Conference Weekend

Round I:

Saturday

We had a lovely time taking care of Max, who apparently ate something that did not agree with him. He barfed his guts out at the beginning of the session. We cleaned him up, gave him a shower, and he seemed tired, but fine. We were all worried about him, but he ended up not being sick again after that afternoon! What the heck. We all (me, Max, Danny, my Dad, Tyler and Jordan) watched general conference in my living room. During the last talk, we looked over and saw THIS.

Jordan and Max 

upon further inspection... 

quick interjection- thanks nana for sending my blabla monkey with pops. 

love, Max

ROUND II

Sunday

On our way down to Provo to have Jordan ordained (congrats Elder! Jord is turning his mission papers on MONDAY!!!), we stopped by Lindsey's house to see a TON of Seattle friends who were in town! I am so glad we were able to catch up for a bit. Love all these guys!

the whole gang

friends from "our generation" I love this pic because Tyler, Lyns and Megan look perfect, while the rest of us are trying to get a handle on our crazy kids. ha! I really enjoyed meeting Summer and Dani (Ben and Matt's wives) for the first time. They were so fun- us gals couldn't have hoped for cooler girls for our buddies! We think they married up. 

SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE

here's proof.

and here

and here

and here. What can I say?! I love these girls, we bring out the CRAZY in each other. 

Did we sit and enjoy the words of the last session? No. We were busy chasing these two wild ones around. James is Max's new partner in crime! They were all over the place, but hilarious! Too bad Matt, Dani and James are moving to Texas. =( we had a blast with them!

Notice this Tyler refused to be in the group pictures. Notice the grin on his face when we asked him to pose for one with Katie and one with Landon (not pictured). That's love!

For any of you who do not know, this is my adorable little brother (ok he's only 3 years younger than me)  Tyler, who has Autism. Isn't he CUTE? He picks favorites obviously! We love him anyway. More to come on this funny guy! =)

Well, it looks like I will be re-watching the talks online. Between puke and busy babies, I can't say I got to soak in all the spirituality of the weekend. I loved the bits and pieces I heard ... =)

a great man

Gordon Bitner Hinckley   1910-2008

A Prophet of God. President of  the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

How does one express their feelings at the time of passing of this great man?

First, there was shock. But he wasn't sick! Was something wrong? How could this happen? I wasn't ready. I think our beloved Prophet, despite his 97 years of age, was somehow a timeless, indestructible, immortal figure in my mind.

Then sadness. Sad that I would never hear his voice at a Christmas devotional, conference address, or temple dedication. Sad to see an end to an era. Sad that the prophet of my youth would not be the one to continue guiding my life through young motherhood. Sad that my Maxwell would not remember him in life, but in his legacy. Sad to say goodbye to the man I met as an awestruck fifteen year old after attending his ward sacrament meeting in the Joseph Smith Building while visiting Salt Lake. 

Next there was joy. I am so happy that he is reunited with his beloved Marjorie.  I am happy that he was not sick and that he passed quickly. I don't think he would have wanted us to know what was coming, dreading the inevitable. He was too vivacious, too full of life to be remembered as a sick old man. I am happy my mom encouraged me to approach him a second time, as he was about to leave, just so I could shake his hand. So I could say I have touched the hand of the prophet, the very man who communes with Jehovah. I am happy to be a member of this church, to know that God has a plan for us, for ME, for MY FAMILY.  I consider myself so blessed to know that although President Hinckley is no longer living on this earth, he lives. And will live eternally. 

Last there was gratitude. I am so thankful to have known and loved this great man, to know that he was called of God, to know that his words are true and inspired, that if we do as he asks, we can have joy. I am grateful that throughout my life, even when my testimony has wavered or when I have doubted, or when making the right choice is difficult, that I have always had the faith and knowledge that President Hinckley was a prophet, a modern day man of God.  I am thankful for his influence in our lives. He will ever be remembered for it. I will remember his love of the people of the world and of his work, his smile, his humor, his sweet voice, his mission, his message. I will remember him.