The Thick of Thin Things

We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes. --President Thomas S. Monson, October 2009 General Conference

When life gets hectic, I often wonder if I am immersing myself in the "thick of thin things", as President Monson put it.

Here's some of the thick and thin things our family has been doing over the past six months:

May through July, Kendall, Sam and Sara participated in Folsom's Recreational Swim Team. The kids worked hard and improved their times at every single meet. I volunteer on the board for the swim team as the Treasurer, which keeps me busy yearround, but especially during the swim season.
Over the 4th of July, we traveled to Colorado for a family reunion with Cory's side of the family. On the way (kind of), we spent a day checking out Yellowstone National Park.

Gabby turned six in July. She did a great job performing in her dance recital. Since then, she has lost 4 teeth. We were calling her shark tooth for a while because her permanant teeth were already coming in on the bottom before her baby teeth had fallen out, so she had two rows of teeth. We ended the summer camping in Fort Bragg with Grandma and Grandpa Stubz and with a couple families from our ward. Kendall is currently spending a lot of her time in Marching Band. Holy Cow!!! I didn't spend anywhere near as much time in marching band when I was a freshman in High School. I can't wait to see the band perform this weekend in the first competition of the season.

Other things that have kept us busy: EFY and Girls Camp (Kendall), Scout Camp (Cory &Sam), Cello lessons (Sam), Piano lessons (Kendall), Violin lessons (Sara), Soccer (Sam & Sara), Gymnastics (Gabby), callings and painting kitchen cabinets (still working on that one).

I hope that mixed in with all that busyness, we each found moments to extend kindness to others. I know I can do better and I'm grateful for encouragement from a Prophet of God serve others. My life is richer when I forget myself in service.

Ode to Kendall

I was feeling bad that I haven't spotlighted Kendall on my blog. Her birthday was in January, so I missed that opportunity. We didn't have a digital camera when Kendall was little and I still haven't scanned her baby pictures, so I don't have a cute collage for her yet. I really need to put that on my to do list.

Kendall is 14 and in the 8th grade. Kendall has a great sense of humor and is doesn't take herself too seriously. When she returned home from a recent church dance, she told us that toward the end, two young men asked her and her friend to dance. She found it humorous that the short boy asked her tall friend (who towers over her) and the tall boy asked her.

We homeschooled Kendall the 2nd half of 7th grade and the 1st half of 8th grade. When she returned to school, she wasn't sure how she'd do playing Clarinet in the Wind Ensemble. She expressed her concerns to the band instructor and he asked her if she played any other instruments. When Kendall told him she played piano, he suggested she try playing mallets in the ensemble. She tried it and is loving it. A couple weekends ago, the Wind Ensemble participated in a competition at Sac State and we got to hear her for the first time.

Three things I like about Kendall:

• She has a great sense of humor.
• She helps me a lot and doesn't complain about babysitting.
• She's not embarrased to be seen with me.
  

Sara is 10

Sara turned 10 on March 25th.

Instead of a cake, she requested a giant Chocolate Chip Cookie with Tinkerbell on it. I made a valiant effort at decorating the cookie with a picture of Tinkerbell. I tried tracing Tinkerbell on a piece of waxpaper with black food gel, then transferring it onto the cookie. However, the surface was too bumpy. Then I tried freehanding a picture of Tinkerbell onto the cake, but I'm not that good of an artist. I ended up drawing a wand and writing Happy Birthday Sara! I'm so glad Sara was very understanding. In the future, I will plan ahead and order an edible image like this one.

To celebrate Sara's special day, we went to John's Incredible Pizza in Roseville. It was a bit pricey, but we had a good time.

Three Things I Like about Sara:

• She is a great personal assistant. She answers phones and helps keep track of scheduled events.
• She is ultra social and friends with everyone.
• She is a great student and does her homework without any nagging and very little help.

Sparking the Metabolic Fire and Amanda's Stats

For the past 6 weeks, I've been participating in a weight loss challenge at my gym. I've been assigned to a team with a personal trainer. My trainer, Trisha, has been fantastic. Trisha recently told my team about SparkPeople, a website that provides free tools and resources for individuals who want to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. I tried it out today and I'm thoroughly impressed. I've been doing weight watchers for years and I like using the their online tools. Nevertheless, after browsing the SparkPeople website and testing the tools offered thereon, I will be pleased to ditch Weight Watchers Online in order to take advantage of the extensive free resources on SparkPeople. Did I mention SparkPeople is free? I haven't had a chance to explore everything on the site, but a few of the things I liked about SparkPeople are:

1. A food log with tons of foods with tons of foods already stored with the Nutritional Information. You can also add foods along with the nutritional information. The food log not only tracks calories, but also carbs, fat and protein. It provides targets for calories, carbs, fat and protein based on your goals and your needs.
2. A suggested meal plan for the day when you open your food log. You can check any suggested foods and they will automatically be added to your log. You can also print out a meal plan for the week and a shopping list to go with the meal plan. Today we tried a recipe for Italian Vegetable Bake that was on my suggested meal plan for the day. It was pretty good.
3. A recipe calculator that allows you to enter your favorite recipes to find out the nutritional information. Recipes can be stored in an online recipe book and can be shared with other members. You can browse the recipes other members have posted to share.
4. A fitness log for logging physical activity. The fitness log also provides a suggested strength training plan.

Amanda's Stats

I took Amanda to the doctor today for her 15 month check-up. Her stats are: 50th percentile for weight, 80th percentile for head circumference, 95th percentile for height.

Amanda eating the Italian Vegetable Bake from SparkPeople

I've Been Derailed by Valentine's Day

To preface this post, I must make clear that I've been a very good girl this past month. I've been exercising a bunch and eating healthy. However, recently, the Valentine candy has been calling to me. Normally, I'd just ignore it's seductive summons, but yesterday, my monthly visitor invaded my consciousness and shattered my steadfastness. I intend to reclaim my resoluteness immediately.

My Testimony

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, today is Fast Sunday. On Fast Sunday, we abstain from food and drink for a 24 hr period and donate the money we would have spent on meals to the needy. During our Sacrament Meeting service, members share their testimonies.

I know that I am a daughter of God and that because He loves all of His children, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to atone for or sins (John 4:10). The atonement of Jesus Christ was the integral part of God's plan for us to return to live with Him again. I know this because I have felt a burning within me as the Holy Ghost has testified to me of these truths. I have personally experienced the healing power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I have felt God's love wash over me as I have turned to Him in prayer.

I have a testimony that Joseph Smith Jr. was a prophet of God and that he truly saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. He restored the Church that Jesus established during His mortal ministry.

I know The Book of Mormon to be the Word of God as well as the Bible. I have read The Book of Mormon numerous times and each time I have been edified and have received further witness of its authenticity and of the truths it brings to light. The Book of Mormon takes nothing away from the Bible, it only enhances it.

I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and as a prophet, he is the mouthpiece of God on earth. Those who follow his counsel will have peace, even as the world around is in commotion. I have experienced the peace that comes from following the counsel of a prophet of God.

I testify that those who truly seek to receive a witness of these truths, "with a sincere heart, with real intent, [exercising] faith in Christ," will receive a witness by the power of the Holy Ghost (see Moroni 10:4-5).

2008 Highlights

2008 has come and gone. I thought I'd share some of our highlights from the past year.

1. Perhaps the biggest highlight was Cory's, Amanda's and my 10 day trip to England and Paris. We thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Cory's parents who are serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Manchester area. We couldn't have made the trip if it weren't for my mom, who watched the older kids while we were away.

2. Kendall began homeschooling in January and contiuned homeschooling through the remainder of the year. She will be returning to pubilc school next week. Homeschooling definitely has pros and cons.

3. This summer, we joined my family in Soda Springs for a Stubblefield Family Reunion. We had a great time together. However, our time together was bitter-sweet as we mourned the loss of my sister’s newborn daughter, Gianna.

4. Gabby started kindergarten in 2008. Her teacher's name is Mrs. Oliphant. Gabby loves school and she can't wait to return next week.

5. Sam and I went to Angel Island in November for Sam's 5th grade field trip.

When the class arrives at the island, all participants become
soldiers in the
U.S. Army in the year 1864. They march to Camp Reynolds
carrying their personal
gear on their backs. Bunks are then assigned in the
Quartermaster building for
the night. During the day, these new recruits
receive training in militia drill,
compass orienteering, mess cooking, bread
baking, and flag signaling. In the
evening, a night reconnaissance hike is
made to Mt. Livermore. Later that night,
each squad is assigned a security
watch period and must maintain a journal of
their experiences. The next
morning, park staff returns and uses a group of
students to help fire a
twelve-pound mountain howitzer cannon.

http://www.angelisland.org/calendar/living_history.htm

This was my 2nd time going to Angel Island, I went with Kendall a few years ago. It's a fantastic experience and our children are very fortunate to have the opportunity to go.

6. Sara chopped her very long, very beautiful hair and donated it to Locks of Love. She has gotten many compliments on her cute new haircut.

7. Cory was called as the Scout Master for our ward. This is the perfect calling for him. He was the 11 year old Scout leader for these boys and has a great relationship with them. Plus, Sam is now a Boy Scout and Cory will be able to work closely with him.

8. We spent a lot of time campaigning in 2008. In the spring, the kids and I went door to door, leaving flyers for Ron Paul. In the fall, Cory and I went door to door, and made countless phone calls for the campaign for Proposition 8.

9. Amanda has brought continual joy to our home. “She’s cute” – Sara. “She’s the best baby in the world” – Kendall. “She makes us laugh” – Sam. “She’s the beautifulest baby in the world.” – Gabby. We all enjoy being the recipients of her cuddly hugs and wet kisses.

10. Lastly, we have witness the Lord's hand in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones.

We are greatful for wonderful friends and family. May you have a blessed 2009.