Monday, July 27, 2015

Alister: Three Years

Our baby boy turned three years old this month.  I guess that means he's not much of a baby anymore.  While reality can be hard to swallow at times, especially while thinking of all those first precious moments three years ago, the present and future hold so much excitement.  So many firsts have come and gone.  But so many more wait ahead.  Like his first school day, first broken bone, first dentist appointment (not really looking forward to that one) and his first crush.

Alister is our little sweet boy.  He is sensitive, kind and likes to make you laugh.  His smile is contagious and his eyes tell a story.  And his hair creates jealousy.  :)  We could not imagine life with out his warm, hearty laughs.  We are so proud of him and all of his accomplishments.  We love you, Bug.

He looks like Grandpa Briggs here. :)





Corbin: Eighteen Months

Corbin is our little red head and lives up to the old folklore of being a hothead.  While he may be opinionated, loud and stubborn, he is also sweet and full of love.  He will give me kisses and hugs and his "Hi" is one of the cutest things I've ever heard.  He's adventures with no fear.  I see many trips to the E.R. in our future.  Everyone says he looks like his dad.  :)  He and Adam are very similar, while Alister is a lot like me.  He melts hearts with his blue eyes and red curls (rarest combo among redheads).  While Corbin was not planned on, we couldn't imagine life any other way.  The Lord has a plan for us, and we learned long ago to listen and go by faith.  Why do you think we moved here? ;)

Corbin loves to climb, look at books, play outside, adores his brother and papa and is a big momma's boy.





The Temple: My Public Invitation

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, temples are very important to my life. My husband, Adam and I, were married inside the St. George Utah temple nearly six years ago. This allowed us to be sealed by the power of the priesthood enabling us to be husband and wife for all eternity. Doing this makes it so we can also be with our two boys for eternity. What a blessing and privilege to have such a beautiful gift from our Father in Heaven. Not only do we have these wonderful blessings in our life but we can and have continued to go to the temple. Going to the temple and praying is what brought us out to Indiana. And now, we have the privilege to see a new temple opening and being ready to dedicate next month.

Now, this is where my invite comes in. For many of you who are not members and have wondered what the inside of temple looks like, this is your chance. Before the temple is dedicated next month, there will be an open house where anyone, can go through the temple on a tour. Before I give you the information I ask that if there is any desire, any at all, to go to the open house, please do it. Find a way. We would love for you to come when we go. 

Our faith and religion is so important to us, we just want to share the joy we get from it with others. 

Alright, now for all of the information. 

Indianapolis Indiana Temple
        Open House 

Free public tours • All ages welcome

116th Street and Spring Mill Road
             Carmel, Indiana

Dates and Times
Friday, July 17-Saturday, August 8, 2015
Mondays, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
No tours on Sundays

Helpful Information 
• Activites include a short video and 45 minute walking tour
• Wheelchair accessible 
• Modest clothing is recommended



Now, I know it is short notice, but we will be going this Wednesday 29th! I'm So Excited! If you want to come and can, please tell me and we will work out arrangements!




Saturday, July 25, 2015

The Symbol of Eternity

The wedding ring. I love my wedding ring. Real or not. After being married a little over a year, Adam and I went to get my ring cleaned. While we were there, we were informed that my ring... Was a fake. I thought Adam was going to faint there in the store as he had spent a good penny on it. He, had been scammed. While the news was shocking to me, my thoughts and empathy were with Adam. The shock, fear, anger and nausea he must have felt were heart wrenching. But the fact that my ring wasn't real didn't seem to bother me all that much. Perhaps it should have but the fact is, I still loved that ring. I still do. The stones get cloudy quickly, it has some small scratches. But that ring will always be special. Adam took a lot of time, thought and care into finding me the 'perfect' ring. 

But it's not about the ring. It's about person who got it for you. The love that was put into finding it. I remember when he proposed. (How could I forget, we have it recorded). When he pulled out that ring and asked me to marry him and I said yes the first thing we did was kiss. The ring waited. I didn't really notice that until his mom pointed it out. Stating I knew what was really important. I love my ring because of what it symbolizes. My eternity with Adam.  

Friday, July 17, 2015

Not Seen but Never Forgotten

Recently, (and by recently, I mean like three days ago) I reconnected with an old friend. Doing so has made me realize how much I missed him and how he has always made me happy. While we have not regularly kept in contact for several years, we never forgot each other. Our friendship as happy and loving as before. A friendship like this is worth saving. Worth holding onto. Worth mending. It is worth the work. 

This has made me think about when we stop talking to Our Savoir. When we stop basking in His light and decide we can live this life alone. While you may wonder off and do your own thing, whether it be a few weeks, months or even several years, you never truly forget Him. And believe me, He has not forgotten you. 

When you decide to go back or maybe you already have, you will see that you missed Him. You missed His warmth that enters your soul. His peace that calms your mind. That happiness that comes from talking to Him and obeying His commandments. Your relationship with your Heavenly Father is worth saving. Worth holding onto. Worth mending. And it is most certainly worth the work. 

He was not seen, but He was never forgotten. 

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Lemons

They say that the closer you become to The Lord, the closer Satan becomes to you. He knows that your light is shining brighter and that you are influential to others. So Lucifer sneaks his way in to break you down. He whispers "You're not good enough. You will never live to your full potential. You can not make others happy. And The Lord does not care about you. He has no faith in you. So give up. You're worthless." 

Your loving Heavenly Father would never speak such words to your heart. He has charity, patience and forgiveness for you. He smiles down on you when you do what is right. And I am certain that His heart aches when you forget about Him. When you stop talking to Him. When you stop obeying His commandments. Just like our earthly parents, He wants us to speak to Him. He wants the best life for us. 

So, as you draw closer to The Lord, and Lucifer starts whispering in your ear and hands you those lemons, make lemonade. And share it with others. Be accountable. Be strong. Be patient. Be kind. Be an example. Mistakes will be made. Regrets will fade. Pain will heal. But always remember The Atonement. Utilize it. Seek out true and lasting happiness. Fight for it. And live your life fully and share the charity in your heart. 

Monday, July 6, 2015

Thoughts of Excitement and Humility

As I lay here wanting to sleep, my mind is racing at high speeds. I feel so full of gratitude and happiness for my life now and the potential my life can bring.

Tonight, the sister missionaries came over and we had to say good bye to one of the most genuine, kind, loving and faithful people I've met since living here. Her time has come to an end and she will be returning home this week. I love her so much and wish her the best. 

I feel ignited with passion. My goals are set high and my mind is focused on helping to better our life and myself. I want to share this wonderful opportunity called Mary Kay with everyone! 

My parents read my recent blogs and told me how proud they are of me. Always a wonderful thing to hear. 



My heart is full with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for leading us here where we can grow as a couple, as a family and as individuals. Where we've had the opportunity to help others, influence others and be missionaries. What a great and wonderful opportunity. 

I'm so grateful for a husband who loves me and believes in me. Letting me that I can when I don't believe in myself. Adam is my best friend. I can tell him anything without judgment being placed upon me. Without a scornful glance that contradicts his words or actions. A man who still melts my heart with sweet kisses and love for his boys. His testimony is genuine and swells the heart with the Spirit. And I am so proud of him. 

My boys are my pride and joy. I don't tend to brag about myself, but I have no problem bragging about my boys. All three of them. I'm a proud mother and wife. One who wants the world to know how wonderful they all are and how much good and joy they bring to others. 

And lastly, I feel humbled. I know some days I struggle with too much emotion. That its hard to get out of a funk. But tonight, I lay here humbled that The Lord has blessed me so richly. And I know that if I continue to do what is right, and strive to be even better, I will be blessed even more richly. And I thank my Heavenly Father for trusting and loving me to never give up on me. 


Wednesday, July 1, 2015

My Blood Runs Pink

Yesterday was the new fiscal year for Mary Kay. I wanted to start day off strong. It wasn't quite up to par, but I'm pleased with knowing I tried my best. But I don't want to talk about that today. I want to talk about why I joined and why I have stuck with it. 

I joined Mary Kay February 26, 2014. I wanted to help bring in a little money and hopefully build some self confidence. Because let's be real, most of us need to  some extent. When I first started, it was exciting, confusing and intimidating. I had entered a wonderland filled with positive women who wanted to see you succeed. I hadn't actually met any of these women though, they were a recording on my screen that I could pause and rewind. While that was motivating, I longed for someone to stand beside me and teach me. To guide me. To look at me and say "you CAN do this". Unfortunately, that moment never came for me. I was unaware, however, that a director should have done all those things from the beginning. I had waited for a phone call from some mysterious lady who would tell me about these so called "unit meetings" and other import details. That phone call never came. Eventually, I had forgotten that such a phone call should have come. It faded from a memory to a forgotten thought. 

At this point, the enthusiasm that burned within me, faded to a flicker. Confusion and intimidation ran wild creating chaos and fear in my heart and mind. All hope was lost and forgotten. 

I sold product here and there. Mainly to family, a.k.a my mom. Once in a while I would be on the Mary Kay Intouch website trying to navigate my way through while stumbling across stunning prizes and gifts. I couldn't quite figure out how to earn such lavish items. And those I did comprehend seemed so far from reach. 

When February 26, 2015 started to near, I thought to myself that I have to decide if I'm going to continue doing this, what seemed at the time, impossible journey. The decision was daunting. However, I felt abandoned and lost. I had read a little hear and there about team-building. The idea sent fear rushing through out my body. I had no idea what I was doing, no confidence, full of doubt and thoughts that I was not good. Why in the world would I ask someone to join my team? It was laughable. About a week before my year mark, I booked my first party. Let me repeat. My FIRST party. I was set for the beginning of March. I was so scared and excited! I had no idea what to do. So, I watched videos and YouTube. Well, the party came and I didn't completely fail!  I made a few small sales, which was liberating. But I made no bookings. Disappointment. 

Well, April rolled around and my Director, that mysterious woman who never called, added me to a discussion board. I posted about being lost and needing help. No responses. Well, on May 9th, I decided to post once more but in a different area in the discussion board. The next day at church, in Relief Society, we had a lesson on The Book of Mormon. The teacher had challenge cards to read the entire book in 30, 60 or 90 days. Well with two toddlers I went for the 90 day challenge. I made a commitment in my heart with my Heavenly Father that I would complete this challenge. Apparently, He believed me, because that night I got a response to my post! Then Monday came and I got another response. Someone who gave me four names of Directors in my area. One of these names stuck out, so I looked her up in the Mary Kay website and there was her number. My heart skipped a beat. I sent her a text. My head raced for the next couple of hours hoping and praying a response would come. 

While along dinner, a miracle happened. She texted me back. What?! I was literally jumping up and down, screaming and dancing in the kitchen like a teenage girl who just got a text from her crush. I was elated! I promptly texted her back after doing my jig in the kitchen. She invited me to come to her unit meeting held every Tuesday evening. Which could not come fast enough my friends! I was so excited! 

That first meeting I just soaked it all in while grinning. I probably looked like some creeper in the back. But these women didn't know just how much they meant to me already. They were my beacon in a raging storm of emotion and trial. That burning fire that faded out was reignited that night. A passion grows inside me at a rapid pace. I want to know all I can and be all I can be. I have dreams which I plan on making a reality. While my confidence may still struggle at times and some days seem dark and impossible, deep inside I know that with The Lord's help I can accomplish anything. Hey knows that I truly desire to help make a difference in people's lives and I know I can do that with Mary Kay. So watch me as I learn to fly because honey, I will soar.