Sunday Thoughts

Whitney was assigned to give a talk in primary today about prayer. I talked to her about this several times during the week, but she seemed to have her own ideas about what she wanted to say so I didn't push the issue. Yesterday she drew pictures for the story she was going to tell. It was about a boy who played with his friend all day and was so tired afterward he wanted to go straight to bed, but his then his mother reminded him that needed to say a prayer before going to bed, after he did so he felt happy inside.



I thought this was a good story and I was happy that she drew several picture to go along with it (that's what makes it real for her), but I told her she should share a personal example of a time her prayers were answered. I typed up the story I thought she should share, but she was super hesitant to share it for some reason.

We went rounds over this as we got ready for church this morning. She cried, tried to say she doesn't like giving talks (that's too bad), and also said that she doesn't like telling stories about herself. Hmm.


I ended up explaining to her that everyone in our church has to give a talk at some point and that when we share our personal experiences our testimonies grow and we benefit those who listen as well. (This was definitely one of those teaching moments that really hit home with me.) She finally agreed to share an experience, but not the one I wanted her to share.


When the time came for her to give her talk I had no idea what she was going to end up saying. She read one tiny paragraph I'd written about prayer then told her story and showed her pictures and then closed her talk! I looked over at Landon just as he was saying to his friend, "She left out half a page of her talk!" I think she froze once she was up there because we hadn't typed up the story she had chosen to tell (that's because she chose it as we were walking out the door for church). I was a little disappointed because she had several really good, personal experiences with prayer that she could have shared but ended up keeping them to herself because she was afraid.


Anyone see any connections with Whitney's experience today? I'm actually really glad it happened this way because it gave us a chance to talk about the importance of recognizing when our prayers are answered, how we gain a testimony through these personal experiences, and the importance of sharing them with others. I don't know how much she understood, but our conversations this morning helped me to see things more clearly and will help me be a better mother and primary leader.

P.S. I'll have to share the story I wanted her to tell another day. Also, can I just tell you how giddy I am about being able to take pictures during primary?!

**What do you think??**

Unprecedented!

My dad grew up in Queens, New York, he's not what you would call an "outdoorsy guy" at all. So while I was growing up we didn't do ANY camping except maybe once-a-year while visiting relatives in Utah. (This doesn't add up to much of a camping resume for our family.)


The sight of my dad and Adam putting together the tent Adam borrowed for this event was a first for all of us!


My mom, Robyn and Lori surprised us all by using the dutch ovens and coal starter container my mom bought as part of her emergency preparedness stuff. They made beef stew and cornbread in these and they turned out great. Who knew this was even possible for our family?


Randy and Landon put together our ginormous tent for the 2nd time ever (the first was in June at the Father & Sons camp out for church). The only reason we even have a tent is because my mom thought it would make a good gift for Randy and Landon's birthdays (combined) last year.


We could not have anticipated the screaming, giddiness that playing in an empty tent would trigger in the girls. They were so thrilled with this new place to play, that their voices went ultrasonic on us.


Andrew made a brief appearance to hug my dad and get his glasses cleaned. He's definitely NOT a camper!


Ashley, Tess, Olivia and Megan parked their tiny selves on this bench (with room to spare) so they could watch Adam chop wood, how's that for homemade entertainment?


Having a fire in the backyard was definitely a first for our family. My mom bought this nice fire pit at Walmart this week for $99 (I've always wanted one of these). The kid grilled their hot dogs in it, and later we all sat around it talking. (That's the best part of camping right?)

Miss Lori served us the dutch oven beef stew.

The best part of the night was sitting around the fire talking, eating s'mores and looking up at the beautiful night sky (the stars really show up in freakin Eagle Mountain).


We made our big tent the kids' tent so they happily set up their sleeping bags and stuffed animals. They had a lantern in there at one point and weren't keen on the moths it attracted, so that was almost a deal breaker for a couple of the little ones.


The kids finally quieted down, after multiple threats from us, around 10:30. We really hadn't anticipated the noise-level they would produce, apparently we're rookies.


Randy and I slept in Lori's small tent (she slept with my mom and Ashley in Robyn's tent...Robyn slept in the house because she had to get up at 5:30 to go run 20 miles!). I brought the air mattress I had purchased a couple years ago for girl's camp, so I was pretty cozy! The only real issues I had were Randy's snoring (he was closer to me than usual) and the miscellaneous night noises (dogs barking, sprinklers going, and the rooster that started crowing at 4:30am!!! $#@!).


In the morning, Lori cooked pancakes on a griddle on the grill (it's a propane grill, that's camping!).


Cutie pie Ashley has been so clingy with Robyn lately that she won't acknowledge any of us if Robyn is around, so since Robyn was off running forever this morning Ashley was actually social and charming.


The screened in porch at my parents' house is the greatest thing ever. The boys ate their breakfast out there and then the adults did. We sat out there talking for over an hour, what a lovely way to spend the morning.


The kids gathered outside to eat their breakfast and all got their fill of pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon and hot chocolate.

The only unpleasant part of the whole experience (other than the freakin rooster) was having to clean everything up! Randy, Adam and Amy took down the tents and rolled up the sleeping bags, I cleaned the very messy kitchen, Robyn continued to run her 20 miles, and Lori slept on my parents' bed. (Jared is in California climbing Mt. Whitney so he wasn't part of this gathering.) It was a good time and I think it should become a family tradition.

**Have you ever backyard camped
with your whole family?
Did you camp while growing up?
What's your favorite thing about it?**

Creative Friday--Denver Visitors Edition

Here it is Friday once again, which means I headed over to Michelle's house for another glorious installment of Creative Friday. This edition could have also been titled the Potty Training Edition, the Sinus Infection Edition (Max has one) or the Chicken Pot Pie edition, but I went with the Denver Visitors Edition in honor of our guests.


I usually bring (unless the line at Sonic is way too long) a big cup of ice for me and a big vanilla Diet Coke for Michelle. I did so today, and Michelle amused me at one point by writing on her cup. Apparently when she was looking at the pick-up truck on the cup she felt the need to put her name on it.


Michelle had homemade chicken pot pie for us for lunch today. This involved way more vegetables than our usual gatherings have and was really good. I'm not too keen on chicken, but I broke the pieces up into smaller bites and had no problems with it. It felt like a hearty, comforting meal.


Poor Michelle is back in the throws of potty training Eva again, so some of her time today was spent making a sticker chart for Eva's bathroom successes. We never know what will be created at Creative Friday, but this counts!


Our Denver visitors were Michelle's Aunt Denise (who recently started her own blog--woohoo!) and her two lovely daughters Charlotte and Emily (who are both bloggers). Denise is in town to bring the girls to BYU and specifically wanted to stop by during Creative Friday. It was fun to see her again. She is beautiful inside and out and is raising totally talented, spiritual, smart, beautiful children!



I ended up putting several good mail packages together, cutting out some good mail labels and writing a few cards. I love having a few hours a week set aside specifically for working on this stuff, it's so satisfying and rewarding.


Here is our self-portrait from today, it cracks me up when Michelle's curly locks end up looking like mine.

P.S. Lelly posted the September SPT topics today, it's going to be a great month, especially if lots of people participate!

Happy Birthday Laurie!!!

**If you had to label your day an
"edition" what would title it?
Have you ever made a sticker chart?

1. What time did you get up this morning?	7:15
2. Diamonds or pearls?	I don't have either, so I'd be keen on both.
3. What was the last film you saw?	Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
4. What is your favorite TV shows?	The Office, Friday Night Lights, So You Think You Can Dance, Survivor, Burn Notice
5. What do you usually have for breakfast?	Carnation Instant Breakfast and a B12 vitamin
6. What is your middle name?	I don't have one
7. What food do you dislike?	Chicken, Eggs, Seafood
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?	I have been listening to different mixes I've made, but not any ONE cd.
9. What kind of car do you drive?	Ford Escape (See #18 for quote connection)
10. Favorite sandwich?	French Dip
11. What characteristic do you despise?	Know-It-All Types
12. Favorite item of clothing?	Jammie Pants
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?	Italy
14. Favorite brand of clothing?	Yikes, I don't have one
15. Where would you retire to?	The Northwest somewhere on the water
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday?	My 36th was rather memorable because of all the good mail bloggers sent me!
17. Favorite sport to watch?	I don't go out of my way to watch any sports on tv, but I like football best.
18. Favorite movie quote?	"No, this is fine, we can walk to the curb from here." --Annie Hall
19. Best Romantic Comedy?	When Harry Met Sally
20. When is your birthday?	July 9th, 1971
21. Are you a morning person or a night person?	Morning once I'm up, but night if I'm doing something.
22. What is your shoe size?	8.5
23. Pets?	We have a little wasp colony by our front door that we've sort of adopted. There's a cat from across the street that comes to visit sometimes.
24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?	Not really
25. What did you want to be when you were little?	A school teacher, a mom, and a dance teacher
26. What did you today?	I went visiting teaching, did a photo shoot of a new baby, filled an Etsy order, had time at home alone and have soccer practice tonight.
27. What is your favorite candy?	All M&Ms, Twix candy bar
28. What is your favorite flower?	I love Gerbera Daisies, Tulips, wildflowers
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?	Fall 2009 trip to Paris to see Michelle!
30. What are your favorite pastimes?	Blogging, Photography, Creative Friday, Reading
31. What are you listening to right now?	The Movie "Employee of the Month"
32. What was the last thing you ate?	Ghiradelli chocolate square from Becca
33. Do you wish on stars?	Yes, all the time
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?	I'm loving light lime green these days, so maybe that.
35. How is the weather right now?	88 degrees outside, 74 degrees inside
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today?	My mom
37. Favorite soft drink?	Since I gave up Diet Coke, I'm occasionally drawn to Hi-C or Fresca
38. Favorite restaurant?	Cafe Rio, Los Hermanos, Pizza Factory
39. Real hair color?	Brown
40. What was your favorite toy as a child?	My stereo--I used to make my own radio stations and mix tapes.
41. Summer or winter?	Summer
42. Hugs or kisses?	Hugs
43. Chocolate or Vanilla?	Vanilla
44. Coffee or tea?	Neither
45. Favorite cleaning product?	My vacuum
46. When was the last time you cried?	Today while visiting teaching, I got all choked up and had tears to wipe away.
47. What is under your bed?	Nothing on my side, boxes and crap on Randy's
48. What did you do last night?	Went to Landon's soccer game, watched "Wipeout" as a family, Read in bed for 2 hours because I couldn't sleep.
49. What are you afraid of ?	Spiders, sharks, rapists
50. Salty or sweet?	I enjoy both too much.
51. How many keys on your key ring?	A lot, I look like a janitor!
52. How many years at your current job?	10 years as a stay at home mom
53. Favorite day of the week?	Friday
54. How many towns have you lived in?	A lot while growing up, but since being married only 3.
55. Do you make friends easily?	I like to think so
**Will you do this meme too?**	**You know you want to do it!**

How About This?

1. What time did you get up this morning?	7:15
2. Diamonds or pearls?	I don't have either, so I'd be keen on both.
3. What was the last film you saw?	Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
4. What is your favorite TV shows?	The Office, Friday Night Lights, So You Think You Can Dance, Survivor, Burn Notice
5. What do you usually have for breakfast?	Carnation Instant Breakfast and a B12 vitamin
6. What is your middle name?	I don't have one
7. What food do you dislike?	Chicken, Eggs, Seafood
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?	I have been listening to different mixes I've made, but not any ONE cd.
9. What kind of car do you drive?	Ford Escape
10. Favorite sandwich?	French Dip
11. What characteristic do you despise?	Know-It-All Types
12. Favorite item of clothing?	Jammie Pants
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?	Italy
14. Favorite brand of clothing?	Yikes, I don't have one
15. Where would you retire to?	The Northwest somewhere on the water
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday?	My 36th was rather memorable because of all the good mail bloggers sent me!
17. Favorite sport to watch?	I don't go out of my way to watch any sports on tv, but I like football best.
18. Favorite movie quote?	"No, this is fine, we can walk to the curb from here." --Annie Hall
19. Best Romantic Comedy?	When Harry Met Sally
20. When is your birthday?	July 9th, 1971
21. Are you a morning person or a night person?	Morning once I'm up, but night if I'm doing something.
22. What is your shoe size?	8.5
23. Pets?	We have a little wasp colony by our front door that we've sort of adopted. There's a cat from across the street that comes to visit sometimes.
24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?	Not really
25. What did you want to be when you were little?	A school teacher, a mom, and a dance teacher
26. What did you today?	I went visiting teaching, did a photo shoot of a new baby, filled an Etsy order, had time at home alone and have soccer practice tonight.
27. What is your favorite candy?	All M&Ms, Twix candy bar
28. What is your favorite flower?	I love Gerbera Daisies, Tulips, wildflowers
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?	Fall 2009 trip to Paris to see Michelle!
30. What are your favorite pastimes?	Blogging, Photography, Creative Friday, Reading
31. What are you listening to right now?	The Movie "Employee of the Month"
32. What was the last thing you ate?	Ghiradelli chocolate square from Becca
33. Do you wish on stars?	Yes, all the time
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?	I'm loving light lime green these days, so maybe that.
35. How is the weather right now?	88 degrees outside, 74 degrees inside
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today?	My mom
37. Favorite soft drink?	Since I gave up Diet Coke, I'm occasionally drawn to Hi-C or Fresca
38. Favorite restaurant?	Cafe Rio, Los Hermanos, Pizza Factory
39. Real hair color?	Brown
40. What was your favorite toy as a child?	My stereo--I used to make my own radio stations and mix tapes.
41. Summer or winter?	Summer
42. Hugs or kisses?	Hugs
43. Chocolate or Vanilla?	Vanilla
44. Coffee or tea?	Neither
45. Favorite cleaning product?	My vacuum
46. When was the last time you cried?	Today while visiting teaching, I got all choked up and had tears to wipe away.
47. What is under your bed?	Nothing on my side, boxes and crap on Randy's
48. What did you do last night?	Went to Landon's soccer game, watched "Wipeout" as a family, Read in bed for 2 hours because I couldn't sleep.
49. What are you afraid of ?	Spiders, sharks, rapists
50. Salty or sweet?	I enjoy both too much.
51. How many keys on your key ring?	A lot, I look like a janitor!
52. How many years at your current job?	10 years as a stay at home mom
53. Favorite day of the week?	Friday
54. How many towns have you lived in?	A lot while growing up, but since being married only 3.
55. Do you make friends easily?	I like to think so
**Will you do this meme too?**	**You know you want to do it!**