Pay it Forward Spring Surprise

OK, I know the picture has nothing to do with the post, but I'll never pass up an opportunity to show off my kids, and I hate posting without a pic...

"Paying it forward" - I saw this idea on my aunt's blog, and thought it looked fun so I agreed to pass it on, so here goes:

The first three people to comment on this post will be the lucky recipients of something cleverly handmade by me, to be gifted in the near future.

And here's the only catch. In order for you to comment and be a receiver, you must post this same "deal" on your own blog to keep it going. That way, we can all get a little springtime cheer. And, I'll add my own little wish, which is that you'll post what you made, too, because that would be fun to know.

I'm off to think, think, think about whether I'll cook, sew, craft, or or or . . . . Watch for my post on what I've gifted and I'll be watching for yours!

Wow!

All 3 are napping at the same time - don't think this has EVER happened before, at least since I can remember. :) Going to take advantage and fold the 4 loads sitting on the dryer, start on dinner, and mop the kitchen floor...

but first I have to jot down the latest 'kid-isms' lest they are forgotten: (It's been TOO long since my last post, simply because what with planning a very large medical student event, trying to keep up with Angel's reading lessons, getting through potty training Grins, trying to train Wiggles to sleep on her own, plus my own very serious bout of mastitis that nearly landed me in the hospital...it's been a busy few weeks. Now just trying to catch up on the housework, etc.)

First, there is the pronunciation of words. I'm sure they are't unique but they are so endearing and I hope my kids always speak this way:

Angel -
~prastic/prasticing (practice)
~pretect (protect)

Grins -
~bizanya (lasagna)
~lellow (yellow)
~swain (train)

Then, there's the events:

We RARELY watch TV in any version (movie, TV or otherwise) but the kids were given "Horton Hears a Who" for Christmas so we had a special family movie night and watched it together. Great flick but unfortunately has some language issues; Angel the other day was angry at me for some reason or another (seems to happen more frequently these days, since I'm either "not a very nice mom" or "the best mom EVER!", depending on her frame of mind at any given moment....anyhow, she said, "Mom, you idiot!" (a word she could only have learned from Horton) to which I said "Excuse me?" Without skipping a beat she sad "Mom, your name is Lydia." Would that I had such a quick wit about me.

When I put her hair in pigtails and then she examined herself in the mirror: "I look like an airplane!" (um..really? ok. how about a ponytail?)

We were playing "Pirates" the other day - during which we are each in a "boat" (the couch, a basket, a pillow, etc). Angel dumped out a box of balls and I said "wow! Balls! Are those our cannon balls?" She answered "No! They're pirate heads!" Yikes! Where does she come up with these things? :)

Grins is the ever-sensitive little gentleman. He is quick to soothe either sister if ever they are sad by saying "It's ok, (sister). I'm here. (Grins) is here. Don't worry. I'll pretect you." I cherish his sensitivity but have to remember to take things slow with him - a few weeks ago we visited a candy factory and he was HORRIFIED - he seemed to think we were at an airport and would be "going up" and insisted on being carried (which was somewhat of a challenge with Wiggles in the front pack, and holding Angel's hand, but mothers with 3 ages 3 and under must learn to juggle, mustn't we?). He was terrified - although his tension eased considerably once a piece of chocolate was sampled....a boy after my own heart, I tell you.

Next big adventure: Theatre movie. My children had never been to the theatre so when Oma and Opa offered to treat us to Velveteen Rabbit, the Mr. and I thought it would be a special treat. Grins literally jumped into the Mr.'s arms and clung to his neck with all his might. Again, the tension eased once the actual show had begun, but it took quite a bit of coersion to keep him there at first. Who knew what great lengths we would go to to get our child to watch a movie!

Latest hurdle: the wind. Yes, my son is truly afraid he is going to blow away. At the slightest gust - no, the gentlest puff - of wind or breeze, he comes running to me and CLINGS with all his might to whatever part of me he can grab hold of (usually the pant leg, although hair, clothing, and even certain unmentionable parts have all been squeezed). I ought to just get the poor kid a leash, but as long as I remain within an arm's reach at all times while we're outside, he's ok.

I feel guilty for feeling this way when my sweet little innocent son is so terrifed, but I find his phobias hilarious. It's just so funny to see him get so worked up over something I know is very benign and safe. Don't worry - I try VERY hard to keep my humor concealed. But I suppose that's how our Father in Heaven views us at times. And, I have to admit, I love how much he trusts me to protect him. And I love his sensitivity - I know he gets much of it from his father, and I think it will serve him well in life.


Although there are days I am pulling my hair out, overall I am just overwhelmed with how much I love these sweet little pure and innocent souls. They are truly the light of my life and the most meaningful 'things' to which I have ever devoted my time. They make it so hard to think of anything else and I'm afraid my friendships, career and housework have all seemed to go by the wayside, but truly, I am happier than I can ever remember being in my whole life. I cherish these moments and I, while I know it's a fantasy, I wish and hope and pray that I can stay in this moment, with my children these ages, forever. They are perfect.

Publicity

Since I've received one too many email forwards regarding this, I felt it appropriate to post the following quote, taken directly from www.lds.org. today:

"The Publicity Dilemma

SALT LAKE CITY 9 March 2009 Like other large faith groups, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes finds itself on the receiving end of attention from Hollywood or Broadway, television series or books, and the news media. Sometimes depictions of the Church and its people are quite accurate. Sometimes the images are false or play to stereotypes. Occasionally, they are in appallingly bad taste.

As Catholics, Jews and Muslims have known for centuries, such attention is inevitable once an institution or faith group reaches a size or prominence sufficient to attract notice. Yet Latter-day Saints – sometimes known as Mormons - still wonder whether and how they should respond when news or entertainment media insensitively trivialize or misrepresent sacred beliefs or practices.

Church members are about to face that question again. Before the first season of the HBO series Big Love aired more than two years ago, the show’s creators and HBO executives assured the Church that the series wouldn’t be about Mormons. However, Internet references to Big Love indicate that more and more Mormon themes are now being woven into the show and that the characters are often unsympathetic figures who come across as narrow and self-righteous. And according to TV Guide, it now seems the show’s writers are to depict what they understand to be sacred temple ceremonies.

Certainly Church members are offended when their most sacred practices are misrepresented or presented without context or understanding. Last week some Church members began e-mail chains calling for cancellations of subscriptions to AOL, which, like HBO, is owned by Time Warner. Certainly such a boycott by hundreds of thousands of computer-savvy Latter-day Saints could have an economic impact on the company. Individual Latter-day Saints have the right to take such actions if they choose.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an institution does not call for boycotts. Such a step would simply generate the kind of controversy that the media loves and in the end would increase audiences for the series. As Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Robert D. Hales of the Council of the Twelve Apostles have both said recently, when expressing themselves in the public arena, Latter-day Saints should conduct themselves with dignity and thoughtfulness.

Not only is this the model that Jesus Christ taught and demonstrated in his own life, but it also reflects the reality of the strength and maturity of Church members today. As someone recently said, “This isn’t 1830, and there aren’t just six of us anymore.” In other words, with a global membership of thirteen and a half million there is no need to feel defensive when the Church is moving forward so rapidly. The Church’s strength is in its faithful members in 170-plus countries, and there is no evidence that extreme misrepresentations in the media that appeal only to a narrow audience have any long-term negative effect on the Church.

Examples:

* During the Mitt Romney election campaign for the presidency of the United States, commentator Lawrence O’Donnell hurled abuse at the Church in a television moment that became known among many Church members as “the O’Donnell rant.” Today, his statements are remembered only as a testament to intolerance and ignorance. They had no effect on the Church that can be measured.
* When the comedy writers for South Park produced a gross portrayal of Church history, individual Church members no doubt felt uncomfortable. But once again it inflicted no perceptible or lasting damage to a church that is growing by at least a quarter of a million new members every year.
* When an independent film company produced a grossly distorted version of the Mountain Meadows Massacre two years ago, the Church ignored it. Perhaps partly as a result of that refusal to engender the controversy that the producers hoped for, the movie flopped at the box office and lost millions.
* In recent months, some gay activists have barraged the media with accusations about “hateful” attitudes of Latter-day Saints in supporting Proposition 8 in California, which maintained the traditional definition of marriage. They even organized a protest march around the Salt Lake Temple. Again, the Church has refused to be goaded into a Mormons versus gays battle and has simply stated its position in tones that are reasonable and respectful. Meanwhile, missionary work and Church members in California remain as robust and vibrant as ever, and support for the Church has come from many unexpected quarters — including some former critics and other churches.

Now comes another series of Big Love, and despite earlier assurances from HBO it once again blurs the distinctions between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the show’s fictional non-Mormon characters and their practices. Such things say much more about the insensitivities of writers, producers and TV executives than they say about Latter-day Saints.

If the Church allowed critics and opponents to choose the ground on which its battles are fought, it would risk being distracted from the focus and mission it has pursued successfully for nearly 180 years. Instead, the Church itself will determine its own course as it continues to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world."