CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES

I celebrated my 27th birthday back in March!!!  That sounds so freakin' old!!!  I know it's not old, but it is to me.  Pretty soon I won't be able to write the number of years anymore because it's getting to that point!  Nonetheless I still had fun celebrating with both families and then with my man!!!   Jake really went the extra mile to make me feel special.  He planned a surprise and unique date night.  I simply appreciate the fact that he did plan and got the babysitter...(thanks mom&dad).  That in itself is a present.

We started the night with dinner at a fabulous restaurant, "Pago," who won Utah's award for the freshest ingredients....  Jake really knows what I like.  It was so good and good for you.  After dinner we laughed our faces off at "Wise Guys."  I had never been before, but I decided I don't need to go to a comedy club to laugh because I seriously married the funniest man alive...  He keeps me laughing, usually to tears!!!  We finished the night off with some LuLu shopping for me and then made our first appearance at the "Sweet Tooth Fairy," for cupcakes.  Jake knows all of my favorite things!!!

Just a month later we celebrated our six year anniversary!!!!  Every year I think how can it get any better, and how can I love him anymore, but somehow it DOES & I DO!!!  We had the most amazing weekend.  We started off with a fun visit to City Creek... amazing!  Then we headed to Little America for our most favorite meal in their Dining Room.  After enjoying a romantic dinner by the fireplace we went hot tubbing and then stayed the night!!!  Nothing is better than room service and in Jake's opinion lots of movies.  It was very nice and relaxing.  Love you Jakie babe!!!!

BIRTHDAY BOY #2

Our little Monster is already 2!!! I can't even believe it!  McAllen is such a joy in our life.  I treasure our morning hugs... He is honestly the best snuggle bug in the world!!!  He is so funny to play with and inherited his Dad's goofy laugh, which makes my heart melt every time I hear it, Mac's not Jake's ;-)  

He loves climbing, eating, movies (especially Toy Story), playing with his sister, building blocks, reading books, playing chase with mom, the Ipad, and his daddy!!!

This little Monster had quite the Bash!!! It was a lot of fun...

BIRTHDAY BOY #1

 We just love our Jakie!!! He is truly the most incredible husband, father, friend, and everything else in between!!!  Everyday I am in awe that I was lucky enough to marry a man as amazing as him.  I just love his birthday!!!  It's the perfect excuse to spoil him and treat him the way he deserves.

After breakfast in bed, later that night I took him out on a so-called
"Jake's perfect date"...

*Burger (At SLC Burger Company)

*Nielson's (Carmel Cashew)

*Movie (Mission Impossible)

Simple, I know, but I love how happy he gets with the most simple things in life... 

Happy Birthday Babe

Nan with the cousins at Daddy's Party

VIRTUOUS WOMEN

My mom and sister, Courtney, also had birthdays in October.  It was fun to celebrate just by hanging out, on a Friday night, together as a family.  There was of course Cafe Rio, presents, laughs, and dessert.  We love you Oma!!!  We are a lucky group of women to have such an amazing mom like you!!!!  A mother who has always loved the Lord and has walked faithfully in the paths of virtue.  As I've thought about this I have felt inspired to share something quite personal in hopes of helping other women.

I recently heard a talk given by author, Jodi Marie Robinson, who wrote one of my favorite books, Women of Virtue.  In her book she expresses that "true beauty is felt, more than it is seen."
Sister Robinson was an amazing speaker who discussed issues such as self-esteem, body image, modesty and of course the umbrella topic, VIRTUE.

I left that meeting feeling so inspired and determined to guard virtue and be more virtuous in everything I do/say.  She taught that virtue is so much more than moral purity, but it encompasses so much more.  In her own words, "Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior that signifies goodness and holiness."  As I pondered what she taught I realized that I needed to improve my own patterns of thought and behavior.  I have struggled, just like many women, with the worries of the world... our physical appearance.
  
I found it difficult after having each of my kids to love myself.  I had always had a strong relationship with myself growing up and previously to having children, but the battle of getting back into shape both physically and mentally was almost unbearable.  After looking back I realized that the battle mentally was even more difficult.  I was so hard on myself and expected perfection in everything I did.  That infection of perfection sadly fell into my physical expectation of myself.  These thoughts and expectations affected my spirituality and my focus on the eternal perspective... What really mattered!!!  


There were times when I fought to get that eternal perspective back into view, but I found myself on this continual roller coaster, fighting to stay on top.  The world was winning.  I often felt guilty and incapable of winning.  I would try, over and over, to rid myself of such negative thinking and obsessing, but those negative thoughts and high/unrealistic expectations were constantly making an appearance in my mind.  


I would be lying if I said I never battle such thoughts and feelings anymore, but I have made some great progress.  I do feel like I have overcome some major obstacles and love myself more than ever before.  I have a saying in my home that reads, "If only you could see yourself the way I do."  I can only imagine the Lord, Jesus Christ, my Savior saying those words to me, which I often do.  Tears usually follow that image.  He does love me and he loves each one of us... unconditionally.  


Sister Robinson's book and talk have been a great resource for me during these moments of trial.  Filling my mind with truth, focus on doing/serving, praying, and helping others love themselves, have been other key elements that have helped me to find a perfectly happy place in a very imperfect world.  

Gordon B. Hinckley taught, "There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who walks in the paths of virtue with a knowledge of why she should do so."  I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ where I learn that the power of virtue can be a guiding light through this life.  I don't need to see beauty, but I feel beautiful when I am walking in the paths of virtue with a knowledge that I am following in his footsteps.  It is my prayer that, just like my mother, I can teach the beauty of virtue to my young daughter... so that she will always know of her own great worth!!!!