{4th of July}

We spent our first 4th of July in Houston.

It was fun, but definitely was not the same.

Our family was invited to a BBQ and pool party.

A couple from church invited us, and we had fun eating, meeting new friends and swimming.

The host/hostess made the coolest 4th of July cake

that we will have to attempt to make sometime.

That evening we went to Clear Lake Park to watch

several fireworks shows around the lake.

We had a fun day. . .

but we did miss all of our friends and family.

There were plenty of times during the day

that I felt myself longing for Idaho.

Throughout this week I have found myself thinking about how

grateful I am for this country we live in.

Often times we get caught up in politics and politicians and

we forget what an amazing place we live in.

I think we need to be more grateful.

If we were more grateful, more of us would work together

to make this country a better place,

instead fighting against each other.

I was reading Doctrine and Covenants 134 yesterday and it made me realize how thankful I am that we live in a country where we are all free to choose.

This is what our Heavenly Father's plan is. 

That we have a choice. . .

This is what the United States of America is based on. . .

LIBERTY!!!

The freedom to choose who you are and what you want to be.

I am so grateful for this.

This is the reason I teach History.

To teach future generations to be grateful for their freedom

and to teach them to protect and preserve it for future generations.

Happy 4th of July!!!!

{Wedded Bliss}

It was a beautiful day we will remember for a very long time.

Congrats, Kira and Dave!

More Pics HERE

When It Rains It Pours Blessings

This week has been one of those weeks you just pray will end.

1. Dylan had to go to Oklahoma AGAIN!


2. The day he left our A/C in our house died


3. Dylan's computer crashed when he reached OK City-- forcing him to turn around and come home. He arrived home at 2 a.m. and turned around and left at 5 a.m.-- He had 8 a.m. appointments in OK City he had to make.


4. Homeless for 3 days waiting for the A/C to get fixed.


5. Claire lost my wedding ring


6. Cable went out for 2 days


7. Dylan rear-ended someone in Tulsa


8. Went out to the truck to head to the store and the truck wouldn't start

A lot for one week right, and that's just the big stuff, but because of this I witnessed blessings with each thing that happened.

1. So grateful that my husband has a job, even if he has had to travel a lot. They take good care of him and he even got a bonus this week.


2. I was blessed to find someone who could fix our A/C for basically the same price Dylan could have-- I didn't have to go a whole week w/out it-- how did they do it 100 years ago???


3. Because Dylan had to come home in the middle of the night we had a heart to heart and discussed some feelings that we both had been having--which probably would not have happened had he not come home


4. I was reminded of how blessed I am to have such great friends. Phone calls, emails and invitations to sleep over were in abundance. A big thanks to Janie for letting me cry on her shoulder-- in the middle of her daughters b-day party and a comfortable bed to sleep in, Sara for a yummy dinner, fun evening, and the number of the A/C repairman.


5. We looked for the ring and could not find it anywhere. I prayed and immediately it was found under the bed.


6. After working with AT&T for more than two hours over the phone in my very hot house and accomplishing nothing, I was able to get the cable back on my own-- a process of reboot, reboot, and reboot some more. Claire thought the world was going to end w/out T.V.


7. Dylan's little accident resulted in NOTHING--- thank heavens!!!!


8. The nice neighbor guy was able to jump the truck for me and I was able to go get the battery replaced.

It's amazing to me how each time something came up the blessings came quickly. I feel so blessed.

Last but not least, Claire pulled out her other tooth with NO drama. I wasn't even aware until she came and told me she had pulled it. I have a feeling her school pictures will be lacking two front teeth :D Enjoy your weeked!!!!

GREAT NEWS!!!!!

A million thanks to my good friend Sara.

She gave me the name of a reliable guy

who does A/C work on the side

$160

vs.

the 1st guys

$614

If you want his name and number give me a call or email me.

Now lets hope life can get back to normal

I feel like I've been a homeless person

for three days.

Thanks to all the offers from all of you!!!

Its great to be surrounded by so many good people.

Good New --- Bad News

Good News---- We do not need a new air conditioner, just a blower motor

Bad News---- Dylan is insisting on replacing it himself to save money--- we will be saving A LOT of money

More Bad News------ He is in Oklahoma AGAIN until Saturday evening


It's times like these I hate living so far away from my parents. :) Good thing I am surrounded by great people who might as well be family. :D

So this week will be full of anything we can do to stay out of my HOT HOUSE!