BYU Women's Conference 2011

I just returned from two wonderful days at BYU Women's Conference. The theme this year came from Alma 37:6-7, "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass". I attended opening and closing sessions on both days, and several concurrent sessions each day. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the presenters I listened too:

"The only person I need to be better than... is the person I was yesterday."

"A virtual (too much technology) woman, or a virtuous woman?"

"What comes next for willing hands to do?"

"No one owes me anything, I owe everything to the Lord."

"Charity is living as Christ lived."

"Our families need to feel the spirit when they enter our homes."

"A soft answer turneth away wrath."

"Let us seek the guidance of Heavenly Father, in how we can accomplish His work, in His way."

"Appropriate self love equips us to love others."

"Lifting others, lifts us."

This year several of us attended Women's Conference together. My sister Lilian and sister-in-law Marivic attended for their first time. I was also excited to meet Marivic's sisters Marle and Maries for the very first time, and Marivic's mama (I met 18 years ago) also came. Of course my Mother and Margie (BYUWC veterans) were there as well, but I was most excited that my daughter Caitlin came to Women's Conference with me, it was so wonderful for both of us to share that experience together... we're planning on it being a new tradition.



FYI: starting tomorrow I'm doing a 30 day blog challenge... I know, crazy huh!?!

Egg Hunt

It was an "egg"citing

"egg"stravaganza

at the "egg"tended

L"egg"er family

Easter egg hunt.

Our sweet baby Jane
Our Prince William Our Miss Avery
Our sweet baby James Our Mason Man Our cute Tanner Our original "whittle guys" Adam and Zach Our Grandpa Bear; doesn't he make a great prop? See the egg in his hood.

Comments

So... I was just looking at my sitemeter, which really doesn't give much information other than that people have dropped by my blog. It doesn't say "so and so" was here. But when I looked at my world map, I have little "visitor identifying" dots all over the country... and one in Britain. Would somebody just say "hi"? Don't be shy. Just a little curious, that's all.

Tending The Grandkids

Over the past two weeks we've had some quality time with grandchildren while their parents vacationed. I remember how great it was as a young mom to have a "get-away" without the kids, so I'm always happy when I can do my part in making it possible for my kids to do the same.

I had several highlight moments with the kids, but I have to share just one that I had with Mason who is an avid BYU fan. The two of us were gearing up to kick a soccer ball around the backyard when he said, "Grandma, I'll be the good guy and you be the Utah guy!"

Don't you just love it!?!

Of course, if you know me at all you know I'm a safety freak. So, besides being a good babysitter, I'm a good pray-er. Praying for the children's safety while I am responsible for them, and praying that the parents... get home safely!!!

Save The Last Dance For Me

Tonight is Caitlin's last high school dance. Prom. This is Matt, her date to the dance. Maybe some of you remember that Caitlin and Matt danced 3 years ago in the BJHS musical... as Lumiere and Babette. Maybe others of you remember that when we were at the beach in 2009 we ran into Matt's family. Hey... if you like t'ocean, I like you. Probably nobody will remember that Matt was Caitlin's first date/first dance shortly after her 16th birthday. *Sigh* I can't believe it's Caitlin's last dance.

34 Years and Counting

34 years ago today Michael and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple. We were really just kids on on our wedding day, so in a way, we've kind of grown up together as we've shared many of life's experiences. It hasn't always been easy, but it is definitely worth it. I'm kind of proud of us... in a humble way of course; and I do love my Mikee.

Empty Nester's In Training

Monday night Mike and I dropped Caitlin off at BHS to board a bus bound for the Pacific Northwest; specifically Seattle and Canada. She has anticipated this Senior trip for the entire school year. I have also anticipated this week; it was a trial run for Mike and I as empty nester's.

After we dropped Caitlin off at the school, we stopped by my parents on our way home (how funny that we ran right back to "the nest"). My brother Alan was there and was heading back to California the next morning, so we wanted a "last chance visit". The rest of the week has been busy with work and commitments for both of us.

Tuesday night Mike did band stuff and I went to dinner with a couple of friends. It was so much fun, I do love "girls night out". Thanks to Tiffany I remembered to bring home some dinner for Mike (he was very grateful).

Wednesday night Mike was at the church fulfilling his calling and I stayed home to do household projects (that I didn't do).

Mike and I both serve on our cities arts council, and so on Thursday night we went to our monthly meeting. Afterwards we went to a wedding reception.

On Friday night our extended family performed at our cities monthly concert series. This means multi-tasking for Mike as the one-who-runs-the-sound-equipment for the city, guitar player, singer, set-up and take-down... and still be Mr. Congeniality.

And now here it is Saturday afternoon. Caitlin is on her way home (won't be home 'til way, way late). I haven't cleaned the house all week, hardly washed any clothes, didn't cook one meal (did lots of food prep at work). Mike's asleep and watching golf (that's a little tricky) and I'm on my way downstairs to finish Wednesday projects.

We did go to work everyday. Mike's job has been very busy, and my job... very busy. Mike and I have been recording/watching the 8-part mini-series "The Kennedy's" late every night after our meetings, dinners, callings, rehearsals... we're looking forward to the final episode tomorrow night. We did eat out/take out a little much this week... we won't be able to do that when we are real empty nester's. I think we'll get along just fine when it's just the two of us... but we are looking forward to having Rosie back home. I just have one question. Does anyone know of a different term other than empty nester's? 'Cause you know... NESTS!!!

5 Truths and a Lie: Part II

1. Truth. I did indeed see Fergie as she arrived at Buckingham Palace. We knew something was up when several policemen came and began directing traffic and pedestrians. We decided to hang around for a minute and see who was arriving. I was on the very edge of the curb when the car arrived and drove just a foot or two in front of me to go through the gates of the Palace. This was during Prince Andrew and Fergie's 'rough patch' and we think she was possibly commanded to visit her royal mother-in-law for a 'royal telling off'.

2. Truth. Many, many years ago I did indeed submit a story to The Friend. It wasn't published. However, I have plans to submit something in the near future to The Ensign.

3. Lie. I was never, ever in a stake musical, and if I was... I would never, ever have been chosen to be a lead.

4. Truth. I do not like to go to dances. In the summer of 1985 Mike and I were in a band that performed frequently for Single Adults (over 30). One night as I sat on the stage waiting to sing my next song a young man came up onto the stage (behind the curtains) to ask me to dance. I was rendered speechless. My friend/band member Laurie looked at him and in a disgusted kind of way said to him, "she's married, that's her husband over there (pointing) playing the guitar." More recently, I went to a dance lesson at the church and we had to rotate dance partners.... awkward. I'm not in the band anymore, but I dislike going to dances because I don't want someone thinking that they should dance with me (pity dance) because my husband is playing in the band; I don't want to dance with anyone but him.... thank-you-very-much.

5. Truth.I did giggle my way through a talk... but I was eleven-years-old. And although it was in the chapel... it was not sacrament meeting.

6. Truth. I love dynamics in music. Doris Day singing, "now I shout it from the highest hill" is a great musical moment for me. Unfortunately, I'm not a belt-it-out-there singer. Too bad, so sad.

5 truths and a lie was a fun post to do... so I'm putting it out there for all of my blog buddies to post 5 truths and a lie about themselves. I'm looking forward to seeing how much I know about each of you.

Here's Your Sign

Can anyone see my error on this sign that I wrote for the Deli? I was advertising our peanut butter and jelly kids meal. It was there all week long, but it wasn't until Friday that a customer pointed it out to me. According to my employees my face was bright red. When I went to the back room I laughed so hard I cried.


What can I say? It's me.