Heres to 3 Years

Married July 27th, 2006

Happy Anniversary to us!

Lesson #27: Peace in Troubled Times

James and I had the opportunity to teach Sunday school for the 12-13 year olds this past Sunday for our friends that normally teach the class. It was a great experience and am grateful for the lesson. It was about George Albert Smith and his amazing faith in the gospel and his Heavenly Father. The stories shared in the lesson about his example of faith are truly remarkable. Heres one that touched me deeply:

One evening George Albert Smith stayed in the home of some members along with several other elders and the mission president, J. Golden Kimball. That night, as they slept, a mob gathered. President Smith relates:

"About midnight we were awakened with a terrible shouting and yelling from the outside. President Kimball [J. Golden] jumped up and started to dress. … The men pounded on the door and used filthy language, ordering the Mormons to come out that they were going to shoot them. President Kimball asked me if I wasn’t going to get up and dress and I told him no, I was going to stay in bed, that I was sure the Lord would take care of us. In just a few seconds the room was filled with shots. Apparently the mob had divided itself into four groups and were shooting into the corners of the house. Splinters were flying over our heads in every direction. There were a few moments of quiet, then another volley of shots was fired and more splinters flew. I felt absolutely no terror. I was very calm as I lay there, experiencing one of the most horrible events of my life, but I was sure that as long as I was preaching the word of God and following his teachings that the Lord would protect me, and he did” (George Albert Smith, “How My Life Was Preserved,” in A Story to Tell, comp. Primary Association General Board and the Deseret Sunday School Union Board [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1945], pp. 155–56)."

I freak out when theres a bee near by! I cant even imagine how I would react to people shooting at me. But he had absolute PEACE in his heart, knowing that the Lord would protect him. What an example he is to us that if we just put our faith in God, only good can come about.

We then played a game of "Concentration", or "Memory" as some of you might know it by. It was centered around Ephesians 6: 10-18, scripture of armor as I call it. If we just 'put on the whole armor of God' we will be protected in all things and have a stronger testimony.

This world increasingly challenges our faith in God and our standards of righteousness. If we would be “able to stand,” as Paul says, we must prepare now by “wearing” the “armor of righteousness.” With it we can move forward knowing that all will be well. Our righteousness will bring us peace even in the midst of troubled times. Let us help each other to stand “on the Lord’s side.”

Just Awesome

It was so exciting to see a past contestant choreograph this AMAZING dance, which was danced so BEAUTIFULLY by these two SUPERB dancers. This seriously made my Wednesday night.

What Lifts My Spirits

I turn to these inspirational works of art and it reminds me how beautiful this world is even with all the misery. Im grateful God gave us music and dance to lift my spirits in time of need.

Thought for the day...

I am a very self reflective person. In doing so, I tend to be quite hard on myself. I sometimes let what people say, do or act determine my self worth. I let a lot get to me, ultimately bringing me down. I think too much. Im emotional. Sensitive. I am a woman. Most of all, I am a child of God. Through all my weaknesses and faults, He still loves me. He is the only person who knows who I REALLY am, even when I dont. He helps me realize that I can make those weaknesses my strengths, and in doing so become a better person. At the end of the day, I forget all the negative, all the hurt and pain, and remember I choose my own happiness. And no one can take that away from me. I may forget at times, but deep down I am a child of God, and He LOVES me.

I wanted to share this not only for myself to look back on, but for my children one day to read and to know who there mother is. I want my children to know that their mother has a testimony of this amazing Gospel, and the peace and happiness it can bring to our lives. It is only through our Savior that we can recieve that eternal happiness. Its not an easy journey, but it is one that is worth while. I am eternally grateful for my testimony, and hope to be able to share it with as many as possible. If there is any gift I could ever give, the greatest of all would be the gospel. That is what I most of all want my children to know.

Angels Among Us

I have been having a hard time at work lately. There have been complaints from certain individuals, (whom I have no idea who) who have been complaining that I do not answer the phones quickly enough and that I am not doing my job adaquetly. Not to mention many fingers being pointed at me lately outside of work. Well I know that I am doing my best, the best that I can when there are up to 4 calls coming in at a time to answer as many as I can. And doing my best at going above and beyond of what is asked of me. Its sad that there are some people in this world that just have to complain about something to fulfill there day, and end up taking it out on someone that doesnt deserve it. Well, there is a sweet young gentlemen with Down Syndrome that works here that helps out with cleaning around the building, and well lets just say he made my day. There were multiple calls coming in at once, and I was making sure they got where they needed to go, and upon finally getting off the phone, he walks by and simply says, "Your doing a good job" with a smile on his face. He has been my little angel for the day.

Ok, I lied...

...so I said I was going to take a break. I get in these moods where I feel compelled to distance myself from the world. I feel its better for me to just maintain my distance in hopes not to implode on everyone around me. But as it turns out, I just cant stay away, theres just too much to write about! Plus, Im over my moodiness. Im done being female, as James would put it.

Ok, so what is it that I have to write about so badly to go against my word of staying away? Her name is Ree Drumond. Ive written about her several times, as far as her recipes go. But what I havent shared is that she is a remarkable writer who radiates joy and happiness. She shares her everyday life in her blog/website which you can find located in the top right hand corner of my blog, titled The Pioneer Woman. Even reading her recipes you cant help but laugh at the way she shares them, theres a story in everything she writes about!

Well the one thing that I have enjoyed the most reading on her website is her story about how her and Marlboro Man (her nickname for her husband) met, fell in love and eventually marry. It has been quite the journey, reading it has really been such a joy. I have been so looking forward to knowing exactly how it ends, cause we all know they obviously got hitched, its the journey on how they got there thats so interesting. Well I finally read the final contribution to her "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" today, and I cant help but feel touched, truly affected but what she wrote. I cant really explain why or how, but it moved me. We all have stuggles in our life, and for me, they just keep on piling up and I have a hard time of sorting through them and figuring out the best way of managing them to not "stink" up my life. And then you come upon certain readings that help lighten the load, put some perspective on your life, and make you realize that your not alone. Make you remember what brought you to where you are and that it is a good thing. I just love those moments. So thank you Ree Drumond, the Pioneer Woman. From the bottom of my heart. I encourage you to go read it here.

Excuse Me

I need another break. Excuse me for a bit. Sorry.

I need a minute...

My poor little pup is sick with puppy diarrhea. I woke up at 3 to let him out, and then woke me up again at 5, but ignored the poor little thing to fulfill my selfish desire to sleep. Well upon waking up at my regular scheduled time, I realize why he needed up again: the reason was on my living room floor. I immediately felt horrible for ignoring him earlier that morning, poor thing was just sick! Well, I, emphasis on the I, clean up the mess before I have to head to work. Then I come home for lunch and as soon as I walk in I smell what I thought was the remains of what I cleaned up that morning, to find out upon letting Doc out of his crate that he had made a mess in it and was completely covered in his new remains. UGH. But before I could feel grossed out I immediately felt sorry for him, poor thing had to go and couldn't wait! It wasnt until giving him a bath and washing it off that the grossness settled in. But still felt bad. So I bathe and dry him, take care of the mess and when James gets home do I get a "thanks for taking care of that"? No. Instead I get a "your going to be late getting back to work" instead. Thanks. Thats just what I needed to hear. I don't now if this is what I get to look forward to when having kids or if this is something I have a right to be upset about, but either way, Im gonna need a minute...

Who'll Stop the Rain...

"Long as I remember the rain been comin down.

Clouds of mystry pourin confusion on the ground.

Good men through the ages, tryin to find the sun;

And I wonder, still I wonder, who'll stop the rain."

-CCR

Oh the truth to those words...when is it going to end?!! It has been raining here for 2 1/2 weeks straight! I don't understand, I thought we moved to the desert? So much for that, it's turning into the wettest of marshlands here. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: weather.com says we are in the clear starting Monday! 70 degree weather with clear skies and 0% chance of rain!! I can hardly wait!! I can see it now: sandals, shorts, riding my new bike, walks again with Doc, rides on the motorcycle. Ahhh...I can hardly wait. So heres to the sun! We love you sun, please come back out play soon, we really do miss you:)

Finally, some recipes...and more!

Once again, I have no good excuse for disappearing other than I'm lazy and forgetful. I get home from work and all I wanna do is cook, eat, clean and relax. Enough of my excuses, lets get on with some of the recipes I promised!

Island Pitas (a.k.a. Grilled Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Pitas...better, huh?)
2 boneless chicken breasts
Lawrys Teriyaki marinade
1/4 C. Mayo
Pineapple slices
Lettuce
Pitas

1. Marinade chicken for desired length of time. Mix mayo with 1 tsp. marinade, or to desired taste. Grill chicken and pineapple slices while basting pineapple with marinade. Cut chicken into strips, then slather on some of the mayo mixture on pitas then stuff with chicken, pineapple and lettuce. Enjoy!!


Next, Pioneer Woman, Ree Drumond's: Mexican Lasagna

Just follow the link and I promise you will love what you find! James and I both loved it, though I will warn you it makes a ton! Those of you with big families will appreciate it, while those of you with smaller families, I would definitely cut it in half. We were eating leftovers for quite some time. It was really okay though, I savored every bite of it:)
(My pictures aren't as pretty as hers, but I enjoy myself capturing photos of my creations!)


As for James and I, we are loving Idaho, James is doing good in school and I am enjoying my job.
James on his first day of school:)
We love our ward and I am loving being back in Relief Society. Having been in Young Women's for the past two years, I have grown to miss the Relief Society, so I am enjoying it while it lasts before we get callings. We especially are enjoying having friends. James has become good friends with my friend Nicole's husband Chad. He is a car guy like James, so they have bonded quite well while I have very much enjoyed Nicoles company! Speaking of cars, James has found himself a new project. He is bringing back to life a 91 Acura Integra. I was more willing to go along with it since he bought the car for a mere $300. He is having fun stripping it apart and making it almost new again. I will have to post pictures as it comes along.

And as for Doc, well he is still my baby and we enjoy him every day! He is so much fun and love to play with him every minute we can. He actually is a year old this month! We dont know the exact day in June he was born, so I am making June 30th is Birthday, that way he is a "full" year old. Im a little OCD like that:)
Well, I think that is it for now. TTFN.Oh yeah, I cut my hair:)

Doc and I take walks along the green belt in Idaho Falls. Its so pretty, we both love it.

How cute is this?! He loves the wind blosing in his face, had to capture it:)

Addendum to "It comes down to dignity"...

I hereby take back the crown I formerly gave to Miss California Carrie Prejean. Anybody who poses nude as a teenager and lies about it on a contract to enter the Miss USA pageant clearly has little to no dignity. So much for that one!

Coming soon...an update to my Mexican Lasagna and a new recipe: Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Pineapple Pitas! Try and say that ten times fast:) Yeah, I should work on a new name...