Temple Square

Since Ryan's back, we have to fill our days doing things we haven't done in a while. One of the first things was visiting Temple Square.

The lights on Temple Square come on the day after Thanksgiving. We all got bundled and headed downtown. It's been years since we've gone. The last time was when Ryan was a senior in high school. He sang in his high school chior during the holiday season. 

We made it there and they did not dissapoint! There are considerably less lights than long ago, but still beautiful!

Thanksgiving 2018

We're still celebrating Ryan being home. I'ts kind of weird having him home. I can tell he's ready to be off on his own little adventures. But, having him home for holidays is really special. 

We spent Thanksgiving at Russ and Lori's home. We had turkey and all the trimmings! Dustin and I brought the stuffing and deviled eggs. Everybody loves Dustin's deviled eggs! 

After filling our bellies to the max, we played some Minute to Win It games. All the kids enjoyed that. They all just really enjoy being together. We are blessed with the cousins on both sides of our families. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

23 Years of Marriage

I've been married for a while now. We just celebrated 23 years. When you're a little girl, you think of all the glory that is being married. There's lots! But nobody tells you about the struggle that is marriage. Yes, I watched Married With Children growing up. But, that wasn't my parent's marriage, so I thought it was just some world edition of marriage. Dustin and I were being married in the temple, so struggle didn't' exist (insert loud, body jolting laugh here)!

Here we are 23 years and 6 kids later with lots of glory and LOTS of struggle. It was hard for me at first. Eye-opening and deflating all at the same time. I loved my husband, I did. We were just so different in our thinking I didn't see how this was going to work out. I called my mom asking for advice -and asking to come home. I would ask her why her marriage was so different than mine. She laughed! Seriously, she laughed at me! She told me about her fights and disagreements with my dad. Things I had never seen. She reminded me that by the time I came along in the family, they had been married 18 years. Then, I had to grow up enough to understand marriage, so add another 5-10 years. My parents had been married for 23-28 years by the time I can actually remember them as a married couple. That's lots of time to learn and figure things out.

That's where Dustin and I are at now! And I will say being married 5 years, or 10 years, even 15 years, is very different than 23 years. I love where we're at! And the exciting thing is I'm guessing it just gets better!!

Happy 23 Years to US!!

The Best Birthday Ever!

When I woke up on the morning of my 42nd birthday, I was completely overwhelmed with joy, but feeling a little anxious. Our son, Ryan, would be returning from his two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was super excited. I also kept asking myself, "Am I really this old?" 

Turning 40 was a big deal. I didn't feel  necessarily old, but in my head I knew I was. Now that two years have passed, I do feel old. I see it in my skin, my weight, my arms- I definitely have my mother's arms. When you spend a good amount of time running away from age, and it catches you, there is a mental shift that has to happen. Maybe it's just me...this age thing is no joke.

Anyway, I'm okay with being in my forties. I'm loving watching my kids grow and develop into who they are wanting to be. I may not always agree with it, but it's their right, and it's my joy that explodes as they discover. 

Ryan came down the escalator. He hurt his knee three weeks before coming home, so he had to just stand there. He was not moving toward us at all! It seemed like a long wait!! He had a bow on his head, and a sign in his hands that read, "Happy birthday, Mom!" It was truly the greatest gift given to me. Not only had my son returned home safely, but now all my little chicks were under the same roof again. All safe in our home. He'll leave this summer, but for now, we are just loving it!!!

Welcome Home, Elder Merritt!!

Becca made me sign because she couldn't find our traditional birthday banner. No banner needed on this day!!