2010

Resolutions for the new year :

First: From my previous post: BE a better Mother, enjoy playing with my kids.

Second:From this post below: Don't take life too seriously, we never know how much time we have. ENJOY THE TIME, hours, minutes of each day.



"This is a very touching photo essay that reminded me to keep things in perspective and be grateful for all of my blessings

The wedding.



Her name is Katie Kirkpatrick, 21 yrs old. Next to her is her fiancé, Nick, 23.
This picture was taken prior to their wedding January 11th, 2005.
Katie has terminal cancer and spends hours in chemotherapy.
Here Nick awaits while she finishes one of the sessions...


Even in pain and dealing with her organs shutting down, with the help of morphine,
Katie took care of every single part of the wedding planning.
Her dress had to be adjusted several times due to Katie's constant weight loss.

An expected guest was her oxygen tank. Katie had to use it during the ceremony and reception.
The other couple in this picture is Nick's parents, very emotional with the wedding and to see their son marrying the girl he fell in love when he was an adolescent


Katie, in a wheel chair listening to her husband and friends singing to her.

In the middle of the party, Katie had to rest for a bit and catch her breath.
The pain does not allow her to stand for long period of time.

Katie died 5 days after her wedding. To see a fragile woman dress as bride with a beautiful smile makes you think... Happiness is always there within reach, no matter how long it lasts.....
Lets enjoy life and don't live a complicated life. Life is too short.


Work as if it was your first day.
Forgive as soon as possible.
Love without boundaries..
Laugh without control
And never stop smiling."

Thank you Alisa for the email. Time is precious, I will remember and cling to it 2010.

Couldn't have said it better myself

She took the words right out of my mouth!!! Read this from Mommy Mormon Blog:



"When I was 14 years old, I had my whole life planned out.
I knew where I was going to go for college, what my major would be, and when I would graduate.
I planned to have a large family with my kids close together because I knew pregnancy would be so easy for me. I loved growing up in my big family where we were all so close in age so it only made sense. I even had a guy in mind.
I would be the best mom ever because I would have boundless energy and would play with them all the time. We would cook, and clean, and make crafts together too. I would always be patient and never get mad.
I knew I would be the perfect wife. The kind of wife that would "wow" her husband everyday for the rest of eternity. I would maintain my clean house and cook yummy meals for my family every day, all with my hair and make-up perfectly done.
But a lot can happen in 12 years.
I did indeed go the college I wanted but did not major in my originally planned occupation, nor did I finish anywhere near when I had planned.
I met my husband after I had sworn off men for all eternity.
After nine solid months of pure torture, misery, and nausea, I couldn't understand why girls talked about pregnancy like it was a good thing. I was pretty sure I would never have another one. I have since forgotten what having boundless energy means. Cook, clean, and make crafts together? Hahahaha... ha... ha. Too often I opt for the easy road and do it all myself instead of taking the time to let my kids join in, because it's easier.
I'm lucky my husband hasn't left me by now, as my mood tends to change depending on the weather and/or how long I got to stay in my hot shower. (Of course, I blame all of that on the pregnancies.)
Cleaning gets so very, very old and I can't keep up with it all anyway. I do try to cook but sometimes pancakes for all three meals of the day are in order. I confess I do do my hair and make-up most days but that is simply done for my own sanity's sake and not with the intention of impressing anyone because half the time I don't even leave the house.
I still plan. I plan how my life will be tomorrow, and the next month, and the next year. But my plans never, ever seem to work out the way I planned them too. I can't even seem to make it through the first hour of my planned morning because someone will have decided to wake up earlier than usual, cranky of course, and mess it all up.
Everyday I plan to be better with my kids, with my house, with my art, with my husband. But I still have to lock myself in my bedroom once in a while to get a grip on myself before braving the four screaming voices that come seeping through the door.
The Cheerios still crunch under my feet as I walk through the kitchen, and sometimes the clean laundry sits in a pile on the floor. I still have half-done drawings and half completed books. And I still struggle to understand how my husband managed to get here from Mars or why I get all miffed if he looks at me the wrong way after I've had a bad day.
Everyone knows life never goes according to plan. Yet, I tend to think that I will be the exception. It hasn't proven true yet but I'll keep planning. It gives me focus, goals and direction.
Even if the cracker crumbs on the floor are relentless.
Even if my bed only gets made three times a week.
Even if I read a book instead of clean my house.
Because my family still says "I love you" every night before we go to bed. So the laundry can wait... till tomorrow."

Isn't that true??? " Life happens when you make other plans" The only difference here is I don't do my hair and makeup. I have a lot of inner demons of not finishing school, not making ENOUGH money, staying home, and so on that I am facing. STAYING HOME? Am I crazy? Why would I feel bad about that? Because we live in a society where people think you're stupid if you do it. People don't realize it but it also hurts when they reprimands or make you feel "STUPID" for not finishing school. I listen sometimes to Dr.Laura, sometimes she is off her rocker, but other times she hits the nail right on the head. I read her book " In praise of stay at home moms" It mostly talked about career women giving it up so they can stay home, but the last couple of chapters spoke clear to me. I am one of the lucky girls who has a "hero" for a husband, who knows that he wants his wife to stay home with his children and PLAY With them. HE wants to be the hero and let him bring in the money. (IF you don't know what I Am talking about go read the book) In her book she talks about how we live in a unisex society where men want their wives to work so they can have more toys and so on.... You have 18 years to raise your kids. After that you can do whatever you want. It is a sacrifice and I am going through my own battles, but I no longer am going to feel "Sorry,weak, or stupid " for staying home. My time is more important than to worry. They grow up so fast. I am not sure how long my Heavenly Father will keep me on this earth and I want to be remembered as my kids mom. I loved this book, and if you have a husband who wants you to "Help bring in the income because I can't do it all myself" then read the book and LEARN how to stand up. Regardless, this isn't a post about disin' "Working moms" this post is about me. So don't try it, I am not even going to argue I am just happy. . This was an eye opener to me because my "Work" was a full time student. I realize that the hugs, the kisses, the "" Mommy" you're pretty, you're smart, I love you" is more worth it to me than a clean house, an extra income, and life itself. I remember dating Trent and making sure that we were on the same page that I Was going to be a stay at home mom. Some people say I am lucky. I'm not. It's a choice I made a long time ago and I stuck to my guns. I don't know what I would have done if my mom had worked, I was a kid that needed tender, loving, care but than again isn't every child? Trent said "I don't mind if you do work" And I took that as " I want you to work" It made me think twice about marrying him... harsh? No I don't think so.To each their own. Later I realized he was saying he wanted me to stay home but he also didn't have a problem if I chose to work, he wasn't going to tell me what to do and be a dictator. NOW that we are married and have children I try to think of ways I can bring money in,thankfully he tells me to leave it up to him. It's hard to have so much faith in one person and feel like your not contributing. After reading this book, I have cleared my plate of worry, guilt, and instead I am doing what I love- "Being my kid's Mommy"

n

This may sound cheesy, but it's what's going on. You see the card above? Yeah that one. That is my Christmas card this year. If you want one feel free to print it off. Due to the economy this year we will not be sending any out. However I am so happy that everyone has sent me one, and has done the same on their blog so I could print out theirs! My door is almost full!!! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year

HE is the reason for the season!

Last night I had the opportunity to go to my friend's Women's Dessert Conference held by her church "Center point Church" It was beautiful! You walk in and all the women have decorated a table for Christmas. They each spent so much time on making wonderful desserts and cards for us. We chatted, and then we all sang Christmas Songs together. TO hear all the women sing so beautifully was amazing and would love to do that for our own Christmas sacrament! They had a couple ladies talk about the worth of women. I enjoyed a woman who came from the pregnancy hot line, she talked about how they always see girls who are pregnant and don't feel like they are worth anything. They enjoy telling them that God loves them, they are worth it, and you don't need to measure your worth by comparing with anyone else. She then said there was a girl she believes was in her teens, who was engaged and found herself pregnant, however the baby wasn't her fiancee's. Her fiancee decided to marry her anyways. Her name Was Mary and she brought the greatest gift of all- our savior. That really touched me when she put it like that. Then some of the highlights of the night was when they told the story of WWI when the Germans started singing "Sille Nacht" and were lighting candles outside of their frozen trenches. The British and French made truces that night and recognized the song as "Silent Night" http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/truce.asp

Then one of the speakers talked about the meaning of putting candles in the window. The British were persecuting the Irish and their religion. IF the preachers were caught preaching they would under penalty of law- put to death. SO when they came walking through the streets, many homes would put three candles in the window to show them that their home was a place of refuge that they could come in and worship and enjoy a warm meal without worrying if they were going to die.
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0055.html

We then were shown a video of "O Holy Night" and how a man was asked to write a poem that was sung for Mass.
"In 1847, Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure was the commissionaire of wines in a small French town. Known more for his poetry than his church attendance, it probably shocked Placide when his parish priest asked the commissionaire to pen a poem for Christmas mass. Nevertheless, the poet was honored to share his talents with the church.

Moved by his own work, Cappeau decided that his "Cantique de Noel" was not just a poem, but a song in need of a master musician's hand. Not musically inclined himself, the poet turned to one of his friends, Adolphe-Charles Adam, for help.

As a man of Jewish ancestry, for Adam the words of "Cantique de Noel" represented a day he didn't celebrate and a man he did not view as the son of God. Nevertheless, Adam quickly went to work, attempting to marry an original score to Cappeau's beautiful words. The finished work of Adam pleased both poet and priest. The song was performed just three weeks later at a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve" Amazing that this man even though not a believer still found it in his heart to make it work.
http://www.findthepower.com/ChristmasPagesTheStoryOfOHolyNight.htm

This song also hit America- "Nt only did this American writer--John Sullivan Dwight--feel that this wonderful Christmas song needed to be introduced to America, he saw something else in the song that moved him beyond the story of the birth of Christ. An ardent abolitionist, Dwight strongly identified with the lines of the third verse: "Truly he taught us to love one another; his law is love and his gospel is peace. Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother; and in his name all oppression shall cease." The text supported Dwight's own view of slavery in the South. Published in his magazine, Dwight's English translation of "O Holy Night" quickly found favor in America, especially in the North during the Civil War"

That gave me chills to hear about the " Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother" And that it found favor during the Civil War! The lady giving the talk also went into it saying how many of us have had our " Chains " within broken, need breaking, or are breaking from our Savior Jesus Christ. I truly enjoyed this event it brought the Christmas spirit ALIVE!!! I am thankful for my friend Jenny for thinking of me, and I really loved how they were trying to bring "Jesus" Into the light of our Children for Christmas. I have been trying so hard to teach my kids the real reason of the season.

I saw this on my friend's facebook and thought I would share "He was pretty specific about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and being a friend to the friendless. Are you celebrating His birth by feeding the overfed, buying things you don't need, and thanking Him again and again for all the blessings that you keep all to yourself?"

"Because I have been given much, I too must give;
Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live,
I shall divide my gifts from thee,
with every brother that I see
who has the need of help from me."

Really there are angels among us. There are angels that don't take credit for things they do, there are angels who do things to make another look better, there are angels whose heart swells with concern and cares for others. I have looked into the faces of many of these angels. I look into these faces yearly, monthly, weekly, daily, and every minute of my life. There is the angel on the corner begging for food and money, they are angels to help me teach my children compassion. There are angels we mingle with every day that lift us up, even when they don't even realize it. There are angels who were born to our same mother, or grandmothers,those we marry into, and many who love us even when we mess up. There are angels born to us, to teach us. There are angels who move in down the streets, next doors, or even angels who teach our children at school. Don't forget that every person has the light of Christ in them, see it shine. Because I have been given so much from these angels sent here from God, I too must give.

"God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs."

"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.

For preschool today we learned about Harriett Tubman! I love this courageous woman!!

My next Project for Christmas!!! Thanks http://needleinahaystackstitchery.blogspot.com/

Step 7- You have yourself a Snowman craft!

Step6- Add googly eyes, orange pom poms, and felt mouths!

Step5- cut strips of foam and glue sequences on it

Step 4- Paint the top half black and one whole craft stick black

Step3- paint the sticks white

Step 2- glue 4 of them onto card stock!

Step 1- get five craft sticks!






For thanksgiving, I am in charge of making a craft for a lot of kids. There are 13 siblings in my mother in laws family and each of them have a lot of kids. Just my mother in law has 8 children, and we all have about 3 kids each! So for 25 bucks I have to come up with a craft for a TON of kids. Here is something I have wanted to make for a long time that I once saw. I decided to try it myself.

http://holesinmyshinyveneer.blogspot.com/2009/11/photo-tutorial-spool-doll-nativity-part.html

LOVE IT

http://oneinchworld.com/blog/index.php/2009/10/lollipop-tutorial/ THis would work awesome for my wizard of Oz book!

CUTE!! I HEART Felt!!! Check it out : http://blog.thecelebrationshoppe.com/2008/11/17/festive-turkey-table-runner/

Love this idea from http://www.lindseyscraftlist.blogspot/. Match boxes~ Go to her website to look at more How To

IF you know me I love things that sparkle. I love Dorthy Shoes and this is why I came up with an idea that I want to try. My problem is I can come up with the idea but putting it together is another thing. It never turns out the way I want it to. For Christmas I wanted to make a Wizard of Oz Quiet Book. On the front cover I would have the lion, scarecrow, and Tin man's face. Whoever I give the book to I would put their name above it in felt. Then you would open the book with the number 1 in felt. You would see a fuzzy little Toto dog. Number 2 you would see two red ruby slippers with sequences. Number 3- Lolly Pops. Number 4- Dorthy, Tin man, Lion, & Scarecrow strolling down the yellow brick road. Number 5- Maybe have the wicked witch of the west counting her flying monkeys. *Again out of felt.* Number 6- have Glenda with her 6 bubbles coming from her wand. I need some ideas for number 7, 8, 9 and then for 10 I would do munchkins. If anyone can put something like this together and show me what they came up with would be great, or if you have any other ideas let me know! Today I found Dorthy blue and white fabric, shiny metal looking fabric for the tin man, a witches hat, and yarn for the scarecrow hair. By the time you purchase everything it does become expensive so I didn't end up buying it all. This will have to be a project in the future. Just thought I Would share my idea. Here are some pictures of ideas I have found at the store or online. The Lion is a cute quiet book from www.thedixonstory.blogspot.com Awesome job she did!!




This material for Tin Man


make shoes out of felt and hot glue red sequences


I could go on and on... so we will see how it turns out later. Maybe I should have kept it a secret... nah I'm not like that, I will share with everyone my ideas!!
JaMiE

Letter of the day "S" Number of the day "40"

Here's to 40 years~!!!

Sesame Street! I love watching for Google every morning to see their creative ideas for Sesame street of the day~!

some days...

And I thought I was having a bad day.. AGH~! Take a minute to laugh, makes ya feel better!

Can you say Christmas pictures for Cards anyone?

It's time for Christmas pictures!!! If you want some pics taken contact my sister and friend at this website: http://www.utahphotographicmemories.com/

Here is some of their work!

The above picture is the one where we were at a wedding and I told he she should get down by the flower... LOOK it turned out way better than I was even thinking!! I love these next temple ones!!

More Pictures from my sisters website!

xmas

I have seen so many fun ideas for Halloween that I wanted to post on my blogs, but I have been very busy. Now that I am not feeling all that well I decided to just stop an take a minute to relax. I have been sleeping all day and now I decided to share with you some of the ideas I have found that I am going to do for Christmas. The economy got you down? That's ok because these ideas are cheap, handmade, and will give you a new talent. Hopefully. First thing I am trying to look at my talents. I like to make montages for people on their wedding and so forth. I decided I want to make movies for the people I love of why I love them so much. My kids will LOVE It. They watch their Little baby movie I made them Over and over again. I'm not exactly sure how I will do this yet. Maybe I will do " 25 reasons I love you" and find pictures to go with it.

2. Next idea I decided I want my neighbor Hilary to teach me how to tie tutu's. She makes the cutest Halloween costumes ever! Her little baby girl was Tinkerbell and she made the cutest little tutu. She told me she is making capes for her son and asked if I wanted to come over *thankfully she has two sewing machines, and I don't have one so that works* to help make one for my son! She told me that er mom sewed dresses for their Christmas presents and they loved them for years.
(picture from Ehow)

The Next couple Ideas I found from The Idea Room HERE:
3. I am learning about the sewing and hand stitching things, but I Found this on a website and thought it would be a great fun idea for friends, grandparents, or parents. Due to terms of use you will need to go to her blog "Theidearoom.blogspot.com" on the link above. Check out the handtowels and candles Idea she has used. This is what I want to do!!

4. LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea.Remember the Read along Disney used to put out? I love them!! My kids LOVE to read. Even Faith pretends to read and blabber words as she turns the pages. I am going to get Trent and I to read the kids books and put it on tape like this smart woman did! Then if they want to read a book at bedtime they can put on the tape, hear our voices and go to sleep. This would be something to treasure for years to come. I think I will even ask my parents and Trent's parents to read and record one of our books. We get a book for Christmas every year so it might be fun to have them do the Christmas books and Trent and I to do normal everyday books. That is something to love
Now I just need to borrow someones tape recorder!!

Website of the Week:

My sister Kelli and her Friend Kari, have taken some photography classes together. They are both very talented and I enjoyed looking at their pictures. (Not just because my kids were in some of them ;) I remember going to watch Kelli take video and pictures of some of our friends for their weddings. I once told her to get down and take a shot by the flower to look up at the temple. When she did and I saw the result little did I know it would turn out better than the thought I had in my head! Ever since I have asked her many times to take pictures of my family and kids. I like how Kari likes to take pictures with a punch of color and trendy sass, and I like how Kelli captures moments with simple grace and perfection ! These two are a great team!! Now that she has a business I guess I will need to start paying her LOL But it is well worth it!! Check them out:



www.utahphotographicmemories.com/







Here is some of my sisters work I would post more of the temple pictures she took but I don't want people taking them since they aren't mine. Check out her site or more!!: