Follow the Prophet...

General Relief Society Meeting

Saturday, September 27, 2008

We all rose as the prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, entered the conference center. My heart was pounding as the spirit testified to me that he is THE true and living prophet on the earth today.

SO MANY great things were said. I wanted to share one...

When President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke he quoted the following:

"Those who bring sunshine to the life of others cannot keep it from

themselves"

-J.M. Barrie

author of Peter Pan

The meeting was great. The company fabulous. The conversation fun. The food tasty. The evening late. The experience completely worth it!

There's nothing like it...

Everytime one of the kids draws a picture or brings an art project home from school, I can't help but smile...there's nothing like it!

Because of Aspbergers, Ben's verbal skills don't always cooperate. He LOVES to draw and spell words. When he won't talk to us, we ask him to draw a picture on his drawing box (his best friend, the magnadoodle). We are always amazed at how well he communicates through pictures.

Pictures courtesy of Rachel, Elli and Ben

My favorite time of the day...

In church today, a friend, Becky, gave a talk about families. She referred to memories of nightly family dinners around the table...it got me thinking.

Alex gets home from work everyday at 6:00 pm. Preparation for his arrival various from 2 hours to 5 minutes. That time often includes looking in the pantry, fridge or freezer hunting for the simplest dinner option, the kids tellling me they are hungry (over and over again), piano practice, homework, tv watching, setting the table, etc. By the time we sit down for dinner, I'm not feeling so perky...in fact, quite the opposite. Thankfully, Alex never complains.

Conversation at the table usually consists of:

"sit up while you are eating...that's a chair not a bed"

"eat with your mouth closed...we don't want to see your food"

"don't eat with your hands...use your fork"

"I hope you don't act like this at school"

"If you don't sit on your chair, you'll have to eat in the pantry"

"that's very nice, now eat your food"

"worry about yourself"

"don't eat like animals"

"if you don't eat your dinner, don't complain later that you are starving"

"eat your vegetables"

Every once and awhile I get a compliment about dinner, we don't feel rushed, we talk about what makes us happy and

we laugh.

It's the one time, everyday, that we are together.

I realized today that...

Dinner time is my favorite time of day.

Finding joy...

I could see the kids playing from afar. They had been playing on the make shift sand pile for almost an hour and I wondered what could keep them content for so long...so I ventured over. I discovered rocks, twigs, a few plastic cookie cutters, a bent piece of rebar and three imaginations keeping their attention. I wanted to capture the moment to remind me how simple it can be to find joy in life.

Sunrise, Sunset...

The wildfires in this area have produced some spectacular sunsets. This particular night the sky was breathtaking. It's in these moments that I am reminded that there is a God...a loving Heavenly Father.

The man I married...

He's a little grumpy, fiercely independent and doesn't like me to call him Brother Roylance...but, I like him, I really like him. He makes me laugh and let's me be me. Couldn't imagine life without him.

Rock Lobster...

It was a birthday celebration for Uncle Boo...

rock lobster style!

A lobster headstand

When they first took the lobster out of the tank at Red Lobster the kids were a little apprehensive... especially Ben! They quickly warmed up to the crustacean and even wanted a turn holding it. Rachel said it felt like holding a heavy, wet rock.

Ben isn't convinced yet!

The birthday boy, Andy (a.k.a Uncle Boo) and his wife, Danna.


It's always a fun spending time with grandparents!
left: Grandpa Alan (Alex's dad) and Grandma Melanie
right: Grandma Venita (Alex's mom) and Elli Belle

My thoughts are here today...

September 11, 2001

Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyeilding anger.

-George W. Bush

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ww update: Lost 8 pounds at my first weigh in. Beginners luck I suppose. Some days are a lot harder than others, but I survived...didn't even DIE of starvation. I'm still here! The work outs begin at 5:15 am now. Consequently, my bedtime is 9:00 pm (unless my friends talk me into a trip to Wal Mart at nidnight to pick up a FEW things!). Already seeing some benefits...fewer headaches, fewer naps and MY WEDDING RING FITS!! Here's to another week...

Enough with the flower pictures...

I promise, I promise...this is my last flower picture post for awhile. My photos clearly (or not so clearly) are of the amateur variety. Sure could use a new camera...hint, hint. I snuck a few of the pics from next door. Thanks, Lynita!

Thoughts become things...choose the good ones

We saw this rainbow at dinner tonight and it became the topic of our discussion. Rachel let us all know that "no one has ever been able to get to the end of a rainbow", then Ben replied with, "but...I know how to ride my scooter to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!" He has so many amazing talents! :)

Isn't she lovely...

Happy Birthday to my MUMMY!

Ten things my mother has taught me...

1) To act like a lady (not that it has worked to well!). As a child I was always told to act like a lady. When I was on my mission she would end each letter with "Act like a lady! Love, Mom".

2) To forgive. She has an amazing capacity not only to forgive, but to love those she forgives.

3) To give. As a child I remember one Thanksgiving wondering why my mother was buying so many turkeys. That evening she had my me and my brothers take turns leaving a turkey on several doorsteps of families in our neighborhood. We would ring the doorbell and RUN. This is just one of THOUSANDS of examples of service she has given in her life.

4) To laugh. She has an amazing sense of humor. Her quick wit and ablility to laugh at life has helped our family get through even the toughest of times.

5) To yard sale. As a child my mother would come in my room every Saturday morning (during the "season") and beg me to go to yard sales with her. I moaned and groaned and declined most of the time. WHAT was I thinking?! We now enjoy going together and she has helped me find treasures and save money to provide for our family. I'm a true addict like my mother!

6) To never give up. Although she has had many tough times in her life, she has never given up. She often helps others to do the same.

7) To get healthy. In the last two years my mother has lost 90 pounds! She looks and feels amazing. Frankly, I'm quite jealous!! I am working hard to follow in her footsteps.

8) That the gospel is true. My mother and father provided me with the best gift I could ever receive...they taught me to love the gospel and took our family to church every week. I will forever be grateful for this priceless gift.

9) To be kind. My mother is kind to everyone. I know of no enemies in her life.

10) To be smart. She set the example of getting a college education. I always knew as a child that I wanted to go to college because my mom did. She is very smart (and wise, of course) and loves to read. She continues to do many things to keep her mind learning and gives hours and hours of time to genealogy work.

I LOVE YOU, MOM!!

**************

We spent the afternoon at Boondocks on my mom's birthday yesterday. The tickets were a thank you for Alta View Hospital employees. We had a blast and it was fun seeing my mom riding the race cars and spraying people with water on the squirt boats (she didn't want to get off!). My sister-in-law, Amy, also works at Alta View so we were able to hang out with my brother, Taylor and their children. Amy was not able to be there since she was helping her mother who wasn't feeling well. We missed her!

Fun on the squirt boats. I declined getting on the boats...someone had to sacrifice and take pictures. Everyone was drenched, especially Alex. Elli had no mercy on anyone, even the people standing in line!

Rachel, Colby, Lauryn, Elli and Ben on the miniature golf range.

Alex teaching Ben how to swing.

Little Troy LOOOVED the BIG slide

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I asked Ben what his favorite part about Boondocks was and he said, "The sprayers on top of the toilets in the boys bathroom"!

Saying goodbye is hard to do...

My baby brother, Brett, his wife Candace and their son, Ryker, moved to California a few weeks ago. We were so sad to see them go, but excited about Brett's new career move. At the last family dinner we said that they could move, but had to leave Ryker here!! Ryker gives the BEST kisses ever...he melts your heart! Brett and Candace are amazing parents and we love them so much. Can't wait to be together again over the holidays!