The Blessings of the Atonement

A few weeks ago I was asked to teach a Sunday School lesson on the Atonement. I said that I would but felt very nervous teaching something that I didn't quite understand myself. I knew that Jesus had taken upon our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane and then died on the cross only to be resurrected allowing us to live with him again for eternity. But why? Why did it have to be that way? Why not come down and share the Gospel and teach that through repentance we could be clean again--why did this sacrifice have to be made? Why did He have to suffer so greatly, bleed at every pore, feel alone in this torment and be denied by a dear friend? I've never understood that.

Have you ever felt God was teaching and shaping you to reach your full potential? Through trials, discomfort, joy etc. you were being lovingly molded? As I studied this lesson I felt that. I needed to understand the Atonement. In order to create a personal relationship with my Savior I needed to know why He suffered for me---for everyone.

I learned about the Law of Mercy and the Law of Justice. Both are eternal laws that must be fulfilled, but without a mediator, they fight against each other. When Justice is satisfied there is no room for Mercy, and when Mercy is satisfied there is no room for Justice. Because Christ was without sin, he was able to act as the Mediator for each of us. Without Him we wouldn't be able to live with Him again. Justice was at work. Each of us sin and no unclean thing can dwell with God. But because Christ took upon Himself each of our sins he is able to show us Mercy because he owns our debt. As we come to Christ in our sin and sincerely ask for forgiveness with renewed fervor to try harder, we are able to be clean again. (mercy at hand)

I'm so grateful that because I was asked to teach a lesson that I felt unqualified to teach, I was able to understand the Atonement more fully, which has also allowed me to feel Christs love more deeply. God will give us knowledge as we diligently seek it. What a blessing that is!

Happy Birthday to Cardon!!!!

Once upon a time Cardon was a tiny baby. Weighing in at 5 lb. 7 0z., 7 1/2 weeks early----he was my miracle. I couldn't even imagine how strong love could feel until I held this little guy.A few years later, just after Brinly was born, when he seemed soooo big----he still wanted to be the baby. As he grew and grew and grew we could see that he was going to be the best big brother ever. He loves his little sisters and brother.

By age 5 it was time for this little guy (who wasn't so little any more) to go to school. He loves school and is very smart. He especially loves science and social studies.

He's also become quite a good athlete. He really loves football but is playing spring baseball right now and loving it.

Today he turned 9 years old. I can't believe my tiny baby is 9 today. He doesn't want to be my baby anymore. He wants to grow up and make pancakes by himself on Sunday morning. I keep telling him to stop growing up but he doesn't listen to me. I can't stop it from happening. It's a hard but incredible thing to watch. Time is moving so fast.

We took him and 2 of his friends (Scott and Brayden) to Beach Bum Island, a pizza and arcade for dinner to celebrate.

We ate lots of pizza and bread sticks.

The boys had fun playing all of the games.

His friend Brayden not only got 1 stuffed animal but 2 in the grab with the claw game. I've never see anyone succeed in this game. It was a notable event. Way to go!!!

We came home for cake and presents. He had a mountain of cupcakes to blow out and believe it or not he succeeded in one breath. He was so proud of himself.

He loved all of his gifts. He especially loved the new tank to house his new pet frog. We're starting out slow in the pet category.

What a fun day. We love you Cardon! Happy Birthday!
But please........... stop growing up so fast!

Easter Sunday

The kids were soooo excited on Easter Sunday that the Easter Bunny came to visit.

It's a tradition in my family to have coffee cake and hard boiled eggs. I can't seem to have anything else on that day. It was delicious.

It was rainy and cold so we had to have our egg hunt in doors. Jace bounced around the house in his bunny costume. It was so cute.

Happy Hunting!!!


The most important part of the day came around 10 o'clock when we put on our Sunday best and headed off to church. We talked a lot to the kids about the "true" meaning of Easter--Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Cardon and Brinly are starting to really get it. Amelia keeps praying that Jesus doesn't have to die on the cross. She understands that it happened but not why. Jace just wants to jump around in his bunny costume. He'll get it--some day.

Our theme was navy blue and white. I knit this jacket for Jace. It was the biggest project I've done so far. I was really proud. He looked so cute.

The girls looked so cute in their matching dresses. I only have a few more years of this before they start to complain about it. I'll do it for as long as I can.

Happy Be-lated Easter everyone!!!

Birthday Party with the Girls

A tradition has been created--one that I personally think it super-D-duper. When any of our friends have a birthday we all get together and either go to lunch or dinner. Well, my friend Valerie and I happen to have birthdays that are close together so we got to celebrate together. We chose The Cheesecake Factory as our restaurant of choice. Valerie ordered this ginormous burrito. We all had to laugh at the enormousness and laugh even harder when she finished it off. We were all very impressed.

Valerie is a great friend. I'm happy to share my birthday month with her!

What a great bunch of women I have to call my friends.

Thank you ladies for such a fun night! I really looked forward to it and was not left disappointed!!!

It's My Birthday!!!!

My Birthday this year happened to fall on Sunday--not just any Sunday--Conference Sunday. For those who may not know what that means--twice a year (in the fall and in the Spring) the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (whew that's long-no wonder we became "the Mormons") have the privilege of hearing from our Latter Day Prophet as well as Apostles. The direction given is for us-right now. I love to hear their thoughts and testimony's. We get to hear 4 hours of direction the day before (Saturday) and then 4 more hours on Sunday. I love it!!! So, I got up and took a shower, got into my comfy clothes and sat down with my knitting and watched Conference with my family. In between BJ made this gigantic 3 layer cake ( he heard me teasing Jace a few days earlier if he had been busy getting my party ready--putting up banners, blowing up balloons, making party hats, and making me a triple layer cake). So, BJ thought if would be fun to make that cake. He did a great job!

The family sang "Happy Birthday" to me and then.......

I blew out my candles. I was proud--there were a lot of them.





BTW, it was delicious! I had some the next day and the next......

Time for presents. My Mother in Law, Carol sent me a super cute top, earrings and necklace. She is so sweet. Thank you Carol!

The family (when I say that I mean BJ) got me a new I-pod. My old one kept freezing all of the time. Thank you family!

What a great Birthday! Thank you everyone for the calls, e-mails, notes and cake. I felt very loved on my Special Day!

The Wizard of Oz Exhibit in Kansas--Fitting!

A few Saturdays ago our family went to down town Kansas to visit the Wizard of Oz Exhibit. The kids loved following the yellow brick road, seeing the witch melt, and sliding on the slides. It was really cute.I believe that these are the actual shoes worn in the movie--I could be wrong but I could be right and how cool would that be!

"We represent the lollipop guild, the lollipop guild, the lollipop guild......We wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land"!

"Somewhere over the rainbow..... "

After the exhibit we went to the fudge shop and watched it being made. This guy could seriously throw the fudge.

A perfect ending to watching the fudge being made was sampling it afterward. It was mighty tasty!

The afternoon wouldn't be complete without a lunch at Fritzes. You order your food from a telephone at your booth and then a train delivers it to you. The kids love it but I think it is just about the worst food you could possibly eat (I would put school lunch way above this place) but it is an experience to be had---once.

It was a happy Saturday had by all!

Down and Derby

A few weeks ago Cardon got to participate in his first Cub Scout Derby. He absolutely wanted to build his car by himself. BJ cut the block of wood like he wanted and then Cardon did the rest. He did a great job and I was really proud of him since usually it's a race for which dad can build the fastest car. When we got there BJ helped Cardon add coins to it so that it would the right weight and then he entered his car. He was totally excited!

All of the boys had to line up their cars and then they were ready to race.

Here is our "Cheering Section". Next year we decided that we would make cheering signs to show our support.

He put his car on the track and then.............

watched it race------and Lose.....twice. He was out. I'm not going to pretend that he wasn't disappointed but he did win a certificate for building his car all by himself and he was proud of that. I wondered how it would affect him---if it would make him feel bad about himself. My concerns were short lived when we got in the car and the ENTIRE way home he explained how he was going to build his car differently next year. I'm grateful for that experience for Cardon. We always want our kids to succeed but it's not always going to happen in life and they need to learn how to pick themselves back up, dust themselves off , learn from their mistakes, and then get back to work.

What a fun night! Way to go cub scouts!