Kayla's Primary Talk

Kayla gave her first primary talk and did so with complete confidence. She repeated every word into the microphone to crisp and clear and it made the whole primary smile.

"I can share the gospel with my friends. I can tell my friend that I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I can be a good example, be nice, and choose the right. I can share the gospel by bringing a friend to primary with me. Sharing the gospel makes me happy and makes Jesus happy too!"

Giving Thanks

There are so many things I am thankful for. I could probably make a long list (maybe next year) but this year I just want to mention the things I am most thankful for: my wonderful husband, my two precious children, my large and closely-tied family (from both sides), my religion which gives me hope, and my home which is my refuge and place of peace. I am truely truely blessed in so many ways.

Me and Kayla enjoyed going to Austin's school and watching them dress up as pilgrims and indians.

And then they enjoyed a "thanksgiving feast."

We hosted thanksgiving at our house this year with 20+ family members. There was some great food to eat. The great thing was after everyone volunteered to bring something, I somehow lucked out and only had to make mashed potatoes and a couple pies. It was a yummy meal.

Followed by some games

(Craig's dad playing "Punch Out" on the Wii)

Our November Door of Fame 

Fall Soccer

Austin had a great fall soccer season. He practiced on tuesdays and had games on saturdays. We had very good weather for most all the games and Austin was all smiles when he found out it was a "soccer day."

I put this picture in because Austin had worked hard dribbling the ball down the field but then lost control of the ball. Right after I snapped this shot Austin's cousin Klayton came from behind and kicked the ball between Austin's legs and into the goal. Now that's teamwork!!!



Austin in his "defense mode"



Taking a shot on goal

I love how this picture capture the fun that Austin is having.

He really grew to love playing soccer this fall.

Half-time Huddle

GOAL!!!

While their brothers were playing soccer these two cute girls entertained themselves with candy, swings, bubbles, and their mini-chairs. 

The "high five great game" tunnel

These kids made great teammates.



They were super excited about their trophies



Klayton, Braxton, Austin, and Breck

 I love that Austin gets to play on the same team with his cousin Klayton.

 And I know Austin loves having his dad as the coach.

Great job Austin on a great soccer season!!


When I Grow Up....

 

Austin brought this binder home from school one day. Each child had a paper which said "When I Grow Up I Want To Be A...." The kids then finished the phrase and all of them picked things like a teacher, a veterinarian, a firefighter, etc......but Austin's paper was truely unique. 

How sweet is that!?!  Let's just say both me and Craig got a little teary eyed when we read that.



October Hall of Fame

Leaves Are Falling

 We have really enjoyed the Fall weather which is a blessing after those hot Oklahoma summers.

 During Fall Break we headed over to the duck pond to ride our bikes.

 Stopping to feed the ducks

 

 The girls stopped to play in the leaves

 

We collected our favorite leaves

And made our traditional fall tree pictures

Even though the weather is nice and the colorful trees are beautiful, fall is definately a lot of work where we live. These bags were only from from one raking from only the front yard. I am starting to wonder if I should of considered the offer from the young man who knocked at my door asking if I wanted to hire someone to rake the leaves. Oh well.

Time Out For ME!!!

At the beginning of the year, I decided I wanted to get together with my sisters who live far away and have some "girl time". So when I came across some cheap airfare the planning began.

 So thursday morning Oct 25th, me and my mom flew out to Utah and my sister Jamie flew in from Colorado that evening. I love Utah!! I consider it my second home. We enjoyed staying at my Grandma and Grandpa Hirschi's house while we were there.

 My mom and my Grandma.....so alike in so many ways.

 Friday we headed down to Provo to BYU campus where I went to collage for 3 years. I loved my college days at BYU....so many great memories and great friendships were made there (and I guess I learned something academically too :)

 I was SUPER excited that I got to spend several hours in Provo with Katie, my high school best friend who also roomed with me at BYU. She lives in California but happened to be in Utah for her job the same time we were there. Let's just say that the stars aligned up just right.....which I like to call a "tender mercy" from the Lord. We hadn't seen each other for about 4 years so it was so fun to catch up with her.

 We were also able to spend some time visiting with my Grandma Reid at her place.

Friday night and Saturday, me, my mom, and my sisters Jackie, Jamie, and Jenna had a great time at TOFW in SLC. The speakers and music was fabulous!! (Jenny Oaks Baker, Virginia Pearce, Sherry Dew, Chris Williams, Emily Freeman, Mercy River, Brad Wilcox, John Bytheway, and Sara Wells & Kate Jones aka "Our Best Bites"). Here are a few highlights of what they said:

 

*Prioritize....remember what is most important and don't sweat the small stuff.

*What legacy will you leave with those you love?

*Forgiveness is not between us and the other person. It is between us and the Lord.

*What burden could you leave at the foot of the Lord in faith that he could heal you?

*Enjoy those moments when your kids need you. And remember that is how Heavenly Father must feel in those moments when we need him.

*Even in the lowest point of our lives, we can still feel the peace that only the Savior can bring.

*God does love us just the way we are but we are His work and His glory. He is not done with us yet.

*Enjoy the little things for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

*No family is perfect. Each one is unique. No mother is perfect. Every mother is unique.

*Think of the word MOTHER as a verb. Look for opportunities to mother (love, nurture, serve) not only your own children but other children or sometimes even other mothers sometimes need a mother.

*1st principle of the gospel is Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.....Faith in what HE wants.

*Regardless of your oringinal intention, you will eventually become what you surround yourself with (music, media, friends, etc). So surround yourself with greatness. The way we spend our days becomes the way we spend our lives.

*We can't be a light to the world if we are hiding from the world.

*The Lord knows where we are in our journey, where we want to go, and how to get us there.

*TRUST

1) Trust that the Lord is With You

2) Trust His Word....when was the last time you had an answer to your prayers? If it was not within the last 3 days then you need to chance the way you are praying. When was the last time you had an answer come as you were reading the scriptures? If not in the last week then you need to chance the way you are reading your scriptures.

3) Trust in His Timing

4) Trust in His Example

5) Trust the His Sacrifice will lead to Miracles......what is it that I need to learn and what am I willing to sacrifice to learn that lesson?

*Remember that in His own way and in His own time the Lord will provide you with your own angel and ram in the thicket. 

*Quote from Pres. Hinckley: "God planted within women something divine that expresses itself in quiet strength, in refinement, in peace, in goodness, in virtue, in truth, in love. And all of these remarkable qualities find their truest and most satisfying expression in motherhood."

*Quote from Pres. Benson: "Nothing will surprise us more than when we get to heaven and see the Father and realize how well we know Him and how familiar His face is to us.”  

 After TOFW was over we walked around the new and beautiful City Creek Center Mall. Then we met up with Kylene, my sister's best friend from high school and former BYU roomate.

We were all still full from a big lunch so we opted for Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Yummy!!! 

 Sunday morning we went to Temple Square and watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform live for the "Music and the Spoken Word" which they broadcast every sunday morning.

The music was of course BEAUTIFUL!!!



 And so is the Salt Lake City temple!!! I love walking around temple square, taking in all the beautiful views of the temple, and capturing that feeling of peace and love that is so easily felt here. 

 We then stopped at the Conference Center and took a tour.

 This building is also amazing and I have many fond memories of sitting in the audience when I lived in Utah and listening to the prophet and apostles speak during General Conference.

The Conference Center was built when President Hinckley was the prophet.

The quote says "We dedicate it as a gathering place for Thy people, where they may assemble to hear the word of the Lord as it is spoken by Thy servants who stand as prophets, seers, and revelators and as witnesses unto the world of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose name is the only name given among men whereby they may be saved."

 There is beautiful fountains and architecure throughout the building.

I loved this painting of Jesus surrounded by children.

And this original painting which our tour guide said is "priceless."

 Beautiful stained glass depicting the Tree of Life

"And the gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."

 

It was such a great trip and I had so much fun. Although I really do love my role as wife and mother (which also includes entertainer, chef, maid, budgeter, teacher, nurse, car chauffeur, etc....) it was nice to take some time and enjoy just being a daughter, grand-daughter, sister and friend!!

 

And a BIG thank-you to my wonderful husband who was supportive from day one about this trip and who did such a great job entertaining and taking care of the kids while I was gone! In fact, he did such a good job that they I don't think they even missed me.