Changing things up a bit...

Seeing as how this is supposed to be my journal, I want to do something new.  I want to see if I can write every night, even if it is something very simple.  I want to post thoughts, feelings, adventures, failures, successes, recipes, and even some things that may seem mundane. I want to keep it real.. you know like the reality tv... posting before and after pictures of my messy house and yard...lol, ones with me with no make up....scary I know!  All I ask is that you don't judge or make fun...:)  Can I get some feed back on what you think?  Even if I don't, it is perfectly ok.. I always love to hear how I can improve things!

A beautiful message

Raelene brought this home from Mutual last night and I have re read it and re read it and I thought it was too good not to share.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most.  We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us.  And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Sight Seeing

This is what we ending up looking at when we were donkey sight seeing.  Yes, we are donkey fans!  We had such a good time yesterday and the weather was so cooperative it was perfect.  This one appy looking one that you will see with Brayden was so sweet.  She was protecting him like she would a colt the owner said.  Decisions, decisions... we had  a lot of fun and we didn't want to leave.  So get ready for picture overload!!

The big black one is 64 inches tall and has another inch to grow.  The red ones are 60 inches.  These big ones are Mammoth Jennies.  I love their personalities!!  It was so fun to watch them with Brayden.

A New Chapter...

Today marks the first day of the rest of our lives.  Today is a special day.  Yesterday is history and tomorrow may not come, but I have today and that is what matters most.  Today is a gift from God.  I woke up this morning and I have the priviledge of knowing that things can start over and I can change things Today.  I woke up to a wonderful sound...it went something like this "Mom, it's time to get up, the sun is up and the moon is down, get up mom..."  Today is as bright as I make it to be.  I don't have to let myself worry about what may be or not be in the future.

  We get to start a new chapter in the book of our lives.  It made me realize just how blessed we are and that everything happens for a reason.  I am so thankful that my timing is not Heavenly Father's timing and that He has everything under control and all I have to do is put my complete trust in Him and that He knows what is best for us. 

Today I will focus on what matters most and put my negative thoughts in the dark room but this time I don't want them developed!  Today I will count my blessings, one by one and I know what the Lord has done.  I love my family.  I am so blessed to be called Mother and Wife.  I am blessed to be called your friend, thank you for letting me into your heart and putting up with my insecurities...ones that are fading away and being replaced by a sure knowledge that My Heavenly Father loves me and that I am worthy of His love and even yours.  I am blessed to be called your sister and your daughter.  My heart is open and I always have more room to fill it with your kindness and acceptance and love.

So, I will call Today my precious gift from a loving Heavenly Father and I am so excited to start a new chapter in our lives!!   Today I will love freely with no strings attached, I will give of my heart and my time and if nothing ever returns, mine is yours to keep.  So, enjoy today like there is no tomorrow and love every minute of it with your whole heart!!

Duck, Duck...Quail

I don't think that I have had seen so many birds in the road in one day in a long time.  It was crazy!  The first ones were quail.  They are fast little buggers... and there was a momma quail crossing the road with her babies not to far behind.  I didn't stop in time and I hit her with the van, not the tires... I saw her in the mirror and I felt soo horrible!!

Then on the way home there was a pheasant which thankfully got across before I got there, and then just a few feet ahead were 2 ducks in the middle of the road!!  Crazy!!  Why did the birds cross the road??  So Amber could go crazy trying not to hit them!! LOL...  I am thankful that no one was behind me and I was able to slow down enough to scare the ducks away.  They are so pretty and I hate to hit anything unless necessary.  Besides, when you have ducks and pheasants in your back yard for training purposes and then beautiful pigeons... you kinda get a little attached!

Happy Husband, Happy Life!

My dear sweet husband has always told people what makes him happy... happy wife happy life. I just think that that is the sweetest thing ever and also the greatest advice ever for any couple!! And he is right.. anything that makes me happy, makes him happy.

But I would like to change it... how about Happy Husband, Happy Life?! I know the same thing applies for us wives. IF I do things and say things that will make him happy, wouldn't I be taking my eyes off myself and then focusing on his needs? Instead of being worried about whether he makes me happy, or does such and such for me and my needs, I would be more concerned about his needs and then mine would automatically be met.

I am so blessed to be married to the most loving, self-less, giving, husband who loves me unconditionally and puts up with my craziness!!! I want to please him and treat him like a King every day. He truly is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me!!

Stuffed Pepper Recipe

4 large bell pepper
1-2c cooked brown or wild rice
1/2 butternut squash peeled, cubed
1 onion chopped
2 Large carrots peeled and chopped ( or handful of baby carrots chopped)(try to get thickness same as squash)
1-2 T minced garlic
1 can of each: kidney beans and black beans, drained and rinsed, set aside to finish draining.
1 Chopped tomato
1-2c cooked corn
cilantro ( trust me you won't want to eat it witout it:))

Directions:
Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Place the peppers in the boiling water and cook briefly. The peppers need to be just a little soft. Remove the peppers from the water and them on a plate lined with paper towels, upside down so the water can drain out.

Heat oil in large fry pan
add squash, carrots and some seasoning salt
saute for about 10 minutes
then add onion and minced garlic
cook for another 10 min or until tender but slightly crisp
add drained and rinsed beans, tomato and corn and cook for 5 min
remove from heat and add rice, stir and serve immediately.
add rinsed chopped cilanto to your own dish ( don't add it to the entire dish in the pan)
add sour cream if desired.

Enjoy!!

Faces

Just some random pictures that my kids took of their faces... gotta love digital cameras!! Just don't have one of Jerry...

Women of Worth

How many times does the world try to make us women feel like we have no self worth or value unless we work outside the home? Society paints a pretty picture of a world filled with promise and success by chosing to seek it from outside the home. I am not saying that if you are a mother you shouldn't have a job, there is a time and a place for all things. But what I am saying, is that if you are a mother working full time to raise your children in an evrionment that is different from the one outside your home, and that you are trying to make your place a safe haven for them to come home to, then you are doing the most important work you will ever do!


I am a full time mother of 3 and wife to the most amazing husband in this world!!! I have 2 teenagers and a pre-schooler. I am very busy. Trying to keep up with everything is a full time job in and of itself!! But I have the knowledge that I am doing the most important work I will ever do in this life. I know that Satan tries very hard to devalue what we do in our homes. Is it the cleanest, easiest, least frustrating job you could have?? NO!! I am constantly cleaning up spills, messes, laundry by the mounds, piles and piles of dishes.... but I will tell you that it is the most REWARDING job in this world!!! To have my kids love and respect me you can't put a price tag on. To have them choose the right in an ever changing world that is so flop sided where evil is called good and good called evil. To have them learn what service is truly about and have compassion and love for those they don't know. This is what I am supposed to be teaching them.

I never ever ever say anything negative about my husband!! Ever!! That is not my place nor is it anyone else's to hear. I honor and respect him every day. I try to serve him like the King he is. He has my heart and trust. I HIGHLY recommend the book The Power of a Praying Wife.

We are women of worth. Heavenly Father loves each of us so very much that we can't even begin to comprehend it all. Always remember whose and who you are! Even if you aren't a wife or a mother... you have such divine worth!!! We love you!!

Inspiring Movie

If you haven't seen or heard about Soul Surfer, it is worth seeing. I love feel good movies that actually have a point to it. I wish that they would come out with more of them. And its based on a true story. It comes highly recommended.

I thought about my own life and how good I have it. I haven't had anything happen to me like others have and like Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm and almost lost her life. My life is very blessed. I am so thankful for my blessings and my trials as small as they are. We go thru things for our benefit. To be better, stronger, more refined and to ultimately bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. I am not here merely for my experiences. There is much for me to learn and to do, to better myself and to do those things that bring me close to my Savior. Whatever I am called to go thru, over, or around, I will do so with a happy heart. I need to make my life a living gift to my Heavenly Father.

I am here to serve, love unconditionally, grow, mature, learn and to listen. May I live in such a way that others will want to know their Savior because of my actions and words. I love my Savior, my Heavenly Father, my Husband, children, family and friends. May you all know how thankful I am for you.

First entry

If you're wondering about the title it is me Jerry doing a blog entry for the communications merit badge. How do you know what to say? Like I've ever done one of these before:)Anyway just wanted to say I'm more nervous than excited about being able to go to dances:) but I'm grateful about being 14 though. I hope to be able to have a lot of wonderful experinces. Love y'all and I also have to include a image so here you go here's me a POJO'S looks like I'm having a blast right?;)

Easy playdough recipe

Just made this today...was so easy and it turned out so soft! Brayden loves it. Thought I would share it with yall!

2 C Water
2 TBLSP Oil
2 C Flour
2 Tsp Cream of tartar
1/2 tsp salt

Cook in pan for 5 min then remove quickly into cups.. it thickens fast!

Add desired food color and mix with fork cover and let cool then knead for about 3 min.

I ended up adding more flour to each container to get right consistency...

BTW I just looked at the recipe again and it called for 1/2 c of salt.. oops!! Oh well, still turned out great. Let me know if you use the 1/2 c instead of tsp..lol!

The best way to celebrate a birthday

Yesterday I shared my day doing something special...I got to be home with the people I love the most and listened to my favorite event of the year.. Conference.

I woke up and Ross made me my favorite breakfast, a smoothie. We had family scripture and prayer just before we settled in to watch Conference. I felt like a sponge and tried to soak everything in. I am thankful for the Ensign and LDS.org for making it available to read anytime and to reflect on the sweet messages that were spoken.

Ross fixed me one of my favorite dinners, a Korean Dish. It was yummy! Also, for the first time since I was 6 I didn't have my Angel Food Cake!! Actually, I didn't have a cake at all.. I didn't want one. Sometimes it is nice to break traditions...and create new ones.

I got a card from my kids, but the highlight of my day was receiving a beautiful letter from my sweetheart!! I will treasure it forever!!

I am so thankful to be here with my family. I love them more than words could ever express. I am grateful for all the emails, calls with birthday songs, texts and cards, I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and knows what we need. I love my Savior and Heavenly Father with all my heart. Thanks for making my day a very special one!!!

Happy Birthday Jerry!

I'm a day late but posting this is better than not at all. I can't believe that I am the mother of 2 teens!

We are blessed to be your parents Jerry! Here are 14 things we love about you:

1. You love to give hugs to everyone
2. You love to think of other's needs before your own
3. You serve your family especially on days that are special to them
4. You are very thoughtful
5. You love to make others laugh
6. You also love to make others happy
7. You are creative in thinking of things to do especially when it comes to making money
8. You love to spend time with others and family
9. You never have a dull moment
10. You play with your siblings
11. You do things without being asked
12. You never give up
13. You have a huge heart
14. Most importantly you are a special Son of God with divine worth and unlimited potential and that you are our Son as well! There are many more but this is just a few things we love about you. We are thankful to be your parents and love you and wish you a happy birthday!!!