Darrell's Wedding

My nephew Darrell got married a few weeks ago. I can't believe it!! It seems like just yesterday that I was babysitting him at my parents' house and commenting on how cute he was! In all reality, that was about 20 years ago... (am I old?)

Seriously though, Todd and I have always been really close to Darrell and really proud of him for every good decision he has made. We know he is happy with his new bride and that makes us happy. Todd, Chansey, and Eathan were all part of the ceremony...

Todd was one of the groomsmen.

(The sun is shining right in everyone's faces, so they are all squinting. Too bad I couldn't get a better picture from where I was sitting. And too bad it is really impolite to wear sunglasses during a wedding ceremony.)

Hallie (my great-niece) and Chansey were flower girls.

These two studs (Eathan and my great-nephew Dillin) were ring bearers.

Darrell and Brandi are listening to the inspiring words of the bishop during the ceremony. He spoke to them about always respecting each other and communicating with kind words. I was glad to be able to hear these great reminders.

One year older and 'wiser' too!!

Bella turned 3 years old last month and she had a really fun birthday party. We went to Amazing Jakes with a few little friends and cousins and had an 'Amazing' time! (sorry I loaded the pictures wrong and they aren't centered)

The Frog Hopper... the favorite ride of the day.











Driving the car game with her aunt and her sweet shades!



To the left is the whole gang... all smiles, ready for some cake.

Below is Bella on her actual birthday opening presents from Grandma Marilyn. She makes it a point to come over and bring the little kids something for every birthday. They love it!! Bella had fun checking out the loot!

Now that Bella is three, she thinks she is more in charge than she did before! She is growing up and getting smarter faster than I can keep track of. She is definitely my most head-strong child yet and she usually finds a way to do whatever she wants, whenever she wants ... we just try to make sure it fits in with what we want her to do... most of the time! :) She has brought new meaning to the phrase "pick your battles". Bella is a load of fun too!! She keeps us laughing all the time and is constantly inventing new ways to get attention. She also gets comments everywhere we go on how blond her hair is... especially now that it is long. So anytime someone mentions her hair, she says... "I know,... it's white". We love Bella and are so glad that she came to our family when she did! We waited for a long time and it was definitely worth the wait!! Love ya Blondie!!

Going Private

If you like to read my blog, please email me or leave a comment here. I am going to make my blog private soon and I would like to invite anyone to view my blog that would like to. Thanks!!

"The TRUTH of God Will Go Forth"

As many of you probably did, I received a disturbing email today. It outlined pictures and material defaming the sacred temple ordinances of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, that are soon to be expounded on and aired on HBO. I hold these truths dear that are about to be mocked on the show "Big-Love". (which I had never heard of until today) The email called for action... with a link to HBO, the email asked for anyone and everyone to voice their opinion and distaste for this show and its content. My initial reaction was to write the station and voice my angry feelings in hopes that somehow they would decide not to air this blasphemous show. But, I didn't feel entirely comfortable writing the angry thoughts I was feeling, so I tried to let it go and went about my day. I received a similar email again, later in the day that stirred up the negative feelings and worry once more.

This story has a happy ending... This evening, I found this link on a friend's blog

http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma

The church has published their view on this situation and this article brought me much comfort. I understand now why I didn't feel comfortable writing that angry email to HBO. I hope anyone who has experienced similar feelings to mine today will read this and understand what it is that the church has asked us to do.

Also, I would like to quote the words of our beloved Joseph Smith...

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church, 4:540)

Lastly, I would like to quote my friend's bishop...

"Surely this is a time in which calumny defames. However, we remain confident in the divinity of this work. The teachings of the Savior inspire us to respond to attacks with forgiveness. Our best defense against controversy is silence."

Maybe Later

I just sat down at the computer a few minutes ago. All of the kids are asleep except Bella (thanks to a late afternoon snooze) and the house is quiet. So, I was going to write a post about Bella's birthday festivities over the last few days. I checked a couple things first and before I could start my "journaling", Bella came over to me and said... "Mom, you need to get off the computer so you could watch Peter Pan with me". Fair enough...... :)

Small Moments...

Sometimes, life stinks... Literally. (no shower for five days, throw-up, non-brushed teeth, dirty toilets, dirty dishes, etc) You get what I mean.
On a deeper note though... sometimes, life does not go our way and it is really hard. Hard for us in our own way. While our trials seem monumental to us, we know of others' trials and pray that we can keep ours. This is the Lord's plan, to strengthen us and keep us humble at the same time. Well, in an effort to be humble and learn from the most recent trials in my life, I have compiled a list. It started as an accidental, mental list that grew and grew until I made a concious effort to add to it and give it a name. So here's the list... in no particular or chronological order.

Moments that Make it All Worth It...

*As I head to the bathroom once again to "pray to the porcelain throne" Todd hurries downstairs to make me some gatorade. He knows I like it strong :) And he dishes me up a plate of the Chinese Food he went and got for dinner because I wasn't strong enough to cook. P.S- This food and drink was the first to stay down for over 48 hours. *

* Mom takes my garage door opener out of my car while I am at her house. Then as I go to pick up my kids from school, she heads to my house to clean it. She is there when we get home... doing the dishes and Leanne is picking up the mountain of toys. *

* One of my BFF's husband shows up at the door with a homeade lasagna. They live 25 minutes away.*

* Same BFF shows up, on a different day, with both of her kids at a babysitter's house so she can clean my bathrooms. I wonder if she will still be my friend after seeing how dirty they were?*

* On her way out the door for school, Chansey passes by the sink and with a motion towards the 50 dirty dishes says "Don't worry about these dishes mom, I'll do them when I get home". *

* Bella has a high fever and is obviously not feeling well laying on her beanbag. Eathan runs upstairs (without being asked) and gets her favorite blanket and cuddles up with her. He rubs her face and asks, "Bella is there anything else I can get for you?"*

* Spencer comes to the couch where I am laying and lays his head beside me. (As if to say, Mom, I know you are feeling yucky, I am here for you) I can hear a piece of apple crunching in his tiny teeth. (Chansey gave him a snack... unsolicited)*

* Another BFF comes over on a Saturday, with all of her kids to clean my house. They all helped, even the three year old. And, my video closet hasn't been that organized for months. (Thanks buddy :) *

* I think a turkey sandwich sounds good. We have no turkey. Todd has the flu. So, I hurry to Walmart (at 10:00 pm) to get some turkey before the urge passes and I won't be able to choke a sandwich down. When I get home, Todd cleaned the kitchen... flu and all. He is sweating because he couldn't get me to go to Super-Walmart (which is farther away) So, he knew he had to hurry in order to finish before I got home. *

* I saw a commercial for Arby's while at my mom's house. I mention that curly fries look good. She tells my Dad and he drives to Arby's to get me some. *

I may add to this list later, but you get the picture. I have so much to be thankful for. For family and friends that see my needs and fill them without me asking. For a loving Heavenly Father who sticks by me and blesses me through rough times. Trials... what trials?!

Ten Years

Last month, Todd and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary! Even though it is a terrible cliche, "Time flies when you're having fun!" And wow... we have a had a lot of fun. In true blogging style, I thought I would make a list to describe the last ten years. So here are some of the things that the last ten years have brought us...
4 INCREDIBLE kids (and one on the way)
8 addresses
3 trucks
2 SUVs
1 red convertible
3 pizza restaurants
2 college degrees
217 college credits (and many more to come :)
10 ER visits
30+ trips to Mexico
8 visits to other US states
4 trips to Disneyland
The list could go on and on...
But the bottom line is, this has been the best 10 years of my life! Even through the trying times, the blessings and happiness have never stopped. And through it all, we have gained a deeper love for each other and for our Savior. We know all good things that have and will come are through him.
One other side note... Todd and I never went on a honeymoon. The truth is, he was sick the day we got married and neither of us felt great for the next few days. So our honeymoon plans were delayed. For the last several months we thought we would be able to go on a really cool 10 year anniversary vacation and make it the honeymoon that we have always dreamed of. But, once again, those plans were thwarted by my being in the early (yucky!) stages pregnancy. So, maybe one day we'll go on that trip that we have been hoping for... Or maybe we'll have to wait until our 50th wedding anniversary and by then our kids can surprise us with one!! (Love you mom and dad :) We'll keep you posted!! ;)