"The Eternal Blessings of Marriage"

General Conference is one of my FAVORITE times of the year.  I don't know if it is the cinnamon rolls we make, gathering together as family, or the wonderful and inspiring messages from our Prophet and Apostles - but I LOVE IT!

It seems that every conference I feel like there is at least one talk that was done just for me.  I am sure everyone has similar feelings, but this conference Elder Richard G. Scott's talk called: "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage" really hit me.  I am sure that a major part of it is that I have only been married for a very short period of time, which probably means that the topic is especially on my mind - and I just was really touched by Elder Scott's words.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from his message:

"The temple sealing has greater meaning as life unfolds.  It will help you draw closer together and find greater joy and fulfillment in mortality."

"Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good.  Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage."  

"It is so rewarding to be married.  Marriage is wonderful.  In time you begin to think alike and have the same ideas and impressions.  You have times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences together."  

I am so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I feel so blessed to know that we are led by a living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson and that our Father in Heaven still speaks to His people.

Weekend of Birthdays and Goodness!

SO - I feel like there is SO much that has happened this month, but I have been unable to document much of it.  Geez!  And I thought I was doing so well.  I guess I will do a little catchy up - mostly because "my plan" is to use this to help me remember what I want to scrapbook for this year (when I get around to scrapbooking that is :)).

But over conference weekend we were able to go down to my parent's house and spend some time with them.  It was the weekend of birthdays!  It was Melina's 26th birthday on Thursday and my Mom's 51st birthday on Sunday.  We went downtown on Friday night and ate at Rodizio Grill.  IT WAS FABULOUS!  Mark had never ate their before and we all had a good time.  We ate TONS of meat and basically told the waiters to just keep the grilled pineapple coming!  AND I even took pictures, but I guess I didn't have my SIM card in and so they are just on my camera - not quite sure how to transfer them over.  Darn technology.

During all of our free time, Mark and I spent an ENORMOUS amount of money.  I was trying to not freak out a little bit - Mark just had to keep telling me that it was an investment :).  But we spent all of our free time at IKEA (conveniently located just minutes from my parents), Target and Bed Bath & Beyond.  We bought a mattress, a complete bedroom set, and packed up all of our stuff for our move from our little cabin into our first house!  It was quite the load!  But I LOVE everything that we got and it will be things we will use for a L-O-N-G time.

Saturday night once my dad and Mark got back from Priesthood Session, my Grandma Dixie, Uncle Wayne and Aunt Dori, and my two cousins Danielle and Tanner came over and we had yet another birthday celebration.  Grandma brought over cake and ice cream and we celebrated my Mom and Tanner's 17th Birthday (they are both Sunday birthdays).  We had so much fun talking and just relaxing together.  I am so grateful for these times to be around family and to have them be so close.  I love you all.