Memorial Garden

Memorial Day weekend was great this year. Rainy, but great. My whole plan was to plant a garden, but since it rained all weekend, my plans were put on hold. So we hung out inside and chilled all weekend. It was just what I didn’t know I needed. 

The sun finally started showing its beautiful face and we got our garden planted. I can not tell you how excited I am! My ideal garden would be set in beautiful garden boxes and straight rows of  green plants producing wonderful vegetables. However, Scott didn’t have time to build the boxes and the two little boys helped, so it is what it is. And in all it’s little perfections, it’s my first garden and it’s glorious. 

Fingers crossed for some tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, cantaloupe and carrots. 

Matt and Jen

Scott and I had the pleasure of attending the sealing and civil ceremony for Matt and Jen this past weekend. Although it was a quick 36 hour trip, we had an incredible time.

We started the journey with a bit of a bump in the road.The plan was to fly from Idaho Falls to Denver, and Denver to Minneapolis. As we pulled into the IF airport, we were notified our flight to Denver had been delayed and consequentially we would miss our connecting flight. The workers at the airport were so kind and immediately redirected us to the Pocatello airport, about an hour away, where we could hop on a plane to Salt Lake and then from Salt Lake to Minneapolis. With the Pocatello flight leaving in just over an hour, we hit the road running and got to the airport with a few minutes to spare.

But the rest of the trip was smooth sailing and we were relieved that we wouldn't have to miss the wedding.

We landed, picked up the rental car and got into the hotel around 12:45, then left for the sealing at 9:30. I loved being able to attend the sealing and be reminded of my covenants I made with Scott. He acted as a witness and I sat directly across from him as I acted as "mother". We were able to look at each other and silently remember our marriage together. It was a really special moment. The rest of the day was packed with pictures and festivities. 

At the civil ceremony, the six Packards (Scott, myself, Jeff, Sharlee, Ashley and Rose Marie) held down the fort best we could. Though we were few in numbers, we were equally as happy and supportive of Matt. 

We headed back to the hotel and climbed into bed around 10:30. We woke up at 3:30 to catch our flight home so we could be back in time for Taydens football championship tournament. Initially, I thought we were crazy, but as the tournament progressed, I was so happy to be there. 

The team won their first game, but lost the second game by one point. That loss, put them in the losers bracket were they fought their way back to the semi finals. There they met an undefeated team (season and tournament) and went on to beat them. Since it was a double elimination tourney, that meant playing them again for the championship By that point, the kids had been playing for five hours straight. Tayden played both offensive and defense the whole day, resulting in absolutely no rest time. He literally played 100% of the games, 100% of the day. The last game was brutal. We lost two kids to injury, with two more hurt but still able to play. We had played 7 games, while the opposing team had only played 5. Our kids were exhausted. They lost the game, but boy I couldn't have been prouder. Watching Tayden play through the exhaustion and give it his all was so rewarding. Not to mention, he played brilliantly. He caught more touchdowns than I can remember and prevented more from the other team. More rewarding than that, was watching him help the other players up and tell them good job. He is a good sport. That was worth coming home for. 

Busy Boy

Taydens weeks are filled with sports. Not only is he playing baseball, he was asked to be on a invitation only spring football team. It’s been a crazy spring. 

His baseball team isn’t very good this year. Even though he could have easily played in the minor league, his coach moved him up to the majors to try to help the older team. Basically, he’s playing with 11-12 year olds instead of 9-10 year olds. This is the first losing team he’s ever been on and it’s been a great learning experience. He’s learning about hard work, practice and losing with grace. It’s also been good for his empathy as he beats other teams and helping him win with grace. 

Football has been really fun. It’s a seven on seven, two hand touch, passing league. Tayden is playing both offense and defense. He has really excelled and it’s been fun watching him learn and grow in a sport he loves so much. 

It’s been busy and it’s about to get busier. Beckett starts baseball next week and I’m coaching Cache and Ky’s tball team. It’s going to be a great spring! 

Weekend with the Bednars

This past weekend we had the incredible privilege of having Elder and Sister Bednar at our stake conference.  Scott and I were able to attend the Sunday session as well as a special meeting for 18-40 year old married couples. It was magnificent.

My parents took the kids for us Saturday afternoon. Instead of staying at our house, they took them home to Blackfoot for a sleepover. Suddenly, Scott and I were kidless at home for the next 18 hours. That has always been a dream of mine and immediately my mind started racing with projects and things that Scott and I couple accomplish while they were away. I felt disappointed to have to spend my precious time at a church meeting. Scott agreed, but we knew going was the right thing to do, so on we went. We grabbed a quick hamburger and raced to the church building. The gym wasn't as full as we were expecting, so we got better seats than we thought we would. The room buzzed with excited chatter and friendly greetings. To be quiet honest, it was loud. That is, until Elder Bednar walked in. The congregation stood in complete silence and respect. That was the minute I knew we were in for a real treat. That minute not only confirmed to me that I was in the presence of an Apostle of God, but that this church is bigger than I could ever imagine. It is more than I could ever know. It is REAL, it is TRUE.

Elder David A. and Sister Susan Bednar were phenomenal. They joked and laughed with each other and the audience alike. They were full of humor and fun, but balanced it so well serious spirit. The love and respect they have for each other was more than evident and they truly loved being around one another. It was a blessing to see how the hand of the Lord has touched their marriage. The meeting was a question and answer forum. The audience asked and the panel (Elder and Sister Bednar, the presiding bishop and another member from the 70) answered.

My take aways from the meeting:

Elder Bednar has footie and superman pajamas with a cape. I loved this for multiple reasons. One,  because although he is an apostle of the Lord, he realizes that life is still to be enjoyed. Two, family pajamas are an important Bednar tradition. Its nothing big, but means a lot to his family and thats were his focus lies. Three, it helped me perceive him as a real person. A real person with an extraordinary relationship with God. It gave me a great example to who I could be.

He knows and loves the gospel. I was so impressed with how he answered questions right off his cuffs. He was pulling scriptures, quoting prophets, and using doctrine to complete a cohesive response. It was evident that the gospel has been a part of every aspect of his life for years. If I desire that kind of knowledge, I can have it. I'll need to work for it, but its up for grabs.

He is aware that life is hard, but he isn't afraid to talk about it. No matter the situation, circumstance or relationship...communication is key. Elder Bednar encouraged us to start an open dialogue with our children and spouses now. He stressed the importance of being a safe beacon for you children and being the first source of information to them. We discussed putting your spouse first and becoming one as a team. And as we do both of these things, our home will boast a stronger sense of family.

The most important words in a church meetings are the ones that are never said out loud. We need to focus on the language of the Holy Ghost and depend on him for truth and light and personal revelation.


I was so grateful to attend the meeting. It became increasingly clear that the adversary had a major part to my feet dragging to get to there. The spirit that Elder Bednar brought with him was undeniable. I couldn't help but feel like we are part of something bigger than we could ever imagine. The church is true, this is the restored gospel and we are part of a work that is hastening with everyday. The Lord is aware of the people in Ammon, Idaho. Which means he is aware of me and is waiting for me to come to him, truly and completely come to him. If we give up our life to him, we will be blessed beyond measure.

I love this gospel with my whole heart and thank the Lord everyday that I have knowledge of it.

Toothless

Just when I thought Cache couldn't get any cuter...

He looses a tooth. 

Girls Weekend

I was able to run away with my friends Jodie and Kristie this past weekend. It was wonderful. We shopped, ate yummy food, stayed up way too late and talked non stop. I love these girls. 

My favorite moment of the weekend happened in Express, an expensive retail store. My friends tease me about being cheap quite often. And in all reality, it’s super true. Walmart has really up their game lately and has some great stuff at an even better price. So they’ve been my go to for the past couple of weeks. As we were coming out of Express, a lady stopped me and said, “Oh my goodness, I love your shoes!! Where did you get them?”  Seeing how fancy she was dressed, I was slightly embarrassed as I replied, “Walmart.” You could tell she was trying to hold back the shock and disgust. My friends died laughing. It was so funny!! 

I’m grateful I was able to spend a couple of days with some grown ups and fellow moms. It was nice to recharge.