Gardner Village & Conference Weekend

Late September we enjoyed a girls night out with the witches at Gardner Village! 

Early October we enjoyed conference weekend at my parents cozy little red brick house!

this is what we do..

on conference weekend:

-sleep in…

-stay in our pajamas

-eat good food

-cuddle up & listen

-take notes

-play quietly

-take cozy naps

-enjoy each others company

-learn & gain inspiration for the next six months..

  

and it looks like this:

 

Snow. General Conference. A Mustache. A Ballerina & Don't 'Cha Wish Your Girlfriend Was HOT Like Me?

This is what we woke up to on Sunday morning.

We went from gorgeous, warm spring weather to snow. snow. and more snow. But.. we didn't mind because the weekend was a time to snuggle up in the house and listen to general conference. Inspiring talks given by the prophet and his apostles. This happens two times a year and we look forward to it each and every time. It's a great time to stop everything and gather together in the house for hours of encouragement, guidance, inspiration and building the bonds of family relationships.

My favorite talk of the entire conference was Richard G. Scott's. It was so tender, loving and sincere. So meaningful. So inspiring. So cute, the little notes and sweet things he & his wife put so much thought into creating and giving to each other. The dear, true love they shared and things they endured together. I loved it so much!

Yesterday I got a wild hair during homework time with Tanner and drew a mustache on him! He thought it was so funny... we laughed & laughed as he looked in the mirror acting out different mustache personalities. I think we both needed a little break!

This morning I dressed McKynlee like a little ballerina for school and she looked so cute I just couldn't stop giving her great big squeezes and twirling-n-spinning around with her in the kitchen making the layers of her ruffly skirt dance around!  

Wanna see something cute???

 

I've hesitated to share it because I know it's gonna cause some serious envy, 

and I hate stirring up any type of contention.. I'm a peace maker at heart!

This is the lovely-oh-so-adorable look I'm wearing around today! 

 Don't 'cha wish your girlfriend was HOT like me!!!

-OKAY- 

You can stop laughing now...

The kids & I refer to these shoes as 

'my ugly shoes'

HEE HEE HEE

I gotta say they're great for slipping on in a hurry though..

ya know 

like running Kynlee out to the bus,

taking the kids to school,

going to get the mail...

and

they're great for yard work too,

although I do worry about a spider crawling in them.

-Ewww-

..and just so ya know..

I don't go out in public like this,

I just crack myself up at home, in the car & in the yard.

Luckily I haven't broken down or ran out of gas in this get-up!

this is us... conference weekend.

l

 listening & taking notes...

strengthening family relationships...

 washing peaches to freeze for future smoothies...

 root beer floats...

 gettin' gritty about our favorite time of year!!!

Just what I needed to hear..

Elder Ballard's talk in General Conference on Mothers was "just what I needed to hear." I can't wait to get the Ensign containing all the conference talks, so I can go back and read this one as well as the rest; but until then.. here are a few of the things that I made note of:

~ The JOY of motherhood comes in "MOMENTS." Live in the moment MORE! Don't be in such a HURRY... Treasure the DOING a little more & the GETTING IT DONE a little less.

~ Don't over-schedule yourself or your kids. Make unstructured time where real parenting can take place and you can listen, laugh and enjoy each other.

~ Make time for yourself with good and wholesome things that replenish you. Pick 1-2 new things to learn how to do.

~ Pray, study and teach the gospel.

~ Talk to your husband about each child and their individual needs.

~ Love your children deeply and prioritize them, along with your husband above all else.

~ Ask Heavenly Father to help you find JOY & HAPPINESS in your role as a DAUGHTER of GOD.