Sabbath Breaking...

So, we broke the Sabbath in a big way today. At least in my opinion.

First, just let me say, that I'm not a "perfect" Sabbath Keeper, but I do try to limit our Sabbaths to attending church and staying at home as a family. I'm sure there's much more we can do and improve on. I'm going to be thankful that we do what we do for now.

Moving on....because of the last 9-10 months being either pregnant or having a baby with via c-section, I missed something very important. Lucy, Joey and Leah have been taking dance classes since last September. Right from the beginning I went to the calendar to see the dates/days of the final recital. EVERY time I looked at the June 2010 calendar, I saw that the dates fell on a Friday and Saturday for which I was very thankful. I did look at the calendar more than one time.

About three weeks ago, the tickets for the recitals (4 different shows) went on sale and when I went to buy the tickets I noticed that one of the days was a Sunday. I was stunned. Beyond stunned really, I started crying because I was so upset. It was all my fault.

I guess I tend to be a bit judgmental when it comes to keeping the Sabbath Day holy. I will probably offend any reading this, but it's my blog. It's my opinion that keeping the Sabbath holy is not that difficult. Let me say this...had I not been completely brain damaged this last year, I would've noticed the recital dates being on a Sunday. I would've immediately gone to the owners of the dance facility and told them of my concern. If they would have not been able to schedule my kids for the Saturday show, I would've calmly and respectively informed them that my kids would not be performing.

Why didn't I do that this time? Am I a hypocrite...yeh, I'm sure I am. The main reason was because of Joey. He was the only boy in his dance class and they had choreographed the dance around him to some extent. I talked to the owner and the dance instructor to see if Joey could be missed and both agreed that he couldn't. So, we decided to let him dance. I don't know if I was right or not.

My parents always kept the Sabbath holy. Maybe that's why it's easier for me. I guess, too, this is an area that I don't fear. I don't care if people get mad at me or my family for not attending something scheduled for a Sunday. Robbie had a couple of make-up ball games on Sunday last year. He didn't go. The kids don't attend parties scheduled for the Sabbath. I got invited to attend a baby shower on a Sunday here a few months ago. I really wanted to go. I knew that it wouldn't be a "bad" thing, but when I really weighed it out in my mind, I knew I couldn't go because I needed to be an example to my kids.

We did go to the recital today. We went yesterday for Lucy as well. Even though the music and dancing were basically the same, I felt a distinct difference in today's show from yesterday. I was really uncomfortable. The music seemed more offensive as did the dancing.

When we got in the car to drive to the singles' branch (the singles branch meeting in the Sewell building so we were able to attend church today), I told the kids that I wanted them to compare the difference in how they felt in the recital vs. church. Both Robbie and Lucy, when asked, were able to tell me that they felt the spirit at church. I was happy to hear that.

My dad did something similar for me and my brother just before our missions. My dad and Robert flew up in dad's plane to NY where I was a nanny. On our way home, dad stopped in Atlantic City and took us into a casino. Why? He wanted us to remember how we felt there vs. how we felt when we went into the temple in a couple of days. I won't ever forget that experience. I'm grateful that my dad thought to have Robert and I experience the stark differences between the loud darkness of the casino and the quiet brightness of the temple.

I hope my kids may feel similarly about our breaking the Sabbath today. I hope they can remember the differences of the loud darkness of the dance recital and the quiet brightness of the Sacrament Meeting. It's an interesting comparison really.

Making Changes

I refer you to my post on My Uniform. One of my favorite authors is Merilee Boyack. I've read all her books and believe we are kindred spirits on different sides of the country. She's written books on parenting and marriage and just overall having fun in life. Her sense of humor is delightful and speaks to my soul. I admire her greatly.

I recently emailed her to tell her how much I appreciate her. I tried to be funny in my email by telling her a little about myself and I wrote about my uniform. She responded quickly and told me that I needed to get out of my elastic pants and white tshirts and into something much more flattering. Although I thought I was being funny, I was a bit surprised to find a call to fashion repentance in her return email.

This is what she wrote:

"Aha!!!! So do you remember what I wrote about t-shirts and elastic-waist pants?!?? :)

Time to go SHOPPING!!!! Those items must be BANISHED. And yes, I know all about scraping vomit off of my shirts. It's about who YOU are and treating yourself with respect. (Not to mention being attractive to hubby.)

Remember my mother's rule?? He works with babes all day, make sure he comes home to one! :)

Sorry - I'm just WAY militant on that subject as you know. . . And yes, I know it takes effort."

So, I've been pondering her words. I'm determined to have a little more respect in my appearance. I'm trying not to use the excuse that the baby wears me out...even though she does. Or that my other six children wear me out...even though they do. I'd like to be a better example of this to my own children.

I am going to get my hair done today. I'd been putting it off for way too long. I have this guilt thing that goes on. Can't leave the baby. She's eight weeks old. She takes a bottle. Even though she's a big mama's girl, she will survive without me for a few hours.

My other thought was that if I'm going to wear elastic-waisted pants, I have to exercise. My effort in self-discipline will be that I have to exercise to wear the pants. AND!!!! NO SWEETS when wearing the pants. Does this sound totally weird? They're just so comfortable and they fit my body. I have such a funky body and I have NO fashion skills. I don't know what looks good on my body so I just go with what feels good. That's not always the right answer.

I've lost an additional 20 lbs since having the baby so some of my clothes are too big...I'm freecycling those. I need to buy some newer ones but I'm just buying what I've always worn. So, I guess I need to do some research to figure out what's better for my super cool shape.

Ok, I need some sleep. Been up since 5:30 this morning with the baby.

Grandma and Lili

I just love this photo of my mom with Lili. Mom wasn't able to be with me when Leah was born because she and dad were serving a mission. So, I'm glad I could have another little girl for my mom to love on. This is just such a sweet picture. I'm grateful for such a good mom. She's been a great example to me.

Lili's Blessing Day

Today little Lili was blessed at church. As you can see the whole family was able to attend. Both mine and Sam's parents came and Jen and Jessie were allowed to come as well. It was a lovely day.

Sam gave a beautiful blessing to Lili. She was such a good girl all day. It was so hot in the church and so many people were holding and touching her.

She looked so beautiful in the blessing gown as well. All my children have worn it, except Robbie. My mom made an heirloom dress when Lucy was born. All of the children's names and birth dates are embroidered on the bottom of the petticoat of the dress.

Me and mom after Lili had been dressed in the gown.

Sweet little Lili.

Things To Remember About Liliana

1. She cried real tears while still in the hospital. Most of my babies didn't have tears until about a month or so old.

2. I'll never forget that she weighed 9 lbs 13 oz. She was my biggest baby by far. Joey was the next at 8lbs 11oz. So Lili had him beat by over a pound.

3. She either has/had a birthmark or bruise over on her left eyelid. When she was first born, it looked as if she was bruised. It was really dark purple. As she's gotten older, it has faded into a dark pink. Plus, she has a very deep dark purple vein right over it.

4. It took well over a week for her umbilical cord to fall off.

5. She smiled at 5 days old. You may not believe it, but I was there and I was the recipient of the smile. We were snuggled in the bed. I had just nursed her and was just holding her and talking to her. She looked me right in the eyes and I could see she wanted to smile, then she did. It didn't last long but it was just for me. I'll never forget it.

6. She likes to have her butt patted to calm down or to fall asleep.

7. When she passes gas, you'd think it was an adult in the room. She doesn't do badly with burps either.

8. She loves to nap on the couch. Doesn't really like the bassinet at all. In fact, we've pretty much abandoned it.

9. So far, she not a fan of the car seat.

10. She holds her big toe up just like Sam does.

11. She had the most hair of any of my kids. Quite the headful.

12. She's five weeks old now and for the last three nights has slept through the night. I hope I didn't just jinx it.

13. She likes to have her hair washed. She still isn't quite sure if she likes a bath, but she definitely like having her hair done. Diva in the making perhaps.

14. She has blond, bushy eyebrows. They remind me of my Grandpa Lusk's bushy eyebrows. Lili's are cute though.

15. I love the way she sighs/coos when she's nursing or taking a bottle and when she's sleeping on my shoulder. I'll miss that sweet sound.

Do You Think They Like Her?

Happy Birthday Diane!

Yesterday was Diane's birthday. June 3rd. She would've been 55.

I hadn't gone to her graveside service back in November.

So, this was our first trip to the cemetery. It was so hot. 90+ degrees.

Her grave isn't marked yet so it was a bit of a treasure hunt, if you will, to finally find it.

Robbie looks pretty miserable and hot. I don't really blame him.

You can see the new grass growing over her grave. That was how we ultimately found her.

We had a general idea as to where it was but definitely had to go hunting.

One of the things that I'm sure she's loving is that her birthday is so close to Memorial Day.

In fact, she is buried between two veterans, so her grave is flanked by flags.

She was a GREAT patriot.

My photos didn't upload in order, but you get the gist.