Happy, Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all you Mother's out there a very special Mother's Day!

10 Years Of Marriage: Thoughts on my Anniversary

Today Scott & I are celebrating our 10th Wedding Anniversary.

This is an amazing day.

I'm still not sure how so much time has passed so quickly.

Tonight Scott & I will be in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Dressed in white.

Again.

It is our favorite way to remember our special marriage covenants.

We even decided to write marriage vows for each other and 

I can't wait to read Scott mine.

Most of what I have to say about this wonderful day I will save and share with Scott.

Its mushy and lovey and private.

But I do want to share with you our two favorite talks on marriage.

Read these with your spouse.

Pray about them and ponder them over and over again.

Then put their teachings to work.

I promise you that they will touch your heart, strengthen your marriage 

help bring more fulfillment than you could ever imagine.

John & Mary, Beginning Life Together by Spencer W. Kimball

Of Souls, Symbols & Sacraments by Jeffery R. Holland

Please let me know how you like them and if you have any favorite talks of your own.

We would love to add them to our favorites list.

Squeaking by...and The Continuous Conversion by Brad Wilcox

Sunday morning I pulled out my beautiful violin. Every time I open my case I am brought back to Christmas Day. I had no idea what was in that big box, and when I opened it, I wept with joy. I have always dreamed of learning to play the violin. And Scott knew it.

My Violin has now been in my possession for almost 3 months.

I tightened my bow, applied fresh rosin to it, and put my chin rest on my violin. I stared down the fingerboard making sure that I was going to hit an open A and then I started down with my bow stroke. It rang out beautifully until I willfully placed my first finger down, shooting for a B and missing terribly.

SQUEAK!

I quickly corrected my finger placing searching for the correct intonation. On and on I repeated these steps, hitting the note in one instant and then missing the mark in the next.

I practiced Twinkle Twinkle, I Am Like A Star Shining Brightly, and London Bridges. I played for about 15 minutes until I felt that Scott, who was trying to sleep about 5 feet away from where I was practicing, would ultimately get frustrated with my efforts and tell me to be quiet.

"So babe, what did you think of that?", I asked sarcastically, partially expecting abuse and  annoyance for interrupting his precious sleep.

"Erin, I could listen to you play all day", he said in a beautiful, sincere and genuine response.

I've been thinking of this continually this week. How could Scott, a seasoned Master of the violin, appreciated my small offering of a few pure notes and a thousand missed ones?

In the book The Continuous Conversion by BradWilcox he says,

Am I willing to gradually be perfected, or am I impatiently just wanting to be instantly made perfect?
To instantly play perfectly?
To just pick up my violin and play like the Master?

In the book, Wilcox uses an analogy that I loved.

"Many people, as they feel themselves falling short of perfection, are tempted to quit trying. But are there only two options?"

He continues, "When a person is learning to play the piano, are the only two options performing at Carnegie Hall or quitting?

NO!" he writes, "Growth and Development take time. Learning takes practice. Discipleship is a journey, and true conversion is a CONTINUOUS PROCESS."

So why is it that Scott, who plays the violin Perfectly; the perfect tone, the perfect vibrato...could appreciate and enjoy my squeaks?

Could it possibly be because he has been there?
Could it be because through years and years of practicing he has already paid the price?

Don't you think that one who has paid the price and put in the effort could enjoy the missed notes of a novice more than someone who never played the violin could appreciate the squeaky notes of an imperfect player.

And doesn't the Savior, our Master, appreciate our true, most sincere efforts to continually practice for perfection?
To strive to "learn heaven" and not "earn it."

Perfection takes time. It takes a Continuous Conversion.

And guess what?

The savior appreciates our continued efforts because:
He has been there.
He has already paid the Price.

And just like Scott said that he could listen to me play the violin all day, the Savior invites us too to make our best offering.

And through the atonement of Jesus Christ our tune can be perfected, our efforts magnified and we may all hear those precious words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things , I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of the Lord." (Matt 25: 21)

This book was wonderful and I strongly recommend it.
To purchase go to Deseret Bookstore

30 Day and 90 Day Book Of Mormon Reading Schedules

The Book Of Mormon Forum Challenge is going on today over at BeingLDS:

Ever since I first challenged myself to read The Book Of Mormon in 30 Days I have had a deeper love for the scriptures and a stronger desire to love, serve and keep the commandments. When I Finished my 30 Day challenge I had a complete change of heart. I felt a deeper resolve to live the gospel than I had ever had before. I have had many people download my 30 Day Reading Schedule and I love it when they let me know that they have accepted the challenge. I have decided to include a 90 Day Reading Schedule here as well, so that everybody can find a reading plan that fits their schedule. 

Last night I had an experience with Kate. She had acted out in a behavior that really upset me. My first thought was that we needed to punish her. Really punish her. I even told Scott to go and give her a big spank. Luckily, Scott was more in line with Gospel teachings and insisted we wait and think about it. I was very disappointed in her, so much so that I was crying and really, really sad. I thought about how Enos father must have felt when he didn't think that Enos was grasping the principles of the gospel or trying to keep the commandments. I thought about how Alma must have felt when his son was running around trying to destroy the church and lead people astray. Both of these fathers must have mourned their son's mistakes and prayed mightily for them to feel the Saviors love, to make good choices, and to begin keeping the commandments.

As Scott and I knelt beside Kate's bed we looked into her 7 year old eyes. Suddenly I was much less concerned with her actual behavior, and much more concerned with helping her know and feel her Heavenly Father's love. Reminding her that she is a Daughter of God and that she has more value and worth than she will ever know. I went from almost ruining this sweet experience by spanking her in a moment of anger and rage, to feeling a love for her deeper than I have ever felt before. I sat and held her as she cried because of the sorrow she felt for the wrong she had done. And when I turned out the lights and tucked her into bed she told me she loved me and just how sorry she was. 

And I know that she is wonderful. 

What if I had missed out on that?

I am so grateful for The Book Of Mormon in my life. I'm grateful for prophets that feel like mentors and friends, for scriptures that sink deep into my soul, and for a husband that was able to help me stop for a moment and just think.

Here are two different reading schedules. I really hope you will let me know if you decide to use them. I love hearing about other peoples experiences with finishing The Book Of Mormon, whether it is for the first time or the 100th.

Just read it.

You can click on the picture, save it and print it or download a the jpeg {Here} 30 Day Reading Schedule

You can click on the picture, save it and print it or download the jpeg {Here} 90 Day Reading Schedule

And if you have a Book Of Mormon Experience that you would like to share...LINK UP!!! Jocelyn is having another great link-up Party over at BeingLDS. She has invited everyone to participate in her Book Of Mormon Forum.

Birthday Weekend Surprise Party

As if having my entire family surprise me on my porch for my birthday wasn't enough, 24 hrs later I came home to a house full of my neighbors and friends. 

SURPRISE! 

I walked into the house with my pants rolled up, my toenails still wet and no idea that my house was full of people. 

For the past month Scott had been conspiring with my friends Haley and Shawri to throw a party for me. The food was amazing, the turn-out was great and we had a blast. Thank you so much H & S for all the hard  work. And I look forward to embarrassing you for your own surprise parties. Payback is coming.

We played Minute 2 Win It and we had so much fun. The Boys were against the girls and this led to couples competing against each other. The girls dominated. No surprise there.

Here are my parents stacking dice. My mom won. What?

Shawri and Melanie getting a little close!

Matt and Matt...they won. This cracked me up.

Ashlee won both of her competitions helping the girls to victory.

Kate was so into it. She wanted to play every single game.

Haley trying to get an Oreo from her forehead to her mouth. She killed Tyler and I almost wet my pants I was laughing so hard.

Scott and his new 4-wheeler prize.

Grandparents and Grand babies. Nothing better.

My 2 younger brothers. Dustin & John.

Papa and Sawyer.

And if you made it this far, here is a little treat for you.

Scott and I playing the ping pong ball in tissue box game. Scott killed me and after looking at his

moves it is no surprise why.

Enjoy.

And Scott, this is your payback for hitting me two nights in a row with mind-blowing surprises.

Nice Buns.

xoxo

Older, Blessed and Speechless at 37

Friday night there was a knock on the door. It was 10:30 pm and Scott was grinning at me from ear to ear. As I made my way to the door, I looked back at Scott and thought to myself, "that man is adorable." Little did I know what miracle was waiting for me on the other side of the door. Opening the door I was met with 7 pairs of familiar eyes. 

It was my family! 

My parents, my Brothers, my nieces and my Sister-in-law Jenna. 

In order for you to understand the magnitude of this miraculous event, you should know that my brother John lives in Washington, D.C. and flew out here with his two daughters (we missed you Anne, thanks for letting them come!) my brother Dustin is in Residency right now working around the clock shifts, my sister-in-law Jenna is a Full-Time student at BYU and my parents are Busy, Busy people. So the fact that they were all standing on my porch at the same time was incredible. Tears filled my eyes as I looked from face to face. Even now, days later it seems somehow like a dream. Scott worked for two months to pull off this ultimate birthday surprise and I am still speechless. The unfolding of events all for little old me is so humbling. I feel so grateful to have a husband who knows the deepest wishes of my heart and helped my wishes come true. This gift was the purest and most rare kind. This gift was Eternal.

And having Happy Birthday sung to me by my family on my porch at 10:30 pm can never be topped. It was the ultimate!!!

I mean, look at these faces.

Scott, you are simply better than the best. You are Everything. 

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

Times that by forever.

Pioneer Day & What I'm Reading!

Happy Pioneer Day!

I can hardly stand waiting for Pioneer Day. July is the best month ever. Not only do we get to celebrate Our Country's Independence, but we get to celebrate the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Great Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. 

Oh, how I love the Pioneers. I love their faith, their strength, their testimonies, their legacy and their stories.

My all time favorite Novel I've ready about the Pioneers is The Fire & The Covenant by Gerald N. Lund.

If you haven't read this book you MUST!!! It was SO AMAZING. Absolutely a fabulous book.

And I am currently about 100 pages away from finishing The Winds And The Waves by Dean Hughes. I am so excited to be reading this book on Pioneer Day. I was hoping to be able to finish it today, but I'm thinking that I am going to be too busy taking the kids to our Ward's Pioneer Day Celebration. I even bought a bike yesterday and I'm hoping to ride with the kids to the party.

I am enjoying this book so much, and the good news is that it is the first book in the new series called Come To Zion. The bad news is that the 2nd book doesn't come out until next summer. I hate waiting!!! Do you like reading Novel's about church history as much as I do? Seriously I can't get enough! 

I also read a great article on Dean Hughes today and you can find it {here}. The article discuses Dean Hughes research that does for writing the books, a little about the books and more about Dean. Really interesting. 

Kate and I snuggled up on the couch on Sunday night and watched 17 Miracles again together. I cry my eyes out every time I watch it, it never gets old. I feel such a gratitude for the sacrifices made by the pioneers who came before me! I am humbled so much by their faith, service and humility. I am lucky that my children have two of their own pioneers, their grandpa's, to look up to. Both of their grandpa's were converts to the church and are incredible examples of faithful, righteous priesthood holders. Love you Dad and Blake!

There is also a current DESERET BOOK COUPON CODE which is good for 30% off, so treat yourself to one of these books. 

Use code: SUMMER

Now go buy yourself something good to read!!!

Let Freedom Ring!!!

The forth of July has been my favorite holiday for as long as I can remember. Parades, hot air balloons, canon's, ribbons, music, snow cones, fireworks, family, Red, White & Blue.

Freedom.

I am so grateful for the freedoms that I enjoy.

I am so grateful for the sacrifices made by courageous men and women to sustain my freedoms.

Some are born free, some fight to earn their freedom, and others fight to endow other's with freedom.

I wish I could say that I was one of the BRAVE ones.

But I'm not. My freedom was mine from birth. I've done nothing to deserve it. But I do cherish it. And I do understand what it means.

For the land of the FREE

And the home of the BRAVE.

Thank you BRAVE Ones. Today we celebrate you!

Happy Father's Day To You!

Happy Father's Day to all you dad's out there. There are a few super special dad's that we like to celebrate at our house. I took turns asking the kids questions about their dad and their grandpa's and we have a few video's to share with you.

(Please note that my voice is super, I mean super annoying and I apologize. Hey, I'm the one stuck with it. Turn your speakers down PRONTO!*warning... screeching tones and patronizing voice may leave you slightly nauseous.)

 Happy Father's Day Scott!!!  

Happy Father's Day Papa Robert!!!  

Happy Father's Day Grandpa Blake!!!

We sure love you awesome Men
and we are so blessed
to have you for our own.

Happy, Happy Father's Day.

Summer Goodness

Summer Goodness.

Cousin Goodness.

So much fun getting together with family.
Dirty kids are still pretty cute...even with snot
smeared all over their filthy faces.

How To Soften Butter Fast

*I posted this image on Instagram and have already had several phone calls asking me how I do it. So here are the super-dee-duper easy instructions.

• Put hard butter into mixer.
• Beat for a few seconds. Stop.
• Blow hot air from hair dryer onto butter for 5-10 seconds. Make sure to move it around as you do it. you will see that the very thin top layer of the butter will start to melt.
• Beat again to check for consistency. 
• Repeat steps carefully 1 or two more times.
• It doesn't take much so go easy.

And that is how you get soft butter on the fly. (Without melting the heck out of it in the Microwave!)

HAPPY BAKING!

Baby Lottie

Being an Aunt never gets old. How sweet are these pictures?

Eden is so happy to finally be a big sister and baby Lottie is so precious.

Welcome to the family Lottie...I'm can't wait to meet you. NYC is too far away.

9 Years Of Wedded Bliss (Mostly)

Happy Anniversary to Us.
Do you ever cringe when people make their lives out to seem too picture perfect and you wonder what you are doing wrong? Well, I do. Because let's face it...joining two lives together can be hard. It takes work, love, service, sacrifice and dedication. But the end result really truly can be BLISS.

I would say that our marriage has gotten better every year. Things that we disagreed on before have become easy to agree on now. Our different backgrounds, education, discipline, money habits, likes and dislikes have evolved into not "what I like", but into "what WE like".  It is so much better being this far into a marriage. Communication continues to grow, intimacy deepens, respect for each other multiplies and the fact that we have made it THIS FAR...certainly sustains the fact that WE CAN MAKE IT ALL THE WAY. Because, let's be honest...in the beginning when you have that first big argument...Eternity seems like a really, really long time.

So Happy Anniversary Scott! I love you. I appreciate you in so many unique and diverse ways. You & I are great together and I am so, so grateful everyday that I "waited" for you and that "YOU" were the one.

Facts about Scott & I that you might not know.

• I am three years older than Scott.
• We formally met at church but Scott first saw me at Dallas Robert's when I was in hair-school. I was of course wrapping my leg around one of my friends. No big surprise to those who know me well.
• I became pregnant with Dylan in our first month of marriage.
• Scott and I lived at Y-view for our first two months of marriage. 
• Scott worked at Costco & I worked at e-Wedding bands.
• After Dylan was born I quit my job and our little family survived on $900.00 a month.
• We moved to Blackfoot, ID when Dylan was 5 months old. Scott's job didn't work out but we decided to stay anyway because we felt like it was where we were suppose to be.
• A month later Scott started helping build The Eastern Idaho Auto Auction and worked there for two years making it extremely successful. This is where I was forced into learning to do the accounting, taxes and payroll when their office manager was "let go". 
• Scott has started 6 businesses in our 9 years of marriage.
• Eastern Idaho Auto Auction (Employee but helped build it from the ground up)
• Anytime Fitness Logan, UT (Sold in 2006)
• Anytime Fitness Blackfoot, ID
• Anytime Fitness Nampa, ID (Hired to start this facility for a group of investor's)
• Anytime Fitness Shelley, ID
• Armor Pest Defense Denver, CO (Recent Investment)
• I currently keep the books for our Anytime Fitness Center's
• Scott and I live off 40% of our income. We are very careful about our spending. We save 50% and pay 10% in tithing. Making financial sacrifices now will hopefully assure our financial freedom in the future.
• Scott gives awesome massages and he spoils me in this department. I spoil him by making him awesome turkey sandwiches. I think I'm getting the better end of the deal.
• We have 11 Maple tree's in our yard, 4 weeping cherry tree's, 1 choke cherry tree, one sunburst, and 1 camper down elm. I love Tree's.
• Scott served his mission in Louisville, Kentucky and I served my mission in Seattle, Washington.
• Scott is from Centralia, WA and I am from Orem, UT.
• We have three sons and one daughter.
• We love road trips.
• Scott loves me being home with the kids full-time, but apart from that he doesn't believe in gender roles. He cleans toilets, vacuums, changes diapers, cooks and does anything around the house that is needed. I love this about him.
• I am a homebody and Scott is trying to break me of this. 
• Scott love's to be busy and work hard and I love to play.
• We love movies and our favorite thing is crawling into bed with a new movie to watch.
• We love living in Blackfoot and have grown to HATE traffic in other cities because Blackfoot is so quiet and you can drive anywhere in about 5 minutes.
• Scott likes to call me "snoobs" and I like to call him "buns". 
• If we could have 6 more kids...we would.
• We like to sleep in and don't get to very often.
• Scott dreams of going to the US Open in New York City.
• I dream of going anywhere as long as it is with Scott. 

That is enough for now!!! It has been a great 9 years, and here is to 9 more!

60 second catch-up...

All of a sudden I feel really busy...like BUSY.

My sleeping baby, easy two year old due has turned into...2 crazy toddlers. I'm not kidding. All of a sudden it seems like I just can't keep up. I'm behind in everything. School homework with the kids, laundry, spring cleaning, cooking, shaving my legs, getting dressed...it all seems to NOT be happening. I swear I'm busy with projects all day long...and at the end of the day I don't feel like I have enough to show for my labors.  And as you can tell..blogging is not happening either.

Update:

1. I have an engaged 22 year old living with me. Do you remember the pure giddiness of when you were engaged? It's like living with a ten-year old on Christmas Eve.
2. Dylan is in baseball. His little bum looks so cute in his pants. (Hollie, remember Nate Huntsman and Matt Evans in their baseball pants...what where we, 12?)
3. Scott is excited about a new company in Colorado that he has invested in. More details to follow.
4. Paid my taxes. Super painful. OUCH.
5. Pitched my old couches and my front room is EMPTY. I actually like an empty room. It could be like this for years!
6. Kimm moved to Idaho. SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS. I've missed her bunches. She even offered to give Scott and I a Temple Night each month and watch the kids for us. YES PLEASE.
7. The gym hasn't happened yet this week. I'm promising right now that it will happen today, tomorrow and Saturday. I give you my WORD.
8. My little brother has accepted a job with a Law Firm in DC. So proud of him and really excited for him.
9. I just found a pile of Kate's clean clothes in the Laundry room. WHY IS SHE SO LAZY??? This tic's me off so bad.
10. Sawyer pooped in the potty last night people. BE VERY HAPPY!!!

Love to you all. And how are you?

Happy Easter Friends & Family

Happy, happy Easter to all of you dear people out there. What a special day it is today! I hope you all have time today to reflect on the miraculous Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah!