A Virtuous Mother

Today I teach my YW lesson on "How can I prepare now to become a righteous wife and mother?"  I decided to use the Proverbs scriptures I talked about two posts ago as the theme for my lesson and created this little slideshow.  The first half focuses on the three mothers closest to me in my life: my mother, the mother of my niece, and the mother of my soon-to-be-born nephew.  The second half focuses on how I am preparing now to become a mother someday.  I interspersed the pictures with verses from the Proverbs passage.  I used them in order, so some of the more complimentary verses at the end of the pasage happen during pictures of me, which is not what I intended and is kind of embarrassing.  That being said, it is important for all of us, as women and mothers, to view ourselves as women of great worth with the potential to do marvelous things in the lives of others, especially those of us who don't have children of our own. So, forgive the faults and enjoy the show :-). 

Christina's Cookin' Up Crafts

My little sister has started a crafting blog. I was inspired after creating posters for my classroom using Word (I'm all about the basics) to try my hand at creating a logo for her blog.  This is my first attempt at any kind of blog design so it's obviously amateur but it's hopefully a sufficient start to house her crafty ideas.

Check it out here!

A Virtuous Woman

This month in YW, the curriculum is centered around marriage and the family.  Both of the other ladies in the YW presidency already taught this month.  They chose, "Why is family important?" and "How can I strengthen my family?"

It is my turn to teach next week.  The topic choices left to me were "Why is temple marriage important?", "What are the church standards regarding dating?", "How can I keep the law of chastity?", and "How can I prepare to be a righteous wife and mother?"  I gave the presidency a hard time for leaving me all the topics about dating, wife and motherhood, considering I'm the only one of the three of us who is not married! But let us view this as an enriching opportunity, shall we?

Originally, I started studying why temple marriage was important.  Today, however, I felt like I should switch topics to how we can prepare to be righteous wives and mothers.  And I say "we" because I really am in the same shoes as the young women.  I am trying to prepare my life to be a righteous wife and mother for the day when I am called to that work.  I would submit that there are also wives and mothers out there who are continuing to "prepare" their lives every day to be the best mothers and wives they can be.  So this topic applies to one and all. 

I was very touched when I read the first scriptural passage suggested for study in the material.  I was so excited, in fact, that I stopped what I was doing and pulled out my computer to blog about it!  This passage outlines what a virtuous woman can and should be.  This is the woman I want to become.  This is the kind of wife and mother I want to be. 

Proverbs 31: 10-31

10  ¶Who can find a ^avirtuous ^bwoman? for her price is far above rubies.

 11 The heart of her husband doth safely ^atrust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her ^ahands.

 14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

 15 She ^ariseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the ^adistaff.

 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the ^apoor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her ^aclothing is silk and purple.

 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

 25 Strength and honour are her ^aclothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of ^akindness.

 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of ^aidleness.

 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

 30 Favour is deceitful, and ^abeauty is vain: but a woman that ^bfeareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

From this passage, I learn that a virtuous woman (and therefore a righteous wife and mother) is all of the following things:

• Precious (10)
• Trustworthy (11)
• Hardworking (13-16)
• Strong (17)
• Charitable (20)
•  Industrious (24)
• Honorable (25)
• Wise (26)
• Kind (26)
• Attentive (27)
• Not idle (27)
• Faithful (30)

You may think a woman with all these qualities is impossible to find.  But as I was summarizing these qualities, this little lady came to mind:

This woman is one of the most hard-working people I know.  She is faithful to the gospel, her callings, her husband, and the Lord.  She exemplifies all the qualities of a virtuous woman.  Her value is far above rubies.  Her baby son is so blessed to have her for his mother.  She will lead him in truth and righteous just as a virtuous woman would.  He will find everlasting joy because of her nurture and care.  She had a great teacher.  

Can't wait for Scotty, Sis.  He will bring the world His truth! 

California Girl

I got to go home for 8 glorious days before school starts again.  It was not enough time.  Here are some of the trip highlights. 

COMING HOME

A lady I visit teach, Colleen, took me to the airport and surprised me with these GF trips for the "road."  They were TDF! I am definitely tracking those down and buying an endless supply.

Anna had my birthday gifts waiting for me right when I got home and she wanted me to open them immediately.  She got me an "I heart NYC" shirt that I had been eying on our NY trip and a puzzle (which I am obsessed with) of my favorite Disney movie!

When I walked in to my room, there was a basket full of gluten free treats on my bed, compliments of my sweet Mommy! It was delicious.  My personal favorite was the Boom-Chicka-Pop!

My first dinner back in SB with the fam was some delicious Mexican food.  Check out what my dad called the "Itty-Bitty-Burrito" on Anna's plate!

FIESTA and SHANNON'S VISIT

Fiesta is a favorite time of year for our family, especially my Papa. He is literally in his own version of heaven eating at all the booths.  We got carnitas and taquitos and they were fabulous. 

They also have incredible strawberry desserts at some of the booths.  This smoothie was out of this world!

We, of course, had to get a fiesta dress for Ella.  We got her a little one when we found out Shana was pregnant and now she has one she can wear for a couple years!

She got it in a package from Granna the other day, along with a pretty fan.  Her mother said she even wants to sleep in it!

My friend Shannon spent the weekend with my family and me.  We had so much fun!

It was super crowded...so fun to see such a great event unifying the city.

Shannon was in love with this sweet ride!

At church on Sunday in the El Camino singles ward, there was a Sunday School lesson on marriage. We were asked to write down the attributes we want in a future husband.  Shannon's card included the attributes of two eyes, one mouth, 28 teeth, and a few other things.  My card is pictured above.  Okay, so maybe  we were being a little facetious.  But a person can only take so many marriage lessons....

When I got home from my trip, the BYU alumni magazine was on the counter.  I happened to flip through it, which I don't always do, and look who I found staring up at me?! My friend is a rock star!!

HAIR AND FASHION

I love experimenting with hair on Anna because she has such long, gorgeous locks.  This was a sock bun without a sock (her hair is so long and thick she doesn't need one!).

This was a stacked braid.  It's basically a french braid on the bottom with an inside-out french braid on top.  I watched a little online tutorial.  Obviously mine needs a lot of work, but the concept is there.

Christina has an instagram account called "christinacrochets."  Anna and I have made it our personal mission to help her get followers and likes on her products.  We spent a lot of time brainstorming ways to do that.  Anna loves photography and volunteered to take pictures of her stuff.  I got to be a model.  Anna asked me to wear bright red lipstick to give it more of a vintage feel.  We have decided that the three of us love collaborating as sisters. 

FOOD, FOOD, and MORE FOOD!

My cute mom did some research on a bunch of gluten free places in Santa Barbara for us to check out when I got in to town.  I am becoming more sensitive to gluten and cheating is not worth it.  It was so fun to taste test around town!

This breakfast place, Scarlet Begonia, was darling.  The marshmallow in the hot cocoa is homemade! They gave little samples of GF granola and Greek yogurt as a breakfast appetizer.

This GF poppy-seed muffin was one of the best GF baked items I have ever eaten. It was incredibly moist and I wish I had another one in front of me now.

Here I am with our spread.  The omelet with shaved ham was divine.

The next day, we went to Anderson's bakery, a Danish bakery downtown.  Heaven's doors opened.  This was one of the tastiest treats I've ever eaten in my life. 

We BBQ'd at home for dinner one evening and ate outside, one of our favorite things to do as a family. 

CRAFTS

I got in to Pinterest when I went home and we talked about lots of ideas for Christina's Utah baby shower.  Here is a Pinterest idea in action with my own twist.  I don't want to post the final product until after the shower, but I had so much fun doing it.  More than I thought I would.  Anna cut out the letters for me on the cricket. 

BEACH

It's always so fun to see my dear friend Philly when I'm in Santa Barbara.  He is moving to NY next month, though, so he may not be around next time I visit! :-(

It was so glorious to lay on the beach and read with Susan.

BONFIRE

I never thought my baby sister and I would host a singles party together!

MARITIME MUSEUM

For Father's Day, I got my dad a groupon to the Maritime Museum in Santa Barbara.  We all went on my last day in town.  It was such a blast! The museum was fantastic and I learned a ton.  It was so fun to see my dad enjoying every minute.

This is quite a wet suit, isn't it?

I was fascinated by the otter fur.  I can't believe how much hair an otter has on one square inch of its body!

This just reminded me so much of dioramas when I was in elementary school, so I had to take a picture. 

This is a big pot where they would boil whale fat.

I thought this model ship was amazing. My dad and I marveled over the intelligence of those designing these ships.  Look how intricate all the rigging is.

They used to sell cow hides and cow fat to the east coast.  This is a model of how it traveled by boat.

Look at the route they used to take from Santa Barbara to Boston! That was before the Panama Canal and the Mormon pioneer trek across the country.

Look at this swimsuit from the 1920's!

These sunglasses are in style now!

They had virtual fishing.  Anna got some pointers from a pro!

Although even dad couldn't beat the machine.  We didn't walk away with a virtual fish that day.

Anna and I personally loved the kids corner.  I tried to spin a riveting tail of a fish who wanted to be a dolphin for my mom and Anna.  

This periscope was So. Cool.

Love this picture.

There is just no reason for this.

Can you see the family resemblance?

I grew up here.  Did I ever understand what I had?

Cute mommy!

I love my home.  But what I love the most are the people who ARE my home.  Wherever they are, home will be.