Found these awesome monkey vinyl's at a yard sale for $5.






























I admit that I tied this on Quinn, but he asked me to.

What has my man been cooking me lately?

Apricot salsa- ingredients all from our garden. Apricots, red onion, green onion, cilantro, jalapeno.










Salad- lettuce, walnuts, and apricots from our garden with homemade poppyseed dressing. Yummy.

Labor Story

A few people have asked me about my labor story, so instead of re-typing it a million times, here it is. 

The night before my scheduled induction, I started having contractions. By that morning they were painful and fairly regular, 7-10 minutes apart. I was excited because that might mean I wouldn't have to use PIT (which I hate).  My mom had taken Quinn to Idaho the night before, so Thurm & I had a leisurely morning and then he drove me to the hospital.

The excited daddy!



The fat mama.

The adorable, brand new baby.

When we got to the hospital and they checked me I was still at 3cm and 75% effaced, which is what I had been for a week. Contractions all night, and nothing happened : ( So they broke my water and put me on PIT. Instant HORRIBLE pain. My friend's words of advice "don't be a hero, get an epidural" kept running through my mind. So I got an epidural right away.  

My contraction were getting really hard, but I wasn't advancing very quickly.  Every time I had a contraction, the baby's heart rate dropped. Since I wasn't advancing, they thought potentially I might have to have a c-section if Jens' heart rate kept dropping. My doctor thought that the umbilical cord might be getting squished with the contractions, so they put water BACK into my uterus (never heard of that before).  They took me off PIT to lighten my contractions and the baby's heart rate leveled out.  

They put me back on PIT an hour later and within 15 mintues I was ready to push. Three contractions later, Jens was born! He had his cord wrapped around his neck, which explains his heart rate dropping.  He broke his collar bone in the delivery. I'm not sure if my doctor was being rough trying to get him out as fast as possible, or if Jens is just built like a line backer and couldn't get out. Either way, he's been fine and hasn't seemed sensitive about his collar bone.  

 So I have two little boys with broken collar bones. What are the chances. 

It took him a day or two to figure out how to latch and suck, but he's been nursing like a champ. My milk came in right on time and it hasn't been a stress like last time. Fhew! 

He has been sleeps pretty good at night, but has a wakeful period from 1am-3am. Not so fun, but I'm sure he'll get it figured out soon. 

He is just so different from Quinn. Its been so weird. Quinn came out a little man. He was so alert from the second he was born. He had long periods of being awake. He had these bright, wise eyes that he would just watch everything and take it all in. He seriously just looked like he knew what was up and he was evaluating it all.  Quinn came out of the womb, stretched out all his limbs and never curled back up again. He would relax, suck on his binky, and check everything out.  Thurm and I always said we didn't know what it was like to have a baby because Quinn never was one.  

Jens has been a 'baby'.  He is the sleepiest little guy.  He cracks open his eyes occasionally to tell me he's hungry and then its back to sleep.  He stays curled up in a little ball... its impossible to uncurl his legs.  He never unclenches his fists. Sucking on a binky is completely foreign.  Its just been so funny to compare how different they are. It'll be so fun to watch them grow up.  

Grandma couldn't wait to see and hold the baby.  This is one selfless woman. She bends over backwards for all her kids. She took Quinn for us so we wouldn't have to stress. When she brought him home she stayed a couple days to help and dote on the baby.









What is it about a baby laying on you, that puts you right to sleep? Works every time.

Big brother and little brother. Quinn loves his new baby.  

Going Private

Hey Family & Friends-
I decided its time I should probably make my blog private. I've tried to be careful about not posting our last names, our address, etc.  But I'm sure if some sicko wanted to kidnap my kid, they could probably find enough info on the world wide web to do so.  But the very least I can do is make my blog available to those I know. So if you'd like access to read my blog, please send me your email and I'll add you.

natalieheiner@gmail.com

Thurm's family reunion

We went to Thurm's family reunion a couple weeks ago and had lots of fun.  We played lots of games, croquet, bocce, fed ducks, had BBQ's, roasted marshmellows, went down a huge slip & slide, went to the temple (all the kids did baptisms for the dead. David Archeletta was there in the group before them, and needless to say, its all they talked about the rest of the day : )  One of the granddaughters organized a book of poems & letters from everyone in the family for Grandpa--it is such a keepsake. I read through it and bawled & bawled (keep in mind this was on my due date).  

It was such a fun time. I love Thurm's family so much and feel so lucky that I married into it.

How cute is this boy?

Rock-a-bye sweet baby Jens...

Quinn-1 Day Old Comparison

I don't think they look anything alike.

Five Days Old

I was put in as primary president today. I'm two days overdue. And surprisingly feeling pretty peaceful about both. On my due date, Friday the 9th, I was feeling a little cranky and on the verge of tears. We were at Thurm's family reunion Thursday-Saturday and my impending delivery was one of the top topics. I think talking about it so much made me feel even more anxious to just get this baby out of me.  So I went on Friday to get my membrane's striped. Nothing happened, so I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday to get it done again and set up an induction date. With Quinn, I was 11 days late and STILL had to be induced. I knew this, but somehow hoped the 2nd baby would be different. I'm thinking it won't be.  But since going to the doctor I've chilled out and decided "he'll come when he's ready." I don't want to be induced, but know that it might be my fate again.  With Quinn I was on pit and an epidural for 12 hours and I feel like that was part of why Quinn had to be in the NICU. He breathed in some yucky green stuff and had to take antibiotics for a week to clear out his lungs. It just makes me wonder if I hadn't had all those drugs going through me if things would have been different. AND I didn't like being drugged up because I had to just lay there all day and couldn't walk or stand because of IV's.  I think labor and delivery makes more sense with gravity working in your favor. AND drugs really effect me. I take an aspirin and it knocks me out. I was SO tired from all the drugs going through me that I slept through Quinn's first night of life, which messed up nursing. I could go on and on about how I want things to be different this time around.

Primary president was next to the last calling I would have wanted. The last would be any calling in boy scouts. But again, surprisingly, I'm totally fine with it and feel really good about it.  I had a conversation just a week earlier with a friend about how a primary calling is the kiss of death, and I wouldn't use the word "excited," but I'm feeling good about it. I feel like I'll do a good job at it. Its a good time in my life for a calling like this and being a leader is something I feel comfortable with.  The only problem is the timing. I just needed like one more month to get into a groove with the new baby. But today after my counselors and I were set apart one came up to me and said "I'll be conducting and doing sharing time next Sunday and Debbi will be doing the Sunday after that." I didn't even have to ask. I feel really good about the women who will be serving with me. I teared up several times during their blessings because I knew they were supposed to be in those positions.

Quinn has been complaining about his shoulder hurting him all week. At the beginning of the week he cried every time we picked him up under his arms, so we thought maybe it was his ribs. But he continues to run and play and lift his arms above his head.  There are certain motions that he kept crying about though. So today at church I had an ER nurse give it a look and he thought his collar bone was broken. It's definitely swollen and very tender. We probably should take him to get an x-ray just for peace of mind knowing what is wrong with him. But they can't do anything for a broken collar bone, so its sort of pointless. Plus its been a week and he acts like he feels pretty good except when we push on his collar bone.  Poor little guy. He's had a rough month of being out of his schedule, not getting enough sleep, missing naps, running wild with his cousins, eating sugary snacks instead of meals. And now we are going to rock his world with a new baby brother.  I can't wait to get him back on a sleep schedule, consistent discipline, and healthy food. I know it will make me feel better.

Update:: July 2010

We went to two doctors appointments yesterday. One for me and one for Quinn. Quinn had his two year shots and we asked the Dr about allergies. Quinn is constantly rubbing his eyes and nose and he says "nose bug" alot.  So I bought him some children's claritan yesterday and last night was the first time he's slept through the night in weeks! However, he's been sleeping in a different place every week, so being at home in his own bed might have been part of the solution as well.  He also hurt a rib or something because every time we pick him up under his arms he cries in pain. The doctor checked him out but didn't find anything. It stinks not knowing what is wrong with your child, even when its something fairly small.
Thurm & I have been meaning to journal about Quinn and who he is at two--seems easier to type than write with a pen.  Quinn has been very independent lately and his favorite phrase is "want to do it" said in a whiny voice. He wants to do everything himself, which is actually kind of nice since I have no energy to do it for him.  However, its caused many a mess.  On Sunday he wanted to take off his own diaper, which I didn't realize was poopy. Poop everywhere!!! It took 20 minutes to clean up him, his clothes, everywhere he stepped, touched.  Gross.
He talks a ton! The doctor kept commenting on his advanced speech.  He talks basically in sentences and says anything he wants to.  Its amazing that a two year old can hold conversations about his life.  I wish I learned as fast as a two year old! He really doesn't like Thurm & I to sing along to songs in the car and says "no daddy sing."  Which of course, makes his mature father sing louder : ( He tells us alot "no church." Makes me worry for when he's a teenager if he's already rebelling against church.  When I give him things he's asked for he says "thanks, your welcome."
He is very social and loves other kids and animals. He has been around lots of cousins this month and he has loved every minute of it. He calls all kids his age "friend."  "Hi friend!"   He still hasn't figured out that hitting or "love tapping" (I'm sure that's how he thinks of it) isn't nice.  He will hit out of excitement and happiness. I think he's just not sure how to express himself.  I need to show him an alternate way of express excitement...maybe clapping?
He has been relatively naughty this month, which I think is a result of being in a new environment every few days. He hasn't had alot of consistency and I know he needs that. The days we've been home and in our regular routine he has been very obedient.
Quinn talks about the baby in my tummy everyday and gives him kisses all the time. I'm so excited for him to actually see the baby and have a new friend.  I'm sure there are going to be jealous moments and some stress over the change. But we've been preparing him to be gentle and telling him that mommy can't always hold him.  I think he's going to love having a little baby to kiss and hug and play with.

At my doctor's appointment I found out that I am at 2 cm and 75% effaced. The doctor said if I haven't gone into labor by Friday I can get my membrane's stripped. However, we are going to be in Payson for Thurm's family reunion. If I don't go Friday, I have to wait for Tuesday the 13th, which will put me four days past my due date. I realize this isn't that long, but when it gets to the end, every day is torture. I was a little grumpy yesterday because I was fat, tired, pregnant, hot, and had the beginnings of a headache. I never get headaches and when I do I can usually just sleep them off. But last night at 5am I had to break down and take tylenol.  I'm feeling alot better today, Thurm let me sleep in and keeps telling me to just take a day off and do nothing. Which is exactly what I want to do. This whole month has been going somewhere or someone coming to visit. I think I've deep cleaned my house spot loss 5 or 6 times in the few days we've actually been home and I'm  freaking tired....and grumpy.

Thurm deserves husband/daddy of the year. He has been so willing to do anything and everything I ask him to do.  He hasn't had any time to enjoy his summer off. He has been picking up the slack where I've been too tired. He has been taking care of Quinn. He's been working outside in our yard every chance he can. And on top of it all he tells me to quit working and relax : )

Tomorrow is the kick off to Thurm's family reunion.  We are meeting at the Oquirrh Mt. Temple to do some temple work and then off to Payson for 3 fun filled days.  Volleyball, basketball, hiking, slip & slides, swimming, trampolines, etc. I'm pretty sure I'll be bowing out of ALL of that and taking a nap.  I probably should be doing it to induce labor, but that sounds like that last thing I want to be doing right now.  I'm tired...and grumpy : )

Quinn & his buddies from downstairs. 

Thurm after his 6 day hike in the Wind River Mt Range in WY. Showers? Zero. Brushing his teeth? Zero. Fish caught? 17. Fish ate? LOTS. Stinky? VERY!!! He looked pretty sexy and mountain man-y. Too bad I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole!  

Just got back from Idaho, AGAIN! We went up this time so Thurm could help my little bro sheet rock his basement. They got it done in 2 1/2 days--good work guys!  I am SOOO ready to just have a baby and sit on the couch for a month and nurse. I don't want to go anywhere or do anything.  But not quite yet. I'm cleaning & cooking today for four of Thurm's siblings and families to spend 4th of July with us.  And then next Thursday-Sunday is Thurm's family reunion in Payson.  My due date is that Friday and I'm really hoping to be in the hospital.  We don't have any plans for the rest of the summer after that! YAY!  It been a fun month, but I'm pretty worn out from all our vacationing.  

Freezer Meals, check.
     Teriyaki Baked Chicken
     Chicken & Broccoli casserole
     Chicken & wine
     Pulled pork
     Sweet & Sour Chicken
  
I still have another package of chicken breasts....haven't decided what to do with those. Enchiladas maybe?

I've got a drawer in my dresser dedicated to the new baby. Wipes, diapers, clothes, burp clothes, blankets, nursing stuff. Still need to get the bassinet out of storage. I'm just not sure where we are going to fit it.  Still need to find bottles for breast milk. Still need to pack my hospital suitcase.

House was clean, but I'll have to do it again tomorrow. Why doesn't it just stay clean!!!

I went to the doctor today and I'm dilated to 1 cm and 50% effaced! This is a GOOD sign. I wasn't to that point with Quinn until after my due date. So I'm hoping that means I'll go on time.

My body is ready for this baby to come, but I'm not sure I'm mentally ready! Another baby! Crazy.

Quinn has not been able to keep his clothes on this week. Everytime I see him he has his pants off and frequently his diaper. I filled up his baby pool so that's been part of the reason. He also has been wanting to use the potty a couple times a day. But I think its all just an excuse to be naked. Little nudist.

Quinn & I had a fun day yesterday. We drove to SLC to get a cell phone at the Gateway. While we were there we looked in some stores, ate lunch and then played in the fountain. Well, he thought the water was cold, so he watched other kids play in the fountain.  On our way home we got off at the Saltair exit and drove to Black Rock and played in the Salt Lake for a bit. Some lady that was there gave me a history about the lake that was interesting. In the 1950's the Saltair was in its hay day. It was the "Coney Island" of the west. It had roller coasters and amusement park type activities.  It was hugely popular but then there was a fire in the 60's and it just never made a come back. Apparently Lagoon used to be on the lake and was similar to the Saltair. Next to visiting Temple Square, visiting the Salt Lake is the second most popular site to see while visiting SLC.
After our afternoon nap we at pizza at the park and played on the toys. Then we went to Walmart to get much needed groceries. It was a fun day. Today won't be as fun. I've been watering the garden and lawn for the last 2 hours and now I need to clean the house.

My little man is turning TWO tomorrow! These two years have flown by. I was contemplating my impending labor and delivery and was thinking how it seems like just a few months ago I was in the hospital with Quinn.  In a conversation with my mom last week she said that her child rearing years were the happiest she's ever had. I have a feeling its going to be that way for me too. These last two years have been the happiest and most content I've ever been. What a wonderful thing, to be a mother.

Bear Lake 2010

This is it. These are the only photos I have to document our fun week at Bear Lake. Pathetic.  I guess I was enjoying myself too much to pull out the camera more than once. We celebrated Quinn's 2nd birthday. Grandma came and brought him some books, which he loved.
Quinn had a great time jumping on the couch, till he fell onto the coffee table and we had to take him to the Instacare. He's fine, just a great black eye. Everyone keeps looking at us suspiciously like we are abusing our child.

It was a fun week. My mom, little bro and wife came for a couple days. And my friend Danalin & her baby came for a day. We went swimming everyday, played on the park toys at least twice a day, play board games, watched a movie, went to the beach everyday, played mini golf, croquet, ate good food, had raspberry shakes, and took lots of naps.

Thurm is leaving for a 6-day hike somewhere in Wyoming tomorrow. He is hoping his pregnant wife doesn't go into labor anytime soon. I'm not too worried about it. I was 11 days late last time.

Quinn has been a wild man lately. I think it might be a result of vacationing for the last 3 weeks. He's been out of a routine and in a new environment every week.  He has been a little naughty and very hyper. But overall, he's still pretty obedient and I can't complain.  He kisses my belly everyday and pats it and says "baby nice." I think he's going to love being a big brother.  He is so sweet and is such a little lover, not a fighter. I can't wait for him to have a playmate.

June

We've had a busy two weeks. Quinn & I went to Idaho to hang out with my family for five days. Thurm had a three day seminar in Provo. I stayed with him in his hotel on Wednesday, while Quinn stayed with his cousins in Payson. Thursday I took my grandma to her doctors appointment in Provo since we were already there. Yesterday was spent cleaning the house---seriously the entire day. And today I took photos of a friends baby. I need bulk up my newborn portfolio.  We might drive in to SLC in an hour to visit Thurm's family for a few hours. Sunday we need to catch up on our callings. And Monday we are off to Bear Lake.


Olivia the dinosaur!






























Quinn the cherry juice vampire

Kittens!

We went to Grandma & Grandpa's house this weekend and they had brand new kittens. Quinn and his cousin Teighlor played with them the entire time.  They LOVED the kittens. Teighlor was awesome with Quinn! I wish we lived closer because I'd love to have her around more often.  I was on the verge of taking one of the kittens home because it would be such a great playmate for Quinn. He sat outside for  an hour singing and talking to one of them.  However I'm allergic and a self proclaimed animal hater (though these kittens were pretty cute).  I know we could keep the cat outside, but somehow they ALWAYS end up inside the house. And my fur covered little boy would end up inside the house.  I was pretty tempted though when I saw how much he loved them.  

May 2010

It's time for me to "journal" about our lives again. Good thing I don't have too many readers as to not bore them.  I have grand plans to print this blog into a book so Quinn has some sort of record of his life.  I decided that on each of my children's birthday's that dada and I will write them a long letter detailing who they are on each birthday.  That might be all they get.  And this dumb blog.

So we are day two of potty training--it went pretty well yesterday. I didn't feel like I was very consistent though... he had on pull-ups, diapers, and undies all in one day.  I decided pull-ups and diapers are just a reason to keep peeing in his pants and not in the toilet.  At least with undies he is quite aware when he's had an accident.  So undies it is, unless its nap or bed time.

Thurm finally has his garden in.  It's enormous, but he somehow managed to use the entire space.  He has been waiting since March for our neighbor to come till with his tractor.  The second Jim was done and driving his tractor out of our driveway, Thurm had his seeds and shovel and was planting.  Its awesome he's so enthused because I know we'll be eating some good food in a few months!

Speaking of food, I can't remember the last time I cooked. I can hardly bring myself to put a frozen pizza in the oven.  I think I burnt myself out.  I think I like cooking more in the winter when there is nothing else to do but line your body with fat to keep warm.

Our yard is so pretty right now. Not manicured, its a jungle, but still pretty. There are tons of bushes, flowers, trees, everything in bloom.  We planted raspberry bushes for our fence line between our neighbors house and ours. I think it will be a few years before its actually a fence line.  Thats the worst part of yard care... the waiting!

I have six more weeks till the baby is born.  My pregnancy has been really easy. Other than I've gained ALOT of weight. At one appointment my doctor said "I can tell you've been feeling good, because you packed on 9 pounds in a month."  That's right "PACKED ON."  It might have been an accurate and hurtful statement, but it didn't make me feel bad enough to not do the same thing the next month.  Cookies and fast food are not a good combo.  Usually at night I feel very large and uncomfortable.  The baby has been really active and kicks alot--that's my favorite part of pregnancy.  Quinn often kisses my stomach and tries to get a look at him by lifting my shirt.  I think he'll still be shocked to have a little brother one day.  I don't think he quite gets the concept yet.

Thurm got an assistant ward missionary to help him with his calling. Its been so awesome because the man recently got done serving a service mission with his wife. So he is gung-ho and has really been motivating to Thurm.  They go on missionary visits each week.  It makes me feel bad that I haven't done more to help. I did organize a youth service project for less active or part member families in the ward.  It went pretty good and we were able to do yard work for seven different families.

We have been reading two chapters a night in the Book of Mormon. Having a goal and a daily timeline has been really motivating. Its been alot easier this time to be consistent.  We have a schedule so if we miss a night we read extra to catch up.  For some reason this ward has really helped us grow spiritually.  I think part of it has been callings and partly its just a really friendly, involved ward. Its probably 80% elderly and I'm a huge fan.  They have the time and dedication to really serve and be involved in their ward. Its such a different feel from a young ward where everyone has busy lives and no time for each other.

My dad came down and helped us finish the final stage of bulking up the beams in our roof. Next we need to frame in a few walls, and find an electrician.  Then insulation, sheetrock, painting, carpet. I'm sure this will still be months away, but it seems like we have the hard part done.  At least we get to hire out some of the rest of it.  Then we can move onto what I REALLY want to do, our hole of a bathroom.

Thurm has one more week of school! Summer! The only good thing about being a teacher. We have a busy June. This weekend we are going to Idaho for Thurm's annual asparagus hunt. The first week of June I am visiting my parents just because I can.  Thurm has a 3-day seminar in Provo. Then its off to Bear Lake for a week. Then Thurm is doing a 5-day hike with his brother. Our whole month will be gone, and then the baby will come and I'm sure the rest of the summer will be a blur of nursing and sleeping.

WOW! Its 8:30am and Quinn is still sleeping! This never happens.

It's a good life : )

Potty training officially started today! I have been collecting all the tools over the last few months and decided it was finally time.  He is showing all the signs listed in the "What to Expect: Toddler Years."  We have pull ups, undies, stickers, treats, a tigger toy, a book on toilet training, and the coolest toilet seat ever. Thanks to Elise for showing me your awesome toilet seat!

So far, so good!

Thurm & I went to Pocatello for the weekend. It was my little brother's graduation from college, my birthday, and mother's day.  Mother's day felt extra motherly this year because I have a little boy, one on the way, and I was with my mother.  Thurm was sweet, per usual, and got me some great gifts.  He gave me a Broadway Hits CD set early so we could listen to it on the way up.  A glass 9x13 pan because every time I have to bake something in our crappy, rusted pans I complain about it.  And an hour massage at a spa! YAY! I don't think I'll be able to redeem till after I've had the baby, but that's when I'll be needing a break!  And I got great gifts, cards, phone calls, texts, hugs from everyone I love. Thank you : )

A woman in church yesterday gave a lesson on the history of the scriptures. It was fascinating and I was in awe of her knowledge. She told us that if we read 7 pages a day, which takes 15-30 minutes depending on your speed, you can read all the scriptures in a year.  The Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine & Covenants in one year! I'm so excited! I've always wanted to read the Bible, but haven't been motivated enough to ever finish.  Right now we have a stake challenge to read the Book of Mormon in four months, which we are currently on track to do. So after we are done, we are going to just keep going to finish the other three books.

Quinn has been saying some funny words lately.  He is getting the verbal point where he is frustrated when he isn't understood.  He repeats and repeats until we figure it out.

Waffle: a-week-a-wok  (no idea how this makes sense to him)
Lotion: No-loz

Suggestions???

I need some help.  So we are going to re-do our bathroom at some point and I have slowly been gathering the pieces.  

1-My dad gave us some left over floor tiles from his bathroom-the grey 12x12 on the left and we have enough to do our bathroom floor. 

2- At a previous job I got this sink and a matching toilet for free.  

3-In exchange for a photo session, my friend bought me a shower curtain (floral print on right) with matching towels, bath mat, and green wall paint (sample on little card in the middle).  And somehow they all seem to match!!! 

4-So I bought a sample shower tile (16x16 grey that the shower curtain is laying on.  

But its all starting to match a little too well. I'm worried that the whole bathroom is going to be small grey/green square.  So what do I do? 

1-Change the wall color?  If so, what color? 

2-Keep our white sink  & and buy a new white toilet (it uses a ton of water and the tank lid is cracked). Sell the grey toilet and sink to pay for new white toilet.  

3-Pick a contrasting shower tile? If so, what color?  Does the shower tile color even matter because its covered by the shower curtain?

So all we need to buy now is a mirror cabinet, lighting fixture, and vanity for sink, and drywall.  

Lets hear some opinions.  Shauna I want to hear yours!

Crap. I think I'm going to have to quit watching "Glee." I love that show. But the last episode was blatantly immoral. No catchy songs and dancing could cover it up.  And ironically the message of the show was a great example of what I just blogged about. It was about women finding self-empowerment through "owning" their sexuality.  The total crap that has been fed to women and that they are buying.  Ugh. Why does everything get corrupted.  

Colors in my yard this morning!

Thoughts rolling around my head...

Sunday night I went to a women's stake fireside with all young women and RS sisters.  The stake leaders have decided to challenge all RS sisters to complete the new Virtue goal that was added to the YW's goals.  For those readers who don't speak Mormon, young women have goals to complete over a few years and receive necklaces for each major acheivement...along the lines of boy scouts.  The categories for the goals are Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice & Accountabilty, Good Works, and Integrity and recently they added Virtue.  The stake leaders decided that Virtue was so important that the RS sisters should complete the goals as well.   It involves reading some scriptures, journaling about thoughts, reading the Book of Mormon, and a few other things.
Something that was said that night that really stood out was "virtue is in danger."  Its so true. Virtue in the world is not praised or respected. Its not desirable to be a virtuous women... its almost thought of as taking a step back for womankind.  "Prude" is a put down.  Another thought that stood out was "making it to the temple is just the beginning."  I think this was so important for the young women to hear.  This was something that I always thought, that if I could just make it to the temple I'd be home free. Its still a challenge to stay temple worthy.  Granted, there is alot more on the line than before to keep me in check. But every person in this world is tempted every day with things to bring them down. Greed, depression, immorality, addiction, etc.
Another thing that was said was that our homes should be as pure as temples.  I started thinking about how Satan is getting into my home?....movies, internet, books, TV, our thoughts. Then I thought how is the Lord getting into my home?..prayer, scriptures, going to church, AND through Thurm & I.  Its our responsibility to make sure that its the Lord coming into our home and not Satan. We need to make sure that we are opening the right doors and closing the wrong ones. It just made me realize that its up to ME to make sure Quinn has access to the right things. I'm always concerned about guarding against the bad that I forget about how important it is to make sure he has the right things.
Tonight Thurm & I had a conversation about how women's lib has really been a set back for families.  When I was in college I thought I was Ms. Women's Lib. I wanted an equal relationship with a man. I wanted a career. I wanted all my rights! But I was immature in my opinions. And I feel that the world is still immature in its opinions on equal rights. People are over compensating---its like they are going over the line of equal, to "women deserve more."  And actually, the stake fireside was one of the reasons I started thinking about this.  The stake president was there and gave a talk and one of the things he said was "women, if someone ever tells you, you are as good as a man, don't believe it. You are better than a man." He said a few other things along those lines. And I know his intention was to make sure we women know how valuable we are.... but its at the expense of men.  This is the mentality right now. We have to man bash to make women feel good.   And maybe this immature mentality will level out someday to true equality.  It reminds me of affirmative action and how minorities have first dibs on a job over a white male. The intention is good, but really its doing more damage to all involved. The qualified person doesn't get the job and its actually making the minority feel like less because they only get the job because of their color.
So Thurm & I  were talking tonight about how women's lib has really been a downfall for the family unit.  With women's lib came sexual revolution. Its a woman's right to sleep around just like a man does. No commitment and attachments, just fulfillment. And somehow women were duped into thinking this made them more powerful to be in charge of their sexuality.  Really? because it seems like women are treated just as much if not more like sex objects than ever. And it seems like women more than ever are wanting to be treated this way....because its empowering? Break down of the family unit. Studies have shown that the breakdown of the family unit, is the break down of our communities and society.

Also comes the "anything you can do, I can do better."  Women feel its demeaning to ONLY be a mom, they want a career. Which is fine, I did too. But why do we have to put down the importance of motherhood. Can't we see the direct coorelation between single parent homes, parents who both work, and youth that are struggling with grades, drugs, peer pressure, self esteem, teen pregnancy, etc, etc. Kids need parents at HOME raising them. I know its not always possible. We are poor. And its pretty likely that I'll have to go back to work one of these days... but we are doing all we can so that I can stay home and raise the children we are bringing into this world.  I can't expect teachers and TV to teach my kids how to be good, responsible, respectful people.  I believe it is women's nature and role to be mothers, to raise children. Even if you don't believe in god, look at nature, the animal kingdom, the circle of life. Its science. There is a reason why women are the ones to give birth. Its in our nature to nurture.  But I'm married to a guy who would be world's best Mr. Mom. I think its important for ONE OF the parents to raise the child.

I have more thoughts on this, but its almost midnight and my brain is getting fuzzy. Maybe I'll add more later.

Toy Sack

I sewed a very girly toy sack yesterday.  I REALLY wanted to use this awesome red apple fabric that I got from my mom. It was sitting in her fabric closet for a few decades and I love it. You can't see it but it says "I like you" in green letters.
I still have some of the fabric left over that I want to use for a toddler dress.
I made a toy sack like this last year and its awesome. Very roomy.

I've been thinking about how tricky satan is.  It seems like we are hearing weekly in the news about a natural disaster. And every time I hear about a new earthquake I think to myself "its a sign of the second coming of Christ, I need to get my life in order." And then I get distracted and waste my time doing something else.  

So here are some of the signs (there are lots more) that I believe are happening right now (from LDS.org):

"The prophets have warned that the earth will experience great turmoil, wickedness, war, and suffering. The prophet Daniel said that the time before the Second Coming would be a time of trouble such as the earth has never known (see Daniel 12:1). The Lord said, “The love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound” (D&C 45:27). “And all things shall be in commotion; and … fear shall come upon all people” (D&C 88:91). We can expect earthquakes, disease, famines, great storms, lightnings, and thunder (see Matthew 24:7; D&C 88:90). Hailstorms will destroy the crops of the earth (see D&C 29:16).

Jesus told his disciples that war would fill the earth: “Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. … For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6–7). These wars will continue until a great and final war, the most destructive the world has known. In the midst of this war the Savior will appear. (See Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 732.)

Many of these signs are being fulfilled. Wickedness is everywhere. Nations are constantly at war. Earthquakes and other calamities are occurring. Many people now suffer from devastating storms, drought, hunger, and diseases. We can be certain that these calamities will become more severe before the Lord comes."

Here's an article on some Science & Technology website that I read today:

"There has been a "dramatic" rise in natural disasters during the past decade, the director of the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) said on Thursday.

"The number of events have gone up very, very dramatically," CRED Director Debarati Guha-Sapir said in Geneva.

During the 2000 to 2009 period, there were 385 disasters, an increase of 233 percent since 1980 to 1989, and of 67 percent since 1990 to 1999, according to CRED data.

Though earthquakes made up 60 percent of natural disasters from 2000 to 2009, climate-related events, such as droughts, storms and floods, have made up the majority of disasters overall, increasing tenfold since data was first collected in 1950."

There are signs all around us. Not just natural disasters. Look at the state of our nation? Joseph Smith prophesied that the government "would hang by a thread." And there are lots of good signs... the gospel will spread to all nations, the restoration of the church, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.  

So why are we (I) so complacent? I'm blaming Satan....ok,  and my own laziness.  But I never really thought about it alot, but Satan uses distraction as a tool.  There are lots of distractions, even good ones, like a giggling two year old. But I let myself get distracted by movies, TV, hobbies, internet, cell phones, whatever. It seems like I let myself get distracted by anything and everything before I'll spend an hour of my day studying the scriptures, doing my church calling, serving my neighbors, praying, etc.  But its so important, especially now, to be doing what I know I should.  The signs are there, Christ will be coming to the earth again soon, and I'm not ready.  Now is the time to get our lives in order!