Relief Society Broadcast

Like Amanda, I wanted to share my thoughts on the Broadcast last night. Our stake does a dinner beforehand and it was really nice to be able to go and mingle with our Relief Society women. Doing so before the meeting really increases the atmosphere of sisterhood in my opinion and helps me to feel more connected to the sisters I sit with.

The talks were all wonderful and I really felt uplifted. It always makes me emotional, too. I really loved Sister Beck's talk. I really felt her love and testimony. I loved it when she said that we need to be keeping our covenants, going to the temple, praying, reading our scriptures and living providently and if we do these things, we will be a strong, happy force for good, both individually and collectively.

I noticed how often praying was mentioned - personally and in families. Maybe I just noticed it because that is something I need to do better, and I really came away feeling like and should be more diligent in my personal and family prayers.

My sister mentioned that in the Deseret News, some women commented that the Church asks too much of us as women and that its no wonder why so many mormon women are discouraged. But I felt exactly the opposite last night. I felt encouraged. I felt like I am doing all right, even if there are things I need to work on. I know that Heavenly Father knows our efforts to be the best we can and to build strong families. I could feel that last night. We need to always be changing and improving, adjusting our priorites here and there, and continually doing the best we can. But we are also doing many good things. I could tell that the RS Presidency knows our efforts and applaudes us for them.

If anyone didn't get an opportunity to watch it, read it when the Ensign comes out. It was very good.

Winter is coming ...

So, I had to buy Ana a coat. Last year she was still in her carseat and so mostly we'd just bundle her up with blankets. So, I found this coat at Wal-Mart. I think it is way cute. I bought it a little big so hopefully it will fit her next year too.

Call me a nerd, but I am way excited about this. Dave's family does a newsletter called "TLC [The Larsen Clan] News" published about every month. As I was chatting with his sister that heads the newsletter, we wanted to find a way to get in shape "together." Some other family members expressed interest, so we started the TLC Fitness Challenge. I've sort of taken charge, since it was my idea and because I'm into things like this. What we're doing is keeping track of our exercise minutes, and if we reach 100 hours combined by our family Christmas party, I'm going to bring a surprise for everyone who participates, plus prizes for the ones who do the most. Its really exciting to me. I'm kinda a health "advocate." (I don't use "nut" because I'm not quite as healthy I want to be.) I designed our logo, (Though I'm sure many of you could have done better; I'm still proud of it.) and I'm pretty sure we're going to make t-shirts with it on for the winners. (And one for me just because.)

new babies, again

My other sister had her baby. She has pictures posted here. They named him Seth. I can't wait to see him! They only live 30 minutes away, but I've been waiting to get over a cold. I'll see him soon, I hope.

We saw a really cool rainbow the other day.

It was really cool. The other evening it was raining, but the sun was setting and it lit up the whole side of the hill that the Temple is on. It was so cool, we stopped outside our apartment to look at it. And there was a huge, full bright rainbow. I ran in to get the camera.

I'm a mom

So, yesterday I was sweeping the kitchen floor, and I had to pause a minute to pick up some of Ana's toys. As I bent down it hit me - I'm a mom. I do the mom things all day every day. Yesterday, I cleaned house all day - Ana making a mess in my wake. I make dinner, do laundry and take pride in my home and my daughter. Somedays it seems mundane and tedious and boring. Other days it seems more than I can handle. And some days, its perfect. And its what I always wanted to do.

I talked to my dear cousing Emily yesterday. We are the same age. She works in DC and has so many cool and adventerous experiences. Some days, I read her blog and think "wow, I wish I could do that." But I know that if I was in her shoes, all I would want is to get married and have kids. That's always what I wanted out of life. Sometimes I forget that I already am what I want to be when I grow up.

We invited my old roommate Laura and her husband Jake over for FHE last night. We talked about being your best self and how so often we put ourselves down in front of others instead of letting our light shine. And we put off changing and becoming better until we have more time or until our kids are a little older. I realized that there is no reason why my house is always a mess, or that I can barely find time to play or read with Ana. There is no reason why I can't find time to scrapbook and sew or write thank you notes or whatever else I wish I had time for. Jake said last night, "If we do not do hard things ourselves, the Lord will give us hard things to do." I loved that! It is hard to be a mom, but what greater trial and blessing could Heavenly Father bestow on me.

I'm a mom. And I've resolved to be a better one. To be the mom and wife and Erin that I really want to be, because really, what is stopping me?

If I'd let her, she'd be outside all day...

Of course, I'm sort of that way too. I love being outside. Especially in the warm sunshine. The other night, it was cool and clear and after dinner I took Ana out front to play in the grass. I'm learning to take more pictures of everyday moments like this, even though many don't turn out like I want them too. I liked this picture though.

And here's a video, too.

If you listen you can hear her counting "two, tee!" I love that she is walking. She's so much happier! She seems so much older now, though. Its like in just one week she went from baby to little girl.

New babies

One of my sister's had her baby! This is baby Wyatt born yesterday. Another sister will probably have her baby (another boy) today or tomorrow. Then this winter we'll have 3 more neices born to 2 more sisters and my brother. Gotta love babies...

*i love*

the fall this year. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm really enjoying fall this year. I used to not like it because it meant winter was coming. But Ana still likes to play outside so instead of staying in lamenting the cold-ing weather, I've been outside and its actually quite nice. I'm looking forward to the falling leaves, getting one of Amy's pumpkins, and Christmas. And I realized that I like to wear my sweaters, sweatshirts and my coat that I got for Christmas last year.

I also love: my bracelet that I made with my sister's beading stuff. I wear it with pretty much everything. Pride and Prejudice (the book). Just finished it for the 2nd time. Love it!

The long awaited time has arrived.

Ana is walking! I love it! Don't try to tell me I'll regret liking it, because I don't think I ever will.

little girls ...

I made it home safe and sound from Boise last night. My sister has 5 girls (and another girl on the way!) and they are a lot of fun! On Friday, I took Ana and my neice Anya to the park. Ana loves the slides! She climbs up the toys herself to the top of the slide and then goes down on her tummy face first, giggling all the way. I had to pull out the camera.
This is my neice. She is 3 and really funny. As soon as I'd take a picture she'd ask to see it. I really liked how this one turned out.

Friday night we watched Pride and Prejudice. (fun girly movie for me and the girls). Then Saturday we just played until mom and dad got home. It was fun for me to get out of the house. Those girls are great and I love them all. On the way home I stopped in Rupert to see my in-laws. Dave's parents are great! I got so lucky in that department. They love to see Ana and she loves them. As always, though, its good to be back in my bed. Plus, Dave had the whole house clean for me when I got home. Isn't he a great husband. I missed him.

jammin' down the road

Well, I made it safely to Boise. It was a great trip! Ana slept most of the way and was pretty good when she was awake. But mostly, I got to jam to music that I love : Phil Vassar, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, and of course High School Musical 1 and 2!!! Most of "my" music, Dave only likes a little at a time. So, I thoroughly enjoyed singing at the top of my lungs.

Now, on a related note, I defintely recommend checking this video of Brad Paisley's out. For those of you who may not like country much, Brad Paisley is good, even for a country singer. A lot of his songs are funny! Like this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GcVnhNjWV0

College Life ...

has once again flooded Rexburg. Jam-packed Wal-mart (especially last Saturday - I made the mistake of going that day.) traffic, pedestrians, and a little bit of nostalgia. I took Dave up to class today and as I watched all the students walking around I started thinking about the last 4 Septembers. 2003 - my first semester at college. The first weekend my roomies and I went to the Rascal Flatts/Phil Vassar concert at the fair in Blackfoot. Way cool. We were instant friends. That year I made tons of friends, and we all went back to the same ward the next year. 2004 - The first weekend I went back to Pocatello to run a half-marathon. That year was a blast! Loved my roommates, and I got engaged! Great year. 2005 - newlywed. I mostly took night classes that fall because I was working. I got pregnant and changed my major that year. But I still knew tons of people up on campus and it was always fun to see them. 2006 - new baby. Most of the people I knew were graduated. I was too busy with my family to worry about it. Then I graduated.

2007 - stay at home mom. I saw a bunch of girls walking together the other day. I remember being one of those girls. I was loud and outgoing. I'm not like that as much anymore. Though I don't miss being single, sometimes I miss the "me" that I was back then. Carefree, outgoing, tons of stuff to do... I was reading my scriptures like I should and doing baptisms for the dead almost every month. I couldn't wait until I could go whenever I wanted. Now I can and don't go as often as I should. I just wanted to be married. Its funny, many of those girls just want to be in my shoes... stay at home mom in a regular family ward with a good husband. Its not that things are different than I thought they'd be. Its that I'm different than I thought I'd be. Its still good though.

For the sake of this walk down memory lane, here's a picture of my and one of my best friends, and roommate, Laura.

clean, clean, clean

filling my days with housework. soon dave will disappear into school/work-land; I wanted to get it all clean before that happened because I knew I'd never get on top of it if I didn't start out that way. I've just gotten past the "making it messier before you can clean it stage and now it actually looks straightened up. I'm going to Boise to watch my sister's kids on Thursday until Saturday. I hope to get the house all done before then.

Music to the soul...

Luciano Pavarotti died on Thursday. For those of you who are unfamiliar, let me introduce you...




Okay, admittingly, I have a weakness for tenors. And I mean, good tenors. I grew up listening to music from him, Placido Domingo, The Irish Tenors, and John Denver (although in a different category, he had a very amazing tenor voice - very clear and strong.) As well as music from Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, etc, all of which feature real vocal talent. The voice is the most beautiful instrument and good music like this speaks to my soul like no other. In fact, as I listened to this song yesterday on my sister's blog, it brought tears to my eyes because it is so beautiful. Kinda weird, maybe, but I just love it! Music was always such a part of my life growing up. We all sang, loved to dance around the house, and many of us play the piano. I sang in our high school's audition choir (and it wasn't that easy to get into.) Usually these days if I choose the music, I choose Brad Paisley or the like, and really enjoy singing in the car to some good tunes. But when I hear good, pure voices like Pavarotti's, it touches me. And that's how you know it's really good music. His voice will be missed on earth, but I'm sure he's singing in heaven. ...

Reggie Is Cool

I am showing Erin how to do a you tube post since I am now an expert.

Insert Movie Here:


Wow, wasn't that easy?

Tryin to learn the u tube...

So, Rumor has it that somehow you can put text before a youtube video. Can I figure out how this is done?



Yep.

That was pretty good.

Who does Ana look more like?

This was a fun site!


I was kinda surprised by the results. What do you think? Who does Ana really look more like?

*i love*

good friends. Today I was sort of depressed since its been rainy and cool for 3 days. (I'm just not ready for summer to be over.) But I really needed some fresh air, so I put on a sweatshirt, pulled out the stroller and took Ana for a walk to see a friend that I hadn't seen in a few weeks. She was the Primary President before they split the ward and it was so good to talk to her again. It made me grateful for friends that you can just drop in on and they welcome you 100%.

also: good long conversations, especially with my husband. mexican food. eating out. sunshine. ice cream. (now I'm hungry)...

Adorable

I know, all parents think their child is the smartest and the cutest baby around, especially first timers, but I just can't help but think Ana really is the cutest! A little about my baby girl:

*she loves her mommy! She's full of hugs and loves and kisses for me all day. I love the smile I see when she sees me.

*she's learning to walk. She'll walk almost anywhere holding onto a willing finger, but crawling is still much faster.

*social butterfly. We went the library this morning. There is a section for toddlers with board books a toys and while she was playing a little boy a few months younger than her came around. She couldn't get enough of him. She kept saying "hi" and patting his back and hugging him and talking her little jabber to him. She even poked his eye and said "eye." He didn't like it at all, but she was so excited to see him. Anytime we're around little kids, she's like that. At church, she often wants to play with the kid behind us. One week she even gave a little baby a big kiss on the forehead. Most babies her age (including her two little cousins) don't really like her affections, but I think its adorable.

*she's starting to play by herself more, which is great for me. Because she does, I play with her more. Its really cute to watch her entertain herself.

*I am amazed at how much she can understand. When she's hungry and I mention food, she crawls into the kitchen. She knows what her blanky and sippy cup are, and she knows "outside" and that "arf-arf" means we're going to go outside to see a puppy. (she learned that at my parents house this weekend.) She waves bye-bye anytime someone walks out the door, too. She only says a few words, but she knows whats going on in her little world. She also knows when something is distracting me away from her - she'll push a book out of my hand if I've been reading all day.

Mostly, I just think she is the cutest and coolest baby around. She makes it fun to be a mommy!

Funny

This is funny...

Busy weekend ...

We've been visiting family for a few days. Of course, we don't have any pics since our camera is still in Boise (until Saturday). But we went to a wedding reception for a friend on Saturday night. I graduated with her 5 years ago. Its kinda crazy because its her 2nd marriage. But the guy she married this time is a good guy and I'm excited for her. I've seen a few people from high school that I havent seen in a while, so that has been fun. Its so crazy how think you'll always keep in touch and then life happens and before you know it you have no idea what is going on with anyone. We went to church with my parents yesterday and although I kinda missed being in primary, it was kinda nice to go to Sunday School and Relief Society again. Ana slept during most of church she I even got to pay attention. They had a really good testimony meeting too. There was a convert confirmation and she bore a very sweet testimony. She's 14 and her mom told my mom that she finally has a sense of belonging and confidence. I just thought - now that is what the Young Women's program is all about. It was cool. So today, Dave's gone fishing with my Dad and its just me and my sistas hanging out. Gotta love that!