The Next Martha Stewart?

Hit Me Baby One More Time!!!

Iyla has learned how to use a rattle. She loves it. But sometimes she gets a little too excited and ends up whacking herself in the head. It sounds worse then it really is. But I think she is so cute going to town with this maraca.

Playing with the Mail

I set Iyla down on the bed for a second and Isabella ran in and I heard giggling. I thought, oh no!! What is going on! Well, I will let the video I took and the pictures tell the story for me! Enjoy!!

Mom's To Do List

Time Out For Women

This past weekend I went to Time Out for Women. I have to tell you, that weekend changed my life. I learned so much, not only about the gospel but about myself as well. I can not say enough good things about the experience. I wish I could have gone with EVERY woman in my life. It is definitely something I will do again. The speakers were awesome. I came away with so many wonderful thoughts. I want to share some of them with you. (My pen had a hard time wanting to work so my notes are a little scattered)

1. Don't forget who you are and who's you are
2. Heavenly Father loves my children just as much as I do
3. When talking about the Holidays, isn't it great that we have Thanksgiving before Christmas. Having a season of gratitude before a season of giving really puts things into perspective.
4. There is a difference between giving something and giving all
5. Truly serving is more then giving a casserole.
6. The Lord knows you. He knows your name. If he took the time to know your name, what else does he know about you?
7. The Lord is the tender behind the mercy
8. Heavenly Father is always there to hear my complaints, sometimes he is the only one willing to listen.
9. Heavenly Father doesn't just love us because we are adorable, but he is our Dad.
10. We don't need to earn God's love. When we have children they are these bald toothless crying things and we love them just because they are our children. They have not done anything to earn our love. The same is true for us. He loves us because we are his children.
11. Love is always a gift, not a purchase
12. The atonement is for everyday of our lives, not just for Judgment Day
13. Describe yourself to yourself. What advice would you give to help if you were talking to a friend?
14. Be who you are so loud, the word can't ignore you. We are the supporters and defenders of Families. The World needs more women like us.
15. God doesn't give us more trials then we can handle with Jesus' help
16. Try to find humor in adversity

The most important thought to me that I heard is this,

If you saw a mother treating her daughter the way you treat yourself,
what kind of mother would you think she is?

That one hit my like a ton of bricks. I have been pondering it since and have really tried to treat myself better. I think that thought means something different to everyone. I have discussed to with a few women and some said "I really should speak more kindly to myself" someone said "I really need to feed myself better. I never get myself to bed on time." I would love it if you would share your impressions on this thought. I think there is a lot we can learn about ourselves by taking a look within.

I have also been trying to impart some of my newly learned wisdom on Isabella. We were talking about how our Heavenly Father loves us and how we are daughters of God. I asked Isabella "How do you know Jesus and Heavenly Father love you?" She said "Because I know them!"I want you all to know, I know them too. How wonderful it is to know that.

Time Out for Woman's theme is Sweet Assurance, the certainty that comes when you know life's truths. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith..." -Hebrews 10:22. During the weekend they asked us "what is your truth? What do you know is absolutely true?" At lunch on Saturday, the group of woman I went with sat down and we went around in a circle and told one truth. Some said they know God loves them, some said they know there husband trusts them. Some said, they love there children. So I ask you, what is your truth? You may only have one truth and that is OK. I think as we go through life we can collect truths as we go along. Learning and growing in the process.

Why Mormons Build Temples

I was looking on the Church Website http://www.lds.org/ and saw the video above. It is in response the the HBO show "Big Love". In the horrible show, they are going to depict what they thinks goes on it the temple. The Church has put out a statement and it can be found on this website http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma

I strongly urge everyone of my readers to visit this link and read what the Church has to say. Thank you for reading it. This issue is very important to me.

Iyla

I have been thinking lately that I have not blogged much about Iyla. She is really starting to get her own personality. She it 6 months old already! Time flys! Some of the more amazing things she is doing now is rolling over, sitting on her own and starting solid food. I just love this age!

And I am having fun making baby food. I did it with Bella as well. I feel there is no point spending money on jarred baby food that has been sitting on a shelf for longer then your baby has been alive. I don't see spending 75 cents for one tiny jar of mashed bananas when I can buy an entire pound of organic bananas for the same price. With prices going up and incomes not following suit, finding ways to be more economical is becoming increasingly important. I really feel pleased with myself that I can give my baby the very best. The baby food companies have done a very good job of making the public think they HAVE to give there babies Jarred baby food. But the truth of the matter is if you have a fork, you can make your own baby food! Some of Iyla's Favorites are peas, bananas, carrots, and sweet potatoes. It you would like any advice or some tips and tricks I have learned in the art of baby food cuisine just send me an e-mail. I am happy to share my wisdom in this area!

Iyla is such a blessing in our family. She is funny and sweet and so tiny. I love her very much and I am so glad the Lord has blessed us with such a choice spirit to be in our family!