I love the Fall!

Autumn is one of my very favorite times of the year. I love when the air starts to turn cold, and leaves all start changing colors, football games are going on, drinking hot chocolate is a must, and the holiday season become closer and closer.
There is a path that runs right behind our house and follows the Provo River and it is so beautiful this time of year. I love driving by and seeing the trees all change color, and it welcomes me home each day when I drive home from work.

Haunted House

This past weekend my cousins and Aunt and Uncle came into town and we all got to meet up on Saturday night at a haunted house...the best part about it was we got free tickets! I was happy to get free tickets to the haunted house because I just walked behind Shawn with my head buried in this back and I did not look up one single time...I know I am a big wimp!
It is always fun seeing our cousins, we love them all!
I love the holiday season coming up, but Halloween is defiantly not one of my favorite holidays.

TeeJay's Baptism

The Areja's are a family that Shawn knew well from his mission, they became his favorite mission family fast and helped take care of him, feed him, and helped with missionary work as well, then even drove up from California to be at our wedding. They recently moved from Vellejo, California to Lehi, Utah and now we get to see them very often. TeeJay, who is the youngest just turned 8 years old and they asked that Shawn Confirm him after his baptism. We work up early Saturday morning and meet the Areja family and others at the church for an 8:30 baptism. Kerry (TeeJay's older brother) baptized him and then Shawn got to confirm him, and he did a great job. What an amazing husband I have, I am grateful to have a worthy Priesthood Holder in my home. We love having the Areja's live so close to us, they have become a very special family to both Shawn and I!

Flowers from my Husband!

Shawn had to spend all last Saturday on campus studying and taking a test, so when he finally came back home, he surprised me with a dozen roses. I was excited to get some flowers from him, but not as excited as he was to give them to me. He was so cute, because he had the biggest grin on his face and he was hiding them behind the door when he walked in, then he shut the door and handed them to me, he was so happy to give them to me, he was also pleased to let me know that he picked out each flower himself. I love me roses, but I love my husband even more! He is the BEST!

Dinner at Zupas!

Jared and Amy had to come down for a doctors appointment for Jared, so they decided to stop by Provo and we met up with our cute cousins. The new little freshman; Brandalyn, Kara Rose, and Amber. We had a yummy dinner at Zupas and enjoyed chatting with each other. we decided to take a picture outside of the restaurant of Jared with all of the girls...
And then a picture of the boys. And of course, Jared got his own picture taken too. He gets lots of pictures taken, we got to make sure and blog pictures so his mom and grandma can see him too!
Its so fun having so many cousins and family living so close, we love to get together to see them. And Brocky will be coming soon too.

Its Conference Time its Conference Time!

We love Conference Time! We have the great opportunity to go to at least 1 session of Conference at the Conference Center, which is such an amazing experience to be surrounded by so many members of the church and to be in the presence of the Prophet and the Apostles. But we also love to be in our pj's eating breakfast/lunch and relaxing in our love sac while watching conference as well. We got to go to the Sunday morning session, and we got poured on while we waited in line to get into the Conference Center, but by the time Conference was over the sun was out and the skies were clear. We love Conference weekend, and the spiritual fix we get as we listen and learn from the Prophet and Apostles. I thought it would be fun to drive to Sandy and to take the Trax up to Salt Lake, so thats what we did and I thought it was pleasant sitting back and watching out the windows of the train, Shawn did not love it, but it was nice getting dropped off in front of Temple Square and not having to worry about parking and walking in the rain.
Here is a picture of my hubby and I waiting for the train to come by to pick us up...as you can tell it is a little sunny outside.

September 26

September 26 is a day that I will never forget!!!

I was in my little apartment in Winters, California getting ready for District Meeting when Hermana Weed answered the phone and then handed it to me, I said hello and realized that it was my mother on the other end! I knew right then that something was wrong, she informed me that Jared had been in an accident the night before and that her and my dad were at the airport trying to get a flight out to Salt Lake. They said they would call me that night to let me know more details, since they didn't know much themselves at that time. I said alittle prayer for my bro and headed off to district meeting not thinking much about it. I of course at this time did not realize the severity of the accident nor the trauma that Jared endured. I was able to stay in contact with my parents for the next few weeks, with little 10 minuet updates each night, I was grateful for my little chats with my parents each night, but even then I was not informed of the severity of this all. I was a little bit sheltered by all of this while I was on my mission-looking back I am grateful I was. I remember coming home from my mission and being in the kitchen/family room when Jared and Amy came in, I can still picture that first moment I had with him...being a little bit nervous, not knowing how to react, and having everyone watching me. I remember grabbing his hand and saying "hello" to him. It was all so natural (just like it has always been with us, and always been since then).
I am so very grateful for Jared Paul, him and I have always been so close. Playing as little kids, helping him pick out outfits for his dates, cleaning his car shop, him taking me shopping, daily phone calls my first year of college, his big hugs, always making me laugh, and the way he would pop my toes when I was asleep...just to make me mad, and of course the last time I saw him (before his accident) in the Provo Temple parking lot yelling out my name, then giving me a hug, then handing me a Cafe Rio Salad and his cell phone to call Blake...well I was at the MTC at this time and I got my name called over the loud speaker in the cafeteria of the MTC while I was eating dinner to go to the office, he had gotten me in big trouble!
Jared has always loved to have FUN, no matter what the expense just as long as everyone was having a good time. I love my little brother so much and I am grateful that we have him here with us, he is a very tough boy and I know that he has a very special purpose while still on this earth, and I know my family has been given a special opportunity to have Jared as a part of our lives.
Now this date has come around again, and it gives me an opportunity to think back to that day that Jared was almost taken from us, and to think back to how amazing Jared was and is now today, and to thank my Heavenly Father for letting Jared stay with us and change our lives forever.