Today marks week 3 of waking up at 5am to go exercising with my hubby. Holy cow! In spite of the early hour I am loving it. Okay, loving might be too strong of a word, how about enjoying it... We were a little scared last week when there was news of a cougar sighting right where we run. We offered it fresh meat (and lots of it) at 5 am, and there were no takers, so I think we are good to go now! After our nice little run/walk we come home and I get to be read to, in Portuguese no less, out of the Book of Mormon. Beautiful language. Beautiful book. I am hoping my Book of Mormon immersion will pay off and I will magically learn a new language. Way better than books on tape too because it's my loves lovely deep voice...If not, I will take my one on one time with my BFF and our uninterrupted hour together and be grateful. Now if my plastic surgery would start showing, I would be even happier!

Sophie's Sacrament Talk

I was asked to speak on personal revelation. My first thought was, in my 14 years I am not for certain I have felt personal revelation in my life. 
Revelation means to make know or to uncover. Because of revelation, man can know the things of God. Personal revelation is a gift from our Father in Heaven. It consists of individual guidance for those who seek for it and when followed in faith, repentance, and obedience in the gospel of Jesus Christ, one is entitled to it. 

One of the ways I guess I have had personal revelation in my life is through the gift of the Holy Ghost. “The Holy Ghost is a revelator” said Joseph Smith, “and no man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations.”  So as it turns out, I have received personal revelation because I have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
Another way I can receive personal revelation is through a Patriarchal Blessing. As a church we have the priesthood and authority through which special blessings are given. As descendants of Abraham of old we are entitled to all the blessings promised him and his posterity. But there are other things we should know about ourselves. Only the Lord knows what our true lineage is, what is in store for us, what we should guard against, how we can serve, and what our particular mission in life is and what we can be blessed with if we live true and faithful. These things we can learn through a patriarchal blessing given by proper authority. Heavenly Father has made it possible for each of us to receive personal revelation to help us know what he expects of us. A patriarchal blessing identifies a person’s talents, lineage, and potential. It can motivate, guide, and give warnings, counsel, and comfort. I am preparing to get my patriarchal blessing and when I get it I can use it throughout my life. I can pull it out to study it often to remember that my Father in Heaven loves me, and he has a plan for my life, if I will live worthy, he will guide me in all I do. 
Also, I have learned revelation from the prophets and there examples. The prophets receive revelation through prayer from our Heavenly Father. All throughout the scriptures it speaks of prophets receiving personal revelation. Peter’s personal revelation gave him a testimony of Jesus Christ. Adam and Eve called upon the name of the lord and received personal revelation. And Elijah’s personal revelation came from a still small voice.  A more recent revelation is the Proclamation of the Family. It was created through personal revelation from the prophet. At the time we had no idea the attack of family would be coming but look at the world today because of that revelation we know the importance of family and how to define it. The prophets used personal revelation in their life as well and we can also. We can pray to our Heavenly Father and know for ourselves God’s purpose and direction for us. 
How can we receive personal revelation? In studying for this talk and all the information I have read there seems to be a key to help prepare us to see the Lord’s hand in our life.
1. We need to Search the scriptures. How many times have I heard stories about how the scriptures come alive for people and whatever problem they have can be answered in the scriptures. I hope that through scripture study, I can receive answers to problems in my life and be guided through the scriptures.
2. We need to keep the commandments and live the way Heavenly father wants us to live.
3. We need to ask in faith for his guidance in our life. 
Russel M. Nelson said: “To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to ‘ask with a sincere heart with real intent, having faith in Jesus Christ’ (Moroni 10:4). 4. Pray to our Father often so we can have a personal relationship with him. If we don’t strive for that personal relationship, it will be hard to recognize guidance He is giving us.

Sexy and 70!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA BASS!

You are the queen of your "throne" today, complete with a crown and a scepter, and you even have a chocolate cigar to go with it. Can't ask for much better than that!

Except for you get this too...

all because we adore you!

A yummy family dinner.

A sweet slideshow put together by Robert 

A tribute to the best grandma,
written by Aleesha Bass and presented by all the grandkids

We often wonder how we got so lucky 

To have this amazing grandmother in our lives. 

She is constantly warm and wise and wonderful. 

We are grateful that she is always there for us, 

And she never thinks to say no

When we need her help to make an awesome costume,

Or when we want her support for something at school. 

We appreciate all the things she says        

That leave us in a state of giggles and sore sides. 

Whenever we come over she gives us all hugs 

And she makes enough food to feed a small army.

For all of us, her house has become a second home. 

Sometimes we think she’s a little bit crazy

Or that she’s completely lost her marbles

But we know she loves us unconditionally,

And that’s why we will always love her so much.

A cool memory book, and a sweet new toy...

Lots of yummy treats and an opportunity to see and visit with long lost friends that you don't get to see very often anymore.

Hope you had a fabulous birthday mom, you deserve it!
We love YOU!

The Cone of Shame

Poor Mini has a doozy ear infection. I actually feel bad for the sad dog with the sad ear. She is on an antibiotic now and hopefully will be getting better soon, but until then she needs to wear this so she wont dig at her painful ear. Sad :(

Sophie's Shin Dig

Soph in her sexy choir dress.

Fuzzy picture, I know. I am taking donations for a REALLY GOOD camera...

The Vista Heights Advanced Women's Choir is AMAZING! Tonight I got to go watch them blow me away again. So, so, so good, and I am not just saying that. Tonight they combined with the High School choirs and a few of the elementary school choirs in the area and put on a little show. Thoroughly impressed I was!

A Picture Says a Thousand Words, Right?

If you didn't get that...
Gentry hit his head on the corner of the door frame (we think, because he can't remember), splitting his head wide open (after instacare hours, of course!), causing us to spend 2 hours in the ER, just to get 2 big stitches. Thank goodness he had his fan club ride along to keep him entertained!

Feeling a little anxious to get the bill in the mail...

Yummo!

Tonight we were treated to homemade apple fritters in a dutch oven with a side of vanilla ice cream. Our neighbors, the  Karens are so nice, just because I helped him out on Sunday with his Sunday School lesson. Too nice I think and too yummy to stick to my no sugar plan. Dang it, but oh, so good!  Why must I be so weak?