shades of green

i forgot it was st. patricks day this morning.

but, i pulled on a green shirt as per usual, so i'm okay. the boys (including mr. o) are still oblivious, and i can't decide if i should tell them or pinch them.

my tulips are growing amazingly fast, and i am very pleased. i can't say enough about bulbs. all of ours- tulips, daffodils and irises- came with the house, and i haven't done a thing to them, but year after year, they brighten our yard so faithfully. maybe i should thank them by weeding their beds..

yesterday i did a little raking of the walnuts, fallen willow branches, and leftover leaves in our backyard. the wind has blown a nice pile of debris on our driveway, just waiting to be disposed of. but mr. o has broken a rib, and i am realising the meaning of yard work.

while i was sitting & sewing on the back step, the ups man brought me a package. it reminded me of the dentist's office, where, after a cleaning we would get to choose a 'treasure' from the cardboard 'treasure box'. we would always choose these googley monsters. is that what you called them, too?

i got myself a new alarm clock.

rest in peace, dear hello kitty clock. you've served me well.

(can you believe a week ago it snowed like crazy? and today i got too hot outside and had to come in the house. now i'm wearing flip flops.)

Family Gems
Strong Families Will Impact All of Humanity
Posted: 09 Mar 2009 01:00 AM PDT
“One example of great importance for humanity is strengthening our own families. The principle of family home evening was given to us in 1915. President McKay reminded parents again in 1964 that ‘no other success can compensate for failure in the home’ (quoted from J. E. McCulloch, Home: The Savior of Civilization [1924], 42; in Conference Report, Apr. 1964, 5). In 1995 the prophets of our day called upon all the world to strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society (see “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). And in 1999 the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles lovingly stated: ‘We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform’ (“Letter from the First Presidency,” Liahona, Dec. 1999, 1; “Keeping Children Close to the Church,” Ensign, June 1999, 80).”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Heeding the Voice of the Prophets,” Ensign, July 2008, 7
Topics: Family