Girl's Weekend

Diane and Bekah came to Cheyenne for a fabulous weekend of crafting and cooking:)

The day they arrived at the Denver Airport, we spent the day in Boulder, my favorite hippie town.

At home, we made wreaths and coasters, thanks to the expert skill of my crafting friends:

We did the "Boots of Cheyenne" tour:

I LOVE my girlfriends!!

Highlights were the chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake, Bekah's ability to diagnose mysterious skin rashes, Diane on skype with her family, the hail and fog, the Sunbeam that thought the temple was sick, and all the fun laughing.

Let's do it again soon... Charlottesville 2012!! Lol.

Mr. Governor

We met the governor of Wyoming! What a treat!

Tonight we went to the Armed Forces Day banquet, and he was the speaker. My main goal the whole evening was to get a picture with Governor Mead. I mean, when the heck is a governor going to be more accessible than the one in Wyoming? Never.

What a fun evening. Every time I go to a military event, my appreciation grows for those that serve and their families (especially those that get deployed). I love the events and banquets because they do such a good job at honoring Veterans, those serving, and especially those that have lost their lives and their loved ones. God bless America and its freedom!

A couple months ago:

Back in February (I'm a little behind I guess), was the annual awards banquet and SHOUT OUT to my husband. Paul was nominated for Company Grade Officer of the year. He went up against 4 others and didn't win (although he should have jk all the nominees were great). I am very very proud of him and how hard he works at his job. Here are a couple pictures where Paul has his nominee medal on.

Happy Armed Forces Day, everyone:)

Marriage to Paul

A couple non-facebook-ers have requested to see some wedding pictures- and I am excited to post because I can't get enough of them! I wonder if all brides are this self-centered when it comes to their wedding:) We got married in the Nashville, TN temple. We had a ring ceremony at Owen Chapel in Brentwood, and a reception at the Puffy Muffin where I used to work during the summers.

The Happy Couple:

Friends and Family:

The Details:

The Children:

And last but not least, the winner of most awkward-but-best-ever photo:

The end! Thank you for sharing our special day with me!

Questions...

Spiritual Thought for the day:

My dear friend Becky Perry gave a lesson in church several years ago that I still remember. I think that's saying a lot dear Becky, because do I remember any other church lessons from years ago? Hmmmm... nope.

It was about asking questions. Being curious and asking God lots of questions. It's good whether reading scriptures or living daily life- to be in a state of curiosity and be often asking God whowhatwherewhenwhyhow. I LOVED this. I think asking God lots of questions makes me more open. AND it means I don't have to have all the answers- whew.

So today I asked God the same question I have asked for YEARS seriously no joke. "Dear God, why are some people's difficulties so public and they receive so much support for the hard thing they are going through, while some people's difficulties are so private and lonely? It seems unfair." And I very clearly knew the answer today: "Because, no matter how much support is around, each person has to find peace in their own heart through their own personal experience with the Savior."

Obvious answer? Yes! But it took me years to be ready to hear it, and I am grateful.

Moral of the story: Keep asking questions, even for years! God likes it and it's good for you! :)

Forever a Cougar

These days, unfortunately, the word "Cougar" can have quite the negative connotation. So when I happily proclaim myself as a Cougar forever, be assured I am a BYU Cougar forever! lol.

I have been obsessed with March Madness and with Jimmer. Paul and I went and played basketball yesterday morning (probably only the 3rd time in my life- I'm sports challenged) and the whole time I just wanted to play like Jimmer. It totally didn't work. I think my FG percentage was about 6%, and my 3-pointer percentage was definitely 0%.

While I was so sad to see BYU lose, I am so proud of their trek to the Sweet Sixteen and what a fun ride it was! We enjoyed their last game against Florida with our friend Becca and some BYU treats:

(Please note the cute apron above MADE by my friend Nikki! Such a fun present!)

(Please note the supportive husband above.)

FYI when trying to make blue cookies, use a recipe that uses shortening instead of butter. No amount of blue food coloring was going to de-greenify (thank you Wicked) these cookies.

:) I love me some food, friends, and Cougars!

Fitting in

I really like our new ward (church congregation). Although I must admit I have not found my niche yet and I look forward to the day where I feel like I fit in and I feel like I have something to contribute.

This past Sunday, one of the Primary (the children's Sunday School program) workers asked for a last-minute substitute for the 6 year-old class.

HEAVEN. They were angels. I TOTALLY fit in. Okay, so now can I do that every week? Please dear Bishop?

My Favorite

My Favorite thing from this past week:

Paul's Snow-Shoveling Outfit: Consisting of combat boots, knee length socks, and shorts:

I love him.