Heart is Full

Sometimes I'm not the best at preparing for General Conference. Sometimes, I fall asleep during the sessions. I'll be honest, I didn't know until I was an adult that there were sessions on Saturday. However, I have had a good month when it comes to hearing the Word of God. I thought I would take a minute and share some of my thoughts on everything.

Two weeks ago, Elder Holland came to our little stake here in Indiana. While many things were said that touched my heart, he spoke directly to ME about "sucking it up." haha That sounds a bit harsh, or odd, but honestly- that's what I walked away with. While we all have bad or hard days, it's important to "endure!" (and endure it WELL!)  If we focus on our own problems, then we can't be useful as members of the church- specifically, we can not help others when we're being selfish. So- "suck it up" and "get on with it!"

That helped me when I heard the Relief Society session last week. So many good things, again, were said. But I was struck with the obvious realization that while we meet as sisters each Sunday, our responsibilities don't stop there. We are a society that gives RELIEF! We should be not only helping the sisters we see each week, but we should also be mindful of those who are not members of the church.

I love what everyone has said so far during the past two days of conference. While President Monson spoke this morning (or this afternoon- here in Indiana), I prayed that I would REALLY KNOW that he is the prophet. I don't know what I was hoping would happen, and it's not like I think he is NOT the prophet, but I wanted my testimony of him to be stronger. While listening to him speak on gratitude, I was COMPLETELY overcome with the sense of LOVE that he has for each one of us in the church. I have never met President Monson- I've sung for him and had dinner in the same room as him twice, but that's about it. He doesn't know my name, but he knows who we are- and he loves us. HE LOVES US!  My testimony of him as our prophet and mouth-piece for the Lord was strengthened today.

Speaking of GRATITUDE, I wanted to express my gratitude for my little family.  I love them so much. Henry is an amazing little boy. He loves to play, stand on his own, and he gives smiles and laughs to anyone! He lights up everyone's day, and I am thankful for him. I am LOVING watching him explore and grow. He is a smart little boy who has completed our little family (at this point in our lives).

I love Grant so much. He gives me a run for my money. I think a lot of times that he is too smart for MY own good :)  While I am struggling most days with the amount of energy he has, I am thankful for his love. Not just for me, but for his dad. He has told me and Ben on a number of occasions that "you are my best friend" followed with a hug and kiss. Someone told me last night that he is about the same as 3 kids rolled into one! While that might have been annoying to hear, I was glad to hear it! It was nice to hear that he REALLY IS a handful, and that I am not an awful mom because I feel overwhelmed a lot. But Grant gives hugs and kisses. He dances. He sings. I am grateful for the JOY that he brings to our lives- to MY LIFE. He loves his brother and helps him, pushes him, and pulls the bait and switch with toys so that he can take what Henry's playing with. But I LOVE that :) I love him, and I am grateful EVERYDAY for him.

Ben. What more can I say that I haven't already posted all over this blog...? I love him with ALL my heart. He is my best friend. He knows just what to say to make me feel better. He is worthy of the Priesthood he holds and he helps me be better. He works SO hard for our little family, and I think I complain too much. He is the LIGHT OF MY LIFE! I am so proud of him and all he has done, all he does, and I'm proud of who he is turning into. I feel so LUCKY everyday to be his wife. I mean, do you KNOW who my husband is?? haha... he is BEN MATHEWS! I am so grateful for him. I KNOW he loves me, and I love him. Together, we have created a crazy little family that I am so thankful for.

I am grateful, most of all, to my Father in Heaven. I am grateful for His love (especially because I don't deserve it). I have gratitude in my heart for His son, my Savior, Jesus Christ. The 3 boys in my life are all a result of the blessings I have received from my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I hope you all enjoy conference, and if you haven't watched or listened or read it- just go do so!! It's the best.

Love, Rochelle

Fun at the Park

More pictures. Indulge us.

 

We LOVE THESE KIDS!

 

Hey everyone! Here is ANOTHER post. I hope you don't mind... but I need to be better about posting for ME- not for everyone else. So this is really for me.

I am trying to be social in our  new ward, so I went to the ice cream social before the Relief Society Conference (SO GOOD, by the way) last night. While chatting with all the women at my table, one said, "Oh- are you the one with a blog?" I said, "uh- I have one, and it's SUPER lame!" She laughed and said, "Hmm. Someone wrote next to your name, "blogger" the other day. I was hoping you were one of those famous bloggers." I about wet my pants! The day more than the few of you read my blog is the day hell has frozen over- that's what I think. So- enjoy my world famous blog everybody :)

Yummy Brownie Cookies I made for my sister

Also, Yummy Orange Dreams with Choc. Chips

Beautiful bridge along a trail we love

Grant learning how to ride his bike. yeah- not as easy as he thinks!

Cute, right? Ben and his boys. I love this picture.

Henry enjoying a pretzel while we go for a walk

WHAT WHAT!?!?! IU IU IU

Happy Birthday, Chile!

Ben served his mission in Chile- and their Independence Day was on Saturday (Sept. 18th). We made empendads at about midnight to celebrate. Here are some pictures.

We made two batches. Ben searched for a recipe for the dough and found a great one! Then when we tasted it, he said, "it's REALLY salty!" I agreed. Then we realized that the recipe called for TWO TABLESPOONS of salt. hahaha... guess someone didn't post that right. Our second batch was better, but still not perfect. We'll work on them next year.

Here are the boys. Don't you love sick boys with runny noses and SORES on their noses? And don't you love sleepy boys who have nasty attitudes? Yeah- so do we :)

Little Boys

Just some cute pictures. 

We're LOVING our camera.

Ben took this one:

Sometimes I can't get over how much he looks like my brother

AH- happy kid

My sister gave me the idea to take the wheels off (one wasn't working anyway)

This way, he was able to practice biking- he was in Heaven!

I love this-

"I WANT TO PLAY!"