Resolutions Anyone?

Darren is of the opinion that New Year's Resolutions are over-rated. I grew up with them as an annual tradition and always get a little thrill of motivation as each new year rolls around, but he's always thought, "Why make a big deal about starting something that you're unlikely to finish? Why not wait until the very day you are just 'ready' and make the commitment then?"

This leads us to some very randomly started family goals and traditions, but I can't say I dislike it. A while back we proposed some incentive for the kids to read all the way through the Book of Mormon on their own. Not as a New Year's Resolution or even during Family Home Evening - just on a regular old Saturday night. After desperately searching the house for those awesome poster sized BOM reading charts I knew we had, I started researching online and came up with all sorts of good alternatives. We ended up finding our posters, but for our next go-around (and for those of you keen on New Years Resolutions and looking for some motivational charts for the family), these links cover everything from basic sticker to advanced coloring in:

http://visitingteaching.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/visiting-teaching-scripture-chart-10.pdf

http://mormonbudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/BOM-Reading-Chart-normal.pdf

http://www.sugardoodle.net/Book%20of%20Mormon/BOMReadingChart.shtml

http://www.mormonmodern.com/book-of-mormon-reading-chart/

http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/bomchart.html

http://goodkoppbadkopp.typepad.com/my_weblog/bomchart.html

http://lds.about.com/library/weekly/2003/readingchart_bofm.pdf

There is power in scripture reading. The Old and New Testaments that make up the Bible are not the only things we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints deem as "scripture." The Book of Mormon was written, passed down and finally translated as another testament of Jesus Christ - a stirring witness and account of our Savior's visit to the Americas at the end of His mortal ministry. Modern day prophets have counseled about the importance of daily scripture study that includes this sacred book.

“Let us continually reread the Book of Mormon so that we might more fully come to Christ, be committed to Him, centered in Him, and consumed in Him...."

“There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. … This is my prayer, that the Book of Mormon may become the keystone of our lives.” 

                                                                                                             - Pres. Ezra Taft Benson

Since moving to Australia we've finally got a handle on reading nightly as a family, but the kids have shown a readiness to strengthen their testimonies through individual reading as well. I am excited for them! I remember my first discoveries during personal scripture study. I gained a solid testimony of the truthfulness of this book and have been uplifted and strengthened by its teachings throughout my life. I love now watching their enthusiasm as they get drawn into the stories and spirit it carries. They are beginning to feel its power, to follow its teachings and to pray about its truth. It's pretty darn awesome to watch.

If you've ever wondered about The Book of Mormon or want your own free copy, click here. You can even read or listen to it online. I promise that reading its pages will bring much good into your life and draw you closer to God.

In Lieu of A Christmas Card...

And then there were five.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Critters

Our kids want a pet so bad. All they've had is rats. And they looooved them. Without being ready for a real pet (dog or cat), promises of a bunny were made during our move to Australia. But when we learned of the exorbitant cost of a pet in our living situation here (having to get all the carpets, drapes and furniture professionally cleaned upon departure - we're talking upwards of $5000) we just couldn't pull the trigger.

So our poor kids have to settle for little half-baked pets like... insects and worms. So sad. I'm sure there will be emotional damage for life. Just send me the psych bills.

Anyhoo, they're making the best of the situation, housing all sorts of backyard critters these days.

 They miss pet-sitting the occasional dog, snake, mouse or fish for their cousins. Hey, I sorta miss it too. I'm that crazy lady who answers the door with a rat on her shoulder or a lizard in her hair. Once I got a snake stuck inside the steering wheel of our mini-van.

Yeah, for reals.

How was I to know there was a hidden compartment in there when we took it on carpool duty?? No worries, we lured it out that night with a bloody mouse fetus. Naturally.

So anyway, yeah, I'm THAT lady. Learn something new every day...

Hey, there's a blue-tongued lizard that camps out at our neighbors pool. We visit him often enough so that counts right? (Just don't get bit or you'll get a recurring rash in the same place/same time every year. Doesn't that sound positively Australian to you by now?)

Summer prefers the giant bull ants. We'll actually find her sitting in the middle of a colony just watching them traverse her limbs. She points and jabbers at them animatedly, fully fascinated until we drag her away and brush her off, much to her chagrin. They've got a mean bite, ask Kenna. As do these black swans, I imagine. All I know is they do not back down to humans.

I'm still waiting for Summer to casually bring me one of these. Found him on our couch last night.

And finally: head lice. Annie camped out with them for who knows how long before we figured it out (weeks??) We checked her every time she said her head itched, but couldn't find anything... We, of course, were super grossed out, while she enjoyed it like some massive spa treatment. (Which it sort of was.)

The rest of us steered clear, SO FAR (miraculously, since she can be found in any one of our beds upon the rising of the sun.) Nasty. Nasty. Nasty. Makes you feel better to learn they like nice clean dry scalps and it has nothing to do with cleanliness, but still, that is one critter that officially creeps me out. Tiny, blood-sucking, egg-laying, speed-crawling parasites... ew ew EW.

Mr. Mo

Darren participated in "Movember" at work this year and I'll just let the pictures do the talking.

 Couldn't help but include that little Blue Steel montage, he sorta turned into a different person...

The man raised a good chunk of cash for charity and reveled in the fam's various exclamations of distaste upon seeing each new rendition.

Mugshot, anyone? Who knew I married Kip?

Three Musketeers

Three kids aged three and under?? Sounds crazy. And we felt it. But we will NEVER regret it.

Tea Shop with Jasmine, open for business.

These guys turned their bathroom into a Space Defenders station for a week. Space suits were color coded by day and the place was taped up with so many labels and gadgets I about went crazy.

When they get a plan hatched, there is NO stopping The Plan. It's all or nothing with these three. (Constantly and pleasantly surprised at their creative ingenuity - just wish they were as keen to clean up their extravagant sets ups upon finishing...)

Team Reading: holding each others books - looks successful.

One early morning, determined not to be late to school, Will set these "people" up in front of the girls' doors:

"I'm a midget! Kenna, please get dressed and make your bed and eat breakfast!"

So thrilled to get all the Brumbies autograhs

 Just days after being called a "hellion" Will writes this 8 page love note to Annie. Priceless. He really adores those girls deep down... sometimes it takes my breath away.

 I hope they never forget this stage of life. No family around means they are each others' best friends.

Happy 11th Anniversary, Darren! Such awesome kids and a blessed life. Wouldn't change a thing. It's so much better than we could've anticipated. Here's to the next eleven! xoxo

Aussies

Barrack (cheer for)
Too easy (no problem)
Roll up! Roll up! (Come one, come all!)
L-platers (learners permit drivers)
Ice block (popsicle)
Fringe (bangs)
Blow away (blow dry)
Called (named)
Bond suit (onesie)
Ear bashing (gossiping?)
Sticky wickets (eavesdropping?)
Spot on/ Cracker Jack (perfect)
Convoy (caravan)

Mo (mustache)
Slice (any dessert in bar form)
Move house (moving)
Kitchen bench (counter)
Scungie (yucky/nasty)
Go off (go bad)

And correct me if I'm wrong, but basic Great Lash is like $2.99 tops back home, right? How can cosmetics possibly be that much more expensive?!