Sand!

Our new house has a very large and fun sand box.  I got the hose out one day for the kids to get the sand nice and wet so they could build some castles.  I went inside for a bit and came outside to a large beach!  Cameron and Owen had made all kinds of tracks and mountains.  They had the time of their lives...

Kaebrie kept destroying their creations so they made a "pool" for Kaebrie to play in all by herself.  Owen is learning to be creative with her.  It is so great that Owen can see what Kaebrie needs.  She just needs to feel a part of everything and find her place.  Once she does, she is set...

Cameron and Owen had so much fun in the sand for about a week straight.  This was back in August before the weather got freezing.  I am glad that it is cold because washing all that sand and mud out of clothes and sand in the carpet throughout the house was a bit overkill.

I am HIS daughter!

I used this song in a lesson I gave in Relief Society awhile back.  It has come to mind over the past few weeks.  I sat and cried as I listened to it today.  I am a daughter of Heavenly Father.  I have a purpose here and so does each member of my family.  What a blessing it is to have this knowledge.

I know in His eyes, I am a part of the bigger picture.  There's so much more to me, he helps me to see that I have so much to offer. I am His daughter!  He is my king and my father, I am his daughter.

Such a beautiful song:)

Summer is over!

At the beginning of the summer we made a summer bucket list for family night.  The kids each choose 6 things they wanted to try to do this summer.  I did make mention that we couldn't do all of them but we could certainly try!  We accomplished everything but going to a ballet, going to a farm, going to the ocean, and going camping.  Maybe next summer!  We had a great one:)

We went to a family reunion with Jeff's side of the family to Manti and stayed in dorms.  The kids loved it!  Kaebrie stayed awake during the Manti pageant until she saw Jesus and then quickly fell fast asleep in my arms.  She was very intrigued with the idea that she was going to be able to see an actor portraying Christ.

 The most eventful part of our summer was moving!  It was a very difficult move for me this go around.       I'm sure it had to do with me starting a new job a month before we moved and all other mommy duties I have signed up for:)  Now that we are settled in and enjoying this change, we are so much happier.

We have never felt so at home or welcomed!  Our last neighborhood was very challenging for me.  I know that each situation is what you make of it.  My prayers have been answered in a way I never expected!  My kids have lots of friends and they love our house as much as Jeff and I do.

We are meant to be here and we feel so blessed!  After all, nothing changes if nothing changes...  Change brings a person to growth.  We have lots of growing to do so I guess that is why change happens so frequently in our lives!

We haven't ever experienced a neighborhood where kids go outside and play together.  The neighbors are very friendly and we feel at peace with our decision that we are where we need to be.  I hope and pray that I will be able to perform the work Heavenly Father has in store for me here.  The kids are all different ages and they all play so cute together.  This change has been a breath of fresh air.  I haven't felt so calm and collected before in my life.  

My parents came down and spent a few days with us.  It was so much fun to have them here!  My kids were in heaven having grandpa and grandma here to play.  

No matter what happens in my life from this point forward I am going to put fear aside and have faith that things happen for a reason and I need to allow those things to happen so I can learn and grow.

Here begins our next chapter on our journey!  My tool belt is getting fuller...

Lost Teeth...

It's official!  Owen has lost his first tooth...  Can he possibly be this big?!  People don't joke when they say to savor the time while they are young...  My kids are growing up too fast!  

Owen wanted me to report that the tooth fairy left him $7.00.  He was so excited!

My SIX year old...

The picture above was taken on his first day of kindergarten. 

The one below was taken on the last day of kindergarten.

He had a very fun school year at Foxboro Elementary with Mrs. Hutchings.
He loves to learn and has grown so much this year.

We celebrated his sixth birthday on August 17th.  He wanted to go to Gateway and go to Build-A-Bear Workshop.  Grandpa and Grandma Bowen and cousin Avery came to celebrate with us.
It was such a fun time!

Dear Owen,
You are such a special child of our Heavenly Father.  You are a precious gift to mommy and I will always love you!  You are a very sweet big brother and so patient with Kaebrie.  She couldn't ask for a better brother.  Mom and Dad are so proud of the special person you are becoming and for the good choices you make in always being a good friend and trying to choose the right everyday.  I love you Owen... Happy 6th birthday!

Lifestyle...

What exactly is a lifestyle?

I used to ask myself this all the time.  I would hear numerous health fanatics say 

"I didn't diet, I changed my lifestyle". 

I googled the definition of lifestyle and here is what it says:

the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level, etc., that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group.

But really, how does one person change their lifestyle?

It is no easy thing!  My belief is that it happens in stages and that you truly have to dedicate yourself in changing for the long haul and not short term. 

The first step I took was to kneel in honest prayer and ask for help.  

I knew that this would require divine intervention.  

I have taken many steps to change my lifestyle over the past year.  

My Heavenly Father has led me to every resource I needed to reach each of my goals. Miracles!

I do know now that me loosing my business and my home were both in the plan so that I would change the way I was living. Perhaps that was what needed to happen so that I would snap out of my rut and get help?  I think so:)

My habits, attitude, taste, standards, and economic level have all been hit spot on this last year with challenges that brought me to such an amazing level of change.

My dad gave me a picture from the Ogden Marathon I ran in May 2011.  

Wow, yes... Change has happened for me from the inside out since then!

Anyone can change their lifestyle if they are not living according to their beliefs of what one should live by.  I am proof that miracles can happen and keep happening if you have faith and embrace your challenges!

May 2011

May 2012

May 2013

I am a bit taken back by these photos! I am emotional as I sit and reflect on each and every step of my journey.  It has been the most trying time of my life but the most memorable.

First and for most, I have turned my heart and soul to the Lord.  

My testimony has grown tremendously.

I have spent countless hours in the gym, gotten completely off of gluten, dairy, and sugar. 

Going on almost six months now!

Taken charge with my family and their health.

Most importantly, I have forgiven myself for treating myself like I didn't deserve this amount of happiness or feeling of achievement.

What a blessing!  

I'm truly grateful I committed myself to changing my lifestyle... What a difference!

Feeling blessed for the changes I've made!!!!

When I looked on Facebook today I loved the prophets update and music video:

I Sustain Thomas S. Monson

In a world where peace is such a universal quest, we sometimes wonder why violence walks our streets, accounts of murder and senseless killings fill the columns of our newspapers, and family quarrels and disputes mar the sanctity of the home and smother the tranquillity of so many lives.

Perhaps we stray from the path which leads to peace and find it necessary to pause, to ponder, and to reflect on the teachings of the Prince of Peace and determine to incorporate them in our thoughts and actions and to live a higher law, walk a more elevated road, and be a better disciple of Christ.

Truly peace will reign triumphant when we improve ourselves after the pattern taught by the Lord. Then we will appreciate the deep spirituality hidden behind the simple words of a familiar song: "There is beauty all around when there’s love at home."