I've posted a new Book Review for Room by Emma Donoghue. Click the link to get to my new website and check it out.
http://daleyupdates.weebly.com/book-shelves.html
Thursday, June 16, 2011
New Blog
While Blogger themes and layouts are increasingly easy to change, it;s extremely frustrating. Pictures aren't orienting, paragraphs were melding, I decided to make a new website. This will allow me so much more freedom and the ability to customize everything so much more. Everything will be on here from now on.
Wish me luck!
http://www.daleyupdates.weebly.com/
Wish me luck!
http://www.daleyupdates.weebly.com/
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Las Vegas
For my Father-in-Laws birthday, we all took a trip to Las Vegas. We had absolutely nothing planned while we were there and had an absolutely wonderful time! Since we didn't go to any shows, events or casinos we didn't take very many pictures. While we went shopping each day, the boys were so patient and were completely content reading while we shopped.
We were able to go see a couple movies, Bridesmaids and Super 8 which were both really good. These are pictures of Diane and Brandt and Nick and I oustide the theatre.
I think that this is the Public Works building in Las Vegas. It looks like it's melting in the awful Las Vegas heat!
Our goal was to have a totally relaxing vacation, all we did was read, swim, watch movies, watch TV and go shopping. It made me look forward to seeing my kids, and was definitely the break that I needed.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Out of Town Kid Presents
When I was younger and my parents went out of town, they would always leave a bag for each day. It would usually have a cute little activity, or as we got older a movie they'd rented and money for a pizza. They were always so much fun, and I remember looking forward to them each day.
On Thursday we're going to Las Vegas with Nick's parents, and it's the first time we'll be on vacation without our kids. I thought that I would do the same thing for our kids, and our nephew Noah. Here are the bags that I put together for each day.
On Thursday we're going to Las Vegas with Nick's parents, and it's the first time we'll be on vacation without our kids. I thought that I would do the same thing for our kids, and our nephew Noah. Here are the bags that I put together for each day.
Fluorescent Fun
Growing and Goodies
Movie Night
Create a Circus
Monday, May 30, 2011
A Dirty Job
At the Semi-Annual Used Book Sale at the Main Library Downtown, I picked up this title for .50 cents. I'd read Christopher Moore's "You Suck" and while it was entertaining I wasn't expecting a whole lot from "A Dirty Job." Holy twisted cheese doodle, was I wrong!!
Charlie Asher is an average "Beta-Male" who has the unlucky fortune of receiving the calling of "Death Merchant." He's basically a soul-reclaiming Repo Man. As people die their souls are stored into one of their treasured possessions and it's Charlie's job to reclaim these soul items from the family of the deceased .
This book was memorable because I laughed out loud the whole way through. Whether it was the Gothic employee Lily, with her charitable sexing; the squirrel people creatures in complete time-period costumes; or Sophie and her set of 400 lb. Hell Hounds; there were laughs to be had through all 384 pages.
There was a fair amount of sex, a lot of swearing and copious amounts of violence. Like I said, fun for the whole family!!
Charlie Asher is an average "Beta-Male" who has the unlucky fortune of receiving the calling of "Death Merchant." He's basically a soul-reclaiming Repo Man. As people die their souls are stored into one of their treasured possessions and it's Charlie's job to reclaim these soul items from the family of the deceased .
This book was memorable because I laughed out loud the whole way through. Whether it was the Gothic employee Lily, with her charitable sexing; the squirrel people creatures in complete time-period costumes; or Sophie and her set of 400 lb. Hell Hounds; there were laughs to be had through all 384 pages.
There was a fair amount of sex, a lot of swearing and copious amounts of violence. Like I said, fun for the whole family!!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Arming Your Children
This is the talk that I gave in church today.
In a world where children encounter trials and confusion at every turn, arming them with a spiritual arsenal becomes a daily task. You might think that this boot camp training is best administered as a teenager, but starting in their infancy provides endless advantages to creating a spiritual armor.
Robert D Hales said: “Each family has its own special circumstances. But the gospel of Jesus Christ addresses every challenge—which is why we must teach it to our children.”
In the US Army, the stages of Basic Combat Training are broken into 5 phases. Like the army, we are charged with preparing our children for battle. The foe is more complex and cunning than any other, and our children’s need is greater than ever. We will simplify our parental training into 5 phases as well.
Phase 1: Introduction
Introducing the gospel to your children at a young age is perhaps the best beginning we can hope for. President Gordon B. Hinckley has counseled: “Let us nurture our children concerning Him whom we call the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us teach our children the grand saving principles of the gospel.”
Can you perceive of anything more important than laying a spiritual foundation for your children? What good would armor be without the defensive training needed to shield yourself?
Elder Gerald Causse said “Little children have a marvelous disposition to learn. They have total trust in their teacher, a pure spirit, and great humility—in other words, the same qualities which open the door to the Holy Spirit. “
Phase 2: Red: Basic Tactical Training: Prayer
The most basic tactic of your armament should be prayer. One of the first habits we started with Asher was saying nightly prayers. At first it was simply us praying to Heavenly Father for him. Thanking him for the park, and being able to play with his cousin Noah. But as he grew older, the prayers grew more mature and more important. While my brother was on a mission to Africa, we prayed for “Uncle Tyler” every night. By the time he got home, Asher knew my brother simply from our nightly prayers for him. Last week Asher gave the opening prayer in Primary and I was so proud as I helped him say that prayer.
Researchers say that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I would say that starting each day with a family prayer is the most important tradition of each day.
Richard J. Maynes of the Seventy had a new perspective on the effectiveness of family prayer and scripture study. He said: “We learned that later in the day at school they would probably not remember the exact words of the scriptures or the prayer, but they would remember that we did read scriptures and we did have prayer. Brothers and sisters, there is great power and protection for us and our youth in establishing celestial traditions in the home.”
Phase 3: White: Combat Training: Scripture Study
What better way to combat the struggles of a day than with the words of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the prophets.
Cheryl C. Lant, a former Primary President states “There is absolutely nothing more important we can do for our families than to strengthen them in the scriptures.” Many parents may think that children are too young to understand scriptures. In reality, the fact that a principle can be understood even by a child is proof of its power. President John Taylor said, “It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it”
Elder Gerald Causse said “The Bible has probably been the subject of more interpretations and philosophical debates than any other book. However, a child reading this book for the first time will have at least as much, if not more, chance to understand the doctrine as the majority of those doctors of the scriptures. The Savior’s teachings are adapted to everyone. At eight years of age a child can have sufficient understanding to enter the waters of baptism and make a covenant with God with complete understanding.”
Scriptures can be simplified and taught to any age group. If you’re still a little hesitant to tackle scripture study with a toddler, several church bookstores sell children based bible stories that will help hold a child’s attention.
Phase 4: Blue: Weapons Training: Teaching by Example
A weapon that will stay in your child’s arsenal forever, is the example their parent’s set.
Henry B. Eyring said “The child learns both from what the parents do and what they say. The child who sees a mother or a father pass through the trials of life with fervent prayer to God and then hears a sincere testimony that God answered in kindness will remember what they saw and heard. When their trials come, they will be prepared.”
My father became bishop at age 33, and had 4 kids under the age of 12. Now that I’m a parent, I can’t fathom how my parents did it. My father also owned his own business and needless to say, was extremely busy. Yet I never felt that they were hassled, or put out by my father’s calling. My parent’s willingness to serve in any calling, has stuck with me. I remember many morning scripture studies where droopy eyes and sagging mouths greeted my parents, rather than attentive children and happy auras. But I remember that we had them, and I know that they were a strength to me and my siblings as well as my parents.
One of the things Christ asked the Nephite parents to do is found in 3 Nephi 22:13: “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” And so, following their own experiences with the Savior, these Nephite parents taught their children about Him. They taught them to love the Lord. They taught them His gospel. They taught them how to live it. They taught them so well that there was righteousness and peace in the land for 200 years.
Phase 5: Graduation
This isn’t your typical graduation with balloons, streamers and that robe you’ll never wear again. This is more a recognition of what your children will face. You have prepared them with everything you could, and now it’s time to see if your little pigeons will fly. This is definitely that hardest of all the phases, and will no doubt fill you with a sense of dread and foreboding. The bright side in this phase is that the training never really stops. As your children are presented with new and trying circumstances, you can continually upgrade their armor and weapons. As they grow, their knowledge and adaptability will too. You never have to stop preparing them. As chinks and dents fill their armor, prayer and scripture will fill the weaknesses. When the armor gets heavy, your example and the Savior’s can lift them up. I’d like to leave you with the words of a Primary Song.
Teach me to walk in the light of his love;
Teach me to pray to my Father above;
Teach me to know of the things that are right;
Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.
I know that as we strive to teach our children, the spirit of the Lord will help us in whatever we need. My favorite scripture is Hebrews 13: 5 “For he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Make sure that your children know that too. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
In a world where children encounter trials and confusion at every turn, arming them with a spiritual arsenal becomes a daily task. You might think that this boot camp training is best administered as a teenager, but starting in their infancy provides endless advantages to creating a spiritual armor.
Robert D Hales said: “Each family has its own special circumstances. But the gospel of Jesus Christ addresses every challenge—which is why we must teach it to our children.”
In the US Army, the stages of Basic Combat Training are broken into 5 phases. Like the army, we are charged with preparing our children for battle. The foe is more complex and cunning than any other, and our children’s need is greater than ever. We will simplify our parental training into 5 phases as well.
Phase 1: Introduction
Introducing the gospel to your children at a young age is perhaps the best beginning we can hope for. President Gordon B. Hinckley has counseled: “Let us nurture our children concerning Him whom we call the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us teach our children the grand saving principles of the gospel.”
Can you perceive of anything more important than laying a spiritual foundation for your children? What good would armor be without the defensive training needed to shield yourself?
Elder Gerald Causse said “Little children have a marvelous disposition to learn. They have total trust in their teacher, a pure spirit, and great humility—in other words, the same qualities which open the door to the Holy Spirit. “
Phase 2: Red: Basic Tactical Training: Prayer
The most basic tactic of your armament should be prayer. One of the first habits we started with Asher was saying nightly prayers. At first it was simply us praying to Heavenly Father for him. Thanking him for the park, and being able to play with his cousin Noah. But as he grew older, the prayers grew more mature and more important. While my brother was on a mission to Africa, we prayed for “Uncle Tyler” every night. By the time he got home, Asher knew my brother simply from our nightly prayers for him. Last week Asher gave the opening prayer in Primary and I was so proud as I helped him say that prayer.
Researchers say that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I would say that starting each day with a family prayer is the most important tradition of each day.
Richard J. Maynes of the Seventy had a new perspective on the effectiveness of family prayer and scripture study. He said: “We learned that later in the day at school they would probably not remember the exact words of the scriptures or the prayer, but they would remember that we did read scriptures and we did have prayer. Brothers and sisters, there is great power and protection for us and our youth in establishing celestial traditions in the home.”
Phase 3: White: Combat Training: Scripture Study
What better way to combat the struggles of a day than with the words of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the prophets.
Cheryl C. Lant, a former Primary President states “There is absolutely nothing more important we can do for our families than to strengthen them in the scriptures.” Many parents may think that children are too young to understand scriptures. In reality, the fact that a principle can be understood even by a child is proof of its power. President John Taylor said, “It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it”
Elder Gerald Causse said “The Bible has probably been the subject of more interpretations and philosophical debates than any other book. However, a child reading this book for the first time will have at least as much, if not more, chance to understand the doctrine as the majority of those doctors of the scriptures. The Savior’s teachings are adapted to everyone. At eight years of age a child can have sufficient understanding to enter the waters of baptism and make a covenant with God with complete understanding.”
Scriptures can be simplified and taught to any age group. If you’re still a little hesitant to tackle scripture study with a toddler, several church bookstores sell children based bible stories that will help hold a child’s attention.
Phase 4: Blue: Weapons Training: Teaching by Example
A weapon that will stay in your child’s arsenal forever, is the example their parent’s set.
Henry B. Eyring said “The child learns both from what the parents do and what they say. The child who sees a mother or a father pass through the trials of life with fervent prayer to God and then hears a sincere testimony that God answered in kindness will remember what they saw and heard. When their trials come, they will be prepared.”
My father became bishop at age 33, and had 4 kids under the age of 12. Now that I’m a parent, I can’t fathom how my parents did it. My father also owned his own business and needless to say, was extremely busy. Yet I never felt that they were hassled, or put out by my father’s calling. My parent’s willingness to serve in any calling, has stuck with me. I remember many morning scripture studies where droopy eyes and sagging mouths greeted my parents, rather than attentive children and happy auras. But I remember that we had them, and I know that they were a strength to me and my siblings as well as my parents.
One of the things Christ asked the Nephite parents to do is found in 3 Nephi 22:13: “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” And so, following their own experiences with the Savior, these Nephite parents taught their children about Him. They taught them to love the Lord. They taught them His gospel. They taught them how to live it. They taught them so well that there was righteousness and peace in the land for 200 years.
Phase 5: Graduation
This isn’t your typical graduation with balloons, streamers and that robe you’ll never wear again. This is more a recognition of what your children will face. You have prepared them with everything you could, and now it’s time to see if your little pigeons will fly. This is definitely that hardest of all the phases, and will no doubt fill you with a sense of dread and foreboding. The bright side in this phase is that the training never really stops. As your children are presented with new and trying circumstances, you can continually upgrade their armor and weapons. As they grow, their knowledge and adaptability will too. You never have to stop preparing them. As chinks and dents fill their armor, prayer and scripture will fill the weaknesses. When the armor gets heavy, your example and the Savior’s can lift them up. I’d like to leave you with the words of a Primary Song.
Teach me to walk in the light of his love;
Teach me to pray to my Father above;
Teach me to know of the things that are right;
Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.
I know that as we strive to teach our children, the spirit of the Lord will help us in whatever we need. My favorite scripture is Hebrews 13: 5 “For he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Make sure that your children know that too. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Friday, April 22, 2011
My Blogging Attempt
I was looking at my blog today, just browsing over my posts from a few years ago and I'm going to attempt to start blogging again. It was a great journal and brought back so many memories. So here is my official declaration, I'm going to try to be better at blogging.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Asher's Birthday
For Asher's birthday we debated between a party and just a fun day with him. Since he doesn't go to school, we really didn't have any friends for him to invite, and we didn't want family feeling obligated to get him a present. We decided that Asher would have much more fun with his two favorite people, his Mom and Dad!
Asher loves pumpkin pie, so that was his birthday cake. He even blew out the candles himself with a little help from Dad.
He just can't get enough!
This was the first year Asher could open his own presents
He's not confused, he's just really liking the pictures.
He loves Little Einstein, so this Rocket transforms into 3 different vehicles.
We also got him a couple puzzles, a Little Einstein Look and Find Book and some clothes.
The next day we took him to Discovery Gateway, and he had an absolute blast playing in the water center and the ball beehive. It was a great birthday and I love that kid so stinkin much!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Best Present Ever!!
So, I had so many posts right around our Anniversary that I postponed this one. Save the best for last right?
For our Anniversary Nick made me the most kick a#$ jewelry mirror. We found the idea in a catalog that came to our house, but all the ones online were at least $300. Nick took a full length mirror we had in the bedroom, and created a box that would fit behind the mirror. He lined it with felt, and attached a bunch of small hooks for necklaces and bracelets. He also knows how much I like the little details so he attached a detailed leaf mounting on the front. I can now fit all my necklaces, pendants and some bracelets. It ended up only costing around $60. I absolutely love it, it's one of my all time favorite presents.I have such a stellar handyman of a husband!
Full Mirror
Mirror Knob and Leaf Mounting
Inside Top of the Mirror
Inside Bottom of the Mirror
Full Length Inside
18 Necklaces all in a Row
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Daley Halloween Party
Our Daley Halloween Party ended up being on Halloween this year. I love Halloween; the smell of Fall, the pumpkin flavored everything and the decorations. Each Daley Family has a holiday hosted at their house. Cam has the 4th of July, Aly has Easter, Kyle has Mother's Day and we have Halloween. This was our 4th or 5th Halloween Party, and they just keep getting better.
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I had the perfect costume ordered by the beginning of September and then it never came in stock, so my Gypsy costume was a fallback but it was still really fun to put together.
Heather and Asher
Ryan and our Gumbi Casualty
Asher and Season
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Nick made this costume out of scrap pieces. He's Ash from Army of Darkness. He always does an amazing job on his costumes!
Asher was Kratos from the God of War video game. Nick made the whole costume out of red fabric, plastic storage containers and plywood. He made the swords with a couple pieces of wood. My only contribution was the face paint. His costume is pretty accurate, wouldn't you say?
Asher and his first pinata
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