Thursday, December 25, 2008

White Christmas in Southern Utah



well we had snow for Christmas, it was snowing when we got home from visiting Janae's family Christmas Eve and kept snowing until about midnight, it was really cool, first white Christmas I have seen in St george (Ivins).

it really made me think about what Christmas is really about, as i saw the ground covered in white on the day we celebrate Christ's birth it reminded me of two scriptures "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" Isaiah 1:18 and alma 5:21 "for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins", to think that because of Him we can be as clean and pure as a snow covered field,and be able to stand in the presence of our Father again, we use the Christmas season to remember the Greatest Gift that was given to all that would accept it,
it brought a little concern as i listened to some of the Christmas songs on the radio, there were alot of "i saw mommy kissing santa" "jingle bell rock" or "Rudolf the red nosed reindeer" do those actually have anything to do with Christmas?
I remember when you would hear "silent night" "Away in a manger" "little drummer boy" "o little town of Bethlahem" on the radio and it would bring to mind our Saviour's birth, are we forgetting? as i looked back on why i was more aware of what this season is all about i realised that with the economy the way that it is we had to cut back, be more creative and do more creative things, and not worry as much about buying stuff---so our financial setback is a blessing, i think that our nation is becoming forgetful even to the point of pushing Christ out of Christmas so that people do not feel obligated to follow him or change their ways, it is becoming a world of changing the rules to suit our ways, and remembering Christ would not work with that.

looking back at 9-11 it was a painful day, all the destruction and lives lost, but look at the situation before---if you had a flag flying in your yard for more than a holiday or said something about the Constitution, even saying God bless America would have pretty much labeled you as an extremist, but after 9-11 people started praying for America, remembering God, now you can fly a flag year round and have a bumper sticker on your car that says "God bless America" and you are OK, was that a blessing?
is it possible that our country's current economic situation could be to humble us all and bring us back to Christ? change and growth are usually painful but what a great blessing and small price to pay considering that the only things we take with us are; who we have become, the things we have learned, and our families, lets look at the upcoming challenges with a determination to let them bring us to Christ and shape who we are into our Devinne potential.
wishing all a great New Year, Kerry

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

My song


I really dislike songs on blogs but at this time of the year this song has really touched my heart. I feel like I can understand a little of what Mary felt. I have a baby boy in my womb and I feel so much love for him. I could not even imagine trying to explain to people whose son he was, or trying to find somewhere to stay when I was in labor. Let alone delivering in a stable.So for all those out there this is my song

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Gingerbread houses


Tonight we decided to do our family tradition of Gingerbread houses. Our kids love this. We start getting candy at halloween and try to get the clearance candy the day after halloween. IT makes for a cheap house. This is a major production at our house. Kerry use to make houses when we first got married that were really elaborate. He has to keep them simple now a day for the sake of the kids.
This is Megan she took so long putting hers up she barely had any candy on it when I took the picture.I am sure hers will turn out the most creative, or a darn second with Kerrys

This is Ashley she is starting to get more and more creative as she gets older. She has a water spout coming out of the roof.

Here is Maddie with her partially done house

Here is Lexi with her house.

Friday, December 19, 2008

baby news

I know my posts are boring but I thought I would share the good news. I am dilated to a 3 and the head is down. I am so excited.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Can I tell you how much I love my husband being in the Bishopbric. I was really scared at first, with him being gone. But it seems that the Lord compensates for him being gone. I get to church 15 minutes early where before we were walking in as it started. I don't fight with maddie on her choice of clothing. She usually dresses pretty easily now days. 80% of the time my kids all have shoes on were it used to be 25%. On the weeknights when he is gone the kids go to bed pretty easily were we use to chase them back to there rooms 20 or 30 times. I think that he feels alot more complete now. He seems to be alot happier serving. I am still scared spitless for the time change when I have to have the kids dressed, tummys full and hair done by 9:00 A.M. The baby will also come at the time of the earlier meetings. If anyone has any advice as to what to do with getting 5 kids ready that quick I would love it. (It cannot include waking up really early :)_
I hope everyone does not get bored with my blog it is a journal for me so I try to put my day to day thoughts and feelings along with my kids happenings.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

7 1/2 months


Breeann said she wanted another prego shot so here it is. I am 6 weeks and 5 day out. I hope I make it through the holidays. I also hope Bree makes it through all my tearful phone calls. I now know how she felt when I had my last two babies before she did. I am so greatful to have Lori next door, she makes life bearable.
I cannot wait for all our Christmas parties to start. That means less dinners to make.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Lexis B-day


Lexi had a great birthday.

We really love having lexi in our home. She is so much fun to have around. Her new thing right now is pulling down her panties and peeing on the floor. (I had to put that so I could remember.) I am very greatful that I have a water vacuum that I can clean it up.She loves to talk on the phone and always asks me " who is that" when I am on the phone. How could we have picked a better daughter

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Daimen and Amys wedding






Daimen and Amy got married on Friday. We were so excited to finally see them married. She had open heart surgery on Halloween and we were all worried she could not do a wedding this soon. She looked amazing. We are so excited to have her in our family. For the reception we went a half hour early for family pictures and when we got there she was in the Hospital. Her Medication IVs had clogged so they spent 2 hours in the E.R. on there wedding Day.Luckily they showed up 5 minutes late for the reception and they quickly dressed up. We were all fine with postponing the pictures until after the reception. Try telling all the kids that they needed to stay clean.Maddie had no shoes and had lost her ribbon. If you note in our little family picture she has shoes and the big family picture she is without.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving



I am so excited for Thanksgiving dinner today. We are having Turkey, potatoes,gravy,stuffing,corn, dixie salad, preztel layered jello salad, green salad,yams,rolls,cranberry sauce, jello salad,and lots of pies. What do you have for your thanksgiving meal?
We are also having 33 adults and 16 kids.not including infants. They are all coming over to our house at noon.I was up at 6:30 am to put the turkey in and put the frozen corn in the crock pot. Our house smells so yummy now.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Happy BIrthday




This is a Happy Birthday shout out to my dear Husband. I have to say I married the best man. I thought I would put the top ten things I love about him
1- His testimony of the Church is so strong. He is always the one to remember prayers and scripture study. Even if he is sick he tries to go to church.
2- He loves me even on my bad days.
3- He is so dang talented. He could make anything or fix anything. He loves to create new things. He has made me shelves, racks for clothing, a surf board, a barbie house, our kids high chair and 3 beautiful homes.( there is alot more I could go on forever) If you come into our home he has done so many things on it.It took me awhile to trust him when he said he could do it.Now I would rather he do it.
4- He loves to garden. And loves to share the fruit of his labor.
5-He loves to give. I have to remind him sometimes that we are on a strict budget, but he always wants to give.I know many of you have been recipeints of his generosity. I am learning alot about giving from him.I have had many a day were I open the door and someone is bringing us a thank you gift. Even times were I did not know he did it.We have had homeade pies and even a quilt with our family name on it.
6- People love him. I have not met a person that does not like him. My Grandpa Goodwin cannot remember anyones name but he has yet to forget Kerrys
7- He is the best father. He is always doing something with his kids.At Christmas time I will have the shopping all done and he will proceed to the store and double what I have done.He reads the scriptures to them on most nights. They love to ride the motorcycle with him.
8- He is the best buisnessman. He has created and ran 1 amazing buisness and is in the process of starting another. Before he asked me to marry him he went and found a job that could support a family. I remember My mother being so impressed. He will never let his family go without anything.
9- He is honest.
10- overall I just love this man and am very greatful that I get to spend the rest of eternity with him. I love spending time with him and love every part of him. Have a great Birthday Kerry

Private

Just another reminder I will be going private in about a week. I don't care if I don't know you if you want to be invited just leave your email.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Kerry's opinion on Prop 8

Kerry here, with all the talk about prop. 8 I thought I would share how I feel, this is not directed at anyone individually.

It is surprising to hear the opinions of some members of the LDS Church who are opposing Proposition 8. It would not surprise me to see some members leave the Church because they do not trust the Prophet or to prove the point that they believe the Church (God) should not be involved in regulating moral issues that will be accepted nationally, and they believe that the things God asks us to do through his Prophet are optional.
If the Lord (through the Prophet) asks members in California or Arizona to support prop. 8 it would make sense that members anywhere would be under the same counsel. Some may consider this following blindly without using the knowledge we have, that is the purpose of a Prophet, to give counsel and direction when we don't see the big picture( I'm sure that in the days of Noah people thought his sons were following blindly, there was no rain. When Lehi left Jerusalem a couple of his sons thought Nephi was following blindly and there was no way that Jerusalem could be destroyed). Is our wisdom greater than God's?
While it may seem reasonable to feel that allowing same gender marriages to become accepted as normal and that this would be letting people exercise their “freedom”, however, when people “exercising their freedoms “ starts to take away from the freedoms of others and invites an immoral way of life that will lead to the destruction of family, values and even the belief in God, that is when it becomes a problem. If same gender marriage was accepted as “normal”, this would be taught to our children in schools as normal and acceptable. While our schools are no longer allowed to teach “thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, etc.”, it is now against the law to pray or teach respect for God and others, in the name of protecting peoples rights.
In the name of giving people their rights it could be said that there should be no age limit on drinking and smoking, you could marry your brother or sister, bars and adult book stores allowed on every corner, casinos and gambling allowed in every state, pornography allowed to be displayed in public places, people allowed to walk around nude in public, prostitution legalized, drugs legalized, no age restrictions on sexual relations (if a 50 year old man wants to hook up with a (your) 10 year old girl and they are both in agreement, it's their right), and there are people who feel it is their right to have relations with animals.
Most of these issues would be protested by some group or another at some point, because of our beliefs in what is morally wrong, and an even greater reason which most people don’t consider is the effect that these things have on society, most people are aware of the results of people that get heavily involved in pornography, it is usually followed by adultery, rape and in many cases murder. If all these things were acceptable it would not be safe to leave your home, in Sodom and Gomorrah the Lord sent 2 Angels there to Lots house “the MEN of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young--they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them” (Gen.19:1-16)The consequences that follow a nation or people that allow, then embrace immorality are devastating. Do you want to live or raise your children in this kind of environment?
Many of you that have lived in small cities, especially in Utah, have seen the situation where people have moved away from cities with an environment that they do not want to live in with their families, some have built their own cities with an atmosphere that attracts people because of the peaceful, clean and good environment, then as new people move in they tell how bad the place was where they came from and how nice it is here, but then they feel there are too many Mormons (the reason for the environment is because of the standards that the community is based on and abide by) so the first thing they want to do is make it “more like home”, and try to change laws in city's and towns to accept bars, drinking, adult entertainment etc.(so while we did not force those people to move to these small towns with good standards, those people feel it is their right to change the standards to meet their habits).
This is the same thing that is happening in America on a larger scale, God led people to America for religious freedom, he created the Constitution “by the hands of wise men whom he raised up unto that very purpose” ,the Constitution was based on principles from the Bible, the motto of America is “in God we trust” , when the Founding Fathers called for separation of church and state , it was to separate government from controlling religion not to take religious values from government. The good clean environment that God created is being changed and over run by those who do not believe in God, by siding with these people are we “trying to serve God without offending the Devil”
The gospel of Jesus Christ is about love, love the sinner but do not accept the sin as ok, I have respect for gay people but not for what they do, of adulterers Jesus said “repent and sin no more” he did not say “lets change the law so that what you are doing is acceptable”
Even if you dont believe that there is a living Prophet the Bible clearly condems fornication, adultry and a "man lying with a man", When we no longer believe that God is our Father and that we are no longer responsible in upholding the values that he has asked us to uphold , “we will bring about the calamities and destruction foretold by ancient and modern prophets” , there is nothing that we can be bound to, no belief of a consequence for any action if we do not believe in God, but if we still believe in God we know from the scriptures that the things mentioned are immoral and we have seen the outcome of those that have tolerated, allowed, accepted and then embraced these practices, are we inviting that to our nation in the name of tolerance or giving people rights?

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Private

I think that we are going private. If you could please leave your email I will erase it as soon as I get it down. I have heard to many yucky stories.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Prop 8




I have been reading some friends blogs lately and felt that I needed to write what I believe. I hope it does not come out to harsh I still love all who give there opinions. I am grateful for there friendships.
I have had a really hard time understanding why people are against prop 8. That does not mean that I dislike them for voting against it or wanting to.
I do have a hard time understanding why it should be a question what we support. I do know that people have the tendency to love the same sex but does that mean I need to support them by letting them get married. The family unit is so sacred and it is slowly dissapearing. The proclamation of the family states " that marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creators plan for the eternal destiny of His Children". This is from our Heavenly Father. Not just something the Church came out with. The first Commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve was to multiply and replenish the earth. You cannot do that without man and woman. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and mother. At the end of the Proclamation it states. 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. I feel so strongly about this. I know that this proclamation is modern day revelation from a loving Heavenly Father. If we did not have this revalation I could understand wanting to vote against prop 8. But how much clearer does the Lord need to be. I have to say that I do feel for those that choose to live life with the same gender. I had a Uncle whom I dearly loved who was gay. I felt strongly that I needed to write my opinion on this. I have a testimony of the family. I have a testiomony of the true church of God. I know that we are heading into (and are already there ) days that will try our testimonies. I have a testimony that I will be with my family forever, because of the covenants I made with Heavenly Father in the Temple. And last but not least I have a testimony of the proclamation of the family. I am grateful for our Freedom and know that Heavenly Father gave us that freedom for a reason. I just thought I would end with a picture of my wonderful family

Thursday, November 6, 2008




I think that my blog is being taken over by my family. I just thought I would throw a picture of maddie when we were building this house isn't she cute.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

another paint project

well ive been wanting to paint my helmet to match my bike, but i still need a little practice, so Tyler offered his helmet to be the lab rat.it started out metallic red
got painted all white, masked off


then got painted all red, un masked and put stickers on then clear coated

All done!



















6th file 6th picture tag

6th file 6th pictureTag. This is a Tag my sisters are doing You go to your 6th file and get the 6th picture. This one is of Lexi in 2007. I think it is at Easter time. what a cutie

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Ward Halloween party

Megan as Cleopatra. She looks just amazing

Ashley the second place winner over all in costumes


Aunt Mckensi, Megan and Ashley. We love our bestest Aunt

Maddie the Cowgirl with the missing cowgirl hat.



Lexi our sweet little Butterfly




Our ward did a really cool Halloween Part tonight. Kensi came and did the girls hair. She did such a good job and the girls felt awesom.They had a blast. Ashley got 2nd place over all costume. Kerry dressed up in his Ducati Leathers and I was the Nurse. We forgot to get pictures though

I was tagged by Kristin to list 6 random things about myself
The rules:Link to the person who tagged you
List the rulesTag six fellow bloggers.
Leave them a comment so they know they've been tagged.
1. I am really afraid of having a boy. I am scared of the diapers and toys.
2. I have always been afraid of not having a friend. Starting in elementary I was sure I did not have any friends. I always think people are just being nice to me not really thinking I am a friend.I am very unsure of myself in that departmen.
3. I have lived in St. George my whole life. I went to be a nanny in New Jersey and only made it a week. I was to homesick
4. I would love to be in a play. I don't want to spend the time doing it though
5. I love to make people happy.
6. I love to buy shoes for me and the girls but we seem to never have them on or we wear the same ones every day
I Tag anyone that is reading this

Monday, October 27, 2008

Pumpkin parade











After quick baths the kids came and posed with there newly carved pumpkins. Megan wants you to guess what hers is. (hint Blank of the carribean) She would like you to leave your guess in the comments




pumpkin carving

Here is Kerry the king of carving. Isn't he cute?

Maddie and Lexi the little independent ones. They have to take the seeds out themselves

And last but not least Megan and Ashley the pros that can do it themselves


We are having a blast right now carving pumpkins. Just thought I would give everyone a little peak into our world tonight at the bang home. Hopefully we can show the finished product but I got to get back to Family night

Saturday, October 25, 2008

a little common sense

saw this story, really makes it easier to understand why everyone cant get everything for free, some one some where is or will pay for it, it is real easy to think that if the government provided everything for us like free health care life would be great, but if everyone thought that way we would all be sitting around waiting for a handout and there would be no one to pay for it-hence the term-keep working, millions on welfare depend on you.

*by: David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.*Professor of Economics, University of Georgia
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100.
If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers, he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - th e paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings) .
The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28%savings) .
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their sav ings.'I only got a dollar out of the $20', declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!''Yeah, that's right', exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!''That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!''Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!
'The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls , journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.---For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Baby time






We have been very busy here at the Bang household. I am starting to feel a little bit better and I am starting to get on top of house cleaning. Kerry and I went to Vegas for a night we did a little shopping were I got this cute outfit for our new little baby boy. I have a tradition to get a new layette with matching hat and blanket for each new baby to bring them home from the hospital. This is the first time it was not pink and it was also the first time I did not have to worry about getting a bow. Back to the Vegas trip we also went to see Mystere @ Treasure Island. We had such a good time getting away just for a day. I love spending time with Kerry he is the love of my life. I am so glad he puts up with me.


Maddie Lexi and Emma had a cute little picnic on our front porch here is a picture of them.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

megans haunted house

this is megans haunted house that she made in school, she did a really good job on it, she is really creative.

lexi was eating a pomagranite yesterday and came over to show me her little treasure she found in it, if you click on the picture youll be able to see her new "pet" better.