Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Let us all try to stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better.

On Sunday night, a short email popped up saying President Gordon B. Hinckley had passed away. I was in shock at first, but then remembered he is 97 and has been very sick lately. I am very sad to know that I will never hear this amazing man speak again and feel the love that he shares with us. He is the prophet I feel the most connection with and I have felt my testimony strengthened many times as he speaks. He sets such a great example of kindness and charity. He was a wonderful, humble leader who will be very missed. His sense of humor drew all of us to him. What a cute, sweet man. I am happy to know that he is reunited with his wife of 70 years who passed away in 2004.



This picture is how I want to remember him. He always was enjoying life. He made me and countless others always want to be better people. I want to show my appreciation for him so I am joining many others in a tribute run/walk to him on Saturday, Feb. 2nd. I know he exercised to help give him energy and strength as he traveled the world. I think he would love knowing that people are up and doing, rather than sitting. Please join me!! Another site listed ideas of ways to pay tribute to him during your run/walk. I personally am going to try and think of 1 thing I can do better at the start of each mile I run.

My kids have been hearing a lot about death and the Plan of Salvation lately. I hope I have been explaining it in a way that it gives them hope and security for their future. I love to think that my dad and President Hinckley are up there sharing a joke right now. It would not surprise me. :-)

Monday, January 14, 2008

Oh Happy Day


Our Family gift this year from Santa was the Nintendo Wii. Jeff's one New Year's Resolution is to "Wii age" each day. What that means is he does a fitness test and the Wii tells him what his "age" is. The younger the better-with 20 being the best. Jeff prides himself on his ability to score young. His best is a 21. I tease him that when he starts off with such amazing scores, he will have nothing to shoot for. I, on the other hand, started with an amazing age of 71! No where to go but up! So, today was a day I enjoyed, I was 32! The better news is that Jeff's Wii age was 32 also! I had fun rubbing it in. Not that I am competitive one bit...

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Becoming...

I have read many blogs where people pick one word for the year instead of lots of little resolutions (that are usually the same as last year anyway!) I have been intrigued by this and decided to pick the word:

Becoming...

This word represents a lot to me. First off, I turn 30 this year (yes, write that down-March 20th!). As I enter this decade, I would like to think I have become a little bit wiser and know a little bit more about what's important. So, I would like to focus on figuring out more about the person I want to become. I don't want to use the word "become" because I believe "becoming" represents the process. I want to enjoy the process.

I want to remember that changes happen one step at a time and to be patient. I want to work on becoming a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and person. I will do this by making wise choices in how I spend my time. I will open my heart to others more and focus on "being" instead of "doing." I won't look at life as a checklist, but as a journey. I want to follow my father's example of kindness and love and pass that legacy on.

I am looking forward to a wonderful year! Come join me!

Does anyone have a word for the year?

30 Things I love about Carrie


One of my favorite people is a "lurker" on my blog, so I know she will see this. Maybe it will be enough to lure her out of the woodwork. So, here we go!

Happy 30th, Carrie!

1. She is completely loyal. Once you are her friend you are lucky enough to be her friend for life.
2. She is extremely creative.
3. She is an amazing mom. I will list some individual reasons she is.
4. She got rid of the TV so that she could spend more quality time with her kids instead of use it as a babysitter.
5. She always does what's best for her kids, even if it means sacrificing something she really wants to do.
6. She is a fun mom- always coming up with new crafts, ideas, etc. (See #2)
7. She is a great cook! (This makes her a good wife as well, I am sure!)
8. She is very intelligent.
9. She loves books and passes this on to her kids.
10. She pays attention to details and remembers them.
11. She loves other people's kids almost as much as they do.
12. She remembers important dates.
13. She loves to teach kids.
14. She is extremely thoughtful.
15. She is a great entertainer.
16. She is very funny, but in a more subtle way.
17. She would do anything in the world for her friends.
18. She never complains.
19. She is a great photographer. (A reason she needs to blog!)
20. She is so cute with her dog that it almost makes me want one-ALMOST!
21. She is always thinking of things MY kids will love.
22. She is one of the kindest people I know. She accepts you exactly as you are.
23. She makes you feel very comfortable right when you meet her.
24. She never has a bad thing to say about anyone.
25. She is a lot of fun.
26. She is great to play games with. (We need to do this more, hint hint!)
27. She has her priorities in the right order- she puts her family first.
28. She is extremely spontaneous, one of the reasons we became quick friends.
29. She is very honest, does not try to put up a front.
30. She is a great example to me and I am so glad she is my friend.

I love you, Carrie!!

Friday, January 04, 2008

Is it really 2008?


Time for an update! I actually just sent out my "Christmas" cards, so I thought if anyone checked this out I would have some new pictures.

We got back from California December 10th, so I didn't feel ready for Christmas. Amazingly enough we came home to a Christmas tree in our window, my favorite sight. Our friends had decorated a tree for us. Dallin still wanted to hang a few ornaments, so we hung up some of his hot wheels!



The rest of the month is kind of a blur. I tried to do some old familiar traditions and start some new ones.

Gingerbread houses are always a hit with the kids, and you gotta love Costco kits! Thanks Jeff for helping the kids with this one!


Christmas light looking with good friends




Dallin was in his first Christmas concert at school. He is having fun playing with the Nintendo Wii and just enjoying a break from school and routine. He is such a big help with Bryce!




Emily needed some good bonding time with me. I was lucky enough to take her to Nutcracker with the Young Women from the ward. She was in heaven! We both got dressed up and she had her purse and jacket. She even agreed to take a nap in the car so she would be awake. I was a little nervous for how she would behave in the show, but she was awesome! I was so proud of her. She just watched, mesmerized! Every once in a while she would blurt something out like, "Where is he taking her?!" and "I want to dance with the prince!" It was a memory I will never forget.



After the show I was able to visit with one of my good friends, who I have become even better friends with through blogging. Thanks, Katie, for our talk. Thanks for not being afraid to let me cry. You are wonderful and I love you!



Bryce is Seven Months Old- He probably deserves a full post, but I will just catch the main points! He has 6 teeth and loves food! He crawls like a centipede, mostly chasing after me. He loves to giggle, but only when someone is there to entertain him.


White Christmas with Jeff's family
After all the traveling to California I did September-December, I thought that I would be ready to just be at home. Well, we decided last minute to go spend Christmas with Jeff's family who we hadn't visited in over a year. I am so glad we did. It was wonderful! We had a beautiful white Christmas. We went to see Enchanted, we went bowling, we played with the cousins and just enjoyed being together. We were even able to be there for a baptism which was very nice. I truly love Jeff's family and feel so grateful that they have always treated me as a daughter/sister.








I hope to update fairly often this year. My goal is once a week on Sundays, but we shall see! Happy New Year!