Green Straw

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Green Straw

Ammon went through this phase where he was obsessed with straws. And not just any straws - green ones. Every morning he would ask for his drink and then say, (because I heard it so often I taught him to be polite about it), "May I please have a green straw?" This went on until we ran out of green straws. He was disapointed, but then came the daily question, "May I please have a blue straw?" Again this continued until we ran out of blue straws. Next he asked for red, and finally yellow straws. Eventually we ran out of all of them. I went to the store and found some straws randomly hanging in one isle, thought of Ammon and brought them home. They were great because they were all the same color - red and blue striped. I could just grab a straw at random and give it to him. And I did. Every day. Until they were all gone.

Every once in a while Ammon still asks for his straw. I keep meaning to buy more - I just haven't yet. And so I remind him that we are all out of straws. This morning was one of those days - he very sweetly asked for a straw and I told him we were all out, mentally reminding myself that I have GOT to go to the store to buy some. Strangely, Ammon asked, "Will you just check anyway?" So I did.

My mom had gotten some straws and put them in the "straw" place so I was pleasantly surprised to open up the cupboard and find a big bag of straws. I forgot which one was Ammon's favorite - I just grabbed one out and handed it to him.

We were lucky. I just happened to grab a green straw. Ammon shrieked with delight. He asked, "who bought the straws?" and I explained that I think Grandma had gotten them. He immediately ran downstairs to where she was and gave her a big hug. I was so impressed by the sheer happiness Ammon felt in response to a simple green straw and thought it might be good for me to reflect on what some of the "green straws" in my life might be. Happiness is so often and easily found in some of the simplest forms and today Ammon was a great example of that.

On a different note - I consider this to be a little bit more than a "green straw" happy thing - we finally figured out when Andy's first raise will be (actually his second raise - they had a 3% cost of living raise increase at the beginning of the year). There was a question about when it kicked in - it used to come 7 months after the academy in conjunction with a test they took. They don't have that test anymore, so we were not sure what to expect. Now the first raise (which is 14%, so it's kind of a big deal to me) comes six months after he started! So we'll actually be seeing it in just a few more months. I am pretty excited about that!

1 comment:

KatyFebruary 21, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Ammon is such a cute little boy!
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.