Elder & Sister deCesare

Elder & Sister deCesare serve in our mission. He manages the mission fleet (cars), and she handles all of the referrals. We love them. They are a big part of our family here. He looks out for all of us, just as he does all the missionaries. He always finds treats for the kids and does whatever he can to make Mark's life easier. Sister deCesare is so patient and kind-she has to be able to live with Elder deCesare. He's the biggest prankster I've ever met. Romantics at heart, they make a great couple. They live in Mesa and have extended their call several times. Their original 12 month call has transformed into 30 months this month. They're taking a break at the end of this month, but I know they'll always be close at hand and close to our hearts. We will miss seeing their faces every day very much. We're so lucky to have great senior missionaries working with us and supporting the missionary effort. It's incredible how much of themselves they've dedicated to this work. We will be forever grateful to them for all they've done, and especially grateful to our Father in Heaven for placing them within our sphere of our family.

Family Home Evening

We had a great Family Home Evening last night. We began with a game. Each person came up with some problems and solutions; writing the problem on a purple slip of paper and the solution on a green slip. Here were some that we came up with:

problem: A mosquito is buzzing around your head.
solution: Slap him as hard as you can.

problem: Your toe nail polish is fading.
solution: Get a pedicure.

problem: Your little brother fell down and is crying.
solution: Try and give him a hug and tell him you love him.

problem: It's your turn to lead the music on Sunday and you're nervous.
solution: Always remember to sing out as loud as you can whenever that happens.

The purple slips go in one basket and the green in another. Each person took turns pulling one out from each basket and reading off the problem and solution. We ended up with something like:

Your toe nail polish is fading. Always remember to sing out as loud as you can whenever that happens.

Your little brother fell down and is crying. Slap him as hard as you can.

A mosquito is buzzing around your head. Get a pedicure.

Those are the only ones I can really remember. Some of them were really silly. We had a lot of fun. (Jeffrey was really getting into it and didn't want it to end.) Then we discussed how we could find solutions to real problems and questions we had.

I used the Preach My Gospel manual on page 107 as a guide. We talked about how we could use the Book of Mormon to find answers and solutions to both 'questions of the soul'** and temporal problems** we were having. Then everyone wrote down some questions and problems, and we put them in a bag. We pulled out a couple and talked about how we would go about finding answers using the index and topical guide in the Book of Mormon. Then we picked one more out and everyone is going to look for some help on that problem and report back next Monday. I was worried it might be too difficult for Jeffrey, but he had some really great questions. It was a great lesson.

I realized that much of my testimony and convictions about Jesus Christ have come from my reading and applying His gospel principles taught in the Book of Mormon. The prophet Joseph Smith said that a man could get nearer to God by abiding by it's precepts. I have experienced this. In difficult times and even times when things were going great, regular and consistent study of the Book of Mormon has made me a better, happier person, because I feel closer to God during those times and have a greater love/gratitude for Him and desire to serve Him. Nephi, one of the ancient prophets that authored part of the Book of Mormon, shares this insight about why prophets wrote and preserved the records that made up the Bible and the Book of Mormon in these verses:

23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.
25 For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

Verse 26 is particularly special to me. Of everything that I have and can give to my children, a deep and abiding testimony of Jesus Christ is the greatest. God is our loving Heavenly Father. He sent His firstborn Son, Jesus Christ, to pave the way for us to return to Him. He is both interested and involved in our loves-often much more than we appreciate. The Book of Mormon, written by God's prophets, was created with the purpose of convincing people of these truths. If anyone is interested in getting a personal copy of the Book of Mormon, call me. I know where you can find one!

** This is a list of questions of the soul and other temporal questions that the Book of Mormon addresses (compiled from the Preach My Gospel manual and questions our children asked).

How can a belief in Jesus Christ help me?
What does Jesus Christ expect from me?
What is the purpose of life?
How can I find peace and Joy?
What happens to little children and babies when they die?
Does my baby need to be baptized?
Why does God allow evil and suffering to occur?
I'm lonely.
How can I avoid the evils that threaten my family?
How can I improve relationships with my family?
Did I exist before I was born?
How can I feel God's love more abundantly?
When will Jesus come again?

More Brasher/Bassett pics

Fountain Fun

TOM & EMILY come to town

What a gorgeous group. We were so happy to see Tom & Emily and their sweet family. I can't believe how well the kids remembered us! I was afraid they would have forgotten us. Jack-o knew my name! Grace gave big hugs to everyone-especially her favorite Uncle Mark. Even shy Miss Faith had a hug for everyone. Lucy was...well, Lucy; but we know that game well since we have our very own youngest child, Jeffrey.
While Mark and I had meetings, the kids, young and old, played in the pool. I spoke with a woman who had been watching our children play together. She was amazed at how much they were enjoying each others company. She was especially impressed with Taylor and Grace-he was so kind to her and Grace trusted him so much.
Faith said one of her favorite things was the 5 & Diner. I'm not sure if it was because of the chocolate shakes or "Olivia", the kids' new best friend. She bought all the kids gumballs and then proceeded to chat with them for about half an hour. It was fun to listen in on the conversation-but Tom kept a sharp eye on her to make sure she didn't accidentally wander off with anyone. She was a really nice lady; I guess I'm not being very appreciative. I know Emily appreciated the chocolate shake, but I'm not sure if 5 & Diner makes it on her list of 'the 5 restaurants you would choose if you couldn't go anywhere else for the rest of your life'.
The kids of course loved all the games in the pool: the giant waterfall, the fountains, Marco polo, categories, sharks n minnows, tunnel tag, hair-do, craziest jump contests and chicken fight towers. They also managed to sneak in some other games, a dance party, and some card games. We also wouldn't want to forget Brian Regan (Tom, I can't believe you fell asleep), 'world's deadliest catch' or the homemade blizzards. Who'd have guessed Emily had never seen 'Count of Monte Cristo'

After a tour of the house, Tom left this little memory of himself. Sigh...I miss my family, so I'm glad to have this little memento. We were all sad they had to go. When Mark was telling Jackson good-bye, he said "Please don't go!" Jackson's reply, "But I'll give you a hug." I guess he was done with Arizona and ready to get back to Snickers. Gladly, he was full of compliments and hugs all week long. We started comparing notes after they left and realized that Jackson went up to half the family and whispered, "You're my favorite Bassett." He also had the habit of telling you he liked your shirt or your shoes or your hair and then tacking on, "I think you're pretty." He told Jessica he tells that to everyone. Gotta love it!

You Go Girl!

Amanda learned a new skill. Like any good mother, I want to help my children reach their full potential, even if that means I have to sacrifice my girlish figure to encourage her success. Sometimes it's difficult to be a mom. She may have to make batch after batch, just to ensure she gets it right, but I'll be there for her.

After all, you know what they say:

"Practice makes perfect."

You can do it, Amanda!Last month when Jen was visiting, Sister Willis came over and taught Amanda, Jen and her granddaughter how to make rolls. They made enough for transfers that Monday and had two pans left over to learn how to make cinnamon rolls.
She's done it on her own a few times.

This batch was for her young women's group.

Oh, they smelled GOOD! I got into a little trouble taking pictures-my family thinks I've gone overboard with the pictures/blog thing, so these shots were all stolen.

If I want her to continue, I'll have to stash the camera.
In other words-there won't be anymore Amanda-baking-pictures.....but just keep in mind, if you happen to stop by...chances are there will be something yummy waiting in the kitchen.

The Best Rock Hound Ever (Jeffrey's self proclaimed title)

Today, I pulled out Jeffrey's drawer of art supplies, and it was heavy! The whole thing is full of rock collections from the different excursions he's made in the last 3 months. His fascination for rocks was kindled during a year end field trip for school to the Arizona Rock and Mineral Museum.While we were at the museum, he picked out a few great samples already tagged and bagged to start his collection. He started adding to it as soon as he came home.

I don't know how many of you have been to Arizona, but it is a 'rockhound's' dream. The state is basically a large rock pile. Jeffrey started coming home with his pockets full of rocks. Even trips through the back yard yielded incredible new treasures.

The first must is a trip to the bathtub or the sink. He absolutely insists, because, "Mom, it makes the colors cool and makes them look good!"

The rocks then end up in little groups everywhere! They were hidden all over the house in little boxes, in drawers, under table, in corners, under couch cushions...We finally had to make a rule about how many rocks he could have in his collection at one time. If the number of rocks he had exceeded a predetermined number he had to put the extras back outside.
Not wanting his precious finds to get mixed in with all the ordinary rocks, he stashes them behind bushes/trees or in corners around the patio. The kids have a 'clubhouse' around the back of the office. You can see part of Jeff's collection along the back ledge.
What makes a rock special enough to land in his collection? I have no idea, but he does. He actually remembers quite a few of his rocks and can tell you why it's so great and when he found. One of my favorite descriptions was his simple description of an arrow head. He told his friend Caleb, "Indians use these to kill chickens."
This rocks on this brick wall are around the side of the house by the air conditioning unit. The ones below are just outside the door. Patio collections frequently get dispersed to the greater rock pile in the yard by dad, so Jeff is learning to make his discoveries harder for the untrained eye to find.
This is my favorite rock. The kids actually all signed it and brought to me when I was in recovery mode a few months ago. They love me! And now I have it etched in stone.

Let the Cookie Wars Begin!

The Key Players-well, at least half of them. The other team was 'unavoidable detained' at the last minute...Hmmm...sounds like someone was scared.

Sounds like someone's cookies might not be all they were said to be. Makes me happy though, since after the 'test batch' and then the 'competition batch' I've already had plenty of great cookies PLUS there will be more to look forward to in the near future. The gauntlet has been thrown-or maybe the cookies tossed? ouch, I know....
OK-so maybe Jeffrey wasn't an official part of the competition. "So why does he get all the looks?" my kids ask.
Well, look!

Matt & Jamie's visit

Check out this beautiful family! We're having all kinds of great visits this year. Jamie and Hayden were able to spend the week with us. Matt joined us on Friday. What great visitors-perfectly content to just hang out with the kids. Mark and I were lucky enough to have some time to spend with them, too. It was great to meet Hayden-and especially fun to see how much he loves his mom and dad.
Look out-here he comes. The boy is a crawling machine. Too bad for Lucky. Happily, Lucky was patient-and fast-at least fast enough to stay a step ahead. No such luck with the dog food and the water machine-we had to keep those doors closed.
What an appetite! His mom thinks he only likes his bottle-but he enjoyed all kinds of new things at our house: watermelon, prune juice, RICE, rocks....
'The point'-one of our favorites beside 'the wave' (Check out the link and look for 'the wave' in front of the yellow flowers. You can go back and forth between two of the pictures to reinact Hayden waving to his dad.)
We tried and tried to get a running man pic-but this is as close as we could come. My camera wouldn't get it fast enough and bright enough at the same time! They'll just have to come back so we can try again-next time with little Maximus.

LOVE YOU GUYS!

For more pics, check out my picasa album.

Hayden comes to town

Hayden brought his mom and dad to meet the family!
We're so glad. Thanks for coming.