a family is forever!

Posted on March 8, 2012 by tara

This past weekend, we were so excited because we had the opportunity to go to the temple together! Monday was Michael’s grandparents’ 59th wedding anniversary, and they like to go to the temple to commemorate it, so we went with them!

It seems like it’s been FOREVER since we last went to the temple for anything other than a wedding. It was wonderful to be inside, not feel rushed, and be able to enjoy the peace and Spirit the temple has.

I’m so thankful for the temple, and that because of it, our family can be together forever. My family is the best gift I will ever have. I love them all so much!

blessed

Posted on May 9, 2011 by tara

This past weekend we went to the temple to see our cousin Shaila get married! We decided that we would go up the night before so that we could spend some time in the temple together, but when we were just about half hour from our destination, we got into a minor car accident. Thankfully, no one was hurt and our car is by no means destroyed. The radiator was cracked and leaked out all its fluid, so the car had to be towed.

Although it was just a small incident, my emotions were very unstable over the next few hours. It was strange to see our car hauled onto the tow truck. We had to ride in the front, which almost seemed fun for a moment, except that I could see our poor car bouncing behind us in the sideview mirror.

I am so thankful for our family and friends who have been so generous to help us make it back home and get to the places we need to. I really don't know where we'd be without them, seeing as our car is currently 4 hours away from us.

I'm grateful that Michael and I are still alive and well. There's really nothing better than being with your best friend.

We managed to stay at the same hotel as Michael's parents, which was great to get some hugs and relax. And we did make it to the temple for the wedding on Saturday morning, where is was such a relief to temporarily leave our wordly cares behind and just feel the Holy Spirit. Marriage really is a sacred covenant between you, your spouse, and God, and I definitely felt that this weekend.

vacation

Posted on August 16, 2010 by tara

We're home!!! This past week, we went to visit Michael's side of the family. We did so many fun activities that I really didn't want to leave!

The first thing we did upon our arrival was go to karaoke at Kevin's fiancee's family restaurant. Michael and Kevin agreed to sing Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me" earlier in the night, but once they heard their names called to actually sing it, I think they were a bit shocked!

On Saturday night, we went to Kevin and Gigi's engagement dinner at The Olive Garden. Yuuuuum.

I had my first motorcycle ride ever with my dad-in-law and LOVED it!

I also had an amazing horseback riding lesson! I learned to do things I'd never even thought of, such as stopping my seat bones in the saddle. I even did some confidence-building exercises, which proved that as long as my legs were in the proper position, I wouldn't fall out of the saddle. My instructor had me reach to touch my toes, my heel, the horse's tailhead, and the top of her bridle. I never fell! This was also my first time in an English saddle, and wow was it comfortable!

Here's Sheba. She is 27 years old and was so amazingly patient with me.

We also went to Historic Jamestown. It was interesting to learn about the foundations of our state and actually walk through replicas of both the Powhatan Indian and English militia's communities. My favorite part was the English ships, because we could actually go into them and explore!

The last big thing we did was go up to the temple for a friend's wedding. We had planned on doing some temple work as well, but believe it or not… the power was OUT!

I had such a great time with our family! Sometimes it's great to leave all the internet and cell phones behind and just go relax… or jump in the river!

anniversary weekend

Posted on May 23, 2010 by tara

This weekend was one of the best I've had- it was our one year anniversary! After our wedding we didn't really get a honeymoon, so I'm grateful that we at least had a couple days this year to just enjoy each other's company and have some fun.

We left on Thursday night and stayed with Michael's grandparents, since they live at about the half-way mark of our voyage. I was glad we had a comfortable place to sleep, since we originally planned on camping for two nights instead. And who could pass up grandma's homemade bread? =)

Friday morning we woke up early and left to go to Six Flags! But on the way, we had to stop at Walmart to pick up some things for lunch later in the day. While we were there, Michael gave me a BIG surprise- he walked over to the electronics department and told me to pick out a new camera (mine was over 4 years old, and that's pretty much ancient in the technology world). I was so surprised and was a bit resistant at first… but then I just decided to let him go through with his plan. I picked out a beautiful, sleek-looking Canon. Basically, I am spoiled!

I hadn't been to an amusement park for a few years, so I was really excited! Growing up, it was a family tradition every summer. That's the one real "trip" we would all take together, so going there this weekend really brought back some memories of my childhood.

Here we are after going on rides for about 5 hours… sweaty and sunscreeny. haha

That night we went camping at a nearby park. It was really beautiful there. Of course, the best part was making s'mores! The fire pit was a bit dilapidated though…

On Saturday morning we woke up early, packed up, and went to the temple. It was such a blessing to be there on our actual anniversary! It is wonderful to think of the many blessings we receive from being sealed there. Through righteous living, we can be together forever as a family!

After several hours there, we left to come home. But on the way, we stopped to do some Trail Riding! We went to a small ranch, who gave us horses and a trail guide who brought us deep into the forest! We went through creeks and mud, and over rocks and logs. Trail horses are really very smart, amazing animals. They need to have an amazing sense of where to put their feet, as well as a good brain to know what to do in certain situations.

The ride lasted an hour and a half, which went by quickly. It was plenty long enough to make me sore though! We both had paint horses (my favorite!). Michael's was named Diego and mine had a really strange name… Cocheese, it sounded like. I have no idea how to spell that.

Anyway, here's my cute little Cocheese…

We came home last night and Michael insisted that we keep the tradition of eating the top layer of our wedding cake. One year later… it's pretty gross. I don't know who came up with this tradition, but it's not one I like much. Michael didn't think it was too bad.

19 days later…

Posted on September 24, 2009 by tara

Well school has kept us soooooo busy, and as a result, I haven't blogged for 19 days! Ah! the world must be ending! Okay not really.

So I'll start recounting things to you, pretty much in chronological order. September 12th was our "one year" mark since we started dating! For some, it may seem a little weird to have your one year mark after you're already married… but hey, when you know who you want to/should marry, why wait? Michael is such an incredible blessing in my life. So, we went out to dinner at Macado's! yum. It was nice to get out.

This past weekend, we went to visit my in-laws! I wish I didn't have to use the word "in-laws" because that often carries a negative connotation… and it was so fun! I love them. In french, in-laws are called "la belle-famille", which is so much better, because it means "beautiful family". Family is beautiful! The francophones have it right.

So we went to the most family-oriented place on earth- the temple! Little Jeffrey is all grown up now- he received his endowments because he's going on a mission very soon! I love the temple. Especially being there with my family! :)

Well, the last few weeks I've been working out at the barn for one of my classes- I'm responsible for halter-breaking a calf. Mind you, this calf weighs about 500 pounds. For those who aren't into agriculture, halter-breaking is just getting the animal used to wearing a halter and walking with it on when you're on the other end. When you first start, their spirits are wild and they fight against you. So, you tie them up for awhile, and once they're used to being tied you can start trying to walk them in circles… usually walking turns into tug-of-war with an animal over 4 times your size! Haha.

Anyway, I decided to call him "Henry", but later found out his real name is "Hummer" (Henry is so much better…). He'll be sold at the end of October… you know, just in case you're interested in buying a Hereford bull.

So basically, that's all! You're all up to date on our fascinating life!