Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

- Albert Camus
French Algerian author and philosopher
Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, 1957
1913-1960

What does this picture say?

Vegas baby! BEATLES OF LOVE STYLE!

Ragnar Relay...Vegas style! 190 miles. Creative team names. Run. Eat. Rest. Run. Laugh. Eat. Run. Rest. Wish you never came. Loving that you came. Run. Eat. Run. Rest. Finish!!

Oh boy! Some team of boys thinking they are funny. Ok, it was quite funny.

The DREAM team! Members: An army sergeant, a bishop and 3 girl return missionaries. It was great!

Bon Jovi for life!

Is this shirt straight from the 80's? Yes!!

Doin the work!!!

It's time to "Llevar la carta" (pick up the slack). Trace's brother-in-law who had die hard trained for this race woke up that morning at 2:30 am throwing up with the flu. We had to do the honors of splitting up his first leg of the run before we got a fill in. And when I mean split, I mean she ran 3 miles and I ran 2 :)

"I'm a wild Burrow and I will come out to see all the runners. It's Brilliant!" (He is an English Burrow obviously) :)

Brandon came to see me finish the race and instead of resting after the long run...we hit up "the city that never sleeps!"

It was so fun that Brandon's two best friends were in Vegas as well and I got to finally meet the infamous "Jeff Taylor".
It's my girl's birthday! Get her some Tiramisu! We didn't know what was in it before we were almost done. Oops a daisies.
Homer moved from Springfield to Vegas!

DOH!!

Brandon's Baptism

Brandon was baptized 8 years ago today. This was the spot he was baptized in. The mountains in Alpine. He had seen in church movies that people got baptized in rivers or lakes so he chose this spot and told the missionaries "I'm getting baptized tomorrow. You can come if you want!"
His joining the church has not only changed his life but mine as well. I love that we can always related so well on spiritual matters. His excitement and fire for the gospel constantly helps and inspires me. I am so happy you made this decision to be baptized 8 years ago today. I'm so happy your best friend could baptize you and you have that special bond. I am constantly amazed by your missionary work you do daily and spirit that you bring to a room. The church is blessed to have you in it!

Back to the Basics

As I cleaned my room tonight (I know...shocker) I was thinking about President Uchtdorf's General conference talk about focusing on what matters most. To me it means to SIMPLIFY! Sometimes I think the busier I am, the more productive I am. I think this thinking came from in part from my mission. You run around, appointment after appointment, teaching, helping serving. You feel productive! Well, after this little experience...and a few others...I decided it might be time to get back to focusing on the basics.

Brandon opened up my night stand drawer.

Brandon: "Oh, I wonder what is in this Einstein bagel bag?"

He opened it up and pulled out an old, stale, half eaten bagel.

"What's this for? In case you get hungry?" After figuring out that it was as hard as a rock he said "Oh I get it, it's to throw at a robber when they break into your house!"

It's no secret to anyone that I put off cleaning my room and put almost anything ahead of it. I always use the excuse of "I am too busy!" Which i really feel that I am! However as I ate humble pie when Elder Uchtdorf talked and Brandon made the statement of "I didn't know Tornados hit in Utah!" (talking about my room) I was motivated to get back to the basics. So, what are the basics?

RELATIONSHIPS!

With who?

1-GOD 2- FAMILIES 3- FELLOW MEN 4-YOURSELF

I thought the last one was very interesting. Yourself? Do you even like yourself? Spend sometime alone in nature and think about God, you, yourself etc.

Fellowmen? I'll take time to improve my relationship with these 4 any day!

We can always also improve our relationship with God and our families. My mom made an interesting comment to me the other day. She said "You never arrive." In the gospel, your marriage, family relationships. You never are done. This could seem hard or overwhelming but it actually is a gift that we are able to think of new ways and new avenues to serve in these different capacities in our lives in order to improve our relationships in life.

Here's to focusing on the basics!

For a Change

Does your life ever seem like not much changes? I'm sure you look at other people's lives and think..."Oh how exciting! They have so much going on." Don't worry. I heard some secret info :) that a talk at priesthood was about pride and comparing your life to others. We must not compare because EVERYONE'S life seems like a big hamster wheel some days and some days we are able to take on President Monson's challenge daily of having an attitude of gratitude!!

On a less serious note...here are some things that HAVEN'T CHANGED in the last ten years:

Are Alana and I still living together ten years later and people still asking us if we are sisters? Yes!!
Is Mergs still sporting that mountain man beard and can't stop talking about duck hunting in the morning? YES!!
Are Alana and Ace still dating from when they met 9 years ago? Yes!!
Are we still attending Utah State games and cheering on our Aggies? You Bet!!
I'll tell you one big change in the last 17 years.....UTAH STATE FINALLY BEAT BYU!! Way to go Aggies! That was good...for a change :)