what's in a name?

We must be so careful in speaking to a child. What we say or don't say and when, are very, very important in shaping a child's view on himself or herself. But it's even more important in shaping that child's view in us, and their faith in God. Be constructive in your comments to a child always. Never, even in whimsy, say that they're fat, or dumb, or lazy, or homely. You would never ever do that maliciously, and they may struggle to forget and even to forgive. And try not to compare your children, even if you think you're skillful at it. You may say most positively that, Susan is pretty and Sandra is bright but all Susan will remember is she isn't bright and Sandra, that she isn't pretty. Praise each child individually for what that child is. And help him or her escape our culture's obsession with comparing, competing, and never feeling we are enough. --Jeffery R. Holland  read or watch the full talk, here.

I was brought back with his prophetic council. Basically anytime that I hear him speak I am always drawn to his straightforwardness that it just pulls me in. But I could not agree more. There is something so humbling in the ways in which we communicate. Whether that be to our children, or our spouse, or even people that we come into contact with on a daily basis, it doesn't matter. We should always be speaking with the tongue of angles. I have truly loved learning everything that I am learning in my marriage and family major. I come away each and every day with this exhilarating feeling of accomplishment and drive to keep on improving myself, my marriage, my role as mother, and my divine role as a daughter of God. Last semester I kept a blog for a big project in one of my classes. Since then I have added to it and felt compelled to share certain things on this blog that come from my own life so I sent it to different people. I've debated if I wanted to share it on here or not. I just feel like the things I am learning can also help someone else. It is a work in progress but hey, I'm a work in progress as well. My life is not complete. I have more to learn, but so far my journey has been grand as I keep learning about my important role here on this earth. The most important thing I will ever be in this life is the answer to someone's prayer.
Feel free to take a look. 

http://dimondfamilydiaries.blogspot.com

I share things as I have come from a background of a divorced family, the impacts whether that be negative, but mostly positive, since it has shaped apart of me and is something my family overcame in a healthy manner. I share my personal and in depth research on certain topics. I share my life experiences since I want to have a place where they are recorded, and many other insights which I have learned along the way up until now. I will continue to add to this site as I fill my intellect with endless knowledge. Knowledge is power and it is my hope that I can use what I learn to influence my little family and my future posterity. I want them to be able to know what I learned. My favorite color, or food, what I like to wear or what my favorite song is, are things that are fluffy and don't really matter or have a place in the grand eternal perspective. While yes it is important to know about someone, is that what I want my future posterity to remember about me? Even if some of the things are only the tinniest snip bits, hopefully it will one day (way down the road), be something memorable to them. What if you were in your final days here on earth - what would you want your loved ones to know about you? This is something I want to continue to do throughout the different stages of my life; to video record who I am, what I value or treasure most, and the things that I have learned and developed along the way on my journey. I don't know what I would do without my education. I am indeed blessed to grow my intellect and to have Jason and Connor join me on this ride of knowledge that I'm on.
I love it! 

"You can describe a man in inches, pounds, complexion, or physique. But you measure a man by character, compassion, integrity, tenderness, and principle. Simply stated, the measures of a man are embedded in his heart and soul, not in his physical attributes. But they can be viewed in conduct and demeanor." -Richard C. Edgley 

Recent happenings in one post

here is a Dimond update-

Jason joined our friends and ran part of the Temple to Temple relay they have here in Rexburg. You start at the rexburg temple and end up at the idaho falls temple. He had fun even though it was super cold early in the morning, and was a good sport! Plus, no matter what the sport is, he loves it because he's a sporty guy! He made a goal this semester to run 3 miles every week, and he's done pretty well! 

 here he is running his little heart out!

 celebrated my 23rd birthday with our wonderful friends and family

we sure love being surrounded by such great people.

 my sister-in-law was so sweet and thoughtful she made me a german chocolate cake! delicious! 

the theme was german- Jason cooked for me and made my favorite German dinner, Rouladen then he also made two other german foods, cucumber salad and red cabbage (these have been my favorites ever since I was little!) he really did a great job in thinking of me the whole day, and he even let me have the leftovers, what a guy =) it was a special day indeed! 

this was our free date night

the Women's Clinic that we go to for Obstetrics, gave us a coupon for a "free date night" so of course we took advantage of the opportunity and were treated to pizza, drinks, and a movie. The movie we chose was Taken2 and it was just nice having some time together and also to talk and bond!

 then we got a free sundae at the end, we sure do love free stuff =)

"The more we devote ourselves to the pursuit of holiness and happiness, 

the less likely we will be on a path to regrets."

 -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

out of all the quotes from general conference 

this talk was the one that stuck with me the most

find joy in the journey and enjoy every moment 

these are great words to live by!

something blue comes this way

(photo curtsey of pinterest) 

well, as you all know something blue comes our way!!! and we are thrilled to have a little guy join our family, what a joy it is to have this sweet addition plus three is my lucky number, so he's my lucky guy! 

 we love shopping the boy section, he'll definitely be matching Jason and we can't wait to meet him!!!

quote from conference- it's applicable now and also for the future
Jason will make a wonderful father, I have already been able to see it and it melts my heart.

well folks 20 weeks down just 20 more to go 

I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going. it's crazy
to think that in five months we'll have a third family member =)

Family: a sure foundation

This week there have been many different things flowing through my mind that are leaving a lasting impression on me. Family is the main one, and I have been missing these two magnificent people greatly. So much has taken place and I love feeling a sense of peace when I read through my Grandpa Walter's life history. His book has helped me enormously to remember some of life's most important truths-With God, all things are possible. It's so simple, but, yet so hard to grasp when life throws you curve balls. 

  Here are three things I've been trying to recognize:  

"When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people."

--Abraham J. Heschel
Throughout their whole life they always gave to others endlessly 
And if nothing else, they were kind, true, and loving. 
It is said often by my dear mother - the way in which you life your life now, 
will be reflected later in your eyes.
when you look in their eyes they reflect a real and pure happiness, you can see all the joy they had in life
I just love that! 

As I have been reflecting on all the many treasures I learned from my grandparents, I found this saying that I want to be able to apply into the foundation we'll one day give our family. Grandma Rosie wanted to give her family a deep love for the gospel and also for yourself - and I think she did both. She gave them solid family roots to grow up with, but then wings to venture out with into the world. Together, my grandparents made sure that certain things were taking place within the walls of their own home. 

That legacy lives on within each of their children and it has been passed down to their own children as well. This rippling effect has left such an imprint on my heart. It is so full of love when I think about their legacy. I can't help but feel so blessed to be part of a family that is rooted in the gospel.

A rose for rosie

Rosie and Walter's seven children. They are some wonderful aunts and uncles.

     

And lastly, here Joseph Campbell explains with such simplistic words 

a hope of what life is. 

There is a life waiting for each of us 

It's time to let go, to let go of the life I planned 

to let in some new experiences, trials, joys, hardships, 

hidden blessings, failures,  

 -anything that makes my heart sing. 

A life that is waiting for me. 

What makes your heart sing?

"Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat!"

 'Quote of the week' has been coming along quite nicely I feel.  It has finally given me that motivation I was needing and also lacking for awhile.  Upon the searching of meaningful quotes in which I wanted to find all inspiring words to strive to live my life better - I found what actually was taking place.  I had started to take more time in discovering and finding out more of my 'purpose'. I can say (and also recognize better than I could before) that I know I still have a long way to go, but everyday that I truly try to live my life, I am now one step closer to becoming all that I set myself to become.  With that being said, it brings me to my quote for the week. Enjoy and happy monday!

We become what we want to be, 

By consistently being what we want to become each day.

Richard G. Scott

And here is another I wanted to add in just because I like it that much-

You can describe a man in inches, pounds, complexion, or physique  

But you measure a man by character, compassion, integrity, tenderness, and principle 

Simply stated, the measures of a man are embedded in his heart and soul, not in his physical attributes  

But they can be viewed in conduct and demeanor. 

 Richard C. Edgley

Also If you are looking for a nice 'pick me up' this week while we all have finals taking place - I found this to be an inspiring holiday video clip.  It was giving and sweetly reminding me what the real 'true' meaning of Christmas is.  While I remember and reflect during this Christmas season and what it's all about, taking the time to find that helping hand to lend to others is something I want to give this year!

Happy Holidays everyone :)

Old habits - New ways

In this next video Elder Russell M. Nelson is sharing his own personal story to give us all encouragement when we feel weak in the heart.  I love finding sweet videos like this one :)  they pick me back up when my days are harder than normal and help me remember all that truly makes me happy. 

I felt like trying something new...
And so I guess I'll see how well this works for me!
At the start of every week I am going to pick out a quote that I feel I need improving on - and for the whole week I will strive to become better in that area in my life that I feel needs improvement.

Currently I am trying to live by this quote-
Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day! 

I will focus on all the good stuff that happens to me each day throughout the week, and not on the hard more stressful stuff because I fall into that trap a lot - And I want to break this habit!
Hopefully this can become something I conquer!

Enjoy, and happy Tuesday!

If there is one thing that matters most, it is to love

In one of my classes, before my teacher starts, he will show us a new video each day

So it has been getting me in this mood of finding uplifting messages from extraordinary people.  People who have suffered devastating circumstances, to ones who have accomplished great things, but they all share one thing in common - God - and he is in the center of all they do.  

And that brings them all the joy in the world.

I have come upon this great one and the message that it shares is amazing.

There are so many of these awesome videos that I want to post, 

but this one makes me want to be a better individual, 

more forgiving, more humble and meek, and more loving towards all.

More like our savior.

God is in the center of my life

the center of my marriage

and our life is filled with unremarkable happiness

  with so much to be grateful for.

For that, 

we owe it all Him.  

I hope that this touches you the way in which it has touched me. 

I am a mormon

This is such a sweet clip!  Mormon messages really has some of the most touching and heart warming stories.  Their life stories have touched my heart in such a way, that it makes me now recognize more easily, the simple gifts in my own life I truly have to be grateful for. 

I am so blessed to be a mormon. 

The knowledge that I have gives light to my life and brings me happiness and enduring joy.
What more could I be grateful for?
The life I have with Jason is something I treasure in my heart.  Our life is difficult and there have been some trying times even this early on, but the one thing that matters most, is how Heavenly Father has always been by our side giving us that light into our life.  And that makes all the difference in how we treat each other.  The hard times we've had now have helped us to grow and become more united as a couple.  I know that there is a possibility to have more hardships down the road, but it does not scare me anymore.  It is what brings families closer together, unified with endless love.  

I now, look forward to the hard times, as they will strengthen the bonds of our family, and inevitably bring us closer together; and for that sweet knowledge I can't wait.  

I love my best bud, 

I love our life, whatever may come, 

and look forward to all there is which awaits us, because we'll love it all!
Each part of our life!

The joy that fills our hearts, brings peace into our home.

Tis the season

Lately, I have been digging this quote. I pretty much love it.

I really do believe that if you're not laughing, then you're truly not living

Laughter is a sign of showing how happy you are!

If I'm having a less than happy day my best man will always get me to laugh-

 no matter what the case.  

It is usually (correction, always) to the point of snorting, it just happens because I can't contain it! 

He makes my day - every day

And I love that about him.

In other news, Idaho has decided to have winter in October!  It's complete ludicrous!!

What happened to my favorite season?!  I guess Idaho just skipped over that season today.  

Fall is my favorite time of year and it must come back.  It has to!  All of the pretty colors and wonderful smells just complete the whole season!  Oh, and I can't forget delicious homemade pumpkin bread :)

Well, to celebrate this lovely fall weather - we had some warm cups of hot chocolate to heat our blizzard bodies!  And I'll admit it was quite yummy even in October! 

my cup & his cup

our pumpkin
we got him from jason's parents filled with sweet treats!

      

I took this leafy picture last fall, and is one of my favorite fall pictures. The season still hasn't really hit Rexburg at all this time around. The colors are simply not as pretty as last year's fall.  I think it's so sad.  

But I do want to make this picture into a postcard!  Cause I love it!

Gotta represent! 

we are the home of the utes!!!

 they are doing good this season & it makes Jason a pleased Utah fan! 

Wisconsin is ranked #7 and that makes me a pleased badger fan!

Go teams!

The icky snowfall from earlier today-

Hopefully this weather will take a turn for the best!

It's always fun to remember when

Memories are always remembered and best described through photographs

They hope and live on in our hearts

Dwelling there for all the time to come.

~We do not remember days; we remember moments~

I love using photographs that captured specific moments 

to show how I felt at that given time..

There is beauty all around

We love each other

 Puppy Samson

and

big boy Samson

But, we can't forget Bella

Puppy...

and the lovely grown up Bella

 Sunset on the plane

 Cutie pie Seth

 Josiah and Ben

 My buddy boy Emerson

 My sis Abigail

 

and best friend

I miss my sweet family and love them endlessly and hope they can always feel of that.

Even with the miles apart that we are, they have such a sweet place in my heart.

I love my new family as well - his parents sure raised a fine man. 

And he is a keeper in my book

~Families are together forever~

"With God, all things are possible"

-Grandpa Walter Kindt-

I love having his life history

It brings me comfort when I need it most 

and every time I read his book I am learning something new. I just love it.

I can always feel of his love for me and the love he had for all of his family.

Whenever I hear or sing the hymn, Love at home I can hear my Grandpa's harmonic voice singing it.  While my mom was growing up when her siblings would quarrel in the car, or wherever they would all be, he would start singing loudly "there is beauty all around...!" so I cherish this hymn with all my heart.  I have just been thinking a lot about my family lately and I love the solid family roots that I come from.  We all can learn so much about our background if we take the time to explore a little deeper.  My grandpa had many profound words of wisdom he would share and teach me with.  When he would drop me off at school, I can remember always learning from him at the times when I needed it most.  And I value those precious moments.  But, recently I have been trying to live my life around this specific wisdom he taught - "Peace above all costs." 

And this shall be what we strive for in our home through thick and thin, and all that we are faced with.

Peace is what brings us closer together.