God's Love

"When filled with God's love, we can do and see and understand things that we could not otherwise do or see or understand. Filled with His love, we can endure pain, quell fear, forgive freely, avoid contention, renew strength, and bless and help others in ways surprising even to us."

John H. Groberg

Weekends

Last Friday Criscell and I went to Jarem and Lindy's to eat dinner and play games.  After dinner while Criscell and Lindy were taking care of their two boys and putting them to bed.  J'Romeo, (Jarem) and I played Sonic the Hedgehog.  I used to play that game a lot as a kid and we were trying to unlock the other games.  Sadly I am not 10 anymore and we did not win.  After that game we all played a card game called Crazy Sixes.  It is a fun fast paced game.  Overall we had quite a good time.

Below you will find a picture of Jarem and Lindy.  The disappointed look on their faces are because we were dominating the game.  No really I am just kidding.

Saturday my brother Andy and his family came over to watch the BYU and Utah game.  We did not have the best time.  That is all I will say about that.

Later that night Criscell went to Gardner Village with Julie.  Here they are with an elf.  After I had to go back to work to make enough money to pay for the shopping trip.  No really I didn't they used some wisdom in what they spent.  Greg and I played games and watched a movie while they were gone.

Thought of the week - God's Grocery Store

On life's path I saw a sight I'd never seen before,  A simple building with a sign that read "God's Grocery Store,"  Curious, I stepped inside to see what might be there.  The worker's were God's Angels and they were everywhere.  One pointed to a shopping cart, and said in manner mild. "Be sure you shop carefully, and prayerfully, my child.  This store is always open, each customer a guest,  the owner is the Lord of Life, His merchandise the best.  I took a box of patience and filled a bag with love.  On the lower shelf was fortitude, and wisdom just above.  With faith I filled my shopping cart of that I need much more.  I saw a special sale on grace in the middle of the store.  In the front I found salvation with a sign that said, "It's free!" My name was printed on one box, reserved there just for me.  My cart was full but I exclaimed, "I must come back for more!" the Angel said, "Come back anytime, this is God's Grocery Store."  Then at the checkout counter, I found peace I hungered for, And next to it I saw spirit and joy I hadn't known before.  The angel at the register tallied up my bill, but when I saw the total cost, it made my heart stand still.  "This cost," I said, "is far too great; something is amiss in all the world there is not enough, to pay a bill like this!"  "No need to worry dearest one," the angel then replied, "Your bill has long ago been paid, the day that Jesus died."  - Author Unknown

Tagged

My Cousin Kayla tagged me.  I am going to do three quirks of mine and three quirks of Spencer's.

Here are the rules:

1. Link the person who tagged you.

2. Mention the rules on your blog.

3. Tell about six quirks you have.

4. Tag three fellow bloggers to do the same.

5. Leave a comment to let them know.

Quirk #1

I have to have all my clothes in my closet organized by Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple black, and white, then by length of shirt, pant and skirt.

Quirk #2

Spencer's quirk. He thinks he is perfect in every way, and he has no quirks.  Ha, Ha, Ha!!!  He said it not me.

Quirk #3
I have to sleep on the left side of the bed and sit on the right side of the couch.  If Spencer is already on the right side of the couch, I make him move. 

Quirk #4

Spencer gets in the shower at 5:30 in the morning and sleeps the first half of his shower against the wall.  In fact I don't think he can take a shower in the morning without sleeping. When we were first married I thought he was worse than a girl with how long he took in the shower, until I realized he was sleeping. 

Quirk #5

Every time I go to get in the car by myself, I have to have my cell phone in hand, 

I check the back seat and the minute I get in I have to lock the doors. A women can never be too safe.  O.K. I am just weird.

Quirk #6
When Spencer is tired he plays with the back of his hair.  When he is thinking really hard he plays with the front of his hair.  It is really cute. 

I tag anyone who wants to be tagged or who just wants to write their quirks down.

The big 5

It was our 5th anniversary this last weekend.  It has been a long road, but a good one.  O.K. five years is not that long I guess.  Spencer and I have tried to celebrate our anniversary every year by doing something fun and exciting.  Last year we spent it in New Mexico, and didn't get a real chance to celebrate, so this year I made sure we did. 

 A little background on the date that we were married.  The original wedding date to be married was November 22nd, 2003.  It was a good day, a Saturday to be exact. We would get married and have the reception that evening at my stake house.  Well low and behold I was informed that if we had our wedding that day, many would not show up, and others would leave early. As people went through the line, my new husband would be asking if anyone knew the score and a fight might break out between families and friends depending on the outcome of the game.   Yes, the great holy war of football was on this day!!   The U vs. BYU.  To a normal family this would not be a problem.  Have you met my husband? Have you met his family?  Have you met my Grandpa and Uncles?    It would be the Romeo and Juliet of Football.

Well, I conceded and changed the day to November 15th.  First problem, I could no longer get my stake house, so we had to opt for Spencer's stake house and of course we couldn't get it on the 15th.  We ended up having our reception on Friday the 14th and were married in the Bountiful Temple on the morning of the 15th.  This seems weird I know!  Reception before getting married?  I have to tell you it was awesome.  I had all day to get ready for my reception.  The next day Spencer and I were sealed for eternity, went to the wedding breakfast and were off for the rest of our lives.   It was all so stress free.  O.K. that would be a lie.  It was less stress free.  I do have to say that sometimes when Spencer and I are having a bad day and arguing I tell him "all of our problems are because we were suppose to be married on November 22nd."  It is interesting that next week, November 22nd is the BYU vs. U football game.  I am just glad it didn't fall on our anniversary,  we would have had to change our anniversary date this year. LOL!! 

So, I was having a bad day on Tuesday.  A little stressed out from work and other things on my mind.  Spencer called me on my way home.  He could tell by the tone of my voice that I had been crying.  I was just plain having a bad day.  He asked me to meet him in Bountiful for dinner.  We met in a parking lot so we could drive to dinner together and headed on our way.  He started winding through some streets before I knew it we were at a park.  This happened to be the park where we met and he proposed.  

As we are walking he is telling me how much he loves me and cares about me and promising me that I would not have to work much longer.   All I could think was "the next words out of his mouth are going to be that we are moving to Elko".  (Now mind you we have been joking around at home that he might get sent to the middle of no where for his job.)  So I am crying a little bit more now.  

Then out of no where he pulls out a ring box.  Of course by now I am balling hysterically.  As I open the box and notice the ring inside I start balling uncontrollably.  When we were first married I told him that for our fifth anniversary that I wanted a ruby band to go with my wedding ring.  Ruby's are my favorite and it is my birthstone.  HE IS SO CUTE!!!  I love my husband.  He decided to give it to me that day, because I was having a bad day, and he knew that I would probably find out when I looked at our bank account.  Don't worry we didn't go into debt to get it.  Look how pretty!

I wanted to embarrass Spencer so I sent him this on Friday to his work.  Ha, ha, ha. He loves his candy!! 

Spencer and I had out 5th anniversary family picture taken.  Look how good we look after five years of marriage.  It's amazing how well we have kept our shapes.

I chose the Spaghetti Factory for dinner. We hadn't been there forever.  It was yummy!

After dinner we went to see "Into the Woods" at the Hale Centre Theater.  We really like that place.  It was a good play with a lot of metaphors about life.  It was a great night.  

Thought of the week - You know his Number

You Know His Number

His line is never busy,

Pick up your phone and see,

You will always be able to reach Him,

just drop to your knees.

You have unlimited minutes,

I know you have been told,

And I will guarantee one thing,

you'll not be asked "will you hold?"

I'm not a "little prayer rock",

so don't tuck me in your drawer.

Don't put me under your pillow, 

or chuck me on the floor.

But keep me close beside you

and use me all the time.

For in this world around us,

Satan's at is prime.

You can call when you need Him

or just to have a chat.

Just bow your head and call 

"Heavenly Father, where are you at?"

And when there's an emergency,

no need to dial 911.

Just close your eyes and say

"help me out or forgive me for what I have done."

It's never too late to call Him,

He never goes to bed.

Remember, "ask and you shall receive"

is what He has said.

So next time when your feeling down 

or maybe feeling blue.

Just pick up your little prayer phone,

he'd love to hear from you.

Thought of the Week

I have decided to post a quote, motivational, or thought that has touched my heart every week.  So here is the first one.  

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule.  The mule fell into the farmer's well.  The farmer heard the mule "braying" or whatever mules do when they fall into wells.  After carefully assessing the situation the farmer sympathized with the mule but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving.  Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.  Initially, the old mule was hysterical!  But the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back... a thought struck him.  It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back... HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow.  "Shake it off and step up, shake it off and step up, shake it off and step up!" He repeated to encourage himself.  No matter how painful the blows or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on Shaking if off and stepping up!  

You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him.  All because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.  This is like life. If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity, the adversities that come along to bury us, usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us.  Remember that Forgiveness, Faith, Prayer, Praise, and Hope all are excellent ways to "Shake it off and step up"  out of the wells in which we find ourselves. 

A Little Behind

Halloween

I know it is past, but I am a little behind, and waiting to get some of my Halloween pictures still.  We had a great Halloween Carnival for Families Supporting Adoption on the 25th of October.  It was a blast.  I will post those pics as soon as I get them.  I went as a witch and Spencer went as Fletch.  If you are not sure who Fletch is, just google him.  It is Spencer's favorite movie.  We had a great turnout for our Carnival.  I was so excited to see so many people there.  Thank you to everyone that helped.  It was a success.

   At work I went with a costume that I have had for a while.  I went as Strawberry Shortcake.  Our department at work goes all out for Halloween.  We had a lot of fun.  Many of my co-workers were pirates and of course Davey Jones from "Pirates of the Carribean" tried to take me down to Davey Jones' locker.  

Cheryl, Me and Lilian (with her eyes closed).

The ladies

I love Halloween!!

Watching Spencer Play Football and Playing With Dusty

So last Tuesday I decided that Dusty and I were going to go watch Spencer play flag football.  Dusty loves football.  It is really cute to watch him follow the guys as they run up and down the field.  While we were watching some little boys came over and were trying to teach Dusty some new tricks.  It was pretty fun.  

Spencer not paying attention to the game.  ha, ha, ha.  I didn't yell his name to get his attention or anything.  I think it was shortly after this picture was taken, that he had a run in with a player from the other team, and let's just say, he was a little sore after.

The Bishop leading the team.  Such a great pic.

Spencer and I were playing with Dusty and I was taking pictures.  Dusty was on the floor, but by the time I snapped the picture he was up on my lap and this is how the picture turned out.  I thought it was great.  You can really see his one blue eye.

Spencer trying to hug Dusty.

Attack of the little dog.  I was trying to get up and Dusty decided to attack my shoe.

Spencer and Me!!!