American Idol: Latest Predicitions

Early in this season of American Idol I was a huge Adam Lambert fan. But I am now predicting that Kris Allen will win the whole thing. He has a beautiful voice, he's a very talented artist, each week he makes the songs his and I will definitely be buying his first CD!

My American Idol - Kris Allen

From http://www.krisallenation.com/ :

Jamie Foxx gives Kris tons and tons of praise on Seacrest's radio show.  A quote -"that cat's gonna have a significant, significant career"

Listen to the interview here

Idols or other musicians/celebrities who have named Kris as their favorite or among their favorites....Jordin Sparks, Brooke White, Melinda Doolittle, Phil Stacey, David Archuleta, David Cook, Jason Castro, Chris Daughtry, Jamie Foxx, Quentin Tarintino, Reba McEntire... any others?

I told you so!

So picture this:

It's Sunday afternoon, my family got home from church before me (I was at another ward for their ward conference). I get home and take off my high heels and hear the boys running from their bedroom toward me. They give me a quick hug and then continue their mad dash out to the family room. I follow them and find them wrestling with each other. So I say "Boys, please stop rough housing, let's find something else to do. Someone is going to get hurt." Instead of staying out there to get them a puzzle or game to play I decided to go get some motrin for my sore muscles (I was a little sore from dancing so much at the youth dance the night before :-). I no sooner get the pills swallowed than I hear a horrible scream and then hysterical crying! So I race back to the family room and find Ryan holding Peanut #2 who has blood streaming from his mouth and Peanut #1 trying to get a wet cloth for C-man. After Big D gave the rag to his father he high tailed it to his room with tears in his eyes.

C-man had a 1/4 - 1/2 inch gash in his upper left lip. Apparently, while the boys were rough housing, they thought it would be a good idea to throw each other towards the couch as hard as they could. When it was Big D's turn to push C-man , C-man tripped and ended up hitting the bottom part of the couch face first (solid wood covered with fabric - no padding). It looks like maybe his tooth went through the lip.

So after I got Big D out of his room, letting him know it was an accident and that it would help C-man feel better if his brother were sitting next to him to make sure he was okay, I called the oncall doctor to ask her opinion about bringing him in or not. She recommended taking him to the ER and having them look at it to see if would need sutures as the gash was a good size and deep. Ryan recommended that we call our Bishop's wife, who is a nurse, and get her opinion.

So I called her and she said to bring him over! So I brought C-man over to her house, and she said that thy would most likely put a stitch or two in there but that she wouldn't bother bringing him in, because it will heel fine without them.

What an ordeal! The little guy has adjusted fine to eating on the other side and it seems to be healing nicely. I was so pleased with myself, I never once thought or said out loud - "I told you so!"

The day after the accident

Please parden the messy face but this angle let's you see part of the cut inside the mouth. Poor kiddo!

May you have an accident free day, Megan

Easter

It's been a whole week since Easter but I still want to post my thoughts about that miraculous event!

I love Easter - it is by far my favorite celebration. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas (the decorating, the baking, the gift making and giving, etc...), but Easter, oh Easter - the hint of spring in the air, the time with family, and the time I take to study and ponder the things that our Savior did for us. I cannot quiet comprehend the pain and sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf, but I am so eternally grateful that he did not shrink from the task that he so willingly accepted.

I just want to bear my testimony that Jesus is the Christ that was promised to us by our Father in Heaven. I am so grateful to have the scriptures because then I can read the things Jesus taught and did. I know that he took upon him the sins of all who have and will be born on the Earth. I know that he died on the cross and that he was resurrected - that amazing reuniting of his perfected body and his eternal spirit. And in so doing, he made it possible for all of us to enjoy that same blessing. I have great faith that we will see him again and I look forward to that day!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!
Your Friend, Megan

My mom joined us for our Easter day!

Movie Night and Easter Eggs

Saturday my mom came up to stay the weekend with us and the boys were so thrilled to spend time with Grandma. We went to Dallin's baseball game, enjoyed coloring easter eggs, and we had a fun movie night (with a concession stand).

Our beautiful eggs!

We had terriyaki popcorn, rootbeer popcorn, red vines, gummy worms, raisenettes, and mike n ikes to choose from! 

Ryan "purchasing his treats"

Grandma with the boys! Enjoy the show!

Holy Week - Jesus' Resurrection and Appearances

Day 8 – Easter Sunday (Jesus’ Resurrection & Appearances)

Prophecy: “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it” (Isaiah 25:8).

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-12; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:1-23

Family Discussion: Discuss how the apostles reacted to Mary Magdalene’s report that Christ had risen (Mark 16:10-11) and the report of the two men on the road to Emmaus (Mark 16:13). Discuss the Lord’s response to this (Mark 16:14).

Suggested Activities:

• Play the game “Why do we celebrate Easter?” (listed below)
• Sing the Resurrection Hymn (“I Know That My Redeemer Lives”) 
• If you made a “LOA” table earlier in the week, read all of the comments aloud.
• If you chose to participate in a service activity on Day 2, report on the service given.

"Why do we celebrate Easter?"

For a unique presentation of the often heard Easter story, copy and paste the following scriptures into a word document. Then cut them apart and put them in correspondingly numbered platic eggs. Add the appropriate item (in parentheses) except for the 12th egg, which should remain empty. 

Serve the eggs in a decorated basket, from an egg carton, or at each place setting at the dinner table.   This adds a nice touch to a church lesson, family home evening, or as a gift.  Or play a game of “scrambled eggs” by having players match the scriptures to the items, or putting the story in sequence.

1.  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.  Matthew 26:39;  (Sacrament Cup)

2.  Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,, And said unto them, what will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you?  And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.  Matthew 26:14-15  This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 11: 12-14 that Jesus would be sold for 30 pieces of silver.  (3 dimes)

3. When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:  And when they had bound him, they led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.  Matthew 27: 1-2;  (knotted twine)

4.  When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person:  see ye to it.  Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.  Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.  Matthew 27: 24-26;  Do we also wash our hands?  (chunk of hand soap)

5.  And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.  And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand:  and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews and they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.  Matthew 27: 28-30  (square of red velvet)

6.  And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.  And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.  Matthew 27: 31-32 And He was crucified… nailed to the cross.  (Press this nail into your hand … feel how it must have hurt.)  (toothpick cross, tiny nail)

7.  And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet… And sitting down they watch him there:  Matthew 27: 35-36   (small pair of dice)

8.   Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent:. . . Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.  Matthew 27: 50-51 & 54 (tiny bag of crushed rock or potting soil)

9.  Then Joseph, a rich man) went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.  And when Joseph had taken the body, the wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock.  Matthew 27: 57-60;  (strip of white cloth)

10.  And he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.  Pilate said unto them (the chief priests and Pharisees), Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as sure as ye can.  So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.  Matthew 27: 60, 65-66;   (a stone) 

11.   And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. / And, behold, there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.  And the angel . . . said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  Mark 16:1, Matthew 28: 2 and 5; (bay leaf, cloves or other herb)

12.  Then the angels said unto the women, “Fear no ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here, for he is risen.”  Matthew 28:6; (empty)

Holy Week - The Jewish Sabbath

Day 7 – Saturday (The Jewish Sabbath)

Prophecy: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy” (John 16:20).

Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:62-66; Luke 23:56

Family Discussion: Discuss Jewish Sabbath (shabbat) observance compared to our own. (Here is a link to the wikipedia entry for shabbat).

Suggested Activity:

• Prepare the dough for Easter Breakfast Rolls to serve Easter morning. 

Easter Breakfast Rolls

*Prepare these rolls the night before Easter for part of a delicious Easter-morning breakfast.

1 package frozen bread or roll dough, thawed            1 tsp cinnamon

   (or use dough from fav. homemade rolls)              1 bag lrg. Marshmallows

6 tbls sugar                                                            ¼ cup butter, melted

 

-          Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside. Divide the dough into individual roll-sized portions. Press each portion into a flat circle. Place 1 large marshmallow in the center of each roll. Pinch roll dough very firmly around the marshmallow. Roll each into a seamless, or nearly seamless, ball with your hands. Brush rolls with melted butter. Sprinkle sugar mixture over rolls.

-          Cover rolls with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator overnight.

-          On Sunday morning, preheat oven to 350°F.

-          Take rolls out of the refrigerator and bake for 15 minutes until rolls are golden brown. Just like Christ’s tomb on Easter Sunday, these rolls will be empty!

* Serving size depends on amount of dough used.

Holy Week - Jesus' Trial and Crucifixion

Day 6 – Friday (Jesus’ Trial and Crucifixion)

GAK #230 "The Crucifixion"

Prophecies:

• “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
• “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off my hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6).
• “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet” (Psalm 22:16).
• “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why are thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” (Psalm 22:1)
• “He Keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken” (Psalm 34:20).

Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:1-61; Mark 15:1-47; Luke 22:66-23:56; John 18:28-19:42

Family Discussion: Compare and contrast events after the Crucifixion as experienced in the Old World verses the New World (see Luke 23:44-47; 3 Nephi 8:5-23).

Suggested Activities:

• Taste the difference between water and vinegar.
• Turn out all the lights for the evening to signify the three hours of darkness in the Old World and the three days in the New World (see Matthew 27:45; 3 Nephi 8:20-23).
• Sing the Crucifixion hymn (“Behold the Great Redeemer Die”)

Holy Week - Day Five

Day 5 – Thursday (The Last Supper, Jesus’ Prayer, and Agony in Gethsemane)

Prophecies: 

“Yea, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9).

“Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none” (Psalm 69:20). 

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4).

Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:17-75; Mark 14:12-72; Luke 22:7-65; John 13:1-18:27

Family Discussion: 

1) Read John 14:4-15 and discuss why it was important that Jesus wash the apostles’ feet (see “Jesus the Christ,” Chp 33, “The Ordinance of the Washing of Feet”; Note 3). You may also want to mention that they wore sandals so their feet would have been caked in dirt.

            JTC – “The Ordinance of the Washing of Feet”, Note 3: “The ordinance of the washing of feet was reestablished through revelation on December 27, 1832. It was made a feature of admission to the school of prophets, and detailed instructions relating to its administration were given (see D&C 88:140-141). Further direction as to the ordinances involving washing were revealed January 19, 1841” (see D&C 124:37-39). * I would recommend reading the entire section in “Jesus the Christ” to help you explain the ordinance of washing the feet.

     From the back of Gospel Art Kit picture #226 "Jesus Washing the Apostle's Feet":

"John 13:415; Joseph Smith Translation, John 13:8

He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. John 13:5

After Jesus had eaten the Last Supper with His Apostles, He removed His outer robe and put a towel around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and, one by one, began to wash and dry the Apostles' feet. (See John 13:45.)

When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter asked the Lord why He was washing his feet. Jesus told Peter that he would not understand then but that he would know later. Peter said, "Thou needest not to wash my feet" (Joseph Smith Translation, John 13:8). "Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me" (John 13:8). Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head" (John 13:9). Jesus told him that He needed only to wash his feet (see John 13:10; Joseph Smith Translation, John 13:10).

Jesus told His Apostles that they were not all clean because He knew one would betray Him (see John 13:1011).

When Jesus finished washing the Apostles' feet, He said, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" (John 13:1415).

Summary of the Picture

After eating the Last Supper, Jesus poured water into a basin. He then washed the Apostles' feet and dried them with a towel. Jesus explained that He had done this to teach them that they were to serve others.

2) Discuss the significance of the administration of the sacrament and having the authority of the Melchezedek Priesthood on the earth today.

3) Share with your family your feelings regarding Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane. Read and discuss Christ's description of his own suffering in Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19.

Gospel Art Kit # 227

Following the Last Supper, Jesus and His Apostles went to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus went off by Himself to pray. He knew that the time had come for Him to suffer for the sins of the world. He prayed that He might not have to experience such suffering but told Heavenly Father that He would do the Father's will. Jesus prayed more earnestly, and He sweat great drops of blood as He atoned for our sins. Jesus had asked Peter, James, and John to wait nearby and watch while He prayed, but they were unable to stay awake. When Jesus finished praying, He came to them and told them that He was about to be taken away by wicked men.

4) Discuss how it would feel to be part of the mob arresting Jesus and then have him heal you (see Luke 22:50-51). 

Gospel Art Kit #228 - The Betrayl of Jesus

Judas, one of the Apostles, went to the Jewish leaders and plotted to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. He led a group of men armed with swords and clubs to Jesus and the other Apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas greeted Jesus and kissed Him, which was the signal for the men to know which person was Jesus. Jesus allowed the men to arrest Him but asked that His followers be permitted to go unharmed. 

Suggested Activities:

• Sing the Atonement hymn (“I Stand All Amazed”)
• Eat a special dinner prepared with foods common in Jesus’ day. Most things that grow in Israel grow in California just as well, you can look at the Medeteranian fruit and see what he was more than likely to eat. (You may want to check out what a Sedar or Passover meal is like for those who are Jewish). Read Matthew 26:17-19 and discuss what you might do to prepare for Passover. 

- broiled fish & honeycomb Luke 24:42 
- barley bread, John 6:9 or a form of sourdough
- pomegranites 
- figs 
- wine (grapes)
- olives 
- saffron (rose of Sharon)
- celery
- mint
- lamb

Garden Update

Even though our spring-break has been filled with rain, we still have managed to get our garden planted. It has been a fun process and I have to give huge props to my amazing husband! We have all pitched in but by far he has done most of the work.

• Ryan built the raised bed frames (with some help with some very willing little boys)
  
• We lined them with weed barrier and Ryan made sure they had drip systems
• We all helped mix the steer manure and other compost items to make our wonderful soil (well Carson didn't really care for the smell of the "cow poop" - he kept plugging his nose)
• Ryan and Dallin transfered the dirt into the boxes 
• We then mapped out our square foot garden and planted our veggies and fruits.

We planted: Bell Peppers, Anaheim Peppers, 2 varieties of tomatoes, corn, broccoli, Spinach, Watermelon, Strawberries, Lemon Cucumbers, Armenian Cucumbers, Zuchinni, Peas, and Corn. We will be planting several varieties of lettuce soon.

I can't wait to start enjoying fresh food from our garden!

Holy Week - Day Four

Wednesday - Rest in Bethany

Note: No events are specifically recorded for this day. It is assumed that Jesus spent the day in Bethany. You may continue to use parables on Day 3 or discuss later verses, such as Mary anointing the Savior and Judas bargaining for the betrayal of Christ (both are scriptural accounts found at the end of the reading text for Day 3).

Prophecy: “And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver” (Zechariah 11:12).

Family Discussion: Show them the thirty pieces of silver. Explain that thirty pieces of silver was the price commonly paid for the life of a male slave. Use the following questions to discuss Judas’ betrayal: Why did the Pharisees set this price? Would it have mattered to Judas how much money had been offered? Has Jesus ever been betrayed since then (by Peter denying him 3 times)? What has been the price?

Suggested Activity:

• While reading and discussing the Parable of the Ten Virgins, burn two lamps: one filled with oil and another containing only a very little oil. Turn off all other lights and burn both lamps until the foolish virgin's lamp burns out. 
• Act out the play "The Parable of the Ten Virgins" listed below:

The Parable of the Ten Virgins Play

Cast: Narrator; Wise Virgins (up to five); Foolish virgins (up to five); Bridegroom; Members of the wedding party with the Bridegroom; Midnight crier; Oil Merchant(s)

Props: Lamps (homemade lamps, fancy jars, or paper cut-outs); Extra oil containers (cruets, bottles, jugs); Scarves, jewelry, etc. to be worn by the virgins; Robe andhat to be worn by the bridegroom; A "turban" and robe for the oil merchants; A door to be closed upon the foolish virgins

Narrative of Events:

1. The ten virgins wait with lighted lamps outside the bridegroom's house for his arrival. Of the virgins, half are designated "wise" and carry an extra supply of oil with them. Half are "foolish" and have chosen to bring only their lamps (see Matthew 25:1-4)

2. The bridegroom is later than expected and the virgins fall asleep while waiting for him (see Matthew 25:5).

3. At midnight, a cry is heard, announcing the bridegroom's arrival (see Matthew 25:6).

4. Each virgin awakens and trims her lamp (adjusts the wick and oil level to maximize the lamplight) (see Matthew 25:7).

5. The foolish virgins vainly attempt to borrow extra oil from the wise virgins because their lamps have run out of oil (see Matthew 25:8).

6. The wise virgins direct the foolish virgins to run and buy more oil from the oil merchants (see Matthew 25:9).

7. While the foolish virgins are gone buying more oil, the bridegroom comes with the rest of the wedding party. He opens the door of his house, and the wise virgins enter his house with him. The bridgegroom closes the door after them (see Matthew 25:10).

8. The foolish virgins come back and ask to be let into the house. The bridegroom denies them admittance (see Matthew 25:11-12).