General Conference

Can I just start by saying how much I love General conference?!? It truly is one of my most cherished times of the year. For those who do not know what it is, each year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints hold two semi-annual conferences from Salt Lake City. In these conferences, our prophet, currently Thomas S. Monson, his counselors, the 12 apostles and quorums of the seventy speak to us. We get to hear from the Prophet of God! What a gift and blessing!! With each session I am touched by the Spirit of the Lord and feel such a resolve to do better, to try harder,to be more. This time was no exception.

With having three small kids, it's tricky to actively listen to conference. Often, Dougie and I catch up the following weeks by listening to them online or reading them in the Ensign. With that being said, we felt this year that we need to be getting the kid more involved with conference. We didn't set our expectations too high, but we had a plan.

We played a game. The night before, Nola and I prepared notes of papers with specific word on them. We had 'prayer',
'happiness', 'scriptures', 'love', 'Jesus', 'blessings' and 'temple'. We also had pictures of all the apostles posted on the wall. When each speaker was presented, the kids would pick a word from the hat and then take down the speakers picture from the wall and post them on the eisle. Every time they heard the word from the paper, they had to raise their hand and then they would get to eat one of their Easter chocolates. It worked pretty good!! Nola caught on and was catching words left, right and centre! Robbie just ran around pretending he was Thor and John bounced back between snuggling and ripping the picture off the wall. All in all, it was a success!

It is a privilege to be able to teach our children about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to them for all that I have!!

...I do just have to share a funny little story. One of the speakers spoke in his native language and it was translated in English. So while this man spoke, another voice was recorded over top of his voice speaking English. My kids love the movie 'Prince of Egypt' so when the voice over came on, Robbie gasped and said 'Is it Moses?!?!' Doug and I tried not to laugh because he was totally serious! We explained to him what was going on and told his that the man was named Rafael. With an even more confused look on his face, Robbie burst out laughing and said 'No! That's not Raphael!!' Remember, Robbie IS a ninja turtle, and he knew that the guy on tv was not Raphael. We continued to explain what was going on, but then the speaker started talking about the artist Michaelangelo!!! At that point, Dougie and I couldn't hold it on anymore. We laughed until our stomachs hurt! What were the odds!!

A night worth remembering

Tonight was a night like any other night.

After supper, we headed over to the park. There, we met up with the Irwins and had a family home evening lesson in the gazebo on the resurrection of Christ. After the lesson, the girls ran up and down the hills, John threw rocks in the lake and Robbie just did his own thing - whacked the grass with his sword. After our park date was over, Dougie and I packed the kids into the stroller and went on a power walk. 'Family fitness time' as we like to coin it, is our attempt at trying to get back into shape, but also utilising our family time for just that - time as a family.

After the walk, it was time to tub the kids. John went to bed right after the bath, and the big kids came into our bed to cuddle and watch 'Grizzy bugs' or what everyone else knows as 'Elmo in grouchland.' Doug and I lay side by side in bed, holding hands, each with a child wrapped in our arms.

After the snuggle its time for scriptures, prayer and our family chart. A few more snuggles, back scratches and rounds of the Dora theme song, and the kids are off to sleep. Doug is out for a run and I'm soaking in the tub.

Tonight is like any other night. However, I cannot help but feel the impression that this is something to record. Tonight, like many other nights, my testimony was strengthened. The family is central to the Lords great plan of happiness. This is it!! These moments I share with my husband and children are what will carry me through not just to the next life, but will carry me through the trials of this earthly life.

This past Saturday, we had what is called the 'General women's meeting' for the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. There, our leaders speak to us of whatever it is we need to hear. It is no surprise to me that this year's focus is on the family. At the beginning of the broadcast, there is a video of family's singing a well know church song together - each family smiling widely and looking lovingly at one another. Many of my friends expressed to me how 'cheesy' they thought that was, but as I watched it, my grin was as wide as the people on the video and tears streamed down my cheeks. That kind of 'cheesy' happiness is totally real!! I testify of that as it is what I felt tonight. Pure bliss within the family.

Families can be together forever, through Heavenly Fathers plan. I only want to be with my own family and the Lord has shown me how I can.

Tonight, was like any other night. Tonight was a night to remember.

Tarzan birthday party!!

When we asked what kind of birthday party Nola wanted to have, she knew exactly. Tarzan. Yup, Tarzan. How does one throw a Tarzan party?! I have no idea. Haha! Basically I did animal print and decorated the basement like a jungle. Nickie made an amazing cake which I didn't take a picture of...sorry!! We had a total of 10 kids and it was crazy, but Nola had a blast and that's what matters. I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off, so a big thank you to Dori for taking these pictures and sending them to me.

A couple cute things to note from the party
- Arya greeted EVERYONE with a big hug. So adorable!
- Brylee loved Arya. She wanted to pack her around and play with her the whole time.
- Melissa made Nola a loin cloth!!! Is it any wonder why she is one of my dearest friends?!? It is the cutest costume ever.

Nola is 5!!

On March 8th, our Nola dear turned 5!! When we asked her what she wanted for her birthday, her response was immediate - 'I want to go swimming with Uncle in Fernie.' Uncle AJ and Auntie Sarah have invested so much in all of my children and it was absolutely no surprise that Nola wanted to spend her special day with them. Her birthday morning we let her open her present from Doug & I and her present from the boys. The boys got her a Donatello costume from the Ninja Tutrles. She LOVES it!! Dougie and I got Nola her very own guitar. I melts my heart to hear her say 'I want to play guitar like my mommy!'It was a beautiful morning to spend the morning together just as our little family :)

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We pulled into Fernie around 12 and headed straight to the pool. Swimming was AWESOME! Mom, Dad, AJ and Sarah all came to swim with us. John had a few tears at first, but Grampa saved the day and John was happy after a few minutes. Robbie did so good at the pool! He we loving the toddler waterside and he even put his head under the water. It was so fun to be with my family.

After the pool, we went to GGs for lunch. Ham buns - mmmm!!! GG got Nola a fairy dairy queen cake which Nola loved!! After lunch, Nola opened her gifts. She was so sweet opening them and she loved everything!

Bubble wrap!!

Doug really is the best Dad ever. He come home from work with bubble wrap. The kids were in heaven! Haha. Good times :)

Snuggle bug

Our little Duff still doesn't quite sleep thought the night. As much as that can be tiring, there really is nothing better than a Robbie snuggle! I often wake in the morning to this little guy snuggled up next to me. Oh, how I love this boy.

Sloppy John!!

The other night, we had sloppy Joe's for dinner. John was in his element!!! Here is our sloppy John :)