Well...to all those who have loved and supported us throughout the past 5 months, we are happy to say, that we are now husband and wife!

What a feeling...To meet, fall in love, and marry your eternal companion in such a short amount of time, knowing that Heavenly Father has placed us together. I am the luckiest girl I know!

Whoa! It's been entirely too long since i've posted a blog. Life has been a little hectic and a whole lot busy! Parker, Camryn and I finally made a visit to Oregon the beginning of September. We had a great time fishing, visiting Mount Hood, and doing a whole lot of wedding stuff. I'll post pictures soon...they are on Mark's camera in Oregon. We all had a great time and were so glad to be together again...FINALLY!

Unbelieveably, this is our last week in St. George. WOW! I can hardly believe that it is here! This week is going to be full of running around, getting things organized, the rest of the house packed and loaded into a huge truck, cleaning, wrapping up school here, but most importantly...I received my temple recommend today, and I get to go through the St. George Temple on October 3rd with my mom and Mark!  It's amazing what blessings have been pouring into our lives. I have yet to fully understand or comprehend the importance of what has happened to me today, but I look forward to every opportunity to visit and revisit the temple, doing the Lord's work. My testimony is strong and I love this gospel. It's truths and blessings are undeniable to me.

For all of those wondering about my house...IT SOLD! I actually close on it tomorrow sometime. Again, just another one of those blessings. It was crazy. We dropped the price, and it began to show...numerous people daily! The first couple who came through actually bought it. I had been praying and praying for a nice LDS family to come and feel of the love, and warmth here. And that is exactly what I got. They are a nice young couple with 3 kids. I have no doubt that they will feel at home here. The ward is great and they cannot beat that! I am so happy, and what a load off of Mark and me. I did not want to have to leave a house here, now I won't have to ! YEA!

Mark's birthday is actually tomorrow!!

HAPPY 46th BIRTHDAY...BABE!

I wish so badly we could be there with him, but we'll make the best of it!

Mark arrives in Las Vegas Thursday night. Friday after the temple, we are planning a lunch at Cafe Rio, then we'll be off to Salt Lake for the night. We'll go to Boise Saturday, then all the way to Sandy on Sunday. It'll be a long drive, but well worth it.

To our friends and family! We love you very much! Thank you for all of your love, support and friendship. This week will be hard for me. There are lots of great friends I have to say goodbye to and will miss desperately! Please know how much you all mean to me. This place has been pivital in my live. I have made changes here I could not have done elsewhere. This is where I was supposed to be at this time. Now it's time for life to move on..."Keep Moving Forward", from a wise Walt Disney, is our motto. I love you, my dear friends!

I loved visiting Cannon Beach on the Coast. We had to drive out there one night, then right back. We're looking forward to a time when we can actually spend a weekend there. It's small, quaint and so relaxed.  

There's always a silly face to be shown with Hanna...then there's Haley, off on her own adventure. She just had to cross this small strip of water. It was a good idea, until the water started to rise.

We have lots of planning ahead of us and we're spending 3 weeks apart from each other. Aaahhh! If you can believe it, that'll be the longest time we've spent apart from each other yet. It's hard to not just jump on the next plane...but we'll survive...I hope!

We have so much going on right now. Planning a wedding (long distance), move, find me a job, sell a house, and get Parker & Camryn in school in Sandy, as soon as possible. What a blessing it is to have such a great man to be so supportive and loving in stressful times. Mark has been my rock, and my sanity, basically. When I feel like I'm overloaded and stressed out, he comes in and saves me, puts things into perspective, and still loves me. Wow! I am lucky chick! Please keep us in your prayers. We know the power of prayer is strong and brings blessings into our lives. We love all of you...our families and our friends. Thank you all so much for your love, support and happiness for us. It's a great feeling to know that so many people love and care for you! We are greatful for you all!

Oh...I almost forgot! We set a date...

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

at the Salt Lake Temple!

Just goes to show you what a little Girl Power can do!

You go, girl!

The end of July brought the heat, and another trip for Mark to St. George! We had a great time on Sunday afternoon hiking the "Dixie Rock". Even though Mark lost his glasses, looking down into the Narrows. At least Parker didn't take the leap down the crevace he thought he'd been down before. Hum...NO! We'd have lost him down a deep hole, but thanks to Mark and the loss of the sunglasses, he's okay.

No use in being serious...because look what lurks behind you! Thanks sweetie!

Tomorrow the kids and I head up to Salt Lake. The kids are spending another week with their dad, and I am again on my way to Portland. Mark and I are going to have a great weekend and I'm looking forward to seeing the girls again next week.

Tonight was the first of 8 Temple Preparation classes for me. Two amazing brethren, Bishop Turnbow and Bishop Tenney came to my house and gave me the first lesson. We talked about Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation, and what it  means for us. The spirit was definetly here & I even learned a few new things that I am now greatful to know! The gospel is an amazing thing. The truths and promises which become known unto us, truely can change our lives, soften our hearts, and lead us to salvation. I am so greatful for Heavenly Father's plan for me, Mark and our family!

Mark finally got to St. George. On Friday, July 4th, Mark and Parker had a tee time at a golf course called The Ledges. This is probably the nicest course in Southern Utah. They got up at 5:30 am. to get to the course, hit a few balls at the driving range, and get to their tee time at 7:20 am. They did it. I am impressed. Since it's the middle of summer, the temps got pretty. If you are going to golf in St. George in the summer, you have to do it as early as possible. It's usually 100+ degrees by 10 or 11 am. They did great, and didn't complain. It is so good to seem the two of them enjoying something that they both love. It's important to take time for the things we enjoy.

After that, we took Mark to Cafe Rio. Our favorite place for lunch. We shopped a little and got some fireworks for later. It got to be late and we had salad & pizza at The Pizza Factory. Poor Parker did not feel well, so we took Camryn to Grandma & Grandpa, then we took him home & put him to bed. Tired guy!

Saturday, we went with my parents, my sisters & their kids to see Wall-E. It was darling! After we BBQ'd at my mom & dads house. Along with making smores and playing Pit...we just enjoyed each other. Everyone just fell in love with Mark...I mean, come on, what's not to love!

Sunday, Mark and I had a meeting with my bishop. He is such a great and loving man. He genuinely loves and cares for both of us. It's great to share with him our desires and goals for ourselves, as well as listen and heed to his wise counsel. Things went well, and we're well on our way.

Sunday night, we had my family over for dinner, and my BFF, Joely, was able to meet the man who's "stealing me away". I will always be her BFF. Nothing can take that way. I have been so blessed to have such a great friend in my life. She's as close if not closer than a sister. I love her very much and believe that she will accomplish many great things. She is such a strong woman, with so much to give. Such a loving heart and great intelligence. If I could, I'd pack her up and take her with me.

Monday, we both worked from my office, after a late morning sleeping in a little. The day we have to seperate from each other is always the most difficult. Sharing our life together on a daily basis is so natural. There is not any question or wondering of the things we need to accomplish. It's as if we were completely on the same page with each other in every aspect of our life. Heavenly Father has so greatly blessed us with ease and comfort with each other. There are plenty of couples who don't have this, we realize how lucky we are.

Mark's flight was delayed in Las Vegas for a few hours, so we ate at In-N-Out Burger (Mark's first time), and then I took him back to the airport. It's so hard to let go! Camryn and I cried, leaving the airport, a family member that you love so much. Mark will be back her Friday night, only a few days away, but it doesn't make it much easier.

Other than spending time together, one of the highlights of this trip, was that Mark was able to do an endowment session at the St. George temple on Saturday morning. What a blessing to be able to visit this Holy House of the Lord. When his session was over, we held each other and were overcome with the emotions of being able to be there together soon. That is a day that I look forward to. To be able to attend such a Holy place with my eternal companion, the man that I love and will love through eternity. Amazing!

Tuesday night, Mark and I had a chance to talk on the phone and reevalutate our day. These times are hard, and we have said, and been told, that the advesary will be working on us. Trying to keep us from the temple, and doing the work we know we need to do. We are so humbled and greatful that we can receive guidance and comfort from the Holy Spirit. In days that just don't seem to go right, what a comfort it is to know that we can open our scriptures, read and study the stories and then pray to our Heavnly Father for knowledge and strength to make it through hard times. Too numerous of times have we been given direct guidance from simply opening up the scriptures and reading. Answers to prayers have leaped from it's pages. What amazing blessings are promised to us if we just be faithful and obedient. I want each one of you to know, that I love this gospel. I love it's truth's and it's promises made directly to each one of us, if we just do the things we should. It's simple, really. Our lives will be blessed if we live as we should. I am greatful for Mark and his worthiness. He is a constant pillar of light in my eyes and his wisdom helps me daily. He is my foundation and strength. I love You, Mark!

I will be going back to Portland with Mark for 8 days. We've got a lot to accomplish while I'm there, so a lot of work, and a little play will go a long way. I can't wait to see Hanna & Haley. I miss them terribly. Parker and Camryn will be spending the time with their dad, Gordon, in Salt Lake. It's been so gratifying to have them spend more and more time with him. Making important connections and growing so many ways.