Class this Morning...

I am doing a two week class that is absolute torture, but we wrote an "I Am" poem this morning that made me think about myself and my past and was just a good reflection for me.  And I have to share it with my family, so you get to view it here!

I Am...

I am Laurie which is Latin meaning Laurel-Crowned

I am crowned with a happy-go-lucky nature

I am a daughter, sister, mother, wife, and aunt to those I love

I am young looking, but am greying way too young

I am an Army Brat that doesn't really have a hometown

I am an only daughter and the princess to four younger brothers

I am a bride of 18 years to a very lucky man

I am the mother of three

I am spontaneous, moody, quick to forgive, and easily annoyed

I am poor at budgeting and saving

I am a clean freak, but not so much lately

I am organized, for the most part

I am no lover of snakes, mosquitos, sickness, splinters, and blood

I am living a childhood dream in my profession

I am building the minds of the future

I am happy

I am truly living my dreams!

I am Laurie

So one assignment fulfilled!  I will have another poem I have to share with you tomorrow!

Love you guys!

Madness!

We decided to go with a goofy theme for the night, except we only had a good picture of Dallin.   So while his sisters are over the edge, he sporting his Sunday best in front of the temple.  Some guys just have all the class!

And this is the car he has chosen for his future.  Some guys really do have all the class!  Hopefully he's not expecting his parents to purchase this beaut!  I don't even know what kind of car this is!

And last but not least, this is what we do for entertainment during dinner.  I recall a few Mangum boys being the dinner entertainment not so long ago.  She carries on your legacy!

One of the most Beautiful Days of her Life...

The "Reception Frenzie!"

Jenna and Dusty Wright

Dallin and Olivia taking a stroll around the Columbus Temple trying to stay warm.

Aurora, Carley and Renae huddled on the benches outside the temple.  Aurora made the trip all the way from Austrailia to be with Aunt Jenna on her special day.

Carley and Emily.

Back At It...

Her wounds have healed.  The scar on her face depletes each day.  She took Uncle Mark's advice and jumped right back into track and hurdles after her hurdle accident.  She does have a new respect for them now that she knows what could happen.  Here she took a flawless hand-off from a team-mate and ran the last leg to bring her team to victory.  She has long legs and a graceful stride that improve each time she races around this track.

She recently added the Long Jump to her track activities.

Our 18th Wedding Anniversay...

We left chilly Ohio for some amazing adventures together.  We walked down memory lane in Southern Utah where it all began. 

We enjoyed some time in Cedar Canyon.

We met up with old friends and walked the campus of Southern Utah University together.  We saw our first apartment and went to restaurants we used to eat in as poor college students.  Then we headed south...

To Paris....

And Rome...

 We went to the Caribbean and New York City too, thanks to the crazy strip in Las Vegas!

We had a great time together. Our memories together outweigh the rough roads. 

When we met with our Bishop at college before we got married, he told us, "Getting married is the fun part, it's the living together afterward that's the tough part."  How true!

We smile at each other most days.  Marriage is work, but at the end of the day when you can smile and reflect with a joke or two, how rewarding!  Here's to eternity! 

Actual Signs of Spring!!!

Carley dug out her flip-flops and we dusted the cobwebs off the bikes.

The dog and I enjoyed looking at our shadows in the afternoon sunshine.



                                Our front yard is beginning to have green buds amongst all the winter brown.

The last of the snow has melted and we really do have green grass underneath.  What a breath of fresh air spring is.  I think this is my absolute favorite time of year when everything is coming to life and the sun begins to shine after too many dark and snowy days.  I am coming alive!!!!

Ouch!!! She took one for the team!

We are so proud of her accomplishments, and when she told us she was going to be running hurdles and the long jump I was still happy, but YIKES!!!!  Each time she runs over a hurdle I hold my breath...and this is why.......................

They got the best of her today!  Luckily it was cold outside and she was wearing her sweatshirt or the rest of her would look the same as her face.  Tim called me in class tonight and said to stop by Target on my way home to get gauze pads and the biggest band-aids I could find.  I asked, "What did you do?"  Then he broke the news gently to me..."but she is OK!"  And of course she wants to be ready to run in this Saturday's track meet.  We will see!