Temple Day '14

We decided that a really great Easter tradition to start would be to take the girls to see the temple.  We literally had to take a rain-check last week though.  And we were a little worried about how the weather would turn out this weekend too.  But it ended up being just fine.  Plenty of beautiful sunshine.

That morning the girls were so excited for our trip to the temple.  They had "I Love To See The Temple" playing while they were getting ready to go.

We all get a little kick out of getting to ride on the ferry. 

I'm not sure why exactly, but out of all the pictures I took, THIS one ended up being my favorite.  Almost makes me want to cry. . . . . I guess it's because I'm just so grateful to have the gift of gospel to bless my life and the lives of these little people I love so much!

It was beautiful.  The girls LOOOVED all the flower petals they found on the ground!
(Next year we need to remember to bring little baskets for them.)

 

BONUS PHOTOS:
Our little family egg hunt last Friday.  (Daddy is an awesome egg hider.)

Because Of Him

I came across this on facebook:

I decided to participate!  I thought it would be a great way to give myself a daily spiritual refocus reminder.  I really enjoyed it and wanted to keep a record of what I posted each day.

MONDAY
Because of Him I can be a better daughter.

(This picture was from 2010.  I really need to get an updated picture of me and my mom.)

TUESDAY
Because of Him I can serve others.

 

(I think sometimes we can forget that one of the places we do the most service is in our own families.)

WEDNESDAY

Because of Him I can love more fully.

(Love can be hugs and hearts and kisses, but this little miss has helped me stretch and grow and practice a deeper love.  She makes sure I practice EVERY day.)

THURSDAY

Because of Him I can be a better me.

(There are lots of different roads that lead to "better." This was one of mine.

I learned that nobody knows the human body better than the creator Himself. On different training runs leading up to my marathon, when my sides were hurting so bad I thought my guts were going to splatter all over the road, I consulted the one who knows and loves me most. I truly believe it was Him who silently answered my prayers and told me to "breath deeper" or to "run faster." The Lord is there to help us on our roads to becoming "better." But we have to have faith enough to ask for help.)

FRIDAY
Because of Him I live in this beautiful world.

(And might I add, Because of Him I live in Washington. When Troy came home from that job fair I said "So who'd you talk to?" He said, " A company kind of over by the Seattle area." (I made a face.) "So who else did you talk to?" - Fast forward 5 years - We LOVE where we live. I've learned that no matter how great I think MY plans are, the Lords plans are always so much better.)

SATURDAY
Because of Him I am inspired.

(This was a tough one for me. I thought about it all day. I don't know what inspires me. ????? I just get thoughts and ideas in my head and I do them. But where do all those thoughts and ideas come from? Well, I believe God can open our minds. And this is one of the places where I feel closest to God.)

SUNDAY
Because of Him I can get answers to prayers.

(If you want to talk to God, PRAY.
If you want God to talk to you, READ YOUR SCRIPTURES.
This scriptures was my first real answer from God. (12yrs ago)

Noah's Ark Chili

Ready for another food post on this "not food blog"? 

My love came home from his mission to Kentucky with a recipe for "Wendy's Chili."  I'm not convinced it's a very accurate duplicate.  When he would make this chili, we (and whatever poor souls we had invited to dinner), would go through a gallon of milk trying to "cool" our flaming tongues. 

A friend of mine made chili for an activity at the church and I liked it so well I asked her for her recipe.  (In hopes of replacing "Wendy's Chili.")  But this friend uses her own homemade concoction for "taco seasoning."  I  use a store bought packet.  She also used pork sausage.  I use turkey sausage.  So mine just didn't taste as great as hers.  But it had such potential.  So I've remade it several times over the past few months and changed the recipe each time. 

But I've reached a point where I will not be making further alterations.  Why?  MY TWINS LIKE IT!!!!!  What?  My twins?  Like chili?  Unheard of.  They don't like beans.  But as per the rule in our house, they had to taste it.  Not only did they like it, but they finished it and asked for more.  AND, they stilled liked it the next day as leftovers!

So here it is.  "Wendy's Chili" has silently been retired as our go-to chili recipe and we will be making this chili from now on. 
I've decided to call it Noah's Ark Chili.
(Cause all the ingredients come by twos.)

2 lbs of turkey sausage browned
2 kinds of beans, 2 cans each (we use black beans and pinto beans)
2 cans of diced tomatoes
2 packets of seasoning (1 Ranch, 1 Taco)
2 oz of water (1/4 cup) 
Combine all ingredients in crock pot and cook until heated through. 
SUPER EASY to boot!