Year 2011

I turned 24. Moved 4 times {California, Texas, Missouri and Utah}. 4 years of marriage. Accomplished a 4 day defensive hand gun training (only included because of the #4) and 2+0+1+1= 4. So 4 was a reoccurring number in my life as I have reflected on this last day of year 2011..and the coincident of it really doesn't mean all that much to me but here are four things that truly matter and that I have been ever so grateful for this past year.

1.

The House of the Lord

One of the perks of moving so often is the opportunity to see the different Temples in each new place. I feel so blessed to have been able to witness the magnificent beauty that each Temple possess. They are sacred and I know the ordinances preformed in them are of God and allow us to become closer to Him and His Son. And where we become Eternal Families forever.

2.

I love my Savior. 

I know that He suffered for not only my sins but for the pain, heartache, sorrow, loneliness and for everything I have and will experience while I am here on this earth. He knows me by name and 

He loves me.

3.

Family

Spending time this past year in Texas might have been the highlight of the entire year. I feel so lucky to have a great relationships with my family and my husbands family. Most of all I am grateful for my family, though it might only be two right now I feel blessed for the kind of man that I get to spend the rest of forever with. There are so many things I treasure and love about Julius but the one that I love maybe the most is his mind. The ability he has been given to think deeply about things that I could never imagine..especially on our long road trips where gospel conversations start and at the end I am just more and more excited to spend forever with him and the for "plans" that we have. 

4.

I know that I am a daughter of God.

"Then as His final creation, the crowning of His glorious work, He created woman. I like to regard Eve as His masterpiece after all that had gone before, the final work before He rested from His labors."

"I wish to affirm also at the outset, as Elder Ballard has done, that you are very precious, each of you, regardless of your circumstances. You occupy a high and sacred place in the eternal plan of God, our Father in Heaven. You are His daughters, precious to Him, loved by Him, and very important to Him. His grand design cannot succeed without you."

~President Gordon B. Hinckley

These are only four of the many things I regard as special to me while remembering 2011. I look forward to 2012 and the new lessons, trials, obstacles, memories and fun that all will happen.

Happy New Year!!!

colton & nana come to visit

 

I picked my mom and nephew up in Las Vegas and as you can see we spent some time on the strip and I think everyone's favorite part was the M&M World, Colton was in heaven. When we got back into St. George we went to the Temple and saw the lights. Loved having those two here and I can not believe how fast it went.

Circus Circus

Hello Vegas! This Christmas we were with my husbands family and did a 4 day defensiven handgun training at Front Sight, and after we were done we spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in Vegas. Our time was filled with {lots} laughs, farkle and nail painting for us girls of course {4 days in the desert takes a toll on these things called nails}. 

One of the shows we caught was by the Zuma Zuma,{i was informed} they were on  America's Got Talent and they were awesome..the pictures are very purple and I couldn't seem to get the right angle but we were off in the corner standing and somewhat fighting against the 90 children climbing their parents to get a quick looksie, so I did what I could. Regardless of the lack of photography skills watching these men flip and contort their bodies was incredible and beyond athletic.

 He is doing a handstand..with his hands on their heads..WHAT??!?

tadaa!

seeing spots

I am just beyond excited today because tomorrow Mom and Colton get here!!! It will be such a fun couple days shopping and exploring St. George with my mama and having a little tag along (colton) to keep things interesting. 

But today I've just been cleaning like a mad woman because hello, my mother is coming and my cleaning standards need to be fierce, but I had to take a little break {so I painted my nails} and fixed some lunch. It being the most wonderful time of the year I thought I'd let my fingernails in on the party...so they are very festive {and I'm kind of in love with them..I think I might be 3} and hopefully a little 4 year will think they are awesome tomorrow.

I used essie nail polish because I'm slightly obsessed with all of their colors and some martha stewart glitter to glitz it up a bit. For the dots I used a baking tester/poker thing {i'm all up for being innovated}

sunday pizza night

Tonight Julius and I had homemade bbq chicken pizza with pineapple and it was delish! I've been wanting to make it for a while but J has a unpredictable work schedule and seriously who wants cold pizza (unless it's the day after of course) so we decided to have it today...Sunday.  I was a little nervous since it was my first attempt at making pizza dough from scratch but it all worked out and a was big fat success!! (you know it's a good dinner when the husband plops down on the lovesac in perfect snow angel form and lets out a bigggg sigh..success. success I say)

elf yourself

I can not get enough of this officemax elf yourself...believe you have to do it!! Ya won't regret it. I promise.

here's my elf video...starring colton and julius.

St. George Temple

true perspective

What a remarkable and powerful message given. After watching this message I feel renewed and invigorated knowing that with true perspective all will be well. Peace overcomes me because I know my identity and my purpose and listening to this over and over I realize difficulties come and the difficulties that weaken my heart will turn me to the Lord and that He is waiting to help me. I need to remember to always try to improve and allow the Lord to help me through times that I am weak. I feel so overwhelmed with love and feel so grateful for the blessing of an eternal perspective. All will be well.

saturday fun

We went on what was going to be just a fun relaxing trail ride...but instead we got a little more.

Let's just begin with how gorgeous St George is. I mean seriously it's ridiculous. 

J and I had a blast on our bike ride we pulled over and climbed the red rock, biked through a river bed, rode through leaves (my favorite part) crossed some sketchy areas of the trail where the river had washed away most of the road minus the 8 inches where only the tires could fit... and I realized that my adventurist side needs some definite tuning and getting use to but am grateful for a husband who encourages me and tell me I can even when I think I can't.