You know you're about to live out of a storage unit when your mom tells your little sisters they have to decide today what they want to be for Halloween so that she can keep the costumes out...

Welcome to my life :D

If the next couple weeks are---

If the next couple weeks are anything like the these last few days--- I QUIT NOW! ha ha ha

This moving thing has put some massive strain on everyone because we sold our house {which is a huge blessing} but the people want us out-- ASAP! The original plan was to move on the last day of school for my little sisters-- BRUTAL! I mean really they would've gotten out of school and then left. But because we haven't been able to find anything in RootTown to live in we resorted to renting. The only problem is that the people we found to rent from can't be out until July.. So we called the Buyers and he said that if we paid rent that we could stay another month in HomeTown. We planned on that and canceled the movers. Then he called back Saturday night and said.. Umm I hadn't talked to my wife about that and she vetoed it so you have to be out by the end of May... So we had to wait until this morning to call the movers and they said that the earliest they could get us in would be next week. Basically my family is homeless for the next month! Sound fun??! I will be living at Kla's house with her parents (seeing as she's married and all), my dad will be living in a hotel in RootTown for the next month, and my mom and the little girls will travel the state staying with my grandma for a week in Idaho and then down to St. George for another week, etc... it's just been craziness!

Then KJo and I had an interesting weekend that would take me hours to explain because of all the jazz that went on, but we solved everything and we're still good as gold! ha ha He is however going to Florida this weekend for his brother's graduation from dental school, so it'll be 2 weeks before I see him again which is honestly the longest we've been apart in probably 2 months-- we'll make it through ;) Lakyn, however, is stoked because usually I am M.I.A. on weekends because KJo's here, but this weekend is her BIRTHDAY! and we'll get to celebrate :D yeah!

Dear June:
Please don't make my T-ZONE break out like May has deal??

My BFF's Wedding + Movie Review

Kla is MARRIED!

Wow I can't believe it's already Tuesday-- So pretty much I should've written this post like 4 days ago, but here it is anyway!

friend pic!

The girls

Bo, Kla, and their 2 favorite Peeps ;)

So pretty much their wedding was WAY fun! The temple was BEAUTIFUL. The weather was perfect and she looked so great! You're all probably wondering how the whole Brazil situation went down and it was just fine! I would lie if I said that I wasn't slightly nervous because I knew we would be arm in arm all day long, but really we all had a good time--

Then came the reception and so many awesome people came that I just love and hadn't seen in ages and I just was loving every second of it! and I won't lie-- throughout the night I probably ate like 100 gummy bears-- oops! ha

Close to the end of the reception KJo came... and I won't lie the tension was a little thick at times, but KJo played everything off really well and--with NO encouragement from me-- fought for the guarder. Ha ha thank heaven he didn't get it because we'd already crossed that bridge a month ag0 lol

Then we trashed the car and it was off to Vegas for the Honeymoon :D I chatted with her a bit the next day, but I figured I'd better just get the details of her trip when she gets back!

LOVE YOU BOTH!!!

Recently I've been to two movies:

The first was Robin Hood and I really liked it! It is 2+ hours long-- so beware of that, but I didn't really notice too much. I will warn you that it did show a dude's butt cheeks, but KJo had heard about that and it was pretty easy to predict when you would see them so I turned away and didn't have to see that, so turn you head at that part and you're good to go :) ha ha
The second movie that I saw was Letters to Juliet. I was really excited to see it, but let me just say Don't waste your money on it! I am ALWAYS a huge fan of chick flicks, but this one was beyond retarded. The storyline was UBBER predictable and by the end Sass Lakyn Melissa and I were laughing at the stupidity. I dunno. I guess if you don't believe that I'm a good judge of movies and want to see it way bad then at least the main guy is smokin' hott but I promise he's the only thing worth watching--

I'm home!--- Now what?

Well as you can probably imagine I'm back in HomeTown :D I won't lie the trip was full of good times, weird times, and tired times-- but I'm really glad that I had the opportunity to go. We left Denver at 9 and we arrived at RootTown/CollegeTown and Sporty Spice was home so I went and visited her. She chopped off her hair and dyed it a little darker and she looks cute as a button! Sporty and Devin are done in CollegeTown so they were moving out Friday and I just kind of entertained her while she packed up her clothes and stuff. I miss that girl, but they're moving to Provo/Orem so hopefully I'll see her a little more often than before :D

Yesterday was Mother's Day.. My whole family had to speak in church... yuck. But Oh man I love my mom! She has been SO good to me since I moved home! The ladies at work always tell me that I should never move out of my house because MY MOM IS THE BEST MOM!

Well I'm home so what's the plan?

Well if you haven't noticed-- I was planning on turning in my mission papers on May 6th.. it is now May 10th... (PS Happy Birthday SASS! I really am glad that we were able to go to Nauvoo together and I just want you to know that I love you :D) Well the last couple weeks have been full of changes and decisions. Remember KJo?? Well we've been dating for a month now which has made for craziness in my life because I have dated him long enough to know I really like him, but not long enough to make any super drastic decisions-- So I decided that I don't want to rush either decision and with sister missions it's not a big deal when you turn in your papers, so I'm going to kind of wait out the summer and see what goes down with him and then if all else fails go serve the Lord :D Sound logical?? I sure hope so ha ha ha

Well my family is moving out on the 28th of May.. I can honestly tell you that if I think about it too long then I'll cry. We bought a house on our old street there in RootTown and I'm SO glad to be on that street where my little sisters already have a ton of friends, but the house we bought needs a LOT of work seeing as it's 50+ years old ... yuck, but it'll be home I guess

I am not moving to RootTown. Because the job market is so bad right now I am going to stay in HomeTown and live with Kla's parents (Kla gets married on FRIDAY OMGOSH! so stoked for her :) and continue working for the bank. KJo is from HomeTown, but taking summer classes at BYU (over achiever ;) but we have plans to see each other pretty much every weekend which is fine by me!

Have you ever noticed that my life never quite goes the way I plan it to go?... Oh well.. Such is life!

PS get a load of my room and bathroom... let's just say the only thing worse than packing is unpacking.... :(

Day 7

Today we woke up and went to the sites in Independence Missouri... I was kind of a stormy day to start, but it cleared up. Now for those that might not know the history.. The R.L.D.S. church broke off from the LDS church after Joseph died. They believed that the next prophet should be Joseph's oldest son, so they broke off and started the Reformed Latter Day Saints. A few years ago tho they changed their name to the Community of Christ. Because They believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet and also have faith in the Book of Mormon, but a lot of their doctrines have "evolved" since the 1800's. They knew the prophesy that a temple would be built in Independence, so in 1994 they completed a temple... and it's definitely different than ours..

They're just different. Entering our temple is something you have to earn and work for. They give a tour every hour...
The outside might look a little creepy, but I will totally admit that the inside of the cone in bomb.com!

We also spent time at the visitors center and learned about how Zion doesn't have to be a place.. it's a state of mind you take with you everywhere you go. Being good to those around us. One heart one mind.

Speaking of building relationships... B made all of us bracelets! How great of her! These are all of them!

mine is the one on the right side of the pic :D

Here's a segment dedicated to people on the trip

Luke and B.. Pretty much the cutest couple ever. I hope things work out well for them :D

Becca and Bailey.. I was not really even acquaintances with them before the trip. I knew their names and that was about it, but I was stoked that I got to know them because they are SO awesome!

Bishop and Mother Teresa. Love them.

Stevie and Garrett.. Love them also!

Mostly I was stoked that B came. She was on my Institute Council activities committee and I honestly had never seen or heard about her until I called her to my committee and she was SO awesome to work with. I'm super grateful that she was on this trip so that I would get to know her a lot more and spend a ton of time with her. She always makes everyone feel so included and has such a beautiful smile. Thanks for letting me tag along B! Love ya!

Well tonight is going to be spent in Denver and then tomorrow is the home stretch. I won't lie I'm stoked to go home and relax, but I have really enjoyed this trip.

Day 6

I miss Nauvoo already. We left SUPER early this morning and I just miss the atmosphere and also the presence of the temple. If I would give any advice to you it would be to go to all of the "other" sites on the way to Nauvoo and have it be the peak, because after you go there and feel of that jubilant spirit it's a lot harder to appreciate the other sites. Plus we're all exhausted from playing our hearts out in Nauvoo :D but regardless I still had an enjoyable day today.. First stop was Adam-Ondi-AhmanWhat a truly remarkable place. I learned a lot of cool facts about this place today.. I just want everyone to know that I know that this plot of land is truly a sacred place. I know that Adam dwelt in this area and that the Savior will return in these last days. When he does we will meet, whether physical or through means of technology, in this hallowed place as Saints in the gospel. It is remarkable how we know that Adam built alters there, the Nephites built alters there, and we will have a temple there in the future*** DO NOT SKIP THIS SITE WHEN YOU GO BACK EAST.. it might not have a visitors center, but the things that will take place there in the future are SO significant. Don't miss out!
A couple of us hiked down across the valley into these groves of trees and the grass was up to my knees, but it was cool because of how lush and beautiful it was I almost got a glimpse of the Garden of Eden. (these pics DO NOT do it justice odviously)Then after lunch we all layed around on the grass and got a little sun burn :D YEAH! and then I snuggle with Sass :D She loves me--odviously
Then we went to Far West, but I forgot my camara on the bus because I was practically sleep walking that whole time ha ha but then to Liberty Jail which has such a cool visitors center!

We took this pic..
and then this pic from behind ha ha ha ha ha
We checked into the hotel in Independence Missouri and then went to a local church and held a testimony meeting.. I LOVE testimony meeting. I think that it can bring the spirit so strongly! BUT when testimony meeting goes for 2 hours and 30 minutes Kaylen gets a wee bit restless.. aka I start to figit and wiggle because I just can't stand sitting in a hot sweaty chapel for longer than like and hour and a half before I start showing signs of A.D.D... but what can you do! I will proudly say that my little sister got up there and bore the best testimony ever. I am so proud of her and grateful for the strength and power with which she bore her testimony.. Good job girl :D love you!

Tomorrow we are going to the sites here in Independence and then 609 mile straight shot to Denver.. approx. 10 hours of driving (if we don't make any stops .. ) Wish me luck!

Day 4 and 5

Day 4

Yesterday was quite a beautiful day. PS take note that so far I've said that almost everyday. It was like 80 degrees and windy, but it was a really warm breeze so it was just awesome!

We woke up and went to the temple... ummm INCREDIBLE.

Usually the baptistry entrance is like off to the side, but in Nauvoo you enter right in front! Through the BIG doors! Like important people!

So honestly it was just beautiful. I was able to play the prelude music in the chapel, which was a priviledge.. and then we did the baptisms and the font is MASSIVE. I went to Nauvoo for the first time when I was like 12 or 13 and was able to do baptisms, but I really don't remember much about the temple except the pretty wood that was throughout. Which was crazy because the font was just spectacular and huge! I dunno words can't describe.. just amazing.

Then, after we finished, the temple worker let us go up the spiral staircase to the lobby level...

... let's just say that there were 4 of us girls.. and all of us were googley-eyed as we stared up that staircase. And then one of them brought up what all of us were thinking--- Can you picture walking up this in your wedding dress??? ha ha oh silly girls :D

Then we went to Carthage. What a special place and spirit. Joseph is a true prophet. Amen.

At around dinner time a group of us began wandering around Nauvoo and the old little shops and we went into this place called the Temple House Gallery

and inside was just all of these beautiful photographs/prints of the Nauvoo and Salt Lake temples, and then just a bunch of other prints of prophets...

So the worker lady came up and started talking to us and she was SO awesome! She started telling us SO many neat little facts about the Temple and also about Joseph Smith's family. I want to share some of what she taught us SO READ THIS!

1- Did you know the reason why the size of the bricks change on the temple?

The temple was only as high as the smaller bricks when Joseph was killed in Carthage and the Saints were in such a state of shock that they stopped working on the temple. Later after Brigham was appointed prophet, he was commanded to finish the temple ASAP. So they started cutting the stones bigger in order to finish before they were driven from Nauvoo. Take note that when they were commanded to finish it they already knew they were going to have to leave it. Talk about tough.

2- The 5 point inverted star. Now yesterday when she told us about the star (see in pic above) I came back to blog and couldn't quite remember all of the symbolism, so I googled it and it brought up all sorts of crap that wasn't at all what she had told me, so today I went back and asked what the different symbols were and then what her sources were because of the stuff I'd read online (keep in mind that this lady is an active member of the church that lived in SLC and then was specially recruited to come and run this gallery. She had such an amazing spirit and I honestly would believe anything she told me.. but I had to check) She replied that the reason she knew was because of the book Temples and Symbols, and she also met the man that constructed the stain glass windows for the Temple... I believed her :)

So this is the star:

The Red=blood and Atonement

The White= the purifying effect of the Atonement

The Blue= His Royal birth

The two top points symbolize the Father and the Son

The bottom is His decent to come to earth.

WAY cool :D

3- There are approx. 1,800 living descendants of Joseph Smith Jr on the Earth today. Of those 132 are baptized members of the church. All of them are converts and she told the MOST amazing story about a lady who now lives in the Nauvoo Stake and how one day she saw a picture of Joseph and Emma and asked her grandmother who they were. She told her it was here great great (etc) grandfather Joseph Smith who founded the Mormon church. She had no clue. She ran into many many problems with family members who would hardly speak his name and was pretty much disowned. But joined anyway. WOW.

Those are 3 of many things that that amazing women shared with us in

her gallery yesterday and I am so grateful for her sweet sweet testimony. If you come to Nauvoo visit her and buy one of the pictures. They are amazing.

Last night concluded with a group of us sitting on the lawn in front of the temple, watching the sunset, and catching fireflies.

DAY 5

Today I woke up eventho I was EXHAUSTED I went to the temple again for baptisms. That font is extraordinary. Then by the time I got back and showered it was noon so we ate lunch and then we went to Old Nauvoo.

Dressed up for the pioneer games

think they had nike shox back then??

Hyrum Joseph and Emma's Graves

The Mansion House (Joseph's house), the graves, and the Red Brick Store are all owned by the Community of Christ (aka RLDS) church. It was interesting to go to their visitors center and the lady was SUPER nice, but honestly she didn't know much about our church at all, or hers for that matter. She couldn't answer a lot of our questions that we had, but it was just interesting to see and feel the difference in our churches.

Then we went to McKee's and watched them make and freeze our ice cream which was pretty freakin sweet!

My boss Margo asked me to look for her ancestor's house and today I saw it! So I took a couple pics for her!!

View of the temple from the Trail of Hope down Parley's Street where the Saints took their wagons over the Mississippi River...

The sunset was phenomenal :D

Well folks that's all for Nauvoo.. we're off to sites like Independence, Adam-ondi-ahmen, and Far West... we're leaving here at 6.. aka way too early.

Yes I'm alive, but I was super tired last night and didn't get the post finished.. I'll get it done today-- hopefully! :D

Day 3

This morning we woke up in Nebraska and drove to Omaha/Winter Quarters. And can I even explain to you what a beautiful day it was!?! It was around 70 degrees with a light breeze blowing through the beautiful green trees. I don't want to go back to cold brown Utah. Do you blame me?

PS the doors of this temple are GORGEOUS!

So Brandt and I were going on the Visitors Center tour with like 40 other people and we couldn't hear or pay much attention so we ditched, went up to the cemetery, and sat on a bench for like an hour while all of the other kids were on the tour so it was just SUPER peaceful to sit and just appreciate the silent beauty of that cemetery and stare at the amazing temple that's built right on the hill.

It was perfect weather all day and then right as we started our devotional the clouds came and it started to pour on us :D So it was just a fun day in the sun/rain!

Then we started through Iowa. It took the pioneers 6 weeks to get through Iowa because of all of the nasty black mudd and rain there which is why they stopped in Nebraska and built Winter Quarters because it had taken them twice as long as they had anticipated to get across Iowa.. so in honor of the black dirt that caused the saints SO much trouble Brandt and I took these pics at a sick nasty rest stop outside Des Moines:

1- notice he looks like a happy little boy. 2- the sunset was SPECTAULAR!

3- Yes I do realize that I look like trash in this pic thank you for noticing ;)

I agree with the saints tho.. Iowa was forever long! Finally we crossed the Mississippi and from there it was still a 30 minute drive south. When we finally go into town we went straight to the hotel and didn't even get to see the temple, so Brandt and I (please note that I am so grateful that he is there to keep me sane. He's such a great friend!) stole (when I say stole I am most definitely exaggerating) aka we borrowed for a time one of the vans that we have here and went to see the temple because we couldn't wait a second longer.

The statue is of Joseph and Hyrum's last ride as the left the city of Nauvoo to their awaited death in Carthage. They turned one last time to look over the city and the unfinished temple.

What a great day :D