A few people were not even aware that Justin has been serving in the Bishopric in our ward... So, I thought I'd blog about it...
Justin has been serving since April... and he enjoys it very much! It's AMAZING to see how much he's grown just in the past 5 months...
Justin got a phone call from the Stake secretary saying that our Stake President wanted to meet with both of us... So, on Thursday, March 26th we headed over to the stake center not really knowing what to expect... (Actually, we thought maybe they'd be reorganizing the Elders Quorum Presidency --he was first counselor then-- and the president's house for sale...)
Our Stake President called us in, sat us down and then said that the calling he was going to extend to Justin would involve time and sacrifice from both of us. We both nodded... and listened as he continued to extend the call for Justin to serve in the bishopric as the second counselor!
*Wide eyes... Long pause*
I looked at Justin’s face… and realized his expression pretty much mirrored mine. It came as a bit of a shock to both of us, to say the least.
President continued again… and as he talked, I felt the spirit SO strongly testify to me that this was the right thing. Justin and I looked at each other again… and this time we both had tears starting to form in our eyes, and I knew he was feeling the same spirit that I was feeling.
The first few weeks into the calling... a lot of people jokingly said to me, 'say goodbye to your husband!' I'd laugh because it's true, he is gone a lot. But I love how this calling allows him to stretch in so many ways... and prepare him for so many things. He said shortly after receiving the call… that being in a position like a presidency or bishopric is better training for life than any job or internship... with better pay (blessings) than any job could ever offer... Already, I've seen so many blessings that have come from his service...
On wednesday nights the kids started asking Daddy where he was going all the time... Justin would reply... "I'm helping the Bishop tonight!"
I overheard Caitlin and Will playing one day...and one of them said something about 'the Bishop'... I listened closer and found out that they were pretending they were in the story of 'Chicken Little' and that they had to run and hide because "the Bishop' was about to land on earth!
Makes me wonder if they picture their Dad going out on Wednesday nights to fly around on a "spaceship" helping people. Kids, they are SO cute!
So, between his calling, my ward calling-- Primary music leader AND my Stake calling--Stake Drama Specilist (Yeah, I didn't know there was one either... but it's part of the Stake Activities Committee)... it's easy to see how life can be a little crazy. He's gone a lot and when he's home, I'm usually off in meetings helping plan the next big stake activity!
All in all, we really enjoying serving in our callings. Justin's mother shared this awesome quote with us during a Family Home Evening once...
Service is the rent we pay for living!
We feel uplifted and edified by serving others... and whereas one person would think we are spreading ourselves too thin it's amazing to see ALL the MANY blessings that have come from giving our time and talents in strengthing our Father's kingdom here on earth.
Uncle Jonny and Caitlin
Papa and Amanda
Will and Daddy 
Caitlin... the little dare devil... (ps. i didn't take this picture) It makes me nervous just looking at it.
Caitlin, Will and Uncle Jonny again... throwing rocks in the Creek
Yippee for the Cabin!
...and here's a nifty function... it has a measuring cup on the top along with a pour spout!!
And this was love at first sight... it's SOOOOOO on my wish list... not sure where I'd put it yet... but I LOVE it (and it loves me!)
(for a bigger picture you can click on the link below... Ahh. I LOVE IT!)
I was THRILLED to get this shot... all THREE kids!
drool, "It's only mouth water..."
We also decided to take a break from Will's potty training. So we busted out the pool!! Free reign buddy... have at it... go pee all over the yard if you want... mommy needs a break.
WE Love summer time... please don't go away... 
For all you married people out there! Tag you're IT (if you are married or engaged...)
Happy Anniversary to the most amazing man and husband I could ever ask for. I love you dearly, more and more every day... Thank you for giving me the best years of my life... Looking forward to Many, MANY more...
Can I get a Yee-Haw? 
Every time my Brother-in-law opens a new thing of wipes... he places the sticker on the kid's forehead... almost like they've won a prize or something... Brinley was Thrilled!! Thanks for the new tradition Kev! It's fun to be silly sometimes.
A few people were not even aware that Justin has been serving in the Bishopric in our ward... So, I thought I'd blog about it...
We took several hikes...
Nature at it's finest...
Justin's Aunt has a cabin close to his family's cabin too... we stopped by a few times to swing on their porch swing, and play in the sand box and relax in the hammocks...
No camping trip is complete without a tent! We brought ours and set it up so the kids could play in it... Caitlin and Justin slept there one night!
Will and Caitlin's favorite cabin past time... 
Will doing the dishes...
Justin and Brinley watch Back to the Future...
Saturday we took a break from our little cabin to tour a cabin that Justin's brother, Jon has been working on for a client. This has been Jon's work for about a year! They completely knocked down the old cabin and rebuilt this (i think he said...) 2 million dollar cabin! The pictures don't show squat, there is SO much detail that went into it... and it's breathtakingly GORGEOUS!! Complete with air condition/heating, kitchen, laundry room, bathrooms, game room, and sweet built in bunk beds... this is one amazing cabin.
Kitchen: ( i forgot to get a picture of the ceiling... you can barley see it in this picture... wood ceiling. It was SO PRETTY!
Loft: These are built-in bunk beds... this side of he room had four beds...
and this side of the room also had four beds! Awesome huh?
Bar.
Pool table
Thanks for the tour Jonny and Great job!
Back at our little Cabin for the remainder of our 'stay-cation'... Will pretending he's a human tractor in a 'test spot' for what may become an outdoor working bathroom... hours of fun in the dirt for Will. At least it kept him away from the creek. :)
Pepper was in heaven the whole time... we kept her off leash and she did well staying close... and came when we called her. she was chasing grass hoppers in this picture :)
Beautiful and refreshing views
Justin gathering wood after using the chain saw on some dead trees...
Nice wood pile! 
Brinley enjoying tummy time... special thanks to Will for sharing his toys...
Caitlin is so silly! Will holding his lunch.
Mountain Man Justin...plays some tunes along with his number one fan, Caitles.
Caitlin and mommy watching for Humming birds... isn't she pretty?
While on our little 'stay-cation' I brought my sewing machine and made some curtains... they turned out pretty cute, i think!
