a few thoughts

2 Nephi 1:5-7
But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord.

Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.

Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor. (Declaration of Independence)

I LOVE this holiday. I LOVE this country. I LOVE having my rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness acknowledged and protected. I am so grateful to all the men who met together and signed this document (volunteering to die as traitors if necessary), so this nation could be born as "one nation, under God".

Open House

We took the kids to walk through the Oquirrh Mountain Temple last Friday. They were very excited to see what the inside of a temple is like. It was so wonderful to be able to be there with our whole family, and to teach the kids about forever families in the sealing room. I showed them the mirrors, and let them see how the reflection goes on forever, just like our family. I could have stayed there and kept watching them forever. I wish I could take them back over and over again.


I'm excited for this to be our new temple. I can't wait until it opens.

Lake Powell

We spent the last week on a houseboat in Lake Powell with our extended family. The trip down was fun- we flew down, which saved us a few hours.

We went right over Bryce Canyon: gorgeous!

I want to camp at this lake right next to Bryce Canyon.

I got several shots of the lake and the marina.

The kids had fun with their cousins, swimming and tubing and hiking on the rocks.

Ethan even tried wakeboarding.

And I had some fun waterskiing.

I made the kids wear their life jackets the entire time. Sweetest Brooklyn was so good to put up with the bulky vest.

under the sea

Jenna is performing in her end-of-the-year dance recital tonight. They are dancing to "Under The Sea" from The Little Mermaid. She is all dolled up and ready to go, with makeup and sparkles in her hair and earrings to match her leotard. I thought we should take a few pictures before we head out the door, so here they are:



I've got the video camera charging, so look forward to video coming soon.

swimmer

Ethan did great at his first swim meet on Monday night. He competed in the boys 25 backstroke and freestyle races and did very well. (They don't place in the 5-6 year old group, they all get a ribbon for completing the race.) He was so excited to race. I was tons of fun to watch him get ready to jump into the water and do "little kicks crazy fast!" as he puts it. Go Ethan!