He did a waltz.

A well known Christian author wrote in his book "One Incredible Moment" that I was reading the other day:
"There was one word that describes the night He came - ordinary. The sky was ordinary. An occasional gust stirred the leaves and chilled the air. The stars were diamonds sparkling on black velvet. Fleets of clouds floated in front of the moon.
"It was a beautiful night- a night worth peeking out your bedroom window to admire- but not really an unusual one. No reason to expect a surprise. Nothing to keep a person awake. An ordinary night with an ordinary sky.
"The sheep were ordinary. Some fat. Some scrawny. Some with barrel bellies. Some with twig legs. Common animals. No fleece made of gold. No history makers. No blue-ribbon winners. They were simply sheep-lumpy, sleeping silhouettes on a hillside.
"And the shepherds. Peasants they were. Probably wearing all the clothes they owned. Smelling like sheep and looking just as woolly. They were conscientious, willing to spend the night with the flocks. But you won't find their staffs in a museum nor their writings in a library. No one asked their opinion on social justice or the application of the Torah. They were nameless and simple.
"An ordinary night with ordinary sheep and ordinary shepherds. And were it not for a God who loves to hook an "extra" on the front of the ordinary, the night would have gone unnoticed. The sheep would have been forgotten, and the shepherds would have slept the night away.
But God dances among the common. And that night he did a waltz.
The night was ordinary no more. "

I am so grateful that "God dances among the common." and performed the waltz that night. What a wonderful gift to us. I hope we all can remember the reason for celebrating Christmas and that because of Christ, we can see God dancing among us.

Merry Christmas!
Love, Kristen and Jake

Don't waste the Miracle.

Several years ago, one of my amazing sisters gave me a framed picture by one of my favorite artists (Mary Engelbreit) that has a Christmas angel and says at the bottom "Don't waste the miracle." I remembered I had it a few weeks ago and set it out in our apartment. Now, every time I walk by it I stop and think about that short and sweet statement. Something so simple but yet to me so profound- don't waste the miracle. It is a good reminder for me, especially when it is so hard at Christmastime to stay focused on Christ with our crazy world, but it helps me remember the reason for celebrating Christmas. And what is the miracle, you may ask? There are so many and it can be a new one everyday- the miracle of waking up each morning, the miracle of not freezing to death because it is so cold outside, the miracle of having a short break from school, of being with family. But, the real and most important miracle that makes all of the other miracles possible is Christ-His life, His mission, His birth, His atoning sacrifice, His resurrection and His saving power. That is my goal this year- to not waste the miracle of what He has done for us, for me. I know I have forgotten and allowed that miracle to go to waste far too often. But I want to do better and I know that with the help of my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ, I can. So Merry Christmas everyone- and don't waste the miracle. :)

Home

One of my favorite Michael Buble songs is called Home.
"May be surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
I just wanna go home"
I cannot wait to go home for Christmas. And when I say I cannot wait, I mean it. I don't ever remember being this excited for Christmas in a long time. You know that feeling you get when you are home, and everything is comfortable and you know everyone and you just feel safe and warm? I've been wanting that for a long time. Although I am trying, I just don't seem to have that feeling here in Logan yet.
I have tried to meet new friends in school and at church, I go to a lot of church activities and it just doesn't seem to click. Maybe my expectations are too high, but it is hard. Part of it is being a newlywed of 7 months, I guess I haven't learned how to make friends being married.
And maybe it's because they don't need friends as bad as I do- they have better things to worry about and lived here before they were married so already have friends. In addition, it is so hard to feel like in order to meet friends you have to be in the Relief Society presidency or know how to cook well and sew, or have a bunch of degrees in something useful. Well... I have none of that.
But, it is so nice to be able to get away for a week and go home to Colorado where I don't even have to think about that. HOME. Where everything feels just like it should. I can't wait. It won't even matter to get the normal teasing from my 5 brothers, because we will be together. Everything in me is counting down the days and hours until I get there. And what will I do when I am there? Just sit with family and enjoy our normal Christmas traditions. But it doesn't matter because I will be home.
Just imagine what it will feel like one day, if we do it all right, to return to our Heavenly home. I can't wait.

Tag- Feliz Navidad

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate. We got a hot chocolate machine for our wedding and it's awesome- we have hot chocolate way too often now.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa leaves them out unwrapped next to our stockings around the room.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Well growing up it is always colored, but now I think whatever I'm in the mood for that year.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I never have.

5. When do you put up your decorations? When thanksgiving is over, that gives me the green light to begin.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? The Christmas breakfast my mom makes- Apple French Toast, Egg souffle.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? We would sleep under the Christmas tree together, which was fun. Christmas Eve is awesome- a carriage ride, caroling to friends, acting out the Nativity.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember- I have a horrible memory.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, pajamas. Sometimes we could convince Mom and Dad to let us choose one more.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? We always go up to the mountains and cut it down. And since our ceiling is so high, we would get one that's about 18 feet tall. So, decorating took a while. We would listen to Christmas music while we put our box of random ornaments up.

11. Can you ice skate? Nope. I always thought you only go ice skating if you have a cute guy to hold your hand- good thing I do now, maybe I'll pick it up.... :)

12. Do you remember your favorite gift? No, (my horrible memory), but Christmas with family is the best gift.

13. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Family and traditions.

14. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Home made carmels.

15. What is your favorite holiday tradition? cutting the Christmas tree and the Christmas Eve activities.

16. What tops your tree? Star.

17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Definitely giving. I love it. I'm one of those people who shows love through gifts.

18. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Oh Holy Night by Tracy Chapman and Merry Christmas Eve by Better Than Ezra. Oh and Oak Ridge Boys Christmas.

19. Do you feel Christmas is too commercialized? Yes.

I don't know if anyone reads this... I tag Ashleigh, Deidra and Brooke.

finals week

This week is finals week. I have to admit I've been a big slacker so far. I was already done with 2 classes, had my test on Monday and it is Wednesday and I still haven't started my paper due Friday. That's the plan for tonight...I promise.
It has actually been so nice to just work and not have to worry about school this week-I am trying to relish in the moment until next month when school starts again.


Last weekend we went down to American Fork because my nephew Benjamin got baptized. It was awesome to watch him, so excited and dressed in white. Benj is awesome. My parents were in town and we all hung out and enjoyed our time together. Of course I didn't take very many pictures and smart me, got none of Benjamin, but it was a great, relaxing weekend, with no studying before finals week.



We went to the First Presidency Christmas devotional on Sunday night and then drove back up. We were both starving so we decided to bust out my Christmas pancake molds that I got as a wedding present (obviously a re-gift, but they are super cute.)


It also snowed up here on Monday and has been pretty cold since then but it's basically melted.
I am looking forward to this weekend- we will be going down to Salt Lake once again (if anyone wonders why we are poor it's because we spend all our money in gas to go see friends) for my work Christmas party on Friday night and then Saturday night we are going to the Jon Schmidt Christmas concert. (This was supposed to be a surprise for Jake, but he guessed it and I am a horrible liar so he now knows. This is one aspect that drives me crazy- I am a person who loves surprises and always try to surprise Jake for things and he always ruins it. Oh well. maybe one day I'll get to surprise him- or maybe he'll realize that I love surprises and surprise me. Anyway.... I really do need to write my spanish paper.

Christmas is here!

(I had this all written last week but was just too busy with school, work, and a fun weekend to add pics and post. But anyway, life is good. As of this moment in time, I am done with 3 classes and only have 1 more to go for the semester- yay!! Jake is done with 2 and 2 to go.)


Thanksgiving was a wonderful break for us. We went down to Salt Lake to be with family and enjoyed our time with them. We also enjoyed sleeping in and I loved going shopping. We were brave and decided to do the day after Thanksgiving thing, but we only went to 3 stores so it wasn't bad. We spent Thanksgiving with the Perschons and had a great time.


For Christmas this year, Jake and I decided to get a nice camera. We both want to learn how to take better pictures and figured this was the next step. It was a big investment for us, but we found the best deal at all the stores and took a few pics over the weekend.
Jen, Leigha, Christa and I also decided to try to make the cute cupcakes from the bakerella blog (http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2008/04/make-your-cupcakes-pop.html). It didn't turn out as good as hers, but it was fun and worth the experience. I think now we know how to make it better for next time. If any of you haven't checked out that blog, it is darling and I love looking at it- and I don't even know how to bake! The other bonus about our fun project- I got to see some of my niece and nephews- they are so cute!




Of course we had to see some friends and see Twilight. Very disappointing for me- I think I'll just stick to the books- but it was fun to go with everyone and laugh at the dumb lines together.


We also bought and set up our Christmas tree. It was so fun- this is our first Christmas!! And it was so nice to wrap the presents and put them under the tree- I have so many fun memories of wrapping presents and putting up our tree that I really enjoyed it. Our tree is huge- a little too big for our small apartment, but it is pretty. I am so excited for Christmas- it is so fun.

(Pine needles everywhere) (Jake and the creation of the star) (wearing the too-small tree skirt)

Well....I haven't made a post on here since we started it. Kristen has done such a wonderful job at keeping you all updated on the things that are going on in our lives. It is true, we both are very excited for Thanksgiving. I am glad that it is here. I love the Holiday season!! I am not only grateful for Thanksgiving because of the food, but because we get to be with so many awesome people!  

Lately Kris and I have been reflecting on how truly blessed we are. It has been such an awesome experience to sit down before we go to bed and write down the things that we were grateful for that day and how we have seen the Lord's hand.  I am so grateful for the gospel and for the many many blessing we enjoy. I am so grateful for my lovely wife, who does so much for me and makes me truly happy. She is truly an amazing person. I love the great conversations that we have and the many adventures that we get ourselves into. What a joy to be married to your best friend!! 

I hope you all have the best Thanksgiving ever!!

Gratitude is a divine principle

Jake and I are sooo excited for Thanksgiving- Jake for the food (I haven't cooked in a week- our oven doesn't work) and me for the break, seeing Savior of the World, as well as being with family and friends.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year, but I often wonder how many of us truly take the time to sit down and consider our blessings. I love a tradition that my family has had growing up of always going around the table and saying what we are grateful for each Thanksgiving. We do something similar on someone's birthday-we tell them something we love about them. This tradition has always made me grateful for others in my life and for what I have, although it is definitely something I need to improve upon.

I love what President Gordon B. Hinckley said on gratitude:

"Our society is afflicted by a spirit of thoughtless arrogance unbecoming those who have been so magnificently blessed. How grateful we should be for the bounties we enjoy. Absence of gratitude is the mark of the narrow, uneducated mind. It bespeaks a lack of knowledge and the ignorance of self-sufficiency. It expresses itself in ugly egotism and frequently in wanton mischief. We have seen our beaches, our parks, our forests littered with ugly refuse by those who evidently have no appreciation for their beauty. I have driven through thousands of acres of blackened land scourged by a fire evidently set by a careless smoker whose only concern had been the selfish pleasure gained from a cigarette.

Where there is appreciation, there is courtesy, there is concern for the rights and property of others. Without appreciation, there is arrogance and evil.

Where there is gratitude, there is humility, as opposed to pride.

How magnificently we are blessed! How thankful we ought to be!
Cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving for the blessing of life and for the marvelous gifts and privileges each of us enjoy. The Lord has said that the meek shall inherit the earth. (See Matthew 5:5) I cannot escape the interpretation that meekness implies a spirit of gratitude as opposed to an attitude of self-sufficiency, an acknowledgment of a greater power beyond oneself, a recognition of God, and an acceptance of his commandments. This is the beginning of wisdom. Walk with gratitude before him who is the giver of life and every good gift."

I want to be a more grateful person. As we show gratitude for the things we have, we will be more positve people. This is something that I need to improve on, I am not lecturing, but merely reflecting. :)

This year I am grateful for my husband and for the many adventures and learning experiences we have had in our first 6 months of marriage and the many adventures and lessons we have yet to learn. I am thankful for friends and family, good conversations, and good books. I am grateful for absolute truths and correct principles that guide my life. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ, and for all the blessings that I receive from their hands daily.

We made a goal a few weeks ago to do as President Eyring has done and spoke about in October 2007 in Conference, every night after reading in the scriptures we write in our journals how we have seen the Lord's hand in our life, or how we have seen His blessings that day. It has truly made us more grateful for what we have and has helped me to focus more on what is truly important.
I love what he said in that talk, "Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children? I will do that. And then I will find a way to preserve that memory for the day that I, and those that I love, will need to remember how much God loves us and how much we need Him. I testify that He loves us and blesses us, more than most of us have yet recognized. I know that is true, and it brings me joy to remember Him"

"IT BRINGS ME JOY TO REMEMBER HIM."

For future generations....

The other day, Jake sent me this picture that he took. I think it's great because someone else feels the same way as I do....



School and everything is crazy busy right now, so I'll try and post when I can. On Saturday, the BYU vs. Utah football game is on and we're having a party to watch it with friends (if anyone comes). GO BYU!!! We are excited for Thanksgiving next week and for Christmas when we go to CO. We love you all and hope you are well.

Give Thanks

thank: to express gratitude, appreciation, or acknowledgment

We are so thankful for this holiday season and all the wonderful things it brings! We are excited to see everyone during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
We are grateful for our family and had so much fun seeing them at Amanda's wedding yesterday.
We are thankful for eternal families and the joy that keeping the Lord's covenants brings.
We are grateful for life and all the fun adventures it brings.

We are so thankful for all of our wonderful friends and family and the light you bring to us all!

All I have to say is wow.

Obama got elected the next president yesterday- wow. He tricked that many people into voting for him- wow. Michelle Obama will be the first lady- wow- please kill me now- she is psycho. Biden-Joe Biden- who never opens his mouth without saying something dumb or making up a lie- is our next vice president- wow.
Are people really that full of empty promises of "hope" and "change"? What "hope" is he promising? Hope of the government running your life? What "change"? Changing the tax rates so you pay 50% to the government so that those who live off welfare and don't pay taxes can get freebies? We will definitely have change in our electricity prices- Obama told us they will skyrocket. I don't want that change. We will have change in our supreme court justices- more justices who think they can tear down the law and twist it how they want it- no thank you. We will just sit down with terrorists and Obama will say without power or authority, "can't we just all be friends?" No thank you. I want to know that my country will be safe and defended. I love America, I believe God led the founding fathers. I do not believe that America is a "downright mean country" like Michelle Obama or that it needs to be like Europe as Barrack does.
The only bright light of hope that we have is that as of now Prop 8 is passing. We will see. Way to stand up for true and correct principles Californians, even with Steve Young on the other side. (I won't even get into the whole Steve Young issue).

Basically, I have been feeling the urgency more and more lately to prepare ourselves because these are the last days. We are being asked who's on the Lord's side, who? No matter what the media says, or the world says, I will follow God and His living prophet today. I will follow the example of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
These scriptures from the Book of Mormon kind of sum up my thoughts:
Mosiah 29: 26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.

27 And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.

Happy Halloween!

This October, in addition to our outrage over politics and the election, Jake and I have done some fun things. We went down to Salt Lake a few weeks ago to go to the Body Worlds exhibit, which was really interesting. We went to a park and through some Salt Lake neighborhoods which give some amazing views.


Last week we carved pumpkins for Family Home Evening which was fun. Thank goodness for the pumpkin carving kit to make up for my creative inability in that area.

Last night for FHE we went to the Pumpkin Walk in North Logan where a bunch of people had put together displays using pumpkins and squash. It was pretty cool. On Friday we'll see if we get any trick-or-treaters- I don't think we'll have any in our apartment complex, but I may be wrong. Other than that, we don't have any big plans for Friday. School is getting super busy right now so we may just try to catch up on that.


Oh! And my grand announcement! I finally figured out my life. I am going to finish my Spanish major and do a Latin American Studies minor. I should be able to graduate next December- yay!!! I basically sat down to figure out how I can be finished with school fastest and that was the conclusion. Now I just have to talk to the counselor...if only she will respond to my email. Anyway, I'm excited. I just want to graduate and then decide what I want to do from there.



I guess if that doesn't work, I can always become a wild creature. (But only if Jake is Yoda.)

Elder Bednar - The Tyranny of Tolerance

Associations

I think it is so interesting that so many people claim that associations are not important. Now, if I am applying for a job, my associations are important, I need recommendations, past experience and all of those things matter.
If you want a future career in law enforcement, etc, associations matter. In fact, you would need to pass an FBI test for many of those careers.
Associations matter in our families. It matters in a marriage, for example. If one spouse associates with friends who encourages him/her to break their marital vows or make bad decisions, it will affect that person, their spouse, children, and extended family.
In a world where so many things you do can be posted on the internet and become knowledge to so many, choice of friends and associations matter.
From a religious perspective, associations always matter. In fact, anyone who has ever read the Bible can see that it does matter and that associating with certain people can drag you down also. We all know what happened with Lot's wife, who turned back to associate with the people of the city whom she could not fully leave.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I know that associations matter. The more I allow bad associations, the easier I will fall into temptation. Not to mention specific interviews where there is a specific question on associations.
With all of these thoughts it makes me wonder how Barrack Obama and his supporters can claim that his associations with Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayers and others don't matter. Bill Ayers is a friend of Obama who is an admitted terrorist and is not sorry for what he has done. Do you honestly think that the FBI would let you work for them if you had that kind of close association? Yet so many seem to think that it will be ok for him to be President of the United States when one of his close associates (which he has never explained) stomps on the American flag and hates America? Or his church pastor who continually claims that America is a horrible place and claims that it is the US of KKKA? Does it really not make a difference in someone's life when one sits in a church for 20 years hearing that America is an evil place, that whites are horrible, suppressive people and that the government created the HIV virus to kill African Americans? And yet we dismiss it so easily when Obama says "He's not the man I knew". Is it really too high an expectation to expect someone who might possibly be the president of the greatest country on earth to love this country? Or to stand up for it? Please, let's not go through 4 years of apologizing for America, for the values we stand for and the freedom we represent. Associations matter in life and should matter to him.
I sincerely hope this is not offensive to anyone, I am simply stating my thoughts on the subject.

milestones

There are so many milestones that we have in life- big and small. On Saturday we had a small one (which Jake was kind enough to take pictures of since I wasn't there). Our truck hit 100,000 miles. Now many of you may not think it's a big deal, but I think it's a fun little thing to celebrate, especially when you know it's a Toyota so it will last another 100,000. I remember celebrating the same thing on my old Toyota Camry in high school. I must admit, I am a little biased towards Toyota, but at least I am honest enough to admit it. :)


Another interesting thing I have been thinking about lately- ever since the BYU vs USU game. It was so interesting to me that those from USU who didn't like the fact that we were BYU fans called us names and used foul language.(USU has the worst fans in the WAC) Now, I know many may think I am crazy for making this connection, but I think it was so sad. I asked one of them: Is that what you do in life? Call someone names and insult them if you disagree with them?
It makes me think of everything that is going on in the political world right now- liberals keep coming up with all these names for conservatives just because they have a different viewpoint- racist, fear-monger, homophobic, etc. It is so interesting to me that all these adults do something that is so immature instead of having a conversation about differing viewpoints. Perhaps it starts with something simple like sports fans....
It also makes me want to improve my communication so that I never catch myself doing something so irrational and immature, but just respectfully disagree with others.

Fall

So fall is officially here, although my flowers are still blooming which makes me happy. Last weekend was General Conference, it was so good. And the best part - A TEMPLE IN PHILLY!!! Our mission worked so hard at that. Every goal we had, every person who was baptized, every lesson we taught was toward that goal- we wanted a temple there so bad. We were so excited, we totally yelled when it was announced. Jake and I are going back once it's built. We had a get-together with some missionaries on Sat night and it was so fun to just feel everyone's excitement over the announcement.
General Conference was so good. I always love Conference weekend because it is so relaxing, refreshing and full of the spirit. This General Conference I came away with the main goal of being more positive. It has worked so far this week, but I really need to improve on that. I just had such an overwhelming feeling of happiness and love on Sunday while Jake and I were driving back up to Logan. It was interesting how a common theme was that we all go through hard times. But it made me realize that angels are there to watch over us and that God knows me and my life. I also am trying to be more grateful for everything I have.
School is crazy busy right now, so much is going on. It is getting colder here in Logan- the wind blows like crazy on campus because it is at the mouth of the canyon and it feels 10 degrees colder than at our apartment just a few blocks away.
Lately I have been working on a paper for one of my classes on political biases in our Universities. The research and everything that I have found is very interesting. I watched a documentary that I have been wanting to see for a long time- Indoctrinate U. It is excellent and really points out some of the crazy things that are being taught. This is one of the reasons why I want to be a teacher- to teach the subject and the truth and nothing else. It really has made Jake and I think about what our educational system will be like when we have children. Kind of scary.
We are also in an Institute class right now that is excellent. It is on the book The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball. Our teacher is really good and the chapter from last week has really made both of us think a lot. It is exactly what was confirmed in General Conference- I need to have positive thoughts. The chapter was As a Man Thinketh. Our thoughts have such powerful affects on our lives- we choose what we think about, we choose what tempts us and we choose our future. So interesting- we have it tonight which is something to look forward to.
Last Friday night was the BYU vs. USU football game up here in Logan. It was fun to have Brent and Christa, Scott, Ashleigh and Skye up here. We all wore our Quest t-shirts and got yelled at by the USU fans for being in the student section. It wasn't a blow out as we expected, but BYU won and we still have our 15 game winning streak. Afterward we played some wii and Ash learned how to throw a football.
We went down to Salt Lake for Conference weekend- it was Karma's birthday (Jake's mom) and we got to see family and friends which was fun. Life is good! We are so blessed and continue to move forward. We love you all!

updates?

So, I have been thinking if I even have anything exciting to write on my blog that doesn't involve politics or how frustrated I get that all my professors are liberals and drive me crazy.
Have you ever felt like your life is so boring you have nothing new to say? Well, that's how I feel. Anyway, here goes on the updates.

Currently Jake and I are just going along we both work full time and go to school full time. We stay busy during the week and usually try to catch up on our sleep over the weekends. I am praying really hard to have the gift of tongues that I had on the mission for understanding Spanish b/c my Spanish literature classes are kind of killing me. Right now I am trying to read Sin Rumbo for one of my classes (a novel of only 100 pages) and it it taking me forever!! I did get 38/39 on my first test at USU- in my Linguistics class, so hopefully that is a good sign for me here at USU.

It is getting colder in Logan, I am not looking forward to it. We already got our hot chocolate machine out. Right now Jake is also the ward choir director and it looks like he is going to have to start recruiting. I am on the Enrichment committee- I am in charge of doing an activity on preparedness once a month- please kill me now.

BYU football has been really fun to watch and we are excited for the BYU vs USU game up here next Friday and hoping that friends and fam will come- it's probably the one and only bribe we will ever have to get people to come up here. I'm excited for Conferenece Weekend too- it's always such an amazing time. And it is officially fall- I took down my flower on the door, put up a wreath and put away the seashells. Now I just need to get my winter clothes out.

Maralee and Dan came by last night to see us while they are in town and it was so fun to talk to them! We are so excited for them and that they are having a boy!

Although our lives seem pretty boring right now, Jake and I both feel so blessed. Everything has been great for us- our jobs fit perfectly with school and it has been so wonderful. God really does answer prayers and keep His promises.

VENTING

So, I just have to vent. I know the majority of the people in the world will think I am crazy and extreme. But I just have to say, I can't stand it when musicians, artists, actors, etc. think that we care about what they think about politics. Honestly, they get paid to act, so shut up and act. Matt Damon- no one cares about what you think about Sara Palin and if they do listen to you they will just realize how stupid you are and have no desire to go see your movies.
I just think it is so interesting that our main stream worship the left media asks people like Matt Damon, Barbara Streisand and others their opinion on these things.
Oh, and I won't even go into Oprah and how ridiculous she is.

Ah, it feels good to vent. I just wish I could tell it to Matt Damon's face.

Remembering.....

Today I am remembering and thinking about-
how much I love this country
how God directed the formation of this nation
what happened 7 years ago and how it seemed to bring back so many close personal feelings.
How important it is to defend our country.
the values that this country was built on and how hard it is for me to see so many people trying to tear them down.
God Bless America, my home sweet home.

things the men in my family don't normally do... :)

So... I'm going through my pictures from the last few weekends and looked at this picture, wondering why I took it. And then I realized, the reason.....so I could put it on my blog!! Actually, in this picture are 3 of my brothers, all of whom have read 3 of the Twilight books (Kevin has read the fourth) arguing about who is better- Edward or Jacob. It was awesome and so much fun to see them all talking about it. Usually my brothers talk about things like sports (Champ Bailey), cars, etc. But this was awesome to watch 3 of the 5 talking about a book they have read- and a book that you wouldn't expect 3 athletic, tough men to read. I loved it. Mom, Leigha, Christa and I were laughing. Mom was the one who originally got us started, while Rich sat there telling the other boys that we brought it up just to catch them. (Not true, it just came up). Nevertheless I thought it was pretty funny and I loved it!! It made me so happy to be able to talk to them about it. (Usually I can't participate in the sports discussions).


The day before Brent's wedding was also fun because Ashleigh, Jake and I got pedicures. Yes, Jake too. (see pictures below for proof.) It was really fun and fun to see Jake there, I think he was a little embarrassed and worried, but in the end he loved it and said we are doing it every month. It was fun- the lady was teasing him about getting his toes painted green or blue - "those are boy colors". Ashleigh has been our savior now many times. She is such a good friend and was so kind to be the babysitter -along with Kelly- of 11 children so everyone could go into the sealing. We love you Ash! And even though Jake may have had mixed feelings about the pedicure, his toenails are no longer black and he now knows how good it feels. :)