Random Pictures

Michael took us girls out on the town last night. It was really nice to get out. As you can see Morgan was thrilled!

These are pictures Mike took with his camera when we were visiting his family in Utah.

I just saw this one yesterday and thought it was adorable. Morgan with her Grandma Pressley.

Where Heaven Meets Earth

I have to admit that my temple experience since being an endowed member has been nice and I have enjoyed attending and feeling that peace. However, it got to be a little boring. I have found that I was just showing up and participating in the ordinances without ever "seeking" for new knowledge. Don't get me wrong I did enjoy it but it was not a feast like we are taught that it can be. Until about a month ago.

I had to teach a lesson on it in church and in my preparation for the lesson I started reading Truman Madsen's book entitled, "Where Heaven Meets Earth." This along with conference talks and attending the Reno temple weekly for the last three weeks has expanded my mind with new insights that I have been wanting for a long time. When pondering why had I not had this happen before the thought came, "Because you took no thought but to ask". That was it! I was going with the hopes that I would be taught some new thing with only a prayer before I went. I was not studying things out on my own before hand.



I love the principal of faith. Faith is the key to all that we want to know and become. With this great principal all things were and are done. It is the principal of power and ACTION. We can say we believe all day long but if we are not acting on that belief then its faith without works. I say this because in reading and studying about the temple it increased my faith, which in turn I wanted to increase my action, which in turn leads to greater manifestations of my faith. Its a wonderful program. I love the gospel with all my heart and am so happy that I can keep gaining new understanding and get stronger and stronger in my testimony.

To think that the temple is where we learn about all our eternal possibilities and how we can achieve that. There is no guessing on how to become good, happy, eternal beings we are taught all we need to do and become in the temple.

Madsen says in his book that members say a lot of the time they are going to go through the temple but that is really not the case, the temple goes through us! That line has touched me deeply. Along with the eternal truths that Heavenly Father and His Son love us so much that they go through all the trouble of trying to teach us how to become like they are. I used to look at the temple as like a side dish to the gospel ...not anymore. I see it as the main dish now and want to go all the time.

This Is What I Call Fun!

Michael gave me a wonderful treat a few weeks back. He had arranged for a spa night at the house for me and a few friends. He even ordered pizza for us! (I really married above myself with that man. ) We all got a 1/2 hour massage, foot soak, foot scrub, masks, wax on the feet and hands....it was really nice.

I think the best part of the night, besides the massage, was the laughter. It was so fun to just be goofy without kids. I said that night that it felt like we were in high school again. Why is it when we get older that we tend to let that stuff fall by the wayside? I don't know but I want to make a concerted effort to do something like this more often.

Adelia, Janie, and Jessica came over that evening and we got a little creative with the camera. If I did not look so horrid in those I would have posted those too.

I was only able to have a few friends that night and I enjoyed it. Maybe in the future we can make it a bigger group and get even goofier! (Is that a word?)

Mad As Hell!

This is going to be a complete venting post so please be aware. I am SICK and tired of the kings and queens in Washington thinking that us little people are dumb and won't pay attention to the crap they are trying to pass in congress. I am not a C-Span watcher but I have sat here and watched the debate about this climate change bill, AKA cap and trade and am pissed. Once again they are putting all sorts of restrictions on our freedoms with this bill in the name of job creation and energy Independence. Why don't they just come out and say it....they hate America and all they care about is themselves. Power, money, sex, and lies. I want a decent human being in office!!!!! Are there any of those left? Someone who doesn't cheat on his/her spouse, someone who will stick by there convictions even if it is political suicide, someone who loves America and the Constitution.



I have just tuned into these issues the last little while and am amazed at how out of touch our government is. Has anyone been paying attention to the protesters in Iran...that could be us shortly if we don't get things under control with the people who are suppose to be representing us.



If anyone cares please call your Representatives and let them know how you feel. And if you don't like Nancy Pelosi and want her to know her days are numbered in congress call her too...(surprisingly it was a good release) and everyone else that you think is corrupt. Do a google search and these numbers are easy to find.



If we don't do anything I think we will all be in a world of hurt. It is time to become a political activist for what you believe in. Lets start using this freedom before that is taken away too!

My 5 Year Old!

Cole is now 5...I can't believe it. I remember when he was a baby and I would have friends with 5 year olds and think "Wow, they have older kids." Now I have a older kid too! The funny thing is he is not really that old now that we have arrived at this stage.

He had a good birthday. The two things he wanted (besides the big fancy car which is too much money) was a magician costume and a garbage can. I have never heard of a kid wanting a garbage can before but hey, I am not going to complain because that is totally affordable.

We spent his birthday in Utah at a hotel with his Uncle T.J and his family and his Grandma Pressley. We went to Utah to knock a few birds out with one stone. It was the blessing of TJ and Jaime's first boy! We were happy to go and show our love and support for such a special occasion. Also, Elaine had come up to spend time with the family so it was a perfect time to see her again. It was at a hotel because that is where TJ has been living while waiting for their home.

It was a great time. The kids had a blast. Here is a picture of Megan with Morgan. Kylie, Megan and Ashley are such great girls. They are so eager to hold and help out with whatever they can. Kylie was so good to us while we were there. She watched Morgan and the boys a few times while Mike and I went to the temple and ran some errands. I wish we could be closer to family at times but I know there is a reason for things as they are.

I wish I got a better shot of Jaime, TJ and there new little one. They are a good family. And Kaden is sure cute.

Visit From Liz & Family

We were so lucky to have Liz and her family come and stay with us for a few nights last week. Liz is a friend from college. She was a great help to me when I was new in the gospel. Not only did we live together for a few years we had most of the same classes in college too!


It is crazy how we started out single and now a few years down the road we both have kids and are on to the next phase in life. I will always look back to that time with fond memories!

Garden Fever

I want to document the difference that just a month and a half has made on the yard. (It also helps for me to see before and after photos so I am not so impatient with the whole growing cycle!) This is the backyard beginning of June.

This little side area Michael has made into a second garden area. He built that structure for the our upside down veggies and I am very pleased that he took this eye sore and made it functional.

This is what is looks like now. It may not be much to some people but I love this area. And I can't believe what started as just another skill that I thought I needed to try has turned into a complete joy.

I love this little fence Mike built he is so handy to have around. I am hoping when I do another update of this area it will be flourishing with big beautiful plants.

I am growing strawberries, raspberries, asparagus, herbs, beans, peas, cucumbers, squash, watermelon, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, and some corn in the other garden. We will see how year 3 at gardening goes.

There really is something to growing and working in the dirt. I don't know if you want to call it therapeutic, spiritual or just plain fun, but whatever the adjective for it is I have caught the bug. I am not very good at it yet but I want to be.

I think next year I want to make a little raised bed for the kids to have as there own. Cole's plant is the watermelon and Carson's is the parsley. Cole is liking the process and it is so fun to watch him get so excited over the plants development. He found the the beginnings of 2 watermelons on his plant and was ecstatic.