A little bit of everything!

This last week has been busy. I'm sure I'm not the only one getting excited for Summer! Oh, I guess it would be spring time. Here's a quick update on fun things that have been happening.

It is my month again for Joyschool. Our joy for the month is Spontaneous Delight! So a suggestion they had in the book was to have a popcorn popper pop popcorn but without the lid. Well that's exactly what we did. The kids thought it was the best thing! I took video of it and when the popcorn started popping out into the air the children all screamed with delight. It turned out being a very fun activity!

Here's to Rosecrest 3rd ward Region basketball team! Due to the ever growing belly I couldn't participate in any of the games this season. But there was no reason I couldn't join the team on the bench to cheer them on! Last year we went past round one, this year they went to round two! Way to go ladies!!! On the final game, Amanda (another prego from the team) brought oranges and Capri Sun drinks for the team. What a great season. Bring on next year!!

My dad gave the grandkids some money for our California vacation and Alayna never really had the chance to spend her money. So when we got home she has found two things to buy. One, a pair of flip flops and the second was a kite. We've had such crazy weather lately that finally we had a warm day with wind. With Jared's help all the cousins were able to have a great time flying a kite.

I'm sure you're not surprised that Alayna picked a "fairy" kite!

Let me introduce you to Mr. Independent. As I've explained in a previous post about Jacob's new and growing stronger habits of being independent. He truly is hilarious. The phrases we hear all day long are..."Me, Jakey do it!" "Jakey's turn!" So I wasn't surprised when he insisted on dressing himself. I've been battling with him picking what shoes and socks to wear, but now it's the entire outfit. So this is what he came up with! He thought it was great, his baseball shirt on the bottom and a striped onsie on top! Really, why do my kids pick the ugly outfits and clothing out instead of the cute stuff? I let him run around for a while this way, but when he kept wanting to some how cover his belly I offered my assistance. He would have none of that. So he sat crying with his back to me upset that I was trying to teach him how to put them on correctly. Eventually he said, "Mom, Jakey Happy!" He decided on wearing his favorite outfit, "My baseball shurt and shorts!" So here's to day number ten again in a row of wearing his favorite pj's all day long!
He wants to be like dad..."Jakey, TIE mom!" His dress up started with trying to wear a tie, but once he added the fuzzy blue hat I had to pull out the camera! What a funny kid.

And last but not least. I have been helping my sister TONS with her new adventure in spreading the company to Southern California and Nevada. It has required several LATE nights and figuring out how to do computer work with two kids climbing on me. We have started it only a week ago and we have had TONS of feedback and interest. It really is amazing how just through word of mouth good ideas and companies can spread. So here's to all my blogging friends, if you know anyone in those two areas pass on the website www.dealstomeals.com or email california@dealstomeals.com or Nevada@dealstomeals.com to get involved! Thanks for spreading the word!!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Happy St. Patricks Day

The morning started out great. The kids were VERY excited to find the Lephracaun feet scattered over their bedroom and kitchen. They looked in the fridge and saw the green milk and Lucky Charms. They both ate a HUGE bowl of cereal. Everytime Jacob saw the cereal on the counter he insisted on having handfuls of it.

Shortly after breakfast we packed up and went to Alayna's Joy School party. We were able to take the kids horseback riding. Thanks to my mom over the past few years she has helped Alayna enjoy animals. Alayna really LOVED this activity. (Kayci & Alayna)

After all the Joy School kids had their turn Olivia, Alayna and Jacob jumped back on and got a very long ride. Even Jacob enjoys the "horsey rides" - he made sure that he was coming with us to ride the "horsies." Before we had even left for the party Jacob heard me telling Alayna about the party and he ran over to me saying, "Mom, Jakey go...Jakey ride horsey...Jakey come!" I realized my original plans of keeping him home with Shandra would be disappointing to him. So I brought him along and he LOVED it.

Later that night we had a great "GREEN" dinner. The kids ate Shepherds Pie with green mashed potatoes, peas, spinach, asparagus, lime jello, etc. Alayna insisted on wearing some of Jacob's 3T green pajamas - she didn't want to risk getting pinched!

Much to be thankful for...

You'd think this post would have prompted by big things, but they really were just the simple things in life. Not necessarily my life but by others. On nights like this I wonder…are my extra emotions because I’m 29 weeks pregnant or is it because I am feeling the Spirit prompt me to be more thankful. I know for several of you who I’m speaking about read this blog so I hope I don’t share anything that is too personal. I simply want to just say thank you for sharing your life, your examples and your light of our Savior with me. (Considering my eyes are filled with a few tears, I’m considering the emotions are from the pregnancy!!) All these experiences are in no particular order, just simply how they come out and not all...because my handsome hubby and adorable kids didn't even make the cut...not enough mush and emotions!! There's will have to come later!)

I have to first give a major shout out of accomplishment to Riley & Krista Peck! Riley has been accepted to BYU Masters program. Now let me explain to you why I appreciate this example in my life. Riley has endured many long hours, many ridiculous classes and most of all he has pushed through. For some schooling comes easy, for others they have to give it ALL they have. Riley is the smartest most knowledgeable man I know about his field of study…he knows his animals, guns, outdoors, plants, etc. I have appreciated his desire, passion and enjoyment of these creations. I love knowing that we have a brother in the family that we can turn to for this angle in life. Now, knowing how hard he has worked to take these VERY difficult classes I think that ANYTHING is possible for him to end up at BYU. I remember having dinner with them the night after his first interview with a BYU professor. I remember them thinking it hadn’t gone over so well, but I remember saying something cheesy like… “Well, who ever gets you it’s their privilege to have you because you are the best!” At that moment I remember getting a little mushy on the inside praying that all his hard work and efforts would be rewarded appropriately. So weeks and months later I love having that same warm feeling knowing with assuredly from the Spirit that the Lord does in fact hear our prayers. So because of Krista’s continued faithful, supportive wife roll, tutoring hours, hard working, early morning shifts and the best mom ever! This ADORABLE family deserves all the blessings the Lord sees fit to bless them with. I love you all so much and I am so thankful for you in my life.
Here is a shout out to my dear friend Missy. Yes, Missy if your reading this you get a few mushy words…Oh, how you love them I’m sure! Missy and I were college roommates at Utah State University our freshman year. Let’s just say Missy and I have come a long way. I have watched her grow and mature in SO many ways. Just as she has seen me do, too! In college I was called, “Mom” but let’s just say I feel the roles have reversed. Missy has continued to impress me with her unwavering strength and optimistic outlook on life. She moved clear crossed the country. Away from her family… (she has as many sisters as I do and loves them and spends time with them as much as I do!) She moved with her one little girl and being pregnant with her 2nd baby. She and her husband started a new life in NC to fulfill his dreams of being a pilot. A few months in her hubby joins the military and has to leave for several months. Now, this is where I am over joyed to have her as a friend. She has continued faithfully to be happy, optimistic and the best mother to her children while she is fulfilling this role on her own. She especially wins the award for showing how first hand how to love, honor and support your husband. Through her words I have been able to recognize so many blessings of peace and comfort that have been given to her family. I hold a very special place for her in my heart. I do frequent reality checks with myself to remind me that others do have more pieces missing from their puzzle of life than I do. Miss, I thank you for your happiness and your way of being the best mom ever. You inspire me on so many levels…even if we don’t talk as much as we used to and if you are thousands of miles away. It’s amazing distance and time doesn’t stop someone from leaving an imprint on your life. Thank you for sharing it with me!

Here’s to good health. This past year has been a fun and exciting challenge for me. I worked harder than ever on becoming a healthier me. I actually took up running, basketball, weights and doing weight watchers. There was something inside of me that just clicked and it worked. It was a mental and physical challenge that I loved and struggled with. But somehow I was able to overcome and become stronger inside and out. Now, getting pregnant this 3rd time around I was in the heart of my goals. Suddenly I realized I was unable to keep up on the same pace I was on. It’s been a daily struggle to maintain that healthy balance of life, exercise and pregnancy. Today I had a paradigm shift. I don’t know what caused it…hormones I’m guessing, but I am finally okay with the fact I’m growing wider. I am humbled by the idea that it is because life itself is growing within me. I am becoming more and more thankful for this amazing special gift that can not even be described with words. It’s something so sacred and special that I hope I can embrace it with open arms. Life goes on, figures come and go, but those special children that enter our home have blessed my life more than any size of pants or weight I viewed on the scale. I am grateful to be a mother. I am honored to have another sweet spirit come into our home. What a blessing this new little baby will make in my life. I am finally able to say I am excited to meet this little one, despite all the other pieces in our life that seem to be out of order. I am happy to have another wild child! Bring on #3!!!
Remember the parable the Savior told about giving talents. Well, this has always been a favorite mine to recognize in how others share their literal talents with other people. It often allows me to ask…Am I hiding mine? Or sharing mine? When I think of people with talents I instantly think about the passions that people have. My sister Angela has an ability to keep a clean house, clean twin two-year-old boys, a clean car and a clean husband. This we all know is not my first talent. My dad is the wisest financial guru you’ll ever meet, supporter of his wife and 4 daughters. Jared and his keen intellect of the human body, hard working positive attitude, (and of course the best daddy and attentive husband ever!) Then there is Shandra who has been blessed by a learned trait from our grandmother and mother when relating to food storage. Really, we all have been given talents and passions. Some are still trying to find them (me!) others are succeeding. For that I am grateful. I am inspired when I see others moving ahead rapidly with blessing the lives of others. I have been personally blessed by Shandra’s dedication and commitment to helping SO many with their desires of following the prophets counsel to become self sufficient. I appreciate this first hand and it has blessed our family. We feel more prepared for what this unstable world might throw at us.

(This picture is of a late night after watching Shandra's first exposure on television!)

Thankful to a dear friend from the University of Utah who within the last year has had so many blessings come there way. One year ago today they were approved for adoption. Now, they are living the joys of parenting with an adorable 4 month old baby girl. I am brought to tears every time I read her posts and I am reminded how grateful I am for our little family. I love knowing that Heavenly Father knows and understands the big picture in life. I am so happy for their darling little family!

My mom will laugh at this one because I am probably the worst of all her daughters when it comes to using things and not wasting them. Tonight I was cooking dinner, cutting carrots, etc. I only needed a certain amount for the recipe, when there were about 10 or so baby carrots left in the bag I almost tossed them. Then this little voice in my mind said, “When we are in the depression and I don’t have fresh carrots I’ll be so sad to know how wasteful I was.” I then decided to cut up the remaining carrots and add it to the recipe. (Silly I know!) It was a small movement forward for me, because I really don’t do a very good job at being frugal. But I’m realizing that with all the economic uncertainly I am realizing the little things that I appreciate…fresh veggies, etc.

(This picture shows my mom explaining everything she has kept for so many years!)

When you’re in the presence of someone experiencing something so difficult and so life changing it’s amazing how things you say become so superficial. You would think that after having my own mother experience cancer, chemotherapy, radiation, hair loss, wigs, etc. I would have thought I realized the importance of life and the gratitude there in to simply be alive and healthy. Here I was complaining about having unsightly varicose veins in my legs and being a tad self-conscience about wearing skirts to church. I looked over and realized how petty that was to this sweet woman, wearing a hat and sunglasses to hide the effects of chemo. I was put in my place rather quickly. I was humbled at that moment to know that life is that exactly. Be grateful for those veins because they come directly from giving birth, from carrying a child of God, a blessing in deed. I was reminded so quickly of so many overwhelming feelings of when my own mother was going through those difficult times that my heart was flooded with prayers for this sweet woman. I am grateful for this moment to be reminded how precious our life, our families, our little simple pleasures and experiences make up this world around us. It’s up to our perspective to see life full of sunshine.

Considering my mind is flooded with so many other things of gratitude (my husband, my children, temples, etc.) I have to stop tonight. The next time I have a day like today where I’m humbled and filled with gratitude I will write more. But tonight I have shared enough. But thank you to all who recently have shared your light and example with me. My testimony has been strengthened because of the lives you live.

I know, I know...

Since this is my blog and I can write really about anything I'd like, I choose again to write about this little guy Jacob. I think it has something to do with the fact he is growing up so fast. As Jared and I look through our pictures (we do this often) we are just laughing so hard at this age (22 months). Jacob is developing into another "Suker" which means becoming his own person and very independent. Alayna was minutes old and she was an independent child. Jake waited a few months but he is now filling those shoes just the same. He has recently become very particular about what type of shoes he wears...yes, his first choice are pink butterfly shoes. You can guess who they belonged too...Alayna. Since I have had to give in and yes, let him wear PINK shoes I stumbled upon some navy blue butterfly shoes at wal-mart I had to buy them. I figured that people wouldn't look at a boy wearing navy blue shoes as much as him wearing pink. Thankfully, I have tricked him enough to wear the blue ones even though they still have butterfly's and flowers on them. Funny, I know!

The next thing that this little guy has started is saying, "No, Mom...my turn...Jakey's turn!" Yes, he has an opinion. I know I'm the mother and I can insist on him wearing a certain outfit, socks, or shoes but let me tell you sometimes its simply not worth the fight. So with that being said, Jake spends a lot of his time sitting on the step "trying" and eventually getting his socks on. Grandma Denny you would be happy to hear that his first socks of choice are all the animal brightly colored socks you gave him. So sometimes Jake's outfits are pretty creative...pink shoes with brightly colored animal socks.

(These are Jake's FAVORITE pjs)

Another funny thing Jake insists on wearing is an outfit with an image or print on it. So I have always been against kid clothes with prints on them. Go figure that Jake would insist on wearing only shirts with, "Ball mom...my bay-ball...shurt" So this again is another moment where I have to decide...Do I really care if he wears dirty pjs night after night. Or the same jacket day after day! Truth is I really don't mind. But sorry he has a very limited supply of printed clothes...thanks to grandparents I'm sure!

Jake is becoming our little shadow. If I am vacuuming he holds the cord or finds the plug for me, if I am mopping the floor he grabs a rag and starts scrubbing. He now says, "Jakey...dishwasher!" He and Alayna are responsible for emptying the dishwasher (Yeah, he hasn't masted the matching concept yet!) He loves this new responsibility. I must admit that this little guy puts his laundry away. If I am putting mine away in the closet he will put all the onsies, pjs, socks, pants and shirts away. It's adorable to see him really becoming such a great helper. I have a few lines I'm trying to brainwash him with..."Yes, mom I will do it!" He's got that one covered and can repeat it, the next one I want him to learn is..."Can I do anything else for you mom?" Yeah, this one is on Alayna's level but I can't start any too early. Today Jared went to cut the apple and he said, "No dad, my turn!" So that was that. He tried and tried. We just had to take a picture...what a cute kid!

Life wouldn't be complete with out a "trouble" picture. He and Isaac found an alarm clock and went to town. They were rocking out to some kind of music...I just had to laugh at their faces. They knew they had been caught! I just love these two kids together they really explore and enjoy life. Yesterday, they rode bikes outside and then they found the mud. That was that...head to toe they were covered. Let's just say we have washed Jake's shoes every time he plays in the back yard.

Good Things Utah!!!

Shandra did such a great job! It was SUPER fun to go and support her. I can't wait to go back when she is cooking something delicious.

It might have been a crazy morning but it was well worth it!

Here is the link on www.abc4.tv that you can watch Shandra's segment!

Good Things Utah!!

Watch tomorrow at 10am on Good Things Utah channel 4 to see Shandra on for Deals to Meals formally known as My Food Storage Deals. I can't wait to post more pictures about it. But check out her new website it turned out adorable!!!

Top Highlights of 2009 California Trip…(No particular order)

1. “Duckies, Mom…Duckies…water…duckies!” I think we heard these words about a thousand times because of the 5 two year olds who LOVED watching the duckies…all day long!


2. Alayna said, “Mom, what did Papi look like when he was not old?”


3. Lazy River tubes no longer cost money…in years past we would have to pay $1 for a tube…not a steep price, but who remembers to bring money to the pool? Not us, so this year it was exciting because they were FREE!


4. La Jolla Beach – It was spectacular the sun was setting. Jared needed to run to the restroom so he said, “Di, your in charge of Jacob in the stroller.” I thought nothing of it so I held on to the stroller. The sun had set and I was standing around with Krista and Angela with their monkeys. As minutes passed we turned around to hear Conner screaming from the bathroom… “Did you know Jacob is running away?” As I held on to the stroller I looked down to find an empty seat! Yeah, little Jake ran off…This was not a surprise because he is so dang fast. But I assumed he was buckled. I was wrong. Thankfully, Grady had the feeling a little kid was missing. So he walked around till he found him at the bathroom. What a blessing. Really, I was just in complete shock that he ran away, that none of us standing there saw him run, and that we found him. Truly he could have run to the ocean, the street, etc. It was truly a miracle. That’s when I am grateful I said my prayers that morning to watch over my kids.


5. Queen B – drum roll…Krista wins the award or title Queen Bee because she some how was finagled her way of not driving, not doing dishes – all week long, getting off the hook for her cooking duties, etc. Really she lucked in so many ways that it became a joke. Some how I cooked her breakfast meal so she could go running! She knows how to work the system.


6. Pat and Oscars…www.breadsticks.com. YUM! It’s a family tradition to go to this restaurant in Temecula. Nothing is better than these breadsticks. Oh, my mouth is drooling just thinking about them!


7. La Presidente…drum roll…Shandra wins this title because all things must pass through her first! Sleeping arrangements, fun activities, and we can’t forget the FOOD. We really need her help, but it was fun to hold her responsible for everything!


8. Last night dinner at Costco…we had spent all week cooking fabulous meals (breakfast, lunch and yes, dinner!) So we decided to take the night off and each spend $10 to pick out a freezer meal or appetizer from Costco…what turned out being a cheap idea quickly added up! You have to love Costco!


9. Sleeping 27 people for one night at my aunt and uncles house in Temecula. Sad to say our family is growing SO big…we had 5 porter cribs filled with the 2 year olds, each room was covered with sleeping bags, air mattresses. Even though the sleeping arrangements are hilarious we have SO much fun spending time with them. We just like to remind them how clean and large their house is with out such a HUGE crowd!


10. What do you do when someone gives you a restaurant recommendation? Well, I think you should turn and run when you hear the words… “Cheap Chinese food in a strip mall!” Let’s just say we have learned our lesson!!


11. If we ever asked any of the kids… “What is your favorite part about the vacation?” You would hear a resounding… “SWIMMING!” All the kids LOVED swimming, day after day!


12. Jacob’s vocabulary taking off…or getting stuck on nothing other than… “Temple, mom…M-roni…Mom, Temple…M-roni Go?” Yeah, he even woke up from sleeping in the car asking for where the “Temple…M-roni” went. He was able to see St. George and San Diego Temples on this trip.


13. Meal time…Oh, where do we even begin on this one. Let’s just say it was fend for your self and don’t get there last or else all the food was gone! Who would have guessed that the five two year olds eat as much as any adult at breakfast time? Krista and I forgot to video tape a meal time…it was loud, noisy, and just plain out hilarious. Let’s just say my parents would retreat to their bedroom to eat because the insanity was off the charts!!!


14. Eating at Baja Fresh…Bring on the Fresh Grilled Mahi Fish Tacos with spicy avocado sauce! YUMMY!!!


15. Ground level vs. 4th floor? It was an emotional discussion but we finally got our sleeping arrangements figured out. Thanks dad for being so calm with your four very emotional girls. It doesn’t help that two of us are pregnant! Or the fact that we had 5 two year olds who could possibly drown in a 5 ft man made lake! Dangerous…I’d say!


16. Meeting Abigail Johnson…It is always so much fun spending time with Johnson and Stevie. But above all meeting their 3 week old little girl. So much fun!


17. Kiddie pool…all the babies took turns being “tipsy” for some reason it just soothed the kids that they couldn’t stand up straight. So each baby was rescued a handful to times from drowning.


18. “Mom, Jakey HOT!” We would hear screams from the back seat when ever even a small amount of sunshine would hit Jake. He did NOT like to be HOT!


19. “Mom..Grandma Lou found me a BOLOGNA shell” Alayna exclaimed… “A what shell?” I said… “A Bologna one!” I think she meant to say an abalone shell.


20. Watching Jacob run wild on the beach. He LOVED the ocean and running into the waves. This kid could have stayed day after day there. He started out clothed and then he’d be naked running in his diaper. The cold water didn’t even phase him. It was adorable.


21. Lunch times…equaled a break from the sunshine…and 5 sleeping toddlers. Oh, it was peaceful time where we got to sit out on the patio and just talk. And eat TONS of treats…the top hit was chocolate covered raisins from Costco.


22. Not sharing our “sleeve”… for those that don’t know what a “sleeve” is it’s an entire sleeve of Oreos. We had to divide the BIG box from Costco so we wouldn’t have to share. We don’t do this well when it comes to Oreos. YUM.


23. A trip to California wouldn’t be complete with out morning and night games of tennis…or “tennie” as Jacob would call it. On this trip I gave up on trying to play tennis…I am so horrible and uncoordinated that it really was torture. So I gave up and watched the food network instead.


24. Day after day wishing I could go running with Jared and Krista. Not fair!


25. 
    
    Loving having cable…Food Network for the ladies…Politics for my mom…and Business channels for my dad and Grady…Sports for Jared… Having cable would really be a treat!
    
    I think that I could go on and on because after so many days of vacation we really had such a great time. (Fam...help me remember other things if I forgot some!) Thanks again Mom and Dad for making this happen so often! What a blessing…we are spoiled to vacation so often and to have such a great family to spend time with! Even though our family continues to grow we realize the changes that need to happen to make next year even better! We can’t wait till our next trip.

The Vacation is Over...

Let's just say the vacation and sunshine might be over but I took enough pictures to help capture every moment! Here's a few to enjoy...until I get everything done (unpacking, etc) and typing the details to document this blessed event! We had a GREAT time...too bad the clouds were grey upon arriving back home.

Indio, California

Indio, California

San Diego, California

Oceanside, California

And that's just the very beginning of a few pictures. You will have to endure a VERY long post, because we had so many great moments, jokes, funny things kids said, etc. I will have to document them all for our memories. A HUGE thanks to my parents for making such wonderful vacations possible! THANK YOU!!!

I think a haircut was needed?

What do you think? Who agrees with me that this little guy has the CRAZIEST hair ever? Well, I know that it's adorable but once it gets SO long there is NOTHING you can do with it. So sadly, I must cut away...good bye Jakey hair!

What a funny kid...

AHH...I warned you he has Wild hair! What is a mother supposed to do with hair like that...no joke it sticks straight up in the air!!!

I don't think he enjoys his "Jakey hair" short! What a funny kid.

We love vacations...and that it's not over!

Good Food...

Good Sunshine...

Good Family!

We are having a GREAT time! I can't tell you how happy I am that we are soaking in the sunshine. I hope the weather is great back at home...because if it's not I will not be returning!!!

Our favorite little guy...

Who wouldn't want a hug from this little guy?

He's our spiritual giant..."Book Normon...Mom!"

Happy 30th Jared!

You may be wondering why we are wearing such strange clothing? Well, since it was Jared's 30th birthday I decided to throw an extra special party. Yes, something Jared dis-likes greatly...costume parties. So Happy Birthday, honey!! He was such a trooper and really had a great time. I decided to go with the 80s theme because Jared appreciated this generation, music, clothing, etc. I instructed the fam to dress the part. It really turned out so much fun. Thanks to friends in the neighborhood who had great costumes for Jared and I we had something to wear. (THANKS!) Later that evening after dinner I had put together a "1980s This is your Life" game. It was hilarious to remember back into the days of..."NOT, SIKE, Rainbow Bright, NKOTB, MASH, Neon, LA Gear, Shoulder pads, Pegged paints, Chicago, UB40, U2, Acid wash, etc." We had many laughs back into the future. If any of you are huge 1980s fans visit this ridiculous website http://www.liketotally80s.com/ this helped me plan all the silly things we did!

Riley showed up in a leisure suit with Jared. So they thought they were pretty HOT!

Work it, Todd!

I knew that Krista and Riley would go to town with their costumes. Thanks for supporting the fun theme.

Brian & Ashley thanks for driving all the way out here on such short notice! We even appreciate the fact you dressed up...way to have 80s gear on hand! I just think Brian should have had a boombox on his shoulder. You guys are great!

We convinced Jared to pose for a ladies picture. So thanks hun for being so understanding. In case you can't figure out who we are all because of such great costumes I will label the picture...Left to right...Angela, Krista, Shandra (yes that's her!), Diana, Ashley and Birthday Boy!
Even the kiddos got to learn about the 1980s...side ponytails, high socks, neon colors, the preppy look, pegged pants, etc. It was great!

This is to remember a great trait of Jared. Only my husband would have an opinion about how I placed candles on his cake. I wanted to put them in an orderly manner, so I decided to do a 6x5 layout on the cake. He came over to have us light the cake and said, "Why didn't you do 3x10?" I just had to laugh...along with my sisters...we just had to say, "That is so Jared!" Only he has an opinion about how candles should be on a birthday cake.

If you're wondering, he did "request" that I move the candles into a 3x10 formation. He did end up explaining his silly request. He wanted to view his three decades that he was blowing out. Yes, it makes sense but it just made for a great memory of my hubby I love so much!

Last night was Jared's official birthday. We were lucky to get Randy & Danette to watch the kiddos so we headed off to our favorite Italian Restaurant. Jared LOVES authentic Italian food. So it really doesn't get much better than Michelangelos Ristorante. We have ended up ordering the SAME dishes for the past few years. It's a whole in the wall place found in a basement but the food is the best. If you go here you have to plan on spending a good 2-3 hours of time from the start of the meal to the finish. It takes forever, but let me tell you it is worth the wait. Every bite is heaven! I can't wait to go back again!!! I'm thankful that Jared has introduced me to the yummy ways to Italian food. No wonder the moment I heard him say, "I served my mission in Rome, Italy I was hooked!" I sure love this guy.

The Draper Temple Open House

My family was so excited to finally have this day come. We felt like everyone has been and we were the last to attend. Now that I've been once with Alayna I can't wait to schedule another time to take her. It really was wonderful.

Miss Alayna Mae was wonderful. This happy smile is purely the result of just being in the House of the Lord. At such a young age our children can experience pure joy and happiness that comes directly from knowing our Savior and the love He has for us. She has been praying lately saying, "I know Jesus and Heavenly Father love me, they know my name." Yes they do.

She was overly smiley and happy. I know that it was because of her experience in the Temple. She was overcome for the beauty in the Temple. She loved the quiet and reverent manner to walk around. This is very unlike her natural personality so I was so pleased to see her attentive disposition and interest in the quietness of the Temple. I was so happy to have her share her feelings later that night. Jared and I were asking her what she enjoyed most about the Temple and she said, "It was soooo beautiful" she later reported that she loved the chandelier in the Celestial room she said, "It was so shiny...like they put sparkly cookies all around it!" I don't know about the cookie thing, but it was small little circles of beautiful shine. Her next favorite room was the Brides room. I know she thinks a lot about Princess' but lately she has come to love Jenny Phillips, Daughter of a King song. She is beginning to recognize that she is in fact a Daughter to our Heavenly Father. Helping her understand that in this room is where she will be able to wear her "princess" bridal dress and marry her "prince" - it was really cute.

She was so fun to pick up and whisper special things about the temple in her ear. She was so attentive and wanting to learn about it. She is very excited to have this experience again in a few months to go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. I will never forget the feeling I had as they gathered our group into the Sealing Room. My heart was touched by the Spirit that was strong. The sweet couple that shared their testimony of families being together forever was so simple. I appreciated looking down the row to see not only my sisters, parents, brother in laws, nieces, nephews, but to be sitting by my little family. It was a very touching moment to share with Alayna that because we were married here that we will be together forever even when we die.

Here's to document the five little babies of attending the Temple open house together.
(Logan, Sawyer, Jake, Isaac & Kennady)

My cute cookie monsters. Alayna carried her Draper temple brochure around calling it her, "Temple recommend." Jake carried his around saying, "Temple, Jakey, Temple."

My parents and the 9 grand kids...my mom was in heaven having her darling grand kids there!