Breath from Heaven

Now, I don't normally enjoy smelling people's breaths (except for newborns). But, last night, I couldn't stop smelling Kirsten's! Does that sound strange?
We were just laying on the couch together chatting about stuff. Suddenly, I caught a whiff of Kirsten's breath. I moved my head closer to hers. While closing my eyes I could picture my Grandma. The scent coming from Kirsten's mouth was the same scent I would smell when I hugged my grandmother or was near her.

Is it just coincident that Kirsten was born on Grandma Owen's birthday and is named after her (Mozell)?

I tried to smell it again this morning...but I was only rewarded with her usual stinky morning breath.

Will I ever be able to smell Kirsten's breath from heaven again?

Oh how I miss my grandma!

TP, Prop 8, and Laughing

Last month our home teachers read us Elder Worthlin's talk "Come What May and Love It". They challenged our family to smile and laugh in the face of adversity. This morning we were given the chance to fulfill our assignment.

This is what we woke up to:

Our first reaction was that of disappointment. Why would somebody do this? Why was our family singled out when there were others on our street who displayed YES on Prop 8 signs as well? I wanted to take it down right away, but David said no. He was proud of it.

"This is like wearing the scarlet letter," he said. "Let's keep it up for the day. "

But when we drove to our house after being uplifted from church, we all agreed that it needed to be cleaned up.

Everyone smiled and "horsed" around as they rolled up the TP. The boys wondered if it was used TP and insisted they saw brown spots on it.

So... Thank you to whoever did this to our home. The experience brought our family closer together and gave us a good laugh. And a good story to tell for generations to come.

Building Wise Men

This is the banner that our Cub Master made for the Los Gatos Christmas parade. The cub scouts from our ward and another ward combined to participate in this parade. Half of the boys rode their scooters while the others raced space rockets on a trailer. Every ten minutes the boys would switch. We got there at 9:15am and left at 1:30pm. It was a long and tiring afternoon, but worth it. While giving me a hug goodnight, Steven said with a tear running down his cheek that he didn't want this day to end. I asked him what had it so special and he said, "The parade."

I need to refer back to the banner. "Building Wise Men who seek Him". Isn't that what this life is all about? I am so thankful that my children have the gospel in their lives and a scout program led by righteous men and women.

Trying to Out-Smart Santa

Everyone knows that the Santas wearing a fake beard, hair, and stuffing are "Santa's helpers". Right? That's what my children have learned. The "real" Santa lives in the North Pole, but attends the Tomball Ward in Cypress, TX. (We've seen him)

With this valuable knowledge, Steven knew right away that the Santa at our ward's Christmas party was NOT the real one. He stood in line with Kirsten, but had no intention on sitting on his lap. Steven did not want to waste his time on a fake Santa. But as soon as Kirsten had finished talking with Santa (telling him she wanted a Kirby DS game), Steven told me that maybe he will sit on his lap (I'm sure the candy that Kirsten received had nothing to do with his flip).

A few minutes later, Steven walked away from fake Santa with a devious grin, proudly holding his candy cane.

I asked him how it went and Steven said, "I told Santa that I wanted a STINK BOMB!"

I laughed and told Steven that now he's really going to get one for Christmas.

Steven shook his head and said, "No. Because this isn't the real Santa."

I replied, "But Steven, he's Santa's helper. Remember! He's going to tell the real Santa that Steven Zinn wants a stink bomb for Christmas."

Steven looked a little disappointed. I was sure he was kicking himself for making this mistake. He was probably wishing he had said what he really wanted for Christmas, which is a DS Light.

But then Steven said, "Oh......COOOOOL!"

City Lights

On Saturday, we drove to the Oakland Temple for the lighting of the Christmas lights. Like most temples, it sits on a mountain with a spectacular view of the city. We were in awe as we pulled into the parking lot. Here is what we saw (although the camera didn't capture all of the vivid colors).

We spent an hour walking around the grounds of the temple and then joined hundreds of other people in the theater to watch a program. The first half hour was entertaining. But after that I think everyone just wanted it to end. We all wanted to see the lighting of the lights. Finally, the program ended and everyone congregated outside. I was surprised to see it so dark. Even the temple was dark. Then it began...First the palm trees. Then the little trees. Next the bushes and flower beds and nativity. After some ohhs and ahhs everybody was silent. The only thing left to turn on was the temple. I knew this must be the finale, but nothing was happening. After waiting around for about 10 minutes, we decided to go inside the Visitor's Center before it closed. When we came back out, the temple was lit and the grounds were beautiful. I know it's not as breathtaking as the Salt Lake Temple, but it is still a site to see.

I wish I had a picture to post of the lights, but the one I took didn't turn out. But here are a couple of our family.

Almost Complete

I am THANKFUL for:
A beautiful home to live in.
A neighborhood that is safe and full of wonderful neighbors.
Wonderful friends who love me for being me.
My husband's joy in his job.
My husband's job that allows me to stay home with my children.
A country that is STILL a choice nation.
Being able to come "HOME" again.
Having a brother and sister-in-law and niece and nephew nearby.
Having a wonderful Mother and Father-in-law nearby.
Being born to "goodly parents" who love me unconditionally.
A sister who is my BEST FRIEND.
2 older brothers who still look out for me.
A prophet to lead us in these hard and trying times.
Belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
A marriage that has lasted 15 years.
A husband whom I love.
Four beautiful, healthy, smart, children who make our home complete.
Well...ALMOST COMPLETE
Lastly, I am thankful for our 5th child who is due to be born on May 30, 2009!

A Taste of Heaven in the Midst of Evil

Yesterday morning I quickly became discouraged as I read through my email. I read about protests by opponents of Proposition 8; churches being vandalized; church goers being bullied; and now government officials are aligning against the very people they were elected to represent and serve. The battle has only begun. As I read about all of this opposition, I am reminded of the Gadianton Robbers who are mentioned many times in the Book of Mormon. These robbers "did combine against the people of the Lord, and enter into a covenant to destroy them...". Does this sound familiar? They would stop at nothing! The opposing side of Prop 8 will stop at nothing! The day after the election, their spokesperson promised that it wasn't over. She said that they won't stop until marriage between 2 men and/0r 2 women is legal. How far will they take this? Well, just today I read an article saying that envelopes containing a "white powder" was sent to the LA Temple and the Salt Lake City Temple. This is what terrorists do! How can this be tolerated in our country? Why isn't our president saying anything? Why isn't he protecting the Mormons?
As I said, I was discouraged and perhaps a little upset (OK...a lot upset)! But my day quickly changed. James, Steven, Kirsten, and I dressed up in our church clothes and drove to the Oakland Temple where we met up with our LDS homeschool group. The temple president and his wife, Pres. and Sis. Hunter, let us gather in the lobby of the temple. He and his wife spoke to the children (about 40 of them in all). Then the children sang "I Love to See the Temple" and "A Child's Prayer" to Pres. and Sis. Hunter. The spirit was so strong! Everyone was moved to tears. As we walked out of the temple, James immediately said to me, "Wow! I felt so good inside there. I knew I would feel the Spirit, but I didn't know it would be that strong!"

While the teenagers performed baptisms for the dead, I along with other moms, took the little ones on a walk around the temple grounds. The morning fog was just burning off. You could see the entire bay area including the Golden Gate Bridge. Next, we went inside the Visitor's Center where we explored the many different exhibits and watched a 15 minute pioneer movie. We ended our trip eating lunch in front of the Tri-Stake Center with the other homeschool families.

As we walked back to the car, Steven said, "This was the best field trip I've ever been on!"
The ride home was peaceful. The rest of the day was peaceful. I will never forget this day. I know that James, Steven, and Kirsten won't forget it either. Each of our hearts were touched.

VOTE!

Winston Churchill, October 29,1941

You cannot tell from appearances how things will go. Sometimes imagination makes things out far worse than they are; yet without imagination not much can be done.

Those people who are imaginative see many more dangers than perhaps exist; certainly many more than will happen; but then they must also pray to be given that extra courage to carry this far-reaching imagination.

But for everyone, surely, what we have gone through in this period ...this is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.

Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

Our Trick or Treaters

This year, Halloween brought us a butterfly, Dracula, a mad scientist, a football player, and Daphne. They turned our household into such a fright! But what fun we all had! David and Michael took the kids trick-or-treating, while I handed candy to our scary visitors. I have never met a more polite, scary group of trick-or-treaters.
My family returned with pillow cases full of goodies.
Now, who will eat all their candy first?
My guess is on miss "sweet-tooth" Kirsten.
While she eats and enjoys her sweets,
I pray for no cavities!

A Mess Turned into a Masterpiece

It takes "guts" to turn this mess into a work of art.

I carved this Longhorn Kirten's pumpkin for Justin.

Steven's James'

Trick or Treat

This is a comic strip that I saw on Glenn Beck's website.
I thought it was hilarious! Enjoy!

Revisiting the Scene of the Pumpkin Patch

When we lived in Gilroy, we would take the children to a special patch to pick out that "perfect pumpkin". Every year we rode the train, jumped off bales of hay, and marveled at the pyramid of pumpkins.
We are back in California and it is October again. It was time to pick out a pumpkin. And where did we go? To our pumpkin patch in Morgan Hill! It has been six years since we have been there. And things have changed! It is now a mini theme park. But the rows of flowers in autumn colors, bales of hay, and "perfect pumpkins" were still there. It was still a magical experience. Justin, James, Steven, and Kirsten took their time picking out their pumpkin. Then they spent the rest of the time jumping on the bales of hay. (Except for Justin. He can't go near hay without sneezing)
I thought it would be fun to show you pictures of the kids on our last visit six years ago compared to now.

Pressing On

As many of you know, we are vigorously fighting a battle here in California. It is a battle unlike the ones we read about in the Middle East. It is being fought without guns, bloodshed, or death. But it is just as evil. President Ballard spoke to California and said that this battle is a continuation of the Battle in Heaven.

Most of the time it feels like an uphill battle, but then Heavenly Father sends little miracles to lift my spirits giving me the strength to continue the fight. For example, just yesterday I spoke to my neighbor and she told me that she just sent in her ballot by mail and voted "YES" on Prop 8. Last week a person from ComCast knocked on our door. I told him that I hadn't called. It turned out he was on the wrong street. Anyways, he saw our Prop 8 sign and said that he has donated a thousand dollars and spends his weekends walking door to door. Not only that, but he talks about it in every home that he enters. He makes sure that they know what Prop 8 is.

After Elder Ballard and Elder Cook spoke to us via satellite, the congregation watching the broadcast sang "Let Us All Press On". If only all of you could have been in that chapel! It was as though angels were in that room with us. The voices were powerful and beautiful. I can't even describe it. The lyrics to this song says it all:

1. Let us all press on in the work of the Lord, That when life is o'er we may gain a reward;
   In the fight for right let us wield a sword, The mighty sword of truth.
   Fear not, though the enemy deride; Courage, for the Lord is on our side.
   We will heed not what the wicked may say, But the Lord alone we will obey.
2. We will not retreat, though our numbers may be few When compared with the opposite host in view;
   But an unseen pow'r will aid me and you In the glorious cause of truth.
   Fear not, though the enemy deride; Courage, for the Lord is on our side.
   We will heed not what the wicked may say, But the Lord alone we will obey.
3. If we do what's right we have no need to fear, For the Lord, our helper, will ever be near;
   In the days of trial his Saints he will cheer, And prosper the cause of truth.
   Fear not, though the enemy deride; Courage, for the Lord is on our side.
   We will heed not what the wicked may say, But the Lord alone we will obey.

Celebration

We spent Saturday afternoon at Coyote Ranch
celebrating Micrel's 30 years of excellence!












The food was yummy;
The country music entertaining;
The games fun;
But the time spent with family...
PRICELESS!

Sumo Wrestling, Zinn Style

Act II - Scene 1


"Jeffrey the Fat" walks down the stairs dressed in a sumo/cowgirl outfit. Her face and cowboy hat says it all. "Jeffrey the Fat" is obviously looking for a fight.

Scene 2

"Big J" walks onto the scene showing off his tummy and flexing his muscles. "Jeffrey the Fat" sizes up her competition.

"Big J" is no match for "Jeffrey the Fat"!

POW! BAM!

Scene 3

"Belly Flop King" watches from the sidelines. He's trying to decide what side he wants to be on.
That's it! "Belly Flop King" decides to confront "Big J", and pays for it.

BAM!

Scene 4

"Mysterious Stranger" finally enters the scene. He doesn't like what he sees. He flexes his muscles and the fight is over. "Jeffrey the Fat", "Big J", and "Belly Flop King" all run away.

Was it "Mysterious Stranger's" muscles that scared everyone...or was it his green poisonous pet snake he keeps in his shirt? You decide.

Meet the cast

Mysterious Stranger, Big J, Belly Flop King, Jeffrey the Fat

Patterns

Kirsten's .............Steven's................. James's

It took James, Steven, and Kirsten a couple of days to finish this art project, but it was worth the hard work. First they made patterns on printing foam using a stylus. Next they made a print on black paper by applying white paint (I didn't have white ink) onto their foam using a brayer.
The next day, the kids used oil pastels to continue their patterns on the black paper.

Mom vs. Justin

Well...It's official!
Justin is now taller than me. I assume he has been for quite some time, but I didn't realize it until Saturday. As I was measuring Justin for our growth chart, I had to look up at the mark I had made on the door frame!
I never thought the day would come when I had to look up to any of my children. In my eyes they're still little.
But the good news is, he weighs more than me! Ha! Ha!