I Am Thankful for.......

I am so thankful we have the oppurtunity to fast and pray. This past Sunday I was fasting for a couple of reasons, but mostly for the strength, wisdom and diligence to know what to say in a difficult situation I had to deal with in Primary and also another situation I had to deal with at the middle school where my son Jacob attends. I had to confront the principal about something very serious. I am thankful through prayer that I was able to contain myself through both situations and confrontations. I am thankful that the spirit was with me and I was able to say and do the right things and most importantly have peace through it all and especially afterwards having that peaceful feeling that I did the right thing. My testimony has certainly been strengthened because of it. Fasting is very hard for me, I DO NOT like to go without food or water. But, after I do it my testimony is certainly strengthened by leaps and bounds. It reminds of that scripture 'faith without works is dead'.

Book Club Report

This is a picture of their Hardy Boys book, I couldn't rotate it, and I am having computer stress, so I am leaving it like that! Enjoy the post!

There is nothing like, good food, good friends and discussing a good book. I met with some friends yesterday to discuss Kira-Kira, what a good book and we had a good discussion on it. Thanks Tara, you were a wonderful host! And it was such beautiful weather here that Aaron and I had so much fun walking to my friends house (where the book club was held). Next month we will be reading 'The Princess Bride'. I haven't read that one, so I am looking forward to that. And Friday I get to celebrate "Read Across America Day" with two of my children in their classrooms. In Abigail's kindregarten class we will be celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday as well. I am looking forward to Friday. Speaking of books my wonderful husband also loves books, one of the things I adore about him is that he reads to the boys every night before they go to bed. He reads from his Hardy Boys books he had when he was a child. They were published in 1967. They started with number one and they are now on number thirteen. There is just something magical about reading from old books, especially to children. I love that he makes that an important part of their lives. I just finished another good book titled, "The Gift" by Richard Paul Evans. At the beginning of each chapter is a quote, my favorite one is "Life can change on a dime though I wouldn't give a nickel for most changes I've experienced". Happy reading!

New Post!

It has been quite some time since I have posted something. I have been very busy trying to take care of the kids and the house. I have been enjoying my new van, it is heaven! I am driving a luxury mobile, that's for sure. It has been nice for shuttling the kids to all their activities. Jacob has started track after school, and Tyler has started baseball, so we are busy! We sure had fun with the Olsen family when they came to visit on President's Day weekend. Thanks Olsen's for coming, we had a blast! It is so fun to be closer to some sisters! Hope you are all doing well and thanks for visiting my blog! I'm off to book club today, yeah! I love to read, we are discussing 'Kira-Kira' today. I also just finished 'The Gift' by Richard Paul Evans, very good!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I love Valentine's Day! What a fun day to celebrate love, friendship and kindness. Our week started out Sunday with a fun Valentine's dinner, it has become a tradition now. We had a candlelight dinner with china and crystal. The menu was, rib eye steak, boiled buttered potaoes, garden fresh salad and texas toast. We finished off the day by making heart shaped sugar cookies and having a decorating contest. The kids helped with the baking, rolling and cutting out of the cookies. I made enough frosting for 20 bakeries. We had several colors and the categories for the contest were: originality, most candies used and most colors used.

Our winners were:

Dad won for most colors used.

Jacob won for originality

Abigail won for most candies used.

We had a messy, fun time and it also included a Family Home Evening Lesson on the history of Valentine's day and a short lesson on Christ like love. Can't beat some good ol' family bonding time!

Bye Bye Saturn!

It was so sad to say goodbye to the Satrun SL. We purcased the Saturn in 1995 while JD was still in medical school. It has 101000 miles on it. It has many memories with us, that car has traveled all over the United States with us. Virginia, Maryland, PA, it's been to West Virginia and was shipped across the country to California, where it was sold for $200.00 as a trade in for the new van! So many memories! We brought home two babies from the hospital in that car, Jacob and Tyler, both born in PA. The Saturn has been through so much with us. I also remember when Jacob was a baby and he would not stop screaming I would take him for rides in that car. Oh, the memories! My mind is wandering to far away and distant places with the Saturn. May all of you have wonderful memories with your vehicles.

Girl's nigt out!

What is it about the Disney princess' that just makes you smile? Abigail and I had a fun girls night out and we went to the 'Disney On Ice Princess Wishes' show. It was so much fun! We smiled the whole time. What a great show. My favorite had to be Belle and Cinderella, Abigail's favorite was Ariel. Other Princess' that were featured were Mulan, Jasmine, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. May all your wishes come true.

Reunions!

I love reunions! I experienced a mini-reunion while in Utah. It was so much fun. Thanks Lori and Mariah for letting us stay with you. Thanks Grammy and Lori for spending some time with us and taking us everywhere. It was a blast! Aaron had so much fun with Eli, we miss him already. It was so much fun to be with Mom on her birthday, what a surprise! I also loved spending time with my grandma, what a wonderful woman! I was also able to catch up with a young woman from Maryland, she is now attending BYU with her husband, that was awesome! Brad and Leslie we love you and wish you all the best at BYU! I will be ever grateful for my wonderful friends who helped me out while I was gone, Bre, Marie and Mechelle, thank you, thank you, thank you! I owe you all big time! What would we do without good friends? I am also very grateful for my wonderful husband, for staying here with the other three kids. You are awesome JD and I love you!