When Life Gives You Lemons....

This weekend it was our turn to do the "Bishopric Fireside."

Darin and I decided to base our talks on optimism, and choosing to be happy--even when things are hard.  My sister, Heather, had a great idea to do a "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" theme for the treats!  I LOVED how it turned out.  I made lemonade, lemon cookies, lemon cake, lemon tarts, and I bought lemon candy and lemon bars.

At the beginning of the lesson, as each person came in, we gave them a pebble to put into their shoe, and a candy to put in their mouth.  After the opening prayer we asked them about their experience.  Several said that it was really painful, others complained that their rock was bigger than someone else's.  One girl at the end said, that she really liked the candy.  Then we talked about how even when there are hard things there is always something to be happy about--we just need to focus on the good!  

Next, we watched Elder Wirthlin's video "Come What May and Love It!"  Then we had the kids make a list of things that can help you be happy (be with friends, smile, listen to uplifting music, exercise, etc.)  

Next we had each kid write on a slip of paper something difficult they may be facing, or a challenge they may have in the future, then we put them in a bowl and let them answer how they could look on the bright side in that situation.  We had a lot of good answers, but we also had a lot of dumb deacon answers--that I was secretly laughing about.

Last Darin and I shared a few thoughts and testimony, and we ended with our yummy refreshments!  (I STILL CANNOT believe how much the youth can eat!--I had double what is shown in the pictures and they ate nearly ALL of it!)

Valentine's Weekend

Darin took me on a fun Valentine's date on Saturday.
We went to Farmington Station and had dinner at Parkstone.

It was delicious!  But my favorite part was the love mix CD Darin had playing in the car.

Sunday was an extra good Valentine's day.

I called all of the widows in our ward and invited them to primary.
I had the kids sing to them then gave them each a rose.

The widows LOVED it and I think the kids loved it just as much!

One of the kids, after primary, said, "That made me feel good inside and made my heart happy."

We also gave some "flowers" to the primary presidency!

I made this candy bar bouquet for Darin that I thought turned out cute!

Here is our kitchen I decorated 4 days before Valentines day.
I LOVE how these envelopes turned out.

Matt was worried what would happen if we ever have another baby, and the baby wouldn't have an envelope, so we went back to the store to get more supplies to make an extra envelope.  (This is not an announcement).

I just had to add this handsome picture of Matt.

He is SOOO good about opening the doors for everyone!  Love this boy!!

Valentine's morning Andrew helped me make heart shaped pancakes. 

And we LOVED eating our Valentine's breakfast on our cute place-mats from Aunt Kristy!  

Thank you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

General Conference

I LOVE General Conference!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!

My kids are starting to love it too, which makes me really happy!

We made our "General Conference Wall" again this year.

Saturday night, Andrew pulled down and crumpled all of our notes.
I spent Saturday night ironing the kids' pictures and putting them back on the wall.
The whole time I ironed, I stared at President Uchtdorf's picture and note, "SIMPLIFY."

I got them all back up, and Andrew pulled and crumpled them again.
I did not iron them the 2nd time.

I felt like the whole Saturday morning session was for me.
All my prayers were answered, I felt renewed, and ready to start again!

Sunday morning, Andrew got noisy towards the end of the session.
Darin put tape over his mouth and colored on a mustache.

Despite his face, Andrew, and everyone else, thought it was really funny.

I will need to go back and re-listen to President Eyring's talk.

Between sessions on Sunday, we went to my parents for our Conference breakfast.

The grandkids found my parents death masks.

Every time we go, Andrew has to go to the basement bathroom to see the fish.

Matt and the girls played "dogs."

(And I wonder why he gets holes in the knees of his pants).

Family time wouldn't be complete without candy from Grandpa.

The kids have to say "The Gospel's True and I love you" before they can have a piece.

I tried to record Andrew saying it, because it is the cutest thing, but I didn't get it this time.

We went for a little drive and saw these wild turkeys!  So fun!

I can hardly wait for April Conference!

UDDERly beautiful MOOsic!!

I am the primary chorister in my ward.
(By the way, I am pretty sure that is the best calling in the world!  I LOVE it!)

We had our Saturday practice yesterday, so I put together some treats for the kids.
We did cookies and milk with a cow theme.

"Holy COW!  You sounder UDDERLY aMOOzing!!

Don't be fooled by the amount of cookies.
I only made one batch, and then bought the rest.

This is brother and sister Moody.
Lindsay said, "Did you do all this for the MOOOdy's?"
I thought that was so clever of her!

I sure love being in primary with this cute group!

And I have the MOST AWESOME chorister partner, Laurie, who missed this photo op.

Be a little "BUTTER"

3 times a year the young women and young men in our ward have a "fireside."  

(I think we are supposed to call them something different now, but I can't remember what).

They rotate to the different members of the bishopric and it was our turn.

Darin and I spoke about making goals and trying harder to become better.
We did a lot of analogies with butter, and had them shake their own butter.

After the devotional we had rolls and 5 different kinds of butter.  We did cinnamon honey butter, cilantro lime butter, raspberry butter, blackberry butter, and garlic butter.  I think the cilantro lime was my favorite.  

I made 84 rolls for 13 kids--and we only had ONE roll left!!  I was glad they liked them!!

Sure LOVE this group of kids---I especially have a soft spot for these girls--they were my Beehives and Mia Maids when I got released.  Now they are MiaMaids and Laurels!!  Love them!

 

Ogden Temple Open House

Our family made it up to the open house for the Ogden LDS temple.

It is BEAUTIFUL!!

I loved watching Darin talk to the kids in whispers as they walked from room to room.

I loved holding Andrew as he waved to EVERY volunteer.

But the best was seeing his reaction as we went to the celestial room.

"Ooooooo!!!  Ooooooo!!!" is all he kept saying as he pointed to different things.

I love this family of mine!

If you'd like to learn more about LDS temples, click HERE.