Janene Baadsgaard - Speaker at BYU Office Professionals Conference

I will be speaking at the Office Professionals Conference at BYU on Friday March 14th from 10-11 in the Varsity Theater. 

The topic I'll be speaking on is "How To Give Your Friends, Co-workers and Family the Gift of a More Positive You".

Birthday Poem For a Three-Year-Old

Tessa’s  Three

By

Grandma Baadsgaard

I love you my sweet little Tessa dear

Tessa is three so shout hooray!

For this little girl is on her way

She likes to jump and skip and shout

Sometimes she wears her mommy out

Tessa lives in Florida where green alligators bite

But she thinks those scary guys are just alright

If they come too close, she moves her finger and toes

And just to be safe, she checks her cute little nose

When it gets light she says, “Turn the dark on!”

When it gets dark, she says, “Bring on the dawn!”

For Tessa is a magic girl with stardust in her eyes

Who finds flower fairies that are just her size.

When Daddy says, “Sit down and eat your soup.”

Tessa says “Father dear, I don’t give a hoot.”

“But I will put spaghetti in my hair

And dance down the hall in my rather bare.”

“I will chomp on my food and hiccup and burp

And if you give me soup, I’ll be sure to slurp

Both of Tessa’s parents roll their eyes

Because they know who she really is inside

So Mommy says, “Tessa let’s do snuggles.”

And Daddy adds to that, “Let’s do cuddles.”

Then Tessa races into her parent’s arms

And soon it is all kisses and hugs in a swarm.

For when you’re three you have wings to soar

And before you know it you’re turning four.

Poem For A Two Year Old Birthday

Lily’s Two Today

by

Grandma Baadsgaard

Happy 2^nd birthday Lily. I love you oh so much.

There is a girl named Lily

Who has a million dollar smile

And if you are very lucky

She’ll walk with you a while

For when she takes your hand

She always whispers, “Come.”

And when she sees the candy jar

She always asks for, “Some?”

So now she’s turning two

That’s so much older than one

But don’t you turn around

For Lily is on the run

She has two sparkly shoes

That shimmer when she walks

And she has two radiant eyes

That glimmer when she talks

When Lily is the boss

She points and says, “Away!”

So we all stop and we obey

For Lily has the final say

My Lily is a happy girl

With lots of hugs and kisses

And when she has to go back home

                           Her Grandma sure does miss her

BYU Women's Conference Photo With My Daughter

We are both not sure how this happened
but my daughter April and I have our picture on the web site
 and promotional material for the 2014 BYU Women's Conference.
http://ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/

FOR EVERY MOTHER by Janene Baadsgaard book club discussion

Marilyn Laursen asked me to speak to her book group in Provo, Utah yesterday. I have to admit, speaking to a group of women who love to read is one of my favorite invitations. Each woman had purchased a copy of my book "For Every Mother" and wanted to talk about it. Some of the women in the Grandview Book Club shared favorite parts of my book while others asked me questions about my family or about writing. Still others shared their life experience, ideas and wisdom.

     These women have been meeting for 40 years. FORTY YEARS! Isn't that awesome. They have seen each other through child rearing, times of trouble, joy and great loss. I loved being with them. Those who read always share a love of learning and a love for life.

     My first book was inspired by a woman that spoke to me privately after I spoke to her book club.
     "Janene," she said, "I cut all your columns out of the newspaper and put them in my scrap book. I put that scrapbook at the side of my bed and every night I read one. They always make me laugh or cry and I always feel better about life. Then I can relax and go to sleep."
    This kind woman gave me the encouragement I needed to write my first book. (So she wouldn't have to do so much cutting and pasting). I have a great love for book clubs and the women I meet there. Thank you for inviting me Marilyn. You are so blessed to have such a warm and loving group of friends and I was so grateful to meet them yesterday.

Birthday Story for a Six Year Old

Emma’s Magic Closet

by

Grandma Baadsgaard

Happy sixth birthday my Emma dear.

I love you so very much.

                On a cold snowy day in February Emma stared out her frosted window wishing it was summer.

          “I don’t have anything to do,” Emma sighed to herself. Her mother was talking on the phone.  Her younger sister was down for a nap.

          The afternoon was looking rather long and gloomy. Emma walked over to her closet and opened the door hoping to find something interesting to do. Then she grabbed the metal pole in her closet where her dresses were hanging and dangled there for a while pretending to be a monkey.

“Eee-Eee-Eee,” Emma screeched scratching her armpit.

While still holding the metal bar, she decided to walk up the back wall of her closet in her bare feet until she was hanging upside down. Everything in her bedroom suddenly looked more interesting this way because the floor became the ceiling and the ceiling became the floor. Emma thought about having a tea party with her dolls on the ceiling. The light-fixture would make a perfect glass table.

          Then all of a sudden Emma flipped over the closet pole and tumbled to the floor. She stood up, dusted herself off and turned around. Even though the scene outside her frosted window was the same, everything in Emma’s room looked shiny and bright. Her stuffed bear Koda and her giant white tiger were marching across the floor toward her toy box like soldiers. Her sheet and bed-spread were pulling themselves up and tucking neatly around the corners of her bed. Her dolls twirled pirouettes in the middle of the room then dived into the toy box. Her favorite picture books flew up onto her bookshelf and lined up in a neat row.

          Emma rubbed her eyes. When she opened her eyes again she saw her dance costume flying through the air and wrapping around a hanger in the closet. The crayons scattered around the floor marched into the canyon box and her dirty socks flew into the hamper in the corner.

          “Wow!” Emma whispered as her used candy wrappers flew into her garbage can and her play make-up rolled into her vanity drawer.

          Just then her mother poked her head around the corner of her bedroom door. She looked as though she was going to say something but instead her mouth dropped open. She looked slowly around the room and smiled.

          “Why Emma,” I was just going to tell you to clean up your room and look at this. You’ve already done it. How in the world did you do this so fast?”

          “I don’t know,” Emma answered. “It just happened Mom.”

          “Magic?” her mother asked.

          Emma threw up her hands, thought for a while, scratched her head and scrunched her nose.

“I guess so.

“I could use a little magic in the kitchen,” Emma’s mother lamented.

“Just pretend you’re a monkey, grab the pole in your closet, walk up the back wall with your bare feet and flip over on your head,” Emma said.

Emma raised one arm and scratched her armpit.

“Eee-Eee-Eee,” Emma screeched.

“You little monkey,” her mother answered.

Emma’s mother raised her arm and scratched her armpit too.

“Eee-Eee-Eee,” Emma’s mother screeched.

Then the two little monkeys marched into the kitchen on the look-out for a little more magic.Pin It

Happy Blessing Day Griffen

My new grandson Griffen was blessed today.
Here he is with his Grandpa Baadsgaard

Here is Griffen with his father Kyle

Here is Griffen with his mother Aubrey.

Speaking To The Amazing Women In Spanish Fork, Utah

This is a picture of the two Stake Relief Society Presidencies and the presenters.

I loved meeting with a wonderful women in the Palmyra Stake and the Maple Mountain Stake in Spanish Fork, Utah today. As I spoke to this large group amazing women and looked into their beautiful faces I was overcome with the love of God for each individual sister. The theme of the Women's Conference was "RUN YOUR OWN RACE - Discipleship is not a competition".  

THE STORY OF JOSHUA

by

Grandma Baadsgaard

Happy 14^th birthday Joshua.

I love you very much.

Dear Joshua,

I want to tell you about someone who has the same name as you. We learn about his story in the Bible. As the apprentice of Moses, Joshua was a major figure in the events of the Exodus. He went with Moses part of the way when he ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Joshua was also one of the twelve spies of Israel sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. When the spies returned, Joshua and Caleb were the two believing spies who said the people should trust God and go into the land. The other ten spies said conquering the land was impossible. So God waited for 40 years for the unbelievers to die. Then he fulfilled his promises to the tribes of Israel. Joshua and Caleb were the only ones in that entire generation that would enter the Promised Land.

God appointed Joshua to succeed Moses as the leader of the Israelites and gave him a blessing of invincibility during his lifetime. After the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelite tribes in the conquest of Canaan, and allocated the land to the tribes. Did you know that at the Jordan River parted for Joshua, like the Red Sea did for Moses? The first battle after the crossing Jordan was the Battle of Jericho. God told Joshua to march around the city once every day for six days with the seven priests carrying ram's horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times and the priests were to blow their ram's horns. Joshua ordered the people to shout. The walls of the city collapsed and the Israelites were able to charge into the city which they completely destroyed by God's command.

Joshua formed an alliance of Amorite kings for future battles. Did you know that at Gibeon Joshua asked God to cause the sun and moon to stand still, so that he could finish the battle in day-light? God also helped Joshua in this battle by hurling huge hailstones from the sky. From there, Joshua led the Israelites to several victories, securing much of the land of Canaan.

Now you are turning 14, the same age Joseph Smith was when he had the first vision. When Joseph had questions, he went to God for his answers. I hope you will pray when you have questions. I know God loves you. As you apprentice under your father like Joshua did with Moses, may you be humble so that you can learn all God requires of you. I know that you too will be victorious in the battles that life sends your way. God will be with you and will part the rivers of self-doubt to help you be victorious in your private battles.

Like Joshua of old, you have a companion in faith with your brother Caleb. All the other Israelites trusted God to bring them out of bondage in Egypt, but they did not have the faith to follow Him into the Promised Land. When you are faced with something that looks impossible, remember your name Biblical namesake and know that with God nothing is impossible. Also remember that Christ beckons us to join him in the Promised Land. Joshua, receive the gift of the Atonement with a grateful heart. Allow the love of God to transform you into a new being who lives the abundant life that Christ promises all true disciples.

I love you Joshua. I know that you will be a valiant soldier in God’s army and that you will never be alone as you face the battles of life. You are strong and true and God can trust you. 

Run Your Own Race

I'll be speaking at this great event in two weeks.
Hope you can come.

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Alisa Wins Cash Award From Zion's Bank

My daughter Alisa was surprised at school today when she learned that she had won $100 from Zion's Bank from the It Pays For A's Program. Thank you Zion's Bank. Congratulations Alisa. Your hard work at school really pays off.

ISABELLA AND THE PINK POLKA DOT BLANKET

by

Grandma Baadsgaard

Happy 7^th birthday Isabella. Here is a poem I wrote just for you.

Isabella’s grandma loved her oh so dearly

And she enjoyed her hugs most sincerely

And when she saw Izzy’s beautiful smile

Grandma longed to stay with her a while

But soon there were books to be read

And jammies to put on and time for bed

So Grandma thought of a perfect way

To be with Isabella every single day.

She made a soft pink blanket with white polka dots

And a small soft doll Izzy could hug a lot

So she could wrap up in the blanket whenever she felt sad

And hug her doll when she felt scared or mad

 But there was still one thing Grandma wanted to do

For the times when Izzy got the school day blues

So she cut a tiny piece of soft blanket just so

Izzy could tuck in my her pocket and go

So now everywhere that Isabella went

She had all the love Grandma had sent

And when it was time for bed you see

She had a doll and a blanket so she could always be

Loved by her Grandma where ever she was

For Grandma’s big love is just because

For Isabella is a granddaughter supreme

And Grandma’s little majesty the queen

Celebrating Caleb's Birthday

The greatest gift I ever received on my birthday was my grandson Caleb. This year we celebrated his brief but meaningful life with my daughter April's family on January 6th. First we gathered at his grave site. When we arrived we discovered that several treasured family friends had been there before us to leave a token of their love and remembrance. As we opened our hands and watched the balloons soar up into the evening sky, we each whispered our love and promise to keep spreading his message of peace, love and joy to those around us.
Then we left the cemetery and gathered around the Moody family table for a warm dinner and birthday cake complete with song and candles. Then Caleb gave each of his brothers the gift of tickets to a family outing for all of them to enjoy together.
After dinner we watched the video we made of his life for his funeral and also a video my son John made where each grandparent and brother and sister was filmed sharing their favorite memories of Caleb. The music and pictures of Caleb on the video made it feel like he was with us again.
Happy Birthday Caleb! I love you and miss you.
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Christmas Eve at the Baadsgaards

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Mitchell and the Mummy's Curse

Mitchell and the Mummy’s Curse
by
Grandma Baadsgaard
Happy birthday Mitchell.
I hope you have great 7^th birthday.
Always remember that I love you very much.

 When Mitchell turned the corner to his street as he walked home from school, he saw his family’s cat Ella sitting next to their front door. But Ella didn’t run toward Mitchell and rub against his legs as usual. In fact, Ella didn’t move at all. She was still as stone.

Mitchell was puzzled. Ella was never still unless she was sleeping. Mitchell approached his front door cautiously. When he was standing right next to his cat, he yelled, “Boo!”
But Ella didn’t move. Mitchell reached down to pet her but when he touched her, she really had turned to stone. Looking carefully, he noticed that Ella had the head of a cat and the body of a woman.
Mom!” Mitchell yelled as he charged through the front door. “Ella has turned into the goddess Bastet. I read all about her in the book about Egypt I got at the library. Quick, come see.” But by the time Mitchell’s mother made it to the front door and looked out, Ella was gone. “I swear I saw her and she looked just like the goddess Bastet,” Mitchell said. “What do you think has happened. “Egyptians used to put a statue of the goddess Bastet next to their front door to protect them. Do you think Ella knows something we don’t?”
“Now Mitchell,” his mother said. “Don’t let your imagination run wild. Maybe you should just do a little detective work like the archaeologists do.”
“Good idea Mom,” Mitchell said.
So Mitchell put on his treasure hunting pants, shirt and hat then took out his magnifying glass and pulled out his favorite shovel. Then he headed outside to his back yard.
“Just don’t get the mummy’s curse,” his mother said with a smile and a wink. Don’t let a mosquito bite you on your cheek.”
Mitchell shook his head. He knew King Tut was not that much older than he was when he became Pharaoh. Mitchell knew a lot about ancient cultures because he often went to the library and brought home stacks of books about ancient civilizations. So Mitchell knew King Tut's tomb was overlooked for thousands of years. He also knew that when a British archaeologist named Howard Carter entered King Tut's tomb, it was almost like entering a time machine. Carter and his team found lots of treasures including a solid gold mask of King Tut's face.
Mitchell knew that many objects found in tombs were ordinary things like tools, pots, chests, baskets, and amulets which the Egyptians used every day. Others were specially made for the occasion like coffins, masks, models or scrolls with spells designed to help the dead person to survive in the afterworld. Mitchell even knew that King Tut was protected by three coffins. The outer sarcophagus had a relief of king Osiris carved into it, the one in the middle was made of wood and decorated with gold and semi-precious stones and the inner coffin was made of solid gold. His burial mask was beautifully crafted, painted and expensively gilded.

Mitchell also knew that nearly all ancient Egyptian homes had a cat. But cats were not pets. The ancient Egyptians believed that cats had magical powers. They believed cats protected their homes and children from danger. You were in big trouble if you hurt a cat in ancient Egypt. Your punishment could be death! Mitchell also knew that Bastet the Goddess was depicted as having the body of a woman and the head of a domestic cat. She was the daughter of the sun god Ra, wife of Ptah, and mother of Mihos. The Egyptians celebrated Bastet's feast day with enthusiasm for she was the Egyptian Goddess of pleasure, music, dancing and joy. The people of ancient Egypt turned to Bastet for protection and for blessing.
Mitchell remembered reading and repeating aloud this ancient Egyptian prayer with his mother, “Beloved Bastet, mistress of happiness and bounty, twin of the Sun God, slay the evil that afflicts our minds as you slew the serpent Apep. With your graceful stealth anticipate the moves of all who perpetrate cruelties and stay their hands against the children of light. Grant us the joy of song and dance, and ever watch over us in the lonely places in which we must walk".
Sometimes Mitchell imagined he had ventured into Tutankhamen’s tomb brimming with priceless figurines, ritual jewelry, small boats and a shrine of the pharaoh’s embalmed organs. But Mitchell didn’t know what to think of the mummy’s curse. When the man who discovered King Tut’s artifacts stepped into the tomb, his financial backer was at his side. Four months later, his financial backer died of blood poisoning from an infected mosquito bite on his cheek. Newspapers at the time speculated that he was a victim of the “mummy’s curse” for after lifting the death mask, King Tut also had a lesion on the same cheek.
Right then, Mitchell heard a mosquito buzzing near his cheek and he freaked out.
“AHHHHHHHH!!!!!” he screamed running into the house.
“What’s the matter?” his mother asked.
“It’s the mummy curse,” Mitchell said. That mosquito almost bit me mom.
“Well I can take care of that,” his mother said with a sly smile. “Give me a copy of that ancient Egyptian prayer.”
“I totally gave that book back to the library last week,” Mitchell said. “It’s too late. I’m doomed.”
“Kneel,” his mother said as she turned to Mitchell looking strangely like the Egyptian goddess Bastet.
Mitchell knelt down just before his mother began, “Light of the universe, grant us courage in the face of mosquito bites,” Mitchell’s mother said with a wink and a smile. “And watch over us in the lonely places we must walk.”
Then she gave Mitchell a great big hug that lasted for a long time. Before long Mitchell felt warm and relaxed inside.
“Are you going to go back outside now,” Mitchell’s mother asked.
“No,” Mitchell answered. But I was thinking, do you think you could find me a little mosquito repellant?”
Right then Ella walked through the back door with a stone cold look in her eyes. As their cat walked stealthily toward them, Mitchell’s eyes grew bigger and bigger. Then Ella crawled into Mitchell’s lap . . . and purred.
“Looks like no more mummy’s curse as long as I have Ella the protector around,” Mitchell said with a wink and a smile.
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