An Expensive RV Trip to the Lake, New Potatoes, and a Painting of My Dog!

This past week was a busy one, mostly because we planned a trip to Canyon Lake, which is just 45 minutes away from our house, with 2 other families. When we planned it, I just didn't really think that it could be Mother's Day weekend! Although, it didn't end up mattering much, as we did have a really fun time. The other 2 families both own RV's that they use basically every month. 

Once upon a time, about 8 years ago, we did own a very ghetto RV. I'm not sure if I can find the pic of it, but it was a 1987, over the cab type, and not in terrific shape. Every time we took it out, we ended up dumping about $1000 into it. The very last time we used it, the brakes seized up and we had to have it towed. Derek was so frustrated with it, he offered the tow truck driver it for $100. Even the tow truck driver turned him down. We ended up donating it. It was a piece of junk! If you've watched Duck Dynasty at all, there's an episode where they put a junk trailer up in the air to turn it into a duck blind. This was just that junky, but it was an RV, not a trailer! 

So, Derek rented an RV, since we will probably never own one again. I am not sad about it, as we would really struggle to find the time to use it enough to make it worth the expense and trouble. The RV he rented was very nice. The kids were super excited. We packed it up and took off a couple hours before everyone else, looking forward to arriving before everyone and getting out on the lake.

That's not what happened....  A few miles away from our house, an inner tire lost it's tread, and we ended up having to wait for a truck to come change the tire. Derek had declined to buy the tire insurance at an extra $45/day, so it cost us a piddly $800 to get the tire replaced. What a fabulous start to the weekend. I have to say, the mood was definitely not as excited as we finally arrived at our destination.

Be that as it may, we had an amazing time. I did manage to wakeboard for a few yards, but I was pretty tired and decided I just didn't feel like it. We plan to go back tonite, to buff out a scratch, so maybe I can go again. My soreness has about worn off by now. 

Mother's day was great. My Haylee finally finished my painting of Cooper!!! I have to say, she even captured his very bad haircut! I love the way it really looks so much like him. I just need to make it a frame! 

And last but not least, the garden is moving along. Below is a pic of the first baby red potatoes to be harvested. They were probably dug up a little early, but as I haven't really every harvested any before, I just needed to see if there was anything happening under there! And there was! I plan to use these up this week. They won't last long! 

I have them in a grow bag, purchased at Gardeners.com. They actually grow quite well in it. The site has wonderful instructions as to how to grow any kind of potatoes in it. It's great. I would recommend using a grow bag for sure. 

May "Come, Follow Me" YW Curriculum

For our first May YW lesson, in the "Come, Follow Me" curriculum, Prophets and Revelation, (which was yesterday, by the way), I gave the lesson on "How do I receive personal revelation?" I debated a lot about which one to give, and this one really just was the one. I did show the 2 videos that go with the lesson, and we talked about how the Holy Ghost communicates with us, in very simplistic terms. I gave them this card above, (the information on it, comes directly from the Preach My Gospel manual) to keep for their own information. We talked about how we don't need to be perfect to receive inspiration for ourselves, only worthy. We also talked about how our Heavenly Father loves us so much, and He wants to teach us things and tell us others, but in our world of technology, we often have filled up every quiet spot during the day in which he might be able to do this. And then I challenged them to a digital fast. I did find this card (below), already done, at A Little Crafting. She did a super great job, so I just borrowed it from her. 

If you want the card above, just right mouse click on it and "save as" to your computer. If you want the one below, go to her site listed above.

2013 BYU Women's Conference

This past weekend I attended BYU Women's Conference with my mom & daughters. This was Haylee's first year, so I was a little worried she wouldn't like it, or maybe be a little bored. I think, overall, we all had a fabulous time, and came home rejuvenated with our batteries recharged. 

It is a 2 day conference, packed with classes on various topics that you might be interested in. From everything like, "You Are Closer To Heaven Than You Suppose" to classes on nutrition. We spent way too much time in the bookstore, although my mom probably could have spent so much more time there! 

The weather was so amazing...BYU campus is special. There truly is an amazing feel when you step onto it, and it is kept up so beautifully. Above is us, right after the conference was over. 

On Saturday, we drove up to Midway, just to look around. This was at the lake just before you get to Midway. It is so, so beautiful. They had gotten a snow store a day before we arrived!

I think the main reason I go to women's conference every year, is because I feel the Holy Spirit so strongly in the classes that I attend. It makes me see that others go through life with issues that strengthen their testimony of Jesus Christ, and it strengthens mine too. It seems like I always receive an answer to some little or big thing I am struggling with inside. I know our Heavenly Father is real, and knows & loves each one of us. I always feel that so strongly when I attend these conferences.