The blog is back!

 Hey guys, check it out, I got the blog working!  When I tried it last time it wouldn't let me post anything.  I am glad it is working now though.  How does everyone feel about sharing family updates and goings onto this blog.  It will just help us keep in touch more etc.  Let me know if you would like to.  Please let me know if you don't want to- I would rather not try to make something happen that others aren't interested in doing.

2 Tim. 1:6-7

This has always been one of my favorite scriptures.  I came upon in the Missionary Training Center right after 9/11.  It was a great comfort to me at the time, and I have referred back to it a few times here and there.  Here's to another great week of ponderizing....

Mosiah 2:10 and a Great Homeschool Experience. by: Tami

This week I chose Mosiah 2:10.  I love ponderizing!

It has been a great experience for me and exactly what I needed in my life.  This week as I sat next to Caleb while he was practicing reading as part of his school work, he was struggling and he would not listen to me when I asked him to point to the words as he read them.  The frustration was building in both of us.  It eventually got to the point of his outright defiance and my putting him in his room til he was ready to listen to me.  He has quite a bit of endurance, so he was in there for awhile.  At this point, I would usually let my frustration grow, feeling justified because of his defiance, and my being right.  At least that's how I felt.  Instead of letting myself continue in frustration this time I wanted to focus on not letting this get out of hand and turning into a yelling match and more frustration and anger.  So I focused on my scripture, I really focused on my scripture.  It was a perfect scripture for this situation too.

"10 I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me..."

I was trying to focus on not letting this fear, or anger, take over our home for the time being.  It worked!!  I was able to see past the situation and let my love for Caleb be the reigning factor, not the looming fight.  As I did this my heart was softened towards him and his struggles with reading and school in general.  I stuck to my guns though, knowing that his reading would improve if he would point to the words as he read them.  Each time he came out of his room I would ask (calmly) if he was ready to point to words as he read them and finish reading his book.  He said no a few times and was put back in his room.  Finally he came out and was ready to read.  Which he did, calmly.  He needed a few reminders to put his finger back on the page and point to his words, but he was willing to do it and did not fight me about it or throw a fit about it.  We were able to finish school successfully that day. And I can see how ponderizing is making a difference in our home and helping teach us the ways of love and righteousness.

Alma 34:27 by Tami

This weeks scripture is Alma 34:27

 27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your^ahearts be ^bfull, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your ^cwelfare, and also for the welfare of ^dthose who are around you.

I have only been thinking about this scripture for a day and already my prayers have become more meaningful.  I think it also reinforces ponderizing itself- to have a prayer in our hearts continually, is similar to having a scripture in our minds frequently throughout the day.

My scripture

I chose D&C 62:3.  This scripture pertains to us too.  Revelation given to Joseph smith on the bank of the Missouri River in 1831.  Joseph was going to Kirkland and met several elders who were traveling to Missouri.  This is what he told them:

"Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the Angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, AND YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN YOU.

I've read this many times and realize I need to bear my testimony more often which also helps your testimony to grow.  We all know our testimony is a fragile thing and we need to strengthen it every chance we get.  Love to you all. Mom

Enos 1:15

This week I have been ponderizing Enos 1:15.  It reads...

Wherefore, I knowing that the Lord God was able to^apreserve our records, I cried unto him continually, for he had said unto me: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive 

I realized that if we want to ask the Lord for something, we can also ask before hand if that thing is in line with his will.  If it is not inline with his will for us then we won't receive that blessing.  I had never thought before that we can ask first if the things we want are in line with his will.  Just my random musing, please share your own insights and comments!

tami and john am enjoying reading about your family home evenings up the canyon your kids are so fun cant wait to see you all again  mom

Making cake balls with daddy

John is making cake balls for desert and caleb clearly is "helping" daddy.  Helping daddy eat them that is!!

Dads treatment plan

So the treatment plan works like this....on the first day of the cycle (which is 21 days long) dad will get a shot, which is the new drug.  On the 8th day he will get another shot.  Then wait til the end of that cycle.  After 2 cycles (I think, its hard to know what dr. Zanghari is saying all the time) they will run dad through a bunch more tests and see how he's responding to the treatment, then reevaluate the plan and go from there.
On Monday or Tuesday we will meet with the research team and they will be able to explain things in more detail.  The medicine is only available here because its still in research stages, so dad would not be able to go any where while he's on it. 
As far as his leg goes he seems to be doing great!  Can walk short spans without his walker and doesn't seem to be in much pain from it. 
 

Kyle and Sophia playing super puppy after church

Drove passed this truck in lehi today, thought you might like the pics.  Is this the one jaime took you to see?

Good morning grandpa and grandma!

James Henry napping at the hospital.

James Henry is dehydrated.  We are at the hospital getting him some fluids to help him, until he can get over whatever bug he has and get his digestion back on track.

James Henry just playing and smiling at me

Da boys

A little rock climbing in st. George

Caleb saw the "red mountains" and wanted to go see them so bad!  So we found a trail that went along some mountains and he got to some serious exploring!  Jeremiah got to collect some red rocks for his collection too.  I love St. George!

Dad in the hot seat!!!

We took dad to get his ears checked and try out some new hearing aids!  The put him in this booth thing while they did the test- it was good for a laugh anyway. :)

How to eat a peanut butter sandwich

Take the bread apart.  Eat the jam by licking it off the peanut butter.  Eat the peanut butter by scooping your finger through it, and then licking your finger til the peanut butter is all gone.  Then put the bread back together and act as if nothing has happened!

Valentines Day at Buckland Manor

We had adobo, with rice and green beans.  And everyone got at least one valentine!  That's how Buckland Manor does valentines day!