Our New Prophet

I hope that Todd remembers this story the same way I do. When I was about twelve years old my cousin Alisha was married in the Salt Lake Temple. That night they had a beautiful reception at the Joseph Smith Memorial building. After awhile some of us started to get a little bored so Todd, Staci, Ben (my cousins) and Heidi (my sister) started playing tag on the elevators. During the duration of this game my pretty up-do started to sag and I lost my nylons and sunday shoes. My cousin Ben was it and Todd and I had just gotten off on the same floor he was on, so we dashed into another elevator. Ben made to come after us only to freeze. Instead of Ben, three tall men and a few other flustered people entered the elevator. The last thing I remembered seeing as the elevator closed was my mothers jaw gapping open. I was still bouncing around all jittery about escaping Ben. The tall man standing next to me turned to me and started asking questions. Todd just stood there in shock and I kept thinking, what is wrong with him. I chattered away rather hyper like the entire time we were in the elevator. When we finally reached the last floor, he turned, shook my hand, looked me straight in the eye and said, "It was nice to meet you Sister Painter" I'm sure he said something to Todd as well, but now it was my turn to be in shock, I was so overwhelmed by a feeling of love. It wasn't until he left the elevator and I watched other people stand and swarm to greet him that I realized I had just met Pres. Monson.

I have since met a shook hands with a couple of other apostles including Elder Tom Perry and Pres. Packer, but I have never felt that overwhelming sense of love FOR ME again. I am grateful for a man that took the time to instill a testimony in a messy, flighty twelve year old girl.

Pres. Hinckley

While I have enjoyed reading what other people have written about Pres. Hinckley it has taken me awhile to say anything. I think the biggest reason is that I am not sure how to put into words all that I feel towards Pres. Hinckley On Sat. as I sat watching his funeral the tears started to stream as I watched his family file in for the graveside, I was so touched by their willingness to share their Great Grandpa, Grandpa and Father with us not only today a day, a day that is normally quiet and private for families, but through out his life. I am realizing that it is often easy to give of our time, talents but to do what is necessary to let those we love give of theirs, can be a painful sacrifice. One of my greatest life's lesson was learned when a friend mentioned to me that she had heard that Sister Hinckley had NEVER complained about her husbands dedication to the church. All of this was weighing on my mind as I watched this sweet family surround the casket. Carson saw me crying and simply said, "your said because the prophet died?" I looked at my own "little prophet" and said, "he's the only prophet I really remember, Mommy loves him". To the Hinckley family I say Thank you, thank you, thank you for your endless sacrifice you made so that he could touch so many lives. I am humbled by your example.

The picture above is a beautiful picture painted by Leon Parson. You can learn more about this picture by linking to my friend's Heidi and Brett blog (Brett is Leon's son). Heidiandbrett.blogspot.com The symbolism in this picture is amazing.

My Little Prophet

Carson is such a boy that it kills me. My friends and neighbors are always telling me about how their girls are so opinionated about what they wear and constantly changing their clothes. At four years old Carson could CARE LESS what he wears. Honestly his favorite outfit to wear is nothing but his underwear. Than all of the sudden last Sunday he had a complete melt down about a sweater I wanted him to wear to church. When I asked him what all of the drama was about, he said he had to wear a "kite" (his name for a tie). I asked him why, and he said he needed to look like the prophet! Well, how do you argue with that? So, this week I went and bought him a new white shirt and tie and this Sunday he looked just like a prophhet. Doesn't he look handsome!

How can they have so much personality?!

For the last couple of days, Brayden has randomly gone and found these glasses. He puts them on, and goes about the house minding his own business. Anytime Ryan or I laugh or comment on them he looks at us like, what? What's your problem? I'm just hanging out.

A Few Changes in Our Life

Well last Sat. we got a call from our Stake Presidents office asking if we could meet with our Stake Pres. (whose name we did not even know) the next morning. So at 8:00 a.m. we showed up dressed and stressed at the stake center. I was hoping for stake sports director. My hopes quickly went down the drain when the Stake Pres. called his counselors in to meet the Archuleta's, something inside me told me that they probably didn't usually all gather to discuss Stake sports. Ryan was called to be the 2nd counselor in our bishopric. Everything happened really fast. They sustained him in sacrament a couple of hours later and than set him a part with in minutes of the closing prayer. The best way to describe the day was powerful. It was fun to see Ryan's parents beam as he was sustained and set a part. The most overwhelming part of the day for me was when they ordained Ryan as a high priest. Pres. Ellis (our 1st counselor in our Stake Presidency) said it well when he told us that this calling would come and go, but Ryan would remain a high priest, literally forever.

I have to admit. Since than I have felt overwhelmed, and let's admit it a little neglected. But, I am grateful that Ryan has the opportunity to serve. When he came home from his meetings on Sun. he was glowing. I know that the sacrifices ahead of me will be a blessing for me, for Ryan and our children. I have already felt an overwhelming sense of peace in my life that has never been there before.

Christmas Day!

Since the purpose of doing this is suppose to be to keep a family journal, I am going to be completely honest about Christmas. WOW, IT WAS A LOT OF WORK! I was so excited this year because Carson was so in to it, and than Christmas Eve Carson got sick, and well the picture pretty much explains it. After all of my hours of preparation to have a spectacular Christmas morning, Carson was to sick to care about any of it. Lucky for us we have two kids and Brayden was a hoot, although once again his favorite present was the sprite in his stocking. Carson did perk up as the day went on and Ryan and throughly enjoyed a relaxing day with family. We went to the favorite Brunch at Ryan's sister Jen. We look forward to this event every year because of the spectacular food!! After stuffing ourselves we went to my Mom's for the rest of the day. My little brother Isaac had the cutest idea to take this picture of the boys and than he had a mouse pad made for my Mom, what a thoughtful present! Wow missions can change people! j/k

It's never really a vacation anymore is it?

Back in the day I was fortunate enough to get to travel a couple of times a year. I loved the excitement of going some place new, or some place old to see friends. I looked forward to the time away in an airport forced to relax while I waited for the next step. In those days I carried around a sporty, baby blue, jansport with all of my school books and a few leisure books. In those days I packed my portable CD player with a few of my favorite CD's, and little else. I rarely stopped at expensive airport venues to buy drinks or food. Once I was on the plane I looked forward to a nice nap, or relaxing while I watched a movie or read a book.

I couldn't help but think this Oct. as I was running at full speed with a small superman backpack inscribed with CARSON on my back, and trying to keep from ramming others with the stroller I was pushing, how things have changed. I couldn't help but, let my eyes water up with tears as I spent six dollars on a gross hamburger, because although I had packed a pantry full of treats to feed the animals, none of it was good enough. I couldn't help from missing my books as I continuously unloaded and reloaded twenty dollars worth of toys from the dollar store from two overly packed, and very heavy, bite size back packs. And I certainly couldn't help but feel a little frustrated with the lady in front of me who gave me the look of death when she was woken from her slumber by my two year old, who despite my best efforts to drug him into a sleep, or keep him amused, was freaking out. It was at that moment that I realized that when we got homeI was going to need a vacation, from my vacation with my kids. Well I didn't get it, but I did take a nice long bath and read a book . . . for about 10 min.