Visitors =)

Mom and Dad McArthur came to visit us and later Aunt Kimmie joined us.  Mama Mac helped me paint some furniture which she loves to do and wouldn't have gotten done for a long time had she not been such a motivator and proactive worker.

We even painted our old table and chairs.

Road bikes.

Blew bubbles.

 Worked in the ward garden.

Doug did a FHE on choosing the right and for our activity we made paper targets that said "CTR" and we had to aim for it.  We'll when we got there Doug and his Dad headed into the woods to move a tree stand and so I was left to lead the game.  Doug's mom got these pics of me teaching the kids to shoot the bb gun...so not something I'd ever predicted for myself growing up as I wrote a term paper on Gun Control, nevertheless, here I am teaching my kids to shoot.  At least Doug thinks it's hot.                

 Visited the Adventure Science Museum in Nashville.

 Anaconda wrestling.

It was wonderful having them around. Though when we said goodbye to Aunt Kimmie, we all were in tears as we have no idea when we'll see her again.

Grand Ole Opry

We had a date night in Nashville with some of our favorite friends, Teressa and Scott Gale.  I felt like we stepped back in time through the music but once Josh Turner stepped on stage, I quickly remembered how much I love modern country with meaningful lyrics.

Playing catch up...oh there's lots

Wow the last few months have been busy...crazy...did I tell you we had to find another house to live in because our landlord pcs back?

Here we go on the blogs that have been on the back burner until life gave me a moment to record it.

Patriotic Devotional

Doug made the decision as acting Elder's Quorum President that a Patriotic Devotional would be a great idea since we are in a ward consisting of 90% active duty military.  He arrange to have 3 speakers:

• Speaker one- talked about how God prepared America for the Gospel to be restored here
• Speaker two- Annalisa Churchill, a wife who's husband is deployed for a year and gave birth to baby #4 while he was gone and who also was also the early morning seminary teacher, FRG leader for their unit, and was enduring another year without her husband (she's one of my heros- I will never forget her!).  She talked about "God Bless"ing" America" and those who make sacrifices for our freedoms.
• Speaker three- our 1st Counselor (and Doug's best guy friend) Scott Gale, who's a blackhawk pilot.  He talked about defending freedom and our duty as Latter-day Saints to support for and pray for our freedoms.

There were three musical numbers as well.

• "Battle Hymn of the Republic" sung by 8 Army men (including Doug) harmonizing
• "God Bless America" sung by the primary and youth
• "America the Beautiful" solo by Christy Swenson (BYU Vocal Performance Major) to which Doug and I arranged a slide show of members in our ward demonstrating patriotism (currently deployed, wedding pics in uniforms, coming homes, visits to national monuments, etc.)

The slide show left everyone in tears as it was quite meaningful, especially when the Wallace family was shown (they're the ones who lost their husband/father right when we arrived in the ward...leaving a young wife with 4 kids...remember...I'll never forget).

Doug testified of his love for our country and those who sacrifice daily to defend the freedoms we enjoy.  Thank you to all you who give of their time, talents, loved ones, years of their children's lives without dad to our country.  How I admire and respect you tremendously!  You give me the strength and courage to do my part as I will soon live what it's like to have my husband deployed to a war zone next spring for approximately 6 months.  A year ago this terrified me deeply, but after witnessing most of my friends endure a year without their husband, it makes 6 months seem do able and I want to do it well like they do it...with a smile on my face and faith in God.

Utah/Idaho Trip

We love our yearly summer trip to Utah/Idaho.  I flew out the beginning of June to play with my family for a while.  The boys did great on the flight, which was a total answer to prayers.  They were thrilled to play with their favorite Utah Uncles and Aunt and cousin Jace.  The boys and I spent a week at my dad's then a week at my mom's.

Then we headed up to Idaho for to check out the Boise area to see if it be a place we'd want to live after our Army time is through.  We stayed with my YW's leader whom I hadn't seen in over 10 years.  They graciously let us stay at their home and how I loved seeing her being a mother.  I'm always inspired by "mothers who know" =).  I did a photo shoot for their family (click here view) while I was there as a thank you.

I also got to see my "twin."  Carly (Stewart) Price and I were know as twins at Cascade Jr. High.  When I arrived at the school my 9th grade year, people kept coming up to me talking as if I knew them and eventually I learned they thought I was Carly.  We were in the same ward, both played flutes in band until the band director decided we should play drums, both were on the dance team together, did gymnastics.  It was so fun to be with her again...wish we lived closer as it felt our friendship had never seen a 10-15 year gap.  We did Zumba together and she did my hair and we laughed and talked just like no time had passed.  LOVE HER!  Doug was a little weirded out seeing us together as he did think there were similarities.

We went to Ben and Janelle's baby blessing in Twin Falls, ID which was wonderful to witness. Then we had a birthday celebration for baby Jack who turned 1, Talon who turned 4, and Ved who turn ?.  The next day we went to Lava Hot Springs and watched Jaxon go down the big water slide over and over and over again after it took him a couple of hours to get over his fear of it.

We spent the next few days at a McArthur "Circle of 6" family reunion in Albion, ID (Doug's dad side of the family).  It was super fun.  I took pics of Ben, Janelle, and baby Bendigo (click here to view) after we sang songs and before we had a contra dance and roasted marshmallows by the fire.  The team relay competition was my favorite.

Then we went to visit Jon and Holli and had one of my favorite photo sessions ever with them in downtown Pocatello (click here to view) and (here for their cute kid).  That night I Zumba'd with Jen, Kim, Katie, and Mom McArthur...super fun!  We spent the next couple days in Idaho Falls with them and hit up Down East Outfitter's Outlet clearance before leaving to go to Utah for my dad's family photo shoot.

Back in Utah we did photo shoots on both sides of the family. Played in the pool, ate at Kneaders, went to the Temple, saw friends from Dental school which was HEAVEN!!!  I miss those girls so much!

And enjoyed our favorite jumping/flipping/hanging spot...open gym.  It basically was a glorious head over heals experience.

Talon's 4th Birthday

We were in Utah for his birthday (again...and he LOVES it).  We celebrated by going to the zoo with our good friend from Clarksville [who moved =( last December and now live in Utah while their dad/husband is bravely serving our country in Afghanistan for 15-18 months], Nana [my mom], Jeannie, Jace, and Mallory [cousins], and Doug flew in the night before cause he didn't want to miss his favorite Talon's birthday.

Then we met up with Riri (pronounced ree-ree, my step-mom Lori) who generously gave not only the birthday boy a birthday present of going to Build-a-bear, but all the boys got their next year of birthday presents.  They had a great time making their own bear.

That evening we planned a little family/friend swim and spaghetti party complete with birthday surprises from Aunt Kimmie and Aunt Katie.  His birthday cake was rice crispies with swedish fish in them...seriously so yummy!  And then to end, we watch Disney's "Oceans."


Taly boy, we love you so much!  Your enthusiasm for life is contagious and keeps us smiling/laughing with they way dramatically express yourself.  We LOVE it!  You are eager to learn and be creative.  Your best friend is still Jax and I'm dreading seeing how his advancement to Kindergarden is going to affect your play time.  You guys play together literally ALL day.  There are moments your selflessness to share or the way say "Oh-tay Mom" make my heart melt.  You love to have your back scratched before you take a nap or go to bed at night.  You've devised a creative way to tell me which direction you want me to scratch 1. up or down- you move your torso up and down and 2. side to side- you move your hips side to side.  You LOVE music and sing along to several Backyardigan songs along with Pandora's Disney channel.


I always knew you'd be strong both physically and mentally.  Wrestling is one of your favorite activities, esp. with Dad or Aunt Kimmie (Anaconda wrestling as you call it).  And you are very strong willed in your desires and expectations.  You're still quite emotional as the littlest thing can upset you and boy is it down hill from there.  But I've learned if I just hold you, somehow that helps you deal with your feelings.  Speaking of, when you're upset you say, "Mommy, I need you" as you reach for me to hold you.  I do love being a comforter for you, but also know as you go throughout your life that Christ is there to hold you and comfort you in your times of discouragement, heartache, or suffering.  He will ALWAYS be there for you and will bring comfort and peace to your soul.

I love you so much my sweet 4 year old!

Always,

Mama