Monthly Archives: November 2008

We went down to see my family for the Thanksgiving weekend. We took off on Tuesday afternoon, and returned on Saturday. In the mean time, we hung out with my brothers and sisters. We had a lot of fun. On Wednesday night we went to see Twilight with Larry and Karen; and though I’m sure he’d deny it now, Wyatt said he actually liked the movie (blood, vampires, a chase, people’s necks getting broken . . . just enough violence to keep him awake I guess). We also went to dinner for my birthday. On Thanksgiving we had a feast with all my siblings and my cousin Jamie and her family. Jamie is maybe ten years older than me, and before this I hadn’t seen her since circa 1990! We also had desert at my aunt Draza’s with all the cousins, aunts and uncles that were in town. It was fun to see my cousins, and of course, my Aunt Draza, who is one of my favorite people in the whole universe.

We also took Olivia horse back riding. Auntie Leslee told her she would take her, and so we went on Friday in spite of the cold. (It was horrible weather all weekend). Olivia was SO excited to go, but once we got there she wasn’t so sure. She thought the horsies might bite her. It took some coaxing, but after a few minutes she was happy as could be to ride Sly. Sly was very good while O & I walked around the field, but once Olivia was off him, he tried to throw me! I’m pretty proud of myself, I stayed on. I’ll admit I’ve been thrown more times than I can count, but this time, I stayed on. Wyatt even got on Sunny for a few minutes. I was very proud of him. (If you ever ask, or even if you don’t, Wyatt will be happy to tell you the time I put him on an unbroke colt, bareback, and he got thrown. He’s never had the slightest interest in riding since then. Baby.)

I also took it upon myself to scan as many pictures as I could of my childhood. I got quite a few, including one of me throwing calfs to help my Uncle Terry in the branding one spring. Check me out!

I was a tough chick once. Obviously that was just a phase.

So, we had a really nice time hanging out with everyone. Olivia and Cal LOVED staying at “Gama’s house” and were very upset to find out we were going home (about ten miles from our house, we finally broke the news). They look forward to going for another visit soon.

We went down to see my family for the Thanksgiving weekend. We took off on Tuesday afternoon, and returned on Saturday. In the mean time, we hung out with my brothers and sisters. We had a lot of fun. On Wednesday night we went to see Twilight with Larry and Karen; and though I’m sure he’d deny it now, Wyatt said he actually liked the movie (blood, vampires, a chase, people’s necks getting broken . . . just enough violence to keep him awake I guess). We also went to dinner for my birthday. On Thanksgiving we had a feast with all my siblings and my cousin Jamie and her family. Jamie is maybe ten years older than me, and before this I hadn’t seen her since circa 1990! We also had desert at my aunt Draza’s with all the cousins, aunts and uncles that were in town. It was fun to see my cousins, and of course, my Aunt Draza, who is one of my favorite people in the whole universe.

We also took Olivia horse back riding. Auntie Leslee told her she would take her, and so we went on Friday in spite of the cold. (It was horrible weather all weekend). Olivia was SO excited to go, but once we got there she wasn’t so sure. She thought the horsies might bite her. It took some coaxing, but after a few minutes she was happy as could be to ride Sly. Sly was very good while O & I walked around the field, but once Olivia was off him, he tried to throw me! I’m pretty proud of myself, I stayed on. I’ll admit I’ve been thrown more times than I can count, but this time, I stayed on. Wyatt even got on Sunny for a few minutes. I was very proud of him. (If you ever ask, or even if you don’t, Wyatt will be happy to tell you the time I put him on an unbroke colt, bareback, and he got thrown. He’s never had the slightest interest in riding since then. Baby.)

I also took it upon myself to scan as many pictures as I could of my childhood. I got quite a few, including one of me throwing calfs to help my Uncle Terry in the branding one spring. Check me out! 

I was a tough chick once. Obviously that was just a phase.

So, we had a really nice time hanging out with everyone. Olivia and Cal LOVED staying at “Gama’s house” and were very upset to find out we were going home (about ten miles from our house, we finally broke the news). They look forward to going for another visit soon.

As we celebrated Thanksgiving, I took the time to think about that which I’m grateful for. There are so aspects of life for which I am grateful: my family, my health, the health of family, our home, our relationships, and of course the gospel.

But Thanksgiving began as a feast, to celebrate the harvest of a new and promised land, and the budding friendships between the Natives and the Pilgrims. It grew into a national holiday as a time to be thankful for the work put for by our progenitors to settle this Great Nation.

In light of this, and the political movements that have taken place this year, I have mostly reflected on my gratitude for this nation in which I live. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak, for my opinion to be counted, and held at the very same weight as all other citizens of this great land. I am grateful for the bounty which continues today in our country. I am grateful for the friendships I have and can have with people who are different than me. 

I am grateful for the faith of my fathers that has led this nation to grow and prosper.

My birthday was the BEST this year!

Wyatt made me breakfast – some mo’ yummy pancakes. Then he got the kids ready for church. We went to church, and when I got home I was greeted by 2 dozen red roses. Leslee and Carrie came over and made me yummy cheese ravioli for dinner. After dinner we opened gifts. Then we hung out for a while, and then at 7:00 everyone (Sorensens, Enghs, Kirkhams, & Smiths) came over for cake. We had another rousing game of “jump off the chest.” After that we watched “Emma Smith, My Story” which Leslee & Carrie had given me for my birthday. It made me cry. She was one amazing woman.

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful birthday!

Calvin said his first word today – Cracker. I was handing him a Ritz, and asked “do you want a cracker?” and he said “cah-kuh!” to which I excitedly replied “Cal! You said cracker! Can you say cracker?” And then he repeated his new word through out the day. How do babies grow so fast?!

Every once in a while something will happen that just makes my heart ache. It’s the sort of thing that once it settles into my conscious as being a reality, makes me wish with everything that I could go back to the moment before, when it wasn’t a reality. It makes my prayers a little more fervent as I pray for God to fix it . . . somehow.

Such a thing happened this past weekend. Wyatt and I were at dinner when we received a text message – Heather Miller had her baby – 14 weeks early. Oh, as a mamma, how that news made me hurt. Little Leo Miller came quickly and unexpectedly. He’s now in the NICU and has a long, and . . . unlikely . . . battle ahead of him. He’s already experienced some severe complications. Everyone’s holding their breath as each day goes by.

Bryan and Heather were sealed just two short weeks ago. What a blessing for them. As Bryan put it – “it also allows us to be free from second guessing ourselves and asking why we haven’t gotten around to that yet.” Their faith is strong, and I know that will help them.

As for my faith? Like I said, it’s one of those things where I have faith, like a child, knowing that Heavenly Father can fix it. What I don’t know is if He will. The question then becomes, what am I (and more importantly, those more closely involved) going to do if He doesn’t? I’ll be honest, I’d rather that He did – it would be simpler all the way around.

Olivia started dance classes. I thought as part of her 3rd birthday I would start her in . . . something. She needs to get out of the house, hang out with little kids, and have an opportunity to learn something new. So she’s started dance. She’s so cute!

Here’s what’s been happening AT OUR HOUSE the past couple weeks.

I sometimes wonder at the difficulties of having a successful family all while living in a society dubbed “generation me.” The advertising and marketing industry constantly barrages us with the message that we as individuals will never be good enough. The media portrays happiness as being found in a life of self indulgence and unrealistic consequences. It seems the world would have us believe that we must eat, drink, and be merry – and if it be that we have sinned a little, God will beat us with a few stripes, and in the end we will be saved in the Kingdom of God.

The unrealistic mentality found here is not in the unwillingness of God to forgive, but in that the Kingdom of God is a kingdom of glory AND HAPPINESS. How can we be “saved in the Kingdom” if we do not have habits of happiness? 

And happiness is found in loving relationships with those around us. Families provide the mini laboratory where we are taught – time and again – to love one another as ourselves. To think that we can simply say “I don’t love you anymore” and walk away from those family relationships that we have formed with no consequences to our personal ability to become like Christ is erroneous. We must work hard at our relationships, following the counsel of the Lord.

Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.

My own family is not perfect in this counsel, but I will say we are exceptionally good at the wholesome recreational activities bit. And so, let’s get away from the philosophizing for a moment, and recall a story:

So there we were, laying in bed one morning. Olivia was singing “The wheels on the bus.” For weeks she had been telling us “I ride the bus.” That morning Wyatt and I looked at each other and shrugged. We might as well. So we piled in the car and drove up to the University of Utah where we got on the shuttle bus that just drives circles around campus. Olivia was ecstatic to climb up those big bus stairs. She loved her vinyl red seat, and stared out the window in fascination as she realized that car seats did not exist on the bus. Olivia talked of that day for the next several months with excitement and authority – as she now knew what it was to ride the bus. 

I know this is a simple story, but it was such a fun day for Wyatt and I to watch her dream come true. Make a Wish would have it easy with my little girl. She really thought that bus was the bees knees. And I like to remember the simple joy shared by all of us on that day.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.

Of all the topics and doctrinal points of the Proclamation to the Family, the discussion of children is my favorite. Is there any wonder why?

I don’t mean that title as a reference to my family’s political views or involvement (although that will inevitably come to light through this discussion) but rather the family as a political topic and issue. Since today is Election Day (did you vote) let’s tackle this one.

It is interesting to me that the family is even a political issue at all. I recall in 1995, when The Proclamation on the Family was first issued by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that my mother and aunt commented “Well, it’s just because the family is so under attack these days.” Boy, they had no idea.

C.S. Lewis begins his book, Mere Christianity, by offering filial relationships as a proof for universal morality. I have often wondered to myself (as I’m making my AWESOME corn chowder, or cleaning up the bottle of baby shampoo from the bathroom floor) what such a discussion with Mr. Lewis would be like in today’s social and political enviroment. How would he, who is one of the greatest reasoners of Christianity, answer the questions faced by the American family today?

There is so much turmoil, and so much anger with what the family is and represents in America today. From every front the family is told that it is not doing enough and to fear the future. You cannot provide for your family’s education: we must create infant education plans. You cannot provide for your family’s healthcare: we must socialize healthcare. You cannot provide for your family’s physical needs: we must bail you out of your bad mortgage descision. You cannot make a choice about the moral education of your children: we must pass laws that enable the government to ignore parents right to teach moral and ethical values. Based on this assessment of the family, it’s a wonder the institution has lasted this long!

Of course, there’s the gay marriage issue, which has been heavily reported on as California and other states have been voting on laws of how to handle the “definition of marriage.” It’s interesting to me that this needs to be defined for some people. I won’t apologize, I don’t want the wrath of God kindled against this nation. And I’m not being evangelical about this. I really believe the wrath of God will be kindled, and I really don’t want it to be.

Now, if you’re still reading, my last point: as I’ve been reading in the Book of Mormon these past few weeks, with America’s political environment in mind, there have been a few things that have really stood out.

1 – Mosiah 29:26-27 Now it is not common that the ^avoice of the people desireth anything ^bcontrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the ^cpeople to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people. And ^aif the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you;

This passage gave me hope for this election season. I still believe in America, I still believe the greater part of the American people want a moral and just society.

2 – 2nd Nephi 10

What a heavy responsibility. I actually thought about this as I stood at the voting booth today. I have a voice – I am a queen of the Gentile Nation, and my decision will effect my brothers and sisters all the world over! Goodness, that’s a lot of responsibility.

And yet the promises are clear: the Lord will protect and sustain this nation until the very last day. And I don’t think that day has come yet.

But if you voted no on Proposition 8, you just brought it a little closer.

*clearly I only cited Obama’s website as the government position. He seems to have been elected President, so I thought trying to present both sides was a mute point.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

So there I was, minding my own business . . . seriously. I was writing an English paper. I was on an anti-boys strike after having my heart broken the summer before. Then in walked Wyatt. I would like to say the light turned golden, and the air became thick with the electricity that immediately passed between us. But that stuff only happens in books . . . and not very good books at that.

Nope. Instead Wyatt nonchalantly asked for my room-mate Chiz (yes, her name). “Um, she’s not here.” I raised my eyebrows, stating the obvious.

He sat down. He tried to make conversation. I don’t remember anything of what was said that first half hour. I was writing a paper.

Then it was “Oh yeah, that’s what it was like when I was in Jerusalem.”

I turned, pulling myself up from my corner of homework on the floor, and climbed onto the couch across from Wyatt. “You went to Jerusalem” I asked warmly, “what was it like?”

And that was the beginning of a three hour conversation. It’s funny, but I still didn’t think much about him until the next day when he showed up on my door step with all his buddies, inviting me along on a barbeque. We were inseparable after that. 

A week later we were watching “Toy Story 2″ when Wyatt got up to turn off the light. He turned around to me and said (I kid you not) “Oh, apparently we’re going to cuddle now.”

How could I resist. It was all down hill after that. Camp-outs, and afternoons at the pool, and hitching rides to His-Son’s (Carl’s Jr.) for sandwiches, a Bon Jovi road trip, and a summer of love, and by the end of July we were engaged.

We were married September 21st, a week shy of six months from the day we met.

And now here we are, seven years under our belt. Neither one of us is the hot stuff we were back then. Neither one of us can stay up till 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning and still be coherent the next day for class. But we both still make each other laugh. We both still like Bon Jovi. We are still each other’s best friend. 

Looking back, it makes me catch my breath in how fast it all was – I’m mean, six months, good grief! (Kellie). But at the time . . . I don’t know, there was just so much laughter, that maybe we couldn’t even think straight.

But what a good decision it was. Wyatt is still so amazing to me. He honors and respects me, he values my imput and thought on everything. He never makes me feel second to anyone or anything. (Wyatt, don’t let your head get too big!) He’s just . . . my favorite.

Now, about marriage (since this week is Proc Week). Wyatt and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We believe that we will be a family just as we are here on earth, through out all eternity – no “Till Death Do You Part” stuff for us. We’re in this for the long haul. I can most honestly say that my marriage and my family are the greatest source of happiness I could ever have. No accolades or accomplishments or earthly good could ever give me the delirious joy that I have been given through my relationships with Wyatt and my babies.

This week is dedicated to the family,and I will be writing my thoughts on this fabulous subject, with the The Family: A Proclamation to the World as my outline. I will be quoting various parts through out the week, but I invite you to read this carefully written affirmation as you review your own beliefs about the role a family plays in politics, economies, societies, and most importantly, your own life.

Did you know I have a divine destiny? Seriously. I do.

I also have a divine nature. Yep. I’m pretty much a goddess.

At least . . . at some point on the time-space continuum I have hopes . . .

Right now I’m just a mamma living in typical suburbia. I have my days when I cuss a storm and stamp my foot – the brand new bottle of baby shampoo is poured all over the bathroom floor, or the garbage is spread all over my newly cleaned floors with compliments from a baby . . . one of the babies. It could have been both.

Then there are days when seriously, I am mo’ righteous. I do my scripture study. I help my widow neighbor. I write in my journal. I have dinner ready and the house clean and my husband is met with a kiss and my life is pretty much perfect.

My visiting teacher is the Young Women’s President in our ward (she is MO Righteous), and one day she was telling me all about Divine Nature (check July or August – maybe September RS message), and I thought: I wish I had time to work on my divine nature. In Young Women’s you not only have time, but you have half a dozen people on hand just wishing they could help you, on top of everything else they have in their lives, because you are so important to them. How would that be: 

YW President: Hi Andrea, can I come clean your house today so you can work on your divine nature?

ME: YES!

And then YW President comes over WITH a carton of Ben & Jerry’s.

But that time of my life has passed. If I’m honest in my reflections, I had a wonderful youth, filled with wonderful leaders and wholesome activities and good friends that all helped me take advantage of the time of life when life was about . . . well, me.

Now life is no longer about me. It’s about my family. My husband, and my little ones are the center of EVERYTHING I do. 

And yet the Lord has proclaimed: 

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. . . In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life.

Wow, there is so much doctrine in there. But I am going to focus on the central point: that we have a divine destiny to fulfill. We are able to realize that destiny through our personal progression. 

Life is no longer about me, and still look at all the progression I have made in the past seven years . . . I know how to plunge a toilet, I can fix the spark plugs in the Jeep, I can build a website for my husband’s growing company, I can understand Olivia more than anyone else. I can calm Calvin down when he’s crying. I am a great listener to Wyatt. I make amazing corn chowder.  

This is just the tip of the ice burg! 

Heavenly Father designed a plan for us to be happy. There are some very key elements to our perfect happiness, the beginning of which is happiness in our selves. If we are happy with who we are, and embrace the potential God has given us, then we are truly useful in giving happiness to others.