On Wednesday we got to play with my brother's girls, Liz and Madi!  It was so nice to have them around again; they are such sweet girls. 
Avery and Madi were a little competitive with me and the toys.  It was funny to see Avery get so jealous when I held Madi or when she played with his toys.  She was very snuggly with me, which was nice since Avery doesn't love to snuggle.  They played together nicely most of the day and I think Avery loved having someone around to play with that was near his age.  Madi is 2 1/2 years old and Avery is 21 months old.

The kids sneaked in and took a picture of Madi and I taking a nap.  Madi went right down for her nap.  I sang her a song and she was out like a light.

Olivia, Avery, Madi and Elizabeth on the teeter-totter.

The girls with their daddy.  Can you see how much they adore him?

I'm so grateful that Rob is such a great dad.  He really is wonderful with each of our kids. 

Trip to Manti, Utah -- June 2010

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Various June Pictures

Above: Olivia. Below: Alex, Avery, Olivia, Ashlie and neighbor, Michael.

Above: Ashlie.  Below: Avery.

Olivia and Alex, working on mom school assignments.

Avery is finally wanting to snuggle now and then with his mom and dad.  Super cute, huh?

Our kind neighbor offered to let the kids use his "wiggle car".  Avery had a blast and was very unhappy to come inside when it was time.

Sisters and best friends, Olivia and Ashlie.  I wonder if they know how lucky they are to have a built-in best friend and playmate. 

I love sleeping children!

I so love sleeping children!  I just can't help but take pictures of them now and then!

Power Comes From Setting Our Priorities In Proper Order

The following notes are from a talk given by Julie B. Beck in our Regional Conference, May 2, 2010 on the Influence of a Righteous Woman.  I know my mom missed this because she was sick and I've talked to a couple of other people who said they wished they had taken notes, so I thought I'd share my notes for those who may be interested.

Sister Beck discussed how mothers are the "lionnesses at the gates of their homes".  She referred to the conference as an "Emergency Meeting".  She discussed setting our priorities in order by making sure we do the "essential" things.  The "necessary" and "nice" things follow the "essential" in order of importance.  

Essential: Personal Revelation

   a. Read scriptures

   b. Pray

   c. Ponder

   d. Fast

   e. Make and keep covenants

   f. Attend sacrament meeting

   g. Go to the temple

 Necessary: Home-Making

   a. Create a house of order

   b. Cooking

   c.  Make a place for the Lord's spirit to dwell

   d. Teach children to pray

   e.  Support and love your husband

   f. Value important, better things than those of the world

   g. Practice being self-reliant

Nice: Things that add variety but won't save us

   a. Hobbies

   b. Crafts

   c. Books

   d. Movies

   e. Lunch with friends

Sister Beck said many other wonderful things that I wasn't able to write down.  My wonderful friend and visiting teacher found this talk on the lds.org site!  Apparently she had also given this talk at Women's Conference at BYU.  If you'd like to read it in its entirety (you totally should), click here.