Here's some pictures that I took on Saturday of general conference weekend. After the first session, we opened the door and found this from Dad for Sophie's birthday present. She looks so pretty in it, even when she's crying like a big baby. I HATE this picture of myself, but I love SOphie in it. That's why I'm posting it. Also so Dad can see Sophie in the dress.

Love you guys.

Sophie's birthday party

Hey guys,

I posted this on my blog, but I thought I would post it here, too, so you could see some of the pictures from Soap's birthday party. It was kind of cool, because after the party while I was cleaning up, I started to feel sad and miss Mom, but then I realized, this is just the kind of thing that Mom would want to be around for. So that made me happy thinking she was probably with us that night. I figure that most of the time she's with Maggie and Annie, but when one my kids is having a birthday, I call dibs on Mom! :) Just joking.

Wish you all could have been here! We had a fun time. I miss you guys.

Here's a few more:

I AM SO IMPRESSED WITH ALL OF YOU!

I WAS SO THANKFUL THAT MAGGIE RECEIVED AN ANSWER TO HER PRAYERS. WHAT A BLESSING FOR HER TO KNOW THAT SHE CAN RECEIVE SUCH GUIDANCE. I KNOW THAT YOUR MOM IS INTIMATELY INVOLVED WITH ALL OF OUR LIVES.
I BORE MY TESTIMONY LAST WEEK AND I THANKED HEAVENLY FATHER FOR YOU GUYS. HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS AND DESIRE TO LIVE THE GOSPEL. AND HOW PROUD I AM TO BE YOUR FATHER.
I AM SO THANKFUL FOR YOUR MOTHER. I THINK ABOUT HER ALL DAY. WHEN I PRAY I ASK HEAVENLY FATHER TO LET HER KNOW HOW MUCH I AND ALL OF YOU LOVE HER AND THAT WE ALL WANT TO BE TOGETHER FOR ETERNITY.

I WAS READING MY PATRIARCHAL BLESSING AGAIN. THE FOLLOWING WORDS SEEM TO HAVE MORE MEANING TO ME NOW.

......YOU SHALL TRULY BE A PATRIARCH IN YOUR HOME TO YOUR CHILDREN. THEY WILL HONOR AND LOVE YOU FOR THE LOVE THAT YOU GIVE UNTO THEM. YOU SHALL HAVE CHURCH LEADERS COME FROM YOUR HOME-THOSE WHO WILL SERVE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HONORABLY IN THEIR ASSIGNMENTS; AND IT SHALL NOT BE DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO KEEP THEM ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH. YOU SHALL NOT BE WORRIED ABOUT THE WAYS OF THE WORLD, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A FOUNDATION, AND HAVE A HOME THAT WILL MAKE THEM WANT TO LIVE THE COMMANDMENTS.
YOU SHALL NOT BE CUT SHORT. YOU SHALL LIVE A LONG TIME UPON THE EARTH..........

I AM THANKFUL FOR THE OPPURTUNITY I HAVE TO BE MORE INVOLVED WITH EACH OF YOU. HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR MARIANNE AND HER BEAUTIFUL PERSONALITY, STRONG TESTIMONY AND WISDOM. SHE TRULY HAS CREATED THE FOUNDATION THAT OUR FAMILY NOW ENJOYS. MAY WE ALWAYS BE WORTHY OF THE LOVE AND EXAMPLE SHE HAS GIVEN US.

LOVE DAD

Well it looks like im not going to utah for a while..

Last night i was really thinking about going to Utah. I really wanted to go. So of course as soon as i got back from the temple(which was amazing by the way) i decided to grill dad and to see where we were at as far as his decision. Well we talked and he told me that he wasnt convinced and whatnot. So when i went out last night i was telling my friends about my talk with him and I was kinda starting to see his points, and there were many. then i got home and i read my scriptures and i said my prayers and i really asked that somehow i would get a clear answer as to whether i should keep pushing it or just stay here. and after my prayer when i was llaying in my bed i had an overwhelming feeling that i would not be going, which is the funny part. it was not that i maybe should not go, it was that i would not go. it turned into an argument between me and mom. it makes me laugh now, but that was what was. and it lasted til three in the morning. and it became clear that until i understood, i would not be going to bed. i had thoughts like.. "ok i just wont tell dad that im feeling like this, i belong in utah and im just over thinking it, i just need to go to bed." and the response back was "no your not going to utah, your staying here." so once again, i lost an argument to mom. and i loved it. and now my attitude about staying here has totally changed and i know it will be for the best. Utah isnt going anywhere anyways...
love you guys!!!

Missing Mom

After reading Maggie's blog I had another good cry. This is the second day in a row!!! That was really sweet Maggie. I feel exactly the same way. There was no one who could help me when I needed it more than mom. I enjoyed our talks so much. She could always make me feel better. She was sooo good at it. I remember always thinking wow, I have it so good....my mom is amazing. She was good at everything. We are all like her in some way and that makes me feel very lucky and good about myself. I thought I would mention a memory I had of mom too. I remember going through the temple for the first time with mom as my escort. She was so great and so helpful through it all. She made it so special. I remeber afterwards we had a really good talk that I will never forget. I am so glad that I got to have that experience with her before she passed away.

11:45 and bloggin...

well its 11:45 at night. I am used to being in Utah and staying up til 3 in the morning. And so i figure that i wont get to bed for a while. I kinda got myself worked up tonight so i kinda had a breakdown. And so since i was just sitting in my room all miserable and whatnot, i decided to go on my laptop. and when i go on it i check the very few websites that i visit. First, Katherines blog. I mean that. It is more important to me then anything else. then i check facebook then i check the family blog and then i check myspace. So when i checked the family website i read katherines post about favorite memories and so i decided i wanted to write one but for some reason i cant think of one. all i can think of is how much i miss talking to her. i feel like my life isnt going to be ok until i can talk 2 her again. which is really hard because i know its not going to happen. but ya that is something i really loved and something that i truly miss. i love all of you guys and i hope everyone is holding up.
Love
maggie

ps- when i think of a favorite memory i will post it.