tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54006507833784518802012-01-08T19:15:55.055-07:00Becoming a Little Bit More ME, Every DayMarnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.comBlogger2461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-7519236531542670442012-01-05T23:52:00.003-07:002012-01-06T16:16:18.681-07:00

I have a new favorite truth, and I actually get to teach it 3 different times this week to 3 very different groups.  Since I'm so excited about it, I wanted to share here as well. Consider two varieties of laws - man-made vs. natural laws.  Man-made can be set by the whim of a person or by lengthy legislation process, they can changed, and they can be removed.  Man-made laws are created to

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-65228906507505131072011-11-30T17:10:00.001-07:002011-11-30T17:17:48.185-07:00

It's amazing what one ingredient can do. It can take something from YUM to . . . huh.  From, "Mom, can I have another one?" to "No thanks, I'm not really hungry right now." What's 1 cup of sugar anyway?  Of course in Kool-aid I can understand - after water, it's the main ingredient. No, I wasn't trying to be healthy.  Blame a quick glance at the recipe, assuming I knew all I needed.  Take it

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-62030902625466772842011-11-30T12:26:00.001-07:002011-11-30T12:50:47.056-07:00

I know what you're thinking.  "Did she really just say laundry and love in the same heading???"  Yes, dear reader, I did.  A couple days ago I read this post talking about a family's laundry system and immediately fell in love.  I presented it to the kids, wanting to get them on board, and they responded very positively as well. And so, today we began.  Baskets in place, we sent a few loads

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-27815026579838716112011-11-24T08:59:00.001-07:002011-11-24T09:05:47.698-07:00

Welcome To My House Some houses try to hide the fact that children shelter there, Ours boasts of it quite openly, the signs are everywhere, For smears are on the windows, little smudges on the door, I should apologize I guess for toys strewn on the floor, But I sat down with the children and we played and laughed and read, And if the windows do not shine, their eyes will shine instead, And

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-18811286608956048422011-11-18T21:52:00.001-07:002011-11-18T22:13:28.855-07:00

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-72171904913049194002011-10-23T22:37:00.001-06:002011-11-23T22:26:03.411-07:00

For the Relief Society lesson today I was asked to share an experience when I sacrificed to go to the temple and the blessings I received for doing so.  When I first thought about it I could think of plenty of sacrifices - time, distance, being away from family, and the like.  While reading President Monson's talk "The Holy Temple--A Beacon to the World," the basis of the lessons, I went online

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-6887672889938727202011-10-07T22:26:00.000-06:002011-10-07T22:26:34.399-06:00

For a quick update... We've had a sick house this week.  I would prefer everyone to get it and get it over with, but at our house we have to spread things out one at a time (though the two littlest started first, about a half hour apart).  Seems that the stomach flu has about a 48 hour incubation period... The Hall Family is working on memorizing: Moroni 7:45-48 Isaiah 64:8 The first quote on

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-9907517167902922342011-09-17T22:21:00.002-06:002011-09-20T19:44:17.506-06:00

(I said I was going to do this part over a month ago.  Oops.  I've shared "the interpretation" twice now, so I guess I should make it official on here.) My personal interpretation is about vision. I don't know about you, but I'm really good at starting into something new without really realizing what will be involved (i.e. the new baby chicks). When I realize something bigger has to happen,

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-66867973636766769092011-07-26T21:43:00.000-06:002011-07-26T21:43:57.074-06:00

Once upon a time we got six really adorable baby chickens.  All they needed was a big box for a house, a change of newspaper every day or two, some food, and water. But then they grew... And grew... And grew... ...until they needed a new house.  Because of the timing, we were very busy and didn't have a chance to work on their house more than this (four boards screwed together to make a

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-74698688783680875372011-05-11T22:04:00.000-06:002011-05-13T14:31:25.905-06:00

I had the lovely opportunity to teach Relief Society last Sunday.  It was extra special with it being Mother's Day, since so many extras got to join in our discussion (the young men and young women took over their classes for the day).  Here is pretty much the whole long gist of the lesson.  (Personally, I hate long blog posts, so really, don't even feel like you have to read this.  I wanted it

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-22663363316881195722011-05-10T23:31:00.000-06:002011-05-10T23:31:27.038-06:00

"You become what you want to be, by consistently being what you want to become each day."                                                                     --Richard G. ScottI was talking on the phone to a friend earlier and she mentioned she and her daughter want to write a book someday.  The first chapter will be "Nice People are Nice."  The second chapter will be "Mean People are Mean."  I

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-78348594553208887592011-04-18T23:04:00.000-06:002011-04-18T23:04:00.359-06:00

Go figure - my time and brain power towards writing has been more limited the past few months.  I hate not parking myself for this, especially when there's something I really want to get down, but I don't want to click "publish" when I don't have enough time to polish.  (I especially don't want anyone walking away from their computer stupider than when they sat down.) While stewing on this

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-23383539917909930432011-04-18T21:56:00.000-06:002011-04-18T21:56:50.506-06:00

We got a phone call yesterday from a friend of mine asking if I could bring my son, Sammy, to a store to help them find the minifigures they were looking for.  Sammy is the Lego genius that brought me into the realm of Lego package feeling.  (It's amazing what you can learn with a master by your side.) For those that don't know, Lego has been put out 4 sets of 16 minifigures each.  Series one

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-44962665955051524462011-03-28T23:26:00.001-06:002011-03-28T23:27:08.295-06:00

Last Thursday I lost my iPod Touch. I didn't realize I didn't know where it was until that evening.  I immediately went through in my mind when I knew I had it last.  That afternoon Erin had played with it but brought it back to me, and I vaguely remembered putting it in my pocket, but wasn't sure if that was the right day I remembered that happening or not. I DID know that we'd been a couple

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-10205820359690073692011-03-24T19:43:00.000-06:002011-03-24T19:43:25.708-06:00

I saw a new cleaning/organizing challenge and I'm all over it.  After all, it's a SMART* goal. The goal is... 40 bags out of the house in 40 days! Those bags can be garbage, donations, giveaways, whatever, and you choose the size of the bag.  (When I told my kids about it to rally their participation, they thought a snack bag size of bag would be great, but I'm thinking grocery bag size.)  My

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-63630739032449856422011-02-06T22:19:00.000-07:002011-02-06T22:19:52.065-07:00

More and more I really enjoy words. I thought of the word "whelmed" earlier today.  In my little brain it should mean not quite overwhelmed.  Like "Wow, crazy!" but not, "Whoa, I can't take this!"  Don't you think? The dictionary doesn't agree. The Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines "whelmed" as "Covered, as by being plunged or immersed."  It has no overwhelm. The Merriam-Webster Online

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-88836079083174947482011-01-07T22:28:00.002-07:002011-01-07T22:29:47.081-07:00

Things have been so busy in so many levels that I haven't had much time to think about writing here, and even e-mail messages that take extra thought take me days to write.  I've been wanting to write for a while; I think this is my speed right now. FOR TODAY - January 7, 2011 Outside my window... it's dark and cold.  The girls are in bed, all my guys are playing with the scouts building

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-24726254137798926672010-12-09T23:17:00.000-07:002010-12-09T23:17:38.314-07:00

Our family was invited to perform some service a couple weeks ago, and we quickly accepted the opportunity.  Simple really.  Meet at the church, and help clean. While we were there, I thought about how the process of gathering people for this service could be improved.  I had seen sign up sheets about it in the past, but we got a phone call.  Maybe the sign up sheets hadn't worked.  I wondered

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-68100778019396250852010-11-16T22:19:00.002-07:002010-11-16T22:21:55.285-07:00

I started reading 10 Conversations You Need to Have With Your Children the other day.  Right off the author mentions Psalms 127 where it talks about children being arrows and happy is the man that has his quiver full.  The analogy is made that if children are the arrows, then parents are like the bow, so no matter how far the arrow has flown, the path was originally guided by the bow.  I like

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-70260523334952790492010-10-26T00:10:00.003-06:002010-10-26T00:17:17.093-06:00

I've been thinking about the price. What is the price for the things I want? Is the good, better, best question a question of price? In choosing one thing, we must remember the cost, not only of what we choose, but the cost of not choosing something else. What am I willing to pay for? What is so important to me that I am willing to pay the price? An example of paying the price - Bruce R. McConkie

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-57296660603007667502010-09-20T23:59:00.001-06:002010-09-21T00:01:32.516-06:00

All I wanted to do was take a friend some dinner, and this is what happened: 1.  I was making lasagna and realized I didn't have any mozzarella cheese.  To the store (also grabbed a bag of salad and french bread, which I wanted to go with the lasagna anyway, and extra noodles just in case!), and home. 2.  Got meat and noodles cooking, and realized quickly that I didn't have any ricotta cheese or

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-39462473626093098932010-09-20T23:07:00.001-06:002010-09-20T23:07:40.159-06:00

If I posted all the started posts I write, there would be a lot more on here more often, but it would all be a lot more incomplete and unpolished (maybe no one would notice the difference??).  Maybe I should publish one once in a while just to throw people off, or challenge the world to finish my randomness for me. We have a family mission statement.  It is about two months old now, and it took

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-31541257918150156482010-08-24T22:29:00.001-06:002010-08-24T22:30:26.988-06:00

Every time someone starts asking me questions about homeschooling, there is one question that always - ALWAYS - comes up.  Something to the gist of... "But how do you know your kids are getting what they are supposed to?" I was recently in the middle of one of those homeschool conversations, and the person was genuinely interested.  Questions were coming one after the other as they reconciled

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-33074578369790022062010-08-12T23:51:00.001-06:002010-08-12T23:52:27.356-06:00

After a wild and crazy day at the zoo (where there was an attempted attack on Erin and my nephew by a baby Siamese Crocodile and the tigers were more playful than we've ever seen them), we had dinner, the two middle girls had a bath, and we pulled out a couple of library books to read. I picked up the first one, a book called "Tough Chicks" that Carolyn had checked out. When I started to read,

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-55989787640427331342010-08-06T15:48:00.006-06:002010-08-06T23:03:32.791-06:00

I've written before about how much I enjoy cleaning my house. I look back at the days when it was just Jamie and I, and wonder how in the world I ever got behind in it back then. Then again, my "getting behind" then is a lot different than my "getting behind" now. Then we would get busy with school and after a week or two decide that things were getting out of hand and needed some touching up.

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-30717627779013157792010-07-28T21:33:00.004-06:002010-07-30T12:16:53.415-06:00

Wanted to share an update on my journal. I'm still journaling my random and sometimes more personal thoughts and love it when I do. It's so much nicer journaling thoughts and ideas rather than "went to the store, ate some lunch, cleaned the house, my life is so boring" kinds of things. Sometimes there is a bit of traveloging, but only if there is a purpose behind it. I've been reading A Two-Part

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-26095892297373828342010-07-22T00:27:00.002-06:002010-07-22T00:33:18.879-06:00

My mom has made a few comments about me not keeping up on this for a while. Sorry! I'm trying to be inspired, I promise. But I'm also trying to catch up from all the things I had to do a few weeks ago and was so busy getting ready for that I couldn't spare any brain cells for blogging a few weeks before the few weeks. Besides, she shouldn't be encouraging me to blog - she's seen my house.But

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-51935429905339848952010-05-22T21:36:00.004-06:002010-05-22T22:47:25.667-06:00

One line from Sister Julie Beck's conference talk:"There is much distraction and not enough peace and joy."Every time I hear or read that again I think, "I KNOW!" This past week has especially felt like a very ADHD one for me. Going/thinking/getting pulled in all kinds of directions, no focus whatsoever. It is not a peaceful feeling. A few days ago I was especially disturbed by it all.

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-28586497955083914472010-05-17T13:26:00.005-06:002010-05-17T13:43:20.765-06:00

We had an INCREDIBLE general conference in April. I've told several people that I don't know why they even watched it, because I'm sure the prophet got a personal phone call and was told that every talk was to be written with me in mind. There was just so so much I needed to hear.As soon as the audio was available online, I downloaded it all to my iPod and have spent many many middle of the

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-90506843179103905622010-05-14T22:15:00.006-06:002010-05-14T22:58:53.080-06:00

This is a song we've sang as a staff every year I've been to Wood Badge. I was going to share it with the staff I get to work with this year and went searching online to see if I had all the words right, but came up with nothing! I have no idea where the song came from, who wrote it, or where it started. But I thought I would get it online in case anyone else happened to go looking for it.WE

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-21001004898113463002010-05-07T12:05:00.003-06:002010-05-07T12:15:13.545-06:00

Aimee Ray, author of "Doodle Stitching" (thanks again Cindi!) had a giveaway for a new book she's got a project in, and I won!Check out my name in print (I feel so famous) and my "acceptance speech."And by the way, she's coming out with another "Doodle Stitching" book in October. The instructions and designs in the first one are wonderful. Can't wait to see round 2.

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-78994361464962716432010-05-02T09:46:00.004-06:002010-05-02T22:49:21.565-06:00

Blanche was climbing on her father's knee, begging for one of his Sunday stories.The narration, in his low tones, roused [Ethel] from her mood of vexation. It was the story of David, which he told in language scriptural and poetical, so pretty and tender in its simplicity, that she could not choose but attend. Ever and anon there was a glance towards Harry, as if he were secretly likening his

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-31187162584773335562010-04-15T22:23:00.004-06:002010-05-22T22:15:01.557-06:00

A few months ago Melanie told me something that I thought was incredibly clever."Mom, you should be extra smart right now because you have two brains!"I praised her for great thinking, then explained that unfortunately, half the brain in my head slid down to the baby.Upon giving birth, this has proven to be true, since I feel like I only have half a brain now.I've decided that new mommy brain is

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-23300992226950298192010-04-08T13:42:00.003-06:002010-04-15T22:18:28.822-06:00

We discovered some ultra super amazingly fun storytelling CDs recently by Willy Claflin. Go right now to your library website and put them on hold.First we checked out "Uglified Ducky," which I guess is a book as well. The library didn't have the book so I tried the CD. I would still like to read the book sometime, but Mr. Claflin, I mean Maynard Moose, tells it so well that I'm not sure the

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-19608019742372384792010-04-02T19:06:00.003-06:002010-04-02T23:14:30.132-06:00

I have to send out a huge thanks to my amazing friend, Kathryn. She came over last week and took some beautiful pictures of our baby girl. Today she surprised us by dropping off a stack of pictures and a CD. It's nice to have friends with talent.Speaking of which, we've had some superbly delicious dinners brought over as well. I have a lot of future dinners to make to help pass on all the

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-74482587900360728822010-03-22T00:11:00.005-06:002010-03-22T12:31:24.009-06:00

While I was hanging out at the hospital, calling for room service and getting my toenails painted (seriously gals, I know the hospital to deliver at), I was tumbling blog post ideas through my head. Then I came home and reality hit, so it hasn't exactly been top priority. Almost a week ago I was told it was high time my new little friend was introduced on my blog, so here she is!Madeleine Anne

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-47204691814516000832010-03-07T09:49:00.005-07:002010-03-07T11:50:15.940-07:00

Time is running short for this bout of baby creation. The doc is back in town (she took a couple weeks "off" to do humanitarian surgeries in Africa), so at 39 weeks tomorrow, anytime baby decides he/she is ready, I'm more than ready to oblige.Loving the little kicks and love taps (and yes, even the future soccer/football player ones) while I can. That's something I always miss - having a little

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-11593414611249277182010-02-16T20:15:00.005-07:002010-02-16T21:08:28.363-07:00

Does anyone really like wearing maternity clothes? Try as you may, they really are not very flattering. I've had comments from people telling me how cute I look, but I know it's not true. There was a time maybe, but at over 8 months pregnant I think I'm beyond the cute stage and have most definitely moved onto the "wow, you look miserable" stage. About a month ago I had someone act surprised

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-28205258899607018312010-02-10T00:32:00.003-07:002010-02-10T00:44:35.070-07:00

I'm up way too late but I just saw a link to this site, typealyzer.com, that analyzes the "personality" of your blog. How luring is that? Here's the analysis for mine, let me know what you think.The analysis indicates that the author of http://stillswinging.blogspot.com is of the type:ESFP - The PerformersThe entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-55401667468728320272010-01-30T15:10:00.008-07:002010-02-16T21:45:48.534-07:00

See the mom. See the tired mom. See the tired mom with the big tummy. See the dirty kitchen. Mom is cleaning and cleaning the dirty kitchen.See the two girls. Little energetic girls. Mom sees the two girls. Mom sees the dirty floor. "Two girls can clean the dirty floor," thinks Mom."Here, girls. See the dirty floor. See the sponges. Clean the floor," says Mom."Okay Mom!" say the girls.

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-43074443845849024112010-01-29T22:07:00.003-07:002010-05-22T22:14:33.058-06:00

Feels like it's longer than it really has been since I said hello here. My excuse? Let's see, I could pull this one again and say I'm too focused creating elsewhere. That is actually very true, and not even in the preggo sense (though that too!).The homeschool group Adam is involved with on Thursdays reads then discusses one book a month. I was asked to lead the discussion in November on the

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-40365181309646484692010-01-19T23:18:00.004-07:002010-01-19T23:23:49.300-07:00

Every time I've been pregnant I've noticed that I laugh a lot more heartily. I feel a lot more "jolly" all around.While pregnant with my first, my brother told me he'd decided that to ensure I would have a happy baby, I need to laugh for one whole minute straight. With his antics I easily complied (I think he laughed just so I would laugh).I think about that when I get a great laugh in while

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-85783575015723824572010-01-15T16:42:00.007-07:002010-01-15T22:55:32.596-07:00

I bought a book at the DI a few months ago called "I Didn't Plan to be a Witch: A Guide for Frustrated Mothers Everywhere" by Linda Eyre. It's been in my car ever since for those stuck-waiting-with-nothing-to-do moments, but it's only been opened a couple of times because either I don't wait enough or I always have something to do while I wait.I got to wait for a bit today, for Jamie and my dad

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-16920229880877286012010-01-11T22:05:00.003-07:002010-01-11T22:18:04.660-07:00

Just have to document a few recent wonderful kid moments. With everyone going stir crazy (spring - come soon!!), patience can be harder to find around here these days.Here's Adam working on indoctrinating Erin into hunting.The other three had been assigned to one of Adam's animal calls, and when they heard their call, they were supposed to come in to be hunted.I'm not sure what got this going,

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-20399785152495159942010-01-11T19:46:00.003-07:002010-01-11T22:04:41.676-07:00

With church starting at 1:00pm now, it already feels like there's a lot more hanging around time in the morning. I'm not much of a "hanging around" kind of person, and got itching to do something different. I mentioned a handbag I started sewing a couple of posts ago and was thinking about continuing that, but I got looking through a sewing projects book I've got, found a different handbag that

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-47123470653928973712010-01-09T20:40:00.005-07:002010-01-09T20:54:56.979-07:00

I've said two things in the past that came together in my mind today.1. "This book is so great I read it in a day!"2. "This book is so great I'm only halfway through!" (This said after working on it for a couple of weeks or longer.)There's a difference, eh?On the flip side, the same thing could be said for books you're not enjoying, just maybe a little different.1. "This book is so terrible

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-83488546863271961672010-01-01T21:48:00.002-07:002010-05-22T22:15:22.100-06:00

I guess it's that time of year again! Well first, I must say how great it feels that I accomplished my "learn to make bread" goal last year. Exciting when I start a goal like that at the beginning of the year and by September, be teaching a class to others about it. I love the feel of the dough, and enjoy trying new bread recipes.This year I'm going to stick with the homemakey theme. I really

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-2618235821024253812010-01-01T19:55:00.005-07:002010-01-01T21:21:42.525-07:00

Parent/In-Law Gifts - Always hard, right? Which is one of the reasons I'm passing on these ideas. See, I'm nice like that. I went to a class in September(?) on good inexpensive Christmas gifts taught by the lovely and talented Heidi (currently the mother with the most children in our ward, soon to be tied by me). One of the things she talked about is making a Memory Lane game, an idea she

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-33416534099363317122009-12-29T12:30:00.005-07:002009-12-29T12:49:18.468-07:00

We made this bread for the second time last night. I've been wanting it for a while, but couldn't find the recipe we'd used before. Figured I should post it on here in case the same problem happens again. It's delicious and really easy to make! Cardamom is on the expensive side, but you don't use a lot at a time so it lasts.Ingredients:1/2 Cup Butter or Margarine1 Cup Milk1/2 Cup of Sugar1

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-42621680127169688732009-12-23T16:24:00.001-07:002009-12-23T16:24:43.954-07:00

We have a tradition that started last year - checking out a bunch of Christmas books from the library and keeping them under the tree with the Christmas books we own to read throughout the Christmas season. I keep trying to brainwash the kids into how much fun it would be to wake up Christmas morning and just find books as gifts, but I haven't quite sold them on it yet. If they only knew all the

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-75471349140269577652009-12-15T22:55:00.004-07:002010-05-22T22:15:53.122-06:00

My reading and actually finishing a book has really dropped in the past few months. Dramatically. But I have an interesting new way to read. See, there are so so many interesting books out there, and only so little time to read them all in. When I do park myself to read it's far more studious than it's been before, and I really try to dig out the messages I need to learn from what I'm

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-87660871725743924302009-12-02T13:14:00.006-07:002009-12-02T13:46:31.170-07:00

One of our family traditions on my mom's side of the family is to exchange ornaments with all the cousins and now our kids. My grandma has 40 grandkids I believe, ranging in age from 38 to 5. Adding the great-grandkids in creates even more variety.I was being called the family scrooge for a couple of years when I started saying that we should do away with this one for a variety of reasons that I

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-46206164026002798262009-11-17T22:48:00.004-07:002009-11-17T23:54:22.579-07:00

When I posted this entry I mentioned another I had been writing on leadership with a conductor as the example of the principle (mostly written back in January, by the way). A friend told me tonight that I need to be blogging more about this kind of thing, so here we go.So first, the example. About a year ago I was at a meeting one evening with a large group of boy scout leaders. They announced

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-30620012090686148512009-11-13T21:18:00.004-07:002009-11-13T21:33:20.473-07:00

A week ago tonight Melanie started fevering and Erin started throwing up. Erin was fine the next morning, happily sneaking Halloween candy bars.I stayed home with the girls from church Sunday to make sure they were healthy, including Carolyn, figuring she sleeps in the same room as the two sickos and could easily pick it up. I kept thinking all day that while Melanie was still fevering off and

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-20627066163446826562009-11-07T13:08:00.003-07:002009-11-07T15:37:09.617-07:00

I hate forwards. Do people really think those threats of misfortune, death, or dismemberment are real? If an e-mail was really that powerful, there would be a lot of misery in our home. None of my neighbors have received a great sum of money from any source, though I've had that variety sent on more than my delete button wants to remember.Once in a while there are gems, though, and thanks to

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-9020803859768449342009-10-31T01:01:00.007-06:002009-10-31T09:35:25.999-06:00

I feel like I'm surrounded by greatness on so many levels. I made a list of lots of people I want to be like in some way or another, and was going to abbreviate them for only me to know, then I decided even that wasn't necessary. I know who my greats are, you should all get your own. I want to be a spouse like...I want to be a parent like...I want to be a leader like....I want to be wise like.

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-48573114453766022172009-10-28T23:22:00.008-06:002009-10-29T00:24:09.720-06:00

I needed this today. Take a look (it's SO worth it).Lead Like the Great ConductorsNow really, don't read on until you've watched that or you won't get most of the rest. It's 20 minutes if you just watch it straight through (took me at least an hour because I was taking crazy amounts of notes).I love to learn about leadership. I love how leadership principles apply in so many many ways. In

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-9168881849775233322009-10-28T11:37:00.002-06:002009-10-28T12:28:11.028-06:00

It's been over two weeks since I last posted. Sad! That doesn't mean this is the first thought I've started to write up since then, but it's the first one that I'm determined to post. There is another close. Maybe.Jamie read me a quote in "The Summer of the Great-Grandmother" by Madeline L'Engle that might account for my lack of producing something enlightening enough I feel worth

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-1230911788696629572009-10-10T19:38:00.006-06:002009-10-10T22:03:11.960-06:00

I'm really impressed with all we've been able to accomplish this week. Tuesday and Wednesday we got amazing amounts done. Thursday we were gone most of the day so not much. Friday and Saturday not as much as the first two days, but still progress, beautiful progress. It's such a great feeling! Don't come over expecting everything to be spotless because we still most definitely live here, but

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-75081084439356727582009-10-07T12:26:00.002-06:002009-10-07T21:04:48.457-06:00

I have more than one actually, but this is a really good one. It's one I just learned about, and I can't believe the difference it's making in our home. I'm smiling more because the world is a brighter more beautiful place.Ready for this?Kids can work.Really! I again have to thank Lara for inspiring me in this. Work in the morning, learn in the afternoon. That's what we've been doing. Well,

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-90309884649513290942009-09-29T10:49:00.004-06:002010-05-22T22:16:22.514-06:00

I've been tossing a question around in my head for a while. I love to learn new things and want to constantly be learning and studying great books, but lately I've felt really disorganized in that. Like I had no direction, no goal, no anything. So every time I was ready to move onto something new I just felt lost as to where to go, and I've ended up reading less because of it. Saturday afternoon

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-78882044373707971702009-09-23T10:56:00.003-06:002009-09-23T11:08:33.774-06:00

I have three or four posts I've started in the past week or so but haven't finished, adding to the many others in the same category. We'll see if this one gets officially published.I'm so out of order. An example from this morning. I had a bracelet I needed to ship, really quick and easy style. I needed to get online (there's the downfall!) to check the size since I hadn't written it down,

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-7942345077710560352009-09-14T23:00:00.003-06:002009-09-14T23:09:26.423-06:00

Early in 2008 I declared it the year to clear things out. No, I'm not done. In my defense, I've heard it said that it didn't take a day (or a year in this case) to get that deep, so it's going to take more than a day (or year) to clear it out. Besides the whole 5 kids and lots of other things to do factor.Still, I got a lovely surprise about how much I've learned and how my attitude has

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-18990151284489001762009-09-05T22:39:00.002-06:002009-09-05T22:56:41.159-06:00

I was feeling so punished at the beginning of my week without internet. Since I'm a tough girl and know I can put up with a lot, I have to put on my tough girl face about that, so everyone would know that really I was surviving. (But wait, did that last post sound a little more whiney than tough girl?)Well either way, she finally did come out. And I started really enjoying my evenings without

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-59423838134975234392009-08-29T16:57:00.002-06:002009-08-29T17:18:41.237-06:00

*The quote above is from my favorite Fairy Tale Theater show, Cinderella. Matthew Broderick is in it. You should really watch it. If you can't find a copy through the library, I have one I would love to share. It's worth it. I was introduced to it by a friend and eventual roommate of mine, and I would love to pass along it's greatness.*Sorry 7 day challenge readers. I promise I fully

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-33083302686048472732009-08-26T17:46:00.001-06:002009-08-26T17:48:08.230-06:00

*I promise the chicken theme is entirely unintended! Maybe it's my desire for chickens unconsciously waving its little hand to remind me (as if I need that - I have chicken books sitting around in various stages of being read).*I always prided myself in school for being a top student. Unfortunately, the rewards in real life, or at least in my real life, are far less evident than an A on a paper

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-6342989052174870812009-08-25T19:33:00.004-06:002009-08-25T19:48:57.668-06:00

I've decided to take Kathryn's 7 day blog challenge. She's pretty darn amazing, so I figure anything that she does I should do too. This is also challenge I think I could probably do. I've seen 30 day challenges before, but after 30 days of me every day, the three people subscribed to my blog would probably unsubscribe, and then where would I be?Before I begin, no, we didn't buy any chickens

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-2188547349649984062009-08-24T21:18:00.000-06:002009-08-24T21:19:19.080-06:00

On the last day of our vacation mentioned in the previous post, we stopped at Cove Fort (north of Beaver, UT) for Cove Fort Days. They had lots of great pioneery displays and activities, including carriage rides, corn husk doll making, games, and of course Cove Fort tours. We got there towards the end, just as some of the activities were shutting down (barely got our carriage ride!).While some

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-84478394322916952642009-08-14T13:19:00.004-06:002009-08-14T13:25:50.178-06:00

We took a lovely vacation camping this past week, first just our family, then meeting up with our local church singles branch that Jamie is involved with. It was a wonderful few days, but something struck me on the way home. There was never any complaining from my kids about being bored, yet there were no toys there, no television, no video games. They spent their time playing games together,

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-9293686142596586782009-07-31T13:01:00.002-06:002009-07-31T13:02:50.791-06:00

At 4:30 am the night after posting that last post, I woke up thinking about another quote from L'Engle's "Circle of Quiet" (sorry folks, Madeleine is in me; plan on hearing about her for a while):"You are basically not teaching a subject, you are teaching children. Subjects can probably be better taught by machines than by you. But if we teach our children only by machines, what will we get?

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-23289166395368416832009-07-23T21:43:00.004-06:002010-05-22T22:17:46.341-06:00

I have been feeling very uncreative lately. Like someone stuck a cork in my bottle of creative juices. I was blaming this on Madeline L'Engle's "Circle of Quiet," which I am currently reading. Hands down one of the best books I've read. Beautiful and inspiring, full of greatness and truth, but maybe my head is so full of that that until I'm done with it my own thoughts won't flow as freely.

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-74315545311071362482009-07-10T12:38:00.004-06:002009-07-10T12:50:20.449-06:00

Wanted to share, I just made myself a green smoothie with spinach and frozen pie cherries. Wow. It's very different. I doubt my body will know what to do with all this wholesome goodness.Sammy and Erin had some too (less than an inch in their cups) and both said it was good. Erin wanted more, Sammy didn't.I thought about chasing it with a brownie, but decided that would defeat the purpose.

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-63174843043495756572009-07-06T00:16:00.002-06:002009-07-06T00:27:10.033-06:00

Given that scout camp is coming up and I always go crazy with some project while some of my men folk are gone, I've been trying to decide what to do this year. Here is a list I've been putting together of possibles, and I would love to have some input. An informal poll, if you will. I was going to include pictures, but just imagine the worst and you'll probably be close, so please chime in and

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-55137909290288073322009-06-29T17:34:00.005-06:002010-07-30T12:17:47.802-06:00

So. I wrote my name in the front, declaring this officially mine. I've been thinking I need to journal more but I'm not into the "this happened then that happened"-ness of my journals in the past. I've been loving the blogging thing, but some thoughts are so random that I don't feel a whole blog post would even be worth it, though they are still my thoughts that I might want to use

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-12702098711698420982009-06-27T21:49:00.006-06:002009-06-28T07:34:01.146-06:00

For everyone out there that wants super hyperactive children like mine, make things like this for dinner.That's right, chocolate waffles with chocolate syrup. They wanted chocolate milk too, but I've got to draw the line SOMEWHERE, right?Here's Sammy in a stupor from the sugar high. We only do this about 3 times a week year, so they've got to load up when we do.But see, no one is complaining!

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-74719125932387839622009-06-25T22:13:00.004-06:002009-06-25T22:43:36.363-06:00

In this episode of "coolest mom ever," we'll start with the pizza box oven. Google pizza box oven and you'll find lots of descriptions that are basically the same on how to make one.Basically, cut out part of the lid to use as a reflector to direct sunlight into the box, cover that and the bottom of the box with aluminum foil, cover the hole you made in the lid with saran wrap to keep the heat

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-40616723068271719062009-06-25T21:10:00.005-06:002009-06-25T22:14:27.508-06:00

First of all, a huge thank you to Kathryn who stole the idea from someone else but passed it on so I could steal it (I even stole the name of this post from her). I am always looking for ways to keep my "coolest mom in the neighborhood" status, and this is super cool.So the basics. The idea is to gather fun things for your kids to mix together and make "potions." For our first time, I went

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-36764084155310671662009-06-25T10:22:00.003-06:002009-06-25T21:10:27.048-06:00

I went to a meeting last night about a homeschool group Adam will be in next year. Before I go more into what I was going to say about that, first let's go somewhere else.At this point a few years ago we would have been enjoying the summer, looking towards a new school year. Eventually upon arriving to back to school night, we would meet our children's teachers for the upcoming year and walk away

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-35002546909309679662009-06-24T22:55:00.005-06:002009-06-24T23:18:02.078-06:00

About a week ago I heard about Life of Fred, a math book series, for the first time. After laughing (ha, laughing!) my way through some of the sample pages, I showed it to Adam and Sammy. They laughed as well and wanted me to go through more of it ("Sorry kids, they don't put the whole book online because they want you to actually buy it"), so I bought it. Another bonus to the fun content,

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-43679011918393982912009-06-19T22:45:00.007-06:002009-06-20T12:40:20.603-06:00

I consider myself a very simple person. Easily pleased, easily amused (ask Adam - at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple today he quoted something from Kung Fu Panda, "I've only seen paintings of that painting," every time we walked past a picture and I laughed EVERY TIME), and I don't need too many creature comforts. So even though Holly inspired me to want to post about my favorite things since she

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-66564804663688009182009-06-03T23:12:00.003-06:002009-06-03T23:16:13.213-06:00

I love the internet. I initially met Jamie there, so what's not to love? Anytime I need to know anything, I google it and find my answer. Jamie and I were just sitting and watching a show on BYU-TV, one of the people introduced sounded familiar, so I googled his name and we learned some interesting information about him that enriched what we were watching. Using Pledge for cleaning tips?

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-69579036750009154802009-06-02T15:55:00.011-06:002009-06-04T11:00:42.252-06:00

I haven't had a lot of jewelry orders for a while (a nice break really), then suddenly the past couple of days I got seven orders to finish up and get out today. In helping one customer see what I was imagining on a customer order she wanted, I looked through some older pictures of bracelets I've made. I used to be involved with an online boutique group (they made the amazing clothing, I made the

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-86835556434187852942009-05-31T21:26:00.003-06:002009-05-31T21:29:04.937-06:00

I don't want the title to be misleading. Really we go to the zoo several times a year. Buy a yearly zoo pass, get your money's worth. Know what I mean? If you don't, for us to go to the zoo and just pay regular prices it would currently be $48 ($55 when Erin turns 3!), family zoo pass is $80. When I renewed it last, we went three times within the next month, which rounds us out to it

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-82066115486380816072009-05-28T14:07:00.003-06:002009-05-28T14:30:48.061-06:00

Last week we had a lot of this around (pay special attention to the buckets in close proximity):When this lovely unexpected package arrived at my door filled with this:The note says, "a little chocolate goes a long way when you're worn out." A good friend goes an even longer way. Thank you, thank you, my wonderful friend!

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-44976083566179129962009-05-15T22:24:00.001-06:002009-05-18T11:46:24.674-06:00

The ultimate goal in reading the scriptures with your children is to help get the gospel into their hearts. Even if they have hundreds of scriptures memorized in their heads, if it doesn't get into their hearts it won't matter. That's why we pray before we begin - so the spirit can be there with us.When we put on the whole armour of God we only get one weapon - the sword of truth. What sound

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-36954467955018322802009-05-15T22:09:00.003-06:002009-05-18T11:47:10.474-06:00

We start our scripture reading with music. We've got a stereo with a timer on it, so I set it to got off at scripture time and let the music call everyone to scriptures. It was a huge help when we started our latest push to read the scriptures almost a year and a half ago. The music reminded me on days when I wasn't thinking about it, and helped make it a habit. It also helps to set the tone,

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-451178134111089032009-05-15T21:36:00.000-06:002009-05-15T21:37:13.097-06:00

There are a variety of goals you can work towards in reading scriptures with your children, and deciding yours will help make your scripture time more beneficial.Do you want them to be familiar with scripture stories? Then using the scripture stories for children are fine, or jumping from story to story in the scriptures. Ask the kids what their favorites are and read them. Go in order, or

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-83518512967690584432009-05-13T21:27:00.007-06:002009-05-15T22:15:16.266-06:00

I gave a talk last night for our Relief Society on reading scriptures with young children, getting them excited about the scriptures, etc. I thought it might be fun to share on here.First of all, why does it even matter? Even after being diligent about this for over a year, the kids still have their whiney moments or choose to disrupt. Every so often when it gets really bad I make them chant,

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-39053350522555626932009-05-12T15:55:00.003-06:002009-05-12T22:18:56.781-06:00

I've been making fabulous rolls for a few months now, but I made my best loaf of bread EVER yesterday. Not only did it look good, it was soft, moist, and yummy inside. I've been playing with cooking times/temps a bit. This loaf cooked at 400 degrees for 10 minutes then 350 for 20 more minutes, so maybe that's the secret. It was about half wheat, half white flour.I'm addicted to this bread.

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-860815995636471172009-05-10T22:13:00.005-06:002009-05-10T23:15:38.359-06:00

My life is but a weavingBetween my God and me.I do not choose the colors,He worketh steadily.Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow,And I, in foolish pride,Forget He sees the upperAnd I the underside.Not ‘til the loom is silentAnd the shuttles cease to flyWill God unroll the canvasAnd explain the reason why.The dark threads are as needfulIn the skillful weaver's handAs the threads of gold and silverIn the

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-72076796224500008522009-05-06T21:52:00.009-06:002009-06-02T13:15:25.224-06:00

A few months ago I was at a meeting. Something came up in that meeting that two of the other participants had very different and very strong opinions about, and a VERY HEATED argument ensued. I'm one of those people that sits through a fight, then 20 minutes later (or the next day or week even) I think of great things I could have said to drill a point home, but in the middle of the fight I go

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-46630004040749619922009-05-05T13:02:00.004-06:002009-05-06T22:48:22.179-06:00

The kids and I were just out having a lovely picnic lunch this fine and beautiful day, when Carolyn (our 5 year old monkey) walked over and commenced to swing on the branches of a tree. For the 7th or 8th time.The phone rang so I ran in the house for a minute, and before I made it back out again, I heard lots and lots of Carolyn crying. I dashed out to see what the problem was, and found

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-73643499941398710642009-05-02T22:36:00.002-06:002009-05-10T23:16:01.570-06:00

At stake conference we were blessed to get to listen to Robert D. Hales and a new Seventy, Kent F. Richards. They both talked about counseling with one another in marriage, and while I appreciated the message, the visual was just as great - both their wives spoke for a few minutes as well. It was very easy to see that both of these couples are amazing because of their great spouses. That not only

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-66476324854928451192009-04-28T22:52:00.004-06:002009-04-28T22:59:26.322-06:00

It was a gift to happen upon this the other day."Do our prayers sometimes go wrong because we insist on trying to talk to God when He wants to talk to us. Joy tells me that once, years ago, she was haunted one morning by a feeling that God wanted something of her, a persistent pressure like the nag of a neglected duty. And till mid-morning she kept on wondering what it was. But the moment she

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-46656479215806314592009-04-26T22:07:00.005-06:002009-04-26T22:27:39.883-06:00

I popped on facebook the other day to see if anything exciting was going on outside my walls and noticed a friend had posted this video.I instantly became a fan, and naturally had to start stalking his website. Extremely super cool that you can choose from different playlists (left side of the screen), click listen, and have his amazing music play away. His music blessed our home most of the

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-44399860031826434462009-04-23T18:40:00.005-06:002009-04-23T22:03:20.389-06:00

One of the byproducts of good weather is more door-to-door salespeople. I'm sure my neighbors shake their heads at me because I am not good at getting rid of them. I cringe when I see them, but I feel like I need to be considerate, nod happily, and be amazed at their miracle product, then kindly turn them down.So this very nice older black gentleman from Houston, Texas came selling Advantage

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-59896219444955927862009-04-08T16:36:00.001-06:002009-04-14T23:56:09.922-06:00

A few weeks ago we watched a movie about Yellowstone, and there were a few lines that made me grab the laptop to get them down. They were talking about how things have been going since wolves were reintroduced, how the wolf packs hunt in their own very specific territories, and how one pack especially is very good at taking down bison.Narrator: "If a bison stands it's ground it has a much

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-15188796866296171872009-03-30T10:23:00.004-06:002011-01-07T21:23:41.502-07:00

I saw this on someone's blog a few months ago. I don't feel like looking up the "official" rules of this, I just feel like being simple. FOR TODAY - MARCH 30, 2009 Outside my window... the new snow and blue sky is beautiful! I am thinking... of how to simplify, and the things I should be focusing on that are really important. I am thankful for... my husband. I'm thankful that he loves us.

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-92213350829762127622009-03-28T22:17:00.004-06:002009-03-28T22:28:41.514-06:00

Kathryn wrote about photography, which sent me to find something at Pioneer Woman, and while there I saw something about macro photography which I'd never heard of, but learned basically means "those pictures taken of things really up close."In googling for that technical definition, one of the search results was for macro images. Wow. This is my favorite so far.Flikr had some great examples

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-85420189921856191422009-03-22T17:50:00.004-06:002009-03-22T18:02:09.927-06:00

A few thoughts that are not my own.From Music and the Spoken Word last week:"Throughout our lives we interact with many people who form their own opinions about us. But at the end of the day, we are alone with ourselves, deciding who we really are and who we really want to be. No matter our circumstances, we can choose to live honorably and compassionately—or not. We can choose to change and

Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.com3