Yay for Missionaries!

Conference was great this weekend! We are so blessed to be able to hear the words of living prophets. That  missionary announcement was crazy! Girls are able to go on a mission when they're 19! And boys when they're 18 and have graduated from high school. If you'd like to see the announcement, click here. I think this revelation is so great for so many reasons. Here are some of my thoughts on the matter. 

• This opportunity for girls to go on their mission earlier is perfect for girls like Cassie Haskell. Cassie has been determined to serve an LDS mission since I've known her. I'd bet that even if she met her eternal companion before her mission, she would have made him wait for her while she left to serve the lord for a year and a half. Cassie, I bet you're ecstatic right now.  
• I know that some have wondered if it's such a good idea, because they feel that a young women's top priority is to get married... not to serve a mission. But I say let them serve a mission! They're still going to be young when they return. Two years younger than if they had waited until they turned 21! 
• I think allowing girls to leave when they are 19 is especially great for high school sweethearts. (granted they're close to the same age.) Instead of the girl waiting around for her missionary to return, she can serve a mission at the same time! Then they can get married after both have had the opportunity to serve the lord. My mind keeps wandering to Chloe and Hopper. I talked to Chloe Sunday, and she is definitely planning on serving a mission as soon as she turns 19. I know Chloe wasn't going to wait for Hop while he served in Taiwan, but now they might end up together after all. :) - Don't get me wrong, Chloe was planning on serving a mission even if she had to wait until she was 21. She's always wanted to go. And ok... They're not exactly high school sweethearts, but still. 
• I'm also glad they chose to let boys go when they are finished with high school. For some, that's an entire year early. They now have less time in which they could make a mistake. Michael explained to me how that year in between was one of the hardest of his life. He said it was pointless to date when he knew he was leaving. He said he felt like he had to wait until the year went by until his life could progress. Also, according to my father-in-law, a professor at BYU, the majority of freshmen boys who choose to put in a year of school before their mission, have a poorer performance in their classes.
• Although I'm married and won't be serving a mission, this announcement might actually benefit me as well. I found this funny picture online: 

If there's the slightest truth to to this image, maybe I'll be able to get in after all. Fingers crossed. 

• I really enjoyed Henry B Eyrings talk Sunday morning, on how the Lord knows all things and what's best for us personally. We need to work according to his time table. Maybe I got married early so I wouldn't be tempted to serve a mission instead of marrying my best friend, when these new missionary age requirements were revealed. I know that marrying Michael at that time was the right decision for me. I love my husband with all my heart. When I previously wrote I wouldn't be serving a mission, I meant in the immediate future. Michael and I are definitely going to serve a couple mission, if not several. We'll be the best missionaries you ever did see. 

What a great announcement to witness. It's especially exciting when I'm the same age as those who are preparing to leave. I'd just like to give a shout out to my close friends who recently got their mission calls. 

McKennen Lamb - Called to serve in Paris, France. Everyone saw that one coming. :)  McKennen, you're a great friend and I'm sorry we grew apart. Your friendly personality is going be a great advantage in the mission field. Way to go Kennen!

Craig Sperry - Called to serve in Indianapolis, Indiana. Craig you are one of my very best friends. I really appreciate that you keep in touch even though I'm a Mrs. now. You are a great listener and you are going to rock that mission!

Allen Hopper - Called to serve in Taiwan, Tipei (Mandarin Chinese speaking. How cool is that?!) Hopper, I look up to you. Thanks for always being there when I need a friend. Why you gave me the nickname 'Smiles' beats me, because everyone smiles when they're around you. Your confidence and optimism are great traits to have when serving the lord. Hop, I hope you end up with Chloe. You two are SO cute. 

The following quote is for you boys: "Who the Lord calls, the Lord will qualify." -Thomas S. Monson

Now, for my current missionary friend:

David Corey - Currently serving in Richmond, Virginia. David, I'm so sorry I haven't written you any letters... I'll write soon. Promise. I just have to get your address from Chloe. David, you have such a strong desire to serve the Lord. I know you're doing a fantastic job!

David, this quote is for you: "When you're on the Lord's errand, you're entitled to the Lord's blessings." -Thomas S. Monson

Now, a shout out to my favorite missionary, an RM, Michael Brooks - Served a full time mission to Tijuana, Mexico. Michael was a great missionary who endured a broken wrist, difficult companions, illness and vicious dogs. He never gave up. He has a very strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and wasn't afraid to share it with others. He has changed the lives of many, by bringing them closer to their Father in Heaven. I love you Michael bear! Thanks for always setting a good example for me. 

Way to go boys! I'm so proud of you! 

I'd like to close this post with a quote by Joseph Smith. "The standard of truth has been erected; No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done." 

Black Furniture

So, I decided to paint our furniture black to match the pillows we got for our couches. I went to Ace Friday and bought all the supplies. It was expensive! My dad suggested I get Purdy paint brushes, and they were $15 apiece! Sheesh! Oh well, at least I'll have them if I decide to do some more painting.

Having no furniture painting experience whatsoever, I recruited my mother-in-law to come help me. Camille came yesterday and we painted our coffee table, bookshelf and T.V. stand. They look really nice. My mom thought they would look even better if I sanded the edges for a distressed look. I tried sanding one edge of the bookshelf, and the paint started to peel! Apparently, I should of waited at least a week before doing any sanding... whoops.

Unfortunately, the top of our coffee table is plastic laminent. Not wood. We already have scratched up the top, because according to my dad, the paint isn't sticking like it should. Camille suggested repainting the top and getting a glass covering to protect it. I suspect getting a glass covering would cost more than what I purchased the coffee table for in the first place. I guess we'll just have to see....

Anyway, I wish I had taken before and after pictures. I didn't think of it before so here's the after:

Camping Couple

Michael and I have been trying to go camping for a while now... ever since Labor Day weekend. Every week something comes up: bad weather, sickness, birthday parties, etc...

Finally, this week, we were able to go. Yay! After he was done at karate, Michael took me to a camping spot his family likes to go to. To get there we had to take a dirt road. As we were driving along, we found ourselves caught up in a herd of deer. They were literally running right next to us. I've never seen that many deer in one place before! It was really neat. 

When we arrived it was already dark. Poor Michael started a fire and set up our tent using our phones as flashlights.He did a great job. We roasted hot dogs over the campfire for dinner. We also roasted marshmallows and made s'mores (debateably the best thing about camping.) 

Here's our Campfire :) Thanks dad for the firewood!

Our tent made my hair all staticy. Ha ha

Because it was dark when we arrived, I wasn't able to see the true beauty of our campsite until morning. It was the best campsite ever! We were right next to a river and the leaves have already started to change color. I love fall!

Pretty Red Tree

Here's our campsite. 

This is our little two man tent. Michael really wanted to bring his dog with us... There's no way there would be any room for him in there. Even if there was, I would rather sleep in the car than with Koda. 

We practiced with our bokkens this morning, much to the disturbance of the squirrel below.  

He would race across the road, run up a tree and bark at us. He would then run back again only to repeat the cycle a few minutes later. 

I had such a fun time camping with my husband. Hopefully we'll be able go camping more often next year. 

New Couches

I've wanted some new couches for a while now. I picked up the ones we've been using at a yard sale for $20. They're really low to the ground and the cushions won't stay in place. I'm always trying to adjust them to look presentable. I decided we definitely needed some new ones after Michael put a hole in the bottom of our couch with his foot.
Knowing we couldn't afford brand new couches and also knowing how often my Mom shops at thrift stores, I asked her to keep her eye out for us. My awesome Mom went above and beyond and started hitting up stores just to see if there were any couches better than ours. Wednesday, we scored big time when she found a tan microfiber couch and love seat at Pack Rats. They were both in really good condition, and we were able to get the pair for only $400! I was so excited.
After bringing them home, and setting them up, they looked a little bare. We needed some throw pillows. Today I went with my Mom and Grace to look for some. We got some black ones at Bed, Bath and Beyond and some with a floral pattern at Burlington. Check it out.

I uploaded two pictures of our new couch with different throw pillow arrangements. Which do you like better?

I'm so grateful for our new couches. I'm in love with them. I'm also grateful for a husband who let me spend the money to get a new couch and love seat. Thank you Michael Bear. I love you!

Happy Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa Decker

My grandparents moved to Utah from California a couple of weeks ago. As of right now, they're staying in an apartment in Payson. It's going to be fun having them closer. We'll see each other a lot more often. 

Speaking of them, today is actually their anniversary. I wouldn't have actually known this if it hadn't been for facebook. This is what my Aunt Paula posted:

"4 children, 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild later!!! Lots of love coming your way! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!"

Happy Anniversary from us too! Michael and I love you. 

I've never actually seen pictures from my grandparents wedding, so I was excited to get my hands on these. 

Awww. They're so cute! Grandpa was a greaser back in his day.

Her bridesmaids are just adorable! :)

Kayaking with the Freemans

Happy Labor Day! 

After work today Michael, Kimberly, Lance and I rented some water toys and headed to the Jordan river. Michael and I got a lime green Kayak. Woo Hoo!

 We had to make our way through some jungle to actually get to the river.

Lance and Kimbo making their way down the river.

There were a lot of dead fish floating in the water and Michael picked one up with his paddle. Blegh! He thought there might be something in the water that was killing them off. I think they just died of old age. 

Here we are. We got a lot better at coordinated paddling by the end of our excursion. 

We ended the night with some Little Ceasars pizza and a movie. :)

We Don't Sell Fries

Here's just a summary of some of this week's events:

A girl called in to Hogi Yogi and asked to speak to a manager. When I told her I was the next best thing, she started complaining about how she waited way too long for her food and how we have poor customer service. Yep... That's what happens when there's only two of us working. What wouldn't I give to have more people on shift? It would do a lot to relieve all the stress I've been feeling. Michael says I should report the phone call to the Walls, but I'm scared to. Wouldn't it just make me look bad? Ugh... I can't get over how rude she was.

Here's another incident that happened at Hogi Yogi: A mom came through the drive-thru with three small kids in the back. When she pulled up to the window she asked me if I could please tell her children that we don't sell french fries. They didn't believe her. I looked at the kids and told them, "I'm sorry, we don't have any fries." The little girl immediately burst into tears. It was so sad and so funny at the same time.

I've been so excited for this weekend. There wasn't any karate yesterday because of Labor Day weekend, so Michael and I had been planning to go camping just the two of us. Unfortunately we weren't able to go for two reasons. 1. I woke up yesterday morning feeling quite sick. and 2. The weather wasn't very inviting. It rained on and off all day. Instead, we got a redbox rental and played speed. Turns out it was a good thing we didn't go camping. Last night there was a violent hail storm accompanied by thunder and lightning.

Today, someone called about the trumpet Michael's been trying to sale online for over a year! The first two people who were interested were trying to scam him. Anyway, in less than two hours, they met with Michael and paid him $375 cash for it. We celebrated by eating out at Arctic Circle.