I like to listen to my scriptures on the way to work. For the last couple of days, I forgot to bring my CD case out with me to the car (I had to switch out my regular listening fare for Christmas music), so I've been doing without. This morning, frustrated with myself, I decided to recite the 13 Articles of Faith. I discovered that I need to review 5 and 12, and relearn 7 and 10. When I got to 11, it occured to me that if everyone in the world would adopt the 11th Article of Faith, the world would be such a better place.
"We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."
The level of tolerance, acceptance, and respect for all peoples everywhere implied by this statement could change the world.
I think it's significant that the Articles of Faith were written at a time when my church was under heavy perscution, having just been driven out of Ohio and Missouri (where it's no longer legal to kill Mormons, since 1972) for what they believed. A newspaperman from Chicago wrote to Joseph Smith to ask what we believe in, and in his reply the 13 Articles of Faith were first documented--not in such a formal way, but still there in infant form.
The idea of allowing people to worship what they please is not a new one, being one of the founding tenants of our very country, but we still have trouble implementing it. Anyone who stands up and says, "You're wrong, because you don't believe what I do" proves it. I still see a lot of this, most recently on the message boards for the tv show House. House had a supposed Mormon in his ranks of interns, and in one of the message threads talking about this, there was a person whose sole purpose was to state how horrible and awful the Mormons are because of what we believe. I know there are also narrow minded people out there who think that just because a person is Islamic that means they're a terrorist. And how many terrorists would there be if we got rid of all the ones who terrorize in the name of religion?
At this time of year, when Christians celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, when Jews celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa is celebrated, and the winter solstice occurs, may we all carry a little peace in our hearts, regardless of where we believe it comes from. Let everyone worship how, where, and what they may.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Scattered...
Hmm, haven't blogged for a while, as my Home Teacher mentioned to me last night. Yup, my Home Teacher found my blog, lol! This blog thing keeps getting bigger and bigger!
Anyways, I made a mistake in my last post. I actually have 27 nieces and nephews. Here's the breakdown (and yes, this is all from memory), from my oldest sibling to the youngest:
B&Y: 2 b, 1 g = 3
K&J: 1b, 1g = 2
M&J*: 4 g = 4
D&J: 3 b, 3 g = 6
D&R: 3b, 2g = 5
G&B: 2b, 1g = 3
B&D: 2b, 2g = 4
*I always feel like I should add the caveat that a) M&J are not married any longer, and b) 3 of the four g are Js from a previous marriage, but I don't really know why because M&J get along really well now and I still consider all the girls my nieces
Which makes 13 nephews, 14 nieces, for a total of 27. And one niece-in-law, and one great-nephew, and 3/4 great-unknown. I feel so blessed. The tradgedy is that they all live far away from me. So I make due with all my friends kids. So now I have over a hundred nieces and nephews!!! but don't ask me to list them... :D
I've been rather busy at work lately. Between that and generally going insane (a cyclic process most women can relate to), I haven't blogged much since Jack Jack was born. Two crises at work--one satellite went into safehold, and my other project went through yet another cost-cutting exercise that threatened my particular position. The satellite is better now; I wasn't able to help with recovery, but I was able to do all the daily tasks that needed doing and freed up the others to work on the recovery. The cost cutting exercise is continuing, but it doesn't look like my job will be cut. We worked it out to show that if they did their evil little plan they'd incur far more risk to the project than if they just kept things where they are. Silly NASA HQ thinking they can squeeze more blood from a stone. We've already cut out all the fat, where exactly are we supposed to cut from now???
Last weekend was really nice, though. Thursday/Thanksgiving I slept in and got some things done on my computer at home (which is still slower than molasses--time to take it to the Geek Squad, I think). Dinner was WAY fun--I went to Medieval Times with Jenni and her family. We got to see cute boys fight on horseback and off, lots of Sparks! (I love Sparks!), and lots of post-show flag fighting with the 4-year-old. So fun. The 8 year old was more mature about the whole thing, but we got in a few fights with her too :)
Friday I got up early and went to JoAnns, thinking "$1/yard cozy flannel" I did get enough for the backing of about 17 blankets, and a few tops, but most of the cute flannel was already picked out before I got there. I can always buy more of that later, though, and I have enough to see me through the current round of babies :) I had to wait in the store for almost 2 hours, though, and spent it most (un)wisely, looking throug the pattern books. I picked up fabric and patterns for two new dresses, and finally found a pattern for a shrug that I'd been looking for. so I spent way too much. But if I get busy, I should have new dresses for Christmas and New Years, as well as a new top and a couple more Christmas-themed vests. I'm so bad. I haven't even finished the Halloween vest I was making.
Saturday I rearranged furniture a little such that I now have a place to put my tree up. It also makes it easier for me to sew and watch tv at the same time, so hopefully this will encourage me to 'get busy'. Other than that, I wasn't feeling too well (related to the insanity mentioned above), so I stayed home and watched some movies.
Sunday was fairly normal--ward council, home to work on the computer some more, then back to church for four hours (choir practice, you know). The choir sang in sacrament meeting, and I thought we did rather well. After church I developed a splitting headache, so after my Home Teachers dropped by and I watched the 100th episode of Home Makeover, I headed for bed. I get a lot of headaches. I really should ask the doctor about that. Not migraines, just really bad, splitting headaches. I felt mostly ok this morning, though. Except now my throat hurts. Maybe I'm developing a cold...? But where would I have gotten it? JoAnns? I wasn't around many children in church, and a cold from there wouldn't develop for a couple more days...
Ok, you're caught up. I hope you had a merry Thanksgiving Day.
Anyways, I made a mistake in my last post. I actually have 27 nieces and nephews. Here's the breakdown (and yes, this is all from memory), from my oldest sibling to the youngest:
B&Y: 2 b, 1 g = 3
K&J: 1b, 1g = 2
M&J*: 4 g = 4
D&J: 3 b, 3 g = 6
D&R: 3b, 2g = 5
G&B: 2b, 1g = 3
B&D: 2b, 2g = 4
*I always feel like I should add the caveat that a) M&J are not married any longer, and b) 3 of the four g are Js from a previous marriage, but I don't really know why because M&J get along really well now and I still consider all the girls my nieces
Which makes 13 nephews, 14 nieces, for a total of 27. And one niece-in-law, and one great-nephew, and 3/4 great-unknown. I feel so blessed. The tradgedy is that they all live far away from me. So I make due with all my friends kids. So now I have over a hundred nieces and nephews!!! but don't ask me to list them... :D
I've been rather busy at work lately. Between that and generally going insane (a cyclic process most women can relate to), I haven't blogged much since Jack Jack was born. Two crises at work--one satellite went into safehold, and my other project went through yet another cost-cutting exercise that threatened my particular position. The satellite is better now; I wasn't able to help with recovery, but I was able to do all the daily tasks that needed doing and freed up the others to work on the recovery. The cost cutting exercise is continuing, but it doesn't look like my job will be cut. We worked it out to show that if they did their evil little plan they'd incur far more risk to the project than if they just kept things where they are. Silly NASA HQ thinking they can squeeze more blood from a stone. We've already cut out all the fat, where exactly are we supposed to cut from now???
Last weekend was really nice, though. Thursday/Thanksgiving I slept in and got some things done on my computer at home (which is still slower than molasses--time to take it to the Geek Squad, I think). Dinner was WAY fun--I went to Medieval Times with Jenni and her family. We got to see cute boys fight on horseback and off, lots of Sparks! (I love Sparks!), and lots of post-show flag fighting with the 4-year-old. So fun. The 8 year old was more mature about the whole thing, but we got in a few fights with her too :)
Friday I got up early and went to JoAnns, thinking "$1/yard cozy flannel" I did get enough for the backing of about 17 blankets, and a few tops, but most of the cute flannel was already picked out before I got there. I can always buy more of that later, though, and I have enough to see me through the current round of babies :) I had to wait in the store for almost 2 hours, though, and spent it most (un)wisely, looking throug the pattern books. I picked up fabric and patterns for two new dresses, and finally found a pattern for a shrug that I'd been looking for. so I spent way too much. But if I get busy, I should have new dresses for Christmas and New Years, as well as a new top and a couple more Christmas-themed vests. I'm so bad. I haven't even finished the Halloween vest I was making.
Saturday I rearranged furniture a little such that I now have a place to put my tree up. It also makes it easier for me to sew and watch tv at the same time, so hopefully this will encourage me to 'get busy'. Other than that, I wasn't feeling too well (related to the insanity mentioned above), so I stayed home and watched some movies.
Sunday was fairly normal--ward council, home to work on the computer some more, then back to church for four hours (choir practice, you know). The choir sang in sacrament meeting, and I thought we did rather well. After church I developed a splitting headache, so after my Home Teachers dropped by and I watched the 100th episode of Home Makeover, I headed for bed. I get a lot of headaches. I really should ask the doctor about that. Not migraines, just really bad, splitting headaches. I felt mostly ok this morning, though. Except now my throat hurts. Maybe I'm developing a cold...? But where would I have gotten it? JoAnns? I wasn't around many children in church, and a cold from there wouldn't develop for a couple more days...
Ok, you're caught up. I hope you had a merry Thanksgiving Day.
Friday, November 16, 2007
I'm an Aunt! Again!!
This one is number 26, his name is Jack, and he was born yesterday. That's all I know. My Dad called me last night to tell me. I will try to reach the family in the next couple of days, but since the baby was C-section I suspect my sister will be in the hospital for a few more days.
Yay!
Lots of babies!
So many babies this year. it's hard to keep track much less get to hold them all...
Yay!
Lots of babies!
So many babies this year. it's hard to keep track much less get to hold them all...
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
youyou not a meme
1. Name:
2. Birthday:
3. Place of Residence:
4. What makes you happy:
5. What are you listening to now/have listened to last:
7. What is particularly good/bad about my LJ:
8. An interesting fact about you:
9. Are you in love/have a crush at the moment:
10. Favourite place to be:
11. Favourite lyric:
12. Best time of the year:
13. Weirdest food you like:
RECOMMEND
1. A film:
2. A book:
3. A song:
4: A band:
PLUS
1. One thing you like about me:
2. Two things you like about yourself:
3. Put this in your blog so i can tell you what I think of you.
4. POST A PICTURE OF YOU! (Optional)
2. Birthday:
3. Place of Residence:
4. What makes you happy:
5. What are you listening to now/have listened to last:
7. What is particularly good/bad about my LJ:
8. An interesting fact about you:
9. Are you in love/have a crush at the moment:
10. Favourite place to be:
11. Favourite lyric:
12. Best time of the year:
13. Weirdest food you like:
RECOMMEND
1. A film:
2. A book:
3. A song:
4: A band:
PLUS
1. One thing you like about me:
2. Two things you like about yourself:
3. Put this in your blog so i can tell you what I think of you.
4. POST A PICTURE OF YOU! (Optional)
Sunday, November 11, 2007
One True Talent
As you may have guessed, last week was not a good one for me. I get depressed, and then I have to retreat to my cave until I feel better. At these times I'm really not fit for social interaction. One thing always helps: holding babies.
I tell people I have one true talent. They laugh at me, because they think all the musical things I do are my talents, different talents to sing, play piano, etc. I suppose I tend to take those things for granted--I've been surrounded by them my whole life, and music is just like breathing or speaking to me. But I digress.
My True Talent is that I can put almost any baby to sleep. I hold them, and when I do, I have a natural rythm that rocks them to sleep. Lately at church there have been so many babies to choose from, but somehow I seemed to miss out on many of them. But last week I got to hold Nicole's baby, and this week it was Raquel's baby.
It always strikes me as a little funny when the moms ask if I'm ok holding their baby. I get the impression that they don't want the baby to be too much of a bother, or if the baby is fussy or something. What they don't realize is that I love babies. I won't give them back unless I absolutely have to. Like when they need to be fed (I can only feed bottle-babies), or when it's time for them to go home (I don't have a car seat). I even steal babies from other women who want to hold them too, although I do try to be considerate about that.
My sister Debi put me on to the best baby gift for me to give, too. I make baby blankets out of cozy flannel (100% cotton). I find cute patterns, and backs to match, and sew them together. I use a yard of 45-in material that makes a big, cozy blanket for the baby. My sister Beckie will be getting one for her fourth baby, but the one I made for her first may still be in use. The more they get washed, the softer and more comfy they become. And if the baby and family is in close enough proximity, I get baby-holding rights :)
So what do you consider your One True Talent? You know, the one thing that you can do that brings you joy and joy to others?
I tell people I have one true talent. They laugh at me, because they think all the musical things I do are my talents, different talents to sing, play piano, etc. I suppose I tend to take those things for granted--I've been surrounded by them my whole life, and music is just like breathing or speaking to me. But I digress.
My True Talent is that I can put almost any baby to sleep. I hold them, and when I do, I have a natural rythm that rocks them to sleep. Lately at church there have been so many babies to choose from, but somehow I seemed to miss out on many of them. But last week I got to hold Nicole's baby, and this week it was Raquel's baby.
It always strikes me as a little funny when the moms ask if I'm ok holding their baby. I get the impression that they don't want the baby to be too much of a bother, or if the baby is fussy or something. What they don't realize is that I love babies. I won't give them back unless I absolutely have to. Like when they need to be fed (I can only feed bottle-babies), or when it's time for them to go home (I don't have a car seat). I even steal babies from other women who want to hold them too, although I do try to be considerate about that.
My sister Debi put me on to the best baby gift for me to give, too. I make baby blankets out of cozy flannel (100% cotton). I find cute patterns, and backs to match, and sew them together. I use a yard of 45-in material that makes a big, cozy blanket for the baby. My sister Beckie will be getting one for her fourth baby, but the one I made for her first may still be in use. The more they get washed, the softer and more comfy they become. And if the baby and family is in close enough proximity, I get baby-holding rights :)
So what do you consider your One True Talent? You know, the one thing that you can do that brings you joy and joy to others?
Friday, November 2, 2007
Friday at last
Halloween night went very well. I sat outside for about an hour in my costume, but not very many kids came so when I got cold I went inside. I still had a few more trick-or-treaters, so I waited until 8:00pm before I changes. And then I got a few more. I guess because Daylight Savings Time is still in effect there's not the big rush to get the kids out the door before it gets too dark/late? Anyway, I had about 30-40 kids, so while I have some candy left over, it's not a whole lot.
Thursday was book group, which was always fun. Somehow we manage to only spend about 45 minutes on the book before we get into really important things like potty training (although that was absent last night) and the funny things kids do. I did get to hold Nicole's baby for a while, so I didn't mind too much.
Today I got some bad news, though. My sister Beckie is moving to South Carolina tomorrow, and they've decided to completely bypass the DC area, such that they will not be coming by to see me or stay the night or have lunch or anything. I would offer to meet them in Hagerstown (they're going down I-81), but they've already decided that would be too difficult for me to do. So far out of the way, you know. Forget that there are outlet malls in Hagerstown. So after a small crying fit (I just *love* crying at work!), I'm a little better now. She said something about coming to visit me sometime, but I just know she won't. She'll find some other excuse not to. Granted, having 4 kids is a good excuse, so I can't even complain. So I told her not to worry about coming to see me. Ever. Didn't put it like that, but that's kind of how I feel. So much for having family in the area. They will be all gone as of Sunday. :( With gas prices it won't be that easy for me to just hop in the car and go see them either. The train goes down there (that was a very good suggestion), but it arrives at 1:00 am. Not even the rental car companies are open then, so I'd be stuck until morning and they decided to come pick me up. This totally sucks.
But it's Friday. Two whole days all to myself. Well, one anyway. And I have things planned for tomorrow as well. So I guess staying home and sulking is out of the question. I might on Sunday though. In the morning. Before chior practice. I missed one flipping week of choir practice and everyone that was there gave me grief about it. We weren't singing that week, I had a sore throat, I figured it would be ok. Nope. But I do get to help in Primary with the Sunbeams, so that will be good. Nothing like a Sunbeam to help you find a smile :)
Thursday was book group, which was always fun. Somehow we manage to only spend about 45 minutes on the book before we get into really important things like potty training (although that was absent last night) and the funny things kids do. I did get to hold Nicole's baby for a while, so I didn't mind too much.
Today I got some bad news, though. My sister Beckie is moving to South Carolina tomorrow, and they've decided to completely bypass the DC area, such that they will not be coming by to see me or stay the night or have lunch or anything. I would offer to meet them in Hagerstown (they're going down I-81), but they've already decided that would be too difficult for me to do. So far out of the way, you know. Forget that there are outlet malls in Hagerstown. So after a small crying fit (I just *love* crying at work!), I'm a little better now. She said something about coming to visit me sometime, but I just know she won't. She'll find some other excuse not to. Granted, having 4 kids is a good excuse, so I can't even complain. So I told her not to worry about coming to see me. Ever. Didn't put it like that, but that's kind of how I feel. So much for having family in the area. They will be all gone as of Sunday. :( With gas prices it won't be that easy for me to just hop in the car and go see them either. The train goes down there (that was a very good suggestion), but it arrives at 1:00 am. Not even the rental car companies are open then, so I'd be stuck until morning and they decided to come pick me up. This totally sucks.
But it's Friday. Two whole days all to myself. Well, one anyway. And I have things planned for tomorrow as well. So I guess staying home and sulking is out of the question. I might on Sunday though. In the morning. Before chior practice. I missed one flipping week of choir practice and everyone that was there gave me grief about it. We weren't singing that week, I had a sore throat, I figured it would be ok. Nope. But I do get to help in Primary with the Sunbeams, so that will be good. Nothing like a Sunbeam to help you find a smile :)
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