We carved pumpkins this week. We teased Jason about making his pumpkin look just like himself! Scary!!

What a great week!! We started with the wedding (proposal) who should propose? Does the proposal determine the marriage...some say yes! Studies show that the first year of marriage can determine the marriage roles and attitudes of the entire marriage. It is important to establish great roles. So much happiness can come from a new baby and so much disappointment if both parents aren't actively involved in caring for the new bundle. Dads time and time again report they feel unappreciated when the new baby comes along. It all goes back to the dating period, how important it is to date and really understand each other before the blessed event.

Week 6

This week we looked at why people cohabitate rather than marry. We looked at studies that show this is not a successful way to build a relation. We learned of reasons why people choose to cohabit and not get married. We talked about successful dating and the reasons people choose their mates. The 3 P's in both dating and marriage. It was fun to learn that studies have shown it takes about 3 months of dating to learn the "real" personality of a person. We talked about the different types of love.

I think an important part of our in class discussion is that Brother Williams doesn't try to solve every problem that is discussed or tell his opinion. He is very respectful and does a great job on his comments back to the students. That to me is a great counselor.
This is a picture my daughters, Hailey, Kassie and Mindy. They helped with my family metaphor project. Our family as a banana split! Thanks guys I love ya!

Week 5

Great week in class. We talked about gender roles and how they applied to the family. How we might see women and men and how the world has a changing view. I love the differences between men and women! I have often thought how thankful I am to be a woman and how grateful to have courageous, strong, kind priesthood holders in the world!
We talked about The Family A Proclamation to the World and Brother Williams suggested that it could be used as a script helping families know their roles.
We jumped into same gender attraction and talked in length about some of the decision that accompany that lifestyle. I have more compassion and understanding than I did before and I am glad I was able to glean from Bro. Williams great insight.
The world has a set of labels we like to sick on people. Who made those rules? Why do we all insist on labels?

This week Brother Williams suggested that even if we are just thinking, and pondering about some of the things we learn...that is a start to understanding! I liked that!

This week we talked about cultures. We also talked about social class and the influences on families in particular. I have always disliked that we as humans put ourselves in class or groups. I understand why we do it, it is comfortable and accepting. The real truth is that social class affects families. Studies show that lower income/educated persons are more likely to have children before marriage, divorce if they do marry and have more partners than those of higher education income counterparts. These studies have shown the unsettling feelings that continue from one generation to the next as these patterns are pasted along.
We also touched on the different cultures within families themselves. We all have rules and patterns in which we have grown to be comfortable with. I liked the in class discussion about Bro. Williams "norms" in his family and then when he married and found a different set of "norms" in his spouse. His examples were funny,however I can see the sadness that can come if you find that a pattern in a spouse is not so funny and lives and expectations are altered. That is why I am so thankful I married an incredibly kind man. Although who can really say what "norm" is, right?!

This is Jason our 14 year old. He is showing off his new football gloves! He is loved in a family of all girls. He and his dad are pretty tight!

Lacey just turned 20 today! Happy Birthday! Lacey is so fun to have in our family. She has been a great example of NOT freaking out and just going with the flow! I love Lacey! I wish her the best year of life yet! She is also so amazingly beautiful!