A person to admire

"Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one."

                            - Bruce Lee






I have admired Bruce Lee for years.  Most think of him as a great Gung Fu master.  To me he was man who had big ideas and was not afraid to act upon them. I admire the person who was a Philosopher, and loved to learn.  A voracious reader.

This is a subject I have been thinking about.  I do read all types of books, and always have.  Right now, in this moment, I want to improve myself and my peace with life in general.  I found a new used book store in town, and bought myself two books.  One is a volume I have always wanted to read, and feel that now is the time:  "The Tao Te Ching".  The other is "Aristotle Poetics."  I can't wait to get started.  Well, as soon as I finish my antique copy of "The Works of Edgar Allan Poe."  Just a little light reading!  He he.

More summer adventures (aka Fun with the Dixon Julins)

Paul loves antiques and specializes in militaria (mainly WW1, WW2).  To say that he likes to explore would be a terrible understatement.  We also love to find any kind of treasure, stay in the outdoors, or meet new people.  Here we go . . .

Hill Air Force Base

Camping behind Y mountain

Because of my work, we were able to attend the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival.  Great Fun!

We drove through Tintic mining district.  Along the way, we found rocks and gems, learned some history, and even met a guy who had restored a beautiful WW2 era Harley Davidson in honor of his son who was killed in Afghanistan.

Sometimes as a mom, you just feel you have done something right.  This was one of those moments for me. We had stopped to explore an old cemetery (which is one of my favorite things to do).  I noticed Carson, with his hat off, paying silent tribute to a WW1 veteran.  The photo says it all.

A bunch of our kids together at Burger King in Ogden.

We found a very old spooky cemetery called Mill Fork Cemetery and explored. 

 Driving home, this "gate rock" reminded me of going through the gates of  Tolkien's mythological "Gondor." 

My rainbow is here. Happy happy day!

On July 18, 2014, at the Mazer Memorial Chapel at Hill Air Force Base, Paul and I were married.  It was an intimate and beautiful ceremony, attended only by our children, Paul's mom, and our Stake president (who married us) and his wife.  Paul served in the military for 13 years and our Stake president is a Chaplin.  It all came together so lovely that we should be married in this place.

New daughters Jayne, Amy, and Brianna helped me get ready.  When I opened the door to step out, I saw my oldest son Dakota, sitting there in the foyer, waiting to walk me down the aisle.  My heart skipped a beat. It was his place to be by my side.  To escort me to this new stage in my life.  Tears began and I had to fix up again.  What a moment that I will never forget.

We were married!!  The sun was shining outside and the flowers were in bloom, and our children were very happy for this day.

Paul and Stacy always!

More courtship and then engagement

Paul has taken a place in my life in a way no words can explain.  I thought I knew what it was like to be in love, but I realize now that I probably did not.  Not like this.  Paul's presence has brought the colors back to my life, and his love and loyalty have renewed my faith in relationships.  Here is a photo recap of our camping trips (with the kids), drives, dates, etc.

In April Paul asked me to marry him.  We decided on July.  These are a couple of our engagement photos, which were taken on the Alpine Loop near Cascade Springs.  Dakota, Carson, and Micah were our photographers.