HAPPY 4 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Happy Anniversary Honey! Can you believe we have been married four years?!? I love you so much. XOXOXO

WE MOVED!

OK---We moved! YIPEE! We just moved into a beautiful little home...three bedroom, 2 1/2 bath....dark wood floors...not white walls...I'm so happy I don't know what to do with myself. Seriously. Life is great! Sorry no pictures lately, I lost our camera. I'm trying not to be too upset. We will just need to get a new one. Until then, you will just have to deal with pictures from my cell phone...and my little anecdotes.

Daxton and I shopped this week for "big boy pants" (sweet Disney underpants) and we are one step closer to being completely out of diapers (except for bedtime & naps.) I've been grateful for the wood floors..."accidents" are a lot easier to clean up on this floor than it would be with carpet. :) He is doing such a good job. He is turning into such a little man. It is really blowing my mind. He will be turning two in just a few weeks.

Matt and I have recently had a complete para dime-shift. Our life is heading in a much different direction than expected, and it is so AWESOME! I feel happier than I have in a long time. We count our blessings, and I feel like the heavens have been opening up and showering gifts from above. Lately, we have met a lot of wonderful people, and I feel wrapped in Heavenly Father's hands. He is truly taking care of us, and it makes me feel emotional...even just typing about it right now. There are times in life where you know that it is not JUST YOU. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me personally. He knows and loves my family. AND---he knows what our family needs, and has given us a path to take to make all of it happen. Life's blessings don't always come without a little sacrifice. We have been a little busier than usual (hence the not writing as frequently on our blog), and I have had a few more nights away from our baby....but all in all I can't believe what is happening. It's a miracle.

Amidst all the turmoil our economy is in right now, amidst the serious decisions we have to make with congress, and the BIG vote out here in California...the gloom and the doom...there has been light. I know that if we keep our life in line with Heavenly Father's plan we will be taken care of.

Have an amazing weekend...so much love headed your way this evening. Good night. From my family to yours. XOXOX

"Vroom Vroom"

Dax and Grandma Lindsay walked down the stairs at great Grandma's house the other day and surprising...Dax tooted. He said, "Bum, vroom vroom..." and proceeded to laugh. Grandma started laughing so he shared his story a couple more times.
Who would have known a toot and "vroom vroom" go together? Daxton did! He makes that sound to watch his favorite movie, when he plays with cars...and apparently now when he passes gas! You gotta love it!

NEWS FLASH: "The Explorers"

Recently, the Van Duren Family has been through Utah, stayed in Colorado...played in airports, random McDonald's, parks, and is preparing for another trip to Michigan tomorrow. If you don't look fast........you might miss them all together! There life has been rockin' and rollin'! Many updates to come. :) They continue exploring all possibilities of life on this planet. They found--life is good. AND---and is getting better every day.

Hey everybody...sorry for the not so updated blog lately. We have been running from one place to the next, and I have made little time to up date you on our life. We are doing great....making things happen, and learning a lot! I will post some pictures from our recent trip to Colorado. Although it might not be for a week...Matt and I are flying out tomorrow to Michigan! I've never been there so it should be a lot of fun. We are excited. Our sweet baby Dax is being watched by Grandma. Thank you MOM! "You're the simply the best!"

Inspired

Inspired: outstanding or brilliant in a way or to a degree suggestive of divine inspiration

I feel inspired. I see the world around me right now in a whole new light. I have recently been inspired by life. My life. I have been inspired by the lives of those around me. I am amazed by the miracles I've witnessed, and the life that is unfolding before my eyes. I recognize the significant role each of us plays in each others lives. The picture above was apart of our family photo shoot. Alyson caught us in a moment that wasn't planned. She called my name I looked over, and that photo was the result. I think Alyson was inspired, and this photo is so symbolic to me in many ways. I believe much of the time we spend oblivious to those around us. (Daxton didn't even acknowledge my presence in that photo:) As a mother or wife, our lives are completely intertwined with our children, and family. Each action we take to love, and care is not always recognized....but, the presence I believe is felt. I don't think most of us fully understand the impact we have on the people around us. I don't believe I understand. But, I am beginning to realize how important it is to make each moment positive. I feel a sense of responsibility to influence, more than ever, each person I meet for good. I think the more we realize we are not alone, and choose to be happy, we will make a HUGE impact. Recognize your position, and how you change the lives around you. As I have thought about that specifically, I can see how much I affect my loved ones. I want to be a force of powerful positive energy. I believe it is a choice. And, I have made a choice to love more freely, listen more deeply to my family and friends needs, and give of my time and resources to make our lives better. If there is anything I can do for any of you, please let me know. I really mean it! Much love to all...and I will leave a post soon with a lot of cute pics! XOXOXOXO

Mr. Clean

Hello! We are alive. We have just had a lot of exciting things happening in our world, and haven't made the time to share them all with you yet. ANYWAY, I wanted to share a quick little anecdote: A couple days ago my mom, Dax, and I were in Target. I needed to pick up some cleaning supplies. While I looked carefully at carpet cleaners my mom said,"Look!" When I looked Dax was staring at the bottle of Mr. Clean. He carefully folded his arms together. My mom and I exchanged glances and laughed and laughed. Now, Daxton does fold his arms during prayers, and maybe that's what he thought the man on the bottle was doing. Either way, he was inspired by the bald man on the bottle....and we got a real kick out of him mimicking his pose. Kids are the best!

My Little Song Bird

Lately, Dax has been singing along to every song he hears. On the way to the zoo yesterday he serenaded us in the car. If I am warming up or singing to something on the radio he joins right in. His technique, although young, is just outstanding! J/K :) I know he will be a star! We play the piano and sing together practically everyday. It's so fun to be able to share something I love so much with him. He makes me laugh! I love being a mother. He is so precious and brings us such joy!

Family Trip to the Zoo!

We went to the zoo yesterday. It was officially Daxton's first visit. We had such a great time, and Grandma Lindsay enjoyed it with us! That can't be beat!! He loved the giraffes and all the BIG animals. He especially enjoyed the reptile house at the very beginning. He saw a little boy with cotton candy right away, and about had a conniption. Needless to say, after a little talk...he was a good boy and was rewarded with that delicious treat. He pushed the stroller, ran around and had a fantastic time!

Camp Nauvoo

Friday evening our ward had a camp out at Camp Nauvoo. We enjoyed a chili cook off, cookie competition, and played with the members of our ward. Unfortunately, I only pulled out the camera for the swing and a little baseball. Some of the pictures were just too dark. We had a great time. Matt played baseball with the Ramirez family, and everyone joined in for the water balloon launch. He looked like a little kid playing, and it was really cute. Grandma, Dax and I played on the swings! There was a little program and I sang, "Joseph Smith's First Prayer." It is so special to sing that song up in the woods. I can just imagine the prophet praying and having sermons in the groves near his home in NY and in Nauvoo.

The Amber House

Matt surprised me Friday evening with a little one on one romantic time. We ate dinner our in Rocklin at this yummy Japanese restaurant. (They cook right in front of you!) It was delicious! Then, he had made reservations at this sweet Bed and Breakfast in Sacramento for the night. "The Amber House," was so much more than I could have anticipated. I have never stayed at a B&B, but it was amazing. We stayed in the "Dickinson" room. The bed in the picture of above was where we slept Friday evening. The room was beautiful! The innkeepers were awesome, and we even had delicious home made cookies waiting for us upon arrival in our room! (If you know me at all...that's all I need to be sold......baked goods!) Matt and I enjoyed each others company in probably the most romantic place I have ever been. Thank you so much honey for making such a memorable get away and for loving me so much!
I don't know about you, but every couple needs a little time away. If you need a little pick me up in your relationship, take my word for it, this will do more for your relationship than you can imagine. There was a journal in our room, and it was filled with the guests experiences who enjoyed an evening in the Dickinson room. We read several journal entries together, and there is a little magic in the Dickinson room. Many couples spent anniversaries, wedding nights, or special get aways. We all have one thing in common...we are all looking to strengthen our relationships. More than ever I have felt the adversary working on each marriage and family. When we take time for each other, we take time to create happy eternal families. Thank you mom for watching Dax. We can't thank you enough.