30th birthday and much more....

ok so I am not as good at posting things as I would like....and a lot has happened since my last post....but we are going to go back in time to catch up on everything. Starting with yesterday my 30th Birthday! It was a great day! With having season tickets and as gifts for my nieces and nephews when they turn four I take them to go and do something, I decided that I would take Mia and Tyson both to the BYU vs Idaho State game on my birthday! It was a ton of fun! It was really cute watching Tyson get so excited about seeing the players on the field. It was a great day, and I loved being able to spend time with Jeremy and his family. Not something I get to do too often. Here are just a few pics from yesterday...

Other events that have happened are my parents 35th wedding anniversary/mom's 60th birthday party. My mom turned 60 in Feburary and we wanted to have a party to her and she wanted to be able to have it outside, so we decided to wait until the weather got better....time kindof passed us by and the only weekend we had was the same one as their 35th wedding anniversary so I decided we would celebrate both together. It was small and simple but I had tons of fun putting it all together.

Other events that happened were the Stadium of Fire with my parents and earlier that week my sister and nephew came and spent the week with me. We had tons of fun together, going shopping, watching movies, we went to the zoo, and out to eat! I also went to California with my dad for my cousins wedding! And went to Lagoon with Katelyn, Joe, and Ben.

These are just a few of the things that I have done in the past 6 months. One day I may be better!

Atonment and it's meaning to me

Since my semester has been over I've spent a lot of time thinking and studying many gospels topics. I've listened to every CES fireside since 2007, listened to most of the April General Conference talks, I can't get enough. Just so you get a little idea. I have also downloaded and listened to a few BYU devotionals and a couple of talks on tapes, two in particular is one by Brad Wilcox and another by John Bytheway. Each of these talks are amazing The talks on tapes have really impacted my life and what I would like to share today. These two talks are about the Atonement and being a Christian. Brad Wilcox talk on tape is entitled I'll Never Do it Again, and John Bytheway's Is Jesus knows I'm a Christian. I have done a lot of thinking about each of these talks but even more after I went to talk to my stake president to get a new temple recommend.

The atonement is such a part of the gospel and something I believe that we really have to stop and think about...what does it mean?

What does it mean to me, well first off I know without the atonement I wouldn't be able to live with my Heavenly Father again. The atonement means that I am covered, and it's only through the atonement that I'm able to be perfected in the things that I do. In Brad Wilcox's talk he says a few things that have made me appreciate the atonement more, one of those things is that Christ doesn't make up the difference, Christ makes ALL the difference. This statement goes hand in hand with John's talk in which he talks and explains that sometimes as members of the church sometimes we believe that we save ourselves through works and Jesus fills in the gaps (refer to 2 N 25:23). This statement isn't true. He goes on to explain 7 scriptures to help us understand this they are....2 N 2:8; 2N 31:19; Alma 22:18: Alma 24:10: Helaman 12:13-14 Moroni 6:4; D&C 3:20.

He also talks about the temple garments, and relates it to the atonement. Recently I found a blog entry by a friend who attended a fireside given by John that where he discussed these things. I love the words that this friend shares on the things that were learned while attending. Here are a few of this friends words:

According to his talk, the word atonement was originally translated from the Hebrew word that means "to cover". Now, here's where I thought it was really cool.In the garden of Eden, Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, and Adam likewise partook of the fruit. By doing so, both were to be cast out of the Garden of Eden. Enter "Old Scratch" a.k.a. Satan. Satan, knowing what has just occurred, tells Adam and Eve to hide and "cover" themselves because God will see their nakedness and won't like it. So, Adam and Eve freak out and grab a bunch of fig leaves and make coverings for themselves.Enter God. God asks Adam what has happened (even though He already knows, but He creates a learning opportunity for Adam). Adam explains what happened and then God talks about coats of skins to "cover" Adam and Eve. Garment are the coats of skins that were made to "cover" Adam and Eve. But, you might ask yourself, "Where did these coats come from if there was no death until after the Fall of Adam?" Well, John Bytheway suggested that there was an animal sacrifice made (probably a lamb) to obtain the coats of skin for Adam and Eve... symbolic of the "covering" of our sins by the Savior a.k.a "The Lamb of God".

What does this teach us? Well, I notice that Satan told Adam and Eve to "cover" themselves. Well, we know that this, like all of Satan's other suggestions, is a lie. We cannot cover ourselves from the blood and sins of this world. No matter what we do, we cannot hide or "cover" our sins from God. The only possible "covering" we could hope to obtain is through the Savior. God has provided the world with His only-begotten son, to "cover" or atone for our sins if we will just repent. Every time we put on our garments, it's a reminder that the Savior has "covered" for us, so to speak.

Throughout the past few weeks as I have studied these things, my appreciation for not only the atonement of my Savior but also for this friend and the simple words that were shared. Each has helped me to grow and help in sharing all it is that I know and my love for the gospel.

I am very grateful for my membership in the Church, for the atonement of my Savior, that he love me enough to cover me. I am thankful for the temple and all of the things that I have been able to learn through attending. Some of my favorite times are ones spent in the temple, where I have learned or been reminded of the simple truths.

I am very grateful for my family both my immediate family and the family that has adopted me into there and allowed me the opportunity to not just watch there children but be a part of all family activities. I have learned so much from both of them.

I am thankful for my friends and all of the things that they teach me. I am grateful for a living prophet who lie and and guides us. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and his son in the sacred grove and that the priesthood was restored to the earth again, that Joseph Smith did translate the Book of Mormon. My membership in the church means everything to me and my life has been so blessed because of it. I hope that we all can remember who we are and what the atonement means.

Ben's Blessing

Ok so I am a little behind. On the 28th of April I went home to help Katie out with Ben while she had gallbladder surgery and and for Ben's blessing. It was a fabulous weekend and I had so much fun getting to spend time with Ben and spoil him while Katie recovered, from her surgery, since she was scared to carry him any where I gladly stepped in and carried him everywhere. It was hard to leave him. I kept telling Katie that I was going to take him back with me but that she might have to come too since I don't have the right food for him! Here are a few pics from his blessing!

Ben and me

What a cute little family

Grandparents...

I love my sister!

This past weekend!

I have always loved General Conference weekend, and being able to listen to the prophet and all of the apostles speak. This year is no different but it had a little twist on it as my sister went into labor Friday afternoon. I had already decided that if she went into labor from Friday night to Sunday morning that I was going to go to Twin to visit her and my new little nephew. So as I found out Friday night I packed up my stuff and asked if it was OK for Ellie to come with me to help me study for my finals. It was fun getting to show her where I grew up and some of the sites of Twin. Friday night as I went to bed Katie still was in labor, but Saturday morning at 5 AM I got a call from Joe saying that they were prepping her for a C-section and that Ben would be here in less than an hour. I was originally planning on going leaving around 6:30 but after getting that call I couldn't sleep anymore so I started to get ready and about 10 minutes before I was ready to leave I got Ellie up.

Benjamin Lee Codner was born at 5:39 AM weighted 8.7 lb and 21.5 inches long. He is the cutest bundle of joy ever, and I wish that they didn't live 3 hours away.

It was good to be in Twin and spend some time with Katelyn, Joe, and the rest of my family. I think Ellie had fun too, and she was so well behaved, and listened to most of General Conference, which isn't easy for a 10 year old to do. As I think back on the talks from General Conference there are always a few that stick out, this conference it was Elder Oaks , President Uchtdorf's, and Elder Scott's. I also don't know how I would feel right now if I was a single young man in the church right now. Having it said at least 3 times that they need to be seeking an eternal companion probably isn't easy.

I am so grateful for my membership in the church and the inspired words that were spoken this past weekend and for the miracle of birth in my family with Ben being born and the change it has made in his small little family. I am so very grateful for him and his sweet spirit he brings to our family at this time. I love you Ben, and miss you so much!

Finals..the future!

I decided that since one of my goals this year was to post more, I should probably do it, and Sunday's seem to be a good day to update. I've got finals coming up the next 2 weeks and as I prepare for them, and think about the fact that in one year I will have my bachelors degree and be done with school once again for a while ( I love learning I just hate being tested on it, so who knows i could do more later), I have been doing a lot of thinking about the future and what it exactly is that I want to do, or as people have asked me what it is that I want to do once I am done...the answer is always the same, my goal hasn't changed...I want to be able to open up my own preschool and understand the business side of it, or open up a small bakery. Sometimes its hard to believe that I am already 2 years into my 3 years to finish school. Time is going by so fast. Sometimes I think it goes a little too fast.

Weekend with my little munchkins (AKA nieces and nephew)

My brother and sister-in-laws anniversary was the 7th of March and they have always tried to come to Utah that weekend and attend a sealing sesion in the Bountiful Temple where they got married. As the time got close I called my brother to see if they were going to be able to come this year and if they did if they brought the kids with them I would watch them for the weekend. He said that with work schedules the way they were it didn't look like it. The next weekend when I went home for my sister's baby shower he called to see if I could watch them from Friday the 4th to Sunday the 6th. I told him yes.

I haven't spent any time with just me and the kids in forever and since Alacyn was born last February have never spent any time with her without a parent around, I was a little nerveous about it, and wasn't sure of daily schedules or anything and Tyson being potty trained wasn't sure if I was up to having to make sure he went to the bathroom without any accidents, but the weekend was great! It was hard, but so much fun and I miss them so much. Here are a few pictures of the fun that we had all weekend.

My cute little precious princess!

Tyson fell asleep at Wendy's on Friday as he started to eat his lunch

Waking up Saturday morning

Eating lunch at Chuk E Cheese

Even Alacyn can play games

Hogle Zoo

Waiting to ride the train at the zoo

Temple Square...Alacyn had fallen asleep and I didn't want to wake her

Watching Mia look at Christ was priceless

Spring time....and more!

I know that most people hate daylight savings, especially those with kids, and since I am a nanny and spend the majority with kids I can see why but I love daylight and the fact that it doesn't get dark til later so the kids go outside more to play! YAY!!!!! I also love the fact that it's almost Spring and the weather is getting nicer. There is something about spring that is amazing to me.
I love watching the grass turn green, trees start to bud, birds start to come back from the south, and baby birds being born. Its very refreshing and a new start. Yesterday while looking out my window in my room I started to think about the movie Bambi and the excitement that came at spring time but more importantly owl talking with Bambi, Thumper, and Flower, when he tells them about everyone getting twitterpated. It took me back to being at Ricks College and someone talking about how so many get twitterpated on campus as the winter semester goes on and the weather goes from -15 to 30. It was true, but as I thought about it yesterday....it's happens everywhere...so as spring time comes upon us and we all have the joys that come with a new start and warmer weather, and can enjoy fresh air and have the windows down...Happy Twitterpation to all, whether married, dating, or single!

What I've been up too...

OOPS!!! Either time goes by to fast or I am way too busy...maybe it's both. So here is a quick glimpse into what my last 3 months have been like.

School.....work...school...work...I think you get the pattern, but because of my awesome job I was able to go to Hawaii for 10 days just before Christmas and it was AWESOME!!! It is something that I never thought would actually happen. The flight sucked, but the time there was amazing and I hope that one day I get to go back but I know it will be completely different since this time we went to be with Staci and her family for the blessing/sealing of Helena and James's baptism. They were great hosts and showed us the non-tourist side of Hawaii. Although we did tourist things. Getting to stay on Ford Island was great and getting to see things that most people don't get to see was pretty cool. I have so many pictures and don't know which ones to post so if you would like to look take a look on my facebook page under Hawaii.

Other than the trip, school (online through BYU-I) and work. Not a whole lot is going on. My grandma passed away the first part of November and for her funeral all of the grandchildren minus one was at her funeral. It was pretty cool being together with all of the family. I don't know when or if that will ever happen again, with many of my cousins being spread across the United States.

I think that is about it. Goal for this year! Post more often!