Time Out for Women!

Since it was a week ago, I should probably write a little about Time Out for Women.

Last weekend I drove with two lovely ladies (Karen and Tisha) to Calgary for Time Out for Women.  We met my mom there since she was coming from Edmonton. 

(There's a weird light halo above my mom's head.)

We were busy helping out as staff, but enjoyed the presenters and being with so many great women and seeing lots of friends and relatives.  There were about 2000 women all in one room! 

I really enjoyed Mary Ellen Edmunds as she talked about how "what's his no face" wants to steal our identities by making us miserable.  (It's funny because Satan doesn't have a body like we do!  I'm sure that didn't really need an explanation, but Mary Ellen Edmunds laughs at her own jokes so I suppose I can get away with explaining them...ha!)  We can choose to be happy no matter what because we know that we are daughters of God and He has a plan for us.  She is such a spirited woman with a great sense of humor.  Karen and I went to say hello to her after the presentation.

Another favorite presenter of mine is the author of President Monson's biography - Heidi Swinton.  She seemed like a sweet grandma to me.  A grandma who you go to visit and you stay for hours and hours listening to her stories - and not in a boring get-me-out-of-here kind of way.  I loved learning more about President Monson and how important it is pay attention to the promptings of the Spirit and find opportunities to serve others, even if it's to help just one person.  I loved every experience she told and can't imagine the intimidating task of writing the biography of a Prophet!  I bought the biography while I was there and can't wait to read it!

And of course, Hilary Weeks was great.  She has a certain sincerity to her music that sinks right into the heart.  Her sense of humor makes you feel like she's your best friend even though she's talking to a group of 2000+ women. What a great spiritual gift to be able to touch so many individual hearts all at the same time! 

This next one was one of my favorites that she sang:


I know that every person that was in the room would agree that Kris Belcher was one of the best presenters.  Not only was she hilarious, but it is so inspiring to hear from someone who has suffered more than I can imagine.  And she has become so positive, not letting anything stop her from being who she wants to be.  Here's a little video clip of a story she shared with us:

There were other great presenters as well and I missed a few of them while I was busy feeling sick (pregnancy is already getting me good!) 

My assignment was to organize the possibility pack service project.  We had women bring donations of hygiene items to put together kits for the Women's Shelter in Calgary.  We had a goal of 250 kits and ended up making 274 total plus about 6 boxes full of extra toothpaste, toothbrushes, tissues, deodorant and a few other things.  We had a great time putting them together and seeing how excited the women were about the project!  I'm so glad I could help!

(A cute picture of my mom and Cindy Cooper, who organized the event.)

It was a great weekend.  I feel more inspired to become better, to set goals and work towards them and to try to be happy no matter what life sends my way.

Bubba Goo Giveaway

A friend of mine is doing a giveaway on her blog.  A friend of hers makes homemade detergent, chemical free and works great.  I can't wait to try it out.  And there are lots of pretty smells to choose from!  So check it out and enter her giveaway too! 

Click here to visit her blog.

Click here to visit the Bubba Goo facebook page or website.

The blessings of my life (and another blessing too!)

You will want to read this whole post, the best part is near the end!

We have had so much going on that I haven't even looked at my blog for a couple weeks.  We are all moved into our new home.  We are lucky to be in the same ward and only be a couple blocks away from where we were before.  So it doesn't seem like it was a big change, even though everything had to be packed up and moved, the old place cleaned and the new place organized.  I am so lucky that my mom came from Edmonton to help us and Kassie thought it was great having Grandma sleeping over. 

I am also lucky that I am married to Chris.  He is so good at getting things done.  This weekend I went to Time Out for Women in Calgary.  One of the presenters put up a picture:

I think most women laughed because they could directly relate to it, but I laughed because it's completely opposite in our family.  Chris does so much, all the time... and even though sometimes it makes me feel like I don't accomplish all that I could, he still makes me feel loved and appreciated.  (As I type, Chris just said, "I'm going to vacuum." And now he had to come read over my shoulder why I'm laughing so hard that I'm crying...) 

Since I was gone for Time Out for Women, he and Kassie planned the best mother's day ever for me.  They didn't do a lot, but it was perfect.  I came home on Saturday to flowers and a homemade card drawn by Kassie on construction paper,

The house was clean and the laundry was done.  Chris and Kassie were gone to a baptism so I had time to sit and feel grateful while I prepared my Sunbeams lesson for Sunday.  Then they came home and it was the greatest feeling in the world to see those two faces light up when they saw that I was home.  The Mother's Day breakfast, chocolate, a nap, and a fantastic dinner at home with my two favorite people - it was a great day!  I'm so grateful to be a mom.  Kassie is such a joy and I wouldn't change a thing... 

Well, we have been hoping for another change for a while and we're glad to say that...

  
baby #2 is on the way! 

He/she is due to arrive late November/early December... we'll have to wait until the ultrasound for an official due date.  We are thrilled, and I'm feeling more grateful this time to be pregnant because it didn't come as easily as we expected this time and had to learn some patience.  It may not make the morning sickness easier, but I'm still excited when that icky feeling and bouncing toddler remind me that it's worth it to be a mommy.  

I hope everyone had a great mother's day also.  Don't focus on what you're not, focus on your blessings and become who you want to be a little at a time!  (More about Time Out for Women later...)

Some pictures from Easter

I just uploaded some pictures from my camera and realized I hadn't posted some from Easter, so it's a little late, but here they are!

Kassie helping me decorate homemade chocolate covered marshmallow easter eggs.

The Stirling Easter egg hunt with Grandma. 

Kassie and her cousin Linkin on the slide at the park after making sure no easter eggs were left behind.