Spring Break

I chose the quote of the week to remind me this week to live in the moment with my children. This entire week is spring break. I don't want this time to just pass us by. I don't want to spend this week wishing for next week, which I have been guilty of in the past. I needed to be reminded of this for my daily life as well. The time will quickly come when my children wont be at home and wont want to spend their days with me. I need to take complete advantage of this and spend as much time with my kids as possible. My future without kids will come quickly enough. I want my yesterdays filled with good, fun memories. Not with regret.

Big Thanks

So Brent and I celebrated our anniversary yesterday. We had a GREAT time. My great friend Amy offered to watch Grace for us. But Brent (being the protective father that he is) insisted that we bring her with us. I was worried about this because in the past Grace has been a nightmare at other functions. Bunco is still fresh on my mind. But Grace was an angel baby. She was great at Chili's and when we went to Park City. I was very surprised. So thanks Grace, for letting Mom and Dad enjoy our day together. And thank you Amy, for being so willing to watch Grace for me. I'm sure I will take you up on this offer when it's not an all day excursion. And a Great Big Thanks goes out to Kelli & Cory and Grandma Donna & Grandpa Woody. My mom was going to watch the kids but got really sick. I am so so grateful that Grandma Donna was able to take the kids on such short notice. Our wonderful day wouldn't have been possible without you!!! We are so lucky to live around so much family!!! You guys ROCK!!!

Sunday Lightbulb

Today I had a light bulb moment. The youth speaker spoke on Divine Nature and finding out our Talents. Another speaker spoke on Elder Eyring's talk about writing down the Lord's hand in our life. She spoke about how quickly and loudly the adversary is to tell us how to react and to judge. But the spirit is on the other shoulder, quietly waiting for us to turn our heads, ask and then receive the inspiration on how to act. I LOVED this. But this was not my light bulb moment. It came to me as these speakers were a continued answer to a prayer. The Lord is TRULY mindful of each and every one of us. When I first was pregnant with Grace, doubt crept into my mind. Was I making the right choice. Was I truly inspired to have her. And as an answer to this, several speakers in church and in conference spoke about their children and cherishing motherhood. He was testifying to me, that yes, I was making the right choice. Just like today, it felt like the speakers were talking directly to me and for me. I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who never leaves us alone. Who is always there to lead and guide us on the path that has been made for each of us. I know the Lord knows me personally and is striving to help me be the best person I possibly can be.

12 years of Marrigae

Get ready for a roast. If you aren't interested in a roast today, move on to the next Blog.


Tomorrow Brent and I will be celebrating 12 years of marriage!!! WOW, that is a complete miracle in this day in age. About 3 years ago I insisted that Brent take the entire day of our Anniversary OFF. Why not? It's only one day, and we should celebrate each other. I wanted to go back to the Salt Lake Temple where we were married and go through a session. It's turning out to be a wonderful tradition. We actually started it on our 10 year anniversary, we hadn't been back to the S.L. Temple for a session since we were married. After going through a session we go out to eat. Our favorite place is Bucco di Beppo. A family style Italian place. In the very near future I would like this tradition to turn into an overnighter. Even better.
I am so grateful to be married to Brent. Yes, there are times when he annoys the heck out of me and I just want to pull my hair out. But I couldn't imagine my life without him. I am amazed at the growth that he has made with each of the births of our children. Watching him coo and talk with the babies is so heart warming. I am grateful that Grace has brought that out in him again. He communicates so well with the kids. Asking them questions that I never think about. He is extremely dedicated and devoted to me and the kids. Working hard every day, making sure we are provided with the neccesities of life. I don't have to worry about a thing.
Along the way I have learned and recognized how he shows his love for me. He's not the greatest at telling me how beautiful I am, or telling me what a great job I'm doing. Which is how I'd like to receive love. Instead, he is so GREAT at serving me. When ever I even mention something that needs to be done, or something that I'd like. He's right there fixing the problem, and anxiously waiting for me to open a gift.
I am grateful that he honors his priesthood and blesses our home with it. I am a stronger person today because of the Man that Brent is. Men and Women truly compliment each other. Brent and I are no exception. I can honestly say that I love Brent more today, then I did the day we were married. I think that is how marriage should be.
Thanks Brent, for a wonderful 12 years. I love you!!!!

Girls' Camp 101 for the 21st Century

Okay, So I've only been to Girls' Camp 1 and 1/4 times my whole Young Women career. I don't remember it being ANYTHING like what I experienced last night. And maybe it's been a while since I've been a teenager. But still. I was asked to be on the comity to help with the food. (Which I haven't had a lot of say in either. Apparantly these teenagers are picky.) I was amazed at the great lengths these women were coming up with for entertainment!!!! I made this comment to the comity and their answer was simple, " If we don't, they wont come to church. " My friend Leslie, who a counselor in the Y.W. Stake Presidency said that girls' will call their Mom's and their Mom's will COME PICK them up!!! What? Just because they aren't having enough fun. Other comments were made about complaints of No Cell Phones and 1 peace swim suits!!! The first thing that came to my mind was, " we are commanded to Live in the world, not be Of the world". What are these families teaching these young women. Grant it, I don't have any teenagers of my own. So I don't know what it's like. And personally I am scared crapless to actually have a teenagers. But come on people!!! Basic principles of the gospel aren't being taught here. I was so angry. If I were a parent I would tell my girls You are Not bringing cell phones, there's no reason for them up on the mountain, You will eat what they serve you it's common courtasy, and you will NOT wear a two peace swim suit that just immodest. Am I being completely unreasonable to think that this is going to be a possible way to parent when my girls' are teenager? One of the women even said that these girls are spoiled. Duh, ya think?
I hope and pray that I am strong enough to stand up for what is right and to teach my daughters to do the same.

Grace is 2 MONTHS

I think she might have green eyes!!!

I love how babies look when they're sleeping!!!

So Grace is 2 months old. We went to the Doctor yesterday. I am very happy to say that she now weighs a whopping 10lbs 4oz and is 22 inches long. YEAH!! Grace has been such a blessing in our lives!!! And aside from the gassiness, she has been an amazing baby.

Life of Grace

Grace is so cute here smiling at Beckham. As you can hear, her life is filled with all sorts of noises. Someone taking a shower, other kids asking what I'm doing, telling me to take pictures, and Brent on the phone. Grace's life is full of loud noises, none of my other children have experienced noise quite like this. And through it all, she is the one that has smiled the earliest.