forever

This is the Stubben family. Steve is from my mission, so he is roughly 2 years younger than me. He was a hardcore missionary, he'd have like 20 investigators at church each week and saw MANY, MANY people and families join the Church in the Philippines. I went to his wedding reception in Provo years ago. Today his precious bride, Catie, lost her fight with cancer. I hate cancer. I do. I know hard things will happen in life, I know that it is part of the plan but I hate that part.

Now that I have the husband I have always wanted I am fearful about losing him, or being taken from him. I have turned into a worrier. And 3 babies...don't even get me started on those babies missing their mommy (not to mention her heart aching for her family). I can't stand it. I hurts my heart too much and I hardly know them.

Sometimes I feel like maybe my faith isn't strong enough, or my testimony in the plan isn't. I feel like I believe. I know I do, but can one hate something that they also believe in? Maybe I'm just so tender hearted and in the face of the trial I could handle things better than I am now (as a voyeur, what the heck is wrong with me? Pull yourself together Alicia! )?

I guess the moral of this story is to live life to the fullest. No regrets. Tell those you love that you love them everyday. Be patient and loving to all around you especially your family, there is no time for yelling or not forgiving. Make memories and take pictures, millions of them.

I know that our Heavenly Father loves us, that he provided a plan for us and he wants us to be happy. He wants us to return back to him, he showed us the way and he provided a Savior, Jesus Christ. Families can be forever, that brings such joy.

our olympic date

A few years back James wrote a bucket list, things he wants to do before he dies. When we were dating he showed me the list, we even did a couple things together (like attend General Conference). With the Olympics just less than 3 hours away it seemed like the perfect time to cross that one off the bucket list.

We went up for the day, we left around 9:30am and got home around 11pm. It was an amazing SUPER date! I am so glad that James persisted about going and drove both ways (I love him more for that one, I'm not a great long distance/night driver)

He was so happy to be there!

You are going to see a lot of pictures like these!

We ate lunch at our favorite restaurant, Steamrollers

So happy to be eating delicious burritos


Amidst the Olympic crowd

Proof we were there

The total schmucks that we bought our tickets from, I made them take a picture and I told them

I would hunt them down and fight them if they sold us fake tickets

Good thing the tickets were awesome!!!

Women's hockey

We sat next to #7's family, they were great

Go Canada!

I told you we had awesome seats, this is right by where we sat

Canada win 18-0

My little camera did such a good job on this one

Time to leave the Olympics

We got a little lost leaving Canada but found this awesome HUGE sign my the airport


We really had such a great trip, even better than our pictures show. We love our life, so blessed.

early to rise

in bed at 9:02pm last night, a record for us (this is really how we sleep, well the eye mask part at least)

James and I make weekly goals. Sunday, at our family meeting, James suggested we wake up early together this week to jump start our day. This includes a morning walk (not a workout, after we walked 2 miles this morning we redefined it), scripture reading in the living room (not the usual in bed with only one eye open) and taking a nap if needed in the afternoon. The result of this will hopefully be: earlier to bed in order to wake up at 6am or 5am on Seminary days, and ideally more productive all day long. Lots of people do this, why can't the Quigleys?


What weekly goals do you have? Maybe we want to borrow some of your great ideas.

we have a cub scout

We spent last night in Lakewood, WA at Greyson's first Pinewood Derby. His mom and home teacher helped him with his HOT ROD, he pretty much rocked it! He had a blast AND won "The most detailed car," First place of the Wolf Den and Second overall (out of 20). WooHoo! Way to go Grey!

I love this one!

I think my brother has a picture just like this taken 27 years ago

#11

My Eagle Scout, Cub Scout and Future Scout

more family photos

My sister Monica took these pictures of us Thanksgiving weekend at the Farmers in their backyard. I love them. They make me so happy. We are so blessed.

the carousel

A Farrar family tradition we have had for years (even though we skip every now and then) is riding the Christmas Carousel in downtown Seattle. This year was the first with the Quigleys joining us and we even went for the first time after Christmas, which I think I like better. Thanks Weeks Family for coming with us, maybe next year it's time to get a BIG group together again.

The very first picture James ever saw of me, which caused him to contact and eventually marry me, was taken right about at this very spot. It was fun to take a picture together there this year!

I love my family

Aidan

Monica and Dad

James is a hardcore jockey

Greyson is pretty intense too- those Quigley boys, love them

what did you do over your Christmas vacation?

While I was in Utah for 2 days for this joyous occasion:


The boys had their own kind of fun:

WE LOVE LEGOS!