Fiddling at the State Fair

Dylan and Kate competed on their fiddles at the State Fair back in September.

This was one of those days that I just looked at my kids and thought,

"Wow, these little people I am raising are awesome."

Somehow they just seemed really big to me.

I am amazed at how quickly time goes by and how much they change each year.

I can't believe that I am lucky enough to be their mother.

They have such amazing spirits.

I thank Heavenly Father Daily for knowing them.

Kate looked so cute and "country" and I was eating up her toothless smile.

She handles pressure pretty great, which is so weird because she is super shy.

She must get it from her dad because she does not crack under pressure.

The kids have been playing the violin for about 8 months now. They are improving so much.

I love having music in my home. Even if some days it takes all my energy

just to convince them to practice. They are both naturally gifted and it is 

exhausting trying to convince them of this.

I have two pretty great musicians.

My dad drove 3 hours just to come and support them and they loved having him there.

This picture makes me smile.

Kate has flawless skin and a cute little scowl.

I wonder what she was thinking.

Dylan is huge.

His hands are bigger than mine now, and his feet are too.

He is such a nice, energetic kid. He has a great heart.

The other day Sawyer said to Scott and I,

My name is Sausage and I like to eat my name.

This made us laugh like crazy.

It is extra funny hearing him say it with a lisp.

We call him Sauce still.

Wyatt is turning from a baby into a little boy.

This makes his mom sort of sad.

We call him Wiggy, Wiggles, Wart, Warthog and NAUGHTY.

Really Naughty.

I'm wearing a bruise to prove it.

Kate and Dylan didn't place in the Family Category, but they did make some money

and have a great experience.

Kate took 3rd place in her age group.

 

Scott and I were pretty proud.

I think Dylan was a little discouraged that they didn't win first place.

It is pretty heartbreaking watching your child be disappointed in himself.

But.

Boy.

Oh.

Boy.

I was so proud of them.

And then we celebrated.

They begged me to let them ride this swing.

I finally gave in after telling them that they would probably die.

Dylan looking scared and woozy at the end of the ride was the best reward for Me. 

Sometimes I take joy in their pain. 

Just sometimes.

And I will never let them ride this ride again.

Ever.

Ever.

Ever.

Fair rides are so scary.

We had such a great time.

I love spending time with the family.

This picture makes me smile because Scott is so dang cute with his long hair. He had been

begging me to give him a haircut and I kept refusing.

I love my family.

Written On Our Hearts by Emily Freeman & GIVEAWAY!!!

Oh, how I love Emily Freeman's writing.

I am blown away by her ability to "Liken" the scriptures to me.
To you.
To everyone.

I read her books and I think to myself, "Self, you have never thought of it that way before." or "Self, now you get it don't you."





Have you read any of her books before?
*21 Days Closer To Christ
*Love Life and See Good Days

Oh, they are excellent. They make me love the scriptures. I mean, I already love them...but I start to really understand them, and 'listen' to them and then I really LOVE them. This new book has the prettiest cover of any book I have ever seen. It is stunning. When my copy arrived I just stared at it. It is so beautiful.

Written on Our Hearts is a book about Invitations From The Old Testament.
It is so well written. She uses personal testimony and experiences, modern day prophetic council and deep rooted questions, to pull life and meaning from the pages of the Old Testament. It is crafted so beautifully. I was teary eyed at almost every page turn. My heart was softened in such a sweet, delicate way. I have devoured almost every page and I'm so glad that I still have a few more chapters because I don't want it to end. I am sure I will read and re-read this book.

Read Daily Inspiration from Emily on her blog HERE!!!!

I'd love to give one of you a free copy.

GIVEAWAY!!! 

All you have to do is leave a comment Below! Good Luck.

The Doctrine & Covenants - Pearl of Great Price Reading Schedule

I am on to reading The Doctrine & Covenants - Pearl of Great Price, and thought maybe a new reading schedule might help me keep my scripture reading goals. So far following a plan has really helped me!

Feel free to print your own copy and join me!

Print Your Own Copy Here!!!

Consider The Blessings by Thomas S. Monson Review & Giveaway

I am really excited to tell you about a new book by Thomas S. Monson. Do you love hearing the prophet share true stories from his life? I do. For years I've been amazed at his ability to recall specific details and names. He has such a gift for weaving the gospel into his stories and bearing testimony of God's Hand in our Lives.

In this new book, Consider The Blessings , he uses his great ability to teach in parables and through meaningful, spiritual experiences, to share 50 true accounts of God's hand working in his life, and a few stories of God's hand working in other's lives.  I have read nearly every one and I think I have cried reading 90% of them.                                                                                                 

What I love about this book is that the stories are short, well-written and easy to use in a devotional, a church talk, at Family Home Evening, or just sharing with a friend who is in need of some spiritual strength and hope. I have also been inspired to start keeping a better journal. I'm guilty of forgetting just about everything, and I need to start writing down all of the special experiences I have with God's hand working in my life. And there have already been too many to count.

A few of my favorite stories so far have been

• This Morning We're Not Hungry
• You Must Be A Mormon
• A Turning Point
• Keep The Letters Coming
• I Do Not Know How I Can Go On (Try reading this one with a dry eye!)

So how would you like to have a copy of this book? 

(I promise you do!) 

How To ENTER:

Leave a COMMENT ON THIS POST

or

Leave a COMMENT ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE POST HERE

Just find the Post labeled Consider The Blessings Giveaway!

Good Luck Everyone!

30 Day New Testament Reading Schedule

Download New Testament Reading Schedule Here

I finished reading the New Testament. My goal was to finish it in 30 days and complete it right before General Conference started. I didn't reach my goal, but I did finish The New Testament completely, for the first time. It took me 36 days.

Even though I didn't reach my goal, I still finished. And I still gained all the benefits of immersing myself in the scriptures daily. I wonder if we sometimes worry so much about reaching our goal, that we fail to remember that something is better than nothing. Every day I read my scriptures and every day I received spiritual strength. So I encourage you as you use my bookmarks, to not worry so much about how fast you finish the book, or the structure of the way I've set up the reading assignments, and instead focus on reading  and studying everyday, as much as you can. Sometimes I found myself taking hours just to read one chapter. (Like Romans 8)

I kept track of my reading on the bookmark and I also used the back of the bookmark to take notes and write down the scriptures that stuck out to me. There is no rhyme or reason to the madness on the bookmark.  Just little packets of light that stuck out to me and filled me with the spirit.

Some of my favorite parts of my reading were:

• Peter weeping bitterly after he denied the Savior. 
• The Parable of the Sower - this hit me really strongly. (Luke 8)
• Paul recounting the History of his life and his witness to King Agrippa. (The Acts 26)
• Becoming joint-heirs with Christ. (Romans 8)

There were so many small revelations that came to me as I read and really studied this past month. I could go on and on. I'm so grateful for the scriptures and can't wait to read The New Testament again and again.

But now I am off to Read The Doctrine & Covenants in 44 days;) It might take me longer but who cares. Setting a goal helps me actually get in the habit of reading everyday and devouring the Word Of God.

Mother's Who Know Do Less

GREAT TALK FOR ALL MOTHERS

READ HERE

Park City 2013 Getaway At The Hyatt Escala

Scott and I had the opportunity to get away for 5 days in August. Let me just say that although we do feel like it is a priority to get away together, we don't do it very often or for very long. Luckily, Scott's mom was willing to fly into town and hold Grandma Camp for the kids. Scott and I traveled to Park City, UT, which only takes 3 hours in the car. It was so much fun getting away. We hiked a lot. Rented Mountain Bikes, attended the Salt Lake temple, shopped, ate great food, sipped lots of Hot chocolate and went to a movie.

We rented our Mountain Bikes at Cole's Sport and they are my favorite bike rental shop. The prices are reasonable and they get you in and out quickly. We biked for two days. Riding the lift at Park City Resort is so much fun and the trails are fantastic. We were covered in mud from head to toe because it poured rain on us. It made the experience even better because we were freezing and laughing so hard and eating tons of dirt. We left our car at Cole Sport and rode our bikes back to the Hyatt Escala.

I strongly recommend staying at this Resort. The prices were great for this time of year and the suite was amazing. We had so much room. I took a few pictures so you can browse through them a little, but this place was updated and nice. It was very clean, easy to get to, great pool, wonderful hiking, and the bathroom was AWESOME. It is located right next to The Canyon's Resort.

I didn't do dishes or laundry or make a bed or pick up a mess for 5 blissful days. Scott and I are pretty tidy and it reminded me that most of our messes come from the kids.

Spending 5 days with Scott was so beyond wonderful. We were able to do all the things that we love and we took advantage of every second together. Vacationing with your best friend is such a blessing and we appreciated it even more because we don't get to do it very often.

The good news is that the kids missed us and the house was in great shape.
The bad news is that I'm already itching to get away with Scotty.

I.
Love.
Him.

Bloom Where You Are Planted

When I was young, my mother loved Mary Engelbreit. She had cards, books, plates and blankets all with the saying, "Bloom Where You Are Planted."

I never thought much about this saying. I was busy trying to decide how I would become famous. I'm not sure where this thought or idea came from. I just felt that somehow I was destined for greatness.

As I've matured, my definition of greatness has changed. I've realized that I don't need to be famous to be great and that I truly am destined for greatness, just of a different kind than I always anticipated. I've come to understand that my earlier vision of greatness came from seeking the esteem of men. Yes, it's true that as a child, I envisioned myself as a singer on stage, a movie-star, an Olympic gymnast, as the General Relief Society President and saving people from burning buildings and cars.

And why, you ask, did I want to do these things? The answer I'm afraid was so that people would think that I was great. (I would be lying if I didn't admit to still having dreams in the night about doing some of these very things) But, as I ponder the most influential people in my life, I realize that they are just people. Faithful, hardworking neighbors and friends who have served me and loved my family. And to me they are the truest form of great.

Now, I'm not saying that we should not set our sights high, and hope to bless the entire world and share our talents. Even the scriptures teach us that "where there is no vision, the people perish." (Proverbs 29:18) I'm only saying that the Lord measures our successes differently that we do, by small and simple means are great things brought to pass...and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." (Alma 37: 6-8) 

I learned an important lesson last year as I was praying and fasting to help my dear friend Hollie. She lived far away and I wasn't able to visit her in her time of need. She was struggling with the recent birth of her son who had surprisingly been born with down syndrome. Her vision of what her son would be changed in an instant, and she was struggling to find peace and assurance that everything would be okay. As I prayed and fasted fervently on her behalf, the names of two of my neighbors kept coming into my mind. For two days I kept thinking of my neighbors, despite my best efforts to petition the Lord on behalf of my sweet friend Hollie, hundreds of miles away. Finally, I stopped trying to "council the Lord" and instead turned to him and asked how I might be of service to my neighbors? In that instant, the Lord taught me a valuable lesson.

"This is My vineyard and I am the Gardener. I need you to serve where you are. I can help all my children when my servants are faithful in their part of the vineyard."

This impression came to me strongly and I accepted the Lord's proposal. I would serve my neighbors in their time of need and have faith that the Lord would send other's to bless Hollie.

A few days later I spoke to my dear friend on the phone. Through tears of hope, she described to me the outpouring of love and service she had received from many of her neighbors. She felt the Lord's love and confidence in her for this new assignment she had been given.

I marveled that the Lord had answered my prayers through the service of others. I realized that I needed to "Bloom Where I was Planted." I realized that my reach couldn't save all of the hungry children of Africa, or bring the gospel to the Nation of China, but that I could love those around me faithfully, and that I could find contentment and success in simple expressions of faith  and service to my family, my ward and my community.

I'm not sure why I ever wanted to be famous or associated it with greatness. But I do know that we can accomplish great things as we live one day at a time on the Lord's errand.

Doubt your Doubts...Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Oh how I love General Conference. I can't wait for the next session!

Mission Home: New LDS Missionary Resource

I want to tell you about a new tool available for Prospective LDS missionaries. It is called Mission Home and it is an excellent resource for future missionaries. Oh, how I wish this had been available when I was preparing to serve a mission. Of course that was pretty much before we even had the Internet. This could have helped me in so many ways. First of all, did you even know they have an online application for missionaries? What?

Mission Home Website 

Mission Home Facebook Page

And if you look at that book over in the lower right hand side of the picture, you should know that I have read it, and it is WONDERFUL! I wish I had read that years before I served as a missionary. I say buy it for your teenagers NOW.

Look at all the information available in one place.

And as a Returned Sister Missionary, I have been asked this questions hundreds of times. This was a great article and I STRONGLY RECOMMEND it for all Young Women to read. It encourages those willing to serve but also reminds those women who don't feel that serving a mission is for them, that...THAT IS OKAY.

And What could be more important for preparing to Enter The Temple. I still remember going to the temple for the first time. It was February 22, 1997, and I'm so grateful that I remember that day like it was yesterday. There is Nothing like being dressed in white with the people you love surrounding you while you receive the blessings the Lord is waiting to give you.

I hope you find this new page useful. I'm sure it will be getting a LOT of use. I can't wait to hear what our Leaders have to say about the missionary efforts at General Conference. 2 days and counting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And here is the OFFICIAL PRESS release for this new website.

MissionHome.com provides new resources for missionaries and their families

Where you serve is not as important as how you serve.

Salt Lake City, UT (September 17, 2013) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints currently operates over 400 missions with more than 75,000 missionaries serving throughout the world. When the missionary age change was announced in the October 2012 general conference, a new wave of prospective missionaries began preparing for the moment they would receive their call.

After receiving the call, missionaries and families often begin their search for specific information on that mission. Until now, there has not been a centralized site to learn about the culture and people of each mission area.  On October 1^st, 2013 Deseret Book Company will launch an online missionary website, MissionHome.com. MissionHome.com focuses on each phase of missionary service—prepare, serve and return. It includes helpful hints to prospective missionaries including tips for how to pack efficiently and how to prepare to leave as well as inspiring and authentic experiences from former missionaries.  A complete mission directory, created by missionaries who themselves have served in that area, provides information about local customs, food, transportation, safety, and many other insights.

“We saw a way that we could provide a gathering place for missionaries and the families of missionaries to become acquainted with the area where they would be serving as well as provide other unique resources,” said Laurel Christensen Day of Deseret Book Company, “and MissionHome.com was born.”

MissionHome.com is easy to use and provides a library of information for prospective and returning missionaries as well as help to families of those currently serving (a section for senior couples will be coming soon). Familiar LDS authors as well as recently returned missionaries and past mission presidents will be regular contributors to the site. 

In addition to great free content and resources, families will be able to send care packages directly to their missionaries with guaranteed delivery from Deseret Book. Service is available to most missions.

For more information on Mission Home, visit www.missionhome.com.