Family Picture 2010
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Favirote Pictures of Jaxon!
Just a Couple of my Favorite Pictures of Jaxon from the last couple of months!
Celebrating 2 years
Yesturday we celebrated our 2 anniversary! To celebrate we decided to rent a room at the Black Swan Inn. We checked in to the room on Thursday night and stayed till Friday morning. On Thursday night we went out to dinner at Chilies and for Ice Cream at Farr's. 
We rented the Romeo and Juliette Room, it was awsome! Here are just a few pics of the suite. When you walked in to the room you walk on a coblestone walkway and just inside the door is a Suit of Armor.
One of the main features of the suite is that it had a heart shaped Tub and a double shower!
The bed was in the loft along with a small table and chairs. Over the ledge on the wall was the BIG screen T.V. Having a big screen T.V. was deffinatly a treat for us because we currently do not have a television and any shows or movies that we watch is on either a computer screen or a 5 inch screen dvd player. :)
We rented the Romeo and Juliette Room, it was awsome! Here are just a few pics of the suite. When you walked in to the room you walk on a coblestone walkway and just inside the door is a Suit of Armor. One of the main features of the suite is that it had a heart shaped Tub and a double shower! The whole room was covered in wall to wall murals and mirrors, they we beautiful!
The suite was two stories with the tub, shower and the kitchet on the bottom floor with the bed on the second floor (or loft). To get to the second floor you had to walk up the spiral stair case that was inclosed in a tower. 
Josh's favorite part of the room was the "throne Room". He wants one just like it in our "dream home". The Throne room had a throne frame with a black toilet in the center and the entire this was on a raised floor.
The Kitchent was on the main level and wasnt very big but it worked.
The bed was in the loft along with a small table and chairs. Over the ledge on the wall was the BIG screen T.V. Having a big screen T.V. was deffinatly a treat for us because we currently do not have a television and any shows or movies that we watch is on either a computer screen or a 5 inch screen dvd player. :) We finnished off our getaway by visiting Jessica and her Family and her New Baby Boy!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A Few Thoughts...
Just a few thoughts on some scripture reading we went through this week. In 1 Nephi 16, we read about the journey Lehi, Nephi, and their families took from the valley of Lemuel (where they had stayed since departing from Jerusalem) into the wilderness, en route to the Red Sea where they would build the ship that would take them to the promised land. This wilderness was some of the most desolate terrain that existed in the known world (still is today).
The first thing we see is that they were not told to depart without being prepared for the most important things. In addition to provisions, they brought with them the brass plates of Laban (the scriptures), as well as the family of Ishmael, whose daughters would become the wives of the sons of Lehi (the opportunity to marry within the covenant and raise a righteous posterity). They were also given a "round ball of curious workmanship" that pointed the way for them to travel in the wilderness, as well as gave instruction through writing that appeared thereon (President Monson equated this "Liahona" to our modern patriarchal blessings).
As we make this story about ourselves, we observe that the time of preparation we have been given is this mortal existence, and that, having been born into this fallen world, we must now journey through the wilderness of this life before we reach our final destination: the promised land of eternal life with our Heavenly Father and our families forever. We have been well-prepared with those necessary and important things that will make our journey successful: the scriptures, opportunites to live righteously as a family, and a patriarchal blessing. It now depends upon us to utilize these "tools" we have been given in an effort to secure the blessings promised by the Lord.
Next we see the family of Nephi getting along well through their travels in the wilderness, even though it was difficult. They followed the directions of the "ball", and were led in the ways they should go. Additionally, this allowed them sufficient sustenance along the way. Soon, however, we discover that Nephi's bow, made of fine steel, had broken. Almost immediately afterward, his brothers (and his father!) began murmuring and complaining about the lack of food. Nephi takes the initiative to make a new bow and arrows, asks his father where to go to procure more food, and then is successful in bringing meat back to his family.
This is the main point in this story: bad things happen. We don't have to go looking for them; most of the time they just happen, even if we are doing what we are supposed to (just like this family was following the directions given them by the Lord through the "ball".) We need to understand that there are basically two ways to respond to bad things or tough times: we can be like Nephi's brothers and father and murmur and complain about them, placing blame on anyone or anything---even on the Lord. Or we can be like Nephi, who took control of the situation (using his power of agency to act, and not be acted upon) and faced the future with faith. In addition to seeking the Lord's help, he also did all in his own power and ability to bring about a solution to the problem. Similarly, we notice that Lehi, although murmuring and complaining in the beginning of this experience, humbled himself before the Lord and received further divine direction. Laman, Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael did not, and therefore continued to fumble around in darkness, searching after things they could not find. These examples provide us with inspired direction and guidance in the way we should go in our own lives: full of faith in the Lord, and working to improve ourselves with his help, never trusting our own abilities alone. We must remain humble and teachable, and turn often to the Lord if we will receive his counsel and instruction.
Finally, we see the importance of the guidance the "ball" gave to this family. Following this experience with his family, Nephi noted that the "ball" only worked "according to the faith and diligence and heed" they gave to it. He also explained that it contained writings that gave them further understanding of the things of the Lord, and that they changed from time to time according to their faith and diligence. This strongly reminds me of our relationship with the writings of God's prophets, both ancient and modern. These sacred teachings will only benefit us in our lives if we not only pay strict attention to them, but then apply them in our lives faithfully and diligently. These holy words, because of living prophets today, "change" from time to time in accordance to the need of revealed truth for our day and time. Again, these modern prophetic teachings will only work for us as we give them our full faith and diligence. Surely, we may say that inspired words, as "small means", bring about "great things" in our lives: a sure testimony of the living Christ, the sure plan of happiness designed by our Heavenly Father to bring us safely back to him, and the surety of a Gospel Restoration in these last days, providing a fulness of sacred covenants and ordinances that will bring us and our families into eternal life and exaltation by obedience to the laws and commandments we have been given.
The first thing we see is that they were not told to depart without being prepared for the most important things. In addition to provisions, they brought with them the brass plates of Laban (the scriptures), as well as the family of Ishmael, whose daughters would become the wives of the sons of Lehi (the opportunity to marry within the covenant and raise a righteous posterity). They were also given a "round ball of curious workmanship" that pointed the way for them to travel in the wilderness, as well as gave instruction through writing that appeared thereon (President Monson equated this "Liahona" to our modern patriarchal blessings).
As we make this story about ourselves, we observe that the time of preparation we have been given is this mortal existence, and that, having been born into this fallen world, we must now journey through the wilderness of this life before we reach our final destination: the promised land of eternal life with our Heavenly Father and our families forever. We have been well-prepared with those necessary and important things that will make our journey successful: the scriptures, opportunites to live righteously as a family, and a patriarchal blessing. It now depends upon us to utilize these "tools" we have been given in an effort to secure the blessings promised by the Lord.
Next we see the family of Nephi getting along well through their travels in the wilderness, even though it was difficult. They followed the directions of the "ball", and were led in the ways they should go. Additionally, this allowed them sufficient sustenance along the way. Soon, however, we discover that Nephi's bow, made of fine steel, had broken. Almost immediately afterward, his brothers (and his father!) began murmuring and complaining about the lack of food. Nephi takes the initiative to make a new bow and arrows, asks his father where to go to procure more food, and then is successful in bringing meat back to his family.
This is the main point in this story: bad things happen. We don't have to go looking for them; most of the time they just happen, even if we are doing what we are supposed to (just like this family was following the directions given them by the Lord through the "ball".) We need to understand that there are basically two ways to respond to bad things or tough times: we can be like Nephi's brothers and father and murmur and complain about them, placing blame on anyone or anything---even on the Lord. Or we can be like Nephi, who took control of the situation (using his power of agency to act, and not be acted upon) and faced the future with faith. In addition to seeking the Lord's help, he also did all in his own power and ability to bring about a solution to the problem. Similarly, we notice that Lehi, although murmuring and complaining in the beginning of this experience, humbled himself before the Lord and received further divine direction. Laman, Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael did not, and therefore continued to fumble around in darkness, searching after things they could not find. These examples provide us with inspired direction and guidance in the way we should go in our own lives: full of faith in the Lord, and working to improve ourselves with his help, never trusting our own abilities alone. We must remain humble and teachable, and turn often to the Lord if we will receive his counsel and instruction.
Finally, we see the importance of the guidance the "ball" gave to this family. Following this experience with his family, Nephi noted that the "ball" only worked "according to the faith and diligence and heed" they gave to it. He also explained that it contained writings that gave them further understanding of the things of the Lord, and that they changed from time to time according to their faith and diligence. This strongly reminds me of our relationship with the writings of God's prophets, both ancient and modern. These sacred teachings will only benefit us in our lives if we not only pay strict attention to them, but then apply them in our lives faithfully and diligently. These holy words, because of living prophets today, "change" from time to time in accordance to the need of revealed truth for our day and time. Again, these modern prophetic teachings will only work for us as we give them our full faith and diligence. Surely, we may say that inspired words, as "small means", bring about "great things" in our lives: a sure testimony of the living Christ, the sure plan of happiness designed by our Heavenly Father to bring us safely back to him, and the surety of a Gospel Restoration in these last days, providing a fulness of sacred covenants and ordinances that will bring us and our families into eternal life and exaltation by obedience to the laws and commandments we have been given.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Week 2
Well it is now week two of our goal to write in our blog! Small changes come every day to our little family. This week I started selling Avon and I am very excited to see how it will work out. Our house is still on the market and we did have a couple interested but they never put in an offer. We have also decided to change wards, we have been going to a Married student ward and will now go to our Family ward.
It is the end of an era for Josh. He has been teaching in Church one way or another for the better part of 7 years now; however, with the change in wards, he is no longer teaching. This will be quite the adjustment for him, not needing to prepare lessons all the time!
We understand that change equals better things. Although we cannot escape them, and though they are not always what we expect, they bring wanted differences and adjustments to help us live better. We are confident in moving forward and accepting new challenges, and trust that all will work for our good.
It is the end of an era for Josh. He has been teaching in Church one way or another for the better part of 7 years now; however, with the change in wards, he is no longer teaching. This will be quite the adjustment for him, not needing to prepare lessons all the time!
We understand that change equals better things. Although we cannot escape them, and though they are not always what we expect, they bring wanted differences and adjustments to help us live better. We are confident in moving forward and accepting new challenges, and trust that all will work for our good.
It seems as though Jaxon grows every day, if not physically then his personality. He loves to play with anyone, be tickled and laugh. His favorite thing to do is to blow Raspberries, All the time!
Favorite picture of Jaxon for the week is one where he is just playing with a hanger. It is amazing how in simple things, children can find Joy!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Jaxon
Jaxon Loves to play with my water bottle. I really need to find a smaller one for him to play with. He also loves to play with his comb!Thursday, May 19, 2011
So much to do, so little time
Well it has been a very long time since we made a post. Since the last time we has our first Son and his name is Jaxon Jay Shandrew. 
Jaxon joined our family on October 28th 2010. Jaxon entered the world via c-section and was delivered by Dr. Kimberly McCulloch. Jaxon weighed 9 lbs 4 oz and was 21 inches long. Jaxon had a thick brown hair with little blond highlights and of course big blue eyes. He is a very good Baby and loves to laugh.
Josh has thoroughly enjoyed being a father and spending time with Jaxon. Josh currently works at the herald journal and is able to stay home with Jaxon while i work part time at SEI. Josh and jaxon love to play and tickle.
Jaxon has truly been a blessing to our family and brings so much joy to our home. More to come soon!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
So now I guess it's my turn to say a few things about the last few months. We did start dating in December, but just a few weeks previously, when I had been setting up my Facebook account for the first time, Kinz was one of the first to add me as a friend and immediately invite me to her Thanksgiving turkeyfest that she was putting on at her apartment. I still wasn't sure what to think of her at that time, so I made up an excuse such that I didn't go.
We became "Facebook Friends", in that we would chat online once in a while, but would not hardly say two words to each other face-to-face at the single's ward (from where we originally knew each other in the first place). I asked her out on our first date during one of these "chats"; we agreed to go to the Cache Valley Fun Park and shoot pool for a while. I picked her up, we played pool for about an hour, and I took her home! Not much of a first date, I guess, but somehow she was still interested enough to go out again about two weeks later (to dinner with my whole family, no less!). It was about that same time we decided to give steady dating a shot.
Everything that happened over the course of following months was almost too bizarre in the things we had in common, the path our lives were on, and the desire to move forward and take the next step into something more serious. We finally decided there was nothing else for it, and got engaged the first week of April. The true test of our relationship soon reared its ugly head---the ensuing months leading to the wedding were difficult (mostly for me; apparently Kinzie was loving all of it). Luckily, it was only ten weeks from the time we got engaged until the wedding itself, so I didn't have much time to think about it. We stayed very busy and made it to the wedding with everything taken care of (which I didn't think was going to happen). Since then, life has been great as we've spent more time getting to know each other and focusing on establishing our own family. We're very blessed!
We became "Facebook Friends", in that we would chat online once in a while, but would not hardly say two words to each other face-to-face at the single's ward (from where we originally knew each other in the first place). I asked her out on our first date during one of these "chats"; we agreed to go to the Cache Valley Fun Park and shoot pool for a while. I picked her up, we played pool for about an hour, and I took her home! Not much of a first date, I guess, but somehow she was still interested enough to go out again about two weeks later (to dinner with my whole family, no less!). It was about that same time we decided to give steady dating a shot.
Everything that happened over the course of following months was almost too bizarre in the things we had in common, the path our lives were on, and the desire to move forward and take the next step into something more serious. We finally decided there was nothing else for it, and got engaged the first week of April. The true test of our relationship soon reared its ugly head---the ensuing months leading to the wedding were difficult (mostly for me; apparently Kinzie was loving all of it). Luckily, it was only ten weeks from the time we got engaged until the wedding itself, so I didn't have much time to think about it. We stayed very busy and made it to the wedding with everything taken care of (which I didn't think was going to happen). Since then, life has been great as we've spent more time getting to know each other and focusing on establishing our own family. We're very blessed!
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