And they lived happily ever after...

I haven't blogged for a few days, but I am back... I was really deep in reflection and it either seemed too precious to try and put into my simple blogging terms to do any justice, or I was overwhelmed.

I underwent much reflection over the weekend watching General Conference, listening to the words from General Authorities each session for two days so intently with my family than we have ever done before. We had snacks to sustain us, and we watched in our PJ's and blankets. It couldn't get much better than that (no! I didn't eat this stuff it was for the boys to keep them from wandering).

Then I read my sisters blog and was so moved by the fall pictures, reflecting on my love for the Savior, and all of the many blessings in my life! Reflecting on the love I have for my family, they are all over, they have many trials going on in their lives, but they also are blessed with HIS love.

I was also very moved by the picture of "the boys" my brother and my nephew and their dog... you know I have a soft spot in my heart for boys! It seems pretty normal to most families to pray together, but in our prayers everyday we thank God for being together as a family, there was a time when we were not... it was hard, it was very trying, we made it through, but not one of us has forgotten how it felt, and try not to take for granted that we are together as a family.

My next really deep reflection is prompted by the date... today is our 3rd anniversary of our Temple Marriage.

I can finally take the time to explain one of my side bar comments about having 3 Anniversaries.... (by the way, I'm thinking I need just one more, so I can try and have at least one wedding day picture with a good hair day... yikes!)

Most of you know our story, so I will try and keep it simple...

Our first wedding was at Lake Tahoe, NV June 14, 1992.
It was mid June, sunny, warm and beautiful, and did I mention the middle of June... and we were going to be married outside on a cliff overlooking Lake Tahoe, only to wake up to SNOW on the ground, yes in the middle of June in California! Plus a disheartening message from the minister that it was too dangerous to get married outside since it was so slippery outside. We moved forward past all of the little setbacks and it was a glorious happy day for us! My sister and brother in law were there to celebrate with us.

After 8 years we suffered a 3 year divorce... then we were reunited and re-married August 30, 2003 in Caldwell Idaho, a much warmer day, one might even say really hot outside... and this time, no snow! We had lots of family with us and were married by our Bishop who was so very special and instrumental in our journey to include God in our marriage this time.

One year later on October 9, 2004 we were married in the Boise Temple and Sealed as a family together for time and all eternity. This was the most precious and meant the most to us both... we were spiritually prepared to enter this covenant together, we had tons of friends and family with us and to have our son sealed to us was the most precious gift ever!

And then they lived happily ever after....

I need your help....

I have a dilema...

.

Last summer I found these old windows for $1 at a garage sale... I had been looking for them for a while. At the auction these go for $50-75 and I wasn't really willing to spend that kind of money on them. So when I saw this deal, I snatched them up.

.

I had them hanging over our bed with all kinds of good intentions to put something cool behind the glass. My hubby was never comfortable with them over the bed, so I finally moved them into the living room. Against the white wall they are pretty bland, but I think when I get the walls painted with some color I will like them better.

.

I put some picture tabs on the glass and printed some black and white photos to go in them... I can change these pictures out, so that was a bonus effect.

My dilema is that my Strong Silent Mysterious Man thinks they look old. I thought that was the point, but he thinks I should sand them and paint them and get them looking more polished I guess. I really kind of like that the paint is all pealing off etc.

.

Maybe that look just isn't right for our more modern clean lines.

.

What do you think? After I get some color on the wall, will the old style windows have character, or will they just look old and dirty and I should give them a fresh look with a new coat of paint?

.

Take the poll and let me know what you think!!

End of the Season Harvest...

Our neighbor brought over a big bucket of tomatos (didn't get a pic of the tomatoes... darn, they were really pretty) for hubby helping him with his pump the other day... I was able to add them to some from my bff and can some Spaghetti Sauce. Since I didn't have any tomatoes on my little plants this year, I was afraid I wouldn't get any before the end of the season.

But, LA LA!!!!... I have a few jars to put away! I was so excited. I split the batch with my bff since she gave me so many tomatos and let us do it at her house and mess up her kitchen... but we were responsible for our own pressure cooker canning part of the process. She has been canning all season and has a couple of shelves full of spaghetti sauce, but informed me this morning that she forgot to turn the burner off on this batch, and blew up a bottle in her canner and ruined the entire batch. I was sooooo sad!

I am so grateful for learning the art from my hubbies Mom... she taught me so much when we first moved here. I knew nothing, and now I am doing it on my own! It is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done! I love putting these on the shelf, it is a great source of satisfaction for me.