Temple Inspirations

I don't normally post about Temple experiences, but I felt that I needed to do this one.

I took this as I was walking in.
Looks pretty good I think.

On Friday I felt inspired to head to the temple. But after Amy and Alicia returned from girls camp...Amy needed to go to the Opthamologist. So I pushed going to the temple to Saturday. On Saturday morning I woke up and knew that I needed to go. It seems that I go to the temple more when I'm struggling. I decided that I need to go when times are good. I decided to go and do initiatory. Being in the temple compares to nothing else. It is a calm peaceful place.
One of the Temple Workers stopped me and asked if she could share something with me. I said of course. She went on to say that I had a GIANT spirit and that I could do amazing things. She said she could tell I was amazing because I came to the house of the Lord. She mentioned a few other things, but I was floored by her beginning statement of kind words. Obviously I needed to hear that. I didn't realize when I drove to the temple on Saturday that a stranger would make me feel so good. Well a stranger and the Holy Ghost.
The Temple is like no other place..I must go more often.

Summer Celebrations Part 2

This summer marks one year since my dad's horrible accident. I can remember when Josh called to tell me my mom was heading to the ER to see my dad. It was so scary when I heard the details. The truck he was driving rolled at least 7 times. And he stayed in the car....he was covered in road rash, blood, and glass.
 I am so glad he was safe well relatively safe.

It has been a long road to recovery. Surgeries, wound clinics and crutches. I am so grateful he is alive.

After Moab I went with my mom up to Logan. She is taking a two week course at USU. So we (Alicia, Amy and I ) stayed over one night in Logan. Anyone that knows me can attest I love LOGAN! I think my love started when I was a child and my grandma and grandpa would take us to Logan on mini trips. We would go to Willow Park Zoo and Gossner's. Then when my Aunt Nancy went to college we would visit her. Then I moved to Logan for college.
So on this mini vaca we had some time to kill. My mom was in class from 8:30-4 each day. I have always wanted to tour the Bluebird Chocolate Factory so we did.

Alicia is standing by the chocolate conveyor belt...think I love Lucy. Bluebird hand dips all of their chocolates. YUMMY! Don't touch anything they will make fun of you and treat you like a child.
Scenario: Bluebird worker comments about the marble and how it can change temperatures so what do I do? I touch it.. I want to see and feel if it is cold. DON'T TOUCH THAT! Normally we warn people before the tour but it's mostly children. And then the worker laughs about it for about five minutes. I teach preschool hello...Sorry!
We had a great little trip. I was nostalgic at times...passing Merrill Hall, Oakridge, Toaster Chapel. I just love Logan.

Amy is very against photos
Logan has tons of random bulls all over town.
The zoo now charges....so this is all we saw.
Gossner ice cream and milk...YUM
Bluebird chicken and their rolls can't be beat.

We celebrated Becca's birthday at Spaghetti Factory and then we went to Bountiful's Farmer Market. Nothing beats the market. We got some cute earrings. Sorry for those who are my facebook friends cause you have seen some of these pictures before.

We celebrated Alicia too at this lunch. I thought it would be fun to put Clara on the light, she practically glows!

Clara might be the next Rapunzel.

Last night I had dinner with some friends from Gailey Park 1st Ward or the 16th ward. Heidi Hill was YW president and she needed a camp director so I said I would. I always loved girls camp minus the arguments and tent switching, Anyways I became good friends with Tiffany and Aly. I love these girls. Becca joined too because Heidi was her leader and she was an older Young Women with Aly and Tiff. They are so funny. So we all met at Parkstone at Station Park last night. It was so yummy and we had a hilarious time. Heidi kept saying it was a miracle that we actually got together.

Becca, Heidi,Aly, Me and Tiffany

Lily, Coreena and me....I totally forgot to take off my glasses.
Sadly Dev had to head back to work before we snapped a picture.

This afternoon Coreena organized a lunch with Devrie,Coreena and me. Coreena and Devrie were my roommates when I lived in Logan one summer. We had so much fun. Swimming, Boating, going to Sizzler and just doing crazy things. Coreena is pregnant with her second child and Lily is adorable. Devrie has three cute munchkins...still haven't met Remme but I know she is dressed stylish. Coreena's husband refers to us as the roommates that walked Sardine Canyon. Oh yes you heard that right, we walked all of Sardine Canyon. I think we measured it to be 14 miles. We counted honks and people that stopped to see if we were okay. I remember calling our friend Chad to see if he could drop us off at the canyon...he started taking us to Logan Canyon and we had to tell him Sardine. It was a Sunday evening I think it took four hours. We ran and walked it. Took a break by Mantua and Ashley came and visited us. We missed ward prayer that night but we were talked about anyways. Once we arrived in Brigham City we called a friend who lived in Willard and he thought we were crazy. Yes we were crazy but we had fun and we made a great memory! I know you will never look at Sardine Canyon the same.

Stay tuned for the Birthday Bash post.

Summer Celebrations

What I am actually writing a blog post? I know it is a little crazy. I just haven't had anything fun and exciting to post.
Let's see...
School is out for the summer! Wahoo! I had a great group of kids this year. Some were harder than others but I really do enjoy my job.
Birthday celebrations have been in full swing at our house. My mom had a birthday on the 12th. Since I was going to be in Moab we celebrated a day earlier at Sizzler. Grandma and Carter joined us. Carter has become quite the character. He loves outdoor equipment. He chainsawed his roll with sound effects of course. He has a pretend chainsaw, lawnmower, weed wacker, leaf blower. He is hilarious with them.

My mom in Kindergarten

Carter and Grandma JoAnn at Sizzler

On Wednesday the 12th I went with my singles ward to Moab. It was really hot. Thursday it got up to 105. I didn't melt but my deodorant did. I remember as a kid going to National Parks with my family...we hiked quite a few places. This trip was spent hiking. Some of our group hiked at least three different times: morning, afternoon and at night. I like to hike but I am not that dedicated. The good thing about these super activities is the friends you make. I used to know a lot of the ward members but this past year I feel like I haven't quite reached out and met people. This trip was a good time for me to get reacquainted with people and meet new ones.

Alex, Kelsy, me and Lydia Tentmates!
We hopped in the car to cool off for a bit!

Me, Alex and Meghan at Dead Horse

My mom told me that I have been to Dead Horse but I don't remember it. This place was so beautiful. I love Southern Utah. We did a little hike...about 1.2 miles. The overlooks were gorgeous! Plus the wind was blowing so that helped us stay a little cool and we would spritz ourselves with water. 

Balanced Rock

This is called Courthouse Towers.
If you look close you can see the divots like
someone started at the top and scratched.
So cool!

On Friday we went in to Arches. I went with a group that mostly drove around the park and did the little hikes. It was perfect we would get really hot and then hop in the car roll our windows down and view the park. Pictures don't quite do Arches National Park justice. 

You'll notice my face is bright red.
It was hot!
But amazing to see.

We were planning on just doing the lookout to delicate arch but then we decided that we would hike up and see the back of the arch. It was hot but worth it. 

This is my good friend Morgan.
I am very good friends with his older sister Ali.
I had to take a picture of him because he just looks like a typical tourist:camera, backpack, water bottle.

Moab was a great trip and I was glad that I went.

Stay tuned for part two.