Okay so I was going to write this big ole post about friends. But guess what ? It's so late I just fell asleep at my computer as I was loading pictures (imagine that - people who know me might have a hard time believing that one) so you will just have to enjoy the pictures of all the amazing people in Marissa's life. I am grateful for all of them and so glad they have enjoyed such good times with my girl. She has had quite the fun college life. Lucky girl !!!!!

Goodnight !

{Families Are Forever}

Came across this picture tonight of my dad. Grandpa's lap is the place every grandchild wanted to be. That is cute little Marissa at about 2 snuggled on his lap. As the first born grandchild she got lot's of special time with my dad. I know she has memories she will treasure forever. I sit here looking at his eyes as if it were just yesterday that he was here. And it wouldn't even seem strange for him to walk him my door right now and say "Hey Sis". I miss him. Especially at times like this when I wish I had him right here with me. I wish I could snuggle up on my dads lap and have all my cares go away right now. It is reassuring to know that we will see him again. That we have the blessings of the temple. That he made sure our family was sealed for eternity. I know he watching over us.

- Thank You Dad -

{Let's Breathe : Stress Reduction 101}

While visiting CONFESSIONS OF A PIONEER WOMAN I came across this post. Many times we have been taught how to do it - but we forget. I think we are going to make it a natural exercise each night before we go to bed and then maybe we will all sleep a bit better. {Click Here}

Now breathe . . . . . .

{Monday - FHE}

One of the things I love most about General Conference is the push it often gives you to try a little harder. So with that said we committed to making sure we have Family Home Evening consistently each week. With all the kids baseball games and activities it is so easy to get too busy to take that precious time for your family. So with tonight being Monday night we had Family Home Evening . It is such a blessing when everyone is home and we can gather round the table for dinner and an evening of each others company. Coleton had an incident this weekend when he was at a friends birthday party and the boys were making choices Coleton was not comfortable with and he knew their choices were not okay with what we choose in our home. He called me to come and pick him up and immediately told me "they were making some really bad choices" watching movies and playing inappropriate games on the computer. He said he did not feel comfortable going over there again. We praised Coleton for his courageous behavior and decided the perfect family night lesson would be on "Being an example of Righteousness" and praised our kids for taking the higher road. If you were in Laurie Stamas class at Creative Escape we now have talked to our kids about "being the cheese". because you know in the nursery rhyme Farmer In The Dell - what does the cheese do ? "The Cheese Stands Alone". Sometimes we are faced with situations where no matter how hard it is, and no matter what friends we may offend, we need to be the CHEESE and stand alone. My last words to my kids whenever they leave the house or I drop them off somewhere are always "Make good choices" and they always reply "yes mom". Well guess what ? As annoying as I am sometimes, when my kids are faced with those situations I want them to hear that nagging mom voice in the back of their head saying "make good choices" and we are so proud of Coleton for doing so. One of my favorite primary songs is "Dare to do Right"


1. Dare to do right! Dare to be true!
You have a work that no other can do;
Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well,
Angels will hasten the story to tell.

Dare, dare, dare to do right;
Dare, dare, dare to be true,
Dare to be true, dare to be true.

2. Dare to do right! Dare to be true!
Other men’s failures can never save you.
Stand by your conscience, your honor, your faith;
Stand like a hero and battle till death.

For desert we had one of our traditional family home evening favorites - sipping milk through chocolate covered cookies. You bite a hole on each end and see how much milk you can sip with one cookie. An all time family favorite and everyone joins in the fun - even dad even though he looks like he is cheating he insists he was sipping through the cookie.

I LOVE THIS FAMILY !!!!!

{Weekend}

Well Friday night my sister in law Melissa and little Matthew showed up with yummy dinner from Paradise Bakery. Morgan's absolute favorite. Chicken salad sandwich and tomato soup. We all enjoyed dinner and Matthew even got to go and visit with Morgan in the big bed for a few minutes.

Homecoming Update - Dylan asked his date to homecoming and I wish I would have gotten a picture of his very creative invite. She really likes jamba juice and so he bought a Styrofoam cooler and a large jamba juice and around the cup he had all the homecoming details. Then he filled the cooler with ice and on the top of the cooler it said. "This was this "smoothiest" way I could think of asking you to homecoming. It was cute . . . then Friday morning when I was dropping Karleigh off at seminary I saw the girls doing this to his car . . . . . . They also had it dotted with oreo cookies, but those came off before I got a shot of it. He is going with his 2 best friends Matt & Coy and their dates and so it should be alot of fun.


Then we had an uplifting and inspiring weekend. Exactly what I needed. General Conference truly spoke to my heart and filled my cup. I am re-assured and comforted in knowing that my Heavenly Father is listening to and hears my prayers at this time in my life. My testimony is strengthened and I have strength to endure. The spirit could be felt so strongly at times that it brought tears to my eyes. I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.

Then last night I took Karleigh and the boys to my brother and sister in laws house (Steve and Karen) for a little birthday celebration for Karleigh. With all that has been going on Karleigh's family birthday party kinda got missed and so we wanted to make sure she knew that we loved her and didn't forget about her. (and besides we are all about getting together for a family gathering any chance we can) It was really cute - because Coleton had asked me Sunday morning and Grant asked Karen the same thing also "don't you think we should get together with our family tonight?" How blessed we are. We did miss Jason and Jamie and the kids. But Jamie had just finished working the Hartford CKC show and had just arrived home and was tired. Traveling coast to coast in a weekend really tires your body out.

We were also very lucky becuase my Aunt Judy is here visiting my mom from Idaho and so we got to see her and her friend Tricia. The weather here is Arizona is getting to be so nice we spent most of the evening on Steve and Karens back porch.

And see that girl right there in the middle . . . . . Miss Marissa I miss you so much !!!!!

{Let it be a good day}

This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind... let it be something good.

-Author Unknown

Renee called last night and told me the baby feel and cut open his head. She said he fell, rubbed his head and got up and when back to playing and all of a sudden was leaving a trail of blood. She checked the back of his head and sure enough a big ole cut. Once she got to the ER they got him all fixed up. She called and said "they just had to glue his head back together". Poor baby - but he is just fine. You feel so helpless as a mom watching your kids struggle. Isn't it true that each day our ultimate goal is to have a happy family and when one of your kids are hurt or struggling with something it effects every ounce of your being. Here's to everyone getting better and no injuries or mishaps today.

Today is a fun day. Coleton gets to go on his very first Boy Scout overnight campout. It is 11 year old scout camp and they are heading up north to cool country. I am so lucky that I have a husband who loves to do these things with my boys. Don will be taking off early so he can join Coleton and the boys at the campout. Can't wait to hear about all their fun adventures.

Update on my back - It is getting better pretty rapidly. There are parts of my feet still numb, but for the most part I have all feeling back in my legs. I cannot express to you the helplessness I felt when I could not do all that I am used to doing. I was so frustrated. Last Sunday at church the Bishop came up and simply asked how I was doing and he could see that this was really bothering me. I had a few tears in my eyes when I said to him "I just am so frustrated - there is so much I want and need to do and I can't" he asked what the prognosis was and I told him my doctor said it could take up to 3 months and I just didn't know how I was going to rest for 3 months" I told him of the lady I met at Creative Escape who had been like this since May and was now in a wheelchair. He asked if Don and I would come back to his office after the meetings. After church Don and the Bishop gave me the most wonderful blessing. In the blessing it said something very specific that stuck with me like glue. "if I would follow the guidance of my doctors then I would heal quicker than anticipated". Well that is what I have done and I am feeling 75% better after just 3 weeks of this. I have not lifted one box or put any strain on my back. I have rested when my feet begin to get real numb. I have used the TENS unit and heat and ice. I have added some really good nutritional supplements into my daily routine and I am seeing an overall positive result. I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who watches over me and the needs of my family.

Well - it's that time to get the boys up and off to school and conquer the day I have before me. Happy Friday Everyone !!! Make it a good one!

{Run . . . Don't Walk}

Okay so last night I had to make a Target run. (Love that store) I needed Fabric Softener (which I have a gripe about)- MY Target (like how I refer to it) discontinued my favorite fabric softener. I am all about good smelling laundry. And my favorite softener is Sauvitel. Well it's gone and I am torked. So now I have to pay twice as much for Downy (don't get me wrong I love downy too, I just don't like the price) Any way - that is not what I want to talk about. I just had to tell you the dollar section is 75% off. I scored. I am trying to be smart this year for Christmas and pick up stuff as I see it. My problem is space to store all the goods I find. I have my 6 kids, + 2 foster daughters, + 2 foster grandbabies, + 13 neices & nephews, +6 sets of brother/sister-in-laws, +2 moms, 1 dad and 1 set of grandparents and that's just our immediate family. So I am getting smart and keeping my eyes open throughout the year. Well the dollar section had some baby toys and dishes for .25 each!!!! So I have two 1 1/2 year old little guys to buy for and I found a bunch of stuff to keep them entertained. Then strolling along the back isles of Target (cause that is where all the red clearance tags can be found) I came across back packs for 75% off. Here is the bummer - we don't need any - but maybe you do - so cruise on over to your Target. They are almost giving them away!!!!

{Just some fun Digi Layouts}

I had fun playing with Memory Mixer this week and teaching how to bring in other Digital Content (these layouts I have used the GLITZ designs digital CD) for use in Memory Mixer. So easy, so quick and so fun. And these kids are growing so fast we need to be sure we are taking the time to capture all these moments.




This picture was actually take November 07 when my friend Kit got tickets for me to take my girls to the Donny Osmond Concert. I know the layout says 08 - I just noticed. Maybe that is a reminder that I should take my girls to Vegas to see Donny and Marie. They are there right now.

Live Benefit Concert . . .Mindy Gledhill

I love Mindy Gledhill and for all you locals this is a chance to support a very good cause. Tickets available at www.mindygledhill.com

My heart breaks each time I think about the Nielson Family. I promise I will never take one more moment for granted.

{Thought For The Day}

"Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion. In our ears there may sound the sophistry of Satan as he whispers, “You cannot save the world; your small efforts are meaningless. You haven’t time to be concerned for others.” Trusting in the Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are firmly planted in the path of service and our hearts and souls dedicated to follow the example of the Lord."
--Thomas S. Monson,, "Finding Peace", Ensign, Mar. 2004, 3

Today I have been touched . . . .

If you ever begin to feel sorry for yourself or begin to struggle just know that there is someone out there with a much harder struggle then you are enduring. This morning I read an article in LDS Living Magazine about the Neilson family of Phoenix, AZ. Christian and his wife Stephanie were in a plane crash last month. They have four little children and now they both lie in ICU. As I began to read about this family and follow their story my heart just broke. Pray for them. It has been another reminder how important life is and how important are the everyday moments we create and document with our family. Life can change in an instant and everything can be gone. It is a reminder to me to really evaluate what is really important. It reminds me to be the best wife and mom I can possibly be. To be the best daughter, sister & friend. To live a life that I can be proud to share with generations to come. As I have read Stephanie's Blog - that is exactly what she has done. Now her four little children are being cared for by her amazing sister Courtney. Go and live the life you want to live RIGHT NOW. Be true to who you are and the things you know are right. We never know how much time we have.




Now onto something kinda exciting that I need everyone's help with. Lynn has received an email from a casting director at EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER !!!! Woooooo Hoooooo. Now is where I need your help - read more {here}.





Marissa has been in the Ukraine for 3 weeks now and I she is doing well. We have come to like SKYPE where we can talk over the internet. I love any chance I get to talk to her. It is somewhat difficult becuase they are 10 hours ahead of us. So our nights and days are swapped. But I know she is doing well and learning alot. I know she beleives I am stalking her. But I was having some huge anxiety issues before she left and I was so worried. But I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who knows me and hears my prayers and I know he is watching over her. I have had people put in my path that have someone close to them in Keiv. And it warms my heart when I can say my daughter is in that branch and I know I have people looking out for her.

Well it's time to get back to work - just trying to get a few things checked off my list and blogging was one of them.

To leave with a few last thoughts for today as I was reading President Monson's message he delivered at a regional conference this past weekend. I was touched by the importance of making sure that we are focused on the things of most importance at this time in our lives -

President Thomas S. Monson asked Latter-day Saints to love their neighbors and to put their homes in order. We are all familiar with the scripture he shared "organize yourselves, prepare every needful thing, and to establish a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God."

Making one's home a house of glory includes the need "to be sincere with God. You can not be one person and pretend to be another," he said. "We can't live a lie ... .It is by being consistent that we can assure a house of glory."
A house of order includes time for family, for work, for study, for recreation and for self, and "above all, time for Christ"
Developing a house of God is one where "clean thoughts, noble purposes, ready hearts and ready hands" are dedicated to helping and serving others.

A Mid-September Morning . . . .

The alarm sounds at 5 am and all I hear is silence - not necessarily a good thing. I go in to check on Karleigh to make sure she is beginning to stir and get up for her day. Karleigh and Dylan have early morning seminary that begins at 6:15 every morning before school. Some mornings it is hard to get up and get going, but it is always worth it. Just a little bit of spiritual renewal to start your day. Dylan's teacher is Stacey Campbell. One of his best friends Moms. She is an amazing woman and I am grateful that my son gets to spend 45 minutes with her each morning before school. Karleigh is getting used to this early morning thing and working really hard at trying to find a balance. She can wake up at 4:30 am and still not be ready by 6:15. We are learning and trying everyday. The more I say "hurry" the more she gets stressed. So I just try and make it as easy on her as I can. The one thing we have gotten into on these early quick mornings is fruit smoothies. (with just a little protein powder) Our entire family is loving them. Here is my favorite -
1 cup of yogurt (any flavor - I use strawberry, vanilla or orange)
1 Frozen Banana
about 4-6 strawberries
1 Cup Orange Juice
1 scoop of Protein Powder ( i love IsaLean Powder)
The mornings are getting so nice here in Phoenix (the days are still warm, but mornings are nice and in the 80's)

[Okay-one last post-I talked to Marissa-Election}

Can you tell I am stuck in bed with a hurt back. Well exciting news - I got to talk to Marissa yesterday before she went to bed. This Skype thing is pretty cool. It was just like a normal conversation just over my computer. The family she lives with speaks English and Russian. Anna is the daughter and Marissa said she stays in Anna's room and then Anna sleeps with her parents. They seem very nice. Anna is 11 and she seems to be really excited about having a 20 year old sister for 4 months. Good thing Marissa is used to little brothers and sisters because I think Anna wants to do everything Marissa does. You know how I told you about the blog of the family from Seattle that is living in the Ukraine that I stumbled across ? Well I sent her an email and told her about Marissa. Marissa said "mom so your emailing people in the Ukraine?" I guess the Melenchuk family is in her branch and she said to Marissa yesterday "hey I got an email from your mom". Marissa said she just laughed, she knows me all too well. She said they attend the international branch and it is very small, but it is very nice - so everyone who is from the states in the Ukraine attends that branch. Also, the mission president in Kiev is the dad of one of Marissa's friends from BYU. How cool is that !!! The gospel is amazing. You have a connection no matter where in the world you are. Makes a mom feel good. Today is the first day of school for Marissa - she has to ride the metro about 30 minutes to get to the school - she is teaching cooking for the next four weeks. I guess the kids have rotations and the teachers teach the same subject for four weeks in a row. She said today they are making "ants on a log". Today is also Anna's first day of school. So lot's of excitement. I got to talk to Anna and her English is very good. I asked how she spoke so well and she told me she went to the English school. So that is awesome. All is good with Mariss. I can't wait for pictures.

Okay - now for the election-as many of you know I was a huge Mitt Romney supporter and I will admit that I was somewhat sad he was not on the ticket. But I am confident that Mitt Romney will be he President of the United States one day. I know many people believe that I support Mitt because I am Mormon. But the truth is - that is not the truth. I support Mitt Romney because his values and the things he stands for are very much in line with what I believe.

Yes - I am a Republican. But that doesn't mean I love everything about every Republican. Or just because they are republican they are going to get my vote. Like McCain, really I think he is old and kinda grumpy. But he is smart and I feel that he brings the most experience to the table. They don't have to be my best friend - but they do need to be capable of running a country. I must say that when Senator McCain announced Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate I had tears in my eyes as I listened to her speech. I have heard about her a bit in the past and when you talk about finding someone whose values are in line with yours - she is my pick. Would I be confident if something happened to John McCain and Sarah Palin was left to run our country - YOU BET. (Plus maybe she would pick Mitt to be her VP) But seriously - this is a go getter - I find it funny that the press has searched diligently to find some trash about her and NOTHING. I think they are wasting their time. I think McCain did his homework. She is powerful. Picking a woman who lives up to her values, she is a role model, and a working mom. I think she is someone we can relate to and she can relate to us. Yes - she talks the talk and walks the walk. And she is not afraid to tell you what she thinks. She deals with real family struggles just like you and I. So no matter how you vote, make sure it feels right in your heart. Don't allow the label of a party to choose your candidate. Look at who you are and what you believe in and find someone closest to the values that you hold dear to your heart. Thanks John McCain for picking Sarah Palin - I really like her.

{I am the lucky one}

No this is not our Christmas picture. We just wanted to take a current family picture before Marissa left for the Ukraine. We will be snapping our Christmas card photo when she returns - just days before Christmas - when it's not 105 and 80% humidity outside, You probably can't tell but we were dripping it was so hot. But we just took some fun photo's of the kids. Nothing special. Just being together. We were not planing on one with Don and I and then I have to practice what I preach about not always being behind the camera. Between me and my two brothers we have 13 kids and we all live within about 10 minutes of each other so it is such a blessing that our kids get to be raised together. We are a pretty wild and crazy family when we are all together. Actually - I would say it is Don and Jason who get the craziness going.

{Creating Keepsakes Convention Classes & Booth Help Needed}

Below you will find the classes taught at Tulsa CKC and then I will be teaching them again at Phoenix CKC on September 12&13. If you are free sign up - I would love to have you there. Online registration is closed but you can sign up when you get there - there is still space available in all the classes. Also, we are looking for a set up person for Thursday September 11 at the Phoenix Convention Center from about 10am - 6 pm and then a tear down person from about 5pm - 8pm on Saturday September 13th. I have strict doctors orders of no lifting or bending for at leas 6 weeks. So I need some help here. You can trade for Rusty Pickle Product. So first come first - so if you are interested and can commit to one or both of those times just email me cpaolacci@cox.net and let me know. Also - by helping with set-up and take down you get a badge to get into the Vendor Fair both days for FREE. . . . .

{JUMBO Cards}

Did I mention they were JUMBO.This is such a fun concept using the 12x12 Chipboard covers to make fun cards to give to people.

{You can call me Princess}

Love this layout designed by Rusty Pickle Chef Cami Bauman. I am not a fan of purple but I love the combination of purple, brown and green in the Guinevere collection. Loved this layout so much I used this combination for an all about me layout. Then I think I am going to make my girls dress up in some purple clothes and take more pictures of them because I think this color combination looks amazing. Maybe I will buy Jade a purple dress for Christmas. It just looks so rich. So go hunting through your pictures and find any where the subjects are wearing purple. I promise it will look amazing.

This is Auntie Morgan and Jade. The two get along quite welll - they both love having their pictures taken.

{All Boy}

Love this double page spread designed by our fabulous Rusty Pickle Chef Libby (mom to Andrew and Max - max was one of our boxer pups so we are kinda related)


Used pictures of Dylan and Kelly when they were just 2&3. Look at him now at 17. . . Oh my he was sooo cute then and he is soooooooo . . . . cute now.

{Love, Love, Love}

This is a really cute mini book I taught last weekend at Tulsa CKC. It was designed by Beckie Dryer one of our fabulous Rusty Pickle Chefs. It uses the mini album with the Fair Verona collection. lot's of chipboard, buttons, stickers and I had to add some stickles for a little sparkle.