Happy Father's Day

!
I could go on and on about what a great husband and father Justin is, but I don't think Justin would like that, and so I'll just say I think he is WoNderFuL!

Here are a few rarely known facts about this great guy I am married to:

He can whistle better than anyone I know
He is the best water balloon filler-upper I know
He can fit my fist in his mouth
He likes to cook and is very good at it
He watches Andy Griffith with me
He watches "A Man for All Seasons" quarterly
Favorite books: Lord of the Rings
His comfort food is Italian especially pasta with meat sauce
He is banned from Disney World
Dislikes picking out the girls' clothes
Does a very good Mr. Limpet impression
Doesn't like to dance
Can eat Chinese food for breakfast

Oh What A Joy

Justin and I were called as Primary teachers and taught today for the first time. Let me tell you it was so fun. We've never served together in a calling before, and it is great. We teach the 11 yr old girls in our ward. What a great bunch of girls. They had such great insight, and there are going to be some lucky boys out there when those girls grow up.
I haven't sat in a sharing time in a very long time, and I loved it today. How touching those "little" voices are when they are when they are belting out songs. Today they were singing "Praise to the Man," and I was soaking up every minute of it. In that one song they made me laugh and cry. What enthusiasm and energy. My experience today taught me a new meaning of "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."


Primary callings are the best kept secret in the church.

Rising to the Challenge

In January, our stake presidency asked us to read the Book of Mormon and the 4 Gospels by our stake conference which is this weekend. I finished in the nick of time, yesterday morning.

I am so glad that our stake presidency gave us this challenge. It really helped me become more diligent in my scripture study, and I learned so much this time around. I loved reading the Book of Mormon and the Gospels in such a short time because different patterns and lessons stood out to me. The repetition in the Gospels gave me new understandings I hadn't had before, I am deeply grateful for what I have learned.

Anyway, this challenge got me to thinking about how challenges help us grow, and when leaders ask us to do things, it's not for them. It's for us. It's all about our growth, and they ask us to grow because they love us. So thank you, Leaders, for giving me the opportunity to grow.

An Attitude of Gratitude

"My mean cat, Lucifer"

I love Farmington, NM. Sure I have only lived here for two and half weeks, but I am loving it here. It's the right size, in a good location, and has all the things we like to do here. I am so grateful that we didn't get the internships we applied for in the Salt Lake area. Blessing in disguise.

We've had a lot of those lately, blessings in disguise, I mean. Like giving up dairy. I thought it would KILL me to give up cheese, but it hasn't (probably because I know it's Temporary with a capitol T), and I have gained so many blessings from it. I have lost weight. I have widened my food horizons and tried new things. I have gained a whole bunch of new recipes, and learned a lot of new cooking skills because of it. And I have practiced a lot of self control--it's good to do that every once in awhile.

Another blessing in disguise, we did not want to have to pay double rent for the summer, but we are. The great thing is that I have a place for myself and others to stay during the Family Reunion (which I am soooo excited for) and then we don't have to go through the hassle of moving all our furniture and stuff, finding a new place when we come back and getting packed and unpacked again and again. Also, the company Justin is interning for decided to give us a housing stipend which pays for one of our rents.

And we LOVE this little house we are renting. I wish I could just buy it right now. The neighborhood is a little rundown, but a lot safer than our neighborhood in SLC. But this house is perfect for a starter home. Katie absolutely loves that she has a yard she can go play in by herself. We have big windows that overlook the yard, so I can see her at all times--that's the only reason I let her out by herself. And I love that it has big windows and lots of glorious sunshine. I am just happier in this little house. I love cooking my kitchen which is saying a lot. I don't usually like cooking. But this week we have had several new recipes just because I feel like cooking something new. There is plenty counter space which makes a huge difference for me.

The other blessings in disguise have been personal trials Justin and I have faced in the last year. Talk about currant bush experiences...over and over again. However, they have been opportunities for growth and I am so grateful for what I have learned from it all.

So lately I have been overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude for everything in this beautiful thing called LIFE.

An Old Woman

Birthday Fun!
We went to lunch at an old-school A&W where they bring the tray out to your car and you hang it on your window. Katie thoroughly enjoyed it...as did the rest of us.

It's the first birthday I've had where I got to spend the entire day with my husband. So fun!

Thanks everyone for the birthday presents. I really scored this year. New running shoes and the very best Tupperware ever from Justin. I love them.

Mother's Day

Best Mother's Day Ever! Here's why:

1. I got to spend it with my own mother
2. My First Mother's Day present from Katie (a pasta and yarn necklace made in nursery, more precious than pearls)
3. Oreos
4. Brownies
5. Flowers
6. Sisters

For Aunt Toni

A Little Nonsense Now and Then

Justin had a pretty good case of the hiccups yesterday. Katie walked by and remarked, "Daddy, you sound like a dolphin."

You know you reach a new level of parenthood when you and your husband exercise to the beat of Yo Gabba Gabba...after the kids are in bed.

Justin was reading Katie Book of Mormon stories last night before bed, and Katie points to the Liahona, and says "It's the Honi Lia!" Sometimes she gets syllables mixed up and reverses words...never ending source of amusement for Justin and me.

Katie: MOmmy, what is that?
Me: Garlic
Katie: Can I smell it?
Me: Sure
Katie: Oh, that tastes smelly.
Me: You mean that smells tasty?
Katie: Yeah

Katie was playing in the backyard the other day. Justin or I burnt something on the stove in the process of making dinner. When I called Katie to come in, she stopped at the garage door. "I can't come in there. It is too smelly"

We've been having lots of rain lately and our little flat-topped pueblo house just couldn't take it so we've had a leaky roof. A man from the roofing company came over today, and when he asked Katie's name she told him "Honey."