General Conference Weekend

I love General Conference weekend!  I love gathering my family around to be fed spiritually and physically.  I love all the traditions that have evolved over time. I wish I would have taken more pictures, but this will have to do...

Saturday morning began with Matt and I going for a bike ride in the foothills east of our home.  Once we got home we whipped up some french toast and had fresh raspberries and cream to start the day.

Then we grabbed paper and notebooks and settled in to hear the prophet and apostles. I did my semi-annual ironing marathon during the first session.  I sat down for Elder Holland's and President Monson's talks so I could really pay attention and this is what happened both times...

But I was not the only one, Addie and Boomer both had great naps.

PJ's, Pizza and Pedicures during Priesthood is one of my favorite traditions on the Saturday night of  Conference weekend.  The girls on my side of the fam hang out together while the boys go to their meeting.  This year my sisters got a better offer (curse you, Jim Gaffigan/Satan!).  But it was still and great night with my girls.  

American Fork Canyon is spectacular this time of year.  We went for a little hike up at Horse Flats.  I am so thankful Aly will go on hikes with me.  

My heart gets a little sad to think that this was probably Aly's last conference with us.  She and Michael will be moving to Houston in January.  

Keeping with tradition, we ate pizza at Malawi's and did a little shopping at the Outlets. 

The boys were lucky enough to get tickets to go up to The Conference Center.  

Sunday morning we all fixed Conference Crepes together.  Grandma and Grandpa R joined us and brought whipped cream and fresh raspberries. 

Usually I come away from Conference feeling like I got a little pat on back and "you are doing good and hear are a few tweaks".  But this time I felt a call to repentance, maybe because Elder Scott shook his finger at me.  I need take more responsibility for my own spirituality and teach my children that also.  The things we do or the things we fail to do as a family does not give them an excuse.  Each person is responsible for their own spirituality.  We strive to have a gospel centered home where our children feel loved and supported, but we miss scripture study here and there.  Our FHE lessons are too often short thoughts and a trip to Orange Leaf for the kid cups 4 for $10 special.  I need to be more intentional at making sure gospel basics are done. And done well.  Or at least a little better. I need to give my best effort to creating a family that doesn't just put a check in the to-do list of the gospel, but that we 'become' disciples of Jesus Christ in everything we do. Sheesh!  I need a nap and then a trip to Orange Leaf just thinking about it! 

Happy Birthday, Mom

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

How can I sum up how much my mom means to me with a few short words?  Every time I'm with my mom and we run into someone she knows (and she knows everyone) they ALWAYS say to me, "Oh, I just LOVE your mom!!".  I think everyone loves her because she is so kind hearted and humble.  She includes everyone and is always looking for ways to help others.  My mom also makes THE  best banana bread. Ever.  I have tried to make this recipe and it's good, but I swear my mom must have a secret ingredient she is not telling us about, because there is nothing like my dear mother's banana bread.  It is comfort food to me and I can't hardly control myself when there is a loaf sitting there calling my name.

Sharon's Best Ever Banana Bread

INGREDIENTS:

2 eggs, beaten 1/3 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 cup mashed bananas 1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spray one 9x5 inch loaf pan with non-stick spray coating.
2.	Blend together the eggs, buttermilk, oil and bananas.
3.	Sift together the sugar, flour, baking soda and salt. Add to banana mixture and stir in pecans. Mix well.
4.	Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2014 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/13/2014

Jonah and I have a lot in common

Matt and I were called as the Young Single Adult advisors in May and we love working with these amazing people, but every week we have to teach a lesson from the Old Testament. I struggle with the Old Testament!  I have a hard time with how God is characterized and how the many stories seem to have almost a Hollywood feel to them. But I have learned a lot the last couple of months.  I have learned how to apply these people's crazy experiences to my own like and to realize that I'm probably a lot more like them than I would like to admit.  Last week I realized that Jonah and I have a lot in common.  Thankfully I have not been swallowed by a whale, but I have been running from a prompting I have had again and again.  

Probably about 3 years ago I had the thought that I should start a blog.  I remember thinking, "I wish my grandmothers had kept a blog or journal that I could refer to when I needed some inspiration or encouragement". They were both amazing women who had great wisdom and found beauty in all things.  They raised incredibly strong families and I wish I could see what their day to day lives were like and read the thoughts and intents of their hearts.  Unfortunately, I can't do that, but I could do it for my grandchildren.

My problem was that I let the illusive idea of perfection stop my progress. Again.  This has been a problem my whole life.  If I don't think I can do something really well/perfect then I'm not even going to try.  Piano lessons, singing, art, mountain biking, bread making and this list could go on and on.  Well, writing is also on that list.  I came up with every excuse in the book as to why I shouldn't spend time writing a blog. I hated sitting at the computer.  I'm a doer, not a thinker.  I don't know what to write about or how to.  I don't take good pictures.  My life is not exciting and I have nothing insightful to say. Blah, Blah, Blah.  All excuses!!!  

Every time I got serious and asked God what I should be doing I got the same answer, "Start a blog". I have run from that for years and I have felt inspiration being withheld from me because of my stubbornness.  So I have decided to make a commitment to myself to spend 15-20 minutes a day writing.  I am letting go of perfectionism and just letting what comes be good enough. 

Oh, what I would give to have writings and photos from my grandmothers!   I would love every word and event recorded, no matter if the photos were blurry or there were grammar and punctuation errors all over the place.  So I will share what is happening in our family and what thoughts are in my heart, so that someday my granddaughter might know that she should do things that scare her and that the imperfections keep it real.

In remembrance of my angel grandmother's...

Carolyn Davis Shuler

Joyce Nelson Provstgaard