"Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done."

Last year I wrote "What I am thankful for" Post every day of Nov. It made me happy and excited to come up with what I am thankful for. This year my heart swells with thankfulness, but it's from my trials that brings the simple pleasures of life to the surface.

Last night we were driving home from St.George. Our car broke down and the kids and I all had fevers. We hopped in the back of the car and fell asleep in a sleeping bag. I was so grateful for the car to keep us shelter from the blizzard that was outside. AS I sat there I started to think back about a couple of dreams that I have had in the last couple weeks that really got me thinking. What if we only had a year left to live? What would we miss? What would we wish we could do different? How would we get our family prepared? What would we do now to prepare for that. Don't worry I am not going anywhere. However, I decided if I had only a year to live, I want to get my family prepared. Prepared financially out of debt, prepared with enough food and water if disaster hits they will be ok. I also decided to make homemade gifts this year out of financial obligation but then it got me thinking what a great gift it would be to have. I recorded my voice reading to my kids. I am starting to write my testimony and history, all the good AND bad. My life isn't perfect. I don't paint a perfect picture. I am blunt, I am honest, and I am human. I don't want to talk to someone who pretends everything is A ok. I want to know we are n this life together to help one another out. Who cares what others think, it's lessons like these and people who are brave enough to talk about their trials that I am thankful for. I am thankful to be alive, to have friends who are like family to me. I am so grateful for a family with a sense of humor and love that shines so deep within my soul. I am grateful for each one of my kids. WHile In St.GEorge I kept watching my husband do work outside. It brought back memories of being down there while we were dating. I am so in LOVE With that man. Watching him help his parents and just be around his parents house reminded me back in the day when I couldn't wait to be his. What he saw in me I will never completely know, but I love him with every inch of my soul.
I am grateful for the big family I Grew up in, with the big crazy get togethers. It's not a get togther unless we are cracking jokes, screaming at the top of our lungs trying to get a word in with my family,I love every moment of it!! I love getting together with my in laws and all the people in it. Some people don't like big crowds, but when it comes to family- IT has to be big!!

As I sat rubbing my kids heads to sleep in that car, It made me grateful for having even a heater so we weren't cold. I was grateful that the car broke down right at the off ramp and not stranded somewhere in the dark. I am grateful for family and friends who are willing to drop everything to come rescue us. Trent and I have had our share of trials, but with each one a jump of hope starts in my heart because for me it's God telling me, "Ok Jamie it's time for a change agian. You have done your part here, now hold on tight and enjoy the ride because you are going to learn from it and meet new people from it." Like we do everytime a trial happens. I can feel change in the air, it's there. I love this neighborhood and hope that change doesn't require us to move, But I will go where ever the Lord needs us. I could go on and on but tonight I am grateful for simple things, for life, for shelter, and for people who care.

Love this idea:



http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/11/ruffly-umbrella/ She links it to the rightful owner, go check it out!

http://diaryofacraftaholic.blogspot.com/search/label/Holiday

Check out these balls she made from Tennis Balls! Shelley this would be a great Rustic looking decor for our party! We could make a mistletoe out of a tennis ball!!

My sister in law Anya, is from Russia! This year for Christmas I decided I MIGHT try some of these. (depends on how they turn out!) If she is reading this... then SURPRISE!! jk. Here are some of my favorites:


Card from www.zakkalife.blogspot.com




Ornaments from http://bananafrog.typepad.com/




http://bananafrog.typepad.com/bananafrogblog/2009/11/project-of-the-day-oh-those-russians.html


Felt from:
http://lmdandmyworld.blogspot.com/2009/03/just-little-puppy-swapping-crafty.html

Party!!

I am hosting a Lia Sophia party this Wed. Nov 18th at 6:30 at my house! Come and hang out and enjoy some snacks! Please don't feel obligated to buy anything, just come and enjoy yourself away from the kiddos!!! There will be games & Prizes so don't miss out!!! Let me know if you want to come.... anyone who reads this blog is invited, just leave me a message so I can send you the address. I know some of you that I blog stalk and you do the same, live close by me and would love to officially meet my you, my blog friends. ;)

http://loveactually-blog.blogspot.com/2009/11/lets-just-fall-in-love-again.html

Fist off I love Jason Castro. Second off I love Love,Actually blog. Together these lyrics have me and my hubby written all over them.

Mod Podge & Hawt Glue~

(this pin board isn't mine, I found it on google to give you the idea. However I am going to find that material!!!)

Man I have been having a blast!!! I love having projects that keep my mind on just that.. PROJECTS!! For Christmas I am making a fabric pin board for Hannah. She is a hoarder and loves to stuff things under her bed. This way she can pin her stuff up with ribbon or even laundry pins!! If you have old ribbon, paper scraps, or whatever you don't want, do NOT throw them away!! I have seen this before and decided to make the clothes pins to fit my style. I LOVE Sparkly things, sequences and things that catch the eye. My friend's little girl Alina and I go hand in hand. She even named her cat "Sparkles" totally a girl of my heart~! I also LOVE pink spots and brown! So I found these pink dots I was going to throw away and glued them onto brown fabric! I Love Zebra print WITH pink. Yes it has to have pink on it for me to love it. I also am a fan of girly skulls. (my husband thinks I am crazy) I love how they turned out and I am sure Hannah will too! For Christmas I am moving her bedroom downstairs. We have a closet that comes out of the wall and for the longest time I wanted to make it into a western looking INN, an Old fashioned OUT HOUSE, a House with cute little curtains, or a castle. Now that it will be her room I will try to make it girly!

For Other projects I am in the process of making some things for loved ones. Here is the first thing I am making. I saw the inspiration on TIP JUNKIE.