Yep, that was ME

As a teenager, I was a girl that I can't imagine myself being. I partied. I didn't dress modestly at all. I decided it was important to have two tattoos. I never went to church. I never read my scriptures. I never prayed. I was as far away from God as a person could be. I was going nowhere pretty fast!! I didn't think of God as having much of an affect in my life. I never cared for what people said was good for me.

At the age of 18, I met a person that FOREVER changed my life. I was completely head over heels for this guy. That is until he asked me to go to church with him. (It's ok now, he is my hubby!!!) I was introduced to something that I pushed away for SOOOO long.

I went to church. Not just any church, but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was thinking, "What is this place?" Truth be told, I never heard of it before. I was thinking of how scared I would be walking into such a place. Of course we were late!! So as we walked in, everyone turned to see who this person was. I sat through sacrament petrified of what people would say and what they would think of "the new girl".

After sacrament, i wanted to leave! But I'm glad I didn't. The people were incredibly kind. They treated me like they have known me for years!! I was feeling better!!

As we left and went back home, I was asked to meet with the missionaries. And to my suprise, I said sure! I was intrigued. I wanted to know more.

I met with the missionaries and they asked me to read the Book of Mormon. I said, "The book of what??" I was in awe that there was something out there besides the Bible that was considered scripture. So I accepted. I took that book. I tried reading it. I felt the Spirit. That was it for me!! I was baptized after two months of discussions with the missionaries. I remember thinking, "I found it!!" It was what I needed in my life. I felt complete!! August 12, 2000 was the day that changed my life forever. And my hubby Adam was the man that had the courage to share it with me.

I've learned through reading my scriptures that ALL of the things I did as a teenager could be wiped away if, and only if, I repented and asked for forgiveness. I have done that. I feel better than I ever did.

"Behold, He sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you." - Alma 5:33

Thanks for reading my story. I know it's personal but I remember thinking when I joined the church that I shouldn't be there because I wasn't perfect. I'm sure there are others who feel that way too. Don't be discouraged. We all have made mistakes. It's how we handle what we do after that makes the biggest difference!!!!!!!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Pumpkin Pickin' and Family

One and a half weeks ago, my family and I went to a wonderful place called Trax Farm here in western PA. It truly is my favorite thing to do with my family! I look forward to it every year!

Below is a picture of my boys with all of their cousins!!We had so much fun with them!! Especially the little twins! It was there first time here and they LOVED the pumpkins!!!!!!!

This second picture is a pic of my guys, waiting ever so patiently to go into this huge bounce house they had set up!! I was oh so very sick and was miserable the whole day, so they did a lot of waiting patiently!! I ended up finding out that I had strep throat!! I was so sad to be sick on my favorite day of the year! Oh well! There is always next year!

I have mentioned before that I am the only member of the church in my family and I am grateful for my knowledge of the gospel. I am blessed to have such a WONDERFUL family that loves and supports me! I hope one day that my testimony will help them to understand the gospel. I hope that we can all be a forever family!! That is my hope! For now, I am just happy to be with them and make as many memories as possible with them!!

If you have a chance, go here and learn more about the Book of Mormon and the church. Jocelyn is doing a wonderful Book of Mormon forum that I am in love with!

Decide this day....

My oldest son M will be turning 7 in about a month (tear) and a goal I have set for myself is to re-read the Book of Mormon before his birthday. I want to spend time over the year until he turns 8 having one-on-one time reading and studying the Book of Mormon. I know he is young but I want him to have a testimony, no matter how small, of the Book of Mormon. I don't want him to be baptized  just because I say so!!!!!!

As I was reading, I was struck by a couple of verses in Alma 5: 15-17. It reads:

"Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?

I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?

Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say -- Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth -- and that he will save you?"

I hope to stand before God and know that I did the very best that I could while I was in this mortal body. I know that He knows each one of us on a very personal level. He wants us to do our best. And even more, He wants to help us do our very best!! He is there to listen. He wants us to live by faith, knowing that He is there and that He cares. We need to listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost and follow it's promptings.

I have a lot to work on!! I know that the Savior lives and loves each one of us!! He will help us get through the tough times. Rely on Him!! He will help you!!!

For more info on the Book of Mormon, go to http://www.mormon.org/. 

Idlewild Park!

First off, let me apologize for the poor quality of the pictures!! I forgot my camera at home and had to buy a disposable. I was so bummed!! I just didn't want to miss any moments, bad pictures and all!!

For our anniversary, we decided to finally use the tickets we had for a super fun family park called Idlewild. It's a WONDERFUL family park. It was voted #1 Kids Park in the world!! (I think!! Either that or #1 family park!!) Any-who!! It is a great place!

The first pic is taken in a place called Storybook Forest. It has every nursey rhyme you can imagine as a walk through adventure. I don't remember the story behind the pumpkin but it was the boys favorite little house, so we had to take a picture!!

Here is little A trying to pull the sword from the stone!! He tried for a VERY long time and was extremely determined to pull the sword out!! He became a bit frustrated and then turned to M and said, "Your turn!!" I guess he wanted to see if M could do it!

 And here is M trying with all of his might to pull the sword out!! Little A is watching carefully, hoping his big bro can do it!! But M didn't have as much determination as Little A!! He quit in like two seconds and said, "I'm EXHAUSTED!" It was amusing!!

 Here is a pic of my wonderful hubby and the kiddos in front of the teapot house! My hubby is such a good sport!!

 And here I am with the boys throwing money in the well and making wishes!! M told me all of his wishes! I told him that your wishes are like secrets and you keep them to yourself. He then looked at me and shrugged his shoulders and asked, "What did you wish for Mom?" I guess he doesn't mind sharing his wishes!! He's a sweet guy! Little A didn't care about wishes! He just like throwing money in the hole!! Super funny!!

After Storybook Forest we went to the new wave pool they just put in this year. It was a blast!! I would have posted more pics, but it would take forever to scan them in!!

If you ever get the opportunity to visit PA and want a great place to go, check out http://www.idlewild.com/. There is so many wondeful things there! Besides all the rides there is miniature golf, a place called Racoon Lagoon for little kids to ride rides, a huge pool with a bunch of water slides, a place called Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, a circus, an old western looking town where you can sovenior shop and eat good grub and much much more!! It's a blast and I'm glad we got to go!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!!!

Happy 10 Year Anniversary!!!

Tomorrow, my hubby and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary!! I can't believe it's been 10 years!!

We had a crazy 10 years, as any couple probably does, but it's been amazing!

 I love this guy more than words can describe!! I love that we have eternity! I love that we married in the temple, even though it was hard for me. To not have my mom there with me was incredibly difficult. I am extremely grateful for the sacrifices we made to be sealed in the Washington D.C. temple!!

 I am excited for the next 50 years. To watch our children grow up and make their own lives and their own choices (gasp!!) will be entertaining to say the least!!

 This man is wonderful and I love him more than anything else!! I love his hugs, and his kisses (hehe) and am excited to see what the future beholds for us!!!

Love is a splendid thing and I will be forever grateful to this man for sharing the gospel with me and for sticking by my side when no one else could. I love you Adam!!! Happy 10 years!!!

Our (somewhat) Glorious Bounty!!

FINALLY after months of planning and hard-work and sweat, our gardens are producing!!! YEAH-O!! We have a family garden so this isn't even scratching the surface of what we have!! It's a tremendous blessing to be able to walk outside and have fresh produce to eat anytime you want!! And this is the first time we have grown corn and I have to say, it's DIVINE!!! My hubby is responsible for that!! He's an amazing grower!! I'm a tad bit jealous!!

I haven't been able to personally go to the garden because I tore a ligament in my ankle from climbing on a chair! GO ME!! I am quite clumsy and the older I get the more clumsy I am.

Any-who!! Have a beautiful day! All I can think about is how in about two months, I will have my HALLOWEEN decorations up!! HEHEHE!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Saddle up!

I guess it's time to buck up and get ready because I have an entire herd to reign in!!! (Wow, that was a whole lot of twang there!! At least in my head there was!!)

Yesterday I was officially called as the primary president in our branch. (Primary president is "in charge" of the children in my church . Check out www.lds.org). Woah. I always wondered what it would feel like if this ever happened. Once again I say....woah. I know most people probably feel the same way but there is no way to describe it. Scary, overwhelming(in a good way), exhausting (once again in a good way!), but fun!! I love the kiddos in our Primary. They are amazing. The knowledge they have and their love for the gospel overwhlems me!! I tear up pretty much every time they speak.
I love this gospel!! I especially love the children. 

Everyone wonders why there is so much excitement for me. I didn't grow up in the gospel. I joined when I was 18. I missed Primary and Young womens and jumped straight into Relief Society. Not that it's a bad thing, but I like experiencing it. Especially with my kiddos.

Anyone out there have any advice, PLEASE don't hesitate!! I am very open to any advice. I love all of you that follow this little ol' blog! You are all inspirational to me!!!!