July 7, 2013

I did something today that I seriously have not done in a long time.  I got up and bore my testimony in Fast and Testimony meeting.  I had decided a long time ago that I had to big of a fear to get up there. This had caused me to be “past feeling” of any promptings of the Spirit.  I knew I wasn't going to go up, so I never felt any promptings to go up.

A challenge from our Stake President at Youth Conference helped me to change. He challenged us to go home from Youth Conference and pick one thing to work on, some way that we could improve ourselves. I thought about it and I really want to work on recognizing how the Spirit speaks to me. I want to work on recognizing the Spirit and acting on the promptings that I receive. I think that the more that we follow the promptings of the Spirit, Heavenly Father knows that He can rely on us and we are blessed with more personal revelation. We need this in our lives. I just read a quote by President Packer that says, “ You won't survive spiritually, unless you know how to receive revelation.” I want this revelation in my life because I need it. The Spirit will prompt me about things that I can change and do better for myself and for my kids. I love my children and I want to do all I can to help them to grow spiritually. I need the help of the Spirit.

It is because of this goal that I bore my testimony. I was “past feeling” but because I wanted to make this change, Heavenly Father was already testing me. After many years, I felt the prompting of the Spirit to share my testimony. Actually I had felt it for a few days.  I had to do it.  I wanted to show Heavenly Father that this may not be easy for me, it is scary, but I love Him and I want to do what I need to, to receive this blessing.

July 6, 2013

We rarely go see movies in the theater, but this week we happened to see three movies in four days. We saw...

I liked them all.  I probably would not see The Lone Ranger again, but it was good one time.  I don't think that I would take the kids to see it.  The whole family went to see Epic and Despicable Me 2.  We liked them both.

July 5, 2013

Poor boy! He got hurt playing basketball today!

July 4, 2013

We had a really busy, but fun day.  We started the day off by going to a flag raising ceremony at the church.  We had a short speaker and a yummy breakfast.  A little later, Grant and I went over to his brother's house to help him work on his sprinklers.  This was a messy, but kind of fun job.  We got home in time to make some food to take over to his sister's house.  We went there to visit, swim in their pool, and to enjoy some good food.  Grant and I left the kids there and we went to the Stadium of Fire.  Thanks to his boss at work who bought us the tickets.  We ended up sitting on the field, so we had great view.  It was a lot of fun.  We got to see the Cirque du Soleil performers, Carly Rae Jepsen, Kelly Clarkson, and some awesome fireworks!

We came home to find out that Ethan was playing in the car with a glow stick.  He bent it and it broke and he got splattered with all of that liquid inside.  Some of the liquid flew in his eye and it really hurt him.  Thanks to Julie and Dave who were with him at the time.  They pulled the car over really quickly and poured some water into his eye.  It still was bothering him when we got home, but it felt better before he went to sleep.  We teased him that he was going to wake up and have a powerful glowing eye.

Maple Bacon Doughnut

I think this looks so gross, but Brandon had to try it and he really liked it.  If you want to try it, we got it at the Macey's on 800 North in Orem.  It looks huge in this picture, but it really is just a normal size.

Fire Belly Frogs

Meet Omniog and Enaj, our fire belly frogs.  It's not the best picture, but it's the best that I could do.  Grant gave Ethan $1 at the Orem City Summerfest.  Ethan went to a booth where they spun a wheel for prizes, there was a 1 in 4 chance to bring home a frog.  Hello Omniog.  Daniela went back the next day because she wanted a frog too.  That is how we got Enaj.  I want to let them loose in our next door neighbor's little pond.  The kids really enjoy them.  They have to go buy live crickets, shake them in some kind of powder, and feed them to the frogs.  Disgusting!  This is one thing that I will not be helping out with.  I guess it's a fun thing for Grant and the kids to do together.

One Month Gone

I can't believe that a month of summer vacation has already past.  It has flown by!  The past couple of weeks have been really busy.  My mom came into town for a little over a week.  It was so much fun to have her here.  We went to the Parade of Homes, we found a home that my mom loved, we looked around town for lots, we visited and had lots of fun!  The time flew by and it is always so hard to say goodbye.  I can't wait until my parents move out here and I can go see them more often.

A couple of days after my mom left, Grant and I left for Stake Youth Conference.  We were a Ma and Pa.  I didn't really know what to expect and I really wasn't too excited about it.  I was worried about leaving the kids.  Thank you to Becca and Greg for watching the kids!  I cried after leaving them, but I settled down quickly because we were thrown into our roles for Youth Conference and I knew that they were in good hands.  I really did not worry about them at all, I just checked in every now and then with Becca.  Thank you once again!

Youth Conference was awesome!  It was really hot and we camped in tents one night and in cabins the next, but really I can't complain.  The spiritual benefits definitely outweighed the physical discomfort! I came home on a spiritual high and I still feel it.  It is neat to see the youth understand the messages being taught and to hear them bearing their testimonies.  I truly feel like they are a chosen generation and they are prepared to live in this day and time.  They are up to the challenge.  I know that I need to do my part in raising my kids, but I am truly grateful for the programs that the church provides like girl's camp, youth conference and EFY.