We decorated eggs with my parents. I personally was just glad it wasn't Easter Sunday before we got it done. That's what happened last year. We didn't get them done until that night. They are always worth doing. John has such an artistic mind that doesn't get used very often. I think this is one of his favorite traditions. I Loved having my parents there. They were great with the kids as always!
I hope you have/had a Happy Easter.
We finally did it. I was going to make her wait until her birthday, but dad wanted to be there, and WHO knows when he is going to be home. My thought was she would get her ears pierced when I did, at 6. I remember my class going on a feild trip to see the HAFB Museum, and I didn't want to go. So my mom said we would have a girls day instead. She took me to lunch and then we went to ZCMI to have my ears pierced. It was a total surprise to me because I thought we were waiting till I was 8. I loved it.
At least we made it to her Birthday month. She looks adorable, and is so proud. She didn't cry, although she did tear up. We did it the day school got out for spring break, and she had ants in her pants to get back to school and show all of her friends. She is so awesome, we love her.
About a month ago, I was with some of my in-loves and John on our way to the outlets. He was telling them about some of the abortion debates that are going on. There is a new test that can be taken within days of conception to tell you whether you are having a boy or a girl. It has never been mistaken yet, and yet if this test were to be given it to the public, could you think of the amount of abortions that would take place because you aren't going to get that boy/girl you were always hoping for. It would be insane. John was telling them without having a moral compass, you could easily be swayed by the medical community to think that abortion is ok, and completely the women's choice to decide what she wants to do with her body. Later when I was talking to my sister-in-law Joanne, she was telling me about a book she had been reading. I don't remember the details but she told me that like what John said without a moral compass you could get lost very easy. She remarked about how grateful she was for general conference and the reminders it gives us to rise up and be better then we are. Which is exactly what conference reminds me to do too.
I wonder what those who have not experienced a LDS conference would think it would be about. I have heard people speak negatively of the people who lead our church. I would be surprised if they could say the same thing after listening to them speak. They give hope, and peace. They teach repentance, forgiveness, and love. They might not immediately believe them to be apostles of Jesus Christ, but I doubt that they could say they aren't followers of Him.
I Love this 6 month reminder the Lord has given us. It always gives me strength to rise again, and want to be better then I have been. It straightens out my moral compass, and gives me hope that everything is going to be alright. It makes me want to be a better mom and wife. It makes me want to have a closer relationship with my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful for a living prophet to receive revelation and insights from our Father and His Son.
Conference is so Amazing!
I know that it is Easter weekend, but conference is on Saturday and Sunday. Turn in on! Oregon and Washington both have it available on some of the public stations.
I went to get the mail, and there it was, a letter from the U, so I called John and asked what he wanted me to do. He told me to open it. I told him, we didn't get in, not even wait listed. He said, "Are you fooling me?" I told him no, with great big tears rolling down my cheeks. We were both feeling like this was a rotten April fool's joke. We knew we were in for a big adventure, we just didn't know where yet.
So next I did one of thee hardest things I have probably ever done, and went to tell my parents. My dad was out back, and so I walked in the backyard, and told him, "Dad, I know you are not going to believe me, but this is not an April fool's joke...we didn't get in at the U." He just looked at his 8 month pregnant daughter, who was holding her not yet two year old son, looking for some smile that I might not be able to hide. But there was no smile. So he threw the shovel he was holding, and came to give me a big hug. Then he wanted to see the letter for validity. He was very emotional as only fathers who are tender hearted like him can be. He would miss me, of this I was very sure.
In all honesty I can't remember how my mother found out. She too was pretty heart broken. They wanted John to call the U to make sure there hadn't been some mistake. They didn't understand then, nor did we, the journey the Lord had planned for us for our growth.
I would NEVER take back my experiences in Oregon. I miss Oregon extensively. The people we meet will change our lives forever. It will always be our home away from home. I may have grown up in Utah, but I learned to be a grown up in Oregon. The Lord knows us, and what is best!
If you haven't personally got to be around me lately, you have not gotten the privilege of hearing me quote John Bytheway. But he has become one of my favorite people to listen to as I drive around. His quick wit makes me smile, and his simple way of making the gospel relevant and amazing is so enjoyable. I have really needed it lately.Something that has rung so clear to me lately as I have listened to him, is the knowledge that I know my Heavenly Father personally. My Father in Heaven knows me better then I know myself, because he remembers what I was like before I came to this earth, and I can't. Two things that John Bytheway has brought up that have made me feel the spirit and know the truthfulness of this doctrine is this...
He quoted President Benson as saying, “Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar his face is to us.” Wow! I was blown away by this statement. The spirit was so strong and tears came to my eyes. I Just know it is true.
Another statement he made is that he was talking about pedigree charts and family history. He said it is amazing to look at those charts and see where our bodily lineage comes from. It is our bodies lineage, but it is really amazing to think about our pedigree chart for our spirit. There is only one bracket. Our father and us. Again, the spirit was so strong. I just knew it was true.
This life is the middle of our story, not the beginning. Happily Ever After doesn't come till the end of the story. This journey in the middle part is definitely easier knowing I have a Heavenly Father who knows me intimately, because I lived with him in the beginning. I am thankful for the plan of Happiness. I am even more thankful to have a testimony that is a true thing. God had a plan, long before He created our spirits and sent us down here to accomplish the middle part of existence. God loves us because we are His spirit children.
Sorry so serious. John Bytheway is great. You should check him out at the library. And if you want to read more about the plan of Happiness or this life being the middle part of the "play"....Elder Packer gave an amazing talk on it. Check it out HERE.
You can see her confusion. But it turned into excitement not too much later.
Her husband did a good thing getting her this gift, she has wanted it since Christmas.
If you can't read it, it is a necklace that says, "I love adoption."
She put it on immediately and was very pleased that her husband had finally caught on to her not so subtle hints.
Adoption is how she got this cute little red headed guy. He could not have gotten better parents. The Wilbergers are amazing people. Who have had trails that I would rather die then have, and yet they are faithful, service giving, amazing people. I love them.
such a bad picture of me, but it really was short notice to run and see her, but so worth it. I love this girl. God knew I needed her in Oregon, and still lets me cherish her as a friend from a far.
Bren cam to visit me the next day and gave me some advice on new born pictures. She helped me set up a few of these beautiful pics. I miss having her around to share our love of photography. She does an amazing job, and gave me some good pointers and a cool lens to use. Check out this little beauty HERE. Her mother should be so proud of this little beauty after three crazy boys. Thanks Tiffany for humoring us. I think the announcement turned out pretty great if I do say so myself.A PS shout out to a sweet friend who helped me to make a really cute skirt for Micah(the skirt will be featured later).
When I showed up to work on skirts, she had these there to greet me. What a great birthday present. They are the cutest little piggies. I have to add I did gain a few calories pigging out on them. Thank you tons Vickie!
WELL, it turned out to be a very blustery day, we still got a few shots I think are fun, and Rani seems pleased, for now, until a greenery spring finally makes its appearance. As for me, I was just glad that there were no stitches needed during this shoot.
