Updates and Weekend Fun

Well it's been awhile since I wrote an update about what's going on in our lives so here it is. :) For awhile it's mostly been just work but with James not having overtime at his job on Sat and myself getting Friday off due to the freak thunderstorm that came rolling in we thought that we really need to start enjoying our summer a little more. Well first the job stuff... James and I are still working hard on getting out of debt (for more information we have a private blog of our journey just let me know if your interested) as well as saving up for Disneyland. Our goal is to pay for the whole trip in cash we are really excited about this. James quit is job at Wendy's cause he realized that he could get paid more in one day of overtime at the printing division then he could for two weeks at Wendy's...kinda seemed like a no brainer. :p Plus he wouldn't get home sometimes till 3 just to be up at 5 to go back to work. Yuck! He is a lot happier now and is considering to apply for another second job when there is no more overtime left. I am still working at the motor -vu drive in. I really like it, my boss just cut my hours back from 5 to 6 days to 4 days a week. this has been so nice. This past weekend it has been a little exhausting but it's ok. :) I closed Sunday night and Monday night and when you close in the box office that means you have to wait for all 4 screens to hit intermission then start to clean up and wait for the supervisor to come and get you. Well with transformers being 2 1/2 hours long I haven't been getting home till after 1. But on the bright side....we are getting out of debt and saving for Disneyland. :p Now onto this weekend...I mentioned before about the freak thunderstorm it was so crazy. one minute it was blue sky's then the sky started to get grey. well I was sitting at work waiting for my shift to start when it really started to rain. it was coming down so hard and so fast that it was like looking at the letter V made of rain on the roofs of all the cars I couldn't believe it. Well Brent sent me home cause he wasn't going to open Box Office 3 from the snack bar to my car I got soaked. The rest of the night James and I just relaxed and enjoyed the rain. Saturday morning James was excited about his bike ride with his friend Alan. they left at 6am and didn't get back till after 1pm. Alan rode to our house from Layton then him and James rode up to Brigham City. James rested at his parents while Alan went up sardine canyon to Sherwood hills and back then they headed back for our house. James said it was so much fun but said he thinks he overdid it...he couldn't walk for a few hours. then we got to go to Jason and Melissa's wedding. Congrats again you guys. it was so beautiful and James got to talk with a lot of old friends. he was so excited. After we went and picked up Nate for a sleepover. We went to McDonald's for some dinner then back to our house for some video games and fun. :) This weekend was also South Ogden days but we were so tired and it was getting late that we didn't want to have to deal with the crowds. So we watched the fireworks from our lawn. Sunday we decided it would be fun to get together at the park for our Family dinner. So after church was over everyone met at Layton park for some food and fun. :) We played catch, Frisbee and I think the boys even played rugby. We had a table by the river and Gavin loved feeding the birds and the kids enjoyed the playground near by. It was the perfect day for all these activities and was a lot of fun. I had to leave the festivities a little earlier then the rest though to go to work. But from what I heard the party continued on. :) It's was so nice to get out in the sunshine. The pictures throughout this post are of our time at the park

Sunday Thoughts

For this weeks Sunday thought I wanted to focus on my wonderful husband. Last week I did a tribute to my dad and father in law and this week I wanted to do a tribute to my wonderful husband. James is someone who surprises me almost everyday. He is a very caring generous person who wants to make sure everyone feels appreciated and loved. He wants the very best for our family and works hard to achieve this. Lately we have been trying to get out of debt so that when we do have a baby I will be able to stay home and focus on being a mom. Anytime overtime is offered at his job he always volunteers, he has also taken on second jobs in the past as well. He is an amazing husband. He also loves spending time with his family. He loves every Sunday when we get together with everyone for dinner and a game if we can squeeze it in. :) He loves spending time with the nieces and nephews on both his side and mine and always makes a constant effort to make each one feel loved. I know he is going to be a loving and wonderful father when the time comes. I love you James!

Happy Birthday!

To end our June birthdays is my brother in law Gary. I have known Gary ever since I can remember and I have a lot of respect and love for him. He is a loving father, a wonderful husband and a good friend. He's one of those people that you can feel comfortable with him as soon as you meet him. He loves people and getting to know someone new. He loves to tease and joke around and is one of those people that if he is doing that it's a good indicator that he likes you. :) My niece and I use to play with horses and ponies when we were little and still to this day he will tease us about having "dog and pony shows". He is one of the most caring people I know. He will give the shirt off his back if he knew it would help someone else. So here's to you Gary on your day. I hope you have some fun times. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Sunday Thoughts

So this is actually more mid week thoughts. :p But work has been so crazy these past few days that today is the first day that I have gotten around to doing this. I wanted to tell my Fathers out there Happy Fathers Day!To my Father in Law: My father in law is a very kinda man who loves people. When I first met James' family and James and I sat down at the table to eat, dad was across from me. At first I was a little intimidated of him, but as the conversation went on I grew more and more comfortable with him. He has a lot of stories that he loves to tell whether its about life on the farm, days in the military, his days with Mike Dotey or about a Willie Nelson concert. He loves his family very much and loves to spend time with them. He loves learning new things and how to do things a different way. He loves to teach these things to his kids and grand kids. My father in law is a great man and I am truly blessed to have him in my life.To My Dad: As I get older I am starting to notice more and more of what my dad taught me. I learn a lot from my dad and most of what I learn isn't by him teaching me with words, it's things that I have observed about him. he is a hard worker that really enjoys putting the effort into getting something done right. I really didn't like getting up at 6 am in the summer to go and weed our rather large garden. Dad would always tell us that if he weeded our rows the right way that we would be done before the day got too hot and then the rest of the day was ours. Of course..he was right. :p Dad is one of those people who lives by the phrase work hard play hard. when it comes time to relax and just enjoy then you would mostly likely find dad in the shade of a tree somewhere taking an afternoon nap. :p I have the picture to prove it. dad enjoys tending is yard and making it that much more beautiful, but he also likes to go fishing, boating, camping and he loves to spend time with his family. As I continue through life I know that I will find out more and more the values and ethics that my dad taught me. I Love You Dad!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my beautiful mothers birthday. :) My mom is the best, (as I am sure any kid would say about their mom's. :p) she loves to go camping, boating, and travel. She really loves spending time with her kids, grand kids and great grand kids as well. Her and my dad served a mission together in Argentina and she said the hardest thing was not having to learn the culture or the language but was being so far away from her family for so long. Mom loves to have fun, she especially loves to play cards, but she does get a little upset when she loses. :p She also loves to go for walks and read. Her and i cant read the books we want to read and then share with each other fast enough. :) She also likes to play video games well...if it's on the wii. :) She is very loving, and compassionate. She cares very deeply for all her friends and family and will do anything for them. Here's to you mom on your birthday. I hope you have a day filled with adventure in Nebraska...or where ever you may be. (She is driving home from Nauvoo today with dad) I love you Mom!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Birthday!

Today is the birthday of my sisters husband, David. :) David has only been in our family for about a year now and I haven't been able to get to know fairly well. :) David is an ex navy man and has been all over the world. He loves telling us stories of the places he has been and the people he has met. He loves movies and taking his family to see the latest ones out. :) He loves to spend time with his son and watch sports. He loves to take trips with my sister and go see new things. He has a zest for life and has gone through quite a few things in his life... some of which aren't that great. But has come out with a smile on his face. So here's to you David on your special day...I hope it's a fun one for you. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Sunday Thoughts

"The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church." Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament,” Liahona, Nov 2008

As I was sitting in sacrament meeting I couldn't stop thinking about the ordinance of the sacrament and how I have taken it for granted pretty much my whole life. I never really fully comprehended how important it was till on my mission. I had a companion ask me if I was at home what would I wear to sacrament meeting. I said oh probably my jean skirt and a shirt. She then asked what if the bishop announced that the following Sunday the prophet was going to attend your sacrament meeting...or better yet the Savior. Then what would you wear. I said well my very best skirt and shirt. After I said that she said but the Savior is there every Sunday so why should you wear anything other than your best every Sunday? It really got me thinking how differently I would act in the presence of the Savior when really it shouldn't be any different because according to the sacrament when we take the bread and water one of the things we are promising to do is take upon ourselves the name of the Savior and always remember him. After I didn't say anything for awhile my companion told me a story about an apostle ( I cant remember which one) was visiting a ward and after the prayer of the sacrament was given he noticed a butterfly that had flown in the open window of the church he watch it fly around the room thinking of how beautiful it was when he stopped watching the butterfly he was startled to find the sacrament tray in front of him. He felt so bad for watching that butterfly instead of thinking about the Savior and the meaning of the ordinance that he passed and didn't take the sacrament. This is a story that has stuck with me ever since. In the Oct general Conference in 2008 Elder Oaks talks about the sacrament and how sacred it is. He said....

"The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church. It is the only Sabbath meeting the entire family can attend together. Its content in addition to the sacrament should always be planned and presented to focus our attention on the Atonement and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ....This is a commandment with a promise. By participating weekly and appropriately in the ordinance of the sacrament we qualify for the promise that we will “always have his Spirit to be with [us]” (D&C 20:77). That Spirit is the foundation of our testimony. It testifies of the Father and the Son, brings all things to our remembrance, and leads us into truth. It is the compass to guide us on our path. This gift of the Holy Ghost, President Wilford Woodruff taught, “is the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon man” " In 3 Nephi 18:1–10 the Lord implements the sacrament to the Nephites and talks of the importance of the sacrament and commands them to "always observe to do, even as I have done..." One of the things that stood out to me in these verses though is when the Savior tells the people that we should take the bread in remembrance of his body and the sacrifice he has made for us and if we do then "It shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have done, for this is fulfilling my commandments, and this doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you." So every Sunday when we take the sacrament not only are we renewing our baptismal covenants we are making a promise not only with the Lord but with our Heavenly Father as well saying that we will remember what the Savior did always and that we want to follow his commandments and we do this with a worthy heart. What a great way to start the week. We get to start with a clean slate and even with a wonderful promise to our Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ. In return he has promised us that if we do this we will always the Holy ghost with us. What a true and wonderful blessing to be able to have the Spirit with us always to guide and direct us. Have a great week everyone! :)

For the 4th

I got this from a friend and normally I don't post e-mail's but I really loved this one so I wanted to share it.....Enjoy!Happy 4th of July!...let' s get this started now, So it will be out there on the fourth!!!!

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG,

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ,

AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS,

ONE NATION UNDER GOD,

INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY

AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

For All of our other military personnel, where ever they may be Please Support all of the troops defending our Country. And God Bless our Military who are protecting our Country for our Freedom. Thanks to them, and their sacrifices we can celebrate the 4th of July.

We must never forget who Gets the credit for the freedoms we have, of which we should be Eternally grateful. I watched the flag pass by one day, It fluttered in the breeze. A young Marine Saluted it, And then he stood at ease... I looked at Him in uniform So young, so tall, so proud, With hair cut square And eyes alert He'd stand out in any crowd. I thought how many men Like him Had fallen through the years. How many died on foreign Soil How many mothers' tears? How many pilots' planes Shot down? How many died at sea How many foxholes were soldiers' Graves ? No, freedom isn't free I heard the sound of Taps One night, When everything was still, I listened to the bugler Play And felt a sudden chill. I wondered just how many times That Taps had meant 'Amen,' When a flag had draped a Coffin. Of a brother or a friend. I thought of all the Children, Of the mothers and the wives, Of fathers, sons and Husbands With interrupted lives. I Thought about a graveyard At the bottom of the sea Of unmarked graves in Arlington . No, freedom isn't free. Enjoy Your Freedom &God Bless Our Troops

When You receive this, please stop for a moment and Say a Prayer for our servicemen. Of all the gifts you could give A US Soldier, Prayer is the very best One.

Sunday Thoughts.

I would like to bear my testimony for my Sunday thoughts this week. I know that my Savior lives and I know that he loves me and wants the best for me. I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father who wants us to return and live with him again. I know that Joesph Smith was a prophet of god and that through him the true church was restored once again to the earth. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and that it is true. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that only through him can we once again live with our Father in Heaven. I know that true happiness cannot be achieved unless we are living in accordance with his commandments and doing our best to be like our Savior. I know that he continues to perform miracles in the hearts of men and that he has and will bless many people. I love my Heavenly Father and I love my brother and friend Jesus Christ. I know all of these things to be true and I would like to close my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Today is the start of our birthdays in June and that honor goes to Kylie and Tara. :) Kylie is on the left and Tara is on the right. Even though they are twins they couldn't be more opposite. :) So I will start with Kylie first.

Kylie is a shy girl, she is very quiet and timid... but once she gets to know you and is comfortable around you you are friends for life and she'll start chatting away. She loves horses the color pink and everything girlie from princess's and jewelry to fluff and lace. She loves playing dress up with her sisters and video games on the wii with her brother. Here's to you Kylie on your special day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Tara is a little chatter box from the moment you say hi. She loves hugs and to run around and play. Unlike her sister she is a tomboy. She does love all the girlie stuff that comes with being a girl, but she also loves to play in the mud and rough house with her dad. She is also very funny and loves to make people laugh with quirky faces to fun jokes. Here's to you Tara on your special day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

New Moon Trailer

I am so excited for this. :) Check out the New Moon Trailer at the bottom of the blog next to the music. Make sure to mute or pause the music before playing.

Sunday Thoughts-Sinner or Saint?

This Sunday I found myself in quite the dilemma. After I got off work James told me that the second counselor in our bishopric came up to him and asked where I was and after James explained then the second counselor told him that maybe I should consider being released from my calling since I don't have a chance to attend church to often. James and I are both Sunday School teachers for the 12 and 13 year old kids. I have enjoyed this calling and the kids we teach but with this job working me almost ever Sunday it is hard to full fill my callings at church. Well when I heard that that's what the second counselor said it made me feel horrible...like I was some bad guy (have you ever had that feeling where you thought you were doing good and then somebody points out that your really not. Well kinda like that only in a spiritual sense...if that makes sense.) or something and it really got me questioning what I should do. Both are commandments in the sense that with my second job James and I are getting out of debt at an alarming rate...which is GREAT. On the other hand I have always believed that when a calling is given to you it's what the Lord wants you to do to help out your ward or branch. Or maybe to increase your own growth. My boss has made it clear that he needs me on Sundays to help with the box office for the swap meet. I really like my second job and don't want to lose it for the fact that it has really helped us get out of debt rather quickly, I don't want to have to try and find a new one and end up finding one that I really hate and also selfish reasons which is that I can watch movies for free. I don't think the Lord condemns us for trying our hardest when obeying his commandments or trying to obey. I don't think he is extremely upset with me for having a job where I have to work on Sunday but at the same time maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he is very upset at that...but then would he continue to bless us like he has? I am technically still active in the ward cause I try and get to church at least once a month...but is that active by temple standing? As you can see I am VERY confused on the matter. I have prayed about it but I am still unsure...I would like some input on what everyone thinks..Please.