All Little Bit of Everything

So needless to say the past couple of weeks have felt so hecktic and crazy. We have been working,as usual...but we have had things that were expected and very unexpected happening.
We have been enjoying the season, although it has gotten a touch too cold for me, and its not even snowing yet.
We were able to go to a couples Halloween party thrown by one of my friends from the University ward I was in before we got married, Camary. We had an awesome dinner made up of a mystery menu, it was cute. Each dish was something you would normally eat, but on the menu they were called something gruesome like "enlarged maggots" for macarroni and cheese and so on. You didn't find out what you had ordered until it was in front of you. It was a way cute idea and we had a lot of fun playing games like pictionary and watching a scary movie. And we met some fun new people, altogether a very entertaining night! Thanks Cam! :)
Cody has been VERY busy with the boys in the stake. They went shooting last week, they went to a Haunted Maze on Wednesday, they have a campout coming up...its just been wild. Not to mention he helped the Teachers in the stake with their booth on Saturday for our stake Halloween Carnival, and he did a great job. I think his favorite part was watching all the little kids in their cute costumes. He picked out some of his favorite and showed them to me when I got there. I would have to say, he has good taste! :) Our favorite was a homemade lion costume on this probably year old boy, had to be one of the cutest things we had ever seen.
We have also been visited on a pretty frequent basis by some of our kids from trek. Some that were ours, and some that were honorary because lets face it, they wanted to be in our awesome fam. But we love having them over and hearing all of the things they are going through right now. It takes us back, I don't know..like 5 to 7 years...Its just funny, because we totally relate and understand being right in that very position. Jared and John came over after their dates on Saturday and gave us a recap. It was pretty hilarious, and yes, of course we gave them some very valuable advise...haha We love it.
On a bit of a sad note, Friday though we attended a very sobering funeral, but it was very touching and beautiful at the same time. Our good friends, and neighbors lost their son of complications upon arrival. They were able to spend a little bit of time with him, and they said that the they had some amazing spiritual experiences that are really helping them get through this really hard time in their lives. If you can though, I would really appreciate if you could just mention the Hanks Family in your prayers, I know they can feel the power of the prayers said in their behalf. I just know I would appreciate it also, if something like that were to happen to me. So if you can, that would be wonderful. We are also very sad because they will be moving to West Jordan this weekend, we will miss them and their awesome little girl. We are looking forward to meeting up with them, and continuing our friendship. They have been wonderful friends and neighbors.
Sunday, Cody was able to also attend his cousin's farewell. Travis will actually be going to the same mission that Cody went to. So Cody was able to give him a few insights and tips. We are excited for Travis to have this awesome experience in his life, but it will be sad to see him go. For those of you that know him, know he is hilarious and lots of fun. You will be missed Travis, but you will have an awesome experience and we will have even more fun when you return!
Well, Primary program is coming up, so I have been spending the last 8 months, especially the last few weeks gearing the kids up for it. I will have to let you know how it goes. Its November 8th and then our anniversary is on the 14th, so I will be able to get a couple more posts in about something in particular, instead of one that is all over the place. But our life has been pretty all over the place! Enjoy your Halloween! :)

"Enjoy the Fleeting Moments"

I have realized through the course of my short life, that most people are in a rush. They need to get this done, and then this, and then they need to get to something else. How awesome would it be, if we just took the time to enjoy the moment we are in? The phase we are in, in our lives.
I could have done with a little bit more enjoyment of the things I was doing say, 3, 4 , or 5 years ago. But I, like so many others, was in so much of a hurry to get to the next thing. Finally, at the ripe old age of 19, I decided I needed to slow down, take things as they came, and enjoy or learn from each experience that came into my life. I have tried to keep that ongoing, but sometimes I forget, and before I know it,I'm in a hurry again.
When I was 19, some experiences I had, made me realize that my life was in the Lord's hands, and my timetable didn't really exist, it was His. Sure, I can set goals, and plan things, and most of those things I can do on my own timetable. But not everything. A lot of things just happen when they are supposed to, and in the way they were meant to. Not necessarily when and how I would have invisioned. Like when I met my "Prince Charming", I didn't really plan on that, quite the opposite really. Neither one of us wanted to go that direction, particularly with eachother at that point. We were too busy enjoying the life we had at that moment. Which taught me the lesson again. The best opportunities come when we are enjoying what we already have.
So I got to enjoy moments like these, to the fullest.
Cody had surprised me with an "outing" and told me to wear tennis shoes. I had never even heard of Ensign Peak before that day. But it is one of my favorite memories of us. I think we had been dating for 4 or 5 months at this point. If I looked at my journal, I could probably tell you.

But I for sure remember this. November 14, 2008. One of the craziest days of my life. Sure, I enjoyed this day, but remembering all of it is super hard. So much was going on, and we still had so much to do that day. This picture was taken right before we finished at the temple, and I remember taking a wonderful, peaceful drive down one of my favorite sites, the Pacific Coast Highway with my brand new husband. :)

This post is mostly for my benefit, to remind myself not to get caught up with everything around me. But I am sure you can come up with memories of your own that you treasure, that you wish, would have lasted maybe a little bit longer. And as more come your way, you will remember to stop, relax and enjoy the moment you are in. It only comes around once! :)

Happy Birthday Codes!!!

I can't believe how time flies. Its seems like it wasn't that long ago that we celebrated Cody's 23rd birthday, but I guess it was a year ago! Today my wonderfully sweet husband is celebrating his 24th birthday! He hasn't been looking forward to today (he feels like he is getting old), but as I tell him all the time, the best parts of his life have just begun!
But I am so grateful for him, and the gift he is to me and everyone in our families. But even more, here are 10 reasons I think he is wonderful! ( I could probably go on forever)

1. He loves the Gospel & he has a relationship with his Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
2. He is possibly the most loving person I know
3. He is respectful
4. He is honest
5. He is smart
6. He loves to pray
7. He makes me smile
8. His mission in life is to make sure our family (right now is just me) is taken care of
9. He is thoughtful and kind
10. He has a HUGE heart; and he loves me more than even I know

I love this picture, it makes me smile! This was a formal night on the cruise. My favorite is when he is dressed up in his church clothes, he is so handsome!

This is a picture he took of himself on my camera when we were dating. He thought he was pretty funny. You can see by the look on his face he thought he was being rather sneaky.

And obviously this is from our wedding day. We just couldn't believe that it was here, and how happy we are and have been. Best decision we have ever made!

Happy Birthday babe! I love you more than words can express and I am glad we get to celebrate you every year, you are such a blessing and joy in my life!

7 Pounds aka Most Depressing Movie Ever!

Okay, let me just start by saying that this movie had a good concept, but I hated it. If you haven't seen it, don't read this, unless you don't care whether you know the ending.
First of all, I did love Rosario Dawson's portrayal in this movie, I think she did an awesome job.
However, what the crap??!?!
The first hour of this movie probably had me the most confused I have been in a long time. There was no plot for about 3/4 of the movie. It just seemed so spliced together and abstract, it was ridiculous.
We watched it with Cody's cousin Andrew & his wife Allie, who also happens to be a friend of mine. All the way through the movie we were looking at eachother going "what the heck is this". I had recommended it, remembering that my sister had really liked it. I hated it, I will never waste 2 hours of my life on that movie again.
Honestly how creepy would it be to look into the eyes of someone you loved, but they were donated, and now were someone else's eyes? SICK! Not only that, but to only be alive because the man you loved committed suicide, and now you have his heart in your body...WEIRD! And how much guilt are you forcing on that person...I just think that this director thuroughly enjoys depressing people as much as possible.
But another lesson learned, do not text and drive!!!!
COME ON WILL SMITH! I have hated all of your latest movies, "The Persuit of Happyness", "I Am Legend", "Hancock"and "Seven Pounds", I guess I should stick to your oldies!
So I would have to say this movie gets 8 thumbs completely down....by myself, Cody, Andrew and Allie! We had to watch "Yes Man" to cheer ourselves up before going to bed. Thank you for saving my dreams Zoey Danschel!

While We Were In California

We did family pictures(This was in the beginning of August). The whole operation was orchestrated by my sisters. We did these as a gift for my parents. We had a lot of fun hanging out on the beach together as a family. You just can't find any better scenery. The beach is probably what I do, and will always miss most about home (other than my family of course!)
Here are my favorites...

My Beautiful Family! Love you guys!

Ari Cheney Lewis did an awesome job editing these and the photographer (don't remember his name) was a trooper! Thanks guys!