Conference Weekend...

We were so blessed this weekend to hear the council of our church leaders during conference. It is always my favorite weekend, for so many reasons. I love having an excuse to stay at home with my family all around me and I love hearing such inspirational talks, they all inspired me to be a better person, mother and wife. I usually have a couple of favorites that stand out each session, but I really loved every single talk! I especially loved the words spoken by our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I've always loved hearing him speak. I appreciate the things that are important to him. He always has such a tender heart for the elderly, the sick, and the disabled. I just love that about him.

A couple from Italy were supposed to be coming for conference, but they were unable to make it because they had the wrong kind of passports. We were so disappointed, as we had planned the entire week for them. We ended up with some extra tickets, so Rick and I took the kids. Andrew had a marching band competition, so he was unable to attend. He and Rick were able to go to the Conference Center for the Priesthood session last year, so he wasn't upset. Nathan was too young (you have to be 8 years old to attend), so Rick's mom watched him for us.

Janessa brought her friend Elizabeth with us, as we ended up having one extra ticket. She and Janessa had a wonderful time.

Harrison thought it was so great to actually be there. Before it started, he and Rick took a walk around the hallways of the Conference Center. He loved looking at the paintings from the Book of Mormon. He was very impressed that they were the originals.

Andrew got home late from his competition. His director, John Miller, had made special arrangements for a Stake Center in American Fork to re-broadcast the Priesthood session later Saturday night. So, they came home and got changed and then attended the session with their dads. I thought that was so sweet of Mr. Miller to make those arrangements. Good for him, during this very competitive season, to think of those things that are most important.

The rest of the weekend was nice. We ended up still having a big dinner at our house (which was originally for the Italians). All of Rick's family came, the Acersons came, and some returned sister missionaries from Rome. We celebrated the wonderful news of the temple. The missionaries even got to visit with Sister Acerson on the webcam. I got some costumes out for Halloween and the kids went crazy trying them on. It's like it was a costume store. We had a great night, and it was the perfect ending to the conference weekend.