Payson Temple Open House

This evening I had the opportunity to return to the Payson Temple with Jeff and the kids (minus Laurin). I was so excited for them to be able to see the beauty and feel the peace I had felt last week as I volunteered there. We began our tour with a short video about the purpose and importance of temples. I loved seeing the slideshow of so many of the temples around the world, but more than that, I appreciated being reminded of their purpose and importance. It all comes down to family. Temples are built to link families together...including linking ourselves to our Heavenly Father and Elder Brother Jesus Christ. As I looked at the little family I am privileged to be a part of, my heart swelled. I love them! I don't want to be separated from them. Heaven would not be heaven if they were not there with me. How grateful I am for temples and for the covenants and ordinances made and performed there that help families become eternal. After the video, we were able to walk through the temple. Since I had already been inside, I was able to watch Jeff and the kids' reactions to the beauty they saw. I loved seeing their smiles and hearing the comments about the beauty and peace they experienced. When we reached the Celestial Room, Danny immediately wanted to just sit down and look around. He knew he had reached a place of peace - a place wherein he could ponder and receive revelation. He may not fully understand the importance of the temples now, but I know he felt something in that room. When we reached the upper level where the sealing (marriage) rooms are, Amber quickly announced that this was where she would be married. I could see the awe and wonder in her expression as she beheld the beautiful stained glass windows and furnishings. Finally, we made our way out of the temple. I was a little sad to leave. It will be awhile before all the kids are old enough to go back inside the temple. A part of me just wanted to keep them there. I wanted them to be safe, and I could think of no safer place to be; however, I felt a calm reassurance that we would once again be inside those hallowed walls as a family. I am grateful to live so close to a temple. I'm thankful that we can see this beautiful edifice from our back porch. I pray that we will never grow tired of looking towards the temple.

Jordan's BYU Masters Graduation

It was another fun-filled, family weekend!! Yesterday, my brother-in-law, Jordan, was able to walk at the BYU graduation for his Masters degree. He actually completed his degree in December but BYU doesn't hold commencement services during that time so it was just another excuse for them to come back to Utah for a quick visit. I was excited to see Krystle and Nolan again too. Michael and Jenn also came down from Idaho. This time we were only missing my older sister, Nichole, and my parents. One of these days we'll all get together at the same time! Still, it was a fun weekend. I am grateful for Jordan's example. Danny was inspired to pursue engineering because of him.  I really feel like a college education is essential in today's society...and Jordan (and Michael who recently graduated) have reminded my kids that it is possible to achieve. I love that the girls are already headed in that direction. I think the more positive examples we have, the better the chances that those who follow will complete a college degree too. Since Jordan's graduation ceremony was during the kids' school, I was the only one out of my little family to attend. Michael and Jenn accompanied me and we met up with Krystle, Nolan, and Jordan's family. Congrats Jordan!

Jordan gave Krystle his gratitude stole. She deserved it! They've both worked hard for this!

The rest of the weekend, we just spent time as family. Because it was a bit cold and very rainy, we didn't have many outdoor activity options. Still we had fun simply being together. The boys LOVED playing with Nolan. It was so fun to see them interact and to see how patient they were with him. They are going to be great big brothers to Jonas! It was fun having my family in town even for just a couple days. 

Nolan has discovered the phone.

Jenn is schooling the boys in Speed.

Jenn taming both of the wild beasts...Michael and the Tanner's puppy.

Cute boys!

4 out of the 5 of us: Me (with baby Jonas in tow), Scott, Krystle, Michael

Dallin's track meet

This year Dallin decided to join his junior high track team. This is the first year that Dallin has run on a track team. Like Danny, he has participated in the annual track meets through grade school, but he never expressed interest in pursuing the sport of track...until now. I'm still not certain he'll continue, but I think it's great that he is trying it out this year. Dallin is participating in the longer distance races (e.g., 400 and 800 races). Like Danny (actually more so), Dallin has incredible speed, but doesn't quite have the lengthy stride that some of the other boys do because of their height. Still, Dallin has incredible heart and determination, which has placed him in the top spots for his races. He is fast! He is learning how to pace himself and how to perfect his stride. This was the first opportunity I had to watch him race. It was fun to cheer him on! I look forward to going to a few more meets before his season ends.

Danny's 4th grade track meet

Danny has been waiting for this day for several months! The 4th grade track meet! Several weeks ago, he made sure that I had the date on my calendar and that I would be there. Jeff actually left town to attend a scouting training this weekend so I promised Danny I would be there. He was so excited! He loves anything active. He loves any sport. Now if I can just get him to focus in on one or two and actually practice! Oh well...I guess that will come with time. Today he chose to run the 50 meter and 200 meter race. He also participated in the softball throw. He came in 4th during the 50 meter race and 1st in his grouping for the 200. Unfortunately, neither time was good enough to qualify for the finals, but he did a great job! I was so proud of him and he had fun! Hopefully next year he'll have a little more height and a longer stride to keep up with some of the other boys his age because he definitely has the speed. Way to go Danny!

Payson Temple Open House Volunteer

Today I had the opportunity and privilege to serve as a volunteer usher inside the newly constructed Payson LDS Temple. For the past 2 years, I have watched as this temple has taken form. I have seen this magnificent building transform from mere steel beams to the gorgeous edifice it is today. We watched with eager excitement to see the 13 foot tall statue of Moroni be hoisted to the top of the temple spire in October 2013. We have admired and enjoyed the illuminated view of the temple from our deck each night...and now it's finally time to enter this sacred building. As I was escorted to where I would serve as an usher, tears filled my eyes at the beauty that surrounded me. I had grown up in the shadow of the Mesa LDS temple in Arizona. I have always considered that to be my temple. My parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were all married there. I was married there. The Mesa temple is the first temple I ever entered and the one in which I made sacred covenants with my Father in Heaven. It will always be a special, sacred place for me, but as I climbed the grand staircase in the Payson temple and admired the intricate stained glass windows depicting varying stages of apple blossoms, I knew that the Payson temple is now my temple. I felt a connection and a purposeful sense of belonging as I reverently walked those hallowed halls. This was something that was uniquely mine. I don't know how else to explain it. When I married Jeff, I moved from my home state to his. I moved from my house to his...and even though we've done alot to make his house our home, I've still only felt a distant connection to the house (however, that connection is growing as I've put more of myself and my memories and my love into the home). But the temple is new to all of us and I had the privilege of being the first in our family to enter therein. I wish words could describe what that meant to me. It was something new, fresh, and uniquely mine. I was truly walking in my Father's house, and I felt the peace that He gives to all who wish to have it.

In any case, I was stationed on the top floor in the sealing (or marriage) rooms. Today the temple was open to local government officials, church leaders, and other VIP guests. This meant that there wasn't an overabundance of visitors (as will be the case when the public open house starts). There were several moments in which I was simply able to sit, ponder, and admire the beauty and peace that surrounded me. I was only there for a couple hours before being released from my duties. After I was given permission to leave, I was able to wander the temple to see the other rooms and areas I had missed before exiting. The temple theme is apple blossoms. Each temple is decorated to depict the area in which it is built. Because of the many apple (among other fruit) orchards, the apple blossom was chosen as the temple's theme. You can see them everywhere! They are in the stained glass windows, the railing of the staircase, the wooden arms of the sofas and chairs, inlaid in the tables, etc. As one progress from the basement floor to the top, the blossoms bloom. In the baptistry (on the bottom floor), one can only see the leaves. The next floor shows the buds and the top floors show the blossom in full bloom. This subtle distinction represents our own spiritual growth as we make more covenants with our Father in Heaven that allow us to return to live with Him. I was grateful for the opportunity to serve as a volunteer for those few shorts hours. I am excited to be able to visit this temple after it has been dedicated and to serve therein. This temple is not only a blessing to me, but to everyone who lives in its vicinity.

This is a picture of the interior of one of the sealing rooms.

Broken wrist

Here we go again! Tuesday evening I found myself taking Dallin to Urgent Care, all the while praying that his track record of breaking a bone every year wouldn't hold true. I was wrong! About a week ago, he had been rollerblading with Danny when he fell. He landed on his right wrist and immediately felt something was wrong. Still, we waited (and hoped) to see if  the pain would go away. Most of it did but, after a week, Dallin said that his wrist still hurt when he would rotate it in certain ways so off we went to Urgent Care. Dallin was seen by the doctor and had x-rays taken of his wrist that showed a small fracture in his right ulna. A part of the bone had actually broken off and was now floating in his wrist. I dreaded the worst, but was relieved to hear that Dallin could simply religiously wear a splint for 3 weeks and all should be well! Phew!! Here's hoping that next year we can be free from broken bones!!

For this child: JONAS

Awhile ago, I came across a scripture in 1 Samuel 1:27 that adequately described the thoughts and feelings of my heart as Jeff and I were wading through the fertility measures to try to conceive a child. It states: "For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him." We have desired to have a child together since before we were married. There have been countless tears and endless prayers for this tiny miracle...and now he is finally becoming a reality. I love feeling him move more and more as he grows bigger. I can't help but smile with each flip, kick, or jab I feel. Even before we knew this was a boy, Jeff and I decided on a name: Jonas. (Too make a long story short, Jeff wouldn't allow me to use his name as a part of this baby's name so we agreed that this child would at least have Jeff's initials: JTS.) Jonas (in Hebrew) means "gift from God". We truly feel that he is a gift from a loving Father in Heaven. While we were at the Tulip Festival, Jeff snapped this picture of me as I stood in front of this bronze statue of Christ. I have always loved this statue. I often feel like I'm the one sinking in the waves as I look up to see my Savior coming to my rescue. One day I hope to walk with Him on water as my faith grows. I pray that Jonas will be there with us as well. He is the child I have prayed for. He is my gift, my miracle, my tiny love.

SHHS Prom 2015

Today was Amber's senior prom. Again, I can't believe we're already at prom time! This school year has flown by...maybe not for the kids, but for me it has! On top of it all, I can't believe that this is Amber's senior prom. Her high school career is nearly over. I know I've only known her a few short years, but those years have flown by. She is ready to graduate and start BYU. It is all happening so fast! In any case, Amber's date was such a sweetheart. Amber knew him through a friend. He was so polite and brought her chocolate and roses in addition to the corsage. She said they had a lot of fun at the dance and the date the night before. I'm glad that she has had all these opportunities. These are the fun memories she gets to take with her after graduation is over. I think she would agree that she high school has been a blast!

Here are a few pictures they had taken at the Lotus Temple in Salem. I think they turned out great! Then again...Amber is a great model.

Tulip Festival

It has been a few weeks since Jeff and I have had an actual date so I was excited that there wasn't anything preventing us from going to the Tulip Festival this weekend. Spring is my favorite time of year. I love all the colors that overtake the barren, winter-racked earth. The land truly goes through a re-birth process and it reminds me that so can I. Just as I have moments that feel like the cold, barren winter months, I can also have these amazing moments of re-birth where I am privileged to come alive through the power of the Atonement. As I walked through the Thanksgiving Point Gardens, I was reminded of God's love for us through the beauty of His creations. I love tulips! They are my favorite flower. I love all the varieties of colors. It was like walking through God's painting as we strolled through the gardens. I truly felt joy as Jeff took my hand while my other hand absently caressed my growing belly. In some ways, I feel that I am coming alive after a period of winter. Trying to blend myself into an already existing family has been extremely difficult at times. Because of certain struggles I've had in the realm of step-parenting (struggles that, at times, were brought on by my own choices and actions), my desire to have a biological child increased exponentially. Initially I thought I would be ok only parenting these four children without having any of my own, but I was wrong. It was a struggle to get pregnant. This little child is a miracle. He is the springtime after a seemingly long winter. I would be naive to assume that my winter moments are over. In fact, I have felt an overwhelming sense of imperfection as I look towards the future. Can I be the mother this child needs me to be? Can I truly raise him to have a strong testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ? Will he make the right choices that will bring him happiness? Am I strong enough to let him make his own decisions as the time comes? This flood of doubt and worry plagues me from time to time as this tiny miracle nears his due date, but I've learned that I simply need to trust. I need to trust that the Lord trusts me. I need to trust that I will make the best decisions I can. I need to trust that the Lord will help me in my imperfections. I need to trust that the Lord loves me and this new child and that He will be there as we make our journey back home to Him. Today, however, I put all those concerns and worries away and simply enjoyed being with Jeff and feeling my tiny baby move inside me. I hadn't really taken any pictures of my growing belly so we took advantage of the beautiful surroundings to snap a few shots. I could only coax Jeff into taking one with me, but I think it turned out great. I am so excited for our future. I am 26 weeks along now. It is crazy to think I'm entering my third and final trimester. It is even more crazy how much love I feel for this unborn child. He is constantly on my mind and in my heart. I wasn't sure my heart had any more room to love (because I have been blessed to love so many people in my life), but my heart has expanded and the love continues to grow. I love feeling the warmth of the spring sunshine in my life.