Provo City Center Temple Open House

We went to the Provo City Center Temple Open House today with one of our great friends Jana Harris. Both our husbands couldn't make it because of work, so we both took our kids and had such a great time. I learned something interesting today. And possibly a tender mercy from the Lord. First of all, I didn't think standing in line underground in a parking lot waiting our turn to tour the Temple, could bring on a spiritual experience. But it did. Jana hadn't met up with us yet, so I was already standing in line hoping she would catch up to us soon. I was a little nervous because Ali was being a typical 2 year old and wanting down and walking in front of anyone in front of us and climbing on the path posts and messing with the chains linking the posts together. I was getting a little frustrated and she would throw an absolute fit if I even picked her up or tried to hold her hand. Eventually I bribed her with candy (I know... Mom fail and I shouldn't have done that, but I just wanted her to be good and cooperate during this fun, exciting and special time. That's when I heard someone yell. Or scream, it all sounded the same. It kind of scared me a bit not knowing where it came from and such. I happened to look up and see an older couple (well, not that old, but maybe in their late 40's or early 50's), pushing a wheelchair of what appeared to be their son. He was severely handicapped and would randomly yell and fling his arms out almost hitting the people in line. The dad was trying to hold his hands down and push him at the same time and the wife would put her hands over his mouth or gently on his head when he would yell out. Jane stood not taking her eyes off him until I had to pick her up to keep moving in line. She looked at me and had a scared look on her face and her eyes began to water. She asked me what was going on with that person and why they were putting their hands on his mouth and head. I tried to be quiet about it and began to tell her that some people are born with diseases or disabilities or sicknesses. Their brain's do not work like ours and sometimes it causes them to yell or make different arm movements, but we don't stare at them and we still love them because Heavenly Father loves them just the same as you and I. And that he was probably a very wonderful boy in Heaven. She understood and didn't ask anything else. As I stood there a thought came into my mind. A tender mercy, that I hope to never forget. I actually apologized to Heavenly Father for ever asking to help Ali or Jane behave. (where ever we were, store, someone's home, church). Lately I have thought I have it so hard and I can't go anywhere with them without making a scene from a screaming child or one who doesn't listen.  How can I keep doing it and not give up. Then when I saw that couple with they boy in the wheelchair, I thought "I guess I don't have it bad after all. There are others who have it so much worse than I do and I'm sure its so hard for them to take him places with them. I felt so bad for them and had a slight idea of how they must have felt." Then I began to contemplate our Preexistence , and What I've heard before that those with major disabilities were some of the righteous and noblest people before in the Preexistence. That made me love the boy and father and mother even more. They are taking on a great task and I'm sure they get tired very easily. But It was such a testimony builder to me and I'm grateful those people were there to be an example and a light unto me.

 This Is a Chickering Piano here too in the Provo Temple.  I love it so much I just wanted to play on it also.

Ali turns two!

This post is totally backwards. I still need to post Jane's birthday.... hey, I'm doing my best! haha

So I have just been so in Love with my little Ali bug so much lately. Obviously I love her to death, but something about her lately just has me all sorts of crazy love for her! She is a spitfire and very strong willed, but I love her personality and love how different she is from Jane. Each child is so fun to raise and see how their personalities are. Ali can be so sweet at times and so loving and I just love every second of those short "lovable minutes"! She is talking so much lately and loves to repeat anything we say or even try to act out exactly how we do things. She is just a joy to have in our family! She Just turned 2 on Feb. 24th!

I didn't even tell her to pose like that! She just has the cutest little body and I just want to eat her up!

Of course she LOVES Frozen! So last minute I decided to make one. Ok, I'll be honest... I totally forgot about it being her birthday until like 2 days before. Her presents didn't even come until 3 hours before we were going to have her little party! Talk about cuttin it close!

This Video just cracks me up! She is always trying to be such a boss, and its funny to watch her.

Challenge to read the Book of Mormon

About a year ago I was called to be in the Stake Relief Society Presidency as the Secretary. I have loved the calling so much and have had such a great experience so far. A few weeks ago, our Stake President, President Wensel, asked the High Council and the Stake Auxiliaries to read the Book of Mormon 3 times this year. The first time being "just read the story" and circle anything that stands out to you. The second time to read and underline all of God's dealings with man. The third time, underline what applies to us and liken them unto us. As I have been reading I have come to have a different understanding of Lehi. What a wonderful man, father, husband, and prophet he was. One scripture stood out to me while reading and its in 1 Nephi 8:37. This chapter is about Lehi's vision of the tree of life. "And he [Lehi] did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off, yea, my father did preach unto them". Lehi has had it rough with Lamen and Lemuel. As a parent, it is hard to constantly have your children nag, or complain, or murmur, or go against your words and knowledge and constantly be unhappy. This is how his two sons were. Yet, even though he saw that they wandered in his vision, he did exhort them with all the feelings of a tender parent to hearken to his words. As I have thought about my parenting, I can sure use a little more Lehi attitude in our home. When teaching our kids and trying to help them become the best sons and daughters of God, the best way to do this is with love and being a tender parent. No matter how difficult our kids are or seem to be, this is the best way to get to them. I was talking to Alex about this and I told him I feel like he and I are Lehi, and Jane is like Nephi, always kind and sweet and willing to obey our council and words, and then there is Ali. Who seems like she has both Lamen and Lemuel combined into her tiny little 2 year old body! Yes she is hard, and yes it is difficult to be happy all the time, but I have found that when I am a little more tender and have more love in my heart when I'm talking, disciplining, teaching, that she does much better. It is hard in today's society to be 100% happy. Satan is working ever so hard to do anything to keep us from being happy. Even to the point of guilting us into seeming like we are horrible parents because today we yelled or lost our temper or our kids aren't perfect all the time. That is where he gets me the most. But we have to look at it in a way that Christ would look at our situation. Ask "But what have I done good". 

As I have thought about this particular verse, I'm reminded of my Father (Ralph Brooks). He has always expressed his council to us with all the feelings of a tender parent. I have never, ever heard him raise his voice nor has he ever had body language that would make me afraid of him or ever put us down when we did something wrong. He quietly talked to us and we just knew, we did wrong and knew we didn't want to hurt him again nor see him sad for whatever mistake we happened to make. I hope to be just like my father and Lehi someday. I'm working on it daily and constantly praying and just doing my best. But I love reading the scriptures. They bring light into my life and always seem to give me the answers I need in that moment. The gospel is so true and I love it!! 

8 months old

So, I'm a little bugged that Ali has learned to pull herself up onto things now. She isn't even crawling. Well she is almost there but not quite. I still want a baby who wants to sit on my lap and stay there. But I know, they must grow up. She is so excited when she does accomplish the task and proudly smiles and hits her hands on the table or couch! How could I be mad at such a cute face and sweet girl!

I LOVE Fall!

Fall is one of my most favorite seasons, next to winter! The weather is perfect and the colors are so beautiful this time of year. This was really our first year to do a pumpkin patch and hay ride.

I LOVE our cute Family! 

They had small wheel barrels for kids. They were so cute. Jane wouldn't let us put any small pumpkins in it because she said it was "too heavy" and "I can't push it". So she pushed around an empty one the whole time we were there. 

Jane and her friend Camden. We went with our friends the Whites.

Jane was trying to clean off the pumpkin. She told me "the pumpkin needs to take a bath".

Love the way 2 year old minds think.

5 1/2 - 6 month old Ali

I absolutely Love Ali!! She is such a good and happy baby and she is a joy and blessing to have in our home! She started to sit up at 5.5 months and she is so cute doing so! Jane loves to help her sit up and I love to see the two of them interact with each other!

Ali is just 5.5 months old here. She is doing pretty good!

Almost 6 months. Isn't she so dang cute!

Best buddies! Jane is such a good sister!

6 months old!! She can finally do it without help!

Jane still thinks she needs help! haha! 

6  months old!

Ogden Temple open house

We had the privilege of going to the Ogden Temple open house on Aug. 29, 2014. It was recently remodeled and it was so beautiful! We went with the Baxter Family and had such a great time with them.
Growing up I never had the opportunity to go to an open house because there was only one temple in Arizona at the time, the Mesa Temple. After walking through the Ogden temple, I had a few impressions. As I looked around there were so many youth and young children attending with their parents. I thought, what an awesome experience these young people have, to see and possibly feel what it is like to be in the Lords house. I wish I had the opportunity to do so as a teenager. I think it would have prevented a lot of disobedience (not that I was bad, but I did make some mistakes) because I would have felt and known what the temple really is like.
Jessica, my 13 year old niece was with us. She brought with her her non member friend Savannah. For 2 years Jessica has invited her to church activities, including girls camp for which Savannah loved. As we were walking, we came to the brides room, then proceeded to the sealing room. Savannah told Jessica "I want to get married in a Temple someday". She felt something that night as we walked through. And what an example Jessica was and is to her. And who knows, maybe someday she will have the opportunity to be baptized.
I loved the celestial room. What a peaceful and beautiful room it was. I love the promise that I am sealed to my wonderful husband and children for all eternity and as I was walking through that is one of the main things I was thankful for. And that I am worthy to enter any temple at any time. Of course the design and decorations were amazing and beautiful, but more importantly was the feeling there! I am grateful the church allows the temple to have an open house, open to the public to see what we as latter day saints are really about.

On the drive to Ogden. Jane wanted to take a "face picture". I think she meant selfie! But I love this girl so so so much!

Waiting for the Baxters to arrive! She had so much fun on the grounds!

She would have loved to stay and look and smell every single flower at the Temple if we would have let her!

The Baxter family

Back row: Jessica, Joseph, Rick, Renae

Front row: Jill, Julie

Julie is such a great cousin! She loves to hold Ali and she does such a good job! The temple was hot inside, hence the red cheeks on Ali!

After the tour. This is the back of the Temple. 

Front of the Temple!

So glad to have these wonderful girls in our family forever!

Jane was done taking pictures so its just the three of us!