Forever Family

On Saturday September 19th, 2009 T.J., Aubrey, Ethan (and baby Ashton - not born yet ;) ) Kingsford were sealed as an eternal family for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple.

What a special event to witness. I love this family!

Unanswered Prayers

For those of you who don't know, about two weeks ago I got called into an office and got the news that I was getting laid off because of downsizing. For many that can be very unsettling, scary and heartbreaking...and it was. At the same time, I kept having the feeling like everything would be okay. I didn't know how, or what would happen, I just knew we were going to be okay.

Since I got laid off at my old company, every morning was the same: Get up, pray, read scriptures, get online and apply for jobs, read a book, clean up the house, go back online and apply for more jobs, etc. I received a few phone calls here and there and had a few interviews. During this time Brandon and I were fortunate enough to go to the temple when I was feeling uncertain and again I felt an overwhelming assurity that we would be okay.

Two weeks from the day I was laid off I received a job offer at a great company, and today was my first day!

I am very grateful for unanswered prayers. There were a few positions where I was praying that they would call me back, but I never heard from them, or if I did it was to say they had gone with someone else. I know this is where I am supposed to be and I am very grateful for my Heavenly Father and for the comforting spirit he sent to my family over the past weeks.

I will miss my old co-workers, they have become great friends and I know that I will stay in touch. I am also grateful I was able to work at my previous job because that is where I met my best friend (other than Brandon ;) ) She has become a great influence in my life and I'm so grateful I got to spend every weekday with her.

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the testimony I have. I am grateful for unanswered prayers and know that when I truely put my trust in my Heavenly Father he will guide me. I love my husband and I am so grateful for his optimistic attiude over the past few weeks.

I hope everyone had a great Monday! I love you all :D

Preview of this Past Weekend

We did so much this past weekend! I really don't have time to write about it now, but here's a picture :)

(P.S. Sarah is here too!! From this angle she's missing :( Like I said I'll add more info later. ;) )

Why I'm grateful for my Husband

There are so many reasons why I am grateful for my husband, I just would like to write down a few that pertain to my life right now.

1. I told Brandon a little while back that one of my ambitions is to be a photographer. I know I am a rookie, but Brandon has supported me all the way. He has helped me purchase our first SLR camera. He is always giving me feedback and lifting my esteem on images that I take and show him; And even today he let me use him as a model so I can work on figuring out my camera's manual setting better.

2. Brandon has unconditional love that is so amazing, most people don't even know! He loves me for my flaws, my weaknesses and he tries to build me up and help me face my fears. Not only will he help me to acknowledge my wrongs, and help me strive to be better, but he'll be by my side the whole time holding my hand.

3. He is patient with me, even though I am not a patient person. Brandon has found out that when I want something, and I put my heart and soul into it, I want it now. Lucky enough for him, he is able to tease me about, but at the same time help me be realistic with our goals and dreams.

4. He is giving. I love to give and to help others. I am lucky enough to have a husband that loves to give as well! He is always worried about my needs and comforts, giving me foot rubs or back massages, cleaning the house when I am being lazy, but the best thing, is he loves to give to family and friends. He is constantly worrying about family and friends, and I know that a lot of them don't know. They are constantly in our prayers.

5. Brandon is a worthy priesthood holder with a strong firm testimony of our Savior. I am grateful Brandon keeps his commandments and is a worthy priesthood holder. It is such a blessing to be able to go to my husband and ask for a blessing of comfort, or of healing. Coming from a family that didn't have the priesthood for very long in her life growing up, I am grateful to have a husband that can hold it so worthily.

6. Brandon has a sense of humor. My husband is very random, and has a great sense of humor. I remember when we were watching Legacy for the first time and there is a scene where the Eliza asks David "Promise to make me laugh?" and David replies "Everyday." After that part I looked at Brandon and made him promise me that he'd do the same and he hasn't broken it yet!

7. My sweet husband is a hard worker and I am so proud of everything he does. Brandon loves to work and to support for our family. He loves putting his checks towards paying off bills so that we can someday work towards becoming parents. Brandon's hard work has finally paid off with his recent promotion and I know it won't be the last.

Like I said earlier there are so many reasons how I appreciate the love of my life. The best phrase that comes to mind is " I have all I've waited for...and I could not ask for more!"

I love you Brandon!

Naptime

Over the past weekend we had family stay at our house for awhile (which we loved!). During this time our wonderful nephew took a nap with Scooby. What do you think?

Blessed

** WARNING TO ALL - THIS BLOG IS EXTREMELY LONG - I'M SORRY IN ADVANCE **

Wow it's been awhile and so many wonderful things have happend...Lets see if I can try and summarize.

June: Brian (Brandon's youngest brother) got baptized in June! It was a very spiritual moment and he definately made it his own baptism :) It was also his sister Lauren's birthday and now she's 20! (And just a few more months till her missionary comes home ;) !)

This month has been absolutely crazy! So far we've had three birthdays, a family reunion, an ordination and soon to be a funeral. A quick shot outs to the birthdays Ethan (our nephew turned 1!), Aubrey (sister-n-law turned 21!) and Davey (my brother turned 28!).

The family reunion we went to was on the Holyoak side. It was great to get to know Brandon's side where we are spread all over Utah, to Texas even out in Hong Kong. We all got together and had a picnic in Sandy, the majority of everyone talked and ate while I took out my camera and took a few shots (I'll have to add those later). Later that afternoon we went to through the Oquirrh Mountain open house, it was a wonderful experience to be able to walk through and semi-explain things to my sister in law Lauren. We ended the night with dinner at Goodwood Bbq in Draper, now if you have never eaten there it's so delicious! (I recommend the pulled pork! Yum).

Aubrey and T.J. are my wonderful sister and brother in law that are working on getting sealed in the temple on September 19th. So on July 19th we were able to witness T.J. get ordained to an Elder! It has been so wonderful to see the changes in their hearts and to see their little family going to the temple. I know that when Aubrey, T.J. and their son Ethan get sealed in September they will be a forever family and I can not wait for them to receive those blessings.

On a very sad note, Brandon's Grandma Sandberg passed away this last Saturday. I did not know her for very long but I remember since the first moment I met her she has always been very loving and accepting of me. I know she had battled cancer for years and she is definately one of the strongest women I know. Her funeral is in Panguitch Utah on Thursday, so Brandon and I will be traveling down there later this week.

Now the reason I titled this blog as "Blessed" is because Brandon has been offered a promotion in his company! I'm grateful for the company he works for and the many opportunities it has given Brandon to learn and grow. I am also grateful for the many answered and unanswered prayers from our Heavenly Father, and I feel so blessed to know that he is watching over my family continuely.

One last great thing happened this weekend...Brandon and I met our neighbors! With great help from the Witt family (Thanks Allen and Jill!) we had a great BBQ on Saturday with fireworks at the end. It was wonderful to finally talk to our neighbors (since it feels like we all pretty much keep to ourselves), and the best part about it is that Brandon and I made a few great friends.

Anyway, I think I've covered everything and I apologize for this being so long! Have a wonderful week everyone :)

Inside Jokes

Yes I do speak Canadian :)

Thanks Winnifred for making my day!!