Fun in the sun

(Maisy, Brookie, Anna, and Jazlyn)

Today we went to a new fountain downtown with some friends and had a blast enjoying the sunshine and the water!

I have a bad cold...

and Anna informed me yesterday....

"You're not a fun mom."

Thanks sweetheart!

Hi... I'm Jamie and I have a problem

During the past couple of weeks I had been practicing for a mothers day program at church. We were preforming the story and music about the 10 virgins. When I received my part I kind of chuckled to myself because I was an unprepared virgin who was constantly comparing her lamp to the lamp of the others. Hmmmm! I wondered who had assigned the parts and was someone trying to tell me something. I even called my mom on the phone and told her of my part and she laughed as well.... knowing how I am sometimes.

The performance turned out great and I was glad that it was over (I get very nervous singing in front of others) but for some reason I can't stop thinking about the subject of being content.

Yesterday I read in the Ensign Magazine the talk entitled,

"Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually."

Here were some of the highlights for me:

"Today I speak to all whose freedom to choose has been diminished by the effects of ill-advised choices of the past. I speak specifically of choices that have led to excessive debt and addictions to food, drugs, pornography, and other patterns of thought and action that diminish one’s sense of self-worth. All of these excesses affect us individually and undermine our family relationships. Of course some debt incurred for education, a modest home, or a basic automobile may be necessary to provide for a family. Unfortunately however, additional debt is incurred when we cannot control our wants and addictive impulses."

What is a provident provider?
All of us are responsible to provide for ourselves and our families in both temporal and spiritual ways. To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies. When we live providently, we can provide for ourselves and our families and also follow the Savior’s example to serve and bless others.

Thou Shalt not covet

I realized that I spend to much of my time focusing on all the things that I feel I need to have. Always thinking that the next thing/or stage in my life is going to make me more complete.

Some things on my list

1. A new camera. The one we want is over $1,000. Not now.

2. A house. Have you seen the prices in the Northwest?

3. A car that has power windows and locks.... ok I really do think I deserve that at least. I'm to the point where I'm willing to get pregnant to get a new car. J/K

4. A garden/backyard. I love to garden

boy I'm a little embarrassed to go on.

I know that to a certain extent it is natural to want new things and have goals and wants for your families future. The question that has been weighing Heavily on my mind is how to achieve the

Joy of being Content

In my mind I know that I have so much and am so blessed. My husband has a great job that provided for our family and works so hard each day, two beautiful daughters who challenge and bless me on a daily basis, we are healthy. I don't have to give my kids medication each day or wrap burns, or go to physical therapy. We have the gospel.

Some days it is hard though with QVC (which I love and Aaron despises) showing you Everything you have to have, and blogs who connect you with everyone in your past and then their friends (I know I blog hop sometimes) I get to see everyone adorable houses, yards, vacations, newest custom blog heading, baby nurseries, newest crafty creation, or new home business. I also know that I have found great ideas, recipes and other women who have inspired me to be a better person. I'm trying to find the balance.

Like I said, My name is Jamie and I have a problem

I need to find contentment and joy in what I have now, prepare wisely for our future, because someday it could all be gone. Thanks for surviving through one of my "keeping it real" posts.

What has helped you?

F.Y.I

Shaving Cream removes nail polish from the carpet......

you can take our word for it :)

BYU Women's Conference

Last Wednesday I flew out to SLC to meet my mom and attend BYU women's conference. I had been once before when I was pregnant with Anna and it was so great, so when I had the chance to go again this year I jumped on the chance. Aaron was able to take a couple of days off work and be "Mr. Mom" and I was able to have 4 days "off" and enjoyed every minute. I laughed each time I called home and could hear him saying in between conversation, "Anna unlock this door," or "Brook, please stop coloring on that." He sounded like me when I call him at work. He informed me during one conversation, "Brooklyn decided to wash my truck today..... with a rock." He sounded so tired each time we talked. I couldn't help but smile. Lets just say he had a renewed appreciation for all I do day in and day out. I love you honey! Thanks for being such a great dad!

The conference was unforgettable. I encourage anyone who has never been to make it a point to go at least once. The music so amazing. Imagine 22,000 women in the Marriott center singing in unison. I usually ended up crying and couldn't finish the song. The spirit was over-whelming. There were many great speakers as well including the general relief society president, and Elder L. Tom Perry. They spoke about the strength of women, faith, motherhood, putting first things first and much more. The first day we traveled from class to class fighting crowds and waiting in insanely long lines for the bathroom.

This picture gives you a small glimpse of the crowds

The second day we opted to spend most of the time in the humanitarian rooms. These are places where you can watch talks broadcast to rooms while working on different projects for different organizations.

One big highlight of the trip was that my old roommate from BYU-Idaho Samye was there with her mom and we met up for lunch one day and then happened to run into each other in the humanitarian rooms

Our handy work

The weather could not have been more beautiful each day of the conference. The campus was just bursting with color.

We laughed, cried, ate way too much, and just enjoyed our time together. I feel as though I was re-energized. I feel as though I came home recommitted to be a better woman, mother, wife, neighbor, and friend. I think sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all I could be doing, and I realized that each day I just need to do my best. One thing that I took away was to live each day with INTENTION! I think that I have to many days where my goal is to just survive. I think that there are going to be days like that, but if I can live each day with purpose, with the help of my Heavenly Father, I will be able to make a difference in the lives of those that I come in contact with. Another thing that I took away was this simple phrase:

When you go into a room, you either add to, or take away

This made such an impact on me because it can be something as simple as the way you treat someone as the grocery store, or recognizing someone at church who may need a hello. Everywhere we go, we can make a difference, big or small.

ok, ok, enough of my random thoughts. On Saturday my mom and I went to SLC to go to the Church history museum, and then she took me to lunch at the Lion House. It was a little rainy but that didn't stop us from having a great time. My mom and I LOVE flowers and, gardening so we were in Heaven on the beautiful grounds of Temple Square. I told my mom that heaven was going to look how temple square looked that day.

The place ride home was.... a little scary. I was glad to be on the ground and home with my family. Aaron got about 1,000 brownie points when I walked in the door, to a spotless house and hot dinner on the table. You're the best honey!

Anyone want to go with me next year?