SPT - I Will Remember You

The spt challenge this week was a sad one, as it is the last one for awhile,

... or so I thought!

Today I realized I had been fooled! Happy April Fools Day everyone!!!

for right now, i need to put blogging, and spt, on the back burner for a little bit. so, for next week, a simple challenge. take a few moments to take a great self-portrait. fix your hair, freshen your lipstick, wear your favorite shirt. get outside, or stay inside, but take the time to find a shot that you love. i want to see beautiful photos of my beautiful friends, something to remember you all by as i wade through the next few months.

As I thought it really was the last one I spent two different days primping for two self photo shoots. So here they both are.

She Thirsts

SEIJA

Gender: Feminine Usage: Finnish

Derived from Finnish seijas meaning "tranquil, serene".

When Seija was a baby we were astonished as to how calm she was. The name we picked really seemed to fit her. She was the essence of what that name meant. She hardly ever cried, she was happy, and just content to lay on the floor and stare at the boys playing or to hang out alone. I thought having three kids was much easier than just having one or even two children. It was incredible how much I could do with having a newborn around!

She has changed a lot since then. She is still a very happy child, but she now shows it with a lot of energy and noise. She is an extremely spirited child with a little mischievous mixed in!

Today I walked into the pantry to find my daughter quickly replacing a juice box to it's rightful place - empty, with an "oh no I've been caught" expression on her face. As I went to pick it up and throw it out, I found two more punctured and empty juice boxes lying there with the other full ones. Apparently I don't give give her enough to drink :)

I knew if I let her get away with that, she and the boys would feel they have free rein on all the snacks in the pantry, but how do you punish something you find so funny?!

I have to admit that she does still has some calm moments (see below).

As I was writing this post (very late at night of course), I heard Matthias crying out in his sleep "NO SEIJA!!!". I wonder what he's dreaming about!

Sunday's Weekly Blessing - Fasting

I enjoy fasting, not the starving - stomach growling bit, but for the way that I feel on the days I fast. I know that I am fasting for a few very good reasons, 1. I fast for a need / cause, 2. I give the money saved (from the two meals in which I fasted from) to charity, to those who need it more than I do, and 3. for my own spiritual uplift. These are the three reasons I am grateful for the law of the fast.

Easter Sunday

On Sunday morning I gave my children their new clothes. All my boys got new ties and Seija got a new dress.

Aren't they a cute bunch?

Seija striking a pose.

Thank-you Auntie Ashley for taking these photos!

Sunday's Weekly Blessing - Christ's Resurrection

I thought it was fitting this Easter to remember that Jesus Christ was resurrected. He lives! He overcame death so that we can have that great gift also. I am grateful for this part of His atoning sacrifice!

Easter Week

We have a some Easter traditions in our family to keep Jesus Christ at the centre of this holiday. We start the week before Easter and read scriptures of Christ's life in the week leading up to His death and resurrection, along with colouring pictures depicting those stories, and doing some activities. Sunday was the first day, we read the story of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:6-11 & John 12:12-18), and we coloured hard boiled eggs. The second day (Monday), we had our "spring" egg hunt. We didn't want the egg hunt to be our children's focus on Easter Sunday, so we did it for FHE, along with talking about Jesus cleansing the temple (Matthew 21:12-16), colouring the picture, and reading "The First Easter" (found in the April 1988 Friend magazine).

Tonight was the third night. We read of few of Christ's parables and teachings (found in Matthew 21:23-46, 22:1-14, and Mark 12:41-44). Tomorrow, the fourth day, we will also read some of Jesus Christ's parables and teachings (found in Matthew 25:1-46). The fifth day will be reading of the Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:17-75). The sixth day is on the betrayal, Jesus trial and His crucifixion (Matthew 27:1-61). On the seventh day, the day before Easter, we'll make the "Easter Story Cookies" and read of Jesus teaching in the Spirit World (1 Peter 3:18-20 and D&C 138:29-37). The eighth day is Easter Sunday and we'll finish the Easter Story Cookies & eat them, read of His resurrection, and watch either "The Testaments" or "Finding Faith In Christ". Then on the ninth and last day, being Easter Monday, we will do "The Easter Story in Eggs" for FHE.

Sunday's Weekly Blessing - Health & the San Antonio Temple

Yes, I know it's Tuesday, but I have two to do. Better late than never. It seems to be my thing to post two days to three weeks later. My first blessing is 9 days late, but my second is only 2 days late :)

First, now that we aren't sick anymore, I'm really grateful to be healthy. I enjoy using all five of my senses (I can breathe well and smell again). I am able to use my limbs and extremities (no more aches all over and the need to lay down all day). I have energy and feel great (no more fever, chills and sweats). I'm enjoying the outdoors again (no more being quarantined in our own home). I love it! I love being healthy. I am grateful I have health of body and mind and all the opportunities that go along with that. The talents I can gain, skills I can learn, knowledge I can attain, sports I can play, activities I can do, service I can perform, etc. I now have the health to get out and enjoy using our Chariot again (below) for walking and cycling.

The second blessing I'm grateful to have is a temple so close by. I'm really grateful that the San Antonio Temple was built and operational just before we moved here. Brad and I were able to enjoy going to the temple last Friday. It is so wonderful to be there, to feel the warmth of the spirit that resides there. Because we have a temple minutes from our home we are able to go together often. We attend the temple at least once each month. When we move from here, we won't be so lucky. The nearest temple will be four hours from our new city (if it is operating by then). We try to take advantage of the opportunity and blessing we have here.