Pattern to Bless Our Families

Just in case you don't get the Daily Gems...

“First, we must love the Lord with all our hearts, and we must love our children. Second, we must become a worthy example to them by continually seeking the Lord and striving to live the gospel. Third, we must teach our children the gospel and how to live its teachings.”

Cheryl C. Lant

FHE ~ Captain Moroni

Opening Song: “My Flag, My Flag” Children’s Songbook, p. 225

Scripture: Alma 43:17

Lesson/Activity:
Ask your family if they can think of items we wear or display that reminds us of our beliefs. (CTR rings, Young Women Medallions, pictures of the temple, and so on.) Read with your family Alma 46: 11-13 and identify the symbol Moroni made to help remind the Nephites of their beliefs. Have them mark in their scriptures the six things Moroni caused to be written on the Title of Liberty. Why do you think he chose to remind the Nephites of those things?
• How did the Nephite people react to the Title of Liberty and why was it so effective?
• How did the people who followed Moroni feel about their cause compared to how the people of Amalickiah felt about their cause?
• Where did Moroni place the Title of Liberty, and what long-term effect did it have on the people?


Treat: Cinnamon Chocolate Pudding

1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cans (12 fl. oz. each) Evaporated Milk, (3 cups)
1 cup (6 oz.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/2 cup flaked coconut, toasted
COMBINE sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in medium, heavy-duty saucepan; gradually stir in evaporated milk. Stir in morsels and egg yolks. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture is thickened.
POUR chocolate mixture into dessert cups. Chill for at least 1 hour; sprinkle with coconut

Southwestern Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa

My sister gave me a bunch of mangos and so I decided to try and put them to good use. This dish was amazing! It was so good. It calls for red peppers, but I just had green on hand, and it tasted great.

Southwestern Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa

1 env. Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 tsp. chili powder
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 mangos, peeled, chopped
1/2 cup chopped red pepper (or green)
1/2 cup chopped green onions

Mix dressing mix, oil, lime juice, cilantro and chili powder until well blended. Pour 1/2 cup of the dressing mixture over chicken in resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Refrigerate 1 hour to marinate. Mix remaining dressing mixture, mangos, red peppers, and onions in medium bowl; cover. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Grill chicken until cooked through. Serve with mango mixture.

FHE ~ Hold to the Rod

Opening Song: "The Iron Rod” Hymn #274

Scripture:
1 Nephi 8:24 “And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.

Lesson/Activity:
Needed:
Yarn or string; Small and large candle or flashlight; Small and large treats
Preparation:
Start the string in the main room and thread it around the house everywhere. Put under the table over desks everywhere. Set the small candle somewhere before the end. Put a few sweets with it and a person (or two) to act as a deceiver. The large candle goes at the end of the string with all the best of the treats. (The candles should only be able to be seen when you are near them.) Turn out all the other lights in the house.
The lesson:
Have everyone follow the string. Tell them there is a big treat at the end, if that can just hold on. Have one or more deceivers along the path try and draw them away. If they hold on, they get the biggest treats at the end.
Read 1 Nephi 8:24 and 1 Nephi 11:25.
-What does the iron rod represent?
-What blessing did we get when we held to the rod (string)?
-What blessing do we get when we follow the word of God?
Bare your testimony about how our lives are blessed when we follow the word of God.

Closing Song: “Do What is Right” Hymn #237

Treat: Easy Peanut Butter Pie
Graham Cracker Crust
1 Cup Peanut butter
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese
8 oz. Cool whip
Mix all ingredients together (except crust) Refrigerate and set.

FHE ~ Integrity

Opening Song: “Primary Colors,” Children’s Songbook, p. 258

Scripture: D&C 124:15

Lesson/Activity:
Materials needed: a coin and a disc the same size cut from cardboard Procedure: Show the coin. Explain that they all know what this is. It is a coin that is genuine and can be spent anywhere in the country. Show the piece of cardboard. Ask what makes it different from the coin. It is the same shape. It is about the same weight. We could take a coloring pencil and make it the same color. What is the difference? Yes, the coin was made in a mint, having authority, and the coin is so marked as the official coin of the realm and can so act.
Every day of our lives we fill with many acts. As we live our lives through, lets make sure we are genuine, and our acts are as they are intended to be.
Integrity is often described as having the moral courage to make our actions consistent with our knowledge of right and wrong. When we have this moral courage others will know they can depend on us to always be “genuine” like the real coin rather than the false one.


Treat: Easy White Mousse
3 bars (6-oz. box) Premier White Baking Bars, broken into pieces
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
MICROWAVE baking bars and 1/2 cup cream in uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. The bars may retain some of their shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until melted; cool completely.
BEAT remaining cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract in small mixing bowl until stiff peaks form (do not overbeat).
FOLD melted baking bar mixture into whipped cream; refrigerate. Spoon into serving bowl or individual dishes.

What's Your Language?

I'm sure most of you have read, or at least heard of, the book "The 5 Love Languages." It is an awesome book. My husband and I read it together many years ago.

What I want to tell you today is how I think it is so easy to forget our spouse's love language. For instance, mine is "Quality Time" which means I feel most loved when my husband spends time with me (or other people; it doesn't have to just be with your significant other). It can be anything from going on a walk, going on a date, or just talking at home with no other distractions.

My husbands love language is "Acts of Service" which means he feels most loved when I go the extra mile like doing the dishes when its his turn, making him a late-night snack, etc.

Now, every day I want to show my husband how much I love him. But even deep down I know what I need to do (acts of service), it just comes naturally for me to speak my love language. And then I get confused when I tell him I went to spend quiet time with him and he doesn't even care about it!! It's because that doesn't say "love" to him.

So, I just want to say that if you don't already know what your spouse's love language is, find out today. (It would be a fun date to get the book, take the test, then read about your languages.) Then, remember, remember, remember to show your spouse love by speaking their language. Good luck!!

FHE ~ Attitude

Opening Song: “If You’re Happy” Children’s Songbook, p. 266.

Scripture: (Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Lesson/Activity:
Ask family members which of the following would be the most difficult for them to deal with:

1. Moving from your home because your parents lost their jobs.
2. Spending many weeks in a hospital because of illness.
3. Temporarily living in a shelter and relying on food storage because of a natural disaster.

Together, read 1 Nephi 16:13-21 and find out what challenges Lehi’s family faced. Ask why this would be a difficult challenge. How does it compare to the three examples above?

Ask your family to look again at verse 20 and tell how most of the group, including Lehi, reacted to the lack of food. Murmuring may be a common reaction to hardship and hunger, but did complaining help solve their problem? Compare the complaining of this group with what Nephi did in verses 22–30. How could Nephi’s non-complaining and productive example help us in our difficult situations?

Closing Song: “Count Your Blessings” Hymn #241


Treat: Mud Pie

½ Gallon, Chocolate Ice Cream, softened
1 pkg. Oreos, crushed
¼ cup butter, melted
Hot Fudge
Whipped Cream
Mix crushed oreos and melted butter together and press onto a greased 9x13” pan to form crust. Press softened ice cream onto crust. Freeze 1 hour. To serve, cut into pieces and drizzle hot fudge over it. Top with a dollop (or more) of whipped cream

For Strong Eternal Relationships

"In essentials, there must be unity. In non-essentials, there must be liberty. In all things, there must be charity."
~ V.H. Roberts

p.s. This isn't specifically for marriages, but for any relationship you want to strengthen.

FHE ~ Brigham Young

Opening Song: “Pioneer Children Sang as they Walked,” Children’s Songbook, p. 214

Scripture: D&C 126:1-2

Lesson/Activity:

Materials needed: One old-fashioned tool (manual) and one newer tool of the same variety (electric).

Procedure: Show the tools and ask what their use might be. Indicate that the older tool was very modern in its own time and then discuss the similarities and the differences between the tools. Explain that even though the tools are different, their basic use is the same. Tell the class that the most important thing is not the tool but how it is handled and what is the ultimate goal for its use. Point out that both tools can be used to turn out quality work.
Explain that these tools are like changes in church leadership. Even though the leader has changed, the ultimate goal has not. An example of this is when Brigham Young took over leadership of the church after Joseph Smith died.

Treat: Strawberry Ice Cream

2 cups unsweetened thawed, frozen strawberries
2 cans (12 fl. oz. each) Evaporated Milk
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
PLACE strawberries in food processor fitted with blade; cover. Pulse until strawberries are small pieces.
COMBINE evaporated milk, strawberries with their juice, sugar, lemon juice and salt in large bowl. Pour into ice cream machine container. Follow manufacturer’s instruction for preparation.

Spinach Alfredo Pizza

Doesn't this look divine? It is! It's way easy too. I'll post the recipes following the directions. Make sure to read the entire post to get all the directions and recipes.

So first, start off by making the Pizza Crust (recipe below.)
Bake it at 450 for 7-8 minutes. When it comes out of the oven, poke holes in it with a fork.

Next, pour on the yummy Alfredo Sauce (recipe below.)
Top it with grilled chicken seasoned with oregano and garlic salt. Then, with dried spinach, and mozzarella cheese. I also think artichoke hearts would be yummy too.

Then bake it for 10 minutes or until it looks brown and bubbly. Enjoy!!

Pizza Crust
1 1/2 Cups Warm Water
1 1/2 Tbsp. Yeast
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
4+ Cups Flour
Mix dough well. Spread into greased pizza pan or cookie sheet. Bake as directed above.

Alfredo Sauce
8 oz. Cream Cheese
1/2 Cup Butter (1 stick)
1 1/2 Cups Milk
Melt together stirring with whisk, then add:
1 Cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
Stir until well mixed.

FHE ~ Families Are Forever

Opening Song: “Families Can Be Together Forever,” Children’s Songbook #188

Scripture: D&C 138 47-48

Lesson/Activity:

Materials needed: Strips of paper for a paper chain. Form half of them into circles by stapling them together.

Procedure: Pass each family member a circle made out of a paper strip. Point out that these links represent each person. Explain that if they were to try and make a chain they couldn’t because there is nothing to bind the links together. Now pass around the additional strips of paper and a stapler. These additional pieces of paper represent love. Use these strips of paper to loop through two links and bind them together. Allow the family to fashion a chain after this pattern. Explain that love is a powerful way to bind ourselves as a family.


Treat: Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Corn Syrup
1 Cup (or more) Peanut Butter
6 Cups Rice Crispies
Bring sugar and syrup to a boil, then take off heat. Add peanut butter and rice crispies. Pour in greased 9x13 pan and spread out.

Date Idea #4

Have you ever heard New Yorkers say that they have lived in their city their whole lives, but have never been to the Empire State Building, or Statue of Liberty, etc.?

Well, I don't live in New York :( (although I have been to the afore-mentioned places), but I do live close to a very cool city. I bet you do too :) You will be surprised at the many many things you can find to do in your city. When my husband and I were dating, we did a lot of fun tourist type things, but we don't as much anymore.

So, the date idea is to take a night (or day) out and act like tourists in your city. Eat somewhere you've never tried; go to a show or somewhere that your city might be famous for. You might not have known it ever existed.

Click HERE to see what you can do in your city.

FHE ~ Music

Opening Song: “Lift Up Your Voice and Sing,” Children’s Songbook #252

Scripture: D&C 136:28

Lesson/Activity:

Write the following actions on paper or cards: whistle, slowly, quietly, loudly, hum, sing, fast, oooo’s. Lead family members in their favorite songs. Hold up the signs one at a time during the song, alternating signs as often as you like. Then let another family member have a turn being the leader. Have fun trying to follow the leader’s instructions.
Make homemade musical instruments: Drum—oatmeal box or gallon can; Cymbals—pan lids; Shaker—small jar filled with popcorn or beads; Bells; Guitar—shoebox with rubber bands strung across the opening. Make your own band.

Closing Song: “Oh, What Songs of the Heart,” Hymn #286


Treat: Harmony Cookies
2 cups sugar
½ cup margarine
3 tablespoons cocoa
3 cups oatmeal
½ cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put sugar, milk, margarine and cocoa into a pan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and quickly add oatmeal, peanut butter and vanilla. Stir well and drop on waxed paper. Cool and eat.

April Visiting Teaching Message

Just click to enlarge, then print the picture for your sisters!

Dress For Less

Budgeting for your family’s clothing needs can be a challenge, especially during times of economic uncertainty. Although most families can scale back on their clothing purchases, some needs must still be met. Learn or sharpen the following skills to clothe your growing family.
1. Learn to sew and mend. Almost lost arts, these skills are necessary to make good use of existing clothing and fabrics. Although it may not always be cost-effective to sew your own clothes, you can save money by doing your own alterations and repairs. By learning how to sew, you can also custom-make items for family members with special needs, hard-to-find sizes, or distinctive tastes.

{I used to be afraid of sewing. I knew the basics, but that's it. When I decided to sew my own apron (I saved about $40) I was surprised that I actually enjoyed it. It opened a new world to me that I could make almost anything!}

2. Swap. Invite other families with children of similar ages to swap clothing with you. Each family contributes good, usable clothing, and the families “swap shop” at a central meeting place. Any remaining items can be donated to Deseret Industries or another charity.

3. Put the word out. Let friends and other family members know you’d love to receive any clothing they may have outgrown or don’t use. Even if you can’t use a particular item, accept it graciously and donate it to a thrift store.

{Lucky me, I'm the youngest of 7 kids, so I get LOTS of hand-me-downs from my neices and nephews. I can't even fathom how much money it has saved me!}

4. Sell used clothing. If you do not trade or have opportunities to share clothing, consignment shops and garage sales are good ways to sell used clothing. Earnings can then be used to replenish other clothing needs.

5. Be thrifty. Shop your local thrift stores and garage sales. Sometimes you can find new clothes with the tags still attached. Ask if the store offers dollar days or other incentives. And don’t be afraid to bargain at yard sales.

{Baby clothes are usually very gently used}

6. Cyber-shop. You can find good prices on clothing and accessories at many Internet sites. Before you log on, though, have a specific plan and budget for what you need to purchase.

7. Shop outlet malls and discount stores. Be price savvy, since not all of these stores will have bargains. But some do, and I especially like to shop end-of-season clearance sales for next year’s clothing needs. For growing children, buy one or more sizes up. You can justify storing well-made outfits for a year if they’re half price or less.

8. Get on mailing lists. Many of your favorite stores are happy to send you information and coupons for upcoming sales. Shop judiciously and remember that nothing is a bargain if you don’t have the money or if you don’t need it or can’t use it. Save for your clothing purchases and search for the best deals on items you truly need.

Jane McBride Choate, “Dress for Less,” Ensign, Apr 2010, 68

FHE ~ Government

Opening Song: "Keep the Commandments" Children's Songbook, p. 95

Scripture: Alma 46:36

Lesson/Activity:

Participating in our government and helping good people be leaders. Doctrine and Covenants 134 teaches that we should seek for and uphold national leaders who "administer the law in equity and justice" (verse 3). What other qualities should we look for when choosing leaders? In August 1835, a general assembly of the Church at Kirtland, Ohio, unanimously approved a declaration of beliefs about government. This declaration is recorded in D&C 134.

"As Church members, we live under the banner of many different flags. How important it is that we understand our place and our position in the lands in which we live! We should be familiar with the history, heritage, and laws of the lands that govern us. In those countries that allow us the right to participate in the affairs of government, we should use our free agency and be actively engaged in supporting and defending the principles of truth, right, and freedom" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1987, 87; or Ensign, Nov. 1987, 72).


Treat: Domino Cookies

1 pkg. (16.5 oz.) Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Bar Dough
1/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1/3 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
PREHEAT oven to 325° F.

CUT dough in half lengthwise; refrigerate one half. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon flour onto work surface. Sprinkle additional flour over remaining dough half. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness to form a 8 1/2 x 6-inch rectangle. Cut into 12 equal-size rectangles. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Score each rectangle across middle with a knife. Gently press morsels, point side down, into dough to form domino numbers. Repeat with remaining dough.

BAKE for 10 to 13 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Things To Remember

I read this on this website, but it originally comes from the book, "The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home" by Kathy Peel. I just loved each one of these and I know we should be implementing them in our home lives:

The Most Important Things to Remember

1. People are more important than things.

2. There are no standards but your own. Every family has to decide how clean is clean enough.

3. The more you accumulate, the more you have to clean and maintain -and the more time it takes to do it.

4. When your kids grow up and leave home, they won’t remember if the towels were folded in perfect 16-inch squares in the linen closet; they will remember if your home was a good place to be and if Mom was a fun person.

5. If you have a choice between taking a family vacation or buying new furniture, go for the vacation. The furniture will end up in a garage sale one day; the memories of the trip will last forever.

6. Everyone who lives under the roof of a home should contribute to its upkeep.

7. If a teenager is an expert at text messaging, he can become an expert at using the washing machine. A man who can program a PDA to remind him of his tee time can program a PDA to remind him to pick up the dry cleaning.

8. Mess causes stress. Getting your home in order will help you get your life in order.

9. There’s no such thing as perfection. Giving up trying to make your home perfect is the first step toward making it a good place to be.

10. The choices you make about your home involve a lot more than wall color and window treatments. Home is where human beings develop. It’s a place to restore souls, find shelter from outside pressures, grow support for talents, and receive inspiration, comfort, and aid.

I Just Love a Good Quote!

{this quote was directed toward fathers, but I think it could be toward mothers too}

"Fathers, if you wish your children to be taught in the principles of the gospel, if you wish them to love the truth and understand it, if you wish them to be obedient to and united with you, love them! And prove to them that you do love them, by your every word or act to them. For your own sake, for the love that should exist between you and your [children]--however wayward they might be, . . . when you speak or talk to them, do it not in anger; do it not harshly, in a condemning spirit. Speak to them kindly: get down and weep with them if necessary, and get them to shed tears with you if possible. soften their hearts; get them to feel enderly towards you. Use no lash and no violence, but . . . approach them with reason, with persuasion and love unfeigned."
~ President Joseph F. Smith

Cream Cheese Brownies

These are the yummiest, gooeyest brownies ever. And here is how to make them.

In a sauce pan, melt together:
2/3 cup shortening
5 T. cocoa

Then add:
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk

Mix and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and add - (use whisk)
1 cup flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. salt

Mix and add-
4 beaten eggs
1 t. vanilla

Stir until blended. Pour in a 9 x 13" pan.
The cream cheese filing is a basic filling that I put in almost everything :) {I think cream cheese should be a food group.}
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
Beat well together, then drop spoonfuls onto brownie batter.

Next, marble with knife.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

ENJOY!!

Date Idea #3

Have you got plans tonight? NO?? Better get on that. Call up your sweetie, and ask them out on an official date.

Tonight, we're going to dinner and a movie. Sounds routine right? Try going to something you normally wouldn't go see, you might be surprised! Sure, it could be for the bad, but it could be for the good too, right? Have fun!

Craft Star

Making this craft star is super easy! Just buy any star, big or small - you can get them at Tai Pan, Roberts, etc. - then buy coordinating scrapbook paper. I made this one for my daughters bedroom, which is pink and white. To make the paper the right size for each point, I just layed it over the point, traced it with a pencil, and cut it out. Once you have them all cut out, fold them in the middle length-wise so it fits perfectly on each point. I just used a glue-stick and stuck it right on the star. You could use mod-podge underneath too. Then I took some brown ink, and just distressed the sides. Use mod-podge over the top to seal it, and there you go! Let me know if you have any questions about it.

FHE ~ Journals

Opening Song: “The Golden Plates,” Children’s Songbook #86

Scripture: 3 Nephi 23: 6-13; Jesus saw and added to the records of the Nephites.


Lesson/Activity:

Relate an experience from your journal or invite a family member who keeps a journal to share an experience from their journal.

Help each family member obtain or make a journal. This may be a special purchased journal, a three-ring binder with paper, or a spiral notebook. Journals may be personalized by decorating the cover of putting photographs in them. Let each family member personalize his journal in his own way.

Closing Song: “Family History” Children’s Songbook


Treat: Checkerboard Cookies
1 pkg. (16 oz.) Refrigerated Mini-Brownie Bites bar dough
1 pkg. (16 oz.) Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookie bar dough
PREHEAT oven to 325° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan or dish.FLIP each bar over on cutting board. Cut each into 12 pieces. Place pieces alternately 1/2-inch apart, in prepared pan to make checkerboard design. BAKE for 25 to 27 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

FHE ~ Be A Missionary

Opening Song: “I Want To Be A Missionary Now”

Scripture: Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”

Lesson/Activity:

Materials Needed- Treats for your family
Begin the lesson by taking a treat for yourself. Eat it and describe how good it tastes. Ask someone to describe how good it tastes. (They won’t know.) Ask why that person doesn’t know. (They have not tasted it.)
Explain that the gospel is like this treat. Others can see that you have it, but not until you offer to share it they cannot enjoy it themselves. Discuss the importance of sharing the gospel with everyone. Share the treat with the entire group.

Memorize an article of faith together as a family.

(Families with no children in the home) Invite a less-active or non-member neighbor to your home for Family Home Evening or just to get to know them better.

Closing Song: “Called To Serve”


Treat: No-Bake Peanut Butter Squares

½ cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2 cups powdered sugar
1 ½ cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
1 cup Peanut Butter
1 ½ pkg. (12 squares) semi-sweet baking chocolate
Line 13.9” baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Set aside. Melt butter in large microwavable bowl oh HIGH 45 sec. until melted. Add sugar, graham cracker crumbs and peanut butter; mix well. Spread into pan. Microwave chocolate in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 ½ to 2 min. or until melted, stirring after each min. Coo slightly; pour over peanut butter mixture. Cool. Cut partially through dessert to mark 48 squares. Refrigerate 1 hour or until set.

One Parent~One Child

Do you want to strengthen your relationship with your child? If your answer is no - you should not be a parent :)

I have a strong testimony on one-on-one time with your child. How much one-on-one time is your child getting with you and with your spouse? Even if you only have one child, your day may sound something like this:

"Time to get out of bed!" (or in my case, "Go back to bed, please!")
"Finish your breakfast!"
"Where are your shoes? We are going to be late!"
"How was your day?"
"Quit fighting with your brother/sister!"
"Finish your homework!"
"Finish your vegetables!"
"Brush your teeth!"
"Go to sleep!!"

There is nothing wrong with giving your children direction throughout the day, although it could sound a little more pleasant than that! But more often, much needed one-on-one time gets put on the back burner.

Find a way that works for your family. My husband and I go on a date every other weekend. On the "off" weeks, we split up and take our kids on a one-on-one date. He'll take our oldest son, and I'll take our daughter. The next "off" week, he'll take our daughter, and I'll take our oldest son. What happens to our baby you may ask? He always tags along with me. However, when he is old enough to appreciate the one-on-one dates, I'm sure my husband and I will come up with another solution.

The important thing is one parent ~ one child. Make the date about them. You don't have to spend any money either. Be creative. One time, when we were low on funds for the week, I told my daughter to go put on her prettiest shoes. I did the same and we met in the kitchen for a special treat. She LOVED it! My daughter loves shoes, and she loves treats, so I made the date about her.

I encourage you to find a way that works for you family to spend one-on-one time with your child. If you don't already, I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how it affects your relationship!

March Visiting Teaching Message

Here is the March visiting teaching message. You should be able to click on the picture and print out a few copies to take to your sisters. Happy visiting teaching :)

FHE ~ The Preisthood

Opening Song: “The Priesthood is Restored,” Children’s Songbook #89

Scripture: Abraham 1:18


Lesson/Activity:
Read and discuss Abraham 1:1-19 with your family; or if your children are young, tell the story in your own word. Then, share the following:

Our Family is Blessed by the Priesthood

Explain to your family that this priesthood or power of God that Abraham was given is the same priesthood that the fathers or sons in your family have. One of the reasons the Lord has given men the priesthood is so that they can bless their families. Every member of your family who is a member of the Church has had some blessings from the priesthood.
Let each person tell about a blessing he has received through the power of the priesthood. For example:
1. Talk about the blessings the children received as babies. Tell about the event, who attended the meeting, who assisted the father or gave the blessing, how the name was chosen, etc. Any details you can remember will be fascinating to the child about whom you are talking as well as to other family members. Be sure to include an expression of how you felt on these occasions.
2. A family member who has been baptized and confirmed could tell about that experience and how he felt.
3. A family member could tell about receiving an anointing and blessing when s/he was ill.
4. Someone in your family could share his feelings about receiving a father’s blessing.
5. share your feelings about going to the temple to be sealed if you have had a temple marriage.

Treat: Make and eat the favorite treat of the priesthood holder in your home.

Date Idea #2

When you and your spouse can't think of anything to do, or maybe you just want to stay in, try this idea:

Pick a TV show that you haven't seen before, rent a whole season of it, and watch a few episodes together. This can be running date since you will be able to stretch it out among many dates! Make some yumm treats and snuggle up!

Soft Spoken

Yesterday, my defiant little girl was throwing another fit. I have tried everything with her, and somedays it works, somedays it doesn't. So, yesterday she was screaming in the bathroom because I wouldn't pull up her pants for her. She's perfectly capable of doing it herself. She kept screaming and wouldn't listen to me trying to reason with her. Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. I just started whispering. While I tried to tell her that she was old enough to pull up her flippin' pants, I said it all in a whisper. And guess what? It worked!!

Now, I'm not stupid folks. I know that isn't the key to getting your child to listen to you. But maybe if you get stuck in that sitch, and you haven't tried it before, who knows- it may work!

So, what tricks do you have up your sleeve when dealing with your children? Or your spouse for that matter??

* I should note that the whispering stopped her from screaming so she could listen to me, it still didn't make her pull up her pants. She's a stubborn little bugger.

How To Make A Fabric Flower

These cute fabric flowers are so in right now, and SO easy to make. All you need is some cute fabric, a needle and thread, and a hot glue gun (optional).

First, cut your fabric into a strip, about one inch thick and about 2 feet long. The longer the strip, the bigger the flower will be.


Next, stitch the ends closed. Then, run a simple stitch along the entire bottom of the strip. Make sure you secure it. When you are done with the stitch, pull the thread so the fabric gathers like so:

Again, make sure to secure the ends. Take one end and turn the fabric in a spiral. Then you can either sew the layers together so they stay, or like me- just use a hot glue gun to secure it in place.

Then you can put a safety pin on the back, and pin it to a shirt, or hot glue it to a plain headband. Be creative!

FHE ~ Tithing

Opening Song: “I’m Glad to Pay a Tithing,” Children’s Songbook, p. 150

Scripture: Malachi 3:10

Lesson/Activity:

Show your family ten objects of equal value—apples, coins, or the like. As you have the following discussion, separate them one by one.

Suppose your earnings for a month amounted to these. And you had promised to pay a tenth, or one of these, as a tithing. How easy it is to pay the first and have nine left. But when the first goes to the landlord, and the second goes to the grocer, and the third goes to that good natured fellow at the service station, and the fourth goes to the baker, and the fifth, and the sixth, and the seventh, just go . . . Suddenly the realization that there is but one left comes to you.

How much harder is it at that moment to give the remaining one as tithing. Too often at that moment such a person by default joins the kind of people who were admonished by Malachi: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”


Treat: Donut Holes

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 1/4 cups oil
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

In a bowl combine flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Stir in 1/4 cup oil, milk, and egg.
Drop by teaspoonfuls into 6 cups hot (375 degrees) oil. Fry about 3 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and drain.
Roll in 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon

I'm Going There Someday

Are you and your spouse going to the temple together? If so, are you going regularly? I know it's important. You know it's important! Go together. What a great {free} date!

When you do go, make sure your children know where you are going. Tell them beforehand that you are attending the temple and explain the importance of it. They will wonder what is so important about the temple, and that can be a great teaching opportunity for you!

Family Unity

Opening Song: “Home,” Children’s Songbook #192

Scripture: Mosiah 18:21

Lesson/Activity:

Tell the story of the three little pigs. Emphasize that when the three pigs stuck together and worked together, they were stronger than the wolf.

Bake a “family cake.” (Recipe HERE) Using a cake recipe from scratch, have each member of the family be in charge of one or two ingredients. As the cake bakes, discuss what would happen if anyone was left out or if anyone didn’t fulfill their responsibility and provide the ingredient they were responsible for. Enjoy the cake!

Closing Song: “Families Can Be Together Forever”

Food Storage Cake

3 cups flour
2 cups cold water
6 tablespoons Cocoa
2 cups Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
2 tablespoons Vinegar
2 teaspoons Vanilla
2/3 cup Oil

Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, soda and salt in a 9x13 pan. Make three wells and pour vanilla, vinegar and oil in wells. Pour water over all and mix well. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.This makes a very good, moist cake. We call it “Food Storage Cake” because all the ingredients are in our food storage. It’s very good with any frosting.

Date Idea #1

I am going to try and post a date idea at least every other week. I cannot stress how important it is to go on dates with your spouse!! Now a date does not count if your kids are with you. Don't get me wrong, it's important to have dates with your kids too, but I'll get into that at another time. Going on dates with your spouse is more important. And it doesn't have to be lavish or expensive. It can be cheap or free and FUN!

A favorite for "Hubby" and myself is putting the kids to bed (maybe a little early) then getting take-out and renting a movie. Then we have a picnic in the family room while we eat dinner. Maybe take turns giving eachother a backrub or something to make it extra special. There ya go ~ easy, cheap, fun, done!

Contact

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