THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!: 2023

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

An incredible time to be alive!

Can you believe this kid is a father?

He and his wife are the most adorable parents.

Their new little miracle is so precious!

We all love her.

It is a gift to witness your children grow up and become parents.

LOVE THIS!

We woke up early to be one of the first fifty people in line at the Vintage Market Day.

Only the first fifty received the coveted bag of treasured gifts and coupons.

We weren't even CLOSE to being the first fifty:).

Guess we will need to wake up earlier next time.

Ashlynn spent a fortune on food.

The Creme Bru Lee she bought was delicious.

She tried the lavender cotton candy.

We all decided it tasted a lot like bubble bath.

I used to love Brooks. They have been altering how they make their shoes for a while, and I haven't loved them as much. I was so excited when I found these Launch 9s the other day, and they fit a bit like the discontinued version of the Brook PureCadence only with more drop.

Twisted Sugar has a cake batter drink, which is incredible!

My Aunt Louise used to make Cream Puffs. She would fill them with vanilla Ice cream and cover them with homemade fudge. I have tried to make them so many times and failed. Ashlynn made them, and they turned out perfectly.

I love this photo. It makes me smile/laugh every time I look at it.

It is a blessing to have this child back home again.

Phoenix really wanted the Lucky Charms that the kiddos were eating. I asked Google if it would be okay. The answer was quite humorous,

"Lucky Charms are technically safe for your dog to eat, but they're not healthy, and your vet would likely discourage it. (One could argue humans shouldn't eat Lucky Charms:)"

Alyssa and I took her kids and Phoenix on a walk the other day.

For some reason, we decided Phoenix was too much work to drag along and would be easier if contained in the stroller. It cracks me up how Luke is staring at his mom in this photo.

Phoenix stayed in the stroller for quite a long time.

She is such a good dog:).

Dax has been selling Solar and is tearing it up.

His hard work paid off, and he and his cute wife

are now the proud owners of the Bronco behind them.

It is exciting to watch children grow up and become successful adults and parents.

I read a quote somewhere that said

"Strong kids grow up to be strong adults."

Young adults today are strong and take on the world

with a high level of skillfulness and wisdom.

It is inspiring and inspirational to witness.

The world we live in is crAzY full of opportunities.

It is an incredible time to be alive.

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Such a time as this.

I can't believe our baby is a sophomore.

This picture reminds me of a line from the talk given by President Faust in 2005.

"A sacred light comes to our eyes and countenances when we have a personal bond with our loving Heavenly Father and His Son."

I love this girl!

Most students cannot attend seminary all year. This girl was not okay with that. She signed up to do online classes so that seminary would remain on her schedule all year. I love the stubbornness and passion she expresses when something matters to her.

That stubbornness and passion are why we

own this adorable pet named Phoenix.

In 1982, Barbara Smith spoke at a BYU Devotional.

The title of her talk was, For such a time as this. This title has been on my mind a lot recently. The youth today are coming to this earth stronger and more stubborn than ever. They are coming prepared for such a time as this.

Being a parent at a time such as this can be complicated. The rules are continually changing. As I have thought about this, I have concluded that my most important job as a parent is to teach my children who they are as a Child of God. This knowledge gives a child the resilience to adapt and follow the advice given in the Happiest Millionaire. Watch your footwork while standing in Holy Places and be not Moved. Keep your guard up. Watch and pray always that you can bob and weave when Satan who desireth to have you and sift you as wheat will be left wanting. 3 Nephi 18:18

This girl loves her job. She puts her

whole soul into everything she does.

The other day, she called and asked if she could work.

The boss agreed. I wondered why she was so excited to work.

I found out the evening's event involved serving a couple football teams.

We laughed over the fact that she was volunteering as tribute:).

She sings 24/7. One of her favorite indulgences recently

is getting blonde highlights in her hair. I love the compassion this girl shows towards others. She has a keen awareness of others and how they are feeling.

Her smile lights up the room and her enthusiasm is contagious.

Yesterday, she passed the driver's test.

This will put her behind the wheel of my car a lot moving forward.

Pray for me, LOL.

Honestly, she is proving to be a great driver.

I am blessed to be this girl's mom.

I know at times life can feel challenging, tough, and a bit confusing.

President Nelson gave millennials advice in 2016 to help them access heaven's powers and combat life's challenges.

Take time to think prayerfully about these facts:

You are an elect son or daughter of God.
You are created in His image.
You were taught in the spirit world to prepare you for anything and everything you would encounter during this latter part of these latter days (see D&C 138:56). That teaching endures within you!

YOU GOT THIS!

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Tony Grove/ Random Wednesday

We went to Tony Grove with Riley and Madeline about a month ago.

I went again with Daxon and Makenzie the week after Britton came home.

I love this place!

The water is like glass, and it is so peaceful.

Seriously, how adorable are these lily pads!

Riley loves it for the fishing.

I love it for the scenery, the

hike that goes around the lake and the nostalgia of it all.

Growing up, I loved going camping and being in the mountains.

In fact, I need to add that to my list of things to start doing again.

For Riley's birthday, he went to Arizona

to hang out with Daxon and go golfing.

During that time, Makenzie, Daxon's wife, stayed with us.

Man, we love her. The week after Britton came home, she and her sister were here.

They helped out a ton and were tons of fun.

Both of these boys married incredible women!

Riley's wife will be having a little one any

day now, and we are all crazily excited.

This quote was on BOM Central, the

other day. I really like it.

I noticed this Center Street Urban Market

restaurant in Logan

the other day that serves Peruvian food.

It looks interesting, and I want to try it.

Riley served his mission in Peru.

It would be fun to take him and

Madeline to eat here and see how authentic he thinks it is.

Speaking of missions, Jd served in Finland. He is continually talking about how badly he wants to return someday. I hate the cold. I can think of numerous other places I would prefer to go. However, I noticed this photo on Facebook (I think). I could handle it if we stayed somewhere like this:).

Logan is starting to cool down. Snow has even presented itself this past week on the mountaintops.

I need to build myself a sauna and put in some new windows on the side of my house like these ones. Another more rational idea is to take up snowboarding or skiing.

If I can't get away from the cold,

I might as well embrace it with a new hobby.

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

BARBIE

These girls wanted to

dress up to go to the Barbie movie.

They are adorable!

It's so fun being a mom.

We actually went to the Barbie movie with the entire family at

another time because many of them hadn't seen it or wanted to go again.

I noticed two things as we left the theater. The Barbie movie triggers different emotions in everyone, depending on the stage of life they are in. Some were laughing while others were crying.

I noticed all the inappropriate stuff in the movie and felt

a little guilty when attending it with a return missionary.

They were not IMPRESSED that I wore black.

In my defense, I was Raquel from the

cartoon Barbie and she always wore black.

The other day, I was trying to decide

what audiobook to check out, and this meme popped up.

Made me laugh!

I LOVE the Libby App.

There are numerous opinions in the media about the Barbie movie.

I appreciated the overall message of the movie.

In my opinion, the movie quantifies the positives and negatives of men and women equally.

It reveals instances where both sexes need to be more kind, pay better

attention to, and be more aware of one another.

I will leave it at that.

Before the movie started, the theater was a total party.

The theater was so loud. Everyone was laughing and talking as if we were all best friends.

I loved it.

I am thankful for the gift of sitting together and enjoying each other's company again.

Sometimes, I forget how much I missed these moments of connection during COVID-19.

Monday, September 25, 2023

Rachel Platten

One of our friends gave us four tickets to the Rachel Platten concert.

Britton wasn't sure he wanted to go, but we forced him to come along.

The concert was held at Cherry Peak.

This area is beautiful!

Alyssa ordered a meal with Dutch oven potatoes and salad. I am telling you, her plate of food was massive and looked tasty. I wanted to get Britton and Ashlynn one of these delicious meals. There were two venues right next to one another serving the SAME menu with the SAME prices. I foolishly thought you paid at one spot and picked up your food at the other. I was wrong! I don't know why I don't ask more questions. I paid the cashier and was immediately handed a box of food. I opened the box and realized I had messed up. I knew Ashlynn would want what Alyssa had and was glad I had only bought one meal. I went next door to the place with food that did not come in a box and ordered another meal. Britton ate the brisket sandwich in a box and let Ash have the Dutch oven plate. He stated, "I'll never complain about a brisket sandwich and fries. This is delicious."

This girl is a party at concerts.

I love her enthusiasm and energy.

The girls made it up to the front to see Rachel sing.

Rachel did not sing many of her popular songs. She mostly sang songs

that will be coming out on her new album. It was a thought-provoking concert.

Her thoughts and emotions felt raw and came straight from her heart. Rachel recently had two daughters and experienced post-partum depression. I am thankful that I never had this with my children. I have observed that it is a common and challenging struggle for many.

Rachel's new songs and the commentary during her concert were about finding herself again, learning to not care what others think, and as the song states...

Take Back My Life song,

Prove I'm alright song

Her power was definitely turned on and

her vocals were on point and flawless.

Rachel proved she definitely has a lot of fight left in her.

When she determines that it is time to perform consistently again,

she will be stronger than ever!

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Welcome Home from Ghana, Britton!

As a mother, there is one consistent you can always count on, and that is change. Depending on your perspective, this can be good or bad. I have discovered throughout the years that as we institute daily prayer, the spirit steps in and guides our ever-steady-changing lives and those within our realm for good. When Britton left on his mission, he was excited and sure he knew exactly the situation he was getting into. Ten days in Ghana, and he really wanted to come home. JD and I told him he needed to try and make it work a little longer. When he refused, we could do nothing but pray for him. Throughout the rest of the day, numerous ward members and others sent him e-mails of encouragement and love. Late that evening, Britton called with a complete change of heart. Heavenly Father is so detail-oriented in making us, His children, aware that He cares about the minute details of our lives.

Man, two years is a long time to not hug one of your kiddos.

I wasn't ready to give up my turn

yet so JD let me join in on his turn:).

As I look at each one of these pictures,

I can't help but think about the reunion we will all have in heaven.

I believe we will be amazed at how well we remember one another.

Our faces will be much like Brittons in all of these photos.

An expression full of joy, remembrance, awe, and admiration for our loved ones.

Luke was so young when Britton left.

I love this photo! Families are the best.

Elder Ballard gave the talk at the last conference, What Matters Most.

I love how he used the word choose to nurture the relationships that are important to us.

I love this quote from his talk.

"Nurturing these important relationships is a choice. A choice to be part of a family requires commitment, love, patience, communication, and forgiveness.² There may be times when we disagree with another person, but we can do so without being disagreeable. In courtship and marriage, we don’t fall in love or fall out of love as though we are objects being moved on a chessboard. We choose to love and sustain one another. We do the same in other family relationships and with friends who are like family to us."

Seriously, so cute!

"These are my people,

wouldn't have it any other way."

-Rodney Atkins

I am excited that Britton will be here when Riley

and Madeline's little one is born.

I love that these boys are all back together again.

We fall down, and we get up

We walk proud, and we walk tough

We got heart, and we got nerve

Even if we are a bit disturbed:)

-Rodney Atkins

Grandparents are the Best!

Our kids are undeniably blessed to have grandparents

who support them in everything they do!

Before Britton left on his mission he

loved to go stay at Grandpa Terry's house.

I read a quote somewhere that reminds me of these two.

If Mom and Dad said no, there is always Grandpa to turn to.

Shari is one of those aunts

that every person wishes they had!

Alyssa was so excited for Britton to come home.

She had the cutest little shirts made for her kiddos and

never stopped smiling.

One of my favorite things about a mission

Homecoming is watching the family members look at the

one who has returned with so much admiration.

Love seeing this crew together.

As we walked into the airport parking garage

Britton was amazed by all the cars and the view.

Sheds a whole new light on the words,

I'M PROUD (BLESSED)

TO BE AN AMERICAN!

Boy still loves his Dr. Pepper.

Some things never change.

Being a parent is the BEST

job in the entire world!

Daxon is all about shoes.

One look at Britton's shoes and Dax concluded that Brit was in

need of a new pair before going home.

We stopped at the Nike store in Farmington and

Daxon bought Britton a pair to match his own.

Both Britton and Riley were pretty excited about laying

down of carpet and grass when they arrived home from their missions.

It is crazy the little things we sometimes take for granted.

Britton had never met Avery before.

She wasn't too sure what she thought about him.

She will love him as much

as we all do in no time at all.

Speaking of time, the Jones came to Britton's homecoming talk. They were instrumental in helping us get Christmas packages and other items to Britton while he was on his mission.

Britton commented often about how wonderful the two of them are.

I love what Donene commented on her Facebook page about Britton.

"Today, Elder Phippen gave some good advice to future missionaries. He said that the one thing we can't have more of while serving is time, and he wished he would have spent his time more wisely." She continued, "Time flies on wings of lightning; We cannot call it back." When you return, it feels like you were gone for such a short time, almost a dream, so use this precious gift wisely, you will never get it back." -Donene Jones

I love this advice. It applies to a monumental portion of who we are and what we do in life.

I remember when the clan below was all babies, and just like that on wings

of lightning, they all grew up and are having babies of their own.

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER!

I admire how much Britton made use of the Book of Mormon while he was on his mission. This book, when applied, has a way of being influential in every aspect of our lives. One of my favorite lines from the Family Proclamation is, "The divine plan of happiness allows family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave." This truth can get overlooked at times. In a talk given by Elder Holland, he comments that he has a theory that the men and women of the Book of Mormon were able to keep going and testifying because they took courage and hope in knowing that we in our day would have the ability to save what was lost and bring their families back together. He goes on to testify that those earlier brethren are still over there cheering us on and that their ability to be successful depends on our faithfulness and victory. I believe this truth is one of the many reasons President Nelson continues to testify that the gathering of Israel is the most important work taking place on the earth today.