Chocolate lover...

Richard snuck this chocolate while I was on the phone and began eating the whole thing. Look at him, he just acts like it is no biggie. Like he is going to eat the entire thing while watching tv. What a stinker! I love it!

Draper Temple Open House

My Mom and the kids and I went to see this beautiful temple this weekend. The interior is stunning! I kind of wish I could have gotten photos, but it wouldn't have done justice. I believe that next weekend the temple is dedicated. What a blessing to have 12 temples now in Utah with one more almost completed. We are so blessed and I am grateful to have been able to take my kids to see the Lord's house.

I was about my kids' age when the Jordan River Temple was built. I was small, but there are parts that I remember vividly, like my Grandma T. carrying my and wearing the booties over my shoes that they used to give. And in my mind I can remember certain parts of the temple. I couldn't really describe them, but I do remember them. So I hope that my kids will remember parts of this temple. What a great opportunity.

Defending my beliefs

When I first heard about a horrendous show on cable about a man and his 3 or more wives, I was very worried that the LDS Church would be depicted in a negative light, and once again, have current ties to polygamy, which it does not have. The producers said that the characters were not affiliated with the "Mormon" faith. But it looks like things are changing.

I saw a brief link on Facebook and was emailed the story of the upcoming episode of said show (I refuse to share the network or name of the series at this time) where the actors take us into the sacred rooms of the temple. The producers want to explore the "secrets" of the temple and what goes on.

Well, Facebook and the email, both had links to a comment section for this network and show. My gut reaction was to defend my faith. I clicked on the link and madly began typing a response. But then I took a breath, and I'm glad I did. Something was holding me back and now I realize what it was.

A few minutes later I was doing laundry, thinking about this terrible show. I suddenly had a flash of Joseph Smith and the pioneers in my mind. And I asked myself what they would have done. Would they fight back, or quietly live their lives? And would the Savior and Heavenly Father want me to attack?

I've always been a defensive person if someone attacks me, my family, or my faith/beliefs I do fight back. A few times in the mission I had to check myself. I learned that the Spirit leaves if you get defensive and contentious. That is what was about to happen in the email I was going to send.

Well, tonight on the news was a report of the boycotts and protest that members of the Church are trying to organize. They read a brief statement from Church leaders encouraging members not to protest and that the Church itself was against such actions stating: "Such a step would generate the kind of controversy that the media loves and in the end would increase the audience for the series."

I felt a relief and peace that I had not sent that email to the network. Then moments later I opened my scriptures to read an index card that has been in there for 6+ years. I have not read this card for many years, but tonight something prompted me to read it: "The Standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame; but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited ever climb, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say, 'The work is done.'"

There weren't just mobs in pioneer times, we have plenty today. They may not come in the dark of night with tar and feathers, but we do have so many negative people trying to take down the LDS Church. But the work will continue to move forward if we all, as members, do our part by keeping the Spirit with us and being patient with our prosecutors.

I have decided to defend my beliefs by living and acting in accordance to the gospel of my Savior, Jesus Christ. He would not want me to attack these people, this would only drive the Spirit away from me and show a poor example of a follower of Christ to the world. It would also draw greater attraction to this awful series and the producers, etc. In Hollywood, after all, they do say that any publicity is good publicity, but I totally disagree.

March Birthday Dinner

With the holiday season, and me working Sunday nights, we have really gotten away from doing our family dinners each month. So Mom took the bull by the horns and got us going again this month. Thanks Mom for the fun visit and great dinner!!!

I love this of Chloe, Marki, and Richard all doing their own thing. Richard spilled water down his shirt and was laughing about it while Marki watched and Chloe did a great job posing. (Love the new haircut Chloe!)

Richard, Brady and all the other little kids had tons of fun in the boat we inhereted from Mark and Lisa. I'm not sure if it is a blessing or a curse just yet. :) Ha, ha! But Uncle Bob gave us a little hope last night.

Marki is so beautiful. I love this photo of her. She was great to let me take a quick pic! Thank you Marki!!!

Paul, Rocky and Brit. What a cute fam!

Chris and Mark, I have to sneak photos of Chris, Paul, and Marki. (All of them are our March b-day so it was fun to sing to them and see them all get bashful. Ha, ha!)

Lisa helping Marki open her gift from Grandma Kia.

I love Marki's shy smile when she found out what she got for her birthday.

The three Musketeers eating jello. Brady, Richard, and Bo.

Rocky joined the wild gang in feasting on the splendid snack.

Chloe was so wrapped up in her game. Richard watched for a few minutes until he realized that Brady was there. Yeah!!!

Hannah and Bo practicing piano and sharing. So cute.

Richard has a little message: "I love Grandma Kia. She is the best."

We had a good time together. Even though my brothers treated me like a child again, trying to convince me it was best for us if I called Uncle Bob, rather then Chris. Thank you Paul and Mark for the turmoil you have caused in my marriage. Just kidding, Chris and I don't argue about such trivial things. I just like to match the drama level of my brothers. Ha, ha! And I think, Paul, this means I have the final word. :)

Happy Birthday Chris!

I just want to tell my honey how much I love him. The kids and I are so happy when he is around. Chris adores his children and they have so much fun together. He is truly the love of my love, my soulmate, my best friend.

And I am so blessed to be married to him for eternity!

Chris has a great sense of humor, he loves to fish and hunt, camp, auto mechanic, being a chef, but mostly loves being with his family. He is such a great man! We love you, babe! Hope you have a wonderful 29th birthday!!!

Chris's birthday dinner

Last night we had dinner with Chris's parents. They took us to a great Mexican place in Saratoga Springs. It was fun to spend some time with them and let the kids show off for Grandma and Grandpa. Thanks so much for dinner, Bryce and Donnell! We had a lot of fun!

Chris's sister Donette is an amazing painter and she did this beautiful elk for his birthday. She and the kids brought it up to him a couple of days ago. Richard and Hannah had so much fun playing with Brie and Colby. They were running and screaming all over the house and backyard. It was fun to watch them play together.

When it was time to leave Richard hugged Brie and sadly told her, "I'll miss you, Brie." It was really cute!

This is hilarious of the kids dancing at Grandma and Grandpa's. Richard was so wound up!

Just playin' around

Feeding the ducks at the park

Crystal Hot Spings...

We went with our good friends Monica and Justin and their kids to breakfast this morning then headed up to Crystal Hot Springs. It was too cold to get out and take pics so I got some on the way there and home. It was a lot of fun and we all got started early on our tans for the year. :)

Lipstick...

Richard found a tube of my lipstick today. I didn't know I had any anywhere, I don't wear it very often. But He looked so funny. He wiped it off quick when I told him how Chris would react to it, though.

Fishing in Feb.

Chris loves that I'm not working nights now so we headed up to the canyon so he could throw a line for a minute. He was so cold he only lasted about 7-8 minutes. The rest of us stayed in the car!

Then we went to Taggart's Grill for dinner. The kids have never been and they were so excited. Richard loves that the name of the grill is the same as his last name. That is pretty cool!

See, he's excited!


But once we got inside he just wanted to eat and go home. He's pretty funny!

So we had a good time as a family last night. After fishing and dinner we went to do a few errands. On the ride down the mountain Richard and Chris were making up songs. One would say, "Check this one out..." then sing a new song. They went back and forth like that for 20 minutes. And Richard had Chris and I laughing so hard. "I never had a brain, I never had a brain, I never had friends, I never had friends..." And the funniest part of these pretend songs is that Richard has a really good voice and pitch, he would even use a vibrato at times. So, so funny!