Special Brownies

A father of some teenage children had the family rule that they could not attend PG-13 or R rated movies. His three teens wanted to see a particular popular movie that was playing at local theaters. It was rated PG-13.
The teens interviewed friends and even some members of their family's church to find out what was offensive in the movie. The teens made a list of pros and cons about the movie to use to convince their dad that they should be allowed to see it. The con's were that it contained ONLY 3 swear words, the ONLY violence was a building exploding (and you see that on TV all the time they said), and you actually did not "see" the couple in the movie having sex - it was just implied sex, off camera. The pros were that it was a popular movie - a block buster. Everyone was seeing it. If the teens saw the movie then they would not feel left out when their friends discussed it. The movie contained a good story and plot. It had some great adventure and suspense in it. There were some fantastic special effects in this movie. The movie's stars were some of the most talented actors in Hollywood. It probably would be nominated for several awards.
Many of the members of their Christian church had even seen the movie and said it wasn't "very bad". Therefore, since there were more pros than cons the teens said they were asking their father to reconsider his position on just this ONE movie and let them have permission to go see it.
The father looked at the list and thought for a few minutes. He said he could tell his children had spent some time and thought on this request. He asked if he could have a day to think about it before making his decision. The teens were thrilled thinking; "Now we've got him! Our argument is too good! Dad can't turn us down!" So, they happily agreed to let him have a day to think about their request.
The next evening the father called in his three teenagers, who were smiling smugly, into the living room. There on the coffee table he had a plate of brownies. The teens were puzzled. The father told his children he had thought about their request and had decided that if they would eat a brownie then he would let them go to the movie. But just like the movie, the brownies had pros and cons.
The pros were that they were made with the finest chocolate and other good ingredients. They had the added special effect of yummy walnuts in them. The brownies were moist and fresh with wonderful chocolate frosting on top. He had made these fantastic brownies using an award-winning recipe. And best of all, the brownies had been made lovingly by the hand of their own father.
The brownies only had one con. The father had included a little bit of a special ingredient. The brownies also contained just a little bit of dog poop. But he had mixed the dough well - they probably would not even be able to taste the dog poop and he had baked it at 350 degrees so any bacteria or germs from the dog poop had probably been destroyed.
Therefore, if any of his children could stand to eat the brownies which included just a "little bit of crap" and not be effected by it, then he knew they would also be able to see the movie with "just a little bit of smut" and not be effected.
Of course, none of the teens would eat the brownies and the smug smiles had left their faces. Only Dad was smiling smugly as they left the room.
Now when his teenagers ask permission to do something he is opposed to the father just asks, "Would you like me to whip up a batch of my special brownies?"

Better Mood Enhancement than chocolate, alcohol, or music

Can there be such a thing???
Yes!
The next time you need a mood boost, forget chocolate. Forget the wine and mood music, too. Because researchers have discovered something else that works even better. And best of all, it’s calorie-free, doesn’t require exercise, and can be done almost anywhere. What is it? Looking at personal photos.

Researchers at the United Kingdom’s Open University examined how much people’s mood rose after eating chocolate, sipping an alcoholic drink, watching TV, listening to music, or looking at photos.

They found that the music and chocolate left people’s moods unchanged. Alcohol and TV gave a slight lift. But the winner by a long shot was viewing personal photos, which made people feel significantly better.

So next time you feel down in the dumps, pull out the photo albums. Or, if you’re technologically minded, you can load your favorite photos onto a digital viewer that you can take with you anywhere you go.

Feeding our Families

Our family is very large and we all enjoy eating! Lately we have been trying to share recipes and decided that we needed ONE place to go to get these recipes - so we have started our newest BLOG - with several families sharing ideas it should be full in no time! If you have any great recipes for us - send them to my email at michelle.kirchner@yahoo.com and we will make sure you are recognized for sharing!

www.feedingourfamilies.blogspot.com

Lady Bug

I made this cake for a friend who is having a baby girl and we planned a baby shower at the office for her. I think I did ok - but I still have to work on my centering I tend to be a little crooked. Perfection might not ever be MY style... oh well!

Be Strong & of a Good Courage

Book Mark Created by Jill at: http://jillsldsyw.blogspot.com

This years Young Women & Young Men theme is truly inspired.

I am so privileged to work with the youth of our church. I was talking to the girls the other day and I realized that when I was a young women my leaders told us that we were chosen for this time, this dispensation. They taught us that we were chosen for this time due to our great strength, that the world in my day was going to be tough and we needed to rely on the Lord for help to make it back to him. Looking at these wonderful youth of today and at first I think - my time wasn't near as hard of a road as they have it. We didn't have cell phones, the Internet, facebook, text messaging, or any of these amazing gadgets that occupy our youths lives. All of a sudden I realize that I was born in my time, to help raise my youth of today that they can grow and learn to find their savior in a world that seems to go at warp speed. Which makes me realize that I need to be stronger and have more courage as well.

Parents - we need to realize that this years theme for the Young Women and Young Men is for US also - if the youth see us working on our Strength and Courage then it will make it easier for them to have Strength and Courage.

So I am making it my goal that I will work harder to read my scriptures, fast and pray, give service, and grow closer to the Lord - by doing these things I know that my Strength and Courage will be stronger and that the Lord will be with me withersoever I go.

15 years old

Rachel is 15! I have really enjoyed sitting back and watch this wonderful kid turning into an amazing teen. This year she has found her love for books - but only for vampire books - at the beginning of the year I would not allow her to read one without me reading it first - but I now know that even thought the books are about vampires - they are very age appropriate and I am glad to see her reading. She worked really hard on her basketball skills this year and she has improved - she really enjoys being on the basketball team. She has transitioned to high school with no problems. She has been very good at getting up early and attending Seminary. She enjoys babysitting and earning her own money. She is driving me crazy to be able to get her learners permit - I just can't seem to get it in my brain that she is old enough to drive and it scares me to death! I guess I will have to work on this fear and anxiety, because she is ready - watch out Houston - you might be seeing Rachel at the wheel and me with my hands over my eyes in the next few months!

Oh yes and for her birthday this year she finally got her braces off and she looks amazing! I will have to get her to smile for me soon so I can show off what my money has done for me lately! lol

Interview with the Bishop

Kailtyn recently did an interview with our Bishop - I think she did a great job with the questions she asked him - she felt like she learned a lot about him - you can read the interview at www.westlakewardyw.blogspot.com