Mom and Dad

Conference Weekend should be for family.  At least in my mind.  I was thrilled when Mom and Dad called and said that they were coming.
The picture above was taken between sessions.  We braved the storm and cruised down to the Outlets in Draper.  It is a family tradition to go to the Van Heusen store for Dad.  I noticed that Mom, Dad, and Sarah were all wearing bomber-esque jackets, and I wanted to get a picture. Sadly, Sarah was not cooperating. This had a lot of potential...but I think that Mom and Dad look great.

Below, Mom is taking Conference notes while Sarah plays with her (Sarah's) bellybutton.  Sarah has a great bellybutton.  It is perfect outie.
Mom and Dad arrived late Friday night after a marathon Mission Reunion.  We verify that the second or third reunions are when they start getting really good.  This was their second, I believe.

Saturday morning we scrambled to find a babysitter so that the four adults could go to the session at the Conference Center.  Because of the flu going around (i.e. potential sitters had the flu), good Andrew ended up on Sarah patrol.  It was perfect.  My parents and I had an amazing spiritual adrenaline shot at Conference (being there in the hush as the Prophet walks in, the first unbelievable sounds of the choir, hearing the gasp and laughter of the audience and yourself when the Rome, Italy temple is announced, seeing a friend that you have not seen forever, the talks that answer all of your questions and give you strength...); and Andrew got to experience the Prophets in the quiet of his home.  It suited him, and he said it was nice to go and get a drink while the choir sang.  We could not do that very well at the Conference Center.  The whole family had the best of both worlds.

Between sessions I had all of these ideas to go hiking or sightseeing as a family, but the cold rain made it a little difficult.  So, we came home, had yummy sandwiches (and Andrew broke out the pepper jam that we have been saving  for occasions such as this) , played with Sarah, and then it was time for the next session.

Oh, yes, Mom helped make flower arrangements for me during the Conference recess.  

It was what I had asked for, for my birthday.  A flower arrangement from Mom.  She is really amazing at it.  I had taken a floral design class at BYU which lowered my homemaking self-esteem about seven notches.  Mom had made it look easy;  I think that might have been part of the problem.  She has a gift.  Mom always said that every home needs greenery, and ours lacked it.  So, I watched (again she made it look so simple, but when I participated, that simplicity flew out the window).

One of the beauties of a visit from Mom and Dad is improvement; everytime they come they make my home better.  From flower arrangements, to Dad fixing our dining room chairs and working on the garage door, they improve everything they touch.  Mom also smells wonderful, and somehow that permeates the home.  On their last visit our handicapped washer and dryer were both healed.  Please come again and again Mom and Dad.  I pray that when I go to a person's home, that something in their lives are improved.  I feel that it is a godly gift.
Poor Mom, the family historian, tried to take pictures of Sarah, but every time the photo op would come, Sarah would run to the camera to see what was on the other side before the photo could be shot.
I wonder if a part of Sarah's history will be missing because she was just on the wrong side of the camera.
Sarah became buddies with Grandad.  
I had always envied big families who had Priesthood Session traditions.  I had been craving a woman's night out while the men were taught/chastised from on high.

So, Saturday evening Mom and I went to Marketplace Grill, while Dad and Sarah hung out.

I was a little nervous that Sarah would be difficult, but Dad shooed us out and said that everything would be fine.
He is always right.  Sarah was happy-dappy when I came home, and they hung out again the next morning.  Dad taught Sarah 'give me bones' (a high-five with the knuckles), and Mom taught her to blow and catch kisses.
This was the pre-Mom and Dad.  I was calculating how to lure my parents to our home more often.  I wanted them to feel comfortable, so I made the best bread I knew how.  I was hoping the smell and taste evoke warm, homey memories.  

Dad often reminisces about the bread smells wafting from his home every day after school.  If I could bring back those Star Valley days, maybe they would desire to come more often...

Oh, sadness.  Mom and Dad leave for Idaho on Sunday morning.  They had breakfast with me and some of my Young Women (we had a pancake party before we took our Young Women to the Sunday morning session of Conference...a great success story for another day).
I am so proud of my parents.  They are extraordinary people.  They take every talent that God has given them and create excellence.  No lights under bushels for them.   

They do not keep their excellence to themselves.  They quietly share their gifts with others, and while serving, change lives en mass.  I wish that I were more like my parents.  I love you Mom and Dad.  I am so glad that Sarah has your genes.  I just hope that they strengthen in an every-other-generation pattern.