Stake Conference

I was asked about three weeks ago to speak in the evening session of our Stake Conference. Needless to say, I felt extremely inadequate. I have only lived in this stake/town for 4 months. What could I possibly say that could contribute to the topic "Standing in Holy Places?" There are so many other highly capable people in our stake to speak--why me?

I tried to tell myself while I researched the topic, "Whom the Lord call, the Lord qualifies." It didn't help. My face still broke out and I have no finger nails left.

Saturday was Stake Conference. Randy was singing in the choir behind me, I was sitting next to two other people who were also asked to speak, none of whom I knew. I looked out at a congregation of people and I could only recognize 10 faces. I felt extremely intimidated and felt grateful for the blessing Randy gave me before the meeting. I also felt grateful for Auntie Carol and Uncle Jerry who were spoiling my kids by taking them birthday shopping so Randy and I could be together--kind of.

I wish I could tell you what I said. I had five talks prepared and, finally chose the shortest, sweetest talk with the most personal experiences and with only a handful of scriptures. I felt the Spirit and knew that I wasn't talking. Complete strangers came up and congratulated me--well, that's not saying very much since most of them were strangers to me. Still nice of them to take the time to put my mind at ease. They felt the Spirit. For that I am thankful.

When my talk was over, I had the pleasure of listening to our Stake President give a powerful talk. So thankful for our stake presidency. He personally thanked each of the speakers before him saying that they prayed about which topics they should select and who should present them. I hope I didn't let him down.

Afterwards, our sweet hometeachers invited us to join up with other young couples in the stake and meet at Fenton's Creamery. The evening definately ended on a high note! Good food and great friends!

Whew. Only the Fall Festival at the kids school, babysitting for friends and holding up a Prop 8 sign at a prominent crossroad in town to go this week. Whew.

I was wondering what to wear today....

Randy and I haven't had this hard of a laugh in a long time. Should I wear the pizza or the ketchup bottle? Come on Pierre, has your fashion sense left you?

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Missing Chile

Watch this. Is the glass half empty or half full? You decide.

http://www.adnstream.tv/video/nilSqaMboM/HISTORIA-DE-UN-LETRERO-THE-STORY-OF-A-SIGN

Brevin's 8th birthday was on Sunday. In following tradition, we tell him about the day he was born.

It was a Thursday, and he was scheduled to be induced at the exact time he was born on his own. What a kind and considerate baby. The Summer Olympics in Australia were on in our hospital room. For some reason, to this day, I feel like I should be nursing a baby whenever the Olympics are on. I remember Grammie was there with Randy (behind me so he couldn't see anything, which was a good thing since he almost passed out from that view), they were both such a great support to me.

I remember putting Brevin on my chest the minute he was born. I cried tears of joy and said, "Oh, isn't he so handsome!" I knew he was my Brevin boy. I loved his dark blonde hair and his Kermit the Frog legs (some things don't change) and what an easy baby he was. He was my angel baby. Ate, diaper change, play, sleep.

I remember holding him and thinking "This is an obedient Spirit". He is an obedient child and a great older brother for his two younger sisters.

To celebrate his birthday, he went flying in an airplane! As I saw him take off with the pilot and the other two kids, I thought--"He's really flying. Let him fly. He's ready." And he really is ready to be more independent, accountable, a boy.

For his birthday, he wanted a Transformer Party. New friends and old friends were there. From his family, he enjoyed getting his own Cub Scout Uniform, own set of scriptures, and a scripture case from Ghana and an elephant carved from Ghana. Thanks Mom and Dad. He is really growing up.

His baptism will be October 11th. How did 8 years go by so quickly?

New Home

We successfully moved into our new home in Vacaville. Things I love about being in this home.

A backyard! The first morning, Michaela woke up and said, "Can I go and play at the park?" And we all looked at each other and said, "Park? What Park?" She stood up and pointed to our backyard! Yes--go play at the park everyday, anytime you want!

A garage! I love lifting the garage door and putting our van, Jason, inside safe and sound. It also makes coming in and out of the car, unloading groceries, and everything else so much easier.

Hardwood floors. I think I remember saying after living in on-campus housing for years with linoleum squares, that I would never want to have a hardwood floor because they are such trouble to stay clean. Ha! I LOVE how it shines after I clean the floors.

Awesome bathrooms. I love cleaning these bathrooms. They have been remodeled, as well as the kitchen, and are a pleasure to be in--5 minutes peace feels like an eternity of luxury.

The kitchen. I feel inspired to cook something new and tasty when I enter the kitchen.

Watching the kids run outside in the sprinklers every night at 7pm to defeat "The Gremloch". They go in their clothes, swimsuits, whatever they have on and fight "The Gremloch" with the tunnel shield they call Anaxa that they say is a dragon--the only thing that can defend "The Gremloch."

Everything. Living close to EVERYTHING. Winco, Costco, Grocery Outlet, THE Outlets, church, school, parks, etc.

Having Randy home for dinner everynight!

Who knew Vacaville?

And So This is Christmas

We so enjoy having Christmas at home with our own family. The kids all get dressed in their red nightgowns on Christmas Eve and I have NEVER seen all three kids go to sleep so early before in my life! I wish every night were Christmas Eve. Brevin was the first one up in the morning. He came into our room and snuggled with us in bed and just talked for awhile. Then we woke up the girls and headed downstairs. Santa came!

Santa was more than one person this year. Gifts were sent from new penpals in Pennsylvania, sweet ladies in our ward who just wanted to share a little something for each of our kids and relatives who are amazing about giving gifts that they know kids will love.

My favorite part was taking the kids to the dollar store so they could choose something for each other. Lindie really got into finding the gift that was just right. Michaela wanted to choose something pink for everyone and Brevin just grabbed and tossed. They were each so excited to see what they gave each other and were so appreciative.

Lindie is still thanking Heavenly Father for a wonderful Christmas in each of her prayers. So sweet. She really wants to send a thank you note to Santa.

We decided to take the kids pictures of the things that they received for thank you notes this year. It was fun.

Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Robertson's is always fun. My kids love spending that one on one time with them. And Auntie Jen is so good about letting them know how much she loves them.

It was a wonderful, wonderful day. Sitting back and enjoying the kids and watching them play, play, play.

How do you know it's fall?

I have my pumpkin candle going almost all the time--it smells so good!

Taking the long way to school in the mornings so we can crunch through the leaf piles.

Successful trip to Impossible Acres is evident by our family of Jack-o-Lanterns on our front porch. Brevin did his all by himself this year. Lindie drew hers on and I carved it for her. I guess it was so much fun because she chose to make a pattern of 4 faces going all the way around her pumpkin--happy face, sad face, happy face, sad face. Michaela drew her design on her pumpkin too--the finished product looks a lot like a "Y" for BYU!

Candy in the big green bowl on the second shelf of our kitchen. Don't tell the kids.

Jackets hanging on our coat rack.

Black Sunday shoes and tights for the girls to wear to church and long sleeve shirts for the boys.

Socks in our laundry again.

Soccer games.

Ballet lessons.

Parent Teacher Conferences.

Family at Thanksgiving time.

Dry hands.

Day light savings--it always makes me laugh when I look back when I was a mother of one. I actually tried to prepare Brevin for daylight savings a week in advance so it wouldn't mess up his "schedule." Who was that mom? I guess I didn't have enough to do then. Don't have that problem now!

Piano lessons.

And yes, Christmas wish lists.