who needs a radio?!

I had fun taking some pictures of the kids today and this was my favorite one. The thing I love the most is that they were just being themselves! (Jerry has a sore on his lip so he didn't want to smile...can't blame him)

Back to school savings!

SAVINGS!

I can't believe that it is this time of year already!! Honestly, where does the time go? I am looking forward to the kids being in school.. yes, I am honest here. They need their time away and mingling and I need my time too. I love my kids, don't get me wrong! But some away time is nice. Makes you appreciate them more too.

But I also love this time of year! I love the feel of the air of upcoming Fall weather, the smells, the sounds, and the beauty of the trees! Also, the savings that comes with it.

So,
I thought I would pass this along... At Costco you can get 60 Mechanical Pencils with 110 refills and 10 refillable erasers for only $9.99! Also, 3 subject spiral notebooks with 150 college ruled pages in a 3 pack for $9.99. I hope this helps!

Moms,
If you get bored...(what would that be like?) I am opening up my house for sanity lessons... just kidding! Hope to see ya soon!

I have fish for kids...

This first picture was at my sister's community pool.. literally keeping his head above water!

bottoms up! (or is that feet up?)

Daredevil....

do i attempt the dare?

gave into peer pressure... lol!

now that is what capturing the moment is all about!!

Just Chillin!

They have so much fun just being themselves and making the best of each moment!

But I think that my "fish" are pretty cute!

"Glob, Glob"....(fish talk for fun)

A Day of Celebration!

I can't believe how old you are getting!! LOL! Just 3 more years and you will be the big 40! THat's ok.. I am getting younger.. hehe. I want you to know how special you are! We love you so much! What a blessing you are in our lives. I didn't get you much this year, but I did get your entire house cleaned.. (that is big thing!) And I am going to make your favorite... Pineapple upside down cake.. fixed you breakfast and marinating the meat for beef kabobs later tonight.

I will post pictures tonight of this special day. I hope you have a special birthday and know how much you are loved!!!

Life...

Well,
The summer is almost over and school is quickly coming upon us. We have enjoyed this break with swimming at pools, and at the river. I love the river by the island...it is fun, safe and free! Brayden asks if we can swim at the river, not the pool.. too cute!


I have stayed away from sugar as far as sweets go for 3 weeks now! I have lost 4 inches from my waist and 3 from my hips. I feel great and love my new healthy lifestyle. I try my best to exercise so I can strengthen my body and back.

I have been cooking wonderful meals out of our new cookbook and love some of them and of course I talk about what I am excited about so now I have others asking me how to eat clean!

My kids have had a great time and are still begging me to homeschool them... we will see.. not to sure for I love my me time... Raelene had a babysitting job this summer once and they loved her! Jerry got asked to take care of a neighbor's animals while they were gone and they insisted on paying him and he said he didn't want to be paid but they wouldn't let him do that. Brayden is talking up a storm and is incredibly smart and BUSY! He is a big help and loves to be independant! Not sure I am ready for this.. but ready or not he is for sure!

I have been struggling with things lately and have really been relying on my Saviour and the Atonement. I am grateful for my struggles for they are preparing me for greater things and helping me to overcome myself.

Ross is doing great with the dogs... constantly full kennels. We are so blessed for this opportunity he has to train dogs. I love him dearly and he is such a blessing in my life.

I pray every day for opportunities to serve and be better.

Positive Changes

I have decided that it is time for some positive changes in my life.  Time to dejunk and ditch the bad habits and those things that are holding me back from being the person I was meant to become.  So that I may better my personal family and be a positive inspiration to those around me.

Here is my list, and they say that it is always good to be accountable so that you will follow thru with your decisions... so yes, you may ask me how I am doing on these whenever you like.. and please do!

1. Replace raising my voice with a soft spoken one.  ( have done that for a week now:))
2. Replace refined sugars with natural ones like agave.
3. Don't eat sweets unless made with agave and in very much so moderation!
4. Drink my body's requirements worth of water
5. Replace simple carbohydrates with complex ones and eat in moderation
6. Eat lots more fruits and veggies.
7. Try to eat things in their more natural state.
(2-7) is what is called eating clean and I have lost 3 inches from my waist in just 4 days of eating this way and I feel great!
8. Study my scriptures on a daily basis.
9. Do some sort of exercise daily.
10. Surround myself with those who love me and have a positive influence
11.  And this is something I have been doing every day for 2 weeks and has made a positive influence on my life.. Ask Heavenly Father each morning what I can do to help build His Kingdom/ to be able to do something good for someone.... and this has been one of my favorite things to do!
12.  Improve my relationships with my husband and children
13.  And not to take life for granted!

I only pray that I have the strength to do these things and do them with a grateful heart and with enthusiasm.

His Friends

I read this yesterday at a time that I needed to hear this and really desire to be called His Friend and to do better at serving Him.  I feel that I have been so blessed by my friends and my Husband's family and my immediate family and I couldn't word it any better than how Pres. Henry B Eyring does.  I hope you take the time to read it.


One of the great tributes the Savior can give is to call us “friends.” We know that He loves with a perfect love all of His Heavenly Father’s children. Yet for those who have been faithful in their service with Him, He reserves this special title. You remember the words from the 84th section of the Doctrine and Covenants: “And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I shall call you friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this commandment, that ye become even as my friends in days when I was with them, traveling to preach the gospel in my power” (D&C 84:77).



We become His friends as we serve others for Him. He is the perfect example of the kind of friend we are to become. He wants only what is best for His Heavenly Father’s children. Their happiness is His happiness. He feels their sorrow as His own because He has paid the price of all their sins, taken upon Himself all their infirmities, borne all their troubles, and felt all their longings. His motives are pure. He seeks no recognition for Himself but to give all glory to His Heavenly Father. The perfect friend, Jesus Christ, is completely selfless in offering happiness to others.


Each of us who has made the baptismal covenant has promised to follow His example to bear one another’s burdens as He would (see Mosiah 18:8).


In the next few days you will have many opportunities to be a friend for Him. It may be as you walk on a dusty road. It may be as you sit down in a railroad car. It may be as you look for a place to sit in a Church congregation. If you are watching, you will see someone carrying a heavy burden. It may be a burden of sorrow or loneliness or resentment. It may be visible to you only if you have prayed for the Spirit to give you eyes to see into hearts and have promised to lift up the hands that hang down.


The answer to your prayer may be the face of an old friend, one you have not seen in years but whose needs suddenly come into your mind and heart and feel as if they are your own. I’ve had that happen to me. Old friends have reached out to me across the miles and the years to offer encouragement when only God could have told them of my burden.


Living prophets of God have asked us to be faithful friends to those who come into the Church as converts and to go to the rescue of those who have drifted away. We can do it, and we will do it if we always remember the Savior. When we reach out to give succor and to lift a burden, He reaches with us. He will lead us to those in need. He will bless us to feel what they feel. As we persist in our efforts to serve them, we will more and more be given the gift of feeling His love for them. That will give us courage and strength to reach out again and again in faithfulness.


And, in time and in eternity, we will feel the joy of being welcomed to the company of His faithful friends. I pray for that blessing for all of us and for those we will serve.