Catching up Ramblings...

So it seems like a YEAR since I last posted something worth reading here, but I've been busy, and my saturated mind couldn't think of what to say. Finally I made a list, and I'll just mention a bunch of things that have been going on, or things that kids said that I want documented. Read on if you want...

After all these years, our family finally moved our scripture reading from night time before bed to mornings at 6:00 a.m school days (yet to determine the weekend schedule...any suggestions?) Nels' early morning work schedule has been being fazed out, and he has been suggesting that it was time, and finally Sunday night, we agreed to start it Monday morning. At first I was hesitant to see if we could make it work, but work it has! In fact scripture reading has improved 10 fold (people are too sleepy to be obnoxious or noisy...:D ) and the kids (the teens) who were waking up 2-5 minutes before it was time to leave the house, now have to get up more than an hour before we leave, and they really like being more prepared in the mornings. SO DO I! Also, bed time is so much easier! Ta da!

We've had this weird abt 24 hr flu like thing going through the kids. It's been epidemic at the school, so of course we've had it too. First it was Samuel, then Jason, then Gregory, and then Jason again. I can't remember if Jonathan has had it yet or not...? It's feel weird for a while, throw up once or twice, sleep a lot, then fine the next day...but everybody is at school today!

Gregory got sick last Monday night, on his way home from an awesome Freshman unity-building activity up at the Heber Valley Girls' Camp facility. He had a blast there, but felt weird on his way home...ended up staying home the next day. But he was happy to finally receive his birthday present - the new cell phone! (We'd had to crunch the numbers before we could pick it up.) He was too sick to appreciate it for the first 24 hours, but he's happy with it. If anyone has suggestions on cell phone rules/charges for teens, pass them on. We're paying half of his monthly bill, since it's of value to me, having to pick him up from the bus stop 3 afternoons a month, and so forth. (Did I mention his school was able to negotiate a annual bus pass for the same price as monthly one?! Yippee!)

That same Monday night, we had a fun birthday party at Mom B's for my niece, Heidi, who turns 25 this week! She has matured so beautifully in the past few years! She is so sweet, and I'm glad to have her back in the area. (She was such a little girl at our wedding!)

My plantar faciitis hurt like mad for a few days, went to the doctor, got night splints (each a week apart, but that's another story!) they helped for a few days, then worse than ever, finally got some meds, they didn't work, got some more, and whew, I've been almost like new, thank heaven! Nels says, "What's with you falling apart already??" Ha ha.

Last Saturday night was the General RS Broadcast, an annual must for us sisters - that's where we recharge our batteries, and listen to our leaders, including prophets, remind us that we are loved by the Lord-as we are, to be gentle and realistic with ourselves, and to believe we can do what is required of us with His help! Find transcripts, MP3, and video versions here.

I got to play volleyball last night with other women of our ward and stake - it was just as fun then as when I used to play back in college!

I really enjoyed the VP debate last night, and felt that Sarah Pallin did very well; I even came away understanding something I hadn't before. BTW, my aunt & uncle from Anchorage AK encouraged us all to "vote for her, she's the real deal".

I just found out my sister & family may be coming down here this weekend. I sure hope so, and we look forward to seeing her!

Speaking of this weekend, it's conference weekend! Here we go! (See last year's post for our traditions.) I just came home from the grocery store with a pile of conference boat & bingo treats.

My dad wrote some awesome comments on my entries from my personal history blog. That was cool! He remembers far more than I, and I appreciate his sharing details to fill in my memory gaps.

I wanted to share a couple of quotes. Jason recognized "God Be With You Til We Meet Again" as I played it on the piano and remembered when we sang that with my parents, and aunts and uncles Saturday before they went into the MTC. He said, "When we sang that, I started to miss them." Jonathan says the most amazing prayers. I expressed concern for the financial state of our country, and how it might affect my parents retirement money, and he prayed for them - specifically that "their money would be okay." (Jason prays that they'll "get lots of people to join the church," and their's is a Family History mission!) Samuel's msg to G & G Howlett is, "I love you, and good luck. Have a good time."

Did you know that the BYU Mint Brownie recipe has been published?! Click on the picture to go to it!

And finally, I've been studying the most wonderful doctrine in my personal scripture reading.(I'm reading just ahead of the family, so we started that same section yesterday!) It's Alma 41-42, where Alma is teaching his son that those who desire happiness in this life will get it! It's that section where it talks about good restored to good, evil to evil, etc., but it's the DESIRE that is most important! So, women, there's hope for us! All we have to do is desire, do our best, and trust in the atonement of Jesus Christ, and IT IS ENOUGH. God is so great!

You made it to the end! Wow, thanks. :) Once I got going, I went for it!