Overheard at the Moons': Benson

Benson at our wedding

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Benson is the cutest member of our family. Hands down. We got to spend some time with the extended Moon family this weekend, and our 3-year-old nephew kept us in stitches. Here are some of the things he did to make us laugh. 


We were up in the mountains visiting a ranch, and the kiddos had fun riding horses. Poor Benson fell off and got a boo boo on his head. We asked him about it later on.
Me: "Did you get a boo boo?"
Benson: "Yeah...I got it..."
Brandon: "On the horse?"
Benson: "No, [points a finger in the air] on the ground!"


Being an introvert, Benson often gets overwhelmed by all the people at family gatherings. He finds solace in playing games on his dad's smartphone. But when the phone died, he got a little bit frustrated. 
Benson: "I want to go back!"
Me: "Oh no, the phone is dead."
Benson: "No, it's not."
Me: "Yeah, it ran out of battery juice. We need to charge it."
Benson: [laughing] "It's not juice!"


But the best part was when Benson's dad was trying to get him to pee on a tree. He was not easily convinced, but when Brandon agreed to go with him, Benson finally decided it was a good idea. But poor Benson didn't have any of his own juice, and burst into tears when he realized that his manly tree-peeing dreams were not going to come true that day. 


Sorry buddy. Better luck next time. 

"The influence of art is so powerful in shaping our lives for a higher appreciation of the creations of our God. We should be as eager for its companionship as we are for food to sustain our lives, for it has as important a mission in shaping our character and in conducting to our happiness as anything we term necessities. Life is incomplete without it." 

-John Hafen

(Thanks Ee Chien for this quote!)

State Mottos

I just discovered the State Mottos Project, which commissioned an artist from each state to illustrate their state's motto. The artwork is amazing, but the state mottos are so beautiful and uplifting themselves. I wish we all knew them and tried harder to live by them. 


Here are my three favorite. Enjoy, and happy Independence Day!

Connecticut, by Meg Hunt

Rhode Island, by the MVA

Hawaii, by Berton Hasbe

More than Conquerors.

Carl Bloch, Christ in Gethsemane, 1805, found here

I've recently fallen in love with this painting. When I'm down, I find so much comfort in the fact that Christ has experienced all of the sufferings and pains that I have, and that He conquered them all. I love that in His darkest hour, He had angels to come and lift Him up; surely in my time of need, He will send some to lift me up as well. 

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
-Romans 8:16-18, 35-37

First conversation of the day

(7:15 AM)

Me: "Last night I dreamed that we went to a restaurant and you wouldn't let me order any food, so I got really mad at you."

Brandon: (with a funny little smile) "Are you ready to hear my dream?"

Me: "Yeah..."

Brandon: "I dreamed that I found an old VHS tape titled 'Rebecca Black: Prophets Tell of Future Media.'"

Me: "What prophet was it?"

Brandon: "Joseph Smith."

Why didn't he warn us if he knew?!

found here. 

When I'm home sick on a Sunday...

...I watch Mormon Messages.

Today, I'm watching the interviews with our church members. They're all AWESOME! I'm loving this two especially:








Beautiful.


Have a happy Sunday!

Kid History

Last night, we went to the special premiere of Kid History episode 5. If you haven't seen episode 1, start here. It's FLIPPIN' AWESOME.

Us with our tickets!

It was weird to hear the guys talk with their adult voices, but they were so cool. They were really nice and stayed to meet all of us. It was sooooo awesome.

Brandon's just a little too tall. haha

Plus, I think episode 5 might be the best one yet. "No, you're not yistening! Watch my bum!"

And they a crowd shot of us at the end. We're in the back left corner. Look for us!

Ninja Vanish!

Today, I am grateful.

I've been sick and grumpy for the past few days, wallowing in my hardships and making myself miserable. I'm tired of feeling that way. Today, I want to be more happy and grateful.

I'm grateful that I get to spend my summer on BYU's beautiful campus, learning new things and relaxing under shady trees.

I'm grateful for my sewing  class that has inspired me and brought me new friends.

I'm grateful for my job and the fun I have with my beautiful, cheerful co-workers. They are truly angels. (EFY kids, treat them well.)

I'm grateful for my wonderful group of family and friends who love me no matter what.

I'm grateful for my sweet husband, whose love I'll never deserve. He takes such good care of me and helps me to be my best self.

I'm grateful for my temple covenants and the chance I have to renew them often. The temple is the best place on earth.

I'm grateful for my opportunities to know my Savior better. His grace continually astounds me.

I'm grateful for gratitude. I feel so much calmer, happier, and more peaceful after writing that. We are all so very, very blessed.

One Year Ago Today...

I know he isn't in this picture, but he took it, and that's the best that I've got.

...I met my sweetie pie. 

A bunch of us went on a hike for FHE. Somehow we ended up kickin' in the backseat together, and as everyone else in the car was being loud and rowdy, I caught some of the funny little comments he made under his breath. "Hey," I thought to myself, "this guy may be quiet, but he's hilarious!" 

Ahh, my sweet little introverted husband. 

On that drive, I had no idea that that cute, quiet guy with the squinty eyes was my perfect match, my best-friend-to-be, my eternal companion. I'm so glad that God led us to each other. 

Thanks for improving my life the minute you walked into it, Brandon! I love you so dearly.

Ex Voto

The image I inspired, painted by Cassandra Barney

Do you remember how I submitted a writing sample to the "What Saved Me" project by Cassandra Barney? I didn't expect her to pick my piece for one of her paintings, but she did. 


She said it was one of her favorites; It's one of mine too. Every time I look at it, I get teary-eyed thinking about my wonderful husband who raises me up. 


PS- If you want to see it on display, visit Salt Lake's Kayo Gallery from June 17th to July 13th.