A get away to The Netherlands

We have some really sweet and wonderful friends, the MacDonalds. They insisted that we take a long weekend away and leave our kids with them. The kids begged us to agree, and so, we did.

We headed to The Netherlands, a.k.a. Holland.

We had not been on a real vacation without the kids ever--I know we came out to Italy to house-hunt, but that was a loaded trip with jet lag, too much purpose, and reality. This was all hand-holding, garden-strolling, cheese-tasting, windmill-charming, wooden-shoe-pondering, museum-lingering, canal-cruising, enjoyment.

I went to enjoy the tulips at the Keukenhof gardens and windmills, and I sure did. It was so charming and beautiful. However, I was also pleasantly surprised by Amsterdam.

We visited the Rijksmuseum, full of famous originals by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and others--I just allowed myself to soak it each beautiful painting. There was the most angelic-sounding accapella choir performing there that day and I left that museum feeling much edified in the arts.

The next day we visited the Anne Frank house. Wow. I had read her diary in school, but will certainly be re-visiting it soon with my boys. It was overwhelming to ponder all the events in the last few years of her life--to walk through the rooms where she and her family lived for 2 years before they were discovered. We saw a filmed interview with her father about when he read her diary for the first time--he was the only survivor of his family. I got that ache in my throat and tears filled my eyes as I listened to him speaking about his child.
There was a quote on the wall as we left which reminded us that we mourn more for this one little girl than for the thousands like her who were victims in this aweful ordeal but that it may be better that way, because if we could really know each individual face and story it would be too devastating (not the exact quote, but you get the idea). David and I were both deeply moved by this experience.

We drove to Den Haag (government city) and passed some neat buildings, though my favorite part of the drive was when we turned into some random neighborhoods and just drove by the charming houses. Many of them have the old-fashioned reed roofs, so sweet-looking.

It was a wonderful time. We are so appreciative of Angie and Bob for offering to watch the boys so we could do it--the boys felt that they were also on vacation. When I asked Gabe, "What was the funnest thing you did at Angie's house?" he responded, "I don't know cause it was all so fun!"
Isaac did better for her than he does for me. I'm so glad things were good on their end, because it was a great time for David and me!

Baptism for Adam

March 21 2009 was a great day in the life of Adam Von Moss.

He was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

After the baptism he wanted to remain inside the font and swim in the warm water--

he was beaming with joy.As I helped him dry off and get dressed he said, "Mom, why do I feel so warm?"
He knew the answer and smiled so big when I grinned at him.

He seemed to spill over with happiness the rest of that day.

Sure do love that silly, sweet boy!

Remembering--the last 11 years in a nutshell

A member of the Relief Society Presidency asked me to do a little write-up on my life since marriage. It was to be a sort of time-line of major events. I thought I would post this simplified version of my life. Here goes:

The last 11 years:

*27 December 1997--David and I got married. I was young, but sure I was making the right choice.
*23 April 1999--We graduated from BYU —Eli was born on 21 April 1999. Being a mom for the first time was scarey, but exciting. * January 2000--we moved across the United States to Connecticut (my first time being so far away from my family). This was a challenge for me—I cried the whole plane-ride out.
*November 2000--After living in CT for just 10 months I found out I had cancer (Hodgkins Lymphoma). I was 23 years old and 4 months pregnant with Adam at the time. We worried about our baby (Adam), but our ward took good care of us and my mother flew out to help with 1 year old Eli for a few months.

*11 March 2001--Adam was born. He was beautiful and healthy. Our parents and siblings took turns coming out to help us that fall and summer--flying out for a week at a time. We decided that being sick wasn’t so bad if it meant that we got to spend time with our family!

*August 2001--I finished chemotherapy and life was good. We enjoyed our boys, and grew to love Connecticut more and more.

*Autumn 2002--the cancer returned and I had to do many tests and have stronger chemotherapy. I was told I would not be able to have more children after this chemotherapy was done. I was devastated.

*January 2003--for 2 weeks I stayed in the hospital and could not see my children. My mom stayed with me, David’s mom took care of my children, and David worked, went to school, worried, and visited me. I missed those boys so much!

*2003--I really enjoyed my little family, and just living life. Most days I wished I could get an energy-transfusion from Eli, but life was happy.

*January 2004--I was surprized to find out that I was pregnant. Gabriel, our miracle baby, was born 28 August 2004. He was in my arms for almost the whole first year of life—I was just so glad to have him.
*Spring 2005--David finally finished all his night school, yeah! He worked with the program in Italy and mentioned that a position would be opening soon. What did I think? AHHH! It was up to me whether or not to go.

*Summer 2005--we had another cancer scare, but it turned out to be nothing. That was when I knew that we are truly meant to go to Italy--I cried and cried (refer to moving to CT above--what a cry-baby). I had fallen in love with Connecticut and was very comfortable there. I didn’t desire the adventure of going to Italy, or any other country, but I felt very strongly that it was Heavenly Father’s plan for our family.

*August 2006--We moved to Cesena, Italy. The first 6 months were extremely difficult. Each day life improved a bit, as I became more familiar with people and the way of life here.

*2007/2008 year--The boys went to Italian school . Their Italian improved and they enjoyed it, for the most part. I still had Gabriel home with me during the day, and I was pregnant when the school year began—I had plenty to keep me busy until the boys arrived home for lunch!

*November 2007--I was in the hospital because I had to deliver my baby early. It was frustrating not to understand everything that the doctors and nurses were trying to explain to me. David understands, but had to take care of the boys and couldn’t be with me often. I think my Italian improved a bit during my stay.

*4 December 2007--Isaac Warner arrived . He was tiny, but beautiful. He grew quickly. Wow, another boy! Another miracle!

*2008-- This language! I can understand quite a bit of it, but I can't say what all I would like, and have decided that I will likely not ever be really fluent. This was frustrating, but things were pretty good. I was loving the peaceful surroundings of my home out in the country more and more.

*2008/2009--I decided not to send my children back to school. I had felt for some time that I should home-school them. Things were okay at school, and I wondered if I will go crazy, but I felt I must follow my heart.

*March 2009--Life is challenging, but so very good. I know I am blessed. I am living my dream (with a few twists here and there). I have a practically perfect husband, 4 handsome, energetic, curious boys, and the joy and peace that comes with knowing and living the true gospel of Jesus Christ. With the Holy Ghost as my guide, I can make the right choices for my family. Certainly God knows better than I do what is best, so I will try to trust Him.

ADOMIOUS SUPREMIOUS--Happy 8th Birthday!!

Our sweet little Adam is just getting too old! Eight years old today.

Long legs, perminant teeth, striving for indepedence (at least the right to not cut or comb his hair, and to wear shorts no matter what the weather), . . .

Where did my squishy little baby go?

Well, luckily he is still cuddly, sweet, and charming as ever. He is also artistic, loves costumes (last year he wanted to be a cowboy for his birthday and this year it is a Roman Soldier), and is able to appreciate beauty. He gets angry and will scowl at me, but that is easily turned into a smile and a hug of repentence.

Adam is funny and loves funny things. He has always laughed at movies in a way that makes it so enjoyable to watch with him. For a few years it was Winnie The Pooh Search for Christopher Robin--he would giggle at all the simple sillies. He loves The Ghost and Mr. Chicken--his laughter as Don Knots tries to karate chop the tree is worth the rewind over and over. The kids just recently watched The Court Jester. Adam laughed almost to the point of tears at the final sword fight scene--everyone laughs, but he just cracks up. I love the sound of his contageous laugh.

Adam is such an important part of our little family! We are so grateful to have him with us. We love you, our sweet little Adam Von!!

*this year he asked for a shield cake with 2 swords crossing behind it. He decorated the shield himself:

Spring is so great!

Don't you just love spring?!

We had some gorgeous weather here for a few days and the boys and I took full advantage of it. It was so fun to see the little sweet flowers and notice some buds starting to form on fruit trees.

I've said it before, but I must say again that I just love the area surrounding my house here.

It is so serene and full of the beauties of nature.

Our backyard is full of green winter wheat and it is gorgeous.

It also had its share of good, wholesome dirt.

Isaac just had to experiment to find out if the brown stuff tastes as good as it looks.

No, I didn't stop him. Instead I got before and after shots.

There is also plenty of adventure around us for the big boys.

They thought that it was a pretty great afternoon when mom decided they could get down into the ditches and just slop around.

They slid down the muddy sides and filled their rubber boots with water.

They sloshed all the way home, smiling, and laughing.

This is the stuff every little boys memories should be made of--though I'm not necessarily going to okay it for every walk we take.

Those crazy Americans!

Wise but Harmless

I read about Ammon and King Lamoni in the BoM this morning. I was really struck with the statement made after King Lamoni thinks Ammon is a God and is willing to do whatever he desires of him. It says that Ammon was wise, but harmless. King Lamonie would have done anything that Ammon asked, anything (rewind a year or so and think of the kinds of desires Ammon would have had, though at that time he wouldn't have had the power of God to help him). All Ammon asks the King to do is to listen to him while he tells him about God, the scriptures, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I decided that my desire for my children is that they grow into men who are wise, but harmless: Wise in education and most importantly in the knowledge of truth and goodness. Harmless in that their desires will always be for the good of others and themselves--that they will show the true love of Christ, by loving all mankind.
Sounds good, huh?
I think I needed to be reminded of the kind of education and wisdom that is truly most important. Obviously we all want to learn as much as we can while on this earth, but the most important thing for my children to understand is the Plan of Salvation and their role in it. Everything else is just bonus (it will be fun to have a lot of bonus material as well, of course).

RANDOM THOUGHTS on a Sunday afternoon

Do you ever just not feel as clever as all those other bloggers? Surely my life is no less eventful and my brain no less filled with thoughts and wonderings. However, my thoughts rarely come in eloquent and inspiring river flows--mine may be more like large puddles being connected by just the tiniest of trickles. Here goes...


Today I had an Alice moment--Lewis Carroll's Alice who gives herself very good advice, but very seldom follows it.

We drove 2 cars to church today so the kids and I came home right after the 3 hour block instead of staying a long time waiting for David to finish up with his meetings. The boys wondered why daddy always stays after church for meetings and I reminded them that he is fulfilling his calling. I said that we need to help him do his calling by not complaining when he needs to go to meetings during the week or when we stay after church for a long time waiting for him. I reminded them that we are so blessed to have a Dad who honors his priesthood and is able to bless us and the lives of others in this way. I know the truth of these statements and feel them, but, at times, I too struggle with happily sustaining. Something to work on, eh?


Animals in the house--pets--why do I want one? Do I? The cat is looking at me through the window right now, wondering why I won't let him in the house. This is the cat who just kept coming back and now is a part of our family, whether we like it or not. After a few nasty markings of territory in the kitchen, David and I decided that he wasn't allowed inside the house again, at least until he is neutered.

Adam asked for a kitten for his birthday--You know that they grow up and become cats like the one you already have? Yeah, but kittens are just so cute. Uh-huh. (I don't think he will be surprized when he gets a stuffed one instead--maybe we will stuff the one we already have, J/K).


Tired babies fight sleep. Tired moms can't sleep. Growing boys are never tired--just awake, or asleep (Dreamy!).


I just finished reading The Man in the Iron Mask by Dumas. I'm left in a funk. True, I enjoyed the portrayal of chivalry, honor, friendship, the bond of a father and son--all displayed by the heros in our book. However, battles, open infedelity, and ultimately the man in the iron mask left alone in a prison by his own brother and mother--never avenged, never released, never mentioned again after we leave him imprisoned for the second time--AAAHHHH! Sorry if I have just ruined this for any of you. Don't read it--it is just frustrating. I guess that as much as I love the idea of history, I'm still a fairy-tale lover at heart. Where is the Happily Ever After?

Yeah, I know, it is all about the challenges. So Prince Phillippe is probably going to fair better than his brother Louis XIV in the world to come. I guess that is what it all comes down to. We don't get to select all the situations we are put in, but we decide what we will do with it. Heard it all before, huh? But, I guess, since we each live lives in which this is true, it is worth being reminded of. I really do like a book that makes me think about my choices and what kind of person I want to be--I just prefer to feel good when I reach the last word.



Don't you just feel better about yourself when your shoes look really cute sticking out at the bottom of your jeans and you are wearing something other than a tinkerbell t-shirt covered in baby snot? I guess I should try it a bit more often.

I love a bunch of energetic boys gathered in a huddle around a National Geographic magazine.

I love those moments when you are reminded that this is the life you chose, and you love it!

This picture looks simple enough, but it was taken in one of those moments. Things weren't perfect: Eli is sick; the book Gabriel is examining is one from the top shelf about "our changing bodies"--not my first pick for him just yet; Isaac is about to trip over Adam. It is my life and I do love it!