President Gordon B. Hinckley

Two days ago, President Hinckley passed away and joyfully reunited with his wonderful wife. Here are few things I will always cherish about him.

In conference 2003, he stated:
"This life is but a chapter in the eternal plan of our Father. It is full of conflict and seeming incongruities. Some die young. Some live to old age. We cannot explain it. But we accept it with the certain knowledge that through the atoning sacrifice of our Lord we shall all go on living, and this with the comforting assurance of His immeasurable love."

“Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me” (D&C 19:23).

One of the most memorable traits he held was his sense of humor! What a joy! This is a quote from him on humor...
HUMOR
We need to have a little humor in our lives. We better take seriously that which should be taken seriously, but at the same time we can bring in a touch of humor now and again. If the time ever comes when we can't smile at ourselves, it will be a sad time. -- Church News interview with Mike Cannon, in Dublin, Ireland, Sept. 1, 1995.

I will always cherish this sweet man and look forward to the time I can thank him personally for the impact he had in my life and my testimony.

FHE

For FHE we learned about Heavenly Father's plan for us, then went to Sonic for an ice cream treat. By the looks on their messy faces, I'd say the boys enjoyed their treats the best! (notice the ring around Brock's face-he tried to drink the leftover melted ice cream)

What's the deal with Sunglasses?

The boys are going through a phase where they think it is so cool to wear sunglasses ALL the time (doesn't matter whose...just as long as they are glasses). So thought I would share a few pics with you! They are hilarious! Trey wears them 24/7 now and HAS to have them on when he eats and watches cartoons...don't ask me!

Milestone Sunday!

This Sunday we reached two pretty cool milestones with the boys.
First, it was Trey's very first time in Nursery and he did great! I can't believe he is already 18 months-he's not a baby anymore! He was a stinker and didn't want me to take a pic of him when we got home, but they said he was good and he didn't want to leave! XOXO


Meanwhile, Brock gave his first talk in primary and he NAILED it! Since I'm in charge of assigning the talks every week and kinda forgot...he took one for the team! I was so proud of him. He bore his little testimony and told everybody to follow the Savior. He couldn't wait for his turn! He held up the picture of Jesus through most of primary. What a good kid! XOXO

Tag...I'm it!

My friend Ashley tagged me so here it goes...
Two names I go by:
1. Star
2. Honey (Brock calls me honey-:)

Two things I'm wearing right now:
1. Olive Green 3/4 sleeve shirt (w/white under)
2. My favorite Abercrombie Jeans

Two of My favorite things to do:
1. Spend time with my husband and kids.
2. Lay on the beach and soak up the sun!!!! (Have to agree with Ash on both these!-we are too alike)

Two things I want very badly at the moment:
1. A King instead of a Queen size bed
2. A girl :)-though I love my boys!

Two favorite pets I have had/have:
1. My old dog China Bear
2. My old dog Echo

Two things I did last night:
1. Snuggled with Ty while watching TV
2. Watched 27 dresses with some great girls!

Two things I ate today:
1. Tortilla soup (need that recipe, Barbie)
2. PBJ

Two people I last talked to:
1. Ty
2. Barbie

Two longest car rides:
1. Connecticut to Salt Lake
2. Salt Lake back to Connecticut

Two favorite holidays:
1. Christmas
2. Thanksgiving

Two favorite beverages:
1. Cocalada slurpee (coke and pina colada mixed-so good!)
2. Diet Coke

K-TAG, you're it!
Jenny F., Stephanie, Barbie, Lori, Becki J, and Amy B.!

I'm So Blessed!

God has placed so many people in my life and blessed me in so many ways...to name a few:
-My wonderful husband who would do and does everything in the world for me...I am truly spoiled! When I was sick, he somehow managed to do all his end of year work from home, take the boys to preschool, take care of me, take Trey to the Dr and be back to take Brock to the store so he could buy stuff to make me dinner...love you!
-My 2 sons who bring so much happiness to my life
-My lil sister who I look up to more than anyone in the world...you are the bomb!
-My Mom who is the strongest, most faithful woman. I want her by my side in the last days for sure!
-My friends who have been there for me in my life. Namely, Ashley (Weeks) Peterson-aka angel voice, Liz (Wheatley) Behunin, and Mackenzie Purless-these girls were the best to me when I moved to a new place in High school-you have no idea how much that meant to me! My friend Amanda Buswell in CT-you are a kindred spirit no doubt who will always be there for me-I miss you girl! Stephanie Read, who always makes me laugh but can still be the best listener...fellow HCC! Jenny Frederick-the funnest person! It has been so nice to have you as a great friend, to work with you in primary, and to have our sons as friends!
Barbie and Jill-you girls knew me from the time I had braces...thanks for always making me smile. When are we doin the IHOP thing? There are many others who have touched my life and I apologize if I didn't mention you but really...I have been so blessed by every one of you! ;*)

My AI Dilemna!

To watch American Idol or to not watch it, that is the question!

So, many of you know I tried out for AI this year in Dallas and was dissed! Ok, so there were close to 19,999 others there and the competition was STEEP, but c'mon...some of the most amazing singers with the biggest chords I have heard got turned away! And then, not seconds later you got major white girl trying to be black (no I am not talking about me-I sang country), singing all these licks like they were going out of style and she was so OFF! She got in to the next round! It was really ridiculous and clear to everyone around us why she got in. I am SO sick of ratings! K, so I wasn't all thinking I would be the next AI. Besides, if I was what in the world would I do with my children while I was out there sharing a house with 9 other strangers? Yeah, that wouldn't have worked-ok, that's what I keep tellin myself.
For real, it was such a fun experience I will never forget. The heat was overbearing but I met some really talented and fun people -can't wait to see if they made it.

This girl stood in line next to me...she got it cause she painted herself green! I don't think she made it far though...Bottom line, should I watch it? I will be so freakin' ticked the whole time at all the crappy ones who just got on there for ratings. My rant is over! Lemme know whatcha think...

What? The above pic was not doctored. Kelly and Carrie couldn't make it for the shoot so Lori and I totally filled in.

Sunday Spiritual Thought

Just wanted to share a link my friend, Steph sent me that Deseret Morning News published, "Better Duck if you're a Mormon" I totally agree with what the author is saying. I guess I also feel like we as members of the LDS church should be used to it by now though. This article has turned some heads and made non-members of our church pretty much on the defense. It has been this way since the restoration of our church, hasn't it? We are a "peculiar people" and the world does not understand us. So, it is ok for some reason to be poked fun at and "politically okay" to absolutely close your mind at voting for someone because they are Mormon. Not only that, it is ok to publically state negative comments about this presidential candidate for his religious beliefs. We will not sue for those comments, we will not do anything but stand back and let it happen. Some would ask why? I say it is because we are not about confrontation, but to stand for what we know to be true and right. We try to follow Christ's life in that He was spat at, persecuted and then eventually paid the ultimate sacrifice for being someone the world could not understand. I find it flattering to be placed in this same category. I know what I know and if others want to persecute, then let them. I am not saying I don't agree with this article or that I don't echo those same feelings, but reading the comments section at the end of the article gave me an uneasy feeling. I feel some are getting verbally defensive and we are taught to be tactful and share our testimony. I'll have to admit though...it is HARD to keep your mouth shut at some of those comments. Anyway, go on and read. It is good to know we are not the only ones who feel this way!

Brock is a Sunbeam!

Last Sunday was Brock's first day of primary and HE LOVED IT! It is so much fun to be in primary with him. We passed out CTR rings to the kids and Brock was so proud to wear it. He wears it everywhere we go! He says he wants to wear it to school so he can teach the kids to "make the wight choices". I just love that kid! What a future missionary-way to go Brockly!

Australia Bound

Ty's on his way back to Australia...I want to go so bad but we think it will be way too much right now and no sitter for the kids. Anyway, if things go my way I will be sure to keep ya posted!I love the top picture! People are actually swimming in the pool with waves crashing up into it from the ocean! No wonder all the olympic swimmers (except of course Michael Phelps)come from Aussie country-they can swim against currents!

Last time he went on business to AU, Trey was only 2 weeks old and he was gone for 2 weeks! So it was not fun at all. This time will be for a week and the kids are a lot better now about sleeping through the night!

Anyway, on his trip to Australian, when Ty and his boss decided to scope out some sweet beaches, they ran into a couple guys down this hill that led them to one. They decided to ask these strangers if they were headed in the right direction, and they both laughed and assured them they were. Not thinking anything of it, they continued down this hill and as they walked along the long sought after beach, they noticed something uncomfortably odd...they were on a GAY NUDE beach! Talk about awkward!

Photography

So I really like taking pictures but don't have the right equipment. Here are a couple of pictures I took while in Flagstaff, Arizona last summer. As you can see in the sailboat pic, half the trees on this mountain were burnt crisp black...ouch!

Family Christmas party

Hannah Montana by day...(Oops-is that guitar PINK?)



& Guitar Hero by night!



So addicting...


Now that we live by family, we are able to get together with them for holidays. Christmas night we got together, played guitar hero and ate and ate...yum!


The kids exchanged gifts-it was so good to see everyone!

Santa's good list

Brock got some cool toys this Christmas-so sad that his eyes (you can see a little in pic) got all gunky but he was lots better by Christmas! Trey got a new train set and Brock a car race track. They both wanted the other's toy of course!

Tagged

My good friend Ashley tagged me so here goes...
Lets try this:
1. Grab your nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag 10 different people. (5 will do too)

The nearest book was the one I am currently in the process of writing...

"But there was more to it than the warm memories, now. She recognized how they would never be the same, and along with those traditions, funny jokes only the three of them could know about, and Ava's wedding day came a painful memory of just them. Perhaps this memory will come with a happy ending after all, she hoped."
-The Adventures of Janie and Ava Gray trilogy Sisterly Love (by me)

I tag...
1. Lori
2. Jenny F.
3. Jules S.
4. Stephanie
5. Melissa M.
6. Krista
7. Amy B.
8. Becki J.

Whew! Those are some ugly sweaters!

The Read Family had us over for their new annual Ugly Sweater Party. Needless to say it was a blast and such a great idea! Here are a few pics from our night


Ty's wig only added to the ugliness...good work!




Nice Shoulder Pads!



And the winners were...DAN AND STEPHANIE



John, Dan, and Ty trying to beat the girls at an intense game of madgab!



Rob and Melissa in their hideous attire

Christmas concert

This Christmas was so much fun! Here is a pic of Brock struttin' his stuff down the red carpet on his way to the stage for his concert. It was so fun to watch him enjoy the songs he learned in his first year of preschool! Love ya Brocky!

Brock and Scotty Frederick were so cute up there doing the choreography and singing right along!