Story #1 Earlier this week we moved the big bed out of Kloe's room and put her toddler bed back in hopes that she would start sleeping by herself in it. She has been doing alright most nights-the second and third night she lasted until 5:30 AM. Saturday night Jesse had told her that he would sleep next to her on the floor, and had even gotten his sleeping bag out and put it next to her bed. Well...he was on call and ended up getting called out and Kloe was bummed, so I told her she could sleep with me. (Good consistent parenting, I know.) But I felt bad for her. So she comes and lays next to me and says, "Mom, I feel guilty." :)

Story #2 Yesterday I made Kloe lunch and set it on the table in front of her. She looks up at me and says, "Mom, don't try to sabotage me."

Story #3 This morning I told Kloe, "I'm so proud of you for sleeping in your bed for so long last night!" Her reply, "I'm so glad you slept most of the night. You can put a sticker on my chart if you want!"

The darndest things

A while ago we were at my mom's and Kloe came in and sat on the livingroom floor and started sobbing so I asked her what was wrong. Her reply, "It's my heart." I asked, "What about your heart?!" Kloe: "It's just not affectionate and has no courage." !!!!!!!!!! :)

Christmas

At our ward party 12.22.10

Since I couldn't go too far for Christmas, my sister-in-law invited me to their family party on Christmas Eve. Most of her family is in my ward, so I felt comfortable going and it was just down the road at our church so I figured I was safe if I did go into labor. The theme for the party was The Grinch so everyone was supposed to dress up as who's. Unfortunately I had absolutely nothing that fit so I was exempt. We had a good dinner, followed by games, a talent show and finally the live nativity put on by the kids. Kloe made herself at home and joined her cousin as an angel in the nativity. We had a fun time!

Ready...set...go!

Well, I just realize once again, I haven't posted for almost 2 months and I can honestly say I have a good excuse this time. First, Christmas. Then, wehadababyit'saboy! 2 days later. My water broke unexpectedly (I guess it's never expected!) around midnight early Monday morning and we scurried around and finally arrived at the hospital at 2 AM. After a long, miserable labor, Mitchell Ryan Graf was born at 1:06 PM at 8 lbs. 13 oz. 20 inches. Thank goodness I had him 10 days early, because he was a big boy! He was stuck in the birth canal so the doctor attempted to use the vacuum which did nothing but leave 3 deep gashes and a large bruise on his head. Because of the bruising, he had a severe case of jaundice, which left us originally in the hospital for one extra day. However, after a doctor's visit, we were re-admitted for 3 more days. The process was stressful, I was exhausted and overwhelmed but after 2 weeks of being under the lights (we had to keep him under at home later) he is no longer yellow. Since then we have all been trying to fight off nasty colds, but thankfully the kids are healthy now. In the mean time, I started another semester of school. I had registered for 14 credits, and soon reduced my schedule to 6. Mitch is a very good baby and Kloe is the best helper. But I'm still tired. I can't complain. I have the best kids in the world. (As a side note, Mitch weighed 11 lbs. 0 oz. and was 22 1/2 inches long at his 1 month appointment Wednesday.)












My friend, Jessie, was due 3 days before me and had her baby girl, Allie, the next day. She was 2 rooms down from me so we were able to visit each other. We ended up leaving (us temporarily) at the same exact time.












I have to say that I am thankful for good doctors. (Dr. Cannon-my doctor, Margaret&Amanda-my nurses and Dr. Anderson-Mitch's doctor). As I was in labor, I realized how nice it was that during both of my deliveries, everyone in the room was LDS. It gave me a little extra comfort.
p.s. I didn't have very much luck with good nurses and the food was horrible, but I did get to watch multiple football games on the 19" Zenith.

Unit 6 D&C Historical Context Report

D&C 76:26 ‘And was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him-he was Lucifer, a son of the morning.’

What other names does Satan go by? What do they mean?

Beelzebub: Name of a Philistine god. Used as a title for the “chief of the demons,” or Satan. The Pharisees referred to him as the “prince of the devils” (Matt. 12:24). Jesus denied that he cast out devils by the power of Beelzebub (Luke 11:14–20). See also 2 Kgs. 1:1–6, where it is spelled Baalzebub.

Devil: The English word devil in the King James Version of the Bible is used to represent several different words in Greek, i.e., slanderer, demon, and adversary, and Hebrew, i.e., spoiler. The devil is the enemy of righteousness and of those who seek to do the will of God. Literally a spirit son of God, he was at one time “an angel” in authority in the presence of God; however, he rebelled in the premortal life, at which time he persuaded a third of the spirit children of the Father to rebel with him, in opposition to the plan of salvation championed by Jehovah. “Thus came the devil and his angels”. They were cast out of heaven, and were denied the experience of mortal bodies and earth life.

Lucifer: Literally the Shining One; also Lightbringer or Son of the Morning. The name Lucifer appears only once in the Bible (Isa. 14:12). Apparently Lucifer is the name of the devil before his rebellion and fall. Latter-day revelation clarifies the fall of Lucifer and equates him with Satan.

Adversary: a person, group, or force that opposes or attacks; opponent; enemy; foe. (www.dictionary.com)

The prince of this world (John 12:31)

The wicked one (Matt. 13:38)

The enemy (Matt. 13:39)

Satan (Rev. 12:9)

Prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2–3)

Diabolos (New Testament)

Perdition (D&C 76:26)

Son of the morning (D&C 76:26–27)

That old serpent (Rev. 12:9; D&C 76:28)

The great dragon (Rev. 12:7–9)

A murderer from the beginning (John 8:44)

A liar from the beginning (D&C 93:25)

The accuser (Rev. 12:10)

The slanderer

I think it’s interesting that Satan has so many names, all of which have horrible meanings. It’s a sign to me of how real and powerful he is and how many ways he can creep into our lives. The world views the devil as a little red guy with horns, but these definitions give us evidence that he, although does not have a body, is real.

Christmas Traditions

Even though tradtions will never be the same for Kloe as it was for me, I am determined to keep some going, such as cutting down our own tree for Christmas. So, we headed up to the mountains yesterday in hopes of finding the perfect Christmas tree. Well...not only are the mountains a lot further away than they were growing up, the trees are a lot more scarce and unfortunately terrible looking. And, it's way colder here, which means no sledding.
Kloe and I stayed in the pickup while Jesse busted his buns through the waste-deep snow in search for a decent tree.
After a couple of hours, he came back with this:
And we love it! It's the perfect, non-perfect tree!
We counted this adventure as Family Home Evening, since we had a lesson on Jesus' birth the night before. On our way back, we grabbed a pizza, came home and ate, then busted out the Christmas decorations. Kloe got to open our new ornaments and we all took turns hanging them up.
We had so much fun despite the nasty weather and not-so-great circumstances. Our home now feels like Christmas and the excitement of all the traditions surrounds us. I love this time of year.

Thanksgiving

My D&C teacher shared this excerpt about Thanksgiving:

Proclamation of Thanksgiving

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863

This is the proclamation which set the precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving. During his administration, President Lincoln issued many orders like this. For example, on November 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving.

Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent magazine editor, wrote a letter to Lincoln on 28, 1863, urging him to have the "day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival." She wrote, "You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States; it now needs National recognition and authoritive fixation, only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution." The document below sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise."

According to an April 1, 1864, letter from John Nicolay, one of President Lincoln's secretaries, this document was written by Secretary of State William Seward, and the original was in his handwriting. On October 3, 1863, fellow Cabinet member Gideon Welles recorded in his diary that he complimented Seward on his work. A year later the manuscript was sold to benefit Union troops.

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

MY, HOW OUR COUNTRY HAS CHANGED! But, nonetheless, Happy Thanksgiving!

Unit 5 D&C Historical Context Project

D&C 61:8

What does it mean to be chastened?

Chasten: to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement; chastise.

(www.dictionary.com)

The word chasten is found all throughout the scriptures. In several instances, the Lord is chastening prophets and other righteous people. Other times He is rebuking those who have turned against Him.

“The Lord explained, “All those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified” (D&C 101:5).

How/Why does the Lord chasten His people?

“The reason, so divine, that the Lord chastens us is so that we may obtain forgiveness.” (Gene R. Cook, “The Grace of the Lord,” Tambuli, Apr 1993, 17)

“For sins, the remedy is to chasten and encourage repentance.” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Sins and Mistakes,” Ensign, Oct 1996, 62)

“Thereby we may become further tamed spiritually, for “except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, … they will not remember him” (Hel. 12:3).” (Neal A. Maxwell, “‘Plow in Hope’,” Liahona, Jul 2001, 72–74)

The Apostle Paul taught, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Heb. 12:6). Scourging is not a painless process!” (D. Allen Andersen, “Messages from the Doctrine and Covenants: Why Adversity?,” Liahona, Jul 2005, 28)

We have a choice when the Lord chastens us. We can be among those who, when faced with the consequences of our actions, spurn our responsibility and turn from God and His chastening love. Or we can be like those who patiently submit, learn, and grow in righteousness.

FHE 11.15.10

I remember doing these in elementary school and thought they were so cool. On the left: Kloe's hand, my coloring, Jesse's artwork (the extra trees, sky and grass). Middle: my turkey Right: Kloe's "This is all my attention span can handle" turkey. Happy Thanksgiving!

Princess Kloe

I didn't realize I hadn't posted pictures from Halloween. I am kicking myself for not taking any when she really got dressed up, but here are a few of the ones I did get.

Maybe I'll make her get dressed back up because Jesse made her a sweet lollipop to go with her costume.

Sleeping Beauties

This is what happens when Heavenly Father knows I need to get homework done...


I love her so much. She's more than I ever dreamed of deserving.

Jesus Christ- our Advocate

D&C 45:3 “Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him-“

What is an advocate?

Advocate- a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor. (www.dictionary.com)

What qualifications should an advocate have?

When I think of an advocate in a worldly sense, I think of a lawyer. I’ve never dealt with a lawyer, but I’m assuming one of the first steps a person would take when meeting with a lawyer, would be to familiarize themselves with each other. If the lawyer didn’t know the client, he wouldn’t be very successful.

As parents, we sometimes find ourselves acting as an advocate for our children. Why?

1. Because we know them and love them

2. Because we believe that they were either wrongly accused or that their actions should be excused.

Although lawyers and parents can be great advocates, our Heavenly Father has given us a perfect Savior to act as our advocate with Him.

Why is Jesus Christ our advocate?

Because He is God, He is perfectly equitable with justice and mercy. He can simultaneously plead our cause and judge our destiny. When we plead, we remember Him as our advocate with the Father. (Henry B. Eyring, “Be One,” Liahona, Sep 2008, 2–7)

Not only does Christ know us individually, He has unconditional love for us. He knows our hearts, our capabilities, our fears, our situations, our intentions. He wants us to return to live with our Father in Heaven. He’s not in it for the money. He doesn’t judge us. He loves us no matter what we have done, and has given us the gift of the Atonement so that He can help us.

As an advocate, what is His role?

In a most personal way, the Savior pleads for us before the Father’s throne. When Christ pleads for us before the throne of the Father, He does not plead on the basis of our merit; He pleads on the basis of His merit and His suffering. (Bruce D. Porter, “The Prince of Glory,” Ensign, Dec 2009, 26–30)

As a little kid, I remember pleading with my mom on different occasions. When we plead, we really believe we deserve mercy. I believe this is what it will be like when Christ pleads for us. He will plead our cause to God because He will believe that we have done our best.