Women's Conference

I went to the Women's Conference on Saturday, March 2, 2014 with a friend.  I loved it so much and can't wait until my girls are old enough to go with me!  3 years for Norah, and 5 years for Molly.  I was surprised at how many tears I shed.  It was great.

 

I don't know who/where to credit this story, but a friend posted it on facebook and I love it.

The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly a...pplied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. “I love it,” she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. “Mrs. Jones, you haven’t seen the room …. just wait.” “That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” she replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged, it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away, just for this time in my life.” She went on to explain, “Old age is like a bank account, you withdraw from what you’ve put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing.” And with a smile, she said: “Remember the five simple rules to be happy: 1. Free your heart from hatred. 2. Free your mind from worries. 3. Live simply. 4. Give more. 5. Expect less

Newborn photos

I'm not a huge fan of newborn photos.  Well, I guess certain kinds of newborn photos.  The naked baby ones.  Just looking at the pictures makes me nervous because I think they are about to pee.  And no matter how many fluffy stuff, hats, or anything else you surround them with, my first instinct is to want to clothe them, to make them warm.  Even if they look comfortable, in my mind there is still a sense of discomfort to each baby in every naked newborn picture I look at.

Reading

Matthew hasn't been a big reader.  He reads on grade level and we do at least the required reading for school.  I'm not a huge reader, so I've wanted my kids to read more in life than I do.  Last night Matthew said, "can I get a book like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" or something like that for me to read?"  I read that to the kids along with a bunch of other books that they liked to listen to me read.  I had bought some Diary of a Wimpy Kid books from a yard sale and I handed it to him last night.  He was SO excited that I had them.  He would not go to be last night.  He read for 90 minutes and we had to force him to put the book down and go to bed.  This morning he had five minutes before the bus came and he ran up to his room to read more of his book.  It was too quiet with the girls up there and I went to check on them.  Matthew was sitting on his bed as the girls listened as they kneeled on the side of his bed.  I was ooverjoyed!  I said to him last night, "isn't reading fun?"  And he said, "yes, if it is something you like reading."  I'm so thrilled about this and I hope it continues. I'll be on the search for more books that he'll love reading.

General Authorities and Reese's PB cups

I don't know if you've seen this clip or not yet.  A few friends have posted it on facebook and I cry (and snort) each time I watch it.  I hope you don't find it offensive, because I find it hilarious.  I love Reese's pb cups.

New truck

We just bought a 2000 Dodge Ram.  Dave sold our 1986 Chevy truck a while ago, so a 2000 feels brand new to us.  It is white, diesel, manual transmission, and really tall.  It is hard for ME with my freakishly long legs to get in that thing. We have been looking for a long time now, so I am glad the search is over.

Lake Powell Tragedy

Did you hear about the horrific crash on Lake Powell last week?  Here is the ksl article in case you missed it. My cousin (and his wife and at least two of his four girls) was on the speed boat.  He and his wife and kids were on vacation at Lake Powell with his wife's family.  My cousin had recently returned from Iraq (or Afghanistan) for the fourth or fifth time.  They found the body of the girlfriend and as of today, the body of his sister-in-law is still missing.

I had been looking at the missing woman's (Jessica) facebook page and saw a picture of a grave/headstone.  I did an internet search and it turns out the baby was her nephew who died the same day he was born.  That same internet search led me to her blog.  I read some of her blog.  I specifically love the one on May 23, 2012 the 4th paragraph;.  This girl (she is about 22, which to me seems so young) was so strong spiritually.  Not just having deep thoughts.  Not just pondering God and His power.  But she has a strong, strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it completely shows in her writings.  She seemed so close to her mother, what a blessing that they are together in heaven, reunited with that sweet baby.  And what a blessing it is to know she is freed from the difficulties she faced by the limitations of her physical body.


Also, my cousin's wife posted this on her blog two days after the accident in Lake Powell.

Today I am Grateful . . .

Today I am Grateful . . . 

* That all of my parent's grand kids are healthy and safe.

* That kids are kids - even in the midst of tragedy they are just themselves - they keep me linked to reality.

* That my Heavenly Father through His tender mercy has seen fit to allow me to continue to raise my four beautiful daughters.

* That there are still moments of joy, laughter, and silliness amidst the heartache, sorrow, and pain.

* For the peace of the Spirit, which passeth all understanding.

* For all of the wonderful people who have touched my life and that of my family.  The outpouring of love we have felt has been overwhelming and I realize truly how many amazing people have influenced my life and helped me to be a better person.

* For being near my family and the peace and comfort that brings.

* For the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation that gives the assurance that I will see my mom and sister again.

* For eternal families - that through covenants made in the temple we truly will be together forever.

* That I have the most amazing family - on both sides of the veil.

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