So much to think about...

It has been crazy busy the last few weeks but so much has happened that has made me think long and hard about what is really important in this life.
Yesterday was such an important day for my family, my soon to be brother in law Chris was baptized by my Dad. I remember feeling a little awkward when Rachel got engaged to Chris back in April. I really liked him but I wanted her to be marrying someone who was a member of the church. I want her to be able to have the same experience I had. She is my little sister and I have always thought I knew what was best for her. I had no idea that he would start taking the missionary discussions in my home, and Im so grateful for the spirit that came with that. It makes me so glad to know that the lord does answer prayers because Chris accepted the gospel and is now a member of the church. What a happy day it will be when Chris and Rachel can go to the temple and be married for time and all eternity.

This last week working in the financial business with all that is going on makes you wonder how secure your job really is. I am so happy that my boss this last week asked me to write something everyday that I am grateful for. I guess this made me a little emmotional because I havent stopped thinking about it ever since. The first things I were grateful were my kids. I love them so much that I dont think I could put into words. They really are the light of my life.





Next day I was grateful to have been married in the temple to someone who truly does love me. I am grateful to still be married when the statistics say that 50% of marriages will end in divorce. I am so happy to have such a great best friend and sometimes I feel like my only true friend. Someone that I can be happy to wake up to everyday because so many people dont have that.


I am so grateful to have a house to live in. In this failing economy with so many people foreclosing, I am happy to have not just a house but a home. Not to say that this house payment is not stressful, but Im glad to be so blessed because I know it could be a lot worse.


I am also grateful to be healthy. There are so many people around me with health problems that it makes me second guess the little things that come up with me here and there. I struggle with trying to be grateful with my body because I always find things that are wrong with it. I have been working my butt off for the last 2 months to try and loose weight and I have barely lost 4.5 pounds. Its so hard for me to look in the mirror and just be happy. But this made me take a step back and realize that at least all though it maybe slow I can loose weight, and although I still have some baby weight It could be worse. There are more good things about me than what is on the outside.



Lastly I was grateful for the gospel. I am so glad that when the world around looks so messed up I still have something to guide my way. Im grateful that I can teach my chidren about the gospel. I am grateful for a family that brought me up in the church and tried to teach me to Choose the Right. I am glad that I have this gospel because every few months I feel like I start to go into a depression it is here to pull me out. The gospel is true and the lord does love me. There are so many things that I am grateful for that I didnt write on here because it would have taken forever. But im hoping that by reading this it make everyone take a look into there own life and find how blessed we are.

Last Year in the Twenties!

Matt just wanted to tell you happy birthday. Im sorry that I had to work today but you know i would have rather been at home hanging out with you. Thank you for being such a good companion and a best friend. I love more and more every year. I would have liked to get you that hawaiian vacation we talked about but I will get you that next year when you are turning 30 and you really need it. Hope you have a wonderful birthday. Much Love and kisses. Mandy
I just thought I would share all the crazy faces you have made in pics over the last few years!

Back to the Grind

So I am back from vacation from North Cali with Matts family, and I must say coming back mid week is a little hard. Overall it was a good trip with lots of driving, but so worth it to finally put my feet in the sand. Its a long trip with 2 kids but I KNOW my inlaws appreciate the visit. I did lots of shopping (shouldnt come as a surprise to anyone) and ate lots of yummy food. We even got to take Laynie to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk which if you havent been before is something you have to do at least once in life.I havent ever seen anything like it. Matt enjoyed seeing his brothers and Laynie had lots of fun seeing all of her cousins (I think it is super funny that she calls them her friends. But as it is getting closer to the wedding I have to buckle down and help get the rest done, and prepare the stuff for my calling at church. Oh yes and Matts 29th birthday! Enjoy the pics.


Mom E Laynie Matt


Laynie


Relaxing at the pool


Matt and Laynie at the beach



Santa Cruz


Feet in the Sand <3


Laynie after crashing and burning in the ocean



Chillen at the beach



Laynes riding the airplane


Peyton hangin out at Nates



Matt and Nate rockin out


Laynie and cousin Aubryn (they are hours apart in age)


All of the grandkids except for Mike's 3 boys



The view from nate and Jeanann's cabin


Liz Jeanann Me Mom E Erica


Loves his daddy

Wow....

What a world that we live in that you find it hard to feel safe in your own home....

I was leaving to go out of town last night and so excited to finally go on vacation and my neighbor that lives across the street came over and told me that he home was burglarized along with 2 other homes on my same street in the middle of the day. Not only did they steal about 30K worth of stuff that also silly stringed their whole house and shot his dog with a staple gun. My stomach hurt because I was so worried about leaving my home..my belongings..and wondering if everything would be ok while I was gone.

It just makes me say one word. WOW.

Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary away from the outside world and because of these desperate people that is taken away from you.

It makes me glad I have an alarm system.... and a gun... haha

Brother for sale only...5 cents!

initial reaction.. not so good


gotta love it



Peyton is thinking... this cant be good.

Well in the midst of this crazy week trying to get ready for my sisters bridal shower this weekend.. I took some time to play with my kids tonight and I swear Laynie says the funniest things! She asked me if we could put her brother in her shopping cart and then sell him! So I decided what a funny pic than to put him in there... it took some convincing but eventually he stopped crying.. and here are the pics! This also reminded me of that cheezy Mary Kate and Ashley music video "Brother for sale only 5 cents".(Ok so the video came out way before they were anorexic and looked homeless, but what can I say I have a sister who is 10 years younger).

** As a side note I just happened to look at my kids eyes today and I noticed that Laynie's once blue eyes are turning green, and I have always thought since Peyton was born that he would have them. I know this is something really little but I am super excited.. some how I managed to get green eyes and since they are so rare how cool is it that both my kids might have them. :)