Looking to the Lord

I was reading the Ensign yesterday when I had a minute. Dave was at the BYU game with the kids (except my house plant - Talbie, who stayed home) so I had some quite time.

Have any of you read the article by Sister Mary N. Cook entitled, "Looking to the Lord?" It was inspiration to me and it touched my heart. Sister Cook serves in the General YW Presidency and I've heard her tell this story before, but she didn't marry until she was 37 years old. She talks about the trial and concern this had been to her when her life circumstances hadn't turned out the way she had hoped and dreamed. She became self-involved and discouraged. She then says:

"I remember a significant point in my life when, like the sons of Mosiah, I looked to the Lord. I had always remained active in the church and had a "knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4; 2Timothy 3:7), but I desired more. I made the decision to be more diligent in my scripture study, to be more prayerful, and to live more worthy of the guidance of the Spirit. I longed to be an "instrument in the hands of God," as were the sons of Mosiah."

This is simple doctrine and I don't know why this hit me like it did? We all go through trials in our life and sometimes our first reaction is to wallow in self-pity, feel sorry for ourselves, or think, "I will read my scriptures faithfully again when this trial is over." Shouldn't we be doing the exact opposite of this? Even when our lives or minds are filled with worry, I know if we will go to the Lord in prayer and study His word - it's easier to turn our problems over to him and let His will be done. That's faith!

Maddie's Assembly

Maddie performed in her very first Orem High assembly yesterday. The dance company did a really cute number and I caught it on video. Maddie comes in round 50 seconds and she's the first one that comes on the stage on the left. After that she's easy to spot because of her bouncy curls. She in the middle on the very end pose. She is having the time of her life dancing and being in high school! That makes a mother happy!



I didn't realize until after I posted this - how hard it is to see on the blog because it's so small. But - it's fun anyway!

Like Father, Like Son!

Dustin's Bday Update...

To see what Brittany and I got him for his birthday, CLICK HERE

Happy Birthday Dustin!

Happy Birthday Dustin! You're the baby of the family and have always been the favorite! We love you anyway :) Hope you have a great day!!!

Dustin with my mom on our cruise in February

Talbie's Lunch

I know many of you have the tradition of writing cute little notes and sayings on the napkins of your kid's lunches. I admit that I have done this to my kids - and embarrassed them because of it. I remember notes from my mom and I secretly loved them, all the while I tried to conceal them from prying eyes of my friends to save myself from harassment!

Talbie is a different child... She LOVES the notes in her lunches. The funny thing is that when she wants to bring a lunch from home, she makes her own lunch. She's been doing this since last year and when she finishes making everything that needs to go in the lunch, she gets her napkin and brings it to me or Dave, with a pen so we can write her a note. It cracks me up!

AND.. on the rare occasion that Dave or I have been gone when she's made her lunch, she writes a NOTE to HERSELF - to read at lunch time! She's hilarious and I love it!!

Family Reflections

I think you're truly blessed when you can get married and love your husband's family as much as your own. I feel this way about Dave's family and I'm as close to them as I am anyone in my immediate family. Dave's cousin surprised us this week by dropping by some old pictures she had come across. Dave doesn't have a lot of pictures from his childhood so anytime we get one - it's a treasure. This is him with his mom and three sisters... (he's the handsome fellow in front in the brown suit!)


This is them last month...

80's Dance

The "Maddie's" had their first dance tonight at the OHS - it was a 80's theme "Blast From the Past." The only time Maddie lets me help her with her hair is when she's trying to "80's bangs". I have to admit that I'm a pro! I hope they have a great time!

Timp Cave

It's tradition for the 4th graders to start their year off visiting the Timp Cave. I've gotten out of helping at this field trip in the past and I sent my Dad when Maddie was in the 4th grade and I think Dave went with Talbie - so I decided that since I've never been to see the cave, I would go with Bronson. The hike wasn't bad (even though I was huffing and puffing a little more than I'd like) and it was worth the climb to see inside the awesome caves.

Entering the cave

The "heart" of Timpanogos

Bronson's Class with his teacher, Miss Lisonbee

"FOREVER STRONG"

OK - here is another "plug" for Dustin! There is a new movie coming out in September called "Forever Strong" and he wrote and performed the theme song to it. Watch the trailer below (that I found on MTV.com) and he comes in after about a minute. It's awesome!!

Dustin - Part 2

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

Dustin

My brother, Dustin is one of the best singer/songwriters I've ever heard! He has written many songs for his CD's, movies, TV shows, local artists, etc. He has more raw talent than anyone I've ever met. He's so fun to have around because he can sit at a piano and play anything you request and you can sing along with him.

When Dustin was little, my mom hired me to teach him how to play the piano - even though he could play better than me - by ear! He never did catch on to piano lessons and he still can't read music, but he's amazing!!

Anyway -click HERE to hear his newest song "Carolina".

Way to go, Dust!

PS - all that bragging was free :)

Climbing to the "Y"

Last night Dave and Bronson went to help on an Eagle Project for one of Dave's YM in our ward. It was a great project and they had fun helping. They hiked to the "Y" and cleaned up trails and painted/posted mile marker signs so you know how far you've gone - and how much farther you have left to go.

First Day of School - 2008

Friday was the first day of school for Talbie and Maddie. Talbie loved her first day and came home so excited. I'm so glad because she was so excited about it before she left and as I watched her walk into the school, I just prayed that she'd be able to open her locker and everything would go as well as she'd hoped.Maddie and Maddie had to go together their first day - surprise surprise!

Talbie all geared up and ready to go!

Bronson and Emmie started today for the first time. They were both so excited!

Handsome Bronson - the big man at the elementary school now. He usually has an older sister to take care of him - but not this year! I told Emmie she's on her own. Most older siblings will go and pick up their younger brother or sister from their class and help them get on the bus - Bronson isn't up for that. I'm lucky when he gets himself on the bus!

The kids all looked so cute for their first day of school. Emmie just stole my heart as I watched my baby go to the first grade! I told her to be careful because she was so cute - I didn't want her getting too many boyfriends. This was her response...

Another Temple Trip and Last Minute "Supplies"

For the past 2-3 years, Dave has worked in the temple on Thursday nights. Talbie just turned 12 and got her recommend on Sunday so I took her and Maddie tonight to do baptisms because Dave is the Baptistry Coordinator right now. This was Talbie's first time and we timed it perfectly. Usually it is so busy that Dave rarely has time to sit down but we practically had the place to ourselves. After the baptisms we ate together in the cafeteria. What a wonderful experience it was to have my two girls at the temple with me. I hope a glimpse of many future trips to the temple together.

Maddie and Talbie both start school in the morning since Maddie is in the 10th grade and Talbie 7th - they each will go and have the schools to themselves so everyone can find where they need to be - without the pressure of the older grades. It's getting really exciting.

On our way home from the temple - Maddie suddenly remembered that she needed some last minute "school supplies." I really had to laugh at her because her "supplies" were so random (as you can tell from the funny picture). Especially the wart pads and "dermaplast" - the feet of a ballerina!

*She was texting and distracted as I took this picture!

Draper Temple

Last night we took a drive to the new Draper Temple to see the progress for family night. It is coming right a long. The landscaping is being done right now and I bet their finishing up the inside. I don't know what the open house dates will be for this temple but it sure is in a beautiful spot. You can see it from I-15 up on the mountain - just before you reach the "point". The view is spectacular and there are tons of beautiful homes up there. What a treat to have 2 new temples just another 15-20 minutes away.

We went to Thanksgiving point and had dinner at the deli with the kids after seeing the temple. This took Maddie, Talbie, and I back to our "Nutcracker" days when we'd eat there during dress rehearsal. It's a yummy place.

The plan was to then drive to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple after that, which is just on the other side of the freeway - about 10 miles down but we were getting too tired. We will save that for another drive but we want to do it soon before it opens so we can get some pictures of it under construction.

Here is some more information is you want the addresses so you can check them out yourself!

Draper Utah Temple

Physical Address:
14065 Canyon Vista Lane
Draper, UT 84020
United States

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Physical Address: 11022 S 4000 W South Jordan, Utah 84095 United States

Jr. High Lockers

When Maddie started the 7th grade, I was so excited for her and I bought a bunch of fun things for her to put in her new locker; magnets, notepads, mirrors, etc. She wasn't interested AT ALL! She did not want to decorate her locker, or put anything in it.

Talbie is now starting 7th grade and she is the exact opposite. She has been planning for months what she will put in her new locker. She has "emergency kits" that consist of bandaids, safety pins, contact lens containers, Tylenol, and you name it. She has notepads, magnets, and even a stuffed animal. We did have to stop her when she wanted to hang pictures of herself as a baby :)

Before we stopped at the Jr. High to "decorate" Talbie's locker, we went to the High School to get Maddie's locker assigned. She has a big locker this year because of Dance Company and since I was with her - I know what the number and combination is. I'm tempted to go decorate it for her - as a surprise for her first day of high school. Wouldn't that be nice of me?

Maddie getting a kick out of watching her

The finished product :) She's so cute!

Back to School

Surprise Party

For my mom's 60th birthday, Brittany, my dad, and I pulled off a surprise party for her. We invited a lot of family and friends (many she hadn't seen in years) and we all had a great time. I actually think we surprised my mom because my dad told her he was taking her to Sundance for dinner but when he made a turn into the golf course, she was mad at him for going the wrong way. Then she realized she was having a party!

The girls and I - after we set up

We rented the clubhouse at the golf course to hold the party. It was the perfect place and had lots of room.

Emmie met up with her former preschool teacher - Miss Ann

Bronson and his 3rd or 4th plate of food

Brittany, Dustin, Me, and Cody. Too bad Bret and his family couldn't be here from Texas!

Dad with my his friend, Frank - my old boss from when I worked at the bank 16 years ago! Now Frank works for my dad again at his bank in Las Vegas

A cute shirt my mom got that says "It's a sin to look this good at 60!"

Admiring a cute collage filled with pictures of Ally (Cody and Kali's baby) - the newest grandchild and current favorite!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's 60th birthday! Happy Birthday Mom - we love you!

Mamma Mia!

Last night, Maddie and I went to the late show of "Mamma Mia!" All I can say is that I wish Dave would have been with us! It would have tortured him :) I have never seen it as a play before so I wasn't sure what to expect. It is a cute show and I LOVE the music of ABBA. Maddie and I did break out laughing every time Pierce Brosnan started singing - but other than that it was quite enjoyable!

Another Party

OK - I know it seems like Talbie's birthday is lasting forever...and it is! She had a fun party with her friends last night. We only do "friend" parties every other year so she was looking forward to this. We're having a family party tonight with cake and ice cream then the festivities will have officially ended!The first girls to arrive were her bff's from school. They couldn't stop hugging each other because they haven't had many chances to all be together since school ended.

Everyone on the tramp!

Opening presents

The theme to our party was a "spa" party. One of the things we did was make/decorate flip flops. They turned out so darling!

We had "Ding Dongs" instead of a birthday cake. We have a giant cake for the family party tonight so I didn't want to buy 2 and I didn't want to make cup cakes (the cheap and lazy part of me came out). Ding Dongs worked just great!


After all the festivities, the girls watched "Penelope" - the best movie ever! It was a great evening!!

Did You Get Yours?

Brittany and I had the plan to wake up and hit Costco for our copy of "Breaking Dawn" but last night, Maddie and Maddie (her friend) went with Maddie's family to the Border's party for the book and I sent money with her so she could try and get me a book.

She had a lot of fun at the party and lucked out because Maddie's family had all reserved their copies so she was able to get in a line with them and get me a book. I don't know what the odds would have been of her getting me one otherwise, how many they had in stock, or how many people were there, but I was glad when she called and said she had got it!

Brittany and I still went to Costco this morning for her book and we got one for my mom. We arrived when the doors opened at 10:00 and there were people buying the book, but nothing like I had imagined in my mind and they had PLENTY of books - $10 cheaper than Maddie paid at Borders! Oh well!! I've already read the first 100 pages (since we drove to Heber today) and it's great!

I'm off to get ready for Talbie's Bday party!!