52 blessings #6 FRIENDS

Ok, I don't have a picture, because that would be almost impossible to have a picture of all of those that have had an impact on my life. I was on Amie's blog, and she had a link to a beautiful video of the saviors life. I am so grateful for friends who make me stronger, and who help me to become a better more christlike person. Thanks Amie for posting this video, it made me realize how fortunate I am to have so many friends that I look up to so much and gain inspiration from. I am SO grateful to be around such wonderful friends. Click here to enjoy the video, and then call a friend.:) The music is absolutely beautiful, it makes me want to get my cello out and relearn it.

WE"VE BEEN BUSY!!

John's sister Kim planned a surprise birthday getaway for her daughter Kaitlynn, and her friends, they came down to play, and boy did we have a blast. Here we are Saturday morning at 'The Egg and I' for breakfast. Lydia was so excited to be the ONLY toddler, she was so hyper, so Kim had to distract her and play games with her while we waited for our food, Lydi loved it!

Then we went shopping, and Lydia was in heaven. She had so much fun with these girls, they dressed her all up in jewelry, and she really thought she was 14.

Lydia and Camry looking stylish

We went hiking through Payton and Marcus' favorite slot. Payton and Marcus like it because they slide right through, it gets pretty small.

This is the end of the slot

These are all the heads of hair I did while they were here, it was actually really fun, John watched the kids upstairs while we were downstairs doing hair, and eating yummy treats. Jasmine was brave and dyed her hair red, it was so cute.

On Monday we rode my mom and dad's horses that they keep here.

It was fun for my kids, they couldn't stop smiling all weekend

Marcus in his cool cowboy boots, and Lydia is a little nervous up on the fence. We have so much fun, this time of year is fun because of all the visitors we get, thanks Kim, Kaitlynn, Jasmine, Tracey, Malorie, Camry, Whitney, and the girls for coming to see us.

Well right after they left, my parents came down. My mom and dad have two horses down here, and they brought two more horses that can pull a big wagon. They keep them right down the road from Fitness Ridge. The owner of the property has been there for years, and actually made this park that the kids play at every time we go to see the horses. He made this cute circle swing thingy, I'm not sure what it is, but the kids pull back and forth on the bar in front of them, and it starts to go round and round pretty darn fast.

This big circle wheel was a blast for the boys

Here's my Lydia just as dirty as the boys!

Maryann and Jayni came to play, Maryann came over, and decided that instead of weaving her hair again, we'd just put the blonde all over to be faster, it went really blonde, I think it's cute, she's twinners with her daughter.

My mom and dad stayed for 4 days, longer than they usually do. My mom just does not ever slow down, was constantly cleaning, and working. My mom never ceases to amaze me. She went over to Michelle's house and cleaned, and she never stopped cleaning while she was at my house. Although it was nice to have her help, I hope that some day, she can come down and just relax, so my goal is to try to get my house so clean there's just nothing for her to do.:) Thanks mom I really do appreciate all that you do for me. When they left, Payton said, "I don't ever want to grow up, because you have to live far away from your parents, and you don't live with your brothers and sisters."

Brig and Lydia playing in the van

My cute dad getting the horses used to pulling a wagon. He had broken ribs while he was down here, but you would never have guessed it!

Why we moved South

In August, we will have lived here for 3 years. Boy the time has flown!!!!! Three years ago, we packed up and moved South, and a lot of people thought we were crazy. Since Cam and Michelle started Fitness Ridge(used to be The Body Shop Spa), I wanted to move down here, but I didn't think John would ever move to here. But three years ago, John came to me and said he felt he needed to quit his job, and look for something else, he agreed on coming here and talking to Michelle, Cam, and their business partner Tami. I remember the day, it was 118 degrees, and I remember thinking that I would love to move here and be closer to my sister, but I wanted it to be good for John. He was coaching at American Fork,( a hobby he absolutely loved), he really enjoyed living in American Fork, and always complained about the heat when we came down here to visit. Well, after he talked with them, he was excited, and he told me he loved what they were doing, and wanted to be a part of it, so within a week, he was working for them. John has worked really hard, and he really enjoys it at Fitness Ridge. He is the person people talk to when they call and book their stay. He is able to be reached at any time, and I can't tell you how many times we have been in the car, and John has said, "Quiet!! Dad's on the phone." The kids are actually quiet, why can't I do that? Anyway, it has been a wonderful 3 years, and the last year has been so exciting since the big article in USA today(click here to read) and then the big national exposure on Biggest Loser when a weeks stay at Fitness Ridge was the prize for the challenge (click here to watch the challenge from the show). Then Michelle told me to read this article from Laura (a lady from Access Hollywood who recently came to Fitness Ridge for a week) click here to read. I finally read it today. It took me a while to read this article, because Michelle didn't make a big deal of it, that's just her personality, she is not at all bragadocious, so I will be for her.:) Her partner Tami came to her 5 years ago with an idea, they had an opportunity to start something that a lot of people would have turned away from because of fear of failure, now look what it has become, I think it is incredible. I am so proud of John, he is truly a man of integrity, and humility, he works hard, and so many times guest will tell me how kind and helpful he is. Since all this exposure, now I really don't see John, he is so so so so so busy, but I know he loves what he does, and he loves what he is selling, and believes in it. Fitness Ridge is for everyone, those who want to lose weight, get in better shape, eat better, live healthier, and do something good for their body. Ok, now I'm selling it. :) There you have it, now we will raise our family here. I love it!!!

Highlights from General Conference

I really enjoyed this weekend of conference, and I can't wait until I can read what was said, but these are a few talks that touched me:

Elder Russel M. Ballard gave a wonderful talk on Mothers especially young mothers, it gave me strength and encouragement, to live in the moment. He told of a cute story when he realized how exhausting it was for his wife to sit with 6 children in church. He also talked about how recently he learned that motherhood comes with a lot of twisting, bending, and lifting after he took on a lot of his wife's responsibilities while she was recovering from back surgery. I loved he talked to the children how he told them to listen as he told them how they could help their mothers by picking up their toys, making their beds, and saying thank you. The time our children are with us is only 1/4 of our adult lives, and the most important time of all in a child's life represents less than 1/10 of our lives. Don't over schedule, Find time for yourself making time for things you can do to replenish yourself, avoid any kind of substance abuse, don't waste time on TV, Internet surfing, and soap operas(there are many shows that would fall in this category).

I loved to listen to D. Todd Christofferson who just got called into the Quorum of the twelve apostles, his humility was so touching as he talked about his calling. He truly has given his life to the service of our lord and savior. He talked about being born again is not an event, it is a process and engaging in this process is the CENTRAL purpose in mortality. On this path of spiritual rebirth he promised that temptations will lose their appeal, through christ we can become Holy. His commitment to his service in the church was touching, and I believe that when we can lose our self in the service of this gospel like he committed himself into doing, will bring true happiness.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf was a delight to listen to, he talked about magnifying our callings. He said, " We do not seek nor do we decline callings that come from god." I have always loved my callings in the church; Sunbeam teacher, Laurel leader, Relief Society song leader, Primary song leader(LOVED), Enrichment leader, YW/YM music director, nursery leader(especially because Payton was in there), but the calling I received in this new ward kind of threw me off, I was called(with John) to be the Webelos Den leader! When the bishop asked John and I, I seriously was kind of upset. I accepted, hopeing I would be released as soon as the Bishop realized he had made a mistake, which hey, "We all make mistakes." Oh how wrong I was. The Bishop is not running our ward, the lord is, I know this to be true now. I have learned so much about the scouting program, and I honestly did not think I would find myself falling in love with the cute 10 year old boys like I have. This boys are so amazing, and I am so amazed at their kindness, and true christlike attributes. I have a testimony that if we serve in the church, and magnify our callings we will be greatly blessed, and we will become more like christ.

David A. Bednar talked about improving our prayers. I loved his example about praying and asking Heavenly Father to lead the missionaries to individuals and families who are prepared to receive the gospel. It is our responsibility to find people for the missionaries to teach. Missionaries are full time teachers, you and I are full time finders. We should not be praying for the missionaries to do our work. I remember shortly after my sister Lauralee returned off her mission, she was always still sharing the gospel with others. I remember one time I asked her how she happened to come across so many people who were looking for some truth, and she told me that when she prayed, she asked Heavenly Father to guide her to those who were seeking for truth. Elder Bednar told us to pray for courage and boldness to share The gospel, thanks Laur for being such a great example to me.

The tabernacle choir sang my very favorite song from the Primary songbook, "He sent His Son" I just love this song; "How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness? He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness. How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go? He sent his son to walk with men on earth that we may know. How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death? He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath. What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say? Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way, What does he ask? LIVE LIKE HIS SON."

A much needed haircut!!!

I loved Lydia's A-line haircut, because it was short and so easy to do, and so cute. But I decided to grow out her hair, and now it was looking way too straggily, and although, I wasn't excited too cut bangs, I really had too, cause she walks around with her hair in her eyes.