If there's one thing I can count on, it's that my pets will be sleeping in the late morning and through the afternoon. 

I guess the other thing I can count on is that there will always be something to do.

Monday I was up before the sun, going to the mountains to see my mom and make jam!

Strawberry Jam

My favorite thing ever...

Literally up before the sun.

My parent's back yard, always have the best sun rises.

What a beautiful red!

 What a messy process. But so yummy and amazing!

I love canning with my mom.

After all that hard work, the food will taste all the better.

Don't you think?

The Life of a Stay at Home...Wife

I can't wait till I can say that I'm actually a stay at home mom of actual human beings. 

But for now, I'm content with being a mother to my dog and my cat.

A couple of things I've learned these last few weeks.

(1)

You can't do it by yourself. You can not train a dog all by yourself if you are not all by yourself! If you and your hubby are not on the same page...the dog doesn't learn. She does one thing with him, and one thing with me! And when Robbie does one thing, just one thing "wrong", it undoes an entire day of what I tried to teach her. An entire day. Gone. 

Get on the same page.

(2)

I can do it! My garden kind of went kaput after we had a week of one hundred degree weather. So I stopped watering it and just let it go, because it was going anyways. I went to check on it a week later, and I had cantaloupe! It had been flowering the whole time but no fruit! I ignore it for a week and something happens. Who would have thunk. They never got any bigger than your two fists put together, and it took forever for them to ripen. And of the 5 that started, only one became edible. I have great hopes for next year! I've got my compost pile, and seeds, and we're going to make boxes, and I've got a year of experience. My first garden wasn't very amazing, but it was my first!

(3)

Have you ever read Good Housekeeping Magazine? I get the free gift from my mom, and they always have this section of "I felt like I earned the Good Housekeeping Seal when I did...". Well, yesterday I felt like I earned that seal. 

Since I've been out of school, and we haven't been able to get pregnant yet, I've been thinking about a lot of things that I could be doing. I thought about going and trying to get a coaching position, but every time the thought came up again I just didn't want to deal with a bunch of snotty kids. I'd much rather try my best to become a really good housewife before the kiddos get here, hoping that will help me to still be a really good housewife when they do get here (cause they add that whole extra crazy in there). 

Usually I wait to go to Costco until we need milk, and sometimes we'll go a couple of days without milk because I haven't made my way to Costco. Robbie drank the last of it at night, and then yesterday before he got home I had made it to Costco. That's a first! 

And I still walked my dog, cleaned my house, did work on my calling, did (most of) the laundry, cooked dinner, gave two piano lessons, had a ballet lesson, and went to go hang out with good friends....Good times. 

(4)

Kind of a continuation of (3). 

I was happy for everyone. 

Some days it's really hard to be happy when most of my friends are having children left and right, and when you're trying to have kids and nothing is happening it can be very disheartening. And I am so happy for them, but sometimes I get a little sad. I'm so grateful for conference, and the story Elder Eyring told about his daughter in law, and how she chose to give her time to Heavenly Father instead of dwelling on the fact she didn't have another child. And last conference, one of my favorite talks was given by Elder Holland about the parable of the Lord's Vineyard. 

He said

"Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! To say nothing of the chagrin in the end, when we find that God really is both just and merciful, giving to all who stand with Him “all that he hath,” as the scripture says. So lesson number one from the Lord’s vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live."

And yesterday I was content with what I have, and it was such an overwhelming feeling of peace in my heart. I worked so hard that when 10 o'clock hit I was passed out in the car as we were coming home from visiting with friends (Robbie was driving, I passed out in the passenger seat...just thought I'd clarify). I know that serving others and applying the words of the Lord to your heart and letting it change your heart can bring joy and love to your life.

Now if only I could make everyday as amazing as yesterday.

I will certainly do my best.

And in the end, isn't that all that is asked?

Traditions: Conference

Twice a year the Prophets and Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints give a conference. This is broadcast in Stake Centers, and also through the BYU channel. So every year twice a year we go up the mountain to see my family and watch conference! Often times it's just my family, and we get up and have breakfast burritos before conference. This year we had brunch at Grandma's house, and oh my goodness was it yummy! Fruit, sour dough pancakes, bacon, syrup, juice, family, cool fall weather, eating outside? 

Amazing.

Braiding hair

I love my sister

Driving home

to see this cute puppy. I missed her so much after an entire day. Never get tired of watching her sleep in the oddest positions.

One of the best parts? Hearing the word of God. 

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." -D&C

 I've found that every morning after my walk with Indy, while I feed my pets, make myself breakfast and then clean up the kitchen afterwards, listening to the last conference has greatly enriched my life. I love continually learning about my Savior and His gospel, and how to live a better life and change my heart to become a better person. 

Traditions are so good, and so much fun.