Seven Wodnerful Years!

The roses Jon gave me for our anniversary.

Today is our seventh anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long. We've had some wonderful times and some hard times too, but all in all the past seven years together have been wonderful. We have lived in three different states during that time and have made life long friends. We have been so blessed throughout our marriage. We look forward to many, many more years together. Jon surprised me yesterday with 25 beautiful roses. He knows me pretty well by now. I gave him a movie and an MSU hat with a box of Reese's Pieces. We really wanted to do something fun for our anniversary, but the past few weeks have been so busy with work and school for both of us. We didn't get anything planned in time and this past week, Jon has been fighting a cold. It turned out for the better that we didn't plan anything. Jon was able to rest and get over his cold and I spent several hours studying yesterday, which was much needed study time. We did celebrate Friday evening by going to dinner at The Neighbors, a local Italian restaurant that has amazing food. We splurged a little and I left overly stuffed, but it was worth every bite. I just want Jon to know how much I love him and how much I look forward to being with him forever. I love you!

Happiness

I have been in such a great mood today. I just feel so happy and so alive. As I was sitting here eating my breakfast, I thought I'd check my email and then read a few blogs before getting ready. I happened to read my sisters blog this morning and she had a post entitled "Happiness" she wrote exactly what I am feeling, so I am stealing her idea and going to write a few of the small things that are making me so happy today.
-the sun shining and blue skies
-the feel of fall in the air
-a great visit with my nurse practitioner
-a wonderful husband
-just being alive
-the smell of the apple cider candle in my house, it smells wonderful!
-the beautiful view out our sliding glass door
-the cool fall breeze
-my family
Like my sister, I've been reading about other's who have had some tragic losses in their lives lately and yet, they seem to remain so positive. They continue to look for the good in their lives, to look for what still makes them happy. I have been strengthened by their testimonies of the gospel. I have been feeling much closer to the spirit lately, and it has brought me such happiness. I have much to be thankful for. I live in this amazing country, even with all of its problems, we are blessed. I have a wonderful husband who loves and supports me and a family I love so much. We have wonderful friends who make life fun, and the knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father and Savior. What more could I ask for? I hope each of you have a wonderful day too, and can find the little things that make you happy. Thanks Nicole for the idea.

First week of school

As some of you may know, and many of you may not know, I have started going to school again. I have decided I'd like to get my bachelors degree, and with Jon's benefits, I can go without paying for tuition. I was a little nervous about what it would be like, since it's been five years since I graduated with my AAS degree. It's been a pretty good week. I don't think it will be too difficult, but I haven't started my Psych Stats class yet either. As Jon put it, I have my "secret weapon" to get me through the class. I don't know that I would be all that anxious to take the class if I didn't have Jon to help me through. It's been even longer than five years since I took my last math class. Well, wish me luck!

My flowers

Pretty roses

The flaux I thought would die.

Aren't they beautfiul?

After I trimmed the rose bush.

Before I trimmed it.

Can you believe how long that is?

Now that we have our own house, its been fun planting plants and flowers around the house. I planted 3 rose bushes and they have been doing so well. We also transplanted some flaux from our friends and I was sure they wouldn't make it. They were pulling through before we went to Utah, but what a surprise when we got back, to see them in full bloom, covered with purple flowers. I had to take pictures to show my green thumb. Thanks to Shannon for keeping my plants and flowers watered while we were gone, otherwise they probably would have died. Maybe next year I'll try planting a vegetable garden. One of my rose bushes had a new growth that just kept on growing and by the time we got home, it was a little too long. I cut it after I took the picture, but I had to show how well it was growing. Miracle Grow is great stuff. Thanks for the suggestion Dad!

YW Campout

The YW near the waterfall.

Jon standing on the "hiking" path.

Not much of a hike.

Another view of the "hiking" path.

The four young women we "hiked" with.

Friday night, Jon and I got the opportunity to campout with some of the young women in our ward. The girls needed to do some certification and for an overnighter two priesthood holders are needed, so Jon was asked to go and I got to come along. Unfortunately a lot of the girls weren't able to be there, but we had fun with the few that were. We had a yummy dinner, roasted marshmallows for S'mores and played games. I wasn't quite sure what camping in Minnesota would be like, I'm used to camping in the mountains where its quite a bit cooler than in the valley. It was very pleasant at night, but it was a little cold the next morning. After breakfast we drove to the water fall and then we went on a 3 mile "hike". In comparison to the hike we went on in Utah, you can see the pictures on a previous post, this was a nice prairie walk. It was a good walk though. The older I get the more I find things that I don't like about camping. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy it, but the bugs are the number one thing I hate about camping, and there are lots of bugs in Minnesota. All in all we had a good time.

Our prayers are with you

Nathan Belcher

Madalyn Fletcher

While we were in Utah, we received some sad news. First, my cousin Trishelle's little girl was diagnosed with brain cancer just a few days after we got to Utah. We found out the night we got to Utah, that Madalyn was going in for surgery the next day at Primary Childrens hospital. The surgery went well and the surgeon was very hopeful that the tumor was non cancerous. Unfortunately, the report wasn't so positive, she has a rare form of brain cancer. The doctors were hopeful that she would go home after a week to two weeks. It has now been three weeks and Madalyn is still in the hospital. We continue praying each day that she will improve and get better, so she can start chemotherapy treatments. We love you Trish and Terrell and pray that Madalyn will be healed.

I also found out that my good friend Julie, lost her husband to cancer. Nathan was diagnosed in February with stage 4 melanoma cancer and has been fighting it ever since. We were hoping to see Nathan and Julie while we were in Utah, but it just wasn't possible. He passed away on Wed. August 6th. I was saddened by the fact, that I wasn't aware that he had passed away, until after the funeral had occured. I wanted to be there to give Julie my love and support and to tell her how much I care about her. She has two little boys McKay is 2 and Aidan is 5 months old. I pray for her each day that she will have the strength to make it through this difficult time and also, so she can be a strength and support to her sweet boys. I didn't know Nathan well, but the few times I was privileged to meet him, he was so kind. Julie I love you and think about you every day. Our prayers are with you.


I just don't understand why things like this have to happen. I can say that my testimony has been strengthened through knowing that our lives are in the Lord's hands. He truly has a plan for each and every one of us. We may not always understand or agree with His plan, but He truly knows whats best for each of us. I have learned that through not being able to have kids. I don't know why it was Nathan's time to leave this earth, but I know it was the Lord's will. I also know that if it's His will, Madalyn can be healed and one day we can have a baby. In comparison, our trial of not having kids seems minute. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life. It gives me the hope I need to continue on in life and to get through the tough times. I do know that our Savior atoned for each and everyone of us and that He suffered for our pains and afflictions then and He suffers with us now. Trish and Julie, I know the Savior is aware of you and the pain and suffering you are feeling at this time. He feels your pain and suffers with you. I know if we look to our Savior, He will heal our wounds. He loves us and wants us to be happy, but sometimes we have to suffer before we can truly have joy.

Family & Friends

Camille, Macy and Kate
Jon with Macy and Kate. Kate had to sit on Jon's lap.
Mom at her birthday celebration.
Nicole and Scott

When we go to Utah, we stay at my parent's house, so we usually get a lot more time with my family. When we went to Logan, we also got to spend some time with my cousin Camille and her two girls, Macy and Kate. They were so cute, especially Kate. It took her a little while to warm up to us, but once she did, she was Jon's little friend. She even had to sit by him during dinner. It was so fun to see them. They used to live in Las Vegas so we rarely got to see one another. As I said, we spent a lot of time with my family. We had family pictures taken, much to everyone's shagrin. We spent a day at Lagoon, we celebrated mom's birthday, which isn't until the 28th, we watched a lot of the olympics, and we spent a lot of time hanging out and visiting. It was so fun for me to spend so much time with my family. I miss them so much when we are away. I hope someday we will be able to move closer. We did a lot of our visiting others and traveling the first week or so we were in Utah, because Nick, Nicole and Scott were still in school taking night classes. I think Nick and Scott were very grateful Jon was around, because he was able to help each of them study for their Math final. We got to see some of our good friends while we were in Utah also. Our friends, Scott and Melissa were in Utah visiting their family, so we spent an afternoon visiting them and playing games. We also got to see the McMillan's, friends of our who moved from Mankato back to Utah. We miss them a lot and wish they were still here in Mankato. We had a great trip. We were busy most of the time running here and there visiting family and friends and it was worth it. We love you all and enjoyed seeing you!