Conference Weekend

We LOVE conference weekend!!! It has always been something that we look forward to and this past weekend was no different! I had intentions of making some conference games (bingo, etc) for the girls, but since I wasn't quite organized enough for that I just printed off some pages for them to color while we listened. Between coloring, crafts, and playing games it worked out really well! In between sessions on Saturday the kids went outside and Wes made our traditional German Pancakes.

I loved all of the talks!! I felt the spirit and couldn't help but feel grateful that we do have living prophets and apostles to speak to us on our day. And, as I mentioned to Wes, they just seemed to hit the mark! These men absolutely know what is going on in the world, what our struggles are, and what we need to do!! I know that without a doubt!

• our home should be sacred. It is a temple. Treat it as such
• safeguard our family!!... never leave the house without family prayer... we are sending our children out into a dangerous place.
• study the scriptures, you will feel peace in your life
• Family scripture study and Family Home Evening are a must!!
• Joseph Smith was a real prophet! Called of God.
• Allowing ex-mormons teach us about the church is like having Judas teach us about the Savior after he betrayed Him
• Christ's standards will not lower to meet the world's standards
• There is no more important role than being a mother (and father). 
• Children should not use so much technology. Turn the TV off, i-pods, etc. Rather, read good books, have activities together.
• Slow down.
• Truth is truth.
• Stand up for what you know is right. Stand up for truth. Stand up for God.

Those are some of the highlighted parts for me. As I look back on the list, I notice that there is nothing knew. No alarming new revelation. But, what I heard over this past weekend has increased my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, of latter-day revelation, the importance of families and motherhood, and the necessity to safeguard our families from the power and the influence of the adversary.  If I had it my way, I would jump at the opportunity to live in a bubble, never leave the house, and to protect my children from all the "bad" stuff out there! I know that's not an option OR the answer. I do know, however, that as a mother I can teach my children what God would have them know, I can teach them who they are and why they are here. I can teach them about their Savior, and who they can become. I can help them to cultivate and strengthen their own testimonies so that when they go out and are faced with a hard situation they can make good choices. I can create an atmosphere in their home where the spirit is always present and teaching them, where they feel save, where they feel loved, where they love to be, and where the gospel is lived and embraced.

Oh man, I could go on forever....

As this weekend closes, I feel edified, uplifted and instructed. And grateful.

Here are a few photos of the past two days!

 Just hanging out, listening to the Prophet

Playing Don't Eat Pete!

Zach and the girls helping Wes make Apple Pudding

 

German Pancakes! Everyone is excited!!

 Conference selfie!

House update: Walls are primed, ceiling is textured!

Look who got Jackson to sleep! Aubrey was loving this!

Such a great weekend!!

Swings can be scary!

It's been a bit of an adjustment for school! Olivia and the parent who drives her to school leave the house at 7:00 a.m. School starts at 8:15 and she gets out at 3:05. Olivia has a great time at school once she settles and she is always happy when we pick her up.

Last week, we drove by our new house after picking her up for school and decided to play in our soon-to-be new community park!

Side note: AUBREY'S BANGS!! ..... just patiently waiting for them to grow out....

A girl after her mother's heart

Yesterday we did the usual morning routine... everything ran smoothly.

The kids and I walked Olivia into her school. She was hesitant to go into her class. I tried re-assuring many times, but it didn't seem to help. So, I walked in with her and brought her to some friends. She was still nervous. I kept trying to leave, but she would follow me out the door. She kept telling me, "I don't want you to go". I kept re-assuring her. Telling her I would be back and she would have so much fun. She felt nervous. And, I felt bad.

One last time, I went in a played with her and initiated an activity between her and some other little girls. She wasn't saying much. And, I recognized that look on her face - where she feels very awkward and uncomfortable. A huge part of me didn't want to leave her. I knew exactly how she felt, and I didn't want her to feel that way.

I left the room as soon as I had the chance. But, I peaked through the window of the door. She stood there for a minute...still feeling awkward and uncomfortable. And then, she looked around the room and noticed that I wasn't there. She turned her face to the wall and began to wipe the tears. Little did she know, her mom was just outside the door crying too. Good thing I was the only one in the hallway...no one saw me!!! Boy, did my heart ached for her.

I probably totally over-reacted, BUT I do wear my heart on my sleeve AND I only had a few hours of sleep that night. So, that is probably why I was over-emotional and just had no control! ha!

Just after noon that day one of the mom's volunteered at the school today. And, just as though she knew I needed it, she texted me a picture of Olivia with her friends at lunch. Smiling and happy. I was so relieved and felt so much better!

When I picked her up from school, Olivia excitedly told me that her teacher read them a story about a racoon who was nervous at school and didn't want her mommy to leave.... just like Olivia. She thought that was pretty cool. Olivia continued to tell me all about her fun day in Kindergarten! 

One day we'll have a home!

When we purchased our home last January they told us that we should take possession of it around September or October of 2014. We gave up possession of our (then) house on May 16, moved the vast majority of our stuff in storage,  packed our immediate necessities and moved them (and us) into Tara and Darren's home. 

While we were staying there,  the kids and I took a few trips down to my mom's house while Wes stayed up in Calgary and worked in Airdrie.

At the end of July we packed up from Tara's and moved into Brandon and Stephanie's home.

So, it's been a bit crazy and a bit of an adjustment for the girls, but we are so grateful that we have family who love us and will put us up in our time of need... our LONG time of need. haha

It doesn't look like it will be an October possession date,  but we're holding out for November!

We like to stop by after church and check out the progress. 

This is what we found today! I also suck inside and was happy to see that the drywall up! Woo hoo!

a late Birthday Present...

[Sept 20]

What a fun day...

Wes had a trade show and I had some work meetings for a chunk out of the day, but as soon as we were done we happily and excitedly came through on a birthday promise we had made Aubrey....

For her birthday last month, her gift from Mommy and Daddy was a Pony ride. We told her by having her open a gift bag containing a paper figurine of a little girl riding a horse. We promised we would take her one day soon.

The rest of summer was busy, then school started, and then the snow came (that had me worried), but yesterday we realized that we should just make this happen now! 

So we did. We managed to book the last spot of the day and surprised the girls!!!

THEY LOVED IT!! ... we all did!