V-to the teaching

I've been thinking about something a lot recently so I thought I'd record it so I can refer back to it one day. A couple weeks ago we had a Visiting Teaching conference in Relief Society. The Relief Society president arranged for all the men in the ward to teach all the lessons 3rd hour so all the women could all attend! It was such a blessing to be able to be there & I'm thankful for her intuitiveness. As I was sitting there listening to all these amazing stories about how awesome it has been for some women & how their experiences were life changing. I heard of Visiting Teachers coming to the rescue, bringing in meals, bringing Dr Pepper on a stressful day, comforting, confiding, packing, watching kids, carpooling & many other noble & important things. 

Unfortunately, my experience hasn't been the same. I haven't ever had anything magical or relieving or even touching happen. In fact, I haven't ever really had visiting teachers at all. I haven't made friendships I'll have forever or built a relationship of trust so that I could call on them any time I needed something. Most of the time I don't even have a clue who they are. The few times I have had visits it's typically been 1 of the 2 sisters that is supposed to be visiting me. A few years ago, for about 3 months I had a companionship that came...but one brought her toddler who always destroyed my non-child proof home & who was always dirty, I spent at least a half hour cleaning up after them when they were gone each time. We moved shortly after that & I wasn't too sad because I'd almost preferred them never coming because I dreaded seeing my house afterwords.

The truth is though, I've never been the kind of visiting teacher that others could rely on, so why did I think I deserved 2 wonder women in my life? I've always gone off & on since becoming a visiting teacher, but never have I been faithful in going every month or even checking up on my sisters much other than when we were at her home.So then I started feeling a little guilty like maybe if I were better I'd get better visiting teachers. 

My mind (or rather the spirit) quickly said to me, "Heather it doesn't work that way & you know it. Just do your best & have faith in this program. Your day will come". It really got me thinking. I don't have a strong testimony of having amazing visiting teachers or heck at even being one, but I know that I will. One day. But until that happens, I'm going to keep doing my best. I'm going to keep having faith that this is designed by my Heavenly Father to help & rescue women. I trust that one day when I'm knee deep in laundry & have been up for days with sick babies, when I haven't gone to the grocery store or even thought about dinner, when my car runs out of gas or my husband looses his job that visiting teaching will save the day. Not only will I look forward to that day for myself, but I will try to be more in-tune with the spirit so that as I have a special & sacred stewardship over the ladies I visit that I will know their times of need & be able to rescue & relieve them in whatever way they need.

Who was I kidding?!!

The truth is, I was crazy to even think I could post EVERY single day about something I was thankful for! I don't know what I was thinking.

Here's something I don't normally do, buy my friend Angie over at angieinpink actually says PERFECTLY exactly how I am feeling about my challenge to myself to post everyday about something I'm grateful for. I honestly couldn't have said it better myself!

 

I guess I'd like to be in a better habit of setting goals, but I think next time I'll have to set one that is attainable. November, December & January are just busy busy months for me, especially with my calling in Young Womens.

Last night was Young Women In Excellence for our young women. Our theme was Treasure Seekers, as our focus this year has been on Seeking good things. It was great! We had some of our girls preform musical numbers for us, one girl made a tex-mex casserole to sample that she learned how to make at home, another girl shared her talents with us by conducting the music. We also had a treasure hunt where the girls had to work together to find all the jewels (clues) that were hidden all throughout the church. We had a few amazingly uplifting speakers & delicious fall desserts including pumpkin bread, Carmel apple dip with Utah apples, mini cheesecakes & mini apple pies with apple cider! It was a wonderful night. It's times like last night when I got home, was tired & it didn't seem to matter. Just having that sense of accomplishment was perfect. 

I also realized last night, or this morning that our young women are so much more talented than I realized. Next year our mutual theme is about letting your light shine. It hit me that our girls have light, that they have so much to offer & the way we need to carry out the theme for next year is by boosting their confidence. By giving them opportunities to do good things that will help their light grow stronger. It's there, in all of them we just need to help them polish up their exteriors so they are glowing by this time next year! I'm so excited to see the transformation!! 

Today I am thankful for revelation. For being able to recognize those small & simple promptings that will allow me to do a little better!

Give Thanks- Day 3

 

I'm thankful my sister Chelsea introduced me to OPI nail polish. It's my favorite. I love it & always want my nails painted now as a result! It's something simple I can do when I need a little boost or want to look fun & feminine!

Give Thanks- Day 2

 Today I am thankful for cooler weather on the horizon! 

About a week before we went on vacation in early October, the AC went out in our Element. Boooo! We didn't have time to worry about taking it in right before we left so we pushed it to when we got back. Life happened & we were super busy when we got back, thus resulting in us not taking it in. It's been in brutal on some days! But, I'm thankful for the few days we did have where it wasn't scorching hot outside. Finally now that we're into November we hopefully (crossing my fingers here) won't see anymore days above 90! I'm thinking at this point we'll just wait until the spring to have it looked at! We're pretty confidant it's the compressor, and who wants to drop $2000.00 big ones right as "winter" is rolling in?! Not us! 

So really, today I am thankful for cooler weather!!

Give Thanks- Day 1

 

I think I'm going to challenge myself a bit here! I'm going to blog every single day this month & post about 1 thing I am thankful for each day.

I'd like to start out by giving thanks for my calling as Young Women President at church. 

It has been one heck of a ride. I have never looked more outside myself than with this calling. I have never felt more frustration, anxiety, sadness & exhaustion as I have with this calling. I've never been more stressed out or harder on myself. I've never worried or been so hard on my performance. I've never been so busy or rushed. I've never cared so much or felt as driven. I've never been so pre-occupied with my thoughts.I've never cried this much or doubted my abilities this much. I've defiantly never felt this paranoid. I've never felt so much weight, an almost literal & physical weight as I have with this responsibility.

With all of that said, I've never been as thankful for a trial & blessing. It's taught me to reach out to my Savior.

I've felt the unwavering love & guidance from my Heavenly Father as I have served over the past year plus. I've finally understood what literal promptings were & how to recognize & listen to the Holy Ghost. On days when I wonder what in the world God was thinking when he asked me to do this, I get a sweet assurance that this was meant just for me at this time & in this place. I've felt over & over again that All is well or will be well. I understand that I will make mistakes & it's ok as long as I learn from them. I recognize that I have a purpose & that I am carrying out the Masters plan, even though I am flawed & lack the wisdom & life experience other do. I've learned to trust myself more...even if it's just a little bit more. Even at times when I stand outside myself looking in & wonder how I'll ever make it & know others must be looking over & at me & wonder how I'll do it too, I know I can & will. 

Somehow everything has a way of working out, even if to no help on my part. I somehow always find answers & know that prayer changes everything. I know that hearts can be softened & I know that the Lord is a maker of miracles. Even though there shouldn't be any possible way I could ever make a difference, I do. And it's beautiful. It's helped me learn how to work with other people, especially with women. It's helped me understand that sometimes people are mean but that I have to move on because I can't let their opinions define who I am. It's opened my eyes to the importance of listening to the spirit & acting on what I feel & hear. It's taught me to let go. It's helped me understand that this calling is a stepping stone on my path to bigger things. Not just bigger in a church sense, but bigger things for me. I know this is re-shaping me. It's building me & re-working me. It's helping me learn vital lessons about leadership, trust, discipline & how wonderful the priesthood is. It's helped me learn patience & long suffering. It's taught me how to love & how to never give on anyone. It's filled-in the longing in my heart to be a mother & somehow made everything ok. It's taught me to wait on the Lord & in his timing in all aspects of my life. It's taught me to be less judgmental even though I probably still have a long way to go. But most of all, it's taught me to be less selfish. It isn't all about me, in fact it's not about me at all. 

It's about Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ. It's about saving generations of families by saving one girl or one woman. It's about our identity as a women. It's about the amazing blessings the temple brings. It's about love & sacrifice.

For Sacrifice, it brings forth the blessings of heaven. Something I am truly humbled by & grateful for.

Our Recent Trip to the Southland...The Long Version!

I know this is a REALLY long post, but last year we went to New Orleans twice & I never blogged about it! So, I just decided I had to sit down & document everything no matter how lengthy it got! Enjoy!

We'd been planning a trip to New Orleans for my nephew Tyler's baptism for a few months when we got the news that my Aunt Glenda & Aunt Sharon were throwing a surprise 80th birthday for my Nanny in Texas the same weekend...this made things a little more hectic, but we just couldn't justify being 5 hours away & not go to her party! So, we changed around our plans & flew into Houston instead of New Orleans. We stayed the night with our friends The Sampert's. It was great to see their adorable home, catch up & enjoy her little boys fluent Japanese! Seriously, I wanted to pack them in my suitcase!! We appreciated their hospitality in having us there for just a short time, but we enjoyed every second!

Jay wanted me to take a picture of his cool lego monster!

Clint, Heather, Kai, Jay & Monika

We took a quick trip up to the town I grew up in about 40 miles North of Houston for a looksy-loo...WOW! I haven't been back in about 5-6 years. It's TINY (which is crazy because they've had tons of growth in the past 10 years!!)! My sister Megan & I just couldn't believe how small the town was. We were commenting on when we lived there growing up how big we thought it was & we literally drove all around town in less than 20 minuets! It was a little nuts. I'm glad we went up, because a lot has changed, including our high school. I didn't take any pictures of it but it's completly renovated & looks great! I did snap a photo of our football stadium (priorities right!) just so people could see how serious football is in Texas! We had to be quick so that we could make it back down through Houston to Crystal Beach for Nanny's party at my Aunt Glenda's home. After leaving Conroe, we made a quick stop by Garden Ridge Pottery, (a favorite store of mine growing up) to see if anything caught our eye for some birthday gifts we needed. We found some super cute fabric for my sister Chelsea & a fun monster pinata for Tyler. After that we made a really quick run to Old Town Spring to see if I could find one of my favorite candles from Wicks 'n' More...no dice but it was still fun to visit again after not seeing it for so long! It's the cutest little shopping village. Then we headed down to the beach. Want to hear something crazy first, the Garden Ridge Pottery we visited on Saturday, burnt down the following Wednesday...it's kinda nuts to think about it!!

My High School football stadium!

A giant catfish in downtown Conroe! Promoting the upcoming Cajun Catfish Festival!

We made it to the party shortly after the surprise due to waiting at the ferry, but it was all good. It was SO much fun to see all of my family, some I haven't see in 10 years or more! It was wonderful to see Nanny, she is doing awesome & was so thrilled that everyone would come just to be at her party! We had a photographer come & snap a family portrait for Nanny. And we also had my cousin who is a photographer snap a few for us too! We were planning a beach photo, but due to the wind, the decision was made to take it inside, hopefully it still packs a powerful punch!

The Beach House- Stunning!

Nanny & Sharon walking up to the surprise party!

 

 

 

Nanny with her Fun & Funky Cupcake Tower!

I love this shot of her! And all the Dr Pepper cans (her drink of choice) in the background!

Greyson, Halle Kate, Noah & Brooklyn

The Brother-in-laws on the beach!

My Family! Nanny is my Dad's Mother.

The "Stutts" girls! Chelsea, Amber, Nanny, Me & Megan

We spent the night & headed to New Orleans the next morning. On the way we saw a billboard in Louisiana for the world's largest gummi bear...we HAD to see it! So, we made a little stop in Rayne for a treat & to check out this fun little candy cottage. I was anxious to get to Burke & Amber's beacuase one of my best friends from high school, Melanie Lane Mitchell drove over from Texas with her 3 little boys Gideon, Gavin & Levi to spend some time with us & be there for Tyler's baptism. I just love Melanie! She grew up with 5 brothers so she says she considers Amber & I her sisters! It's always a party when she's around!

Who knew there was such a large gummi bear?! It was over 5 POUNDS!!

This sign was taped up in the candy store...we were all cracking up at it!!

Me, Melanie & Amber (Excuse me...I was sooooo exhausted from barely sleeping!)

Sunday evening Tyler was baptized & confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints. It was special & we were so thankful we were able to be there. Clint was asked to be a witness & I gave the closing prayer. Before his baptism, Tyler gave the prayer at dinner, he prayed he wouldn't have to get baptized twice. After the prayer we asked him what he meant by that. His response- in case my hair sticks up!! Lol! It was adorable! He only had to be dunked once! One of the things I loved the most was all of the people there that were not of our faith. Burke & Amber invited friends, neighbors & colleagues from Burke's prostodontics program. Some of these people included people from other faiths & countries, a minister from the largest Baptist church in New Orleans & a pastor from a non-denominational church. They were all so friendly & I hope that they were able to feel the spirit that night at his baptism & in their home afterward at his little dessert social. 

Tyler with his Dad, Burke

Tyler Brandon- 8 years old

Halle Kate wanted to play the piano with Amber

 

Never to old for a kiss from Mom!

Amber & her "future bishop", Tyler kept saying he was the Bishop because he was wearing a suit!

The Jardine Family (Amber, Carson-who didn't want to be in any photos, Brooklyn, Burke, Tyler & Halle)

Megan & Tyler

Grammie, Paw Paw & Tyler

Tyler with his Mom & Dad

Clint, Heather & Tyler

Josh, Tyler & Chelsea

Do I have to take any more pictures?!

OK...ONE more with Gideon & I'm DONE!

CJ had a nice meltdown because he just wanted some lemonade...totally random lol!

 

On Monday we went to a cooking class in the French Quarter at Crescent City Cooks. I highly recommend it! It was really fun & over looked the Mississippi River which is always interesting to watch because of all the barges that zoom past. We feasted on Red Beans & Rice, Jambalaya & Banana's Foster, all delicious!  We learned a lot about the history of the food & the culture. One interesting thing I'm thinking about incorporating one day when we have kids is Red Bean & Rice Monday. I guess it's a tradition that dates back many many years in the New Orleans area because Monday was kind of a "catch-up" day. It's a day when people were busy with laundry, going to the market & cleaning up from the weekend so they needed something easy & delicious for dinner. My sister said every Monday at the elementary school it is still Red Beans & Rice for lunch! I think that's really fun! We also attempted family pictures at City Park. We didn't' have as much daylight as we needed, so hopefully we've got at least 1 shot that will work! I'll post those when we get them!

After pictures we headed to Uptown, one of our favorite neighborhoods or areas of NOLA. We ate at Squeal BBQ, a favorite from previous trips. They were struggling a bit this time & we ended up being there for 2 hours. I guess they weren't used to large groups on Monday...they ended up not charging us because they felt bad we were there so long & had 4 little ones with us (who I might add did very well!). We thought that was really nice of them & will defiantly put in back on the list for next time!

Can you tell how tired I was? Oh you can't! Good! Do you see the Mississippi behind us?

Dad, Megan & Mom

Joshy & Chelsea...ready for fun!

Tuesday we went across Lake Pontchartrain to do some shopping. In the process we found a gourmet popcorn store, we were all in heaven with over 100 flavors to choose from. Clint & I selected Pumpkin Pie & Pomegranate. They did not disappoint! I'll defiantly be ordering more in the future.We also drove by Six Flags New Orleans, which was abandoned after Hurricane Katrina, it was kinda creepy! Later that evening we decided to head back to Uptown to ride the historical streetcars to dinner at New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Co., Tyler's favorite restaurant. It was super fun & the weather was so nice thankfully because the streetcars are not air-conditioned! The route took us past Tulane, Loyola & Audubon Place- the area where the celebrities live! I could honestly do that every night, I felt so urban chic! Dinner was awesome, I'll defiantly go back & I can understand why Ty loves it so much. After that we made a mad dash to Toy's R Us (with 20 minuets until they closed) where Grammie & Paw Paw let the kiddies selected a toy they each wanted. But wait, that's not all! After we got home we went out back & rigged up the pinata for more fun & enjoyment! 

There was entire LONG wall that also had a bazillion choices! YUM-O!

Notice where it said, "Closed for Storm"...how many years has it been?!

Audubon Place - The exclusive neighborhood on St. Charles Ave.

Halle Kate & Tyler

Brooklyn & Carson

The next morning we went to breakfast at the landmark, The Camellia's Grill, can you guess where... ding ding ding! Uptown! I told you, we love Uptown! It was a blast. It's a diner style seated restaurant where the waiters still wear white jackets & bow ties. They call out your order to the cook & guess what, he got all of our orders right! I don't even know how that's possible. After a delicious breakfast I insisted we make a quick trip to Dorignacs Market for some Camellia Brand Red Beans. If you're going to get them, this is the only brand worth getting & it's impossible to find in Arizona. Dorignacs is kind of the AJ's of NOLA, I love it!

The Grill only seats about 25 people, so there is usually a wait, but they are FAST, fast, Fast so you don't wait too long!

I don't think anything that is supposed to say "that" in NOLA says it, everything is "dat" there!

After Dorignac's, it was time for our trip back to Houston to catch our flight. It was a nice drive back & always makes me homesick after driving through the beautiful south. Every time I do, I feel like packing up the second I get back home & moving back to the South somewhere, it really is where my heart is! Don't get me wrong, I love Arizona, I do. But, there is just no place like home!

Lately...

Lately, I've felt mostly joy & happiness!
Lately, I am exhausted a lot. I go to bed by 11:00-11:30 (not the norm for me, though it should be).
Lately, I haven't felt the desire or had the time to blog.

Lately, I know the Lord knows where I am, no matter how lost I feel at times. 

Lately, I feel like we will look back on these days and wonder how we did it. We will know that we could not have made it through the things life throws at us without our Heavenly Father's guidance.

Lately, I wonder how much I really help my young women, how much I connect with them. Sometimes (well most times recently) I feel like I'm failing.

Lately, I feel so lucky to get to spend my days with Clint!

Lately, I may have spent too much time on Pinterest. 

Lately, I've tried to be more honest with myself.

Lately, I've tried to be more disciplined.

Lately, I haven't been drinking as much Dr Pepper, it's a little strange, but not in a bad way necessarily. 

Lately, I have felt more grateful for all of my family, including extended family. I feel blessed to have the lineage I do. I learned just tonight that my Grandpa & Grandma Cronin lived in Georgia in their early years of marriage, I never knew that!

Lately, I feel really ready for change. 

Lately, I crave having a baby girl but think I'd be equally as happy to have a little boy as a sidekick...maybe someday!

Lately, I have felt a stronger witness as to my choice to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. I can't explain it, but it's defiantly burning inside of me.

Lately, I've been annoyed by this 100 degree weather we've been experiencing here in Arizona. 

Lately, I wonder why I am the way I am. Why I have the quirks I do, why I have the convictions I do, why I think the way I do....hmmmm.

Lately, I've been feeling the excitement for the upcoming holiday season, I can't wait for Halloween & Christmas!

Lately, I feel grateful for the chance to try & improve each day!

How have you been lately?

wonderful

 

 

This past month I've felt more like a crazy person than anything! They split our ward about a month ago...talk about an adjustment. With that change, of course brought lots of changes to Young Womens. I'm not gonna lie, it's been hard on me. I hate loosing people & having to find someone to fill their spot. I'm lucky in the sense that filling callings has always come easy & quickly for me up until this point, but something about this change was hard. I was really struggling with knowing what names to even submit. Thankfully, we finally should have a fully functioning YW program again as of tomorrow! I couldn't be more ready or excited. 

I've also had some different hours with work, so I've been getting up around 5:30 & out the door by 6:15am...I AM NOT a morning person! I've been exhausted. I have been hanging in there, but I'm defiantly looking forward to going back to my old schedule of leaving by 7:30am. I've been so sleep deprived I feel like I can't even think straight. 

But, amidst my chaos, there has been Clint. My voice of reason! We celebrated our 8th Wedding Anniversary on August 15th! I can't believe it's been 8 years! He is wonderful. We really have the best time together. He has been so supportive of me, especially this past month as I've defiantly felt like I've been barely hanging on. He's made late night runs to grab me stuff from the store, gone to the church to measure walls for me when I forgot, gone to get gas in my car late at night because I was on fumes & he didn't want me to have to stop early in the am, he even surprised me at work recently. He brought me a card, a cupcake & lunch...for my half birthday! So, as I sit & wonder why things aren't the way I want them sometimes, I have to remember that they are still wonderful!

Building Wisely

 

When I set out on the journey of serving in the young womens program, I had no idea the path the Lord had for me. I have spent the past year trying diligently to build good things... testimonies, friendships, love, acceptance, faith & much more. I feel like I've succeeded at some of these things & some of them are a work in progress. But, I do know now, that what I didn't know in the beginning is that trying to build these things in those I serve with & serve would actually build them in me, more than anyone else! Today marks my 1 year anniversary of being young womens president. It's been a wild ride! I have learned lessons I never wanted to learn, but I'm glad I did. I have had complete heartache but contrary, complete & overwhelming joy. I love the young women! I love the way in which this calling has built me & built my testimony. 

I've come so far, yet know I have so far to go!

Fabulous Friday: Family Photo Edition

We recently took family photos with Clint's family. It was a cool 108-110 that day, thank goodness we had some cloud cover! It's always fun to get a little "fixed-up" & snap some photos for fun. Here's a little sneak peak...I don't want to post my favorite ones of Clint & I just in case they end up being the selection for our Christmas card this year!

The whole crew L-R (kinda in a zig zag): Clint, Heather, Trevor, Whitley, Meghan, Eva, Brad, Tyson, Elise, Justin, Michelle, Leanne, Amy, Mike, Beckham, Lanette & Doug

 

 

Awe! We were told to gaze into each others eyes...lol! I'm bummed you can't see how awesome my make-up turned out that day...sometimes I amaze myself! And my amazing hair, it's a product of my ever so talented sis Chelsea!

 

  These are our nieces & nephews with Clint's parents! They are all such cuties. Beckham (the little stud on the right) found out today he's going to get a baby brother in December! We're thrilled  for another bambino addition to family, hopefully there will be many more coming in the next year! And little baby Eva with Nana ...well, she's my birthday buddy!

fabulous friday

I'd love to be spending the weekend in a beach house. It might look something like this.

 

And it would have 2 distinct restrooms! A modern one & a vintage powder room! LOVE!