What was one of the most profound moments of your life?

Lauren at age 11 said: (note from the author, me, Lindsay. Lauren's Auntie Evie met a man online about a year and a half ago and were married about 6 months later.)  Here is Lauren'most profound moment.  Eve’s wedding. I just felt like she was getting married to someone else and how would I feel if I was one of their kids. Then I felt like it was going to be ok because everyone is wonderful and kind. I felt something different there.

Olivia:  The time I was walking down the English hallway at Mountain View high school and I realized what my teachers meant when they asked me to write a rhetorical essay!!

Are there any words of wisdom you'd like to pass along?

Lauren’s words of wisdom : Don’t make Olivia upset. She freaks out too much. You know in the movies? She is like the chicken you wake up in the morning by a goat. The chicken nugget. Sun glasses are utterly despised by Lauren.

Chloë: Don’t have too many crushes. It will make you confused. I did NOT write that, my real words of wisdom are that you need to stay connected to your friends.

Olivia’s words of wisdom: Don’t procrastinate eating because you will regret it. Actually don’t procrastinate anything at all because you will regret that and you never end up feeling good.

Sam’s words of wisdom (as he plays his Jewish harp): I don’t have any.... busy with my rc car. Ok for real. If you are a cow don’t be a cow.

Note: We had so much fun writing and reading this prompt. Laughed so hard our bellies ached!

Are there any words of wisdom you'd like to pass along?

Lauren’s words of wisdom : Don’t make Olivia upset. She freaks out too much. You know in the movies? She is like the chicken you wake up in the morning by a goat. The chicken nugget. Sun glasses are utterly despised by Lauren.




Chloë: Don’t have too many crushes. It will make you confused. I did NOT write that, my real words of wisdom are that you need to stay connected to your friends.



Olivia’s words of wisdom: Don’t procrastinate eating because you will regret it. Actually don’t procrastinate anything at all because you will regret that and you never end up feeling good.



Sam’s words of wisdom: I don’t have any.... busy with my rc car. Ok for real. If you are a cow don’t be a cow.




Note: We had so much fun writing and reading this prompt. Laughed so hard our bellies ached!

Have you ever planted a tree?

I have planted many trees. The first significant tree I planted was at girls camp in 2016. On the second to last day of camp we always do a service project. That year our service project was to plant trees in one of the campgrounds that was very sunny. It has been fun to go back to camp Lehi over the years and see those small trees that have grown. They’re still small now but I can’t wait to see them years down the road.

The other tree that I am think about right now I am much more excited about.  I planted an apricot tree in our backyard. Every year, our neighbor who lived kitty korner to us on Jefferson Drive would bring us a BUNCH of apricots. Last year they told us they were moving and asked us if we wanted that apricot tree. I knew they were renting their house, but I thought that was a strange question. How were we supposed to uproot a tree in their yard and bring it to our yard?  And further more, should they give a tree to someone else before they moved? I thought the apricot tree went with the rental property! It turns out the apricot tree was in a pot that they bought it from Costco 15 years ago. Daniel and Sam tried to pick up the pot and carry it home, but it seemed stuck to the ground. After getting a shovel and digging around the roots, it appeared to have grown through the pot and the main root ball was in the ground. If we had known how hard it was going to be to get the tree from the pot in the ground, we probably wouldn’t have done it. But I am happy we did! Now we have a beautiful apricot tree in our backyard with a fun history.

As a side note, I asked my girls this question and they all shared the same apricot tree story. But first, Olivia remembered the girls camp story. So fun that our memories were the same!

Parenting trials of Zoom classes

I'm no good at the parenting thing during pandemic schooling. I have been able to keep a happy face and good attitude most days. I do love having the kids home all day instead of at school.  I also am grateful that I actually get to see what their teachers are teaching them. However, Daniel hates how much they are on their computers, which puts me on edge about it. 

We don't have an option of the kids NOT being on zoom classes, so I am not sure what other choice we have.  Last Friday night I told them we needed a break from the computers. Then I asked them to tell me when they are going to be on or off the computer each morning, so that I know what to expect. Unfortunately, one of the kids got on the computer without telling me so I let them all know that not of them can get on the computers till 2pm tomorrow.  I shouldn't have said that because, unfortunately, they have to get on the computer. So know I have to figure out how to balance the kids doing what I ask and me setting up expectations that they can keep.  We will see how this turns out. 

I already know Chloe has 2 Zoom meetings tomorrow morning and so does Lauren. Sam and Olivia also have zoom calls with teachers.  The homework also has to be done and turned on in the computer. So Daniel might just have to figure out how to be alright with the amount of computer time during this crazy time of life.  Our kids are good and trustworthy, they are just learning to navigate this crazy routine of school on the computer. 

Anyway. Happy to be here, unhappy Daniel hates the computers so much.

love ya!

General Conference Notes

 

General Conference

Today we had a wonderful General Conference. I think this is the first time all 4 kids listened happily for all 5 session. It was beautiful.

April 4, 2020….Samś 15th birthday

Saturday morning

President Nelson- ...prophet...He did not know that when last conference he said this Conference would be very special that we would be meeting apart. After the conference we will give the Hosanna Shout as a global demontration of our unity in God’s love.

Elder M Russel Ballard- ...president of the 12 apostles...

The Smith family history and Joseph Smith history. Hyrum Smith, Joseph's brother, stood by his side throughout it all.

Their faithfulness should not be forgotten. Let us offer from our hearts an offerig such as the brother’s Hyrum and Joseph.

James Rashand- ...of the seventy….What is our Joy focused on? President Packer explains: “When the prophet Alma was young, he spent such a time ‘racked,’ as he said, ‘with eternal torment, [his] soul … harrowed up to the greatest degree’ [Alma 36:12; emphasis added].

“He even thought, ‘Oh, … that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body’ [v. 15; emphasis added].

“But his mind caught hold of a thought. When he nurtured the thought and acted upon it, the morning of forgiveness came. …

“The thought that rescued Alma, when he acted upon it, is this: Restoring what you cannot restore, healing the wound you cannot heal, fixing that which you broke and you cannot fix is the very purpose of the atonement of Christ” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 19–20).

We are accountable if we know. Peace comes when we are healed thru atonement. Savior will clear hurt and ignorance so that we all have a chance to choose. Have I limited my children’s joy or understanding? God promises them mercy and lifts our sins from him.

Joy D Jones- ….Primary President…. Women in the faith. You are now placed in a situation where you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms. If you live up to these principles how great and glorious!—if you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates. … If you will be pure, nothing can hinder.-Joseph Smith

“The Lord loves effort. Effort brings rewards.” Pres. Nelson

Truths that inspire us to improves. “General Conference overwhelm” The spirit will help us know want to prioritize.

Neil L. Andreson- 7/12 apostle…. I knew that God knew and I could not deny it

This happens to not only Joseph Smith, but to each of us. It doesn’t have to be a big vision, just an answer to our prayer….done. :)

Douglas D Holms- 1st counselor Young Men’s… Let the youth do this! Don’t put it all on their shoulders, but give them all they need to succeed.

Elder Henry B Eyring- ...2nd counselor first presidency…. Our Part of the Restoration, prayer, our work to do to prepare for the 2nd coming.

Saturday Afternoon

Ulysis Soares- ….12/12 apostle…

nd the truths such as atonement and staying firm with the church

Dale Renlund- .. 10/12 apostle….

Remember the captivity of your fathers. We come to know God during the trials in life. Our transformation can be profound. Reflect everyday on gifts we have received. Spiritual sensitivity. Don't take these things for granted. Salvation came at a great cost. Want to help without judging, love our kids, always rejoice… these are fruits of remembering Godś goodness and mercy…. Their goodness binds our hearts to them… we can be more compassionate.

The Savior loves to fix what we cannot fix.

Ben M.Z. Tai… seventy…

Know what we need to do and do what we know. The more we focus on what we do want to accomplish then the things we don´t want in our lives will disappear.

Gary E Stevenson- ...9/12 apostle…

Brigham Young found a place in Salt Lake Valley for the temple cornerstone. What makes my foundation? What are my spiritual and emotional character? Temple recommend questions. Have I witnessed more light or more darkness? Future may be unknow