because of him

because of Him

^click it^

I get to keep my family for eternity.

I get second chances.

I receive comfort, he knows EXACTLY how i am feeling.

I will be perfected in him.

I always have a friend.

I have been shown the greatest example of love, and service.

Life is worth living, I have a goal, a destination.

I can live with God again.

happy easter, hope you were "hoppy" today. 

I sure was! I happened to get blessed with the best family around.

and happy day to avaree kate, whose birthday happened to fall on such a special day. she is such a blessing and the little stinker was TEN today. love her more than life and so grateful to be her sister!! xoxo

little house in the middle of the wood

 I really love these people a lot. Couldn't ask for a better group. As friends have come and gone, these guys are solid :) 

Also, we got these pictures taken in my grandparents old yard. (yes, obviously during the summer) They sold this house in Farmington before they went on their mission together, and at the time it was definitely a bitter parting of their house haha. I spent a majority of my childhood making memories with my cousins at this house, and in this yard. Going back was definitely nostalgic, and brought back loads of memories. It's weird to look at my childhood from the perspective I'm at now, and to watch my younger siblings and cousins growing up and wondering what they are going to have to look back on, and hold special in their hearts? I'm sure that their experiences are going to be just as special as mine were to me, but i'm tellin you it's hard to imagine that because I swear I had the best childhood ever! 

but from our family to yours, 

may your holidays be merry and bright!

My siblings are perfect.

best time of the year

happy holidays

hope your thanksgiving was happy. 

i have a lot to be grateful for, namely the special people who are nearest and surround me every day called my family. 

If I had nothing else in my life, I would still have everything if I had my family. 

My thoughts on Black Friday?

I'd like to take a gun to it. 

I know that sounds violent, but maybe thats because i've worked it the past three years. DUMB idea. 

i'm all for the 

"SAVE THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING"

campaign.

where everyone stays home, watches christmas movies, and eats left overs all day. 

OH, after a good nights rest that is. 

Online shopping would be acceptable.

doing a little anxious dance before the gun was handed over

 

Needless to say, I wouldn't trust myself with a gun if I were you. 

(i missed every single clay pigeon by a mile... aka the one that sat 20 feet in front of me on the ground the entire time) 

H A P P Y   H O L I D A Y S

nostalgia

I lived the sweetest childhood.

I honestly don't know if other children experienced the love and serenity that I so freely received growing up, or if it would be possible for anyone to. I feel blessed that I was so very privileged to receive unconditional love from my parents. I have never doubted that once my in entire life, and that is the greatest gift I believe that a parent can give their child. I was surrounded by so many people who cared for me, and I always felt safe. I lived in my very own comfortable sheltered magical world. That life was such a precious time.

>> So just reminisce with me for a minute on only a few of the special memories that made my childhood so sweet. 

Going over to great grandma's house and picking a piece of candy out of her little pan/dish she had in the dining room, there was always sure to be a Werther's Caramel ready for my eager tastebuds, while her and my mom chatted.

Going through the drive-through at VIPs in Farmington and picking up my very favorite Smartie Sucker. I felt so lucky that mom or dad let me get one every single time. Those 10 cent suckers were magical. (lets be honest, they still are)

Playing in the "forest" up by the crick and making up fairy tale games of "sugar fairies" or the adventures of an Indian family with my cousins. It was so real. 

My aunts spoiled me on the spot and we spent hours giving our baby dolls baths in a little plastic tote, or painting our toe nails a shiny shade of "clear" (i don't know why that was my favorite.)

Standing on the edge of the metal fence to watch my grandpa guide horses around a barrel, and leading them to do all sorts of amazing tricks.

Having dad put blankets on top of my indoor "tree house" and climbing up on top to read "Go Dog Go" and other books for hours.

Slush Puppies.

Playing in the sandbox out in the crisp Montana Air, to then go snuggle up in the cozy warmth of a homemade quilt.

The many family traditions I so look(ed) forward to every Holiday. Glow sticks. And especially having endless bowls of cereal and cinnamon sugar toast at grandma's counter. 

The list really could go on forever. My mom laughs at me when I try to tell her memories that not even she remembers, I have a strange mind that way. But even if i'm making them up I either had a sweet childhood, or really sweet dreams.

Thank you, my 3205 course, for assigning us "autobiographies" and giving me the chance to go back for a minute. 

sunday adventures & tender mercies

I hate all things bugs, snakes, and being dirty.

But not even I can spend time out in these beautiful mountains and not know that we have someone special watching over us.

God is so good and nature is a tender mercy every day. 

And Sunday adventures with my people are probably the best part of my whole week.