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!

2.3.13

Sunday was such a great day.

I really enjoyed church today. Every class was good. Every testimony was perfect.

I realized that I get so much more out of church when I am in a place to receive. And when I'm not in that place...church does little for me.

It's taken a while, but I'm so glad to be here again.

We hung out with the kids...watched a movie. and a little football.

Perfect day.

this one melts my heart.

1.13.13

Sundays are a great day.

Not only because we get to go to church and be uplifted and edified.

Or, in today's situation -- when Joe gave his first talk in sacrament meeting -- when we get to be mocked and ridiculed. lol.

No, really, he did a great job and he only threw me under the bus once.

But, really, Sundays are a day of rest.

A day our whole family is home.

And a day we try and have people over and enjoy the time getting to know them better.

And of course, Troy made our guests play the piano and be generally ridiculous.

Mission accomplished. lol.

1.12.13

Basketball has started again. I have such a love hate relationship with church ball.

The girls really enjoy it, but it's all consuming for 3 months of Saturdays.

At least they have fun and they've gotten their friends involved.

1.9.13

I was in charge of the Relief Society meeting tonight. It was supposed to be a healthy dinner, so I made a couple of salads...but I wanted something small and simple and decadent, so I went with these triple chocolate sea salt truffles.

YUM!

I am not a great candy maker, but this recipe was so simple and easy and delicious.

It's from Pioneer Woman, and you can find it here.

It calls for 8 oz each of bittersweet, semisweet and milk chocolate. I used Ghirardelli's - found right in the baking aisle. I used 9 oz each and it turned out about 50 truffles. I also bought some lovely pink himalayan sea salt from costco. The grinder is adjustable -- and I ground it thickly into a bowl to sprinkle onto the truffles. 

The only thing I would have done differently is bought more of the milk chocolate -- there wasn't quite enough to cover all the truffles easily. 

And...the meeting was fantastic. We had three really great speakers and I learned something from each of them. 

We're Off to See the Wizard

No Menu Monday.

No grocery shopping.

No plan.

Seriously.

Why? you ask.

Because I have been working on my personal progress -- and was able to finish my second to last value project.

Mothers are now encouraged to get their medallions with their daughters and Mikayla and I have been working on it together.

In fact, as part of our personal progress project, Mikayla and I (along with Emma) planned, prepared and presented the Young Woman's New Beginnings program.

We made and sent out invitations.

We made decorations.

We made food:

We made little favors for the incoming beehives:

And for the young women who had moved in during this last year:

And made/collected costumes (with a lot of gratitude that the middle school had recently done the wizard of oz):

Flying monkeys and talking trees.

Dorothy:

Auntie Em:

The Cowardly Lion:

The Tin Woman:

The Wicked Witch of the West:

The Scarecrow:

The Lollipop Gang:

The Lollipop Gang Leader, Glinda, and a Citizen of Oz.

We started in Munchkinland and then sent the girls down the yellow brick road to find Oz.

Along the way, they met lots of fun characters who told them about each of the young women's values.

I hope it was fun for the girls.

I know it was for Mikayla, Emma, and I. And I'm glad that we could work on this together!

And...thank goodness for the Colonel...who provided dinner tonight.

Blessed

Josh was baptized today.

It was a beautiful day.

A wonderful baptism.

I want to remember every moment.

Josh was so excited to be baptized. I was excited for him.

But, more than excitment, I think, was reverence for the good choice he was making today.

Josh is always a good kid, but sometimes his enthusiasm gets in the way of good behavior.

In fact, as Josh was getting dressed today in his white clothing, his dad told him that he needed to put on the jumpsuit.

Well. That was that. Josh spent the next five minutes jumping up and down, cause, what else do you do in a jumpsuit?

But even with all the anticipation of his baptism Josh was aware of what was happening, and I think feeling the spirit. As soon as he and Troy returned from changing, something came over Josh.

He sat so reverently for each of the wonderful talks that were given.

He sang with enthusiasm.

He was especially thirlled to recieve the gift of the holy ghost.

And the spirit was so strong.

I felt such overwhelming love for Josh and for my father in heaven who gave us this sweet spirit to raise.

I felt such love for all the people who were able to come and spend this day with us. We have such good friends.

And everyone who participated today meant something special to Josh.

How blessed we are.

Go Ask Your Parents

I think all my primary kids got together and decided that they would play stump the teacher.

Was Jesus married?
Was Heavenly Father married?
How did Mary get pregnant?
Why do we want to go to the celestial kingdom? My parents said the others ones are nice too.

Oh man. Are you sure these guys are 8?

Awesome Sabbath Day

Can I just tell you how much I love going to church?

Seriously.

I enjoy every week...and find it a wonderful opportunity to refresh, and recharge, and refocus on what is important.

But...today was especially good because we were able to be instructed by a General Authority...and it was soooo what I needed to hear today.

It was wonderful to receive his counsel and instruction...which we will be taking to heart...but it was also gratifying to feel the spirit of the Lord so strongly in one whom He has called.

ETA:

Today, we were instructed by Elder Carlson, of the Seventy.

He instructed us on the essentials of helping our children stay strong in the Gospel and how the ages of 12 to 22 are so crucial to the development of spiritual foundations.

These are the things he said:

If we are going to raise spiritually strong children, we must, teach them:

1. To pray -- as a family, as individuals, out loud and for each other by name.
2. About Chirst -- about His Birth, His Life, His Mission, and most of all about the Atonement -- and that the Atonement allows us to be rescued from death, both physically and spiritually.
3. The Significance of the Sacrament -- that we should partake in remembrance of the Savior -- His body and His blood, about His very "personal" sacrifice (that He would have made the same Atonement if He were making it just for one person or for billions), and that we should be making our sacrifice in return...laying our sins upon the altar where the sacrament is blessed, and that it should be a spiritual experience each time we partake.
4. About the importance of Joseph Smith and of living prophets today.
5. About the importance of the scriptures -- while the stories and pictures are nice additions, we should be reading the actual scriptures to our children (of all ages).
6. About the significance of the restoration of the Priesthood.
7. About the importance of honoring our mother and our father.
8. About the importance of being worthy to go on a mission.
9. About the importance of being worthy to go to the temple.
10. About the blessings of paying tithing.
11. About the blessings of obeying the Word of Wisdom.
12. About the value of education.

It was such inspired counsel and I feel blessed to have been present for it.

She's Back

Well...does she look any different? Older? Wiser?



Mikayla came home full of stories of all the fun she had at girl's camp. I am so happy for her. She said it was the best time...she really enjoyed all the activities and is currently regaling us with all the songs she learned at camp. (Fun for us.)

Really...I'm glad that she had such a good time. Better yet, she also had many spiritual experiences that really helped her get a grasp on her own personal testimony and I am most grateful for that.

I think she is really at an age where she is figuring out what is most important, and I know that while her Dad and I still have a lot of influence on her, she is being influenced by other people and in other ways, and I am just so glad that she has set herself on a good path.

If camp helps her walk that path with a little more confidence, then I can't ask for more than that.

Warning: Patheic Mom Alert

Well...I knew the day would come...but I wasn't prepared for it to come so soon.

My firstborn has gone away to her first sleep away camp (Girl's Camp) and I am so unprepared for how much I miss her.

Oh my gosh. Why didn't someone tell me it would be this hard to watch her grow up and get big?

ack.

Seriously. I know she is having a great time. And I know she is in good hands. And I KNOW she doesn't miss me at all.

But, none of that stuff makes me feel any better. And frankly, I can't believe I even feel this way.

Sheesh. I miss my baby.

Love at Home

Tonight was the adult session of stake conference and I have to say, once again, that I really enjoy this session. It is just such a nice chance to listen to people talk about the Gospel without distraction.

There were many things I really enjoyed about this evening's talks...but the one thing that really stood out to me was one speaker, a General Authority, who said that if you want to teach your children to respect and obey their mother, you, as their father MUST treat their mother with respect.

I always enjoy it when Church leaders admonish the men to treat their wives well...and as much I enjoyed this (and of course was wishing Troy was there to hear it)...it was a good reminder that both parents need to respect each other and treat each other with the kind of courtesy and love that they would want their children to emulate.

Sometimes, in the craziness of life, we can get casual in the way we treat each other...and it just reminded me how much I love Troy...and what a good father he is...and how much I want my children to love and respect him.

So, I am going to work a little harder to make sure I have a really loving attitude...and hopefully the children will have a desire to do the same.

I miss you honey. Hope you are safe.

To Blog or Not To Blog?

I have this "funny" little story to tell you about Josh and something that happened at church on Sunday...but I can't because I am afraid that someone would be offended.

It isn't gossipy...nor mean at all...but someone's actions had, I think, unintended consequences for Josh...and I think they might feel bad if they found out.

So...I can't tell the story.

But, why am I telling you about this story that I can't tell you?

Because I'm mean?

No, really...because I am wondering if anyone else finds themselves censoring what they blog about.

I have encountered this problem numerous times in the recent past...and I wonder, what do you do?

Freakin?

So, I think Becky has decided to skip childhood and go right to teenager.

I mean, I know she's four...but she has started talking like she's fourteen.

Case in point?

We were driving in the car yesterday and she anxiously says, "Mom, are you driving me to school?"

"Yeah."

"Oh good. Cause you are FREAKIN' me out."

Seriously?

And, finally, some photos.

36/365 (2/5) You Can Drive My Car



Every Tuesday and Thursday morning Becky goes to preschool. She really enjoys getting out of the house and learning new things. She is the only girl in a class of nine, and already the little mother. She makes sure that they know what they are supposed to be doing, and clucks along side them as they do it. Where does she get that from?

35/365 (2/4) New Beginnings



Every time we go to one of these events, I come home feeling like time is speeding by...and I just wish it would slow down a little. Mikayla fits right in among these beautiful young women. **big sigh**

34/365 (2/3) Read To Me



Troy is such a hands on Dad and the kids just adore him. They each clamor for his attention after he comes home from work (which I am sure he loves!), and revel in the time they get to spend with him. They are so blessed to have such a wonderful father.

33/365 (2/2) Freedom



Oh, that Katie. There is nothing she likes more than being naked, and whenever she gets her diaper off, she runs as far and as fast as she can. Sweet, sweet freedom.

32/365 (2/1) The Dread Socks



One of the worst chores in our house is to mate the socks. Do you know how many socks eight people wear each week? This is such a big job no one wants to do it! Especially not me! So we put off until Troy goes crazy because he's late for work and doesn't have any socks. Sheesh. Hasn't he ever seen Miami Vice?

31/365 Undefeated



Mikayla has started playing basketball for the team at Church. She has never played before, and she's really got some grace and hustle out on the court. Her team remains undefeated! (Nevermind that they have never played an ACTUAL game before...or that all the teams that they have played against have had to forfeit...a win is a win!)


30/365 All Hail The Queen of Catan



Playing Catan is a pretty fun way to pass the evening. But, winning at Catan is an even better way! No, really, just hanging out with our friends is reason enough.

Be Still

I cannot believe how quickly this week went by. It has been non-stop.

But I have my last three photos of the week.

9/365 "Sick" Day



Joe got sick at school today. Poor guy. So, I went to get him and brought him home so he could lay down. Well, after a couple of hours rest, he wondered if it would be okay if he played video games, because it didn't require too much effort. LOL! Notice the blanket...his one concession to being "sick."

10/365 Fun and Games



We love getting together with our friends and playing games. Friday night we had the Taylors and the Kunz over and played Rock Band. Saturday night was the Hobbs and it was Dance Dance Revolution (that's DDR to you), and a rousing game of Puerto Rico. I don't what we would do without our friends. They are the best!

11/365 Sunday Dinner



We don't get to eat dinner together very often. Most nights Troy is still at work when we eat, so we really look forward to Sunday dinner. We are all together, we have a nice meal, and we get to visit with each other about our day and the week to come. And, it never hurts when dinner is a family favorite, like scones.

Sunday Musings

On a side note, today was church by the Beatty's. I spoke during sacrament meeting, Troy played the organ, then he went on teach primary music for the next two hours, and I taught third hour in Young Women's.

Ironically, my assigned topic was reverence, and it was an incredibly difficult topic to speak on. But it was a very rewarding course of study.

It really reminded me that I need to do I can to give my children opportunities to feel the spirit, so that they will learn to recognize when they are seeing the Lord's hand in their lives.

I think I would do well to provide a little more stillness, and a few more quiet moments, so that we all can learn to recognize the Holy Ghost. I know that as we have these quiet experiences, we will gain wisdom and understanding and be able to have these experiences even when it isn't so still.

Today was an especially spititual day for all us because we came to church fasting for our sweet nephew Lucas. He is one sick little boy, and we continue to pray for his speedy recovery.

Better Than I Was

8/365 Enrichment



I love enrichment. I always have. Ulitmately, no matter what the evening is like, I go because I love these women...and knowing them makes me better.

It's A GOOD Thing

So, I am doing okay taking the photos for Project 365, but finding the time to post them has been the problem. So, here's two.

4/365 9 a.m. church



Does this happy little face need any explanation? It was tough to get up early and get ready for 9 am church, but everyone was so happy to go, come home, and still have the entire day ahead of us. And having church come BEFORE nap time, rather than DURING nap time is a GOOD thing.

5/365 "Rest" Day Off



The one thing I really love about Troy's job is that he gets every other Monday off, as a "rest" day. But, rarely does he get to rest. He invariably has to check his e-mail, answer phones calls, and of course, travel. But, it's still really nice to have him home every now again.

Wait For It

So, after planning activities at church for years now...I got released today.

I am both happy and sad.

Activities are a lot of work...but it is work that I enjoy it and I feel like, most of the time, I pull off a fairly good activity.

So, it really was sort of a comfort zone for me.

And today I got pulled out of that comfort zone...WAY OUT!

I got called to the Young Women's Program and I will be working with girls 16 to 18.

I find this to be a new and exciting challenge, but a terrifying one as well.

I did not have a good experience in young women...I was baptized at age 16 and never really fit in with the girls at church...and the leaders were awful. The girls at church thought the leaders were the bees knees, but they treated me pretty poorly.

Now, I am the leader! yikes.

I already have a real love for these girls, and I am SUPER excited to be working with them...I just wish it didn't feel so intimidating.

So, I worked hard on my lesson, came up with a really great object lesson, which I also worked really hard on, dressed with care and made my way to church.

Well, there's nothing like walking into church with your skirt tucked into your underwear to shoot your confidence all to heck.

**big sigh**

I guess there's no where to go but up. Right?

tag, again?!?!

Well, life has calmed down considerably.

Enrichment is over. phew.

And I don't have to do again until January!!!! YAY!

But, I thought it went really well. We had such a good turn out.

I think that most of the sisters had a good experience.

It is always such a struggle for me to find ways to touch everyone, but it's unrealistic to expect that I will.

So, I am just happy that some felt the spirit.

For me, at least, working on the enrichment helped me to feel a greater love for the women at church, and I feel blessed to have had that experience.

Now, for the tag.

Troy's niece Mariann tagged me...luckily, this one isn't too bad.

Name 7 things you love.

I guess if I named each member of my family that would take up all my answers, so I will be good and just count them as one thing.

So, in no particular order:

1. My family - both near and far
2. My friends - I couldn't make it so far from my family without them!
3. My computer - sad but true. Scrapping makes me happy, as does blogging.
4. My Savior - I know that I could not feel so peaceful in this crazy world without Him.
5. Coke Zero - Really, does this one even need an explanation?
6. Chocolate - ditto.
7. My home - it's getting colder, and I feel really greatful that we have a nice place to live, enough food to feed our family, and enough to pay our bills. What more could I ask for?

As for the tag...wait for it...

Amy, Robin, Jolinda, Maralee, Kirsten, Christine, Hilary (hehe)

Perfection Pending

Well, Troy is jet-setting around the world again.

And, I will have you know that we weren't just on time to church today, we were early.

So, I think that leads clearly to the conclusion that it really is Troy slowing us down on Sundays.

But, I would rather be late to church and have him with us, than be on time by myself!

And, on a semi-related note, I have started to attend the Gospel Essentials class (the basic Sunday School for newer or non-members of the church)...mostly because I can take Katie with me and no one seems to mind if she is noisy (which she usually is).

So, in addition to actually being able to go to class with my own personal noise maker, I have also been able to enjoy some of the most spiritual Sunday School lessons I can remember.

It is so funny to me that I should find so much powerful doctrine, really essential to my eternal salvation, in this class called Gospel Essentials, as opposed to the one entitled Gospel Doctrine.

Now, don't get me wrong, I always enjoy going to Gospel Doctrine, but what I have found missing in that class, as well as in Relief Society, is the opportunity to talk not only about WHAT we are supposed to do, but really HOW we are supposed to do it.

I don't know why there is an assumption that if we are lifelong members of the Church that we might have any better understanding of how to do things than newer members of the chuch.

I think most people struggle, at one time or another, and everyone has personal hills and valleys in their spirituality, but we don't talk about it.

I don't know if it's because we are afraid of how it might make us look to others, but I guess I just never had that fear.

I am a spirtual person. I have a testimony. But I still struggle with my spirituality and find I have ups and downs. But I think admitting this violates some unspoken rule in the church that we are supposed to be perfect and have it all down right now.

Frankly, in my book, that's a bunch of crap...because if we had it all down, if we were all as perfect as we really seem, well then, we wouldn't need to be here, now would we?

Oh...apparently, I have gotten out the soap box again...okay...let me climb down, and just say that I am really enjoying Gospel Essentials and I guess I will just have to be happy with the knowledge that I have finally found the benefit of having a noisy little daughter at church.