TOFW

Me with the Miller side of my family, Sheri, April, Shantell, and Aunt Susan. I got on facebook Thursday night and realized they were headed the same place I was. Thanks for saving our seats.
Participating in the possibility packs for the local Dove Foundation,

Shannon, Me HILARY WEEKS, Jessica, and Kathryn. Hilary is amazing and is so kind to everyone she makes you fill like you have been her friend forever.
Aunt Jill this post is for you. For the last month I have been on a spiritual high. I have had some amazing experiences and witnessed more small miracles than I could have ever imagined. All my life I wondered if I would ever have such experiences and much to my surprise I have been having them all my life. I just never recognized them. A few years ago I attended my first Time Out For Women with my dear friend Ange Berezay. We have gone at least once a year forever it seems. This year was no different in September we attended the one in Logan. It was amazing! Shortly after we got back my sister-in-laws invited me to attend the one in St George. Most of the presenters were different and Dan agreed it would be a great thing. I am so glad I attended. This just helped continue the spiritual high. I have a testimony of the simpleness and blessing of living the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. If we choose to live a Christ Centered life we will find joy and happiness beyond our comprehension. I am so grateful for this testimony and the knowledge I have that Christ lives and Loves each one of us. That if we follow him he will lead us back to our father and mother in heaven. I am so grateful for people who are willing to bless my life through their gifts and talents. The men and women who are presenters for TOFW have blessed my life through their testimonies. I am so grateful Dan kept the kids this weekend and let me have this little time out.

October

Payson Temple Ground Breaking

Deer Hunt Weekend

Grandma Lou annual Halloween Party

Kaci friend Halloween Party

Halloween Day with the Durbins

Jake's Pumpkin grown with lots of Love from Grandpa Miller

First Snow Storm

Jake's Oops

October was so full.  There was a week or so where time seemed to stand still.   We lost our beloved friend Grandpa Don.   I have never felt the abundance of the spirit as I have felt this month.   It started with an amazing opportunity and experience Dan and I had to attend the ground breaking of the Payson Temple.   Our amazing Bishop Mark Drake offered tickets to Dan and I we also had the privilege of riding up with him and his wife and Dan's parents. I am so excited to have the temple so close.   I will be able to drop the kids off at school and do a session before they get home from school.   I am hoping there are some amazing opportunities for our family to help with the process of the temple dedication.     This is a true blessing to our community.  

The week after the temple dedication is when time stood still.   I will save the details and experiences for another post.    

Kaci and I got to go on our annual girls deer hunt weekend with Grandma Nelson this is always a fun weekend full of crafts and shopping.

Early this spring I got a phone call from Grandpa Miller.   He had just purchased some large pumpkin seeds and large strawberry plants.   He sent Jake some seeds and ours didn't work but grandpa's did.   So we drove up and listened to General Conference and had dinner with grandma and grandpa.   Grandpa gave Jake the biggest pumpkin in the patch.   It was so fun to have it on our front porch.

Mona is getting a new sewer system.  Our streets have been tore up and closed most of the year.   This month was our roads turn.   They had to cut the sidewalks at our house and Woolslayers.     Just before school was out they poured and put the first finish on the sidewalks.   Jake wasn't paying attention and to his defense they didn't really mark it well saying it was wet and he stepped right in it.  Two foot prints when he realized it was still wet.   He came in the door in complete tears.   I thought someone had died by the way he was acting.   When he calmed down enough to tell me, I burst into laughter.   Zeak felt really bad for him and said, "mom I know how to finish the concrete I will go get dad's tools and fix it. "  The men working on the sidewalk saw the boys fixing it but didn't come over to see what was going on they just watched from the corner.    Not that I know anything about concrete but I must say I was a proud mom watching my boys fix Jake's mistake and the fact that it looked better than the original was awesome.  

Kaci wanted to have a Halloween party with her dancing friends.   We dropped Kyler off on our way to dancing and they invited him so after dancing we picked him up to come to the party.   It was fun we made paper plate pumpkins,  and spider cupcakes.

Towards the end of the month we had our annual Halloween party with Grandma Lou we carve pumpkins and have a fun dinner.    This is a fun tradition that I always look forward to.   My kids have gotten to the point that as long as we get in a pumpkin carving party with grandma Lou then we don't need to go trick-or-treating.  It is fun to see the creativity and individuality show through.

  We also got to have another pumpkin party with Grandma Janice.   They finally needed a little break from cows and packing.  We need to have a little fun and celebrating.  I love the fun memories we are creating with our kids and the special grandmas in their lives.  

Taking a Warm Bath

These to adorable kids were being little missionaries at the soccer game last night. Jake has a friend who is afraid to get baptized and we were talking with the family last night. Pretty soon the kids caught on to the conversation and took matters into their own hands. They were asking her why she was afraid and doing their best to calm all of her fears. This morning as I was reflecting on the conversation I had a part of the conversation hit me and I had to share. First, I shared it with Nan's mom because every mom needs to know they are getting through to their kids. Now, I am sharing with all of you because it is so pure, sweet, and simple.

Jake said, "There is nothing to be afraid of it is like taking a warm bath." Then every time you take the sacrament and go back to primary you get to take that warm bath again!"

I love this analogy that baptism is like taking a warm bath but what I love even more is that every Sunday we have the privilege of taking that warm bath again. Thanks Jake for teaching me and sharing it with your family and friends. You and Nan are amazing missionaries!

Technology Is Great!

Normally I take my camera every where and this is one weekend I regret not taking it more.   For years my  family has spent time helping with the church ranch operation in Nephi.    For many reasons I have never actually been on a horse moving cattle with them.  I was either pregnant or had babies.   I never minded and was always fine staying at the ranch and watching the other kids and helping with dinner.    Don called us and ask for help moving cows.  Things were in transition for Dan at work and he was able to work from horseback with his cell phone.   Because Kaci Fae is older and Jake and Zeak were with us I was invited to ride.   I am so glad we took that opportunity it was so fun and relaxing.    I wish I had a photo of us horse back and I really wish I had a photo of Dan with his cell phone to his ear and reins in the other hand.   Doing what he loves while still making a living.   Since I don't have a photo of that you will just have to imagine it.  Dan comment several times he was so thankful for technology which allowed him to work from a phone.   The Shepherds were with us and the kids had pony races and swam in the big water tank.   They would race the ponies for  awhile water them in the water tank and then they would go swim in the water tank that they just watered the ponies out of.   I know a little gross but at Grandpa Don's anything goes.     It was an awesome weekend full of memories.