Thoughts on tonight

It is finally summer.

I'm not crazy about the full sun or the high temperatures, but I love the warm evenings. Summer nights in Vegas are about the best thing ever. It makes one want to grill, jump on a trampoline, or just sit out on a porch, listening to the chirps of crickets and buzz of cicadas. Granted, where I grew up and first learned to love summer nights was a great deal quieter than where I live now and you are as likely to hear a jet rumble overhead as the last evening calls of the birds. Nonetheless, it is a wonderful, peaceful time.

I love to lay on a dusty-smelling trampoline and look up at the stars - surprisingly abundant if you can just turn off the outside house lights. Even better - and something I always wait with baited breath for, is the certainty of summer showers. There is nothing more invigorating to me than the smell of humidity in the desert and the electric feel of the air. You can sense the movement of the heavens, and it's power both overwhelms and inspires.

Las Vegas has always been my home and I hope that never changes. There are subtle beauties here that I have never seen replicated anywhere else. The sturdy presence of the mountains next to the expansive harsh terrain, and yet somehow, growth and life exist and are sheltered. It is witness, for me, of the hand of God, of His power to create. As Hobbes, from "Calvin and Hobbes" once so appropriately said "It kind of makes you wonder why man considers himself such a big screaming deal."

Worthwhiles part III

My list of worthwhiles for the day:

*Early morning walks, increased heart-rates, and weight-loss. (k, maybe only in ounces, but I'm counting it anyway. - Now if I can just keep away from Ryan's seminary candy.)

*Pea plants.

*Jeffery R. Holland.

*Neal A. Maxwell.

*radio.lds.org

*yldsr.com

*top ramen - not nutritionally worthwhile, but convenience worthwhile. ;)

*increased strength and energy

*increased capacity to listen to my children

I saw God today

Heard this song today on the radio. It talked about seeing God in everything around you, in the miracle of birth, in nature, in those we love.

I think I love this song.

It's not new apparently, but I'd never heard it. I love the message. You can listen to it here, it's George Strait's "I Saw God Today".

I take things for granted so often, and am so much happier when I remember my blessings and who they are from.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the sunshine today, for my children, for the safety and security of my home. Thank you for our health. Thank you for the beauty of the mountains. Some may say it's corny - but the promise to be able to see God is biblical. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

I never considered that a possible fulfillment of this promise would be to the one who could see God in everything around them.

This is a promise I want to take part in.

Worthwhiles part II

Became reaquainted with Spellingcity.com yesterday. Absolutely the best free online customizable spelling site for kids. Just type in the spelling words and they can choose 'teach me', 'test me', or 'play a game' mode. The games are great and easy to play and the test me mode is a dream when you have three other children demanding your attention. We'll see what grade comes up on today's spelling test, but I'm sure using this site last night will have an impact. I don't remember who originally suggested it, although I have an inkling, but sending out a big thanks for this one!

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books. I don't know how long it's been since I've enjoyed a book so much. I picked them up at my in-laws house because I thought I recognized the titles from when I was a young reader, but, opening the books, they seemed completely new. Maybe it's because I was reading them from the view of the parents rather than the children. These are fabulously funny and down to earth books about many childhood illnesses and their logical, albeit not always practical cures, such as:

• The Won't-Pick-Up-Toys Cure
• The Answer-Backer Cure
• The Selfishness Cure
• The Radish Cure (for not taking baths)
• The Never-Want-To-Go-To-Bedders Cure
• The Slow-Eater-Tiny-Bite-Taker Cure
• The Fighter-Quarrelers Cure

I have only read books 1 and 3 in the series so far, but I would highly recommend them. I'll let you know how books 2 and 4 strike me.

Oh, and by the way, one of the items I was seeking the answer for the other day apparently only needed time to provide a good solution. I guess that's the way with alot of problems.

PDQ Bach

I was not raised with PDQ Bach, unlike my husband. But I have come to thoroughly enjoy his musical whit. For those of you who have not experienced the genius of the "Professor of music pathology at the University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople" might want to give it a go. My favorite album so far is "WTWP Talkity Talk Radio".

So, last night, my husband and I needed something to watch to finish off the day while I fed the baby. We considered some of the sitcoms we had enjoyed in the past, ie. "3rd Rock" and "Frasier". I was really wanting something I could get a good laugh out of, and started realizing that it is hard to find something that doesn't at times end up off-color. So, what do you do on a Saturday night when you are wanting to laugh but also wanting to prepare your mind and heart for the Sabbath? You look for youtube videos of John Bytheway, right?? Well, no luck there. There were only small clips and it takes almost a full hour to do the nightly feeding. So we searched for some good old PDQ Bach and found this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQkRs3Ek7Iw. Neither my husband nor I had ever seen it and it was just what we were looking for. I'm so glad we searched a little harder for our night's entertainment.

So, thank you Peter Shickele!