These are my Jewels

Last night, I read from the Ensign. The first article, "These, Our Little Ones," is by Gordon B. Hinckley. I love the article. There is one portion in particular that stands out to me in a very powerful way. It is this story:

The story is told that in ancient Rome a group of women were, with vanity, showing their jewels one to another. Among them was Cornelia, the mother of two boys. One of the women said to her, "And where are your jewels?" To which Cornelia responded, pointing to her sons, "These are my jewels." Under her tutelage and walking after the virtues of her life, they grew to become Gaius and Tiberius Gracchus - the Gracchi, as they were called - two of the most persuasive and effective reformers in Roman history. For as long as they are remembered and spoken of, the mother who reared them after the manner of her own life will be remembered and spoken of with praise also.

My favorite part is the line, "These are my jewels." Along with the article is a powerful picture of two women sitting together. One woman is sitting with her children close beside her, looking lovely, but plain in comparison. The other is adorned with jewelry and every fancy thing, in an attitude of arrogance, and pride. I love the picture. It is so powerful to me.

How often do we feel we are asked, "And where are your jewels?" I remember feeling a similar way when I attended the swearing in ceremony for Charles. I was there, with William in hand, and I was pleasantly dressed, but comparatively plain. I was surrounded by women of the world, fancy suits, expensive jewelry, etc. etc. Yet, as I held William, I felt I was holding something much more precious and valuable than any grand worldly accomplishment. I was holding a Heavenly accomplishment, one so precious and valuable, with infinitely more worth. I was holding something that perhaps captures little value from the world, but captures the highest praise of the Heavens. When all the world is left desolate, all the worldly treasures will wither away and disappear. The one treasure we are allowed to keep forever is our children, our family. I am so grateful for that.

Truly, my children are my jewels. I love them so much it overwhelms me. I thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me to care for a few of His children - to help them shine, and keep them polished - so I can return my "jewels" to the One who so carefully crafted them.

Lots of love,
Mari

Patty-Cake

He is still learning, but he is catching on and it is so fun to see! :-) He is wearing a hat because we do not turn on the heat in our house (unless it is really cold and on holidays). Actually, we had just returned home from dropping off Sammi from school, it is cold in our home -but not that cold. ;-) I love this age! I think it is one of my favorite. He can move around, but he mostly stays in one place (not for long). It is a sweet time.

Bundle of Joy

William is truly a little baby packed full of sweetness and fun. I love him so much. He is so quick to smile and laugh - I love it!

Christmas Memories. . .

Like Father, Like Son. . .

I came across this picture of Charles and I thought it really looked like Daniel. :-)

More Christmas Tree Pics. . .

The Christmas Tree

Once again, we found the perfect tree. Charles had to go and get it himself with the truck. The only lot open was pretty far away - so he went himself and once again he picked out a lovely tree. It smells SO good. There is nothing like the smell of a fresh Christmas tree. Well, I am keeping this brief, but I have many more pictures, and much more to say . . . for now it is getting late and I am ready for bed!

Lots of love,
Mari

Thanksgiving

We had a lovely Thanksgiving. We started our day out with a run in the freezing cold (20 degrees). It was really cold. Charles could not push the stroller (because of his hand) so I got to do it. We piled all three kids in the double stroller plus winter gear. We figured it weighed about 130lbs. It was so heavy, I ran really slowly, especially up hills! We did it though, and felt great after.

I had the opportunity (HA!) of helping Charles with the turkey this year. If there is one thing that I do not like it is raw poultry/meat etc. Icky! I was surprised at how easy making a turkey really is. I always thought it was a big deal. Really, it just takes a long time to cook. Prep was no big deal, though an icky job. It is amazing how something so nasty looking - tastes so good!

We had a good time as a family. The kids loved it. Now we have to go find a tree! They did not have them out before Thanksgiving here! One of our first Thanksgivings without a tree! It was still great. However, a tree changes the whole feeling of the home. I love it!

Happy Holidays to all!

Love, Mari

He Won!

Charles won his very first jury trial. He got the "gold star" on his door at work (you get it if you win your case). It is a great thing. It was so exciting to hear all the details from it. One funny thing was the jury selection. There was someone on the panel that he used to home teach in Spokane, they had to take him off the jury. :-) Small world.

Charles said he was really animated so he would keep the attention of the jury. Lets face it, they watch the TV shows, and they want to be entertained. He said he was totally surprised when the jury said, "Guilty!" (that is what Charles wants to hear). He spent all day in the courtroom, he was pretty tired when it was over. Charles was so happy when he came home. We know there will be victories and defeats - but it is sweet to conquer. :-) We know how to handle defeats, we have had a few. Victories are much more fun! He was happy that justice was served.

Also, Charles went to pick up his bike from the repair shop, when he got there they gave him his bike and said, "You are good to go." Charles asked about paying for it and they said someone had paid for it already, but did not leave a name or anything. We have no idea who did it. We consider it a true blessing, a miracle. It made me feel so good that there truly is some good left in this world.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I will post pictures from our feast. . .

Love, Mari

*Charles met with the bone specialist and they said he may not need surgery. They have his hand in a special wrap and he has to wear it for 6 weeks. Hopefully, it will heal properly, or surgery will be needed. Please pray for him, specifically to heal properly. Thanks a bunch! We love you!

The pictures are of Thanksgivings gone by. The first one was our first year in Law school. We were so poor we had a small chicken, egg rolls, and ice cream. The next year we were introduced to food stamps and we had a great feast. The same for the third year. Looking back those were such good times. I have such fond memories of each of those Thanksgiving days. The first just as sweet as the others.

I am looking forward to tomorrow! I just love being with my family. We have such a good time together. The kids are totally excited - they know we do the holidays with full gusto! This year will be no exception. Bring on the Turkey and every good thing! ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Lots and lots of love!
Mari

More Silly Willy. . .

William is really trying to discover his voice - it cracks me up. He is a really fun baby, very entertaining for me. ;-)

Train Time

Santa, my neighbor!

Two houses down from our home lives Santa. There is a family who covers every inch of their home with decorations, and they even built an addition onto the front of their house where Santa will sit and wave out the window. I have seen him. He looks JUST like Santa with beard, bowl full of jelly, and all! They are just getting started on the decorations, but I can tell it will be good. After Thanksgiving he will start sitting in the window, dressed as Santa and waving! How cool is that? Apparently, the ward has him come to be Santa for Christmas parties. It should be so great! Who knew Santa was my neighbor? Awesome!

I will take pictures. . .

Sammi and Dan have been playing Santa and Rudolf. It is a crack up. They really love to dress-up and do little plays together. It is mostly Sammi telling Daniel what to do, but he enjoys being a part of it. William is now sitting up and loving it. He can really play! He LOVES watching Daniel's trains, which are probably the best thing we have ever bought. The tracks are so sturdy and so fun! They will last forever.

We are preparing for Thanksgiving day. I am looking forward to it. We will be watching "Miracle on 34th Street" (the new version) one of our favorite Christmas movies, and part of the reason Charles went to Law school (long story). So fun!

Happy Holidays!

Love, Mari

For family. . . make sure and check out Kary's new blog at www.karyskorner.blogspot.com (link can be found on the left under friends and family)

No more strumming for Charles. . .

Charles rides his bike to work everyday. Yesterday, he was on his way to work and there was a man walking in the middle of the sidewalk. Charles yelled, "On your left!" but the man apparently had head-phones on and could not hear. As a result, Charles had to swerve so he would not run into him. He flew off of his bike and landed on the ground. He got up, in pain and rode the rest of the way to work on his tweaked-out bike. He called me and told me what had happened. I knew it was not just a normal injury he acquired. He went most of the day at work, meanwhile all his co-workers told him he should go to the doctor. At the end of the day he went to a clinic where they did X-rays, etc. Apparently, he broke his finger, and the doctor thinks he will need surgery and pins put in place (it is a crack). So, I drove downtown to pick-up Charles, his hand was all wrapped up. Next week sometime he will be meeting with a specialist to discuss surgery. Meanwhile, his first jury trial (which had been moved) is on Wednesday. I told him he may get some sympathy from the Jury with his hand in a cast! So he may go in for surgery on Monday or Tuesday and be in front of a Jury on Wednesday - how fun!

Now, this may not be convenient, or a joyous event in our lives, but we are happy. Charles is in some pain - he is handling it well though. He said his first thought was that he would not be able to play the guitar for our Christmas program. He is really sad about that - he had been working so hard. He will play again, just not for a long while.

There are of course blessings that come from this - I am sure more will come. About a week ago our insurance kicked in! Thank Heavens! Nice timing! I am sure in weeks to come and years from now we will laugh about it. We will find great understanding from this small but painful trial. He is tough, and I am grateful it was just his finger!

The kids were really concerned about him. Their Super-Man dad had just become mortal! They are praying for him, and it is so sweet. I know he will heal quickly because of their prayers.

We decided to get a pizza and Shrek 3 last night so we could all relax. It was a good sweet time together as a family. I love those simple times. The movie was pretty cute too. Our holidays will be a little different this year, I am going to have to take over most of Charles jobs. Looks like I have to make the Turkey for Thanksgiving! Yikes! It is my turn to step up to the plate! Good thing I have been working on my strength!

Say an extra prayer for Charles to heal quickly. :-)

Lots of Love,
Mari

These are a few of . . .

• William’s baby kisses on my cheek (the wet and slobbery kind)
• Twizzlers
• Making Paper Snowflakes
• Setting up Christmas Presents (Being Santa’s Helper)
• Decorating the Christmas Tree
• Having my hair brushed
• Pink Pajamas
• William’s baby breath (It is weird--but it smells so sweet to me)
• The moment after giving birth when my body stops quivering
• Sammi’s hair
• Daniel’s smile
• William’s cheeks
• Charles eyes
• Cadbury Eggs
• Going to look at Christmas Lights
• Hearing Charles play the guitar (my new favorite thing)
• The Print Shop (computer program)
• Hearing my Dad sing ☺
• Hearing my Mom play the piano
• William watching Sammi and Daniel with great curiosity
• Making Geo-Trax train layouts with Daniel (I am really good at it!)
• Fisher Price Little People
• Lamps – I love good lighting
• Pillows - not too hard, not too soft
• Costco!!!!!!!
• Tillamook Brown Cow ice-cream
• Papa Murphy’s Pizza
• Good Movies – I LOVE movies
• Baking bread
• Making my kids smile
• Listening to Charles voice
• Running in the morning
• Thunder and Lightning
• Wrapping Christmas Presents
• Pictures: taking them, framing them, looking at them
• Going for long drives
• Disneyland at Christmas, or anytime!
• Traveling with my parents
• Writing notes for Sammi’s lunchbox
• Computers
• Christmas Music
• Old Musicals
• Les Miserables
• Nice smelling Shampoo
• Curlers
• Eye Make-up
• Hair Dye
• A clean home
• A full refrigerator/cupboards
• Visiting with Family
• Getting excited about simple things (I get that from my mom)
• Learning something new
• Solving a problem
• Helping someone feel better
• Watching Polar Express on Christmas Eve - while drinking hot chocolate
• Watching any movie with the family, with Twizzlers and Milk Duds in hand (a tradition from my youth)
• Feeling the endorphins rush through my body after running
• Taking a shower after being all sweaty and nasty
• Eating Sugar
• Mostly cookie, cakes, brownies, etc.
• Those chocolate truffle things from Costco that melt in your mouth, what are those called Emily?
• Being at the airport
• I love it when Charles comes home
• Nat King Cole’s voice
• Nan
• A good deal on groceries
• Two for one chocolate chip cookies at Albertsons
• Tae-Bo
• Seeing other people running in the morning and saying, “hello” or “good morning”
• Being a Mother
• Fall colors
• The first snow
• Renting cars
• Spokane’s South Hill
• Brick Houses
• Tall Trees
• Wreaths
• Warm Jackets
• Dinner time
• Singing
• The smell of cinnamon
• Cheap Gas –HA!
• Backyards
• Fish (in a bowl) not to eat
• Friendly People
• Going to Church
• Coming home from Church ☺
• Greg Olsen artwork
• Sun on the mountains
• Rain
• Hail –the harder the better
• Brigham Young Manual
• My washer and dryer
• Costco Muffins
• Candles
• Mickey Mouse – I still get excited when I see him at Disneyland!
• Pirates of the Caribbean ride
• The way that Disneyland smells
• Staying in motels/hotels
• Eating at a restaurant (we rarely do!)
• William putting his binky in his mouth
• I could really go on forever . . . that is all for now!

O Holy Night

We have been working on our song that we might sing for the Christmas brunch in December. We just started working on it, we still need a lot of work, but it is coming along. Charles is doing great with the guitar. It is so nice to sing with him. I sure love him! :-) Don't you love our pajamas?!

Dance to the Music

We are trying to teach Sam and Dan about dancing to the beat. We also like to tease them and make them go really fast - they love it. Enjoy the craziness. . . :-)

Drawing time with Sammi

Sammi and I love to draw. We spend a lot of time just doodling together. . . we love it!

She also had her parent teacher conference last week and I will just say, I am well pleased with her. :-) She is doing great. She is a really great reader. Her teacher said she tested at a third grade reading level. I told her teacher we read from the scriptures every night and I attribute her reading ability to that. I also told her I just want Sammi to be happy and safe at school. I am not interested in creating the next President or anything, I just want Sammi to be happy. Her teacher is really great. She has been at the school for almost 30 years! She is a super-fantastic teacher. We had a nice meeting together.

There will be more to come. Dinner is almost ready so I better get to it!

Love, Mari

PS. Mom and Dad, I do my best to keep this site updated for you to enjoy. I know you travel far distances just to see how we are doing! We love you so much! Have not heard from you for awhile!?

The Tree...

Last year we had an enormous tree. When we first brought it into our home I thought we had better take it back! Then after awhile, it spoke to me, and I fell in love with it. :-) It was so beautiful, and it smelled so good. This year, we are just hoping to find the quality of trees that they had in Spokane. We will see what they have to offer. I love going to pick out the tree and then strapping it to the car roof. I am looking forward to it. Only about a week and half to go! Amazing!

Happiness is Homemade

There is nothing like making bread. It is so fulfilling to create something! It is also fun to make something that I know Charles loves. He could not get enough of it! There is something about stepping into your home that is filled with the smell of freshly baked bread - Yum! Bring on the baking season!

I turned on the Christmas music and danced around the kitchen, while tossing flour and kneading dough (my favorite part). Daniel was laughing at me. I also tried to make some pumpkin muffins. . .they did not turn out. I actually threw them away, they were so nasty. I got the recipe on-line, but it just did not work with me. I love pumpkin things and I have made some great bread and cakes, but I have not found a good muffin recipe. Does anyone have one?? I would love it!

:-) ME

A Gold Star

Charles is excited because he just got his badge. Yup, he gets to carry around a gold star that he can flash, if say, he gets pulled over for speeding, etc. :-) Gotta love it. He is also very excited because next week he gets to go on a ride-along with a Police Officer. It is a way for him to get close with those he works so closely with. He considers it a perk, and he looks forward to wearing a bullet proof vest when he goes. I look forward to praying for him while he is gone! They will be patrolling around a local football game. Charles is in Heaven. I am so glad!!

Family Music Time

Charles and I have been talking about starting family music time for awhile now. So, we went to a music store and purchased a guitar for Charles--playing the guitar is just one of his many talents. :-) When we moved from Alaska we had to sell his guitar, so he has not been able to play for a long time. He is really excited to have the time to pick it up again, and become much, much better at it. Last night we had a music night for FHE. We gathered around the guitar and the kids made instruments out of pots and pans, we had a tambourine, and our voices. It was so great! I loved bringing music into our home, something I value greatly. I love Charles for being willing to practice and learn the guitar.

Last night we began with "Oh Holy Night" and we all sang together. It was cracking me up as Sammi was exploring her voice, and using vibrato. If we practice enough, we may just sing at the ward Christmas party as a family. I would love that. We are even considering purchasing a small keyboard for Christmas. I have always wanted to learn, but I have never had the patience to do it. I think I have the patience now, and I would love for the children to run their tiny fingers across a piano. I think it is such a good thing. I also think a piano is such a great addition to any home. :-) Have I mentioned that I love music? Thanks to Mom and Dad for that.

My mother is a master-blaster pianist. She can play anything. I used to love listening to her jam out on the piano. She raised us at the edge of a piano bench, and I love her for it. She would drop whatever she was doing and play for us as we sang. She would play for everyone and for everything. If there was ever someone who magnified their talents--it is my mom. She substituted as the ward organist for something like 15 years before they finally made it her calling. She is so great. I look forward to my parents coming home from their mission so I can hear her play again. :-)

My dad loves music in a different way. He was never found singing in the church choir, but he adores all types of music. He would often make CD's for us, or turn on a certain song at a certain time. I knew he was telling us how he felt about us through music. He would always have just the right "mood music" playing for parties, dinner time, etc. He took us to musicals and was at all of our concerts. I love my dad so much. I always get warm fuzzies thinking about my parents.

Lots of love Dad and Mom!

I will try and make a video of our family singing time. . .

That is all for now. Lots of love!

Mari

When Lightning Strikes. . .

I posted this picture before but thought it went well with this post. . .

About a month ago we had a really bad thunderstorm here. This storm came right after I had stepped out the door to go pickup Sammi from school. I had the kids in the stroller and I ran as if my life depended on it towards the school. It was a truly scary experience. There were flashes of light all around me, thunder shook the ground, and huge hail was pummeling me in the head. I made it to the school, unharmed, and out of breath. I was grateful to make it there.

That same day, and that same storm, happened to send a lightening bolt out of the clouds - which struck a mother walking out with her two children. She was thought dead, but she survived and amazingly and slowly she is recovering. Her children saw this horrid event happen. Her mother just happened to be with her and she performed life-saving CPR. As I was watching this morning on the news, they showed the lady's story and her progress. Tears streamed down my face as she said she is going to change her life now. She said she is going to slow things down, not run around all crazy, and she is going to be a mother to her four children - that is all.

I was struck as she spoke, she is very frail, and just came out of a coma. After getting struck by lightning she realized that the most important thing in this life is to hold tight to her children and family. All of the other things were unimportant. Jobs, material possessions, personal glory, etc. They can all be gone in an instant. No one ever looks back and says, "I wish I had more material junk, or spent more time at work, etc." It is always family time and relationships that are regretted.

I hope that it will not take a bolt of lightening for me to realize my role as a mother is the most important work I can do. That my family is what will provide true happiness in this life, and that all other things can be taken away in an instant. Family is the only thing that lasts forever and is worth investing in. I am grateful for that.

I believe a similar "lightening bolt" was felt when Sis. Beck spoke at General Conference about, "A Mother who Knows". Apparently, her talk has sparked some controversy with women in the church who do not agree with her. When she spoke I felt like pulling out my pom-poms and shouting, "You GO girl!" I was SO excited as she spoke. I was bursting with the spirit, confirming to me the truth of her most powerful words. What she said was true, and any woman who really knows, knows it. I loved every minute of it. :-)

I can be anything I want to be. I do not have to prove that to anyone, not even myself. I know it. So knowing that, and that anything is within my grasp - I choose to be the most important thing I can be, and that is (of course) a Mother.

Lots of love,
Mari

Trunk or Treat

It was a great night last night. Trunk or Treat was at six and it was still light outside - so great! It was about 60 degrees too! I was so amazed. Last year in Spokane I think it was about 15 degrees and we all froze and got sick. I was in paradise in the warmth here.

The kids loved going around and gathering candy (of course). Two of Daniel's friends were also Pirates (as you see in the picture). Daniel was loving Captain Hook. It was pretty funny to see midget-sized Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow walking together. I was cracking up. The funny thing is Daniel has never seen Pirates of the Caribbean, but he knows who Jack Sparrow is, and of course - Will Turner. It was also funny because the first thing the two Captains did was compare the size of their swords (I guess it is a boy thing). ;-) Daniel was a big hit though, random people were taking pictures of him. Seeing the two Captains together made me wonder who would win in a fight? Captain Hook or Captain Jack Sparrow? They are both psycho and silly, but I think I would put my money on Jack - he is just too smooth, too cool, and savvy. What a great character!

Sammi had to be a fairy princess. For her costume we just pieced together things we already had and she was happy and good to go. Daniel's costume was also part of his Peter Pan costume turned inside out from last year - it worked great. William was a simple pirate, we were not ready to invest in a baby Will Turner costume - maybe someday. :-)

So the night was fun, we now have tons and tons of candy, even some left over from our own bowl! We will probably snarf on it for awhile then have Charles take it to work for the candy bowl there.

Hope your Halloween was great and safe! Now on to the REAL holidays!!! My FAVORITE!!

Lots of love,
Mari