Revelation of the Day

TRANSITIONS. Transitions are the answer. I realized today that how effectively I transition from one activity to another is a major aspect of good time managment.

Knowing what I am going to do next and just starting it eliminates wasted time. I learned this in college studying to be an elementary school teacher. As a teacher, you have to be good at transitions or you lose all control of classroom management. I didn't realize that it could benefit adults who work inside or outside of the home.

Not knowing what I am going to do next results in me checking my email, or facebook, or some other escape mechanism.

An example of good transitions is now that I have to pick up Alex from school at 4, I have no choice but to stop what I am doing and get in the car. When I get home I start making dinner immediately. Even though I don't want to think it does, dinner takes at least an hour to get on the table. The fact that I transition straight from picking up Alex to making dinner gives me adequate time to make the food so I am not stressed out. And eating at 5:30 gives us more family time in the evening.

I have a feeling that this same principle can be applied to many things: paper flow in the house, chores for the kids, getting the house ready to go to bed, so many things.

Halloween Pictures

Halloween was as fun night. We went to the church "Trunk or Treat" where we decorated our trunk by hanging sheets on the hatch and blankets on the inside covering up the back seat area. We had the kids step up to the trunk and say "trick or treat" into the blackness, then I took my flashlight and shined it in the trunk, and Chris' super scary monster hand slowly crept out with a candy in it. The young kids hesitated at first then grabbed the candy as fast as they could.

After the trunk or treat, we went to the Hall's house and trick or treated in their neighborhood with them. It was fun to have both experiences at the church and in the neighborhood.

Got a new camera!

Chris took these of the boys.

I am not a photographer - but now my photos look significantly better since I used my "race money" to buy a camera. It's the Nikon D5000 and I like it a lot so far. These are the first few pictures Chris and I took with it.

Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Roasted Cauliflower Soup

This recipe blew my socks off. I have often wondered how I could integrate cauliflower into my diet because I don't enjoy it raw or steamed. This recipe is brilliant. The first step is roasting the cauliflower, onion, and garlic in the oven and the house immediately smells wonderful. The soup ends up so creamy and filling and cheap. (All my favorites) And only 98 calories per cup!

Its is also really versitile. You can plop anything into it and it tastes great. On the second day, after I warmed it up in the microwave, I put cheese and avocado. AMAZING. Potato and bacon is what I will try next. I love stuff like this.

The Love of God

Wow. I am blown away right now with the words of Deiter F. Uchdorf. On October 3rd my church had the semiannual General Conference. I was at the marathon while this talk was being aired, so I missed it.

I just watched it online and am totaly filled with peace in my heart and love for God. What a powerful talk.

Watch the video here.

Here are the quotes that were especially meaningful to me:

Why should we love God?

"God the Eternal Father did not give that first great commandment because He needs us to love Him. His power and glory are not diminished should we disregard, deny, or even defile His name. His influence and dominion extend through time and space independent of our acceptance, approval, or admiration.

No, God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God!

For what we love determines what we seek.

What we seek determines what we think and do.

What we think and do determines who we are—and who we will become."

Why Does God Love Us?

"He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God’s love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked.

What this means is that, regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us"

How Can We Draw Near To Him?

"My dear brothers and sisters, don’t get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don’t feel downcast or despair if you don’t feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible—and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you."

We're going to London!

Great news. Chris is going to a conference in January and it just happens to be in LONDON! So I decided to tag along and see the sights while he is hard at work inside of a conference center.

I am so excited. Chris and I haven't had a lot of vacations where it was just the two of us...wait...let me think. Yep - our last vacation as a couple was our first anniversary and we went to a little cabin in Wyoming. Wait, my brother Justin and his wife Kathryn... and their baby were there. It is time for me and the Mr. to set out and explore the world.

If you need me from January 8th - January 18th I will be touring galleries, watching guards do their changing thing and so much more.

Musical of the week: Summer Stock and Calamity Jane

Our family has begun the tradition of watching a musical every week. Most the time we watch them on Sunday after church. This week we watched Calamity Jane after church on Sunday and we watched Summer Stock on Tuesday.

Summer Stock stars Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. The story is set on Jane Farbury's (Garland) farm and her sister Abigail surprises Jane by bringing a whole cast and crew to the farm to rehearse and perform a musical right there in her barn. Gene Kelly plays the adorable director who is dating Abigail. I loved this movie! Not only did Gene Kelly and Judy Garland deliver memorable dance scenes, but the story captivated me.

Calamity Jane is a musical I have been watching since I was 6 years old. It stars Doris Day and Howard Keel and is set in the Black Hills of South Dakota in a mining town appearantly filled only with middle aged men who all congregate at the saloon to gawk at female performers. (now that I write that out it doesn't sound appropriate for a 6 year old, oh well) It is filled to the brim with great songs and a few dances. Doris Day really got into this role and carried with her the same conviction as Martha Jane Cannary-Burke who was the real life "Calamity Jane". The saloon where it took place, the Golden Garter, was designed by Harper Goff the man who designed the saloon at Disneyland - the Golden Horseshoe. This movie was a major part of my childhood musical exposure and will always hold a place in my heart, even though Chris described every scene as very Lawrence Welky.