Fear

My friend Amy taught the Relief Society lesson a couple of weeks ago. She shared a quote that i have never heard before but describes feelings I've had so accurately I had to have it!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne
Williamson

I love to read my Patriarchal blessing, but it seems when I do, I feel that God has something important in store for me. I feel like the Lord needs me to perform an important work to prepare the way for the Second Coming. It's exciting, but it's also frightening. I have asked myself before why I don't always do the things I know I'm supposed to do. It's not that I don't have the faith, It's not that I'm lazy (well, not THAT lazy), and it's not that I don't have the desire. The answer I came up with in the end was FEAR.

I guess I fear the responsibility that comes with knowledge and ability. I know it's not a very logical fear, but I feel that the quote that Amy shared has helped me to put words to my feelings. The Lord only gives us what we are ready for and the Spirit can teach us what we don't know. I am currently trying to get over my fear and place more trust in the Lord so I can become a true instrument in His hands.

Following Directions

Ian had an assignment today to write directions that are easy to follow. We went through an exercise making a Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich with him giving the instructions and me following them in a literal way. Then he decided to write directions on how to brush your teeth. 5 minutes later he came in giggling and said he was done. This is what he turned in:

1. Get out your tooth brush and toothpaste.
2. Set the toothbrush down and squeeze the toothpaste until it blows up.
3. Make sure the toothpaste is spread all over the room and then bring in a battery.
4. Drop it in the toothpaste room and the toothpaste will come alive.
5. Drop anything you don't want (except laundry softener) into the tooth paste room so that the monster will eat it (It loves junk).

After a good laugh, I handed him another piece of paper and told him to try again. After what seemed like pulling teeth, this is what he turned in next.

Note for Moms: Things in ( ): IGNORE
1. Take out your toothbrush and toothpaste (explosive flavor.)
2. Take off the (explosive) toothpaste cap and squeeze the (explosive) toothpaste onto your toothbrush.
3. Stick the toothbrush in your mouth and brush your teeth. (If it isn't explosive flavor your head won't blow up)
4. If you don't know how to brush, Just LOOK IT UP IN A DICTIONARY!

*Teacher's note: Ian, the purpose of this assignment is to teach people to brush their teeth. All you've done is teach people to put toothpaste on their toothbrush. What if you were from Mars and didn't know what brushing your teeth is? Please add a few more steps.

4. Move your toothbrush in circular motions to brush all 3 sides of your teeth. (If you're a martian and don't have teeth, then you should know that you'd been reading this for no reason.)
5. After you have brushed every side of every tooth, rinse your mouth out and rinse your toothbrush in the sink
6. Put it away. When you put the paste away, don't forget to put the cap on!

This is a perfect example of why I am homeschooling this child. Assignment #1 would have been turned in as the finished product completely disregarding whole objective of the assignment to write descriptively. Although his creative writing is very entertaining at times, it is also important to take assignments seriously enough to learn the concept that was meant to be taught.

Medical pioneers

In literature, we've been reading 3 historical fiction stories about 3 pioneers in the medical field. Here is Ian's report about what he learned in this unit:

Louis Pasteur was the first to discover the cure for rabies and Anthrax. He also invented pasteurization. That makes him a pioneer.

Alexander Fleming was the first to use a mold as medicine. This makes him a pioneer.

Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to become a doctor. This makes her a pioneer.


· Louis Pasteur tried to find the cure for rabies. Most of the time he only failed. He studied rabies for months. Than finally, he had his answer.

· Elizabeth Blackwell wanted to be a doctor. She tried to get a college to accept her, but none would accept. One day, a college accepted her! But at school, it wasn’t too good. Many people made fun of her, but she didn’t give up.

· Alexander Fleming was investigating a small mold that he had found in his lab. For some reason, it killed bacteria. He tried it on some dying animals, and they were healthy the next day. He spent a long time on this particular mold, and it later became antibiotic called penicillin.

· I like Louis Pasteur because he invented pasteurization. He also had great patience. I like Alexander Fleming because he discovered penicillin, a very important antibiotic. He also was very cautious. I like Elizabeth Blackwell because she was brave. Even when made fun of, she didn’t give up.

Draper Temple Open House

In'int she a beauty? Brynlee at 9 months old. What an angel. She's crawlin' like a pro and pulls herself to standing walking along anything she can hold on to. Here's as close as we get to a family picture since Brynlee was born. A little fuzzy and tired, but here we are at the reception following the Open House.

Today we took our children to the Draper Temple Open House. Rick was so good to make it a teaching experience. He started the trip with his testimony of the temple and a family prayer. Then he put in some primary music about the temple which set such a lovely mood for our drive. We were running a bit late, but we met the Condie's at the designated chapel where we got to watch a movie about why temples are important to the LDS people. From there we took a charter bus up to the temple and got to have our tour.

The children did so well. They were quiet and respectful and we didn't loose anyone! I so wished that I could have had a more personal experience with each of my children to talk with them about what they were seeing, to answer their questions, and to help them recognize the spirit we were feeling there. It touched my heart to see little 3 year old Jaeda walking through the Temple halls with her head bowed and her arms folded. I loved seeing my kids gasp at the beauty of the rooms and the art. The slowly rotating crystal chandelier in the Celestial Room was everyone's favorite.

At the end of the tour, we went into a sealing room where there was a couple that talked to us a little about being sealed for eternity. It was fun to have our kids look through the mirrors and to explain that the reflection there represents eternity. Also, with Braxton and Becky's wedding near, it made it more personal for them to think that they would be married in a room very similar to the one we were in.

I'm so thankful that we could take our children to the temple open house. Who knows if we will ever have another opportunity to tour a temple near us. Instead of the temple being some mysterious far off place, maybe the temple will be more tangible to them now. Although it hasn't yet been dedicated, we all were able to feel the Spirit there. I hope my kids remember this day with fondness and that this memory will help compel them to live worthily to enter it often as they come of age.

Ian's Robot Report

Robots are cool!

They have been around since the late 1400s. They have been improving ever since. There are robots that do all kinds of things!

Bomb disposal robots can look at suspicious packages with their cameras. Some can put the explosive in a bomb- proof container and then transmit the information to someone a safe distance away.

Spy robots are cool! Roswell is a robot with 16 different sensors to help it spy on a person. Future spy robots may be able to identify people and follow them!

There are different robots that do different chores already! The Irobot scooba sweeps, washes, scrubs and dries your hard floors. One tiny plate thing does all that!

Irobot roomba is a robot that vacuums a room with the help of sensors that tell it when it’s too close to a wall or other obstacles.

Robots from the past…only to name a few

IN THE LATE 1400S…Artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci builds a mechanical lion. He also draws plans for a “robot knight” run by pulleys, wooden disks, and gears.

IN 1738…French inventor Jacques da Vaucanson builds a human-sized flute player that plays 12 songs and a mechanical duck that flaps its wings, sits, eats grain, and even poops!


JUMP ALL THE WAY TO 1948…
William grey Walter builds the first robot that can make its own decisions. He calls it machina speculatrix (Latin for the “machine that watches”) but everyone calls it “the tortoise.”

You’ve read my robot report, so here’s a little sum up of what you’ve learned:
· Bomb robots can alert someone if they see a bomb
· Roswell is a robot that uses 16 sensors to spy on people
· About robots from the past

Now YOU can write a robot report!

(but don’t copy mine ever!!!!!)

Reflection

In general I have always viewed myself as a nice girl. Someone who cares about others and is willing to help. I put great effort in being sensitive to others' needs and try to anticipate and meet those needs. I've always thought that I'm feminine and well-mannered.

Lately I've been having a really hard time with Rayna. She always seems so dramatic, short tempered, and self-serving. I know this is probably common for the occasional 7 year old girl, but it is frustrating to me because that is not her nature (well, maybe the drama part is...). She is one of the most thoughtful, caring, and sensitive people I know. Always happy to help and quick to notice and tend to everyone's needs.

Lately she's developed the habit of a dramatic *sigh* whenever I speak to her. No matter if I'm asking her to put her backpack away or if I'm answering a question she has asked me. It's gotten to the point that I don't even want to respond when she comes to me for fear I might say the wrong thing (which is always the case). Today she came to me and asked a question and I just kind of made a funny flinching face at her instead of answering - trying to add a bit of humor to the situation. When she asked what I was doing, I told her I was afraid she'd be upset with me if I answered her question. She didn't like that very much.

I asked her a few days ago after she gave me a dramatic sigh as a response to a simple request from me why she does that. "Why do you 'huff' whenever I ask you to do something?" Her accusatory response as she stomped away was "That's what you do!"

No, I don't huff! But of course I became more aware of any quick release of air from my lungs from thence forward. And I have found the source of the problem: ME.

It's true, I don't huff. But occasionally, when I am frustrated as I'm sure all mothers become after asking nicely for the 10th time, I find that I take a deep breath. You know, the close your eyes and count to 10 cleansing breath "Stay-calm" tactic. In my attempts to be patient and teach patience, I have actually communicated impatience. I guess I'll have to find another method for cooling my jets.

I have found also that my attempts to discipline without emotion has helped me not to loose my temper, but it has also taught them to ignore people (siblings) who are crying or upset. This shows me I have failed to teach them compassion. I have noticed that most of the things my kids do that are upsetting to me are only greatly exaggerated versions of my own shortcomings.

A humbling reflection. I have some repenting to do.

Bargain Shopper 69

Yesss. I've beat my high score (one of my few motivations). Thanks to my Couponing Master of a Neighbor and the tutelage of her Couponing website, I've taken advantage of the Albertsons sale and come out on top. I got $161.14 worth of groceries for only $49.48. That is almost 70% off!! I'm sure I could have done better, so I may go back later with all the coupons I didn't use. Here's what I got:

8 boxes Betty Crocker Potatoes
4 boxes Trix cereal
8 Fruit snacks/roll-ups
2 Frosting
4 MoM cereals
12 Yoplait Yogurts
1 Tide detergent
2 Butter
2 2lb Cheddar
10 Progresso soups