Good Grief

This story is amazing. And you probably have already heard about it. But watch anyway and be reminded of amazing strength through terrible tragedy and grief.

Wednesday night, Molly and Vic Jackson came and spoke at a Relief Society meeting in Daybreak. I wasn't going to go. It is a hassle to leave at night around here. But SO WORTH IT! What an inspiring and spiritual night.

Molly is an amazingly talented singer (former BYU Ambassador) and clearly a great speaker. It was such a well done presentation where she shared through words and songs the lessons that she has learned - Lucy Lessons. I sat there wishing I had invited everyone to come to this meeting and feel the incredible Spirit there.

Ultimately the message she shared is that we all need each other, we are stronger than we know, and that there is hope smiling brightly before us.

And I should not leave out that Vic Jackson also did a great job. He just took a moment to share one of his Lucy Lessons. He reminded us all of the blessing it is to have a body and to look at with gratitude. He suggested that we be thoughtful about how we take care of it and most importantly how we fill our oil lamps so that we are prepared for these trials - that will certainly come.

The Jacksons have turned their grief into good for others who have lost their children at young ages and are in need of financial assistance for headstones. You can check it out here.

I just finished (finally- I am slow, I know) my mom's book - Love's Banner. I know I keep plugging this book but for good reason.  Elaine Cannon believed in surviving and doing it well. And most importantly, she believed in our Savior's love for each of us. And she was determined to love and serve all the days of her life. It is truly inspirational.

FHE is about Treats

At least that is what the kids at my house think. We were talking about healthy changes the other day and I suggested giving up dessert on week nights (what was I thinking?). This would actually be hard for me because I really love a treat after dinner. But really? That is a terrible habit. The kids were all down with that (except Gavin) but their first response was, "But not for family night, right?"

So last night I made the best FHE treat we have maybe ever had. Pizookies in little ramekin dishes. We ate them straight out of the oven with a scoop of ice cream instantly melting over the top. So so so yummy. I tried to take a picture but not so great. So here is one I stole. :) Side note - I bought the ramekins in sets of 4 in the dollar spot at Target a while back. Perfect little dessert dishes.

Pizookies (Pizza cookies) are traditionally served in small pie dishes and were made famous at a California restaurant BJs. Apparently they are amazing.

I used a recipe I found online. Look here. I made half a recipe and it filled 8 ramekins (don't ask what happened to the left overs). But you could make the full recipe and deliver the pizookies to neighbors for their FHE treat. And really I am sure you could use any cookie recipe that you prefer.

We actually did have a very productive and maybe successful FHE last night. That is rare. It is usually a serious struggle. I had each child study the recap of a conference talk in the Church News. They had perfect summaries and quotes from each of the talks. Then they had to tell us what we were being counseled to to and how we could work on that. Teague and Gavin were short and classic. Elise took on the role of teacher and had a LOT to say. We were all bored to tears but she was taking this very seriously. I wish I could have videoed it. She thinks she is our mother. I sure hope she doesn't do that in primary. "Now Teague...could you tell the family how that quote helps us to serve others?" Really. She asks us all questions like that and we have to remember words from the quote she read. Anyone want to come to our FHE? See why the treats are so important? And we played Cuponk which is a Minute to Win It type game. So fun.

And the Winner Is...

Well wait. First I want to say - I Love General Conference. I do. The Saturday morning session was particularly good. I had to listen while prepping my garden and driving 1 HOUR to a soccer game (lame). But I did listen. And my favorite quote and one quite relevant to this giveaway came from Elder Quentin Cook. He said,

"Our women are not incredible because they have managed to avoid the difficulties of life. Quite the opposite. They are incredible because of the way they face the trials of life. Despite challenges and tests...and other problems, they remain remarkably strong, immovable and true to the faith."

I think Elaine Cannon was definitely one of those incredible and remarkable woman. 

To all who entered - thank you. I thought doing a giveaway would be so fun but now I am sad because I want to giveaway a book to everyone who entered. But I can't. But I do get to give away THREE! Yippee! (thanks to the author - my mom).

It was a totally random drawing. I wrote down your names on equal size slips of paper and folded them in half. Then I asked my totally drugged out husband to draw three slips of paper. The results are...

Meagan said...

I never knew your grandma, but seriously, my Mom has talked about her so much ever since I met Jane and Kristine for the first time. I told my Mom that Holly is a Cannon, and she made the connection. My mom was always impressed by her addresses in conference and the words that she spoke. Every time I see a quote from her I just smile, because I think about the wonderful women that have followed her; like my best friends and her fabulous sisters :-)

Malea said...

I think a quote I heard from her once, "Coping is contagious", has helped me many a times. Life is always filled with wonderful, even if the wonderful is surrounded by the hard things. She had a way in her speaking and writing that felt so natural, blending her own experiences with the gospel. I'd love to get this book for free. If I don't 'tho, I'm sure I'll be buying it soon enough. I just love'a your grandma:)

Karyna said...

I didn't know her by name but am certain I've heard quotes from her and would be DELIGHTED to get to read her book. It sounds very inspirational and insightful. Hope I win :) Karyna

Well done ladies. Quick email me your address and I will put the book in the mail on Monday. anniemporter at gmail.com

PS - Erin you kind of won too. Your book is on its way because it is our May bookclub selection. Happy Reading! It is kind of forced reading. :)

Last few hours

...to enter my first giveaway. Don't be shy.

I have loved all your comments. Thank you!

Isn't this picture funny? It is Grandma Cannon teaching women how NOT to sit. 

This past summer we took our kids to Grandma's Mayflower apartment. Only the two oldest boys even vaguely remember going in and playing on her elevator and down her halls. That makes me sad. But it was fun to visit the outside.

There might be more than one winner so don't miss out on your chance.

A Bone Marrow Donor Saves 2 Little Lives

This story is amazing. For several reasons to me. First - I have known Xander (the dad) and his family for many years. Second - I have an obvious interest in bone marrow tranplant and their donors thanks to our experience with this process. Third - I have enjoyed watching NBC's program "Who Do You Think You Are?" I love family history connections and the joy that comes to these people to learn more about their ancestors. Turns out BYU TV is doing something very similar - and maybe even better. It's called "The Generations Project."

So watch this... It was worth the 45 minutes to me. And I needed a tissue. It is the story of Xander and Carrie and their twin boys who were born with a fatal genetic problem. The only hope for these baby boys was to have a bone marrow transplant. And they needed a donor. Watch what happens.


I am so grateful to Kenyon's brother, Brett, for being a willing donor. It saves lives. So many people do not have the benefit of many siblings to choose from. The National Marrow Donor Program matches donors with those in need. If you are interested in joining the registry - it is easy. Check it out here. And if you are ever the match for someone - it is't that bad and it will be a miracle for someone.

PS - I love your comments for my giveaway. You have a another day and half so keep them coming!

My First Ever GIVEAWAY!!

I am so excited. For several reasons. And you should be too. Because I think you have a really good chance of actually winning since I don't have nearly the readership of someone like Pioneer Woman. She gives away really amazing things but so many people enter it is pretty impossible.

This is not a Kitchenaid or a Canon Rebel. But I am pretty excited about it.

My mom recently completed and published her first book.

She has worked so hard on it and it turned out amazing.

The book is Love's Banner--Memories of the Life of Elaine Cannon. If you don't win, you can get it here. Or you can check out the Facebook page here. It would make a great mother's day gift.

During my freshman year of college, I went to Salt Lake City to my Grandma Cannon's. She lived in this perfect place on 13th East and South Temple. I LOVED visiting her and her home. It was always beautifully decorated (mostly all white) and so clean. She had these glass doorknobs that looked like huge jewels. I used to think she was so rich. She wasn't ever rich. But she cared about lovely things and found ways to create a beautiful space. Anyway, I had a great weekend with her and when I got back to the dorms, my dorm mother asked me if it was always a spiritual experience to be with her. I thought that was so funny. I knew that my Grandma had a reputation but to me she was my grandma. She loved to make a party out of any gathering. She enjoyed watching movies and great food. She was really the ultimate host. But in truth, I actually loved that she also brought the Spirit with her and always had wise counsel for me.

 

(side note - I saved my money and bought this sweater at the Bennetton. Remember that place. I thought it was the cutest sweater ever. Why did I buy such a ginormous size? And I really loved my hair short. But, I must say, while I am lacking in some style - my grandma Elaine Cannon never lacked for great taste in clothes. She was always a fashion statement and knew all the latest trends. She was once a writer for Seventeen and put on many fashion shows in Salt Lake back in the day).

Elaine Cannon is one of the great women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Maybe some of you (many of you) are too young to remember her. She has written many books. She served as the General Young Women's President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1978-1984. You might be surprised to learn all of the ways she contributed to the current programs - particularly the Young Women's program - of the church. SI have loved reading the book because there has been so much that I didn't know about her many responsibilities.

Of course I love the book because it is about someone I love. But I think most women will love reading this book. It is more than a life of history - rather a collection of stories and experiences and memories that molded her into Elaine Cannon. She was a strong, capable woman. Her life was filled with struggles - like everyone - but she had a joyful, positive spirit about her and a commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. She believed in service. It was her focus in life. And for all women - I think she is an inspiration.

I get to giveaway a copy of this book. I will select the winner randomly.

To enter:

• Leave a comment with your name (and if I don't know you - a way to contact you).
• Also, leave a story, memory, or thought about Elaine Cannon. If you are too young to remember her, ask your mom or grandma or aunts. Or Google it. 
• Deadline for entries - March 31st at Noon.

Where's the Baby? (say that screaming)

That is one of the funniest inside jokes amongst my sisters. It happened when all six of us shared a room in NYC. Seriously hilarious. But too hard to tell in a blog post.

But if you are a mom - you know that feeling. I think. You know when you have a brand new baby and you are SO tired. And you wake up at some time in the night and you can't remember did you feed the baby and put her back in the crib. You can't quite remember getting there. You kind of panic. Or wake up and the baby slept through the night for the first time and you panic that she is really ok. Crazy new mom syndrome.

Well I feel like I might be back at the stage. Waking up to make sure Kenyon has his pain killers every three hours or ice or whatever help he needs. I am seriously so tired that he has been waking himself up and trying to do it on his own. Actually I think the pain wakes him up. Which he sort of can take care of himself  but not really. Then I hear him and wake up in that "where's the baby panic" realizing that I am supposed to be helping him. And wouldn't it be nice if I was an awesome wife and hopped out of bed every time he needed something? That would be cool for him.