There is going to be a temple in...
INDIANAPOLIS!!

I can't even begin to express the joy that this simple announcement brought to my heart today! I have prayed that a temple would be built here so that I could go more often! What a wonderful blessing and answer to my prayers (I know so many others have been praying for this same blessing)!

I feel so blessed and thankful today!!

I have dreamed so many times of being able to...

* go with my husband to the temple for a date night
(and not have to drive over 2 hours to get there)
* take my children OFTEN and walk with them on the temple grounds
* go for a drive and see that most beautiful building lit up at night

My DREAMS are coming TRUE...

“Let us be a temple-attending people. Attend the temple as frequently as personal circumstances allow. Keep a picture of a temple in your home that your children may see it. Teach them about the purposes of the House of the Lord. Have them plan from their earliest years to go there and to remain worthy of that blessing.”

"May you let the meaning and beauty and peace of the temple come into your everyday life..."
--President Howard W. Hunter October 1994 General Conference

This is my special temple!
This is the Frankfurt, Germany temple where my best friend and I were sealed together for time and all eternity!! Oh how I love this place... Heaven on Earth!!

Can You Guess?

I have decided that I need to do better at saving money when I grocery shop! Now, I don't do that bad normally but I do know that with some effort I could do better. So, tonight I went to the store with coupons and my list in hand! Here are the "fruits" of my labors!!

Can you guess how much I spent on all of this?
How much do you think it all actually retailed for?

The total is............!?

Heaven on Earth

****
We have had a full, wonderful summer! A family reunion in Idaho with Rich's family and then a family reunion in Destin, FL. with my family! This summer has truly made my heart smile! I am so thankful for my entire family! Thank you to all of my family for giving me a glimpse of what heaven could be like! I LOVE you all!!
(updates with pictures to follow soon)

I was on the computer this morning and I found this picture! Life has thrown me a few curve balls (as it does to everyone). However (and I am embarrassed to admit this), I have let life and some of these curve balls overwhelm me recently! I have often wished that some things in my life were easier, but I always tell myself..."It could always be worse!" BUT---this picture says it best...I am the one who needs to be better! I cannot always make my life easier, but I can make myself better! I better go and get on this immediately...I have A LOT of work to do on myself!

Just so you know...I do have so many things I have to be grateful for as well!

Happy Birthday Richard!!

Happy Birthday Richard!!

Today is a special day...37 years ago my life began! Yes, I know I am only 35, but the love of my life was born 37 years ago today, thus...my life began!

The world was changed February 23, 1973!

There are so many cute, funny, crazy stories that I have heard about my hubby growing up. My fab SIL Nicki did a beautiful post about him for his birthday with funny stories. Thanks Nicki!!

Rich and I met May 27, 1991 (that was the day my world changed)! We were engaged by July 26, 1991 and were married June 12, 1992 (4 days after I graduated from high school)! I look at Brittaney now and we have already told her that we will kill her if she even thinks about it (well,we would at least lock her in her room forever)! As crazy as everything was, marrying this incredible man was the best decision I ever made! We have been married for 17 years 8 months and 1 week today!! It has been one incredible journey! This man is my BEST friend!



Why I LOVE Rich...
(these are just a FEW of the reasons)

Let's just put this out there...He is HOT!!
(We've been married this long and he still makes my heart skip a beat!)

He loves our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Because of how he loves me...only he and I know this!

He made me a mommy!

He is an amazing husband and father!

He loves each of our amazing kids!

He is not afraid to hug and kiss our kids!

He loves his mom and dad!

He loves his brothers and sisters!

Because of how he looks at me...he melts my heart!

He watches "chick flicks" with me!

He LOVES the Steelers!

He sacrifices so much for our family!

He made a commitment and graduated from college!

He still holds my hand!

He works so hard to provide for our "little" family!

He laughs so hard that he cries!

He rubs my back EVERY night in bed!

His handsome face is the last I see before going to sleep!

His handsome face is the first I see in the morning!

He is an awesome cook!

He lights up when he sees his kids!

He helps me around the house...SO SEXY!!

He still "dates" me!

He would do anything for anyone!

His beautiful eyes!

He has a tan line on his ring finger...makes my heart smile!

He would give his life for his family!

He loves my cooking!

He is awesome with electronics and technology!

His sense of humor!

He is so patient with me...trust me, I need it!

He forgives me daily!

He is so ticklish and hates to be tickled...but let's his kids do it anyway!

He honors his priesthood!

He likes being with his family!

He loves watching our kids in their activities!

He still loves me after all of these years despite all of my flaws and shortcomings!

He is my ETERNAL companion!!

Until Tomorrow...

I have so many things I need to blog about! However, tonight I am going to spend some time with my wonderful husband (while the kids watch a movie upstairs). Katelyn is sick. She has been running 102 fever since Thursday. I think I am going to take her into the sick clinic at her peds office tomorrow. Anyway, my point is that I will be staying home with her during church tomorrow so maybe I will have some time to sit down and blog. So, until tomorrow...I have a poem for you! I have had this since I was a teenager and it hangs on my bulletin board in my kitchen. This poem has helped me through many difficult times and I hope it helps you too!

This was the first time Tayler folded her arms for prayer all by herself!

Prayer

I know not by what methods rare
But this I know God answers prayer.
I know that He has given His word
Which tells me prayer is always heard.
And will be answered, soon or late,
And so I pray and calmly wait.
I know not if the blessings sought
Will come just in the way I thought.
But leave my prayers with Him alone
Whose will is wiser than my own.
Assured that He will grant my quest
Or send some answer far more blessed.
Eliza M. Hickok

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We had a fabulous New Year celebration! We went next door to our neighbor's house. They have become our extended family! It was a fun-filled night! We all gathered around to watch the ball drop and then lots of hugs and kisses! :)

2009:

Kehli was diagnosed with ITP (lots of hospital visits)
(she is doing really well right now)
Check this and this out

Kehli got glasses!

We made a trip out to Idaho this summer and SURPRISED Rich's parents with a visit. We had a BLAST!!

Brittaney got braces

I was diagnosed with skin cancer and had surgery!

Brittaney turned Sweet 16

Katelyn, Brenden, and Kehli started gymnastics and the LOVE it!

Christopher started Taekwondo and he LOVES it!

Kehli and I ran a 5K together...and I survived!

Rich finished school in August and had his graduation ceremony in December!
(You are AWESOME BABE---We are so PROUD of you!!)

We have had a fun, crazy, busy year. I am thankful for my family and for the love that we share and for the fun that we have together. We have made so many fun memories this year. As we move into the new year, I hope that this year will be full of even more fun memories and hopefully less hospital visits. I hope that each of you had a wonderful 2009 and that your 2010 is even better. Thank you for being a part of my life! I feel so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends! I love you all!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!