Melissa’s Neighborhood

I decided I would take the boys to the store with me...Instead of dreading with the feeling of, "OH NO!! I have to take the boys to the store at the most buy time of the day."  I decided I would have a good attitude and make the shopping trip LOTS of fun...However, I didn't expect for my boys to make the fun (instead of me)

I thought for sure I would have to keep them occupied and come up with games to keep them from putting everything into the cart...It was just the opposite...

Kobe jumped out of the car and noticed TONS of carts all around...He asked if he could take the carts up...

SURE....and even Devin wanted to help...So the three of us started stacking carts together...

I am not even sure how many we stacked but a TON....enough that I could hardly push the carts and move them..HOLY COW those carts are DANG heavy..

Now, my boys have done this several several times...each time we go to the store it becomes a routine for them...But, usually only maybe like 5 at a time...

We finally got the carts up to the door and realized there was not ONE cart for the customers to use...So, all the customers were coming up to Kobe for a cart.  Each one of them were so impressed and told the boys, "Thank You"

I think they were pretty impressed that he would do that.....I think I was more impressed. 

I am so grateful that my boys are learning service.....

Nobody asked them to bring those carts in and my boys were not expecting a THANK YOU from anyone...

The store had NO IDEA what he was doing but it made the boys feel really good inside...

Service does not have to be BIG....It's the little things in life that mean the most...

Does service always come at the most convenient time?  NO

Does service perk your spirits up?  ABSOLUTELY!!!!!

Should you do service in order to gain a reward or to be thanked?  NO!!

Service is just a wonderful wonderful thing!!! 

I love it!!!

I have no idea how many carts he had...But, quite a few!! It was hard to turn the corner..But, we managed to get it done...

GOOD JOB!!! 

I am so proud of you guys.....

SERVICE WITH A SMILE!!!!

:o)

I decided I would take the boys to the store with me...Instead of dreading with the feeling of, "OH NO!! I have to take the boys to the store at the most buy time of the day."  I decided I would have a good attitude and make the shopping trip LOTS of fun...However, I didn't expect for my boys to make the fun (instead of me)

I thought for sure I would have to keep them occupied and come up with games to keep them from putting everything into the cart...It was just the opposite...

Kobe jumped out of the car and noticed TONS of carts all around...He asked if he could take the carts up...

SURE....and even Devin wanted to help...So the three of us started stacking carts together...

I am not even sure how many we stacked but a TON....enough that I could hardly push the carts and move them..HOLY COW those carts are DANG heavy..

Now, my boys have done this several several times...each time we go to the store it becomes a routine for them...But, usually only maybe like 5 at a time...

We finally got the carts up to the door and realized there was not ONE cart for the customers to use...So, all the customers were coming up to Kobe for a cart.  Each one of them were so impressed and told the boys, "Thank You"

I think they were pretty impressed that he would do that.....I think I was more impressed. 

I am so grateful that my boys are learning service.....

Nobody asked them to bring those carts in and my boys were not expecting a THANK YOU from anyone...

The store had NO IDEA what he was doing but it made the boys feel really good inside...

Service does not have to be BIG....It's the little things in life that mean the most...

Does service always come at the most convenient time?  NO

Does service perk your spirits up?  ABSOLUTELY!!!!!

Should you do service in order to gain a reward or to be thanked?  NO!!

Service is just a wonderful wonderful thing!!! 

I love it!!!

I have no idea how many carts he had...But, quite a few!! It was hard to turn the corner..But, we managed to get it done...

GOOD JOB!!! 

I am so proud of you guys.....

SERVICE WITH A SMILE!!!!

:o)

 

*Just a little note* This post is very long!!  If you only have time to read a little I will be making it all ONE post but breaking it up into little segments.

There is just something wonderful about seeing your children smile with pure enjoyment.  There is nothing that soothes the heart more than seeing this.  Kids just seem to make the world go round and make everything wonderful.

Last night for Family Home Evening we took the kids to Peter Piper Pizza.  Monday's are family night and that means lots and lots of fun...They get to color pictures, do craft activities, get balloons, get in drawings to win free pizza and each kid gets a free kids size pizza.  How fun is that??  When we got to Peter Piper they had put in a new horse carousel..This was so exciting for the kids....We haven't been in awhile and this was new...They got to ride the carousel quite a few times...

 

It was so fun to watch the excitement on their faces and to see what fun they were having.  It sure made me smile and made me realize I am so lucky to have such wonderful boys..

Kids just seem to make the world go round....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have to send a big SHOUT OUT to my wonderful husband who did an excellent job on his test yesterday...He studied every waking minute for this test.  He had pages and pages of notes that he had memorized. 

A funny story....

He was at the library the other day and was really studying hard.  A lady from the library came up to him and asked, "Is there something I can help you find?"  David, "No!"  Library lady, "Well, we closed 30 minutes ago!"

ooops!!  David was so focused he hadn't realized that NO ONE was around and he was the only one in the library.  He got quite a laugh out of that...

I am so proud of him for all his hard work and dedication...It takes so much effort to go through school and to learn all that he is learning!!!  I am so proud of David and love him so much.

He wants this schooling more than anything and he is willing to do anything to achieve his dreams. 

He is so incredibly grateful to my parents and my family for the support they give him..They are constantly encouraging him and rooting him on...They are always full of positive comments and a positive attitude with him.  They are always checking in with him how he is doing and if there is anything they can help him with.  It really makes all the difference in the world when he has my family to support him and back him up 100%.  He is also grateful for his classmates that help him and support him....Every little bit makes all the difference...

Now, on to the next test.  He has about 4 more weeks to go in this semester...It will be a crazy 4 weeks and full of tons of studying..But, I have total faith in my husband that he can get through this semester.  It will be so nice for him to have a few weeks off in between semesters...

David, I love you with all my heart!!!  I am so proud of you...You can accomplish anything you put your mind to....Your life will be so successful...

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just a few things that I am REALLY loving right now.....

#1

I absolutely LOVE this stuff!!  It's a powder full of vitamins!! It's the GREATEST stuff ever...I pour the little packet into a glass and put very little water in..I try not to dilute it down..In fact, I put way less than what is asked for...I also put tons of ice in my drink..Then I drink down the vitamins and add more water to finish what got left behind..When I first started drinking this I wasn't so sure about it..NOW...I look forward to every night taking this..It's packed with such important vitamins...

I remember as a little girl/teenager I guess always drinking Calistogas..I wonder if they still make those?  Anyway, it reminds me of a yummy flavored Calistoga...

I also in the morning take a calcium pill, Fish Oil Pill and a vitamin D.  All very important vitamins are bodies do not get enough of...

Such an important thing to have!!!

This box comes with 30 packets.  It's kind of expensive (as a rule for vitamins) but yesterday in Target I found the same thing but in a generic form (sort of speak) I read all the ingredients and it matches IDENTICAL....and for about $3-$4 dollars cheaper.

There is NEVER a reason to buy named brand when the generic always contains the exact same ingredients..I do that with all products..Tylenol, cough syrup or anything else..Read the label you will be surprised that it matches up identical and there is no need to pay several dollars more just because of the packaging or the NAME BRAND.

So, here is the box of the vitamins..I got these from Target

I haven't tried this box yet but I'm sure it taste just the same!!!

Great and wonderful product!!!  It's always a great thing to know you are getting all the required vitamins your body needs.

#2

This is by far my favorite eye shadow on the planet earth...I LOVE LOVE LOVE this...I have been using this for months now and just can't even begin to say enough about this eyeshadow

Loreal HIP Cream Shadow Paint

This eye shadow goes on wet just like paint but dries within a matter of seconds on your eye lids.  The reason I love this is because it acts as a eye primer but has the color of an eye-shadow..The best part is...It last ALL DAY long and you never EVER have to re-touch your make up during the day.  Even in the hot summer it just STAYS...I don't even know if Loreal is making this anymore...which makes me SO SAD because I love it SO MUCH!!!  When I originally bought this was when I just happaned to be in the drug store and it was on sale for like $10.00 I thought WHY NOT?  I'll try it..I had never ever heard of it before and really I didn't even know what it was all about..I tried it and I'm SOLD...I will still see it in drugstores for about $13 or $14 dollars but I have found mine on Ebay for like $2.00.  I have been stocking up on this when I find a great deal..I NEVER want to run out of Cream Shadow Paint...

Oh, I can't even begin to tell you how much I love it!!!

It's WONDERFUL

#3

Are you seeing that I absolutely LOVE Loreal products?  For years I have worn Bare Minerals/Bare Escentuals (the commercials you always see on T.V) and I have loved it since I started wearing it 10 years ago.  I have always bought my Bare Minerals from QVC because they are ALWAYS on QVC....But, it's expensive...and I just can't do that now...As much as I love it I just can't afford that...

Now, if you remember earlier I told you about the generic vitamins (above) and how it has the EXACT same ingredients as the name brand vitamins..Well, this is true about Loreals products..I LOVE this foundation...It works just as good if not better than Bare Minerals..The good thing is...It's so much cheaper and if you watch the sales you can get buy one get one half off..and if you happen to have a coupon then it's almost NOTHING to buy these two products in the picture...

I hate hate hate cream base foundation...It drives me crazy to wear cream foundation..I love powder foundation and it does a great job..I wear Light Ivory in the powder and soft in the pressed powder.  I also use a Kabuki brush to apply the minerals instead of the brush that comes with the bottle..It works so much better...
I would gladly sell anything for Loreal

#4

CANDLES!!

I love Holiday candles..I love scents!!!  But, I love anything with Cedarwood or Sandal wood..It's just one of my favorites..

I don't have many candles...and because of that I don't burn them often because I don't want to run out of the yummy smell but I love candles!! There is just something inviting about candles...

So, if anyone wants to send candles my way...I will gladly burn them for you!!  (grin)

#5

 

Extremely in -expensive nail polish!!!  I have finally found a nail polish that will stay on my nails.

When I was in High School I would paint my nails every single day...I would literally match the color of my polish to the outfit I wore...I had SO many bottles of OPI nail polish..But, they would always chip or peel off and it drove me crazy that I would always have to re do my nails on a daily basis..So, I gave up on nail polish and have not worn it for years.

But, as of the last few months I have finally found a nail polish I LOVE!!!  I will never spend $8.00 or more on OPI, China Glaze or any of the epensive nail polishes..Granted they have super pretty colors but I love Sinful Colors.  The greatest part is they are only $1.99 for a bottle..And they are NOT a thick polish..  I am in love with this polish...

#6

HOWEVER, there is a catch to OPI...I LOVE DRIP DRY by OPI (sorry the picture is horrible) this is the next greatest product ever....Drip dry literally dries your newly  polished nails within 1 minute..I DO not have time to sit and wait for nails to dry so I use this all the time..In fact, this bottle is empty and really since it has been empty I have not polished my nails because it takes too long for them to dry...So, one day I'll get around to buying more of this...(I hope) 

It is the greatest stuff ever invented

#7

My greatest and most wonderful thing that I love....MY FAMILY!!
I love my family more than anything else in this world....I would do anything for them..

We are such a happy family and love life to the fullest!! 

Times are toughs and the trials we are currently going through are by far NOT fun...But, we are happy and we love life...

We will get through anything...even if it takes a very long time...

I am so blessed!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I recently read an article that my friend put on her blog!!! These are all things I have known but it always hits a little harder when you actually read it in BOLD print.

I asked my friend if she wouldn't mind if I copied what she put on her blog about

.......

S O D A

NO SODA!!!  I am not a soda drinker AT ALL..I am grateful for that...

It just burns so much when I drink it that it's not even worth it to me...Plus after reading all the things about soda it really made me think...

BE HEALTHY

NO SODA

Thanks so my friend for letting me post this about soda....

Here is the article:

Some people drink soda pop as if it is water, some even instead of water. Sure, the primary ingredient is water, but, with all the other “stuff” it contains it can have a…toxic…poisonous…lethal…venomous… seriously harmful effect on your entire body. Drinking soda pop is a sure-fire way to age faster. Here’s why:

 

Soda Pop (or carbonated soft drinks) has an alarming amount of sugar, calories and harmful additives in it that have absolutely no nutritional value. Studies have linked soda to osteoporosis, obesity, tooth decay and heart disease. Despite this, soda accounts for more than one-quarter of all drinks consumed in the United States….and we wonder why we can’t lose weight and why we have health problems. So very often our health problems do not BEGIN on their own. WE encourage illness and disease little-by-little every day by NOT preventing their cause. We know better, we try to fool ourselves, but our bodies’ cells can’t be fooled about what we put in our mouths. I hope the next time you look at a can of soda pop you take note of the ingredients and smarten up for the good of your own healthy lifespan and that of your children and grandchildren. …What you are about to read should turn you away from sodas altogether.

Here’s what’s in Soda Pop:

 

Phosphoric Acid: May interfere with the body’s ability to use calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis or softening of the teeth {Here’s my two cents on this: If you don’t want your kids to have lots of cavities… quit letting them drink soda pop!} and bones. Phosphoric acid also neutralizes the hydrochloric acid in your stomach, which can interfere with digestion, making it difficult to utilize nutrients.

 

Sugar: Soft drink manufacturers are the largest single user of refined sugar in the United States. It is a proven fact that sugar increases insulin levels, which can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, premature aging and many more negative side effects. Most sodas include over 100 percent of the RDA of sugar.

 

Aspartame: This chemical is used as a sugar substitute in diet soda. There are over 92 different health side effects associated with aspartame consumption including brain tumors, birth defects, diabetes, emotional disorders and epilepsy/seizures. Further, when aspartame is stored for long periods of time or kept in warm areas it changes to methanol, an alcohol that converts to formaldehyde and formic acid, which are known carcinogens.

 

Caffeine: Caffeinated drinks can cause jitters, insomnia, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion, breast lumps, birth defects, and perhaps some forms of cancer.

 

Soda is one of the main reasons, nutritionally speaking, why many people suffer health problems. Aside from the negative effects of the soda itself, drinking a lot of soda is likely to leave you with little appetite for vegetables, protein and other food that your body needs. {HELLO???? NEED I SAY MORE?}

 

{This is the best right here… Brace yourself. This is where you need to be brutally honest!} How many sodas have you had today? How about your kids? The average American drinks an estimated 56 gallons of soft drinks each year, but before you grab that next can of soda, consider this: one can of soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine, and is loaded with artificial food colors and sulphites.

 

Teenagers and children, who many soft drinks are marketed toward, are among the largest consumers. In the past 10 years, soft drink consumption among children has almost doubled in the United States. Teenage boys now drink, on average, three or more cans of soda per day, and 10 percent drink seven or more cans a day. The average for teenage girls is more than two cans a day, and 10 percent drink more than five cans a day.

 

It also raises the question of how one determines a product’s caffeine content. Nutrition labels are not required to divulge that information. If a beverage contains caffeine, it must be included in the ingredient list, but there’s no way to tell how much a beverage has, and there’s little logic or predictability to the way caffeine is deployed throughout a product line.

 

Let’s take a look at some of the major components of a can of soda:

 

Okay, so most enlightened consumers already know that colas contain a fair amount of caffeine. It turns out to be 35 to 38 milligrams per 12-ounce can, or roughly 28 percent of the amount found in an 8-ounce cup of coffee. But few know that diet colas — usually chosen by those who are trying to dodge calories and/or sugar — often pack a lot more caffeine.

 

A 12-ounce can of Diet Coke, for example, has about 42 milligrams of caffeine — seven more than the same amount of Coke Classic. A can of Pepsi One has about 56 milligrams of caffeine — 18 milligrams more than both regular Pepsi and Diet Pepsi.

 

Even harder to figure out is the caffeine distribution in other flavors of soda pop. Many brands of root beer contain no caffeine. An exception is Barq’s, made by the Coca-Cola Co., which has 23 milligrams per 12-ounce can. Sprite, 7-Up and ginger ale are caffeine-free. But Mountain Dew, the curiously named Mello Yellow, Sun Drop Regular, Jolt and diet as well as regular Sunkist orange soda all pack caffeine.

 

Caffeine occurs naturally in kola nuts, an ingredient of cola soft drinks. But why is this drug, which is known to create physical dependence, added to other soft drinks?

 

The industry line is that small amounts are added for taste, not for the drug’s power to sustain demand for the products that contain it. Caffeine’s bitter taste, they say, enhances other flavors. “It has been a part of almost every cola — and pepper-type beverage — since they were first formulated more than 100 years ago,” according to the National Soft Drink Association.

 

But recent blind taste tests conducted by Roland Griffiths at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore found that only 8 percent of regular soft drink consumers could identify the difference between regular and caffeine-free soft drinks.

 

The study included only subjects who reported that they drank soft drinks mainly for their caffeine content. In other words, more than 90 percent of the self-diagnosed caffeine cravers in this small sample could not detect the presence of caffeine.

 

That’s why the great popularity of caffeinated soft drinks is driven not so much by subtle taste effects as by the mood-altering and physical dependence of caffeine that drives the daily self-administration.

 

And the unknown could be especially troublesome for the developing brains of children and adolescents. Logic dictates that when you are dependent on a drug, you are really upsetting the normal balances of neurochemistry in the brain. The fact that kids have withdrawal signs and symptoms when the caffeine is stopped is a good indication that something has been profoundly disturbed in the brain.

 

Exactly where that leads is anybody’s guess — which is to say there is little good research on the effects of caffeine on kids’ developing brains.”

________________________________________

When it comes to soda pop, I’d say that one of the things that gripes me the most is when I see little tiny kids drinking it… especially the “hard” stuff… like Mountain Dew or Dr. Pepper. Just like the article above states. They are developing troublesome dependencies on a drug that will upset the normal balances in their brain. Soda pop is a dangerous drink. There is absolutely nothing nutritious about it! NOTHING! It should not be invited into our bodies and if people would stop drinking it, my firm belief is that they would enjoy a life with more energy, less weight around their middle section, and have fewer long term health problems.

 

 

**IF you would like her website to all the great helpful and healthy posts she makes p lease email me and I would be more than happy to pass her website on**  She has such great ideas to achieve a healthy and happy body....**

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I still have so much more to post today!!! But, because of the length of it already I will post more things tomorrow!!

It's such a wonderful time of the year!!

So, what are you favorite things RIGHT NOW??

And.....

What are you thankful for??

 

 

There is nothing like a cute little boy that LOVES to sing to brighten your mood....The world seems to smile brighter when a little boys sings.

This reminds me of a talk recently given at the Priesthood session this past October.  It was such a great talk...It just came to mind so I thought I would post this talk.  If you are reading this post and have the time to read a great letter I highly recommend taking the time to read a wonderful talk.  Taking time in kids life makes such a difference.

http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1117-18,00.html

This is a talk titled:  I LOVE LOUD BOYS

The talk was given by:  Elder Yoon Hwan Choi
Of the Seventy

Anyway.....back to my post.....On our trip to Costco (again)  Devin found  Primary songs in the car....This made him SO EXCITED.....He found on the CD one of his favorite songs....Popcorn Popping...

We literally played this song over and over about 50 times.  Each time was cuter than the first.  Grandpa and Grandma were with us and he kept saying, "SING WITH ME" and then the next time we played it he would say, "You don't sing this time only me."  There is just something about Devin that makes everyone smile...He is just so much fun and joy.

Thanks for singing us your favorite song Devin!!!  We loved it...Devin LOVES to sing and I love that he is learning all the Primary songs...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Saturday is Super Saturday (Craft Day)  It will be a great time and I'm really looking forward to it.  One of the projects we are doing is making purses/totes out of placemats.  I knew a lot of people would sign up for these totes so I thought I better make mine ahead of time.  They turned out really cute. 

Each placemat takes about 30 minutes per tote.  Not bad!!!

The total project cost about $4.00 per tote.  What a great idea to give as Christmas gifts.  Make a tote, fill it will fun goodies...Lotions, Bath and Body, A cute shirt, gift card, jewelry, make-up or whatever you want...It's a great heart felt gift to give this season.  I love it...

Here is a few that I made

This one was made out of a heavy denim placemat.  It was a little harder to sew on but it gave the tote much more support.  I love how this turned out.  The ribbon is from Michael's craft store.  I still need to add the embellishments to the outside but even just by itself it's really cute.

This placemat I got at Walmart.  I added ribbon from Michael's craft store...Super easy to make

Super Super cute!! This green placemat is exactly like the denim placemat.  I love how stiff it makes the tote.  A bit harder to sew but SO CUTE!!!  Ribbon again is from Michael's craft store.  For the embellishments I had some pompom flower hair tie backs.  I never have used them for any of my crafts so I will add on the flower pom poms in colors that will go with the tote. 

This one turned out SO cute..I guess I have said that about all of them.  But, this placemat I got at Walmart.  The colors are dark rustic colors of red, beige, browns, green, yellow.  I didn't want a ribbon to be dark because then it would give the overall look dark.  I wanted something to really brighten up the tote.  So, I chose a bright yellow ribbon (Michael's craft store) and then I added on yellow flower embellishments witha red plaid to go in the center of the flower. 

These are just so fun.  I am excited to make more and give them out for Christmas gifts.  It's certainly in expensive and it's something you have made from the heart.

Tomorrow:

A YUMMY cupcake recipe.....(Mmmm I can taste them now) 

Do you ever run in to someone we don't know and think, "Wow!!  I wish there were more people in the world like THAT person?"  It's almost sad that we don't have that as much...or rather we don't see that as much.  People get so busy with life that they forget to stop and enjoy life. 

Wouldn't we all be much happier if we really stopped to enjoy life, the beauty we are surrounded by and really enjoyed people more.  There is ALWAYS so much going on that not many people will stop to smell the roses...

Is that really how we are supposed to live our lives?  Sure makes a sad world if we can't enjoy things and take time to reflect on what is around us. 

Do we sit around and ASK what we can do to help others or do we watch closely with our eyes to see what needs to be done.  Do we listen carefully about other people so we know their needs, what there favorite things are so that one day we can surprise them with our great knowledge about them.  Do we hold the doors open for others??  Do we notice if someone drops a paper we quickly pick it up and hand it to the person.  Do we SERVE so that others never have a clue we are serving?  Isn't service about doing things quietly?  Do we smile at others...Are we afraid to speak up and TALK to people in the store and compliment them?  When someone talks to us do we just give them a quick answer or do we listen intently and really talk back to them.  Do we give people only ONE worded answers or do we expand on our answers so people will feel like they are being heard and that we have a desire to talk to them. 

Do we set examples to our children through our actions?  Sometimes our actions mean more than words..

 More is caught than taught...My boys always see that David opens my car door...My kids do that for me now...They also do if for Grandma...That wasn't something David or I taught them to do..It's something they learned through our actions.  So, I love that more is CAUGHT THAN TAUGHT.....

Do we set an honest example for our kids??  Do we live in a way that our kids will want to resemble us?  Or do we teach the phrase... do as I say not as I do...What a horrible thing...We want our kids to emulate us..We want them to be better than we are..We want them to serve, learn to speak up and communicate with people, notice things that need to be done and just DO THEM....

Do we smile at our kids each time we are around them? There are time we get frustrated but if we just smile at our kids and love them instead of yelling does it somehow turn the complete mood around in the house.  Do we give them TIME??  Kids want our time...

I love the quote and I'm not even sure the correct way of saying it.."Kids want our presence not our presents"  Kids would rather have our attention and that means more to them. 

Do we give praises and give them often and sincerely. Do we uplift our children and constantly re-assure them they are doing a GREAT job...Do we give our kids independence from the beginning? 

Mostly...Do we live a christ like life so others will want to emulate US or our KIDS??

I seemed to of gotten a bit side-tracked from my main purpose of my blog.....

There are just certain people in this world that are wonderful!! I don't know how else to put it..

This afternoon I took Devin with me to Costco (What a great little helper he is)  He loves to work and he loves to feel appreciated.  He loves to feel praised and needed.  When he picks up something at Costco that he thinks we absolutely needs...It's easy to want to say, "PUT IT DOWN AND STOP PICKING UP THINGS"  Instead do we say, "Yum those do look great....but we already have something like that at home...and...can you help me put in the cart things we do need."  Oh, Devin was so pleased that he could help me find something we did need...He just wanted to feel needed and appreciated. 

We finally got through the aisles (we didn't need much--but we took the time to go up and down each and every aisle talking)  We finally got to the check out and there weren't many people in front of us...But, one laday came up behind us (with only ONE item)  and she made the comment how cute Devin was.  She could not get over how cute he was....This sparked an interest in ME and of course Devin.  This lady was not much older than I was ( I don't think) but she wasn't married.  She did mention she had a niece and a nephew that she spoiled them rotten.  She asked how I could ever say no to cute little Devin.  She asked him tons of fun questions.....This was so fun for Devin...

We told this cute lady she was more than welcome to go in front of us because she had one item.  She didn't want to because she was more than patient but we really insisted she go.  She asked Devin if he could help her with the ONE item onto the belt.  Devin was excited and was GLAD to help out.....Devin felt proud...

After Devin did this for her she gave him a HIGH 5..Right after that...she handed him a $1.00 bill for being her BIG HELPER...

I was really needing a pick me up today and that really did it for me. 

Devin was beaming from ear to ear...He went up and gave her a BIG HUG....I wish I could of taken a picture of this hug..It was so special.

It didn't take much for this lady to really make Devin's day.  She had no idea the impact she left on Devin (or maybe she did--she was just that kind of person)  She also will never know the impact she made on me.  We were all laughing and having a great time and smiling and enjoying this conversation but that cute little PICK ME UP for me made all the difference in the world...

It's these kind of people that really make people SMILE....

Devin is so proud of this dollar!!! He has already put it in his piggy bank..

He said, "I want to save it for Christmas"

Then he said, "I'll save it so I can go to the movie theatre." He really wants to go see a movie at the THEATRE...

How special!!! 

Certain people really make the world a better place..

Halloween Party!!!

YEAH!!!!

David got home from clinicals and it was time to HIT the studying....I was worried he wasn't going to be able to go to the Halloween party...which...would of been okay because I know that studying is definetely a priority right now.  But, the garage door opened just before 5:00p.m. and he was ready to get his costume on...

The bad part was...we couldn't find everything...So, no costume for David...But, he kept looking and found it...YEAH....David loves to dress up for Halloween.  The boys were so excited and so hyper for the party...It was fun to see the excitement they had....Kobe says, "This is one of his favorite holidays." 

Kobe looked pretty scary!!!  I'm glad this is only for Halloween....He had so much fun getting into his costume!!! 

Devin still did NOT want to dress up!!! We at least got him in a Pumpkin shirt....I wasn't too worried about it..I know that next year he will be more excited to dress up.....

HE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE!!!

I didn't end up dressing up either!!  I had the CUTEST iron on Halloween spooky  decals to put on shirts for the boys and I never EVER got around to doing those...BUMMER....They were so cute...I will have to do those next year...This Halloween season just SNUCK up on me...I just can't believe how fast time went...There are so many things I didn't get done....I hope it's not that way with the Thanksgiving and Christmas season...I need to definetely make a list of all the things I want to get done so I don't leave anything out....

Devin and Mom!!!  He is getting better about taking pictures...He doesn't always like to take them...But, he is learning that it can be quite Mom and on occassion I will here Devin say, "Take one of me!"  So, I jump at the chance to get some of Devin...

Such a handsome kid!! He is just SO FUN.....

There is never a dull moment around here....As a family we are always having fun!!!  There is always time for laughs and smiles....The boys LOVE LOVE LOVE doing things as a Family....

Boy they are good looking!!!!  Costumes and all...

This picture CRACKS me up!!! This is by far one of my FAVORITE pictures EVER..

I was joking David and told him...I feel like I'm at Disneyland riding the Pirates ride and posing for a picture with one of the ONE EYED PIRATES!!!

LOVE IT!!!

This picture almost doesn't seem fitting!!!  On the way to the party we saw the most amazing sunsets.  Look at those colors...They were beautiful..I couldn't of captured a more beautiful sunset if I tried...It just happaned to be at the right moment so we pulled over and took this amazing shot....It's breath taking.  I love it....It makes me realize how blessed we are..

Aaahhh such cute friends I have!!!  These are SOME of the "TWILIGHT" girls...This is part of the group that is going to the midnight movie in a few weeks...I went back and forth and back and forth about going to the midnight movie and I just can't do it....I will be happily sleeping in my bed...actually what will happen is...I will wake up..realize all the girls are at the movie and I'll be awake the WHOLE time saying to myself, "I knew I should of went"  OH WELL!!! These girls are so so wonderful and they will have the BEST time ever..

We have the best family ward EVER....It's a fun fun fun family ward!!! 

More friends!!!  David actually sees Tina's on Friday when he does his Clinicals.  David actually got one of her patients yesterday.  It's nice that David knows someone and they can help him out....Tina will be a big help to David...(rather she already has)  We are so grateful to Rob and Tina!!!  

This was hilarious!!!  Chad (on the right) dressed up like Dan (on the left)  It turned out to be really really funny!! It's funny because I had noticed Chad was growing out a mustache a couple of weeks ago and thought, "I've never seen Chad with a mustache."  Never, in a million years would I have guessed he was growing it for Halloween to be DAN...That is just FUNNY!! He had Dan's HAT, Work shirt and I think pants on...His name tag said, Hello my name is Dan. (Or something like that)  Then he was handing out twinkies to people...SO SO FUNNY!!! I loved it...

Like I said earlier..we have the best family ward..

The boys had fun with the door to door trick or treating!!!  This year we didn't do the trunk or treat but instead had a fun party inside..It was tons of fun

Kim looked SO CUTE in her costume..I loved it!!! She had fun passing out candy to the kids!!!

 

The boys had so much fun...They got so much candy!!! And to think they will get more tonight going trick or treating AGAIN..Oh the candy we will have...YIKES...

It was a fun night!! So many people brought such wonderful chili to eat...Mmm it was all good and so many people brought such YUMMY ice cream...It was a great night!!

It was one we all needed!!!! 

 

 

This is such a fun fun weekend for Halloween!!  Kobe is so excited for Halloween.  He has been counting down for the past 3 weeks.  When we got to 2 days he was so excited and just could not sit still.  He has been ready for this big weekend for a VERY VERY long time!!!

Kobe decided he wanted to be a Vampire this year. 

He is having a fun class Halloween party and he was allowed to somewhat dress up for the big school party.  He had jump rope this morning.  (He is on the jump rope team) and so we partially dressed him up today.

We spiked Kobe's hair (as usual) and then added black spray to his hair. With Kobe's fair white skin it really POPS out...He looks GREAT!!! I can't wait to put him into full costume tonight for the church party and for all of tomorrows fun crazy activities...

Kobe is doing GREAT on the jump rope team.  He seems to really love it!!! 

Kobe will make a GREAT vampire!!! 

Devin on the other hand...NO desire to dress up..He says he wants to be a Vampire too but when it comes down to it he won't let me get him in to the costume...Which is okay. I remember when Kobe was his age he wanted NOTHING to do with Halloween.  We had to force Kobe into a little dog costume.  He hated every minute of it. 

Devin will wear a pumpkin shirt and that is about it...I'm okay with that...Next year he will definetely want to dress up and it will be fun...This year...I'm just going to love my little pumpkin and praise him for how cute a pumpkin he is.

Cute Devin....He is just so much fun!!! I love him to pieces....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I just finished another great Christmas Block.  It is GREAT for kids...

I went t Home Depot and found a piece of  wood for $6.00 I had the guy cut me 3.5" and I ended up with about 30 blocks.  I sanded and varnished the wood and then applied vinyl to each side of the wood block.  On each side is a picture that tells the story of Mary & Joseph going to Bethlehem to have baby Jesus.  It's such a wonderful block for kids because it teaches them the story and it also lets them tell the story as they turn the block to find the pictures.  I just love it!!!  It's an extremely EASY project to do.

(If anyone would like to know where to get the vinyl please email me:  kristadeeann@yahoo.com)

"Maybe Christmas..." he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas....perhaps....means a little bit more!" ~The Grinch, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! By Dr. Seuss

THE BEST OF ALL GIFTS AROUND ANY CHRISTMAS TREE IS THE PRESENCE OF A HAPPY FAMILY ALL WRAPPED UP IN EACH OTHER. ~Burton Hillis

In the eyes of children we find the joy of Christmas.  In their hearts we find it's meaning.  ~Leland Thomas

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Update:

The last couple of days have been a little more difficult for me.  I am really good at having Faith. 

Keeping Faith a long the way will entitle me to great rewards in the end.  I keep saying this over and over.  Some days are easier and some days are a bit more difficult.  I'm finding the past couple of days have been a bit more stressful or maybe I have doubted Faith a tad.  I keep busy with projects and that definetely helps. 

I know the Lord has a plan for us and I definetely know that his  plan is not always my plan...Nor is my time his time.  Trying to be patient the last couple of days has been really tough on me.  I am very grateful for an upcoming busy weekend and I think that will help.

David will be extremely busy with studies and that will help him....

He has an upcoming test that he absolutely has to pass....I have Faith he can do it..(But I'm still on pins and needles about that)

But, I know this is all for our good and I know something GREAT has to come from it..

I need to stay more positive!!!  I'm sure I'm tired and that is what is getting me down...

PRESS FORWARD.......(is the key)

I will make this a GREAT day and stay patient...I definetely need patience today.....

 

I feel very blessed!!  As a Mom I completely have the bragging rights....(and really shouldn't we all brag about our kids?)  I have been teaching my kids since they were little guys how important it is to serve.....Even the smallest act is an act of service.  Small things can mean so much!!

I am grateful Kobe is learning this concept.  I have taught them that if we are crossing the parking lot to go into the store and a car is coming....and....they wait for us to walk across before they go...I have taught my kids to always give a wave to the person and say, "Thank You"  Today was no expection....Cute little Devin was carrying the empty water jugs into the grocery store so we could fill them with water.  A car patiently waited for us to cross and Devin to trail behind me holding his HUGE water jug....Devin got to the other side...Put down his water jug...Turned and looked at the car and waved really big and yelled, "THANK YOU"  It was really cute!! 

There isn't a day that when we go somewhere in the car that he is always opening my car door.  He always watches David open my door and he has come to learn that it has NOW become HIS JOB....He gets really really mad if his job is taken away...

His other job that he has learned is to take out the garbage twice a week.  This is his JOB to put it on the curb...It's also his job to bring it in....I never have to tell him...He just knows the day after we go to church is the day the garbage goes on...I love that about it...

I love that my kids WILL NOT leave the house in the morning for school or whatever it may be without family prayer.  Kobe is always good to remind me if I'm in a hurry and it slipped my mind..It doens't matter HOW late we take the time for family prayer...

The other day I took Kobe to the store with me and as we got out of the car I noticed Kobe was up to something.  He has noticed there were quite a few carts in the parking lot and he wanted to serve.  He gathered about 12 carts all on his own and put them away at the front of the store...

He did a great job and I was so proud of him..This is NOT the first time that he has done this..He seems to do this quite a bit...How proud I am of him...

Today, Devin wanted to help me as well.  My boys LOVE work and love JOBS...Devin knew I was needing to sand some wood and so he offered to do it...

He definetely had a good time helping me!!!  It sure went a lot faster when I used the electric sander...(Which I was able to get today) I LOVE IT!!!  Wow, it sure makes working with wood a lot faster...But, Devin was happy to sand some blocks for me with a sand block..He did a GREAT JOB!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Friday is our ward's Fire And Ice party and a fun Halloween party for the kids...

I'm not much of a chili maker AT ALL...I am perfectly happy with the can chili...But, I decided today I would try and make up a pot of chili....

It turned out good.....I'll just say that...actually, the flavor is EXCELLENT...however, the HEAT of it is fire alarming..HOLY COW!!!! I am trying to calm it down some...I will definetely have to calm a new batch down for Friday...The recipe called for 4 halbanero peppers...I only put in 2..YES, it's very hot..

But..that is NOT the worst part of it.......

Someone the juice of the pepper got into the pours of my hand....My left hand has been in SO MUCH pain today...It goes all the way up to my wrist....So, word to the wise..NEVER EVER get habanero peppers soaked into your skin....You will be hating life more than you know..

So...now I need to come up with a FIX for my chili.....ANY IDEAS?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

David's studying is paying off...He passed one of his tests tonight with flying colors.  Pharmacology seems to be his thing....He is doing such a GREAT job with Pharmacology....Tuesdays are always a very long day of school...But, I am so happy that the close of his night came to a good one with the success of his test tonight..

He has a VERY VERY big test coming up the first week of November and this one is a DO OR DIE test....I pray round the clock that this test will go smoothly for him...There is a minute in the day that I don't think about it...That I don't pray about it....I know he can do it.....He is so smart!!!  But, there is a lot to know...There isn't any set questions to go over...It's all on lectures he has had for the past several weeks..That is a lot to learn..A lot to memorize and a lot to think about...I know with Faith he will do great!!! I am so proud of him..He is working so hard and his hard work is paying off..

He spends many many hours studying..When the kids are gone he sits at the table and works for hours on things he needs to know...He also spends many many hours at the library....He is so dedicated to this that I know this is what he is supposed to be doing.  I only wish he would sleep better at night...He gets so worried and come to find out he always does GREAT!!!

I am so proud of him and all that he is doing!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are still working on our trial and times get tough.....We are thankful for such wonderful wonderful friends who are doing so much for us right now...We are so thankful for friends who always give us encouragement...

We are so thankful to my family who constantly give re-assuring words and a ton of confidence..They are excellent at giving such encouragement, love and support....My family is so proud of David and know without a doubt he can achieve anything....We are so grateful to have such a close tight family...I am so incredibly blessed.  I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful my family is...

So, to them...THANK YOU for all your kind words, for all you do for us, and all your encouragement...

I have the BEST Family in the world....

We are so blessed and I know without a doubt all experiences in this life our for our good!!!

I have been working on other Christmas crafts....I will post those as soon as I get them accomplished...I have been so busy the past 2 days I haven't had a chance to work on anything...OH...other than that...REALLY SPICY chili.....

 

Hmmmm got fix that ONE somehow....

It's been a day of crafts crafts and more crafts..I have felt productive (at least in the craft area today)  I can tell that I am going to be SO READY for bed tonight.

Now that some Christmas crafts are done....I think I need to start the laundry and start preparing to teach a lesson tomorrow.  Kobe's teach is gone and I need to teach his  Primary class.

Still lots to do and I'm so grateful I can stay busy.  I feel okay with what I'm doing because I am not staying idle...

It's been a good day..Kind of quiet and but it's flown by and I'm grateful to the Lord to help me out...

So, here is a few things I made today.  I have so many things in my head..I really just need to pace myself so that I have things to keep me busy on days that may be a little difficult.

I am blessed!

Is it possible to smile through a trial?

 

YES!!

 

I read a talk yesterday about a woman who was going through some pretty hard trials, challenges and hardships in her life.   It was a trial that she was forced to be in and by no means responsible for the situation she had recently found herself in.  She made the statement (long after the trial and hardship had healed) she almost wished she was still in that trial because of how she felt while she was in that trial.  Even though it was the most difficult time in her life she also received the most blessings. She grew so much because of this experience and her loving Heavenly Father was with her every step of the way.

My first thought to that was…Are you serious?  You really wish you were going through that trial still?  Then, I have to look at our own trial?  I understand what she feels.  The spirit is so strong, and there is not a doubt that our loving Heavenly Father is with us.  It’s unfortunate what we are going through and so sad but in my heart I know there is much growth because of this.

I have had several people say, “I hope you get through this.”  “I hope everything will be okay.”  Even David will say, “I hope”

Saying “I HOPE” is doubting that the trial will go away or that we will come out on top of this trial.  It’s almost like we are doubting our Heavenly Father what his ability is or that we doubt what we can learn from this.  Our Heavenly Father didn’t send us to this earth and say, “there ya go…have a good trip and I hope you remember what you learned in the pre existence…NOW go conquer the world.” 

David and I each time we are in the car we have been listening to a CD on Our Divine Purpose.  It’s quite long but full of great wisdom.  One chapter is on our pre mortal foundation.  I think I have replayed that chapter several times.

We don’t know long our pre mortal life was but we were able to learn and grow and receive such great wisdom, tools we would need and we were taught with great principles. We I’m sure had great spiritual experiences.  We were faithful to those principles and we learned so much and our spiritual strength was severly tested in the war in Heaven and we past.  As a member of Michael’s army we were able to defeat Satan.  If we had the capacity to be strong there and to over come that we certainly have the capacity to be here.  It wasn’t lost at birth.  The veil has kept us from knowing the strengths we had.  But by being from the house of Israel we were a chosen spirit to be here at this time and we were valiant in our testimony.  As a result we became a member of the elect.

I think we had knowledge of our trials or at least some knowledge.  I think we were given an awareness of what we would face in this life.  Mortality is the shortest but most difficult  phase of our progression. 

Joseph Smith makes this interesting observation that if we knew ALL things we may not have come to this earth.  We knew it would be difficult.  In coming here we were given free agency.  But we have also not been left alone.  I think if we understood just how short our life here is I think it would be easier to continue to push forward.  But, I’m learning it can…

Going back to, “I HOPE”… there isn’t such a word as “ I HOPE”!  I don’t want there to be any doubt.  Our way of speaking is what changes things what makes things better…Words of I HOPE needs to be replaced with..There is a reason for this trial.  There is a reason we need to grow at this time. There is a reason Heavenly Father needs me to grow at this time.  AND…I will find out just what it is.  Each day is not that easy.  It’s not easy to stay so positive each day.  But, I have decided I will not question why but that I will grow from this.  I have chosen to learn and grow and I have chosen to become a better person because of it.  I still have not been given any answers or how we will get through this but our trials are but a small moment.  I have a strong will and a strong desire to move forward.  I have a desire to expand and to become more Christ like.  I certainly will not be perfect every day.  But, each day I can grow and each day I can make progress.  Even if some days I still hit rock bottom and they aren’t the best of days.

I am so grateful for my loving family who I love very much.  I have such supportive parents who always have the right thing to say to make things seem brighter.  I have wonderful brothers who support me and my family and are the greatest joy to me.  I am grateful for my little family who bring me such joy and happiness.  I really know we are blessed. 

Today has been an OKAY day.  No answers..BUT…I was able to stay busy…My goal was to finish those cute little Christmas cans.  I guess I just didn’t have the creativity today to design those..Everything I came up with I didn’t like.  So, I decided I would save those for another day.  But, I did make a cute little Birthday can for a friend of Kobe's.  She just had a Birthday and I thought it would be fun to make her a Birthday present.

I made her a Birthday can and on the inside put little candies then made her a necklace and a bracelet with her name on it.  It turned out really cute.  I will have to post pictures of the jewelry tomorrow.

2nd half of this post to be written later...We were all craving NACHOS so of course I had to stop and enjoy yummy nachos with my family.  I think that is a key point going through a trial...Make time for fun..Make time for laughter and make time to enjoy life.  It helps to get through the trial.  It also pleases our Heavenly Father for him to see us doing this.  It's essential and lets off some stress during those stressful times. 

Anyway...here is the cute Birthday can I came up with....

 

Kobe kept saying, "Mom here name isn't LIVIA" it's OLIVIA...Oh funny!!!  There is a HUGE O but maybe it is deciving..OH WELL....At least I made her a bracelet with the letters all spelled out together OLIVIA....

It was fun to make today!!!

Each day we have been trying to give away angels.  We were able to give another angel away today and I know Kobe was so excited about that..Actually, it's been Kobe that has been finding ways to give those away.

This afternoon we had to go to the store...The grocery store there is always a very lonely looking door person.  She always looks gloom, shy and not sure of herself.  I always try and smile say hi and have a good day or night.  I have never had the opportunity to really talk to her.  Today when we were leaving the store Devin saw a big container of water and cups (for the cart guys) and he wanted some and I told him no..But, this girl hurried over and got Devin a drink and gave it to him as we were leaving.  She then was very quiet while she was trying to tell me something.  She was so soft spoken I didn't know what she had said...She repeated herself and that struck up a conversation.  The conversation only lasted maybe 3 or 4 minutes but I was finally able to talk to her and through very little conversation I knew she just wanted friends and to have the ability to talk to  people and to have people NOT judge her for her appearance or her shyness.  I was also able to see her name on her name tag so now when I go into the store I can talk to her by name and really become her friend.  Kobe later asked.."Mom, why did you sit and talk to her."  It was a great opportunity to talk to Kobe about how sometimes people just need to be heard, or to feel accepted.  It didn't take anything from our time to sit and talk.  In fact, it was wonderful.  I look forward to talking with her again in the future and hopefully brining cheer and joy to her.

I was thinking about talks or conferences that I've heard.  Who are the best speakers that we constantly love to hear.  It's generally those who have had many life experiences.  I think a favorite to most is President Monson.  He always has profound words, wonderful stories and wonderful words of wisdom.  He has had trials too...He has also walked with those who have had trials and is able to share with us the trials of others and how they have come through those trials.  What comfort President Monson always brings to us.  President Eyring so soft spoken so filled with the spiritual, so meek and humble.  Those are just a couple.  The ones we love to hear are the ones who have gone through many trials.  Not that I want to go through TONS of trials in my life.  But, I believe the trials we are given help us to grow NOW and help us to become who we need to become in the future and to help others.  Our experiences strengthen others.  I have the desire to do that..I have a desire to grow from this and I have a desire to help others when there trials may face them. 

David had clinicals today and it was such a good day for him..  He was treating a patient and his instructor pulled him aside after and said I need to talk to you...he apparently was the only one that did something..David was so worried he messed up.  It was far from that..he really communicated with the patient and told her exactly what he was doing.  He made her feel at ease and put a smile on her face.  He communicated well with her.  

This is the signs that shows me David will be successful.  His road is hard right now but his experiences are going to be ones that others will want to learn from.

To celebrate getting through today..Because we need to do that...I made a YUMMY pumpkin roll...Oh it's delicious..I of course wanted to add NUTS to it..But, David HATES nuts on anything..So, being the wonderful wife I am (grin) I made the pumpkin roll without nuts...It still was good..Next time I'll make it with nuts...

NOW...it's time to wrap up this novel.....and go finish my nachos and sit down and watch Survivor from this past Thursday.

Just a huge shout out to my friends who are keeping us in there prayers and for helping us.....You are loved by us in so many ways and we are grateful to you...We are the lucky ones to know you....

Life really is a blessing!!!!