Time-Out Mom!

Well it was more s self requested Time-Out. I realize I just got back from BYU Education Week which I was away from my family for 8 days. BUT...every once in a while Time-Out for Women comes to Sacramento. So my friend Teri and I went together and met some more friends there. It wasn't too far but with gas rices we decided to stay the night. So I left yesterday afternoon and got back today. It was another fabulous time. The theme was Joyful Life: defined as great delight or happiness caused by a life that is exceptionally good or satisfying.

I came home early due to guilt of being away for two weekends and pretty much having every weekend packed with activities and then Jeremy gone for an overnight business trip. (I realize I am home to spend time with the family and am on the computer, but in my defense they are watching a movie and I am in the same room as them!)

So last night Jim Ferrel spoke. He spoke on the Down is up and up is down principle in the scriptures as long as down is before the Lord. Meaning down is humility and up is pride. How Satan tells you you need to feel up. It was a good talk, he said quite a few things that I needed to be aware of. Kenneth Cope was the host for the event. I didn't know how well known he was. He sings one of my favorite songs although I never heard him sing it. You can find the lyrics here. It is called His Hands. Another musical guest was Cherie Call. She is another LDS musician. My friend Hayley and I took a picture with her showing off our bellies. Turns out she is expecting her baby the same month as me.

I enjoyed listening to her share what inspired her songs.

Today I got to hear from Mary Ellen Edmunds. She is HIL-Air-IOUS. I dis get to hear most of the stuff while I was at Education Week, but it was still a good repeat. It was about contention being from the devil. She would share several scenarios that would pretty much get you frustrated and want to loose your cool. For example going to a hotel room where the kids in the room before you are "training for the Olympics" and the parents turn the T.V. up so they can hear them selves think. She asks "What would you do?" she would them mumble a reply like send up the SWAT team or blow the room up etc. then she would say with a smile "not today, today you are a peacemaker! So you walk to the front desk and leave a note wishing the family good luck in their Olympic trials!" She is very sarcastic but her point is that we can choose to respond with contention or try to find a way to make it into something positive, to be a peacemaker.

The next person that spoke was Camille Fronk Olson. She was also very good. She had lots of interesting insight about Hannah. While I was sort of familiar with her part in the scriptures, I had no idea how much of a faithful woman she was. It made me proud to know that one of our daughters share her name.

It is always a fun event and I try to go when I can, but this time was a little too close to Education Week so I will remember that it is one or the other for me!

Education Week

In Jeremy's family Education Week is a tradition. It is a 4-5 day spiritually uplifting experience. There are 55 minute classes all day long on various topics ranging from habits to history to encouragement, cooking, music...there are over 1,000 classes offered. Every year Jeremy and I trade off one stays home with the kids (only 14 and older can attend) and the other gets to go. This year was my turn. I was introduced to some new yet fabulous speakers. People, their testimonies, knowledge and experience amaze me. I know I am not to compare since I have my own gifts and strengths but how they inspire me to want to do better!

We drive up on Saturday before it begins. It is a long drive but the company makes a difference. And I can honestly say Nevada is not that bad. Sunday we visit Jeremy's Grandma Jacobs. She is an amazing example of living life to the fullest. It was an enjoyable visit. We were also surprised when LuJean came in, she lives in Idaho and sometimes we get lucky enough to get a time when both trips align.

A funny experience that day...we went and attended a random ward, they are everywhere in Utah so it is not hard to find the best time and location. For part of the Sacrament program a group of 4 boys sang a beautiful song. Their voices where fabulous, I could have listened to them all day. I was so impressed that these young boys sounded like men when they sang. As they were done I watched them sit down...NEXT TO THEIR WIVES! I realized how old I am getting.

On Monday we go to Salt Lake City and visit Temple Square. We got to see the movie Joseph Smith: the Prophet of the Restoration. It is such a fabulous movie that will make you cry. One thing that stuck out to me is an often repeated phrase. "Whom the Lord calls, he qualifies." I have heard it a lot but at times, which is natural, it is easy to think I am not good enough at this, for this, etc. In this film the quote was a little more specific "The Lord calls us in our weakness THEN qualifies us." Oh how much better it is to think of it that way. We are most teachable when we are humble! We can serve him better when we turn to Him for strength, encouragement and guidance.

We always get to play a couple games of May I? (although our rules are a little different)

Although you can hold two more cards Mom J. has a LOT of cards in her hand! Then starting on Tuesday we get to attend classes. I love every morning walking to my first class and seeing this:

I am sure it has a name but it is a little canyon in the Wasatch mountains that are pretty much the eastern Border of BYU campus. The sun peaks through and you can see the rays starting to shine through the mountains.

Tuesday I got to see Pride and Prejudice the Musical. I have been spoiled in the past to see a few Broadway quality plays. This was more community theater but it was still very neat. I enjoyed the voices of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.

I learned so much this week and was so lucky to get to go. Jeremy stayed home with the kids. He had a blast and got lots accomplished. When I came home there was a cake on the table with flowers and a card, along with pictures that the 4 oldest had drawn along with what they like best to do with me. Much to my surprise, Jeremy took the kids to get pictures taken. They turned out so adorable. We should have them up on the Internet soon. I also got a coupon book from Jeremy with various dates and more girl time. I am truly lucky and spoiled.

Girls Night In

A couple of weeks ago, a friend organized a fabulous girls night in. A friend's sister who is now a friend too...just completed all her training and is a certified beautician (I think that is the right word!) She came and was willing to cut everyone's hair who wanted it done. Since she couldn't cut all our hair at once we had a friendly game of Dance Dance Revolution on the Wii (WHICH IS THE MOST FABULOUS GAME SYSTEM EVER!!!) I am pretty much the most uncoordinated of all my fabulous friends! In fact I down right stink. Teri, Janelle, and Tammy are Pop stars at it! We had a great time, thank you Tara for putting it together and thank you Janna for cutting my hair. It is my absolute favorite haircut ever!
If you are looking for a hairstylist I will give you her information. She works in Walnut Creek. Also you know it always looks best when the stylist does it, so please forgive the fly away hairs!