I WROTE A BOOK!

I don't know if anyone even reads this anymore, which is fine because it is more for our own record keeping than anything else at this point. That being said, I am trying to plaster every outlet possible with this news of a fun goal I completed for myself this year, and the chance to help me make a somewhat success of it. I wrote a book about my own insights to the parable of the Armor of God. I can't promise it is the most amazing thing you have ever read or even the most poignant source on this particular parable, but it was something that wouldn't leave my mind until I sat down and wrote it out.

It took about a week for me to find snippets of time to sit down and get it all out. After that it was all about editing, rewriting, and adding other sources to help make my points a little stronger. The amazing thing for me was that as I went back and read through it to edit it, there were things that I hadn't remembered writing. Points I didn't remember making. I feel like this really was a whole lot of inspiration and revelation pouring out and it was a remarkable experience for me.

Even if nobody else cares to read it and even if nobody else is touched by it (and I for sure hope that is not the case) I will never regret taking the time and effort to get this all put together.

Also, the cover art was done by one of my dear friends out here, and I think it is really amazing. I have such talented friends!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Armor-God-Christian-ebook/dp/B00EPXG3GS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377264156&sr=8-1&keywords=the+armor+of+god%3A+the+tools+of+true+christian+soldiers

5th of July

The celebrating just never ends over here! The day after the 4th of July, which is the 5th of July, we headed over to Jim and Melissa's for some fun cousin time. Clay and Stephanie were here from California as well, which was fun! We brought our water slide with us, and everyone had a grand old time until the lightning told us to go inside and eat some food. We obeyed.

 We missed the Mattson cousins like crazy. I love this bunch of kids! They are all so unique and fun.

 Sam made sure that Jake got sufficiently wet at the bottom.

 Brooke and Abbie spent most of their time under the shower. Funny girls!

It was a fun day, and I was glad to get to talk to Wendy some more. I hope we find an excise sometime soon to get together again.

The 4th of July

Our family tradition for the 4th of July is to camp out on the Missionary fields near the Provo Temple to see the Stadium of Fire show from a distance. It is so much fun every year. We love it. We prepared this year by bringing our old tent, which will now be retired as we lent it to someone and it came back ripped beyond repair and filthy. It did offer some good shade, and was a good farewell voyage for it. We also brought snacky foods and stopped by the dollar store for water toys and glow sticks.

It was a very laid back day, which is exactly what we were hoping for. It got a little hot at times and we could have prepared a little better for that, but all in all it was a really great day. I love this tradition.

 Some cute girls were selling suckers to save money for their dance class.

 The stinker foiled my romantic picture...

 Watermelon and suckers. This boy was in Heaven.

 It got too hot for me, so we mutilated my jeans to make some capris.

 He is already sagging his pants. We might be in trouble in a few years...

 Sara was very creative with these glow sticks. I think Ross's phone has some other pictures, so I'll have to dig those up at some point.

Happy Birthday, America. We saw all kinds of explosions in your honor.