December

Wow!! It has been a busy but fun month for our family. Here is a recap of some of the things we were able to do together as a family. We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Lots of love.....

Christmas Parties (which I was in charge of... SO glad those responsibilities are over, but we did have SO much fun!!!)

Christmas Nativity & Party- Every year we head on over to our friends the Olsen's for an amazing night. We fill our belly's with delicious food, have the kids act out a live nativity, then Mr & Mrs Clause come and deliver presents (PJ's) in a big red sack for each child. This really has been such a fun tradition for our family.... we are going to miss it when we move and will just have to continue the tradition in AZ

Austin's birthday party at Aloha fun park....

A leave of absence....

Just so you know if I announce a leave of absence it clears me from any guilt whatsoever for not posting for awhile. I am getting ready for Christmas, for company, helping at the school, attending school parties & other Christmas parties, you get the idea. So I probably won't have a good post for awhile. If by chance there is a good post consider it a Christmas bonus :) I just hope every one has a Merry Christmas and that you all know there is a girl in Texas that loves all ya'll a ton.

Lots of love,
Steph

First annual twangle dirty mustache and eggnog bonanza

Well for all of you who have regular Christmas parties out there.... enjoy them, because you never know when your husband's colleagues are going to throw a dirty mustache and eggnog bonanza instead :) Dave spent that last two weeks growing a mustache for this fabulous event. Although I love my hubby very much, I am still not sure if he can pull off a mustache. There were some amazing Christmas sweaters sported last night. And for all of you Office watchers, yes Dave's was a Liz Claiborne original. We really had such a good time and I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Ladies and gentlemen let me introduce the future Orthondists of America...

Christmas Cards

Anyone who would just love to have a picture of the Farnsworth boys tucked away in their received Christmas cards pile please email me your address :) Thanks so much!
daveandstephfarns@msn.com


Loves & hugs,
Steph

Journey to Bethlehem

One thing I love about living in the Bible Belt are the big productions the HUGE churches put on. Tonight we went to a Baptist church in Grapevine that put on a "Journey to Bethlehem" production. Honestly it was SO amazing and really made Christmas feel real. We were lead through the forest with torches by a Jewish family that had a family flag they carried to be identified by. We were stopped many times by Roman guards and we had to show them our "passports" so we wouldn't be thrown in jail. The boys thought it was so cool. There were live animals all along our journey as we met the three wise men, the shepherds and other Jews on their travels to Bethlehem. We passed through a small scale version of Bethlehem with different merchants and animals. Then we ended at the stable with Mary and Joseph. It was really spiritual as everyone broke out into song as sand the words "Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord". All I can say is this was such an incredible experience for the kids and helped them understand the story of the first Christmas. I am so glad we went and I just love this time of year!

Happy Snow Ball Fighting!

Non-Crappy Starring You! eCards on JibJab

Grateful Sunday-The Fridge

This Sunday I am grateful for people who keep themselves worthy to receive promptings from the Holy Ghost and who are obedient enough to follow through with those promptings. I am also grateful that the Lord knows us personally and hears and answers our prayers.
Well, as many of you know our fridge went out while we were in AZ. So this week was a hard one. We spent a couple of days trying to figure out whether or not we could afford to fix it and what we would do if we had to buy another one. I mean being students for 8 years doesn't pay that well :) So we really were in a tough situation. At night we would buy a small gallon of milk and let it sit outside at night (thank goodness for the cold nights) so the kids could at least have milk in the morning. We were creative for our meals and each day we were really unsure how to solve this dilemma. It was Wednesday midday and I was in tears (again). Dave and I were sorting through options and I heard the phone ring... "Hello Mrs Farnsworth. This is Chuck from Best Buy in Lewisville. We have a refrigerator that is needing to be delivered to your home and need to schedule a time for delivery". He probably thought I was crazy as I sobbed on the phone and asked who the anonymous fridge sender was. I still am unsure who was willing that day to send our family a fridge, but I am grateful. We may have found another option and worked it out on our own, but the Lord blessed us through someone else that day. We were certainly blessed with more than a working fridge this week, we were blessed with an increased testimony that the Lord hears and answers our prayers and in fact knows each of us personally and most of all that He loves us.

Thanksgiving in a nutshell....

I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving break with family & friends. I had a fabulous one and recognize more than ever the abundant blessings in my life. Although things don't always go as planned. On our drive home Austin was sick the entire way. I felt so sad for him. He would throw up in a cooler while plugging his nose then he would secure the lid until he had to throw up again. Poor little guy. Then on our drive we happened to run into blizzards all across West Texas which I am sure the last time West Texas has had that much snow and blizzards was around 1905. I mean snow in Texas is pretty rare. Although it added 2 hours to our 16 hour drive it sure made the drive a lot more beautiful! Then we came home to find our kitchen flooded from our fridge/freezer going out. Seriously I wanted to cry. Oh well, I have to get creative for the next few meals until we can get it fixed. Also, now that we are back we are getting unpacked too (or as I say "moving back in") and to make my house a little cheerier I am trying to get ready for Christmas. I am so excited to decorate today :) Anyway, here is a rundown of our fun trip to Arizona. I already miss everyone muchos!!!

BTW I am SO sad I didn't pull the camera out at Chuck-E- Cheeses on Tuesday night! I LOVED seeing everyone and am amazed at the cute mom's you all are! Love ya Beth, Summer & Les.

Park day with the Howey family. We LOVE you Dawn & Chad and your cute kids! Thanks for spending so much time with us while we were in AZ. You seriously are the best!

Thanksgiving with family in Pine, AZ

Girl's lunch at BJ's (Jami I am so sad I didn't get a pic with you in it) Anyway, Vegas 2008 will be a blast girls~

We are off to AZ....Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Thank you to all of the well wishers that were concerned about my health. I am recovering just great :) No worries~ Also, we are leaving tonight to AZ and are super excited. We will arrive sometime Saturday night. I am excited for the drive and to spend some good QT with my family. Although by the end I know I will be so happy to get out of the stinkin' car (he he) I would love to see all my AZ buddies. Post a comment or email me if you want to get together and play. Hope everyone has a fabulous (and safe) Thanksgiving. There is SO much to be grateful for!!!!!

Love to you all,
Steph

It's Business Time

Holla...

Addendum: Before I give a shout out to Ben I want to give a shout out (ya I am gangsta) to Emily who seriously saved my life tonight. I have been watching my friends kids since last Thursday. It has been super fun, but super stressful. Besides the kids I am watching more than a few times I have been watching up to 9 kids here at my house. Needless to say it is trashed. Even the drapes in the toy room have been pulled down. (Oh! and to top it off I totally forgot I signed up to feed the missionaries on Saturday... lovely! There were just a few incidents like naked bottoms running in, bloody shirts from pulling teeth out, you get the idea) Well yesterday I fell sick with ANOTHER kidney infection and I have been down and out ever since. Fever, chills, sweats, you know the drill. I literally have been in bed since then. I knew it was bad today when Blake came in my room and lifted up the blankets to show me the blue marker he had found and chocolate sauce from the fridge. Anyway, the second Emily found out I was sick she came up to Flower Mound brought pizza for all of the kids (9 of them) and cleaned my kitchen and bathrooms. Seriously such a selfless sweet act that meant the world to me. I love you Mo! Thank you so much.

Anyway, not the best pic but...


I wanted to give a shout out to Ben Stapley for sending us two of his super cool t-shirts from his company Varsitee design. Who says you still can't have school spirit? Here are some excerpts of his catalog. I will have to take a pic of Dave in his too.... he loves it and wears it all of the time.

Grateful Sunday

Today I wanted to write my grateful Sunday post about the Institute class I am taking on Thursdays. We are discussing the Old Testament. I have always been somewhat ashamed at the lack of knowledge I had of the Old Testament and I don't know why, but I never seemed to grasp (other than the big stories) many of the messages the Old Testament has to offer (and admittedly didn't have a true desire to). The task seems overwhelming to dive in! I have spent most of my years coming to know the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, & New Testament. I love my Institute class because it has changed that for me and has inspired me to have the desire to understand and know the Bible. There are so many women that I want to be like, so many prophets that I can learn immediate obedience from, so many mistakes I can learn from. And to think I have been missing out all of these years!!! It has taught also me so many things that really I need to know for me and for my children. After all how can I teach my children the stories of the Bible if I don't know them that well?

Sister Hewitt is the Institute teacher. She is an sweet elderly lady that has just returned home from a mission. Not only do I learn from her testimony and personal stories I learn so much from all of the wonderful women and mothers in the class as they share their testimonies. I want to be and do better because of them. I would encourage any of you who have the same attitude about the Bible that I have had to open it up, take a class, find a study help so you can gain the many important lessons that the Bible has to share. They have changed my life so much already.... it will do the same for you. You will see.

Loves,
Steph

Lists, Charts, & Graphs. OCD in the name of helping with my children's growth & potential?

Okay if you know me at all you know I am a little on the OCD side. The more charts and lists I have around me, somehow the more in control and better I feel. I know, I know I have issues. But here are a few lists and charts we use throughout the day. Not that great, but they work for me! I would LOVE any charts or systems you great moms out there are using to keep your little stinkers in line. If I get a second I will post our snack cards & chore cards too. They are small squares that fit in a little pockets I have made on our fridge. They pick from the chore cards each morning to see what chores they need to do. They pick from the snack cards each time they turn in a snack ticket (which might be another post). Anyway, the bottom chart is my kids behavior chart that we use each night. If they get all of their stickers for the day they earn a ticket. Then they get to buy things from "Mom's Store" from time to time or trade their tickets in for dates with mom or dad, etc. Just an idea.... please share your great ideas in return. There is always room for another chart in my life!!!

Austin's morning routine chart
Chase's morning routine (his night one is pretty similar)

Austin's nightly routine

Sticker Charts for Behavior & Good Choices

FHE

In an effort to be a little more obedient my sister Stacy and I decided to heed the counsel of the prophet and start using conference talks for FHEs. I was not so excited about this because my kids are so little and trying to turn a conference talk into a developmentally appropriate FHE is not an easy task, but I did my best with some help from some good Internet resources (ldslivingmagazine.com, sugardoodle.net, etc). So enjoy! Every time I make a new one I will add it to the blog.

Steph

A Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit- Bruce D. Porter

General Conference Oct. 2007

Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, and will follow Him.
Prayer:
Scripture: “And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart . . . , him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost” 3 Nephi 9:19–20.
Song: “I Will Follow God’s Plan For Me”
Lesson:
Cut two semi-circular arrows. When put together they should form a circle as well as point to each other. Label one instruction and the other practice.
Show a picture of a famous basketball player to your family. Tell them to imagine that the famous ball player is coming to their home. He is coming to teach them everything he knows about basketball: dribbling, passing, shooting, blocking, and much more.
They watch him carefully and listen to everything he says. But that is not enough. He tells them that they have to practice everything he teaches them. So they begin to practice every day. He agrees to come and watch them practice. When he sees something they need to improve on, he stops them and gives more instruction. Then they practice again.
This continues day after day. He gives them the help they need, and they practice diligently each move he teaches them. Put up the arrow labeled instruction. The first step in becoming good at something is receiving instruction from someone who is already experienced. Put up the next arrow, labeled practice, to form a circle. The second part of becoming good at something is to practice what we have been taught. As we practice we receive more instruction to make us even better. Then we practice what we have learned. This is a cycle which repeats itself over and over.
We need to practice the things Heavenly Father has asked us to do, to show him we will follow Him always. Following His instructions shows Him that we have a broken heart and contrite spirit. The more we practice doing what is right and turning our will to the Savior the happier we will be. When we listen to and are obedient to everything He asks then we have turned our heart over to Him. When we make mistakes, and we all will, part of having a broken heart and contrite spirit is also using the atonement in our lives and repenting. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord and repent of our wrong doings. He will forgive us because He has promised us He will and because He loves us.
As in all things, the Savior’s life offers us the perfect example: though Jesus of Nazareth was utterly without sin, He walked through life with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, as manifested by His submission to the will of the Father. “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” John 6:38. To His disciples He said, “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” Matthew 11:29. And when the time came to pay the ultimate sacrifice entailed in the Atonement, Christ shrank not to partake of the bitter cup but submitted completely to His Father’s will.
The Savior’s perfect submission to the Eternal Father is the very essence of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Christ’s example teaches us that a broken heart is an eternal attribute of godliness. When our hearts are broken, we are completely open to the Spirit of God and recognize our dependence on Him for all that we have and all that we are.
Questions:
1 How can we submit our will to the Father? (follow the promptings of the spirit, repent, be humble, obey the commandments, etc)
2 What can we do to help gain strength to have a broken heart and contrite spirit? (pray)
3 How can we help others want to follow the Savior’s instructions? (be a good example, share the gospel, etc.)
Activity:
Set up an obstacle course using chairs, tables, broomsticks, or other items. Select someone to walk blindfolded from one end of the obstacle course to the other. If he touches any obstacles he must start over, but someone will give him verbal directions through the course. Let each family member try the obstacle course. Explain that when we are obedient to the verbal directions given we will make it to the end of the obstacle course and will be happy. Apply this to our mortal life and in the end will get to live with Heavenly Father again.
Refreshment:
Zucchini Bread
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups zucchini, grated
1 cup walnuts, chopped
Grease well large 8x4-inch loaf pan or 2 small 7x3-inch loaf pans. Set aside. In large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Set aside. In separate mixing bowl, beat eggs until light and foamy. Add oil, sugar, vanilla, and zucchini; mix well. Add flour mixture and mix just until moist. (Overmixing causes tunnels and a coarse texture.) Fold in nuts. Pour into prepared pan or pans. (Pans should be about two-thirds full.) Bake at 325 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes for large loaf or 35 minutes for small loaves, or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Do not overbake. Serves 10 to 12

Halloweeny (as my kids say)

Here are some pics of my kids and the fun night we had last night. Chase cracked us up and said "Trick or treat, Happy Halloween, thank you" all in one sentence before they could even put the candy in his sack. It was so cute. Having kids makes Halloween so much fun! I can't wait to hop blogs and see your cute kids dressed up. But the real question is how many fun size snickers have you had today?

Halloween Cabin

I know, I will chill on the posts. Last one until Halloween pics of course ;) This week end we had so much fun driving up to Oklahoma for the day to spend it at the Benson's cabin. The kids spent all day Saturday playing with friends, riding horses, painting pumpkins, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, fishing, getting dirty & riding around for a haunted hay ride. It was such a great day and I know the kids remember special days like that where we spend time together as a family. I just LOVE this time of year!!!!

This slide show is some pics one of our friends who is a professional photographer took there. It shows the outside of the cabin and some of the activities up close!

Gossip Girl

Okay time for a little confession session... I am totally addicted and have fallen in love with the CW's "Gossip Girl". Any of you watch this little slice of drama? Ya, this mom of 3 boys who graduated almost 10 years ago loves this teen high school drama that I absolutely relate nothing with (other than the drama itself). Need another guilty pleasure in your life? I would totally suggest then to dive into this addictive show.... really.

XOXO Steph

BTW any one know what a second life is? I guess you can add gossip girl to yours.

Grateful Sunday

Well, today I am grateful for the primary program. Although it was super stressful putting the program together, nothing is as sweet, tender, and pure than the primary program. The kids were super reverent and sang out so loud. You couldn't help but fill the spirit. I am also so grateful that my Mom and Dad were able to be here for the program. It made it extra special for Austin. I always love having them here!!!
I posted a couple of pictures of Austin amidst the primary kids that I used today for the primary video I put together for our sharing time today. We passed out licorice and string cheese and showed the kids a video that encompassed the past year with day camps, primary activities, ward parties, etc. We made sure each child had at least one picture in the video and they loved it! It was so fun to watch with them and hear them say "did you see me?" Altogether it was a wonderful day and I am so grateful I get to serve these incredible children that will be the future leaders of this church. I seriously learn SO much from them.

Grateful Sunday

I feel bad for slacking off on my grateful Sunday posts. Because honestly there are so many things I have to be grateful for in my life. With a review of this last week I thought I would share some of the things I am grateful for that are fresh on my mind.

Visiting Teaching:

On Thursday I was in a play for the Visiting Teaching Conference. It was really an amazing night. I felt the spirit strong and was reminded how important visiting teaching is and the difference it can make in the lives of the women of the church. I am grateful for visiting teaching. The opportunity it gives me to meet incredible women I might not otherwise get to know and I just think how much I might have missed out on by not knowing these amazing women. It is inspired and one more reason to seriously know the church is so stinkin' true...

Next I am so grateful for Dave (and good friends). Dave had a birthday on Friday and two of his buddies flew in from AZ Dave McArthur & Nate Flake. He has had so much fun with them. Dave is has a way about him that those who are close to him stay that way forever regardless of how much time passes. He has so many wonderful friends and I know that so many people love him because he really is a true and good friend. I know this first hand because he truly is my best friend. Love you babe...

Here are some pics of us at the air show this week end with Dave's buddies Nate & Dave M.

Vegas baby...

Feels like Fall.....

Well, I LOVE Fall. The weather begins to change along with the color of leaves on the trees. The pumpkins come out and Halloween decorations fill our house. Below are some fun Fall things we have done so far...