Catching Up....

This will probably be my longest blog ever! There has been so much going on. I kept telling myself, "Self...get on and blog or you're going to get behind." Unfortunately, myself tends to be a bit of a procrastinator and as such failed in these attempts. So that brings us here, with me posting the many events and pictures from last month. So, here we go.

As you saw in my previous post I went to Utah for the blessing of Sallie and Jesse's sweet little babe. I had a marvelous time. I truly love the time I spend with my family and find myself always wishing for just a little more.

Mady, Skylee, and Ryder

Off to church

While the kids were playing outside I went out to take a few pictures. Sky and Teagan were eating it up! They were thoroughly enjoying having their picture taken. Ryder, on the other hand is all boy and therefore had no interest in having his picture taken!
One thing that worked out quite nicely is that my kids were there visiting their dad so they were able to come over and play with their cousins. It's been so fun now that they are old enough to play together. They always enjoy their time together and usually find they don't want to go home.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....James kept plenty busy with Levi and Kalysta....and the yard. Kalysta is currently taking cheer classes and they had a parade all the way out in Scottsdale that Saturday. So James got them up at 6 am, brushed up on his hair stylin' skills and headed out. What a great dad! Not only did he do all that I mentioned before but once there he walked the entire length of the parade alongside Kalysta with Levi on his shoulders, taking pictures and video all along the way! He had a few blisters at the end due to the fact that he wore flip flops (silly James). Then he came home and continued to work diligently on the yard.

Kalysta was NOT happy about the cowboy hat.

My Texas Boys!

We also celebrated our 2 year anniversary this last month. We went out with some good friends, Goeff and Lacey, who also happen to be our neighbors! We went to Kona Grill out in Scottsdale. Kona is still one of my all time favorite places to eat. Macadamia nut chicken....mmmmmm. James, of course had all the sushi he could consume. It turned out to be a great evening.

It never fails, in every group of pictures there is one of these. I keep hoping that every time he sees them he'll see how silly he looks and will stop. This, however, has not been the case.

The two following nights my sweet husband was kind enough to let me go out with some of my good friends. The first night was with Aubree and Vanessa. We went and had some yummy mexican food and then went to see Taken - great movie, you will never let your kids leave the house after seeing it.

The next evening I went out with Aubree and Nicole. Nicole will me moving soon to complete her husband's residency. I have really loved getting to know so many wonderful people here in Arizona. I treasure the friendships I have made and will miss Nicole. She has promised to visit often and we'll hold you to it Nicole! I'm not sure what it is about time out with the girls that at times makes us digress a bit? Whatever it is, I love it. I love to be silly and giggly. Thanks girls for some quality girl time. Love it!
I think this is Aubree and I attempting to, uh, dance?

Of course we had to take a few with James' other lovely lady ;-)...
I hope you were able to get through all that. Funny thing is I have 3 or 4 more posts to go, but think I will wait and do those tomorrow. This is enough for now.

Sweet Baby Axil

I had the opportunity to go to Utah a few weeks back to attend the blessing of my newest nephew Axil. He's such a sweet little man. Sallie and Jesse braved the onslaught of pictures I forced them to take, in between preparing for the blessing, getting their twin girls ready and making food for the luncheon after. What an amazing pair! I will post about my super fun weekend later. For now I wanted to post the pictures I took. Now I am not, repeat, am NOT a photographer. The color is off, as is the lighting. They're a little out of focus in some cases as well. BUT, I LOVE to take pictures. It also helps to have willing subjects who are so easy to photograph. I am constantly taken aback with how beautiful my little sister is. (You should know Sallie, secretly we all hate you.) Not to mention Jesse is the perfect compliment to her. The epitome of "tall, dark and handsome". Now, one day I do plan on taking a class and oh yeah...buying a flash. Then you may judge my pictures. Until then, no dice. Sallie, hopefully you've checked your e-mail, the pictures are there. :o)

This is the Black and White Version

Color and light.

The twins had a picture on the drum...Axil didn't fit as well. ;-)

My sister was such an angel for braving this one.
Thanks Mike ;-)

2 Years and Counting

Today James and I celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. This morning I was lying in bed listening to James alarm clock play "Rollin' Down the River of Love" and had to laugh. James and I had what you call a "whirlwind romance"....literally. I met James online shortly after Thanksgiving of 2006. We had our first date on December 8th, we were engaged January 13th and married March 10th. Anyone who has awaited their wedding day knows how slow the time seems to move. Yet, as soon as we are through with the I do's time seems to move at a much faster speed. I remember that day and the days leading up to it with perfect clarity, which for me is a rarity. I remember the day that James purposed. How insistent he was that I come to visit in Las Vegas that weekend. The wonderful evening he planned. We went to see Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian after which we took a gondola ride on the little river that ran throught the casino.
The great thing about that picture is if you look close enough you can see the ring box in James pocket. When the boat got to the end of the water way to turn around James stood up, nearly turning the boat over, then got on his knee and asked me to share my life with him. People were cheering all around us. It felt like a scene straight out of a sappy chic flick and I loved every moment!

As we would have to go through a long process (still waiting) to be sealed we decided to get married in Laguna Beach. Shortly after making this decision, my little brother decided that he and his fiance would also like to be married there, on the same day. So James and I actually attended their wedding just hours before our own. It was a truly memorable day. Plus all our family only had to travel once and were able to see both our weddings.
We also decided that it would be "fun" to take the kids to Disneyland the day before the wedding. We wanted them to feel that this was as much about their happiness as it was our own. So what better place to do this than The Happiest Place on Earth right?
Unfortunately half way through the day Kalysta fell and hit her face on a short metal fence. So James and Kalysta spent the next 8 hours in the E.R. and Kalysta had a beautiful black eye and stitches. By the time we both made it back to the hotel room we were exhausted.
The next morning we awoke, tired but excited. The day couldn't have been better. The weather was beautiful. We were surrounded by our family and closest friends. We stood barefoot in the sand and knew, without a single doubt that we had found true, lasting happiness. The ceremony was sweet and simple. We received good counsel from the bishop. We knew that there would be tough days ahead. Blending families in never an easy process, but we have been extremely blessed. The last 2 years have been ones of laughter, love, learning, compromise, fun, forgiving and never, never giving up. I look forward to every day I get to spend with James. I look forward to the day I will kneel in the Holy Temple and bind my life to his forever. Then, and only then, can our eternal lives together begin. Here's to forever....

We also had a combined reception dinner with my brother. We had a such a fun time. We even cut the cake, smashing it in each others faces and James braved the whole embarrassing fiasco of retrieving the garter. Ok, so it was more that I was embarrassed. If you were there you would understand why. The picture doesn't even do it justice.
One week after our wedding we headed off to Hawaii. We had so much fun we almost decided not to come home. We spent a few days on Oahu and then the remainder of the time in Kauai. We went scuba diving. Ate lots and lots of yummy food. Laid on the beach. Hit up the Polynesian Cultural Center. Visited some family (my cousin J.D. and his cute wife were living there at the time) Visited a local church and spent some time at the Laie temple. Visited Pearl Harbor, which everyone should do if ever given the chance. And just enjoyed being together in such a beautiful place. We can't wait to go back!

Simply put, looking back on the last 2 years there is little I would change. I feel extremely blessed to have such a devoted husband. His family is his first priority. He has a strong and firm testimony. He is just so much fun to be around. I'm pretty sure I will spend the coming years much like the last 2 asking myself how did I get so lucky?

Blessed

As most of you who read this blog know, 2 weeks ago our ward was split. James and I had been in the Cactus Lane Ward for just a short 7 months. I was in Utah when James sent me a text letting me know the ward had just been split. We knew this was coming. Yet, I had such mixed feelings when I read those words. We are now members of the newly formed ward, the White Tank Mountain Ward. I have been a part of a ward split one other time. But I wanted to put down my thoughts and feelings about this process. It seemed to have more of an impact this time around.

Maybe it's that I'm older, maybe more involved, that this whole process became so real to me. I wasn't there when they announced who our new bishop would be. However, when Bishop Garrett came to our home to issue me a calling I received a very strong personal witness that he was in fact called of God. He is who our Heavenly Father has chosen to lead our ward. It was an awe inspiring moment for me. As silly as that may sound there is no other way to describe it. Then, on Sunday I reveled in the way our sacrament meeting ran so smoothly. There was no craziness, no chaos, absolutely no confusion. The bishop led our meeting as if he had done it one hundred times before. As he read the names of the new auxiliary leaders, scout leaders, primary teachers, choir director, organist and so on we each raised our arms and sustained each of these members. I was one of these. I have been called to serve as the 2nd counselor in the Relief Society Presidency.

Yesterday was one I won't soon forget. After a wonderful sacrament meeting, James was set apart by the stake as the membership clerk and was then given a sweet blessing and was told of the importance of the work he would do. Then in Relief Society we were asked to stand and bear our own testimonies. As I stood, I bore testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel, the church and the love our Heavenly Father has for each one of us. I bore a sweet and personal knowledge of the Atonement and it's healing power. I bore witness of the living Christ whose life and ministry were the perfect example of love and charity by which each of us should pattern our own lives. I wanted every sister to know that they are Daughters of God and that there is power in that knowledge. While the world is crumbling around us we are blessed to be anchored firmly to the truth. I wanted them to know that there is so much we have to be joyful about. I love the scripture in which Lehi, speaking to his son Jacob says, "Men are that they might have joy" I believe that Heavenly Father truly wants us to be happy and that this is one of His divine purposes for us, to find joy and happiness in this and the life to come. I bore testimony of the divine organization of the Relief Society and it's purpose. I loved the article in this month's Ensign in which Julie B. Beck, Relief Society Genereal president was interviewed. In this she says that as Releif Society sisters, we are united first and foremost because of our faith in Christ. When Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society he said that we were not only to look after the poor but also to save souls and this is still our purpose.

I was humbled as I listened to the testimonies of our new president, 1st couselor and secretary. Then to hear almost every sister stand and bear her own special witness of the divine calling of our new bishopric and our new Relief Society presidency. At the end of this meeting the bishopric came in and set each of us apart. This has always been something I have loved. I was set apart by the bishop, his first couselor, and my sweet husband. I was also given a beautiful blessing by our new bishop. I came home yesterday with a strengthened testimony of the pure and absolute love of my Father in Heaven.