A Perfect Picture

What I thought of when I saw this picture was that He, my Lord and Savior is aware of me, even in my own burning infernos that I sometimes create in my life. His arms are out-stretched always open and ready to receive me. No matter what forces come against me to destroy my Spirit, with Christ I can do all things.

ksl.com - Provo firefighters still fighting tabernacle fire Gallery Viewer

A beautiful Monument....beautiful memories

The Provo Tabernacle was such an icon of beauty and sacred ground.  I loved singing in Stake Conference up in the choir seats.  I loved the concerts that we attended and the way the sound reverberated through out.  Walking up the spiral staircases to go upstairs was always fun...coming down them was much more scary haha.  So sad to see the videos of watching this beautiful building burn.  So much history and heritage there.  Blessed for the memories we have to remember it.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13693318

"Peek a Poo" Where are you?

Aliya, my sweet girl.  My very active and curious little one.  I'm recording this memory for you to laugh with me when you're older.  You are currently in a phase as to undressing yourself and more to that is you don't seem to like to have your diaper on anymore.  I'm not sure if its because you've discovered something new that you can do and so you do it over and over again, or if you are just ready to be potty trained b/c you don't want it next to you once you've done your business.  A few days ago, I was busy in the kitchen baking and allowing you to play in the living room.  I kept checking on you to make sure you weren't getting into too much trouble.  You had been playing so well.  But then I heard what sounded like two papers being rubbed together.  So I came to check on you and you were standing in the dining room on top of a chair.  Your pants were down around your ankles and you were wiping yourself with napkins from the food storage shelfs.  And your diaper was no where to be found.  You had poop all over your bum and you were just rubbing it around with the napkins.  Bleh!  So I got you cleaned up and re-dressed and then went on the hunt for your diaper.  You were in such a small playing area, where could you have taken off your diaper?  I circled several times around the living room/kitchen/dining room to see where you had left it. But I couldn't find it.  Oh no, did you put it in the pile of clean laundry on the couch?...Oh good, you didn't.  Did you put it on the food storage shelves...please tell me you didn't that's just really too gross!...Oh good, not there either.  Where in the world did you leave it?  I can smell it when I'm standing by the chair....AHH HAA!  You threw it away in the kitchen garbage!  Good girl...at least it wasn't smeared anywhere...oh wait, upon further inspection of the floor by the computer...it looks like you sat down or should I say squished down!  Luckily it was on the hard plastic floor cover and easy to clean up.  Mommy is so grateful for Lysol Wipes!  But, please next time, could you just grab another diaper like you used to and let me know you want to be changed?  I love you sweetheart.  You're full face grin melts my heart and I'm so grateful to be your mommy.  XOXO

Hi, My name is Melanie Crane and I'm a Mormon!

I was having a little fun today being in the Christmas spirit and wanting to watch the "Hallelujah Chorus" Flash mob on You tube again and on the side panel was this "Hi, I'm a mormon".  So I clicked on it and it takes you to this great new site that the church has done and it just has random people from all walks of life and they share what they do and that btw, they're mormon.  I got lost in it...it was so great.  Totally made my day.  Well one of them is Alex Boye and on his panel he does a comparison of the scriptures vs our cell phones.  It was awesome so I wanted to share it with all of you!  Scroll down and read under Fequently Asked Questions

LOVE! 

Mel

http://www.mormon.org/alex#

The first of A LOT of Updates! :D

We had a few major life changes happen this year for our family.  Jason lost his job with Ancestry.com the middle of January.  We immediately got on the ball to get leads out in the world for Jason to get new employment.  Thank you to everyone that responded.  Like many times before when Jason was changing employment, or even when he wasn't changing employment, we kept getting a "Pull" from our dear friends Jacob and Annette to come up to WA.  We had many options to choose from and after much prayer and fasting, we felt the Lord was saying "Go!".  Initially it was just for Jason to go up for a little while, but just a week later, I received revelation that we were to go as a family.  So in a great whirlwind and with the assistance of so many loved ones we got our house packed up and we headed on up.  This wonderful family invited Jason to come and live with them while he worked with Jacob selling alarm systems and then extended the offer for all of us to come and stay with them until our apt came available.  I know that it was a great sacrifice to have another family living with them and for this we will be forever grateful.  It was a great experience for us especially because of the love and acceptance that we found through them inviting us into their circle of friends.  We have been so impressed with the caliber of people in which they surround themselves.  My first weekend there was my birthday.  She had a great party for me with their friends so I could get to know people and then on my birthday, she made me fruit crepes for breakfast and a beautiful cake, that was SO delicious!  I felt VERY loved!  I had so much fun with Annette making dinners together and cleaning house together.  She also invited me into her monthly girl's night.  Plus just to have someone to chat with was fantastic.  I also give her credit to finally convince me to read the Twilight series and then to go to a special showing of Eclipse.  Annette is an amazing woman with many gifts and talents and I feel so blessed to have her in my life.  I cherish her friendship.            

So...Do you think its time for an Update? Its only been 9 months! :D

Wow, What a whirlwind of a year! I've felt deprived not being able to really update on here...so its going to be a work in progress but I'm excited to be back!  So stay tuned! 

Happy Birthday Joshua!!! Big #6

Dear Joshua,

   6 years ago today, you made me a mom.  It was an amazing experience.  You were a very good baby and started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks old.  You smiled easily at everyone and brightened any room.  You are sweet and considerate and thoughtful.  You are amazingly athletic.  I love to watch you dance and listen to you beat box.  I love your testimony and the wonderful prayers that you say.  I love how you shadow your daddy.  I love the he's your best friend in the whole world.  I love what a great big brother you are to Aliya. I love that you think she is the best sister in the whole world, she is so lucky!  I love that your favorite chore is your "Help" chore.  I love that you are so observant.  I love how quickly you make friends with everyone and that you're a natural leader.  I love that you love to learn and are so enthralled with nature and science.  I love that you can cook eggs and toast all by yourself and that you look for ways to serve me and the family. I love that you want to be good and do what's right.  I love that you make me little valentines and love notes and draw me pictures.  I love that you call me on the intercom just to tell me you love me.   You are such an amazing son.  I love you so much!  Thank you for blessing my life so much.  Love, Mommy

Wow, Its been a while!!! And A LOT has happened!!

Can I just say that I'm SOOO grateful that I don't have to be a single mom permanantly!!!  I have dearly missed Jason being up in Washington...but as the Lord would have it, its where He wants ALL of us to be so I'm getting the house ready to sell and for us to move.  YIKES  its a LOT of work!  I can't wait for us to be all together again!  -The other day when we told Josh that we were moving and asked how he felt about it, he said "I don't care where we move to, as long as I get to live with you Daddy!"  -TOTAL Daddy's boy.  This has been hard on him.  Just last night he was wishing Daddy were here.  Only 4 1/2 more weeks till we get to see him YEAH!! 

So, I've have so much to catch up on but its not going to be happening any time too soon.  But don't forget about us.  I will have us up and running again when we get to Kennewick.  :D  -And maybe when I'm going crazy with all the moving stress, I'll take a break and post some pics of the kids. :D 

Until then...SO MUCH TO DO, SO LITTLE TIME!!! 

Eagle Scout - the Highest Honor for Boys'

Tonight I had the honor and the privilege with my sweet wife to go to an Eagle Court of Honor. We had been invited by one of the boys to attend. This was not just any court of honor, and not just an Eagle Court of Honor, but an Eagle Court of Honor for 12 boys in the same ward. President Adrián Ochoa was there, the 2nd counselor from the Young Men General Presidency of the Church. He also serves in the BSA. There was also a real live Bald Eagle that was there, and there was a presentation done about the bald Eagle. What an inspiring sight to see these young men all receive their Eagle Scout award at the same time.

I am grateful to my mom and dad for helping inspire me to go out and get my Eagle Scout. It has served me well in my life and it continues to guide me with honor after all these years. It has now been 22 years since I received that award.

I am grateful for the opportunity that I had as well to see a full presentation on our Nation's bird and a little bit about our nation and why the Eagle was chosen to represent us. I love our great nation and am truly proud to be an American and proud to be an Eagle Scout. I wish that everyone could be an Eagle Scout and to have the pride in our nation that it deserves. May we love Her and serve Her ever so that we may always have the blessings of Freedom that She offers each of us.

Compassion

The Lord shows His tender mercies through unexpected means.  Its been a challenging holiday season, but with much joy and love as well.  However I came to a breaking point this morning dealing with my own blunderings.  Then compassion was shown by an unknown person in an unexpected way.  I cried.  I thanked the Lord for His awareness of my life and situation.  So thank you "unknown" for your compassion on my behalf and being an answer to prayers, and thank you Heavenly Father, I am very grateful.