November 29, 2012

Day 29.... Today I am thankful for the rewards that come with hard work. Courtney was moved to the BLUE team at swim! She is really excited for the new challenges that lie ahead. She will now be swimming 5 days a week... from 4-6 pm. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday she will do 30 minutes of "dry land" workouts which includes running, etc and then 1 1/2 hours of swimming... Tuesday and Thursday will be a solid 2 hours of swimming. Incredible. I can feel my grocery bill increasing by a third already! Go Court! Swim fast little fish!

November 28, 2012

Day 28... Today I am thankful for the Young Women's Program.

 

When we got home late Monday night this is what we found on our front door. We didn't read them or take pictures until Tuesday morning ... but Courtney was so excited to get up on Tuesday to check them out!!!! She took them off the front door and put them on her bedroom door. I am pretty sure they will be there a year from now. I am so grateful for the Young Women leaders and girls of our ward for welcoming Courtney and making her feel so special!

 Wednesday night was her first night attending Young Women's. It was sureal watching her and McKenna head out the door together! They did a "service" activity... cleaning the nursery toys. Ewwwww. She said it was the grossest, slimiest, nastiest, stinkiest, most disgusting.... and wonderful night EVER! Doesn't she already look so much more grown up?

I am so grateful for the inspired Young Women's program and for the ability it has to shape and define the lives of our daughters. Over the years we have watched McKenna grow in her understanding of who she is, why she is here, and how her obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will bring her true and lasting happiness. I am so excited for Courtney as she begins her journey. I LOVE my Young Women!

November 27, 2012

Day 27... Today I am thankful for my bed. I am thankful I was able to sleep in today. I stayed up really late doing laundry and I needed it!!!

November 26, 2012

Day 26... Today I am thankful for the beautiful earth that our loving Heavenly Father created for us. I never cease to be amazed at the diversity of our country... and that we can be HERE at around 2:00 pm... and in our own beds when the sun goes down....

 

We decided to drive up the costal highway on our final day in California... and found this beautiful place to play in Huntington Beach...

 When the girls scared these birds it was like a horror movie! They were flying all the place... the girls are lucky I didn't get bird droppings on me! Payback would have been a nightmare!

 We bought Courtney these antlers at a 7-11 and she promised to wear them the rest of the day... and she did! It helped get us through security faster!

 We stopped for lunch in Newport Beach...

 I thought this sign was applicable to our lives...

To me, the "main thing" means keeping my life centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When I get distracted and start focusing on the things of the world... the "main thing" stops being the "main thing". The temple helps me keep my focus. My family helps keep me focused. Attending church and reading my scriptures keeps me focused. I am going to put this quote on my fridge!


We headed to the airport... stopping to return our rental car.... and then headed home. Just after getting through security we realized we still had the RENTAL CAR "KEY" in my purse! What did I tell you?!... dumb car! Dan ran out to where the shuttles pick you up and gave it to one of the rental car shuttle drivers. I called the rental place and told them what had happend and that the key was on it's way. Dan then had to go through security all over again!!!! But... he made it and we were able to call and confirm that they had received the key as we were boarding our plane! Yikes! I guess Satan was trying extra hard on us this trip. He didn't want us to attend the temple and baptize the 25 family members we have diligently sought out with family history work on Saturday... and wanted to cause contention and stress... so maybe we wouldn't keep the "Main Thing" the "Main Thing." Too bad! We are going to go do initatories tomorrow night while the girls are at Young Womens.

It was a wonderful trip. A wonderful promise kept to our beautiful 12 year old daughter. The first time that all 4 of us have been in the temple TOGETHER! Four days of bliss in the sunshine making memories as a family. A great way to show Dan's mom how much we love her... and a way to help ease the pain she is feeling this holiday season. I LOVE my family.

November 25, 2012

Day 25... Today I am thankful we can attend church where ever we travel... This was one of the most unique LDS chapels we have been to. It was an amazing service and we were able to witness 2 adult converts (not related) be confirmed members of the church. We were also able to hear another convert bear his testimony. It was a testimony building experience for all of us.

 After church we headed back to our hotel to change and then headed to Old Town. First we went to lunch...

 And then we headed to the Mormon Battalion Historical Site... Courtney was asked to help during the "program"...

 And after walking around for a while we headed to Coronado Island and the beach...

 Me and my man...

 I am thankful for him each and every day....

 The Floyd Family....

 Denice had so much fun looking for shells to use in her bedroom. She just redecorated with a beach theme...

 My girls....

 And this is after they promised not to get their clothes wet.... nothing will dry in humidity!!!!

 Before heading back to the hotel for the night we headed back to the temple to see the Christmas lights. Unfortunately they don't turn on the lights until December 1st. But wow.... it was still spectacular even without the Christmas lights...

 This picture made us think of two different things... first, "Stop. And go to the temple!" and second... "We can be in the world and not of the world"...

It was a wonderful day and we are so thankful to spend it together in such a beautiful place.

November 24, 2012

Our morning started early, as we had a 7 am appointment at the temple. We gave Courtney a new scripture bag and a few other Young Women items and McKenna gave her a new outfit to wear to the temple. She wore the shirt and scarf my parents gave her on Thursday...

 We arrived early so Dan could do her interview with  her before we went in. She had to BE 12 before he could do the interview and complete her recommend. It was really foggy when we arrived.

 But look at the sunshine now! Gotta love Southern California sunshine!!!!!

 We had an amazing time in the temple and were able to complete 18 male family names and 7 female family names... and they let us take Courtney down to the cafeteria for breakfast. This temple is absolutely beautiful inside and out...

 Just for the record... we will NEVER own a car that doesn't require the key in the ignition. My parents and one friend have cars like this and love them. We aren't used to it... and it was a NIGHTMARE for us. When we came out we realized that I had the "key" in my bag and that the car had been idiling for 3 HOURS! Dan had locked it before he shut the door... bad idea. ONLY at the temple could this happen and your car would still be sitting there upon your return. Unbelievable!

 After heading back to the hotel and changing we headed to SeaWorld for the day....

 My little penguins...

 Courtney's birthday dinner....

 Luckily we were able to get her some fabulous birthday cake! We didn't have any candles, but she was just happy to get some chocolate cake!!!!

We didn't take a ton of pictures because we have been here several times... but one memory I want to be sure to record, is the final show of the night. Shamu's Christmas show was incredible. What really astounded us was that it was SPIRITUAL. Not what we expected. They had the entire audience stand and sing "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him"... it was amazing. What a wonderful way to end the day and to start the Holiday Seaason.

November 24, 2012

Day 24... Today I am thankful for Courtney. She was born 12 years ago today... and has been making our lives fun, joyful, and spontaneous ever since. I wanted to put some of my favorite pictures of her on here to show a glimpse of who Courtney is...

 I guess she wanted to go to Hawaii with us... and she actually fit in the suitcase!!!!

 My little Jamaican with curl formers in her hair....

 Hilarious... this was at Cabelas...

I love that she isn't afraid to be silly. I love that she is confident and fearless. I love that she is girly... but is the first one to get dirty too. I love my Courtney more than she will ever know! Happy Birthday Torte. I can't wait to see who you become. I love you.