Thankful

This holiday season has been one of reflection and thankfulness.  On Dec. 20th a 3 year old girl in my ward died from complications from brain cancer, to add to it this girls 2 brothers have the same cancer, leaving the parents unsure of their future with her brothers.  I ache for this family but find strength knowing of the peace that they find through their testimony of our Savior.  It is wonderful to me that they still have hope.  If this family can have hope, so can I.  I can have hope in the future, in my family, my Savior and in myself.  I have opportunities to serve, I believe that through these opportunities it has given me strength.  I challenge all who read this to find a way to serve and stop and realize the gift that serving really is.  I have also realized that as much as we struggle, that there is always someone who is going through something harder than we are.  Even in our darkest hour we can give strength to others.  I am thankful for this beautiful season of the year, for a Heavenly Father who loved ME so much that he gave me a Savior who atoned for all of my pains and hurts.  I am thankful for the gospel and for the strength it gives me.  I hope you all are doing well, and you are having a beautiful Christmas Season.

I feel sad

Well... My sister left.  I'm so sad.  I miss her already, and its only been a day.  

My sisters here!!!!

My sister is here for Thanksgiving.  It is so nice to have her here!  I love her so much!

Memory

When I was about 10 or 11 I remember my friend Shellee Porter (Mellor) was quite the pianist and would always ask her to play the Chariots of Fire theme song because I thought it was amazing how great she could play, and how cool it was she could play a song on the piano that was a song you would hear on the radio.  I apparently only heard church songs on the piano ( I lived in such a small world at the time).  I recently visited Shellee and she played Chariots of Fire, she can still play it by ear!  Amazing!  Its nice to be reminded of the innocents of childhood.

Our trip to Hawaii

We had so much fun our our trip to Hawaii.  This picture is a view from our condo in Kauai.  What a peaceful serene place.  We had so much fun.  The ocean was so amazing, the water was clear,  the fish abundant, the tide so powerful but beautiful.  We went to Kauai first and stayed for 5 days.  We played in the ocean and Kayaked up the Waialua River and then hiked to Sacred Falls, which was an amazing waterfall.  Ron arranged for me to go to a day spa while he took the kids snorkeling.  The last day we went on a Catamaran trip to the Na'Pali Coast, it was so beautiful, many of the places that we saw were places that you only see in movies.  The only way you can see this coast line is by boat or aircraft.  The next day we went to Oahu.  We went to Pearl Harbor the first day and it was such a hallowed place.  Even though Pearl Harbor happened far before I ever was it still made me appreciate all my many freedoms.  The next day we went to Sea Life Park and the kids swam with dolphins.  We played on the beach and then went to the Polynesian Cultural Center.  Just the scenery was all worth it, but the people, and the rest was wonderful as well, it was an adventure I will never forget

Street in Kauai

Orchid Tree

Sunset on Waikiki

Ashley on Waikiki

Some of the 2 1/2 quarts of oil that still leak from the Arizona at Pearl Harbor

Hawaii

Pearl Harbor Monument

Kyle, Alison, Ron and Ashley at the shore line in Oahu

Ashley getting a ride from a dolphin at Sea Life Park in Oahu 

All of us in front of a Banyan Tree in Oahu

Ron got pulled up on stage at the Polynesian Cultural Center and played the Tongan drums

My dissapearance

I have been absent I know.  Right now I am in Hawaii, and before that I was working like crasy to get all of my clients taken care of before I left to Hawaii.  So I am going home tomorrow and will be home Thursday morning, and I have so much to share, just you wait.  Love you and miss you all!

Brecken

Brecken my adorable niece loves to pose for pictures.  Isn't she cute.  

8 Things

Kim... i know this has take me a while but here goes.

8 TV Shows I love:

Grays Anatomy, Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol, CSI, Shear Genius, Private Practice, Monk

8 Restaurants I like:

Chilis, Johnny Carinos, Madelines, Chipotle, Cafe Rio, Cheesecake Factory, MiMi's, Tepanyaki

8 Things that happened today:

Went to Swiss Days, Got a Sunburn, Bought cute stuff, Drove to Provo, Made a craft for enrichment, Got frustrated at my family for getting in to my stuff, Visited with my sister, Was happy that The U of U won the football game so I could come home to a happy husband. 

8 Things I'm looking forward to:

My trip to Hawaii, Getting to sleep in tomorrow, Twilight the movie, Getting my salon finished, Thoroughly having a clean and organized house,  Fall TV, Losing weight, Seeing my brothers new baby Jacob

8 things I love about Summer:

Swimming, Having my kids around, Camping, Watermelon, BB Q's, 4th of July, Being able to stand the outdoors, Drive in Movies

8 Things I would like to do before I die: (This was suppose to be Olympic Events I was looking forward to but I read the Twilight Series instead and missed all of the Olympics, so I made up my own)

See the world, Have Grandchildren, Better understand the Gospel, See my children live a righteous life,  Have my husband go to the temple, Lose weight, Feel Secure in my life, Radiate positivity and kindness always.

8 Things on my wish list:

 Have no debt, Be better organized, My family and friends live closer to me, My kids will be good adults, Lose weight, To have my yard landscaped, For my dog to quit chewing on everything. ( I really hope my wish list gets better than this, because this sounds really lame)

8 People I have tagged:

Ron, Sarah, Taryn, Shellee, OK I don't have 8 other people to tag.

8 people 

Fan Fest

Kyle and ROn went to the University of Utah's Fan Fest on Saturday.  Kyle went around and had his UofU football signed by all the players.  Kyle came prepared with a sharpie marker for his signatures and many kids there didn't have one so he found himself waiting for his pen while other children had their stuff signed by the different players.  The starting quarterback Brian Johnson used his pen for 4-5 kids signatures after Kyle's ball was signed , and he noticed Kyle patiently waiting for his pen.  He told Kyle to come to him and gave Kyle a big hug and told him thank you for being patient and then posed for a picture with him.  I think it made his day!  Go Utes!

Ashley is 12!

Ashley turned 12 on August 16th.  She was able to attend girls camp this year and now gets to go to Young Women's and loves it!  This past weekend we had a birthday party with a bunch of giggly girls and it was so much fun.  We went to Johnny Carino's to eat then went to Mamma Mia and had a pedicure.  It was so much fun.  I am glad I got to see Ashley having such a grand time, that day will be instilled in my memory forever.

Our day at Snowbird

We went to Snowbird on Ashley's 12th Birthday and we had such a grand time.  We rode the zip line, the tram, the Alpine Slide, jumped with bungee's on trampolines,  bull riding,  and rock climbed.  It was such a great day and we really enjoyed one another.  

I finally finished !!!

Yesterday I finished Breaking Dawn.  I really loved the books now I just have to wait til November to see the movie.  Anyway now I can get back to the reality of my messy house that hasn't been cleaned.  I think my family is really grateful that I am done.  Now I need  new book.  Does anyone have any ideas?

Twilight

OH MY GOSH!  I Finally decided to read Twilight.  Nobody told me how much this book sucked me in (pardon the pun)  All I can think about is what is happening next.  I finished Twilight on Tuesday night and then Finished New Moon last night and am 100 pages into Eclipse.  AHHH.  I love this author she is so good at covering all the details.  Especially all the many expressions.  I find myself making the same features on my face, I had better read alone, people might think I have a facial tick or something.  Anyway I have to hurry and get it finished so my life can continue to exist.  HEHEHE.  So Kim this is where I have been since I got back from AZ.

10 days in AZ

I spent 10 days in Arizona last week with my brother and his 2 little boys.  My sister-in-law went to Spain to attend her brothers wedding and she probably needed a break as well.  Those two little ones kept me hopping, I think taking care of them was more work than my regular job.  It was fun to see my siblings.  I also got to see some friends from my neighborhood growing up.  I got to see Shellee, Gena and Stephanie who were all in m ward.  I hadn't seen for at least 10 years if not more.  It was fun to see them.  I got to attend the baby blessing of Gena's baby Kaitlin. I also was able to attend a pampered chef with party hosted by Stephanie then afterward got to talk late with Shellee and catch up on the past.  It was wonderful.  The day I left Shellee, Sarah and I  went to lunch and shopping and I gave Shellees little boy Hayden a haircut.  It was so much fun to see old friends and to se and spend time with my sweet little nephews.

3 days til my kids return

Kyle and Ashley have been gone for 3 weeks now visiting my family in Arizona.  Oh how I miss them, I would never part with them, except I want them to know their cousins, aunts, uncles and great grandparents.  I am so looking forward to seeing them, hugging and holding them.  They are both going to think I've gone weird.  This will be the first time they have gone on a plane without Ron or I.  They are growing up so fast.  I hope they know how they are loved, and I tell them enough.  It's times like these that we are reminded.  

5 and 10

This is Kim's challenge.

10 years ago... I was moving into my house.  I was still working as a collector for Bennett and DeLoney.  My kids were 3 and 1.  I was the only one of my siblings who were married.  I was still young a stupid and the world was much smaller (age can be a beautiful thing).   I think I had a bit more time back then.  I also think I have not so good of a memory.

5 years ago... I was pulling my hair out as Young Women's President trying to get ready for girls camp.  My kids were in 1st and 2nd grade.  I got a little bit smarter and I still think I had more time even then.  

5 months ago... I was working (like usual)  I was in primary and probably getting ready for a trip to visit my sister and brother.

5 Things to do tomarrow...

1. Work

2. Clean my house

3. Get my car fixed (I got sideswiped)

4. Look for games to play for our enrichment activity

5. Talk to my kids (they are in AZ)

5 bad habits...

1. Stress eat

2. Neglect my laundry

3. over work myself

4. watch too much TV

5. procrastinate

5 places I have lived

1. Mesa, AZ

2. Livermore, CA

3. Sandy, UT

4. Midvale, UT

5. West Jordan, UT

5 things people don't know about me (this is hard I talk too much)

1. I am very self conscious and often feel inadequate about myself and often assume people don't like me or are critical of me, although down deep I know its not true.

2. I am going to Hawaii for my 15th Anniversary ( I don't mean to gloat, but I'm so excited)

3. Even though most people know how hard of a relationship I have with my mom, I love her and long for a mother relationship, but realize its just not possible. I am very jealous of those who have close relationships with their mothers.

4.  I have road rage (I'm trying to do better) but I have a tendency to scream a lot in the car.

5.  I miss Ron's dad very much and often feel him smiling down on me.

Its good seeing old friends

My dear and one of my oldest friends Jolinda called me last Saturday and told me she was coming into town for a funeral and is staying at my house with her cute family.  It has been so much fun to see her and her darling kids.  I was able to spend this past Monday with her family and we went to the conference center and toured through, then went to the Legacy theater and saw Joseph Smith prophet of God, we ate at The Lion House (yum) and then toured through the Church History Museum.  It was such a fun day.   It has also been fun to stay up late and catch up on old times.  A lot of memories have been stirred up its been so much fun. 

I love my brothers and sister.  They are so special to me, they are my best friends.

Why I don't like puppy's

Well my insane 10 month old puppy Lilly really likes to chew things including all of our sprinkler heads, the electrical wire that makes our sprinklers work...etc...etc..etc.  Needless to say our automatic system is no longer working, so I have been going out daily and manually turning on the sprinklers.  The Visiting Teachers were coming over.   I was getting ready for the day and had just barely dried and flat ironed my hair got it all styled cute and I realized I had to turn off the sprinklers. The stupid head we bought the house from put the sprinkler in front of the sprinkler system in the ground(really bright, I know).   So when I went to turn it off I had this brilliant idea and used the lid to the sprinkler system to shield myself from getting wet.  I turned the little screw with one had and shielded myself with the other and turned to watch the sprinklers stop.  Well one of the sprinklers in the cycle stopped so I automatically quit shielding myself assuming it was off... Not so much...I let down that lid and spray, spray, spray, I was soaked to the bone!  My perfectly done hair had to have water rung out of it.  My clothes were dripping wet, and guess who comes driving up, but my visiting teachers.   Now let me tell you how the rest of my day went.   Hehehe.   Why do these things happen to me?

Sunday is a Special Day

Well today I am sorry to say I didn't go to church.  We must have been tired from the night before and I forgot to set my alarm.  We got up 15 min after church had already started.  I figured that by the time we all get showered and out the door we will have missed it.  I have to say my week isn't going to be quite right, I need that spiritual fuel to keep me going.  Oh well I will make sure I'm there next week.

So you think you can dance

I have to say this is my favorite show of the summer.  Thank goodness for TIVO or I would never get to watch it.  I really love to watch dancing.  There are 4 people from Utah performing on the show this year.  I haven't decided who I  am rooting for yet.

My Sis got here.

Sarah made it here safely and I am so glad to see her.  I think I have told everyone in my little world that she is coming.  Her kids are so beautiful and her personality lifts me.  I need to cherish every moment.  10 things I love about my sister.  1. She is a wonderful mom, sister and auntie. 2. She is a good cook, she can make anything including graham crackers, bagels and almond joys. 3. She loves me, my husband,  and my kids just the way we are. 4. She calls me all the time, just like before she moved.  5. She visits me, and shares her coupon gifts with me. 6. She knows and doesn't share my deepest secrets.  7. She's beautiful inside and out. 8. She would do anything for me and share anything with me.  9.  She listens.  10. She is a day maker.

My Beautiful Ballerina

Ashley has been in dance classes and is thoroughly enjoying it.  I thought I would share a picture of hr in her ballerina costume.  I think she looks so lovely.  I am so proud of her, she is a very talented dancer.

My Sister Coming!!!!!!!!

My sister Sarah is coming in town tomorrow and I can't wait!   I hope my house gets clean before she gets here.  

I know I know

Sorry I have been away for so long.  My life is so chaotic lately I've been working a lot and talking classes on hair and quilting.  My sister is coming to visit next weekend and I am counting down the days.  So I know excuses excuses.  Life isn't going to get any better time wise the summer is going to be a juggling act trying to get the kids to their regular activities as well as girls camp and boy scout camp and trying to keep my house clean as they are home during the day.  I guess I just need to take a breath and enjoy it.  

Guess What?

I am a new Auntie my brother had a baby boy this week!  Jacob Alton Cluff came 5 weeks early weighing 5 lbs 7 oz.   I am so excited!!!  That makes 3 new nephews and 2 new neices in less than 10 months for our family.

Oh shucks!

I really wanted David  Archuleta to win.  I'm so surprised!  I really thought he was the better candidate.  Oh well, I'm sure well be seeing him.

I miss my husband

Ron went to Marlboro, Mass for the next couple of days.  I guess its good for him to leave sometimes that way I am reminded how much I love him and having his company.  I look forward to him returning soon!

Wow!

 I had a really neat spiritual experience happen to me over the weekend.  I went to Idaho with my friend to help her mother who was moving to Utah pack up boxes and a moving truck.  The job was tedious and tiresome and we were getting discouraged, especially Betty who was moving.  Betty was so distraught that she wouldn't eat and barely kept a conversation which was completely out of character for her.  After a long day of packing we went to bed to a long night of restless sleep.  In the morning we packed a few more things into the truck,  I looked at this huge moving truck and felt overwhelmed for Betty who had to drive this behemoth home to West Jordan.  We were all unnerved and tired.  Betty asked for a prayer for the way home and I got the opportunity to offer up this prayer.  I began the prayer and thanked our Heavenly Father for all that we accomplished and for safety as we went, I then pleaded with the Lord for the peace that Betty and we needed for this journey home.  Usually you can see a prayer being answered but not always immediately.  During this prayer I began to sob and I knew and Betty knew, and Jennifer knew that we would be safe, and all would go well.  I have never had such a quick and firm answer to my prayers such as this.  The Holy Ghost bore witness to me that Our Heavenly Father would give us his loving guidance and safety and peace in which we so desperately needed.  I am thankful for prayer and for a Father in Heaven who loves me and answers my prayers.

My AZ visit so far

I am in Arizona for the next week getting some much needed rest. The weather is in the 80's which is nice and seeing my family is wonderful. We celebrated Tiffany's 12th birthday today and we had a party with a build your own pizza bar which was soooo good and got to visit for a few hours. All of the nieces and nephews were toddling around at my feet and I am thankful I can live vicariously through them. I am thankful for these visits and cherish them. This visit has been especially nice because Ashley came with me and she is really enjoying her cousins. My sister and sisters in law I think are enjoying the help she is giving in chasing the little ones around. Ashley makes me happy to watch her be so helpful and motherly to these sweet little ones... she will be a great mother someday.

Why are girls so mean?

I hope that everything I write doesn't sound like I am always complaining, but I have something to gripe about today.  Ashley has a friend who likes to "joke" the problem is that Ashley doesn't perceive it as a joke and comes home from school really upset.  So before school this morning,  I took it upon myself to talk to this little girl and tell her its not kidding or joking unless everyone in the situation feels like they're in on the joke, and asked her if she would try to be a bit more subdued when it comes to Ashley in her "joking".  My conversation with this little girl lasted for a total of a minute and a half .  Right after school I got a call from this girls mom telling me that next time I wish to speak to her daughter she wants to be there.  I apologized and told her exactly what I said and in the manner that I said it.  She told me that it was part of her daughters nature to be a joker and that if Ashley didn't like it she didn't have to hang out with her.  The problem is that this girl will not leave Ashley alone... but she is just "joking".  I have told Ashley that maybe she needs to find a different friend to hang out with, but Ashley is so sad.  I hate this growing up thing.  Why can't kids be kind to each other.  I just wished every body loved my children as I do and saw them the way I see them.  It hurts when they hurt.  I wish I knew what to do.  I guess I will just have to let things settle themselves.  I hope they d0.

Charity the Pure love of Christ-my talk

In writing this talk the hardest part was not trying to find information, but as to what to information to choose from.  I compiled this talk from many talks and a few books I read that were written by church leaders. There is so much on the subject of charity.  What a wonderful celebration Easter is, a day that we reflect on the life of our Savior and his resurrection. Elder Joseph B Wirthlin said: “There are images of those who petitioned him for help.  We can imagine a deformed man unable to walk since birth or the tears flowing down a widow’s cheek as she follows the body of her dead son as it is carried to its tomb.  We can imagine the empty eyes of the hungry, the trembling hands of the sick, the pleading voice of the condemned, and the disconsolate eye of the outcast.  All of them reaching toward a solitary man, a man without wealth, without home, without position.  We see this man, the son of the living God; look on each of them with infinite compassion.  With the touch of his holy hand, He brings comfort to the downcast, healing to the sick, liberation to the condemned.  With a word a dead man rises from his bier and the widow embraces her son.  These and other miraculous acts of mercy and kindness, define for me one of the salient characteristics of the Savior: His love and compassion for the downtrodden, the weary, the weak, the suffering.  Indeed, these acts of compassion are synonymous with His name… Our Saviors loving example remains an integral part of who we are as people and who we are as a church.”  This Easter Sunday as we remember one of the biggest examples of charity that is known to humankind we think of what truly happened that sacred day and how selfless and loving our Savior was that he took upon himself our sins so that we did not have to carry that burden and our load might be lighter.  Pres. Howard W. Hunter said: “The love that Christ has for every one of us is called ‘charity’ or ‘the pure love of Christ.’  It is the love that prompted the suffering and sacrifice of Christ’s atonement.  It is the highest pinnacle the human soul can reach and the deepest expression of the human heart.  Those who are filled with the love of Christ do not seek to force others to do better; they inspire others to do better, indeed inspire them to the pursuit of God.  We need to extend the hand of friendship.  We need to be kinder, more gentle, more forgiving, and slower to anger.”  Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught us that charity is not an act but a condition or a state of being.  Little by little our charitable acts change our natures, define our characters, and ultimately make us a people with courage and commitment to say to the Lord ‘Here I am send me’

As difficult as charity is to describe it is easily seen in the lives of those who possess it.  Bro. Klug asked me to speak on this subject several weeks ago and I have prayed to more fully understand and find myself as one who is charitable; although I have so much more to work on in this area, I have made myself more aware of ways that I can be charitable in my own life.  I have had the opportunity to be of service to a dear friend of mine whose young husband had a stroke and have been completely incapacitated by this event.  I have had the opportunity to spend time with them in the hospital and be a listening ear, to bring meals, and to even help her with her clientele in order for her business to remain afloat so that the family can continue to meet their financial needs.  This alone has proven to be a big challenge for me as I have a lot on my own plate that keeps me busy, but although I have been completely exhausted by this service I have found joy in being able to serve and to truly feel that love for her and her family in doing so.  I pray that I might continue to find ways that I can continually feel that pure love that Christ has for each of us.  I also tried to think about acts of charity that I have had given to me.  Sister Gardner and Sister Slaugh come to my home the first Thursday of every month and I always feel loved and cared for, not just as something to check off a list.  These sweet sisters look after me and I know that I remain in their thoughts and prayers.  I know this because I can feel their love and genuine concern for me.  I would also like to relate a story to you about a client of mine.  This woman has come to me for some time now and when the subject of the gospel came up she didn’t really want to talk about it and didn’t feel she needed it her life at that time. This client of mine has a visiting teacher that persisted in her efforts to serve and come to her home and check in on her this my friend allowed her in but would not allow a message but this visiting teacher would ask her how she was and kept her visits non intrusive to her. This dear visiting teacher continued for years making visits to this sister until finally one day this sister called her visiting teacher and asked her if she might give her a lesson at her visits, this went on for a few months and this sister began to feel the love that her visiting teacher had for her and began feeling as if she needed something more in her life.  One Sunday morning my friend got up and called her visiting teacher and asked her to pick her up for church- my friend has not missed one meeting since then and bears her testimony to me during her visits with me.  I have seen a change in her, a glow, a knowledge of the restored gospel and the love she knows the Lord has for her.  She will soon be getting her temple recommend and she knows the atonement was for her as it is for all of us.  If it had not been for the kind gestures, and the unwavering love this visiting teacher had for this sister this change may not have happened.  You may never know the lives you can change through your own acts of charity.  Some acts of charity may not only change a single life, but the lives of generations to come.

So I ask if charity is not what you do but who you are, how do you attain the pure love of Christ? A few things I thought of were first show kindness.  Joseph B. Wirthlin said “Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known.  Kindness is a passport that opens door and fashions friends.  It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.  Kind words and acts not only lift our spirits in the moment they are given, but they can linger with us over years.  Second show mercy.  When we are kind we are not judgmental.  The Savior taught us in Luke 6:37 “Judge not and ye shall not be judged; condemn not an ye shall not be condemned:  forgive and ye shall be forgiven.” He also taught us in Matthew 7:1-2 “With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”  The more we treat others with Christ like kindness the more we ensure the greatest effects of mercy in our own judgment. Third be givers.  Give of your time, your talents, energy and your own earthly goods.  I have found in my own life that in giving I am getting back blessings ten fold.   I read a poem a few years back in which I do not recall its author but it was so profound to me that I have memorized it and it has been a good reminder of how I should live my life.  “Give to the needy sweet charity’s bread, for giving is living the angel said.  Must I keep giving again and again? My pitiless, selfish curt answer ran.  Then said the angel, piercing me through just give till the Savior stops giving to you.”   In D&C 52:40 we read “Remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted and in D&C 81:5 it says, “Succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”   We must never forget who blesses us and through those blessings we may continue the Saviors work in blessing others.  Last we need to live our lives in such a way that our testimony is a shining example to others.  Pres. Hinkley had a vision of the good we could do:  Be good home and visiting teachers lifting others through word and example.  Read your scriptures-have your hearts open to the good word of the gospel, being willing to obey, repent, and improve.  Fast and pray for each other.  Center your lives and testimonies around Jesus Christ and his restored gospel.  Keep yourself in holy places so you may receive guidance from the Holy Ghost.  Read, study and learn.  Have homes that are havens where prayer is practiced, scriptures are read, kindness is expected, and unity prevails.  Involve yourself with family history and genealogy.  Attend the temple.  Magnify your calling; avoid contention.  Have family values-creating homes of wondrous upbringing-families who are reclaiming family home evening, enjoying everything from the simple activities to teaching moments.  Have fun, laugh at your own mistakes, take time for friendships, and enjoy your life.   Enjoy quiet acts of charity as your write notes of encouragement, check on neighbors, and listen to children.  Keep your eye single to the glory of God.  Serve your family.  We will let quiet words speak for themselves.  But there will be those whose lives you touch in a simple moment that will tell others about you and wonder how you ever did it?  All of these small acts are true acts of charity, all of which will bring us closer to having the pure love of Christ.  I pray that we may all seek for charity in our lives that it will refine our own lives as well as the lives of others.  I would like to bear my testimony of charity and have felt the love of Christ shining down on me through other people’s kindness.   I know Christ lives; I know he loves me and each of you.  I know that the atonement was for me.  I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to return to live with him.  I know that Joseph Smith restored the true gospel to the earth.  I know that Pres. Monson is a living and loving prophet on earth today who is the mouthpiece of God.  I know that only through our Savior we can achieve true happiness.  I love my family, my sweet and patient children and my loving husband who without them I don’t know where I would be, and am thankful for an eternal plan that I can be with them forever.  I am grateful for good friends who are examples in my life and who try to help me to be the best I can be.  I am thankful for this experience as scary as it is that I have been able to learn and grow from.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

 

 

         

Ohh my aching back

I am usually a very healthy person with no complaints.  I however have done something to my upper back.  I have been to chiropractors, massage therapists, and even a person who believes in holistics and put aromatherapy oils all over my back.  Some things helped more than others but I am still sooo sore.  The massage therapist seems to think its from hunching over.  She's probably right.  I'm not sure what is next but I am just trying to get through the day.  I just need to learn whatever lesson that needs to be learned.  Until then I will just keep on keep'in on.

Boys will be boys

Last night I came upstairs from work and my husband was having a melt down.  I asked him what was wrong and he had told me his day started rough that he got Kyle in the shower this morning and then went about his business.  Ron said he would pass the hallway and could hear nothing but water running from the bathroom, so he knocked on the door and woke Kyle up from his shower and told him to get out.  The shower shut off but there was no sign of Kyle after a while of waiting Ron knocked on the door again to wake Kyle up from the bathroom floor.  Apparently he wrapped himself in a towel and laid back down to sleep.  He told Kyle to go get dressed.  After a while Kyle came back up with dirty clothes on.  Ron had to send him back up stairs to put on clean clothes.  Kyle came back up stairs.  Ron had to send him back down for sock and shoes.  Kyle came back up stairs.  Ron had to send him back down for shoes.  Ron then told him to eat breakfast, Kyle had no problems with that.  Kyle quickly finished breakfast and Ron told Kyle to take his medicine.  Kyle turned on the TV.  Ron had to ask Kyle to take his medicine again.  Kyle took his medicine.  Kyle again sat down in front of the TV.  Ron asked Kyle to brush his teeth.  Ron asked Kyle to brush his teeth.  Kyle brushed his teeth.  Ron asked Kyle to comb his hair and to get to the neighbors house for his ride.  Ron asked Kyle to comb his hair and to get to the neighbors for a ride.  Golly, am I repeating myself?  Kyle skipped his hair and went to the neighbors house.  When Ron got home from work he asked Kyle if he had done his homework?  Kyles answer was  guess what...no  Ron told him he had better get on on it, and clean his room and do his chores.  Well... Shall I go over how that went.  Probably something similar to the morning.  When does this end?  

Dancing and dancing and dancing and dancing..and dancing

Today I attended a dance competition in which I sat in a high school gymnasium and watched little girls compete in dances comprised of  groups, duets and single dancers.  I watched hundreds of little dancers tap, twist and thrust, some of which were cute, funny, amazing, forgot their part, and oh my goodness I did not know that the human body could do that feelings were going through my head.  

It made me think on how a simple dance can make you feel; angry, in love, sexy, polluted, joyous, simple, young, old, etc.  Some of these girls would really get into the dance showing absolute enthusiasm and joy as they floated across the gym floor, and some looked as if every move was painful to get through and they were not sure what or why they were doing this dance but then you looked over to the side to see their mothers living through their child giving them subtle reminders of the next move and telling them to remember to keep a smile on their face.  

There was a beautiful little girl who was in quite a few dances and it made me think of the countless hours she must spend dancing, how much she must practice every move to perfection, and all of her many costumes that have been sewn and altered on her behalf and the money that had to have been spent in order for her to look and be amazing to reach the big trophies and to be named the "dancing queen". 

 This also made me think of a day many months ago that I attended a small dance class with my niece Brecken , I believe it was her second class and she was still getting used to following directions.  Brecken loved her pretty little tutu that she got to wear and swooshed it back and forth as she twisted her hips.  The dance teacher was teaching the class a dance and you could see these darling 3 and 4 year old children trying their best to follow this sweet and patient teacher.... well all of them were following her except Brecken.  Brecken was in her spot with bright eyes and a look of wonderment choreographing her own dance of leaps, rolls and silly faces that looked nothing like what the class was doing, and doing it like no one was watching,  but loving every minute of it.  It made me think that if we could only dance like no one was watching or no one cared what would our dance be like?

My Brothers and Sister

I never thought it would be so hard being so far away from my family.  I really cherish what little time I am able to spend with them.  This picture was taken Thanksgiving.  It is such a rarity that all 5 of us are able to get together at the same time, and we enjoyed every minute of it.  During that time my brother Nathan and my sister Sarah both blessed their babies.  Since then my brother Brian adopted 2 sweet little boys and my brother Ben and his wife are expecting a baby this summer.  5 new nieces and nephews in less than a year how blessed we are.

Silly Lilly and Elye

Today in church the speaker was talking about death and related a story about his dog.  He said it was the best dog in the world and said that he was mourning the loss of his precious pet.  It made me think about my dogs and how much joy they bring to our family.  Elye is so mellow and loving his favorite place in the house is in the bathroom under the shower curtain or any room where there are people.  Elye loves everyone he loves to greet everyone at the door with a friendly lick--that not every one appreciates.  Elye is mellow and very low key.  Our new dog Lily on the other hand is very hyper and inquisitive she also loves everyone... as in running jumping licking and any other spastic thing she can think of.  She is a morning person and wants to get really really wound up the second she is awake.  We have recently discovered that she will follow a laser light around the house or yard and we have been able to wear her out some by using the laser as a much needed tool. Right now with Lily we are feeling like new parents...But this too will pass.  

Why I'm going crazy

Last Sunday my dear friend Lynette called and told me about her family's tragedy.  She and her husband had gone out on Saturday and were having a great time, when he began to complain that his hand was going numb, then his leg and his face.  The next thing she knew her beloved husband had a stoke.  Lynette is now spending her days in the hospital with hopes that her dear husband will mend.  In the mean time I am doing my best to serve her the best I can.  She is my friend that I trade my fingernail appts with.  She does mine and I do hers thus my fingernails are gone.   However I am now helping her with her appointments until the end of March.  Between my clients and hers I am staying pretty busy.  Watching all of this happen with my dear friend makes me thankful every day for mine and my family's health.  I also am reminded how precious life is.

My prayer is that things will improve and at some point life will be a bit less chaotic.  I keep saying to myself I can do anything for a month, and anything for a friend.