Trip to Utah

I fell in love with Phoebe. She was adorable. I can't tell Becki enough how much I appreciate all she did for us while we were there, including putting us up (and putting up with us), chauffeuring us around the world, and being so sweet the whole while. Thank you also to Brian and Fabian for what they put up with also.

I am so happy I got to spend some time with my brothers and sister and their families. It was so wonderful to see them all. I have really missed them and their sweet families. Thank you everyone for making the time to see us, it meant so very much to us. I didn't get pictures of everyone like I would have liked to, but I am happy to have gotten some of Joslynn with her sweet girl- cousins Brooklyn and Faith.

I love you all, Scott, Rachel, Tyler, Mallary, Matt, Michael, Melanie, Madison, Coleman(sorry we didn't get to see you), Morgan, Tanner,Faith, David, Chelsea, Brooklyn, Rob, Becki, Brian and Phoebe. I can't wait to see everyone again, and hopefully bring my family to enjoy it all too. I love you!

I also want to let Annette, Rochelle and Maren know how glad I am I got to see them. You guys are awesome. Thank you for taking the time to see me. I wish I could have spent more time with each of you, hopefully we can visit soon. P.S. remember you always have an open invitation to come and visit us, we would love it. I love you guys.

"Our Missionary"

He is in the MTC and we will not see him for two years. But, I am okay with that, I know I showed much panic about the whole thing, but I have come to terms with it, with much help. Now, I can just tell you how proud I am of our son, and what a wonderful young man he is. It was one of the hardest things I have done yet, in this life, but one of my proudest as well. He has been preparing for this his entire life, and he is one of the most spiritually prepared young men I have yet met. He will do great, and he will have incredible experiences and adventures while on his mission. I can't wait to hear from him in the MTC and hear what he thinks of it all. We love you James, and even though you won't see this, I want to shout it out. P.S. We all miss you (but we won't tell you that , at least not very much).

Love,

Mom

Of Thanksgiving and Blessings...

I have so many wonderful blessings to be thankful for this Beautiful Thanksgiving Season. Number one would have to be the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I always have trouble knowing how to place my family. I always think they are first, but I have of late realized that without the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, I would not appreciate or love my family enough. I would not know that I could be with them for all eternity or be able to raise them as I know my Savior would want me to do. So if someone thinks, "Wow, she doesn't put her family first", that is why. I know we should love Heavenly Father and Jesus more than anyone or anything else, but sometimes I always think in earthly terms, and what we have now. Then realizing I have my family for all eternity, they come second. Because they are second, I know I can do what I am supposed to and raise my family as I should (or at least the best I can). I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father, my Savior, Jesus Christ, and my beautiful family. How wonderful it is to have a husband I love with all my heart, and children that bring me such great joy, each and every day. I love you all! I also want to thank my Heavenly Father for my Father, Mother, and brothers and sisters. What a tremendous blessing you all are in my life. I love you all, your spouses and children. Thank you for being who you all are, I love you! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

My Little Monsters!

Halloween 2008 (30th and 31st)

This Halloween we celebrated for two days. We went trick-or-treating in Iowa on the 30th, and in Illnois on the 31st, followed by Trunk-er-treating in our church parking lot. Too much candy and lots of fun.

Joslynn was a "Fairy Princess"

Aidan was a "Scarecrow" (the first night) and a "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle" (2nd night)

Seth was a "Warrior" (1st night) and a "Pirate" (2nd night)

Clarissa was a "Cave Girl"

Bethany was an "Ice Queen"

We kept Joslynn happy for two hours the 1st night by feeding her dumdum suckers. The 2nd night we only went out for an hour before going to the trunk-er-treat at church, that night she wanted to get out of her stroller and go up to the houses (on the 1st night Bethany wheeled her up to the front porches and got the candy for her).

Hope everyone had a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Love,

Judy

Back from the dead!

We are Back!!!!

We now have a working computer. We survived the 6 weeks without one. Well, barely. Many things have happened during this time. James received his mission call, he is going to Antofagasta, Chile. He goes to the MTC on December 17th. Yes, I am freaking out. But, I am so proud of him, he is the most awesome young man. I know he will experience many wonderful things while on his mission. We have had much to do, passport, interviews, buying stuff, and trying to spend as much time with each other as possible. It is going too fast. He received his call on Oct. 17th, so we started with a 2 month countdown, it is going very fast. Cindy is coming to visit next week, YEAH! I am so excited. We plan on going to Nauvoo that Saturday, and go through the temple with James. How cool is that. I will try and update more often, but I won't make any life threatening promises or anything.

It is great to be back!

Love,

Judy