Deep thoughts by Megan....

This is one of my favorite lines from any song ever written. It happens to be from our national anthem:

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

To me, this is a perfect description of America.

During school, the kids and I have been studying American history. On the side, I've been reading a book called Seven Miracles That Saved America. I feel immersed in the history of my country like I haven't been for a while. It is clear, even in reading secular history books, that God has had a significant and deliberate hand in the development of this country. I don't believe this makes us more special or more important than people elsewhere. Rather, it gives us a responsibility to share God's great blessings of freedom and prosperity.

Right now, we face difficult times in America. Between the wars, economic difficulties, crime, and the passing of laws lacking virtue, there is plenty to worry about. Today, I was reminded of a verse from The Book of Mormon:

"And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me." (Alma 36:27)

Throughout our history, God has supported our nation under trials and troubles of every kind. If we continue to put our trust in Him, He will, without question, deliver us.

High Fashion

Oh, to be four again and have a mom who let me dress myself. (Which I think my mom probably did.)

Stylin'

Going to the park in 90 degree heat... 

Marker-make-up by Sarah

And from the back...she's a superhero.

A peace sign on her back and her bum says "love."

I guess she's Peacelovegirl.

Another superhero.

And we'll call this one "Seasons."

Baseball hat for spring.

Jack-o-lantern shirt for autumn.

Hula skirt for summer.

Penguin socks for winter.

She is so darn loveable. And I am captivated by her.

...I would buy you a green dress (but not a real green dress, that's cruel)

Sarah plans to be a billionaire when she grows up. She talks often about all of her plans for her money. For example, she plans to have around 29 children. They will each have their own bedroom and bathroom. She also talks about all of her plans to make that money. Her career goals are diverse and include being a dance teacher, hair stylist, teacher, and security guard.

The other day, Ammon very seriously told Sarah, "I know how you can earn a billion dollars. You should work at Cafe Rio. They've won over 60 awards!!"

I guess he's got a point...

Fine. I'll try blogging again...

I wasn't listening very closely, but I'm pretty sure this is what Beth said to me today: "Mom, Nathan's getting into Dad's gum. Mom, Nathan's stealing some gum. Mom, Nathan's going to chew gum. Mom, Nathan's getting some gum." [brief pause]

"Well, if he does it, I does it."

I did drink from a hose...

Often on Facebook, people post status updates that are copied from someone else. They might say something about a cause, like austism-awareness, or something about appreciation, like how much you love your sister, or something about how great America is. People are asked to copy and repost the information if they agree. The past couple weeks, there has been a post going around about how we were raised back in the day. I've seen a couple of variations. They go something like this:

When I was a kid I didn't have a computer or cell phone. I had Barbies or Hot Wheels, a bike and a sandbox. I had a curfew. If I didn't eat what my mom made, I didn't eat. And I dealt with it. I didn't think of telling my parents "no" or dare to talk back. If I did, I got my butt whooped. Hand sanitizer didn't exist, but I could get my mouth washed out with soap. I drank water out of a hose and survived. Life wasn't hard, it was life. Re-post if you appreciate the way you were raised.

If I were to repost this, it would have to be changed.

When I was a kid I didn't have a computer. ... My parents liked technology and we had computers in the house. We started with a Texas Instruments--oh, the fun of Hunt the Wumpus and Munchman! I was a master at Space Invaders. And don't even get me started on Media Multiplication. Later we got an Apple computer. I played a fun game about a lemonade stand. And then my brother brought home a Nintendo. Mario Brothers!!!

....or cell phone. That goes without saying.

I had Barbies or Hot Wheels, a bike and a sandbox. I never had a Barbie. And I won't let my girls have one either. Would you like me to go into the body-image issues of that little doll? Yeah, I don't want to go into it either. I loved my bike. But there was no sandbox. Sand is dirty. We had a clean house.

I had a curfew. Well...sort of. I set my own curfew. It worked like this: Parent: "What time are you going to be home tonight?" Me: "Um...11:00?" Parent: "Okay." And then I was required to be home by the time I set. If I wasn't, I would be in trouble. But if I had set a later curfew in the first place, all would be well.

If I didn't eat what my mom made, I didn't eat. And I dealt with it. If I didn't eat what my mom (or dad) made, my dad would make me a jelly sandwich. He liked me to eat. When I got a little older, I learned to make my own cheese sandwich. I'm healthy anyway.

I didn't think of telling my parents "no" or dare to talk back. If I did, I got my butt whooped.  My parents didn't hit. If I wanted to tell them "no," they listened to what I had to say and my point of view. We shared a mutual respect (at least from my perspective). I didn't want to disappoint them because I valued their opinions. So, I usually did as I was told. Usually.

Hand sanitizer didn't exist, but I could get my mouth washed out with soap. Are you kidding? That doesn't seem very nice! I heard of that mouth-washing-out business going on in the 1950s (by my grandma). But I am not that old. Sometimes I got sent to my room for five minutes. And if I was really, really horrible, my dad said, "Megan!" in a stern voice.

I drank water out of a hose and survived. That part is true. But I was careful which hose I chose. We used irrigation water for the lawn and garden. So, I only drank out of the hose with the culinary water. I was smart like that.

Life wasn't hard, it was life.  Life wasn't hard because it was a love-filled childhood. Sometimes I wish I could figure out how my parents did what they did so I could imitate their parenting techniques. That's something worth reposting.

Re-post if you appreciate the way you were raised. I definitely appreciate the way I was raised.