My own little pod

We're Back

2012-01-20T11:59:00.000-08:00

So this is my new house and now, I feel like I need a fresh start with my blog. I am so excited to be back to blogging. I have missed it so much. Not to mention that it has been the replacement for my journal for so long and I have missed things with my kids that I would be sad to not mention. So for the next little while I will work backwards and forwards at the same time to cover all my bases.

Isn't it pretty!! Yes, I know!! Joe and I spent the last several months searching for our home. And when I say searching I mean that. We spent hours on line and in our Realtors car. We set our budget low and our expectations high. That set us up for failure after failure after failure. We fell in love and ended up in second place and then kept looking. After a while we decided that we would increase our price limit. We did that and the next day headed out once again. At the end of a very long day we pulled up to this house. Joe was frustrated and I was frustrated. We pulled up and it looked great, but we had seen lots of houses that looked great outside and when we got in it was just plain scary. So when we walked into a beautiful kitchen the updated, really lovely home just kept getting better. That night we made our offer. It was at the very top of our first limit. We did not have to increase our budget after all. We moved in the week before Christmas and it was lovely. And it did not spring a leak under the concrete slab till the second week we were here. And then it waited another week till the kitchen sprung another leak and now I have no kitchen sink. We get to beat through my beautiful kitchen floor while my bathroom and hallway are still full of holes down to dirt. YES!!! that's right folks dirt. However, in case you are feeling like we are not happy you would be wrong! We are so happy! the first leak was such a blessing because without it we would never have seen the second worse drain leak! It could have leaked and drained into our foundation until the back of the house just slid right off, which granted, as fun as that would be, we are incredibly grateful for. We have learned a ton and we are so happy to be here. The next fifty years are going to be awesome!!! It will be amazing and wonderful! As soon as we finish all of this work we will have a blast finding all the other fun things to explore while we live here.

Easter

2011-04-25T08:02:00.001-07:00

If you remember from last year we love Easter here at the Short house!! Holy week is something I try hard to make a great tradition for my kids. I want them to understand that without Easter Christmas would not happen. This year Holy week was Awesome!! And Easter Sunday was a little bit crazy. I was teaching in Gospel Doctrine and Young Women's. I think in the end I liked teaching both lessons because I was able to really bring the Resurrection to my day. I love hearing people in my ward talk about the Savior and the reasons they love him. Young Women's was awesome!! I purposely under planned my lesson and was able to experience it in a way that I left feeling uplifted and ready to bring that feeling home.

We got home sent the kiddos down to the basement to play while we hid eggs and put out the baskets.

We bought baskets at D.I. this year and painted them as part of Holy Week! It was something I think we will do often. The kids loved having the baskets they made themselves.

Out they came! Ora found a pair of boots in the basement that don't quite fit her yet but it was fun to see them come out in clothes they picked. They were done being in the church clothes so they hunted in whatever they wanted to wear. Even if it will be embarrassing someday!!

Abby found the best thing of all.... The peep inside her basket. I think Joe put a couple of eggs in her basket but, she could have cared less.

This was the first year that Jordan really got into the hunt. He even found the famous frog egg that everyone wanted to find!

This is the egg I did for my Dad I think I will do an egg for him every year.

I could not be outside without showing you guys a picture of my peas! They are growing so well. I can't wait to get a trellis out there to help them along. If it stops raining this week I am going to get out there and get that done.

My kids! How cute are they!! I made the girls dresses this year. It was fun. Abby got into the process and was so excited every time I pulled her in for a fitting. We just had a blast and I think they turned out pretty cute. I learned a lot with Ora's so Abby's turned out a little bit better made that Ora's. But, I think I will keep on making their dresses as long as I can.

Silly picture

Jordan

Abby

Michael

Ora

OOBLECK Attack!

2011-04-25T07:41:00.001-07:00

Spring Break is upon us and that means I hear "MOM!!! What ccan I do now, this is boring!" So when my kids get bored what do I do.... Yeah we figure out how to make the biggest messs possible!
On Thursday, our first day of break, we did Ooblek. We are a little Dr. Suess crazy at our house. I do not think there is a Suess book out there that we have not read and loved! But, Bartholomew and the oobleck is one of our favorites because we can play out our own versions of the story!

Abby was a HUGE mess after she was done so we had to go right into the tub and of course after the smaller kids were gone...

Michael and Ora went to town! Oobleak everywhere!! IT was awesome!! Probably we will pull this one out again before we go back to school.

Let Christmas be over!

2011-03-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

Just in time for Easter!??
Oh well, even if I'm late we had such a great Christmas in 2010 that I could not simply ignore it. I made our pj's this year! Which was awesome!! I loved it! My mom usually buys Christmas Eve Jammies for all my kids and this year she came up in enough time to come with me to pick out fabric and help get notions for pj's!! It was awesome! And not at all easy for me. I had never sewn from a pattern before and had a tom of fun working and figuring out how to do that. I could not let it go un-noticed so My friend Natalie came by (On Christmas Eve) to take our family pictures. We have not done pictures since Michael was about three months old, which is pathetic I know, but I hate staged family pictures and put mostly candid snap shot up around my house. Anyway, I thought they turned out so great!!

We got a wii! Finally and we played it most of the day

All of the kiddos got scooters as well, which they love and we were so happy we did not have a white Christmas and they were able to get out and ride them for a bit.

It was such a great day. We love being our little family just sitting inside our little house for Christmas. We make treats and eat and play with toys all day.

Hooded towels

2011-02-16T09:02:00.000-08:00

Backing up to Christmas....

Which I no realize I never posted much of anything about (can I blame facebook)

So for the next few days I will post some of what we did here at the Short home for Christmas 2010!! I did a bit of sewing! I am trying to make something for my kids for every gift-bringing holiday. So I made my families P.J.'s this year and some hooded towels for each kiddo.

But, first you must understand the towel and why I need them in my life.

All my life I never thought I would be a Mother. In fact, I never even wanted to be a Mom.

So when the time came to become one and I realized it is probably all I ever wanted to be, I kind of lost control. I became so weighed down and guilty for not ever wanting mother hood I made some promises that I would be the best mother I could ever be. I got overwhelmed, read every book, took classes, tried to understand all I could about being the very best. I did not feel up to the challenge at all! I was feeling like a total and complete failure before I ever had the baby.

Then one of my favorite people in the world sat me down and gave me a very much needed talking to. My Aunt Nancy explained to me how being a Mother was about trying to get through every day with as much grace as possible. That is was the best thing I could do and as long as I did my best and put my kids first I would be great at it. I needed to hear it! I needed to understand that I could be a great mom even when it was hard. I did not have to understand all the intricate moments of growth and development to track their years. I did not have to make every decision for their whole lives before they were born. Potty training would come in time. And right now I only had to focus on the best part of being a mother. The connection between the powers of Heaven and my body. I was working with my Heavenly Father in the most intimate way. He was using my body to create a wonderful home for one of his spirits. I left her kitchen feeling comforted and happy. And finally ready to take on the challenge of Motherhood full of grace and beauty.

For my baby shower this same Aunt made me the most wonderful gift. I hooded towel to wrap my babies in. She continued and give me one for Ora when she was born. Then when Jordan was born we wrapped him in the boy towel. When Abigail came Ora's pink towel went around her little head. I have always adored my kids at bath time. The splashes and the giggles and the fun are probably my favorite part of being a mom. Then when I pull my kids out of the tub all wet and smiling we do "snuggle dries" inside of their hooded towels. We tickle and tumble until they are all dry and ready to put on jammies.

Well, the towels are ratted and worn. Several years of use have rubbed them raw. It was time for new ones. So this year made one for everyone!!

The initials on the new ones are made from the old towels.

Abby and Jordan like to spend lots of time in their very own towels. Joe even did a lot of the sewing and I can say it was kind of a healing moment as I sat back and realized that I had come a long way. From a never going to get married book worm. To a wife and mother of four beautiful kids. I am the most blessed woman on the planet. Some day the guilt from not "wanting" this from birth will go away for ever. But, for now I still wrap my babies in these and remember the word grace! That is all I can do. Try to get through every day with grace.... And a LOT of fun!!

Ice Fishing

2011-01-18T09:28:00.000-08:00

As proof from this picture...

The Short family had one of our best days ever last weekend!! Our plan was to wake up early set up dinner in the crock pot and head out on the ice. The alarm clock went off at 5:30 and then I said five more minutes and I woke up at 15 minutes to 7. Oh well. I got up and put dinner in the crock pot packed up the car and headed up to Schofeild resevior to dig in the ice and fish!!

This is the veiw of the lake as we drove up.

We put Abby on the sled for a ride out to the spot for the tent. The snow was almost a foot deep so she probably could not have walked out by herself. She had a blast eating the snow that would pile up against her the whole way there.

Joe in his element!

Everyone took a turn scooping out the slush from the hole we made. I think that was maybe the most fun part for the kids.

Imagine me in there with them and you would see us all in the tent snuggly and warm.

Abby taking her turn with the fishing pole!

Jordan hung out at the auger all day he would put a little bit of snow at the top and then pretend it was a car and slide it down to the snow.

Ora and Michael spent their time with the snow shovel. Michael dug all day long! Ora kept coming in and out of the tent to warm up but, Michael just dug! I would ask him if his feet were wet and he would say no. By the time we got to the car at the end of the day I took off his snow boots and his feet were soaking wet. I am not sure at what point he probably stopped feeling them but, he must have just kept going because he was having too much fun.

Jordan and Ora on the other hand kept coming in and out of the tent to get their feet warm. Next time we will bring a few extra pairs of socks for everyone and then we won't have to waste play time drying out socks.

We did not catch any fish, our theory was that we were too close to the shore, So I decided we should make a snow fish!! After we were done with the fish the kids took turn throwing "flaming snowballs" at it to cook it. Then they ate pieces of it for a while until they kicked it to peices and we were packed up and ready to go.

While packing up the tent Abby, of course, fell and her whole arm went through the hole and she got pretty soacked. So we had to strip her down and wrap her up in one of Michael's coats and then in Joe's heavy jacket. So, yup! She's naked under there! But heppy and smiling to be on another ride on the sled.

Ora tried to push the whole way back. We were a good few hundred yards from the shore. I was pretty proud of her!!

The Mountain was beautiful!!

We stopped for hot chocolate on the way home and we all just laughed and talked and sang songs the whole way. Jordan and Abby tuckered out before we were all the way down the mountian. We came home and it smelled fabulous! The stew we made was the perfect way to end the day I haighly reccomend it! We ended the day all together wrapped up in the living room watching a movie. It was truly a perfect day!!!! They don't happen all the time but we live for them, it was so wonderful, I will never forget it. I hope the kids don't either.

Christmas talk

2010-12-20T11:35:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to speak on Christmas Sunday I have always wanted to and am way excited to be able to teach out of the Old and New Testament today!

Christmas cay pulls a very close second place to Easter for me. My family has gotten a little obsessed with the celebration of Easter and we do a very fun whole week long celebration for that holiday! Gordon B. Hinckley said “There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the resurrection.

I believe it is a FACT that Christ was born of Mary in Bethlehem and he came to fulfill all the prophesies foretold of him. He came to redeem the world because he loves all of us.

Isaiah prophesied many things about our Savior. In chapter 7:14 we find that a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.

Russell M. Nelson gives one of my favorite thoughts on scripture when he says “Fulfillment of that prophesy was not just unlikely it was humanly impossible. Incredible! Everyone knew that a virgin could not bear a child. And then for that child to be given such a pretentious name was doubly daring. The Hebrew name which Isaiah prophesied Immanuel literally means “with us is God” That name was subsequently given to Jesus in the New Testament, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants”

This seemingly crazy prophesy did come true when in Matthew 1:8 Mary is found a virgin caring the Savior of the world.

Isaiah gave many names for Christ in 9:3 he listed a few. Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the prince of peace.

Elder Nelson also teaches us “Each of has a responsibility to know the Lord, love him, follow him, serve him, teach, and testify of him.”

WE must learn and understand what the Savior is for each and every one of us. The many names given to him can help us throughout our whole life, and may change with what we need him to be. Are we struggling with our children and family and we need a comforter. Are we a young teenager who is struggling and making mistakes and he is our loving judge? Have we wandered from the path and he is our redeemer. He is always our Mighty God. He is our Everlasting Father because he is the creator of all things. He is our judge, our shepherd, our brother and our friend. I hope we can all come to find out who is for each of us and draw strength from who we need him to be.

Micah declared “But thou Bethlehem... but though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.”

How significant is it that the one who calls himself “the bread of life” came from Bethlehem which translated means “House of Bread.”

Joseph and Mary were compelled to Bethlehem. A five day journey, 30 miles each day. The end of which from Jericho’s desert to Bethlehem is a 3,500 ft uphill hike!

I gain strength from the very pregnant Mary who probably suffered much to fulfill this prophesy. I must then ask myself. What am I doing, what climbs am I willing to make to fulfill the Fathers plan for me? There are things foretold of me. Am I fighting my way toward and through those things? Am I embracing my struggles so my Father can make me what HE needs me to be? What am I doing to bring to pass the Immortality and Eternal life of my fellow man? Am I doing all I can to bring my brothers and sisters to knowledge the great plan of Happiness.

In Isaiah 61:1 says speaking of Christ “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tiding unto the meek. He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted to proclaim liberty to them that are bound.”

In the Sermon on the Mount our Savior teaches more (Matt 5:2-12)

“Blesses are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the poor in sprit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the poor in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Rejoice and be exceedingly glad; For great is your reward in heaven

The glad tidings proclaimed to the shepherds who swiftly departed to find their Christ is such a perfect reminder to those of us who were brought to earth for our own purposes to feed the Saviors sheep.

At Christmas time I issue this challenge to us all… Is Christ our Savior, the babe of Bethlehem, born in you? In all of us who are filled with glad tidings, does the world notice that life can be full of joy even through sorrow? Does the light of Christ shine so bright in our eyes that strangers will follow our example like the shining star did for the baby? Are we proclaiming our glad tidings with the joy and kindness on our homes?

I know that we must! We must shine for this ever increasingly wicked world. We must stick out and be a beacon of light for those who need to know the Savior. We must proclaim the truth of all things. We must read and understand our scriptures, and know the warnings the prophets proclaime to our day.

I have a testimony that the babe of Bethlehem was born among the lowest of men, he lived his life a wanderer, and man who did all for his fellowman. He gave his life for those who even do not believe in him. I know that he lives and loves me. I know his greatest joy will be to see me enter the kingdom of heaven with my family. He wants me to come home. HE loves me so much and gave his life for me. I will do all I can to live my life for him!!

2010-12-20T10:37:00.000-08:00

2010-10-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

(pardon the pictures I cannot find my USB cord for my camera so I had to use my camera on my phone for the pictures)

I know it has been so long since I have updated my blog. To be perfectly honest I hvae not felt like doing it when we did not get our new house in Salem I was heartbroken. I got really sad, and I will admit that I got depressed and hid in my home for a while. Finally, I cam eout of my funk and decided that if I was staying put in this house for a while longer that I needed to spruce it up a bit. My mom came up and helped me tons.
We found this Perfect painting for my kitchen, I had almost as fun with my mom shoping for it as I have had looking at it each day in my house.

The next day she was here we went over to IKEA and found some shelves to put on this huge empty wall in my living room... They are so cute. I do not have pictures in them yet but, that is a whole different story!

I have also been crafting a bit latly and have made some fun things!
Here is one of the magnet boards I made for the girls room.

These are some luminaries... They are so cute at night when we light them at night.

I painted the window next to my front door.

Here is the cork boards in my boys room!

These are the magnet boards in the hallway, I will no longer have a million peices of paper all over my fridge. They have a cute things they bring home froom school all the time and now they have a few different places they can put them up.

Firsts

2010-08-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

This last week we started school. Michael began First grade and Ora started Kindergarten a few days later. It has been pulling at my heart strings to see my little family going on and expanding further than our own walls.

Here he is at the doorstep. Wearing the shirt he picked out at Target for this day. I can see my Dad and brother smiling down proudly at him wearing his Star Wars t-shirt!

Him and trees for the first day, So funny! Last year he could not have climbed up this far and it was fun to see how he has grown!

Again he would not let me walk him up he walked away from the car all on his own!

And then he was gone ALL DAY! I was not sure we wold make it through, but we did! He came back at the end of the day and was with us once again. He was so cute and he had such a great day! His teacher was awesome and she took such great care of him. She tested him on his reading and he was further along than we thought he was! She sent him home with some harder work and he was so excited to read it. He was so proud I asked him after school where he thought he was in reading adn he said he hoped he was at an I and when I told him he was at a J he went staight on to tell me he will be at a Z by the end of the year! I bet he will be too!

Ora began Kindergarten today and she was so cute, we got her ready and dressed in her sute minnie mouse shirt and we went outside to take her picture. She climbed straight into the tree. I started laughing and she just sat there proudly, just like her big brother!!

He has been so proud of her! She fit right under Michael's wing and he lead her into school. He id not let her go till we were safely on the playground.

She kind of left me behind and went straight into the playground. And when I called her to take her picture she realized she forgot somthing...

I got my hug!!

She had a great first day Wehn I asked her if she had a great time she looked up at me and without any hesitation said "Mom, the bathrooms are fabulous!" I guess it was everything she wanted it to be!

Even piggy was proud of her!

I am such a lucky mom to be able to share these precious moments with these kids! I would not miss them for the world!!

Final Project

2010-07-02T15:12:00.000-07:00

For the last week of Kindergarten Michael was given an assignment that would hopefully get him ready for big kid first grade assignments. So his teacher gave him a packet and with questions about the animal of his choosing throughout. He was given free reign over the project. He was to answer the questions in his own words, and then he could either, draw, clip and paste from a magazine, find pictures on the Internet and do the whole thing on the computer, really just do anything he wanted to do.

I sat down with him to figure it out and quickly realized he knew just what he wanted. I was just not sure how we would pull it off. We spent time over at Michael's, the library and then Borders for the right magazine. We worked VERY hard and in the end even fought a little over our ability to do it. But it was so cute and, in the end, just what he wanted it to be.... SO here it is.

Made out of foam paper he began. He picked bears because he liked that they ate fish and were fishermen like his dad.

Different bears eat different things. Some like honey, some like fish, and some eat baby seals.

Bears live almost (he was so particular about that word it was funny!!) all over the world. American Black bears live in the forest.

Grizzly bears can run as fast as 30 miles per hour. Polar bears sometimes have to swim in freezing cold water.

People are a bears greatest enemy. In New Delhi people capture the Asiatic black bear and teach them tricks. Moon Bears are killed so their bones can be used as magic charms.

I hate to brag (okay that is a lie) but, he is so stinking cute! This was all him. It came from his brain. I wish I could take credit but, I cannot. He is such a Smarty! He even did the sentences without much help from me.

He did it!!

2010-07-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

Michael is my Smarty pants! When he turned three years old I asked him what he wanted for his birthday and he told me very seriously that he wanted to learn to read. He was so thrilled to go into Kindergarten I thought he would burst at the seams the day I dropped him off.

Turns out that Smart cookie thing kind of bit him in the rear int he end. He got left behind (or ahead I guess really) BIG TIME!!

His teacher did her best to keep him interested but, with so many kids in her class he ended up working with other kids and helping them rather than moving forward and learning all he could have learned. By then end he was kind of bored and he is ready to go on to first grade and Maybe... second if when we move I decide to test him up! ( all input on that topic would be appreciated)

All in all he had a great year. He only disliked about the last month or so. In then end he was happy to move on and proud of the work he did in the year.

Too Many BOYS!!

2010-06-30T11:39:00.000-07:00

Poor little Ora! She is surrounded by boys, she definitely has more than her fair share. And don't get me wrong she does like having her "fellas" (as she calls them) around some of the time. But lately it seems like she has had her fill. She was ready for a girls day. So while I had an older friend here yesterday playing with the boys she and I had a girls day.
We started with a Teddy Bear Picnic. We had so much fun that we will be doing it again next week with a few of her girlfriends.

We set up her blanket in the front yard and layed out some strawberries, pound cake and of course chocolate chips.

In the glass was some sparkling water. She thought that was the best part. We kept clinking the glasses and "cheersing"

Of course in the end our hands were covered in chocolate But, we had such a fun time.

After the picnic we came in and did "hair dones" We then went to do nails! She chose sparkly purple nails.

The day spent with my girl was SO worth! the piles of laundry, and dishes that added up as I did the things that will really matter!

Remember with a Smile!

2010-05-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

I write this post without thinking every year. I do it for solice and so whatever comes....comes, you get what you get! I don't edit it, for anything other than spelling so here comes what will come....

Once again it is that time of year! The Day of Days as my family calls it. The day when all of us.. Even so many years later... Take a time out to remember those we loved and lost so long ago.
My Dad was so special, to all those who knew him he will never be forgotten. I wish so badly that I was one of those people, I wish for just a moment I could remember him. I wish I could pull on some sweet memory that I have of his arms around my waist or his lips on my cheek but, all I can do is imagine, dream sweet dreams where I can pull my own moments from. They may not be real but they are what I have, and I am grateful for them.
My kids and I sing at bedtime. They sing sometimes to me but, most often I sing to them. The Rock n' Roll lullaby my Father wrote.

I'm gonna sing you to sleep now
With a rock n roll lullaby
Your gonna dance with the sand man
So just close your sleepy eyes
Daddy's Girls and Boys
You know you bring me so much joy
You've been fightin this battle for an hour or longer
Now's not the time to prove your stronger
See that man rounding the bend
the man with the dreams to lend
He's just waiting
For you to close your sleepy eyes.

I have no idea how he would have sung it, but I sing it my way and the memories I get can transform to him singing to me when I went to bed. I can picture him holding me as an infant while I screamed for hours and hours. Thinking up this song to soothe me. When I have had one of those nights with my babies, where I get to the place where I can take no more I call on him. I lay my little one down and leave the room, get on my knees and pray for the Father to send my Father to my baby. Then I wait.... It always works!! As I hum this tune outside of the room I get to the end and the crying stops. He comes and takes over while I sleep. I have done it more with some babes than with others and have not used "my trick" often for fear it would go away. But, I know in the reality of Heaven and a visit back here from there is not out of the question.
Maybe sometimes my brother comes, maybe he sits by me as I struggle to keep things together. Maybe he hold my hand when I think no one else is there and I cry. Maybe, just maybe they are guiding my life more than I would ever think.

Man I miss them! The two men I never knew who shaped my life so well. My reason for being who I am and wanting to be with them again so badly that I will face ANY challenge of this life and overcome it just to get the chance to make my own memories some day with them.

Who you gonna call?

2010-05-24T12:43:00.000-07:00

Every Sautrday night (okay most Saturday nights) you will find the Short family all in our living room huddled up on either one blanket or on the couch having Family Movie Night! We get a new movie every week and have a great time being together. My kids look forward to it and by Thursday at bedtime they are asking when Saturday is coming. They get excited but, I think Joe and I enjoy it even more than they do. We usually pick out a movie and when I go grocery shoping I pick up a treat. Most of the time just popcorn or a small bag of candy, and if they have been really good I will pick up some ice cream.

About two weeks ago Michael asked me for something I was not sure I could give him. He wanted to make the Marshmellow man from Ghostbusters???

We watched Ghostbusters like 6 months ago, and I was not thrilled about it, I think I probably spent the whole movie reading while they all loved watching it. But this took me by surprise. I do not even know what the marshmellow man is but I was willing to make an effort for my kiddos and thier fun.

This is what the marshmellow man AKA Stay Puft looks like!

Yes I wanted to make this happen, that is untill I realized that I had a very adorable other half in the form of my sweet husband to do it instead. I did arm him with a bag of large marshmellows and a container of Q-tips and put him to work.

Off and running!Or should I say off anf getting really sticky! I love Ora in the background, isn't she working hard!! The concentration in her mouth is priceless.

Finished product's

This is the one we made for Abby, Jordan had fun being a "strong man" with that one.

Michael, Oh so proud!! All of this was so worth it just for this picture!!

Dad comes for lunch

2010-04-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

Dad came home to visit us at lunch time a few days ago. Of course in all out cool Dad fashion he brought his new truck! He came home and told Michael he got a new truck a few weeks ago and Michael has been excited about it ever since. So when he pulled up for lunch in this the kids could not wait to get out and see what it does.

Showing the controls. Watching the bed raise up and down. Jordan and Michael got to try it out and thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Climbing on! Ora was terrified!! I had to convince her that she would be sad if she missed it and to trust me, she did eventually climb on but, was not so sure about it.

At the top she was still scared! But, she made it and when she got done she told me I was right. She would have been sad to miss it.

We are so blessed to have such a great Dad!! He is so much fun and even when he was running a little bit late took a few minutes to make our kids day. They have not stopped talking about it.

A couple tales of ORA

2010-04-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was in my room folding some laundry when I heard Ora yelling, "Mommy, mommy come here!!" So I went outside to see what was happening and there she was, swinging herself! A few days ago we were at the park and we had a few lessons on the swings. I tried to teach her by doing the spider swing thing. You know, where you sit on the swing and then she sat on my lap with her feet behind me. It did the trick perfectly. She learned how it felt to push off from the swing and do it yourself. But, she was too afraid to try it on her own there. I was so excited to come out and see her swinging on her own. She has been on the swings ever since. Yesterday she sat and was smiling for hours.

Ora is such a girl. On Saturday We needed to mow the lawn. It was the perfect day warm and sunny, and beautiful. We played most of the day outside and then it came time to mow and Ora FREAKED OUT!! She came running inside and grabbed the basket we keep our family scriptures in. She had to save the dandelions! She ran around the yard grabbing up as many of those precious flowers as she could get her hands on. Her sweet brother Michael, saw her worries and helped out. they 'saved' a ton before Dad could run them over with the mower. We kept them safe all day and then the next day they were magically gone. Michael is such a sweetie he kept our little secret about what happens to flowers after you pick them. Once again the pictures kind of suck but, hopefully soon we will have a new camera and we will be able to share more perfect pictures.

A Short Easter

2010-04-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Or not so short, this year Easter at our house was 7 great days. I read a quote recently that hit me like a ton of bricks, don't you just love when that happens.

"There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection" Gordon B. Hinckley

Last year in the Ensign at Easter there was an article all about the week before the Crucifixion and resurrection. It stood out for me and the minute I was hit with the Gordon B. Hincley quote this year I went right back to this article. The author, Eric D. Huntsman did another work. He put together a Holy Week packet I went straight to Kinko's and had a fabulous time printing and putting together our Holy week packet. We began on Palm Sunday. We talked about the Triumphant entry of the Savior and our week began perfectly. The kids had a BLAST talking about our perfect KING,our Savior Jesus Christ. They had a ton of fun doing Hosannas!! We ended up having several Hosanna parties, hosted by Ora during the week.

On Monday we had F.H.E. and talked about the cursing of the fig tree. we helped them understand that we need to be producing "good fruit" for our Savior in order to call ourselves his servants. We continued to have F.H.E. every night during the week. It was a week full of spiritual thoughts and precious moments shared with our children. I highly recommend you guys try this in your own families. We did have to modify the packet to fit our family and our own children's ages. Our plan is as the years go by this week will become something our family looks forward to every year. We had so much fun playing and having Family Home Evening for 7 days straight. It was something that I hope sticks with our kids and as we come to this time next year they will remember and be excited to begin again.

As for Easter Day we had a great time. After Christmas Joe and I were able to go to a clearance store closing and got a fabulous deal on these wiggle carts. It was so hard to wait for Easter morning to give them to the kids, but we made it and then on Easter day it was snowing. So we had wiggle cart races in the kitchen. So fun. I even got on and had a ride and race with Michael.

Abby broke into the candy and did not stop till she was done!

Ora spent her whole day in between conference on the cart. She ate and had a blast hunting and re-hiding the eggs all day. They put together a egg hunt just for Joe and I. It was so much fun to have it be conference weekend. We just stayed home and had a ton of fun together.

I miss having a camera!

2010-03-29T08:33:00.001-07:00

I MISS IT SO MUCH!! But, I will share with you what we have been up to anyway, even if the pictures are kind of horrible. I have been in "house fix up" mode. And since I am not about to go and buy new things for a house I am renting that mean I want to fix up what I have and add a few nice touches here and there. Lately this means getting out some cute paper, or pictures and using modge podge to make things seem new and fun!!

The kids and I did this nightstand with Uncle Bobby a few months ago. My sister Cristen was here with her husband for a conference and Joe was off doing something for the day(I cannot remember what?!?) Joe has been wanting a nightstand for a log time now and so I went with Bobby to D.I. and I found this piece. I am sure it is an end table for a living room but, after a bit of work it turned out great. We painted it black and then added some torn paper and pictures of Joe and his kids all around. This one above is the top level of the piece the one below kind of lets you see how it all turned out.

On another trip to D.I. while looking for a dresser for my bedroom (that is a whole other post) I happened across two school style desks, you know the ones with the chairs attached. EIGHT DOLLARS (did I mention I LOVE D.I.) When we got them home and went to put them away Michael was shocked, looked at me and said "wait we didn't finish them" He brought up the papers and picked out his favorite. He found one that was a map and then he realized he had a winner. We did a girl one too. But, I could not get a great picture from my phone. It ended up being pink with all kinds of girly patterns. So cute, maybe I will get a picture someday!

I found this tile board (I bet you know where) and last year we had a Dr. Suess calender. We pulled it apart and have been doing some fun things with those papers but, this is my favorite thing so far! It is from the book 'Did I ever tell you how lucky you are' It is all about how your life could have been so much worse! A nice funny gentle reminder that your life is pretty great! This page says "Just suppose for example you lived in Ga-zayte, and got caught in that traffic on Zayte highway eight"

I know this has not been redone but I thought she fit in with the Dr. Suess theme with her "who hair" She is just too cute not to share!

New Blog

2010-03-15T14:12:00.000-07:00

So here we go, This blog will be private in T minus 48 hours! The new blog will remain public if you want to go over there check it out the first post is in.

Proud Mormon Mommy

Coming Soon

2010-03-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

I have been mulling over some thoughts for a while now and have decided to privatize this blog. I will be launching a new blog soon for me to post some religious and "off family" topics. I have found that I would like to keep my family blog separate from the other topics I have been writing lately. SO if you would like to be invited to read this 'family' blog I would be happy to send you an invite just hit me with your email. The new blog will be launching some time next week (fingers crossed) I will let everyone know when!

Ora turns FIVE

2010-02-23T08:47:00.000-08:00

(((Sorry the pictures are so bad, we don't have a new camera yet we just have my phone so it is what it is)))

Her wonderful day came and went on Feb. 17th. She loves her birthday's! Which makes it all the better for me. As a mother I try to make all of my kids birthdays great. The whole day is about them. They get to make all of the decisions, all day... We start with food a few days before the birthday. Ora chose to have a special breakfast that she wanted Daddy to choose, he choose to leave her doughnuts and chocolate milk, for lunch we had 'noodle soup' (top ramon), then for dinner we had Hot Dogs, giant cheeto's, and Soda pop. She got to pick the movies all day and she was able to be pick our games and it was so much fun, we did a lot of Dancing! Then she wanted to open up presents early and she called Dad to see if she could. Of course he told her she could open up her smaller ones and then when he got home we had dinner and she opened up her others.

She has been looking forward to her birthday for months!! All the friends we have, and even people we met in the store (yes random strangers), have been invited to come to her party. A party I was not planning. It was so funny, but also kind of a challenge because I had to keep telling her to stop asking for gifts. She was inviting everyone and then following up her invite with "you can bring me a present!" She also kept asking me for more and more things. I kept telling her that I was done buying her presents, unfortunetlly she had a list of things that she wanted for her day. The problem was I bought her presents clear back before Christmas. I bought her this great jewelry box in October because it was perfect for her. I went around buying little pieces of jewelry to fill it with and was so excited to see her Christmas day. Then when Christmas time came around we found such a great deal on her doll house that we just could not pass it up. After spending that much money I did not feel like I wanted to give her much more than that for Christmas. So I saved the jewelry box for her birthday. I did not buy her a single present more. Until the day before her birthday I decided I could make one of her "new" wishes come true. I bought her an umbrella!! She loved it. It was so great to see her get her jewelry box and it would have been plenty but, when we pulled out her umbrella she got so excited and has carried it around every day since then.

Her cake was probably the most fun thing I did. As I said before, I love my kids birthdays! I always make them the cake that they want. I have done trains, worms, and doll cakes, but the
most fun I have had was this cake. A few months ago we were at the grocery store and she saw the wedding cakes on display and she went crazy! We had been talking about her birthday cake for a while and when she saw these hanging up that is what she wanted. I have always told my kids they could have any cake. I would do my best to make it. So I did not feel right telling her that I would not do it. So we did. The only thing she did not get from her dream was, that she wanted the people on top, we traded that out for her birthday number.
I think for the most part she had a great day, If she had been able to open her presents before Dad got home it would have been perfect! But, we had fun and she still had a great time with her Daddy when he got home!

What we have been up to

2010-02-12T15:57:00.001-08:00

OK here we are, Yes we are still around.

I know since I discovered facebook my blog has suffered a bit. But here's what we have been doing. A few weeks ago I got to go to Las Vegas and stay with my mom while Joe and Michael were able to drive to Missouri with Joe's dad to deliver some things to the house back there. It was kind of a nightmare trip . They got stuck in the Ice storm that went through the Midwest and then slid off the road. Michael lost his brand new Nintendo Ds. At the end they even had to leave the trailer halfway up the driveway and now they are going back in the spring to unload it and bring it back. Michael had a great time though. He was able to hang out with one of his very favorite person, his Grandpa. They talked and talked the whole time and Michael even got to sleep in Grandpa's bed. They ate at a McDonald's the went over the freeway, got to play in the snow in the middle of a highway, and he got to get orange sunglasses. I got to spend the week In Henderson with my family. We had a blast!!
When we got home Joe started school and that has kept us pretty occupied for the last little while. He has been really nervous about it but, has done so well. We have worked hard and have spent nights up late but,I think we are getting the hang of it.
Today was Michale's Valentines party, and I got to go help out in his class. It was so fun to see him in his element. His teacher has been so good with him. She calls him her special helper, the kids all ask him for help reading when they need it. It was great he kept winking at me from wherever he was in the room and when we left he wanted me to walk out the front doors and he went out the back and met me in the front. It was a blast. Let me tell you how much I love my family! I feel so blessed to be their Mother. I feel joy every day, even when I feel like I am going crazy!! I go to bed every night with my favorite person in my arms and wake up with the best four kids anyone could ever ask for!!

Who I am?

2010-01-27T08:11:00.000-08:00

The songs of the Children of The church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. These words carry us out of childhood and into our rough adult lives. They give us the strength we need to be who we are. Our Heavenly Fathers Children. The souls that reside within each of us strive to listen and to feel the spirit that will guide us to be the people we were before we chose to some to this world. The words of these songs bring us that sweet spirit, they fill our hearts with the Love of our Father.

I am a Child of God, and he has sent me here!!

I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, I know who I am I know god plan I'll follow him in faith!!

I am like a star shining brightly!!

I see my mother kneeling with my family each day!!

I love to see the temple, I'm going there some day!!

I will go. I will do the things the Lord commands, I know the Lord provides a way he wants me to obey!

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet he knows the way!

I'm trying to be like Jesus, I'm following in his ways!!

I lived in Heaven a long time ago it is true, lived there and loved there with people I know so did you!

I want to be a missionary now, I don't want to wait until I'm grown!

I feel my Saviors love, in all the world around me!

I kneel to pray every day, I speak to Heavenly Father, he hears and answers me, when I pray in faith!

These words are a part of me. I know them all by heart. I have sung them with my whole soul since I was very young. I can here the music on the piano as I sing the words. they flow from somewhere deep inside of me, they come straight from my heart. On days when I feel like my whole soul will rip to shreds from the weight just being human brings upon me I can call upon these words and draw my strength from the spirit they bring into my soul. Lately it seems like all the world is in chaos. People are afraid, of so many things. The world seems to be falling of it's axis somehow. And yet here we sit ready to take the next blow that comes our way.

This has got to make Satan gain power. I bet he just sits back and can't wait to whisper in your ear "Does the Lord love you?" "How could he, if he lets this happen?" "You are just a drop in the bucket, how could he care about your little problem when so many are suffering?" "You didn't even pray this morning. why would he listen to you now?" "You are not good enough, he doesn't care about you?"

Confession:

I have been so bogged down in all of these thoughts and last night after a long and lengthy battle I feel like I am emerging. I was praying and praying to feel something. Anything! I had lost my way somehow. Become weighted down by the things of this world. And after staying up and praying for most of the night the words of a song poured into my soul. "I feel my Saviors love, in all the world around me" Then "I am a child of God, and he has sent me here" And "I know who I am, I know Gods plan, I'll follow him in faith!!" I do know my Heavenly Father has a plan. It is a perfect plan. One that brings me to back to live with him again. And not only me but all of us. All of my brothers and sisters with me. He has prepared a way. We can overcome all of the things of this life and of this world. Through our Savior Jesus Christ, he will bring us home. We can get there!! It is not easy and sometimes is just plain sucks but, when it is not easy we can lean on the things we have always known. Go back our roots and live the sweet truths of our youth. I AM A CHILD OF GOD AND HE HAS SENT ME HERE HAS GIVEN ME AN EARTHY HOME WITH PARENTS KIND AND DEAR!!....

A lesson in being prepared!

2010-01-19T11:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away!!

Then BAM flat tire on the freeway in a not so good part of town, and I got to learn a pretty valuable lesson.

We left yesterday morning on a hunt. You see Ora was given a beautiful dress from my Aunt and Uncle and it just so happens it is perfect for Joe's sisters wedding. Only one small problem it did not fit. So we went out to costco early in the hopes to find the dress in the right size. NO go they were gone. I asked the customer service guy if there was any way he could tell me where I could find one and he said no, all of the dresses with that number were different. So even if another costco had one it may not be the right color for the wedding. There was one place that we may have better luck. So off we went just a few miles away to see if we could find it. Only almost to our exit on the freeway the back drivers side tire blew. I called the insurance company and was able to get a guy to come change the tire only it was going to take about 45 minutes for him to arrive. To normal people this would be no big deal but, for a mother with four kids 6 and under it was going to be tricky. I had not packed snacks because I thought we would just eat at costco. It was lunch time. They were hungry.

Then I remembered we had our 72 hour kits in the back of the car. We were saved. snacks, coloring books, crayons, water. Everything you would think we would need to make it through the next 45 minutes on the side of the freeway. And once again a snag.... When I opened the kits. everything had been packed a year ago. The fruit snacks were melted, the granola bars stale, and oh yeah, coloring books with no crayons.

We did make it, my kids loved it actually. At least the fruit snacks part. They were gooey and yummy and in Michael's words "they do what gummy worms do" Ora on the other hand was not so pleased. She was very upset that she did not get to color. I also notices the clothes inside would not have fit any of my kids very well at all.

(however we did find the dress)

LESSON LEARNED.

Be better prepared! It may not be any huge disaster that finds you in need of your things it may just be a little one.

Lesson 2 Abraham 3, Moses 4:1-4

2010-01-13T17:16:00.000-08:00

I know that most of you all are on lesson 3 but, I had stake conference last weekend so I am behind by a week. I am once again feeling pretty prepared about this one. Mostly because I love these scriptures.

Abraham is another person who gives us some great insight into ourselves, our savior and the plan our father has for each and every one of his children. Abraham was prepared for the great vision he was shown from his early youth. He was saved from sacrifice to an idol by an angel. He moved away from that place and into the land of Canaan which would later be promised to be a pace for his posterity. And he wanted to know his God. He worked at that I am sure.

We can parallel even his early days to our own lives. What are we doing to get ready for what our Father has in store for us? Are we keeping ourselves in places, or with friends, or in states of mind that are not conductive to the spirit of God? Are we willing to move ourselves out of those things in order to be closer to our Heavenly Father?

Abraham was ready and the Lord wanted him, like Moses from the last lesson, to understand who he was. So he showed him many things. One of which was the council in Heaven. This is something that Latter day Saints believe happened before the world was formed. That our Father, whom we had lived with as spirit children called us together and presented his plan for our progression. He told us of a way that we could be made like him, an opportunity for us to learn and to grow and(I think most importantly) to prove to him that we would do whatever we needed to do to get back to him (Abraham 3:25) But, not all of us would prove worthy so he would provide a Savior for us. Jesus Christ and Lucifer then both presented their own plans for how that would work. They were vastly different and a war followed. The spirits who chose to follow the way of Jesus were given the gift of life and sent to earth to receive a body. Those spirits who chose to follow Lucifer's plan were damned and cast out of the presence of the Father.

It is interesting, Our Heavenly Father loves all of his spirit children but, he cannot choose for us what we are going to do. He can send us angels to help us, he can guide and direct us through prophets, the scriptures, and through our own personal revelation, but the choice is ours. It always has been. Satan used the same agency he desired to take away to rebel against the Father and those spirits who followed now use that agency to tempt and to try us here on Earth.

It is so easy to forget all of the reasons we chose to come to this life. My Mother still to this day says "I would not have chosen this" (her life is a whole different story) But the plain fact is that we did chose this. And our Father in Heaven sent us with a plan as well. We have a purpose in this life. He has something wonderful in store for us. And in my opinion the only way to be absolutely sure we are still fighting the war we started so long ago is to be anxiously engaged in the work of getting back to him. It has to be the thing we think about most of all. I myself get so frustrated sometimes at how unfair life seems. Some people suffer while others sail, why is that. I get distracted by money, my house, my children, my husband, and a million other things that may be important but are not as important as the plan of my Father in Heaven. All of those things are a part of that plan if I can just remember that. My Father chose me, held me in reserve to come at a time that he chose. A time just perfect for the plan he had in store for me. And as his spirit daughter I stood in Heaven triumphant and eager to get here to come to Earth and to do whatever it took, even if it meant I got angry with him sometimes, to get back to him. The point is AM I STILL THAT PERSON?

Am I willing to remember the way for me is the one He chose, and he will guide me ONLY if I choose to listen to him. He sent his perfect Son to provide a way for me, so if I get off my path I can be guided back by the only other person who really knows me and knows what I need all the time, my Savior Jesus Christ. There is a plan and it is a perfect plan I, being imperfect, just need to trust more in that plan. And remember like Abraham I was chosen (and I chose) before I was born.

The truth about tonsillectomy

2010-01-11T11:26:00.000-08:00

THEY SUCK!!!!

When I took Michael, my six year old, into the Ear Nose and Throat clinic at primary children's hospital I was excited. He has been not feeling well for so long that we were willing to do anything to get him feeling better. The doctor was positive that what he needed was to have his tonsils and adenoids out. I was right there ready to go, he was all on board as well. And we were ready. It was a 30 minute procedure, we would go into the hospital in the morning we would be home by the afternoon and then he would start to get better. At least that is what the Dr. and nurses said would happen. I had a friend who tried to warn me but even then I just knew he would do okay. He is such a trooper, with an ability to understand things way beyond his age. NOW 7 days later I am angry. Angry that I was not informed of how truly horrible this recovery would be. So here I am to tell the truth!!!

Day One - We checked in at the hospital and he was taken back to surgery. I did not even have time to finish a coke before the doctor came out to tell me it went well. I asked a few questions like, When could he go back to school? What foods can he eat? And was told to just take things as they come and he could go at his own pace. That some kids even eat chips the next day. THE END OF OUR DISCUSSION.

Day Two - He woke up fine and thought he would go to school. I decided to keep him home but, he did well and I thought for sure he would be able to go the next day.

Day Three - All Hell broke loose! He woke up in the middle of the night screaming in pain. I shot out of bed thinking he was being tortured. He was kicking and screaming in his bed and poor Jordan took some punches as well so he was crying too. Then Abby started screaming because she got woke up. And Ora woke up from Abby's screaming. I then screamed "Joseph( (my husband) get in here!" sent him into the girls and I got Michael into the living room. In about AN HOUR he was calmed down enough to get some extra medicine and then he and I snuggled up on the couch for a few minutes while he fell back to sleep. I then proceeded to get into bed thinking we would make it till morning. We Did Not! Just a few hours later it was the same scene all over again. So I made him a bed on the floor in my room. Every time he woke up it was as if he was living his worst nightmare and I was stuck watching it unfold with nothing I could do to help.

Day Four - During the day it was pretty normal. We were able to keep him medicated but he was acting kind of unusual. He was extremely sad and a little bit anxious. I get depressed when I take Loratab so I suspected this was causing some of his problems. I made a call to the Dr. to see if they could give him something else and the answer I received was "He is probably in pain so why don't we increase his dose and see if that helps." I know my boy and he was not getting anxious from pain he would have told me. I tried to get the Dr. again to give us something different with no luck. So I called a pharmacist and he helped me dose him with Tylenol and Motrin. We survived day four barely!!! And the night again was like a living nightmare.

Day Five and Six - All the same to me. And extremely blurry, we have not slept since last Monday and we are seriously going insane. Now instead of waking up And running I have turned into some awful version of myself. I jump up and start shushing him because I feel like I cannot do it. Instead of comfort I find myself getting angry thinking "I cannot do this again!" "I am DONE" "Michael, just take your medicine and lay back down. Come on please!!" We have been spiraling out of control the last couple of nights.

And now here I am ANGRY!!! Angry that I was not better prepared. Instead of saying "Oh some kids eat potato chips the next day." They should have said Most kids are layed up in bed for ten days or more in agony and confusion. I should have been warned that it could have been this bad. Not wondering if he was acting normal or not. I should not have had to go looking on the internet to figure out what was normal.I should have been listened to, I knew the medicine was making him worse, they should have helped me when I asked for it. I will never hear the words "mom. I think I am getting so sick I am going to die!" again. I am not sure my heart can take much more but, I think we are on the upswing of this nightmare. And at least now I have a cause to work towards from all of this. You had better believe I will be speaking to some higher ups over at the hospital and I will be listened to this time. No mother should have to go through this without the information needed to make better decisions than I did.

The Nameless

2010-01-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

As I was reading for my lesson this week I came across a verse of scripture that I am sure I have read before. But, it has never hit me before. Abraham 1:11.

11 Now, this priest had offered upon this altar three virgins at one time, who were the daughters of Onitah, one of the royal descent directly from the loins of ^aHam. These virgins were offered up because of their virtue; they would not ^bbow down to worship gods of wood or of stone, therefore they were killed upon this altar, and it was done after the manner of the Egyptians.

This scripture is smack dab in the middle of the Chapter in which Abraham is set to be sacrificed himself upon that very alter and he is saved by the Lord. I was reading through this chapter on my way to Abraham 3 for this weeks lesson. And was stopped dead in my tracks with this verse. My mind was flooded with questions. Who were these girls? What was their life like? What were their families thinking? So I went looking, trying to find what I could. It was not much. They seem to truly be the nameless three.

We don't hear much about women in the scriptures. I like to believe that is because we are too precious to our Heavenly Father to bring up our names in just any form. So we hear about a few but not many. And these just briefly. But, I believe they were real girls. Valiant and honorable girls. Who gave up their lives to fulfill all righteousness. They stood up and died for what they believed in. They were steadfast and immovable. What courageous examples for our own daughters. A few girls who we don't know anything about. But.... What I did find was this (joe got me the book 'Women of the Old Testament' for Christmas it's awesome)

I looked up the name Onitah in the index and found a quote from Neal A. Maxwell He was comparing these girls to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego "Matching those three men are three young women whose names we do not have. They are mentioned in the book of Abraham, remarkable young women about whom I am anxious to know more. They were actually sacrificed upon the alter because 'they would not bow down to worship [an idol] of wood or stone'. Some day the faithful will get to meet them"

I am hoping to teach my daughters that very thing. That if they can live up to these women we will be invited to meet them in the eternities. What a terrific goal, each of us can get to know these brave girls who taught (at least me) so much to us in the one verse we know about them!

----P.S. I am hoping to make this more of a thing, to look up more of the nameless from the scriptures! Again no promises but, it would sure be fun.----

Moses 1

2009-12-31T10:44:00.000-08:00

I could not be more excited for this year to begin. I have been teaching the 14-17 year old Sunday school class for about a year and a half and can honestly say it is my all time favorite calling. I love all of the kids I have had the privilege of learning with. I have studied that last part of the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and this year I could not be more excited to study the Old Testament!!! So I am hoping (not promising) to share what I learn while I prepare the lessons every week. This week begins with Moses 1.

As he was working on the translation of the bible in June 1830 Joseph Smith was shown a vision. He was able to see an experience that Moses had been given. (moses 1-8) What a gift to all of us to be able to live these moments right along with Moses and learn from his experiences.

Moses 1 is by far one of my all time favorite scripture passages. We gain so much that we need to know about Ourselves, Our Father in Heaven, and about Satan.

We begin with God revealing himself to Moses And then for the first of many times he calls Moses His son. (1:4) The reality of God is in fact a reality. He is our Father and he loves us all. each and every one of us. I write in my scriptures, kind of allot, and on the side of this verse I have written "I am his Daughter" And then in verse 5 I have underlined the words ' and I have a work for you' Don't you think that is about all we need to know I think once we all realize we are Gods children we all will then need to know more. We will hunger for more, and we will find our way back to him because that is more important than anything else. When we realize that being his child is the most important thing we will try our hardest to learn what we can become. Moses realizes we are nothing without our Father in Heaven and the only way to get back to him is through our Savior. Then the Father departs and Moses is left to ponder and has what I like to call 'a book of mormon moment' (because that is what happens in the book of mormon everyone 'falls to the earth')

And when he awakes Satan comes to him and without knowing it gives all of the rest of us the keys that we need to overcome him. (thank you Moses for going through it so I can learn from you) Satan comes to him and says "Moses, son of man' (1:12) And I love verse 13 Moses shoves it back in his face and says "I am a Son of God" He contends with Satan as Satan tries to deceive him by using all of his same old tricks. Trying to get Moses to believe he is anything less than a child of God is not as easy as he probably thought it would be. Moses puts up quite the fight. And puts him right in his place. Telling Satan that he still is filled with the glory of God and he has can feel only darkness from him.

Now if only we could learn a thing or two from him and do the same thing.

The next time we are feeling tempted or tried or, frustrated, or a million other things Satan tries to get us to believe, so we will forget we are children of God. We could just pull it together long enough to maybe say a prayer or sing a hymn or whatever we do to get back in touch with the sprit enough to say to Satan "Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not; for God said unto me:thou art after the similitude of mine only begotten." (1:16) That's the scripture for my mirror this week. Maybe I can remember it for a while yet. And maybe I could become a little more like Moses and learn to fight back with more vigor and less weakness. I want to be part of the kingdom of God more than anything else. I really do, now I just need to prove it to myself, the Devil, and most importantly my Heavenly Father.

There's a Book

2009-12-30T15:05:00.000-08:00

So much fun!! I am so excited I was able to participate in the 'When I was young' segment over at There's a Book. I fell in love with this book when I was little and I read it every year. Go on over an check it out. But, you have to go there no more hints about it over here. .....

Survivor

2009-12-23T09:28:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know I am an addict. But, I really can't help myself. I love Survivor. At the time it began it was such a grand idea. The show was such a thing of genius it pitted our most primal fears and anticipations against our desires to do what is right and then the whole world was able to watch as they all self destructed and turned into the things they all fear the very most. I have loved it from the very first moment I saw it. I loved all of the twists and turns the back stabbing and the heros who win their way through to the end.

But, this season has taken the cake. Because of one player the guy who if you watched, you know who I mean. The self made millionaire who was able to convince all those around him he was a dirt poor fireman. He was also able to give the most brilliant performance in Survivor history. He manipulated every person in camp and single handedlly fought his way through to the end. He found hidden immunity idols with no clues an idea that is so simple when you think about it, then he made chaos for those around him.

He gave me something to think about. He said "If I can control the way they feel, I control the way the think" Then he went on to dump out all the canteens and burn up their socks in the fire. He is a genius!! But more than that it really made me think.

Isn't that what Satan does. If he can control the way we all feel he can control how we think and how we act. If he can make us all feel inferior to everyone around us. If he can make us feel not good enough, or rich enough, or pretty enough, or awake enough, or smart enough, or ______ enough. Then maybe he can make us yell at each other, and try to be better, and go into debt, or change our appearance, or pit ourselves against each other, Or a million other things that make us "FEEL" better. Who knows what he can have us do. What a crafty little devil. Only it gets worse. He knows us. I mean REALLY knows us. He has watched us for ever. He remembers how it was when our moms were to busy to listen, Or when we got left out of a birthday party, Or when we let a boy make us feel less than what we are. And he can manipulate our feelings to make all of that come screaming back.

And what a fool I am to let him. How do I get back to the person I was when I chose this life. The person who would have really gone through anything just to have a chance at eternity. I need to remember THAT person. And throw it back in the devils face when he tires to make me any less than who I truly am. A daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me and who sent his son here to die for me. So that I can live again with him someday. He wants me to come home more than anything else.... Do I? What am I willing to give up and give to a guy who wants nothing more than to see me miserable, in order to make me feel better for this tiny little moment.

Christmas letter

2009-12-22T09:57:00.000-08:00

The one thing I really do dislike about myself is how flaky I can be. I know if I were friends with me I probably wouldn't be, because of this exact thing. This year I have neglected my Christmas letter. I was very well meaning and wanted to send one out to all of the people I love and care about but, then the other day I looked up and Christmas was this week. Oh hannah! I think most of the people I love read my blog so here it is.

Dearest family and friends,

We hope this year will find you all well in your own families. Here at the Short house we are doing well. We have had a great year. We have grown up a little and learned allot. Life brings challenges and surprises each and every day. But, together we enjoy the journey.

Michael played baseball this year, during the summer. We discovered that six year olds playing baseball is allot like watching ants run for cover in a sudden downpour. They know they have something to accomplish but the goal is not half as much fun as playing in the rain, or running around the bases with all the dandelions you can find in your hand. He also started kindergarten and he seems to enjoy it. His teacher is great with him. She lets him read extra while the other kids work on phonics. I think if he did not get such a great teacher he might hate school, but she figures out ways to challenge him and keep him on his toes.

Ora turned four and she is as sassy as ever. She loves Fancy Nancy so while we were visiting home she and her cousin got all dressed up and had their hair done then we took a tea set over to McDonalds where we met grandma for a birthday lunch. It was only the start of a Fancy year for us, she loves getting her nails done and having perfect hair. I have no idea where she gets it from but she is all girl and I think we like it.

Jordan turns three Dec. 8th and he is doing well, he has been in speech therapy this year and seems to be doing better. We can understand him a little now but not all the time so we will probably continue to work on it for a while. He loves to play cars and to take care of his little sister, every time she wakes up from a nap he has to be the first one to go in and play with her for at least ten minutes before I can get her out of the crib. He is really sweet and nothing seems to make him happier than being a big brother.

Abigail turned One Nov. 14th I am just a little bit sad, okay a lot bit sad. She is such a cute little baby and I think she is refusing to walk so that I can hang on to this baby phase just a little bit longer. She gives cute baby kisses and plays peek a boo. She likes to fold her arms when we have family prayer, and she likes to go to sleep with Ora at bed time. I am so grateful for her every day, our family would not be complete without her. She loves all of us so very much and shows her love every single day.

Joe and I are doing well, we celebrated 7 years together this year and are more in love now than we have ever been. Joe likes his job enough to keep going every day. He works hard and we play hard. We had a Family reunion in July that I was in charge of putting together and that took most of our time this year. Then in Late July and Aug. Joe and I worked on the committee for the open house of the Oquirrah Mountain Utah temple. We were able to devote almost three months of our lives to serving the Lord in getting his house ready for the public to view it. I was awesome to be able to devote so much time to this position. And then for the dedication we were able to work inside of the temple while the First Presidency was there. To spend the whole day inside of a temple while it was being dedicated was worth all of the hours and headaches it took to get us that far. We are spending the holidays here in West Jordan and looking forward to visiting home again early next year.

The most joy we have comes from our knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the role it plays in our lives. We are so grateful for our eternal family. The bonds that connect us to each other are more important to us than anything. we are so grateful for our knowledge of the Savior and our plan for eternal salvation through his infinite atonement. We are so happy to be celebrating this season, the season that brings us the joy of knowing who we are and how we can get back to being those people who would do anything to get back to being with our Father in Heaven again. Even go through the trials of this life and the messes that come with it. Have a very merry Christmas and a Happy and healthy new year .

We love you all,

The Short Family

My Dearest Abigail

2009-12-21T08:27:00.001-08:00

Yes, my darling!!! You are stinking cute however, We have got to come to some kind of an arrangement. You came into my life and five minutes later you nursed for almost and hour. Did I let the nurses take you? No, I let you have you fill and then they took you away and cleaned you up. When you came back to me you climbed right up to where you were camped out and had full blown milk in TEN (count them people) TEN hours. I know my love, You and I both have loved every minute of our time together. You have been wrapping your one little arm around my back, placing your other hand on my chest and staring into my eyes for thirteen months now. I have loved being forced to sit with you and feed you for the last year of my life. When I first became a mom I fell in love with breastfeeding. Your Aunts can attest to the fact that I love nursing, and maybe I talk about it too much but I do love it. I highly recommend it to all new mothers. I even took a hit from your doctor at our last visit. We had quite the discussion about you never having had any other form of fluids. I placed my well planned out arguments for breastfeeding in front of the doctor (yes for those of you I am sharing this letter with, I did have a discussion with a well educated physician about my daughter getting the best form of food for her growing body. I actually used the phrase.. "Did you just check your bedside manner at the door!!! Don't you think there is a reason she has also never had an antibiotic in her body.") And you grinned the whole time. And then we went home and you nursed and went down for a nap!

Now to our arrangement, You need to start going to bed and staying there. We are going to have to ween you someday but, I will continue (for a little while) as long as we figure out a way for you to sleep. That means, I think, we will no longer nurse to sleep! I am sorry to see this go but I think we will survive. And maybe it will keep you from crashing at six in the afternoon and then staying up till midnight.

Dang girl I love you and hate to see this come to a slower pace. You are the light of my life, the joy to my soul. And I will love that you and I have hung on to nursing for this long, none of your siblings were able to. And you my darling, have decided to keep me a "baby" mommy for a while longer. It has made the transition from being a baby machine to a mom with growing kids easier. Thank you for walking later and nursing longer. I let myself believe you can feel my mourning and are helping through the heartache that never being a "new" mother again is bringing. You snuggle me while I sob and I think we will be bonded a little bit tighter for it.

Thank you for your soul. You truly have completed our family and I cannot wait to see how you grow up.

Love, Mommy

P.S. To all the naysayers out there (Dr. Lei) If she feels a need to take my boob to college then I will hear your arguments

Timing and Satan's favorite weapon GUILT!!

2009-12-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

I'm going to pretend like no one knows what has been happening in my house lately. Even though I know you all hang on every bit of information about me and my family. (come on I know you do!!) Right? No, okay let's just let my fantasy go for a minute and I will tell you what has been going on anyway! So Right around Michael's birthday (halloween) I started getting super frustrated with him. Not only was he getting super grumpy and having tons of tantrums (yes my 6 year old) But, I was done dealing with his problem of not eating anything I would cook for dinner. Other than Mac and Cheese, PB&J, and fake chicken nuggets. So we thought we would lay down the law a little and I told him that if he did not eat his dinner then he would have to go to bed early so that his body could get more rest because he was choosing not to give it any good food that it needed. So we sat him down at the table with Tatter tot casserole, something he would eat a little over 6 month ago. He sat there for about 45 minutes. And I finally was ready to put him to bed. So he started to cry and I told him that he needed to take one REAL bite and he could stay up. He then took a lick of dinner and I told him it was not good enough. He took a bite and then proceeded to act out a scene from survivor. You know the one where they make them eat cockroaches and then they gag and choke and then puke all over the floor. Only he puked all over my kitchen table. So my thought was, that is not normal. The next day I took him into the doctor, thinking he would just scare him into eating. And he told me that his tonsils were huge and so he probably could not eat. (insert punch in the mom gut here) We then were told to go see an ENT Doctor to schedule the removal of his tonsils. That appointment was this morning. Yes a month later. (in the mean time, He has been through the flu and strep throat and now we are quarantined to keep his huge bacteria grabbing tonsils from getting him more ill) So we went in and the doctor proceeded to punch me in the mom gut again. It seems to be that not only can he not eat but, his large tonsil in combination with his narrow airway are a perfect combination for sleep apnea. So he is not eating because he can't and he is throwing tantrums like a two year old because the minute he lays on his back in bed his airway slowly closes until he stops breathing completely and wakes up long enough to gasp for air and go back to sleep where it starts over again. So he's not eating, not sleeping. and now.... they will fix this problem when...... (drumroll please) JAN. 4th!! The first day back to school. YEAH he gets to miss more school and I am sure I will get to have another very pleasant conversation with his principle about parents being involved in their child's education by bringing them to school. So FUN!!! So pray we make it. I just might go insane from lack of getting away time. (oh I forgot to tell you I can't even leave to run because I have a stress fracture in my shin I get to rest up for three more weeks and get better too) Any ideas for indoor games or crafts or cheep movies let me know because if we don't do something more than watch qubo I will go crazy and go run and maybe then I will break my shin completely which I may want to do just for some excitement)

There's a Book

2009-12-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to put out a post about Theresabook.com and now I have the perfect opportunity. Because, she's doing a giveaway. Go over and check out this great new website. My friend had the best idea to review books, all kinds of books. Mostly children's books so far but, in the future she will be reviewing all kinds of books. She has great taste (even if she did like twilight, but most people did so I can't really blame her there) Go check her out. And enter to win her giveaway from the Pioneer woman cooks. And while you are there read on for great ideas for Christmas and otherwise. look around and see what's on the menu. For your bookshelf of course.

Christmas chaos

2009-12-11T13:13:00.000-08:00

(this is not our house or our couch anymore but the picture is a good one for what has been happening at out house now)

We have our tree up. We have our stockings hung, by the heater vent with care. We also have a tonsillectomy in our future near. Michael is doing well, we are still quarantined until we can get the disease catchers out of his mouth. But, this whole quarantine thing had been kind of fun. We have hung out at home for the past few weeks. All together just watching movies and playing games here at home. We have endured strep throat, a nasty sinus infection, the flu, colds all around. And now we are just waiting for the next big thing to hit us. who knows what it will be. But, we see the doctor on Tuesday and I am just hoping that once he hears that Michael is choking and throwing up almost everything he eats. And still waking up at night at least three times a night because he cannot breath that we will get a pretty quick trip to the O.R.

He is pretty miserable, but we really are having fun. We are watching more T.V. than normal and we are quickly making a list of the As Seen on T.V. thing we want. If I never hear another episode of 123 penguins I would be just fine. We have discovered Rescue Heros a show all about Firemen, and paramedics. And Avalanches and earthquakes. And Michael now loves it. So everyday at 3:30 if you are looking for us you will find us watching that show. And I have become okay with that. I love being able to give something as little as a thirty minute T.V. show back to Michael. Who has to give up more than any six year old should. He hears "hold on" more than a kids should have to. So I love that our time together is set in stone every day!!

Heres to hoping we can make it through till those nasty tonsills come out.

The Post in which I talk all about....

2009-12-08T08:39:00.000-08:00

One of our greatest catches...

Jordan

Because he is three today! He is awesome. So much fun and so much work!! When he was born he came to us kind of by surprise. The doctors had told me it would be extremely hard for us to get pregnant again after I had a pretty horrible ruptured ectopic pregnancy. So we decided not to hinder anything in hopes that someday we would have another baby. Well the next month there we were, pregnant again. I had just come out of a nightmare after loosing the baby , I hadn't even realized I was pregnant and then I felt like it had been ripped out of me. Then they told me not only that but I would probably never have any more babies. I didn't feel like anyone understood what I was feeling, Joe kept telling me it was fine and it must have been meant to be. I didn't feel like anyone would ever get it. I may have never held that baby but it was gone I had had a baby and it was gone. I felt the loss.

And then I got sick one morning and knew what that maybe meant. It felt like the Lord had given me back a gift. I was gong to be a new mom again. I could not understand it, I did not understand why I had been given such a HUGE gift. I didn't understand why me. But I knew I would never take it for granted again. The fact that I was able to be a mom through my own body. I would never take that for granted again. And when he was born I didn't. Getting him here was not easy. I spent most of ten months on my living room couch attached to a constant IV drip and a medication pump to keep me from throwing up. My mom spent most of ten months cleaning and taking care of my house and my other kids. Thank Heavens for mothers.

And at the end of it my Jordan was born. He came smiling and has not stopped a whole lot since. It is crazy how you can sense your children when they are given to you, even in those first few minutes, Jordan was funny! He is the one who makes us all laugh all the time. He realized early on what looks would make us smile and then those are the only looks he gave. Then he learned if he giggled we would giggle, So thats what he did. Always learning new tricks to make us laugh then repeating them over and over again. Now, he is three and he knows when he says I love you I can't help but smile. So he is the child who I hear those words from the most. Not a day goes by that he does not tell me he loves me at least six or seven times. And now he is three, three!! He came into my room this morning and I pulled him up into my bed and asked him. "Jordan lets skip your birthday and then you can stay 2 forever, what do you think?" He said very sweetly "No, I want my lightning McQueen cake" So I guess there you have it, I had him give me his last kiss as a two year old and we got out of bed to celebrate the day!

Happy Birthday Crazy Boy I love you!!

Goings on

2009-12-01T17:12:00.000-08:00

We have had quite the last few months here in our neck of the woods. Between car troubles and health problems we feel like we have been rung through the ringer and then hit by a semi. And now we are quarantined till strep throat decides to leave us alone. So here I am sniffling a little but figuring I should catch up the old bloggy blog blog..... (that may be the medication talking)

We had so much fun through the fall and now here comes winter. I feel like it has stayed away long enough and now it is bound to come on in full force pretty soon. Halloween was fun. We had a good time trick or treating, or I should say Joe and the kids had a good time trick or treating. I stayed home and got things ready for Michael to open presents when they got back. He made out like a bandit for his birthday. He ended up with something like 60-70 dollars from Grandparents and was intent on spending it all on one trip to the store. We were there for a while. But it was a fun trip. Then the next day I asked him if he was going to pay his tithing and he was just not so sure he was ready to do that. His exact words were "If I don't can I go to the store again" He debated and thought it through for a while and finally decided he wanted to pay it after all. It was so hard for me to sit back and just let him decide but in the end I think it was the right thing to do. I hope he will always remember the hard choice at six and the joy that followed. Then maybe it won't be such a hard choice later on in life.

We came through November mostly unscathed. Our cars on the other hand are a little worse for the wear and they showed it to us the last couple of months. I a, so grateful for a husband who can crawl around under there and get things fixed. He is awesome. Although at one point he had the flu and had to walk me through how to change the starter. But I did it, he had to come out at one point to turn the wrench I could not turn but, we got it fixed and I decided I want to help him all the time. I had a blast and now I want to know more.

We had Abby's birthday too. She turned one and I am sad to report I spent most of the week depressed about it. Knowing I am done having babies had been hard. But, she is great a making me feel better. She still snuggles all the time. And I swear is not walking yet just for me. I will post her birthday pictures later.

Thanksgiving was great. Joe's dad came up and for the first time I had to do the whole meal by myself. It went well, real well, up until I dropped the fresh rolls into the dishwater in the sink. Right as we were sitting down to eat. OH WELL..... It was still good. And I feel proud that I made it through. I made a fresh blackberry cobbler for dessert which was so good. It was something Joe's Grandma used to make for his Dad every year for his birthday so, we wanted to bring her here to our table for Thanksgiving. It was nice chatting about her and visiting with Joe's "pops" for the weekend.

So here we are getting ready for Christmas, still no camera...(sorry) but, maybe soon that will change. We are saving up so we can get a nice one next. No more broken ones five minutes after you leave the store. So any advice in that department would be well received. Hopefully I will have Abby's birthday pictures up soon, they are on a friends camera so who knows....

Speech/Lesson on Charity

2009-11-20T14:14:00.000-08:00

Last night I was privileged to speak at our wards enrichment night last night. I spent so much time on my knees pleading to my Heavenly Father to help me, to guide me to say what he needed these women to hear. I was incredibly nervous to be standing in front of them. But, when I got up there things seemed to flow well. I thought I would post my notes from last night here so I could preserve them. The quotes and scriptures I used are underneath. I also had a separate piece of paper with more stories of charity from my family and friends to use if I did not get some participation.

I want to ask you a question and have you write down our response, you don’t need to show it to anyone just keep it to your self and then we will come back tot he answers at the end of our discussion.

WHAT IS CHARITY?

One of the scriptures that I love the most is 1Corinthians

I am so grateful to the saints in corinth and there struggles because we learn so much from them.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth,

Problems, immorality, schisms in the church, doctrinal questions, AND spiritual gifts were being misunderstood..

So in answer to this we get one of the most beautifully written passages I THINK in all literature. The gifts of the spirit chapters which comprise chapters 12-16 of first Cor.

We are going to focus on the 13th chapter

(I filled in the blanks before we began because I don't like calling on people who are not prepared)

____________ will you read it for us please Chapter 1 vs 2

-Is faith all we need for salvation ---- not according to Paul!

_______________ will you please read the next verse for us verse 3

The language of the scripture get kind of intense at times. But it does teach us an awful lot. If You were to give away all your earthly possessions or be burned (which I can only think he is relating this to animal sacrifices in some way,) It will do you NO GOOD unless you have Charity.

Paul goes on to define Charity for us

___________ will read verses 4-7

THESE BRING ME BACK TO THE BEATTITUDES we learn from Christ in his sermon on the mount.

In the life and teachings of Jesus Christ manual We get some other translations for the word Paul uses and we can get a deeper sense of the beauty in his meaning here.

For example.

vs 4 the word vaunt in Greek means "braggart"

vs. 5 easily provoked becomes irritable, or exasperated

vs. 5 thinketh becomes reckons or takes account of

Paul goes on to teach us that Charity never faileth, although prophecies may, but Charity never will.

So how do we get the deeper meaning of what Charity really is.

I think as women we tend to judge ourselves pretty harshly

-Remember Elder Uchdorfs. talk about his wife and the eggs and toast. We should be celebrating when we don't burn the toast!!

We judge ourselves sometimes so much that we in turn tend to think others must be judging us as well. And this becomes such a vicious cycle. in our lives that we don’t even see sometimes what we are doing.

-Have you ever had someone knock on your door, maybe even a friend (a good friend) and you pretend your not home because maybe your house is no quite clean.

-Have you ever made delicious treats and wanted to take them to someone but, darn you are out of that pretty ribbon so instead you eat them all yourself.

-Have you ever seen someone in the grocery store and hid behind the bananas because you didn’t have your hair done or makeup on

----I then put up a measuring stick and we wrote down the things we judge ourselves one. Some of the answers I got were, Home, parenting ability, looks, spirituality,....

Then I took the measuring stick and put it under my feet. The only person we are to measure ourselves against is the Savior and there Is NO WAY we will ever be perfected until the next life.

------ There is no measuring stick. ---------

That’s is such a small step toward Charity, but until we stop judging ourselves we Can NEVER HOPE TO STOP JUDGING OTHERS!!

I want to tell you some stories and it you guys can think of any from your own lives let me know.....

-A story once in music and the spoken word was told about an elderly couple the women was going blind and could no longer paint her finger nails so , her husband would do it for her and he did.... every week for 5 years

-Joseph Smith, young boy... A boy was looking for his brother in Nauvoo he was invited into the prophets home and was taken care of for the night and then the prophet arranged for him to have a coach ride the next 8 miles to his brother.. It was not until later that this boy came to know he was helped by the mormon prophet

-Joe’s Grandmother was in a horrible accident which killed her husband. After she got out of the rehab center Joe got a letter from her on his mission. It opened with Dear Joseph I felt good today so I got up and went visiting teaching and now I am writing you a letter

-My quilt, during a particularly hard Christmas the members of our ward took car of my family and made all of us beautiful quilts for Christmas. They took the time to think about what we would like and then matched accordingly the fabric they choose for each of us.

QUOTE BY MARVIN J. ASHTON

We have the legacy of RS to help us get there!!

The relief society’s legacy

-1842 began by helping men build the temple

-1843 visiting committees formed

break after death of J.S.

1854 Indian Relief societies formed under council of Brigham Young.

-1866 reorganized with Eliza R. Snow as President.

-1876 begin a grain storage program

-1882 Open Deseret hospital

1918 At the end of WW1 the relief society sells 205,518 bushels of wheat to the united stated government and establishes a fund to purchase more wheat in the future

1921 National concern for health care causes R.S. to take wheat storage interest to fund hundreds of health care clinics for expectant mothers, babies, and preschool children. Sisters in European missions prepare maternity chests for needy mothers and home deliveries

1936 Church welfare plan established RS responsible for preserving food, providing clothing, and bedding and teaching welfare principles to the sisters

1940-1845 send clothing, food, and thousands of quilts to help saints in Europe.

1978 RS transfers 266,291 bushels of wheat and nearly 2 million dollars to the first presidency for welfare program.

1999 do you remember the service of the millennium project 1,999 hours of service to humanitarian aide in one evening.

March 2000 there are more than 4 million members in over 160 countries worldwide.

What a heritage we have!

In one meeting where lucy Mack smith was in attendance she was heard to say:

LUCY SMITH QUOTE____________________________

We can get there we can draw on the experiences of the sisters around us to help us guide our way to Turn our hearts so they are forever changed. So that we put aside the things that don’t really matter and get back to what does.

---- Do we want to have others see us in a way that when they look at us they see their Savior Jesus Chirst.

I am going to read the final quote from elder eyering at our last RS general meeting

TESTIMONY!!!

1 Cor. 13:2

And though I have the gift of prophesy, and I understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

1 Cor. 13:2

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

1Cor. 13:4-7

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not;charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things

“Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles, to those in need, or sharing our excess withthose who are less fortunate. But, really, true charity is much, much more.

Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you aquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. “

Marvin J. Ashton

“We must cherish [and] watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction that we may all sit down in heaven together”

Lucy Smith

“You pass the heritage along as you help others receive the gift of charity in their hearts. Then they will be able to pass it to others. The history of Relief Society is recorded in words and numbers, but the heritage is passed heart to heart. That is why families are such beneficiaries of Relief Society. ...... You have a glorious heritage. I pray to God that he will inspire you to preserve it and pass it on as a legacy to bless and bring joy to those in the generations and the seasons to come. “

Henry B. Eyering

For Six Years...

2009-11-06T09:21:00.000-08:00

I have been a mom!!

And it all started with this guy!!

Michael is the best big brother this family could have asked for. The day he was born my mom took one look at him handed him to me and said "Wow, good luck with him" He was born an old, OLD soul, we could feel it. Everyone in the room knew this little guy had been waiting for a long time to be here on earth. And boy, oh boy did he prove it. For the next 8 months he screamed. He did not wait this long for a body to be stuck inside of something he could not control at all. He absolutely hated being a baby. It was the funniest thing to watch. At the time, it was the hardest thing I had ever done, looking back it is comical. He would scream and then I would move him to a new place in the house, and five minutes later he would scream. And I would move him yet again... No kidding, for 8 months! It went so far that one day I was delirious, so dang tired that I pulled out the vacuum because that was the only thing that would stop the crying except for me constantly holding him which I could not do anymore because my arms were throbbing. I turned it on ,he quieted and I put him in his swing. He did not cry and I sat on the couch. The next thing I remember I woke up because my house was full of smoke... Yes the vacuum had caught fire and was burning away in the corner of the room. And he was sleeping away in the corner. I got the fire stopped and the day went on. At 8 months he walked and the rest as they say is history.

Six years later, here we are a family of six with Michael as our big proud big brother. He brings an air of life to this family that we could not do without. He is tender and strong and takes such good care of his siblings. Last year for his birthday he wanted to learn to read. And this year I just had a parent teacher conference with his Kindergarten teacher and he is reading at a first grade level. I took him to the book fair after his conference, and he seriously picked out the dictionary!! I had to talk him into a spongebob book. Only after we got a dictionary, a human body book, and a book on the solar system. He is the coolest guy ever!! And now he is six years old. And next year he will, I am sure, be smarter than me.

2009-11-03T07:20:00.000-08:00

I just really loved this cartoon of moses. I bet he felt like this all the time. And it's a great way to intro my post today.

I bore my testimony in church last Sunday and shared an experience that I have had with my scriptures. I love reading in the Bible. The stories are just plain fun to me. I love thinking about this Earth and the things it has seen its creator do with the people he has sent to it. We have such a history, a link to each other that if you don't believe in God you can miss out on. I wonder about the roles between science and God. The bends in the scientific laws that we just cannot explain. The quantum physics of our human experiences we might say. Oh well I am getting off track ..... meanwhile back at the ranch..... I have decided to read the Old Testament all the way through from cover to cover. I have set this goal for myself before and I tend to fall short somewhere in the middle. But I am trying again and it has been awesome so far. I was reading in Exodus chapter 17 when my Heavenly Father reached out and hit me on the head. (Don't you just love it when he does that) Oh well, I was reading about the Israelite's and the journey they are taking out of Egypt. They have come to the wilderness and are in want of bread so the Lord sends them Manna and quail from the heavens. In chapter 17 the children of Israel are murmuring once again, so badly in fact that Moses goes to the Lord and says "What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me" So the Lord tells him to smite the rock and they are given water. Moses decides to name the place where they received the water according to the hearts of the children of Israel. He calls it Massah (meaning testing, trying proving)and Meribah (meaning Strife or complaint) WOW!! That made me think. What would Moses name my home... Meanwhile right after this happens the people of Amelek come to battle with the Israelites. They are afraid I am sure but Moses sends his people out to battle with Joshua at the head and he stands high upon a hilltop. He holds the rod of God in his hands, and as long as he holds up his staff his people are winning the battle. But if his hands fall the people start to loose. So he stands there all day with his hands up in the air holding the staff up. Of course this is a hard thing to do and he being human is weak, so his friends come to help him. They give him a rock to rest upon and then they hold up his hands for him. And the people are triumphant.

I love this story, there are so any parallels to our lives that I can draw on. I love that even a prophet of God a man who walked and talked with him still got weighed down and was weakened by his trial. It is okay for me to get weighed down and weary. I can call on my friends for help. They will come and literally hold me up if they can. Also I love thinking of the way his hands are in thinking of prayer. With our hand raised in the air pleading with our Father in Heaven in our darkest hour, He will come to our aid. At the end of this chapter Moses is commanded to write down what happened that day. And the final verse reads "And Moses built an alter, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi..." When you look down at the translation of those words it says IE The Lord is my banner.

What banner am I flying, is it one of complaint because life is hard, or of always finding fault with others, or being sorry for myself and wishing I could trade with someone who I think has it better than me. OR When people look at me do they see that I am happy with what I have been blessed with. Do they see their Lord and Savior when they see me. Could they picture a beautiful golden banner fling in front of me leading me back to my Heavenly home. I hope so. I think more often than not lately I have been flying the former banner but, now than I have been properly taught (or hit upside of my head) through the words of my Father in Heaven I can learn and be more conscious of whose banner I am waving in front of my life.

How it went

2009-11-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

I know I was supposed to keep up with the whole dinner every night thing but we were crazy last week so I am now just going to give a synopsis of our week. We made it and it was so fun. We had good meals every night and even had some good little extras throughout the week. I made a couple of soups in our crock pot. A chicken tortilla, and a taco soup. They were so very yummy!! I made rolls a couple of times and we had left overs and stuff for lunch. It went well, so well in fact that I think we will keep it up for a while trying to be creative and cutting out budget. Who knows maybe we can recover from some of our hard days faster if we can keep this up.

Shopping

2009-10-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

First up the results from last night roast. I will never do a roast from frozen again.

The only way to get a good roast is to sear it in a pan before you put it into the crock pot. It was not bad but, it was pretty dry. The gravy turned out SO good just the perfect hint of tomato flavor. And the vegi's were pretty good. I am not a huge fan of roast (at least when I make it) but it was dinner.

Now I am finally off to the store So here's my list:

2 lbs cheese

Taco seasoning mix

Ranch dip mix

2 Cans chicken broth

onion

garlic

2 maple sausage

bread

apples 4 lbs.

2 cans kidney beans

2 cans pinto beans

milk

4 Mac and Cheese

tortillas

cucumber

celery

lettuce

grapes

Total: 31.99

I am keeping the leftover money in my pocket just in case I forgot something.

Now let's see what I can do with it??

Today our menu was made up of Scones for breakfast, I used some dough I had left over from the rolls I made yesterday. Lunch was tuna (from our food storage) sandwiches, on the rolls from yesterday. And for dinner we made Nachos Just chips, cheese (bought this morning), refried beans(from F.S.), and sour cream(from a stock up sale a few weeks ago when I got the sour cream for .49).

What will we do tomorrow??? (I know you all can't wait to find out)

Mommies have super powers!

2009-10-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

Jordan had a problem the other day he came up to me heart broken. His favorite book had ripped in half. He was so upset and crying, I was heartbroken. It was bedtime so I could not fix it right at that minute. I picked him up and set him on the counter. I told him not to be sad that Mommies had special magical powers and it would be all better in the morning. So after all my kids were in bed I glued it back together and when he woke up in the morning it was on his pillow. He really did believe I was magic. Ora, of course, looked right at me over her breakfast cereal and said "No she used the glue gun" The magic ended right there for me but, not for Jordan he still thinks I am special.

I am digging into my mommy magic this week. Our car has been broken down for a while. Every week we have had a new thing to fix on it and now with rent coming due we just don't have the money to make it happen on our normal budget. So things are being SLICED!! First and foremost. The grocery bill. Thank heavens for food storage. I will tap into what we do have and then I will get online and come up with some way to feed us all on $45.00 ALL SIX OF US!!!! From tonight until next Thursday. I figure I will tell you what I am making for dinner. And where the ingredients came from every day.

This is kind of an experiment to see if it can be done. But, also to prove that even if you don't go through some horrble natural disaster the prophets have told us to have food storage for a reason.

So for my first trick: Tonight's dinner. I usually shop on Fridays so I don't have much in my fridge but, I also do not have a car. It will be fixed tomorrow. SOOO music please....

I looked in my freezer and what did I see... a VERY frozen roast under a little bag of peas.

I found three potatoes in my pantry and a can of tomatoes. I had a bag of baby carrots in the fridge. I put those things in the bottom of my crock pot and topped that with a seasoning mix called : "Fiesta Party Dip Mix" from tastefully simple. Then I put my frozen roast on top of that I figure once the roast thaws out a little I will add the rest of the seasoning on top. And I will make some rolls to go with it!

See you tomorrow. After I go to the store.

UMMMM......

2009-10-15T10:26:00.000-07:00

My computer is back on line but, I now feel like I have nothing to say. I am just not sure what to do. So I guess I will just start typing and see what comes of it.

Life is sometimes hard and some days I feel as if I am just bobbing up and down in the water that rages all around me. We have tough days and more often than not we have hard months and months. Where the whole world feels as if it could come tumbling down at any moment and it would still feel better than trying to breathe for one more minute. Thanks heavens I have a steel cage that surrounds me and my family all the time.

Even when I don't feel like there is any more sun in my life. I get to wake up in the morning and have a reason to struggle to breathe. My little babies and my big red man make every day worth living even when I don't know if a can. Abby smiles up at me and laughs when she hears her fathers voice come into the room. Michael wants to sit up and read with me until he falls asleep. Ora wants to take "mommy" lessons all of the time. And, Jordan tells me only about a hundred times a day how much he loves me. Joe, the man who keeps us all together. He would go to hell and back just to make me smile. I get to be with the man of my dreams all the time. And that is worth more than any hell we have to go through together to get to eternity as a whole family.

We fight every day to achieve that goal. To be together forever. THAT is what matters. The end game, where we all get to sit in our heaven together, our temple covenants holding us together for all of eternity. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have, the power it gives me to reach that goal. The most important thing we do in this life is not what happens in this life at all. The most important thing we do will come in the next stage. Where no money can bring happiness and no joy is more important the joy of our families going on into eternity.

I can hang on, even when the cliff is crumbing around my aching fingers as long as I am clinging to the most important things in my life. My family and the gospel of Jesus Christ that binds us together.

Where'd she go??

2009-10-08T08:27:00.000-07:00

Once again my computer is not working. Sorry all I will be back soon! Cross your fingers

Future Gazer

2009-09-14T08:18:00.000-07:00

(please be advised that this post is done entirely for fun and is a joke, with only a little bit of wishful thinking on my part.... here's to hoping!)

Dated: June 2023

Headline: Couple finds love at a young age

Reads: Anyone attending the Short-Davis wedding this Saturday may be interested to know that these two have been in love for the past twenty years. No, they are not two eighty years olds seperated by war and time. They are two twenty something year olds who fell in love over Chutes and Ladders and a combined love of Battleship and sprinklers. Jaxon Davis always wanted a little sister but all three times his mother returned from the hospital the blanket was blue. Ora Short has been a bride from birth never wanting anything more than to have her prince charming come find her. So, when there parents decided to swap date night babysitting the match was made. He had a instant little sister to take care of and she had her prince charming. A boy who not only wanted to play with her but, who took care of her whenever she was around. He held doors for her and defended her from monsters, aka the 6 other boys with swords in hand, he also sat with her to watch care bears and Annie, things her brothers would never do. And now here they are twenty years later living out the fantasy that started all those years ago in this four year old girls head. When the parents were asked if they ever thought this day would really come, the brides mother responded "I took the pictures of them when they were little only half thinking it would make a cute story "if" it ever did happen." I guess it is lucky for all of us here now that she did. Congratulations to the happy couple. May they have many more years of joy together. With the occasional game of battleship the only thing they argue about.

Fishing over Labor Day

2009-09-10T08:18:00.001-07:00

On Labor Day Monday we decided to take a little last minute fishing trip. It was so much fun, however because it was so last minute we only brought one pole and no extra bait. My Grandpa was a serious fisherman. Some of my fondest memories of him are on the water. A couple years ago while Joe and I were at their house, we got the surprise (or I could say the gift) of my life. My Grandpa and Joe had been talking about fishing and my Grandfather decided to give Joe a bunch of his fishing things. One of those things was his fishing pole. It was with that pole, and spinner bait that our family caught our first fish. Here is the story.

This is my favorite thing in Utah. These flowers grow all over the place here and I love them. Not only that but, I am highly allergic to them. How did I find this out. By, making Joe pullover one day so I could pick some to put on my table. Not 5 minutes after I had them arranged I broke out into huge hives. Complete with one big ole bad boy under my nose from where I smelled the flowers. But, It's so pretty huh!

My cute kids!!

Abby eating rocks. She quickly went back into the stroller after this was taken.

Joe captioned this one on facebook, "Jordan teaching me how to fish"

Michael's turn

Ora's (and our whole families) first fish. Joe did not even know she had it until it came out of the water. It was tiny. But well worth it.

Right after this picture was taken the fish 'jumped' out of Joe's hand and all of my kiddo's started screaming as it flapped on the floor. You would have thought we caught Jaws and had sent it flapping after him. We were only at the lake for about an hour and a half but it was so much fun. Probably the most fun we have had in a long time.

Cousins Visit

2009-09-02T09:33:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my big sister came up to visit with her two kids. I love them so much and was in such a "down" place that their timing could not have been better. We had so much fun just hanging out. I love that I do not feel like I have to entertain, we can just get together in the morning and see where the day takes us. The first day we went out to IKEA. And then off to the park to play. One of the days we decided to spend down town in Salt Lake. Her kids had never done the conference center tour. And I do not love to go anywhere else in this town more. My kids and I can't wait for the day that we can go down there and just sit in that place for hours. It was so nice to share it with the people I love.

Tanner!

The roof top was open and so we were able to go up and see temple square from above. My favorite thing is kids looking at the temple of God. I just hope he is thinking . "That is my home too!!"

All of the cousins (okay minus Jordan and Abby, they were not happy enough for a shot)

After the conference center we went over to the SWEETS candy factory tour. And even though we learned the best time to go would have been in the morning we still had a great time.

I am thinking we will have to go back with the preschool kids.

Before the tour

After, in their hair nets. YES, even Abby had a hairnet!! But they were worth it to taste the jelly bean, and chocolate jelly's right off the line.

First day of school

2009-08-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

I dropped Michael off at kindergarten this morning. And YES it was that bad!!! I was a wreck, a composed wreck, but a wreck all the same. Yesterday we went and bought him a backpack and when I asked him if he wanted a new shirt for his first day his response made me think "this is definitely my child" I thought for sure he would want something like that so I asked him when we got to the store, and he said no, that he had enough shirts. So we went back to get him a backpack and I asked him again, I got the same response. As we were checking out I told him again that it might be fun to have a new shirt for his first day. He stopped in his tracks turned to me and said "Mom, I have told you three times, I don't need a new shirt, Tanner (his cousin) just gave me some shirts, I am good" I started laughing and we checked out and left. Then last night I had him practice writing his name so he would not have any trouble today. We sat at the table and I wrote his name at the top of a page and told him to copy it four times. He did it no problem, so I folded the paper over and asked him to write it on his own, without looking. He got really upset and said he did not think he could do it. He has been writing his name for a year, I had only written it for him because we have taken a few weeks off before school started and I thought he might need a refresher, so I told him not to be silly of course he could do it he had done it a hundred time before. I told him to stop crying and at least try it. And to call me if he thought he needed more help. So I went down and changed the laundry over. When I came back up he had written his first name and was asking me how to spell our last name. I told him to sound it out and he wrote the "sh" just fine while I was getting dinner ready. Then I said sound it out what comes next. He said "o" I turned around to watch him do it and I saw what his problem was. HE HAD COVERED HIS EYES!!!! When I told him not to look I was not thinking at all. Poor guy, I let him know he needed to look at the paper and I did not mean it the way he took it. I was sorry! I know better than that! So funny though. He is seriously the best kid ever, and that is for real how he is "obedient to a fault" I love him so so much!!

This is the first day of school pose he chose to do!! We have two trees in our front yard and this one he has claimed as his. Ora has the other one the one with the better background for pictures, no nasty street to give away just how ghetto out house is in the background. But still, I thought this was super cute!!

Outside the kindergarten playground

He walked right up to the kids and starting playing. No problem!!

Happiness

2009-08-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about this for a while now, why do people think that they deserve to be happy, like it is something you should just be. I have a hard time understanding this. I always figured being happy was something you WORKED at, not something you are entitled to. But, it seems there are allot of people out there that believe differently so I was wondering what you all think.

I will tell you why I feel the way I do. First off I believe it is a commandment to be happy, not a blessing. Yes, you can be blessed with happy things in your life. But I don't think our Father in Heaven is just going to make us happy, in fact, I will say it again, I think he has commanded us to be happy. Here's why.

Proverbs 29:18 ... but, he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

James 5:11 (he is speaking about having patience, suffering through our trials, not holding grudges.. "Behold we count them happy which endure." Then he talks about Job and the tender mercy of the Lord.

Mosiah 2:41 "Happy is the state of them that keep the commandments."

But, none can compare to the story we learn from Ammon who after being separated from Alma and his other brethren for a time, comes to find him again, while leading the people of Anti-Nephi Lehi. And we learn that he was so full of joy that he falls to earth from the exhaustion that comes upon him (we call these book of mormon moments at my house)

Alma 27:18 "Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this joy which NONE receiveth SAVE IT BE the truly penitent and humble SEEKER OF HAPPINESS."

We do not learn that God granted him happiness, or that he had found happiness and joy from finding himself. NO it is only after he went and served. Gave up part of his life, became a disciple of Christ and then, while freeing other people from destruction, comes to find his brother along the way. He not only has FOUND happiness but Joy!! Ammon is one of my favorites he teaches us so much. He goes out and becomes what the Lord wants him to be. And is happy to do it!! Then he is blessed with the joy that comes from the Lord.

I think we can get so tied up in being our human selves that we forget our lives belong to our Heavenly Father. Our choices belong to us. We have been given things in our lives that are hard, I will not try to down play any persons suffering. But, I do believe that we will be judged based on how we react to the things that happen to us in this life. I am a girl who when I feel frustrated I let my Father in Heaven know it. Winston Churchill and I have this in common he said " I am prepared for the day I will meet my maker, whether my maker is prepared for the grand ordeal of meeting me I do not know." I am not sure why we are sent to suffer such things as, miscarriages in healthy women and drug addicted babied in others. Or children dying in such awful ways. There are things in this life I will never understand. And even more things I Never want to. But, I do know this. My Heavenly Father expects me to find happiness in the peace that comes from the all encompassing love of my Savior Jesus Christ. It is only he who can help me find True and lasting Joy. The Joy that come only AFTER I have figured out how to happy through all the misery that being a human being in this world brings.

I will end on this note, I believe the fathers of our Nation put it best when they wrote "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. "

Think about it and tell me what you think. Is happiness a blessing or a commandment?

8 Months

2009-08-04T07:41:00.000-07:00

How time flies, when your having fun. And boy oh boy have I had fun with her. I love this picture because you can see the hints of RED in her hair. And her blue, blue eyes. She really has been such a fun baby. When I had Michael I was so stressed out I don't think I fully appreciated what I had. Then Ora came and I was so taken by surprise that I was not fully prepared for her. But we made it and I think I took to motherhood relatively well. But, Michael and Ora both HATED being babies they screamed till they could walk. We then had Jordan who is so full of life and so so so so good at getting into trouble. But, still going from 2 to 3 kids was not as hard as I had heard it would be. Then came Abigail. My perfect little angel baby who is so content and happy all of the time. And I thought for a while there that I would DIE!! I was so overwhelmed all day and so frustrated when Jordan (who for all intensive purposes is still a baby himself) would climb the walls and throw baseballs at Abby's head (When she was 2 days old) that I really did feel like I was drowning all day long. And then at night I would just hold her and rock her and everything would just melt away I don't know what would have happened if I had gotten another HARD baby, I may have self combusted months ago. But we have made it this far and I think we will keep her around a while longer.

This is her personality in perfection. She is so happy, I have never seen a child so content to just BE. She lets people hold her and snuggle her and just coos and smiles and everyone falls automatically in love with her.

She eats a whole banana for breakfast most mornings... In about five minutes. I am not a mom who gets bad postpartum depression. However I do get bad post nursing depression. Every bite of solid food she takes breaks my heart just a little bit. I Do not want OUR time together to end quit yet. And no I am not sad she still gets up to nurse 2 or 3 times a night.

Pulling up and standing.

She is on the move every now and then. She has pulled herself up a little and is just now starting to sit by herself. I think I have tried too hard to keep her a baby for as long as I can. She has spent most of these past 8 months in a sling snuggled up against my front. Now that she is having more free time out of moms pouch she is starting to get more things done! But having said that I just may go sling her up for a few hours just for ME!!

Open letter from Paul Kruyer

2009-07-31T10:11:00.000-07:00

This a letter from Paul Kruyer father of Iysha, he shared it with the local news when they asked to interview the family. You see, they had just done a story one week before on Annalee, the mommy, she is a local dentist. Here is the letter. Please pass it along to as many families as you know will listen and hear the words.

Every summer a story about a child drowning would inevitably be aired on the evening news. Every time, it would bring tears to my eyes & my heart would go out to "that poor unfortunate family". I never believed it would happen to us. We had too many rules in place for that to happen. We watch our children too closely... until the one time you don't. Because that is all it takes, once and our baby is taken away. Years of daily vigilance are washed away in just four short minutes.

For the last 24 hours, I have gone over and over the "if I had just" game. I want someone to blame so that I can eventually forgive them. It is harder to forgive yourself. Because if I had just gotten home earlier, if I had warned the kids more, if we had moved already, if I had kept Iysha (eye sh uh) at the office one more year... SHE would still be alive, brightening up each and every minute of my life.

I pray that the tragedy that has befallen my family does not happen to any other. If one less child drowns because THEIR family has felt our grief and become just that much more vigilant... then witnessing our sorrow will be worth the hours, days and future years of heartache. Friends and family all ask what they can do for me. Everyone is willing and able to help. But how do I answer that question, when I don't know what to do myself. The future is all I have. I want it to be a brighter one for my remaining 5 children.

Many of YOU have asked as well. Our children are our future. If you feel so inclined, rather than sending flowers, we are setting up an education trust fund for our remaining 5 children. The "Kruyer Children" trust fund will be set up at the Bank of America, Horizon Ridge Pkwy & Horizon Drive branch.

thanks again for your kind words, prayers and heartfelt expressions of sympathy and love.

Paul Kruyer

Iysha Kruyer

2009-07-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

I got a call from my sister last night and was told that a family in my hometown had just had their two year old daughter drown in the pool at their home. I cannot imagine the sorrow that would come from losing a child that way, or any way for that matter.

My sister has decided, along with the rest of the primary presidency to make soft fleece blankets for each of the other children in their family. She asked me to write a poem to go along with the blankets for these children. Sometimes I find that as I write my poetry I am writing the words but they come from somewhere else altogether. I hope that this family can find the things I ask them to within this poem. I am so grateful for knowing what happens in this life is not the end. I know the powers that are used within our temples are real and do bind families together for all of eternity. How happy this makes me in my life. Please pray for this family tonight. And be grateful today for the loving arms of a Heavenly Father who IS very real!!

The softness of this blanket

May not be quite the same

As the chubby little fingers

On Iysha's tiny frame

But on the days you feel so sad

that you don't think you can make it

Wrap this round your shoulders

And you'll find somehow you'll make it

When tears seem never ending

and a hankies not enough

cry into this sweet blanket

let your sorrow fill it up

Some days you'll find your only hope

is the faith that you can feel

When prayer is your only answer

fold it up and on it kneel

Let this blanket bring you love

the love that you know is very real

When Iysha cannot say it

Cuddle with it and just feel

Her loving arms around you

Her spirit by your side

remember your sweet angel

will always be your guide

2009-07-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

Here's the winner! Watch out for that HUGE gate that lowers from out of the sky!

Any one else think our litigation happy nation needs a time out from stupidity?? You would have to be one drunk son of a gun to miss this bad boy coming down on top of you!

Guess the sign

2009-07-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

Can you guess where I saw this sign??

Utah Hair??

2009-07-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

Back to playing catch up from when my camera was not working. (FYI the dog chewed up the cord I just got so maybe I will play catch up frrm this last time and in a few months play catch up again)

Way back in February we went to Las Vegas to see one of my cute niece's get baptized. But that

trip packed a huge punch we got to do so many more things with our families. We got to see Rachel run her first 5K (post to come next) and we were able to be at my moms house the morning my big sister left for Prague. My mom was going to watch my niece and nephew while their parents were gone and so she had them at her house the morning we were leaving town. When my niece Madisen came in to see me I was doing Ora's hair. And for those of you who really know Ora you know her hair is done one of two ways every day. Either "Super Fancy," her words not mine, or "like a raga muffin. " Now I do not know what a raga muffin is except it is what my mom used to say I looked like all the time. And so it is the word we use when Ora does not want her hair done.

On this particular morning she did not have the raga muffin choice, and she was not happy about it.... And that is the place where Madi walked into the picture. My solution to the screaming fit was to have a switcharoo morning. I would do Madi's hair like Ora's and do Ora's hair like Madi's is most of the time. This went over well, and saved the morning. Both of the girls were SUPER excited.

After we were done we went outside to show grandma, I introduced the girls and they came out as models. Where they very promptly told all, they had switched. Ora had LAS VEGAS hair, and Madisen had UTAH hair. Kids are so funny!!

Here's Horton

2009-07-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

Here he is our little Horton! He is so much fun. We were able to pick him up July First and bring him home. He spent his first few days with that sad face he has in this first picture. He had to leave 5 brothers behind so I think he was missing them for a little while. A few days after he got here we LOST him. I was so scarred that he had got out of the gate I went looking and then came home resolved to the fact that I may have just lost the dog Joe has been waiting for for a VERY long time. I went into my bedroom to say a prayer before loading my kids into the car to go look for him in the neighborhood and there he was!!

Hie favorite spot is under my bed. That is where he sleeps at night but, I kind of feel sad for him because his other favorite place is

Abigail's bouncer. And sadly this will not be a little dog. He is a yellow Lab and already is so much bigger than he was when we picked him up. so I think all too soon he will outgrow his two favorite spots.

Joe and his dog!! This was taken the first day we had him home. We bought him a dog bed and put it in the living room but the only time he lays on it is if One of the kids or Joe gets up and lays with him.

Abby is in love with him!! Michael, my almost SIX year old, is still kind of afraid of him. But Abby will let him lick her, crawl on her, share toys (YUCK!) and she still does not cry. I think Horton thinks she is a puppy or something, he just loves to roll around on the floor with her, and she is happy as a clam to let him do it. I was making dinner a few days after we got him and usually Abby cries the whole time. She is in her "Mom don't leave the room I am in phase." But, I noticed this time she did not seem to care at all and in fact I did not go in to check on her because I was afraid she would just notice I was gone and then she would cry. It was not until dinner was in the oven that I noticed she and Horton had made up there own little game. I should have maybe stopped this but, I thought It NEEDED to be on video!

So that's him. He really is so fun, and I am sure I will love him even more once he stops peeing in my house.

Wonders of childhood!

2009-06-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

Michael and Ora love LOVE what they call mud paint! They come into the house fill up some cups with water and dump it into the dirt outside. Then they proceed to cover every available surface with watered down dirt. That's why if you ever come to my house there are always light brown handprints all over the outside walls. But today took the cake, or maybe the mud pie! Michael came running into the house saying, "Mom this is Amazing you have to come out and see this! So I went out and heard it and had to get it on video for you all to enjoy. Oh to be five and think evaporation was the coolest thing Ever!!!

Ora's 4th birthday! A few months late

2009-06-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

So I am finally catching up with my pictures, I got a new usb cord for my camera and so now I can Finally post some old pictures. These are from Ora's 4th birthday. We were in Las Vegas and were able to have a birthday party for her at my moms house. She wanted a butterfly cake and so I attempted. The picture in my head was way better than how it ended up being in real life. But I got to spend Tons of time with my sister as we decorated and she made the most amazing icing I think I have ever tasted! It was a blast. and Ora had so much fun just playing with her cousins at Grandmas house. She could not have asked for a better birthday!

Before we went to Las Vegas we had a small party for her a our own home. I made her a few dress up clothes. A brides dress, a flapper dress, a fun little beaded dress, and two tutu's (Joe even made one of those) We made her TONS of jewelry just out of beads we had lying around and pasta and lace, and I made a few boas out of some fuzzy yarn I had here. She also got a glitter ball from Michael and Jordan. We had "pink" pancakes for breakfast, now a tradition for her birthday. And we had a few cupcakes after dinner. The more I think about it the more I think her birthday ROCKED this year!!

Brides dress, with diamond ring. (really a plastic bead hot glued to some lace)

Glitter Ball, and her card from grandma she carried around for a week!

This is so out of order but, oh well. We also had a fancy Nancy birthday outing with her cousin Madisen. We got all dressed up at aunt dawn's house and then went to The Kings crown AKA McDonalds for a hamburger and parfaits. We took tea set and the girls drank their soda out of tiny little tea cups. It was seriously every little girls dream come true. And so fun for all of us to watch. We had Grandma with us and of course our Stylists Dawn and Megan came along as well. MAN she really did have a great birthday this year. What will I do for the next one??

Getting Ora's hair done

Madisen's nails. Dawn even had stickers to finish the job!

All done posing with the book. Dawn made those cute veils they wore!! They were so beautiful!

Parfaits, they guy behind they counter looked at me like I was crazy when I asked him to put M&M's on top of the sundae's.

The tiny tea cups were the perfect touch. Thanks again Dawn for all the hard work you and Megan put in to making this so special!!

Facebook fallout

2009-05-20T11:02:00.000-07:00

I got this from a girlfriend on facebook and thought instead of doing it there I would bring it here. SO here goes...

Answer these 30 Things You Wouldn't Think To Ask.

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops? No
2. Do you close your eyes on a roller coaster? Never, I won't miss a thing!
3. When's the last time you've been sledding? Christmas day 2007, so fun!!
4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone? I eloped because I could not stand to go to bed alone anymore, Joe kept falling asleep on the couch at my parents and I would have to wake him up and send him to his own house. I could not take it anymore!! So Of course I would much rather sleep with Joe. OR now any of my kids!!
5. Do you believe in ghosts? Not technically
6. Do you consider yourself creative? Yes I do! **TOOT TOOT **
7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife? I know this may be wrong, but I could not care any less!!
8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? Jennifer!!
9. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics? One of my favorite people on the planet has opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibility in this area and I may just choose to post on it a little bit later!!
10. Do you know how to play poker? Such a bad native to Vegas.... NO!!
11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight? Only to have a baby!! So it was worth it.
12. What's your favorite commercial? The new Conan ones crack me up. I cannot wait for him to take over the Tonight Show
13. Who was your first love? I can honestly say my first is my last, and I got the best man on earth!!
14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around you, do you run a red light?Sure do!!
15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you? Probably not!! I tell Joe everything, so don't trust me with yours. I am serious!!
16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees? Again, I could not care any less!
17. Have you ever been Ice Skating? Okay how funny, I live in the greatest snow on earth and the only time I have been ice skating is in the desert?
18. How often do you remember your dreams? All the time, I try to write them down.
19. What's the one thing on your mind? Family reunion, Open house for the temple, Abby screaming, does that make me a bad mom? where are Michael, Ora and Jordan, I wonder where Joe is... Oh wait I Did this wrong did it say one thing!! How would that work?
20. Do you always wear your seat belt? If I am driving yes other than that almost always!
21. What talent do you wish you had? I am a singer without the plumping.. Get it PIPES??
22. Do you like Sushi? California (rolls) know how to party!! (okay now I'm just getting lame)
23. What do you wear to bed? PJ's
24. Do you truly hate anyone? no
25. If you could be with one famous person, who would it be? Is Henry B Eyering famous??
26. Do you know anyone in jail? yes
27. What food do you find disgusting? Ruben sandwiches??
28. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back? Not recently
.29. Have you ever been punched in the face? Headbutted by babies yes but Punched in the face... Heavens no!!
30. Do you believe in angels and demons? YES, I keep two, angels that is, in my pocket at all times!! Okay maybe not in my pocket but they hang around here an awfull lot.

2009-05-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

So just as I opened up this window to put up a new post the baby woke up SORRY ALL!!

What's on my mind

2009-05-03T17:10:00.000-07:00

It has been so long since I have posted. I am getting seriously overwhelmed. And with no pictures to go with posts It feels kind of wierd to write. (I know dumb but still how it is) so I dectied to put up a quick list of things here.

1. Jordan needs to start talking!! We have moved into the crying all the time stage and I am not sure how long I can take it.
2. Baseball with five year olds Is kind of like watching ants run from raindrops. They are not very sure where they are going or what they are trying to do but.... THEY LIKE IT.
3. Ora is not a pickle head! and if you tell her she is, or even laugh because you wonder where pickle head came from, she will not speak to you for the rest of the day.
4. Ice cream can calm any ammount of children into sitting for a movie. At least untill you stop feeding them. SO..... I will just keep feeding them!
5. After a two year break I am back at the temple!! YEAH!!!!! I have missed it.
6. Some days motherhood and why I chose it gets a little fuzzy to me.
7. That is okay!!
8. A garden is not going to happen this year and I am very sad about it.
9. People to help out is a must. Thank you to the sister in my ward who tends Abby while I teach, It is a nice break.
10. Ora is a dancer without a dance class. I am reminded of it every day.
11. Michael startred reading. All by himself!
12. I wonder how I will raise such a smart cookie?
13. Then he showed me how he learned how to tie his shoes by watching Dad and I do it.
14. I really worry about raising him to his potential some days.
15. Jordan brings me back to reality, the Lord is helping me raise my children and they will be just what he wants them to be.
16. Stiches the second time for Ora was not easier.
17. A rolling baby gathers all walls (BUMP, scream. BUMP)
18. Pray that our new baby puppy will have black paws so we can name her Fox, I need a fox in sox! She is due to arrvie this week and then home with us in 8 weeks.
19. REALY what am I thinking, a dog??
20. I love my husband and he deservies to have a dog!

Well that is my list. I am so glad to be a mother I would not be happier doing anything else. Even if some days I wonder about that. I know how incredibly blessed I am just to be in these little spirits lives. They are a wonderful blessing to me. I take being a mom so seriously, too seriously sometimes. I am so glad I have Jordan who helps me see things in a lighter light. And Ora who just makes me dance so hard that I forget all my cares for a few minutes. Abby and her four dimples are so precious. Michael, I will admit most days scares the heck out of me. HE it so much smarter than I am. Some day he will realize that and then where will I be.
Over all life is grand! Perfect! and a new adventure every single day! I could not ask for more.

Lets just say....

2009-04-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

Life is busy right now!

Little accomplishments

2009-04-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

What a tough week I have had. Tragedy in the family will do that to you. I feel as if my whole world has sunk in on top of me some moments. Other moments I have forgotten what has happened and then it hits me all over again when I remember.

But life goes on and the speech therapist does arrive at the door. Then out of no where Jordan decides to give me a little pick me up and say the word PURPLE!!! A 2 syllable word for the first time.

I wonder if heaven just knew I needed a smile today! I was rolling on the floor clapping and saying "yeah , good job Jordan" Thank heaven for small miracles. And little accomplishments that are sent to brighten a dark day!!

How've you been?

2009-03-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

As for me and my house we are overwhelmed!! So the blog is suffering. Going form 1 to 2 kids was no problem, 2 to 3 a piece of cake! 3 to 4 JUST MIGHT KILL ME!! I have the easiest baby on the planet and yet I still am spinning my wheels most of the time. Joe and I were given a beautifull Suburban by my moms friend who is the most amamzing person on the plant. ( I hope to do a special post about his expeirience soon) And so we are trying to sell the van. Also we need to find a more permanant home so we are making plans to move by the first of next year. I guess we will see how that goes because it will mean Joe will have to change jobs.
Michael is playing baseball right now, Jordan is in speech therapy twice a month (still no words), Ora is starting a dance class at the end of April. And I am filling out my grant applications to begin going back to school and getting things together for a family reunion in July. Abby is fabulous, healthy,fun and so so sweet you could really just eat her whole!!
Any way I said just a quick update as the laundry just beeped at me. I do hope things will return to normal soon. Or at least I will just get used to the new normal someday!!
Love you all!!

Come on Utah

2009-03-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

When we first moved to Utah people laughed. We heard all sorts of funny things like, "Oh you are going to live in the bubble" "the mother ship" "the homeland"..."Why would you do that"
We laughed and our response was pretty much always the same. We go where we feel the Lord wants us to be. Joe and I had been very prayerful in picking Utah. A place that I for one had never even considered moving to. But, we are here still.
And now 2 pieces of advise for Utah in general. Because it really is a great place to live.
1- We need the drivers to stop singing primary songs and drive already!
2- Stop allowing high school students to edit the copy on the news!
I swear that is the only explanation for quotes like these...
* said while holding a ball of snow "This was falling out of the sky this morning"
* While standing in front of someones house that had just exploded, I swear there was NO MORE HOUSE behind this reporter, two people died!! " It was a bad day for someone out here in (I can't remember the city)"
* And of course We need to know anything that involves the church!! I am not kidding sometimes that is nice and sometimes it is just plain silly. "what does the lds church have to say about .... new crossing guards, the new liquor laws, the state of the roads in Utah ect... I mean somethings just (please I am not coming down on the church) are none of there concern. And I think they have more important things to worry about both in the news room and at church headquarters.

*BUT this one Takes the cake. And I quote!! "It's amazing (amazing??) when the warm air moves in the snow melts" (*what*)

People make fun of us enough, can we please stop giving them the ammunition. Utah is a great place to be, since I have been here I have had people open doors for me and my kids. I have not been to the store once where someone has not helped me unload my cart. My neighbors (even the scary looking ones) are all very nice people. But, we have got to stop helping people make fun of us!

Pictures to follow

2009-03-12T14:13:00.001-07:00

First things first! I had such a great time in Vegas! My family is so great. I got to go a few days before Joe and so I spent day one in St. George with my Grandma and my Aunt They are the best they watched my kiddos while I went and got my haircut. Then we just hung out and talked all afternoon. I miss then so much!

When I did get into Vegas my mom helped me get the kids to bed and we talked for about an hour and then fell asleep ourselves. Day two found me at my sister Cristen's with Ness and her kids as well. We looked through jewelry catalogues and I picked out all of the pieces they all should get me for presents. (SOSO FUN) then we took our kids to the park, a really great park.,We fed the ducks and then played for like three hours. That night I got to go out with my best friend in the world my mom watched my kids and we took the baby with us to dinner and then we went shopping. On Friday, I spent the day with My sisters and family just being together. My kids and I put together some decorations for Aunt Rachel's door , She ran a 5K on Saturday and we wanted her to know how proud of her we are and so we put hearts all over her door with notes on them. She has lost almost 100 pounds and has inspired all of us to live our lives better!! My favorite note was one That said "fat Rachel eat my dust" Sat. we went down and watched her finish the race (thank you police men for not pulling me over while I sped to make it on time) We got to hang out with Joe's family all day on Sat. It has taken me a long time to feel "in" with them. But, it has been so worth it. I love them as much as my own family. We got to see My niece get baptised and had a great time together.
On Sunday we rested and slept ALLOT then had a birthday party for Ora. So fun!! Mon. Tue. and Wed. were great!! I just played with my family and even got to go on a date with my husband with a few of my very favorite people!! (you know who you are)
Now, that this is so long I will stop! I hope I blog more often now that the family is feeling better. I guess we will see.

Where's Erin?

2009-02-19T09:18:00.000-08:00

Well, once again my internet is down! The major bummer of the modern world! Oh well, I have decided it is time to start paying for it so maybe when I get back home I will have a more reliable connection..... Wait what's that I just said, get home... Yup I am in VEGAS BABY!!! For one whole week of sun and fun with the family! Joe comes down on Friday night and then I do not have to go back home until next Wed. YIPEE!!

Just thought I would check in and say Hi to all my adoring fans who love me!!

Yes all 6 of you!! I love you too!

Modern Blessings

2009-01-30T14:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon I started to feel a little badly, my throat started to hurt and I started to get a headache. I kept feeling a little bit worse all evening. By the time my kids were in bed My head was pounding and I was feeling dizzy. The baby took a while to get to sleep and I was sobbing by the time I finally collapsed into bed. I just hate feeling sick. It does not happen to me, (unless I am pregnant, I know LOL, I've been pregnant for the past 5 years) not even a cold for a long time. I am SO not good at being sick. In fact I am a bigger baby than most men, I can give my husband a run for his money. The problem is I do it in my head. I don't complain to him, or really anyone, I will say I don't feel good but I don't ask for help I just stew in my own head and expect everyone I know to drop everything they are doing and come running soup in hand. Yes, even those of you who live thousands of miles away. Didn't you sense I needed someone to come hold my baby last night?

I know I am ridiculous!!! So funny, but I am serious I do really expect soup from everyone without them even knowing I am under the weather..... and I get upset when no one shows up. I know I am a drama queen.

So the end of the story is this. I sat in misery all morning. I just spent the morning laying on the couch (waiting for my soup to show up) when it hit me. Like a THUNDERBOLT!! Hello smart people invented an amazing little pill that you can swallow and make everything all better. So yes, I packed up my kids and headed out to the store, picked up my pills and swallowed. Now it is 4 hours later. I still do not feel great. But, I just thought I would let you know that you are all off of the hook. Joe is bringing home soup and putting me to bed early. No more pity party because I let Joe know FINALY that I needed him and he of course is rising to the occasion. I have figured out that telepathy is not going to work for me so I will be better at letting people know when I need them. And I will remember the little orange and blue pills more quickly next time.

Keep me in motion

2009-01-28T19:13:00.000-08:00

Stop the world from turning

long enough for me to catch my breath

I'm caught up in a whirl wind

Wondering if the storms will ever rest

the road is long and it's worth to much

to let it slip away

give me strength to give me one more day

Keep me in motion

like the the river to the sea

give me devotion

to live more faithfully

when I'm up against the wall

when I stumble and I fall down on my knees

Oh please

keep me in motion

This path that I have chosen

is harder than I thought that it would be

but all along the journey I feel the hand of heaven

Guiding me

This song continues and I cry a little bit. This is the way I feel lately. I just can't seem to feel as if I can get around the bend in the road. The hard days just keep on coming and I feel like I will never see the end. Somedays are better but most days lately feel long. And it is not just me, it seems as if everyone I love is falling through the same hole. The trials keep piling up and the end is just not in sight. But, I do feel the hand of heaven in my life. I know that the lord loves and watches over me. The Savior has felt everything I am feeling and is wiling to take it from me if I give it over to him, so that is what I will do. I will give it all over to him. I will trust in his care and continue on his path for me. I know he will guide me to me very best life. Even if it is just not as fast as I would like it to be.

FOUND IT

2009-01-23T16:48:00.000-08:00

Finally, I was on my last load of laundry today and there it was next to my washing machine. The cord for my camera. I have been so excited to share what I was up to before I left town to bless Abby. So here are my latest projects....

I made this bow holder for Ora after I got really annoyed searching through a bin for bows. I just took an expanded shelf type frame and added ribbons to hang her bows on. And now that we have a baby I needed a spot for headbands?? I attached two looped ribbons and a wooden rod and now I don't have to waist time searching, I can waist it doing fun hair instead.

My Aunt Lora had a measuring stick like this with her family and I have always wanted one. When I realized Michael was 5 years old and I still hadn't done it I figured I better before it was too late. So off to lowe's to by a 4x2 by like 6 1/2 piece of pretty wood. I brought it home and marked the measuring tape then just added some cute little wooden guys to give it some pazzaz. Now wherever we move our kids growing notches will follow us.

Now for the BIG ONE. I had a friend in my ward mention that she had a dresser that was in pretty bad shape but, worked still and would anyone be able to use it. OF COURSE I will take anything so I went and picked it up. It was not as bad as she made it out to be. I wish I had thought to take a before picture. (sorry) Just an older particle board dresser. with a plastic top that had a dent in it. I could not refinish it because sanding was not an option. So I brought out the Modge Podge and some scrape book paper and went to work. I did sand it down a little so the modge podge would adhere and so I could kind of white wash it. I was not sure if it would work but as you can see it did.

At first I thought I would replace the handles but, after I dipped them in glitter there was no turning back.

I hand ripped the edge of the paper so it did not have to be perfect I think I turned out so cute, I hope it lasts for a very long time.

Reunion

2009-01-23T08:30:00.001-08:00

These are my grandparents. The most beautiful people I have ever known. They raised nine daughters and one son. And those children in turn produced 55 children who are now way into the 20's producing children. We had a family reunion about 4 years ago and I was so excited to go. I was very pregnant with Ora but, happily... fat and happy! So we packed up and headed to St. George to have our fun. Then I got the flu. I spent the whole reunion in the hotel room and even a few hours in the hospital because I got so dehydrated I was having contractions. I could not believe I missed it. About a year ago I suggested we have another one. And the response I received was "If you plan it we will come." Once again sick and pregnant I kind of let it go. But, now here I am all ready to go again. I have a date, now a location, and invites have been made up. (I am having my mom approve them before I send them out) Now I need to plan what we will do once all of us get there.

In thinking about it. I have concluded that is would sure be a waist if we got together and did not talk about the savior and is eternal plan for the family. So I have settled on having a Family Home Evening one night and a talent show he next. But now what do I fill the two days with?? I have heard some suggestions for workshops and things but I am taking all advice.....

HAVE YOU GOT ANY??

For my own good

2009-01-13T12:56:00.000-08:00

As for my trip and the dresser pictures I will be doing that when I find the cord to my camera. Pray I find it I have so many pictures on my camera I can't wait to share!

But, I am so happy to share this story with you all. Two years ago a day like to day would have broke me down to tears but not today!

Today I am happy I'm doing okay

Even if bad news came running my way

The check cleared the bank for someone unintended

The Landlord called saying it needs to be mended.

I knew some mean people are out and about

But, I didn't know to be on the lookout.

Two years ago to my bed would I run

I'd call up my mom, break down and just bum!

Today I just answered him back let me see

Called up the bank, got them working for me

Funds are now frozen investigating getting done

Not a tear being shed NOT A SINGLE ONE!!

This last week in gospel doctrine we read about Joseph Smith in Liberty jail. Having been torn from his family and thrown into a prison that was a filthy hole in the ground. During this time he calls out to God and pretty much says "why me" and the Lord answers him saying No matter what you are called to go through I will make you stronger for it, because the son of God has felt everything you have felt. He knows what you are going through and he can help you to be stronger because of it. In section 122 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord lists things that he could be called to go through. He says if you are torn from your son at the point of a sword and he is calling out to you the whole while, if you are accused and tormented and dragged around like a lamb being chased by wolves, he knows it all. Vs. 8 says "The Son of man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he." (vs.7) "all these things shall be for thy experience , and shall be for thy good."

Now I am not comparing myself to Joseph Smith, but I have come today to be extremely grateful for what I have been asked to go through these past few years. Let me just say that the downturn of the financial market has not left me and my family out. We have seen a few stormy days. And we have come through them all a little bit stronger than we were before. So today when I got the call saying that it was not my landlord who cashed my rent check, but some creepy person who thinks nothing of others. And hopefully really needed this money. Seriously I can not see how my rent was worth that sin.... Oh well, I am so proud to say I did not freak out just mended it and moved on. And yes I am very grateful to the landlord who is going to let me break up rent for this and next month over a few weeks until the bank can get the money back where it belongs.

I am so happy to know that I have a Father in Heaven and a Savior who love me and they know what is best for me. Even if it sucks at the time, even if I tend to get on my knees and complain a little too much. They have a perfect plan in an imperfect world. And they are making me into who I am destined to be. I only hope I can live up to there expectations.

BYE!!

2009-01-09T10:54:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to say SEE YA!! I am outa hear in a few hours to go see my family in Vegas! I have some great projects to post when I get back. That is if I can find the cord to my camera?!?! I refinished a super cute dresser for my girls, I will give you a taste... The knobs are dipped in glitter!!! And I fixed my girls hair bow holder, to make room for Abby's headbands. Then I made this really great measuring stick thing, that I will use to mark my kids as they grow up! So fun. But, for now I have to finish packing and cleaning, and not stressing out about the snow over the passes. and stop my baby from crying, and fix lunch, clean the car out, get board bags packed...... Okay what am I doing blogging, like I said

SEE YA!!!

Service MeMe

2009-01-05T08:18:00.000-08:00

Smee has tagged me with an interesting idea. To write about a time I received service, A time I gave service and, a time I witnessed service being given. WoW! What a task. And what a fun idea. First off let me just say how much I love that Smee thought of me, she is seriously one of my favorite people in the world and her thinking of me to do this is an honor I am most willing to accept. Seriously Love you Smee!!

Growing up the way I did my family was constantly served by others. Be it the clothes we wore, I can think of outfits (mostly P.J.'s) that went through one of my dear cousins then through all 3 girls at my house and then on t0 Aunt Nancy's kids and then again onto Lidz Loo. We all have pictures and it is so fun to remember the clothes.

We stayed in a beautiful home for 18 months while a couple served there mission, it was so fun the whole house was still stuck in the late 60's. Cristen and I slept in a pink room,no kidding, pink shag carpet, hot pink walls, pink and orange and white flowered bedspreads. Ness slept in a yellow room with the most beautiful bead, we were all jealous. It had a net all the way round just like a princess would have. My moms room was yellow, the kitchen was lime green (tile, counter, appliances, the wallpaper had limes on it, and the lime tree was right out on the patio) Oddly enough Matthew slept in a blue, very normal room, with a handmade bed that had little cubby's all over it. You could hide things all around it and no one would no where they were. The white room was a room we were not allowed because of the beauty in there. And of course we did wander in there to touch the grand piano when no one was looking. The jungle room was fabulous, And the game room with it's purple pool table and coke machine was a must .

I know my Uncles, Aunts, and Grandparents have stepped up many times to help out, I am sure I would never even be able to count all of the things my family has done for me!

But my favorite service I ever had done to me was when we woke up Christmas morning one year to find new handmade quilts on our front porch! We all think that one of my Aunts (the bishops wife at the time) had mentioned that we could use them and the ward just got to work. We are no sure of where they came from but, that is our guess. I love thinking that someone thought to make me my sunflower quilt. They thought about it. They could have just gone to the fabric store and bought whatever was on sale but, they picked out a fabric they knew I would like. They did the same thing for all of us my mom included. The quilts were beautiful but the thought was what was the most special part of it.

This past Christmas I got to watch as so many others came together to help out my ward here. I have been able to both participate and watch! When I plucked a few things off of the angel tree in the foyer I didn't hesitate because I do it every year. It is just a part of Christmas time for me and my family. But, when the gifts that another ward had donated to ours were stolen right out of the church parking lot, then it got personal. I felt this very deeply and had to work very hard at not allowing Satan to seep into my head and make me so mad it would ruin Christmas for me. I called up my mom in tears and tried to explain what had happened. And without so much as skipping a beat she donated a Christmas gift she and her husband had received in the form of cash to me and my ward. Then after we had hung up she called back a few minutes later and told me that My sister and her husband would like to hep out as well. So I waited a few days and when the money came I got to work. I was able to go and shop and replace ALL of the gifts that were stolen. After I was done shopping and while I was wrapping presents I got a call from my Brother's wife and she said she and Matt would like to help out as well. So we were able to go above and beyond the call asked and help out the ward that this year was in such need.

So there you have it, my family and I have been able to come full circle. We have enjoyed the closeness we felt in coming together this year to help out others when we ourselves were brought together through the service of others so many years ago.

Thank you Smee again, this was such fun!!

I tag Shinboo!! and Sarah(sorry she's private)!, and Bri!

And anyone else who would like to continue on this journey!!

Vegas BABY

2009-01-02T14:34:00.000-08:00

YEAH!!! I get to go home in one week and you all are invited!! We are blessing Abby, on Jan 10th at 2 o'clock at my sis's house in Henderson. My little bro. Matthew and his fun wife are going to be visiting that weekend so we figured why wait, if we go down now Matt can be in the circle and who knows when we will all be able to be together with that flyboy again?!? So I am officially inviting EVERYONE, wouldn't it be nice. Come on now... I know you all can just drop everything and drive to see me and my family for three hours and then drive back home! RIGHT!!! We are well worth it!! (isn't my modesty charming?) Well, those of you nearby, you better be there. And those far away, I will be missing you so think of us at 2 o'clock on Jan 10th!!

NEW YEAR NEW START

2008-12-31T21:57:00.000-08:00

(In know this picture has nothing to do with the post but man she is cute!!)

Personally I am a big fan of New years Day! I have always found it interesting to "start fresh" each year. I love the feeling of making, and then keeping my New Year's resolutions. It is my favorite thing to be able to see myself stick to something, it is also one of my favorite things to give up when the time seems right.

In past years there are things I have both given up and things that have stayed with me ever since. I gave up on not drinking caffeine after lasting like 8 months. I have stuck with speaking to my father in Heaven all day long as if he was right beside me. I gave up bearing my testimony every fast Sunday, at least in church. I still try to write it down or share it with my family but, it was weird getting up just to get up.

It is nice to see what works and what does not. I love feeling free to change my mind or my plan with what I am comfortable with. This year I am setting new goals yet again. and they are this...

1. NO SUGAR!!

- this is a huge one for me. As you have heard before, I am addicted. Simple as that, I don't want to feel anything has a hold on me so I am cutting it off for a while. It also can't hurt my waistline either. The hardest part will be the soda! No caffeine again??

2. I am going to prepare not only my lesson for my Sunday school class but a lesson a day every day rotating through the scriptures.

-It takes me about 2 hours to get a handle on my lessons every week, so I figure if I give myself 45 minutes a day I will learn a ton and it will be fun at the same time and I can go longer if I want to or of my children allow.

3. Study a new area of history every month that interests me. I figure I do not know enough. I did not try to hard in school due to the fact I was trying to dance my way through life. (Too bad no one told my feet/ankles that one) And I would like to be able to keep up when the conversation arises. I am starting with the world wars for now.

4. This is my "free pass" the one I give myself just because I KNOW I will get it done and, that always feel good..

- I will get my grants processed and begin finishing my degree!!! YEAH!!!!

Candy Day

2008-12-30T21:42:00.000-08:00

I know my posts are all out of order but I keep thinking of things I want to share with you all. Here is our day of candy making that fell apart. We had a blast but then so did our candy. We started with english toffee, I make it every year and it is always my favorite... This year I ruined THREE batches!! My friends all say that it was the snow fall. But, who knows it was BAD!! Our toffee pull on Christmas Eve ended up being a hard candy pull. which tastes awesome but could really crack you tooth. Oh well the day we spent "trying" to make our candy was well worth the let down of the turn out. Ora wanted to help the whole time!

The boys wanted to eat. And began with Chex Mix.

Then Chocolate

Every thing was really bad so I let them all dip big marshmallows in chocolate while I did covered pretzels.

Seriously Divinity pancakes ( I just happened to be on the phone with Robyn and Bri when this one happened, they thought it was pretty funny!)

They turned out kind of funny as little "snow balls"

Better luck next year!! But well worth he memories with my kids.

The Festival of Trees

2008-12-30T09:14:00.000-08:00

Joe took a week off of work at the first of December to help with the baby, and one of those days I NEEDED to leave the house so we packed up the kiddos and headed over to the festival of trees. We had never been and honestly did not really know what it was, just that it was a cheap way to spend a day out of the cold. What a great day! This was not your ordinary showing of beautiful trees. Although beauty did abound. This was spectacular, gingerbread houses lined four rows, isles and isles of wreaths (which we did not see due to screaming kids), more trees than I have ever seen in one place. All of which were being auctioned off to the highest bidder to benefit Primary Children's hospital. A place where my younger brother spent most of his childhood in and out of the nuero surgery O.R. This is a place any child can go and receive care, weather or not they have the ability to pay. A place where you can receive the best care and be treated with kindness and respect. And now I am announcing for next years festival.. A tree for Matthew. We envision a tree full of Lego's, and airplanes and airplanes made out of Lego's, flying around it somehow. We have started by writing our letter requesting to participate and hope to hear we will be in soon! Now we just need to go shopping and get our tree. Then I will be writing to the Lego, matchbox and hot wheels company's for donations. Anyone who is interested in participating let me know. It will be an awesome way to give back to a place that has done so much for so many not just my own family (which it has helped more than words can say) but for anyone who needs them.

Here are a few of my favorite things from our visit this year!

Okay I am not into twilight, but for those who are this tree was cool. The gifts under it were for all of the characters from the book that matched there personalities. It was pretty cool.

The marshmallow tree, every ornament was made out of marshmallow's.

A train set at the back, of course we were there for more than 10 minutes.

PINK!! Need I say more?

This was a hand carved tree, that had marbles running through it. Seriously the coolest thing ever. The man it was made for had passed away this year and his family did this to honor his love of woodworking.

Salt Lake Temple out of gingerbread!

LOVE IT!!!!

I could have posted about 50 more pictures but for lack of space and a crying baby I will have to end here. Hope you enjoy!

Christmas with the Short's

2008-12-27T17:35:00.000-08:00

Grandma Lori's Christmas Eve P.J.'s

Joe got a robe instead of P.J.'s this year

She was too cute not to post

Nativity

Christmas morning our big ticket item this year was the new chairs for family movie night. Plus The big one on the left is a new long mirror for me... FINALLY!!!

Jordan got this fun ball from Grandma Sally

It scared him to death!! It was so funny.

I got this bag two months ago, it has been awful waiting for her to open it.

Joe got us shoveled out, it only took and hour.

Ora needed princess hair for Kade's (our babysitter, and my 2nd cousin) house. I think she has a little crush

We had such a fun day and were so glad to be invited to my Aunt Cindy's house for dinner. It was nice to be around family.

What a great Day!!

2008-12-25T09:48:00.000-08:00

As I sit hear watching my children play with their new toys, and Look over and see my sweet husband just looking on as well, I am so grateful for all I have been given. We may not have everything we want. But, who needs that. We have been so extremely blessed. My children love and know their Savior. They know he is there friend and teacher. They know where to turn for the answers to the problems they face every day. (Michael asked if an angel could come a shock Ora the other day, and was not happy when I told him that only worked for Nephi, and that Ora was not trying to kill him)

There is a serious blizzard out my window and We are safe and warm inside our home. We are surrounded by love and happiness at every moment. All because we have a loving Heavenly Father who, if we listen to his counsel, will make our lives the best lives possible. He gave up his only begotten son to die for us. He watched him lay in a manger and be born into the world. He watched as he overcame the word and suffered for OUR sins. And he watched him die on the cross so that, if we choose, we can live with him again. And he watches us, he sends so many blessings down to us each and every day. He knows and loves me better than I do, he knows what I am capable of, and he wants all of it for me. This day I am so thankful for my sweet family. My very own little one, and my big old huge one that I share with so many.

Have a great day everyone, I hope it does not go too fast!

Merry Christmas!!!

So late

2008-12-24T16:03:00.000-08:00

Jordan turned two years old on Dec. 8th. We spent the day as normal and then when Joe got home we had his favorite dinner Spaghetti. Then after dinner we had Cake and Ice cream and opened his present a Big Wheel (remember those) He will fit it in about two more years. I had no idea he would not fit, oh well he loves it. And scoots just fine.

Here's his cake it is supposed to be a steering wheel.

And ice cream with chocolate sauce just like grandma Poff used to do!!

Why she may never sleep through the night on her own

2008-12-23T20:27:00.000-08:00

And I make no apologies for loving every single minute of it!!!

I was raised by my two heros!!

2008-12-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

I was out tonight at our Relief Society Christmas party and we had the most magical time sharing our different family traditions. By the end we were all feeling so great and on a huge spiritual high when in comes one of the ladies who had just been taking things to her car to tell us that her window was broken and so were several other cars in the lot. My relief Society presidents face went pale and she ran to her car.

Our ward is in so much trouble his year. We have a ton of families who are just barley keeping things together and our Angel tree has been overwhelming. So much so that another ward stepped in to help us out. They brought there gifts to the church tonight and left them in her car.

Yes they are all gone. Her window was smashed along wit 5 others and the gifts are gone. I have no words.. I do not know how low you have to sink to steal from a church!?? I called mom just to vent because I am just heart sick over this and of course she and Ness are sending what they can to help us replace the gifs. Thank you both so much. I can get some sleep tonight knowing I can at least shop and help out with this. I am so grateful for you both!!

I do not know what our ward is going to do I know this will help though. Sometimes I just wish I could give more but REALLY Joe and I have done what we could, and I know everyone in our ward is thinking the same thing.
THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH!!!! YOU WILL BE ANGELS THIS YEAR FOR SURE!!

2008-12-17T12:43:00.000-08:00

As I was sitting on my couch today holding my newest baby girl I took the chance to get some pictures. Which one should I put into the cute picture frame next to my bed. Thanks Tiff!!

KISS

Sleeping

Smiles

Checking her out

Survivor

2008-12-12T07:26:00.000-08:00

I am usually not one to blog about T.V. but let me just say this. I LOVE Survivor!!! Joe will not watch it with me, so Friday mornings are my favorite. I open up the computer and ignore my kids while I watch. I have watched every season since it began and have always enjoyed it But let me just say.... This season is by far the best one ever! I am loving all of the twists and turns it has taken. The way people have learned how to play the game has been awesome. So many twists and turns, such manipulation, fake idols, good fake idols,Randy, immunity, votes, grown up people throwing better fits than my three year old girl!! So much FUN! GO BOB and SUGAR!!

Hello my name is Erin

2008-12-10T12:28:00.001-08:00

I am a MAJOR sugarholic, I mean if there is sugar within my home I will sniff it out and consume it without even stopping to think about it. For example Jordan's birthday was on Mon. We had fun cake and ice cream and then everyone went to bed. I got up the next day and began just taking bites of cake whenever I would see it, This morning IT IS GONE!! This used to not be such a problem but 4 kids in 5 years has taken it's toll. And even though I am very grateful for how much weight I have not gained during this time I am not where I would like to be. So I have a goal... I am giving up Sugar for the new year!!!

I know HOLY CRAP that is a big goal!!! But, I am serious. As I get older I know there is just no way I will be able to keep up this habit and I know I will only get bigger as the years go by if I do not do something now!! So here I am I am going to go out with a bang. I do not want to punish myself through Christmas but after that, it begins. So I want all of you out there to share your favorite Holiday Goodies and let me go out with a delicious Bang!! I will really not be having sugar for a long time so I want to get it all out of my system now. Please share I will be very grateful to look back on this Christmas and think of the sugar I am sure I will be missing very much be Jan 5th!!

Our Christmas Tree

2008-12-09T09:28:00.000-08:00

We went and got our tree kind of spontaneously the other day. It was so fun, we did not plan on getting a tree but, once we decided just to look at what they had we ended up getting "our tree." We brought it home and got it in. I ended up doing more decorating than picture taking so there are not a ton of pictures but what I did get is on here.

It is so much fun to get out all of our ornaments and remember when we got them. I have this one that I made when I was 6 or 7 and it has a picture of me in it from back then. I love showing it to my kids every year. They always get a kick out of it. Joe and I both still have our first baby ornaments and we have a new ornament for every year we have been together. We get the kids a new one every year and it is really one of my favorite parts of Christmas. We also have our shot gun shell lights which are awesome!! Joe got them on his mission from a lady who seriously sells them out of her front yard. When they light up they are so pretty, and during the day when you see them they are just plain funny! I love our tree!! And isn't our little angel for the top perfect.

BIG BOY

2008-12-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

This is him! Need I say more?

But I will, my little angel boy will be two tomorrow! He was such a sweet little angel baby, he came out of me knowing he was the third baby, and in a time when life for our family was not as peaceful as I would have liked, he brought calm to our home. And two years later he is the chaos. Life for us has calmed but this boy may just always need to be the opposite of whatever the world around him is. He refuses to talk and we have been in battle about it for a few weeks now. I know he can speak and he is just refusing to do it. The tantrums have come in full force and so have the frequent trips to the bed with loving words spoken "Come out when you are calm" He climbs up and down my furniture and I know he is waiting to break his leg until Jan 1st because our deductible is met for this year. He has stabbed my couch with the the bread knife while I was in the bathroom (now he comes or I hold it) He's tried to "play" baseball with Abby. And was heartbroken when I told her She doesn't play! We end the days exhausted and he wakes screaming (he gets that from me) But then when I feel I can take no more he does something like this....

Last night the boys went to bed fighting. Michael and Jordan both sleep on the bottom bunk in their bedroom and sometimes they disagree on who gets what blanket or who gets to have a drink first. Last night about five minutes after they had calmed down a little I heard a horrible scream coming from the bedroom. I went in to find Jordan with a bright red cheek and Michael (the most honest kid on the planet) explaining why he had bite his brother. No excuses held up and he had his silky blanket and his Mickey Mouse taken away. When Michael feels what he has done was justified he gets heartbroken and just does not understand. I did my best to tell him that no matter what Jordan had done he was never allowed to punish him because it is my job to take care of that stuff. So I left the room with him lightly sobbing into his pillow and my heart aching for him as I closed the door. Then after watching a movie with Joe I was headed to bed and went in to check on my kids. I opened the door and found Jordan sleeping with his arm wrapped over his big brother and his silky covering them both. He had comforted and shared his most prized possession with the brother who had gotten his taken away. And not just that, he needed to comfort the boy who not a few minutes before had bite his cheek so hard it was still red this morning.

I guess I can get through the chaos just to see how this man turns out.

Happy birthday Baby!!

Michael's Turn

2008-12-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

Another one I just have to share! We took our kids to IHOP yesterday to end Dads vacation week properly. It was so much fun, we talked about all the things we did this week and decided what we would do for the last day. we ate pancakes and drank diet coke (well at least I did) So so so fun. When the waiter brought the check I got out my wallet and my coupon and Michael said "Whatcha doin mom?" I told him I needed to pay the bill, to which he replied with an extremely puzzled look.... "Isn't that Grandma's job?"

Proof that we need to get out more and not just when we have company who loves to spoil us all rotten.

However if anyone is interested in taking over this job let me know the position has been officially opened! No Grandmahood required though spoiling tendencies are helpful.

Shopping with the Short's

2008-12-04T15:35:00.000-08:00

What do the Shorts do when Joe takes vacation?? We go to the new Smiths marketplace where we have heard they have kid size shopping carts. Seriously, we had so much fun. We were there for over two hours just wandering through the isles. Michael and Ora got to push their own carts and it was so fun to watch them pick up the things we needed and put them in their "own" carts to buy.

Showing Michael the Fish

This was right before Ora decided to pick up a case of Heinekin and put it into her cart when I told her she could pick out her own drink. In the future I will remember the beer on the left Soda on the right.

Jordan was good, I will admit I expected him to freak out because he did not get to push his own cart but he was happy to sit and watch. (Yes, we did get a tree to but I will post that tomorrow)

Checking out. They would not let me help them. We almost had problem with the soda but Michael was able to help Ora out.

Racing to the car..... Don't worry I have Abby in my sling not in the tipped over car seat.

Happy Funny Thaksgiving

2008-12-01T20:27:00.000-08:00

How fun was my thanksgiving day!! My Sister And her cute family came up to spend the day with us and it was my first year cooking. We had the best time goofing off in the kitchen all day and eating together.

The Pictures!!

this is me half cooking half praying my oven would not blow up, it tends to catch on fire at least once a week and it made it through the whole day without incident.... See prayer works!!

Bob and the little boys in the backyard so cute playing football!!

Abby's contribution to the cooking.

The "men" in between the three trips to walmart for things we forgot or to replace the ruined rolls the boys watched the dog show.... I mean football! Shhhh we said we would not tell.

Cristen brought up cute turkey foam magnets to make with the kids that turned out to be Thanksgiving beavers, No kidding Beavers with pilgrim hats and corn in there paws?? Oh well, next time we open the package before we buy, but the kids loved it!

My finished turkey YUMM!!

Jacob trying sparkling cider.

Joe ready to eat! Two plates later.

The girls after dinner.

We had so much fun cooking this meal. I put the turkey in the oven and five minutes later my house was filled with smoke, I am still not sure why. I called my mother who was down at Grandmas in St. George and she told me to turn down the heat and cover my bird in foil. (first trip to walmat to get foil) A couple hours later I was on the phone with mom again to see if she sautee'd her vegi's for the stuffing (yes we do) I just happened to pull out the pies to check what they would need when I yelled, What and hour to cook and they are better if they sit a few hours after that. WHAT!!?? So I put in the pies. Then I told my mother she should have prepared me better and to stop laughing! The turkey was probably a half hour from done so I started the sides, My mother (the not preparer) told me I should have put the stuffing in the crock pot that morning. Something she could have told me TUESDAY!! Anyway, we continued the sides and amazingly we were done all at the same time. We had Turkey and stuffing, Yams with brown sugar and marshmallows, Cooked carrots, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy (which turned out great by the way), and pretzel jello! We had pumpkin and razzelberry pie a few hours later with the real stuff whipped cream!

We had so much fun laughing at ourselves and making mistakes, peeling the top of the pumpkin pie, yes even being betrayed by grandma when she told my mom I had called yet again. It was a day to remember, for sure. My first ever Home made all by me thanksgiving meal! And thank you mom you are awesome and I am so glad we could share our day together!!

My Borthers

2008-11-26T08:01:00.000-08:00

I was thinking today how grateful I am that I chose to come to this earth, I have been reading a new book that has kind of opened my eyes to how easy it would have been to follow satan. I can see why so many did. And I wonder how I got where I am. I hope I was strong and never doubted the plan. But I can't know for sure. I am so grateful for my Savior who gave so much for me and my life. Anyway me thinking always turns into rhyme.

My Brothers

How do I see him? I've opened my eyes

This brother of mine who is made up of lies

He sits high on a throne, his angels surround

But his glory is stolen in lives he has found

Stolen souls of people I love

People who gave up light from above.

Souls who never will know what they lost

A body given at such a high cost

Scared for the pain a body would bring

He told them salvation was a sure thing

They chose comfort and joy over sorrow and loss

The deceiver deceived them and became there boss

now never being able or free to choose

They wander this earth finding souls to loose

They do his bidding and honor his will

They know me and loved me and live with me still

My brother sends them to bring me down

He wants my soul to adorn his crown

How do I see him this brother of mine

Those beautiful eyes that for me shine

The man who loved when my soul was born

The man who for me his life was torn

The Son of the Father who lives for Him still

The brother who bends to The fathers will

He sits among men, he works with us all

He lifts every brother he prays us not to fall

His life and his power he never shows

The Fathers light, is the one that glows

He wants so badly to bring me home

He's given so freely, he wandered alone

How much do I give to these brothers of mine

Which one do I glory who's light do I shine

Who do I pick when I pick every day

Who's love do I choose when I walk on my way

Do I take the glory for me and my stuff

Or do I let my Fathers light be enough

My two big brothers who fight for my soul

Who do I choose, Who is my goal.

Everyday I wake up every day I fight

Everyday I get up and I choose the right

Do I fall? Of course I am human, I chose

But the brother who loves me the most arose

He gave his life so I could give

He rose again so I could live

He suffered and toiled was spit on and beat

He gave up a life and I won't be weak

I will wake every day and start again

The gift of repentance I give back to him

I'll use his life to make mine more

I'll use his gift to be clean and pure

Choosing the brother who loved me the best

Giving my life letting him give the rest.

Random pictures

2008-11-25T09:15:00.000-08:00

I just thought I would put up a few pictures from our house over the last week or so...

Abby's foot after 5 days of heel pricks. the other one looks like one big huge bruise!

Sleeping with Grandma Pender's beautiful blanket! It is so soft and warm I had to pass it down from Ora to her little sister

My turn hanging the lights

Joe noticing the pattern will be off when he hangs the next string, will he fix it, bulb by bulb... Yes he just might!

Poor joe trying to fix the bathtub drain with too many kids in the tub. He does not have the heart to tell them the were in the way!!

Fondue sure is Fun-to-do!!

2008-11-24T13:29:00.000-08:00

You all already know I'm a dork!!!

One of my favorite things in all of the world I owe to my friend Marianne! She and I met in Vegas right after I had Michael. We were living in the same condo development and we practically lived at each others house for a while! Then I moved to my house(UGH), Mark (her hubby) graduated from UNLV and she moved to Utah, and we followed a while later. But way back in Vegas We were invited to dinner at Marrianne's house. We entered and saw for the first time A big pile of raw meat sitting on the table! AACK!!! Right next to the meat was a bowl overflowing with pieces of bread. What were we going to do.... I will say Joe tightened up a little bit. Raw meat and bread??? but we stuck it out to see what it was and fell in love with our new favorite treat! Fondue done right. Before this experience the only thing I knew about fondue was chocolate! And now a few years later we are getting it down to a science.

We start by deciding who will host the event. Who gets to clean and who pack up there laundry basket to head over to the others house. Then we divide the shopping list. I will bring meat, bread, bananas, apples, strawberries, sour cream french onion dip, ect... Then we get together and laugh and talk while we all get a little bit fatter. And by fatter I mean seriously drunk on happiness and carmel.

Last night we got together to do it again. Heres some memories from the night.

Okay this one has nothing to do with fondue. But, I saw this moto bike trailer. It was so funny Joe said "The guy goes into the trailer shop and says give me a trailer for my bike nothing else, not a gas can not a rope, just my bike."

Prep for fondue means cutting the french bread into bite size peices!

Close up of the table, We had a blue cheese and a more traditional fondue cheese made with Emmentaler and Gruyere YUMMM!!!! Oil in the middle for perfect meat sour cream dip for the meat to the back, Chocolate and carmel on the sides with the fruit surrounding! I almost forgot the best drink to go with fondue is grape cool aid!

Mark already cooking meat for the kids Joe's hands ready and rearing to go!!

Collin after he got done with his strawberries! So stinking cute, he kept rubbing his poor little eyes and making the strawberry juice pain worse.

Ora Again

2008-11-20T14:01:00.001-08:00

She is so funny! I hope you all don't think I'm sharing too much but this was hilarious.

"She stopped crying, WoW... Them are magic boobs!!"

Our gratitude Tree

2008-11-19T14:23:00.000-08:00

We have sprouted a tree on my living room wall. It's made out of left over brown fabric and paper. It is the most beautiful tree I have ever seen. It is filled with the things my little family is grateful for. Aunt Dixie put up a post a while ago about having a gratitude tree for thanksgiving. And I loved it. So for Family Home Evening the first week in Nov. we began. We cut out the tree and taped up our first few leaves. Now when people come over they can add to our tree the things that they are thankful for. My mom put up a few that are great. But, I really don't have anyone else coming so I thought I would throw it out to you all. Leave me a comment and I will add all of your thankful thoughts to my tree. And then you can be with me all through this season. I will post a picture of our tree at the end of the month and we will see how many leaves grow inside my house as the leaves outside fall.

Yeah Pictures

2008-11-18T11:40:00.001-08:00

Mom found my camera yesterday so I have some pictures to post.... YIPEE!!!

She found her thumb last night

She's got Dad ear. See how its all folded over around the rim!
Moms lap

She has super long feet. I wear a size 5 ring

She is doing so much better today! We have had to take her to the doctor everyday for a Billirubin test and she has barely kept out of the hospital. But, today she is down in the medium high risk group so I do not have to take her back until her two week check unless she stops doing well. My mom leaves today which stinks. She has been so great to have around with me. She has not only kept my house up so I could just sit and relax. But she has been playing with my kids nonstop. Abigail's "sunny side up" birth has been hard to recover from and I truly do not know what I would do if she had not been here. Love you mom!!!

Sorry No pictures.... Yet

2008-11-15T20:21:00.000-08:00

Abigail La Nore Short was born Friday November 14th at 6:15 pm.

She weighs 7 lbs and is 19 inches long. She has the most beautiful black hair all over her head. Getting her here was so very hard and I was not sure why I felt so scared until things came to light at the delivery. I had that weird placenta abruption diagnosis that the doctor never really knew if it was a true abruption or not. And I just never felt "good" about her being safe. Not the whole time I was pregnant. I justified it by saying I was just nervous about the birth and not having my family here with me. But I know now it was the Holy Ghost driving me to a hospital to deliver.

With every contraction I had Abby's heart rate would drop, not enough to worry us for a while but, enough that the Doctors and Nurses were watching for it when she arrived. She was born Sunny side up with the cord wrapped twice very tightly around her neck. She has a small heart murmur that she will have probably forever. The doctors were able to take her to monitor her to make sure she was getting enough blood to her extremities. She is going to be just fine. But I for one am so grateful that I was able to follow the holy ghosts (along with my trained midwife who said I needed to make this decision by prayer) prompting to take her to a hospital where all of these things compounded together did not do her any damage. Mommy's doing well too. Having her born face up did one heck of a number on my backside, but things will heal and all will be back to normal soon.

Sorry no pictures I lost my camera on the way to the hospital and so my mom has to get home and email me my pictures before I can share them with you, I will do it as soon as possible.