An apple a day must keep the frowns away.

Today at lunch, the girls and I were eating apple slices. Katelund put the apple in her mouth (see picture), stood up to look in the mirror, and then started laughing like crazy because the apple looked like a big smile. She wanted each of us to do it and then get our picture taken. So here are the pictures for all to see.

I DID IT!!!

I accomplished a major goal today. I ran a half-marathon (13.1 miles). It was so amazing. Austyn and I had so much fun doing it. The hardest miles for me were the first (because I knew I had so far to go) and the last (because it was mostly uphill and I was so tired). One day I want to do a full marathon but for now I am just so proud of myself for making it this far.

Happy Easter!

We had such a wonderful Easter. Some of our Easter weekend events included; watching "Happy Feet" as a family, playing in the snow (yes, it snowed 2 inches Friday night), flying a kite, having an Easter egg hunt, watching the girls devour Easter candy/food from the Easter bunny (there favorite being gold fish), watching Cloey eat snow, and getting the girls all beautiful in their Easter dresses. Although we didn't have any family to celebrate with, we had so much fun together as our own little family. It was so nice to just hang out together. Although the Easter traditions were a lot of fun, I think my favorite part of Easter was at church. I participated in an Easter Cantata that had speaking and musical parts that told the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. I was in the choir so I really had to focus on singing instead of listening too closely to the words because I didn't want to get emotional, but on the part when the Savior appears to Mary I couldn't control myself. The Spirit touched me in a very powerful and personal way. It is hard to describe in words, but it was amazing.

My New Primary Song...

"I looked out the window and what did I see? Snowflakes falling off the Bradford Pear tree. Spring has brought me such a nice surprise, blossoms falling right before my eyes. I can take an armful and make a treat, a snowflake ball that would feel so neat. It wasn't really so, but it was to me. Snowflakes falling off the Bradford Pear tree. "

Springtime

Katelund, Cloey, and I walked outside the other day to walk to the park. They both got so excited as they noticed the "snow" that was falling all around them. I explained to them that it wasn't snow, it was the white blossoms falling off the Bradford Pear trees. As we were walking along, Katelund got so excited every time she saw a dandelion in the grass. She had to stop each time, carefully pick it, and then place it in my purse for safe keeping. I told her that I thought it would be a good idea if she said a prayer to thank Heavenly Father for all of the "beautiful" dandelions that he created for us to enjoy. She said, "that's a great idea Mommy....Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the beautiful dandelions you made for us and also for the blossoms that fall like snow."

Spiders, Bats, and Bears...

The other day I took Katelund and Cloey on a walk. We walked along a trail that took us into the woods. Katelund started getting nervous after awhile because she said there were "spiders, bears, and bats coming to get us".

Standing Alone

The other day I was washing a bag of grapes. As I poured some out into a bowl for lunch, I realized that at the very bottom of the bag was one green grape. As I took it out and placed it on the top of the other purple grapes, the Holy Ghost impressed upon me the significance and importance of standing out and being different from the "world". As a member of the church, we are told that we are a peculiar people, but I think sometimes it becomes very easy to just try to blend in with everyone else. I find myself doing this at times when I feel like I am immersing myself too much into the things of the world. I will be eternally grateful for the fact that I grew up with different values, standards, and beliefs than those around me. I am grateful that I chose to continue being different as I began my own family traditions of scripture reading, family home evening, prayer, temple attendance, and service. Lately, I have really felt satan working on me. There have been times where I have really felt like I had to stand alone in a bowl full of purple grapes, but really I am never alone. One of my favorite songs is "I'll Never Stand Alone" from the Cumorah's Hill CD. In the song it says, "I stand with Nephi and Moroni, and Abinidai who testified in flames....when I walk with God, I'll never stand alone".

Check out my Slide Show!

A Day in the Mountains...

Last weekend we had such a fun Saturday in the mountains. First, we went to the fish hatchery where they breed rainbow, brook, and brown trout. The girls loved feeding them because they would jump all over each other in order to get the food (hmm...sounds like my girls). Then we went down the road to a beautiful picnic spot by a little creek/river. We had a great lunch and then we went down to the river where Cory taught us girls how to skip rocks. Then I showed them all up by pulling up my jeans and walking across the FREEZING cold water. Cory and I carried both the girls across and went to the other side where the river wrapped around to this beautiful cove where kids go in the summer to cliff jump. It was gorgeous. We decided that we have to go back in the summer and try it out. We got really wet and cold but we had the time of our life. It was such a great day!!

Cloers

My little Cloey is growing up so much!!! I can't believe that in less than a month she will be two!!!! Today she reminded me how much she is growing up. While we were at the park, she was swinging on the swing while Katelund was playing in the sandbox. She called out to Katelund, "Sissy, I love you!" It was SOOOOO ADORABLE!!!!

Stake Conference

This weekend was incredible. We had our stake conference on Sat. night and Sunday morning. I really enjoyed it!!! Saturday night was so wonderful. The theme was "If I Could Hie to Kolob". It was a great theme. The speakers talked about truth, love, and marriage having no end. Then the stake presidency each spoke about all of the wonders of God's creations and how they have no end. Then they testified that although God's creations are endless and enormous, we are the "matter" that matters. He still hears and answers and prayers and even weeps for us (account given in Moses). I usually take a lot of notes during conference but this time I didn't because really it was more of a feeling of love that was given to each member as they bore testimony of the Father's love for each of His children.

Sunday morning I woke up sick to my stomach because I was so nervous about my talk. I seriously thought I was going to throw up. I forced food down my stomach and just prayed my heart out all morning long. As I got to the assembly building, my fears only increased. By the time I was sitting on the stand and looking out over the bustling crowd I was almost shaking. Then all of the sudden, the pianist began to play my favorite song in the whole world, "My Soul Hungered". I knew that it was a tender mercy of the Lord. I instantly felt peace and calmness. After the music stopped and the stake president stood to welcome everyone, my nerves once again got the best of me. The opening song was done by the choir. They sang an incredible rendition of "Behold a Royal Army". It was so powerful!!! All that I could think about was how lucky I was that there was I sitting out looking upon the royal army of Asheville stake. I felt so inadequate to speak to such a crowd. I knew that anyone in that crowd could have given a much better talk than I, but for whatever reason,I was the one that the Lord had chosen to speak on having a forgiving heart. I quietly pleaded with Heavenly Father to pour out His spirit upon me and upon the listeners so that he would be the teacher because I knew that I could never do it alone. As I stood up to speak, my nerves gradually calmed down and I was able to listen to the spirit's whisperings and speak with confidence beyond my own. It was a great experience and I learned so many things throughout the entire process.

Katelund's Haircut (sob, sob)

Here are the "after" shots of Katelund's hair. She was very excited to go in and get her hair "fixed" (as much as possible). The lady who cut her hair, Michelle, was very nice and she did a good job. She now has some long layers in the back in order to help blend in the right side. The left side (the one with all the bangs) is pretty much a done deal. There is just not a whole lot we can do but let it grow and wear headbands. I really miss her long hair, but it is fun to have it short for the summer months to come.

Can you say MULLET?

The dreaded day has come....Katelund cut her hair. Last night, Cory and I took the girls to the church because I had choir practice and Cory wanted to practice the piano. Cory took the girls with him to the YW's room while he played. Apparently, there was a basket of scissors in the corner of the room. So Katelund started chopping. When I went into the room after choir practice, I couldn't believe my eyes!!! After a dramatic gasp and a look of horror, I walked back out of the room so that Katelund wouldn't see the tears that were welling up in my eyes.

Once we got home and the shock had worn off, I realized that it was time to give her some comfort, love, and reassurance. I don't think that she'd realized what she had done because once I told her that we were going to have to cut the back, she broke down in tears. I took her to the mirror to show her what she'd done so that she would understand why we needed to cut it. As she looked in the mirror, she immediately threw herself at me as she cried her little heart out. I continued to comfort her but she was still so upset. She went over to the edge of the couch and just had the saddest look on her face as the reality of what she'd done set in. Cory told her to come over and sit with him. He then looked in her eyes and told her how beautiful she still was and that her hair would look so pretty short and that over time it would grow back out. I think she just needed to hear her Daddy tell her that she was still pretty because after he told her, she calmed down curled up on his lap and then asked him if he would brush her hair. It was so tender and sweet.

We have an appointment to get the rest of it cut tomorrow, but as for today....can you say mullet?

Katelund's Pilate Moves

Today I took the girls outside to play with their balls while I laid on a blanket and read a book. Beth came outside to say hi to us and we started talking about different stretches because she pulled a muscle in her leg. Apparently, Katelund decided that she had some better stretches to show Beth. She began to do the downward facing dog, the cobra, the warrior, and the exalted warrior. It was so adorable. I guess she really has been watching me while I've been teaching that Pilates class at the church.

I LOVE Primary!

I was such a proud mother yesterday in Primary. Sister Weekes was showing the children pictures from the scriptures and then asking them questions about the particular scripture story. She held up the picture of when Christ was among the Nephite children and how the angels came down and fire encircled them about as the angels taught and ministered to them. She asked the kids what this story tells us about Jesus. My sweet little Katelund raised her hand. Sister Weekes called on her and Katelund said, "that Jesus loves children". I was so proud of her!!! I had to keep the tears back. Of all things that I have taught Katelund, that would be the one thing that I would want her to know above all else; that Jesus loves her. I think that if you know that and you know who you are then everything else just kindof falls into place. I am so grateful for the primary program.

I am also so grateful for the Primary president that I work with. I had such a hard time with her at first, but all of those feelings have been replaced with love and great respect for her. Is she perfect, of course not, but she is trying to be. Yesterday we had a teacher development meeting to review the things that we learned at the worldwide broadcast and discuss how we can apply the principles we learned to our primary. When she started the meeting, she went around the room and singled out each teacher individually and stated the things that she loved about them as a teacher and told specific examples of the wonderful things that she has observed them doing in their teaching. She ended with me and she got all choked up as she expressed her thanks to me and said some very sweet things. I love my calling so much!!! I just don't think that I will ever have a calling that I love more than this one. Okay, maybe my other calling as ward camp director. :)

Fun, Fun, Fun...

Today I watched one of my friend's daughters because she was busy preparing for funeral arrangements for her step-father-in-law who died last night. He actually lived on the other side of their home (it is kindof like a duplex). Yesterday evening they noticed that he had not turned his light on and they hadn't heard the tv on all day. They knocked and then opened the door to check on him. They found him cold and purple. They believe that he had a heart attack. The ironic thing is that yesterday when I was visiting teaching with her, we had talked about death and resurrection.

Anyways, I really wanted to make it a fun day for Emily so that she could somehow be distracted and just have a busy and exciting day. She came over at about 9 a.m. I let her and Katelund watch Dora, then I took all the girls on a walk. We walked for a good distance and then we went to the park. After that, we went and got cookies and ate them on a picnic table near the park. We walked home and then turned on fun music, danced around, colored pictures, and then prepared for a picnic. We took out the picnic basket and blanket in front and had a great lunch that consisted of hot dogs, oranges, and carrots. Then we played tag and had races (where I made sure that each of the girls had a chance to win). We came inside and put Cloey down for a nap while Katelund and Emily watched a Care Bears movie. After their movie, we took out the glue, crayons, scissors, and paper and made "crafts" until Emily's mom came to pick her up at about 3. It was a GREAT day!!!

I actually realized some funny things about my girls today. First of all, Katelund is very competitive (like her Daddy). She did not like the fact that she was not the winner of every race. I guess I need to teach her about sportsmanship. :) Cloey of course loved the picnic (she just loves food period), but she had something she'd never had before; carrots dipped in ranch. She was so funny though because she would dip her carrot, bite off and eat the part that was dipped and then put it down and get a new carrot (see above pictures). After she had done that to all of the carrots on her plate, she asked for more. I told her to eat the rest of the ones on her plate. But she said "all done" and took the carrots and hid them behind her back. Apparently they were no good because I guess she couldn't double dip. Although it is wasteful at least she has good manners, right? Another funny thing that happened was while they were watching Care Bears. I was on the potty and I asked Katelund if she'd go get me some more toilet paper. She said, "sure" and then I heard her quietly turn to Emily and say "Emily will you please go get some toilet paper from my bathroom for my Mommy?" I was laughing so hard. I guess delegating is a good skill to have. :)

A Day at the Park...

Row, Row, Row, Your Boat (or laundry basket)

I had been in the girls' room putting clothes away, and when I came out I found them like this. They had gotten Cory's golf club and was using it to row their "boat" down the river. When I got the camera out they decided that they each wanted their own turn to have a picture rowing the boat. They were both saying "cheese" over and over again while I was taking their pictures. It was so ADORABLE!!

At about 4 am this morning, Cory and I woke up to Katelund and Cloey in their room fighting. They were both crying back and forth at the top of their lungs, "Mommy"..."My Mommy"...My Mommy"... It was hilarious! I went into their room to settle them down and they both reached their arms out to me with little tears falling down their cheeks. My heart melted. I told them to both come into bed with Cory and I. Cloey snuggled right up with Cory and Katelund cuddled up to me. It was really sweet. All I can say is that it's a good thing that we have a king-size bed because both of our girls end up sleeping horizontally. They take up more of our bed than we do.

Last night we had Beth and the missionaries over for dinner and a discussion. It went really well. The missionaries had asked me beforehand if I'd like to teach part of the discussion. I was so excited and nervous. It was a lot of fun. I cannot wait to go on a mission someday with Cory!!! Since that will not happen for awhile, I just have to look and pray for missionary opportunities each day.

I found out what they want me to specifically talk about at stake conference. My topic is..."Characteristics of Zion are beauty and holiness of Spirit. Talk about how a forgiving heart fosters these characteristics within us." It is a good thing that I didn't already start my talk because I was not expecting to talk about forgiveness based upon what they had originally told me. When I was talking to Sherrie the other day, she read me an awesome quote that she had just read in her seminary manual. Elder Marion D. Hanks said, "The ultimate form of love for God and men is forgiveness." I think that I will begin preparing today after I go visiting teaching. I am so nervous about giving this talk, especially after the letter I received in the mail from the stake presidency. It is a letter that states guidelines for giving talks in stake conference. It has a whole list of ways to prepare and then near the bottom it says..."Remember- if you give a ten minute talk to 100 people, you are using over sixteen hours of the members' time to worship the Lord. Be responsible with that time. " No pressure right??

I have been teaching Pilates the last two Mondays at the church for an enrichment class. Yesterday I had us do a whole bunch of push-ups and today I am SOOOO SORE!!! I can hardly move my shoulders and arms around. At the end of the class, Lauren (a cute 20 yr. old that comes) told me that she had never been taught how to line dance so I decided that she needed to learn one. I turned the music to country and we line danced for the last 15 minutes. It was SO MUCH FUN!!! It brought back a lot of memories from stake and college dances. There is just something so liberating to me about dancing. I cannot wait to take ballet classes someday!!

My Life Forces

I have been spending a lot of time lately thinking about what I am going to talk about in stake conference. When I was first asked to speak, I felt very inadequate for such a task. Then as the idea settled in, I began to feel excited because I really enjoy doing the research part of giving a talk. I always learn so much in the process. Now I am beginning to feel nervous and inadequate once again. I know that the inspiration will come, but in the meantime, I am having lots of random thoughts and ideas that are not making a lot of sense to me. I talked to Dad about it the other day to see what he would talk about on the subject. My subject is based off of Doctrine and Covenants 82:14; which says; "...enlarge thy borders and strengthen thy stakes and put on thy beautiful garments...". Dad suggested talking about how important it is to work together as a stake and supporting one another. I had been thinking about it yesterday and I found an awesome way to relate it to the Nephites near the end of Alma. Captain Moroni had been unifying the Nephites and putting them under covenants and oaths that they would fight for their families, homes, and religion. They had strengthened and fortified their strong and weak cities and were able to defend themselves in an incredible way because the Lord had given them strength. After they drove the Lamanites off for a season, they began to have some contentions within. Nephihah, their chief judge, died and the people become divided upon what to do next. The freemen wanted Pahoran, Nephihah's son to be the next chief judge, and the king men didn't want to continue having chief judges and basically a democracy, they wanted to have a king. The freemen outnumbered the kingmen, which led Amalickiah, the leader, to take some of his followers (the dissenters) and not only join the Lamanites, but kill their king, take over, and entice them to go back to war with the Nephites. When they went to attack, the Nephites were not prepared because Captain Moroni and Helaman had been doing damage control due to the contention and dissenters. They were weak and the Lamanites overtook many of their strongholds. Symbolically speaking, I feel like that is a perfect analogy for the importance of supporting our leaders, strengthening each other, and working together to create a Zion within our own stake.

Yesterday I took the girls to the park. Katelund was climbing up a little climbing wall to get up to the slide. Cloey was trying to follow her, but it was very apparent that it was a little too advanced for her climbing skills. Just as I was about to pick Cloey up and help her, Katelund turned around, reached her hand down to Cloey, and said, "Come on Cloey, take my hand and I'll help you up". It brought tears to my eyes. It was very sweet, but it was more than that. It was another analogy to me of the importance of helping and strengthening one another.

I am so eternally grateful for the scriptures and my children who constantly teach me everyday of my life!!!! I couldn't survive without either one of them. In fact, the other night I was laying in bed with Cory and I was almost asleep when I realized that I had not read my Book of Mormon that day, which would have been the first time I'd missed in a LONG time. I told Cory that I hadn't read that day and he said, "Honey, go get your scriptures and and read them aloud to us, you don't want to miss a day." It was so ADORABLE!!!! Man, I love that MANN!!! :)

5 More Things I LOVE....

After I wrote my list of 25, I began to clean my house and I couldn't help but think of other things that I forgot to put on my list. A couple of them are very significant so I cannot leave them off of the list.
26. his laugh and how contagious it is!!! I also absolutely think it is adorable when he laughs at his own jokes.
27. how surprisingly romantic he is (i.e. fixing me candle lit dinners with rose petals sprinkled all over, washing my hair in the bubble bath while feeding me chocolate covered strawberries, writing me love poems, etc...)
28. the way that he can pack a car like no other!!!!
29. how much he loves the youth and how much they love him also
30. how much he loves my robot dance! :)

25 Things That I Love About Cory

1. his testimony
2. his love and excitement for life
3. what an incredible daddy he is
4. his constant drive and desire to be the best
5. his love and respect for his parents
6. when he throws me over his shoulder and swings me around
7. when he makes me laugh harder than I ever thought I could
8. when he lets me win every once in a while in Phase 10
9. what a social butterfly he is ( I finally found my match)
10. how he walks around the chapel before church starts and talks to almost everyone in the room before he ever sits down.
11. how much he loves Captain Moroni
12. he can make the best breakfast in the world!!!
13. apparently he is the only one that can brush the girl's teeth (it is quite a fight for me when he is out of town)
14. how he loves it when I give him pedicures and when I floss his teeth.
15. how he puts Katelund to sleep everytime she lays on his chest and he brushes her hair.
16. how he tears up at special moments (i.e. when Cloey and Katelund were born, at our sealing, at Grandpa Child's funeral, and occasionally while bearing his testimony of his love for the Savior.
17. how everyone he works with absolutely loves him.
18. the fact that he thinks he can run a 5k in 23 minutes (only time will tell, Cory)
19. how he takes the girls out when they are fighting/crying/screaming at church so that I can enjoy the meeting.
20. his love for every sport (although I don't like the fact that he can occasionally beat me in tennis).
21. his incredible way of dealing with stress and easing my burdens when I think that life is coming to an end.
22. the fact that he will rub my arthritic knees and sore running calves every night if I asked him to.
23. what an incredible cook, cleaner, packer, and organizer he is (basically he shows me up anytime he doesn't anything domestic).
24. his competitive spirit (even though we hardly ever win at couple's Rook--even when we cheat).
25. his love for reading and his street smarts (an area I am definitely lacking in)

Fayetteville

Today is my last day in Fayetteville. I have been here since last Thursday night. I have had such a fun time. I forgot how much I love it here. It was so wonderful to see grandparents, catch-up with old friends, give hugs to the kids I used to teach at church, and have fun running around and hanging out with my incredible mother and sister-in-law. It is always so hard to say good-bye, but luckily it won't be for too long because I have already made plans to come back this summer. I am excited to get back home to Cory though. He told me that he has been really lonely without his girls. :)

Katelund is not so excited about going back to "her Asheville". She has absolutely loved being at the center of her grandparent's world. She had a whole list of things that she wanted to do with Grandma when she came. They watched princess movies while eating popcorn, read books, danced, and snuggled (that was a must on Katelund's list). She also got spoiled by her Aunt Stefi, who got her a whole bunch of beautiful new earrings. Grandpa also spoiled her with attention and candy.

Cloey couldn't have been happier than when she was getting attention from Grandpa. It was very sweet. What can I say, she just loves her grandpas. She was also very spoiled at night because Stefani snuck into her room everynight and took her into her bed to sleep with her.

Fayetteville

Today is my last day in Fayetteville. I have been here since last Thursday night. I have had such a fun time. I forgot how much I love it here. It was so wonderful to see grandparents, catch-up with old friends, give hugs to the kids I used to teach at church, and have fun running around and hanging out with my incredible mother and sister-in-law. It is always so hard to say good-bye, but luckily it won't be for too long because I have already made plans to come back this summer. I am excited to get back home to Cory though. He told me that he has been really lonely without his girls. :)

Katelund is not so excited about going back to "her Asheville". She has absolutely loved being at the center of her grandparent's world. She had a whole list of things that she wanted to do with Grandma when she came. They watched princess movies while eating popcorn, read books, danced, and snuggled (that was a must on Katelund's list). She also got spoiled by her Aunt Stefi, who got her a whole bunch of beautiful new earrings. Grandpa also spoiled her with attention and candy.

Cloey couldn't have been happier than when she was getting attention from Grandpa. It was very sweet. What can I say, she just loves her grandpas. She was also very spoiled at night because Stefani snuck into her room everynight and took her into her bed to sleep with her.

Leadership Training Highlights

Today I went to the Worldwide Leadership Training Broadcast. It was incredible!!! I really felt like it was just for me. There were so many things that were said that I felt I needed to learn. One of the things that I loved was when Elder Holland was talking about students (particularly children and youth) who do not act interested or who are resenting that fact that you are trying to teach them. He said that when the kids are unresponsive, just love them. "You can love them today and they can learn tomorrow."

When Elder Holland stressed the importance of not trying to pack too much material into a lesson, I think he was talking to me. I feel like sometimes in my teaching I am trying to get in as much as I can and I sometimes feel like I am rushing. He said, "An unrushed atmosphere is absolutely essential for the Spirit to teach and the students to learn."

I also had a lot of my questions and concerns answered in their group discussion of what it means to teach by the spirit. I often wonder how much to prepare and how much not to prepare so that I will be receptive and open to the promptings of the Spirit. I feel like I understand the concept a whole lot better now and I feel like I now know how to prepare to speak in stake conference.

My absolute favorite part of the whole thing was when Elder Holland gave the #5 to the gift of teaching. It is to "testify of the truths we've taught". He told a story about a Sunday School teacher who taught the 15 year olds. He made a very big impression on his students and it was said of him that "we could have warmed our hands by the fire of his faith." Elder Holland said that we need to share with every student the fire of our faith and "never let our faith be difficult to detect." He also said that "you don't dazzle them with how brilliant you are, but dazzle them with the brilliance of the gospel." And then my very favorite line of the whole thing was...
"Teach them, but above all TESTIFY to them."

Mammon???

Tonight we were reading scriptures as a family in 3 Nephi chapter 13. It was Katelund's turn to read so I would tell her a couple of words and she would then repeat them back. She was reading about having two masters and how you can't serve God and Mammon. After she read the scripture, I stopped her so I could explain what we just read. I said to her, "Katelund who do you serve, God or Mammon?" She then said with confidence, "Mammon." It was so funny!!!

My Sister, My Friend

Last night I sat down to eat dinner with Katelund and Cloey (Cory had already left to go and play basketball at the church). After we prayed I just started eating away and then about a minute later I noticed that they really weren't eating and then Cloey started saying, "spoon please". I felt so bad, I had totally forgotten to get them silverware. I was telling them how sorry I was and Katelund said to me, "Don't be sorry Mommy, it's okay." How sweet is that!!!

Cloey is so funny. She dresses herself everyday (after I have already dressed her of course). She puts a shirt(s) and/or a skirt around her waist or her neck. It is so hilarious!!! She gets really upset if you try to take them off of her. I thought Katelund was bad about changing her outfit 3-4 times during the day, but I think Cloey just might top her, although I don't think either one of them will ever top me. :)

I am so thankful for the moments when Katelund and Cloey play together and get along. There is no greater joy to me than to see my two little girls laughing, hiding, giggling, and getting into trouble together. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father sent us to families where we could have sisters. I have so many fond memories of me and my own sisters. I love both of them very much.

I have really spent a lot of time lately thinking about Andrea. I have really been worrying and praying a lot for her this week. I know that she is going to be fine (especially now that I know all about the test she is taking and the possibilities for diagnosis; thanks to my wonderful neighbor Beth who is studying medicine), but I can't help but let my mind wonder off to the possibilities of the worst-case scenarios. I am not trying to be negative or come across as fearful, but I have just really been thinking about how much impact and influence Andrea has on me. I consider her one of my very best friends!!!! I don't think I can go a single day without talking and consulting with her about her opinion and/or advice for every single trivial matter in my life. She always has a way of putting things into perspective for me. She also has an amazing way of bringing me comfort and hope like nobody else can (besides Cory of course). I couldn't imagine my life without Andrea in it. I know that she is not going anywhere because her mission is far from over. She has so much to give to this world and to everybody around her. It is so funny how somebody who drove me the most crazy as a child could turn out to be the person who brings me so much joy and serenity as an adult. I love you Andrea with all of my heart!!!!! I know that everything is going to be just fine, but I also need you to know how truly amazing you are to me. Thank you for being such an incredible sister and friend!!!!

Goals

Wow, I can't believe that January is already gone. It went by so quickly. Tonight I went to another Jesus the Christ study class. I really like hearing other people's insights and I also love getting to know some of the older sisters in the ward, but my favorite part of the class is having the added incentive of finishing the book. I have never made it all of the way through, but this time I will.

Today I spent the day organizing. Being more organized was one of my New Year's Resolutions. It is going to be something that I will have to continually work on because it doesn't come as naturally as I wish it did, especially when I don't have a lot of storage space to work with.

I am so excited to start writing my book. I still have a lot of studying to do, but I am loving every second of it. The book that I am studying is all about what life what have been like in Book of Mormon times. It is very interesting!!!! I am so glad that I have chosen the Book of Mormon to be my book of personal daily study this year. I loved reading the New Testament, but there is such an incredible amount of power and testimony found within the Book of Mormon that I feel a greater yearning within me to change and improve upon many of my weaknesses. I have so much to work on, at times it is almost overwhelming. I am just so grateful for the Atonement!!!!!!

Beginnings of 2007

No my computer is not working yet, but my sweet neighbor Beth is letting my use hers so that I can update really quickly. I am so excited because today I accomplished a really big goal that I set for myself at the beginning of last year, I just finished reading the New Testament. I loved reading it so much. My testimony of the gospel and of the Book of Mormon have increased through my study of the New Testament. In my prayers, I have found that I have been expressing my gratitude for the fullness of the gospel more than I ever have. I have loved to really learn about the ministry of the Savior and the apostles. Now I am just trying to decide where to go next. Either the Old Testament or back to the Book of Mormon. As a family, we read in the Book of Mormon each day but it is a totally different experience for me when I am doing it as my individual study because I get so much more out of it. In this month's New Era, there is a really great article about the writers of the New Testament. I cut them out and glued them into the margines at the beginning of the books. I also really want to rememorize the scripture masteries. I guess that maybe I should have waited to read the New Testament until this year since we are studying it in Sunday School, but for whatever reason, I felt prompted to read it last year, and I am so glad I did.

Yesterday it snowed 1 1/2- 2 inches. I was in heaven!!!! I love the snow so much!!! It takes me back to Rexburg. I took the girls out to play in it today and they were so funny. Cloey liked to walk in it but she put her hands in it and started to cry hysterically because it was "too cold". Katelund just wanted to build a snowman because I have been singing "Once There Was a Snowman" in singing time. Which by the way, I can't believe I haven't written about this yet....Katelund is in PRIMARY!!!!! I wish somebody would have warned me about what an emotional thing it is when your first child moves up to Sunbeams. My tears were flowing which was really bad because I had to get up and teach a new song, my new favorite song, "I'll Follow Him in Faith". I think the primary kids are probably going to get so sick of me saying, "This is my favorite song..." because I say it with almost every primary song. Anyways, Katelund did wonderful!!!! She loved it so much and she was so good. I was really nervous because the nursery in this ward really lacks any kind of structure, but I just had to trust that the sisters that were in there needed to be there and that the Lord would make up for the lack of structure and of course he did because all of the Sunbeams were incredible!!!

How the girls are spending their days after Christmas...

Christmas

We had such a wonderful Christmas. On Friday morning, the Prasse family (our good friends from Fayetteville) came to visit us. They stayed all day Friday, spent the night, hung out at the mall with us on Saturday and then left at about 3 p.m. We had so much fun with them. Friday day we spent all day catching up. Deborah, me , and Gabby (their 9 yr. old daughter) went shopping, the boys (I mean men) stayed home and watched Katelund and James (we have decided that we are going to prearrange Katelund and James' wedding) while they played X-box and watched Jimmy' special ops training movie of his tazing experience (he had to get tazed and taze others in order to be certified). Then that evening we got a babysitter for the kids and took them out Friday night to our favorite restaurant here in Fayetteville, Flat Rock. Saturday morning, we go up early and went to the mall. Cory had to be there to help solve problems if they arose, so he walked around with his walkie-talkie and got us all free massages, discounts, and hook-ups on free car strollers for the kids. We also fulfilled Katelund's Christmas wish, to get her ears pierced. We were so sad when we had to say good-bye. We love and miss the Prasses SOOOO much!!!!

On Christmas Eve, we only had sacrament meeting. There were some great speakers and then some musical numbers. I actually had a part in each one because I was in the the "ward chamber" (it is a group of 8 of us that the bishop calls the ward chamber choir). I felt so lucky to be part of it because they are all AMAZING singers and the songs sounded GREAT!!! I only wish Gladdis (sp?) Knight had been there to hear it (I guess she didn't come here for Christmas this year). Anyways, then I led the primary in 2 Christmas songs.

After church, we went and had dinner at the Curriden's house. Afterwards, all the kids (and both sets of missionaries) acted out the nativity and then we all went caroling around the neighborhood. We had a great time!!! The Curriden kids LOVE Cory and were constantly wanting him to play with them. Katelund and Cloey followed their dog around the house all night and I just loved spending Christmas Eve with some of our ward family.

Christmas day was wonderful but it was a little bit lonesome. I loved being with my family but I really missed having a lot of people around. I spent the evening giving Cory his Christmas gift, the best body massage ever and an incredible pedicure. He loved it!!!! As I was talking to Cory during his massage, I told him how sad I am that the Christmas season is over. But then he so sweetly reminded me that the Christmas season is all about the spirit of Christ and that is something that should be with us all year long.

If you look closely in the picture below of Katelund, you can kindof see her new earings. They are little gold studs. She LOVES them!!! She tells me that she feels like a princess.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

Our Savior's Love

Yesterday my visiting teaching partner and I had all of the sisters that we visit teach over to my house. I had made neck warmers for each of them, so we heated them up put them around their necks and read the Forgotten Carols to them (along with the music from the CD). While they listened and relaxed, my partner served them cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate while I read. And then while she read, I gave each of them a manicure or pedicure. It was so much fun!!! They loved it but I think that I love it even more. One of the sisters had never had a manicure in her life. I gave her the best one I could possibly do. It is amazing how when you serve people you start to feel such an incredible overwhelming amount of love for them!!!! I am so thankful for the Relief Society organization that provides and encourages service to other sisters. I am very lucky that two of the sisters that I visit teach, I am also very good friends with, one of them is Austyn, my running partner. Yesterday as we were running, we were discussing how so many times we tend to look at the blessings from the Lord coming in financial ways, but probably someday when we look back retrospectively we will see so many other blessings that came through good health, wonderful friends, safety, etc... I know that one of the blessings from the Lord that I have received is the ability to feel the Savior's love for others, and as I feel that, I find it very easy to love them and want to serve them. I think that blessing is probably a natural gift in most women, but I am so thankful for it, because it helps me to better understand the atonement, the great need for charity, and the magnitude and significance of our Savior's love.

Waiting Prayers

The other day I sat down with the girls to say prayers at lunch. I asked Katelund if she wanted to pray. She said sure and then she bowed her head, folded her arms, closed her eyes, and....sat there for a little while. Then she opened her eyes and began eating and Cloey and I were sitting there wondering what that was all about. I said, "Katelund you didn't pray." She said, "Yes I did Mommy, it was a waiting prayer". I thought it was so funny but the more I have thought about it I think that she taught me something very profound. I think that it would be really good every once in a while to just fold our arms, bow our heads, close our eyes, and wait for the Lord's answers/inspiration to come.

Cloey's Boots

Yesterday I was getting the girls dressed to go to the work-out room (they walk on the treadmills while I run). Anyways, I was trying to put Cloey's tennis shoes on her and she was throwing a fit because she didn't want me to put them on her. She ran to her closet and I realized what the tantrum was all about. She wanted to wear her black boots. It was so cute!! She puts them on all the time to walk around the house in. I think she loves them so much because everyone makes such a big deal out of them when she wears them to church.

Precious Moments

Katelund has been saying and doing some of the cutest things lately that have just really been melting my heart. Here are a couple that she said or did today...

In her prayer today at lunch she said, "Please bless the missionaries and help us to be missionaries too."

While I was making dinner tonight, Cloey came up to me and was pulling at my pants because she wanted me to read her a book (this is her new thing that she is now doing all day long). I asked Katelund if she would read the book to her. I didn't think that she really would, I just kindof said it. To my surprise, she sat down on the floor with Cloey and began to read her the book perfectly. She then read about four other books to her that apparently she knows by memory. The teacher and mother in me was beaming from ear to ear!!! Cloey was loving it, but not as much as I was!!!!

Today as I was cleaning Katelund's room "with her", she started to walk out the door. I asked her where she was going and she said, "I'm just going to go read my scriptures for a little bit." It was so adorable!!!!

MY COMPUTER IS FIXED!!!!

I am so excited, we finally have our computer up and running again (thanks to Cory's home teaching companion). The other week at Enrichment, the sister that was teaching asked everyone who writes regularly in their journal to raise their hands. I was so proud of the fact that I could raise my hand because I consider blogging as my journal writing.

This last week I finished making my Christmas cards and I sewed 10 Christmas presents. I felt like such a "Martha Stewart" this week. I slacked off a little in my running because I had some really bad cramps but I made up for it by accomplishing some great projects. I decided this weekend that I really like to sew. There is nothing like the feeling after you have sewn something all by yourself and it looks good.

I am just on such a high lately. I am just so happy in my life. Are things perfect? No, and they never will be in mortality, but I am finding that they older I get and the more I grow spiritually, the happier I become with who I am and how my life is going. It is so easy to become upset over the little insignificant misfortunes that life brings, but when I have an eternal perspective it is so easy to deal with the hard times through rose-colored glasses.

I had such a wonderful birthday last week. I couldn't believe how many random people in my ward called, wrote a letter, or just wished me a happy birthday. Last night as we were at our ward Christmas party and I was walking around from table to table talking to people and saying hello, I realized how much I am beginning to love my ward here in Asheville. I wasn't sure that the day would ever come where I would feel like this ward even compared to our Fayetteville ward, but the day has surely come. Heavenly Father is so wise and loving by setting our church up in ward units where together we become a family as we learn how to serve, forgive, lead, follow, and love one another.

Tonight we had the missionaries over for dinner and I had invited my neighbor , Beth, to come over also. She ended up not coming. I was so disappointed. I was so excited after we talked for so long about the gospel, and after she had gone to the Christmas devotional and told me she wanted to come to church with us. Cory was trying to cheer me up and telling me that I needed to keep loving her and planting seeds so that the Spirit will prompt her when it is time. I know that he is right, I was just so excited about sharing the gospel with her. It is like having the most valuable precious thing in the world and just yearning to share it with others and have them feel the same way about it. I will just keep being her friend (which is very easy because she is an incredible girl) and pray for the Spirit to work within her heart.

Catch-Up

It has been awhile since I have posted, and for that I am so sorry. It is a little tough to get to get access to a computer these days.

Anyways, I have so much to catch up on and so little time...
First, I just want to say what an incredible Thanksgiving I had. I had such a wonderful month and I was overwhelmed with such an amazing amount of gratitude in my heart!!! I was also very excited to compete in my very first race. Although it was only a 5k, it was a major accomplishment for me because it "has only just begun"...I am planning on racing in a 1/2 marathon with my friend Austyn on April 28th in Virgina. I am so excited and I have a lot of work and training ahead of me.

I am getting so excited about Christmas this year. I am excited about the fun traditions that we are beginning in our family, the Christmas music that I'll have playing constantly in our home, and the time I have to reflect upon the greatest gift given to mankind, our Redeemer, Savior, and King.

Well I have to go but I will continue this blog tomorrow.