What does your full name mean?

Raelene was asking Brayden what his name was.  She pretended she had the video camera on and asked him what his name was. He said Brayden, she asked what's your full name?  He said  Brayden, knock knock I love you.  Rae said no, its Brayden Quinn Stevens.  He said its not Brayden Quinn Stevens, that means a spankin.

You would think that we spanked him alot... but I promise we don't, we just ask him if he wants one if he keeps doing something.

So there you have it, we always knew that our full name being said meant that we were in trouble, now we have that confirmed!

More bags!

I absolutely love making bags!  It is fun for me to see them come together.  But the most fun I have is giving them away!

Hope you don't get tired of seeing them on here but it's also a good sewing journal for me.

This one started out being 14x14inches

 I made this for my nephew's birthday.....took me about an hour and a half from start to finish... It started out 13/12" wide by 15" tall.  This was so much fun for me to make.  It's an activity bag.

Lucky

I feel like I am the luckiest wife and mother in the whole world!!  I am blessed to be a mother to 3 beautiful, wonderful children and a wife to the most handsome, amazing husband!

If there is a need, my children or my husband step in to help fulfill it.  If I need a hug, I don't even need to ask for I know I will get enough to carry me thru the day.  I can always count on them for anything.  I just felt like I needed to write this down.  I am grateful to be called wife, mother, friend, daughter and sister.  How blessed I am!

Sailing

I took the kids sailing the other day.  We had a blast!  We got out there at a decent time and the crowds were few in number.  The weather was perfect, beautiful and just a bit chilly.  We can't wait to do it again!

Here are the deals we picked up while we were"sailing"...

I got Ross a new pair of Nike's for $10 (which ended up being alittle small so our neighbor was able to fit in them).
I got 4 pairs of like new shoes and sandals for $7.
I picked up a camp stool that you can carry on your back for $5.
A nice computer chair for $8
A nice new set of plates still in the box and are heavy duty for $3
Pair of shorts and nice shirt for Ross and Jerry for .50 each
A golf cooler for $6
A cat in the hat new stuffed animal for Brayden for $2
4 new pair of socks for Rae for only $1
A pair of pants for Rae for $3
A pair of water shoes for Brayden for .50
A skirt for $1
A nice heater/fan for $10
And the best deal of the day....A nice digital camcorder with case and flash for $5!!

All for under $63.. Not too bad!

Where there is rain, Heavenly Father provides a Rainbow!

As the saying goes, when it rains it pours.  I have had enough trials in my life to know that EVERYTHING happens for a purpose.  EVeryThing!  I have not ever questioned why with anything we/I have gone thru.  I try my best to look at the blessings that may come or ask the question What am I supposed to learn from this??.... it takes a lot of Faith, but that is the one thing that cannot be taken from me!

So what might the rain be you might be asking??  Well, even if you aren't, this is for me to get this on paper or should I say a screen... lol!  A month ago we received the news that Ross will be losing his job.  The Mill is shutting down by the end of next month.  Wahoo! I thought to myself.  Now I will have a full time husband!  Sure there won't be an income from work anymore, but we are blessed to have bird dogs to train.  And there might be something else in the works where he won't have to go to work. All I know is that if you put God first, you will never come in second!  So... we are trusting Him and knowing that He will lead us in the direction that we are supposed to be in.

Then we met with the Surgeon yesterday and Ross' surgery date is set for the 6th of June or the 13th... in the which the work day before will be his last day.  I don't know how things will work out.  But that isn't up to me to worry about tomorrow.... only can live for today and be prepared for come what may.  Besides... worrying is like a darkroom, it is where negatives are developed.

Other things are going on but I am thankful for my/our trials for that is how we become like Christ.  If things were easy all the time we wouldn't need to rely on our Heavenly Father.  It teaches us so many things.  I have so much to learn, but this I do know with all my heart that He knows what is best for us.  He can see the big picture.  And He tries those he loves.  I will honor and praise Him when things are good and I will do the same when things are challenging.  Besides, there is no such thing as a bad day.. only a Character building day!!

So I look forward with my eyes in front of me, searching for the rainbows in my life when the rain comes down and you will see me dancing in the rain, keeping my eyes on the blessings that come from the challenges of life.

My First Tote

I have been making this tote for a friend and when you know it is for someone else you are especially concerned about it looking perfect... well as close to as possible!  So here it is... I had fun making it.
The finished dimensions are 15 1/2" wide by 13" high by 5 1/4" deep.....

I embroidered the outside pocket...

 It has 7 pockets inside... one of them is a pencil/pen pocket holder... LOVE pockets!!

Don't know what I should call it though... any ideas??

I love this song...

I have been trying to live my life more centered around Christ lately.  As we hear about so often that true and lasting joy comes from Living the Gospel Principles and not from anything outside of that, I have proven that to be so true.  While it is true that things like our children's hugs, kisses from Husbands, health, yes even money( hard to help those when you can't help yourself), words of kindness... can bring us joy, I believe that they add to the joy that we already have in our hearts.  In seeking more truths and light, I have found that my Spirit desires more truth and light, and I truly have found lasting joy in my Savior.

Yesterday morning I had Brayden up at the computer with me and we were on LDS.org/friends site and looking up CTR.  Then we got into a wonderful conversation about what it means to choose the right.  That lead to this wonderful song... I am Trying to be like Jesus. 

I'm trying to be like Jesus, I'm following in His ways,
I'm trying to love as he did
In all that I do and say,
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers
Love one another as Jesus loves you,
Try to show kindness in all that you do,
Be gentle in loving in deed and in thought
For these are the things Jesus taught.

While I sang this to Brayden a couple of times, it hit me like a ton of bricks!  How much better would our lives be if we simply lived by this phrase alone?!  This is the recipe for happiness and love and peace in our hearts and in our homes... which would extend to everyone we come in contact with.  I love this song!!  I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father for helping me thru music and the Holy Ghost.

I found this video that depicts this so well.  I hope you take the time to watch it!  Love ya!

This makes everything worth it!

The trials and challenges of being a mother are never ending.  However, I do believe that they are supposed to teach us something... even if it's about ourselves.  I feel that if it were easy all the time and there was nothing to bring us to our knees in prayer, then we wouldn't need to rely on our Heavenly Father as much as we (I) do and I wouldn't have more of an understanding of how to be more like Him and how He feels as a parent.  So I try to make it more of a point on the days that we have some character building days to be thankful that it isn't always easy and there is something to learn from this and to rely more on my Heavenly Father's wisdom and love and support.

The other day, out of the blue I heard my sweet 4 year old Brayden say these profound words.  "I love being a kid.  I love being me.  I love being Brayden and I love you being my Mommy."  I stopped what I was doing and let it all sink in.  I thought to myself...he has more of an understanding of who he is than most people do... even myself... which I am working on and getting much better at and I am so thankful for this.  I didn't have the type of environment like my kids do now when I was growing up.  It makes all the difference being raised in a family that loves you and is kind and supportive and tries to teach what the Savior would have them teach.  That was a day of such feelings of love and gratitude for being a mother!

Then a few days ago Jerry came to a decision all on his own about chosing who your friends are and recognizing those that aren't in line with your morals and standards.  This is such a hard thing, especially for kids but especially for teenagers.  I know, I was there.  He has been friends with a certain boy for years now but recently he recognized that he was bringing him down to his level and it was uncomfortable for him.  Jerry had a discussion with his dad about it and I caught the end of it.  He is still going to be considerate and nice to him but just not hang out with him any more.  His dad told him that he is so much more responsible than most kids his age or even older for most people don't even understand that principle until later in life... some don't ever and is so sad. 

I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with the calling of being a Wife and a Mother here on Earth.  Things aren't supposed to be easy, just worth it.  I have 3 wonderful children and I want to be the best Mother I can to them... the kind that My Heavenly Father would be pleased with.  I have much to learn.  But I am willing to take whatever I need to in time to learn what I need to and I know that I am not alone in this, I always have Him to rely on and sweet examples of my family and friends.

Lots of Randomness

Get ready for picture overload!  A bunch of different pictures coming up....

 Here is our Natural Weed Eater... isn't he cute??

 Brayden is winding up for the throw....

 I wonder where it went??

 Are you ready Mom??

I thought about leaving her in here... what do you think??

 Ross is trimming Kato's nails... Isn't he a cutie?  (I was talking about Ross...)

 What do you think... he's a natural!

 What a Ham...he sure doesn't get that from me!!

 Just hangin' out in the beautiful sun!

 Just chillin'... Still a ham!

 My handsome fisherman!  Doesn't he look great!!!  I think so!  I also think he looks younger!

Now that's what I call a big mouth!  Thought this was too good of a picture not to share!

As you can see we have tried to enjoy the sun when we have it.  I love taking pictures of my family... Jerry was taking a nap during most of this... should have taken one of him!!

Lesson Learned...don't mess with poisons

We have been working hard at our lawn this past weekend.  It looks soo much better!  The main thing that is left to do is to spray weeds.  No problem, I can handle this one for sure. Or so I thought.

This morning there wasn't any wind and it was beautiful outside( finally!).  I mixed up the solution (no, I didn't have gloves on.. why would I want to be smart and wear gloves??... I wasn't thinking.  That is obvious).  It poured all over my hands... then it leaked onto my hands instead of spraying out.  I didn't know it was broken... why should I know that?? LOL.... I am very very sensitive to it.  Who knew?  So my hubby will do it for me but he will wear a mask and gloves... much smarter than me!

Needless to say, I am very sick... weak, tired... humbled.  I believe you could say that I learned my lesson.  Don't play with weed killer... there is a reason why it is called poison.

FHE Lesson...Pet Peeves

Tonight we had a family home evening lesson on pet peeves.  It was Jerry's turn for the lesson.  He wanted us to go around and share what our top 3 pet peeves are.  He started with me naturally..lol!  Mine were: I don't like to be tailgated, lied to and not believed... or when kids don't listen the first time.  I am horrible but I can't remember the rest of them.... must be mommy timers!

The point of the lesson though was to realize that it is OUR responsibility to not let them bug us.  And if we truly love one another the way we are commanded to then really things won't bug us..at least not as much.  I have alot to work on.  The days that I turn my heart to Christ, I have more patience with people and even myself.  If I haven't stayed on track.. and let's be honest here, I don't very well, then little things bug me way more.  I try though even when it doesn't look like it.  I know that I fall short most of the time.  And that is when I am especially grateful for the Atonement.  I found that the more I pray for patience, the more I am tested to see if my patience is getting better!

How thankful I am that My Heavenly Father hasn't given up on me!  I know that there are many times when I would have.  My husband also hasn't given up on me and I am so blessed! 

So maybe the next time you ask me if I am bothered by tailgating or such and such, I can answer that they aren't such a pet peeve anymore and that I have grown even if it just be alittle.