We Did It! Some Easter Surprises.

We did it! We memorized The Living Christ. And here is the video to prove it:

My iphone run out of memory towards the end, but you can just trust me that they finished it all. This video shows their surprise recital to their dad, grandma, and grandpa.

Here is the text to The Living Christ in case you can't understand them well on the video (the sound is pretty soft):

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary's cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to "become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His "other sheep" (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised "dispensation of the fulness of times" (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: "His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

"I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father" (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

"For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

"That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God" (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—"built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together" (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

What a great way that was to prepare for Easter. The kids will often recognize a scripture or a phrase that they have memorized when they hear a talk. It's pretty fun.

What else did we do for Easter? Well, the kids got some of these:

 We did a little treasure hunt and they found the chicks in the basement at the end.  Would you like to hear about them?  I'm sure you would....

They already have them all named.

This is "Sweet Mama", the Leghorn.  She is only 2 months old and not a mama, but since she is the big chicken, all of the little chickens gather around her and try to cuddle up to her and slip under her wings.  She'll be ready to be put outside in a couple of weeks.

Sweet Mama

This is "Mrs. Whatsit" (from A Wrinkle in Time - Mrs. Whatsit had white wings), the ISA Brown.

Mrs. Whatsit

Here is "Bilbo" (she has fuzzy feet just like hobbits do), the Cochin.

Bilbo

This one's "Cleo" (short for Cleopatra - because of the eyes), the Welsummer.

Cleo

 These two are siblings (from the same rooster and hen).  They are an Ameraucana mix.  They'll probably lay blue or green eggs, so that will be fun.  Their names are "Ranger" and "Tiny".

Ranger and Tiny

This is one is "Holly" because she is a Barnavelder chicken from Holland.

Holly

This is our Black Star Sex-Link. Her name is Starfish (the kids told Bazinks to name her and they gave him ideas like "midnight" because it's black. He came up with "Starfish" and everyone thought it was so funny that they kept it).

Starfish

This last one is "Penny" our Rhode Island Red chicken.

Penny

Rock's mom likes to get eggs and hatch chickens in an incubator so she was nice enough to give us Bilbo, Tiny, Ranger, Sweet Mama and Penny.  We don't know if they are boy or girl chickens so we'll probably end up getting rid of some of them when we hear them crow.  Rock's mom knows a lot about chickens and her excitement is contagious.

We had a nice Easter watching the little birds and figuring out their different personalities.  Now I just need to find them a coop.  We tried different boxes for them to be in for now, and I finally found a really big one in our storage closet, so they have a pretty good place for the moment.  Here's their set up:

The outside (like the creative use of the baby gate?)

Their food and water on one side

Their sleeping spot with the heat lamp and perching stick - we've since changed the stick for a thicker one that they like more.

They are inside the house for now so we're changing their newspapers daily so they don't get too stinky.  We do have fun watching them and trying to keep Ray from throwing things in the box (this is the main reason for the baby gate on top).  Tico hasn't tried eating any of them (even though he does try to eat our hamster sometimes) so we're glad of that!

We'll see how this chicken project goes.  I hope I'm not in over my head.