We are trying to encourage our kids to have a more positive outlook on Fast-Sunday (What's fast Sunday? Click here and find out.) so instead of the "What?-But-I-already-poured-a-bowl-of-cereal" dilemma that we love, we have a late snack the night before and talk about things we can fast for. Tonight's snack... Scones with honey butter and strawberry jam. Nothing left on these plates!
One of my favorite conference quotes all cutesied up thanks to Rhonna Designs App! The thing I love about this phrase is the actuality that the gospel really does make me feel so free. It's funny that something that has so many rules and commandments and guidelines can feel so liberating as opposed to restrictive and binding. I absolutely love how being part of the LDS church makes me feel.
With his baptism around the corner, and a friends baptism invitation that came in the mail, Carson asked when we were going to send his baptism invitations! I hadn't done any kind of formal invitation for my other two kids but they didn't ask so I decided to grab my camera phone while Carson put on his suit (his sister tying his tie) and we headed to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We were there less than 5 minutes. The grounds were closed, being a Monday, so we took them just outside the gates and absolutely love how they turned out! (Which completely bums me out that I didn't take pics of my other two!!) Best 5 minutes ever spent. Carson was a hoot! (Whoa... I just said hoot... I must be getting old...) he had all sorts of ideas about how to pose and smile. We may have to make it an annual thing. Here are the results:
This adorable cinch pack was made from a handkerchief purchased at Hobby Lobby for $1.00. I cut 5 inches off one end and attached it to the sides (and used the leftover square to make a little tag they could write their names on!) I'm so proud of how it turned out!! The paracord is crimped because I cut apart my sons bracelet for the straps. I may be making a bunch more for girls camp so I wanted a cheap, but cute way the girls could tote their book, water bottle and sunscreen around!
This is an open pack view to show how the cord winds around under a sheer ribbon. You can also see the seam where I joined the 5inch strip. The strip is centered on the back of the pack (inside) that runs along the spine. Using a hanky saved me from stay-stitching and a top hem! This project took me an hour from idea to execution. (Including a trial run with wrapping paper!) I think if I get an assembly line, and my mom, getting 30 done in 3 hours is entirely possible! (Although purchasing a bunch would save the three hours but double the price.)
But, I love how it turned out! And so do my kids... They're all begging for their own now!
Following up with last Thursdays Relief society lesson/activity, I did the same lesson for FHE with my kiddos tonight. They loved it and even came up with their own parables to the armor of god analogy. I love coming up with parallels and so do they. Now... How long do we hold on to cardboard dress-ups...
I love that the boys have to be serious and Ash is just grinning away! She worked the hardest on her stuff and was so proud of how it all turned out!
Aj likes his breastplate better backwards.... Not really sure why.
We all love conference. Well, that's not exactly true... I love conference. It is like when you go to a really good sacrament meeting, or funeral service, that you just don't want to end, and it happens 4 times in 2 days!! 8 hours of enriching, enlightening, spiritual elevation! Some may think it is a little long... And I don't think I could ever sit through it in a dress (or in a church building). But when I'm home in my pjs with my popcorn, diet coke and a notebook, I'm in heaven.
They actually stayed awake most of the time, but it was too great not to snap a shot. Carson cracks me up... He was petting the cat and fell asleep mid stroke.
I love this friend and neighbor of mine. Jeanine is what everyone hopes to be: Vibrant, fun, and enjoyable to be around. We were at the same table at our relief society activity tonight and she dove right in to her cardboard & duct tape, ready to create her "armor of god" masterpiece. I'm still working on mine and hope to post a picture when the kids have made theirs too. It was a fun activity and lesson on what the armor of god really is and how it can protect us in our lives. Can't wait to share lesson with the kids for FHE!
February 28-March 1
Heber Vallley Camp
I was asked to be an adult supervisor at our wards youth conference. I had a hard time containing my excitement to accept the opportunity. I was a little nervous because I only had a month notice. But when I realized the only thing they "needed" (loosely used) me to do, other then be an adult presence, was to help with one of the workshops on Saturday morning. (Mindi, the YW pres, and I put together electrical circuit kits containing a battery, a light bulb, and simple objects that could possibly lengthen the circuit. We compared the electrical path to our path on earth and the faith we need to get to the celestial kingdom...aka, the lightbulb. Some things on our path are a necessity in getting there, scriptures/battery, prayer/copper wiring. But, there were some obvious items in the kit that didn't work that represented the distractions that Satan places in our lives. Some distractions are subtle, and don't conduct electricity, like a non-electric magnet/some choices, but others are obviously a bad choice, like candy/drugs etc...anyway, it was Mindi's idea and it turned out really well!) I love being around the youth of our church. They have so much vigor! It brings back great memories of my youth, and the awesome leaders that I had, and I want to be to these kids, what my leaders were to me. They are at such a vulnerable stage of life. The decisions they are making will shape the rest of their lives! I hope and pray that they know how amazing each of them are and how much they are loved. It's crazy how much I love them after this one experience with them. They are so strong. I loved watching them buoy each other up and help each other out. Just being around them strengthens me and my testimony!
Now I'm even more excited than ever about girls camp!
(I'm ward camp director!!)
The downside to the date of the Youth Conference was that I missed my niece's Baptism:( I'm glad Bj was home and able to take the kids. They said it was awesome and that Calla looked adorable!
We woke up this morning to a fresh clean blanket of white snow covering as far as we could see. We knew it would be an early morning because one of Ashlyn's best friends was getting baptized! Chloe, Ashlyn's daily escape, had even asked her to join her in singing, "Baptism" at the meeting. Ashlyn agreed and practiced whole-heartily. As she practiced I couldn't help but hope Katie, Chloe's mom, had a back-up plan since the last time Ashlyn attempted a public performance she popped her pointer fingers in her mouth, bowed her head and swiveled her hips in a nervous fashion.
Each time she ran through the song I gave her the, "what-if's": what if you forget the words, what if the pianist messes up, what if Chloe stops singing... looking back, it was probably a negative approach, but I was nervous for her! When we got to the church they ran through it once. She held a program and found her spot. When the time came for her to sing I almost had to put my foot in her back to dislodge her from the pew, but she managed to get up, reverently walk up to the pulpit, and join Chloe in their song. They had a rough start- it's hard to sing with a smile that big- but ended up singing all three verses beautifully! I was so proud!! I love baptisms. I Especially love to watch the children enter into the water and unabashedly grin from ear to ear. Chloe seemed to have an even bigger smile than I've ever seen on her always smiling face. We were so glad that we could be part of her special event.
Sometimes I look at this amazing young man and can't believe he's mine. I mean, really... It's like an out-of-body experience. Not because he's twelve and I'm too young for a 12 year old (wink, wink), and not because he doesn't look a thing like me, (?) but because I am in utter, confounding, mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, AWE of the person he is becoming. The hyperactivity, I can see (as can anyone who knew me as a child...teen... Ok, as anyone who KNOWS me can see) but because he is so full of expressive emotion; He is so smart; and his imagination can comprehend just about any scenario. He is truly an amazing young man. I love spending time with him and listening to him talk about his ideas and dreams.
This kid is going somewhere.
Today he went to church and was ordained to the office of a Deacon in the Aaronic priesthood, of our church.
Another reason this kid is going somewhere is because not only does he have parents that would do absolutely anything for him, but his extended support group is HUGE, and love him so much! This group is only about 1/8th of his main supporters. (Others are on vacation, tending to sick kids, or couldn't come for whatever reason).
We love our family.
So
So
So
Much
Although my parents couldn't make it, my mom planned ahead and had Carrie deliver this gift to AJ. Who isn't bound to succeed when as a "gift" his grandparents tell him to get a recommend and they will take him on an overnight temple trip to his choice of Utah based temples? Just AJ, Grandma, Grandpa, and a heart full of love.
He is so blessed.
So
So
So
Blessed.
I love how my kids pretend not to be excited about their first day of school. Then, when I tuck them in their bed the night before, I have to step over the outfits they're planning on wearing in the morning.
Happy first day, my lovelies.
AJ, 6th, Mr. Yates
Ash, 4th, Mrs. Finlay
Cars, 2nd, Mrs. Fullmer
One of my favorite back-to-school traditions is the fathers blessings they get from their dad. His words are so tender and the kids really listen. I remember the same moments as a child myself and know it will have a big impact on their lives.
I should have done a pic of me with them because its my first day too! I'm at a different school this year, but I knew I wouldn't be spoiled enough to stay at the same school as my children for longer than the two years that I had. Being an interpreter is ideal!
My kids are actually counting down to conference! What kid wouldn't be excited with this smorgasbord of temptations tantalizing them? Hopefully they'll hear more than key words... maybe i'll hear more message and less background noise.
Thanks for the idea, Pinterest.
I am OCD about deleting stuff I want to find later... Maybe this way i'll be able to find my notes from tonight's meeting!
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John Bytheway fireside notes:
By small and simple things...
We can achieve great things at home.
The secret ingredient in a happy home is kindness, (not kind tasks)
Our children have been placed in our orbit for a reason.
Having the spirit in your home helps you grow and change
D&C 121-123 written from liberty jail
Mosiah 27 the angel comes to alma... Then the same angel comes again in alma 8
People don't change people. People change themselves or are changed by the Holy Ghost -Gerald Lund
Problems in the ward (marriages)
-Inability to forgive
-lack of expressions of love
-lack of priesthood leadership
"Criticism is extremely toxic to the human spirit. It is more likely to kill the desire for change than inspire it."-Gerald Lund
Most if my problems in life I either married or gave birth to. -Virginia Hinkley Pierce
Joni Hilton Blog?
Clarify expectations. Let him know what I need from him as far as leading the family. Sometimes I just need his support.
Julie b beck sang love at home as opening song every week. She finally asked, "why?" Dad said "when you learn lesson 1 I will teach lesson 2". They never learned lesson 2 but they love each other.
😍
Book: you just don't understand by Deborah tannen. : men talk for information women talk for interaction. 👍
Men look for exits.
Be specific in requests giving a time when help is needed and a time frame he is needed for.
"Why men don't listen and women can't read maps" by Barbara and Allan Peace
D&C 108:7
Which one feels better?
Appreciate
Expect
Demand
Johns brother in law talked to his mother in law about his wife (her daughter) while his little sister (divorced 3 times) cried. When they asked what was wrong she said,
"I'm just wondering what it would feel like to have my husband talk about me like that"
"I'm going to be delightful" (cruise couple) I want my spouse to love to be with me.
Love languages dr Gary Chapman
Quality time
Words of affirmation
Gifts
Acts of service
Physical touch
"His needs, her needs" Robert Harley (?)
Treat a man as he is and he will always be as he is. Treat a man as he can and would be..👍
"Mamas Romance night" woman organized a night where women talked about how to strengthen their marriage.
Those In a covenant marriage give 100%
A man brought his daughter before Jesus and asked him to put his hands on her and she would live.
Whatever Jesus lays his hands upon, lives. If Jesus lays his hands on a marraige, it lives.
A [gold medal] is a wonderful thing. If you're not enough without it, you'll never be enough with it.
You're enough
(FHE IDEA: Write everything others think about you...Other side, write what god thinks of you...Who will you believe?)
