Fun in the orchard

Women's Conference

Audrie and I got to go to Women's Conference this year. It was too much fun. We left Wed. and came back Sat. We got to leave all kids at home and go shopping at the quilted bear, we got to eat at PF Changs and Olive Garden and oh yeah the classes were good too. It was so nice to get to sleep all night long without being woken up. We got to sit in the jacuzzi and relax. It was a nice break from reality.

The classes were really good, and Elder Oaks was the last speaker in the closing session. A common theme throughout the conference was that of service and the greatest service that a mother can provide is to her children. This takes priority over everything. I have been struggling to decide whether I should go to work or not, at the conference I just had a really positive feeling that my place is at home. I would be going to work to provide money for the extra things that we don't need. It is more important to me to stay with my kids and make sure that they get proper care and nutrition, and I would be devastated if I had to go to work and they were sick. I am so grateful for a hard working husband who provides for us so that I don't have to go to work, and who encourages me to stay home. Something else that was spoken a lot about was that the world puts motherhood on the back burner and other things have become priority. It has become "uncool" to stay at home and "just" be a mom. My reply to this is that motherhood is the hardest job I have ever had, harder than college or any job I have ever had. So world, yes I am "uncool." But I have the support of my Heavenly Father and I will never have the chance to raise my children again and I don't want to miss anything.

Abbie's 7th birthday

Abbie turned 7 on April 20th. She is getting so old. The day she came was a surprise to us because my water broke 3 weeks early which happened to be Easter Sunday that year. It was a nice surprise and that was 3 less weeks of being pregnant. She was 6.9 lbs so she was fine and we took her home the next day.

We just had cake and ice cream with family and I asked her if she wanted me to spend the money on providing a dinner for everyone or go do something fun-she decided that we should go get our nails done. So we had a mommy, daughter outing and went and got manicures and pedicures. She is such a cool little girl and she is so helpful with her siblings. We love having her around. She is one of those kinds of people that is nice everyone. The friend that she plays with the most at school is a cute girl in a wheelchair in her class, they get along so well. Anyway we just love her so much.

Happy Birthday Abbie Lou Lou!