The infamous Gobble Bag

In my ward's last Enrichment night an organization expert came and talked about organizing/cleaning. I missed the meeting but I heard about one thing a sister in my ward does to help keep her house clean and get the kids to help. I decided to try it because nothing else has worked for me so far! One of my friend's posted on her blog about this too so I thought I this was definitely worth a try. The gobble bag made it's first appearance in our house last night after FHE. Our lesson was about keeping our house clean and all of us doing our part to help create a "house of order,...not a house of confusion" (D&C 132:8). We then introduced them to the gobble bag and told them that ANYTHING left out when they went to bed would be "eaten up" by the gobble bag and they wouldn't get it back until the next FHE (Monday night). Needless to say, there was a lot of concern and "what if's" adressed. Homework, school books, clothes/shoes, toys, whatever it is, it will go in the bag if it's left out! (I even told Caleb I'd send him to school with a note saying 'the gobble bag ate his homework' if he leaves stuff out! He's not about to test that challenge!) Right after family prayer, they all ran off to clean the whole entire house!! And it didn't take them very long to do it either!! I was impressed with how great the house looked when I went to bed...and we didn't even have company coming over! (Lately it hasn't looked that spotless unless we had company coming over!) The gobble bag didn't get very full the first night. It mostly just had a snack, but it did get one or two good things to 'eat'.

Here it is- night two and the house looks just as great! Jared keeps asking me about the gobble bag. (I don't have an 'official' bag yet; just a basket.) Any ideas where to find a bag suitable for the job?

The end of an era

I learned of President Gordon B. Hinckley's passing while chatting (via instant messenger) with a friend who lives in Utah. My heart pounded as I read the single sentence "President Hinckley passed away this evening." With tears in my eyes, I immediately ran to my bedroom to tell my family (they were watching Extreme Home Makeover). We knew his time was soon, but no matter how much you prepare yourself, the news still overpowers you with sadness. Then we pondered at the joy he is experiencing, being reunited with his beloved wife and family members who preceded him. We reflected on his last conference address. We read his sweet and powerful testimony. My cousin put this quote on her blog (hope she does't mind that I borrow it): "I know as surely as anything in this world, that someday I shall die as to the life of this world. But I have an absolute certainty in my heart that I shall go on living and doing good and having the association of my beloved companion..."

I know in my heart this is true. In Primary this year, the theme is "I Am a Child of God". It is such a simple but powerful statement. This month we focused on the theme that Heavenly Father has a plan for us. As my counselors and I taught the children about the Plan of Salvation, the spirit bore witness to us that we have a divine destiny. Our spirits continue on after we leave this earth. Amen.

I love to see the temple!

On December 31 at 8:50 am, our family had tickets to tour the long awaited Rexburg Temple. Kaitlyn woke up that morning feeling really sick. When she came to wake us up and tell us she wasn't feeling well, she was crying. She was more upset that she wouldn't be able to go to the temple. Since I had already toured the temple with my co-workers (the media was invited to tour the temple on the 27th), I stayed home with Kaitlyn while the boys went to the temple. They left at 7 am and returned at 11:30. The first thing Jared said as he ran in the door was, "I saw Angel Moroni at the top of the temple! He is huge!" I couldn't believe he was so excited about the angel Moroni! He was really good for the whole tour. As Kaitlyn listened to Jared and Caleb talk about how pretty the temple was, she felt a little sad. So I went online and reserved 2 more tickets for that following Friday. I pulled her out of school early and we went up to Rexburg, just me and her. We went through the temple and enjoyed the beauty all around us. Kaitlyn was most awed by the celestial room. That was the one thing she really wanted to see. It is a beautiful temple!

As we were driving away from the temple, I pointed over to the right and told Kaitlyn, "I used to live right over in those dorms!" (The temple is just one block south of campus!) She found it difficult to believe that I used to be a single person and went to school! Driving past Ricks College/BYU-Idaho sure brings back great memories! That's where Eric and I met and spent our first year together!! Over the years they've made changes to the school. They've added more buildings and closed off the road that goes between the Manwaring Center and the a science building (can't remember what it was called). There is a garden area that botany students took care of in that same area. Anyway, enough reminiscing! I'll save that for another post!

A brand new teenager!

(Caleb with one of his Christmas presents)

Caleb turned 13 today! I can't believe he's that old already! In just 3 years he'll be old enough to drive, and in 6 years he'll be going on a mission!! I have loved watching him grow up and become a young man. He's already showing the normal teenager symptoms- answers questions in as few words as possible. :) I found out that if you listen to the phone calls they make to their friends (while they're in your presence) then you can gain a little insight to their thoughts.

We love you Caleb! You're an awesome kid!

A rat in the house!!

On New Year's day I made two loaves of delicious banana bread. While it was cooking, the tantalizing smells had everyones mouth watering, anticipating the first bite. After the bread finished cooking, I set them out to cool. Then off to the grocery store I went to get a few items for dinner. When I came home, imagine my surprise when the first thing I saw was my perfect banana bread, mutilated by a "rat!" I immediately hollered for Eric- he just had to see with his own eyes what the "rat" had done. We both had a good laugh, took a couple of pictures, then we brought the kids in to the kitchen and told them what happened to the banana bread. We told them that a "rat" (wink wink) got to the bread and that it was time to call the exterminator. Then we see Jared shaking his head to side to side, with a smile on his face, and he boldly announces, "That was me!" I guess that poor little kid just couldn't resist the temptation to pick at the bread. It sure looks like a rat got to it huh!

Until we meet again Brian!

I've had the song "Star Spangled Banner" going through my head today. Particularly the last verse- "Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand between their loved homes and the war's desolation! Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land, praise the pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!" Since my oldest brother, Nathan, joined the Air Force, that song held a more special meaning for me. I have 5 brothers and four of them are serving in the military- either in Air Force or Army. Today one of them left for Iraq. Brian is the first to serve in this war. I was unable to go down to see him off but it turns out that the "send-off" was a misunderstanding. (Check out my sister's blog for more info.)

This evening I thought I'd call his wife to say hi and see how she was doing. I pulled out my cell phone and dialed what I thought was Brandi's cell phone. Imagine my surprise when I heard Brian on the other end! He said he had just arrived in Maine an hour earlier. (My heart kind of got that scared feeling- for a brief moment- when I realized he was already on his way.) I was able to chat with him for a few minutes. In the Christmas craziness, I didn't really get a chance to sit and talk with Brian. (At the time I figured I'd stop at his house on the way back to Idaho. But a threatening snow storm changed our plans.) So this was a nice surprise for me!

Through wonderful modern technology, we'll be able to keep in touch with him via e-mail. I look forward to hearing updates from him.

Godspeed Brian! We pray for your safe return! We love you!!

Here's what I've been up to!

Shelby (my SIL) has been patiently teaching me how to do a digital layout using Photoshop Elements 6.0. I just hope I remember it all when I get home! Thanks Shel!!

Merry Christmas!

Wow! It's Christmas Eve! Caleb, Kaitlyn and Jared have been so excited all day. They were excited all month (since Thanksgiving actually) but today they seem to be bouncing off the walls. Even Caleb! He's the worst!

We are in Lindon, Utah at my parent's house. I have a brother and a sister (and their families) who live close by and another brother who flew in from Ohio with his family. We just got back from Christmas caroling- a Hansen family tradition. We also drove around to see homes decorated with lights. There were some pretty cool ones to see (and they probably have a pretty "cool" bill to match! but I'm glad they take the time to do it!) We'll end the night with reading the story of the First Christmas from the scriptures. Those are two traditions my family has always done when I was growing up.

I found out at Thanksgiving that my brother will be going to Iraq. Because he's in the Air Force, he doesn't thave to stay as long. Some people think he's lucky but no matter how long he's there, the separation is still difficult for those he leaves behind. We'll all miss him but none more than his wife and twin sons! He leaves on Saturday. I wish I could be here to see him off.

We want to wish you all a very merry Christmas. Our hearts fill with joy when we think of the love Heaven Father has for us all. He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to show us the way. We are grateful for all of our friends and family. You bring so much joy to our life! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

(P.S.- pictures will follow later!)