Hope 2011 is safe and happy and absolutely wonderful in every possible way.

This is crazy!

So I bought this candy from the dollar store for Ashley's stocking.
Toxic Waste extreme sour candy.
Yesterday she decided to enjoy a few pieces.

It made her mouth bleed!

Here's the cautionary message on the side, which we didn't notice til after the fact:

CAUTION!

Consuming more than one within

 a brief time may cause irritation

to mouth. Sensitive individuals

should not consume this product.

Who ever heard of a caution message on candy?

How many kids actually stop to check the back of the package for such a thing?

Crazy!

Merry Christmas!

May you experience the true gifts of the season.

Happy Birthday Brother Joseph

Ok, last one.
Here is our other favorite song from the cd I've been raving about lately.
I can't find it on youtube. Wish you could hear it. It's lovely.


LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER

Written by Jason Deere

The morning was clear on the road from Nauvoo

A tear touched his eye as his home fell from view

The journey was silent and few words were said

As he leaned to his brother and quietly said



As a lamb to the slaughter I willingly go

And die for my Father, His strength fills my soul

I’ve lived for my Savior and I’ll die for Him too

And with humble heart I lay down my life a prophet of truth



Four humble men sang with the angels on high

“He asked if I for him would die

The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill

But my free spirit cried I will!”

For I know this day I shall see my Savior’s face



As a lamb to the slaughter I willingly go

And die for my Father, His strength fills my soul

I’ve lived for my Savior and I’ll die for Him too

And with humble heart I lay down my life a prophet of truth



A noise from the stairway, a shot through the door

The first martyr fell to the floor

Tears filled Joseph’s eyes, Oh my dear brother Hyrum

Today you’ll find peace

Oh Lord my God release my soul, set my spirit free



As a lamb to the slaughter I willingly go

And die for my Father, His strength fills my soul

I’ve lived for my Savior and I’ll die for Him too

And with humble heart I lay down my life a prophet of truth

And with humble heart I go to my grave a prophet of truth



Thank you Joseph for all you did to help bring about the restoration of the gospel. Thank you for your valiant service to the Lord, for your faith and courage and convictions. You were a great tool in the Lords hands to bring about change to this world. We love you.


Ok, I lied. One more  REALLY good one, check out this one. Also one of our favorites.

I love this!!! Thanks Barbara!

Another favorite...

This is perhaps my favorite song from the cd "Joseph-A Nashville Tribute to the Prophet".
Although, .... I have another one which I think is also my favorite...too hard to pick.
Anyway, to hear it, click here.
I blast this song in my car. Ashley loves it too. It's like our rock anthem in the mornings on the way to the busstop.
It just really helps me feel gratitude for Joseph Smith and his faith, and his courage to do the things he needed to do to help bring about the restoration of the gospel.

the lyrics:

THE RISING
Written by Jason Deere
I told my mother what troubled my heart

I saw the worry as she took me in her arms

I told the preacher, and he looked at me

And I saw the rising that never let me be



Oh the rising

(The boy, the faith, the prayers, the hate)

From weak things the great things

Are rising, rising

(The love, the fear, the fire, the tears)

The persecution, the spirit, the peace



The spirit of God like a fire it spread

Calling the nations put a price upon our heads

Running through darkness and running to light

Praying on our knees for one more day every night



Amid the rising

(The boy, the faith, the prayers, the hate)

From weak things the great things

Are rising, rising

(The love, the fear, the fire, the tears)

The persecution, the spirit, the peace



I don’t know all the answers but I do my best

To live up to the rising that won’t let me rest

Oh the rising…

WB Music Corp (ASCAP)


Again, I hope you listen to it, I think it's pretty awesome.

Just call me a copycat...

You probably all already know who this guy is. He teaches fourth grade and takes awesome photographs and blogs about it all. Pretty cool.
His "Moments with Joey" are so fun to read though, thought I'd share one of my favorites with you:
I copied it by the way, from his awesome blog.

SCENE 1, INTERIOR. MORNING, FIFTH GRADE CLASSROOM. The teacher has just taken two Tylenol for a migraine. He is rubbing his temples at the back table with his eyes closed. When he opens his eyes, a ten year-old boy is standing in front of him.
JOEY: Are you okay, Mr. Z?
TEACHER: I just have a headache, that’s all.
[The boy nods].
JOEY: Yeah, me too...
TEACHER: They’re not very much fun, are they?
JOEY: Nope. [Pause]. Mr. Z? Would you ever push me off a cliff?
TEACHER: Now why in the world would I ever do something like that?
JOEY: I don't know, maybe because it's fun? [pause]. Princesses are mean. [pause]. Girls are mean, too. They always get what they want in fairy tales.
TEACHER: What does that have to do with anything, Joey?
[The boy shrugs and continues to stand there, after a second, he takes a small step closer to his teacher].
TEACHER: Wow, I can't believe it, my headache just got worse.
[The boy takes a step backward].
TEACHER: Wow, now that suddenly feels better. [pause]. Isn't that interesting? The closer you get, the worse my headache seems to get. When you move away the pain goes away, too.
[The boy grins].
JOEY: So, I give you headaches, Mr. Z?
TEACHER: You said it, not me…
[Fade to black].
~~~~~~~~~
I love it.
Anyway, go check him out if you haven't already.

What I hope for my boys...

There is this beautiful cd I have.

Joseph a Nashville Tribute to the Prophet

I've had it for a couple years now, but I've listened to it in my car constantly over the past few weeks. I adore it. The music is beautiful and insired and so touching. Maybe because Joseph Smith's birthday is this month--I don't know why, but I just can't get enough of it. I'll probably share a few of my favorites from it this week.
On it is this particular song: Brother I'll FollowYou  (click to hear it)
It makes me ponder the love Joseph and Hyrum Smith shared for each other. It makes me wonder if any two brothers have ever loved each other as these two did. And I hope that my sweet little boys can share this kind of love for each other as well.

The lyrics:

BROTHER I'LL FOLLOW YOU

Written by Jason Deere

From the first time you told me about

Everything you had seen

We were just boys, but there was no doubt

That in my heart I believed

That brother I’d follow you

Into a hailstorm of an angry town

With words like jagged knives

Every stone was meant to bring you down

Something you’d know all your life

And brother I’ll follow you

Rain or shine…fire and ice

With faith like iron

You walk right on through

And brother I’ll follow you

Into Ohio, a new northern town

Not knowing just what lies in store

Hearts were changing the Saints we grew

As our hands built the House Of Our Lord

And brother I’ll follow you

Into a cold night our children cried

Driven further west

And out of a swamp our hands built up Navuoo

And we prayed in the Lord we’d find rest

And brother we followed you

Rain or shine…fire and ice

With faith like iron

You walked right on through

And brother I’ll follow you

Into a building of sand, stone and steel

With faith like a rock you walked in

And at the end yours eyes looked into mine

With the love of a life-long friend

And yes, brother, I’ll follow you

Rain or shine…fire and ice

With faith like iron

You walked right on through

And brother I’ll follow you

I hope you'll listen to it, I really love it.

I really hate texting.

And do you want to know why?
I just don't know when to stop!
And I don't mean I text a lot.
I mean, here's a typical text convo for me:

me: hey, can you come in to work tonight. So and so called out.
them: oh no sorry, I'm busy.
me: Ok thanks anyway
them: sure thing, sorry.
me: no problem.
them: thanks again
me:  your welcome
and by this point I'm just gritting my teeth thinking "please, don't thank me again. Don't say good-bye. Just be done already!!"
It's probably all the same things you would say in a speaking conversation, but for some reason, when texting it's just such a pain in the kiester! And I'm usually debating whether or not there's someting else I should add. Like goodbye;  but then they'll text goodbye back, or "see ya' later", and then I have to reply.
WHERE DOES IT END????

StUDent of the MonTH and RAinbow HeAd

I'm so proud of my Haley.

She was nominated Student of the week, two weeks ago.

And this week, she was awarded Student of the Month!!

 She got to have lunch with the principal! Pizza. Yum!

She got a cool certificate, and some coupons for food. (my favorite--in n out!)

 And a cool little necklace.

Way to go Haley!! You rock girlfriend!!!

In other news.

Ashley rocks the world of rainbow colored hair.

 She does this herself with food color. Silly girl. I actually think it looks pretty.

However, she is dwindling my supply of food color.

Maybe I should get her to do my hair.

30 Days of Thanksgiving Day 30

Last day!
Hmmm, what have I missed besides just about everything?
I am grateful for:

• my children. They make me smile when they're not making me pull my hair out.
• my mom and dad. I love them. period.
• my husband. (but I said that already).
• friends
• my home. I miss my house, but I'm grateful to have a place to live. And I'm getting used to the new place, slowly.
• my job. most of the time.
• the sun
• the moon
• the stars
• flowers
• trees
• bees
• my microwave
• blankets
• my wii fit
• netflix
• my cell phone. sometimes.
• pictures
• electricity
• furniture
• art
• whipped cream
• cocoa
• pumpkin pie
• do I really need to say In n Out?
• Pepsi
• purses
• shoes
• boots (I don't have any, but I want some!)
• candy bars
• candy canes (even though I'm trying not to eat any this season).
• candles
• kids shows
• sight
• all my senses
• music
• heating and central air
• my washer and dryer
• a nice warm garage to park my car inside of. Keeps it nice and warm on those frosty mornings.
• clean running water
• oh so much more.

I think I'm gonna' take a week off of blogging now. Well, I'll actually be posting on this site.
I'm trying to get back on track with my weight loss/maintenance efforts. I need to lose about 25 more pounds. I think, I'm hoping to at least maintain through the holidays, and then after the first of the year, those last 25 are history!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving Day 29

I can't believe it's almost December.
If I say that enough, do you think I'll start to believe it?

Ok, really quick. It's late and I'm exhausted. You'd think I'd learn to post during the morning when I'm home instead of waiting til I get home from work at almost midnight.

I'm grateful for sensory memories? Is that the right expression?

I was at work tonight, and some guy pulled out the Purell, to disinfect his hands with.

Ah, the scent of Purel Antibacterial handwash.
I was transported back twelve years to when Ashley was a newborn. I will always associate that smell with Ashley as an infant (we kept it on hand so people wouldn't spread their germs on our new little bundle o' joy.
When I smelled it this evening, I got all choked up.
I'm so happy that there are things like that in this world. Those scents that you associate with some special time in your life. When you smell them, you're taken back. I love it.

30 Days of Thanksgiving Day 28

I am grateful for RETAIL THERAPY.

 I love it!

Did you get up early on Friday morning to go shopping?

I didn't. I went shopping, but I didn't get up early for it. I'm not THAT crazy.

I got a few of the things I was looking for.

Every time we go shopping, I usually find something I love to take a picture of.

This is at Target. I love the vintage toy line they have. Do you remember this little classic? I do. Don't remember if it was mine or a cousin's, but I want one.

 My boys love Iron Man. Every time we go through the toy aisle, they have to don the masks. (shhhh they're each getting one for Christmas!)

 At the grocery store the other day, I had to take a picture of the bins of nuts. It reminds me of my dad. We always had these on hand during the holidays when I was growing up.

Oh my gosh! Smurf toys! Can you believe it? I suppose they'll be re-doing the cartoon series soon. There's supposed to be a movie coming out.

OK, so I've been trying to locate a new Christmas tree for our apartment. We got rid of our ginormous pre-lit tree when we moved. It was just way too big for the apartment.

We saw one at Walmart that we loved. It was a six foot, with little pine cones on it and it was just lovely and really looked nicer than the artificial trees of years past. It was $128, but I was hoping it would go on sale. Sadly it didn't. So I was just going to buy it anyway. It was out of stock. I went to another Wally World, and they didn't even carry it.

So, my sweet husband decided to see if he could locate it for me. No such luck.

On a whim, he decided to stop at Target to see what they had.

He found a 7 1/2 foot pre-lit slim Virginia pine. It's gorgeous. Normally retails for $150, but it was on sale for $100!

It's even got the little pine cones too.

I am thrilled.

So today, after church we put it up and decorated it.

I think it's beautiful.

30 Days of Thanksgiving Day 27

I am grateful for the fact that November is almost over and then I will be taking a bloggy break probably.
I think I'm having a serious gratitude problem. I have, like a gratitude block. I'm grateful for many things, I just can't seem to think of them right now.

I'm grateful for my sweet daughter Ashley, who just resolved a "pillow situation" amongst my boys. Such a sweetie. Thanks Ashley!

30 Days of Thanksgiving Day 26

I'm grateful for coats and hats and scarves and gloves!!
It's c-c-c-c-cooooollllllddddd outside!
Like, fifteen degrees cooler than normal for this time of year. Freezing temps in Vegas!
I think it's going to be a cold winter!

30 Days of Thanksgiving Day 25

I am so grateful for family and friends.

Those both far and near.

For their warmth and companionship and love.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I hope you have a beautiful and blessed day.

30 Days of Thanksgiving Day 24

I'm thankful for the fact that I get to write the schedule at work, and that enough of my awesome employees volunteered to work tomorrow, so I can have Thanksgiving off and enjoy it with my loved ones.

30 Days of Thanksgiving Day 23

I am grateful for my dishwasher!!
I'll be baking a bunch of pies tomorrow in preparation for Thursday.
And boy, am I glad I don't have to wash all those dishes by hand!
Hallelujah for modern amenities!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving Day 22

I am SO grateful for this stuffed nose

 of mine that I've had now for about a month.

Why?

...

......

enough said?

and yeah, they're 3--not potty trained yet.

ugh.

Jason is halfway there.

Justin is not even interested.

30 Days of Thanksgiving Day 21

I am grateful for answered prayers.
Even when you're being too silly or stubborn to pray.
How do I know my Father loves me?

It's those times when I've been so angry or hurt that I just can't bring myself to pray, and He gives me an answer anyway.
Just a fer instance.
Several years ago, after Jon was baptized our sweet bishp at the time offered him a calling. Jon accepted it  but felt inadequate; as a result he stopped right there in his progression in the gospel. It wasn't the bishops fault and it wasn't Jon's fault (if anything, I blame myself. The bishop had asked me what kind of calling I thought Jon would be comfortable with. I should have told him he'd be most comfortable without a calling at that time). Regardless, I was very disappointed. Very sad.
We were getting ready for church one morning shortly after this event, and I was just in a bad place that day. I wouldn't pray. But the Lord knows the desires of our hearts, he knows exactly what we need.
It was Fast Sunday and the Bishop was conducting that morning. So he got to bare his testimony. What he shared with the congregation was Jon's testimony when he had interviewed with the bishop prior to being baptized. It was exactly what I needed to hear that morning.
I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows our needs, who guides others to help us out in those times when we need it most, and for a bishop who was truly in tune with the Spirit.

30 Days of Thanksgiving Day 20

Harry Potter--freaking awesome!!!
I can't wait til next year.
sigh.

How can it be the twentieth of November already? Did this month not just start like, two minutes ago?

I am so thankful for buttered and salted popcorn.
Love it.
It's the little things ya' know?

30 days of Thanksgiving Day 19

I am so grateful for the days I don't forget to switch my wallet from the diaper bag to my purse before leaving for work; as opposed to days like today when I do forget it and don't take anything to eat-so I went without supper. I am also so very grateful for midnight snacks!!!
(or midnight MEALS, but you know--whatever).

30 days of Thanksgiving Day 18

Today I am grateful that hardly anybody apparently read yesterdays blog post.
Because, I wrote something embarrassing there, and now I'm going to go remove that little tidbit.
Just too much information ya' know?

30 days of Thanksgiving Day 17

I love dreaming.

Do you ever have those dreams that you hate to wake up from? You want to see them play all the way out. The funny thing is that they never really play out properly. They just keep jumping from one thing to another, and somehow it all makes sense in the dream. When you wake up and you're explaining it to someone, you're like "well I was walking down the street naked and all of a sudden the sidewalk turned into a car and...." Then all of a sudden you realize how strange it was.
I have a lot of dreams where I'm losing control of a vehicle. Wonder what that's about? I also have a lot where I'm in the buff. I like those the least.
(post edit: Here is where the part I deleted was......)
I dreamt I went hiking once, and seriously, I woke up exhausted!

I'm grateful for dreams.
I just get so much enjoyment out of them (most of the time anyway).

I've had some dreams that are very precious to me. I don't want to say they were visions, but sometimes I wonder. I also wonder sometimes if they're dreams or memories?

What do you dream about?

30 days of Thanksgiving Day 16

Gonna make it quick, cause it's almost the end of the day.
The water heater in our apartment has been acting up lately.
I don't know if it's because of the change in temperature, and it's just harder for the thing to heat up water or what.
I had to take a lukewarm shower the other day.
HATED IT!!!!
Today the water was back to normal. Yay!

I am grateful for lo-o-o-ong hot showers
the hotter, the better!

30 days of Thanksgiving Day 15

I am SO looking forward to this...


google images

I just don't know how I'm going to wait til next year for the second installment. Patience and I have a tenuous relationship at best.

I am grateful for the sweet getaway of the Cinema

and extra butter on my popcorn.

Some of my favorites over the years:

• It's a Wonderful Life
• The Sound of Music
• X Men (all of them)
• Star Wars (all of them)
• Indian Jones (all of them but mostly Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Temple of Doom)
• The Lord of the Rings (all of them)
• Willow
• Some Kind of Wonderful
• Pretty in Pink
• Sixteen Candles
• um, anything with Hugh Jackman in it pretty much.
• Top Gun
• Ferris Buellers Day Off
• Ghostbusters
• The Last Starfighter
• Starman
• Twilight (all of them)
• Star Trek 4 and any of the Next Generation movies
• Actually, any of the Star Trek movies.
• Disneys Beauty and the Beast
• The Little Mermaid
• Cinderella
• ok, pretty much anything by Disney

and many, many more...

So, what's your favorite flick?

30 days of Thanksgiving Day 14

Whew! Almost forgot to post today.

We just finished watching Toy Story 3.
Didn't get to see it in the theater.

I was a blubbering mess at the end! Have you seen it? Who would have thought a bunch of toys could make me break down and weep?
It was so bittersweet.

I'm thankful for the magic of childhood.

I wish I could go back to mine.
I wish I could go back to Ashley's, she's still a child, but she's on the cusp of adulthood. I don't like that.
I'm glad I still have a couple of little one's who are knee deep in childhood. I need to remember to stop and enjoy it, especially now as we're heading into the best time of the year for the kidlets.

Enjoy the magic!

30 days of Thanksgiving Day 13

I love Saturday mornings. I usually get to sleep in. Jon's so good to let me sleep in even though he never really gets to.
This morning he got up and ran to the store for a few things, came home and made fried potatoes and onions with melted cheese on top and right now he's in the kitchen baking cookies. What a guy!

I love my hubby.

I am grateful for my man.

30 days of Thanksgiving Day 12

Did you know that banging your head against a wall expends 150 calories per hour?
Good to know.
If the following story is true, I might just resort to banging my head against a wall.


According to KGO-TV in San Francisco:
"There's a shortage building for the past six years. The main reason - farmers in West Africa have little incentive to plant cocoa trees. They take three years to mature and growers earn less than a $1 a day selling to big corporations.
One expert says in 20 years, the average joe won't be able to afford chocolate unless new research into growing higher-yielding trees prove fruitful. "

~~~~~~Ok people!!! This is what I call a crisis!!!!

To heck with food storage, I'm stocking up on chocolate! Wonder what the shelf life is.

Ladies, can you imagine life without chocolate?
I can.not!!!!!

I am SO grateful for chocolate. I think I'll have a piece each day for the rest of the month to prove it!

30 days of Thanksgiving Day 11

peace and quiet