Hilary Weeks

I know.

I haven’t blogged for a while. 

You know how your mom always said, “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all?”  That is sort of why I haven’t had much to say lately.  Except I would need to tweak the quote a bit…”If you can’t say anything positive and uplifting, don’t say anything at all.” 

The last three months have been really difficult.  I faced a challenge that required all my emotional energy and I didn’t have much left over for blogging, Facebook messages or monthly website messages…or making dinner for that matter.  I kept thinking to myself, “I need to write a blog,” but everytime I would try to think of what to say, I came up blank. 

Until last Thursday night.

We were at Zion’s Ponderosa in Southern Utah – one of my favorite places on the planet.  I had about an hour to myself, so I took an iPod and went out on the deck hoping to connect with Heavenly Father as I listened to music and marveled at the beauty of the trees, mountains, clouds, skyline – everything He created.  I like being in nature.  I can feel Him.  I can feel His love.  I can hear a little more clearly and see a little bit further, deeper.  It helps me reconnect with who I am and who He wants me to be.

I was sitting in a chair with my feet up on the railing of the deck listening to “You Give.”  I closed my eyes for a few minutes and when I opened them I saw this…

The prettiest little rainbow had appeared during the thirty seconds I had closed my eyes and then opened them.  It lasted for maybe 2 or 3 minutes and then it was gone.

I love moments like that.

Moments that feel like they are sent just for us.  Moments when we know Heavenly Father is near.  Aware.  Close. 

I’d like to think that rainbow was made just for me.

After the time spent listening to music and praying and thinking…I felt good.  I was glad I had taken the time and opportunity to be in a place where Heaven could find me. 

And so I do have something to say…Heavenly Father loves us.  He is keenly aware of our struggles – knowing they will make us wiser, stronger, more fit for the kingdom.  And in the middle of them, He knows exactly what will keep us going.  He sends messages of hope in all different forms -  kind words, thoughtful actions, timely phone calls, perfect quotes…rainbows.  He knows how to reach us.

Thank you for your kind words through the years.  For your notes.  For sharing your stories of struggle and success with me.  For listening and appreciating music.  For being my friends in the Gospel.

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

Has it seriously almost been a month since I hosted and sang at BYU Women’s Conference?  Didn’t I blog about that?  WHAT??  I haven’t blogged for a month?  Why didn’t anyone remind me?  Better yet, why hasn’t someone offered to do my dishes and laundry so I could sit in front of the computer and blog?  Now, that’s the real question here.

Women’s Conference was SOOOOOOOOO much fun!  I always get nervous – for several reasons…

One, I get nervous to perform in front of 15,000 women.  What if I goof up and forget the words or notes?  What if I trip? 

Two, will anyone laugh at my jokes? 

And three, will there be food left in the green room or will the other performers have scarfed it all before the concert is over and I can get back there?

Back to “nervous issue” number 2.  What if no one laughs at my jokes?  This year I put myself in a particularly precarious position.  After being introduced as the host of the evening I walked onto the stage in front of all those women with toilet paper attached to my shoe!!!  Yes siree – I sure did.  A big long, 4 foot strand of toilet paper attached to my black heels.  It was on purpose.  In my opening monologue, I told them how fun it was to be back  and it sort of felt like we had become attached to each other.  And that I understood how easy it was to get attached to things and not even know it – everybody else knows it, but we can’t see it.  How we can just get hooked on things.  And how I hope this night would help us stay connected. 

Luckily, they GOT it and it was funny.  They were laughing with me instead of at me.  Or, at least I think so…

Then I introduced the theme for the evening – Laundry!  During one segment I encouraged the women to get to know their washing machines.  I reminded them how much their washers do for them and that we should have good relationships with our washers.  I encouraged them to give their washers names and include them in family activities.  Then we showed this series of pictures – examples of things I have done to bond with my washer…

We included our washer in a family picture. Why not?  It’s part of the family isn’t it?  I dare you to find one person who contributes more to the family than the washing machine.

Take your washing machine on vacation!  WE did!  You have to do laundry anyway, right? 

I’ll never forget this hike I took with my washing maching to the top of Observation Point in Zion’s National Park.  Sure, it was hard, the washer was heavy, but neither of us will ever forget the experience.  What a view!

Washing machines love water of all kinds – hot, warm, cold, hot-cold, warm-warm…so take your washer to the beach!!

(Are you laughing yet?)

Anyway, we had so much fun at Women’s Conference!  That is one amazing group of women doing amazing things in this world and I was glad to be there and feel of their tremendously powerful spirit! 

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

Okay.

So.

Last Thursday night I was lying in bed thinking about the next day’s travel to Pittsburgh for a Time Out for Women.  I said a little prayer in my heart, asking Heavenly Father if it was going to be a good trip?

He answered back with silence.  I interpreted that to mean…not exactly, no, negatory. 

Correct interpretation.

Don’t get me wrong, the trip wasn’t horrible by any stretch of the imagination.  It was actually really fantastic in a lot of ways and I made some good memories and met wonderful people.  But it wasn’t what I would call…smooth.

If I were to share each experience in detail…not only would this be an extrememly long blog, but you would most surely get bored.  We can’t have that.  We’re too good of friends.  So, I will share the highlights (if you can call them that).

1. Friday morning, 5:45 am…at the airport with my friend and fellow presenter, Kris Belcher.  Kris lost her eyesight about six years ago and so when we travel to TOFW together, I have the privilege of assisting her.  Typically we giggle more than we should, eat more than we should and have a generally wonderful time together.  Pittsburgh was no exception.  But, as we were checking in we realized she had left something at home that she really needed.  With help from our husbands I made in onto the flight with the item in hand and a few minutes to spare.

2. Because of the forgotten item, I had to go through security twice.  On the second time through while removing my shoes and liquids, a woman in front of me complained about how slow the line was moving.  I said, “Well, at least you have really cute, red glasses – that should make it a little better.”  She replied, “What are you? Pollyanna?”  (I wouldn’t consider this something that “went wrong”, it is just a funny side note.)

3. Our flight to Pittsburgh went through Detroit.  The captain came on the overhead speakers no less than 12 times talking about the turbulence.  (I couldn’t feel any.  It didn’t feel any bumpier than any other plane ride…but everytime he came on, Kris and I paused our iPod and listened to what he had to say.  He was more captivating than our audio book.)  At one point the flight attendent told us that only “emergency passengers” would be allowed to use the restroom and no food or drink would be served on the flight.  She said if we had to use the restroom, we did so at our own risk.  (Kind of made me want to, just to see if I could survive that kind of risk!) Then she told us to walk with our feet shoulder width apart and bend our knees to absorb the turbulence.  Again, I ask…”What turbulence?”

4.  I lost my jacket while boarding the Detroit to Pittsburgh flight.  Don’t worry.  They called my name over the speakers.  It was awesome.  Like being a winner on the Price is Right.

5. 1:30 am on Friday night…I stubbed my toe.  It killed!!!  I woke up in the morning and it had been bleeding.  It is still sore – 5 days later…and I have a high pain tolerance.  (How do you really know something like that?  Do you have to go to pain tolerance testing?  Count me out.)

6.  Our flight home Saturday night was cancelled so we didn’t leave until Sunday morning.  But, that did allow us to eat at a YUMMY restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh and  order a second brownie from room service.  We ordered this decadent warm double chocolate brownie with carmel sauce, pecans, powdered sugar and vanilla ice cream Friday night and it was so scrumptious, we ordered it again!  When the waiter brought the brownies in, I noticed it was the same guy that served us the night before.  So, in order to “cover my tracks” I said, “Oh, these look good…I can’t wait to try them.”  He suspected nothing.

Here are a couple of pictures of us all at the yummy restaurant…

(Can you stand to read one more complaint?  Oh, just indulge me…I’ll keep it short…)

7. Our flight from Cincinnati to SLC was delayed for 30 minutes while we sat on the airplane.

There – I’m done.  And there ya have it – forgotten items, turbulence, stubbed toe, cancelled flight, delays and all.  However in true “Polyanna” fashion, I’d like to focus on the brownie.  That warm, double chocolate brownie.

Ya.  Now I feel better.

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

Some of you might know that the title of this blog comes from the musical Oliver.  I was in that play when I was about 11 – I was an orphan.  Pretty much the best one.  None of the other orphan-actors could hold a candle.  I was totally believeable.  Diving into character, I only ate half of my sandwich so I would be hungry when we performed, “Food, Glorious Food!” 

Just kidding.  I ate the whole sandwich.  That is why they call it “acting.”

I am totally rambling.  None of this has anything to do with the blog subject today.  (However, it does give you some insight into how my mind works…)

I love food.  Always have.  Always will.  I also enjoy cooking which is why I took a “crepe making” class.  And that is where it all began.

Or did it begin when I ate the most divine crepe I’ve ever had at the Sun Valley Lodge last fall?

Now that I think about it, it might have begun when I received a crepe maker for Christmas last year.

I can’t clearly remember – crepe details are blurring together.  But I can tell you this for sure…last night I recreated that divine Sun Valley crepe within the walls of my own home.  My home has never been happier.  If you only ever try one other recipe in your life, try this.

Dessert Crepes

4 eggs

2 c. flour

2 T. sugar

1 c. milk

1/4 c. water

1 T. melted butter

1 t. vanilla flavoring

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.  Makes about 12-15 crepes.

We filled the crepes with mixed berries (of the straw, blue, black and rasp variety), vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and topped the crepe with a cream sauce that is straight from Heaven.  (I only filled my crepe with the berries and then topped it with the cream sauce – that was how Sun Valley did it.)  But you can fill the crepes with ANYTHING you want…that’s edible.  Don’t be throwing in a shoelace or something.

Cream Sauce

2 c. heavy whipping cream

1/2 c sugar

Bring cream and sugar to a boil.  Whisk 4 egg yolks and add a little of the hot cream sauce to the yolks, then add the yolk mixture to the cream sauce.  Add 1 t. coconut flavoring and bring back to a boil and then immediately remove from heat.  Make sure you whisk the whole time.

Try this.  You and your family will thank me.  You might want to kiss me.  But no.

Please, Please PLEASE let there be crepes in Heaven.  Otherwise I’m going to have to think twice about going.

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

In February, I attended the first Time Out for Women of 2010.  This was my very first time in eight years to attend a TOFW without performing!  I just got to soak in all the wonderful messages about “Infinite Hope” – the theme for this year.  By the end of the day, after hearing messages that changed how I think and feel, I knew I had to write a song about hope! 

There were two concepts taught that day that have stuck with me.  You know how we are all told at one point or another not to “get our hopes up?”  Amanda Dickson, one of the presenters and a local radio host/announcer made a case for just the opposite approach.  Why not get our hopes up?  What is so bad about getting our hopes up?  “What is the worst that can happen?” she asked.  Okay, so maybe we’ll be disappointed – but what is so bad about that?  She talked about how sometimes our hopes are exceeded and that sometimes disappointments leads us to things that are better. 

The second concept that has stayed in my heart is that our only true hope should be in Jesus Christ.  Our hopes can’t be in a mortal person – that is too high of an expectation to place on someone – our hope must be in Christ.  As I have put that principle to play in the last couple of months, I have found my heart softened in my relationships and drawn closer to the Savior.

So with those and many other thoughts about hope on my mind, I wrote “Hope on the Horizon.”  I thought you might like to hear it – hot off the press, right out of the oven.  (Kind of makes it sound like a Krispy Kreme…If there was a Krispy Kreme in front of me right now, I’d eat it in two bites.  Maybe three.) 

If I was nice, I’d let you hear the first verse and chorus.  If I was really nice I’d even post through the second verse and chorus.  But since I’m super, duper, really majorly, totally nice…I’m posting the entire song.

Yep.

The whole song. 

Just “click” below and you can listen. 

Hope on the Horizon

If you love it and want it on your iPod for your very own…then you can download it by clicking here.

Blog to you soon!

Hilary

I’ve missed YOU!   You may have noticed that I typically try to blog on Monday’s. 

Or,

You may not have noticed when I blog at all! 

Either way,

I haven’t blogged for the past two Monday’s and I’ve really missed you!  (Oh, I already said that.)   We have so much to talk about! 

• I would love to hear what you loved about General Conference!  What did you learn?  What inspiration did you receive?  (That you feel comfortable sharing, of course!) 
• I promised to put a song on my blog for you to hear.  (I will do that next week because I need Tim’s help and we spent the morning at the doctor’s office because he has a kidney stone.  OUWEE!)
• I recorded a brand new song last Monday called “Hope on the Horizon” and I’m dying for you to hear it, so I want to post that too.  (When our home is kidney stone free I’ll post it.)
• We went to Disneyland a couple weeks ago!

See?  We’ve really missed each other!  I hardly know where to begin…perhpas, Disneyland.

We didn’t just play, play, play all day – we were very productive whilst in Disneyland.   We bought a new car for McKenzie…she’s almost 16.  (She can probably tell you how many more days, hours and minutes until her birthday.  She can’t wait to get her driver’s license!  The guys are going to go crazy when they see her pull up in this.)

Tim met up with some of his old college buddies…

We found a  nanny for the three younger children.  He had very good references and came highly recommended.

Tim and I found new friends.  They seem like a lovely couple and we can’t wait to go to dinner with them sometime…

Marley threw a five-year-old temper tantrum…but we put a quick end to it.  She responded very nicely to this form of discipline.

On Wednesday, we went to Univeral Studios.  Our favorite ride was “Jurassic Park.”  We rode it five times.  The brave members of the family did not wear ponchos.  The whimps did.

We spent a wonderful, warm day at Newport Beach…(“Hey if it was so “warm”, then why do you have a jacket on?”  Can you say…whimp?)  The girls loved collecting sea shells and even found sand dollars!

“Voted the Best Day at Disneyland by the Weeks Family…” – The day we spent with our dear friend Stacey Mohan!!

We had a blast – it was the perfect vacation! 

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

My five-year old is in it.

She knows everything.  She knows things that I don’t even know.  She definitely knows things that college professors wouldn’t know.  Some things that she knows, it would seem, you’d have to be a psychic to know.

The other day after a tough work out, I lamented, “Oh!  My leg muscles are sore.”  Her response…

“I know.” 

It wasn’t a sympathetic “I know,” it was a matter-of-fact “I know.”  Of course she knew.  Who wouldn’t know that my legs were sore?

???

Not more than an hour ago, Tim told her that if she didn’t go up to her room on her own (she had gotten herself in a wee bit of trouble) she would have to stay there longer.  Of course, she already knew that too. 

I share this blog with you today because if there is something you’ve been wanting to “know,” and haven’t been able to figure it out on your own, she might be able to help. 

Maybe if you’re not sure if your legs ache or not, you could just ask her…

She’s cute.

I know.

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

P.S.  I came across a song I wrote that hasn’t been published but I made a demo of.  I will post it on my blog soon – just waiting to get the right program so you can listen to it.  I’ll tell you more about the song when I post it.

Yesterday was my turn to teach the combined YW lesson.  In preparation for the lesson I was reading the accounts in the New Testament that told of the Savior going into the wilderness after he was baptized.  I also read Elder Talmage’s thoughts on that experience in Jesus the Christ.  Elder Talmage explained the Savior went by Himself to be with and learn from Heavenly Father.  He left the sounds, sights, noises, bustle…and people of the city behind.  No one went with Him.

When the Savior returned after 40 days, He must have shared His experience with His apostles because Matthew, Mark and Luke all recorded it.  Each one briefly retold the story.

But not one got it exactly right.

All three were corrected by the Joseph Smith Translation. 

Matthew said, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”  The JST corrected by saying, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be with God.”

Mark recorded, “And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.”  The JST makes this adjustment, “And immediately the Spirit took him into the wilderness.  And he was there in the wilderness forty days, Satan seeking to tempt him; and was with…”

Luke mentions, “Being forty days tempted of the devil.”  But the JST clarifies, “And after forty days, the devil came unto him, to tempt him.”

This made me think.

How often do I get the story right?  Matthew, Mark and Luke were most definitely trying to be as accurate and sincere as possible.  I probably can’t always claim the same.  Even when I’m trying to be sincere, there is a good chance I might miss a few details.  And what’s worse sometimes the story isn’t mine to tell or shouldn’t be retold at all.

Years ago I made a commitment that I would try not to gossip or judge and I would try to find the good in people.  That has had a profound impact on my life.  Am I perfect?  Do I always do as well as I hope?

No.

But I appreciate the reminders to stay on target.  Fixed on the goal.  This was one of those reminders.

Have a wonderful week!

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

P.S. I turned 40 yesterday.  I’m beginning a new decade of my life…

AND IT FEELS GOOD!

Jeremiah 29:12-14

“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.  And I will be found of you, saith the Lord.”

Last week was busy.

I really needed some time to prepare my choice of songs, comments and stories for the 2010 Time Out for Women.  When I am doing that sort of planning, it is really helpful to have quiet, uninterrupted time.  Like the match to a pair of socks for which you are digging through the laundry basket - it can be hard to find. 

By Thursday afternoon all hope of quiet time had vanished and I was feeling frustrated.  Then, I had an IDEA!  I called Tim at work and asked him if he would take the girls to dinner so I could have an hour to myself at home to get some planning done.  (Imagine that!  I came up with a solution and came right out and asked for help.  There is the slightest chance that at other times I might have just pouted until Tim asked what was wrong and then made him figure out a solution…)

What an hour!!  I feel like the scripture in Jeremiah came to pass in my very own little life. 

I began my planning with a prayer.  I asked Heavenly Father to help me know which songs to sing and which stories to tell.  (I don’t just come up with this stuff on my own, ya know.)

As I searched to piece together the first segment of the day (it really does feel like a puzzle waiting to be put together) I couldn’t find the right song to start with.  After a few tries, a couple more silent prayers and a little positive self-talk I finally found it. 

“Unwritten”

I listened to the song and then the Spirit reminded me to look up an email that was sent to me two years ago.  I found the email and in it was a story about the woman who wrote the song “Unwritten.”  I had forgotten the story but knew instantly when I read it that I needed to share it at TOFW this year.

The song was written by Marie Reynolds.  The email was from Marie’s mother and father, Joseph and Kathleen Creighton.  The story is inspiring:

“I just listened to Hilary Weeks singing Unwritten from her album Day of Praise.I found it by googling our daughter Marie Reynolds, which I do from time to time to see if there are any new recordings of songs she had written or co-written. I really like Hilary’s version of Unwritten and offer some more information about Marie and the song.As you know, Marie died of Brain Cancer at age 44 after 2 surgeries to remove 2 tumors. The last operation was in 2001 and the story told by the attending Anesthesiologist is that when she was wheeled into the operating room, she was introduced to the attending medical personnel as a “singer/ songwriter.”  Someone then asked if she would sing one of her songs.

And, of course, she sang Unwritten.

The anesthesiologist said a silence came over the room, normally very noisy..

When she finished, there were tears in the eyes of some of these professionals who see life and death battles every day, and someone said, “How can this woman, having a second brain surgery, praise God for all he has done for her?”

The anesthesiologist told them Marie said the same thing at her first surgery, that God was in control. When the surgeon who would perform this operation came into the room he was surprised at the abnormal quiet and It was the talk of Jefferson Hospital for days.

My wife and I had good fortune to be able to be with Marie for the last 11 weeks of her life. She never faltered in her faith and till the end said “God is in Control.” I thought you might like to know this.”

Joseph and Kathleen Creighton

Marlton, N.J.

Truly, truly – when we seek the Lord, we will find Him.  I felt like he lead me Thursday night. 

To the right song. 

To the right story.

Blog to you soon,

Hilary

1. You could buy 8 bags of chicken tenders or 180 muffins at Costco

2.  Depending how much you spend on a pair of jeans…you could buy five pairs or half of a pair of jeans.

3. You could go to the dollar movie one hundred times by yourself or 50 times with a guest.

4. You could fill your tank with gas…once…maybe twice. (Sad.)

5. You could buy 20 large coconut ice creams with raspberries at Maggie Moo’s.  (I’m just saying…that is simply an idea…it is one option…fine…that’s what I would do.)

Well, I am blogging today to tell you about a chance to win a $100!  Yes, A HUNDRED DOLLARS (and not just once, but multiple times)!

Some of you may know that my husband owns an online strore that Mommies love…StrollerDepot.com.  The good folks at Stroller Depot want to spread the word not only about the products they carry, but also the blogs, articles and videos that can help parents parent!

This is a brand new program that is just being launched and I wanted to invite you to be part of it.  Why?  Good question.  I happen to have two reasons why:

1. You and your friends will enjoy the free information available on the site.  There are all kinds of helpful articles about childhood nutrition, naptime, reading, childproofing your home, holiday traditions…and MUCH more!  Here are a few of my favorite articles:

Help Your Baby Nap Longer - you know how much I love “bedtime and naptime and bedtime and naptime…”

Speaking of “bedtime and naptime”, you can even link to my video so all of your friends and family can have a giggle.

Develop a Love for Reading is an article chuck full of ideas for helping your child learn to read.

2. I want you to be a $100 richer! 

How do you get involved?  Another good question! (Boy, you are full of good questions today.)  It is really simple.  Follow this link to learn more…but in a nutshell, you create links to your favorite articles, videos and strollers at StrollerDepot.com or its sister sites (including CelebrityBabyBuzz.com).  Then your friends and family can follow the links to learn more!

Every other week, Stroller Depot will give away 2 chances to win $100!  You can win by being the person who sends the most people to Stroller Depot or you can win through a random drawing.  The more people who visit the sites through your links, the better chance you have to win.  Each visitor you send enters your name into the drawing.

Now, if you are not a computer genius and are lacking in techno skills (like unto myself) and this seems a bit confusing, but you still want to give it a try…my husband has agreed that either he or some other smart person at Stroller Depot will give you the help you need.  Just send an email to information@hilaryweeks.com and say “HELP!”  Leave us your contact information (phone number or email address).  Otherwise, give it a try and see if you can become $100 richer!

Click here to get started!

Blog to you soon,

Hilary