Inspirational

Found this video through my sister... loved it! Thanks Teneill!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/AlphabetPhotography

ODE TO JASON: HUSBAND OF THE YEAR!!!

"An ode is typically a lyrical verse written in praise of, or dedicated to someone or something which captures the poet's interest or serves as an inspiration" -Wikipedia

I have always loved Jason. Well, maybe not when I first met him (if you know the story...) but you get the idea. :) I have never met someone who makes me so incredibly happy, and has the ability to make my life feel so fulfilled. Sure, our marriage is not by any means perfect- in fact I think this past year has been the most challenging one yet! But Jason knows the secret to my never ending happiness- A secret that not even I know. He seems to use this secret weapon when I least expect it- and then I have to be happy even if I don't want to!

The inspiration for this post came to me last week. Jason was going out of town on Thursday to his parents house in Blackfoot. We are going to be apart for a whole week, until I join him over there tomorrow for Thanksgiving. Before he left, I asked him to write me a little love note so I would have something to read when I came home to an empty house. No, we're not newly weds. And Yes, we've been apart for much longer than a week before. This was not my first time around the "lonely" block. Nevertheless, Jason agreed to my simple request and said he would do it. But when I came home, there was much much more than just a love note...

If you know Jason, he's not so much the mushy love letter type of guy- but rather he shows his love by his actions. When I walked in the house I was greeted by a love letter, as promised, but I was also greeted by countless actions of love from my husband. The first thing I noticed was a little post-it note on a magazine I was reading. Then I saw one on my computer. Another one in the bathroom, on my pillow, and in the fridge. They were all little love notes, reminding me of my incredible husband.

When I found the one in the fridge it said "I didn't want you to eat only cereal while I was gone. Love, Jason" It was sitting on top of a chicken & stuffing casserole he had made for me. Then on the next shelf down there were homemade chicken enchiladas. And on the last shelf was a homemade chicken pot pie. This food was going to last me the whole week, and then some! Jason used to work for a catering company- so he knows his foods and best of all, he knows how to cook them! I have been eating these delicious meals for dinner each night, and even taking them to work with me for lunch! I do love a good bowl of cereal, and probably would have eaten a fair share of it while he was gone- but I am happy to announce that I have only had two bowls, and they were actually for breakfast!!

Jason must have been incredibly busy before he left, because he also painted the bathroom ceiling!! Our walls and ceilings are all the same color. Tan. I've never had a problem with it because our ceilings are 10 feet high. But our guest bedroom and bathroom are the normal 7/8 feet, so the tan color makes them feel a little small. A couple of months ago we painted the ceiling in the bedroom and have taked about doing the bathroom but never got around to it! Well sneeky little Jason got around to it right before he left, and it looks AWESOME!

So ODE TO JASON: HUSBAND OF THE YEAR, for capturing my interest, and being my inspiration. I love you, appriciate you, and am so lucky to have you.

Here's to living happily-ever-after!!

Pioneer Trek Blog!!

After a month of research and countless hours... I pleased to announce (drumroll please!)

OUR PIONEER TREK BLOG!! Check it out!!

www.livelikeyoubelieve2011.blogspot.com

TA DA!!

bye-bye blondie... HELLO BRUNETTE!!

I have been brunette for almost a week now, and I have to say... It's starting to grow on me! Here's a blonde and a brunette pic for you to compare and decide for yourself- what do you think?

Facelift

I just wanted to thank Jill and Teneill... who inspired me to update my blog and KEEP IT GOING! This blog facelift is dedicated to you two :) XOXO

WOMEN'S FITNESS CELEBRATION

September 25th

The annual Women's Fitness Celebration Race :) I ran it with my friend, Stephanie Geddes- our headbands say "Hot Woman". We got them at the Women's Show Convention the day before- rather fitting, don't you think?

THE DIRTY DASH

September 18th

A 10K Race, with obstacles every mile... and a big mud pit at the end. I'll let the pictures do the talking:

BEFORE:

DURING:

AFTER:

COMMUNITY SHOWER:

Yeah, most intense race of my life! I couldn't walk straight for a whole week afterwards! Needless to say- YOU MISSED OUT!

Martin's Cove Training Seminar

September 10th & 11

Jason and I were required to go to a trek training seminar for our ward's pioneer trek next summer. We traveled 10 hours to get to Martin's Cove in Wyoming. This training is mandatory for anyone who wants to have a trek there, and there were about 150 people in our group. It was an incredible weekend! There are 55 senior missionaries serving at the pioneer sites (including the willie site). First of all, they are soo stinkin cute! And second of all, they really know how to bring the spirit. Jason and I were there for a little over 24 hours (we slept in a tent) and it was such a spiritual experience... I felt like I was practically crying the whole time :)



The "Father" spoken of on this plaque is my great-great-great grandfather who was part of the Martin Handcart Company.

Notice how baren the land looks behind us! Leaves nothing to break the wind... except for your own body! The wind was so strong that it broke our tent pole! CRAZY!

Our first day we trekked 6 miles. We went to Dan Jone's Cove, Martin's Cove, Crossed the Sweetwater River (it was freezing!), and did a Women's Pull. All along the way there were missionaries stationed at a "post" waiting for us. They would tell a story or two or tell us different things we could do with our group at that particular spot. The possibilities are endless, and the thing I loved the most- is that Jason and I agreed that whatever we choose to do would be fantastic. Meaning that there are no bad choices! All we feel like we have to do is get everybody there and the rest is taken care of because the spirit that is along the trail will do the rest. It was nice to be able to bounce ideas off of everyone and see what different things they came up with. Needless to say- some of the stress of this calling was relieved! :)

This video is of one of the missionaries who sang for us in Dan Jones cove. She wrote this song, and although I only got a piece of it, you can see how incredible it was! I wish I knew how to play the guitar.....

The missionaries at Martin's Cove were fantastic. They even taught us how to square dance! And if any of you know Jason, you know that that is not an easy task! (love you babe!) They had speaker after speaker teaching us about pioneers and their trek to Salt Lake. I bought a book while I was there called "Tell My Story Too". It is an incredible compilation of stories about the pioneers in the martin and willie handcart companies. It's a BIG book and will take me a while to get through it, but so far so good!

SO GET EXCITED 34th WARD! GET EXCITED!!

NEW CHURCH CALLING!!!

In 2009 I was the Enrichment Leader for my Relief Society. I was able to get to know many of the women in the ward and I learned alot about that responsibility. It was stressful at times, but overall a good experience!

Then at the begining of 2010 I was released and called to be a Relief Society teacher. A calling I did NOT feel I was worthy of. I always LOVED going to Relief Society because the teachers always did such an incredible job at inviting the spirit to be with us. I felt overwhelmed at the task that was set before me, and asked the Bishop if he was sure he had the right person... he was. I was soooooo nervous for my first lesson! But after I got over that hump, I felt more at ease each time I had to teach. Over the past 7 months, this calling has helped me to invite the spirit more into my life than any other calling has. As I have studied the topics and prayed for guidance to teach my lessons, I have become more and more greatful for the opportunity to have this calling.

In April I was given another calling in addition to being a Relief Society teacher. I was called to be the Young Women's Camp Director! Now this one I knew I could handle... after all, it was going to be my 11th year at Girls Camp!! Camp was held at the begining of June and it was (as always) an incredibly spiritual experience. I will forever LOVE girls camp!

Last Sunday, I was released from both of those callings. And my husband and I got a new calling together as the (are you ready for this??).......... MARTIN'S COVE TREK COORDINATORS!! Our Ward is inviting everyone 12yrs and up to go on a Pioneer Trek in Wyoming (10hrs away) at Martin's Cove next July. I knew our Bishop was wanting to do this, and ever since I found out, I had a feeling that I would be involved somehow. I just never thought that I would be in charge of it! I am so glad to be able to share this responsibility with Jason too, it will be a learning experience for us both I'm sure! I look forward to this next year with much anticipation of what is to come. I have so many mixed emotions about this- I'm stressed, nervous, excited, scared, happy, anxious... but most of all I am humbled at the opportunity to plan this out with everyone from the ward. I will be investing in some knee pads, as I imagine I will find myself praying to my Heavenly Father more than ever before.

I welcome any and all suggestions!!

Our 2009 Photobook!!

Click here to view this photo book larger

I realize that I am really behind on my blogging and so I am writing to help you realize that at this point I will not be doing any of that "catching up" stuff. That's for people who actually have time to sit down and spend hours on the computer! (yes HOURS... do you know how far behind I am?)

Just wanted the world to know that I am still alive... just behind :)

Maybe I will post something useful tomorrow... maybe...