Out With The Hot, In With The Cool~

Happy Fall everyone-- so our leaves don't totally change colors here--- crazy Huh?! They just turn brown and die. We're so excited though for the change in the seasons-- it's been a record hot summer and now that we're in November, we're finally feeling a change in the weather;) Here's the Iverson's first "We heart Autumn in Lubbock" pic.



Notice leaves green-- or brown, no pretty inbetweeners-- I took the autumns in New York and UT for granted. . . they were GORGEOUS!!! Now that we know different we'll never take them for granted again.

Wow it's been another month filled with all kinds of lil adventures;)

So we've been debating for a while about whether we should invest in a lawn mower. . . we knew it would only need a couple more cuts before the it was too cold to grow much more, however, it was getting pretty hairy. Because it's the end of the season, we figured that we could get a sweet deal on one though-- hmmmm. We continued to rationalize our way out of needing one right at the moment. . . but then a stranger showed up at our home one Sunday afternoon. He lived two doors down and noticed our yard could use a lil help. . . so he kindly offered to mow our lawn for us, of course his services wouldn't be for free. . . I asked him if this is just what he does for a living, he said, "Nope, just saw your yard, and thought you might need someone to take care of it for you." This was the day when we knew-- it was time to get a lawn mower. Fuzz found one for like a hundred bucks and went to pay for it and it was actually on sale for much cheaper than that!!-- another sign that we were making the right decision:)

So here's our hairy before and after pics:


So worth it:)

Funny story-- So I was just headed out the door a couple weeks ago and as I opened our front door, there behind the glass storm door were two full grown pit bulls anxiously awaiting in-- literally standing on my front door mat. I didn't know what to do-- LUCKILY I recognized the bigger of the two as my neighbors dog, only because he along with his buddy had gotten out the night before and had stirred up some ruckus in the alley behind our house and we went and told our neighbors that Midnight had gotten loose. Fuzz is Midnights, buddy but only through the little cracks of the fence. Fuzz will stick his hand or fingers through and Midnight gets so excited! He's a lil mischevious dog-- Fuzz is always telling me that he is tied up again, to the tramp on like a 3 foot chain because he is always in trouble. One time it was for tearing up a styrophone box covering their entire backyard with little pieces of it, another time--- was for sneaking over the fence and having a sleepover with Rose, his other nextdoor neighbors pitbull, another time he got in trouble for getting Rose pregnant, but most the time he just gets in trouble for sneaking out and getting loose, going wild in our neighborhood. I seldom see him and with so many pits in our neighborhood I would have never been able to tell him from them had I not just seen him that night before. -----k, back to the story. . .
So what do I do? I'm imagining the phone call to work. . . "Um yea, I can't come to work today because I can't get past the two pit bulls guarding my front door." Yea. . . there was no way I was going to call that in. So I just said I quick prayer that I wouldn't get eaten alive and grabbed my banana, purse and keys and tiptoed in my heels out my front door right through them. They jumped up on me but I think it was just to say, "Hey where's Fuzz? We wanna play!" I still got nervous, I knew Midnight was Fuzz's buddy but I had heard that this other dog was not so friendly and didn't know if he'd peer pressure Midnight into turning into a people eater--- I didn't know--! I tried to talk nice and playful, but that just made them jump up and get that much more excited, so then I talked stern,"Sit down DOWN!!! DOWN!! -- off-- oFF-- OFFFFF!!!!! then I thought that maybe I was sounding more like a "bad guy" and that would make them angry, so I panicked and asked them if they wanted my banana and got ready to throw it---- and then remembered that it was my breakfast, and I was hungry and I'd be starving because my lunch break wasn't for another 4 hours, so instead I just kept my banana, forced my way into my car, pushed their heads out of the doorway, slammed the door shut and hoped that they would get out of my way so that they didn't get runover--
So I'm driving to work and call mom to tell her about how lucky I am to be alive and while I'm in the middle of doing this, while stopped at the front of a line of cars at a red light, I get rear ended. Surprised at the sudden unexpeted jolt,---without thinking, I said, "Mom I just got hit-- gotta go!" Luckily it was nothing really- just scared me for a second. I got back in the car to call and tell her everything was fine-- I think she's been my mom long enough to know when I'm in serious trouble, and that this wasn't one of those times, but regardless-- she answered the phone by saying, "I was just kneeling down to say a lil prayer for you!!"-- another tender mercy on my way to work that morning, just another sweet reminder that I'm the luckiest kid in the world to be blessed with my mother.

Another fun adventure for us this month was going out with the missionaries and meeting this adorable couple that live just down the street from us and being a part of the missionary discussions in their home. The man had been baptized into our church as a child but somewhere along the course of his life had fallen away and become inactive. I don't think he had anything ever against the church, just didn't do anything to stay active. His girlfriend was very interested and had agreed to get baptized, but in our church you have to be married to be living together to be eligible for baptism, so at about 8 months pregnant she decided to put on a wedding dress, and walk down the aisle. The baptism date had been set, but the couple was nervous about asking permission from her parents to be married, let alone baptized. They asked for us all to be prayerful with them that their parents hearts would be softened and allow them to be able to get married, and for her to become a member of our church. We all were so prayerful for them, and then we received word that her family was so excited and more than willing to allow both services to take place, and all said that they would drop everything and come support them at their wedding, which was kinda short notice because the baptism was just over a week away. -- and they were from out of town. They decided to do them on the same day, wedding first, and then the baptism. However, the couple didn't even have enough money to afford their marriage license, because now they were paying tithing, let alone money to pay for a wedding, but they had faith that it would all work out. Some girls in my ward and I got together-- two of which were 9 months pregnant ready to have their baby at any moment-- we went shopping together and split up the costs, and because I work, that was about all the contribution that I could make, the other girls were so awesome, and divied out responsibilities and coordinated everything. I wasn't sure how this wedding would turn out with food and everything with hardly any money, I knew that my friends were putting so much into making this the most beautiful wedding they could for her. Luckily she fit in her prom dress still which was white, and had some blue roses on it, so she used that for her wedding dress and they themed the entire color scheme around it. I was asked late the night before if I could play the piano for the wedding, though I'd never played anything but the harp at weddings before, I figured that I could make it work.
I rushed there early Saturday morning-- I was driving behind some maniac driver that was totally speeding, so I figured it was ok if I spead too as long as he still was driving faster. He pulled up to church-- it was the groom;) he was running late too. The wedding was at 8am-- it was about 10 till, I had a mandatory meeting at work at 8:50 so I was nervous to find out that the bride wasn't even there yet. She got there at about 8, not even dressed yet-- I was starting to panic. I didn't want to leave early --- I knew she had to have music while she walked down the aisle of the Relief Society room, but I was so limited on time. Bishop was sweating bullets with me because he had a flight to catch in an hour so we both were nervous together. I walked into the room where the wedding was to take place, it was beautiful. I went into the kitchen and found it filled with beautiful trays of gourmet food I swear taken right out of Martha Stewart Living Magazine! It was amazing!!!! There was a gorgeous wedding cake that someone in the ward-- who I don't even think had ever even met the couple-- had made for them! The cultural hall was decorated simply but beautifully. So many people in the ward had volunteered to make food and contribute their services into making this such a special wedding for them.
8:25 Everything was ready for a go---- they gave me the green light and I played the infamous Canon in D as the brides maids walked in from the hall, and the best men aka the missionaries;) walked in from the kitchen and then stood behind the bride and groom for the service. It was short and sweet;) they did it! Bishop made his flight, I made it to work on time with time to grab a plate full of their amazing brunch food. It was unbelievable. I couldn't believe that this wedding had been planned in a week. It was just so neat that so many people sacrificed to make it so special for them-- It was a neat experience for all those involved.
The Wednesday of that week we'd had our Housewarming Party with a bunch of our friends. We had set the date a while back in hopes that we'd have all of our lil around the house projects finished by then-- we took care of the bulk of em:) Here's a couple pics of our most recent project, stenciling in our bathroom.




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I was super intimidated by the video's I watched of stenciling online. . . but it actually turned out! YAY-- I was so sure we'd be needing some more blue paint to cover my stenciling failure.
We thought it would be fun to invite our friends over for a fun house warming dinner party in our backyard. We sent our invites and were so glad that so many could make it! They were all so sweet-- it was so much fun!

We wish we'd been able to take more pics, but once our friends started arriving we were just so busy doing all the last min preparations for the dinner.

Here's some of the prep though:





We got the food ready . . .


and then hurried and got us ready. . .


We were just setting up the last few things-- we filled the mason jars with water topped with floating candles-- and then brought out a few more candles--- We knew that we'd need plenty of candles because by the time our guests arrived it would already be dark.


Our shed was our backdrop;) so we figured it needed some sparkles--



Here is the actual menu:

It was a little chilly, so we brought out some quilts and blankets for everyone to keep warm-- everyone was such good sports-- that made it so much fun!

The clean up was so amazing;) we had to take a pic of it:







For Halloween this year we decided to be Maid Marian and Robin Hood-- yep-- fuzz got to wear tights! Ha no, actually just some of my leggings. We went to the church for their annual Trunk or Treat-- and dressed up our trunk as Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood wanted posters-- kinda fun;) There were a million kids!!! They went from trunk to trunk collecting their candies. I was told to bring about 300 pieces of candy because there would be that many kids, I felt bad only giving them each one piece, but after I started noticing how fast it was going. . . and how full their bags were getting. . . I didn't feel quite so bad anymore. It was fun to see all of their creative costumes, they were darling!

So here is a link to the funniest video ever-- here's what happens when parents tell their kids that they ate all of their Halloween Candy-- hahaha soooo funny~!

http://youtu.be/_YQpbzQ6gzs

(it may need to be copied and pasted into the browser)


We are so excited to announce the arrival of our brand new adorable niece, Whitlee Karma Platt. Fuzz's sister's new lil girl, 4th girl in a row:) we have so many adorable nieces! She was born Friday morning-- isn't she so cute?!



We sent her a few outfits and some cute lil leggings we made her--- new babies are just sooo tiny;) hope they fit!

Can you believe it's already that time of year again?! They're already putting up Christmas decorations and tree's all over at my work-- I love it! Though we're not ready to put up our decor yet. . . we're taking it one holiday at a time;) they'll probably go up the day after Thanksgiving.

Well that's about how far our adventures have brought us up till now, sure there'll be some more blog-worthy ones to come -- until next time!

Baby Time!

Well it's been a while since we posted-- promise we've been busy;) We are finally all moved in to our new home, and feel like we're settling in quite well here in Lubbock. Fuzz has kept busy all summer with a mile long list of "honey to-do's"---- we'll have to post pics. He's just started school at Texas Tech--- and loving it! He started work too about that same week at a transitional learning center, where he works with patients that have had traumatic brain injuries, he helps them with their physical, occupational, and other therapies. They basically are there to relearn how to be as much normal as they possibly can again. It's been a rewarding opportunity for Fuzz to be able to go to work every day and just help people-- it has definitely strengthened his resolve to pursue a career in Physical Therapy. Super neat!
Dillard's has been awesome to let me continue working for them;) I've been transferred to another department and actually been made the new business manager of that department, which was an exciting surprise for Fuzz and I. I don't work any more hours than I did before, and I get to do my own schedule--awesome! Thus far I've just LOVED it! The only thing that I feel I'm struggling with is being so overwhelmed by so many cute clothes. . . and our discount doesn't help me rationalize my way out of buying them. . . especially because it's kind of part of the job to dress to represent our area. . . . . that last part is what normally pushes me over the edge-- ;). It's difficult not to cave when you work all day with such cute clothes and can get them for such a sweet deal. I love the girls that I work with-- they are such great people, and good hard workers that make coming to work each day all the better.
We just got back from UT visiting family for the baby blessings and Shaye's Court of Honor where he received his Eagle. Tiffany and Austin have an adorable new baby boy, baby Kai, cutest lil guy ever! Tara and Trav welcomed their first baby this summer, lil baby Ellsie. They were both blessed last Sunday-- it was so neat for to be there for such a special event in our family.
Lil Shaye-- boy how he's grown! We haven't seen him since January-- I couldn't believe how much he'd grown! He'd grown physically, but I was dumbfounded by his emotional and spiritual growth. He's gone through so much this past year, but with those trials he's gained so much strength -- those trials have built him into the handsome young man he is today! We were so glad that he was able to have his Court of Honor while we were home. There were so many people there to support him, and congratulate him for this great accomplishment-- it was awesome!
Well they say a picture is worth a thousand words. . . and we took tons while we were home-- of everything! Here a sneak peak of our short vacation home last week with our family:


Fuzz holding for the first time our new lil niece Ellsie Rose



Tiffies lil baby Kai Shigaroo


Tara with her Ellsie






Fuzz with his baby Boots;) He always goes crazy and gets so excited when we come home for a visit.



We flew in from Lubbock, to Albuquerque, to Phoenix to Vegas, and then Fuzz's mom was nice enough to pick us up in Las Vegas and drive us back to UT. We went and cleaned up a lil and then drove over to my parents house to meet our new niece and nephew and say hi to our family before we headed up to Pine Valley that night for Fuzz's Iverson reunion on their property up there. We had an amazing dutch oven dinner and then moved everyone into Uncle Don's cabin for a jam session-- they were so much fun! It was so good to be there and see everyone especially Fuzz's dad who had driven up from Colorado to be there.







The next morning we woke up bright and early for church-- here's Mylee and baby Kai all ready to go!



We don't know how long it will be until all of us are in the same place all at once again, since I work retail, we probably won't be going home for the holidays, so we took advantage of this morning while we were already dressed for church anyway to take some family pictures out in the yard. . . it wouldn't be a trip home without family pictures! haha


Here we are!



All of our handsome men. . .



and their princesses;)







They were taking pictures of all the lil families. . . and while it might be small. . . this is ours;)



We'd made Ellsie a cute lil outfit and shoes and a headband to match. . .



but it took us a second to think of what we could make for My and Kai. . . my friend at work suggested sock puppets-- we looked up how to make em on you tube and then put are learning to the test and viola! I was surprised at how easy and inexpensive this craft was for us-- I love cheap and easy crafts! Mylee has already named them. . .Socky, and . . . I blanked the other name, but something just about as original as "Socky":)







Here's Fuzz and baby Kai

Ok time for the baby blessings. . .









Proud aunt and uncle to the new lil cuties.






Here's baby Kai with Ellsie and our neighbor Jamaica's new little Jaida hanging out all together on the floor--




This is the golf course that Fuzz went and golfed with his cousin Todd, his Mom and her friend Charlie-- such a beautiful place!




It was an afternoon of "bonding;)" as later that day Fuzz went golfing with both of my sisters husbands while us girls went shopping--super fun!




Shaye's Court of Honor:











Mom's son-in-laws are all Eagle scouts, so she thought that it would be fun to include all of them in the court of honor, they all did such a great job!










Glen works with my dad and is the chief of the local Paiute tribe in southern Utah. He's the one that came up with the idea for Shaye's Eagle project. He, with the help of his awesome scout leaders, and donations from garage sales etc., put together a monument to recognize all the veteran's from the Indian reservation. It turned out beautiful! It has meant a lot to many of the ancestors of those that sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms. There have been flowers, and vases, candles, and other treasures left there by those that come to pay tribute to those great men.
To show his gratitude for Shaye and his completion of this project, Glen gave him a drum that his older brother had made for him with deer hide and wood, because it is made from the Earth, it is deemed as something sacred to the Native Americans. He actually then played it for us as he sang a couple -- it was really a special treat!



We even got a letter from Brittan from the mission field-- also an Eagle-- that Bishop Fry read for us congratulating and honoring Shaye, expressing his love respect for him and his great accomplishment-- It was a neat addition to the program; the whole night was just awesome.

A BBQ followed. . . and then we spent the rest of the night hanging out with the babies ;)


Here's Ellsie with my mom, and then her mom. . .



she kept making all the silliest faces. . .


Silly lil cutie!



Before we knew it, we were already saying our goodbyes :( Kai made us some good sad faces, he didn't want us to leave. . .





We had to snap one more pic before we got home of someone's "carry-on". . . only in Texas does someone tape a Stetson hat box shut and tape on a rope with a wooden handle to hold onto ;) I love Texans!

Shout out to My Dad!

Wow-- it's been a while. Quick update: Fuzz and I are finally in our house! We have been working non stop to transform this house into our home. . . and are just about there! It's been a ton of hard work-- but all worth while. We'll have to post some before and after photo's so you all can see what we've been up to;)

A couple weeks ago was Fathers Day, and an extra special Fathers Day for Fuzz and I because that was also our 1 Year Anniversary! We were asked to actually speak that Sunday in our Ward and introduce ourselves, as well as share with the congregation a little bit about our Fathers. It was fun to get to sit down and think about what kind of a Father I'd been blessed with-- wow, how'd I get so lucky. Here are a few segments of my shpeal about Fathers, and a little of what makes my dad so special to me. . .

Last Sunday, Sister Thompson had asked me to sub as Primary Chorister for her because she was going to be out of town. As we were practicing our song for Sunday on Fathers, we included within our activity a segment where all the children participating got to share with us something special to them about their dad-- we got all kinds of fun responses! "My dad takes care of me, my dad plays catch with me, my dad is funny, my dad spends time with me, my dad protects me, my dad tells me he loves me. How blessed these sweet children are to have such great Fathers that they love and care so much for.

As I listened to their responses I couldn't help but think of how I would respond to that question. There are so many things that make my dad special-- and today I'd like to share a few of those things with you.

My dad has always made a special effort to let us know how much he loves us. He makes sure to not only show us-- but tell us too! At night my dad would make sure we were all in bed and tell us goodnight, and remind us that he loves us. In addition to that, he would often tell us bedtime stories, including, "Percy the Pop Belly Pig" a silly fictional character he'd created to entertain us to sleep--( my dad is the Greatest storyteller by the way! Haha each character would have their own unique voice, so we could just close our eyes and imagine their adventures. He'd tell us about Percy, Licky, and Rose, and Percy's family -- the Jones'. This was something that our dad did that helped us to feel so loved by him. We knew he was exhausted at the end of his workday and would have to repeat his impromptu story going from the bedroom to bedroom so that we could all hear it. It was a simple sweet thing that he did, that meant the world to us!

My dad is the friendliest, most Christlike person I know. There was an artist that lived in our ward, Del Parson, that would paint pictures using the members of our ward as models for his paintings. At a very young age I remember him using my dad as a model for a painting he did of Jesus Christ with his apostles--- this was a tangible visual of my dad representing Christ.



Whenever I see that picture, I think of how Fervently in every aspect of his life, my dad strives to emulate the Savior. In all that he says and does he takes thought and while remaining human, with inevitable mortal imperfections, he still exceeds the epitome of perfection in my eyes. He is one of those people that just makes you feel special, in all of his callings he exceeds any and all expectations of rendering service to those whom he works with, and also who stand in need of it.


He's one of those people that is always involved in the community. He saw a need for my brother having been the football captain of his team but after injury to his leg, and lack of enthusiasm based on the crude and discouraging remarks and attitudes conveyed from his coaches and teammates, decided football wasn't his thing. My dad got a bunch of people involved and began a rugby team at his high school! This was a huge undertaking, involving lots of fundraisers, paperwork, organized trips up to northern Utah for tournaments and games, BBQ's etc. This has been a tremendous blessing for my little brother! He's been surrounded by positive influences because of it. In rugby, your team is your family. If you have to miss a practice for something family oriented, there are no if, and's, or buts about it--- you be with your family, period. Lack of food-sportsmanship is not at all tolerated, and without even a warning you will be kicked out of the game for it, this goes for parents and fans as well.


This is just one example of my dad recognizing a need and doing everything in his power to help resolve it in any way that he could.

For Christmas this past year, my dad, and his family-owned business recognized a need, and started a drive to help the Shivwit's Indian tribe be able to have a Christmas for their families--he coordinated everything and made assignments. Fuzz and I got to help shop for presents and then wrap them with some of my other siblings. My dad got to go with Santa to deliver the presents to the families. Among them was a family with a little boy who was dying from cancer, who knows how many more Christmas's he'd be able to celebrate here with his sweet loving family.
Anyways, it's just things like that, that are a normal thing for my dad. This is just the kind of person he is. I came across a note a while back that apparently my dad had saved from a young boy that was really struggling in various aspects of his life, including his activity in the church. I remember my dad trying to include him in activities as he was over the young men of the ward, I remember him especially reaching out to him, -- I read the note. . . "Brother Sevy. . . . Thank you!" He thanked him for including him and told him what a great leader he was. I can only imagine how much that meant to my dad; I couldn't believe that THAT kid had written that letter to him. He knew that my dad sincerely loved and cared about him, and I know that my dad's efforts significantly influenced this kid for good.
My dad would always encourage us to be kind to others. Every day when we'd leave for school-- I'd hear my dad yell to us down the sidewalk "Be a friend to someone that needs one!" We'd always respond "kaaaayyyyy we will!" And we always tried to. We'd look for "the one" the one sitting alone at lunch, or recess, or wherever else-- and we'd try our best to "be a friend" to them.
My dad would meet just about every guy I ever went out with before I ever left for a date-- not with his shot gun, I don't think he even owns one of those, but because he sincerely cared to get to know them and would be very optimistic with them, test a lil bit of his dry humor on them and then candidly ask em what we'd be doing and about when he could expect me home ;) always with a smile. Several times my dad would hurry home to see me off to a dance or a date, it was something important to him, and really meant a lot to me, and I know it meant a lot to my sisters too.



On Sundays we'd wake to Sunday music playing in our home, as to set the mood for the spirit of the Sabbath day. My dad would remind us all throughout the day that it was Sunday and encourage us to write in our journals, read our scriptures or another good book-- if we did watch a movie on TV he'd always say. . . "Is this Sunday appropriate?" :) he'd encourage us to write letters to missionaries, and just fill our day with wholesome uplifting activities. One other special thing that he did was take us aside every once in a while on Sundays and give us an interview-- not anything scary, just ask us how we were doing, what our goals were, and our plan to accomplish them-- he'd ask about the progress on previous goals. He'd ask us on a scale of 1-10 what our relationship was with our Heavenly Father and with the Savior--- every time I felt like I could be doing even better. He would give us an opportunity to discuss our concerns with him or just talk about whatever--he was always a very good listener.

My dad is a worthy Priesthood holder. He was always giving us blessings when we were sick or starting school, or faced with some pretty significant decisions. He always made it a point for us to be kind and respect our mother. He showed us by how he treated her, and us.


He always worked hard, and never once did I find him sitting on the couch watching TV when there was work to be done-- I seldom ever saw him sitting period. He loves to be active and for the past 30 years or so he's woken up 2 or 3 times a week at like 5:30 to go play basketball with a bunch of guys up at the church. He would wake all of us up and get us upstairs to say our family prayer before he left no matter how ornery or tired we were, he'd tickle our ties or threaten us with a glass of cold water hung over us, or turn every light on every light in our room, but he'd make sure that we got up and out of bed for family prayers and scriptures. What a blessing that has been for our family!

My dad served his mission in Australia, and we've been blessed to be able to grow up listening to stories about his mission. I think that Brittan has always just been planning on serving a mission, but I think that my dad's example played a significant part in that. Brittan's been out since February and wow-- what tremendous growth we've seen in him in such a short time.



I want to share an excerpt from one of his most recent letters home. . .

" Wow, Heavenly Father is very much near me, I feel his love like crazy! I'm SO grateful for him and all that he does, I am the luckiest Missionary in the whole world!

The other day we were biking and had an appointment cancel... so I said well elder Flora lets knock on some doors... where should we knock?... he said, you pick, you are the more spiritual one . . . I quickly slowed down and stopped, looked at him and said, "What is that suppose to mean?" then he went on telling me how he doesn't really have a desire anymore to do missionary work. How after all the hard work that he has put in to it he just doesn't feel like he really has gotten anything back. . . . my heart sank, and I listened to him, I just told him that I would do any and everything to help him. . . . he acted like that would never do anything and like it was hopeless. . . we quietly went on with the rest of the day.

What am I going to do...... I thought what would my dad do, and then I thought of all of dads missionary stories....I came to a conclusion... my dad would love him with all his heart! and this is what I have been doing! ...thanks dad;)
And oh what miracles I have seen in this short time so far! I have been praying and fasting and trusting Heavenly Father, knowing that he would help me through this trial! And he has. Nothing drastic but I have seen a change of hear in him and it blows my mind. I will just keep praying and praying for him and hope he will continue! Wow it's just awesome!
I love this gospel sooooo much! it's amazing and changes lives like nobody's business!!!!!"


Growing up whenever we were naughty or misbehaved, he was always good at helping us see what we did was wrong and encourage us to be our very best selves. Just the look of disappointment in his eyes when we did something wrong was torture enough because we knew we'd let him down, we knew that we knew better. He would often ask us, what could I have done better, or I'm sorry I let you down! EVEN though it would OUR fault! Or when he knew he'd taught us something, he'd just ask us why? to which we never had a great answer. I always felt like I needed to do right to show him that he had taught us right. I know that if I was dishonest that it would misrepresent my family, and hurt my parents well respected reputations-- I always felt like it was just "not honoring my parents" if I went against their council and did something I knew was wrong.

I feel like this is similar to how our Heavenly Father is when we sin, or make bad choices. I feel like he hopes that we will learn from the mistakes that we've made and because of our respect and love for him, choose not to repeat those same mistakes again. We represent him, and his church and when we do sin, we are tainting the reputation of our church, with is Perfect, even though it's members may not be. We show our honor and love for Him in the way that we Choose to live our lives. Love is an action word.

I had an experience a while back to leave home and move out to New York City. I was so excited to go but knew that it was going to be easily the hardest thing I'd ever done. I was going alone. That night in Las Vegas when I said goodbye to my family I remember thinking, "WHAT AM I DOING???!!!" I never felt so alone in my whole life. I didn't have a job lined up, I was going to study music, and I didn't know exactly what I was going to do, but I knew that that this was what my Heavenly Father wanted me to do. I had to rely so heavily upon him. There were so many times when I was lost or confused or didn't know what to do that I couldn't for whatever reason lack of service or whatever, call my dad or mom and ask them for help. I HAD to rely on my relationship with my Heavenly Father, and he never let me down. It was one of the craziest neatest experiences of my life, I felt like he was my new best friend. I was constantly communicating with him, and being in such a vulnerable situation-- I knew I couldn't afford not to. I felt the love he had for me, and was constantly overwhelmed by it. This situation I was in forced our relationship to grow exponentially. I would never have know how close I could feel to him-- and knowing that I know that I can always be drawing myself even closer to him. This was one of the neatest blessings I took from that 2 year experience int New York and one I'll never forget.

I know that just as our Fathers love us, so does our Father in Heaven. I know that he wants more than anything for us to be happy. I encourage all of us to continue to nurture our relationships with our own personal fathers, as well as nurture that relationship with our Heavenly Father; watch that relationship flourish and grow and experience the joys that will fill your life when you do.

Well there is my shpeal on Fathers. I started this post about a week ago. . . but am not posting it till today. . . which is ironically my dads birthday! Happy Birthday Dad! Here's my shout out to you! Thanks for everything.

Well I hear Tara's about ready to pop, even though she's not due for 3 more weeks, the doctor says the baby could come any day. So Exciting!!! I swear it's a boy, she says that for much as it kicks around she sure it's a boy, either that, or a Channing-- ha I can't wait to find out~!

Tomorrow's the 4th of July. We sang America the Beautiful among other patriotic hymns at church and I couldn't help but notice reference to God repeatedly throughout the song. I was reading in Ether this morning about the Brother of Jared being told that he and his family would be led to the promised land, a land that was choice above all other lands. It was almost redundant how many times they repeated "the Promised land" . . . ."Choice above all other lands. . . which the Lord God had preserved." I remember thinking, " Why does it keep saying that. . ? and then thought "Because it is THAT big of a deal!" We live in THE promised land, a land of liberty, of freedom, of rights and privileges that we so often take for granted. I'm so grateful to live in this great Nation-- established under God, I know that it couldn't not have been established any other way. We are so blessed! I'm so glad to be an American-- to live Here in this beautiful place, and have so much gratitude for those that make the sacrifices to protect and preserve it.

We wish everyone the best as they celebrate our Independence Day tomorrow! Happy 4th y'all!