Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Eden's blessing
Eden was blessed November 3, 2012. She wore the same blessing dress that I wore when I was blessed. 
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| Drowning in her mom's baby blessing dress |
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| The priesthood circle |
We had plenty of pool time with the Christensen side before the blessing.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Lost wallet, answered prayer, & WinCo
Lost wallet & answered prayer
A couple of days ago we walked to the library with a friend. On our way there, apparently Benson didn't think he had enough room for his feet, because he was throwing my things out of the stroller. I am almost certain that that was how my wallet turned up missing. I didn't realize the wallet was even gone until we were leaving the library. We double and triple checked the place for my it, but had no luck. I tried to convince myself that I just hadn't taken it with me. Once we got home though, I couldn't find it either. There were no wallets turned in at the library's circulation desks or at San Lagos's front office. I started to get nervous...I had cash, my license, credit and debit cards, and a ton of random gift cards from returns I'd made. Luckily, earlier in the morning, I had deposited the 4 checks that were in it. Still though, to say it was be a huge pain to lose it would be an understatement. I decided to officially kneel down for a prayer, (I'd been praying that I'd find it the whole time in my head, but decided this situation called for something more formal). Following the prayer, I remembered that the Lord helps us most when we are willing to help ourselves. I quickly called my bank and credit card company to put a freeze on my credit card, and closed my debit card. After that I re-traced my walk, and also called the security office at Midwestern to check if someone had turned it in there. No luck. I didn't know what else to do but wait...
An hour or two later a random guy (named John) knocks on our door- holding my blessed wallet! I couldn't believe it! He had found it in front of Zendehas Grill (a restaurant behind our apartment), and happened to be a student at Midwestern, as well as live in San Lagos. More importantly though, he happened to be honest. Thank heaven's the Lord let my wallet fall into the hands of an honest person.
WinCo
This leads my next story. Today, I did what was suppose to be a 'quick' shopping trip to WinCo. By the time we were finally done, the kids were starting to get restless. Benson had finished his dumdum (thank you Ali, for teaching me genius that trick) and Eden was getting hungry. After the cashier was almost done checking the groceries through, I remembered that I'd closed my debit card. So I told the cashier that it may not work, and if so, I'd need her to take a few things off of the tab in order to pay cash (WinCo doesn't accept credit cards). I don't think I explained the situation clearly enough though, because she kept put everything through anyway. Well, I tried to run my debit card, and, not surprisingly, it didn't work. And unfortunately, I didn't have enough cash. I was relieved to find that I was only $2 short! I asked her to take off one of the spaghetti sauces and it turned into a big hassle. She had to get her manager to come over and void the transaction. All of the sudden it seemed like everyone around me was in a hurry. I swear the lady behind me in line gave me a dirty look, just as Eden started to cry more loudly, and Benson started to climb out of the cart onto the moving ramp to grab a banana. Once the manager came and asked what the cashier needed, she points at me and announces to him (and the whole store-) that 'this girls doesn't have enough money to pay'. I was horrified. It was so humiliating! And, because it is WinCo, I couldn't leave right away after paying. I had to spend 2 or 3 minutes next to the cashier while we bagged our own groceries. Once we were finally done, we jetted out of there. Here is a picture to capture the moment.
A couple of days ago we walked to the library with a friend. On our way there, apparently Benson didn't think he had enough room for his feet, because he was throwing my things out of the stroller. I am almost certain that that was how my wallet turned up missing. I didn't realize the wallet was even gone until we were leaving the library. We double and triple checked the place for my it, but had no luck. I tried to convince myself that I just hadn't taken it with me. Once we got home though, I couldn't find it either. There were no wallets turned in at the library's circulation desks or at San Lagos's front office. I started to get nervous...I had cash, my license, credit and debit cards, and a ton of random gift cards from returns I'd made. Luckily, earlier in the morning, I had deposited the 4 checks that were in it. Still though, to say it was be a huge pain to lose it would be an understatement. I decided to officially kneel down for a prayer, (I'd been praying that I'd find it the whole time in my head, but decided this situation called for something more formal). Following the prayer, I remembered that the Lord helps us most when we are willing to help ourselves. I quickly called my bank and credit card company to put a freeze on my credit card, and closed my debit card. After that I re-traced my walk, and also called the security office at Midwestern to check if someone had turned it in there. No luck. I didn't know what else to do but wait...
An hour or two later a random guy (named John) knocks on our door- holding my blessed wallet! I couldn't believe it! He had found it in front of Zendehas Grill (a restaurant behind our apartment), and happened to be a student at Midwestern, as well as live in San Lagos. More importantly though, he happened to be honest. Thank heaven's the Lord let my wallet fall into the hands of an honest person.
WinCo
This leads my next story. Today, I did what was suppose to be a 'quick' shopping trip to WinCo. By the time we were finally done, the kids were starting to get restless. Benson had finished his dumdum (thank you Ali, for teaching me genius that trick) and Eden was getting hungry. After the cashier was almost done checking the groceries through, I remembered that I'd closed my debit card. So I told the cashier that it may not work, and if so, I'd need her to take a few things off of the tab in order to pay cash (WinCo doesn't accept credit cards). I don't think I explained the situation clearly enough though, because she kept put everything through anyway. Well, I tried to run my debit card, and, not surprisingly, it didn't work. And unfortunately, I didn't have enough cash. I was relieved to find that I was only $2 short! I asked her to take off one of the spaghetti sauces and it turned into a big hassle. She had to get her manager to come over and void the transaction. All of the sudden it seemed like everyone around me was in a hurry. I swear the lady behind me in line gave me a dirty look, just as Eden started to cry more loudly, and Benson started to climb out of the cart onto the moving ramp to grab a banana. Once the manager came and asked what the cashier needed, she points at me and announces to him (and the whole store-) that 'this girls doesn't have enough money to pay'. I was horrified. It was so humiliating! And, because it is WinCo, I couldn't leave right away after paying. I had to spend 2 or 3 minutes next to the cashier while we bagged our own groceries. Once we were finally done, we jetted out of there. Here is a picture to capture the moment.
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| Benson finally got his banana (and stuffed it all in his mouth) |
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thanksgiving
Two years ago today Benson was released from the hospital and was able to come home! He was born 7 1/2 weeks premature, and also got an infection while in the NICU, which extended his hospital stay. It was so perfect that he was able to come home on Thanksgiving. I love the fact that every year on this holiday, I am reminded how lucky we are to have him. This experience (his 5 wk hospital stay) has helped me to complain a little bit less when he throws a tantrums, or when Eden wants to be held all day. I wouldn't have it any other way!
Now he is doing great and in perfect health. It is amazing what time can do to heal our painful and difficult experiences. We have so much to be grateful for!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods
The Crisis
THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.
~Thomas Paine
THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.
~Thomas Paine
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Thoughts on 2012 Election Night
"Oh ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! Oh ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you!"
(Mormon 6:17)
I can sympathize with these feelings in light of the tonight's turnout. Our choice was clear; and we chose wrongly. How could we have re-elected a man who has trampled the very constitution that he promised to defend?!
I'm experiencing the 5 stages of grief and loss that Elizabeth Kubler-Ross discussed. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. And actually, this is appropriate, when I consider what is at stake under the leadership of Obama. The loss of the following-
Religious liberty
Limits to government
Free markets
The sanctity of marriage
Potential for Energy Independence
Allied-Israel
America's place as the "leader of the free world"
I am trying (in disbelief) to consider what is coming -
Obama Care
$20,000,000,000,000+ debt *(Debt as a weapon of mass destruction as discussed in the movie 2016)
Redistribution of wealth
Nuclear Iran & North Korea
Same-sex marriage
Ample increases/opportunity for abortion
Am I being overly dramatic? What are your projections? I just finished reading Alma 46 (the Title of Lib chapter), which took on a lot of meaning tonight.
Thoughts?
Also, what did you think of the movie 2016...particularly 'debt' being used as a weapon of mass destruction.
(Mormon 6:17)
I can sympathize with these feelings in light of the tonight's turnout. Our choice was clear; and we chose wrongly. How could we have re-elected a man who has trampled the very constitution that he promised to defend?!
I'm experiencing the 5 stages of grief and loss that Elizabeth Kubler-Ross discussed. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. And actually, this is appropriate, when I consider what is at stake under the leadership of Obama. The loss of the following-
Religious liberty
Limits to government
Free markets
The sanctity of marriage
Potential for Energy Independence
Allied-Israel
America's place as the "leader of the free world"
I am trying (in disbelief) to consider what is coming -
Obama Care
$20,000,000,000,000+ debt *(Debt as a weapon of mass destruction as discussed in the movie 2016)
Redistribution of wealth
Nuclear Iran & North Korea
Same-sex marriage
Ample increases/opportunity for abortion
Am I being overly dramatic? What are your projections? I just finished reading Alma 46 (the Title of Lib chapter), which took on a lot of meaning tonight.
Thoughts?
Also, what did you think of the movie 2016...particularly 'debt' being used as a weapon of mass destruction.
Monday, October 29, 2012
As of late (Halloween, Benson's 2nd birthday, etc)
Fire Station Play Group...notice Benson was the only one crying
State Fair
Ali, Meredith and I and 6 kids. We all had two kids to worry about, in a not so kid friendly place. We had a great time but agreed that it would have been much easier with our husbands!
Benson's 2nd birthday
Halloween celebrations
Zoo keepers with our animals- dog (Benson) & ladybug (Eden). Thank you Vicki for the zoo keeper hats and Ali & Mike for the kids' costumes.
Date Night
What Benson does during his nap time...
My neighbor Annie texted me this while Benson was supposedly sleeping. This cracks me up. He hates going to bed; he fights it (literally) like crazy. I was just happy that he wasn't screaming this time!
Carmel apple night
We were having so much fun talking that James finally kicked everyone out after midnight. Haven't had that experience in a while. :)
State Fair
Ali, Meredith and I and 6 kids. We all had two kids to worry about, in a not so kid friendly place. We had a great time but agreed that it would have been much easier with our husbands!
Benson's 2nd birthday
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| Cutest 2 year old ever |
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| Trying to smile for the pic in spite of his grief |
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| LOVES his daddy! |
Halloween celebrations
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| Eden's mermaid costume-compliments of Aunt Jessica |
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| Cousin time |
Date Night
What Benson does during his nap time...
My neighbor Annie texted me this while Benson was supposedly sleeping. This cracks me up. He hates going to bed; he fights it (literally) like crazy. I was just happy that he wasn't screaming this time!
Carmel apple night
We were having so much fun talking that James finally kicked everyone out after midnight. Haven't had that experience in a while. :)
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| one of many hot tub nights |
Pre Thanksgiving Dinner
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