On our Way

It's been 13 years since I moved back to Utah from Arizona after high school. We have loved it. Spanish Fork has been such a great place to live. But we are moving on.

Jeff has received a once in a lifetime job opportunity out in Woodbury, Minnesota. Yes, I'm already freezing to death just thinking about it...

Minnesota won't be our final destination though. After about 6 months of training, we will be headed to another unknown location in the U.S. for more training. Then after that Jeff will get his own branch to manage somewhere else in the U.S. haha

It's a scary prospect, but we are so greatful to be able to see different parts of the U.S. You only live once, right? It will also be good to mingle with the saints outside of Utah. I know as long as we have the church, we'll have family. With this job, we won't end up back in Utah, but we are hoping to get back in the West. We'd love to end up in the North West. So we'll see.

Anyhow, I'll be sure to keep a better blog so you can see pictures of our adventures! It'll be crazy to have a baby in the middle of all this moving, but I know things are just about as hard as we make them. I hope all your holidays were wonderful. Ours was great. Having Jeff home after 2 weeks in Minnesota was the only present the boys and I needed!

Thanksgiving

We had a terrific Thanksgiving this year! We traveled down South to the land where my parents are from, Mesa, Az. It was in the 70's and absolutely beautiful! Here are a few pics from our trip.

Oh and for those of you who are not friends with my mama on facebook yet... I'm pregnant! (Thanks mom for spreading the news so well)! haha I'm due in July and sick as can be, but loving the fact that we get to have another spirit in our family. We can't wait!

My Grandparents backyard. They have such a beautiful place filled with orange & grapefruit trees, and blackberry bushes Grandma uses for the most delicious pies. I love that I had many growing up memories in this backyard and now my kiddos are having the same.



Each morning after breakfast the kids ran as fast as they could outside to start on baseball. Papa, Jeff & I played with them for hours. We all had a great time!



This is still missing much of the family! Some of the siblings couldn't make it unfortunately. We missed seeing them! Don't you love Grandpa's shirt? It says "One Cool Grandpa." He loves it.



All of our family was able to make it down for the festivities.


When I moved down to Arizona after HS, Trish & I became instant friends. She was writing my cousin Nate on his mission and married him when he got home! I'm so glad she's in our family!


I really think this may be one of the cutest pictures ever. Elle & Will are the best of friends.



My Grandpa wanted to stand in the middle and say he was the rose between the two thorns. haha Thanks a lot Grandpa! My Aunt Connie, Gma, & me had such a fun time cooking before Thanksgiving started.


One of those pics for you to treasure, son.



Our last night there we were able to go see the temple lights! The boys love hanging out with their cousin Chace. They follow him everywhere!



This is a favorite picture as well. When we got to the temple, there were missionaries everywhere. Will talks about going on a mission all the time and was thrilled to see a real missionary up close. He wanted to go meet one so bad. This good Elder was happy to talk to him. It made his day!



By this time the kids were pretty ready to go get some sleep. We had such a fun Thanksgiving with all our extended fam!

Pigs

We visited the pigs one last time. They were sure getting big! The boys used to chase them around in the pen when they were littler, but I'm sure they'd be bulldozed if they tried it now.

Unfortunately, our curly-tailed friends won't get to see the Holidays. They are heading to the slaughter-house this week. :(

I guess I know why Jeff won't let me get a cow or pig of my own to keep. I would never want to get rid of it. I'm still in denial of how we get meat. I'd like to think it grows on plants somewhere.



Aunt Suz & the boys.




Grant trying to sneak a peek at the horses in the trailer.

Granter Bean

Grant is 4. I can't believe it. I always said I'd have 3 kids by the time he was four...but I'm glad that I've had this time to spend bonding just with him. Now that Will is in Kindergarten, we get to have one-on-one time every afternoon. His favorite things to do with mom are color, play with his new firehouse he got for his birthday, and play trains of course. He love to have fun with his big brother and you can often find them having new adventures together. He adores his daddy and spends any moment he can with him. He says the cutest prayers which always make Jeff & I laugh (quietly of course). I love this kid. When he was born, it was one of the scariest things on earth. I truly thought we were going to lose him. His heart stopped beating and there was no crying at all when he came out. They rushed him over to the NICU and began work immediately. In a mess already from having a bad reaction to the anestesia, (sp?)I laid on the operating table crying and trying to breath correctly all at the same time while they sewed me up. It was then that I saw a man reflected in the glass. Just the outline of him...but instantly I knew it was my grandpa and I knew everything was going to be all right. God truly does send our loved ones to look out for us and our children. Every day since then, I've appreciated Grant in a way I didn't think possible. He is a sweetheart and I can't WAIT to spend the next 14 years raising him. I love you Granter Bean!

The fire house the family went in on to buy him. He loves it!



We played pin the broom on the witch. I had him dressed in a cute sweater, but of course that was shred at the first possible moment. Oh well.



Although Mama made him a cake for his actual birthday at home, he wanted a Pumpkin Pie for his birthday party. Thank You Costco! :)



I am so thankful for our little family! I don't know what I'd do without any one of them. Boys are so much fun to raise!!





This picture is so precious to me. It is the last time I saw this wonderful woman. Jeff's Grandma had truly become one of my closest friends and she died less than 2 weeks after Grant's birthday party. I miss her. I've had a harder time with her passing then I did with my own grandparents. She was such a good Grandma. Even to a granddaughter-in-law. I learned all about canning, cooking, and serving others from this woman. She was so much fun to talk to too!! I thrived on our weekly chats and looked forward to them. She loved my boys fiercely and never went without giving them hugs & kisses every time she said hello & goodbye to them. In a nutshell, she truly cared about all of us. She went quickly..which was so great for her. The night Jeff & I found her was the worst night I've had in a long time. I selfishly felt like I wasn't ready to let her go yet. All my close friends have moved away the past couple of years...and she was one of the only ones left. But I am happy for her. She is with her husband now which I know makes her happy! It was also so fun to get to spend time with Suz & Nana who came in for the funeral. They have become the big sisters I always wanted! I adore them.
The family asked if we would want to move into her home after she died. We have been living the past 6 months in my friend, Tonya's parents basement apartment. Surprisingly, I fought Jeff the whole way here. I didn't want to invade Grandma's space. I thought it would be too difficult to be here. However, I'm so glad he persuaded me. Living here has been a joy. It's became our own little space and yet reminds me of her in a good way. It's nice to look out the window every morning and see the lighthouse monument representing her Icelandic heritage out the kitchen window. Or to meet all the people that were close to her in the neighborhood. Although it may be for a short while, we are so grateful to get to live in the house that Grandpa & her built so many years ago.
I know this has been a long post, but it's why I haven't been blogging for awhile now. Life has been a bit chaotic. We are so excited for the holidays though!! We need a little bit of fun and laughter!

Duck Creek

We were going to head out to the Oregon coast, but unfortunately EVERYTHING had been rented already.
So, we decided to head down to Duck Creek (right by Brian Head)and stay in my Uncle's cabin for a week.
It was an incredibly relaxing vacation. We went 4-wheeling every single day around the mountains up there. We went for walks, hiked to waterfalls, played in the dirt, played cards for hours, and sat around the campfire.
It was the perfect little trip. Duck Creek Village is such a charming little place and we enjoyed meeting the people down there as well.

Here are a few pictures from our trip!!





















Thanks for such a fun and relaxing summer vacation Ma & Pops! Now back to this 95 degree heat...grrr....

Simple Inspiration

Health:
Drink plenty of water.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
Live with the 3 E’s - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
Play more games.
Read more books than you did in 2010.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Sleep for 7 hours.
Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.


Personality:
Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Don’t over do. Keep your limits.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
Dream more while you are awake.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Smile and laugh more.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.


Society:
Call your family often.
Each day give something good to others.
Forgive everyone for everything.
Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.


Life:
Do the right thing!
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
The best is yet to come.
Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.


*I found this through a very good friend. Isn't it true that the simple acts in life bring the most joy? This is getting printed out and put in a place I can enjoy it at least a couple times a day. I wish all these good things for every one of you...

Sometimes I can't help but laugh...

Will sometimes uses numbers to count the days
instead of their proper names. This weekend
we are going to the Ute Stampede...our favorite
rodeo. He has been counting down the days
and tells everyone we meet that he's going.

Will's prayers last night-

Will: "Thank you that it's four day. And thank
you that it will be five day tomorrow.
And thank you that on six day we can go
to the rodeo and see the buck horses.

Marriage-
(While swimming today)

Elle: It's my wedding day tomorrow.

Will: Who are you going to marry?

Elle: I don't know. Who are you going to
marry?

Will: I would sure love to marry my mama.
Than I could live with her forever.

Grant Saying the Prayer on the Food
(Grant and Jeff are very close. Grant adores him. However, the other day he did something naughty and Jeff got upset with him).

Grant: Heavenly Father. Thank you for the day. Thank you for the food. Please bless daddy goes back to work. Name a Jesus Christ, Amen.

We couldn't help but bust up laughing. What did people do for entertainment before kids??

California

We finally were able to take a family vacation to Southern Cali a few weeks ago.
After we sold our house, we thought what better to celebrate than to take the kids to see Mickey & the gang. So we loaded ourselves in the car with Grandma Stevens and drove down to Nana's house (Jeff's older sister).

We had such a blast! We went to the LA Zoo, had fun with cousins, and went to Disneyland. I hadn't been to Disneyland since I was 13...so quite awhile ago. My sister, Bree surprised us all with matching Disney shirts for the occasion. Thanks Bree!! I wish we lived closer. I would love to take the kids back every year.

Thanks Nana for a wonderful time! We miss you guys already!

My new favorite person...

I love to redo furniture. However, I was a little crazy this Spring with my little brother's wedding plans and couldn't get to a headboard for my guest bedroom.

After some scouring online, I ran across a beautiful headboard by a local gal, Ashley. I called her and set up an appointment to go check out what she does. Not only does she build the furniture herself, but she also does all the finishing if you dont' have the time. I was sold when I saw her place in Provo. It's one of those places that you walk into and instantly feel at home!

She can build pretty much anything you'd like. I couldn't resist but share my new favorite person to all my family and friends. Oh yeah...the next great thing I love about her? She is extremely well priced.

Here is her info:
Ashley Rasmussen
P: 801-691-6673
http://www.ana-white.com/2011/03/mason-headboard-cal-king
benandashleyras.blogspot.com

Real Deals

I was introduced to it in Oregon.
I fell in love with it right next door in Springville.

I'm talking about this cute store that has the funnest home decorations. (Oh yeah...the prices are awesome too!)

I am in love with their Cottage/Country decor.

Visit sometime...it's worth the trip!

**They are open Thursday's & Saturday's. :)

1454

This is officially farewell week in 1454.

We are so grateful for the time we've had here. My house has definitely not just been a house. This is the home where Jeff and I met (in the kitchen) and where my babies came home to. This is the house where they took their first steps, and the holidays were celebrated with family and friends. This will most likely be the only house where my boys could run next door and play with their cousins whenever they wanted.

I love this house.
I love the view of my mountains out the back door. We really have had the best view on earth. Jeff & I were swinging on the porch last Friday evening knowing it was probably the last time we'd be able to do it. We have been so blessed here.

We will miss it. I am definitely grateful for the opportunity to sell our home. I know the Lord is guiding us. I can feel Him near. We are excited for the next chapter in our lives!

A Few Pictures of Our View of Mt. Nebo

Party!

My cute little brother finally tied the knot last Saturday! Jory & Vanessa were married in the SL temple and had the funnest reception. We all danced the night away. Coming from Senora, Mexico...her relatives showed us the true meaning of the word "party!' We had a blast. Here are some pics from the celebration! (I have a coveted video of Bree dancing..but can't seem to make it work, I'll post it later). Something to look forward to...

Big Number 5 & Smores

Yes it has almost been 3 months since Will's birthday and I still haven't posted any pictures. Well, here they are. We had a fun pizza party at our house that evening. I made 8 homemade pizza's using Tonya's amazingly easy pizza crust recipe. My friend Rachel offered to bake a race car cake per Will's request. She is so talented. The night was great.

I cannot believe how big this guy is getting. He is simply wonderful. He is always helping me clean, cook or anything else he can think of to help. He loves to work, loves to watch Tangled...and I even catch him singing the songs from it in the shower. haha He has the sweetest little Spirit and is one of my best friends. I am going to have one hard time sending him to school this year. Last night, he crawled up in bed with me as I was watching Gone With the Wind and leaned his head on my shoulder and said, "Mama this is the best night ever." It's moments like that which make me want to stop the hands of time. I sure love my grownup boy. We are so happy you are 5 Will!!!



We love having cousins so close! This is Kya (Bree's 2 year old), Grant, Will, & Tate (Jer's 2 year old).



Grant LOVES to sleep like this. More often than not, this is the position we find him in when he sleeps. We call him the stinkbug. He keeps us all smiling around here. Oh by the way...I am in desperate need for potty training tips. He is now 3 1/2 years old and has no desire to potty train. Anything work for other mom's out there?! I'm desperate.



Jer & Chelle invited us over for a pre-summer cookout in the backyard. It's still not super warm, but we all loved it. Here's the group eating S'mores. Ahhh...can't wait for camping.

Sand Mountain

Scott & Bree invited us to Little Sahara last Saturday.
I was a little apprehensive at first.
Jeff's brother Mark had cut his mouth up pretty good last year 4 wheeling out there...and then there is the fatal accidents that happen there every year. One thing I did NOT inhereit was a dangerous streak. I like to be on solid ground. And while I love 4 wheeling...I prefer trail riding.

However, we went and had a great time. A few guys from their ward were there and cooked incredible dutch oven. It was my first time tasting elk and I loved it. Dad's business partner, Josh, spent the day on top of sand mountain waiting for the right wind to paraglide down. (Apparently he was blessed with the dangerous streak). :)
It was incredible to watch all the daredevils climb Sand Mountain. Stan (our dutch oven chef) even went up the mountain. I told Jeff not to get any bright ideas... I'm not about to be a single parent. Luckily none of us got hurt and we only saw the sand dune ambulance out there once to collect someone. It was such a fun & relaxing day. Thanks Scott & Bree!!