Computer Woes

October 9, 2018
Can I just say it is hard getting the computer around here.  Brinley is on it during her lunch break and pretty much for hours every evening.  She is working on college applications and scholarships and essays on top of her current school work.  Brian is on it in the mornings before work and in the evenings after work to read the news, do work stuff and to browse.  Parker, Tanner and Aubrey usually have something school wise three or four times a week in which they need the computer.  It's rough.  I know that should leave a good part of the day for me but somehow it doesn't.  I have Relief Society meetings, school volunteering, grocery shopping, house cleaning, working out etc...  However, it's 10:30 on a Tuesday morning and I am taking the time to be on the computer Right Now!  I want to blog just a little and I have more Disney Cruise reservations that need to be done.  (Hotel and party bus transportation.)

I have camera woes as well.  My Iphone doesn't focus anymore...but here is
a blurry picture of my study chart and BofM.

I'm taking the prophet's challenge to read The Book of Mormon before December 31st.  It was given in the women's session.  Aubrey is on board but it's been a little rough.  She doesn't remember to do it until the evening and then she is tired and mad.  On Sunday night we had scriptures and prayer and she went to bed.  However, about 9:25 she came wandering out of her room and I asked her why she was still up.  She angrily threw her hands up in the air and said "this has been the longest night of my life.  I just read for the first day AND IT TOOK FOREVER!"  Then she stormed off to the kitchen to get and drink and head to bed.  Bahahahaha.  That girl has attitude and spunk.  Day two didn't go much better but this morning, day three, she was calmly reading before school.  I'm glad we were issued the challenge and I am very proud of Aubrey for accepting the challenge.  I can definitely improve the time I spend in the scriptures.

On another note, Aub and I had a date night on Friday.  We went to Alice in Wonderland at the Midland Community Theatre.  It was fun to be together but that play is a little funky so we left at intermission.  We headed to Orange Leaf and enjoyed frozen yogurt before calling it a night.  Tanner and Brian were happy to be home watching the BYU game, but annoyed because once again we just aren't very good.  Parker went to a surprise party for his friend Cole and Brinley had a Black Magic get together.

Conference Weekend

October 7, 2018
General Conference weekend...it was amazing as usual.  I loved hearing from our church leaders and feeling Heavenly Father's love for me.  Usually we gather in the family room.  The kids bring in blankets and pillows and claim their spot.  Often a blanket fort is built. This Saturday morning was very unusual however.  Both boys were refereeing soccer for the day.  Aubrey went over to Avery's to watch conference and Brinley spent the night with Charity and was watching it there.  I was feeling a little sad that we weren't all together but once the talks began I just focused on the counsel.  I was too busy taking notes and being inspired.

One CRAZY announcement came early on.  President Nelson announced we were moving from a three hour meeting block two only two hours.  We will have a more "home-centered church, supported by what takes place inside our ward."  The weekly sacrament meeting will be reduced from 70 minutes to 60 minutes.  The third hour of church will be eliminated and the second hour will rotate between Relief Society/EQ/ YM and YW one week and Sunday School the next.  Primary won't have sharing time anymore and will use the 2nd hour for singing time/talks and then classes.

The two hour hopeful church announcement and some sort of meme like this typically goes around every year before conference...mostly it was just a huge joke.  But now it is true!

Parker was at work and when Brinley sent a text to Brian, Parker and me, and this was his response.

It was kind of hilarious that he really didn't believe her.  It didn't help when Brian started joking about Scouts and I mentioned 1.5 hours of seminary each morning.  When I picked up the boys from reffing they still hesitantly but hopefully asked if it was true....

Anyway, this was a big announcement but by far not the most important thing mentioned at conference.  It was inspirational to hear talks about going forward with faith-not doubt; we can do hard things; repentance; motherhood and what to do to improve; service; the spirit world; revelation; temple attendance and more.  I also loved at the end of conference when President Nelson announced twelve new temples.  We were watching it at Britney's and Adam Vore (my nephew) served in Cambodia.  When it was announced that a temple would be built there he just crumpled to the ground and began crying.  What an amazing weekend.

Saturday afternoon session.  It felt better to have a few chickies under our roof to watch together.

Aub, Avery, Bryn & Bri

Saturday night for the Women's session we were invited over to the Brown's to watch it together.

The Browns, Strombergs, Martins, and Vores

Sunday morning we had everyone but Aubrey.  She spent the night with Lauron.

And Sunday afternoon we were invited to the Birds to have a Super-est bowl party.  We all arrived 30 minutes early with delicious food and snacks and then settled in for the main event...conference!

Brit is so good.  Love that she took the time with her family during conference to make these
charts after each talk.  What is the counsel?  What are the blessings? 

Brinley is 18!

September 28, 2018
Happy Birthday to our beautiful Brinley Kate.  She is kind hearted, smart, talented, quick witted and beautiful inside and out.  We had a quick opening of gifts before the boys headed off to Dallas and Brian headed off to work for the day.  Then Brinley enjoyed a fun day hanging out with friends.  They went out to lunch, enjoyed a yummy cake that Aubrey helped me bake, played a fun phone/computer based game and more.  Later that evening, Brinely headed over to Charity's to go to a movie and hang out.  I think she had a great day.

Is it bad when you have your daughter pick up the cake supplies
and fun balloons for her birthday?   I just couldn't
face Walmart one more time this week.

We gave her two new books, a Madeline Page CD, and a pretty silver anklet from Brighton.

Tanner gave her a card.  He wrote that it was good for going out to dinner
with him.  He didn't say he was going to pay.... We were all cracking
up.  He did admit that he was planning on paying for their date.

Aub gave her a pretty anklet.  Parker had already left for Dallas
(so no picture) but he gave her a huge bag of gumballs which she appreciated.

CJ King and Bryn.  So fun to hang with friends on your birthday.

Edyn Brown, Danielle King and Taryn Brown

Fun gift basket from the Browns

Morgan had had plans on Brinley's actual b-day but came over to bring her a fun gift.
(Chocolate, Skittles, Chic Fil A and Bibs....apparently Bryn is a little messy.)

Adulting.   Apparently the young man above turned 13 and his mom convinced him that a 
teen photo shoot was the cool thing to do.  Edyn and Brinley decided they needed to do an 
adult photo shoot and this is their lovely collage.

Happy Birthday to our beautiful Bryn!

Four Day Weekend!

September 27, 2018
We have a fun little gift from ECISD....no school on Thursday or Friday this week.  Yahoo!  It really is so nice to have no school.  I feel the stress washing away from me.  My stress often stems from reminding, encouraging, making the boys stay on top of their school work.  I know all four kids are feeling the stress roll off of them.  Let's have some fun.

On the schedule for this weekend: date night with Brian, Brinley's 18th birthday, Tanner heading to Dallas to go to the state fair with friends, Parker heading to Dallas to go to a Cowboys game, Primary program practice and more.