We're Buying a House!!!!

We just had a very successful inspection and signed the last paper (well, I'm sure there will always be more...) for our new home! Our settlement date will be November 13th. We can't wait to move in and make it our own! I can't believe we're going to be homeowners - we just feel so blessed, especially during such a time of uncertainity. Enjoy some pics and video of the house below!

pics of the house

view from the front - talke about curb appeal!

2nd bedroom - with a stowaway...

2nd bathroom

3rd bedroom

more pics of the house

master bedroom

front entry

dining room, directly left of the entry

kitchen

office/den/4th room

family room

video of the house - backyard

video of the house - basement

Essential Oils

I just returned from an Essential Oils conference in Utah with Dana Young, who makes the oils that I use - BE YOUNG ESSENTIAL OILS.

He and a team of Doctors, Dentists, and experts from all over the world lectured for 4 days about the uses/science behind oils. It was so incredible - my brain is just exploding with information. I can't wait to learn more.

The human body truly is an incredible instrument - we give it the tools it needs and it heals itself. We stand in it's way by eating unhealthy food and taking in nasty chemicals in the personal care products we use, and it falls apart. It's no wonder we are one of the FATTEST, UNHAPPIEST, SICKEST nations in the world. (The World Health Organization ranks us as 37th - that's right up there with CUBA, of all places - in health care). I'm so glad to have found these wonderful, natural products and have already seen miraculous results in mine and Kev's health.

Smithsonian

We got the rare privilege the other day to visit one of the Smithsonians - the National Museum of American History. We were there almost 4 hours and only got through 2 exhibits!

This is the Star Spangled Banner - the acutal flag that waved over Fort McHenry in the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the National Anthem. It was HUGE - much bigger than I thought - 30 feet x 34 feet! I can easily see how it invoked such awe!

This is a glass shard from the palace at Tikrit - the birthplace of Saddam Hussein. It seems such a shame that something so corrupt as the middle east government could produce something so delicate and amazing. It was a powerful lesson to me that we need to be looking for beauty even in the most unlikely of places - and WITHIN the most unlikely of people.

This is George Washington's ACTUAL uniform. I was staring right at it behind the glass. Absolutely amazing. I have such respect for him as a leader and as a man. His integrity, faith, and leadership never faltered.

The chairs of Grant and Lee

One of the most touching parts of the exhibit were these 2 chairs - the actual chairs sat in by Gens. Grant and Lee at the Appomatox courthouse to officially signal the end of the Civil War. My brother Bry, somewhat of a history buff told us the story. Apparently the 2 Generals had served together in the Mexican American War almost 20 years earlier and spent most of the time getting acquainted and catching up on memories from that. It was Gen. Lee who had to bring up the business at hand, and when he offered up his sword (a traditional sign of surrender) Gen. Grant would not take it and allowed him to keep it as a sign of honor. Isn't it amazing that these two great men could have spent so much time on opposite sides of a brutal and war and then come together like old friends passing time in chairs on a porch. Perhaps without the Civil War, they could have been the greatest of friends.

Nauvoo

One of the greatest parts about our cross country trip was that we got to stop for 2 days in Nauvoo, IL. This place has great significance for my church, because it is where the pioneers on the "Mormon Trek" left from to go west to Salt Lake City. But they left behind their homes, their temple and their city that they sacrificed so much to build because the people in surrounding areas could not accept their faith and drove them out. What is there now is a touching monument - a rebuilt temple, restored homes, a brickyard, blacksmith shop, and post office, all just like they would have had it in the 1840s. It is a tribute to their faith and their sacrifice and to the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, who restored our church.

Nauvoo

The famous "sunstones" and beautiful stain glass red, white and blue stars on the side of the temple.
The temple at night. Doesn't it just glow? This was the view from outside our window. It was like being near to heaven.

One of the beautifully restored homes - this one was one of the bigger residences, built by Heber C. Kimball over many years.

Me on Parley Street - the famous "Trail of Hope" the pioneers walked leaving Nauvoo and going down to the banks of the Mississippi to cross over into Missouri.

Nauvoo

A view of the mighty Mississippi - can you believe they crossed this
frozen with nothing but their belongings and their newfound faith?

This is a branding symbol we saw on the door of the blacksmith shop - can you see the C L U F?

Us in front of the Nauvoo Temple. One of the most sacred and beautiful buildings I have ever been to.

Bronze statue of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. "In life they were not divided and in death, they were not separated."

Us in front of the bronze statue of Joseph and his wife Emma.

traveling across the midwest

When we drove from Arizona to Maryland, we crossed lots of the "bread basket" of the US. But I was struck with the fact that it all looks EXACTLY the same. Each day it would be like "What state are we in?" and then we'd realize that we had just passed through Indiana, Ohio, and were heading into Illinois without a single scenery change. Seriously, this is all you can see for miles and miles and miles. I never thought that when they sang "where the wind comes sweepin' down the range" in Oklahoma, it was because there was nothing in the way to stop it!

Me and My Love Affair With the Library

Summer Reading, HERE I COME!!!!!

I am already taking full advantage of my time to read and have started posting my reviews of recently read books below (a tradition I hope to continue here on the blog).

All is well here on the East Coast - Kev and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. More to follow.

The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ooooooh...loved this one. Very Twilight-esque. Great romance, fun fantasy, good plotline and interesting characters. Pretty much inhaled it from start to finish. I can't believe I have to wait until next summer for her to publish the next book! (What is it with me and series'?!)


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Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fun retelling of the "Dancing Princesses" fairytale. A little slow because she digs so deep into Romanian/Transylvanian history, but that gives it a really authentic feel you don't find in most books.


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Looking Glass Wars book review

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is Alice in Wonderland turned on it's head! The Mad Hatter is really Hatter Madigan, bodygaurd extraodinaire, the Cheshire Cat - a deadly assassin, and looking glasses become a true method of travel. Fun, quick paced and action packed - can't wait to read the next one in the series.


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