my MAMA and the NASA channel...

In our household, (or atleast in my mom's) we don't believe in having cable. NO dish network, comcast, nothing. Simply the "free previews" which are usually limited to any kind of channel in which they don't speak English. The one "constant" though is the NASA channel. My mom is G-L-U-E-D! She comes home from work each night and flips on the NASA channel, and watches the AWESOME ASTRONAUTS do their thing up on the International Space Station. The crew orbiting somewhere above us presently include a crew of 10, 8 being American and the other two are from Japan and Russia. It's to the point where she knows them by name and what their individual responsibilities are. It really is a cool channel. It's dedicated STRICTLY to the INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION and it's daily happenings. Each night there is a call in session that goes on with the general public, most of the time it's young children calling in from their classrooms and today, President Obama called and talked to them. Frank and I used to make fun of her, but now we sit with her when we come and visit and watch in awe how far our space program has come, and the incredible things they accomplish while there. We always learn something new. It's kind of become a new tradition. :) ha, ironic since we'll be spending our entire summer in Houston. The main headquarters of mission control.

march SHOWERS bring april FLOWERS...

march SHOWERS really do bring april FLOWERS because my bridal shower was held yesterday in the latter part of March in preparation for our Sealing in April. (hence the flowers in April). It was such a fun day. I had the chance to visit with so many family members whom I haven't seen in a while, and many friends as well. The food was great, the setting was fabulous, but the company was the best. I couldn't have asked for a better day. There were a few who couldn't make it for one reason or another and they missed out, but I know they were there in spirit. I'm not a game fan at showers, so my darling friend beth limited it to one, i'll have to post the questions and answers at a later date. :) We munched on all kinds of goodies from croissants filled with delicious chicken salad, cucumber mini sandwhiches, quiche, scones, home made cupcakes ( I made them, that's why they don't look very cute) and much more. I truly was showered with love and great gift for Frank and I to use as we "officially" start our lives together. My "BETHIE" did such a wonderful job on hosting the shower and I'm so lucky to have such a true friend in her. It was another perfect day!
In the photos below are my friend beth with the cupcakes, and my grandma's, mother in law and sister in law, aunts, cousins, momma, friends, and all my loved ones! Thanks to all who were in attendance!
xoxo

A look at and inside our Holy Temples... (be sure to STOP the music on the side)

Why Mormons build Temples...

MORE BIRTHDAY FESTIVITIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY for Birthdays!!! Oh how I love these special days. Since I was a little kid my birthday has been treated as nothing less then a National Holiday!! This was my second birthday with Frank and not that last year was anything less then wonderful (he sent me to the day spa to get pampered) this year he made my birthday last TWO WHOLE DAYS and he did without my even knowing about it! Thanks all you sneaky people who were in on the secret, it made the festivities even sweeter knowing my sweet husband went through so much trouble to make sure I wasn't in on anything.
Tonight he planned for a little party, he invited several friends, (some of which could not make it) but those who could were great company.
My two beautiful sister-in-laws even came and my ADORABLE 5 month old niece. I was so happy they could be a part of my celebration as well!!

It was kind of sad because the party was suppose to start about 30 minutes before it did, but unfortunately for everyone else, I was upstairs on a conference call for my summer job and it ran WWWAAAAAAAYYYY over. So needless to say they were partyin away in my house downstairs without me for quite some time.

Thanks again honey for such a special birthday, oh and thanks to you too mom!! Between the two of them they did a GREAT job!

A Happy Day Indeed!

Yesterday (March 10) was my birthday. This year's birthday by far topped all twenty two years before. This year, for my 23 birthday, my love spoiled me. He spent the entire day with me, brought me balloons and more, took me shopping, (my favorite birthday past time, and well, just my favorite past time.) Then as the sun began to set, drove me down to San Diego for a SUPRISE romantic sun set dinner aboard "LORD HORNBLOWER" of the Hornblower dinner cruises. We sailed away in to the sun set on San Diego Harbor and enjoyed a wonderful evening together. The nights festivities included (as mentioned)getting ALL DRESSED UP, enjoying the sunset together, dining by candlelight on some spreme delicassies, some romantic dances, and even some kisses for good luck under the Coronado Bridge. It was a WONDERFUL DAY, and I'm so happy to have shared it with the love of my life.
Thank you love for such a perfect day!
xoxoxox I LOVE YOU!!

standing on sacred ground.

When inside the walls of The Holy Temple, we, as Latter-day Saints, understand that we are walking on sacred ground. We understand that the magnificent structures which have been erected to stand as "The House of the Lord" represent just that, "The House of the Lord", the place where Heaven and Earth come together for faithful children of God to gain more knowledge in order to let their light so shine.
In this most beautiful place, Latter-day Saints are taught in greater depth the purposes of this mortal life and the necessary tools to one day enter the presence of GOD and be able to dwell with him forevermore.
The awe-inspiring beauty found within is insurmountable to anything found "in the world". By that statement I mean... LDS Temples have been dedicated to the Lord for the purposes of building up HIS kingdom. They have been erected as "REFUGES" for faithful saints to go to escape the darkness and evil that fills the world. There is NO feeling of guile, or contention, ne'er a feeling of maliciousness, deceit, or hate.
There are only feelings of peace and tranquility which abound. Feelings of Hope, Love, Charity, Kindness, and Brotherly love flow free. Each face you see is accompanied by a smile and a warm kind greeting or gesture. The Temple is a haven for children of God to go to be taught from on high many things including "The Plan of Salvation, or GOD'S Plan of Happiness" and even the importance of the Atonement, or the sacrifice our Savior made for every living thing to repent and be made clean and whole again. There is a lifetime of learning to be had about the "House of the Lord" and the ordinances performed and the covenants made therein. NO ONE has the ability to learn all he or she needs to enter the presence of GOD from just one visit. It will take an entire lifetime of living and learning and Temple attendance and Service to even come close. That is why Latter-day Saints speak so reverently about this place. Not because there are weird rituals that we participate in, or because there are dark mysteries hiding behind every door. It is because this is the place where Heaven and Earth come together and we learn that we are standing on sacred and holy ground. The ground that we believe allows us the opportunity to commune with a kind and loving Father in Heaven and to feel His Spirit, the Holy Spirit at it's most measure because there is no "unclean" thing found there. We are taught that the Spirit CANNOT dwell in unclean things therefore leaving us with the reason we value and respect our Temples so much, and the Sacred nature of the work performed inside.


My husband and I had the privilege last night to enter the Temple with many loved ones and to see them in their most pure and innocent states. We had the wonderful opportunity to learn more about this place and ALL OF IT'S GLORY. It is a night that neither of us will EVER forget. Our lives have been forever changed for the better because of sacred things we were witness to and the knowledge we have gained. We intend to spend the rest of lives striving to learn all that we can to enter the presence of GOD, and to feel the fullness of HIS glory.