GIVING THANKS!

Every Year during the month of November, we get out

"THE THANKFUL JAR"

Whenever we think of something or someone we are thankful for, we write it down and place it in the jar.
It is so much fun at the end of the month to see what everyone is thankful for. My favorites are the little notes written by the kids, and the cute pictures they draw!



Here are just a few things I am thankful for.


1. An INCREDIBLE husband who is truly AMAZING (He should be cloned) it's true!

2. My car. Every morning I drive past the bus stop and see people waiting in the freezing cold. (I secretly want to pullover and tell them to hop on in)

3. My fluffy purple bathrobe (:


4. My little boy who has a HEART of GOLD! He reminds me to slowdown, and to have a little more patience. (Aren’t kids wise?)

5. Hershey's chocolate!!!!!!!!

6. I am thankful for my Parents, for their years of service. They have NEVER waivered in what
they believe! (I get a little teary-eyed just thinking about it)

7. For my little girl who tells me everyday “I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL HEART” (Thanks Winn)

8. Humor!

9. My family! My siblings are wonderful people, who would do anything for anyone. Not to mention they all have a fabulous sense of humor (:

10. For friends who inspire me daily. Some who have opened their heart to adoption, others who are willing to share their story! I love you!!

11. The opportunity to share what I love with others. For the gift of Music!

12. For a Father in Heaven who knows me, and loves me, despite my shortcomings.

The list could go ON and ON……

What are you thankful for???

LOVE NOTES

Get ready to CRY!!!!!!!! We can all learn a lesson form little Elena. Tell the people you care about how much you love them and give thanks! Love is a powerful word,  a powerful asset.

http://www.notesleftbehind.com/book/


When 6-year-old Elena Desserich was diagnosed with brain cancer, she began hiding hundreds of little love notes around the house for her parents to find after she was gone. Here’s the story:

Just before her sixth birthday, Elena Desserich was diagnosed with brain cancer and given 135 days to live. She lived 255 days, passing away in 2007. After her death, Elena’s parents, Brooke and Keith, found hundreds of notes from Elena hidden around the house — in between CD cases, between bookshelves, in dresser drawers, in backpacks….

"It just felt like a little hug from her, like she was telling us she was looking over us"

Elena’s parents, Brooke and Keith Desserich, have now published these notes in a book called Notes Left Behind to fund a non-profit organization The Cure Starts Now dedicated to fighting pediatric brain cancer.

Happy Halloween

PHOTO SHOOT!

A few months back I scheduled a Photo Shoot with the AMAZING Abbie Warnock. http://www.abbiewarnock.com/ I was in need of some new promotional photos. We met at the salt flats first, but the wind proved to be much more than we were looking for, so we got some shots out there and scheduled another shoot date at a closer location.

I had to post a picture of Uncle Rico's classic Photo Shoot!

If you noticed in one of the pictures my car door is open. I used the backseat as my dressing room.

I have to say that Abbie is wonderful to work with and the Photo Shoot was a Success. She is an Amazing photographer. Her work speaks to me. Her photography is BOLD and CREATIVE. Her lens is her paintbrush and she simply creates. I love watching people do what they were born to do! So inspiring!!!!
She takes all types of pictures from weddings to promotional photos, and she is completely affordable.

Thanks Abbie for an amazing Photo Shoot!

Wise Words

The other day my friend posted a quote on Facebook, and I thought it was so beautifully written.

"The secret to a happy marriage, happy children, fulfilling relationships, and a joy filled life is not a secret at all. It is unselfishness. The contrary is true as well. Unhappy children are the result of selfish parents; an unhappy marriage is the result of selfishness and so on. Everything associated with happiness and love involves thinking and caring about others before ourselves."     Eric Yardley



Thanks Eric, for your wise and Truthful words!

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!