Where in the World is Ben Now?

He's on the set of "Friends".  Somehow he snuck away from his training session and hit up Warner Brothers Studios.  He always finds a way to have fun wherever he goes. 

 

FREE Day at the Zoo

On New Year's Eve I asked each of our kids what they really wanted to do in 2015.  Ayzha said she wanted to go to the zoo.  As luck would have it, yesterday the zoo was having one of it's FREE days, so I checked all the kids out of school and we went!  My friend Amber and some of her kids met up with us too.  It was a lovely time.  Now Ayzha wants to go to This is the Place Heritage Park. 

The Hand of God in All Things

Ben and I were recently called to teach the Sunday School class for the 14-18 year olds in our ward.  While preparing our first lesson I came across a talk by President Henry B. Eyring from October conference in 2007.  It talked about learning to recognize the hand of God in our lives and writing down the experiences we have.  I sat down and read through my journals and blog books and realize that I don't do this nearly as often as I should.  So in an attempt to do better, the following is an experience that increased my testimony that Heavenly Father knows me, loves me, and is there for me in times of trial...

Six years ago I was 3 months into my second marriage.  I was raising my two 3 year old daughters and living in the home of my 92 year old grandpa so I could help take care of him.  The phone rang one afternoon, it was the stake executive secretary.  He asked if it would be alright for the stake president to come by the next evening to visit with grandpa.  I told him that grandpa would be thrilled to have a visitor, so it was all set. 

The next afternoon I received a text from my then husband.  It said that he had decided to move out, and that he and his friends would be there at 3pm to get his stuff.  He wanted a divorce.  I could hardly breath.  We had only been married 3 months, this would be my second divorce in two years.  I was sad, and angry, and confused, and heartbroken.  He and his friends took his stuff that afternoon and left, and I sat there and hugged my little girls and cried. 

That evening there was a knock at the door.  I had completely forgotten that the Stake President was coming over.  I opened the door, invited him in, and took him to see grandpa.  He asked if I would care to sit in with them, so I did.  They had a pleasant conversation and then he said that the reason he came to visit was because he had a very strong impression that he needed to see Brother Julien.  He was a bit confused though because everything seemed fine.  Then he looked at me and started asking about my life.  I burst into tears and told him that earlier in the day my husband had moved out and that things weren't going so well.  He looked at me and said, "I know why I was sent here tonight, it was for you."   He asked if I would be interested in coming to meet with him in his office the next Sunday and I did.  We talked for a long time and he gave me a beautiful blessing which helped me feel comfort and hope. 

I know that this visit wasn't just a coincidence.  I know that it was divinely orchestrated for my benefit.  I write this blog and print out a copy every year so that our kids will have a history of our family.  This post is especially for them.  I want them to know that our Heavenly Father loves us, is mindful of us, and will, at times, send "angels" to strengthen us. 

Goodbye 8, Hello 9

Alyssa turned 9 today!  Last night before she went to bed she asked if I would make her cinnamon rolls and curl her hair pretty for her birthday in the morning.  I was all set to make her dreams come true, but when we woke up the power went out.  Instantly I came up with a plan B and it went into effect.  I braided her hair up pretty and we headed off to Krispy Kreme for some delicious donuts, boy was she excited!  Unfortunately they didn't have power either,  so no donuts for us.  Within a few seconds plan C came into play and we were off to McDonalds for hotcakes.  Finally we were in luck, we all enjoyed a yummy breakfast after all, yay!

 her dad showed up to
 surprise her at breakfast

A few days before her birthday she had made a request that I make some delicious cupcakes to take to her class for her birthday.  She didn't want boring plain ones though...of course... she wanted these...

You have no idea how difficult these seemingly simple cupcakes were for me.  I was told that everybody in her class loved them though, so that makes it all worth it, I suppose.

After school her dad took her and some friends to Hang Time followed by dinner.   

Since Ben was out of town all week, we decided to celebrate with her on Saturday so we could all be together.  She picked Golden Corral for her birthday lunch and then we had a small little party at the house.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!  So glad I get to be your mom!!!



Sledding Into 2015

My friend Katie invited our family to join theirs on a little sledding adventure on January 1.  IT WAS A TOTAL BLAST!  We went over to the hill at the point of the mountain on the Lehi side just past Cabella's.  What a great hill!  The ride down was fast, out of control and crazy, but guaranteed to put a smile on your face.  It was even fun to watch others go, cause when they biffed you got a good chuckle.  Wish I had some action shots to post, but I don't, I was having way too much fun to take pictures.  The only downside was the walk back up the hill, it was pretty brutal.  I was a sweaty mess by the time we got home. What a fun way to start the year!

2014 Was Truly Outrageous!

To quote my favorite fictional rock star, 2014 was "truly outrageous, truly truly truly outrageous!"    You've read the posts and seen the pictures, but here's a final rundown of the highlights from last year...  Qyntn was blessed by his sweet daddy, Alyssa, Holly and Tiago were baptized, Ben and I took a couple dream vacations, we were able to buy a home and, as the icing on the cake, Ben got a new job that pays a little more, and hopefully requires less travel.   WOOHOO!

We ended the year with a bang!  Karen and family came over and we danced a little, played games, ate lots of junk, wacked a piñata, and made some of noise at midnight.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!