New Mexico "Land of Enchantment"

After the wedding we flew to New Mexico to meet family and celebrate. We left early Tuesday morning. Flying and traveling always makes me nervous, but we got to the airport with out any problems. Just as I was getting comforatble, problems began. We sat on the runway during Mea's lunch time for about a hour and an half. Missed our connecting flight, were stranded in Dallas for five hours, and after sitting hoping to get on standby and going from gate to gate hoping to get on a plane we finally made a flight and got to New Mexico around 11pm. It was an exausting, patience trying trip, but Mea did great and we made it. When Mea got off the plane and in the truck the first things she said was "Why did they turn all of their grass into dirt?" and that "they really needed to water out here" I laughed and was surpized at how observant she is. The mountains were beautiful and while there was a lot of dirt, the senery was spactacular. The next week we met family, including Mea's new best friend/cousin Shaylee. The girls had a lot of fun playing. They both have big blue eyes and look like they could be blood, not to mention that their presonalities fit well together too. Mea can't wait to go back and visit. The reception was so much fun. The food was great, the dancing was tons of fun, (the lessons in the basement payed off), and meeting all of the people I had heard so much about was great. Everyone worked really hard to make the night special, and I am so thankful for all the hard work that was put in. I have to say that the cake was my favorite part. It was so cool, and yummy to boot. The last thing I had to write about was branding...you are reading this right, branding...as in burning defensless calves skin with a hot iron. I am proud of my self for getting through that. Cows make me uneasy and I had never been in any situation like that before. It was an experience. I got the low down and when we began and my job was to mostly stay out of the way. Each calf had to be roped, branded, given shots, and had their ear tagged and tattooed. On the first cow, I thought I might cry. The poor things looked really scared and I knew the branding must hurt. My feeling were a mixture of city girl "animal rights" to family loyalty/pride"I am going to show them. Determined to gut through, I decided to jump in and help, and in the end was an okay assistant for this being my first experience with large animals. Everything went smootly, and there is no way anyone will be stealing Fancy Nancy (the cow Mea named). I am pushed out of my comfort zone everyday!! We had a good trip but are happy to be home, settling into our new life.

We are married!!

On June 12th, Jared and I were sealed in the Nauvoo IL temple. It was beautiful and everything worked out perfectly! The sealing took place at 9:00 am. After the ceremony we took some pictures, ate some lunch and headed out for Chicago. We were so thankful that all the people we love and care about were with us in person or at least in thought. I was nice to share the day. We are so happy and cannot wait to start real life together. Perfect shoes, perfect dress, perfect husband, perfect family, perfectly perfect!

Real life will be delayed a week. On Tues we head out to NM for a reception. It will be really nice. I am excited to meet all of Jared friends and family, and show off my new dance moves ;-)! After that we will be home for good and the tasks of real life will start up again. I am sooo excited!

LIFE IS WONDERFUL!!

I'll post more pictures soon.

School's out for SUMMER!!

I have to say that this has been the longest quarter!! No breaks, rainy weather, and sickness in the classroom has not made it easy to teach a room full of prepubescent fourth graders. I am so excited to be a mom, and to have a little more time to be a great mom. You know... the cookie bakin', project makin', playin' at the park kind of mom. Mea asked when we could say home this morning, and I was happy that I could promise soon and mean it. I still have a few school things to finish, but for the most part I can walk out today and not go back until August! This summer is is packed with fun plans. I am looking forward to the pool, sleeping as late as Mea will let me and relaxing. Not to mention getting married and meeting our new family members. Faith Hills sunshine and summer time is my mantra right now ;-)!!!

Pictures at Last

A couple of weeks ago, we took engagement pictures at Shelter Gardens. I finally am posting pictures. They turned out really good and Mea had a great time. Sue, Jared's mom captured some great ones!

We are really starting to gel as a family, and it is so nice. Family home evening, prayer, and play has really pulled us together over the last month. I can't wait until we all live under one roof.

Yes, she really is a princess!

Aurora
Snow White
Belle

I had to publish these pics. A lot of our time at home is spent dressing up, talking about clothes, or fighting about what to wear. After Mea opened her dress up clothes from Grammy and Papa, we all had to watch a fashion show!

My Princess is 3...Holy Cow!

I know that this is completely cliche to say, but Man, kids grow up fast!!! Just three years ago Mea was being born into this world and now she is telling me, "I am a big girl!'' I have to agree with her she is so big, and beautiful, and really the most fantastic part of my life. Never would I have imagined how my world would change. I am amazed at how such a little girl would be such a big part of my world. I look at her and think that she got the very best parts of all the people in her life. She is silly and funny like her Papa... she is blond and loving like her Grammy... she is the perfect combination of girly and athletic like her aunts...she knows how to work like her dad...and I think she got my pigeon toes (I know not the best thing to pass on, but true). She giggles and it makes me laugh to the very core, and when she runs to give me a hug or say I love you I melt. While she is three and has all of the difficult traits of a three year old, I have to say Mea is the best little girl in the world. I got pretty lucky with her! I love her more than I can put into words and I hope that someday she will understand.

Mea got a new bike and learned how to ride pretty quickly!

LOTS of presents= 1 spoiled little girl! ;-)!

Rejoicing

In General Conference yesterday, Sister Tanner gave a wonderful talk listing all of the things she is rejoicing. It got me thinking about the things that I am thankful for. I decided to blog about the most important things on my list. I am rejoicing in the knowledge that I have of my Heavenly Father. I am so thankful that for the trials that I have had. They have made me get on my knees and get to know my Heavenly Father. I have learned about how much he loves me, how he communicates with me, and I am beginning to see my value. He is there, He loves me and I am rejoicing in the fact that I am a daughter of God. I am rejoicing for my family. I have a great immediate family...my beautiful daughter, my parents, and my sisters. They are a great sense of joy in my life. I am also so grateful for my soon to be eternal family. I couldn't ask for a more fantastic man to enter my life. He is great to me. I never realized what wonderful men were out there (besides my dad) until Jared came along. I am excited about our life and the future with him. I am rejoicing in the ability to change. I am a different person now than I was a year ago. I am thankful that I have the agency to reflect and make progress. I don't have to be the same person I was. I can be better. I am blessed that I have the ability to do grow. I am proud of where I am going. I am rejoicing in the tiny things in my life that make it so much more bearable. In my journal I write about things I am thankful for. Often times they are small, simple things, but they make my life happier. So I am thankful for...Cold Dr. Peppers, Microwaves, the sound of Mea's heavy breathing when she sleeps, looking at another person and knowing exactly what they are thinking, laughing until my side hurts, buds on trees, notes from my students, cookies and milk...the list could go on and on!