The Transforming Power of Faith and Character...

This is such a great talk...if you have already read it or heard it, then I am inviting you to do so again.  There is power to hearing or reading good things over and over again.  To have it become ingrained within you, until it becomes a natural part of you. 

For Francys

* My apologies to anyone who is offended by some of my ideas below or doesn't appreciate public displays of affection. - Rob

               What She Lacks

It’s not what she has, but what she has not

And to see her in public it’s easy to spot

What sets her apart from other women you see

Is, she’s missing an important accessory

…She’s purse less.

From their shoulders are hung or in their hands they hold

A trendy handbag, the designer name in gold

Chock full of clutter, with which they dare not go out
Items so precious one can’t live without

There are brushes, tissues, safety pins, Chapstick
Make-up, coupons, candy wrappers, lipstick

Snacks, glasses, hair pins, an iPod
Pens, pills, earrings, cash in a wad

A mirror, a phone, gum, a few stamps
Some feminine items, in case they get cramps

Scraps of paper, business cards, cough drops
Perfume, crumbs, receipts from shops

Loose change, pictures, a veritable treasure chest

Without this purse they don’t feel fully dressed
Like a security blanket, on which they depend

An inanimate object become their best friend

A status symbol, to match their outfit

A style, a statement, a self esteem kit

But not her…, she chooses to travel light

With both hands free, to do what she’d like

She lives her life clutter free

No brand, no label, her own identity

Oh she’s stylish, classy, and totally content

To be her own person, and wear her own scent

Not prone to look inward, spending time with a mirror

To rummage for things or to cling in fear,

No pride in possessions, but what she does treasure

Is loving others and that without measure

No baggage, no slouch, walking lightly and tall

Noticing others, reaching out with her all

What she carries is confidence, assured of herself

The kind of thing you can’t buy off a shelf

She came complete the way God made her

No ornaments required, just like her Creator.

She’s naturally gorgeous, her heart is divine,

I’m honored to know her, and think that she’s mine

She’s noticeably different in so many ways

Next time you see you, what may catch your gaze

is not was she has, or carriers or packs,

It’s not that at all, it’s the thing that she lacks

P.S. She’s the one carrying with the huge camera bag

full of photography accessories.

To Rob~

I'm not as good with the corney love notes or with creative and cute ideas, as Rob is, but here is my attempt to try and mimic or at least come close to expressing what I experience on a daily basis in my life, as Rob would....

Here's 75 Thank you's and I could truly go on with more than what I have come up with for now:

1. Thank you for being you
2. Thank you for becoming the spiritual giant that you have become
3. Thank you for wanting to renew our temple covenants with me with a simple, but passionate kiss
4. Thank you for the love unexpressed verbally, but felt in the things that you do (daily)
5. Thank you for the smile that you put on myself
6. Thank you for the times you have done the task that no one wants to do
7. Thank you for the many romantic dates, get-aways and trips to the Temple
8. Thanks for the many prayers we have said together
9. Thank you for the many times we have read the scriptures together
10. Thank you for the many wonderful and intellectual/spiritual conversations we have had
11. Thank you for the wanting and desire of having more children
12. Thank you for the ability to be able to let go of what is not in your control
13. Thank you for the times you have sang to me
14. Thank you for the small things
15. Thank you for the big things
16. Thank you for your poetry
17. Thank you for the few songs you have written
18. Thank you for your inspired ideas and feelings/thoughts
19. Thank you for your strength to overcome and pressing forward
20. Thank you for your love of God and the Savior
21. Thank you for your devotion and dedication to us, to me and to our children
22. Thank you for the many soft/warm touches, cuddles, whispers, kisses on the forehead, hold of hands, hugs, etc
23. Thank you for the many sincere "I'm sorry's"
24. Thank you for your desires to always change and be better
25. Thank you for becoming my running partner and my partner in life
26. Thank you for your many sacrifices

27. Thank you for the house keeping (mundane) tasks you relieve me from
28. Thank you for your delicious meals
29. Thank you for your support, encouragements, and praises
30. Thank you for the many times you lifted me
31. Than you for your righteous desires and the goal to be with me for an eternity
32. Thank you for holding the priesthood honorably
33. Thank you for being such a wonderful father
34. Thank you for being an exceptional husband
35. Thank you for often times knowing what to say, how to and when to say it
36. Thank you for your wisdom and great advice
37. Thank you for you input and opinion
38. Thank you for your creativity
39. Thank you for your knowledge in so many things (aspects of life)
40. Thank you for being my repair man
41. Thanks for sweeping me off my feet almost 16 years ago
42. Thank you for being my best friend
43. Thank you for your selflessness
44. Thank you for your compassionate heart
45. Thank you for the many time you have forgiven me
46. Thank you for the many times you stood by me and watched me fall with the faith that I would get back up...your love made all the difference
47. Thank you for putting up with me
48. Thank you for helping me train for my marathons
49. Thank you for being my aid station and support group in many races
50. Thank you for caring and being so thoughtful, not just to me and your children but to others
51. Thank you for appreciating me and making me feel like I'm the most beautiful woman on this earth
52. Thank you for loving me first and for loving me more
53. Thank you for always putting the Lord first
54. Thank you for your Testimony
55. Thank you for your courage and valiant attitude to stand for what is right and for what you believe in
56. Thank you for your soft heart
57. Thank you for your humble spirit
58. Thank you for your hunger for truth, light, knowledge and all righteousness
59. Thank you for your ways of inspiring and motivating
60. Thank you for your optimism
61. Thank you for your ability to see things as they truly are and then sweetly conveying them
62. Thank you for your ability to teach or explain the most difficult or confusing subject or idea or whatever, in such a simple way that I/we/people can understand
63. Thank you for spoiling me
64. Thank you for giving up so many dreams
65. Thank you for being such a great provider
66. Thank you for the many laughs ('til my tummy hurts)
67. Thank you for the many adventures we have experienced thus far in life
68. Thank you for all the fun we have in our marriage and family life
69. Thank you for all the times you have shown your patience with me
70. Thank you for all that you do to keep my life, our life, simple
71. Thank you for becoming more than I had ever hoped for or dreamed of, you are the perfect companion
72. Thank you for your laughter, and your smiles
73. Thank you for looking at me with such tenderness and admiration 
74. Thank you for always trying to understand first more than trying to be understood
75. Thank you for being You and for who you are becoming as we go through this life together...

I'm truly blessed to have you in my life.  I'm truly honored to know you.  I could never find someone like you again and I'm glad that I don't have to- Thanks for choosing to be with me Eternally! (I guess that makes it #76)

Juliette's Special Day...

We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Juliette's birthday with family and friends.  We did so many fun things.  Including soccer, making carameled apples, played games with friends, had yummy foods and chocolate cake, opened more presents, baked and just laughed plenty.

I wanted to Thank my little sister Frandi and her husband Weston for coming over to celebrate with us and be a part of Juliette's Baptism.  Thank you Brian and Chad for taking James to the Vancouver Temple and thank you for bringing Angee and the rest of the kiddos to Juliette's Baptism!  Thank you Noriko for baking those delicious mini-Pecan Pies, they were wonderful!  Thank you to all those who participated in the Baptism Program, Debbie W., Nancy L., Bro. Royal, Bishop Knutson, Carlene A., Darlene B., Connie B., Missionaries, thank you Jeesica B. for taking pictures, and all those who came.  Thank you for the love, support and gifts. 

Thank you to our family for their phone calls, cards and gifts as well.  Juliette had a very special birthday!  She says that her best gift, besides getting baptized, being confirmed a member of the Church and receiving the Holy Ghost, it's her new scriptures.  She is now the proud owner of her own set of quads with a carrying bag.  She is so excited about reading them and she has been since Sunday night.  She also wrote a 3 page journal entry about her baptism with her testimony!  It was a beautiful entry, it watered my eyes.  She understands, she gets it.  She also read her scriptures and had marked 6 verses that she liked.  They all had to do with the word "light".  I just love her spirit and her heart.  She is a sweetheart!
Thank you Juliette for chosing to follow Jesus' example and following Him into the waters of Baptism.  You are growing up to be such a special girl!  We are all so happy to have you in our lives.   We love you!
P.S  Sophia was not feeling very good!  She was a great sport!

2 Nephi 31: 13, 17, 20

13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.


17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.


20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

In case the video doesn't work (it is very low quality, sorry), here is slideshow instead...

This slideshow created with Smilebox

Juliette is 8 years Old...

Juliette had a great birthday today!  We made her favorite breakfast ever; chocolate waffles with fresh strawberries and ice cream and whip cream.  She was in Heaven.  She then took treats to school to share with her classmates and came home with a giant book made up of everyone's (classmates') pictures of Juliette's favorite things.  She showed us the book about 3 times.  She was so excited about it.  We then had dinner with our friends the Fishers who made Juliette her favorite dinner; Spaghetti with meat sauce.  She was glowing with joy!  Thank you Noriko, you made her night.
Opening presents was even more exciting.  She got $35.00.  Thank you Great-grandma Gulliver, Grandma Tobler and Grammie Deb.  She chose to have her money be put into her bank account.  WOW!  Then she got these cute hair clips from the Fisher's, a cute card from Eliza, another present from Grammie Deb (a toy hamster), Silly Bandz and a journal from us.  She was super happy!  And I'm sure she has more coming with my sister's visit and her Baptism this Sunday!
Thanks to everyone that wished her a Happy Birthday!  You added joy to her special day! 

8 is Great...Happy Birthday Juliette!!!

Today is a very special day for Juliette and a very importnat year.  She is turning 8 years old.  She will be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church this Sunday!  We are so very excited for her,  but not as excited as she is! 

Happy birthday my sweet girl!  You are just wonderful and such a blessing in our lives.  Thanks for being part of our family!  We love you!

The N. Family...

These are another one of our friends whose family pictures I took this Summer.  These are some of my favorite images from that photoshoot...Thank you for letting me photograph your family!  It was such a beautiful day and I had so much fun!