Good Mail...

I got a good mail package!

I pulled it from the mail box and couldn't imagine what would be inside, from my SIL... my curiosity was getting the best of me. I couldn't even wait until I got back to the house!

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Oh my stars it is coupons!!! How cool!

And what perfect timing... this week one of my stores is doubling coupons! This means more home storage I hope! What a great gift and SO thoughtful!

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I know what it takes to get a package to the post office... letters aren't bad, you can put them in your mailbox and throw up the red flag. But these bigger envelopes, you gotta take them in and get them weighed to know how much postage goes on them. It's a special trip, and my personal experience when I arrived at our post office yesterday with a line all the way out the door, and one postal worker inside... makes me really really appreciate good mail like this. You gotta feel the love!

Banana Bread...

Another great gift dropped off for us yesterday to balance out the cinnamon rolls... was some banana bread!

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I am ready to dive into learning how to healthy up some recipes using whole wheat; and a friend of mine posted on her facebook page that she felt like a "homemaking goddess" while making some whole wheat bread. So I have been bugging her for recipes and hints and trying to let her make all the newbie mistakes and learn from her; rather than diving in to fast and making them on my picky eaters and them never eating whole wheat anything again!

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Sorry to make you out to be the Guinea Pig Ann, but with your great timing it just worked out that way, and your doing a super job!!! They scarfed up the banana bread and didn't even notice it was whole wheat. I almost didn't get a photo before it was all gone! I can't lie if they ask what is in it. But if they don't ask, I figure it's all on a need to know basis.

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I hope this is something I can learn and begin to adapt into my repetoir! I am finally absorbing some of the knowledge taught all these years of all the good properties of wheat and the benefits to our bodies as we cook with it.

Spiritual and physical feast...

We had a wonderful conference weekend together as a family!

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Our home teachers brought over these amazing cinnamon rolls right before the Sunday session. I had been thinking of them on Friday... should take something over to let them know we are thinking of them, but never got any farther than that.

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I was up Sunday morning early, but hadn't quite pulled together anything cool for breakfast for the family... just read on my SIL's blog and saw her pretty waffles, thinking what a good idea. But never actually being a good enough Mom to do something for my family! So these rolls totally saved my image... (so I'd like to believe)! I was just full of good intentions... but no action to go with them; the story of my life!

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I loved all the messages we heard at conference.

I tried to do some quiet projects and listen (with my notebook beside me of course)... but I was so distracted from my projects by the awesome talks, I finally got up from the table, cozied into my favorite chair and just listened and took notes.

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I have never been so captivated by General Conference before... I must have been very hungry and needed to be spiritually fed this weekend.

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I had a dream Friday night that as we watched the conference broadcast we saw our Bishop called and sustained as a General Authority. I was so shocked that they could take him from us, I was panicking and crying in my dream, and then he and my husband and his brother went out and were playing and goofing off together and I was all stressed out that he wasn't our Bishop anymore!! And they were all taking it so lightly... I woke up pretty annoyed at my husband for being so caviler about such a reverent time; and then had to shake it off and remember it was just a dream... whew (about losing our Bishop... I know it will come some day... I am just not quite ready yet)!

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Here are some of my thoughts from Conference....

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New Apostle - Elder Neil Lindon Anderson (this is cool to see a new apostle sustained)13,508,509 members in the church; 52,494 full time missionaries; 128 Temples

Provident Living. We should live HAPPILY within our means. The essence of provident living is paying down your mortgage and saving for your children's education, paying a full tithe and fast offering. Avoid addictive behavior - it does not satisfy. It can only be overcome by turning to the Lord. He stands waiting to help us overcome.

Refer to leadership in the church appropriately with reverence... Brother (__ ); or Elder (___) not by their first names. We exemplify respect and reverence by attending and participating in our meetings (don't text, read, etc. - join in!) Take any concerns of reverence to ward council so they can be addressed there.

Receiving personal inspiration, witness and teaching can only be done by the Holy Ghost.

Strength through covenants - As we walk in obedience to the principles and laws of the gospel, we receive the blessings according to the Lord keeping His end of the covenant. As we keep the commandments He will nourish and strengthen us!

Examine your life and be sure you are doing all you can to be worthy of Gods help. Blessed are they that are lowly in heart. It is important to smile through our pain and trials.

Learn from your Elders.

Faith is developed by obedience to the gospel.

Faith is power.

The Plan of Salvation is for ALL, not just a few.

Families can be forever through Temple Covenants.

During extreme loss - these are the times to show faith to the Lord!

Set specific goals to attend the Temple. Especially when you live in the shadow of the Temple. Don't allow anything to get in your way. There is no other activity a couple can do to receive greater joy together than attending the Temple.

Understand the significance of the atonement in the Temple ordinances. Always express gratitude for the Temple blessings. Don't be hurried and rushed to get to the Temple. Listen carefully with an open mind. Be mindful of those who are receiving the ordinances and pray for them. Sealing is by the Holy Spirit of Promise.

We should never complain when we are living worthily and are given trials of death. The blessings of the ordinances of the Temple are GREAT!

Our prayers should follow correct patterns and teachings of the Savior. Amen, means truly or verily. Avoid vein repetition. Pray for Gods help while striving to resist evil and live worthily. Blessings from God are seen and unseen.

The power of the atonement has the ability to make us whole when we repent.

It is usually through other people that He meets our needs, so it is imperative that we give service to others.

We will never be left alone or unaided.

Focus on our blessings as members of this church. Be of good cheer and do not fear.

Keep Christ in the center of our lives.

Hold tight to our testimonies.

Forget yourself and get to work.

Satin makes us feel common; Jesus makes us feel unique.

Service to our God is what makes us truly happy!

Eternal Principle - It is better to give, than to receive.

Our Temple covenants give us protection = protective power.

Brigham Young - "Fire of the Temple Covenant"

Remain worthy to enter the House of the Lord to receive the blessings of eternal consequence.

Take a look at your home with spiritual eyes...

Is it...

Peaceful, clean, orderly, uplifting like the Temple?

Is the bedroom a place for quiet prayer?

Are there scriptures in a place to teach the family?

Is there a personal gospel study space?

What kind of music is playing?

What conversations take place in our homes?

Is the kitchen a place to feed and gather the family in love?

Establish a house of faith, prayer, of study and nurture and learning, a house of order.

God will never take our agency from us.

Choices have consequences attached. The Holy Ghost is like our personal GPS system in place to help us make correct decisions; to protect, teach and guide us.

We can lose the signal of our GPS if we make decisions that lead us away from places it is strongest in reception.

Follow the patterns and council from the prophets; this direction will never lead us astray.

Be spiritual shepherds. Be the light of the gospel to those who are searching for answers. The field is white and ready for harvest. Open our mouths and declare our belief in Jesus Christ, tell of Joseph's first vision, and testify of the Book of Mormon.

Be careful how we use the Internet.

Our testimonies will comfort and sustain us.

Strive to live closer to the Lord.

Go to the Temple often.

Remember President Monson and the General Authorities in our prayers.

Sunday prep for Conference...

This morning as I sorted through my papers for the coupons, we got 5 inserts today! And doublers from one of my locals stores. Yipee! (I think they are going to be doing more and more of these deals, in this economy, as it becomes more popular again).

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Anyway.... I looked over to see the big dogs watching the birds out the window from the couch! It was as if they were getting their spot early to watch conference before the boys got up and took all the good spots.

Too funny how Taylor pig piles on top of Morgan and how Morgan loves her so much, she just tolerates it!

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The best spot is next to the arm that is closest to the window view, so everyone fights to get the good seat in the house. I guess Taylor figures if someone is already there, you can save space by going UP! Smart and frugal in her own way. They do this when they are puppies, to keep warm, but she just never out grew it.

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It reminds me of being with my nieces and nephews and learning for the first time the game of "save spot". When someone says that if they leave to go get food or the bathroom or something, you can't steal their spot.... but if they forget, that spot is free for the taking! You learn the rules pretty quickly around a big family!

So fun! I think of them every conference... I hope we can go watch conference in person with them again soon. Such fun memories!

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I can't wait for the spiritual feeding today!

Saturday Conference...

Saturday conference was so wonderful... I usually need to keep my self busy doing something quiet while I listen; but this time I never got to my quiet work because I was so busy taking notes. I just couldn't get enough... it seemed to all be something I could use and apply to my life or help teach those in my circle of influence. That was so cool, and it went by super fast.
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But everyone else had their own quiet things they worked out while we listened.

The teenager cleaned his golf clubs.

And the puppies were quiet on their blankets, minding!!! Wow! That was really cool!!! They usually pick these opportunities to romp and play and growl and be noisy! It was so reverent at our house... I loved it!

(plus you can see I made a candy basket to keep them on a sugar high to get through all the sessions... hey what ever it takes. Both my boys fell asleep at times anyway, I hadn't accounted for the sugar crash... protein drinks for today sessions)
I was really impressed by our dogs. They were so good!
I think they feed off of our nervousness or calmness.

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And then last night the boys went to the prieshood session and out to DQ for their traditional ice cream (they got strawberry and marshmallow shakes) yum!

Friday free day...

I finally had some free time on Friday and went to lunch with my strong silent mysterious man. It is one of my most favorite things to do. Although it is quite challenging trying to order something healthy to eat from the local greasy burger joint. But I try!

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On the way home I swung into the thrift store and found these dessert bowls that match some of my clear dishes. So that was a fun cheap find.

Happy Birthday ~ Cliff!

Happy Birthday Cliff!

Today is my Dad's birthday "79"!

Wow! That sounds like an old man, but he really doesn't have an old man's spirit. He still seems the same way he was when I was 18.

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Things I really love about my Dad.

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He likes to tease and have fun with everyone, even our pets (okay this was an acquired taste, I didn't always love it).

He used to pay me a quarter to be quiet on car rides.

He taught me how to be independent and especially how to drive in new places and not be afraid.

He knows what he likes and doesn't waver or give in, even when I beg.

He has 5 sisters and 1 brother.

He always claimed he hated cats, but brought a stray home from work that I had been nurturing and really really wanted. She had her kittens in his closet.

He taught me the importance of being a "smooth" driver, so everyone in the car was comfortable and it was easier on the car.

We gave our son his name.

He can admit when he is wrong.

He is honest and has integrity.

He let me bring all my dogs to stay with him... even though he isn't a fan of dogs. I think he even learned to like the "obedient" one.

He loves my son, bigger and more than life... it's the sweetest thing and makes my heart grow 4 sizes bigger to watch them together.

He gives everyone a nickname.

Mine was Bethaleen (I have heard worse, so I won't complain)

He hasn't called me that for a long time.

He is a great driver.

He used to use me as an example (of what not to do) in front of co-workers to get them to work harder (it made me so mad); but then I would find candy bars hidden in my desk.

He has his own way of saying "I'm sorry" and "thank you".

He gets hooked on something he likes to eat or drink and stocks up on it. A few "kicks" I can remember were...

applesauce

chocolate pudding

Pepsi Light (with lemon)

and most recently Tuscan Tomato soup from Safeway. (so funny)

He claims from all the years he drove truck, he has backed up more miles than I have driven forward. He knows about how many miles he has driven in his lifetime. He has a few million miler belt buckles given to him from Kenworth.

He used to sing in the kitchen, it would start out as a real song, but then he would make up his own words. I haven't heard him do that for a long time.

I have never seen him cry, but I have heard tears in his heart a couple of times.

He is a Mason and has a very strong testimony of God, but doesn't share it with many.

He is deaf in one ear, but has an incredible knack for hearing and recognizing certain sounds out of the other... like the kind of engine under the hood of a truck while driving down the road.

He has taught me how to be a better mother and wife, and I love him and cherish all the fun times we have had together! Sorry I was a rotten disrespectful, unappreciative teenager.

Happy Birthday Papa!

TGI Friday... Conference weekend...

I am so happy for Friday! Not that I get all the breaks on the weekend, the laundry and dishes and everything still pile up and the dogs still need to be cared for and chores still have to be done. My work is NEVER done!

But my boys are home more (usually), so that is exciting for me.

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This weekend is the 179th Annual General Conference of our church. So that means we will be together as a family and watch at home two sessions on Saturday, then the boys will go to the church for a priesthood session Sat night, and then we will watch two more sessions on Sunday broadcast from the conference center in SLC.

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We will hear speakers from the leadership of the church who give messages of testimony, and doctrine to teach principles we need to be living. And everyone all over the world will hear the same messages and speakers. So all of our missionaries out there will be uplifted and inspired just as if they would be if they were home. I think that is my favorite part.

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I have tried to be prepared and have yummy food to fix and I will make a couple of candy/snack bags for the boys to each have so they can munch on them and get through all the sessions, and not have to get up to go to the kitchen during the broadcast (there is always some interesting trading that naturally occurs, but I do my best to get their favorite stuff).

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We don't have tons of traditions yet, but something the boys really look forward to is going for ice cream, just the two of them after the priesthood session.

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I am looking forward to a nice quiet time at home this weekend and to have my spiritual cup filled!

April Fools Day...

I am happy to report I made it through April Fools Day unscaved!

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My brother is famous for pulling pranks and tricks on April Fools Day. I haven't gotten an update from him yet on this years antics. But I one of my favorites was when my Mom was really working on losing weight and had this really cool doctors scale in the bathroom at work. My brother, knowing she would be weighing the next morning, went in and taped a penny in the perfect place on the back of the scale to make it read 5 lbs heavier. We all huddled outside the bathroom while she went in to weigh.... waiting for her scream!

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I only remember her reaction after the trick had been revealed.... my brother survived the ordeal, but I have to say he was very very couragous (or stupid).

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My SIL reavealed she had sent an email to her group of friends that meets every week together to tell them she would be moving! I can imagine they were devistated until the fool was revealed! Too funny!

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One year the teenager was on his way out the door to school, running late and his Dad and I pulled the "your pants have a big rip in the back" sending him into a complete panic before we revealed the joke.

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I laugh at these, so I think I have it in me... but it is a battle for me to be decieptful and keep a straight face!

What to blog...

Wow, in my entire blogging history I have never had NOTHING to blog about!

This is so weird!

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My days are just not feeling very blog worthy.

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Laundry

Exercise

Wiping muddy dog paws

Work

Phone stuck to my ear

Feed the dogs

Dispatch the teenager

(when he has the car, he is always calling trying to talk me into letting him do something outside of what was layed out by his Dad that morning)

Be the Bad Guy!

Make dinner

Church meetings

Field more phone calls

Sweep up dog hair

Dishes

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Oh something exciting today... a friend called and had a dead battery and I actually knew how to go get her car started. She couldn't even get the hood opened, so I felt very empowered by all the years of teaching from my Dad, brothers and my husband on how to do this. So exciting!

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I think I used to take pictures and blog about all of this stuff, but it just doesn't seem that interesting anymore... I think I am losing my touch.