frazzled & frumpy

Our minds are capable of much. Our spirits are valiant and strong. But, life has a way of wearing us down and sometimes, we simply need a tune-up.  I spent most of last week away from my family. I left on Tuesday and didn't come home till Saturday. During those four days, I spent time with my new, fabulous friends, with my sisters, some time all alone, and two days surrounded by twenty thousand other women. Want to know what heaven sounds like? I think it sounds like 20,000 women singing together.  All of it- amazing. Years ago, this kind of week would have sent the Handy Man into a panic. Now, after all these years, he understands that sometimes I simply need a break. He knows that I will in fact miss him (and the kids), but I will not call every hour, or even every day. (I texted him daily, so he wasn't completely abandoned.) Most importantly, he knows I will come home a 'new woman'. I will be ready to face the daily task of caring for our children and o...

As you know, I spent two days at a women's conference.  One of the hardest parts was trying to decide which classes to attend.  I went to classes on being patient with yourself, arming your home and family, and choosing laughter.  I learned so much and was inspired by the things I heard. What is interesting, though, is that if you asked me what had the largest impact, I would have to say it wasn't a talk. One of the classes I looked forward to most was given by a man named Brad Wilcox . I had heard Brother Wilcox speak before and knew that he is an engaging and spiritual presenter. We went to his class where he spoke about names and the power they hold. I loved it. But, what I learned from him happened after he spoke.  We had thirty minutes until the closing session and as I sat waiting, I watched him. He's very well-known and popular.  People like that attract other people.  He walked the floor, being stopped several times.  I wasn't close...

I'm home from my girl's weekend. It was wonderful and I'm having a hard time putting my mind back in 'mommy mode'.  I'll share more about it tomorrow. For now, here are some pictures. The Marriot Center- lots of estrogen! The Y mountain. Celebrating Sarah's birthday. (Notice the princess crown.) Marriot Center, day two. Sisters. Me, Heidi, Sarah, Ellen. Gorgeous, yes? (This one is for you, Larissa.) Long lines for the more popular talks. We had such beautiful weather!

I came home from Women's Conference on a spiritual and emotional high. That lasted about 3 hours until the reality of my life settled back in. Broken dryer, broken car, children fighting, it goes on and on.  Lucky for me, Sunday was only a day away and that rejuvenated my elevated status. Both years I have gone to this conference, I've gone with a question for my Heavenly Father.  It's interesting to me that although the questions were very different in every way, the answers were so similar.  The answers both had to do with this year's theme- Elder Bednar and his wife spoke on Friday at the conclusion of the conference.  Elder Bednar said that by doing the small and simple things, consistently, are great things brought to pass.  The answers to my prayers from both years were that I needed to more of these 'small' things- consistently . I've often heard it referred to filling our lamps with oil.  We don't fill it all at once, it's a process of a...