checking out friends stuff, and came across Krista’s post. I think you should have a look yourself! (Also, if you Twitter, you should be following her!)
Posted by Molly | Under Counsel | Sunday Sep 21, 2008
President Hinckley often stressed our making the Book of Mormon part of our lives. He was 97 when he passed away, and we would like to celebrate his life and teachings by reading the Book of Mormon in 97 days.
President Gordon B. Hinckley on the Book of Mormon
“I take in my hand the Book of Mormon. I read its words. I have read Joseph Smith’s explanation of how it came to be. To the unbelieving it is a story difficult to accept, and critics for generations have worn out their lives writing books intended to refute that story and to offer other explanations than the one given by Joseph the Prophet. But to the open-minded, this critical writing has only stimulated them to dig deeper; and the more deeply they dig, the greater the accumulation of evidence for the validity of Joseph Smith’s story. Still, as has been demonstrated for a hundred and fifty years, the truth of the Book of Mormon will not be determined by literary analysis or by scientific research, although these continue to be reassuring. The truth about the origins of the Book of Mormon will be determined today and tomorrow, as it has been throughout the yesterdays, by reading the book in a spirit of reverence and respect and prayer.”
(Praise to the Man, Ensigh, 1983. aug., 4)
Posted by Molly | Under Family | Friday Sep 19, 2008
Hundreds of thousands of children are victims of sexual abuse each year. Due to the sheer lack of resources, law enforcement is unable to follow up on the majority of leads they have.
The PROTECT Our Children Act will:
* Authorize over $320 million over the next five years in desperately needed funding for law enforcement to investigate child exploitation.
* Mandate that child rescue be a top priority for law enforcement receiving federal funding.
* Allocate funds for high-tech computer software that can track down Internet predators.
Act Now!
Your U.S. senators will be voting on the bill soon, so it is crucial you contact them immediately.
Go to www.senate.gov to find contact information for the senators in your state. Search for your senator by name or state by clicking on the arrow from either dropdown menu. Contact information is provided here. To send an e-mail, click on “Web Form” below his or her name, and e-mail your letter to make a difference!
Call Your Senators
If you choose to contact your senators by phone, be sure to tell them, “Vote yes on Senate Bill 1738—The PROTECT Our Children Act.”
Write to Your Senators
If you choose to write a letter, fax, telegram or e-mail, you may use the following sample letter—and modify it how you see fit.
This week Oprah had a show about how we can help protect our children and about the serious need in our country. Here is a link to the website.
http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20080911_tows_predators
It just takes a few moments and it is something that we can do. Here are the email addresses for the Utah Senators
Bennett, Robert F.- (R - UT)
Class III
431 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5444
http://bennett.senate.gov/contact/email_opinion.cfm
Hatch, Orrin G.- (R - UT)
Class I
104 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5251
http://hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Contact
and here is the letter I sent by mail, email, and fax. This bill was started by Elizabeth Smarts father and many others who know the importance of protecting our children.
I encourage you to do this ASAP this will be presented within just a few short weeks and please pass on to other you know will care and take action for the children within this country.
Dear Senator:
I am a mother of three children, and a aunt to many nieces and nephews. I know that you believe, like I do, that we MUST do everything possible to protect children from sexual predators. That is why I am asking for your help.
Last year alone, U.S. law enforcement identified over 300,000 criminals who were trafficking in movies and pictures of young children being raped and tortured. Experts say that one in every three of these criminals has local child victims. Child pornography trafficking over the Internet has given us a trail of evidence that leads straight to their doorsteps, but the vast majority of these children will never be rescued because investigators are overwhelmed, outnumbered and underfunded.
As your constituent, I urge you to do everything in your power to pass the PROTECT Our Children Act (S. 1738, Biden-Hatch). This bipartisan legislation passed the House 415-2, but it is now the victim of petty partisan politics. Please pass this as soon as possible do not wait and leave these children alone without the support and protection of the government.
Now that we know where these children are and how to protect them, there is no excuse for the Senate to fail to take action this session.
Posted by Molly | Under Relief Society | Monday Sep 15, 2008
There are many sweet, faithful daughters of our Heavenly Father who bless our lives. May we better understand them and be as sensitive to their needs as was the Savior when He instinctively sensed the touching of the hem of His garment and the faith of a long-diseased woman behind Him. As Jesus said to her, so may our actions affirm to our noble sisters: “Daughter, be of good comfort” (Matt. 9:22).
As sister’s we all have trials, blessings, and similar hardships that we face at one time or another in life. Some of us deal with things in our lives that other sisters will never experience. It is all part of the plan, and the choices we made in our counsel with Our Heavenly Father. I wanted to share a talk that was given about ten years ago, and let all the sister’s who are out amongst us with these same life circumstances, know that we do love you, and we are glad that you are a part of our lives.
The following is from Wayne M. Hancock, “‘Daughter, Be of Good Comfort’,” Ensign, Nov 1997, 79
The wide-bodied airliner began its takeoff roll, returning us to the United States after a four-year business assignment in Switzerland. As we accelerated past the B Concourse at the Zürich International Airport, I strained to see if the faithful farewell wishers from our Zürich Second Ward were there. Sure enough, there standing on the upper spectator deck waving to us were Sister Gräub and Sister Kappes. By bus, tram, and train they had made this extraordinary effort to say good-bye to the Hancock family. Pent-up emotions erupted as tears unashamedly poured down my cheeks. One of our four children returning with us inquired of her mother, “Why is Daddy crying?” Connie responded, “Because he loves the people here so much.”
These dear Swiss sisters symbolize so many of Heavenly Father’s faithful daughters who go about doing good. The lack of a car for transportation, or a husband for love and protection, or a supportive family, or a special understanding friend does not dampen their enthusiasm for the gospel of Jesus Christ or their participation in Church meetings and related activities.
We thrill in the loyalty and love of the recently widowed Ruth for her mother-in-law, Naomi, who earlier had also lost her husband. The Moabitess chose to leave her homeland to accompany and care for Naomi. Down through the generations of time the beautiful words of this faithful and determined daughter, who would with Boaz be a progenitor of Jesse, David, and Jesus Christ, speak to our yearning hearts: “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:16).
Legion are the stories that could and need to be told of women valiant in their testimonies of Jesus Christ who are unsung heroines in our midst.
Amongst these noble women are those who, through the tragedy of divorce or untimely death of a husband, are of necessity required to take on the additional challenge of employment to provide for family and self. Though physically and emotionally exhausted upon returning home each day, she resumes her most important role of feeding, teaching, encouraging, correcting, and loving her children so that they are nurtured in mind and spirit to be socially responsible, financially self-sufficient, and committed to serving the Lord. Her challenging burdens are frequently overlooked and not understood by those blessed with two-parent families. Wise are the bishop, priesthood leader, and Relief Society president who ensure that carefully selected home and visiting teachers are given the opportunity to assist her with her children’s needs and home maintenance. Their regular messages and visits bring hope and encouragement so often when most needed.
There are those family-devoted women, whether single or married, who in this life have been unable to have children of their own. The maternal instinct causes them to reach out and care for the children of others as if they were their own. What a wonderful gift it is to have such a special aunt whose humble abode and loving personal interest make for a joyous second home.
There are those dear women, young and old, with special sensitivity to the Spirit, who seem to effortlessly respond to the missionaries’ message and without family support join the Church. There they find love, respect, and the opportunity to serve, which ofttimes brings relief from contention, abuse, and hopelessness. The coming week can more easily be navigated following a Sabbath day where she was “numbered among the people of the church of Christ” and “remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep [her] in the right way, to keep [her] continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ” (Moro. 6:4).
There are those women of misfortune laden with despair, sorrow, lack of love at home, or the guilt and consequences from having trodden in forbidden paths. Away from the community of the Saints, where succor can be provided, they await being befriended by one in whom they can confidently place their injured trust and who can restore their self-esteem and tenderly accompany them back to truth and light.
There is the patient woman whose husband is a good man but has not yet shared her need for him to return to or join the Church and bring the blessings of the priesthood into their home and family. She quietly but fervently prays for that good Samaritan in the Church who can uniquely reach out and relate to her husband in a Christlike way to lead him to the Church, where he can feel welcomed, needed, and loved. The baggage of the past with feelings of guilt and unworthiness are dispelled by the warmth of those who with her see the goodness of his soul.
As the Swiss movers were packing our household belongings preparatory to our return to America, the doorbell rang. A special-delivery mailman had a package for us. When opened, it revealed a green pillow with an embroidered message of love on it, the handiwork of Sister Alice Rusterholz. Our hearts and feelings swelled as we thought of this wonderful older sister. For four years she had graced our Sunday dinner table with her sweet spirit and lively sense of humor. For many years as a single, unmarried sister and the only member of the Church from her family, she struggled to come to church. Early Sunday morning she would leave her humble second-floor apartment. With great effort due to a crippled leg, she would walk down the outside stairway and on to the Küsnacht train station, beginning her journey of one hour and 15 minutes by train, tram, bus, and a final walk to our meetinghouse. What a blessing it had been for us in that beautiful land to pick up Sister Rusterholz every Sunday morning, accompany her to church, and conclude with dinner in our home before returning her to her apartment.
There are many sweet, faithful daughters of our Heavenly Father who bless our lives. May we better understand them and be as sensitive to their needs as was the Savior when He instinctively sensed the touching of the hem of His garment and the faith of a long-diseased woman behind Him. As Jesus said to her, so may our actions affirm to our noble sisters: “Daughter, be of good comfort” (Matt. 9:22).
Of Him and His invitation to love one another as He loves us, I do testify in His name, even Jesus Christ, amen.
Posted by Molly | Under Sunday School | Sunday Sep 14, 2008
As I sat in Sunday School today, and listened to the lesson, it made me pause and think about how many times lately I have thought about what meaning my life would have without the Gospel. Usually, I think about it in just that way…the gospel, and knowing there is a plan for after my mortal life. Using the words “Plan of Salvation”, bring more meaning and clarity to my thoughts. It’s funny how using the correct terminology can bring more meaning to a thought.
As I was sitting there, I also realized that I haven’t put anything up here that really described what it is we believe, in a scriptural or informative way that was right from our Prophets and leaders. Below is info straight from scripture and from the church’s website.
Posted by Molly | Under Family | Saturday Sep 13, 2008
Those who are familiar me know how strongly I feel about the role of the family and the traditional roles of fathers and mothers. Marriage is the essential ingredient in any successful society, and now is the time for the many who believe in marriage to stand up and make a difference!
As daughters of God, we have been blessed beyond measure. As daughters of a loving God, we have a duty to share his love with others. One of my favorite quotes that I have ever had to memorize, is the Young Womens Theme.
We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. We will “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:
Faith
Divine Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice and Accountability
Good Works and
Integrity
We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values,
we will be prepared to
strengthen home and family,
make and keep sacred covenants,
receive the ordinances of the temple,
and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.
Many of us will at one time or another struggle with decisions in life, and sometimes our struggles are simple, and sometimes they seem so much more difficult. I say, probably more often than I should, that 3 (children) is enough. I am sure that I have offended some, and I apologize if I have. I merely mean, that for me, my three children are as much as I can handle. If I became pregnant, would I keep and love that baby? Of course, it’s amazing how much love a newborn brings into our lives. I just know that for me, right now, my three children, as much as I love them, are as much as I can handle. If I felt that the lord had other plans, I would follow them and bring more children into this world. On that note, I mentioned marriage earlier, and how we must protect it. In order for children to be raised in a society of peace, and prosperity, and in general have a good and decent chance at life, we need families, and we need to protect our rights. Society’s fail when the laws of man neglect the sanctity of marriage.
President Henry B. Eyring, “Be One,” Liahona, Sep 2008, 2–7: “The Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, said of those who would be part of His Church: “Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27). And at the Creation of man and woman, unity for them in marriage was not given as hope; it was a command! “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Our Heavenly Father wants our hearts to be knit together. That union in love is not simply an ideal. It is a necessity.
The requirement that we be one is not for this life alone. It is to be without end. The first marriage was performed by God in the garden when Adam and Eve were not subject to death. He placed in men and women from the beginning a desire to be joined together as man and wife forever to dwell in families in a perfect, righteous union. He placed in His children a desire to live at peace with all those around them.
But with the Fall it became clear that living in unity would not be easy. Tragedy struck early. Cain slew Abel, his brother. The children of Adam and Eve had become subject to the temptations of Satan. With skill, hatred, and cunning, Satan pursues his goal. It is the opposite of the purpose of our Heavenly Father and the Savior. They would give us perfect union and eternal happiness. Satan, Their enemy and ours, has known the plan of salvation from before the Creation. He knows that only in eternal life can those sacred, joyful associations of families endure. Satan would tear us from loved ones and make us miserable. And it is he who plants the seeds of discord in human hearts in the hope that we might be divided and separate.
All of us have felt something of both union and separation. Sometimes in families and perhaps in other settings we have glimpsed life when one person put the interests of another above his or her own, in love and with sacrifice. And all of us know something of the sadness and loneliness of being separate and alone. We don’t need to be told which we should choose. We know. But we need hope that we can experience unity in this life and qualify to have it forever in the world to come. And we need to know how that great blessing will come so that we can know what we must do.”
The following is a very uplifting and inspiring message that we can share with others. Let’s make this message spread like wildfire! We need to share the link via e-mail, post it on your blogs, get it “out there” any way we can. We must stand together and make our voices heard. The institution of marriage and the families of today and the future deserve it!
VOTE TO SAVE THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE ON NOVEMBER 4th!!!
Posted by Molly | Under Family | Thursday Sep 11, 2008
Last night my daughter said the prayer on dinner, after hearing it, I was quite stunned. In her prayer, she blessed those who died on Memorial Day, those who don’t have a mom or dad…and the list went on. At first, I couldn’t understand what it was that she was talking about, but, after I pieced it all together I realized that she really meant on September 11th. After dinner she asked me all kinds of questions, but, her biggest hang up was that she didn’t know anything about 9/11 until that day at school. She kept asking me why she didn’t know, and all I could tell her, was that she wasn’t even a year old when it happened, and its a sad day, not necessarily something that I would fill my seven year olds head with. Those images haunt adults, I don’t need to add that to her plate right now.
Today, I heard radio stations playing the voices of those who either left us that day in a plane, in the towers, those who got calls from victims, and family members (wives, children, parents, siblings), about their memories, or things that were said. The things that were said were so touching, so deeply meaningful, that it was hard not to burst into tears in the first 30 seconds. I held out as long as I could, but, it really didn’t last too long (I was trying to keep the mascara from running down my cheeks for my meeting).
I will always remember September 11th, sitting in my bed, with my husband (newly married) and watching the horror. I will also never forget the sincerity of my daughter and how deeply she cared for these people she knew nothing about. Her sincerity, concern, and desire to know about this day will last with me forever. I LOVE YOU Pookie Bear!
