calm

*I mentioned before that I am collaborating with 2 fellow photographers and friends Heather and Lesli for a once a month photo project. We each have the same word and will post them together each month.*
As I was deciding how I wanted to convey the theme in a photo when I think of the word calm I tried to think of when there is calm in my life. It's not much you can imagine with 4 kids and living in really cramped space as well as going in all different directions there is not much calm. For me the calm comes when I take the time to kneel in prayer. The calm I receive from my daily prayer is a blessing beyond measure, even if it only lasts for a short time.

Our Family Laws

If you are a parent and haven't read 5 Spiritual Solutions to Everyday Parenting Challenges stop right now...follow this link....and buy this book. It has been amazing and has completely changed the way I think about my role as a parent and I've only gotten through the first 3 solutions.

When I read a book like this I like to take it a little bit at a time, work on one thing, then move to the next. If I read the whole book in one fell swoop it would have entered through my eyes and out my nose as I slept (nice visual huh) So I break it up into bits. The first solution was completely eye opening. The second solution is where I learned about Family Laws. The Family laws that you all seem to be so interested in since I keep hinting about them. The same family laws that have completely changed my family.

They Eyre's (the authors of the book) talk about how they set laws rather than "rules" in their family. Breaking a law sounds like a bigger deal than breaking a rule and I believe that to be very true. Each law comes with a consequence for breaking it...a very specific consequence. I have for a very long time been struggling with being the type of parent I want to be. I have this vision of what I should be but when it comes down to it, I suck!! So through much prayer and fasting this solution came to me through pure inspiration and this book. When I read the chapter on family laws I was hit with inspiration that we needed to do this. It took me a week or so and some very sincere prayer and thought.

We sat down to Family Home Evening on Monday almost 2 weeks ago with the intent to set up some family laws complete with consequences. The book suggested the kids help set the consequences so I just followed along. Now I could have just copied the laws they had but I knew that wouldn't work. We needed specific laws for what we struggle with as a family. These are what we came up with, the Conk Family Laws and Consequences

So what is the law that changed us totally? The first one and I totally believe that is is through divine inspiration that the idea came to me. So a little history here. I'm a yeller, yep sweet little quiet ol me is a yeller, I know you are falling off your chairs right now in disbelief! (totally kidding here people, I claim no ignorance of my volume problem, it's genetic, but I digress.) So this yelling problem has gotten so far out of hand that i just couldn't take it any more and I knew that the problem began with me and had to end with me. So these laws and consequences apply not only to my kids but us parents as well. In the last 2 weeks we have had to crack the scriptures open probably once or twice each member of the family but O MY GOSH the yelling is almost totally gone. The Repentance area is also a suggestion in the book and we have used it and it has really helped the conflict resolution between the kids. They are getting along so much better. If you want to know what the heck a repentance area is you really have to get the book!! The kids were a huge part setting the laws and consequences., and since they help set them they have been more likely to follow them.

So there you have it, The Conk Family Laws. (is it everything you ever hoped it would be??) My best advise about setting your own family laws is to pray about the things you need to work on as a family and the spirit will guide you on your journey to becoming the best parents for YOUR kids!!

52|2012 Week 4 - Winter

***Apparently there are 2 lists and I was unaware I was going off the wrong list!! So I will try to get back on track for next week!!***

This is what winter should look like, unfortunately (or rather fortunately) we usually have blue skies. I like real weather, especially rain.

I made the long drive into Vegas for my bi-weekly trip for music lessons. It was the girls turn today, violin. We stopped for hot chocolate before we had to go in. Hot Chocolate with my girls...perfect winter day!

Don't forget to check in on the other gals joining in on the 52 week challenge! The list just keeps growing and growing!

Michelle, Heather, Jenn, Heather. Rhonda, Tracey, Stacey, Andrea, Jessica, Amanda, Sarah, Janet, Lesli, Carla, Lena, Rose, Naomi, Tracy, Heidi, Veronica,

Thankful Thursday

*A random list of things I am thankful for today*

1. Downton Abby - if your not watching...you should! You can watch season one on Netflix and Season 2 has aired 3 episodes. You can watch those if you follow the link!

2. Access to 2 washers and dryers. Makes laundry day go so much quicker!

3. 2-3 hours naps 4-5 days a week.

4. The new Tinkerbell movie I downloaded for Bonnie that has kept her entertained for 3 days now.

5. These curlers so I can put them in at night and then I don't have to curl hair at 5am on game days.

6. Starbucks hot chocolate in a can. I'm down to my last can and Costco doesn't have it anymore. I may have a meltdown!

What are you thankful for??

What is a Mormon?

So with the current state of our union and the political race that is causing a lot of uproar about the mormon religion I thought I'd just shed a little light for those of you who really have no idea what it is that we believe. Joseph Smith who is the one who restored the church on the earth in this time wrote out these Articles of Faith. How cool is that. So if your wondering just what is it that us crazy mormons believe, here it is!!

1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

If you have questions about any of these things I would love to try to answer them for you. Or you can also go HERE and read more about it!

10 on Tuesday

1. I bought $150 worth of meat and 75 lbs of flour at Costco yesterday. Every once in a while I just feel the need to stock up!

2. I'm reading The Count of Monte Cristo (unabridged) again, for the 3rd time. It gets better every time!

3. In 4 weeks my little girl will graduate from Primary into the Young Women's program. I'm so excited and sad all at the same time!

4. Our Family Laws have completely transformed our family....crazy I know but it's true! I am going to get on writing the post to tell you all about soon, I promise.

5. Harry Connick Jr. was on an episode of Law and Order:SVU...he's not nearly as handsome as he used to be.

6. Bonnie started violin last week. Her violin is a 1/16th size. It's tiny.

7. February is shaping up to be the craziest busiest month in the history of life EVER!! but i digress.

8. Bonnie gave herself a manicure while I was at piano tonight. With black sharpie. How in the heck do I get black sharpie off fingernails??

9. Lisa Heuer is one of my favorite people in the whole world!!

10. It's almost Wednesday so i better get this posted. Have a great night ya'll!

52|365:Week 3 - Breakfast

Well Second Breakfast anyway (or maybe third breakfast) Bonnie is a grazer. She starts minutes after she wakes up, literally, first words after she wakes up are I'm hungry. She goes all day wanting to eat. Until dinner, that she refuses to eat! Today second breakfast (and third) was Clementines, I love me a sweet tangerine!!

This wonderful project has caught fire and our numbers have grown. Check them all out here...

Michelle, Heather, Jenn, Heather. Rhonda, Tracey, Stacey, Andrea, Jessica, Amanda, Sarah, Janet, Lesli, Carla, Lena, Rose, Naomi, Tracy, Heidi, Veronica

Thankful Thursday

(sunrise on the mesa)

p.s. I hate that I see the sunrise 2-3 mornings a week. Every once in a while would suffice for me!!

I am thankful for so much, these are just a few!

1. The scriptures that start my day out right.

2. Recipes found on Pinterest - I look like such an awesome cook lately!

3. Good friends who can relate to exactly what I am going through and can commiserate with me.

4. Answered prayers and tender mercies.

5. Helpful Children

6. Chapter 3 in 5 Spiritual Solutions. Our Family laws are making my life so much easier! (I will do a whole separate post on our new family laws)

7. Cookies and a mother in law who hears the word and jumps up to make them.

8. Crock Pots - deliciousness is wafting this way as I type. French dip? yes please, thankyouverymuch!

9. Space heaters, warming my tootsies as I type because my father in law like to keep the house roughly the temperature of a refrigerator!

10. This blog, my kids will someday get to look back and see that I really did care about them and it wasn't just about holding the title of Meanest Mom EVER!!

Listography | Books That Changed the Way I Think

I have read a lot of books...a lot, but there are a few in my life that have impacted me enough to change the way I think or do things. Some may be obvious, other you will probably be like "what?"

1. The Book of Mormon - changed who I am as a person

2. The Book of Mormon Institute study guide - so helpful and explanatory changed my view on a lot of things I already knew!

3. The Secret - changed my way of thinking entirely about energy and positive attitude.

4. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk - Changed a lot of my day to day parenting skills (and I always know what I should be doing, even if I'm not)

5. 5 Spiritual Solutions for Everyday Parenting Challenges - changed how I view my children and my role as their parent.

8. Pride and Prejudice - changed my view on how love can develop, it's not always a lightning bolt!

7. Here Be Dragons - introduced me to a love of historical novels and expanded my genre of what I love to read and watch on television.

8. The Outlander series - changed my view on what love SHOULD be like!

52|2012 Week 2 - Cold

It was a cold walk to the bus stop this morning, 27 degrees to be exact. That may not seem cold to you northern folk, but it's dang cold here.

There has become quite a list of gals who have joined into this fun 52 week project, it is so fun to see all the different takes on the same theme! Go check 'em out!!

Michelle, Heather, Jenn, Heather. Rhonda, Tracey, Stacey, Andrea, Jessica, Amanda, Sarah, Janet, Lesli

Hopefully I didn't mis anybody, Leave me a comment if I happened to leave you off the list and I'll be sure to add you! It's not to late to join in the fun if you want to as well!

Christmas Eve 2011

Food was eaten, presents opened, chimes were rang, love was shared. A good night with the Conks!

52|2012:Week 1 - Newness

In an effort to get to my goal of taking more photos for this year I have joined in with some of my WSPA (Wendy Schulz Photography Alumni) girls for a photo challenge. 52 photos in 2012. One a week, each with a theme. This weeks theme was "Newness." Bonnie is like a new girl today. For the last 3 days she has been throwing up and had diarrhea. I have really missed that tiny smile.

**Lets hope that blogging about this new challenge doesn't put death to me completing it like it did the last one!

Cousins Camp 2011

Stuff was done, things were said, food was eaten, laughs were had. it was fun!

12 in 2012

My sister in law was talking about the statistics of writing down goals and how just writing them down greatly increases your chances of success. I usually don't go for new years resolutions but this year is going to be different for me. I have been on a self improvement kick lately so why not make it official with actual goals!! I'm not as crazy as my bff Michelle who did 111 in 2011, I'm just sticking to 12 in 2012.

1. Learn to use serious power tools - if I can't get Terry to build it I better dang well learn how to do it myself and I have a big list of things I want to build.

2. Be able to wear a swimsuit in front of people...it's been 3 years since I've worn one in public.

3. Take lots more pictures - I feel like my photography is sucktastic lately and I'm sure it's because I'm not shooting enough, or challenging myself!

4. Throw parties - I miss parties. I love going all out, I'm not going to let not having a house stop me anymore!

5. Stop Pinning - Start creating (ok maybe not STOP pinning, just create more of what I do pin other than food!)

6. Show more gratitude to others.

7. Serve more.

8. My always goal of being a fun mom - why is this so hard for me?

9. Finish the Book of Mormon and read it fully again by the end of the year.

10. Finish my 2009, 2010 and 2011 Blog books

11. Get True Photography up and running.

12. Stop yelling at my kids...unless they are eminent danger!

Well there you go, and here I go!