Influences That Erode Faith

“First is doubt. . . . It comes from a lack of confidence in one’s self or abilities. It is inconsistent with our divine identity as children of God. “Doubt leads to discouragement. Discouragement comes from missed expectations. . . . Discouragement leads to distraction, a lack of focus. . . . Distraction leads to a lack of diligence, a reduced commitment to remain true and faithful and to carry on through despite hardship and disappointment. . . . This path ultimately leads to disobedience, which undermines the very basis of faith. So often the result is disbelief, the conscious or unconscious refusal to believe.”

Kevin W. Pearson, “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2009, 40

Birthday Day Celebrations

KT and BT took me to Nola's for my birthday dinner and....AMAZING! In the words of BT: Three beautiful women, plus oysters, plus crab cakes, steak, and gumbo = perfect night! Thank you both! The whole night was great! KT, you always plan and execute great parties. Love you girls!

Delicious!

Stanley Baines serenading me on my birthday. For those of you that aren't aware I've recently decided that I love being a groupie but like most things in life I pick a team (in this case a band) and I stick with 'em for life. A one band groupie is my style and Stanley Baines is that band! They did an amazing job! I could listen to them for hours. Thank you SB for making me feel special on my birthday! Can't wait for the next set.

Some of Whitegold made an appearance too...oh my oh my.

RH and I post party!

Do We Thank Others For Who We Are?

Make Room...

AR and MPR Wedding Day!

Winston Churchill said: "There is nothing wrong with change if it is in the right direction."
These two are definitely taking a plunge in the right direction. It was a beautiful, amazing day! When you live away from your actual family those you live with and spend time with become your family in your new home. Mike and AR are just that to me, my family. It has been an interesting and satisfying journey to watch with a front row seat. Watching AR and Mike look at each other after Mike was finished becoming gorgeous for the big day that morning before heading to the temple I could almost see into the windows of eternity. Now I am not sappy very often but last Saturday was an amazing, spiritual, and beautiful day as two of my closest friends became one. It was one of those rare moments where complete joy overwhelmed me to the point that my cheeks are still sore from grinning all day! Congrats Richards Family! Love you both!

Note Mike's shoes...

Mr. Texan himself and our resident makeup artist, HC!

SJ, Mer, and I relaxing...smiling and being beautiful is rough..

In their typical attitudes. :)

Yes there were JDogs (famous hot dogs in Provo for those like me that were clueless) at the reception. Only My Mike could pull this off.

Only fitting that on her wedding day she is pure (white) and I am the evil one in black. Yet we still look great!

H&M

Our little family...

Still wondering why Mike thought it was a good idea I hold the bouquet in the middle. We are crazy so I suppose this family photo is fitting for our personalities. Love these nerds!

Little Page and Little Chris

Benj and I outside the temple. I am so glad that AR and Mike got married and gave me the excuse to spend some quality time with Benj! He's one of a kind, a stalwart, a measuring stick for all men in my humble opinion! Thanks Benj for picking up us and a great weekend! PA misses you daily!

Possibly my favorite one...

HC performing her magic pre-wedding.

Documenting the day.

It is hard to take a serious photo when you are so giddy.

I am sure we were laughing "with" Mer at this point.

There we go!

All the friends with the bride and groom! We sort of like these two.

Hugging the beautiful bride! What a woman that Mike Page Richards is!

Jeter's Present To ME!

Jeter ties Lou Gehrig's Hits record with 2,721!!! Read and watch here.

Birthdays All Around!

September is a glorious month! I actually know a minimum of one person per day that has a birthday from September 1st - September 13th, followed by more on the 16th, 19th, 24th, 29th. See how amazing September is? It is a wonder that anyone is born outside of September. Friday night my folks met SEC (BFF) and I in Provo where we celebrated at a Brazilian BBQ Mom's bday (Sept 1st), SEC's bday (Sept 6th), and mine (Sept 10th)! All the meat you can imagine! Only fitting for a birthday celebration! Thanks Dadio! You made us all feel special!

SEC and I at dinner

Dadio and Mama Berry

SEC and I on her actual birthday (Sunday)! Her family made one amazing meal! It was so great that after two years of not celebrating our birthdays together SEC and I were reunited for the best week of the YEAR! I love SEC, my best friend and one of the family. We are polar opposites in many ways and that makes us work perfectly! Thanks for making me feel at home again!

AR and MPR Wedding Teaser

GREAT GREAT DAY!!!
Love Adam and Mike!

Just a preview of the amazing day we all had celebrating AR and MPR!

Hamilton Celebrates In Style

RH had a birthday this week and celebrated with an interesting bunch...see photo above for proof. Alright, let's be honest the only goofballs involved were WW, BT, and myself but seriously that's enough to really spice up any birthday dinner.

Pizza Chicago, mint brownie pie, mood lighting, and some acoustic serenading from MM and MK all the made the cut for this great girl's birthday!

I had said it before and I will say it again: I do heart RH! Glad we had a chance to celebrate YOU! (PS: RH makes me look even more white than I really am!)

Wedding Weekend Begins

(My brighter than sunshine yellow dress at T.Hammer's wedding)

After one missed flight we are finally on our way (well later today) to UT for the much anticipated AR/MP wedding. I've never been so excited to go to UT in my entire life!