Manon Lescaut

Our anniversary is January 3rd.  It was a great day to get married, but finding the money and time to celebrate your anniversary can be a little tricky because its right there wrapped up in all the holidays.  This year we decided to celebrate a little later; I think it will become tradition.  For our anniversary I wanted to do something we had never done before but I always thought would a neat experience....

Are ya ready for it?...

Jared took me to the Opera!!

Did you fall off your seat?  Because I about did when he agreed to it!

Check out these pics:

 

Yes, we were in the nose-bleed, cheap seat.  I didn't care, the atmosphere was so incredible.  The singing was completely mind boggling.  I'm one of those people that can NOT carry a tune- at all- even to save my life.  To hear these people sing- holy crap.

The production was Manon Lescaut by Puccini.  It was sung in Italian and there were subtitles in English so I knew what was going on.  I will say that I didn't really like the story of Manon Lescaut.  You can read the synopsis here.  In my opinion, Manon, the heroine, is selfish, vain, and just plain stupid.  Which is probably why she dies in the end.  Jared and I both really enjoyed it.  ... enjoyed the opera, not her dieing.  Haha.  Actually, Jared was relieved when she {quote} finally died {end quote}.  Jared thinks that if it would have been shorter it would have been perfect.  Overall, it was wonderful.  I can't wait to talk Jared into going to another one with me! 

Happy Birthday Jared

Happy Birthday

Happy Valentine's Day
to the love of my life!
Jared is 31 today! I am so grateful to have him in my life. He is a wonderful husband and an amazing father. We are all so lucky to have him. Note Bentli's look of adoration in the photo above. Bentli has a special place in her heart for her Daddy, Mom never knows what she is talking about but Dad knows everything! She loves to goof around and tease with him. Tatum thinks his Dad is the coolest thing around. He asks multiple times a day when his dad will get home and loves Saturdays and Sundays cause Dad is home all day! Its pretty hard to compete with Jared, but I can't ever be upset about it cause I completely agree with them. Jared is simply the BEST!
We love you!

Thankful

I have been meaning to write a thankful post all month. While this period in our lives has been beyond hard, we have also been extremely blessed. I could go on and on with all the things we have been blessed with, so I will just keep it to the ones that have been on my mind this month.
I AM THANKFUL FOR:

• the scriptures- such a great source of knowledge and instruction
  
• temples- I miss being close to one
  
• our wonderfully diverse ward we live in- we really love the people in our ward family
  
• the gospel- how could you live without it?
  
• opportunity for Jared to go to school- and grateful for the hard work he puts into it
• prayer- through everything I have learned that even if Heavenly Father doesn't answer your prayers the way you want, He will NOT abandon you and He will be there to sooth your aching heart
• amazing friends- ones that have stuck by me through all my crazy and irrational moments, ones that send love from afar, ones still praying for me, ones who still check on me... so many things they do, and it means the world to me
• the best family it the world- Jared and I have the best family and I know that I can rely on every single one of them
• Bentli- I am so glad she is the oldest, she is the most wonderful big sister. She takes her duty as big sister very seriously, she will do anything for her siblings. She has such a tender and loving heart. She is full of sass and can be challenging, but I LOVE it. She keeps me on my toes. She soaks up information like a sponge and is so smart. She is our artist and loves to make us all happy with all her artwork she makes us.
• Tatum- I love my boy. He makes me smile every day and his favorite thing to do is make you laugh. He will do anything for a laugh. His smile is beautiful and I love how his eyes pretty much close when he smiles, just like me. Tatum means cheerful, and he fits his name perfectly. He is all boy and so busy trying to keep up with his big sister who he adores.
  
• Teagan- I got to know Teagan during my pregnancy, she only had nice loving kicks for her mama, she was very sweet. I often wonder what it was she did in the pre-existence to get out of living in this world. She is so pure and beautiful, her spirit is beyond description. I am blessed to have her as a daughter. She has changed me just as much, if not more, than my other children. She has taught me faith, love, and to cherish every moment you have with those you love.
• Jared- I decided to marry him at the young age of 19, and it is the best decision I have ever made. I love his humor. I love his dedication to our family, he is a wonderful father. He is my rock and my calming influence. He has so much faith, such an example to me. I would be lost without him.
• Forever Families- I cling to this knowledge. Losing Teagan has made me appreciate in a whole new way how miraculous and wonderful eternal families are. I eagerly await the resurrection when our family can be together again. How would I survive without this knowledge?

• The Atonement- the amazing amount of love that our Savior has for each of us is astounding. That He loves us so much to suffer for us and make Heavenly Father's plan possible is humbling. Not only has He made 'the plan' possible, but He also understands every heart break, pain, and sorrow.

I have so much to be grateful for.

Sea World, Take Two

Well, on Saturday we headed over to Sea World again after Jared got off work. We had a fun, exciting, and exhausting afternoon. We saw a lot of fun stuff; from skiing pyramids, diving sea lions, break dancing sea lions, a walrus doing sit ups, dolphins, and of coarse Shamu! Our favorite show was the evening sea lion show, it was great!

Bentli felt like she hit the jackpot, Sea World twice in one week. On the way there she saw a Wal-Mart, and concerned that we would make a detour said, "Mom, don't go Wal-Mart. We go to Sea World, OKAY!" We made it to Sea World and she clapped through every show. When we left I asked her what her favorite was, her reply, "The whales". Shamu has a lifelong fan.

Tate took a nap, but he was sick of the heat and noise, so he was on Mom's lap most of the time. He was happy as long as he had his water bottle, but if you took that away, watch out!! Overall, we had a fun time together as a family. Mom and Dad were beat by the time we made it home. The memories make it all worth it.

Canyon Lake

This weekend we went boating with our good friends, the Jorgensons. We sure are lucky to have such awesome friends who share their toys with us!! Bentli was so excited to get the lake and get on the boat. She was glued to our sides and wasn't interested in getting in the water at all. We did have her sit on the tube with me. She wouldn't let us pull her on it though. Tatum was happy as could be all day long, definately born to play. Jared takes after his mother though and donated his wedding ring to the bottom of the lake. It fell off while he was tubing and I guess we will have to go ring shopping again. We had a wonderful day, thanks to wonderful friends!!

Tate was such a trooper!

Bentli was safe by Daddy's side
Bentli clinging to Mom on the tube.
Jared and Ben Platt (Becky, Ben was missing you!)

Jared grilling us up some lunch

Bentli having a snack with Dana Jorgenson

Bentli chill'n with Michelle Jorgenson

Dana and Tate

Two wiped out kids on the way home!!