Time Out

Beware... This is a long one!!





I had such a great time at the Time Out for Women Confrence I attended on Sat. It was such an uplifting event. Here is a little info about Time Out for Women from the President and Chief Executive Officer of Deseret Book Company:


About Time Out for Women
During recent years, it has been my privilege to meet hundreds of thousands of you throughout the world. And you are, very simply, spectacular! I know something of your goodness, your virtue, and your strength. I also know something about the intensity of your lives. It's not necessarily easy to raise happy, righteous families and live as a woman of God in the 21st century. No doubt there are days when your clear perspective about life dims a little and you long for someone to remind you why you're here and who you are.
If you're like I am, on those days you might have wished you could just call "Time Out" long enough to regroup, and catch your physical and spiritual breath. As a result, Time Out for Women: Celebrating Life, Love and Learning was born.
In September 2002, we held our first-ever Time Out for Women in Phoenix, Arizona. The women who attended were fabulous and their response to the authors and music artists who presented that day was overwhelming. Since then we've been inundated with requests to bring Time Out to other cities.
It is our hope that during this day filled with messages of inspiration from respected authors and music artists, you will learn, you will laugh, and your spirits and sights will be lifted. It is Deseret Book's great pleasure to invite you to catch your breath, take a break from daily pressures, "huddle" with your sisters and friends, and feel rejuvenated for the days ahead.
We look forward to taking a Time Out with you!
Sheri Dew








And it was just that a rejuvination.. I didnt quite get the opportunity to really get into it as I had wanted to due to coming down with the worst tension headache I have ever had.. I was in so much pain I could hardly concentrate on anything else. But I still enjoyed it emmensly and would highly reccomend that if you have an opportunity and the means to attend one of these confrences that you jump on it..



So we left friday night around 6:00 and got into philly around 7 or so.. We went and got checked into our hotel and then tried to find a place for dinner.. We found this little Italian restraunt just a couple of blocks away.. I am still not used to the busy life of big citys and was taken back that we had to pay $20 bucks just to park.. The restraunt was fairly busy and by the time we finally got our dinner it was like 9-9:30 It is hard to eat so late but it was really good. We got back to the hotel and decided to get ready for bed and call it a night. I think it was close around midnight by the time we finally went to sleep and we were up at 5:45 Am to start getting ready. My crazy roomy decided she wanted to excercise before getting ready so she went and walked laps around the hotel floor we were on.. LOL!!! I didnt bring any work out clothes or I would have joined her.. So I just decided to do some crunches and push ups and some stretching so I could at least say I did something physical.. By the time we were ready and were heading out the door to the confrence center I could feel my headache coming on.. I had had one for the last 4 days just minor tension headaches due to some back and neck pain I was experiencing probably for sleeping wrong on it and I dont know if sleeping in the hotel bed made it worse or not but by the time i got to the confrence center I was in so much pain I was on the verge of crying.. I took some pain medication when I first got there but it didnt seem to do much. The music and noise just seemed to make it pound worse. A couple hours into it I took a little more pain medication and it finally helped take the edge off but never really took it away.. It kind of came in waves of feeling like I was ok and could actually function to horrible pounding with my neck and head tensing up.. Finally by the time it was over 6 hrs later I was finally getting some relief.


It was so great though. The confrence this time was really church oriented which I heard others in the past have not been so centered around the LDS faith. It was so refreshing and uplifting. It was all about finding joy.. Everything doesn't have to be going just right in order to experience joy.. It is sometimes in the midst of everything going a little less than "just right" that we can learn so much more about the everlasting joy promised to each of us.

Sorry for the quality of some of the pictures.. I think they were reflecting my head!! LOL

We got to enjoy many songs performed and written by Hillary weeks who was so witty and funny yet very spiritual. she had a couple "dittys" is what she called them that she performed to The sound of musics These are a few of my favorite things that was just hilarious..It kinda went like..... nap time and bed time and bed time and nap time, nap time and bed time and bed time and nap time these are a few of my favorite things. So funny...She related to how all of us moms have felt at one time or another and put them in words to beautiful music. There were 2 that really teared me up. 1 called If I only had today wich was so beautiful about what if we only had today what would we do and who would we do it with and about spending it with our family... So beautiful and the other one was Just let me cry which is a song about grieving and that sometimes we dont need all the words and nice deeds to make us better but that sometimes we just need to cry... Very beautiful... She is very talented. She and her family live in Lehi Utah.


We also got to hear from Chris Stewart who is a best selling author and world record setting air force pilot who talked about what is the purpose of our being. How much joy are we supposed to feel in a troubled world. Can our trials make us happier as well as stronger... Very good!!


We also heard from Carolyn J. Rasmus who was a professor and an administrative assistant to Pres Dallin H Oaks and Jeffrey R Holland. She is a convert to our church and she talked on that just because life's mountain tops are followed by spiritual valleys and deserts, that doesnt mean we cant or wont experience great joy.. I think I enjoyed her talk the most!!


We also heard from Jane Clayson Johnson who most of you from utah probably have already heard of her or know her from being the co- anchor of the early show on CBS as well as the network correspondent for the evening news and 48 hours. She spoke on "Stop. Listen. I'm here." Do you ever feel like your'e too caught up in life? When the noise and distractions of the world start to crowd out the voice of the spirit. We must stop and listen. as women we have the unique ability to tap into the promptings that come relative to our children and our stewardships. Today is more critical then ever that we hear and heed those promptings.



We also heard from Douglas E. Brinley who is a professor of church history and doctorine at BYU. He has authored or co authored several books on marriage and family relations. His talk was on "Because of the Empty Tomb" If there was no savior, there would be no faith. Nothing would matter. But, of course there is a savior and because of the doctorine of his resurrection, everything in the gospel of Jesus Christ has relevance to our daily lives, including our familys and our marriages. Drawing on the truths of the scriptures, you'll discover new applications for the resurrection in your most important life treasures.



Also we heard from Emily Watts who is an editor for Deseret Book. She taught us "Be Joyful..Even if it's all your fault".. She talked about experiencing motherguilt the nagging feeling that somehow everything that goes wrong is our fault. She taught us about putting our family's challenges into perspective and to feel the joy (and the relief) that comes from partnering with the lord in our parenting.



It was such a great confrence.. They had tables from deseret book there with their books and alot of stuff from the store for sale. It was hard not to buy everything. And now I am wishing I would have got more...



And so because of your life circumstances (or in spite of them) whatever they may be, today may you find joy in every song, every message, every struggle, every tear,every smile....

Here's to discovering your Joyful Life!!




I am so lucky today I recieved an award from my very good friend Jodi at Beacon of Hope who said some very nice words of me and my blog. I recieved the....

award.. Since she already recieved the award I cant pass it back but I love her blog.. From her Friday memes and fill ins to her serenity sundays which always has something spiritual and uplifting to her parenting points and tips for the frazzled mom based on the book The power of Positive Parenting there is so much entertainment on her blog and I look forward eveday to reading it...

Now to my nominees.... I wish I could have named you all for I look forward to reading each and everyone of your blogs.. No wonder i never get anything done!! I know a few were nominated by Jodi already...

Jen at Living the life

I can relate alot to her. She has kids the same age as mine and I can relate to some of the funny storys she posts about them. She has alot of strength and spiritualness that shines through in her posts. She also has a running blog thay I love to read.. I have learned alot from her.

Jody at Doran & Jody

I have always thought she is so funny and witty..I love to hear about her adventures with her family. She says it how it is and I love that..

Courtney at Ramblings of a Working Wife and Mom

I relate alot with her as well.. I think all of us mothers of small children relate with each other.. It's hard enough to raise a family but to work as well is amazing!!

Natalie at Me and Ma Vie

Even though she is family Ilove reading her blogs.. I love keeping in touch with her and watching her new baby grow.. She also is juggeling the life of motherhood and working.. You go girl!! Love ya...

Rebecca at The Pearson Posse

Also a good friend of mine.. I love reading her adventures too.. Her family loves the outdoors. She has the cutest kids ever.. They have had many struggles and trials with the health of their children and I admire her for her courageous strength.

Jodi at The Gallagher Family

My old neighbor and good friend.. I love to keep up with old friends.. She is so crafty. She is in the process of making the cutest halloween costumes and selling them...I love to watch her kids growing up through her posts.. She is a great mom and the love she has for them shines through in them...

And last but not least Emily at Family Junk

Another good friend and awesome hair stylist... I so miss her doing my hair.. She is so hilarious.. And she is a cool mom.. I miss home like crazy and reading her blog tends to take me back there..

The rules are simple - choose seven blogs you love, post a link - then leave a comment telling them they have been awarded.

Whew!! finally made it to the end... Sorry for such the long post today... Happy monday everyone!! Oh by the way all of you in utah.. Ha ha ha while you are freezing in the snow I am enjoying almost 80 degree weather out here.. Its been absolutely beautiful here!!!

Bad Girl

Well I'v been a very bad girl and I am off to my time out!!! LOL Yeah I am so excited to be leaving for the time out for women in P.A It is a much deserved time out.... Have a great weekend everyone!! I will post on my time out when I get back... MUUUAAAHHH!!

Stress test

Today I got to have a stress test done. Of course I wasnt lucky enough to get to wear a sports bra. I had to do it with just a paper gown wrapped around me.. It was quite interesting. First they swab you down with alcohol, then they take this stuff I didnt get a good look to see what exactly it was. It was either some kind of tape or some kind of razor but they slashed it across my chest and around my breast and along side of my stomach so quick and it really hurt. I think it was for removing any hair so they can put the leads on and have them stick good. It felt like she was taking a piece of rough sand paper and rubbing it over me.. 5 hrs later and I still have these scrape marks all over my chest. It looks like I got in a fight with a cat. Oh man right after she finished and got the leads on, my skin felt like it was on fire. The area was stinging and I thought I was having some kind of allergic reaction. Crazy I know!!! Anyways I did pretty good I think until I got to level 5 of the test. See they are striving to get your heart rate up to 159 based on my age and weight and being a runner I am pretty well conditioned (at least as far as my heart goes) so it took more levels to get my heart rate up fast enough which is a good thing... But by level 5 I was running and breaking a sweat and while your trying to hold on to the handle bar and run the nurse is trying to take my blood pressure plus your running on an incline so it was kinda hard. I only ran 14 min but I was tired by then and had reached my heart rate and kept it there for about 3 min and I said ok we can stop now.. By then I had sweat rolling down my head and face and I was glistening everywhere.. How embarassing!! After reviewing it with the Dr. she said I had an almost perfect test except one area that had some diffrent thing going on but that since I didnt make any complaints during that area that it was probably nothing to worry about.. I was supposed to be hooked up to a heart monitor to wear for 24 hrs after the stress test but they decided they would let me go home first and shower and freshen up and then go back in the morning and get the monitor put on then.

Now you guys are probably wondering why I am having these tests done... Well over the past year I have been experiencing heart palpatations and flutters so a few weeks ago they decided to do an EKG on me and said that I have a short PR whatever that means and that most peoples measure between 120 - 140 and mine was 102 so they said it was probably nothing and that I appear to have a healthy heart but where I am a runner they just wanted me to be checked out. So I guess they are trying to figure out why mine is a little faster then normal but nothing major and everything looks good so far.. I have to have an echo cardiogram next week and then a follow up with the Dr to discuss results. And of course now that I am having tests done my heart has not had any palpatations for several days now.. Isnt that how it always works. I kinda hope something does happen in the 24 hrs that I am wearing the monitor just so they can see exactly what it is doing so I can feel more at ease but it probably wont.. They tend to come and go. Sometimes I will have alot and some days I have none..

Anyways thats my crazy story for today.. The kids have school off tomorrow so we are so excited we get to sleep in tomorrow and relax. I cant wait until Fri I am going down to stay in Philadelphia with a friend of mine so we can go to the time out for women confrence on sat. I hear this is the most awesome confrence out there for women. Very spiritual and uplifting. I cant wait. It will be a nice girls night out!!

Happy Hump Day everyone!!! The week is half way over... Yeah!!!

Catch Up

Wow it seems life just is not slowing down. Or at least by the time the day has finally slowed down and I have a few minutes to myself I am to tired to get on here and blog...


We had a great weekend. I cant remember that far back to tell you what friday brought but Sat we all got to finally sleep in and it felt so good!! We had a late pancake and bacon breakfast then steve took austin to karate and went and did some grocery shopping for me and I spent the afternoon cleaning my house so that we could spend the rest of the day relaxing and listening to confrence. We decided to record the last half of confrence so we could go to a soccer game at Princeton University. Austin had 1 more activity to do to get his bear badge completed in scouts and it required going to watch a college or highschool sport. So we went and watched the princeton tigers play against wisconsin B? I cant remember what they were called. This was my first time to a soccer game. It was pretty fun. I am glad we were finally able to get Austins requirements completed for his bear.. When we moved here and got into the scouting program we found they do it a little diffrent here. They dont advance you by your birthday they do it by the grade your in at school. So when we left utah he had just advanced into the bears and had only passed off like 2-3 things since his birthday was in Nov but when we got here all the boys in the bears had completed all their requirements for their bear so we were told that austin would have to do all his requirements at home on his own so we (Austin and I) spent the whole summer working on it and finally got it done sat. Now he is caught up and in the same place as everyone else in the webelos. It was a lot of hard work. I never had to worry about it before because his previous leaders made sure they did all the things to pass their stuff off but when its all up to you it takes alot of time..





Anyways Sunday was great.. Confrence was so great this year.. I was really moved by Elder Hollands talk I was a blubbering mess. Steve's new favorite words now are Come what may and love it!! It was so uplifting and scarry at the same time.. Go Here to listen to some of the great talks.... I'v had this overwhelming feeling lately that I need to get things in order and get prepared.. The church has been telling us this for years but it seems to really be stressed alot lately.. I am so far from where I want to be as far as food storage and emergency preparedness. With the possibility of moving come summer I want to wait and buy food storage when I get settled somewhere a little more permanent so I dont have to move it all but it just makes me nervouse not being prepared right now and being so far away from family... I have been thinking alot lately about all the what if's that could happen with the market and economy being the way it is going and what if something was to happen to steve. what would I do.. I just pray I never have to find out..


Anyways I am rambling again... Im a little sleep deprived.. So monday I am out doing some yard work and I am bending over pulling some weeds and behind me I hear this sound of something running up behind me I turn around and this Doe is heading right for me.. It runs right up just feet from me and passes me running along the side of our yard and into the back yard and on to the neighbors yards.. Around here alot of people dont fence in their yards. Every house sits on about at least an acre of property or more so there is alot of land between the houses and because it is so forresty out here we have alot of wildlife out here so it is not uncommon to see deer and other wild life around here. But man it was crazy I dont know if the doe didnt see me until I stood up or what but about scarred the tar out of me..

Boy our mornings and nights have been pretty nippy here.. we had a low of 38 yesterday.. I made the kids wear gloves and jackets to the bus stop today. Once the sun comes out it warms up and is alot nicer but the mornings and nights are chilly already.. Seems we didnt get much time between running our air conditioner and turning on the heater. I finally had to break out an extra blanket and put on our bed last night. Today Jessie had field day at school. Logan and I went to the school to watch her for a while.. Its so funny to see all these little first graders learning how to do relays and learning how to jump rope for the first time and do the hoola hoop it was so cute. You forget how small they really are.. And yet they try to act so grown up.. Of course I forgot the camera again..

Anyways thats our little catch up for the past week.