I wasn’t kidding ’bout the cake! And it smells yummy!

Today I went to kickboxing.  Got the state inspection on the car done (which was due in August – and which was attempted 3 times last week but to no avail for various reasons).  Then I came home and cleaned the inside of the car top to bottom.  You know the kind…where you vacuum the…

Derek took the boys to the farm the week I was in Provo.  This place is beloved by boys and girls alike. For Derek and my boys, it is heaven on earth (even in the 100-degree days of August).  My Dad and Christy met them out there for one night.  I love the farm, but…

We're already 3 weeks into the new school year, but here are our first day pictures: I can't believe that Jacob is in the 5th grade!!  How did this happen?!  He started Kindergarten at this school the year that it opened and now here we are 5 years later – incredible!  He gets to split…

Several years ago I read a book called The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield & Mark Hansen.  The book itself wasn't particularly earth-shattering or amazing BUT it did teach me valuable lessons about asking for things that I want and not worrying about the answer/result.  I have a tendency to be more bold and brave…

I was riveted by the weather events of last night.  When the tornado sirens in our area went off, I turned the TV on to get the scoop.  The night before they had gone off (which they do anytime there is a tornado in the COUNTY, which is rather large) and the tornado was not…

Dear Derek: Where did I ever find you?  That's what people are asking me…Where did you find him?   I thought you found me, but that's a topic for another post. But wherever you came from (Krypton, perhaps?) I'm grateful.  You have more energy than anyone I know. You are eager to serve, lift, help,…

There is a week up at BYU called "Education Week" where religion professors, LDS speakers, leaders, performers and artists all come to teach, instruct, and inspire adults.  And it is summated (is that a word) into a week of classes on the BYU campus.  I have wanted to go for a long time.  But I'm…

It's a very typical stance for me (minus the ice skates of course), a very typical outfit (those are my favorite pants – they're from Costco and about 5 years old), a very typical hairdo, etc. And that's a very typical thing for Samuel to be doing – hugging around my legs holding on tight…

Our Church President and Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, said the following in a talk given in October of 2009: Just over a year ago, I was interviewed by the Church News prior to my birthday. At the conclusion of the interview, the reporter asked what I would consider the ideal gift that members worldwide could give to…