Taking a break

 Tony has been working like crazy for the past year, trying to get his business up and running.  He is constantly working from morning until sometimes late at night.  It has been a stressful and challenging year. Add to all this stress the responsibilities of being a Bishop, and sometimes it seems that he just might spontaneously com bust or something.  Not really, but there is a lot of weight that he carries on a daily basis.  We try to do all we can supporting him and carrying what we can, but from time to time you just need a little break from the worrying.  Sometimes you just need to get away.  So...we did.  We have been saving our frequent flyer miles for awhile, hoping maybe to pick up Alexis this fall.  Being real though, there was no way we could go to Australia, for many reasons.  So I suggested we take a little weekend get away to sunny California, since our time was limited and it is close.  We were able to get a flight, hotel and rental car all with our miles, and who doesn't love a free vacation! We left Friday afternoon and returned Sunday evening.  Of course it was too short, but we enjoyed every minute of the sunshine and warmth and a few days of carefree relaxation for Tony. Here is our weekend in pictures:

Griffith Observatory

Beverly Hills

The Getty Villa

The Getty Center

Ronald Reagan Library

Tony's Birthday

Just a little shout out to my husband.  I met him for the first time a little over 24 years ago, and he just gets better with age! He has changed a lot through the years, his hair is thinner and gray, and he doesn't stand quite as tall as he used to, but honestly I like it that way.  We have earned those gray hairs together.  He loves me, he listens to me, and he makes me laugh.  He knows how to enjoy life, and be a spiritual giant at the same time.  He is strong when I am weak.  He supports me and encourages me.  He lets me drag him around to every "cool" thing I want to see on vacation.  He respects my ability to receive guidance and direction for our family, even if it means dragging the whole family cross country.  He's not perfect, but he is perfect for me. Happy Birthday, Tony!!

Heavenly Father Has Got Your Back

On Thursday, as I went out to check the mail, there was a green envelope with crazy stickers all over it, and some of the most beautiful handwriting I have ever seen.  It was a letter from Lexie!  (Can I just say that I love Australia!  The letter was postmarked on the 18th, and was in my hands on the 21st!  Bless them for having such a great postal service!)  Since she won't be here for Thanksgiving, she wanted to share with us why she was grateful.  She then proceeded to tell each one of us why she was thankful for us.  Of course I cried!  But I also laughed because she is funny, and faithful and just all around amazing. 

Love this girl!

She said something in the letter though that just stood out to me.  She told one of her siblings that she knew that Heavenly Father had her back.  It is so true.  He has all of our backs.  Just in the past couple of weeks I have seen His hand so often in our lives.  Answers to prayers, blessings, and even miracles.  Many "significant, but subtle" blessings, that have lifted me or members of my family through hard times, or just brought the simple reassurance that He is mindful of us and will help us through anything that comes our way.  Challenges are always around us, but I am so grateful to know who has my back.  I have full confidence in Him.

Thankful November

I see so many who post pictures or comments of what they are thankful for every day in November.  I think it is such a great idea, but let's get real- there is no way I would remember to do that every single day for a whole month.  That does not mean that I am not grateful though.  In fact quite the opposite is true. Just last night I was in tears at the immense feelings of gratitude that I had.  Truth be told I was overwhelmed with gratitude.  One of my favorite quotes from this past General Conference was from Elder Bednar.  He said, " A grateful person is rich in contentment. An ungrateful person suffers in the poverty of endless discontentment." I have much to be grateful for, I could not possibly list them all, but here are some of the things that stand out right now.

• My missionary daughter.  Hello, who is the parent here?  I feel like I learn more from her each week in her letters than I have ever taught her.  She is busy serving the Lord in Australia, but somehow she seems to know exactly what I  or one of her siblings need to hear.  She has been out 8 months already, and I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity she has to serve, and for the immense blessings that service has brought to our family.
• My 12 year old son.  Last night that moment I experienced was because of him.  The last home football game is Saturday, and he was supposed to go with his Dad.  However we have a big church activity Friday and Saturday.  We told him he could still go to the game if that was what he wanted to do.  He said he would think about it.  Well last night he told us he wanted to go the meeting on Saturday, where he has to wear a white shirt and tie!  I was amazed! Who chooses a meeting over a football game?  Once again the parent was taught by the child.
• My 16 year old bottomless pit of hunger son.  Last night he gave me a description of the varying degrees of hunger that he experiences.  The list took several minutes to describe.  He makes me laugh!  I love his sense of humor, and his genuine goodness.  Last night we were attempting to have a serious discussion about the 4th Article of Faith ( we decided as a family to memorize and study the doctrine of the Articles of Faith thanks to Elder Perry) and I asked what we needed to do to repent?  He immediately responded, "Sin."  I suppose some people might find that offensive, but I have had a rough few days, and I just laughed.  I am grateful that he always tries to lighten my load, and helps me not take myself too seriously. 
• Beautiful Breanna.  She is so kind and compassionate.  I love her sense of style, I love her obsession with One Direction.  I love that she is continuing the "hott man wall" that her sister Lexie started.  I love that she too can always make me laugh with her antics. I love that she helps me be more enthusiastic about life.
• My oldest and wise daughter. Last week she had her recital preview.  Stressful thing-you have to pass or you can't do your recital and then have to wait another semester.  She passed!!! So grateful. The recital is three weeks away. Can't believe I almost have a college graduate.  I love that she fights through really hard things with faith and determination, and is willing to accept the Lord's will for her.
• My husband.  I have had lots of opportunities recently to analyze our relationship.  And you know what I found out? I am one blessed lady.  I feel so grateful that we have 100% agreement on the things that matter in life and how we want to live the gospel.  We have disagreements, yes we have even fought, but we agree on the things that matter.  I appreciate his love and support, his patience to listen to me even when I am being irrational.  
•  General Conference.  After having read through all the talks now, I feel so blessed from the lessons I have learned.  It's like one of those gifts that just keeps on giving.
• Crunchy leaves!  I will go out of my way to walk through leaves right now.  We have several trees in our neighborhood that drop crimson and gold leaves all from the same tree.  They look so beautiful in piles on the sidewalk.  
• Music.  Isn't it amazing how music can convey a message that you just needed to hear.  I love that it can lift my spirits quicker than just about anything.  I was listening to this song the other day, it was exactly what I needed to hear.  You should listen to it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoXoOq2aej8
• All my kids know all their grandparents.  3 of my 4 grandparents died before I was 5 years old.  My Grandpa Twitchell actually died before I was born.  I know I will get to know them later, and I look forward to that, but I am so grateful that my children have had the opportunity in this life to have their lives blessed by close association to their grandparents. So grateful!

I could go on and on (ok, so I probably already have...), but I just have to mention my gratitude for the Savior.  Not a day goes by that I don't rely on the Atonement and it's enabling power either for repentance or for strength to do what I could not do alone.  I am grateful that through the Atonement we can change every day to become more like Him. So for this, and so many other things, I am grateful.

Twelve Today!

When Grant get's excited about something, he can't stop talking.  He has been going non stop the last couple of days! Here's a look back at Grant through the years...

When we told the kids that I was pregnant with Grant, Jared was so excited to have a baby brother.  We didn't know at that point if it was a boy or a girl.  I said, "What if it is another sister?"  Jared looked me in the eye and said, "NO!"  They have always gotten along even with the age gap, although Jared is not big on snuggling anymore. :)

Hooray for Fall

Celebrating Grant's 3rd Birthday in Mueller Park

I say this every fall, but I really do love it.  I love the nip in the air, I love the smell, I love that our power bills finally become bearable again.  I love a good, cloudy day with a few sprinkles, that in Utah are almost always followed by days with skies of piercing blue.  Life is full of challenges, stress and uncertainty, but the wonder of fall with it changing leaves and temperatures help to keep me grounded.  (Just like spring does after a looonnngg winter)  Just like Pres. Uchtdorf said, there are seasons in all of our lives, some are good, some not so much, but always there is the promise of something better even in the darkest and longest of seasons.

I loved the Relief Society broadcast.  I was reminded of things I need to do to be a better covenant keeper.  I loved Pres. Monson's message.  We weren't sent here to walk alone, and God's love is ALWAYS available to us.  In this crazy world of constant change, how wonderful to have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior to be a constant in our lives, to help us through all seasons.

In other news-Grant is turning 12 on Tuesday!  I listened to my very last primary talk today.  He is so excited to go to Priesthood with his Dad on Saturday night.  I suppose he does have some deacon-like behavior showing up, but nothing too serious.  The other night he was in our room before going to bed.  He was walking out of the room and said, "I love you, Mom."  Tony was standing right by me, but he said nothing to him.  Tony responded, "What am I? Chopped liver?"  To which Grant responded, "Good night, Dad," with a huge grin on his face.  Grant and I started to laugh, and as he walked out of the room he added, "Dad, I love you too."

Sunday Funny-a young boy in the primary shook Tony's hand today, and seemed to be very excited about it.  Then Tony heard him tell a classmate in an animated voice, "I just shook the hand of ..wait was that the Bishop or the prophet?"  

Can't wait for General Conference next weekend!  Best two weekends of the year!  (Interesting that they come in Spring and Fall...)

What's the Big Deal About Sunday?

The kids after attending church in Island Park

First can I just start out by saying I love the new youth curriculum! (I might have mentioned that before, I really have no idea)  It makes me think, it helps me learn, and although it is challenging to get the girl's to participate on the level I would like, I always like a good challenge.  And when they share something personal, and preface it with a comment  like, this wasn't a big deal or dramatic or anything, and proceed to explain how they chose to do the right thing - I love it!  Can I just tell you, that I want to hug them, thank them, and tell them it is ALWAYS a big deal when you choose to follow the Savior!  Anyway I digress...

The topic for our discussion on Sunday was, "Why are we commanded to keep the Sabbath day holy?"  I know I have mentioned before how much I love Sunday's, I may have even gushed about them because I live for Sunday.  Life is hard, and I need Sunday to rest, to be spiritually fed, and to have some family time.  Pretty sure I didn't always feel this way...church in Brazil was a challenge.  Hello-three hours of understanding about 3 words?  But the language came, the spirit was still there, and I worked through that one.  I also remember hating going to other wards, especially if we had to go to primary or other meetings-not a favorite for a shy person like myself.  No matter my dislike however, when we went on vacation we found a ward to attend, because that was how we rolled.  But even with these challenges, I don't ever remember really disliking Sunday.  I remember well my first Sunday in college when my alarm went off thinking, "No one is here to make me go to church."  I laid there for a few minutes, and got up.  I wanted to go to church. 

I believe for a long time I went to church because it was a commandment.  Not just any commandment, it is one of the big 10.  I made covenants to keep the commandments, and this was part of the deal.  Obviously there is more to Sunday than going to church, but that is, in my opinion, the most important thing.  Ok, let me rephrase, going to Sacrament meeting and partaking of the Sacrament is the most important thing. Like all of Heavenly Father's commandments, they are to bless us.  He knew that life would be hard, that we would struggle with worldly realities, and that we would need reminders to stay on track.  He knew we would make mistakes, and that we would need forgiveness.  He knew that even though the Atonement is the most amazing gift ever, we would need help always remembering.  So we go to church, where we have the privilege of participating in the ordinance that the Savior instituted long ago.  I am beyond grateful for the opportunity I have every Sunday to get my life in order, to repent, to think of the Savior, and promise to keep trying through another week.

It has long become something much more than "just" a commandment to me though.  It is what I do because I love the Lord, and I recognize how much I need His help.  Always.  This is why I hunt out places to go to church even when we are on vacation, and funny thing is, it has become one of my favorite things.  I love going to church in strange places, and feeling at home.  Absolutely love it!  Crazy that I hated it as a kid. :)

Of course Sunday is more than 3 hours of church, for Tony it is more like 10 hours of church, so we try to make the day different.  We listen to different music, we TRY to have gospel discussions, we laugh, we rest (the teenagers rest a lot), and we try to keep the spirit with us as we prepare for another week.

Up next week in Young Women's-Fasting.  In D&C 59 it says fasting = rejoicing.  Still working on that one.  This will be a good lesson for me!