Happy Anniversary

Happy 15th Anniversary

A gift to open on the "15th" of every hour. Celebrating our 15th anniversary!

Family "birth"day party! 

Happy Anniversary

15 Years=Memories to Last a Lifetime
Here are 15 of My FAVORITE!
Happy Anniversary, Sweet Heart!

I love my memory of walking to the beach in Seattle, having a picnic lunch, and playing in the sand.

I love my memories of Texas. The wildflowers. Hamilton Pool. Houston Temple. Dallas Temple. San Antonia. The Outlet Malls. Texas Football.

I love my memory of each of our children’s births. Those days were definite highlights to my life. I loved watching you tenderly hold them. I loved seeing you as a daddy. Since the time you first held Hailey till now…you melt my heart with your affection towards our children. And although I have never admitted it previously, I love that they have you wrapped around their fingers.

I love my memories of Sun Valley getaways. It is always nice to be alone with the man of my dreams.

I love my memories of Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches under the windowsill of President Hinckley’s office. Do you remember how we use to call it the “Summer of the Prophets”? I loved that Elder Holland was in our ward. Somehow that felt like a claim to fame. That perspective seems somewhat silly now, and somehow endearing all at the same time.

I love my memory of grass fights in college as I realized I was falling for you.

I love my memory of when I told you I loved you for the first time. I loved how you had to come and see me immediately (even though I told you not to).

I love that you sent me to Paris for my birthday. I felt so loved that you had thought of doing something so special for me. It warms my heart when I think of how you took a week off of work to take care of our kids, and when I think of how surprised I was at my reality of taking such an amazing trip. That trip symbolizes a love that you have for me. I felt like a princess. Thank you.

I love my memories of college, of scraping by to make ends meet, of finding joy in simply being together.

I love my memories of baby blessings and baptisms.

I love my memories of your constant support. Whenever I am feeling less than who I am, you have always built me. You lift me, and remind me of who I am. When I am with you, I feel I can conquer any trial that comes my way.

Do you remember when we started squeezing each others’ hands three times to represent “I love you”? It was in a devotional at Ricks College. I love that we still do that tradition to this day.

I love my memories of your patience as we do another idea I have created for our family. You have never complained. You have only supported. Many times these traditions mean that our children are going to bed late, and yet—you smile and support. I love that! You have always done that, and you continue to do that!!

I love my memories of past and of now when you supported me in my callings. As you know, I do not know how to do anything “small”. You have never complained when my calling took me away. There were weeks when I attended three or four different activities for my young women, and you never once complained—you only helped me to make it possible…even when that meant cereal and milk for dinner.)

My favorite memory of us is the moments we have spent coming closer to God—reading our scriptures, and saying our prayers—as a couple, and as a family. You offer me strength when you put your highest priority in the things that matter most. I remember when we were newlyweds, I asked you if you loved me, or if you loved God more. I think I selfishly wanted the answer to be me. How foolish I was. You taught me a lesson that day about the importance of Heavenly Father in our lives, and I remember working hard, so that I could also say that I loved my Heavenly Father more. You have always put Heavenly Father as top priority, and as you have—you have taught me. Do you remember the time when you were working crazy hours in Seattle, and you had home teaching to do? Here is how I described it in my journal: Perspective is a funny thing. With each new experience in life, our perspectives change, and so do we. Each new experience expands our minds like the ray of the sun creeping across the floor. When Bryan and I were still in school, I remember feeling we never had time for one another. I couldn't wait until Bryan started working, and we would have—what I thought—all the time in the world. However, when Bryan landed his first job, it was with a big five firm in Seattle, and the hours required of him were not what I was expecting. The hours that he was required to put into his job were incredibly hard on me—we definitely did not have the "all the time in the world" as I was expecting. When Amber was a newborn baby, I remember pacing the floors with her, and watching the clock. There were times when I had to remind myself that he was working, so he could provide for our family. Sometimes I simply didn't understand why his work would require so much of his time. One evening after a particularly hard week, Bryan came home early, so he could go home teaching. I remember sitting on the stairs of our home, as he was preparing to leave, and begging him to stay. With his hand on the doorknob, Bryan slowly turned. He looked into my tear-stained face, and slowly walked up the stairs to where I sat. He crouched down beside me, and lifted my chin with his finger. We hugged for a moment, and then he said something I will never forget. He said, “What kind of man would you have me to be? I want to be with you too, but I know the Lord has called me elsewhere. You decide. What kind of man would you have me to be?” In that moment I knew what I wanted for him, and for our family. I knew I wanted him to serve the Lord, and I was grateful that I had married a man that would put the Lord first—even when I felt it was difficult. My perspective changed that day. I gained an understanding of putting the most important things first.

 I know that we are not perfect, but you make us a little bit better every day. 

Superhero

A Superhero Stopped By Our House Tonight

Jake ran outside and shouted, "I'm Batman!" He quickly took on a defensive stance, and held both hands up ready for combat.

Jake is a Superhero! He isn't just a hero, because he has captured my heart (although that is nice). He is a hero, because of how he faces his challenges every day. School work doesn't come easily for Jacob, but he doesn't give up. He believes that it will all work out, and he faces each new challenge as if it will. He trusts, and then he works hard to make it happen. This kind of faith is inspiring. For Jacob, this kind of faith extends further then school work--he also has faith in God. There is no question in his mind of God's reality. Because he has such a strong testimony of the Gospel, he desires to share it with his friends. This year he has already shared a "pass along" card with a neighbor, and he has born his testimony at school. He doesn't hold any hesitations in doing these things. 

Jacob inspires me. I want to be more like Jacob. He is my SUPERHERO. I think I am writing this today, because I have a friend who I need to speak to about the Gospel. I feel it in my heart, and because of my little man's example, I am finding the courage to act!

Temple

Temple

Katie Ronspies asked if I could be her escort through the temple. Words cannot write my feelings as I think about escorting Katie through the temple. I can't seem to write the joy that is within my heart. I am honored to be able to help Katie in this capacity. I adore her. I love her. 

When I first met Katie, she was a young girl living in my ward. When Katie was nearly 11, her family moved away, and I lost track of them. A few years passed, and I was contacted by a dear friend who was looking for Katie and her family. She felt prompted that Katie needed to be located. She felt prompted to call me. My husband and I began our own search, and soon found that Katie was living in our ward. I was serving as the young women's president in my ward at that time, and I was thrilled to take the opportunity to visit a young woman and her family. I still remember showing up on her doorstep extending an invitation to her to come to young women's. I honestly wasn't sure how Katie felt about my arrival that day, or how she felt about the invitation. However, the following Sunday she and her brother started coming to our ward, and they never stopped. From that point on, I formed a relationship with this beautiful young woman. It always amazes me how much the Lord is in our lives. He does love us. He is aware of us. It wasn't coincidence that a friend of mine happened to contact me about Katie. The Lord had a hand in our meeting once again. I am thrilled that she will be serving the Lord in England. I am thrilled at the choices she has made in her life to get her to this point, and I am thrilled I have been able to be a part of that. The day of her endowment finally arrived, and I was able to escort Katie through the temple. It was a beautiful session. Katie was glowing with the Gospel. She was literally shining! I can't even count how many temple workers commented on her glow! She will be an amazing missionary.

After Katie went through the temple, her mom worked hard to be able to go through the temple prior to Katie's departure on her mission. I was also able to be at that Endowment session. It was such a moving experience. Again, I was grateful to the Lord in our lives.

Katie and I had always planned on getting a picture after her session, but we forgot. We took one after her mom's endowment. What an amazing family! I simply love them.

Day Off

A Break From School!

The kids had a "day off" from school, and we took a trip to the greenbelt. I absolutely love having my kids at home. Brooklyn Lowry, Amber's best friend, joined us for our celebrations! (Jake doesn't seem to be in any of these pictures, because he was right next to me throughout our entire ride. When I would turn to take a picture, I would get the girls, and not him. I'm so sad to now realize I missed taking a picture of my handsome fellow.)

A Walk with the Savior

EASTER

The week before Easter has become one of my favorite celebrations of the year. It is a week focused on the Savior. We try to walk in His shoes. We still do some of the traditional "Easter" celebrations, but along with spiritual celebrations.  I love the feeling the spirit of Christ in our home. I love watching my children teach me about the Savior through their thoughts and actions. I love pretending as if we are living with the Savior his last week of life, and we are walking it with Him. It offers perspective into my Savior's life. I am truly grateful for my Savior. I don't think my heart can comprehend all that He has done for me. I know that as I stretch my mind in understanding, I am amazed at how little I do understand. I stand amazed at the gift of the atonement, and I am grateful that I can use it over and over again!

Coloring Easter Eggs:

 Jerusalem Dinner:

 Easter Egg Hunt:

 Easter Morning:

Practicing How to Walk

 The Tomb is Empty:

Reflection Program

Composing Music

Hailey participated in the Reflection Program again this year. She composed a piano piece, which she named "Happily Ever After". She won at the school level, and then again at the regional level. She took 2nd at State.