Waddya get for Christmas?

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year! I really think it should be more than a day though. It goes way too fast for all the prep put into it. Oh well, the life of a grown-up huh? This year I decided to make things a bit easier on my dear husband and created a wishlist on Amazon.com  This way I get things I really want/need/use and he still gets to suprise me. It worked out great! These are my faves that I'm so excited to put to good use!

So excited!! I haven't actually done any digital scrapbooking...yet. But I'm excited to use this for that as well as for writing, doodling, etc. Who knows I may end up doing some scrap design some day. So fun!! I want to take the new classes on using a tablet by Jessica Sprague. I'm totally new to the whole tablet deal so I did lots of research and this was my final choice that should do all I want/need for quite some time and was also fairly economical. This is the Wacom Bamboo Craft.

Next is my first (and big) cutting mat and rotary cutter for all my crafting needs! Yay :D

One other thing I love...Robert thinks I'm weird...are my straws! He got them as a stocking stuffer and I think they are so cool! How green am I with my reusable straws?!? :) 

Okay, so whaddya get! I totally want to know what you were excited to receive this year!!

Breath of Heaven

A friend showed this to me a few years back and I fell in love. I think about it every year and want to share it with everyone around me. Needless to say then, I was totally excited to find it on youtube! Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant played during The Nativity video by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. I've included the lyrics, they are so beautiful. I don't think most of us really think of what it must have been like to actually be living the story of Mary and baby Jesus as we hear it so many years later. How scary it must have been for Mary never having had a child before. And to then be visited by an angel! To be inexperienced and innocent...and pregnant! To be told you are carrying the Son of God. And for those of us who have carried a child, I'm pretty sure we didn't take a long journey through the wilderness on a donkey! I just really think she was an amazing woman!!! The song alone is beautiful as is the video, but together it's heavenly! I hope you enjoy this as much as I do (link to youtube above).

Amy Grant - Breath Of Heaven Lyrics

I have traveled many moonless nights

Cold and weary with a babe inside

And I wonder what I've done
Holy Father, You have come

And chosen me now to carry Your Son

I am waiting in a silent prayer

I am frightened by the load I bear

In a world as cold as stone

Must I walk this path alone?

Be with me now, be with me now

Breath of Heaven, hold me together

Be forever near me, breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy

Breath of Heaven

Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place?

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of Your plan

Help me be strong, help me be, help me

Breath of Heaven, hold me together

Be forever near me, breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy

Breath of Heaven, hold me together

Be forever near me, breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy

Breath of Heaven, breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven

Overwhelmed...

Between the beautiful Christmas hymns at church today and then hearing that the actress Brittany Murphy died today at age 32 just 5 days before Christmas. It's so sad. It's sad for those she left behind that loved her so and for her dreams unrealized. I've been listening and reading lyrics to some hymns this afternoon/evening and just became overwhelmed. I feel so sad for those that don't have the Gospel, and most especially for those who don't know the love of God in their lives. How lonely it must be. This life can seem so cold and cruel at times. Only through the light of Christ have I been able to make it through. I am so grateful. I know that my redeemer lives. I know that I am truly a Child of God. A Child of GOD!!! As are you. A perfectly imperfect being with royalty in our blood and bones. I know that my brother and Savior was born onto this earth and that he chose to die for each of us. I know that the true church of Christ has been restored to this earth. We are so blessed to have the keys of the Holy Priesthood and a true and living Prophet to lead and guide us. I am so grateful for mercy, for kindness, for charity. I am so grateful for a new day and another much needed chance to improve. I'm grateful for the atonement, that I can repent and repent and repent for all my sins. I am grateful for my family, my friends, and for God-fearing strangers who live kindly.

I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS...

 and I am GRATEFUL.

Better late than never...

Still trying to get this darn blog updated. After pics of yard...still not 100%, but definite improvement.

Did a bunch of other posts but dated them back to the real dates in July, August, etc...

Day 1 Holiday in Hand Class

I've been looking into/downloading (TONS) of scrapbooking stuff lately and signed up for Jessica Sprague's free holiday class, of course I'm already a week behind. Where does the time go? I guess I don't really need to ask that in November though actually. Anyways... first thing is to think about my values specifically around the Holidays.

The things I think about and feel when I think of the Holidays, and also the same things I want my kids to experience are:

The anticipation of spending really fun and happy time with family. That feeling of celebration and togetherness is definitely the most important thing to me. I would like to be more organized and get things done ahead of time so I can actually participate more in playing games, having hot cocoa and watching a movie, etc... vs. planning those things and then ending up being busy and scrambling around while everyone else enjoys it.

I love to make things special, which I totally get from my mom. I like setting the scene with great decorations and yummy treats. (Getting excited to get the tree up now!!)  There is a list of idea words to get us going on the website and I could almost list them all as things (except the meatloaf, lol) I value and want to create this and every year for the holidays. Things like warmth, family, laughter, sparkle, magic, wonder, joy, and reflecting. I would like to make sure we have a bit more of the spiritual side this year, maybe a specific activity... I don't know for sure what yet. I don't feel bad personally about the superficial stuff like lights, presents, decorations. I love all that. I do know the real reason for the season too though. We also read the story from the bible before presents, but we need to pump it up in my opinion. Maybe to actually do it this year and have us act it out, or make a b-day cake for Jesus, or go volunteer like we keep talking about but haven't seemed to actually DO yet.

The goal for now is to sit down with Robert this week and actually plan out what we are going to do for December, including Christmas eve and day. Then I will post a few concrete goals on here by this weekend!

What are your Holiday goals, traditions and values?

My baby is 8!

Huh? How'd that happen is what I want to know! Mekhi is 8 and great. Haha. Seriously though, he is a really cool person with an incredibly kind and sweet heart. He really cares about others. He is also true to his age in that he has some (total understatement at times) attitude, would rather go out and play with his friends than do anything he's "supposed to do" and is a serious lego addict. We are definitely looking forward to the years to come, with this kid they will be full of laughs for sure. We love you Mekhi!!! :)

New Moon

Just a quick moment to say that I love my husband and that he rocks! :) He suprised me with tickets to the midnight showing of New Moon. I felt old and like a teenager all at once.

We did enjoy it, he really was getting into the wolves transforming and fighting, lol. I could have done without the grown woman behind be shoving and kicking my seat every 5-10 minutes (come on people!), but I love the books and therefore take the movies in stride. I'm a bad fan huh? I just don't personally believe that there are actors out there who could live up to the ones I created in my head as I read. The vampire make-up is distracting as is some of Bella and Edwards over-acting. I enjoyed watching it with all the crazy fans who ooohed and ahhed so humurously throughtout the movie. So funny!

Oh yeah... our car alarm also went off when I opened the door to get out and go get in line (which was completely around the building and almost back to the beginning again!!!) finally some nice woman ran over and told us what to do, duh! Thank you kind woman (!!!) ... if only I sat in front of you during the movie, lol. Overall a good movie and a great night/morning with my husband. He even had to work at 4 AM at the airport. That is a seriously dedicated man in my book. Thanks babe!!

Oh Khi.

It's not unusual for Mekhi to wake up to go potty and night and he usually comes for a hug if I'm still up. I was siting on the couch crocheting when he came walking into the family room:

Khi: (very mumbled) Mom, can you tie my shirt?
Me: What?
Khi: (pretty mumbly still) Can you tie my shirt?
Me: What? Tie (picture hand motions here) your (now I point at him) your shirt?
Khi: (really irritated now) Yeeeees, just tie it!
Ummmm?
Me: Are you awake? (starting to laugh)
Khi: Yeeeees. Grrrrmmmm.
Me: Ok...come here. (I try to tie it but it's too short and I can't get it...then starts the dance)
Khi: I've got to pee.

And he left to go pee, came and gave me a hug, and went to bed.

My question then is: Should I be concerned? LMBO

Wake Up Call

Ok. So, for those of you that know me well you already know that I tend to prefer the 2x4 method of learning. Once again, I was to a point where I was catching myself feeling down and kinda hopeless a bit too often. This pretty much always comes down to the same thing... I've been slacking on my end of the deal spiritually. IE: reading my scriptures. I do great for awhile, then good for awhile, then I suck. I've been sucking for way too big awhile! We do pretty good (always room for improvement) with family scriptures, but personal has been pretty much nonexistent. This all ties in with the energy work Heather has been working with me on, which I'll get more into on another post soon, but for now... Why do I know things in my head are right or are good for me, but still not do them? Same with not exercising, food, etc. I know certain things make me feel better but I sabotage and punish myself by not doing them. I'm going to get it figured out and changed though...striving for it! Determined in fact. Anyways, there are some beliefs I hold that I'm really wanting to get turned around and Heather reminded me to really get on my personal prayer and scripture study.

Honestly, I did the whole kinda read a few verses before I go to bed for 2 nights (woohoo! hey, gotta start somewher!). I always start back that way...even though I'm not really putting any real effort into it. Then I skipped last night entirely. So when I woke up this AM I picked up my scriptures before I even got out of bed AND said a prayer first. I did the whole get quiet, close my eyes, and feel for the right place to start thing (I love random scripture time!) Gotta love a not so gentle reminder, but it was so perfect for me right now. See, earlier this week my keys got locked in the car in the Wal-Mart parking lot. I had some perishables in the back seat, Tayvin in my arms, and had just thrown all the change and my keys on the front seat after unlocking that door and then shut it. As I went to put Tayvin in her seat I remembered I hadn't unlocked the other doors. Whatdya know, the door I unlocked had mysteriously re-locked itself. GRRRR. Yeah. Not so happy. It took a lot of time and frustration and trips back n forth to the store with Robert and blah blah blah. Couldn't find the spare key to save my life. I finally broke down. It wasn't the frustration crying either, it was straight up why doesn't God listen to me, love me, answer my prayers cry. I haven't experienced that for awhile. A few years back I really grasped onto the fact that everything happens for a reason and to not get mad at God, but to see what I could learn from whatever was happening to me. Unfortunately, I've been slacking and needed a refresher course. So, here's what I read this morning:

Doctrine and Covenants 101:7-9
7 They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; therefore, the Lord their 9God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble.
8 In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me.
9 Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards them. I will not utterly cast them off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy.

I totally remember clearly sitting in a room in the Everett Stake Center back when I was pregnant with Kaitlin and having my bishop open up the scriptures to read this. He left and then came back a few minutes later to discuss. I really got it. Yet here I am again. Darn 2x4 method! I don't want to be a user that only turns to the Lord when I need something. I usually do remember to thank him throughout my day, maybe not the past week or two though, but overall I've taken for granted my testimony and God's love. I'm thankful for this reminder because I don't want to go down like some of the people in the scriptures and even whole cities that were buried because they were lax in remembering God at all times. And seriously, losing a few things, being frustrated over my keys in the car are a much more gentle lesson than could have been received for someone as thick-headed as I, so Thank You Heavenly Father. Good looking out. ;)

So funny. I wanted to add a pic to this post and as I went to the LDS.org home page, I noticed the current video message... Choose This Day That just made my day really. God is the Original Kind of Comedy! Lol. I love when all the messages stack up and mesh together all at once...really helps move things along in my 2x4 method of learning. :D

Holy MELTDOWN Batman!

You've just got to love music. So I'm still planning on doing some posts related to adoption and such so I don't mean to get ahead of myself, but... I was tweaking the music on my little blog Ipod earlier. And? So, I'm thinking what songs do I love and want to add today? I think, you know it is strange to mix pop, church, etc.. all together but that's what I really like and those are all components of my life. Then I think, hmmm, I want to start blogging some about adoption (so random if you don't know me, sorry...it will come)...I think some more...I'll search for From God's Arms to My Arms to Yours. I do search for it, find it, and listen to it. Well...if you have no idea what I'm talking about I linked the song title to YouTube so you can check it out, if you are already familiar you know what's coming. I got about 10 seconds into the song and was crying like it was 1998. My heart seriously felt like it was contracted down to the size of one of the craisins Tayvin's most likely hidden deep down in my couch. OUCH! Man! Ya think you're "over" something. I don't think I've listened to that for a good decade and now I remember why.

For now I will say that "K" I LOVE you more than I can possibly contain within this earthly body, I wish you were mine, I wish you were here, but I know I made the right choice regardless of how much it hurts.

Music is so powerful and once again I'm reminded why "we" are counseled to listen wisely. I've seen it work for good and evil...thank goodness for this song and this one...they are regenerating my heart as I type. Just makes me happy. Listen to Israel's voice...if that's not a gift from God I don't know what is.

All the water in the world

no matter how it tried

could ever sink the smallest ship

until it got inside.

And all the music of the world

and every kind of sin

can ever sink the human soul

unless we let it in.

~Anonymous

(IE: stuck with me back in high school days, and couldn't find author online)

Speaking of Scrapbooking...

Ok, I discussed with my SIL Tiff digital scrapbooking because I'd heard of it but hadn't looked into what it was yet. She was kind enough to explain what she knew and her opinion was that she enjoys the actual hands on creating...cutting, gluing, the whole thing and then having the finished product she made in her hands. I was really feeling that answer as I enjoy the same things...

Then I go to my ward's enrichment night and they totally had a class on it. I asked the woman teaching how she felt about the above and she said she loved that too..."but how often do you do it?" she asked. Yeah. I think I have a week or so of Mekhi's life done, he's almost 8! So... I'm a bit swayed. My mom actually had a good idea as far as going digital, but doing some by hand throughout the year like birthday's and such. Hmmm....

So if anyone out there happens upon this and actually reads it I'd love your thoughts and opinions!!! Thanks! :D

Phew!

Ok...I'm getting just as bad with the blog as I am with journaling and scrapbooking, which are both pretty nonexistent! We've enjoyed summer, I got a new calling, I went to a Birth mother Retreat in Seattle, Robert had training for FedEx and we stayed with him for a bit, we went to Texas, and most of all I've missed SO MANY of Tayvin's outfit changes. LOL :D

I also want to do some blogs specifically about adoption, The Emotion Code/energy work/my journey, and who knows what else... my GOAL is to get caught up on here by Halloween!

In the meantime, I tried to get as much General Conference in as I could this year. The cable was definitely a luxury missed today as we all huddled around the computer to try and watch...the wind/dust storm outside wasn't helping connection wise. We gave up and tried to watch the afternoon session at my mom's house, but that didn't help much between the kids and such. Oh well, we tried. Mekhi did watch much more than usual since we bribed him! Ha. I made a list of words and he helped me assign them a prize like one gummy worm, 2 sour patch kids, 1/2 a kitkat, etc.., it made a huge difference although I'm aware all the sugar wasn't good for him. But the sugar is a whole other issue entirely!

I liked the talk Saturday morning about trucking along with Family Home Evening, family prayer and scripture study even though it often feels like total chaos that no one is gaining anything from and then he related each one of those activities to the brush strokes of a painting that are just that...brushstrokes, but as a whole make a beautiful painting. There was a talk this afternoon I think about rationalization that I need to go look at again as I know I tend to do some of that...and there were so many others! I plan on letting them replay this month while I'm online doing the blog (and on facebook, let's be real here.) I hope you all got a chance to enjoy some super current modern day prophecies! I know that we are so incredibly blessed in this crazy world to be able to receive instructions, edification, and love from the Savior. Enjoy you Sabbath evening all! xoxo

I tried.

Craft time with Khi.

This is Mekhi's craft project we did together.

 It's to hang on his door and it was fun to do together!

Pool time

This darn kid thinks she's such a big girl, so cool cuz she was on the ladder all by herself.

Dear Tayvin,

Stop growing up so fast.

I'd really appreciate it and thanks.

Love, Mama

Dear Khi,

Ditto.

Love, Your Mother

Free Movies in the Park

We had lots of fun going to the free movies this summer!

TayTay was dancing. :D

And resting!

Trevor getting out of the way, lol.

Tayvin loving her cousin.

And her brother.

Hmmm, who's next?

Trev stole Tayvin's seat.

Good times: Awesome...

Free Good Times: Priceless.