Spring Break, Part Three

We went back to school today. I didn't wanna. I admit, I loved having everyone together and not having to keep a schedule. 9 more weeks and summer will be here and I hope to plan some fun things for us. Until then, I'll reminisce about our last few days of Spring Break!

 

Somehow I talked Jared into taking the entire family down to Fort Lauderdale to experience the new temple's open house. He really must love me, because with four children ages 6 and under it was a little stressful. I admit it. Stacey and her family came over the morning we left. As Jared left for work she said, "Have fun." His response, "Andrea thinks this is going to be so great. We'll see." (I paraphrased.) So, you can see he wasn't too excited about it.

We drove 3.5 hours to Plantation, FL and checked into our hotel. It was a Sheraton and it was pretty nice. It had a separate room with a king bed, so we could keep the boys separated from us and the baby. So, it worked out pretty good. Miriam had a party at 2 in the morning, but she was so cute I couldn't be too cranky about it.

 

Snuggle time is the best time.

We went swimming in the hotel pool. It was on the roof. This was pretty cool, but it happened to be pretty chilly that day so we didn't last long. We are true Floridians. If it doesn't feel like a bath, we don't want to get in.

Miriam was the only one who wasn't cold. She looked so cute in her swimmy suit.

After swimming and four potty breaks, we arrived at the temple. There was a video that talked about the role of temples and the history of the church in Florida. The Spirit was very strong and reminded me how much Heavenly Father loves us.

 

Our little family out front. Ethan said that he felt "happy" while in the temple. I completely agree. I felt happy and peaceful there. If you are not a member of the LDS Church and live near South Florida, you should definitely take this opportunity to check it out. Once it is dedicated in May, only worthy members of the LDS Church will be allowed to enter the temple.

 

I love how "Florida" the temple is. The outside color is not white, but is the color of beach sand at sunset. So beautiful. There is also an instruction room inside that is painted with this beautiful mural. I felt like I was sitting on the beach in that room. The décor really reflected Florida. Being a Florida native, I could really appreciate that.

After arriving home, Jared commented on how stressful it was. He also let me know that he was glad I made our family do this. So, he thought it was worth it too. I'll convert him to adventure one of these days.

 

On Sunday, our dear friends, Barbara and Jacob Anders (and their three beautiful children: Ella, Jack, and Rory) came for a visit. We haven't seen these guys since August 2012. It was so great to be with them.

Spring Break, Part Two (Updated 3/31)

After our five days in St. Augustine, we returned home to Orlando. We spent the next few days hanging out at home, exploring local fun, and celebrating the birthdays of two of our favorite people: Jared and Lyla!

Tuesday night we enjoyed Jared's annual Black Forest Cake and sang "Happy Birthday" and watched "Frozen." On his actual birthday, I made breakfast burritos and Jared enjoyed them very much.

 

To celebrate Lyla, we spent the day with the Gillespie's and Gigi. We started early at Pappy's Strawberry Patch in Oviedo. This was really awesome. The children had a blast picking their own strawberries. We ended up with 20 pounds total. I took 10 home to freeze and make jam. (Stay tuned for a post on my jam.)

 

Update: We froze half of our berries and used the rest to make our very own jam. I have to tell you I was so proud of us! I used my new water bath canner and took my first foray into this domestic arena. Folks, I was successful. The jam was delicious and all my jars sealed nice and tight. I think picking, cooking, and canning our own strawberries is a new Krause Haus tradition.

 

 

 Jam and Bread!

 

Spring Break, Part One

It's our first official Spring Break! And we started off with some fun in St. Augustine. I actually surprised Ethan on Thursday and checked him out of school early to head up to my parent's house. I felt like a really cool mom. We spent the next four days having fun with my mom and dad and Uncle Tony and the Russell's. I love my hometown and hope my children cherish the memories we are making there as a family.

 Playing in the cedar tree in the backyard. This cedar tree was given to my parents by my Nana and Granddaddy when they built our house back in 1987. We love this tree.

 

 Grayson really wanted chocolate milk and became impatient when I didn't hop to. He decided to move the process along by bringing me the ingredients. Yum!

Going to church alone with four children is so hard! We only lasted an hour. But at least I looked cute in my new skirt.

 Lunch at Gas. This is a fun restaurant in St. Augustine. Delicious burgers and the Salted Caramel Brownie is unbelievable.

 

 "Hiking" near Moultrie Creek with my boys. I love these guys.

 Uncle Tony made us a fire in the fire pit.

 So we took advantage and roasted marshmallows.

So we took advantage and made S'Mores!

 We also enjoyed dinner and fun with the Russell's. I love Catie and Will and I am so glad that we are friends. They also have four children and my children love playing with them. They are a great family.

One of the boys favorite things to do at Gigi and Papa's was playing in the leaves and digging holes in Papa's dirt. I tried my best to fill them in before we left. Sorry, Dad.

Last stop was at the Cheese Wheel for some lunch. Had to get there one last time before they close in the summer. I'll have to dedicate an entire post to the Cheese Wheel later. I sure am going to miss that place.

 

Rainbow Valley

Did you have a Rainbow Valley growing up? I did, but it wasn't as wonderful as Montgomery's world. We had a neighborhood we were free to explore. It had creeks, woods, trails. Super fun. We spent all our time outside on bikes, walking, playing baseball. It was really wonderful.
I love when my kids play outside. I love it so much. I love the things they come up with. I secretly love that this all drives Jared crazy. In fact, he'll probably be appalled when he gets home in a few minutes to find they've dug a hole, filled it with water, have stripped down to almost nothing and are barefoot. But me? I LOVE it. They are being creative, having fun, and making memories. Seriously, I can't stop smiling as I watch them from the window. It keeps getting better. Now they are all in their unders and making mud swings. How do they come up with this stuff?

 Boys will be boys!

Our Landlord is the Worst

Jared and I love our little rental house. We love the price tag. We love the neighborhood. We love the neighbors. We love the schools. We love our huge backyard. We love that there are two lakes and lots of wildlife. The only thing we don't love is our landlord. Seriously, he is the worst. If we want anything done we either have to complain incessantly, call code enforcement, or do it ourselves.
The latter is the point of this post. Our attic has zero insulation. That is not an exaggeration. In a house that is 55 years old this means that it gets unbelievably hot in the summertime. Last summer our A/C ran non-stop and couldn't cool the house to lower than 85 degrees. Our bill is off the charts and it is kind of ridiculous that our landlord doesn't seem to care at all.
Instead of dipping into our savings to move, we decided to install insulation and repair the ducts in the attic. We went back and forth, but the truth is we don't want to move. So much would have to change and we really want to buy when we move, so this seemed to be our best bet. Ferran came and did the work. OUC gave us a rebate. Life in our house is so much more bearable. The A/C can actually cool the house off and we are not wearing swimsuits to stay cool. Added bonus: watching the installation was super cool.

 

  Blowing insulation into the attic.

Come to Zion

Jared and I gave talks in church a couple of weeks ago. I really enjoyed our topic and was really inspired. Thought I'd share it here in case it could inspire someone else.

When we first received the assignment to speak on Zion, I began pondering that word, Zion. Such a beautiful word: simply two syllables, but with a hugely profound meaning. I began to think about my own personal experiences and my role in building up Zion. I know that Jared plans to take a more doctrinal route, so hopefully with our powers combined we can inspire each of you to take a more active role in building up Zion here in the Conway Ward.

My first experiences in a Zion community came as a newly baptized youth in the church. I grew up in what used to be a pretty small town, St. Augustine, FL. Some of you have probably been there on field trip or a weekend getaway. St. Augustine, itself, has an enormous sense of community. Many of the families living there have done so for more than 500 years (my mom’s ancestry included). Everyone knows everyone and it is hard to get away with anything. Within this community, I had the privilege to be a part of the St. Augustine Ward, a Zion ward. Not only did the people love one another, but they went above and beyond to minister to one another with the pure love of Christ.

I’d like to share a few personal stories that illustrate my experience.

When I was 15, the youth in the St. Augustine Ward were planning a temple trip. I was still awaiting my 16^th birthday to be baptized and couldn’t go into the temple to perform baptisms and confirmations. Jennifer Collins, my young women’s leader at the time insisted that I come anyway. Apparently, she had a plan for me. Instead of attending the temple trip with the other youth, Jennifer spent the entire day with me. We toured the temple grounds, drove the bookstore where she bought me a journal, and enjoyed the peace the temple brings. I felt so loved and special.  The Collins family is still in the St. Augustine Ward. I see them when I visit my parents. Jennifer has been living with Multiple Sclerosis for nearly a decade, yet her testimony hasn’t wavered. She continues to be an example of a woman of faith with a pure heart and a desire to be obedient to Heavenly Father. I am blessed to know her.

Without a priesthood holder in my home, I greatly benefited from Bishop Stephens’ care and concern. He was always checking in on me and finding ways to help me learn about ministering unto others, especially my family. Bishop Stephens regularly met with me for personal interviews as I gained a stronger testimony. He always checked in on my parents and challenged me to share the gospel with them. I KNEW he loved me. Bishop Udy, the former bishop and father of my dear friend, Gena, who was integral in my conversion, also ministered to my family. Even after I left for college at BYU, he would come by my home to teach my family. I am truly grateful to have learned from these dear men about the Priesthood’s role in building up Zion.

 I have been in several wards since then and maybe one other had that same feeling of Zion about it. I think that Conway Ward is well on its way to joining the ranks of a Zion Ward. I see in front of me wonderful people with testimonies of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who try day by day to improve and truly live the gospel.  The people here truly love one another. I have felt this love very recently. Just last week, I had my tonsils out. A few of you dropped off meals for my family so that I could get the rest I needed. A few of you brought me frozen treats to help soothe my ailing throat. Many texted or called to check on me. I felt so loved and so grateful for my ward family.

The prophet Joseph Smith knew the trials and tribulations we would face as Latter-day Saints. He said, “We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object. … The time is soon coming, when no man will have any peace but in Zion and her stakes” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 160–61).

In creating a Zion Ward and Stake, we must start by creating a Zion home life. Are we building Zion in our homes? It doesn’t matter how many people live in your home, one or 12. What matters is that you are doing those basic things: prayer, scripture study, temple attendance, family home evening, and church attendance (and really, not just showing up, but taking an active role in the church as home and visiting teachers and serving in callings). These basics allow us to build, strengthen, and refine our testimonies. Armed with our testimony, we become an integral part in building up the stakes and wards of Zion. I know that we can improve in these areas, brothers and sisters. Start small; don’t try to improve on all these areas at once. It is too overwhelming and frankly, you are setting yourself up for failure if you use this approach. Pick one or two things and improve those first. Start with the easiest for you and your family so you can feel some measure of success. Once that area is strong for you, move on to the next area. I challenge each of you to start today with one of these things. There is no better time to start.

Here in our ward can build up Zion by striving to be pure in heart, becoming unified, being obedient, caring for the poor and afflicted, receiving the blessings of the temple, teaching one another and learn our duties more perfectly, and preaching the gospel to the world. Today, I’d like to focus on how we can become more unified in the Conway Ward. President Eyring’s October 2008 General Conference talk, “Our Hearts Knit as One,” eloquently teaches us why unity is so important and how we can achieve unity with one another.

President Eyring clarifies that unity is not something we can achieve on our own. He said, “[Heavenly Father] cannot grant [unity] to us as individuals. The joy of unity He wants so much to give us is not solitary. We must seek it and qualify for it with others. It is not surprising then that God urges us to gather so that He can bless us. He wants us to gather into families. He has established classes, wards, and branches and commanded us to meet together often. In those gatherings, which God has designed for us, lies our great opportunity. We can pray and work for the unity that will bring us joy and multiply our power to serve.”  I love that; we can’t do it alone brothers and sisters. And, we are promised that as we achieve unity, our power to serve will be multiplied!

The scriptures provide great examples of how we can achieve unity. Everything Alma and his people were inspired to do was pointed at helping people choose to have their hearts changed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That is the only way God can grant the blessing of being of one heart.

In Mosiah 18 we read:

“And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church. …
“And he commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.
“Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.
“And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.
“And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they became the children of God.”

President Eyring shares two more principles of building unity. I read directly from his remarks, “A second principle to guide our progress to become one is to be humble. Pride is the great enemy of unity. You have seen and felt its terrible effects. Just days ago I watched as two people—good people—began with a mild disagreement. It started as a discussion of what was true but became a contest about who was right. Voices became gradually louder. Faces became a little more flushed. Instead of talking about the issue, people began talking about themselves, giving evidence why their view, given their great ability and background, was more likely to be right.

You would have felt alarm as I did. We have seen the life-destroying effects of such tragic conflict. You and I know people who left the fellowship of the Saints over injured pride.

Happily I am seeing more and more skillful peacemakers who calm troubled waters before harm is done. You could be one of those peacemakers, whether you are in the conflict or an observer.

One way I have seen it done is to search for anything on which we agree. To be that peacemaker, you need to have the simple faith that as children of God, with all our differences, it is likely that in a strong position we take, there will be elements of truth. The great peacemaker, the restorer of unity, is the one who finds a way to help people see the truth they share. That truth they share is always greater and more important to them than their differences. You can help yourself and others to see that common ground if you ask for help from God and then act. He will answer your prayer to help restore peace, as He has mine.

That leads to another principle of unity. It is to speak well of each other. Think of the last time you were asked what you thought about how someone else was doing in your family or in the Church. It happened to me more than once in the past week. Now, there are times we must judge others. Sometimes we are required to pronounce such judgments. But more often we can make a choice. For instance, suppose someone asks you what you think of the new bishop.

As we get better and better at forging unity, we will think of [Moroni 7:18] when we hear that question: “And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.” 

Realizing that you see others in an imperfect light will make you likely to be a little more generous in what you say. In addition to that scripture, you might remember your mother saying—mine did—“If you can’t say anything good about a person, don’t say anything at all.”

I learned so much about myself while preparing this talk. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that helps me to learn and improve and repent as needed. I am grateful to be in this ward family. I know that as we strive to build Zion in our homes and strive to become more unified as a ward, we will create a Zion ward right here in Conway. We will also have this promise President Eyring shares, “With the unity I see increasing, the Lord will be able to perform what the world will think as miraculous. The Saints can accomplish any purpose of the Lord when fully united in righteousness.” I add my testimony to his. This is the Lord’s true church upon the face of the earth, our Savior lives, we can utilize the atonement at any time to repent and be comforted and gather the strength to be better and move forward with one heart. As we do so, the Lord will bless us with miracles as individuals and as a ward family. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Some things about Ethan

Ethan is our oldest child. He is very responsible and usually does a great job watching out for his younger siblings. He can be a little bossy, but I get that. After all, I am also an oldest child. Ethan is a joy to parent. He is thoughtful and loving and happy.
Here just a few things happening in his life at 6 years and 4 months old.

Finished up his first season of basketball with Orlando's Junior Magic League. It really was so great. He learned so much from the beginning of the season to the end. At his first game, he didn't know how to dribble, pass, shoot, etc. By the last game, he is a dribbling fool, can pass pretty well, and can score occasionally. (Still needs to work on upper body strength and stop thinking so hard to improve more there.) He is also a solid defender. We are very proud of all that he learned this season.

Coach Kim, Ethan, and Coach Luis

 

 

Ethan is reading very well. He recognizes complex sight words and has even started reading the scriptures with us in the morning. He can also write sentences. Not everything is spelled correctly, but he sounds it out and does his best.

 

Ethan is developing an imagination. The following happened today and I am not joking. We saw Ethan head to the bathroom and he'd been in there awhile. Jared went to check on him. Here's how that went.

 

J: What are you doing in here?

E: I have invisible people I teach.

J: Teach them what?

E: Everything I know. A lot of them are dwarfs. I can even change them into different kinds of people.

Jared, in shock and awe, walks away.

 

 

Until we Meet Again

Life has been good to me. I have had the privilege of being friends with some amazing people. Unfortunately, not all of those people live in my neighborhood. Some are very far away. However, it seems just like when I'll never see someone again, I do! Even those that are across the country.
Darren and Emily fall into that category. When I moved from Utah in early 2003, I was sad to think I'd never see them again.  I am so glad I was so wrong! In 2005, they were able to come to Florida for my wedding and a family vacation. I spent time with them in St. Augustine and at our wedding. But sadly said goodbye, thinking I'll definitely never see them again. In 2006, on a work trip out west I was able to be with them in their Idaho home for a couple of days. Again, I sad goodbye and thought I'd never see them again. In 2012, they moved to Naples, FL (about 4 hours away from us). I was able to see them three times while they lived in Naples. In February, Darren graduated from his CRNA program and they are off to new adventures in Oregon. I am so excited for them. And, I am hopeful that I WILL see them again.

 Paul (not pictured) and Gabe got to play at our house while Darren and Emily went to the temple. We missed seeing Kyle and Ellie, who were at school that day. I love their kids. They are such great kids!

 Darren, Emily, Me, and Miriam

Us girls! I love this girl!

The Important Things

One of the most important aspects of my personal life is my faith and spirituality. It is so important to me that in choosing a spouse, I made sure faith and spirituality were just as important to him. We aren't perfect, but with common values it is definitely easier to weather the journey of mortality. Each day, I try to share my love of God with my children. I know that one day they will have to make the choice for themselves as to where faith and spirituality rank in their own lives. For now, I try to do what I think are important things with them daily: prayer, scripture study, gratitude, kindness, service, etc.
About a year and a half ago, we began reading from the scriptures each morning at breakfast. We only read about 5-10 verses each morning. We discuss what we read and answer any questions. Jared and I feel that we can find answers to life's most important and daunting questions in the scriptures. We see them as a road map for life. And we want our children to think of turning to the scriptures as they face life's trials.
Now that Ethan can read, he has joined us in reading a verse or two each morning. It is pretty amazing to hear him read from the scriptures. He even has a desire to read on his own. This morning he came into my room and found me reading my scriptures. He went to his room, got his scriptures and read beside me. It was pretty special.

A Hug from Florida

I made my first afghan for my dear friend, Brooke. Brooke and I were roomies at BYU and we have remained close friends despite the fact that we live about as far apart as possible. She is in Washington and I am in Florida. I really wish we were neighbors. We're just going to have to wait until we get to heaven. I hope I'm good enough to get in.
Brooke always makes me something amazing for my birthday. She never forgets me and I always feel so special when I open up her packages. Over the years she has sent some beautiful things and I love each one. I'm definitely not as talented as Brooke, but I've always wanted to show her just how special she is to me. I've taken up crochet and I'm getting better with each project I do. I decided to share my talent with Brooke this year for her birthday. I love you, Brooke! (And a thanks to my dad for mailing it for me.)