Long but a good story

It was just 4 years ago yesterday that I met Colby for the first time.  I was attending BYU-Idaho and I was down in Salt Lake for a field trip for one of my classes with some friends.  

Now to explain a little bit, as a missionary on temple square you serve in another mission in the United states for about 3-4 1/2 months.  I was assigned to serve in the Chicago Illinois South mission. That weekend a friend of mine who had been in my district while serving in chicago had arranged a Bon fire in Provo canyon with a bunch of people that I hadn't seen in about 3 years.  So it was kind of a mini mission reunion. So I drove up to the canyon to see everyone.  I was just hanging out at the bon fire and so excited to see everyone.  Granted there were some missionaries there that I had never met, but had heard of them.  I remember there were these really two tall guys standing by the fire so I introduced myself and we talked and that was it.  An hour or so later I was talking with one of my good friends and out of the corner of my eye I see one of those really tall guys, Johnson (because you usually just end up calling people by there last name from the mission), staring at me.  Before I know it he walks over and said, "did I hear you guys talking about BYU-Idaho?"  He proceeded to join in on our conversation which lasted a few minutes and then we were all back at the bon fire.  We are all standing around and I was standing next to Cottam (on my left) and Johnson (on my right).  It was a chilly night and Cottam is just a friendly guy and had his arm up on my shoulder as well as on the guy on his left.  So he says to Johnson, "come on Johnson, join the love."  So Johnson (Colby) puts his arm around me too.  I was for sure that we would soon bust into song and starting singing Kumbaya.  Anyway, then Johnson says, Cottam I've hugged you before but there was never a girl between us.  I kind of like it."  Ha ha real cute right??

Through out the evening we both opening admitted that we did silly things to try to always be near each other or talking to each other.    Eventually it was getting time to leave but I somehow wanted a picture of this kid.  So I pretended I was taking a picture of the entire group and this is what came out.    

(if you couldn't tell Colby is in the brown hoodie, the other tall guy in the black ended up being one of his groomsmen)

I was saying my goodbye, when I saw that Johnson had already started heading to his car.  I kept thinking, how am I going to keep in contact with this guy, I need his number or something.  So i walking incredibly fast towards his car, that from the beginning thought was obnoxious.  Little did I know that someday I would be part owner of that thing and drive my little baby around in it.

So he gave me a little side hug and said nice to meet you Marshall.  To add to the story, he thought that I was someone's friend until he heard someone call me Marshall.  Apparently, he had heard about me and knew who I was after that.

Well, he jumped in his rig and drove off.  I stood there thinking, dah, now what do I do.  

I drove my friend Cottam home and decided that if this was going to go anywhere I was going to stop doing the dumb dating games we have all done and just lay it all out on the table.  So I said, "Cottam, tell me about Johnson."  After he found out I was interested he said, "Johnson was one of the hardest working missionaries I had ever seen.  He is a great guy and you would be one lucky girl.  I approve."  Well, I was quite happy with that.  

The next night i had written in my journal.  The following is quoted from it:

"I feel the need to write in my journal tonight.  Not exactly sure why.  But I had a good weekend.  I was in Salt Lake for a school field trip originally and decided to stay for the weekend.  ...I got together with a group of missionaries that served in chicago.  It was awkward at first...but then it got better.  I usually try not to mention specific names in my journal because I don't want to waste space and time about someone who will not be in my future.  I know that may sound really stupid and almost ridiculous but it is true!  But I did meet someone this weekend who has been occupying my mind since I last saw him.  I know...no big deal, it happens all the time to everyone.  But I really would like to get to know him better." 

When I got back to Rexburg, I was talking with my companion from Chicago who also happened to be in the MTC with him so they were friends too (she ended up being a bridesmaid).  I told her that I may have thought one of the Elder's there was attractive.  Without even asking she said..."was it Johnson?" yyeeaaaah.

Well, Colby had left for a cruise that next week and was actually dating someone else at the time.  He also knew that one of his really good friends liked me ( he ended up being a groomsman) and he didn't want to interfere with that either.  So he refused my number at first, but as he was getting on the boat he called our mutual friend back got my number.

I waited and waited, it was about 2 weeks later and 2 weeks of complaining to my roommate Sara (also was a bridesmaid) when I got a random text that said, "bet you don't know who this is texting you from a 520 area code."  

My response, "bet ya I do and can I say, It's about time!"

The rest is history!!

An Eventful Week

Last week we had some old friends, Parker and Jenny, from BYU-I fly in.  .  

They could only spend a couple of days with us so we tried to get it as much as we could.  We decided that we would try out "Whipt Cream."  It is a confectioners bakery and it was soooo yummy!! They have an amazing buttercream frosting.  Plus they give out free samples and have lots of choices.

 Check out their website! 

The first day they were here they spent at the City museum.  For those of you who know nothing about it, it is a play ground for adults.  Unfortunately, we couldn't go with them, but they had a blast and were so tired at the end of the day.  I wish I had one of their videos because it looked so awesome.

Of course we had to hit up the arch!  

Like I said, they couldn't stay long but we had a good time with them and so did Eden!

In fact we have a mobile baby!!! Boy is this an entirely different experience.  My mind is in a completely different mind set now.

Sure didn't take her long to get to the candy dish.

Also, this weekend our ward had their annual Fall Festival!  It started off with a chili cook-off and then a costume parade.  I wanted something original for Eden so we found a sweet costume.  She was a guitar and Colby the Rock star.  

And I couldn't possibly miss out on the opportunity to get Eden's picture with the Beatles!!

There was also a trunk or treat.  We kind of waited to the last minute to decorate Colby's truck but we added one new element this year and next year we already have a new plan!

The kids loved climbing up into the truck.  It was quite the hit.  We had to do some crowd control at one point.

 This picture was just too cute to pass up.  This is Lyla.  She is the daughter of our friends, Lindsay and Tyler who also goes to Logan.

Eden with a couple of the Young Women.

 We spent the end of the evening dancing!  A couple had come and taught us different square dances and Colby and I learned the Virginia Reel!  We had a good time!

 and....apparently Eden didn't think much of our dancing skills.

Again!!!

Sometimes people like to poke fun at me and my family because of how often we go to Nauvoo.  But I am sure that we all have a place that we love to visit and would want to got there all the time if we could.  Well, we are very fortunate to live so close to Nauvoo.  It has always held a special place in my heart and I love visiting.  Yes, it is a very small town with little or no commercialism or civilization but to me it is a good reminder of the little yet important things in our life that we should be grateful for.

Our first stop was to Carthage jail.  Always a good reminder of the sacrifices that are necessary to defend the kingdom of God.  

We played in the leaves with Eden, which at first she didn't like so well.  But got used to it.

She practiced walking with Nana, which has become one of her favorite things to do.

We then took Colby to the Old Nauvoo cemetery.  It is on the outskirts or Nauvoo tucked in a little ways and you have to park and walk through the woods to get to it. It is so beautiful back in there.  In fact, oddly enough Colby said that is where he would want to be buried because it was so beautiful and peaceful away from everything.

On saturday, we spent a good time in the temple.  That temple is just soo amazing!  I cannot get over the beauty and detail that the pioneers put into it.

Sunday, we went to the Relief Society gardens behind the visitor center and took some family pictures.

I just love Nauvoo!  So if you haven't been there, we have an extra room and would love to take you there!  So come on over!!!

Thinking about things

First, conference was really incredible.  I always walk away feeling ready to make some changes in my life.  All to often there are things that I think are not "that bad."  But you know what, they are.  I just admitted to myself that it was "bad" but not "that bad."  Well, when it comes to the gospel there isn't room for any grey area.  This conference was a little different for me.  When it was so I felt a different sense of rejuvenation.  I felt like I had just attended a spiritual pep rally for my life, and you know what, I am ready to go out there and give Satan all I've got and I am ready to win.  I am excited and pumped up and he is not going to know what hit him.  

After each conference Colby and I like to take some time and evaluate our lives and say, "ya know, we really need to do better with this."  I believe that there is always room for improvement.  If you don't think there is, that is proof enough.  We always have something that we could do better with.  

So right after the last session Colby and I drove down the road where they are starting a new housing development.  These homes are incredible!  They are all million dollar homes as we have looked at the for sale signs.  But we drove over and parked the car and walked around the neighbor hood.  IT was a beautiful afternoon with just a slight chill in the air.  We got Eden all bundled up and strolled down the lane. 

Here are a few picture of our beautiful scenery.

It was so peaceful and it got Colby and I talking about the ideal home.  I don't mean, the style of house I want, with these type of windows and this kind of floor plan.  I mean, the feeling inside our home.  We decided that we have a lot of distractions that take away from the spirit truly being in our home.  There are so many movies that don't need to be there, TV shows that we just don't need to watch, and behavior that really needs improvement.  Colby and I from the beginning decided we never wanted TV because there was nothing but inappropriate shows on anymore.  Thought I do miss watching football games and seeing the news every once in a while.  But then we thought was it worth it to be tempted by the other shows.  The funny thing is we have a TV but no cable or satellite, but yet we can still get to the shows online!  You just can't get away.  But we decided that we didn't like the TV being the focal point of our home.  So we are moving it out.  We think so many more productive things can be done, many more memories could be made.  

I cannot wait for tonight, for FHE we are sitting down and setting specific goals of how we can be more like how our Savior wants us to be.

I really love the gospel. And I have decided to raise my title of liberty, to remind me 

what I am fighting for, what I am living for!