Sunday, June 26, 2011

Life's Little Tests

At one point or another we all (unfortunately) face some sort of trial or adversity in our lives... As I was reading The Ensign the other day I came across this quote and absolutely loved it.

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges often come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding and compassion, which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain." - Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

I had never heard that before... but after reading it I absolutely believe it to be true. At the time we don't see or we don't understand what the Lord has in store for us. I hope that as I go through the different trials in my life I will always remember that ultimately everything it is for my growth and learning.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Happy First Day of Summer!

So apparently today is the official first day of summer and we are absolutely feeling it! Today it's suppose to be 108 and tomorrow it's suppose to be 113!! The thing is so far the heat hasn't been as miserable as we remembered it... I don't know if it's because we are getting more acclimated to the heat or if it's because the worst is yet to come but whatever the case may be we are ready for summer!

I haven't blogged in a while because nothing exciting has really happened to us... haha We have been spending a lot more time at the pool though! The water is finally at that perfect temperature where it cools you off when you get in but it's not so cold that you don't really want to be in at all. I love that we have a swimming pool to use and better yet every time we go no one is there (which really surprises me).

Austin is still working at an Anatomy TA. He really enjoys the teaching aspect of it more than the dissecting but I don't blame him. I don't think I would like dissecting either...

I am still plugging along at DownEast haha and in my spare time I am trying to get all caught up on my scrapbooking. Right now I am in the middle of scrapbooking our last family trip to Cancun! Looking at these pictures and remembering all the fun we had really gets me excited to go to Maui in less than a month!! And seeing as this summer is flying by Maui is gonna be here sooner that we think! Here are a couple of my favorite scrapbook pages so far...


And that is where we are right now :D Just enjoying life and enjoying the summer off!! I tell Austin all the time I am getting way to spoiled having him home for the summer... I am going to have major withdrawals when he goes back to school this fall :(

Thursday, June 9, 2011

A Texas Sized Graduation!

This past week I was able to go home and celebrate my sister's high school graduation! Although I was sad leaving Austin in Arizona it was so fun to go back home for a little bit and spend time with the fam. My grandparents were even able to come out for the big celebration! Most of the trip was spent helping my mom prepare for the graduation party which meant lots and lots of cupcakes haha I am by no means good at making or even decorating cupcakes but I wanted to help out my mom and come to find they turned out pretty great!
Making practice cupcakes
Friday night we worked on making graduation caps for the pudding cups. I found the idea on Pinterest and once my mom saw them she had to have them haha 
 Saturday morning Jessica and I spent 4 hours making and decorating cupcakes!! It was a lot of work but the effort paid off because they turned out so cute!! 
We made so many cupcakes that they took up most of the fridge and freezer!
 My dad made Lexi a graduation video of her growing up over the years. As I sat there watching the video I couldn't believe that it is now her turn to go off to college. I still remember my own high school graduation and the fun times I had at college. I hope she has the same great experience that I had :D
 Everyone in tears haha 
Saturday night was the graduation!! All of us girls posing before leaving :D 
 We headed down to Ft. Worth and had an early dinner at Cantina Laredo since Lexi's graduation was at six. 
 They had an amazing mexican brownie... amazingly fattening! haha 
 Digging in!!
 Yum!
My dad saw this sign as we were walking over to Lexi's graduation. It made me laugh so I had to take a picture haha apparently if you want to start a church in Texas you are going to need a hymn book and a revolver haha in that order :D 
Graduated!! 
The party turned out awesome!! It was definitely a team effort :D 
I also made the mistake of showing my mom some hydrangea cupcakes and she just had to have Jessica and  me make some. I think they were a success!
Lexi just being Lexi

After the graduation party Sunday the rest of the time was spent relaxing and just enjoying time with each other. It was such a fun trip and it gets me excited for our next trip out there in July!! Plus this time Austin will get to join in the fun ;D