Hmmm...

It may be too early to annouce this, I don't really know how long you're "supposed" to wait....but anyhow....

Surprise! Pregnancy hormones and tiredness and nausea have officially kicked in:P

On a lighter note...

pictures!! (I've not been a diligent blogger lately, so here's a collage)

At the Thomasville air show, near the runway:

Scary!!:

Got my har did:

Mal amidst the puh-kins:

All of us crazy Stansels:

Random, I know, but pictures nonetheless!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

There surely is sunshine in my soul

Today after my last post I've been thinking a lot about what to do now...now that a chapter essentially has been closed, a new road chosen for our country. I've had a prayer in my heart. As I was washing my hair, this song came into my head, and I began singing. This reminded me that through Jesus Christ, my savior, there will always be sunshine in my soul. A new chapter is beginning and we as Americans are writing it. May there be sunshine in everyone's soul.

1. There is sunshine in my soul today,More glorious and brightThan glows in any earthly sky,For Jesus is my light.
[Chorus]Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshineWhen the peaceful happy moments roll.When Jesus shows his smiling face,There is sunshine in the soul.
2. There is music in my soul today,A carol to my King,And Jesus listening can hearThe songs I cannot sing.
3. There is springtime in my soul today,For when the Lord is near,The dove of peace sings in my heart,The flow’rs of grace appear.
4. There is gladness in my soul today,And hope and praise and love,For blessings which he gives me now,For joys “laid up” above.

Disappointment

Today I am saddened. I have been thinking a lot about the people who are our ancestors. The very people who fought so hard to escape an oppressive government, one without freedom. Our ancestors fought so diligently with God by their side to give us this land of prosperity. And it has come to this. This is not going to be a politically correct blog post, so if you feel that you are easily offended please X-off of this screen now. Our constitution was made by man, but inspired by God. It is a document that has guided us into prosperity as a people of a choice land. Because of the righteousness of our ancestors we were able to inherit this land and all the freedoms and liberties that come with it. Instead of continuing in humility and gratitude and working to keep the same freedoms for our posterity, the American people made a decision last night. A decision to take advantage of freedom. Principles, morals, ethics, that no longer was our guide. Last night the American people decided that it was no longer a right to be able to work yourself from poor to rich, but that the rich should have their money taken from them and given to the poor...socialism. The American people chose government health care over free market...socialism. The American people chose the killing of innocent children (with everyones tax dollars) over the sanctity of life...evil. Sometimes you get what you ask for-Change. I have heard many people talk about the effect racism has played in this election. I ask this, who are the racists?? How many people came out to vote for Barack Hussein Obama for the single fact that he looks black(he is half white)? Let's ponder for a moment. That would mean that they didn't vote for the white man, because he was white....many black voters had never voted before and came out to vote for Barack Obama. That would indicate to me that most of them voted for him based on color. My husband had someone call him a racist yesterday because when asked who he voted for, he replied McCain. Don't get me wrong, I did have a hard time voting for John McCain, but I DID NOT have a hard time voting against a socialist. It had nothing to do with color as liberal people would assume. C'mon people, wake up!! Under socialist principles, we lose our freedom!! Please do not be blinded any longer!! The scriptures are not just stories, they are history and how it was made. Have you seen the circle of life in history? We are at the point where we as a people will become humbled by our creator because we did not remain in humility. The debates are over people, and I am sick of hearing what Barack Obama is going to do for me, because I am already fully aware of what he is capable of doing. If you want to know a person, look at their friends-Ayers, Wright.

I thought I would feel better after writing this but I don't. As a matter of fact, I feel awful. Having to think that such good people have been so deceived and will have to endure what comes now, it's sickening. People out their that are liberal seem so easily offended and always want their voices heard, well you know what, I want my voice heard. I am a conservative. I believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. I believe that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. I claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. I believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. I believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed I may say that I follow the admonition of Paul- I believe all things, I hope all things, I have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If their is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, I seek after these things.

God. Freedom. Morals. These are the things that have kept this land blessed and in prosperity.
Disintegration of these things is what brings us down.

It's not really about Democrat versus Republican. It's not really about white versus black. It's not really about Obama versus McCain. It's not really about LDS versus baptist. It's not really about all these things that have been used to divide us.

It is all about Good...versus Evil.

Some reading this will say to themselves, 'Oh she's brainwashed' or 'That's going a little far', and if you said this to yourself, think for just a minute. In this world we live in, we separate church and state, but in the physical bodies we live in they are very much united. Choices made by our elected officials effect peoples lives, they effect peoples ability to make good moral choices versus bad ones and be held accountable for them. Some examples that come to mind are abortion and gay marriage, both of which effect the sanctity of human life and the family which is ordained of God. People want so badly these days to be justified in their immorality, enabling them to continue in their wrong choices with no consequences. From the beginning until the end there will be right versus wrong. We are all human and make mistakes, but we are expected to ask for forgiveness and to forsake our wrong choices. No law that we make here will supersede the laws Heavenly Father has so blatantly given to us.

I truly mean all of this to come across in love, but writing it in frustration may not give that effect.

I love this country. I love the people of this country. I don't want to see it pass away because of the bad choices of my generation. Other generations have paid too high a price to let it go so cheap.

My passionate explanation of the site to the right---->

So, I have been very distraught about abortion for a long time. To me, it is the greatest, filthiest, most despicable downfall of our society. Without life and respect thereof, there is no reason to be here. My point is, we have been sent here to live, not to choose whether someone lives or not in the case of an innocent child. Life is not a lawful and just choice. If it becomes a choice to someone, it is the worst choice they could ever make. It is beyond me that this would even have to be explained to someone. If one of us is worth living and deserves life, WE ALL DO. Burning a child to death by abortion or other gruesome abortion rituals, especially your own flesh and blood that you created, should never have been tolerated and condoned in this great country. Just like Gianna Jessen says on the site that I have posted to the right...if it was solely about women's right, what were hers? Amazing story, please check it out.



Barack Obama, as does the basic Democrat platform, believes in the "women's right to choose". How anyone ever got tricked into thinking that was logical and moral I will never know...except when I think about the power of satan. Beyond that even, the purpose of this site is to expose the fact that he denied medical care to infants that were born after an abortion did not kill them. That is beyond evil. No one can chalk that up to rights.



How can people kill their children inside their own womb? Just because they can't see them yet?!! They are still there. If it's not a child, they were never pregnant, right? I know young girls get tricked into thinking it is best sometimes, so does most of the fault then lie on the people around them pushing for the burning and suffocation of their innocent child? I do know there is a punishment, and hope it's not too late for America. We are only blessed and protected as long as the people are righteous. The Nephites were destroyed by the Lamanites in the end, and because the Lamanites had one thing: Love and respect for their families. This is satan's classic attack on the family and though I hope we do not end up with a classic outcome, it is eminent. Do not be deceived.

Our little (and wonderful) temple trip

Joe and I got to go to the temple today. Yesterday we were praying together about something that has been plaguing us. Not long after that, a sister from our branch called and asked if we wanted to ride with her to the temple! Joe had answered the phone and I was in the shower, so he came to me and said "Sister ___ wants to know if we would like to go to the temple tomorrow with her, what do you think?" And I said, "Uh, YEAH" in an excited valley girl type accent! HA! You know I must have been excited. Anyway, I was like, "Duh! answer to our prayer, Joe!" But, he always asks me for my opinion even if he knows how I'll answer, so I'll let him off the hook a little! So, WOW, what a great day. That's all I can really say on here. Thank you, and WOW. I love the gospel. I love Heavenly Father's messengers/hands here on earth. And I love my husband(see that picture, isn't he just soooo handsome??!!).

Okay, so I'll post mine, too....:P

I'm not so sure this fits me though...fun anyhow! Isn't it neat and interesting how all of us women still want to know how much like a princess we are?!
You Are Cinderella!

Dignified and hard working. With a gentle and soft-spoken manner you have something many people don't. Patience. Even through the moments of heartbreak you're still able to hold onto all of your hopes and dreams. Bide your time; your dream will come true.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Tattoos by Mal

This is how you get a tattoo without knowing it...(without being drunk):

Take a nice Sunday nap on the couch with a 3-year-old still awake.

Mallorie has some foam stickers in the shape of animals and was sticking them to Joe while he was asleep. I did see her, but thought they were sticking to his clothes, and since it was keeping her busy I didn't interrupt. Well today when Joe went to take a shower he found the lovely cow and moose stickers on his side...which when removed made nice tattoos. Cow on the left, moose on the right.

Funny stuff!

Fay, Fay, Go AWAY!

...or so said the black lady at the Denny's on Saturday morning!

I now echo her sentiments. And though Fay is gone, we are left flooded.

Of course it could have been much worse, but my husbands 1974 Old Beetle was drowned...

It is in water past the seats, and that's after he had put it up on blocks thinking surely the water wouldn't go higher than that. The water is at Joe's waist and he is 6' tall, so I guess 3'-4' deep out there. He's trying not to let it bother him, but he is pretty down about it. Hopefully the water recedes soon so we can rescue Herbie, but it could be days.

Here are some pictures:

Poor Herbie...

No, this isn't a lake, it's our back yard!

The dock underwater and the fallen tree.

Ray still seems happy...

Normally my daily run would begin on the left side of this tree on the sidewalk...

...then down the sidewalk to the immediate right of the trees, which is now submerged by the pond water of which is overflowing into the streets...

...I would then normally round this corner...

...run over this bridge, which has currently lost its usefulness...

...continue on the sidewalk in front of that bench, yes, bench...

...and then after I finish running, I would come back to this 'Gazelle'-type excercise equipment to cool down.

Moral of the story: God is great. We always know that. But, it is amazing to see it first hand every now and again, even at our own expense. I mean, he IS all-knowing. Maybe He was ending the drought...or maybe He was tired of waiting on people to cut down those pesky trees. Heck, He could've just wanted some people to stay inside with their families for a day that normally would go on busily in their lives disregarding each other. Who knows! But I do have faith that His hand is in all things.

Hope everyone stays safe and faired the storm well.

Happy Birthday to ME!!

I can't believe I just turned 25!!!

(well, on the 13th...I'm catching up on the blog so bear with me)

Yes, I know what you're thinking...I should've gotten a hair cut and a straightener for my birthday(or maybe that's just what I was thinking), but new music is just more fun!

Mallorie doesn't understand anyone having a birthday without a cake, so we make it a point to have cake on everyones birthday...as a matter of fact, she calls the cake a birthday. I mean really, do you get older if you don't have cake? (I'll remember that when I'm turning 30...no cake.)

I didn't get any pictures of when Joe's parents took me out to eat for my birthday, but it was fun. We went to Cici's pizza and the nephews and Aunt Heather were able to come, too. I guess when you get older, birthdays are fun when the people around you are happy...especially the children.

I'm happy to be 25. At first I was thinking of it as a sign of getting older, but I'd like to just continue to take things day by day and enjoy the rest of my youth so that when I get older I'll be happy and content with that, too.

So, here's to many more!

Here's a rough, but fun, first sightreading of the song "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast in my new music book...DISNEY, woo hoo!

Mal's 2nd Trim

I trimmed Mallorie's hair over a month ago, but with my computer out of service I put off uploading the pictures...couldn't wait any longer, though, so I uploaded them to mom's!

Before in the antique barber chair!

During...

After in the antique dryer:)

We got the antique chairs from a house down the street that used to be the towns barber shop. The people that moved in gave them to us in return for getting them out of their house! They have come in handy...but I don't know where we're going to put them when we finish the master bath that they are stored in right now...too cute to get rid of though!

I really dislike mean computer geeks...

Okay, so we STILL have the virus on our computer! Except it's not really a virus, it is a form of malicious software called "Malware". Great. Thank you evil computer genius. Hopefully my mom and I will be able to remove it with these long and intense instructions. Times like these make me ponder why people do things like that. If only they used their knowledge for good! Life really is like a superhero movie. Glenn Beck was talking about the new batman movie the other day. He said he was flabergasted because the movie actually made some good sense. I haven't seen it, so this is just coming from him, but he said it was weird to watch a movie that had come out of hollywood that had such conservative concepts. I don't know what the rating is on the movie....okay so I just looked it up, it's PG-13. Joe and I had just figured it would be rated-R, or should be! Anyway, if you do see it, see if you see the resemblaces: Bush-Batman, Terrorists-Joker & gang, and I know there was more that he said, but I'm not as politically savvy as him and I haven't seen the movie:) In conclusion, good ALWAYS conquers evil...evil computer guy, say goodbye to your muy malo malware! *though I may have to get your good counterpart to remove it in the end!*

A quick note...

Hi all, so we've had an interesting week or so to say the least. Last week Joe's grandma, who we'd just seen at the family reunion, was put into the hospital at suspicion of congestive heart failure. We were(and still are to a certain extent) very concerned for her health and life. So we made arrangements to make the trip. When we got to see her she was doing better, but then that night she had another bad night and couldn't sleep. The next day Joe's dad arrived and he and Joe gave her a blessing. We had to leave the next day, and she had plenty of people there for the next week to check up on her. When we called to check up on her on Monday, Joe's Aunt Jan told us that she was going to be released from the hospital on Tuesday! Wow, that was wonderful...the doctors and some of the family were baffled, but God works miracles on those who have faith. She is supposed to go back to the doctor once a week to keep check on her health since she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. I don't know what the outcome will be, but I thank everyone out there for the extra prayers and I know Heavenly Father does work miracles.

I'll write more soon when we get the virus off of our computer and I can add pictures!...Did I mention we've had a weird week?!...

We're very blessed and I'll end on that note:P

It's A White Family Reunion...and no that's not racist.

Last weekend was Joe's dad's side of the family's reunion--did that make sense? Anywho, it's always a blast...and a blast from the past! Joe's great-grandma just recently died, and she had lived in this house since childhood. After her passing, one of her children, Carl, renovated the house so that he and his wife could move in(installed central A/C and actually put in a kitchen...lol). Until the '80's I'm told Joe's great-grandma had a working outhouse for herself and her guests when nature called. She was doing things like she always had and how refreshing that was to me. Joe's great-uncle Carl still farms on the land.

Here is a picture of The White House...no pun intended. This is after renovation, of course. The

extension coming out of the right side of the house is the newly added kitchen!

This is me, Joe's Aunt Jan, Brandon-our nephew-, and Joe's dad "Big Joe"

Notice the pisture in the background...there was another copy of in on a shelf behind lots of other pictures. Most of the pictures looked like familiar faces, but there were some that looked really old and generic. My mom and Joe were right beside me and I said to my mom "I wonder who these people are..." She of course responded "Don't ask me!" because she has no idea who most of the poeple are of course. Anyway, I went on to say "It's probably just some generic old photo.", I then looked around to make a case for my assumption, "Look" I said, "I mean, there's a picture of Abe Lincoln!" Just then Joe loudly exclaimed "WHAT! That's great-great-grandpa such-n-such!" I burst out into laughter to find that there were a lot of old people starring at me...OOPS! Thanks a lot Joe for being discreet! C'mon everyone, let's not be bitter toward the Union forever:P

Joe's Grandma Stansel and sister Heather

This is a replica of a picture of General Lee.

His Uncle Carl has an original letter written by General Lee that was donated to the town in which they live for it's name, Dixie, GA...it's in a safe though!

Primary Water Day!

A few weeks ago, we had a water day for all of the primary children. They had a lot of fun! It's always good when things that you've planned for a while go well! We had a lot of kids show up and we did lots of summery water games with them, including a game with water balloons...which by the way took much longer to fill up than to bust. Here are a few pictures of Mal, one mid air-you go girl-, and a great picture of one of the kids bobbing for apples!

Independence Day!! May God Bless America.

This is the Fourth of July in our little town. So many people come to see the fireworks that you'd think it was a pretty decent sized and functional town if you only visited on this day. The fireworks here are the best I've seen. They beat out the two biggest towns in the 45 mile radius. I actually had a lot of pride tonight(the good kind of course), thinking about all the people gathered together in commemoration of our independence.

Let us thank God every day for this blessed land. Happy 4th to all!

Being a "Thinker"

Glenn Beck often refers to himself as a thinker. He doesn't have a college degree(so what!), but has so much knowledge and it has gotten him to the position he is in. Joe and I like to think of ourselves in that way. Joe is much more innovative and intuitive than me, but I think things through fully much more than him. I guess that's where the whole helping each other comes in. Joe has opened my eyes, heart, and mind to the realities of our day. It is hard for me to think that the prophecies that have been prophesied will come to pass soon, but the Lord has given us many clues. I suppose it is our job as Latter-day Saints to piece the puzzle together. I have been doing so much thinking lately about the literal gathering and the building of a New Jerusalem. I don't want to wish the calamities upon us, but the signs and warnings that have been given to us point to the urgent need for preparedness. I found a very useful resource for scriptural references to the signs of the last days that of course precede the second coming. Here's the site: LDS Last Days . Please check it out for yourselves! It made me feel better to know where the scriptures are to back up the things I've heard. I hate it when you hear something and you can't find where it originated. I don't like to just take someones word for it because that is how people can get misled. Let me know what you think about the site!! It is totally scripture based. I would like to hear others' thoughts on the literal gathering, the time when we are supposed to flock to the center of the nation(Missouri) for protection, and the constitution hanging by a thread(of which I believe Brigham Young said was not far even back then...and look at the nominees we have for president...I COULD SCREAM!). Okay, so I'll let that sit for now:P Let me hear from y'all!

Pool Time!

Mallorie and her cousin Ethan(just disregard me and my running make-up that looks like a black eye!)...so, they fought most of the time he was here, but they actually did really enjoy their time in the pool last week!!

Pictures from Mom's baptism

Joe, Jenn, Kay, Dusty, Mal, and Anita

Elder Oliverson, Joe, Mal, Kay, and Elder Tweedie

Her baptism and confirmation went so great. I'm so excited about what this means for our family and the future! I'll write more later!

Girls Night Pics

Better late than never!

I miss y'all and we should get together more often.

*Our circle of 5*...plus Mal:P

Mal had fun with Jalen!

A Truly Wonderful and Joyful Occasion

Tomorrow is going to be a terrific day. My mom is going to be baptized tomorrow! I am absolutely ecstatic. The Lord hears prayers. I know Jesus Christ lives and loves all of us. My testimony of faith has been strengthened so much because only He knows...anything and everything!! I finally have a STRONG testimony of Joseph Smith through hearing the missionary lessons again with my mom(though I heard them for an entire year before I was baptized). Line upon line, Precept upon precept. That is a concrete truth of how we learn and how He teaches us. I could go on and on, but what matters most is my gratitude to the Lord and my moms willingness to submit herself to listen to His still small voice...which abounded into a large change of heart! I am so excited for all that this means, but for now I am just so thankful for my mom knocking on this door...even the first door to Eternal Life; a door that tomorrow will be opened to her.

Father's Day Trip to HotLanta

This is how our trip began:

Yawning in the front...

...and sleeping in the back.

After 4+ hours:

Finally driving through Atlanta on I-75

After another short little while, we make it to our first stop:

The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History

Kennesaw, GA

It was very bright and I didn't realize until I saw this

picture that Mallorie is almost as tall as I am and she's only 3.

Gotta love being short!

These were some regiment volunteers.

They did a gun firing for us. It was neat for me

because I saw the direct resemblance of Marching

Band. I will have to add that to my knowledge

bucket for when I am teaching band.

Joe loved the museum because he is very interested (and well-versed I may add) in History, namely the Civil War. We got to see the actual train "The General"that was in "The Great Locomotive Chase".

No flash photography allowed, so it is kinda dark:(

Our next stop was the Atlanta Cyclorama.

It is a huge circular painting that depicts the battle of Atlanta during the Civil War. Here is the home of the train "The Texas" which saved the train "The General" (which we saw at the other museum) when captured by Union soldiers.

The painting is copyrighted, so no pictures, but this is us outside!

After the Cyclorama, Joe thought the trip was over. We went and checked in at the hotel. He kept thanking me for the trip. I was even more excited because I knew he would like the finale of the trip. When we got in the hotel room, he went to get us all drinks. While he was gone, I layed out his Glenn Beck shirt with the 2 tickets for him and I to see the show:

"Glenn Beck '08; the unelectable"

Luckily he was extremely excited and we made it to the show just in time.

I haven't laughed that much in a long time! Glenn Beck is great. If you haven't heard him, tune in sometime at http://www.wflafm.com/ from 9am-12pm weekdays.

This is the second half of the show, where he was giving his "politically incorrect" speech. I love his tours because you can laugh, cry, and leave feeling so much better about your country. I should've gotten pictures of him when he first came out at the very beginning. He was dressed in camo bearing a shot gun. Those of you who keep up with politics might get a laugh out of that. Anywho, awesome trip...wish we could do it more often!

Happy Father's Day, Joe!

I love you and thank you for all you do.

Love, Jenn & Mal