Spring Break!

My goal going in to spring break was to spend time with my family and relax as much as possible. I finished the work week with some terrible sinus junk, so I was relieved to turn off my alarm.  We did a mini stay-cation and went to Thanksgiving Point, visited my nieces, and checked out Antelope Island. 

Joseph playing with the dinosaur at the Museum of Ancient Life

Shae being silly :)

Spending time with my beautiful neices

Looking west from the north shore of Antelope Island

Shae found a tiny sand island

Looking east at the mountain from the north shore of Antelope Island

Checking out the bison statue

We had a fun week, but we ended with two of us on antibiotics :( Shae and I slept pretty much all day Friday. He's got strep and I have a sinus infection. He's getting his tonsils out in June!

Another awesome part of Spring Break was getting to watch General Conference. It just happened to be Easter Sunday, too. We spent each night reading about the last week of Jesus's life to remember why Easter is so important. Several of the talks in the conference sessions were great and I am excited to read them later!

Sharing on Facebook

I love to keep in touch with family and friends on Facebook.  As a military child, I've moved a lot, so it's quite a treat to keep in touch.  I used to think that Facebook was a virtual doldrums, with no actual positive aspects.  While it certainly has that potential, when you have self-control and a bit of foresight, you can make Facebook a great, positive thing in your life. You can maintain connections with important people and #sharegoodness with others.  People are even using Facebook to help others learn more about the gospel.

I used to think, "I am so glad Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were not around when I was a teenager!"  Mostly, I think that because of the choices I made in high school and the choices of some of my friends that put me in some interesting situations.  Then, I wondered if my choices would have been the same if I knew there was a possibility of my parents seeing it!  I am sure that if my high-school self was Facebook friends with my mom, young women leaders, aunts and uncles, I would have altered a few of my choices.  Maybe I would have been able to stay in touch with friends from Youth Conference and Girls' Camp.  Maybe I would have been excited to share and pin quotes from General Conference meetings at church. Maybe Social Media would have been a positive influence?  I know I am trying to make Social Media a positive part of my life now. So, as my children continue to grow, I hope I can show them how to be an uplifting member of the Social Media community.  It's important to be aware of the pitfalls of technology and #fightthenewdrug .  

So, what do you think of Social Media?  I used it today to share with my friends and family the latest school project that Joseph has been working on.  He finished his model of the planet Uranus.  Yay for 3rd Grade Core Knowledge

Jacob's Vision Video Project

Mark Twain

Mark Twain said, "The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why."
Jacob and I have been contemplating this quote as we have made big career decisions lately.  Jacob has discovered a career path that combines his ability to connect with others and his love for technology.  I have been at a crossroads of sorts where I need to decide between pursuing a musical future in education or an administrative one.  As I have spent time reflecting on these decisions, I am reminded of our most important role - our family role.  I am a daughter of God, a wife, and a mother.  These roles are why I was born.  I was born to be Jacob's wife, Joseph and Shae's mom, but also I was born to teach.  I was born to be a musician.  It is important to remember why we were born, but remember that there is always more than one reason!