Author Archives: S.D. Sorensen

Conversations that make you wonder

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So in this whole we-might-be-moving mess, Natalie somehow got it into her mind that if we buy a new house, we’re getting a dog.  We’re not.  But she was telling Grandma all about it on the phone today, and when Grant overheard her, he began speaking over her loudly trying to remind her that we’re not getting a dog until he’s 13 (because I said that once, and I might play dumb in 6 years when he tries to remind me).  This is how the rest of the conversation went, to the best of my memory:

Grant:  “NO, Natalie.  Not yet.  When I’m 13 we’re gonna get a dog.”

Clark chimed in:  “Kids don’t live until they’re 13.”

Grant: “Yes they do!  How do you think kids turn into adults then?”

Clark:  “We’ll, some kids fall down the stairs before they’re 13 and die.”

He has a point you, know.  I’m thinking maybe I took the baby gates down a little too early.

Update:  House goes on the market on Friday.  Driving to my parents’ home on Saturday, Sunday and maybe a little bit of Monday.  When I arrive, I may take a 36-hour nap.  Sorry, mom.  I promise I’ll take care of my children after that.

GCBC Week 14: “He Lives!”

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General Conference Book Club Week 14:

Elder Richard G. Scott gave this beautiful Easter message at the last General Conference:  “He Lives!  All Glory to His Name!”

“Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior, our Redeemer. He is a glorious, resurrected being. He has the capacity to communicate love that is so powerful, so overwhelming as to surpass the capacity of the human tongue to express adequately. He gave His life to break the bonds of death. His Atonement made fully active the plan of happiness of His Father in Heaven.”

Yesterday in Relief Society, we sang the Primary song “I know my Savior Lives.”  The beauty and simplicity of the words brought tears to me eyes as I reflected on my sure knowledge that Jesus Christ lives.  What an awesome blessing to think about all the victory he gained and shares with us.  As you read Elder Scott’s testimony of the Savior, what feels the most meaningful to you?

Go here to find the media versions of the talk (audio, video, mp3, etc.).  If this is your first visit to the General Conference Book Club,  click here to learn more about it.

How you too can become the world’s lamest blogger

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Put your house on the market.

Seriously, if you were looking for a way to get out of blogging, making dinner, or any other important life plans or obligations, just decide to sell your house. You’ll spend 73 hours a day priming, painting, cleaning, decluttering, planting flowers, making phone calls, and stressing yourself out of your mind.

Thanks for all your great comments and advice on my previous post.  I’m working through my uncertainties, mostly by doing my as-willing-as-I-can-muster-up part and putting the rest in the hands of God.  He usually gets it right.

I will post some before and after pictures later and you’d better oooh-and-aaah over them as if I’d just given birth.  In the meantime, please be patient with me.  The few brain cells I have left are currently being destroyed by paint fumes.

p.s.  The second the house is actually on MLS, I’m packing up my children in the van and driving across the country to my parents’ house.  Keep my house clean enough for showings at any given moment?  *snort*  I’m no fool.

oh, and one more p.s.:   I know I’m being cryptic about the details– Partly because of privacy/safety and partly because some of the details of the potential move are completely contingent upon selling the house.  I don’t want to get ahead of myself yet.  I’ll fill in the blanks more a little later down the road.

GCBC Week 13: “You Are My Hands”

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General Conference Book Club Week 13:

In President Dieter F. Uctdorf’s General Conference talk, “You Are My Hands,” he teaches the important principle that Christian discipleship requires us to act more like the Savior:  to embrace, to comfort, to serve, and to love.

I love the story from the New Testament about the adulterous woman that was brought before Jesus to be condemned.  After clearing the room by inviting the sinless to cast the first stone, he showed her great compassion and invited her to live a new life.  I worry that sometimes we all spend too much time condemning others, playing courthouse in our minds and deciding what’s right, what’s wrong, what deserves mercy, what demands justice, and somehow casting more stones than the situation calls for or than we have any right to throw.

I love President Ucdtorf’s simple exhortation:

As disciples of Jesus Christ, our Master, we are called to support and heal rather than condemn.

It seems we should analyze less and, instead, do more good.  When you read this talk, what parts of the message stand out for you?  How can your hands better do His work?

Go here to find the media versions of the talk (audio, video, mp3, etc.).  If this is your first visit to the General Conference Book Club,  click here to learn more about it.

Blog post, deconstructed.

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That’s a fancy way of saying totally unorganized and random.

Cuisine, deconstructed:

Architecture, deconstructed:

Blog post, deconstructed:

  1. I stained my deck yesterday.  The whole thing.  All by myself.  Do they make trophies for that?
  2. Has anyone out there ever moved somewhere that was on your top 10 list of places you didn’t want to move?  Please advise.  I’m trying to digest a possibility.
  3. You know the White Witch from the Chronicles of Narnia movie?  I think she and I probably use the the same foundation color.  Does anyone have a recommendation for a (not orange) self-tanner that doesn’t stink?  I hate the smell.
  4. I grew up as a dog lover.  I worked for a breeder and memorized all the different kind of dog breeds.  But I now have no interest in having dog.  Is this a phenomenon of having children?  Also, people who treat dogs like children drive me nuts. (Think kisses, silverware, and baby talk.)
  5. I love House Hunters International on HGTV.  I think I might buy a house in Costa Rica when Matt’s not looking.
  6. I wonder how much I would weigh if I only ate chocolate and potatoes.  Not together, of course.
  7. I cried at Toy Story 3.  I don’t know what that says about me, but I’m pretty sure it’s not “Wow, she’s young and hip.”  Does anybody even say “hip” anymore?  I’m a dork.
  8. I studied Alma 50 this week and got some really cool insights about the importance of making my home a stronghold:  intentional protection, keep the enemy out, actively fight evil, and realize that happiness can exist even in the midst of dangerous threats.  It made a great FHE lesson when the kids drew pictures of what was happening step-by-step in verses 1-6, and then we talked about keeping our home safe (spiritually).
  9. Natalie is a great little errand buddy.  I love my little girl.  Who knew I could have a 3-year-old best friend?
  10. Friends are a wonderful thing.  It’s amazing how a little kindness can make a bad day better in no time at all.