Family Counsel

So one of the things that my BYU class has talked a lot about is having family counsel. Did you family ever do this?
I remember that mine tried a lot. We did it during family night but as teens I don't think we were ever really interested in participating much.
Now that I am married, this brings in a whole new dimension... Dan! He is Mr. Unstructured and I'll-Just-Plan-On-A-Whim guy! It adds for some pretty crazy situations with my background of "If it's not on the calendar, it isn't planned period!" The calendar has kind of become this taboo type of thing, but we are getting better! What are some ways that you have worked in family counsel?Family counsel isn't just about planning, it is about checking with each family member to see how they are doing physically, socially, emotionally (never a great flood gate to open in this house), and spiritually. It is a way that families are to connect with each other to plan for family time and to make sure that everyone is on the same page. What are some of your favorite family times? Is it just being together around the dinner table? Or when you are on an outing or a vacation? How far in advance do you plan for these times?
Just a lot of questions to get your juices flowing... would love to hear from you!

BYU Class

So the class that I am taking right now through BYU is Strengthening Marriage and Family with our curriculum centering on the Proclamation to the World on the Family from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have felt an increase in my testimony of the need for strong families and all the work that they take. My studies have taken me from single parent families to death to finances to children. I am finally on the last lesson in my studies (still far away from being completed though :) ) and the lesson has brought to light our responsibility to stand up and speak out for families.
In our day and age it is not enough for us to just provide another traditional family. We need to express our beliefs to the world and we can start with our friends and families. Over this course I have felt the need to blog my beliefs and also what I have learned about strong traditional families. I won't go and bombard you with all these findings in one sitting. I actually plan on doing it in multiple blogs over a period of time.
Even within my circle of friends and acquaintances, I know of many trials and tribulations their families are facing. It pains me to know that those so close to me are experiencing these things; however, they are for our learning and refinement.
So over the course of these postings, PLEASE feel free to comment and start some discussions about strengthening families. ~~Thanks!~~

Hiding Out

So my parents went on a Vaca to Hawaii... so I rode the train down to Montrose to hang out and hide out with my younger brother who is a freshman in HS...
Riding the train was SO nice. I hope that I can do this more often when I would like to come to Colorado. It was smooth, lax, and so nice not to have to keep my eyes on the road the whole time. Totally recommended!!!

This is my brother eating pudding (his specialty) with Abigail's spoon.

Proof that I was actually here :)

My brother is an incredible athlete! He runs cross country, track, and rock climbs. He had a competition this past weekend (his only one in Montrose so that worked out so nice!) Abi and I attended and it was so much fun. Here's Abi hanging out in her seat while downing some chow. Then there's the man himself just waling up the wall.

This trip has ben such hard work for me. I know that Erik can take care of himself, but I do still Taxi him to early morning seminary at 7 am and then pick him up around 6pm everynight! He is SO busy! During the day I have been powering through a BYU course (in two weeks!), so between studying and Abi, all my time is eaten up. I feel like a single parent... which it tough, tough work. It has helped me appreciate my hubby so much more! He does so much to help out with Abs and is such a strength and litterally feels like my other half. I can't wait to get home to him!

Great Friend's Blog

I just wanted to drop a line for an old roommate of mine... Brittany McEwen. She has created a blog called The "Fun" In Dysfunctional Families and she is trying to gather data about families for a book. She has always wanted to write a book but needs your help. If you feel like contributing with some comments PLEASE go to her blog! Or even just go to check out what others have to say about sibling rivalry, parental influence and more...
Check it out!
http://thefunindysfunctionalfamilies.blogspot.com/

I just have to say how proud I am of my dad...

He commented on my blog yesterday!

Welcome to the real world Dad (not that you aren't in it!) We love you so much... and so does Abi! :)

Reunion!!!

Our best friends Chris, Martha, and Joey from New York were out here visiting family and stopped by to see us! Oh it was so wonderful to see them. I am terribly homesick for New York. There is just something special there. It has got to be the people. When I think of NY I first and foremost think of the church members and our neighbors the Parry's. I love the warmth and dedication these people have. They are also relaxed (even when busy) and are true friends. Most of the members are not in ideal financial positions, but they continue to give and sacrifice all they can for the church and community. I can't wait to go back and visit them. You will always be in my heart and in my prayers. And hopefully, the Parry's will one day remember the spirit they felt while taking the missionary discussions and join the church. I know it will give them the greatest happiness they will ever know in this life.

Look How BIG!

I can't beleive how big Abi has been getting. I look at her pictures from even Christmas and she has changed SO much! She is such a chatterbox as my mom can attest to. She steals the show on the Webcam constantly!

The other morning she was screaming for me and I came into the room to see that she was trying to feed herself through her ear. Silly Abi! No wonder you were screaming.

Dan cannot wait until Abi is big enough to rough house... even though it hasn't stopped him. Abi is such a monkey! She loves being upside down and every which way.

Abi has been doing great on rice cereal! However, she isn't good with spoons yet (hence the rice cereal up her nose) and really likes it in a bottle because she likes to feed herself. Smart cookie and independent too.

Abi and I were watching a talk on LDS.org before church on Sunday. She loved it!

Three Years!!!

Last week Dan and I celebrated our three year anniversary! I can't believe how time has flown and at the same time I really don't remember my life without Dan. It is hard to think that we have known eachother for about 1/5 of my life, but that has been the most rewarding, happy, incredible time.

Dan took me to Tepanyaki's for dinner. He bought me these beautiful flowers (the calla lillies are one of my favorite flowers, the three roses are for three years, and Stargazer lillies are one of Dan's favorite). He also bought me a unique watch from Fossil that I just love! I will have to post a photo of it later.

Dan and I never got the top of our wedding cake. So now that we are back in Utah I ordered a small replica of our wedding cake for our anniversary. They thought I was crazy when I ordered it with no decoration; however, I got a cake decorating kit for Christmas and wanted to try my hand at my new hobby. I think it turned out great and almost as I pictured it! I also made Dan a book of the reasons I love him. It was a wonderful Anniversary and thanks to Jenny for watching Abi.

More Pix

Definitely related...

Great Grandma Thun's gift to my mom... Libby liked it on her head.

Josh with Libby

Sweet cousins... oh... holding hands!

Some Pix

We had a wonderful Christmas in Colorado! Here are some pictures of our fun there!

Two burritos under the Christmas Tree. This is Abi's cousin Libby (5 weeks apart). So much fun!