Conference Weekend

I love me a good family tradition and since this is the 3rd General Conference in a row that we've gone to the sea shore between sessions it looks like I have a new one to add to the list. (I say sea shore because that sounds so much more reverent and Sunday-worthy that "gone to the beach")

This year we went to downtown Marblehead and to the park there (name escapes me).

My little dare devils...


Of course its not as steep as it looks in the photo but Tessa did climb the whole thing by herself.

Meg finally decided to become a walker. This was her first outing with her new skill.

{There was a family photo here,
that a nice woman volunteered to take, but I look like an ogre so...
...no.}

We got home from the shore just in time to eat our soup and sandwiches in front of our big screen.

Just a reminder (to myself)...

...that I am in no way in control of my life.

After a great Conference weekend I woke up motivated and with big plans. I got up early to so yoga (original plan was running but it is raining out) and Meg woke up 10 minutes later. I did manage to do about half the video but "King Dancer" position is hard enough without a toddler hanging onto your thigh.

Next agenda item - an early trip to the grocery store. However, we've got ten minutes before 9:00 and Tessa is still sleeping soundly. By the time she wakes up, eats breakfast and gets dressed it'll be Meg's naptime and justify as I might, 2:00pm does not count as "early."

Good thing my motivation only extended far enough to plan two things for my day.

That said - it has been a nice morning reading and coloring with Meg. Oh, I've got to go, she's prepared a delicious meal of plastic Pringles for me.

Mommy and Daddy time

While it is undeniable that Tessa and Meg adore each other there is still something wonderful about getting your Mommy and Daddy's full, undivided attention. Generally this happens when one kiddo is asleep and the other awake (ie, Meg gets the early morning attention and Tessa gets the night attention). They both glow when they are nestled between us reading stories in bed.

And speaking of that, Meg did get to go on a fun "date" with Mommy and Daddy in October (yes, 3 months ago...I'm behind) that I must brag about.

Because our stake lacks a stake center we have had all sorts of arrangements for stake conference. Its a good thing our stake center will be finished soon because it would be hard to top this last stake conference. With Elder Ballard slated to attend the crowd was expected to be huge - so - the adult session (held Friday night, to avoid Halloween) was held in...

...Trinity Church.

I can't tell you how cool that was! When I found out the location my first thought was "I hope Aaron enjoys his time with girls while I attend stake conference." Okay - truthfully it was :

I'M GOING, I'M GOING, I'M GOING.

Since Aaron's thoughts were pretty much the same we instead got a babysitter for Tessa and toted little Meg along with us.

(Complete with Halloween jammies)

Do I even need to tell you how great it was? The space was beautiful and historic. And acoustically - vastly superior to the gymnasium.


Oh yes, and the message. I'd like to think that I would have made it such a priority to attend if the only draw was Elder Ballard. Yes - I think I would have. But I'll never really know because I was so pumped about having a service in such an amazing space. That said, I did really enjoy his message and the personal level at which he spoke to us. He said many things - but what has impacted my life the most since then is advice he gave that is applicable to anyone.

"Take time out daily for quiet moments of reflection."

Update on Momma/New Baby

In order to avoid undue anxiety to you I'll start by letting you know things are going well with this pregnancy.

This pretty much means that every time I freak out I am just being paranoid. And thank goodness for that. I'd much rather be a crazy paranoid freak than right! We have about four weeks to go until we get to the gestation Tessa was when she was born. Thats not too long...right? I thought that at 20 weeks and that week was incredibly long, every twinge, pull and ache made me scurry for a drink of water and a couch to lay on. However since then I've calmed just a bit and this week is going by better. Of course I had two ultrasounds this week, so that helps...{embarrassed laugh}

I also had my bishop give me a blessing this week and I'm assuming that has had a lot to do with the reduction of my anxiety.

Aaron suggested that I ask for your help. We definitely know that prayers have power, so if you are willing we'd appreciate your positive thoughts and prayers that this pregnancy goes full term.

I've tried not to write too much about this over the past 22 weeks - but I can assure you, you'll hear a jubilant yippee in blogdom when we get to 26w2d! And every week after that.

Oh - and just in case you are rabidly curious...here is a "belly shot"* taken at 20 weeks.

*geez...you have to put aside a lot of pride to post one of these, don't you.

Palmyra - via Chill & Grill

After the Whitmer homestead and the spider incident we headed to Palmyra.

On our way there we stopped at an veritable institution called "Chill & Grill." Very yummy - I'm adding that to my official recommended itinerary. Big burgers, lots of fries and a soft serve cone, size small, that will make you say "Thats a small?!" Guaranteed.

While there Tessa saw a big dog. She was brave enough to go with Aunt Laura to pet it.


After lunch we headed first to the Book of Mormon printing site. Then to the Joseph Smith farm and Sacred Grove.

I've been to the Sacred Grove a number of times and it is nice to be able to spend some time there absorbing the Spirit that exists. This time it was really nice to be there with my little girl - and my sisters. And of course the husbands as well.




Our last stop for that day was the Hill Cumorah. Aside from the sprinkler to the face that Aaron experienced it was a nice climb to the top of the hill and a nice place to rest for a bit.

Then we raced to Niagara Falls and our next campsite before dark when the office closed.

Out building on Smith farm

Good Morning Seneca Falls

Our travels that day led us to Seneca Fall, NY. We went there to meet my sisters Alicia & Laura, and Laura's husband Connel. Laura and Connel live in Cleveland as of this past January and Alicia was visiting them as a graduation trip.

You know, the really nice thing about traveling with sisters is that when you call them the morning of the trip and tell them that you neglected to make reservations soon enough and plans need to change and that they now need to drive 2 more hours beyond the original plan they just say "okay!" and are still happy to see you when they get there!

We chose Seneca Falls because it was the closest, non-KOA, campsite to Palmyra, our actual destination. And oh what a serendipitous selection. You see this campsite was minutes from the Peter Whitmer farm, a location Aaron and I had never been in our previous 3 visits to Palmyra and that I didn't know we were near until I saw a sign while we were exiting the highway. And of course, Seneca Falls is the birthplace of the Women's Rights movement. I was very excited to visit both places!

In addition, Seneca Falls itself is a darling postcard-worthy American town. Completely adorable, but sadly, a victim, like most other towns in that region, of shifting economics which have left it economically depressed. The tour guide at the visitor center stated bluntly that people who live there either work at McDonalds or bring their money with them. I find towns like this remarkably heartbreaking.

Now, not only were we near places I was thrilled to visit but our campsite cost $13 for all six of us. Thirteen dollars! What a deal!

Here I am making breakfast. Tessa woke me up at 6:30 after sleeping like a log all night. I thought I'd be awake by myself for a long time but Auntie Laura was up and at-em and ready to hold the baby. (yeah!) This picture shows two funny things...Connel is drinking out of a paper plate. We forgot cups so used our boyscout training to fashion a vessel out of paperplates. The coolest. The other thing you'll notice is Laura taking pictures. That pretty much illustrates her whole weekend, she puts Aunt Paula to shame!

Here are the girls taking a stand!
Yeah for the ability to vote and have legal possession of your children!

Auntie Alicia and Tessa mingling with the crowd.

Last October I bought Tessa a "passport" to the National Parks. The "passport" is a booklet that you take with you and get stamps at National Parks across the country. Tessa got her 2nd and 3rd stamps here. The 3rd was for the Erie Canal National Historic Corridor. We missed our chance to get an Underground Railroad stamp but time was short.

The group in front of the David Whitmer home (reconstructed)

Aaron and I hadn't ever come to the David Whitmer farm because it seemed so far out of the way of the other Palmyra sites. I now realize we were missing out and highly recommend it! This is one of the main sites where translation of the Gold Plates took place and the location of the organization of the church.

I had just taught a Relief Society lesson on the organization and destiny of the church. In it we discussed how Joseph Smith told early members of the Church that their understanding of the destiny of the church was like that of a child. One of the sisters in my ward pointed out how true this was by discussing all that the Church currently does just in humanitarian work world-wide. The church's network enables it to be first responders to many of the devastating natural disasters and to the local tragedies that occur daily; they also work in dozens of programs to bring drinking water, measles vaccinations, wheelchairs, and medical knowledge to third world countries. Do you think that the handful of Saints in the mid-1800s struggling against mobs and persecution could comprehend that!? How amazing and miraculous our world would seem to them!

Rexburg Temple

My mom, Tessa and I drove up to Rexburg to have lunch with my Dad. Then we drove to the Rexburg temple to take some pics. I know you are all thinking...so many words, so few pictures... so here you go.

To Lift Up my Spirit...

It is a gloomy Friday afternoon and I've been spending it watching news coverage of the Polygamist Ranch in Texas. The thought of all those poor children makes my soul ache yet I cannot tear myself away. My gloomy feeling is compounded by the fact that while watching I am exposed to the other news headlines which are equally, if not more, depressing.

How lucky I am then that this past weekend General Conference was so uplifting and filled with such timely messages. There were many good talks, but one in particular stood out to me and touched me with three specific messages. You can read the entire transcript here and I'll just share some excerpts and my thoughts on them:

"…Each of us must make an individual evaluation. First, we need to measure the depth of our gratitude for membership in the true Church of Jesus Christ. Second, we need to know by the power of the Holy Ghost in what ways we can do better in keeping the commandments.

"We know from prophecy that not only will the true and living Church not be taken from the earth again, but it will become better. Our lives will be transformed for the better as we exercise faith unto repentance, always remember the Savior, and try ever harder to keep His commandments. The scriptures contain promises that when the Lord comes again to His Church, He will find it spiritually prepared for Him. That should make us both determined and optimistic. We must do better. We can. And we will."

This quote was what first caught my attention, particularly that "it (the Church) will become better." As I mentioned the news headlines are all doom and gloom, full of evil, war, and economic woes - Aaron and I often joke "Where are we going and why are we in this handbasket." To be reminded that regardless of what happens in the "world" the stakes of Zion will be strengthened is so reassuring. I can't effect the whole world, but I can make sure I am aligning myself with the righteous force that will be strong regardless of the course of the world.

"…My sense of gratitude stems also from blessings to my family. It is the sealing power and our knowledge of it which changes and transforms our family life here and our expectations for the joy of family life in the world to come. The thought and the hope that I can have eternal relationships carries me through the trials of separation and the loneliness which are part of mortal existence. The promise to the faithful in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that we may have associations and an expansion of families in the eternities. That assurance changes forever and for the better all of our associations in families.

"For example, I am at a stage in my life when, because of great distances, I cannot come to know well grandchildren and, in time, great-grandchildren. There are also people who have never had the opportunity for marriage and parenthood who have the same yearning as I do to somehow be close to family. Because of the restoration of the knowledge of eternal families, we are more hopeful and more kindly in all our family relations. The greatest joys in this life center in families, as they will in the worlds to come. I am so grateful for the assurance I have that if we are faithful, the same sociality which we enjoy here in this life will be forever with us in the world to come, in eternal glory."

This was a personal insight shared by President Eyring directly to me (okay, and millions of other people at the same time). I have been feeling so anxious the past few months that our extended family is "missing" all the sweetness and joy that Tessa brings to us. In fact I was feeling like I was being selfish, although I am certain that this is the place we are "supposed" to be right now. So it was nice to hear that living away from family doesn't make you unrighteous (as silly as that sounds) as well as to be reminded of the eternal nature of family. This quote also touched on the issues of infertility that are often on my mind.

"…There is another improvement I am confident will come. Families across the Church are searching for ways to strengthen and protect their children against the evils around them. In some cases those parents are desperately trying to bring back some in their family who have wandered. I am confident that there will be, increasingly, a reward given by God for their efforts. Those who never give up will find that God never gave up and that He will help them.

"Much of that help will come from those called to serve in the Church. The spirit of reaching out will increase so that many will be as the young Bishop Thomas Monson was, inspired with practical ways to invite and encourage those who may, for a time, not recognize the blessings God has in store for them. President Monson to this day remembers people he labored to rescue when he was their bishop. My hope would be that all of us would have the confidence that God will guide us in reaching out, and back, to those God would have us bring with us as we go home to Him."

I won't go into much detail on this because I don't want to embarrass anyone, however it touched me deeply and was such a reassurance.

Another wonderful experience in this conference was the experience of the solemn assembly, held worldwide through the blessings of technology. I was especially touched to see the Aaronic Priesthood members in attendance at the Conference center stand to raise their hands in sustaining President Monson as Prophet.

Thank you for indulging me in these personal reflections.

Some sort of sick joke.

Warning, when I find my camera this post will contain a picture of a "poopy" diaper. (I know, ew)

Months ago I came up with the following super April Fool's joke. I decided to rework the classic (not classy by any means) baby shower game of "Candy-Bar-In-The-Diaper" into holiday hijinks. I melted a candy bar, put into a diaper, and put said diaper slightly under Aaron's pillow. Then I waited, snickering to myself.

It wasn't until late at night that he was feeding Tessa on the bed and I heard "Is this some sort of sick joke?" I have to say I disappointed that he only saw it and didn't get some on his hand or even better, LAY IN IT. (And as he pointed out, execution is 90% of the joke). Anyway, I decided to add some more ew-factor and I took the diaper from him and stuck my finger in it and took a lick. At that point he caught on and stated "Its chocolate, isn't it."

Then turns out the joke was on me, after 5 hours of sitting in the diaper the chocolate absorbed the absorby chemicals in the diaper and my little taste made my mouth dry the rest of the evening.

~~~***~~~

If you want to see an even better April Fool's joke click this link

Snoop Dogg Converts to Mormonism

Before you get to excited I'll point out that it was a hoax. However I will still quote my favorite line from the "article".

“I was hooked from the start,” Snoop Dogg said. “We talked about the purpose of life, played Mousetrap, and ate brownies. The kids thought it was off the hook, for real.”

After all, you can't deny that Mousetrap is a really cool game.

My thoughts on President Hinckley

There are a lot of things to admire about President Hinckley.

The one I'd like to talk about it how he allowed Heavenly Father to guide his life and make what could have been a good life into an awesome life.

From what I understand from reading his biography, he wanted to become a journalist. He applied to and was accepted into Columbia University. However, at the same time he was offered a position in the church, I can't what recall exactly, but it was an assistant to something. He did what might have seemed like a mistake to the eyes of man and accepted the lowly church position, turning down the prestigious acceptance into Colombia.

More than half a century later look what he has accomplished! During President Hinckley's long service in the Church he oversaw the missionary teaching programs and the Church curriculum programs. He took advantage, often on the cutting edge, of technology for use in the public relations, in the temple ceremony, and in teaching and reaching both Mormon and non-Mormon alike. There are many more examples of how Heavenly Father used a humble servants natural talents and interests to accomplish the work He needed to be done.

Had he gone to Colombia he may have been a colleague of newsmen like Mike Wallace and Larry King, and yes, he may have had some influence in society. Yet no doubt the fact that instead of working with these men, he was interviewed by them is one indication of the grand influence he was able to have by allowing the Lord to guide him down paths that I'm sure he could not have imagined, nor could he have foreseen when he made what may have seemed to some a foolish choice.

Our Mecca (more commonly known as Temple Square)

We spent some time in Salt Lake City before our flight home. We wanted to go to Hyer's Hamburgers, particularly to get some fry sauce, but apparently its a popular place on a Friday night, so we found Mexican restaurant to eat at instead. Then we went to Temple Square to look at lights.

This is a very common outing for many people, but my dad installs Christmas lights professionally so with him it was a in depth research trip. For Aaron and I it was just fun looking at lights and being surrounded with thousands of other Mormons. We snickered at a few of the conversations we overheard, things you'd never hear on the streets of Boston, but we also found a lot of very nice people to take our picture.

This is where I told eveyone to hold still and Aaron made a face instead...I'm posting this to teach him a lesson...

These pictures were ones I took while playing with my camera settings. That is one of my favorite games yet I'm really no good at it...these are the few that weren't (too) blurry.

Small Confession

I have a list of blogs that I check frequently and I especially like it when those people post, well, daily, really. However they don't always do that and so then I need to find some other random thing to do to fill my daily-time-wasted-online quota. So then I follow the links for their friends and/or commentators blogs. Wait...thats not the confession. The confession is, that makes me jealous. "Jealous of what?" I ask myself. Jealous that my friends have other friends? Jealous that my witty friends have friends who are eloquent and charming? That is ridiculous. Is it that I'm jealous that I'm not as eloquent as they are? No, no, as edit and edit this post I'm working through my feelings and I think what makes me jealous is that I don't get to have frequent contact with these friends and so I'm jealous that the thought that maybe there are people out there who do. Well, I hope they realize how good they've got it!

Another confession: we are supposed to having Family Home Evening right now (I believe that was either going to be Dunk-angel-food-cake-and-bananas-in-chocolate or Watch-the-movie-we-rented-over-the-weekend) but Aaron is sleeping. Well, I guess it should be him confessing, but he can't, he's sleeping.

Vermont

We went camping!! Mommy & Daddy love camping...well, maybe Mommy better just speak for herself. I think Daddy likes camping and Mommy loves camping.

We went with our ward to the Joseph Smith birthplace in Sharon, Vermont this was a big deal because the tradition is to go camping in the Harold Parker State Forest, which is 30 minutes from our home and with in sight of other houses. I hope I don't offend anyone by saying that New Englanders just don't do camping.

Sharon, VT is 2.5 hours away and I was a slacker and didn't get the Jeep packed up so we were late getting started and didn't get there till after dark, about 8-ish. Luckily those Mormons are a helpful lot and they got our tent up in a jiffy. I on the other hand spent about a half an hour warming a bottle for our little princess who won't take a cold bottle. When people asked where Tessa was I just shrugged...I mean its not like she can wander off...someone had to have her!! (Don't worry, I had seen our Bishop's 1st councilor hoovering about when we got there and when I went to hunt her down she was being toted around by him)

I thought it was great, even the torrential downpour that began in the middle of the night. Of course I wasn't the one with the wet shoe caused by someone leaving the tent door open just a smidge (oopsie!). Tessa thought it was great too, she was a bit startled when the flashlight went out at bedtime, there are no nightlights in the wilderness afterall, but when she woke up at 4:30 she was as happy as could be.

The presentation at the visitor center was good. They had nice pictures and graphics, the senior missionaries who showed us around were very sweet and the video they showed was well done and touching. I bawled, Aaron bawled (he won't be embarrassed I told you that...salty badges of courage), this cute little boy, about 7-ish bawled.

There are so few photos of us as a family that I have to post this...however I am blaming the camera case in the sweatshirt pocket for the apparent pooch I have. Look away.

On the way home we stopped in Concord, NH to let Tessa visit her first state capitol building. She loved it.