I am not a psychologist or a sociologist. I do have a doctorate in education, but much more important than my doctorate is my delight in kids. I devote a part of my professional life to entertaining and educating them. I like children. Nothing I've ever done has given me more joys and rewards than being a father to my five. In between these joys and rewards, of course, has come the natural strife of family life, the tensions and conflicts that are part of trying to bring civilization to children. The more I have talked about the problems, the more I have found that all other parents had the very same ones and are relieved to hear me turning them into laughter.

Yes, every parent knows the source of this laughter. Come share more of it with me now.

Bill Cosby, Fatherhood (Introduction)

Last night when I was on my moderate tirade about all the slacking that was going on, Lane could hardly contain a smile and a laugh. I was NOT about to ask him in that moment what he found humorous about it all. So I asked him later. "You looked so funny," was his answer.

"Mom, I know how to spell pernicious," Eliza disclosed at breakfast. "Really?" I queried. "P-e-r-n-i-c-i-o-u-s," she gave. "Where did you learn to spell pernicious?" I furthered. "Gabby's mom taught us memory strategies. I chose 'People eat ramen noodles in Canada. I often use spoons.' " Wow. Good morning!

Today I read Tacky the Penguin to Anna. As I closed the book, she said, "I'm a nice bird."

After recounting a humorous story from school, Peter concluded, "It just makes my funny bone stick out!"

I had just started reading my scriptures this morning in my room (still in my pjs and robe) when Anna knocked on my door. "Can I come in?" she asked in her morning voice. "Yes." I said. She walked in, heading straight to my lap. Spying a book nearby, she asked those words that often come out of her mouth first thing in the morning: "Can you read this to me?" Guess what the book was: Five Minutes' Peace. 

Don't you love being tongue-twisted as a mom? This morning I called out to Nate after dropping him off for school, "Call me on my cell phone, but call me twice in case I can't answer it the first time. Sometimes I just can't get it that fastly!"Fastly?!

Peter just came upstairs after waking up in the morning. "I just sounded out 'cupcakes:' c-u-p-c-a-t-i? No, e-s!"

ALL of our children have been in this trend the last few months of saying, "Yesssssss!" when they are excited about something, such as Sarah today: "Mom, can I have a donut?" (I give the affirmative answer...) "Yessssssss!" I think it is funny to hear everyone from Anna to Sarah use this expression. Guess it's the new "cool" for our family!

Julia: "Mommy, what do you do when you're on page 19 of a book that has 279 pages, and it's due in the morning?"

Rebecca: "READ."

We were looking at Jenny's blog and saw their family all dressed up as a farm family. I saw her husband's outfit and said, "What a hoot!" Anna asked, "Was he a hoot for Halloween?"

Scrooge went to bed again, and thought, and thought, and thought it over and over, and could make nothing of it. The more he thought, the more perplexed he was; and, the more he endeavoured not to think, the more he thought.

Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol (from Stave 2)

(Boy, Charles Dickens sounds like he is describing a mother!)

`Idiot!' said the Queen, tossing her head impatiently; and, turning to Alice, she went on, `What's your name, child?'
`My name is Alice, so please your Majesty,' said Alice very politely; but she added, to herself, `Why, they're only a pack of cards, after all. I needn't be afraid of them!'
`And who are THESE?' said the Queen, pointing to the three gardeners who were lying round the rosetree; for, you see, as they were lying on their faces, and the pattern on their backs was the same as the rest of the pack, she could not tell whether they were gardeners, or soldiers, or courtiers, or three of her own children.
`How should I know?' said Alice, surprised at her own courage. `It's no business of MINE.'
The Queen turned crimson with fury, and, after glaring at her for a moment like a wild beast, screamed `Off with her head! Off--'
`Nonsense!' said Alice, very loudly and decidedly, and the Queen was silent.
The King laid his hand upon her arm, and timidly said `Consider, my dear: she is only a child!'
--Lewis Carroll, from Chapter 8 of Alice in Wonderland

This week my mom (an incredible mother) gave me a piece of advice that she received sometime in her life - treat your children like they are your best friend. For example you wouldn't get frustrated if your best friend was walking too slowly, you would most likely slow down to walk with them, or if your friend broke something, or got something dirty you would most likely react patiently and help them. Ever since she said this, I have been thinking about Darla and our interactions, about Bennett and our interactions. I hope I can apply this idea as I strive to raise my children with love and patience. There is much learn. I love being a mom.

Jenny Nelson, blog, November 2009

"What do witches put on their hair?" Peter asked.

"What?" I asked (after being so prompted by P.)

"SCAREspray!"

Anna decided to take a turn:

"What do witches put on their feet?" She questioned.

"What?" I asked (I'm a quick learner).

"I don't know. YOU guess."

After Julia got her princess ball gown on, Peter said in sincere awe, "You look SUPER, Julia!"

I am always amazed at the way children's minds gather information. Sometimes at night I put on some children's stories in French, from a series called Martine, for Anna to go to listen to while going to sleep. Today I was listening to the Relief Society General Meeting in French when Anna, who was by me, commented, "This sounds like Martine!"

Anna asked me this morning, "Can I have some hot cocoa for breakfast since it's snowing?" I made her some. She came to me before lunch and asked, "Can I have some hot cocoa for lunch since it's snowing?" I think I see a pattern here...

Anna to Sarah this morning: "When you are grown up, I'll come babysit your babies for you so you can go on a LONG trip with your dad [husband]."

Peter lay in bed tonight. "How long is night? 10 hours?" he asked, semi-frustrated. "Yep," I answered. "Enjoy it now." "It's too long!" he cried.

When I asked Peter where his socks where this morning as he was putting on his shoes, he said to me, "I don't know where they go! It's just like magic!"

"You know what I want to be for Halloween? St. Louis!" (Anna means Esther, played by Judy Garland in the musical movie, Meet Me in St. Louis)

"Mark my words. You're going to marry a potato farmer from Idaho who loves to camp." Lane, to Sarah

This week my mom (an incredible mother) gave me a piece of advice that she received sometime in her life - treat your children like they are your best friend. For example you wouldn't get frustrated if your best friend was walking too slowly, you would most likely slow down to walk with them, or if your friend broke something, or got something dirty you would most likely react patiently and help them. Ever since she said this, I have been thinking about Darla and our interactions, about Bennett and our interactions. I hope I can apply this idea as I strive to raise my children with love and patience. There is much learn. I love being a mom.


Jenny Nelson, blog, November 2009

"A wise man once distinguished between 'the noble art of getting things done' and 'a nobler art of leaving things undone.' True 'wisdom in life,' he taught, consists of 'the elimination of non-essentials' (in Lin Yutang, The Importance of Living [New York: Reynal and Hitchcock, 1937], 162, 10). May I suggest that you periodically evaluate how you are doing in this area? What are the nonessential things that clutter your days and steal your time? What are the habits you may have developed that do not serve a useful purpose? What are the unfinished or unstated things that could add vigor, meaning, and joy to your life?"

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "As You Embark upon This New Era," Brigham Young University Speeches 2008-2009(2009), 2.

"But one thing, she said, keeps her going: 'Through the thick and thin of this, and through the occasional tears of it all, I know deep down inside I am doing God's work. I know that in my motherhood I am in an eternal partnership with Him. I am deeply moved that God finds His ultimate purpose and meaning in being a parent, even if some of His children make Him weep.'"

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Because She Is a Mother," Ensign, May 1997, 35.

(This is one of my all time favorites talks about motherhood. I heard it years ago and have never forgotten it.)

Sarah asked Anna after she walked in from school, "Did you miss me?" Anna answered heartily, "Oh, of course!"

Peter is learning all those perrenial school phrases: "Missed me, missed me, now you gotta kiss me," and "Trick or treat, smell my feet...."

Today at lunch Peter and Anna were having a race as to who could say this family mealtime phrase the fastest (Boy, that last phrase was a mouthful in itself!): "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit." The volume kept getting louder in tandem with the increasing speed, until Anna looked like she was going to burst! I wonder how many families around the world use that sentence at meals, too?

Peter is such a good natured boy. He came in from school and started to do something. "Remember to go wash you hands," I nudged. "Thanks for telling me that," he cheerfully responded, skipping off to the bathroom. While he may not always answer me in this tone, it is particularly telling of his innate personality. I just adore it.

Peter and I were looking at some old photos of Nate when he was about Peter's age when Peter thought that a photo of Nate was actually him [P]: "I don't remember going ice skating there!" They do look a lot alike back then!

We rolled to a stop at a stoplight. "Stop, Mom, stop." Anna said. "The light is red now." When the light turned green, she quoted, "Go, Mom, go. The light is green now." I should have turned and asked, "Do you like my party hat?"

We had cinnamon rolls for dinner tonight. After Peter had eaten his, he asked if he could have more. There weren't enough to have a whole second one, so I cut a roll in half. "Can I have both those pieces on my plate?" he asked.

Anna: "I want a ballerina cake for my birthday!"

Nate: "Mom! You keep calling me Pete! Even Anna called me Pete the other day!"

We must love our children and teach them they are children of a Heavenly Father, who loves them. As they feel our love, they will feel His love and will be grateful for their good name and for the name of Christ, which they bear. As they feel our love and the love of their Heavenly Father, they feel no need for the possessions of others. Help them to measure personal progress and not compare themselves to others....

Elder Lynn A. Mickelsen, "Eternal Laws of Happiness," Ensign, Nov.1995, 78.

How many moms in the history of Lucky Charms cereal have made this comment like I did this morning? "You have to eat the cereal and not just the marshmallows!"

The past week or so has been "color week," where the kindergartners wear a different color each day. Yesterday was pink and today is purple. Pete's response both days was the same: "I am NOT wearing pink!" "I am NOT wearing purple!"

Eliza (7), walked into the kitchen, a big smile playing on her lips and a twinkle in her eyes. "I'm wearing lipgloss because it's the Fall Festival."

Peter told me yesterday, in a surprised tone, "I was playing a game at school. I was trying to frighten the girls, and theyliked it! [Face drooped, voice quieted]. "But no one would be on my team."

Anna was in the car with me as we went to pick up football players. "You're so nice, Mom." Touched, I responded, "You're so nice, too, Anna." "I love you." Again, "I love you, too." Pause. "Mom, will you take me to Disneyland?" I'm smiling. "Yes, I would love to take you to Disneyland." Another pause, but not so long. "Will you take me there for my birthday?"

I like to think of the childbearing years as standing at the entrance of a diamond mine. You have only a few short years to gather as many precious gems as you can before the time's up. My [time] is up now and I'm so glad I was able and willing to have each of my children. It's hard to see the harvest when you are still in the planting season...but I promise you...it will come.

-Janene W. Baadsgaard, email Jan.31, 2005

I was singing "Honor to Us All" from Mulan when Anna announced, "I want to hear that. The John Wayne one." I went to iTunes to play the song, and clicked on the song I was singing. "No, I want the John Wayne one." "Do you mean 'I'll Make a Man Out of You' ?" I asked. YES! She replied. I guess that is pretty much what John Wayne tried to do, right?

Eliza: "Mom, guess what I'm reading at school? It's calledSomething, Something [she couldn't recall] but it's notCaptain Underpants."

Me: "Stop bouncing that ball and clean up!"

Child: "I can clean up and bounce a ball at the same time!"

Sarah and I were folding laundry together one late Saturday night. I pulled out a pair of Peter's PJs that had a hole in the knee. "Another hole? One more thing to mend! I think my lot in life is mending." I stuck the PJs on a pile, went back to folding, and starting singing a song that popped into my head. "We are sowing, daily sowing...." Sarah started cracking up. "What?" I asked, not getting the joke. Sarah kindly clarified: "We are sewing, daily sewing!"

"How long ago did that happen?" Sarah asked me when an event occurred. "Ten years ago? Wow. That makes me feel like an old woman." (!)

I handed Anna her piece of toast. "Is it toasted?" she questioned. "Yes," I answered. "Is it burned?" she furthered."No," I defended. "I wanted it burned, like Joola's [Julia's] and Lauren's!" 

In our family, we have some pretty funny memories of talking in our sleep. (Some of us are more famous than others for doing this. I won't mention who that is...) This morning, I woke up early after Peter came and crawled into our bed. Soon I got up to read in the closet where I could turn on the light without hearing him. As I was reading, I heard him say, "Blah, blah, blah." !

Eliza was reading a coupon for flavored popcorn: "Caramel corn,...white cheddar, jalapeño...." she didn't know how to pronounce "jalapeño," so I said it again for her. "Is that some kind of coffee bean?" Julia queried. 

Yesterday Nathan asked me what I would do during the day when Anna was in school--if I would work at a job. I told him I didn't think I would unless I had, because there are other things I'd like to do, like volunteer work and being able to go help when my children start having babies. "I want to have children," Anna piped up instantly. "I want to have children and play little games with them." Pause. "And they will help me work all day. And they will do everything I say."

Grandma called today, and Anna HAD to talk to her. "I have to tell you something," she announced soberly. "I have an owie on my finguh." (Finguh was her emphasis pronunciation.). I think that listening to little children talk on the phone (when they get past the just listening or breathing stage) is one of the PURE DELIGHTS of motherhood.

I love the individual personalities of my children and how they reflect what I have said to them at various times. Since I had forgotten to start the hard-boiled eggs this morning, Rebecca came to remind me. "I leave [in 18 minutes], so you have just enough time to get it done. Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!"


"Share with one another, for that is the happy way. That's what my step-mom's nanny taught her, and she taught it to me, and now I'm teaching it to you," I told Rebecca this morning. Julia piped up, "Jenny taught us something. I am a long, tall Texan. I ride to Texas on my big, white horse, and people look at me, and they say, 'Yeehoo! Is that your horse?' 'Yeah, that's my horse.' "


Rebecca was practicing her piano and singing at the same time. She announced to me that her class would be having a talent show. "This time, I'm not going to be afraid to sing. I'm gonna sing my heart out!"


I asked Sarah if she would put her camera in her purse before we jumped out of the car. "I'm not bringing my purse," she explained with perfect teenage disdain. "It doesn't match."


"TIME FOR SCRIPTURES!!!" Anna yelled at the top of her lungs, followed immediately (in a very normal, satisfied, conversational tone) by, "That will do."


Peter wanted to finish watching the army movie he and Lane started last night. "It's called 'Bridge at Remagen,' " Lane inserted. "I know," Pete said, condescendingly. "You told me last night." "I know, Lane retorted, "I'm telling you again."Those smart children! (P.S. I don't recommend this movie.)


I worked on a special French dinner tonight which included roast chicken (see food blog). Julia walked in and asked, "Is that Top Ramen?"

It is not the number of hours you put in but what you put in the hours that counts.

As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us. (See footnote 6 in this link for the story.)

President Thomas S. Monson

On Sarah's driving, chipper encouragement from Rebecca: "[It was] not so jerky this time!" and, after getting out of the car, "No dents, no scratches--High Five!" And from Anna: "You're a good driver, Sarah!" and "Sarah, slow down on the bumps!"

"I have had enough camping to last me my lifetime." Sarah, after attending her 4th year hike, Young Women's camp, and Youth Conference (which was hiking and river rafting). I just had to put that down for the record. Let's watch her be a YW president for 20 years.

Anna to Peter: "Guess what?" "What?" "I love you."

"I wish I had my own horse. Then you wouldn't ever have to drive me to school!" Peter, (who has heard stories of Grandpa Doug riding his horse to school from his earliest days). Dream big, Pete.

"My dream is to have a baby like Jane. I cry sometimes I miss her so much." Eliza, when she was looking at photos. She really got close to her name-sharing cousin in June.

Eliza was spreading tomato sauce on some pepperoni slices. (It is 9:38 pm). I asked her what she was doing. "I'm making homemade pizza bites for my dinner!"

Eliza was teaching Peter how to play "Yankee Doodle" on the piano. Peter excitedly reported, "I can play 'Yankee Doodle went to town riding on a pone. I can't play pon-y yet.' "

As I eyed the pieces of Eliza's meat up that I cut up for her, as per her request, I encouraged her to cut them smaller since the pieces were a little large-ish. "That's OK," she replied. "I have a big mouth."

"Mom, can I count the stars tonight?" (Anna)

I was the perfect mother and wife...when I was on my mission[before she was married].

Carolyn Hamilton

It was just a game....Volodya must remember how in the long winter evenings we covered an arm-chair with a shawl to turn it into a carriage. One of us sat in front as the coachman, someone else was a footman, and the girls sat in the middle. Three chairs were the horses--and we were off. And what adventures we used to meet..., and how gaily and swiftly those winter evenings passed!.... If you only go by what's real there won't be any games. And if there are not games, what is left?

Leo Tolstoy, from Childhood

"My dream is to have a baby like Jane. I cry sometimes I miss her so much." Eliza, when she was looking at photos. She really got close to her name-sharing cousin in June.

Eliza was spreading tomato sauce on some pepperoni slices. (It is 9:38 pm). I asked her what she was doing. "I'm making homemade pizza bites for my dinner!"

Eliza was teaching Peter how to play "Yankee Doodle" on the piano. Peter excitedly reported, "I can play 'Yankee Doodle went to town riding on a pone. I can't play pon-y yet.' "

As I eyed the pieces of Eliza's meat up that I cut up for her, as per her request, I encouraged her to cut them smaller since the pieces were a little large-ish. "That's OK," she replied. "I have a big mouth."

"Mom, can I count the stars tonight?" (Anna)

Doctrine and Covenants 64:33-34

Wherefore, be ye not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.

2 Nephi 13:10

Say unto the righteous that it is well with them; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. (See Isaiah 3:10)

Sarah's 15th birthday is fast approaching, and the possibility of her learning to drive is on everyone's mind. Eliza saw a police car yesterday with lights flashing and a car pulled over. "I bet it's a 15 year old driving without a parent. Or 14...."

Sugar cereal is a Sunday morning phenomenon at our home, except on Fast Sunday, when children who are fasting "catch up" by eating it for lunch. I told Julia and Nate they could NOT have 5 bowls--2 would be better. Nate objected: "Two? C'mon! I collected fast offerings with my [suit] coat on [and it's hot today]!"

"How do you know I'm old enough to do my laundry basket?" asked Peter this morning. I said that if he was old enough to go to cousin sleepovers, then he was old enough to do his jobs. He conceeded.

"It feels so lonely in here." Eliza to Becca, after waving goodbye to Sarah, Mallory, and Christina, who had just left for EFY.

Anna, with great excitement, as she watched the eggs boiling on the stove: "Mom! The eggs are dancing!"

Eliza, on driving: "I know how to drive a car. I just don't know what the gas pedal is for."

Peter to Eliza, in the car: "Hey Eliza! We just went by a sweetness car." I chuckled. "No, seriously, Mom, it was soooo cool!"  Peter's favorite superlatives these days are "sweetness" (used as an adjective) and "awesomeness," as in "That Jeep is awesomeness!"

An Unfinished Woman

Here am I, Lord,

The dishes barely done and night long since fallen,

The children would not go to bed

And would not go and

Would not go--

And now they are gone.

Gone to places of their own with children of their own

Who will not go to bed and will not go...

And I have taught them what I could and

They have learned the things they would

And now they've gone their way alone to learn the rest

Most on their own.

And I remain, not half spent.

And I remain, not yet content.

So much to do, so much to learn,

So much to feel, so much to yearn.

My past mistakes make stepping-stones,

Not millstones great around my neck but

Stones to guide my searching feet--

And I must search; I'm incomplete.

I watch my years go tumbling by

And I must use them better, I

Have yet so much to learn and do

Before I can return to You.

The hour is late. The night comes on,

My celestial self I would become.

Ah! What wisdom thou gavest to mortal life--

I, 

As sister, mother, daughter, wife--

In earthly roles have seen Thy face

In womanly life Thy heavenly place

Is taught through humble tasks and pain.

So, if royal robes I would obtain,

To wear as all Thy glories burst--

I'll need to do the laundry first.

--Jeroldeen Edwards

(She is a mother of 12. I think this came from one of her books entitled Celebration!)

Anna and I were in the car. She asked me something, to which I replied. Then she asked, "Are you serious?" "Yes, I am, " I answered. "I'm talking to the garden!" she retorted. (?!)

Oh, what do you do in the summertime, 

When all the world is green?

Do you fish in a stream,

Or lazily dream on the banks 

As the clouds go by?

...Do you swim in a pool,

To keep yourself cool,

Or swing in a tree up high?

...Do you march in parades,

Or drink lemonades,

Or count all the stars in the sky?

Is that what you do?

So do I.

Dorothy S. Andersen (Children's Songbook, 245)

Liz: Wash those strawberries!

Sarah: It's just a little pesticide. Wouldn't hurt a fly...

Anna: I don't want any ice cream.

Sarah: Are you related to me?

In the spirit of self-preservation, sometimes Lane and I say endearing things to our children, such as Lane the other night: "I'm trying to have a peaceful moment hear. Hit the road."

Oh! what is so rare as a day in June?

Then, if ever, come perfect days;

Then Heaven tries the earth if it be in tune,

And over it softly her warm ear lays:

Whether we look, or whether we listen,

We hear life murmur, or see it glisten.

Now the heart is so full that a drop overfills it,

We are happy now because God wills it.

No matter how barren the past may have been,

'Tis enough for us now that the leaves are green.

-James Russell Lowell

To me and Lane, after we got home from our trip: "I'm so glad you came home, guys...'cause I really missed you."

Anna is working really hard on manners. "Can I have some lunch may please?" The syntax isn't there, but the feeling is.

Here's a sticky note Lane found today on the bottom of his shoe, in an unnamed handwriting: "Tornado hit. DO NOT Come in!!!! Enless [sic] Your name is liz or lane." I just wasn't sure if it was meant for my bedroom or hers....

Temper tantrums are not cute even in children; they are despicable in adults, especially adults who are supposed to love each other. We are too easily provoked; we are too inclined to think that our partner meant to hurt us--meant to do us evil, so to speak; and in defensive or jealous response we too often rejoice when we see them make a mistake and find them in a fault. Let's show some discipline on this one. Act a little more maturely. Bite your tongue if you have to. "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city" (Proverbs 16:32). At least one difference between a tolerable marriage and a great one may be that willingness in the latter to allow some things to pass without comment, without response.

Jeffrey R. Holland, "How Do I Love Thee?" 

What you create doesn't have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don't let the fear of failure discourage you. Don't let the voice of critics paralyze you--whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.

--President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage"

At 6:14 pm, when the kitchen is totally quiet, the table not set, and I'm on the couch typing, Peter asked me cheerfully, "Mom, did we already have dinner?" Guess that's a good hint. OK, time to get up off the couch...

Anna brought me a cup of water. "I'm the water server," she said. I took a sip. "It's not from the toilet," she continued,after I swallowed.

When invited to go to bed, Sarah commented quietly, "As far as I'm concerned, sleeping is just a waste of time, except for in the morning."

Julia came in from playing outside with the boys to watch a movie with us. After a minute Peter burst in: "Julia! It's 'prepare for battle'. Aren't you coming?" Julia, hesitating momentarily as she deliberated, gave way and headed back out into the fray. Moments later, we heard the conch shell sound. The battle must have begun!

"So is a jicama kind of like a Spanish version of a potato?" Sarah, making me a special salad for Mother's Day, and cutting up jicama for it.

"When you die, are you gonna leave the car at home? 'Cause I really want Dad's car." Peter, reflections on growing up. (And totally out of the blue. Love how they think ahead.) 

"I'm just really happy!" Anna, joyfully, while munching on a carrot in the car and going shopping with Mom.

"If silence is golden, talking is platinum." Nate, our avid conversationalist, during our car trip over Easter break.

(Climbing into the car, Anna in the second row, and Sarah in the front) "There's enough spot for you by me, Sarah." Sarah obligingly got out and went to the seat next to Anna. What a sweetheart.

"YOU said I could go play [after dinner]!" Peter argued as he walked in the door. "No, Peter, I did not," I countered calmly. "How do YOU know?" he demanded.

"Hey! Look at this!" I said, scrolling down to show a photo from a blog. "Yeah, yeah, it's all WORDS!" (Peter) 

Anna came downstairs with her shirt on and a pair of tights on backwards, the rear stretched down to her knee caps. Peter took note and said, in a parenting voice, to Anna, "If you want to play with friends, you have to get clothes on." 

The mere stuffing of the mind with a knowledge of facts is not education. The mind must not only possess a knowledge of truth, but the soul must revere it, cherish it, love it as a priceless gem; and this human life must be guided and shaped by it in order to fulfil its destiny. The mind should not only be charged with intelligence, but the soul should be filled with admiration and desire for pure intelligence which comes of a knowledge of the truth. The truth can only make him free who hath it, and will continue in it. And the word of God is truth, and it will endure forever.

Educate yourself not only for time, but also for eternity.

Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine (269).

"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." John Wayne

(Nathan's favorite quote from a John Wayne movie)

Julia was drinking a Hansen's Cream Soda. "It says there's no high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or flavors. What isthere?"

Anna arrived on the beach, her toes covered in sand. "Where is the sandbox?" she asked.

Nate dumped some "American Cheese Powder" sprinkle onto his pasta at lunch today. "You're going to be so sick!" Sarah said. "What?" I intruded. Sarah: "That expired the year Nathan was born!"

To respond in a Christlike way cannot be scripted or based on a formula. The Savior responded differently in every situation. When He was confronted by wicked King Herod, He remained silent. When He stood before Pilate, He bore a simple and powerful testimony of His divinity and purpose. Facing the moneychangers who were defiling the temple, He exercised His divine responsibility to preserve and protect that which was sacred. Lifted up upon a cross, He uttered the incomparable Christian response: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Elder Robert D. Hales, "Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship," Ensign, November 2008

"Little Bo Peep lost his sheep." (What I found while correcting a child's homework. Guess we've got a little mix up going on with Bo and Little Boy Blue. Yo, Bo!)

Anna climbed into bed with us this Saturday. Amidst tickles and giggles, Lane said, "I have breath that could kill a horse!" Anna chirped in, "I have breath that could ride a horse!"

"Wait! Does a helicopter drop the newspaper? How does it get there?!" Peter, on seeing the newspaper in the middle of the driveway.

"You didn't give me any breakfast yesterday, but you gave me my vitamin, so I sucked on it until lunchtime." Julia

"I'm going to save this doughnut for next year." Anna, on leaving part of a doughnut (that she started last night) on her breakfast plate.

"Smile, Darn You, Smile"

If you can smile when things go wrong

And say it doesn't matter,

If you can laugh off cares and woe

And trouble makes you fatter,

If you can keep a cheerful face

When all around are blue,

Then have your head examined, bud,

There's something wrong with you.

For one thing I've arrived at:

There are no ands and buts,

A guy that's grinning all the time

Must be completely nuts.

Quoted by BYU President Jeffrey R. Holland, in "The Will of the Father in All Things," 17 Jan 1989.

Nate, after answering a (teeth-whitening solicitation) phone call, said, "This is actually not Liz." After, Nate described his accent as "Japanese-Italian." As the solicitor went on and on, I told Nate that this was one time he has my permission to interrupt.

I just went in to wake Anna up for a nap. (She had gone down late, and I had forgotten until it was dinner time!) When she'd climbed into bed, she had placed a piece of play cake on a plastic plate on Sarah's bedside table. So when I woke her up, I picked her up as well as the play food. "That's Sarah's cake," she informed me politely, "but you can have it." 

Mother's Jewels

Aunt Eleanor wears such diamonds!

Shiny and gay and grand,

Some on her neck and some in her hair,

And some on her pretty hand.

One day I asked my mama

Why she never wore them, too;

She laughed and said, as she kissed my eyes,

"My jewels are here, bright blue.

They laugh and dance and beam and smile,

So lovely all the day,

And never like Aunt Eleanor's go

In a velvet box to stay.

Hers are prisoned in bands of gold,

But mine are free as air,

Set in a bonny, dimpled face,

And shadowed with shining hair!"

Eugene Field

Anna, while eating her toast, commented off-hand, "I want lots of family." Intrigued at her perspective, I asked her what she meant. (After all, I thought we were definitely toward that end.) "Lots and lots and lots." Well, I bet we'll be there...in about 100 years.

I was tucking Anna to bed, when she pointed to her cheek and said, "You can kiss me here." "Thank you," I responded, with a kiss. "You're welcome. You can kiss me there always," she granted.

This is our one and only chance at mortal life--here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey--now.

President Thomas S. Monson, "Finding Joy in the Journey"

Anna's cute words

1. shish (fish)

2. hooj (huge)

3. wellow (yellow) 

4. hairplane

5. hairport

6. chicken head

7. smarshmellows (Peter's word)

8. Sall (Fall)

9. doos (goose)

10. Livbuth (Elizabeth)

11. sweet! (as in "cool")

12. picy! (spicy, as in Grandma's soup)

13. itmeal (oatmeal)

'O dreary life,' we cry, 'O dreary life!'

And still the generations of the birds

Sing through our sighing, and the flocks and herds

Serenely live while we are keeping strife

With Heaven's true purpose in us...

O thou God of old,

Grant me some smaller grace than comes to these!--

But so much patience as a blade of grass

Grows by, contented through the heat and cold.

--Elizabeth Barrett Browning ("Patience Taught by Nature")

Julia was making salt and flour playdough. Peter came onto the scene. 

P: (Incredulously) "How did you make that stuff?"

J: (Matter-of-factly) I followed the recipe.

Julia, looking at her lump of playdough on the breadboard:

"This stuff looks like [insulation]!"

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's 

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, --I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! --and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

--Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Sonnet XLIII, Sonnets from the Portuguese)

"Grandma has this sweetness awesome spoon!" (Peter, with his ultra-enthusiastic, you-won't-believe-it voice. Who knew you could be so excited about a spoon?)

"Jiminy Crickets! It's warmer turning off the shower!" (Lane, on getting out of the shower on a Sunday morning when 4 people had showered right before him)

"It's always other people's birthdays and not mine!" (Peter, around Nate's recent birthday)

"I call Dad the "Big Thinker" 'cause he's so good at thinking!"(Peter)

When I'm a mom, I'm going to make dessert for ALL the people[Insert here=children. Too bad you don't live at Aunt Becca's.] And I'm going to drive a Cinderella car with my two little children in the back. (Anna)

A new year is at hand. We cannot tell what it will bring. If it brings peace, how thankful we shall all be. If it brings us continued struggle, we shall remain undaunted.

In the meantime, I...would like to say to you: "I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year, 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied, 'Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be better than light, and safer than a known way.'"

King George VI, December 25, 1939 (This link is to the audio clip of the original speech. For the transcript, go here.)

Rebecca wears glasses, Julia does, too.

Mommy is lovely, Sarah is, too.

We all love each other and so you see,

Everybody gets a kiss from me!

(Eliza's version of the song, "We are a happy family"

(December 29) "Mom, When is it going to be Christmas? I wish it were Christmas everyday!" -Peter

(From her cell phone, in the garage) "Hey. Mom. It's really cold out here in the car. Could you stop blogging and come out here?"--Sarah

(Lane, Jan.3, upon finding out that I had made lunch for myself and the children, but none was left for him:) "That's O.K. I know how to fend for myself." (Note: Thank GOODNESS.)

(Peter, Jan.4, at dinner, with a large piece of ham in his mouth) "I'm having fun with ham."

(Anna, Jan.4, while I'm typing) "I'm really busy coloring!"

(Peter, sitting next to me on the couch, Jan. 5) "Mom, you have a flower on your ear!" 

"It's an earring, Pete."

"Wow...Coool."

Ah friends, dear friends,
As years go on and heads get gray,
How fast the guests do go!
Touch hands, touch hands,
With those that stay.
Strong hands to weak,
Old hands to young, around the
Christmas board touch hands.
The false forget, the foe forgive,
For every guest will go
And every fire burn low
And cabin empty stand.
Forget, forgive,
For who may say that Christmas day
May ever come to host or guest again.
Touch hands!
~ William Henry Harrison Murray