Sunday Session& Headin’ Home

We got up Sunday morning and had whole wheat & cinnamon waffles for breakfast that Jon made.  They didn’t look very big, but they were so tall that they filled me up to the point I almost couldn’t drink some eggnog Mom had bought yesterday.  The kids played while Mom & Lexie & I took turns holding Jackson and getting cleaned up and ready for the day.  We listened to the Sunday morning session of conference and I LOVED Elaine S. Dalton’s talk entitled “Love Her Mother” which addressed how fathers can help to raise happy and well-adjusted daughter’s in today’s troublesome world.  Even though I don’t have a husband right now, this really resonated with me.  First, b/c I want to find a husband that will be all these great things to Autumn.  Second, b/c Mom & Dad have been such a huge help in backing me up and helping Autumn understand that she needs to respect me and listen to me when I ask her to do things.  I can’t even express how much their support and love mean to both Autumn & I.

During conference, we had to give the kids a bath b/c they were both so stinky and smelly.  Jon bathed Andrew and then I was going to bathe Autumn, but I was holding Jackson so Lexie said she would do it for me.  She even helped Autumn get dressed and then brushed her hair.

When Pres. Monson spoke, we had the kids come in and listen with us.  I might go to hell for saying this, but I have always thought he looks like the bad guy (Governor Ratcliffe) on Pocahontas.  I really liked his talk, “Stand In Holy Places” and how he said that even though times around us are changing, especially the “moral compass of society” that Heavenly Father hasn’t changed and His laws are still the same.  The Ten Commandments are not suggestions, they are commandments.

HERE is a great website that has a good overview of each of the talks.  I am sad that Elder Holland only spoke during the Priesthood session, b/c he is one of my favorites.  But then again, even if he had spoken I probably wouldn’t have heard it anyway b/c I only got to really watch one session of conference.  Usually if I’m at home I like to prepare for conference by having some questions in my mind that I need to have answered.  I also have a notebook where I write down thoughts or impressions.  But, I knew that wouldn’t happen this time since we were at Lexie & Jon’s and had a lot going on and we weren’t sure if/when cable would be installed.  That’s why I’m always so anxious to get the November Ensign so I can read the talks and mark them up and write notes, like I do with my scriptures.

Anyways, after the Sunday morning session was over, Lexie & Jon took the kids and went over to their Bishop’s house.  His family was hosting a luncheon for the new families in the ward.  It was a pot luck, so Lexie & Jon took some creamy Italian chicken in the crock pot and brown rice.  Mom & Autumn & I snagged some for our lunch before they left.  We ate and then packed up our stuff and hit the road.  Since we had to break the Sabbath anyways to buy gas, we stopped at Shake’s and got a key lime concrete.  We asked if they had any sugar free stuff for Mom, and they did, so she was super happy about that.

We then stopped and got gas, and were finally on our way.  The traffic was HORRIBLE!  There weren’t any accidents, but just heavy traffic.  We’d get up to 65 mph and then have to slam on our breaks.  It was like that for 2 out of the 3.5 hours of the trip.  And people are such WRETCHED drivers!  I made sure to keep 2 car lengths between me and the car in front of me, b/c of having to keep braking so much.  Well, people would get behind me and get impatient and get right on my butt.  Then they would get over into the right hand lane (I was in the left hand lane on a 2 lane road) and get in front of me just to have to slam on their brakes.  REALLY?  UGH!  It’s not like they were going to get anywhere any faster by doing that.  We had to stop twice for potty breaks, but finally made it home around 8:00.  I’m so glad Mom was there to talk to while I drove so the time passed by much faster.  Plus, she always makes sure we have treats to snack on and drinks.  We even turned on the Carpenter’s and belted out some songs.

I let Autumn play w/ her dolls and new horse for a little bit and then we headed home so we could get ready for the coming week.  It makes my heart happy to be so close to family.  I love getting together and spending time and making memories.  I’m thankful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and that I get to hear from living apostles and prophets at least twice a year.  It’s so nice to have that semi-annual spiritual check up to see where I’m at and what I can do to improve.  I truly live a blessed life.