Birthdays!

This has been a month of adventure and birthdays! Paige had her 13th! I can't believe how old she is - she is officially a teenager! She is such a funny girl and we love her so much! Hope you had a good birthday!

Brent also had a birthday. I don't know if I should post how old he is but it is safe to say "old". This year I planned a little surprise party for him. I wrote a awesome (if I do say so myself) ransom note telling him that I kidnapped his birthday and that he wouldn't get it back unless he cooperated. My sister helped so much getting everything ready and set up. We picked up Brent from his work, blindfolded and handcuffed him, and drove around town making sure he was really lost, all the while with Paige holding a nerf gun telling him not to try anything funny. I dropped him off at our friends house so they could take a turn confusing him while I went and set up the secret location. Paige watched their kids which was such a big help. Thanks again! Finally Brent was led to the secret place, which was a very very yummy Thai restaurant called "Sweet Basil". The food was SO delicious! After dinner we all came back to our place and watched "The Blindside". Shanae & Paige helped me make Brent's favorite lemon cake and get all the other desserts ready. They really were such a big help. It was so fun and I think Brent was really surprised. Thanks Kevin and Shanae for all your help and for coming with us. It was a birthday to remember!

Tooth Issues

My baby tooth finally came out. Yes everyone I still had a baby tooth. It never had a tooth behind it so it just stayed in as long as it could. I chipped it a few years ago when eating a swedish fish and it went down hill fast after that. During our anniversary trip to Salt Lake it got really bad and I couldn't handle it anymore and just pulled it out (so if any of you are paying close enough attention to our anniversary pictures and notice that I'm wearing a retainer... that is why). After going to the zoo Brent dropped me off at my parents house so that I could go up to see my uncle who is a dentist. I was glad to learn that I do not have to do anything right away. I am just going to wear my retainer for about a year so that I can save up to do an implant. So even though I hate having a hillbilly smile now and wearing my retainer 24/7... I can live with it until I can do something permanent. Thanks so much Uncle Cliff for looking at my teeth and helping me decide what to do, and thank you Mom for driving me up there and for all your help.

5 years together!

This week we had our 5th Anniversary. I can't believe that it is already been that long! For dinner that night Brent cooked the BEST EVER corned beef with baked potatoes and green beans. It was soooo yummy! Later we went out for ice cream at the yummy Maggie Moo's. Since our anniversary was in the middle of the week we decided to really celebrate the weekend after. Brent planned it all and was keeping it a secret from me... which I have to admit drove me crazy!! I am such a planner and I have to know what is going on! Anyway... on Friday we left around noon to go up to Salt Lake. We met Karen and Ryan at a restaurant.... which was actually really gross.... and then went back to their place to stay the rest of the weekend. It was so good to see them and to be able to spend time with them.

On Saturday, Brent took me to see "The Bounty Hunter" which was really funny. After he took me to the aquarium. It was really busy but really awesome. There was a lot of really neat and fun stuff. I loved feeling the rays and starfish. They had opened their newest exhibit the day before (which is probably why it was so busy) of penguins. We also went to Walmart and bought Brent the first and second season of bones and me the movie "Did You Hear About the Morgans?".

On Sunday we woke up early to go to the zoo. It was the most perfect day to go! I really loved seeing the baby elephant playing! The zoo has always been one of my favorite things to do. We were able to ride on the train and of course the new carousel which was awesome! It was such a great day and such a fun anniversary. Thank you Brent! I love you so much. I am the luckiest wife ever! Thank you for marrying me and working so hard to make me happy and provide us with a good life. I can't wait to spend many more years with you!

Dad

So to you few who look at my blog.... my daddy is having back surgery. I know what you are all thinking. "Didn't your little brother just have back surgery?" Yes he did and now my dad has the splendid opportunity also of going through pain and bed rest. Hopefully it will help him. He has been in pain alot lately and I really really hope that after surgery things will be better. He goes under the knife April 15th.

Dad... We love you so much (especially me!!!!!) We will keep you in our prayers and hope for a well and speedy recovery. I expect to have you lounging on my couch at least some of your recovery time. We would love to have you here!

Love you daddy!!!!

French Night

Today we decided to do Family Home Evening a night early. We decided we wanted a french night. We made french fries .... (which Brent cooked and started our stove on fire twice - luckily no damage done! I will always give him a hard time for that one!), drank out of champagne glasses, watched french kiss, and just had a nice romantic evening home. It was so much fun... not really including the fires though.

60 years

Grandpa & Grandma Sorensen just celebrated the journey of 60 years of marriage. It was so wonderful to see family and to hear Grandma & Grandpa tell their love story. 60 years, 7 kids, who knows how many grandkids and great grandskids later they are still so completely in love!

I love to see the temple

"I love to see the temple.
I’m going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit,
To listen and to pray.
For the temple is a house of God,
A place of love and beauty.
I’ll prepare myself while I am young;
This is my sacred duty.
-
I love to see the temple.
I’ll go inside someday.
I’ll cov’nant with my Father;
I’ll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth:
A family is forever."

Can I just say that temples are the most wonderful places in the whole world! I love the incredible spirit that you feel as soon as you walk through the front doors. Every temple is so beautiful and unique, but no matter what temple you go to you always feel the awe-inspiring love from our Heavenly Father. Going to the temple always gives me such peace no matter what trials life presents.

I love being able to do work for those who have finished their journey here and feeling their love and appreciation. Knowing that there are people on the other side of the veil that are just waiting for some one to do this important work for them is such a great responsibility for all of us. It is amazing when you are holding a name in your hand and realize that they have been waiting for hundreds of years and then knowing there are so many others who have been waiting for even longer.

I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for all that I have... especially for a current temple recommend and that I am sealed to my wonderful husband and family for time and all eternity.