In Honor of Amber...Thank you!

So many of you that read our blog know me and Amber and some of our hobbies and such. Well as most of you know I love guns and knives! When I met Marvin Wotring last September I was soooo excited to be able to learn knife and gun making from a pro. After talking to him at the Buckwheat Festival he invited me out to his shop to learn how to make Damascus steel and custom muzzleloaders. Soooooo.....
For the last few months I have been going out to his shop outside of Morgantown once or sometimes twice (or three) times a week to work on projects and learn from a master. This opportunity has been amazing. Not only is Marvin so knowledgable he also is very kind and patient.
But most importantly Amber has been an understanding angel. Even though she does not share my love of guns and knives, she has been totally understanding and even helping in so many ways by letting me spend so much time away from her and the boys. She is great and I hope she knows that I am sooo grateful for her trying to understand and be supportive.
So tonight is that landmark. I finally finished my muzzleloader. I hade finished several knives along the way, but the muzzleloader has been the big project. Without Marvin it would not have been possible. Without Amber it would ot have been possible and I thank her so much! See for yourselves the final product. I think you can click on each picture to get a bigger view or control and click.

In honor of our Anniversary...

I thought I'd post this email I recently sent to a friend who is deciding if she should marry her boyfriend. She asked me the following question and got quite a lengthy answer (which is quite personal). It was good for me to finally write this down as I was not good about keeping a journal back then.

She asked:

"How did I know I wanted to marry Doug?"

Well, it wasn't love at first sight. When we started dating, it was just for fun. We both did not think it would go anywhere since I had a missionary I was planning on marrying and he was not into having serious relationships. I did think he was fun to be around and the more we spent time together, the more I liked him. We were honestly just ourselves around each other since there was no need for impressing because we "didn't see it going anywhere." Well, then that became what I really like about him. That I could just be me and he appreciated me for that. Before my missionary came home (about 5 months later), I had probably broken things off with Doug about 5 times. Once when he left for summer break (beginning of May), again when he left for Alaska (middle of May), and the other times were over the phone when I kept saying, we can't talk any more and then I'd call him again...I just couldn't stay 100% away from this person who had become a REALLY good friend. But when my missionary came home in July, I really felt I was done with Doug and ready to pursue marriage with John (my missionary). I flew to see John and I thought it was glorious and all until John started to pull away. He had known about Doug and I and I think that threw him. But from my perspective, I felt John wasn't willing to "fight" for us when Doug was, even through me telling him that I was going to marry someone else. Doug treated me differently, like I was the most important thing to him and that he wasn't going to jet out of the relationship the moment things got rough. He opened my eyes up to a whoIe new kind of relationship. I realized I needed someone I could rely on, who was stable, and who I felt loved me more than anything! I remember deeply sobbing after I found out John wasn't going to move close to me and I didn't see how we could continue to pursue our relationship in different states. I really was devasted, well who did I want to talk to about it...Doug. I knew he would listen to me, comfort me, and just love me and that's exactly what happened. Doug sincerely was a true friend.

John and I both felt that we were no longer supposed to be together and upon officially calling things off, the first person I wanted to call was Doug. Though hesitant to lead Doug on any further, I didn't want to dive into our relationship again because I wasn't for sure he was the one. I thought about a mission and dating other guys, but then everything kept coming back to him. Finally after many long walks and conversations with Doug, he finally asked me, "Do you love me?" And the reality was, "yes." I did love him. I loved how he treated me, I loved his humility, I loved his happy/ goofy personality, I loved how I was his #1 priority. After a wonderful October General Conference weekend, I realized that he had come into my life at the most perfect time. That the way things had worked out, I was able to find someone I trusted, respected, and admired. I knew then that if I were to pray about marrying Doug that the Lord would say, "YES!" That scared me because I wasn't sure I was really ready to get married. I know that might sound funny since I was committing to marry John, but even with him, I felt like we needed some time to "get to know" each other again. Well, by Thanksgiving Doug and I were ring shopping. I remember the first time we crossed the tile floor of the mall into the carpet of Zales, we were so nervous and wondering if anyone saw us...so funny looking back. It just felt right. We fasted and prayed about it and I of course got my "Amber, you already know this is right." answer. And I did, from that point on, I was 100% dedicated to Doug and I and I've never looked back since. Now for Doug, he got a "yes" and another "yes" and another "yes" because he fasted and prayed about it before we got engaged and then a couple more times while we were engaged...funny how the tables turned.

Doug wasn't exactly the person I saw myself with as we are different, but the reality is that he is PERFECT for me. We have different hobbies and interests, but are together on the most important issues: living the gospel of Jesus Christ, creating a close knit family, loving each other, etc. There are a some things we do enjoy doing together: being creative, working on projects, cooking, dancing, and one of the most important- creating, teaching, and loving our children. It was really important for me to marry someone who would be a good example to our children of love, righteousness, and who put the Lord first and wife second. I knew that if I married someone who loved the Lord and did His will in their life, then I'd be marrying someone who would help me through this life and the eternities. That's a real concept, this is the person you are choosing to be with for forever!

Despite differences and difficulties, this is the person you are choosing to go through it all with. I will say when your dating you don't quite understand it all until you are married and living it (and I'm still learning)...and I say "thank goodness" for that. If we really knew everything we were getting into, maybe we wouldn't choose it because marriage is the hardest thing you'll ever have to do. But it is the most wonderful thing at the same time. I can just imagine how glorious it will be for Doug and myself when we've progressed and become the person the Lord wants us to be for each other. It's a constant road of progression.

Happy Anniversary BABE!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Easter Weekend

What a glorious weekend it was with Daniel marrying Adrienne, all my family in town, and to celebrate that Christ has made it possible for us to be together as family forever!



More wedding pictures to come in another post.

We ate yummy reception leftovers for lunch, found Easter baskets, went to church, had an Easter egg hunt, and enjoyed a fabulous ham Easter dinner. Doug's parents joined us for the day and it truly was a celestial experience for us to have all our parents in our home.

Jaxon and Talon couldn't get enough of their aunt and uncles and grandparents! They loved the excitement and attention. Jaxon even got to sleep with his uncles...what a treat!

Here's a slide show of our Easter Egg hunt:




After taking the Sturgeons to Gabes, Monday morning, they took off to see church sites in Ohio, New York, uncle John in Philedelphia, and Washington D.C. Mom, Dan, and Hunter, along with Doug's parents, stayed around and we went to Coopers Rock for a rock climbing adventure (not the kind with ropes, just the kind you can climb on by yourself). The kids loved being outside and wanted to climb on every rock uncle Hunter did.

That night I helped Hunter earn extra credit in his Foods class at TMS (ahh, memories) and taught him how to make Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake...one of our favorites!

The next morning we went to the park before they took off to North Carolina to see aunt Val, sites in Washinton D.C. and Grandma Stu and Uncle Bob in Baltimore.

Being a Grownup.................

Well every now and then it really hits me that I'm a grownup. This past week Amber and I have been trying to get caught up on our finances (actually just entering all our spending into catergories like, household, kids, food, gas, utilities, etc.) Wow am I really that old that I am trying to be responsible and keep track and reduce costs where possible? I guess so. Just another part of being a grownup. Like owning your own lawnmower or paying bills or lieing awake at night thinking about potty training your three year old.
Amber is actually the driving force behind it all. I am sooooo glad that my wife has a good sense of money management cuz without her I'd probably be even more in debt and have to live on Top ramen. Thanks Amber for all you do to keep our family life running very smoothly!

General Conference

I l-o-v-e that twice a year we dedicate a whole weekend to hearing the words of our prophet, apostles, and church leaders! I love how their words give me a renewed desire to serve more, make the temple a PRIORITY, be more patient with my children, and appreciate what I have and not want for more. I know that the Lord speaks to us through President Monson! Watching him talk, feels like watching a loving great grandfather who desires for us all to love living and make happy choices so we can feel joy in the journey. The story he shared about the pioneer mother who burried all 4 or 5 (can't remember) of her children along the way made me feel so selfish in my daily complaints. I have two beautiful, healthy boys who bring so much more laughter and love to my life than I could ever imagine.

Tonight was quite comical. After giving hair cuts, the boys jumped in the shower with Doug to rinse off. Talon fell asleep almost immediately in Doug's arms. We took a picture of him sleeping on Dad in the shower. Of course he woke up when I took him out and got him ready for bed. That little cat nap brought out the extreme emotions as I tried to put him to bed without his pacifier (somehow it got lost today). I tried to hold him and pat his back, but he's so big that I can only do it for about 3-5 minutes and my back feels like it's going to break. He's such a snuggler that I feel bad that have such a hard time holding him. So I decided to lay down on the bed and just snuggle. He layed there quietly for about 2 minutes and then he would pop his head up and just give me the biggest smile. Then he'd drop his head back down on my shoulder and pat my arm. This lastest until he decided that blowing raspberries would be fun. Then Jaxon came to bed. Talon and Jax are frequently asking to go to sleep together in the same bed, so I thought maybe we'd try it since we didn't have a pacifier to soothe him. The boys looked so calm and happy together, until we closed the door. Then the excitement began. Doug and I watched on our video monitor and saw the following:

1. Talon pop up, giggle, turn to Jax and pat his back.
2. Doug would yell, "Talon, lay down."
3. Talon would look around and go "huh?" and lay back down.
   
4. Talon climb on Jax and start to wrestle him all while giggling.
5. Repeat #2-3
6. Jax yelling, "Talon stop"..."Lay down"..."No Talon"...
7. Belly laughs coming from both kids
8. Jax hitting Talon back
9. Doug yelling, "Boys, lay down and go to sleep."
10. Jax would immediately lay down while Talon would look around and laugh.
11. Talon still wanting to play, lays on top of Jax.
12. Jax then pics Talon up and bodyslams him of the bed.
13. Talon cries...we go in and put them back in bed.
14. Repeat #1-11
15. Jax decides no more nonsense with Talon and lays at the foot of the bed, attempts to go to sleep.
16. Talon, thinks that's funny and continues to play.
17. Jax then yells, "Daddy, put Talon in his crib!"

So it didn't turn out so well, but the good news is that an hour after we attempted to put Talon down, we did find the pacifier under our bed. THANK GOODNESS!

Back to conference, during this process, Doug and I delighted in watching our boys interact and learning that Talon is definitely a instigator and Jaxon is a problem solver. We could have been upset that they didn't listen to us but instead we just laughed. What a joy children are! I just love my beautiful boys so much and am so thankful that they love playing together! Joy in the Journey right!

Stake Relief Society Enrichment Activity

So this post is a week late, but on March 14, the Clarksburg, WV Stake held their Relief Society Enrichment Activity. The 2nd counselor in the Stake Relief Society Presidency, Sister Kim Waldron, asked if I would be willing to head up the luncheon for 100 woman. Since I visit teach her, I said, "Of course." It was fun coming up with decorations, center pieces, and food to go with the theme, "STRONG AND IMMOVABLE WOMEN." The theme was from Sister Julie Becks' talk What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable , specifically in FAITH, FAMILY, and RELIEF. Going classy seemed to flow well, so I choose the colors white, black, with gold accents. Pillars were used to represent being strong and immovable and wheat was to represent us being sifted from the world (parable of the wheat and the tares). The conference emphasized how we are at war with Satan and that he is in full attack on us women, mothers, and wives. He's doing everything he can to prevent us from being the women Heavenly Father sent us here to be.

We women have been blessed with distinct characteristics that Satan is trying to alter. We are the nurtures! That's what we should do best. We are supposed to bring relief to those who need it. We are supposed to be the ones who are good at lending a listening ear, providing a meal, offering assistance to challenging situations, etc. We are blessed with the God given ability to be intuitive with others feelings and needs. Yes, we are different than men and it's a good thing! I know Doug parents differently than I and I'm so thankful he's the one who can get my kids to obey faster than I can! I need his personality just like I know he needs mine and our kids need us both!

I know we hear a lot about our children being saved for these latter-days, but the same goes for us as well. Heavenly Father sent us (women) to be the mother of these children. We are to "mother" these children back to our Father in Heaven. Satan knows that if he can destroy a mother, he's destroyed the family and the future generations to come.

As for being a wife, I know we need to nurture our marriages just like we need to nurture our testimony. Our eternal relationship should be made top priority over our kids, the dishes, and all the "we are not seeing eye to eye on this" situations, should I just say arguments. For President Hinckley said, "The best thing a father (and I add a mother) can do for their children is to love his wife (and I add husband)." I know for myself that I am not the mom I want to be when Doug and I are not in harmony. Also, I want my boys to marry happy Christlike woman who will love them despite their imperfections. Therefore, I have to be that example.

As I was working on this event, I found myself gaining some Spiritual drive/motivation/energy. I became very passionate about what this conference stood for. It was a similar energy that I had in high school when we as a seminary centered our theme around being Spiritual Giants! It was nice to feel that enthusiasm for truth and righteousness like I had back then. I feel like the everyday doesn't always bring out the best in me, but I sure have more motivation to be my best self after this conference.

BIG THANK YOU to all you who helped me prepare the soups, breads, and cheesecakes! I could not have done it all with out you!

Also, BIG THANK YOU to all my wonderful friends who set such a great example of being "Strong and Immovable Woman." To Mary, Kim Walker, Lydia, Emma, Katie, Shilo, Lydia, Emily, Darcia, Sheila, and Kim Waldron, you woman are amazing and it was an honor to "covenant" together to be "Strong and Immovable Woman" with some of the best of the best I know!

Dedicated to all Woman

who CREATE! Whether it's creating meals, creating friendships, creating quilts, or creating lives, we woman do have a talent for creating. I love Elder Uchtdorf's talk about how we as woman should find our greatest joy through creating. I know for me, I do love and appreciate the creative process and I love knowing that we are daughters of the ultimate Creator. This is a beautiful video, you ladies must watch!

Dental School Formal

Saturday night we dressed up for dining and dancing. I barely completed my little jacket before we left. It took me a few days to figure out exactly how I wanted it and after a few trial runs, I finally decided to design my own and luckily it turned out ok. Doug's sister Kim had bought Doug a bow tie to match the dress she bought me. It actually comes from the Ann Taylor Celebration Collection (as did my dress)...and of course she found it at Gabes.



Several students from the 3rd year class ate at Yesterdays. We didn't get a picture of everyone, but here are some of us.


It was fun to meet up with our other friends at the dance. Didn't Britta's and Maggie's "modest" dresses turn out well? Love them! We had so much fun dancing. Ryan and Yolanda were the reason we decided to come in the first place, and dancing with them made it all worth it. We love you guys! Doug and Ryan were hilarious doing all sorts of funny dance moves and just having fun. It was quite funny that us non intoxicated Mormons were the first on the dance floor and stayed the majority of the time. While the others needed a few drinks before feeling comfortable dancing. I'm sure those that didn't know Doug might have thought he had had couple shots as his dancing did bring lots of laughter from the side lines. All he needs is someone to egg him on and he'll bust out the crazy moves. His classmates love him and they thought he was the life of the party! I love that my husband doesn't care what other people think and that he knows how to have fun! I 'll post more pictures on my photography website.

More loves: sewing and great deals!

Saturday Doug was assisting at school for the NERB clinical exam from 7:30- 5pm. He wanted to see what it was going to be like to help prep him for when he takes it next year. So to take my mind of him being gone, we had a dress alteration party at Britta's. This Saturday is the Dental School formal and several of us girls bought Ann Taylor or J. Crew dresses at Gabes for crazy cheap...$5- $30. I know rediculously cheap! But the problem was that they needed to made modest and be adjusted to fit our size. My sister in law, Kim, actually bought my dress for me a couple of months ago and I just had to take it up and in and am debating on making a bolero to go over it out of another dress that is similar to it, same fabric- different style, that I got for $5. Some girls are adding sleeves, covering low cut fronts and backs, or even redoing the entire bodice. (Note: Katie added those cap sleeves in the first picture, don't they look fabulous!) It was so fun working on our dresses together. I love creative minds and talented hands!

Also, I thought maybe my soon to be sister in law might want to use the Ann Taylor dresses I got for $5 a piece (retail for $199) for her bridesmaids, so I asked my fabulous friends if they wouldn't mind modeling them for a picture for her to see them. They each are a bit different from each other, but it's hard to tell in the picture. It was fun and we were being silly. I told Doug that we could get married again because I have enough bridesmaid dresses.

And a note to my boys: Thank you for being so wonderful while I worked on my dress. I sure appreciate your ability to play independently and happily. Jax, I love you for taking a 2 hour nap on Britta's couch but I sure didn't love it when you disobeyed mom and climbed into that tall thick bush and couldn't get down on your own. I was barely able to squeeze myself between the branches enough for you to stand on my hands for step stools. It's a good thing I've been working out. You have always been a great climber, do you think you could be a great listener too? Note: Jax said to me afterwards, "Mom, I need a tree to climb in with leaves." I said, "Ok, we'll find you a tree." And we did find a more safe one he could climb in. Later he says, "Dad, I need a bow and arrow so I can shoot a rabbit." Dad grins in delight and says, "This is the best day of my life." Like Father like Son.

The tree/bush to the right is the one he got stuck in. A good 9 feet up there! This was the first bush he climbed in, only 5 feet or so.

Loves of my life...Doug's romantic getaways!

So my husband knows that I love surprises, especially ones that make me feel like I'm the most important thing in his life! Well, last Friday I knew he was planning on taking me out for dinner, but when we past all the restaurants and ended up on the interstate heading south, I realized this was going to be more than a normal "dinner date." We drove an hour and a half south to Roanoke, WV a.k.a. the middle of no where and I said to him, "Is this where we are having our picnic dinner?" He smiled as we drove into Stonewall Resort. The Valet asked us if we were staying the night and Doug said, "Yes." I was so excited! He had surprised me with a getaway when Talon was just 5 months and he had done it again! After checking into our room that had a view of the lake, a red rose on the king size bed (how I long for a king size bed!), called room service to take away the Champagne that we didn't order, but did try the chocolate covered strawberries they brought us, we hurried off to our dinner reservation. We dined in their restaurant "Stillwaters" and enjoyed their Valentine's buffet. It was loaded with delights. I wanted to try everything, so I took samples of it all. Some of my favorites were the Curried Chicken Breast with Mango and Papaya Salsa, Hand Carved Herb Roasted Prime Rib, and Raspeberry Cheesecake. We stuffed ourselves full!

To our dear friends, Daniel and Kate Johnson- Thank you so much for sacrificing your weekend to give us a gift that is hard to give- time together. It meant so much to me that you guys were willing to watch our kids, in our own home, with your 6 month old. What are your thoughts on 3 kids, 3 and under? =) I felt so comfortable knowing you guys were there. Maddie, thanks for sharing your parents. I hope I can watch you sometime so your parents can have a getaway.

To my Doug- Thanks for making me feel so loved! I loved that you came up with the idea and planned it out well. I loved all the detailed surprises throughout our little trip. Your creativity and thoughtfullness is one of my favorite things about you. I love that you make our relationship a priority. P.S. Thanks for helping get our house in order this week, it sure made me feel better that the Johnsons could sleep in a clean bedroom.

To my sons- When you are married, do whatever it takes to let your wife know that she is #1 to you! Let her know she is worth the planning, creativity, money, effort, thoughtfullness, etc. Don't be average...because she doesn't deserve an average husband and you didn't marry an average woman. Go above and beyond to make her feel sooooooo loved, the way Heavenly Father would want her to feel. I promise you will in return be with a woman who wants to do whatever she can to make you feel the same way.

P.S. I really wish I had some pictures to post, but since I didn't know we were going away, I didn't bring the camera.

Loves- Great Food!

After a recent conversation, I realized that one of the reason I'd like to go to Europe is to eat. That reminded me about how Gwyneth Paltrow and Mario Batali ate their way through Italy and how I was drooling during the whole show! I just love how the Lord was so wise and so creative when he decided to help us maintain our bodies with foods from the earth and beast from the fields. How amazing that we eat things the start as a tiny seed, that then blossoms into delicious fruits and vegetables, with anti-oxidants that prevent us from getting cancer, vitamin C to keep our immune systems running, folic acid to grow healthy babies, vitamin B for good vision and healthy skin, vitamin D to help us be happy, etc. That's just amazing to me! The whole thing was skillfully thoughtout and planned to help us! And the fact that we can grow these things in the dirt...even more amazing! I loved growing some veggies and herbs last year and look forward to doing it again this year. Though we don't have a yard, our Earth Boxes did great! We got at least 100 tomatoes off our 2 Roma Tomatoes plants. Talk about savings at the grocery store...which by the way is another love...getting good deals...but we'll stay focus on this one.

I love the magic of combining foods to get flavors! The science behind it all is beyond my brain compacity...honestly, I had to take Food Science twice at BYU. I'm just in awe with the creation of food and sure love to eat it!

Some of my most favorite creations are:

Indian- Chicken Tikka Masala or Chicken Korma, withNan, and Basmati Rice
Thai- Pinapple Curry or Masaman Curry, Mango sticky rice for dessert
Italian- Tomato Basil Ravioli
Meditteranean- Tabouleh
Japanese- Nicu jaga
Chinese- Gyoza
Mexican- Tomales
American- anything grilled(BBQ Cheeseburger, BBQ ribs, shish kabobs)
Hawaiian- Pinapples...ok, seriously... Kalua pig roasted in the ground
Southern- Cornbread and Beans... I know ghetto, but I love em
Creole- Jumbalya or Cajan Salmon
Brazillian- Black beans and rice...anyone have a great recipe for this! I need it!
Ocean- Crab in garlic butter or Blackend Mahi-Mahi with Mango chutney
Freshwater- Walleye

Ok, now that I'm salivating...I'm excited for Doug to take me on our dinner date!

Loves of my life- MUSIC

I just love how music makes me happy, shares a complicated emotion, uplifts and draws me closer to my Savior, makes me wanna dance, and somehow makes cleaning a whole lot more fun. I love the classy top hat full orchestra of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, the natural barefoot on the beach style of Colbie Caillet, the piano poetry of Sara Barellis and Alicia Keys, the ballroom swing of Michael Buble, the rhythmic words of Jason Mraz and Adele, the hipswaytion of Beyonce and J-Lo, the belting vocals of Celine Dion and Carrie Underwood, the acoustic diaries of Taylor Swift and Ingrid Michaelson, anytime piano and a full band are combined like Gavin Degraw and The Fray.

For all of you music lovers out there, to the right is a sample of some of the songs on one of my playlists. By the way, www.playlist.com lets you create your own lists to listen to...love it! And www.pandora.com lets you enter an artist or song and then they create a whole station based upon that style of music. Next time you're feeling gourmet, put in Andrea Bocelli and I guarantee not only will you enjoy cooking more, but it WILL taste better!

YEAH for MUSIC!!!

Loves of my life...

In honor of Valentines, I'm going to post some of my "loves."

Today is the love of warm sunny weather! Not that today is exactly that, but the last month has been so crazy cold and snowy that it's putting a serious damper on my plans and attitude. Today was a bit nicer and we took the boys to the park. I long for beautiful sunshine and to spend more time outside! My boys need to have a daily park outing, as their energy is turning into creative disaster in our home. How I look forward to the day when we have a back yard. And now, more than ever, do I hope we get stationed in San Antonio after dental school. We'll, see. This week is suppose to be nice and I'm planning on being outside everyday, unless it rains. If anyone wants to join me at the park, give me a ring.

Here are some pics why I love the sun!