{The Next American Idol}

One of our family's favorite things to do is to watch American Idol together every season. This young man from Utah has stolen our hearts - David Archuleta is absolutely amazing. If you missed his performance you can see it here - {Imagine} His voice is flawless. he is so humble and just about the cutest thing we have ever seen. Tonight is the girls and we will just have to see if they can even hold a candle to this young man.

{What a cute little visitor}

So yesterday afternoon the door bell rings and look who it was . . . . . my cute little nephew Matthew.
He came to visit Morgan and bring a smile to her face. He is the cutest boy in town and he is just sooooo happy. He loved our piano and Morgan loved watching him play.

{I am not sure I like the word "AGING"}

yesterday Janna and I went to meet the Glitz Design girls becuase we are now the new reps in AZ for them. They were so cute, I love their product and it we have some good things in the works.

Anyways, on our drive I just kept Janna what a problem I am having with the "4-0" numbers. And she said she did to until our friend Tricia (of scrapbook.com) shared this with her -

Aging is a privilege, not a predicament

Turning 40 is a blessing. You finally know enough to ignore small-minded people AND you have the confidence to do it. You finally have enough confidence to say “no” to things that don’t benefit you, your family, or your priorities, without guilt.

You’ll also notice a difference in the way people treat you – they know not to give you their crap – not to dump on you and they respect what you say more.
Here’s a visual that worked for me - Think about the new mom you see out with her child at the mall. The big huge stroller, the enormous diaper bag, all that STUFF, for that tiny little baby. You always smile at that and think how that new mom is just way too bogged down right? How someday she’ll know better? How she doesn’t really need all that STUFF for the little tiny baby?

Then think of you, after your second child. How you just grabbed a diaper, pacifier, maybe a bottle and hoped for the best when you left the house. That’s what turning 40 is like. Turning 40 is having your second life. You leave the baggage you’ve been carrying around - the emotional baggage. The need to please, the worrying about your looks, trying to be everything to everyone, trying to compete with the younger, prettier girls, etc. You lighten up your load. And when your load gets lighter, you can focus on what’s important to you.

They all assure me 40 is way better than 39 anyday - so I am just going to have to trust them on this one.

{Survivor of 40 & Stake Conference}

Well, I had a good birthday whether I wanted to or not. Friday night I went to dinner with my whole family to a fun little restaurant in Desert Ridge called the office - Everyone came (Mom, Uncle Jim, Aunt Judy, Jason, Jamie, Karen, Steve, Don, myself and even my niece Alli - no babysitters left) We had a fun evening just enjoying each others company.

Then Saturday morning I woke up and I went to meet my Scrap Therapy friends. They are letting us use one of their old computers from their store to try and get Morgan hooked up to do her school work on line. They are just the kindest people - thank you gals for love and support. We have one problem and maybe there are some computer guru's out there that can help us. When you open windows it is asking for a password and the password has been forgotten. I am sure there is a way around this - I just haven't figured it out yet. So I am open to any suggestions.

I was invited to go to a birthday lunch at Ginna Bairds house. She is in my ward and they are starting a monthly birthday luncheon in our ward the last Saturday of the month. And it just so happened to be my birthday. It was so nice - they treated us like queens.

Then Saturday night we went to the adult meeting for Stake Conference where we watched the Worldwide leadership training. The focus was mainly on families and it seemed to be speaking to me. Then Sunday we enjoyed stake conference and we had an amazing meeting. President Campbell focused on the topic of making our homes a refuge from the world. He encouraged us to live in such a way that we have the spirit with us at all times - by keeping the commandments, reading our scriptures, praying daily, keeping the sabbath day holy and attending the temple regularly. He also encouraged us to eliminate EVERYTHING in our lives that will drive away the spirit. I don't know about you, but this is something I know we can improve on in our home. I know we need to monitor what comes in through those cable and Internet wires into our homes. We need to really be aware of who our kids are hanging out with and we need to try a create that influence for good in our homes. He reminded us that our homes can be that refuge if we will just remember to do those things to invite the spirit of the Lord into our hearts and homes. Goodness is more powerful than evil, light is greater than darkness. Just think about it - if you walk into a dark room and turn and turn on the light the dark will be gone. Darkness cannot seep in where there is light. Just the same "evil cannot tolerate the presence of light". Remember, there are no perfect families. Only families that are striving and working towards perfection. We all have challenges. I know everyone does. But we can make it through anything if we will always remember to put our families first.

Then Sunday evening we had our monthly family birthday party at Steve and Karen's house. I love being with my family and my kids love being with their cousins.

{Stop that Clock}

Oh my how in the world did I get here ? Only 24 more hours of being thirty something ????? Seriously - I honestly cannot beleive I am turning 40. I know many of my friends are 40 - and you are all saying "give me a break". But seriously think back to the day you turned 40. That is a big pill to swallow. I know I will be no different tomorrow than I am today. But whatever - 40 is a big number. And it means I am not thirty something anymore !!!! Okay I will get over it. Maybe tomorrow will just come and go quickly.
As for everything else - life seems to be good. The home bound teacher came yesterday and met with us and he was AWESOME !!!! Morgan's stress was cut in half. Most of the work is computer based which is so good for her. (once we get the computer situation figured out) and he basically told her - just complete the assignments and you are going to graduate. Yippee skippee.
We have water therapy again today and that seemed to be really good for her and I beleive we are going to see a ton of improvement. Now we just keep our fingers crossed that we get her approved for the secondary insurance. If not we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
Got a ton of stuff to do today on my very last day of being 39 - so I better get out and do it.
Happy Friday Everyone !

[So much GOOD in this world}

So I have been touched by so many incredible things this morning. First of all I was reading the inspiring words of MELODY ROSS and I must just say she has the ability to lift me up just at the right time. She shared about a conversation she had with HEIDI (another one of my favorite women)
women are STRONG....we can do anything, we can get through anything, we can bear anything....and we have the POWER TO LIFT EACH OTHER UP more than any force on this earth.....and then also that we have the power to DESTROY each other more thoroughly than any force on this earth ever could......that is the power of women....and that it's so crucial that we all embrace the goodness of the power we hold in our hands, and not ever use it for destructive purposes.

We do have the ability to make it through anything, I am amazed at the God given strength I have been blessed with. I then just had this wonderful inspiration come into my inbox :

"We do not know the future, but our Father in Heaven does, and He will lead and guide us if we let Him. When we are in tune with the Spirit, we will see many small miracles happen in our lives. I have found that having the ability to see and recognize these small miracles is based upon my spiritual worthiness, my willingness to be obedient, and my desire to not allow myself to become complacent and caught up in worldly and personal pursuits."
--Ronald T. Halverson

Just kind of reminds me that my Heavenly Father is very aware of our struggles and he will guide us and lead us if we just turn to him and ask him for the help we need.

I am so touched by so many small miracles in my life. The friends that I have made by working in the scrapbook industry will be treasures I hold dear forever. One friend I haven't seen since the fundraiser just sent me an email. How blessed we are to be women, and how blessed we each are to be able to make a positive difference in this world just by reaching out and helping those around us. I have many things to be grateful for.

One more little blessing - the Home Bound teacher just called and he is coming today !!!! Yahoo - it's all good.

{Thursday}

Well - I think it is safe to say it has been a good week. No major steps backward so in my book that is good. Morgan started Auquatic therapy yesterday and she worked out in the pool for an hour and she was tired when she was done. This to me is such a good sign. They had her walking across the pool (heel to toe walking). I still cannot get her to do much at home, but hopefully when the teacher starts coming that will help alot. Keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer for us that this secondary insurance gets approved for her. We cannot keep paying $150 - $300 a week in copays. We are sinking pretty fast and if this insurance get's approved it should cover our co-pays. We gave them the rest of the information they needed today and hopefully we will hear soon. If it doesn't go through I don't know what we will do ? So let's just think positive.

I have had fun week getting back to working with my local scrapbook stores and getting them stocked with the latest and the greatest of all the hot new products. Had the chance to go out to the new Anthem store yesterday and I just have to say "WOW" it looks so awesome !!!! Now I am working on designing some new classes and hoping to get back on the calendar locally next month (no traveling yet)

Came across this great blog today {SCRAP FAITH} It is such an inspiring site. They welcome members of ALL faiths to come and be inspired to scrap about their beliefs so generations to come will know that what you believed made you who you are. Love it !

I found a little inspiration from Spencer W. Kimball there also :

Let us remember, too,
that greatness is not always a matter of the scale of one's life,
but of the quality of one's life.
True greatness is not always tied to the scope of our tasks,
but to the quality of how we carry out our tasks,
whatever they are.
In that attitude,
let us give our time, ourselves and our talents to the things that really matter now,
things which will still matter a thousand years from now.

Does that make you just stop and think about how you are living your daily life. Are you focused on the things that REALLY matter.

Have a great day friends!

{All Together Now}

Sing the Dora song with me "We did it, we did it, we did it, did it, did it - wave your hands in the air cause we did it". After refusing to pay a repairman and filling up the tub with pans of boiling water (so Morgan could take a bath before seeing Andrew) which did nothing, the water was still freezing. I searched the internet and found a You Tube video on fixing the water heater. I made Don come in and watch it with me - and we DID IT! So proud of myself and him of course. When we were finished he came out and told my girls - make sure any guy you date knows how to do these things. I think that it brings alot to the surface for Don and makes him really think. His dad is a wonderful man who we love dearly, but he never really had the time to teach Don any skills. With Don being the only boy he didn't have the opportunity to learn some very important skills that could save us a lot of money in the end. So I think he is more concious about teaching our boys how to do the things he knows.
Morgan had a great day with Andrew - they watched movies and just visited. He is such a great guy and they really enjoy spending time together and it helps her to get her mind off the pain. So wish he lived closer.
Things are moving along, she starts her aquatic therapy tomorrow and we have been approved for a Home Bound teacher. (thanks Sherry) So life is begining to feel a little more normal. I will have to make sure my house is clean every day for this teacher, but that is a small price to pay to have someone come to house and teach her.
We will need to figure out a way to get a computer. The family computer has crashed a thousand times and we keep trying to just "fix" it and in reality it is old and we just need a new computer. The kids use my laptop and that is a dangerous thing. Can't afford to have that crash. So time to file our taxes and get a new computer so I can go to appointments while Morgan is with her teacher. Plan would be for her to get caught up and get to the point where she can walk without crutches and get back to school by the 1st of April so she can enjoy the rest of her senior year. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

{Let's Think Positive}

These pictures are from New Years Eve - Dylan was indesperate need of a hair cut so he refused to take the baseball cap off. He drove me crazy all night with that look. But he has since then gotten a very handsome haircut and does not have the hat on the head as much. ANyways - reason for these pictures is that Kelly (my nephew just turned 16 - he is the one in the left picture with Dylan and then in the front with all the girls) So wished these boys were into dating - look at these cute girls that love to hang out with them - but I guess all is well - they all love hanging out together and it is such a good group of kids. Anywhoo - Dylan goes to jump in the shower and he comes right back out and he reports "NO HOT WATER". I thought of course there is no hot water - what else could possibly happen. So initially I thought oh it must just be that I drained it doing lot's of laundry and dishes. But guess what ? This morning still no hot water. SO that is my quest this morning - trying to figure that out without having to pay HIGH holiday weekend repair man rates. SO think positive. (Did I mention that I did not marry a handy man) Don is going into work and so I am on my own on this one. I'll report my findings and sucesses later . . . .

{The Eye Is Not Good}

Just returned from the eye doctor and Karleigh has a Corneal Ulcer. What is that ? Exactly what I said - It is an ulcer that developed on her cornea. While I was gone Karleigh's eye got infected and she kept wearing her contacts and so the bacteria began to form an ulcer on her cornea. I guess this is considered an "EMERGENCY" so I guess I am glad the nurse added one more appointment to my day. Anywhoo - off to keep disenfecting my home from the cootie that invaded my house while I was gone spend time with those I love (even if they are sick)

{I made it and the family survived}

I made it home last night about 11 pm - Woo Hoo. The house was still standing, most of the kiddos were snuggled in their beds. Coleton was awaiting my arrival. But Morgan's foot looked horrible - take a look - It is as red as a tomatoe. But her pain seems a little more managable. But the joy of it was she had gotten the flu while I was gone - so she is a sickie. But I said "Moms home and she will get the germs out of this house". I have put all my travels on hold for right now - and I will just focus on my family and my local stores here in Arizona (lucky them - hope they don't get sick of me) Morgan is starting aquatic therapy and we are working on insurance so she can go numerous times a week. if I had the moola I would take her everyday. She is getting really depressed just laying in bed all day and this is the only position her foot feels comfy and safe. So it is a battle to get her up. But I have no idea of the intensity of nerve pain. SO I just need to listen to her. To make my day even more exciting I got a call from the school and they told me to come and pick up karleigh and get her to the eye doctor ASAP. This morning she was complaining her eye was killing her. I could tell she had a cold and I was just thinking maybe her cold had settled into her eye and so I made her take out her contact and we put drops in and such and after a while of being at school her eye was just watering and she was in alot of pain so they sent her to the nurse. The nurse thinks she has a cornea abbrastion (spelling ?) So needless to say I am the doctor taxi today. Will let you know the status of the eye when we return home.

As for CHA - it was fabulous. I loved seeing all the industry friends we only get to see a couple times a year and I am so excited for all the new products that will be arriving in the local Arizona stores very soon !!!!!

Well looks like my little break between dr appointments is over - be back later to check in.

{I am so sad}

Mitt Romney just pulled out of the presidential race. I understand that he did what he needed to do, but I am still so sad. His speach was absoluelty AMAZING!!!! He will be the president of the Untied States at some point.

{A Peaceful Night}

Well Morgan got a massage yesterday and it seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. My friend Carol called and said her neice was a massage therapist and could come over at 1:00. That was perfect - all the kids were still gone. I closed the drapes, lit a candle and put on some quiet Jim Brickman music. It completely relaxed her and we were able to manage her pain yesterday pretty well. If they didn't cost $60 bucks an hour (which is probably a really good deal) then I would have her come every couple days. But since I am not among the rich and famous then we will shoot for maybe every 2 weeks. Morgan slept peacefully last night and still happens to be sleeping now at 10:30 am. My goal for when I am gone is just to keep her calm and comfortable.

We will hit intense physical therapy again when I return home.

As for me I am a busy bee getting ready for CHA. Spending the day packing, putting in orders and finishing laundry.

Hope everyone has an awesome day !!!!

{Rusty Pickle Sneak Peaks}

Check them out {HERE}

{New Business Card}

In preparation for the CHA I had to make new business cards - gotta love my Memory Mixer !!!!

{Things That I "LOVE"}

Okay so with everything going on in my life it is pretty easy to get down. But the reality is as I was going along my daily tasks this morning I made a concious effort to recognize some of the things I am grateful for and that "I LOVE". You will find some of the simplest things can make me happy.

• The new energy rate plan I am on - it used to be 9 am - 9 pm I had to do my very best to conserve and use the least amount of energy possible. Now I just switched to noon - 7pm and it makes me so happy. I love that I can run my dryer in the morning even after my kiddos leave for school. Happy Day
• My ISAGENIX shakes - I love them. I can tell a definte difference on the days I am really good about drinking my shakes and drinking my water - I feel so good about myself and slowly but surely the weight is begining to come off.
• COUPONSENSE - gotta love saving money. It's another one of those things. When I put forth the effort and time and do it the rewards are great. I can save a ton of money. And right now money is not easy to come by.
• Baseball - even though baseball season makes our life a little crazy - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE watching my boys play baseball. High school tryouts start today and Don has little league drafts tonight. It is so funny becuase he goes to tryouts and makes all these notes and then I go through the list and pick the parents that I want on our team. My list usually outweighs his list. (He knows what is good for him)
• MY FAMILY - I have the most incredible family. I have a mom who loves me and supports me 100% and then some. I have two incredible brothers and two amazing sister in laws. If anyone needs anything someone is always right there for you. My in laws are also pretty awesome people who love and support us. It is becuase of the love and support of my family and friends that I am even able to go to the trade show be out of town for 5 days. I know they will do all they can to help. And then there are times when I am missing my dad like crazy and when I stop and pray and have a quiet moment I can feel his presence just watching over me. I can feel his love wrapped around me. My entire life my dad was always able to make things better and he still does. I can hear his gentle whispering in my ear and the warmth I feel is so comforting. I am so grateful that FAMILIES ARE FOREVER.
• My friends - who could ask for better friends !!! I am truly blessed. I could go on and on and on. I have some pretty amazing friends. Yes, we are all so busy with our own individul families, but I know they are always there. During this time I have truly come to appreciate my friends and the love and support they offer me. It's the little things like making sure my kiddos always had cereal, milk, bread and snacks while I was away. To brining me laundry soap so I could sneak home for a few hours and do laundry during our two week hospital stay. Visits to the hospital just to let me know they care and were there for me. My PICKLE FRIENDS got me a gift certificate to DWE so I can have Jenny do my hair before I go to the show. Now that is called being in tune with what I really need. Thanks for being my friend and all the love and support you offer.
• My job - I will say it once, I will say it twice, I will say it a million times - I am so thankful for the amazing women I work with. I love the local scrapbook store owners and I have come to count them as some of my dearest friends. I love the people in the scrapbooking industry and I look forward to seeing them this next week. I love that I get to spend 5 days with two of my best friends Janna and Connie. I love that I get to see Lane and Kerry Hill and the entire Lasting Impressions gang. I love that I get to see Lance and Tasha and the pickle crew. I am excited to see Heidi. Can't wait to see the cute matching outfits those darling Bo Bunny girls will be wearing. I am excited to see the Durham family and all the new things Imaginsce has come out with. And I can't wait to see the We R Memory Keepers gang. it's always fun to see the people we only get a chance to see 2 or 3 times a year at trade shows. I love my job - what a blessing in my life.
• I am so grateful we live in a free country where we each can feel safe in our own political views and stands. And we each can choose to support the causes that we feel strongly about.
• Most improtantly I am grateful for the gospel in my life. I am grateful for the power of prayer and for priesthood blessings. I am thankful to my savior and for his atonement. I am so very confident that knows us and he knows our struggles and if we will just turn to him and ask for his help he will be there. I am thankful for the scriptures and for the guiding influence they are in my life.
• I am grateful for my husband who works everyday to provide for our family. Who really trys to do all he can to love and support me. Who is open to learning and making our family the best it can be.
• I am grateful to have been blessed with 6 amazing children. Each and everyone of them hs there own strengths and their own struggles. I am honored that my Heavenly Father has entrusted me to be their mom.

Go out and have a fabulous day and take the time to think about and maybe even jot down the things you are greatful for. I promise it can brighten even the darkest day.

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."

{16th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints}

Thomas S. Monson is the new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it was announced today at a news conference in the Church Office Building. President Monson, 80, succeeds President Gordon B. Hinckley, who died 27 January 2008.
The new world leader of the Church has called to serve with him in the First Presidency, the top governing body of the 13-million-member faith, President Henry B. Eyring, 74, first counselor, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 67, second counselor. For the complete story click {HERE}.
My friend Heather gave a wonderful and touching review of President Hinckley's funeral, you can click here to get to {here} blog. Thank you Heather for sharing with us.

{Happy Birthday Baby & Not so fast}

Today is baby Marquett's "1st" Birthday. We will be meeting Renee and the kids at McDonalds for ice cream tonight for family night to celebrate.

As for my Monday and getting everyone back to school - I guess 1 out of 2 ain't so bad. I got Logan off to school, but I still have Morgan home. Unfortunately she slept with her foot elevated on pillows last night and she woke up to it red and buring. So we are learning something new everyday with this aweful disease. When you elevate it and allow for any kind of inactivity it leaves the sympathetic nerves at the spinal cord level uninhibited and increases the firing of the sympathetic nerves with aggravation of RSD. (So lesson learned) We have two doctors appointments today - one with the pain specialist and one with physical therapy (nothing like a $100 doctor day is what I call it - $50 copay to each specialist x 2) So here's hoping it will be a good afternoon.

I have a lot of things I need to get done today in preparation for leaving for CHA Friday night. So I better get to it !!!!

{Cute Bo Bunny Love Book w/ Rusty Pickle Chocolate Kisses}

Check out this cute book I made for my hubby for Valentines Day . . .

{Marissa is 20}

I am still sitting here pinching myself trying to beleive that my baby girl is 20 years old. But if she is 20 you know what that means don't you ? I am gonna be 40 on my birthday in a few weeks. Yikes. Well I couldn't be a prouder mom becuase she is such an amazing girl. She is living in Salt Lake right now and really stretching herself to live life to the fullest. She works full time and is going to BYU Salt Lake at night.

As for the rest of us - we have had a great weekend, (except for missing Marissa on her birthday) Don and the boys went to the NFL Experience yesterday. They seemed to have a fabulous time. Morgan had her friend Andrew over and they actually went to the movies. Morgan is begining to feel back to herself and is working on getting used to walking with one crutch. I think she has began to accept the fact that she is not going to be PAIN FREE for quite a while and she is trying to get on with her life the best she can. She went to church today and stayed the entire 3 hour block. She didn't join us for our annual superbowl party at the Dahl's house - instead she just enjoyed staying home and watching TV by herself. We are all heading to bed early. Morgan is going to try and head back to school tomorrow. She knows she has a lot on her plate, but I keep reminding her - ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Logan has been suffering from an ear infection for about 5 days. I took him to the doctor and got antibiotics - but he is still complaining and just isn't back to himself yet. He stayed home from school 3 days last week, so he really needs to get back to school also.

We have spent alot of time this weekend watching tributes to President Gordon B Hinkley. What an amazing man that truly influenced my life for the better. He will be missed. But I know he had a wonderful reunion in heaven with his dear sweet wife Marjorie.

{New Blog Home}

2008 is bringing many changes and I am having to do some restructuring of my life. After reading Melody's {Closed for Restoration} I have done alot of soul searching in regards to 2008 and everything I have on my plate. I have been known to burn the candle at both ends. I have been known for the ability to solve everyone's problems and the ability to "fix" things. All with a smile on my face. But in reality I feel as though in my efforts to be "SUPERWOMAN" I have let some very important things slide. Morgan's injury has brought alot of things to the surface and has forced me to sit back and re-evaluate my life. You know what I have found ? Is that I have a really good life. I have been so blessed. But often times I am just to busy to enjoy this life that I have been blessed with. So I am making some changes. Becuase of Morgan's accident I am forced to be home more, which is having to cut some of my travel down and in reality that is such a blessing. I hate that something so tragic has had to happen to make me realize this and force me to make these changes. We have a big family and a ton of exspeneses, I need to work and bring in an income. But the time to re-evaluate has come. Taking the time to look at my life and how I am spending my time. I have the perfect day job as a sales rep working with Janna and Connie and helping the stores in Arizona be the best they can be. It allows me to make my own schedule around my family and the needs of my family. I just feel so blessed to have such an awesome job that I love so much - I have to go to 2-3 trade shows a year and that is the one travel compromise I have to make. I love to teach, but I need to make Arizona my focus. If I can bring in the extra money and teach without having to get on a plane then that is what I need to do. Morgan has months of recovery and physical therapy in front of her. I am thankful for the blessings we have recieved and for a Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers. We have been blessed.