The Good Samaritan

I am doing activities at the community wide Vacation Bible School. Today's subject was "Love Your Neighbor" or The Parable of the Good Samaritan. The funnest part of the day is asking the kids if anyone knows the story about the good Samaritan. These kids know their new testament. It's hilarious. My favorite was from a 2nd grader named Garret. Garret's version of The Good Samaritan is, "This dude was walking in the country and some robbers jumped out and mugged him. Two other dudes just walked past and didn't even help him. Then the 3rd dude came and brought some donkeys and saved the dude that was mugged." So then we asked Garret what that story means. "Uhhhh, help dudes when they get mugged?"
Here's the real story!

The parable is found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10 verses 25–37.
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.

"Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

"What is written in the Law?" he replied.

"How do you read it?" He answered: "

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn in Jericho and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

Were you raised on a farm?

Well, no, but they wish they were. They were ready to pack their bags and move in with Tina and the Murphy family after spending a few hours at their farm. I'm such a mean mom. I won't let them have a pet lamb, or cow, or even a cat for that matter. Feeding Jack and Jill and all the gang.
Brooklyn thinks she needs a cat.

Rylee got to bottle feed a little calf.

I'll admit it, that was cute.

Jill decided to take a bite of Brooklyn's shirt.

My dear friend Tina's oldest graduated from high school today. We went out to the house to help manage the open house celebration afterward. I'm such a sap these days. I was fighting tears looking at Jessica's graduation stuff. All her baby pictures and stuff. They just grow up too fast. Jessica is such an amazing young woman, it's hard to believe she was once a cute little girl like mine. I'm going to be a mess when it's my kids!

No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers dirty looks!

You guessed it folks...School's Out For Summer!

Roasting Marshmallows ~ 4th of July, 2007

A part of me is so excited, lazy afternoons at the pool with my girls. Staying up late roasting marshmallows in the backyard. Softball games. Swimming lessons. Camping trips. Carnivals and street dances. Catching frogs and squishing spiders. But there is this whole other side of me that wants to cry.

My girls are growing up right before my eyes. This day marks the day where I no longer have a 2nd and 4th grader. This summer Rylee will turn 8. They can now officially ride their bikes to their friends house without me. (I still make them call me when they get there.) As a matter of fact, they prefer to go without me. They are slowly pulling away from me and growing into the strong and independent people that I have always wanted them to be. Yet it makes me want to cry. This parenting stuff is a lot more than it's cracked up to be!

My husband doesn't wear lipstick

But it looks like he does when he doesn't wear sunscreen and he spends the entire day on the lake. I keep thinking that someday he'll learn...but maybe not.

Catching Up

That is the story this week. Catching up on sleep. Catching up on homework. Catching up on exercise. Catching up on cleaning (that one's never ending.) Now, I'm finally catching up on blogging.

Well, we made it home from SLC, but here is the rest of the story from our trip.

Friday night we had a baby shower for Cheryl. This will be our first Muir nephew and the girls and I were very excited. Cheryl got some very nice things and we had a great time catching up with everyone.

The next morning, Rylee, Isaiah and I got on trax and headed up to Temple Square to greet Greg and Chery as the emerged from their sealing. The kids had a great time on the train. Many things were discussed, women with mohawks, graffiti, and inertia to name a few. When we got to the Temple, we were a bit early, so Rylee and Izzy each took turns shooting a few pictures, and we used the timer for a group shot.

When the sealing was finished, we had everyone pose for a few photos, and then we headed off to lunch.

Saturday night I got to have dinner with my Utah girls. Someone took some pictures, but nobody has sent them yet. Oh well, it was so good to see them. I miss them so much. It's like group therapy when we get together. Lots of laughs.

The next day was Mothers Day and the next we were up by 4:00 AM to head home. It was so great to see everyone. We miss you all so much, but it's so nice to be able to walk in and always feel so comfortable and welcome. Ryan and I are blessed with amazing families! Remember, our door is always open. Come see us!!!

Happy Mothers Day

A shout out to all the amazing mothers I know. I honestly know so many awe inspiring moms, but I feel like I should highlight just a few. Time is running short!

1. Lets start with my best friend Chandra. She keeps it real. No false pretenses about mothering being this easy and wonderful processes. She adores her boys and is so incredible, but I can always count on her to understand when I've just had it. She gets it. She's been there and we don't have to fluff it up.
2. Cheryl, who hasn't actually met her baby yet (4 more weeks?) but my heart just went out to her yesterday. She and Greg were sealed in the Salt Lake temple and poor Cheryl was so tired and had to walk all over down town. She has no idea what is in store for her, but you have never seen someone so excited. Good luck and congrats, you will be amazing.
3. Anna is a mother to so many. Not literally, (she has 3) but she does day care, girl scouts, and AWANA. So many little one's count on her for attention and affection, and they never fall short with Anna.
4. Brooklyn and Rylee. OK, they aren't mothers, but without them, I wouldn't be. Without them I'd be drifting though life like a lost little bird. They keep me grounded. The remind me to appreciate the little things. They keep me active. They spark my imagination. My heart swells when I think of the beautiful young women they are turning into.
5. Debbie, my mom-in-law. Some people go through their entire married life feeling like the "in-law" to their husbands family. Not me. I was welcomed with open arms and open heart before we were even married. Our relationship has always been easy and honest. I appreciate her expertise in the mothering field and her love of her granddaughters. She taught me how to bathe my babies, how to clean the cord, and how to just sit back and enjoy them. Thank you for being such a great mom and such a great example.
6. And, last the best of all the game.....My Mom. Where do I even start? Thank you mom for pushing me to always be my best. I can still hear your shouts from the sidelines at soccer games, encouraging me to run faster and "get in there!" Thank you for convincing me that I would love water. I was afraid for so long, and look at me now...I love it. Thank you for fostering such an amazing relationship with my brothers. Of all the gifts you have given me, that one is cherished the most. Thank you for teaching me that family is the most important thing, ever. Thank you for making me take care of myself. Thank you for supporting me in my decisions, even when you may not have agreed, you always had my back, and I'm betting you always will. Thank you for giving me the most Amazing dad and always encouraging me to have a strong relationship with him. Thank you for Brick, I couldn't ask for a better step-dad. Thank you for helping me clean when I get myself in such a mess I don't know where to start. Thank you for making such a huge effort to visit me often in ND. For trying to make it to all the important events in my life, even though I live someplace hard to get to. The girls and I look forward to you every visit and fell a little empty when you have to leave. Thank you for my stubborn streak and my fierce independence, both of which I got from you! Thank you for everything. I love you more than I can ever express.

So, I know I missed so many of you, but it is Mothers Day, and I'm off to visit a mother!

Wedding Pics

2 days ago, my little brother, Andrew, got married. I am not a crier and yet, I found myself fighting tears. No, I'm not sad, or even overwhelmed with happy. The truth is, I am so proud of him. All week my mind has been full of memories. Andrew and I watching Smurfs and eating Rice Crispies. Andrew and I walking to school. Andrew and I fighting. Andrew and I knee boarding, snow skiing, snake hunting. Nobody (until Rylee) knew how to push my buttons quite like Andrew. I remember punching holes through the wall when I was mad at him...and worse. I remember when I had found out I was pregnant with Brooklyn. I was not supposed to tell anyone yet, but I went to Andrew and he just hugged me. He has the biggest heart of anyone, ever. He has been through some hard times and been in some dark places and seeing him on Thursday, being a dad, being a husband, being in such a good place, made me so proud, I can't even explain it. People in ND often ask me what I miss the most about UT. Andrew and Skyler...hands down. Anyway, Andrew married Deborah and with her got Isaiah. I don't don't think I could love a sister-in-law more than I love Debo. So Debo, thanks for taking care of my baby brother.

On to the pictures.

Fair warning...I took 467 pictures. These are just the highlights. Debo lost some weight from the time she bought the dress till she had to wear it and getting it to stay up was quite the undertaking.

Final adjustments.

Pep talk from dad.

Good luck Mom.

Rev Dan waiting for the happy couple.

Proud mama.

Best man and Maid of Honor.

Ring bearer.

I don't believe this one needs an introduction.

Andrew's favorite nieces were so excited to see him at his wedding.

The Muir girls with Grandma Kimball and Papa Dan.

Solving some of the worlds problems with JL.

Happy Girl

Awwww

The dance.

Daddy Daughter dance.

Mother-son dance

Family Cake.

Bouquet toss.....

And Samantha gets it, gimpy leg and all.

You've lost that lovin' feeling. The serenade to Debo.

Debo seems to enjoy the garter removal.

And JL gets the garter, but Sky puts up quite a fight.

And on to the wedding dance. You know how I love a wedding dance.

I knew Isaiah had the moves...

but Skyler surprised me!

Debo, Steph and me

Dave and Sam

JL and Andrew

Good-bye Daddy

And they lived happily ever after.

The End.