SPIDERS!!!

Last night went something like this. I went to bed while Brett was working on homework and Abby was so tired she gladly came upstairs with me and fell hard asleep at the foot of the bed. I left my scentsy wall burner on so there was a little light coming from it. I was asleep for about 20 minuets when I woke up screaming at the top of my lungs. It was so traumatic for me that I can't even really remember what I was screaming. I know I was yelling help so Brett would get up there. He opens the door to still find Abby hard asleep on the bed like nothing happened. The comforter was stripped of the bed and I was standing by the wall shaking and still screaming. Brett was terrified that something horribly was wrong and kept asking me what? what happened? It was hard for me to tell him because strangely enough I hardly knew myself. All I knew was that there was a very large spider looking like the picture below crawling towards my face. I was very certain of it and persistent that he look everywhere possible in the room. He was eager to finish his homework and get to bed so I really had to convince him he needed to look everywhere. He tried to tell me I probably dreamed it but I wasn't taking any chances so I told him it was real and I saw it his reply was "hunny I'm sure you saw it but it's gone now just go to bed". If you knew how deathly afraid of spiders I am you would understand what a traumatic experience that was.

I'm pretty sure even with the scentsy light on I wouldn't have seen the spider in the dark plus I was sleeping. Haha! Now that I'm awake evaluating the situation I'm thinking it was a dream. I'm so silly even at the age of 23 I wake up screaming in the night and need someone to console me. I'm a bad sleep talker and I have very real dreams about half the time maybe that is why I never feel rested.

After all this I realized how sweet my husband is and instead of making fun of me and telling me to go back to bed it was nothing, he tried to validate what I saw and helped me get back to bed even though he was certain I was dreaming. Poor guy he was probably thinking he had the craziest wife ever. Hopefully I will have no more dreams about spiders it is not helping me get over my phobia!!!

Life is GREAT!!

Last weekend was such a wonderful spiritual weekend for us. We had the wonderful opportunity of going to Logan to attend the temple with Brett's bother who was taking out his endowments. For those of those that don't know what that means read this:

“The ordinances of the endowment embody certain obligations on the part of the individual, such as covenant and promise to observe the law of strict virtue and chastity, to be charitable, benevolent, tolerant and pure; to devote both talent and material means to the spread of truth and the uplifting of the race; to maintain devotion to the cause of truth; and to seek in every way to contribute to the great preparation that the earth may be made ready to receive her King,—the Lord Jesus Christ. With the taking of each covenant and the assuming of each obligation a promised blessing is pronounced, contingent upon the faithful observance of the conditions.” (The House of the Lord, [Bookcraft, 1962], p. 100.)

or

To receive the temple endowment is to receive the riches of eternity—the knowledge, the power, the keys to unlock the door to the treasures of heaven. To receive the endowment is to receive a course of instruction together with all the keys, powers, and ordinances ordained and revealed by God to prepare his children for eternal life.

I know with all my heart that the Temple is the House of God and he seeks all to come. It was such a special experience to be there in the temple with my in-laws. I have a testimony of eternal life and the feeling I experience when I'm in the temple with my family is like none other. To me the best part about the temple is the closeness I feel to my Savior Jesus Christ. The spirit I felt that night was so special. I look forward to the day when Erica and Nick can attend the temple with us. I love my in-laws and I'm grateful for them and their testimony.

Andrew took out his endowments in preparation for his mission to Rome, Italy. Just thinking of this makes me tear up again because I know he is going to touch so many lives. The LDS church is building a temple in Rome and is scheduled to be completed while Andrew is serving his mission. When a new temple is built the gospel flourishes in that area. I know Andrew is being called to Rome to prepare the people for such a wonderful blessing in their historic city. Andrew is also fluent in Italian and Brett's dad served his mission in Italy too, so it is something we are all excited about.

The other wonderful part about the weekend was General Conference. We get the opportunity to listen to the general authorities of the church twice a year. Many times I take it for granted but the temple helped prepare me this time to intently listen and pray for answers. We are so blessed to be able to hear this guidance and council from church leaders in a world filled with uncertainty and turmoil. I truly believe that the living prophets today are delivering the word of God. I am eternally grateful for such a knowledge in my life and all the many blessings it brings. I feel a new sense of focus in life and a love for my family that has uplifted my spirit and made me smile!

Grandma Marjorie Higgins Farnes

Family is so important to me and this post is for my children and my children's children to know where they came from and what an amazing great grandmother they have.

Brett's Grandma passed away on March 9th shortly after her 79th birthday. She was an amazing woman I learned so much from her. Grandma had polio at a young age and consequently suffered from health problems the rest of her life. She was told no many times in her life, but was a stubborn lady and never let that stop her. Despite others opinions she became a registered nurse, had 6 children and accomplished many other things. Since I've known her she has lived with a large amount of pain, but I honestly never heard her complain once. She was so strong and determined I hope I can exemplify those same qualities.

Grandma's funeral was harder that I thought it would be. In her last couple weeks she became very ill and we felt peace at her passing but despite that the funeral was still very emotional. It was hard to say goodbye to such an amazing person that touched so many lives. It was hard for me to see my husband and his family mourn for someone they loved so dearly. I'm grateful of the knowledge of forever families and that we will see her again. Many times Brett has expressed to me how grateful he is that is grandma was able to be in the temple with us when we were sealed. Brett was the first grandchild to be sealed in the temple and I know that was so important to her.

BRIGHAM CITY, UTAH-Our loving mother, grandmother, and sister Marjorie Higgins Farnes was called home in the early morning hours of March 9, 2011 in Brigham City, Utah.

Marjorie was born March 1, 1932 in Pocatello, Idaho to Lester and Emma Briggs Tolman Higgins. As a teenager she overcame significant physical challenges, due to polio. She graduated from Pocatello High School in 1950 and began her nurses’ training at the LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls. Marjorie completed her BS degree in nursing at the University of Utah in 1956. Marjorie worked for over 45 years as an OB/GYN nurse and house supervisor at Bannock Regional Medical Center.

On April 13, 1957, Marjorie was married to Farrell Duane Farnes in Pocatello. Their marriage was later solemnized on November 21, 1957 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. To this union 6 children were born; David, Mark, Ann, Karen, Jenny, and Becky. She enjoyed quilting, playing cards, Chinese checkers, and reading. Ice cream, genealogy, and family gatherings were her very favorites.

Marjorie was an active member of the Church of Jesus of Latter-Day Saints. As a young woman she taught herself to play piano and organ and played for many church services and funerals. She served faithfully in several positions including Relief Society President (twice) and gospel doctrine teacher.

Our mom was a kind, compassionate, and loving lady. She cared deeply for her family, friends, and co-workers never turning away someone in need.

Marjorie is survived by her Sons, David (Candice) Farnes, Brigham City, UT., Mark (Karen) Farnes, Chubbuck, ID., Daughters, Ann (Mike) Bringhurst, Karen (Tom) Wright, Jenny (Randy) Saint-Vincent, all of Pocatello, ID., Becky (Ted) Corrington , Chubbuck, Id., step-daughter Margaret (Bob) Goff, Gardner, MT. Also surviving are her siblings, Barbara Jones, Dale (Darlene) Higgins, Gail (Ed) Reese, Harold (Diana) Higgins, and Nancy (Tom) Huls. She is also survived by 32 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Duane and her parents.

Services for Marjorie will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at the LDS Alameda 2nd Ward Chapel located at the corner of Jefferson and Walnut. Visitation will be held at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 South 4th Avenue from 6-8 P.M. Sunday and at the church one hour prior to services. Burial will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery.

Brett had such a special bond with his grandma. Grandma did not like her photo taken and rarely showed her big grin we all candidly saw. We both treasure this picture from our wedding because Brett had a way of making her laugh and this pictures shows the true humorous grandma she was.

Brett and I at the viewing

Grandma had many fun things to inherit and remember her by. The Bringhursts got these two awesome jumpers. My thought is what a fashionable lady.

I got to try on her wedding dress which was so special. I couldn't believe I was wearing something so old that she wore on her wedding day. I thought the dress was so beautiful the picture doesn't do justice. I couldn't believe how modern something so old was.

Brett and I inherited these little beauties. Grandma collected salt and pepper shakers from the time she was married. There are some really cool and unique salt and pepper shakers in her collection is was very cool to go through them.

We also got some tomato shakers that look so cute in our red kitchen

I got this beautiful lace handkerchief. I'm slightly obsessed with vintage lace.

Brett got this monogramed handkerchief that was his grandpas

It's not the things that mean so much to us but the memories behind them. Grandma Farnes was a great example to us all and she will be missed.