13 years of the best view!

We had the best 13th anniversary!  We celebrated by having donuts for breakfast, working for Dave and unpacking and cleaning for Mel.  Then we headed to Red Lodge to eat at the Carbon County steakhouse.  We got a tomahawk steak, a little splurge.  We'd never had that before, so Dave was excited!  Nothing says true love like a big hunk of meat, right?  We enjoyed a great night cozying up in our booth, talking and enjoying all the food.  Then we explored the main street in Red Lodge a bit.  A fun ski-town to visit and it's pretty close to us.  They had flower baskets all over and fun touristy shops.  We had the most fun at the candy store, picking out treats for all the kids and the babysitter. The kids had a great new babysitter we found and they had fun.  We enjoyed the beautiful and scenic drive home while holding hands (usually do when we're in the car), watching the sun setting.  As I was looking out the window, and saw my Dave sitting next to me, I felt so grateful for him.  Of all the things outside the window, he's the best view!  ;)  He always helps make my gray days a little more sunny and my sunny days even sunnier.  He helps me see the good thing in life.  He helps me stop, breathe, and enjoy my surroundings.  I love him forever!  When we made it home, we kept with tradition and watched our wedding video on our computer as a family as the TV wasn't set up yet.  And then looked at our scrapbooks.  I was thinking back to when my family was questioning us getting married because we had really nothing.  Dave said that all he had to offer me was his love.  And he has shared that love with me all this time and I hope the love I give in return is as good to him. You're the best, babe!  

Conference...getting better all the time!

So many changes were made at the last General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in April, and we heard rumors that we hadn't seen anything yet.  Turned out to be true, and for good reason!

Photo Credit - Deseret News

General Conference started out in Billings on Saturday.  It started right before the end of Coverton's flag football game.  Thank goodness for technology...we listened to audio on our phones.  We listened in the car and at McDonalds.  President Nelson announced that church on Sunday will now be 2 hours instead of 3 to promote more Gospel learning at home.  A new program "Come, Follow Me" is now available for all and encourages families to do more Gospel learning and have more family time at home.  It will be a better balance now as a "home centered Church."  How exciting, and how humbling. Parents are their children's greatest resource!  As we listened, I felt such joy and knew it was from the Lord.  President Nelson isn't just trying to change things up to get publicity or other nonsense some are saying, Christ is coming and He is getting us all ready!  He asked us to make our homes the center of Gospel learning.  So much to learn and prepare for in this upcoming year and beyond!  Hearing this reminded me of something that happened this past week.  We were driving a boy to Scouts, about 20 minutes away. Now he's a convert, so don't judge.  On our way back, we decided to read scriptures, since we were all in there and it would be about bed time when we got home.  He said "Wow, you really take this Church stuff literally, don't you?"  Why yes we do, we told him.  We all should.  He read along and listened with us.  I've been thinking about this a lot.  This is the way the Lord intends it.  His Gospel is not just to be lived on Sundays, but everyday and especially with our families. There were many other great talks, and I am so thankful for them.  The boys games went until a little after 10 and Cal's started right before noon.  Really a tender mercy, I believe as most of their other games on other weeks are right during that time.  The boys did great at their games and had several "tackles" and caught others' flags and also had a touchdown ad a conversion.  Awesome!

The women's session was awesome!  We invited the girls and women from our branch.  Unfortunatey, almost everyone was out of town, but we had the Stahls join us.  We had popcorn and a bunch of mix ins and coloring pages out for the youngers to color while listening.  President Nelson gave four challenges to the women and girls.  1. Social media fast - started Monday.  So far, so good.  I try not to over use it anyways, because it is easy to be sucked in and spend way too much time with it and also to give into the comparison monster.  2. Reading the Book of Mormon.  I'm also incorpating something then Elder Nelson asked us to do a few years back.  He said to look to all references of the Savior and study his roles, teachings, and mission.  So I got a notebook and am making notes on all references to Jesus Christ.  It is making me excited about Scripture study again!  Because my study was becoming a bit stale with the same routine.  I have to admit, at first I murmured in my mind a bit because I was already reading it and almost done!  And I've been reading the OT.  Will I have time to do both?  Where there's God, there's a way.  3. Establish a pattern of regular temple attendance.  I was thinking about doing a date night with Dave this Friday.  And we can make a schedule to plan it in rather than just every once in a while.  Yes, it is hard with littles sometimes.  But He can make a way again if we trust him!  4.  Participate fully in Relief Society.  I am thankful for RS.  I shouldn't go for myself, but for others. Who needs me when I go to class?  Who needs an invitation to come? Who in our RS needs my love?

Sunday, we started out by making "Apostle Waffles", which was Cov's idea when I asked him what he wanted for breakfast.  We each decorated a waffle to look like one of the apostles using various toppings.  Everyone did pretty well and it was fun seeing the results!  It was silly, but the kids loved it and it helped them look forward to Conference.  Which is hard for them.  We get out many puzzles and coloring and Legos.  And they can play quietly as long as they can hear, but let's get real.  Sometimes it's really loud and they can't hear. They did pretty well with their packets and had fun.  But still we got many mentions that it is so long and boring.  I told them I remember feeling that way as a child, too but now I love it and can't wait for it!  We do not force them, though, they have their agency after all.  Our hope s that they will see how important it is to Dave & I and will feel the same someday!

President Nelson also asked us to not go by nicknames "Mormon" or "LDS" but to always refer to ourselves at members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I quickly got on my phone and updated my profile on my accounts and blog to Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints instead of Mormon/LDS.  This makes so much sense the way he explained it.  It is His Church and by not including Him in it, we disregard Him.  It made me think of the Primary song.  He also announced 12 new temples!  When all are completed that have been announced, there will be 200!  What a blessing!  I love hearing the audible cries for joy and picture people in all parts of the world so elated that a House of the Lord will be by them!

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Camille's Primary ideas

           So much great revelation!  I also have tried to listen to a different Conference talk each night (or every couple of nights).  The feeling came to study one for an entire week at a time and try harder to implement those teachings for the whole week.  Rather than just listening and then following asleep.  Time to go and do!

The weeks following General Conference were enlightening.  I downloaded a calendar with a schedule for keeping on track to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.  President Nelson asked us to prayerfully study, and "mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior".  I got a notebook and am writing down each reference and my own thoughts on it.  It has helped me already come closer to the Savior and gain a stronger testimony of his mission and divinity.  I just started 2 Nephi and already have pages upon pages.  It is truly "Another testament of Jesus Christ"!  My Book of Mormon is red! 

By cutting out social media, I feel happier.  I cut out Instagram (except quickly seeing the scripture assignment and commenting in my favorite ones...I didn't think that was breaking this fast ;)  and Facebook, pretty much the only 2 social media platforms I use.  And Pinterest, though I had to pull up a couple recipes on there and find the links for a few ideas for Primary and Halloween costumes.
Though I wasn't on it a ton before and try hard to be careful with it, I don't feel tempted to compare in my mind ("Oh, her decorating in her house is so cute! Wish mine looked like that"...or "How come my makeup always looks terrible, even if I'm following what she says to do." ...or "They are always go on fun vacations.  No fair!").  I make more time to communicate effectively with my family and spend quality time each day.  I'm more aware of the Spirit.

President Nelson posed these questions and here are my answers:

"What do you notice after taking a break from perspectives of the world that have been wounding your spirit?" I felt more optimistic.  Though I wouldn't say I'm one to spend a bunch of time on social media and "infotainment" websites and accounts, I got enough to where it was weighing me down.
"Is there a change in where you now want to spend your time and energy?" Yes!  It has opened my eyes to see the things that matter most!  And we all have improvements to make.
"Have any of your priorities shifted- even just a little?"  Yes.  I am spending more time in the word of the Lord.  More sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  I am not as irritable.  I am a more loving wife and mother. 
"I urge you to record and follow through with each impression."  I will limit my social media use and only get on social media during nap time or after 9 p.m. for a half an hour or so.  These things have their place and its nice to keep in touch with loved ones.  But left unchecked, it can take over and distract us from what is most important.  I am thankful for the prophets council!  Conference and all of the changes are getting better all the time to help us get better all the time.

The Apples of my Eye Start School Once Again

And they're back!  Back to school in 2 new schools - Columbus Middle School for Emma and Columbus Elementary School for the rest.

Emma is in 7th grade this year - Columbus middle school!  AHH!  How did she get that old!?  No, how did I get that old!? We have been a few times to familiarize her with the new school and to try out/decorate her locker.  I was about ready to cry, thinking she is here already. Dede, the school secretary has been so sweet in helping her out.  Emma got some great Harry Potter and other inspirational quotes, temple pics, pictures of family and friends, a Star Wars calendar and pics, pics of Jazzy and Pusheen and dazzled up her locker.  As we were there, I had to hold back the tears.  Can't believe she's here already.  Em is such a sweet girl, I have been praying for months that she will find her place and make good friends.

Callahan is in 4th grade this year.  His teacher is Mrs. Haug - our neighbor across the street.  We joke with him he better be really good (no throwing water balloons at their house) or she knows where he lives.  He misses his old buddies, but will adapt quickly.  He loves school and does well.  Now lets just hope he slows down this year and takes his time!

Lucy is in 2nd grade this year ("Really?" Daddy questioned).  Her teacher is Mrs. Vanek.  Luce has been the one most vocal about really not wanting to come here, and she wishes we were back in Scobey.  But I'm sure she'll love Mrs. Vanek and make lots of friends.  But for now, she's not really liking it.  She has said she wants me to homeschool her, and we can look at that.  But I'm just going to give her a few weeks.

Coverton is starting Kindergarten (wwwwhhhaaaa!) this year.  His teacher is Mrs. Chamberlin.  She seems really sweet and Cov is SO excited to go to school like the rest of them.  He was ready, but I don't know if I am.  I have been excited for everyone else going to kindergarten, but a little unsure about him starting.  He knows everything he needs to to start school (and then some) but he seems so young to me.  And I will miss my little buddy.

Sydnie is thinking "I get my Mom all to myself all day!  Yes!" "Why is it so quiet around here?"  "Okay, so maybe having Mom to myself isn't all that great!"  We do lots of laundry and cleaning and errands.  The first day, we read through all of the packets and signed all the papers, which is no easy task with 4 in school.  We read books, sang songs, unpacked more boxes, played in boxes, took 2 naps (Seriously?  She never does this!), and went to the park before it was time to pick up the kids.

The morning of the first day of school, my alarm didn't go off, but we made it in time!  I packed everyone's lunches (4 now, but really not much prep than just one since they're always having the same thing), made apple waffles, and the kids snarfed them down in a hurry.  We took some quick pics on the porch and sent them off with Dave to drop them off. I prayed for them most of the day, I think.

It was a great day at home and when we picked up the kids, Cov came out with a big grin on his face, but he was trying to suppress it, being too cool for school.  His teacher told me what a great boy he is and she is so glad he's in her class.  Then Lucy came out, she was smiling also, but a little overwhelmed and apparently, the way they do things at this school is not very great, and the music teacher isn't even a professional like the Geottles (lol!), and she got a little confused.  But she's got this!  More than anyone, she keeps talking about how much she misses Scobey and wishes we could move back, she has no friends (though she always comes home with stories about her new friends) or asks to home school.  Cal really likes his new teacher, there's another new boy in his class and he's making friends quickly.  When we got over to the middle school, Emma was there talking to another girl outside and this new, cute friend even walked home with us as her.  And then the next day, another gal came out and gave her a hug when we were picking her up.  Such a relief!  Middle school can be challenging, but Emma's a sweet girl and is working hard and making good friends.

For after school snacks, we made rice krispy treat apples.  We talked about the day and how it went and checked out all of the paper work, and by all of the paper work I mean all of it.  Phew!  That was quite the task!  That night, we had pork, apples, potatoes and carrots with salad and told Daddy about their first day.  One thing I told them that night is that just like apples, tiny seeds grow tall trees.  Oh, please be good apples!  Work hard, be kind, do your best, be an example and you all will grow into something amazing!