Have I ever told you?

Have I ever told you that my husband is SUCH a good man? He pays attention to me, he listens to me, he even holds my hand in public... But wait folks the good deeds don't stop there. He tries, just as I do to make myself better everyday... So I am not sure why Sunday surprised me so much. Everyone who knows me knows I have a problem. I bite my nails, almost ferociously so. (Kinda gross, I am well aware...) Well the company pays for pens, so I have an endless supply... and in order to keep my figity self from going crazy I chew on a different pen, just about everyday... Knowingly my husband saw me chewing on a pen in church. He is a creative man, and being so he reached over, grabbed my pen and smiled- and stuck the pen up his left nostril. I sat there stunned. One, my husband just stuck a pen up his nose in public, two that was my pen that I planned on chowing down on for the next hour and three, can I get an EW anyone?! So, long story short, I am now cured of this ailment and no longer chew on pens, nor do I cost my company anymore money. My husband is my lifesaver, and probably saved Johnson Mark from bankruptcy. Wow. My own personal superman! I do love him so!

Love- through the eyes of a teenagers blog...

one of the hardest parts about growing up is realizing that relationships are not as magical or as effortless that we, as children, so naively believed they were.

love is not all about red roses on valentine's day, or waltzing in an empty room to no music. it is not always comprised of sexy, passionate kisses in the rain, or romantic candlelit dinners.

love does not always equal that perfect, pristine wedding on the beach, no matter how much we wish it did.

no, sometimes love is broken dishes on the floor, and tempers so high they threaten to burst through the ceiling. it is not that prince charming or a snow white. it is loneliness echoing and aching deep inside your bones and it is the feeling of tears drying on your face like wax.

love is not disney. love is complicated. love is messy.

when i was younger, i believed that you could title a loved one. oh, she's his fiance. oh, they're boyfriend and girlfriend. oh, he's her husband. it is only now, as a teenager, that i realize this is not how love works. there is not a name to fit every relationship...

we keep convincing ourselves that our happiness lies on one set of lips, that our lives would be beachy if we just managed to receive one kiss, or one wedding, or one boyfriend. (Which in some cases, happiness does lie with one man. In my case that's Sky... Through and through...)

but love isn't about kisses or weddings or titles. (it gets harder- you better believe it!)

it's about how much you care, how long you will listen, how far you will go and to what lengths you will forgive.

the bottom line is, if you truly, deeply and honestly love someone, you will want them in your life, and you will do everything to keep them there.

~thegingergirl

This made me think about the idea that the youth of this nation are getting about relationships. How bleak is this opinion, and how depressing. I have found that my love, my happiness lies with one man. Although this youth things that it lies with many. Although friends are important, how great, to me... does a life sound with just MY Skyler. No one else's. I don't want to share, and I don't feel any woman should want to. I wish there was a way to talk to this young girl to know exactly what she thought. I have found my prince charming I hope she looks, and finds hers.

This made me think of my hunny...

Isn't it interesting the articles you find that tug on your heart strings? This article is about people that come in and out of your life, and in this case in and stay. This makes me think about Skyler, and all the other family and friends I hold dear. (I am cheesy I know, but it was sweet so I thought I would share!)
Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, neighbour, co-worker, longest friend, lover, or even a complete stranger) but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some people move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints in our hearts,
and We are never, ever the same.

And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realised your potential, strength, willpower, or heart. Everything happens for a reason, nothing happens by chance or by means of luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless. The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience help to create who you become.

Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count!! Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself; it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

“grace and grit all way way, baby!”

I have been reading another blog this morning after finding it on KSL. It is a blog written by a woman who has been forced to begin a new life after what could be classified as a terrible ordeal. Although I daresay that it was much worse then that. When reading about her, I found her inspiring, she talked about how her husband had been running a scam with his business and had cheated so many out of their money and everything that they owned, they called it a Ponzi scheme. He had a huge investment firm, and he had been living a lie. She had this life that most would consider more then desireable. It was a posh Denver life as they called it, living in a beautiful home with all the fixings. He was a bishop of their LDS ward, living, what I would see as the "ideal" life. But all this fell through... Here is her story... (AS told by KSL of course...)

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=15904053

When I read about her story it really got me thinking. What is the "ideal" life. Is it something that you hunt for all your life? Or, like she says, is it something like joy.. Is it something you LET yourself feel along the way? I think so. It is something we must allow ourselves to think, when so often, I think we do not. We punish ourselves. Maybe it's human to think that the glass is half empty? Some inherit trait we really don't think about?

But that's where I think I am wrong. I won't admit that often either, so take a picture... :P My thought here is that we have DECIDED that this is the way we are. We, collectively, have decided that the glass is half empty instead of half full. When I look at people that I aspire to be, they aren't the complainers, the energy suckers, the "debbie downers" (everyone knows I love that phrase so well..." They are people who stand for something. That live for tomorrow, not for the mistakes they made yesterday. Now I am not saying that we should live lives with blinders, thinking all is hunky dory.. Because that would lead us down a SWIFT path to... Destruction, let's say.. I do think that we should face reality, but we also need to just let things go sometimes... Smile, and learn to be people of integrity and full of joy. Don't deny yourselves the beautiful things of this earth, be real, and learn to be happy. It isn't something that comes easy, like drive-thrus... But it tastes a lot sweeter then a chocolate twist cone, and hey, it'll never melt. Unless you let it, I suppose.

How is the Blood family faring?

See we do normal couple things! We take Nyquil when our bodies can't really handle it... And MAN do we crash!




Skyler is sweet enough to fix Amy's car in the middle of the pouring rain.. He really is such a good man!


And we had thought we'd left the Washington weather behind us at Corinne's wedding! I suppose it got a little bitter and followed us here! woop woop!



The Blood's can to anything together! We're the REAL thing!



I like supporting my husband, even when it means dressing like a CARAZY! or just a little Dutch girl, I'm not sure I have discovered the difference!

Skyman and I cound ourselves very blessed that it was only a minor break problem with Stacy... (My good friends named my little blue Saturn years ago.. oh mannn!)So we were happy, and sopping wet! But just glad we have each other to get through rough patches together:) Life is wonderful when you're with the ONE you love. Mmmhmm

Married life is.......A JOY!

Married life is such a wonderful experience.. What a joy it is to know that you are following a plan that was laid out before you could even say the phrase "mama!"

Skyler and my story has very special circumstances and what a joy it is to us! What a wonderful knowledge it is to be married and knowing that now matter what you will be together forever... this talk has been in my thoughts since I listened to it at work yesterday... So I thought I would share it with you...





I prayed and studied long about what I might say tonight. I wish not to offend anyone. I thought, “What are the challenges we have? What do I deal with every day that causes me to weep sometimes late into the night?” I thought that I would try to address a few of those challenges tonight. Some will apply to the young men. Some will apply to those who are middle aged. Some will apply to those who are a little bit above middle age. We don’t talk about old age.

And so I simply want to begin by declaring, it has been good for us to be together this evening. We’ve heard wonderful and timely messages concerning the priesthood of God. I, with you, have been uplifted and inspired.

Tonight I wish to address matters which have been much on my mind of late and which I have felt impressed to share with you. In one way or another, they all relate to the personal worthiness required to receive and exercise the sacred power of the priesthood which we hold.

May I begin by reciting to you from section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants:

“The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and … the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

“That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.” 1

Brethren, that is the definitive word of the Lord concerning His divine authority. We cannot be in doubt as to the obligation this places upon each of us who bear the priesthood of God.

We have come to the earth in troubled times. The moral compass of the masses has gradually shifted to an “almost anything goes” position.

I’ve lived long enough to have witnessed much of the metamorphosis of society’s morals. Where once the standards of the Church and the standards of society were mostly compatible, now there is a wide chasm between us, and it’s growing ever wider.

Many movies and television shows portray behavior which is in direct opposition to the laws of God. Do not subject yourself to the innuendo and outright filth which are so often found there. The lyrics in much of today’s music fall in the same category. The profanity so prevalent around us today would never have been tolerated in the not-too-distant past. Sadly, the Lord’s name is taken in vain over and over again. Recall with me the commandment—one of the ten—which the Lord revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” 2 I am sorry that any of us is subjected to profane language, and I plead with you not to use it. I implore you not to say or to do anything of which you cannot be proud.

Stay completely away from pornography. Do not allow yourself to view it, ever. It has proven to be an addiction which is more than difficult to overcome. Avoid alcohol and tobacco or any other drugs, also addictions which you would be hard pressed to conquer.

What will protect you from the sin and evil around you? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior and of His gospel will help see you through to safety. If you have not read the Book of Mormon, read it. I will not ask for a show of hands. If you do so prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you. If it is true—and it is—then Joseph Smith was a prophet who saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Church is true. If you do not already have a testimony of these things, do that which is necessary to obtain one. It is essential for you to have your own testimony, for the testimonies of others will carry you only so far. Once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through obedience to the commandments of God and through regular prayer and scripture study. Attend church. You young men, attend seminary or institute if such is available to you.

Should there be anything amiss in your life, there is open to you a way out. Cease any unrighteousness. Talk with your bishop. Whatever the problem, it can be worked out through proper repentance. You can become clean once again. Said the Lord, speaking of those who repent, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow,” 3 “and I, the Lord, remember them no more.” 4

The Savior of mankind described Himself as being in the world but not of the world. 5 We also can be in the world but not of the world as we reject false concepts and false teachings and remain true to that which God has commanded.

Now, I have thought a lot lately about you young men who are of an age to marry but who have not yet felt to do so. I see lovely young ladies who desire to be married and to raise families, and yet their opportunities are limited because so many young men are postponing marriage.

This is not a new situation. Much has been said concerning this matter by past Presidents of the Church. I share with you just one or two examples of their counsel.

Said President Harold B. Lee, “We are not doing our duty as holders of the priesthood when we go beyond the marriageable age and withhold ourselves from an honorable marriage to these lovely women.” 6

President Gordon B. Hinckley said this: “My heart reaches out to … our single sisters, who long for marriage and cannot seem to find it. … I have far less sympathy for the young men, who under the customs of our society, have the prerogative to take the initiative in these matters but in so many cases fail to do so.” 7

I realize there are many reasons why you may be hesitating to take that step of getting married. If you are concerned about providing financially for a wife and family, may I assure you that there is no shame in a couple having to scrimp and save. It is generally during these challenging times that you will grow closer together as you learn to sacrifice and to make difficult decisions. Perhaps you are afraid of making the wrong choice. To this I say that you need to exercise faith. Find someone with whom you can be compatible. Realize that you will not be able to anticipate every challenge which may arise, but be assured that almost anything can be worked out if you are resourceful and if you are committed to making your marriage work.

Perhaps you are having a little too much fun being single, taking extravagant vacations, buying expensive cars and toys, and just generally enjoying the carefree life with your friends. I’ve encountered groups of you running around together, and I admit that I’ve wondered why you aren’t out with the young ladies.

Brethren, there is a point at which it’s time to think seriously about marriage and to seek a companion with whom you want to spend eternity. If you choose wisely and if you are committed to the success of your marriage, there is nothing in this life which will bring you greater happiness.

When you marry, brethren, you will wish to marry in the house of the Lord. For you who hold the priesthood, there should be no other option. Be careful lest you destroy your eligibility to be so married. You can keep your courtship within proper bounds while still having a wonderful time.

Now, brethren, I turn to another subject about which I feel impressed to address you. In the three years since I was sustained as President of the Church, I believe the saddest and most discouraging responsibility I have each week is the handling of cancellations of sealings. Each one was preceded by a joyous marriage in the house of the Lord, where a loving couple was beginning a new life together and looking forward to spending the rest of eternity with each other. And then months and years go by, and for one reason or another, love dies. It may be the result of financial problems, lack of communication, uncontrolled tempers, interference from in-laws, entanglement in sin. There are any number of reasons. In most cases divorce does not have to be the outcome.

The vast majority of requests for cancellations of sealings come from women who tried desperately to make a go of the marriage but who, in the final analysis, could not overcome the problems.

Choose a companion carefully and prayerfully; and when you are married, be fiercely loyal one to another. Priceless advice comes from a small framed plaque I once saw in the home of an uncle and aunt. It read, “Choose your love; love your choice.” There is great wisdom in those few words. Commitment in marriage is absolutely essential.

Your wife is your equal. In marriage neither partner is superior nor inferior to the other. You walk side by side as a son and a daughter of God. She is not to be demeaned or insulted but should be respected and loved. Said President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Any man in this Church who … exercises unrighteous dominion over [his wife] is unworthy to hold the priesthood. Though he may have been ordained, the heavens will withdraw, the Spirit of the Lord will be grieved, and it will be amen to the authority of the priesthood of that man.” 8

President Howard W. Hunter said this about marriage: “Being happily and successfully married is generally not so much a matter of marrying the right person as it is being the right person.” I like that. “The conscious effort to do one’s part fully is the greatest element contributing to success.” 9

Many years ago in the ward over which I presided as the bishop, there lived a couple who often had very serious, heated disagreements. I mean real disagreements. Each of the two was certain of his or her position. Neither one would yield to the other. When they weren’t arguing, they maintained what I would call an uneasy truce.

One morning at 2:00 a.m. I had a telephone call from the couple. They wanted to talk to me, and they wanted to talk right then. I dragged myself from bed, dressed, and went to their home. They sat on opposite sides of the room, not speaking to each other. The wife communicated with her husband by talking to me. He replied to her by talking to me. I thought, “How in the world are we going to get this couple together?”

I prayed for inspiration, and the thought came to me to ask them a question. I said, “How long has it been since you have been to the temple and witnessed a temple sealing?” They admitted it had been a very long time. They were otherwise worthy people who held temple recommends and who went to the temple and did ordinance work for others.

I said to them, “Will you come with me to the temple on Wednesday morning at 8:00? We will witness a sealing ceremony there.”

In unison they asked, “Whose ceremony?”

I responded, “I don’t know. It will be for whoever is getting married that morning.”

On the following Wednesday at the appointed hour, we met at the Salt Lake Temple. The three of us went into one of the beautiful sealing rooms, not knowing a soul in the room except Elder ElRay L. Christiansen, then an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve, a General Authority position which existed at that time. Elder Christiansen was scheduled to perform a sealing ceremony for a bride and groom in that very room that morning. I am confident the bride and her family thought, “These must be friends of the groom” and that the groom’s family thought, “These must be friends of the bride.” My couple were seated on a little bench with about a full two feet (0.6 m) of space between them.

Elder Christiansen began by providing counsel to the couple who were being married, and he did so in a beautiful fashion. He mentioned how a husband should love his wife, how he should treat her with respect and courtesy, honoring her as the heart of the home. Then he talked to the bride about how she should honor her husband as the head of the home and be of support to him in every way.

I noticed that as Elder Christiansen spoke to the bride and the groom, my couple moved a little closer together. Soon they were seated right next to one another. What pleased me is that they had both moved at about the same rate. By the end of the ceremony, my couple were sitting as close to each other as though they were the newlyweds. Each was smiling.

We left the temple that day, and no one ever knew who we were or why we had come, but my friends were holding hands as they walked out the front door. Their differences had been set aside. I had not had to say one word. You see, they remembered their own wedding day and the covenants they had made in the house of God. They were committed to beginning again and trying harder this time around.

If any of you are having difficulty in your marriage, I urge you to do all that you can to make whatever repairs are necessary, that you might be as happy as you were when your marriage started out. We who are married in the house of the Lord do so for time and for all eternity, and then we must put forth the necessary effort to make it so. I realize that there are situations where marriages cannot be saved, but I feel strongly that for the most part they can be and should be. Do not let your marriage get to the point where it is in jeopardy.

President Hinckley taught that it is up to each of us who hold the priesthood of God to discipline ourselves so that we stand above the ways of the world. It is essential that we be honorable and decent men. Our actions must be above reproach.

The words we speak, the way we treat others, and the way we live our lives all impact our effectiveness as men and boys holding the priesthood.

The gift of the priesthood is priceless. It carries with it the authority to act as God’s servants, to administer to the sick, to bless our families, and to bless others as well. Its authority can reach beyond the veil of death, on into the eternities. There is nothing else to compare with it in all this world. Safeguard it, treasure it, live worthy of it. 10

My beloved brethren, may righteousness guide our every step as we journey through life. Today and always, may we be worthy recipients of the divine power of the priesthood we bear. May it bless our lives and may we use it to bless the lives of others, as did He who lived and died for us—even Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. This is my prayer in His sacred name, His holy name, amen.

We try to live up to the Covenants we've made... It's hard work but with smiles on our faces we have plegded to do the work, that's what we're here to do...

DUDE! You gotta go get that!

As I do like to share Amy and Skyler stories this one goes down in the book as one of the best... So one day Skyler planned this beautiful honeymoon for him and his honey in Hawaii, SUCH a treat for them both! So They had rented a dodge charger to cruise around Hawaii, quickly realizing that they had maybe over-extended themselves a bit, they returned that cherry red speedster for something a little more econimical... Two bum-comforting scooters! They toured all around the coutryside, in awe of lighthouses, beaches and lush Hawaii greenery... Now as we all know Amy is a talker... And she was chattering away as Skyler was in front of her and flipped on his turning signal, clearly telling Amy, without words, that he was indeed turning left... She, unknowingly continued on straight... Unfortunately she was on a one way road and could not turn around and he continued left.. With a HUGE field in the space between them they both stared longingly at eachother hoping that this was not some fateful abandonement... They continued watching eachother till each was out of sight... Amy continued on the road and stopped, thinking he must come back for her, he was her knight on a shining (slightly ghetto!) scooter of course! So she stayed put... Skyler slowly pulled up to a stoplight shaking his head at his silly new bride but lovingly was going to find her... When a man in a sportscar pulled up next to him and said, "DUDE!! That girl!! She was lookin at you and YOU were looking at her! Dude! You gotta go GET THAT!" Skyler laughs a little and says, "Uh... Dude... That's my wife!!" And the man replied, "DUDE!! THEN YOU GOTTA GO GET THAT!!!" Haha Skyler laugh and shortly thereafter found Amy pondering the beautiful scenery on the side of the road... What an interesting life we have together, and it just gets better:)

BEARDED!

Skyler and I do silly things together. I suppose that's what makes us fall more and more in love each and every day! So I am not saying that this picture is a perfect representation of this Perfect Sunday moment, but it is pretty close... (And obviously I married the sexiest man alive, and this is not him...) So this story occured as we were dutifly making our way in Skyler's truck to a Sunday Sacrament meeting... I have my own opinion about facial hair, and I think it looks DANG good on Skyler. However, we are instructed by church leaders to be clean shaven, (GIRLS- yes you should shave your legs, EVEN in the winter...) So Skyler tends to let his beard grow out during the week, (With me in mind, because I love it so!) and then shaves it off with his electric shaver on the way to church... So this Sunday was like any other... His shaver working along the planes of his face... till WAHBAM! it gets caught on a stubborn hair and stops MID shave... Half of his face, handsome and hairfull, while the other side still handsome but way- hairless.. I came up with a cute nickname, two-face! (However quickly discarded as we realized that this was a representation of an evil blonde man who is chased by some sick clown... sort of nightmare-ish) Luckily he was able to get JUST enough life out of it to get little bits, eventually it stopped with a goatee- I held his hand... And skipped happily into church, knowing my man had a wee bit of facial hair. He even had to give the prayer that Sunday, and he looked MIGHTY fine with that goatee:) Oh the silly antics of two people, hopelessly in love!

HELLO WORLD!

So I am sitting at work right now thinking about how happy life is! Especially when you have your best friend to share it with! It is interesting how different it is when you can wake up in the morning, tell that person on the pillow next to yours that you love them... And mean it.

I have been thinking about society today and how they look at relationships so differently then my husband and I. They think that one night stands are a think to be treasured... But what about knowing that the person you are with treasures you just as much as you do them. You have to work hard, yes... But tell me, when was there a time when you worked hard for something, had a good outcome and were upset you had worked so hard?

People, it't worth it. If you think it isn't try harder, dive in and don't give up. It isnt worth the risk.

Believe me, the grass is not greener on the otherside. Just mow the grass on your side, and you'll see a newer fresher side to everything you already adore.

Luh(huv)

Amy+Skyler= a baby? no way. just love:)

Well we are still in love, a miracle that people stay in love this long. I know. but we thrive on miracles in the BLOOD family:)

Oops- phone call, will return later:)