My Eternal Family

My home teachers asked me the other day what I am most thankful for in the gospel.
Without thinking I said that I can be with my family for eternity.
As these words left my mouth I had some words come to mind that overwhelmed me with happiness and joy:
"You will never go another day in all of eternity without your family."
Oh it is such a comfort to be sealed to them and to know that I can be with these amazing people that I love like nothing else forever and ever and ever.

The gospel is true, folks. I can't say it loud enough or with enough feeling.

We love each other.

We support each other.

We cheer each other on.

We talk to each other.

We are best friends.

What I did to deserve to be in such am amazing family, I don't know.

But I am forever and eternally grateful for whatever it was.

*Oh man, here come the water works.*

Is it ridiculous that I make myself cry just thinking about how much I love my family?

Gratitude #23

Yeesh, I've got some serious catching up to do!

I am so grateful for the time I get to spend with my family.

It's crazy, I had never even met little Hyrum, but I had all this love for him saved up inside. When I finally got to hold him for the first time it all bubbled over and I was so happy this special little red-head was going to be in my family for eternity.

I just can't get enough of this little guy!

Or this one...

Or little Grey...

And then there's sweet little Phoebe...

And Gwen!

*Yikes, what was I talking about again? Oh yeah...*

It was especially nice that Logan and Rachelle and the little girls were there to help us decorate for Christmas this year (sorry, didn't have my camera with me). Most of our ornaments ended up at the bottom of the tree, but I was just happy that I didn't have to do it all myself.
*I spend way too much time trying to make the placement of the ornaments random, which, if you took McMurray's stats class, you know is impossible...it makes for a very tiring activity*

I also love just playing games with them :)
I even beat Logan a few times at Blokus until he figured out a good strategy which totally trumped mine.
*sigh* Such is life.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

The 'It' mentioned in the title of this post refers my life for the last week :)

Don't you just love when you actually get stuff in the mail???

I had to take a picture so I would remember the awesome-ness I felt at this moment.

On Sunday afternoon Mom, Dad, Maci, and I made the trip to IF to see the family.

This little guy is growing up SO fast!

Can you believe he's already three months old?

He looks more and more like Ronnie every day.

We also had a new experience!

Nate and Rebecca were able to come up and visit for the weekend

and they introduced us to Wild Asparagus Hunting. 

This is Maci and I before we left.

Here I am afterwards.

I look awful because it was raining and windy :P

Asparagus hunting is so dang hard!

It grows along ditch banks in the Idaho Falls area.

You would think that it would be pretty easy to spot, but it's NOT!

I was pretty awful at it until Rebecca's brother came and helped me.

It was actually a lot of fun even if it was cold and wet and miserable the whole time.

The three sisters sharing their spoils!

I was so happy to get to see these guys!

Rebecca is due October 5 and is having a little baby boy!

I can't wait to see the Three Amigos running around and playing together.

Sleepy little Isaac!

He definitely doesn't like to wake up!

He's adorable and looks just like an Owen.

Maci and Greysen.

Maci got her braces off recently and this was the first time I saw her without them for almost two years!

Doesn't she look so gorgeous?

She's seriously growing up :(

Oh, and thanks to Lindsay for lots of the pictures on this blog!

This one's for you...

This is for all of you who:
Know that Dove chocolate does indeed fix everything.
Genuinely care about me.
Leave notes for me that you know I'll see that always always ALWAYS make my day.
Tell me that you love me unconditionally.
Say those profound things that I've heard zillions of times, but all of a sudden make an impact.
Understand where I've been and know where I'm going.
Can finish my sentences.
Can always make me smile.
Laugh at my (usually) stupid jokes.
Have told me that you're proud of me.
Know that there is a deeper meaning to Bubbles and Potato Salad. :)
Understand what I'm talking about when I say Potato Tots.
Compliment my cooking even when it's not the greatest.
Crawled into my bed with me when you knew I was crying just to give me a hug (just FYI, this only applies to Maci)
Pulled me onto their knee and held me while I cried.
Supported me even when I was failing.
Have lent me things even when it wasn't convenient.
Bring me down to earth.
Helped me separate Cross Stitch thread into the wee hours of the morning.


I LOVE YOU!
That is all :)

Blessing number 8

Logan, Rachelle, Gwen, Phoebe, and Mystery Baby :)

Logan is my oldest brother and I love him immensely! 

This doesn't sound like much, but he is always

willing to share his music with me :)

Every time he comes over he seems to have

new CD's and he almost seems excited

to let me load them onto the computer.

He has always been an awesome example in my life.

I remember being so proud of him when

he was going on his mission. 

I walked around forever asking anyone who would listen,

"How do you think you say K-A-O-H-S-I-U-N-G?" 

(at least I think that's how you spell it...am I right or wrong Logan?)

I thought I was hot stuff because my brother was going

to speak Mandarin CHINESE.

He and I are both very much into watching

the Suns play. I know the rest of my family

does too, but I really enjoy talking to him about

how they're doing and who traded who for who

and who we think is going to make it to the finals.

He's one of the smartest people I know.

He got a 34 on the ACT in ONE try.

He majored in math! 

He's also crazy into Family History. 

He can hear a random name that

I've never heard of before and he can tell

you how we're related. 

I have had the opportunity to do many

baptisms for those deceased family members

that he has discovered.

It has been an awesome experience every time

and I'm so grateful that he puts in the time

to do the work. 

There have been many times that I have 

felt the presence of the person that I've

been baptized or confirmed for in the room.

It's all because of my brother. 

Amazing.

He also managed to find the PERFECT girl for him.

Rachelle is a beautiful lady and I'm so grateful

for her. She has an awesome sense of humor

and I love being around her. 

We talk about what books we've read recently

and what books we thought STUNK.

She's always willing to lend a helping hand

and I love her for that.

They also gave me my first two nieces.

Gwen is a little fireball and she can be 

very hard to handle. 

However, when she says, "I love you more!"

it totally melts my heart.

She gives the best hugs and kisses ever!

Me and Gwennie!

Phoebe used to be so stinkin' shy!

She's getting over that now though.

I love the way she says, "Cheese!" when she

sees a camera pointed at her

and he cute little giggles.

Sweet little Phoebe

I love being an aunt, and I especially

love that this growing family is

going to be with me for eternity!

I love you Logan, Rachelle, Gwennie, and Phoebe!