Happy Thanksgiving!!

Well, I’m finally getting around to writing about Thanksgiving!! This year Michael and I decided to host!! There is something about the holidays and big family gatherings that gets me really excited. We started out with a count of 16 people which quickly grew to 24 – the more the merrier!! Michael and I stayed up the night before making stuffing, preparing yams and potatoes, and baking pies. We also got the turkey ready by putting it in a yummy marinade that Michael made. We finally called it a night at 11:30pm and set our alarm for 6:30am, we wanted to make sure the turkey was done on time. My mom told me the key to making a good turkey is to have it done on time.



We got up at 6:30am and got the turkey stuffed and put it in the oven then we went back to bed. At 11:30 am our turkey was done!! And our guests weren’t expected to arrive until 2:00pm. We decided to let the Turkey rest and put it in the oven down stairs at 170 degrees. It turned out great!! It turned out really moist which is exactly what we were afraid would not happen.



After all our guests arrived the feast began! It was great to catch up with everyone. Annie spent the afternoon interviewing everyone on what they were grateful for or what their favorite part of Thanksgiving was(thank you Annie for your handy work with the video recorder!). The adults were unanimously grateful for FAMILY!! And the kids were unanimously grateful for TURKEY!!



It appears that the kids had a great time too!! Glad I was able to see it on video! The cousins played football and just had fun running around in general! Just the way it should be!

More Aiden-isms



The other day while we were driving home Aiden said “Mom, trick-or-treating is over, next time I will be Ironman”

I was so eager to explain Christmas to Aiden and now every morning driving to school he asks “can we go to Christmas Mom?” one day he said “Mommy where is Christmas, is it lost?"

Annie picked Aiden up from school and while driving home a song came on the radio and he said to Annie “Jesus wrote this song!”

Aiden is already in control of the radio, he tells me he wants me to put on “Jonny Cash” or he wants to listen to “Colbie Caillat” and he wants it on “hard” instead of loud.

Aiden has already started his Christmas list, he told me “I want lighting McQueen for Christmas, a motorcycle with a helmet, and a four-wheeler!” Every commercial he sees he tells me and Michael “Christmas is going to give me that!”

At home or in the car Aiden will say “I’m a teacher mom, use whispers”

He always asks “Mom who bought this?” When I tell him I bought something he’ll say “actually Michael did” or “Thanks Mom!” Yesterday I told him Grandma bought the napkins he was using and he said “I love you Grandma!!”

Aiden thinks it’s hilarious to say “Mom! Mom!” and when I say “what?” he laughs and says “never mind.”

Christine was watching Aiden the other day and said he and Sarah had gotten into a fight so Aiden yelled “DAMIT! DAMIT!” and Sarah responded “SHUTUP!” I of course blamed Grandma because everyone knows that is her choice of swear words and I never swear!!

Aiden colored all over my kitchen floor this weekend, when I asked him why he did it he said “I didn’t do it, the Shaggy Wolf did” when Michael said “I don’t think so” Aiden quickly changed his story and said “Bear did it!”

This morning Aiden said “My Harley boots have germs on them.” I told him I would clean them, he said “I will lick them!” I said “ew!” he laughed and said “I’m just teasing you.”

Top 10 things I love about my husband!!



1. I love that he is a righteous priesthood holder

2. He is absolutely brilliant!! He knows everything about everything!

3. He spoils me rotten!! How many husbands cook and clean and sew?? Not to mention the manicures, pedicures and back massages he gives me!!

4. He is a wonderful husband and father

5. I love his sense of humor

6. He is a fabulous cook (my personal favorites are his ribs and lemon chicken!)

7. He is handsome and charming

8. I love his deep sultry voice

9. He has the most attractive smile, and the cutest dimples!

10. I love his cute little butt (Yes I said it!!)

Soap Box Sunday

I am so grateful we have the opportunity to attend church each Sunday. It really does give me the spiritual pick me up I am so desperately in need of each week. It is also so fulfilling to watch my Husband continue to grow in the church. Yesterday Michael blessed the Sacrament for the first time. I could tell he was a little nervous but he did a great job! He was very deliberate and clear in giving the blessing. I am so proud of the righteous priesthood holder he has become. He also received his first calling yesterday!!! He is a member of our Christmas Planning committee!! He will be sustained next week!

This week I want to share my testimony on the law of tithing. This has been something I have struggled with in the past because I always feel so poor!! I use to pay my tithing and then expect something in return. When I didn’t get anything I felt discouraged.

One day I was listening to David Ramey (who is Baptist by the way) on the subject of tithing, he said “The tithe, which is a scriptural mandate, was not instituted for God's benefit because He already has all the money He needs. He does not need our money. Tithing was created for our benefit. It is to teach us how to keep God first in our lives and how to be unselfish people. Unselfish people make better husbands, wives, friends, relatives, employees, and employers. God is trying to teach us how to prosper over time.”

It was then that I decided I would pay my tithing without expectation. I couldn’t afford it, I literally had no room in my already tight budget but I decided that I was going to put God first and that I was going to be faithful. When I did this every month I seemed to get by, checks magically appeared in the mail!! Seriously! I got refunded on things I hadn’t expected or received money back on purchases.

Lately, we have really struggled financially, when I look at our income and outgoing expenses I get very stressed out because we are always in the negative. We continue to pay our tithing faithfully and we seem to get by and we continue to receive financial blessings such as renting out our STL house or being refunded on accounts that were over paid 3 years ago!!

I testify that the law of tithing is a gift from our Heavenly Father and will help us learn to become more Christ like if we will pay it faithfully and without expectation we will be blessed.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It is official, winter is here! Even though the winter solstice is still 6 weeks away, I am counting this as the official start of winter because it snowed for the first time this week (yes, I know it actually snowed last month, but I was out of town so I’m not counting it!).



Although winter is not my favorite time of year, because I don’t like to be cold, there are a few things I’m looking forward to. I absolutely love the holiday festivities! I love listening to Christmas music and I love to drive around looking at the Christmas lights. I am looking forward to having my family over for Thanksgiving dinner, to making a turkey, and baking pies. I can’t wait to put up our Christmas tree and to make my traditional Christmas candies!!



I love to play in the snow with Aiden – sledding and building snowmen. I love it when it snows turning everything into a winter wonder land. I love the snow covered mountains especially at sun rise or sun set when the sun casts a pink hue on them or during the night – it is truly breath taking to see the white mountains against the midnight blue sky.


(I took this picture yesterday on the way home from Grandma's and it looks even better when you blow it up)

Finally, I am looking forward to snuggling up with my sweetheart on the couch in front of the fire watching our favorite Christmas flicks and slipping hot chocolate.

November 4, 2008

The United States made history this election day by putting the first colored president in office. While Obama wasn’t the candidate I voted for I am happy I was able witness this historic event. It really is amazing to see how far we have come as a nation in terms of civil rights. It was just 90 years ago that women received the right vote. I am very grateful for the brave women who suffered unmentionable atrocities so that women could have the right to vote. To read more on the woman’s suffrage movement view the following link. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/tactics.pdf

Soap Box Sunday

We had a very powerful lesson in relief society yesterday on gratitude. The lesson started off listing off people who we knew were truly happy and then another list of people who were unhappy. After much discussion we came to the conclusion that the stark difference between people who are truly happy and those who are not is gratitude.

Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the twelve apostles said “Gratitude is a state of appreciation, an act of thanksgiving, which causes us to be humble because we recognize an act of kindness, service, or caring from someone else which lifts us and strengthens us.” Conversely, he said “Ingratitude is the attitude of being unaware or not recognizing when someone has assisted us or helped us or, even worse, when we know we have been helped and have not given thanks privately or publicly.”

What struck me the most in this lesson was a point on entitlement, how often do we say to ourselves “why is this happening to me” or “I’ve done everything I’m supposed to” or “this isn’t fair”. I have often heard myself say these things as if I’m entitled to something better or as if what I have isn’t good enough. This is how Satan wants us to feel because we become so blinded by our selfishness that we forget how blessed we are which ultimately leads to unhappiness.

I have been the recipient of countless blessing, enumerable services and acts of kindness. I would be remised if I didn’t say how appreciative I am for my Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ for all the blessing I enjoy in my life. I am incredibly thankful for our families who have helped us in so many ways!! I am thankful for the people who positively influence and shape our children’s lives. I am grateful to the mothers of our children who work hard to provide for them and who affectionately care for them. I am grateful to my son who has taught me not only to love but what true joy is. I am grateful for my Husband who has gone without so many times so that I don’t have to, who always puts my needs first, and who loves me unconditionally. He has been an incredible example to me in so many things and I am very grateful to have him in my life!

Trick-or-Treat!!

This year by far was the best Halloween we’ve had! Aiden was finally old enough to fully understand and appreciate trick-or-treating!! Of course he dressed up as Spiderman! He’d asked me the night before what I was going to dress up as so Michael and I decided to go as the Dread Pirate Roberts and Princess Buttercup. We really couldn’t find much in the way of costumes the night before Halloween but I did find a princess crown and wand. Michael was able to make a mask out of an old black shirt; the rest of his costume was easy, black shirt, pants and shoes. When Aiden saw my costume I told him I was a princess to which he replied “Mommy, where’s your princess pants?





Rose and Phil came to our house with the boys to pose for pictures on the porch; this has been a tradition of ours for three years running.



After pictures we all headed to Grandpa Robbins to trick-or-treat.



Then we went to Christine’s for dinner and trick-or-treating. It was so fun to watch Aiden and his cousins run from door to door yelling trick-or-treat!



There was a one house with a witch passing out candy. Aiden was very scared until I turned her in to a nice lady with my fairy princess wand.



At the end of the night we headed back to Christine’s to watch Ichabod and drink hot chocolate.

Soap Box Thursday

I didn’t do a soap box Sunday this week so I’m doing a soap box Thursday instead. A few weeks ago my mom gave me some really good advice to pray for my “enemies.” I kind of took the advice tongue and cheek but I’ve been thinking about it since she said it.

The word enemy in and of itself is pretty strong, according to websters.com an enemy is “a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another; an adversary or opponent.” In flashes of anger I have at times felt hatred for others, and have even felt like getting even. Thankfully reason kicks in and these are just fleeting thoughts, part of my human idiocy factor I guess. I also know there are others who have felt this way toward me. I have been taught that it is a sin to feel this way, and as I have become an adult I know this to be true – these feelings are toxic.

In Matthew 5:44 it says “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” I decided I would try an experiment and take my mother’s advice and pray for my enemies. As I did this, I learned in this process that it is not enough to pray that your enemy’s hearts will be softened, that they will see things your way, or that they will come around. We must come to the Lord in all sincerity for this person and pray for this person independently of ourselves. We must pray to see these individuals as the Lord does, to love them as he does, and to pray for their happiness and well being.

This has been one of the most liberating and humbling experiences of my life. I suddenly felt compassion for someone whom I resented. I suddenly felt an appreciation for their set of circumstances. All feelings of hate and anger completely dissipated, and I suddenly felt peace.

I realize that this is an ongoing process that I must constantly be praying for my “enemies” day and night. It is not just a onetime ordeal. It is a difficult thing to do when you feel anger but the Lord wisely commands it. He does this for us, for our well being, so that we can feel peace so that we can move on.

Look who’s talking too!!



Mathew is starting to talk a lot more and the things he has to say are soooo cute!!

Mathew loves Scooby doo! If you ask him about Scooby doo, he’ll say “Scooby Doo!!” Or he’ll break out into song singing “scooby dooby doo where are you...."

He loves to pretend! This weekend he chased his shadow as he made monster movements shouting “Monsta!, Monsta!”

He loves his baby brother whom he affectionately refers to as “Den Dee”

When he is hungry he says “I want dinner!” regardless of what meal time it actually is

While playing in the park he missed the ball that was rolled to him and he says “oh man!!”

Happy Birthday Aiden!!

Yesterday we celebrated Aiden’s 3rd birthday!! We had a Spiderman party and invited all of Aiden’s aunts, uncles, and cousins! We had quite the crowd, 17 in total!!



The cousins all dressed up as Spiderman, it was so adorable! They ran around the house using their “punching whistles” as Adam called them and pretended to throw spider webs at each other!



Aiden was completely spoiled and had an absolute ball! I was absolutely thrilled because it was so important for to have this day be special and memorable for Aiden. After all, we were celebrating his birth!!



Now for the sappy part! I am truly blessed to have this little angle in my life. Having Aiden has been my single greatest accomplishment! He has completely changed my life in a way I never could have imagined or hoped for. He inspires me to be a better person every day. When I saw Aiden it was love at first sight! When I first brought him home I used to watch him sleep and would often cry out of pure joy! I truly believe that motherhood is the closest thing we have to Godliness. I am so grateful to have Aiden in my life and I pray that the Lord will continue to guide me as I strive to raise a valiant young man who will grow to serve and love the Lord! Most of all I pray that Aiden will have Joy in his life!

Happy Birthday Angle Baby!!

Slumber Party!!

A couple weeks ago I promised Bear he could have a sleep over with Aiden at my house. Tonight was the big night. Rose wasn’t sure I could hack it especially with Michael out of town but I assured her I was up for that task. Then I guilted Sam into hanging out so I would have back up just in case.

This is their first official sleep over because there was no babysitting required. The boys have been anticipating this big day ever since I mentioned it, so I went out of my way to make sure it was everything they hoped it would be.

When Bear arrived I explained that we were going to eat pizza, popcorn, candy, and lemonade aka pooh pooh drink! Bear brought cheetos and moon pies as well. I explained that we were going to get belly aches to which bear responded “AWESOME! Mom We’re going to get belly aches!”



After pizza the boys decided to play football, a favorite past time. Bear brought his helmet special for this occasion. The boys grabbed an over sized stuffed bunny and took turns charging and tackling it.





After a while they were tired and told me to bring out the big bed! (air mattress). We made up the bed and popped in Dumbo. We ate popcorn, sour patch watermelons, and candy corn, and lemonade of course.



Soon the boys tired from this and wanted to play toys, so they dumped out Aiden’s basket of toys and took turns throwing them on the bed. Aiden jumped off the bed and landed on a car which cut his foot pretty good. I took him into my room to doctor him up. Bear came in to inspect the damage and said “oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I don’t like blood!”

Once we got that taken care of they decided to play superheroes! Aiden insisted that bear wear his “Spiderman jamy-jams with wings!” The boys played superhero fight – throwing webs at each other, flying and such. In their “fighting” Bear says “Oh Crap!” Aiden explained to Bear that “We don’t say oh crap, we say oh darnet!”



Bear then got an “ouie” on his foot and informed me he would need his socks on. Rose left some of Phils socks here so I put them on Bear. The boys thought that was pretty “awesome” and Aiden wanted some of Michael’s socks to wear. He went running as fast as he could into my bedroom and exclaimed “I’m gonna ware my daddy’s socks!!”



Finally the boys tired and we put on Toy Story and they both eventually fell asleep. Here’s crossing my fingers they sleep through the night!!

Before and After

I love before and after pictures! Especially when you can see marked improvement. I mentioned in an earlier post that we were putting shutters up to give the house more curb appeal. This made a HUGE difference in how the house looks and it only cost $20!



Last weekend we harvested our garden, pulled up our annuals and planted tulips!! It is hard to believe winter is just around the corner!!

Another Tag

I am......strong
I miss.....MICHAEL!
I think.... there for I am
I know.....that my redeemer lives
I want..... to know all things
I search..... for truth and knowledge
I wish..... to make the world a better place
I hate.....that word
I am..... tired
I fear..... germs
I always.....brush my teeth
I love..... my family
I feel..... happy
I hear..... music
I smell..... popcorn
I don't.... like to be cold
I wonder.....what my darling is doing now
I care..... about people
I regret..... too many things
I am..... a mother, lover, and wife
I believe..... in dreams
I dance..... for fun
I sing..... all the time
I write..... for my children
I win..... uhhh….??
I lose..... time
I never..... have time for everything I want to accomplish
I listen..... to everything
I can.....do anything I put my mind to
I tag..... Amanda and Janessa!

Aiden-isms



When I call Aiden "honey" he promptly tells me "I'm not honey, Michael is honey!"

I was watching Work and the Glory and Aiden says, “That movie is not appropriate mom!”

While driving home from Grandma’s Aiden says “mommy! I need my cell phone!”

Saturday morning Aiden knocks at my door and says “Mommy it’s 10:00 in the morning! It’s time to wake up.”

While carving pumpkins I pulled the "guts" out of mine and Aiden said “that’s disgusting mom!”

We were driving by a house that was decorated with Halloween things and Aiden says “Mommy that’s Smookey!” instead of spooky

Last night Aiden was telling me “Halloween’s not scary, it’s make believe.”

When Aiden talks on his cell phone with Spiderman he’ll explain “mommy can’t come to the phone right now she is busy!”

Pumpkin Patch!

For Three years running Rose and I have had a Halloween tradition of taking our boys to Farmer Grant’s pumpkin patch. This is something our mother took us to do when we were young. Our boys are starting to love this tradition almost as much as we do!



We started out walking through the pumpkin patch and into the corn maze. Aiden and Bear loved the maze and ran almost the entire time. Michael and I took turns chasing after them telling them to wait for us. Following the corn maze is an area with all sorts of farm animals for the kids to look at and feed. This eventually led us to the spook alley or alley of lights as they call it.



Finally, we finished and it was time to pick our pumpkins! We had a blast loading the boys up in the wagon trying to get them to pose for a picture…. They are never very cooperative when it comes to taking their pictures. …



We each picked our own pumpkin - the idea was to get something that resembled each of us.



Tonight we had a fun carving our pumpkins!



Aiden was little grossed out by the pumpkin guts…but loved eating the roasted pumpkin seeds.



The pumpkins turned out great and we are officially ready for Halloween!

Soap box Sunday

I’ve decided to take a page from Janessa’s book and write my own soap box Sunday. This Sunday was particularly special because Michael administered the sacrament for the first time. Although he hasn’t been officially called, the bishop did request he plan on administering the sacrament for a while. I am thrilled because it is not only a great example for Aiden, but it also helps Michael to fulfill his priesthood calling. It is also so much fun to see how everyone in the ward gets so excited to see this new convert advance in the church!



This week our Relief Society lesson was on “Stand fast through the storms of life.” How appropriate given that this has been a constant theme in my life the last few months. This lesson was a great reminder that my challenges in life really pale in comparison to so many other peoples. I am really blessed to have a job that allows me to provide for my family. I have an amazing son and a wonderful husband and a family that loves me.



Joseph Smith taught that our trials help shape the people we become, “Trials will only give us the knowledge Necessary to understand the minds of the ancients. For my part, I think I never could have felt as I now do, if I had not suffered the wrongs that I have suffered. All things shall work together for the good to them that love God." (Romans 8:28)

Joseph Smith also teaches that “All difficulties which might and would cross our way must be surmounted. Though the soul be tired, the heart be faint, and the hands hang down, we must not retrace our steps; there must be decision of character.” I love this quote particularly the comment about the decision of character. It is so easy for me to feel bad for myself or frustrated with my set of circumstances. The Lord would have us raise ourselves to these challenges as they cross our paths. Our Lord and Savior is the greatest example of this, he suffered so much pain in the Garden of Gethsemane that he bled from every pore. In spite of this still he still carried out the will of our Heavenly Father.

Tagged!

I've been tagged with the answer 5 with 5 game! I have to answer these 5 questions, and then tag 5 other people!!!!

10 years ago...
1. I purchased my condo
2. I was in the middle of my second year at UVU
3. I started a new Job with Modus Media as a Collection Analyst
4. I started my own business called R&R Property Management
5. I was a size 2!!!!

5 things on today's list
1. Go to the Airport to cash in travel voucher for trip to St. Louis
2. Complete business case for new business model
3. Discuss Q4 sales strategy and target market
4. Check airfare for November flights
5. Mail Aiden’s birthday invitations

5 snacks
1. String cheese
2. Fruit snacks (preferably cliff kids)
3. Jell-o pudding snacks (but only if it is chocolate)
4. Diet Pepsi
5. M&M’s or starbursts

5 things I would do if I was a millionaire
1. Pay off all my mortgages!!
2. Pay off all remaining debt
3. Invest!
4. Start college fund for our kids
5. Move to Missouri

5 places I've lived
1. San Diego
2. PG
3. Dublin
4. Buenos Aires
5. UT Co

5 jobs I've had
1. Product Manager – iBAHN
2. Sales and Operations Manager – iBAHN
3. Program Manager – iBAHN
4. Account Executive – Teleperformance USA
5. New Business Development Manager – Modus Media

5 people I am tagging
Well, I only have 3 blog buddies and Janessa already tagged me… so I’m tagging Amanda and Rose!

Washington DC, a Historic Treasure

He said….

Wendy and I spent this past weekend in Washington DC; the majority of our time we walked around simply taking in the sites, when we were not lost in the car. There are so many things to see; it seemed as if as soon as we walked up to something of interest we saw something else we wanted to see.

The first day we were there we parked the car, in my opinion way too far from where we needed to be, and walked to the White House.



We continued along the sidewalks, seeing the Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Jefferson Monuments.


Washington Memorial

We saw the Korean, WWII memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Capitol building and dozens of other government buildings.


Korean War Memorial

We went to the Air and Space museum and to the Natural History museum..





We saw A LOT! We walked even more!

A few things for those who are interested in visiting Washington DC, make a list of what you want to see, mark a map of where those things are, wear comfortable shoes and for goodness sake, if you’re driving, get a GPS.

She said…

This past weekend Michael and I had the opportunity to spend a couple days in our nation’s capital, Washington DC. I had a meeting with a client on Monday which required me to be there. Michael was already in Boston and needed to get to DC this month anyway so we took the opportunity to spend the weekend together in D.C.



I have always wanted to see this historic city and this was a very inexpensive way to accomplish that goal. Our airfare was already covered and we were able to get a complimentary room at one of the newest full service hotels in the D.C. area, a great perk to working in the hospitality industry!

Given that we only had two days to see the sites we decided to see all famous land marks on Saturday and to hit the museums on Sunday. When you are in the city it appears that all the major sites are in a relatively close proximity, if you make it to D.C. do not be fooled! We spent several hours and walked several miles getting to and from each site.


U.S. Marines Corps Memorial with Washington Memorial & Capital building in background

Although it is hard to pick a favorite site of interest, I will narrow it down to two, the Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian Air and Space museum. The Lincoln Memorial stands 19ft tall made from Georgia marble with 36 columns surrounding it to represent each state of the union. Engraved inside are his two most famous speeches, the Gettysburg address and his second inaugural speech. I hate to say it, but I never realized how powerful these speeches were until I read them this past weekend. It is clear that Lincoln was not only a God fearing man but also a man ordained of God to drive this great cause.





The Smithsonian Air Space museum is AWESOME!! We felt a special connection given that my grandpa worked for General Dynamics as an engineer and given that Michael’s dad worked for McDonald Douglas as an Electrical design engineer. We didn’t have near enough time to see everything in the museum but we loved everything we did see.



All in all D.C. is my new favorite city! Truly a must see. I told Michael when the kids were grown I’d like to live there! However once we had to drive in traffic he said to forget it…. I’ll keep working on him though.