The Rick Rack Tender Mercy

Of course when I head out to run errands I have a million things to remember and take to the car. I am sure you can all relate.

My end goal was to come home with some rick rack.
I had already checked the JoAnn's fabric store in town and they didn't have what I needed. So today I was heading all the way to Orem, just to get rick rack. And while I'm there, I figure I'll fill up the car with gas at Costco. But before heading to Orem I needed to drop off a check and give some papers to a neighbor, then returned some books to my sister-in-law. Plus we were going to be having a late lunch due to our errands, so I made up some baggies of animal crackers for all of us, bottled water for Hannah and I and milk for Bry. On top of that there is always the diaper bag and making sure it is loaded with diapers and don't forget the wipes. Oh and yes, we are going to JoAnn's so I brought a bag with my fabric so I could match the rick rack.

Phew.

So after dropping by my neighbors and then my sister-in-laws, I think, I should stop in this (local) JoAnn's real quick just be see if they have it. I quickly dismiss the thought, thinking, No, I was just there and they didn't act like they would be getting it in soon. But of course the thought comes again. So I pull in, I unbuckle Hannah and go to reach for my purse.

My purse. My purse?

Nope. I forgot my purse! I would have gone all the way to the JoAnn's in Orem before I realized I didn't have my purse if I hadn't stopped in at the local one. Although this may seem like a simple thing. It was huge. Not only would I have been out a trip and a whole morning, but I was low on gas! I knew I had enough to make it to Orem... but home too?! I don't know. And I wouldn't have had money to fill up!

Before heading back home, we did run in our local JoAnn's to double check on that rick rack. They still didn't have it. Then as I back tracked back home to get my purse I had to say a silent prayer of gratitude. Deep gratitude. What a tender mercy!

First Primary Talk

Hannah gave her first talk in primary yesterday! I was so proud of her! We practiced and practice (in fact we got 2 weeks to practice because stake conference was last week). Her topic was 'how the principles and ordinances of the gospel lead me to Jesus Christ.'

No, she didn't actually sing the 4th Article of Faith in primary. She practiced it like that most of the time and we didn't mind at all. It was so adorable! We asked her if she was going to sing it in primary and she said, "yay." But afterward she said she got too scared to sing it. She needed prompting getting started, saying, "Mom, I need help!" I told her she could do it and helped her with the first few words then she did the rest on her own! Way to go, Bean! You did great!

The Goal: KEEP it Organized!

It's amazing how this time of year (every year) that feeling of newness-fresh-and-clean seems to radiate! And as usual, my thoughts turn to spring cleaning. Aside from just cleaning, my goal is to get my home to a point where it is easier to STAY organized. (I do know it takes some tidying up every now and again, but at least easier to stay organized.) For instance, my pantry! It has been organized a gazillion times! Each time it seems to get a little closer... but I hope I am finally there... we shall see! I organized it on March 11th and so far so good!

Before (I know, gross!)AfterAnd here's my medicine/vitamin cupboard. (Sorry, they are blurry.)

Before (cRaZy!)After

The venture has only just begun (in baby steps, of course). So I am wondering what works for you. What are your organizing and keeping-clean tips!? I am happy to report that my spice and cookbook cupboard is still organized from the last go round a year or so ago.... so it really is getting it to the point that really works and is functional. For me it is often (unfortunately) buying some turn tables or extra shelves.

Next up, bathroom (drawers, under-the-sink area, and linen closet). So how do you organize your makeup, hair stuff, and all that blah, blah, blah stuff... especially with children who love to get in drawers and cupboards?! Then after that, under the kitchen sink. Tips?

Like King Benjamin of Old...

On Easter Sunday, my Grandpa Baird gathered together his posterity "like King Benjamin of Old" to testify. After a year of health issues and under special circumstances, Grandpa felt very inspired to read The Book of Mormon once again before he would die and to gather his posterity to read the final chapter together and to share his testimony of its truthfulness. I was inspired once again by the goodness of this great man and of his sweet wife. I marvel at their service and strength. I am edified and enriched by their testimonies! This evening was one of power and one of special significance. I am so grateful to have been there and to be born of "goodly parents"... who were born of goodly parents. I, too, know The Book of Mormon is true! There is power there. It testifies of Christ and leads us to Him! Thank you Grandpa.

Bryson's First Hair Cut

April 6th, 2010
Bryson would get cute little curls in back sometimes... but most of the time it was a little poof ball on the back of his head! He also had a really long section right on top of his head! It started to be kind of amusing and it was finally time for that first hair cut.

It took 3 of us to do it. Tiffany, my sister-in-law, cut (She did a great and quick job with that little wobbly head) Marj, my mother-in-law, entertained, and I held him and tried to keep him as still as possible. Bryson was a trooper. He really did a great job. (He loved the spray bottle!)And now, he looks older and is just so handsome!

We did it!

Well we made it. Much of it we were already doing... but it was definitely hard at times. We didn't watch the TV once, I only got on the internet when necessary, no texting, in bed by 10:30, mostly awake by 6:30, we listened to lots of primary music throughout the week... All in all it was very successful.

Things I learned:
The internet and cell phones are sure nice and convenient. They help life... BUT can also hinder it! There are some wonderful connections made, resources found, and ideas shared but too much time here is simply a waste of time!

I have a great companion! For those of you who really know Nic, know that he loves sports. And what was on this week? NBA playoffs! But the TV was not on! When my mom heard this she said, "Wow, you have a good companion!" Yes, I do! Nic was a great support. I loved not having the TV on. Hannah missed it a few days and I'd simply reminder her we were being like missionaries... she was a champ as well. I missed watching Studio 5 while folding laundry. But we all go to interact a little more and have less outside noise in our home. It was wonderful!

I love sleep. A few days a week I wake up early for aerobics, the other days I sleep in as long as possible; however, I need to walk up a bit earlier to get my scripture reading in before it gets too crazy.

All these extra things really are noise from the outside world, distracting us from what is really important and clouding our minds so we cannot as easily feel the Spirit!

Now on to the youth:
Last night we met, every one was in Sunday dress. They were presented with missionary name tags... then we sent them off... They went as districts into a members home who served them an "authentic" dinner from where the youth were called to serve. Then the youth shared a lesson (the restoration lesson from PMG). An hour later we gathered once again at the church and had a testimony meeting. At times it was hilarious, at times I was brought to tears, but all of the time I sat with a smile on my face and the Spirit filling my soul. It was hard for the youth. It was challenging. But they grew. The goal was that they would sacrifice, that they would feel the Spirit, that they would learn and grow. I think the goal was accomplish.

I am grateful for missionary week... missionary month!

Missionary Month

This month our ward youth group is having "Missionary Month." We kicked it off last Sunday with a fireside, were the youth received mission calls, were divided into districts, and received their "white handbook" with the schedule, missionary theme scripture (D&C 4:1-3), song (Called to Serve), goals, and of course rules.

Last Tuesday we had our first FMTC night (F=Future). We watched the "Called to Serve" video, then had some recently returned missionaries teach out of Preach My Gospel (PMG). The missionaries included a set of "elders": a youth man in our ward who recently got home from his mission and his brother, and a set of sisters: my dear sister, Lisa, who has been home about 3 months and one of her cute companions. In retrospect there are a few things I would change, particularly wishing the youth had more time to learn from these wonderful missionaries. But all in all, I thought is was fabulous.

Yesterday (Sunday), our Sacrament meeting centered around missionary work. It was such a great way to get the ward involved and for the youth to see really how important this is. Two youth spoke (and did a great job), then all the youth and youth leaders went up and sang "Called to Serve" (I cried, but I'm sure that is no surprise... What power these youth have and are capable of!) Then a full-time missionary spoke (This is a rare treat here! Yay, for missionaries!) and then a sister in our ward spoke, who is a convert. Again... FABULOUS! The bishopric also invited the ward to join with us this week as we follow our mission rules! (Which I'll share momentarily... I'm sure you are excited.) And I will extend the same invitation to you!

Also on Sunday, during class time, the youth divided into their districts and practiced lesson 1 from PMG. For beginners, it went pretty well, but there is a lot of work still to be done. It makes me realize how far the elders and sisters have to come to be able to share the gospel in a competent and, most importantly, Spirit-filled way. As leaders, we can facilitate this learning, but the real learning takes place in the home and in personal study.

Tomorrow, we will meet again, for our second FMTC night; however this one will be more practical learning skills. There will be four mini classes on sewing/ironing, quick/healthy eating, fixing a bike tire, and language learning. Then we are going to have a rousing missionary relay. I picture it being really fun, so I hope it all goes off well! For the relay the youth (divided into 4 teams) will have to complete the following tasks:

1. Scripture Study (look up our missionary theme scripture)
2. Exercise (do 10 bicep curls and 5 push-ups)
3. Sew a button
4. Iron (iron a white dress shirt)
6. Tie a Tie
7. Flat (pump up a flat bike tire)
8. Run'n Late! (race a bike through cones)
9. Stick with your Comp (3-legged companion race)
10. Tracting (simply knocking 3 doors)
11. What?! (using a foreign language dictionary look up a phrase)
12. P-Day (shoot and make 3 baskets)
13. Laundry (sort a pile of laundry into lights, darks, and reds)
14. Transfers (get the laundry and stuff it into a small suitcase and zip it up)

Tomorrow evening also marks the beginning of our "missionary rules" that we have to follow for a week. They are:

Mission Rules of Conduct:

Listen only to music that is Church approved.
Read your scriptures daily.
No TV, movies, cell phones, texting, email, internet, video games.
Be in bed by 10:30, wake up by 6:30.
Perform 15 mins of exercise daily.
1. Wear church clothing on April 27^th (Tuesday).
Pray frequently – morning and night at a minimum.

We know there will be times when things such as cell phones and internet will be required for work or school; however we are asking that the youth (and all of us) do so as needed and not as leisure activities or merely out of habit. There are also missionary "goals" which are simply "encouraged."

Missionary Month Goals

1. Write your testimony in a Book of Mormon and offer it to someone.
2. Write a letter to a missionary.
3. Memorize a favorite scripture.
4. Prepare a meal for your family.
5. Perform an act of service.
6. Read from the Missionary Library (Jesus The Christ, Our Search For Happiness, Our Heritage, True to the Faith).
7. Study further from Preach My Gospel
8. Perform your own laundry for the week.

I know these rules and goals can be a great blessing to you and to your family. They will bring the Spirit into your home, bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior, as well as make us stronger individuals and families! A sacrifice?! Yes! Especially for these youth who are engrossed in technology. But we can do it.

So I bid you, my blogging friends, farewell... for a week! (Unless I need to get in another quick post before tomorrow night!) I can do this. The real goal is to not let Hannah watch any TV or movies either. We can do this. We can do this! And...you can too! (Any takers?!)