Bows and Bums

Some of the women in our ward at church meet together for a creativity group. We get to make things and learn new skills. Last time I went I learned woodburning, which I enjoyed and did pretty well.  This week Lisa taught us how to make boutique hair bows.  I was so excited because I now have a daughter that I can make girly things for! Lisa, if you read this let me just say "You rock!" I am so glad I learned how to do it but it is hard work. It will definitely take practice and time before my bows are "boutique-worthy." So here is my first attempt. Drum roll please...

Ta-Da! I'm proud of it.  Although, looking at it now in some of the pictures it seems to be a little bit sad.  As I was wrapping the bow, the top loops fell a little flat, so it kind of looks like a butterfly. But, it's not too bad for my first bow.  It is a dark purple ribbon (even though it looks blue in the pics) and I just clipped it onto a stretchy headband so Aubrey could wear it. (My poor baby has nothing but fuzz.) Maybe if I make a bunch of these she'll look more like a girl. When, I put the bow on her, she just started grinning. Then when, I pulled out the camera to start taking photos, it was almost like she was posing for me.  It was so cute! I think she likes it!

Meanwhile...Joshua is using the bathroom while I'm taking pictures of Aubrey. He finishes and comes out into the living room. He gets this puzzled look on his face and says "What?! My pants are wet?!" We confirmed that it wasn't an accident and that he must have set his shorts down in a puddle from the bathtub. So, he grabs a stool from the kitchen and turns on the living room fan. Then, he positions himself underneath the light/fan like this...

"What in the world are you doing?" I asked.  "I'm drying my butt," he replied matter-of-factly.  Oh, I love my children.  The funny thing is that after about 5 minutes of holding this pose, he butt was indeed dry!

Nurture the Rising Generation

Three of my blessings

I was reading the Visiting Teaching message for October, this morning. It was about teaching and caring for the rising generation. Two quotes stood out to me and inspired me this morning.

The first is from President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008):“Never forget that these little ones are the sons and daughters of God and that yours is a custodial relationship to them, that He was a parent before you were parents and that He has not relinquished His parental rights or interest in these His little ones. … Rear your children in love, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Take care of your little ones. Welcome them into your homes, and nurture and love them with all of your hearts. They may do, in the years that come, some things you would not want them to do, but be patient, be patient. You have not failed as long as you have tried” (“Words of the Living Prophet,” Liahona, May 1998, 26–27; “Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, July 1997, 73).

I know that I'm not a perfect mom and that I have weaknesses (like my temper). I sometimes need to be reminded that my children are also children of our Heavenly Father. He loves them just like I do. I love the last part of this quote, "you have not failed as long as you have tried." As long as I'm trying to be better, I haven't failed as a parent. So then, how can I better nurture my children and guide them in righteous ways?

Hence, the second quote by Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president:“To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. … Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women” (“Mothers Who Know,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 76, 77).

The part that stood out to me was "nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work." These are all things I need to improve on, especially organization. This is a lesson I'm slowly starting to learn (as my husband can testify). I think I'm okay on the "love" part of nurturing. I love my children more than life itself. They are my life. I just need to learn to express my love a little more frequently, like in how I discipline. Of course, how could you not love a face like this?

I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Most everyone who reads our blog knows that our family is Mormon, so let me explain the reasoning behind this post. After church (and choir practice) I was reading an article in The Ensign (our church magazine), about sharing the gospel through our blogs. (It also included some tips about blog safety and courtesy. Check it out.) It got me thinking and inspired me. What's a better way to bear my testimony about the restored gospel than how it blesses my life everyday?! So, my goal, as I continue to blog, is to share with you some of the things that I know, that I'm learning, and that I'm blessed with. Hopefully, you will be inspired and uplifted and maybe even learn something.

So, first I'd like to bear my testimony. I feel so blessed to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because of this gospel, I have been blessed with many truths that bring happiness to my life. I know that I am a child of God and as such, I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. I feel his love for me whenever I pray and I know that I can receive personal revelation from him through prayer and the Holy Ghost. I know that Joseph Smith saw our Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and through him the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in its fullness. I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon only by the power of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and it is another witness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through the Bible and the Book of Mormon, we can learn of Christ and his teachings and our Heavenly Father's commandments and plan for us. I have felt the power and sweetness of these scriptures in my heart and in my home. My family is continuely blessed because we are striving to live by the principles found in these great works. I know that our church is lead by a prophet of God today, Thomas S. Monson, and through him God continues to reveal his commandments and guidance for us. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that he lives. He lives! How glorious that our Redeemer has suffered for our sins, died for us, and broke the bonds of death through resurrection's power. He lives! What joy that sentences brings! He has led the way for us to return to our Heavenly Father. He has made it possible through the atonement. Our sins and weaknesses can be forgiven, when we repent, are baptized, and strive to be obedient. I have felt my Savior's love and I know that he loves and cares for me. I have been blessed by these truths. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

P.S. You can go to www.mormon.org to learn more about the church, but did you know that they now have a new feature where you can talk to a missionary about our church. Check it out at chat.mormon.org.

Welcome Aubrey!

Okay, okay I know I'm about 3 months behind schedule announcing this...The Palmer family is proud to announce the arrival of Aubrey Elisabeth! She was 7 lbs. and 15 oz. (small for our family) and was about 20 inches long. She seems to be a mellow, and happy baby and we are so glad to add her to our family. These pictures are of her on her blessing day, just before church. She was so peaceful and content watching me as I took her picture. She was so beautiful in her pretty blessing gown. I made the bracelet on her wrist. I saw the idea online for this "blessing bracelet." (I still need to get the poem that goes with it.) Basically, you save the bracelet and then when she gets married, she can use the bracelet as her "something old." You know from the saying "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." Plus it's something she can use for her own daughter's blessing. And who can resist a tiny little bracelet next to cute tiny little hands...simply irresistable!