grad night at the temple

Last Wednesday night the YW & their mom's celebrated our graduating seniors.

We met up at the Bountiful Temple for a special speaker & a spectacular view.

(our guest speaker, Tyler- leaves on an LDS mission to Phoenix, AZ in August)

This view was absolutely breath taking- It was unreal.

I couldn't help but feel like I was in a photo. Amazing.

 

Tyler talked to the girls about keeping the gospel centered in their lives. 

How - now that they are adults & leaving home etc- it's even more important make good choices.

afterwards--- amazing refreshments!

For real!

I think moms need to be invited more often!

what a great night!

side note: what the heck? how can it be that in less than two weeks Hailey will be graduating from High School... this is definitely sneaking up on me.

cupcake cookoff

A couple weeks ago the YWomen in our church congregation got together for a mother/daughter cupcake cook off-- oh ya, this is my kind of activity. Chloe & I were so excited to go!

We got there & made our game plan right away... 

um- if you didn't know it- Chloe & I are fiercely competitive. 

-It's not really a good or bad thing- it just is what it is.

The spread of choices was incredible!

There were all kinds of possibilities- the YWomen leaders really went over the top. 

There was cake mix, sour cream, filling, sprinkles galore, fruit, chocolate, anything & everything you need to make a gourmet cupcake. I just have no way of doing this activity justice. I didn't take enough photos- I couldn't- there was a job to be done.

The decorations were so cute- cupcake bunting & look at these tables.. oh man!

I am this year's YWomen camp director & guess what... these girls better lower their expectations... seriously.

While the cupcakes were baking- we played a get to know you game. 

There were questions that we each answered, then the girls had to guess whose answer was whose.

Chloe & I made a key lime cupcake with lime butter cream frosting, filled with custard & stopped with a strawberry.

-we won best tasting-

We also forgot to take a photo before we ate it.

trust me it was beautiful & it was gooood.

sight seeing

The Saturday before school started the Young Women's group from our congregation got together for a very special activity. The mother & daughters toured the Beehive House downtown, then ate lunch at the Lion House. (The Library or Office in the Beehive House.. I can't remember because I was talking to my friend & not paying attention... I know, I know?)

I have luckily toured the Beehive house many times before. It's really fun! I'm pretty sure I posted about taking the kids there last summer? I also went there as a kid with my parents while on vacation. I remember because they used to give you a piece of old fashioned candy at the end of the tour. They gave you the choice of a lemon drop or a Horehound candy drop... ew gross. My dad loved those & I thought/think they are sick. The missionaries who gave us the tour (super cute girls from Denmark & England) said they had to stop giving out the candy because people would spit it out on the property! Can you imagine?! It's gross YES, but spitting out candy in a historical sight... some people!?
The music room.

It's a beautiful home full of history & wonderful stories.

The Lion House is famous for delicious home style cooking- especially their rolls! YUM

The Lion House also hosts birthday parties for girls or boys turning eight. Eight is a special year - the year boys & girls can choose to be baptized. The summer after we moved to Utah Megan turned 10 & she had a party here. so fun. Hailey had her 8th birthday here too! I can't remember if Chloe did~ hmmm?

Out side with Caroline & Lily.

These photos DON'T DO JUSTICE to the beautiful gardens! They are incredible & make me wish I had a gardener. I have completely given up the idea of having a beautiful garden made by my own hands. I'm way to wimpy.

This was such a special day. The girls anticipated it all summer. The leaders have been planning & saving to do this (with the help from one sister who works there) all year. They tried to do it last summer but didn't have the money. I am so glad we got to go together. It was a great day & fun way to end our summer. I love mother/daughter activities! LOVe THEm

good times

young women who know

Weeks ago I was asked to be a "guest speaker" or guest lesson giver- today in Young Women's.

Young Women's is where young women (12-18) meet on Sunday, after Sunday school to learn about the gospel.

My subject was one of my favorite things:

Homemaking.

Some of the topics we covered were:

- HOmemaking & housekeeping are different, HOw?

- Every person is a HOmemaker, whether they know it or not!

- Our attitude is key to how we do in this position.

- Why is it a good feeling to be in a clean home?

- How does Homemaking add to the spiritual atmosphere of a home?

Quote: "When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children"

( Julie B. Beck October General Conference Saturday afternoon session talk- Mother's Who Know.)

The main idea today was:

Young Women who "know" want to be Homemakers!

YW who know realize that being an excellent homemaker is a choice & something to be proud of. We can be & do anything we want-HOORAY- but no success is more important than success in the home.

Imagine my delight when I woke up from my Sunday nap to these!!

Chloe had made strawberry cupcakes with lemonade icing-

OH MY GOODNESS-

delightful. yummy. surprise

-Today I feel like I am doing something right-

although it is a great feeling (I've had it before) it's usually fleeting and

typically is followed by intense moments of humiliation.

(I'm joking here people)

For now-

I'M LOVIN' IT

*how was your Sunday?