Cooleyhighharmony

So I've been helping my mom out lately by cleaning out her closets and cabinets. One of the best thus far was the tape and cd cabinet. I got a good laugh when I came across some old loves...first and foremost, my boyzIImen cooleyhighharmony tape that my brother Alan gave me one Christmas when I was in elementary. I'm surprised the thing still works with how much I listened to "End of the Road" and "Motownphilly" over and over again (I say 'still works' because yes, Shane and I stuck it in the old tape deck and sang along the whole way home :).


Also found this guy and laughed some more when I recalled staring at his picture as a young girl and thinking, "He's so cute". I wasn't even really boy crazy, but I don't know...maybe I liked parachute pants! Look at them...can you blame me? Perhaps that's what drew me to Shane later on...his vast collection of parachute pants ;)

So, my taste in music may have changed a bit over the years, but I'll of course always have a special place in my heart for my boyz.

Obsess Much

Are these signs that your child has an addiction?




Yeah...I think an intervention is in order.

Wallace Dudley Yardley 1901-1990

I just wanted to honor my wonderful Grandpa because today marks 18 years since his passing. He was a true-blue cowboy and loved every minute of it. His hard-working, no-nonsense attitude was contagious, but the thing I remember most about him is his faith. Some of my favorite memories of him are the times I heard him bear his testimony. He had a difficult time getting around in his later years, so when he bore his testimony, he would just stand where he was and yell it out for all to hear. It was almost like you were at some religious revival, but he managed to still do it with reverence. He had dentures that didn't quite fit, so as he spoke, they would clatter together, but he didn't let that stop him. When he was done, you had no doubt in your mind that he really meant and believed every word that he said. I was amazed to later find out that when he was called on his first mission to England, he had never gone to church or even prayed! His first prayer was on the ship to England where he found himself very seasick. He promised the Lord that if He would get him through it, he would serve Him all of his life. And that is just what he did. He helped me through many hard times on my own mission as I thought about his courage and wondered if he would be proud of what I was doing. Thinking about that, I would suck it up and forget my worries. I know that he is on fire up there in the mission field. I am so grateful for the legacy that he left for all of us. All of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are active members of the LDS church and I know that can partly be credited to my grandma and him. I hope my children will carry that legacy on as well. I love you Grandpa!

(This is a picture I took of Max (9 months) to give to my mom alongside the picture of my Grandpa)

Back to Basics

I love conference. It seems like a lot of what is said are ideas and principles that we have heard before, but they are said in such a way that I find myself saying, "Hmmm" and the Spirit carries it to my heart as if it were the first time hearing it. I always feel rejuvenated and am reminded to get back to the simple and most important things in life.

One of those important things is family. We had a great time this weekend being with each other and our families-



We found Max in a foul mood on Saturday after he woke up from his nap. We tried snacks, toys, books, but to no avail. We finally remembered the cure-all: "Bubbos!" He cheered up right away. After he was consoled, we found that we couldn't get enough of them either and it turned into the 1st annual Bubblympics with events like biggest bubble, most bubbles sticking to each other, blow the bubble on to your opponents side before it pops, and the ever popular land a single bubble on top of Max's head. The list goes on, but I'll stop there seeing as all of you already think we're losers. :)



Hanging out at the park with cousins...

We met up at the park with Shane's sister and her kids between sessions. After being in the house all day, this was much needed by all.





Riddle Me This...We spent most of Sunday night at my parents house with my brothers just eating, talking, and throwing out riddles and trying to solve them.


Riddle: Get the egg into the can using only the handle of the broom.


Riddle: Balance 10 nails on the head of a single nail without them touching anything else.


Riddle: Why is it that Max never stops eating?



It was such a great weekend. I am grateful for all that we learned. I am grateful that we could stand and sustain President Monson as our prophet. It was easy to see the change that has come over him as he takes on this awesome responsibility. I think Elder Holland said it best when he stated, "President Monson...I cannot help but feel that the most important privilege we have all had has been to witness personally the settling of the sacred prophetic mantle upon your shoulders almost as it were by the very hand of angels themselves...All have been eye witness to that (this conference)."