When I am feeling really naughty I ...

Sneak into the pantry cupboard. Get a pretzel, smother it with peanut butter, caramel dip, and stick chocolate on top! YUM! I don't share one bite with anyone!

Are we not all hypocrites?

I recently have been indirectly accused of being a hyprcrite. It hurts. A hypocrite is something I try everyday NOT to be. I LOATH the idea that I might be a hypocrite.

My consolation is that this person does not know me well and only said that I reminded her of someone who is a hypocrite. Thus the reason for the indirect accusation. Yet it still hurts and haunts me.

I have wondered is this not true? I claim to be Christian. I try everyday to follow Him. I have covenanted to obey the commandments and yet I fail every single day. I have moments when I think a person who claims to believe what I believe would not have done that, or said that, or worse yet thought that.

This is not the first time in my life I have struggled with the idea that I am a hypocrite (it IS the first time I have been accused of it from another though). Nephi in the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 4:17-20 says it so eloquantly how I feel and struggle...


17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

(This whole chapter is amazing and one of my favorite scriptures.)

I think the fact that I KNOW what I know and yet I still sin, may make me a hypocrite. However, the fact that I keep on trying. I keep asking for forgiveness. I keep striving to be more than what I am through God's grace. I keep turning to Him. I keep trusting him. I keep...

I hope this is enough to keep me from being a hypocrite. Or am I fooling myself?

The writing is on the wall!!

I am truly fearful for the teenage years with Ross. Starting at two he was a shameless flirt with pretty teenage girls. The not so cute girls he rudely ignored completely, even if they tried to engage him. I try to teach him this is unacceptable but so far it has not sunk in.

One day driving a way from pre-school this year, my cousin Karen rolled down her window and yelled, "Julie, the girls are all fighting over who is going to marry Ross." Oh my, what is this boy about? My 12 and 10 year old will not even talk to girls and avoid them like the plague, politely of course.

Yesterday as I was driving, Ross yells, "Mom go 60 million mph!" I tried to explain about speed limits but he continued to insist that I need to drive at top speed.

The final straw was yesterday when we were passing a road closed sign that was put in the middle of the road. Ross yelled, "Mom, HIT THE SIGN!" I calmly replied, "Ross, I don't want to dent and scratch the car." Ross replied to me, "No mom hit the SIGN."



Heaven help me, I am in trouble!!!

What am I in for!!!!!

St John, USV

This is a picture of paradise and all I can say is, if heaven makes this earth pale in comparison we have A LOT to look forward to!!!!











How I felt in paradise!

PS If you want to see more of our pictures go to

http://picasaweb.google.com/david.and.julies.pics

Home Sweet Home!

We arrived home Saturday afternoon. I was so tired, that I almost fell asleep between the freeway and home. Although our trip was too too too short and we hated to leave "home" (Washington will always be my first home) it was good to be home.

I am much better although my ears still feel plugged and will not unplug no matter what I do. It was not strep after all but just a nasty virus. Glad to be on the recovery phase of that virus!

The day after returning from Spring Break, I was sustained as the Primary President. I kept hoping someone would oppose but no such luck!!! I guess everyone else was just so glad it was me and not them, everyone that is except the Young Women and Relief Society President!

With this new calling I will not be blogging so dutifully for a while. I will need to get organized and into the grove. I need to go and get ready for presidency meeting number one. Talk about a marathon! I am huffing and puffing already!

PS I am having a few computer difficulites so pictures will have to wait! Sorry!

Out of State and Order!

I am in Washington and still wondering why we ever moved away. It is so green an d beautiful here. I guess I am a bit homesick.

I seem to have come down with strep on the way. So, if you do not hear from me for the next few days, those are two reasons.

Usually I am very healthy. This is all too strange. I guess it is my turn to be ill this year. I hope my turn will be over soon!:)

PS Jen, I hope you nor any of your family will come down with this!!!

Goodbye Tesher!

I talked to my mom today and she said they put Tesher down last night. There is a hole in my heart. I would not want him to suffer but I really wanted to have a chance to say goodbye.

Part of me felt he was waiting for David, the kids and I to show up before he left us. He was such a noble dog that I am quite certain he was. He should have died months ago. This thought did not occur to me until just a few days ago. Tesher I miss you already!

Mom just told me today that every time a blue van drove onto their property he would get so excited thinking it was us. He would be disappointed if it was not us. When it was us, he was the first to meet us with a big Tesher smile.

Some say that dogs can not smile, they never met Tesher. He would lift up his upper lip and show all his teeth when he greeted you after a long separation. He would come right up to you and affectionately let you pet him. I think it was his way of hugging you.

Tesher, could run like the wind in his prime! Obviously he was part greyhound. We would throw the frisbee and before it could land on the ground Tesher would be there waiting for it to land.

When David and I had been married about 6 months, I saw some greyhounds. It was love at first sight. I talked to owners and knew that I needed a greyhound. I was lonesome for a dog. Dogs have always been important members of our family!

We were trying to save the few dollars we had as newlyweds and get a retired greyhound. It was going to cost us $150, a lot of money especially for poor college students. A few months later David was driving by the animal shelter when he saw a greyhound. We immediately went to the shelter and discovered for $5 we could adopt him!

He was 10 months old. He was not a pure bred but most people could not tell that from looking at him. His previous owner had moved to Alaska and could not take him.

Tesher was desperate to get out of the shelter because he was with a sheepdog that kept biting his feet to herd him. You could see in his eyes him saying please take me home far a way from this place. He never bit back!

The first time we brought him home, he ran into our home like he had lived there for years. He ran straight to our bed and jumped right onto it. This was before I had bathed him, ugh!

Oh how Tesher disliked baths. So much so that he would not come in or near a bathroom no matter WHAT! One time I wanted to see if I could get him into the bathroom without water in the tube. No amount of loves or doggie treats would entice him in. He just patiently waited outside the bathroom until I finally gave up and came out. During his baths, you could read those eyes again, saying, "Is it over yet?" So patient, so gentle, so kind.

There was always room for Tesher to love another person, dog, being... Every baby we brought home, every friend, every family member, every pet. Tesher knew how to love and to forgive.

Tesher did not like to be left alone. He coped with the stress by chewing up my wedding shoes, down jacket, and mom's couch! Not to mention a quilt I designed and made for Bryce.

This was a time that Tesher was not getting the attention he needed (I had a toddler and was pregnant with a husband that was either on a business trip or working horrendous hours) and Tesher sensed the love I had put into that quilt. One time he let his jealousy for one of our kids go too far.

If there is something I regret, it was when I scolded him for chewing that blanket I never hit him but I hit the ground and the chair near where he was sitting on. He was so sad. Sad for what he did, but also that I was not giving him the love and attention he needed. I realized this and tried to give him more. He accepted any love and attention I had to give and forgave me readily.

He never ever bite us nor one of the kids. Even when a baby would crawl all over him. One time when Bryce climbed on him and stepped on Tesher 's privates. Tesher did a little grumble and got up and left the room.

I could go on and on. He was a marvelous dog. My last thought, is this; I have wondered who will come to get me when I die. A bit morbid sorry. Now I know at least one being who will be there...Tesher!

PS I just read this to Ross and when I read the last sentence, Ross said Jesus the same moment I said Tesher! Perhaps both! I hope I am worthy of that! I wonder if Tesher is with Jesus?