The view of a 4 year old

We let Liam take our old camera for the day and here is what he came up with:

A Church for Rockstars

Not everyone loves Mormons, but what average Joe doesn’t love a good looking rockstar?  
 

I think this is probably what the PR of the LDS church was thinking this week as Brandon Flowers of popular band the "The Killers" jumped into the ‘Mormons are Christians” argument as the star of the church’s “I am a Mormon” campaign.

Mormons are gushing over the LDS lead singer and his youtube video.  It seems like friends are talking it up and in the last 4 days nearly 50,000 people have shared this video on facebook. 

The ads, which seek to extinguish harsh stereotypes, include auspicious professionals, underrepresented blacks, working women, and artists.  But here when they included Brandon Flowers on board I’d like to think the church is laying claim to a new category – flawed and even edgy. 

Brandon has settled down and outgrown both his black mascara and some of his risqué lyrics.  Just like any pop star though he has produced a few salacious music videos in the past which include a little artful but cheeky burlesque and some sweaty bedroom action. It’s a track record that makes him an unlikely poster boy. 

Last year when interviewed by The Telegraph he was asked about church and explained, “I can’t help but go for the good I guess. Especially after having children – I think, what kind of mark do I wanna leave? For the most part, that’s the person that I am. I think I’m a positive and optimistic person.” 

His words are nothing to be published in the Ensign but still are frank, honest, and easy to respect. 

In his 'I’m a Mormon’ ad he admits "A lot of people love to come up to me and tell me they were raised in the church. They expect there to be this camaraderie about, 'Oh, we've outgrown it now. We're smart enough now to not be in it.'

"It started happening so often that it really made me take a look at myself and I realized I was raised in it and there's still a fire burning in there."

I’d like to think that in accepting him in their PR campaign, the LDS church is saying “So what if a guy misses church, has a ‘part member family,' or doesn’t always “walk the walk.” If his heart is in the right place, we want him in the fold”   If you identify as a Mormon, we hear you. we recognize you. we claim you”  Basically if your family once believed it, you once practiced it, or it still has any place inside of you, we accept you.

I know some dismiss the entire ad series as only misleading.  Yes, we still have a long way to go until we reach our melting pot ideal. But wouldn’t we all love to see the church go more in this direction?  I attend a DC area ward that actually happens to resemble those “I am a Mormon” ads.  It’s a breath of fresh air to see a large population of blacks, educated mothers, artists, and immigrants in the congregation on Sunday.  Two women with Phds teach our Sunday school. Maybe things are slowly morphing.  

I’d like to applaud this step in the right direction. Even if it’s a baby step. From where I stand, Latter Day Saints are becoming more inclusive.                                                                                                                                                                                         

Of course, like any LDS in the spotlight, Brandon Flowers is receiving some public criticism for this little stunt.  Some Mormons aren’t missing the chance to label him an unfit example.  Other non-LDS fans see him losing his edge and going soft. I say we stop the conjecture and just let him be who he is- a worldwide star, ”A father, a husband, a Mormon.”

I can't seem to get enough of these lazy fall days. I'm working minimally and enjoy teaching Liam pre-school and Elsie her baby signs/new words.  Liam has been playing kung fu panda non stop for the last 4 weeks and sings "Kung fu Fighting," and brings a 'kung fu' stick everywhere he goes. The 'pig day' was a book signing at the zoo.

Liam quotes

"Long, long time ago before there were indians, there were Strom Troopers."

"The cool thing about Vikings is they never have to go to the bathroom."   "I saw it on a movie."

"Can Ninjas pee standing up?"

"Mom, your hair looks weird. You look like a Russian. (P.S. I love Russians so luckily I wasn't offended)

"Mom, you're as important as the sun to me."

"Mom, if I was big, I would buy you flowers. Whatever kinds you want"

100 miles of Gettysburg

I'm so proud of Brady and his dad for gracefully pulling off 100 miles of hills. It was fun to see the excitement of our 2 riders and to see pictures of the places they went and a glimpse of what they experienced. Mark turned 50 this year and has done it in style, better than ever. He has three 100 mile races under his belt this summer. 

Nana's 50th

   












   






























 

My kids are wild about their Grandparents. Although it's too bad that both sets live so far away, we really cherish the times that we get to spend with them. Leisa, Brady's mom, came to D.C. for her 50th birthday and our little family was honored to celebrate with her and Papa Mark. I stole all these pictures from her and am glad that I have them to remember fun, simple times.

Love, a lifetime supply

      We're down to our last three rolls of toilet paper.
I'm only counting 'cause they're part of an unsupplemented years supply. It was stocked by my grandma on her D.C. visit one year ago and it's a funky little reminder, one of many, how grandma took care of me. Now she's passed on but the toilet paper stash is still giving.
     Everywhere I look there are reminders of her giving- the black polka dot dress Elsie is dancing in, the pot holder and soap dispenser in my otherwise unadorned kitchen, the book on my coffee table. It's like she's everywhere. And nowhere.  

      My grandma made me feel like a rockstar.
 Seriously.  When I drove 3 and a half hours to New York City with my brother Justin she told me I was a "world traveler." She ooggled over my family Christmas photos like they were signed by Babe Ruth. When I repainted my bathroom vanity she told me I should be on HGTV.
She always gave me more credit than I deserved. She was always good for a little over- the- top complement right when I needed it.
     As a teen I pulled shenanigans until I drove my family crazy.  I alienated myself by attempting late night stunts, and perpetually leaving the gas tank on empty. Consequently I depleted all my favors and exhausted my parents. But to my grandma, I was her wonderful, brite-eyed granddaughter.
      It wasn't that she didn't see my flaws. She saw them alright, glaring I'm sure, but she accepted them anyways. That kind of love works miracles. It's the kind of love that makes you feel comfortable in your own skin. It is the kind of force that whispers to you to stop questioning yourself and just be.
Be content with the lot life has cast you.
Be happy to get up in the morning even on the saddest of days.
Be grateful for the supportive people in your life.
Be willing to take risks
Be ready to embrace the beautiful blessings God has placed in your lap

My grandma's persistent, and unearned, love has changed me.  And thankfully, she left me with a large supply of that too.

Imperial Death March

Elsie can sing two songs pretty much pitch perfect (just the tune, not the words- you know, la da da type stuff) . The first is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Credit that to parental influence. The other? Darth Vader's theme from Star Wars. Wonder where she gets that from...   Since birth she's responded strongly to music (I'd say more than most kids, and all kids love music), and continues to love it more and more every day.