NEARER

http://deseretbook.com/item/5023337/Nearer_A_New_Collection_of_Favorite_Hymns

Last Sunday a friend of mine gave me this CD (NEARER) Not only am I in LOVE with this album, I am a little obsessed. I have been listening to it all week. My kids love it as well. Many of you have expressed your desire to find inspirational music that has a little different sound other than the AIRY BREATHY sound we have all come accustom to. Well.......It's here! Scott Wiley produced this album and did a INCREDIBLE job! Checkout samples of the songs on the link above. Track #2 I love and track #8 is my FAVORITE!!!! It moves me to tears each time I listen.. ENJOY!

IT'S AUTUMN TIME!!!

I grew up in a home where each and every season was celebrated and enjoyed. I remember coming home from school on a cold October day only to find bread baking in the oven and to see that my Mother had gotten all of the fall/Halloween decorations out.I can still remember the feelings of excitement I felt. Not much has changed after all these years. I still get little butterflies of excitement in my tummy as an upcoming holiday is approaching.

I now get to see that same excitement in my children. About a month ago (Middle of August) My little Winnter Grace came to me and said......

Winnter: Mom I think it's time we get the Fall decorations out.

Me: Well I think we can wait a few more weeks.

Winnter: I found a few changing leaves today mom.

Me: Where?

Winnter: Right here....She takes me to the backyard and shows me one little leaf that was starting to change. In her mind, this meant that Fall was here.

Next thing I know she has all of the Holiday boxes out.

It's worth taking the time to get boxes of decorations out and place little reminders of Halloween, Christmas, and Easter around the house. I hope to creat lifelong memories.

Thanks to my Mother who instilled in me a love for the seasons!!!!!
Love you MOM!

On my mind

The other day I came across this article in a magazine. "Contrary to popular belief, real power is not about money or status. (Or an eight-bedroom house or gym-toned tush-no matter how many people may kiss it.) No, the power that changes your life isn't about Fancy external trappings. It's accessible to anyone, because it comes from within-and there are as many ways of defining it as there are people who embody it."



I think for many of us it takes having the "EXTERNAL TRAPPINGS" mentioned above to realize of their unimportance. Over the last week I have found myself asking this question.............."WHEN DO YOU FEEL MOST POWERFUL?"


For me, I feel most powerful when I am serving others. when I am listening.....(REALLY LISTENING) to someone share their hopes, dreams and heartaches. Ultimately, I feel the most powerful when my spirit and body are aligned. When I am keeping the promises I have made. It's then, and ONLY then that I can truly understand my worth and my divinity.

DREAMING

I love Fall time!!! All of the different smells, the beautiful colors, but most of all....... the FALL WARDROBE!!! I can't stop DREAMING about these little BEAUTIES!!








J Brand '912 Stretch Jeans

Metropolitan Suede ankle boot

Regalia Sweater Jacket

Faux Fur Vest!!!

I always think to myself, (Is this something I could wear on stage while performing?)

OK, maybe the boots, but can you imagine wearing a Faux Fur vest on stage !?!?!? UMMMM........... NO!!!! A girl can DREAM right?

July 24th in Mayberry

OK, So its not Mayberry, but it sure is close! I grew up in a small town where it truly felt like I was living in Mayberry. Everyone knows your name, and Friday night football is a BIG DEAL! Dragging main is fun, and going to the local gas station is a highlight. Ahhh....... the simple life :) . Every year we take our kids to "Mayberry" for the 24th of July, where the population triples. The 24th is a BIG DEAL PEOPLE! First thing in the morning you wake up to the sound of big bombs going off. The windows shake, and if you didn't know better, you would think you were in a war zone. It sounds crazy, but it's a fun tradition. At 9:00 o'clock it's the big parade, followed by footraces(where the winner gets 50cents) and games at the park. It's as if you have been transported back in time. There is lunch at the park, horse races, and don't forget the rodeo and fireworks. It has become a fun tradition for my little family. The kids LOVE IT!

Winnter Grace and Jess

Go Kamas!

After a fun, but long day. We were pooped!!!

My cute Daddy!

Kamas & Winnter

DODGER STADIUM!!!!

This CUTE girl in the green is Jenna Riding. She is a singer songwriter form Idaho. I Love her voice. She has a very organic sound, and she is BEAUTIFUL! She made it to Hollywood week on American Idol a few years ago, and was featured on Good Morning America. The Darling girl to the right is Nancy Jones. What a sweet girl! She also has a BEAUTIFUL voice. I can't believe some of these contestants have not gone professional.

yesterday was a LOOOONG day, I competed in a vocal competition. The competition started with over 500 singers and was narrowed down to 80. After today's competition it will be narrowed down to 20 and so on until they get to the top 6.The winner gets to sing the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium!!! What an incredible opportunity to possibly represent my faith doing what I LOVE! At this point in the competition I think it's more about what they are looking for, and who they want to represent the church. For the most part everyone was fantastic! When I first arrived I was getting to know some of the other contestants. I couldn't help overhearing some of the conversations. One contestant mentioned she had 20 plus years of vocal lessons, another contestant sharing how she was a vocal coach, and had over 40 students. This went on and on with other contestants talking about how they have travel the world because of their music. Such incredible talent! In over 27 years of singing and performing, I have never been around such beautiful, talented singers. I found myself wanting to share some of my accomplishments, but refrained.

I couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed. Here I am a small town girl who has never had vocal lessons, then I remembered, it's not about me, it has never been about me. All feelings of competitiveness were gone and void. I have always tried to sing whenever or wherever I have been asked. Not for my own personal gain, but in hopes to inspire others and lift them up. There is nothing more rewarding as a singer to know you have touched someones heart through your music.

Nothing may come from this competition, but what I have learned is 1: The importance of believing in someone or something greater than yourself. 2: There is nothing wrong with having a quiet confidence . 3: There is something to be said about a small town girl with small town grit!

GRATEFUL!!!!!

This is My Brother Cody and My husband Lance.. I love these boys! Every year they save our spot for the Grand Parade (PROVO) They go down the day before, and take shifts to " Save the space" .

I love Independence day!!!!!! It wasn't until I was in my mid Twenties that I was able to observe a parade. I had always been in them..... singing, dancing, tumbling and waving ....(Elbow, Elbow, wrist- wrist -wrist....)

Things I LOVE about The 4th of July .......................

1. Family and Friends 2. Fire Works

3. Cotton Candy 4. The Grand Parade

5.Celebrating all of the people who have sacrificed so much for all of us.

THANK YOU!!!! I am GRATEFUL!!!