Chieko Okasaki

Jared and I had the opportunity to attend a fireside given by Sister Chieko Okasaki, former first counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency of the church. It was wonderful! I am so glad we went. She joined the church in her teens in Hawaii, she became an educator (teaching nearly every grade except 3rd!) and later became a principal. She has served on the Primary and Young Women General Boards as well as her seven years of service in the Relief Society General Presidency. She has published many books and speaks to audiences around the world. She is a champion for literacy. She is now 82 years old but is still a passionate, dynamic speaker. She spoke about three things; 1. Strengthening marriages, 2. Strengthening the parent/child relationship, and 3. Reading, specifically reading to children individually for 20 minutes a day. She is known for her object lessons and this talk was no different, using a butcher's cleaver and a bottle of glue to explain the different meanings of the word "cleave". Basing the lesson on Matthew 19:5 "And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?" She explained using other scriptures (Romans 12:9, Jacob 6:5) and through following the word's etymology, that the word had two meanings of quite opposite definition. While one meaning means to split apart, another means to hold together or hold onto. To strengthen marriage, she stated, we need to strengthen individuals. We can be strengthened in Christ and His infinite atonement. She also applied the concepts to strengthening our relationship with our children, at every age and stage they go through. Finally she urged everyone to read to their children individually for 20 minutes a day. This is a program that she supports through the National Children's Reading Foundation that starts parents ready to their children from birth-- sending them home from the hospital with a kit of books, a library card, and other materials (including bibs hand made by Relief Society sisters that say, READ TO ME!") This is definitely the one area that I feel I have been successful as a mother and have a testimony of the value of reading to children individually everyday. I know what a sweet experience this is and the benefits it brings. Sr. Okasaki quoted President Thomas S. Monson's talk entitled "Hallmarks of a Happy Home" in which he outlined 4 things that every home should have : a library for learning, a pattern of prayer, a legacy of love, and a treasure of testimony. She stated that reading forms the foundation for the other hallmarks of a happy home. I agreed whole heartedly with her message and am so glad we are able to attend.

Here's a link to look at : www.readingfoundation.org

Overheard Between the Stacks

I was just wondering? Since when is it ok to speak loudly in the library? Even in your regular "inside" voice? I over hear way too much information at the public library, simply because people no longer respect the library enough to lower their voices. Or even turn off the cell phone! As I was walking in, some lady in line to check out was answering her iphone (show-off) and said, "Oh hi, yeah, I'm just at the library, pause--Oh no! I can talk!" The nerve. What I do love to hear at the library is children enjoying the library or displaying things recently absorbed in their little sponge brains. Like the little boy who was singing his ABCs at the top of his lungs in the bathroom and the little girl who emerged from out of the elevator exclaiming, "We DID it!" My favorite thing I heard at my most recent trip to the library though was this : Picture if you will two young sporty clad sorority girls browsing in the cookbook section. One finds the book they are looking for and says, "Great, here it is -- Cooking for Two Then they other chick says, "Oh, but what if we have people over??? See if the have 'Cooking for Four!'

Oh man, no wonder so many people have earbuds in their ears at the library!

Back to School

The girls had a good first (and second) day of school. We have been busy organizing supplies, packing lunches, getting back into the morning routine, and already doing homework. Madison started the 8th grade at Oakland Junior High School and Gabrielle is in the 7th grade at Lange Middle School. Gabrielle has most of the same core classes and teachers as she did in 6th grade, plus Spanish and FACS as electives. Next semester she will do Drama. Playing flute in full band continues for Gabrielle as well as PE. Madison has a full load with Advisory (Study Hall) or PE, Band or EEE, Spanish 1B, Honors Block English and Social Studies, Science, and Honors Algebra. In September she starts Marching Band practice at 7 am three days a week. I do love the structure and schedule that the school year provides. Here is a quick photo we took before heading out the door on Monday. Also one of the dogs waiting patiently for their return!

Big Dog Dad

Today is my Dad's 80th birthday. He is such a fun person. My favorite memory with my dad has to be when he fell off the roof and broke his leg, he let me draw on his cast. I drew pictures of my imaginary friends. He would always ride the roller coasters with me and let me work with him on whatever he was doing. He is also such a great grandpa. My girls love how funny and joking he is with them. He always looks good in his "Big Dog" shirts and his "Big Dad" smile. Happy Birthday Dad! We love you!

Merlin

We are getting ready for the new episode of Merlin this Sunday night. We have watched this show on NBC since it started earlier this year. It follows the story of Merlin the legendary wizard and King Arthur, and what might have happened if the two had met when they were young. Merlin is just discovering his magical abilities and how to control them. Arthur has just been made crown prince by his father, King Uther. Uther despises all things magic, due to many things in his past, including the death of Arthur's mother. Arthur has to try to keep his abilities a secret while having to use them ALL the time! He is schooled and mentored by the court physician, Gaius. The King's ward, Morgana, is discovering that she has the ability to see the future. Merlin is very witty, charming, and always getting into trouble. This season actually first aired in Britain on the BBC last year. It's available on dvd, but you have to have the special dvd player that only works in Europe. So, you can catch up online if you haven't seen it yet. Our whole family loves the show. We read that the creators goal was to make "three generation television," appealing to audiences young and old alike. They definitely succeeded! It airs on Sunday nights on NBC at 7:00pm. The season finale is next Sunday at 6:00pm!!!

Birthday Celebration

We had fun celebrating Madison's 14th birthday. We decorated with pastel bandanas and butterflies. For dinner we did fondue. We first had the cheese course, with apples, pears, broccoli, carrots, bell peppers and celery, cheese tortellini and french bread cubes. Then Madison opened about half of her presents. We completed dinner with a broth fondue with steak, pork, chicken, potato wedges and baby portabello mushrooms. It was sooo yummy! Madison finished opening the rest of her presents and we brought out her birthday fruit pizza that we made that morning. She decorated the fruit pizza exactly how she wanted-- it was delicious and beautiful. We ended the evening watching a movie together -- Race to Witch Mountain. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Happy Birthday Madison!

Madison turns 14 years old today. Hope you have a great day and a wonderful year to come! You are so special to our family…

What's Cooking

The girls have really been helping out in the kitchen lately (and on the grill) from family dinners to treats and more. It is so nice to have them at this age when they are both willing and able! The girls have made several things lately including Whoopie Pies (a more healthy version, but still quite tasty), Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps, and all kinds of meals from the grill. Madison is continuing to add to her homemade recipe book. Gabrielle is compiling a recipe book of delicious desserts (go figure!). Both girls are keeping food journals. Here is Gabrielle grilling chicken and pineapple. It was so good! Thanks girls for all your help! It is like having two sous chefs! Bon Appetit!

Cake Kindergarten

I was so lucky to have my very own private lesson on making fondant, covering and decorating cake. At the last enrichment meeting at church, we all drew out a name of a person, then we were to do a service for that person. The person that got my name just happened to be the best cake decorator in our ward, so when she asked, I knew what I wanted her to do for me: teach me how to cover a cake with fondant. She is the best teacher. She was very patient, even when I had to roll out the fondant three times! She did a lot of prep work, too. Her husband was also nice enough to stay with their kids so she could come over and teach me in my own home. It was so much fun to learn. Now I may just be brave enough to do it all by myself. I better get her number on speed dial! Here are the results of our lesson:

Pierced Ears

Both girls got their ears pierced last week. Gabrielle want first, then Madison. This is their new look for back to school!

Do it Yourself Walk

Everyday Madison and Gabrielle like to take the dogs out on a morning walk. One day last week when they were taking Sydney first, Mia was not too happy! She decided to take matters into her own paws. She knows that her leash and harness are kept in a bottom kitchen drawer. She went into the kitchen, jumped up and down until it was opened halfway, then proceeded to dig out her leash and grab her harness with her mouth. It was the funniest thing. She was still not happy until her harness was on and leash attached and she was delivered outside to catch up to the walkers!! So smart!