My new sisters

Marriage has brought changes to both of our lives..and one of those changes was getting two new sisters.  Because we spend most of our time playing with the kids...they don't get too many photo-op moments...

Reviewing pictures at Thanksgiving, 2010

Unless one of the kids borrows the camera...and then this is what you get...

 Despite the lack of photos they have in our "family adventure" photo file, we usually get lots of time to chat...and I'm so glad.  I am so grateful for them and for their different personalities.  They both have kids (3 each) and have much experience that I want to glean from.  They love "vintage" (oh yea!)   and won't settle for anything less then a good deal.  There are many more sides to "A" and "K"...but we'll leave those for another day.  In the end, though, joining my new family was a blessing because we became immediate friends.  Love you both!

Catching up...

We have been given a calling with the most choice of children anyone could ever ask for.  We are in the Nursery.  This year, we moved ourselves to the youngest class...and that has been an adjustment for us all.  A good adjustment...but an adjustment none-the-less.  Here are some of the bright faces look forward to seeing each week:

They teach us faith, patience, the value of preparation, and the innocence of childhood.  We love the things they say and do...and how we see progress each week.  It is a blessing to work with the Lords youngest spirits, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to serve them. 

So I'm a little behind...whats new?

I swear, even with the best of intentions I seem to fall a little (and sometimes, a lot) behind.  Nevertheless, we shall pick up where we left off, OK?  :)

My thoughts went next to the three cutest redheads (well, one that will probably be blond now...but still...) I know:

Presenting:

 Harry

Kate

Mitchell

 

These kids belong to my Sister-in-Law Ashley and her husband Jeff.  I love them because of their vibrant personalities and their innocent wisdom.  They make my insides happy just to be around them.  While red-heads can be a bit sassy, I hope we get one in our family!!!

Miss me yesterday?

I'm thinking you probably didn't, and that is OK :)  Still...I missed one of my Valentines notes...so here it is now.

Presenting: 
My sister Logann

 (Aka Logy, sis, bubba, beautiful, silly-pants) 

This beauty is my youngest sister Logann (I have one other beautiful sister...will talk about her soon :).  Here she is at work, teaching her kids how to count, spell, and measure.  I was able to go out and visit her classroom over a year ago and see her in action.  I'm not sure if she was super happy with me taking pictures...maybe a little embarrassing...but that is me.  We get to hear about these most precious of souls every once in a while, so I wanted to have pictures for my memory.  

My little Logy is my idol.  She is such a hard worker.  She knows how to give tough love and is so patient and kind.  More patient and kind then me for sure!  She has been "blessed" with one of the hardest years in her life this past year, and amazes me with the increased strength she shows each and every day.  The beginning was rough, incredibly rough, but she just keeps growing under the intense and painful pressure.

 

Through her trial, she has had a relationship with my parents that I will forever envy (always have to begin with), and be so very grateful for.  Because of the distance between us, we weren't able to help much.  That part was super hard, but I will be forever grateful for the understanding that my parents were able to show that have blessed our whole family through this time.  Life still isn't easy, and the healing will need more time, but this kid, this is one AMAZING kid.  She will bless many because of her life, her spirit, and her strength.

Amanda and the Essential 55

 

Yesterday we didn't get to do an Essential 55 rule for our activity.  I was feeling crummy, so we needed to make it quick.  We were able to go shopping for some Valentine treats with the idea in mind to give out a Valentine a day.  This was for both of us, which meant 14 Valentines each, and one to distribute each day until le jour de la Saint-Valentin.  She got some jelly bracelets and candy, and I did pencils and candy.  I'm excited to stretch my brain and think of others to share some goodies with...and hopefully she will too!

People I am grateful for--Day 2

Ok, so obviously this doesn't quality as a direct "person", but I LOVE history.  I am so grateful for the people that came first, that asked questions, and that searched for the best answers they could find to said questions.  Some of them were seeking for shelter, some for  art and/or entertainment, and others...well...I'm not quite sure ;D  In any case, here are some of the places and things we've found that we love.  Hopefully there will be many, many more finds like this in the future!

Not sure if these are real or made of wood...in any case, they had character, and that was what I loved!

Hopefully our friends in the neighborhood know where this one is! :)

Right next to the Church

This is for my grandma and her P.G. heritage

I would recommend driving by this place.  Not only will the beauty of the building stop you, but also the smell is SO nice (love fresh cut wood smell!)

This came up out of no where...

Love texture...nothing better then age can bring this on

Anyone seen the show "American Pickers?"  We thought they might want to bargain for this piece

So much history in our little valley!

If you are ever in Springville, would recommend stopping here. These people are good at lighting the Family History fire!

The things my poor husband has to put up with.  I'm so glad he likes adventures (and has taught me to be careful  and aware when he's not there)

The other part of the bus was located somewhere else on the farm

Oh how times have changed

So sad respect is gone for buildings like this

AF Main street...still a place I want to go inside and visit!

I am grateful for old buildings and for the stories that come with them.  There is still much to discover...I can't wait!

People I am grateful for--Day 1

In honor of the month of love, I thought I would a few weeks honoring some of the people who mean the most in my life.  I should make a schedule (so that I get through all those that I want)...but we're just going to wing it for now :)

 

This wonderful person is my friend Misty.  She's been on my mind much as of late, just with the different things going on in her family (i.e. Sister having back surgery, her parents are leaving for a mission in like 10ish days, the fact that she lives 5 min away from my grandpa...).  Anyway, Misty and I first met here:

For those who don't know, this is a map of Brussels, Belgium.  On my first official day in the mission (the day after we arrived), we were taken to the Grand Place and went on splits with the Louise (or Strombeck?) missionaries.  Needless to say, I was a bit nervous.  After all, here we were...no more MTC...surrounded by people who spoke French and Dutch, and to top it off, it was C-O-L-D.  I was the only Soeur in the group, so Misty (at that time Soeur Halley) and her companion Soeur Loo came and got me and we started walking the streets and trying to talk to those around us.  Her companion noticed my shivering, and pulled out her extra scarf.  She showed me how the Europeans tied it, and can I tell you...that made all the difference!  We didn't make any "golden contacts" that day...but I got a small view of a town I would later serve in and love.  When we went back to meet up with the other missionaries and head to our next activity, I noticed a couple I had met on the plane from England and said hi.  I think most of the missionaries were rendered speechless at that...until I explained I'd just met them the day before.  Such a funny coincidence.  

Anyway--Misty and I didn't see much of each other until we were both transferred to the best ville on earth--St. Quentin.

 I may be a little prejudice...but this is a city I grew to love.  And I couldn't have asked for a better companions to make the start of that journey even more memorable.  Misty and I would serve with Soeur LeFevre for 6 weeks, and then she would move on to Lille, France.  However, we would be friends and sisters from that moment on.  We became roommates for over a year, and were active participants in each others weddings.  

  

I love Misty because of her attitude.  She is one of the select few who really know and apply the phrase "work your tail off."  When we were on the mission, she had a harder time them most learning the French language.  However, she didn't let that stop her; rather, she would get up early and study before Soeur LeFevre and I were out of our beds.  There have been times when she has struggled with feelings of  self worth, but she never lets anyone around her feel that way.  Rather, she makes you feel like the best, most important being on the earth.  She has a way of loving others that are "different" that I will always envy. She has the best and brightest smile...one that cannot be duplicated by many.  I am so blessed to have her in my life!