Our Family Tree!!!

Had the idea

Gathered the supplies

got frustrated with the scanner

painted outside on a beautiful day

VERY HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS!

Faith through trials...

This month's Ensign was really written for me this month.  It talks all about trials and enduring them with faith and a happy attitude. 

What I learned about trials:

Everyone experiences trials in their life time.

You have trials to learn and grow mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

If you are bitter and upset about the trials it will only take longer to overcome them and learn from them.

While going through trials we need have faith in the Lord and he will help us overcome the trial that we are experiencing.

Do not place blame on anyone or anything while going through trials...

Through this trial that I am experiencing I have gained a stronger faith in my Savior and My Heavenly Father.  I have gained a stronger faith in our Heavenly Father's plan and purpose.  I have gained a stronger sense of the importance to speak with our Heavenly Father daily and often.  I have gained a stronger sense of studying my scriptures.  I have gained a stronger sense of the love that my Heavenly Father has for me.  I have a stronger appreciation for my husband and family.  I have a stronger appreciation for what an eternal family is and the blessing that we recieve from being an eternal family.  I have a stronger appreciation for trials and what I can learn from them.

I am grateful that Heavenly Father has given trials to us so that we can truly appreciate the good things in our lives.  I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I appreciate the sacfrice that Jesus made for me.  I love my life and I am grateful for the growth that I have recieved this past week.

Craft filled weekend!

This past weekend was so much fun.  Amanda and Nate arrived late on Friday night.  I was actually able to stay awake until they got there.  Then we stayed up and chatted for a while and then we all went to sleep because we were all exhausted.  Saturday morning came and we all did not sleep in.  We got up and made a big breakfast and then we all got ready.  The boys went to the shooting range and Cabela's. And the ladies went to Micheals, Kohls, Old Navy, Target, and Lowes.  Once we got home from the errands we started on the crafts.  It was so much do be able to sit at home all day and just do the things that I love to do. 

Hang out and craft!

It was a great way to spend the weekend with Amanda!  I am so glad that her and Nate were able to come and spend the weekend with us!

Here are the pictures of some of the crafts that we did over the weekend....

shells and coins...

well, i never thought i would say these words as i pushed the open button on our Wii: "step aside, Call of Duty."  What!!!???  You have got to be kidding me right?  Oh no; thanks to the resurrection of an old classic there is no need to regret what was said.  Mario Bros Wii is the COOLEST game play.  I'm not just talking about good graphics.  I'm talking about everything from the map you use to the fireworks that "magically appear" at the end of a level; it is ALL there in ALL it's pride and glory.
As we placed our right hands over our hearts and our left hands on the Wii remotes, Brittney and I have taken the challenge.  We as Wii owners do solemnly swear to go through this game arm in arm, fireball for fireball.  Popping each other's bubbles when in need and jumping on each other's heads to reach just a little higher.  Backing down to NO shroom, turtle, or pucker fish.  May we ride on our yoshis, boldy, and nobley into the marioland sunset.  Until we have rescued our princess and brought her safely back to the castle.

Life is good...

ohhhhhhhhhh so good....

 

I am loving this weather that we have been experiencing for the last couple days and will continue to experience until this weekend.  It has been sunny and clear and has been melting all the snow that we have accumulated over the past couple months. 

 

 

 

I LOVE THE SUN!

and I can hardly wait till I can wear by bathing suit and soak up the sun..... only a couple more months!

 

 

February...

has come and gone.

I can not believe that we are almost in March... which does mean closer to my birthday in April!! WAHOO!

This is a list of things that we done throughout this busy month
1.Temple sessions
2. SNOW DAYS!
3. Early releases
4. Tanning session (to beat the horrible winter blues)
5. Sweet Ellie's first birthday!
6. Tons of tutor sessions
7. Late night Visiting teaching sessions
8. Quick home teaching sessions
9. Start of our new FHE group
10. American Idol's new season starts
11. Student sucess day (RCTC's poor excuse for a day off of school)
12. Valentines day celebrations
13. Girl's weekend with best friend/cousin Amanda!!!
14. Service... cleaning out my great aunt's bedroom... and we will be going back soon to clean more!

Happy Valentines Day!!! It was such a nice weekend to be able to celebrate v-day.  I really actually like this holiday!  It is a day to express EXTRA love to all the people in your life that you love and appreciate! 

Alan and I were able to do our yearly valentines tradition of going up to the temple to do sealings and then writing love notes to eachother.  Going up to the temple on Saturday was beautiful.  We were to only people that signed up to do sealings and so it was a very intimate session.  It was so great to feel that spirit in the temple as we were able to seal "sweethearts" together for time and all eternity on (close to) valentines day.  It is a fun tradition that we hope to keep as we go through out our lifetime together!  The other part of our tradition is writing love notes!  I know that is sounds totally childish, but we love this time to put down all the reasons that we love eachother.  We have kept the letters from our years together and it is fun to see the difference that each year brings.  Our love has grown so much and we are looking forward to it growing in the years to come!

This valentines day weekend was perfect!  I was able to spend the whole weekend with my love!  I am grateful for this holiday and the idea behind it!  Share the love with everyone that you love and care about!!!