Saratoga Springs Temple Announcement

General Conference the last two days has been edifying. I felt peace, love, correction, hope, and a renewed desire to be better than I am. I always feel encouraged by General Conference but today I felt more humility than ever. I felt weak and inadequate yet hopeful that I can become strong through Jesus Christ. I need to make goals to increase my scripture study and prayers. I want to make goals to reach out and love my neighbors. I want to make time to be holy and bring others along with me.

I feel so much pressure from the world (or Satan) that it is often hard for me to follow through with the good thoughts and desires I have. I am weak. It takes practice and concentrated effort. It takes faith and I am willing to keep on trying until that glorious day when my Savior returns!

The announcement of the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple was thrilling news! When we moved here we heard rumors that this area would get a temple. I wasn't thinking it would happen so quickly! I feel an incredible amount of gratitude and love. I feel a great desire to become better than I am.

Happy New Year!

We had a very fun and relaxing holiday's. We spent time with both families, saw dear old friends, and hung out as our own little family here in Provo. I have been loving this time with Andy as we have had his full attention for two weeks! But alas, it is coming to an end and school starts again in two days.

Its a New Year and I am ready to start another chapter of my life. 

I love my husband.

I love being a mother of two kids.

I love cooking and feeding people.

I love seeing friends.

I also notice that I have a lot of weaknesses I want to work on this year. 

To make my long list simple and focused,

I decided this year I want to look outside myself. 

I want to be kind and generous, not only when it's easy but especially when its hard and i feel shy and want to hide. I don't like feeling shy, it feels selfish, so I want to overcome it. 

I am going to record one item a day. Inside of the journal I wrote the words to the song, 

Have I done any good in the world today.

That will be my reminder.

It's going to be a good year.

I am going to make myself stretch.

Here are a few pictures of my favorite moments.

Seeing Casey Fitzgerald! We were high school friends. We were on the tennis team and dance team together. She also did drama. I often told her she would be famous one day. Now she is an actress, living in LA, been in a few movies, and loving it! She plans to go big and i expect she will too. I am so grateful we were able to get together while she was in town.

Family Yoga. 

Andy and I are trying to be more active. So we are incorporating yoga into our daily routine. If the kids are awake this is what we look like. Also, you can see a clip of our Christmas tree. A REAL one! I was so happy to get one just days before Christmas. 

Charlie loves Olive. He truly does! He runs over to her saying "Olif Olif" and joins her for some tummy time, gives her kisses and then goes on his way. 

Charlie got an Aggie sweatshirt for Christmas from my parents. I love it!

My sister Brooks family built this snowman. 

Its 13 ft tall! It took 3 days. It got tons of attention. It was quite a site to see!

Sunday Thoughts

We opened up the Christmas boxes put on the music and started decorating. 

It was fun to have Charlie be a part of the festivities. We will be gone Wednesday- Sunday, which is December 1st and i wanted to come home to a Christmas house in December. I feel like i have to explain because this is a bit early to be putting up the decorations. 

Its so fun to be decorating and listening to songs about Christ. It feels so good to feel the love of God so abundant in our hearts and home. 

I have started many MANY projects for Christmas gifts. 

I had been praying for some inspiration on what to give and a bunch of DIY projects came to mind and now i am busy crafting away.

 I love it!  

I have enjoyed reviewing a few of the talks from General Conference. 

This talk from Elder Soares, Be Meek and Lowly of Heart in particular felt like it was for me.

 I need to work on being meek and lowly in heart. 

That is who the Savior was and is. 

Andy and I do a weekly review on Sundays. He got the idea from a business model :) And we are implementing it at home. It has been so good.

We review what worked the previous week and what didn't. Then we make goals of how to do better.

I have so much to learn. So much to change. 

I am grateful for Sundays: for reflection, for renewal, for inspiration, for family, for the increased measure of the spirit, for the focus on the Savior and his Gospel which makes me whole. 

No Regrets

My favorite talk from Conference was President Utchdorfs. Watch it Here! He talked about how life is short. I know I have been wondering how the years pass so quickly. 

He gave three things people regret at the end of their life.

1.They didn't spend more time with the people they love

2. They didn't live up to their potential

3. They didn't let themselves be happier

I don't want to have ANY regrets when my life comes to an end. I am going to resolve to make deeper connections with those who i love! I want to spend meaningful time with my family and friends. I am going to spend more time on the things that matter, like my family, and friends. I am going to fill my time with uplifting reading, and developing good habits. I am going to enjoy the moment and find joy in my journey. Everyday there is something to be grateful for. Everyday there is JOY to be had! If I follow the example of the Savior I will have No Regrets!

       

This is one mess i don't mind letting Charlie get into

Leaving the Crime scene

i love charlie

General Conference

The Prophet announced on Saturday morning that boys are now able, if they choose, to serve a mission earlier, at the age of 18, after HS graduation and girls may leave at 19.

What a historic announcement, one I will never forget! Elder Holland later said in a press conference, "The work is hastening". Yes, indeed it is! My mind kept thinking of all the great things that would come from this announcement that I had a hard time focusing on the rest of the conference. Elder Holland also said he was giddy about this news. I feel the same way. My Facebook page was quickly filled with girls who are now saying they are going on a mission. So many families will be blessed!!

General Conference was inspiring like always. But it was hard to give it the proper attention with an almost one year old walking around. 

Conference was a beautiful fall weekend and i was glad to get some nice pictures of Charlie and the flowers in the yard. Fall is my number one favorite season!!