My Mosaic

I got this idea from my sister-in-law. It did take about an hour to complete, but I was so curious about what my mosaic would look like that I had to do it. It was fun though!

1. Love, 2. Arriving at the Italian Riviera, 3. Point Loma Nazarene University, original Spaulding residence, 1901, 4. Meeting the pregnant princess of the forest, 5. More Johnny Depp . . ., 6. macro water drop, 7. The Village Pond, Blatherwyke, Northampshire, England, 8. 14th August 2007/Day 226, 9. The Voice of Water, 10. Joy of life, 11. Entering Hyperspace, 12. Jordan and Jessa

The Rules: you answer the following 12 questions about yourself (my answers are in parentheses after each question):

1. What is your first name? (Jessica)
2. What is our favorite food? (Italian)
3. What high school did you attend? (Spaulding High School)
4. What is your favorite color? (Green)
5. Who is your celebrity crush? (Johnny Depp) (I have seen way better pictures of him than this provided!)
6. Favorite drink? (Water)
7. Dream vacation? (European countryside)
8. Favorite dessert? (Baked goods)
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (Writer)
10. What do you love most in life? (Family)
11. One word to describe you? (Crazy)
12. Your Flickr name? (Jessakita) (I had to use Jessa to get search results)

Want to play? Type your answers to each of the above questions into Flickr's search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite and copy and paste each of the URL's into the Mosaic Maker. (3 columns, 4 rows)

Family Home Evening

Family home evenings are always . . . well, interesting in our home. They are usually unorganized, chaotic and contentious, but we keep trying. Maybe one day we will figure out how to do it in a peaceful, organized manner. Until then however we'll just keep plodding on.

This week we talked about what the Apostles and Prophet taught us in General Conference. We were able to recall that President Monson instructed us to reach out to the lonely, sick, widows and widowers. He asked us to reach out to those not of our faith. 

Paul shared that during the Priesthood session an Elder told a story about a group of men trying to move a large piano into a building. After much difficulty in trying several different ways someone instructed the men, "Everyone just lift and walk through the door." They then very easily walked the piano into the building and placed it in its spot. The lesson is "Just lift where you are." No matter your place in life, job, calling or family, you have a work to do. Contribute where you are.

Elder Eyring spoke about unity. We discussed his suggestion to pray for individual family members so that unity can grow in our family. 

After our discussion we baked cookies for a widower in town and played a game of UNO.

Guess who won!

At the beep of the cookie timer, Dad was left on his own to clean up the cards.

Yummy chocolate chip cookies!

As the cookies cooled, the anticipation began to get to them.

Does anyone else feel like they've been through the ringer after family home evening?

Family Home Evening

Last night Paul suggested we have some fun for Family Home Evening. After a difficult dinner and a contentious ride to the ball field, we finally had some fun. On the way home we reflect upon the fact that when we work together as a family we have fun, and we are happy. When we argue and disobey, we don't have fun, and we are sad. Good lesson. I'm glad I didn't make Paul turn the van around when things continued to go badly. 

We're number 1!

Leah and Luke looked so cute running the bases. Unfortunately, Luke tripped just as I was taking the "cute picture." It made a nice action shot though!

That would be a strike Luke.

I'm not sure what look Leah was going for. Tennis player, cheerleader, gardner (that is a garden glove she is wearing). She was also wear flip flops, but quickly ditched those and went barefooted.

Night time prayers

As most well know, Luke LOVES trains. He loves Thomas the Tank Engine and his favorite story is Tootle. Tonight his prayer went like this:

"Heavenly Father. Thank Thee for my family. Thank Thee for the people in the hospital. (His way of asking for Heavenly Father to bless the sick.) Please bless Thomas. Please help him be safe. Please help him 'stay on the rails no matter what.' In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen." 

If you have read Tootle before, you will have recognized the phrase. If not, you should definitely find the book so you can appreciate how much my son loves trains. This is a very long book for a little kid to sit through, but Luke loves every line of it. 

Kindergarten art

By Leah

Leah's 6th

For several years now Leah has asked for an electric guitar. We decided childhood is the time to plant seeds for future endeavors. She is now the very proud owner of a Squire Mini Strat by Fender. It came with a white pick guard, but Paul customized it with pink. SWEET!

Yes, it is a basketball going through the hoop. Leah loves basketball. Well, the idea of it anyway. She has never played the game, but she has been known to fall asleep snuggling a basketball.

Happy Birthday Sweet Leah! 

(The ketchup stain was courtesy of me. Yes, I know . . . Jess the mess.)

Creative place settings

The latest in napkin sculpture. Yes, she really did intend for us to use this to wipe our mouth.