Portraits of Chelsea at Sayen Gardens.

This past weekend was Chelsea's first church prom and in spite of the 100 degree plus weather she had a lot of fun having her picture taken at Sayen Gardens. And if you don't mind me boasting, she is stunning! 

Noah's Ordination Day.

Couldn't let this special day go by undocumented on the blog. Earlier this month Noah was ordained as a deacon in our church. I guess you can say it's equivalent to being an altar boy in the catholic church. He will begin passing out the sacrament to the congregation. It's such a wonderful blessing for him to have accomplished. Turning 11 gave him the opportunity to prepare for this ordinance, and on his own motive wanted to be a part of it. Underneath his smile he's still a little nervous to begin passing it out, but I know once he does it more and more he will become a pro and he will see the blessings that come from it! 

Update: Noah passed sacrament today and he didn't look nervous at all. I have to admit I shed a tiny tear as he was sitting waiting for the sacrament prayer. He looked so calm and at peace while passing it out to my family. We are so proud of him and the sweet spirit that he has. 

Lexie Lately: Second Time Is A Charm!

It's been seven weeks since Lexie returned home from the MTC in Mexico City and like all other missionaries was waiting to hear when she would be back in the field. We finally got word from our stake president that Lexie's itinerary for travel will be on May 12! That was today and in spite of all the feels she was so excited for this day to come! I'm just so happy that she was spared to spend one last Mother's Day with me! Her time with us has been fun and productive and we made many more memories with her. I know that time will pass quickly and that she will be home before we know it. The Lord is in charge and in spite of the pandemic which is still happening know she will be in good hands. She is needed out in the world and the people of Tempe Arizona will be very lucky to have her  and to know her! She truly is a special spirit and you can see it in her face as we say our goodbyes how happy she is for this day to come! 

Visiting The Priesthood Restoration Site '19.

Church historical sites are among our favorites places to visit especially during the summer time. We live in an area where we are close to so many. It has been four years since we last visited the Priesthood Restoration Site, and going the second time around helped me to really listen clearly about all that happened here with restoring the gospel. I know that with my kids being a bit older helps them to appreciate the gospel more fully, and to really appreciate it.

Lighting The World!

Two years ago the church began a campaign called Light the world where we can help share the light and joy though simple acts of service all through December. I love this campaign, and the kids loved getting involved as well. It seriously helps us forget our own issues when we focus on others. I love simple Christmases anyway.

An Inspirational Girls Night Out In NYC!

This past weekend we had the opportunity to attend a fireside at the Lincoln center in New York city. Although this specific fireside was broadcasted in our area my girls, and I decided to make it a girls night. We drove into the city in hopes to have a little one and one time with each of them afterwards, and we did! This evening truly made up for no longer having general women's session in the spring, and it was so much better because we got to meet with all of them! 

General Conference on Easter Sunday.

For the first time in all the past general conferences I've listened to I've sat down with my pen, and a journal in hand to jot down words that I hear from the leaders that inspire me. This conference was different. Different in the sense that my family and I pretty much just sat, and listened. Sure I shared a few quotes from the apostles, and speakers, but when our new prophet President Russell M. Nelson spoke I couldn't help but to stop what I was doing, and just listen. 

An Inspirational Thought To Strengthen Our Children.

"There is a spirit working among the Saints to educate their own offspring. 

If our children will be all we will have for a foundation of glory in eternity, how needful that they be properly trained.

There are wolves among us in sheep's clothing ready to lead astray our little ones.

Wolves do not devour old sheep when there are any young ones. 

I have herded sheep long enough to know that. 

Look after your children."

-John Taylor 

The Day I Met President Thomas S. Monson.

I woke up early this morning and received a text from my daughter who lives in Utah. The text read "President Monson passed away earlier tonight." President Monson is the third prophet I've known since joining the church back in 1992. The memories I have of President Howard Hunter, and President Gordon B. Hinckley are extra sweet, but there is something super special of the memories I have of President Monson, and I will always remember the first time I met him. 

On Earning Her Young Women Medallion.

For those of you who don't quite exactly know what the big deal is on this necklace is the fact that it's a pretty special piece of jewelry, and a big deal to those who have completed their personal progress (at least it is for this girl.) This was Lexie's year in earning it, and I am so happy for her! 

Noah's Baptism!

"Yes, mothers, teach your children the gospel in your home, at your own fireside. This is the most effective teaching that your children will ever receive. This is the Lord’s way of teaching. The Church cannot teach like you can. The school cannot. The day-care center cannot. But you can, and the Lord will sustain you. Your children will remember your teachings forever, and when they are old, they will not depart from them. They will call you blessed--their truly angel mother. Mothers, this kind of heavenly, motherly teaching takes time--lots of time. It cannot be done effectively part-time. It must be done all the time in order to save and exalt your children. This is your divine calling."

-Ezra Taft Benson

Educating Our Children In The Gospel.

"It is a duty we owe our children to see that they get an education; 

but the education of the heart,

education in the Gospel, 

a testimony of the plan of salvation,

is the foundation that we should lay in the breast of every child." 

-Heber J. Grant

Because He Loves Us-My Thoughts On General Conference.

The other day Jon and I were talking about current events, and all that has been going on in the world, and how as parents we need to be better. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  we may think we are doing enough as parents, and in fellowshipping, but I know that as a mom, neighbor, friend, sister, wife, and person I can do more, and be better. I am so grateful for general conference because this years conference was extremely special, and seemingly exactly what we needed to hear as a family.

Days For Girls & Women's Conference In Boston.

What an amazing weekend! The fact that I shared in the joy of assembling kits for the Days for Girls service project was the icing on the cake. We joined my dear sisters in Boston to help them out with this project, and it was the best evening that I had with my girls too! If you want to know more about this project, and see more photos you can follow them on their Facebook page. 

Boston Temple On Labor Day.

One way to end summer on a good note, and have the kids transition easily into a new school year is by attending the temple. The temple is an important tool in my life that I use to have peace, and sanity! Especially with these kids growing up, and with the way the world is changing. Although there are amazing things happening in times of trouble, and catastrophe we still need some inner peace in our life to function, and be able to do the things all in the name of service. The girls have come to really, really love the temple, and Chelsea is excited to have gone to four different temples since she turned 12 earlier this year.She's beginning to feel the difference in her life when she waits too long to go.

How My 7.5 Year Old Teaches Family Home Evening.

Now that Noah is an excellent reader, and getting old enough to understand why we have family home evening we figured out a way where he can teach a lesson that's simple, requires him to read, and relates to the gospel principles. My mother in law sent us this book for Noah's birthday last year along with some action mormon figures, and he loved it! It was a perfect tool for him to teach family home evening from, and now that he's much older he always, always wants to read from that book.

Teaching Noah.

After serving in the nursery for the past nine months at my church I am now serving as a teacher in the primary. The best thing about this particular calling is that Noah is in this class so having him as one of my students makes it extra special. Especially since he'll be turning eight in three months! There have been many times where I have pretty much taught all my girls when I used to teach in the past whether it was in the nursery when Chelsea was a toddler, in primary when Sierra was five, and in the Young women with Lexie, but this is the first time where I'll be teaching Noah true principles of Christ through lessons in a church setting. 

A Pioneer Trek Without The Trek.

Some people say that reenacting a pioneer trek is something that you do once in a lifetime, but if there is an opportunity where you can do it more than once on your own motive God bless you! When we moved to the Princeton area and found out that the church here reenacts a trek we were pretty excited, because I know how much it will totally strengthen the youth!

Because Of The Temple....

No matter who we are everyone in this world goes through some type of struggle in life. I know I have. I'm 45 and I've had many struggles in all kinds of shapes, and forms. From physical, emotional, spiritual, and even temporal. Everyone's level of struggle is different, and some of us handle it in various ways. So what do I do when I come upon an issue that needs resolve, or a struggle that needs to end, I turn my heart to Heavenly Father's house. I also seek out those who are in need of service so that my mind can be taken off my own issues.

Photos From Last Weekend At The Hartford Temple.

Last weekend when we attended Karlee's homecoming in Connecticut a sweet sister whom I hadn't seen in over a year said to me, "you guys really enjoy going to the temple a lot huh?" My first reaction in my mind was "umm, duh, of course we love the temple" but I didn't really say that! And with a huge smile I responded, "Yes!!!! We love the temple!" It was nice knowing that someone noticed how much we love the temple, and how much I love sharing those days of going to the temple on social media. The temple means sooooooo much to me, and I love writing about it because it holds a significant role in my life. Whether I go alone, with Jon, or the kids. I am never alone, or lost without having that precious building in my heart, and in my sight.