Unwelcomed Guest

Look at that nasty thing! Jeff found it on our tree in the back yard. We should have known there was some big nasty spider living it the tree because every couple of days Mason or Cooper would knock down a huge spider web out of the tree and the next day, a new web would appear. Right after taking this picture, Jeff knocked the spider out of the tree and killed it. Hopefully it wasn't on an endangered species list or anything...nah, who and I kidding, I would have made him kill it anyway.

Motorcycyle time

 My dad has a motorcycle. My boys have wanted to take a ride on his motorcycle for a long time. Finally, one day when my dad had the day off he came to our house after school and gave each of the boys a ride around our neighborhood. They both had lots of fun and can't wait until their Papa lets them go for another ride.

 Cooper

Mason

Daddy Cooper

New Testament Class, Week 2, Student Choice Assignment

Choice 3: The Calling of the Twelve Apostles Matthew 10; Mark 3:13-35; Luke 5:1-11

*All scripture references are linked for your convenience. 

            
    1. Review Matthew 10:1-4 and Mark3:13-19 and highlight the names of the original Twelve Apostles. Look up the names of three Apostles in the Bible Dictionary and write one sentence describing something you learned about each one you selected.

Twelve Apostles were: Simon (surname Peter), James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas.

1.      Andrew- As a disciple of John the Baptist he met Jesus and he was one of the earliest to be called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

2.      Philip- The son of Harod the Great and Mariamne.

3.      Matthew- He had a thorough knowledge of the Old Testament scriptures and was able to see every detail of the Lord’s life in fulfillment of prophecy.

      2. Read Acts 4:33, Doctrine andCovenants 107:23, and the entry for “Apostle” in the Bible Dictionary. Then write a definition for what an apostle is.

An Apostle is someone who is sent forth to be a special witnesses of Christ. They bear witness of the resurrection of Jesus. They are ordained to be a disciple of Christ during His ministry on earth as well as after his ascension into heaven.

      3.      Describe in writing how the Savior’s teachings to His Apostles in Matthew 10:5-42 prepared them to be sent out to proclaim the gospel.

      The Savior taught them to have faith and to not fear, though they would have many enemies. He taught them that their Father in Heaven knows of their needs and would provide for them whatever they needed. He taught them to endure and to continue on from one city to the next.

      4.      Read Luke 5:1-11. Explain in writing what you learn from the responses made by Peter, James, and John to the Savior’s call. How could you apply their actions and examples in your own life?

After spending the night fishing and catching nothing, Jesus told Simon to let down his net. Simon immediately did what Jesus asked him to do without questioning him. Their nets were filled to capacity and broke. Then when they brought their ships in, the forsook all and followed Jesus. I can apply Peter, James, and John's actions and examples in my life by not questioning the things I am prompted by the spirit to do. I can also make a more conscience effort to follow Jesus' example with my thoughts and actions.

Family Pictures

When we had Kinley's newborn photos taken, we (I) decided it would be good to get a new family picture taken as well. So here they are.

Mason: 7 years, 2 months

Cooper: 5 years, 1 month

Shiloh: 22 months old

Kinley's newborn photos

Here are Kinley's newborn photos that we had taken when she was first born. The little stinker would not sleep for anything. I tried feeding her, rocking her, cranking up the heat in the house, nothing. Nothing would work. Although the pictures are still good, they are not what I wanted. I wanted pictures of a SLEEPING baby. She wasn't even happy during most of the session. *sigh* 

New Testament Class, Week 1, Student Choice Assignment

Choice #1 The Baptism of Jesus Christ.

Review Matthew 3:13-17. Then answer the following questions.

1) Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus?

John was hesitant to baptize Jesus because he felt so inadequate to do so, as Jesus was perfect, and John   knew that he himself was far from perfect.

2) What is taught here about the Holy Ghost?

These verses teach that the Holy Ghost is a separate personage from the Father and the Son. The          scriptures state that the Holy Ghost descended from Heaven "like a dove" and Luke added "in bodily shape". The Holy Ghost does not confine itself to the form of a dove. The sign of the dove was a witness for the Holy Ghost, and a sign to John the Baptist to signify the truth of the deed he had just performed.

3) Jesus Christ said He must be baptized to “fulfill all righteousness.” List three reasons why Jesus Christ was baptized. (see 2 Nephi 31:6-11).

1) He humbled himself before the Father, and witnessed to the Father that he would be obedient to him in  keeping his commandments.
2) He showed the children of men the straightness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter.
3) He set the example for all of us to know what is required of us to enter into the Kingdom of our Father.

4) What evidence is found in Matthew 3:16-17 that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personages in the Godhead?

Jesus came out of the water after being baptized, the Holy Ghost descended upon him like a dove, and a voice came from Heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased".

New Testament Class, Intro Week, Student Choice Assignment

This past week I began a new semester of classes online with BYU-I. Since I just had Kinley, I wanted to take a little break, but not a full break, as I probably wouldn't continue with my schooling if I had, so I am just taking one-two credit class. I decided to take a religion class that focuses on the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ, through the four gospels in the New Testament.

For this class, I have to do a "student choice" assignment each week. Once part of this assignment is that I get to choose how to complete the assignment and which assignment I want to complete. Once of the choices for how to complete the assignment is to post to a blog the answers to the assignment I want to complete. Since I already have a blog, I figured this would be the easiest way for me to complete the weekly assignments. This week our reading focused on the birth of our Savior. I chose to fill out this chart and answer the question below.

 

Who	How they learned  about the Savior	What they knew about the Savior	What they did with their knowledge
Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-45)	John the Baptist leapt in her womb.	Mary was carrying the Savior in her womb.	Acknowledged to Mary that she was blessed to be the Savior's Mother.
Shepherds (Luke 2:8-18)	An angel of the Lord came to them in the field and told them of Christ's birth.	The angel gave them a sign to know where to find the Savior.	They "made known abroad" the things the angel told them and that Christ was born.
Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)	The Holy Ghost told him he would not see death until he saw Christ.	That he was "set for the fall and rising of many in Israel."	Praised God and acknowledged that God kept his promise because he had just seen Christ.
Anna (Luke 2:36-38)	Saw Christ when she came in the Temple.	She knew he offered redemption to all.	Gave thanks unto the Lord.
Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-12)	They saw the star in the East.	Christ was to be the King of the Jews.	Went to Christ,   worshiped him, and brought him precious gifts, but did not return to Herod to tell him where Christ was.
Herod Matthew 2:1-18)	The Chief Priests and scribes told him about the prophecy.	Christ was to be the King of the Jews.	Diligently searched for Christ. Had all babies 2 and under killed.
Chief Priests (Matthew 2:1-6)	The writings of the prophet.	He was to be born in Bethlehem.	They told Herod of the prophecy told by the prophet.
Nephites (3 Nephi 1:12-22)	Their fathers told them of the signs that would come when Christ was born.	The day before   Christ was to be born, there would be no darkness when the sun went down.	They saw the sign of Christ's birth. Many hearts were softened. Many believed and were converted unto the Lord.

Question: What do I know about the Savior, how have I learned it, and what am I doing with what I know?

I know that the Savior is my older brother. His Father is our Heavenly Father, his mother is Mary. He was born in Bethlehem under the most humble of circumstances. Christ came to this earth to be mine, and your personal Savior. While on this earth, he lead a perfect life, one that we all can look to as an example of how we should be living our lives. During his life on earth, he loved all, forgave all, healed the sick, taught the people His gospel. He continues to be humble, kind, loving, pure, forgiving, patient, meek, as well as many other attributes we should all be striving to obtain. I have learned about my Savior from my parents, in my church classes, through person scripture study, through seeing the example of many people in my life who posses these Christlike attributes. I continually strive to teach my children about their Savior though my words and actions. I try each day to be a disciple of Christ in all that I do and say. I am on a continual journey of forgiving those who wrong me, and asking for forgiveness of those I wrong. I strive each day to be thankful, and thank my Savior for his sacrifice on my behalf.

First day of school

I'm a bit late posting about the first day of school. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the whole taking care of a newborn thing.

Cooper started Kindergarten this year. He is in one of the afternoon classes. I am super happy he goes in the afternoon. He gets on the bus at 12:15, right outside our house, how convenient, huh? After that I am able to get Shiloh down for a nap and have a few quiet, uninterrupted hours to myself to get homework and house work done. Yes, I started school this week. I'm only taking one-two credit class though, so it shouldn't be too bad with a newborn.

Cooper has done pretty well with the adjustment. He has had a few rough times though. Last Thursday he was crying when he got off the bus. Then Monday as soon as the bus pulled up, he dropped his backpack to the ground, said he didn't want to go, and ran back in our house. I had to puuulllllll him out from behind our couch, carry him out to the bus, lug his heavy self up the bus stairs, sit him down in an empty seat, hugs kisses, love you's,yadda yadday, then walk off the bus, hoping and praying he didn't run after me. Thankfully he didn't, and has gotten on the bus every day since then like a pro. He still tells me he doesn't want to go because he'll miss me, but I make him go anyway. Mean mom right here!

Mason started 2nd grade. So far he seems to really like his class, his classmates, and his teacher.

Shiloh had to have her picture taken too. And she is pretty cute, so Jeff didn't say no.

Mason in his classroom.

 

Kinley, waiting for Cooper's bus to come.

Ready to ride the school bus for the first time.

Cooper lined up, waiting to go in his classroom with all the other Kindergarteners.

Cooper in his class, at his desk.

Kinley's first three weeks

Kinley's first three weeks of life have been pretty good. She is a great baby. She loves to be held all the time. for the first two weeks, the only way we were  able to get her to sleep for any length of time was in her car seat. That has now changed. She now prefers to sleep on Jeff or my chest, and snuggled up in the Moby Wrap during the day, and at times, I can get her to sleep on her tummy on the couch, (while I watch her closely, of course). We haven't had a ton of visitors. The two times we have had a lot of people at our house passing her around, she had a hard time settling down for bed, so I guess in some ways, fewer visitors has been a good thing.

 Great Grandma Long

 Great Grandpa Long

 Kinley's milk coma after tasting milk for the first time at three days old.

 First bath at home. She wasn't very thrilled with it, but after having a few more baths, she is doing better and remains calm during the whole ordeal.

Deep in thought.



Overall the other three kids are doing well adjusting to life with Kinley. I was pretty nervous about Shiloh getting jealous, but so far, she is doing really well. Shiloh calls her "Kin" but can say Kinley as well. It's pretty cute. I'll have to try and get that on video and post it. The other morning I heard Shiloh calling for Kinley from her room. She used to call for me, I guess I've been replaced.