{update}: the flow

I feel like I need to blog.  When I go too long I feel like I must be missing something.  And I really do look at this as my journal, and that's probably why I worry.

Life is busy.  As usual.  We went up to Salt Lake last weekend to relax and visit Jon's best friend from high school-Curtis.  It was a lot of fun.  They have a cute little girl, and his sis that we stayed with also has a cute little girl and so we had 3 sweet little girls running around and having a great time all weekend.  Oh!  And the weather was SOO nice!  Somehow, I didn't take a single picture.  Ooops. 

While in Salt Lake I also had the opportunity to meet Jessa's new little baby boy and take his picture.  I just love to snuggle newborns.  And they smell SOO good.  Mmmmm.

I'm trying desperately to catch up on editing.  It's happening slowly but surely.

I've recently become an herbal tea drinker.  I've always enjoyed it every now and again, but lately I have a few cups a day.  It really helps my throat and nose (which, as usual are all upset from allergies).  I've found a "throat coat" and an echinacea kind that is delicious steeped together.  And it's a great way to get my daily dose of local honey.

Paisley has been doing much, much better.  I think maybe she was just going through some painful teething because she's really mellowed out again.  She loves to hug me and give me kisses-and I love to hug her and give her kisses too!  She is 100% fearless at the pool, and will jump into the deep end before I can get there to catch her!  She is getting more and more grown up every day.  She now knows how to climb onto the chairs at the table and insists on sitting there, she likes to use big girl cups, and she's really grown more accustomed to her big girl bed.  Realizing that she's going to be 2 next month is still really crazy to me-it seems like she's always been here, but at the same time like she was born yesterday. 

Everyone around me is having babies.  Which leads to continual discussions about diapering, breast-feeding and the like.  It's so strange to me that I nursed for the whole year, which wasn't that long ago, but seems like forever ago...and I do miss it.  I like snuggling little babies.

And last, but not least-I'm totally going to see The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn tonight.  And my dear sweet husband is coming with me.  The best part?  We're totally going on a scooter date-which we haven't done in a really long time and I'm super excited.  I'll try and be naughty and snap a picture to post!

{natural disasters}: our trip to the lake

Last Saturday we took a trip up to Yankee Meadows.  Oddly enough, a good portion of folks I've talked to that grew up here don't even know where this is.  (It's off the Parowan exit up the canyon on the way to Brianhead if you're wondering).  Anyway-we thought it would be fun to go up and get out of the heat for a day.  Unfortunately, the weather has been really stormy and after coming out of the movie late Friday night to a raging thunderstorm (Transformers was awesome, btw) we debated going Saturday.  Saturday morning I woke up exhausted (we stayed up WAY too late Friday night), but decided a nice relaxing trip to the lake might be a good thing, even if we get some rain.
**Side note:  Paisley has been throwing some EPIC tantrums lately.  I am now realizing it has more to do with her teeth killing her than her disposition, but regardless Friday I made the mistake of going to Target with her toward the beginning of her nap time and she screamed the ENTIRE hour I was there-with a full blown wrestling match at the cash register.  Wrestling a wiggly, screaming 25 lb weight has really begun to develop my arm muscles and I think I could actually hurt someone if I punched them!! Oh, and I tell this side note because I actually woke up sore from the wrestling-both emotionally and physically.

Back to the story.  Saturday morning we threw everything together and left with Chad and Sarah to drive up to Cedar.  Paisley chose not to sleep, even though we left at nap time and she usually sleeps in the car.  We stopped at the Cedar City Wal-mart to top off our supplies and Paisley decided to again throw an epic tantrum.  It was bad.  I took her out to wait for everyone else to check out and again had to spend a good 10 minutes wrestling with her, screaming at the top of her lungs.  (I didn't think to just get the car keys)  It was quite a scene.  After that we stopped at Pastry Pub (LOVE!!!) and were on our way up the canyon.  At this point, Paisley finally passed out from what could only be exhaustion.  I was so grateful because she really is such a good kid as long as she gets her naps.  5 minutes later, she woke up.  argh. 
We made it up the canyon, to Yankee and parked, realizing that we needed to prioritize what we needed from the car to hike around to the other side of the lake.  Luckily I took an extra diaper and hoodies and dressed Paisley in warmer clothes (it was around 60 F, so not TOO terribly cold.  We grabbed the fishing stuff and hiked around to the other side.  Just as we had set up our benches, finished our lunches and started fishing, Paisley went ahead and fell in the lake.  She was fine-but she drenched all of her clothes!!  So we dried her off and I wrapped her up in her blanket and she looked like she was going to go to sleep!!  nope.  Then it started to downpour.  Luckily I had our thick denim blanket so we huddled under there until it stopped, Paisley screaming and thrashing a good portion of the time.  Then the rain stopped and Paisley wanted to run around.  Not wanting her to soak the one clean diaper I had put on her (if she happened to fall back in), I took it off and just let her run free.  (this is when the above pic was taken).  Luckily too when the rain would stop, the sun would come out and it would warm up quite rapidly.  We fished and sat for a bit, and then Paisley fell in the lake again.  She actually fell in the moment after I took the picture. 
*Second Side note:  This last week Jon finally acquired the phone of his dreams.  He loves it.  It is brand new and shiny.  It is expensive-and while it is insured, it will still be expensive to replace.
Jon jumped in to save our child from drowning, once again.  And took his phone into the lake with him.  You can imagine that his mood was not so great for the rest of the day.  In my defense-I was taking a picture...and I had the camera around my neck (which is worth more than the phone) and I rescued her the first time.  We actually are thinking maybe we should have just left her to flounder a bit longer because she did not learn her lesson...

Rinsed off and clean from her second dip in the lake, we diapered her up, wrapped her in my hoodie and began our trek back to the car to start dinner.  The rest of the day kind of went on like the beginning:

• The wood was super wet and it took a long time to get a sufficient fire started.
• Paisley would not take her second nap-we put her in the car, we laid her out on the blanket, we tried and tried and tried to no avail.  Extreme fussing and general grumpiness resulted.
• The boys left us to go exploring further up the canyon (they took the car) and I had nightmares of them not coming back...just the thoughts were terrifying.
• I burned the tin-foil dinners because I really thought I knew what I was doing...ug.
• It down poured again before the boys had come back and everything got soaked...including us.
• My cobbler was described as baked frosting with syrup on top.

*Third Side note:  Cobblers are meant to be made with canned fruit, not fruit pie filling.  So if you use pie filling, it can cause your cobbler to be WAY too sweet.  Also, cobblers are meant to be made with a plain cake mix like yellow or white.  Not with a vanilla cake mix, which also results in WAY too sweet.  If you use both pie filling and 2 boxes of vanilla cake mix your cobbler will probably be described as "baked frosting with syrup on top."

After dinner Jon and Chad hiked a bit up the lake to fish some before we left and Sarah and I cleaned up what we could.  We decided to wander over and get the boys after and at this point my arms were so tired from holding Paisley I made her walk.  This was the end.  She screamed the entire time around the lake...but kept following me because I was walking away from her.  And yes, I am a terrible mother-I know, believe me, I know.  Fortunately by the time we reached Jon she was so worn out that I picked her up and she instantly fell asleep in my arms.  Wonderful.  We went back and enjoyed the sunset over the lake for a minute, the boys choking down my delicious cobbler. 

And we slept the whole way home.

{holidays}: the 4th

Our 4th of July was so fun!  We spent it with the Coopers and a bunch of their neighborhood.  We blocked off the streets so the kids could run free and it was so much fun!

Paisley had a good time with all the cute boys.

I love taking pictures of all the yummy food.

I love chocolate ice cream and ridiculous blue eyeshadow...

Paisley could not get enough lemonade.  She completely covered herself in food, sno cone, lemonade and popsicle so by the time it was getting dark we ran in and hosed her down and switched her to jammies.

She LOVED the sparklers!

Some neighbors nearby were lighting off aerial fireworks and she thought the were so awesome!  They put on quite a show.

We lit off some of our own...luckily everyone kept their eyebrows.

{growing pains}: potty training+update

I'm in the thick of potty training and it's horrible!!  I know, I know, she is young.  I've read in more than one book that 22 months is a good time to start, and I really think she's capable BUT if things don't start going a little smoother here in the near future we may just keep her in diapers til kindergarten.  They aren't that expensive...I feel that the counseling that I'm going to need to be ok after this will be more expensive.  The method I am most specifically following is the 3 day potty training.  I agree with it's philosophy, and like I said, I really think Paisley is capable.  I'm just wondering if we took on too much too soon.
About a month ago I decided that I would start potty training this week.  I scheduled it on my calendar.  I read and re-read the book.  I stopped buying diapers and switched to pull-ups (to get the pulling up of the the panties idea).  I stopped buying pull-ups so that I could phase them out.  We went and bought panties and a cute potty.  I put off having my carpets cleaned.  Monday night we switched Paisley's crib into a big girl bed.  I think this may have been a mistake.  You see, she wakes up at 7 and confined to a crib, plays until I come get her around 8:30 (and by 8:30, I really mean 9:30).  Well, take away the crib and leave the door open so she can let us know if she needs to go potty and I have a sweet toddler slapping me awake at 7 AM!!  Tuesday, after a night of crying (I don't think she initially liked her big girl bed) I put her in panties and we began the potty training.  Now, the method that I'm using reccommends giving lots and lots of fluids for lots and lots of practice and wearing panties so that they can get used to that.  And soak lots of panties.  And do lots of laundry.  Fast forward to today.  I've done A LOT of laundry.  Everything in my house has either been thrown into the toilet, or peed on.  And I do mean everything.  Did I mention we had apartment inspections this week?  That was neat.  Oh, and naps?  Yep, no more naps.  No longer confined to a crib she sees no need for naps-instead she pees on everything in her room (that she has dumped out of her drawers) and does all of this silently to trick me into believing that she's sleeping!!!  My child, oddly enough, is a lot like her mother and starts to go a little stir crazy after staying the in the living room for 3 days straight with her Mommy chasing her saying "Tell mama if you need to go potty!" every 5 seconds.  Because of that stir craziness, she has chosen to figure out exactly where her boundaries are...slamming doors, whining and generally harassing me as much as possible...all the while me asking her if she needs to go pee. 
I actually laid on the floor outside her room so I could peek under the door to see if she stayed in bed for her nap.  I fell like this is not why I went to college. 
Her redeeming quality?  She's dang cute.  And she just learned how to say "please?" and then says "thank you."  Oh yes, she's just terrible.  I had reached the end of my rapidly fraying rope this morning and she curled up on my lap and instantly fell asleep.  And then peed on me.  And then on my couch that I laid her on...
And if I understand this correctly...I have to go through this with every child I have?  Because if that's the case, I may really just have the one...

*Update:  I quit.  I did.  And I'm actually ok with it.  I woke up this morning with some new found clarity and I think I'm just going to wait a bit.  I really appreciate all of the encouragement-I was in a bad place.  I think switching beds and potty training all at the same time is too much to try and do with no sleep (she's still figuring out to stay in bed and not roll out onto the floor in her sleep).  So I'm going to give it some time.  I think getting adjusted to a bed and also growing up just a little bit more will really help.  She doesn't quit understand the idea of a reward system and I think when she does this will be a peice of cake.  So we'll see...

{discombobulated}: a list

Weird feelings.  Lately when I blog it's like I just need to empty out all the things rattling around in there.  I don't know.  And by rattling around in there, I do mean my brain...

Today it's relief society.  Do your visiting teaching.  And after you're done, report it.  Please.  For the sake of all of your sweet sisters that work like crazy people...  it's a good thing to do.  I promise.  It took getting this calling to realize just how awesome this system can be if it's done.

Babies.  I could talk all day about babies.  I just did that Dr. Seuss shower and it was way too much fun.  I love the idea, love the theme, love Ember.  Pictures will follow.

Health.  I need some.  If you have any immune system boosting remedies, please let me know.  Regardless of the large sums of money I paid the nice doctors-they have yet to find something wrong with me that would cause all of the sickness...and yes, I was sick once again this last week.  This time it was a weird stomach flu that left me unable to keep food inside of me.  And no, not pregnant.

Miracles exist.  If you want to hear the story, ask me.  And if you ever want miracles to occur in your life, ask for them.  You can you know.

Dreams are weird.  Alecia, I'm in the same weird funk you are over some of my dreams lately and I totally know where you're at with the haunting...

I love my husband.  I feel like marriage ebbs and flows like the tide and lately it has been flowing.  I love the happy times-the easy happy times.  Sometimes the happiness requires work and sometimes it's just there.

Someday, like Wednesday, my house will be clean.  It will.  I look forward to this day...if I can just stay healthy enough to accomplish it!!

Paisley.  Mmmmm I just love to breathe her in I love her so.  She is my love and my favorite and is still growing way WAY too fast!!  Potty training to be coming soon!!!

And zumba.  do it.  and then go do your visiting teaching. 

{Sneak Peak}: St. George Photographer

Some sneak peaks of my latest projects...Brian & Audrey's wedding, Sarah & Chad's wedding and Ozzy's baptism.  So much fun!

{projects}: finally getting somewhere...

This was actually done a little while ago, but it's been so nice having all of her toys in one place-accessible in our living room!  I had this all set up in her closet in her room but after seeing my friend Kim put it all together in her nook downstairs I just had to do the same!

I've been on a bit of a crazy kick-I organized all of my closets.  Oddly enough, it seems easiest to just do it all at the same time, so I did...for the most part.  I finally moved a bunch of crap out of my laundry room closet, I finally hung up all of my jewelry and organized my linen closet, and I went through and cleaned out my bedroom closet-which made room to store all of our extra winter clothes and coats so now I have more room in my coat closet!  Yay!!  In case you were wondering, closets are hard to take pictures of-or I would probably have pictures of all of them...

I just finished this awesome quilt!!  I could have never done it without the help of my friend Morgan!!  We teamed up and finally got all of my sewing projects finshed-in one day!!!  I am in love with how this turned out!!  And SHHH-don't tell Ember!!  She never checks anything online so I know she won't see this, but you can't tell her I made one!!

My continual project-who wanted her picture taken while I was taking pictures of all my other projects.

And finally-my favorite-I finished a double sided pirate carseat cover and pirate nursing cover, complete with washcloth corners (for milky faces and added weight)  Jessa-they'll be there soon!!

I have no idea what my doctor gave me a shot of when I went in last week-but it was good stuff.  I'm still waiting to hear back about my CT scan and blood work, but I am feeling SO MUCH BETTER!!  I hope that I'm at the end of a long string of illness, and hopefully I just continue to feel better!

{some fun}: dr. seuss

I just have to show these off because I just love how they turned out!!  I'm doing a baby shower for my good friend Ember and she is doing the cutest Dr. Seuss theme with their baby nursery and I love it!!

{update}: my brain

Today, I empty out my brain:

• Ellen is the funniest female comic.  ever.  I have finally figured out why-she doesn't rag on men the entire time, she doesn't complain about girl issues...I've come to my own conclusions as to why she may be different-but I love her!!
• I also love Bill Cosby.  so much.  Really, the reason for all the comic love-my very good friend Will showed me a pandora station that is all PG rated comics.  I LOVE it!!
• I love zumba.  If you want to find happiness in life, you will find it in zumba.
• If you would like to quickly remove your nail polish, Mr. Clean magic erasers work for that too.  Yes, they are going to save the world.
• Coupons.  new love.  I haven't gone completely crazy yet, BUT I saved $15 on my bill just from snipping a few, and I really can't complain about that...
• Bountiful Baskets.  If you haven't done it, do it!!
• Spring Cleaning.  It NEEDS to happen.  If I can just get myself better, it's GOING to happen.  And I know, it's like summer and not spring anymore, but I spent all of my spring sick, and I vow not to spend my summer sick and this cleaning is going to HAPPEN!!!
• i love lists.
• almost as much as I love lamp.
• It doesn't seem to matter how old I get, how much life experience I gain, things that people say and do still surprise me.  Particularly the decisions of those that are close to me. 
• I think, when I finally catch up on all my editing, I am going to start and etsy shop...I have some ideas!!!  And I'm excited about them...
• Laundry may be the end of me....and I only have one kid!!  And we're hippies in this house (in that we wear some things a couple of times before we wash...not underwear, but like pants and stuff).  It seems that just as I finish getting everything washed, hung, folded, etc it is time to start all over again.  Never-ending...
• I think I'm about ready to start potty-training.  And before you put your hand up, laugh at me, or sarcastically tell me good luck...I think she's getting close to ready.  She likes to do things on her own.  About 6 times out of 10 she tells me when shes wet or stinky AND she's really starting to communicate better.  I know it's possible, but I'm waiting just a little longer until I'm feeling better and she can take her pants on and off...

A couple of happening in our life:

Audrey, my old roommate got married!!  Her wedding was gorgeous and so much fun!

Chad and Sarah finally got married...and it was beautiful.

My sweet husband got to try his had at a little bit of videography.  Doesn't he look hott with a camera?

We went camping and could not keep Paisley out of the water for anything!!  She loved it!

Jon caught this big guy...

This rotten, rotten squirrel stood outside my window chirping for 45 minutes the other day!!!  I finally lost it and went out to chase it away, to no avail.  He would not leave!  So I grabbed Jamie, who should no longer be referred to as a cat, and she ran away, meowing for the door.  Finally, I talked to Jon and he explained the only way to get rid of a squirrel is to shoot it.  So I grabbed my camera and shot away...and he did finally leave!!

And lastly, Jessa.  Who, if you did not happen to notice, is quite pregnant!  She is going to be such a good Mama, and I am so excited for her and Chris!  They are naming their little boy Colt and have been working hard on a pirate themed nursery that is so awesome and cute at the same time!

Amongst all of this, I am still sick and I cannot seem to get better.  I've been on the brink of a meltdown all week (as anyone that has talked to me at all can attest, sorry guys!) and I finally had a come apart yesterday.  My sweet husband has been taking care of me.  I'm not quite sick enough to HAVE to be in bed, but I'm definitely sick enough to be miserable.  Tomorrow I go to the doctor again, and hopefully we can figure some things out.  Ug.

{internet}: fotos and bunnies and spring

Hi.  I missed you.  For the last week and a half-I have been without the internet-which has been just terrible and makes me feel like maybe I've grown a little bit dependent.  I was forced to call people on the phone or text them if I wanted to communicate!!  I actually had to leave my house and see people in person because I couldn't e-mail things!!  Just horrible. 

I think sometimes my desires to take cooler pictures than everyone else document my life I get caught up in the look at me I'm trying so hard, instead of taking warm loving pics just to capture those small moments.  Not always-but sometimes, and being unable to post everything I want to has maybe been good for me.  Don't judge, I'm being honest and it's rough. lol

The Jehovah's Witness missionaries won't leave me alone.  It's given me numerous times now to practice bearing my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.  Maybe it's just because I'm not mean to them, maybe because I offer them water to drink, or maybe just because I asked them questions about what they believe they keep coming back!!  I don't really know what to do at this point.  I point blank explained that my curiosity about their religion was merely to understand more about what they believe-not because I was looking to switch.  And I have very bluntly explained that not only do I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, but that he restored the only true gospel to the earth.  I do have to hand it to them-they know their bible, and I can't fault them for that.

Oddly enough the Jehovah's Witnesses did have some impact on me.  They don't celebrate holidays and I never understood why.  After some explanation it definitely makes more sense.  When it comes down to it-Easter is a pagan holiday (spring=bunnies=fertility=goddess=solstice=pagan) So I really do get why they don't want anything to do with it.  It made me rethink how important it is to see through all of the commercial-ness that many of our holidays have become and really try and focus on what's really important.  Of course the Easter bunny came to visit our house, and he will continue to, but I think the bunny will be Saturday's holiday and Sunday will be when we focus on what Easter is really about.

Paisley is going through a "mommy's-girl" phase and I can't complain.  I'm her favorite person right now and I'm really enjoying it.  She has been pleasantly happy lately (I think she's in-between teeth) and it has been so fun.  She loves giving everyone loves and kisses and is understanding more and more everyday.  Her constant chattering is resembling words more and more and I'm starting to understand the root of what I think she's trying to say.  It's nice.  I look forward to the day that we can fully communicate!!

My allergies are getting better and better-slowly.  I hope these drops are working!!  I feel confident in their abilities-hopefully they continue to help!!

I finished The Work and The Glory.  I LOVE.  If you get the chance, read it.  I love how it was written, I love that it has references at the end of every chapter, I love the storyline, I love all of it.  I cannot recommend it enough.  Be prepared to be a bit paranoid while you read-maybe I was just into it, but I really was more worried about our safety (unnecessarily) while reading the books.

{recreate}: missing

So...as you can see I've been messing around with the blog.  This is the first time I've made everything from scratch and there is definitely some pros and cons...  I like what I've done, but I feel it's missing something, so I have some questions to ask...

1. Is the yellow too bright?
2. Do you usually look at blogs at 100% on your monitor, or do you zoom in to like 150%?

I thought there would be more questions, but maybe not.  Now I just need to figure out what I'm missing...

{infirmities}: day 4

Right now I am on a mission to cure my allergies-not just treat them with meds.  I am under the impression that it's possible to cure them-I have read a lot about it and I believe it's possible, I just need to find out what's going to work for me. 

Currently I have invested in a neti pot.  While it is not a complete fix, it does seem to be helping.  I also am drinking 1/8 C of Apple Cider Vinegar once a day.  It is nasty, and the worst thing ever to ingest!!  It also may be helping.  I'm also taking Las Vegas Allergy Mix drops under the tongue.  They're basically a homeopathic method-they're supposed to help me build up an immunity to the things that I'm allergic to. 

I believe I'm a good candidate for building up an immunity to things because I'm not allergic to my cat.  I am allergic to every other cat I come across-indoor or outdoor-to the point that I break out into hives, but I am no longer allergic to my own.  I feel like there is some significance to this.

So I appreciate all the suggestions for medication-but I really have tried them all with zero results.  I wouldn't be in this state if they hadn't stopped working.  (And yes, I have tried ALL of them-I've had allergies my entire life, believe me I have)   And really I want to try and get away from treating allergies solely with meds SO that next time I'm pregnant or nursing I still have something I can do. 

Luckily something I'm doing is beginning to work, so I'll keep posting on progress because I'm really excited that I may have found a cure!  (at least for me ;))

{infirmities}: spring

I'm beginning to feel like this is becoming a tradition...every year spring hits and every year I get really sick every 2-3 weeks.  I'm done.  I quit.  The worst part?  Paisley has allergies too.  For the last 3 nights she has whimpered all night long in her sleep and all day long in her awake-she's teething on top of it, and to make matters worse, has a killer black eye that has to be contributing to her headache:

(these are from Jon's cell phone so they aren't the best...)  She also went ahead and found the food coloring yesterday and she now has one pink hand and one blue hand.
If any of you have ANY suggestions for allergies, I need them.  I am dying.  For reals this time.  It's really, really bad.  I took Nyquil and it didn't even touch them!  It's bad!  Since none of the normal medicine is working I have been trying a neti pot, the Las Vegas allergy mix drops under the tongue, apple cider vinegar, and I'm trying to get my hands on more local honey-I don't think I was taking enough of it regularly enough. 
I'm tired of being sick every couple of weeks...I don't know what I need to do.  I've really been eating healthier, exercising and taking vitamins more regularly...my sleep schedule has been better...IDK!!!  Any and all advice is welcome...and hopefully one day soon I will stop whining!

{update}: a couple things...

I feel like I need to update but there hasn't been any huge event happening so I just haven't written...I guess there are a couple things:

• Paisley currently has an awesome black eye.  Pictures and story are coming soon.  She is busier than ever...she's supposed to be napping right now and I can hear her talking to herself and giggling...I can't decide if it's time to go down to one nap a day-but I really don't want to give up the 2 nap routine!!  She is trying words more and more everyday, but her solid go-to words are still uh-oh, shoes, and cheese.  She has started kissing everyone on the mouth, which is actually really cute and is getting more and more mischievous every day.
• Jon went down to the drag races in Vegas last Friday:

• As you can see they went all out classy and sported handle-bar moustaches and baseball caps.  They came home sunburned and all hyped up on testosterone from watching the crazy fast cars.
• I am dying with allergies.  I don't know what to do.  I'm going to go get some local honey today and start drinking it like mad.  I've heard that the honey really helps-and I've always tried to buy local in the past.  It just didn't dawn on me to take it everyday like a medicine.  We'll see if it works...
• I have been super busy with Spring pictures-I love it, but I haven't been this busy in awhile and it is crazy!!  I'm so excited-I've got 2 weddings coming up in a month and it's going to be a lot of fun!
• I have been reading the Work and the Glory.  If you haven't read this series, you should.  I've always wanted to get to know the early church better-and this is the perfect way to do it.  While the main family that you follow in the book is fictional, everyone else is not and it has helped me get to know the early members of the church, and more importantly, I feel like I'm finally getting to know the Prophet Joseph Smith.  The only consequences of reading the series is that I'm constantly on edge.  Being a Member of the Church at the time of the books was very dangerous and I have to keep reminding myself that I don't live in Missouri during the extermination order and that mobs are not going to come drive me out of my house.  There was so much heartbreak for those early saints and sometimes it is really hard to read all of the terrible things that happened to them.  It's no wonder that they came here!!
• Conference was awesome.  As always. 

I think that about wraps it up...I'm hoping to post more pics from California soon!!  We had such a nice little break for our anniversary...♥

{love}: jon

I didn't have the chance to write on our anniversary, so I'm a bit late-but I still wanted to write.  Califonia was wonderful.  I love this man so much.  We celebrated 6 years of marriage on the 12th of March-and we still like each other!! 

After a short trip home to Idaho Falls, I realized how much safety and happiness I have in marraige.  Really, how much safety and love I have with Jon.

High School was tumultuous, college was crazy fun and lonely-full of heartbreak and angst.  This sweet kid who had no idea what he was getting himself into rescued me-drowning in an ocean of hard emotional issues and filled me with light and love.  We rescued each other.  We've healed each other.  He is my happiness, my love and my very best friend and I can't think of a greater blessing in my life than him.  I love him so much-with warmth and safety that grows more every day.

i love you poo muffin.