Blessings for 12.14

12.20- woke up feeling pretty great, how beautiful and precious my kids looked all dressed up in their Christmas outfits, Baily's excitement to find presents under the tree and her first time going through each one shaking it and guessing what it might be and recalling how much I loved Christmas as a child, Motab's Christmas music on the way to church- B and I singing at the top of our lungs to Hallelujah and feeling the Spirit so strongly, an amazing Sacrament meeting where the Spirit was burning like an unquenchable fire within me- my kids sat and behaved so well- reading Luke 2 as a ward- Bishop's awesome talk and how wonderful of a Bishop he is- singing Christmas hymns as a ward family- sweet Cyz girl sharing her snacks with my kids and smiling so beautifully, watching The Nativity in Sunday School and once again- Spirit was burning, getting new Gospel Principles for next 2 years of RS study and so excited about it, awesome YW class- putting together stockings for girls who weren't there- beautiful testimonies shared about Savior- getting to share my testimony about my Savior- getting awesome ornament gift and goodies from Sis. R., B had a blast at her Primary Christmas party and got so many awesome goodies and gifts- best Sunbeam teachers ever!, B's excitement and pure look of joy on her sweet face when she gave her teachers the gift she made, beautiful Christmas music on the way home and singing at top of our lungs with B to Motab's Joy To The World, nice convo with my bro Beau- love that boy!, the best fresh Alaskan halibut dinner at my dad's, Sunday family dinner at dad's- good laughs & conversation, nice deep conversation with dad, Joaquin's secret kiss/handshake he made up for he and I, J's adorable new dance that he made up out of nowhere and does all the time, all out dancing with my kids for half an hour- nothing but music blaring and bums shaking and lots of laughing, cuddling with my girl at bedtime and being overwhelmed with the love I have for her

12.19- my heart being softened and realizing I was wrong and apologizing, principle of forgiveness, email, true love, B playing with her friend Amber so I could have a "meeting with Santa," Joaquin being so cute and loving his alone time with me at the store, Christmas shopping for kids is done!- only one more gift to get for my brother, fun Christmas tag, Christmas music-specifically "For Unto Us A Child Is Born" by Motab, actually sitting down to a homemade meal with my kids for dinner, Joaquin cracking me up during his bath and splashing me until I was soaked, exciting news from Gerald and Rachelle!, making Santa cookies with B and a gift for her Primary teacher for her Primary Christmas party tomorrow, Zpac antibiotics and how they are helping me feel better so much faster- cough is gone!!, meds, B sleeping in her own bed, wrapping is done (except for Roberts) and I'm all prepared for a good Sabbath tomorrow, a pretty productive day finally

12.18- 5 years of being married to the best man ever for time and all eternity, made it through another pay period, B & J playing with Joaquin's new car couch that he got with his giftcard from his Abuela Cande and having so much fun with it, prayer, sweet calls from my Dad (he told me I'm the best daughter ever and it made me cry- a good cry) and Alex, most amazing & patient husband ever, pizza and CM with hubby

12.17- Christmas cards and letters sent- whew!, super friendly postal lady and mailman, new g's!!, house cleaned and getting more organized, sweet 12 Days of Christmas story and scripture, nice lunch with hubby for our anniversary and talking about our 5 faves of each other for our 5 years, Patty watching our kids so we could go out, awesome VT who brought a sweet dinner for us, watching First Pres. Christmas Devotional as a family for Advent Activity, acting out scenes from Elf for Advent Activity

12.16- prayer, prayer, prayer, Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash, hubby home from work- weird circumstances but glad to have him home, hubby's love and care for me, surviving through the day- literally, an amazing Dr. who I know really cares about me, awesome YW activity that I worked so hard on and the girls worked so hard on- great Spirit and great activity, Sis. Rebarchik- she's amazing!!, getting a very generous gift in the mail from someone who loves us- tender mercy Christmas style, my Savior and testimony of Him, knowing I'm loved, getting mom's letter written and ready to go

12.15- my boys excitement for life when he wakes up at 7:30am on the dot every day, ham and biscuits for breakfast, internet and computer, house cleaned and laundry done, playin' with my kids, baking cookies with Baily and giving them to a neighbor as a Secret Santa and then caroling to Patty, cute new monster jammies for J, watching Monsters Inc. with the kiddos

12.14- Happy Birthday Tia Franci!!, leftover cold pizza, Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash, crud in my chest is finally breaking up- I may finally be getting better, hubby's french toast and bacon breakfast, reading 12 Days Of Christmas story and scripture as a family, decorating gingerbread house as a family, computer and internet, Joaquin's birthday package from Abuelita & Tia & giftcard from Abuela came in the mail and he was so excited!, Christmas gifts made for family & ordered, Supernanny and her tips, nice conversation with my Abuelita, broccoli cheese soup, cranberry juice, scalding hot shower

My Baby Boy is 2!!

As much as I try to avoid my children's birthdays, I can't. They just grow up too darn fast. Yesterday my sweet Joaquin turned 2. I woke up pretty sick so we ended up missing church. Luckily though we only had a small little family party planned so it was pretty easy to handle being sick. Plus Robert was home to help so that was great. We had Joaquin's favorite food- pizza. And he was pretty insistent that his cake be a football cake so that's just what he got. I think he kept wondering all day why everyone kept telling him Happy Birthday but when we started to put up the decorations and he saw his cake he started getting pretty excited. My Dad, Patty and Eyan all came by to help us celebrate. We ate some yummy pizza and then it was onto the gifts. He got pretty into it this year and it was so cute. After the first present, a remote control truck from my Dad & fam, he just wanted to play with that and not worry about the rest. But we did get him to open the rest. On the next present he would tear a little piece of paper then hand it to his dad and say "'Ere go." He kept doing that over and over and we were all dying laughing. I finally had to step in and help or we would have been there all night. He got a dinosaur, colors and a big Diego color book, clothes and a letter magnet thingy. He made out pretty well and seemed pretty happy about all his gifts. When we sang him Happy Birthday he had the biggest smile on his face. It was so sweet. And it took him a couple of times before he could get the candles to blow out but it was so sweet. Man I love my boy!! I'm so grateful he's a part of our family and we get to be together forever!

Blessings for 12.7

12.13- my baby turned 2!- can't describe my gratitude for my sweet Joaquin, prayer getting me through the day, house cleaned up and hubby helping me so much, fun little birthday party with dad & fam at our house- pizza & football cake & fun decorations, Joaquin's excitement with his gifts and having Happy Birthday sung to him & blowing out his candles, good laughs with my family (Pawn stars?- lol), nice quiet evening at home and hubby letting me sleep and rest

12.12- found a great deal on Craigslist for Christmas, cell phones, spending all day with my family, Taco Bell, Christmas music, super fun Christmas party with YW leaders and their husbands, great food, great gospel discussion

12.11- pay day- made it through another pay period, feeling a wee bit better, Glee, Julie & Julia with my Bug, getting a Christmas angel gift for B to give and her excitement for it, BK food (especially onion rings), internet shopping, hanging with my man

12.10- sweet snuggles in bed with Baily while feeling miserable (she helped me to forget the misery for a few wee moments), Patty took Baily while Joaquin was napping so I could nap, kids cooperating so I can rest more than usual, tv, hubby loves me and brought me toast and oj

12.9- snow, snow, beautiful snow!, Robert off work all day, Robert's pancake and bacon breakfast again! (he's so good to us;), playing in the snow with my snow bunnies, making brownies and popcorn balls with the Bugster, delicious homemade beef chimichangas with a recipe I created on my own with homemade quacamole, watching Christmas Story and Harry Potter with my Bug and man, making it through the night alive after being VERY sick

12.8- beautiful & peaceful snow (let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!), making it through the night and finally getting some sleep after Joaquin puked about 12 times, hubby's bacon, sweetest & juiciest grapefruit, family prayer, tv & nickjr., Joaquin's long nap, unexpected but gratefully accepted Sealaska shareholder check, Christmas cards, onion chicken cooking all day in my crockpot, cuddling and watching Polar Express with my babies, aroz con chocolate, dad and Jensen for bringing me Gatorade for my kids, kids feeling much better running around and playing like nothing- quick bug and so grateful!, my sweet dad coming to clear our driveway for Robert at 11 o'clock at night, BL and amazing transformations, hubby made it home safe after 2 1/2 hours of driving!

12.7- out with the old-in with the new, rejuvenating walk, ipod, warm house, clean house & laundry, smell of pinesol, food to eat, prayer to help my little boy feel better, a washer and dryer for all the vomiting mess, how everything seems so much better when my hubby gets home

I {heart} my Dad.

Last night around 10:30pm,  in the midst of our big storm and my anxiety over my husband's safe arrival home I heard the snow plows clearing our neighborhood streets.  Then I heard something in our own driveway and thought "How cool!  They plow your driveways too."  As I peeked out our window I realized that it wasn't our friendly neighborhood plow man, but my friendly neighborhood plow dad.  It was snowing hard, freezing and 10:30 at night and here was my sweet dad plowing our driveway so Robert could get in when he arrived home.  I got choked up and realized even more how awesome my dad is and how much I love him.  He's been in so much pain with his back lately and he should probably not have been out there plowing but he did.  This is experience reminded me of one of my favorite General Conference Talks by Elder Eyring called "O Remember, Remember."  (Link below- you should so read it!)  This is the part I remembered as I watched my sweet dad out there plowing our snow at 10:30 at night:

"When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day. Let me tell you how that got started. I came home late from a Church assignment. It was after dark. My father-in-law, who lived near us, surprised me as I walked toward the front door of my house. He was carrying a load of pipes over his shoulder, walking very fast and dressed in his work clothes. I knew that he had been building a system to pump water from a stream below us up to our property.
He smiled, spoke softly, and then rushed past me into the darkness to go on with his work. I took a few steps toward the house, thinking of what he was doing for us, and just as I got to the door, I heard in my mind—not in my own voice—these words: “I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.”
I went inside. I didn’t go to bed. Although I was tired, I took out some paper and began to write. And as I did, I understood the message I had heard in my mind. I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family. Grandpa didn’t have to do what he was doing for us. He could have had someone else do it or not have done it at all. But he was serving us, his family, in the way covenant disciples of Jesus Christ always do. I knew that was true. And so I wrote it down, so that my children could have the memory someday when they would need it.
I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: 'Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?' As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.
More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened."

I realized that indeed, not only gratitude grew in my heart, but testimony of my Heavenly Father's love for me grew.  How grateful I am for my Poppa Bear and all he does for our family along with all our family members who help us so much.  And how grateful I am for my Heavenly Father Who has given me such precious family members to bless my life.

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=88562bce258f5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

New Sunday Traditions

Sunday November 29, 2009
Yesterday was a good, good day. After taking too long to get going and working hard to let faith overcome fear on my part we got to church an hour late. I'm going to make it a point to not be late to church anymore. It's really a weakness I have and need to overcome. I'm so glad we made it to church because Robert and I got to sit together in Sunday School and since it was the 5th Sunday we got to sit together for the combined RS/Priesthood meeting taught by the Bishop. Both were so awesome. We have such an awesome Bishop and I'm so grateful for him and his family. After we got home I got dinner ready and then my Dad & Patty & Eyan came over and we started our new tradition of having Sunday family dinners together. We are going to rotate it between each other's houses. I'm so excited to start this tradition. Even though we live so close together, the days get away from us and we don't get to see each other very often. So yeah, I'm excited for this new tradition. I made spaghetti and homemade breadsticks (can you tell these are our new favorite as we've had them 3 times in the past week?!) and salad and then we had chocolate & banana cream pies. After dinner me, Eyan and the kids played Uno Attack and it was so much fun. Baily had a blast and was so excited that she actually got to play with us and Joaquin cracked up every time the machine shot out cards. It was so funny to see him cracking up. After they left Joaquin found his sisters pie and you can bet that that was the end of that. He thought he was so sneaky. So funny! The rest of the night we watched movies and ended up all going to bed pretty early. I guess all the weekend festivities caught up with us. It was an awesome day and awesome week as you can tell from my sweet girl's face in this pic!

Discussion Question:
What do you love about Sundays?

A Feast of Thanksgiving!!

Thursday November 26, 2009

Yesterday I had a fabulous Thanksgiving. It was simple and great. I slept in since I couldn't sleep the night before and woke up and got to cooking. We were going to my dad's for dinner and Patty made most of the dinner so I just made deviled eggs, sweet potatoes, spinach & artichoke dip and cherry & blueberry cheesecakes. After that was ready Baily and I picked up Patty and Jensen and then we went to pick up my Aunt Misty at her care home and then to pick up Cadie and Nolan (Jensen's girlfriend and son). After that we dropped them off at my dad's then I picked up Robert and Joaquin and we joined the rest of the gang at my dad's. The house smelled so good and the food tasted even better. We had a nice blessing and then enjoyed a truly grand feast. As we sat and ate and enjoyed each other's company I couldn't help but think of how blessed my life is and I think that's why I love Thanksgiving so much- it helps us remember (see link at bottom for one of my favorite General Conference talks on this subject) how truly our lives are blessed. After we ate we just sat and visited. Then we took our visitors home and my sweet family and I went to our home. It was a wonderful day indeed.And as cliche as this may be, I would like to share my top 10 blessings that I'm grateful for in my life. Please share yours with me too;)

1- First and foremost is my Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel that I am blessed to be a part of and all that comes with it (The Book of Mormon, Priesthood, the Prophet, etc.). My life would be nothing without Him and His sweet gospel.

2- My family. This includes my sweet kids and hubby, my parents, grandparents and siblings, in-laws and extended family. I truly love each one of them and they have all blessed my life in their own special way. I love you all!

3- My freedom and residence in this wonderful country that I love. And this includes all those that are fighting and have fought for this freedom.

4- The beautiful earth and all the seasons and glorious creations.

5- Mine and my family's health and well-being.

6- All my awesome friends who make my life so enjoyable and bearable.

7- Music!

8- My beautiful home sweet home and all the luxuries we enjoy in it (heat, cool, water, electricity, warm beds, etc.).

9- True love in it's purest form- the kind that brings that joy and peace which passeth all understanding.

10- It may sound weird, but technology which would include cars, computer, internet, tv, movies, cell phones, dishwashers, dryers. I was definitely meant to live in this day and age and am so grateful that I do!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying all your blessings to the fullest!!

Discussion Question:

What are your top 10 blessings you're grateful for?

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=88562bce258f5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Musing over my background...

Monday November 23, 2009

This morning I had my background interview for the Twin Lakes Dispatch job. This is the job (Dispatcher) that I've wanted ever since I was in HS. I must say- it was pretty intense. It delved pretty deep into my past. I've always known and expected this background searching in pursuit of this job but have never experienced it until today. During the process and as I left I realized how grateful I am for having been taught so many important values like integrity and honesty. And even though I've made mistakes, it felt good to be able to answer no to all the drug questions, the stealing questions and yes to most of the questions about having integrity. I have not always had integrity in my life and have made some poor choices that were dishonest. But I feel like I've learned from those mistakes, and like I said in my interview, I really value my integrity and will never give it up for anything. There have been many people who have helped teach me these values but I want to say thank you to all my parents (momma, pops, Patty, Gerald, Rachelle) for teaching me the invaluable value of integrity. Thanks!! The rest of my day went pretty smoothly and without anything extraordinary. I'm trying to decide how I want to proceed with my fitness training right now. I have mixed feelings about it and will get back to you on my decision. I did do a partial running/walking (mostly walking) workout at my dad's which felt good considering I'm still not feeling well (almost certain it's yucky allergies). My kids seem to be feeling a little better too and I think it's allergies they're suffering from as well. For dinner I made my new favorite meal these days- baked potatoe soup and garlic parmesan breadsticks. I tell you- talk about comfort food! It was seriously euphoric to me. SOOO good! Thanks again so much Jae for the recipe. I owe you!As you might be able to tell I'm on a total soup kick right now. One of the reasons I love colder weather. My kids aren't as big of fans as I am so they enjoyed the bacon along with toast and oranges. Whatev! After dinner we all chillaxed and goofed around and laughed. Simple but good times. The kids watched a little of Dancing With the Stars with me (this season isn't my fave- I'm going for Donny to win though) and we had fun trying to do our own Paso Doble. I love dancing! And I love watching my kids dance! And I love dancing with my kids! And that's all. I'd say it's a pretty good start to the week. I'm really trying to stop being so hard on myself and just enjoy every little moment and boy does that feel good;)

Discussion Question:

What are you grateful you were taught as a child and youth?

Blessings for week of 11.16

11.22- Glee, Glee music, prayer, meds, my friend Britney J, grilled cheese sandwich and tomoto soup for lunch, freshly bathed children, one of the juiciest & sweetest grapefruits ever, watching my fave movie "Ella Enchanted" with B, tea party with B, bedtime

11.21- clean house= happy mom, smell of pinesol, my vacuum, B helping fold towels and being so excited to help, laundry all cleaned & folded & put away, awesome VT who I love so much & great gospel conversation, cuddles & watching "Cat in the Hat" with B, great sound sleep

11.20- a day off thanks to my sweet hubby!, a very productive YW Pres. meeting and loving the sisters I serve with, hanging out with just me and my awesome cousin Sarah, NEW MOON!!!, Native Americans;), Sonic!!, hubby did the dishes- thanks babe!, the new TLC show Family Armor about an LDS family, making it through a tough run and the high I get from running, good chat with my Pops, grapefruit!, new snack of chocolate covered Ritz (yum!), Ferrera Rochet (yum, yum!), playing Monopoly with my bros, getting lots of free steaks from a good ward family friend

11.19- getting to meet with a soon-to-be baptized sister with the missionaries and my kids not being too crazy, the BOM (Book of Mormon), Baily not being as sick as I thought she was and being in a good mood all day, playing with Joaquin and his sweet sweet laugh, SYTYCD and the way Baily tries to imitate each dance, Baily making a heart with her hands and running to tell me so excitedly that it was a special heart for me because she loves me so much, getting a letter from my momma

11.18- sleeping in, getting through a very hard run, excitement for New Moon!, super hot shower on a cold day, hanging with my best girl Brittney and getting to watch her kids then her watching my kids for me so I could go to YWIE in peace, BK onion rings, a fab Spirit-filled Yound Women in Excellence, all my Beehives and how proud I am of them, talking about my mom and how she taught me faith by having charity and compassion, enjoying late night frozen pizza and watching our shows (Law & Order SVU and Criminal Minds) with my amazing husband, loving & appreciating my hubby so much, cuddling with my sweet babies

11.17- citrus season is upon us!!, delicious grapefruit, classical music, refreshing & crisp Fall walk, loving my country and all our people as I watched past episode of Biggest Loser, Wendy's Frosty & fries, red lipstick, my cute leather jacket, my very warm home in very cold weather, playtime with the kiddos, SYTYCD

11.16- woke up with tons of motivation and made a list of "Will" goals, prayer, doubling my running time and making it through the workout, a super hot shower, Baily's sweet family prayer all by herself, family council meeting, love of Moroni, clean home, the call to have a background interview for job I really want but thought I didn't get, delicious dinner with new recipe (chicken pockets) and kids eating all of it without a fight, making special k bars with my kids and eating them!, kids helping me clean basement without a fight and having fun playing catch with them, my kid's laughter, reading with my kids, playing Uno Attack with B and her cracking up, B's sweet prayers, my awesome hubby, a wonderful day of keeping up with my "will" goals