Done!

Every night when Randy and I go to bed we lay there and I talk, he listens and appropriately grunts, or makes a noise of some sort acknowledging my thoughts. This is part of our routine.. or should I say my routine. I love to just get a chance to visit with him about everything possible on my mind.

October 1st we were laying there, it was a Monday night and I had been talking to him about Church stuff. And I looked at him and said Randy, we should read the book of Mormon in two months. It is only about 9 pages a day, want to join me? As he states there was only one right answer.. and that is Yes, dear. I had been feeling rather blah, or stagnant. And I wanted to have more fire under me. I read my scriptures daily but I didn't feel like I was getting ANYTHING out of them, and it was just words going through my head. But I wasn't sure I was putting my whole heart into it. I needed something and having someone to do it with me would help to keep me motivated.

Three years ago my old neighbor who moved away, Tiffany and I read it in 30 days and that was intense. It was awesome! I understood what Henry B. Eyring meant when he said the Book of Mormon will change your life. I wanted that feeling back just as strong. I hadn't lost it all together but I wanted to have the fire going strong.

I figured since I did it in 30 days before 2 months would be cake. You would think it would be right? WRONG. Nine pages a day is really not that much to read. It could be done quite easily. Well as life would have it things got chaotic. I was doing good and then we had our house issues which landed us in a hotel for a week while the builder fixed the bathroom, recarpted, retiled and many other wonderful things. A family of 4 in one hotel room.. it was hard to find the time and the peace to read more than a few verses here and there. So I got behind. We had late nights where I had procrastinated from my early day readings.. I got behind. I read daily just not always all of the pages. I was worried I wouldn't finish in time. I sat down and calculated where I was at and decided if I did 20 pages a day I would be done early! Woo Hoo! Only I didn't stick to that schedule well either. With kids, my calling in Young Women's, my chattery self and wanting to do it all it would get shoved to the side and my scripture study didn't always get the daily attention I wanted it to get.

I read daily with intent to learn and with an open heart. I read 38 pages this Morning, and I finished it. It didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped. But as I was reading Moroni this morning and thinking of all the things he went through I felt so blessed to have such a wonderful Book in my life. How often have I started the Book of Mormon and gotten stuck in 2nd Nephi, or made it through Mosiah only to have things taper off. How many times have I read the ending? Not nearly as many times as I have read the beginning. I read 3rd Nephi in one sitting. I loved every minute of it. I loved reading about the Savior coming, and blessing the Children. Oh to have lived at that time. I love this part of the Book of Mormon. Reading in Moroni about how he was hiding for if a Nephite was found and didn't deny Christ they were killed. The wickedness that was out there and persecuting the Church. There were many things I read that I could liken unto the days we are in now. I have a deep love for the Book of Mormon. I am grateful that even though my reading wasn't as smooth and perfect as I had hoped for that the feelings and the Spirit of it was still the same for me. That I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know that it was written for us in this day, and it will help us and guide us to answers. The Book of Mormon will change your life. It is a powerful tool. If you are needing a boost in your life I challenge you to read it. Pray about it, and set a goal and keep it.

If you haven't read the Book of Mormon and you aren't sure what it is that I, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe please feel free to leave a comment and ask questions, or go HERE.

I read Tiffani's blog on imaginary friends and it made me chuckle. It also prompted my post on my kids.

Little Miss and Little Man both have imaginary cats and dogs. Little Man has Chucky, Bucky, Banana Split, Sage, and Izzy for his dogs and a few cats, Cinderella and Dusty. Little Miss has 100 dogs and 100 cats, not to be out done by her older brother. Hers are named similar to Little Man's and then she runs out of names. Imagine that! Little Man feeds and cares for all of his animals in his room, and Bucky was the original Yellow Lab he started out with who always went everywhere. Bucky has been a good dog, he doesn't do naughty things. He is polite, and eats quietly. We have yet to have any problems with any of Little Man's pets.

Little Miss' dogs and cats are another story. They are destructive. They don't seem to understand the rules of my home. I made pumpkin pie on Sunday, (I made the crust and everything!! I always just buy my pie!!) And I had it cooling, I had made two of these wonderful pies. And we had our neighbors coming to join us when I go and look at these beautiful pies to find two big hand prints in each pie and the pumpkin missing from those spots. Knowing Little Miss was the guilty culprit I asked her if she put her hands in the pie, to which she quickly responded with her guilty look, My dogs and cats did it. Not me. I asked her again if she was sure she didn't do it and she assured me it was her dogs and cats, not her. Little Miss lies as well as I do.. she can't lie. It is OBVIOUS. She went to her room to wait until she could tell the truth. Those darn dogs and cats are who do everything naughty around here. It cracks me up when she isn't looking. She came back later and I asked her again who put their hands in the pie and she looked so sheepish and said me. Sorry Mom. We talked about honesty and then ate our pie. Our neighbors didn't mind the hand prints of Little Miss and giggled with us about her and those darn animals.

It's Cold!

Holy cow the temperatures have dropped. It is cold. What happened to my nice fall weather where the 30's was the low for the night, not the high for the day. I have things planned.. I need nice weather. Thankfully when it started to rain an itsy bit today it stopped. Just in time. I spent a hour out in the brisk cold taking pictures of Tiffani's beautiful family! It was a wonderful time and helped me to forget about the cold. I hope they had as much fun as I did.. and I hope they have defrosted. Here are a few pictures to enjoy. And there will be more up on my photo blog once I proof them! Nevermind that last sentence.. I am done. I couldn't help myself.. I was on a roll, so go look at the other blog.. and there are a few more!

Rise and Shine..

Oh wait it was still dark. Very dark. My cell phone rang before 4AM this morning. My Mom was on the other end asking me if I was awake.. yeah I am up.. totally up. Rubbing my eyes and trying to get over the sheer panic the "Hello Moto" had brought through my body. She had told me she would call me when she left her house this morning and I figured I would roll out of bed then. She told me I am about 3 minutes away, are you ready? Umm.. sure Mom. Give me 5 minutes and I am good to go. I brushed my teeth, threw on clean clothes and freshened up yesterdays makeup.. (Yeah I don't wash my face at night all the time.. who cares!) And then I ran downstairs and out the door. We were off on our shopping adventure!

At 4:15 we found our parking spot in front of ToysRUs and ran and jumped in line. Jealous? You should be. It was cold. I jumped and was ever so anxious for the time to tick by to 5AM when we could get in from the bitter cold. We chatted and laughed and were glad weren't any later the other people were WAY back there and we wanted to get the goods and move on. I had my list and we got in and got all of the things we wanted and we were out by 5:15. It was fast. I got the things I needed to make Christmas wonderful for Little Man.

Off to Fred Meyer.. we needed socks. Lots of socks. I only buy them once a year if I can help it. Fred Meyer has them half off for a few hours every year on Black Friday. We ended up with over 50 pairs of socks. If you have seen my holey socks recently you know how badly they were needed. But I was waiting to buy them for today. I can't wait to put on new socks! We spent much more time there.. we didn't get out of there until 6:30.

Then off to Staples. I wanted a 500GB external hard drive.. but they were already out. They had only been open 45 minutes. I was bummed. Who else wants a 500GB hard drive.. I had no idea they would be THAT popular. I did find new phones.. we needed them.. I dropped one of ours in the toilet.. clean but it got soaked so it works occassionally. And the other one the battery is on the verge of just dying. So basically we have one kind of working moody phone. Now we have three capable phones! Woo hoo! This could prove to be dangerous as my kids love to use the phone. All. of. the. time. They have been known to call Grandma in the wee hours of the night just to request Jello. Sorry I am digressing. I also found 20 mile range two way radios. Pretty snazzy. And a awesome cushy new computer chair I am lounging in right now. It is nice. We went to the copy center and skipped the insanely long check out line!

Then we decided we should brave JoAnn's. This is my first year going there for Black Friday. The first year I am really digging sewing. We went and spent a long long long long long long long long long time in line. I found the fabric for my tree skirt, Christmas jammies, and the gifts I am making. I also got a nice $50 Olfa cutting mat for $19. I scored. We waited for over 1 hour to get my fabric cut. I think I bought over 30 yards of fabric. And I ended up under $70 the sale was that good. Finally after 2 hours there it was time to go to another store.

I checked a few more stores for my Hard Drive but evidentally it was a serious hot ticket item. And the stores that did have them decided that $250 was a good price, I liked the $79-99 price range better. And I know Costco always has a decent deal on it. Hopefully I will get one for Chrismtas. I am sure I "need" one so I can back up all my pictures better. Okay I don't have them backed up at all. Bad Huh?

We went to the Mall.. Gap didn't have an additional percent off this year.. I was bummed. We wandered through Gymboree, and a few stores and my Mom and I were not really feeling it today. We were looking for kids stuff not ourselves and no one really needs clothes right now.

So we decided to hit Target. They didn't have any door busters this year. We made it over and got the things on my list and then decided that since it was noon, I should go home. I hadn't eaten anything or even had a drink of water. I was parched. We had been going for eight hours strong. I got home to see my kids and wonderful husband. He was ready to go shooting, and then play paintball. And I am ready for a nap. Napping while my children are awake doesn't happen though. They like to leave when I nap and they are awake. I sit here anazlying my purchases, hoping I made the right choices and that on Christmas morning they will be as excited about their gifts as I am.

Happy Black Friday! And let the countdown begin until next year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that today is a wonderful day! I hope you eat too much turkey. Gorge on the pie and don't feel the least bit guilty for it. I hope you laugh so hard your cheeks hurt. I hope you feel the love of those you are surrounded by so much that you think your heart might burst with joy and love. I hope you remember all those you are thankful for. I hope you remeber the pilgrims who came here and the first Thanksgiving so long ago. I hope you talk about things you are Thankful for. I hope you are as excited for tomorrow as I am. I hope you have a Wonderful Thanksgiving.

On My Mind

On my mind today.

- Thanksgiving is tomorrow! Holy cow it has come quickly this year. Where did the time go? I get to make the stuffing.. yum!
- Black Friday is in two days.. I am beyond giddy! This is my FAVORITE shopping day of the year!! I cannot wait.
- I need to edit pictures.. but I am feeling lazy. I need to get unlazy, I am going to have a lot more pictures after this week is through. Motivate me.
- I am looking forward to Christmas. I can't wait to get my kids some fun things that thrill them. Randy's gifts are up in the air still. Hopefully I will get something together soon.
- I miss my best friend Tiffany, I haven't had a friend like her in years. She moved almost a year ago. I want her to move back. But her husband doesn't get that I need her. *sigh* Hopefully we will see them over the holidays.
- I am married to the most awesome Man in the world. He is funny, and goofy. He makes me laugh until I almost pee my pants. I am married to my absolute best friend in the world. He knows me better than I know me. He helps me figure "life" out.
- And I am blessed with a killer Mom who knows when my fine really isn't fine. It is Mom nothing is going right, I need you!!

Las Vegas: The Details

Last Friday we jumped on an airplane and went to Las Vegas. Before leaving we meaning, Misty and I took each others family pictures. (Hopefully that means Christmas cards will be out in time.) The Grandparents each took their Grandchildren as Misty, Dave, Randy and I left for our 5 day trip. Misty and I were going for our friend Charlotte's wedding that we were photographing, and since we were going to Las Vegas we brought our husbands so we could make it a mini-vacation.

We arrived in Las Vegas late at night. We got our car and to our nice resort and had a chance to get settled in. Misty and I had to get up early.. 4AM ish.. Poor girl woke up before I did but we had to start at 6AM so we could get the details of Charlotte's big day! Charlotte looked gorgeous, and her and Dustin are adorable together! It was a perfect day and I loved the gorgeous scenery for pictures. Such a change to have palm trees for your background! Gorgeous!

We finished up about 4PM and then we were off to the hotel to change our clothes and then head down to the Strip to check it all out. I really, really, really wanted to see The Phantom of the Opera. I had only seen the movie and was told the movie didn't do it justice. Tickets online were expensive and I wasn't sure if it was going to happen. We went to Tix for Less and they had them for $75, I was thrilled! We bought our tickets and then hustled, okay we literally dragged poor Misty down the Strip to the Venetian so we could get our seats. Misty I am so sorry for going so fast, but the seats were worth it right? Misty is pregnant and gets bad morning sickness. Sorry. You were a great sport about it though!!! We weren't allowed to take pictures in Phantom. They said if you did you would be escorted out. I saw people taking pictures and no one drug their butt out... I was ready to see someone jump on them and take them out and delete the pictures from their memory card. It didn't happen, but it would have left me giggling if it had. Phantom was wonderful. Seriously 100X's better than I even imagined. The theatre was built for Phantom, it is gorgeous. I would go to Vegas just to see Phantom again. I loved every minute of it. After Phantom was over we went out front of the Venetian to get a few shots of ourselves and things we were seeing.

Randy and I.. Hope that is obvious. lol


Dave and Randy

Misty and I


From here we walked down to the Bellagio. Misty was really excited to see this. This was her first time in Las Vegas. We watched the fountains, and they were awesome!



We finally got back to our hotel around midnight or a little later. I was dead tired. Holy cow.

The next day we went to M&M World. It was cool. Randy and Dave busted a move.. and it made the M&M World even cooler.



Then we went to a dinner show at the Excalibur, Tournament of Kings. It is a great kid friendly show. Randy and I went last year and liked it enough to go again this year.

The next day we decided it was time to get off of the Strip. Only so much that I can handle of that part of Las Vegas. Misty and I both had family shoots that morning so we finished those up and got back to our wonderful husbands! We really wanted to go to the Grand Canyon, but it was too far away, and I didn't want Misty throwing up for a couple of reasons. 1. It sucks to puke. And I don't want to be the reason she pukes. 2. Then I would puke. Instead we made our way to Hoover Dam. We were going to go on a Dam Tour but it was $25 and well.. I didn't feel the need to spend $25 for a Dam Tour. I could walk across it just fine and say that now I had been to Arizona! Woo hoo! It was cool to see, but it looks bigger in the Movies. And I thought it would be cooler than it was. I am not sure what I expected from a Dam

Looking down the Dam


They are building a Bridge across the canyon. Holy scary!
After that we decided to go to Primm, Nevada. I convinced everyone we should go there to the outlet mall. They had a Nieman Marcus Outlet, Gucci, Dolce & Gabana, Prada, and the list goes on. I was seriously giddy to be there. We had been there maybe ten minutes and I was just figuring out where I wanted to go when sirens started to go off in the building and an announcement that this is an Emergency Please EVACUATE the building. I wanted to stay.. but quickly came to my senses this isn't school where you have a fire drill. This is serious and I should listen. So sadly I left the mall, never to return. *sigh* Okay one day I might but not for a long time. We went and rode the roller coaster across the street at a Casino, and then headed back to Las Vegas for dinner. We still don't know why the Mall was shut down. It didn't blow up or anything. I was watching to see if it was going to explode.


And then the next day it was time to come home. We went to the Zappos.com Shoe Outlet. I didn't find anything that I loved enough to buy. So sad. I tried really hard but nothing. We had lunch and then jumped on the plane and came home. We had a FANTASTIC time with Dave and Misty, and I don't think I know anyone who would be better to vacation with. The thing about going with friends is you always hope you still like each other a ton by the time you get home. And I love Misty more! She is great. And her and Dave are so cute together, and our husbands got along great! That is an even bigger bonus!


It was so nice to get home. I couldn't wait to see my little munchkins. They were so cute and Little Miss kept squeezing my face and giving me tons of kisses. I missed my kiddos so much. We had a great trip, but I am loving being home and getting back to my regular life.


Sorry this is long, and hope you enjoy the millions of pictures.

Seal Your Record

While driving to the Temple in Vegas we happened upon these wonderful signs. They were so wonderful that I had to get a picture to share. This is almost as great as the signs that you see down in Southern California, you know the ones on the freeway like this one. It made me giggle the first time I saw it 7 years ago and I still giggle at it now. Mostly the kid looks like they are flying because they are being dragged. Call me immature.. it is still hilarious to me!



Here is the new sign that had us giggling. Now we know what to do if we need to seal our criminal record, and heck it isn't even too expensive to do it. If you need to seal it here is the number. Let me know if it works! I love the crazy signs you see around the country. More on Vegas to come. Hopefully tomorrow I will find the time.

Woman to Woman: Infertility and recurrent loss

Woman to Woman: Infertility and recurrent loss

I have never dealt with a miscarriage or any sort of loss of pregnancy. And my heart goes out to all of the many women who have. My Sister-in-law has had several and I have no idea how she has done it and my heart goes out to her. And I am in awe of her strength. I look at her as an example of how to deal with hard trials, I cannot even begin to imagine the pain that those who have miscarried or lost children in utero, and after have felt and have dealt with. I don't think I could handle it.

I did however deal with infertility. We tried for quite a while to get Little Man, and I was on fertility drugs when we did get Little Man. It was hard when we were wanting so badly to have our first child and everywhere I turned someone I knew was pregnant and it was hard to watch. I hated waiting every month to see if I was pregnant. I tried hard to not buy pregnancy tests but I couldn't help it. I knew each month HAD to be the month. And it would pass by and I would cry. And then go on and try the next month. Finally we were at the temple and I had an overwhelming feeling I was pregnant, and a couple of weeks later I found out I was! I was thrilled, and still remember finding Randy while he was on jury duty at the Court House to tell him. We were overjoyed.

Little Miss came 18 months later without any drugs, due to other things in my life with health issues she is what we call our Little Miracle. After complications with both pregnancies and all of my weird health issues we were told we were done having kids. I scoffed at the idea. I was 23, young and "healthy".. okay maybe healthy isn't exactly right.. but I thought I was. And after reading stories of pre-eclampsia, and talking to multiple doctors, friends, people with Lupus, Bishop's, family, researching, praying I finally got an answer I was done. That our family was complete. Last year I had surgery to permanently take the option of childbearing away. It was hard and a heartbreaking choice that has been so eloquently put, My body made a choice before my heart was ready. But I knew I had to do it for my health. And there were times of sheer heartache before and after the surgery. The twangs to my heart when people ask when number 3 is coming, and I tell them we are done. And the assurance that you never know.. to which I reply actually we do. Often it is followed by a sincere apology to which I assure them it is okay no harm done and it isn't like I have a sign printed on my head saying "I'm Fixed!" In someways I have felt like I have went through infertility again.. I wanted more kids but I couldn't and live and be healthy.

This past year my heart finally caught up to my body. I look at small babies and love them. My friends announce their pregnancies and I am thrilled for them. I can't wait to buy them cute outfits or take pictures of their sweet babies. My heart has healed this past year. The sadness comes on occasion but I love the stage I am in. I love to see sweet newborns and snuggle so sweetly with them, and quickly hand them back to their Mom when the diaper needs to be changed, or they start to fuss.

To all who have had infertility my heart goes out to you, I understand the heartache. The Lord has a plan. And to those who have had recurrent loss or any at all I am so very sorry. Your strength and courage is admirable.

Now go participate at Lei and Morning Glory's Blog's. Leave a comment and leave your link.

Vegas!

I am busy trying to make sure I am ready for Vegas. We leave Friday. I have camera batteries charging, memory cards clearing, and gear getting organized. I am picking up my new luggage tomorrow, and getting things squared away. Laundry is almost all done so the kids will have plenty of clean clothes with Grandma and we will be well wardrobed for the 5 days we are playing. Even better my friend Misty and her husband are going with us. Misty and I are shooting a fantastic wedding on Saturday! I can't wait. I always enjoy working with Misty and the fact that we get to do a fun vacation together while were at it makes it even better. I am hoping to get a chance to shoot some fun pictures and capture some of the fun things in Vegas that we didn't see last time. Any out of the ordinary must-sees would be greatly appreciated.

For my Vegas friends.. and blog readers if you are interested in pictures let me know. I have time on Monday, and Tuesday AM, leave me a comment with an email address and I will get back to you!

Something to Live by

This summer I was talking with my friend Monica while we were lounging on her boat and somehow she said something that has been ever so thought provoking. She said,"Lee, you are great! Don't ever apologize for who you are. Be you and be proud of it." It might not be earth shaking for you or even something you would ponder, but I did. And I have thought about it a lot. I have often apologized for doing things just how I do them only to find out people like it done better a different way. Or apologized for just being my goofy self that is oblivious to half of the world. It is so true. I don't need to apologize for just being me. I like myself. I am comfortable with who I am. I am a loud, talk-your-ear-off, goofy, up for anything, silly, passionate, loving, hyper, quirky, screwball kind of girl and I am good with that. I am not the scrapbooker, Martha Stewarty, crafty girl. And I don't even want to pretend to be. I like to be me. I make no apologies for being ME. So Monica.. if you read this thanks for inspiring me, and reinforcing what I already knew but saying it so I could hear it. Hopefully I will teach my children this. To be who they are and be true to themselves and never apologize for who they are. Love yourself. Like who you are, and quit apologizing for being you.

Sew Much.

I love wearing new clothes. I love having new clothes. Face it I love clothes, a lot. I decided Saturday afternoon that I needed a new dress for Sunday. I just had to have one. Randy was playing paintball while I sewed myself a new dress. I am pretty darn proud. This one went much faster than my last one. And I am totally digging making my own clothes that are tailored just for me. Long enough sleeves, the bust line doesn't stop half way making me look all saggy. The skirt is long enough and I just feel great in it. That is the way clothes are supposed to fit, and usually for me to find the right fit I spend way too much money on them. My sewing machine is helping me to be cost effective. I get new clothes for a fraction of the price, and they fit me perfectly. Yippee! And now for your viewing pleasure, my newest creation.

On a side note if you would like to see an uber cute family go here and look at the slide show! Happy Monday!!

Secret...

I have a secret. A secret that might have people hunting me down over. Tomatoes might be thrown at me over it.. but don't hate me for being me. My secret...
I can't stand Michael Buble. So not my style. I know it is the latest CRAZE, the hip thing to do or something but I like to do my own thing and well.. he so doesn't do it for me. I so don't get it. Give me Nickelback, Green Day, Blink 182, The Fray, see where my taste are. I even like some country.. but that is not my thing. There it is out. I feel better. Do you? For most women I know probably not. Don't try and change my mind, it won't work.
Do you have a secret?