Update on our family, my oldest son Darrian has been fighting cancer for 2 years (Melanoma and stage 4 lung cancer). He is living in Provo with his girlfriend and their 2 dogs so technically I have 2 grand puppies. Isabelle is wanting to go on a mission and is working right now to save money. She is now a bad a mountain biker along with her sister and dad. Morisa is just trying to graduate high school and working. She had a great mtbike season. Alaina is dancing in the Nutcracker and has 9 performances as the Court Page. She is in 2 casts so we are very busy. LaRell is working in St. George so I miss him a lot. I am working at an elementary school teaching reading recovery.

Things I Hated as a Child I Love as an Adult.
Peppers-
Onions-
Naps-
Jackets-
Shoes-
Books-
Avocados-
Corn Tortillas-
Old People-
Butter-
Spicy Food-
Taking Baths-
Skiing-
Vitamins-
Banana Bread-
Church-
Fish-
Documentaries-
Tweezers-
Cold Medicine-
Alone Time-
-------------------------------------------------------------
Things I Loved as a Child I Now Hate.
Pixie Sticks-
Kraft Mac and Cheese-
Playing Dolls-
Glitter-
Riding My Bike (Birthing a child changes a lot of things)-
Margarine-
Playing in Mud-
Cocoa Puffs-
Fruit Loops-
Caption Crunch-
Care Bear Movies-
Rainbow Bright Movies-
Strawberry Shortcake Movies-
Easy Bake Ovens-
Doing Barbie's Hair-
Halter Tops-

Lessons I have learned this week - I can't let someone else's actions determine or effect how I live my life. Don't leave your tomato plants out on the deck in the wind. If I want to go on vacation I need to stop spending money on dumb stuff. My kids won't always choose the right. I can love my kids (kid) when they (he)are acting stupid. Increased vision = motivation. Kids grow too fast. Eating too much food makes you fat.

Health Benifits of Baking with Natural Yeast

Making our own bread is not new to us. We have made most of our bread for the past two years. The benifits i have seen from making bread are.... 1 - Save $. 2 - It's nice to mix up a batch of bread when we run out instead of going to the store. 3 - Using up some of the 800lbs of wheat I bought on a whim 6 years ago. 4 - Stress release. So the past two weeks I have been making bread with Natural Yeast or Wild Yeast. If you don't know what this is you can learn more from Baking With Natural Yeast by Melissa Richardson and Caleb Warnock. I'm not going to lie, it has been a lot more work than my usual making bread start to finish in one hour. Baking with natural yeast is a process. Just keeping your yeast (our new pet) alive is a process. But some of the benifits I have already noticed are.... 5 - I have been able to wake up before 7 every morning alert and ready to go. If you know me at all this is a modern day miracle! 6 - I have had some of the best sleep of my life. 7 - My skin looks clearer and brighter. I have struggled with acne since I was 9 and my skin looks better than it has in a long time. Also the dark circles and puffiness have diminished. 8 - My crazy teenager has not been so crazy, he has actually been almost pleasant. 9 - I have been able to think clearer, some of the fog has lifted. 10 - ENERGY!! After only two weeks this is amazing. Even though it is more work the health benifits make up for the hard work. Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

The Book of Mormon is the key to us not being deceived.

"The Book of Mormon narrative is a chronicle of nations long since gone. But in its descriptions of problems of today's society, it is as current as the morning newspaper and much more definitive, inspired and inspiring concerning the solutions of those problems.
"I know of no other writing which sets forth with such clarity the tragic consequences to societies that follow courses contrary to the commandments of God. It's pages trace the stories of two distinct civilizations that flourished on the Western Hemisphere. Each began as small nations, its people walking in the fear of The Lord. But with prosperity came growing evils. The people succumbed to the wiles of ambitious and scheming leaders who oppressed them with burdensome taxes, who lulled them with hollow promises, who countenanced and even encouraged loose and lascivious living. These evil schemers led the people into terrible wars that resulted in the death of millions and the final and total extinction of two great civilizations in two different eras.....
"No other written testament so clearly illustrates the fact that when men and nations walk in fear of God and obedience to His commandments, they prosper and grow, but when they disregard Him and His word, there comes a decay, that unless arrested by righteousness, leads to impotence and death. The Book of Mormon is an affirmation of the Old Testament Proverb: "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov. 14:34). President Gordon B. Hinckley
Ignorance is rejecting something you know nothing about. Read the Book of Mormon!

My friend is dying.

I met her 4 years ago when we moved in our home. I can see her front door out my kitchen window. I see her house everytime I look out that window and I think of her and her family. I have watched her go from a healthy, busy, purpose filled life to a hard, heartbreaking sick life - she has nerve cancer in her brain (acoustic neuroma - neurofibrosarcoma schwannoma).

I have watched her loose movement, sight and hearing in the right side of her face. I have watched her take hard news over and over - and then get back up and keep fighting. For her kids she would do anything.

They found the cancer two days after her son was born 18 months ago. After radiation, chemo, and experimental drugs the cancer is still growing.

We walk together, and talk about our lives. Mine is so less crappy than hers but she tells me it's ok, she enjoys our talks.

I have learned so much from her. She is such a great mother, she is still home schooling her kids so she can have time with them. Her children are amazing. All five of them (from 15 to 1) all play instruments, speak two languages and are so polite and well behaved. She has given them such a good start.

She has taught me to play the piano again. She has awakened my passion for music and I will always remember her that way.

I just love her and my heart is breaking. The cancer is growing so fast now. Every day is a precious gift - I wonder if she will see another spring.

The election was held Tuesday and my heart is still heavy from the disappointment. I am disappointed that so many Americans have been deceived. America has been praying for change, they have been whining about our economy, they have been whining about unemployment, but when they were given the opportunity to elect people who are producers and could fix some of this mess we are in - they choose to stay the same and in some cases degress. They chose to be in the same mess we have been in for the last 5 years (democrats took control in 2007).  They chose to be deceived by the media (who is funded by the government). I cast my vote for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. My common sense tells me that if we are having problems with our economy and problems creating jobs we should find someone who has been very successful - and do what they are doing, no matter what color of skin they have or what religion they follow.
I am tired of the looters in our government taking from the American people, I'm tired of the looters in our government passing laws that are against Gods will, I'm tired of the looters in our government spending money they don't have. I'm tired of the looters in our government taking our freedoms away in the name of 'security'. I'm tired of the looters in our government fighting wars they can not win.
Their is a divide in our country, just as the prophets have prophesied. Do your research people, learn from history. Choose what side YOU are on.

The one thing I remember about President Obama's re-election speech is, "We are an American family and we rise or fall together as one nation," in my heart I thought he is really taking about the fall. Then he added "The best is yet to come." I am afraid that the greatest fall of our country is yet to come. Where is John Galt?

Artist of George Washington print is Arnold Friberg

“These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.”.                                        Thomas Paine

So my kids have gone back to school today and I'm a little sad that summer vacation is over.  I feel that my job as a mom is to create great memories for them while teaching them to take care of themselves and making right choices and .... You get the point. So I have this nagging voice in my head that is always questioning what I'm doing, like "am I doing enough" or "am I doing this right"??? Well it's annoying but also good because I can evaluate what I'm doing and change it up if I need to. As my kids get older I realize that time with them is so precious and it goes by FAST. It doesn't seem like that when they are little but wow, it's like a dream the past 15 years of my parent experience. So as I was thinking about this this morning I read a post from Andy Andrews "We live in the present. We can’t do anything about the decisions we have made except live with them. We are not made with the ability to always make right decisions. However, we are made with the ability to MAKE a decision…then make it right." - it is just what I needed today. Right now in my life raising children is the MOST important thing I can do so my plan is to focus on that and hope everything else will turn out.

During church I was listening to an older man give a talk and he said " this younger generation and their twexting." We all had a good silent laugh.

One of my childhood friends posted this on facebook and I thought it was the sweetest thing ever -
Aimee Applegate Rowley Thank you You are so sweet and I have always thought since I first met you that you were one of the prettiest girls ever and you have not changed a bit ........confession......even when I was at girls camp with you I used to watch you and wish I could be just like you......and seriously even new you are such a great example to me. its fun to see your posts and pictures so thanks for always being amazing

My specialties...

Search Rescue: Small Plastic Pieces Unit. Archaeologist Specializing in Under Bed and Inside Closet Digs. Spiritual Leader. Manners Expert, Personal Shopper, Fashion Stylist Consultant. Hairstylist (specializing in pigtails and wiggly clients). I can function without additional oxygen at 24,000 feet

How cute is this......

From my friend Brittney's baby shower.

A Minimalist’s Train of Thought

Less money spent means more money saved

More money saved means the longer you can live in financial peace and security

Financial peace and security comes from owning less

Less stuff owned means less to carry around, move or have to travel with

Less responsibility for your stuff also means less maintenance and more time

The more time you have, the more relaxed you will feel

The more relaxed you are, the less you will care about stuff

If you care less about stuff, it means you’ll care less about image

If you care less about image, you will care more about experiences and memories

If you care more about experiences and memories, you will be happier with less

If you are happier with less, you’ll never want or need for more

The less you want or need for more, the more you will feel free

- The Everyday Minimalist

Him

I am missing my husband today (he is the one holding the fish). He is gone to North Carolina on a business trip. I couldn't sleep last night because I was cold and he wasn't there to keep me warm. We had a lame Valentines day, he was sick and so was our daughter and then he left :( Sometimes I feel like our lives get shuffled in the day to day - kids, work, work, kids and we get lost. I have been thinking of how we met and how I was drawn to him - his hands, his lips, his heart. When we talk and are together we are so in sync, its like we share two minds - half of mine is his and half of his is mine. So I'm waiting for him and I hope he is thinking of me.

Loch Leven Scotland

This would be fun

Shepherds Pie

This is one of my favorite dinners - to eat and to make. Check out  http://butterflyfoodie.blogspot.com/ for the recipe!!

Light

"When you build a skyscraper you have to dig a very deep foundation. Most of us get half way into that hole and say - this doesn't look anything like my goal... I quit." - Tony Lister

Thank you Calvin and Hobbs for making me feel normal.

Two of the ski resorts opened up this weekend, Brighton and Solitude. If in an alternate universe I had no responsibilities to take care of, I would be a ski bum. I am not a complicated girl, all I need in life are...
1. Food. Hopefully good food but their are a lot of times I grab something quick that doesn't taste wonderful but is healthy and serves its purpose - fuel for my body.
2. Shower/Bath. It drives me crazy to not be clean. I have bathed in frigid water many times because of this oc. Give me a river, lake, or just a good tub of water and I'm good.
3. Warm place to sleep. I can never sleep when I'm cold.
4. Sex - I'm just sayin.
5. Family and Friends to share my life with.
6. Of course clothing, I can't walk around naked. I don't mind but other people do.
7. My ski equipment.
8. Snow :)

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square hole. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."
— Apple Computer Inc.
Steve Jobs, we will miss you.

The Weight of Glory

It may be possible for each to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible for him to think too often or too deeply about that of his neighbor. The load, or weight or burden of my neighbor's glory should be laid daily on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken. It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization-these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit-immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously-no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption. And our charity must be a real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinner-no mere tolerance or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment. Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses. If he is your Christian neighbor he is holy in almost the same way, for in him also Christ vere latitat-the glorifier and the glorified, Glory Himself is truly hidden.        
                                                                                                                        C.S. Lewis

Be and example in word. Be an example in conversation. Be an example in charity. Be an example is spirit. Be an example in faith. Be an example in purity.

My son pulling his little sister - he adores her. He is the best brother!

Froggy Jump Ride

On a more serious note

On a more serious note - lately I don't feel like I really have a direction or purpose in my life. I'm in my roles in life as a wife and mother, doing what I think needs to be done but is it really purpose driven? I have been thinking about this for years - what is my purpose? I wish I had a mission statement that focused on my exact purpose. I used to think if I had more money things would be better for me but I realize now that it doesn't have anything to do with money - that belief was a lie. Look at our Savior - he was born in a stable, he grew up in an average (income) home, he walked the earth teaching his gospel, I'm not sure if he really had any monetary value to call his own. He didn't need it. His mission statement, "For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Moses 1:39. I realize that even Jesus Christ was not born into this world ready to fulfill his mission - he had to learn "grace for grace" just like the rest of us. Maybe I just feel like I'm so far behind of where I should be. I once heard a story about a father who was studying his scriptures, marking them and writing notes in the margin. His son was in the room with him playing with his toys and the father wasn't really paying attention to the boy. He noticed the boy got out his own scriptures and markers and started marking them. About a half hour passed and the father looked down at the boy and realized that his son had marked his own scriptures to look like his fathers. He had underlined the same sentences, used the same colors and even had attempted to write the same words in the margins. The boy looked up at his father and noticed that he was watching him and started to cry. The very proud father couldn't understand what would cause his son to cry and asked him what was wrong. The boy simply said "my lines are not as straight as yours." The father picked up the boy and told him "I don't care if your lines are straight, I'm so proud of you." The father knew that as long as his son would follow his example - his lines would become straighter with time.
Is it enough to follow the Saviors example and hope my lines will become straighter with time?

I have the best son - last night he got tickets to take me to see Harry Potter :) I used to read Harry Potter to him every night when he was just a little boy. My little man is not so little anymore.

LOVE LOVE LOVE FALL!! Just decorating outside and smelling the wood burning stoves and fall leaves is just wonderful. I love the seasons in Utah and can't wait to go trick or treating with my little pumpkin heads.

LaRell thought he would be funny and give Miss Cookie some little boobies - while she was in the oven she got some augmentation done and when she came out they were giant boobies.

Our trip to Wyoming

Skiing at Brighton

Does it get any better? Only Utah :)

I have bronchitis. It doesn't seem to be getting any better. I think if I cough one more time I will break a rib - blaaaa.

We took these family pictures in about 10 min. It was cold and windy and getting dark.

My daughter...number 2

She is getting so big but she is still my little baby :)

She had to have chocolate cake with 2 candles and she sang Happy Birthday to herself all day.

Buzz Lightyear!!

My daughter wanted to take her friends to Classic Skating for her Birthday. We had so much fun. She is so great I just love her!

My little 10 year old. So beautiful :)

Birthday