Children are such blessings.

Every where I go my children come with me. So lately, each time we are out running about a store or someplace, some tells me what beautiful children I have. I couldn't agree more. This picture captures their beauty. I feel it is their inner beauty which emanates their true selves. They are innocent and pure and without guile. How blessed I am to learn from them in this role of motherhood. I know they are truly a gift for my husband and I to learn and grow in this season of our life. They, in turn, will receive "blessings" and "gifts" from God which will bring them true joy. It will be their chance to learn what God wants to teach them, through little ones. Blessings, Katie
We were listening to the Symphony from the hall.
And seeing the beautiful flowers at Temple Square.
They do this for pleasure, you know.

Camping at Goblin Valley

We had a great time exploring new places and eating in the dirt. It was a sweet experience having Isaac with us while he was here in April. He is our expert photographer.

We had good food and supplies, but we got blown out of camp by a wind storm. The combination of the wind and dirt was unpleasant enough to bring us home earlier than we expected. (Looks are deceiving aren't they. They make everything look so splendid.)

Master in the Art of Living II

Everything this guy does, is learning. He is constantly practicing, working, figuring, measuring, copying, self-correcting, etc. It is amazing to see it happening without any assistance from adults. Something many of adults don't think is possible. A testiment that children learn all by their selves.
"The Master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence in whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he is always doing both."~Zen Buddhist Text~

One of Katie's "Love of Learnings"

SLOW TRADITIONAL COOKING

Here you can see Katie has soaked wheat and then laid them out to dry (in the oven). This way, the phytic acid has been released from the wheat berry (soaking 3-4 days) so it can be digested properly. Then she can grind it in her electric grinder to make flour for cookies or cakes or in the blender for cracked wheat cereal.
This is her spelt sourdough bread. It's sourdough starter can be made from rye, wheat, spelt or kamut grain. It has no oil, honey or yeast. This saves our honey and oil for other uses and prevents us from depending on commercial yeast. Yeah. Spelt has been in our diets lately because Samuel and Joesph have been having severe symptoms of eczema. We are hoping this traditional cooking will help their bodies digest these foods better, thus not having symptoms of intestine irritation. It has been a great experience to learn more knowledge in the kitchen and with our real food.

Pictures Worth 1,000 Words- Jan-March 2008

All in favor say, "Aye." The "Ayes" have it.

Handsome Hansen

The Family Ball

Here is a glimpse into our experience at the recent Thomas Jefferson Education Family Ball. It is a blast to get shined up and sparkle every once in a while. Samuel even had a suit we found in the closet.

Jacob danced with a friend's daughter who has downs syndrome. That made her night.

We Have Chickens!

Mom has been waiting for seven years to have chickens and now we have some. We ordered the breeds we wanted from IFA after looking at the pictures on the Internet. They hatched on a Monday and arrived two days later at the store where we picked them up. We are currently building their home and they are currently residing in the garage. They stayed in the shower for a week or two. The children are excited about this new adventure. Jacob and Joseph are sharing in the responsibilities of chickens. We are excited for Eggs!