Words of Wisdom

Julie B. Beck said recently:

"Revelation can come hour by hour and moment by moment as we do the right things. When women nurture as Christ nurtured, a power and peace can descend to guide when help is needed. For instance, mothers can feel help from the Spirit even when tired, noisy children are clamoring for attention, but they can be distanced from the Spirit if they lose their temper with children. Being in the right places allows us to receive guidance. It requires a conscious effort to diminish distractions, but having the Spirit of revelation makes it possible to prevail over opposition and persist in faith through difficult days and essential routine tasks. Personal revelation gives us the understanding of what to do every day to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek those who need our help. Because personal revelation is a constantly renewable source of strength, it is possible to feel bathed in help even during turbulent times.

We are told to put our trust in that Spirit which leads us “to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously.” We are also told that this Spirit will enlighten our minds, fill our souls with joy, and help us know all things we should do. Promised personal revelation comes when we ask for it, prepare for it, and go forward in faith, trusting that it will be poured out upon us."

(And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit, April 2010 General Conference)

Our weekend in Utah

On April 9, 2010 Bob and I went to Utah overnight to attend his sister Natalie's wedding.

It has been a long time since we have gone away without the kids! We left Friday morning, and I decided to drive at first since I had made a photo book all about Bob, with pictures, quotes and my own thoughts in it, all highlighting a few of the things that I think are wonderful about him. I had made it originally to give to him for Father's day, or our anniversary, but I couldn't wait any longer to show it to him. So, I drove while he read it.

I can "share" this photo book with friends, so if you'd like to see it online, just let me know, and I'll send you the link to view it. I'm rather pleased with how it turned out!

We decided later that it is a great idea to have me drive, because when Bob is driving, he's always focusing on driving, and we don't have great conversations. While I was driving, we talked and talked. It made us both realize that it sure has been a while since we've had a long period of time to just talk about our plans for the future, etc. There isn't anyone in the world that I would rather spend time with than Bob. Being just with him for two whole days was so wonderful!

We got to Salt Lake in time to eat at Costa Vida, it was delicious. Then we went to Hale Center Theater and saw one of our favorite plays, Fiddler on the Roof. The acting was excellent, the stage setup was amazing, and we really enjoyed it. If you ever have a chance to attend a play at Hale Center Theater, make sure you do it.

Then we went to Nan's reception (it was held the evening before her wedding). ...We had fun just being there with most of Bob's siblings. It is always a party when you get the Lamoreauxs together.


I decided beforehand that I needed to just overcome my huge phobia about hotels, and stay in one while we were in Utah. I realized if I kept being so grossed out about the idea of staying in a hotel, we'd never get to go away and have time just to the two of us. So, I looked at bed and breakfasts, but decided to save money and stay at La Quinta in Orem. The pictures on the internet looked really nice, and it definitely looked newer than other hotels I looked at. Well...I still have no desire to ever stay in a hotel again. Next time we go away, I will not worry about saving money. It's not that it was really dirty, but it just didn't seem nice and clean. The colors and decorations were wierd, the carpet looked old, etc. During the night I woke up & thought "Oh! I'm sure they can't wash the pillows every day!" I threw my pillow off the bed and slept without one the rest of the night. I still can't believe I didn't think about that and bring my own pillow!

Saturday we went shopping, drank smoothies, found a place that would still let us order croissants for Nan's luncheon, and then we went to the wedding. Everything went well, except when Bob walked Nan down the aisle, and Bet realized that the camera wasn't working. They told Nan & Bob to start over, so they both immediately began walking backward, so it looked just like they were being "rewinded." It gave us all a good chuckle.

Then we had the wedding luncheon, and went to Nan's house for a while, then we headed over and visited with my Mom and Dad for a short time, and headed home.

It was great to get home. Our kids were angels while we were gone. They had so much fun being in charge of the house. It was spotlessly clean from top to bottom, and they had all had a great time together. They missed gymnastics while we were gone, so on Friday, they brought lots of foam pads down into the family room and had their own gymnastics classes. Aliysa is a great babysitter. She's always willing to watch our children, and she is such a peacemaker that they always are happy and well cared for while we're gone. What lucky parents we are!

We called when we were on our way home, to tell Aliysa and Jace that we got off late and wouldn't be home when we had planned. They wanted to stay up until we got home, but we told them to go to bed. When we got home, we saw this letter on the counter (we get notes like this from Aliysa all the time)

Dear Parents,
Firstly, we wish to let you know that we still love you, even though our hard work and efforts are met with "Go to bed, we do not desire your company."
Yet we do not mind, and hope that this epistle finds you in good health and spirits (let us know).
Secondly, all the petals are falling off your tulips.
Love,
Aliysa and Jace,
(your so called favorite children)

Wow! When did that get here?

Yesterday, Abby was chattering away, trying to be a part of every conversation.
We were talking about her being a big girl. "No" (she insists) "I'm a little girl..."

Then she just started saying whatever came to mind.

Here is part of what she said:

"There is a big...big... (trying to decide what to say next)

(looking around the room until her eyes rest on my pregnant tummy. Her eyes open widely as though she is surprised.)

...tummy...

in this family!"

Yes, there is a HUGE tummy in this family. Only 9 weeks left!