The Gardner 7: Lehi dwelt in an Igloo?!?

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Lehi dwelt in an Igloo?!?

It can be difficult for our little children to sit still and listen during scripture reading time. So Dan and I have incorporated a couple of fun things into our scripture reading. While reading a verse we will substitute different words and names for those found in the scriptures to see if the kids will notice. For example we might read, "I George, having been born of goodly parents..." or "Lehi dwelt in an igloo." The kids think it is so funny and they love to try and catch our mistakes. Last night instead of reading a verse I decided to sing it opera style. The kids found this quite humorous. Maddison joined in on the fun and read one of the verses with a cowboy twang. At first it felt a little sacreligious but it has made our scripture reading fun. Of course we don't do this all of the time but on those evenings when the kids are wound up it helps pull their focus to the scriptures.

3 comments:

Unknown said...: I love it. I think I will try that tonight. I will let you know what the kids do...it should wake some of them up a bit (Nate); January 30, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Anonymous said...: What a great idea ... I will have to try that tomorrow! Oh and thanks for those words you posted about President Hinckley!; January 31, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Unknown said...: Ok Deanna, I did this with the kids...it was so much fun! The kids were laughing. The funniest is that I told them your quote of "Lehi dwelt in an Igloo" and they were coming up with different things for "my father dwelt in a tent..." when Nick said "I got it.
AND my Father dwelt in a Hotel"
We all laughed! Someday he will be home again!
Thanks for the idea; February 2, 2008 at 12:17 AM

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I am now a part of facebook. I was a little skeptical at first but I have become reacquainted with so many friends from High School and the Denver area that I am glad I joined. Two things that I have discovered. The first is that people's personalities don't really change that much.....just their looks. And two.....I am really grateful for the choices that I have made that have led me to this point in my life. The Lord truly takes care of me and my family and has given me more blessings and opportunities than I could have ever dreamed of. I married a man who is an amazing father and husband. He has taken care of us in every way possible. My children are beautiful and healthy. The Lord has been good to me.

Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood.....here I come!

Well, Valentine's Day was bigger than Christmas at the Gardner home this year, which wasn't too difficult considering Dan and I didn't get each other presents for Christmas. I surprised Dan with a digital picture frame at his office with some homemade chocolates (which were quite fabulous if I might say so myself.) And Dan surprised me with tickets to the Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood concert.....in Sacramento, California! That's right! We are flying out on Wednesday, March 12th to go to the concert that night and will fly home the next day. But it even gets better......my sister and her husband are going too! YIPPEEE! I am so excited and was quite shocked that Dan had already worked out a lot of the little details. What a man! I hope your Valentine's Day was full of love and "surprises!"

President Hinckley

There are some events in life that have had such an impact on me that I remember exactly what I was doing at the moment it happened. Sunday night when I was informed that President Hinckley had passed away will be one of those such events. I was in the hall reading to the children when Dan in a somewhat panicked voice beckoned me to come downstairs. When I got to the bottom of the stairs I glanced at the TV and there was a picture of President Hinckley with a caption stating that he had passed away earlier that evening. Immediately I called the children downstairs so they could see what was going on and then I called my family in Denver. After I got off of the phone I looked over to see an image I will never forget. Maddison was in her Daddy's arms and her eyes were filled with tears. The only Prophet that she had known in her life had just died. We called the children around us and offered a prayer of gratitude to our Heavenly Father for blessing us with such a wonderful Prophet. How truly grateful I am for President Hinckley's life and his powerful example of service and love. He will always be the "People's Prophet."

The book of the Gardner's, Month 12: day 24

1. And it came to pass on that day that there went out a decree from Shelene Gardner, that all in the Hal Gardner lineage in the region round about should gather at their Inn.
2. And Dan also went up, out of the city of Clearfield, into the city of Layton, (because he was of the lineage of Hal Gardner) to eat with his wife Deanna, and four children.
3. And all went to eat, every Gardner from their homes.
4. And it came to pass that when the family arrived they did find the table spread with a feast fit for a king.
5. And there was much food and rejoicing, and they ate and were filled.
6. And so it was that while they were there they portrayed the birth of our King....

Focus!

Thanksgiving was full of food, fun and family! Lots of family! It is so great to come together with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandpas and grandmas and feel as though you were never apart. What a great blessing family is in my life. I wish that I lived closer to more family members so I could feel of the great support and uplift they give to me daily!

My sister and I realized that this was once our family....but our parents were in our position and we were in our kids position. But we don't remember our parents ever looking so good at our age!

The children had a great time playing with their cousins. They were all immediate friends and had a hard time leaving the fun!

Well, another Thanksgiving and soon to be year will have come and gone again. This time of year is a great time of reflection for me. I love to look on the past year and see the Lord's involvement in our lives. He has been so good to us even though times haven't always been easy. I also look forward to the new year and the opportunity it brings for change. I have set some goals for myself and am hoping that this year I will have the self-discipline to focus on these goals and not get side tracked as I usually do! Every year we choose one word as a focus for change. In 2006 it was simplify! Last year it was plan! This year I think it will be focus!

If I had a wish for everyone this holiday season it would be to spend time with your loved ones making memories!