HI Blogger Friends... Tonight i'm so lazy and tired.... and now i'm just going to lay on the couch, maybe eat some cereal, that might be to much of an effort....to exhaused to make anything..... Just wanted to say HI!
Hope Everyone has a great weekend!!!!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
"See" A Good Day Challenge - Day 5
As I look back at the pictures of our "Girls Night" I see 5 AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, different woman. Coming from different backgrounds, having different talents and gifts. One has 1 kid some have 4. We all have our differnces but we belive in the same loving Heavenly Father, we raise our children up in the same gospel with the same principles. We have a bond of the Relief Society that our Heavenly Father provided for his daughters.
Relief Society is one place we aren't differnt. We all serve, we all feel a special love for our "sisters". I'm greatful for Relief Society in our church, I have met so many wonderful woman.
No matter where you go on this earth... having the church you will find a "FRIEND"...
So you see, today I got to see the lords hand in all of our lives providing us "friendships", giving me someone to LAUGH WITH, CRY WITH, TALK TO, and BE A MOM WITH. I have learned so much from these woman... I know I would not have ever meet them without having the church in my life. I'm grateful for all of there friendships, each one has inspired my life in a different way!
Marjorie Pay Hinckley:
"We are all in this together. We need each other. Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young. And, hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old. It is a sociological fact that women need women. We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance. We need to renew our faith every day. We need to lock arms and help build the kingdom so that it will roll forth and fill the whole earth."
These are the amazing woman in the Gainesville, FLORIDA Area...
Copy Cat
Pottery Barn... My Inspiration...Just not my budget!
O.k. So I was in Walmart and I found these adorable baskets for $8.00.. and so I had a friend of mine Sheryl Miller put there names on them. I'm so excited they turned out great. Each basket ended up costing me $16.00... not bad! I love them and we can use them over and over.
Inspiration.....
I loved this idea I found online so I copied it. I got to have them at the "Baby Playgroup". Some one asked me if Hunter decorated them... Oh NO.. there is a little kid in me also.. I decorated them as I watched Greys! Egg shaped brownies with icing. So easy and festive....Love it!!
O.k. So I was in Walmart and I found these adorable baskets for $8.00.. and so I had a friend of mine Sheryl Miller put there names on them. I'm so excited they turned out great. Each basket ended up costing me $16.00... not bad! I love them and we can use them over and over.
Inspiration.....
I loved this idea I found online so I copied it. I got to have them at the "Baby Playgroup". Some one asked me if Hunter decorated them... Oh NO.. there is a little kid in me also.. I decorated them as I watched Greys! Egg shaped brownies with icing. So easy and festive....Love it!!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Some One Still Missing....
I find myself looking around like I have left someone, not buckled someone in, did I forget something, I just had that feeling like someone is missing, something is just not right. I count heads and then check the car and house everyone is there. So why the feeling.... Today I had the thought no everyone is not here. We are a family of 5 and one is missing. Before I had Henry I had those thoughts someone is missing. I told Steve there is another little baby that needs to come to our family.... (NO I"M NOT PREGO) ...WELL now that I have my sweet Henry, it makes more sense to me. We are "complete" as a family just not whole... in our family pie there is a slice missing...Haley she is missing, missed by her family and missed dearly by her mother. I was talking to my sister Bethany, today and I just couldn't put my finger on it... why I felt this way... but do you know.. I'm still Haley's mom. I guess I just have that instinct to worry about her, wonder what she is doing. The only thing I came up with was.. that when I have these impressions.. maybe just maybe... her little spirit is here watching over us.. I don't know .. I don't have the answers. It might just be the "Momma" in me!
I do know this...
With this being Easter time we have talked about "Resurrection" to Hunter and how Christ lived again. You can see the wheels in his little head turning as he tried to figure out all the information we gave him ... and of course the questions come, so are Papa and Haley living again, they died? Where are they?
That same day....I came across this article by Thomas S. Monson, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives!,” Ensign, May 2007, 22–25. And I felt a greater love for my brother Jesus Christ. All that he did for me and my family, for ALL OF US.
Just knowing that Haley is up in Heaven with Our Lord and Redeemer gives me peace... She will be resurrected one day and we will be with her again. She is still missing from us on this earth yet with the plan and sacrifice our Elder Brother and Savior gave for us he provided a way for our family to have her again.... I only have to MISS her for a short time, she is just in the "Other Room".
Robert Blatchford, in his book God and My Neighbor, wrote: “Death is not what some people imagine. It is only like going into another room. In that other room we shall find … the dear women and men and the sweet children we have loved and lost.”
President Thomas S. Monson:
My brothers and sisters, we laugh, we cry, we work, we play, we love, we live. And then we die. Death is our universal heritage. All must pass its portals. Death claims the aged, the weary and worn. It visits the youth in the bloom of hope and the glory of expectation. Nor are little children kept beyond its grasp. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “It is appointed unto men once to die.”
And dead we would remain but for one Man and His mission, even Jesus of Nazareth. Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, His birth fulfilled the inspired pronouncements of many prophets. He was taught from on high. He provided the life, the light, and the way. Multitudes followed Him. Children adored Him. The haughty rejected Him. He spoke in parables. He taught by example. He lived a perfect life.
Though the King of kings and Lord of lords had come, He was accorded by some the greeting given to an enemy, a traitor. There followed a mockery which some called a trial. Cries of “crucify him, crucify him” filled the air. Then commenced the climb to Calvary’s hill.
He was ridiculed, reviled, mocked, jeered, and nailed to a cross amidst shouts of “Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” His response: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” “Into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” His body was placed by loving hands in a sepulchre hewn of stone.
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, along with others, came to the sepulchre. To their astonishment, the body of their Lord was gone. Luke records that two men in shining garments stood by them and said: “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.”
Next week the Christian world will celebrate the most significant event in recorded history. The simple pronouncement, “He is not here, but is risen,” was the first confirmation of the literal Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The empty tomb that first Easter morning brought comforting assurance, an affirmative answer to Job’s question, “If a man die, shall he live again?”
To all who have lost loved ones, we would turn Job’s question to an answer: If a man die, he shall live again. We know, for we have the light of revealed truth. “I am the resurrection, and the life,” spoke the Master. “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
Through tears and trials, through fears and sorrows, through the heartache and loneliness of losing loved ones, there is assurance that life is everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is the living witness that such is so.
With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again. “Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’ ” May the whole world know it and live by that knowledge, I humbly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, amen.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Fun Ways to Celebrate Easter - Sugerdoodle.com
We picked a couple of really cute ones that our family is going to do. Have fun with your family celebrating Easter.
* Do what Christ would do if He were here: spend time serving others
Study the scriptures about Jesus Christ and the Resurrection
Write in your Journal about what your Savior has done for you
Spend family time learning about the Savior and His life
Hold a special family testimony meeting on Easter Sunday
* Make a list of the ways the Atonement affects your life. Write the list in your journal
* Prepare Family Home Evening Lessons on the Savior each week during the month of Easter
* Break a donkey-shaped piñata to celebrate Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem
* Write your own Easter Poem or Song! Put a copy in your journal.
* Learn an Easter Song and practice it during the month at Family Prayer (look in the Children’s Songbook & Hymns)
* Watch the sunrise on Easter morning. Think about the beauty of the Earth and the sacrifices of it’s Creator
* During the sacrament, make a concerted effort to worship the Savior and Heavenly Father
* Give each member of your family a small picture of the Savior on Easter morning.
* Write a note or scripture or testimony
on the back or in a card to go with it
* Read talks about the Saviors Life during the month. These are easily found on lds.org –gospel topics – there are so many
great ones!!!
* Make a commitment to read scriptures about the Savior every day of the month before Easter (Gospels and 3 Nephi)
* Check out a video from the church library that contains the gospel of Luke. The New Media Bible Series gives a particularly good account
* “Arrange” with the Easter bunny to come and hide eggs the day before Easter so that Sunday is a day to concentrate on
the spiritual aspects of the holiday
* Memorize a scripture about the Savior’s Atonement. Here are some suggestions: John 3:14-16; Matthew 11:28; John 11:25;
Matthew 28:6; Mark 9:23; Philippians 4:13; Luke 1:37; Luke 9:23; John 6:35; John 10:11; Rom. 6:9; John 8:12;
* Sing Hymns about the Savior, listen to them on CD at home, in the car flood your home with the songs of Easter all month
* Try harder to act more like the Lord. Show more compassion, be more forgiving
* Read The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles (Ensign, Apr. 2000), or other books about the Savior
* Watch videos such as: Special Witnesses of Christ, The Lamb of God, Finding Faith in Christ
* Toss a beanbag or other soft object to a child and have her respond to a question. Continue with everyone in the family.
(Why do we celebrate Easter? Who was the first person to be resurrected? Where was the body of Jesus placed after He died? Atc.)
* Do something special for someone else. Visit a widower (a family service project, flowers to grandma etc.)
* Visit and decorate the graves of loved ones. Discuss the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the true meaning of Easter and what it means to all who have died and will die.
* Hold a candlelight dinner on Saturday evening in which you read the Book of Mormon’s account of the three days of darkness before Christ’s visit to the Americas
Family scripture time is a great opportunity to discuss the important Easter events while reading them
* The week before Easter Sunday take a few minutes each day to discuss what the Savior was doing on that day nearly 2,000 years ago.
The Sunday before is the triumphant entry into Jerusalem (see Matt 21:4-9).
Monday the Savior cleared
the temple (see Matt.21:12-17).
Tuesday the Scribes questioned the authority of Jesus and asked about paying tribute
money (see Matt.21; Matt.22).
The scriptures are silent on what happened on Wed., you choose to discuss a (see Matt.25).
Thursday was the Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane (see Matt.26).
Friday is the trial and Crucifixion and burial
of Jesus (see Matt.27).
Saturday you can discuss the missionary work in the spirit world (see 1 Pet. 3:18-20; 1 Pet.4:6).
Then on Easter Sunday read about the empty tomb and Resurrection (see Matt. 28).
* During the month of Easter display pictures from the Gospel Art Picture Kit that portray scenes from Gethsemane, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. Take apart an old calendar of pictures of Christ and display the pictures on a wall or
door. These calendar pictures can be hung with a cute ribbon and look great in a cluster.
* Prepare for Easter by Ironing, setting out clothes, cleaning the house and making meals on Saturday. Also set the table and decorate it with a Christ Centered theme the night before.
* Hold a special Family Meeting on Easter Sunday discussing the Saviors Love for Each of us
* At your Easter egg hunt include eggs that hold small pictures you have clipped from the Friend and Ensign of Jesus. One special egg could be empty representing the tomb on Easter morning.
* Focus more on the rebirth of nature all around us. The world is just coming to life with blossoms and bushes and bulbs.
This helps us remember that all things are made new by the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
* Study an attribute of Christ each day during the month of Easter
* Do what Christ would do if He were here: spend time serving others
Study the scriptures about Jesus Christ and the Resurrection
Write in your Journal about what your Savior has done for you
Spend family time learning about the Savior and His life
Hold a special family testimony meeting on Easter Sunday
* Make a list of the ways the Atonement affects your life. Write the list in your journal
* Prepare Family Home Evening Lessons on the Savior each week during the month of Easter
* Break a donkey-shaped piñata to celebrate Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem
* Write your own Easter Poem or Song! Put a copy in your journal.
* Learn an Easter Song and practice it during the month at Family Prayer (look in the Children’s Songbook & Hymns)
* Watch the sunrise on Easter morning. Think about the beauty of the Earth and the sacrifices of it’s Creator
* During the sacrament, make a concerted effort to worship the Savior and Heavenly Father
* Give each member of your family a small picture of the Savior on Easter morning.
* Write a note or scripture or testimony
on the back or in a card to go with it
* Read talks about the Saviors Life during the month. These are easily found on lds.org –gospel topics – there are so many
great ones!!!
* Make a commitment to read scriptures about the Savior every day of the month before Easter (Gospels and 3 Nephi)
* Check out a video from the church library that contains the gospel of Luke. The New Media Bible Series gives a particularly good account
* “Arrange” with the Easter bunny to come and hide eggs the day before Easter so that Sunday is a day to concentrate on
the spiritual aspects of the holiday
* Memorize a scripture about the Savior’s Atonement. Here are some suggestions: John 3:14-16; Matthew 11:28; John 11:25;
Matthew 28:6; Mark 9:23; Philippians 4:13; Luke 1:37; Luke 9:23; John 6:35; John 10:11; Rom. 6:9; John 8:12;
* Sing Hymns about the Savior, listen to them on CD at home, in the car flood your home with the songs of Easter all month
* Try harder to act more like the Lord. Show more compassion, be more forgiving
* Read The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles (Ensign, Apr. 2000), or other books about the Savior
* Watch videos such as: Special Witnesses of Christ, The Lamb of God, Finding Faith in Christ
* Toss a beanbag or other soft object to a child and have her respond to a question. Continue with everyone in the family.
(Why do we celebrate Easter? Who was the first person to be resurrected? Where was the body of Jesus placed after He died? Atc.)
* Do something special for someone else. Visit a widower (a family service project, flowers to grandma etc.)
* Visit and decorate the graves of loved ones. Discuss the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the true meaning of Easter and what it means to all who have died and will die.
* Hold a candlelight dinner on Saturday evening in which you read the Book of Mormon’s account of the three days of darkness before Christ’s visit to the Americas
Family scripture time is a great opportunity to discuss the important Easter events while reading them
* The week before Easter Sunday take a few minutes each day to discuss what the Savior was doing on that day nearly 2,000 years ago.
The Sunday before is the triumphant entry into Jerusalem (see Matt 21:4-9).
Monday the Savior cleared
the temple (see Matt.21:12-17).
Tuesday the Scribes questioned the authority of Jesus and asked about paying tribute
money (see Matt.21; Matt.22).
The scriptures are silent on what happened on Wed., you choose to discuss a (see Matt.25).
Thursday was the Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane (see Matt.26).
Friday is the trial and Crucifixion and burial
of Jesus (see Matt.27).
Saturday you can discuss the missionary work in the spirit world (see 1 Pet. 3:18-20; 1 Pet.4:6).
Then on Easter Sunday read about the empty tomb and Resurrection (see Matt. 28).
* During the month of Easter display pictures from the Gospel Art Picture Kit that portray scenes from Gethsemane, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. Take apart an old calendar of pictures of Christ and display the pictures on a wall or
door. These calendar pictures can be hung with a cute ribbon and look great in a cluster.
* Prepare for Easter by Ironing, setting out clothes, cleaning the house and making meals on Saturday. Also set the table and decorate it with a Christ Centered theme the night before.
* Hold a special Family Meeting on Easter Sunday discussing the Saviors Love for Each of us
* At your Easter egg hunt include eggs that hold small pictures you have clipped from the Friend and Ensign of Jesus. One special egg could be empty representing the tomb on Easter morning.
* Focus more on the rebirth of nature all around us. The world is just coming to life with blossoms and bushes and bulbs.
This helps us remember that all things are made new by the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
* Study an attribute of Christ each day during the month of Easter
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Growing up..
I have so many mixed emotions right now. Henry is 10 months old and growing way too fast. I feel like this is a bitter sweet moment for us.
LAST TIMES.......The last time in the "baby"car seat, his "baby" swing, and the "baby" chair... that he now surfs on instead of sits.
Our little baby is now taking on the world!!! Exploring!! Since it is my last baby it makes me want to just keep him small longer, hold on a little tighter and treasure our night time together.
I love when he hugs my neck and snuggles, I just want to treasure all these special moments. I know they grew so fast.
See what I mean... bitter sweet....On the other hand I'm having fun watching his sweet "growing up" moments that he is having... I just adore this little guy.
Henry sleeps like this in the car,,, he is so stubborn, when I move his head back up he just kicks his feet, and puts his head back down. (his toes are soo hanging over the seat) :)
Surfs up mom!!!This kid is strong!!
This was the last time in his swing ( it would barely move... he is so heavy)!!
AND Eating Spaghetti with his HANDS!!!
Henry loves playing with his big brother... Hunter was teaching him how to play "monster trucks".
Soooo Busted!! He has that... "really mom I didn't do it" look!!
LAST TIMES.......The last time in the "baby"car seat, his "baby" swing, and the "baby" chair... that he now surfs on instead of sits.
Our little baby is now taking on the world!!! Exploring!! Since it is my last baby it makes me want to just keep him small longer, hold on a little tighter and treasure our night time together.
I love when he hugs my neck and snuggles, I just want to treasure all these special moments. I know they grew so fast.
See what I mean... bitter sweet....On the other hand I'm having fun watching his sweet "growing up" moments that he is having... I just adore this little guy.
Henry sleeps like this in the car,,, he is so stubborn, when I move his head back up he just kicks his feet, and puts his head back down. (his toes are soo hanging over the seat) :)Surfs up mom!!!This kid is strong!!
This was the last time in his swing ( it would barely move... he is so heavy)!! 22lbs.. at 10 months this kid is a beast!
Not cool when the baby can put his foot down and stand in the swing.. it is soooo time.
And NOW!!!!!
Here comes HENRY!!
Henry Loves... PANCAKES!!!
Smiling...
Big Boy Trains....
Not cool when the baby can put his foot down and stand in the swing.. it is soooo time.
And NOW!!!!!Now Henry is busted!!!! Busted getting into everything his little heart can explore and see what moves, what he can put in his mouth and what makes noise.
Now... crawling everywhere, he follows me around the house and goes into Hunter's room to play. He is even pulling mommies plants off the shelve. The world is a pretty cool view from down on his level.
Here comes HENRY!!
Henry Loves... PANCAKES!!!
Smiling...
Big Boy Trains....
AND Eating Spaghetti with his HANDS!!!
Henry loves playing with his big brother... Hunter was teaching him how to play "monster trucks".
Soooo Busted!! He has that... "really mom I didn't do it" look!!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Bowling Buddies
Friday night Bowling with the Sim's Family.... Hunter and Cohen are buddies!! Steve and Bryan got to watch the FSU game on the BIG SCREEN, and the girls got to chat it up. We all had a great time.
Yummy PIZZA!
Hunter's Bowling Face....
HUNTER WINS!!!!
The boys had some serious decisions to make on which bowling ball to use.
I think this is a pretty cool picture... thy have the same face profile... way to go dad, teaching Cohen to bowl.
Mommies big boy! Hunter had a great time bowling.
Steve was pretty serious about bowling.. he was fired up that Hunter won!! Steve was really trying. :)
So sweet! Cohen and Dawn..
My Guys!!!
Cute!
Yummy PIZZA!
Hunter's Bowling Face....
HUNTER WINS!!!!
The boys had some serious decisions to make on which bowling ball to use.
I think this is a pretty cool picture... thy have the same face profile... way to go dad, teaching Cohen to bowl.
Mommies big boy! Hunter had a great time bowling.
Steve was pretty serious about bowling.. he was fired up that Hunter won!! Steve was really trying. :)
So sweet! Cohen and Dawn..
My Guys!!!
Cute!
"See" A Good Day Challenge - Day 4
I was having a pretty good day... read my scriptures, listened to a talk on BYU TV, even read an article in the ensign while Hunter was at school... (THIS IS NOT A NORMAL DAY.... I barely get to do one of those in a day) I was on a spiritual high, it was a good day...that was until I opened the mail box and found an unexpected bill to worry about....
P O P!!
There went my happy bubble! Have you ever had one of those days!!?!?!?
We all know being an adult can be stressful, overwhelming, a huge headache... paying bills and being responsible for someone else besides yourself can make you worry.
My happy day went from being pretty dang good to, stress at a high level and then I remembered something I read in the ensign talk that day.
It said "even though we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that does not mean we are exempt from trials". Alma 38:5 "As much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day".
The real blessing of being a member of the church is that the lord provides ways to help us walk that path... hand and hand with him.
I saw his love for me that afternoon when I started to almost doubt, ask why us ... and as I remembered the talk, I KNEW that the Lord had "prepared" me with a morning of spritual uplifting...for that exact moment when I got the "mail" and my trial began. I was given just a little extra boost to be reminded that .. IT IS GOING TO BE O.K.! I could see why I should read my scriptures and the articles... it is almost like my "vitamins" for the day. I will get an extra boost to fend off the "germs" of the world. Today I felt the lords warm embrace, through small simple messages.
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