Happy Halloween!

Day 2

Fresh pineapple was the perfect way to start our first full day in
Hawaii. We visited turtle town, but found no turtles. We still enjoyed
snorkeling and playing in the waves and sand. My favorite part was
having our whole family together and watching my kids and grandkids
spend time together.

It was a beautiful day, made even better by our lunch--fish tacos at
Coconut's. I am not usually a fan, but these were amazingly delicious.
We had to find an equally yummy dessert and we did at Ululani's Shave
ice. It was heavenly.

We spend the evening hanging out in our condo snacking on chocolate
covered macadamia nutsa while the girls made full use of the toys we
rented in addition to the crib & carseat.

After dinner we watched I Am Legend (both endings) and headed to bed,
not quite as tired, but definitely fuller than the night before!

Day 1 in Maui

Crazy picture for a crazy day. Started out with three hours sleep and
a cold/rainy morning. Next came too many hours in the air with a
toddler and two terrible diaper changes in flight. She loved the long
walk down the aisle to the bathroom and waved and said "hi" to other
fortunate fliers. She also loved playing with stickers and I resorted
to putting them on our noses to keep her entertained. Her favorite
part was looking out the window. A close second was pouring ice water
back and forth between two cups.

After landing we stopped at Coatco for lunch and groceries. Then to
WalMart for diapers and finally to our condo. We met Ryan and family
at the beach. There were lots of dogs which were a hit with the little
girls. Their favorite pup wore a lei and sunglasses.

We enjoyed a gorgeous Hawaiian sunset and walked across the street to
our condo. After dinner, we watched Terminal and then, thoroughly
exhausted, fell asleep.

Three Years

Today marks three years since my mom passed away. I am especially thankful that John and I have been blessed with:

• Our beautiful Lavender Jane and her four fantastic older siblings
• A thoughtful, caring daughter-in-law 
• The two most perfect granddaughters in the world 

I truly am grateful, but my heart aches because my mom isn't here to laugh with Lavender. She isn't here to hug Aaron and ask him about his mission. She can't talk to Marianne all about her college classes or take a drive with Evan and tell him stories of her car crash as a 16 year old. She won't be here to assure Ryan and Molly that they are great parents or explain that Brianne looks so much like her own Grandma Zobrist.  She won't be able to give her little namesake, Leighton Anne, a big hug and kiss.  

Today we will watch General Conference together and feel the Spirit as God's prophets speak to us. But it will be a bittersweet day as we remember all the conference weekends spent at Grandma's house and wish we could be together again. We will remember the last conference we watched together, and the sadness of watching Mom prepare to leave this earth and return to her heavenly home.  

My mom delighted in her family and she loved being a mother and grandmother. I know she would love to be with us this weekend and I hope that she knows how much joy we feel just being together. I am grateful she taught us all the importance of family and of the gospel. I know she rejoices in her posterity. I know we will be together again one day. But I wish we could feel her hugs. I wish we could hear her ringing laughter. I want to see her smile and hear her reassuring words. I want my children and grandchildren to feel the strength of her testimony and the power of her love. It is still there. It is still real. I long for a way to make it more tangible.

Today I will hug them just a moment longer. I will smile just a little wider. I will laugh just a little longer. I will speak just a bit more gently. And maybe, just maybe, a glimmer of my mom will shine through.

A Slip Shop 25% Off!

I've told you before about my brother David and his beautiful bride Annie.  They have been working on a new project with Annie's sister. She has figured out how to solve a problem that many women face.

Q:  What do you do with a skirt or dress you love that is just a little too short?
A:  Get a beautiful slip extender!

The slips come in with lace, tulle, organza and silk trim.  They are great for lengthening dresses or changing the look of a favorite skirt. Here is Annie modeling an ivory tulle slip.

Take a look at A Slip Shop HERE and be sure to enter LAUNCHPARTY for a 25% discount!  The coupon code is good for the next few days.

Best Daughter Ever!

When I pick up my phone, I never know what I will find as my wallpaper.  It changes every day, sometimes more than once a day and it almost always makes me laugh.  My wonderful daughter loves to surprise me. Marianne is the queen of selfies and she has the greatest expressions. Where did she learn to make such fabulous faces?  I'm not sure, but I do know that several years ago she got the complete "I Love Lucy" series for Christmas.  I suspect that Lucy's funny faces and great acting skills have rubbed off on Marianne. And just so you know, she is an equal opportunity photo poster.  She often includes funny pictures of other family members, but her selfies are my favorites.  Here are a few of her recent (very successful) attempts to put a smile on her mom's face.

Negative Self-Talk or Something Else?

When I was in college, I read Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. During our classroom discussion, the professor emphasized that most negative, dark, evil feelings and ideas come from deep within each of us. At first I struggled with this concept, but eventually I decided he was right. Just a few weeks ago I realized that I have believed this lie for almost 30 years.

Darkness and negativity come from one source—Satan, the enemy of all righteousness (Acts 13:10, Alma 34:23).

I recently read Joseph Smith History and I had the impression that Joseph’s experiences followed a pattern, so I made a list. 

God and his messengers:

Call us by name (v 33, 49)

Command, urge action (v 17, 19-20, 42)

Quote scripture (v 36-41)

Warn (v 42, 46)

Use repetition (v 45, 46, 54)

Encourage us to tell the truth, not keep secrets (v 49)

Urge patience (v 42, 54, 54)

Invite us to ask questions and provide answers (v 18-19)

The adversary:

Causes powerful feelings (v 15-16)

Brings darkness (v 15)

Is negative, i.e. despair, doom, destruction (v 15, 16)

Binds us (v 15, 17)

I doubt that any of us will have experiences quite like Joseph’s, but we can all be influenced by God’s Spirit and by the adversary. We need to recognize and acknowledge the true source of negative thoughts and feelings rather than blaming ourselves. Instead, we can “labor diligently, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness.” (Moroni 9:6)

Linda Reeves said, “We sometimes . . . have a tendency to be very critical of ourselves. During these times, we need to seek the Spirit and ask, ‘Is this what the Lord wants me to think about myself, or is Satan trying to beat me down?’ Remember the nature of our Heavenly Father, whose love is perfect and infinite. He wants to build us up, not tear us down.”

I have a challenge for you:  This week, pay attention to your thoughts and feelings and try to identify their source.