Valentines Day 2009

We had a wonderful valentines day this year. Adam and I love to spend time with our kids and we wanted to do something fun as a family. So I arranged for us to take the kids to a play at BYU. We went to see Go Dog Go and it was so much fun. We had really good seats we were the second row back.

Mandalyn, Eli and Dad waiting for the show to start.

I wasn't supposed to be taking pictures during the play but I've got to have pictures for my blog so I broke the rules. shhhh!

My kids don't sit still for very many things but during this show they hardly moved a muscle. It was perfect.

I thought that the dogs cars were really clever. They did such a good job.

After the show the kids got to go meet the dogs. I was really suprised. Eli wasn't scared at all. He wanted to get right up there with the dogs and just hang out.

The pink poodle was Mandalyn's favorite dog. She had a really great hat. I just wish my pictures were more clear.

After the show Adam decided that we should take the kids bowling since we were at BYU so we headed over to the Wilkinson center and went bowling. The kids had so much fun.

So here's me and my little guy. He is so cute and I love that he is a mama's boy.

Eli thought that he could do the bowling all by himself. He would roll the ball...

Watch for it to knock the pins down....

then run to get another ball...

which of course he had to carry by himself.

Here's my little princess. She got a strike all by herself. I can't even do that!

After bowling we went out to dinner and then to visit grandma and grandpa baker for the evening. We spent the night talking and playing guitar hero. Anyway, my kids were perfect angels this dayand we really had a good time. I am so grateful for my kids. They are such a joy in my life and I love them very much. I also love my hubby very much. He is so good to me and is such a good guy. Happy Valentines Day! MWAH!

It's been a while since I posted and so I thought I would share some of my favorite conference talks that have really uplifted my spirit and help me press on. The first one is by Joseph B. Wirthlin it's called "Come what may, and love it. " He talks about the way we react in adversity however it also reminds me that when I'm struggling in so many ways in my life that Heavenly Father is here for me. It helps me to understand that when my life is filled with adversity and trials no matter how big or small it can be that he is there for us and if we prove our selves and endure our testimonies will be strengthened and we will be blessed for them. Elder Wirthlin's soothing voice and simple message brings comfort when it's needed most.

The second is a talk given by President Gordon B. Hinckley, it's titled "How Can I Become the Woman of Whom I Dream?" Our young women's president shared this message with our young women during new beginnings this past week. While listening to her present this message I felt the spirit tell my heart that what she was saying was true, that the gospel truly is the way to return to Heavenly Father and it will truly make us happy.

When I was younger I remember my young women's leader asked my parents to write me a letter, I'm sure my parents told me some wonderful things about me but I remember my dad said that I needed to find Joy in the everyday things. I remember that I was a little taken back by it, that my dad hadn't just praised me however this has stuck with me because I don't find joy in the everyday things. I don't particularly like to do the dishes and the laundry etc. Periodically this has come to my attention and I have found that I need to reassess and be happier in the little things.

For me this has always been a struggle and I appreciate President Hinckley's encouragment he says "For you, my dear friends, the sky is the limit. You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class... Polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you. Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities, and forever and always be loyal to the Church.Never forget that you came to earth as a child of the divine Father, with something of divinity in your very makeup. The Lord did not send you here to fail. He did not give you life to waste it. He bestowed upon you the gift of mortality that you might gain experience—positive, wonderful, purposeful experience—that will lead to life eternal. He has given you this glorious Church, His Church, to guide you and direct you, to give you opportunity for growth and experience, to teach you and lead you and encourage you, to bless you with eternal marriage, to seal upon you a covenant between you and Him that will make of you His chosen daughter, one upon whom He may look with love and with a desire to help. May God bless you richly and abundantly, my dear young friends, His wonderful daughters.Look to the positive. Know that He is watching over you, that He hears your prayers and will answer them, that He loves you and will make that love manifest. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in all that you do as you look to become the kind of woman of whom you dream. You can do it. You will have friends and loved ones to help. And God will bless you as you pursue your course. This, girls, is my humble promise and prayer in your behalf."

I was talking to a friend about how hard it is to take the kids to church when our husbands have to work on Sundays. I often ask myself "why am I here?" She gave me great advice and told me just to do the best I can (thank you Rebecca) I know that we were put on this earth to be happy and that can stay faithful and endure, it is tough but he has given us a way,it is through living the gosple we will be happiest. It is important. I'm sorry that this is so long, It may not even make sense but I wanted to share these two talks because they really touched me.

8 Things Tag
Here are the rules:
1) Post rules on your blog
2) Answer the six '8' items
3) Let each person know by leaving them a comment.

8 favorite TV shows:
1. PRISON BREAK
2. HELL'S KITCHEN
3. THE BACHELOR
4. ARMY WIVES
5. CHOPPED
6. ER
7. AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL
8. ANY THING ON THE FOOD NETWORK

8 Things I did yesterday:
1. WENT TO CHURCH
2. MADE DINNER
3. TOOK A NAP
4. WENT TO YOUNG WOMEN'S NEW BEGINNINGS
5. SUNGGLED WITH MY KIDS
6. ATE AN ICE CREAM SANDWICH
7. PLAYED SCUM
8. WATCHED SOME TV

8 Things I'm looking forward to:
1. SPRING AND SUMMER
2. SUMMER VACATIONS
3. ANYDAY I DON'T HAVE TO BE AT WORK
4. LUNCH. I'M HUNGRY
5. MY HUSBAND BEING DONE WITH SCHOOL
6. JUDGING IN CALIFORNIA NEXT MONTH
7. RUNNING A 5K NEXT MONTH HOPEFULLY MORE THIS SUMMER
8. ENJOYING RUNNING.

8 favorite restaurants:
1. ADDIS (ETHIOPIAN)
2. RED ROBIN
3. RUBY RIVER
4. CAFE RIO
5. OTAVIO'S
6. TSING TAO
7. TEPANYAKI
8. CURRY IN A HURRY

8 Things on my wish list:
1. THE ECONOMY TO GET BETTER
2. GOING TO SAN FRAN
3. HOLLY WILL CHANGE HER LIFE AROUND.
4. BE A STAY AT HOME MOM
5. HAVE MORE KIDS
6. THAT MY MOM, DAD AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS CAN ALL HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP.
7. HAVE A FRUITFUL GARDEN.
8. MY FAMILY TO STAY HAPPY, SAFE AND HEALTHY

8 people I tag:
1. ANNELL
2. TINA
3. LADEAN
4. ERIN
5. NELLY
6. DANIELLE
7. KRISTI
8. RACHEL

Thanks Jeanette for the Tag. It was kind of hard though.