PPP

Everyone has a cute

Pumpkin Patch Post.

I'm adding mine now.

The weather has been beautiful here, then it turned cold, now it is beautiful again!

The last two days have been mid 70's. Perfection.

A few friends and myself jumped in our cars and drove 45 minutes to the nearest

pumpkin patch yesterday.

I can't believe there are no hillbillies in my town that have a pumpkin patch.

It's almost downright hypocritical!

It was the cutest little farm.

A perfect day.

Fun afternoon!!

Beware. I went hog wild on the pix...still trying to figure out my new camera.

I love this cornbox idea!

Bummer. A blurry one. Still cute. Coolest friends ever. Tara, Rachael, Bev. Rylee and Tanner were intently plucking each piece of corn off the cob.

Need I say anything?

The pumpkin patch was HUGE!! It was fun navigating through.

Scarecrow man!

I love this pix! Tara and Asher's pick for their pumpkin was

AWESOME!

Rachael AKA supermom!

LOVED the red barn.

Feeding the chicks.

I LOVE this pix and wish I could get a close up. Enlarge it, it's cute. They were cracking up at the chickens.

Adorable.

Sulking in the sunflowers.

We can't wait to revisit the farm!

luckiestgirlalive at hotmail OR in the world!!!!

9 years ago, TODAY, I made the best decision of my life.

I said YES!

Landon is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I knew I wanted him the minute I saw him.

I pursued, and I won!

It was a long 3 month battle to convince him, but he ultimately proposed and 2.5 months later we were married. We dated exclusively, and were together every second of everyday for those three months until he proposed...and then until we married!

We have some great memories.

The above picture is from our scrapbook (I know, old school) the day he asked me to marry him! I couldn't find the actual picture of him on his knee...I took it out for our wedding video, and still haven't put it back!

Those pictures are HORRIBLE too. I look so awful, it's quite humorous.

Mid October, Landon and I eventually got to the point where we knew we were going to get married. He finally overcame his fears and was able to say the "M" word. I was so excited to spend the rest of my life with him. After we confirmed that marriage was what we both wanted, I sadly thought,

"well, it's no surprise now and he'll probably give me a ring in a few weeks."

However, he thoughtfully and unexpectedly did

SURPRISE

me on

October 29th, 1999.

I was living at King Henry apartments in Provo Utah and vividly remember the day. Landon was "supposedly" leaving town for the weekend with his cousin. Earlier that afternoon I drove to his work and left balloons with candy on his car telling him I would miss him terribly while he was gone.

What was I to do without him!?

Then I returned to my apartment...scroungy in my HUGE sweatshirt

(I was accustomed to those at the time...d/t the horrid freshman 15 weight gain),

scraggly hair and no place to go. I seriously remember just feeling like a slob that day but I didn't care because I had no one to impress!

My sister Shauna (who two months previously got married) called me since I was free for the night and asked if I wanted to go with her to Chili's and split our favorite dessert

"Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie!"

Heck yeah I did.

Her newlywed husband was "apparently" busy that night as well, so I was excited to spend some time with my sis and eat some more yummy fattening food.

"Apparently" we had to make a pit stop at the Tanner bldg on BYU campus.

Shauna "apparently" had some papers she had to run in to Asher, and she said I might as well come with her. I didn't really want to...I just wanted to get to Chili's. Plus, I was already feeling self conscious about my scroungy day and didn't want to go into a bldg full of college students.

Shauna was so persistent about having me come with her...I was like "whatever" if you really want me to come in then FINE.

We walked into the Tanner bldg (yes, the bldg's name is significant) and there were business men swarmed all around, piling out of the main auditorium.

I was kind of oblivious to the whole thing, just blindly following my sister hoping she would HURRY her little bum so we could get out of there and EAT!

We walked into the auditorium and the room quickly quieted down and

soon became empty.

(Unbeknownst to me, Elder Eyring's son was one of the business men in the auditorium, and my sister had to shew him out!)

I looked over to see Shauna and Asher strangely hiding in the corner and wondered what I was doing standing alone in this room with them acting so sneaky.

THEN.

I saw HIM.

Landon was standing below me on the sloped staircase of the auditorium.

I was shocked and just jumped with excitement and happily ran to hug him.

I yelled out

"What are you doing here!?"

I thought he was supposed to be on his way to Colorado! I was so confused, but I was just so happy to see him...still completely oblivious to the whole thing...and pumped to think he could come to Chili's and eat dessert with us too!!!!!!!

Then he got kind of nervous and acted a little out of sorts...and

DUM DA DA DUM

the bells went off in my head and it hit me what he was doing.

He proceeded to tell him he loved me and professed his undying affection for me...all that mushy gushy stuff...and then dropped to his knee and asked

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

I was shockingly surprised and ecstatic. I had wanted a surprise proposal but wasn't expecting it. I was so proud of him!! He was adorable kneeling there, smiling in his vulnerability, and I was soaking in the moment because his preparation for this proposal was so special...

it was a re-enactment of the very first time we ever laid eyes on each other...

in the Tanner bldg, standing in the exact spot on the staircase, wearing the exact same outfit.

How completely adorable.

As the words

YES

oozed from my mouth, my hands were behind my back chaotically and hastily taking off the fake gold ring I was wearing because I was too impatient for my REAL one. I didn't want him to see me with the phony, so I yanked it off...scratching my skin in the process

(sadly leaving an ugly scab that got in the way of my gorgeous new diamond. I was embarrassed every time I showed my ring, because of the stupid scab distracting the breathtaking view!)

but I happily replaced it with my new ultimate symbol of love and commitment.

We never did go to Chili's, which I was quite saddened about...but we ended the night perfectly together...

Ate dinner at our favorite restaurant (at the time) Olive Garden.

Wrote in each other's journals.

Watched "Father of the Bride."

Babes, I love you so much. I totally am the

Luckiest Girl Alive!

It ended before it began!

Christmas hasn't come yet...

but it's already over for me!

I am in HEAVEN.

One of my favorite cyber friends is Camille!!

She lovingly sold me her CAMERA...

I am now the proud owner of a

NIKON D40.

Landon already bought his own Christmas present too...the same day his gift arrived was the same day Camille announced she was selling her camera!! It was pretty comical, we both got our Christmas gifts taken care of on the same day :)

We had fun today playing around with it and taking some

fun snap shots.

It's a beauty.

Camille, I already LOVE it more than you EVER did! lol.

YES...my beautiful sister is in town again. YIPPEE!!

Thank you Camille! Thank you Landon!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME.

I LOVE IT!!!!

simple living manifesto

Simplify your life.

Simple living.

Simplicity.

It's rolls right off the tongue, but is much easier said than done.

We all want to. We all need it.

It means getting rid of many of the things you do so you can spend time with people you love and do the things you love. It means getting rid of the clutter so you are left with only that which gives you value.

Let me help US out.

The article HERE offers 72 ways to simplify YOUR life.

I love this part of it:

The Short List:

For the cynics who say that the list is too long, there are really only two steps to simplifying:

1. Identify what’s most important to you.

2. Eliminate everything else.

That's it!

I love it.

Again, easier said than done.

Another great source of encouragement to help us in trying to simplify our lives is a recent talk from General Conference by L. Tom Perry. If you did not hear it, you can read it HERE.

This was a fantastic talk. Reading it made total sense and I yearned to have such simplicity.

I love how he talked about how chaotic our lives can be.

"There are cycles of good and bad times, ups and downs, periods of joy and sadness, and times of plenty as well as scarcity. When our lives turn in an unanticipated and undesirable direction, sometimes we experience stress and anxiety. One of the challenges of this mortal experience is to not allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us—to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic. Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Robert Browning etched in our minds:

"The best is yet to be"

We can’t predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come."

This is a wall in my bedroom.

I too, obviously, believe in this statement.

The best is yet to be!

We must remain devout in searching for ways to simplify our lives, as we seek to obtain relief from the stresses of life.

(Our refuge is in the gospel of Jesus Christ and it's simplicity. How ironic!)

And when life gets too chaotic for simplicity...hang on and remember

The best is yet to be!

defies all logic

Why do I even try?

I have NO WILLPOWER.

None.

Zero.

Zilch.

I have GOOD INTENTIONS. That's it.

I faithfully watch my 4 year old son use the Elliptical, hoping the physical workout benefits will magically transfer to me!!

(yes, he actually uses it and loves it. hilarious.)

I watch Landon run on the treadmill too.

They do a great job!!

I pretend I try to eat healthy by frequently visiting Subway to get a yummy sandwich...

they are so good!

I love all the advertising they get from Biggest Loser. I believe it IS a healthy way to eat.

But not if your sandwich is doused in Mayo, you get a refreshing fountain Dr Pepper and a delicious double chocolate chip cookie that melts in your mouth.

By the way, I don't purposely douse it in mayo. Every time I tell them

"just a little bit of mayo please"

and they still squirt three layers on!!!

ahhhhhhhhh.

Such a pet peeve.

So that one is not my fault, but the DP and cookies I take complete blame for.

I CAN'T RESIST.

I need to attend DPA, CA and LCA.

(Dr Pepper anonymous, cookies anonymous, and lazychicks anonymous)

Anyone want to start a therapy group!!??

my lifeline

Man I love this kid.

Always good for a laugh!!!!

Everything worth living for.

Thank you friends!!

THANKS to everyone that sent emails, comments, thoughts and kindness! I have the best friends ever. Your empathy means the world.

Thanks to Lisa for the beautiful flowers and chocolate, Bev for the "hugs and kisses" and

Bobbi and Rachael for your hugs!!

LOVE YOU ALL

I need a lift.

He'll carry you: song by Hilary Weeks

Listen to this beautiful song HERE. Lyrics below.

*****

He knows your heart

He knows your pain

He knows the strength it took just too simply breathe today

He sees the tears that you cry

He knows your soul is aching to know why

He hears your prayers each humble word

When you said you couldn’t face another day he understood

He knows the path that you will find

Though you felt alone he’s never left your side

Chorus:

He knew there’d be moments when no earthly words

Could take away your (my) sorrow

And no human eyes could see what you’re going through

When you’ve taken your last step and (we've) done all that you can do

He will lift your heavy load and carry you

He’ll bring you peace and leave you hope

And in the darkest night he’ll comfort you

Until you know the sun will rise and each new day

You will have the strength to live again

Chorus:

And when there are moments when no earthly words

can take away your sorrow

And no human eyes could see what you’re going through

When you’ve taken your last step and done all that you can do

He will lift your heavy load and carry you He hears you when you’re crying in the night

He hears you when your soul longs to find

Till the morning will come

And the light of the dawn reassures

Chorus:

That in the moments when no earthly words

can take away your sorrow

And no human eyes could see what you’re going through

When you’ve taken your last step and done all that you can do

He will lift your heavy load and carry you

_____________________

journal entry:

Again. I am told NO. Yet, I feel Him gently telling me

"Not yet my eager child, I love you! Continue to have patience and trust my plan for you will make you happier than you'll ever imagine."

I think this song was written for me. The only way I will make it through my heartache is from His strength and I need Him to carry me because my journey is turning out to be much longer than I ever anticipated.

I thought this was it. I had "the burning in my bosom."

We tried a different route in bringing a child to our family.

It's STILL not the right time??? In my prayers last night I told my Heavenly Father that I hurt with such intensity but that I still trusted.

I do trust Him.

I was pleading for Him to now trust me...with every NO that continues to be our answer, I will not fail. I will still endure and I promised I would not fall. I have proven myself thus far, and will remain steadfast, even amidst the pain. But wilt Thou now TRUST in me and know that I will keep my promise and please grant me the desires of my heart!! And if this shall never come to pass, then somehow take away my desires because the weight on my heart is almost too much to bear.

I will be wearing my HOPE necklace all week to remind me it still exists. I'll continue in my quest because HOPE does remain.

WINNER-S of giveaway

Some of you guessed correctly:

the gift I want to give is

the Joy plate as home decor!!

I've mentioned before that some of my favorite words, or specifically one's I've chosen to focus on this year are

Hope and Joy.

I think JOY is such a simple word, but has such a powerful meaning. JOY to me is stronger and deeper rooted than happiness or other synonyms of it. Somehow, it goes beyond being happy or having ­fun.

I love the acronym of it as well.

When we put

Jesus first in our lives, look for the good and serve

Others, take time to spiritually

and physically take care of

Yourself

we can have

JOY!

President Gordon B. Hinckley said,

"In all living have much of fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

Life is all about choices. We are so blessed to have free agency. We can choose to be happy, and find the joy in our lives. Like one of my decorations, and also a theme I have on this blog, I love

"everyday moments are cherished memories!"

I know motherhood and life in general can be mundane, overwhelming and tiresome. It's okay to feel those things because they are true...but motherhood is the most rewarding job we will ever have. We must find JOY in the little things. We cannot control many of the things that happen in our life but we can control how we react to them. We need to remember that. We should not focus on the negative but count our blessings and trust in the Lord to help us.

"Men are that they might have JOY!"

2 Ne 2:25

The first winner as you can see below with random integrator is

#1

Hollyween!!

Yippee for Holly. You will be getting the above package, and I

HOPE you enJOY it!!

Here are your random numbers:

1

16

12

17

3

26

Timestamp: 2008-10-09 20:50:02 UTC

I wanted to give a few more away,

but it would cost too much to package them all safely and mail them out...so instead of giving the rest away on plates, I am sending out 5 more gifts of the vinyl lettering "joy."

This way you can still enJOY it and adhere the lettering to your own decor, or go to Walmart and buy some plates just as these!!

The next 5 numbers I will mail gifts to are:

CAMILLE

HEIDI

MEGAN

DJ

AMIE

CONGRATS!!

I need your addresses but already have some of yours. The addresses I need are from Megan, DJ and Amie. Email me and I'll send them on your way!

Thanks for playing.

I love all my blog friends and readers!!!!!

luckiestgirlalive@hotmail.com

I love the sun!!

I just heard this news this morning and I am sick to my stomach!!!!

But, I am not going to let it ruin my day.

(I actually feel really bad for her)

The sun is shining,

Tanner is currently at preschool and I have the radio blaring,

I'm cleaning the house,

and I'm happy.

Life is good.

The sunshine and radio can

cure a lot!!

Chocolate is also beneficial...I better go find some :)

Spouse tag

Spouse Tag I was tagged by Seri, so I better play the game...

1. Where did we meet? in Provo at a devotional, to start off our summer as EFY counselors

2. How long did we date before we married? 5.5 months

3. How long have we been married? almost 9 years

4. He surprises me by.... bringing me flowers every month!

5. My favorite feature of him is.... his smile (and rock hard abs)!

6. His nicknames for me are... babes, presh

7. His favorite food... fish tacos

8. His favorite sport .... football

9. Where was our first kiss? in his apartment "Brittany apts"

10. Our favorite thing to do? go out to eat, or watch movies...just chill together!

11. Any children? One, with hopefully more to come!!

12. Any hidden talents? he can imitate Donald Duck perfectly!

13. How old is he? 31 yrs.

14. Who said I love you first? I felt it first, but he said it first

15. Favorite type of music? Dave Matthews, Collective Soul, Red Hot Chili Peppers...he's pretty well rounded though!

16. I admire him most for.... marrying me...and his unwavering testimony and amazing work ethic

17. Do I think he'll read this? Yep

Everyone that read this is now tagged!!

the "near future"

In my last give-away I said I would do another one again in the "near future!"

Is this near future enough!!??

Here is the game though:

This is one of my walls in our basement.

We built in shelves that I love, and they serve as a bookcase and wall decor unit.

I've given you pictures of both sides of the wall so you can see every item.

You have to GUESS which item I have a double of that will be

the give-away!!

If you want to enter the give-away, make your best guess.

Even if you guess wrong, you can still win!

SO...take a look,

comment with your best choice

of what you think I want to give as a gift

and then I will announce a winner at the end of this week!

Have fun!

(helpful hint: if you don't know this simple trick yet,

you can click on the picture to enlarge and see better!)

Branson

We had a fun little family get-away in Branson!

I had to prove to Landon that it wasn't as bad as he imagined...

(he thought it would be a poor man's Vegas)

but it really is a FUN town!

Worldmark Resort

My parents have ownership in Trendswest/Worldmark Resorts and we take advantage of it!

We can stay in resorts all over the US...and there happened to be one in Branson.

They are like little apartments outfitted with bedrooms, bath, kitchen, living room, washer/dryer...everything for plush vacation survival.

The resorts of course have fun amenities.

We had all 3 pools to ourselves yesterday :)

BONUS!

The Landing

After a fun afternoon of swimming, which Tanner was most excited about...we decided to hit the

'"Branson Landing!"

It reminds me of "The Gateway" in SLC.

Fun playgrounds for kids to play!

Great shopping and restaurants to eat at! Joe's Crab Shack. YUMMY!!!! And a beautiful River View walk, with a little water show...kind of like the Vegas Bellagio show, but scaled down about 90%. Still fun though!!

It's a great outdoor atmosphere full of street vendors, music and excitement.

Kirby VanBurch Magic Show Then, to top the night off, we decided to hit a show... you can't visit Branson without a show! We attended a magic show that Kirby and his wife Bambi do.

It was pretty amazing!!!

Some of the illusions totally had Landon and I stumped.

It was entertaining.

We had a great little vacation and enjoyed just hangin' out as a family!!

This morning we slept in and listened to conference, packed up and drove home.

CONFERENCE...another awesome thing to blog about.

I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE!