HaPpY bIrThDaY...

Spencer, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We are so proud of you and know that you are in the right place right now. WOW...I can't believe you've almost been out a whole year - time is flying by. Hope you have a wonderful day...we love you!!

Conference...

This last weekend was conference weekend...and I just want to take a "journal" moment and express some feelings I have.

I have to say after listening to this conference I want to strive to be better. And boy are there a lot of things that I could be better at. It's sad to say, but this was probably the first time I actually made it a point to listen to conference. In the past I've always used it as an excuse to not go to church and to sleep in, but after this weekend my eyes were opened to the importance of it. Growing up I can remember my mom always having it on no matter if we were at home or in the car. And I want to tell my mom thank you for that...even though I may not have acted like I cared, I now look up to her for doing just that very thing. I noticed that, even if I wasn't really paying attention or were doing other things, by just having it on throughout the house made my home feel a lot more peaceful and there was a happy atmosphere!! Ultimately, 'true happiness' comes from being close to the spirit, and I feel that lately I haven't been as close as I should be. I started justifying not going to church every week, but now I clearly see by going to church every week is the very thing a person needs to remain close to the spirit. Also, attending the temple is a big one...we definitely don't go as often as we should and I want to start making a more conscious effort to attend the temple. Another thing I need to work on is to start making my visiting teaching an important part of my spiritual growth.

I feel that with doing better in these areas it will definitely help me to become a better person, get closer to the spirit and feel that feeling of true happiness. I'm so blessed to have a husband that honors his priesthood and wants to achieve the same things in life! I love my family so much...and again want me my mom to know how much I appreciate her example to me when it comes to the gospel.

**I think this is a good time to say that my new temple picture came yesterday...it turned out so good and I'm so happy I got it**

Happy Easter...

We had such a great Easter holiday on Sunday. We went to Oakridge, with the Boyce's, for brunch, then we went up to Grandma Gerda's to see my family. After afternoon conference we went to my dad's for dinner. I love getting to spend time with all of our families!!

{I didn't get a picture with the Boyce's or my dad's family ):}

Snow?? Really...

Last night I walked outside to go get my mail and this is what I saw...

Really...seriously? I'm so sick of this Utah weather. It needs to warm up quick because I'm so very ready for warmer weather.

A Tough Lesson...

"If at first you don't succeed try, try again" is the famous saying I remember my mom always telling me while growing up. When I was younger I may not have fully understood why it was important to believe in that saying, but now that I'm older and have experienced more I can now see why. After these past couple days it feels like I have had a crash course in how to overcome a situation after you don't achieve your goal.

At my job there was an opportunity that came for a higher position that I was really interested in getting. I remember going to my supervisor, back in July, in regards to this position asking her what I could start working on to better prepare me for it. I was told the only thing that could hold me back from getting the position would be my approach. So, for the last 8 months I have been continually working on that aspect and really focusing on striving to have a more positive approach. After months of putting, what I felt, my heart and soul into doing anything I could to get this position the time finally came for my interview. My interview was this last Monday, and I have to say I felt pretty good about it. Yesterday was when we were supposed to hear back on whether or not we got the position, and it felt like the longest day of my life. After watching a couple people be called down throughout the day and not knowing whether or not they got it my time finally came. I went down, my supervisor and I went over some things and then I heard it..."we decided to go with someone else." When I heard these words I literally felt like I had failed. I remember feeling that all that hard work I had done prior was all for nothing. I mean not getting something that I was so passionate for crushed me.

After talking to Dallas, and a "couple" tears later, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. This whole experience has made me realize that I ask way too much of myself, and that sometimes being a perfectionist isn't always a good quality. It is this experience that has made me understand that this is my opportunity to show everyone that I can make a negative situation in to a positive and that I can only grow from it. I'll be taking this little obstacle and use it as my motivation for my own self growth.

**Thank you to my wonderful, amazing husband for helping me see past this trial. I LOVE you so much!!**

Happy Birthday Ash...

On Saturday Ashley, my cute sister-in-law, had her birthday. I just want her to know that I love having her as my sister-in-law and I love how close we have gotten over the last couple years. We hope you had a wonderful birthday, We LOVE you! ♥

Happy St. Patricks Day...

We sure had a fun holiday today. We went to the Jazz game tonight and it was fun as always. Hope everyone else had a great day!!!