JUNE

Girls Camp! Our theme this year was "Spiritual Gifts within you" which correlated with the Young Women value, "Individual Worth." It was my first year as a camp director for our ward and I absolutely LOVED it!! Being around these amazing girls was truly a privilege and fortified my testimony that we are all sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven.

There is something about swatting ticks, braving snakes, befriending cute goats (random but true), being away from distraction, studying the scriptures/praying together, and sharing testimony in word and action that builds friendships and our personal relationship with the Savior is a beautiful, powerful way. I can't wait for next year!


Weston was a gem and volunteered to be one of the priesthood leaders for the 3rd year overnight hike on the Appalachain. Keeping up with the girlses is not always easy! I was happy to seem him (even in my nastified,greasy state)! IT's the longest we've been apart since our marriage.

spring babies!

A delight to celebrate the birth of the ones we love!

March began a LOT of Birthdays in our family--and our first together! Weston made me breakfast in bed (hash browns from scratch!) and we enjoyed the sunshine at the park with a scripture and sport-fun picnic. :)



Weston and I got to "Skype" with his family on his Birthday. Instead of going out, we ate a special meal in: Homemade german chocolate cake (and frosting--an adventure) and salmon. A dear Bishop and his wife even provided the perfect plate we plan on using for Bday "red plate specials." It's happy.

17th: A happy day indeed!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! March 17th is not just a day to wear green, remember Irish saints, and enjoy a jolly, romping Irish Fling, but the day my beautiful mother, Cathy, was born. It is true in every way when I say that I would not be here without her. Her example and wisdom has led me through countless life choices, and I am forever grateful that Heavenly Father sent me to her--my mother, my friend. Her legacy, her testimony, her love are with me wherever I go; for I am my mother's daughter. I love you Mom!

A small world means a lot

In 2007, I was blessed to be a part of Healing Hands for Haiti. It was a joyful, sacred, revealing and irreplaceable experience that taught me so much--most especially through the children. Since the earthquake in January, my thoughts are often filled with the memory of beautiful children and friends I had the opportunity to meet, to hold, to laugh with. I've only heard from one friend and wonder if those children are known; of they are okay. We all want to to more.


Another earthquake in Chile made this place we call home even smaller as it affected the very heart of the mission my husband served in for 2 years. He has been able to contact a couple of friends there and the need is still very great. We are continually grateful for the people the Lord has placed in our lives and hope to never take anything, anyone for granted. We are grateful for experiences that make the world a small place--as it should be.

To donate funds to Haiti, Chile, Taiwan, Turkey, or Japan, click on the link BELOW:
LDS Philanthropies Home

Catch-Up!

BACK TO FIRST GRADE
For a couple months I had the opportunity to go back to one of my favorite places: FIRST GRADE!! I worked as an aide in Special Education to the most adorable, happy, sweet 7 yr. old on the planet who took all of a day to fall in love with! He makes me happy and I am forever grateful to have him as my friend. :)

The sounds and joys of the season!

Weston and I have been working in nursery since September and just saw our class graduate into nursery this new year. They teach us a lot and are so precious to be with every Sunday! We talked about reverence recently and brought a camera so they could see themselves being reverent. Here is one sweetheart's interpretation. :)
A lovely trip during the break to the Raleigh, NC temple.
We were privileged to have the missionaries over for dinner! They are such happy, good, and wonderful young men who love the Lord! They are wonderful examples of why we are here and bring a lovely spirit into our home.
Heading to our friend's home, the Mizell Family, for Christmas dinner. Such wonderful people to celebrate with! PLUS their beautiful farm home in the hills of Virginia...so picturesque.
We love traditions! Our new family Christmas tradition begins here Christmas morning, at our nativity (from Haiti). Stars will guide each family member to the nativity where we will present and share our gift (written, colored, or what not on Christmas Eve) to the Savior for the coming year.

A gift from a thoughtful nephew and sister. We had was too much fun! I love Weston's face of concentration--it takes opposable thumb skill!

Ah, our first Christmas. It was so wonderful just to be together! We got an early start--I couldn't sleep all night!--and enjoyed being able to call family and hearing all the happy chaos in the background: the sound of home. We missed being there, but are so grateful for the missing. It just means we love you!

Some views of Christmas in our apartment. Don't miss the snow falling from the ceiling! :)

A fun tradition: Christmas apple-making. Thanks Diana for starting the trend all those years ago!

Christmas Eve we went to a lovely Fireside at the church and came home for our turkey dinner. It was nice to build off our own family traditions that evening, and begin some of our own.
The dinner...ta daaa!
We LOVED each of our thoughtful and cute Christmas cards! Thank you!
We used the apples we canned for this apple pie! Despite a serendiptous lapse--I forgot to add sugar (who does that!)--it turned out quite tastey :).

SNOW!!! We were so happy to discover for the first time in 10 years, VA would have a White Christmas! It was so beautiful and we LOVED being snowed in! Being snowed in created a lot of opportunities for everyone to slow down and meet, help their neighbors. It was such a blast to see cars squealing and all these people coming out in their lounge wear to push/help a neighbor, strangers no more.

Virginians were not equipped. Shoveling supplies consisted of cookie sheets, buckets, and dust pans.

By the time we were done digging out our car and 4 others, our enthusiasm to build a snow sculpture began to fade...so we settled for the tower created by the lovely snow that once covered our car and parking space.



We made a lot of German pancakes over the break--they just sounded good to us. this batch however, went awry...yikes. It was our last batch.
I wanted to make our stockings, so I made a pattern and a font template out of newspaper and had a lot of fun! They're not totally complete --or identical...but hey, we're all different! :)
Our finished tree. Ball of fire! We had random things to decorate and some happy memory ornaments from dear friends to use.

Little does this smiley girl know she is allergic to this type of pine...that was an adventure, but worth it :) Quote, "My hands feel kinda of weird...tingly...AHH!" No Scottish pine next year...unless gloves are used whilst decorate.

We were soooooooo happy--okay, me especially--that we could go Christmas tree shopping together! So much fun, and such a cute tree :) We went late in the season and I'm glad the tree got to fulfill it's Christmas destiny!

Merry Christmas

In case we lose power with all the snow, or don't get to use the internet, we want you to know we love you! Merry Christmas! We are grateful for the gift you are, and for the gift of every season that is here because of Jesus Christ.