Choice and Consequence

I'm gonna go out on limb here and talk about something that is getting a lot of attention in the state of Utah right now.

But before I do that, let me share a little bit with you about what I believe.

I believe that one of the absolute most important lessons we will ever learn in this life, is the correlation between choices and consequences. The greatest gift God has given us is the gift of choice. It is balanced out by consequences. The two always go together...Choice and Consequence. It is something that is repeatedly discussed in my home. It is one of my greatest focuses when it comes to teaching my children. When we make a choice, the following consequences help us to learn. They teach us things about the world, about God, and about ourselves - who we are and who we have the potential to become. They also act as a motivation to make the right choice. The more right choices we make, the happier and better off we will be.

Consequences are an important part of our lives. They serve a purpose. I find that it is becoming a growing trend for people (parents, society, government, etc.) to try to remove consequences from our children in order to "protect" them or to keep them "safe". I think this is incredibly dangerous and stupid.

Let me share an example here. Lets say I tell my daughter that she should not play with matches. I explain to her the dangers involved, how badly it would hurt if she were to burn herself, and that even worse things than hurting herself could happen as a result - like burning the house down. If she chose to play with matches she could affect not only her life, but the lives of others as well.

Her reaction would likely be, "I will NEVER play with matches."

Now lets say I follow up with that conversation by saying...."but, there is a likelihood that you may find some matches someday and you will want to know what it's like to start a fire. Even though I've already told you that you shouldn't play with matches, let me tell you a few things you can do to play with matches more 'safely'." Then I tell her things that may make it less likely for a complete disaster to be the result of her playing with matches, like "Only play with matches in an open space, where you are less likely to catch surrounding objects on fire."

What would her reaction likely be then? Probably something like, "I can see that playing with matches can be dangerous, but I also now know of ways to try to prevent those things from happening. So it's probably not such a big deal if I light a match or two just for fun, as long as I'm being 'safe' about it."

What's just happened here? She is no longer afraid of playing with matches or the possible consequences that could follow because she has been taught to do it 'safely'. The likelihood that she wouldn't worry too much about playing with matches just increased ten-fold. And it did so because the consequences of doing it were just taken away.

So, if I teach my daughter not to play with matches, I don't want anyone else to swoop in and teach her about how she can do it 'safely' if she ever wants to. It diminishes the dangers involved, undermines my teaching as a parent, and makes her more likely to find herself in bad situation.

Get my point?

Okay, so now I will tie this in with what is being talked about in Utah right now. Utah legislation just passed a bill called HB363. This bill states that when it comes to sex education in our schools, our children will be taught from an abstinence-only standpoint. A petition is going around urging the Governor to veto the bill immediately.

As you can imagine, people have many different views on this topic. But the one that I keep hearing over and over again goes something like this, " Let sex education stay and give our students the information they need. Many teens are going to have sex anyway and telling them, 'just don't do it' isn't going to stop them. Give them the knowledge they need to stay safe and avoid STD's and pregnancy." ( I actually got that quote from an online discussion board today.)


I'm sure you can probably see where I'm going with this. In our home we teach our children, or will when they are old enough, that abstinence before marriage is the only option. Obviously they will choose one day whether or not they agree with that, but we will never teach them anything differently. We will teach them the purposes of sex that we believe are dictated by God, not by man. We will teach them of the dangers and consequences that could follow if they abuse that God-given gift, including unplanned pregnancy and STDs. BUT we will not teach them how to avoid those consequences. They will be much more likely not to be concerned about them if they know a way around them. They will be much more likely to make the wrong choice if they can do it without worrying about what may result from that choice.



I want my children to fear those consequences! I want my children to fear God and follow His guidelines! Those are the things that will keep them safe!


So, just as with the matches, if I teach my child that she should not have sex outside of marriage - I demand that no one else (including well-intentioned and educated adults in the school system) swoops in and 'saves' her by teaching her how to have sex without consequences. If she makes the choice to have sex, she will deal with the consequences of that choice, however harsh they may be, because that is how God intends it to be. That is how we learn, grow, and change. It is how we become stronger people. It is how we gain integrity.


Do not steal my daughters innocence! Do not steal her integrity! Do not try to 'save' her by making dangerous things seem more doable and appealing! That is counter-productive. And DO NOT undermine my ability as a parent to decide what is best for my child!


I fully support HB363. I hope it is not vetoed. Saving our children starts in the home, not in our schools.

Wedding Cake Baking Time and Batter Amounts - 2 in. Deep Pans

So, this post might seem a little silly, but I will be making a wedding cake pretty soon and I'm trying to post some tips for myself on Pinterest. This keeps it all in one spot and I can find what I'm looking for pretty easily. The problem is that in order to 'pin' something to Pinterest, there has to be a photo on the page to go with it. The website I found this information on, which you can find by clicking here, did not have a picture so I couldn't pin it. So, I decided to put it on MY website, accompanied by a lovely cake photo that can be pinned with it. Of course, now I have the info on my blog, so do I really need to pin it? Yes! Because what if it might be useful to one of my Pinterest followers?

So, here it is! 

(The underlined numbers on the chart separate the different pan shapes, i.e. the round pan sizes end at 16". The 7 x 11" underneath that is the first size of the sheet cake.)

The chart below is based on baking recommendations from the Wilton Test Kitchen; your results may vary depending on oven performance or altitude in your area. For large cakes, always check for doneness after they have baked for 1 hour. For pans 10 inches and larger, we recommend using a heating core to insure even baking.
Use this chart as a guide when baking wedding cake tiers. Batter amounts for the 2 in. cakes on the chart are for pans 2/3 full of batter. An average 2-layer cake mix yields 4 to 5 1/2 cups of batter.
Icing amounts are very general and will vary with consistency, thickness applied and tips used. These amounts allow for top and bottom borders.
Serving amounts are based on wedding-sized portions of approximately 1 x 2 in. Cakes from 3 to 6 in. high, baked in the same size pan, would yield the same number of servings because they follow the same pattern of cutting. Cakes shorter than 3 in. would yield half the number of servings indicated for that pan. Number of servings are intended as a guide only.
The number of servings listed are intended as a guide only and offer a small portion of wedding cake. If cake is the only dessert and/or portions larger than 1”x2” are served, then you will have less servings than the chart indicates.

Pan Shape	Size	Number of Servings (2 Layers)	Cups Batter 1 Layer, 2 in.	Baking Temperature	Baking Time Minutes	Approx. Cups Icing to Ice & Decorate 2 Layer Cake
Round	6" 7" 8" 9" 10" 12" 14" 16"	12 24 32 38 56 78 100	2 2-1/2 3-1/2 5-1/2 6 7-1/2 10 15	350° 350° 350° 350° 350° 350° 325° 325°	25 - 30 30 - 35 30 - 35 30 - 35 35 - 40 35 - 40 50 - 55 55 - 60	3 3 1/2 4 4 1/2 5 6 7 1/2 9
Sheet	7 x 11" 9 x 13" 11 x 15" 12 x 18" 14 x 22"	32 50 74 98	5-1/2 7 11 14 16	350° 350° 325° 325° 325°	30 - 35 35 - 40 35 - 40 40 - 45 45 - 50	5 6 8 10 12
Square	6" 8" 10" 12" 14" 16"	18 32 50 72 98 128	2 4 6 10 13-1/2 15-1/2	350° 350° 350° 350° 325° 325°	25 - 30 35 - 40 35 - 40 40 - 45 45 - 50 50 - 55	3 1/2 4 1/2 6 7 1/2 9 1/2 11
Heart	6" 8" 9" 10" 12" 14" 15" 16"	14 22 28 38 56 72 74 94	1-1/2 3-1/2 4 5 8 10 11 12 1/2	350° 350° 350° 350° 325° 325° 325° 325°	25 - 30 30 - 35 30 - 35 30 - 35 45 - 50 45 - 50 40 - 45 40 - 45	3 1/2 4 1/2 6 8 1/2 9 10 11 12
Petal	6" 9" 12" 15"	8 18 40 64	1-1/2 3-1/2 7 12	350° 350° 350° 325°	25 - 30 35 - 40 35 - 40 50 - 55	4 6 9 11
Hexagon	6" 9" 12" 15"	12 26 40 70	1-3/4 3-1/2 6 11	350° 350° 350° 325°	30 - 35 35 - 40 40 - 45 40 - 45	3 5 6 9
Oval	7-3/4 x 5-5/8" 10-3/4 x 7-7/8" 13 x 9-7/8" 16 x 12-3/8"	13 26 45 70	2-1/2 5 8 11	350° 350° 350° 325°	25 - 30 25 - 30 35 - 40 40 - 45	3 4 5 1/2 7 1/2
Paisley	9 x 6" 12-3/4 x 9" 17 x 12"	13 38 56	3 7 10-1/2	350° 350° 325°	35 - 40 45 - 50 55 - 60	5 6 8
Diamond	10-1/4 x 7-1/3" 15 x 11" 19-1/4 x 14-1/4"	18 32 66	3-1/4 7-1/4 13-1/4	350° 350° 350°	20 - 25 40 - 45 65 - 70	2-1/2 5 8
Pillow	6-3/4 x 6-3/4" 10 x 10" 13-1/4 x 13-1/4"	19 40 88	5 11 19	350° 350° 350°	33 - 38 34 - 39 42 -47	3 6-1/2 9-1/2
Note: For pans 10 inches and larger, use a heating core when baking. Use 2 cores for 18 inch pans.

Our Homemade Christmas

This year we did something a little different for Christmas. We had a homemade Christmas.

Santa brought the kids 2 gifts which obviously were not homemade, but the rest of the gifts were.

I spent the entire month of December, pretty much every day, working on projects. I helped the kids make their gifts for each other and for Daddy. It was really fun to watch the girls have the experience of Christmas from this perspective. They had each spent their own time and come up with ideas that they really thought their siblings would like. They were excited to give their gifts. And they were excited about the gifts they had received, because they knew that the same effort had been put into those gifts. It is quite a different experience to give a gift that you put personal time and thought and effort into than to just go spend some money. My girls got to learn what it's like to experience the joy that comes from giving to others. It was a special experience.

As part of our Christmas tradition, the kids all got pajamas on Christmas Eve. All of the pajamas were made from old clothes that were headed for DI or the trash. It's amazing how much fabric you have to work with when you just use clothes you don't wear anymore!

Now on to the other gifts:

Emma --  *A heat-able bean bag (I made one for each of the kids with their initial on it)

                *2 bean bracelets from Allyson

               * A guitar from Molly

                *A ring from Bridget (which you can't see in the picture)

                *A paper doll kit from Mom and Dad (the coloring and cutting took hours, but it was worth it.   She  loved it!) 

* A baby doll and a scooter from Santa (not shown)

Bridget -- * A heat-able bean bag

* The Old Woman Who Swallowed A Fly book with accompanying old woman from Allyson. (The book has the words and each animal which can be placed in a pouch on the old woman's stomach as you sing the song.)

* A purse from Molly made out of Daddy's old jeans.

* A cute flower pin made by Emma

* A teddy bear (which she named Belle) from Mom and Dad (made out of pink hooded baby towels that we no longer needed. The dress and bow were made out of an old shirt)

* A barbie and a scooter from Santa (not shown)

Molly -- * A heat-able bean bag

* A rope-braided necklace from Emma

* A heart pin from Bridget (not shown) made from salt dough and painted

* Matching game cards from Allyson

* 3 homemade puzzles from Mom and Dad

* A barbie and a scooter from Santa (not shown)

Allyson -- * A heat-able bean bag

* A rope-braided necklace from Bridget

* A baby cradle from Molly (the baby was from Santa). The cradle was made out of a rolled oats container and construction paper.

* A Tweety Bird pillow made by Emma from old clothing (She even did most of the sewing and has been asking for more sewing projects.)

* Fairy wings from Mom and Dad made from a hanger and leftover fabric from Emma's baptism dress.

*The phone she's holding was her other gift from Santa

Charles -- Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture of Charlie with his presents. We let him sleep past 6:00 so his schedule wouldn't be too messed up. So he didn't open his presents until after church that afternoon and I was out of camera mode at that point. But I'll still tell you what he got.

* A heat-able bean bag

* A stuffed ball

* A drum made out of a used formula can with a drumstick made from and empty spool of thread and a wooden skewer

* Rattles made from small yogurt cups with beans inside

(These homemade gifts were a group gift from the whole family)

* Some cars and a 'punching bag' type penguin from Santa

*Charlie also made a group gift for the whole family (with lots of help from Mom). He gave us our family game, which was a Bean Bag Toss. The girls really like it.

Daddy -- * His Christmas Eve pajama T-shirt, colored on by the kids. The front of it says "This is the Dad of Awesomeness!" It cracks me up!

* A book the kids made for him, "25 Things We Love About Dad" complete with pictures for each thing drawn by the kids. So cute!

* Felt slippers from Mom

We had a lovely Christmas and we hope you did too!

So Happy Together

Tonight we started dinner off by teaching the girls how to hang a spoon on the tip of their nose without holding it. The first few minutes were spent with all of us laughing at each other as spoons hung on our noses (or were held, by the smaller ones). They were so fascinated and proud of themselves. I wish I had a picture to share with you. It was a priceless moment.

Ahhhh.....Those small moments.....Giggling, joking, having fun, simply enjoying our time together..... They sure do make all of the other moments worth it, don't they?


What a great plan.....The Plan of Happiness.....It really is.

(God gave me my family + My family makes me happy + I will be with my family forever = Happiness Forever)

It's so simple. Sharing sweet moments with amazing people while we're here, and sharing many more of those moments with the same amazing people for eternity. What could make any of us happier than that?

Rollin' On The Floor!!!

"She doesn't give me peas all day yet because I don't like them yet, that's why she doesn't give me them all day yet!"

If you have not yet seen the 'Kid History' videos

you definitely should!!!!

Seriously, Jarom and I laughed harder than we have in a long time! Thanks to my friend, Miss Eva Aurora for getting us hooked!

Here is a sample of one of my favorites.....I hope you enjoy!!!

A Lullaby Fit For Eternity

The other day I was listening to the song 'Lullaby' by the Dixie Chicks. Here's a video if you want to listen.

I have talked about this song before and how much I love it. I don't think there is a better lullaby in all the world. It speaks as if from my own heart. When I was listening to it the other day it struck me in a way it never had before. Specifically the chorus lyrics:

"How long do you wanna be loved? Is forever enough? Is forever enough?
How long do you wanna be loved? Is forever enough? 'Cause I'm never, never giving you up."

Not surprisingly, I always think of my children when I listen to this song. As I thought about them this time I thought about the eternal perspective that I have as I listen to those words. Forever means something different to me than it does to many others because of my beliefs about eternal families. I believe that because I was sealed to my family by proper authority in the Temple of God, my family will be mine long after death. Forever, to me, does not mean until this life is over. It is eternity; Time without limits.

What an amazing blessing it is to look into those precious little faces and know that they are mine forever. They will always be mine. I never have to give them up, not even to death! It gives this song a different perspective, and makes me grateful for the amazing blessings that I have been given.

If you are not familiar with my views on eternal families and/or would like to learn more, you can read a short article here or you can click on the 'I'm A Mormon' button at the top of my blog.

Good...Great...And Beyond.....

Last week was my birthday.

It was stupendous!

I got to have dinner at one of my favorite restaurants (The Olive Garden, MMMMM.....) with my entire family! (Which hasn't happened in a very long time.)

And

My sweet sister gave me.....

THIS.......

I have no words.....