It's All Good

Can you tell we might have had this discussion . . .

2012-01-15T07:51:00.000-08:00

I have been accused of being unfair. I have been accused of treating my other kids different. If you are a mom then you know that each child is different. And there comes a time when we need to adapt our parenting to each individual child. But some rules will be the same no matter what. Take my word this isn't a fun conversation to have at 10:30 pm when you are trying to reinforce the midnight curfew that you have ALWAYS had in place in your home. Who ever said parenting was easy ?

Sweet Baby Lainie

2012-01-12T20:52:00.001-08:00

Wedding Announcements

2012-01-07T14:58:00.000-08:00

So I just finished creating my sister-in-laws wedding invites and I must say I love them. If I could sit at my computer and create fun photo things all day and get paid lot's of money I would be so happy. But I am not so lucky, so I will just have to enjoy this super fun hobby.

Twenty Twelve - 365

2012-01-06T08:23:00.000-08:00

Okay I REALLY, REALLY hope I can keep up. I don't want the memories of 2012 to fade away. I want to make it worth remembering. So thanks to my friends at Memory Mixer I am going to simply take a photo a day - that is the beauty of a cell phone - I can take photo's wherever I am at. At the end of the year I will have a collection of photos reminding me of the little things that I was blessed with every day in 2012. You can start following them on my Twenty Twelve : 365 Page by clicking the link above. Of course today I took a bunch at one time because Malorie was being so cute.

What brings you "Joy"

2012-01-05T20:59:00.001-08:00

Remembering Sandy

2012-01-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

I had the privilege of creating the photo board for the service today of one of the most inspirational women I have known. Sandy was the Relief Society President in my ward. She was truly a remarkable woman. She had the most caring heart of any woman I have ever know. She had a true genuine love and concern for every person and thing she came in contact with. Sandy, is a true example of "enduring to the end". She continued to love and serve until the very end. She will remembered for her true love for all of God's creatures.A true example of strength, courage, unconditional love and

enduring to the end !!! No doubt she was ready to meet her maker. She had cancer. But she never ever complained. She just continued to serve. I am sure when the veil opened and she entered heaven she had some errands for the angels to run, to go and check on some people and take care of some things. She was always watching out for anothers needs. She was my Relief Society President, Marissa's seminary teacher and Logan's primary teacher - a woman of such incredible knowledge. If I could have gotten just a dusting of her knowledge I would be set for life.

Oh Sandy, how I will miss her. It still doesn't even seem real that she has gone on to her heavenly home. I am grateful that I have been changed for the better becuase I knew her.

New Years Eve

2011-12-31T22:47:00.000-08:00

We had a fun night playing games with friends. Ron and Michelle Jorgensen hosted and Cleve and Carol and Gina and Blair were there also. I think it has been 25 years since I had spent New Years with Blair. We had fun playing this new game that I have never played before. It was so interesting to see how Don and I did trying to match our cards. It was pretty funny to see that Carol, Gina and I's cards matched more often. It was really good for us to get out on a date - no matter what we did. Now us old folks are home trying to stay awake to pick up kids from the dance !!!! Hope we don't fall asleep !!!

Happy New Year my friends !!! Hope 2012 brings us JOY and happiness !!!

One Little Word : JOY

2011-12-31T07:31:00.000-08:00

(**something funky is up with blogger and the words that are underlined with a dot just direct you to another search engine. Tried to get rid of them, but it won't go away)
I love a new year. I love new beginnings. I love getting a fresh new calendar. I love a clean slate. I love picking a new word. There are so many words that I could have chosen for 2012. The thing to remember is there is not a right or wrong word. It is not for anyone else but me. In past years I have chosen words such as HOPE, FOCUS, FAITH, SIMPLIFY, . . .

At each time in my life, each word has truly been an anchor to hold onto. This year my word is JOY. It is going to be about consciously trying to find JOY in everything I do.

Let's just be honest with each other - LIFE is hard !!! LIFE is challenging !!! And many of times I scratch my head and wonder "What did I sign up for" ? I sometimes think to myself that in my premortal life I must have been super confident and and I stood in line to sign up for every challenge and struggle I could, you know because I could see the big picture back then of how our challenges and trials refine us and help us grow and how strong they make us. So that must have been me thinking I could do it all and take on anything. Now please don't get me wrong, I am stronger and wiser today from each and every lesson I have learned along the path of this journey back to my Heavenly home. But sometimes I think that I may be lacking in the ability of finding "JOY" in journey. So this year I have made the resolve to find more JOY in my life. Daily, hourly, minute by minute. This year is going to be about bringing JOY, finding JOY, sharing JOY and being sure to enJOY every minute. To wake up every day and remember to pray that I can find the JOY in my life and that I can seize the opportunity to bring JOY to lives of those around me.

2012 will be a year of finding JOY in the things that are really important to me. It will be a time to find JOY in the simple tasks of my everyday life and it will be about bringing JOY to those around me no matter the situation. Somehow when you turn things around and you look at it from a perspective of finding JOY in everything you do - it changes things.

"Joy does not simply happen to us.

We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day."

- Henri Nouwen

Women of God

2011-12-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

Primary

2011-12-28T14:33:00.000-08:00

I "LOVE" new beginnings and the start of a new year. This years Primary theme is

CHOOSE THE RIGHT. Who would not be excited about teaching children to "CHOOSE THE RIGHT"

I am searching for ideas for my Sunbeam class. Looking for the perfect resources for a Class Poster, Prayer chart, Singing Ideas, etc . . . My new class is YOUNG - so looking to help make a smooth transition from nursery.

If you have any fabulous links / resources please, please share !!!!

Thinking I need this for my home . . .

2011-12-21T09:26:00.000-08:00

Such a good reminder . . . .

2011-12-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

No Christ, No peace.

Know Christ, Know peace

Wise Men Still Seek Him

2011-12-02T08:14:00.001-08:00

I love, love, love the Christmas season. Every year I try to work really hard to get into the Christmas spirit and bring the spirit of Christ into my home. I am getting a late start this year getting all the decorations up. We were a little busy with having a sweet little grand baby and getting our missionary package sent. (Which I am so excited will be hand delivered to him in Peru tomorrow night - what a blessing) It is not much. A new pair of shoes, some new ties and some treats. But the one thing I hope he will be most excited about is "Home Baked" cookies. I baked him an entire container of his favorite cookies. I am sure him and his companion will have them devoured in one night. But I hope he loves them. I am pretty sure he will.

I have a busy weekend with work tomorrow and I have been feeling a bit under the weather, but hoping to get Christmas up Sunday after church. I love the house all decorated, Christmas music playing, pumpkin candles burning, baking in the kitchen and homemade Christmas presents.

That is what this month will be filled with.

I wanted to share this wonderful blog I found http://ashadowcanyonchristmas.blogspot.com/

It is an Advent Blog filled with short thoughts, scriptures and quotes that center on our Savior and the true meaning of Christmas.

Day 30

2011-11-30T06:34:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for November. I love the month of November and the Thanksgiving season and the opportunity to reflect upon the things I am grateful for. An opportunity to remind me to try and have that "attitude of gratitude" all year long. The opportunity to enter the Christmas season with a heart full of gratitude.

Day 29

2011-11-29T16:50:00.000-08:00

I know I need to catch up and finish posting my 30 days of Gratitude posts. But today my heart is full of gratitude and love for the safe arrival of my sweet grandbaby

Delainie McKay Archer

So happy for her safe arrival. Mom, Dad, Big Sister Malorie and baby Laninie are all home and doing well.

Day 28

2011-11-28T07:58:00.000-08:00

So many things to be grateful for that I am surely not going to be able to do separate posts for. Just another reminder to me to carry this attitude of gratitude with me always. Grateful for - my hard working husband, left-overs and a family that will eat them (sometimes), wonderful friends (old and new) and the support and love they offer me, a wonderful ward family, the opportunity to be a visiting teacher and visit some fabulous women who I truly gain so much from, fabulous seminary teachers and their dedication to get up every morning and help my kids (<3 Mylie) , the ability to work from home, for Mondays which are my catch up days, and really today I am thankful for my crazy, busy life.

Day 27

2011-11-27T11:40:00.000-08:00

How grateful I am for the birth of my Savior

Jesus Christ, His Atonement, the promise of resurrection, the

promise to enjoy eternal life with my family, the Restoration of

the Gospel, the blessings of the priesthood and the

companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Grateful for the foundation of faith and the structure of gospel

living that my parents instilled, and is reinforced through my

own experience, which has carried me through the joys and

challenges of this crazy little life of mine.

Day 24 - Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

So grateful to spend this day with our family !!!

Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to gather together and express gratitude for all that we have been given, the freedoms we enjoy, and the loved ones who enrich our lives. We recognize that all of these blessings, and life itself, come not from the hand of man but from Almighty God . . . On this day, let us all give thanks to God who blessed our Nation's first days and who blesses us today. May He continue to guide and watch over our families and our country always. -- President George W. Bush

Day 23

2011-11-23T06:54:00.000-08:00

Today as I reflect upon the many blessings of my life I am so very grateful for my family and my ancestors.

For the sacrafices they made and for the foundation they set for our family.

I want to be the best grandma I can be because of the role models that have been set before me.

I have such fond memories of time spent with all of my grandparents.

My Grandma & Grandpa Terry

and my Grandma Harper

I only have one grandma still with me today, my dads mom. That is a picture of her with my dad when he was little and then with grandad a few years ago. I cherish my relationship with her and how I love to learn all I can from her. I am not sure I will ever be ready for the time to come when she passes to the next life to be with my dad and grandad and her parents and other family members. Even though I know it will happen, sooner than later. I need to just enjoy the time and conversations that I have with her.

Day 22

2011-11-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

How grateful I am for my family. My immediate family, my extended family and my in-laws.

I feel blessed to have them. No matter how crazy life gets - your family is always there.

There is always that special connection you share. Our family is not perfect. But we can do our best to perfectly love each other in all we do. Not to judge. Just love. One of my favorite quotes that I recently read and now I have posted on my desk

‎"Never let a problem to be solved become more

important than a person to be loved."

~ Thomas S. Monson ~

I hope that my family will always

love me in spite of my imperfections.

Day 21

2011-11-21T07:10:00.000-08:00

Today I am grateful to my husband for being humble and logical.

On Friday, November 18, 2011 his Jeep finally died. 287,000 miles and 18 years old. It was time to move on.

Even though we have been proud that we have not had a car payment for over 10 years and we were hoping to make it till this summer when Dylan returned home from his mission, we have spent alot of money on car repairs. And sometimes you never know how much that might be. So as we spent the weekend going back and forth on what we should do, we finally took the plunge and bought a new car.

(Well not brand new - it has 20,000 miles on it)

But here is what I am most grateful for. I sent Don out alone. To face those car sales men all on his own. And, my husband was willing to go car shopping when we had NO money. All he had was a broken down jeep. In his heart he wanted another jeep or truck. The boys wanted dad to have a COOL manly car. But the reality is, my husband drives 32 miles one way to work everyday. That is about 65 miles a day in just work miles. Our gas bill every month is outregeous.

So I had sent him out shopping without much to bargain with. Every "manly car" or even "big family car" he walked by called his name. But everytime he came close to deciding on one of those he must have heard my voice in his head saying "Are you kidding me"

But he gave up any selfish desires of the "cool manly car" and at the end of the day came home with a very economical car.

For that I am so thankful !!!

So goodbye Jeep (18 freeway miles to the gallon)
Hello Cobalt (35 freeway miles to the gallon)

Day 20

2011-11-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for Memory Mixer. Truly a software program that changed the way I preserve memories. I am still a paper & glue scrapper. But I have learned that it is okay to do both. Memory mixer allows me to document my memories instantly.

I love it !!!! And I use it almost daily !!!!

www.memorymixer.com they are also on FB https://www.facebook.com/MemoryMixer

Day 19

2011-11-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

Today I am grateful for my extended family. I may not have any sisters by birth but I sure got alot when I married into the Paolacci family. I am thankful for each one of them, for they have influenced our life and the lives of my children. I can feel their genuine love and concern for our family and for this I am grateful. They each have chosen fabulous spouses who we love just as much and our kids have the most awesome cousins !!! We love Family !!!

Day 18

2011-11-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for FRIDAYS !!!

A couple weeks ago I asked Don if it would be okay for me to escape to my moms empty Condo on Friday nights and work on Christmas presents.

He was totally game which made me so happy.

Not that I have gotten a ton of stuff done.

In fact I have only completed one project thus far. But I have laid out plans for the rest to accomplish over the next couple of weeks.

And it has just been a nice break from the hustle and bustle of my busy, busy life.

Day 17

2011-11-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

Okay I am totally willing to admit a really bad weakness I have.
I LOVE fountain drinks.
Well really I LOVE crushed ICE.
It is all about the ice you know.

Well, we have had one financial set back after another lately and it is helping us to learn some good lessons and really focus and take control of our finances.
The one big commitment we have made and this is HUGE for a busy mom with teenage boys.
NO FAST FOOD.
We are starting with little steps.
So the first step is for 21 days.
Because you know the saying "21 Days to create a habit".
So we started on the 14th and we are making it.
I am talking not even a hot dog from QT or a .99 hamburger from McDonalds.

We did agree our one splurge would be a $5 budget a week for fountain drinks from Circle K since they are only .79.

So today, as silly as it seems,
I am so grateful for my crushed ice and Diet Dr. Pepper !!!!
(and for all you locals - if you are ever by PVCC - the Circle K on the SW corner (used to be an AM PM) has the best crushed/shaved ice I have ever had !!!

Day 16

2011-11-16T21:08:00.000-08:00

I am grateful to have such an amazing first born.

I truly could not have asked for a better girl to raise.

I have truly missed her since she has grown up and moved away but she has spread her wings and had many wonderful life experiences. She has traveled and explored and had so many adventures. I hope and pray that one day when it comes time to raise a family she will settle down a little closer to home so we can enjoy spending time with her. She is absolutely such an amazing girl.

Day 15

2011-11-15T20:45:00.000-08:00

I am so grateful for my mom and her very unselfish choice to go and serve a

mission for our church.

What an amazing example she is to us by showing unconditional love to all those she serves. Even though I miss her and know that her help around here right now would be so nice, I know that as she serves faithfully, the Lord will watch over and bless her family. Thank you mom for serving with all your heart and being such a wonderful example of love and service for your family and all those that love you. The women in Maryland are so very lucky to have you for awhile.

you can follow my moms mission blog here

http://jeanharper.blogspot.com/

Day 14

2011-11-14T20:28:00.000-08:00

Day 14 - Today I am grateful for Karleigh !!!

Sometimes it is so hard to wrap my head around the fact that my baby girl is 18 !!!

Crazy !!! She is awesome in so many ways.

Tonight I was the beneficiary of her cooking skills - she made me the yummiest Perogies for dinner. I am a lucky mom - I ♥ You Girly !!!!

Day 13

2011-11-13T20:30:00.000-08:00

Day 13 - I am so grateful to have such a sweet little granddaughter who brings so much joy to my life. Malorie is 18 months old this week and so full of spunk and personality. She is at the age where she will repeat almost everything you say. And she greets everything with a smile and a "Hi". I love her !!! More than any words can ever express !!!! When people say being a grandma is the best - believe them. I have a friend that has a little saying that I now have begun to understand. She says "I would die for my kids, but I would double die for my grandbabies" I now completely understand the depth of this love. I love my kids more than anything in this world. But when I first held my childs baby in my arms. I just can't find the words to explain it. I love her. Hopefully all my children will end up close as they raise their children or I just might have to convince them to let their kids come live with me and they can come visit them !!!

Prayer

2011-11-13T06:15:00.001-08:00

So today I am talking about Prayer with my primary class. As I was preparing the material for my lesson I came across this quote and I am sure it is just for me. See they say the teacher is always the one to get the most out of preparing a lesson.

Day 12

2011-11-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

So grateful I did not fall asleep driving home from Tucson.

I went from one end of the state to the other.

I am so tired after 2 long travel days. But I love my stores and I

knew I wanted to make sure that I got to visit them before my

new grand baby arrives maybe even this week.

I was so tired driving home last night

You know the kind of tired where you keep stopping to get

out and move around.

I was so thankful that I arrived home safely and I could go

straight in and cuddle up in my nice comfy bed.

My couriosity is peaked . . .

2011-11-12T05:18:00.001-08:00

So recently I have seen a number of friends post reviews about this movie . . .

I think I need to make time to go and see it . . . Maybe a date night with my hubby . . .

My friend Heather says -

Wow. "Courageous." Best movie this year. May God bring a COURAGEOUS man into my life in His own time.....and help ME to be WORTHY of that man. And may God make ME COURAGEOUS enough to stand alone for as long as it takes for Him to bring such a man into my life. Because I. Will. Not. Settle. For. Less.

With reviews like this . . . I gotta go see it

Day 11

2011-11-11T04:55:00.000-08:00

So grateful for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

Thankful for those men and women who serve to protect those freedoms.

I am especially thankful for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law.

Don's sister Melissa and her husband Rob.

Since they have been married Rob has served in two tours in Iraq and Melissa has stayed home with 2 little boys and supported his efforts.

They both have made such HUGE sacrifices and all the while he is proud and eager to serve our country and Melissa does an amazing job supporting him. She works full time, raises 2 darling little boys, teaches on-line classes, volunteers on committees, etc . . .

She is amazing !!!!!

Thank you Rob, Melissa and all those who serve our country and all the families that support them !!!!

Day 10

2011-11-10T19:39:00.001-08:00

Day 10 - Grateful for modern medical technology and lot's of faith and prayers. My daughter

Morgan was diagnosed with placenta previa at 16 weeks and told she would need to

have a c-section delivery. She has been on bedrest for 7 weeks and today at her ultra sound

appointment the babys head was right up against her cervix with the placenta out of the way

and she will be able to have a regular delivery. So much to be grateful for !!!!

Day 9

2011-11-09T16:55:00.000-08:00

I am grateful to be able to spend my Wednesdays with Adelle. She has taught me so much in the time I have been caring for her. I have learned so much and have become sensitive to what it must be like to be an elderly person that once was on top of their game, that was in complete control of everything, and over time has lost the ability to care for oneself. She gets so frustrated because she so badly wants her independence back. But over time she is learning that it is okay to have help. I try and give her all the space and freedom I can while keeping her safe keeping her company. I have also learned that I really do love caring for the elderly and doing in home health care. It has been the perfect way to supplement my income while the economy recovers. I am grateful for Adelle !!!

Day 8

2011-11-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

Today I am so thankful for my brother-in-law Paul. He is super, duper smart when it comes to computers. I love to cook and he fixes computers so it seems to be a good exchange. I am really not sure what we would do without him. He is always willing to help his family out and for that I am grateful. I love his company and he can work wonders with computers. So originally HP quotes Karleigh $350 starting price to fix her computer. Paul came over and two hot dinners later, a new $30 memory card, defrag, updates, patches and all that fancy computer stuff that he does and she is up and running. How grateful I am that different family members have different talents to share. I just hope that I can bring to the table things of value for others and help them the way others have helped me.

Thanks Paul - we think you are awesome !!!

Thanksgiving Turkey for our Missionary

2011-11-08T09:32:00.000-08:00

Since Thanksgiving is an American Holiday and Dylan will miss all the fun festivities like the "Turkey Bowl" and a Turkey dinner. In fact it is just another day in Peru. A fun idea we are doing for Dylan is sending him "Tom The Turkey". I printed this Turkey on cardstock and then cut the feathers off by cutting around his feet, body and head. They I cut feathers out of cardstock and I am having friends and family write messages on them. I will attach a glue dot to the end of each feather so he can assemble his Turkey on Thanksgiving and know how much we are all grateful for him. An envelope usually only takes about 10 days so I hoping if I mail him on Thursday he will receive him on time.

Day 7

2011-11-07T04:08:00.000-08:00

I am so grateful for modern technology. How lucky I am to sit down to my computer on Monday mornings and see a message that says
"Hi Mom ! Are you there ? "
LOVE MONDAYS and LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY MOM !!!!
I LOVE that we now have email instead of snail mail. I often find it funny when I listen to moms who say "well back in the day we would have to wait weeks and weeks for letters to arrive in the mail. You know it is like the "I had to walk a hundred miles in the snow to get to school". So I am so happy that I am a missionary mom TODAY and I can email my missionary every Monday.

Don't ask me to make plans on Monday morning. There is a reason I have a "home office day" every Monday. I am sure you can already picture me hugging my computer. Call me a freaky missionary mom, it is what is, but I love my boy.

Time really is going so fast. One of Dylan's best friends Coy is coming home next Wednesday, which just seems crazy !!! And Dylan will be coming home the end of July. Really it is just around the corner.

You hear all the rumors how a mission changes a young man. Well believe them. They are true. First of all, the fact that my son can speak like he was born and raised in South America blows me away. That my son LOVES the very humble conditions in which he lives. That my son, a boy with the last name Paolacci, the son of Don Paolacci (if you are one of my children you know exactly what I mean) LOVES to be up by 6am. That my son quickly begins to LOVE the people that he serves. In fact he has so much LOVE for these people that his heart is about to burst. The fact that I know he LOVES his family, he LOVES home and he LOVES his friends here. But the thought of coming home and leaving the people of Peru is something he cannot and does not even want to imagine. I should not be surprised because I always knew he would grow into an incredible young man, but I am totally blown away.

I can tell by pictures that he is still our fun, loving Dylan. He has the ability to make everyone he serves with and everyone he meets feel at ease and he is a true friend to all.

He has turned into an amazing teacher, leader and friend. He loves to serve others and finds so much happiness helping people. His love for the gospel is so deep. He loves the Savior and he is a wonderful example of the sharing the love our Savior has for us. He is giving 110% to his mission. He knows he will never get these 2 years back and he is giving it his all and it shows. He has lost himself in the work and it shows. I miss him, but I feel so blessed that he is such an amazing missionary and the service that he gives now will bless him for the rest of his life.

want to follow his mission - http://elderpaolacci.blogspot.com/

Day 6

2011-11-06T14:54:00.000-08:00

I am so grateful for my opportunity to serve and teach the little children at church.

I am the Sunbeam teacher and it is a calling I absolutely LOVE !!!!

I teach the 3 & 4 year olds. Well now most of them are 4 & 5.

These are just 6 of the cute kids I teach. I actually have 4 more that were not there. Actually they all have not been there all at once. But it is my goal before the end of the year to have all of them there. Quite a handful - but what an honor and privilege to be able to teach them.

One of the first songs that many Latter-day Saint children learn is “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam,” a song that is sung in a number of other Christian churches also.

It is a favorite of most children at church, particularly the younger ones.

My own kids loved it and its hand actions (i.e., fists bursting open whenever the word beam is sung) when they were little. I can remember when each one of them started primary and were Sunbeams. I am so happy that I get to be part of forming a strong foundation for these little children who I truly love with all my heart.

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;

To shine for Him each day,

In every way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at play.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.

Jesus wants me to be happy

And kind to all I see,

Showing how pleasant and happy
His little one can be.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.

(Lyrics by Nellie Talbot; music by Edwin O. Excell; #60 in Children’s Songbook)

The sunbeam’s physical characteristics of light, brightness, and warmth make it a very appropriate symbol of what followers of Christ — young, old, and in-between — should want and try to be: someone who radiates the truth, joy, love, and other qualities of the Son of God to people around them. Considering the natural love for learning new things, cheerfulness, enthusiasm, and unconditional love of three- and four-year old children, the sunbeam also serves as a perfect name for the youngest class (after the nursery) in the LDS children’s organization, the Primary.

I am so thankful that each Sunday I get to spend 2 hours with these cute little ones and I’m happy that Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam teacher and will try my best to be a good Sunbeam teacher for the children — and for Him!

“For children all over the world, we say: ‘Take my hand. Hold on tight. We will stay on the path together back to our Heavenly Father.’”

-Rosemary Wixom

to learn more about our faith visit mormon.org

Good reminders for me everywhere I turn . . .

2011-11-05T21:52:00.001-07:00

Gratitude

2011-11-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

Working really hard to live this . . .

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have

into enough, and more. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house

into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of

our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for

tomorrow -Melody Beattie

Gratitude 30 Day Photo Challenge

2011-11-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

I am a few days late, and this may be a TRUE challenge with the crazy

November we may have before us

But I really want to give it a try - how about you join me ? Make sure to leave me a comment if you decide to join me so we can follow each other.

gratitude-30-day-photo-challenge

Day 5

2011-11-05T06:04:00.000-07:00

I am thankful that I can work and help to contribute to raising this family that just keeps getting bigger and bigger (and I am loving it)

I have an amazing job in the scrapbook industry that allows me to work with amazing people. I feel like I have been truly blessed to have met my now dear friend Janna in the scrapbook store about 8 years ago and I had the opportunity to start working for her.
I truly have the best job that allows me to work from home and spend my days with the owners and employees of the best scrapbook stores in the world who have truly become some of my best friends. To work for the best manufactures in the industry. All while enjoying the craft I love and sharing with people my passion for preserving your family story and creating memories that will last for generations.

Did I tell you I love my job ? And I Love this girl !
Check out what I do
www.southwestcrafters.blogspot.com

find our page on FACEBOOK and "LIKE" us
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Southwest-Crafters/221803737855332

Day 4

2011-11-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

Day 4 - So many things to be grateful for. If I really challenge myself I could probably do this

all year. But today especially I am so grateful when I receive a message from my sister-in-law

on busy Friday morning and she says "Hey can I help out today and take Morgan and Trent

dinner?" I love her. How awesome. She has done this for the last 4 weeks. I never asked her.

She just does it. ♥ ♥ ♥

Day 3

2011-11-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

So grateful for cooler temperatures - I think we can officially say that

FALL has arrived in Arizona.

Windows are open and I am LOVING it !!!

Oh Fall we have been waiting for you and are so happy you have arrived.

Fri
77 / 57
Sat
65 / 45
Sun
68 / 44
Mon
67 / 48
Tue
68 / 48
Wed
74 / 47

Day 2

2011-11-02T23:10:00.000-07:00

Today is Wednesday. I am so grateful for my sister-in-law Jamie

who has been helping us every Wednesday watch Malorie while Morgan is on bedrest so I

can go to work. What a wonderfully supportive family we have. How awesome is has been

not to have to worry about her. We know she is being loved and taken care of. Malorie is so

lucky to spend time over there. Thanks Jamie I ♥ You !!!!

Jamie

Two Brothers Apart - A 5000 Day Project

2011-11-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

I watched this movie twice in the last week. Probably by far the best movie I have seen in a very long time. It was so raw and so real. It spoke to my heart. It was about real relationships and honesty. It is about families.

Day 1

2011-11-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

Today I am so thankful that the transmission shop is done with my car and she seems to be fixed. Never realized how much I truly <3 being a mini-van mom. She might be old. But she is paid for :)

Season of Gratitude

2011-11-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

As the first day of November is upon us let us look on this holiday season with an Attitude of Gratitude. Sometimes life's challenges can seem somewhat overwhelming but it is amazing what can happen when we stop and take a moment to realize all we have to be grateful for. I challenge myself and all those who wish to join to take a moment each day this month and reflect on something you are grateful for.

Perfect Park Weather

2011-10-26T23:48:00.001-07:00

Being a grandma is the BEST job in the whole world !!!!

Pumpkin Poem

2011-10-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

Attchach to a bag of candy corn !!! Such a cute halloween treat.

You were very lucky if you knew my dad . . .

2011-10-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

{click to read about my wonderful dad}

so grateful for the blessings of eternal families
7 years ago today my dad left this earthly existence to prepare the heavens for our family . . . .

I love you dad !!!!

Just trying the best I can . . .

2011-10-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

Let me ask you . . .

2011-10-07T06:58:00.000-07:00

Do I look like an alarm clock ?

Enough said . . . .

I Love October . . . .

2011-10-05T23:45:00.001-07:00

So as I was looking around PINTEREST I saw a Fall Bucket List and decided to make one of my own !!! I love this time of year. I love the cool weather and all of the wonderful changes it brings !!!

Who wouldn't love this face . . . .

2011-10-04T21:59:00.000-07:00

Who wouldn't love this little face ?

Current conversation

Me : "Hi Malorie"

Malorie : " Hi Ma-Maw"

Today we worked really hard on saying "Logan" (because she loves him sooooo much)

The cutest thing in the world is to listen to this little girl roll her "L"s

Perfect love sometimes does not come until the

first grandchild. ~Welsh Proverb

For the record - I LOVE being a grandma !!! Really it is one of those things that only those who are grandma's can really, truly understand !!! My world has been changed for the better. Each and everyone of my kids loves this little girl with their whole heart. The sun rises and sets around her. I am so excited for the next one. Little Delainie will be joining us in about 6 weeks !!!

Welcome to life as I know it for the next 6 weeks . . .

2011-10-03T22:22:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday I received a frantic call from Morgan.

She needed to get to the hospital ASAP.

She had gone into pre-term labor. The problem being she is only 29.5 weeks pregnant. Good thing she has the best ob/gyn on the face of the earth as far as I am concerned.( he delivered Dylan, Karleigh, Coleton, Logan and almost all of my nieces and nephews)

He just brings a calm and a feeling of peace. At this point in his career there is not anything he has not seen or experienced. Our entire family just loves him !!!

And I feel so much confidence with him as their doctor !!!

Steven Nelson

He had her labor stopped and the contractions under control after a few hours. She ended up staying in the hospital for 5 days and I instantly became a full time working grandma.

No time to finish toddler proofing my house.

For the next 6 weeks it is going to be Me and my girl Malorie.

So if you see me running around a little crazy you will know why !!! But every minute of busy is completely worth it when I know my son in law can work and go to school and Morgan can continue to be an incubator for our sweet new baby.

I know I have done this toddler thing many times before. It is just throwing me for a loop this time. Good thing she is so cute and when she walks in the room and says "Hi Ma-Maw" it makes every second worth it.(Even if I totally missed the chance to shower today)

Just Remember . . . .

2011-09-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

You Are Not Forgotten

"Sisters, wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you, with an infinite love."

—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Eternal Consequences . . .

2011-09-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes if I think to hard life can get a bit overwhelming . . .that is the time when I need to take a moment and sit and reflect and REMEMBER the things with the most importance. To remember one of the most important things that I heard from President Uchtdorf's message "the difference between GOOD and foolish sacrifices"

Sometimes when I loose my patience with those around me I need to continually remind myself that we are all on this journey together and truly the only person I can change is myself.

Even when "those" = ME

So today I have made my list and asked my Heavenly Father to help to accomplish the things that would have the greatest impact on my family. I know that I can never accompalish ALL that I hope for in a day. But hopefully I can accomplish those with the most importance.

So here's to having a great day !!!

Washington DC North Mission

2011-09-21T19:39:00.000-07:00

I will go back and post photo's of all the days of our trip. But first I am sure everyone is eager to know that we arrived. Mom and I have been traveling since Saturday. We have been car pooling with moms companion Sister Kathy Brown and her daughter Kassy (who is just a few years younger than I) We have been through Wyoming, Nebraska, Illinois (went to Nauvoo and Carthage jail - more pictures to come) Chicago (got to spend time with Marissa and Christopher - post below) then thru Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and we

finally arrived at the mission home this afternoon about 4:00 pm. The mission home is located in Maryland. We were greeted by President and Sister Matsumori. What wonderful people. My mom will be in wonderful hands while she is here. You can feel of their genuine love for the missionaries that serve here.

Since we have been driving for 5 days it was so nice to be out of the car. Sister Matsumori encouraged us to go for a walk around their neighborhood. It was beautiful. Some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen.

These are just some of the beautiful homes we saw on our walk. We also saw deer leaping across the road and in the back yards and the weather is beautiful.

After we returned from our walk President and Sister Matsumori took us all to dinner at a quaint little Italian restaurant called Italian Pines. It was delicious. It was so nice to sit and visit and learn more about them and the mission area here.

Then we went back to the mission home where President Matsumori went over their assignments and told them about where they will be living and how excited EVERYONE was to have them here. They are going to have such an amazing time. Sister Kathy Brown is awesome and here and my mom will do great together.

Now we are settled in bed in this lovely mission home for the night. There are probably at least 10 bedrooms here and I am guessing they can sleep 20-30 missionaries here at a time. It is so fun to see all of this and to think that Dylan is having very similar experiences in Peru. Tomorrow morning the house will be bustling with young missionaries that are coming for breakfast and I am just thrilled to be here and feel of their spirit !!!!

Chicago

2011-09-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when I saw that Chicago was on the map as we drove cross country to Washington DC. Marissa and Christopher just moved to Chicago and we were going to be able to stop and spend some time with them. It was SOOOOOO nice !!!! I LOVE this girl more than words can ever explain. I hope one day they will end up back in Arizona or Utah where they can be close by. But for now they are finishing school and living such a fun life in Chicago. Christopher got into graduate school at School of the Art Institute of Chicago. And Marissa will be attending Columbia. They live in the cutest neighborhood. With lot's of these cute, unique 3 story houses. Theirs is a house that has been converted into 3 apartments. There is so much green and lot's of trees. Glenn (the cat seems to love it) and Margaret their dog is just darling. Monday night we went to a fun new hip Mexican food place and get this, I actually got "carded" when we went in !!!!

Then Tuesday morning we went to breakfast with them at this cute breakfast shop by their house called Toast !!! If you are ever in Chicago I would HIGHLY recommend it !!! It was delicious. Probably the BEST breakfast place I have ever been too !!! So if you don't have a reason to go to Chicago - now you do !!! This is a little place that should make everyone's bucket list of yummy places to go eat !!! Then you can walk down the street and visit my cute girl !!!

I wish we could have stayed longer and spent more time with them. But they are working and studying hard. Sure am going to miss them. I LOVE this girl soooo much !!! If you know my Marissa you know how awesome she is and how she is just so enjoyable to be around. Everyone loves her - She is AMAZING !!!! She is my girl and she has my heart in Chicago. (here is hoping we can get her home when Delanie is born)

I LOVE this boy !!!

2011-09-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this boy !!! He is such a wonderful example in my life !!! This is the family that he loves almost as much as he loves us !!! They mean the world to him and I know he never wants to have to think about saying goodbye !!!!

It's almost time . . .

2011-09-14T08:07:00.000-07:00

Gotta Keep Going . . . So much to do . . . but it is almost time . . .

In 48 hours I fly to Salt Lake City . . .Get picked up at the airport by another missionary mom with a boy in Peru. . . Drop off a box to be taken to my cute missionary in Peru with this darling Peruvian lady named Vanessa . . . Go to my Aunt Jeanie's and visit with lot's of my dads aunts, uncles and probably cousins . . . get a good nights sleep in my aunts basement (a place that holds many of my favorite childhood memories) . . .then wake up Saturday morning, meet my mom's new companion Kathy and her daughter . . . and then hit the road for our fun cross country road trip to Washington DC. The best part will be an overnight stop in Chicago to visit my girl and her boy . . . .

So much to do, so little time . . . but worth every minute !!!!

Good Week . . .

2011-09-12T11:07:00.000-07:00

Well things have started off good so far (positive thinking) Once I finally got the boys up and out the door to school. Seems as though they are so hard to get on Monday's. Guess we are just going to need to move bedtime to 8:30 tonight. I have growing boys who require so much sleep and let's just say they are not happy campers and do not roll out of bed very easy unless they have received the required amount of sleep. My poor Karleigh is still struggling with mono symptoms. They have come and gone and come and gone, but this time it seems they are really knocking her down. She get's blood work this afternoon and so that will give us a better indication of what is going on.I just finished chatting with my missionary and I am ready to conquer my Monday to do list. Lot's to get done this week as I need to be ready to take off on Friday and be gone for a week. So no more time to sit and chat on here. Go and have a good day my friends !!!!

Visiting Teaching Reminder

2011-09-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a handout I downloaded for this months visiting teaching message

you can download it here

Anyway . . .

2011-09-10T21:29:00.001-07:00

I need to remember . . .

2011-09-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

My new daily planner pages

2011-09-08T11:37:00.000-07:00

Once again another reason I LOVE Memory Mixer. So easy and so fun. I have seen a bunch of different DAILY'S that I love. Each one had a different component that I liked. So I decided that I should just make my own to fit my needs. Easy Peasy. Printed them out, puched holes, got a cute little binder and waaaalaaaa (is that how you spell it ?) Done !!!

It doesn't feel like Tuesday

2011-09-06T11:02:00.001-07:00

Loved the nice long holiday weekend. Loved having family time yesterday. Just spent the whole day together. And I did - well nothing. Just enjoyed being with family. Watching kids swim. Being entertained by Malorie. Eating barbecue (okay I made onion burgers, but my brother grilled), visited with my mom and sister in laws. Celebrated birthdays. And just had an enjoyable day.

My little girl turned 18 this weekend . . . she is quite the rock star. That is her kitty Darla. Darla is so lucky Karleigh loves her because she is a tad bit on the evil side as far as cats go.

So today is Tuesday and it feels like Monday. I am conquering my to do list and on a quest to create a daily to do list that I can just fill in with the basics. Keep them in a notebook when I am done so I can use it to go back and reflect. But until then this is what my crazy day looks like.

All which needs to be done by 2 pm when I go take care of my little lady friend Adelle. Almost done - back to work !!!!

Happy Day !!!

2011-09-05T08:53:00.001-07:00

Having a fun family day today !!! Celebrating Karleigh, Steve & Alli's Birthday's and just being together one last time before Mom heads to the MTC!!!

Sunday Dinner

2011-09-04T16:00:00.000-07:00

There is a lady in our ward who I have watched for years. I grew up with some of her kids. Every Sunday she puts on Sunday dinner for her family. It's not like she has one or two kids. In fact I think she has 9 or 10 (I lost count along the way) and each of those kids has anywhere from 3-6 kids and now she also has great grand kids. She has a huge back yard and sets up tables and chairs and lot's of different rooms for grand kids to hang out in. As far as I know Sue makes dinner for her entire family every Sunday afternoon and all the kids, grand kids and great grand kids come. This is what I want. This is what I am striving to create. Right now it is Morgan, Trent and Malorie that come home for Sunday dinner. Marissa and Christopher are in Chicago (not sure they will ever come home to Arizona - but if they do they will know there will all be Sunday dinner at mom's house and the door is always open) If they stay out of state forever that means that grand kids will one day get to come and have vacations at grandma's house. One day !!! I remember all the memories created in the back yard of my parent's home and hopefully I can create similar ones for my family.

So with kids getting married and grand kids coming along I have started Sunday dinner and they know they are always welcome. Sunday's are awesome ! I love it ! My favorite day of the week. We have had to work hard to protect them and keep them family day's and we have been successful so far. I must say if I left it up to some of my youngers they may not keep it sacred. Logan's baseball team begs him to play on Sunday's and Karleigh worked on Sunday's this summer (which I didn't like one bit) but hopefully one day they will look back and thank me for keeping it a special day. We go to church as a family, come home, eat lunch - which right now my boys favorite after church lunch is cheese quessadilla's. They get out the big griddle or quessadilla maker and whip up a bunch of quessadilla's, then everyone has quiet time watching movies, reading, napping (or me blogging) Then I LOVE making Sunday dinner.

Today's menu includes meatloaf,mashed potatoes, salad and corn. (Corn is the only veggie my boys will eat right now and so it seems like we have corn with every meal) I love the new way I make meatloaf. I am sure my great grandma's did it this way for years before all the fancy pans came out. I have always hated my meatloaf sitting in grease as it cooks and even in the meatloaf pans they sell you still miss even crust all the way around. So here it is - I line my roasting pan with foil, place the cooling rack on top. I cut a piece of foil a little larger than my loaf. I poke holes all the way around, so that fat can drip below. I know - probably something everyone does. But I just started doing it this way and I love it.

Doesn't this look yummy !!!!

The Things I Know . . .

2011-09-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

So I have not been able to get this song out of my head lately. I find the chorus repeating over and over again in my head . . . .
The Things I Know Lyrics

Album: Whatever it Takes: Music to Inspire and Strengthen the Youth, 2004

I know little babies come from heaven
I know God made those tiny hands and hearts
I know rainbows and roses are no accident
Neither are the sun, the moon, and stars

So when I doubt
When there are things in life I just can't figure out
I trust that God is in control
And I hold on to the things I know

I know death is not the end of my soul
I know something divine lies in us all
I know there is someone watching over me
I know my prayers are heard beyond these walls

So when I doubt
When there are things in life I just can't figure out
I trust that God is in control
And I hold on to the things I know

What good is a test if all the answers are there in front of you
Some things take faith I know that's true

I know a little baby came from Heaven
The promise of the whole human race
I know nothing else can hold a candle
To His power, His mercy, and His grace

So when I doubt
When there are things in life I just can't figure out
I'll trust that He is in control
And I'll hold on to the things I know

I'll hold on, hold on to the things I know

Our Trek

2011-09-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

So my mom is leaving for her mission in Washington DC in a week. She reports to the Missionary training Center in Provo, Utah on Monday September 12th. She will stay there for a week and then it is off to Washington DC.

I am so, so happy for her. I surely hope that one day I will be able to do the same. How amazing it would be to be able to focus on serving others 24/7 for 18 months. To have the blessings of missionary work. She has been called to Washington DC as a "women's axillary specialist" which means she is there to support the women in whatever means they need. It is going to be so awesome.

I am so excited to be driving back East with her in two weeks after she finishes a week in the MTC. It is going to be so much fun. One of the things I was most excited about was that our journey takes us right through Chicago and Marissa and Christopher have just moved to Chicago. So I will get to have dinner with my girl !!! Amazing how things work out.

As I was going about my day yesterday I also thought about how awesome it would be to visit Nauvoo. We will be so close. Nothing formal. But on our drive back East I am sure there are many Church history sites we could visit.

So if you have driven back East along highway 80 and you can think of anywhere fabulous we can stop along the way to get a bite to eat or stretch our legs - please let me know.

So excited for our journey !!!

Happy Birthday Karleigh

2011-09-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

DOB 9-3-93

Isn't that a cool birthday !!!

I picked it myself. I was being induced and Dr. Nelson asked

"so any special day you want to have this baby girl ?"

So I looked at the calendar and saw 9-3-93 and said that is a

fabulous number !!! A number everyone will remember !!!

But what will we name this sweet baby girl. Marissa and Morgan were my favorite girls names all growing up. And I knew when I grew up that is what I wanted to name my first 2 little girls. McKenzie was also a favorite. My entire pregnancy with Dylan we thought he was a girl and we were going to name him McKenzie. So I felt like this baby needed a name of her own. I LOVED the name McKay also and knew that is what I wanted for her middle name. I wanted to give her a family name, but I also wanted her to have a name of her own. So much thought went into naming this baby. I was thinking she may be my last baby girl so I wanted no regrets on naming her. I had two "M" names - Marissa and Morgan. Two "D" names - Don and Dylan. And so I wanted her to share something with me. I was going to give her a "K" name. I started putting combinations together and then one night as I was in bed watching her roll all over in my tummy. It came to me. My middle name is Leigh. I would name her Karleigh !!! I loved it !!! And when I put it together with McKay I loved it even more !!!

Karleigh McKay Paolacci - I love You !!! Now and Forever !!!

So happy you picked me to be your mom !!!

18 Years Years Old

I have been alot of places !!!!

2011-09-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

I have been to a lot of places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I've also never been in Cognito, either. I hear no one recognizes you there. I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips, thanks to my family & friends. I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump and I'm not much on physical activity. Just Sayin!

Creative Escape = Happy & Sad

2011-08-24T18:49:00.000-07:00

So excited to be going and spending the weekend (Thursday, Friday & Saturday) with some of my most favorite women in the whole wide world.

We are ready to rock and roll !!!!

Mom picks us up at 7 am and we head to The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort. It may be super hot in Arizona but we just go inside and forget everything and really enjoy being in the moment.

What is there to be sad about ?

So sad this will be the last {Creative Escape}

I have loved being a part of this over the years - will truly miss it !!!

What a wonderful opportunity it has been that I am so grateful for.

I will miss seeing this girl in her element every year as she is one of those friends who truly inspires me to always want to be a better person.

{Heidi Swapp} you have so much to be proud of !!!!

and none of this would be possible without Mr. Bazzill (Doug Jones himself)

I am so excited that Carol and I will get to spend 2 days working with Kelli and Jenaye Collins.

The amazing mother - daughter team

Wait till you see what we are doing in our class !!!

{sneak peek at jenaye and kelli collins}

So for now I am going to go and forget all my worries and just really try

and enjoy my weekend and enjoy being with all my wonderful friends !!!

And let's not forget we get to eat Shye's cookies !!!

Bargain of the Day

2011-08-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

So Saturday while I was over taking care of my friend Adelle she was watching TV and I saw this infomercial and immediately thought that would be something my kids would LOVE ! But definitely was not willing to make "only 2 payments of $19.95".

So I took a chance and searched for it on Craigslist. Found one and purchased it this morning for $10.

It was brand new in the box. When I told the guy how excited I was and my kids would love it, he asked what it did and I told him and he said maybe I should keep it and I said no way you already sold it to me.

Love it - Logan already a yummy pizza in it today after school !!!

Winner, winner chicken dinner !!!

Going on a road trip . . .

2011-08-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

Well my mom has been called to serve a mission for our church. She will be serving in the Washington DC North Mission. She is thrilled and we are thrilled for her.

She reports to the MTC in Provo, Utah on September 12th.

She is packing up her car and driving and so she is going to need to have a travel companion to drive with her.My sister in law will ride with her from Phoenix to Provo and then Karen will get to visit Utah friends and then fly home. Guess who gets to be her travel companion from Utah to Washington DC ??? ME !!! I am so thrilled.

After we map quested the trip I was even more thrilled to find out that we will drive right through CHICAGO !!!

My girl is in CHICAGO, well she is actually traveling to CHICAGO as we speak.

I haven't seen her in over a year and so I am thrilled to say the least.

A gentle reminder . . . to look for the good !

2011-08-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

"We have a choice. We can seek for the bad in others. Or we can make peace and work to extend to others the understanding, fairness, and forgiveness we so desperately desire for ourselves. It is our choice

for whatever we seek, that we will certainly find."

--President Dieter F. Uchtdorf,

Happy

2011-08-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

Many reasons to be happy . . . .

The grass is not always greener . . . .

2011-08-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

So it has been a long couple of weeks. What have I learned ? 1) I require sleep 2) I am extremely emotional - especially when I am tired 3) I have a hard time handling 15 patients at a time 4) I really like to spend 1 on 1 quality time with patients and families 5) I can't leave a toddler crying in a crib 5) cancer sucks !!!!

It has always been my favorite

2011-08-10T23:22:00.000-07:00

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct they paths."

(Proverbs 3: 5 & 6)

Tender Mercies . . .

2011-08-06T13:47:00.000-07:00

I am feeling them all around me right now at the changes that I am making. I have to admit I have questioned myself a million times wondering if this night job is what I should do. But the reality is - I think I am willing to make whatever sacrifice is needed to help provide for my family. As I just sat and plugged in my scheduled nights for the month, all my appointments and the kids schedules. It has worked out perfect. Just another way of my Heavenly Father saying it is going to be okay. Just another way of him saying you are that much closer to getting on a plane to go visit my girl or to be able fly her home and financially be able to help her afford to take a week off. My heart aches for her because I miss her so much. Imagine being a mom and going an entire year without seeing one of your kids. I know I wont see Dylan for 2 years. Somehow a mission is so much different. I just want her to come home . . . if even for a day. And now we are on a road to more stable incomes and hopefully positive changes for our family. Don't get me wrong . . . I am not seeking riches or fancy cars. I just want enough to take care of the needs of my big ole' growing family.

Tonight is my first night shift and I have only had 4 hours of sleep so I am sitting at the computer for about 30 minutes in an attempt to get tired and take a 3 hour nap. I am excited. I am scared. But most of all I am eager and hoping that maybe in what I do I will be able to make a difference in a little ones quality of life. I am not sure if I told you but I will be on the Oncology floor. It is full of little kids that are much braver than I. I am excited that I will get to be their friend and maybe learn some of the simple lessons that life has taught them.

Good Night my friends - hope this works !!!

So Much for that attempt . . .

2011-08-06T07:11:00.000-07:00

So tonight is my first night shift at the hospital. My family is all out of town so I attempted to stay awake as late as I could last night in hopes of sleeping in late. In my head I was thinking maybe I can sleep till noon. Stayed up till about 2:30 am. The house is silent, my room is dark and wouldn't you know I woke up at 6:44 am. Dang !!! A total of 4 hours of sleep. That is not going to do me any good when I have to stay awake till noon tomorrow. So laying there trying to go back to sleep just got me frustrated and so I got up in hopes of getting tired. I am going to do chores for a couple of hours in hopes of getting tired and going back to bed. Good thing is I don't have to do this again till next weekend. I am going to have to learn all the tricks to working the night shift.

Can't Get Enough of These Boys Tonight !!!

2011-08-05T21:41:00.000-07:00

Once a Jericho Road Fan, Always A Jericho Road fan. I LOVE their music, I LOVE their message and I LOVE the spirit that I feel when I listen to it !!!

I love this song and I love this message !!!!

2011-08-05T21:31:00.000-07:00

The start of something amazing . . .

2011-07-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

Many changes on the forefront for the Paolacci household. I have been trying to get a job at Phoenix Children's Hospital for the about the past 9 months. I LOVE my job in scrapbooking, but the hard core reality is some months I can pay my bills and some months I can't. And when you have a family of 8+ it is very stressful to play the guessing game of what your commission might be each month. I used to care for an elderly couple overnight and it was the perfect job. Because I could be the mom and the sales rep by day and nursing assistant by night. But then Marge passed away and that job was over. So I have wanted to get on nights at the hospital so I can still be mom and sales rep by day and nursing assistant by night. And the best part about the hospital is that I only have to work 2-3 nights a week to be full time and get benefits. I knew when they hired me I would have to do a 40 hour clinical orientation. Which begins tomorrow. So it is going to be a crazy busy week. Hospital by day and sales calls by night. Luckily Don is going to be taking my kids to California this week for a little back to school getaway.

"Phoenix Children’s Hospital will become one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country.
Phoenix Children’s Hospital has provided hope, healing, and the best health care for children and families since 1983. Today, Phoenix Children’s is one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country and provides specialty care to patients throughout Arizona and other Southwestern states. In response to the explosive population growth in metropolitan Phoenix region, Phoenix Children’s recently completed a $588 million expansion plan that enables the Hospital to provide essential medical service to our community and world-class care for years to come." http://www.phoenixchildrens.com/

I am so lucky to be part of something that is going to be so amazing . . . I think I have found the perfect job a couple nights a week that will allow me to work the job that I love during during the day.

Happy Monday !!!

2011-07-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Monday's

I LOVE a fresh start to my week

I LOVE the promise of a whole new week of opportunities

I LOVE Monday's !!!

Happy MONDAY everyone

In this house . . . .

2011-07-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

Oh No !!!

2011-07-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

So our all star baseball player woke up in the middle of the night throwing up !!!! Good news is he seems to feel better once he threw up 3 times on the way to the bathroom last night and has been sleeping soundly since 2 am. Bad news - I have some major carpet clean up to do !!!! We are just hoping it was a bad case of taco bell !!!

A little sign from heaven . . . .

2011-07-07T23:49:00.000-07:00

So at the beginning of every Little League All Star game they have all the players come to the field and they have to repeat the Little League Pledge. Which is . . . .

I trust in God.
I love my country
and will respect its laws.
I will play fair and strive to win.
But win or lose
I will always do my best.

Then after both teams repeat the pledge they have everyone stand for the National Anthem.

During the National Anthem I looked over the crowd and saw the back of a mans head that looked just like my dads. Suddenly at this very moment I was so overcome with emotion. I thought to myself "how proud my dad would be to watch 2 of his grandsons play in the All Star Tournament". He LOVED baseball and he was a grandpa that attended all the games. He got to see lot's of Dylan's games when Dylan was little. But not Logan's

Well tonight I had this overwhelming impression, I actually started crying during the song and I knew that he was there and watching his grandsons play in this All Star Tournament !!!

Because make no mistake - my dad loved baseball and Little League !!!

Little League All Stars

2011-07-07T10:51:00.000-07:00

We LOVE baseball season !!!

Especially when it includes an ALL STAR Tournament

This year Logan was selected to play on the 11-12 Major Division All Star Team for

Shadow Mountain Little League.

The team is made up of 11 AMAZING baseball players and 3 AMAZING coaches.

So far we have won our first 3 games and we play again tonight.

Then Saturday night will begin the playoffs.

They will take the winners over Pool A and Pool B and they will play for the district 3 Championship.

Logan and his teammates have played some AMAZING baseball and even if Saturday is their last game they have so much to be proud of. From this point on we will take it game by game and see where it takes us.

Maybe Williamsport, PA for the Little League World Series !!!

GO SHADOW !!!!

What I strive to be . . .

2011-07-06T23:00:00.002-07:00

4th of July

2011-07-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

Even though we were few in numbers compared to the usual size, we had a great time. We never have to fight parking or crowds on the 4th of July. My brother lives near a park that has an amazing fireworks show every year. So we get to enjoy an amazing show from the comfort of his backyard.

gotta love Memory Mixer. Memories are documented and printed and in my album

Kids say the cutest things . . .

2011-07-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

I think I need to write a book ! So today at church I am getting the kids ready to hear the story about Baby Moses. Let me try and set the stage. I tell them all to be very quiet because I have a very special story to share with them. I have all their attention and they are being soooooo quiet I am amazed. Then I say "I am going to tell you a story that happened a long, long time ago" and out of Eden's mouth she says "you mean like before Christmas ?"

Soooooo cute - I love my calling !!!!

Love this . . .

2011-07-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

Okay so I have this dear sweet friend Emily - who I miss so dang much - I wish she was my next door neighbor. But then I would have to move to Colorado and then I would be far away from the LOVE of my life (Malorie) and that would never work. So I will have to continue to just love and admire her from afar.

Anyways - through every struggle and trial she has ever had she continues to teach me and I learn so much from her strength. She truly is an example of what a wonderful MOM is

Thank you my friend for being a constant in my life . . .

http://sheffieldsmiths.blogspot.com/

A good read . . . .

2011-07-03T06:52:00.000-07:00

So I got up super early this morning to finish reading on this website

(before I finish my sunbeam lesson I was hoping to read some. BTW - I teach the cutest little kiddos in the whole world every Sunday morning at church - it has been said that I am their teacher - but every Sunday I walk away being spiritually fed by them)

I LOVE reading and I LOVE this site. I have only gotten through a few of the testimonies, because each and every one has been so thought provoking. But what a fabulous addition to my quiet Sunday morning. I intend to read each one. As I still struggle to make my way though the world of college textbooks and comprehend what I am learning - I find what I am reading here much more interesting and it speaks to my heart so it is so much easier for me to comprehend.

http://mormonscholarstestify.org/

Life Lessons from a friends example

2011-06-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

I love BRAVE GIRLS CLUB.

I love my friend MELODY

and I love the things that I learn from her and her example

want just a glimpse of who she is click {HERE}

Each night as I lay down to bed I hear a little "ding" from my inbox and it is a message from another BRAVE GIRL sister. And magically it always seems to speak to my heart !!! For instance -

Dear Phenomenal Girl,

We all have parts of ourselves that need working on. We all think thoughts that aren't the best thoughts we could be thinking. We all do things we wish we would have done better, or differently, or not at all. We all make mistakes, every single day, every single one of us. And then, we all wake up every day with lots of chances to start over. It is one of the miracles of life.

When mistakes hold us back, they become bigger mistakes. In fact, holding back could really be an even bigger mistake than the mistake that we originally made! When we do something that we wish we would have done differently, or not at all, we need to do the best we can to make it right, and then let it go. We need to keep moving forward.

Let's not make the bigger mistake of keeping us from the future that is meant for us. You are not your mistakes. You are not your bad mood or your careless act or any of the other labels that come when mistakes are made. You are a human being, and you are learning something new every day. You are getting better and wiser and more equipped. You are doing a great job.

Let yesterday go. Be done with it. Walk onto your light-filled path and make today a better day.

You are so loved!

xoxo

For my Friends . . . .

2011-06-30T19:42:00.000-07:00

I have some friends who are having really hard times right now and I just want them to know that I love them, but more importantly they have someone else who loves them even more.

Chicago - Chicago

2011-06-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

So excited to be going to Chicago for CHA. A time that I feel really injects some energy into our industry and brings such excitement. We get to see friends that we only see twice a year and enjoy the fabulous creative juices of many talented crafters.

There is only one sad part . . .

I will miss this cute girl by about a week

She is moving to Chicago !!!

Her boyfriend Christopher has been accepted into grad school at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)

So they are moving to the windy city !!! I thought we might be lucky enough for our trips to overlap - but no such luck. Just means I am going to have to go back and visit and devote my time to seeing their new life in Chicago. I think I am going to have to make some connections and set up some teaching gigs to go back often !!!