Auggghh... the big 3-0!

Yes, I've reached the big one. I am totally the old lady here in our Utah Misiego/Toone clan. =) It's not so bad when I remember that a lot of my friends are over 30, but when I think about the fact that David's only 27, I feel ancient! Of course, he's lucky to have married an older woman, right? At least I still feel young at heart! Constantly hanging around my younger siblings and in-laws sure helps with that. =) And I really have been so blessed in these 30 years - I have no need to complain!

We celebrated as a family Sunday night when my brother and sister and David's brothers and sister came over for dinner and cake. They sang very harmonious versions of both "Happy Birthday" and "Cumpleanos Feliz" - I'll have to put the video so my mom can get a laugh. =) Jazmin's 21st birthday is in a few days, so we sang to her as well. I'd mentioned to Mom recently that while I love giving Willow Tree statues I've only ever gotten one, so she told everyone that's what I wanted and I got three! I love them, along with the other thoughtful gifts I received (thanks, guys!!). On Monday, David surprised me with breakfast and some sweet cards, and it seems Bryan said "Happy Birthday, Mom!" at least 20 times throughout the day. We spent a relaxing day around the house and then David and I enjoyed dinner out and a movie. Thanks to everyone who called or sent your wishes! I felt loved and - despite feeling a bit decrepit - had a wonderful day!

Bryan's testimony!

Today Bryan bore his testimony in Sacrament Meeting for the first time! After he saw me get up, he was really anxious to get up himself. He talked in excited whispers about what he'd like to say, so the people around us already knew before he got up there what he was going to say. When there was a break, David walked him up and he stood tall and proud (just peeking over the pulpit) and said, "I love President Monson. I love the Book of Mormon. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Of course he spoke in an overly loud voice, like a lot of little kids do, so there was the normal spattering of laughter in the crowd. But I was so proud of him, and the person who followed him said that she wished she had a testimony just like that. =) Way to go, Bryan! We love you!

My busy day

Yesterday I had a very full day, in more ways than one. I first woke up super early (earlier than I think I have since Matthew's been born!) to get to the Salt Lake Temple to attend the sealing of my friend, Veronica. I was a little frantic getting there on time, but I'm so glad I went! Sealings are so beautiful and there was such a sweet spirit in the room. As I am with every sealing I attend, I loved being reminded of the words spoken and the feelings I felt when David and I were sealed in the same temple nearly five years ago! How time flies. Veronica was a gorgeous bride, and it was altogether a wonderful morning.

After running errands and taking care of things around the house, I returned to Salt Lake later in the afternoon to attend the General Relief Society Conference in the Conference Center. Jazmin had an extra ticket and was sweet enough to invite me to go with her. What a cool experience! It had been years since I'd attended a Conference session in the Conference Center, so it was especially powerful to be in the presence of our prophet, apostles, and general leaders of the church. I was impressed by Sister Beck's words and the power and emotion with which she spoke. She really made me believe that I can be doing so much more as a member of the Relief Society! I also really enjoyed President Uchtdorf's encouraging words on feeling God's happiness. My testimony of the power and joy we can obtain through exercising faith and striving to emulate our Savior was truly strengthened. And I'm excited to see what things I'm able to "create" in the coming weeks and months as I keep his counsel in mind. I feel so blessed to have been able to attend the Conference and hear our leaders' words first hand. I got chills singing the intermediate hymn with so many other women in the same room! I just love being a member of the Relief Society of the Church!

After the Conference, David met me in Salt Lake and we were able to go together to Veronica's wedding reception. Veronica's a friend I met on my mission in Spain, so David and I had the chance to catch up with old mission friends and other people from Spain - something I don't do often enough! We took off when they started the salsa dancing... =) I came home exhausted, but edified and grateful for the experiences I'd had. All in all it was a wonderful, fulfilling day!

Happy Birthday, David!!

One of the greatest things about David's family being here this last week is that they got to be here to celebrate his 27th b-day. We spent the day shopping in Park City where David got hooked up with lots of business clothes, which he loves, and then we came home for a yummy barbecue dinner. Later we ate brownies and ice cream and danced the night away in our family room. The Misiegos really know how to party! =)

Here's David directing a rousing rendition of "Cumpleanos Feliz." Happy birthday, babe! We love you!!

Gangsta Bryan

This is what happens when Bryan's uncles get a hold of him. =)

Misiego Family Pics

These were the first pictures taken of the whole Misiego family in five years! The only ones missing now were the husband and kids of David's oldest sister, Rebeca. Hopefully we'll get to see them soon!

Bouncin' around

One of our favorite activities to do as a family when everyone's in town is play on the inflatible toys at the nearby fun center. I usually end up taking the pictures while everyone else goes nuts, which I don't mind... Bryan loves getting to play w/ David and all the aunts and uncles and has no problem keeping up with them all!

Temple Square and Provo Canyon

The day after David's parents got here, we spent some time in downtown Salt Lake. While the rest of the family was on a special tour with Javi, David and I stayed with Mali and the kids and enjoyed the beauty of Temple Square.

That evening we decided to do an all-American bonfire in the canyon w/ roasted hot dogs and S'mores. Everyone loved it!

Matty loved all the room to run around!

He also loved the food... can you tell he likes chips?

If you look closely on the left, that's a live rainbow trout we found in the river.

Playing a little soccer...

Hot dogs, anyone??

Surprise Misiego Reunion!!

Wow, this has been a crazy past few weeks! Sara and Ben were here with us from England, and then a week or so after they arrived David's brother, Jose, flew out to visit as well. He just got home from his mission, so we were all really excited to see him. The big surprise came when we went to pick him up from the airport... David's parents and oldest sister, Rebeca, flew over as well! Talk about an emotional airport scene. It was the first time the immediate Misiego family had been together in five years.

So since then we've spent lots of time visiting, playing, eating, dancing, partying, traveling, touristing, shopping - you name it! It was sure a lot of fun! Everyone but Jose has gone back home now, and Jose plans to stay with us for another month or so to see how he likes life in Utah. =)

I've got TONS of pictures, so I think I'm going to do separate posts for different groups of pics. These first ones are from the days we spent with Sara and Ben and their two girls, before the rest of the family arrived. Bryan and Madison (both the same age) had so much fun playing together, and I really enjoyed getting to know Sara and Ben more! We're hoping they come over to live here before long... We'd love to be able to see them more often!

Here we are playing at the Children's Museum. The older kids were especially intrigued by the media section...



We also visited the Bean Museum at BYU and enjoyed a picnic on the lawn outside.
Later we met up with David and Ben and went down to our old stomping grounds to show them around. Of course, we had to stop and play at the "horsie park."
And here are some pics from the airport. We only have a picture w/ Jose... after that we were all so flustered and excited, no one thought to take any pics. =)
More pics to come...

Being in love

It was amazing when I found David and finally knew what it was like to really be in love. And then I had Bryan, and I fell in love all over again! The same thing happened a couple years later when Matthew was born. Like most mothers, I found that my heart simply became enlarged and my capacity to love increased. A mother's love for her children is hard to explain, but when my boys look at me lovingly with their big green/brown eyes, I'm filled with a warmth that can't be matched. I know that, at least for now, I'm the most important woman in their lives - something I hope doesn't change for a long, long time! I am completely, head-over-heels in love with my boys, and I love that they always love me back!

(old Mother's Day pic)

With that said, I was brought to tears when I read this post from C Jane, who's caring for her sister's children while their mother (Nie Nie) is recovering from a recent plane crash. I love the way she words things and so poignantly shows how amazing the love is between a mother and son. Reading this also made me so grateful that I can still hug my boys and kiss their sweet cheeks as often as I'd like!

Fun times in St. George & Vegas!

This past week, David's sister, Sara, came to visit with her husband, Ben, and their two little girls. They live in England, so we hardly get to see them! Their girls are the same ages as Bryan and Matthew, and Bryan especially has loved having a friend to play with 24/7. It's just been so fun to have them here!

The day after they arrived we headed down to St. George and Vegas for a few days. Our landlord was generous enough to let us stay in a townhome he has down there, which was perfect for us. We liked hanging out at the house and the pool, but the highlight of the first couple days was our trip to Vegas. I can't say that it's my favorite place - after a night of seeing the sights I was ready to go - but it was a fun adventure, and we all enjoyed seeing the beautiful buildings and crazy attractions. My favorite part was seeing the fountains in front of the Bellagio hotel. For me, that made up for all the other stuff that wasn't so nice...


This is as close as we got to seeing a show in Vegas... =)



After returning from Vegas we saw some other sights around St. George, including the small but beautiful Snow Canyon Park and the St. George Temple.


We all had a great time, and we're looking forward to doing more fun things this coming week w/ Sara, Ben, and the girls. David's brother, Jose, is coming as well on Thursday after just getting home from his mission - then it will really be a party!

Here are a bunch of pictures of our trip...

Vote for Cap Trappers!

My friend, Rebecca, is the inventor of the Cap Trappers. If you've never heard of them, check them out! They're awesome - so great for moms, teachers, business people... I blogged about them a while back. Bryan loves his!

Rebecca's entered a contest on IdeaBlob, and needs as many votes as possible to win! If you've got a minute, go on over and cast your vote for this fabulous, innovative product! =)

We're going to Provo!!!

Crazy, I know. David interviewed for an agency down there last week, and today we found out he was selected! We're so excited! Months ago we'd never considered going back to Provo. David was set on Salt Lake Valley if we were going to stay in Utah. Then, when we found out that this agency had become available we were overwhelmed with excitement! It was unexpected, but just seemed right. So thankfully everything has worked out. The agency is just a couple blocks north of BYU, and he'll be starting July of next year. It's still a ways away, but that's okay! At least we know where we're going to be! Woo-hoo!!