Monday, December 31, 2012
2012
We started and finished our hardest semester in the Spring. (Trevor ended the first year Top 10% of his class!)
We celebrated in New York!
We spent most of the summer living separate.
We spent half a dozen long weekends together touring Northern California!
We celebrated being back together on a Caribbean Cruise…where we made a baby!
We started and finished our easiest semester in the Fall.
(Trevor did end up with his 4.0!)
We found out It’s A Girl!
So…We celebrated in Las Vegas!
The start of 2012 was rough. We had just come off a great Disneyland vacation and Christmas break to be met square in the face with a stressful student and a wife that was breaking down daily about having to spend the summer without her husband (who already seemed absent.) If we could just get to our New York trip we’d be okay (until wife would start the daily break downs again). Well we made it through that semester with flying colors and then a growing, trying summer with lots of airport tantrums and tearful nights, as well as just as many sweet airport embraces! We went on our cruise without a care in the world. Trevor had to start school the day after we returned but it was worth it. A few weeks later we found out we were pregnant. This came as a total surprise…we knew we were having unprotected sex but still we thought this too was going to take time. We had a relatively easy ‘morning sickness’ phase and couldn’t be more excited about the timing of the new Flint addition. We felt tested at times but we celebrated each of our triumphs and we are looking forward to 2013!
2013 is sure to bring as much excitement as 2012…Graduation, Birth, Moving Home (for two months), Quitting, and Moving to California…
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Then we took a quick trip
We stayed on the strip and did a lot of walking. I am not sure how that went...my feet were very sore every day but who knows if it had anything to do with the pregnancy. We shopped a lot but did very little buying. We saw LOVE which was great! Oh and we took a tripod so we could play with exposure and shutter speed but it never once dawned on us while the camera was set up to take a picture with the two of us in it. We had a fun four days!
First we had Christmas
Our Christmas started on Friday Night. We had a Flint Family party followed by Christmas with the Flints. (They were out of town on Christmas). We Celebrated with a Meyerhoffer party on Saturday night and a dinner on Sunday night. The regular Hardcastle Christmas Eve movie and clam chowder happened on Monday. Tuesday was our regular run around. Meyerhoffer's in the morning and Hardcastle's for dinner. We enjoyed every crazy minute! Oh and Trevor finally got to use his new camera...these are the very first shots.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Education
I taught my last Young Women lesson this week before we change to the new curriculum. The new Come, Follow Me curriculum scares me to death. I am use to having an outline and a manual. There is safety in knowing that if I don’t have something to say at any point I can turn to the lesson and stick to it.
I prepared the lesson I was assigned this week, which was Living a Righteous Life. However I was looking at the lessons we weren’t going to get to this year. I decided I wanted to teach on a different topic. I asked the president if I could go ahead and begin “teaching by the spirit” early. She of course gave me the go ahead (I knew she would).
I decided to teach on two topics The Value of Work, and The Purpose and Value of Education. I read through the lessons and used them as a general outline. I read many talks and did some scripture research. The lesson was for ME, but the girls responded and I left feeling amazing. I put together a rough outline and decided I was going to facilitate a discussion instead of teach a lesson. It worked beautifully.
The lessons went over the many reasons that women should (are commanded to) earn as much education and training as possible. This is a topic dear to me for a few reasons. My grandma Petersen instilled this in me at a young age. When she was 32 she had 5 children and lost my grandpa suddenly to a car accident. Of course this was unplanned and devastating. She worked miracles as a single mother. But her daughters and her granddaughters would have a college degree. Period! They would have something to fall back on if needed. They all do. They all married men with college degrees. Even her "married in" granddaughters all have college degrees. It is a great family legacy.
I didn’t know at 18 that it would be 11 years before I would marry. I didn’t know that I would take on the role as provider. But at 18, actually way before 18, I knew I would graduate from college. I do regret not getting a master’s degree though. I had plenty of time to get that done and I didn't, I haven’t…yet.
The lesson gave me the confidence (and reassurance) that I needed to take my degree and knowledge into the home. That I would use all I have gained to its fullest there with my family. It promised that I would be blessed for the sacrifice I have made to gain an education. It promised that I would have “peace of mind” knowing if my situation ever changes I will be okay. It promised that my children will benefit from the education that I received. I am feeling pretty good.
My favorite quotes:
“There are impelling reasons for our sisters to plan toward employment. … We want them to obtain all the education and vocational training possible before marriage. If they become widowed or divorced and need to work, we want them to have dignified and rewarding employment.” (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, Nov. 1975, p. 124).
“Too great care cannot be taken in educating our young ladies. Great responsibilities will devolve upon them. To their hands will be mainly committed the formation of the moral and intellectual character of the young. Let the women of our country be made intelligent, and their children will certainly be the same. The proper education of a man decides his welfare; but the interests of a whole family are secured by the correct education of a woman” (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, sel. Jerreld L. Newquist [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 2:138
“Beyond our study of spiritual matters, secular learning is also essential. Often the future is unknown; therefore, it behooves us to prepare for uncertainties. Statistics reveal that at some time, because of the illness or death of a husband or because of economic necessity, you may find yourself in the role of financial provider. Some of you already occupy that role. I urge you to pursue your education—if you are not already doing so or have not done so—that you might be prepared to provide if circumstances necessitate such.
Your talents will expand as you study and learn. You will be able to better assist your families in their learning, and you will have peace of mind in knowing that you have prepared yourself for the eventualities that you may encounter in life.
I reiterate: Study diligently.” (Thomas S. Monson, Three Goals to Guide You )
“For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea—it’s a commandment. We are to learn “of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad.” 6
Joseph Smith loved learning even though he had few opportunities for formal education. In his journals, he spoke happily of days spent in study and often expressed his love of learning. 7
Joseph taught the Saints that knowledge was a necessary part of our mortal journey, for “a man is saved no faster than he [gains] knowledge,” 8 and that “whatever principle of intelligence we attain … in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.” 9 During challenging times, it is even more important to learn. The Prophet Joseph taught, “Knowledge does away with darkness, [anxiety], and doubt; for these cannot exist where knowledge is.” 10 (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Two Principles for Any Economy )
“Beyond ecclesiastical study there is the challenge of education. Resolve now, while you are young, that you will get all of the education you can. We live in a highly competitive age, and it will only grow worse. Education is the key that will unlock the door of opportunity.
You may plan on marriage, and hope for it, but you are not certain that it will come. And even though you marry, education will be of great benefit to you. Don’t just drift along, letting the days come and go without improvement in your lives. The Lord will bless you as you make the effort. Your lives will be enriched and your outlook broadened as your minds are opened to new vistas and knowledge.” (Gordon B. Hinkley, Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly )
I prepared the lesson I was assigned this week, which was Living a Righteous Life. However I was looking at the lessons we weren’t going to get to this year. I decided I wanted to teach on a different topic. I asked the president if I could go ahead and begin “teaching by the spirit” early. She of course gave me the go ahead (I knew she would).
I decided to teach on two topics The Value of Work, and The Purpose and Value of Education. I read through the lessons and used them as a general outline. I read many talks and did some scripture research. The lesson was for ME, but the girls responded and I left feeling amazing. I put together a rough outline and decided I was going to facilitate a discussion instead of teach a lesson. It worked beautifully.
The lessons went over the many reasons that women should (are commanded to) earn as much education and training as possible. This is a topic dear to me for a few reasons. My grandma Petersen instilled this in me at a young age. When she was 32 she had 5 children and lost my grandpa suddenly to a car accident. Of course this was unplanned and devastating. She worked miracles as a single mother. But her daughters and her granddaughters would have a college degree. Period! They would have something to fall back on if needed. They all do. They all married men with college degrees. Even her "married in" granddaughters all have college degrees. It is a great family legacy.
I didn’t know at 18 that it would be 11 years before I would marry. I didn’t know that I would take on the role as provider. But at 18, actually way before 18, I knew I would graduate from college. I do regret not getting a master’s degree though. I had plenty of time to get that done and I didn't, I haven’t…yet.
The lesson gave me the confidence (and reassurance) that I needed to take my degree and knowledge into the home. That I would use all I have gained to its fullest there with my family. It promised that I would be blessed for the sacrifice I have made to gain an education. It promised that I would have “peace of mind” knowing if my situation ever changes I will be okay. It promised that my children will benefit from the education that I received. I am feeling pretty good.
My favorite quotes:
“There are impelling reasons for our sisters to plan toward employment. … We want them to obtain all the education and vocational training possible before marriage. If they become widowed or divorced and need to work, we want them to have dignified and rewarding employment.” (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, Nov. 1975, p. 124).
“Too great care cannot be taken in educating our young ladies. Great responsibilities will devolve upon them. To their hands will be mainly committed the formation of the moral and intellectual character of the young. Let the women of our country be made intelligent, and their children will certainly be the same. The proper education of a man decides his welfare; but the interests of a whole family are secured by the correct education of a woman” (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth, sel. Jerreld L. Newquist [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 2:138
“Beyond our study of spiritual matters, secular learning is also essential. Often the future is unknown; therefore, it behooves us to prepare for uncertainties. Statistics reveal that at some time, because of the illness or death of a husband or because of economic necessity, you may find yourself in the role of financial provider. Some of you already occupy that role. I urge you to pursue your education—if you are not already doing so or have not done so—that you might be prepared to provide if circumstances necessitate such.
Your talents will expand as you study and learn. You will be able to better assist your families in their learning, and you will have peace of mind in knowing that you have prepared yourself for the eventualities that you may encounter in life.
I reiterate: Study diligently.” (Thomas S. Monson, Three Goals to Guide You )
“For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea—it’s a commandment. We are to learn “of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad.” 6
Joseph Smith loved learning even though he had few opportunities for formal education. In his journals, he spoke happily of days spent in study and often expressed his love of learning. 7
Joseph taught the Saints that knowledge was a necessary part of our mortal journey, for “a man is saved no faster than he [gains] knowledge,” 8 and that “whatever principle of intelligence we attain … in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.” 9 During challenging times, it is even more important to learn. The Prophet Joseph taught, “Knowledge does away with darkness, [anxiety], and doubt; for these cannot exist where knowledge is.” 10 (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Two Principles for Any Economy )
“Beyond ecclesiastical study there is the challenge of education. Resolve now, while you are young, that you will get all of the education you can. We live in a highly competitive age, and it will only grow worse. Education is the key that will unlock the door of opportunity.
You may plan on marriage, and hope for it, but you are not certain that it will come. And even though you marry, education will be of great benefit to you. Don’t just drift along, letting the days come and go without improvement in your lives. The Lord will bless you as you make the effort. Your lives will be enriched and your outlook broadened as your minds are opened to new vistas and knowledge.” (Gordon B. Hinkley, Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly )
Friday, December 14, 2012
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