This little guy was outside our house today. I thought I'd just post a picture or two. We think he is a desert owl... pretty cool huh?

naughty kitty...

Before:

After:

(someone's getting coal this christmas, jk!)

Moved to tears...

I am such a proud wife of a guy who not only works hard to support our family,but is smart, funny, athletic, caring, lovable, and a guy who inspires little kids to want to come to church. Jordan and I both have a calling in the primary, which we started just a few weeks ago. I teach a very sweet class of 5 year olds, and Jordan teaches a great group of 6 year olds. Last Sunday, someone came up to me and told me how one particular boy in Jordan's class always argued with his mom and had no desire to come to church. Something must have changed because recently, he wants to attend church, and when his mom asked him what brought on this change he said, "because of Brother Murray."

It made me tear up.

I love him.

And I hope I can inspire the little ones in my class, as well as those around me.

I hope she doesn't mind me doing this! I had a friend attend church with me a few weeks ago, and she recently started taking the discussions with the sister missionaries :) And I am excited to share that she is getting baptized. The big day is set for Dec. 26th! I am so happy for her, especially after a devastating loss of her fiance less than two months ago. I have been helping her plan out her baptism details and it brings back memories of my baptism...

November marked my 5th year as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love the gospel and have an overwhelming love of the savior. I often wish my family could share this great blessing with me, for I am the first in my family to join the church. I hope someday they will learn what I know and be able to experience all that I have.

Our quick visit to Trumansburg

Two weekends ago, Jordan and I got to fly to New York for a quick visit. We received a call involving a death in the family. We got the sad news that Jordan's grandpa Murray had passed away. He was a great man, and always such a pleasure to be around. I didn't know him very long, but who would need to, to know how great of a guy he was. At first, we didn't expect to make it, but then decided it would be nice to surprise J's family and come up for the weekend. We bought two tickets to Rochester, and reserved a rental car, in hopes that our surprise visit would make up for us not being with our families for Christmas. (I love that my dad and J's family are just a 10 minute drive from each other, it makes our visits so much easier!) But, our surprise didn't go as planned after we missed our first flight! We had to spoil the fun and call my mother in law to let her know we were coming and that we needed a ride from the Syracuse airport!

The funeral was peaceful and I loved hearing the stories of Grandpa Murray at his memorial service. What a sense of humor he had! As for the rest of our time there, it was much needed... the laughter, the games, the nephews and siblings, yummy food, snowfall and a nice testimony meeting in our old branch all made our trip enjoyable. Speaking of church, I got to announce my "good news minute!" For those of you thinking what's a "good news minute?!" It's a time for us ladies, to share something that is happening, will happen or has happened in our life recently with the other sister's at church. Hence... "good news" minute :) Well my good news is that Jordan and I are going to be sealed, for time and all eternity, in the Mesa, Arizona Temple in January. I am excited, and my heart beats out of my chest every time I think about it! :)

... i need a new sweater

So... pretty much every post I am wearing the same gray sweater or sweat shirt, rather. Jordan makes fun of me for calling a sweat shirt a sweater (i think it might be a southern thing). He says, sweaters do not have zippers, or hoods, they are something you would wear to church or with a nice pair of jeans.... sweat shirts can be baggy, have hoods, be worn over sweaters, used more for comfort than looks.... But anyway, I am getting off subject.... I need a new sweater. I feel silly when I look back at my past blogs and see that blob of gray in every photo of me! Hopefully Santa will fill my need this Christmas! :)

Campin' with the Bocks

We always have a good time with our friends, the Bocks, but nothing could compare to the adventure we had camping... There were winding roads, tent troubles, skunk sightings, never-ending camping advice from a local, smores and hot dogs, games, shooting stars, and some girl talk while the guys were getting some much needed firewood...It was pretty fun! And if you are wondering, "whats with the candle?" It's George's pride and joy.

Our Cruise

Catalina Island
Our cruise ship: Carnival Elation

Horseback riding on the beach

Ensenada, Mexico

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is here again, and it feels like just yesterday I walked around Trumansburg with two very cute girls, a bee and a cowboy... And spooked by my little brother and sister's scary costumes. I am super excited this year just because I get to hand out candy from my house! I've been looking forward to that all month! I hope everyone has a safe trick or treating!

boys... and their toys *sigh*

Here is Jordan's new baby. He loves it. I hope not more than his wifey! We have an Acura TL and a Kia Sorento we will be selling so I'll be posting pictures soon if anyone is interested in taking a look.

Happy 46th Birthday Dad! The 27th was my dad's birthday, and I hope it was a great one!

Game nights

have been the highlight of our weekends here in AZ. We get together with our friends, Robyn and George, once a week (sometimes twice lol) and play games... we have snacks and silly conversations and just an all around fun time. We like: Ticket to Ride, Acquire, dominoes, card games (Hearts and Spades).... Pirates Cove, Settlers of Catan, Risk, Apples to Apples and catchphrase are other games we enjoy. So if anyone wants to join us, you are more than welcome!! :)

Caramel Apples

When was the last time you made caramel apples? Me? um.... too long to remember! Jordan and I spent a nice night together, we got pizza and wings, watched our favorite show, Smallville, and hand dipped some sweet treats. It was fun and something we enjoyed doing together.

Look at the size of the apples we got from the store... they are huge compared to the regular ones. I forgot their name, but they were delicious!!

I recently attended a Relief Society enrichment activity to see the Joseph Smith Movie at the Mesa Temple Visitors Center. I can't imagine all the prophet Joseph Smith and his wife Emma had to endure. I am deeply grateful for Joseph, his faith, and restoring the true church... and of course, having the gospel in my life!

our newest addition...

A few weeks ago, one of our kitties, Thomas "Tom", had to be put to sleep :( I was so sad, I cried for a few days... It was heartbreaking not to be able to help him. He was such a nice cat, very affectionate and easy to love. Even though it was hard not to miss him, we decided to get another kitten... especially because our other cat, Jerry, was so lonely. We got an orange and white kitten, we named her Tiger Lily, Lily for short... And just a week ago, I realized Lily wasn't a girl at all! So our sweet little girl, is now a rambunctious lil guy with way too much energy for Jerry to handle!

We bought a cat condo for Jer and kitten (we still haven't figured out a name for him)... they are too cute.

...just because

I must have been a super duper wife this week! I was very surprised the other night when Jordan came back from playing basketball with these lovely roses... just because. It made me feel special, appreciated and love him even more!! :)