In a homespun version of “Mythbusters,” I have determined that if you go for long stretches of time averaging approximately 4 hours of sleep per night, the result is: brain damage.

I have missed my children’s baseball games, soccer games, gymnastics (all regularly scheduled activities, mind you) while simply languishing in my home or about my business under the influence of said brain damage.  Oh, and everything everyone does bugs me.  I also blame this on brain damage.  I’m working through it.

I’m still in the running to win a cruise at Deseret Book’s “Pretty Darn Funny” Contest.  And by “in the running,” I mean if you go vote for me and push me back into first place, I might actually win.  Voting continues every day until May 31st.  Don’t you think a cruise would cure brain damage?  I sure do.

Vote at this link by simply clicking on the orange “thumbs up” icon under my video. Vote now and vote daily:

“Don’t Tell the Health Department”:  Stephanie’s hilarious story about mothering a small boy.

Also, mother’s day is coming.  I’ve heard rumors that some people hate mother’s day because they feel guilty for not being a perfect mother.  I would like to allay your fears by stating the following:

Mother’s Day is no more for celebrating perfect mothers than going to church is for celebrating perfect people.  We’re all trying, and we should celebrate that we’re surviving so far.

Brain damaged or not.

Carry on.

[image credit: ksl.com]

Wasn’t general conference absolutely wonderful?  So much to love and feel.  The first week of General Conference Book Club is now up and running over at Becca’s blog, My Soul Delighteth (<– Just click right there.).  Don’t be shy.  Head on over and share your favorite conference moments.  I’m headed there next.

Here are the answers and winners of the questions for the general conference guessing game.  Answers are in red, followed by the winner for each question.  If there was more than one winner, then I shuffled them up and picked a winner using random.org.

General Conference Guessing Game

1.  How many new temples do you think will be announced?  None were announced.    The winner with the closest number was Heidi.

2.  What’s your guess for any auxiliaries to be reorganized? (RS, YW, YM, SS, none)  Both RS and presiding bishopric were reorganized.  Oh, how I will miss Sister Beck!  Eight of you guessed right, but the winner was Becky.

3.  Take a guess at one location of a new temple.  Name a state in the US or a country outside of the US.  Again, none, so no winner for this question.

4.  Barring any absence, 11 of the 12 apostles speak in the four Saturday and Sunday sessions. Who’s your guess for the one apostle that only speaks in Priesthood session?  Elder Bednar.  Allyall was the only one who guessed this right.

5.  Who will conduct the first session of conference (Sat. AM)?  President Uchtdorf.  Twelve of you were spot on, and the winner was Mel.

6.  How many members of the church will be announced in the statistical report?  14,441,346 members worldwide.  Becky’s guess came closest.

7.  What color dresses will the women of the Tabernacle Choir wear on Sunday morning?  They wore purple/lavender dresses.  None of us guessed that right, so no winner to that question.

8.  Who will be the first woman to speak in this session of conference?  Sister Cheryl Esplin spoke first.  Shari won this one.

9.  What color tie will President Monson wear on Sunday?  Well, it looked to me like periwinkle , so I took the three closest answers.  The winner was Lisa.

10.  Make a guess for a congregational hymn that might be sung at any of the four sessions.  There were four congregational hymns:  How Firm a Foundation, Called to Serve, Rejoice the Lord is King, and Hope of Israel.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but no one got this one right.

Okay, so there ended up being SEVEN question winners.  When they were all entered into a separate drawing, the grand prize winner was:  Mel.  Congratulations!  Send me an email (look up by my profile picture to get the address) and I’ll send you a copy of this great book that includes a couple of my very own essays:

Okay, what are you waiting for?  Head on over to GCBC.  Have a great week, everyone!

I usually do a post-conference trivia contest, but I thought it might be fun to shake things up a little bit and do a pre-conference guessing contest.  This might be fun to duplicate in your own family and play with each other.

For the sake of the blog, go ahead and make your guesses in the comment box below.  Since it’s all random guessing, I don’t think there’s any advantage or disadvantage by seeing each others’ picks.  I will pick the winner for each question (by drawing if there’s a tie), and then those 10 winners will go in a drawing for the “Grand Prize,” which will be a copy of the book I was proud to be a part of:

Tell Me Who I Am: Stories of Faith, Family, and Identity

So here goes:

General Conference Guessing Game

1.  How many new temples do you think will be announced?

2.  What’s your guess for any auxiliaries to be reorganized? (RS, YW, YM, SS, none)

3.  Take a guess at one location of a new temple.  Name a state in the US or a country outside of the US.

4.  Barring any absence, 11 of the 12 apostles speak in the four Saturday and Sunday sessions. Who’s your guess for the one apostle that only speaks in Priesthood session?

5.  Who will conduct the first session of conference (Sat. AM)?

6.  How many members of the church will be announced in the statistical report?

7.  What color dresses will the women of the Tabernacle Choir wear on Sunday morning?

8.  Who will be the first woman to speak in this session of conference?

9.  What color tie will President Monson wear on Sunday?

10.  Make a guess for a congregational hymn that might be sung at any of the four sessions.

I acknowledge that this is just for fun and has no true spiritual benefit other than to maybe make us pay a little more attention while we watch.  All entries recieved by 9:30 a.m. MST on Saturday morning will be in the running for the prize. 

Other ideas:

I’ve shared tons and tons and tons of conference preparation in the past, especially for the kids.  This year, I decided to do a little variation on the tradition “packet” idea.  Sometimes my kids just flip through the packet and pick a few things to do and then don’t seem to pay as much attention to it as I would like.  So I’m trying a new approach, based loosely on this idea I saw on Pinterest:

I printed out a list of the names of the First Presidency and 12 Apostles and then cut them out.  One copy for each child. (You could also use pictures instead of names.)

I skimmed through all the different packet versions I’ve seen over the years (there’s a good collection here) and printed out pages of specific activities I knew would engage my kids based on their interests, reading level, etc.  Then I stapled each apostle’s name to one activity (a crossword puzzle, a cut-and-paste of apostles in the red chairs, a Friend magazine to cut up and make a collage, etc.).  Not all of them are conference related.  There are one or two that are just stickers or stencils and crayons to keep their hands busy.  Some of them are just stapled to a piece of paper that says:  “Get 3 popsicle stick puzzles and play with them” or “Play the Apostles Memory Game“

The idea is this: Whenever an apostles or First Presidency member speaks, the child finds the speaker’s name and can do that activity during his talk.  There will still be ongoing bingo and traditional packet items with notetaking, etc. (see below) for them to do during all the other speakers, but it helps them to pace out different activities and change focus often.

So other than making food and gathering up snacks, I’m ready to roll!  I hope it’s helpful to someone.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Bring on Conference!

Congratulations to the winner of the drawing:  Wendy

Answering the question, “What has motherhood taught you about Jesus Christ?,” Wendy answered:

On those hard days, I always think about “opposition in all things”, like if we don’t experience the hard times, we can’t have the good times. I have been touched as I have had promptings about different children. I know that it is a sacrifice to have children in some ways, but I also know that if I was living a different life, I wouldn’t be who I am. I wouldn’t be as nurturing. I wouldn’t be as sympathetic to other moms. I couldn’t be as Christ-like. I am in no way perfect, but I am on a journey of working for it!

Thanks to Wendy, and to all of your great and uplifting comments.  Thanks also to Mercy River for sharing their music, and especially to Whitney who wrote that great post and helped us see our role in new ways.

Wendy, send me your address and you will receive a copy of Mercy River’s new CD, Higher, in the mail.

To everyone else, pick up your own copy at the store or turn on some of your favorite uplifting music and have a great week.

That’s the question I asked Whitney Permann of MERCY RIVER because it’s the central theme of my blog– finding the divine among the daily details of motherhood.  MERCY RIVER is a musical trio of LDS women (Brooke, Whitney, and Soni).  With thirteen kids between them, they understand how busy a mother’s life can be, and they also juggle being recording artists and inspirational speakers.  Check out this video for a peek of them rehearsing and entertaining seven kids at the same time.

Here is Whitney’s answer:

What has motherhood taught me about Jesus Christ?

Motherhood has taught me many things. I’ve learned that patterned shirts hide snot and spit up better than plain shirts. I’ve learned that cell phones don’t work correctly after they’ve been sucked on too many times. And I’ve learned that I should always check for stray pull ups before I throw a load of laundry in.

I’ve also learned about polar bear habitats, all five signs of strep throat, and the name of every member of the BYU football team.

But most importantly, motherhood has taught me a lot about Jesus Christ. As a mother, I’ve learned about justice and mercy, faith and prayer, joy and sorrow, and deep, intense love. Each of these things connects me to Him.

We are taught that as mothers, we are “partners” with Christ. We offer ourselves as vehicles through which spirits can come to earth. But perhaps we are more than just “partners” with Him.  Take a look at Moses 6:58:

“As ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit…even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten.”

Isn’t that stunning? Physical birth (from a mother) is symbolic of spiritual re-birth that will take place later in life (from Christ). So, as mothers, not only are we partners with Christ–

We are symbols of Christ.

We offer our physical bodies in pregnancy and childbirth to provide life for our children. Jesus Christ offered His physical body in death, to provide life for God’s children. And both involve water, blood, and the Spirit.

But it doesn’t stop there. A mother’s offering does not begin or end with her body. Yes, a mother offers her body through sleepless nights, weary arms, a well-worn lap, an aching back, and a listening ear. But what a mother offers most is her heart. Her entire soul. And isn’t that what Jesus Christ has offered us as well? Just as we see it symbolized in motherhood, He offers us His body, and His heart and soul.

So I ask, how does this knowledge–that we are symbols of Christ–change the way we view motherhood? Does it change the way I see myself or my children? Should it? And what is the meaning of it all? Why has He chosen to use mothers in this beautifully symbolic way?

I think it means He thinks we’re pretty special.

I think it means that mothering should be reverenced and protected.

I think it means that by daily nurturing, loving, teaching, and sacrificing for my children, not only am I coming to know more about Him, I am coming to be more like Him.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I love that, Whitney, and I absolutely agree.  Perhaps no other calling on earth can give more opportunity to become like Christ than the calling of a mother.  Thank you!

MERCY RIVER has just released a new album, “Higher,” and they are offering a free copy of their CD to one lucky reader.  There are some beautiful songs on this album.  I think my favorites are two songs I was already familiar with from the Christian radio station I like to listen to:  “Blessings” and “Better than a Hallelujah.”  This is great Sunday music, but it’s also upbeat enough for any day at home or in the car.

If you want to hear a song from this album, you can go to their Facebook page here and listen to “Beautiful Life.”  You’ll also find more information about their current blog tour and any upcoming performances.

So, you wanna be a winner?  It’s simple really.  In just one or two sentences, answer the same question Whitney did:  What has motherhood taught you about Jesus Christ? (Your answer doesn’t have to be original, just true to you.  It can be longer, too, but no pressure.)  Each person who comments before midnight on Friday will be entered in a drawing to win Mercy River’s new CD.

Reminder:  If you haven’t added your voice to General Conference Book Club: Week 1 yet, you still can.  Don’t be shy. 

Well, you people deserve little general conference trophies or something.  Man, you were good listeners!  There were 28 questions.  Everyone who answered at least 27 questions correctly was entered into the prize(s) drawing– also known as Random.org.  (There were 11 people in the high-scoring category!)  Rest assured that I was not a tyrant grader; there was plenty of wiggle room when someone obviously had the right idea about an answer.  All the talks are available online to watch and listen to, so if you have issues with any of my questions and answers, feel free to submit a complaint form through the mail.  (All complaint forms must be accompanied by a handling fee of one bag of peanut butter M&Ms.)  Anyway… the winners!

Congratulations to KIMBERLY T. who won the temple print and SIERRA A. who won the Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD!  Send me an email with your mailing address by Sunday, and your prizes will be in the mail by … well, definitely by the next general conference.  I’ll do my best.  Thanks also to Lesa at Notes About Music who helped me host all this conference craziness and donated the CD for the trivia contest.  (If you don’t remember what these lovely prizes look like, go back here to peek.  I’m feeling a little too lazy to upload photos today. It’s been a busy week on the blog, people.)

Would you like to see the answers now?  Drumroll………..  Ta Dah!

GENERAL CONFERENCE TRIVIA CONTEST

 SPOKEN WORD

When President Monson addressed the congregation for the very first time in this conference, what was the first thing he said?            HELLO!

How many new temples were announced?  And which one does President Monson want to dedicate himself?      5-6: (PROVO TABERNACLE,COLOMBIA, SOUTH AFRICA, CONGO, WYOMING, +PARIS);  STAR VALLEY, WYOMING.

Finish this clever rhyme from President Uctdorf’s talk.  “The Lord doesn’t care if we work in marble halls or      (?)     .      STABLE STALLS

What kind of bird did President Packer refer to when teaching youth to learn from their elders?       CROW

Elder Perry spoke about the Church in the media.  He asked us to share the church and the gospel with the outside world the same way that volunteers do at what kind of event?      TEMPLE OPEN HOUSE

What did Elder Scott give his family as a Christmas gift in 1991?       AUDIO RECORDING OF HIMSELF READING THE BOOK OF MORMON

According to Elder Scott, what endeavor/achievement is “like forging a new friendship”?      MEMORIZING A SCRIPTURE

Elder Bednar suggested that young people are gifted in technology for a purpose.  What does he encourage them to do instead of video games, Facebook and surfing the Internet?            FAMILY HISTORY

Elder Christofferson said that we should smile when we speak about what principle?      REPENTANCE

Which apostle quoted a mommy blogger who said, “Motherhood is not a hobby; it is a calling.”?      ELDER ANDERSEN

 In Sister Thompson’s talk, she told the story of a woman during WWII who was asked how she kept a testimony through all her suffering.  Complete the woman’s response:  “I didn’t keep a testimony, …….”      A TESTIMONY KEPT ME.

Elder Whitney L. Clayton was able to go into the presidential palace that he had once taught in front of on his mission.  In what country?      PERU

Elder Ian Ardern gave a great talk about managing our time.  Finish this wise piece of counsel:  “Let us be as quick to kneel as we are to _______.”      TEXT

Elder Carl B. Cook found himself riding in an elevator with President Monson when he was feeling very discouraged.  What was the prophet’s advice?  IT’S BETTER TO LOOK UP.

What did President Monson lose as a child that helped him gain his testimony of prayer?      $5 BILL

What are the three points that President Eyring reminded us are part of our baptism covenant?      1. BE CHARITABLE   2. BE A WITNESS  3. ENDURE TO THE END

According to Elder Ballard, what 9 words explain exactly who we are and what we believe? THE CHURCH  OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

According to Elder Tad Callister, why are there so many Christian churches?  THEY INTERPRET THE BIBLE DIFFERENTLY

On Sunday morning, we were taught about fatherhood in one of the best talks on the matter I’ve ever heard.  Who was the speaker?      SISTER DALTON

Elder Russell M. Nelson said that the greatest compliment that can be given in this life is to be known as a    (what?)   ?      COVENANT KEEPER

 Brother Richardson told a story about mountain hiking with his children.  What did he do when they wanted to know how much further they had to go?      THEY TURNED AROUND AND LOOKED HOW FAR THEY CAME

  What happened to Elder Randall K. Bennet when he ignored a warning sign?      HE ALMOST DROWNED

When Elder Cornish wanted to eat a piece of chicken, how was his prayer answered?      HE FOUND A QUARTER ON THE GROUND

 MUSIC

Where was the children’s choir from?      PleasantView and North Ogden, Utah

What primary song did the Tabernacle choir sing during the Saturday morning session?      I am a child of God

During the Saturday morning session we were asked to sing the congregational song with full hearts. What was the name of the hymn? Redeemer of Israel

The women in the tabernacle choir wore two dresses during conference.  What colors were they?      BLUE AND PINK

What Hymn did Sister Dalton refer to in her talk?            RISE UP, O MEN OF GOD

Thanks for participating.  It was fun!

In case you missed it, the general conference photo contest winners are up now, too.  Go here to vote for your favorite.

I love these photos because they witness that there are mothers who have prepared the way for their children to hear and experience the word of God from living prophets.  And they’ve done it in way that build lasting memories.  This is the kind of influence that Sister Julie Beck is always talking about:  mothers who know, lionesses at the gate, disciples of watchcare and ministering– it’s all there in the small efforts we make to bring our families to Christ.

So, the contest.  Here are the Honorable Mentions.  Thank you so much to everyone who sent me photos.  I loved looking at all of them. Click on any of the photos to see them larger.

Carrie.  Watching from his tent with a Lego temple.

Amy. Reaching for treats when they hear the keywords.

Cheryl.  All prepared and ready to roll.

Crystal M.  Basking in the words of the prophet.

Brooke.  Her children painted on canvas during one session.  So cool.

Kimberly.  Baby loves the prophet.

The FINALISTS.

Please vote for your favorite.  You’re welcome to write in another if your favorites were different from mine.  The winner will receive Hilary Weeks’ book, Believe in What You’re Doing.

Lara.  Concentrating on the task at hand.  A beautiful image.

Diane. Sustaining the Lord’s Annointed.  Over donuts.  I love it.Amanda. A session-long’s effort to create a prophetic masterpiece.  Isn’t that a great First Presidency?Vote here:

Poll will close at midnight on Friday night.  The winner will be featured on Sunday’s GCBC post. 

Anyway, this is the third post in the last 24 hours.  And frankly, it’s all fantastic stuff, so don’t miss week one of General Conference book club or the chance to participate in a General Conference blog-share.  Today however (This is the last thing, I promise), Lesa from Notes About Music and I are hosting a general conference trivia contest.

GENERAL CONFERENCE TRIVIA CONTEST

It is kind of a long list of questions, but I hope you have fun doing it.  Send me your answers via email at dd.stephanie@gmail.com.  Submit your answers by Wednesday night at midnight.  Winners will be announced on Thursday.  All the high-scorers will be placed in a drawing to win one of these two prizes (So, two winners).:

An 8×10 temple print by Brighter Side Art and this Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD

Clickety-Click right here to get the trivia questions.

And finally, the GENERAL CONFERENCE PHOTO CONTEST!

Here are some photos of my family during general conference.  Please do not click on the photo of me wearing my pajamas.  (You’re totally not going to obey me, are you?)

If you took a photo of your family or children watching/participating in conference, email it to me at dd.stephanie@gmail.com.  I will post them all and select a handful of favorites to go up for a vote.  The winner of the photo contest will receive the book Believe in what you’re doing…  by Hilary Weeks.

Submit your photo by Tuesday night at midnight, then all photos and finalists will be posted some time Wednesday for voting.  Please put the word PHOTO in the subject line of your email.

GENERAL CONFERENCE TRIVIA CONTEST

We will post the questions on Monday morning and see who was really paying attention.  You’ll type up your answers and email them to me at dd.stephanie@gmail.com.  All the high-scorers will be placed in a drawing to win one of these two prizes (So, two winners).:

This 8×10 temple print by Brighter Side Art

and a Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD

(I don’t know if it will actually be this very CD, but definitely a MoTab CD.  This prize will be donated by the generous Lesa.)

Also, one more contest:

GENERAL CONFERENCE PHOTO CONTEST

Take a photo of your family or children watching/participating in conference and email it to me at dd.stephanie@gmail.com.  I will post them all and select a handful of favorites to go up for a vote.  The winner of the photo contest will receive this great little book:

Believe in what you’re doing…  by Hilary Weeks

(The book really doesn’t have anything to do with conference per se, but it’s a great read to remind you that all the little efforts you make –like encouraging your family to watch general conference– are noticed and appreciated by Heavenly Father.  Also, Hilary Weeks is just plain cool.)

Submit your photo by Monday night at midnight, then all photos and finalists will be posted some time Tuesday for voting.

p.s.  Please do not camp out by your TV with your camera and forget to actually pay attention to conference.  If you feel you may be tempted to do so, please just go buy yourself the book instead. 

So there you have it.  Three more fun reasons to dive into this weekend’s conference experience.  Yay!!

Other conference posts from this week:

Monday:  Preparing your children for general conference (+ packets)

Tuesday: Preparing yourself for general conference

Wednesday:  General Conference Meme

First of all, there’s still time to enter the contest for the free, autographed copy of Melanie’s book, Not My Type.  All you have to do is send anyone a thank-you note, and you’re in the drawing.  Go to this post to enter.  The drawing for the winner will be Wednesday night and I’ll pick up the book at the release party on Thursday.

Second, there are only TEN MORE DAYS until General Conference.  It’s no secret how I feel about conference.  (It’s my second favorite holiday after Christmas. Truly.)  Anyway, I’ll be teaming up with Lesa from Notes about Music to create some kind of General Conference meme that you can all participate in on your own blogs.  It will be a questionnaire about your experience with both the “music and the spoken word” that is conference. You’ll have it ahead of time so you can watch for answers during conference. Then we’ll have a big link-up thing where we can read all about everyone’s favorite moments and lessons.  So, basically, just get ready for that– it’s coming soon.  And as a personal side note, I can’t emphasize enough how much more you’ll get out of conference if you start now to think about questions you’d like answers to and pray about them in anticipation of hearing the Lord’s servants speak.  You’ll be amazed how many personalized answers you will receive.  Need something to get you in the mood?  Watch this video.  It’s fantastic.  And amen to its message.

Finally, I’m thinking it’s time for another Girls’ Night Out.  Mostly because I saw this and wanted some girlfriends to go with me.

So it’s at the Scera theater in Orem, and I thought we could all meet there for the show, then go across the street (kind of) to The Chocolate, eat desserts and visit the night away.  Tickets would be just under $15 (a little cheaper if you have student I.D.). What do you think?  I’d love to have you come whether you’re a longtime blog friend or a quiet blog stalker.  It’s a great way to take a break, make new friendships, and well, you know, eat chocolate.  If it sounds fun to you and you’re available on 10/7, let me know in the comments, and I’ll send you more details.  Feel free to invite a wing[woman], daughter, girlfriend, whatever.  P.S. This invitation is null and void if you are a strange, predatory creep.  Just to be clear.  (Insert passive-aggressive smile here.)

Welcome to Find-A-Friend Friday again.  Today I’m looking forward to introducing you to Wendy.  I don’t know her as well as I’d like to, but I loved this interview with her, and she said something that is so true:  We’re all amazing.  All you ordinary people out there don’t realize the power of the simple good you do.  Take Wendy for example.  You’ll see.  (And I just have to say that I always thought my romance moved fast, but- wow- I think her story takes the cake!)  First I need to announce the winners (as promised) to the General Conference contests.  I don’t want to steal Wendy’s thunder because this is really her day, so I’ll publish all the trivia answers on Sunday along with the GCBC post.

Contest #1: Random drawing just for tuning in to general conference.    One entry for every session you watched.

The winner is …….. An Ordinary Mom!! (She got 100% correct!) Email me your address and your book choice.  Your prize will be on its way as soon as I can get over my aversion to the post office. 

Greetings! I’m nervous and excited to be a part of Stephanie’s Find-A-Friend Friday! I have enjoyed meeting the different women and think they are pretty amazing! I guess we are all amazing. Elder Cook told us so last Saturday.  My name is Wendy (34) and am married to a rocket scientist (Sweetheart). We are the parents of 2 Bedlamites – Underfoot (4) and Hurricane (2). They keep us busy as we work, play, and learn together. Our hope is that they know they are loved from the hugs, kisses, and correction we give them. We live on the moon (the Southwest desert). I say the moon because for us to grow our garden it takes a lot of work and that is what my Mom calls it – the moon.

I am the oldest child of 4 and grandchild. I am also the oldest great-grandchild to 2 sets of my great-Grandparents. As a child, I knew and associated with 6 of my great-Grandparents. What a great blessing to learn from their lives and who they are.

As a 3 year old child, I decided I was going on a mission. I was so focused on a mission that when I went to college, I bought a ring to wear on my left hand. Looking back, I was very immature to marry but was determined to be a missionary. I went to the Panama Panama City Mission. I LOVED being a proselyting and welfare missionary. I planted a lot of gospel seeds and heard later about the growth of people after I left.

When I returned home, I thought I would marry and start having the 10 children I had planned on. Yet Heavenly Father had a different plan for me. He needed me to finish a Bachelor’s degree (Social Work) and a Master’s Degree (Marriage and Family Counseling). I worked in my profession and went to school concurrently before my Sweetheart and I were introduced. The weekend of graduation Sweetheart and I were introduced through my Mom’s cousin. He lived in Pennsylvania and I lived in Idaho. We started a correspondence and 3 weeks later made arrangements to meet in California after a conference he was attending. We met and were engaged in the same weekend (the rocket scientist figured out it was 60 hours). We married 9 weeks later in Utah. A lot of different states in a short amount of time. Now almost 6 years later we are still learning life lessons together.

1. What’s your favorite part of motherhood?
I love to go on adventures with my children and discover. I love to take pictures of them and to listen to them laugh. I love read to them because they will cuddle with me. I love the questions to a point. I love the soft touches they give me when I am sad because they are concerned for my welfare. I love when my son will say that he wants to be a father when he grows up so he can teach his children and then will pray for that.

2. What part of motherhood would you subcontract out if you could?
Being the bad guy. I wish I could be fun all the time and not lose my temper because I have said no so many times that I have lost count. I know that being the bad guy is necessary to help them help them. I just get so tired by the end of the day.

3. Name 2 or 3 items on your “bucket list.”  (Some things you’d like to do before you die.)
My bucket list is ever so long. I am a queen at making to do lists. I also learned lately the difference between the do and the be.

• Travel (Bicycle Maine’s lighthouses, return to our missions, serve missions, Civil War sites, Revolutionary War sites, Visit every State in the Union)
• Build a home (canning kitchen, game room, library, upstairs and downstairs, outdoor room)
• Provide cultural opportunities for children (Broadway plays, Symphonies, Art shows)

4. Brag for a minute.  Do it.  What are a few things that you’re pretty good at?
I am great at making a delish meal in about 30 minutes. I am a pretty good cook. I like to cook almost anything. I love to send the left-overs to neighbors or Sweetheart’s co-workers. I like to include my boys in the cooking process. I also like to host people in our home – usually with food. We have an annual Pie Party just before the holiday season.

5. What are you loving lately?
I am loving that my boys are starting to understand they have jobs they have to do before they can do other things. I am loving that my body is waking up without the alarm clock. I am loving my boys as they are learning new things. I am loving a picked up house at the end of the day. I am loving that we got a commuter car for my Sweetheart after 2 1/2 years! I am loving the green in our backyard. The fresh beautiful color green in contrast to brown.

6. Do you have a favorite scripture or quote?  Why?
I have a lot that I really love. I love scriptures that talk about being of good cheer, having courage, and seeking the Lord because He will answer. The scripture I have thought most about lately is in the Doctrine and Covenants.

For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift. Doctrine and Covenants 88:33

I believe for me that Heavenly Father has given me many gifts, and I am like a tantruming child saying that I don’t want the present that is in front of me. It has caused me to think about what I need to change and to accept again the plan that God has for me. The verses that follow talk about the order and how virtue loves virtue and light cleaveth to light. It reminds of the scripture line upon line, precept upon precept.  I hope to be a more gracious humble receiver of the gifts that have been given me.

7. What do you gravitate toward during your unscheduled time? I wish I could say that I love to clean up or make the world a better place. I like to check email, blogs, and listen to music. I also like to curl up with Louis L’Amour books. His books have a strong moral hero with character flaws and a heroine that is virtuous. It has helped me appreciate also living on the moon and seeing the beauty here.

8. Tell us some of your best mom-tricks  (things you’ve figured out that work well for you).
My Gamma Rae’s motto was Be Obedient. We give a choice usually between two things to do. The boys get three opportunities to follow through with a task. When they don’t do it, they go to the corner. They hate the corner and are very motivated to complete the task. If they go to the corner, they know they will still need to complete the task immediately after they exit the corner. The funny thing is that now Underfoot has started to try and negotiate the choices. I am grateful for his problem solving skills and using his words.Some times his choices are better than the ones we’ve come up with. Another is we have taught them that they need to come to us if they are hurt or if there is unfair treatment. This way they have learned to solve their own conflicts. Don’t get me wrong. There are times I have to step in but not all the time.

9. What’s something you don’t usually want people to know about you, but that they need to know if they’re going to be your friend?
I am a great listener. I can listen as long as the day is long. I have done it for a profession for many years. I am not the greatest at offering up much information about myself because I have learned that people like to talk about themselves. My husband has learned that when I start to talk just let me talk because I have a lot to say. Since I have “retired” for a season to be a Mama, I am learning to add more into conversations about myself and not always carry the counselor hat around. The transition between a paid helping profession and Domestic Goddess life has been more difficult than I planned it to be. I guess I know when someone wants to know me they will ask questions about me.

10. If you were in charge of a girls’ night out, what kind of activity would you love to plan?
My favorite GNO have been a live show (even a high school or middle school production) and eating out usually Thai or Indian food.

11. Friends are great for venting.  What’s been frustrating you lately?
I wish I had more control over circumstances that I don’t have control over. I wish I could stay pregnant. I wish I could get the truck route to work for the co-op. I wish that I could be happy with myself and who I am and not what I’m not. I need to look for the joy in what I DO HAVE and not what I don’t have.

12. What parts of your testimony are you the most sure of?
I am sure that Atonement is real. I love the Easter season because the heavens rejoiced for Christ’s completion of the great plan of happiness. Because of what Christ did, I am responsible for being obedient and accepting the plan God has for me. I know that God answers prayers. The answers don’t always come in the timing that I expect them, but answers do come. I know that I can accomplish many wonderful things on my own, and I am learning that if I will trust Heavenly Father the wonderful turns into magnificent. I know that God tries the faith to bring me greater joy.

So awesome.  Thank you, Wendy.  And thank you to all of you who participated in the contests.  Man, there’s a lot of fun going on around here.

“Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.”

3rd place, Helen, with 12% of the total vote:

Helen said:  “It’s my mum and my sister just after my sister went through the temple before her mission.  She is now serving a nursing mission in Panama.” I have a soft spot in my heart for women who serve missions (especially Spanish-speaking ones) and moms who help them get there.  I admit it, standing with my children on the steps of the temple will be a moment of ultimate satisfaction.

Tied for 2nd place, with 14% of the total vote each,

Liana:

Liana said about this photo: “The picture doesn’t do the mess justice, but you get the general idea, and yes, those are packing peanuts.” Personally, my favorite part about this photo is the printed quote in the quarter.  It’s evidence of a mom trying to do good and play many roles, only to be thwarted by her children.  Oh, how I get it.

Charlotte:

Charlotte explained that this photo respresented “satisfaction and joy moments” to her.  I couldn’t agree more.  When we see our children showing love and tenderness, especially to each other, we can’t help but think we must be doing something right.

The 1st place winner, with 20% of the votes,

Velda:

When Velda submitted her photo, she said, “This one’s my favorite.” Well, it’s obviously our favorite too, Velda.  It embodies both the joy and exhaustion of motherhood in one beautiful image.

Thank you to everyone who participated.  All 13 of the photos together were a beautiful testimony of the ups and downs of motherhood, with an underlying theme of joy.  Every single one received several votes and was meaningful to others.  I loved seeing them all and recognizing how much in common we mothers share– in our feelings, in our experiences, and in our mission.

If you’re a winner, please send me an email with your address and I’ll send you (or deliver if you’re close) a small prize.  You’re all welcome to steal that beautiful trophy at the top of this post and display it proudly on your own blog.  Let me know if you need help with some html code to do that, and I’ll try to figure it out.  Velda will have a place of honor on my sidebar for a season.

Happy Monday to all, and here’s to a week of joyful mothering.

“Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.”

Behold the entries:

1. MaryAnn:

2. Lisa:

3. Helen:

4. Charlotte:

5. Liana:

6. Jocelyn:

7. Laurie:

8.  Shantel:

9.  Sara:

10. Stacy:

11.  Wendy:

12. Velda:

13.  Kim:

Aren’t they great?  Originally I said I would pick my 3 favorites for a vote, but after I looked at them all, I felt a little spineless.  Who says my three favorites would be your three favorites?  So VOTE FOR YOUR THREE FAVORITE PHOTOS that best express Elder Ballard’s quote to you.  Each computer gets one vote with three choices.  This is just the honor system, folks.  I’ll leave voting open for the week and announce the winner next Monday.  Whoever gets the most votes — is the most people’s favorite– will win.  Besides the coveted highlight spot on my sidebar, I’ll think of something else lovely as a little prize too.  Thanks to everyone who participated.

THE POLL IS OPEN UP THERE ON MY SIDEBAR.  GO VOTE!!!  And thanks for being such awesome moms.

We went camping this last weekend at Canyonlands National Park and also visited Arches National Park. I had never been to either one before and they were really cool to see. You may have already known that there is an average rainfall of only about 9 inches a year in that desert region, but what you probably didn’t know is that the entire 9 inches would fall during the two nights in October that my family chose to camp there. Yah, we didn’t know that either. Weird. By the way, little pop-up trailers/campers really do a good job of keeping you dry despite torrential rainfall. I slept horribly though, because I always think that every little noise is the footsteps of Jack the Ripper trying to break into our trailer and put our family on that Nancy Grace show. Besides that, I saw that episode of Man vs. Wild where Bear Gryllis taught that you should not camp in the desert during rainfall because flash floods can carry your tent away and toss you off a cliff. Believe me, I relived that episode over and over in my mind all night. Plus Natalie got cold and climbed in my sleeping bag with me. Both nights. You can imagine the peaceful slumber that followed all these factors. Despite my dramatic account of the accommodations, we really did have a nice trip and I’m still a fan of camping.

[Pretend I have a camera and that I just inserted beautiful landscapes and happy-family photos here.]

The post-camping aftermath, however, is always a slow and painful recovery. My hallway was full of dirty clothes, half-empty coolers, soggy bedding, and the DVDs and other items collected from the floor of the car. And when you didn’t sleep so great the whole weekend, you’d rather be washed off a cliff by a flash flood than have to face that big mess of work. So for the last few days I’ve been wandering my house like a zombie looking at piles and rooms that really need to be cleaned and wishing I lived in a parallel universe. One with a big, comfy bed and self-cleaning children and houses. I tried to make a joke to myself when I walked through the kitchen the other day: “Hey, I wonder why Martha Stewart or the FlyLady haven’t contacted you to do some guest posts on their blogs?” See, I’m even snarky to myself, except I didn’t even really think I was that funny.

Other than getting my GCBC post up late Sunday night, I haven’t mustered up a blog post since then, and let’s face it, this one here is just mostly an excuse for not writing one. I had an argument with a loved one and my feelings got hurt, and I decided I needed to write a letter to express my feelings in the right way. I like to write things down instead of having confrontations. I can choose my words carefully and say everything I really want to say without being interrupted. The process also helps me give words and meaning to my feelings, making them more tangible and more memorable. So while I usually walk around drafting blog posts in my head, I’ve spent the last few tired days drafting this letter in my head instead. And I still haven’t written it because it’s hard, but I will.

I also spent several hours today at the Children’s Hospital with Natalie.  I now know more about bladder health and bladder dysfunction than I know about my own husband.  Here’s hoping our plan of action leads to improvements.

On a lighter note, can I say how much I love that I can write a blog post called “Stuff you should do for me” and all you wonderful reader-people-friends just pop in and give me the greatest advice and ideas, or commiseration, or whatever else it is I need? So thank you. I’m on the cusp of solving my photography issue, but I’m thinking I should set up some rotating schedule or something for all you nice folks who offered to step in and do it yourself. That would be awesome. I could have monthly photo shoots, and all those “My enchanted family” portrait collectors would be so jealous because I’d have like an album-cover wall-of-fame up in my living room with glamour shots of my family in a plethora of exotic settings and matching outfits. So, yah, watch for that sign-up sheet to come around soon. (Not really, I’m joking, unless of course you really did want to take photos of our family because that’s just the funnest way you can think of to spend your time, then by all means, let’s talk.)  I may never need to buy a camera after all.

I NEED MORE CONFERENCE TALK AND PHOTO CONTEST SUBMISSIONS. I do have some, but I know there’s more talent lurking out there. You have until Sunday. Go here for more about the conference talk thing and here (see #4) for instructions about the motherhood photo contest. Email your submissions to dd.stephanie[at]gmail.com — you understand that instead of actually writing [at], you actually use the little @ symbol, right?

In case this post has sounded depressing or desperate, I wanted to share some of this cool devotional I studied this morning. I scanned a list of recent titles looking for something that might strike a chord with me, and this talk called “Avoiding Spiritual Drift” stood out to me. It was given by a chemistry professor, but give it a chance despite all the sciency analogy talk at the beginning. I really liked what he had to say. Here’s a glimpse:

“I think that one of the most insidious, yet most common, standards that we use is comparison with the lives of those around us. This corrupt standard expresses itself in a variety of ways. [He shares some cool examples from his own life] . . . I need to draw an important distinction at this point between using others as measuring sticks for our own progress and turning to the examples that others set for inspiration. We can find motivation and inspiration in the accomplishments and gifts of others without making the kind of comparisons that lead to pride or depression. . . . The pitfalls [...] don’t lie in recognizing strengths or deficiencies in those around us, but in using those observations as measures of our own value.”

Okay, I’m done now.  Really.  I’m not going to write any p.s. or anything.  Okay, bye.

It’s time to announce the winner of the trivia contest, and the 5,000th commenter.  Watch this exciting show for the dramatic reveal (and a special challenge for any of you who participated in the meme):    Sorry the video is in two pieces;  I had a little technical difficulty.

Here are the links if you can’t see the videos on my blog:  part 1 and part 2

Congratulations to the winners!! Send me an email with your address and I will mail your prizes later this week. 

Here are the answers to the trivia questions: (If you think I got something wrong, please just be forgiving.  The questions were based on my copious notes, and there were about 10 other people who got all the same answers, so I feel like it’s pretty accurate.)

1.  Name two of the new temples that were announced.  Hartford, Connecticut; Indianapolis, Indiana; Tijuana, Mexico; Urdaneta, Philippines; and Lisbon, Portugal

2.  What did President Monson ask young couples to begin preparing for now?  missions as senior couples

3.  Two different speakers based their talk on the same previous talk about Following the Prophet.  Who gave it originally?  Ezra Taft Benson

4. Elder McConkie said that “what matters most in learning is the attitude of  ..(whom). “? the teacher

5.  According to President Uctdorf, in family relationships, love is spelled ……T-I-M-E ?

6.  What happened to Elder Hales as a young boy when his dad asked him to varnish the floor?  he painted himself into a corner

7.   President Brigham Young once said that moving to (where?) was “out of the frying pan into the fire, and out of the fire onto the floor.”  Utah , Salt Lake Valley

8.  One young missionary offered to marry Elder Gong’s wife after she did what?  baked him bread

9.  President Packer told parents to “Wake up and understand what’s going on!”  What plague was he referring to?  pornography

10.  What did the children in one elementary school decide to vote on during show and tell?  (from President Packer’s talk)  the gender of the kitty

11.  President Monson told the story of a family who lost all their crops due to rain, but were still grateful.  What did they eat for their Thanksgiving dinner? jackrabbit and turnips (marked it right if you got at least one of these)

12.  Elder Bednar told a story about Joseph Smith speaking to the President of the United States.  When he inquired about the difference between our religion and others, what was one of the points Joseph answered him?  mode of baptism, or gift of the Holy Ghost

13.  Elder Malm spoke about a hollow tree he saw lining a street in Sweden.  What did he see when he looked inside the hole?  waste/trash

14.  Elder Allred told his wife’s story about working on a farm.  What happened that caused her to exclaim, “You stupid cow!!”?  the cow ate the wheat outside of the fence so it bloated (and then died)

15.  Elder Ballard compared Satan’s tricks and counterfeits to what outdoor sport?  fly fishing

Matching— topic to speaker:
16.  The consecrated life   D.  Elder D. Todd Christofferson
17.  Choose faith      C.  Bishop Richard C. Edgely
18.  Character and integrity  A. Elder Richard G. Scott
19.  Courageous parenting   B. Elder Larry Lawrence
20.  Trust in God  E.  President Henry B. Eyring

TIEBREAKER:  Which speaker lost his voice in the middle of his talk?  President Uchtdorf (did anyone notice that they edited that part out on the video archive?)