Saturday, February 13, 2010

HaPPy BirtHdAy LaUReN TowERs!!!


We had the best time celebrating Lauren's birthday! The atmosphere was perfect, band was great, and the couples we had all together are HILARIOUS!!! Happy Birthday Lauren... we hope this starts a new year blessed with continued happiness, fun times, laughter and new memories ahead for you. You are such an amazing friend and I treasure our friendship!Your smile brightens anyones day and I love our phone converstation that go from one topic to the next... "I KNOW".. You are beautiful inside and out. Thanks for letting Steve and I be part of your fun night. We had a blast!



This was our "valentines" night out also.. we left Henry and Hunter with a babysitter! It was so nice just being with my hubby and friends. Steve was looking pretty handsome...I just love that man!
Great Party Adam... it was perfect! Great picture!

Human Heart


Sometimes I wish I didn't have a human heart with so many emotions attached. I have been scrapbooking and blogging some this week and my heart strings got pulled thinking of my sweet Haley. Seeing pictures of her adorable brothers growing up without her. All the fun things they would do together. It just feels like someone is missing, we are not complete. It is just not the same without ALL my family with me. I started to get a little teary eyed thinking about her, Oh how I wish she was here.

I vote someone create a "no saddness" button for our hearts. When we start to be sad we push the button and get a big dose of HAPPY!!! Then we wouldn't feel saddness from lost loved ones, hurt feelings, or disappointment.

I know I KNOW... we have to have the "good" with the "bad"...... i'm grateful that my saddness is filled once again with another emotion of joy with my boys and hubby. So many emotions!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Temple



As I was reading through the ensign today I came across an article written by a family. A couple who one was a member but inactive, the other not really active in any faith. This couple ended up having kids and as the years went on the mother decided she yearned for the church in her life and primary for her children's lives. Later on the husband joined the church but they never really found a rush or need to get to the temple because they were living most of the commandment. Until there bishop told them "I feel impressed to tell you that the time for you to go to the temple is now. The window of opportunity is closing for your family" WOW!!

What a strong impression was given to that bishop for that family. Other members of there ward and friends encouraged them and 6 months after the visit with the bishop they ALL got sealed together in the temple.

They had 5 children and they said they noticed a change in atmosphere in there home, they were more obedient, they strive to make good choices, there family experienced an increase in family unity. Pretty cool huh!!

9 yrs later there twin girls where in a car accident and sadly one of them died. They further said "that there FAITH in the plan of salvation and there testimony of eternal families sustain them". In conclusion of the article they share with us "most of all, we are grateful to a loving Heavenly Father, who has made it possible for FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS TO BE PERPETUATED BEYOND THE GRAVE" through the gift of his Son and through temple ordinances".

I so enjoyed this article... I love to hear other peoples stories and feel there love and testimony for the gospel, our Savior Jesus Christ and our Dear Heavenly Father.

I'm grateful for the temple, and all the promises that come with it... I'm grateful for eternal families...

Something so personal to me was when I was given the impression that my daughter was going to die. I was pregnant and I had this impression while I was in the celestial room. So I really have a greater reason to have a testimony of temples and the importance of living a righteous life so you can go to the temple and feel the blessings of having an eternal family. Being sealed to my husband and OUR children being sealed to us. We have been given the greatest gift EVER!!

6 Blessings of the Temple - Pres. Ezra Taft Benson
1. You will Receive the spirit of Elijah, which will turn your hearts to your spouse, to your children, and to your forebears.
2. You will love your family with a deeper love than you have loved before.
3. Your hearts will be turned to your fathers and theirs to you.
4. You will be endowed with power from on high as the Lord has promised (D&D 38:32)
5. You will receive the key of the knowledge of God. (D&C 84:19-20). You will learn how you can be like Him. Even the power of godliness will be manifest to you.
6. You will be doing a great service to those who have passed to the other side of the veil in order that they might be "judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit'
~ Such are the blessings of the temple and the blessings of frequently attending the temple~

Sunday, February 7, 2010

3 Romantic hairstyles for Valentine’s Day



Side ponytail
For long hair, a side ponytail is a beautiful yet fun look that is terrific for going out. Audrina Patridge often wears a side ponytail on the red carpet and her look is easy to achieve.

Start by creating an off-center part in towel-dried hair, then use a paddle brush and your blow dryer to finish drying the hair.

Smooth the front portion of your hair toward the back and then toward the opposite side of the head from the part. Brush all the hair on the sides and crown toward the nape of your neck.

Gather the hair all together into a ponytail and position the base of the ponytail behind your ear, then secure with an elastic band.

If you want a smooth ponytail, use a flat iron to straighten as necessary. If you want a wavy ponytail, use a large barrel curling iron to create waves. Spritz your entire head with your favorite setting spray.

Tousled waves
Tousled hair isn't just for the beach — it's actually a very playful, romantic look that is perfectly suited for Valentine's Day. This style works best with hair that is naturally wavy.

Blowdry your hair until it is halfway dry. Apply a volumizing spray onto your damp hair and finger dry hair the rest of the way to provide volume and texture.

If your bangs are long, sweep them to the side. Using a large barreled curling iron, touch up your waves if neccessary. Don't curl small sections — that will create tighter curls than you want.

Place a little pomade or texturizing cream in your hand. Flip your head over and then run your fingers through your hair. Flip it back and finish off your look with hairspray.


Messy updo
One of the most popular hairstyles for special occasions is the messy updo. Instead of a perfectly coiffed style, this one is a bit messy and a lot sexy. It's ideal for a romantic night out on Valentine's Day. This style works for shoulder-length hair that is straight, wavy or curly.

To create a messy updo, begin by towel drying your hair and then spray it with a styling spray. Using a paddle brush, separate and blowdry your hair.

Place a dollop of mousse into your hand and then work it through the hair in the back to create volume and texture.

Pull the majority of your hair into a high ponytail on the back of your head and secure with an elastic band. Be sure to leave some strands loose to frame your face.

Next, separate your ponytail into three or four sections. Then you need to bring each section down, folding it over and into the base of your ponytail, securing with bobby pins or another elastic band.

Quick Question??? Butterfly Valentines for BOYS?

Steve said it is to girlie for Hunter to do for his class.....what do you think??????

Sooooo Cute!!


These lollipop butterflies make the perfect Valentine's craft for kids from SkipToMyLou.org. You can give them some personal flair with your color choices, glitter, and other drawings made just by your child. These make great favors and a different kind of Valentine's Day card that anyone is sure to love!

Materials
Printer
Colored card-stock
Wiggly eyes
Red/white/pink suckers
Tape
Scissors
Glitter/markers/crayons, if desired for decorating

Directions
1. Download Butterfly Valentine.
2. Print on colored card-stock. Pink and red are the best for this, but you can also use a variety of other colors if your child desires.
3. Cut out the butterfly and make slits for your sucker.
4. Add some decorations (cut out shapes of paper, stickers, glitter, etc.),
5. Insert sucker and then add some wiggly eyes to the top of the sucker.
6. Add a piece of tape to the back to keep the sucker securely in place.

Love You Forever



I went to the library and found "Love" books for Valentines Week. This is one of the books that they recommended. Let me just say... I have never gone to the library and got tears in my eyes until this day. I was reading the book to Henry and my friends little girl and literally had to stop because I got so teary eyed. This is such a sweet and precious book. If you have boys it is a MUST you get. But even with girls it has such a sweet meaning. This is my new favorite children's book. Hunter wants me to read it every night so far TWO times each night. I love it!

Preview::
A mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she held him, she sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.