Blessed.

Sometimes I get an overwhelming feeling of Gratitude.

This past time it happened when I was returning back to Logan from Vernal. 

I was having a very hard week & wasn't planning on going home but I just needed to be there. 

I wasn't sure what to do. 

But my parents insisted and made it possible for me to go. 

 The atmosphere that my parents have created at my house is so peaceful. 

It was just what I needed to bring my spirits back up. 

A while back I was having the most difficult time of my life to date.

I have never dealt with anything harder in my life and hope to never have to make that big/hard of decision again. 

My parents were/are my rock. 

Its funny how struggles bring people closer together. 

I always thought my family was close. But going through something this difficult only made our family that much closer.

I can honestly say my family (Mom, Dad, Kand, & JJ) are my best friends. 

I have no idea where I would be with out them. 

I stumbled across this talk today and it was just so fitting.

"And so, my dear young women, with all my heart I urge you not to look to contemporary culture for your role models and mentors. Please look to your faithful mothers for a pattern to follow. Model yourselves after them, not after celebrities whose standards are not the Lord’s standards and whose values may not reflect an eternal perspective. Look to your mother. Learn from her strengths, her courage, and her faithfulness. Listen to her. She may not be a whiz at texting; she may not even have a Facebook page. But when it comes to matters of the heart and the things of the Lord, she has a wealth of knowledge. As you approach the time for marriage and young motherhood, she will be your greatest source of wisdom. No other person on earth loves you in the same way or is willing to sacrifice as much to encourage you and help you find happiness—in this life and forever." 

 - Elder Russell M. Ballard /Mothers and Daughters

My mom has always been my hero. I hope that someday I can be part of the woman she is. 

She is amazing.

Anyway. Just some random stuff. But I would feel guilty if I didn't mention how grateful I truly am for my family!

♥-- Manders

It's been forever.

So much has happened since I have last wrote.

I cant believe that I let this much time past.

Hopefully Ill get back in this habit.

Update on life:

*Bestie/Athena got home from her mission.

*Grandaughter day 

*Kand graduated

* Last day at preschool

*Kandice and I moved to Logan and started school in June. Its had its days but overall I love it and I love the little cliental Im starting to build.

* Went to Vegas / St. George with Mom and Sister

* Lacey moved in

*Bestie in the hospital.

*Trip to Laramie

*Bear lake skipped school.

*Many adventures with the Vernal Girls.

It feels like so many more important things have happended in life. But Im drawing a blank.

Pictures are out of order sorry!

♥ --Manders

Ahh . shes graduating!

I really cant believe that my sister is old enough to graduate. ahh. its making me feel so old.

I'm so proud of her she accomplished a lot this year and has been very very busy.

Isn't she a pretty little thing?

♥ -- Manders

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to the BEST Mom in the world.

Because of her:

I care about people.

I have someone to look up to.

I know that I can get through any trial.

I know that good things come from hard times.

Memories I'll never forget:

Foster care dinners.

Hanging out at her school.

Camping.

Family trips.

Trip to New York.

Family Dinner.

Stories of her childhood.

Cedar City during her student teaching.

School clothes shopping.

Phone calls while I was in Orem.

Her always putting the kids first before herself.

Swimming in the old pool.
Looking at housing in Orem.
How she goes to the extreme on everything.

I hope my mom had a great birthday. Even though shes a leap year baby and today isn't really her birthday. Hope she enjoys being 50.

Picture to come later when Im on my computer.

♥-- Manders

Weekends = Fun.

This weekend my plans include:

Car Washed.

Getting my hair dyed.. it needs it. Which means catching up with Cass.

Dinner with Keeley

Girls trip  (Kand, Mom, and Myself) to city

Orem to get my sister signed up for school and housing :(

Dinner with family at one of the Aunts.

Catching up with an old Friend.

Sleeping in on Sunday and Church.

Weekends I love you!

♥ -- Manders

Hair cuts...

Last Monday Derek cut mine and Kandices hair..

heres some pictures..

before....

after...

and some more....

♥ -- Manders

Seester....

 

♥--Manders

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday to the most AMAZING man I know!

Really I dont know what I would do with out the influence of my Dad.

Because of him:

First of all I have life. :)

I know how important family is

 What qualities to look for in men.

I have learned countless things.

I try my hardest to be nice to everyone because of his example.

Memories I'll never forget:

Daddy Daughter dates.

Stick on ear rings and him letting me put them on him and he wore them all over salt lake city without knowing. :)

Blowing the doors off.

Four wheeling.

Camping Trips.

Trip to Nauvoo and Hawaii.

Baptism.

His silly Jokes.

All his random phone calls.

Graduation.

Dance competitions.

" I loved her first"  by Heartland.

First Days of School

Being a Daddy's Girl.

Christmas / happy meal toys.

His SUPPORT no matter what!

Really I think I'm the luckiest girl in the WHOLE world. I hope my Dad has a great time being 50!

Happy Birthday Dad.

♥ -- Pete ( what my dad calls me)

Happy Weekend.

found this picture here

I was so ready for the weekend to be here. So I'm pretty over joyed it finally is. What makes it even better is its a 3 day weekend. 

My plans include:

Hanging out with Dalton 

Meeting Miquel and Chases baby boy

Lots of sleeping

Hopefully finishing my book.

Celebrating Dads birthday. 

Rec Center. 

& I'm sure more. 

♥-- Manders

Happy Birthday Brother!

Today my little brother is 21. I really can't believe that we are getting this old. I think I have the greatest brother ever.

Because of him:

I laugh a lot!
I'm more laid back.
I can see the bigger picture to things.

Memories I'll never forget:

King of the bed.

Camping trips with family and friends.

Vacations.

Sadies his sophmore year my senior year.

All our long talks.

Us talking every day my first year of college.

Hockey Games.

After the Grizzly Game.

Cody Wyoming

Trip home from Cody.

I hope he has the Best Birthday Ever! He is one strong person that has a great out look on everything that has happended to him.

♥-- Manders

♥ Letters

Dear Weekend-- I'm not ready for you to be over. I enjoyed my sleeping in time, watching friends, and eating cheese and crackers with Dalton way too much.

Dear Sister Ehlers-- Thanks for your letter. It helped more then you'll ever know.

Dear Miquel-- Please have your baby soon. I'm ready to meet him.

Dear Dalton-- You really are the best.

Dear Preschool Children-- Please be more calm this week.



Dear New Years Resolutions-- I'm going to have to edit you because of Whitney.

Dear Skype Creators -- Thank you for being smart. Amy and I are really enjoying it.


Dear Girl In Relief Society Class-- Your comment about knowing it  in your heart touched me and made me realize I've been slacking.

Dear Bentley-- I love when dad gives you a bath. You smell much better!


♥-- Manders

Grandma Redden

On December 30th was two years since my Grandma Redden passed away. Sometimes it feels like she was just here and other times it feels like its been forever since I have seen her. I miss her being around, especially when Grandpa comes over or we go to see him. They were/ are so in love they would do everything together example Grandpa would go ice fishing Grandma would sit in the car and sew or paint just so they could enjoy the ride together, they still held hands everywhere they went, they still flirted with each other, they were just cute! When Grandpa talks about Grandma he gets really teary eyed because he misses her so much which makes us all get teary.

My Grandma was a one of a kind person. When we found out she was dying my Mom got her address book and wrote letters to everyone in it. Telling them my Grandmas situation and that she was going to make a book of letters/ memories of my Grandma. Each of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and many friends and co workers wrote letters or memories about my Grandma. Every letter talked about what a nice lady my Grandma was to everyone and a lot of them said how they had never heard my Grandma say a bad word about another person.  Last Christmas my Grandpa gave everyone a copy of the book. I read it again on the December 30th, I cried.

Its a good thing I know that we can be families forever and that I will get to see her again someday..

Five Things I LOVED about my Grandma:
1. Her hugs. No matter when or where you saw her she was the first one to give the biggest hugs.
2. How cute she was. My Grandma was always put together all the time. Even camping she had the cutest outfits on make up and everything.
3. Her love for her family. Grandma loved spending any time she could with us. She always made sure that you knew how much she loved you.
4. How she made you feel important. Im not sure how she did it but in the letters every grand kid said they felt like they were the favorite. Grandma knew how to make you feel extra special around her even when other cousins were around.

5. Her advice. One thing I will never forget that Grandma told me was " It doesn't matter what your husband looks like all that matters is how he will treat you and your children." When I was younger I would just laugh but now I understand just how wise grandma was.

Not the best picture because its a picture of a picture... Im being lazy right now.

♥-- Manders 

The most wonderful time of the year.

Christmas in Salt Lake and Logan.. Not all the pictures but some of my favorites.. 

Thanks Elder Einerson, for the AMAZING chocolate.

 JJ with Sienna and Bentley..

 We went to Primary Children's to donate some stuff for the kids and they had these ice sculptures in front of the hospital. My mom was so excited she had to take pictures! 

This guy was way funny and nice enough to take a picture with us. Not sure why Kandice and I are bending over all awkwardly...

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day on our way to Logan, Kandice was freaking out she was so excited to talk to Lance.

Kandice with the roses Lance sent her.

 On our way to see the lights

Looking at the lights at temple square

Hanging out in the car

 Temple Square

Mom and Dad at lights

Love these two..

Get a load of this girl.

My Mom left her pillow at the hotel so we had to go back about two hours later and see if they had it. She was so excited they did!

This was a wonderful, relaxing Christmas. We got some much needed family time. We all had a lot of fun. But of course its good to be back.

♥ --Manders