CONFERENCE TIME

What a lovely time conference is for those of us lucky enough to live here in the heart of Utah. I would have said "Zion", but I was listening to conference today and we're not living charitably or lovingly enough to be called Zion yet here in Utah. We have a ways to go. But we do have the perks.









Last Saturday evening, Erin and Rachel and I were able to sit in the presence of the prophet as we heard the marvelous messages prepared for the sisters of the Church. The Spirit is so strong as you sit together in the comfortable Conference Center, all of one mind and heart. When Sister Beck spoke of how hard it was to have her mother move far away from her, and asked, in tears, "Who will be my mother now?", I was in tears too. I hope all my young daughters (including in-laws) and nieces can take strength from Relief Society.



Today, we had the luxury of watching conference at home, on the bed, in our jammies, with the windows open to the rain. This is the way I have always been able to watch conference and have never really appreciated it so much until now. I know that people come in from across the country to go to the conference center to actually be in there with the prophet. I appreciate that sentiment and like to take advantage of that on other occasions so as to not take up a seat. And I know that members outside of Utah have to get dressed in Sunday clothes and go watch in their stake centers. But having been with the Saints in Ohio and have them talk about the trips they make to conference and how important it is to them, and finding out from Allison that where she is, that even watching at the stake center isn't even an option. You can see it if you have satellite, or as her Bishop said (as he was raking his lawn during the afternoon session), you just read the Ensign!

I love conference. I love options. And I really love watching it in my jammies. In the rain.

PLAYING WITH CHILDREN

This sums up so nicely the experience of spending time with children who are between the ages of 4 and 7. At least all the ones that I am related to. They all want to make up the game. Each one one wants to be the dictator of the rules, the charactors, the plot...basically the universe. With Jimmy and Zoe, the ground is usually hot lava and no one can walk across it. If Jimmy has to reach a toy, wants a cookie, has to potty, whatever and comes up with his own imaginative "wetsuit" Zoe throws a fit because it "isn't in the game". And vice-versa for Jimmy if Zoe breaks one of his rules. And pretty much the same for the other cousins too. What is it about this age that they each need to be the king? (Or princess?) Were we this way, too?

THIRTY-EIGHT DAYS OF DROUGHT

Thirty-eight long days. The swings blew silently in the breeze. The grass began to grow in the worn, dirt patches under them. Grandpa was known to shed a tear or two as he worked in the yard and passed the lonely spot.
And then, last Saturday, relief came came flooding through the yard in the form of Audrey, Ethan and Morgan with cries of "High push", and "Grandpa, now me" and , of course, "Mine!!!" What a fun afternoon we had. The temperature was a perfectly sun-filled, yet just-right September day. The kids and Grandpa played outside while I had Noah at the Temple while his parents attended a sealing. Noah was absolutely perfect in the Temple. I imagine he felt quite at home there.
When I returned home, the kids were taking a break in the house for lunch and then we all went outside again. Morgan wanted to swing over and over, but most of her weight is in her tummy and backside and her short little legs just can't compensate very long. Grandpa would hold her on the swing and she would be so happy, but after about two forwards and backs, she would start to slip off. She would be happy to stand there and just hold the swing - until Ethan wanted his turn. Then the chorus of Mine, mine, mine would ring out. Ethan was very good about not fighting with her and let us distract her before taking his turn on the swing. He was the most daring of all - swinging the highest, climbing the highest - in fact, he almost made it into the tree and seemed surprised when we encouraged him. We told him the rule was that when he
could do it on his own, he could climb the tree. And he made some serious progress.

They all got up and sang and danced for us. Ethen has some good dance moves - he looks as though he has watched a lot of soft shoe routines. Morgan didn't want to sing or dance until someone else did and then she would go throw them off of the 'stage' and yell "mine". Then she would perform. She also didn't want her picture taken in her car. She would hide her face below the doors and frown so we wouldn't take it. I had to wait a long time before I could get one.

Later, however, we couldn't take enough pictures.
All of these group pictures were dictated by Morgan. And for nearly every normal shot, there is one with their tongues sticking out! And then she had to see each one.

After all of this hilarity, we went into the house and Audrey and Ethan and I settled on my bed to watch The Muppet Show - There I was, on my bed with a boy and girl - just like old times. I just need to get these grandkids up here more often! Morgan, however, was not content to sit and watch TV. She was determined to sit on the hearth in a little gap between the CD rack and the boxes. She has stood in that spot before, but now the huge exercise bike is on the way and was completely blocking her path. She kept trying to get through and would look at me. I would say no and she would smile and say "peas?" and I would say no. This went on over and over until she went around to other side of the bike and made it onto the hearth. She gave me her biggest smile that said - see? I'm so smart.

And then she ran over to play with grandpa.

We have seen all of the grandkids since Jimmy and Zoe moved away, but this was the first time we had a group here for a long time and they played outside with us and we felt like we got to know them a little better. Knowing Jimmy and Zoe was easy because they were always here. We need more time with all of the others and especially Sam and Holly before they go away for several years. We need to work some time out, right?