I DID IT!

I now have .............................................................................................b-r-a-c-e-s!

My teeth began to go crooked in my 40's. (I use to have a very nice smile.) My mother's teeth did the same thing and she got lumineers in her 40's.

I debated about getting braces (especially considering the P-A-I-N and the C-O-S-T!) I was told to truly FIX the problem I needed to get braces. So last Friday they were put on. I debated about the ceramic ones. I was told the silver ones move teeth better - so I have the silver braces in all their glory. I feel kindof like a teenager who looks OLD!  I have had some kind remarks (that they make me look younger and that I look good in braces) but they are just Silver squares all over my teeth with wire going through each bracket.

It's been a hard week. I have taken for granted eating anything I want with such strong, sturdy teeth. It's humbling. I can't talk as well, I have been on a soft foods diet, and I can't imagine that these will be on for 2 years. I have spent countless hours cleaning my teeth properly. 

But it's the sacrificing for what you want principle. I truly value a beautiful smile. I value straight teeth, and I went in this knowing I would have to go through a lot (especially at my age) to get it. 

Wish me the best and if you've had braces ---thanks for your EMPATHY!

Pictures hopefully will follow soon!

Winter wonderland!

I woke up yesterday morning to William informing me that there was a two hour school delay because of the thick fog in the air. I went to the hall window and looked out and saw this! The fog had lifted and the trees were covered in this thick beautiful  frost. It doesn't happen very often, but it's called "hoar frost". I looked it up on the internet and it's actually ice crystals that formed on the trees. 

So just as I am tired of winter and want a break, God gives me a reason to marvel at the beauties of nature and  winter all in my own yard!  Stunning!

Ryan and Sarah's wedding

Hi family and friends,

     I finally have the amateur photo's of Ryan and Sarah's wedding (seen below) on my blogspot. I can't wait to get the professional ones! There were three different wedding celebrations, and each was wonderful in it's own way. Sarah's mother is a professional at it and I must say the reception in Washington was gorgeous!! It was so classy!

    I can't tell you how much I love Sarah. If I were to have handpicked a spouse myself for Ryan, I could not have done a better job. She is a beautiful woman and so sweet and kind and humble.

Her family is incredible and it was such a joy to meet them and feel like they are family too. We connected right away.

     As you can tell - Sarah was a beautiful bride! She had gall bladder surgery 6 days after her wedding. What a way to begin your marriage! They were able to go to New York City for a few days for their "real honeymoon" and loved it there!

     I have posted many pictures because many of you were not able to attend - especially the reception in Washington. My sister was the only one I knew there because she lives only about 1/2 hour away from the Davidson's. That was a major blessing for us! 

     Again, thanks for your kindness and your support! It means the world to us!

Sarah and Ryan's wedding

What a great family we have!

We hope you enjoy our slideshows! We love all of our family and wanted to post many of our family members. It might even encourage some more extended family members to connect to our blogspot!

Holiday trip 2008 (photos of our family)

2008 Christmas vacation (Idaho, Utah and Washington)

Christmas Vacation 2008

Above are pictures of our 2008 Christmas vacation. We had a wonderful time visiting all of our brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and our parents during the holidays. We started our vacation in Utah, drove to Idaho and then drove to Washington. From there we travelled  back to Idaho and then back to Utah. We have wonderful memories, especially of sharing the holidays together with our loved ones  and of Ryan and Sarah's wedding.

A lot happened during our trip including: Ryan's birthday (December 23rd), Christmas (December 25th), Sarah receiving her Temple Endowments (December 26th), William's birthday (December 29th), Ryan and Sarah's wedding (December 30th), New Year's Eve and Day (December 31st and January 1st),William and Lynda's 29th wedding anniversary (January 2nd), Ryan and Sarah's  wedding reception in Washington (January 2nd).  Each one of these events deserves a blog in and of itself, but the pictures above will have to suffice! (Remember pictures say a thousand words!)

The roads were not great much of the time of our travel, but our prayers were answered and all the roads remained opened and drivable. I was nervous at times, but everything all worked out. 

This probably was our longest vacation together. We left on December 17th and came home on January 5th. It was such a treat for our family!

I want to thank all of you who were so kind and so giving and so supportive of our family. It means the world to us. We love you all! We have an incredible family and feel so blessed to be part of it!

Our missionary

Michael is doing great on his mission. He's been out almost 4 months now. It was wonderful talking to him on Christmas day and hearing his voice. He did something that touched my heart VERY DEEPLY  for our family for Christmas. His package consisted of one stuffed animal bear for Addie (the soft kind that she really likes) and a hand written, at least two page letter written each individually for  his mother, his father, his three brothers- Ryan, Jeffrey, Tanner,  his brother -in-law, Marc, his future sister-in-law, Sarah; and his brothers girlfriend, Jenn. I was amazed that he spent THAT MUCH TIME writing to each of us. The letter written to me made my heart fill with so much joy. 

I have pondered about the significance of this gift. He gave all he could give. He had no money to buy gifts with, but he gave truly from his heart - more than any of the rest of us. It was a compete sacrifice for him to write those letters. It was the very best he could give and we all felt it. 

What an example you are to us Michael! We love you!