Summer has begun!!!

Ok, so I have been really bad at blogging! I know that I need to blog more often for those of you that only see me every 5 years and those that I don't get to see ever! So here it what has happened in pictures since school got out in May! Hope you like them..........

We watched moose in our back yard......

Went to a Joe Diffy Concert.......

We played with Raylee......

Watched a few movies for date night........

We celebrated Ann's and Susie's Birthdays......

I went to Girls Camp.......Survived........

Went to Jim's Creek for a little fun......

Went for bike rides......

Took a family vacation to Homer...... Where we......

Went Clamming........and ........

We had a picnic ........ and we ........

Took lots of pictures by big fish......... because we could only catch.....

The little fish after we had fished and fished and fished..........

But we had fun so we decided to keep........

Eating and fishing and having a wonderful time! We enjoyed the ......

Ocean and beach........

The eagles ...... and .........

Beautiful sunsets! When the journey was done we .........

slept, and then we started our next journey!

Brandon and I always like to take road trips, they are never very far but they are always fun. This week during his day off we decided to go to Whitter......this is what we found.......

Before you actually get to Whitter you have to wait to go through the tunel. The unique thing about the tunel is that the train also goes through this tunel and so you have to wait your turn. Why we waited we studied the map......

When the light turns green you are free to go through....

And when the lights green you get to proceed.....

And our journey began......

and when you get to the other side ........

It was a little rainer than we were expecting but we made the best of it. We found some beautiful spots to take some amazing pictures.....

We had so much fun just spending time together.....

Making sure we enjoyed the day......

We know we are crazy but.........

we have so much fun with one another........

we had a lot of fun and I am so glad that we took this time just for us. I hope that we get to do it again really soon.

Mother's

This is my amazing Mother and Grandma (her Mom)

I know that most of us feel that our Mom is the BEST mother in the world, well I really believe that I do. My mother has always been there for me no matter what the situation or the need. I believe it is because she has the BEST mother in the world too!
On this day that we are given to celebrate mothers I am so grateful to be able to reflect upon all that our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and sisters in the gospel have done for us. I truly have been blessed to have these amazing women in my life. How wonderful it is that we have opportunities in our lives that we can learn from one another. I know that I have learned so many things from the women in my life. Their examples have been countless! I am amazed at how much love, compassion, charity, and devotion they show to me and their families. Thank you so much for sharing these precious truths and characteristics with me.
I hope that when I have the opportunity to be a mother that I will be able to incorporate these same qualities myself. Until that time comes I guess I will just have to practice on those around me. Thank you Mom for loving me!
One of my favorite lyrics from a song is:
My mother could have been an actress, my mother could have been a star, but she choose something more important, my mother chose to be my MOM!out there!
How grateful I am that my mother chose to be my MOM! Her example keeps me going!

These are my amazing Sisters!

This is my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mother's

Adoption

Today I have been thinking a lot about what it is that I truly want my life to be. As many of you know life doesn't ask us what we want before things are put in our path that does not really work into what we have planned or scheduled. I have wanted to be a mother since I can remember, my goals as a small girl were very simple, perform on broadway, get married, have a fammily and to teach.
Well, I didn't get to perform on broadway but I did get to perform in several schools around Utah, Nevada, Colorado, California, Tahiti, and England. I think that will be ok for that goal.

I married one of the most amazing men I know and love him so very much. I couldn't accomplish what I do without him right by my side to help me through all of the ugliness that life has thrown at me.

I am alomost finished with my teaching degree and actually have the opportunity right now to work in a school that allows me to help with teaching the children to read and to be safe.

So I have accomplished most of the goals that I set out to do as a small girl. The one goal that has not yet been reached is that of having my own family. As many of you know, Brandon and I have tried for the past 13 years to have our own family and have not been successful in this endevor. We have gone through the pain of being so excited knowing we were pregnant just to have our hopes and dreams crushed by the lose of the pregnancy. Because we want to have a family of our own so badly we took this desire to the Lord. We prayed for answers of how it was we were to have our family and were guided to adoption. We understand that this is a huge sacrifice for someone else as well as our selves to put all of our trust and faith in the Lord.

I have empty arms and they long to be filled with the warm and sweetness of a child that I can call my own. I am asking with all of the fiber of my being that you will pass on our adoption link to everyone that you know. Brandon and I have so much love to give. We cherise the time we get to spend with our nieces and nephews and the wonderful kiddos of our friends but it is very lonely for us when we leave them or they leave us. We want to be able to bring our own kids to the playdates and birthdays that we so happliy and love to participate in.

Please, please forward our request to all that you know.

https://www.itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/23312083/ourMessage.jsf

I know that I have a choice to be happy no matter what life has instore for me and that I infact get to choose many of the things life brings, but for those things that I do not get to choose I will keep praying and living to be able to experience the life that God feels is right for me. Thanks to all who love and support us in all that we do, we feel your love and prayers daily in our lives and love you all so very much.
I am going to try to live life like the song says,"It's not the breaths you take but the moment that take your breath away". I hope that all of you will too!

~ Sharon ~

Birthday Wishes Come True!

I just wanted to get on and say that I have the best family and friends anyone could dream of. Even though all of their lives are so hetic and full of all sorts of activities they took time out of their very busy schedules to make time for me and make my birthday special. Thank you so very much for loving me that much! I truly and blessed.
One of my wishes this year was to feel the love of my Savior in my life. I asked for this wish only because lately I have been pondering why it is we go through trials in our lives. I think that I still have a lot to learn but here are some of the things that I have discovered so far:
My Savior Jesus Christ died for me and suffered for MY sins, He loved me that much. Things that are put in our path are always for our growth, even when we don't understand why (this one is a little harder to accept sometimes), there are things that we are going to have to face in life that no one wants to face or have to go through, as long as I am in the drivers seat and the Lord is my co-pilot (if you will) I can accomplish anything. Many of these things are known by many, truth be told I guess I already knew it too. I am just so glad that I have constant reminders in my life that tells me I am a daughter of God and the I am loved unconditionally by him and my Savior. I am so blessed to have a loving husband who continues to keep me going when all I want to do is throw my hands in the air and say no more I am done! Thank you Brandon for loving me that much. Thank you to all of my family and friends that have helped me through the past year, as some of the hurdles are being passed and celebrated as a new anniversary I truly am amazed at how I have been able to overcome and conquer what has been put in my path, I could not have accomplished it all without your continued support either. I do not know how I will ever repay you all, please know how grateful I am and how much I love each and everyone of you. May we all feel the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as we continue through the journey we call life.

Holiday Fun and the New Year

I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my family. I can't believe that it is almost over. Even though school has started back up for all of them I am still enjoying the time here with them.

When I arrived in Utah it was raining and I was not to excited about it, but the following morning I woke up to 20" of fresh new snow. It was so exciting to see how excited my family from Texas was about the opportunity to play in the snow. Wyatt and Alyssa really don't remember the snow like that, Kristin and Dustin were so excited and stayed out in it for a really long time. They loved sledding behind the 4-wheeler and the small sledding hill we made in the back yard.

We had 22 of us on one day all together and it was like old times, loud and chaotic, just the way I remember it. Even though not all 32 of us were not all together at the same time it has been fun to see all of them.

Brandon and I had the opporunity to go visit friends in Logan and his sister from Vegas. We got to see my Grandmother and cousins from southern Utah. I am really tired of traveling from place to place but I wouldn't change it for the world.

I have scrapbooked with my mom, sisters, and neices and have raced cars with my nephews. Played games way to late into the night/morning and have relished in the joy on the faces of the little ones as they have opened their Christmas presents.
(I will post pictures soon of all the fun!)

As this new year begins I hope to make it even better than the last. I am going to try harder to be more appreciative of the things I have in my life instead of dwelling on the things I don't have. I am going to work on the things that I have cntorl over and not worry so much on the things I can't control. I am going to strive harder in my school work and be more loving to my family.

Most of all I am going to try harder to thank God for the blessings in my life everyday whether small or large. I am going to shower my wonderful husband with love and devotion and give the support he gives to me.

I hope that as this new year gets on its way we will all take a moment to thank God for the things they have in their life that they are thankful for and that they will take the challenge to do better in whatever aspect they need a little bit of work on in their lives. May God keep all of us in his arms and heart this coming year.

Happy 2011 family and friends! We love and appreciate all of you!

Sharon and Brandon

Christmas at HOME!

I can't describe how excited I am to be going home for Christmas this year. I know that I should be grateful to spend Christmas with Brandon's family but there is just something about being HOME with my family for the holidays. Karen (twin) is coming home to so that makes it that much more special. I don't even care if I open one gift, being able to be there with them is enough for me. I have had half of my suitcase packed for a month, I am crazy I know but just can't wait.

I hope that all of my family and friends find joy and happiness this year and that they will be able to enjoy the holiday season. MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas Is In The Air

It seems like the Christmas Spirit is already in the air. I love this time of year. I love the music, lights, family parties, smells, and of course the gifts. I know most of you are probably thinking it is because I love to receive gifts, which is true, I also love to give gifts. I love to watch family and friends open up what it is I have gotten them. I know that sometimes they don't quite know what to say to what it is I give them but that is part of the fun. I can't wait for Brandon to open his gifts this year. We don't have any money to speak of so I had to get a little creative. I can't wait to go home to be with my family in Utah and I can't wait to squeeze all of those wonderful neices and nephews! Well until later, keep that Christmas Spirit alive in all that you do!

Just a quick reminder, Sunday,December 5, 2010, I will be singing with the community choral for the Messiah. It is at the LDS Stake House right by Wasilla High School. It starts at 7:30! Love you see you all there! Come and enjoy the season through song!

Winter Fun

So grateful today for family and friends. So very grateful for a wonderful husband that loves me unconditionally! For a warm fire and delicious pie. I am so thankful for the land that I live in that is free and allows me to worship how I wish. I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. We took some pictures today and thought that we would share them with you. Hope you enjoy them.

Make your own scrapbook

Fun Fall Pictures!

I know that this is a little late in getting posted, We actually have snow on the ground now, but I thought that I would post them so that my wonderful family and friends could enjoy them. Brandon and I went to Hatcher's Pass a couple of times after church and we really enjoyed our time together! We hope that you enjoy them too!

Scrapbook design customized with Smilebox

The "Mighty Hunter"

Wow, it has been forever since I posted anything.  So sorry to those that follow closely!  I will try to do better!  Let me recap for you quickly before I get to the "Mighty Hunter" section.

Lets see school started in September so I am back working with the kids everyday.  I so enjoy working with them.  I start out the day in a kindergarten class for reading, boy they are so smart! then it is off to the playground.  It has been a little bit of a challenge this year, we have a  new section of playground equipment, super fun, but crazy at times with all that want to be on it.  After recess I spend the afternoon and early evening in the daycare.  I guess you could say I am a sucker for being around kids, I love them all though!
I am stil in the Stake Young Women's and Brandon is the 11 year old scout leader.  We are very excited about this year and what it might bring.  Brandon and I are both going to school and trying to fit everything else into our spare time.  It just seems like there isn't enough time in the day to get everything done sometimes but we seem to keep managing.  I am sure it is because of  our families that help us out so much! Thank You!

Ok so on to the "Mighty Hunter" story:

Brandon, Brett, Laurie (Brett's wife) and I decided to go hunting last weekend.  Brett and I drew out for a tier II caribou hunt.  The area for the hunt is about 3 hours away so we packed up all of the gear and the 4-wheelers and we were off.  We spent the night in Glennallen, at the caribou lodge, it was pleasant but very short since we left 4 hours late!  You know how things just seem to take longer when you have a schedule...we woke up and finished driving to where Brandon had scouted earlier in the week.  There were more hunters than I have seen.  They were everywhere.  It seemed like every truck we pasted that the was  set of antlers and a body peeking out.  I was super excited to get out there a slay me a big one.  Along the way we say several herds but they were out quite a bit and we decided to keep going to see if we could find a herd closer to the road, well just that happened.  We saw a herd at the base of a small hill and we were off.  Brett and Laurie went one way and Brandon and I went the other to help push them towards the base of the hill.  Well Brett shot and nailed one, I on the other hand wasn't quite fast enough, the herd went up the hill before I got close enough to shoot.  So after helping Brett dress his caribou we started searching for another herd so that I could shoot one.  It seemed like every where we went they were either way far out or there were hunters already there.  I was getting very discouraged.  Just before sunset we were on our way back down off the mountain and I spotted a caribou all by himself.  Lets just say I took "8" shots and we left without one for me.  Was not the kind of weekend I had planned.
I stewed upon this all week, I was so mad at myself for missing not once but "8" times.  Brandon kept telling me not to worry about it, after all it was 400 yards out and it was getting dark.  That only seemed to help for a short time.  Wednesday after work, Brandon and I went target shooting once again to see if I could get a little more practice in before we went out agian.  We discovered that I really can hit what it is I am trying to shoot as long as I use the scope correctly.  Well Friday night (10/29) Brandon and I drove back up to Paxson to see if we could slay me a caribou.  We decided to sleep in the truck to safe money for our trip south for Christmas.  Lets just say, it was cold, and very uncomfortable.  I am not sure either one of us slept very much.  We got up around 7:30 and headed to the Paxson lodge to ready ourselves for the day.  As we started out from the lodge, there were not very many hunters out.  I don't know if it was because of the 2 feet of snow on the ground or if they were just waiting for the fog to lift.  We drove past a few herds way out again in hopes we could find one closer to the road.  We did, and by the time I got out of the truck and ready they were about 400 yards off again and climbing up and over the hill.  I decided not to trace after them and we headed back down the road.  No more than 10 minutes later, I was standing off the side of the road.  We pulled up on a small herd, about 5, there was a nice size bull in the herd, Brandon said, "Go get him".  I slowly and as quitely as I could opened the truck door and drove a bullet into the chamber of my gun, I took aim and shot, missed, cocked it one more time and repositioned on my target.  Shoot and watched him stumble a little.  He was about 135 yard off the road and Brandon said, you got him, follow him.  I started up the side of the hill.  Brandon caught up to me and we climbed over the crest of the hill, there he was, laying on the next little hill.  He was just staring at us.  I had hit him but not killed him.  I took aim and once more took a shot.  I have to say it was a very exciting and nerve racking experience.  I am so glad for the experience and know now that the next time I want my shot to be even more accurate the first time so that I don't have to hike as far or I need to shoot in a an area that lets us use the 4-wheeler.  I know it is pretty silly but I named my dead caribou "mortimer".  Here is the reason why, morty was once and he is no more.  We had to drag  him off the mountain, he weighs about 250 lbs and I was so glad that Brandon was there to help me.  Hope  you enjoy the pictures.


Here is a picture from Brandon's scouting trip

More of Brandon's scouting trip



and more caribou....



And here is "Mortimer"...isn't he a beauty!!!




This is what our drive was like....beautiful landscape...




This is the way you ride a 4-wheeler around where I shot Mortimer....UGH!!!
We couldn't even take it out of the truck, that is subsistance hunts for ya,
pulling him off the mountain was not that fun.....he was heavy! I still do not know
how we got him into the truck with just the two of us.  Brandon was like Superman!




And I wouldn't have been able to do it with out his help!  Thanks babe!
 I Love You!




A few more pics from our drive




I love it when the snow is like this on the trees!

 
 Well there you have it.  My story of how I got Mortimer!  I can now say that I am a "True" Alaskan!