Sunday, November 4, 2012

What is currently consuming my life

The Boise Temple Open house.

I went three times last week. I took my cousin Alison on Wednesday, Kurt and I were tour guides on Thursday and Kurt business friend Blake on Friday. I honestly cannot think of another thing I would rather be busy with {other than my kids!} I love the temple. I know it is the house of the Lord. I know sacred covenants made in the temple will can our lives and shape our eternities.

The Boise Temple is so beautiful. It is breathtaking and my favorite place to be. I cannot wait to attend every week after it opens again on November 20th.

We took the kids and my parents, Kerri Carpenter, Nick & Jamie DeVos, the Rayos family, Alison & her daughters, and Blake. Tomorrow Emma and I are taking Hailey, Angelica and Ayanna. I'm hoping to take my last friend on Wednesday.

Not everyone I invited has wanted to come. But I have felt the Lord's hand and strength in inviting friends and family. I was randomly thinking about my cousin and got the prompting to call her. She told me that she wanted to come but wouldn't have without my invitation. I have had prompting to grab a open house invitation as I'm running out the door and then the friend I want to invite bring it up before I had the chance. I know the Lord wants us to enter into the temple. It has been amazing to be an instrument in His hands.

The work is true and God is good.

Friday, November 2, 2012

General Confence

Saturday & Sunday October 6 & 7th

Conference is one of my favorite things for two reasons.

1. Hearing the words of the prophet & apostles is food to my soul.

2. I love the traditions & family time of gathering together to listen to the prophets voice. I cannot think of anything better {other than the temple.}

This weekend was no different. Something that stands out in my mind that I want to document is that Emma Lynn was invited to her BFF birthday party which was an all day event on Saturday. When we realized it was the same time as conference she said, without hesitating  "I want to stay home and listen to conference with the family." I was prepared to make a compromise with her but I was surprised and touched by her decision. There was no grey area for her. I'm glad for the truths she internalized and the ease in choosing the right. She is a great example.

For me Elder Ballard's talk "Be Anxiously Engaged" resonated with my soul. It spoke spirit to spirit. And Elder Holland's talk "The First Commandment" was moving & inspiring. It never fails how the talks can be so applicable and just what we needed to hear.

LOVE this gospel. We are a blessed people.


Emma Lynn's Baptism Day

Saturday, October 13

This was such a beautiful, spirit filled day. Emma Lynn was glowing with happiness and she was ready. My parents came up from Utah for the weekend to celebrate the event. It was wonderful to have them here to support & share with us.

It was the first day of the Boise temple open house. I thought that it would be a perfect way to start the day. We saw President Brinkerhoff in the parking lot and Emma told him, "Today I'm getting baptized!" Pure enthusiasm.



After the temple we came back home for baptism preparations {pack the bag, do the hair, print the program and bake lots of goodies.} Emma Lynn was also able to go on her special grandparent date to Dairy Queen. She loved the one-on-one time.

The baptism was perfect. Coy Schaffeld {whom I taught in preschool} was baptized with Emma Lynn. We met in the chapel because of the family & friends who came. She is very loved.

The program went at follows:

Opening Song:
Opening Prayer: Kelli Ruf
{Pianist: Karen Rogers - Coy's grandma & Chorister: Cindy Romans}
Spotlight on kids by their mom
Talk on Baptism: Brother Rogers - Coy's grandpa
Baptisms
Talk on Holy Ghost: Claudia Richards
Welcome to the ward
Closing Song
Closing Prayer: Marti Bair

Those who came:

Cindy Romans, Dirk & Claudia Richards, Ken & Renae Romans, Marti Bair and kids, Julie Romans and kids, Dan & Kelli Ruf family, Traci Huntsman & kids, Doug & Christy Ruf family, Amy Lamb, Scott & Katy Lamb, Victor & Elaine Noble {home teacher}, Leon & Alison Steele, Krystal & Katelynn Stewart, Cortany & Brittany Forsberg family, Michelle Jacobs {primary teacher}and Angelica, Hailey & Ayana.



 Grandma Cindy
 Grandparents Romans

 Mom & Dad 
 Grandparents Richards
My beautiful glowing girl

Leading up to the baptism she gave many prayers that she would feel the spirit that day. Before we left she told me, "Mom, I already know how it will feel to be baptized because I already feel the spirit. I want to get baptized because I love Heavenly Father." She was ready, understood the importance of making covenants and glowed with her decision to choose the right.

The next day, Sunday the 14th her bore her testimony in sacrament meeting. It touched my heart. The newly given gift prompted her to stand and her words were sincere and heart felt. It was a spiritual feast. As a mother it is so beautiful to watch the progression of your children and the joy they experience in choosing the right. We love you Emma Lynn! You are a beautiful and loved daughter of God.  

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Pumpkin Patch

Monday, October 1st

Nancy and Ed invited us out to their pumpkin patch in town for the Second annual pumpkin patch FHE. It was a great time, although a little warm at times. It seems like we never get all of Ken & Renae Romans' family all together so it was fun for the cousins to spend time together. I think it has definitely become a fall tradition.



Everyone got to pick a pumpkin. But the rule is that you had to be able to carry it out of the patch. Looks like my Austin is growing up. Personally I think the Lucy size pumpkins are the cutest.


Last year I couldn't even get Ruth to get in the picture. Smile for progress.



We had chili and hot dogs, smores and candy. Lucy was pretty pleased with the menu!


Love fun {and silly} time with the cousins.



Emma's new accessory

On Monday we took Emma to the eye doctor. The weekend of her baptism {last week} she told me her eyes hurt when she read too much or is practicing the piano. So I made an appointment with the pediatric ophthalmologist in Ontario.

The verdict? She needs glasses. Her vision, especially far away is perfect but she is unable to focus close up and it is causing a lot of strain. She has to wear them all the time. Not very likely that she will out grow it.

Luckily she was very excited about this news. She had lots of fun trying glasses on. And we finally settled on the very first pair she picked out: a deep purple. She keeps asking me when I think the glasses will come. I'm really grateful that she is excited and not worried or anxious about it. I hope it continues!


As a glasses/contact wearer since 12 years of age I am a little less excited {but not around her!} Glasses are just a pain. But. I'm glad we got her in quickly and everything figured out. I'm grateful she's excited about this new accessory.

The final choice {and her first pick.}



Friday, October 19, 2012

PTC Fall 2012

Yesterday, October 18th we had the kids Parent Teacher Conferences.

I was remembering how nervous I was for Austin's very first conference. That makes me smile to think about now. I was not a single bit nervous yesterday. I know and love these teachers. They are amazing and loving and kind. I cannot express how wonderful it is to know my kids are in good hands while they are at school. I do love Four Rivers. If you can't tell by my daily drive we have are committed to it.

Emma Lynn was first. They encouraged her to talk more and have confidence in her abilities {Spanish.} It made me laugh because Austin never stopped talking and Emma won't. We are all so different. :) Emma is an excellent student and making great strides in second grade. We spoke about a different ideas or a plan to help her when she is nervous or anxious.

For Austin they had high praise for his math and writing ability. He really enjoys his teachers and finds 4th grade to be very fun. There has been a considerable more amount of homework. They both mentioned that he likes to talk and gets distracted. Our goal is to find to fit Spanish books for him to read during Spanish week.

Spencer is a great role model in his class and is anxious to learn. He loves to try all new things and that is especially promising in Spanish. He is above average in all areas of testing. I have seen a greater self motivated desire to read the past few weeks. It is exciting to him and his parents. His teachers said he is always that excited to learn at school.

The kids are always so quiet and so shy during this conference even though everyone is super positive and celebrating their accomplishments and successes. Oh well. I am grateful for a good school.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Puddle Jumper

Thursday we bought a new {to us} little car to run around in. There are many times that we run around with just a few of us and we wanted something with much better gas miles. Its a 2004 Hyundai. 104 miles and 32 miles per gallon. I'm excited for our little bug. Apparently we only own white {Kurt says were purist.}

This is Halloween Nite!

October 28 - November 3, 2018 Sunday, 10.28 Monday, 10.29 Tuesday, 10.30 Wednesday, 10.31 Thursday, 11.01 Friday, 11.02...