Fresh

Well, the snow has started to melt and the rain has replaced it. I love how the rain makes everything fresh again. I have been thinking about the new year and today when I saw the rain I thanked my Heavenly Father for the new start. Of course, I will do the goals of losing weight and learning something new this year but I will also strength my soul too. If I take small things like, reading my scriptures daily and going to the temple weekly I know that my spirit will benefit, greatly. Sometimes, I think that I get overwhelmed with the standard that I know that I need to reach. My Heavenly Father knows that I am capable and He wants me to achieve but He also knows that I am human. He knows that I need a way of starting over and being fresh. He has giving me the atonement. He has also giving me my Savior. My Savior will be my advocate. He will stand with me and give me mercy. I am so grateful for that. Just as the rain washes the earth, my Savior, Jesus Christ will help me to wash away my shortcomings and help me into exaltation. Isn't that great. It brings me such comfort. I love how each precept that I learn builds my testimony. Our restored gospel comes directly from our Heavenly Father. During this year I will do my best to achieve all I need to do but when I come up short...and I know that that will happen (at least once, ha ha) my Savior and my Heavenly Father will be there with out stretched arms helping me to stand again.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Today is my Mom and Dad's 36th Wedding Anniversary. I am so thankful for their example of a happy, eternal marriage. My parents are the greatest couple. They love to hold hands. They date as much as they can. I know that in my Dad's eyes, my Mom lights up a room every time she walks in. I hope that you enjoy your day, I love you both!

Snow Cavin'...Can You Believe It

Since church was canceled we got to have time together. What better way to spend time together then to make a snow cave! Jeremiah shoveled the drive and the sidewalk into our yard. Then he dug out the hole for the cave...


All done! They played in it for a while.

Wyatt loved it...I think that he is part polar bear.

It was so much fun just being together. It was definitely a treasured memory!

All is Well

I just wanted to report that Elijah's surgery went great! He is home and all is well. He is in the land of popsicles and ice cream but is starting to eat some foods. The doctor thinks that his hearing should be restored to normal and he shouldn't be so sick. So cross your fingers everyone! Thank you for all your prayers.

I love the snow!

It is a week before Christmas and I am not even close to being done! The snow has put a cramp in my style! Don't get me wrong I do love it...but...I have so much to do! So just as I was starting to curse it I checked my email and saw a great reminder about why the snow is not so bad...it could be WAY worse...

Check out the ice! This is in Switzerland...

Snow is nothing! I love the snow! I am not going to worry about the Christmas stuff...Santa will bring everything, Right?!!

Our Great Weekend

This last weekend we were able to go and visit our dear family and friends. Our dear friends, the Reck family were sealed in the temple to their 3 newly adopted little girls. Earlier this year they(Mom, Dad, Domi and Christina) were sealed to their other 3 adopted children. They are now a totally complete eternal family. Congrats to you all!

We also got to visit with all the family and enjoy getting really hugs from them, not just phone hugs and kisses. We are truely blessed to have such great people in our lives. It does take a village to raise children (and most adults). I am so thankfully for the snowy whether...it helped us be able to stay another day!

Reflections of Christ

This is why we do what we do...watch this movie and feel...Reflections of Christ.

Now the Christmas Season has Begun...

The Christmas season has now officially begun. The Christmas devotional was beautiful, (as usual). If you haven't see/hear it yet take some time to be spiritually fed. It is soooo worth it! Merry Christmas to you all!

Oh The Joy...

Last Sunday was a great "love being a Mom" moment. During church Elijah asked to go to the bathroom so I gave him the speak about being reverent and folding his arms then let him go. About 10 minutes later he returned with a strange look on his face I asked him what was wrong and the conversation went as follows...

{Now keep in mind, Elijah doesn't whisper, really at all and we are in a very quiet time during church}
Elijah..."Mom, me need you to wipe my bottom. Me couldn't do it very good"
Me..."Elijah, please whisper. Just sit and I will do it after sacrament."
Elijah..."Mom, me need you to do it now. I can't sit. It feels funny. I am just going to stand"
Me..."Elijah, please whisper!!
Elijah..."I think that I have poop on my bottom. Me really do!"
Me..."Okay, let's go but please whisper and fold your arms and walk reverently."

I guess I share this somewhat gross event because I am sure some of you have gone through it and are laughing. Also because Heavenly Father has taught us to be like little children. Elijah is humble and he knows when something isn't right and wants it taken care of right away. I love that about him. In my own life I can totally learn from that event. I need to not just smile and let things slide. I need to stand up when things are not right. I need to also be humble and ask for help and advice. Heavenly Father doesn't want us to do this alone. Which is great because I definitely need all the help I can get! Being a Mom is the greatest job ever...I just love it!

A Recap of Events

Well I haven't posted in a while...life has been (is always) crazy. Thanksgiving was so great! Jeremiah and I leisurely woke up around 9am and started cooking the feast. It was the best! We had the music going. We would stop mixing and baking to get in a dance or two. It was so much fun. The kids just played...it was totally like a thanksgiving moment of bliss! Our friends came over around 1:30pm and we enjoyed a super feast! After dinner we laughed about silly things like sleeping habits of our spouses. Ha, Ha! Friday came and so did the Christmas decor. By the end of Saturday we had totally decked the halls. I am now on the search for the perfect gifts and for me leg warmers. I am a little obsessed right now about them I think that they will solve some of the fashion dilemmas of staying warm but still looking cute. I was looking for tall ones and I have found them so my dream/obsession will come true. Ha, Ha...silly I know. I just love the holidays. Have a very merry Christmas! Enjoy the moments...whether they are perfect or a little lacking, they are your moments to treasure.

Question?

Life really boils down to 2 questions:

1. Should I get a dog?




2. Should I have children?


My sister sent me this email today...I had to share because I couldn't stop laughing!

Keep your head up!

Do you ever feel like this picture? Limp and not going anywhere...never fear! Remember you are a child of God. You came from divinity! He is rooting for you every minute of every day! So shake off your limp attitude and start swinging! All is Well!

Do Something Now

I am totally disturbed by the FOCA. This would eradicate state and federal laws that the majority of Americans support, such as:

• Bans on Partial Birth Abortion
• Requirements that women be given information about the risks of getting an abortion
• Only licensed physicians can perform abortions
• Parents must be informed and give consent to their minor daughter's abortion

FOCA would erase these laws and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.Please do your research and help us stop this gassly bill from passing. Check out the info on the button to the right also the youtube videos. Thank you!

The Plan

Sometimes it takes a while but I think that I finally am starting to get it. I am so grateful for the patience of my Heavenly Father! I have had several conversations about blind faith lately and I have come to the conclusion of when you are in a very dark tunnel and there is no light to see which way is the right way it is smart to follow the person with the flashlight. I have done lots of things in my life both for the good and not. I can totally tell when I was following the "flashlight" and when I was doing things on my own. I know that by following the Prophets I could not go astray. Sometimes, I didn't understand exactly where or why I need to do those things but I knew that if the "flashlight" was in their hands I could not go astray. Today I had a great epiphany! All of the choices I have made have led me to this day and this situation that I am in. I love my hubby. He is wonderful. We followed the plan and what a blessing. I know that currently in the world people are confused about our Heavenly Father's plan. Our Prophets have been very clear,

"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Prophets speak for our Heavenly Father so therefore this is what our Father in Heaven wants for his children. It is not discrimination. It is just the plan. We all have our agency, that is what he wanted for us. He loves us all. We need to love everyone too. We just need to remember to not get caught up in the PC thing to do or say. We know the truth and we need to live it.

Eternal Road Trip

I feel just a little bit reverent about my kids today. I am so grateful for their innocent smiles and giggles. As a parents we have so much to learn from them. I have been so consumed with my "plans". I think that the Adversary is so good at diverting your best intentions. When it comes right down to it, my family is all that matters in this life. The way we treat one another, the way we teach each other and the example we set. What a simple plan! Heavenly Father is so smart. Why does the world twist it so? We have been counseled to take time and enjoy each one of our beautiful children and our spouse. I love the eternal perspective! I love the fact that the small things don't really matter. The road to Heaven is on the Eternal highway. I need to remember that when we are on this "road trip" to pack enough snack and games to entertain the kids so that they don't lose interest in the trip. A couple of morning ago, Elijah woke me up with a sweet kiss. He had a book and snuggled in to me. I asked him, "What book is that?" three times. I didn't understand why he was looking at me like that. He looked at me and said, "Mommy, I don't speak Spanish." I laughed, I thought that I was speaking clearly but I guess not! Since that morning I have been thinking about that experience. When I think that I am speaking clearly and setting a "good" example, how are my children interpreting my actions? I am so grateful for this important job of Mother. I hope you are all proud of your job title too! What a blessing. I hope that I will be able to help each one of them grow their testimonies so that they will want and understand the importance of our Eternal Road Trip.

Democracy at Work

Wow...I am so glad that is over! Now we all can move on and just breathe. I am so grateful today for the opportunity we all have to live in the United States of America. What an awesome thing we witnessed yesterday. I am grateful for the peaceful change of leadership. The Beatles said it best, "Let it Be, Let it Be". God bless America.

Follow the Prophets

In these times of uncertainty we can ALWAYS turn to our Prophet and Apostles for direction. I found this Ensign article, Finding Peace and I thought that I would share...



“To find peace—the peace within, the peace that passeth understanding—men must live in honesty, honoring each other, honoring obligations, working willingly, loving and cherishing loved ones, serving and considering others, with patience, with virtue, with faith and forbearance, with the assurance that life is for learning, for serving, for repenting, and improving. And God be thanked for the blessed principle of repenting and improving, which is a way that is open to us all.”
Elder Richard L. Evans


Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion. In our ears there may sound the sophistry of Satan as he whispers, “You cannot save the world; your small efforts are meaningless. You haven’t time to be concerned for others.” Trusting in the Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are firmly planted in the path of service and our hearts and souls dedicated to follow the example of the Lord. In moments when the light of resolution dims and when the heart grows faint, we can take comfort from His promise: “Be not weary in well-doing. … Out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.”
President Thomas S. Monson



President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) counseled us: “The price of peace is righteousness. Men and nations may loudly proclaim, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there shall be no peace until individuals nurture in their souls those principles of personal purity, integrity, and character which foster the development of peace. Peace cannot be imposed. It must come from the lives and hearts of men. There is no other way.”


We need to press forward and smile. We are and have been given the guidance it is our job to ponder, pray and put into practice. I am so thankful for our Prophets!

Food For Thought...

A President's pension currently is $191,300.00 per year, until he is 80 years old.
Assuming the next president lives to age 80, Sen. McCain would receive ZERO pension as he would reach 80 at the end of two terms as president.
Sen. Obama would be retired for 26 years after two terms and would receive $4,973,800.00 in pension.
Therefore, it would certainly make economic sense to elect McCain in November.
How's that for non-partisan thinking?????

Our Yogurt Lover

Wyatt is our yogurt lover! He was eating yogurt and was being so cute so I thought I would share...
When Wyatt eats yogurt he does the happy dance. He wiggles his hips and humms...very cute!

TODAY is the LAST DAY!

Today is the last day to get registered in the state of Washington. I know that it is a little frustrating sometimes with the electoral college but our vote does count. Jeremiah and I haven't registered yet for Washington so we are going to the Court house today with the kids for family home evening. It will be a great way to show/teach them about the voting process. I am sure you are all ready to go but if not...they are open till 8pm tonight. Have a great family home evening!

Remembering to Smile

With all we hear about the turmoil in our country isn't nice to know that we always have our families and we can always laugh with them or make fun of them!!

run towards them for a big hug...

count of them to always make you giggle...

or just be plain silly!!
I just love my silly family! Thank you for the fun day!!

Road to Recovery

I just wanted to post that we are home and Elijah is making a speedy recovery! After 3 days in the hospital with MRSA we got the okay to come home and finish his recuperation. I am so grateful for modern medicine without it our Elijah could of had a different outcome. Thank you to all who sent us dinners, blessings and your love. Thank you so much.

Grapes!

We had our own "Stomp Weekend". My mom and dad came from Oregon this weekend and we went and picked grapes! Isn't she cute!

It was so much fun! We picked off only 2 vines and look at the amount...


When we got home we started making the juice...it was going to be hard but with the handy, dandy juicer contraption it was so easy. At the end of the day we had almost 2 dozen quarts of pure, all natural grape juice with no fuss, no muss! I love canning! (I guess I shouldn't say that it makes me sound super old!!)

Tag...I'm It

Thank you so much Jan...I guess tag I'm it! Okay let's see what I can tell you about me!


1. I love to clean! I know crazy and maybe a little obsessive compulsive but none the less I really do love it. I love to organize and I love to clean others' home too. I almost prefer that because I can leave it in a clean condition and not have to watch it get messy again. The bottom line is that I just love cleaning!

2. I had my first two children in the hospital with all the drugs available to me and then I had the next two at home with nothing to dull the pain but my thoughts of my husband getting a vasectomy. To be honest, I absolutely loved the spiritual experience of the home birth. I would recommend it to anyone who has uncomplicated births! It was great!

3. Jeremiah and I were married 3 months after we met in the Portland, Oregon Temple. Heavenly Father brought us together and we just trusted in Him. I am so lucky because he is my best friend. I can count on him. I feel so lucky to know that we will be together forever!

4. I learned how to can/preserve food this year and am totally loving it! As you may tell from my blog.

5. I can curl my tongue...

6. I love muscle cars and vintage race cars. One of my favorite movies is "Gone in 60 seconds". That movie is full of beautiful cars (and Nicolas Cage). I would love to have any one of those cars. I love the sound and everything about them!! In high school I dated a boy for his green Mustang. It was I think a '67 and totally restored. Just cherry. He would take me to the drive in. Ah, I remember that car well!

7. I hate roller coasters. I am a big baby!

Okay, now it is my turn to play tag...I tag...Terra, Debbie, Debie, Amy, Zaylie, Terri, Jodi . I can't wait to read what you all say!

Just to Let You Know...

Hello all! I just started a blog for the cub scouts in pack 180. The blog address is cubscoutingwith180.blogspot.com. I will be adding a calender of the events that we will be doing. Also you will be able to follow along with the fun we are having!!! Comments are great!

You are Smokin' Chickens!!

Well this last weekend Jeremiah took his first steps on the road of outdoor BBQing! He has perfected the hot dog and the burger but he wanted to expand his menu so he with the help of his Dad smoked his first chickens. After 4 hours in the smoker and then borrowing a meat thermometer (thank you Romm Family) he did it! They were great! Good job Honey!!

Firey Food Festival...NOT so Firey

We went to the firey food festival last weekend...kinda a dud but Grandmom and Grandad from Tillamook were visiting so it made it great fun! It was more like a farmer's market...we were just expecting lots of fiery food. We bought a couple of bushes of peppers...as you can see from the picture they were just loaded! On Monday Jeremiah made pepper jelly. It was hot, just the way we like it! The rest of the day our hands just burned! I guess when they say to wear the gloves they really mean it! Next year, we might go again just for the pepper bushes but it really wasn't that great of a festival! Oh well!

Pack Night

Jack earned his Weblos! We are so proud of him. He also earned his handyman, craftsman, aquanaut and fitness. All the boys are cruisen' with all their awards and accomplishments! Cub Scouts are so important to him. I am totally understanding and gaining a testimony of the Scout program. Our boys need this program. John Oberman is a great example to our boys. The Scouting program teaches our boys how to set goals and it recognizes each and every accomplishment they do, which is so important. I think that if we can continue to build up our boys with positive influence they will be able to do what they need to do to serve our Heavenly Father. Good Job, Pack 180!

Look How We Labored On Labor Day

With the crazy help of everyone we got 75 ears of corn canned and 2 boxes of pears done this holiday weekend! It was great we all had our little stations and everyone did a great job! Next week we are doing peaches and tomatoes. This will be a great addition to the stuff that we have done earlier this summer!

Elijah's First Day of Pre-School

Elijah started pre-school today with Debbie Hughes. He was so happy to go. When we got there there was a group of boys sitting around a toy. Elijah walked up to them and said, "Hi, I'm here!" The one boy said, "Wow, are you a real person?" Elijah then said, "Oh yes, I am really, real!" After that he ran over and said, "Bye Mom, have a great day!" School went great and WE are excited about it!