Brandon and Jennifer: 1st Day of School

1st Day of School

Summer break is over! It's the first day of school today. We went to back to school night yesterday for Kalyssa to meet her teacher, and she wasn't able to sleep last night she was so excited. She has Mrs. Martini and is in 2nd grade now. Mrs. Martini came to mine and Brandon's wedding in 2008, cause she was Baylee's teacher at the time, and we know the Martini family pretty well cause they have a dairy close by us and they are very involved in Farm Bureau with us too. Plus, her son has twins, so she wants Kalyssa to bring in her sisters for show and tell sometime this year. Kalyssa would LOVE to bring them to class, I'm sure. :)

These are pictures of Kalyssa's class that are on her school's blog.

Baylee and Abbee aren't ever with us for the first day of school, so I don't have any pictures of them. :(

Aug 23, 2011

My Favorite Ensign Quotes

"I have found that implementing these five patterns-going to a private place to pray, kneeling, praying vocally, expressing gratitude, and praying for others-has helped me to pause and ponder on what I say in my prayers and has made the experience more meaningful. The Book of Mormon teaches other patterns of prayer as well, including being consistent and giving sufficient time to prayer and meditation. The Savior's prayers in the Book of Mormon include all of these five patterns."

-Patterns of Prayer in the Book of Mormon, October Ensign 2012

My thoughts: I want to make my own prayers more meaningful lately. As I read these patterns I could see what my prayers lacked. When I was pregnant it was very uncomfortable to kneel and pray, so I got in the habit of not kneeling. As President Thomas S. Monson stated, "Kneel to pray." I will follow his counsel and kneel to pray. I know praying vocally will help also.

"First on your "to do" list, put the word prayer. Most of the time, your prayers will be silent. You can think a prayer. You can always have a direct line of communication with your Father in Heaven. Do not allow the adversary to convince you that no one is listening on the other end. Your prayers are always heard. You are never alone!"

-How to Survive in Enemy Territory, October Ensign 2012

My thoughts: Half way through my day, I often realize that I haven't said a prayer yet. I'm so busy with kids and household chores that its hard to find quiet alone time to pause and kneel for a prayer. For some reason I've thought that that's what I must do for my prayers to be heard. I loved reading this quote by President Packer to set me straight! I can think a prayer and they will always be heard.