Freedom -- A Gift From God!

FREEDOM does not come easily and the birth of this great nation, after independence was declared, required the shedding of much blood. I pray that we will do our part to ensure that such a treasure is maintained and strengthened with the help of Heaven. God wants this nation and the concept of FREEDOM to prevail, for it is His concept and design. FREEDOM is the way by which we can become like He is! It is the very thing that allows us to know the difference between good and evil. Let us now judge for ourselves the path that we are one as individuals and as a nation. The solution and resolve must begin at home, but we can and we MUST be engaged in the activity that is required of a free people. I think this gift is best summed up in the words of Thomas Paine, in The American Crisis. And we face times similar to those which he spoke of in his priceless pamphlet.

"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldiers and the sunshine patriots will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we often esteem too lightly: - 'Tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to set a proper price upon its goods; and it [would] be strange indeed, if so celestial and article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared, that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us all in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER," and if being bound in that manner is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious, for so unlimited a power can belong only to GOD."

And so, FREEDOM, as Paine truthfully wrote, is a gift from God. It ought not be granted or taken away by man. And any nation or ruler who attempts to limit such a gift is only being an instrument of darkness and fulfilling the wishes of Satan. It is darkness! And to allow FREEDOM to slowly slip away is a foolish mistake. For once FREEDOM disappears, by way of government, it will likely not return for our eyes to see. It may even remain outside the grasp of our children as well. But one thing is certain. When Christ the Lord returns, He will restore FREEDOM to this nation, and to all mankind as it is meant to be.

We live in the Last Days; the times foretold by ancient prophets. Nothing can be done to prevent the events that have been prophesied, but we can choose to be the people who preserve and hold onto FREEDOM. We can take back the rights and privileges that belong in the hands of the people and return government to its rightfully limited place. But we cannot return to maximum FREEDOM if we are asking government to provide for our every want at the same time. Nothing comes free, and as Thomas Paine wrote, those things which come easy are rarely appreciated. If we want things to change and get back to their proper place and order, we must begin to perfect our lives at home. We will all make mistakes of our own, and because of our Savior, we can be forgiven and set FREE!!! We can and must also be involved in voting for and running for various leadership positions in our government. It is pathetic and shameful that we do not have 100% participation from eligible voters in this country. My fear is that we are too far disconnected from the price of FREEDOM to understand the cost. Pride has set in and it prevents us from participating in the ways that we ought to in order to maintain the very thing which allows us to ignore our responsibilities. But we are FREE to choose!

With all of that being said. I am grateful for those who have sacrificed to give us what we have. I am grateful to live in the land in which I live; The United States of America. I am grateful for my Savior who gave all of us the priceless gift of the Atonement which allows us all to be FREE. Today, we celebrated, as a family, the birthday of one of our children. The future will soon be in the hands of our children and we must leave them with something more hopeful than what we have now. We must use common sense! We must protect FREEDOM!!!

GOD BLESS THE USA!!!

Father -- A Forever Title

As a new day  breaks on the east coast of the United States, and I contemplate laying down to sleep on the other side of the country, I reflect on fathers, especially my own. Society once appreciated and honored the men that were a part of them. But I now wonder if we, as men, are considered to be something of value; anything unique. The role of men has been diminished and made to seem irrelevant, as more and more women enter the work force and take on roles that were once considered the duties of men. Certainly, it is acceptable for women to work and do what men do, but it appears to me as though it is happening so frequently and unnecessarily that men are feeling castrated in a sense; they lack confidence. There is a loss of pride and honor. But those feelings are the feelings of the devil. They are placed there on purpose for the works of darkness and the further breakdown of families. But men and fathers, and those who are future fathers, it is time to stand up and BE MEN! It is time to regain your standing and your rightful place as sons of God on Earth. And as such, we are meant, when possible, to PROVIDE, PRESIDE, and PROTECT! This is something you know to be true. It is innate in men. Just as women are given innate qualities that allow them to NURTURE, as well. And together, in a family unit, it works perfectly. I am certainly grateful for those men and fathers who have given me someone to look to for an example of truth and righteousness. The fathers of my faith and the fathers of this great nation of the United States of America are a few of those men. I have been blessed to have a father of my own who has also provided a righteous example for me to follow.

I wish I had a picture of my father, but I don't. If I did, you would see the light of Christ in his eyes, and notice both a strength and softness about his presence. If you could watch him you would see him endlessly give of his time and talents in the care of others. You would see a husband who has learned to endure many nights of laying down on his pillow alone, while his hard working wife is still out wrapping up the work day as much of the world retires to their own homes and beds. You would see a son who would drive 2 hrs each way every Saturday for weeks on end to help build a house for his father, for which no financial reward is had. But he knows of the priceless treasures he will find in honoring and serving his parents. If you could see the works of his past and present amongst his family you would also find a brother who loves, serves, and protects his siblings... you would find an uncle who treats his nieces and nephews as his own, even driving long distances to attend events in their honor...a father who would lay down his life for his children; who suffers silently when they suffer; who cries when they cry...You would find a grandpa who cuddles and loves on his grand kids, enduring the explosion of life that occurs within the children when both he and grandma are around...and you would find a son in law who sacrifices and serves his mother in law when the projects don't always make sense because she is a project herself. And most importantly, you would find a man of God, who loves his Heavenly Father, through the works of his hands, which is apparent in all that he does. He is a man who leads by example. He rarely says a word of himself and his circumstances, but is interested in others and their needs. He is a man who holds the Priesthood and uses it righteously in the service of others. It may sound to good to be true, but that which I speak of is the truth! Is he perfect? No! But I wouldn't have it any other way! God gave me a father who through the years has shown me great growth in his service of Jesus Christ, his love of family,  and his tolerance and patience for others through the trials and obstacles of life. That is strength. That is character...to have weaknesses and be humble enough to give yourself over to the Father and have those weaknesses be molded into strengths. And that often comes in the furnace of affliction. I have a father who has loved me through all of my stupidity. He has endured pain and loss alongside me and my family. He would give the shirt off his back for myself, my wife, or my kids...and probably any of you! And in a sense, he probably has many times over when times were hard and he gave of his hard earned income to see us through. Most importantly, my earthly father has given me an example to follow to become like my Heavenly Father!

In an attempt to describe my Heavenly Father, a lot would be the same. Heavenly Father loves others and treats them like he would like to be treated himself. Heavenly Father gives and gives and gives endlessly, accepting a mere showing of love in return, which causes him to give even more. Heavenly Father is there to listen, even in the middle of the night. Heavenly Father is everything that we want and need, because He is perfect and we are His creations. He knows us! He Loves us! He wants us all to be like Him and have all that He has, in order to do what He has done and continues to do.

But until that time, let's continue to look forward, constantly watchful of the righteous examples of our fathers. Let's remember the heroes that we sometimes call "dad". Men, let's remember to be men and restore the proper balance of our society, where fathers PROVIDE, PRESIDE, and PROTECT...and where mothers NURTURE and EDUCATE their children. And both husbands and wives work together with our Heavenly Father's help to assist in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children. And to all of men, I hope you had a special Father's Day, for you are of infinite worth!

"...Fatherhood is not a matter of station or wealth; it is a matter of desire, diligence, and determination to see one’s family exalted in the celestial kingdom. If that prize is lost, nothing else really matters" ~ Ezra Taft Benson

Hastening Change When Your Body Fights You...

Not long ago, I was running around with my little sister....literally.  We ran round, and round, and round.  I trained hard for a marathon, got injured in my last few weeks of training, and decided to simply run the half marathon.

Training long and hard for that run was one of my best memories--for me and the children that I hauled in a double jogging stroller over  rough terrain for hours at a time.  While training went remarkably well, and I found myself busting out easy 9 minute miles on practice runs, the day of the race was terrible.  I couldn't relate it to anything at all.  Was it the surge of emotion going through me as I dedicated the run to my baby boy who died on that very day, in that lovely county we once called home, 5 years prior?  Was it my fear of getting hurt again?  Was is a fear of racing, something I hadn't done in awhile?

By the end of the race I was certain that it wasn't any of those things...I must be sick. I was pale, nauseous, and feeling completely out of my normal element.

My mother in law and my twin sister both commented on how they thought I'd be busting out the miles and killing them in the process, because their common motto for me was, "Crystal is strong!"  Whether it was to encourage me through hard times, or to relate what they really thought, it helped.  On that day, however, where was strong?  Where was the swift runner that had to naturally increase the pace in order to gain a shortness of breath again?  Where was Crystal?

I thought little of the logic behind the aching run when it was said and done, I simply tried to put it behind me. I admit, it worked for a little while.  However, life took a quick turn, and that day stays with me as a reminder that who I am today is not a coincidence or a punishment for anything I have personally done; who I am today is what God has required of me.  Some days it hurts more than others.  Some days, it leads me to tackle more and work harder.  Some days, it wraps me in grief as I wonder "why?"

Fast forward 2 years and 2 months from the date I ran that half marathon.

I have always lived a healthy life--never indulged in alcohol, too much fast food, or some of the challenging things people find themselves trapped in.  That's not to say I haven't had my own struggles and little cravings and love for food--we all do, it's part of the joy in life.  I lived 32 years healthy as I could.  After every baby, I worked hard with diet and exercise to get the baby weight off, I counted calories like the big time people tell you to, added protein supplements, and found every way I could to take the kids along for the journey....a single jogger turned into a double jogger, and the treadmill became a circus night as the children gauged how far and high they could go after my run was complete.  Even the last 2 years have been full of attempts to access that life again, but just like that run on March 31, 2012, something has not been the same....and fighting that change is harder than ever.

I recently received a very thorough run down of some of my labs that have been reading off the charts.  That, with a few other symptoms that I have never suffered has left me wondering what exactly is happening.  Long story short--the deeper labs showed off the wall activity.  The body is amazing when it fights to maintain homeostasis--that happy place in every body system you can think of--respiratory, circulation, digestion, neurological, etc.  However, when it is constantly fatigued by a "stressor"--like a parent is shot to the ground by the rounds of tears over accidents here and there all day long by a toddler who is learning self control while leaping into exploration--it ends up losing momentum and giving up.

What are the bodies "stressors"?  That's the question which yields answers that are different for each and every one of us.  My first indication that something was wrong was when I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Hypothyroidism in 2012.  Hashimotos is an inflammatory condition in which my body, for some unknown reason, starts to attack the thyroid with antibodies--those wonderful suckers that are meant to attack foreign invasions!!!  No, MY thyroid is not foreign, but my body thinks it is.  Naturally, when your body attacks itself, you officially have an autoimmune condition. As the last few years have passed, more lab values went sky rocket high as I have been on treatment for the thyroid problem.

An autoimmune condition isn't just an autoimmune condition.  Something has to trigger it to start.  It can be burn out,  food allergies, genetics--a multitude of factors can play into the big picture.

Now is the time when the search for my triggers needs to kick into gear.  If I can't find them, the risk for heart problems, stroke, and even diabetes are extremely high--they presently are as it is.  Now, after 2 years of fighting one disease I am gonna tackle the threat and deeper onset of many more.  I was doing my research today and came across a quote:

"Excess inflammation is a major cause of disease in our modern times.  It is linked to diabetes, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and even the aging process.  This makes reducing inflammation one of the most important ways to promote health and longevity."


I have no idea how living greater than 90% of your life at an optimal weight with a ton of exercise has led to such a bad picture.  Regardless, it is what I need right now for a reason.  I believe we each have time stamp upon us.  Every day we live is numbered by our Father in heaven.  We are asked to live in exactness and truth, but no matter how exact and honest our lives are, we must give over total control to Him.  He is the sealer of our fate, the master behind the script, and the loving arms we will fall into one day, after the struggle is over.

I have a husband and four young children who need me, ever so much. They are my life.  When the demands of caring for me become too much, and I neglect myself for a time, my pure love for them kicks in and allows me to care for them still.  Transitioning to taking the time for me needs to commence...so I can be here for them.

Let the challenge begin...."may the odds be ever in your (okay, my) favor"!

I Know a Name, a Glorious Name...MOTHER!!!!

We have all just celebrated the greatest among us, mothers. If it were not for them, none of us would exist. It is because of both fathers and mothers that we are here, but ultimately it is our mothers who brought us forth into this world. They are beautiful vessels who have fulfilled the measure of their creation. We owe our deepest gratitude and fondest of feelings to her, who gave us life. To my own personal mother and my dearest wife, the mother of all my children, I love you both! You have both given me life in different ways. You have both helped shape me into a better man. You have both strengthened me. You have loved me when nobody else would, and at times when either one of the two of you didn't want to for one reason or another. I am here today and continue pressing forward because of you two special ladies. Your love gives me strength and your mercy teaches me to love and become softer; gentler; sweeter. You have both sacrificed of yourself in order to help both myself and my kids thrive and feel loved. You both, as with many mothers, put yourself before others while utilizing your last bits of energy to survive. But when the time comes, that you are face to face with your Maker and the ones you have loved, you will find that they will honor your names. They will praise you for doing as Christ himself did, serving others when in reality you were the ones worthy of being served. And one of the truest signs of love and sacrifice I know has been displayed in the usage of just one word. The word again, being a form of mother. For as time has passed and marriage allowed for me to be blessed by another daughter of God, that angel whom I call my wife, now refers to my mother affectionately as "mom".

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." ~ Washington Irving

Being Real, in Real Time

We sat around the table the last few Sundays, as a family, playing games.  Steve and I have dreamed for this day--when the boys are old enough to tell us what to do with the game rules as we laugh and joke about random nothings!  We still have little girls, so when they are there with us, the games are chosen to suit them.  It is STILL, and ever has been, fitting to dip into the youngest child's learning patterns in order to be unified as a family from the bottom up--it is only right!

We played a simple game, in which you roll some die, and with the pictures you randomly land on, you tell a story.  Story telling is kinda' challenging, it requires one to dive deep into their minds and pull out a plot...determine the setting and characters...perhaps even bring the story to a climax with an eventual outcome, and hopefully...a principle will be presented!

The magic in the game days is not really found in the story telling.

The magic begins as each member of the family comes together and shares a little bit of themselves, freely, with each other.

This, repeated over and over again, will instill trust.

I can laugh around them.

I can be goofy and make mistakes.

Maybe I can even get frustrated or angry when I lose, or accidentally kill off the main character in  my story!

There may be some tears cried over being the loser, but eventually you will be fine with losing; don't we all need that in this day and time?  NOT EVERYONE WINS!!!  In this life, we are all on different playing fields and it is mostly about gain and competition.  In this life, not everyone wins, and that's okay!  I was honored to hear my family proclaim Maya as the winner of our last game.  Maya is 3 and had no idea what she was doing as she tossed the pigs and I tallied points this past weekend, but it put a smile on her face!  I was even more delighted when I heard a happy little ring to Lydia's voice right after the victory shout for Maya; Lydia, who is 5, proclaimed, with a tune to the statement, "I'm the loser!!!"  We laughed so hard and everyone said it that night!  "I'm the loser!" 

Losing gives us gifts.  We are encouraged to come up with strategies, implement plans, follow through with hard things--like work!  Losing can give us greater satisfaction when one day we actually do win!  That will be a great day!

As I have been browsing people on facebook, and studying a few interactions here, and a few interactions there, I have realized, we are all just that, an image, to each other.

I once had personal conversations with people in high school, I fought with them, laughed at them, and I even cried many times with them.  It was wonderful because it allowed something beautiful to happen--we learned to trust and love each other.  I have since had those types of relationships form into a family of my own.  Though I know that there were a handful of people I felt personally connected to on facebook, I came to realize that my relationship with most of these people is not better than it was the last time I saw them face to face, or heard their voice on the telephone and received a letter in the mail, perhaps!

Though I did have some sweet friendships form through social networking, it was a sudden vision in clear view today when I looked at my REAL life and said, 

"I want people to know the real me.  I want people to laugh at how funny my stuttering is when I get tired, or angry.  I want to be flawed to them, because when you are flawed, you are more readily accepted as normal.  I don't want to portray a false image of being perfect, lest I give that impression to a woman half way across the U.S.--or world-- who is struggling and wondering 'why me?'"

I have been that woman who looks at the smiles, the perfect bodies, the funny stories, and the riches at times and said, "Why me?"  I'm not ashamed to admit that, there is a little bit of self pity in all of us.

But...when those thoughts came, I took a little inventory of the life I have had with my family for 12 years now.  I remembered being in a basement apartment with an 18 month old little boy and another on the way.  I recall making dinner one night when my sweet Connor dropped a pickle jar that was sitting by the trash to go out the next day.  This was a giant pickle jar, Costco size!  I heard a shatter and looked over to him, my little babe.  He was face down, over the entire shattered glass jar.  My mother in law upstairs had just left the house that night...I screamed "MOM!!!" in a desperate attempt to bring her to my side in-case my worst fears were fulfilled, upon examination.  There was no answer.  My husband and father in law were working together....I was alone, and about to experience the second parenting trauma I had ever had.  

I picked up my little guy and there was blood everywhere.  I examined the core of his body first, his abdomen and chest, and found nothing.  Then, my eyes found the source...it was his leg, right below his knee.  I saw a large triangular portion of glass,

jabbed into his leg.  I grabbed a white kitchen towel, pulled out the glass and wrapped the towel around his leg as tight as I could.  At this time, I didn't see the wound, but I saw a ton of blood trickling down the leg of his pants.  I called 911, begging for someone to come as fast as they could to help me. "I'm alone!," I screamed, "...he fell on glass and there's blood everywhere..."  Tears poured down my cheeks while he screamed and trembled in pain, not a piece of his body capable of movement as he was stifled in his fear.

Then it came, with quivers and crackles, some of the words hardly spoken...because of inevitable tears that flowed down my face...

"Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are.  Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky...Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are..."

The 911 call was still in progress until the paramedics arrived, which was about 10 minutes, and I sang on repeat for what felt like an eternity.

The paramedics were wonderful, fully equipped with a little bear to hand to my "Connor Dude" for the ride to the hospital.   

I had called my husband many times, and he, with his father, were rushing to meet us there.

When we arrived, they whisked Connor and me through a long plastic white tunnel, as the hospital was being remodeled, and into a room for immediate treatment.  I didn't know what the outcome was yet because I did what I needed to by nature, and I wrapped his leg tightly; they finally untied the towel at the hospital.  There was a lot of blood, and the gash was just below his knee, almost parallel to his foot and started at the middle of his knee cap, ending at his inner thigh.  I saw every layer of tissue as they irrigated the wound--all while my son screamed in agony and pain..tied to a board-- hands, feet, and head. I stroked his head...and Grandpa and Daddy arrived to comfort his as well, it was torture.  There were tears from Grandpa and Daddy; I recall a priesthood blessing being administered, and I recall every stitch they put into him.

My trembling, bloody fingers wiped his tears, and my quivering lips kissed his head.  The glass had lacerated the entire portion of fatty tissue and was in contact with the muscle, but it did not pierce the muscle.  He was within millimeters of his growth plate, the muscle, and the artery in his leg being pierced.  He was given a miracle that night--we were given a  miracle that night....his continued life.

I felt traumatized by the entire event.  I was 6 months pregnant, was within minutes of eating a bit of warm malt-o-meal with Connor when the accident happened, so I was hungry, and I was mostly just struck with grief.

My baby had to go home with a brace on his stitched knee and take a break from typical toddler movement for a small piece of time.

But still...I had my baby with me, and he was mine.

Steve drove the three of us home in the little car we had at the time.  I was in shock, but crying still.  He asked if we had eaten--to which I replied, "No, I was in the middle of making me and Connor dinner when the jar broke."   Suddenly, the flood gates opened as I said, "We only have $7 in the account though."  My Steve looked at me, and without hesitation, said, "That's okay, I'm gonna get you two something to eat right now.  I don't need anything."

After having 5 children, there are days that I go all day without eating and don't think about it anymore, but looking back helps me understand the feelings that accompanied that small act of love right there.  When he sacrificed his desires and needs for me and Connor, I was overcome with happiness and relief.  Every sacrifice we make, no matter how small, is met with a heart of joy by our God.  Life may dull our sensitivity to those acts in time, but it is never dulled when God is at the core of who you are, and you have eyes that can see. 

(a look back to 2-8-2005)

We were a small family that day, and the events were hard to bear.  Yet, I found unity and love in the basement as I  made a tiny humble meal for me and my son, I was happy with very little...the baby in my arms and the baby in my belly with a hard working husband were enough for me.  I didn't mind the basement, I didn't care a lick about sleeping in the same room we called our living room, dining room, and play room--it all was just meaningless stuff to me that I happened to have fun rearranging from time to time to see just how spacious I could make a one room apartment look!  I found incredible peace that night as I watched Steve and his dad bless my baby in the hospital, in front of the staff.  Then, as the days passed, I felt a large dose of love fill the home as my determined 18 month old child begged me to take him upstairs the following morning.  I was full of fear to even let him walk, but as soon as we got upstairs, he magically rolled his body out of my arms and hobbled (like a wooden leg pirate) to his grandma's bedroom door.  I don't recall even asking to go in; I only recall seeing him give all his effort to climb into bed with her and snuggle for some cuddle time.

 My outlet on the night of his accident was my family, my husband.  I didn't want to broadcast my event to the world.  All I needed was the love of God and the support from my husband as guilt tried to fill me with anger. My support was my God, my husband, and his parents....with the abiding love of the smile on my child's face when we sat together as he drank his chocolate milk from Wendy's late into the night on our little hand me down couch.  He ate as fast as he could, and even I was a little teary then; I just looked at him.  There was no phone in my hand, ready to post the latest event in the Fultz Family, and that was good.  It was good because today, I have memories that are built around being with my family through interaction, not only through space and time.

It's about time we we embrace each day with it's opportunities to be with our families and friends, instead of idolizing them in their perfect lives.  It's a good chance to build a foundation of interaction and love that you may need in order to get you through the harder times to come--because as technology gets better, we become more isolated, ironically.

Hug your babies, call your sisters or brothers, and tell your Mom and Dad how great they are through a letter, a phone call, or a surprise visit. Thank God for getting you through your hard days, because let's face it--it wasn't perfect for you or me today.

It's time to be real again.

How to avoid the techno age with Reading, Singing, and Laughing!

Warning: This post is not meant to be preachy, informative, or even perfectly composed.  It is meant to take a reader to the end, where they will laugh at the simplicity of a wonderful life!

Lately, I have been avoiding anything with a screen, that's chargeable, and requires a cable to keep itself powered....I mean ALMOST everything.  I do need a phone to fulfill critical tasks, like texting and calling sisters. I do need to access some curriculum for my children, but when it comes to spare time...
give me a good book,
give me a little bit of quiet time for a nap,
or just give me solitude to think and do nothing at all!!!

So...with my new found hatred of the techno age necessities (or so we think they are necessary!), I am losing my drive to do the things I love, like blog, write, and even reminisce.

Lest, I lose that drive and talent forever, let us start again; however uneasy this relationship may feel to rekindle!

I have spent countless hours with my children this past school year reading.
We read about Cinderella stories; not the ones you are familiar with, but the ones that are carried through different cultures and times, the ones that make your heart go "wow, life is beautiful!"

We read about warriors...the many awful ugly ones, and then the few beautiful ones.
We have learned about Cyrus, he is known as Cyrus the Great.  Did you realize that as the ten tribes of Israel were scattered, he, through the goodness and grace of God, was able to gain the land of Canaan and rule over it for a time.  When he took over the land, he gave the Jews that were still living in their promised territory the right to build temples and worship God.  He wanted them to feel free...to literally be free.  God speaks about him In Isaiah as HIS, doing His will, though he (Cyrus) knows Him not. Cyrus truly was great!!!  He was even so great that the Babylonians, as prophesied by dear Isaiah, would literally open their gates to him and his armies, almost begging him to be their new leader because they (the Babylonians) were so tired of the cruel and enslaving leadership they were subject to.

I have learned that all through history there are good people.

I have learned that all through history that the bad people eventually bring upon everyone ugliness and calamities, destruction, and natural punishment by God.

Today, we learned about dear Socrates.  He lived in Athens about 400 years before Christ was born.  He was not a lovely fellow to look upon. Actually, he was said to have large lips, a flat nose, and bulging eyes.  It is interesting how that these themes have been common in history....some of the most brilliant minds and lovable souls opposed their physical appearance.  He eventually had a wife who treated him cruelly, so I would say he really didn't have a wife, he had a bully in his own home.  He was naturally loving and kind, he was naturally born to show forth the will of God in all things.   He was a teacher, and he loved teaching philosophy so very much that he refused payment for his skills and talents.  He wore rags and was mocked daily.  Instead of fighting against his accusers, he would smile and offer words of kindness.  Sadly, he was falsely accused through his life, and in one accusation, the punishment was death.  In this particular month, death could not immediately happen, and so he was enslaved until the following month.  He did, however, have students who loved him, one of which was Plato.  They arranged a way to get Socrates out of prison, to live the free life he deserved.  Socrates refused, stating that he would rather die in truth over living in guilt (the guilt of breaking the law by getting out of prison).  I taught my boys some his beautiful statements today, they dug deep into the meanings and then they interpreted them so beautifully.

"Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions; but those who kindly reprove thy faults" Socrates
"Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel" Socrates

At the end of each day we are turning more towards books...long hours are spent reading to the girls, reading to the boys, and then getting our scriptures in as well.

Tonight, as we were singing, I decided to pick a song that the children are working on for Primary, "I Stand All Amazed"!  There is one lyric which says, "I tremble to know that for me he was crucified"
As I sang this line, I raised my hands as Jesus had his hands raised on the cross when he was crucified.  I tend to talk and sing with my hands...hence, sign language was  a very good class for me in college!

Maya interrupted immediately with, "George was crucified too!!!!!"  She said it with enthusiasm and awe!  I was totally confused and brushed it off until the song was over.  I would have brushed it off longer, but I have inquisitive children who asked questions and researched the answers for themselves!

Question: Why would Maya say George was crucified?
Evidence: Maya said, "George was crucified."  Maya raised her arms in the same manner I did
Research: Look at the book Maya was looking at while we were reading!
Conclusion: Maya said George was crucified as well because the picture she was looking at when we sang that lyric was this....

Thank you Maya, for lifting my soul with happiness as you dived into you books as we read tonight!

Random happenings

In case you were wondering, the sleep taking continues!  Actually,  I was laying here listening to my husband fall asleep. He asked me if everything was okay. I answered with a simple,  "yes,  why?"

What came next proved he was sleeping,  "because Connor went out,  didn't he?"

I played along with, "well,  Connor went to bed already!" (and I shoulda added the fact that he's not old enough to be out without us!!!)

Beyond those sweet murmurs,  I am trying to capture this stage with the children while staying sane all at once. 

Aiden was watching the little chicks in the garage after church. They pecked away at a box they are temporarily in,  and one got a piece of foil and ran with it!  Aiden came running to me  i

with this beautiful image of happiness,  explained,  "the one chick had the 

foil in it's mouth and was running and all of the other ones were running after it. It was like chick football!"  He was so excited and so animated,  his smile beaming with awe over the wonder he just witnessed!

Did i mention my precious Maya?

I was cleaning the house on Saturday last week, before church.  I came across some change and strategically placed it beside the gumball machine.  

I was lucky enough to be in the kitchen, getting some last minute things done when I saw Maya climb onto the counter and find the money!  Yes, this was a set-up, but no, I wasn't hanging out waiting for the catch!  Sometimes Heavenly Father aligns our day perfectly with another persons day, and we are left in awe over His intricate timing!