lAs VEgaS!!!

This past week I spent the whole week in Las Vegas. I had never been to Vegas and my parents were headed down cause my dad was ropin in the World Serious Team Roping Championship. They invited to me go along with them. Todd had to work so he wasnt able to go so I went by myself with my parents. And I had ALOT OF FUN!!! We left Malta Saturday morning. (december 3). We drove all the way to Mesquite that night and spent the night there. My parents and I went bowling that night, it was alot of fun even though I literally suck at bowling I still had alot of fun and it was definitaely fullof laughs. We got up Sunday morning pretty early and headed for Vegas. My dad had a ropin that day in Vegas so we needed to be in Vegas by nine so he could get signed in. My mom and I dropped him off at the ropin and we headed out shopping. We had alot of fun shopping and trying to find our way around Vegas. We went back to watch my dad for awhile and then at about four o'clock we decided to head to the Excalibur and get checked into our room. My dad stayed out to the ropin cause he wasnt done. Let me just tell you what VEGAS WAS A MESS!!!! Sunday night they were having a marathon in Vegas and they had the whole strip blocked off. What should have taken us maybe thirty minutes to get to the Excailbur and get checked in took us over two hours cause the traffic was horrific and everything was blocked off it was a maze trying to get into our hotel. Once we finally got all checked in mom and I were not going anywhere. The traffic was at a standstill and was going to be till eleven that night. So to make a long story short my dad had to find a way back to the Excalibur cause there was no way we could get out to go get him. We went to Mandalay Bay and waited by the tram for over two hours till my dad was able to make his way there to meet us. While we were waiting we actually got to go to the top of Mandalay Bay and look out over Las Vegas it was a very cool experience. Once we were back at the Tram waiting for my dad the marathon had finished and all the runners were trying to get on the tram it was a complete ZOO... There were so many of the runners who were so sick they were puking all over, lets just say my first night in Vegas was not too impressive:)
Monday my dad went out to South Point to watch the ropin so my mom and I decided to head out on the strip we walked and walked and walked. We walked all the way down to Mirage and through I swear ever casino in between. My feet have never hurt so bad. I had the worse shin splints and the back of my knees hurt so bad. That night we went to the NFR. This was an awesome time I had alot of fun after the rodeo we went to the Bellagio and watched the fountains. I must say I was VERY IMPRESSED..
On Tuesday we checked out of the Excalibur and checked into the Desert Rose. This is where we stayed the rest of our time in Vegas. I loved it there. It just like an apartment so it makes being away from home alot more relaxing. After we got all checked in and settled we headed out to Hover Dam. WOW!!! That was awesome. That night we just stayed at the hotel and went soakin in the hot tub. Just what my feet and legs needed from walking so much the day before.
Wednesday we went to one of the trade shows and went out to South Point and watched one of the ropins out there. We also did a little shoppin at a mall out there. Lindsay and Chase came down on wednesday so that night we watched the girls for them so they could go to the Tournament of Kings. So we took the girls over to the MGM Grand and saw the Lions and watched them get fed. Madison just loved it.
On Thursday we went to the Bass Pro Shop and did a little shopping and then headed back over to South Point cause my dad was roping that afternoon. It was alot of fun to watch my dad. Later that night we all went down to Fremont Street and then went over to the Venetian. The venetian was beautiful. Fremont street was a little weird the show that they did was very odd lol:)
Friday we went to the two big trade shows. They were HUGE!! I was so tired by the time we got back to the hotel. Lindsay, Chase, Madison and I went swimming again that night and we also ordered in Pizza and just hung out at the hotel it was alot of fun to just relax and spend time with the family.
Saturday: I couldnt believe how fast Saturday came it was our last day in Vegas we did so more shopping and went back to a few of the trade shows and they had some awesome deals going on since it was the last day. Lindsay and I got all our Christmas shopping done. That night we went out and ate and then called it a night. We left Vegas at Seven in the morning Sunday morning. I was excited to get home I missed my husband so much and also my little abbey. It was a long trip home but I am so lucky that I got to go to Vegas and I had alot of fun:) thanks mom and dad for lettin me go along.

One night that we got to watch the girls they were so much fun..

This was at the Venetian

This is at Fermont Street it was really cool how it was all covered and they put on this show. There were alot of people dressed up. VERY ENTERTAINING

This was at the aquarium out at the Bass Pro Shop. The sting ray were way cool

Another night that we had the girls. This is when we took Madison over to see the Lions. She got so excited when she saw them. Ainsley was such a good baby she was so happy all the time

Our trip to the Hover Dam and Lake Mead

This was all at the Bellagio

This was at the NFR.. I had alot of fun, they do an awesome job puttin this on

Just a few pictures we took while on our long walk around Las Vegas

WE ARE MOVED!!!

I am so grateful for everyone that came and helped us move. We are finally in Malta and in our new home. Friday was insane the wind was blowing so hard but we got moved. As my dad and chase were coming back to Malta they were going across the Hansen Bridge and the wind was so strong that it lifted the trailer up a little so we are lucky everyone made it back here safely. My mom and Lindsay rode back with me because we stayed behind and cleaned the apartment so we wouldn't have to make another trip to twin. By the time we got to Malta there were so many people at our new place helping carrying everything in. It humbled me very quickly. How lucky am I to have so many people willing to take time out of their day to come help us move THANK YOU EVERYONE.. I worked so hard Friday night and a lot of Saturday and I am lucky to say that all the boxes are empty and everything is put away. Our walls are all decorated and the Christmas decorations are up. It truly feels like home to me now. I am so glad that we were able to get all moved in before any big snow storms hit. Abbey is still trying to figure out where she is and all this space that she has to run around. She snuck upstairs the first night and pooped so up went the child gate very quickly :) I cant not wait till I can start to paint the things I want to paint. Todd was so good about helping to hang all my pictures and shelves on the wall he was a real trooper. When we left Twin it was a very bitter-sweet feeling. I have been in Twin for nine years there are some amazing memories in that town. But most of all it was very hard to leave my twin sister. I love her so much and we have lived together our whole lives until I got married and then she just moved two apartments down so we were still very close to each other. It is going to be hard not having her so close. Not being able to have her there when I need a shoulder to cry on. I doubt she will ever realize just how hard this move was and how hard it was to leave her in Twin. I wish that she could have moved to Malta too, hopefully one day she will end back out here. I love her so much and I would not be where I am today without the love and support from her. The bond that twins share is beyond words and unless your a twin you will never completely understand it. I don't know I am so lucky to be blessed with such an amazing sister she is truly wonderful I LOVE YOU TARA!! I hope she will one day realize the impact she has had on my life.

22nd, 23rd, 24th

November 22:
I am so grateful for church music. There is some nights when nothing else fills the soul like church music does. It has a way of making everything better and calming me down. With Todd gone some nights I really freak myself out and Church music is the only thing that seems to help and make me feel safe and closer than ever to my Father in Heaven.

November 23:
Tonight is my last night here in this apartment and it is bitter sweet. I cant not wait to move but at the same time I am going to miss this little apartment. It has been a great place to live and it was Todd and I's first place together. I am so grateful that we were able to call this place home for two years. We have been very blessed.

November 24:
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I cant believe that it is already here and pretty much gone. I am so grateful for this day and for the things that I represents. I was surrounded by so much family today and I loved every minute of it. It is amazing what this Holiday season can do for the soul. We move tomorrow and I am so excited I cant believe it is here. I have been waiting for this day to come and it is finally here (well almost):) I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL DAY today and that you felt as much love as I did.

19th, 20th, 21th

November 19th: Today I am grateful for my home in Malta, my parents house. Even though I moved away from home 9 years ago I know that I am more than welcomed at my parents home. I feel so safe there and its a place I can go to get away from the rest of the worries in today's busy life. I love just being able to go there and relax and be surrounded by the love of my parents. I am truly so blessed to have such a strong relationship with my parents and to know that they are always there and I can always go HOME!!

November 20th: I am so blessed.. When I decided to write everyday this month about the things that I am thankful I thought oh man this is going to be so easy. But every time I get on to write its the little things that come to my mind. I could always write about the worldly things that surround us each and every day but I am grateful that I have taking this challenge, it has really made to appreciate the little things in life. I was in Malta today and I loved just being able to be lazy all day and sit around with my parents and just relax. There are not very many days like this anymore, but today was one of those days and I am so thankful for it. We had nowhere to go and nothing really that needed to be done. So we weren't running 100 miles and hour trying to keep up with everything. I believe that we need days like this every once in awhile so we can remember just how blessed we are.

November 21st:
I cant believe it is the week of Thanksgiving. Four more days and then we will be moving to Malta. It has been a long time coming but at the same time it seems like the last month has gone by so fast. Everything is pretty much packed up and ready to go. We have a oven that we are getting from Wilson Bates and Todd's parents found us a fridge up in Ketchum. I am so grateful for my in-laws. I am truly blessed they are wonderful. They have been a
lot of help trying to find a fridge for us. There are a lot of people who complain about there in-laws but I am so lucky I have no complaints at all. They are great examples and are wonderful parents.

14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th

November 14th:
I am so grateful today that I live in the United States of America and that we are so blessed to have the freedoms that we have. I cant even imagine living in a country where we are told what we can believe in and how to can live our lives.

November 15th:
Todd came home today. Every time he travels home or heads to go back to work I am a complete mess. I know that he is a safe driver but it still scares me to have him driving that long of a distance. He works 12 hour shifts and then as soon as he gets off work he heads home and it takes him a good four hours to get home so by the time he gets home he has been awake for a very long time. So I am so grateful that Our Father in Heaven watches over and protects Todd every time that he is on the road and I am so grateful that he arrives safely back home to Abbey and I.

November 16th:
Today I want to tell all my friends how grateful I am for each and every one of them. I have some amazing friends in my life. There have been several who have come and gone but they came into my life at a time when their friendship was much needed. And for one reason or another I have been so blessed with some amazing friends. The friends that I have today, I really don't know what I would do without. They have been there for me when Todd is gone working and I have needed someone to help me through my trials. I have friends who are there to listen to me when I need to vent about life. I am so grateful for all of you and you know who you are. So THANK YOU!!!

November 17th:
Tonight Todd headed back to Nevada and the first night that he is gone is always the hardest for me. I am not going to lie there has been many many tears shed as soon as he walks out the door. There have been times that I feel like I am totally alone but I have to remind myself that I am never alone. My father in heaven is only a phone call away. I am so grateful for the power of prayer and that I have the ability to also pour my heart out my my Father in Heaven and that he is always there ready to listen to me. I have a quote in my house that says, " When Life gets too hard to stand, Kneel." How amazing is this quote it just reassures us that all we need to do is get down on our knees and he is there ready to listen to the pleading of our hearts.

November 18th:
Today is SNOWED!!! I know there are many of you out there that are probably totally disgusted with this. BUT I AM EXCITED.. I love the snow and I especially love the snow this time of the year. It just really makes the spirit of this holiday season and I am so grateful for that. This time of the year is my favorite and I am so grateful for the true meanings of this Holiday Season.

11th, 12th, 13th

November 11:
Today was Veterans Day and I am truly so grateful for all the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving this country and protecting our freedom. There are hundreds and hundreds of lives that have been lost in defending the United States of America just so we could have the freedoms we have today and for that I am so GRATEFUL. As I sit here and think about every person who has left the safety of their homes to go out and protect our country I am very humbled and blessed to be a citizen of this amazing country.

November 12:
WOW today was an amazing day. I had the opportunity to babysit my two little nieces today. Madison and Ainsley are absolutely wonderful. I honestly have no idea why I have been blessed with these two Angels in my life but I am so GRATEFUL for them. It has been really hard lately having Todd gone and trying to get everything all packed up and ready to move so I really needed a good intervention and today was the day for that. Madison and Ainsley totally know how to distract me (in a good way of course) and I LOVE IT!! This two precious girls have stolen my heart and I am so GRATEFUL that I have the opportunity to be their aunt. I love them both so much and am very blessed to have such a connection with them. I can feel their love for me every time I see them and it touches me very deeply. I hope that one day these two girls will understand just how much I love them and how lucky I feel to be their aunt.

November 13:
I cant believe it is almost the middle of the month already November in flying by. Today I had the opportunity to go to Julie Warner's Homecoming. I love MISSIONARY WORK... And I am so grateful for this tool that the Lord has provided for us. Julie's report was AMAZING and the spirit there today was so strong. It is amazing to me the impact that missionary work has had and continues to have on the world today. I am so Grateful for all those that choose to serve a mission and to serve the Lord and help the progress of the Church in these Latter Day's.

8th, 9th, 10th

November 8:
Today I am so grateful that I have a job. There are so many people especially in today's society that is not as fortunate as I am to have a job. I am not going to lie there are plenty of days that I wish I didn't have to go to work, but in all honesty I am very blessed and grateful for the my job and for the girls that I work with.

November 9:
I can finally start packing:) I looked at the calendar today and we have two weeks left before we are moving I am so EXCITED. So I decided today that I better start packing, it is going to be here before we know it. I am SO GRATEFUL for all those who have saved boxes for us or have given us boxes that they have. It continues to amaze me how wonderful people are and how generous they can be. I have had a lot of people who know we are moving give me boxes and it has helped a lot. So THANK YOU EVERYONE.

November 10:
Today I am so grateful for my membership in THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINT. Especially for the Relief Society. I have some of the Best visiting teachers and I am so grateful for them and for all they have done for me. They came over today to visit teach me and the lesson they prepared was so fitting. They chose the talk from the Saturday morning session by President Uchtdorf called "You Matter To Him." There have been so many times that I feel like I am so alone, even though I have been taught my entire life that I am never alone, that our Father in Heaven is always there for us. This talk just reassures me that I am never alone and that I do matter. In this talk it says, " At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone or forgotten. But always remember- you matter to him.... He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love. God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who loves for a brief season- He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to him." How powerful is this reminder I LOVE IT. And I am so grateful that I was reminded of this today. I pray that we all may remember when times get hard and we feel like we are alone that we are not and that we do matter to our Father in Heaven.

Ainsley's Blessing

Yesterday Lindsay and Chase had their little angel Ainsley blessed. It was such an amazing day, the spirit was so strong as my dad was giving the blessing. Ainsley is going to grow up to be a beautiful daughter of God. I am so blessed to have this little girl as my niece I love her so much. And I so very lucky to be able to have her mother as my sister she is one of my BEST FRIENDS and I love her so much.

5th, 6th, 7th

November 5: Today we came home to Malta cause Lindsay and Chase are blessing their baby tomorrow. And as we turned down the road to come to my parents house their they were.. SHEEP!!! Every year at this time a herd of sheep are brought to the fields right by my parents house. I absolutely LOVE IT.. Its the weirdest thing cause seeing these sheep every year just gets me in the Holiday spirit. I am so thankful for the sheep and for the constant reminder they are to this upcoming holiday season.

November6: Today was an amazing day. Lindsay and Chase had their little girl Ainsley blessed. They had my dad bless her. I am so thankful for the Power of the Priesthood. The spirit was so strong as they were blessing her. And to sit there and watch those worthy priesthood leaders walk up to that circle just testified to me the truthfulness of this gospel. I am so grateful that I have Todd and my Dad that hold the power of the Priesthood.

November7:
As I was sitting here this morning in my parents house everyone already gone and Todd still asleep I couldn't help but to sit here and really ponder the things that I am so thankful for. There is a list that goes on and on. I am so blessed and I am thankful for that. But today I would like to pay tribute to my AMAZING PARENTS... I would not be the woman I am today without these two wonderful people in my life. They raised me to believe in myself, to not be afraid, to stand up for what I believe in, to be proud of the things I do and to never give up. They have taught me how to love unconditionally, how to trust in others, and how to go out of my way to help those in need. My dad has taught me how to be a hard worker while my mom has taught me how to be an amazing mother and to love in ways that seem impossible. I am so BLESSED to have my Mother and Father. Our family is so close and all the credit goes to my parents. I love you mom and dad and thank you for being the people you are.

Day three and four

November 3:
Today I had a lot to be thankful for it was a very CRAZY DAY.. But the one thing that I was so thankful for today was my little doggy Abbey. I had had a very long day at work and we received some more news about the house so by the time I got home from work I was overwhelmed with everything. And as soon as I open the door there was my little girl, so excited to see me. It made me tear up that something so small could be so excited to see me. I just sat down on the couch and started to cry, it was a good cry I needed to release my frustration for the day. And Abbey just cuddled right up next to me and she never left my side. It was like she was there for me even though she couldn't talk to me she was there to comfort me, I just love my puppy so much.

November 4:
WOW!!! It has been a roller coaster of a week. I am so glad that it is Friday and this week is almost over with. But today I am so grateful for my wonderful, amazing husband. I have no idea how I am so lucky to be married to such a great guy. Because of Todd's hard work we are getting the opportunity to buy a home and I am so excited about it. We got news yesterday that we are able to rent this house for a few months till we can get it bought. So we are moving the end of this month:) I cant not wait to be back in Malta. And none of this would be possible with out Todd he is such a blessing to me. It is hard having him gone five days at a time but it sure makes those five days that he is home bitter sweet. I love you so much Todd and I am so blessed to have you in my life FOREVER!!! And THANK YOU for all you do for our little family you are an amazing husband

Things I am thankful for

I have decided that since it is November I am going to write something ever day from now till Thanksgiving of things that I am thankful.
November 1:
Today was a very stressful day we got news about the house that another family was interested in buying it and they put in an offer. I was so sick to my stomach when Marvis called and told me this today. She told me we needed to get things rolling if we wanted to keep the house. We received a package of paperwork from the bank a week and a half ago and I figured we wouldn't fill it all out till we got all this stuff with our credit figured out. Well I guess I was WRONG!!! The Bank needs all that paper work back now so they can get going on the loan work. I guess they are going to try and go ahead and get us qualified now.. Let me tell you what it is a very CONFUSING SITUATION... But I am just going with it and doing what they are telling me to do. So I had to get copies of so mush stuff. So in the middle of my panic-attack MY AMAZING SISTER LINDSAY calls me and she was wonderful. She was ready to hop in her car and drive to Twin to bring me her printer/copier so I could get all the stuff that I needed to send to the bank copied and mailed off to them. She never hesitated for one second. But I knew she was busy taking care of her two girls and trying to get dinner ready so I decided to go down there. Lindsay helped me out so much and I am SO GRATEFUL for her and for all she did for me. But most of all I am so grateful that she was there for me when I needed someone. And that she was able to help me calm down and stay focused on everything. Marvis called back about an hour after I got off the phone with her and told me that they didn't accept the other offer, that they are sticking with us. This was a huge relief. I am also very grateful for my MOTHER and for the great example she is to me. She also was there for me and helped calm me down. She is such an amazing mother and I am so grateful for her and for testimony in the gospel. I don't know what I would do without her and the prayers she offers in my behalf. MOM AND LINDSAY I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. And I am so grateful for the two of you.

November 2:
Today I am grateful for a warm home and food to eat. I went to target today to pick up a few things and there was this homeless guy on the corner asking for money, food, etc.. It was so cold in Twin today and seeing this guy really made me so GRATEFUL that I was headed home to a nice warm home with blankets to cuddle up in and food in the cupboards to eat.

Carving Pumpkins..

We all went over to Lindsay and Chase's after we went four wheeling and we carved pumpkins and made Carmel apples. It was a lot of fun:) Tara and Madison colored their pumpkin with water colors Madison was loving it. Lindsay, Chase and I are the only ones that carved pumpkins. Mom did the Carmel apples and dad grilled the fish and steaks. It was a lot of fun to be together as a family (of course I missed having Todd there).

Four Wheeling

We went four wheeling last weekend. We left Saturday morning and went out south of Malta up by Stanrod in those mountains. It was a lot of fun. We ran into some snow as we got closer to the top we weren't able to go all the way to the top because there was so much snow. But it was so much fun to be up in the mountains surrounded by all the beautiful fall colors. We are so lucky that is as amazing weather.

Babysitting Ainsley

A few weekends ago I was in Malta and we got to watch Madison and Ainsley while Chase and Lindsay went four wheeling. I always love watching these two. We laid ainsley down to sleep on my mom and dads bed and we went in there a little while later and this is how we found Ainsley, with her headband down around her face it was so cute:)