Loss of an Uncle

It has been a few days since I was able to blog because I have been so busy. I got the chance to go out with the sisters again yesterday and was so blessed to be there while they taught a few wonderful people some very inspiring lessons. I was also able to see Randy (megan's boyfriend) get his first discussion and watch as he grew in light and understanding.

We are getting ready for the Super Bowl on Sunday. The San Francisco 49ers v. Baltimore Ravens. This is going to be a great game. I ofcourse will be going for the Ravens just because I know my wonderful friend Carmen is a 49ers fan and so wants them to win. What fun would it be to go with her. LOL. Loves ya Carmen.  I will be throwing a party again this year. I hope people will show up. We had so much fun last year. I am so looking forward to it again this year.

As a side note Dale has also started Blogging again so head on over to his blog and check out what he is writing about. You can find his link on the side of my blog --------------------------------------------->

Well this week has been a long week. I found out on Sunday that my Uncle Randy passed away. He was a long haul truck driver and was driving in Az. He pulled over because he thought he had a pinched nerve in his back and never made it out of his chair. He had a massive heart attack. This is the fourth male on my fathers side (including my father) who has had a heart attack. It has become very real to me to get myself healthy again. I have put it off for far to long. I have already started with my diet. Since getting pneumonia a few months ago I have had no choice but to change the way I eat. I have become Lactose intolerant and have become hyper sensitive to white flour and white sugar. Plus I cant eat any heavy meats. In a couple of weeks Dale and I will be doing a new exercise program called Tap Out. It is suppose to be a really good program plus I will have my very own motivator in my home.

Well that's all for now. Blog at you later

Megan's Baptism

Todays the day. I am so excited. You would think it was me being baptized but its not. My new good friend Megan is getting baptized today. This has been a long time coming for her, Three years I think, but she is finally doing it. I know that she is heading down a wonderful path full of wonderful blessings. I know that she is going to be so happy once this step is done and she is heading for the next step in her life.

 I decided to make her a beautiful set of jewelry to remember her baptism by. It is a pearl and crystal necklace, bracelet and earring set. The necklace has 26 pearls to represent the day she was baptized. It has two crystals on it to represent Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The silver beads and spacers represent the many blessings that she will receive by following our Lords commandment's.

I remember both times when my own children were baptized and how wonderful it was to see all those people there to support them. My wish for Megan is that she has a ton of people are there today to support her on this wonderful day.

Well I really need to get off here so that I can get ready for the day. But one last thing before I go. I can't stress enough how important it is that we as a person go out with the Missionaries and help them gather our Heavenly Fathers children and help them to return to his kingdom one day. I have been so blessed by doing this. I know that as I continue to do the things that He asks of me, I will continue to be blessed, As well as my family and friends.

Blog at you later.

my day so far

wow its been a day. I woke up early this morning and found out that the kids didn't have school today. That would have been nice to know last night but since I didn't get the call until 6 am the kids were up and getting ready. They went back to bed pretty easy but I couldn't go back to sleep.

Mindy came over last night and spent the night. She is spending the weekend with us so that she and I can set up a program to help us better advertise our jewelry businesses. I am excited about this so that I can make more money and get my product out to more people. I am going to get my business cards in a couple of weeks and cant wait to be able to pass them out to everyone. It has been a long time coming but finally things are starting to fall into place.

The kids are glad to be out of school but they are starting to get on my nerves. I would send them outside but its to darn cold for that. I wont even go out longer than a few seconds to let the dog go potty. Not even Buddy wants to be out there.

Anthony showed up to hang out with Dj. They are two peas in a pod. They tried to play Indian leg wrestling and let me tell you that was site to see. They never got the hang of it but just started wrestling instead. Those two crack me up.

Well that's all for today. Blog at you later.

All alone with my hubby

The kids are out of school today for holiday and both decided to spend the night last night with friends. It was so nice to have a quiet night at home with just me and the hubby. No yelling kids or noise from crazy shows. We had the Sister Missionaries and Megan over for one of her last lessons before she gets baptized on Saturday. After they all left we enjoyed just spending time talking and getting to know each other again. We went to bed kinda late and woke up at our own time without worrying about the kids. I love days like that. We don't get them very often but when we do we really take it for all its worth.

Blog at you later.

Being sick

Sorry I have not posted in a couple of days. I have been sick since Thursday. I had a very bad head cold. I was just hoping and praying that it didn't turn into pneumonia again. I really don't want to go through that again. I am feeling much better. I still have a cough but at least I have all m energy back.

Elyssa had a couple of friends over last night and it was nice to see her really enjoy herself again. Dale and Dj went on an overnight campout with the scouts last night. They should be home sometime tonight. I hope they had a good time and really learned something.

Well I don't have much to talk about so I'm going get off here.

Blog at you later.

Called to Serve

You know it may sound a little strange to some people but I really enjoy spending time driving the sister missionaries around and getting to really feel the spirit that they bring to peoples lives. Even if its just for the short moments we get to be with someone I feel like they are really connected to the spirit.

I was talking to my husband yesterday and telling him that I really feel like the whole reason I am called to be with the sisters right now is not only for the investigator's benefit but also  to help me grow in the gospel and in my testimony of this church and our Heavenly father. I know that as I am preparing myself and my family to go to the Temple and be sealed for all time and eternity that this is one of the ways that my loving Father in Heaven is helping me prepare. I am ofcourse doing other things that will help me but I feel as though I needed a boost so to speak to really get me in the right direction. I know that through my Father in Heaven I am able to get back on the right path and go wherever it is that He needs me to go.

 Without a doubt I am one of the luckiest woman on this planet at the moment. I strongly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to go out and spend time with your missionaries whether they be Elders or Sisters you should do it. It will not only help them in their mission but it will help you be a better person. I was told once that if an investigator has a connection to someone in the ward they are more likely to not only be baptized but have a stronger hold in the church. I find this to not only be true because of what I was told but because on several occasions I have gotten to see it first hand. We should all be willing to give up a small piece of our time to do something to really help our missionaries in anyway we can. You may not be able to drive them around but you can have lessons taught in your home with an investigator. I know that sounds a little scary cause that means we have to get out there and open our mouths about what we really are. But its what God really wants us to do. He wants all of his children to know of Him and His Son and He really wants us all to be with Him again in heaven. We have to do what He is asking us to do no matter how scared we are. If there is only one thing I learn from this whole process it is this. Its hard to be rejected when you are opening up yourself to people but the end result is much better than not doing anything and letting that soul go without our Father in Heavens word and Love.

I know that this is probably not what you were expecting when you got ready to read this post but I really feel like someone out there in cyber world really needed to hear it. I hope I touched at least one persons life today and made you feel the calling to help.

Blog at you later

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Im starting this weeks early since Im not sure of my day tomorrow.

 

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English...here's the list for 2013- fiscal cliff, kick the can down the road, double down, job creators/creation, passion/passionate, yolo (an acronym for you only live once), spoiler alert, bucket list, trending, superfood, boneless wings, and guru. Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why. Go here to read more about how the words were chosen.

I would have to say the first word I think should be banned from everyday speech is Guru. Mostly because no one is using it in the right sense. The true meaning of Guru is a intellectual or spiritual guild or leader. Not just anyone who thinks they are good at something.

2.  When was the last time you rode a train?  Where did you go?

Never. I have always wanted to ride a train but have never really gotten the chance.

 3. Bagels-yay or nay?  Favorite 'flavor'?  Favorite topping?

I say yay. I don't always want one but when I do they are good. I don't really have a favorite flavor or topping.

 4.  'Tis the season of awards shows...if you could star in a movie already made which one would you choose?

I don't really know that I would choose any of them honestly. I have a few that I loved seeing but I just don't want to be in the movies.

 5. The move towards single gender classrooms has been making the news in recent months....what say you?  Do you think kids perform better if seperated by gender and are taught differently or is that discrimination?  If you're a parent, is this something you'd support in regard to your own children?
I don't think that they need to be separated all the time but in some circumstances I think it would be a good thing. They really need the interaction with each other  because live is not divided by gender.

6. What's your favorite thing about staying in a hotel?

I would have to say having someone else do the cleaning for me at the end of the stay.

 7. Do you have a 'word' for 2013?  What's the story behind your choice?

since the year has just started I would say no for now.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I think my random thought for today is just to be open to anything that is coming your way. It may be for you or for someone else but you wont know that until its over.

Teens are so hard to get to open up

Today has been a day. I know that teens are full of emotions but Dj has just been full of them lately. I really think something is going on with him but he just wont talk to me about it. I want to help even if its just listening to him but I can't get him to tell me whats going on. He and his best friend have been getting into little tiffs here and there for awhile but they just blew up at eachother the other day and in the process Dj just let go at church and said some very inappropriate words. He understands that it was wrong but he wont say whats going on or what he is feeling. Uhhhhh he is so frustrating me. Why can't teens just express what they are feeling so we as Parents can help them through it. Sorry for the rant but I needed to get it out. I love my kids no matter what.

Blog at you later.

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Wednesday Hodge Podge

 



While I would normally do this on a Wednesday but since I just started posting again I thought I would start today and pick up again next Wednesday like normal.

1. What is ONE thing or area in your home or life you hope to report is completely organized when 2013 draws to a close?  Do you  have a plan to make it happen?

 I would have to say that the one place in my home I hope to have completely organized by the end of 2013 will be my craft room. While it is already pretty organized it could certainly use more. I would like to get it done by putting up shelves and getting all my stuff on a computer to keep track of what I have and how much.

2. What's the worst uniform you've ever had to wear for a job?

I have not had many jobs and most of the ones I did have were before I had a husband and family. I would have to say I didn't have one that I didn't really like. Most of them were pretty comfy.

 3. What was your last kitchen 'mishap'?  This question comes to you courtesy of Betty who blogs over at A Glimpse Into Midlife...everyone go say hi to Betty!

I honestly cant say that I recall the last time I had a mishap in the kitchen. Im usually pretty good about making sure I don't break anything or burn or mess up a recipe.


 4. How do you protect yourself from other people's negativity?

I don't think you can really protect yourself truly because we are all human and have feelings. I just try to remember that that is their opinion and to take it with a grain of salt.

 5. Who in your family do you most resemble (physically)? If you have children, who do people say they favor? Do you agree?

People say Im an equal split of both my parents. As for my children. My son looks a lot like me and my daughter is a good cross between my husband and myself. I would have to agree with it all.

 6. January 8th is National Bubble Bath Day...will you be celebrating?

Well if I had known Im sure I would have but as I didn't know then No I wont be. lol

 7.  Some of the 'world's best winter festivals' are - Mardi Gras (New Orleans), Quebec Winter Festival (Canada), Sundance Film Festival (Park City, Utah),  Rio Carnivale (Brazil), Sapporo Snow Festival (Japan), Venice Carnival (Italy) and the Harbin Ice Festival (Northern China).  Of those listed (and if cost were not a factor) which would you most like to attend and why?

Well considering the fact that I am from the south and celebrated several times Mardi Gras and the fact that I have no idea about the others I would have to say any of them except Mardi Gras.

 8.  Insert your own random thought here

It has been so good being able to blog again. I have missed being able to write down my thoughts and have them to be able to look back on and remember how I was feeling about the day.

two in one day

I know that I have already posted today but I just needed to blog about my day again.

I was able to go out with our sister missionaries ( Sister Vandenburg and Sister Oldham) again today and meet with Allie and Larry. I have to say she is one girl who really feels the spirit of our heavenly father with full force. I am very excited to see her progress in our faith and would love to see them sealed in the temple next year. I know with all my heart that she will make it there.

We also saw another lady and her two friends but im not sure how well that one went. I know that both sister Oldham and I both felt like the place we were was not a good place. But I had faith that our heavenly father would not let anything happen to us while we are doing our lords work.

I also got to talk to Telsa today. she isn't having a great year so far and she really needed someone to talk to. I let her know she is loved by not only me and dale but also by our father in heaven. I think it really helped. I also told her that if she needed anything to just call one of us and we will be here for now no matter what she needed.

I know that I have spoken several times in this blog about Him but I really feel like He is playing a huge role in my life now a days. He has made such a change in my family and really bringing us back together and getting us back on the road home to Him. I can't imagine my life without Him in it.

I was told by the Sisters today that our Nashville, Tn mission is leading in baptisms and conversions and it is all due to member involvement. I was also told that they believe it is all due to me. I have to say that while that is an amazing thing I can only give credit where its due. I wouldn't be doing any of this if my Heavenly Father didn't tell me to be doing it. I feel like this is where I am suppose to be and this is what I am suppose to be doing right now. I can't deny my feelings and/or my Heavenly Fathers will. I didn't get to serve a full time mission (mostly because I was a young mother and getting married at the time I could have gone) as a young woman. So I feel like this is my way of being able to do that now. I love being there to watch as these people see and feel the truth of what we are telling them.

Well its time for me to get off here and spend some time with my husband. Both the kids are skating tonight and Dj is spending the night with Anthony afterwards so we will pretty much have the house to ourselves for a while. We don't get that to often.

Blog at you later.

A year of catch up

Well it has been almost a year since I was last able to post on here. I really need to get back into the habit of posting again. I have had a lot of things happen in the last year. So I guess I will get started.

Let see where should I start. Well we finally moved out of the apartment and into a three bedroom house. We love how open and perfect it really is. There is no need to worry about yelling (not that there is much of that going on anymore) or jumping up and down and worrying about people living bellow us. The kids are so much happier and there isn't fighting. Well no more than normal when there are teenagers involved. Lol.

I started a Jewelry business called "Bellard Bijou Boutique" and it is really starting to take off. I love the work and I enjoy being very creative with my stuff. My clients/friends love my stuff. I love seeing them wearing my jewelry. Im working on getting my business cards so that I can get the word out even more. I do have a web site for it. It Facebook.com/bellardbijouboutique . Go check it out and like the page. I could always use more likes. Once your there Im pretty sure you will love my stuff to.

Dale is starting to get the ball rolling for school so that he can become a Phyical Therapist assistant making good money. We have our fingers crossed. Its only a two year program so he should be able to get through it pretty fast. We all know how fast time goes. Right?

The kids are getting big. Elyssa just turned twelve and is now in Young Women's at church and loving it. She is advancing in school just like we thought she would. She is involved with Beta and a couple other clubs and just learned that she is now taking Art in school as her newest class. She is very excited about that. She is really growing into quite the little woman. I have a very strong feeling that she will be going on a mission when she is 19 now that they have lowered the age from 21 for girls. Sometimes I think she is just a little adult with the things that she says and feels. 

Dominic is about to be 15 in July and really excited about getting his driving permit. Me not so much. But I understand he has to grow up sometime and this is all part of it. As he is getting older he is learning to control his emotions better and we are having less blow ups as a result. He is doing well in school for the most part and just got Teen living as his newest class. Im just hoping he doesn't get that electronic baby cause with the way he sleeps he will never hear it crying. Plus I really don't want to hear it either.

They are both growing so fast. It seems like just yesterday they were both little and now they are teenagers. Where does the time go.

With everything going on Dale is finally ready to move forward in our spiritual journey and we are going to be sealed as a family. Our plan is to be sealed by this summer but as soon as we get the letter from Dominic's father giving us permission to have Dominic sealed to us then we will do it. I have been waiting a long time for this and I can't tell you just how happy I really am. Dale and I have our Temple interviews with the bishop on Sunday so that is the first step to moving this whole process forward.

Well I think that just about gets us all caught up on the year. Now that I have access to this blog again I am going to make it a priority to write everyday. Well at least four times a week. Cause lets be honest my life is busy and most days Im dropping into bed around 11:30 at night and Im out for the night. So here is to happy Blogging again.

Blog at you later.

All caught up

ok so i have been sucking at keeping up with this blog. I have had a lot of things going on since i last posted. First off I quit my job so that i could put my family back together. My sister went back to live with my mother and it has been a great deal of stress taken off my shoulders. dont get me wrong because i love her more than she will ever know but she is a brat and was causing to much turmoil in my home. Second, my kids both passed the grades they were in and now i have a 6th grader and an 8th grader. Two middle schoolers. Dominic passed with mostly c's but at least he passed. im very pleased he brought them up from d's and f's. Elyssa passed with all a's but really who is surprised by that. she also received the presidial award for having atleast a 90% in all subjects all year and she received the character award for her class because she showed great character all year to everyone she came in contact with. Third, i have started my own jewelry business. i have a real passion for jewelry and i love to help woman look beautiful and it not cost them an arm and a leg to do so. I applied for a small business grant for woman so keep your fingers crossed that i get it. Well i guess that has you all caught up in my life. now lets hope i can keep it up.

blog at you later.

time fly's

wow i cant believe that it is already almost the end of march. i have not had a chance to get on here and blog all year. at the end of last year our computer crashed completely and we have not gotten a new one. last month we finally updated our phones so now I'm able to finally blog again.

alot has happened in the three short months of this year. i have been working full time at The Youth Academy taking care of babies 6 weeks to 12 months. i love my job for the most part but there are days when i wish i could just be a stay at home mom again. i miss being around all the time for my kids. being able to help with homework and social issues. they just grow up so fast and we as parents dont get very long to be that involved in their lives. sometimes i feel like im wasting that presious time away. i know its silly but its how i feel. and i know i will always be their parent but i feel what i feel. silly or not.

dale no longer works for the police department. he finally relised that i was right and it wasn't a good match for him. he is now back at the prison and trying to climb the ranks so he can help make it a better place for the officers an the inmates. i have no doubt he has a great future there.

the kids are doing good for the most part. we have our days and moments. the girls are in a play at church called The Seven Sisters. Elyssa loves it but Chey wants to quit all the time. i keep telling her that she made a commitment and has to see it through. she doesnt like it but im sticking to what i said. she has always given up when thing are not going her way or fast enough for her but i wont let her do that now and she hates it, but i feel like im right and she needs to learn that not everything is about her.

well i have rambled on long enough for today. so im going to go now.

More to come later.

Home made stockings

So i went to get the stocking out of the Christmas box to hang up this year and couldn't find them anywhere in the house. So I went out to price them and see what I could afford and couldn't find any decent stocking for a good price so instead I decided to take a risk and make them myself. I got a pattern and all the materials I needed them went to it. It took a couple of tires but all in all them came out great. Not bad for someone who has never used a pattern or sewn anything that didn't have a strait line stitch. Maybe now I will venture out and try something new in sewing. we shall see.

Blog at you later.

Dj suspended

So I have not had a chance to get on here in a couple of days because my computer was down with some kind of bug but now its working again and I can catch you up on what has been going on. So to start, on Friday the 9th I got a call from Dj's school Principal saying that he is fine but he was involved in a fight and for that he will be suspended for three days starting on Monday the 12th. I didn't get any details but as soon as he got home I drilled him for a couple of hours until I got the truth or at least most of it out of him.

I found out that he was part of some fight club called 60 sec. where you match up with another person close to your size and fight for 60 sec. He did this willingly and then on top of it all he did it in a bathroom where someone could have gotten really hurt. Needless to say I was very upset about the whole thing and grounded him until further notice.

As for his punishment he was my slave for the three days he was out of school. He got up at the same time he would if he were going to school and cleaned anything and everything for the first day. The second day he cleaned again and then had to write a 500 word essay on why fighting is wrong and the reason why he will NEVER do it again. Then a 5 paragraph essay on why the bible says you shouldn't fight. Then the third day he cleaned again followed by three hours of Drill Sergeant daddy. Lets just say I think he finally learned his lesson on this one. I don't think he will ever fight in school or get suspended ever again.

Blog at you later.

The End of RFYLH

Well we have finally come to the end of these questions. I know most of you are thinking thank you for many different reasons but to tell the truth I have really enjoyed this process. I hope that you will take the questions and do the same on your blog or just in a journal so that your future generations will know a little bit about you and your past. Keep blogging or Journaling and I will to.

Blog at you later.

Day 53 of RFYLH

Question #53

What is the most wonderful thing that ever happen to you? The worst?

Well the best thing that ever happen to me would have to be meeting my husband and having our kids. I know it sounds corny but its true. I don't know where I would be without them. The worst thing that ever happen to me so far has not happened and I hope will never happen. So Im not even going to say it but if you are a wife and mother you know what I am talking about because more than likely its the worst thing that could happen to you to.

Blog at you later.

Day 52 of RFYLH

Question #52

Tell about your favorite uncle?

Ok well this will be a short post since I do have several uncles but am close to none of them. I don't really know them and there for do not have a favorite uncle.

Blog at you later.

Day 51 of RFYLH

Question # 51

Tell about exciting experences?

I have had a lot of exciting experences in my lifetime. Most of them envolving my family and way to many to talk about on here. But I have always loved the spirt of Christmas. I think one of my favorite times of the year (despite all the stress and me constantly saying I want it to be over already) is when we pick out the tree and bring it home and decorate it as a family. Picking the theme of the tree and just having a good time a family. I really enjoy moments when everyone is happy and getting along. They are few and far between but I love them none the less.

Blog at you later.

Day 50 of RFYLH

Question # 50

Tell about your favorite Aunt.

Well I really only have three that I really know and I love them all but I would have to say my anut Tami is my favorite just because we are the closest. It might have something to do with the fact that we are close in age or that we attend the same church but I think it has to do with the fact that I just bonded with her. Not that I have not spent time with my other aunts and bonded with them but Tami and I just have a different connection.

Blog at you later.