Fundraising update

As of today, even before the event, donations are coming in and I am amazed at the generosity of people. You all make my heart happy.

Thank you :)

Scrapbooking today.

Today I have some friend coming over to scrapbook! WOo HOO! I have a project I have been working on and need to complete. But I am excited that Sherry, Vivian and Shellie are headed over.

Today I am super grateful for Princess Seriously who helped me clean the kitchen up this morning after our Tamale fest. It was a wreck and she went to work and made me smile.

I will post more later but wanted to get this up:) Thanks Princess Seriously :)

Recovery

So I was a little down yesterday. One bad turkey in 16 years is not bad. The Turkey cooked and we have lots of leftovers for turkey sandwiches :)

Today, I had a photo-shoot with one of my favorite families. I will edit some of the cute pictures and post them tomorrow or Sunday. I love this family. They have the cutest kids. Plus one of their boys is one of the two boys in my life that hold my heart. They have 2 boys which are all cute but Tyler and I have a special bond! Put him and Aleksei together and I am set for life with boys. One of the best times I had was when I had both of them at the same time and it was comedy because neither one wanted to share. But thy soon made friends and it was all good. It would be fun to get them both together again.

Tonight we made TAMALES! Friends of ours joined us and we had fun laughing and making tamales. Then Princess Seriously headed out for the night with them. Their Princess and ours have a blast together.

So I am grateful for fun times, tamales and good friends :)

Thanksgiving

So it was not the best.

The turkey was raw, I sliced my hand open and we had cranky people at dinner. Humph.

But I am still grateful. I hope everyone day a good thanksgiving :)

Wordless Wednesday

Beyond grateful

I am so grateful for the Internet and the ability to get information out. Which also makes me grateful for the generosity for people. The Danny's Family fundraiser has already started :)

Thank you everyone :)

Small grateful that goes a long way

Tonight I am grateful for Breanna. She is one of the young women in our ward. She was bored and I was the person she texted. I adore her, she is sooo funny.

I am grateful for the time I spent in the Young Women's program.

Getting to know you Christmas Edition

Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? both

2. Real tree or Artificial? Both. we have one of both. A huge fake tree and and small real one inthe from window.

3. When do you put up the tree? after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? After Christmas Dinner

5. Do you like eggnog? No

6. Favorite Gift received as a child? My bike, I loved that bike.

7. Hardest person to buy for? DH, what do you get the person that has everything?

8. Easiest person to buy for? Princess Girly Girl

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, the Willow Tree one :)

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Card, I try to do Handmade cards

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Bras from my mother in front of my boyfriend who then became my DH

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th street

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The day after Christmas for the next year

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? MY MIL’s turkey

16. Lights on the tree? I love colored lights. Sadly my fake tree is white lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Anything by the Barlow GIrls

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both, we do Christmans eve with DH and his fmaily and Christmas Morning at home :)

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Rude people

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Winnie the Pooh and Willow tree

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? MIL’s Turkey

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Scrapbooking stuff and to get more pictures developed.

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Melanie, Sherry, Brynn

27. Who is least likely to respond to this? DH

Grateful

Tonight I am really grateful for my nice warm, soft bed. One of the best things we ever did was invest in the Temperpedic Mattress. I love it. Since now I am not feeling well and managed to make it to church for Princess Seriously's program, I was really grateful to come home. As soon as I got here, I put warm jammies on and climbed right into bed. Princess Girly Girl is felling better because she is now fighting with Princess Seriously. That is when you know. The day before she did not care who said what or why. So hopefully we are all on the mend.

But tonight I am grateful for my bed. Really grateful.

Grateful for Movies

We are surviving (well, I am not feeling so hot now) and PGG living off movies. Poor thing, you can only watch so much.

So I am grateful for movies, on TV, DVD and the DVR. I have a feeling we will be using them a lot in the coming week...

I also shopped. Turkey is in the house, no Amber not Albertsons...

Still Tired

Well I thought for sure that it would be an nice a chipper post but Princess Girly Girl is still not 100%. So I was dragging last night and went to bed at 8 pm. 8 pm people. That is really early. Well it is a good thing because PGG came to us at 1 am saying my throat really hurts. DH took pity on me and went downstairs with her. But I tossed and turned not really sleeping. I went downstairs after a bit and PGG was eating a popsicle and seeming better. Went I went down again they were both out on the couch. Then at some point DH was on the other couch. He said she was a couch hog. I tried to get them to come back upstairs but they were fine so they stayed down there. Poor thing.

This morning when I left they PGG was still on the couch asleep. I sure hope that she is feeling better today. Poor thing.

One other thing, please tell I am not the only person left that need to shop for Thanksgiving dinner. Please...

Tired but Grateful

I am grateful for the fun time Princess Seriously and I had last night, well early this morning. It was fun to get out and go do something fun and be a cool mom :)

Tired

I am tired. But the movie was GREAT!!!! Go, go see it!!!

Can't stand it

I am gonna be dead tired tomorrow.

We, PS and I, are headed out to the movies. MIDNIGHT showing of Twilight. It was the free download of Bella's lullaby that put me over the edge.

What a day...

Today was one of those days that you hit the ground running. Well it started yesterday afternoon and kept going.

I woke up to get Princess Seriously to seminary at 6:30 am. Came home got DH off and then started cleaning until it was time to get Princess Girly Girl off to school Came home and scrubbed some more. Had friends come by and help with Donnann's album and then headed to lunch. Had a nice birthday lunch for Sherry :) then came home cleaned up and headed out to get PGG from school. Went to urgent care. Turns out she has strep. Went to Sam's club with homework to finish. Got Princess Seriously from Water Polo, got dinner, went to Stamp Club (CTMH version) and then home. Went off to do Visiting Teaching (a Mormon thing) then to drop off my SLR to a girl in my ward to use for the rest of the school year. Then back to the pharmacy because DH has Strep Throat too. Do you think the chances of me being sick for Thanksgiving are high. I can not escape Thanksgiving without being sick. But let me tell you that know I know AS SOON as my throat hurts I am going to the doctor.

So I am a little tired.

But today, I am grateful for health insurance. It is nice to be able to go when we need to. There people that can not do that and it makes me sad.

Grateful Wednesday

Today, I am grateful for a nice warm sunny day. I love it when it is not too hot and just perfect. Then it get a little cold (stop laughing you people in cold places) at night and you need to snuggle in the blankets and next to DH.

I love those days!

Wordless Wednesday

Grateful

Whew! Today almost slipped by without me getting a chance to be grateful.

Today I am grateful for medicine. Princess Girls Girly was not feeling well and today I am grateful that I have medicine available to make her feel better.

It is no fun having a headache all day and with Motrin and a little TLC she is doing better! So that is what I am grateful for today.

Being there

There are times that I am sad that I am far away from some dear friends. But I am very grateful for the internet because it brings us close together. Right now I am having a hard time that I am far away from Donnann.

Sometimes the only thing I can do is just being there. Well right now it is only on the phone but I am there. Today she reached out. It was a hard day yesterday. A first major milestone and can I tell you that it just sucks. Life is not fair. Sometimes I just want to stomp and cry. Other times I want to hop on a plane. More often then not I just want to make it all better. I wish I could because it is just not fair. Sometimes I can do is just listen.

Her other dear friend Tracy and I are putting together an album for everyone that sent balloons up. I am amazed by the beautiful pages that people have sent in. The thought, the cards the things that people are willing to do. Her other friend that is close to her is putting together a fundraiser to help with the medical costs in their town. She sent me the flier today. I am so grateful to Jennifer and that she is there for Donnann.

For all of us that can not be there in person, I would like to come up with something, I am asked all the time by people what can I do? Well I think we can all do something during the same time as there fundraiser. I will post details about that when I get it all in order.

For today, I am grateful that I was able to be there when Donnann needed someone. I am grateful to the others that can be there for her.

Sunday Thoughts

In church today, do not fall off the chair, yes we made it to church. LOL it is November not October. October is just one of those months of too many family obligations, too many activities, too many things. So pick up your jaw and get back into it with me. LOL

So, there I am in church having some great talks and lessons and I turned back to the inside of the program and this little thought struck me.

Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Are we inviting Christ in on a daily basis? I know that in the rush of the daily things we need to do are we taking a moment to invite Christ into our thoughts, lives and homes? I know that I am guilty of not doing that. I tend to get caught up in the things of life. Not good. Because I know when I am unfocused, then my entire family to be unfocused. So yeah it take me 16 years of marriage and 14 years of parenthood to say that outloud. But it was like you know a 2x4 (since I like those) hit me.

So course I was cranky for the rest of the day, have no idea why really. But sitting down now I realize I let another chance to invite Christ in.

That is my goal for the week. Would you care to join me?

Also while I am thinking about it. I am grateful. I am grateful for my cute little family that drives me insane and gives me great joy. I do plan on blogging about them each in the coming week. I am sure it will be gushy and cutesy and all that.

One Month

Please join me in prayer today for Donnann and her family.

It has been one month.

So, what now?

I have such random thoughts going through my head, it is kinda strange when that happens. Why it is strange you ask? Well it drives Dh crazy because I can just spit out random things that just have to get out. They are not at the right time or place and at the strangest times. Seriously don't ask about the times.

Random thought number one: Fires, what the heck, it is NOVEMBER. October yes, I get October but NOVEMBER? Is this a joke?

Random thought number two: I need a design for my retreat t-shirt. Heck, I need a theme. I have been playing catch up this week with the retreat planning and I had a lot to do.

Random thought number three: I should be uploading pictures that I promised Sherry, but here I am typing away. What is up with that.

Random thought number four: Why do I have voice mail at home? I hardly ever check the messages. Oh wait don't tell Dh that he is ready to chuck to=he home phone number but I don't want him to.

Random thought number five: Why do bad things happen to good people? That one seems to always be on my mind these days. It is bothersome stuff.

Random though number six: Man, have I been feisty lately. I am being pushed to be more outspoken lately and that could get me in trouble.

Random thought number seven: What the heck is up with all the gray hair lately? Dang.

Random thought number eight: I have another blog post rolling around in my head about what I believe and I having a hard time putting it into words. What is up with that.

Well that should be it for now. Oh wait. (Are you on the edge of your seat?)

Today, I am grateful for firemen. Without them, we would have lost our home a couple of years ago. Without them fighting the fires in southern california right now even more homes would be lost then have been. I am grateful that they are brave and can do things I would never do. So I am grateful for the brave men and women that choose that line of work.

We are not alone

http://www.article6blog.com/

It is not all about the Mormons. Others stand beside us.

Also while we are on the subject, White powder sent to LDS temples. Lets really talk about No on H8 as "they" put it. Do you see us protesting? Do you see us sending white powder the their places of worship. I think not.

The Race

So part two of the Nascar race story.

We met up with our friends Melanie and Darren. Can I just say what a horrible photographer I am because I did not get ONE picture of me and Melanie or ONE picture of the 4 of us together. I failed there. But I did get this good picture of the boys...

It is blurry because we were trying to keep up with them. They are booking it to the gate.

Dh loves the goofy pictures I get of him at the races. Isn't this cute? OH wait here is the important info. This is a Rousch Truck. A big deal.


OH OH, we got to be close to the thing that they are all racing for. The Sprint Cup. It does not look like a cup to me. Does it to you?


We made our way to the seats and they were good seats. Our friends were a few sections over and they could see us but I could not see them. :( It was all good.

Now some action shots.





Both the boys. boys did well. It was a fun race. We had some great seats, some laughs and a few falls.

About the falls, DH spilled his very expensive lemonade on the seats in front of us and then used my extra shirt to clean it up. I was terrified of falling down all the stairs that we had to climb down. OH I made it down the stairs and fell in front of the bathroom. I am convinced that I hit a guy in the head with my water bottle but he and someone else stopped stopped to pick me up. That was really nice of them especially if I really did hit him.

While I am at it I am gong to throw my Grateful post in here. I am so grateful that Dh and I take the time to get away, to have fun without the kids and recharge. It is important to the both of us to get away as a family and as a couple and even as just us. Dh is awesome about me going off to retreats and such. We always have fun and I love that.

What do I believe?

I had breakfast that blended into the afternoon with a dear friend. Today she was asking lots of questions about my beliefs. It has been rolling around in my head and I think I just need to put it all down and out there. I am not outing my friend because I think she should be allowed to ask away with out anyone worrying about why are you asking. We are of different faiths and I love that we talk so much about so many different things.

So grab a cup of something cause this one is going to be long, although I do not think it is all going to fit in one post and it is going to take me several days to get all my thoughts out there...

Today the questions was asked (bear with me cause I am trying to remember the exact question) Do you believe that Jesus dying on the cross was enough? Do you need additional acts in order to go to Heaven. I don't think I gave a complete answer to her and couple that with kids running around and trying to have a conversation in the mall, it get a little crazy.

So after much thought, here is my answer.

I start with the 3rd Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

Oh then that leads to, well what does that mean?

4th Articles of Faith

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are; first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the redemption of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

So there are the first principles. Ok, so what does that mean to me? Well, I was 8 years old when I was baptized, my parents were converts to the church. So I only had about a year before it was time for me to be baptized. I can not really remember their baptisms hum, I wonder why? But I remember mine. I do really believe in being old enough to know what you are choosing, being 8 works for me. I remember that I was not feeling well. I was sick and had a cold. The day arrived and I was excited and worried about throwing up in the water. Ok 8 year olds think about those things. I also remember that my hair was so long that I was worried I was going to be wet and cold forever. Do I remember who spoke and what they said, no. But I remember the FEELING without a doubt that what I was doing was the right thing. Coming out of that water, I was sure, I was never more sure about anything more in my life. Since that time there have only been a handful of times that I have been that sure. I knew marrying DH was the right thing. Giving birth to both my girls was another time I felt right. Going to the temple to take out my endowment and then being sealed as a family, to my DH and girls was another time. They never felt so right, so I am doing the right thing, RIGHT NOW.

I believe in Jesus Christ with all my might, mind and strength. HE is the reason I make many of the choices that I do. Sometimes I make better choices then other times. But I have FELT Him. I have no shadow of a doubt. It was HIM.

I believe in Repentance. I would be up a creek without it. I am human, I make mistakes. We all make mistakes. I can repent and be made whole again and go on from there. I am so grateful for this.

I believe in Baptism by immersion for the remission of OUR sins. Those are my sins. Once I was baptized, I felt so clean. I knew in my 8 year old heart that I was pure.

I believe in the Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I would be lost without the Holy Ghost. The important thing is that I need to be able to listen, listen to that still small voice. Because I am not going to be hit over the head with it. (I know I do like my 2x4's) But the whispering, you need to be willing to listen and then act upon it.

That is what I believe, that is my Faith. There is a lot more, but that is what is rolling around in my head right now. I say these thing in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Testimony - Grateful

I am grateful for my testimony. I am grateful that I have a voice and can stand for what I believe in.

Weekend goofiness

So this past weekend Dh and I headed out to the Phoenix Nascar race. We started the adventure by running late. Go figure. I think we ran late all weekend.

We were almost there when I spot a HUGE full tire track in the middle of the freeway. With cars on both sides of me there was nothing I could but run it over. It was awful. Right after that, the truck started making a HORRIBLE noise. We pulled over into a gas station and could not figure out what it was. We limped to the hotel and called our dear friends that were meeting is there. Melanie and Darren came right over. But first thing first we were all hungry. Little did Melanie know that she was going to get a bath. The waited hit a drink menu which hit her water cup and poured all over her and her dinner. AUGH. After that we headed back and Darren and the DH figured out what was going on with the truck. The tire tread hit the drive shaft and messed up the brackets that hold it in place. They expertly moved them around and the horrible noise was gone. So we will need to get some brackets replaced but overall all is well.

We woke up late on Saturday and ruched out to have breakfast with my dad. I did not even take a moment to stop and take a picture :( That is so unlike me. Then we ruched to meet Darren and Melanie cause the boys headed out to the race and we headed to HOBBY LOBBY. I think we spent 2 and a half hours in the store. That is a record for me.

We meet up with the boys again and headed to dinner. I had the best BBQ ever. it was delish. See DH is drunk on BBQ and we are being completely goofy.



So now Sunday was the big race day....

Music

Todays grateful entry is about music. I love music. I would probably die without it. It can affect my mood and change it. It can uplift and it can bring a person down. Over the last few years I have grown sensitive to words in songs. I tend to go toward more positive songs.

I grateful for music, all different kinds.

This would be longer but dang I am sooo tired....

Wordless Wednesday

Not even sure what to call this.

My mind is just full of things. Random things.

Death, it is getting to the point where I am a little scared to answer the phone, read the text messages and just find out someone is hurting. It feels like wonderful people are dying and that is just not fair. *Insert kid stomping*

Protesting, wow I can not believe everything that is going on. Sometimes I just speechless. Tell us not to hate but it seems there are a lot of people using hate to express their feelings. I do not think because the people of California have spoken and twice at that that it is ok to go after any group. This affects me because we have dear friends on BOTH sides. I hurt for them. But most of them know my feelings. I just am at the point of disbelief.

Freedom of speech, this is the thing that I am grateful for. Because although I might have my thoughts and feelings EVERYONE has a right to express how they feel. I am grateful that we are in a country that we CAN express our feelings.

Scrapbooking, I have been wanting to do more and I am excited that I signed up for a class to help with prompts, make a cute book and just get things done.

Weather, I wish the weather would pick a spot and stay there. It is reeking havoc on my sinuses.

More sadness

My dear friend Sherry has lost a dear friend to her. Can you all join me in praying for her and the Ramirez family. It seems there is so much sadness going on right now. See Sherry's blog in my side link, It's Just Me and My Coffee.

I am grateful that I have prayer to turn to when hard times arrive. I am not sure where I would be without it.

Home Safely

We arrived home safely and I am really grateful for the great weekend DH and I had. I love that we have so much fun together!!!

So today I am grateful for DH. I love him!!

Grateful and I mean it :)

There appears to be nothing major wrong with the truck and I am really grateful for that :) Whew!!!

I am also grateful for dear friends, fun dinners and a sweet DH :)

Grateful and need prayers.

We are on the road this weekend. We arrived but I ran over a truck tire tread on the way. Something is danged on the truck but not sure what.

Can you please help us pray that it is not something serious and that we will get home safe?

Thanks everyone. I am so grateful that we were almost here when it happened. I am also grateful that we have all of you!

Grateful today

Today is simple. I am spending the weekend with DH. :)

Prayers for Donnann and Family

Donnann sent this message today...

Hi everyone, My family could really use alot of prayers.
My DH fell while playing with DD the other day and has a broken rib. He was supposed to go back to work but he can't now. He is really having a rough time emotionally as well. He doesn't have a lot of friends and the people at his work are being jerks about the whole thing and he is feeling very unsupported.
DD broke down at school the other day and we had to go get her. She refuses to go to counseling and is scared to death to be alone-she won't even go to the bathroom without someone.
We had a very rough day on Sunday. There were memorial services for All Souls Day at the church and at the hospital. It was very hard to go back to the hospital.
I am taking one day at a time but I am having a lot of trouble sleeping and handling day to day tasks.
Please pray for us as we muddle through.

The Feet - Grateful Post

The baby feet for wordless wednesday are my newest nephew's feet. I think I have a thing for baby feet.

When Aleksei was just born, I managed to get a picture of his tiny feet. The littel band around is ankle is no bigger then a quarter. At another point I got a picture of his HUGE feet.

That is what I am grateful for today, Aleksei, his feet and wonderful parents who are dear friends of ours. I am grateful for modern medicine and all it can do.

When I get home I will include pictures!!

Wordless Wednesday

Gratefulness

First off, I am laughing at how many different ways I can incorporate the word grateful this month.

Second, I am so grateful for the chance to have watched history last night. The girls stayed up and watched the speeches. It was definitely a night to remember. History being part of history.

I am grateful that I was part of that. I am grateful that my girls get to see history and the change that is about to come.

Being Grateful - Election

I am really grateful that we live in a country where we can vote and have freedom to choose what we vote for. While that can cause some great discussions between friends and some disagreements it is still wonderful to me that we get to choose!

I am grateful everyday that I live in the United States and I am thankful for all of those that gave their time, life and service to this country for all of us.

Danny moments

Donnann's computer is in the shop. When we chatted today she told me this story about Trick or Treating.

Ginger posted a thread in the prayer board about the same time I was posting on my blog about keeping them in our prayers on Halloween. Well they were answered big time in a special way.

Uncle Dave (I really hope it was Dave) came down to spend the weekend with them. There was lots going on and he just felt he needed to be there. They went trick or treating at one of Donnann's friends work event and got home in time to go in the neighborhood. So Uncle Dave and Donnann took Madison out. Donnann said they kept going and going and Madison was having a blast. At point they noticed that there this BRIGHT star and then all of the sudden it was a BRIGHT SHOOTING STAR! Donnann said it felt like Danny was there with them trick or treating and being with them. She said ti was amazing. So very special!

Sunday was a bit harder as it was a mass at the church to honor all the people that has passed away in the year and it was the memorial at the hospital for the families of children that has passed away. They also went the the cemetery to just have a quiet moment with just her and Dan. Madison was home with Uncle Dave.

But they made it and it seems there were some Danny moments in the weekend.

Being Grateful

Today I am grateful for The Scriptures. Being able to read and follow God's words are a great comfort as times. I am just really grateful that I have them.

Be Grateful

Sherry, my dear friend, is always seeing the good things in life. Since it is the month of November she challenged a group of us the blog every day this month about something we are grateful for.

First, I am challenging my other friends (especially one named Melanie)to also take up this challenge. It does not need to be a long post, a short and simple one will do. Also include a picture if possible.

Okay, here is what I am grateful for today...



I am grateful for Sherry. In this last year we have become close dear friends. We have shared some wonderful moments, spiritual ones, giggling ones, soft hearted ones, tearful moments and I am so grateful that I have a dear friend close by. A friend that is willing to bear burden if needed. A friend that will allow me to bear her burdens.

I looks forward to more fun, laughs, tears and general goofiness.