Building Zion

I am a firm believer in Family Home Evening.

I was quizzing Taylor on his gospel knowledge the other day. I asked him to tell me the names of the two different Priesthoods. He had no idea. So maybe he is only six (almost seven) but I figure I am slacking in my job as Head Gospel Instructor at the Jackson household. Maybe that is Dave's job but either way, we're married which means we are one person and it is collectively both of our jobs. Okay, I've been sidetracked.

My point is, tonight Dave and I decided to discuss the Priesthood with the kids. We talked about what the Priesthood is, who can hold the Priesthood, and the different ways in which the Priesthood is used.

At one point during our discussion Taylor jumped up and proclaimed he had something great he needed to do and he would be right back. He ran into the kitchen. I didn't check up on his efforts because I was laying all gimpy-necked on the couch.

He returned a minute later holding a plate with broken bread on it, inquiring as to where he could get little cups of water. Sacrilege at my Family Home Evening? I think not. So we had to set him straight on the ins and outs and ups and downs of the sacrament, bless his heart. Some kids play house, my kids play "pass the sacrament". Oh heavens.

So moving straight on from sacrilege to blasphemy, we worked with the kids for a few minutes to memorize the words Aaronic and Melchizedek. Now, I have never thought much about the complexity of saying either of those words... until tonight. I realize now there is probably a reason Taylor didn't know the answers the other day because saying these two words is a pronunciation nightmare.

My two favorites:

Moronic Priesthood (Yes, I am still waiting for the bolt of lightening to strike through the roof)

and

Mechanic Priesthood.

They struggled to get the words right. We laughed. They laughed. Hopefully they learned something.

Good times, my friends, Good times.

Building Zion one dysfunctional step at a time.

That should be our family motto.

Grab a spoon

Come to think of it, don't grab a spoon cuz I'm not sharing this baby! I'll eat him up all by myself. Delish!

Come. Sit a spell in my looney bin.

I woke up with a kinked neck that has just gotten progressively worse throughout the day.

Lucky me, it also happens to be Dave's Air Force weekend so I had to get all the kids ready for 9:00 church by myself. Last night I figured I was way ahead of my game because I had the kids all bathed before bed. Unfortunately, I have learned that only works in my favor when one of my little beauties doesn't pee herself and her bunk mate while sleeping. Livvy came running to me this morning, "Mama, Sara peed on my Jammie's and on my tummy." I know, sounds strange but essentially that is what happened. So much for safety in numbers. And just in case you aren't already cringing in my behalf, I will have you know that she peed on the very bedding that I just changed the night before, on the top bunk no less.

Church was the usual circus and by the time it ended, my head pretty much felt like a bowling ball on top of my neck.

My visiting teachers came by for a visit at 2:00. I was sprawled out on my couch under a blanket, trying not to fall asleep during their visit. Hey, I have been normal (relatively speaking, of course) for every other visit they've ever made.

When Dave finally got home I had him massage my neck and shoulders (beat them into raw hamburger). We (and by we I mean me) made dinner. We then had a birthday party to attend for a niece of ours. Before we got everyone packed up, me and Dave were sitting at the computer laughing at a couple different YouTubes.

More specifically, this one:



And this one:



While deep in YouTube Heaven, Dave was dropped back into reality when he turned his head and noticed not one, not two, but three green spots on the rug. What the? And there stood Spenny, innocently blinking his big eyes at him.

"What is that?"

As these words came from his mouth, I checked back in and we both turned and looked at Spenny as he turned to run out of the room. And that's when we saw the damage.

Friends.

Help.

Needless to say, we were a tad bit late to the birthday bash. I do have to thank my friends at church for offering packages of fruit snacks to Spencer. If not for their generosity, you wouldn't be witnessing such a wicked awesome display of poopiness.

Back to the birthday party, let me just lay all my brilliance out for you on the table. I was sightly flustered on our way to the party what with Spencer's pee soup poo and all. I grabbed a card as we ran out the door, scrawled a birthday message inside, threw in $10, scrawled "Regan" across the front, then licked it closed. It was then that I noticed I wrote her name upside down on the envelope. Idiot. So whatever. Rush. Rush. Rush.

We got to the party and I was explaining my upside down name mishap to Nikki when Aunt Amy comes across the room to pick up Livvy (who is wearing her church dress) and lo and behold, Liv flashes her nether regions to the whole roomful of people. Apparently in the world Livvy lives in, panties are optional.

It was not until I walked into the kitchen minutes later did I finally realize that we were not in fact at the party to celebrate Regan's birthday, but Hali's. I think I need to be committed. I had thought this out and thought it was September. September. Maybe my kinked neck is the aftermath from all my brain cells stampeding out of my head. So I guess it's November. And it's Hali's birthday. And I've lost my mind.

Regan did ask Nikki if she could keep the cash. Her name was on the card, after all. I reassured her that if she did keep the money, when Regan's birthday rolled around, Hali would most definitely be $10 richer.

My neck still hurts...

Yay for me!

We are now the proud owners of this:



I'm so happy I could cry (and blog)!

Meeting The Pioneer Woman!

As many of you may (or may not) know, The Pioneer Woman has published a cookbook!

Last night she was in SLC doing a book signing so me and my friend Jennie secured babysitters and went to the blessed event. I have to say "blessed event" because while we were there waiting for 5 HOURS to get the book signed, we weren't feeling that it was such a blessed event, more of a big fat freezing cold pain in the butt. We even left to get Taco Bell, going through the drive-thru to make sure we were back in time (ha!) and then 4 hours later, she signed our books.

I mean, look at this thing. Isn't it gorgeous? I know, I can't believe I just used that word to describe a book. I was at a book signing- it's hard not to get caught up in all the hype. The inside is even better. Every page is completely full-color craziness. She's got step-by-step pics of recipes, pics of her family, and last but definitely not least- cattle ranching life. I practically had an allergic reaction just looking at all the pictures. But good for her, right?



At the book signing, Ree disclosed some intriguing fun facts, like the names of the peeps in her family, including her husband, aka Marlboro Man. Now I'm in the know and I tell you what, being in the know is what it's all about... Jealous? Oh yeeeaaaahhhh.

Anyhoodle, here we are with The Pioneer Woman! She's really sweet and pretty.



It really was fun and I'm glad we went. It's not everyday I get to meet a cyber celebrity.

And because I'm such a good person...

Ladd. His name is LADD!

You can thank me later.

So much to say

Favorite dessert: "bana fwits"

Little brother: "Fencer"

Favorite Halloween treat: "Pumpkin shaped Jello Dwibblers"

Favorite derogatory comment: "You're a meaniac!"

I know, blog abandonment should be a crime...

Sorry peeps! Technical difficulties and I ditched the blog.

I am back.

I have committed myself.

(Sort of)

And yes, I just might be doing some back-blogging. To view or not to view- you decide.

Dave ran a Halloween Half Marathon in Provo on Halloween morning. I dragged myself out of bed at 5:30 in the a.m. to snap a couple pictures of him in his costume before he left. I really would have loved to see him cross the finish line wearing this costume but seeing as how I would have had to bring the kids along, I have to say that I love my sanity more.