One day makes everything worth it...

Today I had the most amazing experience.

I am not sure if many people experience what I experienced today. Let me rewind a few years... OK OK OK, 12 years exact! I was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was sent to Hartford, CT for 18 months. My mission helped me experience may different emotions. Joy, heartache, love, sorrow, disappointment, friendship, excitement and I could go on and on. Those that have served missions before will totally understand where I am coming from. Well about 7 months into my mission I was transfered to the Clinton area. This was a hard area because it was so large but when I first got there my mission companion Sister Civish went over our teaching pool! She told me about a family that they just started to teach. It was a mixed family... The Shaw/Hughes Family. To make a LONG story short we experienced many of the emotions I mentioned above with this family. They were a special family and I grew to love each and everyone of them. Dan, Kathy, Matt (Dan's son) Matt, Sarah and little Mikey (all Kathy's son). We taught the whole family but in different times because of the level of knowledge and just circumstances of each one. Matt and Sarah were the youngest and because they were past the age of 8 we had to teach them both the discussions. They were a trial to say the least... they had they own agenda. But Sister Civish and I stuck with it. Through many prayers and much fasting this family got baptised.

( not a good picture...sorry) from left to right, Dan, Kathy, Sarah, Matt, Me) Matt, Dan's son was baptised a few months earlier. That is another amazing story in itself.

I was soon transferred out of this area and left this amazing family. After my mission the Shaw family moved it Utah. They wanted their kids to hang around kids that were like the missionaries that they had met while in CT. I moved to Idaho and lost contact with the Shaw/Hughes family. After I got married and moved back to Utah I ran into Sarah and she told me the Matt just left for his mission to Chile. I was floored but so overjoyed!!! Two years went really fast and we exchanged letters a few times throughout his mission. Just thinking of him serving a mission brought tears to my eyes. Well today was the day that made all the emotions I felt totally worth it. I attended his mission homecoming. I can't express my thoughts and feelings I had while sitting there listening to his experiences and his testimony. The gospel has continued to be spread. It didn't just end with me in CT teaching this family. There has been so many other peoples lives changed eternally because of the decision I made to serve my Heavenly Father. After the meeting to stand face to face and embrace each other brought tears to both our eyes. We were the only ones in that room that shared something so special. I will never forget today. I will get on my knees tonight and thank my Heavenly Father for bring such a spirit into my life.

Cowabunga Bay Summertime fun....

As you can tell we went to Cowabunga Bay today.

It is a new water in Draper. We have heard good and bad things from it so we had to find out for ourselves.

Once we got it we realized what it was... it was a HUGE jungle gym with a bunch of different water slides and water gadgets.

The slides aren't really big so they are good for all ages.

I didn't do any of the slides and Cameron didn't want me to feel left out so he stayed out too...

one thing we wished that they had was a spectator price. We had to pay full price and didn't really use anything.

Courtney and Derek had a lot of fun running up and down and trying all the different slides.

All the slides just ended with water at the bottom, none went into a pool. One thing I don't like about those kind of water slides are the wedges you get at the bottom. The kids didn't seem to mind at all.

They had a wade pool and went into a lazy river. That was kinda fun....

So all of you waiting for my review of this water park.....

Make sure you do the after 5 because that is when it is the cheapest.

The kids don't need much more than that. By the end of the day Courtney and Derek were tired and ready to go.

It is A LOT of fun for the kids.... adults on the other hand, I enjoyed watching Courtney and Derek and the laughter they created... I just wished I didn't have to pay $10.99 to watch.

If I wasn't pregnant I may have went down the slides and had a little bit more fun.

It is a very creative place to take the kids on a hot summer day!!!

WE WILL DO IT AGAIN!!!

9 months..... a long time

I am around the 8th week mark....

(will find out more next week at my appointment)

Today I asked my mom why it has to be

9 months?

9 months is a long time especially with my mind a racing!

Did anyone else have all these unsettling thoughts...

***Oh I hope my baby is developing correctly?

***With a side pain I think I am having an Ectopic Pregnancy!

***I have abdominal tenderness and it freaks me out!

***When does the breast tenderness go away already?

***I haven't had much morning sickness... am I really pregnant?

***Woke up with a sore throat and the body aches, what can I take?

***People say I will be a good mother, but can I really do it?

I can go on and on and on....

AWWWWWWWWW...

Is this normal or am have I turned into a overreacting pregnant woman?

I thought that I would document a lot of my thoughts and feelings while pregnant just so I can look back years from know and remember what I was thinking and feeling during this amazing process!

These post are more for me... but if you would really like to see what is inside my head and heart you are more than welcome...

Leave comments, any experiences you have had I would love to hear!!!

***4th of July Celebration***

***HAPPY 4th of July***

This is my favorite time if year and favorite holiday. Nothing compares to the

FOOD, FAMILY, FUN and FIREWORKS

up in

Idaho Falls, ID.

It is so fun to get together with my extended family!!! It is amazing how many grandchildren there are. And every year there is more and more added!!!

Here are the ones that would pose for a picture... you know how it is trying to get little kids to pose for a picture when there is bigger and better things to do!!

We usually go to the Parade and then head over to Tauphaus Park for a family picnic.

This year we got a pinata and the kids had a blast...

It isnt the 4th... without making a mess!!!

From the picnic we head over to the river and get our favorite spot for the

Firework Celebration...

Cousins just chillin...The view that we have of the river in front of us and the Temple behind us really helps us appreciate this country we live in.

Courtney hangin with Destri... passing the time away!

I am sure you have all heard me say that the fireworks in Idaho are the best....

they really are!

Cameron describes them as...

A normal firework shows finale for about 35 minutes and then 10 minutes of the most incredible display of

color, noise and amazement!!!

We parked in an awesome spot so when they were all over we were at our car and on the freeway within minutes. It was not like that last year, you learn as the years come and go!!!

Today we got together and had a BBQ at my brothers house.

The food was fantastic...

THANKS DALLAS AND HEATHER...

My sister Hailey and her little guy Jayden.

Here is my niece Mabree... if you have seen the Movie...

Horton Hears a Who...

She reminds us all of little "who girl"

BEST BUDS!!!!
Cameron's way showing his patriotic support!!!

Out of all those picture that I took, no pictures of many adults... you can tell who I love!!!

Hope you all had a great holiday!!!

I am proud to be an American and I try not to take that for granted!

I love this Country!!!

Now waiting for Pioneer Day and Labor Day... the fun will continue!!!

Where do I begin to express....

This has been such a whirlwind week!!!

I just want to thank everyone for their out pouring of love, excitement, support, and friendship.

I can't express how much all of your thoughts and prayers have meant to me!

The phone has been ring off the hook

(I am out of minutes so if you are wondering why I haven't call you back that is why!)

The txt, emails and comments... have really meant so much!!!

I also want to say thank you for all the gifts that have been drop off.

We have recieved cards, fresh bread, cute baby gifts.

And Cameron even got a gift (thanks Jenn)

It is the binky...with ROCKSTAR on it!

That was perfect for Cameron!

All I know is that this baby is going to be so loved by all the people that will be surrounding him/her!!!

He or she will learn the true meaning of love and service through the example of each one of you!!!

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!

Nervous...scared...stressed...happy...excited...overwhelmed...

I can go on and on with all sorts of words that is describing me right now!!!

But there is only one word that really hits it on the head...

YES.... you read that right!

Cameron and I are expecting! If this is a shock to many of you can you imagine what Cameron and I are feeling right now. Honestly, I put that this idea could happen right out of my mind. I accepted the life that we both created and was happy. There were times that I longed to be a mom. There were times that I thought, there is no way I could be a mom. There were times that I thought... I wish someone would call me mom!!!

That time has come... Can I put on the brakes?!?!?!

It is a little early but Cameron and my mother have been shouting it to everyone they see... so I guess I will start in on the joy of this whole thing!!! Cameron and I are both really excited, but overwhelmed! So I am sure you will be seeing a whole bunch of post the pertain to this subject. I will be asking advice, suggestions, ideas on names, the countdown to when I find out, and the countdown to the BIG DAY!!!! So I hope you don't mind... but I am really going to need the help!

I go to the Dr in 3 weeks. They didn't want to see me for 10wks... what is all that about! Can you at least humor me a little and drop everything and make me the most important person right now!!! Because right now I feel like I am!

Call me a brat, but hey... I have waiting for to long to say to someone

I AM PREGNANT!!!!

SUDOKU...

I have become an addict....

Am I getting old???

Is there anyone else there that loves Sudoku???

I downloaded the game so I have it on my phone... call me nuts but I cant fall asleep now without playing a game or two!

I was excited to see that you can add it as a widget... so I didnt hesitate to add it!

If you havent tried this number puzzle... give it a try! You will soon be hooked!

I am hoping that if I do a puzzle at least once a day that my

mind will stay with me!!

Here are the instructions...

The objective is to fill a 9×9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 boxes (also called blocks or regions) contains the digits from 1 to 9 only one time each. The puzzle setter provides a partially completed grid.

So what is your secret addiction... we all have them??!

A bucket of balls....

Since Courtney has been busy the last couple of weeks with girls camp with our ward and getting ready for girls camp at her moms ward we have had a lot of time with just Derek.

He wanted to go hit a bucket of balls tonight. It is so nice that we live so close to

Thanksgiving Point Golf Course

Derek hasn't been to a driving range yet this year so there was a little warming up to do!

It is amazing how fast the kids are growing up. Courtney got these golf clubs when she was 8... and we just passed them down to Derek. The ones that Derek has are just way to small for him. I guess he isn't a 4 year old anymore!

Cameron has had the chance to go golfing quit a bit this summer! It is something that he loves to do and is pretty good at it if you ask me!!!

Like I have said before... we live in a gorgeous area!!!!

I love this little guy... doesn't mind that I take my camera everywhere and ask him to pose

WHAT A GUY!!!

I love this picture.... It is amazing how much these two are alike! Their mannerism, their personality... and look at the walk!!!

SO CUTE!!!

LIfe= Risk.... Daily Thought!!!

LIFE=RISK

How aften do we go through life, experience failure and want to give up!

IF you never FAILED...

You have never LIVED!!!

It is so true, something we must always remember when we feel like nothing else can go wrong!We must NEVER give UP!!!

We must rise about the ashed of heartache to experience the true meaning of this life!!

(saw this on a blog I follow and loved the video)

Coach Pitch Games have begun!!!

Last night was Dereks first
Coach Pitch Baseball Game!

He did so good! I took so many pictures and they all turned out so cute that instead of

downloading all those pictures, I just made a quick scrapbook page of some

of his action shots!!!

I love that picture in the middle of him just sitting there ready to hit with his helmet on! He is so cute. He was so excited to show me is new shirt that said "Couch Pitch". I am amazed at well he hit the ball. He kept his eye on the ball and hit it everytime!

WAY TO GO DEREK!!!

I was realizing last night what a beautiful state that we live in. Those mountains in the background... all this things are we can do just waiting for us to enjoy them. We really need to get out and experience what Utah has to offer us. I am just grateful that I am surrounded by such beauty!