Tithing

I just feel the need to share this with everyone, we are so blessed.
We have been having a hard time saving for Christmas and we knew that it would be a small one for our kids. Chris thought he would go in a couple of days for overtime and we would be alright just to get the kids a Wii, then he got his overtime taken away and then a few days later he got his hours cut down to 70. That's not enough to even get buy on the bills much less to buy any Christmas. We have been stressed but trying not to let it get to us.
The last Stake conference in the Sat. Adult session they talked about paying a full tithing and we have always just paid on what he brang home not what he made. So after that conference I decided to pay a FULL tithe. Chris's last paycheck came and with the hard times I struggled with turning in the tithing check, and then I just went and put it in the mail.
I was on the way to Hunters Thanksgiving party at his school when I dropped it in the mail and when I came home a couple hours later there was an envelope with my name on it on our computer. I opened it and inside was a card that talked about blessings and there was money!! I was shocked and surprised and confused and grateful. I cried and got on my knees to thank my Heavenly Father. I don't know who could afford to do that at this time with the economy and Christmas so close, but i am thankful, and humbled once again at the love my Savior has for me, even when I am in doubt. Why do we doubt our faith? He will be there to Catch us. When we pay our tithing, somehow ends meet and we have all the things we need. It might not be riches pouring in, but we have food and clothes and nice things. I am grateful.

Early Christmas!!

My girls had their school Christmas concert this morning and me with my crazy mind didn't even think about outfits, red and green? So this morning I was going crazy through their clothes to find something, NOTHING... they were not happy and I was not happy and then !!!! a light bulb went off, I bought lovely dresses for Christmas presents and wallaaa. Perfect outfits for the concert and Katelyn's even had a pocket, which she had a note that she needed one. They were thrilled and I was happy!! aren't they so darned cute. I even curled hair at 7 in the morning, I was the best mom ever, too bad it will only last for today, tomorrow will be another day of "why not MOMMM" did I mention how much I love my Kids and enjoy being their mom and sometimes even their hero.

Emilys Piano Recital

Emily, her piano teacher Allie Wright and some friends that also take lessons!!
Emily at the Piano, she played her song beautifully, she was so proud.

Emily in front of the tree in EAC activity center before her recital, she is so beautiful.

My kids in the Community Play at EAC

Emily and Hunter just finished the last performance of the Snow White play at the college. Emily had a main part, she was Tillie the turtle and hunter was a skunk!!

They both enjoyed it and did very well.

I am so proud of Emily for being so brave on stage and saying all her parts.

It was a cute play. Here are some pictures of them

at the cast party and with their groups on the last night.Pigging out on junk food :) yum

Smile for the camera

Hunter looks like he's itchin something??

He's right in the middle on the bottom row
Emily smiling so proud, she's in brown

Powerful Video

I just added a new video on the very bottom of my page, scroll down and watch it. I came across this on a friends facebook page, thank you for finding this, it is so good..

I am Thankful...

I just want to share all the things that I am thankful for on this wonderful Thanksgiving morning.
I thank My Heavenly Father everyday for my four beautiful children and the blessings that they are to me. I am thankful for the opportunity to be their mother and watch them grow and learn and love, as I do the same. I am thankful to have the most wonderful husband, no matter what, how or why, he is always there for me and our children. He loves me completely and makes me a better person. I have often said he is the other half of me. What would my life be without the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for this I am very grateful. I am thankful for missionary work, for without my family would not be eternal. I am thankful for my home and material possessions that make life a little easier, my Heavenly Father has blessed me with them. I am thankful for the food in my home to feed my family, and for the strength it gives us. I am thankful for all of my family and friends that I am fortunate to have, and for all that they do for me. I am thankful for my life, and health. I am thankful for this wonderful world and the beauty that surrounds me everyday. It rained today and wow, I love the rain. I am thankful for this country and my freedom, and for our military that fight for it everyday. I am thankful for the opportunity to share this with you. Happy thanksgiving!!!

My cutie pie

I went to the eye doctor the other day and he told me I needed reading glasses, I feel like an old grandma. Anyways it didn't take long for the kids to want to wear them and try them out. Olivia of course hammed it up, isn't she so cute. She danced around and said take a picture mommy and so I did.

Happy birthday to you

Chris is going to be a little upset with me for posting this, but I couldn't resist... His birthday was yesturday and the kids and I made him a pink strawberry cake with pink sprinkles and pastel colored candles!!! He always jokes that pink is his favorite color. HA HA. Look at him blow out those candles. I love you honey sweetie Pie. Glad you had a good birthday.

Our sweet lily

In memory of lily, our sweet little, out of control loveable dog. She was hit by a car and returned to heaven today. We are sad but we hope to always remember the fun times we had with her and never forget her.

We love you lily, and we will miss you.

What a MESS!!

Okay my kids are crafty and creative, when I was on the computer the other day Oli comes in with her head down and when she lifted it up this is what I saw, melted chocalate chips stuck to her neck and chest. She would pull one off and eat it. Isn't life grand!! and this is what happens to my house when I blog, don't you love it!!! Thank goodness that they are both cleanable!!!

Hunter Lost his 1st tooth!!!

Accidentally, is the key word here... We were at Emily's last soccer practice and Hunter and Katelyn were goofing around with their soccer balls, and then Hunter screams this blood curdling scream. I turned around and looked at the blood spewing out of his mouth and then I yelled at Katelyn what did you do, she started crying nothing mom (sorry Katelyn) wrongly accused, he did it to himself, he kicked the soccer ball straight up into his mouth. I had just cleaned out my truck and there was nothing to stop the bleeding. I was panicking, so I tore his shirt off and shoved it in his mouth. When I pulled it out to look at the damage his tooth was flipped up into his gums, like the bill of a hat. He stopped crying and screaming and I was still panicking thinking I need to rush him to the ER, luckily I called my mom and she calmed me down and said just get some ice, and all was well. For a week he pulled and messed with it and then on Friday he pulled it out. He was so excited, and Katelyn cried because she wasn't missing any teeth yet and she's 6 and a half. Oh the Drama!!!!!

Emilys SOLO!!

Emily had a solo in her school play "Children of the world"
She did so awesome. I love to here her sing, she has such
a sweet voice. Here is a little clip of her solo.

SOCCER is OVER!!!

It is over and I am okay with that, really!! Hunter was happy, Emily is sad, she loves soccer and Katelyn got hurt in her last game but she stayed in there and enjoyed every minute of it. Here are some pictures of them at their last games and a short video of Katelyn getting hit in the belly...

I love to yell and cheer them on as you can hear in the video, I think that I embarrass them! We had so much fun and so many long saturdays at the fields but it is worth it in the end when they feel so proud and have grown a little more. It helps them to gain confidence in themselves and they enjoy playing and getting to know others kids.

Happy Halloweeeeen!

I can't beleive that Halloween is over, time seems to be flying by so fast. We enjoyed it, I think Olivia enjoyed it the most!

Hangin with my homies!!!

Ok so my kids love to do goofy things all the time, like dressing up, talent shows, singing, dancing, you name it... I took some pictures the other day and I think they are so cute so here they are!

Just for FUN!!

Last night I got online and started looking for music to add to my playlist, I was looking for older songs that I remember from high school. Then my husband Chris started naming off artists and songs for me to look up, OH MY GOSH!!! We were up until midnight. After the kids went to bed we were jammin out, I couldn't believe all of the stuff we found. We were both singing and dancing. It was hilarious. We knew most of the words it was amazing. SOOOO check out my list and see if you recognize some of the music!!! I am a dork I even added Vanilla Ice, just for fun. It was the funnest time me and Chris have had in a while, bringing back the memories. I remember when me and Chris were dating we would drive around a lot and listen to the radio, and it didn't matter what station or song it was from Rap to Country to Paula Abdul, he knew it and could sing it. We always had so much fun, and when we hear the old school it brings us back to the days. I love it... there are some really old school Kenny Rodgers and stuff that reminded me of my dad. It was neat to hear some of those songs that my dad liked so much. It was just a great night!!!

WE CELEBRATED HUNTER'S BIRTHDAY, HE IS NOW 5!!!

The big 5 year old opening presents. When everyone asked what he wanted

for his b-day he said, "anything that boys like" he got a lot of cars!!!

We partied for two days. This is his official birthday on Friday.

He wanted a Halloween B-day and how easy was that. This is his mummy Cake.

Look at that Smile!

He wanted to cook out for his B-Day so we did in the back yard with a

Campfire, My kids love this, its like camping and then we all take a bath...

Then on Sat. we went to soccer games from 7:30 until 1:00. We try to watch all

of the cousins games too. Bryant in green, 5 yrs old my brother Jonny's middle boy,

Olivia in the back climbing the net,

Hunter in yellow, Katelyn in purple,

Jayden in red, 7 yrs. old Jonny's oldest, and Emily in blue.

We have Jordan and Austin My sister Jennifer's boys that play too, but not in this picture.

In between games we walk up to the duck ponds and feed the ducks, it gives the kids a little break. That is Nana with them, my mom.

Then we had his Party for all his friends and more family at 2:00. My friend Beth who is

wonderful at everything made this spider cake, it was cool and Hunter just loved it.

Not the best picture, but here he is opening more presents. He had a blast.

This one cracks me up, I put these goofy glasses in the gift bags!!

Hunter had 2 busy days and he feel asleep on the couch after all the excitement. I took a picture on Sunday morning of my tired five year old he was not very happy. One more special moment come and gone, how they grow so fast...

A Story that Touched my HEART

I recieved this in an email and I wanted to share it because it touched my heart!

GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED
I envy Kevin. My brother, Kevin, thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night. He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'
I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.
He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them. I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.
The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.
He does not seem dissatisfied.
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.
And Saturdays - oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.
And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.
His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child.. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.
It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.

Kevin won't be surprised at all!

I Love This Quote!!!

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak... because in your life you will have been all of these."
GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER

A Blessing

I need to share this because I was just so amazed and awe struck. My 2 yr. old Olivia has been sick off and on for a little while and the other day she was crying and just feeling yuck and she looked at me and said, what I thought was "I want a sippy", I said ok I will get you a sippy of chocolate milk (her favorite) and she got madd and said "NO, I want daddy to give me a blessing so I can feel better". I was so touched. The little moments like that make life so wonderful. They watch and listen, and their sweet spirits will lead us. It is always so amazing to me that even being 2, she knows and has felt the power of God...Aren't kids wonderful.

Gina and Chris

Honestly I can't find a picture of just me and Chris, How sad!! so this lovely picture of two trees will do for now. Our love for one another grows everyday, and can you believe after knowing each other for 14 years we are still learning a lot about each other. We are so different but so much a like. He completes me in so many ways and grounds my overactive worry machine, and I try to build him up and give him the support he needs. We work really well together and enjoying spending time doing things, like working on our house and yard. We enjoy where we live and the ward we are a part of. Chris is 11yr. old scout leader, the perfect calling for him he loves camping. I am 1st counselor in the Primary, it is a growing learning spiritual experience for me but I love it. Chris works for FMI formally know as PD. He loves most of his job, but the atmosphere is not the best. I am a stay at home mom and his job allows me to do so. I love being here with my kids and having a home and family to take care of. Sometimes its not easy and I complain, something I work at everyday, but the rewards are so grand and the joy I feel when I experience something magical with one of my kids is something I wouldn't change. We are blessed and thriving as a family and thankful for every moment on this earth together to grow, learn, laugh and love.

Emily Joyce 8 yrs old

Emily just turned eight and was Baptised, it was so special. I can't believe my Angel from Heaven is already this old. She is shy and timid, but willing to do anything at least once. she is in our ward choir and loves to sing and she does it so well. She is my biggest sport freak, she absolutely loves soccer and is very good at it. She just started softball this summer, she got some good hits. She is also involved in all the community plays, she has been a turtle, raggedy Ann, a ladybug, and something else I can't remember(that's my memory)... It has helped her come out of her little shell and blossom beautifully. She loves frogs iicckkk, and most animals. She wants to be a veterinarian, or anything to do with science, when she grows up. She loves to read and exceeds in her school work. She is in 3rd grade and has the nicest teacher. She also loves to cook, and is very good. She makes the best pancakes. She is my little helper and does so much for me. We enjoy her goofy personality and every new moment with her and can't wait to see what the future holds for her.

Katelyn Marie 6 yrs old

Katelyn is our spitfire little girl. We call her Nana Jr. (for those who know my mother). She has a live out loud personality and fights for what she wants. She is very opinionated. She and her dad have come-back contests and she usually wins. she is witty and smart. Katelyn is also a sweetheart of a girl, She loves everyone and is willing to compromise to make everyone happy. She wants to do everything and tries real hard, we have to set limits for her... She loves sports, soccer and Coach-pitch. She was a toy rabbit and a Turtle in our community plays. She is in 1st grade and loves her teacher and her friends. She brings a special spirit to our home and we enjoy every adventure that she adds to our lives.

Hunter James Almost 5yrs old

Hunter is 100% boy. He loves John Deere everything. Dad can never find his tools because hunter scatters them everywhere. He has the best imagination and is always creating (or destroying) to find new things to invent or figure out... He is very active and outgoing, but he can still be a mama's boy and cuddle, which I love. He plays scoccer and T-ball. He has been a Sheep and a Duck in 2 community plays. He is not too shy like my girls and we love every minute with this little man. He keeps us going, and says the most beautiful prayers that bring tears to my eyes almost everytime...

Olivia Ann 2yrs. old

Olivia is our little Pricess!! She loves pink, her puppy lily, her princess bed, Actually anything PRINCESS, and her big brother and sisters. She says absolutley everything, she amazes me everyday. She loves to go to nursery and she sings like you wouldn't beleive, her favorite song is I am a Child of God. She brings us all so much joy and we can't imagine life without her.

OUR FAMILY MEMORIES