4/2/17 General Conference Day 2

On Monday we wrote down some of our questions that we hoped to have answered at General Conference. Below are some of the notes that we wrote down. Peter had fun erasing the board when he got a chance so there may have been more. As you can see we didn't hear answers to all of our questions but we did hear answers to many. I also thinking that we did better listening overall because we listened with a purpose.

General Conference Questions
How do we know whether or not we should move? (Ganon) trust in God- Soares

How do I Help my children do better in school? (Heidi)
Be a light- have compassion
Be more diligent

What topic will Elder Bednar speak about?(Papa)
Missionary calls vs missionary mission assignment - Bednar

Should I go back out on my mission?(Ben)
Where you serve is second to the call to serve. - Bednar

My grandfather is married to 2 women who will he be with in eternity?(Gram)

Why should we ask Heavenly Father our questions? (Nate) Jesus listening can hear, you are unique irreplaceable- Holland

What do you do when a bully won't stop bullying you? (Sarah)
Follow the golden rule Renlund
Love our enemies the way we love our friends
Be kind, loving and charitable- Monson

How do you help with adversities in your life?
Seek a greater influence of Jesus Christ in your life
Sunshine in my Soul- Holland

Suggestions to help when family members are having struggles with living the gospel .(Papa)
Love God and keep the commandments
Follow Christ, see them as He sees them Eyring

What can the Holy Ghost help with?
Rasband talk -respond to first prompting. We will be on the Lord's errand
Elder Stevenson talk
Inspires, teaches, accompanies people who listen to the Lord

How can I better provide for my family? (Ganon)
Have goals and plans -Ballard
Seek first the Kingdom of God
Church leadership opportunities can help us be good leaders at work - Causse

After Conference Peter and Joseph and I walked down to the grassy field.

The boys love spending time outside.

Peter and Joseph think the chimney in the pavilion is a fun place to sit.

4/1/17 General Conference Day 1

General Conference is a wonderful time to hear the Prophets and Apostles speak. This morning we made our traditional cinnamon rolls. Heidi and the kids watched at home. It was my turn to set up the TV at the Stake Center so I ended up watching there as well.
During the afternoon session we all went over to see if Jae wanted help with testing. We had our Conference questions up on our portable whiteboard. We found several answers in the talks so far.

Here are Sarah, TJ and Joseph listening at the back of the Primary Room.

We borrowed some legos from the nursery to keep the kids quietly entertained. Rebecca has actually been doing ok at taking notes. She would occasionally ask me how to spell a speaker's name or an odd word. Overall the kids did ok at paying attention. At least they were quite enough that we could hear the speakers. They have made some good progress over the years.
This evening David and I went to Priesthood together. He was a big helper with putting away the projectors and cables after the meeting.
Also, Heidi and I visited a house in Crosspoint ward boundaries that is for sale by owner. It actually isn't on the market yet but will be soon. It sounds like it will be in our price range. It has a second building that could be modified perhaps as a living space. We'd need to check the zoning. We did this right before Priesthood and it made the timing a little tight for getting the projector turned on.

3/31/17 Business Lunch

This morning it was time to go and check on Big Foot. The good news is that she started right up. The other good news is that we found the service records Papa was looking for.
After our visit with Gram and Papa Heidi and I had a business lunch with Michael and Jessica Hallsted. We had a good visit. We talked family, shop and General Conference ideas to help kids.

This afternoon Heidi and Peter took a well earned nap.
I got to go out on a visit with the Elders to Sister Waynette.

Heidi snapped this cute shot of Rebecca and Peter. Rebecca said that Peter was her "shoulder angel". Nothing makes me happier as a parent than to see my children loving each other.

3/30/17 Farewell to the Cousins

This morning Jon and Cathy and family began the long drive back to Utah. We heard late this evening that, in spite of some heavy rain, they made it home safely.
While Heidi was at Humanitarian David and I worked on his Personal Management Merit Badge. He was on an odd schedule due to state testing going on this week.
In the afternoon I went in to the office. Michael and I had a good long conversation about some opportunities that we have at the moment.
This evening Heidi went to her Unit Commissioner meeting. The kids and I watched Ella Enchanted on DVD. It's a silly movie but it still managed to hold the kids attention pretty well. It felt like one more draft of he script and it could have be great instead of just ok.

3/29/17 A Few More Potatoes

This morning we were pleased to have Nate come and join us. He decided that he wanted to help us with Preschool for Joseph and Peter. Here he is helping them put together the giant alphabet puzzle.
Nate was a great help today. He went grocery shopping with us. He helped me peel potatoes for dinner. When we were done he even asked "what can I do next". There was a lot to do. We had 18 people over for dinner. Those included Gram, Papa, Becca B, Jon and Cathy and Ben, Aaron and Nate and two new missionaries. Their names are Elder Parsons and Elder Maughan. Heidi worked very hard preparing food for a very fun and special group. The Elders shared a message with us about the Savior and Easter before they left. Somehow, in the middle of all that, I managed to do a four credit hour live online webinar. After dinner everyone but the Elders went to Jon and Cathy's hotel to swim
in he pool. It was a crazy but productive and spiritual day.

3/28/17 Day 2 of the West Valley Connelly Visit

This morning Cathy and Ben joined Heidi to do an endowment session at the temple. Peter and Joseph and I did a couple of loads of laundry to get caught up.

After school today TJ hit a milestone on his math mission. He has now practiced all of the skills in the 3rd grade mission. He is in the 1st grade. He has 10 skills left to master to complete the mission outright. We are very proud of his hard work.

This afternoon a crew of us went to the temple to do Baptisms for the dead. We had Jon, Ben, Aaron and Nate from West Valley. David and Anthony Roche came along. Ben and I did the baptizing. Heidi was the proxy for the female Baptisms. Lauren wasn't feeling well so Heidi graciously stepped in to fill the gap. Ben reported that these were his first "wet baptisms". He explained that on his mission his companion baptized a couple of their investigators but he had not done one personally. He did 36 today. In all there were 25 women names and 24 men. It does feel more special when you are doing the work for your own ancestors.
Not present, but key to the event, were family historians Marilyn Connelly, Shirley Mangum and Cathy Connelly. Cathy kindly stayed home with the kids so that Heidi and I could both come.
This evening we ate dinner with the Connelly cousins. After dinner we walked down to the grassy field. The kids threw the Aerobee around. After dark we used David's telescope. With Jon's help we had our first success seeing stars through it.
We wrapped up the evening reading a chapter in the Book of Mormon together. It feels good that we've been able to do some quality activities together. I hope that we are making some forever memories.

3/27/17 Extended Family FHE

First of all let me recognize Sarah who has worked hard and been diligent and has finished the 4th Grade Math Mission while in the 3rd grade. We are super proud of her and her achievement.
This morning Heidi and I helped our friends the Lowis family load the moving truck. We are sad to see them go. In addition to Connie Lowis teaching TJ and Joseph at Preschool they have been friends. Heidi and I had Cameron in Bears with us. He is cheerful, kind and helpful kid. On multiple occasions Kerry Lowis called me to help give a blessing when his home teaching companion was unavailable. I'm am honored that he thought to call me. We will miss them a bunch.
This evening for FHE Papa Connelly suggested that we all get together. Heidi researched and found Skyline Park close to the RV park.

For the lesson we talked about questions we have that we'd like to have answered in General Conference this week. Below is our list:

General Conference Questions
How do we know whether or not we should move?

How do I Help my children do better in school?

What topic will Elder Bednar speak about?

Should I go back out on my mission?

My grandfather is married to 2 women who will he be with in eternity?

Why should we ask Heavenly Father our questions?

What do you do when a bully won't stop bullying you?

How do you help with adversities in your life?

Suggestions to help when family members are having struggles with living the gospel .

What can the Holy Ghost help with?

Joseph on the rocking toy.

TJ crossing the arch with loving help from Rebecca.

Peter wanted in on the action.

Sarah climbed to the top of the piece of equipment and then slid down.

Rebecca and David practice their team balancing skills.
We took more pictures on Papa's phone so we'll have to wait to add the cousin photos until he updates his blog. In the meantime let me add that it was a fun and spiritual time.
Once it got late enough Nate and Ben helped me with scorpion hunting. We found 3 and killed 2. Nate kept one slain one in a jar to show his friends back in Utah. He was excited to report that he killed one of the scorpions. They were both very brave.