Jibber Jabber

Blake has learned to do new things with his voice and mouth to talk. We just had to get it on video! They grow out of it so fast and I didn't want to forget how precious it is :) I love how dramatic he is as he puts his face into the pillow!

Loosen Those Chains and Dance!

Another year of dance has come and gone. Last weekend Karlee performed with her dance studio. Her group danced to a song by the Dixie Chicks. (Hence the title of the post) She did a really good job and has learned so much this year! It's been a lot of fun seeing her do something she loves. I think her favorite part is getting the flowers after the performance. She is such a girl and I love that she enjoy's dance!

Race for the Cure

This is my 3rd year for doing the Race for the Cure on Mother's Day weekend. It is one of my favorite things to look forward to. I get to do it with some of my best friends and it's for a great cause. This year the kids got to come with me because their daddy had to work. They had a great time. Who wouldn't if you got free stuff, play on a bounce house, shoot some hoops??? Karlee struggled when it came time to actually race. But we did the 1 mile and she lived to tell the tale! Next year it will back to running for me and doing the entire 5k!

Cool hats!

All bundled up!

Me and my kiddo's :)

Me and my chicka's!

BYU Women's Conference

Don't ask why I look plastered in this picture! Ha ha ha! It had been a long 2 days of fun and spiritual uplifting. I was beat. Apparently it showed more than I realized...........
Anyway's, I was invited to Women's Conference by the cute girl on the far right. That's Heather and she is amazing! Her sister Christy, next to Heather, and Tiffany, next to me also came along. It was so much fun and I learned a lot! I went to a lot of marriage and family classes. I'm just going to type down a few of my favorite messages so that I don't forget!
Opening Session-
Keep it Small
Keep it Simple
Give it Time

2nd Class- Eternal Marriage, If you want something to last forever, treat it differently.
Truth- Men can actually think of NOTHING! This statement made us all laugh. I guess sometimes we forget that men's minds aren't filled with to do lists all day like ours.
You can only refrain yourself.
Get out and date. Even just a walk together. When you change the environment miracles happen. You see each other differently and it helps.
When marriage is based on Eternity we have time to work things out.
Be patient to understand our spouses in a disagreement.
Take a minute to see what's hidden before you talk to make it work.
Council together and pray together. Make decisions together with the Lord.
It's the up's and down's that let you know you're ALIVE!
Be loyal to our husbands. There is no need to discuss their faults with anyone but them. There is no need to share intimate details outside of you and him.

3rd class- Fidelity in Marriage: It's more than you think
Cleave unto your spouse, our covenants and the Lord.
Stay pure. Avoid pornography, impure thoughts, and lusting of the opposite sex.
Identify dangers and fight them with faith and courage.
Establish boundaries.
Identify our weak points and make them strong.
Make time for your spouse outside of children.
Be careful to not over schedule. You run out of steam and can't give time to your spouse.
Spend time together with no distractions.
Let things go that mattereth not.
Respect your spouse.
Be fiercely loyal to one another.

Afternoon closing session
Hold your tongues.
Distractions are taking over our responsibilites.
What comes next for willing hands to do?

Friday morning opening session- Julie B Beck (I adore her!)
Ask yourself, What does the Lord want me to accomplish?
In moment's of stress serve cold cereal! (I loved this one!)
Am I aligned with the Lord's vision of me?
Am I trying to escape my duties?
If we serve and love the Lord we are qualifying for eternal life.
Service is the good part, the needful part of our lives.
Teach like the Savior taught. Stand with Him and do His work.
Charity is a purifier. It requires repentance and change.
Go to the temple and PAY ATTENTION! Look, learn, feel, understand.
Become sufficiently mature to make and keep the covenants in the temple.

2nd class- The tongue of angels or sounding brass.
We can communicate better.
Each one of us is unique.
We are an equal partnership.

Be a patient, kind teacher.
Men's brains are made to focus on one thing at a time. Give him a chance to refocus after a topic.
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Don't be a hint dropper.
If you say it you own it.
Don't assume anything!!
Communicate so clearly that there is no miscommunication.
5 ideas to be a content communicator-
1-Decide if you are going to be a content communicator. Be kind.
2- Treat each other as your equal.
3- Men use few words. It takes time.
 4- Listen better. Learn to hear and understand.
5- Cell phones are ok sometimes. Not a main source of communication.

Be an in the moment listener.
Learn to talk less!
This one I really liked! Men are cautious communicators, because they don't trust you. They don't want anyone  to know their tender, careful things. Tender, careful things stay between the two of you.
Criticism- The greatest threat to a marriage is criticism.
Only sincere praise changes behavior.
There is no such thing as constructive criticism. If there is a concern follow these steps.
1-Before you speak ask "Is this helpful or edifying?"
2-Ask for and receive permission to give criticism. Write it down if the answer is no.
3- Be alone with the one to be criticized.
4- Be in emotional control. Be logical in criticism. Stay focused on the issue. No name calling, swearing etc.
5- Affirm their worth to you.


D&C 121:43
The best thing you do isn't the telling but the showing of the increase of love.
Look at the person whenever you talk to them.
It's up to you to accept the criticism. Prepare your heart to say I was wrong or you were right.


2nd class Pick the eternal priorities-
Hold on messy house, we are making memories!
Look up instead of going by a list. Pray to the Lord.
Seek the Lord's counse. He counsels in mercy and justice.
Don't worry about what others are doing. Focus on the Lord's work and serve. It adds unnecessary stress. Don't carry what others are doing. Do what you can do.


3rd class- "Like lionesses at the gate of the home"
Pray for and with your children.
Make the simple commandments a priority in our homes.
Teach children how to find answers.
Read the Book of Mormon just a few minutes a day. Results of family study:
-spirit of reverence
-spirit of peace
-spirit of contention departs
-children become more submissive
-mutual respect increases
Take inventory on the things that matter.
The world needs courageous parents to take a stand for the right!
Look to heaven for courage.
Teach your children to pray individually.
Give your children opportunities to practice your example.
It's a blessing to be able to work hard.

Closing session- Elder and Sis. Bednar
Small and simple steps will help us in our life. We just need to be humble in doing so and have faith.
Proper physical nourishment unlocks spiritual blessings to be able to do the Lord's work.
Spiritual patterns are essential to do the Lord's work.
Fasting, praying etc. keeps the physical appetites at bay. Drop by drop.
Avoid sporadic and spiritual spurting. Be constant, intelligent.
D&C 123
Cheerfully do all things that lie in our power.