Lucy is obsessed

with babies.  She was in heaven while snuggling sweet Baby Ivy this week.  She's ready for more girl cousins who will be making their debuts in October.  Candace, Olivia, if you need a babysitter...call Lulu.

Our family's new additions

Shea was so sick of his Treo--that never worked correctly from day 1.  We went to get him a new phone, but his contract with Verizon had been extended when I used his upgrade to get a new phone a few months ago.  He had to pay the early-cancellation fee for himself, so he thought it would be easier to just add me to the AT&T family from the get-go.  Thanks, Honey! 

Jane, any operational tips would be helpful. 

on my mind...

1.  Baby Ivy is the sweetest little thing.  She is one of the most beautiful babies ever.  Congratulations, Cory and Shannon!

2.  I really need my carpets cleaned.  After a few "incidents" I need to just call and schedule.  Who do you like?  Are they really expensive?  I just don't feel like paying $300 to get it done.

3.  Presidency meeting tonight.  Primary stress.  I have GOT to get that program written.

4.  I'm feeling like I need some new jeans and tops.  Anyone have any favorite fits or store suggestions?

5.  Nei*%bor drama is driving me crazy.  That's all I'm saying.

I finally uploaded photos...some old, some new

Our ward had a luau last week. The kids were so excited to dress up. They were certain that our family would win the prize for best costumes. We went all out. I had a grass skirt on (over a normal skirt) and a flower in my hair. The boys kept telling me how beautiful I looked. Is that all it takes?

Aunt Kelly is a favorite of ALL the girls!
Happy birthday, Grandma!
Remember eating school pizza for lunch? Yum! We've eaten with the boys the past 3 Fridays. Lucy is in heaven. She would stay at school all day if I let her.

The boys like to clean off lunch tables instead of going to recess on some days. Cleaning earns them "cougar bucks" that they use to buy knick-knacks at the school store later. I'm thinking of implementing "taylor tender" or something to get them to clean up more at home. They're actually great cleaners; I've just been overwhelmed lately.

It's over!

And I must admit it was a very spiritual experience for me.  I felt the hand of the Lord as I was preparing all week, and I really felt like what I said was what He wanted me to say.  I was validated and pretty shocked when the stake president used a lot of the same phrases that I did.  He is either very good at listening to the talks before his and using that information to form the thoughts he shares, or we were on the same page.  I like to believe it was the latter.

So many people said so many kind things about my talk and have gone out of their way to do so.  My dad even said that I made him cry.  That is no small task.  I think I've seen him cry only when saying goodbye for two years to each of my brothers as they left to serve their missions.  That's three times in my whole life.  So, thank you to all of you for your encouraging and kind words.  You really made me feel adequate.

I knew it was going to be an emotional night when the choir opened the meeting by singing "A Child's Prayer."  I'm so grateful I didn't have to immediately follow that song.  I cried through almost my whole talk, but I was blessed (I guess that's what you'd call it) to be able to speak in an understandable voice.  At least Shea told me he could understand every word.

I have been thinking a lot about the relationships I have been blessed to have in my life.  First, and most importantly, I have an amazing husband that loves me.  I have three beautiful and caring children who are so pure and so good.  And I have a family (Burrs and Taylors) who would support me through anything--and do just that.

I also have been blessed to have relationships with so many talented, amazing and inspiring friends.  Thank you.  You have no idea what your influence and examples have done for me.

Happy birthday, Ally and Chase!

So I'm a week late for Chase's birthday, but I've had a busy week!  I do love that kid though.  He is so good and honest and...good.  Now he's a teenager, and one of the greatest ones I know.  Happy late birthday, bud.

And his smokin' hot sister, Ally turned 15 today.  What a ride her parents are in for!  She is one of the happiest, most outgoing, funniest girls ever.  If I were 15, I'd want to be just like Ally.  I'm a little bit older than that and I still want to be just like her.  Have a good one, sweet girl!

Shea and I dropped the kids off at Nana and Papa's for an evening of fun.  We went to watch Matt and Marc play football.  It was so nice to be able to watch the game for once!

Tomorrow should be super busy.  Soccer game at 11, shopping for a new outfit to speak in, Candace's baby shower at 3, BYU game in between, stake conference meeting at 7...

Wish me luck!

What we've been doing

Stuff.  That pretty much sums it up.  We've kept busy with doing stuff.  Nothing exciting, but time consuming all the same.  We've been busy with everything from Fall soccer season, Matt and Marc's senior year of football at Lone Peak, BYU football and entertaining neighbors during half time, baby Victoria's blessing, primary, school, back to school night, stake bishopric dinner, creating and mailing baby shower invites, finishing that stupid Breaking Dawn book, shopping in Park City, cleaning, cooking, laundry...

and preparing my talk for our adult STAKE CONFERENCE meeting on Saturday evening.  You might not hear from me again this week.  ugh.