Good and Wise Parents

 

My Mom. Oh how I love her! I'm proud to say I get my looks from her, my sense of fun and mischief from her, as well as a strong sense of autonomy and a boldness. (She always taught me, "No guts. No glory.")

She has passed on to me many skills and principles that have served me well, but the thing that stands out to me about my Mom is that she always fights for the underdog and for what is right and compassionate. She is a TRUE friend to others, and I hope to emulate her more in all of that too.

She called me as I was getting ready one morning recently telling me that she and my Dad saw a clip of Lesley Gore singing that reminded them of me. So I decided I'd style my hair like the photo she sent me. I think I ended up looking more like "Susie Center" than Lesley Gore, and I'm pretty ok with that!

Little did I know that later that day, while at a doctor's appointment, I would need to use that "boldness" that she blessed me with in order to stand up for myself and I'm sure other women out there. Every experience and piece of wisdom and gift my parents have given me have been a blessing in my life.

It's a wild world, and I am so grateful for the gift of good and wise parents who help me navigate it.

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Greetings from the Other Side of the Hard Parts

 

Since the announcement of the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple in April of 2020 (and for months before the announcement actually), my family and I have been on quite the journey.

In the last 5 years, I have been serving with all my heart as Communication Director for the Pittsburgh North Stake. Through all of this, I came to understand that the Lord sees to every detail of the building of His temples, and I have grown and changed in so many ways under His tutelage.

I have worked closely with many awesome people in our town, and I've been humbled to work side-by-side with amazing people from every faith and organization in my area. 

I developed photography as a personal hobby and have taken thousands of photos of the temple, its construction from start to completion, special visitors, and my favorite, landscape photos that include the temple.  It has been amazing for my soul to watch how the temple has blessed our family.  I am in awe of all of it.

During that time, I have not blogged. 

As technology moved away from blogging, and as my son became a very controversial online presence with literally millions of followers, I just focused on sharing my testimony in my own life and on my personal social media circles. That has fed my need as a journalist to express myself and fostered many close relationships with people of all walks of life, for which I am so grateful.

As of right now, I am just recovering my blog, as my previous domain name (www.wetalkofchrist.com) got scooped up by someone else (probably when my payment method expired, and I didn't notice).  

Because of trolls online who want to "beef" with my son and what he stands for, I and my blog have been periodically attacked, which at first I found deeply hurtful and unfair. And since the content of this blog and the memories of my kids when they were younger and the lessons that I taught them are so well-documented on this blog, I am protective of it. Given this, I am contemplating just what to do with my blog.

I realized when my blog was unexplainably down for a while, that I rely on this site as a reference for recipes, thoughts, and lessons I have shared. I found it annoying when I couldn't easily access it. And periodically, I still receive very kind emails from people thanking me for certain posts.

So, that is the update. I am still here.  Still in the faith. STRONGER THAN EVER....despite difficult challenges that are just part of mortality, challenges that have seasoned me and brought me depth and wisdom that comes when children become teens and teenagers become adults.

Since it relates to this blog, I will share one more thought.

This blog was founded on one scripture: 2 Nephi 25:26, which says:

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

As I have watched my children move from that innocent, pre-baptism season of life, to the season of accountability and of trial and error, this scripture, that always guided my efforts as a parent became even more vital to me.

And I realized that I didn't fully understand it when they were little.  

When my children were small and incapable of committing sin, I focused mainly on the joy that talking of and preaching about Christ with them brought me.  And the last bit of this scripture, frankly, didn't seem to match the rest of this joyful passage.

But when my kids started making their own choices, I finally understood that the last lines "that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins," was not out of place at all. It was not mistakenly "tacked on" to the end of the passage...it WAS the point.

The point of decades (now) that my husband and I spent "talking of Christ" with our children was so that when the time came, we could have faith that our children are in God's hands now and that they would KNOW to what source they CAN look for a remission of their sins.

I am so grateful for this understanding that has taken me about a decade of difficult experiences to truly grasp. But my faith in Christ has grown, not waned.  

And through it, my new Mom-mantra has become: 

"I raise them. Jesus Saves them."

I don't try to do His job, because that would be very frustrating and frankly impossible. But I can keep doing my job and increase my faith by remaining calm and waiting and watching as His great plan for all of HIS children unfolds over time.

I trust that the Creator of us all, has the ability to bring ALL of His Children Home...in His time.

I am grateful for every woman, sister, and friend I have made over the decade of blogging that I did here. 

Thank you for supporting me with your comments and friendship and helping me grown spiritually as well.

XO, and Merry Christmas, Friends!

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A Beautiful Sunset

 

This sunset was so amazing...It just deserved it's own post.

I loved watching it melt into different colors as I sat on my front porch.  And I loved watching my friends all over this area posting pictures of their skies on social media.  It was just a really cool shared experience.

I am grateful that God puts such beauty into the night sky for us...and everywhere else for that matter...to remind us and unite us.  And I'm glad I'm slowing down enough this season to enjoy it!

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Volleyball

 

Another thing we've been doing a lot of lately is volleyball.  Our boys varsity team was in the state semi-finals, so we went to see them: Guy, Scarlett, and Me.

They both play volleyball, as did I in high school, but it was just so fun to watch my kids cheering in the student section.  It was so NORMAL!  Here's to more normal.

Our team didn't advance to the finals, but they got so far and were really fun to watch.

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A Love song for Val

 

My boy Val Oaks turns 5 years old today.

I call him my good luck charm, because he's been by my side bringing me so much love and sunshine through the last 5 years.

At first, he brought me joy just by the fact that he was a boy.  We hadn't had a baby boy in our family in ten years!  So his "manly" presence was so exciting to us all!  His big sisters especially fawned over him!

Then, he was just so handsome and smiley as a baby.  We had fun dressing him up in little boy clothes.

When he was 3 months old, we went on a 4 week road trip across the country.  I loved snuggling with him in the back of the car.  He was a magnificent traveler and a great comfort to me.

Right before our trip, we found out that we'd be moving and leaving the home that we knew and loved.  Val became my bright ray of hope that I was going to be ok.  He smiled so much and his smile filled up his whole face.  This always reminded me to be happy and encouraged me to find joy myself.

Another thing that I loved about Val was how blue his eyes were.  I crocheted him a blanket and when it was finished I realized that it matched his eyes.  He always sleeps with this blanket, even though his little brother likes to rip holes in it!

As a toddler and now preschooler, he is adventurous, but he is also so affectionate towards me, which I really have needed in the last year.  He often stops what he is doing to tell me that he loves me.  He usually hugs me or kisses my arm. :)

Another thing about Val that brings me joy is that he loves exploring nature and digging in the dirt.  And when his younger brother hits him, Val doesn't react or hit back.  I just admire that about him so much.  He is an awesome example to us all and a fantastic brother.  Very curious and very kind.

I am absolutely so grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending me a son like Val at this time in my life.  

And although he swears that he doesn't want to grow up and that he doesn't want to have any more birthdays, because he wants to stay a kid, I hope some day when he is grown up he will read this and know what joy he brought into my life.  Love you forever, Val!

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Spring Tulips and Flower Show Trips

 

Spring is here. We have made it!  So, another trip to the Phipps Conservatory was in order!  Here are some pictures from the Spring flower show.  We definitely have to thank the amazing horticulturists of Phipps and of this world who have opened our eyes to these beautiful creations of our Heavenly Father.

We definitely have our seeds and bulbs ready to try and create our own little wonderland in the back yard this year. But until then you have definitely made our hearts soar, our minds wander, and our imaginations fly during the last year.

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I Got My Vaccine!

 

St. Patrick's Day 2021 was a great "come and get it day" for me--a day when the sun is shining, and it feels like angels are guiding my every step.  And the best step of all was getting my first covid vaccine!

It's basically been exactly one year since our schools closed down for quarantine, so this just felt right.  

I'm feeling lucky, grateful, and blessed to even be able to get the vaccine, since it's not open to many people yet in my state.  I realize how blessed I am to be able to receive this vaccine, and I just want to publicly thank my Heavenly Father for watching over me and my family during the last year especially.

The whole experience was amazing for me.

It's been a long road for us in many ways, but I still trust and know that God is in charge and guiding us through all things.

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Rejoice, the Lord is King!

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It was a rough start to church last Sunday with my three-year old Coy refusing to enter the chapel (without wailing!), but it all got brighter when they announced that we're allowed to sing again as a congregation!

It's been so long, any hope of hitting high notes is lost for me, but it felt great to sing these words:

"Rejoice, the Lord is King!...His kingdom cannot fail;...Lift up your heart! Lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!"

There is hope and the future is in the hands of a Heavenly Father who loves us all. And at the 1-year anniversary of this pandemic, that brings me comfort.

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We finally bought the lumber

There's a boy who lives down the street from us, in a different neighborhood, actually down a country road.  He looks to be about 10 years old.  He sits out on nice days at a small "tv table" with a handmade sign that reads "lumber for sale".

I went to pick Scarlett up from school the other evening, and when I returned he was still sitting out hoping for a sale.  I said, "Next time I pass him, I'm going to buy some lumber."  Instead of waiting until "next time" I decided to turn the car around and buy the "lumber" now.

I asked the boy how much he was selling his "lumber" for.  He promptly quoted me a price of $59 for a pile of about ten pieces of crudely chopped wood like the two shown above.  

Scarlett and I had to contain our shock and then giggles.  Then I looked at the small axe that had clearly been his weapon of choice against the unsuspecting tree, and I figured he probably did put $59 worth of blood, sweat, and tears in to his work.

I asked him what $3.00 would get me.  He gave me these two pieces of wood, and then he said, "I'm glad you came along, I wasn't having a very good day..."

For some reason that just hit me.  We had done the right thing.  We turned around when we felt we should, and bought this boy's lumber.  And now these are my two favorite pieces of lumber in the world.

 

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Grateful for the laying on of hands

I got set apart for my new/second calling today.  I was called to the Primary months ago, but because of the pandemic, I was never set apart.  And our Primary doesn't meet in-person, so there wasn't a rush.

Anyway, my husband and I finally got set apart as Primary teachers and the blessing my Bishop gave me was so comforting and just wonderful. I felt that he was truly receiving revelation just for me. And it was really nice.

When the blessing was finished I thought a normal reaction would be to shake hands, but of course due to the pandemic, that wasn't going to happen.  And then I was suddenly really grateful that he could still place his hands on my head and use the priesthood power to bless me.  At least the pandemic hasn't paused the priesthood and the laying on of hands.

It's funny the things that we suddenly hold dearer when we almost lose them.

The photo below is my 3-year old boy Coy Boone. He is growing so fast.  He was so proud to wear this little suit to church today.  My boys love me and want to be connected to me at all times, physically and in basically all other ways.  They swear that they never want to grow up.  Something tells me that they will...but for now I'm soaking up their love.  And I'm soaking up the words of my blessing today and the help that I know God will continue to give me in raising these little ones...and in doing His work.

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Oath of Office

 

In homeschool this week, I had a really nice time watching the Inauguration with Honor and the little boys.

I was praying my heart out leading up to this week that things would be peaceful.  I really wanted to be able to show my daughter something positive about our country, and my wish was granted.

It was really amazing to show my 8-year old daughter the first ever black, female Vice President being sworn in and to listen to the words full of promise and hope spoken from the stand.

I think working as a journalist in my early career and attending college with people who all thought differently from me ensured that I would be a moderate person politically.

I have amazing memories of covering two Presidential Inaugurations and a National political convention during my time working in the media.  And I have wonderful memories of watching the Inaugurations from home and celebrating with my children, helping them to appreciate what a privilege it is to have a country governed by laws and leaders who rule at the request of the people.

 On Inauguration Day, a friend of mine shared this quote: 

"A presidential inauguration is a civic ceremony that transcends the person being inaugurated.  It is an act of state, not politics.  It's primary purpose is for the president-elect to take the constitutionally required oath of office, and for the people by witnessing it to bind him to that oath." - D. Todd Christofferson

I'm praying for our country as we move into this next chapter.  

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whatever tomorrow brings

It's no secret, that I love this country and the principles on which it was founded.  My grandmother was born on the 4th of July, and my grandparents served in World wars, so we're a family who loves the USA and loves to teach our children to love it as well.

While I worked in TV News, I helped cover two Presidential Inaugurations and one political convention.  I interviewed people in and outside of the White House.  I attended an Impeachment Trial inside the Capitol and listened to oral arguments inside the Supreme Court.  Inside the news bureau where I worked, it was my job to escort all on-air guests through the make-up room, the green room, and finally get them on-set, so I had a chance to get to know quite a few politicians in a candid environment. My time in DC only solidified my respect for and gratitude for the process.

It's not perfect, because we the people are not perfect, but I love to teach my children to love our country, which is why I have been praying hard that there is something GOOD I can show my kids tomorrow as we watch the Inauguration together.

In preparation this weekend, I cleaned my house, and let the kids help me decorate.  We pulled out red, white, and blue balloons and streamers and we're just full of anticipation.

My four year old Val who just loves holidays, asked me, "Mommy, why are are we getting these red, white, and blue straws?"  My answer, "Because next week we're getting a new president!"

Sometimes I pick winners when I vote, and sometimes I pick losers, but who I pick doesn't matter when the counting is done.  When Inauguration Day rolls around, I'm ready to support Democracy and make the best of the next four years.

Some Inauguration Days I have a big smile on my face.  Sometimes, I'm just happy for the person and what his election means.  But always I am flying the red, white, and blue.  Always I am teaching my children what a privilege it is to live in a country like ours, where we get to help pick our leaders and where we respect the rule of law.

I know that is not what 2020 looked like.  Not even a little bit.  But I am praying and will continue to work and pray for a future and for a tomorrow that I can be proud to show and pass down to my children.

 

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It's a Different World

 

My girls are very excited for the future.  Every since Scarlett earned her Personal Progress award, her eyes have been turned toward college: What it takes it get in, where she should go, what it will be like.  Every now and then, she opens the topic back up and asked us all of the questions.

For some reason, I remembered the early 90's TV show "A Different World" was all about college students, so we started watching it on Amazon Prime a few weeks ago.

The title of the show could not be more appropriate.  Looking at the world we live in today, 30 year later, it certainly is a world apart.

In the show, the girls dress up for class, wear pantyhose and skirts on dates, and no one has a phone.  They just use the pay phone in their dorm hallway!  Because of this, the roommates and coeds are often seen singing together, playing cards together, just having real and deep conversations....kind of like my college experience.

It depicts a simpler time, maybe one closer to the world my girls live in since they don't have smart phones yet.  But at the same time, this show set in the late 80's/early 90's manages to address some tough/sensitive topics with a lot more layers and common sense than I think we find shouted across social media and on the news in our day.

Anyway, since today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I wanted to share this as a family of teens viewing option.  Some episodes that opened up some good discussions for us (some of which deal with MLK's ideal) are from Season 2 "Radio Free Hillman", "No Means No", and "Citizen Wayne" and from Season 3 "To Have and To Have Not".

These are free to watch if you have Amazon Prime.  I hope you have a wonderful MLK day!

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The Quiet Blessings of Quarantine

 

This past year has caused us to change how we do most things.  Church, school, social events. This was even more apparent when it came to Christmas time.  And although it could have been marked with sadness at not being with extended family, I noticed some blessings that I'd like to mention here....starting with Christmas cards.

We really like to send and receive Christmas cards.  In a time when people are sending them less and less, we felt it was important that this year in particular, we sent them.  This year, I let my little helpers color Christmas and winter drawings on the envelopes.  These drawings were so unexpectedly sweet and I'm sure brought joy to many surprised recipients.

I always tape the cards we receive to a wall in our house for the family to enjoy.  Multiple times this year, I walked by and saw my girls and boys inspecting and rereading the cards.  The pandemic had turned an ordinary Christmas tradition into a way more interesting family photo Art Gallery of sorts.  Scarlett said to me, "Mom, I just love looking at these cards."

It's funny how not being able to be with people makes us appreciate them more.

Speaking of that...for Honor's homeschool in December we did a Christmas and Holiday traditions around the world unit.  For some reason I was inspired to email friends I have in other countries and some simply serving there, to ask them to create a brief video for us sharing their favorite holiday traditions with us.

We received wonderful and thoughtful and fun videos from my old host-sister in England, a former YW of mine who is serving a mission in Italy, a friend of a friend who is Indian, and a former college buddy of mine who is from Hong Kong named Wing (among others).

Wing is a delightful girl who joined the church in Texas.  By the time I met her at Miami University in Ohio she had a thick Chinese/Texan way of speaking English that usually had "honey" sprinkled in.  She was always making us laugh, and she has a special place in my heart, however, I haven't spoken with Wing in probably 20 years as her career has taken her back to Hong Kong and also Taiwan.

Wing came through for us.  Her video about traditions surrounding Chinese New Year and Christmas was so Wing!

It was so amazing to hear her voice, see her smile, and especially to hear that same laugh that we can all enjoyed all of those years ago.  We even got to see her cat, dressed in traditional Chinese attire! (I mean, doesn't that just crack you up?)

I never would have gotten back in touch with Wing, if not for the Pandemic.  This was a blessed interaction for me.

I have also grown closer to our neighbors over this time.  Around Christmas, some neighbors installed a Letters to Santa mailbox at the park in our neighborhood.  One sweet neighbor in particular took it upon herself to write response letters.

The letters that she wrote to the children of our neighborhood were so thoughtful and beautiful and truly a testament to her Christmas spirit.  My love for this neighbor grew exponentially over Christmas time as she showed such love for our kids. In July 2020, a childhood friend of mine and I were trying to plan a trip to England to revisit places where we visited on Exchange in high school.  The pandemic shut that down.  But my dear friend, who I have a lot of sweet memories with, but whom I very rarely get to see, schedules a Zoom meeting between us and two of our host sisters in England.  The four of us had the sweetest chat over Zoom that evening...again, something we would not have made happen at any other time in our busy lives.

These are just a few blessings that I wanted to chronicle here of being in a pandemic.  I'm grateful for these tender interactions which I would have never had without being under quarantine.

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