Heaven

Here are some of our engagement pictures, taken when the weather was a bit nicer and there were still leaves on the trees.  This first one is a silly one.  We had a lot of fun, and Eric's cousin, Travis, did a great job.

Weehaw!  I'm so Happpeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I've always wondered what heaven is like.  Now I know.  Life is so good with Eric by my side.  I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend forever with.  I am so grateful that through the restoration of the gospel I know my family can be together forever.  It is a blessing that can't be measured.  

"Shall Give Thee Experience"

What do you think?

So, a month ago was the deadline for the art competition hosted by the Church's history museum.  I was working on a painting to enter and barely finished in time to be an official entry (I always seem to be working up to the last minute on things).  As of yet I haven't heard anything back, but that's not so important to me.  Mostly I painted to portray a feeling and a lesson I am learning through life, and especially now.  The picture is of towering Giant Sequoia trees with the evidences of fire below.  However, at bottom center is a tiny sapling beginning to grow.  For anyone unfamiliar with Redwood trees, they are serotinous which means their seeds open only under intense heat.  Generally this means fire.  This is a handy survival technique because once the fire has destroyed the surrounding competition it leaves plenty of room and fertile soil for the new trees to grow.  I love the symbolism here because our lives are the same way.  Sometimes Heavenly Father teaches us and prepares us to grow through very difficult, very fiery experiences.  But through it all, His merciful hand is always extended and sees us through.  And because of Him we grow to become more than we ever imagined.

Happy Halloween!

So, I know I'm slow at updating our blog, but better late than never.  Halloween was pretty fun.  Eric had to work late but eventually made it to the festivities.  We attended a big singles' bash in downtown Idaho Falls and wow, they really went all out to give us something entertaining to do.  There were all sorts of inflatable games, sumo wrestling, movies, karaoke, video games, pictures, pizza, a live band, dancing, and lots of candy.  What more could you ask for?  It would have been nicer though with Eric there the whole time.  Eric was quite the hot lookin' Peter Pan.  We made his costume ourselves and due to our excellent teamwork it turned out pretty sweet.  What a stud.  I went as a crazy Princess Tiger Lily and got a little carried away with drawing on my face, but it turned out all right as well.  Dancing was a blast, though the music was often a little on the loud side and more for a jump-up-and-down kind of crowd.  Still, my man swept me off my feet =).  We ended the night with a little play boxing.  Isn't it obvious from the pictures who came out on top?

A Hike in the Rain

This past week was General Conference and Eric and I headed down to Utah for the occasion.  The morning meeting on Saturday was great and we had planned to head up in the mountains to enjoy the second session.  Eric seemed to have a specific spot in mind.  It was raining...a lot!  I was amazed he still wanted to go.  I unfortunately forgot my camera so Eric stopped and bought a disposable one for me.  That was nice.  We arrived in Sundance a little after the session had started and headed up the mountain trail with our portable radios.  The reception wasn't great but still enough to make our hike in the rain all the more enjoyable and uplifting.  We stopped to listen every now and then, and finally reached Stewart Falls when the session had ended.  To fill in a bit of background, Stewart Falls has always been a special place for Eric and then for us both when last fall he chose to tell me he loved me =).  It created a beautiful memory in a beautiful setting, and this occasion only added to it.  At the falls, Eric had a ball of yarn for the both of us and had us create a "web."  We took turns placing a strand and with each one mentioned something we loved about the other.  Then Eric read a beautiful poem he wrote about how the strands link us together, drawn out by every experience we share, to withstand the tempests of time.  When our web was finished, he took the strings up the hill, wrapped the ends around our ring fingers, and told me how he wants to be with me forever.  And then, as he gave the string a final tug, something shiny from "heaven" came sliding down.  It was a ring!  He asked me if I would marry him and then remembered at the last minute to get down on one knee.  I of course accepted.  It was a beautiful, unexpected moment that I'll never forget.  

     So, to make a long story short, I'm officially engaged!  We are looking forward to a spring wedding and couldn't be happier.

Happy Birthday, Eric!

Yay!  September 19, 2008 meant Eric Whitney Jones has officially graced the earth with his presence for 28 years.  And I have been so blessed to know him for only a part of those.  On Friday we both had the day off.  I let him sleep in a bit and then we made a belgian waffle, rasberry danished, and whip creamed sweet breakfast.  Actually, Eric did most of the cooking while I decorated.  We played some racquetball and Eric SKUNKED me.  But mostly the day was pretty casual.  In the evening Eric made his world famous sloppy joes, and then we headed over to his house for cake and icecream.  When we got there..."Surprise!"  Several friends from our branch were there including some of the presidency.  We sang happy birthday and had some awesome banana cream pie Dairy Queen icecream cake.  Then we played a few rounds of Mofia and talked until late.  It was a good day.  Especially with a happy birthday kiss to top it off.  Happy birthday, my sweet boy!  

By the way, we had A LOT of fun with the styrofoam peanuts from the box Eric's dad sent.  Maybe too fun; the floor was quite the sight by the end of the night. ;)

Mud Volleyball

Today was an insanely dirty day, and boy was it fun!  My sister, Celeste, and I attended a multi-stake mud volleyball activity that was too good to pass up.  Celeste of course was muddied within the first five minutes of playing.  She tried to grab my arm and pull me in so I tackled her!  We rolled around for a bit and then I topped her off with a big ball of mud in her hair.  Ha ha!  The only thing that would have made the day better would have been to have Eric there so I could do the same to him.  It wasn't the same going without him.  Fortunately we will be closing the gap between us soon since September 1, Labor Day, I will be moving to - yes! - Idaho Falls!  Lucky day, we'll only be about a block away.  

Whitewater Rafting

There's nothing like the fun of floating through turbulent water on an inflatable plastic boat with nothing but a few sticks to steer past treacherous boulders, dips, and eddies.  No seriously, it really was a blast.  Eric and I, along with six other people, spent most of Saturday rafting down the south fork of the Snake River, enjoying the scenery, paddling a lot, pushing people in the river (including each other), and then getting out to do it all over again.  The weather was beautiful and the water was COLD, but by the second run it felt pretty good.  We all joked around a lot and had a great time.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could do that every weekend?

The Surprise Box

Eric has been working for some time now on a super secret project for me.  I never quite got it out of him, but I did find out that it had something to do with painting, and on one funny occasion he slipped and told me it was a box.  I have been waiting in suspense for weeks to find out what it was but he never finished it.  Finally, after all the planning and who knows how many hours of painting, he finished and presented me with his surprise.  It was BEAUTIFUL!  On the top was painted a beautiful sunset scene on the beach with the phrase, "Paradise is holding you close, and knowing it's Forever."  How romantic!  Inside the box was filled with sand and memorable keepsakes from our Oregon coast trip, along with a very realistic looking painting of the moon.  I was so thrilled!  And he did such a good job.  I am so grateful to have such a sweet man in my life.

Super Incredaleuca Eric!

Every once in a while Eric will have a crazy dress up day at work, and Eric, being the enthusiastic character he is, always participates.  This day was "Super Hero" dress-up day.  Can you guess who Eric was?  Actually, we're not even sure.  He had a black sure, an Incredibles' t-shirt, and a stylish green Melaleuca vest.  Whatever he was, he sure looked good!  He can come rescue me anytime he wants.

Eric's Latest Pet

Just last week Eric made a new friend.  They had a chance encounter in his living room, and though his first instinct was to kill it, Eric soon decided it was too interesting to terminate.  So he saved it...in a jar...with nothing but cardboard on top to hold it in.  Is he nuts or what?  And of course knowing how fond I am of spiders, he saved it to show me this past weekend.  I was beyond words.  Fortunat... - I mean - Unfortunately, the poor little thing died of heat stroke in Eric's car before I could see it.  Still, Eric and my dad both had a riot making me and my sisters jump with it's dead carcass.  Gross!!!  

Lagoon

In the middle of June Eric and I took a day excursion to Lagoon.  It was a lot of fun, a lot of sun, and wore us out.  At one point Eric was taking me through the front fountain because it was a shorter walk and the water was down.  Both of us were eyeing the holes in the ground warily because at any moment water could shoot out of them.  We walked quickly and just as we were exiting the opposite side thinking, "We made it!" water blasted up right to my eyes, I whipped my head around sending my sunglasses flying, and ended up thoroughly soaked down the front.  Several people had to jump out of the way because the force of the water sent drops splashing off me.  That stinker, Eric!  He couldn't stop laughing.  Anyway, it was a fun day enjoying the events and enjoying each other's company.  I loved this picture of Eric on the swings. 

A Greenbelt Stroll

I love Sunday strolls, especially when I'm holding the hand of the man of my dreams.  Today Eric and I took a walk with some friends from his branch along the Idaho Falls greenbelt.  It was very  scenic with many picturesque views of the temple.  And can I just say, his branch buddies are a hoot.  We always have a lot of laughs when we're together.  

Iguacu Falls

It's finally finished!  Or in better words, I am finished with my painting for the present.  Eric reminded me of a quote that says an artist never really finishes a work of art but instead just finds a good stopping point.  I really feel it is true with this painting.  I have been working on it for some time but had a long break while I worked in Utah.  Since moving home I have tried to put hours into finishing it, and it shows great improvement from when I started.  Still, there is always something to pick apart.  I can't stop finding things I want to change!  In fact, I think I have repainted the sky at least three times.  I could keep going, but it is time to stop.  I am officially ready to move on to other projects.  Do I think it is perfect?  No.  In fact, I may in the future decide to be ambitious and paint over those trouble spots that keep getting to me.  But for now I'm calling it good.  Hopefully I will learn more about the process of turning art into prints, and this painting will be one of my firsts.  Wish me luck!

The Oregon Coast

My family recently returned from a FABULOUS trip to the 

Oregon coast (June 9-13) where it was incredibly cold but very beautiful. We stopped in several places along the way including Newport, Seaside, and Cape Meades. We toured the Tillamook Cheese Factory, ate clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls (to Eric's great pleasure), visitied an aquarium as well as a lighthouse and an octopus tree, camped overnight in a KOA, and explored several beaches. It was so picturesque. I think we would have jumped in the water at any time had not the wind been blowing so much. Nevertheless, it was wonderful to see some of Heavenly Father's beautiful and diverse creations in the far off land of Oregon. I hope we get to go again sometime.

Happy Birthday, Amanda

So, once again the time of year rolled around where I became officially older.  Yikes.  This year was my 25th birthday and for various reasons I was really dreading it.  "Let's just celebrate next year," I said, but no one listened.  We of course had cake (which Heather made, and it was delicious!) and presents.  I slept in late and painted and kept the day very casual.  Mostly I was missing my Eric.  Being the thoughtful one he is and knowing he would not be able to see me in person, he sent me an incredible hand-made card in the mail which arrived right on time and said such sweet romantic things which he has a talent for writing.  Not only that but he sent me a vase of beautiful wildflowers with some of my favorites: lilies and daisies.  It was a day I didn't want, but it turned out to be a very good one.  I was very grateful for so many who took time out to think of me and do something a little extra special.