Our baby is now a young woman...happy 12th birthday Emma!

Well, the day has arrived and Emma is finally 12!  She's been waiting for this day for a long time, for in our circle, the 12th birthday is a special one as you enter into Young Womens and can go to the temple at twelve.  Exciting!

I stayed up late the night before to make Emma's cake. It was a mint ruffle with a large coral rosette on top of the cake.  It didn't take that long, but I messed up several places because I was getting tired.  Super easy but cute, even with the defects, lol!

Emma woke up with little problem on her birthday, August 31.  We made English scones with peach devonshire cream for her breakfast...mmMMmm.  I decorated her back pack, but she was super embarrassed and said there was no way she was wearing that and asked if she could cut it off.  I thought it might be fun so others knew it was her birthday.  Of course I told her she could cut off the balloons.  I guess every morning during announcements, they announce birthdays. So everyone knew anyway.  She said her friends sang to her at lunch and her band teacher played "Happy Birthday" on his trumpet. She said it was a great day at school!

In the afternoon, she got home and the Young Women's president came over with gifts and all of the Young Women stuff and gave her a run down of how Young Women's works and helped her understand personal progress.

We hung out in the afternoon and she arranged some flowers we got for her as a centerpiece.  She has loved arranging flowers since she was little and Grandma Di taught her and she did a great job!  Cov helped me wrap her presents and was soOO excited for her to open them.  He kept saying "I love Emma.  She's the best sister!"  Aww.  From the time she got home, "Emma, can you open your presents now?"  Cov even hurried and got his homework done so she could.  So she opened a few - a Lego set which was Emma, and later she opened the rest - a new dress, some lip gloss, some things for her new bedroom which we're working on decorating right now, and a few other things.

We started out her party with Taco Bell at home.  We had all the fixings to make tostadas or tacos or burritos or crunch wraps or double decker tacos.  We talked about Emma and our favorite things about her and favorite memories. Dad talked about how helpful she was, I talked bout how optimistic she is, Cal likes how fun she is, Lucy likes how sweet she is, and Cov likes how she plays with him.  We talked about fun times we have together and Emma is so good to play with her siblings.  Yes, she has those preteen moments when she needs alone time, but she does do fun things with her brother and sisters. and is so kind to them.

Then we played games.  We played a paper plate game.  I gave everyone a paper plate to put on their head and a pen.  Then I called out instructions I made up (based off a Christmas game we played once).  First, it was to draw a picture of Emma's head in the center of the paper plate.  Then to add a birthday hat on her head.  Then we drew a cake on the right side of her.  Added 12 candles.  Drew a present on the left of her.  Added a pretty bow.  Above Emma, we drew confetti in the air.  Below her, wrote happy birthday.  Then we took a look at the pictures and all had a pretty great laugh.  We also  played the lipstick blindfold game, where we took turns being blindfolded and doing each others lipstick.  That was a hoot and Emma loved it, giggling the whole time!

Next we had cake.  Emma really liked the mint and pink coral cake and her decorations that matched.  We sang to her in our crazy way, and she blew out all twelve candles.  I guess I need to stock up on candles, because I was just going to do 1 and 2 for twelve, the the younger kids insisted she had 12 candles on the cake.  I hope all of your wishes come true!  We had some yummy Blue Bunny ice cream to go along with the Funfetti cake.  Then we finished off the night watching a movie, and Emma chose Nacho Libre.  It was a great day for our baby girl!   I can't believe she's been on this earth for twelve years!  She's graced our presence with her sweetness, laid-back attitude, helpful spirit, cute giggle, kind demeanor, hard working personality, and caring heart.  We are so blessed to have Emma babes in our lives!

Emma @ #12YrsOld

Nick names: Emma Girl, Cool Beans Emma
In her spare time: Play with Jazz, read, play games
Best friends: Leah, Ivy, Joy & Anna, and new friends Brilee
Favorite color: Mint green
Favorite books: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, the Wings of Fire
Favorite food: Taco Bell
Favorite treat: Pie 
Favorite vegetable: Tomatoes
Favorite fruit: Peaches
Favorite drink: cherry, Dr. Pepper
Favorite thing to play with: Legos, Jazzy
Favorite subject at school: English Language Arts, Exploratory
Favorite TV shows: Studio C, 5 Minute Crafts, Guava Juice (on YouTube)
Favorite movie: Mama Mia and Avengers Infinity Wars
Favorite song: Bushes of Love, Seagulls Stop it Now, Walk Like an Egyptian, Child's Prayer
Favorite game: Clue & In the Beginning
Favorite season: Winter
Favorite holiday: Halloween
Favorite animal: Cats & snakes
Favorite sport: Football & wrestling
Thing she's best at: Tackling, art.                                          
Wants to be when she grows up: A reporter for the TV news. 

 

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.