I Love To See The Temple

"I love to see the Temple, I'm going there someday..."
and my someday has come!!

I went through the Logan Temple last night and received my endowments on Friday, November 14th! It was a wonderful night that I could never adequately put into words. I was a bit nervous, but felt so calm both at the same time. I will never forget my 1st experience in the House of the Lord. I know Michelle and my Grandpa Hansen were both there, amongst many others I'm sure. I chose this day as a way of remembering my Grandpa Hansen on his one year death anniversary, as well as my Great-Grandma Johnston's birthday.

I had my Mom as my Escort and it was an experience I'm sure neither of us will ever forget. My Aunt Brenda and Uncle Randy were there, as well as May Dawn and Tim. I long and pray for the day that Shaun and I can be sealed with our kids as an Eternal family! I have to have faith that by my example, I can lead the way.

Me, Mom, Aunt Brenda, Uncle Randy

On top of a beautiful evening, I walk to the front desk to pick up my camera and I look over in the waiting room and not only is Shaun, Lindsay and Haddie waiting for me (which I knew would be there) but my Taylor and Hollie were there waiting also! Talk about tear jerker. I just can't put into words the amount of excitement and love I felt when seeing all of them. Poor little Hollie thought I was crying because I was mad that her and Taylor came. I wish my Kambri could have been there too, but by the time I got out it was already past her bedtime which would've made for a cranky girl to take out to eat. Through this whole preparing experience and just over the last 24 hours, we have shared many valuable talks about the Temple that I hope will impress upon them the importance of the Temple and being married there when the time comes.

We took some pictures outside (terrible quality mind you, I've posted the better ones- and it was quite chilly) and then went to dinner at Sizzler.

Our Family (Minus Kambri)

My family, Mom, Lindsay & niece Hadley, Aunt Brenda & Uncle Randy

This picture was taken really quickly with my cell phone and doesn't do either justice. Aunt Brenda and Uncle Randy gave me the book called, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me"- absolutely beautiful book. Shaun and the kids, and Lindsay and her family gave me a beautiful glass cube with the Logan Temple inside it and it goes on a rotating light. It's beautiful as well! And my Mom bought all my temple clothes for me! I wasn't expecting ANYTHING, but thank you so much. I will forever have things to remind me of my special day.

I have set the goal to go to the temple once a month and to always have a current recommend. I have worked extremely hard to get to where I am, and because of that I will never take for granted my standing in the Church and many blessings that are mine! I feel such a thirst for knowledge right now and to more fully learn and understand the teachings both in the Gospel and the Temple. I am so thankful for the peace that the Gospel brings into my life! I hope and pray that by my example that I can help in showing the way for other family members as well. Thanks to everyone who has been such a support in my journey!

A Belated Happy Halloween

Better late than never, right?! Here are pictures of my cute kiddies on Halloween. Poor Hollie woke up around 3 am sicker than sick. Needless to say she ended up staying home from school and missed out on all the fun stuff at school. We took her to the doctor and wouldn't you know, they just tell us it's the crud going around. Poor girl! So she ran a temp off and on all day of 102 degrees. We did cheat and went into my work for a luncheon and then let her go to the Trunk-or-Treat at my sisters ward.

Grandma Leslie with the 3 girls.

My cute little witch who would finally stop for a picture. She's really funny about having her picture taken. Obviously she'd been enjoying some of her goodies.


The kiddos with their pumpkins that they carved.
Taylor was a bleeding skeleton, Hollie was Hannah Montana (minus the Hannah wig I bought her due to not wanting to get gussied up) and Kambri was a 'good' witch minus her hat that she conveniently took off.


Taking off for some Trick or Treating.
We ended up with hoards of candy and thankfully now the real good stuff is gone from their loot and won't be able to tempt me much longer.

On to something...

I've been wanting to catch up with some pictures. So, be sure and read all my new posts. I have officially just exceeded my maximum number of posts in any given month. Maybe I'm on to something...

In August we (my side of the family) went up to Glenn's Ferry campground in Idaho. We stayed in cabins and had a lot of fun. (Minus the flies and mosquitoes. I'm just not much for things flying all around me.) We sent the guys to get a few things from the grocery store and my dad decided to bring back a swimming pool for the girls. They had a blast with it, and even got to take a bath in it.

Taylor doing what he loves to do most...

Shaun and Haddie trying to keep the flies away

My brother-in-law Mark. He's such a hoot.

These pictures don't do the girls' fun justice. I'll have to get the pictures from my sisters camera. We even have the bath time pictures.

One thing is certain...I'm not a very good camper. Even with the cabins, I've just been spoiled with the condos we have. I even cheated while we were up there and went to the laundromat a few times. Did I mention a terrible, terrible camper? :)

A sandwich for you, a sandwich for me

During UEA break, I made the kids grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch one of the days. I turned my head for a few minutes and came back to find the girls kneeling on the stairs between the carport door and the kitchen. They found such delight in their new little eating spot, I had to grab the camera.

Hollie decided she was going to try pulling out of the picture, but didn't have much room for an escape.

Hmm...what's in there?

A total side note: See that hideous wallpaper in the background? That's my winter project. I get to tear that down. I have a winding staircase with a pretty high ceiling. Somehow I get to figure out how to get it all stripped and painted. Any volunteers?

My baby just turned two!

Well, it's official. My baby isn't much of a baby anymore. Kambri turned 2 last Friday. The only thing that even resembles a baby anymore is her binky that we (Mom) haven't turned in yet, diapers (need to make that a priority), and the fact that her speech is still coming along at a slower rate. Other than that, she now represents a toddler.

So, this post is dedicated to my almost big girl! I love you so much Kambri. *Warning, it's rather lengthy.*

We had a great day together. She helped me make her cupcakes for her party (it's become a tradition for the kids to help make their birthday cakes). I have a lot of pictures I want to share and should probably do a slideshow, but #1 I don't know how and #2...I wanted to give a description on some of them.

She was in heaven. She couldn't believe the treat that Mom was letting her snack on so early in the morning.

Kambri had a Dora party complete with both sides of the families. It was a lot of fun to see Kambri thoroughly enjoying each aspect of the party. She seemed just as excited over opening her cards as she was with the actual presents.

Kami and my niece Hadley.

My niece and nephew from Shaun's side of the family have always really liked my mom. My mom ended up with all the kids on her lap with the exception of Taylor. At one point she had 6 of them on her lap. They all thought it was great.

There are 2 more kids on the other side that you just can't see.

Her new bedding set from Grandma Leslie. I will get pictures taken now that it's set up in her room.

Every good momma needs the proper equipment for her baby. She also got a Baby Alive that coos and talks.


I should have taken a picture of her whole loot, but I didn't. She got some clothes, diapers, play purse set, another doll, a Dora trike, etc. She got spoiled!

And the after math...

It's hard work being the birthday girl!

The Top 10 Things we love about Kambri:
1. She is such a cute little 'Momma'. She loves to take care of her babies.
2. When one of us comes home from somewhere, the way she comes running to give us loves.
3. Her run. While she runs she throws her arms straight back behind her. It's hilarious.
4. Her giggle. Need I say more? There's something about little kids' giggles.
5. Her facial expressions/features. Especially her 'O' face and her beautiful eyes.
6. The way she folds her arms and bows her head for prayers.
7. Her voice. It's music to my ears and I love how she's starting to imitate the things we say. Everyone loves her 'dog-dog'. That's what she calls dogs.
8. When she grabs my face with her 2 little hands so we're looking each other straight on. She does this sometimes when she's chattering away to me, or when she gives me kisses.
9. Her child-like innocence. Her amazement in the small ordinary things helps me try to keep things in perspective.
10. My new favorite is singing this song we learned from her speech therapist about fishies swimming in the water. She loves it!

I have held on to every little stage that Kambri has gone through and each milestone we've reached. Knowing while pregnant with Kami that she would be our last child, I've cherished and hung on to every moment. She brings so much joy into our home. I can't imagine our family without her. I enjoy our time alone and look forward to watching her as she continues to grow. (Just take it slow my little one...)