Do you ever really know a person?

Recently I have been hooked on the investigation discovery station.  I don't know if you are familiar with this station but basically it's re-inactments of true murder mysteries, cold cases, strange disapperances , kidnappings, and so forth.  For some reason I love it and can't get enough of it.  However there is one series that I just can't get myself to watch.  It's called  "The devil you know".  It has real life stories of people that have been masquerading as "normal, law abiding citizens", but in reality have a deep dark secret, such as serial killers, rapists, kidnappers, pedophiles, etc.  The big catch phrase they use in the commercial is "Do you really know your neighbor?"   This series freaks me out, but it has got me thinking.  Do we really know our neighbors and how much can or should we trust them?  I love my neighbors, I do trust them, we play together, have b-bq's, watch each others kids and so on.  Recently somethings have shaken me up a bit and rattled my faith in trusting people outside of my family.  I hate that the world is a sick place and that I can't trust people or places.  I hate that I have to really contemplate letting my kids go somewhere because I am worried about some sicko taking them or hurting them.  Honestly what has this world come to?  I just want to board up my house and never leave.  But then I am reminded of something my mom told me once when I was younger.  I once asked her how she was able to let us go places, and do things without worrying.  This is what she told me.  She said, I always worry, but I pray each day that you will be safe, and that you will make good choices.  I put my faith in the Lord, and that's all I can do.  I guess that really is all we can do.  I take precaution so that my children are safe in my home, the only precaution I can take when they are outside of my home, besides teaching them, is to have faith in the Lord.  It's hard.  But honestly, I can't keep them in my home all the time.  I need to have more faith and put my trust in the Lord.  It's like driving a car, I can make sure I obey all the laws, drive safe and cautiously, and be aware of other drivers on the road, but I can't do anything about the other drivers or the decisions they make while behind the wheel.  All I can do is have faith, and put my trust in the Lord to keep me safe. 
I know this might seem random and incoherent.  I apologize for my ramblings.  Like I said somethings have just shaken me up a bit and I needed to rant for a moment.  Thanks!

Round and round we go, where we stop (if we stop) nobody knows

Spring and summer has been as busy as can be.  Band concerts, school ending, camps, and so much more, I haven't had time to blog.  So rather than boring you all with a long post, I am posting pictures and I will give you a quick recap of summer so far.

Our fisrt adventure was Jayce and Alek's first band concert. Jayce plays the trombone and Alek plays the clarinet. Both are very good, but Alek has decided it's not for him and won't be continuing on with it. Jayce on the other hand loves it and wants to play every chance he gets. It gets loud at our house when he decided it's time to practice.

We attempted a drive to Flaming Gorge to see the tubes shooting water from the dam, but poor Alek got sick and threw up in the truck on the way there. So we stopped and got him a coke, and some pepto, and headed home. But not before Jayce and I savored the moment with a snap shot of us.

Our second attempt to Flaming Gorge was a sucess. The water was cold, and the tubes shooting the water was awesome and overwhelming. It was a fun day, and the scenery was beautiful!

Then Jayce and Alek attended Timberline NYLT scout camp.  This was a week long youth leadership training camp.  The boys loved it.  I missed them while they were gone.  That is until I got there and was parking.  Jayce decided to barrell into the car as I was backing up.  It made a horrible noise and I thought I hit a car.  I looked out my window and saw Jayce laughing his head off.  It scared me to death and I wanted to kill him.  Feelings of missing him were replaced with wanting to hurt him.  After I settled down, I was able to laugh about it and gave him a big hug.   Alek, however, hugged me and didn't stop for about a minute.  It was a very tender moment that made me tear up a little.  I love my boys! 1 camp down 3 to go.

Last week we hung out at Vernal's one and only outdoor pool and waterslide, The Big Kahuna. It was a blast and we had great company. The boys went with Isaac and Hunter. These four boys have been friends since they were born and have an awesome friendship. I couldn't get a picture of Isaac and Hunter, but I will get them next time for sure!

These are a few of the things we have done.  For the most part life has been fun filled and busy!  We still have a ton planned and hope to get through it all before the summer ends.  Our family leaves for Philmont this Friday.  Grant is way more excited for it than I am, but I am trying to be a good sport and smile.  It's just that I haven't slept in a tent in over 10 years, and I really don't want to start now.  Doesn't look like I have much of a choice.  Oh well,  I am excited for the fun family times we are going to have and the two hotel stays in between. 

Two weeks after we get back all three boys pack up AGAIN and head to scout camp with our ward.  Like I said we are busy.  At least the boys are. 

There you go, the Schiess family summer so far in a nut shell!

Mother I love you, Mother I do...

As Mother's day has steadily been approaching I have found myself reflecting on me as a mother, my own mother, and all the women who have made a difference to me in my life.  I have always wanted to be a mom.  It has been the ultimate goal for me.  I remember when I received  my partriarichal blessing I was promised I would be a mother.  That's all I could focus on.  I was so excited to think that someday I would have my own children.  And then I remember feeling a little bit of fear.  Questions filled my mind of what kind of children I would have, would they be righteous? Would they be honest?  Would they be good students?  Will they be kind to others?   Will they love me?  Will they be friends or will they fight?  All these questions and more went through my head.  I can't say that I was afraid, but I was definately nervous.  I knew I had a lot of learning and growing to do.  I used to watch my mom, and would think, I want to be just like her.  So I studied her, and watched her, listened to her (when it suited me of course) and paid attention to the little details.  That's when I realized that I have the best mom in the world, and there is no way I can ever do all that she has done, although I will never stop trying!  Years later when I became a mom and she became a grandma I remember thinking how blessed I was and am to have her as my mom.  I can't remember her ever really yelling at me, or spanking me, or saying unkind words to me.  She taught me with love and gentle words.  I wish I could say that I am that kind of mom.  But I still have some work to do.  I am just grateful that I have someone like my mom to emmulate.  Thank you mom for always being the example and for always teaching me.  I always thought by this time in my life I would know everything, that I would have the answers to all the questions my kids asked and know just what to do in any situation.  Sadly, I don't have all the answers and I don't know what to do in every situation.  I just hope I handle those situations like my mom did, with a smile and a sigh, and always an "I love you" in there somewhere. 
I am so thankful for Jayce and Alek.  They bring so much joy to my heart and so much spunk to my life.  They are the light and love of my life.  I am grateful to be a mom, and that they chose me to be their mom.  They are patient with me and love me even when I am not at my best.  It scares me to think that someday they will leave me.  I hope and pray that I will have taught them well and that they will know just how much I love them and will always be here for them.  I hope they have a testimony and trust Heaveny Father to lead them.  Most of all I hope and pray they find a wife as wonderful as my mom! 
I would like to thank all the women in my life who have loved me and taught me.  I would not be the same person without the influence you made in my life.  I don't have enough room to name you all one by one.  I just hope you know that I am grateful for you and for your love, patience, and example. 
I need to thank my dad too.  Because of him I have always known my divine nature, that I am a daughter of God.  He called me princess, and treated my like a princess.  I would not be the mom I am without his love and constant reminder that I am a daughter of God.  I love you dad! 

I hope you all have a wonderful mother's day.  I pray that you will take just a moment to reflect on your own mom, or someone that has been a mom to you.  Take a moment to ponder what a mother really is.  And most of all give your little ones that allowed you to become a mother a love, and tell them thank you for letting you be their mom.  Nothing in this world will ever compare. to being a mom! 
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Come listen to a prophets voice

We had the very awesome opportunity to attend the Saturday session of General Conference.  It was an incredible moment.  I have attended conference before, but never in the conference center, and never with my boys.  When they were born I made a goal to take them to conference when they were twelve.  I am grateful I was able to fulfill my goal.

When we arrived early Saturday morning, I could feel the Spirit so strong.  Everything I looked at, heard, or touched brought a tear to my eye.  We watched the Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice and rehearse the songs they were going to preform.  That was amazing. We looked around the conference center and admired it's beauty, we watched as people filled the seats, we talked as a family about what we were going to see and here, THEN, the prophet walked in and I lost it. The spirit was so strong, and a rush of emotions flooded through me.  I couldn't hardely contain myself.  I was looking at the prophet.  I could feel his love and the love of our Savior as he walked to his seat.  I will never be able to beat that feeling. I am grateful that I had this opportunity, and that I could share it with the three people I love most, Grant, Jayce, and Alek. 

I am so grateful for President Monson, President Uchdorf, and President Eyering and for their faith, and willingness to do the Lords will.  I am grateful to live in Utah where I can attend conference.  I am grateful for the opportunity for my boys to be able to see the prophet, to hear him in person, and to be able to feel how much he loves them.  

Attending conference was an overwhelming experience, one I can't put words to.  I wish I could record my feelings and post them.  Then you would be able to see how blessed, and grateful I feel. 

The three most handsome men in the world!

Waiting for conference to start.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Alek

Jayce

Isn't it beautiful? 

Curls all gone...

 Jayce has the cutest curly hair.  I love it!  Over the weekend he decided to see what it was like to have straight hair.  So we pulled out the straightener and went to town while watching conference.  I was shocked at how long his hair was.  AND, it actually looked pretty good straight. 


Before



He kept it straight for school on Monday and got lots of comments.  Some nice, some not so nice.  I think it looked dang good.  But I do prefer his curls. 



During





After



All I Need To Know I Learned in Primary

I am a Child of God
Believe in Christ

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

Choose the right

Where love is, there God is also

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

Forgive & Forget

Give oh Give

Listen to the still small voice

Count your many blessings

Do the things the Lord Commands

Honor your father & mother

Dare to be true

Kindness begins with me

Families are Forever

Search, Ponder & Pray

Listen to the prophets voice

Jesus said love everyone

When you are helping you are happy

Heavenly Father hears & answers prayers

There is beauty all around

Reverently & quietly pray

Sunday is special

Do your duties with a heart full of song

My body is a temple

HEAVENLY FATHER LOVES ME !!!

I'm not gonna lie, primary is the place to be.  I love primary with all my heart, and would stay in for the rest of my life if I could.  It is rewarding no matter where you serve in the primary.  I love the children and their sweet, innocent testimonies.  I love to watch them grow and become more confident in the gospel.  But most of all I LOVE it when they give me hugs, and high fives, and tell me that they love me. It brings joy to my heart and a tear to my eye.  

I LOVE PRIMARY!!!   

Sunday was a bitter sweet day for me.  After almost 3 1/2 years I was released as the primary president.  If you ask me if I am ok, I will tell you I am great!  I feel relieved, and I feel like a stress has been lifted from my shoulders.  But in my heart I am sad.  I loved so very much being in primary each and every week.  I have been in primary for 13 years.  It's my place.  It's where my homies, and my peeps are.  But I know the Lord has a plan for me, and this part of the plan has been completed.  I get to move on to something new.  I think the hardest thing for me (besides not getting the hugs and high fives) is not working with the phenomenal women in my presidency anymore.  I have learned so much from each of them.  I was blessed to work with Carlene as my 1st counselor.  Carlene is by far the most patient, loving, and kind person I know (besides my mom).  She loves unconditionaly and has such a sweet, humble spirit about her. Aburey was the 2nd counselor.  I think I learned the most from her.  She has such empathy for everyone she meets.  She never thinks negatively and always has something nice to say about EVERYONE.  She has been  such an example to me, and I would love to have just an ounce of her faith, love, and sense of humor!  I could go on and on.  She is amazing!!!  And then there is Susan, she served as the secretary!  I love Susan.  She is so strong, and noble, and has more integrity in her little pinky finger than most people have in their entire body.  She has one of the sweetest testimonies I have ever heard.  Susan loves everyone, and is everyone's friend.  I am honored that we are friends.

Each of these ladies were such a blessing to work with, and a blessing in my life.  I am grateful for their hard work and dedication.  I love each of them and want to thank them for giving me the best presidency ever! 

In my 3+ years I learned to laugh, I learned to love, I learned to turn to the Lord and ask for help, I learned to deligate, and I learned to lead.  But it wasn't without the help of many.  I would be very ungrateful if I didn't take the time to thank each of amazing women that served for a time in the presidency.  Sharon, is amazing, and super dedicated to everything she does.  I am thankful that we have stayed friends and that we still get to see each other.  Laurie, she is one of my best friends, and I am so blessed to have been able to serve with her.  She taught me more than I have time to write.  Elizabeth, I miss her!  We were so much alike and we just connected on so many different levels.  We had so much more than just our names in common.  Megan, she is very quiet. I truly enjoyed our time together.  She taught me a lot about loving myself.  Brynne, such a spit fire.  I loved her "go get 'em" attitude.  She was so efficient, and loved what she did.  Kami, was such a joy to be around.  I was really sad when she moved.  She loved primary and you could tell. 

I guess only time will tell what's next for me.  I can only hope and pray it's in the primary, but my heart tells me otherwise.  It will be interesting to say the least!  I look forward to spending time in Relief Society.  I have only attended a handful of times since I turned 18.  Mostly because I have been in primary, but also because it scares me.  I really have nothing to offer the women, and it makes me nervous to be in a room full of women.  Maybe I will try Elders Quroum, I am much more comfortable there. Ha Ha.  All teasing aside, Relief Society will be an exciting new adventure for me.  I am nervous, but I know the Lord will bless me, and I know he wants me there.  So, "I will go, I will do the thing the Lord commands, I know the Lord provides a way, he wants me to obey" Just one more thing I learned in primary!