General Conference!

Wow! I am feeling so loved right now. I really appreciate the Lord "giving it" to science-hater right over the pulpit at General Conference. Elder Scott's talk was so perfect. Loved it... and I love science. Hurrah for President Eyring and for the many hispanics who spoke. I love hearing any type of accent, it reminds me of how world wide we really are.

Every conference time Deseret Book has a ladies night during the Priesthood session. I have never been able to go. So, this year I was determined to just go for it. I wanted to buy two books that we are reading in book club, Finding Peace, Love and Joy and the new Sheri Dew, so I have been waiting to go and check out ladies night. The first 100 ladies received a clock, so I loaded up the cats at 5:30 and we headed on over. To my surprise, there was a line outside the door, in the rain! I knew that I could get the clock if we joined the line... but I just couldn't justify making my tinies wait in the rain. A couple of minutes before 6 p.m. we headed over to join the line. My kids were so great during the wait to get in. The line slowly moved towards the door, but they were having a good time looking at themselves in the windows. When we were about to go in, a woman came from the opposite direction and started walking in. Someone said something to her and she got a little feisty. "I have already been inside! I just needed to put something in the car." I am sorry that I couldn't hear the other side of the "discussion," the other party speaking so quietly. I just heard, even louder, "Are you LDS? You are? Did you watch conference today? Well, you should have learned something!" Ouch, I think the other lady was rubber and what was being yelled at her bounced right off her and stuck back on the yeller. I guess she didn't learn enough from conference either.

Inside was so packed! You had to squeeze through crowds to move anywhere. That was so tricky with my four little cats. Someone came by with free cookies and I snagged one for each of my kids. We were standing there in a little line while they ate their cookies and some lady came up and said, "This is the book I want, but we'll have to go look for one that isn't slimed by water or cookies from little kids." Ouch. Of course my children would never slime books, we love books and care for them with that love.

I saw Denniane Gutke in the middle of all the madness... we grew up together. Her mom was also my sixth grade teacher and my Sunday School teacher. Denniane made my night by telling me that I looked really beautiful, that I had always been beautiful. Hmmm... She is nice.

While in line to purchase my two books the kids just hovered around me playing. A nice lady came up to me laughing saying that it looked like little heavenly bodies orbiting me. Many people were very kind. Deseret Book gave away many, many gifts. They were drawing out 15 - 20 names every five minutes. We waited by the door just to make sure that I wouldn't miss my name... but they didn't ever call out for me. So, as I was herding them out S informs me she needs to go potty. Back into the store, around you, behind them, twisting, turning, keeping all of my little ducks in a row. Once S ran up to me after getting knocked down by a teen in a hurry, "I got hit by a big girl!" We also saw the "heavenly bodies" lady and she was so excited for me because she thought I had won and was going to claim my prize. Nope. Finally we made it to the back of the store and the bathrooms. Women's, locked... Men's locked... S please don't pee in your pants, it will be just a minute. Then a lady comes out of the men's and I started pushing my cats in, only to find it full of a table and chairs. We barely fit. Then S started crying because she can't use that bathroom... let's not forget the fear of public toilets. We were able to get it all taken care of and head back out. By that time, they had started drawing names again and I figured I might as well wait. We found an empty spot and hovered. R and L layed on the floor! I kept whacking people with my gianormous bag. When I couldn't take it anymore we started making our way to the door. I hesitated once more at the door but, alas, they didn't call my name.

Walking out of the door a young woman asked if I had won. I answered no. She then held out two CDs wrapped in raffia. "Take these... I have four kids and have never been able to come because of this," she motioned to my four little orbiting satellites. "My husband just had surgery, so he couldn't go to Priesthood tonight and he let me come. I am just so impressed that you came with all of them." I made some little protesting noises, but she pushed the CDs into my hands. Overwhelmed with emotion I reached out and just gave her a big ol' hug, frightening her just a little. She made a slight nervous laugh, turned and walked quickly away. I can't even describe the light that filled me up. That was truly Christ like love. Thank you to that girl and may she receive many, many blessings for being so thoughtful.

I have exactly eight minutes to blog before I have to go pick up B. He had big show and tell again today. It is now every Monday. He took his transformer, Jetfire. I always try to steer him towards something cultural or educational, yet he continues to focus on toys. I guess I should let him choose, we'll see. Maybe we will take turns.

L started wearing panties today. She has been ready for quite a while, but I wasn't. I bought her and R some new undies and unveiled them this morning. R tried it out, but after peeing in two pair of Dora panties she ran to her room and brought me a diaper. Cutie. L has done great and hasn't had any accidents. I tell her to go potty and she says OK, running to the bathroom. Pushing the stool by the door she turns on the light. Then the stool is scooted over to the toilet so she can climb on. Later she must scootch the stool to the sink, but I must turn the water on for her because it is still way out of her reach. Tiny little thing.

Church... RS was combined with the men yesterday. Interesting. The teacher was fantastic (the Elder's Quorum President) but science hater and wheelchair man were annoying. Instead of just listening and learning, they were searching for any tiny little thing they could disagree with ... and they found plenty. I always feel like I have to comment as well when I think I must stick up for the teacher or bring the discussion back. What does it feel like to just sit and listen and not feel this weird pressure to speak up?

The nicest part was I found out there are at least 5 funny people in the ward. Excellent news.

They put E and I as visiting teaching/home teaching companions. So, yesterday being the end of the months, we took cookies around. I found that I need to let E speak more.... but when the situation is awkward or I am nervous, I just blah, blah, blah..... faster and faster. Frightening.
But we got it done! : )

Can't wait for this weekend and General Conference. I loved the RS meeting.... thanks Sue for calling to remind me. I was so paranoid about forgetting that I tried to think about it everyday last week... and I did remember! I like the new Presidency.... Love Sister Allred because she is Hispanic and has an accent... love Sister Thompson because she is single and a little heavy... love President Beck because she speaks Spanish and she came to a conference here and was nice to my husband.... and all of that was before I heard them speak!

Love to all!

Julie