When the World Stopped Turning...

~Where were you...
8 years ago today?
~What were you doing...
8 years ago today?
~Who were you...
8 years ago today?

Who are you today?

~In my tiny studio apartment in Logan, UT
~Sleeping and Richard woke me up and we watched everything together
~A newlywed finishing up my degree in Interior Design. A new wife and a soon-to-be mother (in the next year). I loved this country before and that day I was a Patriotic Citizen!

Today I am a wife, mother, woman, and still a Patriotic Citizen.
I will never forget!

God Bless America!

4th of July Pancake Breakfast at the church!!!

We love our country!!!

Emma age 3 yrs, Sarah age 6 1/2 yrs, and Rachel age 5 yrs

Fun water handprints on our fence!!!

Nothing like HUGE SPARKLERS!!!!! Some amazing and awesome fireworks!

Emma and her sparkler!

God Bless America! It truly is the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave! I am grateful for all those who sacrificed for my Freedom!

Independence Day...

Independent- adj. 1. not influenced or controlled by others: thinking or acting for oneself. 2. not depending or contingent upon something else. 3. not relying on another for aid or support. 4. refusing to be under obligation to others. 5. possessing a competence.

Independence- n. 1. the quality or state of being independent.

I love our country and I am so grateful to live in the United States of America.
I read this letter and wanted to share part of it with everyone:

At some point during the day, I hope you'll take time to think and reflect on what it is we're truly celebrating on the 4th of July -- our Independence Day. Of course the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776 but it's so much more than that.
On this day, 233 short years ago, a small group of men dedicated themselves to a higher purpose, an ideal they believed in so greatly, they signed their name to its expression and in doing so put their very lives at risk.
Never has a simple act of signing one's name carried such weight, such a profound commitment. By signing the Declaration of Independence, 56 men stood in direct defiance of the British government. They became marked men, and willingly so.
As I was doing some research on the significance of July 4th, I came across some interesting facts about these men.
Today as we all enjoy the freedom our forefathers guaranteed us, join me in honoring the extraordinary sacrifice of 56 extraordinary Americans.
Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence: Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes burned to the ground. Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured. Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War.
If you ever feel like your lone voice can never be heard, that the political system isn't set up for "regular" Americans to change the course of history, remember: The signers were flesh and blood, mortal men with a divinely-inspired aim.
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, and nine were farmers and large plantation owners. They were well educated, smart enough to know that by signing the Declaration of Independence, they were signing their own death warrants.
They did it anyway, and God bless them for it.
As we enjoy our liberty on this 4th of July, or any day of any month, we must never take that liberty for granted. Too many have given too much. In the words of the Signers themselves,
"For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
Their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor -- I think that's a price paid worth a few minutes of reflection, don't you?
But let's not be solemn in that reflection. I say rejoice and share this information with your friends and family, especially your kids. The Signers asked for nothing in return for their pledge, but I say that we show our thanks with a pledge of our own: To remember, to be grateful, and to carry on in their spirit. America is the greatest country this world has ever and will ever know, and it will stay that way so long as "we the people" remember that just like in 1776.

Happy Independence Day, and God bless America.
Glenn Beck

Please, remember who we are and where we came from.
Happy Independence Day!!!
-Becky

Lest we forget...

As I was sitting at dinner last night with some girl friends (Bombay House, so fun!), I was thinking a lot about my life and the things that I have seen. In my life I have seen amazing miracles and great tragedies. Those things are great influences in my life, today.

Today is the 7th anniversary of the attack on the the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the plane that went down in Shanksville, PA. That morning, Richard woke me up and we sat and watched the news together and cried. It was one of the days that changed me forever. I have always loved our country and been grateful for our freedom, but on Sept. 11th, 2001, I changed and my love for our contry burned me deep inside.

It has been long enough that I know people are starting to forget about a lot of things. People get caught up in their feelings about the Iraq war and forget that tragic day. But I wanted to help remind myself of that day:

Things I will never look at the same way...
-steel beams
-airplanes
-an American flag
-a firefighter
Phrases that will always mean something to me...
-"Let's Roll!"
-"Ground Zero"

7 things that I learned 7 years ago today...

1-There are bad people in this world,

2-BUT there are MORE good people in this world

3-People around the world do love and care for us

4-I can help people even if I live far away

5-The United States of America is a beautiful, amazing place and I am so blessed to live here!!!

6-It doesn't matter what race, religion, gender, or political party, we all want America to be strong!

7-Heroes are everyday people!!!

I think some people don't want to think about Sept. 11th, 2001 because it makes them so sad. I understand that. I guess I have just chosen to look at that day as a day of change in my life. Now I look up and push forward for our country. 9/11 is part of who I am.

**I will never forget!**

America's Newest Citizen!!!

Today was an amazing day for my family. My sister-in-law, Luvir, became a citizen of the United States of America. She is from Venezuela and is so grateful to be here in this amazing country.
This is my brother Brian and his family. Kameron, Kevin, Kat (in the back), Luvir, Brian and Kim (Kat's twin) (left to right).
I love Luvir!!! We have been such good friends ever since she came up here to visit the first time. She is an amzing woman who is full of faith, light and happiness!!! She is a great example of Christlike love and patience. She has taught me so much in the 10 years I have known her!! When she first moved here and was still working on her English, I had the opportunity to translate for her many times. One of my most memorable times was the first time I ever translated a testimony in church! The Spirit was so amazing and strong, even with my weak translations!!! (0:
One of the things that Luvir mentioned is how much she loves this country. She is grateful for her life in Venezuela and loves the people there but has also seen first hand how her old country is falling apart. She always tells me what an amazing country we live in!!!
Over and over today at the Citizenship Ceremony I heard people from around the world (Iran, Guatemala, Canada, China, Liberia, Venezuela and even more) say, "God Bless America!".
We have an awesome country and our job is to be good citizens. Get out and vote! Let your voice be heard because most people around the world don't have that blessing in their lives!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Memorial Weekend

I just got back from a little family vacation and I wanted to post for a second. This weekend was filled with movies and games and laughter and fun. It is so fun to be together as a family and take a little break from our everyday lives.

But it is also so important to remember the reason we have Memorial Day. It is a day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation. It is one of the most solemn holidays of the year.

I have spent time in many special places remembering the soldiers of this nation. This picture is the flag that waves above the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, to remember those that died at Pearl Harbor.

I spent time in Gettysburg and I will never forget the feeling of looking over the huge fields where so many died and reading the inscriptions on the memorials that are now there.

And visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Arlington Cemetery was one of the most humbling things I have ever done. I was so proud of our country and was filled with so much gratitude for the men and women who laid down their lives for my county and my freedom. All of our Freedom.

I love our country and I am proud to be an American. As I sit here typing on the computer, there is a large American Flag hanging on the wall to my right. I made a promise a long time ago that I would never forget the sacrafice of so many people for me. Most of these people have never met me, but they were willing to give it all to secure our Freedom. Thank you so much and I will never forget!

God Bless America and God Bless our Troops!