Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication

Adam and I had a very special opportunity to attend the temple dedication yesterday. We received tickets to go to the temple and attend one of 9 dedicatory sessions. It was such a spiritual experience. I started crying as soon as I got in the temple and didn't stop until well after the session was over. The spirit was so strong inside the temple and re-affirmed my testimony of the importance of the temples. I was so glad I was able to share this experience with Adam. Truly, once in a lifetime.

As Adam and I were walking up the stairs to the 2nd floor, one of the ushers pulled us aside and said he was going to sit us in a special place. He took us into the Chapel and had us sit on the first pew closest to the door. He explained to us that we would be able to see Pres. Monson walk past the door and he said that during the morning session, Pres. Monson stepped into the room and shook the hand of the boy who was sitting where Adam was. Wow! I was excited just thinking I would see Pres. Monson. Adam and I sat in the peace of the temple and when it was time, we stood for Pres. Monson.

Pres. Monson stood in the doorway to wave at all of us in the room and then he saw Adam. He walked right in and up to Adam saying "Here is a future missionary." He took Adam's hand and shook it while telling him he used have the same color hair when he was younger. He also asked Adam if he could wiggle his ears - this while wiggling his own. He then tousled his hair and pulled him in for a hug. It was so neat! I, of course, was in awe of being so close to the prophet. I still get teary-eyed as I sit here typing. It was an awesome moment - one I'll never forget.

Pres. Monson, before he gave the dedicatory prayer, was talking about his various positions in the church. He talked of going behind the "Iron Curtain" and bringing the church to those people. He said "Man's impossibility is but God's Blessing." The dedication was fabulous. The spirit was so strong and after it was over, I told Adam I didn't want to leave. My testimony has been strengthened by this experience. I hope Adam never forgets the feeling he felt while in the temple and the special experience he had with Pres. Monson.

Alex's first day of preschool

It's official.... my baby boy is now a "big boy" or so he tells me. Alex started preschool this week and he absolutely loves it! He goes two days a week and gets so disappointed on the days he doesn't go. He always asks, "Mom, I go to school today?" When I tell him "No" he gets sad and asks when he gets to go again. I am glad he loves it! He puts on his little Spiderman backpack, asks for a mohawk in his hair, puts his shoes on, and away he goes. I can't believe he is old enough to go. To me he is still too little. Now the only thing to figure out is how to spend four hours a week of alone time. Hmmm.....

Seattle ASP course

Can I just say that I love staging! I am so excited to get our business up and running so I can stage more homes. I love helping people get more money on the sale of their home and help them to move on to their next.

In order to stay up on the latest and greatest, I went with my mom to the Seattle ASP stager course taught by Barb Schwarz herself. Barb is the original stager. She came up with the concept of staging and firmly believes in staging as do I. She had such great information to share and I am so glad my mom and I were able to go to the classes. We had a blast!

I love "staging day" the best and this time was no different. It is so much fun to go into a home not knowing what's there, rearrange furniture, change out pictures and accessories, get rid of clutter, and leave the home looking 100% better and ready for sale. The home we went into had started out vacant and the agent had tried to stage it herself. She did an okay job but after we left, the home made sense and looked like a model home. So much fun!

Bedroom #1 Before


Bedroom #1 After


Half Bath Before

Half Bath After

Hall Bath Before


Hall Bath After

Living Room Before

Living Room After

Office Before


Office After


Master Bedroom Before

Master Bedroom After

Master Bath Before

Master Bath After

Which home would you rather buy and live in? Staging Works! Quick Staging tip: Clutter Eats Equity. Pack up all collections, trinkets, out of season clothes, etc. now - you'll be doing it eventually anyway!

"giddy-up"

The other day Alex and I were practicing counting and I decided to go through animal sounds with him as a refresher.

Here is our conversation:

Me: "Alex, what does a pig say?"
Alex: "oink, oink:
"How about a cow?"
"Mooooooo"
"Frog?"
"ribbit, ribbit"
"Dog?"
"arf, arf"
"Cat?"
"meow"
"Horse?"
(pause)....."Giddy-up"

I just love that little boy!