General Conference Weekend

Two times a year, we have the honor to hear from our living Prophet and many other great leaders - to uplift and inspire us to be grateful, do better, feel blessed + encouraged, to hear the things we are needing to focus and work on and to know more about the Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ and how to become more like Him. I absolutely love hearing and taking in all of the great messages! It wasn't always this way though. Not that I didn't feel it's importance growing up and listening to 4 hours of talks x 2 days. But being young, well, it's hard to sit still and listen for that long of a time. Even with quiet activities and snacks. It still IS sometimes hard to sit that long even today. But as I get older, I realize it's importance more and more and yearn for it even greater as each general conference comes around. It really is a spiritual feast for me! My brother made a good point when we were exchanging emails a few weeks ago....I hope he doesn't mind me sharing his great comment: "There have been some really great messages.  Its always easy to listen to the talks and feel inspired, but then the difficulty comes when we try to apply what we have learned and felt.  Changing isn't very easy." It's so true though! He hit it right on the nail. Change is difficult to do. Especially when it comes to important changes!

This conference, I had big aspirations to make the usual homemade cinnamon rolls. It just wasn't in the cards of things to do though so we settled on some store bought ones. It wasn't as satisfying that's for sure but it was food and that's how it goes sometimes! After breakfast and a few other things got done around the house, the kids and I spread out some blankets and pillows and set up the computer to watch and listen to conference from the comfort of our own home. Thankfully Landon was taking his nap during the morning session. I don't think we'd hear very much otherwise. I'm very flexible with the younger kids but it's hard to keep them interested and sitting even in the same room without making a run for it! I wanted to print them off some conference packets and activities to keep them interested and focused but they're still just a bit too young for it. Jocelyn is just now learning to read, so hopefully when next conference time rolls around, she'll be ready for it. I at least ask them to sit and listen to the Prophet speak. Aubrey and I can listen without much difficulty (unless said kids are whining or hungry or bored or tired or....you get the idea!) I used to sit and take a ton of notes but have found a love for the Ensign's conference edition where I can highlight and take notes there. Of course if I feel inspired by something I hear, I'll write it down but I found it to be too repetitive to write down what they say when I can read and see it in the Ensign magazine a month or so later. I think it also has something to do with three little ones? Not having the means to hear or the time to even write? Hmm...yeah, I'm pretty sure it's mostly that! In fact, for the Saturday afternoon session, the kids scattered and became uninterested. I found the time to listen as I folded laundry and went for a walk. To end our beautiful conference weekend, we made a great feast and huddled around the table as a family - this time to feed our hungry tummies (with some Ziti, corn on the cob and rolls - it was delish)!

This conference also had soooo many wonderful talks given. A lot about families which I loved! And so many uplifting words of comfort and inspiration. In fact, many talks were instantly quoted not even a day later! How wonderful is that? We really do have some amazing leaders and people very much in-tune with the spirit of the Lord. I can't wait to get the conference edition of the Ensign in the mail so I can study and apply the messages in my life. So I can learn to be better and do better for me and my family! And as always, I look forward to next conference - already!!! :)

Look Who Hopped By To See Us

The Easter Bunny!!!!

 First up was Landon. His first picture, and encounter for that matter, with the Easter bunny. It wasn't a fun experience for him as you can probably gather but that's how it goes sometimes. The very instant I placed him into the Easter bunny's arms, the screaming and crying began!! Oh well. I still thought it was cute! :)

Then these two jumped into the picture to get a moment to hang out with the Easter bunny as well. I love this picture of them! They were all smiles - a good example to their baby brother of how it's supposed to roll. Hahaha just kidding. Him crying is totally what I expected. Landon has recently started the fear of strangers and separation anxiety of not being in his mama's arms - or presence for that matter. Aubrey decided to skip out on this picture. Not that I can blame her! You know, getting older does that to you. But for Christmas? They all get a photo with Santa! He's our guy and she knows if you don't believe in Santa, he doesn't bring you goodies. :)

This year seems to be flying by on the seat of it's pants...I can't believe only a week until Easter!

Hallo!

Mein name ist Leslie Shields.

Ich wohne in Frankfurt.

Today I started taking German lessons again.

Went over the alphabet, numbers and simple conversation on how to greet people.

Some may call me crazy but I'm really excited to learn the language!

And I got an offer I couldn't refuse!

It'll be helpful to know German considering that we live in the heart of Frankfurt and with all the traveling and shopping close by and well,

we'll be here for another 2 1/2 years!

So why not?

I see it as a great opportunity!

And in turn, our whole family will learn.

The kids soak up everything so it'll be a piece of cake for them.

As for me however? Um, we'll just leave it at that! haha :)

It's a hard language but I'll do okay.

I do have to say though, I have one of the best teachers teaching me - my dear friend, Pamela.

So here's to a fresh start!

(And a brain that works in my favor!)

I Love to See the Temple

Today ended up being a much needed family day! Normally when Sundays roll around, we get up and get ready for church. But today started off a bit differently. We accidentally slept through the day-light savings time change and didn't have enough time for all 6 of us to even hurry and get to church even close to on time. Really not a fun start to the day for me. I love beginning a new week having attended church meetings and having been spiritually fed. So we had to improvise on what the day entailed. As Spring has definitely found it's way to these parts of the world the past few weeks, the sun was out and almost 70 degrees. I couldn't deny the feeling that we had to find some way to get outside and enjoy the weather. A reoccurring thought popped into my head: "let's take a trip to the temple!" For one reason or another, we had yet to even see the Frankfurt Temple as a family since moving here. With General Conference being next weekend, I couldn't think of a better time to go to the temple! After lunch, we packed up some snacks, rushed the kids to take last minute potty breaks and hopped on the autobahn to a city called Friedrichsdorf where the temple resides.

We got there in about 20 minutes and wow! was it beautiful!! I really love seeing the temples. The feeling I get being there. The structure of the building. Seeing and smelling all the colorful flowers. All of it! I am of course biased having lived in the Portland Oregon area much of my life so I do claim that the Portland Temple is my favorite! The only other temples I've been to is Mt. Timpanogos, Boise, Salt Lake City and Washington D.C. Once we got all of the kids out of the van, we discovered what a horrible mood Jocelyn was in. Not the most fun thing to experience: a cranky and nothing-will-please-me-at-the-moment five year old! She cried even more so when I took the kids photo in front of the temple sign and dragged her heals behind us saying, "i hate this day! i hate walking!" and whatever else she felt compelled to complain her heart's desires about. I did my best to distract her (and ignore the bad attitude) and bring a smile to her face but all my motherly attempts didn't work. When all else fails, bring out the food! That seemed to do the trick! I'll have to remember trying that one closer to the front of my attempts next time. :) 

The temple is quite a pretty place and always brings me a feeling of peace! Going to the temple not only brings us the opportunity to be sealed as families forever, but can alleviate stress, help us to think more clearly, get answers to our prayers, provide us with peace from the outside world and recharges us spiritually, physically and mentally. It is without a doubt one of my very favorite places to be! We enjoyed our time wandering around the grounds as a family (which also included trying to catch or keep up with Jocelyn and Andrew), Landon practiced more of his independent walking and I took some pictures before we turned around and headed back home...for our weekly Sunday walk! Something I've been very much looking forward to starting up again. Now all we needed was a grilled dinner. Mmmm! We need to get that going soon!

It was a really good day (despite a few bumps in the road).

And I love seeing my children embrace in the same things that I love.

They really are the best! 

My everything!

I love my family!

New Beginnings

 It's that time again in Young Women's that New Beginnings rolls around. Aubrey's been really enjoying being in Beehives - working on her Personal Progress and joining the other girls and youth in activities. It's been kind of hard moving to a new country and getting to know a whole new set of friends and peers but she's doing great! Slowly but surely she's feeling comfortable and I can see how truly happy she is. We are very much proud of her and her accomplishments!

They had a table display of each of the girl's talents. Aubrey's is playing the flute (she started band this year) as well as some of her drawings.

 There's a total of about 8 girls in Young Women's here. Relatively small but still such a great group of girls! After they introduced everyone, each of the girls had a value to present and Aubrey talked about Individual Worth. Then the leaders presented them each with a beautiful sign that they had made that had all of the values on it (I need to take a picture! It's very pretty!) and after the program was over, we all snacked on a display of foods and drinks they had on the tables in the back of the room.

We are so proud of our Aubrey Kaye!

I {Heart} the Outdoors!

{All photos taken with my iPhone while on my evening walks}

Ever since I can remember, I have loved nature and the outdoors! I'm pretty sure I spent more time outside than I did inside. We rode bikes everywhere....to my best friend's house, to the grocery store, to the park, to our elementary school to play on the playground or daily checks before school started to see if our classroom lists were posted on the door yet. We walked everywhere! Nothing ever seemed impossible or too far! Played hopscotch. Fell down and skinned knees too many times I lost count. Took numerous trips up to 7 Dees or 7-Eleven getting beef jerky and bubble gum among other childhood treats we craved. Climbed trees and made forts. Found a fascination (sometimes) pouring salt on slugs. I know. I know. Not nice! Played with the hose or in the sprinkler. Swam in the pool. Played wall ball. Learned dance routines for upcoming talent shows. Played capture the flag with neighbor friends. Growing up in Oregon was fun and we as a family always found something to do. Usually we went camping, hiking and took a bazillion trips to the beach. Even today, after a long day with the kids, I looooooong to get out and be surrounded by beautiful and calm things. Water, birds chirping, sunsets, cool fresh breeze! It rejuvenates my soul and mind and I can't ever seem to get enough.

Some days when I can't get out, I daydream that I am out there. Sitting under a tree reading a book or taking in what's around me. My windows always get cracked open so I can also feel connected to life outside. I get my kids out there as much as possible so they too can find a love to be around God's creation. To let them run and play and enjoy life. It makes me incredibly happy seeing them happy!! I don't know, maybe it's selfish of me, but on days I desperately need some fresh air, I take them outside. Maybe it's not so selfish really. I see it more as a win-win. When they're cranky and I'm about to lose my mind, I drag them outside and more often than not, their mood (and mine) is back to their happy selves again. Being outside makes our family happy!

Now we just need to get out and explore Germany some more! (And there is SO much we haven't seen yet.) Germany reminds me so much of home so aside from friends and family not living close by, I feel at home here. Which is a blessing really. I miss home.

Today is the first day of Spring! :) I am beyond thrilled that warmer days are now creeping up on us and I'm sooooo excited to start taking more family walks again and cooking more meals out on the grill! Yum!

Yearning to Learn

As crazy as it may seem with being a busy mom of four children, I've been having thoughts of going back to finishing my Bachelors Degree. I've been doing all that I can to throw these thoughts back into the closet. DEEP back in there in fact! My plan has been to continue resuming my courses after Landon starts preschool as there is no rush for me to get done. So that's TWO years at least from this point in time.

I want to devote this time to my children (and all their activitie). I don't want the stress of going back to school right now to get in the way of that. Especially with John currently working towards his Masters....this is just not what I had in mind. But I do know that our plan isn't always the way things are supposed to go. So after a lot of careful praying and pondering on this, I had the impression that this itch to learn doesn't have to necessarily be in a classroom setting. And it got me thinking about a few things that would challenge me enough while at the same time raising (and enjoying my moments with) my young children.

1. Start learning German (again)! This time, from a near + dear friend who has offered to teach me. This will be great as we travel and get to know Germany better.

2. Scripture study. I would love to spend some more time better understanding The Book of Mormon & the Bible and the words of our Prophet today.

3. Getting to know my camera. I love photography and have for a long time! It's something I'm passionate about and would love to get even better at (especially on manual settings).

I'm going to have to be creative here if I want to devote my time to these things since I don't want them to interfere much with taking care of my babies and spending time with my husband. A lot of early mornings after working out and after-they-go-to-bed evenings. I love to learn and feel that it really is a lifelong process. Not just the time spent on college classes - but to really apply yourself and try something new, to get you out of your comfort zone a bit and explore the world around you! I love challenging myself both physically and mentally. To really use our gifts and talents! And boy do I ever have a list of things to accomplish! Soooo many things! Gardening, knitting, sewing projects, etc. I honestly can't wait to get started! :)