Proud to be an American!

This time of year I find myself reflecting on how grateful I am to be living in this wonderful country. I truly am proud to be an American!

I can't help but be grateful for those people who gave their lives during the revolutionary war, civil war, and all the other wars that have been fought to keep us free. I am also thankful for those who were willing to give their lives for our freedom, those that came home safely, those that came home but left pieces of themselves (physically, emotionally, or mentally) on the battle fields. They deserve our utmost respect for what they have done for each and everyone of us.

I am truly thankful for the opportunity to live in a country where I can worship how I please. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who prepared this land, to be free. It truly is the Promised Land.

I pray we all remember to take a moment to remember why we are celebrating this 4th of July, or in our case this 3rd. Enjoy the food and fun, but take some time to thank Heavenly Father and all those who have been willing to give their lives. Thank them for the freedom that we enjoy and take for granted.

We got a calling!

We were put into a new ward for church a little over a month ago. I miss seeing my friends every Sunday at church, but I am growing to love the new ward. I have met lots of new people and look forward to getting to know them all better.

I have to admit I was a bit frightened when the Bishop asked us to be in the primary. I can deal with my kids, most of the time :) but sometimes I feel like that is all the kids I can deal with for the time being. I was a bit scared that we would be called into the Sunbeams since they still needed a teacher for A's class. When the bishop told us that he would like us to be the 11 year old teachers, I felt a bit relieved, but still worried that I might not be able to handle it. I know myself and know I don't have much patience for misbehaving children... which is probably why I am in the primary in the first place.

This past Sunday we taught for the first time, I have to admit, it was much easier than I was expecting. It might have something to do with the fact that I haven't subbed a class in the senior primary before and I wasn't the most reverent when I was in primary. The kids were respectful and knew some of the answers to the questions in the lesson.

We also found out that when they turn 12 they don't have to go to sharing/singing time anymore. I didn't know that due to the fact that I was inactive in the church during the time I would have changed from primary to young woman's. So after August (as long as there are no new class members with later birthdays) we will be able to go to Relief Society and Priesthood again. I LOVE that I will be able to go to Relief Society again.

I have a new Visiting Teaching route too. I am excited to get to know these sisters. I have to get it done every month too.... I have the Visiting Teaching coordinator and the Relief Society President as the people I visit teach. Now if only my partner will call me back I will get it done for this month. :)

R has another calling, but hasn't been sustained yet, so when he is I'll post it.

Funny story, this past Sunday when they were announcing all the callings they forgot to call our names. The Primary President was sitting right behind us, so she caught the attention of the Bishopric counselor in charge and let him know they forgot us. At the end of Sacrament meeting they announced they had forgotten a calling, so it was then that we were sustained for the primary calling. They still missed R's other calling though, so hopefully they will remember this week. Its good to know that even people in leadership can make mistakes like that. I don't feel so bad when I forget things when I know other people do it too.

mom's

I was sent this in an e-mail, I just loved it. I thought that I would share it with those of you who read this blog, mainly the mom's.


Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff..
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2.. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

I hope that this made you laugh as much as I did.

wow, has it really been that long?

So I realized earlier that as of today, I have been in the Phoenix valley for 6 years. Holy Cow has time past.

I clearly remember the flight out here (my first time on an airplane) and the rest of that day. I was terrified that the plane was going to crash, I had never been so far away from my parents, I didn't have a car (so how was I supposed to get around?), I didn't really know anyone out here (I had talked to my roommate J a few times on the phone and met once), and because of all this I was feeling sick to my stomach. I just wanted to turn back and stay in my comfort zone. I remember that they served cinnamon sugar graham crackers and I had sprite to drink. I remember trying to carry 2 heavy loaded duffel bags through the airport, thank goodness for the wheels on one of them and the wonderful older trolley man that let me put my bags on the trolley after he saw me struggling. I remember that as soon as I walked out of the airport I felt like I was going to melt, 113 degrees that day if I remember correctly. I remember not being able to eat for 3 full days. Yeah I said 3, amazing how nerves can make me so sick. I remember getting so lost on my way from the airport to the school, and then from the school to my apartment. I am glad that roommate C had a car, could get us from place to place, and knew where in the heck she was going, because I sure didn't. I am also grateful that she was willing to take me places.

Its amazing what has happened since that day 6 years ago. I have an associates degree for medical assisting (cant remember exactly what its called, some kind of medical science mumbo jumbo). I have made many new friends. I found independence, and through doing so found ME. I came closer to my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ, for they were the only thing I could rely on some days. I found the love of my life, and was able to get married in the temple. I now have 2 children. I have a place to call my own (love having a house). And I am happier than I ever imagined possible.

Who could have guessed that the decision to come out here for school would have amounted to so many other great things happening in my life? I wouldn't have.

I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father, who helped me deal with my nerves, kept the plane in the air (yes, I was seriously that afraid it would crash), gave me the courage to stay (even when I felt like buying a ticket home many times) and has now blessed me with all these wonderful people and things in my life. All I can say is.... although it's hard at times, I am blessed and I love my life!

Growing up Moments....

R's Mom told us a couple of years ago that these are the years that we make lasting friendships. It wasn't until this last weekend when we found out that our ward was being split that I realized just how true that statement is. Some of the closest friends that I have made out here are now in 2 different wards (they split our ward into 3 wards, kinda complicated to explain for those of you not in the area).

I have to admit I was really sad at first. It reminded me of when I was in Young Woman's and they split the ward that I was in. I had been going to Church by myself for almost 2 years (my family was inactive), and my friend's family let me sit with them during sacrament meeting. I remember thinking that I wouldn't have them to sit with and I wouldn't see all my friends on Sunday anymore it was unbelievable. I remember sitting in the car with my friend's family and crying the entire way back from stake conference. So the same feelings came over me a bit when I found out that our ward was going to be split.

I then realized that just as I had gone to a new ward in the past, with out knowing anyone, and having to sit by myself during sacrament, I could do it again. Only this time it would be easier, I have my own little family to sit with now. Although its rough at times with "Little Man" and "little Momma" I get to sit with them and R every Sunday. And there are some of my friends from Church moving into this new ward with us. Important to mention as well, is the fact that I have made friendships that I hope will last a life time, and longer. I will still go running with K, I will still have opportunities to go to park day (when we get a new car, or I feel up to waking up to drive R to work), we can still go to the FHE group once and a while, and I'll still get together with my friends to hang out and let our kids have play dates.

So all in all. I guess that I had a growing up moment, or saw just how grown up I am getting. Amazing.

things that I love in life

So as I was looking through the pics on my camera (and deleting a ton I have already uploaded) I realized I keep thinking I want to do a post that just has some pics of things that I love in life. So here they are, just some of the things I love.

I love my wonderful little children, and our weekly trip to the park as a family.

I love my wonderful husband for going to get food for a
spur of the moment picnic, While on a said trip to park.

I Love when my Wonderful Husband Surprises me with flowers!

I love this cute little face "little man" makes when
he says he is "cold" (in the 90+ degree weather)

I love "little mamma's" face when she knows that I know
she is up to something and hopes I don't figure out
just what it is she is up to.

I love this new recipe I found for a Black Bean Burger,
also signifies that I Love cooking.

Well there you have it, some of my loves, there will undoubtedly be more in the future that I post, but that's it for now.

C.A.A.D.D.

This was posted by a dear sister in my ward, I just had to put it up for those family members who I know will totally understand! So you sisters in the ward, please forgive the fact that you will have seen this already.


Recently, I was diagnosed with C. A. A. D. D.--
Child Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests itself:

I decide to do the laundry.
As I start toward the laundry room,
I notice that there are cheerios all over the floor
and my car keys are in the cereal bowl.

I decide to pick up the cheerios before I do the laundry.
I lay my car keys down on the counter,
put the cheerios in the trash can under the counter,
and notice that the trash can is full.

So, I decide to take out the trash.
But then I think,
since I'm going to be near the mailbox
when I take out the trash
I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my checkbook off the table,
and see that there is only one check left,
my extra checks are in my desk in the office/playroom,
so I go to my desk where I find a sippy cup full of juice.

I'm going to look for my checks,
but first I decide I should put sippy cup in the refrigerator to keep it cold.
As I head toward the kitchen with the sippy cup,
a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--
they need to be watered.

I set the sippy cup on the counter,
and I discover baby wipes that I've been searching for all morning.
I decide I better put them back in the bathroom,
but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the wipes back down,
fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote,
one of the kids left it on the kitchen table.
I realize that after school when they go to watch TV,
I will be looking for the remote as they fight over who lost it,
but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table,
so I decide to put it back in the den where belongs,
but first I'll water the flowers.

I splash some water on the flowers,
but most of it spills on the floor.
So, I set the remote back down,
get some paper towels and wipe up the spill.

Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.
At the end of the day:
the laundry isn't washed,
the bills aren't paid,
there is a warm cup of juice sitting on the counter,
the flowers aren't watered,
there is still only one check in my checkbook,
I can't find the remote,
I can't find the wipes,
and I don' t remember what I did with the car keys.

Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today,
I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long,
and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem,
and I'll try to get some help for it,
but first I'll check my e-mail.
Don't laugh --
if this isn't you yet, your day is coming.