Look Closer

Temple worship forms an important part of Latter-day Saint faith. We believe that the living can participate in ordinances such as baptism and marriage for eternity on behalf of their kindred dead and others in keeping with practices that happened in Christ's church during the time of the original apostles (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:29. Click here for a virtual tour of some temple rooms and an explination of their use. While temples are only used by members who meet certain standards of conduct, the church does provide photographs of the rooms for public use). The Salt Lake Temple in particular is an icon of our faith. It appears everywhere from temple recommends to Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women medallions. In a sense it is "the" temple to which we compare the others, probably with good reason. The story of its construction and establishment has formed part of many members' family histories (the story has even been made into a film). Tonight I ran across a letterpress poster of the Salt Lake Temple by Cameron Moll that was as beautiful as it was fascinating. Take a look, then look closer, and you'll see what I mean.

Been A While

For some reason lately a majority of our pictures of Landon haven't been that cute. We think the last week or so they have been a bit better. It is up to you to judge. Sit back and enoy the show.

An Amazing Act!

Elder Bolke

Since being here in Michigan we have had many Elders pass through our door. Here is a story of one we really liked and his amazing act. Click the link to read more. Elder Simpson gets credit too in the story but we don't have a picture of him. Sorry :(

Pączki Day!

Last year we discovered a Detroit tradition, the Polish donuts called pączki (say it "punch-key"). On Fat Tuesday (AKA Paczki Day in Hamtramck and metro Detroit), people line up at the local bakeries and load up on these jelly- or creme-filled calorie bombs. For more information (about paczkis, not where to find them--you'll have to do that research on your own! As for us, we're going to Verdonckt's down the street), follow this link from Wikipedia.

Remedy for a Classic Dilemma

In our branch, we have several moms with kids in diapers. Some use cloth, and some use disposables. Sure, disposables are convenient, but they take up so much space in the landfills. Fortunately, there appears to be a solution for the dilemma of cloth vs. disposables:

(Ah, hulu! Just the thing for that occasional TV fix.)

Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!

This shout is for DIAMOND who passed her GED with flying colors. We are so proud of her!

P.S. She will hate this picture but she will not sit still for me to take one. So, this is what she gets :)

Her blog is on the right hand side. Give her a shout out for a job well done!

Cousin Love on Valentine's Day

This Valentine's there needed to be some love spread around the family. So, Diamond and I went to my/Landon's favorite store The Children's Place and picked up some lovin for the kids. I think I was more excited to do this then maybe they were to receive them.

Here is little Cru rockin out in his shirt. Look at those amazing eyes! Landon, Cru is in competition with you.


Lily the princess and Emerson the prince are posing for Aunt Hallie. What cuties!


Landon is sporting the long hair again. I keep saying we need to cut it but haven't. The day he wore this shirt we went to the mall play area and a lady in the branch said he looked like a rocker. I loved it! He digs music. Anytime there is music he bounces up and down or tries to lead it. Cracks us up! My goal to get it cut this week. But P.S. not as short as it was before. With his curly locks it looks weird too short.

A Sad Thought

As some of you may or may not know we have decided to start the adoption process, again. The second time around is different, which has pluses and minuses. This time they are having us do a lot of the work on the Internet, which has been interesting. One part of the form you are to fill out is about different races that you would or would not be interested in adopting. We have made our choice and have sent it on. But our choices have really got me thinking. Maybe it has to do with Black History Month, maybe it is because we took our friend Gina to the Henry Ford Museum and we saw the Rosa Parks bus and we talked about racism. (Yes, it is still alive today.)It could also be that on Friday night we saw bright lights outside our windows and being a bit nosy I looked out my window at 11:30 pm and saw three white cops talking to a black man on the sidewalk in front of our house. During my spying time they put him in handcuffs and by the end he was released. I thought of all the possible things that they could be saying to him. I didn't feel comfortable with any of the things that I could be happening to that man. Why does it really matter the race of the child we adopt? Why should we have to answer the hard questions and not just take a newborn into our arms and homes and give it everything that birth family is not able to give it?

Why does a skin color really have to matter?

Valentine His and Hers

Diamond noticed that we have not posted very often lately, so it’s a good thing Aimee tagged me for Valentine’s Day. This “his and hers” list is just like 25 things about me, except there are pre-decided questions and it's about me AND my spouse. And of course, I tag people.

1. What are your middle names? Michael’s is Aaron, and mine is Brook. We thought keeping Brook would be funny because then my monograph is HBO, which is a lot more fun than HMO.
2. How long have you been together? Married ten years and 3 weeks. We have known each other for about ten years 3 months and 3 weeks.
3. How long did you know each other before you started dating? Met on Tuesday, first date Saturday, and the rest is ten years 3 months and 3 weeks.
4. Who asked who out? Mike asked me out after a long flirty conversation after Institute class.
5. How old are each of you? I’m 33 and he’s a geezer (35).
6. Whose siblings do you see the most? Mine.
7. Do you have any children together? One, Landon.
8. What about pets? None. After watching our neighbors walk their dogs in below zero conditions, we figured no pets while we live here.
9. Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? How about a close second? Mike’s time as a grad student.
10. Did you go to the same school? Nope.
11. Are you from the same town? Nope.
12. Who is the smartest? Mike, hands down.
13. Who is the most sensitive? I am. I’m surprised my tear ducts have not dried out from over-use.
14. Where do you eat out most as a couple? We don’t eat out much. We get take out from Chipotle in Troy whenever Mike has something going on at the stake center or the temple.
15. Where is the farthest you have traveled as a couple? Argentina. We spent two months there in 2002 when Mike had an internship.
16. Who has the craziest exes? Me.
17. Who has the worst temper? That depends. I am quicker, but Mike’s runs deeper.18. Who does the cooking? That depends. Mike mostly does breakfast, and I mostly do the other two. For special meals, we work together.
19. Who is more social? Me. Mike’s calling and job have forced him to put himself out there.
20. Who is the neat freak? Neither of us. Mike gets antsy about the clutter first.
21. Who is more stubborn? Mike.
22. Who hogs the bed? Bed or covers? We share the bed pretty well, but Mike ends up with all the blankets in the morning.
23. Who wakes up earlier? Landon. Mike’s a close second.
24. Where was your first date? Hole-in-the wall pizza joint, movie, visit to Mike’s condo, helping prepare for a YSA dance, my parent’s house, back to the dance (it lasted 12 hours).
25. Who has the bigger family? We're even: 3 siblings each.
26. Do you get flowers often? Not often enough. I have taken to buying my own on sale at Aldi or TJ’s.
27. How do you spend the holidays? We trade off every other year here and down to California, where both sets of parents live.
28. Who is more jealous? Neither of us.
29. How long did it take to get serious? One date.
30. Who eats more? Depends on the day.
31. Who does the laundry? Early in our marriage, I did. Mike took over for the time we lived in Salt Lake. Now it’s back to me.
32. Who is better with the computer? Mike.
33. Who drives when you are together? Depends. Mike frequently drives, but it’s not a set rule.

OK, Michelle L., Christine A., and Bettina G.: Tag! You're it!

The First of Many

We are sure this is the first of many goose eggs and cuts that Landon will get. He hardly cried at all, our little trooper. But I thought it was great that his first incident was right in the middle of his forehead.

I know it is really an awful picture of him, but how do you get a 15 month old to sit still while trying to take a picture of his forehead? I have not really mastered that yet.

We did a dance before breakfast today. Why, you ask? Because tomorrow it is supposed to be 46 degrees, and I am so stinking excited!

FREE!

Who doesn't like something free?

Well I know I love free things.

Something else I love is the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.

On February 16 it is Target Family Days at the Henry Ford.

One of the best parts of Target Family Days is that it is free to get into the museum. It is normally $15.00 for adults. This event is running 9:30 am - 5:00 pm, so even you Joy School moms can come!

Below are some the activities. Notice it is also President's Day and so it would be a great themed activity for your children.

I know that we are going and anyone who wants to join us is welcome to come along. They have places to eat there and they have spots where if you want to bring a sack lunch feel free. If you have never been it is a great place to come. Bring comfortable shoes and a stroller. Lots of walking will be involved. See you there!

Monday, February 16, 2009 (President’s Day)

• Learn about the legacy of our American presidents. 2009 is the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln.
• Featured artifacts: Declaration of Independence, Lincoln chair, presidential vehicle display,
• George Washington camp chest and other Lincoln artifacts
• Celebrate Black History! Special programming in Henry Ford Museum
• Live musical performances by Dodworth Saxhorn band
• Make and Take activities and more!
  

In Support

This evening we received the address where we can write to my brother who just started basic training on Jan. 20. He has a dear sweet wife and two children at home and I know it has been nothing short of a major adjustment for him and them.
For our FHE tonight we are writing him a letter. If you are in need of an idea maybe you would be willing to write him to. Here is his address:

MAYGREN, BRYCE

ALPHA COMPANY 1/34 INF REGT

2ND PLATOON “VIPERS”

FORT JACKSON, SC 29207

***On back of envelope, write “2”

Hooray, Hooray for the number 38!

As of 3:37 pm it was 38 degrees outside.

It did not feel cold outside to me.

The sun was out and boy did it lift my spirits.

I started seeing people outside which is always a nice thing.

But don't let this nice weather fool you or me for that matter.

By Tuesday it is supposed to be 17, again.

Please Punxsutawney Phil don't see your shadow tomorrow.

I think we have all had enough.