The very first man I ever loved . . . My dad

 

I cannot really beleive he has been gone for 8 years.  

How I miss him.

Just thinking about my dad.

I'm a Mormon . . . .

How grateful I am for the gospel in my life.

I love General Conference weekend 

WATCH CONFERENCE

I love my crazy busy life . . . .

Just Thinking . . .

about how much I miss some very special people in my life. . . . 

late at night when all the world is sleeping , I sit and reflect upon some special people in my life.

 No matter how busy my life is, there is always a place that is empty because I miss you.

What about love ?

So this week in my Marriage and Family class we are studying different love styles.

 It has been pretty interesting and none the less very eye opening. 

I am LOVING school !!!! Kind of addicted to learning.

Now if I can just get someone to come and clean my house !!!

It was the best of times . .

and it was the worst of times. Honestly, as a parent I have felt the happiest of emotions and the saddest of emotions. The ultimate roller coaster ride. 

Honestly some days I wish I could go back to the days when my kids where just little. Life was so much simpler then. 

But I am sure that I am learning and growing as a parent in ways that I could never imagine. Some days I am tired of learning hard lessons and some days I wish that I wasn't the easy safe target for the ones I love to take it all out on. Please don't get me wrong. Life if filled with happy times 90% of the time. 

But on days like today, I think I would just like to runaway.

I am grateful to know that I am not alone and that I know where I can turn for peace

Lack of blogging

Surprise, Surprise but this is why

I returned to college this semester (after skipping a year) 

I have found what seems like the perfect schedule and I am loving it

 I only have one regular on campus class once a week

The other classes are online and flex classes where we meet on campus 6 times during the semester.

It has taken some fine balancing but things are coming along and working out and I have almost found that I am addicted to learning new things.

I knew if I was going to be able to do it I would need to have classes that really interested me. 

I have some fabulous classes. I started slow - I have 3 full semester classes

Digital Photography (finally learning to use my SLR)

Microsoft Word 2010 (this class is blowing my mind with everything I am learning)

Marriage and Family (really enjoying this class)

Then this week I add 2 late start classes

Microsoft Excel (I figure I really need to learn spreadsheets. I am guilty to fault at asking Janna to always create my spreadsheets)

English 102 (I know it is sad I have never taken this - I am excited - it is a semester long research paper and I have the same teacher I had for English 101 that I loved)

So the balancing act is constant - but I am loving it and getting more done,  because I am having to use every minute of my time well.

Debating about cutting my hair short to save time. But then I think of the up keep of short hair and think I might be better off on a daily basis, but then I have to find time every six weeks to get it cut.

I am torn.

I have been putting some of my pinterest ideas into action and I am excited to share some photos soon.

Reunited . . . .

This photo makes my heart happy. What outstanding young men. Reunited after all 3 completing honorable missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.

Matt. Coy and Dylan

Happy Birthday to "2" of My Most Favorite Gals

23 years ago today I gave my mom one of the best birthday presents she could ever ask for - her 2nd little grandbaby born on her birthday !!!

Happy Birthday Morgan and Mom - I love you both sooooo much !!!!

He's Home . . .

Not sure if the word Bittersweet describes the feelings. The rollercoaster of emotions is almost too much to explain. Thank you Pam for chiming in yesterday. With this being my first missionary I was not even prepared for the rollercoaster of emotions. The excitement at the airport was so amazing. My heart swelled like I had never imagined. To see my strong and faithful missionary return with honor was probably the ultimate parental pay day. He was so happy to see his family. He was completely overwhelmed with gratitude. He is so incredibly humble and sincere and loving. All attributes he brings home from the amazing people of Peru he has served for the last 2 years. He did well as we spent time talking about his mission and going through pictures. 


We were not in any way prepared for what was to come. We met at the Stake Presidents office for his releasing. He spent about 45 minutes in with the stake president and then they invited all the family him. President Lewis spoke of what an incredible missionary he was. What an incredible man we have now in our presence. He then had Dylan share his testimony. Words cannot even describe the power of the spirit in that room. I have never heard such a powerful testimony. Now for the hard part. President Lewis released him and told him it was time for him to take off his name tags. My son broke down and cried like a baby for about 15 minutes before he could do it.  It was so hard to watch him. He loved everything about his mission.


He is incredible. Sent away a young man and got back the most incredible man I could ever imagine. Not to mention he is about the most incredibly handsome missionary I have ever seen. Beyond words. What an incredible experience. What an amazing two years. The hardest part is that it is over and it is time to move forward with your life. Not an easy thing to do when your heart is hurting and longing for your mission, your friends, your mission president, the people, the culture and most of all Peru. His emotions are on the surface. How happy I am to see him love so deeply. We will need to keep Peru alive and well in our home. Thank goodness for face book so he can stay in contact with everyone. We are going to love having him home. I am sure we will only be able to keep him here for a couple months. He always thought he would stay in AZ and go to school on his in state scholarship but he  wants to be with his friends at BYU. And I can totally understand that. He loves these boys like his brothers. I know that the Lord has a hand in everything. I cannot even begin to thank the moms of the Peru Lima East mission for raising such incredible young men. 


I know we will make it through these next couple days and weeks. I am grateful for the heads up on the transition back to civilization and I am grateful he has 3 weeks till school starts. 


If we are not friends on face book , we have pictures on his blog.

Loved this . . .

White baseball pants anyone ?

I know this might seem like a silly post to some, but for any of those out there who have had boys play baseball in white baseball pants and slide into that red dirt that is on many baseball fields, know how hard it is to get baseball pants clean. Over the years I have tried EVERYTHING and I think I have finally found an amazing product and I am so excited about it I just have to share.

last night as soon as we got home from All Star practice I had Logan and his buddy Andy bring me their filthy pants. I was so excited to soak them over night and then wash in the morning. Let me just say - it works AMAZING with no scrubbing !!! You might want to google it and see where you can find it. I am going to get Don to make sure that Albertson's brings it in - soon !!!

Swimming like a little fish . . .

So we have a little fishy on our hands who is not afraid of the water. Auntie Karleigh does not like her wearing the floaty suit - but it gives me a little more peace of mind when I am the one swimming with her. Auntie karleigh came out and joined us in the pool yesterday so I could take a video of Malorie swimming. As you see there is "no fear" at all and she just turned 2 and summer has just began. 

It is going to be a fun swim season.

So much respect for this couple

I am truly inspired 

So many wonderful examples in this story . . . . 

The Weed's

Missionary Countdown . . . .

That is right !!! 50 days from today Elder Paolacci will be home. I made this count down with a regular picture frame and just created a 10x8 mat to go under the glass. I attached the dry erase marker to the back so each morning we can change the countdown.

I had the specialized papers made from Scrapbook Customs that I ordered thru my local scrapbook store. If you need info on them send me a personal email and I can direct you in ordering special order papers also.

Private Swim Lessons / Lifeguarding

Check out what Karleigh is doing - 

http://kpswimlessons.blogspot.com/

Study . . .

I have read my scriptures my entire life. Never as faithfully or frequently as I would like. But this time instead of racing through them, I have challenged myself to an indepth study. This is more like feasting and I am loving what I am learning, the impressions I am having and the peace I feel. I am far from perfect at it, and sometimes my days get so busy that I miss them. But each day I will try a little harder to be a little better . . . . 

My heart swells when ever I see this picture. Have a wonderful Sabbath my sweet friends . . . . 

“It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.”
― Gordon B. Hinckley

Sweet new baby . . .

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

A friend referenced this article and I found myself reading it this morning.

The article was written by

 Stephen H. Webb is professor of religion and philosophy at Wabash College.

Mormonism Obsessed With Christ

I may be accused of being obsessed with my relationship with Jesus Christ, or striving to follow his example a little too much. But the bottom line is - I am drawn to things in my life that bring me peace. My relationship with my Savior brings me peace.

 I love my faith. I have a strong, unwavering testimony of my beliefs. I had a profound experience 8 years ago the morning that I sat with my dad as his spirit left his body and went on to it's eternal home. I have always had a testimony of what I believe, but this experience was an anchor. I truly wish that everyone I loved could have experienced what I did that morning. I find such peace and comfort knowing that I have a Heavenly Father that loves me. That he has a plan and I have always had faith that he will guide me in all I do as long as I seek for his guidance.

I think that one of the statements of the article I really appreciated was 

"I came to my senses about how wrong it is to be rude toward somebody else’s faith"

I truly believe the world would be a much happier place. We would be much happier people if everyone would just focus on what makes them happy. Maybe you don't believe the same way I do. I totally respect that. I know for me I find happiness in the foundation of faith that generations of my family have laid for me, in the promise that we will be together as a family forever, in joy I find in serving others and in my relationship with my older brother and Savior Jesus Christ. I have a long way to go and I have much to learn. But the peace that the gospel brings me is undeniable. I think if everyone were to spend time finding out what makes them truly happy and then focusing on that, the world would be HAPPY. Instead of allowing your insecurities to get the best of you and take you to a place of ridiculing anothers beliefs, strive to find out what your own beliefs are and allow them to bring you happiness and joy. Because isn't that what we each want - to be happy. 

Today will never come again . . .

Peace . . . .

BYU Women's Conference

I am so excited !!! I got my conference book, I have highlighted lots of workshops I would love to go to. So many amazing choices. Lot's of speakers to lift and inspire, wonderful service projects, a huge hall full of booths sharing amazing ideas (it was in the sharing stations last year when my mom was touched and decided to serve as a senior missionary) I love singing in the instant choir and being filled with the spirit music brings.

Thousands and thousands of women all coming together for 2 days with the same purpose - to be lifted and filled and go back to our homes and families being just a little better then we were when we arrived.I really do LOVE going. I have gone with my daughters, with my sister-in-laws, with my mom  and often times with my dear friends.

A couple times we have flown when the kids were younger and we couldn't be gone for too long. But the most fun (is that proper grammar) is when we make it a road trip. Each time has been so much fun.  How I wish everyone could come.
 This year it is Carol and I. We are super excited. 

(Don't be sad - just mark your calendar for next year and join us again )

But in reality (please forgive me for being totally selfish at this moment) It is so much more about me - and filling me up so I can go home and be the best mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, aunt, primary teacher, visiting teacher I can be !!!!

 We are going to have an awesome time. I love it - did I say that already ? I really do LOVE it.  Well actually I love it all except for the stairs and the altitude.

One week till we hit the road. 

And if you haven't joined us before you can plan on coming next year too. Let's make it a HUGE party so plan on it. Just imagine about 20 thousand women surrounding you—all gathered in one place to learn more about their Savior. Imagine the feeling that would generate and the love, joy, peace that is present. It is electrifying!

Sunbeam Lesson "I Am Thankful for Animals"

So I am not into reinventing the wheel - I love to take advantage of the talent that others have shared and I get many of my primary ideas from SUGARDOODLE. An amazing resource for ANYONE. Especially those serving in the church. Well, as I was preparing my SUNBEAM lesson for this week and I was trying to find an Animal Bingo, I could not find one I loved - so I created my own and I just thought I would share. It turned out so cute I am going to make a set for my grandbabies too !!!! Feel free to click on the images and print some yourself. I must thank my friends at Memory Mixer. Without the Memory Mixer software I would not be able to create any of the cool digital stuff I love.

Working Hard . . . .