Monday, December 8, 2008
"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others. This noble transition is exemplified by an entry dated 24 December 1847, in the pioneer diary of Mrs. Rebecca Riter. She describes that first Christmas in the valley of the Great Salt Lake: “The winter was cold. Christmas came and the children were hungry. I had brought a peck of wheat across the plains and hid it under a pile of wood. I thought I would cook a handful for the baby. Then I thought how we would need wheat for seed in the spring, so I left it alone.”
We are prone to say, “Oh, those were difficult times, times of stress and trial,” and they were. But I would also reply, “These times in which we live are also difficult times in their own way.” There is no shortage of opportunities to forget self and think of others. Such opportunities, however limitless they may be, are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved." Pres. Monson Ensign Dec. 1987.
This is just a small part of his talk, you can read the rest HERE!
Hopefully I am doing a good job teaching my children the true meaning of Christmas. I think one of the best ways to do this is by example. I would love it if you shared some of your traditions with me. So please comment and if you have any great Christmas book ideas, I need one for book club.
Friday, December 5, 2008
New Look!
Andrea turned SEVEN September 1st! I really can't believe it. She is growing up so fast. Her favorite things right now are: playing with friends, school, baby dolls, cooking and doing dishes, but what she wanted most for her birthday was to get a pedicure with Nicole.
Andrea's piggies are on the right and Nicole's are on the left!
Photo courtesy of Courtney
Halloween was great. Our ward had a fall festival the weekend before. I enjoyed it more that our usual trunk or treat. We were inside with the lights on so you could actually see each other and visit with everybody. They had games for the kids and a chili cook off. On Halloween we got to trick or treat with our cousins. They have lived out of state for the last couple of years and are on the way out of the country, so it is extra special to spend time with them. Samantha was Victoria (Twilight), Christopher was Dark Vader, Andrea was a Witch and Spencer was Buzz Light Year. Unfortunately I didn't get good pictures, we were in such a hurry a couple of them didn't want there pictures taken! I am posting them anyway!
Andrea lost her first tooth November 19th. Actually she lost her bottom two teeth the same night. They were just hanging there and her Boopa pulled one and I pulled the other. We only got a picture of the first!
Thanksgiving dinner was at our house this year! It rained for two days before Thanksgiving. We live in AZ, I know we need the rain, but why did it have to rain this week! We usually eat outside all together on two long tables, the kids play outside all day long and it is always gorgeous weather. I was worried about how everything would turn out. It was great. The kids still played outside all day the ground had been so dry it soaked up all the water. We ate inside, played games looked at the adds and made plans for Black Friday. It was so nice to spend the day with family! I am so grateful to be surrounded by wonderful family and friends.
For the first time ever or at least almost ever, we got our Christmas tree up and inside of the house decorated for Christmas Thanksgiving weekend! It was such a fun weekend!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
No Excuses!
Even though I haven't posted in awhile, I still enjoy reading all of your blogs and keeping up with the fun things you all have been up too! Blogs are the best! I have made friends through blogs, been inspired by others and now I have found a friend I haven't seen since Jr. High! I found her blog through a few links from my friend Jolene's blog. Mary is unforgettable! She has the sweetest personality ever! You know the kind of person that oozes sweetness and you just want to be around them because they make you feel good! That's Mary. She was always smiling and helping others. Any memories I have of her revolve around laughter. Over the years I have thought back on choices I've made that have put me where I am today! (which is completely happy and enjoying life) The choice that made the biggest difference in my life was 18 years ago when I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I can't even imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't made that decision. It wasn't a tough choice for me, I knew it was right. I didn't just wake up one day and decide to join the Church, I was prepared over the years by people I knew and Mary was an excellent example to me! I am sure she is that same person today, always serving others, being a friend to anyone she meets, and changing lives as she did for me. We never know what influences we have on the people around us. I hope to be more like Mary and I'm excited to get back in touch with her and learn what she has been up to for the last 21 years (jaw dropping I know, it feels like yesterday) You can check out her blog here and see her cute family. Just so you know, she looks exactly the same. I will admit that makes me a little jealous!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Two Down, Two To Go!
(She really was excited to go! I think maybe she is tired of the 1st day picture routine)
Friday, August 1, 2008
The Count Down Ends!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Picture Tag!
I was pleasantly surprised to find it clean. I wanted this to be as honest as possible. I didn't want to go around and clean the places I needed to take pictures of. (even if cleaning is what I should be doing instead)
#2 My Fridge
And Out
#3 Hot Spot
I have too many of these, so I picked the worst. Okay, maybe not the worst, but the worst I wanted to share with the public. My whole office could be considered a hot spot and only a select few have seen it. You know who you are and how special your are to me.
Nothing exciting here, sorry!
This was my favorite picture to take. This is my new washer and dryer. I love them. I debated on making this room my favorite spot, (a picture coming up) but it really is only my second favorite spot. Who new doing laundry would be a favorite thing to do and that you could wash and dry 2 loads in less than 5 hours. Yes, you heard me, my old washer and dryer took that long. I was still grateful to have them because I wasn't doing it by hand!
#6 What your family is doing right NOW!
Christopher (I woke him up, OPPPS!)
Andrea
#7 Favorite spot
This is my favorite spot because I do my favorite things here. Read, watch TV, talk on the phone, and Nap!
#8 Bathroom
Could be worse!
#9 Backyard
Yes, it's cloudy and rainy out today! Yipee! It's a rainy day in AZ! I should be in my favorite spot reading right now!
#10 Self Portrait
It's early okay, I haven't brushed my hair. I am dressed for the gym, which I am more motivated to go than ever after seeing my arms in this picture!
I won't tag anyone because I think this is fun and you will want to do it too, so I look forward to seeing what your 10 spots look like!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Glow in the Dark Tag!
After everyone left the real party began!