Random post, for no reason... Just bragging about the stud I'm married too. He takes my breath away. Love my B!
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Christmas Cookies
Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I knew the time would go fast. Lately I've noticed just how fast it seems to go. The past year was full of everything you can imagine and some things I never want to imagine again, like a snake in my washing machine.
I planned to take around neighbor gifts this year for Christmas, just like last year. I even got some of the cookies baked. We live in an awesome neighborhood and one of the perks is all the treats during the holidays! My neighbors can bake and cook. It is awesome! I however, did not get to share any of my baking talents with them this year. My two days a week working at the gym turned into three, then four and now I find myself there 40 hours a week. This is by no means a bad thing at all. But working full time, running a home (more like attempting to run a home), family and the fact that I do require a minimum of 8 hours of sleep each night, left little room for me to have time to bake cookies. Along with the battle that ensues between saran wrap and myself everytime I use it and then delivering the goods. I had a major triumph in deciding to skip the neighbor treats! This was huge for me. Really. Just ask B.
I was feeling bad about it. Not too bad. Don't worry, I don't beat myself up over many things. But I did want to show my neighbors I loved them. That's when I realized just how blessed I am. I have so many neighbors and friends that I love and who love me and my family that there just wasn't time to bake that many stinking cookies! I had been focused on the cookies, which should come as no surprise. I love cookies. But I am so grateful for that moment where time stopped ever so briefly and the Lord showed me just how blessed I am. That I am truly surrounded by good people. So good that a cookie at Christmas isn't what holds our relationships together.
So neighbors, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR! I am grwoing quite attached to Plain City and it is because of the people. I want my neighbors, our friends, to know that we love them. That they bless our life continually and Brandon and I could not ask for a better place to live. We are spoiled. Thank you for all you do. For being a part of making some great memories in 2013. We had some huge blessings during the holidays that were much needed and we know that our neighbors were a part of many of those acts of kindness. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
I planned to take around neighbor gifts this year for Christmas, just like last year. I even got some of the cookies baked. We live in an awesome neighborhood and one of the perks is all the treats during the holidays! My neighbors can bake and cook. It is awesome! I however, did not get to share any of my baking talents with them this year. My two days a week working at the gym turned into three, then four and now I find myself there 40 hours a week. This is by no means a bad thing at all. But working full time, running a home (more like attempting to run a home), family and the fact that I do require a minimum of 8 hours of sleep each night, left little room for me to have time to bake cookies. Along with the battle that ensues between saran wrap and myself everytime I use it and then delivering the goods. I had a major triumph in deciding to skip the neighbor treats! This was huge for me. Really. Just ask B.
I was feeling bad about it. Not too bad. Don't worry, I don't beat myself up over many things. But I did want to show my neighbors I loved them. That's when I realized just how blessed I am. I have so many neighbors and friends that I love and who love me and my family that there just wasn't time to bake that many stinking cookies! I had been focused on the cookies, which should come as no surprise. I love cookies. But I am so grateful for that moment where time stopped ever so briefly and the Lord showed me just how blessed I am. That I am truly surrounded by good people. So good that a cookie at Christmas isn't what holds our relationships together.
So neighbors, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR! I am grwoing quite attached to Plain City and it is because of the people. I want my neighbors, our friends, to know that we love them. That they bless our life continually and Brandon and I could not ask for a better place to live. We are spoiled. Thank you for all you do. For being a part of making some great memories in 2013. We had some huge blessings during the holidays that were much needed and we know that our neighbors were a part of many of those acts of kindness. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
The Cup Song
Elizabeth has learned "The Cup Song". B and I have been finding random, empty, cups all over the house lately. She goes around singing the song and doing the actions with a cup. Cutest thing ever, minus the fact that it has created more dishes for me to do!!
This last Friday night we went out to dinner with a friend and her two girls. CeCe decided to do it with Liz...
This last Friday night we went out to dinner with a friend and her two girls. CeCe decided to do it with Liz...
Duck Season
Brandon has started hunting. He grew up hunting as a kid and teenager but has not been hunting since he returned home from his mission which was a LONG LONG LONG time ago. Man, he's old! In Plain City it is pretty easy to go hunting close to your home. Brandon had permission from a neighbor to go dove hunting on his property which is maybe a mile down the road. And so it began!!
Brandon and Luke would get up really early and head out to hunt doves. The girls went with him a couple of times and I even went once. Now he is on to the duck hunt. He and Luke went last night and they did not come home empty handed!! Both had a huge smile on their face when I went to pick them up. I had Luke tell me in a video about it. He tells it better than I do.
Brandon and Luke would get up really early and head out to hunt doves. The girls went with him a couple of times and I even went once. Now he is on to the duck hunt. He and Luke went last night and they did not come home empty handed!! Both had a huge smile on their face when I went to pick them up. I had Luke tell me in a video about it. He tells it better than I do.
I know that B has loved every second of taking Luke with him. I wish I could articulate what it's like to see them walking down a dirt road at dusk with their hunting gear and Charlie in tow. It made my heart smile.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Cats
I've never liked cats. I would watch my Papa shoot them if they came into his yard. Really. I watched him fling one over the fence by its tail. We were taught that cats were bad. So I have never liked them. Refused to have them. Until Jerry came along about two years ago. I couldn't say no when Brandon and the kids asked to keep him. And he was cute. I kinda liked him.
About a year later Brandon thought it was a good idea to stop at a home with a sign that said FREE KITTENS. With the kids. They brought one home. Looking back, I should have made them take her back. But I didn't. How was I supposed to know she would get knocked up and go into labor on my bed, right next to me??????
Brandon woke me when it started. I flipped out and yelled at him to run get a box because she was NOT giving birth on my bed. I've tried to blame what happened next on Charlie barking but the truth is, I startled Kotex (her real name is Ella) and she bolted from the bed. Her first kitten fell out of her and on the floor by the vent.
UGH.
Great.
Can kittens get a TBI (traumatic brain injury)?????
I grabbed a towel, scooped up the kitten and then mom and put them in the box. I've never seen a cat give birth. Obviously. And it was pretty cool to watch Kotex immediately start taking care of her baby. I figured she was just having one, which confused me because I thought they had huge litters. After reading on google and finding out there can be anywhere from ten to sixty minutes between births I went back to bed. We woke up to a total of four kittens.
Kotex has tried twice to move the under our bed. On my side. Seriously?? Why my side??
Those of you who have known me for a long time, I am sure are finding this hilarious. Those in my family are probably finding this shocking and against everything we've been taught.
So, we have four kittens. Three still need a home when the time comes that we can take them away from their mom. Anyone want one??? Please???
Jill vs. the Snake
A couple of weeks ago, I came home from a friends wedding to find a snake in Luke's aquarium that normally houses small frogs. Awesome.
Luke proceeded to tell me how he caught it. Carried it home and downstairs to put in his red bin. Which he couldn't find at first and then once he had, he had to empty it out. Which is when I clarify that he brought the snake in the house and was holding on to it for that entire time????? At that time I was so relieved that he didn't drop it and lose it in the house. I asked him why he didn't just put it in the tank to begin with and he said, "Well, I wanted to show Dad. I didn't think it was a good idea to wake him from his nap holding a snake over him."
Good thinking.
We told Luke he could keep the snake in the tank through the weekend. On Saturday night, the snake made a break for it. I don't like snakes or any other creepy crawly type animals. Contained, they are fine. I don't want to look at them but they don't bother me. A snake on the loose, in my house, is a whole different story.
In tears, I made Brandon and Luke tear a part the basement to find it. I know Brandon thought I was nuts. How were they going to find this little garter snake?? In that moment, I did not care. They HAD to find it. Needless to say, it wasn't found. I was pretty close to taking up a couple of friends on their offers of a couch or trampoline to sleep on instead of sleeping in my house. But, I stayed home and slept in my house.
In my bed.
With a snake loose.
I made Brandon shut our bedroom door and put towels along the bottom. Brandon almost lost some toes that night. He found it funny to wiggle his toes at me and make little noises that scared me half to death. It's rare tat I don't find that man funny. That night, he was not funny.
He thought he was. I contemplated amputating his toes.
A few days go by, roughly a week, and I am finally coming to the point where I figure the snake has died or found it's way out. So life went on. Til I did some laundry...
I was switching over a load of laundry and was reaching into my washing machine when I realized I did not have clothes in my hand but something else. That was moving. The snake. It was alive. I drop the snake, scream for Brandon and immediately drop to the floor hugging my knees and start crying. Which I feel was the appropriate response given the circumstances. Brandon and Luke took it outside and I don't know if they let it go or killed it. I don't care. I still shiver and get chills just thinking about grabbing it. I'm fairly sure that Brandon had to bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.
I gave the tank to a friend for her sons birthday. I think she is nuts to allow a creepy crawly thing in her house. Look what happened to me!! Luke can still catch all the critters he wants. They will just have to stay outside.
Last summer I had to put a limit on the number of frogs he and his friend could catch and put in the tank. It was 4. I explained that there was "no more room at the Inn". Well, this summer, the Inn is shutting down.
Luke proceeded to tell me how he caught it. Carried it home and downstairs to put in his red bin. Which he couldn't find at first and then once he had, he had to empty it out. Which is when I clarify that he brought the snake in the house and was holding on to it for that entire time????? At that time I was so relieved that he didn't drop it and lose it in the house. I asked him why he didn't just put it in the tank to begin with and he said, "Well, I wanted to show Dad. I didn't think it was a good idea to wake him from his nap holding a snake over him."
Good thinking.
We told Luke he could keep the snake in the tank through the weekend. On Saturday night, the snake made a break for it. I don't like snakes or any other creepy crawly type animals. Contained, they are fine. I don't want to look at them but they don't bother me. A snake on the loose, in my house, is a whole different story.
In tears, I made Brandon and Luke tear a part the basement to find it. I know Brandon thought I was nuts. How were they going to find this little garter snake?? In that moment, I did not care. They HAD to find it. Needless to say, it wasn't found. I was pretty close to taking up a couple of friends on their offers of a couch or trampoline to sleep on instead of sleeping in my house. But, I stayed home and slept in my house.
In my bed.
With a snake loose.
I made Brandon shut our bedroom door and put towels along the bottom. Brandon almost lost some toes that night. He found it funny to wiggle his toes at me and make little noises that scared me half to death. It's rare tat I don't find that man funny. That night, he was not funny.
He thought he was. I contemplated amputating his toes.
A few days go by, roughly a week, and I am finally coming to the point where I figure the snake has died or found it's way out. So life went on. Til I did some laundry...
I was switching over a load of laundry and was reaching into my washing machine when I realized I did not have clothes in my hand but something else. That was moving. The snake. It was alive. I drop the snake, scream for Brandon and immediately drop to the floor hugging my knees and start crying. Which I feel was the appropriate response given the circumstances. Brandon and Luke took it outside and I don't know if they let it go or killed it. I don't care. I still shiver and get chills just thinking about grabbing it. I'm fairly sure that Brandon had to bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.
I gave the tank to a friend for her sons birthday. I think she is nuts to allow a creepy crawly thing in her house. Look what happened to me!! Luke can still catch all the critters he wants. They will just have to stay outside.
Last summer I had to put a limit on the number of frogs he and his friend could catch and put in the tank. It was 4. I explained that there was "no more room at the Inn". Well, this summer, the Inn is shutting down.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
November to Now...
SIDE NOTE: I wrote this over a month ago. Ha!
Thanksgiving came and went. Along with Christmas, New Years, Valentines and all the other days in between. I thought it was time I put up an update... We spent Thanksgiving with my family this year. The kids were with us and we had dinner at my mom's. It was a lot of fun and a relaxing day. So relaxing that I didn't take any pictures!! Brandon and I have another beautiful niece! Emma Shinobu Tingey, born December 18, 2012 at 5:13 a.m. 8 lbs 1 oz, 20.5 inches. Brian and Andrea had their second child, well, technically Andrea had the baby. Emma was born in December and she is such a beautiful baby! Lincoln is so happy to be a big brother. We are excited for her blessing that is coming up. This year, the kids were with us for the last half of Christmas day. Brandon and I spent Christmas Eve with his family. It was such a nice night together as family. We are truly blessed.
We had Christmas morning with just the two of us, it was fun to open our presents and spend the morning together in our pajamma's. We were REALLY excited for the kids to come over. We were beyond blessed this Christmas and are so grateful for all of our friends and family. The Lord continues to bless our family, we are humbled and grateful.
New Years Eve this year was spent with our good friends the Wright's. We had enough food to feed an army, made lava lamps and set fire to a dummy in the front yard!! Really, the Wrights taught us about Ano viejo. A custom in South America, you write down all the things from that year (2012) that you want to leave behind you as you move into the the new year (2013). You then put them together and burn what you are leaving behind you. We each took a piece of paper and wrote down all the things from 2012 that we wanted to let go of and leave behind in 2012 as we began 2013. There was no reading of our papers. I noticed that the room grew quite quiet with the exception of a few cracks from Brandon and Cody. I thought the kids would struggle or not have much to write. Turns out, we all had things we wanted to leave behind. Mine ranged from silly to serious. I have no clue what anyone else wrote. That was one of the cool things about it. We then went out front and put them into the dummy the Wright's had brought. Cody and Brandon moved our 2012 dummy onto the lawn and to make sure it would burn, they poured gasoline on it. Personally, I think those two just wanted to make sure it was a big fire. As 2012 started to burn, there was a surprise, sparklers! Brandon and Cody had to put a little flare to our 2012. As the sparklers died and the dummy continued to burn we stood in silence and watched. After a few moments, Kari suggested we sing a song. Several of us asked what song? And in true Wright/Sandall fashion, Emma suggested that we sing "If You're Happy and You Know It". So, we watched 2012 finish burning and sang our hearts out. Actions and all. We are so grateful for the Wright family and their friendship. Silly one moment and serious the next. LOVE YOU GUYS!!
Thanksgiving came and went. Along with Christmas, New Years, Valentines and all the other days in between. I thought it was time I put up an update... We spent Thanksgiving with my family this year. The kids were with us and we had dinner at my mom's. It was a lot of fun and a relaxing day. So relaxing that I didn't take any pictures!! Brandon and I have another beautiful niece! Emma Shinobu Tingey, born December 18, 2012 at 5:13 a.m. 8 lbs 1 oz, 20.5 inches. Brian and Andrea had their second child, well, technically Andrea had the baby. Emma was born in December and she is such a beautiful baby! Lincoln is so happy to be a big brother. We are excited for her blessing that is coming up. This year, the kids were with us for the last half of Christmas day. Brandon and I spent Christmas Eve with his family. It was such a nice night together as family. We are truly blessed.
We had Christmas morning with just the two of us, it was fun to open our presents and spend the morning together in our pajamma's. We were REALLY excited for the kids to come over. We were beyond blessed this Christmas and are so grateful for all of our friends and family. The Lord continues to bless our family, we are humbled and grateful.
New Years Eve this year was spent with our good friends the Wright's. We had enough food to feed an army, made lava lamps and set fire to a dummy in the front yard!! Really, the Wrights taught us about Ano viejo. A custom in South America, you write down all the things from that year (2012) that you want to leave behind you as you move into the the new year (2013). You then put them together and burn what you are leaving behind you. We each took a piece of paper and wrote down all the things from 2012 that we wanted to let go of and leave behind in 2012 as we began 2013. There was no reading of our papers. I noticed that the room grew quite quiet with the exception of a few cracks from Brandon and Cody. I thought the kids would struggle or not have much to write. Turns out, we all had things we wanted to leave behind. Mine ranged from silly to serious. I have no clue what anyone else wrote. That was one of the cool things about it. We then went out front and put them into the dummy the Wright's had brought. Cody and Brandon moved our 2012 dummy onto the lawn and to make sure it would burn, they poured gasoline on it. Personally, I think those two just wanted to make sure it was a big fire. As 2012 started to burn, there was a surprise, sparklers! Brandon and Cody had to put a little flare to our 2012. As the sparklers died and the dummy continued to burn we stood in silence and watched. After a few moments, Kari suggested we sing a song. Several of us asked what song? And in true Wright/Sandall fashion, Emma suggested that we sing "If You're Happy and You Know It". So, we watched 2012 finish burning and sang our hearts out. Actions and all. We are so grateful for the Wright family and their friendship. Silly one moment and serious the next. LOVE YOU GUYS!!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Thank You Pinterest and Lookout Martha!!
Well, it’s Halloween. This specific holiday is not my favorite (but I don't hate it) and I have never been a huge fan of dressing up, except maybe when I was younger. I get confused why grown women dresses in ¼ of what they would wear normally for this holiday and look like their teenage daughters. I missed the memo that standards are not applicable during this holiday! (End of rant) However, over the years I have grown to find this holiday to be fun. I’ve never been a fan of body parts in the yard, and cheesy stuff from Walmart and the decorations I like, that are found at boutiques is ridiculously priced. Hence, me never getting into the decorating spirit! My mom always went all out for any holiday when it came to decorating our house and fun activities during the weeks before, so sometimes people are a bit confused as to why I am not that way. Side note: My mom is amazing. If I can be half of the woman/mother she is, I would consider my life a success.
This year, thanks to sites like Pinterest, I decided to perk up my Halloween decorations. I have a few friends in my neighborhood who go all out and I love their decorations!! They have sparked my creative juices (Thank you Karen!!). So…I’m trying to turn my kitchen into a Witches’ Kitchen, thanks to the help of the gals in my neighborhood. We had a recent Girls Night Out, craft night. We made potion bottles, which were absolutely darling!! I ended up making 25. You should have seen Brandon’s face when I came home with 25 wine bottles turned into potion bottles!! Laura helped me put glitter on a couple of skeleton heads and we put the new décor up this weekend. I also got an idea for a wreath off of pinterest. I dyed some monk’s cloth a burnt orange color, cut into two inch strips and twisted and glued to a wreath. Slapped a bow on that baby and VIOLA! I got through this craft project with only one battle wound. I was caught off guard by my glue gun. But my thumb is healing and I shall survive.
Yet another cool thing about living in Plain City? I bought 7 pumpkins for $5.00 from a neighbor. There are many people out here who grow pumpkins, then set up a little stand on their front lawn where you can buy them. Pumpkins at Walmart are $3.88. Each. Take that, Walmart!! So I wrapped some of those in tulle and Laura and Liz helped me paint two of them. While Brandon was at the priesthood session of general conference, we finished the pumpkins and put them outside.
The three of us decided to put out the rest of my decorations. I had a new and unexpected item in my Halloween box. It was a mouse. About half way through putting things out, I reached my hand in the box and all of a sudden the unexpected addition ran across the box right by my hand. EEEEKKK!! Ok, I don’t really freak out over mice. Or spiders. But this little guy totally scared me. We took the box out back, I finished emptying it and then got Jerry and dropped him in. Ha! Take that! Looks like I need to put out more mouse poison in the garage, or is it mice poison??? (This is one downside to living in Plain City….there are little critters)
Once we were done, Laura, Liz and I hit the Maverick for a treat. We made it moments before the priesthood session ended and so needless to say, missed waiting in a long line of men and boys for our coke’s and treats! WHEW!
I walked into the twin’s room and found one of Elizabeth’s craft projects on the wall. She is constantly leaving notes to each of us about how much she loves us and her family. I had to throw a picture of one of her recent posters in.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
End of Summer
Summer is over. It was a fun summer and very low key. I decided to throw up a few pictures from us playing around...I did not do a very good job of keeping up with our blog this summer. My excuse would be is that I've been busy having too much fun! We hope that everyone had a good summer!
Mercy River performed in Brigham Young Historical park in SLC this summer. My good friend Amber and I were going and Brandon and Laura came along. It was a lot of fun. We got carmel apples and sat on the grass and enjoyed one of our favorite groups!
One of my good friends had surgery and so her little girl, also known as my little BFF, came to stay overnight over the weekend. We roasted marshmallows and made s'mores and we took her fishing for her first time!! We went up to a city pond in Brigham City that is stocked with fish. It's a great place to go with kids, you are almost guaranteed to catch fish. Mak loved it! You are allowed to take home two fish each. So, with a plan in mind, we kept a hold of 12.
Over the summer several "pets" Luke and Duncan caught ended up at Duncan's house. One of them was a catfish. When that catfish was returned to the wild, I told Mike and Amy to not be too sad. That I would get them another. So, while they were at church, Laura and I drove over to their home. We filled the bathtub and kitchen sink with water and we introduced the catfish to their new home.
Mercy River performed in Brigham Young Historical park in SLC this summer. My good friend Amber and I were going and Brandon and Laura came along. It was a lot of fun. We got carmel apples and sat on the grass and enjoyed one of our favorite groups!
One of my good friends had surgery and so her little girl, also known as my little BFF, came to stay overnight over the weekend. We roasted marshmallows and made s'mores and we took her fishing for her first time!! We went up to a city pond in Brigham City that is stocked with fish. It's a great place to go with kids, you are almost guaranteed to catch fish. Mak loved it! You are allowed to take home two fish each. So, with a plan in mind, we kept a hold of 12.
Over the summer several "pets" Luke and Duncan caught ended up at Duncan's house. One of them was a catfish. When that catfish was returned to the wild, I told Mike and Amy to not be too sad. That I would get them another. So, while they were at church, Laura and I drove over to their home. We filled the bathtub and kitchen sink with water and we introduced the catfish to their new home.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
CTR, Remember Who You are. Don't do drugs and stay away from weird men/women!
With the start of school here...I wanted to write to the beautiful girls in our ward (boys, you count too but I'm not friends with a lot of you on facebook and that is where this will be posted), my nieces and nephews, my cute step kids and all the teens and kids getting ready to start another year of school where so many of your best memories will be formed but where you will be faced with real adversity... I always say, jokingly (yet, I'm not joking), when the kids get out of the car or leave the house, "Choose the Right! Don't do drugs! Remember who you are! Stay away from weird men/women!"
I want to share a few things from a book I recently read, When Life Gets Hard by Meg Johnson:
"Being spiritually "able" requires very simple steps - the kind of answers always given in Primary. Praying, reading scriptures, and being nice to others all invite the Holy Ghost and spiritual ability. Likewise, spiritual paralysis happens with similar simplicity."
"Being spiritually paralyzed is not a disability I can handle."
"Those who are spiritually disabled look at us as "self-righteous" and "haughty" when we refuse to join them in their unfair judgements, gossip, parties, movies and every other activity that would numb us spiritually. They wallow selfishly in their spiritual paralysis. They know where the path is but choose to stay spiritually disabled. They do not wish to join us, instead, despise us for our valiance and humility - and ability."
This is so hard!! How do we know if it is our pride or if it is someone else's insecurities/anger or spiritual paralysis?? And when we make a mistake, what do we do? That is something that others sit and wait for us to do, to use as a tool to drag us down and to hopefully pull us off our path. To point out what hypocrites we are. We all make mistakes, and if you are me you make mistakes, A LOT (like, daily). I don't have a deep, profound answer. I have to always go back to the Primary answers above and have found that those, simple things, are the true answer. If it is my pride, I ask for help to humble myself and apologize. Apologies are not always accepted, but you have done your part in it, allow the Savior to do the rest.
A part in the book, she talks about being in a movie that does not align with her standards and that she knows she needs to leave....and asks the question that I find myself asking, all the time. What do I do?
"As a modern-day Daniel, you have two places to pray- hidden in your closet or right in front of the window. Sometimes it is right to pray in your closets, but in this instance, being subtle about your standards and still keeping them - like closing your eyes during the bad scenes - may not be enough. But if you "pray in front of the window" and stand up in the middle of the show to crawl over everyone in the audience to get out, people might not be so happy with you.
Sometimes when we "pray in front of our window", we're considered arrogant and self-righteous. Sometimes our friends won't understand our standards. Sometimes our family will be angry at us for reminding them of our standards. God does not always close their mouths.
Sometimes those who see our righteous example are not softened, sometimes they are hardened against us."
"As modern-day Daniels, what do we say in our prayers? Do we ask that the lions' mouths will be closed? Or do we ask for thicker skin?"
"....courage is not the same as bravery. When we're brave, we are fearless and confident. But I rarely feel that way. Like you, I know people who dislike it when I pray at my window. I fear that those lions may eat me and that the fires will burn me - but I fear God more. In my fear, I have little room for bravery.
But I have room for courage. Courage is not the absence of fear. Rather, it is the willingness and determination to do what needs doing anyway - despite how we feel. With courage, we can fall down on our knees right in front of our window, standing tall in our commitment to righteousness, and let the lions eat us.
With courage, we can walk through the fires that burn, and as we do, we will walk with God. As we are courageous, we will know that if lions eat us, we're going to taste good because the fruits of the Spirit are sweet!
So let the lions eat us as we bear our testimony with our actions and pray in front of our windows. Let the fires burn us to a standard-waving crisp! There is nothing on our trail - no lion, no fire, no rock - that we can't handle when we walk with God, even if we can't walk."
Please remember to include everyone. Gossip, talking poorly about others, bashing on facebook, that all hurts. I know because I have been guilty of doing it and hurting people in the past and it has been done to me. Words cut deep and being left out hurts. I have few regrets in life, but when I have allowed emotion to take control and I have vented on social media, or said things that were hurtful, I have felt true regret. It is hard to repair that kind of damage. Look out for one another, and include one another. Have fun and have courage. If you won't, who will?
And most importantly, choose the right! Remember who you are! Don't do drugs! And stay away from weird men and women!!
I want to share a few things from a book I recently read, When Life Gets Hard by Meg Johnson:
"Being spiritually "able" requires very simple steps - the kind of answers always given in Primary. Praying, reading scriptures, and being nice to others all invite the Holy Ghost and spiritual ability. Likewise, spiritual paralysis happens with similar simplicity."
"Being spiritually paralyzed is not a disability I can handle."
"Those who are spiritually disabled look at us as "self-righteous" and "haughty" when we refuse to join them in their unfair judgements, gossip, parties, movies and every other activity that would numb us spiritually. They wallow selfishly in their spiritual paralysis. They know where the path is but choose to stay spiritually disabled. They do not wish to join us, instead, despise us for our valiance and humility - and ability."
This is so hard!! How do we know if it is our pride or if it is someone else's insecurities/anger or spiritual paralysis?? And when we make a mistake, what do we do? That is something that others sit and wait for us to do, to use as a tool to drag us down and to hopefully pull us off our path. To point out what hypocrites we are. We all make mistakes, and if you are me you make mistakes, A LOT (like, daily). I don't have a deep, profound answer. I have to always go back to the Primary answers above and have found that those, simple things, are the true answer. If it is my pride, I ask for help to humble myself and apologize. Apologies are not always accepted, but you have done your part in it, allow the Savior to do the rest.
A part in the book, she talks about being in a movie that does not align with her standards and that she knows she needs to leave....and asks the question that I find myself asking, all the time. What do I do?
"As a modern-day Daniel, you have two places to pray- hidden in your closet or right in front of the window. Sometimes it is right to pray in your closets, but in this instance, being subtle about your standards and still keeping them - like closing your eyes during the bad scenes - may not be enough. But if you "pray in front of the window" and stand up in the middle of the show to crawl over everyone in the audience to get out, people might not be so happy with you.
Sometimes when we "pray in front of our window", we're considered arrogant and self-righteous. Sometimes our friends won't understand our standards. Sometimes our family will be angry at us for reminding them of our standards. God does not always close their mouths.
Sometimes those who see our righteous example are not softened, sometimes they are hardened against us."
"As modern-day Daniels, what do we say in our prayers? Do we ask that the lions' mouths will be closed? Or do we ask for thicker skin?"
"....courage is not the same as bravery. When we're brave, we are fearless and confident. But I rarely feel that way. Like you, I know people who dislike it when I pray at my window. I fear that those lions may eat me and that the fires will burn me - but I fear God more. In my fear, I have little room for bravery.
But I have room for courage. Courage is not the absence of fear. Rather, it is the willingness and determination to do what needs doing anyway - despite how we feel. With courage, we can fall down on our knees right in front of our window, standing tall in our commitment to righteousness, and let the lions eat us.
With courage, we can walk through the fires that burn, and as we do, we will walk with God. As we are courageous, we will know that if lions eat us, we're going to taste good because the fruits of the Spirit are sweet!
So let the lions eat us as we bear our testimony with our actions and pray in front of our windows. Let the fires burn us to a standard-waving crisp! There is nothing on our trail - no lion, no fire, no rock - that we can't handle when we walk with God, even if we can't walk."
Please remember to include everyone. Gossip, talking poorly about others, bashing on facebook, that all hurts. I know because I have been guilty of doing it and hurting people in the past and it has been done to me. Words cut deep and being left out hurts. I have few regrets in life, but when I have allowed emotion to take control and I have vented on social media, or said things that were hurtful, I have felt true regret. It is hard to repair that kind of damage. Look out for one another, and include one another. Have fun and have courage. If you won't, who will?
And most importantly, choose the right! Remember who you are! Don't do drugs! And stay away from weird men and women!!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Thank you, Pinterest
So I like Pinterest. I actually use it. Mainly for recipes and hairdo ideas. Recently, I saw a hilarious picture of a dog with penciled on eyebrows. Monday, I did it to Charlie and Jerry. Truly, mid conversation with Brandon and Laura, I reached under the bed and grabbed out a cheap, old eye liner....Here is the result. I find it hilarious. Hoping no one reports me to the ASPCA.
They both held completely still, I must not be the only one who likes getting my makeup done. Jerry, seemed a tad bit ticked off when I was done.
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| Before... |
They both held completely still, I must not be the only one who likes getting my makeup done. Jerry, seemed a tad bit ticked off when I was done.
Box Spring: 1 Brandon and Jill: 0
The story I am about to tell is completely true. There is a good possibility that Brandon won't talk to me for at least a week after posting this. Thing is, I know we have all "been there done that" in a similar situation, and I happen to think this is very funny. Unfortunately for Brandon, he's married to someone who is incredibly open and has zero problem laughing at her antics and her husbands....
It was 4 o'clock, one hot summer afternoon. Brandon and I started to move a queen size box spring down stairs to Lilly's room. The stairs in our cottage, to our basement, are narrow and kinda steep (Cottage = old house).
We got the box spring part way down and then, it stopped moving. The corner of the box spring, literally was sitting on the very edge of the stair it needed to pass. I am positive there is no measurement in existence, small enough, to describe how close we were to getting it down this one stair.
With it being so close, we made the conclusion that most would make. We can do this. It just needs a little "coaxing". Right? Coaxing is code for force. Let's cut to the good part. We could not shove it down the stairs, and trust me, we tried. A million different ways, one which included me throwing (literally) all my weight on the box spring. I will let your imagination run with that one. Not ready to give up, we decided that if we took apart one of the corners of the box spring, it would give the wood frame the ability to move and twist just a little, and just enough, so that we could maneuver it over this last, stupid, stair.
We did the wrong corner the fist time. Moving on....
We get the right corner undone and are able to fold the boards up into the frame and were able to maneuver the box spring! Apparently, there is a measurement in existence for where the box spring was originally stuck because we were able to move it. But not off the stair.
Those of you who know me, know I'm someone who sweats. Always have. Regardless of what shape I am in. Brandon, however, does not, sometimes that is super irritating. At this point, he is drenched in sweat. So that says a lot to the state I am in.
I need to backtrack....Yes. We measured things. According to my ladybug tape measure, the box spring would fit down the stairs. And really and truly, we were so so so so so so so so close to having it down that one stupid stair that stood in our way.
Ok, so if we take apart all four corners, surely it will give us the little flexibility we need. Right? We unwedge the box spring and take it out back and take apart all four corners so we can fold the boards up in the frame.
We stood at the top of the stairs, ready to conquer. Filled with determination and covered in sweat. This box spring was going downstairs.
We lost. The box spring had other ideas and after many more comical minutes we conceded and literally threw the box spring off our deck. I plan to roast marshmallows over it for my revenge. Take that!
The kids were pretty confused about the state of the back yard and wanted to know what had happened. I simple told them, "We got into a fight. With a box spring. It won."
I hope you found this as funny as we have. I think we all have a story where we can relate. Because clearly we know better, right? A square block will fit in a round hole if I force it. Tthis time, just this once, we were wrong.
What about Lilly's bed??? Brandon made a low bed frame. Thank goodness it is "in" to have low beds!
(Brandon is unaware that I had Laura take pictures of the box spring for evidence of our fight)
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Random Summer Moments...
This summer has been laid back. I continue to like living in Plain City and the kids really like that we are closer now. The kids have made some friends in our ward here and Luke, in particular, has become good friends with a boy not far from us. Luke and Duncan have spent their time hunting for frogs, fish, and snakes. Having lemonade stands, running between houses, playing in water and having late nights. They are fun to watch. They recently caught a huge tad pole with their other friend, Seth. Luke even gave Duncan a catfish he had caught when he went fishing with Brandon one morning. Luke and Duncan explained to me that Duncan needed to keep it at our house because he needed to have a pet at our house. Brandon and I let him know that there was no room at the inn and the fish would have to go back to the wild. Little did I know, Duncan took it home. He took the tadpole home too. Amy and I remain friends despite the critters that make their way from our house to hers! Whew!
Liz has been practicing doing hair and Brandon has become her model. He is so pretty!
We had s'mores at Brian and Andrea's house one night while David and Olga were in town. Andrea, I love you. Those were the worst s'mores. Ever! Who knew that a gram cracker could go stale??!?? So I have yet to have had my summer fix of s'mores and summer is almost over!!!
Little Lincoln tends to have the same facial expression. He is such a sweet and mellow baby. We love playing with him, especially the kids. I get zero holding time with him with our kids around! Brandon realized the other day that his facial expression reminds him of Zoolander (which happens to be Andrea's (Lincoln's mom) favorite movie!). So we now refer to it as "Blue Steel".
Brandon got a pedicure at Girls Camp and we had quite the time getting all the glitter off his toes. But he wore his badge of honor, proudly. Love my B!
Charlie is huge. Kind of going through a rebellious stage. Trying to figure out how to nip that in the bud. ASAP!
One night, I sent out a text to the numbers I had in my phone for girls in my new ward to meet up at the Maverick for a coke. We were there til 2 a.m. and a sort of tradition has formed. Brandon has named it the "Summer Special". There are over 20 girls on the list to get the text now. I send it out about 30 minutes before and we meet up after everyone's kids are in bed and grab a coke, snow cone or some treat and sit and gab and laugh. It has become such a fun for thing for us to do! Best stress relief, ever!
Liz has been practicing doing hair and Brandon has become her model. He is so pretty!
We had s'mores at Brian and Andrea's house one night while David and Olga were in town. Andrea, I love you. Those were the worst s'mores. Ever! Who knew that a gram cracker could go stale??!?? So I have yet to have had my summer fix of s'mores and summer is almost over!!!
Little Lincoln tends to have the same facial expression. He is such a sweet and mellow baby. We love playing with him, especially the kids. I get zero holding time with him with our kids around! Brandon realized the other day that his facial expression reminds him of Zoolander (which happens to be Andrea's (Lincoln's mom) favorite movie!). So we now refer to it as "Blue Steel".
Brandon got a pedicure at Girls Camp and we had quite the time getting all the glitter off his toes. But he wore his badge of honor, proudly. Love my B!
Charlie is huge. Kind of going through a rebellious stage. Trying to figure out how to nip that in the bud. ASAP!
One night, I sent out a text to the numbers I had in my phone for girls in my new ward to meet up at the Maverick for a coke. We were there til 2 a.m. and a sort of tradition has formed. Brandon has named it the "Summer Special". There are over 20 girls on the list to get the text now. I send it out about 30 minutes before and we meet up after everyone's kids are in bed and grab a coke, snow cone or some treat and sit and gab and laugh. It has become such a fun for thing for us to do! Best stress relief, ever!
Wright's and Sandall's, together again!!
Last weekend, we got an invite to go up to a cabin with our good friends, the Wright's. Needless to say, we were all so excited!! We met up during the afternoon on Friday and headed off over the North Ogden Divide. Honestly, I'm not exactly sure where this cabin was. Ha! I had never been camping in this area before. Once we got to the cabin, we did a little exploring. Found a beaver dam and a beaver that was about 70% rotted. PEE-EW! We headed off to the pond close by to go fishing and explore some more.
We did a little fishing and headed back when it got dark. We just hung out, the kids played games and Cody, Kari, Brandon and I relaxed and hung out. Brandon and Kari kept Cody and I up, way past our bedtimes! So much, that I did not hear anyone leave at the crack of dawn that morning to go fishing and slept through the morning til 9:00 a.m. Liz stayed back and so did Kari. Once everyone got back, Cody and Brandon got to making breakfast. Chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, bacon and fish!!! Right from the lake (pond). YUM!!
The older girls cleaned up and then it was off to fish, canoe and relax by the water. Brandon and Cody took the four younger kids out on the water and the four older girls blew up a little raft and hooked tubes to it to go out in the water in. As the girls were getting out into the water Kari and I heard screams and giggles. We looked just in time to see the last of the four kids in the canoe jump into the water. I think those sounds just might be the best sounds on earth. Cody and Brandon did some fishing in the canoe and the kids had a blast playing in the water and hunting for frogs and water snakes. Luke hung on to his first water snake til his dad came in from being in the canoe. Let's just say that required him hanging onto it for more than just a few minutes. Lunch and then more swimming!! Sam caught a snake and was pretty set on taking it home, same for Luke. Eventually, and with some tears, the snakes were returned to the wild and there were no new pets taken home. WHEW!
We watched the Princess Bride after dinner and hung out for as long as we could. Cody was speaking in Sacrament meeting and both Brandon and I were teaching at church the next day, so we needed to get home before Sunday. Right before leaving, Brandon shared a couple of songs that we love. It's a blessing to have friends that you can share life with. We had a blast hanging out and laughing but also got to share something that brought tears to all of our eyes and feel of the spirit. It was a perfect way to end our little adventure to.
Sunday, was spent recovering from our adventures. Recovery involved many naps and little movement. Thanks to the Wright family for inviting us! As Luke and I would say; "We love you! To the moon and back!"
We did a little fishing and headed back when it got dark. We just hung out, the kids played games and Cody, Kari, Brandon and I relaxed and hung out. Brandon and Kari kept Cody and I up, way past our bedtimes! So much, that I did not hear anyone leave at the crack of dawn that morning to go fishing and slept through the morning til 9:00 a.m. Liz stayed back and so did Kari. Once everyone got back, Cody and Brandon got to making breakfast. Chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, bacon and fish!!! Right from the lake (pond). YUM!!
The older girls cleaned up and then it was off to fish, canoe and relax by the water. Brandon and Cody took the four younger kids out on the water and the four older girls blew up a little raft and hooked tubes to it to go out in the water in. As the girls were getting out into the water Kari and I heard screams and giggles. We looked just in time to see the last of the four kids in the canoe jump into the water. I think those sounds just might be the best sounds on earth. Cody and Brandon did some fishing in the canoe and the kids had a blast playing in the water and hunting for frogs and water snakes. Luke hung on to his first water snake til his dad came in from being in the canoe. Let's just say that required him hanging onto it for more than just a few minutes. Lunch and then more swimming!! Sam caught a snake and was pretty set on taking it home, same for Luke. Eventually, and with some tears, the snakes were returned to the wild and there were no new pets taken home. WHEW!
We watched the Princess Bride after dinner and hung out for as long as we could. Cody was speaking in Sacrament meeting and both Brandon and I were teaching at church the next day, so we needed to get home before Sunday. Right before leaving, Brandon shared a couple of songs that we love. It's a blessing to have friends that you can share life with. We had a blast hanging out and laughing but also got to share something that brought tears to all of our eyes and feel of the spirit. It was a perfect way to end our little adventure to.
Sunday, was spent recovering from our adventures. Recovery involved many naps and little movement. Thanks to the Wright family for inviting us! As Luke and I would say; "We love you! To the moon and back!"
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Summer Time
I was recently recently reminded that not EVERYONE is on facebook (Gasp!). I commit to doing a better job of updating our blog!
Summer has started and it seems to be flying by. I worked "School Days" at Lagoon (local amusement park) this year. It's 9 days over three weeks that you work while local schools come to Lagoon in May to celebrate the end of the school year. For doing it, I got paid minimum wage and 5 season passes. Woot Woot! I worked on the Sky Ride. It's basically a ski lift that takes you from the North end of the park to the South end. Rumor has it that we would walk roughly 15 miles a day, walking back and forth to let guests off the carriers. I made it through the three weeks, barely! Had you asked me if it was worth it during that time or the week after, my response would have been a resounding NO! But now, it is a yes and I do plan to do it next year. Thank you to my friend Heidi for telling me about it!! We have enjoyed going to Lagoon and had a couple of what are now called "Lagoon Thursdays" which were a lot of fun. We hit Lagoona Beach (their water park) first and after lunch we go on to the rides. My good friend Amber went with us and the kids love being around her. So do I. She is fun and I'm lucky to call her my friend. Amber and I have "quirky" personalities, however the kids find me embarrassing but not Amber. I asked Laura why that was, since we did the same things. Laura's reply? "Because Amber is cool". There ya go. I have to agree, she is cool. Liz rode wicked (one of their crazy roller coasters) with her hands in the air, the whole way. Luke went on the new ride that goes upside down and I suffered through the dumbest ride, ever. The Wild Mouse. Seriously, stupid. I think I have whiplash. But the kids love it.
The kids were with us for the Memorial holiday. We love to fish and turns out Brigham City (which is 15 minutes North of us) has this pond at a park that they stock with fish. It has been a fun, quick little fishing spot when we have our spur of the moment fishing adventures and not a lot of time. Liz did NOT want to go fishing that day, the only thing that was getting her through it was the fact that we were going to Grandma Connee's after to BBQ and swim with Pookie and the Lyon family, and Grandma Connee too!
Liz was bored, so she decided to fish. And? She caught the first fish! HA! For someone who claims to not like fishing, she is really good at it and has a lot of fun doing it. Luke has amazing patience when fishing on a lake or pond. I do not. I prefer fishing in rivers, there is more to do. But I'm happy fishing anywhere as a family. After fishing, we did go down to Connee's to swim and eat. Paul's friend, Mike, moved here last year with his family to attend school. Paul and Mike served in the Army together and did one of their tours in Iraq together. Angie and I became fast friends and her darling 3 year old Mak has become my little BFF. It was fun swimming and hanging out.
Brandon, Laura and I went to the Bountiful Temple to do Baptisms for the Dead. It was fun to take her there and introduce her to the people we worked with when Brandon and I were volunteering there washing dishes every other Saturday. We got to introduce her to the manager of the cafeteria, Maria, and show her the security office and the first aid room. Laura has what is called a limited recommend, which means she can only be there to do Baptisms for the Dead and can only go in certain parts of the Temple, like the cafeteria. While there, a couple of women sitting next to me leaned over to me while Brandon was baptizing her and asked if we were there as a family or with a youth group. When I said we were there as a family, they responded with how cool it is that we brought her. I clarified that it is Laura who brought us. Which is true. Brandon and I love attending the temple but Laura is who asked to go this time. The two women commented that they were impressed right away by how beautiful Laura is but that they were impressed even more and admired a 12 year old girl who is just as beautiful on the inside. Lilly wasn't there that time, she was having a sleep over and day with friends. I have had very similar comments about her when we've been in the temple together. Lilly and Laura both have a love of the Temple and do not wait to go with their youth group, they go every chance they get. I am blessed to be their Step Mom.
I found one of Brandon's flys (or is it flies???) in the car. Thankfully, for him, it was not due to injury. Charlie is HUGE and loves the back seat of our van. He is kind of a pain in the van....he has too much room to move around. But I love taking him places with me. He has also taken puppy farts to a whole new level! His training is coming along, I need to focus on it more. Brandon started a job at Davis Hospital and is loving it. Yes, he is still full time with WSU and doing Home Health. He seems to be gone a lot but home a lot too. This is one of the perks of having a college education and in the Nursing and education fields. He is able to work these jobs but not be gone ALL THE TIME.
Brandon spoils me. We went down to Farmington last weekend to get the kids some summer clothes and we spent the day wandering around and grabbing lunch at Harmon's. The Harmon's in Farmington is AWESOME, we tried a bunch of cheeses (I tried a true stinky cheese and thought I ate mold, I guess technically I did) and got salads and sushi. We walked around and just enjoyed being together. I love that he makes that time for me. I'm not sure I could do it, working three jobs. I came home from working at Lagoon and was beat. Maybe I'm married to Superman? Just an imperfect version? I state that he is imperfect because I have found that sometimes I come across as though I think things or people are perfect. They are not. The honesty, communication, effort, and a marriage and family founded on principles of the Gospel are what makes my life so perfect. (Just to clarify)
Well, there ya go! A quick (quick in the sense of me typing and uploading) but long update on our antics!
Also, I find Brandon to be the funniest man ever. Sometimes, I think I might be the only one who finds him funny, which makes him all that more funnier to me....here is a recent funny moment with him....he tends to like to mess around when in a drive thru. My apologies to all the fast food employees in Weber and Davis county but I find it hilarious!
Summer has started and it seems to be flying by. I worked "School Days" at Lagoon (local amusement park) this year. It's 9 days over three weeks that you work while local schools come to Lagoon in May to celebrate the end of the school year. For doing it, I got paid minimum wage and 5 season passes. Woot Woot! I worked on the Sky Ride. It's basically a ski lift that takes you from the North end of the park to the South end. Rumor has it that we would walk roughly 15 miles a day, walking back and forth to let guests off the carriers. I made it through the three weeks, barely! Had you asked me if it was worth it during that time or the week after, my response would have been a resounding NO! But now, it is a yes and I do plan to do it next year. Thank you to my friend Heidi for telling me about it!! We have enjoyed going to Lagoon and had a couple of what are now called "Lagoon Thursdays" which were a lot of fun. We hit Lagoona Beach (their water park) first and after lunch we go on to the rides. My good friend Amber went with us and the kids love being around her. So do I. She is fun and I'm lucky to call her my friend. Amber and I have "quirky" personalities, however the kids find me embarrassing but not Amber. I asked Laura why that was, since we did the same things. Laura's reply? "Because Amber is cool". There ya go. I have to agree, she is cool. Liz rode wicked (one of their crazy roller coasters) with her hands in the air, the whole way. Luke went on the new ride that goes upside down and I suffered through the dumbest ride, ever. The Wild Mouse. Seriously, stupid. I think I have whiplash. But the kids love it.
The kids were with us for the Memorial holiday. We love to fish and turns out Brigham City (which is 15 minutes North of us) has this pond at a park that they stock with fish. It has been a fun, quick little fishing spot when we have our spur of the moment fishing adventures and not a lot of time. Liz did NOT want to go fishing that day, the only thing that was getting her through it was the fact that we were going to Grandma Connee's after to BBQ and swim with Pookie and the Lyon family, and Grandma Connee too!
Liz was bored, so she decided to fish. And? She caught the first fish! HA! For someone who claims to not like fishing, she is really good at it and has a lot of fun doing it. Luke has amazing patience when fishing on a lake or pond. I do not. I prefer fishing in rivers, there is more to do. But I'm happy fishing anywhere as a family. After fishing, we did go down to Connee's to swim and eat. Paul's friend, Mike, moved here last year with his family to attend school. Paul and Mike served in the Army together and did one of their tours in Iraq together. Angie and I became fast friends and her darling 3 year old Mak has become my little BFF. It was fun swimming and hanging out.
Brandon, Laura and I went to the Bountiful Temple to do Baptisms for the Dead. It was fun to take her there and introduce her to the people we worked with when Brandon and I were volunteering there washing dishes every other Saturday. We got to introduce her to the manager of the cafeteria, Maria, and show her the security office and the first aid room. Laura has what is called a limited recommend, which means she can only be there to do Baptisms for the Dead and can only go in certain parts of the Temple, like the cafeteria. While there, a couple of women sitting next to me leaned over to me while Brandon was baptizing her and asked if we were there as a family or with a youth group. When I said we were there as a family, they responded with how cool it is that we brought her. I clarified that it is Laura who brought us. Which is true. Brandon and I love attending the temple but Laura is who asked to go this time. The two women commented that they were impressed right away by how beautiful Laura is but that they were impressed even more and admired a 12 year old girl who is just as beautiful on the inside. Lilly wasn't there that time, she was having a sleep over and day with friends. I have had very similar comments about her when we've been in the temple together. Lilly and Laura both have a love of the Temple and do not wait to go with their youth group, they go every chance they get. I am blessed to be their Step Mom.
I found one of Brandon's flys (or is it flies???) in the car. Thankfully, for him, it was not due to injury. Charlie is HUGE and loves the back seat of our van. He is kind of a pain in the van....he has too much room to move around. But I love taking him places with me. He has also taken puppy farts to a whole new level! His training is coming along, I need to focus on it more. Brandon started a job at Davis Hospital and is loving it. Yes, he is still full time with WSU and doing Home Health. He seems to be gone a lot but home a lot too. This is one of the perks of having a college education and in the Nursing and education fields. He is able to work these jobs but not be gone ALL THE TIME.
Brandon spoils me. We went down to Farmington last weekend to get the kids some summer clothes and we spent the day wandering around and grabbing lunch at Harmon's. The Harmon's in Farmington is AWESOME, we tried a bunch of cheeses (I tried a true stinky cheese and thought I ate mold, I guess technically I did) and got salads and sushi. We walked around and just enjoyed being together. I love that he makes that time for me. I'm not sure I could do it, working three jobs. I came home from working at Lagoon and was beat. Maybe I'm married to Superman? Just an imperfect version? I state that he is imperfect because I have found that sometimes I come across as though I think things or people are perfect. They are not. The honesty, communication, effort, and a marriage and family founded on principles of the Gospel are what makes my life so perfect. (Just to clarify)
Well, there ya go! A quick (quick in the sense of me typing and uploading) but long update on our antics!
Also, I find Brandon to be the funniest man ever. Sometimes, I think I might be the only one who finds him funny, which makes him all that more funnier to me....here is a recent funny moment with him....he tends to like to mess around when in a drive thru. My apologies to all the fast food employees in Weber and Davis county but I find it hilarious!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
My first time at the temple...
Hi this is Laura. I am going to be blogging this time.
Two Saturdays ago, I got to go do baptisms for the dead for the first time. I was able to pick which temple I wanted to go to. I chose the Salt Lake Temple.
So that morning, Jill, my dad, Lilly, and I, all got ready to go. On our way there, we had to stop at Bountiful to drop the twins off at Grandma Connee’s. Then we headed to Salt Lake. When we were driving around, we were talking about how there were underground tunnels for the prophet and other people to use. I thought that was pretty cool. We parked underneath the Conference center.
Then we walked across the street to the temple to do baptisms. We walked in the front doors, and they told us that we had to go to the back of the temple, and find the flagpole. He told us that it would be pretty easy to find. We looked all over the place, and finally found the hidden door. We rang the little doorbell and the door unlocked. We walked in, and down the hall to a man dressed in all white. We showed him our recommends. Then he put a small orange sticker on my jacket. Then we went and got our clothes. Then the man showed us where our dressing rooms were.
We walked into the dressing room and walked into the little stalls. I took one of the keys and unlocked the locker. I put all my clothes in the locker, and put on my jumpsuit and white socks. Then I pinned the key to my clothes. Then we took a quick bathroom break. The bathroom there was really small. It sort of looked like a spiral. It was really cool. When we were in the hall, Jill was telling me about how when the people built the temple, they put in elevator shafts, and air conditioning vents. They put those in without knowing why.
Next, we met my dad in the chapel, (waiting area). We told him that we were ready, and we went across the hall to a small room. We were going in to do the confirmations. I was first. A man told me that I was doing four girls from Hungary. They were from the 1800’s. It was really cool to know that. When I sat in the chair, I literally sunk into the chair. It was so soft and squishy. My dad sat behind me and said the prayers. He, and another man, put their hands on my head and my dad started to say the prayers. After each girl that we did, they would lift their hands off my head, and quickly put them back on my head.
After I was done, Lilly was next, and then Jill went. It was really cool to watch.
Once we were done, we headed to the baptismal font. My dad had to sit on the opposite side of Me, Lilly, and Jill. When we walked into the room, it felt really peaceful. I asked Jill what the 12 oxen stood for, and she explained it to me.
As we sat there, I listened to the other people get baptized. Lilly went first, so I could see what she did, and how my dad would do it. When Lilly went into the font, I walked up the stairs and sat in a chair. I took my socks off and waited. When she was done, she walked up some stairs on the opposite side of me, and went into the dressing room. Then it was my turn. The water in the font was really warm. My dad baptized me four times. In front of us was a screen. My dad read what was on the screen. After I was baptized each time, a man would put a check mark in a small box. When I was done, my dad kissed me on the head, and I walked up the stairs to the dressing rooms. We all took a quick shower and got ready to leave. I combed my hair, and Jill blow-dried my hair. Once I was done, I met my dad In the Chapel, (waiting room) and we waited for Lilly and Jill to be done.
After we left the temple, we went to the New City Creek Mall. After that, we went to Olive Garden.
It was a really great experience to be able to go to the temple, and I hope I can go back sometime soon.
Two Saturdays ago, I got to go do baptisms for the dead for the first time. I was able to pick which temple I wanted to go to. I chose the Salt Lake Temple.
So that morning, Jill, my dad, Lilly, and I, all got ready to go. On our way there, we had to stop at Bountiful to drop the twins off at Grandma Connee’s. Then we headed to Salt Lake. When we were driving around, we were talking about how there were underground tunnels for the prophet and other people to use. I thought that was pretty cool. We parked underneath the Conference center.
Then we walked across the street to the temple to do baptisms. We walked in the front doors, and they told us that we had to go to the back of the temple, and find the flagpole. He told us that it would be pretty easy to find. We looked all over the place, and finally found the hidden door. We rang the little doorbell and the door unlocked. We walked in, and down the hall to a man dressed in all white. We showed him our recommends. Then he put a small orange sticker on my jacket. Then we went and got our clothes. Then the man showed us where our dressing rooms were.
We walked into the dressing room and walked into the little stalls. I took one of the keys and unlocked the locker. I put all my clothes in the locker, and put on my jumpsuit and white socks. Then I pinned the key to my clothes. Then we took a quick bathroom break. The bathroom there was really small. It sort of looked like a spiral. It was really cool. When we were in the hall, Jill was telling me about how when the people built the temple, they put in elevator shafts, and air conditioning vents. They put those in without knowing why.
Next, we met my dad in the chapel, (waiting area). We told him that we were ready, and we went across the hall to a small room. We were going in to do the confirmations. I was first. A man told me that I was doing four girls from Hungary. They were from the 1800’s. It was really cool to know that. When I sat in the chair, I literally sunk into the chair. It was so soft and squishy. My dad sat behind me and said the prayers. He, and another man, put their hands on my head and my dad started to say the prayers. After each girl that we did, they would lift their hands off my head, and quickly put them back on my head.
After I was done, Lilly was next, and then Jill went. It was really cool to watch.
Once we were done, we headed to the baptismal font. My dad had to sit on the opposite side of Me, Lilly, and Jill. When we walked into the room, it felt really peaceful. I asked Jill what the 12 oxen stood for, and she explained it to me.
As we sat there, I listened to the other people get baptized. Lilly went first, so I could see what she did, and how my dad would do it. When Lilly went into the font, I walked up the stairs and sat in a chair. I took my socks off and waited. When she was done, she walked up some stairs on the opposite side of me, and went into the dressing room. Then it was my turn. The water in the font was really warm. My dad baptized me four times. In front of us was a screen. My dad read what was on the screen. After I was baptized each time, a man would put a check mark in a small box. When I was done, my dad kissed me on the head, and I walked up the stairs to the dressing rooms. We all took a quick shower and got ready to leave. I combed my hair, and Jill blow-dried my hair. Once I was done, I met my dad In the Chapel, (waiting room) and we waited for Lilly and Jill to be done.
After we left the temple, we went to the New City Creek Mall. After that, we went to Olive Garden.
It was a really great experience to be able to go to the temple, and I hope I can go back sometime soon.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Funnies
Brandon says that I am the only one who finds this funny. Which is ok. The last part of the video is the best. We were at the Baptism of my cousins daughter, Lilly, when out in the hall my brother Brian showed me one of the new games he plays with his son, Lincoln. I enjoy watching my brothers hair and ears get pulled, along with the occasional eye gouging. I think the reason I find it funny is it is happening to my brother. Does that make me a good sister???
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Prayers of a Young Woman
Well, Jill-a-palooza has come and gone. What is Jill-a-palooza you ask? It's my birthday month. I celebrate all month long. I gave it this name a few years ago when a co-worker was teasing me about being taken out for lunch for my birthday, three weeks after my birthday. Have you noticed that as you become an adult, having a party with all your friends becomes less likely? So, I get to have lots of mini-parties or lunch and dinner dates with my girlfriends. With kids, work and our hectic schedules, it works out for us to sometimes push the date out a bit. So that has led to my birthday month. (I think my co-worker was just jealous that I have such amazing friends! ha ha ha)
My birthday often falls over the LDS General Conference weekend. Laura who was turning 12 in April had never been to conference. I was able to get some tickets for the Sunday afternoon session. We were both excited to be going. We left our home about two hours early, leaving plenty of time to get to SLC, park and get in our seats. We were on the freeway and almost out of the Ogden area, when we came to a complete stop on the freeway. After 10 minutes, I turn the car off. There we sat. Both sides of the freeway had been shut down and the cars around us had turned off their engines as well. People were out of their cars talking and trying to get a better view of what was going on. My heart sank. Not just because of the accident but because I knew how important it was to Laura to attend conference. We decided to offer a prayer. Laura asked me to say it, and after praying for those involved in the accident we asked that the Lord to somehow make it possible for us to be able to attend conference. Laura got on my kindle and began reading some fairytale out loud to distract us, one we had never heard of....they were weird!!
While Laura was reading I kept praying in my heart. I glanced in my rear view mirror and noticed many cars backing up and literally turning around on the shoulder and driving the wrong way down the freeway. Maybe I could do this? Maybe if I back tracked, I could get off the freeway and get us to SLC, a different way. I realized that I didn't know what would happen if I turned around and tried to back track and go "my way", I might get lost or even get a ticket, or maybe worse. I did know, that the road I was on, even though we were not moving, led me straight to SLC and I knew it would get us to the conference center. There was no doubt. I had a choice. I could do it my way and turn around or I could be patient and take the route I knew would get me there. We stayed on the freeway and continued to wait patiently.
Soon, we began to move. We were on our way!!! I felt the urge to speed, to get us there fast so that we might be able to attend the session. Through my mind the thought, "It will all be ok", was repeated. I felt that it was important to obey the speed limit, to be an example not just with the law but to trust in our prayer. After all, It would all be ok. Right? We got to SLC, found parking rather fast and began the speed walk of our life to the conference center. Typically, there are huge lines to get in. But when we got there, there were none. We walked up with a small group to the door. I knew there was a good chance that we would not get in. But I did know that "everything would be ok". We were five people away from security when the woman stopped us and said they had to do a count to see how many more of us could go in. I felt Laura's heart sink with mine. The volunteer helped to pass the time by telling us trivia about Temple Square and the Conference Center. I can't really tell you what was said. Neither can Laura. Come to find out, we were both praying quietly and fervently that we would get in. It never once crossed my mind to try to use the fact that it was my birthday as a way to get in or that Laura's was coming up, or the fact that I had a missionary badge on. I stood there, with my arm around Laura, and waited. As patiently as I could. Both of us praying silently in our hearts. I knew it would be ok. I knew that did not necessarily mean we would attend conference but that we could wander the grounds and still learn and draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Regardless of attending the session, I knew things would be ok.
We were the last two admitted into the Conference Center. The prayers of a faithful young woman were heard and answered that day. She was the real example. This was a special day one that included a tender mercy from the Lord. I always have the option to turn around. To take control of my life, my will and my agency and do things my way. I didn't know then and never will know, where the road will lead me when I decide to do things my way. I do know that if I am patient, turn my will and my agency over to a loving Heavenly Father, I will get there. As I pace myself and follow the laws that have been set by Him and by the land, things will be ok. I will return home to him one day. I know this because I have been shown the exact route to take to get there. Sometimes, I try it my way and when I find myself off course, I know how to get back on course. I know to lean on my Brother and access his sacrifice of the atonement that I can just as quickly get back on the right route as I got off it. That the peace and joy will come rushing back into my life as I do so, that it will be ok. I will be ok.
My camera died before we got to SLC...but we got some pictures on the freeway and when we got to my mom's. My brother Brian thought he would be funny and be in the pictures....I asked him to take one of our outfits, which he did. I should have been more specific and requested our faces be in the picture too. I wanted a picture of Laura's hair, Brian missed the part about it being Laura's hair, and got in the picture too. Luke gave a gift that day. It was all the money he had in an envelope that said, "Happy Birthday to you! Hay!". That is how he sings the birthday song. He is a thoughtful boy.
I am blessed to be the step-mom to to these amazing kids. I am grateful that my Father sees fit to teach me constantly and to put righteous examples, like Laura, in my life. This birthday, was by far the best. Not because of a party or a gift but because I got to be taught by the Lord. I got to be in attendance with my beautiful step-daughter at General Conference and here the Prophet and Apostles speak. I felt the spirit and got to draw closer to my Father in Heaven and His Son.
My birthday often falls over the LDS General Conference weekend. Laura who was turning 12 in April had never been to conference. I was able to get some tickets for the Sunday afternoon session. We were both excited to be going. We left our home about two hours early, leaving plenty of time to get to SLC, park and get in our seats. We were on the freeway and almost out of the Ogden area, when we came to a complete stop on the freeway. After 10 minutes, I turn the car off. There we sat. Both sides of the freeway had been shut down and the cars around us had turned off their engines as well. People were out of their cars talking and trying to get a better view of what was going on. My heart sank. Not just because of the accident but because I knew how important it was to Laura to attend conference. We decided to offer a prayer. Laura asked me to say it, and after praying for those involved in the accident we asked that the Lord to somehow make it possible for us to be able to attend conference. Laura got on my kindle and began reading some fairytale out loud to distract us, one we had never heard of....they were weird!!
While Laura was reading I kept praying in my heart. I glanced in my rear view mirror and noticed many cars backing up and literally turning around on the shoulder and driving the wrong way down the freeway. Maybe I could do this? Maybe if I back tracked, I could get off the freeway and get us to SLC, a different way. I realized that I didn't know what would happen if I turned around and tried to back track and go "my way", I might get lost or even get a ticket, or maybe worse. I did know, that the road I was on, even though we were not moving, led me straight to SLC and I knew it would get us to the conference center. There was no doubt. I had a choice. I could do it my way and turn around or I could be patient and take the route I knew would get me there. We stayed on the freeway and continued to wait patiently.
Soon, we began to move. We were on our way!!! I felt the urge to speed, to get us there fast so that we might be able to attend the session. Through my mind the thought, "It will all be ok", was repeated. I felt that it was important to obey the speed limit, to be an example not just with the law but to trust in our prayer. After all, It would all be ok. Right? We got to SLC, found parking rather fast and began the speed walk of our life to the conference center. Typically, there are huge lines to get in. But when we got there, there were none. We walked up with a small group to the door. I knew there was a good chance that we would not get in. But I did know that "everything would be ok". We were five people away from security when the woman stopped us and said they had to do a count to see how many more of us could go in. I felt Laura's heart sink with mine. The volunteer helped to pass the time by telling us trivia about Temple Square and the Conference Center. I can't really tell you what was said. Neither can Laura. Come to find out, we were both praying quietly and fervently that we would get in. It never once crossed my mind to try to use the fact that it was my birthday as a way to get in or that Laura's was coming up, or the fact that I had a missionary badge on. I stood there, with my arm around Laura, and waited. As patiently as I could. Both of us praying silently in our hearts. I knew it would be ok. I knew that did not necessarily mean we would attend conference but that we could wander the grounds and still learn and draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Regardless of attending the session, I knew things would be ok.
We were the last two admitted into the Conference Center. The prayers of a faithful young woman were heard and answered that day. She was the real example. This was a special day one that included a tender mercy from the Lord. I always have the option to turn around. To take control of my life, my will and my agency and do things my way. I didn't know then and never will know, where the road will lead me when I decide to do things my way. I do know that if I am patient, turn my will and my agency over to a loving Heavenly Father, I will get there. As I pace myself and follow the laws that have been set by Him and by the land, things will be ok. I will return home to him one day. I know this because I have been shown the exact route to take to get there. Sometimes, I try it my way and when I find myself off course, I know how to get back on course. I know to lean on my Brother and access his sacrifice of the atonement that I can just as quickly get back on the right route as I got off it. That the peace and joy will come rushing back into my life as I do so, that it will be ok. I will be ok.
My camera died before we got to SLC...but we got some pictures on the freeway and when we got to my mom's. My brother Brian thought he would be funny and be in the pictures....I asked him to take one of our outfits, which he did. I should have been more specific and requested our faces be in the picture too. I wanted a picture of Laura's hair, Brian missed the part about it being Laura's hair, and got in the picture too. Luke gave a gift that day. It was all the money he had in an envelope that said, "Happy Birthday to you! Hay!". That is how he sings the birthday song. He is a thoughtful boy.
I am blessed to be the step-mom to to these amazing kids. I am grateful that my Father sees fit to teach me constantly and to put righteous examples, like Laura, in my life. This birthday, was by far the best. Not because of a party or a gift but because I got to be taught by the Lord. I got to be in attendance with my beautiful step-daughter at General Conference and here the Prophet and Apostles speak. I felt the spirit and got to draw closer to my Father in Heaven and His Son.
Time Flys
Time is flying like crazy!! I have been so busy but I feel like I can't say with what! We have been having a fun couple of months. I've been organizing and throwing stuff out like crazy. We have enjoyed being with friends and family and having fun with the ones we love....This post is just a little one to show some of the stuff we have been up to!
I got to make my new little BFF Mak her birthday cake!! Mike and Angie moved here with their darling Mak last summer. Mike and Paul served in Iraq in the Army together. Angie and I became friends when they moved here. I'm forever grateful for Mike and Paul's service and sacrifice. I'm known for saying that if you want to see what a real man is like, look at the men who serve our country. Mike and Paul are good examples. I had a lot of fun doing the Minnie Mouse cake. Mak got sick the actual day of her birthday and had to cancel her party. But you can't skip birthday cake on the actual day!! So I got to make a second one for the party the following week. Angie thought I was nuts, but I love doing it and it gives me a chance to practice more without having to eat the cake!!! Liz and Laura were a big help in getting the cake ready.
I was recently called to be one of the Young Women's Camp Directors...Lilly and Laura have been having a lot of fun coming up with ideas for that as well with me. I'm not posting pictures as we don't want to ruin the surprise of what we are planning!
I got to make my new little BFF Mak her birthday cake!! Mike and Angie moved here with their darling Mak last summer. Mike and Paul served in Iraq in the Army together. Angie and I became friends when they moved here. I'm forever grateful for Mike and Paul's service and sacrifice. I'm known for saying that if you want to see what a real man is like, look at the men who serve our country. Mike and Paul are good examples. I had a lot of fun doing the Minnie Mouse cake. Mak got sick the actual day of her birthday and had to cancel her party. But you can't skip birthday cake on the actual day!! So I got to make a second one for the party the following week. Angie thought I was nuts, but I love doing it and it gives me a chance to practice more without having to eat the cake!!! Liz and Laura were a big help in getting the cake ready.
I was recently called to be one of the Young Women's Camp Directors...Lilly and Laura have been having a lot of fun coming up with ideas for that as well with me. I'm not posting pictures as we don't want to ruin the surprise of what we are planning!
Hoppy Easter!!
We got to celebrate Easter multiple times this year! Brandon and his brothers have a tradition of going to the LDS General Priesthood Session of Conference together and afterwards go to dinner. With the men gone, the kids and I invited our aunts and cousins over to make "bunny cakes". MaCayla, my niece, had shown me a video on YouTube for these really cute bunny cakes. We had decided months ahead of time to do them. So everyone came over to our house to do so!!
That morning, I was going up to Logan to help my brother clean his condo since he was moving out, the twins and my Mom went with me. Laura spent the morning and afternoon baking 15 cakes (yes you read that right)!! Granted, they weren't 9 inch cakes, they were a smaller size (not a whole lot smaller), but still it was a TUN of work....what an awesome girl!!! Each cousin was able to decorate their own cake!! Lilly had a friend over and so she and her friend, Laura and I made more frosting than we care to think about. The three girls ran the show and did a great job of helping the younger kids and making sure everyone had a good time.
On a side note, Liz and Luke worked their butts off at Paul's with me!! Liz even accidentally slammed her finger in the car door but never once complained, she got it bandaged up and went right back to cleaning with Grandma Connee and I. Luke was a huge help to Paul. We had a fun morning working together in Logan.
Anyways, we made a massive pot of Mac and Cheese, ate and then got down to the business of decorating. It was a lot of fun!! I am blessed with good family, this includes my "in-laws". Since there tends to be a negative connotation with that name, they are simply and truly, my family.
The kids were with their mom for Easter this year, so we celebrated with Grandma Connee the following weekend. Grandma Connee, Pookie, Brian, Andrea and Lincoln, came up to our house. We dyed eggs and had an Easter egg hunt. Andrea, my mom and I, have come to the conclusion that celebrating the week after a holiday is actually quite fantastic!! For starters, everything goes on sale. Big time! Wahoo!! And it is a lot less stressful. Brandon and I enjoyed our Easter at home and we had celebrated it the Saturday before with his family. We both noticed that by spreading it out a little, we got to really enjoy our time over the holiday. It made the time spent with our families more fun, less stressful.
Grandma Connee gave the kids water guns for when we go swimming. Pookie and Brian decided to teach the kids how to put their hands on the end where the water squirts out and push so that it makes a very annoying farting noise. Paul, Brian and Luke formed a boy band that they call, The Flatulent Fellows. UGH
Also, while dying eggs, I walked into the kitchen to see Laura's hand FULLY submerged in one of the cups of dye. Stopping dead in my tracks I instantly look to Pookie. "She is sacrificing for the sake of Egg Dying", he says. Apparently, Paul asked Laura if she wanted to help make the best egg, ever. Of course she agreed. He asked what color she wouldn't mind her hand being for a while....she of course said orange. "This is why you are my favorite" was Paul's response and so, he and Laura set out for the coolest egg ever, which apparently required the dying of one of her hands....which was an orange color for several days. While we had a wonderful Easter and enjoy the fun parts to holidays. Brandon and I are eternally grateful to our brother and Savior. For his ultimate sacrifice which allows us, such imperfect people, to return to him. Over the past couple of years, the atonement has become something new and more tender than either of us could imagine. All we can say to that is, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is True! Amen!
On a side note, Liz and Luke worked their butts off at Paul's with me!! Liz even accidentally slammed her finger in the car door but never once complained, she got it bandaged up and went right back to cleaning with Grandma Connee and I. Luke was a huge help to Paul. We had a fun morning working together in Logan.
Anyways, we made a massive pot of Mac and Cheese, ate and then got down to the business of decorating. It was a lot of fun!! I am blessed with good family, this includes my "in-laws". Since there tends to be a negative connotation with that name, they are simply and truly, my family.
The kids were with their mom for Easter this year, so we celebrated with Grandma Connee the following weekend. Grandma Connee, Pookie, Brian, Andrea and Lincoln, came up to our house. We dyed eggs and had an Easter egg hunt. Andrea, my mom and I, have come to the conclusion that celebrating the week after a holiday is actually quite fantastic!! For starters, everything goes on sale. Big time! Wahoo!! And it is a lot less stressful. Brandon and I enjoyed our Easter at home and we had celebrated it the Saturday before with his family. We both noticed that by spreading it out a little, we got to really enjoy our time over the holiday. It made the time spent with our families more fun, less stressful.
Grandma Connee gave the kids water guns for when we go swimming. Pookie and Brian decided to teach the kids how to put their hands on the end where the water squirts out and push so that it makes a very annoying farting noise. Paul, Brian and Luke formed a boy band that they call, The Flatulent Fellows. UGH
Also, while dying eggs, I walked into the kitchen to see Laura's hand FULLY submerged in one of the cups of dye. Stopping dead in my tracks I instantly look to Pookie. "She is sacrificing for the sake of Egg Dying", he says. Apparently, Paul asked Laura if she wanted to help make the best egg, ever. Of course she agreed. He asked what color she wouldn't mind her hand being for a while....she of course said orange. "This is why you are my favorite" was Paul's response and so, he and Laura set out for the coolest egg ever, which apparently required the dying of one of her hands....which was an orange color for several days. While we had a wonderful Easter and enjoy the fun parts to holidays. Brandon and I are eternally grateful to our brother and Savior. For his ultimate sacrifice which allows us, such imperfect people, to return to him. Over the past couple of years, the atonement has become something new and more tender than either of us could imagine. All we can say to that is, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is True! Amen!
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