My MOMMY and DADDY

Today in RS we talked about Elder Uchtdorf's talk "Of Things That Matter Most" To read the talk... click this link http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/of-things-that-matter-most?lang=eng it's such a great talk about slowing down in life and really paying attention to the most important things! I think I was most influenced by this last conference. In RS everyone discussed how this pertained to martha and mary in the bible and how martha was busy preparing a meal for christ, but mary was at his feet waiting for instruction. How we are all probably like martha, but could use a little more mary. (from luke 10) anyhow... the older ladies really touched me with their comments. They said how much they regret trying to be the perfect housewife-being in the 50's-70's they had a pretty tough job... instead of playing with their children and spending more quality time with them. I just want to say I am so glad to have the mother that I do. We didn't always have the most clean house, but we always had fun. Throughout the entire lesson this poem was stuck in my head that my mom had hanging in our hallway for as long as i could remember....

Excuse This House

Some houses try to hide the fact

that children shelter there

ours boasts of it quite openly,

the signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows,

little smudges on the doors,

I should apologize I guess

for toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with the children

& we played & laughed & read

and if the doorbell doesn't shine

their eyes will shine instead.

For when @ times I'm forced to choose

the one job or the other

I want to be a housewife,

But first I'll be a mother.

my mom was a perfect example of being a mom first while we were growing up. So thanks mommy! We also went over the four relationships- one of them being with family... I've posted this before, but I can't live without my family. Ever since we moved I have realized just how much a part of my everyday life they were. I hate that as soon as nessa and i became friends I moved and she got prego. So many changes happened without me there. and soon enough Sean will leave on his mission and I won't even recognize Jenna. :( mini pitty party...

Now my daddy also deserves some recognition! All the sacrament talks were on obedience today and one of the girls spoke about why she has always been obedient and I felt like she was describing my life! She said something like how she was either obedient because she was really shy or because of the way her father was. He was very gentle and loving and kind. and when she made a mistake he wouldn't get angry or scream. He just had the most disappointed appearance. I think that is why I have always been so obedient. I am a daddy's girl and to break my dad's heart would break my own. My dad has always been there for me and has always known what's best. Thanks for making it easy to be obedient dad!!!

ON MY MIND

HOME and FAMILY..So lately I've been a little down.. I'm finally admitting it. After our last visit specifically, I realized that I am missing out on all the things back home. Specifically.... Nessa's Prego Belly Growing and not being able to be there for her. Sean being a senior and not being able to go to all of his games and support him before he leaves on his mission in less than a year, and Jenna just growing up and being a good big sister. And finally my parents... just being around them makes me feel better. It always has. You were right... I shouldve taken advantage of sunday visits more often. I am who I am because of my family and I do miss them terribly. I need a visit! So come visit Brad and I ok! It's funny cause growing up I wanted nothing to do with my family. I think this really hurt Nessa and I feel horrible about not being a better sister! I always wanted to be going somewhere and doing something with my friends. Now it seems like the older I get the more I realize just how much I missed out on and how much my family really means to me. Now all I want to do is spend time with them! I love you family!!! CHRISTMAS...I'm so excited for it because.... we are flying to Boise on christmas day to visit Brad's family there and spend time with his parents. I love Boise... I don't know what it is about that place but it is so nice. I really wouldn't mind living there. I'm also excited because I love everything about christmas.... the music (NSYNC christmas cd all the time!!!), the decorations, the traditions, family and friends, and most importantly the focus on our savior Jesus Christ and his great example to us. This will be the first christmas eve that bradley and I have spent alone, but we can't wait to be with family on christmas day! My HUBBY...A couple of days ago I asked Bradley what he wanted for christmas and he said that he didn't really need anything and that we should just use all of the christmas money for me. I quote him... "because I've learned that I like to spend money on YOU rather than on MYSELF." How sweet is that??? I'm not really going to let him, but it just reminded me that he is the most unselfish, giving person I know. Because I am the most selfish person I know, we make a great team. He always goes above and beyond what I think would be enough "giving" as in tips and service and volunteering. I'm so grateful for his example! THE NUTCRACKER... I'm going for the first time this Saturday and I am sooooo excited! There is a really neat family in our ward here from wellsville (logan area) that has moved here for a year. I serve with Natalie(the mom/wife) in cubscouts.. when i can go.. and I would say we are getting to be good friends with both her and her husband Jed. Brad goes and eats senoran dogs with him every wednesday. But I am joining her and her 2 girls for the show and I can't wait!!!

We just visited Utah.. For Jeff and Tara's Wedding. It was the busiest weekend ever but we definitely had fun. We flew in Wednesday night and immediately went to hang out with the old gang... lips, Tiff, Joey, Kandace, Mills, and Tara. It was really good to see everyone! Thursday was the wedding. It was beautiful! The most serious c eremony I have been to yet, but I learned so much. SO glad we were able to make it! Congrats Jeff and Tara!!

Elevator Ride! The Boys... We went to breakfast at Kneaders the next morning with hicks, Lips, Tiff and embree! Then went to the mall and to lunch with Darren. AT CAFE RIO!!! yaya!! Then had Family Pictures!

This might be my favorite of bradley and I... ITS CUTE!!!!

After family pics... we went to a Terry family party. i loved seeing the family. it's these little things that you miss. like the sunday dinners and little get togethers... oh well. after the family party we went back to Doug and Sue's to see Brad's sister Lisa and her boyfriend Gary. it was really good to see them!

then we went out to dinner with joey, kandace, lips, and tiff. and then we went to a halloween party and laughed at the older people... like my parents and their friends... who were dressed up and dancing. it was a sight! This is my dad... he had a wig on earlier than this... and won the costume contest! yay daddy!

Bradley left me to go back to Tucson the next morning and I stayed for Sean's game and my friend Jaimee's farewell. Saturday morning I went to Jenna's volleyball game. she seemed to have a lot of fun! and they won each match! GOOD JOB JENN!!

Sean won his game... i'm sad they wouldn't pass him the ball though!!!

After that I warmed up and went out to dinner with Trista and her new boyfriend... Ryan... I love him... he is so good for Trista!!! and sounds like matthew mcconaughey!!! bah... she better not lose this one! He paid for our dinner.. so nice we went to cheesecake factory and had a WONDERFUL evening. They are GOING to come and visit us.. or else...

SUNDAY-Jaimee's farewell. Nessa and I went to our old ward.. everyone is so grown up! ah... But it still felt like home I just can't explain it. The farewell was great and so was seeing everyone. I miss everyone so much! I know Jaimee will be a great missionary and have the time of her life serving the Lord in Ecuador. GOOD LUCK JAMES!!!

It was time to go home to my hubby. My mom cried as usual. it's sad..makes me cry too.. I have more to say, but I feel like this is the LONGEST post ever so I better go... until later...

Wonderful Night

Tonight Brad and I were able to go out to dinner with my G&G Larson. I am seriously so happy for the times that we are able to spend with them. Last summer I gave them both a journal/personal history book full of questions to answer about their lives and I'm happy to report that they both have completed their personal histories. I am so grateful to have these histories. They are fun to read and so interesting and I have learned so much about them. It's also great because they were able to share funny stories about my dad and siblings. I can't believe how much of my grandpa I see in my dad and sean. I love my family so much!!! AHH!! I only regret not being able to have my Grandma Belliston (my mom's mom) complete a journal... but then again I was in high school I guess I didn't know any better. I have gotten some background on my Grandpa Belliston, but definitely need to talk to him more! I am so grateful that Brad and I can share the experience that we have of getting to know them and their pasts before we move. I will miss my family here the most. Here are some random pictures I have from my high school graduation cause they have my grandparents in them!Couple on far left-G&G Larson-then Aunt Lyn and Uncle Jim, Aunt Wendy, Cousin Collin, Jenna, and G Belliston.