Castles

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself."♥ -C.S. Lewis

My good friend, Majken, posted this on Facebook a while back and I fell in love with it. This was exactly what I needed to hear. I want to post this now so that maybe someone else who needs this can have it too. 

"Army Wife: It's not a status, it's a life long promise to him."

Living in a Hurricane

Dear World,

You know the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!"? Well, what do you do when life sticks you right in the middle of a hurricane?

I stopped writing around the time that Zach lost his job. We both hated every minute of him working for those Anti-Military, Communist, Con-men but it paid the bills. I guess, looking back, that was a blessing in disguise. I started working at Biomat about a week later but because I wouldn't get my first paycheck until AFTER the rent was due we almost lost the apartment. Can I just tell you, we have never prayed and fasted so hard in our lives.

His parents ended up lending us the rent money for December (SO GRATEFUL!) and we saved all our pennies for that month so we wouldn't have that problem again. It helped so much that over the break Biomat had me working full-time. That paid for rent in January and most the bills in December with some money left for savings.

Come January, school started and we both got our Pell Grant returns! Now we finally have money in savings and I'm not holding my breath for the next accident to happen anymore. It had been a couple months since we'd last been to the temple so we decided to take a trip to the Bountiful Temple. It is one of the most beautiful temples I've ever had the honor of entering. Definitely top 5 material! Neither of us had ever done Sealings before so that's what we did. What a magical experience. To be able to seal all those families together for Time and All Eternity was such a blessing to me. Then, we got to sit in the Celestial room for a while. 

Cool little fact:

One of the workers told me that there are only 3 chandeliers in the whole world like the one in the temple. One is at Bountiful Temple, the second is at Buckingham Palace, and the third is lost. 

I thought that the storm was over until I was on my way to work last Tuesday. I called Zach to talk while I drove (I know! Bad habit, but that's not the point of this story!) and suddenly out of nowhere he says, "Hey, they found me a school...uhh...it's from March 24th to April 20th...".

Worst.

News. 

Ever.

Why is that the worst news? 1: We were going to celebrate our anniversary on the way to Jason's wedding. He can't do either now. 2: That's essentially him deploying a month early. He will come home for two weeks then take off for Fort Bliss for the real deployment.

I was sobbing so hard I could barely see the road. I had to call in to work because there was no way I would be able to stay calm there. The donors like to bring up the deployment when they talk to me...not a good subject at that moment. 

I got three days in a row off last week which helped me so much to come to term with things.

I'm mostly better. I'm a lot more reserved now...I don't open up like I used to at work. I still smile when it's necessary...but it's not quite as forced as last week.

The times when I'm about to break I just take a deep breath and count my blessings. I remember the promise given to Zach in his Patriarchal Blessing. I remember the promises given to me in my Patriarchal Blessing. I think about my kids at church who need me to be strong. I think about the scriptures that tell us that the Lord wouldn't give us a challenge that we can't handle...and our trials are but small moments in time. When I'm about to break I let the gospel flow into my heart and fill the void that is starting to be created there. It's like a bandaid for all the new cuts. I love the gospel more than words can say. It can bring a peace to your soul that can't be found anywhere else on Earth. I love my parents for choosing to have us be born in the Gospel. I love my siblings for the never-ending examples that they are to me.

I'm going to make it through this deployment, not because I'm strong on my own. I'm going to make it through this deployment because the people in my life need me to be strong and, with their love-- I can be. I'm going to be strong mostly because Zach needs me to be strong for him and that's my plan.

I am so proud of the choice he made to deploy. Yes, it's the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with but, ya know what? If he hadn't volunteered, that wouldn't be my husband. He is always thinking of others first...he joined the military to be a soldier and he's the best one that I know. He doesn't realize just how proud he makes me, and listening to my rants you wouldn't be able to tell...but being an Army Wife makes me proud. It's hard, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my soldier and I love that he is so selfless and brave.

"Army Wife: It's not a status, it's a life long promise to him."

Blanket Numero Uno--Korbyn's Christmas blanket

Over Christmas break, work doubled my schedule so I didn't get a chance to work on the blankets. I was completely freaking out. I am so thankful for Tawna and my mom for their help with this blanket. Tawna let me come over to her house and she spent all day long helping me re-cut, sew, buy my missing pieces, and put together. She also taught me how to machine quilt which is really cute! I am so thankful for her sacrifice so that I could get Korbyn's blanket to him.

The top of the blanket

Machine quilting on the back.

"Army Wife: It's not a status, it's a life long promise to him."

All I Want for Christmas...

I've never been one to buy things for Christmas. Growing up, we drew names and bought for one sibling so that it was affordable. Then I married into a family who LOVES presents! It's taken me a year to get used to, but I think I have finally gotten my head around the whole present thing. So, this year, just so I won't have an excuse, I started tonight.

This year, I'm making blankets for all 9 nieces and nephews. If I could find my camera I would post pictures of the fabric because I'm really excited about them. Unfortunately, it cost me twice what I was wanting to pay and I was having a heart attack until I did the math and it's only $12/child. It just seemed like a lot to spend at once. I called Zach freaking out (as you should remember from the first paragraph, I don't do presents) and he had to remind me that it's an ok price.

Hopefully, I'll find my camera soon so everyone can see the before and afters! 

"Army Wife: It's not a status, it's a life long promise to him."

Blessed

I feel so blessed today.

This is the first day in weeks...maybe even months...that I have actually looked at the world around me. I have been so stressed with school and church and trying to find a job that I have completely ignored all the beautiful miracles that surround me every single day.

My eyes were opened today to all the things that I had been missing in my grief.

 Here are my little miracles and tender mercies that The Lord sent just for me today (most of them).

1. Today at school the parking lady gave me a pass without my car registration. NO MORE PARKING TICKETS! WOOHOO!

2. While I was talking to my friend I got to be outside for two hours enjoying the warmth while having my testimony strengthened by our conversation.

3. I got an 89% on my math test. Then my teacher told everyone to add 10 points so I ended up with a 99%

4. Driving home I didn't get mad at any of the driving-challenged drivers on the freeway.

5. I got greeted at the door by my puppy who was legitly excited to see me. 

6. Even though my sweet, sweet husband is sick, he was so selfless and went to work today so that he can provide for us.

7. I took Jax on a walk and discovered a new part of my complex I had never seen before. It was the most peaceful place I have been in so long.

8. While at my new favorite spot, I got to see the first two geese come back! I am so excited for the geese to be back home this winter. I have been waiting for them for 3 months.

9. I got to sit and listen to the fountain and waterfalls while Jax explored.

10. I got to feel the Lord's love around me all day long and thus, I have been happy all day long.

11. In my times of need, I have had the most loving and supporting family and friends anyone could ask for. They all know just what to say to make things better.

12. I got to eat lunch with my husband today...I even got a kiss (he's sick so he doesn't want me sick too)!!!

13. I got to watch a bird dive into the water for food twice. I have never seen that before. It was so incredible.

14. I am blessed with the knowledge that my Savior lives and loves me. I know that He knows our weaknesses, fears, pains, and sadness and that He will send angels and tender mercies when we least expect them so that our burdens may be lighter. I know that I was born in the last days when the church is fully restored, when we have a living prophet to lead and guide us every day. I know that He lead my husband to me to bless me every single day with his unending love.

This is just a short list of all the things I was blessed with, so far, today.

I have been so selfish the past few months and I need to start being selfless so that I can attempt to pay back the Lord for everything he helped me see today.

Today, my heart is full of gratitude to the Lord, my family, my friends, and especially Zach. I am so thankful to those who have put up with me all these years and helped to shape me into the woman I am today.

May we all see the miracles that surround us each day and thank God for trusting us enough to allow us to see them.

"Army Wife: It's not my status, it's my life long promise to him."

Happy Anniversary, Tawna & Erik!! AND Welcome baby Lennox!

Happy Anniversary to my sweet sister, Tawna, and her wonderful husband, Erik!! Thank you for everything you both have done for me over the years! I love you both so much!

Erik and Tawna 

Maddox

Phoenix

Phoenix with two of her favorite cousins: Kaden and Korbyn

This is one of my favorite pictures

Family photo

Erik and Maddox

(I'm sorry I only had pictures from the wedding of you two!)


I found out after I posted this that she had her baby. Lennox "Hot Tub" Byron Bruun. He is adorable!

"Army Wife: It's not my status, it's my life long promise to him."

Welcome, Great Pumpkin!!!

This is the long version but you can't see it very well.

This is the better version but I stopped mid-sentence because I forgot the pebbles...

Last year I was so sad because we didn't have enough money to decorate for any of the holidays so Zach promised that this year we would. As we were waiting for my prescription to be filled, we sauntered over to Michael's to see what kind of crafty things they had. I wanted to buy the whole store! Fortunately, I had Zach with me and he helped me limit myself.

We bought:

A black vase

Black leafs with purple glitter

Black leafs with silver glitter

Black and Orange-glitter twiggy things

Spiders

Spider candles

Little pebble things

A purple plate

Foam to stick everything in

And 

A Skeleton

If it sounds like it cost a lot, you would be absolutely correct. Was it worth it? H-E-double hockey sticks yes. The video is just of the centerpiece I made tonight. It took me two hours. You can't see it very well and it looks a lot better in person but that's the best I could do considering my camera is dead.

Zach bought a skeleton to hang on our door...that's where he is currently "hanging out" (that was funny. laugh.). He thinks it's naked so when I go back to buy the spiderweb table cloth he'll need to get something to jazz it up a bit. 

I know it's only September but I, seriously, cannot wait for Halloween! These next few months are my very favorite time of the year! Are any of you as excited as I am? What are you doing to get in the Halloween spirit?

"Army Wife: It's not just my status, it's my life long promise to him."