It's been a while since I have written. I gave warning that I wasn't going to be good at this.


The last month has been interesting. Rhett was in Yuma, AZ doing training from April 15-May 17. As if living in the desert wasn't bad enough, the second to last day in Arizona he completed a 25 mile hike, with about 40+ Pounds of gear. He is a machine.
As for me and Gavin, We surprised my parents and showed up on their doorstep. We spent time with family and friends. It helps time go by having a good support system. It's strange how time works... When we are apart it feels as if time slows, almost to a stop, and then we are back together and it feels as if we were never apart.
When Rhett got back, he was told that there is a unit that is over in Afghanistan that needs combat replacements. This unit has only been in country since April.... Rhett's name was on the list to be a combat replacement since he really had no commitment to his current unit. This would have meant that he would have left for Afghanistan as early as two weeks, or up to 2 months from now. Being a Marine wife for two and a half years, if I have learned anything, it is don't get stressed out about anything, until official changes are made and papers are signed.  Another thing is always find the positive. It's too easy to get overwhelmed and lose yourself in negativity. I was nervous about the news that he may be going, all of the "what if's" start going through my head. Then I stopped and thought about the men Rhett would be "replacing." I started to think about their wives, their mothers.... My sincere prayers go out to those families that are hurting, struggling, or are angered. Rhett, fortunately,  does not have to go, but would have gone faithfully to fulfill his duty. I'm grateful to the men and women that have sacrificed so much for my freedom. I'm proud to be married to a man willing to fight for what he knows is right. I'm grateful to God for giving me strength to be a military wife. I didn't think, in a million years, I would be able to endure the struggles of being a military wife. People always tell me that they couldn't handle being away from their significant other for 7 months. Some days I don't know how I do it. I'm truly blessed.
I love my family. I am so grateful for my parents who are so willing to help me, Take me in when I need it, and give me the comfort I need .I'm grateful for my friends who will call, or even send a simple text asking how I am. It's these little blessings that keep me going. My life isn't all that hard. I have a roof over my head, food in my fridge, a loving husband, a healthy, smart, adorable 2 year old son! Life is great. For now, it's the wait and see game. Rhett is going to see if he can extend to go on the deployment that his current unit is going on in Feb. 2011. There is a possibility that his extension could be denied, but it's unlikely that it will. Like I said, wait and see. I think that is about it for now... I'll work on updating more frequently. 

It had been a pretty bust week, and it's only Tuesday! 

Our schedule this week looks something like this:

Tues. Relief Society (Heather) 

Wed. Bishop meeting in our home (Family)

Thurs. Priesthood Meeting (Rhett) 

Fri. Missionaries (Family) 

Sat. Ward Activity (Family) 

When we go back to church we make it last all week! :) We have had the missionaries over twice now. They are a little low on people to teach, so to practice they come give us the discussions. It is  a very wonderful opportunity. I have heard the discussions, but Rhett never really has. It's a good refresher. It's amazing to see these young men, sacrificing two years of their time for the lord. We enjoy having them, and the spirit they bring to our home is priceless. 

We had the opportunity to go to the San Diego temple this last Saturday. It was unbelievable. It was the first time Rhett and I have ever been to the temple together, and the first time, in a long time, for both of us. We feel so privileged to have the opportunity to do the Lord's work, in his holy house. We can't wait to be able to go again, and even more excited to get to get sealed as a family. 

We are all doing well. I have been disciplining myself to work on my class. I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be really happy. I remember thinking when I was a little bigger from having Gavin, that when I lost the weight I would be happy with myself. I was very wrong. I had lost the weight, but I just found new things to complain about, new flaws, flabby skin, stretch marks... Etc. Just recently, I realized that I knew Satan was tempting me to be so negative about myself. I think it's a commonly overlooked temptation, and even sin, in some cases. I was thinking about how we are God's creations and when we are negative about ourselves, it's insulting God.  I'm not saying I'm perfect now and love everything about myself, but I have learned to focus on the positive things about me.  I read that when we were in the spirit world, we had fully developed personalities and talents. It made me think about what talents I still need to work on developing.  

I've kind of rambled a bit, but I just wanted to let you know what I have been thinking about lately. 

Remember, Remember, that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of man. 
                                   D&C 3:3 


As I was doing my daily scripture study, I came across this scripture. it has helped me through this last week. I have had a goal of being more patient and not getting frustrated at the small things. It's amazing how god know's us so well that he sends us what we need, when we need it. I have noticed that when I stay patient I am able to accomplish a lot more. Sometimes, as a stay at home mom, I feel guilty that I get to stay home, while Rhett has to get up so early to go to work. Recently I think my perspective has changed a little. I realized I need to give myself more credit. It takes a lot of hard work to keep a house in order, and I feel blessed, that at this time in my life, I do have to opportunity to be  a stay at home mom. I like to keep myself busy with little projects.  When I get them done I feel like I have accomplished something.  


We got some good news on Sunday. As I handed our tithing slip to the bishop, he asked us if we would be interested in going to do baptisms this Saturday at the San Diego temple. Rhett and I got these huge, child-like grins and the bishop said he takes that as a yes. We are so excited!! We were also surprised, because we weren't expecting to be able to go till June. We felt as if our prayer and fasting  have paid off. We attended our temple prep class, which is a great class, we look forward to it every week. 


We spent our weekend at home, mostly. We stayed in Friday night and watched Julie and Julia. After watching it Rhett and I decided we wanted to become better cooks together. I don't think we will blog about it and get it published and make a movie, but you never know. :) On Saturday we went out to dinner with some friends to have a big meal to start our fast. We don't mind our quiet weekends together. 

Gavin keeps on getting bigger, whether we like it or not. He talks a lot now, it's not always coherent, but it's something! We've had a few people ask us when we are having another, but we really don't know right now. Rhett doesn't want to miss anything, so we will probably wait until he is no longer deploying to start thinking about that. We want to be a little more financially ready for another baby. We also kind of think, when we are supposed to have another, it will happen, ready or not! 

Well, here is a quick update on how we are doing out here in sunny California. 

Sunday is always a good day. We have church at 9:30 which actually works perfect for us. We have been really good about going to church every week. But even better, we have had a really good attitude about going to church. It makes it a lot more enjoyable and gives us a good spirit in our home. We started our Temple Prep class today. It is taught by this cute, older couple and it was great.  We can't wait to go back next week. 

We are enjoying our time together. Rhett is starting to get a little busier at work, which isn't a bad thing. We take comfort in the fact that we only have one more deployment then we can move back to Utah and be near friends and family again. As of right now Rhett is scheduled to be going on another MEU in January 2011. It will be hard to be apart, but hopefully it will be the last time. 

I'm continuing to work on my Medical transcription class, which is a little more difficult than I thought it would be. It's hard to discipline myself to actually sit down for a couple hours a day and just work. I seem to get distracted by the smallest thing. I'm going to work on that this week! 

Gavin is growing up so fast! He is learning all the time. I can't believe he will be two in April. It's amazing how fast time seems to slip by. Today was the first day he was actually good in nursery. We had to get him used to it by slowly sneaking away. Today he did really well, we were told. 

Well, this wasn't too exciting, but it's what is going on with us. 

Welcoming the New Year.

Well here it is! The much anticipated Christensen blog.

You'll have to go easy on me, I'm new to this and just am getting the hang of it. Suggestions, constructive criticism, and encouragement is much appreciated.

To start off the New Year there is always the "Resolutions." I have never been much of a resolution maker, and even less of a resolution follow through-er. But this year Rhett and I as a couple have resolved to get in shape. But not in the typical, eat better, exercise more kind of way. This getting in shape is much deeper. We are getting in shape spiritually. We are going to get to the temple by the end of the year.

We had stake conference last weekend and our Stake President, in the Saturday night Adult session, gave a talk on "The Rescue." He said we should have a goal to rescue one soul this year. We resolved to save ourselves. As we watched the broadcast Sunday morning Brother Jeffery R. Holland gave a talk on "Resolve to Resolve." He was telling us to resolve past sins, give forgiveness where necessary, by doing this we can grow spiritually. He mentioned that we must forgive ourselves, which may be an overlooked step in the process of repentance. "As god forgives and forgets, so must we of ourselves." This sometimes is no small task. But one that will bring us much joy.

These issues hit home for me and Rhett. We knew that we needed to be rescued and to resolve to resolve. We met with our new bishop in the Vista 3rd ward. We are on our way. We know obstacles will come and we will be tempted to fall into old habits, but with the lords help and guidance we can do anything! We would like to believe the hardest parts are over and now we are on the steady incline.

Again, this is new to me. I could you some help from seasoned bloggers. I guess it will come with practice.