Is My Home a "Sacred Sanctuary"?

I was so grateful for the chance to attend the General Relief Society Meeting of the LDS Church this past Saturday night. The beautiful conference center was packed with women who wanted to hear the Lord's servants and know the Lord's counsel for them. All of the talks were wonderful and the music so inspiring. If you were unable to attend it, here is the link where you can read or listen to the talks.

One of my favorite quotes was from the RS President, Julie B. Beck:


"Children being born now are growing up in an increasingly sinful world. Our homes are to be their refuge from the daily encounters they have with evil. Relief Society should be organized, aligned, and mobilized to strengthen families and help our homes to be sacred sanctuaries from the world."

When I heard this, I thought of my little girls in a different way. I thought of their innocent, young spirits that came from Heavenly Father's presence not long ago. I realized that when they encounter harsh music, violent and vulgar television shows, or even conversation that is not edifying, they are innately sensitive to that. I don't want them to become desensitized to the evils in our world. As a mother, I want to be more careful to make our home a sacred place where they can feel the Spirit and feel sheltered from the world.

Feeling the Spirit at that meeting has helped me to get excited for General Conference this weekend. I hope I can make the effort to really focus and listen to the talks, while enjoying the comforts of home and family.

"...Mommy wrote a book"

Well, not really. But when I finished my graduate thesis, my adviser insisted that we try to get it published in a research journal. It's taken some rewriting, corresponding with journal editors, praying, editing, waiting, praying, editing, waiting, and more editing (most of which my adviser did while I was busy being a mom)...and then some more waiting for the final results. Well, I am happy to tell the world that...it's published! I'm the second author, and rightly so, since my adviser did most of the work getting it published. But it is thrilling to see all those hours of analysis, writing, and rewriting finally get "out there" into the world of research.

You never know if anyone will dig through library files to find and read your thesis. And sadly, even when it is published, you never really know if anyone will read it, let alone agree with the study, although the chances are greater. So, since I know a few people read this blog, I thought I better make a big deal of it on here, otherwise, it may get forgotten.

Here's the title and link, but you have to pay if you want to read any more than the abstract. Hey, if you are really interested in reading it or my thesis, I can get you a copy.


Talking About Religion: How Highly Religious Youth and Parents Discuss Their Faith. David C. Dollahite and Jennifer Y. Thatcher. Journal of Adolescent Research 2008 23: 611-641.


I loved Paul's conversation with Millie the day we received the published version:

"Millie, did you know that Mommy wrote a book?" (Millie's easy answer) "Yeah."
"Millie, did you know that Mommy is really smart, and that she could be making a lot of money working each day...but she decided that she wants to be home with you and Gracie? Isn't that nice?" (Millie, with a big grin) "Yeah."

Paul, thanks for reminding me I'm really smart and worth a lot! Sometimes stay-at-home moms need to be reminded just how smart and talented and capable they really are. Some days it just doesn't feel like it!

I used to joke that I went to school to get a MS, but while I was there, I got my MRS, and a week after I finished, I got my MOM degree. The second and third are the best, but I'm grateful for the first one too.

Ward Campout

Our annual ward campout was a couple weeks ago, but the pictures I just got from Audrey Beebe were so great that I thought I better post them (Thanks, Audrey!).

We love our ward! What good friends we've made! We opted not to camp overnight for a few reasons, but once we got up there, I was wishing we had planned to stay the night. The kids played, we ate s'mores and hot chocolate, and sat around the warm fire. Why can't the Summer last longer?



*On a funny note, while sitting around the fire, we played "two truths and a lie." I am TERRIBLE at coming up with these! I ended up going very last because I just couldn't think of any in time for my turn, and then I stole someone else's lie because I liked it better than my own (how pathetic!). My lack of creative skills in this area bothered me so bad, that on the drive home, I forced myself to think harder and come up with some good ones--I think. So, let's see how many people I can stump. How well do you know me and my dating history with Paul? Which one is the lie?

1. On my first date with Paul, I knew I would marry him
   
2. Paul and I went on a trip together before we were married
   
3. Paul never asked my dad for permission to marry me
4. Our engagement was only 5 weeks long
5. We spent less than $2000 total on wedding costs (excluding rings)
   

Please, if you read this one, make your vote! I need to know how I did. Thanks!

My Wonderful Day

• I woke up to pray with my sweet husband before he left to work

• Read 3 Nephi 11 in the Book of Mormon (I love that chapter!)

• Ate our usual cereal breakfast with a fresh peach for dessert and I unloaded the dishwasher

• Read Book of Mormon stories to the girls and got them dressed (Millie loves her own scriptures)
  

• Exercised on the Eliptical while Gracie slept and Millie drew pictures (this picture was actually from Sunday, but how could I resist putting that cute hairdo on the blog?

• Showered while Millie watched Signing Time

• Played at the park with the girls

• Ate lunch and got both of the girls down for their naps (not an easy thing to do these days)

• Finished sewing a dress to donate to the church humanitarian efforts (big sigh of relief--only 3 days late!) and realized that I could actually make matching dresses for my girls someday
  

• Made chicken noodle soup for dinner and found out that Paul took a can of chicken noodle for lunch today (It's uncanny how often this happens) but he assured me that mine is so delicious that he could eat it twice in one day
  

• Went for a small walk when Paul got home

• Ate our chicken noodle soup--Gracie loved it, Millie only liked the noodles, Paul loved it enough to pack some for lunch tomorrow

• Ate banana splits for dessert--compliments of Paul
  

• Gracie walked for the first time with a walker toy
• 

• Bathed the girls

• Millie finally went potty #2 (we've been waiting at least 4 days)

• Got the girls down (I nursed Gracie for the VERY last time--I keep saying this, but I mean it this time!)

• And now I'm blogging because Paul insisted on doing the dishes while I do something for myself

My analysis: It was just a "normal" day, but I was happier than normal. I found myself more patient with the girls, kinder to others, and feeling the Spirit of the Lord more. I have plenty of days when I feel tired, slow, impatient, unproductive, or frustrated. I think the difference was my start to the day. I put the Lord first and He blessed me with His Spirit. Because I had the Spirit, I was able to have a good, balanced day--the kind of day I want to have more often.

Our Birthday Girl!

Grace Ruby turned 1 on Sunday. She loved being at Grandma and Grandpa Yorgason's house. We thought she'd devour her birthday cake (since she's been known to eat like a vacuum), but she hardly ate a bite. Maybe the doll in the middle intimidated her!

We've loved having Grace in our family, and we can hardly remember what life was like without her. The joy she has brought us this one year has been enough to make us happy for a lifetime. We look forward to seeing her grow up and see who this little sweetheart becomes.

Here are some things that Gracie does at age 1:

• Says "daddy," "hi," "mama," "baby," "bye bye," "Mi Mae," (Millie Mae) "don't want," and "I love you"
• Wriggles her way out of almost every diaper change
• Wants to walk, but won't let us let go of her hands
• Enjoys sitting up on the bed, couch or a big chair to read like a big girl
• Has 8 teeth and prefers to eat while using a utensil
• Doesn't like cow's milk--no matter how hard we try to convince her otherwise
• Loves doggies SO much that she squeals when she sees them
• Loves to make music and then clap

Potty Talk

Here's our "big girl" who knows how to use the potty now!

We started on Thursday with a sticker chart, many trips to the toilet, some accidents, some diaper time (but of course the panties were on over the diaper) and then one big huge success in the evening. It's gotten better each day, and now we've got it all down except #2. The funny thing is, she thinks #1 is #2. We've tried to make it clear, but she is still confused. It's so entertaining to talk with her while she is on the toilet. Here are a few of the funny things she has said...

• (Mommy) "Millie, are you done yet?" (Millie) "No, I not done. There's still more in my bottom."
• "I like #2...Mommy, do you like #2?...#2 is my favorite"
  
• (Yelling from her crib) "Mommy! I need to go potty! Hurry! Hurry! I need to go #2! #2 is pee-pee! And then I get a sticker!"
• (Referring to what's in the toilet) "That's yucky for you! Don't eat it, okay, mommy? Don't touch it!"
  

*As a side note, added a week later: Millie has gone an entire week without an accident with #1! We are so proud of her! We can't help but marvel at this girl every day--she doesn't even need us to remind her or ask her if she needs to go. She did so well when we were at the Dr. and at the store. Now let's see if she can handle going potty while camping tonight!

______________________

More cute things Millie has been saying lately:

• (All day long when I ask her do to something, she answers in a very positive voice) "Oh,..um...yeah, I will do that for you."
• (opening up a picture album) "Mommy, I reading my scriptures. Don't touch them, ok? They are really dangerous for you!"
• She comes up to mommy and pats my leg, "hon, you look too cute!"
• She picks up the phone and says, "Hi! I'm doing good...Mommy's doing good...Daddy's doing good...Gracie's doing good...okay, bye-bye!" and hangs it up.
• (in her prayers) "please bless President...Monster"
• "Mommy, I like your legs! They're really cute!"
• "Gracie said 'Da!' I want to say 'da'...(ok, Millie, say it...) ...'da!'" (and then I say, "yea, Millie!" Is this a language digression?)
• (right after throwing up in church) "...Mommy, I just burped!" (oh, how I wish it was just a burp!)

Where Have We Been?

Another two months without a blog posted! Does anyone else go that long? It's been a busy summer and the blog was the first thing to be neglected. What made it so busy? I'm not quite sure. I taught a few music classes to children in the neighborhood (Millie loved it!), we've all had our turns being sick, and now I'm finally gaining control of my life again: the dishes are done, the laundry pile is small, the stack of mail is GONE, the bills are paid, the toys are organized, the carpet is vacuumed, dinner is planned, the girls are supposedly sleeping, and instead of taking a nap, I'm going to blog! What a feeling! This NEVER happens!

So, here are some highlights from our summer:


PLAYING IN THE BACK YARD


I love that the girls are young enough to get complete satisfaction from a $6 swimming pool from Wal-mart.

We played outside with our neighbors almost every day. I'm not sure that life will be the same for Millie when they move next week. Okay, I admit it, I'm going to miss them like CRAZY!



Cheap fun!

Gracie has (by default) passed up Millie in bike progression. She rides the BIG wheel!


THE MONARCH MIRACLE



Our monarch caterpillar turned out to be a beautiful butterfly. I kept marveling at the symbolism that it displays: We can experience miraculous change in our lives because of the atonement of Jesus Christ.



CAMPING WITH THE YORGASON FAMILY



This was a spontaneous camping trip, and since we never went camping as a family growing up, it was fun to see that my siblings can actually handle it (maybe they were more surprised about me). I hope this is the start of a family tradition!




4TH OF JULY PARADE & WATER GAMES

Our neighborhood has a small parade every year--the kids always love it. This year's addition was a water dunking contest at the park afterward. Paul was the first to go, and he somehow convinced others to join in the fun. As soon as they started suggesting me to get dunked, I was out of there! Luckily, I had a real excuse of why I needed to be home. :)




THATCHER FAMILY REUNION

The second annual Thatcher family reunion was a great success! As you can see, we had a pirate theme.

Gracie the Pirate

Millie was trying to help Jack with his hairdo

The marshmallow blowgun game was a lot of fun



The slip-n-slide was Millie's favorite event. It took a while to warm up to it, but I'm glad she overcame her 'wimpy' tendencies that she inherited from her mom. Here's a film:




DESIRE'S BAPTISM



We loved having the missionary discussions with Desire in our home. She was so incredibly sincere as she learned about the church. When the Elders asked her if she would like to follow Jesus Christ by being baptized into his church, she replied, "yeah, wholeheartedly." I was so touched. Her baptism was a sweet experience to take part in. She has become a good friend. And we've never known better missionaries than Elder Garcia and Elder Williams.



LAGOON

We all went as a family for a few hours, then we came home, put the girls to sleep for a nap, and we went back as couples for a fun date night. We got into Lagoon for a great deal since it was "bounce back." However, after cutting the costs of Paul's new phone breaking while on the wild rapids ride, it wasn't a cheap day. Oh well! Millie can't stop talking about the rides.







Almost a Year and Finally Crawling

Now that Gracie learned how to crawl, she just wants to crawl to Mommy and gesture for me to pick her up. Isn't she supposed to be crawling around to explore? At least she isn't crawling toward the stairs...unless I'm at the bottom of them. Yikes!

A Month with the Aussies!

We had such a fun time with our Australian friends, Luke & Jerusha Howse. They were here most of June. So, here's a try at capturing a whole month of vacationing in one post:

They are Finally Here!!


Millie & Blaise--Friends at First Sight



The Reunion of Two Mission Friends




A Trip to Paradise--Thatcher Manor


Millie & Blaise Learning to Share



Luke & Jerusha at the Logan Temple



A Sunday in Paradise--A Nice Break



A Private Bath Just Her Size



Now This Is Paradise for Grace!



Kangaroo Zoo!!


Tummy Time with Perks


Blaise with a Bat


Here's our little Kangaroo



Downtown SLC

Temple Square Visitor Center



Trax!



Gateway




An Austrian Mission Reunion



Vacation in St. George





Swimming at the Washington Rec. Center







Zion National Park






Bee's Baseball Game



Finally learned to share with a smile


Time to Say Good-bye



We loved our time with Luke, Jerusha, Blaise & Ethan. As you can see, we packed it in! They are like family to us. Hopefully our next reunion will be in Australia!

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Gracie and Millie
Finally in Matching Dresses!