Reflections of Christ...

Just a neat new video clip/slideshow that is out on DVD about the life of Christ. For a higher resolution quality go this website: http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html P.S don't forget to turn off my i-Pod music on the left of the blog...scroll down! Thanks!

Motherhood...

Mothers can have a powerful influence for good on their children.

"One of the greatest needs in the world today is intelligent, conscientious motherhood.… Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother’s image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child’s mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness the first assurance that there is love in the world. The noblest calling in the world is motherhood. True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece, or who can write a book that will influence millions, deserves the admiration and plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose immortal souls will exert an influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God. Mothers sow the seeds in childhood that determine to a great extent life’s harvests in adulthood. A mother who instills into the souls of her children respect for one another and love for motherhood and fatherhood, renders a great service to the Church and to humanity in general. Children from such homes go out into the world as good citizens—citizens who will render the service which their parents have rendered, to fight the battles which their fathers and mothers have fought. … Motherhood is the one thing in all the world which most truly exemplifies the God-given virtues of creating and sacrificing. Though it carries the woman close to the brink of death, motherhood also leads her into the very realm of the fountains of life, and makes her co-partner with the Creator in bestowing upon eternal spirits mortal life. All through the years of babyhood, childhood, and youth, yes, even after her girls themselves become mothers and her sons become fathers, the mother tenderly, lovingly sacrifices for them her time, her comfort, her pleasures, her needed rest and recreation, and, if necessary, health and life itself. No language can express the power and beauty and heroism of a mother’s love. … … Among my most precious soul-treasures is the memory of Mother’s prayers by the bedside, of her affectionate touch as she tucked the bed clothes around my brother and me and gave each a loving, goodnight kiss. We were too young and roguish then to appreciate fully such devotion, but not too young to know that Mother loved us. It was this realization of Mother’s love, with a loyalty to the precepts of an exemplary father, which more than once during fiery youth turned my steps from the precipice of temptation. No nobler work in this world can be performed by any mother than to rear and love the children with whom God has blessed her. That is her duty."

David O. McKay

Wine Pressing: Homemade grape juice...

For the last three years we have made it a tradition to make homemade Grape Juice. Rob's Co-worker Bruce brings him a box of grapes from his vineyard to work, and Rob brings it home for the kids to make juice. We have this ritual that they have to take showers first and then we wash their feet very good before getting them to step on the grapes. James and Rob worked together cleaning the grapes. James is too big this year to stump on the grapes, so he got a new job! This was so exciting for them and the girls felt so proud to see how much juice they made. Rob also involved some spiritual nourishment as he explained the importance of spiritual symbolism in life and talked about Christ's experience on Gethsemane before He was crucified. He talked to the kids about the similarities of wine/olive pressing and Christ bleeding through every pore. We found a good talk on that, if you are interested:

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=cafac5e8b4b6b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=

It was a wonderful experience, but a lot of work! The juice was yummy for those that had some. We added a little water and some sugar, and they loved it! It is so neat to be able to create memories like these for our kids.

Thank you Grandma Tobler and Great-grandma Gulliver...

Thank you for the b-day money that Juliette got for her birthday! She chose to put it in the bank for a later day to spend! The funnest part was her excitement when I told her that she could sign her first check to deposit. She did such a great job!! Thank you to you both!

Paden's new Baby Brother...

Our friends April and Robbie Loveland had their baby this last weekend. We are so excited for them. Congratulations! Welcome KAI THOMAS LOVELAND. Paden, you are going to be such a great big brother, thanks for letting us come visit and hold your baby. He is just gorgeous and yummy!

P.S April I stole some better pictures from your blog...!

Abuelos Come to Visit...

My parents came to visit again! The kids really enjoyed having them come, especially Sophia. She gets all of Abuelo's attention. He just spoils her. The child wouldn't let him take a shower, go outside, get dressed, go to the bathroom, eat a meal without her around. If she didn't see him she would call for him and say "I need you grandpa". And of course my Dad would fall for it. She even got him to wrestle with her, draw and color pictures...Abuelo watched more Barbie movies than he had hoped for. She didn't let me or Rob put her to bed, it had to be Grandpa. It was just so cute. Thanks Daddy for being such a fun grandpa. Abuela helped me make yummy soups and bake banana bread. I also took her shopping to consignment shops in town. She loves looking at shoes and jewelry. Thanks Mami for helping me with my laundry and house chores. Thanks Daddy for watching kids and cleaning out the carport. You are the best parents ever. Hope to see ya soon again! P.S she also had fun taking close-ups of Grandpa.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Unique Jewelry...

My Mom and little sister are trying to get their own Jewelry business going. I thought I could share with you all some of their talent. They make unique/one of a kind and customized jewelry (no replicas) for any occasion. They use real gemstones and sterling silver for almost all their necklaces, earrings and bracelets. If you are interested in seeing what they do and perhaps ordering something check out their blog at: http://www.tortugasdesign.blogspot.com/ They have a display of some of the jewelry they have made. They are doing pretty well in Utah. I am so very proud of them. They are so creative and so very good at what they do.

Last Soccer Games...

We enjoyed a whole day at the soccer fields watching Eliza, James and Juliette play their last games for the season. They all played awesome and had fun. The weather was a bit chilly but beautiful! James and Eliza will be starting Indoor Soccer next week, so our soccer playing is not over and I don't hink it will end for quite a while more. Sophia is really excited to have the chance to play soccer in 2 years. The rest of the kids are already so into it and love it. I see a future of conflicting soccer games and practices. I am not complaining. I am glad they chose a similar sport to play and enjoy. They are all very good at it. James is already Pro. I am proud to call myself a "Soccer Mom". It is a great sport. Althoug I secretely prefer Baseball anytime over any other sport, and Track n' Field or Cross-Country running, of course. But, this will do! I am starting to really like it and enjoy it a lot. I have a lot to learn still about the game, but I have a feeling I have plenty of time to learn. There are years of more soccer ahead of me. Pretty exciting?!

P.S Eliza and James enjoy their soccer parties today as well. We had a very busy and long day! Where does the time go?

Another Halloween Party...

We got invited to go to another Halloween Party yesterday with friends. The kids had a blast going around the house playing games and winning prizes. There were so many kids wearing cute and fun costumes, and even some adults. Juliette and Sophia decided to be Giraffes again. Juliette was the MAMA and Sophia the BABY. Eliza just wore her soccer jersey and went as a soccer player, James was just "James". We had a great time being amongst friends. Thank you Hanks Family for having us over.