On Friday, April 11th, Matt got off of work early.  Henlie and I picked him up at work to go to a preview of the new Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point.  Matt was invited because he works for UVU.  We drove up and finally found it (thanks to the people at the Museum of Ancient Life).  Water Works and the Children's Garden weren't open yet, but they did have Kidopolis and the Rainforest open.  Henlie had just woken up from her nap, and it was crowded, so she clung to Daddy for awhile.  She eventually warmed up and had lots of fun trying out all of the fun things to do and play with in Kidopolis.  Her favorites would probably be the stuffed animals in the movie studio and the veterinarian office and the drums in the music studio.

After Kidopolis, we went down to the Rainforest.  Henlie loved the little science room with the bugs, blocks, and weights.  She's not really big enough to do a lot of the stuff there, but she did play in the 0-3 play area, and we found the open air fruit and vegetable market, which she could better interact with.




I definitely want to save up and go back after everything is open and the rush has died down some.  There were so many people there that we couldn't really play.  We felt like we had to let the kids have all of the turns :)  Although, since there was a sloth hang, I did get in on that action so we could take a pic for my cousins who are sloth-obsessed :)

We chose the 1pm time for our tickets so Matt could work a half day and I could still go to work afterward.  I switched with a friend so I could work at 4pm instead of 3pm, and that gave us time to go to lunch together.  We went to Noodles & Company.  I tried a new pasta that is actually healthier than what I usually pick for myself.  It was pretty good, although I sure do love buttered noodles ;)  I took the leftovers to have for dinner at work, which worked out well.  After an enjoyable lunch together with my family, I drove back to Matt's car where we swapped the baby and car seat into his car so I could go to work.  It was a very fun day.

I'm watching the Easter playlist on the Mormon Channel YouTube.  The Church really knows how to make great, moving videos.  It is likely because of these videos that I drew this parallel between Henlie and mankind.

Henlie loves bananas.  Recently, I let her hold the banana on her own.  She is becoming quite the independent little toddler.  I am not allowed to help her anymore.  She has bitten the peel because she has eaten the banana so low, but she cannot or does not know to pull the peel down more.  She is upset when I take it to expose more banana for her dining pleasure.

Tonight, I offered her a banana before bed, while I still watched Easter videos :)  I took the banana from the kitchen and went back to my laptop on the couch to finish watching videos.  I peeled the banana and waited for her to come take a bite or take it from me.  She had a fit on the floor.  She stood up and moved a couple steps forward before falling and crying some more.  As I sat here with an opened banana waiting for my silly little girl to come partake of it, I watched her fight and fuss and refuse to accept my gift of yummy banana.  I thought of how God and Christ must feel with us sometimes.  How often are we like Henlie?  Knowing we want what is being offered, but not humbling ourselves to accept it from the one offering it?  How often do we kick and cry and dig in, refusing to move forward?  How much harder do we make things on ourselves when the path could be so easy, when we could enjoy the reward so much sooner?

Henlie refused to take the banana from me.  I had to lay it on the coffee table and wait for her to come take it.  She is so independent that she could not accept it from me directly.  How often do we force God to do the same with us?  I'm reading in the Old Testament right now, and He surely did this with the Israelites.  When they weren't ready to live a higher law, he amended it so they could still have a part of the gospel and receive part of the blessings.

In one of the Easter videos, we are challenged to come closer to Christ, not only in word or in easy times, but in deed, at all times, in all things, and in all places.  I hope to improve in this area.  Maybe the next time we see a banana, we can remember to be more accepting of Christ in our lives and following him and accepting what he has to offer willingly and immediately.

Let's talk about tipping, shall we?  I am apparently a horrible person because I only ever knew about tipping at restaurants.  A few months back, there was a discussion on Facebook about how much to tip your hair stylist.  I'm sorry, I'm supposed to tip the hair stylist?!?

In my defense, for most of my life, my mother's aunt Helen would cut our hair.  I don't think Mom ever tipped Aunt Helen.  Once I went to a cheap hair cut place (maybe SuperCuts? I don't remember) and since then, my step-mom or step-sister have done my hair - and they are nice and do it for free :D

But back to this discussion of tipping.  I know in the States that servers make like $2.13 an hour (I feel like that shouldn't be legal), and therefore, it is customary to tip 10 to 20 percent regardless.  However, I have always felt like tips should be earned still.

Today, I came across a meme about weird things in America that Americans don't realize are weird, and one was tipping.  So I did a quick internet search about tipping outside of the U.S.  Apparently most other countries actually pay their service employees a living wage, so tipping really is for exceptional service.  Can someone please explain why the U.S. doesn't do this?  Also, since tips aren't requisite, the amount to tip when you do is often only 5 to 10 percent, or just rounding up to the nearest whole number.  

Granted, there are still some places where tipping is necessary for the workers to survive, like in Mexico.  But in others, tipping is considered rude (Japan).  I feel like the U.S. system of wages and tips is quite broken.  Although, I guess if there were a broken system to get on board about fixing, our health care would take precedence.

So what do you think about tipping?  Who do you tip and how much?

Hi, I'm Amber.  I have opinions.  Sometimes I share those opinions with way too many people on this cute little thing called Facebook.  (And here, but I feel like less people see this than my Facebook posts.)  I realize when I do this, not everyone has my same opinion, and that's cool.  Most people even comment or respond in a manner that is pretty respectful, even though they disagree.  However, sometimes I just view things so differently and care enough that I still take it personally.  Yeah, that's my bad.  I know it's not always how it is intended, but that's okay.  I'll work on it, 'kay?

So, let's talk about Ordain Women, shall we?  I've been to the site and looked around a little.  Not enough to write a real post on the matter, but, as I said, this blog doesn't see much traffic, so I don't really care.  I'm not trying to refute or persuade anyone here, I'm just looking for a "safe" place to express my opinion.

I'm good without "holding" the priesthood.

There, I said it.  Personally, I don't get why some women want even more responsibility and things added to their plates.  Aren't we all busy enough with what we have to do now?

I get that the church isn't equal - something about being run by imperfect humans..... and for some people, that's just too much.  Maybe it's a faith/testimony thing.  Maybe it's something else.  From my personal experiences, it would be a testimony thing.  I am now to a point where I just let God do His thing.  I live in a pretty good ward, and have for most of my life.  Being in the Primary Presidency, I know some of how things are handled in our ward regarding outreach and organization, callings and such.  I know we have a ward council who meets together to discuss the needs of our congregation, and those living in our boundaries who are either inactive or not members.  This council is made up of the leaders of all of the auxiliaries - including the women ones.  The men in my ward don't look down on them, but value them, their insights, and talents.  We work together, as a ward family, for the betterment of our brothers and sisters in our boundaries.

I don't need to hold the priesthood to have an influence.  I feel like some of the Ordain Women position just wants to go above the chain of command.  Maybe officially (and maybe even the majority of the individuals), that isn't the case.  After all, I think they just are asking everyone to pray about it, especially the leaders of our church.  Maybe they already are or have been.  

I admit, I was a little too happy during the Priesthood Session of Conference listening to Elder Oaks' talk. It was judgmental of me.  Again, my sin.  I'll work on that.  But the fact remains that his talk is current policy and doctrine.  If or when the Lord decides that needs changing, He'll do that.  Because it is His church.

Here is an article that I really enjoyed (and learned some about our history from).  Here.  Here is another one (here).  This one is a bit rougher around the edges, but I really jived with the last part - especially the part where she mentions Equal doesn't mean Same.  I've been arguing that point in my head (and in my house) for a long time.  Yeah, she's not as kind in how she comes across, but again, imperfect people.

You know what else is annoying? Being made to feel like I'm a terrible person or a hypocrite for trying to stand up for my beliefs in a manner that isn't judgy.  Really, when I put something on the Facebook, I try to not point fingers or be all, "HA! I told you!"  Really, I try.  But guess what, I still have my beliefs that are different from yours.  I'm going to act on those beliefs, whether it is voting for and promoting traditional marriage or posting about women not being ordained to the priesthood.  These are touchy, personal subjects for everyone.  I appreciate others' points of view when they, also, try to share their beliefs in non-judgy, not forcing it down your throat manner.  I especially appreciate when I try to do the same, they maintain that non-judgy response.

So, some quotes from this April's General Conference (which was entirely awesome and y'all should go read all of the talks again!):

"These are your days -- to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ." (no matter how hard or inconvenient it may be) ~ Elder Neil L. Andersen

"Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them." ~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Because "the world will not glide calmly toward the Second Coming of the Savior." ~ Elder Neil L. Andersen

Saturday, March 22nd was a busy day.  For Matt's birthday, I bought two mini-packs to RSL games (a set of four games - two because I wasn't just going to send him on his own!)  The 22nd was RSL's home opener for the season against LA Galaxy.  Since it was at 2:30pm, we were able to take Henlie with us as well.  

We parked and walked up to the shuttle stop just behind my friend from work, Karina, and her husband.  They have season tickets.  So we chatted and sat with them on the shuttle.  Henlie thought the bus was the coolest thing ever.  She got to sit on our laps, and she could see out of the windows!  

RSL had their first club sponsored tifo.  I didn't take any pics or video during the tifo - but it was AWESOME!  Unfortunately, the game was a draw.  Henlie did pretty well throughout most of the game as well.




After the game, I opted to take the shuttle back.  That wasn't probably my best decision ever.  We were on the opposite corner from the shuttle stop, so we ended up in the very last shuttle.  It took forever.  Next time, we're walking back to the car.



After the game, we had to make a stop to pick up a birthday present because it was Charlie's second birthday!  There was cake and ice cream at Grandma Biggs' house, along with presents.  Oh, and balloons.  The kids loved playing with the balloons :)



Charlie got a big bag of balls, and a Frisbee, from Devan and Kayla.  She got some books, a new pillow case, clothes, shoes, and a doll stroller from Grandma and Grandpa.  But probably the coolest was the doll bed (with matching pillowcase) that they made.  Both Charlie and Henlie loved it.  She also got some baby doll essentials, both feeding things and a diaper bag.  We gave her one of those big plastic balls. (We also got one for Henlie, lol, It's fun to watch her try to carry it ;))

Matt had the whole week of March 9th off of school.  Wednesday, the 12th, we headed down to St. George to visit my parents.  Matt was initially going to go to Las Vegas for March Madness stuff, but then Garth ended up being on a cruise that week, so he had no one to go with.  Instead, he hung out with us at my parents' house.

Matt had a meeting Wednesday afternoon, and it went later than I was anticipating, so we left later than we had planned.  It still worked out well, though.  Henlie slept the first 1 1/2 hours or so of the trip.  What wasn't so good was she threw up all over herself and the back seat after she woke up.  We pulled off the freeway off the side of the road on a no services exit and used wipes to clean her and the car up.  I changed her clothes, and we were eventually on our way again.  Not too far down the road, we pulled over under an overpass because she was pretty upset.  I got in the back next to her, and she did okay.

She had one little throw up (a single noodle, which she had for lunch, and some clear liquid) shortly before our exit, so I thought maybe it was all done and a one-time occurrence.  Well, 5 to 10 minutes before we got to my parent's house, but at least we were off the freeway at this point, she threw up a ton again.  We just drove as quick as we could.  I cleaned her up some with more wipes.  When we got to my parent's house, we let her out, and she wandered down the side of the house into the backyard while we gathered up everything and pulled the car seat out.  Matt eventually sprayed it all out and let it stay out to dry, and he did his best to clean the upholstery of his car.  Once we got our stuff in, we got the baby in the house, stripped her down, and plopped her in the tub.  I pre-washed all of her clothes in the bathroom sink while she played in the tub.  After her bath, I did a load of laundry, and we were able to finally eat some dinner :)

Thursday we started a little slower.  Dad made us yummy french toast for breakfast and I got a good workout in.  In the afternoon, we headed to my sister Makayla's house to steal her internet to stream the UVU game.  Lexie and Lainee were on break, so they played with us and the baby on the swing set and the little trike.  We got some loves in on Candy, too.

After the game, Matt and I went to Ernesto's Mexican Restaurant for lunch.  The food was yummy, and they were super sweet with Henlie.  We got her a kid's meal, and it came with a drink.  They were kind enough to put it in Henlie's sippy cup directly.  When our food came, my water got spilled all over me (good thing it was water!), so we moved to a different table and got half off of our total bill.  Not too shabby. 




Friday was a packed day.  After breakfast (pancakes, if memory serves), we ventured to the soccer park that we always pass on our way to Mom and Dad's.  Funny thing - there are no soccer fields. Yet.  It's being built in phases, and the first phase doesn't have any fields.  However, it does have an awesome duck/fishing pond.  We hung out at the park and made a puppy friend, Ollie.  We also saw a couple of fish and three turtles.  We weren't positive if there were any ducks at this pond, so we didn't take anything to feed them.  After the park, we went to Matt's Aunt Lori and Uncle Dave's house to check out Dave's new toy, a pace car.  He took Matt for a ride while Henlie and I visited with Lori and the kids.  Well, Henlie visited with the puppies, too :)







After Matt and Dave got back, it was back out to Makayla's for dinner with her family and Monica's family and to watch more basketball.  As always, it was fun to visit with family and hang out.


Saturday, I got Dad to make us pumpkin waffles (they had a mix - and it was so yummy!).  Apparently it was the first time they'd used their waffle iron since moving down there.... :)  We eventually got everything together and made the journey home.  Henlie was fine the whole trip, although she and I did come home with colds :(  It was a wonderful get-away.