Beautiful Day in Dayton

A couple of weekends ago the kids and I went to Dayton to see Brandt.  It was a beautiful weekend and we had a wonderful time!!  We spent Saturday at a nearby state park and enjoyed hiking around.

We then went to Subway for dinner and a different side of the park to eat and play frisbee!

Then had to go to the local dairy for ice cream!

And to finish the day- a ride on Brandt's bike!

It was another fabulous weekend where it was hard to go home the next day!!

We love being together!!!

This is Brandt's home: soon to be our home!!



Mother's Day

 I am so Thankful to be a Mom!  It is the hardest and most rewarding job I have ever done and I know will ever do.  I am so thankful for my two children and the love they share and the example they are to me.  I have enjoyed every day I have had to be a mother.

In one of my classes I took for my major was taught by a grad student and she made the comment that no woman would ever go to college to just end up staying at home with her children.  Wow- I thought she does not understand the role of mother.  Before I could say anything there were a few other students that spoke up and said they planned on being stay at home moms in the future!

What an honor it is to be a mother!

I am excited for the opportunity to be a say at home mom again!!!

When I returned home from Utah these were on the table from Brandt!!!

It was a nice surprise.  I am not use to nice surprises.

This was breakfast for my Mom.

I am so thankful for her and all of her love and support to not only me, but my kids.

She is a great example of faith, love, hope, and service.  I could not surrvive without her.

She is my friend, a confidant, a support, and a mother.



Best Friend and Wedding Planner

This is my Bestest Friend in the whole world!!

She has helped me surrvive my life on many of occasions!

Right now she has been my wedding planner.

She just stepped up and has really helped me in the searching, scheduling, and even in the thinking process of all the things that need to be done.

While I was out in Utah she was someone I had to see!  And so I spent my two days in Salt Lake with her and we planned my wedding.

I found a dress.

Found a reception center.

Found a photographer.

And actually even found a temple.

(I found the temple on my own- everything else is thanks to her!)

So the basics are all planned!

Now we just need a date :)

(Well, we have a date and now it is official- but at the time of being in Salt Lake, it was not all official)

I am so thankful for best friends.  I am thankful for good friends.

And I have a lot of GOOD friends. :)

Utah trip

Brandt and I went to Utah for a visit.  Brandt had been planning a trip to see his parents and to go to Moab for a Single Adult Conference.  Plans changed.  He went out first and was helping his parents pack (They are going on a mission hopefully at the end of summer).  I flew out on a Friday and stayed for a week.  I got to meet his parents, see his hometown of Monticello and visit Moab!  We then went to Salt Lake for a couple days so I could meet his brother and one of his sisters, he could meet some of my extended family and we met some of eachothers friends!!!  The trip was wonderful.  I just enjoyed being with hime every day for a week. 

I loved meeting his Parents!!  They are wonderful! 

I also enjoyed seeing where he grew up and can understand why he loves Monticello so much!!!

We did a little hiking, four wheeling, and would just go on walks.

We also went to the Temple which is 2 min down the road from his home!

I loved going to Moab.  I had never been and have always wanted to go.

I wish I had taken more pictures of Salt Lake and our family and friends.

We had a great time!  I love Utah!

When we got home the kids were so excited and had made us a sign!

It was good to come home- I had really missed the kiddos!

Saying Goodbye

Every weekend comes with such anticipation and ends with such saddness!

Saying goodbye is the hardest part!

I know as each weekend ends there has been memories made, a relationship that is just that much stronger, and a great future to look forward to!

Also my week is filled with such wonderful phonecalls.

I call Brandt as I am putting the kids to bed so he can be part of the bedtime routine!

He loves listening to them as they tell him about their day and then they read to him a story!

I know I will treasure this time and these memories!!

I am also excited for the time I do not have to say goodbye at the end of every weekend!!!

A picture my heart took

This is a picture not only my camera took, but my heart took also.  This takes place on a Sunday morning in Dayton at Brandts.  Brandt usually travels to visit us, but we had talked about how important it is to adjust the children to Dayton- the area, the neighborhood, church, and his home.  Also to adjust Brandt and his home to the me and the children. :)

We have a goal to visit once a month until we get married.  We stay at a friends house at night and then spend the days with him.  The weekend this picture was taken was in April and we went down Saturday and came home Sunday afternoon.  It was a great weekend.  We love being together.

Sunday morning I drove over with the children and I was mostly ready for church, but got the children ready at his house.  It was a neat experience to all be together and have help on a Sunday morning getting the kids ready.  I had a little bit more make-up I needed to put on and while I was finishing Brandt took the kids and was reading the story of Ammon with them.  I came down and this is the moment I caught on camera.  My heart stopped and then took a picture.  I will never forget this moment.  Both my children are happy and love Brandt!!

This is what I have always dreamt of: a man, a spirtual leader who loves me and my children with all his heart!  I can't believe I have found it!

I am so blessed and so happy!!

Easter

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday with a beautiful Sacrament Meeting, Family, good food, and the Easter Bunny and an easter egg hunt

It was a beautiful day, but it was cold!!

Easter Fun and Conference

General Conference Weekend Brandt came up and we spent time together!   I really enjoyed the Conference messages from the General Authorities- many were meant for me!!

We also colored eggs that weekend!  And it was fun because our friend Katherine joined us!

During Conference the kids played Bingo and Jenna actually took notes. She is sure growing up!