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!!