Sometimes you just have to make time for FUN

This Month our group date consisted of canoeing, rafting, water skiing, and camping. it was so fun to take a few days and forget about work, and the routine stresses of life and just HAVE FUN. We had dutch oven, smores, and lots of laughter. Brex was FEARLESS :) . Showoff:) . Getting ready to Roast Starbursts & Smores . With us all we can fill up a camp site pretty fast! .

ANGELS cant be everywhere....that is why GOD gave us Friends

In the picture below are 2 of our best friends, Lon and Chalyce. Chalyce was diangosed last year with Stage 4 malignant melanoma. She has only been given a few months to live. The cancer has spread everywhere and her suffering continues to get worse. Although her trial is one that can cause a broken heart and broken spirit we have to cometo know that even in the worst circumstances we can follow the Saviors message to "BE OF GOOD CHEER". We sure love these two people and love going to the Temple with them. This picture is outside the Logan Temple. Somehow each day we go to the temple it gets a little easier to move onward and upward in life. It is a reminder of how blessed we are to have the gospel and even more a reminder of how much we need the gospel. I have always felt in my heart the Lord would bless our family to grow. Although I don't know how this will happen, I have always felt it important to put our future "birth mom and baby" on the prayer roll knowing the Lord would take care of them until we meet.

Irreplaceable.......

My dad is absolutely Irreplaceable. I love him more than words can say. He is an amazing example to each of us. He is strong, encouraging, helpful and always keeping everyone laughing. This year for Fathers Day, Brex and I decided to make a TREASURE HUNT that"pops" had to follow in order to get to his Fathers Day Gift. At each clue a family member wrote down a fun and precious memory about dad. Needless to say it was so fun and a few memories were even a little bit of a tear jerker. A new BIKE - Everyone On the Hunt

MOTHERS DAY

Lucky? Absolutely! We are blessed to have Marshals mom, my mom, and my Step Mom to share Mothers Day with. It is often said that Fathers are the HEAD of the home, but without a Doubt MOTHERS ARE THE HEART OF THE HOME. Their kindness and influence have shaped every aspect of our life. In moments of happiness and sadness and everything in between they are always the ones we pick up the phone to call. When I was pregnant with Brex I was in the final year of my Master Degree program. I had little time to even consider how life would change with the addition of a little one to the family. However the day he was born and they placed him in my arms I knew that there was nothing more important than this little guy and nothing I wouldn't do to ensure that his life would be filled with happiness and unconditional love. On Mothers Day my youngest brother Jayson, who is serving in the Houston, Texas Mission got to call home. It is awesome to see how the gospel has helped him become both humble and strong. Since he only calls home twice a year we invited everyone over to eat BBQ Ribs for dinner, and talk to Elder Slater.

Brex is a chocohollic! He snuck a big bite and turned around and said i rewwy wub chowat!

Brex is never happier than when he is playing with his cousins.

Below Marshal is shooting tennis balls from the moon gun and everyone was scrambling to catch them.

Mothers Day continued

Granin (grandma Janis): Below is Grandma Janis. In a nutshell she is amazing and such a huge blessing in our lives. She has had every church calling there is. She loves service. She is always baking, cooking, and doing service for someone. Without a doubt she is THEE best cook I know. I love gardening and canning salsa with her.

Grandma Myler: Marshals mom is one of the greatest women I have ever known. She was speaking at a college fireside I was at before I had even met Marshal. I remember thinking that i would do anything to get to meet her. At that time I never would have imagined being lucky enough to have her as a "mom". She is a spiritual giant and makes life for her family wonderful. She is a great cook, seamstress, she is the Young Womens President, she is very active, healthy, and loves staying busy with family.

Grandma Sandy: My mom loves spending time with Brex. 3 days a week she takes him to the park, to the drive in for lunch, and for a bike ride. Brex absolutely loves those little outings. Grandma Sandy loves being outdoors. She can always be found camping and fishing at the resevoir. Brex loves spending time with his friends at daycare but every Monday and Wednesday grandma comes and picks him up early until we get home from work. She loves suprising Brex with little gifts. He is actually becoming accustom to getting a suprise from her. Every time she comes over now he says "what did you bring me" about as excited as you can imagine. But Brex is not spoiled......just loved!

Brex is singing Happy Birthday....with a 3yo you just have to take what you get when it comes to pictures:)

One of my favorite Quotes

"If God Brings You To It He Will Bring You Through It His Way Isn't Always The Easiest Way But It Is Always The Best Way"

Choose your Love, Love your Choice

Marshal and I have been married for 12 years ....sheesh....that makes me feel old! When we met, he was playing college basketball and I just started the nursing program. One of my friends on the team set us up on a blind date, and we literally haven't been apart since. He is my best friend for sure. Anyone who reads this knows marriage isn't all bliss and roses but our marriage has become strong over the years as we have learned to be fiercly loyal to each other, to try and always put the others needs above our own, and to always make time for DATE NIGHT. Below is our HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY - sadly yes I am a beach bum but we did win best costume!

There are 5 other couples in our ward that we have date night with once a month. Some of the dates we have done this past year are snowmobiling in Isand Park, Swimming, Bowling, dinner and movie, and a Wii Just Dance game night which was very very very funny seeing grown men try to get their dance moves on. Marshal pictured below isn't happy unless he gets to the top of the tallest mountain...:/ I prefer the trail!

Bowling with friends: Marshal thinks being TALL gives him a 1 up on everyone:)

Making time away even just once a month always reminds us why we fell in love in the first place. The JOKE at our house is Mom is the "chief" and dad is the "little Indian". However we all work really hard to help each other out and at the end of the day we say our nightime prayers and a little I love you.

River Rafting

8 siblings, plus spouses, and kids make for some much needed FUN. The last few years my youngest 2 brothers left for their Missions. We decided before they left to have a Family Getaway in Jackson Hole,Wyoming. We river rafted down the Snake River at Hoback Junction. Definitely something we will have to do again!!

After the Rafting, we took a Wagon Trail Ride through the Teton Mountains that ended in a pretty amazing Dutch Over Dinner!!! In the Dinner Picture are a my two youngest brothers, my parents and one sister.

Special Lessons From TIG -

The past 3 months have brought forth many tears, as well as, what we like to call "SPECIAL LESSONS FROM TIG". Tig is our 8 year old Black horse. I have spent the past 6 years rodeoing on him. He is a champion athlete, a teacher, and a friend. In a short time he soared to the top of his game with an ability unlike any other. March 1st 2012 we went out in the morning to feed and tragically found him severly injured. His pelvis was completely fractured in 2 locations seperating his pelvis from his leg. One of his main arteries was severed and he was bleeding out. It was heartbreaking to see my best friend suffering so much. The vets gave him only a 1% chance of surviving, but 3 months later and nothing short of a miracle here we are. Although there are days we wished so much things could have been different, I know in my heart the lessons we have had the privelage of learning from TIG and this trial were both necessary and priceless. The day of the injury the vets said there was absolutely nothing that could be done for him. He was suffering from intense pain, unable to even move. I asked Marshal to give him a Priesthood Blessing. The Spirit that came during his blessing was life changing. Tig became so calm and completely free of pain and by no small miracle the Bleeding stopped. I just knew at that moment that Heavenly Loves Each of us so much and although life will bring challenges, he has a plan of happiness for each of us. Tig has taught us to ALWAYS be FAITHFUL and FEARLESS. He taught us to Never Give Up moving in the directions of our dreams. He reminded us of the importance of LISTENING TO YOUR HEART. We learned that challenges help us DO MORE AND BECOME MORE than we otherwise could have. Finally we learned the WHY isn't important but the WHAT is important. What do we do from here, what are we suppose to learn, what do we need to do to find the good in this trial. On the day of the injury I thought my heart would be broke forever but today I see the amazing lessons, blessings, and opportunities to grow that this beautiful heartbreak offered us.

ENJOY the JOURNEY

It is easy to get caught up in all the trials and stresses of life forgetting how many blessings we have been given. I know when the Lord asks us to sacrifice, to learn, and to grow it is because he has so much more in mind for us. We know that the trials we are given will one day seem so small compared to the blessings they bring with them. So remember ENJOY the JOURNEY:) YARDWORK - its a big job but somebody has to do it!

GARDENING: our first garden planted by Me and Little B. He loved planting it, taking care of it, and most of all EATING it!

The State Fair with "Granin". Tiger ears, snowcones, bellies that get way to full, and seeing all the animals!

Brex,Brex, Brex........

This little guy will be a fabulous big brother. He is so sweet and offers HUGS and KISSES to anyone who looks his way. He keeps everyone rolling with laughter. There is something about his infectious smile and amazing red hair that just makes him one in a million.

Brex loves riding horses, feeding his chickens, and playing with cousins. He is especially lucky to have Granin (grandma) and Pops (grandpa) living right next door. They keep him busy with lots of new adventures. Recently they went to the zoo and dinosaur museum. He will be 3 in January and we cannot wait for him to have someone to share all his energy with.

Misty according to Marshal

Little M: Misty graduated with a Masters of Science Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She loves that her job allows her to help sick patients become healthier. However her heart truly belongs to Brex so she work only 1 1/2 days a week, and spends the rest of her time at home as Brexs' mommy.

My wife is very caring and thoughtful and always asking what she can do to help someone else. Misty is really motivated and works hard to be the best she can and everything she decides to do. She loves animals, especially dogs and horses. She loves spending time outside and barrel racing on the horses. Whenever I get home from work her and Brex are outside doing something fun. I can usually find them feeding the animals, gardening, riding bikes, or making something in the kitchen to take to a neighbor or friend.

One of the thingsI love about Misty the most is her ability to think things through and always do the right thing. Misty is close to her brothers and sisters and you can frequently find them turning to her for advice. I am grateful to have my best friend a my wife.

Marshal according to Misty

BIG M: There is so much to be said about this guy. He is 6'5" but that does not begin to compare to the size of his heart. He has such a giving heart. Without a doubt I know how much he loves Brex and I. He goes out of his way every day to take good care of us. On any given day he and Brex can be found playing a mean game of Hungry Hippos, going for a ride on the four wheeler, feeding the horses, or reading a book. When he is home Brex can always be found right by his side.

He has many skills and talents, that have certainly blessed our family. He had the amazing opportunity to play college basketball during which time he went to school for Accounting. He later started his own business which has allowed him to be home with us a lot and to plan is schedule around the needs of our family.

He is always game for fun. He rides horses, snowmobiles, goes camping, loves swimming, golfing, and playing basketball. Of the many things I love about him his willingness to serve is my favorite. On a weekly basis he does lots of service helping neighbors, friends, the young men and elders quorum at church, and anyone else who knows his cell number. He treats everyone he is around really good, and is always able to find the best and bring out the best in people.

The Decision to Adopt - Forward With FAITH

I will be honest, initially when we were considering adoption it seemed pretty scary. The unknown and the risk of heartbreak often times seemed more than we thought we could bare. However, as we have continued to move forward with faith in the promptings we received that we are suppose to adopt our whole attitude has changed. Adoption isn't a sad, heartbreaking process, it is an amazing, powerful, and life changing experience filled with miracles and love. It is our belief that adoption is an opportunity to bring about some incredible miracles. We are beyond excited to add another member to our family and will give this newest member all the love our 3 hearts can possibly hold. I can't even imagine how great the heart of an adopted child must be. I often think how lucky a they will be through the process of adoption have TWO moms. Additionally, How kind, loving, and unselfish the heart of a birth mother must be. We feel blessed to, when the time is right, get to know the hearts of both.

Rocks or Roses

Life is filled with CHALLENGES. We all know difficult times will come. Our family decided long ago that during challenging times you have two choices. You can look at the rocks in your path or you can look at the roses. They are both there, and only you can choose which one you will focus on. Having a positive attitutde and resolving to find the good in every situation has brought us so much happiness even when life gets hard.