Mt. Timpanogos Temple

Sometimes Matthew and I decide we want to go on a drive. And by sometimes I mean at least once a week. Our only problem is that sometimes we don't know where to go. So, last week, Matthew just got on the interstate headed south. And he drove to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. I haven't seen this temple since Matthew and I were dating. Well, up close anyway.

Mt. Timpanogos Temple is kind of similar to the Bountiful Temple (which is one of my absolute faves). It's so beautiful. Matthew was so good to sit in the heated car with the kids while I got out in the cold cold weather to take the pictures that I wanted! And, he's pretty great also because he got off the interstate to go home once he told me where he was planning on taking us so that I could get my camera. What a guy, huh?

Have You Heard?

*click the logo for the link!*

If you haven't heard of this, you should pretty much check it out. I know I have a blog which, let's face it, is kind of a public journal. But, I don't post absolutely everything. I hold in the things that are more sacred to me. I have absolutely loved having this account for whenever inspiration hits me. And it's so much easier to just type it out instead of writing everything down. And, when I'm finished, I can get a bound, personalized copy of my journal. I'm obsessed with it!

Baby, It Snowed Outside

For a few days we heard about the Big Blizzard of 2010, and everyone saying that once the blizzard hit to stay home. People asked to leave from work early to avoid driving in the blizzard. All sorts of precautions took place.

And for what??

High winds and a regular snow fall. We haven't gone out to play in it yet because the kids don't have snow boots. But once they do, it's a party. Lily likes to step in every hill of snow she can!

Don't get me wrong, I am happy that we didn't have a blizzard and everyone is safe. I just feel bad for weather people sometimes.

P.S. The snow is beautiful!! Sure gets me even more in the Christmas Spirit!!

Giving My Thanks

Here I am, only an hour before Thanksgiving is over, finally taking the time to vocalize (or type) the things that I'm thankful for. The Townsends have a tradition out here. They all go around - youngest to oldest- and say three things that they are thankful for, one by one. In the past, I have found it a little corny, and a little embarrassing to have the spotlight on me, even if for 5 seconds. I know, everyone in my family is probably laughing at that last sentence, but it's true! So, this year, I decided that I would prepare in advance and really ponder on three things that I'm extremely thankful for. As I was thinking about my list, I started thinking about why - even though I wasn't going to have a whole speech prepared to give out at Thanksgiving din din. Well, as my luck would have it, this year we did not do the tradition due to the fact that everyone thought it was cheesy. Not wanting my awesome - yet pretty self explanatory list - to go to waste, I decided to post these three things.

I am thankful for Matthew.

He is my eternal companion and my best friend. Even though there are hard times, even though there are times that I don't understand what he's thinking. He is my husband. I look to him. I stand by him. I love him. He balances me out. When I get too stressed, he puts things into perspective for me to be happier. He makes me laugh everyday and I make him laugh. Matthew is my partner in life. He has given me so many things and I'm so blessed to have him.

I am thankful for my children.

William and Lily. Oh, those two are a pair. And I can't imagine life without them. They have given my life the most meaning I have ever known. Because of them, I have purpose. The greatest purpose. What a blessing to have them. To be entrusted to care for them. To share the gospel with them. And to learn from them. What faithful beings they are! Heavenly Father sure knew what He was doing when He gave them to me. I think I've needed them more than they need me.

I am thankful for the Gospel - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I'm grateful that my mom had such a strong testimony of the church and was an example to my
dad. I'm grateful that my dad had an open heart and accepted the gospel with open arms. I'm grateful that they taught me according to what they knew to be right. So that I can have all the blessings that they can and do have. I'm so happy this Gospel is full. It is complete. And that through this church and through Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I can also be complete. Forever. I can have my family forever. All of them.

A little predictable, but true, nonetheless.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a great one - kind of crazy and full (in more areas than one), but great. We were excited to see Jeremy and Monica and their awesome chicas! Everyone in Tennessee know that all four of the Townsends missed you. See you in a few weeks!

Presley Lovin'

Have I mentioned our new niece/cousin?

Presley? Yeah, we love her.

Annual Christmas Ornaments 2010

We like to get a new ornament a person every year. And boy was is needed this year with our great Christmas tree - that according to William no one can top. We always have fun going to walmart or target to scout out the pickins. This year, we settled on target. And I'm glad we did because I think we got some good ones.

And here are the little munchkins in front of the tree the night we put it up!! We'll take more soon!

Funny Face

I know that Lily looks a little Silly. But I couldn't resist putting this picture up because it melted my heart when I first saw it. She's adorable. And makes me smile on a daily basis.