gainesville singles ward reunion

Friends, Fun and Food makes for a perfect reunion. It was great seeing all of our friends that we went to school and church with. It has been about 6 yrs or longer since we have seen some of these friends. We were able to catch up, meet some of there kids and spouses for the first time. We all had a great time.

My Little Hunter Turns 4!

Steve and I can't belive that it has been 4 yrs already. I still remember the day we brought him home from the hospital. Steve was such a proud daddy...Steve has had a new nick names for Hunter almost each year! - Zattada, chachi, cojo... i'm sure I have forgotten some of them, his daddy loves nick names... :)

Hunter is our sunshine on a cloudy day! His smile brightens any room. We love to see him grow and see how he enjoys life. Hunter is our little "stallion". He has such a strong personality and love for life. Mommy and daddy just need to "Tame" him a little, he sure keeps us on our toes... (anyone with a 4 yr old knows what I mean) Hunter loves to ride his 4-wheeler, doing fun outdoor things with his daddy, ride the tractor, basically we are raising a good ol redneck country boy - :). He is creative with building blocks, painting & coloring. Hunter is fisty and yet so loving and kind. We love his spunky personality and it makes us laugh alot.

The other day Hunter put a play snake under his shirt to his nipple and we asked him what he was doing and he said.... i'm feeding it, it is hungry. (like mommy feeds Henry) We laughed so hard.

Hunter loves to cook with mommy and adores his baby brother. He is very competative in EVERYTHING!!! Loves to race, run, ride his bike and eager to learn. We are excited to see him grow this year when he starts VPK (preschool). He loves to sound out words and read books. His interests are spider webs (spiderman), dinosaurs, playing I spy in the car, watching movies, singing church songs, & playing with his friends. It is funny to hear him ask for playdates... he is growing up so much, Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!!

Angel Sent...(Heidi and Celeste)

If you have ever been loved so much by a friend that you feel they where sent from heaven as an angel in your life you will understand exactly what i'm talking about...my sweet friends Heidi and Celeste have walked the journey of life with me for many years. I have known Celeste for almost 9 years and Heidi for about 6 yrs maybe even longer.. We have laughed, cryed, had many girls nights and Heidi and I even had babies the same time. These amazing woman have held my hand during my cancer treatments and gave me peace and comforting words when I needed it. I feel the lord knew he couldn't be here to walk with me so he sent amazing woman like Celeste and Heidi to be his hands. Heidi is such a soft, loveing mother, so humble and geniune. I learned how to dress cute from her and she inspires me to be a great hostess and mother. Celeste is so sweet, genuine, kind and would do anything for you. Her children reflect her amazing mothering skills, so patient and loving. Celeste has the cutest decorating tips also. Both of them are so beautiful inside and out, not to mention amazing cooks!!! I just LOVE THEM!!!! If you ever get a chance to be part of there lives your life will change forever. You will walk away wanting be a better person and learning so much from them. I just love these ladies, it meant so much when they can to visist me and see my new little man Henry. Thanks ladies for taking the time to show you care and love us so much. Lunch was great and I loved the flowers and gifts.


WE'RE BLESSED IN THIS LIFE,
WITH FRIENDS PRECIOUS AND FEW,
BUT IN A TIME OF NEED,
THE GOOD LORD SENT ME YOU.

TO LEND ME A SHOULDER,
WHEN I FELT I COULD CRY,
TO GIVE ME SOME HOPE,
AND NEVER ASK WHY.

YOU SAT THERE AND LISTENED,
LIKE A GOOD FRIEND WOULD,
YOU OFFERED ME COMFORT,
IN ANY WAY THAT YOU COULD.

YOU LENT ME A SMILE,
WHEN I'D LOST MY OWN,
AND NOW WHEN I'M LONELY,
I'M NEVER ALONE.

FOR YOU SHARE YOUR WISDOM,
WITH SUCH WARMTH AND CHEER,
AND I HOPE THAT YOU KNOW,
HOW I LOVE YOU MY DEAR.

THERE'S A PLACE IN MY HEART,
AND YOUR ALWAYS THERE,
THIS FRIENDSHIP OF OURS,
IN A LIFETIME IS RARE.

YES, FRIENDS IN MY LIFE,
HAVE BEEN PRECIOUS AND FEW,
SO I THANK GOD FOR SENDING,
AN ANGEL LIKE YOU.

Mom's Keeping Cool in the Pool..

It's been fun this summer getting the moms and kids together. The conversations are so funny and never a dull moment for the kids. I feel like I learn something from these sweet woman each time we get together. They are wonderful mothers,loving, nurting and so giving. We have such an amazing group of ladies. Fun Summer Times!

SOOO SORRY Melissa, you got cut out of the picture... Thanks for Hosting the playgroup.

Our fun filled week with Cousin Grace

Weekend with the " Orlando Whitehouse"

Our family spent the weekend in Orlando with Steve's brothers family. We just adore them and have so much fun when we get together. Saturday we went to the Gaylord Palms Resort, swam, celebrated birthdays, and had lunch. Hunter had a blast with the kids and LOVED the slide... he was so upset when we had to leave. Sunday Steve was able to be part of his neices blessing it is always special to be part of such a neat time. We also got to spend some time with Steve's nana and papa. It is great to have the grandkids see them. We are so greatful to have family so close.

Meeting Baby Braxton!

Alicia and the boys went to Auntie Emily's house on Sunday to meet little baby Braxton. He is so adorable and Auntie loved cuddling with him. Hunter and cousin Jocelyn of course laughed, played and had a fun time together. It is so much fun raising our kids together and having them about the same age. Braxton and Henry are only 2 weeks apart.

So Cute... Maybe I should let Henry drink Evian Water...

White Family Reunion

We had a great time catching up, eating yummy food and enjoying each others company on Sunday afternoon. It was a mini reunion with the whites. Everyone got to meet Henry and give him lots of love and attention. We always have a great time when we get together with the fam.

Steve and I were talking and we noticed that "Soft" Granny White has held everyone of these grandkids and some adults that were in the room also. It is amazing that one woman has held so many babies. It was special to Steve to have his Granny hold his 2 boys. She turned 93 this year. We LOVE Soft Granny!! What an amazing woman!

4th of July Family Fun

Our family had a blast this 4th of July. We spent it with our sister in law Ashlea's family. They were so nice and we felt right at home, so many nice wonderful people. There was never a dull moment just fun times. The kids swam, we rode the wave runners.. Hunter calls them "mini boats" , had fire works over the pool (not just little ones.. we are talking BIG DADDY ones) they were beautiful and we ate, ate, ate! The best part of the whole weekend was spent celebrating our nephews 2nd birthday. We had a great weekend, Thanks Randy, Ashlea and the Petersons!



Hunter and Daddy on the "mini boats". Hunter calls them that instead of wavefunners.















Ashlea is such an amazing mom, so loveing, caring and she is so beautiful also. I had a great time chatting with her and getting ready for Gavin's birthday.


Grace and Hunter had fun doing crafts and enjoying each others time together. They are so funny when they get together. It is like 2 adults talking. They had us all laughing.

We are so greatful for this country and the freedom that we have. What a beautiful sight to see this flag flying.

Grace and cousin Henry.

The kids watched the fireworks out of the window because it was to loud and scary for them. It was so cute to see them all lined up watching.

Hunter hanging out at the dock being with the flag hat.

Chris (Gavin's Papa) and Hunter having a blast on the huge slide.

Hunter with all the girls... what a little ladies man, he is always with the older girls!

We had a great time on the waverunner, enjoying the sunshine and fun time together.

Zonked out by all the fun.

Uncle Steve, Grace and Hunter Relaxing waiting for some lunch.

Henry and Periann - 1 month apart

Alicia and Henry enjoying the beautiful weather/view and sunshine.
The view was to die for.. it was so peaceful and amazing.
Auntie Ashlea and Henry.

Happy Birthday Sweet Gavin - 2 yrs old!!

It was so much fun being part of Gavins 2nd birthday. Ashlea was so creative with the way she did the "construction zone" themed party. She put chocolate cake in the back of the truck to look like dirt. And used other dump trucks for the chips and dip. It was so cute and creative! The party was a complete hit by all the ladies and some men commented on what a neat idea it was. We are glad we could be there to help celebrate. Hunter loved all the trucks and Aunt Ashlea made a hat special for Hunter. What a fun party

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What does "Faith" in the Lord Mean to You?

I have been a member my whole life and have gone to church, held callings, basically just gone thru the motions of being a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Just basically touching the surface of what this church has to offer, so many blessing. Never really digging down deep... you know when you mom said "what did you learn today at church" the basic answer was Heavenly Father and Jesus. :) So i'm excited to start studying a book I found on my book shelf.. it is basic... real basic it is a "Gospel Reference - True to the Faith".
I have picked the topic "FAITH" and have read and studied the scriptures.

This is what I learned while studying about Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: (next week is living by Faith and Increasing your Faith)

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

Faith is a principle of action and power.

In order for faith to lead you to salvation, it must be centered in the lord Jesus Christ.

Faith is :

Relying completly on him

Trusting in his infinite power, Intelligence and love

Believing his teachings

Believing even though you do not understand all things, HE DOES.

Faith is knowing Jesus has felt all pains, affliction and infirmities, he knows how to help us rise above our daily difficulties.

I desire to come closer to the Lord and my heart if full from just learning these basic truths. The lord loves me and you and if we will turn our lives over to him we will be at peace and be blessed. I'm greatful for this time to learn more and more.

Ladies - I would love to hear ways how your Faith in the lord has grown, what you think when you think of "faith" in the Lord?

Our Super Swimmer

Hunter has grown so much this year in his swim lessons,he worked on his breaths, diving, arm strokes and had so much fun doing it. Lauren Towers is the best instructor ever, she is so caring, supportive and loving to the kids. We are looking forward to a fun summer in the POOL.

Pops Got married....Congrats Dad!!

It was a nice wedding for my dad and his new wife Priscilla. It was like a family reunion getting the kids together and sharing this special day with my dad. We wish him the best in the years to come. (It wasn't the same without our sister Emily- we missed you)
Henry gets some love from his Uncle Paul.




















The Happy Couple



















Sisters (Emily we missed YOU!)














They were married by Bishop Adam Towers in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.