Happy Halloween!

I took Haydn Trick or treating with my parents this evening. We were in the car on our way into the nearest town so we could just walk from door to door and Haydn fell asleep. I took Haydn out of the car and a lady at the house we were parked in front of came running out so excited that her first Trick or Treater was there. Of course she was happy to see such a CUTE trick or treater too! Anyhow, she noticed that he was sleepy and wished him luck in waking up. My dad asked him if he wanted to go knock on some other doors and get some candy. At the mention of candy, Haydn was ready for this game! A couple houses later, Haydn knocked on the door and a man opened the door and Haydn ran on in. He didn't quite understand that you just stand outside and people will bring you candy! We went up and down the street and when we got back to the car to head onto another neighborhood, the first lady came out and wanted to know how Haydn was doing with trick or treating.

We decided to go down the street Adam lived on when we started dating. It was fun to see the changes there and see the people who live in his old house. One of the houses had two teenage girls handing out candy and Haydn was very bashful around them. But for all the other houses, he was very excited and energetic going up to the houses and knocking on the doors. We ended up being out longer that I had planned, but I know he enjoyed it and was so happy to share this Halloween with his Mema and Papa. I think Halloween is his new favorite holiday too!

Some of the funny things Haydn did while out: picking up acorns, picking up sticks, walking through the leaves, jumping in the runoff water and puddles, growling back to Papa, and staring a dog down at it's own home.

I'll post some pictures when I get back home, so be ready!

Latter Day Prophet

I have grown up in my church and have heard numerous 'myths' about it, while Adam has been a member for just over 18 months he is getting to hear some of the ridiculous stories. Hearing that "Mormons are weird" is nothing new to me, but Adam shares some of the stories he hears. Some of them are new to me, but the one that kills me the most is that there is no such thing as a "Latter Day Prophet."

I want to preface this with: I am not trying to convert you, just inform you of what I believe. I personally have prayed to God about doctrine and have received an answer that these things are true. So, if you question what I am about to share, feel free to do what I have done (and literally millions of people have done also) and pray for yourself.

St Matthew 7:7-8 states "7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

God has promised to answer these prayers.

I want to explain where these thoughts have come from (as I've been told that I can come from left field sometimes). Sunday in Sacrament Meeting the children ages 3 - 11 did a program and taught our congregation what they have been learning in Primary. They bore testimony and sang songs that Jesus is our Savior and that it is through him that we will return to our Father in Heaven. Not only will we return to Him, but we have the opportunity to go and be with our loved ones, family.

Something I have decided I'm going to do around my home is play music that teaches the stories from the scriptures. The song that started playing as I was folding laundry and Haydn started dancing to was "Follow the Prophet."

"Follow the Prophet" goes through 7 or 8 different prophets throughout history (as viewed by Christians) with the first being Adam (as in Adam and Eve). The song has a catchy tune and has a little information for each prophet mentioned in the song (these are not all the prophets). Anyhow, Noah is mentioned and it made me think about how wicked the world must have been. We think about how bad times are today, and in Noah's time the earth was flooded. EVERYONE drowned except those who believed what Noah told them (not many people I might add). I do believe in a Prophet, someone who communes with God. I want to be on that "ark" when what is going on in this world is so horrible that God has to take action again. It makes me wonder why people think it's weird that I believe in a Prophet. It makes me want to question them and ask them if they would have "Followed the Prophet" had they lived in the times of the prophets in the Bible. I also want to ask, if God is so loving and generous, why would he let us wander aimlessly without any direction? I then want to point out that everyone who belongs to any kind of religious establishment, believes in a 'prophet' of sorts. You may not have someone who communes with God, but you do have a pastor or preacher who went to a seminary or theology college to learn how to be a minister, pastor, preacher. So...what it comes down to...am I really all that weird for believing in a Latter Day Prophet? Well... you are still entitled to your opinion. =)

As always, just some food for thought. Sorry to those who are offended by theological statements.

Such a Gentleman

Last night we had our Home Teachers over. (Home Teachers are young men and older, who hold the priesthood, in our church who are assigned families to go and visit. They bring a spiritual thought to the family and offer assistance if any is required.) We LOVE our Home Teachers. It helps that one has been our friend since before we started going to this ward and the other is the Bishop's son. They're great! Anyhow, as they were leaving and shaking hands to go, Haydn stuck his hand out to shake our good friend Jesse's hand. He went around and shook everybody's hand. It was too cute and made my heart melt. Is this a hint of what he'll be like in about 17 years? =) I'm so thankful we have Home Teachers who set another good example for Haydn. Sure, Adam does his, but Haydn doesn't SEE Adam doing his Home Teaching.

Bye-Bye

Adam's best friend and his family were on their way through town and decided to stop by and stay the night on their trip. It was so wonderful to see these good friends again as we don't get to see them very often. They have two little boys just older and younger than Haydn. Haydn LOVED them. This morning when they left, Haydn cried "MINE!" He was so sad that our friends took their little boy with them because he is Haydn's friend and therefore is "his". Too cute!

Perfectly Miserable

It is a perfectly miserable day. Not so much as miserable as makes one in a poor mood, but miserable weather that makes for a perfect day to be indoors. Maybe I'd have a different opinion if I were out in the wet mess we can only call rain. Calling it rain is not accurate either. We have a number of ways to describe lighter rain: sprinkle, drizzle, shower, spray, etc. But think about what rain describes. I can say it's raining and every person who is not here, has a different idea of the volume of water coming from the sky. People who live in the Pacific Northwest might think that the rain is just a drizzle, something that won't stop a game from being played but can ruin a day. People in Florida might think that it is a torrential downpour that requires one to lock up the windows and prepare for the worst. I assure you it is neither. Raining could mean anything from a gentle, steady rain, a downpour or somewhere in between. The reader gets to decide what that is, unless I specify what it is. What makes today a perfectly miserable day is that it is a downpour. There is no doubt in my mind that it is going to rain the majority of the day. I have no plans of being able to enjoy the outdoors. I also enjoy these kinds of days because they allow me to ponder what is going on in my life and seek the solutions. I love these days because they can be so enchanting in so many ways. When we are all indoors we spend our time together and enjoy each others' company. There are no thoughts of mowing lawns, picking fruits or vegetables from the garden, or raking the fall leaves. Maybe the misery allows someone to become more philosophical.

Today I am thinking about the meaning of words. Obviously from using the word miserable to describe this day that I already enjoy. I've been reading more lately and have enjoyed seeing and reading words for how they were meant to be used instead of how vulgar we use them today. How you can say a word and it means two completely different things amazes me. I was just watching an older movie last night and one of the main characters mentioned that if you knew your language very well, it would open doors for you that are closed to others. That is so true. Not only knowing your language, but being able to pronounce the words properly helps as well.

Babysitting

Last week I had the opportunity to babysit a friend's children while she went out of state to help her sister with a baby. Her husband was still here, but since he was working I was able to do the afternoon motherly things. She has four children and also babysits a little girl who is in kindergarten. My days started off picking the youngest up from pre-school, picking the other girl up from kindergarten and then waiting for the other children to ride the bus home or ride their bikes home (depending on if they are still in elementary or middle school). The day was pleasantly broken up by children coming home from school. I'm not kidding, this was the best babysitting experience EVER. I loved watching these kids. The two younger girls played very well together and even invited Haydn to play with them. The oldest basically took care of herself and then the other two got home not long before the kindergartener was picked up. There was only one boy in the family and he would do whatever chore and homework immediately and then go off and play with his friends. The oldest would help the younger sister with any homework she had. If I can raise my kids to behave as well as those kids do, I will consider myself a very blessed mother. I look forward to having more children and getting to be a parent to older children. Don't get me wrong, I love having my little Haydn, but I do look forward to him having siblings and helping him (and other children) with homework. Aww...if only we can be blessed enough to have more children. If not, I will continue to cherish the one I have!

Roe Is Defeated

I don't believe any mother looks forward to her son (or daughter) being an MMA fighter in training. Haydn started off his MMA career with a defeat. His opponent was "The" Sofa Table. Table has been fighting for a little longer than Roe and his record shows it. He's been in one fight prior to the Table-Roe fight and won! Roe proved to be an amateur in this fight. The fight lasted approximately 20 seconds. Roe's fight was decided after 15 seconds when he tried to climb Table. Table literally fell on top of Roe and smashed his head into the ground. Thankfully for Roe, he will require no stitches and only has a goose egg - black eye to show for the injuries. Roe was down for the count after Table landed on him and the fight was immediately ended.

"The" Sofa Table

Roe after the fight.

Roe shows the face of a champ!