Tithing

I think it was last week in Sacrament that the topic was on Tithing. I had a few thoughts and feelings on this subject that I have not been able to get out of my mind all week.

I can honestly say that for the past 3-4 years we have been really good about and on top of our tithing, but it has not always been that way. I am not sure why we were so bad at it, but the important thing is that we are much better now. I have had to put a seperate checkbook in my scripture bag just so I don't have an excuse to not pay it.
Anyway, one of the talks in sacrament was given by Sister Bird on our attitudes about tithing. She is so comical, but she got the point across. She said that if we have the wrong attitude about it, then we are not getting the full blessings that come with paying your tithing. I can honestly say that this is so true. It is easy to think this bill or that bill needs to be paid or I want to go to the movies, etc...but for us, we have finally figured out that we need to treat our tithing like a bill and pay it as well in a timely manner. There has been times when we would look at our bank account and wonder "where in the world are we going to come up with our tithing". But I can tell you that when we paid our tithing first, the rest seemed to fall into place and we always had the money to cover our other bills as well. I think we just had to step back and have faith and the right attitude about it.

I have a testimony about tithing and that when we have the right attitude and have faith that everything else will fall into place.

Feb. Happenings

Just a random picture taken of us.

For our niece Ryleigh's 6th birthday, I took her to McDonalds and then shopping for her present. Then we went to her birthday party. I still can't believe she is 6. When her dad married my sister, she was only 3!!! Crazy how time has flown right on by. We sure do love her and her sister and brothers.

More of Ryliegh's birthday

This past weekend, Joe and I went down south to Beaver. My grandparents live there and we love going to down there to the peace and quiet. There is not that much traffic or construction for that matter.

Pitty Party

As you all know, Joe and I have struggled with infertility and there has been a ton of people around us the last few weeks that are either having babies or announcing they are pregnant, so the last couple of weeks have been really hard for me emotionally. There was a day a couple of weeks ago when I just could not control my emotions. I would be sitting there and out of the blue I would just start to cry and could not explain why. I think it was just my way of going through the grieving process of not being able to have biological kids, and yes it is very normal to have moments like that. There are also times when I am angery but, for the most part, I have gotten past that part, but every once in awhile, I just have to let it out. Thank goodness for a husband who is supportive and lets me just cry out.

Valentines Day

Even though Joe was really sick he still managed to stop by my office with flowers on his way home from work. He was really sick and spent the evening in bed. I got him a stock for one of his guns (which we ordered on line) and he got me a Wii.

I have to say, I am still just as in love with my husband as I was the day we got married. He is my rock, my bestfriend. He is there for me, he works really hard to support our household, he is patient (very patient, mind you) and he is a fabulous cook. I love that he is my husband and bestfriend.

I love you babe.

Crazy Busy

It seems that life takes a turn toward busy around Jan. and it doesn't seem get better until after April 15th.

My goal is to blog at least once a week, but that never seems to happen, but at least I try to blog all of the important events in our life.

A couple of weeks ago, Joe went to the Ultimate Combat Fight at UVU with my dad. He seemed to have a really good time. I was asleep when he got home because I had to work the next morning. All he talked about the next day was how awesome the fights were. I am so glad he had a good time. I love you babe.

Weekend away and Snowboarding

DATE NIGHT:

Brea's dad works for a hotel and so he was able to get us and Brea's sister and her husband a room for a night. It was so much fun. The evening started out with going to Chili's for dinner then back to the hotel for swimming and games. All in all it was an amazing evening and nice get away.

SNOWBOARDING:

Joe and I took up a new sport this winter. It has been so much fun learning how to snowboard, especially because I was learning how with my husband. You see... I have been wanting to learn how to snowboard for a couple of years so this year, Joe decided that he would just humor me and go. Well it turns out, he really likes it himself, and he has shown so much patience with me even thought I have not had much patience with myself. I just have not been getting the hang of it like Joe has and so I have been really frustrated with myself...that is until this last Saturday...This last Saturday, I finally started to get the hang of it. It is amazing how snowboarding is relaxing and a great stress reliever.

Joe snowboarding. He is actually pretty good at it.

Breanna snowboarding. You can't see it in these pictures, but I had the biggest grin on my face when I finally got the hang of it.

Nephew Kaden's 4th Birthday

 I can't believe that this boy is 4 already!!! Time sure has gone by way too fast.

Happy birthday buddah! We love you.

Christmas prt 2

This year Joe's family was not able to have a Christmas party. Everyones schedules were just too hectic and we could not find a day that everyone was free...I did post pics in Christmas prt 1 of Joe's nieces and nephews opening up our gifts to them.

Breanna's family had their family Christmas party the day after her dad's 50th birthday party. Her grandparents came and stayed at our house for the weekend. We did a lot of shopping, eating and spending time with family.

Breanna's grandpa was enjoying playing with the great grandkids.

Our nieces and nephews on Breanna's side of the family.

This is just a couple of things we got for Christmas. We got so much more, but I just picked a couple to post here.

Dad's 50th Birthday Party

Brea's dad turned 50 this month. Happy Birthday Dad, we love you.

This was his invitation

My mom, dad, us, & my sister, & brother in law

Blankets & Christmas prt 1

These are the blankets that my mom and I have been working on for Christmas for the nieces and nephews... I still have one more to add, but I have to wait until she opens it...

Thanksgiving 2010

Breanna's Family Thanksgiving Dinner

Joe's Family Thanksgiving Dinner

Fall Happenings

Brea's mom wanted to teach our niece Elizabeth how to make clay pens, so Brea went over to help.

Halloween 2010

Our niece and nephews: Ryleigh, Trevor, Nate and Aiden

Breanna's cousins and niece:

Bailee, Kash, Autumn, and Ryliegh

Breanna's dad works for a hotel and so every once in awhile we get to go swimming.

Joe and Breanna watching as everyone else swam, although Brea did put her legs in the hot tub.



Our brother in law Troy making a "SPLASH"

Adoption Conference

On Monday we attended the Adoption Conference that was held at UVU. It was amazing. We learned so much from the classes that were held.

The BIRTHMOM panel was really good. I love hearing their stories. There was a girl who had been promised visits from the adoptive couple and she has not seen her child in 2 years. I really felt for her. I see why our case worker has stressed that we should not promise things we are not comfortable with. It just breaks the birthmoms heart even more when promises are not kept.

It is no secret that Joe and I have a special love and respect for these birthmoms that place their babies so people like us can have a chance to raise a family.

We love the idea of an open adoption. We want to know the medical history just in case we need it. We want our kids to know where they come from and not have this fantasy of their birthparents. We want them to be comfortable talking about adoption and how they came into our world/lives.

The lunch seminar was given by Barb Smith from ABC 4 news. I had heard her story before on the news, but to actually hear it in person, was incredible. There was not a dry eye in that place. We went up to shake her hand afterwards and out of the blue she gave me a hug. It was so cool.

To all of those birthmoms out their we love and respect you and your decision. We know and understand that making that decision is not an easy thing to do.

Manti Utah Temple

I know I have not finished our trip pictures yet, but I promise to get to them as soon as I can, but for now, I wanted to leave a few thoughts about the Manti Temple:

Today Joe and I took a drive to Manti to attend the Temple. It is the Temple that we got married in.

And I hate to admit it, but this was the first time we have been back there in 10 years, but it is true. We always seem to just go to the Timpanogos Temple for the convenience of it being closer, but today we made the drive and I am so THANKFUL that we did.

I love the feelings that I get when we attend the Temple and today was no different. The spirit that is there is so amazing that it is hard to describe, but lets just say I felt peace.

There are times when I sit and think about our life and how we have struggled with infertility and wonder why us? I wonder what life would be like with a little one running around...I wonder what the holidays would be like with our own children...

I don't know the answers to these questions, but I do know that when I am in the Temple, I don't think of those things. I think about the many blessings I do have in my life...like...my wonderful husband who works so hard and who holds the priesthood...our family...our home...our friends...our wonderful ward and neighbors...I am just so thankful for the things I do have.

Last Leg of the Trip prt 1

This is the 2nd to the last day of our trip. We made it as far as the Grand Canyon entrance before it got dark and started to rain. This is were we set up camp for the last time...