Brandon and Jennifer: Cake & Ice Cream

Cake & Ice Cream

It was Lana's birthday Friday. We had cake & ice cream tonight at her house.

The girls performed a play for her. Baylee was the Narrator, Kalyssa was Lana, and Abbee was Kent.

Then they sang happy birthday to her.

It was a Hawaiian themed play. Our family made her a paper lei... we all wrote messages on each flower about what we love about Lana.

Brandon is taking pictures of the twins playing on the stairs.

They both can crawl safely up and down on their own. Which is fantastic timing! Our new house has stairs in it too.

Ryder and Willie eating cake and ice cream together.

Mythanne has been in Utah visiting for a couple of weeks! Its been awesome having her around.

Missy and Ryder fly back to Minnesota tomorrow morning. :( ...it's so sad. We all took a picture with them.

Jan 13, 2013

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.