Ernest is gone, Shaina is here, and conference was awesome!

So much for my goal to blog once a week!!  In all fairness I had every intention to, but as priorities happen, other things came along that took up my time.  My plan was to blog two Sundays ago (oh my, did I really miss three weeks since my last blog??) after General Conference and share my favorite quotes and my amazing insights. ;)  However, that apparently did not happen.  What has happened since my last blog?  As Troah says, Hmmmmm leeets seeee.....

Since my last post we enjoyed a wonderful weekend of General Conference.  I even kept especially good notes to be able to share with all of you...unfortunately, I cannot seem to find my GC notebook anywhere....so I guess that blog post will have to wait till later.

On April 8 (very early in the morning) Troah and I dropped off Ernest at work so he could leave for a month to NTC (I don't know what it stands for, but it is basically pre-deployment training) in Fort Irwin, California.  As he was packing his bags the previous night I asked him if he packed his phone charger because that is usually an item he forgets.  He said, "No, but we can't use our phones anyways." I looked at him wondering why he would say that, what does he care what the rules say?  If he wants to take his phone he would! Besides, he took his phone last time he went to NTC, but oh well.  So I figured at least we could get one or two calls in before his phone died, because being the wife I am, I KNEW he would show up there, find ample time to use his cell phone as I'm sure many other guys were taking their phones as well (who doesn't take their cell phone?).  So as we drop him off he ends up giving me his phone....*sigh* I put on a smile anyways because I know he won't listen to me (if your a guy and your reading this, ALWAYS listen to your wife, she is ALWAYS right :p).  So...guess how many times I've heard from my wonderful husband?  ONCE.  Yup, apparently he borrowed someone's cell phone.  Ironic, eh?  Oh well, just another experience for him to realize he should listen to me. :D

Now most wives might be upset to have a husband who did not take better precautions to ensure communication when he is going to be absent a month, but I have good reason to be happy :)  (well, as happy as I can be with my other half several states away) my best friend Shaina came to visit!!  I have to say, it is nice living with a woman, lol!  The house is cleaner, Troah gets more attention during the day, we take turns cooking/cleaning...it is fantastic!  Not to mention she wanted to do the same diet/exercise program I did recently, which is helping me to eat healthier as well...diets are always easier when you have a supportive partner. ;)  So Shaina flew in April 12 and we have been having a ball ever since.  I had to introduce her to my favorite television show, Better With You, so now our days refer to different quotes from that show and we laugh all day!  Troah absolutely LOVES Shaina (honestly, who couldn't love Shaina?  I have determined she is impossible to not love) and we both crack up when we hear him through out the day, "Shaaaiiinna!!  What are you doing?" Or if he does not like what I say he goes to Shaina and says, "Shaaiinna! Plleeeaaase!" It is just too funny!

Last night we had the pleasure to take my dear friend Lena out to dinner for her birthday to Cheddars.  It was absolutely delicious and we were all dressed up and pretty for our night out!  Unfortunately, we were unable to hold with tradition and have  picture taken before we left Lena's house, then it was just too late by the time we dropped Lena off so Shaina and I will be going over to visit Lena sometime this week to get a picture of the three of us, then I'll post it here for your viewing pleasure.

Sadly, I have been unable to attend church the last couple weeks (before and after conference) due to being sick!  So yesterday I decided I was feeling pretty good so I should definitely plan the lesson for my Sunday School class (14-15 year olds) and it was a fantastic lesson!  Though a little oddly put together in the manual, however I think I learned more than the kids did!  The lesson was on the Keys to Heaven (the priesthood) and there were three parts, the one I wanted to mention here was about the Transfiguration of Christ before he experienced the atonement.  I had NEVER heard of this before!!  It was an extremely significant event in the New Testament, this is when Peter, James, and John received the keys of the Priesthood from Moses and Elijah (the very same angels who gave the priesthood keys to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry).  Peter, James, and John were also shown what the earth would look like after the Second Coming and they were told/prepared for Christ's sacrifice.  At this time Heavenly Father transfigured Christ so He could receive comfort and preparation for the atonement, which wasn't too far in the future.  I just thought this story was amazing and had to share it!  I was so proud of my class today, through out the lesson every one of them participated by reading scriptures and giving input into the discussion.  I have never seen better behaved teenagers for class, I love them!

In Relief Society we had a fantastic lesson about the Sabbath.  So Shaina and I come home and think, we should definitely do our best today to keep the Sabbath holy after that lesson!  So we made lunch for ourselves and Troah then played with Troah before putting him down for his nap, then we decided to watch the Priesthood session from conference, and it was fantastic!  My favorite talk was by the Prophet, he is so funny and has such amazing insights (not surprising) and my favorite quote from him is, "Choose your love, love your choice."  His entire talk was beautiful and I definitely want to keep up with the Priesthood sessions seeing as I am raising a future Priesthood holder. ;)

So that's pretty much what we have been up to, mostly hanging out and waiting for a certain man to try and call home, but we are having a blast and I will be so sad when Shaina leaves!  I will definitely have to kidnap her for the next time Ernest goes out of town, it definitely makes the absence of my love easier!!

I wish you all a Happy Sunday!  And now that I have Shaina here to remind me, I should remember to blog again next week ;)  Next time I'll be adding pictures of our fun times!

XOXOXO, Katie