I don't mean to brag, but...

I get to live in a BEAUTIFUL place...I love our life.

I believe in Jesus Christ

Recently I had a conversation with a friend who I have known for about a year now. We have interacted on at least a weekly basis during this time. Somehow the topic of religion came up and she seemed shocked when I referred to myself as a Christian. For some reason this really bothered me this time. Throughout my life I have always had people tell me that "Mormons aren't Christians", but for some reason this time it really hurt. Did she not know me and my family well enough to know that we believe in and try to follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ? So, the truth is, it made me kind of angry (probably not the most Christ-like response, I will admit). I know that there will be some people that won't believe that members of our faith worship and honor Jesus Christ, no matter what I say, but for the record, I believe in Jesus Christ. I have come to know Him as I pray in His name and study His life in the old world in the Bible and His visits to the Americas in the Book of Mormon. I know that He died for me and I hope that my life will always reflect these beliefs...

End of the Year Fun

Memorial Day=Boatnik Parade

Last day of school for Davis=Volcano Ice Cream Cake!Davis=A Preschool Graduate
For some reason this has been a little hard for me. Davis was always my most cuddly toddler...now I see him growing and changing. I am excited for him...he is so ready to go to elementary school.
Field Day for Owen=Fun in the Sun!

Hives by Chocolate

Several month ago now I started having terrible problems with my complexion. My skin was just bumpy and itchy and it was driving me crazy. So, I changed my moisturizer and face cleanser. Then it seemed to spread to my neck....annoying. I changed my makeup and makeup brushes. Then I noticed red spots on my arms. I changed my laundry detergent and fabric softener. Once the itchiness spread to my back and ankles I knew I had to do something drastic. I reviewed the allergy testing results that I had in my file from a trip to the allergist after a strange/strong reaction to something I ate while I was pregnant with Davis. Then it hit me....brace yourselves....the testing had come back that I was mildly allergic, to Coffee, soy and CHOCOLATE! We had had a good laugh about this at the time and I think I probably said something like, "Whatever happens to me when I eat chocolate, it is worth it!" Because I was going mental with all of the itching I decided to cut chocolate out of my diet just to see if there was an improvement. To my horror, the itching bumps have gone away! Sigh. Must I really live a chocolate free life from here on out? I have tried to eat a little chocolate as an experiment from time to time. Unfortunately, it is definitely the culprit. I still am holding out hope that maybe I am just allergic to milk chocolate or dark chocolate, but not both. Seriously, you may think this is trivial, but I LOVE CHOCOLATE...this is definitely a trial for me. Oh, that I weren't an addict...There is just no good substitute for a brownie with mint chocolate chip ice cream...I will miss you chocolate....boo, hoo, hoo...

Flat Jed

Our actual anniversary this year fell on the same night as the annual "Father and Sons Camp-out" for the boys and dads at our church. This event is the second most favorite event of the year for our boys (only to be topped by Christmas). So, I sent the boys off for a fun filled adventure and made plans for a Rockin' Girls Night here at home. I invited Beth's little girls (okay, little girl, Brooklyn and baby, Caitlin) to come join us for "gymnastics", dancing and pink cupcake making. Beth was busy helping with a yard sale that her husband's Boy Scout troop was putting on.

When Beth came back for the girls (sometime around 10 p.m.) this is who came to the door with her....Flat JED! Oh MY! We laughed so hard! She had dug up some of Jed's old clothes from our yard sale donations--Hilarious! A special thank you to the other friends who donated their time, energy, boxer shorts and large boxes, so that Jed could be home with me on our anniversary!

As a side note, Jed's reaction to seeing the flat version of himself was the same as mine, "What is THAT?!?!?"...followed by lots of laughter. Gracie on the other hand was really confused. She just kept saying, "Daddy?"...pointing....walking away...coming back, "Daddy?" In her head I imagine her thinking, "Big people are so weird!"

"Boy's Camp" as Owen and Davis call it, was a huge success once again...they are already talking about next year!