Count Your Many Blessings or Just Look Outside

This is our daily view as we drive to work/school/activities/church right now. Every morning it looks a little different depending on the light. I love the fall.

The Flu Shot

I took the kids to get their annual flu shot today. It would have taken about 30 seconds to vaccinate us all except Em decided she didn't want a flu shot and put her arms in her shirt and doubled over into a ball. I put her on my lap, moved her arm out, told the nurse to go ahead.  She was NOT happy (Em, not the nurse). After it was over she looked at me with this sheepish look like "...mom that didn't hurt". I took her out of that room and told her if she ever wanted to be free from being grounded for an eternity, she'd better go and apologize to that nurse. Right Now. She did and was spared from punishment.

Brax watched the whole thing unfold with unsuppressed humor.

Girl drama.

Braxton

Braxton: Age 17

kind

loving

helpful

prayerful

seminary goer

chooser of right

loyal cousin

hard worker

fireside side kick

master of toast, cereal and breakfast skillets

mower of lawns

weeder of flower beds

music lover

reader of books

film lover

film-maker

photoshop master

accomplished computer user

texter of immense speed

conversationalist

funny story teller

grower of height
handsome in looks
theatre tech junkie
director of shots
writer of stories

destroyer of shoes

   ...and jeans

sword swinging extraordinaire

air soft player

driver of good skill

 brother of wisdom

Fall in Utah.

Time to go take new photos! I took this one last year up at Aspen Grove, almost at the end of the season. It is such a beautiful place. I love this time of year.

1st day of school 2012!

The Lord's Living Prophet

After spending the last few months listening to the political/religious raging, reading articles, watching the clips, and hearing the awful things that ignorant, uninformed people have to say towards my faith, how grateful I am for the prophet and his words from General Conference, April 2012.

"This great cause in which we are engaged will continue to go forth, changing and blessing lives as it does so. No cause, no force in the entire world can stop the work of God. 

Despite what comes, this great cause will go forward. You recall the prophetic words of the Prophet Joseph Smith: “No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."  Complete talk available here

I cannot comprehend what it must feel like to not believe in a living prophet. As I sometimes find myself wading through the fog of the world's commotion, turmoil, and disbelief, I am so grateful for the chance to be lifted out of the mire, to be able to listen to the prophet, called of God, and find clarity again and again.  He is the example of a happy life, a grateful life, a joyous life, a life lived like the Savior.

We Need Living Prophets (video)

Not long ago, I spent time reading the comments posted after a political/religious news article regarding our beliefs.  Remarks by those who are a (self-proclaimed) Godless people, spreading the idea that there is no God, no Savior, no Atonement.  The thought then came -- that their rhetoric sounded so familiar. I felt the spirit prompting with the name of Korihor which sent me to Alma 30.  As I read, I realized that their ranting is nothing new, tragic as it may be.  Several days after I had the opportunity to speak with one of the members of the quorum of the twelve apostles. Although it was an informal family luncheon, his goodness and spirit still rang through as a testimony of the life he lives and the work he does. It made me sad for those who had written the comments I had read and heartsick for those I love who do not believe.

The Road to Damascus (video)

I wrote this post for my children so that they know that I testify that there is a prophet of God on the earth today. He is here for them to follow. He will lift them and lead them to the Savior, who truly lives and is anxious for them to know Him and love Him. The choice is up to us.

General Conference

October 6-7, 2012 

“Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; 

and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: 

for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

Isaiah 2:3

Contrary to popular belief...

Be like my friend Fish

Fish recently posted about her time at the new City Creek SLC Cheesecake Factory. Since Fish is all things cool I went too and had this:

Yummmmmm.

I had this too:

It was good, but Chelle had this:

It was one of the best things I have ever tasted.

Heaven bless Godiva.

Emma "ism" for July

Doorbell rings.

Me: (on the stairs in the kitchen) 

Em, I'm going for a quick walk. I'll be back in a few minutes.

Em: (downstairs)

who's there? Is it your 'love interest'?

Me: What did you say?

Em: (still downstairs)

Is it YOUR 'luv interest'? 

Me:

Nope. You should come up and see who it is and say hello.

Em:

I can't. I'm on the toilet.

Me:

Nice. Emma. The Primary President is here.

Em:

Who?

Me:

The Primary President. Sister ____. You should be embarrassed.

Em:

I'm not.

Me:

Of course you're not.

Wait. What did I just buy for you?

Fav Photo for July.

FHE

In Emma's world FHE is a code for "take me to Sonic"