Sunday, May 31, 2009

Pictures and Pictures and Very Little Words, Oh My!!

Life has prevented me from staying awake long enough at night to blog much, so here are some pictures of my sweet kids over the last few weeks!!


Lexi and her teacher Ms. Hite on Lexi's last day of school!!

The kids across the street have been so fun to have around and we will miss them tons!!
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We spent an afternoon at Lake Mead with G-ma & G-Pa and had such a GREAT time!!
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Tons of time in the pool when it is blazing hot outside!!
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Friday, May 22, 2009

Flashback Friday! Memories


With the move getting closer (as in 2weeks) I have been thinking back on the 24 years I have spent in Las Vegas. I have been looking through old family scrapbooks when I came across this photo of my siblings and I on our first day of school here in Vegas. I was starting 1st grade, Alyssa 3rd and Janna 5th at Lewis E. Rowe Elementary, Jack had just turned 1. We had just moved to this "big" city from a very small town and I remember being so nervous, well here I am leaving for the first time since and again I have those butterflies when I think about starting over. I am excited for the new people I will meet and the adventure of moving away but a little sick to my stomach at the same time. In so many ways the times has flown by, I can't believe I am 30, married with 3 kids, was it supposed to go that fast? When I was little it seemed like everything went soo slow, I couldn't wait to be "big" and now I am and I wonder what the rush was!!

In 24 years you meet a lot of people and make a lot more memories, the streets of my old neighborhood are lined with them, the 7-11 on Flamingo and Sandhill that we would walk to for Slurpee's, the Smith's grocery store that we bought our toilet paper for "decorating houses" with, the schools I attended or rather spent time "away" from when I had "better places" to be. I am so glad for my brain, for the fact that it has retained all the information for me so I can take all of it with me, all I will have to do is close my eyes and the images of sitting at my best friends cheer competitions or singing in Nicky's (another friend) truck listening to Tracy Chapman, will all come back to me. It won't be the same as being within a short drive to their houses for craft night, or a trip to Joann's and then sandwiches at Great Harvest Bread, but it will have to do.

That's why all of you will be on rotation for visits to see me, we plan on having a bed made and ready for visitors, and a basement to keep them in!! :) I know this was a long flashback but I've been here a long time!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Take A Few Minutes

This women survived an abortion, she wasn't having one, she was the child that they tried to abort. I received these videos in an email and after listening to her how can I sit and not do anything with her message! She speaks eloquently and her words are impacting and true. It takes just a few minutes and I promise it is worth your time.







Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Easter!! Ahead of the Curve



Let's not discuss that it is almost Memorial day or that we have passed Mother's Day cause I never posted about our Easter!! It will be quick but I got to before next Easter gets here! Because we have been broke as a joke for a long time, the excitement for me this year was that we were able to get the kids their Easter clothes, I love seeing them all dressed up on Easter Morning and then taking a family picture. This year Jimmy and I were also surprised with some fun new digs, my mom got me a new skirt and then Sat. night my parents brought home Jimmy the best surprise of all, a new suit!! Ladies and Gentlemen, my husband has been wanting a new suit for as long as I can remember, the last time he had one was for his mission!!! It was the best watching him try it on and admiring himself in the mirror, and saying "Honey, it looks pretty good huh?"

The only snag was that Saturday James began throwing up and so Sunday morning rolled around and I decided he was much too sick to go so I stayed home with James while Jimmy and the girls went to church in their new clothes! I was bummed because James wasn't able to wear his suit and I never got a picture of Jimmy in his, but the next time I see him I plan on having him model it for me.


Sunday afternoon we did a mini egg hunt (we normally do them Sat. but since James had been sick it never happened) and then the girls and my parents went to my parents friends house for Easter dinner (it was supposed to be here but again James being sick put a damper on things).


That evening I was able to attend our Stakes Easter Devotional, which was wonderful! There was a great speaker, old family friend Pam Ogiela, and some amazing musical numbers, it really lifted my spirits. They served cakes and cookies afterwards and I wanted to do my part in the consumption of them so that the sweet people that made them all wouldn't have to take sooo much home, it was my act of service for the day!


Despite James being sick it was a great Easter, simple but great, we were really able to focus on our family and our Saviour. I am so grateful for His sacrifice for me, to know that He thought of my name as he suffered in Gethsemane is humbling. I know that there is no monetary value on what He has done for me, I know that there is not any amount of money that I can pay Him back with, only through my actions and the way I live my life can I show the deep gratitude I feel.


Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Birthday Birthday!!

Today is both my Husbands and Mothers Birthday!! I wanted to say a little about each of them!


Jimmy is 31 today and it makes me sad to be away from him so maybe if I talk about him and pay this little tribute to him it will make me feel better.

I don't remember not loving him, he is the same boy that gave me butterflies when I was 9. He has this smile that melts me every time and his heart is bigger than the moon. He protects me and makes me feel safe and still let's me think I am in charge. Happy Birthday my sweet husband!!

You heart Breaker You


He has such a gentle way about him


Jimmy is a very hands on Daddy


Jimmy makes me feel like the luckiest women in the world!!




My Mom is only a few years past 31 but it isn't polite to tell a woman's age! I love my Mom, she is funny and generous and the peace maker! I love being her daughter. Happy Birthday Mom!





She also has a way with animals!! :)



She is an extremely supportive wife and would do anything for my Dad


My Mom is a FANTASTIC Grandma, who took her Grand kids to Chuck E Cheese for HER Birthday!!


She is a wonderful Mother and I am grateful for her everyday!!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Another Shoot Under Wraps

Well I was fortunate enough to take pictures for not one, but two families Sunday afternoon. The McCalls and the Moss family. They were great to work with especially considering it was 106 DEGREES outside!! Wait isn't it still May, so why the crap is it so HOT already? I thought I would give them a little sneak peak at some of the fun shots we got! Thank you for letting me share in your family memories!! Oh and thanks for being such great looking subjects it makes my job easy!!











Sunday Scripture "Faith"


"All true faith must be based upon correct knowledge or it cannot produce the desired results. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action; it carries an assurance of the fulfillment of the things hoped for. A lack of faith leads one to despair, which comes because of iniquity."

That is one smart dictionary if I say so myself. The older I get the more I understand this statement and recognize it's truth. We might feel weak at times in our life but if we can remain faithful and if we keep moving in the right direction it will spare us from many difficulties, not all, but many. There have been trials, there will be trials, but when our Faith guides us we are able to carry on and make it through!! Love to you