My Shower Epiphany

Epiphany - Moment of striking personal realization or insight.

That is what the dictionary says. I would change it to: Moment of striking personal REVELATION AND insight.

So grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who hears prayers - no matter how small or simple He answers them.

I had an Epiphany today. Doesn't matter which definition you go by, but I want to give my Heavenly Father complete credit. And thank Him.

I've been feeling increasingly frustrated with my life - my surroundings. I feel frustrated with myself, disorganized and out of control.

With the new year approaching I feel like I should be coming up with some kind of plan. Goals. Resolutions for the new year. What am I going to accomplish? What do I want to improve?

The problem: I have SO MUCH to work on. In every aspect of my life.

I could feel myself becoming more and more overwhelmed. On my days off of work it's been harder and harder to get out of bed and "face the music".

But time isn't slowing and now here it is... Friday, December 30th. What have I accomplished towards starting the new year off on a good foot?

Last year I faced 2011 with trepidation. I learned a few days into the new year why and it seemed the whole year was filled with trials and from those trials many blessings. I don't hate 2011, but I don't mind 2012 coming. In fact I look forward to 2012 with much hope and encouragement.

Not that I can stop time or anything, but it feels good to be looking forward to the new year, instead of dreading it! *smiles*

Today I have been unmotivated and feeling like I was wasting lots of time. But mostly feeling like I'm not doing what I should be doing: Planning for the new year. Then a thought came to me to ask Heavenly Father's help. So I did. Just a simple request - "what should I do? what do you want me to do?"

I love knowing that my Heavenly Father knows my heart. He knows me. He doesn't need fancy words or dialogue. Simple. Sweet.

So I got in the shower at 3:30pm to start my day. L.A.M.E. I know. And that's when it came to me.

Clutter.

On word - simple but SO big.

That is what I need to work on.

The word clutter represents pretty much everything that is frustrating me. Boy, does He know me.

After thinking of that word the thoughts just started flowing. I knew what I needed to do - well, mostly.

But now I have a one word plan. Simple. I can apply it to everything that I want to do - my spiritual self, my physical self. My family, work, church, home - MY life!

Awwwww - I have direction. I feel peace.

Best of all I know it's what HE wants me to do.

Amazing how everything falls into place when you put your life is His hands. Now I just have to DO It! (Another amazing man's Motto - Pres. Kimball)

I feel good.

Lesson learned.

The MOST wonderful time of the Year!

Is.... Fall of course!

I'm enjoying it immensely! It's actually a little cooler - which gives me hope that someday summer will end!

We started fall break today. (Monday - Oct 10) We don't have a lot planned. We are kinda sad that what we wanted to do isn't going to happen (trying not to whine!) But we are still going to have fun!

Vaughan and Heather still have to work. Heidi still has school. But Holli, Hope and I don't really have a schedule!

Today (Monday) we did a little cleaning, grocery shopping and I took Hope and Holli with me to PT. Hope - to get checked out on her "scoliosis" that the school thought she might have. {Nope} she doesn't! I already figured. Holli - cause she's having some problems with her ankle in ballet. Marc isn't sure what's going on, but we eliminated a couple of things.

Tonight we made personal pizza's and caramel apples! Yummers! And watched 17 Miracles! (break out the kleenex!)

It was fun!
(Above was written on Monday - The Rest of the post is being written AFTER the fun!)

Of course we spent the evenings playing games. What game? Settlers of course! Is there any other game? Well, not to my family! hahaha! I like to read and listen in to the conversations while they play. It's pretty funny!


On Wednesday Hope made sugar cookies! Mmmm yummy! She is becoming a good cook!


We tried all week to plan a day trip somewhere. Our choices came down to:

1. Tucson - the Sonoran Desert Museum
2. Flagstaff - various things to see.

By Thursday I thought I was going to go crazy because I couldn't get anyone to decide on something. I like to plan - anticipate the fun. That is half the fun after all!

Finally, on Thursday night - late. We decided on Flagstaff. Mostly because the weather took a turn for the worse. It got HOT! We knew Flag would be much cooler and I really wanted to see Fall! We still couldn't decide on what we were going to do in Flag. So we decided to just get up there and we would decide later.

I dropped the whole planning idea for the rest of the weekend and just enjoyed the scenery and company (my girls and Vaughan) and relaxed.

It was one of the most fun trips I've ever been on! (I'll post about our trip complete with pictures next!)

All in all - Fall Break was seriously Wonderful! Now it's time to get ready for the holiday trilogy!

Enjoying the Journey

Don't you just love this time of the year? I do!

Here in Mesa it's finally getting a little cooler - not so much during the day! But it's definitely more enjoyable!

I'm having fun planning for the next few months. I LoVe the holidays. I've been cleaning up a storm. I'm trying to dejunk and declutter! (Who says you have to wait until Spring?)

We are trying new treats like applesauce cake, apple cider floats and licorice caramels!

I made a fall wreath and I'm planning some fun changes to my fall decor. I'm wanting to keep things a little simpler - but I'm meeting some opposition from my girls. They are big TRADITION supporters! ha ha ha!

We started planting our Fall garden this week! We have plans to plant our winter lawns this weekend. I can't wait! I LOVe out winter lawn. Last year we didn't plant and it was the saddest winter ever! I can already feel the grass between my toes and taste the yummy veggies!

I'm starting to feel a little more a part of my ward. And I am enjoying watching Hope make new friends and feeling comfortable with the changes in her life! It's so fun to watch your girls grow and learn new things!

Miss Holli is almost done with a sewing class that she is taking and will be able to wear a beautiful purple dress that she is making soon!

Yep, there is lots of reasons to be happy! I'm trying to find joy in the journey and appreciate the little things! Sometimes I wish we could take a family vacation or do something amazing making memories along the way! But then I remember every day is an opportunity to make a memory! You just have to decide what kind of memories to make! I choose Joyful ones! (well most of the time!)

I {heart} Our Church Leaders

I don't remember the last time I enjoyed the General RS Broadcast as much as I did last night! (Maybe last year?!)

It was amazing. President Uchtdorf's talk was just what I needed.

How come whenever I hear the words "your Heavenly Father loves you" Or "your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you". I feel like crying - and sometimes I do.

What tender sweet words to remember. I want to remember the feelings I felt forever.

Tomorrow I will be listening again - (thank you DVR) while I do laundry and all those wonderful homemaking things that I get to do (and love doing, by the way!)

I'm so grateful for inspired leaders and for my knowledge that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. I wish everyone knew this for themselves! What a blessing!

(and guess what? I just googled Forget me nots and here is Mesa AZ we can plant them in October! Guess what I'm planting next weekend?)

My B(ee) Boy!

Have I mentioned that we have bee's? Yes, the real kind. The one's that make honey! It has been quite the adventure. We are learning so much. Vaughan has taken on the project of learning and caring for them full force!

How they came to be: I received an email about "someone" looking for yards that he could set up some beehives in. He would pay for everything and we would get 1/2 the honey. Sounded too good to pass up!

I emailed back and told him we were interested. He came and checked out our property and we were APPROVED! A few months later he came and set up the hives.

This is how they looked pre bee's! The week before we were to get the bee's (sometime in May) we noticed some bee's flying in and out of one of the hives. Weird... apparently a swarm decided to take up residence! So funny.

Unfortunately, when the bee's "arrived" some of the "bee kits" really struggled. And they lost many of them. It was so sad to see all the dead bee's. So they put a "healthy" kit in the one hive and a struggling one in the hive with the other bee's that had moved in. I'm happy to say both hives are doing Awesome!


Our hives are thriving and are twice as tall as they were in the beginning. Our beekeeper comes every month and checks on the bees and makes sure they are healthy and happy.


This is Vaughan and our beekeeper friend at one of our monthly hive check ups. Vaughan put this trellis in - complete with plants to create a barrier from balls and wandering kids! Thank goodness he did, 'cause one of our dust storms picked our trampoline up off the ground and smashed it into the trellis. It broke parts of the trellis, but no harm to our bee hives! I don't think our bee friends would have been very happy!

In July he pulled the feeder box off of one of the hives and found the bee's had started making honey in it. (They weren't supposed to) So he gave us the honey.


It was fun to get to taste the honey and sample the honey comb! Yummy stuff! I can hardly wait to harvest the honey. It's so mild and yummy.

If anyone wants to come check out our bee's and show your kids come on over. Vaughan loves to give field trips! It's pretty safe and he is careful with the kids!

My Favorite 4th of July celebration

The Fourth of July 2011 was spent a little differently than in the past! As it got closer to the day reality set in that we would not be traveling and that I really wasn't feel well enough to do anything too adventurous!

BUT I still wanted to have fun and spend time as a family and make some memories! I got a little idea and I started sharing it with my kids. It went something like this: This year for the 4th of July everyone is going to come up with some food idea for our celebration. If possible, it should have a 4th of July theme.

I told the girls I had seen some fun ideas on blogs and if they needed any ideas I would happily help them!

To be honest, I thought I would be met with some complaints. I didn't really expect that everyone would participate. I prepared myself to be disappointed. (Not very confident, huh!)

This was my most favorite 4th of July celebration ever. Honest. The ultimate best.

Everyone participated. The creativity was amazing! Even the ones that don't usually participate.

Case in point:

Exhibit A.
This is one of my favorite pictures. Yep, our sweet Heather really got into it! Came up with her own idea. Bought the ingredients and went to work! Look how cute her American Eagles turned out...
She - will never really know how happy she made me! LOVED IT!The other girls were great sports too! Heidi came up with Red, White and Blue roasted potatoes! They were really yummy. And yes there are blue potatoes. It almost ended up as red and white potatoes - but Grandma Moore came to the rescue when she found some blue potatoes and brought them over that day!


Hillary made a YUMMY fruit pizza that looked like the flag! Beautiful and delicious all in one!

Hope made these fabulous Rocket Dogs! And yes! they sent you to the moon and back they were so good! Pretty cute too - she had very little help! I was so proud of her!


Somehow I neglected to get a picture of Holli and my Mom! Holli was a life saver cutting the watermelon (a must have for any summer celebration) and wrapping the corn on the cob in foil for the grill! My Mom made a yummy carver's salad and Vaughan grilled the chicken and steak for us!

I saw these cute ideas for some drinks and put those together. (Something I could do sitting down!)
The red white and blue drinks AND the pop rock rimmed glasses! They were fun and added alot of festivity to our meal! I also had a cherry pie in the freezer and made a cute bunting to garnish it with!
I had spent the day cutting and gluing the bunting and the cute banner I found on the internet.
Then James did his part and got the laptop to work on the tv and we watched my Dad's favorite movie "High Road to China". It was so much fun. And a very special way to celebrate this amazing land we live in! We made lots of special memories. It was a day I will never forget!

There's a New Beehive in the House!

Hope turned 12 on June 24th. It's hard to believe it's been 12 years since she was a baby in my arms. But it's true, and believe me she won't let me forget it!

She is SO excited to go to girls camp this year. Poston Jr. High. And all the other exciting things that come with the teenage years. It's hard not to join her in the excitement! But I see all the little girl things of days gone by and I miss them.

Hope is growing into a beautiful young woman. She is a sweet girl with loving and considerate ways. She is concerned for others and their feelings - most of the time. I very proud of her and the beautiful person she is inside and out.



We celebrated her birthday with a yummy dinner of pizza and she blew out candles on her Beehive Cupcakes! (her request!) Then we opened presents. It was lots of fun. And I hope she felt loved.

She was lovingly welcomed into Young Women's by being "bee attacked" in our yard. Each of her YW leaders came by and dropped of a treat. She got her personal progress books and she is all ready to start earning her YW medallion!


It's been fun to watch her and Holli already start working on her YW medallion. Yeah, I REALLY love this girl stuff! And I really love our Hope!

Summer Love ' n

This has been a STRANGE summer to say the least!

But despite all the health problems and the lack of vacations it has been productive:

I ended up bottling 12 pints of green beans and 36 quarts of tomatoes - All from our garden. I even made 1 batch of boysenberry freezer jam. It is beautiful and yummy! It makes me miss Knottsberry Farm! (The vacation we had planned to take!)


This amazes me, 'cause I know how lousy I've felt. I couldn't have done it without my sweet helper - Vaughan. He would come home from work and we would start the bottling process. I love canning and I wish I could have done more. But I'm happy with what was accomplished under the circumstances.

I hosted 2 bridal showers in June. Luckily, the majority of the preparations took place before I got too bad. I had so much fun and I loved doing them.

When I found out I was having surgery I panicked at the thought of anyone seeing my bedroom. I have had a corner of my room stacked with boxes that I needed to go through for MONTHS. I had *planned* to have them sorted through and put away by the end of June, but just didn't have the energy to do it. Nothing like PANIC to give your body the adrenaline it needs! It took a few days and some more help from my sweetheart but we got it done. It FEELS so good to not see all that clutter. My room is far from the sanctuary I want it to be, but it's coming. I have encouragement now!

I have read more books and watched more movies than I can count. It's been the most relaxing summer I can remember. I had to rely on my girls and Vaughan to do so much. I seriously have not cooked a meal since mid June. I've assisted and coached, but others have had to do the cooking- and they continue to!

When I look back now - post surgery - I realize just how awful I felt. And how much pain I was in. Pain really zaps your energy! While I am still having pain and problems with my foot, I have to let the nerve heal - I am feeling better everyday.

I would never want to repeat this summer, but I do have to say I have felt the LOVE. Love from my family - especially my girls and Vaughan, love from my friends and ward and love from the Lord. He has been there with me through all of this.

It's definitely been a summer full of love and I've learned so much. I look forward to having my health and being able to serve my family again. But I will miss spending quality and quantity time with my girls. Just laying around visiting - watching movies. No rushing or hurrying.

I have thought I would like to forget this summer - but I've changed my mind. I'm going to remember this summer as the summer I learned just how much I am loved.

Absense Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Or at least I hope so! LOL!

It's been a long time since I've blogged. And most of my blogging has been negative. I have lots of fun things to blog, but sitting here is kinda painful and I'm not a fast blogger!

My life has been kind of consumed with my health - or lack there of. I'm pretty much in pain and have no energy. I think that is because of the pain. hahaha!

I pretty much exhausted all attempts at avoiding going to a dr. But I do feel like I made some right choices and that the Lord directed those choices.

I made an appointment to see an orthopedic Dr - instead of a Spine specialist, which was originally what my brother wanted me to do. I saw him last Friday. He ordered an MRI and xrays of my leg. He suggested I have one done on my spine, but I declined because of money and I have always felt like the problem was my leg.

The MRI was one of the worst experiences of my life. Ughhhh. It was painful and stressful. Hopefully, I will never have to do that again. *shudder*

My followup appointment was today - Wednesday. Dr. Porter came in the room and said "Well, we have a diagnosis!"

After spending several days trying not to think the worse - cancer, surgery and other thoughts - I was relieved that he didn't come in the room and say, uhhhh, I don't know what it could be!

Anyway, it is a ganglion cyst. Don't google it, it's kinda gross and it doesn't really cover "my" situation. Apparently, MY cyst decided to get up close and personal with my nerve and that is why I'm in so much pain, my leg is numb and I've lost strength in my foot and use of my big toe.

Let's talk about losing the use of your big toe for a minute - sounds kinda like big deal right? But I've learned that when Heavenly Father gave us certain body parts, He gave them for a reason. And besides it's mine and I want it to work. Could I LIVE without my big toe - yes. But hopefully, I won't have to.

So - surgery is in order. YUCK!

I could get all panicky about that, and I'm sure I will, but right now I'm worried about how we are going to pay for said surgery. I've been ordered my those who love me :) , to schedule it, so I am. And like I have been saying for WAY TOO LONG - "It will work out."

Now, I think I will panic about the surgery! ARGHHHHHHH! Scary and I really am dreading it. I know it could be worse, but isn't any surgery just yucky. (yes, thank you very much!)

So give me a few more weeks - and then I will play catch up! We had a fabulous 4th and my daughters went to girls camp. Hope had a birthday and despite everything - life does seem to just keep going along!

Hope your summer is eventful in a much more healthy way!

Trying to Find Balance

How does a wife of one and mother of four (at home) "take it easy" for an indefinite amount of time?

I wish there was some way to put LIFE on hold and just rest and let my body heal. It's hard though because I get really tired of laying around. And quite frankly there are things to be done!

My family has been terrific. But they are kind of tired of waiting on me! They're kids after all!

I feel discouraged. I question that anything is really helping. I only know when I do too much I feel it. I paid for it dearly last week.

Today, I rebelled and didn't do anything I was supposed to. (shh don't tell) I'm paying for it. It's not hurting like last week - I know the warning signs now!

The sad thing is, I didn't really get anything amazing done! But I spent a lot of time sitting in front of the computer trying to figure out if we can qualify for insurance. Not the kind I'd like to buy, but the state kind. Looks like we make too much money. LOL! Kind of funny.

Tomorrow I try plan C.

Hillary helped me make lists of things I need to do this week. Vaughan helped me bottle the tomatoes and my girls helped me make dinner, hang some laundry and get the house picked up.

Such a sweet family.

Guess, I'll be good and get the ice pack and the nerve stimulator thingy and hook myself up!

Tomorrows another day right?

God's Love

I'm looking for ways that my Heavenly Father shows He loves me. They are all around me, but sometimes I forget to notice.

Today: a sweet daughter that keeps asking, "Is there anything else I can do for you Mom?"

Yep - she's pretty special.

“God loves you simply because he has chosen to do so. He loves you when you don’t feel lovely. He loves you when no one else loves you. Others may abandon you, divorce you, and ignore you, but God will love you. Always. No mater what.”

How is God showing you love today?

P A I N

(You may want to quit reading now! This is mostly for me to have a record of events for my medical history!)

The newest event in my life is pain.

Not too fun. But hopefully it will be short lived.

Three weeks ago we helped Hillary and James move from their condo to an apartment. I had been having shin splints off and on but that night they were hurting worse than ever. Especially in my left leg. Hillary was a sweet nurse, wrapping them in ice packs.

The next week they were painful, but not as bad. I was more careful to wear my MBT's (special shoes) and kept icing. But the following week when I was shopping I noticed my toes started feeling numb and tingly. Weird.

That was a busy week. I threw a bridal shower for a sweet friend (Jillene Overall) and was busy busy busy. On my feet alot - but I just pushed through the pain and basically ignored it.

The blessing - or so I thought - was that I had a myropractor appointment on Friday after the shower. Now the numbness was more intense. And the pain was getting worse. He told me I had a pinched nerve and adjusted everything. He said that the numbness should go away in a day and a half.

NOPE, it didn't. In fact, it started getting worse. More pain, more numbness. Now my big toe and the outside of my left leg and ankle were totally numb.

By Monday night I was hurting so bad and scared. I also started noticing I was walking funny, so I called my brother Marc, who is a physical therapist. He asked me a bunch of questions, was very concerned and told me to come into his office on Tues morning.

I decided to have Vaughan give me a Priesthood blessing that night and James helped him. That gave me some peace.

Tuesday - after seeing Marc I knew things were not good at all. He explained a nerve was being compromised and tested my strength in that leg and foot. I learned that I had lost the ability to lift my big toe up. My funny walking has a name - slap walking and he told me that eventually I could start dragging my toe. (It's actually happened a couple of times now.) He wanted me to go to an orthopedic doctor and likely get an MRI.

All I heard was "spend lots of money that you don't have". We don't currently have health insurance. Marc did physical therapy on me and gave me some exercises to do at home. He also gave me the name of a dr. to see and I had Hillary call and get quotes. OUCH.

When I got home I called the myropractor again and he got me in that afternoon. I explained what was going on and that things were worse. He worked quite awhile on me.

The next day nothing was any better and I think I started realizing that this was not going to be a quick fix. I felt discouraged. But I did my exercises and used the heating pad faithfully!

On Thursday I went back for pt and it felt really good, but is exhausting. I asked Marc if he wanted me to make a dr. appointment or not. I had already decided that was what I would do, as we would just have to work it out financially. He said, lets wait two weeks. He wants me to come in for pt twice a week the next two weeks.

That actually gave me some hope. But it's hard to keep it up. I test my toe off and on all day long. I still can't lift it. It is surreal to feel like you are lifting your toe and it just sits there. My walking feels like it is worse.

It takes So much energy to do anything. I am laying around most of the day and quite frankly it stinks. I have so much I need to do, but just NO energy and strength.

It is painful to sit at the computer very long, but I ignore the pain. I am grateful my girls are home so that they can be my legs. I am so slow.

I am going to have another blessing tomorrow. This is kind of scary. I'm sure everything will workout in the end. Maybe I have something to learn. I know I have learned empathy and compassion for the disabled. This is just a little thing compared to what many experience.

If you have read this far. Sorry. But please keep me in your prayers. I know prayers are heard and answered everyday. SMILING!

What Represents ME?

For a RS meeting tonight we are having a "getting to know you" night. Over 50% of us are new to the ward. We are supposed to bring "one item from home that represents you".

For some reason I let this stress me out. Not the - "I can't pay my mortgage payment" kind of stress, but just the trying to figure out ONE things that represents me - in a good way - kind of stress. haha haha!

So - I took a very unscientific poll of what "represents me". It was interesting. And funny.

Everything that was mentioned and everything I thought of, would bring to my mind faces of many people who do it better. For some reason I think what represents me needs to be unique and professional in quality!

I'm just me. Average me. And I'm really ok with that!

Do you want to know what I decided on?










While I haven't really used this book very much - it was the ONE thing I could think of that represented a wide variety of things that I have been working on and interested in the past 3 years and really all my life.

PREPAREDNESS

Kind of boring as a word. But so many layers when taken apart. Just like Me. *grin*

Note: So I was late and didn't end up sharing what I brought! It was fine, 'cause it was a fun but long evening! Ha Ha Ha So much for ALL that stress! *giggle*

Things that make me SmiLe

My last post was such a downer that I thought I'd better let you know that I do find reasons to smile! Here are my top teN: (in NO particular order!)

1. My Husband. Couldn't do life without him. He makes me smile everyday. (Even if I roll my eyes a little with my smile!)

2. My Darling Daughters. Seriously - one of them is usually making me laugh - which comes AFTER the smile!

3. My Home. I LoVe my home. No really- I do. It is my sanctuary. It may be small by some standards. Plain to some. Not in the best 'o neighborhoods, but it is where I find peace. I consider it a privilege and an honor to have a home and to be able (so far) to be a stay-at-home-most-of-the-time kind of Mom.

4. My Sisters. I have the best. One is blood related and the others are connected by marriage. Some of them I am closer to than others. They are my friends, psychologists, counselors, listening ears. They cry with me, worry with me, sometimes solve my problems - but mostly are always there for me. I (heart) them more than anything!

5. Crafting makes me smile ALOT! Currently, I have been updating our home. I seriously need to craft/create. It soothes me somehow.

6. Reading. I've been reading ALOT! No - It doesn't matter what. I read at night to fall asleep. They are mostly silly romance books. CLEAN of course. I've been buying them at thrift stores. 75 cents, 45 cents or 25 cents.

7. Movies. Clean - uplifting kind of movies. My movie of choice right now is "Lark Rise to Candleford. Seriously SO GOOD. They make me feel good inside when I watch them. They make me appreciate my many blessings. LOVE them!

8. Our garDEn! I really love planting, tending and watching everything grow. Of course, the picking and eating are pretty good too! Right now I am watching our tomatoes go crazy! I picked 4 cucumbers today! And I harvested all our carrots earlier in the week. YUMS! What a blessing it all is.

9. See's Chocolate. A mother's day gift from Vaughan. I know they won't make me smile much longer 'cause I've almost finished them. But seriously, they are delish. I savor each one. And I confess. I don't share.

10. Prayer. Lots of prayer. I've prayed more this month that I have in a long time. I've been working on a goal of saying my morning prayers. I wouldn't say I've accomplished it yet - it's not quite a habit. But I love talking with my Heavenly Father in the morning. It has helped me so much. I'm so grateful for prayer and my connection to heaven.

Blahs.

I should blog.
There is lots going on.
But I seriously don't feel like it.
I have been so negative lately.

I feel so negative, like nothing in my life is going my way.
(Wow, that sounded kinda like a spoiled teenager huh?)

I am blessed beyond measure. I acknowledge that every day in my prayers and hopefully in my actions. BUT - inside, in my heart everything feel heavy, sad and just darn right yucky.

I'm sick of trials, change and things being un-normal. (not sure if that is a word)

I'm tired of feeling like things are out of control.
Like the world is off it's axis.
Like I'm riding in a car with one of the tires flat.
ca-dunk ca-dunk ca-dunk.

So there.
Now I've blogged.
Sad.

I don't like this me.
Grrrrrr.

(Putting my happy face back on for the world to see now.)

He IS Risen!

I've been so consumed with all the changes going on in my life, dance recitals and too many other concerns. But I certainly don't want to forget the reason we celebrate Easter or why it's so special to me.

As with all holidays I love the decor, the food and the family get together's.

But today, I am especially grateful for a Savior. For the knowledge that He lives. That He is mindful of me. That He carries me often.

I love Him. I am grateful for Him. And for all I learn from Him.

I am encouraged to know that I can actually become like Him. I strive for that daily.

I also fail daily.

I am grateful for His atonement - so when I fail, I can start over. And learn from my mistakes and hopefully, not repeat them.

I have faltered a little more this week than I would have liked. I forgot these words, "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." D&C 6:36

I need to remember these words more often.

And these.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philipians 4:13

He IS risen. He lives! He loves each of us.

I Love Him.

The Only Thing You Can Count On . . .

is change. Seriously, just think about it for a minute and you will agree!

14 years ago we were split from our ward (Crosspoint) and put in a new ward (Adobe). It was painful and very hard.

Hillary had just turned 12. Heather was soon to be 8. And I felt like I had lost half my family. I didn't know ANYONE in our new ward, except the fellow ward members that were part of the change.

Within the week, the primary president showed up at our house with a treat to welcome my primary aged kids. The Young Women came and welcomed our sweet New Beehive, Hillary. I felt loved. But it still took a little time to find our place. It happened though and it turned out to be the best thing to happen to our family.

Our girls thrived in this ward. We were loved and accepted unconditionally. I have made friends and so many memories. I have grown personally and spiritually in ways that I don't think I would have otherwise.

Today. It happened again.

Adobe Ward was dissolved today. A new ward was created. Four wards were completely realigned.

We are now in the Val Vista ward. Some of our friends that we left 14 years ago are in this new Val Vista ward. It will be fun to get reacquainted.

But for today I am sad. Some of my very best friends are no longer going to be there each Sunday. Relief Society will not be the same. Today, my heart is broken. I feel like I lost something very precious.

We all know - know matter how much you intend to stay in touch - life happens. This is really hard. And I don't like it.

But - I know in a few weeks, the dust will settle. In a few months it won't be so awkward. And in a few years everything will be just as it should be. Comfortable again.

And then it will happen. Change.

Another Ward? Maybe this time a new Stake? And we'll survive.

Easter Decor

I'm loving spring! It can't decide whether to get warm or stay cool. But I love the cool days!

Keeping with tradition I put up my Easter decorations. I actually, kept it simpler this year. I've been working on some "home improvements" so that has taken my attention. But I love the spring feel in my house!

Here are some pictures for memory sake!

I planted wheat grass this year. It looks pretty cute with a fresh "hair" cut! I don't think I'll do this again though. It's too much work keeping it watered and trimmed!


Vintage Easter cards, cherry blossoms and branches with Easter eggs hanging from them.

I love my little nest sitting on the cake plate. (I made the cake plate with a thrift store purchase of a glass plate and candle stick holder)

I started collecting candy jars from thrift stores and yard sales. I put Easter eggs in them this year! Pretty simple!

Here's a sneak peak some of my home improvement I'm working on! Not the best picture, but you get the idea! I re-did my family room wall. I added aqua in with my red! It's been a fun change of pace!

Easter Egg Garland

Easter is coming very late this year. Which is a good thing for me, 'cause right now I'm in the middle of "updating" the decor in my kitchen/family room. Part of me doesn't really want to decorate for Easter, but the creative me does.

So I got an idea from Nap Time Journal blog for an Easter Egg garland and I decided I needed to do a little crafting! It was really fun and quite simple!

I used my awesome baker's twine that I got from the Twinery!
I strung plastic eggs and peeps on the twine. Between the eggs I tied tulle. I think it turned out pretty cute.

If you want to make one there are TWO things I learned.


1. Peeps are easier to use if they are not fresh. I opened the packages and let them sit out over night. Better yet, I used a package from last year that were rock hard! LOL! (no judging as to why I still had them!)

2. When stringing peeps do not string them in the "middle" because they won't hang right. It is better if you string through the ears, right above the head of the bunnies. And the chicks closer to the top of the tail. Again - this is why it's better if they are hard! (they are not strung right in the picture! I had the choice to either do the whole thing over or "fix" them - so they have been jimmy-rigged!)

Oh, and I used a quilting needle to do the stringing! Hillary made one too! Fortunately for her I had already learned all of my mistakes! LOL!

Spring Break 2011

It's time for Spring Break! We won't be going to Disney Land, Sea World or Knotts Berry Farm. But instead of being SAD - We are going to be glad! (just a little Pollyanna quote!)

The most important thing I want to happen is to not waste a single minute of this precious week. I really want to make some fun memories and do some fun and simple things! I've missed being able to travel as a family - but we can still make it fun right?

Monday - Day 1
We got up, quickly cleaned the house and started laundry. I worked on some paperwork and bill paying! (I really function better in a "house of order")

Our plan for today was to get pedicures or manicures!

Then we treated ourselves to frozen yogurt from our favorite yogurt shop Mesa Frozen Yogurt! We stopped by Grandma and Grandpa Moore's for a visit and picked some yummy veggies from their garden!

What a fun and happy day!

Tuesday - Day 2

The girls went hiking with their Dad! They had loads of fun and came home happy but tired! I hear they took pictures, but I haven't seen them yet!

While they were hiking I went to the LDS Store house and bought cans so I could continue working on our food storage room that we started organizing on Saturday!

That night we went to the Drive In Theater in Scottsdale. Some of our kids have never been to a drive in. I failed at taking pictures, but picture Vaughan and I sitting in the back of our van with the seat removed. The three girls snuggled up on the removed seat and Heather sitting in a camping chair - all under blankets eating popcorn and enjoying "Mars Needs Moms" and second, "I Am Number 4" Both movies were "interesting". I enjoyed them, but I enjoyed being with my family more, the great weather and watching my girls giggle and enjoy each others company!

Wednesday - Day 3

Again, the girls got up early. This time to go do baptisms with their Dad. I really intended to get Hope and meet them on the Temple grounds and take some pictures, but again I failed! I ended up sleeping in a little and working AGAIN on the food storage room!

After the girls got home we ate lunch and had our BBC movie day! We watched Pride and Prejudice! It was SO fun and fun to watch with my cute girls who enjoyed watching Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy once again figure it all out and end up together! There is hope in this world after all! ;)

Thursday - Day 4

Heidi and Holli got up and went to dance. Hope and I enjoyed sleeping a little more than they got to! We had planned to have a craft day, but one thing led to another and it didn't happen. We ended up just hanging around the house and relaxing!

Friday - Day 5

I ended up working on the food storage room and cleaning the patio. I finished the food storage room. It looks so nice - and it feels so good to KNOW everything we have and what else we need to work on.

Here is a picture of our room. You probably can't appreciate that it is much more organized because you don't have a before picture, but trust me this is "beautiful".

We had the BEST and most enjoyable Spring Break. I think the secret was in the planning. I also think deciding not to make it a work week for my girls helped! Ha ha ha ha! I just hope they have good memories of our 2011 Spring Break!

Preparedness - the journey continues.

I'm SO excited! We have been talking about buying a Sun oven for a few months now. I've been asking questions, looking online at the different solar ovens and saving our money. I figured around April/May we would be able to purchase one.

Well, the Lord's tender mercies abound.

Vaughan had some scrap wire he needed to turn in, and surprisingly enough it was more than enough to buy our oven! When Vaughan asked, what do you think we should do with this money, I said PREPAREDNESS!!!! And so we made plans to buy an oven. Meanwhile, my Mom, not knowing any of this, forwarded an email she received about a Sun Oven class and demo.

The class was today!

I'm so glad I know this was NO coincidence! The Lord really does bless us in our efforts to do what he asks!

I couldn't attend the class, so Vaughan went. Another blessing! Now Vaughan is excited as I am to learn how to use this oven. We also bought cookware and when it gets delivered in about two weeks I am going to be ready and willing to start learning how to use it!!

I'm SO very excited! What a neat way to learn how to cook and save money on electricity! I'm going to have the coolest house in AZ this summer!! tee hee hee, well at least at dinner time!

Here's a link if you are interested.

Decisions!

So - we need to replace our sad semi dead trees in the front yard...

We've been trying to decide what to replace them with.

Do we go with shade trees? They would be much appreciated in the heat of summer when the western sun is hitting the front of our house at 115 degrees!

But it kills me to spend money on water for the shade trees when we could spend our money on watering fruit trees and then reap the benefits of having something to eat!

If we go with fruit trees then we have to decide on what kind!

We've narrowed that decision down to citrus/navel OR apple trees.

Oh, the dilemma!

It's Shade trees OR Fruit bearing trees!

What to do?

Any thoughts???

DauGhTeRs

I LOVE these faces!
I have been so blessed to have such beautiful daughters.
They are beautiful inside and out.

Each one comes with unique talents and gifts.
I can't imagine my life with out them.
Most of the time they make me feel loved and appreciated.

Hillary, Heather, Heidi, Holli, Hope - thanks for being apart of
our family! I LOVE you so much! You are truly a treasure to behold.
I love watching you grow and become the amazing women you are!

Love, Mom

Celebrating lOvE!

To end our sEveN day's of love we celebrated Valentine's Day with a yummy valentine themed candle light dinner!
The menu:

Brazilian Lemonade, cheesy garlic bread swirls, marble jello, Pasta bar with your choice of pesto, marinara, or alfredo sauce, Green salad tossed with italian dressing (from Olive Garden!) and for desert Krispy ice cream in heart shapes w/ raspberry sauce!

It was a full day of baking and preparing but it turned out super nice! I loved all the new recipes I tried! (from Our Best Bites) It was lots of fun! Here's some photo's!

Brazilian Lemonade

Cheesy Garlic Bread Swirls

Glass Block Jello hearts! and here

Alfredo Sauce

Krispy Ice Cream

Some sweethearts!

Some sweet treats! (and a sweet girl!)