A Day in the Life

FayETTE Designs - she's done it again!!!

2012-01-05T22:56:00.002-06:00

Well, I say this over and over again - but Fayette (of FayETTE Designs) has pulled it off once again. She's blown us all away with a new addition to her "Time 4" kits. This one is perect for the new year and is called "Time 4 Reflection". The elements are BEAUTIFUL for this kit and she has added these really awesome full page word files too - they are awesome! Check it out in her store at Pickleberry Pop.

Here are layouts from a couple of other kits too - "Time 4 Traditions" and "Christmas with Mr. Claus".

Now Booking: Nutcracker Ballet 2012 - get your tickets early to avoid a sold out show!!!

2011-12-03T23:25:00.002-06:00

Yes, you heard it correctly - the fabulous, talented and professional dance troupe from our ward Relief Society (a.k.a. Lail Covington, Lisa Morley, Allison Benefield, Tannie Smith and myself - Joanna Ellis) have just returned from our debut performance at our ward Christmas party. After hours of practicing, through injuries, butterflies and last-minute costume revisions we have conquered our first performance and have come home to rave reviews and gushing fans.

Because this performance has received such amazing reviews it has become necessary for our dance group to start discussing our preformance schedule for the 2012 ballet season. Work will be done to ensure that no one will miss these talented women's danc magic. I'm just warning you - when the tickets become available you will want to snatch them up, because as you can see - these ladies can DANCE, and you don't want to miss out!

(I also have a few pictures I'll post soon. Due to the overwhelming response though, we will not be sending out autographed copies...too many fans, not nearly enough time....)

Invictus

2011-11-27T21:31:00.000-06:00

You know the feeling when you see a movie that just clicks - it's just what you need to see, when you need to see it? A movie that inspires you and makes you want to be better all around? I've felt that way all 3 times I've watched the movie "Invictus". I highly reccommend it to anyone! Some of my favorite quotes are:

Nelson Mandela: How do you inspire your team to do their best?
Francois Pienaar: By example. I've always thought to lead by example, sir.
Nelson Mandela: Well, that is right. That is exactly right. But how do we get them to be better then they think they CAN be? That is very difficult, I find. Inspiration, perhaps. How do we inspire ourselves to greatness when nothing less will do? How do we inspire everyone around us? I sometimes think it is by using the work of others.

Nelson Mandela: Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.

Brenda Mazibuko: You're risking your political capital, you're risking your future as our leader.
Nelson Mandela: The day I am afraid to do that is the day I am no longer fit to lead.

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

I am the master of my fate

I am the captain of my soul.

(Nelson Mandela)

Gratitude - turns what we have into enough...

2011-11-20T15:41:00.003-06:00

A few months ago we had a small, tender mercy that I have thought about over and over again. As I sat in Sacrament Meeting today and listened to a friend's sweet talk on gratitude I remembered my little experience and wanted to document it and share it with people I love.

We were driving down the road one morning. I think we were headed to church....normally this involves me frantically putting my makeup on in the car, the kids fighting about whether or not we had brought crayons to draw with at church, and general feelings of mayhem. But in the midst of that it was quiet and calm for a moment and Gabe said, "Mom, Dad? I just wanted to say thanks for taking us to a movie this weekend."

That was it - he just wanted to say THANKS.

He didn't want to express gratitude in hopes for something more. He wasn't saying thanks so that I'd remember how fun it was and take him to another movie right away - he simply wanted to express gratitude - nothing more. It made my heart fill with love for my children. I'm sure it wasn't something he remembers doing and my husband says he doesn't remember it even happening, but it was a big moment for me. My child was recognizing the value of expressing thanks for something. It made me want to express gratitude more, and it made his simple expression of gratitude mean even more to me.

It made me think of my own expression of gratitude to my Heavenly Father. How often do I pause to just say thank you? How often do I not think about other things I could ask for, but simply tell Him I'm grateful for all He has richly blessed me with? My prayers do involve gratitude - but all together too often that expression of gratitude is then followed with a list of things I also "need" or "want". Most of the time I'm asking for good things, and frequently I'm even asking for things for other people - but inevitably my prayers are asking for things.

It made me think about how my Heavenly Father would feel if my prayers occasionally were only prayers of gratitude? It made me want to spend more time in communication with my Heavenly Father and telling Him thank-you for the people He's placed in my life, the work we've had, the callings He has blessed me with, the physical blessings I've been given. It made me want to acknowledge His hand in every aspect of my life.

So I encourage you to go and read this talk on gratitude by my sweet friend. During this spirit of Thanksgiving please have an "attitude of gratitude" and let the peace that can come from expressing that gratitude fill your lives, your homes and your heart. I know I am so richly blessed and I hope I can adequately express my appreciation for that to my Heavenly Father.

Beautiful Quote...

2011-11-16T00:45:00.000-06:00

I came across this quote tonight in some reading I was doing. My heart stopped for a moment, my spirit told me it was true and the peace our Heavenly Father promises poured out. So sweet, so very, very sweet!

"Never look ahead to the changes and challenges of this life in fear. Instead, as they arise look at them with full assurance that God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them… So hold tightly to His loving hands and He will lead you safely through all things. And when you cannot stand He will carry you in His arms…. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unwavering strength that you may bear it. Be at peace, then, and set aside all anxious thoughts and worries". (--Francis De Sales)

Regret....

2011-11-10T08:58:00.000-06:00

Saw this on FB this morning...couldn't have said it better myself. I had a little "incident" with my alarm clock this morning and I apparently changed it to go off an hour later. It all happened somewhere between being asleep and kind of awake in the middle of the night. I have a very vague memory of it....Bummer too - I was looking forward to running with my buds. :(

Color Fix - Digital Scrapbooking HEAVEN!

2011-11-03T13:29:00.000-05:00

So what are YOU doing to celebrate this weekend? Celebrate what you ask? Digital Scrapbooking Day??? I highly reccomend that you head over to FayEtte Designs and stock up on her newest AWESOME kits. This set is possibly my favorite kit of Fayette's EVER. I know I've said this before....but I think this might be one of my favorites! The kits coordinate with each other, work great on their own and are FULL of beautiful embellishments!

Check them all out in the Pickleberry Pop shop. ColorFIX Mega Bundle

Time 4 Gratitude

2011-10-20T20:53:00.000-05:00

Well, she's done it again! Fayette of Fayette Designs has blown another one out of the park. Check out this DARLING new kit that's just been released:

Time4Gratitude Thanksgiving Add-On Kit http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/p...roductid=20694

Time4Gratitude – WordArt http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/p...roductid=20692

Time4Gratitude Dig-ETTE-al Kit http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/p...roductid=20695

Time4Gratitude – The Bundle! http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/p...roductid=20696

Here's a couple of layouts I did with the kit. I wish I had a weekend to just play and scrap - I have some fun ideas floating around my head, just not enough time. :)

"I Know The Scriptures Are True"

2011-10-16T21:52:00.000-05:00

This year in church the Primary theme was "I Know The Scriptures Are True". I have LOVED listening to the things the boys have learned in Primary as they've listened to their teacher and leaders. This has been Hunter's first year in Primary (he's a Sunbeam - the youngest group in Primary) and it has been amazing to hear him sing the songs, or repeat the things he learns in Primary. He might look like he's not listening in class or sharing time, but he is! I love hearing him repeat simple (and sometimes not-so-simple) gospel truths.

So today the kids presented their yearly program in Sacrament Meeting. It's a meeting once a year where the kids in Primary share the songs and lessons they've learned through the year. Every child generally will have a speaking part, interspersed throughout the music they've also learned. It's a beautiful, touching meeting - one of my favorite of the year! This year both boys had parts. Gabe said, "I felt good when I went to visit the temple with my family." Hunter's part was, "I am thankful to Heavenly Father for my 2 dogs." My heart melted to hear them at the microphone and I loved the music!

But what was even more beautiful and special was what happened later - at home with our family. The boys were given scripture marking pencils with a treat to tell them "good job" on the program. They wanted to mark a couple scriptures in their own Book of Mormons. I tried to explain that we didn't just mark up our scriptures, but we purposefully chose scriptures to underline - scriptures that were important to us. Gabe said, "But Mom, I have a scripture that's special to me - we read about it when Nephi needed to get the plates from Laban and he said, 'I will go and do what you asked me to do.'" So he brought me his Book of Mormon and we opened it to the scripture in 1st Nephi 3:7:

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

I had pointed to the verse and Gabe started reading it. He got about 2/3 the way through the verse (reading 95% of the words on his own) and said, "MOM! I'M READING THE SCRIPTURES!!!" His eyes lit up and he was excited that his reading was coming in handy and HE was doing the reading this time around. He was thrilled and wanted to call Nana and Papa on the webcam to read his new favorite scripture to them too. It gave me goosebumps and my eyes filled with tears - my little guy was reading, he was reading the scriptures, and he was excited about it! It was one of the moments that made it all worth it.

So I said to he and Hunter, "It's great to be able to read the scriptures, and then after you've read the Book of Mormon for yourself you can pray about it and find out for yourself if it's true." Gabe said, "But Mom, why would we need to do that? We already KNOW that the sciprtures are true." I explained that it's important for us to each know for ourselves if something is true and we can pray to find out for ourselves. Gabe said, "Yeah, but I already KNOW myself!" Then Hunter chimed in and said, "Yeah Mom, just like in the song we sing in Primary - 'I KNOW The Scriptures Are True'!" They were both so adamant that they already knew for themselves that the gospel and scriptures are true.

What a proud and humbling parenting moment. Looking at those boys and their undeniable faith and knowledge that the scriptures are true humbled me. If they had no doubt in their sweet minds, then I as their mother need to be sure that my faith is unshakable and firm as ever. Now I know that my job is not done, and that there will be opprotunities all along my parenting journey to instill gospel truths and testimony building opprotunities - but it felt so good to know that their foundation we're helping them build was founded on a belief that the scriptures are true. I know that foundations like that will bless their lives, and many more in the years to come. I sure do love those boys and their sweet testimonies!

Relief Society Lesson #42 - The Gathering of the House of Israel

2011-10-09T12:00:00.015-05:00

As I've mentioned before I teach in the Relief Society at church. This month's lesson is from the Gospel Principles manual - #42 about the Gathering of Israel. Here are some good resources I used to learn more:

Come: Let Israel Build Zion by Bruce R. McConkie

Gathering Scattered Israel: Then and Now by Paul K. Browning

The Gathering of Scattered Israel by Elder Russell M. Nelson

Here are some ideas to use for Family Home Evening with your families. All of these ideas were listed on another blog I found from another ward's Relief Society.

Sharing Time: I Can Share the Gospel Now

Sharing Time: Missionaries Publish Peace

Sharing Time: Temples in all Times

LDS Living: Missionary Work

New Quick Pages! Bippity Boppity!

2011-10-08T20:12:00.000-05:00

I have a new QUICK PAGE ALBUM in the store at Sweet Shoppe Designs today. Check out this fun kit by Libby Pritchett's store ("Bippity Boppity") that is perfect to create projects or layouts with Halloween pictures. Not your typical halloween kit, but a super fun and girly twist.

So head over to the Sweet Shoppe and get this new quick page album while it's on sale!

THANKS!

Totally Autumn kit by Fay-Ette Designs

2011-10-07T11:12:00.000-05:00

I feel kind of silly saying, "This is the cutest kit I've ever seen by Fay-ETTE's Designs" - because Fayette seems to out-do herself with EVERY kit she puts out. She's amazing! But this kit is absolutely amazing. Beautiful flowers, cute pumpkins, great frames, borders, adoreable apples - it's amazing!! And if you head over to Fayette's blog you can get a freebie too!

Totally Autumn Bundle: http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/product.php?productid=20575
Totally Autumn Dig-Ette-al Kit http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/product.php?productid=20574
Totally Autumn Alpha http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/product.php?productid=20572

FREEBIE can be found here: http://fayettedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/10/save-on-totally-autumn-in-my-pbp.html

General Conference

2011-10-01T13:11:00.000-05:00

This weekend is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint's semi-annual General Conference. Already I'm feeling uplifted, inspired and blessed. LOVE the church leaders and their timely messages for everyone! You can watch here - check it out!!!

Lego Show-and-Tell

2011-09-29T21:33:00.000-05:00

So Gabe has Show-and-Tell tomorrow at school. He originally wanted to take some of his completed Lego creations. I wasn't looking forward to the tears that were certain to happen when the pieces fell apart and things were missing when he got home. So I came up with a better idea - I'm making Gabe a mini-book using some pictures of a few of his competed projects. (Sadly this is just scratching the surface - that kid has entirely too many Legos!) My friend Libby has a DARLING brag-book using her "Some Assembly Required" kit. You can find it in her store at Sweet Shoppe.

I'm printing the pictures right now in 1-hour photo. They are just the simple 4x6 size. I think printing them in the 1-hour service costs around .19$ per picture - a total of $2.05 with tax. Then I'll stick 2 pictures together (back to back) and run them through my laminator. I'll put a hole in the corner of the pictures and put them all on a ring. It will be a little flip book for him to take with him for show and tell. That way he can show some of his creations and not have to worry about losing things.

I'll try to take some pictures of the finished project, but for now here are the photos that will be in our little project.

You Are Not Forgotten!

2011-09-25T23:21:00.001-05:00

This talk is by far one of my favorite talks EVER! I love President Uctdorf anyway, but this talk just seemed too perfect - like he really understood the women of the church. Like he really understood ME. I felt the love of my Heavenly Father as I've listened and re-listened to the message. What a beautiful talk, what a beautiful reminder for us as women!

http://lds.org/general-conference/watch/2011/10?lang=eng&vid=1180453706001&cid=7

Please take a few minutes to listen to it if you haven't....and if you have - listen again - it's still awesome!

I also really enjoyed Stacy Julian's recap on the talk. Check out what she had to say about it too.

You Are Not Forgotten Video

2011-09-25T23:19:00.001-05:00

Quick Pages for Sale!

2011-09-24T16:02:00.000-05:00

This week I started a new little venture where I'm going to be doing some (more) digital scrapbook quick pages and having them sold. I've been doing that for a while now with Connie Prince, but now I'm also going to be creating for my friend Libby Pritchett. You can check out her shop here - and her blog here.

Our first set of pages are from her NEW kit "Pickles and Ice Cream". It's a darling kit highlighting pregnancy. I LOVE the colors, the fun elements and the darling things that could be done for a pregnancy OR baby layout. So much fun!

Check out The Sweet Shoppe and you can even get the pack of 4 quick pages on sale for 20% off today only. So go check them out (and I'd love it if you'd buy them!!!)

If you're wondering how to use Quick Pages check out a little blog post I did for Libby's blog a couple of months ago. You can customize the layouts to make them more just for you, or just stick your photos behind the empty spots and you have a completed layout in nothing flat!

Lessons learned from my lost keys

2011-09-14T11:27:00.000-05:00

This morning I woke up and got Gabe out the door for school. I had told a friend that I'd go to the gym with her and we'd do a spinning class (neither of us fans of spin….) and then a barbell strength class we love. I was kind of dreading the spin class for a couple of reasons - #1 my hiney gets sore from that class (even with padded bike shorts). #2 I've been fighting an infection the last several days and still feel sluggish from it.

So as I was heading out the door to the gym I sent a text out that said something like, "I'm doing both a spin class and a weight lifting class. I might need some divine intervention to get through." Moments later I had the water bottles refilled, my gym card in my hand and had a snack for Hunter for the ride to the gym. Went to grab my keys…..NO KEYS!

I searched. I searched some more. I tore apart my car. I tore apart my purse, my church bag, my "junk basket" in the kitchen (we don't have room for a necessary "junk drawer" in our kitchen, so sadly I have to make due with a basket….not ideal, but it works). I went through clothes, my washing machine, dryer, cabinets, hamper. I went through the garbage cans. Let's just say that last night we had corn-on the cob with dinner and I had to dig UNDER that! I looked under beds, couches, in the bathroom. For heaven sakes – I even looked in the freezer and fridge. (Do you ever have moments where you get distracted and leave things in the wrong places?)

At one point I actually got scared. I had a vague memory of putting my keys on an accessible hook. I got thinking – "What if someone somehow broke into our house and took my keys? Then they'd have access to everything!" That thought got me freaking out about the situation even more. At this point I tried to calm down for a second and sat down at my computer to see if I could distract myself for a second. My Facebook status update: "Lost keys. This is making me so not-happy." I got a couple of comments from friends including one that reminded me to pray and have faith.

Pray and have faith….Ok I thought – I'll do that after I look a couple more places…..(Faith without works is dead – right?) So I went about the house tearing things up hoping to find my keys and getting myself even MORE worked up over the idea of someone breaking in my house and stealing my keys. I had another little reminder to pray from a text my mom sent me. Ok, ok, I'll pray.

Lesson learned: Pray FIRST. So often I think that we get caught up in life. We know that prayer works, we know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers. But sometimes I think we leave prayer as a last resort. Kind of like I was doing – I thought I'd keep trying myself and THEN I'd pray for help if I couldn't find them myself.

As I was finishing my prayer I had a series of thoughts come to me. One of them was the idea that there was no possible way that someone stole my keys. Not only did that sound ridiculous and paranoid, but our dogs would have barked at them, the alarm on the doors would have beeped and we'd known someone was in the house. The thought kept going through my mind, "No, no one took your keys, your dogs wouldn't have been quite through that."

Then I went to search for my keys some more. I wasn't feeling led to any particular area. I didn't have a thought in my mind of where they could be. I kept searching, but my searching wasn't quite as frantic or worried as it had been before. I had a feeling things would be alright.

Lesson learned: The Lord answers our prayers – sometimes with peace, sometimes with reassurance. Our prayers aren't always answered with something as immediate as keys falling from the sky and hitting us on the head – but the answers do come if you give yourself a chance to have peace and listen.

At that time I started kind of laughing about the things I had been finding. I found where all the disappearing pens and pencils have been, Hunter's new Anakin Skywalker toy, some misc Lego pieces, a CTR ring, I found a bunch of my barrettes I never can seem to round up and $.29. I found a lot of useless stuff, lots of dust-bunnies and dog hair. And then I found one of Gabe's shoes. We'd been looking all over earlier in the morning for the shoe and I found it! Score!!!

Lesson learned: Sometimes we think we know what we're supposed to be searching for (in this instance – my keys), but we find something else (in this instance – Gabe's shoe). How often do we pray and pray for something in particular and feel frustrated that we're not getting it, all the meanwhile the Lord is giving us something so much greater. I think at times Heavenly Father thinks, "Oh my child, I have so much more I want to bless you with. So much more than this small thing you're asking for – just wait and you'll see."

After 2 hours and 23 minutes I got a text from Cory "Found them" and quickly a phone call. He'd found the keys!!! He'd been in a meeting as I had been searching for the keys and had tried to reassure me via text when he could, but he had no idea where they could be either. But as the meeting ended he went back to his van and searched around. Low and behold there they were – in his gym bag, under his clothes. We think he might have stacked stuff on top of the keys, scooped them up and dumped it all in his bag – including my keys. WHEW!

Then I looked at the clock – I had completely missed both of the classes at the gym this morning – bummer. I thought about how I'd joked about needing "divine intervention" to get through the classes. Maybe what I ended up with was "divine intervention" to get me out of going to the classes. J

Layouts and Fayette Designs

2011-09-08T21:52:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!

I wanted to post some of the layouts I've done over the summer. Life has seemed crazy lately and I haven't been scrapbooking nearly as much as I'd like to be. I've felt a bit overwhelmed and lacked creativity. But I have still had fun representing some of the designs that the creative teams I'm on have released. Great stuff!

In regards to that - check out this AWESOME kit by Fayette Designs. The kit is Time4Beginnings by Fayette Designs (formerly known as one of The Ettes). Things are changing for The Ettes and my dear friend Fayette will be venturing out on her own now. Check out her great designs. I'll miss working with Annette (previously the other "ette" of the bunch), but wish her luck with her new work!

So do me a favor and check out Fayette's new kit - you won't be sorry!

Dear Dad.....

2011-08-28T21:31:00.000-05:00

Dear Dad,

I have some good news...and some bad news...

Good News: This weekend on my fun trip with friends to Fredericksburg (a darling little town!) I found a store that sells one of your favorite treats for just $.10 each! The moment I saw the candies I remembered that you love them and grabbed a few to bring home and surprise you with. I'd either send them to you in a cute package, or maybe have them here for you when you come visit this fall.

Bad News: You have managed to pass down another genetic quality to one of your awesome offspring - your oldest daughter might also have a love affair with Walnettos candies.

Good News: I now know where to get some more, and hopfully I'll make another trip before I see you next. Sorry about that...

Love, Your greedy daughter....

Law of Chastity FHE Lessons

2011-08-21T18:16:00.001-05:00

I have been working on my Relief Society Lesson for this month - Lesson #39 - The Law of Chastity. Here are some links that I'm sharing that go along with the theme that can help families teach these same principles in Family Home Evening:

LDS FHE Lesson Manual - Chastity: http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=4049be335dc20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=198bf4b13819d110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD
Procreation and Chastity: http://lds.org/hf/library/1,16866,4266-1,00.html?LibraryURL=/lds/hf/display
Our Sacred bodies – Chastity, Modesty, and Morality: http://thatgoodpart.wordpress.com/2010/08/31/family-home-evening-lesson-our-sacred-bodies-chastity-modesty-and-morality/
Our Bodies are Sacred: http://ayearoffhe.blogspot.com/search/label/Modesty
Young Women Value - Integrity - https://lds.org/young-women/personal-progress/virtue?lang=eng
Talk: Guardians of Virtue - http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/guardians-of-virtue?lang=eng
A Parent's Guide (this is an excellent guide to teaching our children at all different ages): http://lds.org/manual/a-parents-guide?lang=eng

This lesson was very hard for me to prepare. I literally spent most of the week - any chance I had to prepare for it. As I read our prophet's teachings, the scriptures, personal experiences and commandments the spirit whispered to me that THIS was vital. This lesson and message - to keep our bodies clean and pure is of the utmost importance. I MUST teach my children and prepare them for what Satan is going to throw their way. I felt almost a heaviness and a scariness in that....but I know that I have a responsibilty to them. I loved this quote I found in A Parent's Guide that changed the way I viewed what I am teaching my children:

"You are not simply caring for your children until they can leave home - you are training infinitely precious children of God to someday be worthy to receive all that the Father has."

(source- "A Parent’s Guide")

I also found a renewed energy in myself to live a virtuous and chaste life. I have seen the blessings that come from following these commandments as well as the sorrow that results from not obeying the strictness of the law. I've watched families and individuals fall away from truth as they've allowed Satan a place in their lives and his temptations into their hearts. I loved the scriptures in the lesson that talked about how the Lord will not let us be tempted above that which we are able to handle. He will prepare a way for us to escape if we will cling to the truth of the gospel.

I have a testimony of chaste and virtuous living. I know that in living a life within these bounds that our marriages and families can prepare to be together through eternity and for that I am so grateful!

One of my favorite scriptures

2011-08-17T17:34:00.000-05:00

I was sending an email to a friend and felt impressed to share this scripture. It is one of my very favorite scriptures in the world and has helped to teach me in many instances in my life.

Mosiah 24: 10-16

10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.
11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he ^aput guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.
12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their ^ahearts to him; and he did know the ^bthoughts of their hearts.
13 And it ^acame to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the ^aburdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as ^bwitnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their ^cafflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did ^astrengthen them that they could bear up their ^bburdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with ^cpatience to all the will of the Lord.
16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.

Specifically where they are told that the Lord will ease the burdens on their back - even so they cannot feel them. We often want the Lord to take away our burdens - make it all just go away and work out perfectly. Too often it doesn't work that way though, and the real lesson is submitting to His will and letting him carry us, as well as our burdens. I KNOW through times in my life that my burdens haven't gone away, but that I haven't carried them on my own. My own back has been strengthened and my ability to carry the burdens has been made possible by the help of my Heavenly Father. I find such comfort in that message of peace and love.

Science Fun!

2011-08-16T16:09:00.000-05:00

(oops - I don't have my pictures right here....I'll post those later).

The boys LOVE to do "science experiments" - or "kitchen science experiments" with me. Gabe asks all the time. Gabe's idea of a science experiment is anything that you mix together and it makes a mess. I guess in some ways he's right. So when I asked what some of the things they wanted to do before school started next week were - their loud reply was to do a "Science Day!" Since we were having some friends over to play today I figured we'd mix up the play-time with some science fun too.

I looked over the web and asked some friends for some ideas. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money, make anything dangerous, or make messes I couldn't clean up with soap and water. (What can I say - I'm kind of a mean mom in that department....) I didn't have the aim of teaching the boys much - but wanted to have a little explaination of why the experiments turned out how they did - trying to teach them something acidentally. So I looked for some ideas on Pintrest, other friends blogs and asked friends on Facebook for their suggestions. Here's what we did:

GAK/FLUBBER
This was by far the most popular. Putting it together I'll be honest - it looked like boogers/snot and kind of grossed us all out. But after we kneaded it together more and more we had fun with it! I'd love to try it again with clear glue - we used white. I think I'll go stock up on some bottles of glue while school supplies are on sale still.

DANCING SPAGHETTI
This wasn't overly spectacular, but the kids all giggled and thought the dancing spaghetti were funny.

HOMEMADE LAVA LAMP
We did this over and over again - adding more salt each time. It was cool to watch!

MAGIC INFLATING BALLOON
I want to remember this one to do for a science fair someday - it was fun. I pulled the balloon off because it looked like it was about to explode and I was afraid of the mess it could have made....next time I'll use a larger balloon.

MAGIC MILK COLORS
We did it differently than this - and it didn't work out. I think if we do it again we'll use this exact tutorial.

MORE FUN LOOKING IDEAS:
Dancing Oobleck
Ivory Soap Experiment
Diet Coke + Mentos
Websites with lots of ideas
Glow in the dark food!
Edible peanutbutter playdoh
Incredible bouncing egg (my own personal Kindergarten science project!)

Stay little just a while longer....

2011-08-14T22:14:00.000-05:00

Tonight I was anxious to get my kids to bed. We've had several busy weeks recently with a trip to Utah, YW camp, cousins visiting last week, and now some 2nd cousins visiting this weekend. It seems like our house might not ever be clean again, I doubt I'll ever "catch up" with laundry, and the idea of actual quiet for a few hours seems like a mirage - something I might not ever actually reach or realize...I was excited to get my kids to bed and hopefully have the cousins fall asleep fairly soon too so we could have a quiet hour or 2 before going to bed ourselves.

So when Gabe asked me to lay with him for a little while and rub his back my first response was to say no, he needed to go to sleep on his own and I needed some "quiet time". But as I kissed his sweet cheek and started to tell him no I suddenly had a flash. I had a small glimpse of him 10 years from now. He'd be 16 years old and definitely not wanting me around to tuck him in - much less lay with him listening to night time music and scratching his back. It was as if a little voice almost whispered, "Stop, stop for a moment and enjoy being with your sweet little boy. These moments will come less often as the years go by."

My heart kind of broke for a moment as I realized it was true - my kids wouldn't be little forever. It would be a very short time and they wouldn't want to snuggle with me, have their backs scratched or hear me sing them to sleep. Before I know it I'll be begging them to let me read them stories before bed, or feeling sad that they don't want to go on "mommy dates".

So I snuggled with my little guy for a few minutes. Tonight he chose to listen to some soft Christmas music to help him fall asleep - (Peter Brienholt's "Noel") and as I snuck out of his room our favorite song from the album "Silent Night" came on. I know it's August and for the most part I don't agree with listening to Christmas music - but that song made me stop in my tracks for the 2nd time in a matter of minutes. In that moment I thought of our sweet Savior and His relationship with His mother Mary. I thought about her swaddling that sweet little baby, holding Him close to her and knowing that in a matter of years He would be the Savior of the world. I can't imagine as she knew parts of what He would undergo as He taught the world, as He atoned for our sins and as He was crucified for us so that we can live again. Those tender moments between mother and son....a tender glimpse I would have loved to get a small peek of. I imagine that her love for her son was similar to the love I have for my sweet boys - so amazing it's hard to put into words exactly.

As frustrating as it can be at times to be a mother to rambunctious children, I really wouldn't have it any other way - I love those boys!

Scrapbook Layouts

2011-07-26T16:09:00.000-05:00

I haven't had as much time (or creative energy) as I'd like to scrapbook lately, but here are a few of the layouts I've done in the last while. This has been over the last couple of months - so don't think I've been just sitting around lately scrapbooking :)

We Give Books

2011-07-11T10:00:00.002-05:00

We LOVE reading at our house. My boys love reading picture books, Hunter loves pretending that he knows the words to Dora the Explorer books (I love hearing him do his own version of sounding out each word - saying it extra slow like we do when I help Gabe sound a word out), they love having me read chapter books to them like Ramona and Beezus, Harry Potter, The Boxcar Children, etc. I enjoy reading mindless fiction and Cory's a fan of self help and personal improvement books.

Recently we've been working on our summer reading programs from the local libraries. The boys have earned all kinds of treats and goodies by reading through the summer - ice cream cones, light up magnets, kids meals from various restaurants, book marks, face paint, pizza - it's crazy all the goodies they're earning. But it's fun to have a goal to read towards too.

I had a friend from our ward send me a link to a really great site that lets you read great books online while you are helping literacy charaties - http://www.wegivebooks.org/dashboard. My boys are actually clamoring right now to read a few books on the computer with me, so it interests them, makes me happy to see them excited about reading, AND for every book we read this charity will donate a book to the literacy charity of our choice. Awesome huh? So check out the site and maybe some of your children's summer reading can be for a good cause!

Family Responsibilities & FHE Lesson

2011-07-10T14:52:00.001-05:00

I have the opportunity to teach Relief Society in my ward once a month. I LOVE this calling! After years and years in Primary and Young Women (which I also love) I was excited that once we moved to Texas I got called to be in the Relief Society! I love getting to teach because it gives me an extra opprotunity to learn. I know that each lesson has something important in it for me to learn specifically and I feel blessed to study and learn these things.

This month's lesson I was assigned was Lesson #37 on Family Responsibility. We played a little game (because I think I'm actually still a kid at heart) where we discussed different family responsibilities - the parents, mother, father, and children's responsibilities as members of the family. I thought it was kind of fun :)

But as I learned more about the distinct roles of family members I was led over and over to the Family: A Proclamation to the World. How grateful I am for our inspired church leaders who knew we as church members - and ultimately the WORLD would need to understand the importance and sanctity of family. Family is such a vital part of society and I am grateful to belong to a church that emphasizes this and teaches us the importance of it. What a blessing!!

Here are a couple of Family Home Evening (FHE) Lessons that could be taught using the theme of the Family:

I loved the idea of a YW activity that used a copy of the Proclamation and the YW values. They had the YW color code their copy of the Proclamation using the YW value colors. It really helps to reiterate to the YW that the values they learn each week are intertwined in all aspects of our lives. You can find this activity here.
Great lesson for a family with kids from the website: www.ayearoffhe.blogspot.com - Week 14: A Proclamation to the World
Lesson from Deseret Book about families.

And here are some GREAT resources for other FHE lesson ideas:

The LDS Church's website - this site has wonderful resources and links to the church's material. Also, some great reminders of why FHE is important.
A Year of Family Home Evening Lessons - WOW! This site has AWESOME resources! Each week there is a new lesson, great printables, great layout - LOVE this site!
LDS Living - There are literally HUNDREDS of lessons on this website for FHE lessons - almost any topic you can imagine!
Scriptures for Kids - This resource has simpilfied lessons. I really liked the ones I found that related to the themes of the Primary each month. A great way to reiterate what they're learning in Primary already.
Living Scriptures FHE Lessons - This site has so many great lessons!!! Most of the lessons have things from the Living Scriptures animated dvds/videos that you can relate - but the lessons have lots of other pertinent information in them. Plus - a lot of them have exerpts from the videos online that you can use in the lessons!
Living Scriptures Activity Books - If you have ever purchased dvd's or videos from Living Scriptures you might have also ordered their coloring or activity books. They have books that go along with the stories that the kids are learning to help strengthen the things the children are learning. Well, they are now available online! That's right - you can print out your own copies. Simply create your own account (for free) on their website and you are elligible to download the books. Then you download them as PDF files and you can print them for your own non-commercial use. It's awesome!
The Family Home Evening Spot
LDS Splash
Family Home Evening in a Snap
100+ Quick and Easy FHE Ideas

(**I have added the game to upload if you are interested. Click HERE for the game board pieces and click HERE for the questions for the game.)

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-04T10:54:00.000-05:00

Cars 2 - Two Thumbs UP!

2011-06-24T13:52:00.000-05:00

We went to see Cars 2 this morning - first showing on opening day. I noticed that the theater had discount tickets for the "Early Bird showing" - the first matinee of the day @ 9:40 am. Since movie tickets for the whole family can be pricey (in fact, we've kind of quit going to movies because tickets are SO expensive!) we decided to brave the opening day crowds. I thought it would be crazy busy but we lucked out! We were one of the first ones in the theater and got our favorite seats. (We always like to sit on the front row of the upper section - the row that doesn't have seats in front of it, but has a railing we can prop our feet up on.) The movie was exciting, adventurous, cute, funny - a definite winner!

Gabe review of the movie: "I like it better than number one. I like the new people. I like the weapons. It's cool. It's mostly for boys. They had disguises. They had rocket boosters and one of the disguises was a taco truck. At the beginning there was a car that was in a dangerous place and he got crushed into a box by the bad guys. You should go see it - it's one of the best Disney movies ever!"

PAIN

2011-06-22T19:13:00.001-05:00

I took a barbell weight lifting class today at the gym. As happens often when I exercise I learned a little bit along the way. The teacher (who does a great job inspiring just by the great shape she is in!) was talking us through a tough set of lifts and she was talking about pain. She said something to the effect that the pain or muscle fatigue wasn't telling us to stop - it was telling us that change was on the way. She said, "I know you want that change, and that's why I'm here - to help you find your way to the changes you're looking for." As she said this I swear she was looking right in my eyes....it was powerful. Change comes after we do the work, change comes often after the pain.

Think of the times in your life when you've felt pain and you've wanted more than anything for the pain to stop. You wish it would just go away and you could go on in your life like you had before. But guess what? There is generally something better on that other side of the pain - a new version of you, a change. Sometimes the change is good, sometimes it leads us to more pain and even more change than we had bargained for - but in my experience the pain almost always leads us to something better in the end.

The pain from the blisters after a long run - brings changes and calluses that help you run even further next time. Not only that, but I love the feeling of putting on a pair of flip-flops after a long run and letting my feet breathe - it's a refreshing feeling I wouldn't fully appreciate without that momentary pain.

The pain from the loss of a relationship, or pain from friendships that might be in a troubling spot - help us to learn how to be a better friend or companion. Those moments of pain give us eternal insights into relationships and ways that we can change into the companion we are looking for.

Pain from a tough workout gives us new muscles, give us new limits and gives us a new confidence we didn't realize we had before picking up those dumbells.

Without pushing ourselves we won't change, we won't move forward. Rarely is the destination we really want to be at a downhill course. I believe more often than not it's up a sheer cliff that requires more muscle, more determination and more will than we normally realize at the beginning of our climb.

So think of the area in your life that you're feeling pain and then look a little further - does it bring with it the opprotunity for change in your life? If so, look at those opprotunties and get a move on - change is good.

Little Visitor

2011-06-19T23:03:00.000-05:00

I ran in from the garage tonight to head upstairs. I glanced down on the floor and saw a little carpet piece on the wood floor (you know - just one of the fibers that had come loose?). It looked like it moved - like from a little breeze from the fan - but then it kept moving - all across the floor!!! That's when I realized that not only was there a little piece of carpet fiber, but there was a TINY lizard scurrying across the floor. My screaming for Cory to come catch it scared the little thing and he froze in place for a minute. Then when Cory came to rescue me (and might I add - it's a good thing I wasn't actually in danger, because Cory wasn't moving very fast....!) he started jumping all over the place, running around and being nuts. It was SO small and so cute - but makes me a bit nervous that it was in my HOUSE! I'm curious if there are other creepy crawlies hiding around the place....

So we caught it and let it go out in our bushes. Hope he decides to stay there and not wander back into the house.

Where we were yesterday...

2011-06-19T23:01:00.000-05:00

So remember my goal to post a blog post once a day for the month? Oops...yesterday I didn't get it done. But I have a pretty good excuse - it was my birthday! We celebrated with a little road trip (that didn't quite work out....more on that later....) and Cory and I had a nice dinner together in the evening while the boys got a babysitter. Everyone was happy with that! (My boys LOVE babysitters!)

We also enjoyed a DELICIOUS bundt cake from "Nothing Bundt Cakes" - lemon with cream cheese frosting. I can't believe I'm saying it....but it actually had too much frosting on it. But I got over it :) They make great cakes!

Thanks guys - here's hoping I'm not only another year older but wiser too.

Caramel Popcorn Recipe

2011-06-17T19:14:00.001-05:00

I have recently had several people request this recipe so I thought it would be a good one to have posted on my blog. It's a DELICIOUS crunchy recipe that my Mama Rhien makes. I'm warning you though - it's highly addictive, so watchout!

Caramel Popcorn

· 5 quarts of popped popcorn

· 1 cup butter

· 2 cups brown sugar

· 1/2 cup Light Karo Syrup

· 1/2 tsp salt

· 1/2 tsp baking soda

· 1/2 tsp vanilla

Pop popcorn and take out any of the duds (so you don't break a tooth). Mix butter, sugar, syrup and salt and cook until boiling. Boil for 5 minutes. Pour over popcorn and stir to coat evenly. Place in an oven-proof pan and bake at 250 degrees for one hour - stirring every 15 minutes. After one hour pour popcorn out onto wax paper, tin foil or cookie sheets until cool. Break apart and enjoy!

(My notes: I used more than 5 quarts of popcorn. It didn't' seem like 5 quarts was enough. I also doubled the recipe each time I made it and cooked the popcorn in my large roasting pan - it worked great.)

Happy Birthday to one of my oldest and dearest friends

2011-06-16T08:00:00.007-05:00

When I was in 2nd grade I met my best friend Tami Jewkes. She had long dark hair, the sweetest disposition and I knew right away that we were going to be friends for a long time. However, after a year in Mrs. Houser's class in 2nd grade they split our school and we'd be going to different schools for 3rd grade! It was devastating, but we still played together all the time and kept our friendship going strong. However, in 4th grade my family moved to Orem and chances of us seeing each other all the time seemed slim....BUT - we managed! We'd spend long weekends together, meet 1/2 way to swap off where we stayed. I went camping, hunting and on trips to Lake Powell or Green River with her family. I LOVED the times we'd go on trips together! We managed to stay great friends through college, we had our first babies within a week of each other and I love that we have facebook and email to keep up with each other.

One of my favorite things about Tami and my friendship was that our birthdays were just 2 days apart. We had several birthady celebrations together and I remember getting matching pajamas one year for our birthdays. (we also had miniature ones for our "My Child" dolls). So when our birthday week comes up it makes me happy to know I get to celebrate it with one of the greatest girls there is!

This year Tami is doing something I'm SOOOOO proud of her for doing! She's going to be running in the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay!!! I wish like heck that I could be there to cheer her on and to give her a huge hug at the end. Having her come cheer me on at the Top of Utah 1/2 Marathon this past summer was one of the greatest things ever and I wish I could return the favor. So good luck sweet friend, I can't wait till January when we do get to run together! (YAY!)

I LOVED that I stumbled on this quote. When we were in Jr. High Tami gave me a little tiny frame
with this same picture in it and I saved it all these years. Love that girl!

Thinking about.....

2011-06-15T23:59:00.000-05:00

...getting to see our Ellis family relatives at the end of July for Coby & Teah's wedding.

...enjoyed a great dinner out with girlfriends tonight to celebrate my friend Lisa's b'days. Love those girls!!!

...wow it felt hot today. The temp on my car said 104. Blech! And on that note, the van Cory drives for work's airconditioner doesn't work. Poor guy.

...I need to get a new pillow. I keep waking up with horrible headaches - I wonder if that's why?

...My hubby is so handy & talented. He's been helping a friend put a wood floor in her new yoga studio. He rocks.

...baby shower tomorrow night for a cute friend and a birthday party for a 2nd cousin in the morning. Yay, celebrating rocks!!!

Quotes

2011-06-14T10:19:00.001-05:00

I love browsing through blogs/pintrest/etc for cool quotes. I especially love when I find the PERFECT one for the PERFECT moment. Here are some great ones I found recently and thought were great. And if you like to browse for fun (AND fun looking) quotes check out this link.

Summertime = Swimming Time

2011-06-13T23:00:00.000-05:00

Apparently summertime in Texas is synomonous with swimming time and we're loving it! From the local community pool, friend's neighborhood pools, the gym pool - we're going to swim all summer long. It does get exhausting, but we're having fun too.

Love This Girl!

2011-06-12T14:52:00.001-05:00

I hope this doesn't come across that I have "favorites" (because I don't) - but I just want to say I just LOVE my sister-in-law Kori! I just got off of chatting with her on facebook chat this afternoon and I just had that warm fuzzy feeling that reminds me that I have awesome people in my life. You know the way you feel after being with a great friend and you want to say a quick little prayer to thank Heavenly Father for putting amazing people in your path? Yeah - that feeling!

Kori is married to my husband Cory's little brother Chase. Chase is a totally awesome guy too - and the two of them as a couple, and as parents to their darling kids - they rock! Today Kori asked me if my husband had any funny towel habits (leaving wet washcloths puddled up in the sink, wiping weird things on the hand towels, etc). She said that her husband did, but it was the ONLY thing that he did that drove her nuts. I commented that for that to be the ONLY thing he did wrong was pretty amazing and awesome. And know what? She was serious! She and Chase are so in love with each other - so cute and ooey-gooey with each other - it's darling!

Kori is an AWESOME mom too. She has 2 of the cutest little kids in the world and it just about breaks my heart when I look at their pictures and wish we lived closer. Wish we got to spend birthdays together, celebrate more holidays together and just be regular participants in each others lives....

But since she's across the country in Indiana I'll have to settle on chatting on facebook, emails, ocasional phone calls (she totally gets that I'm not a phone person either - it's hard for both of us with 2 small kids!). I'll be grateful for her understanding heart and good example to me.

Love you Kori!!!

(and sorry I stole these pictures from your Facebook page....)

Flashback: June 2005 - June 2010

2011-06-11T22:46:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I think it's fun to think "So what was I doing exactly ____ years ago?" (fill in the blank for the # of years). Just to give a little benchmark of what has changed in a specific time period. For instance - here are pictures from the month of June in several different years. A few things have changed....

June 2005 - pregnant with Gabe

June 2006 - Enjoying our first year of being parents. Love our little Gabe!

June 2007 - Enjoying our last months as a family of 3 - expecting Hunter in August

June 2008 - Hunter's growing like crazy, darling little guy!

June 2009 - Cory's triathlon, family playtime, enjoying summer!

June 2010 - Gabe's swimming lessons, Cory, Joanna & Papa do a triathlon.

It sure can be fun to reminisce, look back over time and realize just how quickly it's flying by....Crazy stuff!

Friday Favorites - BLOGS

2011-06-10T21:00:00.001-05:00

I am in awe of the creativity and amazing talent that is out there in internet-land. Just take a few minutes to browse through these cute and crafty blogs for awesome ideas. Everything from crafts to church activities and contests to win goodies, pie in a jar to household cleaning tips - it's awesome! Here are a few of my favorites:

Brown Paper Packages - This blog is one with a variety of fun projects and information. Crafts, phototgraphy posts (by a friend of mine Leilani), food - you name it.

Kevin & Amanda - This girl goes on the most amazing looking trips and reports on the fantastic food finds she runs into. She also creates cute scrapbook fonts, gets crafty and takes great pictures. The recipes she posts always leave me hungry and feeling like I need to go on a diet just for reading through the tasty treats. Just check out her post from today and the recipes she linked to. WOW - I need to wash it down with a big glass of milk.

Eighteen25 - awesome craft ideas, food, darling wall hangings, giveaways

Our Best Bites - (ok, this blog will be mentioned repeatedly, I promise - it's a new addiction!) These guys have AMAZING recipes. Not just amazing, but easy to make too. Check out the recipe index as well as the craft ideas. You'll never want to leave the kitchen after checking out this site!!!

Tatertots and Jellos - another blog full of giveaways, darling craft and do-it-your-self projects.

Bee In Our Bonnet - This blogger has the most gorgeous cookies I've ever seen. I wish I had 1/2 of her cookie decorating talent! She also posts super cute projects, goodies and check out the lady bug birthday party! (WOW!) I loved the idea for the "edible paints".

Smilemonsters - Rootbeer Float on a Stick - I started salivating when I saw this picture. Perfect for a blistering hot summer day (which we have plenty of around here). Can't wait to try them.

Keep Falling Up - A friend of ours from our Ricks College days. Jodi has a great attitude as she is tackling huge trials in her life. She is funny, touching, and sweet. I promise you'll feel a bit more grateful for your life after learning from her.

It Matters - This is a blogger who is a friend of a friend. She has great advice for healthy living, being a cool mom and getting active. Love her encouragement for her 5K Fridays.

Gabe - the budding artist

2011-06-09T20:00:00.003-05:00

One of Gabe's favorite parts of Kindergarten this year was when they had Art Class. He loves creating things! One of his favorite projects was when they got to make "Pinch Pots" with clay. They made the pots, fired them, glazed them and fired them again. I loved hearing the play-by-play as he worked on it and the look on his face when he brought home the finished project was priceless!

I sure love to watch our kids through the creative process. Whether it's building with Legos, cutting up hundreds of pieces of paper to create something, or playing with clay - seeing them create is amazing to me. I love how it builds their confidence, shows their artistic characteristics and lets us see a little glimpse into the imaginary world they carry with them.

Armadillos

2011-06-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

My mom instilled in me many great and wonderful qualities. From the fact that we resemble each other physically to our mutual love of reading, our children, the gospel, yummy food....and a love for armadillos.

As a kid I kind of thought my mom was a bit nutty for saying her favorite animal was an armadillo. I grew up in Utah, there wasn't an actual armadillo anywhere to be seen. They seemed like such a funny animal. People didn't have armadillos as pets and I don't even know if I ever saw one at a zoo....they were kind of foreign and maybe even slightly exotic. But my mom loved them and so began my soft-spot for the funny creatures. She developed quite the little collection - from her armadillo pajamas to the earrings, stuffed armadillos, and any other little armadillo trinkets we could find if we traveled to Texas or somewhere that armadillos weren't quite so "exotic".

So when we talked about moving to Texas one of my first thoughts was that I couldn't wait to see an armadillo! Everyone always said they were just roadkill in Texas - so I figured we'd see them all over the place. But for the first 6 months we were in the state I didn't see a single one! I even got to the point where I joked that the first time I actually saw one on the side of the road that I would be so excited that I'd probably get out and bring its carcase home with me.

I had gotten really good at being able to tell what was littering the freeway as we drove. I could identify dead possums, squirrels, dogs, cats, the occasional raccoon or even differentiate between roadkill and an old discarded boot on the side of the road - but no armadillos....I was so disappointed.

Fast forward to May when my "dream" had finally come true. We saw it on the highway on the way home from visiting our cousins about an hour from our house. As we passed it I was sad that I hadn't gotten a good view of it. So Cory, being the loving husband that he is - turned around and went back so I could bag it up and bring it home if I so desired. We got out and took a couple of pictures - Gabe got out to examine it and then the smell hit - YUCK! Not something I hoped to have rotting in my trunk!

I decided that as "cute" as the critters are - I'm much more content with my kiddos in pictures with armadillo statues than the actual road kill. And I'm pretty sure it's much more sanitary. However, I do love that I will always think of my sweet mom as I search the highway for armadillo roadkill. Thanks mom! :)

Girlfriends

2011-06-07T14:00:00.002-05:00

I love my girlfriends! I am so grateful that over the last several years I’ve learned how important having girlfriends is. I think before I had kids I didn’t understand the importance of having other women to talk to, spend time with, and help me feel validated and loved. But wow – how grateful I am to have some amazing women in my life!

Tonight I felt that a little extra. A group of my friends here in Texas get together once a week to watch a silly tv show. (The Bachelorette or The Bachelor – whatever is going on at the time). It’s a group of women that changes from week to week but we all enjoy getting together. We’ve all mentioned at one point or another that while we find the show mildly entertaining; the main reason we like getting together is to spend time with the other girls.

So tonight as we were getting ready to get together a group of us were driving together. We were picking everyone up and heading to a fun gal’s house and we realized that we were right down the road from another one of our friends. Someone mentioned that we should go kidnap her and make her come with us – even if she didn’t want to watch the show, we’d “make” her come spend time with us. So 5 of us descended on her doorstep and told her we were there to kidnap her and make her come with us. She started jumping up and down, clapping, squealing and cheering. She was THRILLED that we were there to make sure she came to spend time with us.

As we pulled up to our location we all commented in one way or another how great it was to have a group of girlfriends that got together with each other. Someone said, “I love this! I don’t think I’ve had a group of girlfriends like this since I was in high school!” Someone else said, “This FEELS like high school – kidnapping, giggling – I love it!” All I could do was smile – I love it too! And I love that we make an effort to do things together, have fun and take time for time with “the girls”.

In addition to the friends I have here (who I just love to pieces) I also still miss and love my friends back in Utah. One of my sweet friends from back in Utah text me this afternoon. She was worried about not having someone to watch her kids for something important. It just totally killed me because I couldn’t be there for her. I totally hated being thousands of miles away and not being able to scoop up her kids and help her out. So since that wasn’t an option I started trying to figure out who COULD help out. I found another friend through text to help her and I felt so grateful that I could do that. And then as I prayed and prayed for my sweet friend through the evening so her business meeting would go well my heart turned to her and I was sad that I have to live so far from her! And later in the evening the text she sent back to me made my eyes water with both tears of sadness and happiness, “Thanks so much! Love & miss u so much my heart hurts.” I don’t like that our hearts hurt – but I am grateful that we have friendships that are worth feeling our hearts hurt….

I am so grateful that Heavenly Father knows we need friends. I hope that I can be the kind of friend that others have been to me. I hope and pray that I can be able to lighten their load, make their hearts happy and share a part of myself in a way that we can all grow a little more into the women we’re supposed to become. Thanks girls!

The Digi Files - featuring The Ettes and "Sandbox Summer"

2011-06-06T15:49:00.000-05:00

I am a huge fan of The Digi Files and I LOVE The Ettes - so put the 2 together = PERFECT! This month The Ettes are featured at The Daily Digi in their June Digi Files. I LOVED working with this kit. It's a perfect mix of fun elements, great papers - it's a perfect kit to help document those fun summer memories we're all about to create.

This month the kit is only available by purchasing The Daily Digi's June Digi Files. I highly recommend picking it up. Not only will you get the fantastic kit from The Ettes, but you'll also get to try out some other goodies from great designers in the digital scrapbooking industry. Check it out!

In addition - you can also pick up some fantastic additions to the kit at Pickleberry Pop right now. Fayette has designed Quick Pages, alphabets, an add-on kit and flair.

Sandbox Summer QP's http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/product.php?productid=19538
Sandbox Alpha http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/product.php?productid=19539
Sunny Alpha http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/product.php?productid=19540
Sandbox Summer Flair http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/product.php?productid=19541
Sandbox Summer Add-On Kit http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/product.php?productid=19542

So run, don't walk on over to check out the darling designs and get started on creating awesome scrapbook layouts and projects.

Tender Mercies: Simple Quotes From a Beautiful Woman

2011-06-05T16:22:00.000-05:00

Don't we all love when our prayers are answered through the words of another? There are times in life where my prayers have been answered through a scripture I'm lead to, through a call from a friend or reminder from another. I've found answers in pages of books, through lessons at church, on the radio, and even whispered in my ear from the still small voice. Today's answers came in the form of a reminder - a reminder of a quote I have always loved by one of my heroes - Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley. A good friend shared this quote in our Relief Society lesson today and it was the answer I needed:

“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived." --Sister Marjorie Hinckley

As I went looking for the quote once I got home from church I was lead to a myriad of wonderful quotes she has shared over the years she was on earth. As I re-read these gems I was reminded that right now I need to slow down and love my family. I need to enjoy the time I have with my boys at this age, I need to cherish and treasure every moment. In the particular challenge I had been longing to "fix" I was reminded that I need to "save the relationship" and not be filled with despair. As I read her thoughts I felt a huge weight lifted and a reminder that I am good enough (you're good enough too!) and that I need to not be so hard on myself as a wife, mother and woman. I need to try, and I need to move forwars with love in my heart. I hope that some of these quotes can be a beautiful reminder to you as well.

(These quotes were all found at this website.)
• "We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are."

• "Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

• "Home is where you are loved the most and act the worst."

• "The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead. The grand and the simple. They are equally wonderful."

• "I know it is hard for you young mothers to believe that almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with your husband. You had better be sure you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring. Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner."

• "Be a Mother who is committed to loving her children into standing on higher ground than the enviroment surrounding them. Mother's are endowed with a love that is unlike any other love on the face of the earth."

• "Think about your particular assignment at this time in your life. It may be to get an education, it may be to rear children, it may be to be a grandparent, it may be to care for an relieve the suffering of someone you love, it may be to do a job in the most excellent way possible, it may be to support someone who has a difficult assignment of their own. Our assignments are varied and they change from time to time. Don't take them lightly. Give them your full heart and energy. Do them with enthusiasm. Do whatever you have to do this week with your whole heart and soul. To do less than this will leave you with an empty feeling."

• "We are all in this together. We need each other. Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young, and hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old...We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance. We need to renew our faith every day. We need to lock arms and help build the kingdom so that it will roll forth and fill the whole earth."

• "There are some years in our lives that we would not want to live again. But even these years will pass away, and the lessons learned will be a future blessing."

• "The grand and the simple. They are equally wonderful."

• "Elder Neal A. Maxwell once said, "We are here in mortality, and the only way to go is through; there isn't any around!" I would add, the only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."

• "The trouble with the world and the trouble with you and me is that we don't love each other enough. And if we do, we don't bother to show it, or we don't bother to say it. If the world is to know love, it has to be in your heart and in mine."

• "Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

• "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow what a ride!"

• "Just Save the Relationship" - from the book Glimpses, Sis's Hinckley's advice to her grandaughter when she needed to know what to do about the fits her daughter was throwing. Just save the relationship."

• "True spirituality makes you loving and grateful, and forgiving, and patient, and gentle, and long-suffering. True spirituality breathes reverence into every act and deed."

• "As we got closer to marriage, I felt completely confident that Gordon loved me. But I also knew somehow that I would never come first with him. I knew I was going to be second in his life and that the Lord was going to be first. And that was okay. It seemed to me that if you understood the gospel and the purpose of our being here, you would want a husband who put the Lord first."

• "...the beautiful thing--perhaps the thing I love most about the gospel-- is that everything we learn we can use and take with us and use it again. No bit of knowledge goes wasted. Everything you are learning now is preparing you for something else. Did you know that? What a concept!"

• "As you create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think of your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey."

• "Develop some intellectual curiosity. If you have it, you will never be bored. If you haven't, cultivate it, hold fast to it. Never let it go. To the intellectually curious, the world will always be full of magic, full of wonder. You will be interesting to your friends, to your spouse, and a joy to your children. You will be alive to all the wonderful possibilities of this world."

• "Everything you are learning is preparing you for something else.”

Thank you Sister Hinckley for sharing your words of wisdom and advice. I felt as if I had spent an afternoon being taught at the loving side of a grandmother or friend. Thank you.

My thoughts exactly....

2011-06-04T17:13:00.000-05:00

I don't know what it is - when I don't have time I have all kinds of ideas. When I have time no creativity or ideas come...what's up with that? It's kind of like having money to go shopping for new clothes and not being able to find a single thing I like. But if I have no clothes money budgeted it's as if the clothes JUMP off the hangers at the store - begging to be purchased. The whole concept makes me a little crazy. So here are a few things I would **like** to do...but can't find the time or motivation to do them:

Come up with a cute/effective summer incentive program for my kids - for chores, reading, getting along.
Paint a picture. I have an idea for a canvas painting I'd like to do someday....that's been on the list for a while.
Spend the afternoon @ an airconditioned art museum wandering around (alone....is that bad?).
Read "The Work and the Glory" series again - all of it from the beginning. For some reason I get hung up around the 6th or 7th book and don't go any further. I kind of want to just go through and read it all again.
Organize my eating plans for the summer. I would love to have a several week eating plan in place - each meal planned out, some even prepared and shopping lists organized.
Number or alphabetize our dvd's. When we moved we took all of the dvd's and cd's out of cases and into those big dvd binders. It was going to be so much easier to lug around a couple of those big binders than it would be to have all the cases. But when we did it we didn't do it in an organized way - we just literally threw them in the binder. I know it might sound nuts (at least it does to my husband) but I'd like to give each dvd a number, and each spot in the binder a number. Then I'd type up a list and have the dvd's and their numbers listed. That way when a kid took one out of the binder they could just match them up when they returned it....like I said - Cory thought I was being too anal.
Open an Esty shop and sell handmade cards. I've been playing around with this idea for a few weeks now and I really want to do it. But I want to do it in a big way....and have a bunch of cards made up to sell right off the bat. I'd like to design a great logo, some cute graphics to put in my shop.....need more time....
Organize my digital scrapbooking files. Lots and lots of great products I've gotten over the years from the designers I've worked with, freebies on the web, etc - but I'd like to have them more organized and remind myself what I have.
Sort and organize my kids toys - I need to do a dollar store/happy meal toy clean out. I also need to re-do our play bins/drawers and sort them. I want to label those too: tool toys, cars, potato heads, super heros, etc.
Have fun with my kids and hubby. I don't do that enough. I don't just enjoy them enough....I hope that at some point in life I'll find a balance where I feel like I've been spiritual enough, done enough housework, created enough, worked out enough....and played enough!

Friday Photos: Gabe's year of Kindergarten

2011-06-03T11:00:00.002-05:00

It's hard for me to believe that my "baby" finishes his last day of Kindergarten today. I can think back to my first year in elementary school and I have memories of fun things we did. To think of my little Gabe being old enough for that....makes me feel old myself! But I'm happy that he's had a great year. A flashback of his year in Kindergarten:

Kindergarten in Utah is just 1/2 day. So Gabe only had school for 2 hours and 45 minutes each day. He went to school in the afternoon, but on Wednesdays "Squishy Days" they had an early out schedule, so he attended in the morning. It was always a little bit confusing to try to remember what day it was and what time to pick him up or drop him off at school.

He started the school year in Southern Utah. His teacher Miss Cooley was amazing. She has been teaching for a long time and is a favorite of many. We could certainly add our family to the list! As a mom I loved getting to go into the classroom to help with reading, or to go on the fieldtrip with the kids.

Gabe's class was all sad to hear that he'd be moving after Christmas. As I left the classroom that last day I volunteered I have to admit I shed a few tears thinking of leaving his great class.

After January we moved to Texas and with that came the excitement of "All-Day Kindergarten". It was a bit of a struggle to get adjusted to, but Gabe really enjoyed the activities he'd get to do by having an all-day schedule. They have different "Specials" (like Theater Arts, Music, Art) every-other-day and then on the other days they have P.E. A high-light for Gabe was creating a "Pinch Pot" in Art class where they got to fire it, glaze it, and bring it home. He was so proud of his creation!

Gabe has become quite the reader this year! I love nothing more than to hear him read a book to me, or even better - hear him reading to Hunter. It still takes quite a bit of encouragement, but when he buckles down and does it he's an awesome reader. We're planning to work on our reading through the summer, the boys are excited to participate in the summer reading programs through the local libraries!

100 day of Kindergarten - a celebration no matter where you live - Utah or Texas. Gabe's school had a parade and fun 100 days events going on to celebrate. Gabe decided for his 100 days poster he'd glue 100 cutout Mickey Mouse heads. It was fun to count them out and watch him glue them on.

Valentine's Day - Gabe wanted homemade Valentine's. That made this crafty mama proud. He helped me design them and was pretty happy with how they turned out.

The school had several fun family-friendly events - a fun Valentine's Day lunch, Muffins with Mom, Donuts with Dad, a Sock Hop Dance, we attended the school musical, and the highlight for sure was the school's carnival - complete with a "Fun Run" that we ran together. I have loved the extra activities they've offered at the school!

May has been filled with fun activities too - the class field trip to Sweet Berry Farms, Field Day and all coming together with Kindergarten Graduation. I will have to admit that I cried like a baby at graduation. To see Gabe all grown up, wearing his little graduation hat - it was just a bit much for me. I could almost instantly picture him 12 years from now graduating from high school - it just hit a bit too close to home for me.

So farewell to Kindergarten....hello 1st grade!

(In a seperate note - I have had all kinds of issues with posting all these pictures...sorry for the formatting mess.)

Thursday Treats - Coconut Lemon Pixies

2011-06-02T10:00:00.007-05:00

Last month a member of our ward made these delicious cookies that she passed around during her Relief Society lesson. They were AMAZING. They were light, sweet, but not overbearing. They had just the right amount of lemon flavor but also were....perfect! So the other night I was having some friends over and decided I'd try the recipe they'd shared with us for those cookies. But when I went to make them I realized that I couldn't find the recipe. Darn! But I remembered that the internet is a wonderful thing and I think I found almost the exact same recipe.

So head to this website and check out this AWESOME recipe for Coconut Lemon Pixies. I promise you will not be disappointed!

Does Your Blog Suck?

2011-06-01T22:46:00.000-05:00

My cute friend Jessica Kopp has issued a challenge on her blog. Post on your blog every single day for the month of June. This challenge came after her daughter told her that their family blog sucked and they needed to do something about it. So Jessica spent the month of May updating her blog on a daily basis. She had guest posts from her daughter who instigated the project, posted photos, lists, things that made her happy - just simple, every-day stuff.

Now Jess is issuing the same challenge to the readers of her blog, so I'm going to take her up on it. Not to get the prize she's offering (since I'm pretty sure she hadn't planned to travel for her offer) - but to get myself thinking, liven up my blog, and remember how much I love to record aspects of our every-day life, as well as the miracles that happen on a pretty regular basis. So I hope you're ready - because ready or not, here comes June and my post-every-day attempt.

Scrapbook Layouts

2011-05-29T17:20:00.000-05:00

I've recently cut back on the design teams I'm on for digital scrapbooking. I love it so much, so that was hard for me - but I felt torn between several different things and felt it was time to lighten my load a little bit. But here are some of the creations I've done lately.

May 2011 Pictures

2011-05-29T17:15:00.001-05:00

I have wanted to get some pictures of our last few weeks of activities posted on here but haven't had a chance. Here is a link to my facebook page to see the pictures. Been having lots of fun! Wish I was better at taking pictures because I have missed quite a few moments too - times at the pool, the splash park, bbq's with friends, fun girls nights with awesome friends, ET family movie night....but overall we've had some good family times. Here's hoping we survive the heat of the next several months and get to enjoy the summer!

Click here to view pictures on Facebook!

Perfect Thoughts!

2011-05-19T18:00:00.002-05:00

You know when you read something that just fits exactly what you've been searching for? When you find a PERFECT answer in someone else's words? That's the case with this article I just read:

LDS.org - New Era Article - Five Scriptures That Will Help You Get through Almost Anything

Scripture One: We Know That God Loves His Children! (1 Nephi 11:17)
Scripture Two: We Know That God Allows Evil to Exist in the World (Moses 7:26–33)
Scripture Three: Our Work Is Not Finished! (Alma 14:13)
Scripture Four: The Atonement Is Not Just for Sinners (Alma 7:11–12)
Scripture Five: One Day, the Lord Will Reveal All Things (D&C 101:32–36)
The Ultimate Answer - The Lord Is Over All

John Byetheway has always been one of my very favorite speakers. I loved hearing him at EFY when I was a kid. I've loved watching his Deseret Book video specials and I have always had fun listening to his books on tape - he's just awesome. But tonight as I read this article I wasn't impressed because of his witty-banter, or the silly way he performs - I was touched by the spirit. That happens frequently when listening to Brother Byetheway, but this time I was just so touched that some of the words I was searching for (both for myself and for some other people I'd been thinking about, praying for) were perfect for the situations. Guess that is another one of those tender mercies that we're so often blessed with.

So read the article - I promise you won't be disappointed!

20 Questions With Gabe (2009 edition)

2011-05-18T23:18:00.019-05:00

I was cleaning out some files and I found a little Q&A I did with Gabe a little over 2 years ago - so he was the same age as Hunter is now - 3 years old. It was fun to read his answers to some of these things. Sometimes it just hits me that time is going by SO fast with my kids. I need to take a few extra minutes to cherish them, treasure our times together and give them extra squeezes and kisses. Sure do love them!

1. What is something mom always says to you?

Don't slap Hunter - even if he throws food on the floor!

2. What makes mom happy?

Hunter playing with me, and laughing, and when we sing songs to her.

3. What makes mom sad?
When Hunter fights me up.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
When you watch Playhouse Disney movies with me

5. What was your mom like as a child?
You'd read books

6. How old is your mom?
14

7. How tall is your mom?

14 long - like a giraffe neck

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Play "Playhouse Disney" computer games with me.

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

Play with Hunter

10. What is your mom really good at?

Fighting - like with swords

11. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

Hawaii - with ME!

12. What is your mom not very good at?

You can't play toys - because you don't do it.

13. What does your mom do for her job?
You play toys with me - that's your job. That guy we watched on the computer - his job was to catch allitgators - but yours is to play with me.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Pasghetti!

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
That I'm good at playing toys

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Woody (from Toy Story) - because you're funny

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Play toys.

18. How are you and your mom the same?

When we match and we talk the same.

19. How are you and your mom different?

You're wearing green, and I'm wearing this (camo)

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

To infinity and beyond!

Good Luck Mom!

2011-05-18T07:00:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty sure I've bragged about how cool my Mom is on here before....but if not I wanted to take a short second to do so this morning. See - this morning my mom is taking a test for a class she's taking through BYU-Independent Study and she could use all of the good luck, prayers and extra positive thoughts anyone could send her way.....so go for it - send up a little extra prayer, I know she'll feel it and appreciate it!

I know that when I'm down, or when I'm having a particularly hard "mommy-day" (often followed by my ever-famous "mommy meltdown") that I can feel my mom's prayers surrounding me. Sometimes I feel it in the moment as I need it and other times I look back thinking, "How on earth did I get through that day!?!? It is then that I realize it must have been during those particular difficult moments that my Mom paused to say a little prayer for me.

My mom is one of my very best friends in the world. I'm grateful that I've developed a friendship with her that I can say that. I had a few rough teen-age years where I wouldn't have said we were even good friends - but we're over that now and she's simply put - the best! So grateful to have her in my court, to have her support, her love, her prayers and her friendship.

So GOOD LUCK Mom - you rock and I hope your test goes fantastically!!! We love you!!!

Giving to Others

2011-05-12T13:45:00.000-05:00

I saw this picture in a friend's Facebook album (she found it on Pintrest....a phenomenon I have yet to get involved with....) and it made me smile. Not only because it made me think about how true the sentiment is and how blessed we become by serving others, but even more because it reminded me of my Dad. My Dad has an ability to give to others in a no-strings-attached kind of way and he does it so often, and so well. What a blessing it has been in my life to have my cute Dad as an example of serving and giving to others. I could write a long novel of all of the things he does on a regular basis, as well as some pretty big one-time kind of deals - but knowing him it would almost defeat the purpose. He gives in secret, he doesn't do it with banners and balloons announcing his gifts, he does it quietly, secretly, and with no expectations of thanks or fanfare. That's one of the things I love about him. Thanks Dad.

Why Do I Read....?

2011-05-09T14:33:00.000-05:00

I will read forever to feed my need for exploration and adventure. I will continue to read to experience places, lifestyles and far-away-lands that I won't be able to travel to in person. Reading opens doors, puts wind in my sails and helps me take flight. I will read to escape, to relax and to be invigorated and inspired. I will read because I can and because by reading I am not stagnant. I read to give my self the chance to walk a mile in someone else's shoes, see points of view beyond my own and expand my small piece of humanity into a world-wide stage. I read for myself, to feed my imagination and stretch the creativity that stirs within myself. I read to teach my children and to give them stories and lessons that I cannot offer from my own limited experience. I read to learn from others so that I do not have to walk some of the paths of saddness and sorrow that they have struggled through, but I can learn the lessons from the things that they teach me. I read because it reminds me there are such things as lands of make believe and "happily ever afters".

(***This is just a little paragraph I wrote to enter a contest to win a Nook from Barnes and Noble....not that I'll win, but sometimes it's a good reminder to ask ourselves why we do something. Why do YOU read? Jot down your reason and even take a second to enter the contest!)

Freebie Quick Page

2011-05-05T23:39:00.001-05:00

In celebration of (inter)National Digital Scrapbooking Day I'm giving away a freebie digital scrapbook quick page. The page is put together using a new kit by The Ettes called Time 4 Me. This is a totally DARLING kit (as usual from The Ettes!)

Here is my example of the Quick Page in use with some of my favorite pictures with me and my boys.

So CLICK HERE to download your copy of the quick page. And after you download the freebie be sure to head over to The Ettes store at Pickleberry Pop and see all the gorgeous products they have.

I hope you all get a chance to do some scrapbooking this weekend as we celebrate digital scrapbooking. I am so grateful that I've been able to enjoy the hobby for the last several years. I love being able to preserve my family's memories while I'm also enjoying the creativity process. So grateful for hobbies!

Fantastic Video - Dayton's Legs

2011-04-26T14:21:00.000-05:00

I came across this video last week, just a day before Cory was going to participate in a sprint triathlon himself. As I watched this sweet boy and his immense love and friendship for Dayton I couldn't hold back the tears. I called my boys into my computer room and had the watch it with me several times. I cried and told them that I hoped they could be that kind of friend to someone someday. We had a moment to talk about how Jesus is friends to everyone, and He wants us to love others too.

What a beautiful and touching story!

Layouts

2011-04-21T23:10:00.000-05:00

Quick Page Freebie!

2011-04-20T16:05:00.001-05:00

Check out my post at Libby Pritchett's blog today. I show how easy it is to use Quick Pages, or to add more to them and create your own creation. There's a FREE Quick Page available that looks like this, so check it out!

Oh! While you're at it, head over to The Ettes blog too and make sure you are signed up for their email newsletter. The Ettes never disappoint with their darling designs, so you won't want to miss out on what they're up to!

The Ettes Contest

2011-04-16T20:48:00.001-05:00

Check out this blog post from The Ettes and maybe YOU can be a winner!!!

Zumba with Jabari - (ROCKS!)

2011-04-12T13:14:00.000-05:00

I've been talking up the Zumba class I go to at Lifetime Fitness and thought I'd check to see if I could find our instructor Jabari in action. Check out this video and see the class I go to each week. It doesn't give Jabari enough credit because going to his class is a TOTAL blast. I love that he has fun, gets us moving and makes someone like me even think she can dance. Speaking of my ability to dance....my friend Tannie and I decided to go to his Hip-Hop dance class a month or so ago - just to give it a try. I felt like I was stumbling along during the last 1/2 of the class. The next night at Zumba he came up and talked to me before class and asked how I'd liked it. I said I'd had a great time, but I wasn't very good....he paused and I could tell he was trying really hard to respond as politely as possible. He gave me a sympathetic look and said, "Uh...but you kept trying....? Keep coming and you'll eventually catch on....?" He said it almost like a question, like he wasn't totally sure if I'd catch on, but why not try? It totally made me laugh. I'm not a dancer by any means, but I totally can Zumba with Jabari! (Now to just convince him to teach more than one class a week.....)

Julia and Mat's Wedding Guest Book

2011-04-11T21:15:00.001-05:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Some Digi-Scrapping Stuff

2011-04-05T06:00:00.002-05:00

Check out this great post on Libby's blog and check out these fun freebie templates you can download. One of them is based on this layout I created using a Libby Pritchett kit.

Here are a few other layouts I've done recently. I haven't been scrapping as much as usual....don't know where my creative energy ran off to!

And here are some of the latest Quick Page Albums I have released using Connie Prince products. They can be purchased at Gotta Pixel and Scrapbook Bytes.

And there will be more coming soon :)

LDS General Conference

2011-04-03T22:10:00.000-05:00

Oh how I LOVE listening to General Conference! I am in awe each time how relevant and poingant the messages are - as if some of them are written just for me! I am so grateful that the spirit can speak to my heart and that I can connect with the words of our church leaders!

If any of you missed what was shared in conference this past weekend check back at this website where they will list when the transcripts and recordings are available. I promise if you listen with an open heart and mind that the spirit can speak of the truth to your soul.

A few inspiring words....

2011-04-03T22:03:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to share a couple inspiring quotes I've seen floating around the blog world. I don't take credit for any of them - it's all been created by other great people.

And lastly - check out this great website - Eighteen25. They have darling ideas and they have these super cute "Easter Subway Art Prints" that you can download for all kinds of holidays and occasions. I love it!

ENJOY!

Create

2011-03-23T11:47:00.000-05:00

I don't know if I've ever shared this video message before....if not - check it out. I LOVE everything about this video. The message, the music, the images - most of all, the feeling that my heart feels. I know that our Heavenly Father wants us to create - whether it be works of art, families, beautiful living spaces, friendships, love.....So don't listen to the critics that might keep you down. Rely on the spirit and your capacity to create will grow!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2011-03-22T08:28:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday to my sweetie Cory. Cory is amazing and I am so lucky to have him as my partner and best friend. One of Cory's greatest qualities is that he is so optomistic. You never hear Cory say "I can't" - it's always "We'll figure it out" or "It will all workout somehow". He's so amazing at seeing possibility and not focusing on the negative. He's also determined to make things work for the people he loves. He takes care of us and wants nothing more than for our family to have what they need - and what they want - in life.

I love you sweetheart, and I am grateful to have you to wake up to every day. You bless my life more than you'll ever know!

Lifting Burdens: The Atonement of Jesus Christ

2011-03-09T10:01:00.000-06:00

What a beautiful reminder of the gift of the Atonement. Through our Heavenly Father and Savior we can find the peace of God that will surpass all of our earthly understanding. He can - and WILL make us whole and complete. What a blessing that is to me in my life, and I hope anyone reading this can feel of His love through this message.

New Scrapbook Pages

2011-03-03T23:48:00.004-06:00

I am.....

2011-03-01T10:00:00.000-06:00

Last week I took a yoga class from a teacher I hadn't taken from before. She was a little....different....a little too "new-age-like" for my taste. At first I thought she was a bit kooky and figured at least it would be a relaxing hour, and possibly somewhat humorous....

At one point she started talking (that was one of the problems - she talked a lot!) about how we needed to stop focusing on what we wanted, and focus on putting what we wanted into acutalized statments. Like saying, "I am happy" instead of "I want to feel happy". The idea was really strong - the idea that we are what we think about most of the time. And by thinking exclusively of what we want - we're living in a state of feeling unfulfilled - instead of starting things in a different way - so that we felt somewhat accomplished, which helps us to achieve these things. (Think of the philosophy of the book "The Secret".) Anyway - as she got talking about this she encouraged us to all think of something that we were working towards and come up with some statements that were worded like "I am______".

Now, let me rewind a bit to say that before I had left for the gym I had been feeling really high-strung. It was a Tuesday - and I have a history of just being a wreck on Tuesdays (especially between 4-7 pm on Tuesdays - I don't know what it is...?) I was feeling really inadequate, unhappy, stressed out - crummy and down on myself.

So here I am lying on the floor in a very relaxing pose - breathing and trying to think of a statement that reflected what I wanted in a positive way. I wasn't terriblly intent on anything in particular but a thought entered my mind VERY strongly, "I am - a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me, and I love Him." Here were words I had said dozens, even hundreds of times as a Young Woman in the LDS church. It is a part of the theme for the Young Women's organization, and a part of the mantra that we repeated each week at church, and at our activities.

I tried to think of other phrases, other ways of saying positive things - but it was almost like a voice said, "You are a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves you - does anything else really matter???"

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that no - if I can truly say with all the conviction of my heart that I KNOW I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me, and I love Him - everything else will fall into place. Being a good mother and wife should come more naturally. I should treat my fellow men better because I have the perspective of knowing who I am and where I come from. I should work harder at my church calling, or speak more lovingly to those around me - just becuase I know the divine heritage I carry with me. I should be more gentle on myself simply because a daughter of God inherently has great worth.

So think for a moment - who are you, or what is it you're hoping for? Think of a way to put that into a positive statement and really think about it. Remember - you are what you think of most of the time. Try to remember who you are and where you come from and hopefully we will all be moving in a positive and healthy direction.

NEW Quick Pages for sale!!!

2011-02-28T23:08:00.000-06:00

I've taken a bit of a break with moving and getting my bearings here in Texas. Now I'm hoping I'm getting a little more settled in a routine and things and I'll get to be creating digital scrapbook quick pages again. Here are a couple albums that went up for sale this week:

I'm excited to be doing this again. Stay tuned for more pages coming soon!

A Saturday's Warrior Moment

2011-02-28T23:03:00.000-06:00

This weekend I was lucky to attend our stake’s Relief Society Conference. They had events Friday evening and Saturday for several hours – including a nice dessert and fantastic lunch on Saturday. It was a great way to relax without kids, enjoy the sisterhood of Relief Society and feel the spirit and love of our Heavenly Father.

I had one particular thought as I was listening to a sweet sister from our ward speak. She was talking about our divine potential and the beautiful people we are. She talked about our Heavenly Father and who we were even before we came to earth. As she talked about the premortal existence I had a little flash to “Saturday’s Warrior”. Don’t laugh – I didn’t start singing, “I’ve think I’ve seen that face before….it seems we’ve talked like this before…..” But I did get to thinking about the relationships we have had before we came to earth.

Have you ever had a friendship that just came so naturally, just seemed like you must have known each other before….? I have had some really special friends in my life that just have felt like we’ve had an extra special place in each other’s lives. I remember my best friend growing up – Jana Huntington (Johnson now)’s mom used to always say she was sure we had been friends in the preexistence –I have to say I agree – it is an eternal friendship. (As are several other blessed friendships I have).

Anyway – as the speaker got to talking about promises we had made in the pre-existence with our Heavenly Father I got thinking about promises I may have made with friends and loved ones even before coming to earth. I wondered if there were relationships that included promises to be friends and watch out for each other on earth. I even went further into thinking about choices that we have made on earth that maybe were somewhat thought out before we set foot on this earth.

• What if I had promised other friends that I would be the friend to go through infertility battles so that we could all learn that joint prayers and fasting work?

• What if I had friends who had offered to be the ones to make grievous mistakes so that we could all learn to forgive and love?

• Are there friends that I promised before we were born that I would be a missionary to them and share the gospel? Were there friendships that included vows to introduce the truth to each other and help teach and lead each other to what was right?

• What if I had promised special friends that when they fell and made hard choices I would be there to help pick them back up and help them to start again?

• I wondered if I had friends who had promised to be examples to me of hard work, dedication and love so that I could get through hard times?

I know that we are given agency when we come to earth, but I also wonder if some of our decisions were somewhat planned out before we came, or if we might have been given a little preview of possibilities of what was to come. I wonder if we had a glimpse of the personality traits we would have in our mortal existence and talked about how we would handle certain situations?

This little glimpse or idea made me think of times when it might seem like too much to serve, or when it might be easier to just pass by the problem without taking care of it. It made me think of times I could reach out a helping hand and “pause to help and lift another”. I am grateful for the reminder that we just might have made promises to love our brothers and sisters a little more than we do on a daily basis.

Then again – maybe not….but I sure don’t want to get to “the other side” and realize that I had broken promises to people I loved the very most….

Inspirational Friends

2011-02-20T22:40:00.000-06:00

(This was a journal entry I wrote in October. After I finished this layout today I wanted to share it with my experience.)

As I started to run in my fist ½ marathon (August 7th, 2010 – Provo Canyon) I knew that one of the only ways I was going to be able to run this race was with the divine help of my Heavenly Father. I also knew that He wanted me to run this race. I felt that the race had been placed in my life for me to succeed at, to give me strength for the trials coming up in my life, and to be a starting point for more physical challenges I might want to undertake in the near future. I had felt from the moment I made the decision to run in the race that it had been an answer to prayers – both my own and prayers of those who love me.

But in the moment that the race was about to begin and I started one of the many prayers in my heart for the day I had a thought enter my mind that changed the race for me….and quite possibly changed my outlook and life from that point forward. I had the thought that it was important to pray before a race (I’d had other experiences regarding prayer and running that had proven this to me) – but that if I focused on “Please bless ME to run better. Please take away the pain in MY feet – etc” that I would be focusing entirely too much on myself. In doing that I worried that I might find myself focusing on my difficulties, my pains, and that it might make those things seem worse in some ways. Sure as you run it is important to think about yourself somewhat – I mean who else is going to tell your legs to move, or your lungs to breathe…but I needed to take myself out of the equation for a moment.

So as I started the race I decided that from that point on when I needed some help in my running, or needed a distracting thought to keep me from focusing on the difficult task or pain in my body – I would say a prayer for someone else. Instantly I knew what I needed to do. A friend of mine Cathryn Jensen from the Transformation.com group I’m a part of was embarking on a VERY difficult race that day also. She would be doing the Pine Valley 15 mile run. This run made my ½ marathon look like a picnic as the trails were off road, steep, difficult and it was even longer in distance. I knew that Cathryn was nervous about the race and that it was something she was incredibly scared about.

So as I began my prayers I prayed that Heavenly Father would bless her with wings on her feet. I asked that she would have a calm mind, that her pains would be eliminated and that she would find the strength I knew she had within herself. If a blister started to hurt I’d pray and ask that Cathryn’s shoes would fit comfortably, that her legs would move strongly and that she would enjoy the time she was having in the beautiful mountains.

As I did this I was feeling closer to my Heavenly Father, and I was able to not focus on the hard time I was having. It was so powerful to me. But truthfully after the race I didn’t think too much about it….not until I read Cathryn’s account of the race that she ran. As I read what she had journaled about after her experience it came full circle – it made sense and strengthened my testimony of prayer in a way I haven’t quite experienced before. Here are just a few of the words she wrote about things she learned from her run:

Heavenly Father truly does care about our goals and personal accomplishment:
I have back issues. I injured my back in the MTC (missionary training center) many years ago. My bottom two vertebrae are squished together and push on my sciatic nerve. For many years this has caused me a lot of pain. I have never been able to run more than a couple of miles without stopping to stretch my back out and decompress. I usually complete a run limping because it is just too much pounding pressure for my back to handle. Today, I didn’t have to stop once out of pain. My back didn’t even “twinge” or falter in the least. I have never felt more strength in my back as I did today.
The last month or so, my right knee has hurt once I hit 5 miles or so of running; not today. Not an ounce of pain.
I live at sea level in California. Today’s run was at 6500 feet. Not once did I feel like I was gasping for air or struggling to get enough oxygen today. I have felt it every run I have done here in Utah, but not today.
Today’s weather could not have been more perfect. It was cool (60ish degrees), very overcast, breezy and even sprinkled on us a few times. When I thought to myself, “wow, we are so lucky to have such nice weather this morning” I had a very calm, warm and peaceful feeling penetrate my heart and my soul heard the words, “I did it for you.” (Ok, now I am crying AGAIN just thinking about this. I know what I heard; I heard a loving Father ‘s whisper.)

As I read her account and feelings and the tears flowed freely - I had the strongest rush of gratitude for her experience. SO grateful that she took the time to write about how she’d felt. I felt so strong in my heart, “Those blessings were answers to prayers.” I didn’t have the feeling of “look what you did” – because I didn’t have anything to do with it. I had the feeling of “You looked outside of yourself as you ran – which blessed you. But at the same time it blessed others. We are all so connected and prayers are one of the most important ways of connecting us.” My testimony of prayer exploded that day and I felt such a confirmation of love from our Heavenly Father who wanted Cathryn and I to both have beautiful experiences.

So I’ve thought about this experience as I’ve ran other races. I’ve tried to focus on others, tried to think of other people who my need prayers answered (don’t we all???). Because of that my running time has become a sacred time for me. The time when my feet hit the pavement and I feel the fresh air are not only therapeutic for my body – but they are energizing and refreshing for my spirit and my soul. I feel so close to my Heavenly Father and the blessings He is waiting to pour out on me. I find my running time to be truly one of the most spiritual places I can be. I have had inspiration whispered in my ears, feelings brought to my heart and answers literally told to me in my mind. Running is a sanctuary for me and for that I will be eternally grateful.

I had the blessing of getting to meet Cathryn in person this past week at the Denver Transformation Conference. As I was leaving the convention on Saturday I had the feeling like I should tell Cathryn about my experience back in August. We would both be running in the ½ marathon the following morning and I felt a strong feeling like I should tell her how her running in Pine Valley had changed my testimony and blessed me for life. I felt a little apprehensive about telling her because I didn’t want to say, “Look at me – I prayed for you.” That just sounded so pompous and proud….so I tried to find the right words and tell her of the experience.

As I finished telling her how it had blessed me, and how grateful I was that she shared the blessings she’d felt as she ran she was just so sweet about it. She wiped the tears away and I remember her saying, “You’re making me cry – and I don’t cry!” I loved looking at her face and the sweet, beautiful connection we were able to make. I’m so grateful that my experiences with the Transformation.com community have blessed my life in many, many ways. I am so blessed to have been touched and inspired by many people like Cathryn. So grateful for that!

Journaling from the layout:

One of the highlights of attending the Denver Transformation conference was meeting Cathryn Jensen. Cathryn has been a big inspiration to me through my Transformation journey. She is such a strong and amazing woman and mom. I have learned a lot about hard work and not giving up from her. I got to share with her the experience I had when I ran my first half marathon and how she’d touched me. (She was also running a big race at the same time and I concentrated on praying for her when my own race would become difficult for me. Focusing on someone else while turning my heart to prayer helped me to not focus on my own difficult journey while my heart was drawn out in prayer. I loved giving her a hug and telling her how great I think she is! (October 16, 2010)

I have been changed for good....

2011-02-14T23:11:00.000-06:00

I dreaded this moment – the moment when I was going to have to lock the door to our house, close the door and get into my car packed up with all of our belongings headed to Texas. I had thought about my feelings and what they would be at that moment several times over the last couple months as we prepared for our new adventure. I pictured them filled with tears, sadness to leave the house we’d made our own, the house I had brought my babies home from the hospital to, the house we’d finished and the yard we’d worked on…..With all that we’d gone through over the last couple of years with our business and the economy I worried that it would all come to a point when I had to leave the house. I wasn’t looking forward to the experience of actually leaving…..

But guess what? As I pulled out of that driveway I was ok! I didn’t even tear up or get upset at all. I looked at the house and felt grateful for my experiences there. Grateful for the true sense of home it has produced for our family. I wasn’t heart-broken and as I drove away I was feeling strong and proud of myself for really being able to leave this earthly possession I worried meant too much to me. The feelings I had been reminded of were true “they were just things….”

Then I had one last errand to run before leaving Enoch and literally “hitting the road”. I needed to run something over to a dear friend’s house before officially leaving. I pulled into her driveway still feeling pretty strong and proud of myself for not falling apart at that point. I felt like wow – I could really do this without sobbing the rest of the way to Texas. I even felt like I was going to be able to drop off this item and tell her good bye without causing too much of a scene. I wasn’t quite so lucky with this one….as I said my final good-bye and hugged this sweet, special friend it all started to crash in around me. We were leaving Utah…

But you know what? In that moment I felt stronger than ever that I wasn’t upset about the *things* we were leaving behind, the physical possessions that we were having to say good-bye to and give up. What I was heartbroken about was leaving the friends that had literally changed my life and made it worthwhile and fulfilling. In that instant the value of true friendships and loving people in our lives filled me with love and gratitude. But at the same time a big empty spot ached knowing I was leaving those dear friendships behind.

So I got on the freeway and headed south on I-15. About 30 miles from Enoch a song came on that summed it all up. This song literally jumped out of my stereo and it was as if someone had gotten inside of my head and my thoughts were spilling out. “For Good” from the Wicked soundtrack had all new meaning to me. These people had changed my life for better because I knew them!!! I put it on repeat and I’ll admit cried for quite a while as I drove.

I have listened to this song over and over again since then and thought of all of the people in my life that have changed it for the better. From my dear sweet Grandpa who passed away last month to the friends I’ve left behind in Utah – people have changed my life for better just because they have left that handprint on my heart and I am so indebted and grateful for them.

So on this Valentine’s Day think of people who have changed your life for better, let them know that and thank them while you can. Friendships and loved ones are what make life worthwhile and beautiful. Friendships with people who understand you and love you anyway. Friends who have counted on you, and who you have trusted and depended on as well. I’ve been blessed and changed forever - thank you.

For Good – Wicked Soundtrack

I'm limited:
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you -
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
(spoken) For both of us
(sung) Now it's up to you:

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you:

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend:

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you:
I have been changed for good

Layout catch-up

2011-02-11T23:43:00.000-06:00

Great Quote

2011-02-10T08:58:00.002-06:00

“Not long ago, one of my children said, ‘Dad, sometimes I wonder if I will ever make it.’ The answer I gave to her is the same as I would give to you if you have had similar feelings. Just do the very best you can each day. Do the basic things and, before you realize it, your life will be full of spiritual understanding that will confirm to you that your Heavenly Father loves you. When a person knows this, then life will be full of purpose and meaning, making balance easier to maintain.” --Elder M. Russell Ballard

Blog needs some changes.....

2011-02-01T16:38:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking about my blog for a while now and wanting to change some stuff with the looks of it. Not sure if anyone still even reads this blog, but if you do....I'll hopefully be posting some new stuff, changing it up a bit...I have some ideas in my head, so if I can make those ideas translate into what I'm hoping for - you'll see them. If not, oh well - I had good intentions :)

Brothers book

2011-01-30T21:48:00.001-06:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Libby Lou Crew FREEBIE Quick Pages

2011-01-26T15:33:00.000-06:00

Check out this AWESOME set of Quick Pages using Libby Pritchett products. 18 Quick Pages that are ALL awesome and FREE!. I love being on Libby's creative team. She's so talented and her products are always so fun to work with. Check them out!

http://blog.libbyweifenbach.com/2011/01/libby-lou-crew-team-giveaway.html

Broken Things to Mend - (a beatiful reminder!)

2011-01-20T14:51:00.000-06:00

My sister in law Ashley sent me this video today. The timing and message were perfect. Exactly what I needed to be reminded of today. Our Savior and our reliance on Him is the one true way to the lifting of burdens we have in our lives. Not just our sins, but our burdens and heartaches.

I needed this gentle and loving reminder to turn my heart to my Savior and let him help me to carry the burdens and trials I have. What a beautiful message!!!

Layouts

2011-01-10T22:34:00.001-06:00

I'm around - just a little swamped. We've been busy MOVING! Yup - we've moved our family to Texas right after Christmas and have been just catching up on things. That's a pretty huge change so it's taking a bit for me to get my head above water. So bear with us, and until then here are some layouts :)

Scrapbook Pages

2011-01-03T23:00:00.001-06:00

I'm so grateful for our Savior!

2010-12-15T22:58:00.000-06:00

Over the last few days I have felt an overwhelming love for my Savior, the gospel and the Atonement. I am beyond grateful that we have promises that we can return to our Heavenly Father because our Heavenly Father sent His Son Jesus Christ to live and die for us.

A friend of mine posted this comment on Facebook. I'm not sure if it was something she was quoting, or something she wrote herself - but it touched me and reminded me of how grateful I am that (as usual) our Heavenly Father sent us all exactly what we would need.

God sent us a Savior

If our greatest need had been information, God would of sent us an educator.

If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been Money, God would of sent us a economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need was forgiveness, So God sent us a Savior.

The Ettes!

2010-12-10T13:56:00.001-06:00

My favorite ladies over at The Ettes & Company are getting their newsletter together and starting to send out their cute newsletter. Sign up and you'll get fun ideas, sale alerts and there will even be a fun gift for signing up for the newsletter later this month.

So head over to their blog and sign up for their newsletter!!!

And check out the newest collection they released this week. WOW!!!! GREAT designs - a must have kit! I'd suggest the bundle, but you can purchase the items individually too. Fabulous flair, darling doodles (they seriously have the cutest doodles!!!) and super adoreable alphas and elements.

Giving Shutterfly a Try

2010-12-07T01:03:00.001-06:00

I just tried something I haven't done before - I ordered from Shutterfly printing service. A while back I had a friend send me an invite to a Shutterfly home party that included a free 8x8 album as well as 10 printed cards. So I'm giving it a try and seeing how their service is. I wish I had a bit more time to work on the album - and it would have been more cohesive and cool - but I realized this evening that if I wanted to take advantage of the special free offer I had to place my order by midnight tonight. So with 4 minutes to spare I got it done. I'm looking forward to seeing the quality of printing at least - should be good :). I also had a free shipping code - so the whole deal was completly free. Can't beat that huh?

Photo card:

Classic Without Edge Party 5x7 folded card

Unique party invitations and greeting cards by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

8X8 album with 2009 Holiday layouts:

Click here to view this photo book larger

BELIEVE

2010-11-05T02:23:00.003-05:00

So at the beginning of the year there was buzz around about people choosing their "word" for 2010. A word that they would focus on as they interacted with others, as the tried to live up to their 2010 resolutions, and a word that would signify the journey they were on for the next year of time.

I haven't done this in the past (this wasn't a new concept - it was just one of my first time to think about joining in), but I felt drawn to participating in this little activity this time around. Now, at the time (the end of 2009) I was really struggling with dozens of "issues" - and I think this little decision was a turning point for me. This was a moment that kind of forshadowed the possibility of upcoming changes in how I looked at the world, and more importantly how I looked at myself.

I thought of several words - adventure, excitement, organization, love, hope....but as I mulled these over in my mind I kept being drawn to a Christmas decoration I still had up (remember, it was just days after Christmas - I was still ok to have decorations up, I wasn't violating any decorating rules) with the simple word "BELIEVE". That floated around in my mind as a possibility - but I was really struggling with some major depression, and the word "BELIEVE" just seemed a little too optomistic; a little too out of reach.

But as of January 1st I hadn't written down my intention, I hadn't created a large art piece devoted to "my 2010 word", and I hadn't even said anything to anyone about it. I kind of filed it away in my mind under things I wish I had the time/energy to think about and let myself quit thinking about it.

Fast forward a few weeks, maybe months.... I was working out at my friend Leslie's house in the new program I was working on. I was feeling stronger, finding new confidence and light in my life. I was cleaning out the cob-webs and the darkness and feeling so much lighter in many ways. I looked up into a door-way that led to the bathroom just off of her weight room. Sitting on the counter in the bathroom was a decoration, a simple one word piece of wood, "BELIEVE". As I looked at that word I felt a reminder of my thoughts leading up to the beginning of 2010. Suddenly I felt renewed determination to have a word, to create intentions for the rest of the year revolving around these simple 7 letters. All of the thoughts I'd had weeks before of things I wished I could want seemed somewhat possible. I decided from then on that the theme for the rest of 2010 for me would be to "BELIEVE". Here are some of the areas I felt it applied:

I would BELIEVE in the people around me that I love and help them to BELIEVE in themselves.
I would BELIEVE in myself and the abilities God had blessed me with. This would mean that I would stop listening to the limiting ideas I'd let keep me from accomplishing things I wanted in the past.
I would BELIEVE that there were better chances out there and that things would look up financially.
I would BELIEVE that the trials that I was experiencing were for my good, that I would truly come out victorious over them and that they would strengthen me and the people I love in just the way we needed it.
I would BELIEVE in the gospel even more than I ever had, my testimony would grow and I would know with a surety the things I have always felt in my heart.

I found this word popping up all around me in the coming weeks. I don't know if it was actually appearing more often, or if I was just more aware of it now, but it seemed to me that it was a neon sign just about everywhere I turned. I was becoming more aware of it in home decor items I would see at the store, the word would find its way into songs I would listen to, I would notice it mentioned in church talks, inspirational posters, blogs I would read. I felt like crying out, "Ok - I get it!!! BELIEVE is my word for the year."

It has brought me peace as I've thought about it and as tender mercies have lead me to more experiences with my word. Last night as I was wasting time on the internet I came across this cute blog and a poignant graphic she had posted:

I not only wanted to frame it and hang it on my wall, or maybe on my bathroom mirror to greet me each morning - but I wanted to make a copy of it and share it with others I loved. I wanted to give a copy of it to friends as they struggled with believing in themselves, as they let the sad words of self-doubt creep in and create limiting ideas into their lives. I wanted to share a piece of the belief that I had in them so they could see themselves in the light that I see them; but more importantly than how our Heavenly Father sees us. I know that He sees what we are becoming and knows the beauty we can one day be. It's my wish that we could all get a glimpse of that from time to time. It is my wish that anyone reading this would find the power to BELIEVE in themselves and follow their dreams.

Free Scrapbook Kit and Tutorial

2010-11-05T01:51:00.001-05:00

I just saw this darling FREE kit (you have to purchase it - but it's free with the coupon code in the blog post). So if you've been thinking about trying Digital Scrapbooking - here's your perfect chance. And if you're already a seasoned digi scrapper - don't worry - you can still get the cute little kit for free. And who wants to pass up FREE? :)

http://weedsandwildflowersdesign.com/blog/?page_id=1805

(P.S. This weekend is considered IDSD - or International Digital Scrapbooking Day. I think the official day is Saturday, but most digi shops will be celebrating with sales, freebies, specials all weekend long. Join in!)

***Edited to add - They have changed this offer, and now the kit isn't free anymore. Sorry about that. It's still a great tutorial for getting started :)

Grateful and Blessed

2010-10-31T23:49:00.001-05:00

We have some special friends - Trent and Melissa Cheney. Cory and Trent were best friends in high school, I met Cory through Trent (he was a friend of my roommate's), and Melissa and I hit it off right away before they got married. We have gone through all kinds of things together and they have been a blessing in our lives.

As we struggled with infertility before having Gabe Trent and Melissa were struggling. We've gone through college experiences, being young married couples, moving, trips together - we have thought of them more as family even than as friends.

So after Naia was born - their sweet little 6 year old - and Trent and Melissa started struggling to get pregnant again our hearts started to break. They are amazing parents and wanted nothing more than to be able to add to their family. They made all kinds of attempts, tried to adopt - and prayed a lot. We all did, we all wanted them to have more kids.

And so today when I got a text forwarded to me from Cory that said, "She's here! She's 7 lbs 11 ounces. All are doing well." tears came to my eyes. I am so happy for Trent and Melissa - and can't wait for Naia to get to be a big sister. So congratulations and welcome to Kimbree - we can't think of a better family for you to be a part of!

12 Years Down - Eternity to Go...

2010-10-30T15:20:00.002-05:00

Happy 12th anniversary to my sweetheart. I'm glad that even through the crud the world tosses our way that we get to fight through it together. Thank you for being my best friend, biggest cheerleader, sweetheart, father to our kids and the dreamer that might just help me learn how to dream big. Thinking of the 12 ye...ars in our past and the eternity we have to be together and I am truly grateful that we have each other. Thank you for everything you teach me and everything you do for me - big and little.

I love you! XOXOXO