Remembering President Hinckley

President Hinckley was the Prophet of our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints. He passed away on Sunday January 27th. He was 97 years old, the oldest and longest lasting prophet the church has had so far. I recieved two phone calls from family in Utah to inform me, later I check my emails and I had 5 emails about the news. He was called to be prophet on my Birthday in 1995. I love this picture of him, it shows his upbeat personality. It's sad to have a great leader gone, I will miss hearing him speak his quick wit. But on the other hand I'm very happy for him, he is now reunited with his wife who he loved so dearly, and other family. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to listen to him for one final time at our stake fireside, a couple of weeks ago. I like this quote from him:
“Under the plan of heaven, the husband and the wife walk side by side as companions, neither one ahead of the other, but a daughter of God and a son of God walking side by side. Let your families be families of love and peace and happiness. Gather your children around you and have your family home evenings, teach your children the ways of the Lord, read to them from the scriptures, and let them come to know the great truths of the eternal gospel as set forth in these words of the Almighty.”
( “Selections from Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, Mar. 2001, 64.)

Goals

So I actually listened in church today, I went to Sunday School too. Mark took Drew which was a nice change. Although i found myself getting a little antsy just sitting for three hours. And the 3rd hour was combined with everyone, except primary.

Basically the meeting was on setting some basic goals, or should I say do what we've been asked to do by the prophet. But hey since they know we are human they said to start with the basics. So here are some of my new goals:
1. Study my scripture daily (that means not read for 10 minutes and than ask, what did I just read)
2. Family prayer everyday
3. Family scripture study daily,

So far I have done 2 of 3, for today and the day isn't over. I'll write some more goals here, because than maybe I'll really work on them because I wrote them down. Not that I don't but maybe it will help me more. today someone said that if you say it that's a wish, and to tell someone it's a dream but to write it that's a goal (I can't remember what they called it how frustrating).

More goals...
Stop complaining, about my weight, cleaning...
Try to talk and discipline calmly, Mark says if I talk normal to Michael he'll talk normal to me and if I raise my voice he'll raise his.
Compliment my children more. Recognize all the good things they do on a daily basis. I think I do that but I want to also recognize when they are being nice to each not just a nice picture they draw. I want to recognize when they listen the first time I ask them to do something.
Next I want to be more supportive of my husband by trying to have things done at home, cleaning, cooking, etc.

Maybe these aren't a big deal to you but they are to me. There are more, but maybe too personal to put on here, I don't need to put all my weaknesses online right?

The Gym

I have been a very good girl and go to the gym about 3 times a week you would think I liked it. But the fact is I don't. Today I tried to run, I've done it before but no my shins don't want to handle it. Well it's more like tendinitis on the lower part of my leg. I'm getting old. Yes I'll be 30 this year and not one bit happy about it. I'm going to moan and gripe for a minute, I don't like getting old, and having a "mommy body" OK! And I think that's OK to complain about that. I love my kids and wouldn't give them up for anything but why was I one of the lucky ones to loose all elasticity in my stomach? So no matter if I do a thousand crunches it will never look like Kelly Ripa's stomach (she who had 3 kids by c-section) And seriously do you really think she got it just from walking all around downtown New York? I heard her say that once. I mean seriously?

I have been going to the gym since November I believe and after a 2 week break at Christmas I'm back at square one. I was feeling pretty good before Christmas, but I don't know if my body knows it's turning 30 this year or what, it's being so wimpy (not me my body). Oh enough complaining. I will just deal with my aches and pains and take some ibuprofen.

XBOX no, no's!

Isn't there somewhere on the xbox instructions that say, "Warning do not let children under the age of 2 play, it will cause bad habit forming obsessions!" Yes my son Drew who is 15 months will go get himself a paddle anytime anyone is playing, and I truly believe he thinks he is playing. He laughs too at the game. It's really funny. Mark is playing some motorcycle game here in these pictures Drew loves to watch or should I say play...Oh yea and the chair dad is sitting in was a present for Drew from Santa (I'm curious who it was really for????)

mmm....Chocolate

Dad's can very evil somtimes and this is one of those times, don't you think?

10 Years

Tuesday the 22nd was Mark and I's 10 year anniversary. I can't believe it's been so long. We had a fun day together, we went to the gym together, to the outlets to return stuff, and lunch. Later we went to Cabrillo National Park, here's the link so you know what it is. http://www.nps.gov/archive/cabr/home.html But it's really beautiful I wanted to go watch for whales but Mark lost his binoculars, but it was still a great view. I need to go back and explore the tide pools it was a little chilly that day. That evening we went to Dinner at Torrey Pines Lodge. It's a really nice golf course. And we ate a really nice "fancy" Dinner. It was good I had steak, and Mark had a variety of stuff from lobster to lamb chop and I mean chop because it was just one. Oh but the highlight of the night was Our celebrity sighting. WE saw Tiger Woods' wife and baby as they where leaving the lodge. Mark was dying to get my picture with her but I thought that would be rude, he is never going to let me live this one down. She was there because it's the Buick invitational (if you don't know what that is that might be a good think it's a golf tournament.) We finished the evening by going to the Temple, it was a great day I was very exhausted by the end of the day.

Fun at the Beach

So On Monday we where able to go to the Beach. AT first we thought it was going to icky and cold, I mean how cold can it get in San Diego? But really it was cloudy and rainy, but we had family in town and we thought this would be fun. We didn't get out the door until after 12 noon, which was too our advantage, all you have to do is look at the pictures and say we got lucky. And I'm not kidding we pulled up the beach and the Sun came out and it was beautiful the whole time we where there. Take a look yourself. (Sorry for the double picture I don't know how to take it off)

Fun in the Snow

I forgot to add some pictures, the kids had a lot of fun in the snow in Utah. It took Taylor a while to like it, but Savannah and her ended up loving playing and tubbing in the snow. I myself wonder how in the world I grew up in such cold wet weather. Oh Drew wasn't too happy either.

Check out my Slide Show!

The new Couple arrayed in bubbles

As the princess and her prince charming leave for their carraige, (really they did go on a carriage ride in the bitter freezing weather.)

The Reception

Some of our Decorations

I'm Back

Well it's been a while since I lasted blogged. Ok longer than a while it's been over a month. Wow time sure does fly. Let's see what have I been up too? Mmmmm....I think since the last time I blogged I went to Utah for my sisters Bridal shower which I hosted, and made a video for, than came home a few days later.

Next I got really sick, for a week I could hardly talk. I was hoping that wouldn't be a trend every time I went to Utah. So I had a week of recovery and than it was Christmas. We had a great Christmas.

In between that time I read a book, first I wasn't too thrilled about it, It's called the Kite Runner. I'm sure many have heard about it, but it's a little more graphic than I planned for but a very good book, it made me think. What kind of person was I? What kind of friend as well. Talking about books I am now currently addicted to the Twilight series. IF you haven't heard of it, you just need to start reading it. I really enjoy them even if they are for young adults. I'm still young right?

Well back to Christmas, lots of fun, we went to Utah that day as well. But first we had a wonderful Christmas morning seeing all the fun things Santa brought us. He gave me lots of smelly good spray is that hint if I ever got one!
Once in Utah it was a feast of good food, and than the next day was all about wedding plans. My sister was getting Married 3 days later. It was good though. The kids had great fun with family and I helped with the stress of the wedding. But everything went great. It was a beautiful wedding, I don't think my sister can complain about one thing. My girls even wore the red dressed, (inside thing.) It was pretty exciting though, she married a general authorities son so we had an opportunity to see some of the apostles and seventy including sister Tanner the YW president. We say elder Oaks, Uchdorf, Cook, and Perry. They are very friendly and really normal people. Elder cook gave Drew a hi five and talk with us a moment. The others I sheepishly kept glancing at. Although they did give me smiles and Elder Oaks did say Hi to me as we where walking in the all. I felt so dumb though I should of helped him, he just had knee surgery a little bit ago so h e was walking with a cane. But when I saw him it was draped over his arm and he was carrying his food and walking very carefully dumb. I will keep kicking myself for that moment of total stupidity.
Anyway I will attach some much needed pictures including Christmas. I don't' even want to think about taking down Christmas I too much "fun" putting it up. Anyway there is a quick update.