What a week! Proud of Him :)

Hello lovelies!

Check it out- I'm actually updating our blog before a month goes by ;)

Today is going to be ALL about Jordan!! (With a few side notes of what I did)
Jordan has had quite the busy week!

1) GRADUATION! My sweetheart is finally graduated from Orem High School! (And Seminary!) He's so cute- he walked through the "O" to receive his diploma, (I had told him to make sure he turned towards us so we could get a picture because we were right up close...) the stinker did his usual fist pumps to the air and then randomly bowed. I started to laugh really hard, and forgot to cheer! (Lame I know.) HE FORGOT TO TURN TOWARDS US! So I had to give him a hard time- he got back to his seat and he looked up at me, and I mouthed "You didn't turn.." Somehow he was sneaky and managed to text me: "Sorry- I panicked.." Then I laughed even more. Such a goof ball ;)

Jordan and our favorite Seminary Teacher: Bro. Evans! 

(Sorry it's blurry) But it's his classic fist pump! Walking through the "O" 

Proud moments! We worked hard to get him here didn't we Jessi?! ;) 

His graduation gift- new Scriptures for his mission and beyond! :) He was SO happy and surprised. (I told him there was no chance of getting new ones cause he already had some..;) Sneaky I am) 

Ps. Graduation= school's out for summer which also means I'm out of a job for 3 months till school starts again and that's only if they (the District) hires me back in the fall... So prayers would be much appreciated for that!! I need this job! And also- I miss my kids SO much already!! :( (Ps. sorry no pics here cause I legally can't share them! Sorry!)

2) TEMPLE!!! Jordan had the amazing opportunity to go through the Payson Utah temple to receive his Initiatory and Endowment! It was such a beautiful day for both of us! I received my endowment just 6 months ago, so I remember really well how amazing it is to go through for yourself to make such sacred covenants with our loving Heavenly Father. And it is just as amazing to go back and do work for those who have passed away.
Having Jordan be able to join me in the temple in the Celestial room and in the sacred ceremony of endowment was such a blessing and I cannot express the love I felt in that room. I was so happy with both Jordan and myself that we had given up the ways of the world, and stuck to what we knew we really wanted so that we could be together in the temple, not only that day but someday in the future to be untied as one. It was amazing! It is definitely a day and experience that we will never forget. It was worth everything we had to "give up" to get there. The ways of Heavenly Father are definitely worth it: with eternal joy and never ending true happiness- even when things are tough. We can't wait to go back and learn more together and be in the temple TOGETHER! :)

Us<3 Now we can go inside together and we understand the importance of our Savior in our relationship on a much deeper level. It was truly beautiful and we are so excited to go again! 

3) DATE NIGHTS: what they used to be- nice dinner, dressing up, going out for dessert, movies, cuddles, shopping sprees, having our own time, long walks, etc.
Date night now: shopping for garments, sharing Frozen Yogurt, hours of scripture & Preach my Gospel studies, Mormon message watching, not spending money anywhere without a coupon/gift card, temple trips, balancing family time, etc. Our date nights now are completely focused on preparing to enter the temple every day of our lives and getting Jordan ready for his mission in Iowa. Sometimes it gets difficult and "old" but when we think about it- there's nothing else we would rather be doing. Helping Jordan prepare for his mission helps me feel like I have a purpose in being home, and also reminds me that The Lord has a plan and that I am a missionary every day. Spending this time with him has strengthened our relationship with each other and most importantly with our Heavenly Father. It is something we will never regret. :)

quick Frozen Yogurt stop for date night ;) 

And a quick run to see the river. We like to walk by the river sometimes and talk about the gospel :) 

4) BOOK OF MORMON CHALLENGE: as you know Jordan and I are reading the Book of Mormon in a short 40 days! (We actually just finished our reading for the day a few minutes ago!) Today was day 14! We are just finishing up Mosiah and will start Alma tomorrow!
I just want to take a moment and say: without Jordan's commitment this would not be happening. We usually have to read first thing in the morning- at 6 am! I'll just say I love my bed in the mornings and hate getting out of bed before I'm ready and I'm never ready before 8... So every morning Jordan wakes up, and calls me on FaceTime until I answer, then when I finally do- no matter how much I try and tell him we can wait 20 minutes, or we can do it later, he never let's me skip without making sure that we will have time to read later in the day. It is very important to him that we sit together to read- to keep each other focused- rather than read over Face Time because we get distracted a lot easier that way. So far we have not missed a day together! He always lovingly comes and gets me carrying me down to our table where we read at his house, gets me a breakfast bar so I feel better (I usually feel sick in the morning till I eat) then he prays with me and we read. He always pauses to ask me questions making sure we are helping each other to learn and draw near to our Father and Savior. I am so blessed to be in love with such a faithful young man. He never falters and always makes sure that our relationship invites the Spirit and we choose God. He is always so amazing at making the gospel our priority. He is the perfect example to me of a worthy and willing Priesthood holder who guides his family toward the Savior.

Well Folks I think that's it! Every time I ask Jordan if there's anything he wants to put on the blog his response is always "I think you know better than me Honey." So if I left anything out, blame him! ;) Nah just kidding.

I know I've already said this- but I just want you all to know how amazing, loving, sweet, respectful, caring, Christlike, and kind my sweetheart is. I truly am so blessed. I can't wait for forever with him!! The next two years can't go by fast enough- but I'm also very thankful for his calling to serve the Lord. Heavenly Father does have a plan and now that I see this is the best thing for both of us and for our relationship I wouldn't want it any other way! (Plus sending missionary packages is SO fun!) :) Well I love you all, we pray for you and we are so thankful for your love and support in our behalf.

Have a great week and don't forget to monkey around a little bit! ;)

That's a wrap!

Love, The two of us, Samantha & Jordan <3

Graduations, Work, Mission & Temple Prep, SO BUSY!

Hey y'all! Samantha here. So Sorry it's taken me this long to sit down and update our blog... As the title of this post sort of describes- April hit, then May.. and it's worse than Christmas season with business. So I will do my very best to fill you in on what's been going with our lives!

Last you heard from us it was April 17.. so it's been about a month and a half! This might be scattered, but I will do my best!

First- Work. Jordan and I both work part-time jobs, and Jordan goes to school full time. Seeing each other is not what it used to be. We have to seriously schedule our time to know when we are even available to go on a date, and let me tell you: our schedules are always opposite! (We think that's Heavenly Father's way to help us prepare for Jordan's mission and to help us focus on serving others.) So at my job, down at the Elementary school, we have been working hard on end of year programs, testing, and fun activities, which means the teachers are exhausted! No matter how crazy it gets those sweet children always brighten our day. They are the cutest.
We just had our end of year program- which was like a mini choir concert- and the theme was "America" (if you know me you know I am in love with that theme- I'm definitely my daddy's girl.) It was so great to see these young kids singing with all their heart and soul about the country they love. It was amazing. I'm so lucky I got to be a part of it!

As far as Jordan's work goes, I just know it's busy and he's working hard! ;)

Next- let's talk about Jordan for a second: the kid is going a million miles an hour and we are all trying to stay caught up with him. All good things though. :)
1) mission! Since that boy started his papers he's been ready to jump out into the mission field and GO! He is stoked to go to Iowa in a few short weeks and preach the Gospel to those people. He has been on the ball with getting things in order to go: shopping, temple prep, Priesthood ordination, Preach my gospel & Book of Mormon studies, visiting family, etc. He's on fire.
2) Jordan went to Seattle to visit his great Grandmother. He loved every minute of it (from what I can tell) He had a blast taking pictures, going on nature walks, playing tennis, hanging out in the hot tub, going to lunch with his family, and most of all talking to his sweet grandma about her life and his. He loved it so much he got emotional. He truly loves his family and understands the importance eternal families.
3) Jordan graduates this THURSDAY!!! So that alone speaks for itself. Graduation season is BUSY and that's an understatement.
4) Temple prep! Jordan goes through the Payson Utah Temple this Saturday to receive his initiatory and endowment. He couldn't be more thrilled about this sacred opportunity with His Father in Heaven.
5) Reading the Book of Mormon! Jordan and I decided that before his mission we wanted to read the Book Of Mormon together... well we decided that with not much time left before he departs so we are reading the whole Book of Mormon in a short 40 DAYS! So far so good. We are on day 9, and have to read 13.5 pages a day to stay on top of our goal. We wake up at 5:45 AM, Jordan showers/gets ready for school and we start reading at about 6:10 AM till 7:25 AM then he's off to school! It is most definitely difficult but it is SO worth it.
6) Jordan got ordained to the office of Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Which means he can now give blessings of healing and comfort, and many other things which I'm sure Jordan could explain much better than myself. But it is a very sacred duty, which power only works if they remain worthy of it.
So as you can see- all good things are going on! He's just running, which means we are too! ;)

Other than all this- we've had weddings of family members, dance concerts, sports events for siblings, car shows, church activities (which I help with a lot), Spring cleaning projects, family dinners, Mother's day, teacher appreciation week, Hope of America, getting new military trucks (for my dad's association), pedicures given by Jordan so I can save money, Prom for my little bro (Jordan was the photographer), temple & kneaders dates, Sunflowers (my favorite), and of course LOTS of Swig (that's a soda shop- but I only get their smoothies or Lemonade)! I'll just include pictures of these events so that you don't just have to read my boring writing! ;) Here you go!

Jordan brings me Sunflowers when I'm sad :) 

Temple Dates! 

My lil bro (Wade) and his prom date!

Our newest military truck! It's a DUKW- it's half boat.

Hope of America- for Abbie :) 

Just one day's worth of Teacher Appreciation week! 

Mother's day gifts for Jordan's mom! (He made it all I just put it together while he was gone)

Swig.. Yes we love it.

Relief Society Activity I decorated for!

The theme was "You are Kneaded"

The take home gift for your missing neighbors!

Back stage manager at my old studio's dance concert. (This is one of my many previous students!) 

Cleaning dad's garage. It was a whole family effort!

First car show of the season! :) 

Our annual sno cones at this particular show! 

Driving to family dinner with Jordan's siblings :) 

Well that's a wrap! We hope you enjoy reading about our adventures! More news to come, and with school ended this Friday, I hope to be writing more! Love you all:)

Love, Samantha & Jordan