Tom Cruise's Thoughts on Home Teaching

Thanks to my friend, Lisa, for sharing this with me....pretty hilarious.


By the way...for those of you who don't know what home teaching is (there's a definition here). I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (official LDS site here, and a summary of what we believe here). This video was pieced together by someone I don't know, but it was most likely made for a fun way to motivate members of the creators local church unit or ward to be diligent in their assignments to home teach each other.

Erica and KC are Married!

My niece, Erica, married KC in the Mount Timpanogos Temple this last month! I loved her dress. Gwen kept calling her a princess from the moment Erica walked out of the Temple. When it was time to go, Gwen called out, "Bye princess! Bye princess!" I'd have to say I agree with Gwen...Erica looks like a princess...
At the reception later that night, my awesome sister-in-law, Emily took our family photo...Thanks, Emily! I'm still amazed at how talented you are. Thank you so much! Now if we could just get William to not give his "Joe Cool Smile" and actually give a real one...I still count it a success with everyone looking in the general direction of the camera!

4th of July with the Daleys

We were able to have Devlin's parents stay with us which was a blast for the kids. Just check this out:



We were able to head up to Uncle Roger and Aunt Amber's place for a bbq and fireworks. Gwen was able to play with some of her cousins that she doesn't get to see too often.


And Devlin was able to do some of his favorite things...if the batteries in the camera hadn't had run out...I'd have had a picture of Devlin with the blow torch!

4th of July with the Marcovs

William on the Water Slide

For the weekend of the 4th we had a water slide party at my Mom's. It was a hit! With popcorn, snow cones, and bbq! Who wouldn't have fun? All the girl cousins had matching dresses (thanks to the designer eye of my sister Michelle). They're all too cute together!

Maddie, Claire, Julia, and Gwen

That night we went to Provo High School's Football Field to watch the fireworks. We broke out the dollar store glow-in-the-dark bracelets for the kids and William and Maxson turned into "Bracelet Guy!"

Maxson and William AKA "Bracelet Guys!"

Clip Art Rails

Thanks to Ana at Knock-Off Wood I was able to finally get all of my kids art put in an organized space! Before (I should have taken before pictures) the kids had their art work taped to my kitchen wall/their bedroom walls with masking tape and painters tape. It was becoming too cluttered on the wall. Now, it looks like the art is supposed to be there! I did one area in my kitchen and one in their room! So thanks, Ana!

Gwen's New Bike

So...Gwen has Daddy wrapped around her little finger. Last week Devlin went to the bike shop to purchase some new tubes for the boys bikes. While he was there, he saw the cutest toddler bike. I won't go into to many details, but to make a long story short, a friend of mine happened to be working there that night and was able to meet Devlin's "discretionary budget" (really Devlin's blow fund for the month) even though the bike was already 60% off. So thanks, Brad, for the awesome discount! I think Gwen shouting "My bike! My bike!" when Maxson took it away from her at the store didn't hurt with Brad giving us a break or with Devlin making the purchase.

After seeing the bike, I daresay I would have done the same thing (it's pink)! Too cute.

Deep Water

When visiting my parents today, my Dad told my boys, "If I find any bananas (banana runt candy) on the carpet or the couches, you guys are going to be in deep water."

William responded, "Deep water where?"

Jessica's Married!

Ted, Kade, Jessica, Justin, and Deb. We missed you Julie!
(I guess being on bed rest is a good enough excuse for not being there ;-)

Just the girls—Kristi, Deb, me, and Jessica. We missed you Kandice!

I served an LDS mission in Illinois. While serving there, I had the the opportunity to meet the Nelson family...which I now affectionately refer to as my "second" family. Last month I was able to see Jessica who was 9 years old when I served my mission (okay so that dates me some), get married in the Manti Utah Temple. It was such an honor to be there. I'm so thankful for the Nelson family and what they have done for me. There's something to be said about the relationship that forms when testimonies of the gospel are shared and lives changed. The Nelsons have definitely changed my life forever.

My Dad was introduced to the LDS church as the result of two LDS missionaries. He was baptized into the church at age 18. One year later, he served a mission to New Zealand. He attended BYU, met my Mom, married in the SLC temple, and raised a family. When I was old enough to serve a mission, I wanted more than anything to find a family as a way to show my gratitude to those missionaries as well as to my Heavenly Father for sending them to my Dad's family. Generations have been changed as a result of their efforts. So, I prayed to find a family...and the Lord answered it with the Nelsons. Ted, Deb, Justin, Jessica, and Julie...you are the family. You're my family. I love you guys.