The ZIT

We celebrate a lot of things in this house. We especially like "firsts". The first tooth lost, the first girlfriend, and now the first ZIT!

Here it is up close!

Eight is Great!

Eli turned eight a few weeks ago and in our family
EIGHT is BIG!

Eight means there will undoubtedly be a baptism. We've done this before (3 times to be exact) so this was old hat except for one thing. This baptism was our last. My baby boy was being baptized by his dad the same way my other boys were. I remember when my first boy was baptized. I was stressed out. I was happy but also sad that we had hit this milestone so quickly. This time I was relaxed. I was happy and not sad. I am so grateful that all of my boys have embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ and made the decision to be baptized.

Something that goes along with being eight in our house is new scriptures and joining Cub Scouts! The latter is something Eli has been looking forward to for a long time. With 3 older brothers he has been to a lot of pack meetings and camp outs!

How cute is this card that his friend Bennett made for him!

My Faith

I'll admit that I am happiest when I am helping, serving, and lifting others. That is not the reason I do it though, just a benefit. I serve others for many reasons but the most important is because Jesus Christ served His whole life. He gave His life for others and by doing so He set the perfect example for all of mankind. I made a covenant at baptism to be more like Him and so I serve to make others' burdens light.
I realize that many people don't understand or have been misinformed about my religion. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members of my church are often referred to as Mormons. I hope that while I am serving in the community I can help others understand who I am and what I believe.

I just watched this video and was amazed at how little the people interviewed knew about us, one of the largest religions in the world.

Will you please watch it and let me know if there is something I should be doing to help others better understand my faith?

A Hand Sanitizer Reality Check

With all of the FLU hullabaloo this year we have used our share of hand sanitizer. Okay, I am a germophobe and we'd use it even without the hullabaloo. Anyhoo!
This year I have sent in more than my fair share of tissues, hand sanitizer, and Clorox wipes to our classrooms.

Yesterday I went with Eli to Sam's and I was considering buying another extra large "price club" sized bottle of hand sanitizer to donate to the classroom. I asked Eli "Do you think Ms. *Teacher needs more hand sanitizer?"
"I don't know" he says, "she keeps it in her desk."

"In her desk?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied. "The health inspector said it has to be put away, it can't be out on the desk because it has chemicals in it."

"Well of course it has chemicals in it. That is what kills the germs!" I said in a louder than usual voice.

He just looked at me with a "Don't take it out on me, I am just the messenger" look.

I asked and it was true...it seems the health department thinks the risk of kids being poisoned by ingesting (eating? really?) hand sanitizer outweighs the risk of kids spreading germs like the flu!

REALLY? Have you ever tasted hand sanitizer? By accident of course... eeew!

*I am sure his teacher (who is a lovely woman) would rather remain anonymous.

I do realize they are still allowed and encouraged to use it, but to put it away, out of sight!?
Who woulda thunk.