Part of Our Path . . .

Chris and I have been asked to speak at a support group for couples dealing with infertility and share our experience . . . this is something that I think most people know that we have had to deal with, although most do not know what it has entailed, but it is something that I can honestly and calmly talk about without wanting to breaking a window (it's tough . . .).
I would like to share a few things that have helped us in our experience, which I in turn hope will help educate friends and family members of those dealing with infertility and those who are accompanied by its trying presence on their path home . . .

Advice to Friends and Family:
- Be careful of the things that you say . . . you honestly have no idea what is going on with a couple no matter "how well you know and love them" or how well informed you have been.
- Chances are every drug and treatment has been suggested to them by someone else . . . they can talk to their Doctor about meds and treatments, diets, herbs, exercises etc . . .
- Don't be offended or judgmental if a couple does not take the expert advice that you gave them either . . . it is between them and they may not feel that what you suggested is best for them
- Half of your neighborhood may have taken chlomed and conceived but it doesn't mean it will work for everyone . . .
- Don't be offended if a couple see's you and runs . . . maybe they have had a little too much support from you and need a little space . . .
 - Don't assume that a couple is selfish if they don't have kids . . . and if they have decided to wait a bit then it is their business . . . don't stress it
- Don't be afraid to share your exciting events with them . . . yes I was thrilled for my sisters and friends when they were pregnant . . . even if I had to cry a bit . . . I still was stoked and never offended
- Pray for them, love them, and be a good support and soft place to land whenever they need you . . . know that they love you and they know that you love them . . .

Advice to Couples:
- Don't cowboy up over it . . . it will just build and can hurt you as a couple . . . get help . . . it is a heavy burden to bare and live with
- Rely on the Lord and your spouse for primary support . . . talk to each other about how you feel . . . even if it is 300 times (a day) . . . it hurts . . . help each other.
- 3 Years ago when I was about to burst at the seams about how bad I felt about everything including unloading my sorrows on my amazing husbands shoulders my Bishop told me to keep sharing with him and let him help me through my grief . . . and to help him as well and to never feel sorry about letting my spouse help and support my through my pain . . . We love that sweet Bishop!!!
- Respect the grief that your spouse is experiencing . . . you may handle it differently from your spouse . . . be a shoulder to cry on . . . each day
- Miscarriages are hard . . . no one else knows how hard it has been for you even if they have experienced them . . . they can also make pregnancy something that you fear . . . and create a whole new dynamic to cope with
- Get help . . . infertility can mean years of crying and depression, it can really mess you up as an individual and a couple . . . which the adversary is pushing for . . . don't let him ruin a happy marriage and eternal family
- Recognize the blessings that you have . . . or acknowledge them until you can gratefully recognize and appreciate them
- Let the suggestions and comments by those around you slide off your back rather than offend you . . . yes things were different 60 years ago when Sister Well-intended was having kids. . .
- You may feel that your spouse is not hurting as much as you or doesn't understand you the way that you want them to . . . the Lord understands you both . . . so rely on both and with your 3 heads and hearts in it you can keep a float and eventually rip through the current to solid ground.
- It was very comforting and healing to read the experiences of other couples who had been through similar trials to us . . . www.lds.org has amazing article and stories that helped me start to heal and continue to do so
- Do what is best for you as a couple! Do all that you can to enjoy the things that will bring you joy together . . . we focus on eternity and the blessings that will still be ours as an eternal family. . .
- For the time being be the best 2 person family in the world! . . . keep up the newly wed bliss . . . and let Heavenly Father take the wheel on the path that he designed for you because he knew that you could navigate the turns and twists of life.

We are so excited it hurts!!! . . .

Lets see if anyone reads our blog anymore . . . WE ARE ADOPTING!!!

Home . . .

"May your homes be filled with love and courtesy and with the Spirit of the Lord. Love your families. If there are disagreements or contentions among you, I urge you to settle them now." —Thomas S. Monson

So the big belated news for our fam is that we are now homeowners!!! Yes indeed we are two happy people! We have been pulling out bushes . . . trying to figure out paint colors and decor . . . looking at furniture etc . . . We love our ward and were just called as ward missionaries . . . it is crazy busy with investigators so we are stoked! Our ward has more baptisms each year than we did on our missions . . . !!! Also . . . if anyone would like to be the proud owners of a rockin' organ . . . it is free to the person who grabs it first . . . pass the word . . . you know you want to play the organ!

Blessings await . . .

"Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing [his or] her best to deal with the challenges which come [his or] her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out." —Thomas S. Monson

This is a little heads up that has been coming for many years now . . . Chris and I have gotten the ball rolling to add to our family . . . we will see how long it takes and in which form this great blessing comes . . . but we know that Heavenly Father is blessing us and supporting us as he has through these many years of trials. We feel good about the path that we are on and even though many people who love us may not understand why we have chosen this path please know that we know that it is right for us and that we know the Lord is looking out for us.

"How do you remain 'steadfast and immovable' during a trial of faith? You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith: you exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others." —Neil L. Andersen

I'm only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. -- Edward Everett Hale

Closure . . .

Today I headed back to the court room to end an unexpected journey that has left me a much more appriciative and grateful U.S. Citizen. A little over a month ago I was called to Jury Duty in a case involving child abuse homicide. I was incredibly surprised to be picked as a jury member and had no idea what awaited me in the following week . . . . and month to come. . . It was surreal sitting in a courtroom each day with 7 other people whom I had never met before in my life and listen to testimony regarding the death of a 15 month old boy in preparation of deliberating over the punishment that we as a jury felt was just. It was an incredibly emotional and draining experience. Every day at lunch I sat in my car and cried over what we heard and saw. I was so grateful to have a supportive husband to hold me each night and not question my tears but support me in my role. I also grew 10 times in appreciation of judges, attorneys, and law enforcement officers who daily deal with the problems and conflicts of society. What a difference the bailiffs make to the jury! They were incredibly professional, respectful and protective of the jury members and there support was greatly appreciated. Also the judge kept things "level" in the court room. It was a very serious case and he kept the jury from feeling overwhelemed and like we were drowning by the way that he maintained and monitered the court room. I cannot begin to expound upon the gravity of emotions that a jury carries with it throughout the entire process but it was something else, and rightly so. It was amazing how serious and respectful everyone one was about the position that they were called upon to take and I was to say the least very proud of my fellow jury members. I thought about my brother so much druing the trial as a half dozen police officers were called to testify and bare witness to the events that took Caydens life. I was so grateful to know that he served honorably and I hoped that each officer knew how much they are appreciated. I will never forget what it was like to be sent into the jury room to deliberate the punishment of the man involved. I thought I would be home in an hour or two . . . but quickly learned how mistaken I was. We deliberated for hours . . . going over videos, confessions, reports, testimonies, eveidence etc. We argued with one another, walked the room to calm our nerves, debated, tempers flared, we cried and relayed life experiences just to cope with what lay before us and in the end we reached verdict. I have never felt so weak in the knees as I did walking back into that courtroom, feeling the eyes of a mournful mother and father upon me and hearing the hush that awaited in the courtroom in anticipation of what was to come. I thought that the pain and weight from the trial would drop away when I left the courtroom that night . . . but it held on . . . for weeks now I have thought of what went on in that jury room and gone over everything again and again in my head. I have thought about Cayden and how I felt his spirit during the trial and looked for his face in the crowd. He was there, and his sweet spirit brought foregiveness to my heart and comfort to all of us as we made our decision. It was almost too much to feel so close to him and know that he was okay and wanted us to be okay too. What an experience. Today I went to the sentencing of the man who took Cayden's life and watched his mother and father weep in the two rows in front of me. His grandmother and grandfather spoke, each remembering what a sweet little boy he was and expressed gratitude for having him in there lives, and expressed anger as well as forgiveness. I watched a judge that I have known since I was a little girl as he heard there pleas and held my breath and prayed that he would be able to dispense justice and know that he did what was right. Before this experience I felt like I respected and appreciated the judicial system . . . but came to realize that my appreciation was completely void of true appreciation and understanding regarding the people and processes involved in trying a case and seeing justice enforced. I finally feel like the experience has come full circle since the man who took a sweet little boys life was sentenced to jail today. I think that if every American had the opportunity and willingness to fairly serve on a jury that the world we live in would be a bit better and that we would all be mor appreciative of our justice system . . . as I know I am now.

Rinse away the Snow . . .

We went to the temple and did sealings the other night with some amazing friends. It was made an especially awesome experience because the sealer who married us was their! I have to share this little story . . . while we were waiting in the hallway my friend and I started talking to one of the workers their . . . a darling lady who had raised her family in Florida and California before settling in St. George . . . anyways she told us that it took a little getting used to . . . that is comimg from very warm climates to Utah. She said the first winter that they moved to St. George she looked out the window and their was snow . . . so she went and got her garden house and "rinsed the snow off of her sidewalk and driveway!" Her northern Utah native neighbors came out to see what she was doing and she told them . . "rinsing away the snow!" They got a good laugh . . . especially at her self made ice rink in the front yard!
To follow up our great experience we went to the Honolulu grill . . which apparently everyone else doing temple work that night thought of doing too . . . yeah I never think of going their although it is one of Toph's favorites . . . next time anyone wants to make a temple trip let us know . . . they were all out of their amazing cakes . . . so we have another reason to hit it again.

25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes!

This is brilliant!!! I LOVE scarves!

The Zombie Song -- Stephanie Mabey

The Annual Liechty Halloween Party

The annual Liechty Halloween Party was a success once again! We had a few friends come over to munch on some grindage and play games and show of their mad costumes!!! Everyone looked very festive! I came downstairs and had no idea who Alycia was for a minute . . . and of course no one recognized the southside rapper "Chrissss" . . . too bad you can't see his tats . . . I was so afraid that they wouldn't come off and that he would roll his sleeves up the next day at church and show his forearms . . . but they came off! This Hippie and rapper boy had a kickin' time with the crew! Happy Halloween all!!! Until next time!

Brilliant clip from Studio 5. . .

Thanks Jenn for the heads up! You are an amazing friend lady!!!

A visit from the Knapp's!!!

My last mission companion came to visit with her husband Samuel last week and we had a blast!!! We wanted to go to the temple but it was closed to be cleaned . . . it was blindingly white! We went to the Brigham Young home and Snow Canyon and hung out and had a movie night and relaxed and caught up and in general had an amazing time!!! I could not believe how many details Elisa remembered from our time together! She was a wonderful comp and we had great success together (and good times!)It turned out to be an unbelievably hot day! As in melt your tennies hot!!! So naturally we went hiking in Snow Canyon . . .We went to Jenny's slot canyon after hiking a bit . . . it had to be at least 25 degrees cooler their . . . so nice!
The Knapp's enjoyed the photo ops . . .
The kinda creepy walls . . . reminds me of an alien movie . . .
Blondie and I had fun entertaining them while Toph was at work . . . it was fun!!!
Danke fuer euer besuch Elisa und Sameul! Ihr seid IMMER herzlich wilkommen bei uns!!!

Two Swiss Misses' . . .

So Saturday I was busy at work and two ladies walked in from Switzerland who were traveling across the U.S. and were essentially stranded in our fair city for a few days . . . they wanted to see the national parks and planned on transportation being easily accessible to travel around the parks . . . well unfortunately since they were only 20 they couldn't rent a car and being the busy summer season arranging alternative transportation was almost impossible (and very expensive) so I thought "why not . . .?" So Toph and I became travel guides for a few days with the generous hospitality of my parents and little sister! Laurence and Andrea thank you for being such delightful company and for making us appreciate trailor parks, walmart, wendy's and swiss chocolate! You, your family and friends are welcome back anytime!!! We hope you enjoy your trip!!!

More Neighborly love . . . you wish you were our neighbors!

So . . . we didn't want our other amazing neighbors to not feel a little Liechty love upon their return from Kentucky . . . nothing says welcome home like a poster promoting pork!!! Shout out to another good sported pair!

Neighborly Love . . .

We have incredible neighbors! We have so much fun when we get together for dinner and/or have game night or just do whatever . . . so we decided to leave a little gift for one lovely couple who was out of town on their door to greet them when they got home . . . with unibrow . . .without unibrow . . . they were also kindly shared with their neighbors as well . . .

My fingers are fire proof . . .

It is official . . . my fingers are so used to coming into contact with my glue gun that it just doesn't phase them anymore . . . but they have suffered for many a good cause . . . namely the past week or two have produced MANY flower pins . . . I actually had 28 more . . . very different pins, barrettes, headbands, flower belts etc. but I invited my sisters to take their pick and shared many with friends . . . so here are some new ones that I made this week (recognize some of the material Jules?)The ones below are free for the taking . . . so if you have an out fit that needs a little dazzle stop by ladies!!!um by the way . . . they are IMMENSELY cuter in real life!!!

Sewing my heart out!

Since I got a sewing machine for my birthday I have been pretty stoked to do a little sewing!!! My mom put me right to work over spring break and we "whipped" out this quilt . . . I sewed and sewed, she pressed and sewed and finished it off for me!!! I love how "pioneerish" it looks! I also "whipped" out a flower pillow for our living room . . . although it may be a little too fru fru for our motif . . . (yes mom it is a coppery gold) I thought that it turned out pretty good!

Craftin' again . . .

We have been doing a bit more crafting at our house . . . last night for young women's we made more hair bows . . . I wish that I had taken pictures of the girls creations!!! They were mega cute!!! Another fun project I found was a burlap sign that you can print out on your computer!!! It totally worked . . . I have tons of freezer paper if anyone needs some . . . it is a bit pricey to buy for one project so come and take some off my hands and save a little $ . . . check out the Sign Instructions, and the Savior Subway Art Layout.
I also made a valentines heart to add a little festivity to our house . . . I have gotten lazy about decorating for the holidays the past year . . . so this is it for now . . .
I made a few more flowers and headbands . . . they are just hanging out if anyone wants to snoop through my stash . . . you are welcome to them . . .
I also had to share the BIGGEST flower bow that I have made to date . . . large and in charge kids!