Chama, Platoro, Alamosa and more Oh My.

My folks liked Taos so much we thought we'd show them Chama. We ended up seeing Trujillo Meadows, Platoro, Alamosa river, Whitman falls and we even made it to Chili's to eat. We love to pack a little bit of snacks an head on the roads to see beauty. Brian was the hero carrying Emmy accros the river by Whitman falls. I wore shoes that were good, so  I braved the river and there were no incidents of slipping.

Hometown, Taos and Sand Dunes.

We had such a lovely vacation. I'm glad my folks were able to come. With Spencer wanting so many car rides and the folks being there and me wanting to show them a good time. Our days were packed with fun and traveling. We made it to Draper with no problem. I'm glad we could eat some yummy Cafe Rio and sneak off to the Draper temple at night.  There really is such a beautiful view from the ridge in Draper. We could see a lot of celebratory fireworks going on. On Sunday we toured BYU and saw the place where Brian and I were engaged. The campus and city has grown including a new temple. It was very beautiful.

The ride to Colorado was picturesque as usual with the Blue mesa reservoir and the mountain passes and rainbows on the way. We took turn riding in the grandparents's car.

When at the cabin we visited Taos and Bri watched Spence as the rest of us shopped to our hearts content. We saw the Rio Grande gorge on the way. Spence was nervous, but we liked the fun of being high on the bridge. Grandma introduced us to her self stick on this trip and we fit many a family member in the photos.

We had a gran time at The Great Sand Dunes too. The river was flowing and the water was warm, it was therapeutic and I loved how happy Celia was a bout it, she didn't want to leave.

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Many Blessed Times with Friends and Family

July is flying by. I was happy to host for fourth of July. We had George and Ginny over with my folks. We enjoyed great conversation, it was really neat hearing about George's experiences in the navy and being at the helm from Hawaii to Long beach. I'm glad we had Brian's new BBQ for the hot dogs that turned out great! The zombie chaser turned out to be a great finale for our front yard fireworks. The night before the fourth we went to Rah Rah's and Papa's backyard. Caroline joined up and we all enjoyed a great seat for the Sun city aerial fireworks.

Joe got to go on his high adventure trip with the priests. He rode motorbikes and went white water river rafting and drove jet ski's. We also managed to get his driver's training done and he scored a perfect score on his driver's license exam.  We have needed another driver around. Spence has been out of school and he is really into being active and gone in the car day and night.  One day I decided if I was going to spend the whole day driving, I might as well see the beach. We have a lovely drive to Stinson beach. Spence didn't last long, but Celia and I got to go and get some amazing pizza and hot chocolate(Parkside café) and visited a surf shop in town. We were home by 3:30pm. The benefit was we saw and took in amazing sights and sounds and then made it home before any rush hour traffic.

My Dad had a Birthday on the 9th and we celebrated at this house. We also got to go and have yummy posole as Rah Rah's with my folks. Looking back, it has been a great July even thought there were hard times, we were able to have fun, have our health and visit with friends and family.

Celia went to a 12th Birthday candy themed party for Caroline's sister, Mandy. She seem to have a great time and Joe stayed out late visiting this party and Caroline even after the trek. Joe pulled a cart in pioneer clothing 20 miles. I'm proud he made it and enjoyed it and said it wasn't easy, but easier than he expected. I prayed so hard for him and he walked for his ancestor Jesse Bigler Martin who was a pioneer and a captain of a party that crossed the plains and settle in California and Utah. I want our children to feel of their heritage and feel so grateful for what they have now, so it pleases me to have my son participate in such an activity.

We are getting excited for more family time in the mountains of Colorado at the end of this month. We are preparing for the trip for spencer with all the sensory tools we can. Bri has been loading us up with weighed blankets and hand massagers and swings. We should be good.

Happy Father's Day

It was so hot, we decided swim suits were in order for the grandparents house. Spencer was able to stay two hours in one spot! It has been busy for a while driving Spencer all the time and him not sleeping at night too much. I'm really glad Brian and I got to have a day date on Saturday. We went to Jamba juice and shopping for a fancy grill. We found one and I'm excited to have it delivered this Friday. I cooked breakfast for Brian for Father's day and Celia wanted to bring it to him in bed. She made him a card with a little stick figure drawing of the two of them holding hands. It was cute.  I love that Brian is such a great husband and father. Each of our children love him very much.  He has been there for each of them from birth until now. They probably don't realize the benefits they have reaped from this blessing, but I know it has made their lives better then without their Dad around.

Love and Marriage

"Love is what you go through together." Jeffery R. Holland said this and it resonated with me.  I feel happy to be part of a great marriage. We truly are happy. We have been through some hard times and some heavenly times together. When we were newly weds I fell ill. Brian was working at the Senior MTC and knew an older doctor we could call on the weekend. I took the medicine this doctor prescribed and soon there after my tongue swelled up and I couldn't breathe very well. We went to the emergency room together. I thought I was going to die and now after having been a mom for twenty years, I think I overreacted a bit. Brian was there for me and such a great comfort. I was given some Benadryl and I rested a bit. All was fine, but our marriage and love for each other strengthened  that day. The birth of our first child was difficult, but the love, sweat, and tears given then strengthened us as a family unit of three.

Recently, more hours of care for our son was needed than usual. It was exhausting. I take so much comfort in Brian's words... "It is okay, we are a team". United we are so strong. Knowing someone loves you and will help you out is such a blessing.

Having different strengths and weaknesses  helps us to compliment one another. Child rearing is challenging, but with two perspectives, (one female, one male), two great minds brainstorming, and both having love for each child, it is doable. The Lord helps us to know what we should do and working together in marriage to do His work, we do a better job with our children than we would have without each other.

I feel so happy for my husband when he is successful in  any aspect of his life. I tell him I don't have to be jealous, because I am part of you and your triumphs are mine as well.  He tells me he can be happy because he knows I am taking care and on top of things that I manage in our relationship. We both work, we both help, we compliment and support one another. It may be cliché to say I'm glad I married my best friend. Instead, I should say Brian is my best friend and more because of all we have been through in our marriage and how he has loved me before himself.

Marriage is ordained of God. We are able to create and love when we bear children, prepare, and provide for them. I'm so glad for the opportunity to have a small glimpse of the love and connection God has for his children.

If I knew someone struggling with life and marriage. I would give the advice to give of yourself. Compromise. Think of the other's well being. Look for the good in the struggle. Be patient. Don't expect to much and most of all, don't let what other people think change how you respect your spouse. Always speak good of them and treat them how you want to be treated. Pray for them.

My family and experiences have been so fulfilling to me. It is sacrifice and work. The reward is worth it. I am so happy and grateful. Everyone that knows my situation knows it can be difficult, but I know it is worth it. I glad I was able to recognize, at such a young age, that someone being there for you was a great trait to look for in a spouse. It means they will most likely support your ideas and independence which is so important. I am an individual growing better each day side by side with another great individual growing better each day. It is a wonderful thing. Love and marriage is what  I want for my children. It will bring them the most happiness and they will not be lonely or alone, but buoyed up and strong. Life is hard, but it is better in the unity of marriage.