Heaven on Earth

  “The Lord will bless us as we attend to the sacred ordinance work of the temples. Blessings there will not be limited to our temple service. We will be blessed in all of our affairs” 

The temple is one of my favorite places. Whitney, Adam, Skyler, and Melissa invited us to go do sealings with them for some of the Stephan family names they had found. Sadly, this was the first time going with my siblings since we were all there for my wedding last year. We missed having Shayli and Tyson there because Tyson had to work unfortunately. It was such a special moment to be with my siblings and their spouses walking hand in hand up to the sealing room. I couldn't help but  think about the wonderful blessing that it is to witness my siblings (and parents) in such happy and healthy relationships. It's all too common for divorces and affairs to be happening in the world that it reminds me every time just how blessed we are. I am grateful for all of these relationships we have to pattern our marriage after. I know that they are as strong and loving as they are because of the choices they make. One for instance is, attending the temple together. I hear people say all the time they wish they could relive their wedding day...you basically can. Participating in a sealing is so wonderful because it gives you the chance to hear those covenants you made to one another and to God, and to be reminded of the blessings you will receive for being worthy and faithful to one another. Our sealer took a moment afterwards to thank us all for coming and to tell us how important it was that we chose to spend our time together doing something so incredibly important when we could have been out hiking, or swimming, eating, or anything really. I couldn't help but think of how Shayli and Tyson weren't with us. But I was extremely grateful at that moment to know it was not because they chose not to be, or were unworthy to be. I'm so grateful to have a family all so strong and active in the gospel. Ones who are true to their spouses and there for their family. For our family. I am blessed. I love this gospel and the knowledge that we have of eternal families. I'm grateful for the blessings of the temples and for the chance that we have to go and do our part to help someone else receive all the blessings and promises God has in store for them.

Fire and Ice

This last weekend we went up north for the Jansons family men to attend their annual car show. This year, the girls got creative and spent our day at Hobby Lobby (best craft store in existence)  and then spent the remainder of the day at the new Aquarium in Draper. I was quite impressed with all the fish, sharks, birds, penguins.... Overall, It was a fun girls day out!

That night we met up with some friends/old mission companions for dinner and Ice skating. I have been begging Ethan to take me ice skating since I haven't been in almost two years and we finally got the chance to go. I'd say we're both pretty much naturals. Only fell once and that was thanks to my dear sweet husband who crashed in front of me causing me to fall on top of him. And no, it wasn't quite as romantic as in the movies. haha I forgive him.

 

This girl has been an instant friend since Day 1. Our husbands served in Russia together and we were introduced at a Mission Reunion and just hit it off. Sadly, I haven't seen her in about a year! A whole year!! We had some much needed chats and catching up to do and I'm so happy I got to see her! Love my Dela Brown.

  

 

 My natural Ice skating fool of a husband! 

 A few months ago we went out to a camp out with some friends Ashtin & Dillon. It was so relaxing just being out under the stars and around a warm camp fire. Man were they prepared with some yummy food! We just got the pictures back so I thought I'd share. These guys are the coolest friends and we always have  party with them! Even last minute camp outs! And no I don't think my husband is capable of taking normal photos. Gotta love him!

 

  

Weekend at Brian Head

This past weekend we got invited to spend the night at a Condo on Brian Head. The condo was beautiful and the whether was perfect. We played games Friday night and played in the snow all day Saturday.  A few of us stayed a little longer so Ryan and Ethan could go boarding. Without fail they both came back injured. Luckily nothing too serious! I love spending time with these friends we've grown so close to. I especially loved having Shayli and Tyson there as well to meet our friends and make some new friendships. Don't get me wrong, I love all our friends single or married... but having married friends is so convenient and fun.

 

  

The condo was so nice and cozy. Such a beautiful condo and a fun place to hangout! So grateful for the Pugsley family for letting us stay here...They are such generous people!  Ethan and I always say, one day we hope to have the means to have money and nice things to share with others and somehow bless their lives!

 

Ethan is always trying to take pictures of me, I just wish I was photogenic even an ounce.  

(But I'll be honest, I love that he loves to take them for whatever reason.)

This husband of mine is such a dare devil. He's always gotta try the scariest, fastest, route...even if I disagree. ;P

 

Two things I love: Weekends & Friends. Put them together in one week and I'm set!!

ONE YEAR DOWN!!!!

 There's nothing I would rather do than spend my life in love with you.

 How is it even possible that we have been married for a year!? It's so crazy to think about!! We have been blessed with such a good first year! I've heard a lot of people say the first year is the hardest...but I really didn't think it was all that hard? Hope that's a good sign. I mean we had our ups and downs just like anyone does in life...but by having him by my side through it all just reminded me of how good we have it. A year later and I'm still so in love. Even get those darn butterflies from time to time :)

Because our Anniversary landed on a Sunday this year we decided to postpone it and celebrate on New Years Eve! We started our evening at Painted Pony Restaurant. The dinner was delicious and the atmosphere was fun but my favorite part was our spectacular view. The weather predictions were accurate and St.George was receiving light snow fall which is always a nice surprise for our sunny Dixie area. We were seated right next to the window and able to watch it float down and cover the ground in a blanket of white.

 

After dinner we decided to go get checked into our hotel. Ethan booked us a room at the new Cliffside Inn on the Dixie Hill. The view from our balcony was breathtaking, not to mention it was still snowing!! We sipped our NON-alcoholic bubbly and went out on the balcony to watch the fireworks...which never happened. :( For some reason the city didn't do their fireworks this year...possible due to the snow. Lame excuse. Thankfully the random citizens of St.George had their own and we could see them all!!

   

Waking up the next morning was another breathtaking view. There's nothing quite like those Dixie red rocks covered in white!!

I know the lighting is horrible in these pictures of us...but we had to have a picture of us!
It's been an amazing year and I'm grateful for my husband. Ethan is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I'll always consider myself a lucky woman! I love the relationship we have and the future we have ahead of ourselves!! Bring it on 2015!!!

The rooms at Cliffside are adorable. We loved our stay and hope to return again...even just for that killer of a view!!

Happy anniversary to the man I want beside me every night for the rest of forever <3