18 Years

Lee and I will be celebrating 18 years together today. Eighteen years of joy, sorrow, laughter, tears, pain, happiness, elation, anger, depression, and back to joy again...
Eighteeen years of moves, we've lived in Salem, Milwaukee, back to Salem, San Jose, Orem, Cedar Hills, American Fork, and back to Orem. We have packed and unpacked 12 homes with all those moves.
Eighteen years, and we were able to overcome word of wisdom issues and were blessed to be worthy to enter the Temple of the Lord on March 20, 1993, in the Portland, Oregon Temple. We have fought in court for my children to live with us, a battle not easily won. Traveling to and from Oregon, traveling to and from California, screams and stinks in a tight fitting van, endless stops to eat, drink and bathroom breaks. Weathering storms, rain, floods, blizzard conditions, one with a new puppy, yikes, why did we do that?
Eighteen years, trips to the hospital, falls off rooftops, one daughter almost losing her eye, another almost her life. Car accidents, countless doctors visits, and illness.
Teenage pregancy, adoption, grandchildren, our children marrying, creating their own families. Five married children, one daughter's sorrow with death. A son faraway serving in the Navy,one daughter dealing with divorce, another daughter dealing with disablity in her child. Lots of prayers for our children to have the courage and stamina to handle their trials in life, and praying we could take away any pain they might be suffering knowing that is not possible.
Eighteen years of loving each other, hating each other, fighting, yelling, screaming, kissing, hugging, holding grudges, forgiving, being selfish, and learning to be selfless. Holding hands, talking out our fears, embracing the future, taking new steps...

Seperation, falling apart, finding our way again...

Phew....I am tired...I know that all that doesn't even come close to everything we have been through the last eighteen years, but it will have to do. For a time there I didn't think we would make it. Here we are, doing our best to remember why we love each other, how we make each other laugh, how we make the other feel special. I know that the Lord knows our family and has been with us during it all and just like me there was nothing he could to stop our pain during those difficult times. We had to go to him and draw on his power, to remember the promises we made to always remember him that we might have his spirit to be with us. I think that is probably the best thing that has come from eighteen years of ups and downs, to rely on ourselves just doesn't work. We together have come closer to our Heavenly Father, to our Savior. I won't lie and say we are perfect now, because we are not, but we are better. We stop and think about where we have been and where we want to go, and we want to go there together.

Lee has been my best friend, when I didn't think I had one. He has been my cheering section when I needed a boost of encouragement. He has been a safe place to fall when I need a good cry. And when I don't need anything at all he is still there just to sit with to lean on and watch a funny chick flick. Thanks babe for the eighteen years we have shared together as husband and wife, looking forward to the next...

Happy Anniversary

Air Force Week

If you go to the website there is a list of events for the week. Hope that you can show your support to our military. Our son-in-law Kevin will be sworn in during these events. We are so proud of him. We love you Kevin, and are so proud of you.

http://www.airforceweek.af.mil/

Kira

Kira is one of Krysia's(my daughter) friends from Lakeridge. She has been a wonderful part of our family, she is always kind, and sweet.
She loves to write and express herself, she was so fun to photograph. We had a lot of fun, when I wasn't being eaten by the Giant Mosquito's!... Don't worry there are more, just wanted to share at least one with you.

Proudly Serving Our Country

We are so proud of our son Christopher and the service he has given our country. He is a fine young man and we love him so much. And we wish for him a safe and speedy return home.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day

A birthday wish to Andrea

I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile,

But more than anything, more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but ya never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And you always give more than you take.

But more than anything, yeah, and more than anything,
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big

Rascal Flatts
My Wish


I love you Andrea. You make me laugh, and always bring a smile to my heart.

Mom

Oaklie's Ride

Lee playing with Oaklie on the bike, as you can see Oaklie did not want any part of it. At least not without her "daddy"...

Oaklie is really not the adventrous type, she is a homebody and likes to watch movies with dad and curl up on his lap and snuggle, I usually come in and say "hey that's my job" and get into a growling match over "daddy" who do you think wins?

I had a feeling...

I will no longer bury my talent...

I sometimes feel like the servent who hid his talent and had it taken from him...I have struggled with the idea that I had any talent or gifts to share at all. Now I see that I have stood in my own way in becoming who the Lord has seen all along. I hope to expand and multiply my talents. For who am I to think otherwise? I am so blessed to have a loving husband who believes in my talent and gift, I am grateful to my family who supports my dreams, I am pleased to have a sister who is excited with my happiness, but most and not least I am grateful to my loving Father in Heaven for these gifts and pray I live up to them.

Love you all so much,
Anita



. “I was afraid,” the servant said, “and went and hid thy talent in the earth” (Matt. 25:25). The master was upset. “Thou wicked and slothful servant,” he said. Then he commanded, “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents” (Matt. 25:26, 28).
The Savior then gave the interpretation of the parable: Those who obtain other talents receive more talents in abundance. But those who do not obtain other talents shall lose even the talents they had initially (see Matt. 25:28–29).


Every person comes to earth as a unique individual. Similar threads may run in families, but each of us has a tapestry all our own. Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote: “Each person in this life is endowed with those talents and capacities which his pre-earth life entitle him to receive. Some by obedience to law acquired one talent and some another.”
The Lord made it clear that it is not good enough for us simply to return to Him the talents He has given us. We are to improve upon and add to our talents. He has promised that if we multiply our talents we will receive eternal joy.
In modern revelation the Lord affirmed the principles in this parable: “But with some I am not well pleased, for … they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. … Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known” (D&C 60:2, 13).


Three points to ponder:

Seek earnestly to discover the talents the Lord has given you. The talents God has given us first become apparent in the interests we pursue. If you are wondering about your talents, make a list of the things you like to do.

Use your talents to build up the kingdom of God. Our first priority in helping others is our family. Parents are in a unique and powerful position to encourage and support their children in developing their talents. We also have many opportunities to help others identify their talents. I am grateful for the many people who have helped me add to my talents. The successes in life of those we assist, sponsor, mentor, and lift as they pursue their own talents can bring us great joy and satisfaction.
President Gordon B. Hinckley exemplifies this important attitude: “My talents may not be great, but I can use them to bless the lives of others. I can be one who does his work with pride in that which comes from his hand and mind.”

Acknowledge God’s hand in your success. We must never forget or stop acknowledging that all talents and abilities come from God. Some were given to us before our birth, while others have been acquired as we have developed. But in both cases, they are gifts from a benevolent Heavenly Father, whose gracious blessings are also the means for improving our talents and obtaining others. The Lord has said, “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things” (D&C 59:21).

I am thankful for the knowledge He has given us—that we are His children and that we are to magnify and multiply our talents to our fullest potential. I know that if we will work hard and do our best, using our talents to bless others and build the kingdom of God, we will be brought back into His presence and hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21).

Parables of Jesus:
The Parable of the Talents
By Elder Ronald A. Rasband
Of the Seventy
Ensign, Aug 2003, 32–35

Wow...

These are just some of the amazing photos I took today with my amazing new gift from my wonderful husband. I love this surprise, thank you sweetheart. What an amazing Anniversary gift, I am in heaven...

Can't wait to see what kind of images I can get from this baby. Excited to get working...

Have you ever felt...

...like you just didn't deserve that amazing gift? I have and I have to tell you it's not a very good feeling. While growing up my sister and I were always made to feel that we just didn't deserve what our other siblings got(they got the cool gifts). Yes, unfair, but we accepted that was the way it was.

But no as an adult, I find when my children or husband spend too much on me, I find myself questioning if I am really worthy of that extravagant gift. What have I done to deseve it? I am worthy of it? Can I live up to the gift I have been given? I don't know....


photo found at: http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/gift-wrap_2.html

Create...

I saw this message on Jessie's blog and had to steal it and post it here as well. I love this message of creating. It reminds of the parable of talents, I hope that I haven't wasted mine. There are times when we are our own worst critics, that voice in our head that tells we aren't good enough, or who are we to even try. But why are we here if not to learn and grow to magnify those talents that we have been blessed with.

Wise Words

Throughout the years my family and friends have seen to it that I have the most cherished of gifts in words, by giving me quote books. Which I love, thank you to all have contributed to my library. So I thought I would share some of my favorites with you for Mother's Day, I hope you enjoy...

It will be gone before you know it. The fingerprints on the wall appear higher and higher. Then suddenly they disappear.
Dorthy Evslin

Children and mothers never truly part-Bound in the beating of each other's heart.
Charlotte Gray

A mother laughs our laughter, Sheds our tears, Returns our love, Fears our fears,
She lives our joys, Cares our cares, And all our hopes and dreams she shares.
Julia Summers

Before becoming a mother I had a hundred theories on how to bring up children.
Now I have seven sheldren and only one theory, love them, especially when they least deserve to be loved.
Kate Samperi


Every so often, invite the person in line behind you to go ahead of you.

Learn to make something beautiful with your hands.

Work in a garden.

Lie on your back and look at the stars.

Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.

DON'T POSTPONE JOY.

Pray for an enemy.

Own a cowboy hat.

Sing loud in the car, especially if your children are with you to sing along.

A woman's work is never done-especially if she asks her husband to do it.

A wise man thinks what he says; a fool says what he thinks.

Do it now! Today will be yesterday tomorrow.

We ask God to provide for our needs, and when he does, we congratulate ourselves on our ability and cleverness.

Hardening of the heart ages people more quickly than hardening of the arteries.


May you never take one single breath for granted, God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed, but if it does, may it leave you patient and stronger, willing and wiser, tender and tougher.
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance. I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, Never settle for the path of least resistance, living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking.
Lee Ann Womack (I Hope You Dance)


Believe in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do great and
good and worthwhile things.

Parents and children, teach and learn goodness together, work together, read good books together, pray together.

Just take things one day at a time, otherwise you'll be overwhelmed.

Children are the promise of the future, the assurance of greater things to come.

Walk in integrity; in storm and sunshine, be faithful; in richness or in poverty, be faithful; in youth or old age, be faithful. Hold out until the end and God will bless you and crown your days with sweetness, and peace, and love.

President Gordon B. Hinckley
Stand A Little Taller

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Happy Birthday Damon!

Happy Birthday Damon!
We love you so much and hope that you had a great day!

The Devil and the Duck

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm.

He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods.
He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target.
Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner.
As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck.

Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved!
In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his Sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.


After lunch the next day Grandma said, ' Sally , let's wash the dishes'
But Sally said, 'Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen.'
Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?'
So Johnny did the dishes.
Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, 'I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.'
Sally just smiled and said, 'well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help?
She whispered again, 'Remember the duck?' So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.
After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally 's; he finally couldn't stand it any longer.
He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.
Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, 'Sweetheart, I know.. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.'

Thought for the day and every day thereafter:

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... And the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is...You need to know that:
God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing.

He has seen your whole life.... He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.
The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness; He not only forgives you, but He forgets.


My friend Barbara sent me another wise email, and because I love you all I posted it here. I hope you enjoy it, and if you would like to steal it for your own, feel free...

Dreaming of...

A garden party for Mother's Day. Doesn't that look wonderfully enchanting..I am in love with this idea. And it doesn't hurt that my two favorite colors are working well together here, green and pink, yah!

Handbook for Living

My friend Barbara from down Arizona emailed this to me today and I just loved it so much I wanted to share it. I know I have read this somewhere before and liked it, so I hope you will too.

Love you




HANDBOOK 2009



Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner
like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less
food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy..
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
* 8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk,
smile.

Personality:
* 11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.
* 12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with
his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate
others.
* 20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
* 21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away
like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
* 27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
*30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your
friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
*37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.





'Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny....'

The Trouble with Oaklie

We noticed this week that Oaklie was limping and having a hard time jumping up on the couch. So we had to take her to the Vet. Luckily she said it is common for this breed to have this problem with their knee socket, it just kind of pops out. But it works itself out on it's own. She seems to be doing fine now. So don't worry too much about her. She is a little spoiled...who couldn't spoil that sweetie.
We also found out from the Vet that Oaklie has lost one whole pound, so now she weighs in at a whoping 3 pounds. And Tiffany calls her a little fattie, lol...

I Did a search for styles for thick hair, this is what came up..

I think I am done looking, there really are so many and I am starting to get overwhelmed by all the choices. So I hope that my lovely family and friends will help guide my choice.

Love you

more haircut choices...

Okay, so how about these? Maybe I can be brave and do something with color this time to give me a different look. Not sure if I am as brave as these cute girls, but maybe I could with some encouragment.
Let me know what you think...