No Room in the Inn

We have all been taught that when Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem that there was not room in the Inn therefore the had to go to the stable.  The exact wording is "there was no room for them in the inn."  I have heard, but cannot find, one take on this that it meant there was no room in the in for "them" meaning Mary, Joseph and the unborn child meaning that there may have, however, been room for others.  Have any of you heard this before.
Dad

Merry Christmas Family

Another Song - Chillin' with Indian

I found another song I liked. It's only a tad different than the last one. Chill Indian music. Great for relaxing. Thoughts?

Walk the Moon... just in case you wondered.

A Song Everyone Can Enjoy

So it is rare that I hear a song that I think literally everyone can enjoy. Fun, clean, and makes you want to dance. I really think even mom and dad would like this! So everyone take a listen (kids included) and let me know what you think!

The Bible: How should we study it?

Query.  We believe the Bible is the word of God ... as far as it is translated correctly.  I enjoy reading the Bible very much and feel inspired when I read the stories.  Lately, I have been trying to study more deeply, picking apart sentences and phrases, looking up definitions, etc.  When I try to do that, however, I wonder, with possible mistranslations, how much can I focus on how a word fits into a phrase or what a word may have originally meant?  If that word is mistranslated, is it all for naught?

I would appreciate anyone's stories, tips, or testimonies on how I can deeply study the Bible without fear.  Thanks!

I am a fantastic blogger

I am a fantastic blogger.  I can get on, and post, and I am so tech savvy it's scary. Cockroaches.

Here's our new home!

The Olive Tree Allegory

Found this gem on lds.org.  Any thoughts on why this allegory made it into the Book of Mormon? Anyone have any insight as to why this is important for us to know? Thanks!

Just a Mathematician

Just a little formulating to do this morning to try and predict Sarah's BG levels.  

With a 1:12 Carb/Insulin Ratio 

50 (1 unit drops bg by 50mg)
divided by 12(ratio) = raise bg by 4 mg per carb 

so we conclude 1 carb raises bg by 4 mg or points 

With a 1:10 Carb/Insulin Ratio 

50 divided by 10= raise bg by 5 mg per carb

so we conclude 1 carb raises bg by 5 mg or points 

Today

Sarah had 14 carbs for breakfast  

She was on a 1:10 ratio 

50 divided by 10 = 5 mg per carb
14x5= raise blood by 70 mg 

Morning BS was 149
149+70=  raises her bg to 219 without any insulin 

She took 1.5 units of insulin which will drop her 75mg in four hours which should put her at 

219-75= 144. 

2.5 hours after her breakfast bg was
157. 

219-157=  bg dropped 62 mg in 2.5 hours. 

Still having (.5 of her insulin left) it will drop her another 25mg in the next two hours.  

157-25= 132  4 hours after breakfast 

She had 5 carb snack at 2 hour check. 

5x4= 20 uncovered carbs 

132+20 = 
Now bg will be 152 four hours after breakfast.  ****In theory

Do you think that the formula actually worked? No

Four hours after her morning insulin and breakfast, she was 105.  

No amount of formulating can predict what a person's bg will do.  

Thankful for my Family---- That's YOU

I just wanted to write a quick thank you to my brother's and sister's and parent's.  Moving has been fun, and interesting, and hard, and good.  But an emotional roller coaster, especially for my kids.  I want to send a big shout out to all of you for your words of support and kind actions of love, and christ like example.  Especially when dealing with my kids.  Brooke has commented that several of the aunts and uncles are following her on instagram, thanks for keeping her honest, and thanks for liking her pics.  Thanks to each of you for taking the time to call and check up on our family, and for smiling at things as we change the house around (thanks for not freaking out!).  Thanks for your donations of archers, your skyping, your texts, to mom and dad for running errands with me, and basically for just being you.  I love all of you, I MISS all of you.  But more then anything, I am so thankful that I am have the privilege of calling you my family.
((hugs))

The sunsets are beautiful here in Texas!!  You should come and see them for yourselves.  Really, you should.

Happy Birthday Mike

 To the brother who always makes us smile and loves us so much!!!

Happy Birthday!

We love you.

I find this completely awesome. Folk hymns are cool.
 

The Kingdom of God

Anyone else find it interesting that the term "The Kingdom of God" does not appear in the Old Testament at all?

Storm

Last weekend we had a storm to beat all storms.  This is hail, which came down so fast and so hard and so long that it plugged up my gutters.  It all flooded the streets and filled up the big sunken in drainage areas in the neighborhoods.  It looked like it had snowed. 

Welcome Back to School Mattson Girls

Family Reunion Video

Family Photos

Hi Bean family!  I can't believe two weeks have almost gone by since the family reunion.  We had so much fun, and we hope you did, too!  Here are the EDITED versions of the family pictures.  I tried my best to pick pictures that flattered everyone.  As for editing, if you don't like how your family's picture looks, let me know!  You won't offend me at all!  Everybody has different tastes, and I would love to edit your family to your liking.  We love you and miss you all! -Hayley

The biggest smile ever

Beause sometimes in life......things are just way too much fun!!!! 

 Seriously.......never seen her smile so big and laugh so hard!

Upload your photos!

Okay, I think this link will work and there should be plenty of space for everyone to upload!

Family Reunion 2014 Drive

Dropbox for Family Reunion Photos?

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm already missing everyone after the reunion! Mike and I got a few photos, and I know that a few other people were really good about taking pictures. I'd love to see what everyone got - would anyone else be interested in a dropbox folder so we can all share? (If you have a preference other than dropbox, that'll work too!)

Updated schedule Family Reunion

All right, so how about these apples?

Friday night: Fire, S'mores, deliciousness

Saturday

8:00-9:00 a.m. - Breakfast

9:00-10:00 a.m. - Post-breakfast chaos - Get ready and take photographs

10:00-11:30 a.m. - Grandpa's bingo

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Free time/guess amounts in candy jars

12:00-12:30 p.m. - Lunch

12:30-1:30 p.m. - Right after lunch - Candy/goodie jars

1:30-2:45 - Free time/scavenger hunt

2:45-3:30 p.m. - Grandma's tea party

3:30-5:00 p.m. - Free time/water fight

5:00-5:30 p.m. - Dinner

5:30-7:30 p.m. - Free time (some other structured activity with the kids?)

7:30-8:30 - Wind down, put kids in bed

8:30-whenever - Adult social hour (without adult beverages)

As far as the talent show goes, while we may have time for it after dinner, I see that the time may be better spent on interactive activities with the cousins.  I think Stephani makes a good point that this is literally the only time some cousins will see each other in the year, so it makes more sense for them to be playing and having fun together rather than sitting and watching (plus, I don't know about your kids, but my kids get bored really easily and trying to keep them sitting and watching for half-hour plus may be a monstrous task).  Michael, we still would love to see your woodwork, however (you know my kids would love it ....  SHAPES!!!!!).

So what about the above schedule?  Any ideas for an evening activity? Anyone have a movie projector that we could all watch an outdoor movie together and eat snacks?  If there are no ideas, I will come up with a fantastic idea (or at least one that I think is fantastic).  Thanks!!!!!!

Family Reunion Update

This post is long, so here are the highlights if you don't have time to read it all:

- I propose we forego the talent show due to a lack of time
- Below is the proposed schedule
- My idea of what the candy jar rules should be is below

Talent Show

So here's the rub: Logistically, I just don't see how we can do all of the things I listed in the previous post.  There just isn't time enough to pack it all in on Saturday, especially because I fell there should be plenty of free time for the cousins to play, talk, and interact without structured activity. So ... I am thinking we forego the talent show.  It sounds like Alisha was the only one that had some real concrete plans as to what her children were going to do, so maybe it won't be that big a deal?  Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Proposed schedule

So this is how I am thinking things will happen:

Friday:  Because people coming at all times, I don't there is any need to plan any activity for the night, as people will want to chat and hug and what not.  Those that are going to be there on Friday during the day can plan something together if they so please (or I can plan something, but I don't really know who all will be there so I am not sure if that will be effective).

Saturday:  I know that lighting for pictures is important, and from what Hayley told me, the best time for photographs is either just after dawn or just before dusk.  Neither of those times seems terribly practical, however, as it is either too early or too late.  So, I suggest the following schedule:

Wake up (whenever)

8:00-9:00 a.m. - Breakfast

9:00-10:00 a.m. - Post-breakfast chaos - Get ready and take photographs

10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. - Free time/guess amounts in candy jars/etc. etc.

12:00-12:30 p.m. - Lunch

12:30-1:30 p.m. - Right after lunch - Candy jars

1:30-2:30 - Free time

2:30-3:15 p.m. - Grandma's tea party

3:15-5:00 p.m. - Free time

5:00-6:00 p.m. - Dinner

6:00-7:30 p.m. - Grandpa's bingo

7:30-8:30 - Wind down, put kids in bed

8:30-whenever - Adult social hour (without adult beverages)

What do you all think?  Of course, times don't have to be rigid.

Candy jars

Additionally, from what I recall, candy jars can really take a significant chunk of time.  I propose that (if we haven't already done this in the past), we be prepared prior to starting with a list of each jar and who got the closest to that jar.  Also, I propose the following rules, if no simpler rules have been previously established:

1) If you have no jar and you guess the closest on the current jar up for bid, you get that jar
2) If you already have a jar and you guess the closest on the current jar up for bid, you can either keep your current jar or relinquish control of your previously won jar
3)  If you keep your current jar, the person who guessed the next-closest on the current jar up for bid wins; if that person already has a jar, he has the same two choices as the original winner
4) If the original winner chooses to relinquish control of the previously won jar and take the current jar up for bid, the relinquished jar goes to the next-closest on the current jar up for bid; if that person already has a jar, he has the same two choices as the original winner
5) So on until the current jar up for bid lands in the hands of someone who didn't previously have a jar

I haven't done this for a couple of years, so you will have to let me know if I am way off.  I would like to be prepared prior to the reunion so that everything can run smoothly and with minimal effort.  Thanks!!!!

Family Reunion Details

Only two weeks away! Time flies!

This is a long post, but please respond answering the following questions, as detailed below:

1)  Who in your family is going to present a live talent, and what will the talent be?
2)  Would any part of your family like to/be willing to camp in the yard for Friday and Saturday night?
3)  What questions does anyone have about logistics?  Any pitfalls we are overlooking?

We wanted to make sure we answered everyone's questions and gave everyone an idea of the planned schedule, sleeping arrangements, etc.  So, as far as the schedule goes, these are the activities we are definitely planning on:

1) Candy jars
2) Grandpa's Bingo
3) Grandma's tea party
4) Family talent show
5) Family pictures

Unfortunately, I was not there last year, so I don't have a great idea of how long each of these things will take.  Additionally, I am not sure who is going to present what at the talent show, so I don't know how long to plan for that.  Could each of you give me some idea of who in your family is going to present a live talent as opposed to a stationary talent so I can kind of guestimate how long the talent show will take?

I hope that doing all of the above activities won't pack the day so much that we don't have free time to just chat, let the kids play, etc.  Any input would be appreciated.

As far as sleeping arrangements, we have six bedrooms and five families that need sleeping places (Jenny, Stephani, Jeff, Greg, and Mike, right? I am of course assuming that Brian is not planning on staying over night, but please chime in, Brian if I am wrong).  That would leave one family with two rooms.  Naturally, Jenny, she being the eldest and having the most children, would get first dibs.  However, I have no preference as to who occupies the "extra" bedroom.

Alternatively, I thought it would be fun for whoever wanted to camp outside.  We could have a fire and tents out in the circle and have a pseudo campout.  This would free up some space inside the house and let everyone spread out a little bit.  If you would like to camp out please let me know.



Thanks! Can't wait to see everyone!

Service Dog

Neat article on Service Dogs that can smell diabetic changes!  Who knew!

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/feature/smb-heroes/2014/07/training-dogs-to-save-lives-by-sniffing-out.html?page=all

Baby

Something so wrong with these pictures.....

 Seriously, you would thing his parents would feed him or something.  Lease he could do is take a few pound of his mama's! 

Book Ratings

I love Kids In Mind for movie ratings.

Here's one for books that so far seems pretty decent: Rated Reads

So Sweet It Hurts......A Blog

For any that are interested, I have started a new blog that is all about our journey through diabetes.  It can be very insightful to what is going on in our lives.  It would be very helpful and supportive if my family knew exactly what we are going through.  Diabetes is a very complex disease and there is a lot more to it than anyone could ever imagine.  I find myself having a hard time talking to others about it because no one knows what it's like.  I am very lonely.  I know there are support groups, but my family is my best support.  So please, read.  There's a link on the sidebar.....Love you all.  -Steph-

Happy Father's Day!!!

We love you so much Dad! Have a wonderful day!!!!

Corn on the Cob Survey

How do you eat your corn on the cob? In rows across, or in circles around?

Taking up a New Sport

Looks like we're going to have a ton of fun with this this summer!

What is everyone doing for memorial day?

Family Reunion Food Assignments

Hello All!

Here are the assignments for the meals/snacks/desserts for the family reunion.  If the meal/other you were assigned to doesn't work, just leave a comment.  We will try to make everyone happy.  Thanks!!!!

Friday Dinner: Greg and Hayley
Saturday Breakfast: Mike and Liz
Saturday Lunch: Adam and Stephani
Saturday Dinner: Blair and Jenny
Sunday Breakfast: Josh and Alisha
Snacks: Jeff and Cailey
Dessert: Lee and Julie

Hope this works for everybody!!

-Hayley

Family Pics

I admit, I have a problem with pictures.  But it's a good problem to have.  This week we hired someone to come our family pictures, which hasn't happened in the last 9 years.  Leaving Missoula though, we wanted a set of fun pictures that didn't require Blair running back and forth from the camera.  It was SO NICE- and she did a great job.  Lucky for us, she comes through Idaho Falls a couple times a year, so we'll just have her continue taking our pictures.

 

Just life...

I admit that I am bad at keeping family updated on life events.  But I am trying to do better, so here is what is going on in a nut shell.

Jen- lucky me and my super over the.top dentist anxiety.  I got to have a tooth pulled and a bone graft today.  It went well, drugs are great and I am just thankful it is over!

Blair- loading a uhaul truck tomorrow to take stuff to IF and put into storage.  He does a week of training in Provo next week.  He is excited, and nervous.  We are super thankful mom and dad for letting him crash at their house.  No real lookers at the house yet, but its only been a week

Brooke- has a solo next week in her choir comcert and 8th graduation is Jume 5th.  Feels weird to have a freshman.  I feel like my brothers should all still be in HS

Brant- stayimg busy with baseball and scouts

Alex-  so excited to move.  When we go to IF she would like to try out a new name.  She is going to be Lexi, so get used to rolling that one off. ;)

Dane-  last week of preschool.  He can npt waot for kindergarten and living by Jaxon and Issac...  cousins is all he keeps asking for (and Bailey)

A bit more on Stress and anxiety

I really wanted to share these links with Greg or anyone else who can use it. I found them while trying to help Sarah along with life.  I like them because they are exactly what I learned in my college courses.
Link to relaxation scripts for children. I use the first two bullets: Relaxation for children and
Breathing relaxation for children.
Also teaching kids how to problem solve empowers them and gives them the ability to help themselves in situations when you aren't there.  This power greatly reduces stress and anxiety.
Link to teaching children to problem solve. Again in complete alignment with what I've learned in my courses.

Seeking Advice

Yesterday, Emiline's class went to a biosphere in their school to look at the animals they had there.  They have a parrot, turtles etc.  However, Emiline was the only kid that was too scared to go: Because there is a dead tarantula framed on one of the walls.  This isn't atypical either: She is afraid of a ton of stuff and often cries uncontrollably at things that we don't feel like are a big deal (like having to try something new to eat). Has anyone had a super sensitive child? Any advice on how to handle it? Thanks.

YESTERDAYS HIGHLIGHT

Nothing better than watching the second episode of the new series "24".  Love that show. 

dad

NAME THAT BABY

Since Brian and Juliana have not yet selected a name for their baby, I thought we might give them some help.  Please tell Brian and Juliana what they should name their baby.  I thought Ima Lima would be a good name, but mom nixed that one.  So Charles Xavior Bean sounded good to me.  What do you think?

Dad

Family Reunion Colors

Hello Bean Family!

Greg has informed me that he had a conversation with a few of you about the colors for the family pictures and that I should probably elaborate.  I found this random family on Pinterest, and I loved how all the colors popped:

You'll notice that most of the colors are generic colors, with the exception of the mustard yellow and eggplant purple.  I was hoping with the colors being: white, navy blue, and jean we could add a splash of pop with the mustard yellow and eggplant.  Obviously, I understand that many of you do not own eggplant or mustard, but I am hoping that is where the navy, white, and jean come in.  There will be enough of us in the yellow and purple that it should all blend nicely.  Please don't feel like you have to buy the mustard and eggplant colors.  Between all the colors, I hope we can have a fun picture!  Thanks!!!!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to the most wonderful mother! You are beautiful and funny and happy and kind and just the best! Hope your day is tremendous!

In response to the previous post on close families

I have done a lot of thinking and studying about this over the past 6 months (It's the social worker in me).  Funny the question should be brought up.  Here's my answer:

A family's group relationship and the intrapersonal relationships that occur within that group are two different things, although they do effect each other, they are not mutually exclusive.   Also the definition of "close" is very subjective.  How I view close may be completely different than what someone else feels is close based on personality, personal experiences, and our opinions created from the comparison of other family units we see.
A family group relationship is one viewed as a whole.  Do we hold regular family reunions?   Do we try to establish communications as a whole?   Do we celebrate and understand our heritage? Does everyone  in the family participate in such said activities?  The type of strength our family group has depends on the willingness of family members to participate or not participate in these areas.
Intrapersonal relationships between adult siblings can fit into several categories which can span from intimate, to loyal, to congenial, to apathetic, to hostile.
A relationship is based on the fact that both parties are receiving something from it and giving something to it.  For example, one would not have a friendship if that relationship was not helpful to them. We all glean something from our relationships from others whether it be self- validation, companionship, physical help, emotional support, etc.  If you are not receiving anything from a relationship, it will not arise or even survive.  A sibling relationship cannot grow if neither person is getting anything from it.
One might ask, what would be the point of trying to have a relationship with a sibling if we have nothing to offer each other?  How can we offer anything to each other if we are hundreds of miles away?  How can a brother and sister have a relationship when there is nothing in common to hold onto?  What would be the point?  These are all questions we need to ponder.
My observation is, that those intrapersonal relationships within our family have developed between certain siblings because they have found something to offer each other.  Found is the key word.  First, communication had to happen in order for the finding to begin.
All of this said, now to my opinion:
I think we have a strong family group relationship.  It could be stronger, however, if all parties had a desire for it to be so and made it a priority to participate in the family blog, group texts, and family reunions.  You will find that actively participating in and being a part of any type of group is very satisfying.
I cannot speak for any other intrapersonal relationships in our family except for my own, although I know they exist.
The intrapersonal relationships I have with most of my siblings would be categorized somewhere in between loyal and congenial.  Some siblings are easier for me to talk to than others because of their personalities and the things we have in common.  I do desire a deeper relationship with all my brothers and sisters and get frustrated that it's not that way.
In conclusion, I feel that a family's ultimate closeness may rely on the head of household's desire to foster it. Each adult child needs to have their parents reaching out to them on a regular basis (even though a child might not convey that desire).  I also feel that each member of the family has a responsibility to foster their intrapersonal relationships with each other if a closer family is the goal we are reaching for.
I love you all collectively and individually.
-Steph-

  Okay so I was talking to one of you and was asked if I thought that our family was close.  I thought that was in interesting question and since I grew up NOT close to my brothers, I could honestly say that we are close as a family.
  Since then, I have thought a lot about being close and what close means.  I know that each of you grew up not knowing your cousins that is not close.  I could probably count on one hand the number of times that I visited Larry or Bill as you were growing up.  Bill maybe never.  That is not close.  Before Larry moved back to SLC I had virtually no contact with him and Bill and I exchanged calls on birthdays and Christmas. That is not close. 
  Now that I have told you what I think close is NOT, what is close?  I have to admit I do not have an answer for what is close.  I do believe that what is close to one may not be close to another.  I would be interested to know how you would define a family being close.

Dad

Mom and Dad

Ran across this gem this morning ...

Bean Family Talent Show

You are all invited to participate in the first ever BEAN FAMILY TALENT SHOW!!!  We were reading blogs and looking at pictures and realized what an amazing amount of talent our family has.  From singing and instrument playing to culinary skills and acting, there is so much our family has to offer.  We thought, why not display all of that raw talent at the family reunion!

The plan is to procure a sound system and a couple of microphones and hold a literal talent show where anyone can sing, play, dance, act, whatever for the rest of the family.  Additionally, we want to have a table or two out where people can display artwork, pictures of sporting events, decorated cakes (ahem Alisha), or really anything! We want everyone (especially the grandkids) to have an opportunity to display their talent! If you have ideas or suggestions to make this better, please let me know.  A collaborative effort would be appreciated to make sure we work out all of the details before.

Thanks so much and we are so excited! We will provide logistics (sleeping arrangements, color scheme for pictures, etc.) in a different post. Loves!

NCAA Tournament Winners

Congratulations to the top three of our online NCAA challenge! You guys deserve a fantastic prize! (Not that you will get one, but you definitely deserve it):

1. Blair
2. Hayley
3. Brian

Proud of my Dad

On this, Dad's last work day, I wanted to write a small blog to let him know how proud of him we are.

I can still remember, as a little kid, running to the front window to wave goodbye to dad as he drove off to work. He would always wave back with a smile. Ever since I can remember dad has had a great attitude about work. Even through stressful job changes, dad always had a good attitude. Dad is also a hard worker. He'd always stay until he got the job done, completing his work with pride and dedication. Dad built a great career through integrity, and I'm sure has helped many many people through his work.  Last, but not least, he provided an amazing life for seven crazy kids and a wife.

Now while this may seem like a recommendation letter for dad, in reality I just want him to know that we appreciate him supporting us and setting such a great example of hard work and that we are proud of all he has accomplished.

While retirement may be an intimidating venture, you deserve it, dad. You deserve to enjoy it. You deserve to travel and see your grand-kids and get some time to yourself. You deserve to relax a little. So enjoy it, and know that all your kids love you and are proud of you!

NCAA Challenge

http://games.espn.go.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/2014/en/group?groupID=226290

No idea if this will work, but here is a link to our NCAA Bracket Challenge! We would love you to join!

We have nine people so far:

Greg
Hayley
Mike
Jen
Blair
Brant
Alex
Brooke
Brian

Compete for fun but fictitious prizes!

"There will be no more doctrine."

2 Nephi 32:5 states:

"... if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do."

Following is verse 6 -

"... this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh."

Footnotes show that Nephi is here talking about the first coming of Christ to the earth.  So the question is, if there is to be no more doctrine until Christ comes, what additional doctrine relating to 32:5 will come?  I understand that when Christ came he did away with the Mosaic law, but this seems to be talking about something different, that somehow when he comes something in relation to the Holy Ghost will change.

I didn't even know where to start with this question.  Any ideas?  Am I reading too much into it? Thanks.

Amicus brief in same-sex marriage case

Amicus brief in same-sex marriage cases in Oklahoma and Utah. Provides a foundation for the support of traditional family marriage, not as an opposition or animus to homosexuals, but as a vital institution that maintains the importance of child rearing and having both a mother and a father to raise children.  This topic inflames passions on both sides, as each hold very strong opinions on what should happen.  So often I have grappled with this myself, trying to formulate the reasoning behind our opposition to altering the definition of traditional marriage.  I like this brief because it is focused on just that: Maintaining the definition of traditional marriage.  It doesn't say at all that homosexuals would be bad parents or that children of homosexuals would turn out to be bad eggs.  Instead, it focuses on how important the different roles of fathers and mothers are to children. Its argument is that changing the definition of marriage will fundamentally change how society views marriages and discourage traditional marriage between men and women, thus effecting children in that there will be less and less households with both a father and a mother.

Family Reunion Date

Okay, here's the ziti.  I am setting the family reunion for the 25th and 26th of July.  HOWEVER ... there are other options, so if you know you can't come on that date, PLEASE LET ME KNOW immediately.  People are taking work off for this, and they might not be able to change it once it is set. Thanks!

Just a bit of Violin and Guitar

It's the girl's one year music anniversary!!  They have progressed so much in just 12 months.  We are so proud of thier musical abilities.  

A Difficult Topic

I wanted to post a quick note about something that I've been thinking a lot about lately and that I've come to feel very strongly about. I've only worked at my current job for a little over two months, and I've already seen, in my school and others, what kind of unthinkable situations can arise in a school environment.

Yesterday at my high school we had a lockdown drill. Even though I knew the drill was coming, it was a little scary to think about and carry out, but I'm SO GLAD we did it. Throughout the rest of the day, teachers, staff, and students all had important, meaningful, mature conversations about the topic of safety at school, and we learned a lot about how to improve.

I was saddened, however, by a mother who was at my desk just before we started the drill. She found out we were about to go on lockdown (which would have necessitated her staying in the school until the drill was over), and acted as if it were a huge inconvenience. I understood that something like this could throw off her plans for the day, but I wished that she (and some others I have talked to) could understand the importance of preparing and empowering the school's staff and students in case of a tragedy.

I bring this up because during the lockdown, the discussions we had throughout the day, and our staff debriefing, I was struck with the thought that I hope everyone I know who is involved with a school (teachers, parents, students, etc.) was getting as much preparation as I was.

So this post is to encourage you to please be involved with this issue. Find out what your children's districts are doing to prepare for violent situations that, unfortunately, are more and more common in public places. It's easy to say that these things have never happened in our area, in our district, in our school; they're just things that happen in other places. Unfortunately, living in America these days means living with the possibility of violence, no matter where we are. School districts that have never had a fire still require schools to do fire drills. We should be preparing teachers, staff, and kids for other potential emergencies as well. No one ever expects anything like so many of the recent tragedies to happen to them. But the reality is that they do happen, and it's better to prepare for them, rather than wait for them to compel you to be prepared. The main reason that there weren't more victims of the recent Arapahoe shooting is that the kids at that school had been doing lockdown drills from the time they were in elementary or middle school. They, and the teachers and staff, knew how to react to keep themselves and each other safe.

This is a difficult issue. No one likes to think about extreme violence happening in a school. But again, I encourage you to find out what your kids' schools are doing to prepare them and ask how you can help prepare your kids as well. Or advocate for improvement if necessary.

I apologize if this post sounds preachy or paranoid. In today's world, I feel so burdened by so many of the goings-on, and I generally try to maintain a positive, hopeful attitude. But I believe that the society we live in is only going to get scarier and more dangerous, and I want the people I care about to be safe.

What am I to understand about God's role in the scriptures?

I was reading in 2 Nephi 31 and Nephi talks about how Christ speaks to him and expounds the doctrine of baptism.  Then, in verse 15, he says that he hears the voice of the Father, testifying that what Christ says is true.

So it got me thinking about God the Father and his appearances in scripture.  From what I could find, he mostly appears to testify of Christ and the truthfulness of Christ's teaching (Matt 17:15; John 1:29-34; JSH 1; 3 Ne. 11:7).  The only real time that I could find when the Father is said to expound doctrine is when Christ speaks of the Father's teachings (of course Genesis/Moses are filled with God the Father doing things and teaching and whatnot).

I understand that Christ and God the Father are so inextricably linked that to worship one is to worship the other and to know one is to know the other, but why is it that God doesn't speak more about his doctrines in the scriptures, instead deferring to Christ?  If God is to be that one Eternal Being that we ultimately worship, why did he set up a plan where we worship him through another person? (Is it like the Aaron-Moses spokesperson deal? Maybe because of the Fall God works more through Christ?) I have always found this interesting and would love to hear any thoughts/scriptures/teachings you have developed or found on the subject.

Brant turns 12

 I try not to do posts that just brag up my kids- because that's what we have our family blogs for, but this is going to be a little bit of that.  But even more so- it's going to be a warning to all you mom's out there.  When your boys get close to turning 12 you realize that your time with them is all of a sudden very limited.  Last week I subbed in primary, and Brant asked if I could come in again this week.  WHAT?  Well, he explained, I think I am probably more reverent if you're in there.. and today is my last day in primary and I would just like you to be there.  Of course I came.  What neither of us knew, the YM were coming in during sharing time to get him.  As these much older boys (the next youngest to Brant is 18 months) came in and sat on the itty bitty chairs I realized that he was no longer a boy, but truly a Young Man.  They invited him to the front, he ceremonial broke is primary name stick, and then was asked to choose his favorite primary song to sing as a farewell.  His choice was "I hope they call me on a Mission".  As he stood up and sang with all of his heart, I realized that in a few short years he would be leaving on a mission.  I can't hardly stand to have my kids gone to sleep overs with out missing them so much, so the thought of 2 years will reduce me to tears in an instant. 
Moral of the story- hold on to your little ones.  It's crazy and hard and you're running non stop from sun up to sundown (and all through the night if you're at my house) but I am telling you, it doesn't feel like that long ago that he was my cute little toddler.