(Last one!) I'm Thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ....

Saturday, November 29th--There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about my testimony of Jesus Christ. Everyday I'm reminded of the reasons I even have a testimony to begin with. I was born and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but it took me a long time to build my testimony to what it is today. I went inactive for a short time and found empty joys in worldly things. It took a diligent, loving mother to bring me "back to the fold". She never gave up. She was always that way. My dad went inactive in his teenage years and never returned to church till I was 12 years old. My mom got 4 kids ready and to church all by herself for almost 20 years. I can't even imagine what that was like, I was young enough to be oblivious to it. She endured to the end and was rewarded with the ultimate gift, an strong, active husband who took her and her children to the temple to be sealed as an eternal family---all on my 15th birthday.
It's hard to say what moments have all added up to what my testimony has become. I'm sure it's many little ones and a few big ones. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ exists on the earth today. I know the Holy Ghost lives within those that have received him and choose to live by his promptings. I know families are forever as long as we all remain unified in our testimonies, devotion and love. I know our Father in Heaven only wants the very best for His children and just wants us to return back to Him. I know He gave us a living prophet to guide us in these chaotic latter-days.
There are enough people in this world that would try to persuade me otherwise but they don't understand or comprehend what it took/takes to build a testimony. It takes work, faith, trust and so many other things. It doesn't come easily but once you have it, it's hard to lose it. Nate and I take our children to church in order to continually "feed" and "refresh" our testimonies every week. While we need to work harder to be better at it, we have family prayer, family home evening, scripture reading and conversations pertaining to gospel teachings. Nate gives us priesthood blessings, even at a moments notice, if needed. Just spending time with my husband and my kids reminds me of my testimony and the promises made by Heavenly Father. We can be an eternal family, we're on our way! Life is great! Sometimes I forget how blessed I am and then the Holy Ghost quickly reminds me.

Christmas Craft Idea #1

Friday, November 28th--Some peeps asked what kind of craft ideas I have for Christmas presents this year. I'm going to share a few but others you'll have to ask me over the phone or email because I'm using them as family gifts (they're good ones!)

This first one is something we got from a neighbor the very first year we were married. I've always saved it because I love that they took time to do it and it's cute. It appears to be very inexpensive. It's a popsicle nativity and with it is a story called: "The Parable of the Popsicle". If you are interested in more details on how to do this Christmas craft, please let me know. (This is for you, Heather S.!)

Here's the story:

After eating a Popsicle on a hot day,

We may find the stick to be in our way.

So looking around we toss it aside,

Never knowing the parable it may secretly hide.

You see a long time ago far away,

Mary and Joseph needed a place to stay.

But innkeepers too busy to take them inside,

Just like the Popsicle brushed them aside.

Some didn't listen to the things Jesus spoke,

Not knowing the joy his words would invoke.

To some in the crowd his words were a guide,

But many just mocked him and brushed it aside.

Now in modern day we see it happen once more,

Some hear him knocking but don't answer the door.

Too busy to answer we keep him outside,

And just like the others we've tossed him aside.

So don't let this Christmas time go like the others,

Be kind to your family, your friends and your brothers.

Don't toss this parable away with the season,

Keep it around to remember the real Christmas reason.

You see the Popsicle stick will always outlast,

The treat on the outside that disappears so fast.

Just like the teachings of Jesus should too,

Not come and go like Christmases do.

I'm Thankful for Scents......

Friday, November 28th--I'm taking a break from decorating. I don't do Christmas decorating lightly, it's a big ordeal every year. I enjoy it a lot but it's pretty tiring. While I've been decorating I've had my awesome Christmas CD's playing and a candle on the candle warmer. I'm burning my absolute, most-favorite Christmas scent of all. It's called: Holiday Cobbler by Salt City. Sadly, and they must be out of their minds, they don't make this amazing scent anymore so I'm trying to squeeze every last fragrant bit of it out before I have to throw it away and pray they bring the scent back (I've begged and begged on their website! No luck--bah humbug!). For some reason, Holiday Cobbler, reminds me of Christmas as a child. I wonder if my mom baked something or had a similar candle she would burn, I don't remember but the scent sure brings back fond memories of Christmas-time at home. We always had a fresh Christmas tree so whenever I smell that ever-so-refreshing scent of pine, I think of how those fresh trees would fill the entire house with their scent. I loved it so much!
Scents seem to re-kindle memories, almost, on a daily basis for me. Some are good, some are bad. This summer we rented a camper and the bathroom in it did not have a very pleasant smell. To shower, I would use body wash, one of my favorites: Bath and Body Works, Midnight Pomegranate. Well, it's no longer a favorite, it just reminds me of that stinky camper bathroom!
When I went to visit my new niece, Danika, two weeks ago, she had that new-baby/hospital scent and I remembered that's how my newborns smelled.
I found a deoderant that, oddly, reminds me of fond Christmas scents too. Roses remind me of how fragrant my beautiful wedding bouquet was. Cinnamon reminds me of all the times I was nauseous, during my pregnancies. I would sniff a little and feel, somewhat, better. Flour reminds me of the times when my sisters and I would make pinatas out of papier mache. We'd use flour and water for the "glue". The smell of fresh rain reminds me of home, back in WA.
I had a teacher at UCMT that had lost her ability to smell. I often wondered how that would be to deal with. She said she missed being able to smell. I can only imagine and pray it never happens to me. In Disneyland/California Adventure, my most favorite ride is "Soarin' Over California". During the ride you can smell different scents based on where you're at in the ride. It is so cool! My sister-in-law, Wendy, and I have been on a quest to find scents similar to the ride. We've found a few through the Bath and Body Works line. (Ya know, as much as I promote that company, I should be getting some kind of payment for endorsement! I'll have to check into it!)
Anyhoo, I'm thankful for scents and the ability to smell. Please, Salt City, bring Holiday Cobbler back! PLEASE!!!!!!

Our Thanksgiving Was Great!

Thursday, November 27th--We had an excellent Thanksgiving! Nate and I enjoyed having a good chunk of his family over for a delicious Thanksgiving feast. Most of the family arrived between 2:00 and 3:00. We did a Wii bowling tournament---Elise kicked our butts in a humiliating way. Nate turned on Wii Fit and that became a huge interest (yes, it's THAT good!). Dustin made some fabulous garlic, parmesan & mozarella mashed taters. I think I cooked the best turkey I've ever done---there is something to be said about trying too hard, I didn't do that this time and it worked out incredibly well! Rosemary made some delicious pies: banana cream (so good!), pumpkin and cheesecake. Kip brought some tasty rolls, some from Great Harvest and some that were home-made. Jenny brought some wonderful fresh veggies.
After our bellies were full we sat around chatting, playing games and then we put on both "Robot Chicken", Star Wars 1 & 2. They are so hilarious! Everyone had a good laugh.

Fortunately, we all managed to stay healthy for this day. It was a huge relief since 2-week-old Danika was with us. Everyone enjoyed holding and cuddling with her. I think I even got a little smile out of her! She slept most of the time but then Crystal fed her and she was wide-awake, looking around. She responded to voices and people moving around. It was very sweet!

Dan wrote a most hilarious song about all the pets the family have had through the years. He wrote the song to the tune: "We Three Kings". He even sang it for us! I would post it but I don't have his permission at the moment.
Jenny was so nice to bring her newspaper with all the ads. We went through them and made a list of things we wanted. Just about everyone had plans to start early on Black Friday, Nate included. (I'm SOOOOO happy he's willing to get up so early!)

I enjoyed being able to talk to my parents and sister, on the phone. It seems everyone had a great Thanksgiving and I'm so thankful for that. What a great holiday! To be able to reflect on the many things we can all be thankful for and have a special day for it as well, it's just a wonderful thing!

I'm Thankful for Happy Places.....

Thursday, November 27th--HAPPY THANKSGIVING, by the way! There's a scene in "Dumb and Dumber" where Loyd Christmas (played by Jim Carrey) is getting beat up by a truck driver in a public bathroom stall. As he's being beaten to the ground, Loyd is saying, "Find a happy place..... Find a happy place....." The movie is so incredibly hilarious, in my opinion, but Loyd Christmas also makes a good point! Who would have ever thought I could extract a life lesson from a movie with a title that says it all?!?!
Usually our moments of "strife" aren't while getting pummeled by a truck driver in a bathroom stall. Most of the time, they're not even physical, instead, emotional like stress or frustration. But in our moments it's best to find that "happy place" to get you through. For me, it's either found in my imagination (I love planning out how my dream house looks inside), remembering fond memories, going for a drive, or just escaping to a quiet room for a moments peace.
I hope you have your "happy place"! I don't think there's enough people who have "happy places". It makes me sad and stressed.......gotta go to you-know-where!...................(10 minutes later) aaaaaahh, much better now!
Enjoy your turkey day! And if your hosting, like me, make sure you have a "happy place" to go! ha ha ha

I'm Thankful for Modern Conveniences.....

Wednesday, November 26th--Today is a chaotic day! We're hosting the family Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow and I'm really excited about that. However, the day before, as you might know, is the day we scrub, scour, wash and make the house sparkling clean for our guests. So what do I do? I agree to work and promise the kids I'll take them to see "Bolt", all the while I'm still upset over having to take my dog to my sisters last night (he's doing fine, by the way...phew!). So, today, I am thankful for modern conveniences to help me get through the day!

Here's the list of my random favorites:

*Swiffer mop
*Dirt Devil Broom Vac
*Clorox/Costco cleaning wipes
*Scentsy (I'm burning Snowberry)
*Flat Top Stove
*Detangle Spray (for Elise's bazillion tangles!)
*Gas-powered fireplaces
*Insulated mugs for my Holiday/Maverick pop refills
*Bagelfuls
*Pre-packaged, single serving, apple slices, Tillamook cheese, and carrot sticks
*Smoothie blender
*Spray gel
*DVR (Tivo)
*Bath & Body Works
*Purel
*Wii Fit
*Air Conditioning
*Ice Makers that make the "good ice"
*Cell Phones
*Internet Shopping
*3M hooks with adhesive strips
*On-line banking/bill pay
*Portable DVD players (we don't go on any road trips without 'em!)

I'm sure there are more but those come to mind for now. Modern conveniences are the best!

I'm Thankful for Diabetes.......

Tuesday, November 25th--Maybe some of you think it's weird to be thankful for such a horrible disease but I'm discovering I am thankful for it and for the lessons I've learned thus far.

I've learned:

*Our Father in Heaven knows our strengths and what we are able to handle, even though we can be absolutely clueless of them most of the time.

*As parents, our childrens lives (physically, spiritually and emotionally) are truly in our hands.

*We don't always understand why we're given the cards we're dealt but our level of faith and courage determines the outcome.

*patience, Patience, PATIENCE!!!!

*There is a difference between a 3-year-old tantrum and low/high blood sugar--it just takes a LONG time and many "experiences" to figure it out.

*A cure is on the way but in the mean time we make the best of our situation.

*Rather than make the disease a huge part of what Brady's life is, we MUST make it a small part and focus on his amazing talents and abilities instead.

*There will be good days and bad, regardless of the choices we make and regardless of how hard we try.

*There will be moments of breakdown and upset and that's okay.

*We can't do it alone. We lean on each other and on the Lord.

*There is support all around us if we take advantage of it instead of being prideful.

*Educating ourselves and keeping up with new developments is a must!

*There will be parents who send their coughing, vomitting, runny-nosed, feverish children to pre-school and Nursery/Primary. I can be angry over that or just understand that not everyone has to take their child to the ER over a little flu, so they probably don't comprehend our situation.

*Listening to our prophets counsel (paying tithing, no debt, savings and investments) has made it so this is not a financial hardship, just something to add to the budget.

*Trials can make or break family unity.

*Children can amaze us with what their able to endure.

I could go on and on but I think you get the jist. Life lessons, indeed........with more to come!

100 Things

100 Facts- some are about me. Copy the list and highlight (mine are red) the ones that are true about you.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii (lived there)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity (tithing when we were broke)
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (Green Mountain--it's small but I'll count it!)
9. Held a Praying Mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (Stupid Golden Corral, and right before Thanksgiving, jerks!)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David (Does the replica at Ceasars Palace count? Sure, I'll count it! he he!)
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (Judo)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London (I've seen the one in Arlington Cemetary, VA)
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (Adam, you psycho!)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (Does Seminary count? Sure!)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Talked your way out of a ticket

I'm Thankful for My Little Bohdee.....

Monday, November 24th--I love our little dog, Bohdee. He's been with us for almost 3 months now. He's about 6 months old. He lets me hold him like a little newborn and he falls asleep. It's so sweet! He's become my little buddy. Someone once told me when a dog gets to know you and trust you his/her love becomes unconditional. I believe that. I have approached him with respect and kindness and he's given me the same, in return.

Sadly, the same is not so for Brady. Tomorrow, with heavy heart, I'm taking Bohdee to live with my sister, Alishia, in Salt Lake. Brady is having a hard time adjusting to Bohdee. We seem to think he doesn't quite understand that Bohdee is a living animal, not a toy. He is a little too rough with Bohdee and we fear Bohdee might get hurt or even worse. I can't bear the thought of that or the thought of Brady and Elise dealing with such a devistation. As parents, Nate and I have to do what's best for Brady and Bohdee, even though it hurts like crazy not to have my little buddy around anymore. As the kids are getting older and more independant, they don't seem to want to cuddle and just be held anymore. I miss that and had found it again in our little puppy.

I know Bohdee will be loved very much by my sister and her family. I pray he'll become friends with their little Shih-Tzu, Asia. I hope he'll adjust quite easily and even, as much as it hurts to say (tearing up), forget the close relationship he and I built together. We'll get to see him from time to time but it won't be the same.

Sometimes life isn't fair. Sometimes, as parents, we make sacrifices that effect our own personal joys. But, I knew that even before I had children and it was something I accepted with my whole heart. My childrens happiness and well-being are more important than anything. Someday, Brady will understand the difference between a real animal and a fake one and then we can consider getting another puppy. If I'm lucky, which I doubt I will be, my sister will let us have Bohdee back. He's laying right next to me, fast asleep, and I'm already missing him.......

A Full Week of Thankfuls......

Sunday, November 23rd--I often express the things I'm thankful for but this week I'm going to be a little more specific, considering the Thanksgiving holiday coming up. Last week I wrote a post about my wonderful hubby, Nate. I am incredibly thankful for my kids, Elise and Brady. I think 90% of my blog posts are about them so I it's pretty obvious how thankful I am for them, even in those not-so-great moments. I love my family with all my heart, they are everything to me.
I sang in our ward choir today. We sang "For the Beauty of the Earth". I love this song. Music is amazing to me. It can make you laugh and be so touching as to bring tears as well. My mother introduced the importance of music into our family from the very beginning. Her parents did the same for their family. She played her records and 8-tracks and we'd all sing along. We knew the likes of Barry Manilow, Karen Carpenter, Bread, musicals galore, and all the hot 60's bands, by heart. My mom loves all the Rogers and Hammerstein musicals and we kids do too. Our family favorite is "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" ("South Pacific" is a close second!). We know all the songs and parts and there is rare a time that a song or line from that movie doesn't come up when we're together or chatting on the phone. I think I can thank my grandpa for a love of this movie, and music, as well. All of us sing and we enjoy it. My mom and my siblings have been a little more confident in their abilities than I. Those who can hear me in the shower are in for a real treat! ha ha ha I've enjoyed, and will continue to enjoy, teaching my kids the wonder and importance of music. They both sing and have beautiful voices. I like to make up little songs for them and eventually they begin to sing them too. They also make up their own funny little songs. I love it!
I love all kinds of music, for the most part. I'm thankful for this love and I'm thankful music exists in all its various forms.