The Mom Song

This is cute...

Winter Wonderland

Well, it's not a winter wonderland here in Indy today--it's pouring rain instead.
I love wallpapers for my computer. I change them every few days.
I googled some up today and thought I'd share my wallpapers with all of you. Some I just downloaded today, some I've had for years. Of course, this is just Christmas and Winter wallpapers in keeping with the season. If I remember to, I'll post some others I have next season...
If you want to keep a wallpaper for yourself, just click the image to get it in full size, then save it to your computer (right-mouse click or control click, save to desktop or photo library, or wherever you save your wallpapers)
Enjoy!

God So Loves You

John 3:16

A Return to Virtue

I think change is exciting. I feel very blessed to belong to a living church guided by inspired leaders. I am currently serving as the YW president in my ward. I'm excited to share the current change in the program:

Revised Young Women Theme

"Now is the time for a return to virtue!"
The attribute and value of Virtue has been added to the Young Women theme. "Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It encompasses chastity and moral purity."

The time has come for the young women of the Church to lead the world in a return to virtue. This is the time to be pure and to qualify for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. In the coming year, it is our desire that all young women and their leaders focus on the meaning of virtue, what young women can do to accept and act upon this value, and how this attribute can strengthen young women as they prepare to be worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and receive temple ordinances.

We will distribute through local priesthood leaders and also post online the Personal Progress value experiences and projects associated with this value. We desire all young women to complete and be recognized for completing this value, in addition to the seven values listed in the Personal Progress book. You may want to study the following scriptural references as you contemplate a return to virtue.

"I believe one virtuous young woman led by the Spirit can change the world."

YOUNG WOMEN THEME

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him.
We will “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:
Faith
Divine Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice and Accountability
Good Works
Integrity and
Virtue.
We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

• We invite Young Women leaders to immediately include this addition as they repeat the Young Women theme.

• “Virtue” will be added to the Personal Progress value experiences and projects.
Instructions on how to implement this change in Personal Progress will be forthcoming.

My Creations

Here are a few things I've been up to lately...

We had an activity recently in YW learning from Jill Schroering how to do flower arranging. I was not prepared for how much I would totally love doing this! I plan to make one for Christmas, too. Here is a picture of my Thanksgiving centerpiece I made at YW:




Another thing that I recently got back into is beading. Only this time, I am making cell phone lanyards and book marks (they're called book thongs). I've bought both things at book stores for nearly $10 a piece and finally realized I could duplicate them myself. I'm pretty slow sometimes, but once I catch on, look out! I've made lots and lots of them and plan to give them to family for Christmas. After a class presidency meeting, I taught the YW how to make them and it was a lot of fun. Here are several photos of what I've made.

Movie Review: Twilight

Warning: Contains Spoilers

I went to see this movie with Sissel and Martha the Saturday that it came out (I just haven't had time to publish my review until now). Sissel and Martha had read the book and I had not, so they were nervous about whether or not the movie would be true to the book. I was able to just enjoy the movie for its own value. I'm not much of a novel reader... I read so slowly that I feel like I need to be ever so careful in my choice of books and I often feel like my time is best spent reading self-help or doctrine or inspirational books. The only novels I've ever read for enjoyment are the Harry Potter books, which I was totally addicted to and eagerly anticipate the remaining movies. But, as soon as I got home that Saturday night from seeing Twilight, I began reading the book. I haven't gotten very far--November and December are busy months... but I am enjoying the read and can definitely see the obsession with the series.

So, my review... I will admit that it has a slow start. And here's my theory on that: We all already know this story is about a girl and a vampire. However, a LOT of time is spent on building up the mystery and anticipation of who & what Edward is. Although I see the importance in building up the characters and suspense, I wonder if it was necessary to drag on the "mystery" of Edward for quit so long. I wonder if the book would have been able to hold my husband's interest if she had moved on to the real story sooner. Because once the plot thickens, I am on the edge of my seat the entire time!!! It was GREAT!

The movie had decent special effects... I loved the baseball scene and the car accident scene is pretty good. Edward's glittery skin could maybe have been done a little better given the technology that exists in the movie industry, but it was still pretty cool.

According to my movie buddies, the casting was well done. There were occasional giggles and sighs of acknowledgement as new characters emerged in the film--they were pleased with the casting overall. I was tickled to see "Cedric Diggory" play the heroic Edward the vampire.

I think the film is appropriate for most youth. There is no bad language that I can remember. There is implied violence, although they do not show it. There is no sex, although I will admit the kissing scene was pretty intense.

I think what draws women to this love story is the fact that Edward is not just attracted to Bella, he also finds her to be the most tempting human he's ever met... see, Edward and his "family" are "vegetarian" vampires (they're the good guys)--they do not feed on human blood (imagine the shark's anonymous club in Finding Nemo... "fish are friends, not food"). But, Bella has the most enticing smell of any human Edward has met (Martha had to explain this to me at the beginning because Edward's reaction to Bella is so bizarre and I didn't get it at first). So, in order to be with Bella, Edward has to overcome himself--the ultimate sacrifice for love. Gag, I know, but it does pull you in.

So, overall, I really did enjoy the movie and am now enjoying the book. I'd like to watch the movie again. Not sure if I will purchase it or not, but definitely want to see it at least once more.

Feel free to post your thoughts on the series in the comments!