Families are Forever

This past week has been full of emotion. My brother-in-laws 32 year old brother passed away, leaving behind a wife and 5 small kids. There oldest just turned 8 and they have a 2 month old little boy. It has been a really rough week for the family and friends who just can't believe it. He was an incredible man, husband, father, brother, son and friend. He was very strong in the church, always willing to serve. I have always looked at suicide as an "unforgivable sin," until this past week. My heart has been softened in so many ways. The late Elder Bruce R. McConkie, formerly of the Quorum of the Twelve, expressed what many Church leaders have taught: “Suicide consists in the voluntary and intentional taking of one’s own life, particularly where the person involved is accountable and has a sound mind. … Persons subject to great stresses may lose control of themselves and become mentally clouded to the point that they are no longer accountable for their acts. Such are not to be condemned for taking their own lives. It should also be remembered that judgment is the Lord’s; he knows the thoughts, intents, and abilities of men; and he in his infinite wisdom will make all things right in due course.” Ellder M. Russel Ballard said: “I believe the Lord will consider each case separately and judge the circumstances of each individual. I have sincerely sought direction from our Father in Heaven to help me understand the nature of suicide. And I have come to know, as well as anything else that I know from God, that these people have a place in the kingdom of our Father, and it is not one of darkness or despair, but one where they can receive comfort and experience serenity.”
We cannot measure these particular spiritual experiences, of course. We do not know the extent to which the door is open for these particular people to grow and develop in righteousness until they possibly receive the blessings of exaltation. They committed a very serious sin, and some consequences of it may remain with them throughout eternity. Only our Father in Heaven knows the full answer to the questions our hearts ask regarding those who take their own lives." It has been a very difficult week for anyone who knew Cody in any way, he would be the last person anyone would think could do this. I know that we will not have the answers to the question "Why," but I know that he lived a great life. He was a wonderful person and Son of God. My heart just breaks for his family and friends left behind. I sincerely think that in his heart he thought he was doing something good. I know that times are tough for a lot of us, but I want to do a "fundraiser" donating all of the profit to her and her family. I just couldn't imagine the overwhelming feeling for a stay at home mom to be left with all the financial strain of a family of now 6. My heart just breaks for any mother or father brother or sister wife or husband...who has been left behind with such heartache of loosing a loved one, then having to be strong for their children.

"Family one of God's Masterpieces"

Family is the most important thing a person has. I am so grateful that I have the knowledge that Families are Forever, and that I have an Eternal Family Forever. “We don’t know why some things happen,” President Hinckley said. “All we know for certain is that death isn’t the end." Many hearts are hurting, and will continue to, but with all the worry and agony his loved ones are facing, I pray that they can find comfort and faith in the Lord's promise and blessing to those who have to pick up the pieces of what is left behind. I know for certain that his wife and kids and all his family will see him again. He is an incredible man whose legacy will remain forever.

If anyone is interested in donating to this family (I know that you don't know them, and your generosity is greatly appreciated) please email me at: inspirationsbybrandipark@yahoo.com.

$25.00 for a completed 12x12 tile, or $20.00 for just the vinyl (which you can adhere to any smooth surface). You can chose from gray or brown tiles, with black or dark brown vinyl. Please note that the tiles in the picture may vary due to availability of the product. Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Twirling...

With Bridger it was always so much fun watching him dance and be free when any music came on, but with having a little girl there is a bit of excitement that flows through my blood seeing Addisyn love music & dance. Over the last few weeks Addi has learned that it is really fun to TWIRL! She loves music, and dances any chance she will get, but when she twirls, she sticks out her arm…strait as can be and turns in the opposite direction she is looking…it is just so darling! I hope that this little girls of mine loves to move, and dances her way through life, not worrying if she looks silly or awkward. I love the song by Leann Womack "I hope you Dance," If I could express anything to Addi, knowing that sometimes it is really difficult to explain the emotion of a heart... it would be the words of that song:

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat

But always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small

When you stand by the ocean

Whenever one door closes,

I hope one more opens

Promise me you'll give fate a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Living might mean taking chances

But they're worth taking

Lovin' might be a mistake

But it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart

Leave you bitter

When you come close to selling out

Reconsider

Give the heavens above

More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

(Time is a wheel in constant motion always)

I hope you dance

(Rolling us along)

I hope you dance

(Tell me who)

I hope you dance

(Wants to look back on their years and wonder)

(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small

When you stand by the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance(Time is a wheel in constant motion always)

I hope you dance(Rolling us along)

I hope you dance(Tell me who)

(Wants to look back on their years and wonder)

I hope you dance(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)I hope you dance

(Wants to look back on their years and wonder)

(Where those years have gone)

Sweet Cheeks

Jason was washing his truck the other evening after work, and of course Bridger was right there next to him with mitt in hand washing whatever he could wash. Addi and I were inside, and Bridger comes running in just a laughing..."daddy got me all wet." So I told him to go get the hose and get daddy wet! So I grabbed my camera and Addi and I went outside for a little photo opportunity! Bridge ran to the hose and keep yelling at Jason "WAIT" as if he would stand there and just let Bridge soak him with the hose. It is so cute when my kids start laughing that hard uncontrollable laugh...you know the contagious one that make you laugh right along with them...well that is what Bridger was doing. It is so cute. Let me explain the naked bums though- I was just getting Addi undressed to get in the tub when Bridger ran in the house...so when I went out to take pictures she wanted in on the action bare bum and all. Then Bridger had to be "naked" as well. I thought it was so cute! Needless to say soon it was off to the tub for both of them...it was pretty chilly! Today both kids have wonderful runny noses...partly due to EVERY kid in nursery being sick on Sunday, and I think partly due to the 5 minuets they were naked in the water! But, what can I say there were having a BLAST!!!

{TAG}

1. If every job paid $50,000 a year, and you had no physical or mental limitations, what would you do? I have an amazing opportunity to stay home with my kids...and to get paid for that...what more could a mom ask for! That would be the best I could ever have! That would be amazing!!!



2. What is your current church calling and what do you like about it? I am currently up in the Jr. Nursery. I really have enjoyed it. I have been up there for about a year though, and would like to see a change...I miss the ladies in the ward, although I LOVE the girls I am up there with!



3. Name a person you regularly encounter (outside your family) who brightens your day. Outside the family..... without question would be Jessica. What an amazing person that she is. It isn't every day you find a friend that is as loyal and forgiving as she is. She is a burst of contagious energy....and I love her so much! She is the perfect friend. She is always there through the good and the bad, the ups and the downs...THANKS!!!



4. In twenty years, what do you think you will miss most about your life now? The innocent ways Bridger calls me mommy... the smell of baby lotion...little clothes in the laundry...tripping over tractors and dolls...Addisyn's cute way of walking, or waddling I should say...EVERYTHING that annoys me, brings me joy, makes me happy and sad...all at the same time! I will miss the innocence of my children, the uncontrolled laughter when we play hide and seek...I could go on forever, but it all comes down to me missing my babies!


5. What’s something you appreciate about your spouse? Jason is an excellent Father!!! He is good to take time to make the kids feel special. He doesn't care if he looks a little crazy, childish, or weird...if it makes them smile...he loves it. The other night they were playing and every time when Bridger would touch his nose, Jason would go cross eyed, suck in his cheeks, and stick out his tongue...Bridge loved it. He laughed and laughed...it is the little things like that the make me appreciate having him around! He is a great provider for our family, and we appreciate all the hard work he does to give us the things we need and want.

6. What is your favorite routine, household chore?I love to fold towels. I know that is weird, but I love it! I don't really know what it is, but I will pull all the towels out first...maybe it is because there is always room in the closet for them, and I don't have to push and shove them to find a place in a drawer that is far to full!



7. What’s a book you return to occasionally (besides the scriptures)? I hate to admit it, but I don't really read much. I am a pretty slow reader...and my mind wanders so much I have to read the same page a million times to know what I just read! I really enjoyed Twilight though!



8.Favorite Small Pleasure. I know that it is silly, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE it when Jason grabs my hand to hold it. After 8 years of marriage and 2 kids it is the little things like that that get exchanged for 2 little hands holding yours, or the kids in between us on the couch, but I love it when she does some of the little things that took my breath away when we were dating! (I know that sentence doesn't make much since, but I think you can get the point)

9. Favorite time of the day? Most of the time it is when Jason comes home from work. It is just so nice to have him home...there is just a comfort for me knowing he is around if I need him.

10. Name a person who performed what they thought was a small act of service, but ended up being a big deal to you: I will just tell you one of the most recent ones...On my Birthday Rachel Nelson brought over a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was the most thoughtful thing to me. It was so nice for her to make an effort to remember me, and make me feel special on my birthday. She is such an amazing person, and she will never know how much that meant to me. THANKS!



11. Name someone who somehow changed your life. Jason and my 2 kids have made my life so full. They are incredible important to me, and I am honored to have them in my life. It is a feeling that can not be described.



12. Consider what you do each day. Think of one attribute or trait that you bring to your daily work that is a strength—what is something you do really well? I am a great listener. I am pretty quiet and reserved for the most part, so maybe that is why I can listen and be there when someone needs to talk!

Please take the time to do this tag!

Going on a BEAR hunt...

Sorry no fancy layout...I am super busy with a vinyl project...

It was so cute the other day, Bridger put on my Sunday Shoes (yes they were still out days later) and was on a mission. His mission was to capture a bear! He wasn't alone though, he had help. He grabbed his new set of binoculars (from Kirby and Nan for his birthday THANKS) and his other set for Addi and they were off. It was so adorable how he included Addi in his enthusiasm. He keep telling her "you lookin' Addi... we goin' on a bear hunt." I LOVE it when they play well together, it makes all the screaming and the fighting erased from my mind...if only for a minuet! I love to watch there imagination in full swing...everything is so real to them. I just love it. There wasn't ever a big kill that day, but he captured his moms heart one more time!

All in a DAYS work...

I love love love the FALL. It is my favorite season of all. I love the way the air smells, the brilliant colors of the leaves when they start changing, the family drives in the evening scout deer and elk, the fact that we can were hooded sweaters...the list goes on and on, but there is 1 thing that I hate about the Fall season...winter is coming, and that means WORK! There are always fall project that have to be done before the white stuff hits the ground. We have a wood burning fire place in the basement...and I love it. I love the smell of it, watching the flames, and obviously the warmth that it gives our home...so in order to have all of the above, a little work has to be done! This was our weekend project!!!

This was a lot of work, but I am so glad that it is done!!! Thank goodness for a father-in-law that had a tractor that we could barrow and a wood splitter that will save us so much time in the long run! We may not have a whole lot of food storage, but now I know that my family will be warm through the winter...maybe we can barter for food!!! :)

Eastern Idaho State Fair-08'

(Sorry for the large amount of posts...just doing a little catch-up)

Thanks to a wonderful husband we were able to take the kids to the Eastern Idaho State Fair on the 30th. We really did have a great time. The kids were both-for the most part really happy. We got there pretty early to try and beat the heat and the crowds. We were happy that we did...although some of the vender's weren't really set up yet, and all the animals weren't in there places! Bridger and Addi loved the petting zoo, and all the animals. When we were walking past the mechanical bull Bridger just keep saying "I wanna ride," so we paid the $6.00 that it cost for him to ride...
and shortly got that $6.00 back...that is as close to sitting on him as he got! Poor little cowboy couldn't find his courage! He was funny...about 5 minuets after this he said "Dad, I wanna ride a sheep-I am big boy." You can't go to the fair without having a tigers ear (or something of the sort)...so it was that, cotton candy, corn dogs, funnel cakes, a burger and fries for Jason...we were content! I wanted to take Bridger on a few rides, but they were both getting restless, so it was off to 1 ride. Bridger chose the little Dumbo ride. $3.00 for him to ride...and $3.00 for me to ride with him for about 1 min...but he loved it! He was all smiles..."that was fun mom!"Thanks for a great day of Family Fun JASON! You made a huge sacrifice for us in my eyes, and I REALLY REALLY APPRECIATE IT!

Poor Addi...

This is NOT what big brothers are for...The little shit pushed her right into the wall the other day. She nailed the corner of it hard...as you can see! He immediately went to time out...in the corner...they were both bawling...I was furious...Addi stopped crying...Bridger stopped crying...I was still furious...Bridger is still in timeout...I calmed down...Addi was happy again...Bridger is still in timeout... {this is our conversations} " Did you push your sister" "Yes" "Why" "I want you(he says that when he gets in trouble or scared)" "Why did you push your sister" "I want you mom" I am now completely yelling...I am sure all the neighbors heard me...(how embarrassing) "Why did you push Addi" "cause." That solves it doesn't it...some days I just give up!!!

{Mom & Dani}

I just really think this is a cute picture of my littlest sister and my mom. The sun was setting behind them and I really love the lighting.

My mom is an incredible woman. She is strong and sincere. She would do ANYTHING for anyone, and has dedicated her entire life to us girls. I love her more then I ever could express in words. Danielle is the baby of the family, but you couldn't tell by the strong woman that she is. She is genuine and real, incredibly beautiful inside and out. She is smart and dedicated, loving and loyal...Dani I am so proud of the person that you are! It was so nice to be able to talk to you this past weekend! I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!!!

{Untouched Beauty}

Last weekend we stayed at my parents in Idaho Falls. We had a great time with Dani and Brian and my parents. Danielle took an amazing picture with her camera, so I thought I would take some with mine, and this is what we got.

There pictures are Untouched Beauty!

Bridger's Birthday Bash...

I know that it was almost a week ago, but I am just finding the time to post it now...

Last Sunday on August 31, 2008 my little guy turned 3 years old. I can hardly believe it!!! It seems like such a short period of time has gone by since I was handed a little 6lbs 10 oz bundle of joy at 11:37 am. So full of emotion and love for this little Angel sent from Heaven...

Anyway...now he is 3!!!


This birthday has been a lot of fun. He has been so excited for "MY BIRTDAY" for weeks now, if not months. We had such a great time and he was spoiled BIG TIME! Jason and I got him a bike for his birthday, and he loves it. He was so excited when we gave it to him. Everyone that came definitely did more then they should, as always... THANKS SO MUCH FOR MAKING HIS BIRTHDAY ONE I HOPE HE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER (from both parties we had).

Doesn't it look like everyone is having such a GREAT TIME!!!

(I thought this was funny...no one is smiling it! I hope they don't kill me for posting it.)

Grandpa Gary and Grandma Lori gave Bridger some chinks, spurs, and a new "cowboy" shirt. He was so excited to strut his stuff around the living room. He loves to "rope," and "ride his horse," more often though he pretend to fall off his horse...and yell "I'm a cowboy." THANKS SO MUCH...he is the cutest COWBOY in training.

This is his birthday cake. He loved every last bit of it...I thought it turned out so darn cute!

Thanks so much to everyone that came all the way to Victor for his special day...

We LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Happy Birthday Bridger!

{Conversation}

This picture has nothing to do with the conversation, I just thought it was hilarious!ME: "Bridge will you run upstairs and get Addi a diaper and the wipes?"

BRIDGE: "I don't want to!"

ME: "PLEASE Boog, I will count...1...2...3...ect."

BRIDGE: "1...2...3..."

ME: "PLEASE Bud"

BRIDGE: "Mom, PLEASE I don't want to PLEASE!"

I just thought it was so funny that he was asking PLEASE to not do what I wanted him to do! At least he was saying PLEASE!!!

A Birthday Card

I definitely think this is worth remembering...

On Saturday the 30th I was going outside to get the mail, and Bridger followed me outside. When I opened the mailbox there was a Birthday Card in it from his Great Grandma and Grandpa Lunsford. This was our conversation:

Me: "Bridger look what came in the mail for you."

Bridge: "for me."

Me: "it is from Grandma and Grandpa Lunsford"

Bridger: with HUGE eyes "for my birthday."

We opened it right then and there...

Bridge:"OH' I love it. I just love it mom"



I read the card out loud to him.



Bridger: "Oh' this is neat mom, oh' I love it"


It was so darn cute to so him so excited. He had every bit of enthusiasm over this birthday card as any other gift he received for his birthday. It just reminded me that it isn't the size of the gift, or how much it cost-for my 3 year old...it truly was the thought that counted. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for ALWAYS remembering us. We love you so much.

Bridger's 1st gift...

...wasn't something that he could unwrap, or something he could hold in his hand, or even touch...but something that is far more important- TIME with DAD! Jason spent the first 3 hours of the day with Bridge on the 4-wheeler. There was little that day that gave him as big of a smile. When Jason asked Bridge what he wanted for his birthday he said "candy" and "hunting," so that is exactly what Jason did. He was so excited to take his son out early in the morning and look for and elk or deer. Jason new that there would probably be nothing shot, no big antlers spotted, but was equally excited for this BIG HUNT. They both got there camo, pack, and bows and were off. Jason said that Bridge had a great time...he would spot all sorts of "big bucks" down in the brush, at one point Bridge was certain there was a deer down this hill, and Jason asked him if they should go after it and Bridger looked at him and said "it's too steep, no way dad- it's too steep."
I am so grateful that Jason is in his life. I couldn't imagine raising a son without his daddy to teach him the ways of the world. I am so blessed that he will make the time to be with Bridger. It makes my heart overflow with emotion when I see him want to spend the extra time and effort it takes to do anything with his little guy. Bridger looks up to him in every way possible, and I admire the way that Jason looks up to Bridger as well. There is just something to be said when on the 2nd day of the season Jason CHOSE to load up a little noisy 3 year old on the 4-wheeler and take him hunting for his birthday. It brings big tears to my eyes knowing that he would drop everything to fulfill the wishes and imagination of his little buddy. THANKS JASON for being an amazing father to Bridger and Addisyn...I don't tell you nearly enough what you are to me...I LOVE YOU so much, and want you to know that your love and effort doesn't go unnoticed. THANKS SO MUCH FOR MAKING ONE OF HIS MANY BIRTHDAY WISHES COME TRUE!