Brandon and Jennifer: New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve, we had dinner and games at our friends house. All of us had so much fun together!

Oakli has her party hat on and her pile of chips.

Happy New Year Willie!

You can tell by the look on Dustin's face that it was Janette's idea for him to wear the party hat. Lol. But Dustin isn't a shy kinda guy.

Addison and Kalyssa tried so hard not blow their party horns before midnight.

Staying up till midnight is hard when you're in your 30's. :)

Watching the ball drop and counting down...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

The kids all went crazy with the party horns.

They marched around in a circle... through the kitchen and back around to the living room .. blowing their horns. It was so loud. :)

The four of them hid in their fort cause my kids didn't want to go home.

Thank you, Dustin & Janette for the party!

Dec 31, 2012

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.