Sunday Seven

1. We watched General Conference today from the internet. Maybe it's my Utah roots showing, but General Conference just isn't the same when you aren't parked in front of the television. Our entire family crammed into the computer room (which is only about a 10' X 12' room) and tried to focus our attention on the computer screen for four hours today and four hours yesterday. Instead I kept hearing:
"Can I play this computer game now?"
"Well, can I play X-Box instead?"
"I have a headache from looking at the computer screen for so long. Can I go now?"

Geesh.

2. One of the talks today by one of the Twelve (I can't remember which one right now) talked about how short time with young children is. He mentioned the handprints on every surface and the piles of laundry. Boy, can I relate. But he was right about quickly they grow and you find them gone, and you miss it. I looked at little Grace (who isn't so little anymore, she's standing and trying to take her first tentative cruising steps) and realized how true that statement is. I already miss her newborn baby smell and tiny fingers and toes.

3. I've really been trying hard to do better as a mother (who doesn't). So recently I spent time rereading Sister Beck's conference talk awhile back titled "Mothers Who Know." Y'all know the one I'm talking about, but if you don't, hopefully the link works and you can read it here. I took some time, also, to ponder the scripture she mentions (D&C 109:7-9). And in the end I made up my own list of things a mother should know (and do) to become a Mother Who Knows. It's a long list, but there is one point for every letter in the "Mothers Who Know" phrase. I'm currently working on the first one. Maybe sometime soon I'll post my list, though I would recommend doing one on your own. It is definitely worth the time.

4. I decided this week that I really needed a new skirt for church. I've lost weight (shocking, I know) from breastfeeding and all of my clothes are looking very baggy and some are not even staying up. About two months ago I my favorite skirt started to ride down as I was taking the baby out of Sacrament Meeting to nurse. I was so embarrassed as I caught it around my thighs and had to pull it back up where it should be! Definitely time for a replacement.

But I don't have any money for new clothes, so I wasn't sure what to do. Friday I needed some time out by myself so I left the kids at home with Greg and went on a mission to find that ever elusive skirt for cheap, cheap, cheap (I was actually out to find Ben some birthday gifts, but I figured it was a good time to shop around for a skirt for me, too). I found a dress I adored at Target but, alas, it was nearly $50 and way out of my price range (besides, it is hard to breastfeed in a dress). But then I headed to Kohl's because they often have killer deals on their clearance racks. And there I found the perfect skirt in my size. The cost? $3.60! It was 90% off! WHOO-HOO!!!

5. Those of you who know me well know I hate cooking. Just wanted y'all to know I baked my first pot roast in the oven today. I normally use the crockpot. It's ridiculous that I've been married so long and have never done this before.

6. Ammon was asked to write his own part for the primary program. He was asked to tell about his experience at the primary quarterly activity. For the activity they searched for one family member on Family Search and then went to a cemetery and cleaned headstones. This is what Ammon wrote (all by himself--no coaching from me or anyone else):

"I liked learning about the lives of others by looking at their birth and death dates. And while I was cleaning the headstones, I felt the Spirit and knew I was doing a good deed."

Awww. It brings a tear to my eye. What a good kid he is turning out to be.

7. You may not believe me, but I'm looking forward to heading back to church next week. We missed last week due to kids and Greg being sick, and now I feel out of touch with everyone. It will be nice to be back among friends and have real, adult conversations with others.