Elder Skousen

has been out for one year! One whole year! I couldn't be a prouder big sister.

Craig is such an incredible example of obedience, faith, and hard work.  He has taught me a lot through his letters and by sharing his testimony.  I am so grateful for his choice to dedicate two years of his life to the Lord.  And I can't wait for him to come home so I can give him a great big hug! It makes me tear up just to think about it.  Keep up the great work Elder Skousen, I love you!

PS- If you want to read his letters, you can go to his mission site at http://www.missionsite.net/eldercraigskousen

a lot of great things...

...have happened in the last few months and here are some pictures to prove it:

 Jake's (and Mason's!) graduation! Woohoo!

We moved to Sandy! (It was sad to leave the beloved duplex.)

 Lunch with some of the women I love the most.

Beautiful flowers from my husband for the "future mother" on Mother's Day

A new baby nephew, Carsten

 Mack's new birthday sun glasses

 My 22nd Birthday

A birthday date with Mom & Dad

Our one year anniversary!

 And a sleepover with a couple crazy kids

It's been a great summer!

Trip to Cali

Jake and I had the opportunity to go to California for our 1 year anniversary/ graduation gift/ official honeymoon trip.  It was so fun!  We are so grateful for our parents who helped us pay for the trip.

On the first day we went to Newport Beach, ate at BJ's pizza (a must!), and finished off the day with an Angel's Game.

After the Angel's game, we stayed at Uncle Paul and Aunt Phyllis' home (Jake's great uncle and aunt).  They were so gracious to put us up for a night.  We went to church with them the next day and then made our way to out-of-control-hot Palm Springs.  It was like St. George, but 20 degrees warmer.  We slept in, played at the pool, and ate yummy food.  I also got to experience Trader Joe's for the first time and the maple granola we found there was a life changer.

We had the opportunity to go to the Newport Temple and participate in Sealings there.  Uncle Paul is a sealer there, and it was a neat experience! There was another couple there with us that was celebrating their 15th (or something like that) anniversary and they told us that marriage just keeps getting better and better.  I do not doubt that, but it was good to hear!  Also, the Newport Temple is gorgeous and the grounds are breath-taking.

After the temple we headed to the beach!  I really like the idea of the beach, but when it comes to sand and cold water, I'm not the biggest fan.  However, it was so relaxing and fun to just sit by Jake on the beach and be right by the ocean.  I loved it!  Jake made me a little nervous when he would go out too far in the water (my poor kids won't be able to do anything!), but it was a great day.  Later that night we saw Moonrise Kingdom, a cute movie about a two twelve-year-olds who run away together.  We thought we were being cool because it was only showing in California and New York, but it turns out it came to Utah only a couple weeks later.

(Please note this picture was taken at 9:30pm.  IT WAS HOT!)

One of our favorite days was when we went to Sea World.  I haven't been since I was 6 so it was a real treat.  I felt like a little kid at Christmas- I was so excited to see Shamu.  We planned our day out so we were able to see all of the shows.  I was incredibly impressed by all the animals and how well trained they were.  Besides seeing Shamu, our favorite show was the Sea Lion show- it was pretty hysterical.  We found a job for my dad in case he ever needs one :).  The sharks were really cool too, just a little unnerving.

I hope you appreciate my "fun frame" I got when I downloaded the SeaWorld app :)

It was a wonderful trip to top off a wonderful first year of marriage.  I couldn't be happier to be Mrs. Jake Morley and I'm glad I will be forever.

Another Quote

I needed to hear this today.

"May today there be peace within.  May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.  May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.  May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.  May you be content with yourself just the way your are.  Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love. it is there for each and every one of us."
~Saint Terese of Liseaux

a word from the wise

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is.  It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning.  It all works out in the end.  Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future.  The Lord will not forsake us.  He will not forsake us.  If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worth of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."

-President Gordon B. Hinckley

Sour Cream Chocolate Bundt Cake

Who doesn't love a yummy chocolate bundt cake? They just make this world a little better.

Jake requested this particular cake for his birthday and it was a hit! I got the recipe from my family cookbook. Here's how to make it:

Cake

3/4 cup water

1 box chocolate cake mix

4 eggs (or 3 XL eggs)

3/4 cup oil

2 tsp. almond flavoring (optional)

1 (3 oz.) pkg. butterscotch instant pudding

1 (8 oz.) sour cream

mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (save 1/4 of bag to sprinkle on cake after frosted)

Beat all ingredients 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar in the bottom of a Pam or buttered bundt pan. Bake 325 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Cool at least 10 minutes before you take out of the pan. (I cooled a lot longer than that just to be safe.)

Frosting

You can use any chocolate frosting but this is what I did (a little trick I learned from my grandma):

1 tub of Betty Crocker Fluffy White

1 tub of Creamy Fudge Frosting (Pillsbury)

Mix together well and frost cake after it is cooled. Use the saved chocolate chips to sprinkle on top. And you're done!

(You can substitute the cake mix and pudding for different flavors like lemon or spice cake!)

Enjoy :)

a thought for friday

I found this on Pinterest.  A nice thought for today.


Happy Weekend!