Washington DC

Last weekend Ian and I took a weekend trip to Washington DC to visit with his mom while she was there for a work trip.   We left Friday morning and decided to stop in Baltimore Maryland to visit the home of Edgar Allan Poe.  Anyone who knows me well will smile because there is NO WAY I was going to pass that up.  After our fun side trip we started to head for Virginia. Ian's friend Matthew lives there with his family and they were kind enough to let us stay with them for one night.  They were about 20 minutes from Washington DC, it was perfect!  I was really excited because I had never been to Virginia, it's beautiful!  We had a great time catching up with Matthew and getting to know his family.  Matthews father is retired from the Air Force so we had a lot to talk about!


The next day we picked up Mom from her hotel and we had an awesome breakfast at "Lincolns Waffle Shop" which is across the street from Ford's Theatre (where President Lincoln was assassinated) and a few doors down from the house he died in.  Very cool to see! 


We spent the rest of the day touring some sights in Washington DC including Arlington National Cemetery, The Library of Congress and Mt. Vernon.  Ian and I are already planing a second trip because there are too many things to see!  I could spend an entire day in the Library of Congress, let alone all of the museums and monuments!  


It was a great trip and it was good to see Mom!  We are missing all of our family in Utah and we're looking forward to the next time we can visit with everyone!

The home of Edgar Allan Poe in Baltimore Maryland.

The man himself.

Me standing by the front door.

The house was SO tiny!  Only one person at a time on the stairs, I almost fell off!

Us in front of the grave of Edgar Allan Poe.

He is buried with his wife and mother in law, who are also his cousin and aunt.  Didn't know that did ya?

 Original death mask.

Alrington National Cemetery.  I got emotional before we even saw the graves.  Such an incredible experience.  We were also able to watch the changing of the guard.  It's something everyone should see!

Me :)

Ian's two favorite women!

Us in front of the Capital Building

Lunch in China Town

The Library of Congress, the most beautiful building in Washington DC!

Aren't we going to have good lookin' kids? ;)  In front of the Library of Congress.

Air and Space Museum

George Washington is the man!

Mt. Vernon

That's all for now folks!

Our Happy 1st Year Anniversary!

We can't believe it's been one year already! 

We took a few days off and headed down to southern New Jersey.  We stayed in the Wildwoods which is about 15 min away from Cape May.  Our resort was right on the beach with the boardwalk and 3 pier's not too far away.  What a blast!  Here are some fun photos :)

View from our hotel room balcony!

It was still too cold for me, but Ian tried!

Much better!  Sunny 80 degrees!

Me standing by the Wildwoods famous sign and beach balls.

Us on the boardwalk!

Taking a break during our 45 min bike ride up and down the boardwalk :)

They will deep fry ANYTHING!

Deep fried Oreo's.  Our lives were changed for the better, but we won't be eating those ever again.  Risk of heart attack!

Getting ready to go on some rides at the pier!

Ferris-wheel love.

Fresh squeezed "orangeade."  Very yummy!

We found a 1950's themed diner for lunch :)  

Shark bites!  So delicious.

Dinner at the Pilot House restaurant in Cape May.

Getting ready for our trolley tour through the paranormal sights in Cape May.

It was actually kinda spooky!  

D&C 75:27

D&C 75:27

"Let them ask and they shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto them, and be made known from on high, even by the Comforter, wither they should go."

It has been a rough week.  Nothing crazy or really awful happened, just too many little things that seemed to get under my skin.  Whether it was the stormy weather, Ian and I pushing each others buttons, the long hours at work or the million other things I could list I just didn't know what was going on.  

At work on Tuesday I was having a particularly hard day and wasn't taking it well.  One of those days where you want to either punch someone or crawl back into bed. Maybe both. By mid afternoon I was getting frustrated with patients, already thinking about all the things I had to do when I got home late that night...etc etc.  I began to get discouraged and started to wonder if I was doing anything right.  It sure didn't feel like it.

Then,  I stopped thinking about my pity story and asked my self "What? What is SO bad?"  Immediately I had overwhelming thoughts of  all the blessings I have in my life.  I have a handsome supportive husband who loves me deeply and is working on taking me to the temple with him. Ian and I are active in the gospel and have never been happier. I have the most incredible family I could ever ask for.  Our Temple prep. class has been an incredible experience.  I have lost 19 lbs. (and counting!) Ian is greatly succeeding in his training.  We are completely provided for.  I know that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me, and watches over me every minuscule second of my life.  I have a savior who died for me, who sacrificed everything so that I may return to live with him and my Father in Heaven again.  

And as I sat there in the middle of an optometrist's office staring out the window I felt the presence of someone who loves me very, very much.  My back got warm, and tingly.  The background noise disappeared. I felt as if someone was standing directly behind my chair in a protective sort of way. There was a moment of indescribable peace that seemed to say "I understand, and you are doing a good job."  

Then that feeling of indescribable peace was filled with indescribable joy.  

This morning I woke up with mixed feelings about going to church.  Ian is at work because of the Air Show, the roads are crazy with traffic, most of the ward was going to be gone because of the Air Show, why go?  I have learned that when I start to feel this way it's because there is something I need to do, hear, or say that day in church.  

Low and behold, both of the lessons in Temple Prep. and in Relief Society were on the blessings of going to the Temple!  It put my mind right back where it needed to be, and I realized once again the importance of promptings from the Holy Ghost.  I sat through church with a small grin on my face and thought "Yeah, Shayna, you listened and you did the right thing.  You needed to be here, and you feel so much better."

Anyway I had a prompting to share my little story this week, I felt that it may help someone in the days or weeks to come :)

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful women out there!

I love to see the temple-Update and news!

Just a quick update on your favorite Lefler family in New Jersey!

Ian and I are most definitely getting sealed in the temple soon.  However, the date HAS NOT been set yet.  Don't worry we will let everyone know the date as soon as we can so plans can be made.

 In other news, Ian is still kicking booty at work and doing very well with his training.  I'm so proud of him!  His hard work is always paying off.  I think he very much fits in with the military way of life, and am grateful he is so willing to serve our country and provide for me and our future.  I am loving the optometrist office I am currently working at and actually look forward to going in!  The hours are perfect for me and I have made a lot of good friends already.  I have worked in the industry for over four years and it's nice to be appreciated. 

Ian helped me plant a garden last weekend!  Apparently the soil in New Jersey is "like magic" and will make anything you grow taste better than anything grown elsewhere.  We decided to give it a shot.   We planted roma tomatoes, jalapenos, red and green peppers, romaine, spinach, chilies, cucumber, red onions and raspberries.  Yeah, we're farmers.  We figure if we can grow veggies we could probably raise children.  If we get excited over a yellow flower on a tomato plant I can't even imagine my kid getting their first tooth!  (No, I am not pregnant, and I won't be for a while longer. Sorry!)

We recently bought the XBOX game ROCKBAND from a very nice woman on craigslist.  We drove about 20 min to meet her and she was driving a school bus.  It was an odd night.  But we are having so much fun rocking out together.  Ian is nice and let's me play the guitar because the drums are harder.  Such a good husband ;)

I received a calling in our ward.  I am now the Visiting Teaching/Compassionate Service Coordinator!  I get to make all the routes, make all the phone calls, and arrange all the service activities  for every sister in the ward. It sounds like a lot but I am very much looking forward to the challenge.  I couldn't ask for sweeter women to work with.  Plus it will put me WAY out of my comfort zone, which I need occasionally.   

My health plan is going great!  I have lost a total of 12.5 lbs in 4 weeks and I get to weigh again in the morning.  My energy level has completely changed and I no longer have any cravings of any kind.  It feels a little like black magic but it's for real!  I really owe it all to Ian and to my best friend Jamie.  Without so much support I'm not sure I could do it alone!  

As always Ian and I both feel extremely blessed and know we are in the right place.  Lucky Lefler's are lovin' life!  Please feel free to browse the cute photos below, you know you want to.

Central Park on my birthday.

Geocaching in NYC

Waiting to see "The Blue Man Group" for my birthday.

This is what happens when Ian goes to craft stores with me.  I love this man.

Our ward missionaries Sister Wright and Sister Dicou.  

 ROCKBAND!

 Planting the garden

 All done!

 More Geocaching