Salt Chaser!

Now I don't think I am too different from a lot of other women out there but then again maybe I am all alone in this?! I am an enjoyer (I know that is not a word) of things of the sweet nature, especially freshly baked cookies, brownies, cake, those sorts of things. My only trouble is that when I eat something sweet I then need a "Salt chaser", you know something to curb the sweet, so I will turn to a cracker or something. Thus causing a problem, because you see once I have a salt chaser I am then craving the sweet again so I have to follow the salt with sweet creating a vortex, and I am stuck going back and forth! Last night in a moment or two of weakness I found my self with one hand with peanut M&M's and the other with a few Cheez-It's (reduced fat of course) first eating the sugar, then as if forced by nature the cheez-it in all it's salt glory! It's a terrible place to find your self, so with all the will power I could muster I took a large drink of water hoping to cleanse my pal'ate in turn removing myself from the vortex of cellulite ! Once in a safe zone I began thinking of how there are very few treats that join these to opposite yet complimentary tastes, and then as if a heavenly choir sang I remembered one of my most favorite things of all time, THE CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZEL!!! This delightful treat was created with perfection and women like me in mind! Thank you, OH great maker of the Chocolate covered pretzel!

So here is where I need your help! I have made some in the past but never as well as I know some of you can, so I need to know what brand of chocolate is best and then my favorite are the ones with caramel first and then white chocolate, so HELP me with this longing and provide me with some steps of how to make them!! Thanks in advance!!

Today is also my awesome nephew Carson's 5th Birthday!! Happy Birthday Buddy! Love you!!

Sunday Scripture "Hope"

Today in Relief Society the lesson was on Hope and some of the discussion was on not losing hope and I realized as I pondered about the Hopes that I have that perhaps to my husbands annoyance I am a pretty optimistic or hopeful person! I try to look on the bright side of things the best that I can and this latest trial that has been presented to us I just have kept the faith and the hope that the Lord will take care of us. I believe that we are often tested to see how we will respond to the test. Will we falter and lose our footing or will we hold fast and find higher ground? I then opened my scriptures to D&C 18:17 & 19 and read

"Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock, and my salvation."
"And if you have not faith, hope, and charity, you can do nothing."

May the New Year before us bring us hope of the things to come, that we might know that through Jesus Christ we have all the hope we could ever need.

Happy Sunday

Christmas 2008

Well this year we had a wonderful Christmas! Our children were kind enough to sleep in until 7 before coming to wake us up!! Then we all headed to the living room to see what Santa brought and my kids must have had more good days than bad because Santa was good to them! Lexi got her disired Ipod shuffle in pink, Grace recieved her new bike and James is a the proud owner of a tonka truck push/ride thing.

I decided this year to do something homemade for everyone in the house so the sewing machine stayed warm with 9 blankets & 2 aprons in just 3 days!! I made two blankets for each child, one for Jimmy, my Dad and Em then I made my Mom and Lexi an Apron. With the budget being low and the wish to give of my time and from my heart I figured it was a good way to go.

Jimmy got creative and filled a mini-accordian file with index cards turned coupons! Each one gives me something fun, like a massage or laundry service from sorting to putting away, an itunes gift card, a girls night out, and my favorite, I get to revoke some of his game time (Jimmy enjoys a computer game)!!! He has really been working hard on his romantic side so I wanted to report his latest efforts to all those that gave such great ideas and suggestions to my "Romeo, Romeo?" post!

So after a lovely breakfast (Thanks Mom) we played for a bit and then packed up and headed to Cedar City, Utah. I think we hit a hurricane on our way up with 50mph winds, sleet, rain, snow and icy roads to boot!! I did most of the driving since my husband so kindly announced as he drove down the freeway that he wasn't able to see the road in the dark! We promptly pulled over and I took the weel. It was a slow drive but we made it to our awesome hotel, it was a great gift from my friend Mari, she hooked us up at the Holiday Inn for not too much doe and it was perfect!!

The next day we got all dressed in snow appropriate attire and found a hill (thanks again Mari) and spent quite some time enjoying some wind in our faces as we sped down on our new sled! It was the first for the girls and Grace was not gonna waste it, she aimed at every jump she could while Lexi needed a little push the first few times down! James even got a few rides with Daddy and I felt like a kid again as I took my fair share of trips down the embankment! Then there was some pizza and some blizzards and some time just enjoying each other. I even got some time in the gym alone!! It was great! A much needed boost to our spirits after a tough few weeks! We got home today so now I have to post some pics oh and the one with me and the kids in our pj's is because we were all wearing sock monkey pj's :)!!

Oh yeah and Jimmy and Grace held up a few stores while we were there, thus the need for the ski mask!! :)

James 11 Months

Well not only is tonight Christmas Eve but my baby boy is 11 months old!! He is such a good boy! Some quick stats

1. 20lbs 5oz(25%, which is very different for me, my girls were never on the small side)
2. 7 teeth (number 8 is peeking)
3. 27 1/2 inches tall
4. He can stand on his own but still prefers crawling to trying to walk
5. James has the greatest smile that melts my heart!
6 He loves his Grandma and Grandpa & Aunt Emily
7. He waves at everyone and everything, birds, mail man, the bus driver
8. He does not like cheerios but he loves just about any other food we put in front of him
9. I gave him a little tiny trim but not enough to save it or anything.
10. HE LOVES MUSIC!! Especially opera or great vocals!!

Merry Christmas!!

This is the morning after our big snow! I love that it stayed around for a little while!

Sunday Scripture & Christmas Sunday Pic

(my shot of the chocolate fountain)

So today in Gospel Doctrine (the little that I managed to listen to due to a tired baby) they were discussing the books of Ether and Moroni and I came in about chapter 3 of Moroni as they were discussing the Sacrament prayers and then moved to Chapter 5, 6 & 7. This part of the scriptures talks about how those that were and are believers in Christ will know about the difference between good and evil.

In Moroni 7:3 it says "Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven."

The teacher then asked what the phrase "peaceable followers of Christ" means and I loved the answers that came, one said "Not forced" one said "Without constant questioning" another said "able to provide peace" my initial thought was those that follow Christ and thus have peace in knowing truth. We discussed how now a days so many people are fearful, fearful of how the world seems to be turning, fearful of what is to come, fearful of the unknown and that we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints should not be fearful for we know that everything will be OK.

I remember growing up and hearing that as the Latter Days come that things that are evil will look good and things that are good will look evil and I was always confused by that. I thought "How could that be, how could people see evil for good" and now more than ever I see the evidence of that. I have seen the Church be attacked for standing for our beliefs and as the media twists and turns everything it touches the world seems to be more and more confused. The line between right and wrong is being blurred and people who never thought they would be found in their weaknesses, have.

(Not mine, I wish)

We then read Moroni 7:11-12 which says "For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water, neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil.
Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually."

I love this scripture because it is a reminder to me to stay strong in my faith so that I will know the difference between right and wrong and be blessed to stand strong in a world of ever fading morals and scrutinty. All of Chapter 7 is great and I highly recommend taking a moment to read it and if you do I would love to hear all of your thoughts on it! I love the gospel and the people within because everyone has a different perspective and they seem to add to mine and not detract.

(Mine)

Flashback Friday! Old School!!

So with it being very close to Christmas we have been discussing Christmas's past and when I came across these pictures from High School I decided that I had to share! In High School I was part of an amazing group called Expressions and during the Christmas season we had a ton of performances, 50 in 21 days or something crazy like that! I think we all got sick at one point or another, we spent days out of school performing for office parties, the elderly and sometimes just caroling through Hotels. At the time after singing some of those songs over and over and over I thought I would never want to hear them again but quite the opposite, instead I am excited to hear them because it reminds me of one of the most amazing times of my life! I still remain good friends with quite a few of these AWESOME people! Isn't that the true gift of the season is our family and friends! For our family this year it has been made ever more apparant what the true meaning of Christmas is, we are together, we have a roof over our heads (Thanks Mom & Dad) we have full bellies (some too full, butt shh don't tell me, I consider it my "in-house" food storage) we have our health and anything else is a bonus!! Love to you all and thanks for being so good to us!!!


Oh and Liz in full disclosure c'mon look at my Christmas Sweater!! Would someone trying to hide anything post that!!? :) Love ya

Thanks & A Winter Wonderland!

I really want to thank all of you that left such great comments on my last post! I must tell you that the prayers and or thoughts that were on our behalf have been extremely uplifting! I have felt them for sure and I know that Jimmy has too! If you wouldn't mind continuing to keep us in your prayers that would be wonderful as everything can help at this point! We love and appreciate our friends so much, we feel blessed!

Today for the first time that I remember in the time that I have lived here (since 1985) we had a SUPER snow day! We woke up and there was snow on all the mountains surrounding the valley so I took the girls and went for a quick ride to get some pictures. Then this afternoon as the white spread across the sky and the snow began to fall and fall and fall and fall! I think it is still falling now as I am typing! Well Sarah and I decided to get some shots of the snow on the temple so I got some of that also! I posted several on my photo blog but here is a sneak peak!

".....and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"

This night I have a heavy heart, my sweet husband called with the news this afternoon that he no longer has a job. While the thoughts of what and how and where are all there, most of my focus is on Jimmy and how this turn of events is effecting him and his spirit. He is a good man who has always wanted nothing more than to provide for his family and here he finds himself powerless. We know the Lord is watching over us and that whatever is to come will be ok. We have each other and there is nothing more important than that. I love him and pray that for his sake the Lord might take this burden sooner than later from his shoulders but we trust in our Heavenly Father that His will be done.



Matthew 11:28
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

6 Years of Wedded Bliss!!

Well today is our 6th Wedding Anniversary! It feels like it should be longer because we have known each other for 21 years and because at times being married to me is like being drug behind a car by a neck tie (Poor Jimmy)!! Anyway I thought I would list the top 6 reasons I married Jimmy and the top 6 reasons I am still married to Jimmy!

Then
6. He asked me
5. He offered to move to Vegas from Colorado to make it easier on Lexi
4. He was smart (still is)
3. He loved my Lexi
2. He was kind
1. He loved me!

Now
6. He is tall and can reach stuff that I can't
5. He helps me with laundry and cleaning
4. He has given me my precious babies and loves them!!
3. He works so hard for our family
2. He makes me belly laugh and I love his laugh
1. He loves me more than I thought anyone could and his sweet smile!!



"Sunday Scripture" will return next week due to Anniversary Post!

Romeo, Romeo!?

The other day I was having a discussion with a friend and we were talking about men, and I commented on how I think there are two types of men in the world. Now this is generally, I know that there are always exceptions to the rules but stay with me on this for a minute!

Type 1
The kind of guy that is great at doing "ROMANTIC" things.

Type 2
The kind of guy that seems to lack that "ROMANTIC" gene.

"Romantic" is in parenthesis's because romance is subjective and there are different levels and types of romantic gestures but for the purpose of this post I am talking about the Love letter writing, flower bringing, sensitive, creative in all things "Hollywood" romance type.

Now my husband brings romance by doing very helpful things like,laundry, and cleaning up after dinner or helping with the kids. He is so good at those things and I am very grateful for that. On the other hand the whole rose peddles in a warm bath or writing a love song is kind of out of his element. He does know that it is not one of his strong points though and he recently asked me how he can learn to know about that stuff. I told him the only answer I could think of "Google it."

So what type are you married to and what are some ideas that can get Jimmy's juices flowing in that department? He promised to read the suggestions and try some and then we will give you an update on how it goes!

Couldn't Help Myself!

This morning I was able to do family pictures for my very good friends John & Marissa and my future daughter-in-law Sarah! I just loved this one and had to share!!

 

Oh my gosh!

Oh my GOSH I saw this and couldn't stop laughing and yet I wanted to cry at the same time!!! Poor thing!!

Best Man Ruins Wedding - watch more funny videos

30? Not Me!!!

Well last night I was asked by someone working a survey how old I am and it was like my mouth couldn't form the word, I stumbled over it, it sounded like "Thir thir thir, twenty-nine?" but I think the question behind it gave me away. I don't think I ever thought I would be 30, I mean that was something for my parents or the girls that baby sat me, but not me. There is something about 30 that screams adult, as in if you mess up when you are in your 30's there is more of "You should have known better" but if you are in your 20's people are like "Well you were young and.....". So here it is 30, do I feel 30 (however that is supposed to feel)? No, I still think of my self as being young and vibrant and silly!! Now, I know some will say 30 is young and compared to 70, it is, but this is my blog and if I want to say that it is time for my husband to make sure that all is in order for my funeral, then I can. I mean the next step is Social Security checks and Depends, it is a slippery slope into old age, one day you wake up and the first thing you have to do is put your teeth in. In all seriousness though, 30 is that age for me that brings mortality close because me getting older means my parents are getting older and the thought of me getting to an age when they won't be around is more than I can contemplate. I know they aren't walking with canes, in fact my parents are in better shape than I am, but after losing my Aunt this past summer and watching my cousins mourn their Mom it became too real that one day that could be me if the 2nd Coming doesn't come first.

I remember when I was really little thinking there was no way I would live to see 80 because for sure Christ would come again and I would be "Twinkled" or something painless like that. Here I am 30 and there isn't a thing I can do about it.



The UP SIDE

Since I presented all the ways that make 30 tough for me I thought I would also present the positive side.

I like being 30 because I feel more me, and I am OK with that. I tend to care less about what others think, I like what I like and so what. I am grateful to be done with the brain dead stage and being able to say "Well, I was young and dumb" or "Back in the day, we were so much more respectful to adults than teenagers today" or "I remember when the price of Gas was .99 cents" (It was the summer I graduated). Finally I love that being the third born in my family is paying off because no matter how old I get my sisters will be older!! :)

I am excited for what my 30's will bring!

I will have a child that will be old enough to baby sit in just two short years!!

I look forward to being my physical best, I look at my friends that have reached this before me and they look more amazing now than ever before. So my goal is to get my booty back into shape!!!

I love all the new interests that appeal to my creative side, sewing, cooking, things that add to my domestic self.

I look forward to adding to our family (Not now but sometime in my 30's)

I feel that I am much more mellow than when I was 18, 22, 24, 26 OK so last week but still more mellow. :) No I really am much more mellow, I was quite the fire cracker as a young whipper snapper.

Anyway there are lots of things that are great that are ahead for me and I can't wait, OK well I can wait but I am excited none the less!! GO 30??!!

The Evans & Biglers

Recently I have done some family pictures and it is always fun! I love seeing how unique each family is and watching the adults try to tame their children or get them to smile!! I hope I am not ruining their Christmas pictures but I wanted to post a picture from each family and then there are more on my photography blog!! To the Evans and Biglers I really enjoyed my days with you, thanks for letting me capture a moment in time for you families!!

Sunday Scripture

So the scripture for today is my favorite scripture of all time! It needs a background story though to explain why. When I was about 14 I went to see John Bytheway, he was speaking for a youth morning side and I was going with my friend Marissa. Now this was pre-married John and he talked about dating and things that girls should do to keep them selves pure while dating and he gave the following advice. He told us girls to either have it memorized or bring our scriptures along with us on our dates and if the boy leans in to kiss or hug on us we should whip out this scripture and read it loud!

Mosiah 13:3

"Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver; neither have I told you that which ye requested that I should tell; therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time."

Now I have thought back on this scripture many times and it has helped me in more than one instance. It was easy for me to remember this scripture and the way it was presented made it stick out in my mind. I used it more than once while serving in the Young Women's presidency and Lexi already knows all about it! I would love to hear some of your favorite scriptures and why. I am all about marking my scriptures up.

To find more great things from John Bytheway go here

Changing My Name!

"Mom, she took my paper!"
"Mom, will you get me Colla (chocolate) milk?"
"Mom, can I call a friend?"
"Mom, she hit me!"
"Mom, can I have ice cream?"
"Mom, do I have to clean my room?"
"Mom, she ate my eraser!"
"Mom, Sissy won't help me get my shoes on!"
"Mom, can I please have ice cream?"
"Mom, she spit at me!"
"Mom, why can't I call a friend?"
"Mom, you are so mean!"
"Mom, GET ME COLLA MILK!!"
"Mom, I want a show!"
"Mom, when can I call a friend?"
"Mom, can I sleep in your bed?"
"Mom, please please please can I have ice cream?"
"Mom, can I just walk over to their house then?"
"Mom, she is gonna punch me!"
"Mom, your not my friend anymore!"
"Mom, GET ME A SHOW!"
"MOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!"
"MOM!!!!!"
"MOM!!!!!!!!!"

"Mommy..........I love you."

On second thought I kinda like the sound of it, maybe I will keep it.

Flashback Friday In A Flash!

Well this is a quick one because I am limited on time but I found that amazing picture of Mary, OK OK I know I can't fool you guys it's not really Mary, although I know she was young when she had baby Jesus but perhaps not that young and probably wasn't in a house, and there were most likely not any cameras around but anyway this would be me dressed up as Mary. We did this several years in a row and for some reason they always let me be Mary, I think my name helped a bit. The little boy was our friend Brett Boren and we still actually keep in contact with their family to this day. Well with it being December and Christmas fast approaching I thought it was appropriate to post this picture. I hope all of you are having a wonderful Christmas season so far and that maybe this year we can all be a little more like a child in remembering the true meaning of Christmas!! Love to you all!!

TODAY IS THE DAY!!

I had to post today because it is a huge day for our Grace!! Today was her first day of Pre-School! We have been working since May to get her into this program and here 7 months later after evaluations and meetings and transfers and shots and registration and bus schedules and more meetings I would do it all over again for this sweet girl that I love so much.

She was so excited as we picked out her backpack and I let her choose anyone she wanted, she chose this one because I tell her that she has cupcakes in her arm pits so I have to check them (I love cupcakes and I love even more to tickle my children).

I have been a bit nervous because Grace has had struggles and I wasn't sure how the children would treat her. You see when we go to the park Grace will bring buckets and shovels and other toys so that the kids will want to play with her. She often gets teased because she can't say some words very clearly and so she uses the toys as a buffer. Well I nearly lost it this morning when she walked onto the play ground two little girls went over and took her hands and they began running around together. Grace saw me behind the fence and came over and asked if I would take her picture with her "new friends"! I managed to keep it together until I got to the car. My sweet baby is growing up and I am so proud of her.

Forgive me for the just woke up look.

Check List!

So this week I have had a mile long list of things to get done or do, and I have been quite excited to have been getting them checked off! I have only a few big things left to do before I will feel the weight off my shoulders totally, at least for a minute anyway.

• Get Grace Immunization Shots- CHECK
  
• Get Grace Registered for school- CHECK
• Get Grace's bus schedual- CHECK
• Have Grace's hair cut- CHECK
  

• Get new outfit for Grace- CHECK
  
• Get my haircut- CHECK
  
• Take Evan's family Pictures- CHECK
  
• Edit Evan's family pictures- CHECK
  
• Go to PTA meeting- CHECK
  
• Finish 1 & a 1/2 aprons for winners
• Get finished aprons and blanket sent to winners- CHECK
  
• Write Christmas Letter
• Design Add for School T-shirt- CHECK
  
• Get Christmas Letters Sent out
• Finish Kids blankets for Christmas-CHECK
• Finish other sewing projects
• Start Training for 1/2 Marathon (or maybe just a mile fun run :) )- CHECK
  
• Get Lexi to Eye Appointment- CHECK
  
• Pick up Lexi's new glasses (Long story will blog later)- CHECK
  
• Get Grace to Eye Appointment- CHECK
  
• Make sure James is fed during all of this!- CHECK
• Help my sister Emily with her school assignment- CHECK
  
• Last but not least BREATHE!!! (Although my Mom has always taught me that breathing is not important, so maybe that can wait)