Halloween Festivities

Usually by Halloween day arrives I am more than happy to be done with it. The kids dress up and it is fun but you can only go to so many parties that the purpose is to get candy before it gets old. The girls school had a trunk or treat, our church had a trunk or treat, there was class parties, we were invited by some friends to go to a community party, our neighbors have a party (its for adults but still Halloween themed). It is all very fun and the kids love it but my small introvert social bucket is over flowing by the time Halloween comes.

We did our usual Halloween tradition with the McDonalds. There whole family came over to have pizza and witch’s brew (home made root beer) for dinner then we go trick or treating together afterwards. Allison invited her friend Hailey and her family to come with us too. Matthew went on his own with his friends. Allison was a little put out thinking she would have to wait for the slow people in our group to go trick or treating and not get as much candy as she wanted. Her costume was a giant rooster that made it a little tricky to get around in so she actually ended up being the slowest person. The amount of candy did not seem to be affected though. She ‘won’ her own prize for the most candy collected when her bag weighed in at 14 pounds. Matthew had a mere 9 pounds and was totally embarrassed he was beaten by his sister. Emilee didn’t weigh hers but I’m sure she had a few pounds as well. I felt like I was going to get diabetes just sitting in the room with all of it. Of course there was a giant trading of candy session when we all got back to get rid of the candy they didn’t like. I think they all thought Halloween was a big success. Ryan has been taking several large handfuls to work since Halloween to help protect our children’s pancreas’. It was a fun night.

Emilee’s Pet Report

In Emilee’s class they received a ‘Pet Report’ assignment. Don’t tell Allison but we borrowed Peanut for a picture and Emilee claimed him as her pet for her report. She wrote a great paragraph about how cute and cuddly and soft he is.

**Update. Emilee’s teacher hung their pet reports up in the hall for everyone to see and Allison saw Emilee’s. She was really sweet and said it was fine that Emilee used Peanut for her pet…”as long as she knows who REAL pet he is.”šŸ˜Š

We have a TEENAGER in the house!!

Matthew turned 13th this past week! He is an official teenager. I can’t believe it. He is also a wonderful, caring, kind, smart, fun, talented young man.

I have thought a lot about Matthew this week. It really is true how fast the time goes by. The saying, “The days are long but the years or short” comes to my mind a lot. The memories of having him at the hospital and becoming parents for the first time, holding him for the first time, bringing him home. Thousands of little memories from playtime, bath time, snuggle time, all his firsts. His little running waddle, and cute laugh. There are lots of things about him that have changed as he has grown up but lots of things that are still the same. He has been sweet and loving from day one. He has a tender heart and treats people kindly. I have learned a lot from being Matthew’s mom. I am so grateful Heavenly Father trusted me with him. I hope I can be the mom he deserves. I have told Matthew a few times that I think he has an ‘old soul’. Aside from the fact that he likes peppermint and werthers candy and wears his pajamas tucked in with his slippers and housecoat like your typical grandpa, his ability to reason, and ponder, and internalize concepts and ideas is beyond his years. Sometimes beyond my years. The gospel makes sense to him and Ryan says, “Wrests easily on his shoulders.” I hope that continues to grow and develop and be true as he does. You are a good person Matthew. I am proud of you!

Usually about a month or so before his birthday Matthew brings me a list of what he wants to do, who he wants to invite, and what he wants for his birthday. He has it all planned out. This year he didn’t do that and when I asked he kept saying he didn’t have anything he could think of that he wanted. He did know exactly what he wanted to eat though. We had shrimp at home the day before and the day of his birthday we went to his favorite Mexican restaurant- K-machos, followed by a chocolate chip cookie cake. His appetite is definitely getting closer to a teenagers. It has almost doubled lately. He is very hopeful that means his growth spurt is going to start soon.

He did ask if he could have the home phone be HIS phone. Ryan and I decided to let him try it out. I told him I was going to write up a phone contract for him to sign. He also got a throwing net for baseball and a Royals sweatshirt. We watched him play in his last football game of the season before heading to dinner. I think he had a good day.

A Favorite Conference Talk

There are countless good talks given in General Conference. In fact, are any of them ‘not good’ ? Just like scriptures I think we can hear and read them many times and get knew things out of a talk that we didn’t catch the last time. I came across this talk the other day and it really struck a chord with me. I am not by any means perfect at teaching my children everything that I need or want to. I have this little worry that pops up more and more the older they get that my time to influence and instill things that I think are important is getting shorter and shorter with them. Before I know it they will be on their own and continuing their life without my daily input. This then brings in more worries of am I doing enough for them to learn everything? Am I doing to much for them so they don’t learn? How can I do better? How can I really help it sink in? Plus all the inadequacies and shortcomings I have with impatience, losing my temper, maintaining correct priorities, consistency, persistence, diligence …I could go on but the point is there is no shortage of areas that I can work on to improve myself as a mom and a person. If I’m not careful with these thoughts they can quickly lead to panic and feeling overwhelmed that there is just to much and there is no way I can do everything I am supposed to and need and want to do for my kids. When I read this talk, I felt good. I don’t even really know how to explain why. It made me want to recommit myself to doing the things that I have been slacking on and continue with the things I am doing well on. I guess I am saying that I thought this was a very motivational talk for me. It made me appreciate and remember what a blessing my kids are and this time that I get to have with them. We can all drive each other crazy sometimes but we love each other like crazy too. I am glad that we have a prophet and apostles to remind us how important and eternal families are and that the Holy Ghost can help me and nudge me along the way to say and do things with my kids that will strike a chord with them strengthen their testimonies of the Savior.

No Greater Joy Than to Know That They Know

By Elder K. Brett Nattress Of the Seventy

Brothers and sisters, I have recently been pondering this question: ā€œIf all that your children knew of the gospel came from youļ»æā€”as their only sourceļ»æā€”how much would they know?ā€ This question applies to all those who love, mentor, and influence children.

Is there any greater gift that we can impart to our children than a memory burned deep into their hearts that we know that our Redeemer lives? Do they know that we know? And more important, have they come to know for themselves that He lives?

When I was a boy, I was my motherā€™s most difficult young child to raise. I had an overabundance of energy. My mother tells me that her greatest fear was that I would not live to see adulthood. I was just too active.

I remember as a young boy sitting in one particular sacrament meeting with our family. My mother had just received a new set of scriptures. This new set combined the entire standard works into one bound edition, and in the very center was lined paper for note-taking.

During the meeting, I asked if I could hold her scriptures. With the hope of promoting my reverence, she handed them down the pew. As I perused her scriptures, I noticed that she had written a personal goal in the note section. To provide context for her goal, I must tell you that I am the second of six children and my name is Brett. My mother had written, in red, just one goal: ā€œPatience with Brett!ā€

As further evidence to help you understand the challenge my parents faced in raising our family, let me tell you about our family scripture reading. Each morning, my mother read the Book of Mormon to us during breakfast. During this time, my older brother, Dave, and I would sit quietly but irreverently. To be completely honest, we werenā€™t listening. We were reading the print on the cereal boxes.

Finally, one morning, I decided to square up with my mother. I exclaimed, ā€œMom, why are you doing this to us? Why are you reading the Book of Mormon every morning?ā€ I then made a statement that I am embarrassed to admit to. In fact, I canā€™t believe I actually said it. I told her, ā€œMom, I am not listening!ā€

Her loving response was a defining moment in my life. She said, ā€œSon, I was at a meeting where President Marion G. Romney taught about the blessings of scripture reading. During this meeting, I received a promise that if I would read the Book of Mormon to my children every day, I would not lose them.ā€ She then looked me straight in the eyes and, with absolute determination, said, ā€œAnd I will not lose you!ā€

Her words pierced my heart. Notwithstanding my imperfections, I was worth saving! She taught me the eternal truth that I am a son of a loving Heavenly Father. I learned that no matter what the circumstance, I was worth it. This was a perfect moment for an imperfect little boy.

I am eternally grateful for my angel mother and for all angels who love children perfectly, notwithstanding their imperfections. I firmly believe that all sistersļ»æā€”I will call them ā€œangelsā€ļ»æā€”are mothers in Zion, whether or not they are married or bear children during this earthly experience.

Years ago the First Presidency proclaimed: ā€œMotherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.ā€1

I am grateful for angels throughout the Church who boldly and lovingly proclaim eternal truth to Heavenly Fatherā€™s children.

I am grateful for the gift of the Book of Mormon. I know that it is true! It contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am unaware of anyone who is diligently reading the Book of Mormon each day with pure intent and with faith in Christ who has lost their testimony and fallen away. Moroniā€™s prophetic promise carries with it the key to know the truth of all thingsļ»æā€”including having the ability to discern and avoid the deceptions of the adversary. (See Moroni 10:4ā€“5.)

I am also grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and for His Son, Jesus Christ. The Savior provided the perfect example of how to live in an imperfect and unfair world. ā€œWe love him, because he first loved usā€ (1 John 4:19). His love for us is immeasurable. He is our truest friend. He sweat ā€œas it were great drops of bloodā€ for you and also for me (Luke 22:44). He forgave the seemingly unforgivable. He loved the unlovable. He did what no mortal could do: He provided an Atonement to overcome the transgressions, pains, and sicknesses of all mankind.

Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can live with the promise that no matter what our struggles may be, we can always have hope in Him, ā€œwho is mighty to saveā€ (2 Nephi 31:19). Because of His Atonement, we can have joy, peace, happiness, and eternal life.

President Boyd K. Packer stated: ā€œSave for the exception of the very few who defect to perdition, there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ.ā€2

One of the most incredible events in human history is the Saviorā€™s ministering visit to the ancient inhabitants of America. Visualize in your mind what it would be like to have been there. As I have pondered His loving and tender care of that band of Saints gathered at the temple, I have reflected on individual children whom I love more than life itself. I have tried to conceive of how I would feel to behold our little ones, to personally witness the Savior inviting each child to come unto Him, to witness the Saviorā€™s outstretched arms, to stand by as each child, one by one, gently feels the prints in His hands and in His feet, and then to see each of them stand and bear record that He lives! (See 3 Nephi 11:14ā€“17; see also 17:2118:25.) To have our children turn and say, ā€œMom, Dad, itā€™s Him!ā€

I donā€™t know if anything in this world could bring more happiness and joy than to know that our children know the Savior, to know that they know ā€œto what source they may look for a remission of their sins.ā€ That is why, as members of the Church, ā€œwe preach of Christā€ and we testify of Christ (2 Nephi 25:26).

  • That is why we pray with our children every day.
  • That is why we read the scriptures with them every day.
  • That is why we teach them to serve others, so that they can hold claim upon the blessings of finding themselves as they lose themselves in the service of others (see Mark 8:35Mosiah 2:17).

As we devote ourselves to these simple patterns of discipleship, we empower our children with the love of the Savior and with divine direction and protection as they face the fierce winds of the adversary.

The gospel truly is about the one. It is about one lost sheep (see Luke 15:3ā€“7); it is about one Samaritan woman at a well (see John 4:5ā€“30); it is about one prodigal son (see Luke 15:11ā€“32).

And it is about one little boy who might claim he is not listening.

It is about each one of usļ»æā€”as imperfect as we may beļ»æā€”becoming one with the Savior as He is one with His Father (see John 17:21).

I testify that we have a loving Heavenly Father, who knows us by name! I testify that Jesus Christ is the living Son of the living God. He is the Only Begotten and our Advocate with the Father. I further testify that salvation comes in and through His nameļ»æā€”and in no other way.

It is my prayer that we will devote our hearts and our hands to helping all of Heavenly Fatherā€™s children to know Him and to feel His love. As we do, He promises us eternal joy and happiness in this world and in the world to come. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Matthew’s 7th Grade Football Career.

Matthew is #14 on the right side of the screen. He ends up on the left side of the screen at the end of the play.

Even though that video is hilarious, it does not show the good high lights of his football plays. Aside from getting trucked a few times, he learned a lot, tried hard and did a good job. he scored several touch downs, his longest being a kick return for 70 yards. He intercepted several throws and ran many yards. His tackling improved a lot too. It was fun to watch him and I took a deep breath when his last game ended and he survived without a major injury.

New Hobby

I have been contemplating the idea of learning a new hobby lately. A mom on our baseball team has spoiled me with really good pictures of Matthew playing baseball. I have been thinking that I want to have nice pictures of all my kids doing all their activities. Lauren gave me some direction on what a good beginner camera would be and I decided to make the decision to do it. I got a fun little camera that can do all kinds of cool things that I don’t know how to do yet but I’ll get there. I have a lot to learn but even from the start the pictures look nicer and have better light color then my iphone pictures. Lauren is lots of help if I have questions and Misty gave me lots of tips for good settings for baseball. Allison is taking a liking to it too. Maybe we both found a new hobby to enjoy!

These are some of my first pictures I took just playing around.

These are some of Allison’s.

Bestie Visit

Moving around a lot when I was growing up means that I don’t have a lot of friends from school that I kept it touch with. One of my besties my Junior and Senior year of high school was Erin Weber (now Perry). We both went to BYU-I together for a few years too. A few years back she got a new job that has a conference every year in Overland Park Kansas which is a direct neighbor to Olathe. So every year about this time I get to pick her up and we go to dinner and talk for hours and catch up on each others lives. It is always a nice time. She is a good friend and I am glad that we have kept in touch.

High School Bestie!!

Matthew’s First Sewing Project

All on his very own at the end of last year Matthew picked on of his electives to be FACTS this year. The first half of the class is sewing and the second half is cooking. After learning the basics, the sewing project they were supposed to do was this back pack. I think he did pretty good. He said he got a ‘B’ on it. I would have given him and ‘A’.

My Little Wizard

Emilee is not going to be in this stage much longer and I will miss it when she doesn’t do things like this anymore. The stage of wearing some costume around the house and turning her surroundings into whatever her imagination comes up with. She was watching the Chiefs game with Ryan while wearing her wizard cape and using a chop stick to cast her spells. It made me smile and I had to take a picture to remember it.

The next picture is also just another cute moment of the girls heading off to school. Emilee was excited she was supposed to bring a pumpkin so they could cut it open and count the seeds.

Fall Baseball Final Tournament

Matthew had his last couple of tournaments the past few weeks. Between football and baseball he was not able to put as much practice time into baseball as he wanted. His hitting was showing it towards the mid and end of the season. His last week before the final tournament he made sure he got in some batting practice everyday even if just for 20 minutes. It made a difference though. He had several good hits, including a line drive walk off hit that got them into the playoffs and they ended up winning the whole tournament. It was a great way for the team to end the season. Now with football being done too he isn’t going to know what to do with himself until basketball starts in January. Just kidding, I am sure he will train for baseball as much as he can.

While the boys are playing baseball there is a twitter contest that the parents have won seven times in a row. The memes are from some of the pics that we posted to twitter. Leading us to our eighth twitter win and keeping our undefeated reign in tact.

One of our games we had some really bad calls from the umpires, which happens sometimes. That’s part of baseball and you have to move on. These particular umpires were soooo bad it almost seemed blatant and comical (if it hadn’t have ended up costing us the game). They had three calls in particular that were awful. Our camera mom got one on camera. I didn’t tweet them publicly but I made a few meme’s of my own that I put on our behind the scenes team chat group.