Marcie Hunter

Chalk Festival

2009-06-25T13:45:00.005-07:00

We went to the chalk art festival in Salt Lake last Friday. We decided to ride Trax. Isaac loves trains and we thought it would be fun. Plus parking was a nightmare up at the Gateway.

Here we are on the train. Ethan was sitting next to me.

The awesome art!

Fathers Day Video from The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints

2009-06-24T09:03:00.002-07:00

Happy Anniversary, TJ

2009-04-16T09:10:00.004-07:00

Today is TJ and my anniversary. We have been married for 10 years! We have experienced many things together in these 10 years that we've been married (and 12 9 months together). We've had ups and downs, good times and bad. I am very grateful that all these experiences have been with him, he truly is my best friend. The things we've experience have just brought us closer.

Thank you for everything, TJ! I love you!

Terrible Fatal Accident

2009-03-03T10:24:00.003-07:00

This accident happened on Sunday morning near Payson, Utah. A baby was sitting on the lap of it's mother and was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene. This is such a sad thing to happen, but I think we can learn from the mistake these parents made.

It helps me remember why I insist on using car seats. I am a stubborn car seat user. I remember when I first had Audrey and people (my parents and grandparents mostly) complained about me strapping her in her car seat so tightly. My grandparents would say things like "We never put our kids in car seats and they are just fine". But I didn't budge. I know how important it is to use car seats, no matter what. Even if your baby is screaming, don't hold them while in a moving vehicle! A baby won't die from screaming in a car seat, but they could die if you get in an accident and they are on your lap.

Using a car seat isn't always enough though. For a car seat to be effective, it must be installed correctly. Car seats come with instruction manuals with all the information to install and use the car seat correctly. Here are some car seat safety tips:

Buy the right car seat for your child's size and age
Read the manual before installing the seat
Infants 0-12 months and smaller than 20lbs MUST be rear facing. Some safety experts recommend keeping babies rear facing till 35lbs. http://www.childrestraintsafety.com/rear-facing.html
Make sure the harness is buckled snugly around your child. Keep the straps over your child's shoulder. The harness should be adjusted so you can slip only one finger underneath the straps at your child's chest.
Place the chest clip at armpit level. I see a lot of babies with the chest clip down by their stomach.

Here are some car seat references:

Protect your most precious cargo and put your child in a car seat!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

2009-02-14T19:52:00.002-07:00

I can't believe Ethan is 6! It's just crazy to me how fast kids grow up. Ethan was born on Valentine's Day. He loves that his birthday is on Valentine's Day. After having Audrey 4 weeks early, at 39 weeks pregnant with Ethan I was ready to have him. However, he was not quite ready to come. At my 39 week check up I was dialated to a 4 and was 60% effaced. The dr told me to come back either Thursday or Friday (after I was over 39 weeks) and he would break my water. TJ had school on Thursdays at the time so I picked Friday. I didn't think about it being Valentine's Day. I went into the hospital around 10Am and the dr broke my water sometime in the afternoon. After getting the epidural my blood pressure went down and my oxygen levels were low. It started to bother me that I couldn't feel anything or move around so I had them turn the epidural down. When I had him at around 6:30PM I could feel the pressure of him coming out. He cried so much. I got to hold him for a long time before they took him to check him out. I remember he wouldn't open his eyes. He was 8lbs 10oz and 21in long. He was so chubby. It was so different from Audrey's 6lbs 2oz. He slept all night in the nursery and was up bright and early. He was the first baby up at around 5AM. Having not had him all night I woke up and went down to the nursery. The nurse had just given him his bath and gave him to me.

Ethan has always been such a ham. He likes to make people happy and adores his big sister. When he was a baby he would always rub my arm. He's always been a mama's boy. Ethan has also always been an early riser. He still gets up bright and early. He's usually up at 6:30 before anyone else.

I love having Ethan in our family. He's a great brother and cares a lot about others. Love you Ethan, Happy Birthday!

Baby Isaac is ONE!!

2009-01-05T20:57:00.003-07:00

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this little boy. There is a very unique bonding power that comes with feeling your baby emerge from your body, being the first person to touch them, and having the warmth of your body be the first thing they feel outside the warmth of your womb. It's not that I don't love my other kids, but I feel a unique bond with him.

He has the cutest personality. He is pretty much always happy, even when he is tired he finds it in him to smile. He is very curious and active. He can't stand to be contained. Out of all my kids, he has been my best sleeper, in fact he falls asleep much better in his playpen or crib by himself than he does with me holding him. He rolled, scooted, crawled, walked and got teeth sooner than my other two kids. He is such a joy and great blessing to our family. He continually entertains his brother and sister. They laugh at everything he does! When we go out in public he tries to get the attention of any one who will give it. I think he just assumes he should get all the attention since he gets all the attention at home.

I am so thankful for the beautiful experience of birthing him and for all the joy he brings to our family. I literally think about his birth every single day. Every moment of his birth brings me such delight and sweet serene memories. I can't wait to be able to experience another birth.

Here is Isaac's birthday invitation that I made. I drew the dinosaur and I also put the dinosaur on his cake and on a little shirt for him.

Couldn't wait to get his hands on the cake

Loved the cake!

going at it with a fork.

this is what was left of the cake.

His present from mom and dad.

Poor kid is all worn out!

He is such a fun kid and I look forward to experiencing many birthdays with this kid.

Reba and Kelly Concert

2009-01-02T13:06:00.005-07:00

On October 10th Audrey and I went to the Reba and Kelly Clarkson concert. Audrey LOVES Kelly Clarkson. I started listening to her after her 1st album came out after she won American Idle. I can't remember how old Audrey was, maybe 5. She loved all the songs and would sing them. It was really cute! We had a really fun time. Audrey loved the one on one time. About 20 minutes or so into the concert she asked when we could go home. Audrey is use to going to bed at 8:00PM, so the lateness of the concert was hard for her.

Audrey's favorite song is "Behind These Hazel Eyes". She was singing the whole time, it was cute!

Happy Birthday Audrey!

2008-12-29T13:55:00.002-07:00

WOW, I can't believe it's been 8 years since I had my first child. Audrey turned 8 years old on Saturday. I remember the day she was born. It was a total surprise that we would be having our baby girl that day. I was only 36 weeks pregnant, not due until January 23rd, 2001. Two days after Christmas was my 36 week appointment. Apparently, my body decides to dialate REALLY early. I was 5cm dialated and 80% effaced. Not feeling anything at all. The dr was surprised that I wasn't feeling anything. With more information about birth and pregnancy now, I realize that I could have remained at 5cm and 80% for some time without actually being in labor. Although, I was having some contractions, that I didn't feel until after I was lying in bed at the hospital, they weren't regular or very strong.

I had been trying to get pregnant for almost a year when I found out I was pregnant with Audrey. My pregnancy was a bit rough. I had pretty bad morning sickness and at 16 weeks thought I had a miscarrage. I woke up with wet undwear and pajamas in the middle of the night. It was dark, I went to the bathroom and when I sat down I saw that my underwear was wet with something dark, I turned the bathroom light on and it was covered in blood. It scared me so bad! I woke TJ up. I had to pee so I sat on the toilet. When I did, a large piece of bloody flesh came out and fell into the toilet. I thought it was my baby. TJ got it out of the toilet and put it into a container. I called my mom and we headed to the hospital. In the emergency room they told me to go up to labor and delivery since I was so far along. They said the thing that came out was a piece of my endometrium. They tried to find the baby's heart beat with the doppler. They couldn't find it. We were so worried. I was so mad at the nurse that was with us. She kept saying how hard this must be for us, that she was so sorry we had lost our baby. She was so negative, without any proof that we had actually lost our baby. They did an ultrasound and there she was just kicking away! It was so amazing to see the baby. Unfortunately we don't have pictures from that ultrasound, the printer didn't work. The dr figured that the placenta had moved and pulled off a piece of endometrium (the lining of the uterus) and it came out.

The day after Audrey was born.

The day we went home (not quite 24 hours since I had her). She was so tiny her clothes and the car seat were too big!

Funny way to sleep.

Audrey was born at 6:39 on Dec 27, 2000. I didn't have to push very long. I didn't get to hold her right away, I think it was because she was early. After they monitored and cleaned her up I got to hold her for a bit. She wasn't breathing very regularly so they wanted to get her down to the nursery. TJ video taped her in there, she was screaming almost the entire time. It makes me so sad to see the video now. I just want to hold her and let her know that everything was ok and that she was safe.

Audrey has chosen to be baptized a member of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints.

I am so happy with all the wonderful things Audrey is doing in her life. She loves school and is doing well at school. She is taking piano lessons and her piano teacher said she is lucky have Audrey as her piano student. Audrey loves to draw and is creating a comic book with her best friend Aiton. She is a fun older sister of two roudy brothers. Audrey loves horses and when she was 3 her Granddad Riley bought her a pony. Audrey has a tender heart and is kind and helpful to others. Audrey told me that she'd like to be a vet when she grows up because she loves animals so much.

I can't believe how fast 8 years has gone. The next 8 will probably go faster! Before I know it, she will be all grown up with a family of her own. She is amazing and I am so happy to have her in my life and to share my life and knowledge with her. Although, she has taught me so much in the short time she's been in my life. I am a better person for having her as a daughter. She has an amazing spirit and anyone who knows Audrey can feel of this special spirit she has.

Christmas Wish List

2008-12-09T08:54:00.002-07:00

Around this time of year, people ask what I want for Christmas. So I'm going to make it easy. I'm going to list some things I like and wouldn't mind receiving as a gift.
First, my rubber spatulas broke this year. Pretty much every last one of them. I love to cook and use these all the time! I would like a spoonula (term coined by Rachel Ray). Here's some really pretty green ones:By the way, I really like green. Now, these don't have to be green, they can be white. What makes these rubber spatulas special is that they are a scoop shape. Hence the term, spoonula. If you click on the image you can see them on Amazon.com

Bath and Body Works. You could go to this place and buy me pretty much anything and I'd love it. My favorite scents include:
Japanese Cherry Blossom
Sensual Amber
Midnight Pomegranate
Velvet Tuberose

I prefer body splashes and perfumes to lotions. I also like the body washes.

Recently I lost a bunch of weight and now I need new clothes. I'm pretty picky about clothes and I don't really know what size I am (or will be when I'm done with my round of HCG). If you want to help me out with getting new clothes it's probably best to get me a gift card. I love Kohls, but they are expensive and I can't get very much there. Target is a great place to shop for clothes. They are affordable and super cute and trendy. If you insist on getting me some article of clothing I am wearing a size 12 in pants (or medium-large in pajama pants, although I'd really like some cute nightgowns.) right now, but they are starting to get a bit big on me. Medium shirts are fitting well.

I love religion books. Anything by C.S. Lewis (I'd really like to read the Screwtape Letters, but don't have it). I'm mostly interested in books that talk about specific doctrines. I do have a small wish list at Amazon.com.

Or Deseret Book is a great place to shop for me as well. Here is a list of books I'd like:
Inspiring Experiences that Build Faith by President Thomas S. Monson *
Hearing the Voice of the Lord by Gerald N. Lund
Press On: Messages of Faith, Hope, and Charity by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
What's on the Other Side? by Brent L. Top*
A Constant Companion: Keeping the Spirit With You by Jack R. Christianson
Holding Fast by Robert Millet
Eloquent Witness by Hugh Nibley *
When You Can't do it Alone by Brent L. Top
Mormon Scientist: The Amazing Story of the Life and Faith of Henry Eyering (both DVD and book)
Building Forever: Making your marriage more fulfilling one day at a time. CD
He Hears You by Mary June Woodger

*I want the most.

Well, I hope that gives you a good idea of what I'd like for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Praying for Experiences to Build Faith

2008-12-03T13:35:00.003-07:00

This experience was recorded in my personal journal. I've updated the language to reflect the past tense of the experience.

In September of 2006 I was struggling with many things in my life. Because of the struggles I was having I wanted to have a more solid witness that the gospel was true and that God existed. I began praying for experiences that would help to increase my faith and strengthen my testimony. When I would pray for these things I felt that I should go to the temple. I also thought about my uncle Jim (who committed suicide in Aug of 2006). I decided to go to the temple with some sisters in my ward. We went early one Saturday morning. We dressed and went into the chapel. Usually there is someone playing the organ in there. When we came in there wasn't anyone playing. Shortly after we had sat down, a sister came in with a binder, sat at the organ and began to play. The song she began to play was "Lead Kindly Light", the song my sister and I sang at the funeral of my uncle. The experience of singing this song was a special spiritual witness to me. When I heard the song I began to cry a little bit as I felt the spirit testify to me that God had heard my prayers. I thought about how small of an experience it was and I started yearning for something more. The words of one of my favorite songs came to my mind "...I don't need a wondrous sign to know you are divine..." I realized that no matter how small it seemed, it was still a confirmation of God's existence and his love for me.

The next day when I walked into sacrament meeting the sister at the organ was in the middle of playing a song, she finished and began playing "Lead Kindly Light". Again I felt God letting me know he is there and that he knows of my prayer and my desires. He is listening.

On the way to my mother-in-laws home for family home evening "Lead Kindly Light" was on the radio. I again felt the spirit.

I know God is there. I know he loves me by the tender and caring way he leads me and takes care of me. He knows what I need and he knows the best way to give it to me. He does it in the most loving and gentle way.

Deserving of Personal Revelation

2008-12-02T09:14:00.003-07:00

I read a blog post this morning that made me think again about something I have been pondering for a long time. I believe we are all deserving of personal revelation. I have heard of people in the depths of sin who, for a moment, humble themselves before God and receive personal revelation. They did not have to become perfect before God spoke to them. Personal revelation comes in many forms. I believe God speaks our language and not just linguistically, but our language of receiving the spirit. I do not believe there is one way that God communicates. Many have said that emotions are the language of the spirit. Do all those who have not learned to communicate with emotion miss out on personal revelation? Would God really not speak to them? God knows us and knows the best way for us to receive his love and communication.

There have been times in my life I have felt emotionally and physically the promptings of the spirit. I have received personal revelation with my eyes and with my heart. God knew what I needed and would accept at that time that he gave me the revelation. It wasn't meant for anyone else, it was meant for me. Sometimes I forget how I felt, what I thought, the pure knowledge that was pouring into my mind, things I've read, and the many other ways I have received personal revelation. Writing these experiences in my journal has helped me to remember. By writing my experiences down I show God that I treasure the gifts of personal revelation I have received. I can go back and read those experiences and in some way experience them all over again.

I heard someone say once "we receive inspiration when we are in spirit". Inspiration means in spirit. I believe our spirit communicates to us. If we are disconnected from our spirit or have ignored so much of what it tries to communicate to us, we tune out or cannot receive the communication. In the blog post I read this morning, he says "Because I felt spiritually separated I turned my search into a purely intellectual pursuit." We cannot look for that which is spiritual only in intellectual things. We may receive pure knowledge flowing in to us as an answer to a question or as God gently teaches or leads us, but we cannot look for that which is spiritual only in intellectual things. Opening up all of our senses allows us to be ready for personal revelation. I believe that is one part of being humble. It is opening up ourselves, our whole selves, to receive. If we ignore or invalidate one part of ourselves we are less likely to be able to receive.

In school we wouldn't just take the tests and not do the homework. If we did we would missing out on the real learning and information. We wouldn't just do the homework, yet not attend the class. I believe we miss out on so much information if we are closed to one way or another of receiving information. There is truth everywhere. We just need to be open to it and be willing to receive.

Is being willing to receive saying "God I want to know, but only if you tell me by showing me an angel"? Now, I believe any one can receive answers or revelation through an angel. However, if we tell God that is the ONLY way we will receive the answer we are not really willing to receive. He may be totally willing to send us an angel in answer to our prayer, but if we are not humble (opening our whole selves up to receive) we are not really ready to receive the answer.

I have heard people talk about the greatness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He is great, I agree. He endured many things I probably could not have. Yet, we glorify him. He was just a man. He was not a God. The glory goes to God. It was his faith in God that allowed him to endure. We are human, just as the Prophet Joseph Smith. He receive many great revelations. Some personal, but most globally for the membership of the church. When he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ he was not asking what direction a group of people should take. He was asking for personal revelation. "What church should *I* join?", he asked. It wasn't revelation for his family he was seeking, it was for him. I believe God is willing to give us just as great and spectacular personal revelations as the Prophet Joseph Smith received.

I have great faith that I am worthy and deserving of personal revelation. I believe that if I allow God to give personal revelation to me and I open my whole self up to those revelations I can receive many great things. I am willing to receive in any way that he will give to me. Small and simple things are just as profound and life changing as the great and spectacular. I have an experience with personal revelation I will share in another post. This experience taught me that personal revelation doesn't need to be great and spectacular, that small and simple things are sometimes best and just as fabulous as receiving an angel or seeing the face of God.

Cupcake Maker

2008-11-26T09:55:00.002-07:00

In June a friend contacted me about making cupcakes for her daughter's 1st birthday. She had read on my blog how I liked to decorate cakes. I was so flattered that she would ask me.

She sent me this picture of the party supplies she had purchased for the birthday.
The birthday theme was Cupcakes.

I think they turned out pretty cute.

Freedom Festival Parade

2008-11-17T10:01:00.003-07:00

This was quite the interesting parade. My parents saved us a spot on the parade route. Before we arrived, the cops had been to visit the people who were sitting across the road from where my parents were sitting. I guess they were sitting over the line that you weren't allowed to cross and making a mess. The parade started and it was kind of entertaining to watch the people across the road.

Really good Star Wars costumes.

This balloon dog is creepy. As it walked the head would bob.

This is when it started getting interesting to watch the people across the road from us.

They made a HUGE mess of garbage that they didn't clean up when they left. They also made themselves some hoboesque signs.

"I loVE DeAth SuPPoRt THE WAR"

It's kinda hard to see, but in the stroller is a baby dressed up as a lobster in a big stock pot.

"This is Not FreeDoM"

"SHooT PeoPle NoT DoPE" "BITE IT YOU SCUM" with a "Y" sticker attached and "I 'heart' the 2nd amendment" with a hand drawn assult rifle.

I really like cute old cars. Probably my dad's fault.

Best Dressed Pooper-Scooper Ever! "We Solve Problems", sounds like a great motto for pooper-scoopers.

Ethan decided to stand on my brother's legs....ouch, looks like it hurts!
That us really creepy....pink bunny jumping unnaturally high.

Guess the cops got word of the hoodlum's signs.

I want to know what this kid did to be punished in such a public way.

Interesting concept, really bad execution of ideas. It looks like an alien is in that bed....
Yup, apparently the freedom to dream is given to aliens as well.

Ethan's got the right idea about comfort.

Isaac LOVES green Mountain Dew bottles.

Flowers and Love

2008-11-06T15:30:00.003-07:00

I went to make Christmas cards on Saturday at my Mother-in-law's house. When I came home the dishes were done, the house was clean and there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers sitting on the table. Hooray for a very sweet husband!

Cleveland Dinosaur Quarry

2008-11-04T13:35:00.002-07:00

The Cleveland Dinosaur Quarry has the largest concentration of dinosaur bones in the world. It's actually pretty remarkable how they found them all. Very interesting and a couple different theories on how they all got there. The kids really enjoyed it.

These cactus flowers were EVERYWHERE along the long dirt road out to the quarry. Very pretty.

CEU Museum

2008-10-30T08:55:00.003-07:00

Fossilized Dinosaur Embryo

Kids look so good, me not so much.

I look good, kids not so much.

So Many Things I've Forgotten

2008-10-29T13:42:00.002-07:00

I've really slacked on posting on my blog. I have done tons of things that I want to share with you.

This first post will be about When the kids and I went to 9 Mile Canyon, Cleveland Dino Museum, and the CEU Musem with my parents.

9 Mile Canyon has the largest collection of petroglyphs in the world! It was really cool to see.

The "campground" we stayed at was a little hokey.
Some of them were right by the road and we could walk right up to them.

There were some really great looking ones that were high on the top of a mountain. So I hiked up to get a closer look. This is what I found....
This was my view....
I am terrified of heights so this was a big accomplishment for me!

Cool arch or rainbow with the sun underneath is. I really liked this one.

More pics of our hokey camp ground. This is the host's home.....
(Two?) Can you say redneck?
Notice the floral print couches on the porch....

The playground....

The showers....I told my dad I wasn't going to shower in there....what if they had cameras and would put the movies on the internet. My dad said "Look around here, you think these people would know how to use a camera let alone post the video on the internet?" haha, I just didn't feel good about showering in there.

The sign says "Store...Bunk & Breakfast....Guided Tours....Camp Grounds....Dutch Oven Dinners" They had little cabins. Wonder where the store was....Such a mystery. My dad found this place on the internet. My mom said it sounded good on paper, but wasn't good in real life...

That is our vacation we took in June/July. It was fun. We missed TJ and wished he was with us.

This is hysterical!

2008-10-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

http://blissfullydomestic.com/blissful-lol/politics-lol/political-tango/

The Anti-Christ

2008-10-20T14:47:00.004-07:00

I almost laughed when this message came through my inbox the other day.

According to the Book of Revelations the anti-christ is: The anti-christ will be a man, in his 40s, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuassive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal.... the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, will destory everything. Is it OBAMA??

It has apparently been around since March of this year. Wonder how I managed to escape it this long?

Two things that made me go "Huh?" (then almost burst into laughter) were:
1. I've read the book of Revelation a couple times. It is one of my favorite books of scripture. Mostly because of all the symbolism and deepness of it. It is not the easiest to interpret or understand. The "huh?" comes from the fact that it is so full of symbolism. Nothing is really specific. There is no who, what, when, or why. This is one of my favorite scriptures out of Revelation 13:1-2:

1 ^aAnd I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the ^bsea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his ^apower, and his seat, and great authority.

So frankly it surprised me that there would be something so specific about an anti-Christ in Revelation.

The second thing is why would God put something so specific about the "anti-Christ" in the scriptures yet not allow us to know when Christ will come again? The whole thing just doesn't make sense!

With these two things in mind I had to research this. I went to snopes.com. They are such a good resource for stuff like this. They seem very neutral. This is thought provoking:

Nothing in the Bible — in Revelation or elsewhere — describes the anti-Christ as being "a man, in his 40s, of Muslim descent." In fact, since the book of Revelation was complete by the end of the second century, but the religion of Islam wasn't founded until about four hundred years later, the notion that Revelation would have mentioned a "Muslim" at all is rather far-fetched. (And even if it did, it couldn't be construed as a reference to Barack Obama, since Senator Obama isn't a Muslim.)

It's just another way someone is trying to to attack someone and use religion to back it up. I sure wish people would stop doing that! It really doesn't help the cause of religion.

It amazes me that people would read something like this, believe it so blindly and then pass it on. Maybe Obama is right, maybe people really haven't been reading their bibles when they get so wildly misquoted.

Been a Slacker and Mormon = Republican?

2008-10-20T12:59:00.007-07:00

I've been such a slacker recently when it comes to my blogs. There has been so much going on in my life and in my mind that I haven't even had a second to think about posting things. I'm sorry to those who actually read my blog and haven't had anything to read!

On another note I just wanted to address a strange line of thinking that was actually part of my beliefs while growing up and crept into my adulthood. The thinking is that if you're Mormon you must be a Republican. Well, if you're a GOOD Mormon and you choose the right and you're temple worthy and all that good stuff, then you must be a Republican. I wonder where the notion came from, that you must be affiliated with a particular political party to be considered a Mormon in good standing.

I always thought I'd betray my beliefs if I voted for anyone other than a Republican. However, something inside me must have told me this wasn't true. I could NEVER bring myself to actually register as a Republican. I have decided that labeling yourself and joining a particular political bandwagon is not necessary to being a good Mormon.

I consider myself in very good standing as a member of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints. I have made some choices that weren't always in line with my beliefs (who hasn't, raise of hands?!?!?!?!), but for the most part I have lived my life in a way that I am proud of. I don't hate anyone. I don't persecute or reject anyone for what they believe, how they look, their differing views on religion, politics and life in general. I don't always extend the Christ-like love I know I should, but I really feel like I'm aspiring to be a better person and be more like my Savior. I try really hard not to gossip and spread lies. When I hear something about someone, I first try to find out if it is true by going to the person and asking. If this is not possible, I just don't repeat what I heard.

With a very important Presidential Election coming up I have been thoughtfully considering my political practices. In the past I would default to Republican. Abortion was my deciding factor. The Republican party always adds in "No Abortion" to their campaign, so I thought they were a safe bet to vote for. As a moral issue I believe that abortion is not always the best choice. But should the government decide what is morally right and wrong? Here is a great post about this. Sometimes I'm not even sure if some republicans really care about the real issue of abortion. To some it seems to just be a way of getting a lot of right-wing votes.

In the past year or so I realized what a lazy way of dealing with things this is. It has been a way to pass the buck. I don't have to take responsibility for the choice I made during an election because I didn't thoughtfully consider the candidates.

This year has been different. I have looked at so many issues and so many candidates. I have read blog after blog after blog looking for opinions and discussions to help me figure out which candidates would be best for which positions. I really value other's opinions and that those who share the same beliefs as I do are also able to explore other political parties other than Republican.

After this research, prayer and thoughtful pondering I have come to the conclusion that I don't have to associate with any particular political party to be a good member of the church. I have come to realize that there are more issues than just abortion. I must consider the state of the nation and it's people before making hasty decisions. Looking at all the issues and the solutions the candidates have for the issues has been really eye opening to me. I have learned a lot about people and their character. I have learned a lot about me and my beliefs.

Politics wasn't ever really discussed in my family growing up. I think that is mostly because my dad liked to argue and he wouldn't ever back down on an issue. It may also be due to the fact that no one ever felt like they could disagree with him. He's so stubborn sometimes! This must be where I got the feeling that if I didn't vote Republican that I was a bad. We still don't really discuss it. I mostly listen to what they have to say and then drop it. I'm not in it for a debate. Their opinions matter to me and I listen to what they have to say and consider their views. Sometimes it changes my views and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it makes me reconsider an issue that I wasn't previously willing to budge on.

One thing I do know is that my parents love and accept me for who I am and not my political views. I am very grateful that they allow me to make my own choices by respecting my agency. My parents instilled strong values in me, as did my membership in the church. I believe that I can honor the things that the church and my parents have taught me without prescribing to a particular political party. I hope that as my children grow up they will know that their opinions matter to me and that they don't have to think and believe the same things I do. I hope they seek out opportunities and knowledge that will form their opinions. If they are able to form their opinions on their own through experiences, they will be stronger and more able to defend those opinions. Not only that, but I believe they will be more accepting and open-minded when it comes to other's beliefs and opinions. I want my kids to know that they are loved and accepted because they are children of God. My love and acceptance for them does not depend on what they believe or the political party they belong to.

I don't believe that one political party has it all figured out. There are many good truths and good things in each political party, that's why from now on I will look at the issues that are most important for the situation the country is in.

I am so thankful for the political process and the choices we have as members of a free country. Politics can and have divided people so much. Politics seem to have become corrupt in so many ways. I hope that no matter what happens during this election season that we can unite as a country for the good of the country. Unity is what will really save this nation. Unity doesn't mean that we all have to think, believe or agree on the same things. It means that we work together in mutual respect and acceptance of those things to bring peace and compromise. Even members of the general authorities are able to get along when they aren't the same political party. James E. Faust, former 1st counselor in the First Presidency was a Democrat.

Beautiful Sunday Experience

2008-08-26T22:00:00.005-07:00

On Sunday I was sitting in sacrament meeting with my children feeling very stressed. I was trying to talk myself into enjoying sacrament meeting, but it is hard with two kids arguing about who gets to sit where and other such things and a baby who just wants to get down and explore. There was a boy who was baptized on Saturday who was going to be confirmed. He came to the front of the chapel and sat down. One of the missionaries in our area was going to confirm him a member of the church and give him the gift of the Holy Ghost. I closed my eyes and bowed my head. I sat this way for a moment, but heard nothing so I looked up. The microphone wouldn't work. The brethren up front fidgeted with it for a bit, tried it in another hook up and still nothing. It then appeared that they were going to proceed with the confirmation without a microphone. I bowed my head again and closed my eyes. We were sitting on the opposite side of the chapel and several rows back. Our ward is made up of many children, so you can imagine that silence rarely found. I could tell the missionary had started the confirmation, but I could not hear his words. In my mind, in the voice of my father who confirmed me when I was 8 years old I heard the words...."Marcie Diane Taylor, by the Holy Melchizedek priesthood which we hold, we lay our hands upon your head and confirm you a member of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints and say to you 'receive the Holy Ghost'. Marcie, Heavenly Father is very pleased with your decision to become a member of his church. He is proud of the way you have conducted yourself throughout your life to this point. I bless you with the ability to listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. I bless you with the ability to be an example to those around you. I bless you that you will always stay close to your Heavenly Father and to the church that you may always have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. He will be a great companion and guide in your life and direct you to choices that will bring you much joy and happiness. Know always that your Father in Heaven loves you and desires that you return to him some day. Remember that you are a daughter of God. We leave you with these blessings in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Tears flooded my eyes. I am not certain these words were actually spoken to me when I was confirmed a member of the church, but when I heard the words "receive the Holy Ghost" I felt a warmth fill my body from my head to my feet. I don't remember much about the day I was baptized and confirmed a member of the church, but in that moment I saw myself in a room in my old stake center, sitting in a chair with my father, grandfather, a few uncles, and my former bishop standing around me with their hands on my head. I am very grateful for this experience and love when God gives me glimpses into special experiences I once had, but cannot remember.

My next beautiful experience came when the second to last speaker stood to speak. The stake primary 2nd counselor had come to speak in our ward. I do not remember her name (for this story I will call her Sister P), but I remember her message. Follow the promptings of the spirit. I have really struggled with following promptings. Maybe that's why I don't get them very often. I pass them off as my own thoughts that mean nothing. Yet time and time again I find myself regretting not following through with a prompting when I realize that it wasn't me who gave the prompting, my own emotion or thoughts, it was God speaking to me through the Holy Ghost.

Sister P told of a time when she listened to the Holy Ghost. One afternoon she had the thought to go visit her friend Karma and take her some apricots. Karma had recently had knee surgery and had apricot trees of her own. Sister P thought that she would wait some time before visiting Karma, give her a bit of time to recover and settle in, plus she had apricot trees of her own, why would she need apricots. Sister P dismissed the thought. The next day she had the same prompting. Go visit Karma and take her apricots. Again she thought this was a silly idea and went about her busy day. The next day she was driving past Karma's house and again had the same thought as the two previous days. She drove home, picked some apricots put them in a basket and headed up the street to Karma's house. She rang the door bell and a home health nurse answered the door. She explained that Karma had developed an infection and was not expected to live much longer. The nurse allowed Sister P to visit with Karma. Karma was delighted to see Sister P and her basket full of apricots. She told Sisiter P how she had been wanting apricots, but her trees had frozen earlier in the year and did not produce any good fruit. Karma ate the apricots. The nurse explained to Sister P that Karma had not been able to eat anything since she had been home, but the apricots. The next day Sister P was notified that Karma had passed away. Had Sister P not listened and obeyed the promptings of the spirit she would have missed out on seeing her friend one last time and bringing the sweet joy of tasting apricots for one last time.

The next time Sister P told of following the spirit she had the thought to call Penny. "Call Penny? Do I even know a Penny?" she thought. Then she remembered a roomate she had in college many years previous who's name was Penny. "This Penny?" she wondered. She received a warm comforting feeling comfirming to her that yes, that was indeed the Penny. She tracked down Penny's phone number and called her. Penny remembered Sister P and was very happy to hear from her. "I can't believe that you remembered that today was my birthday" Penny exclaimed. Sister P explained that she did not remember that it was her birthday, but that she had received a prompting from the spirit to call her. Penny explained that she had been having difficulty in her life and was not looking forward to her birthday. Having Sister P call uplifted her and made her happy day after all.

Sister P then told of another time she had followed the promptings of the spirit. When her or her husband go grocery shopping they always come help the other bring in groceries when they hear the garage door. One night she heard the garage door opening so she headed out to help her husband bring in the groceries. The laundry room is next to where the door is out to the garage. Upon passing the laundry room she had the thought to change her into a white shirt instead of the black one she had on. She thought "this shirt is perfectly fine", but remembering her previous promptings from the spirit she decided to go ahead and change her shirt. After changing, she went out the door into the garage. Unknown to her a large black widow spider fell from the rafters and on to her shoulder. Her husband got out of the car with an arm full of groceries and turned to greet her. He stopped and she could tell from his face something was wrong. "FREEZE" he said "Don't move, there is a black widow on your shoulder and is about to either crawl up your neck or fall down your shirt." Sister P froze and her husband swatted the spider from his wife's shoulder and on to the floor and then began to beat the spider into the pavement. He then said "It's a good thing you were wearing that white shirt or I would have never seen that spider on you."

I want to have promptings from the spirit and listen to them. Sometimes I think my life is too noisy for me to be able to listen. I don't take time to listen. I'm always running here and doing this or that. Taking the time to be still and really think about my thoughts would help me learn to recognize the spirit better. I am so grateful for these wonderful messages and experience I received on Sunday. They help me to remember the wonderful gift of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. All I need to do is live my life in a way that I can accept this wonderful gift and then use it. If I don't I probably won't know what a prompting sounds or feels like.

Happy Birthday TJ!

2008-07-14T14:49:00.003-07:00

Today is my husband's b-day! He is 29. I can say that because I'll be 29 in about 3 months. TJ and I started dating 12 years ago. I took him out for his b-day. We originally met online and had met 2 times in person before that, but hadn't really hung out or talked much. I called him earlier in the week and told him I was going to take him out for his b-day. He said he couldn't go out on the day of his b-day cuz his mom was doing something for him. I told him I'd take him out the day after. I went and picked him up. I didn't really know what he liked, but I bought him a shirt. I think it had a basketball on it. Shows you how much I really DIDN'T know about him! We went to a movie. I don't remember what the movie was called, but it was really dumb. I really wanted to hold his hand, but couldn't get the nerve up to do it. Instead, I layed my head on his shoulder. It was funny.

After the movie we went to Albertson's in Spanish Fork to get drinks, then we went to the Spanish Fork Main Street Park. We swung on the swings and talked. Just before we were going to leave I gave him a hug, then I kissed him. I had NO idea he'd never kissed anyone before. Anyway! I took him home and I went in to meet his brother, Ashly. There's a pretty funny story about meeting Ashly, but I'll save that for another time.

TJ's a great guy. He and I have both changed a lot since we met 12 years ago. We've learned to deal with those changes. So much of life has changed in that time. I'm glad he was born and that we got married. He's my best friend. I really enjoy spending time with him. He's one of the smartest people I know. He's inspired me to be a better person and to learn all that I can. He challenges me a lot (in a good way :) ). He makes me think about things. He also knows how to get on my nerves. There are times when he frustrates me really bad and there are times when I am filled with so much love for him I feel like I'm going to burst. I don't mind the hard times though, cuz I get the good times too. I wouldn't change any of it for the world. I think we made a really good pair!

Happy birthday to the love of my life!

Trip to Palisade

2008-07-12T07:17:00.004-07:00

About a month ago, we went camping. We started out at Palisade Lake for a family reunion. This was Isaac's first camping trip and first time in a lake. He really liked it. He's a good camper!

Audrey loves the water and could spend all day in the lake if we let her. She likes to go out far!

Ethan loves the water too!

My cousin's husband, Darrin, took his kids with him in a canoe. My kids helped bring them in.

Audrey got a snorkel before we went. She really liked looking under the water.

Isaac had this little boat thing. It has holes for the legs. The water was too cold to have him in it in the water, but he liked sitting in it on the beach. This kid is so pale. Even though I didn't have him in the sun at all, he got burned. Must have reflected off the lake. It wasn't a bad burn. But I'm going to have to keep sunblock on him ALL the time!

For the reunion we have an auction to raise money for the reunion next year. I made these cute reversible headbands for the auction. They turned out really good and they were super fun to make!
Haylee wearing the headband her mom bought for her. She's so cute!

Isaac with Aunt Sara and Uncle Sam.

Isaac was a great camper! He loved every minute of it. This is a pic of him in his little bed. It's a pack n play with the bassinet in the top. Very handy!

Ethan had a snorkel, too.

Isaac LOVED camping! Such a happy camper.

Ethan is NOT a happy camper. I got this reaction after I told him he needed sunblock on. Then......

He fell asleep!

Isaac loves pulling Audrey's hair! She laughs and screams and he thinks it's funny!

See what a happy camper Isaac is! He's so funny.

Here we are with the tent. We didn't get a picture of TJ with us before he left. Oh well, he was there part of the time.

So Many Things to Talk About

2008-07-01T09:05:00.004-07:00

I have so many things to talk about. So many things going on! I don't know whether to just put everything in one post or break things up!

One thing I did want to post was the birth of my niece, Florence! Ashly and BryAnn had a beautiful baby girl on Friday, June 27, 2008! 6lbs 8oz 18in, My sister-in-law BryAnn did wonderful giving birth to this gorgeous little bundle! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy!

I'll write about my other adventures later!

New Hair

2008-06-11T12:55:00.001-07:00

I got my hair cut and colored. I decided to go red again. This red has a lot of brown in it. I also purchased some Aveda shampoo and conditioner for colored hair. Boy was that expensive! I'm hoping my color will stay longer than it did than the hair color I did in November.

I really like the cut too! My friend Mimi (who has been my friend since we were 8) does my hair. I pretty much only trust her to do it. Thanks Mimi for my sexy new hair!