Random August

This is what I find on my windshield on most Sundays after church. The kids drop off their junk while they walk home.

Sherry Bookman's daughter was able to get us tickets to the Sandy Amphitheater again. 

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"

All summer we've enjoyed babysitting our second cousins (DaLynn's kids, Kimball and Charlotte) while DaLynn teaches Rachel and Bryce spanish.

Hispanic culture activity making tasty treats.

We got two new kitties. The calico is Kenya and the black and white is Mali. Unfortunately a few weeks later, Kenya was hit by a car and Mali ran away. But our awesome neighbor, Amy, helped us find Mali and she is sticking around. We love her.

Late summer monsoon rains are the best!

At the beginning of the summer, we constructed a potato tower. Adding a layer of boards and dirt every week or two, we started to grow potatoes. But somewhere along the line, something went wrong and after all I tender love and care, we came up empty-handed.

School on Sunday

So I just need to make a quick note about something Sydney has been doing for several, several months. She conducts school in our family room almost every Sunday. 

Sydney picks a topic, researches it, makes lesson plans and power point presentations. She makes worksheets, quizes and tests. It is amazing. SHE is amazing. 

This is a picture of the first slide for every class unit.

?????? for Girls

with the picture of this crazy guy. It's awesome. Later she added (and Dad and Parker) when they decided to join in on the fun.

Sydney has taught lessons on Geography, Greek Mythology, Interior Decorating and more. I absolutely love that she does this and so do her siblings. 

Provo Canyon 2014

 

The last few years we have made it a habit to go up Provo Canyon after Stake Conference. We bring a picnic, blanket and a variety of balls and we spend the afternoon lounging about. It is one of my most favorite things to do. And one of the only Sundays EVER when Sterling can say the final amen at 12:00 noon and not have other obligations. It's heaven!

 

The year Bryce was born, we took a picture of all five kids lined up in a row and we've taken one every year since. Here are the attempts at a picture for Sept 2014. I finally had to work a little photoshop magic to get a picture with everyone's eyes open.

 

2013

2012

2010

Provo Canyon

After Stake Conference a few weeks ago, we headed up Provo canyon, armed with a picnic, blankets, games and a few balls. We spent the whole afternoon up there and loved every beautiful, lazy minute of it. The leaves are just starting to change color. The picture does NOT do it justice. Not even close.

 

 

Sundays like this are hard to find these days so we relish the ones we have. I remember spending a stake conference sunday the same way a couple of years ago. I had taken a picture of the kids that I love and made the kids try to recreate it this time, 2 years later. There's a little more personality in the recent picture. I could not get Hash to look at me and nobody would be serious. Isn't that life?

Bedtime Prayers

photo by Eveline Wunder

Raising boys is not my forte, I must say. It is a struggle for me to understand and accept the noise, dirt, mess, jumping, throwing, yelling and general windstorm of raucousness that is termed "BOY." I'm learning to not battle the natural disposition of my boys so much anymore. But its hard. I feel like I'm failing regularly because I feel like I'm losing my cool regularly. I don't like to feel either way. Many nights I lay in bed, looking at the ceiling, confiding to my husband that I have no idea what I'm doing. And the things I am doing don't appear to be making a difference...

...until I pray with my boy. Suddenly this busy, little body, who hasn't stood still long enough for homework, reading or dinner; who has made his sisters cry and picked on his little brother; who consistently "misses" in the bathroom; who leaves a trail of dirt, food and stinky socks in his wake, takes my breath away with his prayers. As he prays to his Heavenly Father, his walls come down and he asks for help to be better in ways I didn't think he realized he was lacking. He has yet to offer a rote or routine prayer. It is always sincere and specific. He asks for help to be nice to his sisters. He asks for help to listen to his teacher in school. Last night he asked for help "to not be so hyper." Simple requests but heartfelt to the core.


I don't say bedtime prayers with all my children. Mostly with Parker because he insists on it and I am so grateful he does. I'm missing out with the other kids and that needs to change. What a difference it makes to get a glimpse into his heart and the way he really feels about things and people and actions. As I pray with him, I realize how hard he is trying to improve himself. I also come to recognize his spirit more as I see him pray with true faith and testimony that Heavenly Father is listening and will help him. What a great example for me. Suddenly everything that irritates me about little boys dissipates as I peel away the mortal mask and see him truly for who he is. And when he closes his prayer with, "thank you for my mom," I couldn't love that little boy more.



photo by Eveline Wunder

Primary Program

I was really excited about the primary songs the kids would sing for the primary program this year. So excited in fact, that we started the learning the songs as a family in April. This first video is of them singing, "I Know That My Savior Loves Me." This video is AWESOME. You will see why.

I love how their personalities shine through. Older siblings, younger siblings, boy siblings, girls siblings, middle siblings. Good thing they love each other in the end. We watched this video about 5 times last night and laughed and laughed and laughed.

This last video is of Rachel singing by herself. Remember, it was taken in April. As I watched this video again, I realized how far Rachel's language skills have come in the last 6 months. Maybe I'll try and get another video of her singing now to compare. But for now, enjoy this one.

BTW- the program was last Sunday and they did a great job. Around 150 kids in the primary. AMAZING!!!

Survivor show for Dads

I caught this talk by Elder Ballard on TV the other day, during lunch. Its titled "Here Am I, Send Me" and was given first, as a devotional at BYU and later, as a talk at Women's Conference in 2001.

I tuned in just as he was explaining his concept of a "Survivor" for Dads. It is so funny. I really, really enjoyed this talk. The whole thing. I couldn't turn it off.

So if you have 40 minutes, watch the whole thing. It really is great.

If you only have a couple of minutes, watch this segment.

5:30-7:50

Here's the link.

And here's the transcript of the funny part BUT it really is better when you listen to and watch it!

The plan is that "six men will be dropped on
an island with one van and four children, and they'll be on the island for six
weeks. Each child plays two sports and either takes music or dance lessons.
There is no access to fast food.

"Each man must take care of his four children, keep his assigned house
clean, correct all homework, complete science projects, cook, do laundry, etc.

"The men only have access to television when the children are asleep and
all chores are done; there is only one TV between them, and there is no remote.

"The men must put on makeup daily, applying it themselves either while
driving or while making four lunches. They must attend weekly PTA meetings;
clean up after their sick children at 3:00 a.m.; make an Indian hut model with
six toothpicks, a tortilla, and one marker; and get a four-year-old to eat a
serving of peas.

"The children vote them off the island based on performance. The winner is
the first one off who gets to go back to his work."

From one bishop's wife to another...

I really really enjoyed this newspaper column this morning.

Its kind of about being a bishop's wife.

But I think it really applies to all of us.

And simply I just think its a funny commentary on the LDS culture we live in.

ENJOY!

p.s. I'm still going private in a week or so, so contact me, will ya?
sk_brown (at) juno (dot) com

Cotton Candy

In between collecting our service project donations and delivering them last week, we went to the local park for a kids summer camp sponsored by the Utah Christian Fellowship. It was super fun. They had an inflatable slide and bounce house. We did an art project, listened to bible stories and sang songs, like this one .

Thursday the snack was cotton-candy. MMmmm. It was a hit. Especially with Rachel.

Fun to get together with other Christians and celebrate what we have in common. Our love, admiration and devotion for Jesus!!! And a desire to be more like Him.

Only in a Mormon Household

Everyone was having a rough morning-


Bickering, kicking, pushing and so on and so forth-


After one particularly hard push issued by Sydney onto a younger sibling, she said -


"Great! I'm probably going to the Tellestial Kingdom now!"

What Its All About

On Sunday, young brother S was blessing the sacrament. I've heard those prayers recited nearly every Sunday since I was born. That would be approximately 1, 830 times, for you mathematical minds out there. Young brother S, himself, has probably offered the prayers at least as many times to use all his fingers and toes counting, if he were keeping track.

The sacrament prayers are interesting because they are one of the only times we, as Mormons, offer a prayer, word for word, as an ordinance. And it must be word for word. The young priests will look to the Bishop, who is carefully listening for accuracy, before they stand and begin to pass the emblems of the sacrament.

Young brother S had a little difficulty last Sunday reciting the prayers. He tried once and was signaled to offer the prayer again. Half way through try number 2 he restarted himself. Again, mistakes were made. The Bishop rose from his seat and knelt next to Bro. S, in love and compassion, to show him his error and how to correct it. Effort #4, the silent nod of approval was given and the sacrament was offered to the congregation.

Isn't that what the Sacrament is all about?

I make lots of mistakes. Some are big, some are small. Sometimes I catch myself, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I just keep making mistakes over and over again. Jesus Christ and His Atonement have provided a way to help me correct my mistakes. To overcome my weaknesses. To reconcile my errors and offenses of the spirit. His Atonement and the sacrifice of His flesh and blood, which emblems I partake of as the sacrament, save me! That is what the sacrament is about. Christ has called a Bishop who, in love and compassion, will help me in that process.

Thank you Bro. S, for bringing into focus the true meaning and purpose of the partaking of those sacred sacramental emblems and the reality and efficacy of the Atonement in my life.

It happened again...

...I cried while reading the newspaper.

The title of the article:

Funeral foods should feature spuds, please.

Hold your laughter, please. It must be the 4 children playing havoc with my hormones over the last 8 years. I don't think I've ever completely balanced out and maybe never will. These days, I cry over the craziest things.

Like yesterday, when I had to leave Primary opening exercises and cry in the bathroom for a few minutes, baby in arms. Not sure why. Just needed to be done.

Anyway, this article made me tear up. . .

"I was thinking about all this on Saturday because I helped serve up another funeral dinner, this one for more than a hundred people. We put out the call for funeral potatoes and a dozen women showed up, warm casserole dishes in hand. You should have seen (and smelled!) all those cheesy, bubbling potatoes. Ah. Heaven.

Actually, I was struck by how each casserole was a little different from the casserole sitting next to it. Some were topped with cornflakes, others with crumbled Ritz crackers, and others still with grated Parmesan.

The potatoes were just as varied. Some were hash browns, while others were cubed. Some of the casseroles had onions, some didn't."

OK, go ahead. Let the tears flow. I know, I know. Grab a tissue.

Seriously, my heart-thoughts went to the ladies in my neighborhood/ward family. Each one a different flavor, color, aroma, method, essence of beautifulness. As different as their funeral potatoes...cheesy, bubbly, sweet onion, green onion, crunchy, salty, sweet, ritzy, creamy. All of them warm and ready.

Can't you just see, in your heart's eye, the service offered by those sisters who surround you, in all their variations, so willingly given at a moment's notice? Showing up with casseroles in hand. Babysitting children. Offering a home-cooked meal. A hug. A smile. A good laugh. A compliment. A phone call at precisely the needed moment. A delicate reminder of God's love for ALL His children.

Ahh, Heaven!

Happy Face

This is what Camille drew on her shoes during Sacrament meeting yesterday. If its any indication of the way she was feeling at the time, I'm satisfied.

Kite strings

Disclaimer: this is long and could be potentially boring.

Every morning I read the newspaper. I read at the table while Sterling eats breakfast and before the children are up, if I’m lucky. I scan the headlines and read anything that catches my fancy: who Obama is picking to fill leadership roles in D.C.; starving, misplaced children in Congo; praise for a local professor. After I hand the sports section over to Sterling, I leaf through every page of every section. I really enjoy it. On Thursdays, the “Mormon Times” is inserted as section M, where I religiously read Orson Scott Card’s weekly column. Today’s article, "Avoiding the syndrome of shaken faith," was particularly interesting to me.

I guess my interest was peaked when he began questioning things like shaken-baby syndrome, recovered memories (the idea that the human mind represses horrible experiences), post-traumatic stress disorder, and even global warming. As far as I know, these have all been proven, believed and supported by the scientific community for quite sometime, right? I mean, that’s the understanding that I had. Card, however, claims that science to be outdated and false. Other, more current, scientists have since proved the afore-mentioned conditions to be invalid, apparently. Card insists that real science “examines possibilities, tries to disprove its own guesses, and regards no answer as final.” Those who still believe in some of these “out-dated” issues are stepping out of the true scientific system, meaning they have not continued to question, disprove and prove and move forward with other scientific minds.

“Well, that’s interesting,” I think to myself. Life is ever changing. Science is ever changing. One study says one thing, another study says something different. I guess you can find a study to prove almost anything you want. And there certainly is no immediate need or merit to believe what Orson Scott Card writes in the Mormon Times. But there are so many different theories to believe. What is true, valid, real? What is not? How do you know which side of the fence to sit on? And once you pledge your allegiance to a certain theory or belief, you have to wonder, Will this too change? Will science or culture eventually find a different answer? This question may be especially difficult when you hold religious beliefs against cultural beliefs, freedoms, rights and privileges. Do you see where this is going?

Card then brings his argument home and makes it personal by suggesting that, especially members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we might often be “tossed to and fro” (Ephesians 4:14) by the doctrines and beliefs of the world. We sympathize with cultural beliefs that may even be contrary to our religious beliefs. He laments how many LDS men and women, “…leap like kites into these winds and then cut the thread of faith that would have left them with some connection to truth. Untethered, they blow wherever the wind takes them.”

Have you ever been that kite? Do you know anyone who is holding on to the truth, only by a thin string? How easy it is to be caught up in the wind currents of the world. There are so many wonderful resources, answers, supports, philosophies, in this world that are good. They are good and truthful and uplifting but they are not THE truth. The everlasting and eternal truth of Jesus Christ, which does not change. If we are not anchored to that, we have cut our string and are “tossed to and fro.” Of course, if we cut our string, we do not see ourselves in any way disadvantaged. In fact, we may think we have reached a new understanding, a heightened awareness, or as Card says, “graduated from the gospel.”

Well, this whole line of thought really got me thinking. How strong is my kite-string? What kind of wind currents am I flying in? How anchored am I? More specifically, to what am I anchored?
Of that I am certain, by my own knowledge, testing and testimony. I am not tethered to something unknown or mysterious. Nor is it unapproachable. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ and therein, I find my answers. Card clarifies, “I don’t mean that faithful Saints never question anything. In fact, the gospel of Jesus Christ, just like good science, demands that believers find out the truth of old and new revelations for ourselves.”

We live in a world that is ever changing; science, culture, medicine, global relations, financial markets. I guess a lesson I learned through this article was to stay tied to the things I know are true and as for the rest of the information that I am bombarded with daily, to not be afraid to question, doubt and seek out answers,. Card's final words suggest we be “open-minded enough o keep questioning. To doubt our own doubts. To be skeptical of our skepticism.” Our lives are always in motion. But some truths are just true and they don’t change. It’s nice to have that confidence and stability as we face the daily whirlwind we call life.

You need to know how to swim.

Its official! Sydney Brown is a bona fide member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Yep, she's pretty excited about that. We had a lot of family to join with us but certainly missed all those family members who live far away. We mean it. We missed you. Sydney also had some good friends and primary teachers come to support her. Thank you, teachers, neighbors and leaders who have been such a wonderful influence on her. It truly makes a difference!

The morning went smoothly. Everyone was dressed, hair done, teeth brushed, 5 minutes before we were supposed to leave. I made sure Sydney had her extra undies and a clean white towel. I asked Ster if he needed my help packing anything for him. "Nope," he said. I later found him carrying his "essentials" in his trustworthy Darth Vader backpack. I think that may be the first time Darth Vader went to a baptism.

FAMILY PICTURES

A few months ago, we asked Sydney to prepare a Family Home Evening lesson on "Preparing for Baptism." She always teaches wonderful lessons. Attention-getter, stories, games, chalkboard, action activity, hand-outs. And its always totally coordinated and ties in with one central theme. She really is gifted. Anway, she made a list of things to do to prepare for baptism. The first thing on her list was:

1. You need to know how to swim!

I thought that was so cute. She's never had swimming lessons and has always been scared to be completely immersed in water. So it made complete sense even though it wasn't what I would have put at the top of my list. But Sydney has come a long way. The night before her baptism, I asked, again, what one needs to do to be prepared for baptism. She said:

1. Read the scriptures and say your prayers.

Now that's more like it. Atta-girl! Sydney is beautiful. She's genuinely interested in everyone she comes in contact with. She's a great conversationalist. A wonderful teacher. An amazing help around the house. She has an innate gift of testimony that shines through. We just love love love her!!! Congratulations Sydney, on being baptized and recieving the gift of the Holy Ghost. We love you!

Baptism Traditions

This is an open call for tradition ideas. Syd will be baptized this Saturday and so I've been thinking, what kind of tradition would we like to start in our family to mark this significant event? I have several I'm thinking about and some we've already done, but what are your traditions? What do you do?

Primary Program

(Disclaimer: Some of you may not be as interested in this post as my parents. The video is looong.)

Dear Mom & Dad,

I regret to inform you that you missed the ward primary program. This was a dreadful oversight on my part. Looking back, it would have been nice to have a family member sit with my youngest two while I was on-stage manning my CTR5-C class and Sterling was in his designated seat on the stand. But alas, Camille followed me on-stage and Rachel was ushered out of the chapel by a friend, mid-scream.

The chapel was full to capacity with bunches of other grandparents who had attended to watch one or several of the 175 children in our primary recite their lines and sing their songs. Sorry Mom and Dad, that you were not one of those treasured visitors. All I have to offer is a brief recap. Parker did great holding a picture of Brigham Young and clearly saying, "Brigham Young is a prophet of God." Sydney said, "I show my faith in Jesus Christ by being baptized and confirmed." And Sydney knew almost every word of every song they sang. But the most touching part of the program for both Sterling and I was when the primary sang, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me", written by Sally DeFord.

So touched were we that I recorded Sydney singing it later that week. The words aren't perfect but the spirit is. I've posted it here in hopes to assuage your disappointment in missing the program altogether. Again, please accept my sincerest apologies.
Love,
Karin and the kids
P.S. Can we still come for Sunday dinner?

Conference Packet

Here is a link to a fun conference packet to help keep children occupied and even paying attention a little during the conference sessions:
Conference Packet
I know its a little late because conference is half over - call me a day late and a dollar short - or maybe just half late and fifty cents short. At least it will help for Sunday morning, if you read this in time.

Wandering Minister

I admire a lot of things about my husband. He is a great father, wonderful husband and good friend. For about 8 months now, we have embarked on a new phase of life for us. Our family is learning to share our father as he broadens his responsibility as father of the ward. Having a bishop as a husband, husband who is a bishop, is a unique experience and has changed our lives and relationship in so many ways. I have discovered so many new things to admire about him.
One of his attributes that makes him such a great servant of the Lord is that he is very close to the whisperings of the Spirit. He always has been but is even more so now. Its interesting that when we were sitting in the Stake President's office and Sterling was extended the call to serve, he broke down. He was brought to the deepest levels of humility and self-doubt. I've never seen him so weak, humble and almost helpless in my life. And then, before my eyes, I saw him lifted and strengthened, through the Spirit, to a state of confidence and almost enthusiasm to fill this call. It was really a beautiful and touching experience for me to see Sterling lifted and strengthened, not by his own strength or will, but by the strength and will of his Father. And that strength has not left him.
He is still close to the Spirit and lets it guide him as he serves as Bishop. Often times on a night we have previously scheduled as his night for Bishop "stuff", he'll say, "I'm going to take a walk." And he'll leave the house, without purse or script. Without direction or agenda. Not knowing before hand the things that he should do. He wanders and fully expects, almost demands, the Spirit to direct him where he should go. It is a beautiful thing.
So on this Father's Day, while the Bishop is still in his office, or perhaps wandering the neighborhood on his way home, I wish my dear husband the happiest of Father's Days. He deserves it, twice over.

The Artist

Camille likes to draw. How do I know this? Her artwork is readily available nearly every Sunday, her own body being her canvas.

Now, I know we have been counseled by prophets, apostles and other such leaders to avoid tattoos. Tattoo=Taboo, right? We're still working on it. The fact that this happens during sacrament meeting, with her mother sitting right next to her is just, I don't know....SAD! I mean, come on. I'm sitting right there.

Bro. W noticed one Sunday (because it has happened a lot more than once) and I happened to notice him laughing (reverently, of course) out of the corner of my eye. That was my clue to check on my daughter. Ball-point pen up both legs. Last Sunday, she was at it again. First I heard Sis. P behind me, laughing. So of course I thought, "Check on my Millie." Yes, indeed, she was picking her nose with her ball-point pen. By the end of Sacrament meeting, she had put her ball-point pen to a different use by covering all four appendages with tattoos. Sis. S wanted to tell me because she saw it happening and noticed I had No Clue! Alas, she was 2 benches too far.

Sundays are always an adventure at my house.