Going to school and other pics

Sad News

Sad News

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment
community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection
and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities
turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry
Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and
Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a
man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in
show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not
considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked
schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still was a crusty
old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children: John Dough,
Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also
survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.
The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

Where's your mother?

I found this song on Tara's blog Kidz isn't it cute?

Whenever my husband walks through the door he promptly calls out " Where's your Mother?"

He knows darn well where I am. I am on the computer! Near the computer, by the computer, in the computer room....

It's my room in the house. My stuff. My books. My photo projects laid out. Even the kids know that the office is Mommy's room. They know to stay out too - but they don't. Every now and then I have to remove their toys, blankets and clothes. It is right off the daycare and next to the laundry room. I look out the window and I see Rowdy staring back at me. Rowdy is my neighbors dog. A beautiful golden retriever. We have long talks about nothing and sometimes I will talk baby talk to him. He barks whenever someone pulls into my driveway and looks to see if I am listening to him. I love that dog. We're best buds and I don't have to clean him or pick up his messes. That's the best kind of pet.

So that leaves Dad to defend for himself. He has claimed the Master Bedroom and even the kids know that it is Daddy's room. He has been spending his spare time in his room - watching all the episodes of x-files (whoo who for me for finally getting him something he has a passion for and is interested in) We had drug a rocking chair into our room for when I was nursing Valorie and it hasn't ever been removed.

So if you want me - I'm in my office. If you want Darrel he is in the rocker watching x-files. And the kids? The kitchen has become their domain. We have reclaimed the lazy Saturdays at our house and it feels wonderful!!

Not so great of a post today but let's you in on our frame of mind.

Cutting back

I used to write all the time and well - life has gotten busy. My friends and family say they miss my letters but they don't have time to read my blog.

I think what they really miss is getting that little stamped envelope in the mail with their name on it and knowing that I had taken the time to send it just to them.

So, I'm headed in a new direction. A little less blogging and a lot more spending time with the people around me.

I have been blogging since 4th of July of last year. I don't know where the time went... it dissapeared. I have been so busy blogging that even when I took pictures of the kids - it was for the blog. This blog has consumed me. Even though it has been healing and stress reducing and fun and a mental break from my real world... I have let it take over and I need to get back to basics.

I will post on Saturdays and try to get an overview of your posts at the same time.

I am really going to miss this but everything has to be done in moderation.
Happy Blogging!

Tonight is my Young Womens New Beginnings. I am picking up 3 girls who don't have a ride and their Mom's won't be attending. It will take an extra effort on my part to get them there - but every soul is precious in the sight of God. Who can you love in your world today?

The Theme for tonights program is Virtue
Here are some thoughts from James E. Faust

James E. Faust, “The Virtues of Righteous Daughters of God,” Liahona, May 2003, 108–11

I encourage you to strengthen the virtues you have already acquired and resolve to develop many others.

My dear young sisters, I am overwhelmed to be in your presence because you have such a great potential for good. You are an indispensable part of what the Church and the world will be, just as your mothers, aunts, and grandmothers were in years past. You can have happiness beyond your fondest dreams and expectations.

We are especially honored this evening to have President Gordon B. Hinckley, President Thomas S. Monson, and the other General Authorities with us. I commend Sister Tanner, Sister Beck, and Sister Dalton for their excellent messages on being steadfast in Christ. The music by this choir of young women has also been truly outstanding.

Under the date of March 19, 2003, the First Presidency sent a letter to priesthood leaders encouraging them to help young women in their challenging transition to womanhood. This is very important. The letter emphasizes that while parents have the primary responsibility, bishoprics, Young Women and Relief Society leaders should work together to strengthen our young adult women in this transition.

My dear young sisters, as I have traveled to Church assignments in various parts of the world, I have met some of you wonderful young women and have been impressed by your steadfastness. I can say without hesitation that you can have “a perfect brightness of hope” for your future and endless joy if you “press forward” as righteous daughters of God. 1 You are young women of virtue and of great promise. May I encourage you to strengthen the virtues you have already acquired and resolve to develop many others.

Tonight I would like to speak of some of those virtues. Many people do not fully understand the meaning of virtue. One commonly understood meaning is to be chaste or morally clean, but virtue in its fuller sense encompasses all traits of righteousness that help us form our character. An old sampler found in a museum in Newfoundland, stitched in 1813, reads: “Virtue is the chiefest beauty of the mind, the noblest ornament of humankind. Virtue is our safeguard and our guiding star that stirs up reason when our senses err.”

May I suggest 10 virtues that each of you can pursue in your quest for excellence and happiness:

1. Faith

I list the virtue of faith first because it is the most important. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is “the foundation of all righteousness.” 2 I promise you sweet young ladies if you will strive to live the commandments, your faith will continue to grow. In exercising faith, we become cheerful and optimistic, charitable and courageous, because faith is the moving cause of all of these virtues.

2. Honesty

A young woman on a university volleyball team tells of the time when she and her friend Muki were playing together in a championship match:

“I remember it being a close game. … Gracie [on our opponents’ team] rounded her approach, jumped, and smacked the ball as hard as she could. … The line judges signaled out, and the head official raised his finger to show a point for [our team]. We began giving our usual high fives when we noticed that Muki was hand-motioning to the official that she touched the ball on her block. Muki was calling her own touch. The line judges … were … signaling out, [indicating] that there was no touch.

“The quiet, withdrawn Muki had showed an act of integrity and honesty like I had never seen before. Gracie Shute was so impressed that she talked with Muki after the match. … Muki later gave Gracie a Book of Mormon. I don’t know if Gracie has read the book … , but I do know that Gracie was touched by Muki’s example, as we all were.” 3

You cannot be honest with others unless you are honest with yourself.

3. Chastity

In “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” we read, “The sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.” 4 Furthermore, the Lord says in the Book of Mormon, “I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women.” 5 Those who engage in physical intimacies with someone outside of marriage are likely to suffer feelings of guilt as well as deep emotional and physical hurt. Intimate relationships between men and women outside the bounds the Lord has set bring great misery, shame, degradation, and unhappiness to those involved.

In contrast, when these sacred gifts are exercised as the Lord intended within the bounds of a temple marriage, they bring us our greatest joy and happiness. We become co-creators with God in having family and posterity. Chastity before marriage followed by fidelity after marriage is a sacred passport to self-respect and happiness for everyone. President N. Eldon Tanner gave some good advice that I would like to repeat: “Always remember that you can go much further on respect than on popularity.” 6 I refer you to the excellent counsel on sexual purity contained in the pamphlet For the Strength of Youth.

4. Humility

Humility is all about keeping one’s balance. For example, when you receive a compliment, receive it graciously, but don’t let it go to your head. You young ladies have learned much, but you have more to learn. A person who is humble is teachable. Indeed, the Lord has promised, “For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite.” 7 One of my favorite sayings is this: “Learn to say, ‘I don’t know.’ If used when appropriate, it will be often.” 8

5. Self-Discipline

You must have the strength to discipline yourselves so that you can accomplish your goals and enhance your natural strengths. Habits of self-discipline formed while you are young will become part of the makeup of your character for the rest of your lives. The character thus formed from self-discipline will rise with you in the Resurrection. 9

The principle of work is part of self-discipline. Now, my dear young sisters, I have lived a good many years longer than you, but even back in Grandpa’s time there was something to make you want to lie down and go to sleep—they called it work.

6. Fairness

We need to be fair and compassionate in our dealings with other human beings. The Savior gave us the parable of the unjust servant who owed a large sum of money. His master forgave him the debt, but that same servant went out and had a fellow servant put into prison for a much smaller debt. Their master rebuked him for not showing the same compassion that he had himself received, and then sent him to the same fate as his fellow servant. 10

If you will be fair to other people, they will more likely be fair to you. The story is told of a Sunday School teacher who was teaching this principle. She told her class, “Remember, we are here to help others.” A girl in her class asked, “Then what are the others here for?”

7. Moderation

Part of the spirit of the Word of Wisdom is moderation in all things, except those things specifically forbidden by the Lord. It is well to avoid extremes in dress, hairstyles, makeup, conduct, speech, and music. Extremes may attract the attention of some, but they are more likely to turn off those you really want to impress.

When I was a young man, my friends and I went to an amusement park, where we rode the flying saucer. It was shaped something like an upside-down plate that went round and round. Most of us tried to get to the middle so we wouldn’t be thrown off by the centrifugal force as the saucer picked up speed. Sometimes those on the edge would grab a friend who was closer to the middle, but that would pull them both completely off the saucer. I soon recognized that the centrifugal force was far less powerful in the middle. I was quite safe in the center even though the saucer was still spinning. But it was risky when someone on the fringe latched on to me. I learned that safety comes from staying close to the center.

8. Cleanliness

Years ago, President Howard W. Hunter, Sister Faust, and I visited with some BYU students when the study abroad program in Jerusalem was housed in a kibbutz, an Israeli hostelry. On the door of two of the students was a notice that read, “If cleanliness is next to godliness, welcome to purgatory!”

President Hinckley gave some excellent counsel when he said: “Be clean in dress and manner. … The age in which we are living now has become an age of sloppy dress and sloppy manners. But I am not so concerned about what you wear as I am that it be clean. … Be sure of your personal cleanliness.” 11 Remember that you and the Church will be judged in part by your cleanliness and neatness in appearance.

9. Courage

You precious young ladies will need a lot of courage—courage to stand up to peer pressure, to resist temptation, to withstand ridicule or ostracism, to stand up for the truth. You will also need courage to face the challenges of life. One young woman who was a cross-country runner wrote: “I am often tempted to give up and quit during a race. During my first race this year, when I was just about to be overpowered and stop running, the words to the third verse of ‘How Firm a Foundation’ filled my mind. The words gave me the courage to finish the race.” 12

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, …
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 13

10. Grace

We are told in the Doctrine and Covenants that we are to “grow in grace.” 14 Grace is a God-given virtue. It is a disposition to be kind and to do good. It is a charming trait or accomplishment, “a pleasingly graceful appearance.” 15 Charm is attractiveness which comes from a feeling of personal dignity, an inner beauty that comes from a feeling of self-worth. It has been said that your expression is the most important thing you can wear. A fine young single man I know has a list of qualities he is looking for in his future wife. Cheerfulness is at the top of the list.

We frequently find that the influence of good women is underrated. It is an influence that is often subtle but yet has tremendous consequences. One woman can make a great difference for a whole nation. I cite two examples from the scriptures, one for evil and one for good.

In the book of Ether, Jared’s beautiful daughter enticed Akish to marry her through a seductive dance. Akish was to pay for her hand in marriage by murdering her grandfather, King Omer, so that her father could become the king. At her urging, Akish formed oath-bound secret combinations which caused the destruction of the Jaredite nation. 16

On the other hand, Esther, a Jewess in the Old Testament, saved her people. When the Jews were in captivity, Esther was married to King Ahasuerus. The king signed a decree that all Jews were to be put to death. Esther’s cousin Mordecai urged her to intercede with the king on behalf of her people by saying to her, “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 17 Esther, at the peril of her own life, pled with the king that her people should be spared. The king listened to her entreaty, and they were saved. One woman can make a great difference, even for a nation.

These are challenging times. I believe your spirits may have been reserved for these latter days; that you, like Esther, have come to earth “for such a time as this.” It may be that your most significant, everlasting achievements will be your righteous influence on others, that your divine feminine inner beauty and intuition will find expression in your quiet strength, gentleness, dignity, charm, graciousness, creativity, sensitivity, radiance, and spirituality. Enhance these sublime feminine gifts. They will make you appealing and even irresistible as you serve others as the handmaidens of God.

I testify that if you practice these virtues, you will be able to “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.” 18 In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes

1. See 2 Ne. 31:20.

2. Lectures on Faith (1985), 1.

3. Private letter written by Michele Lewis, 12 Aug. 1996.

4. Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102; Liahona, Oct. 1998, 24.

5. Jacob 2:28.

6. “No Greater Honor: The Woman’s Role,” in Woman (1979), 8.

7. D&C 136:33.

8. “Rumsfeld’s Rules,” Parade Magazine, 18 Nov. 2001, 9.

9. See D&C 130:18.

10. See Matt. 18:23–34.

11. “ ‘Be Ye Clean,’ ” Ensign, May 1996, 48–49.

12. “Feedback,” New Era, Aug. 1990, 3.

13. Hymns, no. 85.

14. D&C 50:40.

15. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed. (2000), “grace,” 504.

16. See Ether 8:8–22; Hel. 6:28.

17. Esth. 4:14.

18. 2 Ne. 31:20.

Hormones! What will they do next?

Im a barbie - Aqua



I watched the Disney Movie with Lindsay Lohan "Life Size.....

And I cried! I was producing tears mixed with laughter!

What the heck is wrong with me?

Then I remembered. I'm a girl. I have HORMONES!

It is really cute. The kids loved it. I'm 32 years old - I loved it.

So go rent yourself a movie. Get some popcorn. Have fun. Just Do It.

Thomas S. Monson

Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet
of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints

A Prophet leads and directs the
church by communicating with God
and being a mouthpiece for the Lord.

President Monson tells the greatest
stories and they are all true.

His smile is big. In fact it is contagious.

I have loved President Monson since
I was a very little girl - that's a long time!

I make a new resolve to do better and
be better. To be repentive and forgiving.

That is my word for 2009. Repentive.

A CES Fireside will be broadcast January 11th at 6pm MST
Thomas S. Monson will be the speaker.
You can visit any LDS church to see the broadcast.
You can view it on the internet. Click here.



























Click on the picture of Jesus
to learn more about
The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints

Vote for Elvis

My husband wants to know if he is HOT like the OLD ELVIS.
So go ahead and vote...make his day!

I like to brag about my Hubby. He is, after all - the Hottest guy around.

And he cooks, cleans, babysits, puts up with me...

And let's me post pictures of him and blog about him!

(I think he likes it)

Cause he is invincible and Super Gorgeous and such a Ladies Man.

and they danced all night and wore out their pretty pink slippers

The dance was packed with hormone filled teens. They were there with their hopes high and their excitement floated in the air making it seem like the best place to be on a New Years Eve night.

We started out in the chapple with a song and a prayer followed by a five minute talk from the Stake President. He spoke about the new year and setting goals. He asked the youth to close their eyes and think about only one thing that needed the most changing this year and to focus on this one change - promising the youth that if they did that - the other changes in their life would come.

We then watched a fireside from the Presidency of the church.
The speaker pleaded with the youth to not give into the temptations of the world. That they had so many new ways to be exposed to the temptations with their ipods, phones and television, the computer...

Pornography, Drugs, Alchohol, Smoking, Chasity...

He asked them to listen to their parents and to their leaders - asking them to stay out of harm's way. Do not give into temptation was the theme.


I enjoyed the night slightly envying them of their youth but at the same time not wanting to ever again relive those years.

The d.j. was terrific. The music was great. But I was a little disappointed at the end of the night when it was time to clean up. The youth did not pitch in and help out. Tired Leaders gathered up their belongings and went home.

There was one elder who stayed to mop the gym floor and I stayed to finish vacumming. It was 2 am before I got home.

Satisfied that the night went well and dreamy thoughts of dancing till midnight made my eyelids heavy and I reluctantly went to bed. I thought about past New Year Eve's and decided that this one had turned out great - perhaps better than past Eve's - but next time I want to be with my family. We don't even need to stay up all night - Just being together is enough.