Caught in the Rain

The kids were begging to go for a walk today. With the inclement weather we've had I was a little hesitant, but after dinner it was looking like it would be okay to go out. It was beautiful for a couple minutes and then suddenly the wind kicked up with a cold nip in it. I looked up and saw some very menacing clouds and said that we better not stay out too long cause it looked like it would rain. By the time we got to the corner we started feeling a few drops and turned around to go home quickly. Before we got home it had started raining and a minute later there was a cloud burst and a full deluge. We were lucky to get home before the downpour. The storm moved so quickly that 15 minutes later it was over. What luck to chose the few minutes of rain to take our walk.

Karen Turns 5

My little girl is growing up so fast. Yesterday was Karen's 5th birthday! We had a lot of fun. We went to a couple yard sales and bought a few things for the kids and the family. Jessica came over and helped us with Karen's birthday cake, face painting, and the park. We really appreciated Jessica coming over while Neils was up in Wyoming for the morning to help his brother with his basement. Karen really missed her daddy. After naps we had presents and then went to Karen's favorite restaurant Chick-Fil-A, although she calls it the cow place. It's not that she likes the food, she just likes the play area there. Then we all went miniature golfing (Karen's choice rather than a friend party). Cake was the last thing before bed. We had a really fun day and Karen is really excited to be 5 and be more grown up now. Happy Birthday Karen.

Star Trek XI

The new Star Trek movie came out this week and Neils scored tickets from work so that we could see it today. I've been very skeptical of this movie ever since I found out that Sylar (the bad guy on Heroes) was going to play Spock. I just didn't think he fit the role and was very disappointed with their casting him. Then I saw the previews and it looked so violent and not like the Star Trek TOS (The Original Series) at all. So I wasn't very excited to see it, though I did "have to" see it since I've seen every Star Trek movie and nearly every episode of every Star Trek series they have had. Well today was the day and I wasn't expecting to like it at all especially after some review that I read that said that Trekkies that like the original series didn't like it much and since I'm in that category I didn't have much hope. But by the end of the movie I was all smiles and I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it so much. I especially liked Leonard Nimoy's appearance in the film. In fact I like it enough that I actually want to see it in the theater again (which is saying a lot since I don't see a movie in the theater more than once). Anyone who is wondering whether or not they want to see yet another Star Trek movie and a prequel at that I suggest you see it, I think you'll be suprised.

Testimonies

Last month during fast and testimony meeting, Karen decided that she wanted to get up and bear her testimony. Neils asked her what she wanted to say and she said she didn't know. So we decided to discuss it for family home evenings for the month and practice so that she could know what she wanted to say and then bear her testimony this month. We did that. We discussed what a testimony is and how to bear testimony in church and what to say in our testimonies. Last Monday in preparation for today we had Karen stand up in front of us and bear her testimony. She was so cute and did a very good job. After she was done Michael immediately got up and said "MY TURN!" So he stood up and bore his testimony too (with help from daddy of course). After Michael finished Karen and Michael said, "Mommy, it's your turn!" So, I stood up and bore my testimony to my children. And you can guess what happened when I was finished. My kids proclaimed that it was now "Daddy's turn!" Neils saw this for the great opportunity that it was and stood and bore his testimony as well. There was a wonderful spirit there and it turned out to be a wonderful experience.

Today Karen was ready to give her testimony and though she asked for help, she knew what she wanted to say and did a very good job. It fills me with great joy to find our daughter growing and learning and wanting to share her testimony of the things she is learning. Her favorite stories to read at bedtime or nap time or whenever is from the children's scripture stories. It's always her first choice and it's amazing what she retains. I'm so glad I had these when I was little and can now share them with my children too.