Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Just Another Love Story (DO NOT COPY WITHOUT PERMISSION)
There are times in one's life when you meet someone you could never forget. I can still remember the day we met. It was August 19, 1999, a beautiful clear summer's day. I had been up late the night before and was sleeping on the couch when a friend came to drag me to an Institute activity in the park down the street. I reluctantly went, concluding that if I didn't give in now I would never hear the end of it. Besides, I had nothing better to do. She came late. She had gone to pick up the sandwiches for lunch. The moment I saw her I knew there was something tantalizing about her. To begin with, she was radiant. Her curly dark brown hair danced like springs, her lustrous lips constantly pulled back in a smile to expose her perfect teeth. It was her eyes that caught my attention though. Looking into her eyes was like swimming in a deep, refreshing, sapphire lake at the end of a long and dreary hike. In short, she was perfect. As we introduced each other we quickly found that there was quite the age gap to overcome. Her name was Heather, and she was 21. I was only 18 and barely out of high school. My thoughts were at least I could hit on her if nothing else. This proved to hinder our relationship only momentarily.
For weeks I came back to Institute, yet she was nowhere to be found. Rumors started circulating that she had been missing to date a man she had met in early August. I was disappointed to hear such news, though everyone else seemed quite happy for her. Finally, I heard that our class was to take a trip to Manti to visit the temple. I nearly jumped out of my skin with joy as I hear that Heather was to join us! This was my chance to really get to know her, and let her get to know me.
As we were leaving, I asked to ride in her car. She was relieved to have me ask, as there were several guys in the class with their eyes on her, none of which sparked any interest in her. During our ride down I really learned who she was. She had a strong testimony, one that would impress the Pope himself, yet she had not been without her trials. She had two children but felt strongly that she needed to place them for adoption. She had been married before, yet her husband became abusive shortly after the wedding, so she left him. These trials had helped to forge her into the stunning woman that now sat beside me in her car.
It was at the temple that I first learned of Jim. As she spoke of him my blood raced with envy. I pictured her speaking of me as she did of him, of completing that void in her heart with me. She spoke of him with such fondness and hope, yet something in her eyes betrayed her, including a profuse hatred for sandals and open-toed shoes as well as painted toe nails. His lack of respect for her feelings on these and other such matters hinted of a future for her of dominant repression.
As I returned home from the temple trip, I couldn't wait to tell a close friend of mine all about this woman I had met. I told her that I had found the woman of my dreams, the one I wanted to marry, but that she was engaged to marry another man. The wise counsel of my friend must have been quoted straight from the movie; "You have to tell her how you feel. If not, you will always regret your lost opportunity." Those words echoed in my mind every day as I anticipated the intoxication of her company again and again.
Meanwhile Jim made a mistake comparable to a fumble on the one yard line in the last seconds of a neck Super Bowl game. He began to neglect Heather, and even broke off the engagement to reconsider. Heather was devastated. I supported her as a friend, never revealing to her my feelings burning inside. I was certain they would reconcile, and didn't want to cause her any additional heartache by heaping my inconsequential feelings on her shoulders. Besides, what could I offer her? Jim was mature and wealthy, and could provide Heather with a life she could only dream of. And here I was, a child, still living with my parents with nothing of my own. But within the rubble of a broken relationship grew an unexpected love. We grew closer and closer every day we were together. We quickly found ourselves inseparable. But as Jim returned and begged for a second chance, it was an impression she received in the Visitor's Center at the Salt Lake temple, again on an Institute activity, which caused her to choose a boy over a man. If we felt close before, we could look back on it as though we were strangers merely saying hello as we passed each other on a busy street.
But our ecasty was short-lived, for I soon would leave the woman of my dreams, the one who had given so much to be with me, to serve a two-year mission. The obstacle had loomed in the mist long enough, and was now upon us. Fear and doubt filled our hearts as I held her for the last time before leaving on my journey.
I received a letter with four months left detailing her doubts and frustrations over the last twenty months of our separation and I was certain we had met the end. We wrote the very little those last months, and I hardly expected my request to meet me at my homecoming to be granted. Yet, to my amazement, as I walked down the stairs from the terminal, she was there. It had taken great convincing on my sister's part to get her there.
Some would expect at tearful, intense embrace after so much time apart, but there was only a handshake. It took months of agony and frustration, searching again for the intensity we had once shared, before our triumphant return to that temple in Manti, where we were sealed for time, and all eternity.
To some this may sound like just another love story, but not to me, and my beautiful wife, it is a fairy tale come true.
This is our love story written by my amazing husband, Marc. I love him and always will. This was also written in the first couple years of our marriage and now we're going extremely strong at 10 years later.
For weeks I came back to Institute, yet she was nowhere to be found. Rumors started circulating that she had been missing to date a man she had met in early August. I was disappointed to hear such news, though everyone else seemed quite happy for her. Finally, I heard that our class was to take a trip to Manti to visit the temple. I nearly jumped out of my skin with joy as I hear that Heather was to join us! This was my chance to really get to know her, and let her get to know me.
As we were leaving, I asked to ride in her car. She was relieved to have me ask, as there were several guys in the class with their eyes on her, none of which sparked any interest in her. During our ride down I really learned who she was. She had a strong testimony, one that would impress the Pope himself, yet she had not been without her trials. She had two children but felt strongly that she needed to place them for adoption. She had been married before, yet her husband became abusive shortly after the wedding, so she left him. These trials had helped to forge her into the stunning woman that now sat beside me in her car.
It was at the temple that I first learned of Jim. As she spoke of him my blood raced with envy. I pictured her speaking of me as she did of him, of completing that void in her heart with me. She spoke of him with such fondness and hope, yet something in her eyes betrayed her, including a profuse hatred for sandals and open-toed shoes as well as painted toe nails. His lack of respect for her feelings on these and other such matters hinted of a future for her of dominant repression.
As I returned home from the temple trip, I couldn't wait to tell a close friend of mine all about this woman I had met. I told her that I had found the woman of my dreams, the one I wanted to marry, but that she was engaged to marry another man. The wise counsel of my friend must have been quoted straight from the movie; "You have to tell her how you feel. If not, you will always regret your lost opportunity." Those words echoed in my mind every day as I anticipated the intoxication of her company again and again.
Meanwhile Jim made a mistake comparable to a fumble on the one yard line in the last seconds of a neck Super Bowl game. He began to neglect Heather, and even broke off the engagement to reconsider. Heather was devastated. I supported her as a friend, never revealing to her my feelings burning inside. I was certain they would reconcile, and didn't want to cause her any additional heartache by heaping my inconsequential feelings on her shoulders. Besides, what could I offer her? Jim was mature and wealthy, and could provide Heather with a life she could only dream of. And here I was, a child, still living with my parents with nothing of my own. But within the rubble of a broken relationship grew an unexpected love. We grew closer and closer every day we were together. We quickly found ourselves inseparable. But as Jim returned and begged for a second chance, it was an impression she received in the Visitor's Center at the Salt Lake temple, again on an Institute activity, which caused her to choose a boy over a man. If we felt close before, we could look back on it as though we were strangers merely saying hello as we passed each other on a busy street.
But our ecasty was short-lived, for I soon would leave the woman of my dreams, the one who had given so much to be with me, to serve a two-year mission. The obstacle had loomed in the mist long enough, and was now upon us. Fear and doubt filled our hearts as I held her for the last time before leaving on my journey.
I received a letter with four months left detailing her doubts and frustrations over the last twenty months of our separation and I was certain we had met the end. We wrote the very little those last months, and I hardly expected my request to meet me at my homecoming to be granted. Yet, to my amazement, as I walked down the stairs from the terminal, she was there. It had taken great convincing on my sister's part to get her there.
Some would expect at tearful, intense embrace after so much time apart, but there was only a handshake. It took months of agony and frustration, searching again for the intensity we had once shared, before our triumphant return to that temple in Manti, where we were sealed for time, and all eternity.
To some this may sound like just another love story, but not to me, and my beautiful wife, it is a fairy tale come true.
This is our love story written by my amazing husband, Marc. I love him and always will. This was also written in the first couple years of our marriage and now we're going extremely strong at 10 years later.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
New Home!
So, we're moving and here's our new home! We're so excited. We've been married 9 years and it's about time we have our own place. We should get the keys a week from tomorrow.
The front of the Townhome
The kitchen
Dining Area
Jaidyn's Bedroom upstairs...
Friday, March 9, 2012
"Unbroken"
"Unbroken"
I bend but I do not break.
I crack but I am not in pieces.
I may be bruised but I am not damaged.
I am shaken but I am not shattered.
I can be wounded but I cannot be destroyed.
I may cry tears but tears will not dissolve me.
I can stumble but I will rise.
I may sit down in acceptance but I will stand up in action.
I can be hurt but I will heal.
I may be very discouraged but I will become very determined.
I am not broken.
I’ve been bent, but life has bent me.
I am bending, but I am choosing to bend.
As I am bending, I am strengthening and mending.
I am still alive and standing.
Life is everything that has bent me but does not break me.
I am unbroken.
I did not write this but I love the message it delivers.
I bend but I do not break.
I crack but I am not in pieces.
I may be bruised but I am not damaged.
I am shaken but I am not shattered.
I can be wounded but I cannot be destroyed.
I may cry tears but tears will not dissolve me.
I can stumble but I will rise.
I may sit down in acceptance but I will stand up in action.
I can be hurt but I will heal.
I may be very discouraged but I will become very determined.
I am not broken.
I’ve been bent, but life has bent me.
I am bending, but I am choosing to bend.
As I am bending, I am strengthening and mending.
I am still alive and standing.
Life is everything that has bent me but does not break me.
I am unbroken.
I did not write this but I love the message it delivers.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Happy New Year, I think...
Have you ever pondered where life is going to take you? If you've chosen the right path and direction? How do you decide if you've gone the wrong way? How do you choose to go a different way despite the damage that's left behind? Can you tell I'm at a crossroads?
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Paranormal
Like paranormal stuff? Check out this blog!
My brothers and I have been filming our own style of paranormal investigation. We've got the intro done and a couple episodes in the works. It'll be entertaining for sure! Follow our blog and FB page for updates!
My brothers and I have been filming our own style of paranormal investigation. We've got the intro done and a couple episodes in the works. It'll be entertaining for sure! Follow our blog and FB page for updates!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Gone too soon...
This is my friend Echo... She left this life on November 2, 2011. We have been friends since Jr. High school and went through many bad times together and a lot of good times together. Our lives were separated after high school for a while and then we reconnected on Facebook a few years back. We talked often and got together a couple times and when her younger sister Amber sent me the news telling me my "sister" had died I was in complete shock. She was just 33 like me... Such a short life. A few days before she passed she started posting spiritual thoughts on her Facebook page, which looking back makes me think that her subconscious knew what was coming.
Her sister asked me to read something at her funeral which is tomorrow, Nov. 12th, and I was very honored to be asked. The family wants me to read one of the posts she put up which I love.
One night I had a dream--
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord
and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,
one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you would walk with me all the way,
but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
"I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,
you should leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,
I love you and I would never, never leave you
during your times of trial and suffering.
"When you saw only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."
Mary Stevenson
I love you Echo and will never forget all we went through.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Words of Wisdon
This should be posted in every school or kid's bedroom. Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about eleven (11) things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.
Rule 1 : Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2 : The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss
Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: They called it opportunity.
Rule 6 : If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7 : Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were: So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.. Rule 8 : Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. *This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9 : Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. *Do that on your own time. Rule 10 : Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs. Rule 11 : Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one..
Have a happy day!!
Rule 1 : Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2 : The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss
Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: They called it opportunity.
Rule 6 : If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7 : Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were: So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.. Rule 8 : Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. *This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9 : Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. *Do that on your own time. Rule 10 : Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs. Rule 11 : Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one..
Have a happy day!!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Wisdom Removed
A week ago Marc had his wisdom teeth removed and here's the aftermath. He is still having pain but to my astonishment he didn't have any swelling or bruising. I would have taken the progression of photos like my mom did when I had mine removed as a teenager for your viewing pleasure but alas, it won't be happening.
School Time!
Where has time gone and where did my babies go? I can't believe how amazingly beautiful my children are. I'm so proud of them and all they do each day. I have learned so much from them and the privilege of being their mother.
Here's Hannah and Jaidyn on their first day of 2nd and 1st grade.
Here's Hannah and Jaidyn on their first day of 2nd and 1st grade.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Daddy Daughter Project
Hannah is one of the most creative little girls I know. She's always wanting to invent things like new toys, tools, etc.. So at church on Sunday she found a rear spoiler that had broken off of a car from a previous ward that day and she said she wanted to invent a new car to play with. Well, as soon as we were home Marc and Hannah were planning what to do. She found my jewels I use for crafts and Marc took apart a toy car to use the under parts. Here's a few pictures to show their progress!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Very Late Update!
Where have I been you ask? I've been here and there but mainly not typing an entry on the good old blog. I've been reading other posts and always thought I better now type one on mine but never did it obviously. So, here I am typing a much needed update for you all.
Jaidyn finally lost his first tooth this June, he was quite excited since he lost it while on our vacation in St. George. Then he lost his second on Father's day while at the family dinner in the park. He was so proud of himself for pulling them both out. He sounds funny when he talks since he has no bottom front teeth. He's loving summer but is already ready for school. He's excited to start first grade and start learning spanish like Hannah has been.
Hannah is very ready for school to start. Her teacher gave her tons of math homework to do over the summer and she's been vigilant doing it. She LOVES math and is so good at it. I'm proud of her and the amazing woman she's becoming. She's quite the force to handle at times, she's just like me, very stubborn. It's been a very good learning experience for me.
We also went to Lagoon this summer and the kids were tall enough to ride all the rides with the exception of the over 50" rides which only excluded about 5 which they didn't notice. They rode the Wicked, Colossus aka Fire Dragon, the old White Roller Coaster and couldn't get enough. I was so proud of how brave they were to go on such huge, scary rides. It was fun to play with the kids and enjoy their first time at Lagoon.
Hope you are doing well!
Jaidyn finally lost his first tooth this June, he was quite excited since he lost it while on our vacation in St. George. Then he lost his second on Father's day while at the family dinner in the park. He was so proud of himself for pulling them both out. He sounds funny when he talks since he has no bottom front teeth. He's loving summer but is already ready for school. He's excited to start first grade and start learning spanish like Hannah has been.
Hannah is very ready for school to start. Her teacher gave her tons of math homework to do over the summer and she's been vigilant doing it. She LOVES math and is so good at it. I'm proud of her and the amazing woman she's becoming. She's quite the force to handle at times, she's just like me, very stubborn. It's been a very good learning experience for me.
We also went to Lagoon this summer and the kids were tall enough to ride all the rides with the exception of the over 50" rides which only excluded about 5 which they didn't notice. They rode the Wicked, Colossus aka Fire Dragon, the old White Roller Coaster and couldn't get enough. I was so proud of how brave they were to go on such huge, scary rides. It was fun to play with the kids and enjoy their first time at Lagoon.
Hope you are doing well!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Another Chapter
So, I've finished a year of preschool teaching and said goodbye to the new generation of kindergarteners and now it's on to summer for us. I've been so happy in my job it's amazing! I hardly missed any days and that was because I was genuinely sick or had important things going with my children. I love how the journey has been working in the Granite School District preschool program has been. It's amazing how much is taught while having fun. I'm lucky I got to go to work and "play" and get paid for it.
Hannah and Jaidyn are almost done with their school year and will be moving on. It's crazy to think about how fast time has flown. I still see them as babies in my eyes, but alas I have big kids now. They are so smart and blow me away by what they've accomplished! Hannah reads on a 3rd grade level and is already doing 2nd grade math while Jaidyn is excelling in his reading skills as well as comprehension of what he's reading. I'm looking forward to a fun summer with them full of swimming and being out doors. We love summer!
We're currently looking to buy a home which is really exciting! Marc is also job hunting now that he's GRADUATED from UVU with his bachelors degree in Business. It took 8 years but we finally did it. It took massive sacrifice from both of us to get it done and over. He's taking a break for a bit before he goes back for his masters degree. I'm so proud of him and all his hard work.
There's more to write about but that's just a taste of what's going on in our neck of the woods!
Hannah and Jaidyn are almost done with their school year and will be moving on. It's crazy to think about how fast time has flown. I still see them as babies in my eyes, but alas I have big kids now. They are so smart and blow me away by what they've accomplished! Hannah reads on a 3rd grade level and is already doing 2nd grade math while Jaidyn is excelling in his reading skills as well as comprehension of what he's reading. I'm looking forward to a fun summer with them full of swimming and being out doors. We love summer!
We're currently looking to buy a home which is really exciting! Marc is also job hunting now that he's GRADUATED from UVU with his bachelors degree in Business. It took 8 years but we finally did it. It took massive sacrifice from both of us to get it done and over. He's taking a break for a bit before he goes back for his masters degree. I'm so proud of him and all his hard work.
There's more to write about but that's just a taste of what's going on in our neck of the woods!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Spilling my guts...
I have sat down so many times to write and nothing seems to come out that's worth sharing. April and May are typically a reflection time for me regarding my past. I find myself writing about this year after year in journals and here on the blog.
Just this past Monday a special little man turned 15. I can still see his little face just after he was born. He was so handsome and very sweet natured. He hardly cried and the hospital staff let him stay with me the full 48 hours I was in the hospital after he was born. He should have been under the billy ruben lights but I guess it wasn't bad enough so he could wait. I loved snuggling with him, talking to him telling him how much I love him and why I was doing what I was doing. I hoped that what I said was written on his heart and prayed that Heavenly Father would comfort him when he needed it. I like to think that babies are born with memories from the pre-existence to help them cope with the extreme change in their surroundings. I believe that the older they get the less they remember. This gave me comfort when thinking of him going to his new parents so quickly after we met. Today he's an amazing young man. He plays all kinds of sports, plays the drums and is quite the looker. He looks a lot like his birth father but you can see some of him in me. I keep in touch with the adoptive parents via letters every year and they are so kind to tell me what's going on in their lives. I know I made the right choice so long ago... It still hurts though. A piece of my heart went with him when I said goodbye. That part of my heart still hurts and aches although time has lessened the pain. I love you Kaden! God be with you till we meet again.
Just this past Monday a special little man turned 15. I can still see his little face just after he was born. He was so handsome and very sweet natured. He hardly cried and the hospital staff let him stay with me the full 48 hours I was in the hospital after he was born. He should have been under the billy ruben lights but I guess it wasn't bad enough so he could wait. I loved snuggling with him, talking to him telling him how much I love him and why I was doing what I was doing. I hoped that what I said was written on his heart and prayed that Heavenly Father would comfort him when he needed it. I like to think that babies are born with memories from the pre-existence to help them cope with the extreme change in their surroundings. I believe that the older they get the less they remember. This gave me comfort when thinking of him going to his new parents so quickly after we met. Today he's an amazing young man. He plays all kinds of sports, plays the drums and is quite the looker. He looks a lot like his birth father but you can see some of him in me. I keep in touch with the adoptive parents via letters every year and they are so kind to tell me what's going on in their lives. I know I made the right choice so long ago... It still hurts though. A piece of my heart went with him when I said goodbye. That part of my heart still hurts and aches although time has lessened the pain. I love you Kaden! God be with you till we meet again.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
I Can Only Imagine ~ MercyMe w/ London Symphony Orchestra
I hope you feel the power behind this song! I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior!
Update... of sorts
The marathon post never happened due to my getting sick and taking care of myself. I have no voice currently and Jaidyn has a double ear infection. Funny story for that, I'm allergic to penicillin and Jaidyn asked for chewable tablets which was fine with me but after handling them twice I have begun to develop huge welts on my hands, up my arms and one on my lower jaw. Haha! Who knew that just touching the dang things would lead to such fun for me? I knew to take the allergy seriously since it really got me when I was younger but now I know I can't even touch the pill form. I was fine with the liquid for the years leading to now. There's a lot more to say but for now that's what I can do.
Have a happy St. Patrick's Day!!! Eat lot's of corned beef cooked in garlic, beef broth and BEER, it's delicious and makes the fat fall right off the meat as well as giving it an excellent flavor. So much so that I don't use the spice packet provided, I just toss it with the wrapper.
Have a happy St. Patrick's Day!!! Eat lot's of corned beef cooked in garlic, beef broth and BEER, it's delicious and makes the fat fall right off the meat as well as giving it an excellent flavor. So much so that I don't use the spice packet provided, I just toss it with the wrapper.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
HERE I AM!
I'm still here, I promise. My life has been interesting and busy since I started working again. I LOVE my job! I think I've found my calling in life to be an educator. I currently work with 3-5 year olds in Granite School District's preschool services and I couldn't be happier. Thus, I haven't been posting at all for quite some time and I'm sorry to those who enjoyed reading! I haven't forgotten you and obviously about my blog. Tomorrow I'll do some marathon posting while the kids are at school and it's my day off.
Look forward to reading tomorrow!
Look forward to reading tomorrow!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sorry for my absence!
I'm still here, just started a new job which I love as a preschool assistant teacher. I think I've found my calling in life to teach little ones. So, I've decided this August or so to start college. I want to teach elementary ed or preschool like I am doing currently. I have never had a job that I love going to until now! There's much more to post soon, needless to say my children and work have taken up more of my time lately. Sorry for my absence!
I'll do better this time!
I'll do better this time!
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