General Conference

This time of year is so crazy.

All my good blogging intentions go out the window.

But this was such a great weekend.

It was the General Conference of my church, where, twice a year we get to hear what our leaders believe are the most important things we need to hear.

And this conference was so meaningful.

I loved all the talks.

The ones that really stood out to me were:

Quentin L. Cook

and :

In marriage we work side by side.

Jeffrey Holland

and:

Do not start your quest for faith by stating what you do not have. Be true to the faith you do have.

Grateful for my opportunities to learn and grow and to be better every day!

Really?

Wow! The twins turn 14 today!!!!

I can hardly believe it.

Happy birthday Emma and Joe!!!

I love you guys!

Resolution Check Up

I based this year's resolutions on the word "Choose".

And in some areas I'm doing really well, and it other areas...not so much.

Everyday Goals:

I wanted to take a photo a day. Which I've done and I'm pleased with how documenting our life is going.

I am trying to cook more often and try new things. This is also going fairly well.

Physical Goals:

I am trying to get out and move everyday. I am failing miserably. But...I am not going to let it get me down. I plan to keep going.

I am also trying to eat better. Again. Failing miserably. But...moving forward from where I am.

Relationship Goals:

I am striving to make good choices in how I deal with the kids. This isn't perfect for me, but I feel like i've come a long away. My relationships with the kids feel like they are moving in the right direction. I can't ask for more than that. 

We are working on learning everyone's love languages ... and i'm trying hard to love them in the ways that are most meaningful to them.

Troy and I are in a really good place. It's nice to feel so at peace with things...and know we are moving together and with similar purpose.

Spiritual Goals:

I am growing my testimony. I am working on the areas where I feel weak. I'm moving forward. 

I think for me...when I start to fail is when I stop choosing. I need to have purpose in my decisions and sometimes I don't ... I just let things happen to me.

Isn't that true for so many of us? 

2.15.2013 to 2.18.2013

Poor Katie woke up and promptly threw up. She really wanted to go to school, but we made her stay home.

Katie was feeling much better as the day worn on. I don't think she was sick ... maybe she ate something?

All the other kids had activities so we took the little girls out to eat. How much do i love this photo?

The girl's had a game on Saturday. Only one girl from the other team came - so we manned both teams and played. It was quite a victory!!

Saturday night was out with the boys for Tyler's birthday dinner.

And of course, Joe had to put his face in his dessert.

And Sunday was church. Becky is looking sooooo grown up to me!

And seriously...how cute is this outfit?

Going to church.

Coming home. Katie's face. Seriously.

And since Monday was a holiday...I got to have a date with my sweetheart.

And to make my day...Troy indulged me by going shopping with me. What a good guy.

2.14.2013

Happy V Day.

Love this note from Josh. "Pear"ents. So cute.

Since Troy and I went to New York for an early Valentine's this day was so much more low key and it turned out so much better than any valentine's day we'd ever had. 

mmmm. love my valentines. 

2.12.2013 to 2.13.2013

Ohmyword. Love my diva.

I made the dessert for enrichment. It was a lovely night, even though the poor weather kept many away. 

2.11.2013

Troy turned 40 today. We had already had a big party so we had a quiet night at home for his actual birthday.

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf.

We almost lit Troy's cake on fire with all the candles.

The Darrahs came over and ate with us and brought Troy is great Flowbee T-shirt.

haha. perfect.

2.8.2013 to 2.10.2013

Life:

Waiting at the ortho. With 4 kids in various stages of braces...well...enough said.

Love having a Cafe Rio so close by.

Our ward was in charge of an adult dinner and dance. I was in charge of decorations. I though it turned out rather well -- and we had a huge turnout. It was great!

Troy took some time to dance with a single sister in our ward. They really cut a rug.

2.7.2013

I love living so close to DC. Being able to drive in and have lunch with Troy is always a treat.

We decided to eat at the Source, a Wolfgang Puck place inside the Newseum.

You know the place you're eating is fancy when it has this nice a waiting room!

Love my sweet hubby!

2.6.2013

There was a lot of waiting this day. So the story of my life.

2.5.2013

Oh man. Be still my heart.

2.4.2013

We have a really good life and I try to remember that when things are hard.

My oldest and I are so much alike...it should be no surprise to anyone that we sometimes have a problem with communication.

She is such a good girl. I could never ask for a better daughter. But she is also independent and stubborn.

And being a teenager is no easy task.

So we keep on keeping on...and we remain grateful for the sunshine...especially when there's shade.