I propose a Dad day

To the man who is always cheery: We love you dearly and wish you a happy birthday! 61 years of pure delight!

I propose a Dane Day

I don't have a picture, but it would probably be too big for this post anyway.

Happy 1st Birthday to Dane! It was so fun to see you for the first time and I can't wait to see much much more of you. Have a great day!

Pacifism . . . or something similar

"Renounce war and proclaim peace." Doctrine and Covenants 98:16

I read this the other day and it peaked my interest. Continuing my reading, I read how the Lord instructs that, if our families are "smitten" and "ye bear it patiently and revile not, . . . neither seek revenge, ye shall be rewarded" (v. 23). God says to do this three times. On the fourth time, God has "delivered thine enemy into thine hands" (v. 29). BUT, "if thou wilt spare him, thou shalt be rewarded for thy righteousness" (v. 30). God continues by applying this to Governments: "If any nation . . proclaim war against [you], . . . first lift a standard of peace unto that people" (v. 34). God says to do this until the third time, then you are justified in going out to war.

So, what do you all think of this? I have been developing a theory of pacifism (Dad doesn't think it should be called that but I can't think of a better word) where we never attack other countries under any circumstance, but instead pour our resources into developing ways to better protect our homeland and prevent attacks. In other words, wars like Afghanistan and Iraq would be unjustified. Protecting innocent peoples from being invaded by others is okay (we defend those countries and drive the invaders out). So, wars like Kosovo would be justified.

What do you think?

The Wedding

These pictures are unedited, I am just throwing them on right now so Greg and Haylee can see them. I will add better ones soon! LOVE YOU GUYS! Jeff was amazing- Cailey looked beautiful, and the whole evening was great. They had a nummy dinner afterwards (complete w/ funeral pototoes- go Mormon's!) and the kids had a ton of fun visiting with each other. Larry and his two girls came up. The only one we missed was Steph, but it was important she and the kids were at Adam's family reunion. We're all planning ahead now for when they have their open house, and for when they go through the temple. HOORAY- more family occasions to look forward to. As for me, I am just glad that she's Bean now!

Joseph- Father of Jesus

I know that as parents, it's the time of year when we are always wondering how to answer our kids interesting holiday questions- why are there two Santa's, which one is the real Santa, how can he visit all of the houses, we don't have a chimney- how does he get in, how do reindeer fly. I have to say, I have some pretty good answers to all of these questions, but Brooke came up with a Christmas question that stopped me in my tracks last week. Thought I would share.

"Mom, When did Joseph become a God?"
"Hmm, Brooke. He isn't a God, he's a man just like your dad. What makes you think that?"
"Well, in the scriptures it says that Jesus was the son of God. So instead he is the son of Joseph?"
"OH- I see what you are saying. Joseph was Jesus' adopted father (Brooke has a pretty good grasp of this) and Heavenly Father is Jesus real father."

Here is where you can see Brooke's little wheels turning-she really thinks and analyzes everything. She's also old enough that she has a small understanding of how babies come to be- ya know- a mom and a dad- etc.

"Mom, are you telling me that Mary is Jesus mom and Heavenly Father is his dad?" You can hear the implied question in her voice.
"Yes, that's what I am saying, but it's not like that." (Sigh)
"SO- then how is it?"
"Ya, Brooke- I don't know the answer to that... I just know that it's not like we're thinking. Hey Brooke, look, there's a Santa, How do you think he gets those reindeer to fly?"

I know that I didn't handle it exactly right, but there are some questions that I just don't know the answer to and that are bigger then my brain.

Raindrop size

Because you asked . . .

http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/raindropsizes.html

HELP!

Okay, Siblings- I don't know what to do. My Blog is messed up! The top bar when I go to post doesn't show the Font choices (color, size, type, etc) it only allows upload of pictures of video. BUT when I go to upload pictures, it only shows gobbly gook letters- no pictures. Can you make it better?? THANKS!