A helping hand...

Last week I shared Steve's encounter with a good samaritan. Let me share another experience.

A couple weeks back, when we were out of town over Memorial Day weekend we attended another ward for church. We took several rows for Steve's family and trying to keep our kids quiet with their cousins sitting next to them was a little difficult. I noticed a lady in the row across from us. She too had four rowdy boys with a little girl and she appeared to be pregnant. She was sitting alone.

As I glanced her direction I could see it in her face, she was struggling. I could see it because it was all too familiar to me. That has been me for several years as I sat alone and Steve sat on the stand. I didn't want her to see me watching her, so I turned my gaze forward and would periodically glance her way. After 15 minutes of watching her, I finally whispered to Steve, "I think the lady over there is having a hard time." He glanced over her direction as casually as he could and observed the same thing I had.

"Well, go over and help her then."

I was paralyzed. Yes, I could feel her pain, but I didn't know what I could do for her. We were in the middle of a speaker. Besides, I looked at the clock and realized I needed to feed Briggs shortly. So I stayed put.

I sat for a few more minutes, glancing in her direction, hoping her situation and demeanor would magically change. Steve noticed my glances. "Just go sit with her and help her with her kids."

"She'll think I'm crazy. I don't want to embarrass her."

"She'll appreciate the help, just like you always appreciated help."

I pretty much talked myself out of it. Until the speaker sat down and several men from the congregation stood to walk up and sing. I had butterflies in my stomach as I quickly stood up with the men and stepped across the aisle and shimmied into the small section left on her bench. "I have been in this same situation many times. Can I help you?"

With a sigh of relief shaking her head she said yes. I reached for the baby that was in her arms and she willingly handed him over. Instantly, the rowdy boys suddenly were calm as they eyed me up and down wondering why I crashed their party! There was no more wrestling or jumping. They sat still as can be as close to their mother as possible. The little girl cozied up to me and drew me a picture and the baby was okay with a stranger holding him.

After a while, my sister-in-law turned to give Briggs back to me to feed when she noticed I wasn't there. I leaned towards the mother and apologized that I needed to leave to feed my baby. I grabbed Briggs and headed out and I as I walked out I could see my sister-in-law taking my seat with the young family.

After the meeting was over, I walked in from feeding and found Steve talking with my new friend. I learned that her husband's job takes him away over half the time on Sundays. She had a faith building experience in which she realized the blessings that result in attending church so she faithfully brings her 5 (soon to be 6) kids every Sunday. It's hard and tiring. Most the time she's wondering why she does it. I could empathize with her on so many levels. I've been that mom on Sunday mornings sitting in the pew alone fighting back tears of frustration, wondering why being there even matters. But I knew it was important and I so I struggled.

I enjoyed talking with the mother. She expressed her gratitude, we hugged and said goodbye.

The crazy thing is I almost didn't help her, in church of all places! The same place that teaches us to look out for and care for others. Partly because I was uncomfortable and partly because I in no way wanted to make her uncomfortable. We often look at situations and think - that's too bad, but really what I can do about it. Those words went through my mind as I watched her. But Steve's counsel was inspired. "Help her with her kids." It was simple. It didn't take much effort, just a little courage to step out of my comfort zone. It made me realize people are more willing to accept help than we might think.

It was a good reminder to not only notice people in need but to extend a helping hand. What can you do to help someone today?

Youth Conference...

Steve and I (and Briggs) were able to escape some of the heat this weekend when we attended Youth Conference for our church up in the mountains. We had the. Best. Time. I'm still having a hard time processing and expressing all that I felt and learned and experienced. It was that good. I've got hundreds of pictures showing what we did, but they still fall short in depicting how I felt. Steve and I have found ourselves talking about the weekend over and over again.

And just when I think we've exhausted all conversation regarding Youth Conference, we find another nugget to discuss and reminisce on. Even today at church, our youth conference was the topic of discussion and all the kids shared their feelings and what they learned.

Here's just a little teaser of many photos to come. As you can see, although we escaped the heat - we were still toasty in layers of heavy clothing!


Did I mention we had a good time?! Part of it was the experience - but part of it was only having to worry about one child. It was energizing!

Fatherhood...

We spent the weekend in pajamas, on the couch watching "Church on TV" as it was referred to when I was a kid. We watch talks both Saturday and Sunday for several hours and I always walk away feeling renewed. Some talks offer poignant stories, others offer instruction. There are always a couple talks that stand out at the close of the weekend - one in particular this weekend spoke of fathers.

Listening to D. Todd Christofferson speak of fathers and how they are often overlooked or not given enough credit, I was overcome with gratitude for both my father as well as the father of my children. I've praised my dad several times on this blog as he is always willing to help me with my projects. He is amazing and I'm grateful for him and is dedication to fatherhood. Part of my appreciation for my father comes from watching Steve be a father.

Steve doesn't really like a whole lot of facetime on the blog - he's more of a behind the scenes kind of guy. But let me tell you - he takes his role as a father seriously and I love him for it. He is always putting the needs of us before himself. I remember when he was working full-time, going to school and had a hefty church responsibility - he would come home with what little time and energy he had and he would give everything to our kids for the short time that they were still awake. He wrestled, played football, gave horsey rides and read books. I bet if you asked our kids - the only complaint they would have during that time period would be the lack of Saturday morning pancakes (which is Steve's specialty) due to his testing schedule. They have no clue that because he dedicated the hour and a half to playing with them that it extended his day doing homework late into the night.

I'm reminded with each child's birth just how important it is to him to being there and being present; not just for the kids but more importantly for me. He's fiercely dedicated and he's humble - how's that for attractive! :) Watching him interact with our kids is just the cherry on top.

Sundays just got easier...

We've spent the last year attending church at 8:30am and it was not always fun. Steve left early for meetings which meant I got the kids ready for church on my own. At 8 o'clock, Steve would come home from meetings and take the four kids to church. This left me 10-15 minutes to get dressed and finish getting ready and meet them at church where I would sit with the kids by myself. Sunday mornings were nothing short of exhausting.

But a new year, means a new time to attend church (every year at the beginning of the year we rotate to a different time) and now church starts at noon. This may not seem like a big deal but let me tell you, it's a game changer. Steve's around more in the mornings before heading off to meetings and although I still sit alone (I do sit by some fantastic families who help me out) the later time makes a world of difference. Not to mention 8:30 church on my own with a new baby might have done me in!

Temple lights...

We're slowly checking Christmas activities off the list - Temple Christmas lights. This isn't something we get to every year but we managed to squeeze it in just before the temperature dropped. The weather was coolish and we went early enough we beat the crowds. It really is a fantastic display of lights - it's beautiful. But more than anything I love the nativity scenes they have with the story playing through speakers. Each scene depicts part of the story until the final scene we're all so familiar with - a baby Jesus, two loving parents and animals surrounding them. I think I could walk the loop with scenes over and over and never tire of hearing the story.




We also went into the visitors center where the kids marveled at the statue of Christ. We saw dozens of unique nativities from around the world and each kid shared which one was their favorite. All of us chose different nativities that spoke to us or sparked our interest. And yet every nativity depicted the same exact story.

I love this season!

A Savior is born...

It's hard to believe the month is half way over! You know what I love about this season - amongst all the fun traditions we do as a family and all the excitement that comes with it - I have been able to find quiet moments (usually at night when the kids are in bed) to reflect and ponder the birth of my Savior. Sometimes it's been through music or Christmas books and other times it's been in the quiet of the night with the just the Christmas tree lighting the room. Its hard to describe the overwhelming gratitude I have for my Savior - but perhaps the best description would be peace and hope. Which is exactly what I want to fill my heart with this season.

Here are a couple videos our family has enjoyed to remember the reason for the season.

To all mothers...

What mother couldn't use this kind of encouragement?

Elder Holland's General Conference talk this weekend (Saturday afternoon) was a wonderful tribute to mothers everywhere. Yes, at times, it can be a thankless work, but it's an important work. And we're all doing better than we think we are.

2016 YW Theme; Free Printables...

The 2016 theme for the Young Women and Young Men for our church is “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:20).

Every year I design printables around the new theme and this year I ran into a dilemma. I've really been liking some watercolor floral prints lately - which is not usually the case. So I designed the theme with this in mind. I completed the theme and sat with it on my computer for almost two weeks without touching it again. Although I really liked it, it just wasn't me no how matter how hard I tried. It's official. Floral prints still aren't my thing as much as I like them. I even tried buying a floral print shirt I saw on someone else and loved it on them. I put it on and promptly removed it. Not me.

So I reworked the theme to more of a geometric pattern which is 100% me. But the work is done on the first design so I offer you two options this year!

Free downloads include a binder cover, 5x7 print, 4x6 print and the stand alone logos. Feel free to use as you please (personal use only). Enjoy!





Find previous years here, here, here and here.

Download All 2016 YW Theme as a ZIP file (Geometric Design)
Download All 2016 YW Theme as a ZIP file (Floral Design)

Download 2016 YW Theme Binder Cover (Geometric Design)
Download 2016 YW Theme 5x7 print (Geometric Design)
Download 2016 YW Theme 4x6 print (Geometric Design)
Download 2016 YW Theme Logo (Geometric Design)

Download 2016 YW Theme Binder Cover (Floral Design)
Download 2016 YW Theme 5x7 print (Floral Design)
Download 2016 YW Theme 4x6 print (Floral Design)
Download 2016 YW Theme Logo (Floral Design)

Ridge Run 2015...

Each year since moving into our neighborhood we've looked forward to the annual Ridge Run.

For the past 6 years, the Ridge Run shirts have had an illustrated road runner. (as can be seen in these pictures) I was asked to give the shirt a little spruce this year. I clarified if "sprucing" meant I had to keep the road runner and fortunately I was given creative leniency. After surveying a number of neighbors, the consensus was to keep it simple. And simple it is.

Everyone was more than ready to retire the roadrunner and I was happy to have a shirt I would wear again.

We walked as friends and neighbors through the neighborhood; in strollers and wagons and some on bikes.


In year's past we've had a breakfast but this year it was a little later in the day and we had a BBQ lunch in the park. Having it later meant it was significantly warmer and the kids poured water on their heads to cool off.


It was a week before Easter so they threw a bunch of eggs in the grass and let the kids "hunt". Thank you to the genius behind putting candy in only a 1/4 of the eggs and trinkets or pennies in the rest. Our dentist thanks you.







I look at this picture and I just smile. I think we have a picture of these two every year at the Ridge Run. They're not so little anymore!

Conference Weekend...

We seem to be in an abnormally crazy period of life right now. Between visitors, Steve's work, school and travel, and my need to slip a project in when Steve's not looking...we've got our hands full. This last week has been crazy fun and crazy tiring with Steve's sister in town - it's a non-stop party! So after going, going, going - we were able to enjoy a weekend of sitting and perhaps a little snoozing during General Conference. (or church in pajamas as my kids refer to it as!)

This morning we had Steve's brother and family over for our traditional conference breakfast and our living room looked like this as we lounged around watching.


The little ones found quiet activities they could play during conference and we all took turns entertaining Cannon!

It felt good to sit and listen. I walked away from every session of conference feeling confident and renewed in my faith and in myself and completely uplifted. It was perfect for our Easter weekend.

It was just what we needed to carry us through the next 5 weeks until a certain someone graduates. It seems like a lifetime away still!

Easter Pageant...

We joined 10,000 other people in Mesa tonight for the Easter Pageant on the temple grounds. 10,000 people - it was packed! We met up with most of Steve's family - which made the hour and a half wait before the show started enjoyable.


We brought a picnic dinner and let the kids play with their cousins while we enjoyed the beautiful evening weather. Steve intended on coming for dinner, then socializing until the show started (at 8pm) and then taking the two youngest home to put them to bed.

As the show drew closer, the kids were great and showed no signs of fits or shenanigans. Steve hesitantly chose to stay and we all watched it together.

Not only that- he stayed for the entire show. The two youngest grew a little restless about half way through but they made it and I'm so glad they stayed. For those not familiar with the Easter Pageant - it's the story of Jesus Christ all the way to his resurrection. Bennett was captivated as he saw the "mean" guys hurt Christ. We have been reading about the final days of Christ as a family this week so Hunter was able to point out different aspects of the story and watch it play out on stage. It is an amazing production with more than 475 actors with elaborate costumes and an intense stage.

We were driving home at 9:30 at night with more than one tired, whining child. Steve and I were commenting that we love to do things like this with our kids but its often so much work and effort it diminishes the experience for us. But even with crying kids in the back seat, it was worth it. I think they walked away understanding Christ's life just a little more and I hope they remember the way they felt when they watched it.

At the end, Christ rises up above the stage/backdrop and angels are in front of him singing. I've seen it before but it touches me every single time. Christ lives. He makes everything possible. I'm looking forward to this Easter weekend as I reflect on his sacrifice and love for all. Happy Easter.

Women's conference...

Hallie and I (as well as our sister-in-laws and cousins) attended our semi-annual women's broadcast for church this weekend. A conference for all the women/girls age 8 and older in our church. Hallie and sat next to each other, my arm wrapped around her shoulders. There were moments in each talk where I squeezed her shoulders to let her know how much I enjoyed something the speaker said. She would look up at me and smile. At 9-years-old she sat through an hour and half long meeting with multiple speakers and in the end she recounted several stories that she liked. She understood what was being taught and she had thoughts on it. I loved being there with her.

There were a couple quotes that stood out to me:

"Heavenly Father has a mission and plan for each of us, but he also has his own timetable." Bonnie Oscarson
I believe this with all my heart and I often have to remind myself of this when things aren't going as I carefully planned, when I wanted them to happen.

"Whenever a woman strengthens the faith of a child, she contributes to the strength of a family - now and in the future." Carole M. Stephens
I love this because I work hard at teaching my children and helping them to understand what faith is. But its hard work and raising children often leaves me depleted and sometimes discouraged. But its so much more. I'm raising humans. They'll grow up and raise their own children which makes what I teach them today even more important.

"President Eyring met a young mother who had also lost a child to death. “She was carrying in her arms a beautiful little girl. I leaned toward her to look into the little girl's smiling face. I asked the baby's mother, ‘What is her name?’ Her quick and cheerful answer was: 'Her name is Joy. Joy always comes after sorrow.’” After hearing this - a smile spread across my face as I thought about so many friends who have experienced loss and the joy they've been able to find after that sorrow.

After the conference, we gathered together to eat dinner - all 19 of us!



They say there is strength in numbers and it couldn't be more true with this group. They give me strength, they give my daughter strength and I hope in time I can strengthen them.

Bennett's prayer...

Bennett gave the prayer during his second Sunday in Primary. Why they ask the youngest, newest kids to do this in the first weeks is beyond me. They need to watch how its done for a bit. They need to grow up. They need to learn to talk so that people can understand them...with that said, Bennett said the prayer.

He stood up there and without the help of anyone, he loudly said his prayer, "Bless that daddy doesn't have to go to work tonight, bless the food, bless Paxton on the mission." He was pretty proud of himself, and we were pretty proud too. And luckily it was a Sunday and his prayers were answered - daddy didn't have to work that night!

He is the gift...

The excitement is thick in our house and we have a toddler running around shouting just how many days are left until Christmas.




Amazon has delivered the final package. Everything is wrapped. I just finished up my last homemade gift. Christmas cards have been sent out. Santa has been visited. Gingerbread houses have been made. Neighbor treats have been delivered. Christmas books have been read. Programs have been attended. Songs have been practiced. Ornaments have been broken. Food has been prepped. I wish I could say the house has been cleaned, but perhaps we'll get to that tomorrow! I think we're ready and it feels good.

I actually really enjoy the few days before Christmas. I love the build-up. The excitement. The anticipation. I could stay in this stage for a week and be happy. But the show must go on and my kids would moan and whine if I extended it any longer!

I am so grateful for this season, what a special gift it is. I love the spirit of this season and the transformation in most everyone as we strive to be more generous and mindful of others. I am grateful for the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ. It's a story that I never tire of hearing and the older I get the more appreciation I have for this blessed event. He is the gift, which is so much more than a month long celebration. It's a life-long celebration as we come to understand and embrace the gift. This video speaks volumes to me. Merry Christmas.

Children's Nativity...

I gave a lesson today at church on the birth of our Savior. "There is no story quite as beautiful, or which can stir the soul of the humble quite to the depths, as this glorious story can of the birth of our Redeemer. No words that man may utter can embellish or improve or add to the eloquence of its humble simplicity. It never grows old no matter how often told, and the telling of it is by far too infrequent in the homes of men."

I truly believe children embrace the holiday spirit far more than adults do, so for my lesson I chose to have children tell the story. I did a photoshoot a few weeks back with some kids from the ward, using the costumes my mom made a couple years back. I then used the photos to create a video telling of His birth and Hallie read the story. Children are the heart of Christmas.

If the embedded video doesn't work, you can watch it here.

Phoenix Temple...

While my mom was visiting, we made a visit to the open house for the new LDS temple in Phoenix. (After a temple is built, they have an open house that allows the public of any and all faiths to enter) We went without kids and it was wonderfully enjoyable. Steve works right by the temple, so he took several co-workers on a separate visit. While our friends were visiting Halloween weekend, we attended yet again on the last day of the open house, this time we brought the kids.

We take for granted that our kids have been able to attend multiple temple open houses, which is their only chance to enter a temple until they turn 12 years old. Our friend's kids had never been in a temple, so this was a special experience. There is such a sweet and tender spirit within those walls and even children can recognize that. Even our loud and rambunctious three year old was able to remain reverent for the tour and even started singing one of his primary songs, "I Love to See the Temple." I'm grateful for experiences such as these.

Because I had already been on the tour with my mom, I opted to stay outside with the two babies to make everyone else's experience a little more enjoyable! They're just four weeks apart and I just know they're going to be good buddies!


Hallie and Hunter both agreed that the chandeliers were the most beautiful part - although their friends piped in that the baptistry was the most beautiful and my kids agreed. Hallie corrected herself, "I can't just pick one thing because it's all so beautiful." She's right, it's all a work of art.

We found a quiet spot near the back of the temple and enjoyed the atmosphere. So intricate. So perfect. So peaceful.







And we were reminded for the 100th time why we love these guys - never a dull moment.