You're Never Alone

Usually I don't post more often than every week or so. I want to give my friends a chance to read my notes or messages before I've put up something new. This couldn't wait though. This little youtube video filled me to the brim with encouragement, and reminded me yet one more time that I'm not doing this alone. As soon as I watched it, I knew I had to pass it on.



I couldn't help but relate to how Sister Dalton talks about how she feels towards those on the sidelines cheering her on. She thinks, "they don't understand. I still have so much farther to go . . ."

I've had similar thoughts these past few weeks. However this video helped me realize while my friends and family may not understand, they still love me, and are on my side. They want me to succeed and be happy, and are cheering me on. Of course the one person who knows exactly what is in my heart and precisely what I'm going through, has been with me every single step of the way, and will be there until the very end. My gratitude goes to our Savior, Jesus Christ. I can feel him pushing me forward, even on days when I'm sure my strength has run out.

Music for the Soul

A good friend posted this youtube video on her blog, and I've had a hard time resisting copying the idea. Ever feel a bit embarrassed at how much you like a silly, simple, trendy song? You can't help it, you just love it! Well, I love Taylor Swift's Love Story. In this video, Jon Schmidt, a popular pianst, has arranged it along with Coldplay's Viva La Vida, another song I enjoy. I've been put in my place by a more educated musician than myself (whom I know and love) with the not-so-subtle reminder that this isn't music at it's best, in fact it's composition is pretty simple. She's right of course. It's no Bach or Chopin. I don't care. I love this arrangement. I've listened to it close to 50 times now, and it still gives me goosebumps. Not to mention, Jon Schmidt and his friend on the cello look like they're having so much fun as they play! It makes just about everyone who ever took a piano class, wish they hadn't given it up, or still practiced. Enough of my mindless comments. Just watch it, and I dare you not to like it!

By the way, I'd like to dedicate this post to a few people:

1. The love of my life, who I miss so much, and think of whenever I hear any song with the tiniest hint of romance- not excluding Disney and Barbie songs from Anny's movies
2. Emma, who first posted this video on her blog and introduced it to me
3. Anny, my three year old, who's just as crazy about Love Story aka Princess Song as I am, and knows every word
4. The accompanying orchestra, which isn't represented in the video, but none-the-less add so much to the music (in other words, violinists rule!)
4. Katie, my sister, who's pretty much Jon Schmidt's #1 fan. She drew a picture of him once, and spent about 3 hours on the shading of his upper lip. It's probably the best drawing she's ever done

It's the Climb

Day 4 of my husband's deployment, and already I feel heartbroken, and miss him like crazy. Yesterday was especially difficult, because I had to spend our 5th anniversary without him. We're being watched over though. Friends and family have reached out, calling, writing emails and notes of comfort, and giving us strength.

I spent the day of our anniversary keeping busy, cleaning, and taking care of the girls. That evening, we celebrated together, and had a girls night at home. I bought takeout from my favorite Italian restaurant, and rented a Chick Flick. The Hannah Montana movie, actually. I never would have guessed that silly movie would give me advice I needed to hear. She sings a song called The Climb.

Here's the music video, if you've never heard the song



The sweet and simple theme of the song reminded me that to stay happy during this lonely time, I need to find joy in the journey. It's not about enduring a challenging time, eyes focused on when it's over, it's about being happy no matter what circumstances you're in. Little Miley caught that presice theme in her song. Never thought I'd be among one of the screaming Hannah fans, but last night, I cheered and danced right along with my little girls, and celebrated the best 5 years of my life.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Tender Mercies

Last Saturday, instead of enjoying some much needed extra sleep, we left our house at 4 am, so we could be in Birmingham, AL by 10 am. Why, do you ask, would we load our two babies in the car, so early on a Saturday, and drive so far, to Birmingham? Because my husband is about to leave for his first deployment, and we really wanted a chance to visit the temple before he left. To quote President Hinckley, our former prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,

"Every man or woman who goes to the temple in a spirit of sincerity and faith leaves the house of the Lord a better man or woman. There is need for constant improvement in all of our lives. There is need occasionally to leave the noise and the tumult of the world and step within the walls of a sacred house of God, there to feel His spirit in an environment of holiness and peace"
("Of Missions, Temples, and Stewardship," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 53

If anyone needed the blessings that come from visiting the temple, I did. I'm about to enter a new phase in my life, one that I've been dreading. In order to stay happy, I need to get used to my husband being gone. This isn't just his first deployment, it's the begining of a regular schedule, requiring him to be away 2 out of every 5 months, for the next few years. Never have I felt so much inward and emotional turmoil, stress and worry. How will I make it on my own? How will I handle feeling lonely? How do I not worry about what my husband is doing, or question if he's safe? Will we be safe while he's gone? Will I be strong enough to take care of the girls completely on my own, with no one to share the emotional and phsical burdens? How will our marriage survive the distance and time apart? How will we change? Will I be ok with those unavoidable changes, and will they be for the better?

When we entered the temple together, exhausted as we both were from the trip, all of those questions faded away, and I felt flooded with peace. While our temporal concerns didn't go away, I felt more capable of dealing with them. I am still worried, and am not happy for the day he has to leave. I know however, that we'll get through it. God is at the head of our family, and he will not leave us comfortless. I am now able to view the future with acceptance and hope, rather than fear and dread.


As if to prove he is there and mindful of us, Heavenly Father showed us several personal tender mercies through that visit.

1. Our great friends, Brent and Katie, watched our girls in the nearby church while my husband and I went in the temple. They kept them happy and comfortable while we were away. We couldn't have made that trip without them.
2. Both girls, who don't nap well outside of their own beds, slept for over an hour without trouble on the floor of the church nursery room.
3. In our rush to begin the long drive home, we accidently left Anny's Minnie Mouse doll at the church. That little Minnie is very special to her, and we were so sad to lose it. However to summarize an amazing string of events, we were able to contact a lady from Birmingham, a sweet and wonderful woman who teaches Sunday School to the 3 year olds in that building, who found Anny's Minnie, and mailed it back to us right away.

Heavenly Father is mindful of us. The blessings that come from the temple are not only eternal, but immediate and personal too.

one . . . two . . . three!

I know this is a bit late in posting, but our baby Anny turned three!!! Here's 3 photos representing each of her 3 birthdays.

One . . . .





two . . .





three!!!!!!!!!!!




We love you Riannyn!! Our lives changed forever when you came into the world, and we're so much happier for it!

Our Caribbean Cruise

Scott and I went on a fabulous 4 night Caribbean Cruise with Royal Caribbean cruiselines. Grandma Andrews and Aunt Olivia stayed with the girls at home so we could have an entire week to ourselves. Here's a slideshow of some of the prettier views from our ship and ashore. We left out of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and made ports of call at the Florida Keys and Cozumel, Mexico. Everything was beautiful and perfect. We're happy to be back with our girls whom we missed very much, but are grateful to have such wonderful memories of just the two of us on this romantic vacation! (there's music with the slideshow, so turn off my music player if you want to hear it)

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Rockin' Out with Guitar Hero

Anyone "in the know" about Guitar Hero, knows about Through the Fire and Flames. Try it if you've never played it before. It's the last song in the bonus section of GH3. You'll see. That song is crazy!!! Well, here's my crazy family rockin' out to that song. Even if you're not a Guitar Hero fan, you'll enjoy the video. I have the coolest husband. He loves nothing more than playing with his kids, and will do anything to make them laugh and get excited. The girls definitely loved this! Turn off my music player so you can hear the song.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Kids say the darndest things . . .

We went to a baptism this past Saturday, and took the girls. On the program was this beautiful picture of the Savior and John the Baptist.



Scott, being the sweet father he is, took the opportunity to teach Anny a little about baptism. He decided to use the picture as a visual. He asked her if she knew what was going on in the picture. She nodded, and pointing to John the Baptist, said, "He's going to hit Jesus in the head".

Needless to say, she was corrected very quickly.

The only thing cuter than a cute baby . . . .

. . . is a cute baby giggling! Turn off my music player for full effect!!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Our little dancer

We went to Virginia for my baby sister's wedding. Everything was perfect and beautiful, especially the bride! Anny never wanted to leave pretty Aunt Katie's side while she was in her beautiful white dress. Anny kept saying, "She's a princess!"

At the reception, Anny almost never left the dance floor! Here's some photos where she's dancing with her new Uncle Brenton, Uncle Peter, Grandpa, Aunt Katie, and my little cousin Corrigan. That's just a sampling of her many dance partners. She also danced with Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Aunt Cindy, and many of the other family and friend guests at the reception. We had a great time, and Katie graciously shared the "belle of the ball" position with her spunky little blond niece.