Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.


This past Sunday I was blessed to hear a wonderful message based on the above scriptures. In the midst of my worry about moving and houses, God reminded me that my worry is futile and down right ridiculous. Being still and listening to God is not always easy in our fast-paced world with deadlines and moving dates. But, God is always faithful. God is always present and God works in many, many different ways. Sunday morning He spoke directly through my dear and loving minister at my parents church. He is working through my many friends and family members who are all actively looking for us a house and praying that we will be lead to the right one. (The phone calls and emails of encouragement mean so much.) He managed to stop my panic when one house offer fell through, making me realize that was NOT the right house for us. I have faith that He will continue to work and lead us where He wants us. Thank you to all our dear friends and family. We could not do any of this without you!!

New Pictures

Happy Earth Day!

5 fun and easy ways to celebrate Earth Day:

1. Visit your Farmers Market and buy some locally grown products.

2. Plant a tree in your yard. Arbor Day is the 25th (see link below.) We planted a tree when each of our boys was born. Your kids will think this is so fun to have their very own tree!

3. Recycle something today that you would normally just throw in the trash. A plastic bottle or your diet coke can. Take your kids with you to the recycling center- they will love helping!

4. Turn off the lights and TV in rooms when you leave.

5. Plant a garden. Even if it is one herb in a container. Just plant something with your kids that you can eat. One of my best childhood memories is helping my grandmother pick strawberries from her garden. I would eat them straight off the vine. I have never had a better strawberry to this day.

5 things I won't do for Earth Day:

1. Use cloth diapers

2. give up my plastic Target bags

3. walk to the grocery store.

4. stop washing towels in hot water to save energy (i just don't think they will be as clean)

5. compost dog poop

Fun sites to visit

http://www.thedailygreen.com/- a wealth of information

http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/- fun things for kids


http://www.arborday.org/arborday/index.cfm- Arbor day and tree planting tips

does anyone know how to correct the clock on blogs? I promise I was not up writing this at 5am like the time says!!! My clock is hours off!!

My 7 Random Things

I was tagged by April, so here goes. I'm not one to make these list about myself, but 7 things didn't sound too bad.

1. I was born in California.

2. I swam on a swim team from age 7 until my junior year of high school.

3. I really, really love a Sonic Diet Dr. Pepper with lime.

4. I wanted to be a lawyer when I was in high school. I even interviewed a lawyer for our career day. After witnessing law school first hand, I will be happy to just be married to a lawyer.

5. I have practiced yoga on and off for about 10 years. I invite any of you to come with me to a power yoga class and you will walk away knowing that was the hardest work out you have ever had!

6. I had a belly button ring when I was in college. I don't advise this.

7. I was nominated for homecoming queen and most likely to succeed my senior year of high school, but I didn't win either one.

Update: The hearing got off to a slow start yesterday, so we don't really know that much more about what is going to happen to 416 misplaced children. The hearing could last 10 days or more. According to everyone I heard interviewed, the judge is doing a fantastic job in the midst of a chaotic situation. I now believe that the mothers might need a mental health evaluation to determine if they are brainwashed as a result of growing up in a cult-like setting. If they are not mentally or physically able to protect their children, then maybe separation is necessary. Still, the mother instinct inside me hurts to see the pain of separation.



Larry King had some women from the raided FLDS sect in Texas on his show last night. I had tears in my eyes as one mother described how her handicapped 5 yr old son was taken from her as they were surrounded by armed men and SWAT teams. (you can watch the interview on his website, but I don't know how to attach videos- I know, I know- I should learn.) These mild-mannered, soft-spoken women look like they stepped off of Little House on the Prairie. Clearly, these women are not violent. Again, I stress that if these women and children are in danger of abuse I say separate them from the men, but not each other!! These children obviously need their mothers in this time of shock and crisis. After the children were taken from them, the women were given a choice to go to a shelter or back to the ranch. Interestingly, they chose to go back to the ranch.

The crazy court hearing where one judge plans to hear the case of over 400 children is taking place today. Stay tuned and I'll try to let you know how it goes.

Is anyone else as disturbed by this story as I am? I have followed the story of the raid on the polygamist sect in Texas from the beginning and it just keeps getting worse. All children over the age of 5 have been taken away from their mothers and are now in state custody awaiting hearings. The mothers have been sent back to the ranch. According to the mothers, they have been tricked and their children are now terrified and crying to go home. Also, the 16 year old girl who made the phone call that started this whole mess apparently does not exist, leading people to believe it was a hoax.

I am proud of Texas for stepping in and breaking up this scary compound/cult if women and children were being abused. But, why are these very young children being separated from their mothers? Why can't the children stay with their mothers awaiting this hearing? I didn't link the video to my blog but you can watch it on the Today show website.

Eat Pray Love

Am I the last person in America to read this book? The author, Elizabeth Gilbert, has been on Oprah at least twice now. Everywhere I went last summer people were reading this book. I have seen people reading this book on the beach, on airplanes, and in waiting rooms. I decided I had to see what the fuss was all about- (however I have still not read The DaVinci Code. But, that is a whole other post.)
I admit, the book was fascinating. It reads like a travel journal, only with much more highly personal information. It follows Gilbert's "voyage of self-discovery" as she divides her year between Italy, India, and Bali. She begins the book by giving background on her unhappy marriage, horrible divorce, and debilitating depression. All this misery prompted the year of travel in order to find God and herself.
Now, all of this is fine and good for someone who already has a very successful writing career and plenty of money to spend. But, what message is she giving to the average woman who may be in an unhappy marriage and think, "gee, sure would be nice to go travel the world and find myself?" It is all very unrealistic.
What about the message that you can find God in your own backyard? You don't have to abandon your marriage and move to an ashram in India. God can be found changing diapers, making dinner, and grocery shopping. God can be found sitting in a nursing home, taking care of your family, and blessing others in whatever capacity He has called you to serve.

Birthday Weekend

We had a huge weekend filled with family, friends, and lots and lots of cake! Most of our family made it Friday for the party and my Dad made it in on Saturday. We had a house full of people stay with us Friday night which was very fun. Watching four little boys run around was very entertaining. Will and Ryan love playing with their cousins and I was so happy they were able to be together.

Today is my Dad's birthday- so "Happy Birthday, BB!"

Ryan showing off his new green sunglasses, flashlight and backpack
How cute is this backpack? Thanks to Meme (and Aunt Gini for the monogram)

Ryan playing at Sprout
Will at the water table

Blowing out his candles

Ryan loved his cake with the real cars on it

Birthday Boy

2 years ago

1 year ago

Today

Blowing out the candles on his strawberry birthday cake

Birthday Cookies

Check out these cute cookies I made for Ryan's class. I made one for all the kids and teachers. They were very easy because I found these little tubes called "writing icing" at the store. I had to shorten a couple of the names to fit on the cookies, but most fit easily. I still can't believe he turns two tomorrow. Where have the past two years gone? Maybe I will post some birthday boy pics tomorrow.