Cake Decorating

Last Wednesday we had a cake decorating class for Enrichment. It was a lot of fun!! I found something new I would like to try and become really good at.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Colton and I took Pictures on Mother's Day! I am so lucky to be his mom. I love him soooo much!

So my first official Mother's Day was wonderful!! It started out on Saturday with a bouqet of flowers showing up on my door, from Matt and Colton. They are so beautiful.

Then Sunday morning, Mother's Day, Matt fixed me breakfast. We had scrambled cheese eggs and bacon. Then I had some gifts. A beautiful Mothers Locket with a picture of Colton in it. That was from Colton and a cute card. I couldn't get a good picture of the locket. It's silver and has a pink rose on it, with the word Mom on it. It was a little weird at first, because I was like oh, yeah, I am a mom. It just kinda hit me. Then Matt got me a Disney Cricut cartridge. I'm so excited to use it. Then we were off to church. It was a wonderful Sacrament. They talked about two of the most important mothers, Eve and Mary, the Saviors mom. And how they each chose to be a mom for our good. And how Mary suffered to give the Savior life and how he suffered to give us life and we as mother's in return suffer to give life. It was really neat. Then after sacrament we went to Matt's mom's and I had fixed dinner for everyone. We had Pork Barbacoa taco salads. Don't want to toot my own horn, but they were so yummy!! Then we came home and Matt just pampered me. I had a wonderful day! I am so greatful for having the opportunity of being a mom.

I am pretty lucky, I came from an excellent line of Mother's. My Great Grandma Tilly- was very loving and kind. She always made sure her girls had what they needed. Including matching purses with their shoes and a new dress and gloves. I loved going shopping with her. We would have a date, and we would either ride the bus, or Grandma or Papa would drop us off. We would go looking for a new dress and shoes and a purse that matches. Then she would take me to Bob Big Boy, I think that is what it was called. We would have, hamburger, fries and a huge milk shake that I never could finish. Great Grandma, would wear me out. She was defineately an Energizer Bunny! I remember going to her Beach house on Newport, and thinking it was so small and so fun. We would play house and play in her little dryer. She would save her bread ends so we could feed the birds along the beach shore. She is a very strong and beautiful woman. She lived a long time alone without Great Grandpa. She was independant and very strong. I had the wonderful privelege of being baptized for her. I can't wait to see her again.

Then we have Grandma, wow what words can I use to accurately describe my Grandma Tinker. She was a woman of great faith, patient, loving, cheerful, curious, beautiful, great sense of humor, easy to scare, she was jumpy, positive outlook on life and each of us grandkids knew that we were her favorite. Grandma lived her later years in pain, because of her diabetes. But, she never once complained. She always said that things would work out and be okay. She had such Faith. She loved us. And she was always telling us so. I remember Grandma, taking care of me one day when I was sick, she put me in the middle of her waterbed, which I thought was huge and way cool, because she had a TV in her room. And a stuffed animal turtle on her bed. She would make me dippy eggs and toast. Oh, I love them. I've only had them with Grandma. I remember, how easily she would scare. I remember her love for animals and how curious she was, just like a little kid. If there was a hole, she would see if her finger would fit in it, a lot of times it would get stuck, but she would be too embarrassed to tell anyone. Grandma was very cuddly, we would snuggle with her and she would rub our arms or back and give us the goose pimples. I remember her smile and her orangey, red lipstick and the kleenex that she would carry in her bra. I have many more memories of her, but not enough room to write them. The greatest gift besides her love of life and of the gospel that she gave to me was my Mom.

My Mom, what a beautiful woman, who achieved her mom's faith. She is a woman of great faith also. She is very loving, fun to be around, one of my best friends, a great example, loves the Lord and has passed that love onto me. She is a wonderful mother and wife, someone who I want to become like. She has a great testimony and knows that everything will always work out and that it is for our best. I have lots of memories of mom, cooking, sewing, saying "b-b-b-b-garbarge". Poor Mom, she does have a hard time sometimes saying words, but that is what makes it so fun, and makes such great memories. I love spending time with her and talking to her. She truly knows me better I think than I know myself. She encourages, backs and is proud of each of her kids. She is the type of person that everyone wants to be around, because she always makes people feel comfortable and welcomed and uplifts them. I love my mom more than words can express. She truly is beautiful inside and out.

I also have Matt's mom, she treats me like one of her own. She is so kind and loving towards me. She is always willing to help others and share her testimony with others. I really appreciate all of her love and support. One of my memories of her is when she took time out of her busy life to drive me up to Montana, so that I could be with my mom and dad, when dad broke his back and had to be in the hospital for 5-7 days. I loved the talks we had and the laughter we shared. She truly is a blessing in my life.

My hope is that with this great legacy of woman and Mother's. I can become a little like them. I truly am blessed for having such great examples in my life.

Our New Cousin and Niece, Anika Holly Parker

My brother, Mike and sister in law, Amy had their little girl onTuesday May 6th at 10:09. She weighed 6 lb. 15 oz. and she was 20 in. long. We are so excited to welcome Anika Holly Parker to our family. We are glad everything went well for Amy. We can't wait to see her in June along with the rest of our family.

Women's Conference

On May 1st and 2nd, Mom and I went to the BYU Women's Conference in Provo. It is held at the Marriot Center. The theme for this year is " Awake, Arise, and Come Unto Him" from Moroni 10:30-32. It was a wonderful experience as always. Mom and I make it a tradition every year to go. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who lets me go and watches Colton while I'm gone.

We left Wednesday afternoon and headed to Provo, we did a little window shopping. Then we checked into our motel at the Cotton Tree Inn. It was a nice room with a fridge and microwave. We like having a fridge, because we love to take milk and treats with us. We didn't feel like going out that night for dinner, so we had apples and yogurt. Well, mom had apples and cheese. I tried it and I didn't like it. We talked for most of the night and really had a wonderful time.

Thursday morning we got up at 6:00 am and got ready and headed out. It was cold that day, it actually snowed and rained the high was 38 degrees. Which was quite a difference from 57 degrees the day before. We lined up at the door with all the other women. And the staff was kind to us, they opened the doors at 7:45 instead of 8:00 am so we didn't have to stand in the cold. The wind was so strong and cold!! So, we got in and Mom and I sat at the bottom between L and M, right above the tunnel, those seats have more leg room and you can put your feet up if you need to. We liked our seats alot. You could see the speakers good. The opening session was Sister Sheri Dew. She spoke on the theme. Some of my notes- If we are not moving forward our spirits are not happy. We were told to "Awake" to who we are. "Arise" to making our lives His ministry and to "Come" walking away from the world. We are here to influence the world. Are we what we should be? What is one thing that I can do everyday to uplift or share the gospel of Jesus Christ? The spirit was strong and comforting in what I need to do in my life to Awake, Arise, and Come.

Then we had a session on "Lay Hold upon Every Good Gift" addressed by Sister Ricks- member of the Primary General Board and Sister Thompson- Second Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency. Spoke about our talents and what talents we do have and not being jealous of others talents, because the talents of others blesses our lives. She gave us 3 steps- 1- Discover your gifts 2-Develop your gifts 3- Honor your gifts. Sister Thompson spoke about Discovering gifts and knowing our identity and teaching our children to know their identity.

One of the many sessions that really hit me was from President and Sister Bateman they spoke on fortifying our homes and protecting them from the world. He is the Prove Temple President. He said we should model our homes after the Lord's house, meaning the temple. Have a home filled with soft voices, Everyone is trained in their responsibilities, then they teach , train and assign. We teach, train, and assign responsibilities to our family members in the home. Every shift begins with Prayer and Ends with Prayer, just like our days should be. Everyone is treated with Kindness, love and is a place of service. A place of order- everything is in it's proper place, ready for a new day. It's clean and orderly. Demand Children to keep our homes that way, just as if we were in the temple. I was so impressed by this, and felt very strongly that this is how the Lord would like our homes to be like. As a mother I worry about how to teach my children the gospel and to make sure that they have the foundation that they need to protect them from the evils of the world. The Spirit bore witness that this is one of many ways to help do that.

The other great privilege we had was to hear from our dear, beloved prophet. President Thomas S. Monson was our speaker for the closing session. What an overwhelming spirit. It was an honor to be in his presence and to feel the Love that he has for us and the Love that the Lord has for us. We are each living a life with much to do. Don't let the important things pass you by. There is no tomorrow if we don't do something today. Everyday in your life is a special occasion. Find Joy in the Journey!!! We learn and grow and become polished when we have trials. Instead of Wrooying what should still be done or what we should have done. Stop and pause and think of the good you have done.

The spirit of the Lord was so strong and bore witness to me again that Thomas S Monson is the Prophet called by God on the earth at this time. There were many more wonderful sessions, I just choose a few highlights. I was truly edified and uplifted. Thanks mom, for making this year, probably the best year ever. I am very greatful to have such a wonderful mom who is full of faith, and is a great example to all. I love you and can't wait for next year!!! I hope Amy & Helena & Bean can come next year and enjoy with us!!!

I know the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints is the only true gospel on the face of the earth. I know God lives and loves each one of us. I know that our Savior lives and suffered for each of us, so that we may return and live with him and our Father again. I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God along with the Bible. I'm so greatful for everything I have been given, for a wonderful husband, who I love and adore. For a beautiful little boy, who is such a joy. I'm greatful for a wonderful family who is loving and very supportive. I love you all.