Getting To Know Me!

My name is Heather G. We recently moved into the Nottingham Country Ward for the second time in December. I was born in Utah while my dad was still going to school at BYU. I lived there until I was seven and moved to Temple, TX in July of 1995. We lived there for several years and midway through my freshman year of high school we moved to Lockhart, TX. We stayed there for two years and then moved back to Temple in the middle of my Junior year. I come from a family of seven. I have an older sister, two younger brothers and another younger sister. My mom had all of us within 8 years so needless to say we are all very close.

I graduated from Temple High School in May of 2006 and started attending Texas A&M University that fall. That fall is when I met Brian, my husband. Our first meeting was far from “love at first sight” but after about 3 dates I knew he was the one I was going to marry. We got engaged in January and were married in the San Antonio Temple in May. We will be celebrating our four year wedding anniversary May 12.

After we got married we lived in Portland, TX for a summer, and Brian finished school at TAMU in the fall. Brian got a job with Mustang Engineering and that is when we moved into the ward the first time. We moved into Westlake ward a year later, and I graduated from University of Houston-Victoria with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (teaching) and had our first son, Travis.

I never entered the workforce and have been lucky enough to stay home with Travis (15 months). He brings such joy (and exhaustion) to our home. I am currently pregnant with our second little boy. He is expected to make his entrance in early August. Right now I am very much enjoying being a stay at home mom and have been busy trying to get our house ready for another child. We still have a long way to go. I love reading, finding new recipes to try, learning how to sew, and going on walks with Travis. We both love being outside when the weather is nice. We don’t have any pets yet, but Santa may have to bring the boys a puppy this Christmas or next.

I am currently serving as the Young Women’s Beehive advisor. I LOVE my calling. This group of young women is so special and I am grateful to be a part of their journey. I am so grateful for the ward and for the many friends that we have made and the people that have helped our family. I am also so grateful for our Savior and the restored gospel. I know that by living it’s principles we can be happier, better people.

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Getting To Know Me!

Hi! My name is Tonia and my family and I have lived in the Nottingham Country ward for almost 3 years. I was born in Utah but my family moved in with my grandparents in Southern California when I was 6. I then spent 11 years at the beach, raising bees in the backyard, and visiting the Hollywood movie lots my Dad did special effects for. In high school we decided to brave the cold and moved back up to Utah. I traded rollerblading for hiking and camping and loved the autumn colors and big bonfires up the canyons. I also did cross country running and graduated as the first Senior class in a new high school called Lone Peak. Having too many different ideas about what career I wanted I decided to get the basics out of the way at Utah Valley State College (which I'm pretty sure is called something else now).

While working a full time job at Borders Books and Music and attending school I had most of my big life plans altered by one skinny returned missionary from Texas in worn out shoes and 70's jeans. Ben Davis (not that one, the other one) and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 2000 and immediately took all our hard earned savings out in order to ditch school for a semester and backpack Europe. (Highly recommended). We then returned eight countries later to live with his parents (not quite as highly recommended) in order to save up money again for school. We returned to Utah and both went to the University of Utah (sorry BYU fans), worked, had two daughters, lived in the tiniest of apartments, and had a blast. In 2004 Ben got his undergrad in geology and was accepted at the University of Texas in Austin. We packed up our things, traded our red shirts for burnt orange and moved into another tiny apartment on the hottest day of the year.

Austin was quite a culture shock for me but after getting use to big bugs, ants that bite, and sweating while you run I had a great time being a graduate widow with the other stay at home moms of student life. On the rare occasion we did see Ben we spent the time at the many music and art festivals, taking trips to the San Antonio Zoo, and getting lectured on why the Alamo was the greatest historical event of all time. After three years I agreed with it all and to prove it had another little girl who could officially declare herself a Texan.

While I could have stayed in Austin for years to come our life was altered again when Ben graduated with a Master's in Geology and accepted a job offer in Houston Texas. We moved to The Woodlands for a year, had another daughter, and finally decided to do a very adult thing and buy a house in Katy, Texas. Perhaps through all of this I read Pride and Prejudice one too many times because six months ago we decided to seal our fate as the Bennet family and have a fifth daughter who hopefully will turn out nothing like Miss Lydia Bennet.

Now that life has gotten a little less mobile I spend a lot of time devising lesson plans for my home-schooled children, trying to cook spectacular and interesting food, trying to lose weight from the spectacular food, reading, attempting to write on our blog, and attempting to keep a clean house. Both my husband and I love to get together with friends for geo-caching, potlucks, and football games so if anyone is ever interested give us a call!

How to Be an 8 Cow Woman Enrichment

Thanks to all of those who helped to make our Relief Society Birthday Luau a success and for all those who came! It was a wonderful evening! We enjoyed the colorful, tropical atmosphere, delicious food, a wonderful feeling of sisterhood, and timely reminders of our amazing potential as women and daughters of God. As our leaders have said:

"Much of what we accomplish in the Church is due to the selfless service of women. Whether in the Church or in the home, it is a beautiful thing to see the priesthood and the Relief Society work in perfect harmony. Such a relationship is like a well-tuned orchestra, and the resulting symphony inspires all of us . . . Dear sisters, we love and admire you. We appreciate your service in the Lord's kindgdom. You are incredible! -- Quentil L. Cook, April 2011 General Conference

"You sisters are the real builders of the nation wherever you live, for you have created homes of strength and peace and security. These become the very sinew of any nation." -- President Gordon B. Hinkley, October 1996 General Conference

"You should cultivate and employ generously your noble, womanly instincts of care and mercy, first to your family and then to others. May you always hunger and thirst after righteousness within the framework of the revealed gospel of Jesus Christ. May you have an eternal perspective as you go about your angelic cause of doing good so that it will not only lead you to become great women but ultimately to become queens in the eternities." -- James E. Faust, March 1999 New Era

"As you let the knowledge that you are a daughter of God settle deep into your soul, it will comfort you, strengthen your faith, and influence your conduct. If you let this virtuous truth garnish your thoughts unceasingly, you will have confidence in the presence of God . . ." Susan B. Tanner, April 2007 General Conference

(Be sure to check the recipe blog for recipes for the Hawaiian Haystacks, the coconut macaroons, and the tropical slush!)

Getting To Know Me!

My name is Karen G. and I am a native Houstonian. Yep, that’s right…born and raised right here in Houston, Texas! I’ve been a member of the church all my life. I grew up near the Hobby Airport and lived in the same house all through childhood. I attended one Elementary (Alcott), one Jr. High (Hartman) and one High School (Jones). I grew up in the Broadway Ward in the Houston East Stake.

Tim and I worked at K-Mart and dated our Jr. and Sr. years of high school. Tim was not a member of the church at the time. My father said, “Either Tim starts going to church with us or you will have to stop dating him.” Luckily, Tim did start going to church with me and later took the missionary discussions. He even went to seminary with me on Fridays, but I think it was mainly for the pancake breakfast! In June of 1972, after graduating from high school, Tim decided to be baptized. In June of 1973, I graduated from Jones High School. A few weeks later, on Friday, July 13^th, 1973, we were sealed for time and all eternity in the Provo Temple. So much for being superstitious! We’ve been married for 37 ½ years.

After graduation, Tim got a job with Southwestern Bell, which is now AT&T. He has worked for “Ma Bell” for 38 ½ years. We rented our first apartment near Hobby Airport. For the first few years of our marriage, I worked for Texas International Airlines. I had never even flown on an airplane until I got a job with the airlines. After Wendy, our first child, was born, I quit my job to be a stay-at-home mom and enjoyed every minute of it! I must admit…some moments were better than others!

Tim and I have 3 children. Wendy (33), Tim, II (31), and Holly (27). Each of them holds a very special place in our hearts. All three were miracle babies. I had fertility issues which prevented me from getting pregnant. For several years I was very frustrated. All my friends were having babies and I couldn’t conceive. Luckily I was referred to a great physician at Texas Women’s Hospital who was able to detect and correct the problem. Within six weeks I was pregnant with Wendy. The Lord knew that I needed a little more time to mature before having children. He made a very wise decision!

In 1980, after torrential rains almost flooded our home in Pasadena, TX, we decided to move west to Katy. We attended the Katy Ward. We have watched the Katy area grow from a single ward in 1980 to what it is today…an entire stake!

We have 4 adorable grandchildren and another one the way. Two of them are in Orofino, ID and two in Round Rock, TX. Kylie and Hunter (ages 6 and 3) live in Idaho with their parents Wendy and Jeff. Kylie is my only granddaughter. Needless to say, I have spoiled her rotten! Girls are just so much fun to shop for, what can I say! Chase and Tyson (ages 4 and 2), live in Round Rock with their parents, Holly and Brad. Holly is expecting her third child (predicted to be a girl) on July 17^th. I spend a lot of time traveling back and forth between Katy and Round Rock these days. I love spoiling my grandchildren. I sure wish Kylie and Hunter lived a little closer to Nana and Papa too!! Kylie was 3 years old when they moved all the way to Alaska and I still haven’t recovered! At least now they live in Idaho which is a little closer to home.

Our son, Tim II, “the middle child”, works downtown for Wells Fargo as a financial analyst. He served his mission in Boise, ID. He’s very athletic, an Eagle Scout, and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. He lives near downtown and loves being “where the action is”. He recently proposed to his girlfriend, Lucia, and announced that they are planning to wed on June 3^rd in the San Antonio Temple. We are very excited Lucia said “yes” and will soon be joining the Gebauer family! I see more grandchildren in the not too distant future! Yeah!

I have worked in education for the last sixteen years. I started working full-time when my last child, Holly, was in third grade. I am currently the Administrative Assistant to the CIO at Katy ISD. I hope to retire in the next 4-5 years so I can be a stay-at-home Nana!

Tim and I have traveled a lot over the last 37 years, mostly in the states. We’ve also been to Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Alaska. My favorite mode of travel is on a cruise ship! We have taken several cruises over the years. I love cruising… you don’t have to cook or make the bed, plus there’s shopping on board! And then when you get off the ship…more shopping and restaurants await you! What else could a girl want?

Do we have any pets?? Does McDonald’s sell hamburgers!! Is Tim still involved in Boy Scouting? Of course we have pets! We have 2 dogs, Chloe-a 3 pound Yorkie, and Daisy, a Yorkie/Shihtzu. Chloe, all three pounds of her, rules the roost! She and I share the “prima donna” title according to Tim. We have several (I’ve lost count) snakes and turtles, thanks to my husband. We also have a huge aquarium full of fish. Needless to say, between the dogs, snakes, turtles and fish…the grandkids love to come and visit Nana and Papa and all the critters.

Do I have any hobbies? I guess I’d have to say that my favorite hobby is shopping! I am a great bargain shopper, if I do say so myself! I also like to read and take vacations, either by plane or by sea. Driving cross country…not so much! I like to exercise, especially if dancing is involved. I also like to play word games such as, Scrabble and Words with Friends. My dislikes include cheese, milk products, sauerkraut, and other weird looking vegetables. My favorite foods are fried shrimp, steak and summer fruits! My favorite dessert…almost anything sweet!

If I had a million dollars what would I do? First, I’d pay off all our bills, then take our children on a cruise and then move everyone to the Hill Country after we retire. My most prized possession would be my family. I love them more than anything…especially my adorable grandchildren!

I love the Savior and the atoning sacrifice He made for each and every one of us. I am grateful for my testimony of the gospel and the blessing of attending such a wonderful ward. We could not have raised our children without the love and support of our Ward family. You will always hold a special place in our hearts!

My favorite quote: “Anyone who says money can’t buy happiness doesn’t know where to shop!”

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Getting to Know Me

My name is Alice B.. Until we moved here to Texas, I had lived most of my life in the same town in Southern California (La Crescenta, the foothills above LA and just west of Pasadena) and my older sons even had some of the same school teachers as I! I love the beaches, the mountains and camping, and until moving here, we camped a lot. (Favorite places to camp: Yosemite, Sequoias and Yellowstone.) I have been happily married to Mark for 33 years (we met when he was our stake Young Adult President and I was one of his counselors!) We have four sons and three (soon to be four) grandchildren. After family and church, my passion is music. I grew up in a home surrounded by music and have kept that tradition. I love to sing! I have taught private singing lessons for over 25 years and love to help train and coach others and see them come alive through the power of good music. I also sing with the Houston Symphony Chorus and have enjoyed singing with renowned maestros and musicians, recording CDs and touring and performing in many countries (England, Wales, Prague, Budapest and Vienna). I am currently the secretary in the Relief Society Presidency. I'll end with a quote from Marvin J. Ashton (July 1973 Ensign, page 24). It explains a principle that I firmly believe and love! "As children of God we are somebody. He will build us, mold us, and magnify us if we will but hold our heads up, our arms out, and walk with him. What a great blessing to be created in his image and know of our true potential in and through him! What a great blessing to know that in his strength we can do all things!"

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General Conference Activity Packets

General Conference Activity Packets for All Ages

Follow the link below to find activity packets for Nursery, Junior Primary, Senior Primary, Youth, and Adults to help make conference more meaningful for all members of your family.

Click Here

Have a wonderful, uplifting Conference weekend!