Women's Conference

I haven't been to Women's Conference at BYU for ages.  The last time I remember going was with my friends from Hooper and I didn't sign up for the Conference...I just went to be with my friends.  The reason for that is the time before that I felt trapped by all the women...everyone was so close to me and in my space and I couldn't get out from the crowd quick enough.  That happened in the Marriot Center where everyone met.  I should have left early or waited for the crowd to lessen.  Anyway I had no plans of ever going again plus it is always on Justin's birthday (which doesn't really matter since he got married), but when Jodi invited me to go I couldn't say no.  Jodi was going with some ladies from her ward and one couldn't go and so Jodi asked me.  It was wonderful!

Even the driving there and back was great and went quick.  Visiting is always fun.  The only thing I regret is some of the things I said on the drive home.  I should have just said that sometimes I am not really "real" around some people.  But...NO... I went on and on about someone who is just funny and fake.  I've repented of doing this before and had to repent again.  I really don't usually talk about others and especially not to make them look bad but there I was doing it....and right after a few days of being uplifted.  I know better and I feel bad.  It just proves that we are all vulnerable at times in our lives....and that Heavenly Father will and does forgive us over and over for our mistakes even when they are the same one's over and over.  I did end by saying this person had some great kids and so she did a good job as a mom. (like that could begin to make up for the other stuff said)  I just like "REAL"....in fact....I love "REAL".

The theme this year was: "...my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord..." (2 Nephi 11:5) Before I realized that I mentioned to Jodi that "covenants" was brought up a lot.  She laughed and told me that was because it was part of the theme.  haha ☺  I had just taught my primary class about covenants and thought that was pretty cool too. Some of the things the spirit told me were: Get back to the Temple.  I have been going weekly until I got a yucky cough and didn't want to have a coughing attack in the temple.  This week I am going back.  I think I really only missed a week but maybe two. (I got wondering if satan had anything to do with me getting sick because seriously I usually don't get sick) Family History....I need to start playing on the computer and finding my ancestors! Jared was asking me about Trichelle's new baby that will be here in August.  Jared is concerned who he will be sealed to.  Ivy and Zaden were born under the sealing of Trichelle and Daniel but that sealing has now been cancelled and so he was wondering about the new baby.  I got thinking about our ancestors and how there are some that get lost in crazy situations just like this.  I'm not too concerned about our new baby...things will work out for Trichelle, TJ and Baby and their kids.  Look at my Patriarchal Blessing through New Eyes.  My blessing has always scared me and wasn't really a comfort to me up to this point of my life.  However just thinking about looking at it with New Eyes has changed my perspective on it.  If it wouldn't have scared me I probably wouldn't be where I am at this point in my life. (I like where I am)  Scaring me to choose the right and stay far from places I shouldn't be ended up be a really good thing.  I'm excited to read it with New Eyes and to focus on all the blessings instead of the warnings.  Look for more ways to Serve. Service is essential in becoming closer to our Savior.  Christ's life was the best example of service.  I'm going to watch for more opportunities to serve. Remember.  Over and over I heard the word remember.  I think it's because I often forget.  I am going to work on remembering who I am and what my purpose is.

I enjoyed all the ladies from Jodi's ward.  There were a few groups of them.  I was happy to bump into a few ladies that I know.  Kara saw me in a class and came and sat by me.  Kara is in my ward and it totally made my day to have her see me and sit by me.  Cindy Hill also saw me and called out my name.  She was sitting behind us in the Marriot Center (what are the chances of that?)  It was great giving her a hug.  She told me that her first time to attend Women's Conference was with me when I lived in Roy.  Cindy now travels from Colorado to attend.  We met a few very kind women who "jumped" our car since the battery died.  They were so nice that they offered to let us use their "spare" car if we needed.  That right there proves there are very good people in this world....we were just lucky and met a few of them.

I'm going to list a few thoughts that I wrote down that stood out to me while I reviewed my notes.
*We ain't what we should be and we ain't what we  gonna be, but thank God, we ain't what we was.
*Our covenants are a Gift from God....Christmas everyday.
*Angels are very Alive and not thrilled about being called Dead!
*The Highest Compliment is to be called a Covenant Keeper.
*We are Enough...Just the way we Are!
*Remember, God is the Center of the Universe...Not Us!
*Women are placed here on Earth to Guard the Home.
*We need to be in the Temple.  As we touch the Temple, the Temple will touch us.
*We need to find a way to serve.  When we serve we feel better. Service make us Happy.
*The temple garment is like taking part of the Temple home with us.
*Obedience is a Joy not a burden.
*Be Generous in how we Keep our Covenants.
*Use Your Oil to Bring Light to Others.
*Let's Procrastinate Later.
*Don't leave your "Strong Hold" even for a minute.
*The Road to the Sacrament Table is the Path to Safety!
*Adversity in a way is a Gift.
*At some point Hope has to Grow Up and that is when Faith is Born.
*You can have a wonderful life but you have to decide which trade offs to make.
*What's right for one might not be right for another, we can all be kinder to others circumstances.
*We Need to Be God's Disciples.  We didn't have to do anything to be His child but Discipleship is a Choice.
*Ask God...Not Google!

Food 4 Thought Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday!

A little feast without the calories!!

Feel free to play along for some yummy fun! Go HERE to JOIN IN!!! 

Food 4 Thought Friday ~ This week's questions: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ 
   
Breakfast ~ Who was your favorite celebrity as a child? I loved Burt Reynolds but that was when I was a teenager.  I thought he was so cute.  I also thought Larry kind of looked like him when we met.
Lunch ~  Are you a morning or night person? For most of my life I would say a night person.  However, these days I get tired at least when I am home and am not worth much at night.  I never would have considered myself a real morning person but now I really prefer mornings.  I get most my work done in the morning and like to get up and going because when I do I feel better the rest of the day.
Dinner ~ If you were invisible, where would you go? Hmmmmm....I guess I would probably spy on others.  I would also need transport powers to get around quickly because I'm sure once I spied on someone more people would come to my mind that I would enjoy spying on. When I was younger I loved laying in our back yard at night and watching my mom through the kitchen window...she had no idea we were watching and it was funny to just watch her expressions.  I think of that now when my windows are open in the evenings.
Midnight Snack ~ Name one thing you are looking forward to right now and one thing you are not looking forward to at all.  I am very excited that we are getting another grand in August.  I love meeting each new little one and can hardly wait for each their births.  Right now I know I need to call the dentist and have a tooth fixed (I think one broke a little) and I am not looking forward to that at all but have but it off too long already.
Recipe of the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)  Be Grateful for the Moments Right Now.  Enjoy the present and find all the good in each and every day.

Kamryn is 7

I love this little cutie!  Kamryn is growing up so fast. She is in first grade at Freedom Elementary in the Spanish Immersion Program.  She's a smartie and loves school.  Kamryn is good at gymnastics and can do awesome back hand springs.  She is also a really good dancer and loves to play soccer.  I think she just likes doing everything.  Kam is a really awesome big sister to Jordyn.  She takes really good care of Jordyn and loves being the big sister and having a little sister...they are best friends.  This little ones adds so much delight to our family.  She's spunky and full of life!  I'm so thankful that she is ours!

Justin is 32

At this point in my kids life I have to take a second and think about  their age.  I feel like saying "15"...it's weird to acknowledge the actual age because it doesn't seem like that could even be possible.  Justin is an awesome son and a fabulous husband and daddy.  Justin has always been a hard worker and continues to be as he provides for his family.  He loves serving the Lord and the people around him.  He has such a kind heart.  Justin has always been the kind of kid that would give everything he has to someone else if he thought it would make them happy.  He's funny and witty and tender and talented and kind and adventurous and pretty much wonderful!  I'm very blessed to have him for my son.  Kid's are such a blessing and my kids have truly made me a better person!  I love Justin! ♥

Recipes

Stuffed Burger Bundles....

Ingredients:
Box of Stuffing Mix
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1 lb ground beef
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 TBS Ketchup

Directions
Prepare stuffing according to pkg directions
Combine evaporated milk and meat; divide into 5 patties
Pat each pattie into a 6 inch circle
Put 1/4/ cup stuffing in the center of each and bring meat up around the stuffing.
Place in casserole dish or cake pan
Combine remaining ingredients and pour over meat
Bake, uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes.

 Brownies for a Crowd....
Mix together: 3 cup sugar, 1 cup + 2 TBL cocoa
Melt and add: 1 cup minus 2 TBL shortening
Add and mix: 6 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla
Add: 2 3/4 cup flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt.
* opt...1 cup nuts
Spread in a 11x17 jelly roll pan
Bake at 300 for 30-35 min.  Don't over bake! Makes about 40

About Me

One thing that not many people would know about me is that I once played the Clarinet and the Tenor Saxophone.  It was back in Junior High School.  I remember being tested to see which instrument I would be good at and I was told that I should play the flute.  However, my mom found a clarinet and so that is what I played.

I loved playing the clarinet and I loved band and the kids in the class.  I was also very good.  I liked to practice and was very competitive about where I sat.  I usually sat in the first chair and that is where I liked being.  Mr. May was our teacher and I loved him.  He was so good with kids and knew how to push and encourage us in all area's of life.  He was also  good looking which made me want  to go to class and be good.  I think of all the teachers I ever had Mr. May was my favorite and taught me the most.

In the summer I would go to beginning summer band and try a new instrument.  I remember trying the tuba one year and it about shook my face off.  It was not my favorite instrument but I could play it.  In ninth grade I wanted to be in the Stage Band because they played really fun music and got to compete with other schools.  Clarinets aren't usually in a Stage Band and so Mallory (played the flute) and I played the tenor saxophones.  We were able to borrow the schools and I really enjoyed playing it.  The fingering is so close to the clarinet and the flute that we were both able to play it.  I remember carrying that big thing home and back to school.  Mr. May saw me one time and decided that he would give me and a few other kids a ride.  We practiced before school and so it was nice to have a ride. I really enjoyed band and playing both the clarinet and the saxophone.  My favorite music on the clarinet was Sleigh Ride...I liked playing 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago with the stage band.  Fun Memories!

I continued to play in High School but only my first year.  It wasn't fun anymore.  I never had to practice to hold my first seat position and I didn't care for the Band Director.  My mom sold my clarinet to the neighbor across and the street and I loved listening to her play....she was good too!  

At this point in my life I wish I hadn't quit.  I tried playing years ago when one of our young women brought her clarinet over for me to try.  I couldn't remember the fingering anymore when I looked at the music.  I wish I would have learned to play the flute and the piano too.  I think music might be one of my hidden talents that I might have buried.  Maybe someday I will dig it up and up and try again. Playing these instruments and being in the band moved my soul.

Count Your Blessings

There is so much in our life to be thankful for~yet, so often our focus is on our hardship and trials.  By taking time each week to focus on our blessings I know we will notice a positive change in our lives.  Even in our trials there are blessing....we need to look for them.

 One blessing I am grateful for today.  The internet.  This last week the weather has been crazy which messes with the internet connection.  I like being connected and being able to search the internet.  You don't realize how much you like something until you can't get it.

An experience I have had that was a blessing to me. Being with my dad when he took his last breath is a blessing to me.  Because my life is so busy I am the child that isn't always at my parents and I was afraid I would be the only one not there when he passed.  I slept at my mom's and cancelled most things so that wouldn't happen.  I feel very blessed to have been standing by my daddy's side when he passed.  It's a serene, peaceful experience.  I was also with my sister and her hubby when he passed.


One Gospel Principle that is a blessing to me.  Repentance.  We all need it and I am thankful that each day throughout the day I can repent and be clean and pure again....over and over!

Something I have done to bless another. This week I paid for a strangers meal.  I hope it made his day as much as it made mine.  Larry and I also cleaned out Sandy's room at the nursing home.  It was Larry's idea and I was blessed by being a part of it.  I know the family appreciated us for doing it.

Who was a blessing to me this week? Jim Swearingen.  With everything Jim has on his plate right now he continues to smile and be happy.  He told us last night that he truly feels that way inside as well.  He's optimistic and grateful for everything that he has.  His example makes me more aware of the "little" things that are really "big" things.