Conference Weekend

This weekend was conference weekend. I really have to say that it’s one of my favorite weekends of the entire year. I love being able to just be at home with my family listening to inspired talks and uplifting music. I love it that Jeff is home with me, and that we have nothing else better to do than sit and listen together. Alright, it isn’t quite that perfect. Those with children can relate. We’re usually trying to listen in between kids playing, preparing food, cleaning up, feeding a baby, etc. We do our best to have Jacob and Caleb watch as well. We’re not perfect, but even with all the distractions, we love it! Especially because after the wonderful talks and inspired counsel, we feel so much more able to do the things we need to do with joy and hope. I know that my desire to be a good mother, and my determination to do what is right and raise my children in righteousness is greatly renewed. I feel as though my love for them has increased, as well as my love for my husband, family, and especially our Savior and Heavenly Father. I make goals to improve on specific things I would like to work on, and just generally feel revitalized to move on through life.

This was a particularly special conference, President Thomas S. Monson was sustained as our new prophet. Watching him was such a testimony of the truth that he has been chosen by the Lord to be the new prophet and president of the church. Jeff made the comment when coming home from the priesthood session that it literally seemed to him as if the ‘mantel’ of the Lord had rested upon him as the new Prophet. It was interesting because the next morning, Elder Jeffery R. Holland before giving his talk, made almost the exact same comment as Jeff had the night before. I think it was a very apparent happening that many witnessed throughout the conference. What a wonderful man President Monson is. Jacob and Caleb know who he is, and I’m grateful they will know him as ‘their’ prophet. Some of my favorite talks were given by Russell M. Nelson on parenting and loving your family & children. By Gerald N. Lund, David A. Bednar on prayer and faith, and especially by M. Russell Ballard directed specifically to mothers. Those are always my favorite because they inspire me to refocus my energy on what is most important, make time for my children, teach them, love them, and find joy in this infinitely important role as a mother and daughter of God. I am so grateful for our Savior; and for the wonderful prophets and apostles he has placed here upon the earth to guide us and direct us.

Saturday afternoon between the sessions, Jeff and I took the boys out to the park to play some tennis. It was such a beautiful day and so fun to spend time together as a family. Jacob and Caleb had fun kicking the soccer ball around the court, trying to score in the goal, and chasing tennis balls. Matthew was pretty content to hang out in his car seat enjoying the nice weather until the end, and then Jeff held him for a while. And Jeff and I had fun hitting around and just enjoying the afternoon. Saturday night when Jeff went to the Priesthood session, I had a friend over, Amy Ritter, for some scrapbooking. We didn’t get as much done, the kids were a little crazy, but we sure had a fun time visiting together.