The List and a Temple Trip

Last night we had a free Friday. Matt came home early and everyone seemed like they wanted to get out. Where to go on a Friday night as a family? We decided to go to the temple and eat some of our favorite treats on the lawn of the stake center. The boys enjoyed it and then we took them over to the temple to touch that awesome building. 

President Monson said in order to help build a testimony of temple let them go and touch it. Let them be around it. I remeber loving having the bountiful temple so close to me growing up. It definitely was a place of refuge and comfort. I can only hope the boys will be better than me and appreciate it even more than I did. 

Touching the temple as brothers. 

Can you guess whose snack is whose? 

Also, looks like my list if talks is getting too big for me, so I decided to close it off and make another list so I don't lose any of these. 

 

THE LIST 

When you need to know more about how this church views women…

 

Relief society- President Packer

Our sacred duty to women- Elder Nelson

Touch the hearts of the children – Ann G. Wirthlin

The joys of womanhood-Margaret Nadauld

It is not good for man or woman to be alone- Sheri dew

Daughters of God- Elder Ballard

Personal worthiness to exercise the priesthood- President Hinckley

 

When your heart might be little prideful…

 

Greed, selfishness, and overindulgence- Elder Joe J. Christenson

Becomith as a little child- Elder Maxwell

Your name is safe in our home- Elder Kofford

Sanctify yourself- Elder Holland

Gratitude- Elder Steven E. Snow

Our actions determine character- Elder Wayne a Peterson

The tugs and pulls of the world- Elder Maxwell

The challenge to become- Elder Oaks

Discipleship-Elder Perry

Come follow me- Elder Wirthlin

Deny yourself of all ungodliness- Elder Maxwell

Hidden wedges- President Monson

 

When you feel angry…

 

Agency and anger – Elder Lynn g Robbins

 

When you need to be reminded about the value of a good home…

 

The home: a refuge and sanctuary –Elder Ern a Call

The shield of faith- President Packer

Children- President Packer

 

When you see your calling as a teacher as something small…

 

A teacher from God- Elder Holland

To touch a life with Faith- President Eyring

Service- Elder Steven E Snow

True friends- President Eyring

 

When you are feeling overwhelmed and forgotten…

 

Trust in The Lord- Elder Scott

Friendship- a gospel principal- Elder Marlin K Jensen

A handful of meal and a little oil- Elder Holland

Perfection Pending- Elder Nelson

Finding joy in life- Elder Scott

One healed- Elder Scott

The joy of living the great plan of happiness- Elder Scott

Always remember him- President Eyring

This do in remembrance of me- Elder Holland

Perfection pending- Elder Nelson

Finding Joy in Life- Elder Scott

The path to peace and joy- Elder Scott

One step after another- Elder Wirthlin

The atonement can secure your peace and happiness- Elder Scott

Let him do it with simplicity- Elder Perry

 

When you need to a talk to reference the importance of the temple…

Receive the temple blessings- Elder Scott

Redemption of the dead and testimony of Jesus- Elder Christofferson

Children of the covenant- Elder Nelson

The power to heal from within- Elder Bateman

True conversion brings happiness- Elder Scott

Consecrate thy performance- Elder Maxwell

 

Talks on missionary work…

 

Have you been saved- Elder Oaks

What I want my son to know before he leaves on a mission- President Faust

Joseph the man and the prophet- Elder Oaks

Faith of our fathers- Elder Wirthlin

Sharing the gospel- Elder Oaks

 

 

Talks on family and marriage…

 

Marriage and the great plan of happiness – Elder Joe j Christensen

 

 

When you are going through a trial…

An High Priest of Good Things to Come- Elder Holland

Like a watered garden- Elder Holland

The atonement, our greatest hope- President Faust

Fear not; for they that are with me be more- Sharin G. Larsen

He heals the heavy laden- Elder Oaks

Holy scriptures: the power of god unto salvation- Elder Hales

Look towards eternity- Elaine s Dalton

 

Benjamin is 1

Benjamin will be one! I cannot believe it!!! He was born a few days early but I was so grateful to be done sooner than later! 

He is suffering from stranger anxiety but other then that he just loves being happy. He loves to listen to music and his brothers constantly entertain him. 

He likes his giant teddy he got for his birthday. He also enjoys eating--just like his mommy! 

He is such a blessing in my life!!! He is the perfect capstone we needed in our family! 

People when they found out I was pregnant with another boy were so sad for me and kept asking if I wanted to try for a girl. That made me so frustrated! No, I don't see having this healthy baby boy as a disappointment. He is perfect and I am so glad I was blessed to have three amazing boys!!! 

I Love My Family

We have been working on taking some family photos lately.  Mainly because I finally found some cute matching shirts for the boys.  I didn't want to spend a lot of time and money so I asked a sweet girl in our primary to take them.  She is from a family we adore here! I think she did a great job! 

One Step After Another

I once received a piece of mail from my favorite retailer and it had a picture of Kate Hudson laying on a perfect couch looking pristine and she had a little toddler facing her. The child was immaculately clean and everyone's hair was shining. 

I laughed because I thought, yes, my life is totally like this. Perfect hair, clothes, and house. And my kids never have mac n cheese left over on their cheeks. I should of kept the picture but I threw it away because I didn't need to be reminded about how much I wasn't like this photo. 

I had a terrible day yesterday. I would say terrible 5's are the worse stage yet! Everything seems to be a fight and I constantly deal with giant meltdown. On top of that I get so frustrated because I have this little angel's teachers tell me he is so perfect. How much they love and appreciate him. Seriously??? Why does he save his best behavior for me? 

After a good cry and watching a few episodes of GG (a guilty pleasure because I want to be Blair Waldorf) I decided to keep trying. I am extremely blessed and I know it. But that doesn't mean I don't struggle. I struggle lots!!! 

I found this talk (should hashtag that phrase) and it inspired me. Inspired me to only measure myself against myself. Here is the part of the talk I loved. 

One Step After Another (Wirthlin 2001)

Let me cite a hypothetical example of a dear sister in any ward, the one who has perfect children who never cause a disturbance in church. She is the one working on her 20th generation in her family history, keeps an immaculate home, has memorized the book of Mark, and makes wool sweaters for the orphaned children in Romania. No disrespect, of course, intended for any of these worthy goals. Now, when you get tempted to throw your hands in the air and give up because of this dear sister, please remember you’re not competing with her any more than I’m competing with the members of the Quorum of the Twelve in winning a 50-yard dash. (One Step after Another)

Basically it just reminded me that I should keep my eyes on my own paper and stop thinking that I might not measure up. Measure up in any way. Whether in motherhood, church callings, missionary work, or any other sphere. I am trying and that is all that measures. 

A staged Mother's Day photo. Done by Joshua with lots of bribery before church. All three kids were not very happy but I pretended we had it all undercontrol. 

At the zoo before I began to sweat like rain. Humidity is a terrible thing! And this morning Ben was particularly grumpy until he was put in his car seat. 

Hasty photoshoot and being eaten alive by Mosquitos. 

Boys are not cooperating for me. I need more hands. But at least I snapped a few good photos. 

The money shot. Hardest but best job around!