Jack-o-lanterns

Happy Day Before Halloween from these cute kiddos!

Big Brother's Hat

There are many things I don't like about it getting colder.

This is not one of them:

God Knows Us Each Individually

Jonah = Sticker Pad

Couldn't leave littlest brother out of the sticker fun!

Grandma Tucker's Turn

While my grandpa was hunting, we decided to take a trip to Twin Falls to see my grandma. I didn't take very many pictures to prove it, but we had so much fun!

We spent lots of time looking through my grandma's hope chest/family history binders, making treats, playing with the kids, and just talking. 

The kids had just as much fun as I did.

Grandma was so patient while she showed them each of her collectible boxes.

She had cleaned out her toy cupboard right before we came, so the kids got to keep a few things. They were really excited about it, and they still carry those toys around and tell me that they are from Grandma. Ellie calls this crocheted Grover "Gilbert," and it cracks me up.

We found a picture of Gran D in her baby book!

And of course Grandma had to get some story time in. It was funny to hear Ellie's confusion as she heard some of the New Testament names since they are names of her siblings, cousins, uncles, etc. I guess that's something we need to work on distinguishing between!

Grandma and I were really excited to take the kids outside to jump in the leaves... But they were much more interested in raking them into a giant pile.

We had to force them into the pile, and even then they didn't enjoy it all that much. Strange. What kid doesn't like jumping in leaf piles?

But overall we had a great time. I'm so glad I could spend that time alone with my Grandma.

Kindness is Powerful

I love this quote:

image from here.

     I think we sometimes forget that there is no need to be loud, forceful, demeaning, or coercive to be powerful. Often the greatest power or influence can be felt quietly - in a kind word, a thoughtful act of service, an understanding glance, a hug.

     I have never known a situation to be made better by unkindness, but I have felt the opposite to be true many, many times. 

    After all, "What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?" 

                  -Jean Jacques Rousseau 

     Find the rest of Dallin H. Oaks' talk here.

Grandpa Tucker Visits

Grandpa Tucker stopped by on Saturday on his way to go hunting. 

Ellie sat next to him the entire time and asked question after question after question.

And I love this picture. All three of the kids are captivated, but in their own way: Ellie is right up front and center, Nathan is back a little ways getting used to the situation but still wanting to be part of it, and Jonah is looking up from whatever he was playing with on the floor. That is a perfect depiction of each of their personalities.

I'm so glad we got to see him, even if it was only for a few minutes!

Meet the Mormons Movie

    
     The movie "Meet the Mormons" comes out in theaters today! This movie is not a proselytizing effort, and there will not be missionaries anywhere near the theaters. It is simply a look into the lives of 6 devout "Mormons" or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Those who have seen it say it is uplifting, inspiring, and brings your thoughts to Jesus Christ.

     The description from the Mormon Newsroom says:

     "This film is an opportunity for people to meet — in a very personal way — members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Filmed on location around the globe, “Meet the Mormons” takes viewers on a journey into the day-to-day lives of six Church members in the U.S., Costa Rica and Nepal. From their individual passions to their daily struggles, each story paints a picture as rich and unique as the next while challenging stereotypes that surround the Mormon faith."

     So if you have ever wondered what we "Mormons" are like, you can get tickets to the movie here. All proceeds from "Meet the Mormons" will go to the American Red Cross.

Miss Sassy Pants

Ellie just asked me if she could have some goldfish crackers and I told her no because we would be having lunch soon. Apparently that wasn't the answer she was looking for because she said, threateningly, "I'm going to show you my underwear if you don't get me some goldfish!" 

(Reminds me a little of the story I told in this post with my brother.)

Let's just say that her comment didn't get her any goldfish... It did give me a good laugh though!

This girl can be sassy, but I'm sure glad she's mine! 

Big Sisters Have Super Powers

     Jonah absolutely LOVES his siblings, especially Ellie. And she loves him right back. 

     She can always make him happy, no matter how sad he is:

     His little man-laugh cracks me up every time.

Sleep-Running Through the Tetons

I was going through my pictures today, and I found some from Sam's race this summer that I never posted.

He ran the Grand Teton Relay with some of his friends in August. The race is crazy: a group of 12 people get into 2 vans and run a relay of 180 miles from Ashton, Idaho to Jackson, Wyoming between the 12 of them from Friday morning to Saturday evening. Whew! It makes me tired just thinking about it.

Sam ran three legs. One at 9am on Friday, one at 1am that night, and one more on Saturday afternoon. We drove to Victor and watched him finish his last leg.

While he was gone on Friday we made him some signs, and I tried to get pictures of the little ones each of the kids made:

In case you couldn't tell, they were much more interested in running around like crazy people.

But hey, at least we got proof that we were all there together.

They got to run through some of the most beautiful parts of Idaho and Wyoming since the race went through the Tetons. They even recommend bear spray for some of the legs.... Hmmm. I wasn't so excited about that...

But Sam really enjoyed it, and his average mile times during the race were about a minute and a half faster than while he was training. He's just awesome like that.

Will he do it again next year? I guess we will see!

Mommy's Little Helper

Ellie is getting to he such a great little helper lately. She absolutely LOVES feeding Jonah his cereal, and she is pretty good at it. She helps with lots of other things too, and it's nice that she is getting old enough to actually help when she's being my helper...

... Because judging by the state of the house in the picture, I need it.

It's Today, It's Today!

     General Conference is on NOW! Listen here!

     And if you think I'm a little overzealous about sharing my beliefs (and maybe I am), read this article. It explains my reasoning perfectly for sharing with you. I hope you can find comfort in the words we will hear this weekend.

Truths I Know: We Are Children of God

     In this post yesterday I shared a little bit about what "Mormon" General Conference is and who will be speaking. Because it is coming up this weekend, I thought I would share some of my favorite teachings from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints through snippets from the most recent General Conference that took place in April 2014. 

     The first teaching I will talk about is that we are all children of God.

     In Genesis 1:26-27 it says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over ... all the earth... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

     "Mormons" believe that we (everyone, not simply members of our faith) are literal sons and daughters of God, which is why we also refer to Him as our Heavenly Father. 

     "One eternal truth that I have come to know is that God lives. He is our Father. We are His children... Of all the other titles that He could have used, He chose to be called 'Father.'" 
             ~ From a sermon given by a modern-day apostle of Jesus Christ, President Boyd K. Packer, entitled The Witness. 

     I echo the truths shared through word and song in April. I know that we are each children of God, and that He loves us. He is mindful of us. If we are mindful of Him we will see that He is in the details of our everyday lives. 

     This video was also shared at the conference in April. I love it because it shows God's children from all over the world, in many different languages, testifying of their divine heritage through song.

Here are the lyrics to the song they are singing:

1. I am a child of God,

And he has sent me here,

Has given me an earthly home

With parents kind and dear.

2. I am a child of God,

And so my needs are great;

Help me to understand his words

Before it grows too late.

3. I am a child of God.

Rich blessings are in store;

If I but learn to do his will,

I'll live with him once more.

4. I am a child of God.

His promises are sure;

Celestial glory shall be mine

If I can but endure.

Chorus

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,

Help me find the way.

Teach me all that I must do

To live with him someday.

     We can communicate with Him through prayer. I know He listens. He waits anxiously to hear from us, and He always answers our prayers.

     We will be hearing His word through His prophets this weekend. Please join us!

     The upcoming session of this conference will be held on Saturday, October 4th at 10am - 12pm MDT and 2pm - 4pm MDT, as well as Sunday, October 5th, 2014 at 10am - 12pm MDT and 2pm - 4pm MDT.  (MDT = Mountain Daylight Time)

     Watch or listen to any or all sessions here.