Long Winded no more!

Wow! I was sure long winded the last entry. Had a lot to be thankful for, I guess. Well July is really officially here. My baby boy will be 14 months in two days. Yikes...he's a growing boy. I am currently busy with trying to get myself in better shape. I decided that now is the time to be healthier for me. Thanks to my friend Martha, I am currently on the road of exercise. I am tired of being a recliner potato and ready to get more active. So I am determined to set up a schedule to allow me to get major cleaning done in the house.

I organized our bedroom last week while Mike was off at Scout Camp. Most of it, I had to do while Levi was out for the night. Our bedroom looks better but I have ideas to make it a bit more cute! I think if I take one room at a time and focus on it. It will give me something to do besides chase munchkin around. I have lots of craft ideas that need to take fruit as well.

Summer Days!

I loved Oregon. We had a blast. The weather was nice and breezy in the 60s. We came back and had to re-adjust to life again. Levi became super clingy. He recognized his toys but was needing time to figure out that he was home again.

I started working out again with Martha. It has been fabulous. I really needed to get out and exercise for one and to have a social buddy for another. Levi enjoys the stroller too. Although we are doing more working out indoors of late than outdoors due to this hot weather. It jumped to the 90s. Where's my happy 70's? Oh, I did get that for the 4th of July which was a couple of days ago.

We stayed home for the 4th of July weekend. Mike did lots of work outside to have the yard looking so good. He is such a dedicated hard worker. I really hope the kids get his ambition one day. At church, it was fast sunday and there was a lot of talk about the soldiers serving. I thought of Mike and how much he had served his country. It still gets me to hear his voice choke on the words to The Star Spangled Banner. He is so patriotic and I just love that about him.

It also makes me think of those from the Book of Mormon. They came to this continent by the guidance of the Lord. They had hopes of being able to worship with freedom. Then with the split among the people and the constant battles for freedom, the nephites eventually were wiped out for their unbelief in the end.

Then Columbus along with many conquistadors discovered America. There began the pilgram voyages on the Mayflower and other ships. People searching for freedom from religious persecution. They wanted a new start even in a land with so many dangers. The Indians (Lamanites) occupied the land. The Colonies were established and soon the revolutionary war occurred. England was being unreasonable. So the War happened. Farmers against Soldiers. The Farmers won with the help of George Washington. A country was born. The Forefathers set up the constitution.

T

This allowed for a young man to be born who would restore the gospel to the earth when religious freedom was allowed. Joseph Smith grew up searching for answers. He wanted to join the "true" church. He read a scripture in James 1:5 and went to a small grove to pray. The first Vision happened.

So the church began. I am so thankful for the faith Joseph had in order to find the answer that we all needed to know. I am grateful for his sacrifice to bring it forth as well as all the early members of the church who lost homes and loved ones. I know there was still persecution and still is today but the Lord has said that the gospel would roll forth to the ends of the earth and shall not be taken away again. I am so grateful for that. I am grateful for President Monson and his couselors who serve so faithfully and guide us. I am grateful for the 12 apostles. I am grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ who paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us to return to our father again. Jesus loves everyone. He is charity. He is our dear sweet brother who would do all to help us so long as we do our part to show our love for him.

I pay honor and respect for all who have sacrificed so much for us to have this great land and knowledge of the gospel.

Well as once again I have neglected this blog. I have had so much going on that I just simply put it behind me for awhile. Mike got sick with a cold and lets just say he passed the love. Levi and I developed it and are still trying to overcome it. We went to Seaside Oregon with my best friend Gena and her husband, Troy. We had a blast. I love vacations. It is nice to get away from the normal every day life.

Our room was fabulous. We stayed in a studio apartment. We had a kitchen and a excellent view of the ocean. 

We went to Mount St. Helens on Tuesday. It snowed at the top and rained a lot. The mist and clouds were so thick that we did not get to see but the base of the mountain on the way down.

Gena and Troy had a car issue for which we were really sorry about. They had their bikes though and were in great spirits. Mike went fishing on Wednesday and caught a 30lb sturgeon.

He was very excited about that. It was his father's day gift. He rarely gets to fish as much because of his little family. We then went to Tillamonk on Friday. That was fun. We drove to the lighthouse at Cape Meres and then went to the Air Museum which was really cool. We ate lunch there and drove back to Seaside.

On Saturday, we went to Astoria and climbed 162 steps up the Column. I about passed out. We flew wood airplanes off the top. The views were spectacular from up there. We then drove and saw the houses in Goonies and the elementary in Kindergarten Cop.

Back to Seaside to play Settlers of Catan with Gena and Troy. We drove home Sunday and Monday.

Here are some fun pictures taken at other times! I love Vacations!!

Crazy

Well once again life has been a bit crazy. This month is flying by. We are gearing up for Levi's birthday this week. I am so excited for him. I can't believe he will be one this week. This year has certainly flown by. My little baby is aging. We have invited parents, friends, and my brother's family over for the birthday bash. I was going to make a duck cake but it is not looking so hot. I tried to experiment but to with no luck. My cake just tore so I may have to do something else to make it cute. We shall see. We also have lots going on this week so life will be a bit chaotic. I am getting my hair cut tomorrow. I need a change. Hopefully this will help.

A quiet day

I looked to see that I have not written on here for awhile, but it has been relatively crazy of late. I have been busy taking care of my brother's kids and keeping house. It has been a slight adjustment but overall is going well. Lately, I came across a website called dinnersmadeeasy.com which has allowed me to experiment and cook. I love it. It gives me ratings from others who have tried the dish and I also get a picture of what it looks like. I like the fact that the reviewers make suggestions of things they did different.

I just made a bbq chicken dish that was fabulous. Mike asked me to make it again last night for the missionaries. I was happy to because it is relatively easy and very yummy. The missionaries loved it or so they said. I was very excited about it. Hopefully, it will be a beloved recipe for years to come.

I am still managing to do crafts. I painted some new signs for the living room. One says Home..is where our story begins. The other says..A day without laughter is a day lost. It is fun to be creative. I love decorating the house. I have also done some wall art. I feel like the house is slowly becoming our home.

The Return

Mike and I took Levi to Elko this weekend. We had a lot of fun with the family though it was definitely busy all the time. Levi handled the trip just about okay. He was tired and cranky a good part of it. I can't say that I blame him a bit what with him not having his crib to nap in.

We went to dinner Friday night with my brother and his wife. I had a lot of fun catching up. I am glad that we got to see them since we missed Thanksgiving out there.

The one regret that I have is that I missed a lot of General Conference so my goal is to read to up on what I missed this year. I also learned some things about motherhood this weekend. In a way, it opened my eyes to a bit of understanding on things. I am grateful for that as well.

Our Test in Mortality

“Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions, are part of our test in mortality. Let me assure you that your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. Through Him, every struggle can be for our experience and our good (see D&C 122:7). Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. The Lord will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can endure (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).

“We must remember that the adversary knows us extremely well. He knows where, when, and how to tempt us. If we are obedient to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can learn to recognize the adversary’s enticements. Before we yield to temptation, we must learn to say with unflinching resolve, ‘Get thee behind me, Satan’ (Matthew 16:23).”

Robert D. Hales, “