what's been going on...

(Photo's taken by Morgan Barton)

Inspired by this story:

"My good friend Don Pearson shared an experience that highlights this influence. One night his four-year-old son asked him to read a bedtime story. Eric had picked out his favorite book: The Ballooning Adventures of Paddy Pork, a story about a family who lived on the isles of the sea and traveled from island to island by hot-air balloon. It was a picture book that had no words, so Brother Pearson made up words to the story.

“Paddy is in a hot-air balloon. He is landing on an island now. He is dropping a line over the side of the balloon.”

Eric stopped him. “Dad, that is not a line. It’s a rope.”

Brother Pearson looked at Eric and back at the picture book, and then he continued: “Paddy is getting out of the balloon and climbing down the tree. Oh no! His coat is caught on a limb!”

Again Eric stopped him. “Dad, that’s not a coat. It’s a jacket.”

By now Brother Pearson was somewhat perplexed. He said, “Eric, there are no words in this book, just pictures. Why do you insist that it’s a jacket?”

Eric answered, “Because Mother told me.”

His father closed the book and said, “Eric, who do you think is the last word, the ultimate authority in this house?”

This time Eric thought carefully before he answered, “You are, Dad.”

Brother Pearson beamed at his son. What an exceptional answer! “How did you know that?”

Eric quickly responded, “Mother told me.”

As President James E. Faust said: “There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation” (“Fathers, Mothers, Marriage,” Liahona and Ensign, Aug. 2004, 3).

This was given in this last conference by Brother Foster so, I asked Barbara "Babs who is the ultimate athority in the house" We were sitting at the dinner table just having a conversation and I J.R. was walking about the house getting stuff ready for scouts J.R. paused and waited for the answer. She took about thirty seconds to come up with the answer and finaly said "hmm... Jesus". J.R. and I both giggled a little I told her she was right and we went about our evening.

That was a great learning oportunity for me. I don't think I had ever explained to her what athority was or who was at the top of it, but somehow she came up with the most wonderful answer and it shocked both J.R. and I.

Steven is getting married in two days! We went over to grandma's house and had dinner with all of the family that has come down for the wedding (Grandma and Grandpa Matsen, Jerry and her girls, and Momo.) Grandma asked her "Barbara who is getting married in the temple?" She answered "me, Tisten, and osh!" (translated that is she's going to Kristen is going to and so is Josh (Faiths boyfriend)) It was soo funny! I love that she's already excited about the idea of getting married in the temple! I hope she sticks to it :)

Baby John likes to do this half giggle that makes me laugh and laugh

this month has been a bit crazy and a lot of fun! We had tons of family come into town for the first weekend of the month and we blesed Baby John. It was awesome and so much fun! Dave Josie, Con con, Margret, Colton, Austin, Mom, Dad, Sarah, Alayna, Joe, Liz, and Adam all came into town! Wow was it CRAZY AND FUN! We went to some parks went on the whole in the rock hike, went to the zoo, blessed baby John, I got to hang out with Sarah, Liz, Joe, and Adam for a late night with no kiddies for about an hour. It was an awesome weekend and it was so great to spend time with my family! I love them :)

J.R. and I took a little minnie vacation up to the petrified forest and now steven is getting married in two days. :) It's been a bit busy. but I love it! Not to mention that J.R. is doing school work and was made scout master. So he's been crazy busy!