St. George

So it was a warm welcomed get away for us this last weekend. We couldn't have been more ready for time away. So we decided to spend the weekend in St. George. So we decided we would drive out on Friday right after we were done with work and things. Cody and I had realized the day before, that we had never been in the car with eachother much longer than 30 minutes, so this was going to be a first. But it was a quite enjoyable 4 hour drive (its a good thing Utah doesn't really have traffic). We talked, we laughed and just got to enjoy eachother and the open road.

So Friday night we checked into our awesome hotel, and started our carefree weekend. It was nice to have nowhere to be, and no schedule, so we really enjoyed it. We got to sleep in, go out to breakfast, walk around the shopping pavilions, and just relax. Neither one of us had been to St. George in probably 10 years or so, so we weren't really sure what there was to do. But one thing I am thankful for the i-phone is for the unlimited access to google and gps!

We also tried to do a session at the St. George Temple on Saturday morning, but sadly, it was closed for cleaning and maintenance. So sad! But we can't wait to go back, because seeing how beautiful it was on the outside, we can't imagine what it looks like on the inside! What they were able to accomplish at that time, and with such limited resources is absolutely amazing. So beautiful!

We also got to visit the Tabernacle that is in St. George. The missionaries in the area told us a lot about the history of the city, and all the things that went on there that not everyone hears about. I know a lot of the history of Salt Lake just because I live here and because its talked about a lot with church and things, but St. George not so much. But the saints actually did alot of amazing things, and had to go through a lot of hardships. Its very interesting.

The inside was true to early Latter-Day Saint style. So elegant, and beautiful. They really knew how to build buildings back then. And there were so many amazingly talented people. The wood that they used was pine, so they hand painted wood grain on everything to make it look like oak. I can't imagine how long that took! And that pulpit is where we received the famous "Windows of Heaven" speech, when we learned the true blessings of tithing! And we got to walk right up to it and stand there, it was really cool.

Then we went to Brigham Young's Winter home. I would have to say that Brother Brigham had the right idea. Hang out in Salt Lake in the Spring, Summer and some of the Autumn months, but as soon as it started to be really cold and snow, he got outta there. He spent the snowy months in the very un-snowy St. George; smart, smart man. In both of his homes there is just a different feeling, especially in his bedroom. He has a kneeling stool in his room, and I just can't help but think of how many conversations he had with the Lord in that room while he was on his knees. Just the feeling in these buildings where the early prophets spent time, and talked to eachother is so different, I love it.

But the real reason for our excursion was to see these beautiful people! Trent & Lauren Tipton were married in the Los Angeles temple the week before; and we were not able to make it to California as much as I would have loved to. So we did the next best thing and went to their beautiful reception in St. George! Lauren looked amazing, and Trent looked very handsome, they both looked absolutely happy finally be sealed together. It was so good to see you guys! Can't wait to see ya when everything calms down!
So that was our restful weekend, if only life could always be that way! Until our next getaway...

5 Minutes Peace

I have been thinking and praying and pleading for a sense of peace in my life. I just feel like there aren't enough hours in a day...Life is just crazy. Things weren't like this before I was married. When Cody and I were dating time didn't seem to go so quickly, but we also didn't have as many responsibilities.

It seems that I cannot get enough time to myself or just with Cody. Our days are filled with work, coming home and preparing dinners, nights at the cabin (I don't see Cody at all until about 11pm at night), school, Cody has mutual on Wednesday nights, and I have umpteen million things to do with laundry, cleaning, primary, extra curricular activities....WHAT HAPPENED!

It seems like our life has been in an upheavel, and we don't even have kids. It makes the idea of ever having children absolutely exhausting, which is probably one of the reasons we still don't want any, not to mention the fact that we aren't ready for it. And we have had a lot going on with family things, which have us unsettled...what a mess...

All I want as this point, is 5 minutes peace, like the book I used to read with my mom...Now I know how wonderful peace and quiet really is.

All I have really noticed lately is, a lot people are really selfish, inconsiderate, and self consumed, with no thought to anyone else or how they might feel. Oh well, I better get used to it, it seems we will be dealing with people like that for a VERY LONG TIME.

Heaven help me....

My Little Baker

So I have noticed as of late that Cody loves to bake. I wasn't expecting this when I married him. But when we have the option of what to make for family dinners, he says "Do dessert, I will make________". He enjoys making brownies, cookies, muffins, waffles, pancakes and rolls. I handle most of the cakes or cup cakes, because he says I make them more moist (thank you Erin).
So yesterday we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication, which was amazing! Anyway, when we got home, Cody decided to whip up some wonderful blueberry muffins. They were delish! He does such a great job! The guy has so many talents, not only is he Mr. Fixit, Mr. Builder, Mr. Electronics, Mr. AllThingsAquatic, Mr. Helpful, Mr. Wonderful, and Mr. Right, he is also a Baker! I am going to need to find some new talents to keep up! But needless to say we enjoyed our weekend, it was one of the few where we spent all of it together. I can't think of anything better!

For the Love...(Disclaimer: kinda sappy)

It has recently come to my attention that not everyone has a connection like my Cody and I. Which, at the thought, I think, how can this be? Seriously, we have been told that we are a rarity. I just don't get it. I know so many people out there that are so in love and it shows. You can tell by the look in their eyes and the way they interact that they are just defined by the other.
On the other hand I have also seen people that act the way they think they are supposed to and it looks rather foreign instead of being quite natural.
Now I realize that I cannot take my relationship with Codes for granted. We have something entirely special and unique. We have the things that people long for, and we need to be constantly aware and grateful for it. I have quite a few friends that are equally as blessed as I am to have their spouses and you can just see it. And I am so happy for them and am so grateful that they enjoy the things that I enjoy everyday.
Like I say to a lot of my single friends marriage is as amazing as people say it is. Cody is my best friend, and I love to hang out with him, its practically my favorite thing to do. But it is hard enough to be married to the right person, I can only imagine what it would be like to be married to someone else, with doubt that I made the right decision. I had an undenyable answer that I will never be able to doubt and I am so grateful. A blog I read recently said it perfectly, and beautifully,
"We eat together, we play together, we drive together, we talk together, we sit in silence together, we pray together, we laugh together, we set goals together. We are together in every sense of the word. There are no words to describe how wonderful that feels. Man is not meant to be alone. God teaches us that, but it isn't until you enter into that marriage covenant that you finally gain an understanding as to why. And we're only at the beginning of that understanding :) To our single friends, keep becoming the best you you can be, for it will only make that beautiful relationship that much better when it happens!... God's timing is perfect :) It only took one time for our lives to cross, and that one time has turned into eternity :) "
It makes me happy to know that others feel the same way I do about my husband. It helps us realize that God truely knows what is best for us, and we can really see his hand in our lives even just by the people he brings into it. I can tell God knows me well enough to know, that there is no one else in this world that could make me as happy and complete as Cody makes me. :)
Enjoy your "other half"!

California Knows How to Party....

Well, yet another, much too short trip. This time we thought we would switch it up, and not go to Disneyland, but enjoy more of the many attractions Southern California has to offer. This time, we decided to take my nieces to the Long Beach Aquarium for Emery's birthday. If you know Cody, you know that he loves aquatic animals, and he is practically obsessed with fish (we have a 50 gallon tank at home). So he was as excited as anyone to go. We got to touch sting rays, and sharks in the pools outside. That was interesting. The texture of their skin was completely opposite. Rays are very slimy, and sharks have very sand-papery-like skin. It was cool though. The sharks were very mellow and just liked to lay at the bottom on the pools in the sand.
The tanks were filled with interesting fish. The girls had fun finding all of the different colors, and sizes of each fish. They also liked to point out the funniest looking ones.

There were HUGE tanks. And LOTS of people. It was really crowded, but having the kids was quite an advantage, people like to make room for them to sneak by and get a closer look.

The seals are always good for entertainment. Fallon & Emery liked them the best, I think. They would watch them all day if we would let them. They liked to watch them swim in the tanks and do flips, but they liked to see them do little tricks up top as well.

The otters were really energetic. I have seen quite a few out in the wild, and they seem to have a lot of personality. Probably one of MY favorites to go and see.

I didn't count the tanks, but there were ALOT of them. Filled with all of the fish in various areas. The tropical were the most eye-catching.The kids also go to see a diver inside the tanks, that was hooked up to a mic, so he would answer questions that people had while he was swimming around. It was neat. So that was our Thursday.

Friday, Cody and I went with Erin and her kids to the Oaks Mall. I haven't been there in probably a year or more. We relaxed, did a little bit of shopping, and just enjoyed walking around together. HOLY COW has it gotten bigger!

Just before we went and got our family pictures done, Jeff blessed little Porter at home. It was an awesome blessing, to say the least, we were very proud of Jeff. Porter, being the content little guy he is, stayed quiet and just listened to his daddy's voice. That evening we went and got our family pictures taken, since we had some new additions since last time; Fallon, Rhett, Cody & little Porter. It was a lot of fun, but the beach isn't the best for keeping one's hair in tact. But we had a lot of fun with it, we will just have to wait and see what they look like.

Just thought I would throw in a close-up of Porter, since you can't really see him, and how cute he is in the family shot.

And then on Saturday, we hung out until it was time for this little guy's birthday. We could not believe Rhett is already a year old!!! We had fun at the part with both our family & Randy's family. We enjoyed some good food, and LOTS of candy!

All in all, it was a wonderful few days! Only wish we could have stayed and played longer. The whole time I was trying to think of ways we could stay...but alas, I came up short. We are back in Utah, and back to life! We can't wait to go again and spend time with my family! Miss you guys already!!!!