4th of July

6 Years and Counting!

So Sunday marks the 6th year that Josh and I have been married!!! I have to say life has been a whirlwind since July 5, 2003 but I am so grateful for the way my life has gone. I love Josh more than I ever thought was possible but I knew that was how it was going to be when we got married 6 years ago.

I didn't think that Josh and I were really going to be able to do much for our anniversary this year because Josh has to work over the 4th of July weekend but I got a big suprise today when he told me that he dosen't have to work tomorrow. I am so grateful to be able to spend the whole day with my hubby!!! Ok so I probably will have to follow him around the yard and house in order to spend time with him because he has a million honey do projects that have been put on the back burner for to long now but I don't care! I get to be with him the whole day and I couldn't ask for a better Anniversary gift than that!!!

I love you Josh and I can't wait to see what the next 6 years hold for us!!!

What Does It Take To Serve Your Country!

So what does it take to serve your Country? I have given this a lot of thought... mostly because many people feel they need to justify that they sacrifice just as much as those who serve our Country in the Armed Forces. I have a special place in my heart for those who have served and are now serving. I get to see on a daily basis the sacrifices made so that we can live in a FREE Country. I believe that it takes a special kind of person to possibly give up their life in order that we might be free... BUT!!!... I do not believe that those who serve in the Armed Forces are the only ones who Serve our Country. I believe average Joe's (yes that includes me) can create a nation that is full of Peace... A Nation that is unified... A Nation that stand together and fights for what is Right.... A Nation that is Forgiving... A Nation that is Compassionate... A Nation that has High Moral Values... and a Nation that does not forget how it was founded!

I believe that Mothers who are raising their children to the best of their abilities are Serving our Country! I believe Father's who provide a good example of how a Man should act are Serving our Country! I believe that going to school, church, work with the right kind of attitude is Serving our Country! Being actively involved in our communities... helping provide a safe place for those around us is Serving Our Country!

Ever Since we moved back to the states I have been overwhelmed by people going out of their way to thank Josh for what he does... To me that is Serving our Country!!! I love this Nation... I am so grateful to be back on American Soil and smell the Free air around me!!! I count my blessing daily that I was able to be born in the LAND OF THE FREE!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!

One Nation Under God

Over the next few weeks I am probably going to post a lot on our Nation... This is something that I have a special place in my heart and a strong sense of pride for. I have always loved my Country and I have always loved the 4th of July season. I love that so many in my family have served in the Armed Forces and have sacrificed so much so that we can live free... worship free... and die free. I am so proud to be an American and so greatful that I was born into a situation where I can enjoy life to the fullest. I am so grateful to be married to a man that has such strong values and wants to serve our country because he wants our children and our childrens children to have the same freedom that we enjoy.

Over this last weekend Josh and I were able to go to Phoenix for some Military Training. One of the nights there was a annual Military Ball for the Recruiters in the Batallion. Before serving dinner there was a ceremony in which (among many other things) the American Flag was folded by the some of the soldiers. I had to fight really hard not to cry seeing those Men and Women folding the flag dressed in their dress blues. They weren't just folding the flag either... I could see on their faces the responsibity that each of them felt as they participated in folding this beautiful symbol of our Country. As they were carefully folding someone at the pulpit recited what each fold meant. I was able to find it off of the internet and thought I would share.

The first fold of our Flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing with other countries may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.

"The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to theRepublic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our Republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he,too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen,represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.When the Flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our Nation's motto, "In God We Trust."

After the Flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat,ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

Tutu...

At the end of May our family had the opportunity to go to Utah for my Grandmother's funereal. It was a beautiful experience and I will never forget the bitter sweet feelings that were felt with everyone who attended. I like to think of funerals as the graduation party for loved ones. That is truley how I felt with Tutu's funeral. I felt such a strong sense of peace and happiness. I will miss her of course but as the song says "God be with you till we meet again".

I love families and the family unit... I love the bonds that I have with Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, etc... I hope that I can teach my children how lucky they are to have such a wonderful support group, a support group that I hope they come to depend on. I love my Grandmother and the Beautiful legacy that she has left for all of us to enjoy and benifit from. I love her strength and I love the strength that she gave to my Mother. I hope someday that I can have that same strength.

I am so grateful for the gospel and for the knowledge that we have... to know that death isn't the end... that we will meet again. I am so grateful to know that I will live with my family for eternity. What greater blessing is there?

Allison's 5

I know... I know... It has been FOREVER since I last posted. Life has well, been life and things really got away from me. I promise to be better in the future. Allison turned 5 on June 5th and we had a some friends and family join us for a special party! Thanks for all of the great gifts and good company, I think it was a big success! I can't believe that my baby is not a baby anymore. I am so grateful for her in my life. She is my angel... She is always trying to choose the right. She is such an intelligent girl and I am constantly amazed by how well she comprehends things. She is such a good sister and is always thinking of Megan and Mikey and how they would feel. She wants to be a Mommy and a Teacher someday and her favorite animal is between a Bear, Elephant, and a Kitten. Her favorite color is (can you guess?) PINK. I love her more than I ever thought possible. Happy Birthday Allison, I LOVE YOU!!!

More Pics Coming Soon

Our Backyard Transformation...

So these pictures are backwards but you can get the general idea... I also took pictures of Josh shoveling all of the rock out of the backyard but I can't find where I saved those. Our Backyard was originally just Rock... and more Rock... and MORE ROCK!!! Josh Shoveled all of that up and then got to work tilling the ground and flattening it out. We then asked Gordon, Ian, and Josh's buddy from work Clint to come help lay the sod. They did a GREAT Job as you can tell (thanks guys). They also built this play ground area... well not the swing set... but the frame and the pavers with rubber mulch on top. Josh also built a garden area in one corner of the yard. We have 3 different kind of Tomatoes (Big Boy, Early girl, and Roma), and two green pepper plants, and a Zucchini plant... we also got 2 strawberry plants (YUMMY). Wish us luck with our first Garden!!! As you can see from some of the Pics we ran out of sod and need to get a little bit more... Hopefully this weekend! I will take a picture of the final project then. Hope you enjoy the pics half as much as we are going to enjoy playing in our new backyard!!!