Life Lately (according to my phone)

I feel like a total slacker, so instead of doing a bunch of posts all at once I'm just going to share a bunch of pictures. 

Jonathan and I have done a lot together lately.

We toured the State Capitol the week before school started.

Jonathan said goodbye to the first computer he ever bought. 

(FINALLY!!! Now we only have 3 computer towers instead of 4!) 

We worked on our archery skills for FHE with the Nelsons. 

We played tennis with Taylor and Kenzie. (We need to do that more often!!!) 

Last week Jonathan took me on a picnic date.

The three 2 year olds are doing great!

Seth tried shooting the rubber band and luckily didn't hurt himself.

Garrett was reminiscing about the old days when he was just a baby.

Mercedes, as usual, took off with my shoes. (Look at how long and curly her hair is!!)

 Clara, much like me, is so much happier after a nap!

While driving around I've seen classic cars and lots of traffic.

That brown-orange truck is almost identical to the truck my dad had back in 1979. 

Down to the home made rack.

I'm still working on the chest and it just keeps getting better and better!

I just got the knobs last weekend and they are perfect!!

While shopping for the knobs, I found some inspiration for some new projects!!

Last, but not least. One of our neighbors got saran wrapped.

I honestly thought it was a huge spider web at first.

This is just some of the highlights of what we've been up to.

More post will be coming in the weeks ahead.

11 Years Ago

Eleven years feels like a lifetime ago. I was an 11 year old in 6th grade and Jonathan was 18 starting at Sierra. So much has changed in those years. I remember the unity of this country in the aftermath. We were all unsure of what the future held and it made us cling to the things that are most important in life. 

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I sometimes wonder why those feelings have waned and have been replaced with increased contention. There seems to be a free pass to anyone who mocks and degrades things that most Americans feel is sacred. It's hard living in a country that I am regularly told what I believe and that I am a bigot.

I have been so blessed to be born into a country where I can practice whatever religion I choose, I can go to school every day and not worry about it being blown up by an extremist that believes women should not be educated. We all lived extremely comfortable lives compared to most of the world and yet we can't have calm and rational discussions on our disagreements. No, we have no choice but to run around calling each other horrible, awful names to get our point across.

When I started this post, I was planning on going in a different direction, but these are the words and feelings that came out. I have been feeling these things for about 4 years and it feels right that I share them today. These feelings will not go away over night, but I have hope that things will get better in this country. Everyone needs an added measure of patience and a lot less judgement. I trust that we can reunite like we did 11 years ago. I know that this can happen without another attack happening. I want to share a scripture from the Book of Mormon that one of my friends shared this morning on Facebook.

"Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

"Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever..." Alma 26:35,37 The Book of Mormon

I am so grateful to know that our Heavenly Father lives and his greatest desire is for us to return to Him. I know that He loves each and everyone of us equally. I love this country and the men and women who are willing to sacrifice all to protect our freedoms.

Need a Good Laugh?

Lately life has been a little extra crazy and it's been getting to me. Luckily, I saw this on Pinterest with the caption: This is hysterical...warning: don't read this if you have just done your makeup- j and I were laughing so hard we were crying! 

I was too intrigued to pass it up and trust me you will die laughing!

Come on you want to read it too!

I Love Labor Day

Labor day is a very special day to me. It's not all about having a 3 day weekend or awesome sales at the mall.

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It's special because an experience I had two years ago. I was using the extra day to catch up on some math homework. I was sitting at the kitchen table with all of my notes and books. As I was sitting there, I couldn't focus. I fought as hard as I could to get some work done, but my mind continued to wander. I decided to take a little break and leaned back in my chair. I let my mind wander and the thought came into my head you're going to marry Jonathan.  My immediate response to the thought was duh I'm going to marry him! At this point in our relationship, we had been dating for only three and a half months and yet I knew that Jonathan was going to be my husband. Just a few weeks later, Jonathan let the entire world know that we were going to be married.

For me, Labor day will always remind me of the day that I decided to marry my sweet and wonderful Jonathan. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I love waking up every morning next to my best friend.