The last few weeks

A lot of things have been going on in the Perkes' household over the last few weeks.

Scott's 24th Birthday was on January 31st.  Sadly, he had to work that day until 8:30.  (Being grown-ups isn't much fun :/)  I got off work at 5 and went home to make him the yummy dinner of his choice--cashew chicken salad.  YUMMY!  I made him that and then started on some cupcakes!  I got this really yummy recipe for chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting from this website.  When he got home I was almost done making everything.  We had a yummy dinner and then a night for him to do whatever he wanted!  :)

Scott got a Ruger .22 rifle from his dad and Andrea for Christmas/his birthday.  So for his birthday present from me he bought a few things to add onto his gun.  (a scope, a 30 round clip, and a few other things I don't know)  I also got him some ammo for us to use for next time we went shooting.  It was a good (yet short) birthday for Scott.

A couple weekends ago we headed up Logan to visit family, visit the dentist, and check out future possibilities for Scott's schooling.  We got up there on Friday and went to our meeting with Mountain Ridge Helicopters at the Logan airport.  Scott has been thinking for a long time about being a helicopter pilot and this sounds like a great opportunity for him.  The school has everything that we would want and more.  We were pretty excited after our meeting.  There are a few small details that we are still working out so we aren't for sure yet if helicopter school is in the cards for us, but it is definitely in the running.  We will keep you posted :)

Saturday morning we went to the dentist and Scott was cavity free!  (YAY!)  Unfortunately, I had 2!!!  What the?!  I NEVER have cavities!  EVER!  I was rather sad...but what do ya do..?

Anyways, later that day we were able to go shooting with family.  We went out to Newton and had a great time!  It was so muddy (which we weren't really expecting) but so SO fun!  My mom, dad, and brother Cody came with us as well as Scott's dad and Andrea.  We had quite the assortment of guns, it was a blast.  We took a bunch of stuff to target shoot, then spent the last little while with the shot guns and clay pigeons.  And I must say, the girls  did quite well :)

Scott's new gun!

My bro Cody

My Dad

Neil and Andrea

We went out to dinner that night for our birthday celebrations!  We went to Angies and had a great time together!  After dinner we spent some time with Cody and Chel and then headed to see our friend Jamie's new apartment!

Sunday Morning we spent with Scott's mom, Dallin, Kendall, and Bethany!  We ate a whole bunch of yummy Superbowl food (haha before the super bowl started...) Jana had also bought the yummiest cheesecake ever to celebrate birthdays!  We ate red-velvet cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.  It was so great!  We then spent time with my family and ended the trip to Logan watching the Superbowl with Scott's dad and Andrea!  My mom came and joined us for the end also.  We had a lot of fun!  Logan trips are always much needed and always too short.

Since we've been busy with school and work.  It seems nonstop.  Whenever I have days off--Scott works and visa versa.  It's kind of a bummer but we make it work :)  On February 12th we had a little stay-in celebration for our engagement anniversary.  February 12, 2011 was the day Scott purposed to me here in SLC.  I'm so glad he chose me and I have had the best, happiest life ever since!

Oh Valentines day, we decided to have a pretty chill night and stay inside.  We are saving some money for a few things for the future so we wanted to have a relaxed night.  I worked until 5 and luckily, Scott had the day off.  I came home to some gorgeous roses on the table, along with mint-chocolate cake bites and two scrumptious cupcakes.  I gave him my little gifts which were a bag of Reeces and a love coupon book, and we started making dinner!  We made chicken cordon blues, twice-baked potatoes, and some jello salad.  After eating dinner, we just watched a movie and spent some great, quality time together.  Valentine's was great this year, I couldn't have asked for any better.

I love him

 

Scott using our "mallet" --aka a hammer--to pound the chicken

Our yummy dinner!

We have also recently been thinking and talking about a lot of upcoming plans and decisions for our future.  This weekend we were able to attend a session in the SLC temple.  It was much needed.  We were able to receive the peace that we were looking for.  We have made an exciting decision that I can't wait to show you guys!  We have a lot of decision making to do in the near future...so we will keep you posted :)

Words of wisdom

I got inspiration for this post from a friend's blog and I felt the need to share some thoughts.  Oftentimes, I get discouraged about who I am as a person. I feel that I am not good enough, or that I could be better. I know that feelings of inadequacy are normal and that everybody feels them at one point in their lives, but that doesn't help me feel any better. Usually there is not a day that goes by where I don't think to myself at least one of the following: "I wish I was a better wife," "I wish I was a better church member," "I wish I was better at my job," "I wish I was a better student," "I wish I was a better sister/daughter," or "I wish I was a better friend." I can think of others but I will keep them to myself and spare you all the craziness. 

I find a lot of comfort in President Uchtdorf's message. He shared this in October 2011 General Conference. The whole article is fantastic and I encourage you to read all of it, but I am only sharing the last part...

You Matter to Him

**My dear brothers and sisters, it may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him! If you ever doubt that, consider these four divine principles:

First, God loves the humble and meek, for they are “greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Second, the Lord entrusts “the fulness of [His] gospel [to] be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world.” He has chosen “the weak things of the world [to] come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones” and to put to shame “the things which are mighty.”

Third, no matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to you, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness. Together, they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith.

Fourth and finally, please understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him. Have hope and faith in that promise. Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed.

Be assured that if you but hold on, believe in Him, and remain faithful in keeping the commandments, one day you will experience for yourselves the promises revealed to the Apostle Paul: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Brothers and sisters, the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love.

God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him.

May we ever believe, trust, and align our lives so that we will understand our true eternal worth and potential. May we be worthy of the precious blessings our Heavenly Father has in store for us is my prayer in the name of His Son, even Jesus Christ, amen. **

This brilliant message gave me strength today.  I truly find so much comfort and strength in knowing that I am a chosen daughter of Heavenly Father.  And sometimes when I doubt myself, my talents, and my abilities to be a "good person,"  I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and he never doubts me or my abilities to be a great wife, church member, social worker, student, sister, daughter, or friend.  That's all for now.