Mark and Ashley Watts

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-27T11:01:00.000-08:00

This year for Thanksgiving we went to my parents house in Hyde Park, Utah. All of my sisters and their husbands were able to come. Mark's mom and brother were also able to come too! It was so nice to be all together as a family and realize how blessed we are. I know I am eternally grateful to have a family were everyone gets along, including the brother in laws. We really do have the best family ever! Here are a few pictures we took as a family.

Kyler's New Best Friend!

2011-11-11T17:58:00.000-08:00

Kyler has discovered a NEW Friend...HIS SWING! He just loves it! He can sit in his swing for hours! Here are a few pictures!

Kyler's First Halloween

2011-10-31T19:21:00.001-07:00

This year Halloween was too cold and Kyler was too young to go Trick-or-Treating but he still looked cute in his costume! Grandma Sue bought Kyler’s costume and we just think he looked adorable. Happy 1st Halloween Kyler! We love you!

Kyler's Blessing

2011-10-09T20:47:00.000-07:00

Kyler,
Today, October 9, 2011, you were blessed by dad and given a name that will be known on the records of the church. It was a wonderful day. We blessed you at Grandpa and Grandma Hansen's house in Hyde Park, Utah and many people came because they love you. Since we live in Rexburg, Idaho and are not close to family we made the decision to have you blessed there. Grandpa Reid and Grandma Dee's bishop presided over the blessing because we were not in our home ward. His name is Bishop Mario Durrant.

Before he gave the blessing he spoke to all of us who attended your blessing. He explained that the blessing today was more for the parents. You will not remember a thing about your blessing that happened today, but it is our responsibility to teach you about it. He went on to say that we have the opportunity as your parents to receive insights about the man you are and the man you will become. He told us to write down things during the blessing and when the time is right, to discuss what was in the blessing to you. When the time is right we will sit down and talk about this special day more!

Your dad gave you a beautiful blessing. There were so many things said in it that brought peace and comfort to your dad and I. We know the potential that you have. We will do our very best as your parents so you can reach this potential.

Today was a great day! You have received the first ordinance you need to be able to return back to our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. You have so much to look forward to in this life and we can't wait to experience it with you!

At the Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-08T21:33:00.000-07:00

We are in Cache Valley because we are going to bless Kyler tomorrow. Today we got to go to the pumpkin patch and pick out pumpkins to carve for Halloween. It was so much fun. Here are a few pictures of our fun filled day!

Kyler Reid Watts

2011-09-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

Kyler Reid Watts entered this world on September 1, 2011 at 11:29 pm. We are so excited to have you in our family! You continue to bless our lives on a daily basis. Here are a few details about your birth.

I had a doctor’s appointment on August 30th. As I was walking back into the exam room, there were a few nurses talking and they asked how I was doing. I jokingly replied, "It's 98 degrees today, how do you think I am doing?" They replied, "you poor thing, you look like you are more than ready to have him." When the doctor checked me and I was 4 cm dilated and was 100% effaced. The doctor asked if I wanted my membranes stripped because it helps to induce labor. At that point I would do anything to get you here! The doctor told me that I could go into labor anytime. Just a quick side note, I was hoping and praying that Dr. Rob Meredith would deliver you. That is who I saw your entire pregnancy and I just thought he was an amazing doctor. He then asked me if I didn't go into labor on my own in the next couple of days would I want to be induced. I quickly replied "YES!" He asked me how soon I would want to be induced and I responded with "When do you work at the hospital next?" He said Thursday and I said "Done Deal!" We set up an appointment to be induced on September 1st at 7:30 am.

I could not sleep the night before I was to be induced. I felt like a child at Christmas waiting for Santa to come. Dad and I got up at 5:30 to go to the hospital. Dad made breakfast burritos for breakfast. I was so excited that I only could eat about half of it.

Dad and I got to the Madison Memorial Hospital in Rexburg, Idaho right at 7:30. We did all the boring stuff like fill out papers and get admitted. We were in the room by 7:50 and Dr. Meredith came in around 8:00 to break my water. When he checked me I was 4 1/2cm dilated. About that time Grandpa Reid and Grandma Dee came to the hospital.

They started me on Pitocin and I quickly started to feel strong contractions. Next time the nurse came into the room and checked me I was 5 cm and I told them I was ready for an epidural. A nurse anesthetist came in the room about 5 minutes later and gave me my epidural. After that, things got A LOT better. That was worth every cent!

Dad, Grandma Dee, Grandpa Reid, and I waited patiently throughout the day. Every time the nurse would come in the room to check me I was progressing, just progressing slowly. I was only dilating about a cm an hour, at least I was progressing. About 9:30pm the nurse came in the room to check me and I was at a 10. Dr. Meredith came into the room and gave me a little talk. He explained that the average mom pushes for about 2 hours. I was so ready at this point. I was as patient as I could be! I just wanted to meet you! The doctor also told me that you were very high in the canal and this was not going to be the easiest thing to get you out. He knew that you were head down but you were so high, he didn't know which direction you were facing. I began pushing at 9:30pm. I pushed and pushed and pushed. The last 30 minutes of pushing were the hardest. I was so tired and in so much pain, I didn't think I could do it. As your head began to come out, I was so exhausted that I didn't know how much longer I could do it. Dr. Meredith had to refocus me and explain that your head is partially out and I had to give it everything I had. At
11:29pm I pushed for the last time! This is the moment that you came into the world!

I didn't know that I could love anyone so much and so fast. The moment you came into this world, they laid you on my chest, and I couldn't believe that you had just made me a mom. This is what I had desired for so long and now the most perfect baby was sitting in my arms!

You weighed 7lbs exactly and were 18 1/2 inches long and had a full head of hair. You really were absolutely perfect!

Dr. Meredith came over and talked to dad and I as the nurses were checking you to make sure you were healthy. He explained that his job never got old. He said it is the best thing to watch a girl transition from a girl, ultimately a woman, to a mom. He said you can watch the face as a woman pushing and you can see her fight to get this child out and you see the transition to a mom. Dad said he saw that same transition. He also came over and said "I am just going to be honest with you. The reason why I told you that most woman push for two hours on average with their first child is because I thought you were going to be pushing for about 4 hours. He said he was about ready to call the nurse anesthetist to give me more medicine because I was running out, and he thought I would be pushing longer. He said he couldn't believe it only took 2 hours to get you down the canal.

We are so glad that you a part of our family. We love you more than you will ever know. Dad and I promise to be the best parents that we know how to be. We only want what is best for you. We love you so much and are grateful that you have joined our family. Kyler, mom and dad LOVE YOU!

We Can't Wait to Meet You Son!

2011-08-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

These past nine months have gone by super fast but super slow for your dad and I. After waiting patienly, we are excited to start our eternal family. More now than ever are we excited that we made the decision to marry in the temple. How grateful we are to know that you will be born inside the covenant and we are sealed as an eternal family like we have always dreamed of.

Although nine months seems like a super long time, it was worth the wait. To hear that you are healthy and happy so far is the best news that we could hear. Tomorrow wil be the first day that we get to hold you in our arms, give you kisses, and see you! Tomorrow is the day we get to meet your sweet spirit sent from our Father in Heaven. We can't wait to get to know your personality and see the man that you will become.

Your Dad and I love you so much already See you tomorrow, SON!

Love,
Your Dad and Mom

Pictures of the past 9 Months

22 Weeks

25 Weeks

31 Weeks

35 Weeks

39 Weeks

Last Day Pregnant

It's a Boy!

2011-04-10T20:47:00.000-07:00

After waiting as patiently as I could, we went to the doctors and found out we are having a BOY! We can't wait to meet him! He is already loved by his parents and we can't wait to get to know him and see his personalty! WE lOVE YOU!

Baby Watts

2011-03-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't blogged in a long time but here is the best news I could ever put on our blog! We are going to be PARENTS. Ashley is due September 3rd. So far everything looks great! We couldn't be more EXCITED about this news!

R Mountain

2010-10-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

During the summer, Mark and I climbed R mountain with our friends Brandon and Malorie Pope. It was a gorgeous summer day and the view was amazing. Later that day we floated the river and that was an andventure in itself.

Figure 8 Racing

2010-10-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

During the summer, we went to the Madison County Fair Grounds to watch some fugure 8 racing. We decided to dress up white trash and go on a date with some friends. Funny thing was, we blended right in. We looked like we belonged! There were many laughs that night!

Family in Logan

2010-10-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, my side of the family all got together. It was such a fun trip. Mark and I really enjoy every moment that we get to spend together with family. I am so blessed to have such an amazing family. How grateful I am to know that our Family is Forever!

Shooting!

2010-10-10T15:37:00.001-07:00

I am WAY behind in blogging but I had some time so sit today so I thought I would begin to catch up. This summer Mark and I went shooting with some friends. This was a special trip for me becuase I have never shot a gun! It was so much fun, I even shot a bottle. We are even looking to buy me a gun! Mark had never been on a 4 wheeler either so it was a first for the both of us! Thanks Breezie and Matt for taking us!

New Job

2010-08-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know that I need to update the blog badly. Although I am not going to post pictures, I do have some VERY EXCITING NEWS...........

Ashley will be teaching FIRST GRADE this upcoming school year!

We are super excited about this. I even get full benefits! YIPPEE!

Trip to Arizona

2010-05-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago Mark and I had the opportunity to go to one of our best friends wedding in Arizona. It was a MUCH needed get away for Mark and I. Not only did we get to go to Arizona to see our friends Brandon and his beautiful wife Malorie get married, I got to see some of my closest friends from college.

While In Arizona we stayed at my Uncle Terry and Aunt Dawn's house. We had a blast with them and their children. We couldn't of asked for better weather while in Arizona. The day we left Rexburg it was literally a "white out." You couldn't see anything. While in Arizona it was 90 degrees, I miss that! We also got to go to the zoo with some friends the day after.

Here is how the trip went...
Tuesday April 16- Drive to Arizona with Brandon (A lovely 14 hour car ride)

Wednesday April 17- Went to the mall, had In n Out, Went and did a session in
the Mesa, Az temple.

Thursday April 18- Spent time with my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins.
It was a blast. We got to play all day and even went to
Cosco for a hot dog and drink.

Friday April 19- Went to the "Brandon and Mallorie Pope Wedding." followed by
the reception.

Saturday April 20- Went to the Phoenix Zoo with TJ and Brie Anderson, Bernie
and Brittany Farfan, and Joey Conway.

Sunday April 21-Fly back to Salt Lake City, Utah followed by a drive back to
Rexburg

Mark and I had an amazing weekend. We went in between school semesters so we both needed the break! It was so nice just being able to spend some time together, as this doesn't happen all the time with our crazy schedules.

This Picture is for Dad. Growing up that was the nickname he gave to me!

We went to the Zoo on Saturday and the Zebra had just had a baby on Tuesday! It was so cute!

Here is a cute giraffe.

The Tiger

A Baboon

A Monkey

Mark and I at the reception.

Mark and I at the zoo.

My old FHE family from college. These are some of my closest friends from college. Top: Brandon Pope
From Left to right: Bernie Farfan, TJ Anderson, Joey Conway, Nate Hogg

One more picture of Mark and I at the zoo!

Back To The Singles Ward!

2010-04-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we got a phone call that would change the course of our lives for the next few years. We got a phone call to meet with the Stake President of the BYUI 5th stake. We were really confused at first because we are part of the 8th stake at BYUI. After meeting with the Stake President he extended a call to serve as 1st counselor in the bishopric in a singles ward on campus.

We are very excited and nervous about this new change. Mark will do a great job and we are excited to see what the Lord has in store for us next.

Big Judds

2010-03-07T19:27:00.000-08:00

In Idaho they have a hamburger place called Big Judds. It is one of those places that you must do while you live in Rexbur. Mark and I went with some friends last night and ordered the Big Judds Special, which is a 1 lb cheeseburger. Not only is it a pound of meat, it comes with lots of toppings and a massive bun. Mark and I decided that we would split one. It was a lot of fun. Here is a picture of the cheeseburger before we dove into it.

Christmas 2009

2010-01-04T21:34:00.000-08:00

Cutting down our Christmas tree in the mountains

Before we went to the mountains we stopped to feed HUGE fish. It was beautiful!

Feeding the fish with Ashley's parents and our friends, The Bitters! We LOVE them!

The Snowman we built!

After playing in the snow

Our tree all decorated

Our Gingerbread house

Putting a 1500 piece Christmas puzzle together. Super Fun!

Christmas was so much fun this year. Mark and I had so much time to spend with each other and family. I have quickly learned that I just LOVE my job. For Christmas I got 2 1/2 weeks paid vacation, got to love being a teacher. Mark and I went down to Logan, Utah to spend Christmas and his mom and brother came to Logan too! Here are a few things we did.

Disneyland

2009-11-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

This past week Mark and I were able to go to the Happiest Place on Earth. We had a BLAST! As always, it was so good to be able to spend time together. What a blessing it has been to be able to spend the past two years of marriage together. I love you Mark!

Favorite Time of Year!

2009-10-26T15:19:00.001-07:00

Mark and I just LOVE this time of year! There is nothing better than the smell of fireplaces, watching the trees change color, and drinking hot chocolate. As Halloween and Thanksgiving are both around the corner, Mark and I have really counted our many blessings. We have been blessed with so much in our lives and we know that the Lord has His Hand in all that we have. Life has been crazy as always. Work Work Work. It is so nice when we get to spend time together. Here are just a couple things what we have done lately

We went to the fair awhile ago with some friends. We had so much fun. It was nice getting to spend the time together.

We also carved pumpkins. Mark loves Halloween so he goes all out on the pumpkin carving thing. I will let you guess who's pumpkin in who's.

Why I Went to College!

2009-09-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

Well so much has been going on in the Watts household. Life has just been crazy, like always. I just thought that I would update our life. Mark and I are taking advantage of both of us not being in school. This is the very first time since we were dating that at least one of us is not in school. We are both currently working. Mark is still working at the local grocery store here in Rexburg. Although it is not his dream job, it is an awesome job to have while going to school.

I just got a NEW TEACHING JOB!!!!! YAY!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I am currently teaching PE at Hillview Elementary school! I could not ask for a better job. I never thought I would love being in the elementary level as much as I do. I majored in Health Education with a minor in Physical Education, so I am supposed to be able to teach 6-12 grade. I ended up taking 1 extra class that certified me to teach at the elementary level, and I am so glad that I did.

Here are a copule of pictures from the first week of school!

2 Year Anniversary

2009-08-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

the beautiful Shower

Relaxing in our robes

Eating lunch

Shopping in Park City

Our View

Mark and I celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary this past week. We had so much fun. We went up to Park City, Utah. It was BEAUTIFUL and the weather was perfect. Mark got us a 5 star condo to stay in, and wow we got treated like royalty! It was so much fun getting to sped time together. These past two years have been the best years of my life. I can't imagine my life without Mark. The Lord has blessed us with so much in these past two years. We know that His hand has been in our marriage since day one. How grateful we are to be sealed in the temple and to know that our marriage is forever.

Day Off

2009-07-29T21:03:00.000-07:00

After going down the Snake River

Moving Right Along

See ya!

BEAUTIFUL Idaho. This is the river we went down.

I knew I bought this car for a reason! The XTERRA lives for this kind of stuff!

Mark and I actually had a day off together. This NEVER happens. We usually work opposite days so it was so nice to be able to spend time together. Today Mark and I went Canoeing down the Snake River. We started at Warm Slough and ended up at Beaver Dick Park. We had such a blast. It was so peaceful out there, just us and nature. It took about 4 hours to get to the bottom. Here are some pictures of our fun filled day together.

Independence Day

2009-07-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

4th of July

Cute Couple on 4th of July!

After Setting all the Fireworks Off

One Firework Going Off

Ashley lighting a firework (look how nervous)

Mark lighting off fireworks (Professional...all relaxed)

Some of the fireworks we had

First we want to say thank you to all those who have served and continue to serve our country to keep us free and safe. How grateful we are to live here in the United States on American soil, were we are able to make our own decisions as we strive to live the American Dream. We are grateful for our Founding Fathers who wrote the beautiful constitution. We are grateful for the rights we have as an American citizen. We love this country and are grateful to know the Lord has blessed us with this nation.

Mark and I had a such a fun 4th of July. This year we did something a little different. Instead of going to a firework show we decided to do our own firework show. I have never set of fireworks before so I was a little nervous about it. We had a blast! Although I missed watching a firework show, we will continue this tradition of setting off fireworks for years and years to come.

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July. I hope that we can continue to remember those serving to keep the freedoms we know have. I hope we can continue to live the American Dream. God Bless America!

Memorial Day Fun

2009-05-30T14:45:00.001-07:00

Well I know that this is late again but this week has just been super crazy but I still wanted to post about our day together. Mark and I have not been able to spend the day together in so long. I work Mon- Thursday. I usually get caught up on house stuff on Fri and Sat while Mark is at work those days. Since there was no school on Monday we decided to go golfing. Mark had never been before and we had a BLAST! Here are a few pictures for you to see. We are looking forward to the end of summer and early fall. It will be the first time since we have been dating or married that both of us will not be in school so there will be many more days ahead filled with fun like this one was.

This is for you MOM! I LOVE YOU!

2009-05-14T23:37:00.000-07:00

I know that this is a little late. But I want my mom to know that she truly is the best mom in the whole world. I love her with all I know how to love. Below just a few reasons I love my mom (in no particular order)

1) Taught me to Love my Savior Jesus Christ

2) Taught me correct principles of the gospel

3) There has never been a day I have talked to my mom without her telling me she loves me

4) Showed me how a marriage works

5) Taught me how to make it on my own

6) NEVER EVER Missed ANYTHING that was of importance to me. (I still can't figure out how she did that with all her kids)

7) Never gave up on me

8) Woke me up in the morning, and that is a task all by itself (Ask Mark who has to do in now)

9) Made the decision to be a stay at home mom to raise a family

10) Taught me the importance of temples and a Temple Marriage

11) Bore her testimony to me many times, even when I didn't know it

12) Taught me how to be self-relient

13) Told me that "this to shall pass"

14) Was there when I had heart-ache (and that was many times)

15) Took care of me when I was sick

16) Always got us first week outfits for school even though she hadn't had new clothes for years

17) Would stay up all night to wash my soccer clothes, finish school projects, sew my choir outfit,

and much more as I went to bed

18) She is the coolest grandma around and can't wait for my kids to get to play with her

19) Still Cries when we leave her house after we come to visit

20) Gave me rules to follow as a teen so I wouldn't be in situations to be tempted to make

mistakes

21) Taught me to be the better person

22) Told me that I was beautiful

23) Gave me confidence in many different areas

24) Can't tell a lie without her nose flaring

25) Taught me how to keep a clean house

26) When I told my mom I needed help decorating my new house, she was here the next day

27) let me make my own choices, even if she knew that I would have to learn from it

28) Was friends with my friends

29) Can call her up and talk to her about ANYTHING at ANYTIME

30) Showed me how to open my heart

31) Encouraged me to go to school to get educated to prepare for my future as a wife, mother, and if needed a career

32) Still wants me to call her when I travel so she knows that I am home safe

33) Never ler me date until I was 16 (Ask Mark why I turned him down in high school)

34) She will flash the "west side" to us

35) Always put her children first, even though sometime we didn't know she did with out

36) Taught us to NEVER give up

37) Taught us the importance of family

38) Taught us to love chocolate

39) Taught me that I am a daughter of God

40) Still reminds me when I need to put on a jacket

41) Always seems to know when I am having a down day and all I need is a phone call

42) Has always cheered me along through life, and I am sure through the next life

43) Stood beside me as I went throught the temple for the first time

44) Reminds me "Have you prayed about that"

45) Could here her yell "Wheels Zeebz, " through the crowd" when I just needed to run a little faster

46) Was always there before I left for school and was there when I got home from school

47) Prepared me to be the women that I needed to be to get the man of my dreams

48) Is ALWAYS there for me

49) She raised me, and I was enought to take, and 3 other GIRLS

50)SHE IS AMAZING BEAUTIFUL, FUN, SILLY, GENEROUS, SELFLESS, AND SO SO SO MUCH MORE!

I could continue to go on and on about my mom. She is one of me best friends. Without my mom I would not be the person that I am today. Thanks mom for teaching me and showing me by example how to love my life. I will NEVER be able to thank you for what you have done for me. You will ALWAYS be my mom! I hope that I will be half the mom that you were!
THANKS MOM FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO!

Getting Moved In

2009-05-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

Mark got his Flat Screen TV

Dinning Area

1/2 bath

Front Room with Blinds

Office

Guest Bed

Guest Bath

Laundry Room( I am so spoiled now)

Walk in Closet (don't mind the mess)

Master Bath

Master Bedroom

Front Room

Kitchen

Front

Well Life has been so busy but so fun for Mark and I. We are finally in our house and we just love it. It is so nice coming home and knowing it really is our home. We are still working on getting everything decorated and stuff. There is always something to do. We just got our blinds in and we spent all day hanging them. We have them for almost the whole house. We still have to get them for our office and our guest bedroom, but it's getting there. We hope that you guys are doing great! If you are ever in Rexburg and need a place to sleep stop on in, we would LOVE to see you.

Our Home

2009-03-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

This is our 1/2 bath downstairs

This is where our dinning room table will go

Our kitchen and part of our front room

Our Front Room

Upstairs hallway facing 2 of our bedrooms

Hallway facing our master bedroom

Upstairs bathroom

Laundry Room

Our HUGE walk in closet

Our Master bath that connects to our closet

Our Master Bedroom

Our Staircase

Our Kitchen

2 Car Garage

Well it is almost official, we are almost home owners! The loan has officially gone through and all we have to do now is close. We are closing April 6th so we are super excited about that. Here are some pictures of it. It is a 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath with an attached 2 car garage and almost 1400 square feet. I sm not going to know what to do with all the extra space.

Mark and I decided that we are going to be living here in Rexburg for the next 3 years so it is such a good idea for us to invest. Itis such a great time to buy and we are super excited and blessed to be able to be in a situation to do so. We love you guys!

Date Night!

2009-02-06T15:28:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was a blast! Mark's twin brother came up and I we set him up on a date with my best friend from college, who by the way is practically my sister. We went on a big group date. We began my making home made pizza, then off to ice skating, and to end the night back home for some hot chocolate. I love it when Mark and I are able to be with our friends.

We love Rexburg so much....in fact we will be living here for the next 3 years. I know what many are thinking, "How can you handle Rexburg for that much longer." The truth is, although I don't want to raise my family here, we have fallen in love with Rexburg, most days.

We put in an offer on a town home here in Rexburg. We are just waiting for the financing to go through. We want to be moved in by the end of the month. We are SOOOOO excited. We know it is the right thing to do for our family. There will be more details to come!!!

Sorry it is fuzzy I could only find a small picture on line. I will take some real ones and post it on the next blog!

We love you all and think about you often

Thanksgiving, Christmas, New years and so much more!

2009-01-02T12:49:00.000-08:00

Well like most of you I have had NO time to blog. Life has been so crazy. There is so much to talk about and I don't know where to begin.

I started my new job at the dental office and I love it. I am trying to learn as much as I can so when Mark opens his own practice I can be the office manager and it will save us so much money. I deal a lot with insurance companies. I am learning the ins and outs of it. It is actually nice to see how insurance companies really work. This has helped us out a lot in our daily lives. Mark is still working at Broulims, the local grocery store, while going to school full time, and serving in the Elders Quorum presidency. He is amazing. He is working 30+ hours a week while going to school. We both have full benefits for insurance now so that is some wonderful news! I feel so much better knowing that we have insurance.

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. Mark and I went down to Utah and spent it with my side of the family. We had so much fun. Many of my aunts and uncles came to my parent's house along with both sets of grandparents. While we were there we went and looked at Christmas lights. It was a ton of fun.

Mom and the girls for Thanksgiving
The whole family (before marriages)
Dad and the Girls
The whole family (after marriage)
Christmas Lights

Christmas was also a lot of fun. We spent it the Watts side of the family and we had a blast. This was my first Christmas away from my family but it was awesome. It was so good to be able to spend time with family. We love them and miss not being able to see them.

Just playing around!
Mark going through his stockingEating out with Mark's side of the family

For New Years we had a party at our house. Some of our friends came over and we played games and ate a ton of food. It was a lot of fun to celebrate the new year with some of our closest friends.

hanging with friends
All of us on New Years, except for Katie my sister who took the picture

Mark and I are doing great. Mark is getting ready to start a new year of school and I will continue to work. We are excited to see what this year will bring us. We have set goals for this year and can't wait to see what is to come. We will keep you posted with the new events that life is about to bring us! I hope everyone will take the time to realize how lucky we are to be living at such a great time. This is an exciting time to live. We love you all!

"Got no check books, got no banks. Still I'd like to express my thanks - I got the sun in the mornin' and the moon at night."

2008-11-25T11:06:00.000-08:00

Mark and I are so excited for Thanksgiving this year in Logan, Utah. I have been doing so much thinking this past week about our many blessings. The Lord has blessed our lives in every aspect. On Sunday Mark and I went to a "Building an Eternal Marriage class." Our Bishop is the one who teaches this class. This week there is no school for BYUI students because of the break. He posed the question, how is life going to get easier this week? As many couples were answering, a common theme arose. Many people said that the stress would be so much less once school is over. Others argued that having a full time job is even more stressful. As the discussion continued I couldn't help but think about the saying "The grass is always greener on the other side." I expressed to the class that the grass might be greener on the other side but we have no idea what is to come. The trick is to thank the Lord everyday for what we have now. Although we don't have money we have time.

I got this e mail the other day about a wealthy father who took his son on a trip to show him how poor people live. When the father asked him what he learned this was his reply.

'I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.'
The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, 'Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are. I think this is a lesson that we can all learn.

Mark and I read Elder Bednar's talk "Pray Always" In that talk he challenges us to say a prayer of thanks and ask for no blessings. This prayer was amazing. It was one of those times in life that I just felt so close to the Lord for all that He does. There is so much to be grateful for. I know that I go through my day and often forget that everything in my life happens because the Lord's hand is in it. Mark and I are grateful for all that we have.

Today was my last day of student teaching. I was working with the preschool kids and I just had to post these pictures. They are so cute and I will miss them so much.

Working lady!

2008-11-13T17:22:00.000-08:00

Mark and I have been so busy these past few months. We have been going about a million different directions. I have been student teaching for the past four months and I can't wait to be done. I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do for a job. Since most public schools start in the fall I had no idea what I was going to do for a job. I have been stressing, I know no surprise right. Mark, being off track, has been working 15 hours a day because I don't get paid for student teaching (HE REALLY IS THE BEST HUSBAND EVER) I knew that I needed to get a job before Christmas because he goes back to school full time again in January. Knowing that I would not be able to get a teaching job right away, I began thinking. Mark and I quickly brainstormed that I should try and get a job in a dental office. For those of you who don't know, Mark is going into dentistry. We figured that I can learn the office side of the business so when he is done with school, someone would know how to work the office side of the business. Well after TWO interviews, I found out that I got a job today! I am now a dental office assistant and I start on December 1st. I am so excited to be able to learn the business. Although I will not be using my degree at the moment, it is going to be PERFECT for us. We are both so excited. We know that our Heavenly Father has a huge part in our lives. We recognize the Lords Tender mercies and are grateful to know that His hands have played a huge role in this job. We love Him and know that everything will continue to work out.

Our Home

2008-11-07T11:18:00.000-08:00

This is our bedroom. Yes it is a full size bed but we are getting a queen one very soon as a graduation present.

This is our living room

Part of our kitchen

Although Mark and I want to move out of Rexburg ASAP, we love where we are living. We know that this is where we are supposed to be so we make the best out of everyday. Believe it or not, I have decorated my house. This is something that I thought that I would never be able to do. I have become Mrs. Suzy homemaker. Don't ask me where that came from. :) Anyways, I thought that I would post some pictures of our house for all to see!

Carving Pumpkins

2008-11-02T16:53:00.000-08:00

Well I am starting to get better at this blogging thing for sure! It has taken some time but I think that I am starting to get it! Mark and I have been keeping so busy but we took some time to carve some pumpkins for Halloween. We had a BLAST! Not only did we carve pumpkins….we made caramel apples! YUM YUM! Don’t be jealous of our pumpkin carving because we pretty much are professionals!

1 Year Anniversary

2008-10-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

Mark and I have been married for over a year now! Where does the time go? We decided to go to California for our anniversary and had a wonderful time. We were able to eat our wedding cake and it still tasted wonderful!

2008-10-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

This is just a few graduation pictures that were
on my announcement

These were taken at the very end of graduation

2008-10-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

This past week Mark and I had the opportunity to go down to Utah to go on vacation and see family. Mark's mom had a birthday and his sister came up from California. We had a blast taking a break from work and school!

In Front of the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple

Just Enjoying life

Hot faces!

The beautiful waterfall we saw in Provo Canyon

Mark getting off the ride in Park City