I've been Tagged!!!!

By Mela

Tag #1
1. Where did you meet your husband?
I officially met Kyle on a trip to Greer with my cousin Shari Johnson and some friends. We went camping over Memorial Day Weekend in 2001. I knew of him because of all the Gila Valley girls he had previously date.

2. What was the first thing you said to your husband?
I don’t remember. I just remember he had me cracking up laughing when we were at the cabin that night!! Seriously my eyes were watering I was laughing so hard.

3. Where was your first date?
Our 1st first date (June 2001) was a movie, “Laura Kroft, Tomb Raider.” Our second 1st date (April 2002) was the Diamondbacks 2^nd game of the season, I think they were playing the cubs. I even got a ring that night (no not a diamond ring, a Diamondback World Series ring). Diamond ring… Diamondback ring… hmm???

4. Where was your first kiss?
Our 1^st kiss was in a hotel room in San Diego (don’t worry, it was very G rated, ok, maybe a little PG). The story we plan to tell our children… Our 1^st kiss was on a pier at Seaport Village in San Diego.

5. Did you have a long or short courtship/engagement?
We started dating in April 2002 and were married by September 5, 2002. The longest summer I ever had.

6. Where did you get engaged?
Kyle took me to eat at the Melting Pot in Scottsdale, after dinner we walked around the lake behind the restaurant were he proposed to me.

7. Where were you married?
Snowflake Temple.

8. How did your reception go?
Which one?? Kyle say’s we had the longest wedding ever. We had pictures taken the night before our wedding. Then got married on a Thursday had our wedding reception in Pima on Saturday, then more pictures the following Saturday and an Open House at the Shalimar in Tempe. But I think they both turned out really nice. My mom and my Aunt Valerie and Aunt Lynne helped put together the reception and my sister decorated the cake.

9. How was your honeymoon?
We stayed in a cabin in Lakeside. It was a lot of fun.

Tag #2
Four Places I've lived....
1. Pima, AZ
2. Globe, AZ
3. St. Davids, PA
4. Cottonwood, AZ

Four jobs I've had....
1. Dairy Queen in Globe (my 1^st job)
2. Nanny in PA
3. SSSC twice (1^st time thanks to my cousin Jenny)

4. Impressive Labels in Safford

Five things I'd like to do before I die....
1. Grow old with my husband
2. See my children grow up and go on missions and get married in the Tempe and see them go to college and become successful.
3. Finish my education.
4. Go on a mission with Kyle (NYC hopefully).
5. Get a decorating license.

Four favorite desserts....
1. Vanilla ice cream with either saltine crackers or wheat germ on it.
2. cheez-its??? Does that count as a desert?
3. ???
4. ???

Four facts about me....
1. I am a licensed Nail Technician.
2. I was a nanny in Philadelphia PA when I was 18 years old. It was a lot of fun.
3. I ran a business in Cottonwood, AZ (R & R Pizza) for my brother. Hardest job and most stressful job I ever had!!!
4. I love to decorate my home!!!

Four favorite TV shows....
1. Desperate Housewives
2. Chuck
3. What Not to Wear
4. Las Vegas

Tag #3
6 facts/habits about myself...here's the good and the ugly!

1. According to Kyle, I am meticulous.
2. According to Kyle, I am genuine.
3. I veg in front of the TV at night after everyone is asleep.
4. I take a long time to get ready (not as long as I use too now that I have children).
5. When I was a lot thinner and when I was single I had a belly button ring for a while (Kyle wishes he had known me then).
6. I don’t like to grocery shop and cook and I procrastinate cooking dinner. Yes I know I come from a family (both sides of my family) of great cooks, but it is soooo boring!!!

Thanks Margo, that was fun. Now I tag Launa, Steph, & Tricia!

Tis the Reason...

Last night was our Enrichment. I think it turned out perfect. We had a friend from an old ward come sing. It was fun to see her because I haven't seen her in over 2 years. The theme was on Christ and becoming better member missionaries. I brought in a lot of my Christmas decorations and decorated the RS room and the entry way (that was a lot of fun and I thought it turned out pretty). there were a bunch of HUGE poinsettia's sitting around so I used those to decorate too. We had some speakers come (I didn't get to listen to them though, being on the Enrichment committee, I spent most of my time in the kitchen). Anyway, after that we showed the Luke II video with Amy Grant's song "Breath of Heaven." (I add the video below) I love that!!! After we served Hot Chocolate and Cinnamon rolls. We also did a cookie exchange. the ladies each brought in 2 dozen cookies and divided them up and had them take a plate to a neighbor and then take some home for them.

Everything turned out really nice. The Cinnamon rolls and I had a falling out though. I have only made them one other time and yesterday i thought i would double the recipe in my bread maker. My bread maker didn't like it. Needless to say, my dough is sitting in the fridge right now and I had Kyle go get me some Rhodes Cinnamon rolls (thank goodness for Rhodes) and I baked them. They were gobbled up!!! I brought 2 dozen and they were gone!!! They are the best substitute for homemade.

Ok, I just want to brag on my husband...

I have posted some slide shows of pictures that Kyle took of our kids and their cousins. Ok, I know we have cute subjects already, and that always helps, but DANG my husband is getting really good at this!! I am going to make a website of just his professional prints of family's and children that he has done. So be watching for it soon.

da Boys!

GramC & her Girls

No more cake please!!!!!

I was going through our pictures and found this. I think it was from Drew's birthday. She looks like she has had WAY too much!! It is hilarious! If you double click on the picture and enlarge it, it is even more funny!

I've been Tagged!

Tagged!

I've been tagged! Thanks to Launa, I get to do this! Don’t get too bored!

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friends: Kyle-SHOCKER!
C- Cake or Pie: cake
D- Day of choice: Every other Friday: DATE NIGHT!!!
E- Essential Item: make up and hair stuff!
F- Favorite Color: depends, probably reds and yellows right now (decorating)
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Gummi Worms
H- Hometown: Pima or Globe
I- Indulgence(s): Shopping by myself
J- January or July: January
K- Kids: Andrew 3 & Jaedyn 2 on January 2nd
L- Life is Incomplete Without: My husband & kids
M- Marriage Date: September 5th
N- Number of Siblings: 1 brother, 3 sisters, 1 step-brother & 1 step-sister
O- Oranges or Apples: Apples
P- Phobias or Fears: spiders and something happening to my husband or children
Q- Quotes: Right now my favorite one is, "If you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and swing!
R- Reason To Smile: husband and children
S- Season: Fall & Winter
T- Tag Three: Kyle, Steph & Heidi
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I don't like chocolate
W- Worst Habit: Oh.... Which one.... Maybe its the one I am doing right now as I am thinking. Chewing on my finger nail.
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds
Y- Your Favorite Food: Mexican food and Pizza
Z- Zodiac: Virgo

sleeping babies

My sleeping babies. This is a picture at my parents house. I thought it was cute. They look like they are holding hands.

Pregnant Turkey

I emailed this to a lot of you, but just had to post it too!!! Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

PREGNANT TURKEY STORY
One year at Thanksgiving, my Mom went to my sister's house for the traditional feast.
Knowing how gullible my sister is, my Mom decided to play a trick. She told my sister that she needed something from the store.
When my sister left, my Mom took the turkey out of the oven, removed the stuffing, stuffed a Cornish hen, and inserted it into the turkey, and re-stuffed the turkey. She then placed the birds back in the oven.
When it was time for dinner, my sister pulled the turkey out of the oven and proceeded to remove the stuffing. When her serving spoon hit something, she reached in and pulled out the little bird.
With a look of total shock on her face, my mother exclaimed, "Patricia, you've cooked a pregnant bird!" At the reality of this horrifying news, my sister started to cry It took the family two hours to convince her that turkeys lay eggs!
Yep..................SHE'S BLONDE!

Blustering 73 degrees in Buckeye

Well it FINALLY feels like Fall today. It has been in the 80's and 90's for far too long this year. We even got a nice treat this morning, it was overcast and we had some sprinkles and it is even a little windy. To celebrate this fine beautiful weather in the Valley of the Sun, I am making my mom's homemade bean recipe, Goldwater Beans. I am also going to attempt homemade bread. I think I might try the bread that my friend Heidi bragged about on her website the other day. We will see how it goes. If I had my camera (Kyle took it with him to work) I would take pictures of the kids playing outside in their Fall clothing.

Hi everyone

Just thought I would share really quickly.... We had a miscarriage on Monday. I was 7 weeks and 5 days. Anyway, Kyle and I spent all day in the emergency room. We left the kids with some friends. It is soooo nice to know you can leave your children with someone you trust and know they are happy and ok and don't need to worry about them. (Thanks Steph).

Anyway, it was a little harder to handle emotionally then I ever imagined, but we are really handling it ok and we have a lot of blessings to be grateful for already.

the good news is we get to try again in a couple of months so we will keep you posted when it happens again. :0) Hey, maybe I can loose some more weight in the mean time!! :0)

Maybe there's a baby in MY belly

So we have been talking to Drew about the baby that we are going to have. We explain that it is in my belly and growing inside. Drew always asks if he (baby) is going to pop out of my belly and says maybe Drew can catch him when he pops out. Well anyway, I was out and about with the kids today, and we were heading home and Drew announces that he has to go "pooty." We are almost home and so I tell him to hold it. As we pull in to the drive Drew tells me his tummy hurts. As I am getting ready to tell him, it is probably because he has to go to the bathroom and he announces, "Maybe there's a baby in MY belly." Nope only mommy's can have baby's in their bellies.

Halloween and the Holy Ghost

So Drew was helping me take care of the Halloween decorations this week. He was commenting about the witches and pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns as we were putting them away. Then he went for the little ghosts that I had painted. "Here are the Holy Ghosts, mom!"

Leapord Print Baby!

Any one that really knows me, knows I like leapord print. And it looks sooo adorable on little kids. Here is my J Belle in her Sunday dress (that i bought off of ebay) in her little custom bow/headband that I made. I love making headbands and bows to match Jaedyn's outfits.

This is after church today. As you can see in the picture on the left, she is just like her mom, she loves shoes, but as soon as she walks in the door, they have to come off.

Baby #3

Well, I can officially post it on my blog, I have been to the doctors, so it is official. Yes, we are having another one. I know we have shocked a few and stunned others! We swore up and down we were just to old to have one more (i am 37 years old myself and my DH, Kyle has just turned 40). I personally thought if Heavenly Father had another little one for us, which deep down i was hoping for, that he was going to have to talk to Kyle 1st, because Kyle was the one he would have to work on most. Well, I guess he must have whacked Kyle in the head, because all of a sudden, out of the blue, Kyle said, we need to have another one, Jaedyn needs to be a big sister. so here we are! I am just 6 weeks along. We have told the kids, Drew is excited, Jaedyn really doesn't know what is going on. Drew INSISTS it is a boy. I keep telling him, well Drew we don't know yet, what if it is a girl. are you going to be ok, if it is a girl? "No mom, it's not, it's my boy baby!" What are we going to name it? "Boy baby, mom, his name is Boy Baby." Well for Drew's sake I hope it is a boy, if it is a girl, I hope he is ok with that. :0) Oh well, he has adopted are friends, "Boy Baby" down the street for now.

Two cutest tricker or treaters ever!!!

We had our ward Halloween party on Saturday. Despite Drew not feeling well that weekend, he still insisted on going. Here are some pictures before we left.

Drew before he made me take out all the stuffing



Jaedyn before her little whiskers on her face. You can kind of see her tail behind her.

Jaeydn with her whiskers, Drew's cute girlfriend, Olivia, and Andrew as a deflated pumpkin. the kids had a lot of fun and can't wait to go trick or treating Halloween night.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.....

Is Coming

Ok, so i know it has been a while since i posted. And I have some news to share... Just haven't figured out how to share it yet, but some already know and I am sure some can guess....

See you soon!!!

Drew & "Papa" having a slumber party...

After a big family get together for Kyle's bday, an exhausted
Drew and grandpa decide to have a slumber party on grandpa's
cool new air mattress.

Andrew put his sippy cup next to Grandpa's glass.

Disclaimer to previous post....

Ok, in case anybody is wondering and thinking, "Wow, Mela really acts holier then thou, how could she write that about her husband..." I just want to say, anyone that knows me and knows my husband will tell you that he is the spiritual giant in our family and the scriptorian in our family. The previous post was done all in fun. In fact, he helped me look up the scripture about Moses and the staff.

Kyle, Diet Cokes, and Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy

First of all, I want to say, what an awesome husband I have. In fact, he is almost darn near perfect. He does have a few issues, one he knows I really get annoyed by (I won't mention it, but he knows what I am talking about), another is his Diet Coke addiction.

He is so addicted that he has a hard time not shopping on Sunday's just so he can get him a soda, not just any soda, it has to be diet coke, actually it is "9/10 diet 1/10 real." yes, he will even ask for it that way at the movie theater (don't worry, we are not going to the movies on Sunday). Anyway, if he could bring his "sippy cup" to church with him on Sunday he would. Well, I have a friend (I won't mention your name Steph, oops Crap! Sorry Steph, oh dang, I did it again) who is addicted to Mt. Dew, she suggested buying the fountain soda the night before and then sticking it in the fridge and keeping it for Sunday {oh what will these addicts think of, just to get their fix : 0 ) } Well, Kyle decided to do that Saturday night. Yeah!! Sunday comes, we go to church, we come home, we are having a nice quiet Sunday and all of a sudden Kyle needs a diet coke. "Well get it out of the fridge," I tell him. "I already drank it," he says. "Well, I have a bottle of diet pepsi in the fridge, drink that." I might as well told him to cut off his arm or jump off a cliff. Diet Pepsi is a cuss word in his family.

"And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." That is all the Lord asked them to do, very simple, but many did not. The Lord doesn't ask for much, keep one day holy in His name. You have six, he just asks for one. Needless to say, he drank my diet pepsi (making him feel guilty is so much fun).

Sunday evening comes, "I need a diet coke, do you think I could go down to the Wal-mart around the corner and get a diet coke out of the vending machine?"

I love you Kyle!

In case anyone is confused, Jaedyn's sippy cup is on the left, Kyle's is on the right.

Kyle's 40th!

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

I can't believe Kyle is turning 40 years old in a couple of weeks!!! And I am just a few short years behind him!! They say life begins at 40! So let the good times roll honey!!! He is such a good husband and dad. I am so proud of him and excited to be a part of his life!

Anyway, this is the birthday card I made up for him. We are going to have a family birthday party.

Happy Early Birthday Kyle! I love you!

Labor Day Weekend on Mt Graham

Here is a picture of my happy family (actually the kids weren't too thrilled to have to stop and take the picture). We are posing at Post Creek. We had been up to church at Columbine and were heading down the mountains to go to have lunch at my aunt's cabin in Turkey Flat. Anyway, it was my Kyle's and the kids 1st time going to church in Columbine. They loved it. I will post more pictures later.

Nutrition Lesson for today....

Sugar Does Not Cause Obesity! Over indulging causes Obesity!

Sugar plays a role in helping suppress feelings of hunger, a plus for those striving to control their weight. Remember - One (1) teaspoon of sugar has only 15 calories. For those of us doing WW that is 0 points for 1 tsp.

I have always thought that it makes me feel full. I remember when I worked at the B of A building on Alma School & Southern, my friend and I would walk across to Fiesta Mall for lunch then we would go get a tiny free sample of candy at the Candy Factory in the mall afterword. I always felt full after eating that piece of candy. Also, I have noticed recently, since starting WW that when I eat fruit in the mornings, I am fuller.

So, in my opinion, if you are trying to stay full after a meal, go for a piece of fruit or even a little dinner mint.

And:

Sugar is a basic carbohydrate that every healthy body need for energy. Put another way, sugar is an essential fuel for muscles, internal organs, and first-rate brain function.

On that note:

Artificial Sweeteners - Many people use artificial sweeteners because they think they are cutting calories and will lose weight. Often, these people will eat artificially sweetened foods or drinks and then eat even more of other foods. They may even end up gaining weight! The calorie savings with artificial sweeteners are not as great as most people think. Also remember, artificial sweeteners are not found in nature. It's not necessary to use artificial sweeteners to eat less sugar because foods taste just fine made with less sugar. Today's health-conscious consumers need to ask, "Is saving a few calories worth abandoning an all-natural food like sugar?"

Information taken from: http://whatscookingamerica.net/Sugar.htm courtesy of: The Sugar Association.

24th of July Celebration

The 24th of July Celebration are always fun in small towns that are mostly populated with LDS or founded by the LDS.

St. John's is even more particularly fun. My sister Michelle and her family live up there, so Kyle and I decided to take the kids up there for the parade and the fun. My parents and my sister Tricia and her husband met us up there too. Here are pictures from the parade. Note the picture with Drew and the hand full of candy and the lolly pop in his mouth. The picture says it all. Parades in small towns are a lot of fun and we like the St. John's parade especially because they have the big fire trucks come through in the end and they spray water and the kids come running out to get soaked. In Fact , we have so much fun and the weather is just perfect (monsoon has kicked in by then) that we have invited ourselves next year!

Quote of the day...

As Andrew is sitting in the bathtub....

"Mom, my bottom is making bubbles!!!"

Then he attempts to make more bubbles with his bottom.

Should I be concerned...

Should I be concerned that one of the words in my 19 month old daughters limited vocabulary is "Bob Bob" translation, Sponge Bob. She sees him or a picture of a hamburger and starts saying, "Bob Bob."

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Book Review

Do Not Read if You don't want to find out what happens.

Ok, first I want to give a little history. Back in 2000, when my sister Tricia and I were living in Cottonwood, AZ I was fishing around the apartment looking for a book to read. Tricia, reads a lot so I asked her some suggestions. She told me to read her Harry Potter books. I laughed and told her i wasn't going to read some kids books.

Well, anyway, I was bored so I thought I would take a look at it. I couldn't put the book down. I think, there were 3 out by then and so I read, one right after another. So thanks to Tricia, I was hooked on books.

Now, I am just going to say right now, I am not a huge groupy. I love the books, but I couldn't tell you the Gryffindor colors. In fact, I might have just spelled Gryffindor wrong and if I have, I apologize if I have offended any Potter Fans.

When, I got married, my husband was a huge Potter fan. So thanks to him, I continued reading the series as they came out. I have not read the books over and over like he has. But we did read book 3 again together just before the 3rd movie came out (by the way, I don't recommend doing this, the movies though GREAT and I loved everyone of them, aren't nearly as fun as reading the books). I do want to say I also love the actors who play Harry, Ron and Harmonie. Actually, I think that all the actors and directors did an incredible job. It's just that when you read the book right before the movie, you wish that they had put certain scenes in and such...

Ok so anyway, we got the book Saturday morning, Kyle, my DH, went to Walmart at 5 am in Show Low, AZ and bought it. We were visiting family that weekend so I told him he couldn't hide from everyone reading the whole weekend. So anyway, He finished up, Thursday. By then I had read about 45 pages when he wasn't reading. So Thursday, I officially started reading it and I just finished reading it at 1 AM Monday morning. I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN!!! Let's just say, my house didn't get cleaned for the last few days and my family was lucky that I was at least feeding them meals.

OK, Here is where you probably want to stop reading if you don't want to find out what happens....

Anyway, it is very action packed. And I just want to say that I knew Snape was on Dumbledore's side, though I did think Dumbledore was really still alive, just like Ron did. But, alas, he is very dead. I was going to be very upset if Harry was killed in the book. I was SOBBING (you may laugh at me but that's ok, those that know me well will not be suprised to here me say that) as Harry was walking into the forrest with his parents and the ones he loved so dear to him that had died, as he was going to meet Vodlermort and he new he had to die in order for Voldermort to die.

I was extremely happy that he did not stay dead. That he was able to go talk to Dumbledore in the "spirit world" and then he had a chance to come back, but it was his decision.

I loved the fighting scene in the end! I loved that Neville was the ring leader and was able to pull the sword from the hat and kill the snake!! I loved that Harry came back and fought Voldermort and that he stood up to him in front of everyone!! I loved how Harry put him in his place and that Harry gave Voldermort the opportunity to "repent" and not kill Harry. I love how in the end it was Voldermort that ended up killing himself when his wand (which was rightfully Harry's because it was originally rightfully Draco's) backfired and killed himself. And I loved the fact the JK Rowlings put the last chapter in the book so we could know what was going on with Harry, Ron and Harmonie 19 years later.

As my husband says, Rowlings is the Tolkien of our day! And I would probably have to agree, even though I have only read "The Two Towers." But I have seen all the movies.

Anyway, I have attached a link to a great interview with JK. But I guess if you have read this you probably have read the 7th book and don't care.

Important for my son Andrew to know...

I know Andrew is only 3 years old, but I want him to know what is really important when he grows up. I want him to stand up for truth and righteousness and always do what his Heavenly Father would want him to do.

And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.
-- Alma 53:20-21


In the Hollow of His Hand

Dear Lord who blesses us with love
Please send this day thy spirit from above
As this thy son, accepts a call from thee
Help him we pray to learn humility.

Direct his footsteps everyday
And keep him ever walking in thy ways
Inspire him as he spreads the gospel plan
Lord, hold him in the hollow of thy hand.

In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man
Help his understanding deepen and increase
In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man
Let him know the special blessing of thy peace.

Dear Lord, who hears and answers prayers
Please keep thy servant always in thy care
As he prepares to teach his fellow men
Oh keep him safe and bring him home again.

Protect him from all worldly ways
And always send thy spirit when he prays
Give him the courage of a righteous man
Just hold him in the hollow of thy hand.

As he faces life’s demands
May he take a valiant stand
Give him shelter in the hollow of thy hand.

If You Build it, They Will Come

Ok, so around 1 1/2 to 2 years ago, as we were getting ready to move out to Buckeye, I was pretty excited! A small town, near the city... perfect!! I have the best of both worlds! When I found out that they would be building a Walmart, Linen's and Things, and Lowes in Buckeye, I was even more excited! Then I found out that they would be basically in my backyard! I don't want it that close! I could walk to it. That will bring in more traffic to our Sundance area then I really don't want.

Then they start clearing the land and buildings slowly start coming up. It was kind of fun, trying to figure out what building was for what store as we would drive down the road. it was fun finding out, cool they are putting in this store! wow, look how quick this one is being built.

Then Lowes opened! My DH Kyle and I were so excited. We wanted to go the day it opened up, on Sunday, but being the good LDS members that we are trying to become, we resisted. But we did drive through the parking lot and watched for a few minutes as people went in and out of the store.

Still other buildings are taking WAY to long to open. We drive by, there is a Peter Piper Pizza, a Petsmart, Wells Fargo, and a Cracker Barrell going in. But still only Lowes is open.

Then I went to a baby shower one day. Someone from Tonapah says, "Aren't you excited to have Walmart and all those other stores open up by your house?" "No!!" I said, "They are way to close to my house! Think of all the traffic it will bring to my area!"

But then as I am driving home, I drive slowly passed the stores... Anything new open??? Dang it, nothing yet.

A couple of weeks later I drive passed the Walmart. Oh my gosh, they are finally putting the parking lot in. It's about time!!! A week later, there are cars there! But it is only people working inside busily getting Walmart ready to open. They put paper over the entrances so you can't even see what is going on in the store. That's so rude! I keep looking to see if they have started filling the garden department with plants, I figure once they do that, it will be any day. I drive by this week! It looks like they are finally putting the plants in. I call Kyle at work, "Guess what!! I think they are putting the plants in at Walmart, it should be open soon." I don't think he was too thrilled with me to call him at work about Walmart. But it was a false alarm, it was the registers they are putting in.

As I am coming home from Fry's the other night, I decide to go drive through the Walmart parking lot to see what I can see. Not much, but I do notice they are opening a Payless shoe store down from Walmart!! Woo-hoo!!!

So as I am driving out of the Walmart parking lot, it dawns on me... I can't wait for Walmart to open!!

Hurry!! Hurry!! Hurry!

Ok! I have been TAGGED by Steph!

what does this mean? Tagged!! I am supposed to list 10 things I can't wait for. I think I stressed out on this way too much! I don't know what i can't wait for...

Well, lets give it a try!

1. I can't wait to spend eternity with my favorite person in the world, my husband Kyle! (But when you think about, it is now, so we have already started spending it) Yay!

2. I can't wait for the Monsoon season to begin!! Bring on the rain, thunder and lightning! I love monsoon season!

3. I can't wait to see my children, Andrew and Jaedyn, all grown up, (but at the same time I don't want my babies to grow up too quickly).

4. I can't wait for this summer to cool off! Nothing over 100 degrees! At this point i will take nothing over 105 degrees!! It is too HOT!!!

5. I can't wait to go to Time Out for Women with my mom and my sisters.

6. I can't wait for Kyle's vacation to start in September so we can go to the beach!!

7. I can't wait for Kyle and my 5 year anniversary this September!

8. I can't wait for Jaedyn to be potty trained and I can't wait for Jaedyn to be able to talk more and tell me, "I love you, mommy."

9. I can't wait to be back to the size i was when i got married.

10. I can't wait for the morning time when Drew wakes up and I say "Morning Drew!!!" and he comes running to me and gives me a big hug and kiss!!

Now I tag Kyle!!!

Most Important thing I Want My Daughter to Know

The Prophet Harold B. Lee said...

Who are you? You are daughters of the most noble lineage that ever came upon this earth.
More than that, you are all daughters of a heavenly power. May I, with that glimpse of understanding of who you are, paraphrase those words and say to you, children of Zion, daughters of noble lineage, I plead with you with all the power of my soul,
"Be loyal to the royal within you."

Daughter of a King

Words and Music by Jenny Phillips and Tyler Castleton

Do you wonder if He knows who you are?
Do you wonder if He knows the secret pleadings of your heart?
He has numbered every sand of the sea
And he longs for you to know that He believes… in you

Can you feel a quiet power from above?
Can you feel His strength surround you
when your own is not enough?
He has blessed you with his spirit from on high
And He longs for you to know it lives inside… of you

Oh, be true –

Daughter of a king,
The Father’s royalty
Heir to His divinity

He’s calling your name
To come and take your place before His throne
He has always known
What he created you to be
A daughter of a king

You hold the promises of all eternity
Rise to claim the noble birthright you were sent here to receive
He has loved you since you lived with Him before
Let Him lead you to the gifts He has in store… for you

Oh, be true –

God Bless the USA - Proud to be an American!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!! Hope everyone is having a fun and safe day as we celebrate our independence and our freedom in this great nation. I have my children my family all decked out in their 4th of July clothes! We had a fun but HOT 4th of July

Favorite patriotic song when I was in elementary school. Was "You're a Grand Old Flag." Now it is "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood.

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.

Ev'ry heart beats true
'neath the Red, White and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

Here are some fun facts about the USA!

US Facts

Capital: Washington, D.C.

Motto: "In God We Trust"

National Anthem: "The Star Spangled Banner"

National Bird: Bald Eagle

National Flower: Rose

The Story of Independence Day
and America's Birthday

Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.

In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts Paul Revere would sound the alarm that "The British are coming, the British are coming" as he rode his horse through the late night streets. The battle of Concord and its "shot heard round the world" would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.

The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out its differences with England, again without formally declaring war.

By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware undecided and New York abstained.

To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!."

The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. The first newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had its first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after its inscription -

Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof

And although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America's birthday. And although fireworks have been banned in most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually have big firework displays for all to see and enjoy.