Monday, December 12, 2011

Christmas Time Is Here

Last Year, I failed to take pictures of our First Christmas Tree, and I have regretted it ever sense. This year, I remembered! Its basically the same as last years, however this year we added the silver beaded garland. I want to try and find a small stuffed Grinch to put on the top of it, since my colors are Green, Lime Green, Red, white and Silver (inspired by my wood GRINCH) We will see if I ever find one.









Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Can you hear me- (Amazing song by Mark Schultz)

In the past few months, I have learned of some remarkable women. These women have went through the hardest trial imaginable. Having to burry a child. While this post makes me very emotional, I feel like I need to write down my feelings and thoughts on this matter. I am going to share briefly the stories of amazing women, one I’ve only met in passing, one I went to High School with, a Co-worker, and a woman I have never met, that is Robs friend. I feel like it is important to write down my thoughts, although I am not sure why.

A girl I went to High School with had a daughter born with many heart defects. She had open heart surgery when she was 3 days old. I don’t believe they ever got to bring their baby girl home. They lived at the hospital, enjoying whatever time they had with their daughter. Their daughter passed away shortly before her 7 month. In reading this friends blog update, I can see she has her bad days, but I can also see her incredible faith and strength as she goes throughout the remainder of her life, with her husband and now 2 year old son. What amazing faith and strength!

The next lady is a friend of my sisters, who I have only met a few times. This sweet talented lady tried for years to have a second child, and when it finally happened, she was extactic! She went into labor early, and her sweet baby boy did not make it. I cant imagine the emotions that run through you as you deliver a baby, a baby that you know you will never take home. One that never got to take its first breath. I would never be able to do it, and I don’t think I would be able to try again, knowing it took so long to get pregnant, and have only your memories to hold to show for it. What an amazing woman!
I am happy to report that she is pregnant again, and everything is looking great!
The next two women have amazing stories, and my words will not do them justice. Here is my attempt

Rob has a friend from college, and he came across her facebook page one night while we were in bed. I immedietly knew the picture had a sad story to go along with it. As we looked at her profile more, we realized the story was harder to hear then we thought. This amazing woman had not only buried one baby, but she has buried 2. One, the oldest, was a beautiful baby girl that only lived for a few hours. And then a son recently, died at birth. I can not imagine losing one child, let alone two. As I found her blog, and read more into her stories, I couldn’t help but wonder why a woman would have to go through such a Hell twice. Then a thought came to me, She is an amazing woman and a choice daughter of God. What love and respect our father in heaven must have for her to be trusted with such perfect innocent children! What an amazing calling to give these babies bodies so they could continue with the work once they returned to our heavenly father!

The last woman I wanted to mention is a co-worker of mine. Her son passed away this last March. He was born with a rare genetic disorder. When he was 2 weeks old, he had a seizure. It took Doctors and specialists a year to figure out what he had. By the time he was two years old, he was losing all control of his muscles, as well as his personality. This past March, he returned to heavenly father. He was 5 years old. This mother has the most amazing personality and attitude about it all. We talk everyday at work of her little boy. Somedays are hard for her (and even me) but most of the time she shares her unyielding faith and love for her savior. She even thanks him for the trial she has been asked to endure. She always says that now she has a tangable reason to live her life the right way, because she wants to be worthy to return to her little boy. She is the strongest woman I know, with such an amazing attitude and faith!

I admire all of these women, and every other woman who has had to endure such a trial. I cant imagine the pain that is there when you bring a child into the world, and then be there to usher them out when they leave this world, and have their children cross the veil onto the other side. All these women are my heroes. They amaze me with their faith and strength, as well as the courage you have to face everyday. I hope and pray we never have to endure what they have. But if we do, I pray I will have the strength, faith, courage, and grace to overcome such a trial.

Before I close this, a thought just occurred to me. I also wanted to mention 2 other women. Emma Smith, and Mary. Emma Smith has a legacy of an elite women who have endured this many MANY times. And Mary’s son, Jesus Christ came to this earth in unbearable circumstances. He came to save us, and he gave the ultimate sacrifice to us when he died on the cross, and the ultimate gift when he rose again. To him, and her, I am truly thankful for the sacrifice made so we can return to God the Father and live as eternal families.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Photograph

I have recently come accross a few picture of the last little bit. I thought I would upload them, mainly so I will have them. So without further ado...

These first two pictures are of a brunch the girls in my homeward growing up put together. It was so much fun getting together with them and catching up. I definanely think it is something we will have to do more often! (Top left to right: Connie, Elisa, Olivia. Bottom left to right: Emily, Jennifer, Kayleen)





The next set of pictures are from Korbins baby blessing:





The next picture was from "The witches" at gardner village. My mom, Mindi, and I took Kome, Kylie, and Konner. It was a lot of fun!



Thats all for now! Enjoy!!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Follow Through

Why is it that when I say Im going to do a "Get to know us" or "Im thankful for" blog game, I can NEVER do it? Yet, I can update my blog all the time, sometimes days in a row about nothing in particular. I dont really understand it. Oh well... Maybe someday. I, however am not going to go back and fill in the answers to the game. Instead, I am going to just do a normal update. I wish I would have taken pictures. I really need to start doing that more... anyway, here is an update.

To start off, I cant believe it is December already! that is crazy for me. This year has gone by super fast! November was filled with some fun family times. Usually, we see Robs family more than mine, but This past month that has been switched around. To start it off, Rob had to work one saturday, So I went to my dads house to help him. They remodled their house and he needed it done before Miranda's mission fairwell. The next day, we had our monthly family dinner with Robs family. The next Sunday, We had Miranda's fairwell. Somewhere in the middle of everything, we finally moved. It was stressful, and I am glad that we are finally done. (It was sad to move and see how we were treated by our "landlord" once we gave our notice, but I know that we did the right thing by moving. So I try not to think about it.) We all got settled into the house, and got things ready for thanksgiving. We went to my dads that afternoon, and then back to our house for thanksgiving with my mom. Both were fun, with great food. I made a new recipie for Rolls that I got from Robs aunt, and they turned out to be a big hit! (I'll add the recipie) It was weird not seeing Robs family for thanksgiving, His mom was in California so there wasnt a thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving night was EPIC!! My sisters and I drug my mom with us first to Carters, so my sisters could get some clothes for the kids, and then to Walmart. (I wanted a sewing machine- and no, I didnt get one) Walmart was a mad house, and I will NEVER go there again on a black Friday. We basically put my mom in a random isle, and the three of us ran around the store and just grabbed everything and then we finally sat around and sorted through the loot. Then we parted ways with my mom and sat outside Kohls. That was also an adventure. We didnt wait in line, we just tried running in as soon as the door opened. we got held up a little, and I ended up holding the door for a good 1,000 people before we were let in, but that was still better than what it would have been if we had waited in line. My sisters got the barbie stuff they were looking for, and I got a blanket that I wasnt going for, as well as an electric tooth brush that rob and I wanted. After that, we went home. I was sad I didnt get a sewing machine, but I was glad that I made it out of Walmart alive, so I cant complain too much. We didnt end up going to bed until about 5AM. the next morning, we woke up and went to target with Britt and my mom. We got the blindside for $3, x men first class for $13 and How I met your mother season 6 for $10 ( I wanted to get all the seasons of HIMYM but they didnt have them all on sale (and I already have season 3) Then we went to lunch, and went to sports chalet. that night, we had cafe Rio and played a 3 hour game of phase 10 with the jensens, and didnt get to bed til about 2AM. The next morning, I went to Kmart because they had a sale on sewing machines, and I was able to get one. Then that night while Rob worked, we had Chloe's birthday party. My mom came over early, and helped me decorate my christmas tree, and then we had dinner. Britt, Kev, and I were really nervous for this party, because My mom, Dad, and Rebecca were all gonna be there. We were all happily surprised with how well the party went, and it was nice to have family around again. Sunday, Britt and I set up my sewing machine, and I made a rag carseat cover (I will add pictures of that too) I loved sewing, and Im glad I found a machine. the bad part about those carseat covers is shredding them, that stinks! Thats my update. We love where we are living, and I love being so close with the 3 kids! they are so much fun! Rob likes it too, and its fun to watch him with the kids!

Quick & Easy Garlic-Parmesan Rolls
Recipe by Our Best Bites

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
4-5 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (fresh or canned)
20 rise and bake frozen rolls (like Rhodes)

Place the butter, garlic, and Italian seasoning in a microwave-safe dish and heat until melted. Whisk in the Parmesan cheese.

Place the frozen dough balls in a large bowl. Drizzle the butter/cheese mixture over the dough and then toss quickly to evenly coat the dough in the butter and cheese. Place the dough in a 9×13″ pan and allow to rise until doubled (follow the package directions). Bake according to package directions until the rolls are evenly golden on top and serve as soon as you can pull them apart without hurting yourself. Makes 20 rolls, but don’t count on people being able to stop after 1 roll…



Carseat cover Brittany and I made (first sewing project I've done by the way)





Wednesday, November 9, 2011

♫ Thankful ♫

I know.... Im slacking...

Day 4: Today, I am thankful for Rand, the helpful guy at south towne mall.
I have had nothing but problems with my ring since I got it. I loved my ring, had to get it fixed several times, because diamonds kept coming out. had to get a whole new one made. Had to pick a whole new setting because I was losing diamonds on that one too. and then the store broke my band in 2 places when I got it redipped. Needless to say I have not been happy with them. ANYWAY... Long story short. Rand was amazing and I ended up getting my diamond set in just a solitaire band, Its not my dream ring, but at least I have a ring again. THANKS RAND!

Day 5: Today I am thankful for snow. I hate driving in it, but It's so pretty to look at.

Today was the first snow storm of the year (at least at my house)I love the snow. It makes the world look so pretty, but I hate driving in it. Lucky for me, it was a Saturday, and I didn't have to drive anywhere if I didn't want to (I did- but the roads were not bad)

Day 6: Today I am thankful for babies I get to hold. It's such a wonderful feeling having them in my arms.

I got to hold my nephew Korbin today, as well as my Neices new baby Lydia. They are both super cute. Korbin is about 12 weeks. and Lydia is about 3 weeks. They are so small and innocent I just cant get enough of them. I could hold them all day long!

Day 7: Today I am thankful for a boss that takes time out of their busy day to tell me that I'm doing a great job.

It really meant a lot to me since I was doing 2 peoples jobs and getting trained on another job. I was going a little crazy but being told that I was doing a good job during all the madness kind of recharged my batteries, and I was able to go on with out pulling all of my hair out.

Day 8: Today (as in yesterday) I am thankful for Tony Bennett and Loni Bennett for 1: the super yummy dinner and dessert they made for us last night and 2: more importantly, their friendship!

Tony and Rob have been friends for a long time now, and he and Loni have been married for almost 2 years. We used to live a few doors down from them when we were both just married, and it was so much fun always hanging out with them. When we all moved, it was harder to see them, plus Loni is a studant as well as working, so her schedules are pretty crazy. But the last few weeks, we have been able to hang out with them. They are both amazing and great people and their friendship means a lot to us.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

♫ Good Riddance (Time of your life) ♫

Day 3: Today, I am thankful for time.

I am thankful for the time at work where I get to learn new things, and the time at home where I get to relax. I'm thankful that time goes by fast while at work, and slow when I'm with family. I'm grateful for the time away from family, because it makes the time together even more special.

I'm thankful for the time I have had and do have on this earth, and for the promise of a lifetime and eternity of happiness and joy. I'm thankful for the yesterdays that I have struggled with, because they have given me strength for today. I'm thankful for the mistakes of the past, because they have given me wisdom and insight for the future.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

♫ November ♫

There is a thing going around Facebook, where each day in November, you update your status to something you are thankful for. I have decided that as long as I was doing that on facebook, I was going to do a little blurb on my blog as well. I figure my blog is a good way to "journal" whats going on, and it would also be a good way to count my many blessings. Each thing that I post, I want to have to do with what happend that day. that way I can also kind of remember what Im doing at the same time. I am doing this a day late, so you lucky ladies and gentleman get a two for one.

Day 1: I am thankful for my family. I am blessed by atleast one of them every day.

I had to run to my sisters house to get some boxes to prepare for the big move, and while I was only there for a few minutes, her and her kids made me smile and laugh. Im also blessed to get to talk to my cousin almost everyday, she makes work go by faster, and its so much fun having a cousin that is also a good friend. Also, my dad sends some very funny, random texts all day long, and Im thankful for it. Its great to have him back in my life even with all of his random weirdness.

Day 2: I am thankful for my job. I know I may get stressed with it sometimes but I'm lucky to have a great job I love when some people cannot find any work at all.

Today, I started training on a new job. It is not something I will be doing all the time, I will just be filling in when someone is on vacation, or sick. Training was somewhat stressful, and if you add that work, to my current work load, Im in for an adventure. But even with the stress that comes with my job, I still love it, and I feel blessed every day to have a job, especially one that I love.