Look who's 3!

Our little Colty boy turned 3!!!  And so we played in the snow and went sledding...his favorite!

Blakes' 9th birthday was the day after, so we celebrated them together.

 My boys never tire of playing with their Uncle Blake!

Christmas 2012

Christmas morning we spent with the Sturgeons and that evening we spent with the Wilsons.  I'm pretty sure the boys thought it was the best day ever and loved opening and playing with presents.  Some of their favorites were the wood snakes I bought from the flee market in Hawaii, the Angry Bird fleece blankets from Uncle Blake, Ninjago legos from Riri and Grandpa Sturgeon, Beyblades from dad, and the many reptile and animal books from Nana and Granddad.  

Acting out the nativity =)

 We tried to help Doug feel apart of Christmas by skyping with him...I think it may have made it harder for him not to be there, but I didn't want him to miss out completely.

Christmas afternoon we went sledding for the first time and the boys LOVED it!  Doug really hated missing out on this "first" and was sad he missed it. The boys had a such a great time that I actually had the thought, "Maybe I could live somewhere where it snowed if the boys could go outside and play like this."

And yay for the traditional "ROAST BEAST" =) ... yes, we did enjoy "The Grinch who Stole Christmas" and the "Polar Express" at Nana's too during the season.

Quick trip to Hawaii

So Doug's youngest brother Scott married Kix in the Laie temple on December 18.  His parents flew me out and let me stay with them so I be there for the family gathering and to do their wedding photography.  It felt surreal that I was even there as I had just come from Utah's snowy 20 degree temperatures to Hawaii's 70 degree tropics.  I was blessed to stay with some friends of a friend in Mililani the first night I arrived and went to church with them the next day.  Their church building was next to the one I was baptized in, so of course I had to take a little stroll over there to reminisce.  

That afternoon Doug's sister Jen and brother Ben picked me up after they flew in and we headed to Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore where we stayed for the next 3 nights.  It was a one king bedroom with 2 queen bed loft.  There was a kitchen opened to the living room and a screened in deck.  It was pure McArthur style as 8 of us slept on beds, couch, air mattress on the deck with luggage sprawled throughout and of course late night conversations with hopes of sleeping in the next day. 

I was the only non-blood McArthur there and thank goodness I feel comfortable around the clan otherwise it could have been awkward.  We skyped with Doug and his siblings/parents were happy to see him.  Poor Doug, he really had a hard time and was quite emotional as he really wished he could be there.  I didn't realize how much it meant to Doug's brother Scott that I was there until the reception when Scott got emotional saying how thankful he was that I was there representing Doug.  I guess I did represent that to the family as Mom and Dad made a similar comment as well.  I'm glad it made them happy I was there.  It was nice to have some girl bonding with Doug's sister Kate and Kim as we enjoyed Turtle Bay's beach/pool one evening despite the down pouring of rain that seemed to be consistent during our time there.  We did admire the beach from the car while it rained outside and just enjoying the palm trees.  I love Hawaiian food and especially loved drinking out of coconuts, the acai berry bowls from the local venders and oh the glorious pineapples.  I love Hawaii and reminisced of Doug's and my last journey there and how romantic it was reunited after 9 weeks apart.  I can't wait to be reunited with Doug after our 9 months apart!

When we pulled up to the temple for the sealing, there was a beautiful double rainbow that landed right on the temple.  The sealing was the best part of the whole trip as the spirit was so strong and the love that filled the room was almost tangible.  I looked around the room and saw Doug's dad and mom smiling at each other in love and each then Ben, Jon, and Lar all looked like they were thinking of their wives and missing them in the moment.  Jen leaned over to me and whispered how much she missed her husband and they've only been apart for a few days.  She said she admired my strength to go months without Doug.  I of course was missing Doug and wished his hand was there intertwined with mine.  But once again, the Lord was my strength and I felt an abundance of peace.

Being in the Hawaii temple was a full circle experience for me as I used to roam the streets of Laie as a little girl and would often find myself laying in the super soft grass at the temple, or wading in the fountains (pretty sure that was not legal, but they never said anything to me), or watching Mr. Kruger's Christmas at the visitor center.  I've always loved being on the temple grounds there and to be inside the temple was just heavenly!

Scott and Kix were awesome to let me have free reign over the photoshoot after they were sealed. We spent a good hour and half at the temple and then the beach. And it only rained on us for about 20 minutes at the beginning.  I felt like that was a tender mercy as the moment I took the last picture on the beach, it began to down pour again.

Another day in the Life of an Army Dentist Deployed to Afghanistan

     Today started like any other day.  I woke up around 0730 hours and started thinking about getting up and what things I needed to gather for the day.  Then I remembered, today was the day.  However that didn’t change much.  I got up, gathered my things, went out to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and returned for my assault pack (think backpack with camo pattern).  When I got to my office it was business as usual.  One prepackaged cup of Raisin Bran Crunch with box milk (from my mini fridge), check email while eating.  Read a chapter from the Doctrine and Covenants (I finished reading the Book of Mormon on my birthday).  Check facebook.  Pretty normal so far except that today was the day.  So to pass the morning I worked on a project (I’m carving a wooden pistol for my commander as a joke), looked online at stuff, read some news articles and went to lunch.  All of which is not abnormal for me here and very routine.
      
     After lunch I had to quickly change because today was the day!  I put on a silky under layer, then a waffle top zip up layer then my regular uniform top, put on my ACH (Advanced Combat Helmet) and IOTV (Individual Outer Tactical Vest-think bullet proof) and grabbed my rifle from the TAC (Tactical Activities Control).  Today is the day I am going to the range!! Finally after three months I got the opportunity to go.  I have been in withdraw for two months and needed a shooting outing.  Every year on my birthday I go to the range and shoot.  This year I was not able to, but a friend made it work out to go with his platoon.  WHOOOHOOOOOO!

      So I’m all tacticalled up and ready to go in my full battle rattle (ACH, IOTV, knee and elbow pads, eye pro, ear pro and weapons).  I walk up to the Motor Pool and meet up with my friend Staff Sergeant McAvoy who directs me to which truck I’m riding in.  I say truck because I can’t remember the actual name of it.  Some kind of MRAP (can’t remember what that stands for and there are several kinds) with lots of heavy armor plate, cool features (like a drop down staircase to climb into the back), lots of antennas and a gunner with his weapon on top.  Weapons are either 50 cal Browning machine guns, .308 machine guns (M240) or the Mark 19 (automatic grenade launcher).  So I climb in after a few minutes of standing around meeting SSGT McAvoy’s platoon.  We start driving and soon stop in formation at the gate.

    The “gate” consists of several barricades called Hescos (something about the guy that invented them) which are basically giant cardboard (paper bag shaped) boxes wrapped in steel wire filled with dirt.  They are placed such to create lanes of traffic and tight twisting turns that trucks can only navigate at slow speeds to keep anyone from driving through barriers and blowing up a bomb or something.  So we navigate the turns following the five trucks.  Then we are on the open Afghan road, this one is the only paved one around.

   The windows in the back of the MRAP are about 15 inches by 10 inches, two to a side.  My seat faces the middle of the truck, so my back is to one set of windows.  I start scanning the terrain, villages, people, and animals and such as we drive.  This is my first time “outside the wire” as we call it.  Fascinated by what I see, the drive is over very quickly.

     I am amazed by the houses.  Mud and stone mostly are built into walls surrounding houses, forming little yards with little houses.  Some places the mud has eroded showing the native stones piled on top of each other.  A few places have been damaged by untold disasters both manmade and natural made; bombs, RPG (rocket propelled grenades), rifle bullets, wind, rain, snow.  Some of these have been left, other repaired with more modern cinder blocks.  Between these walls small streets are formed, mostly mud, rutted by trucks, ridden on by bikes and walked on.  Some places even had bright colored paint, but very few.  Most of the roofs consisted of sheet metal, or timber topped with mud with drainage pipes hanging off the edges.

      People were everywhere going about their lives.  Some carries large packs, some wrapped in traditional robes, others with western coats but traditional pants, all travelled through a wasteland.  Barren dirt, snow, and rock extended in all directions, rising up the steep slopes of the mountains that formed the walls of our valley.  The few trees and vegetation centered along a small waterway that wound down one side of the valley.  At one point I caught a glimpse through the small window of several children sledding down a small incline formed by a mound of dirt.  Then a herdsman passed with his goats, heading I guess to find forage for them.  Where that is, I cannot imagine.

      Finally we arrived at the range, the back door/stairs lowered and I climbed down.  The wind off the mountains wrapped cold fingers around my face and tried to pry up the edges of my fleece cap and under the collar of my uniform.  I was glad that I put on the layers.  Pretty quickly the gunners fired up their weapons, after all that’s why we came, I was just along for the ride and to get my time in shooting.  The platoon leader, a young lieutenant, opened fire with his M4 rifle at one end of the parked trucks.  With little encouragement needed I joined him on the dirt mound and started targeting rocks, old tires, and an old burned out truck and whatever else I could see.  A switch of a lever on the side of my rifle and I was flinging bullets as fast as my full auto would go.   “Brrrrrrrraaaaat, Brrrrrrraaaaaat” I finished my first magazine of 30 rounds in no time flat.

                My buddy then asks if I want to shoot the 50 cal CROW machine gun.  OF COURSE IDO!!  So back I climb up the stairs and sit next to the gunner.  This one is special because the gunner sits inside the truck and uses a joystick to control a camera mounted on top, which controls the 50 cal Browning machine gun.  So where ever the camera points, the gunner can pull a trigger and off she goes.  Amazing technology developed to protect gunners from enemy fire.  Normally they have to stand (some still do) with their heads and shoulders exposed to operate the machine guns.  The soldier shows me the buttons and what they all do, does some firing to demonstrate its accuracy then asks, “Wanna give it a go?”  OF COURSE I DO!  I manage to step over the ammo cans and get into the shooters seat.  With a twist of my wrist I pan the system back and forth, target the burnt out truck and let go with a burst of rounds, “DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON”!  Amazing! Dirt flies as the rounds impact the ground in front of the truck and walk their way up and into it.  Direct hit! 

       I fire a couple more bursts then turn the weapon system back to its operator and climb out of the truck.  My friend sees my grin and says, “Wanna try the open turret 50 cal?”  OF COURSE I DO!  So climbing the stairs again in a different truck I find myself standing on the gunners platform, head and shoulders sticking out the top of the truck.  Another soldier walks me through the functions of the 50 cal Browning machine gun.  This one is a classic.  Designed by John Moses Browning back in the early 1900’s it has been in service a very long time.  It shoots a 50 caliber bullet, basically ½ inch in diameter and weighing 10 times the rifle rounds we shoot out of the M4 rifle.  It has two vertical grips on the back with a butterfly trigger between them, controlled by the thumbs of both hands.  I fire it up with two rounds, “DOON, DOON”.  That is fun.  “DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON,”  Even more fun!!  I target another frame of an unidentified vehicle left out on the range and watch the rounds kick dirt up all over it.  Then I hear from the ground below, “Sir, let off a long burst. Like 5 or 8 seconds.”  I oblige.   “DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON, DOON. “ AWESOME!

     Now my grin has tripled in size and I thank the gunner and my buddy.  I go back to shooting my M4 at long range targets and happily see my rounds find their intended targets.  Then my buddy says, “Wanna try the Mark 19?”  OF COURSE I DO!! The Mark 19 is another weapon mounted on the roof of a truck to provide protect in case of a TIC (troops in contact).  It fires a 40mm round and does it automatically, meaning you just hold down the trigger and its keeps firing until you let go or the belt of ammo runs out.  The round is about the size in diameter of a golf ball and explodes on impact, hence the name automatic grenade launcher.  After receiving similar instructions I fire off three rounds, “FFFFOOOMP, FFFFOOOMP, FFFFOOOMP,” and wait a few seconds for….  “KABOOM, KABOOM, KABOOM”!  Amazing.  I was not so accurate with that one, but I could see how with some practice it makes a great weapon to stop enemy fire.  So I fire a couple more bursts (kinda slow bursts), “FFFFOOOMP, FFFFOOOMP, FFFFOOOMP”.  Now the grin has become a permagrin.  Oh yeah, “KABOOM KABOOM KABOOM”!

      Soon everyone had finished test firing or zeroing their weapons, and we hear over the radio, “Fire in the hole”, as our EOD (explosive ordinance demolition) blows up some stuff on a neighboring mountainside.  The dirt and smoke billow into the air and then we feel the “KAAAAABOOOOOOOOOM” of the explosion.  With that job done, it’s time to return to FOB Gardez, our home FOB (Forward Operating Base).  We climb up the stair door and buckle in for the quick ride home.  What a great afternoon.  If I have to be in Afghanistan, at least every now and then I get to do something very new and exciting.  A great end to THE DAY, and a good way to change up the routine.

12-12-12

Was quite a special date as the boys and I flew out to Utah to celebrate Jax's 7th birthday and to spend the holidays with there.  That evening we skyped with Doug from Afghanistan and celebrated both Jax's and Doug's birthday at the same time since it was the 13th were he was. 

How I love my 7 year old.  Ever since I came back from my 4 days in Hawaii, he's been super cuddly.  I'm loving it and enjoying it as I know it will not last.  I've seen so much growth in Jaxon this past year.  He's become a great reader and very capable boy.  He's a hard worker and motivated (when he wants to be).  He's a great teacher and leader for his younger brothers as he patiently helps Talon with reading and math or helps Colton get dressed or put his shoes on.  I love how finds joy in the simple things in life and uses his creative juices in his play.  He's very bright and I love seeing his mind work something out.  I love you sweet Jaxy boy.  Here's a letter from Dad:

The books I picked for you were some of my favorites. I always loved reading Bearenstien bears books. The Biggest Bear was my favorite when I was your age and I read it all the time. I loved reading it and thinking about adventure and hiking in the woods. I love using my immagination to create the pictures in the book. Keep reading, Jax and you will always be entertained. Reading will always let you learn and explore places and things all over the world. I love you, Enjoy reading these books!

love,DAD

Thanksgiving in Indiana

How I love my brother and his wife and his beautiful boys!  When they invited us to drive up to spend Thanksgiving with them, I didn't have to think twice about it.  We had a great time together and even had some very special moments while my dad was there with us.  The Spirit was so strong while we talked about earthly and heavenly things and I'm just so thankful for these two men in my life.  Their love and support is such a strength and a blessing.

It started out the night before we left on our road trip (by the way, this was my first drive with the boys further than Nashville...6 hours to IN) Talon had to get stitched up.  He was minding his own business sitting in the drive way when all of a sudden "WHACK!"...he was struck with a boomerang.  Jaxon said, "Mom, it didn't come back to me!"  Talon's lip was split open and I called upon our trusty dental friends to come stitch him back together.  Dr. Smith performed the procedure, Dr. Newsome held the light, and Dr. Sebourn offered words of encouragement!  Yay for dental friends who live close!

 Nightly scripture study.

An outing to the park.

 Daniel did the bird!

Daniel had this gorgeous tree that was full bloom yellow when we arrived and on Thanksgiving day the leaves fell...so we played!

Daniel blessed his baby while we were there too.

Soldiers may not cry, but wives do!

I had a total meltdown yesterday that began unexpectedly at the Walmart Tire checkout lane...it was a bit embarrassing.  I couldn't control the quivering lip, the tears, the sniffles, etc.  It was bad enough that my friend who was with me patted my back, offered to put my kids in the car, sent in her husband to talk with the sales clerk for me and even the total stranger with the scruffy beard was offering to help.  Then as I pulled out of the parking lot my mom calls who's crying uncontrollably and I think my grandma passed away and she says to me, "Amber, I just hate that Doug is in Afghanistan and not there with you."...."um, Mom, shouldn't this be me calling you crying out that phrase?" I reply.  I talked with her for a while and didn't even mention that I just been through my car getting a flat tire on the interstate and nearly escaping disasters with other cars all while trying to get to the church with 3 boys who conked out in the backseat at 4:30pm so we could get them to their primary program rehearsal on time.  "Why did I even try to do this?" was the thought running through my head.  Talon was beyond tired and refused to get ready to go and get into the car but eventually did sobbing without any shoes on.  He just wanted me to hold him and instead I was trying to rush everyone out the door.  Jaxon ran off to an unknown neighbors house and I had to hunt him down...boy was I mad about this and so was he after he lost privileges.  And Colton was amazing but wanted to be independent which takes 3x's as long to get in the car.

I should have just stayed home and cleaned our wreckage of a home that had been destroyed during the day while I had been gone at a stake relief society training...the baby sitter didn't know that neighborhood boys are not allowed in our home EVER.  There was almost an entire box of cereal sprawled out over the floor w/ at least one non matching pair of shoes & socks in every room and once organized art papers decorating the office floor.  There were broken toys scattered about and of course dishes on the horizontal surfaces in the kitchen & dinning room.  One whole wall has a bazillion dings in it where they were shooting bows and arrows in the house...can't wait for the landlord to see that!

But the blessings came in the form of a home teacher, a good friend, a snuggle with Jaxon until he fell asleep that night, and a long hug w/ tears as Talon (and I) cried "I miss daaaaaaaddy!" over and over again.  Again, Colt was amazing and went right to sleep.  I love my boys and I love the comfort they bring to me.

I think we're just tired over here and wish our load could be shared with Dad.  It's just no fun not having him around.  It's only been 2 months and the next 7 months just seems so long.  I know, I should concur with everyone around that insistently tell me it will go by fast...p.s. this is the phrase I cringed to when someone tries to offer comfort by saying it...n.t.s....it doesn't help.  I'm sure when this journey is through it will seem like it went by fast, but being on this spectrum of it, it's NOT going fast.  Every tear cried by my boys who miss their dad feels long, every mess I clean up after just having cleaned one up feels long, every time I loose my temper and yell at my kids feels long and I hate how I feel knowing I've lost control.  When I just can't seem to think of any good ideas for disciplining and would normally have turned it over to Doug, it feels like I'm failing as a mother and teacher.  Every time Jaxon back talks, Talon has a melt down, or Colton yells at the top of his lungs to get my attention, FEELS LONG!  It's hard to be the kind of mother to my kids I want to be (and God wants me to be) all the time!  Sure I can do it sometimes, but 100%...definitely not.  My prayers are full of "please forgive me for doing this" and "please help me do this".

I think that last 2 months have been good (most of the time) but last night I felt overwhelmed and exhausted.  The good thing about a good cry is you sleep well (after you remove the stinking feet & snoring face that wanted to sleep with you).  I did wake up this morning feeling better until we skyped with Doug (because it's Sunday morning...the only day he can go to the MWR and skype us though it's all pixelated and we can't always hear & see each other because the connection isn't very good) and I lost it again.  I could tell he was having a hard time too.  I think both of us just want and NEED each other.  We always try to be positive and think happy thoughts of our reunion, but today it was just much harder.  And I hate saying goodbye after his a lotted 30 minutes of computer time is up...I could've talked to him for hours today.

Anyway, the kid's primary program today was AMAZING!  I just loved it and felt like I needed to see my boys singing songs about choosing the right and scripture power and their favorite "I will go, I will do the things the Lord commands!"  It was just the reminder of their pure, innocent, beautiful selves that I needed.  It was wonderful to have a celestial mom moment where you just feel so blessed to have your God given children in your life!

Boys,

I love you.  You will forever be loved by Daddy and me.  I thank you for your immediate forgiveness and love towards me.  Eternally thankful we get to be together forever!

Love,

Mom

Here's a clip of my boys practicing Nephi's courage.

Making Dishtowel Aprons

In November, I got to whip out my home ec skills and help lead an activity at church making simple dishtowel aprons.  How cute are these women and their new aprons!

Soldiers Don't Cry

(this was not the actual display, I didn't have a camera)


                 Today I attended a memorial service for three soldiers recently killed from our FOB.  They were not our unit nor did I know them but they were US soldiers, killed while serving to keep our country free and to help free another country.  We got into a formation, arranged to fit into an open area between buildings at 4:15.  Three helmets hung on upturned rifles with the US flag and their unit flag hanging behind.  Photos of each soldier rested beneath each rifle and helmet. 

The ceremony started with the national anthem.  We saluted the flag as it blew in the chilly wind.  I have felt patriotic, devoted, and proud many times in my life; however during that playing of the anthem, a deeper meaning grew in my heart.  A prayer followed by several speakers made up the main portion of the ceremony.  A general, a lieutenant colonel, a captain (the company commander of the soldiers killed) and a specialist (a friend of the soldiers killed).  Each gave a few remarks about the situation, the soldiers and their sacrifice.  The general spoke of being prepared, mentally, physically and spiritually for everyday.  “Live life to the fullest and be prepared”.  Finally a chaplain gave remarks on hope and faith and moving forward.  The sun seemed to hang on the horizon, giving the sky an orange glow as each person spoke, not willing to let the day go.

My emotions at this point were very near the surface.  The command to “present arms” was given.  Again we saluted.  Taps sounded very slowly and the sun finally sank as if giving up and finally giving rest to our fallen comrades.  The bark of rifles startled me as they gave salute to the soldiers we honored. One, two, three shots fired by a group of soldiers.  Finally taps ended and the order given, “Order arms” as we dropped our arms briskly to our sides.  A tear rolled down my cheek.

“This concludes the memorial ceremony.  Those who wish to remain may give their final respects.  Members of the 444^th Engineer Company will go first followed by brothers in arms and then anyone else.”  Since I had no personal connection to the fallen I had stood in the back of the formation.  Two by two, soldiers marched forward to pay their respects.  By this time the light had faded and two flashlights were placed at the base of the helmets and rifles stand casting an eerie glow onto the helmets.  Row after row of soldiers came forward.  Those who knew the soldiers we honored fell to their knees, overcome with grief then stood and slowly with quiet determination raised their arms and saluted the fallen one last time. 

As I stood in the cold waiting my turn, my thoughts could not help turn to the families of the soldiers.  My emotions again surfaced and I fought back tears, soldiers don’t cry.  Even though I did not know these fallen heroes, I wanted to have my own turn in marching forward, doing a crisp right face and slowly saluting them to honor their dedication, service, and selfless sacrifice to the cause of freedom.

Talon's thoughts on the Presidential Election

Tomorrow will be the big day and I will finally get to vote.  Doug did electronically from Afghanistan and Jax & Tal did today in their elementary school.  Hear Talon's thoughts on Mitt Romney & Barrack Obama.



I have to say I agree.

Hoping the FORCE will be with us

Sometimes I wish I could use the Force to clean my house like Mary Poppins or be as calm and patient as I want to be.  Sometimes it might be nice to have the Force cook meals that all 3 kids and myself enjoy that are healthy and satisfying.  Sometimes it would be nice to use the Force to bring my husband home and let us be together as a family.  Sometimes I dream about using the Force to inspire all the Relief Society sisters to do their visiting teaching and to minister to their sisters like Christ would.  I know the Force is with us every night I go to bed and count my blessings to Heavenly Father.  We are so blessed...abundantly blessed...to have the Force with us as we strive to combat the evils of this world and all those firey darts Satan throws our way.  I'm thankful for a husband who uses the Force to do good and to resist temptation.  What a blessing it is to be a member of Christ's restored church and to have the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Book of Mormon, and knowledge of why were here and where we're going.  I do hope the "Force" is with us as I strive to be the mom I want (and God wants) me to be.

Happy Halloween 2012

Fall Break...let's fly to Utah!

The boys were fantastic flyers and each flight they educated themselves on the emergency brochure.  Talon was quite concerned he'd not know how to use the oxygen mask properly and was almost in tears after the flight attendant joked with him that he was in charge of making sure his brothers were  all properly masked if needed.

 I sat next to a lady who's daughter's wedding dress turned out to be a disaster and she was getting married the next day.  I told her I had one she could borrow and took a picture of it to send to her.  They ended up going to David's bridal that night instead.  But it was so fun to put my dress on...I will always love that day but more importantly love that it sealed Doug and I together for forever!

 I flew in on October 4th and surprised my dad for his 55th Birthday.  I skyped him from his driveway and then walked in and he was so stunned and so happy!  All of my siblings were surprised too and it was fun to bring smiles to their faces.

 We cheered Hunter during his Regional Cross Country race...he took 4th!  Way to Hunter!

 Then I cheered Devin on during his football game.  It was freezing!

 The next day we cheered Gavin on for his football game in which he scored 2 touchdowns!

 Nana was the best bedtime story teller.

 Boys wanted me to take a picture of them in the bath.

 Boys LOVED wrestling with their Uncle Blake and Uncle Gavin.

 Some of my favorite talks from General Conference were Elder Utchdorf (about life priorities), Elder Oaks (about our children), and Elder Holland (loving the Lord).  I was talking to Doug when Elder Holland was speaking and there came a point when he spoke directly, boldly, and with power about "If ye love me, feed my sheep!"  I loved it!  I also saw a beautiful painting titled "Feed my sheep" at the International Art exhibit at Temple Square.  I would LOVE to have this painting in our home one day.

Feed My Sheep by David Andre Koch, 1963, Utah. "When we come to Christ, we are invited to show Him how much we love Him by feeding His sheep.

Sunday night we skyped with Doug and my mom, Dan, and Hunter all were able to talk with him.  The sound cuts in and out and sometimes the frames freeze or is pixelated, but it's still nice to see him smile. 

Monday evening we went up to the summit of American Fork Canyon...it was gorgeous!  The aspens were brilliantly yellow and the fall colors were spectacular.  My cousin asked me to take her family photos and we had a heavenly moment with my cousin Jared whipped out his guitar and started playing...it was an awesome combination of beautiful nature, music, and people.  

 The three amigos has a blast together and were inseparable during the trip.

 Hannah and I went to the Carrie Underwood concert tour called "Blown away".  What an amazing vocalist she is!  My favorite songs were "Temporary Home" and "Jesus Take the Wheel".  Hunter Hays opened for her and I really liked his music too.  "Wanted" was my favorite and after watching his talents on the guitar and piano I really want to get my family going on both of those instruments.  Jax and Tal both said they'd want to learn the piano and Colt says he wants to learn to play the guitar.  Listening to country music really makes me miss Doug.  I had a blast with my sister and was so happy we were able to go together!  Thanks Hannah for a great evening!

 Jeannie (my cousin's wife and one of my best friends) and I went to Urban Underground.  This lady has a women's clothing store in her basement with great prices.  I spent $74 on 12 items...5 of them were really nice jackets or sweaters...that comes out to about $6/item.  Score!

 Thursday, my mom, Jeannie and her kids and the boys and I all went up to Temple Square.  We visited the new City Creek outdoor mall in which her daughter ended up soaked from falling into the creek and Talon stepped in it.  So we had to do a little shopping...Talon picked out these awesome shoes, socks, and beanie...what a little stud. We enjoyed seeing the Salt Lake Temple and visiting the "I am a Child of God" exhibit.  The boys entertained us with their latin dancing.

That evening Jana, Cristina, and I enjoyed visiting with each other as we had a little girls night out.  How I love my dear friends from college (and high school & childhood).

Friday evening I had another girls night out with my mom, Jeannie, Aubrey and Katie (all cousins).  We went to the BYU Homecoming Spectacular in which I reminisced of my college days...so glorious!  The dancing, singing, and jazz band "Synthesis" were so good.  We enjoyed some dessert afterwards too.


I'm so happy we're one month down...just 8 more to go.  It's been a good month and I hope I can say that about the rest.  I'm so thankful for the strength of the Lord I feel with me.  Utah definitely was a great distraction.  I just love being around family.  My mom was quite emotional when we left.  I think she could use a little extra love in her life and I'd love to be there for her more.  I'm really excited to be there for Christmas.