{my favorite weekend}

My least favorite weekend of the year comes with the beginning of Daylight Savings Time.

I don't like to lose an hours sleep!

Lucky us!  We got to experience it TWICE!

England did not change the date for British Summer Time when the U.S. decided to change and begin Daylight Savings Time two weeks earlier and end two weeks later.

Yep, it was fun.

The good news . . . I also have a FAVORITE weekend!

(actually two of them)

I LOVE watching General Conference on the first weekends of April and October.

I feel like a new person!

This year was no exception.  All the talks were uplifting and inspirational.  I'm so glad I was able to spend the weekend with my family as we were uplifted and counseled by living prophets.

I definitely feel inspired to be of greater service,

tell people how much I love them,

be humble and work on my weaknesses.

I'm actually really excited to start listening to the talks again.

We started the best tradition a couple of years ago . . .

"Conference Breakfast"

The missionaries are part of this tradition.

They are so nice to go with us to a big buffet breakfast.

Jenkins & Kemp

Axtell & Kaufusi

Smith & Reed

We always take quite a crowd, but it's more fun this way!

 Breakfast was wonderful . . . many, many thanks to the kind people at Golden Corral for cooking AND doing the dishes.

Concerning Daylight Savings Time, once I get adjusted to the change, I actually really like it.  I guess I just want to whine sometimes.

Last, I expect to see quite a few new clocks on the market after hearing the sweet sentiments of Elder Richard G. Scott.  Years ago, he wrote his wife a note saying, "It's time I tell you I love you."  She put it in her kitchen clock where it has stayed for many years.  Etsy will probably be a mecca for such fabulous finds.  I'm hoping to get creative and make one myself because I love it!  I also want to give them to everyone I know.  

He's right, it is time that I tell you . . . I do love you!

{the birthday princess}

Raising children is wonderful.  I love the carefree moments.  India came inside last week and announced, "I. Am. Amazing!"  

She was having so much fun riding through the grass with the wind in her hair and her arms opened wide.  At times, I wish it could stay this way forever.

My children don't want it to stay this way . . . they like growing up!  I'm trying to not be sad about the whole process.  I'm actually rather tempted to cry.  This will be a rather long post because she just turned TWELVE.  I don't want to forget a single moment of her fabulous journey to becoming.

Saturday, March 20, 1999 was a miraculous day!  Our little princess made her debut into the world 

at 4 lbs. 11 ozs - and really early.  She was excited about entering this world and was ready to get started. She came home early too - only weighing 4 lbs. 5 ozs.  

She was definitely excited about life!

Sunday, March 20, 2011, in her opinion, was a magical day. She has been so excited for her 12th birthday!  It is an exciting event because she gets to wear make-up and attend Young Women's.  (The youth organization in our church for girls.)

India has never been average and I think her ideas for a birthday party were particularly different.  She invited a distinguished group of guest on Saturday to help her celebrate . . . 

Thank you Elders (beginning on left) Marlar, O'Conner, Fonnesbeck, Kemp, Orndorff, Hoffman, Reed, and Jenkins for coming! 

Rachel is the best!  We're so glad she was here too!

The missionaries were SO sweet and brought India birthday cards.  With eight missionaries, they got two cards they could all sign.  It was perfect!

I love their sense of humor! 

(Elder Clunas completed his mission on Valentine's Day but there was no way he could miss this party!  He managed to attend in spirit with his face attached to Mickey's body.)

Some people in this world are beyond amazing.  I know some of those people!  The Serdar's. Their wonderful son is serving in our mission although he is no longer in our specific area.  We love him.  We love his family.  Crazy, but we got to meet his family on a trip last year and all I can say is, "They. Are. Beyond. Amazing!"  They sent India this beautiful birthday gift!  (Sir Thomas is beyond amazing like the Serdar's and he stayed in the background grilling hamburgers!)

Missionaries are another group of "beyond amazing" people.  We were VERY surprised when they arrived with a special birthday gift for our birthday girl . . .

An "autographed" Justin Bieber poster!  (I still can't stop laughing.)  These guys are THE best!

Their comments and signatures were so classic!  (Including the ghost signature of one Elder Clunas.)

We had the usual birthday festivities.

Another tradition . . . the birthday guest gets to choose their piece of the cake.

India entertained us with one of her many talents . . .

As much as she loves the new poster, she had a better idea!  The missionaries would make a better poster than Justin B.  We're going to have this made into a poster and get it autographed!

After seeing the card and the gift, you won't be surprised with their further creativity in pictures . . .

The concept:  Everyone jump together and get a great air shot.

The reality:  Hilarious!  Synchronizing the jump was harder than expected.

The question:  Should we begin the jump ON the count of three or should we already be mid-air?? Jump AFTER three?  (This post is already long or I would show you a few more FUN attempts!)

Success: 

So, my beautiful princess is now 12 and all smiles!

Yesterday, as I took this picture before church I wanted to freeze time.  

India is 12!  They've grown up so fast.  It is still quite the process to get a picture of everyone looking at the camera, eyes open, smiling . . . I'm glad that hasn't changed!  (Keaton is a happy guy but was being funny for the pictures with his "serious" look but everyone's eyes are open and they're looking at the camera!)  

I NEVER want this to end!

{missionary moments}

We love having the missionaries live behind our home!  

I could create and entire "missionary moments" blog 

. . . and it would be AMAZING!

This post is not just about our backyard missionaries.  There are three sets of "elders" living in our area along with another great companionship living in Orange.  

These are real people with real birthdays so we like to celebrate! 

Saturday, March 5, was Elder Orndorff's birthday (pictured on the right).

His companion, Elder Kemp's birthday was Monday, February 28.

How cool is that?!  Birthdays in the same week!

Saturday morning, March 5, was Birthday Breakfast time!

These are not "our" backyard missionaries but we're so glad they come over anyway!

(Everyone has to love the inflatable birthday cake!) 

Such a great group of guys!  We count our blessings that they not only tolerate Rambo but seem to like him!

Not everything went exactly as scheduled.  Sir Thomas created a delicious breakfast quiche . . . which wasn't ready on time.  :(   Never fear!  I served store bought pastries for "First Breakfast."  Does that make me a REALLY BAD hostess or just a BAD hostess?

I should clarify.  If I had my own cooking show I would title it: "The Distracted Chef". 

I get terribly distracted when I cook.  I always intend to come right back . . .

Sadly, I have found myself exercising and wondering what was burning.  Dinner!?  I ONLY left for a moment to start a load of laundry.  HOW did I manage to end up exercising while the food burned?

So, India presented them her precious handmade cards.  Then, we sent them off to be missionaries while we got everything ready for "Second Breakfast" . . . to be served around the time of a traditional lunch. ;)

While the quiche finished cooking, I made myself STAY in the kitchen to make cookies.  I'd been promising Keaton some homemade oreos and this appeared to be a great day to make them.  

Homemade Oreos are my kid's favorite!  

I should make them more often.

I always make the UGLY kind but my darling friend, Janene, rolls hers out so they're PRETTY. 

Who doesn't want to be like Janene??  Exactly!  

I rolled my cookies.

(You can visit her lovely blog and make her cookies: Super Yummy Homemade Oreos)

(P.S. She's currently on vacation and I didn't get permission first but I'm really excited because this is the first time I've copied a link!!!  I feel successful!)

This blog is probably too long anyway so I won't post ALL the pictures from "Second Breakfast" but at least these guys didn't complain!

Happy Birthday Kemp & Orndorff!  I hope your wishes come true!

Some days I feel really lousy.  

No, Saturday wasn't perfect.  I served homemade cookies instead of homemade cheesecake.  

Check out the styrofoam cups!  Nice.  

I'll never be a diva! 

"First Breakfast" was a bit of a disaster, 

thankfully we had enough salsa to garnish the quiche for "Second Breakfast."  :)

Yet, it's still a really great life and these guys are so amazing!  I thank them for showing up, smiling, and always coming back for more of our craziness.  

If missionaries knock on your door . . . let them in!