Conference & new traditions

This year I wanted to start a tradition for conference weekend that was just in our little family so the kids could look forward to something.  I searched and found this "Conference Cake" recipe {which I grew up calling Coffee Cake in Amber's Baptist raised home} and thought it was perfect.  It will be our new Sunday morning of Conference breakfast to wake everyone up with a yummy cinnamon smell.  Today I felt like it welcomed in Fall and Conference morning.

Amazingly enough, this Conference weekend we've been able to listen to all ten hours!  Yesterday was spent at home mostly relaxing together.  Beckham slept like a champ and Grayson played well during both sessions.  Zac was working from home, but was able to have it playing on his computer throughout both sessions and I actually sat on the couch most of the time and took notes!  That hasn't happened in a long time.  Zac napped after the afternoon session and the boys watched Curious George on pbskid.org while I made a ton of Medifast meals & froze them.  They were so cute sitting at my computer together and laughing at George.  I loved having them right by me to comment on what they were learning, too.  Zac got up and went to the Priesthood session by himself because all the guys in my family were working hard to get the onions loaded before it rained.  He got a call from one of our alarm companies saying one of the alarms had gone off, so he missed a bit of it getting that all worked out, but it ended up not being an emergency and he enjoyed what he got to hear.  After we got our crazy glow in the dark jack'o lanterns in bed, we spent the evening surfing channels with no sound while visiting about some things and going to bed too late.  {As a side note, my DSLR camera flash completely stopped working and now I can't take pictures inside, so all my pics lately have been with my phone-gotta take my camera in and see what the damage is.}

Today was much the same, but better.  We got up and enjoyed a slow morning in our jammies.  The boys all loved the conference cake & enjoyed building a "village" with all the little people stuff.  Beckham was the tank who kept knocking stuff down.  (: 

We put Beckham down for an earlier-than-usual nap at 10:30 and Grayson snuggled up to Zac on the couch for the entire morning session.  He was so good and Zac and I both loved the talks.  We got ready during the break and Beckham woke up a little after 1, so we headed to the Cleaver's house.  The boys played outside with their cousins, drew with chalk, and enjoyed each other.  We all visited until the afternoon session and then watched that together while the kids were entertained in the toy room.  It was the first afternoon session in my 9 years of watching conference with the Cleaver crew that everyone stayed awake for the entire afternoon session. (:  It was great and I felt throughly uplifted and fulfilled afterward.  I love hearing modern day revelation and am grateful for a living Prophet who guides us today.

After chilling & visiting a bit longer, we headed to Pete's place.  Hung out for a bit there and then we all went and visited Grandma & Grandpa Peterson.  It was great to see them and I love for my kids to have exposure to them as well.  We stayed for a while, ran over to L&K's so Grayson could pick out his kitten that we'll be bringing home in a week or so {staying outside}, and then went back to Mom & Dad's.  We ate, visited, and had a family meeting.  Those are always comical.  (:  I love my families and am so grateful we have them close.  Here are some of my favorite nuggets from this weekend's conference.  I can't wait to get it in writing so I can highlight and really delve into the things I loved.

Jose L. Alonso
-When we emulate the Savior, we become more like Him.
-Go to the Rescue of others.  We have opportunities each day to serve.
-We learned that to go to our son's rescue, we didn't need a planning meeting, we just acted.
-Just serve others.  Don't wait to administer relief to those who've lost happiness or joy.
-Let us do the right things at the right times.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf
-At times in my childhood, I felt insignificant, unknown, alone.  But I knew Heavenly Father had not forgotten me.
-Be the kind of person who serves and helps others.  Exemplify Christ's love.
-The Lord uses a different scale to weigh the worth of a soul than the world's.
-Remember, you matter to Him.
-God loves the humble and weak.  No matter what circumstances, what you look like, you are not invisible.  He knows you, He knows your heart.
-What you are now is not what you'll forever be.  Have hope and faith in His promises.  Hold on, believe in Him.
-He loves you with a perfect love.  He wants you to know that you matter to Him.

Neil L. Andersen
-Be in the world, but not of the world.
-Families are sacred to His plan.  How & when your family should grow is a sacred decision between husband and wife.
-And my favorite quote from his talk:

Ian S. Arden
-Wisely used, time's value is immeasureable.
-Prioritize our choices to match our gaols
-In family relationships love is spelled TIME.
-Don't become fingertip only communicators
-Let us be as quick to kneel as we are to text
-Tune into the Lord.
-Devote our time to the things that matter most.  And the things of God matter the most.

Tad R. Callister
-Entire talk.  Cannot wait to get my hands on this one.

Elaine S. Dalton
-The most important thing a Dad can do for his daughter {and sons} is to love her mother.
-Father's are leaders
-You Fathers are the guardians of virtue
-{try to follow the footsteps of my parents}
-Give Frequent priesthood blessings, go on dates with your daughters {and sons}
-Be loyal to the royal within you
-How do you raise your children?  Love their mother.
This whole talk inspired me and Zac both.  We applied it to our own individual selves toward our boys as much as any daughters we may have in the future.  Fantastic talk.

President Thomas S. Monson
-Then and now comparison of morals, values, etc.
-Do not be like the world, use the spirit of God
-story of his testimony of prayer
-Not a day has gone by where I haven't communicated with my Father in Heaven.
-It's important to be worthy to hear promptings
-Communication with our Heavenly Father is necessary to weather the storms of life, get us through trials, and to become more like Him.

Randall K. Bennett
-Heed the warnings in our lives
-Decisions determine our Destiny
-Choices=Consequence
-We can't choose the safety of righteousness and the danger of worldliness
-It is never too late to make right choices
-Am I always seeking divine nature through prayer, scripture study, etc.?

J. Devin Cornish
-Heavenly Father heard my prayer about something small & seemingly insignificant
-He loves us so much that the things which are important to us become important to Him.
-Prayer is the passport to peace.  It is a privilege to pray.

Quentin L. Cook
-Entire talk.  Couldn't take notes because up & around, but LOVED it.

What a great & inspiring weekend!  I hope I can integrate the things I learned into my life & not take them for granted.