Jenson's Funny Farm

A friend shared this blog post on facebook today.

http://www.scarymommy.com/multiple-personalities/

Fortunately, Hannah is #5 most of the time. It can be a bit frustrating sometimes that she is so mature and independent, but it really helps with the following list for boys.

Here's my male version of multiple personalities.

1. I know everything #1: 14 to 18 years. Exhibited by the rolling of eyes every time mom or dad makes a suggestion. If eye rolling doesn’t stop the suggestions, an irritated “I know. Get off my back.” usually does the trick.

2. I know everything #2: 16 to marriage. This is different than the first stage because now they are certain they know more than everyone, including parents, grandparents, teachers and leaders of all kinds. You can tell a boy is in this stage when you have a good view of his nostrils, and he only has a view of his own nose as he looks down at everyone.

3. I just turned off my brain: starts at high school graduation and lasts until they are forced to start a full-time job, serve a mission or start college. At this stage all a parent can do is shake their head and hope the kid doesn’t end up killing himself with all the stupid things he is doing.

4. I thought you were 15: One of the wisest mothers I know told me that teenagers will revert to a previous cycle through all the stages. So if your 15 year old suddenly starts acting like he is 5, take a deep breath and remind yourself that he is 5…plus 10.

5. “Thanks, Mom” stage: In this stage he is uncharacteristically grateful for all the things you taught him and all service you gave him in the previous 20 years. This usually shows up about one year after he leaves home.

In the old days at the MTC, they would have the parents and missionaries attend a meeting together before parting. While we were there to drop off Johnathan, one of the speakers said, "Sometimes we wish we could send missionaries out when they are 16 because if we could, the missionaries would still know everything and their mothers wouldn't cry."

I'll end with my favorite text from Johnathan during his fist year of college. "Thanks, mom, for teaching me how to wash dishes and do laundry. I just taught my roommate how to do it."

Bishop Smith challenged us to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. Then he told us we could Beat the Bishop if we read more, and told us how many pages we'd have to read each day to finish all the standard works by the end of the year. I know I could read the Book of Mormon by then, but All the scriptures?

My first thought was, "That's so much. I don't know if I could do it."

My second thought was, somewhat facetious, "Ann, just what in your life could you NOT give up to do this?"

So I made my plan and I started reading. I am at Deuteronomy 11 as of this morning. I've been reading for 8 days. That's a total of 271 pages in 8 days.

It's been really interesting reading about Moses and the children of Israel. Even after 40 years wandering in the wilderness and all the miracles they had seen the people still didn't have faith. Every little thing would get them complaining again. "Oh, no! We're thirsty. We should have stayed in Egypt where we always had enough to drink."

How often do I do that? In my eating alone?

How often do I think about the good old days when I never worried about eating the right foods?

How often do I feel sorry for myself because I need to eat this way for health and can't be part of the world?

This is the hard part of the journey. I am wandering around in the wilderness of processed, high-fat junk food. I'm seeing blessings here and there, but my faith is still weak. Time will make it stronger, and I need to keep my thoughts on the blessings He has given me from eating this way and be grateful for the healthy food I have so abundantly.

The speaker at church yesterday talked about the law of the harvest. He said we forget we need to plant so we can harvest. I am planting right now with every grain of rice I eat. When I choose to eat wrong I am ripping the seeds back out of the ground.

He said we would get 100 fold return on our efforts. So far:
1. Discomfort during exercise is gone.
2. More energy and endurance.
3. My heart supplements have been cut in half.
4. My hormone supplements have been cut in half.

Last week was a hard week for several people we know. Most of all for an elderly member of the ward. He is still struggling a week later. When Hannah learned about what was going on she wanted to visit this person to give comfort and try to help. She prayed for him.

What 17 year old is outside herself enough to care that deeply about others? To want to help a 70+ year old man because she felt so much compassion for him?

She did this without any prompting from Tom or I. I was so impressed with her.

 

Hannah was so excited for Homecoming this year. We found the dress at Penney's, and fortunately, Hannah had a jacket she could wear with it. One of the YW leaders came to do her hair and make-up. Yes, she actually wore make-up! Tom and I were in Rexburg. The kids sent pictures so we could see what was going on.

Rexburg Temple...We finally made it to Rexburg while the temple was open!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I love looking at this picture. I could look at it all day. Being abuelita is going to be fantastic!