So many memories.

My heart is so full and my eyes very wet. I am saying goodbye to what has become my second home. I am so excited to be back in the same state as Brody, but saying goodbye to these kiddos is not any easy task. I experienced many firsts while I was here. My first time boogie boarding, eating Indian food, etc. I have made so many wonderful memories and met so many incredible people. It's never easy saying goodbye. On to bigger and better things! So long ravenscroft lane I will definitely miss you.

Love always,
K

Oh what a Christmas..

Well he made it! I left Jacksonville at 3:30 in the morning to pick him up Tuesday. My sweet cousin and his family got us tickets to Disney World! Best way to end my stay in Florida. We took on a 10 out of 10 crowd at the Magic Kingdom in our matching Soul Mate shirts. We soon realized we are not as young as we once thought we were. We lasted until about 6:30. My ear started hurting and we were EXHAUSTED. Did I mention Brody surprised me with tickets to see my Colts play?! It has seriously been the best week ever. Brody and I spent our Christmas Eve at the beach, eating yummy food. We ended it with a nasty ear infection and brody comforting be as I sobbed because the pain was unreal. He said that if having a baby is anything like that he did not want one. No kiddos for us ;) We woke up early Christmas morning and unwrapped presents. There's a quick peek at our week. We are headed for Utah early tomorrow wish us luck.


P.S. We started our wedding site! 120 days :) Keep checking it out for more details. theknot.com/us/mackenzie-brody

The sick bug.

Well today has definitely been a world wind. I am now more fully aware of the torture my mom was put through when the BUG came to our house. I have spent my whole morning cleaning up puke. Puke all over my car, my clothes, her clothes the car seat you name it. Pretty sure the smell is burned into my sense of smell. Oh what a day.

Love always,
K

Oh, what a day.

Yesterday I definitely had a bad case of the Mondays. Aside from the amazing Florida weather, it was far from amazing. It all started when I woke up feeling like my head was going to explode. I don't know what it is about being out here, but I wake up with the worlds worst headache almost daily. I decided to push through it and go to the Y for the dreaded Jen's class. I absolutely love her, but her class KILLS ME. I hurried got ready, fed lex, got her ready and headed out. We got there to find out we were half an hour early... There was no way I could leave lex in the kid zone for two hours! I decided to just run on the treadmill and hit the first part of her class. After grabbing lex and getting in the car we were on our way to get my oil changed. FINALLY!
     I figured we'd be there about an hour, and than we'd head home... Well that hour turned into an hour and a half... We walked around, grabbed some lunch and headed back to get the car. Well, one of the mechanics came out and insisted on showing me something. Those words are NEVER good. I walked out there to see a HUGE bulge in my tire. That could only mean one thing, my tire head completely separated and was about ready to burst. Wow, I definitely had been blessed, who knows how long that was there. They told me I would need to get a new tire, possibly two. As most of you know I'm moving back to Utah and have a wedding to pay for. I was in tears. I got a feeling that I needed to call Les Schwabb, my amazing tire guys back home. I called them and they told me my tire was under warranty. They suggested I just get a used one for now, and they'd hook me up when I got home. Wow another tender mercy.
      I walked in and told the guys at the shop that's what I was going to do. Of course they didn't have a used tire so I would have to go on a wild goose hunt to find one. I called some random shop, they never called me back. I than decided out of all the other shops to call Discount Tire. I shared my story, explained I just wanted to get back to Utah and didn't have much to spend. They had one in my size!! Yippee. They told me he'd hold it, and even check me in, so as soon as I got there they could get me in ( even though they shouldn't ). The dreaded question came, how much? He paused and said with labor and the tire I will charge you... drum roll please..... 38 bucks!!!!! My Heavenly Father definitely was looking out for me. After getting on the wrong freeway I finally found it. Got my car in, and out and made it home. Things seemed to be looking up for me until I shattered a bowl everywhere.
     Oh how happy I was to finally lay my head on my pillow. After writing this crazy long post I was able to reflect on all that happened yesterday. I had every right to completely loose it. I could have been upset and just let it completely ruin my whole week. I chose not too. I believe it was a test. Every aspect of Monday tested all the patience I had. As I stayed calm, I received guidance from the Holy Ghost. I am here to testify as we take time to step away from the noise of the world we will be directed in a way fit best for us. Often times I get caught up in the moment and just react. Ask Brody. I do not do well with stress. Yesterday, for some reason I decided to find the positive in each thing thrown my way. It was simply amazing to see what my Father in Heaven did for me as I took time to listen intently. He lives. He will guide and direct us through lives difficult times. Even something as silly as finding a used tire. I hope that we can all take our Monday's and turn them into a positive experience. Remember to keep your Savior in your life each day. It's amazing how your day will be positively affected.

Love always,
K

Love at first like.

In honor of my Prince Charming leaving for Florida in a week, I decided to dedicate today's post to how we met.

Brody and I grew up in the same town. We went to the same junior high, and even had the same friends. However, Brody was the shy guy and I was the outgoing girl that seemed to be all over the place. In eighth grade I became the wrestling manager. My best friend and I would travel to all the games and talk to all the boys. As an eighth grader it was A DREAM, minus the stench. I remember my best friend Ellise sitting by this scrawny looking boy on the bus. Who was this kid? I ended up noticing him a lot more after that. Brody likes to say I had no idea who he was, but I did. We never exchanged any words. High school went by and somehow we became friends on Facebook. I knew that he had or had, had a girlfriend. As time went on however, I noticed his profile picture was lacking a lady next to him. SCORE!!!!!! I decided to give his page a little look over, just wanted to make sure he wasn't a weirdo. That's when I got carried away. I started liking EVERYTHING. I was to much of a chicken to actually message him so I figured maybe he'd get the hint that I wanted to talk, or he would think I was a creeper. Now that was all fun and games and seems pretty exciting right? I was at a place in my life where I just felt stuck. I knew I wasn't suppose to go on a mission. I was already enrolled in school and working full time, yet something was missing. I got down on my knees that night and prayed to my Father in Heaven to just place him in my life. We didn't need to get married right away, but I just wanted to know he existed. I ended my prayer hoped into bed and decided to check my Facebook. HE MESSAGED ME!! Literally, right after I had gotten off my knees. Call it a coincidence, I call it an answer.... Long story short, he invited me to a game night. I slyly gave him my number, and we went from Facebook messaging to texting. I drove to the game night, with Miley Cyrus blasting. I was on cloud nine. He stepped out of his car, and I knew my whole world had just changed.

Here I am now, over a year later engaged to my very best friend. It was love at first like :)

Love always,
K

Getting... Or Giving?

     Last week I was completely blown away by the Christmas Devotional put on by the First Presidency. It was so humbling and the spirit that instantly filled our home was unreal. The talk that hit me the most was one by Bonnie Oscarson. Listen Here. She taught us that, "the spirit of Christmas is Christ like love".
     During my years from grade six to now my father has gone through many hardships with work. We didn't have much, but my sweet parents gave all. Looking back, it wasn't the money that was spent on me that I cherish. It was the small acts of kindness. I remember in eighth grade I had convinced my parents to let me have a New Years party. As I reflect now I can see we did not have the money for that. My parents did not say a word, but agreed.
     That Christmas we did not have much, if anything. I remember being so disappointed to see fireworks laying by my stocking. ( the fireworks that once filled our firework business walls ) As an adult I can see that my parents did not have anything to give, however they knew I had a party coming up and wanted to make sure I had adequate supplies. Shortly after, it was probably years, my father lost employment again. We had no idea how a Christmas was going to take place in our home. My parents were struggling to pay bills, how were they going to provide for the children at home that looked so forward to this holiday?Through acts of Christ like love, an envelope containing funds to supply each child with something for Christmas was brought to our home.
     As I prepare to spend Christmas here without my sweet family, I have set quietly as memories play in my mind. Tears begin to fall, and my heart begins to break, as I again watch my parents struggle. I become frustrated as I watch the true meaning of Christmas dwindle. However, I am so grateful that I was taught at a very young age, that giving is what's most important. My parents exemplify what this holiday is all about. They often gave all, leaving nothing for themselves. My favorite Christmases by far aren't those we had packed stockings, but the years we had nothing. Are we taking the time to help those in need? Are we more interested in the getting, or the giving? I challenge you all to, " celebrate all that his birth symbolizes, especially his love." Serve those around you. Find time to give. Let us all take in the words of The Grinch, " Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more. "

Love always,
K

As the world becomes darker.

Oh what it a blessing it is to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The past couple of months I have spent a lot of my Sundays traveling. It was so refreshing to be able to attend all three hours of church. Lately, I have become sick seeing all the gunk that is happening throughout our world. The protests to remove Christ from Christmas, the attacks on the church, even attacks on religion period. I remember growing up and the amazing feeling that came along with Christmas. Though I will not lie, I could not wait to see what was under the tree. There was one thing far more important my parents taught me. It was the birth of our Savior. What a beautiful day. I can't even began to imagine what the world felt like that night. I envision it was a lot like the feelings and words that are described in Silent night. I urge all of us to include CHRIST in our Christmas this year, though there are many out there who are trying their hardest to cut him out. There was one thing that I learned while listening to Testimonies being born today and that was, " Truth is Truth". No matter how hard anyone tries stand firm, hold your ground. You know the TRUTH! You have felt it. Live like you believe. " Be an example of the Believers". I know without a shadow of a doubt that our Savior does live. This gospel is true. We are beyond blessed to have someone who loved us so much to atone for each of our sins. He is the truth. He is the way. Take time to reflect on what you know is true. Click Here



Love always,
K

One of those days.

This week has been extremely difficult. I have been the most home sick I have ever been, the kids have been hard, wedding planning has been so stressful and money definitely is non existent. While cleaning up and going through the normal daily routines, I was drawn to a drawer in my nightstand. I would open the drawer up, put something away or grab something else. Every time i've opened the drawer my eyes have been immediately drawn to my patriarchal blessing. I simply look at the white envelope and shut the drawer. Tonight however, I reached for it. Upon grabbing it and opening the envelope I couldn't help, but immediately be overcome with the spirit. The last couple years of my life have been nothing shy of a roller coaster ride. I have so many un answered questions and doubts. I know however that I am doing what I need to be doing. With various decisions I have made I have had a lot of input passed my way. I have dropped to my knees and prayed, and moved forward in a way I felt best for me. Many don't agree with different choices i've made. Whether it be moving out to Florida, school, work, getting married etc. As I set in my room with tears in my eyes so lost and so confused a line seemed to jump off the paper. "Remember, true joy and happiness will be yours as you submit your will to the will of your Father in heaven." I have often become so frustrated as answers haven't been flowing. I am here as a living example that as long as we leave it to our Father in heaven it WILL work out. I know for a fact that our Heavenly Father does answer prayers. Do not give up when things don't start changing. Just as I was promised, you too will find all the joy and happiness you desire, as you submit your will to the father. Often times we must go down the wrong road, to find the right one. Hang on. Keep driving. Don't let anyone discourage you. IT WILL WORK OUT.

Click Here

Love always,
K

He is the reason for the season.

Watch why I celebrate Christmas.

I urge you all to simplify Christmas this year. It has been amazing to watch how things have changed as I have centered my holidays around his birth. He is the reason for the season. December 25th is much more than toys under a tree. It is the day our savior was born. The most selfless person. The person who would give it all for us to enjoy what we have now. He gave a gift that cannot be bought. He gave a gift with no questions asked. He did not ask for a gift in return. What will we give back to him this year?