SOME THINGS I LOVE ABOUT CHRISTMAS

I JUST LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR AND THE FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS THAT ARE BROUGHT OUT BECAUSE OF SIGHTS, SMELLS, AND SOUNDS!!! I LOVE THINKING ABOUT THE FUN HOLIDAYS WE HAD GROWING UP, THE EXCITEMENT OF TRYING TO STAY IN BED JUST A LITTLE LONGER, THEN SNEAKING INTO THE LIVING ROOM FOR A PEEK UNDER THE TREE. THE SMELLS OF BAKING, HMMMM HAM I GET ALL WATERY INSIDE MY MOUTH FOR THAT TASTE YUMMY!! I LOVED OPENING MY STOCKING THE MOST, WE DIDN'T GET PRESENTS IN OUR STOCKINGS, LIKE THE KIDS NOW DAYS, WE GOT PEANUTS, FRESHLY ROASTED, ORANGES AND HARD CANDIES THAT STUCK TO YOUR STOCKING, BUT YOU DIDN'T CARE THAT THERE WAS A LITTLE STOCKING FUZZ ON IT, INTO YOUR MOUTH IT WENT!! THERE WAS OF COURSE ALWAYS A TOOTHBRUSH, TUCKED INSIDE SOMEWHERE-OH WHAT SMELLS!!! THEN OF COURSE SOMETIMES OUR DAD WOULD MAKE US GO IN ORDER, SO THAT EVERYONE COULD SEE WHAT EACH OTHER GOT, WELL FUNNY HOW I HATED THAT TRADITION, BUT I HAVE IT IN MY OWN HOME NOW-SOMETIMES I THINK I GOT A LITTLE MORE OF MY PARENTS IN ME, THEN I THOUGHT!! HA-HA I THINK THE WRAPPING PAPER GAVE OFF A CERTAIN SMELL BACK IN THOSE DAYS, OR MAYBE IT WAS A COMBINATION OF THE TREE AND PAPER. I THINK MY MOST FAVORITE CHRISTMAS GROWING UP WAS, WHEN I GOT MY SUNSHINE FAMILY DOLL SET AND FARM SET, I WOULD PLAY WITH THOSE DOLLS FOREVER!! MARTY ACTUALLY FOUND THE DOLLS ON E-BAY AND BOUGHT THEM FOR ME THIS PAST YEAR!!! I REALLY LOVE THE FACT THAT SOMEONE VERY DEAR TO ME GAVE ME A NATIVITY SET FROM THE OLD CHURCH ONES, YOU KNOW THE ONES THAT WAS MADE OUT OF PAPER AND YOU PUT IT IN SLOTS, I WILL TREASURE THAT NATIVITY FOR AS LONG AS I AM HERE, MY KIDS KNOW THAT IT IS NOT TO BE TOUCHED, THEY ALWAYS KID AROUND WITH ME, AND TELL ME IT GOT RIPPED OR SOMETHING, THE LITTLE STINKS!!! I REMEMBER LAYING IN FRONT OF THAT NATIVITY AS A CHILD AND JUST WONDERING IN MY BRAIN ABOUT IT, I WOULD EVEN TALK TO IT, I THINK I MIGHT HAVE HAD SOME MARBLES MISSING BACK THEN!! I LOVED THE HOURS I SPENT OUT IN THE SNOW, HAVING SNOWBALL FIGHTS WITH THE NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE STREET, OR BUILDING SNOW FORTS AND LITTLE CARROT NOSED MEN!! I WOULD ALSO PRETEND TO BE LAURA INGALLS IN A BLIZZARD, BEING TOSSED AROUND BY THAT WICKED WIND, THEN FOUND BY A PRETEND FATHER AND TAKEN HOME TO BE LOVED AND WARMED!! ONE OF MY FAVORITE DOLLS THAT I GOT WAS PROBABLY THE UGLIEST THING EVER, SHE WAS HARD PLASTIC, BUT I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER AT THE HARDWARE STORE DOWN FROM THE OLD WAGON WHEEL STORE MY DAD OWNED. I CALLE HER, "BIG EYES," I THINK THAT IS WHY I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A SUCKER FOR EYES!! I HAVE A SNOOPY DOG THAT I GOT WHEN I WAS AROUND TWO, IT IS ORANGE AND YELLOW, AND ONE EAR IS RIPPED, BUT I STILL HAVE IT!! I HAVE MY STOCKING FROM WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, THAT MY DAD STAMPED WITH PLASTIC LETTERING, IN MY NAME, OF COURSE CRICKET!! I STILL HAVE THE ORNAMENT THAT WE HUNG ON OUR CHRISTMAS TREE FOR OUR DADDY, THE YEAR AFTER HE PASSED AWAY. I HAVE FUN MEMORIES WITH MY OWN FAMILY NOW, I HAVE TO LAUGH THAT EVERY YEAR NO MATTER WHAT, MARTY IS THE LAST ONE TO OPEN HIS PRESENTS ALL THE WAY, HE USUALLY GUESSES WHAT IS IN THEM TOO, I HAVE ONLY SURPRISED HIM A COUPLE OF TIMES. THEN THERE IS CONTESSA, WHO ALWAYS ORGANIZED HER PRESENTS A MILLION TIMES IN ONE HOUR, CHEROKEE WHO SCATTERED HER PRESENTS EVERYWHERE, AND WE ALWAYS HAD TO LOOK THRU THE PAPER FOR LOST PRESENTS. CHEVY ALWAYS THROWS HIS CLOTHES BEHIND HIS BACK AND DOES THIS LITTLE GRUNTING NOISE, I AM NOT SURE WHAT CASH WILL DO YET, BUT I AM EXCITED TO SEE A NEW MEMORY CREATED THRU HIM!! OH WE HAD A NEW LITTLE MEMORY HAPPEN YESTERDAY, THE TREE FELL OVER, OF COURSE I WENT NUTS, MARTY JUST CALMLY PUT ALL BACK TOGETHER AND SMILED AND SAID, "IT'S ALL GOOD CRICKET!" WELL I AM OFF TO WATCH A "CHRISTMAS STORY," WITH THE KIDS AND THEN WE ARE GOING SLEDDING!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GREAT NEW YEAR!!! LOVE YA, C

CHRISTMAS PEACE

SINCE WE HAVE BEEN HOME IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE CRAZY, BUT I WAS GLAD TO BE SURROUNDED BY THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND LIGHTS AND SMELLS AS WE UNPACKED AND WASHED, AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF. I AM AMAZED THAT A TREE WITH LOTS OF LIGHTS AND BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS CAN BRING SUCH PEACE INTO YOUR HOME. I FEEL SO AT PEACE WITH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND ALL THAT IT REPRESENTS, I LOVE THE FACT THAT I CAN PONDER ON MY SAVIOR AND PUT THE COMMERCIALISM IN THE BACK AND JUST FEEL LOVE AND PEACE FOR EVERYTHING AROUND ME, I AM SO BLESSED IN LIFE AND I JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT PEACE WITH EVERYONE, SO MERRY CHRISTMAS AND MAY THE LIGHT OF OUR SAVIOR BE IN YOUR LIVES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!! LOVE, C

A GREAT BLESSING

THIS PAST WEEK, MARTY AND ME TRAVELED ALL OVER UTAH AND IDAHO TO SEE ALL MY SISTER'S AND BROTHER AND TO TAKE PICTURES OF THEM AND THEIR CHRISTMAS TREES!! IT WAS SO MUCH FUN TO SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES COME OUT IN THOSE TREES. THANKS FAMILY FOR OPENING YOUR HOMES TO US AND FOR ALL THE LITTLE PRESENTS!! WE LOVE YOU ALL AND WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!! THANKS TO HEAVENLY FATHER FOR SAFETY AND PEACE AS WE TRAVELED AND FOR BEING WITH OUR MONKEYS AT HOME!!! WE OUR SO BLESSED!! LOVE, C

I LOVE YOU MARTY!!!

WELL I THINK THAT I JUST HAVE BEEN OVERLY BLESSED THESE PAST TWO MONTHS, NOVEMBER WAS AWESOME AND THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT HELPED, I THOUGHT I WAS TRULY BLESSED THAT MONTH, BUT THEN DECEMBER CAME AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED AGAIN, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND FIVE WONDERFUL DAYS WITH MY SWEET HUSBAND, TRAVELING ALL OVER UTAH AND IDAHO VISITING FAMILY AND JUST SPENDING TIME TOGETHER. WE WENT TO A MOVIE, WENT TO SOME PLACES WE NEVER GET TO GO WITH THE KIDS, ATE SOME GOOD FOOD AND MARTY GAVE ME A EARLY CHRISTMAS-LATE BIRTHDAY PRESENT, WE SPENT ONE NIGHT AT THE ANNIVERSARY INN IN SLC. WE STAYED IN THE JUNGLE ROOM, HE SURE IS A MONKEY!! IT WAS SO FUN, WE REALLY RELAXED AND TALKED AND JUST BONDED THAT LOVE EVEN MORE. THANK YOU MARTY, YOU ALWAYS KNOW WHAT I NEED AND ARE WILLING TO HELP ME. I LOVED SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH YOU AND JUST BEING ABLE TO LAUGH AND RELAX!! I LOVE YOU, LOVE, CHERISE

IT SNOWED!!!!

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING TO A BEAUTIFUL WORLD OF WHITE , WONDERFUL SNOW!! THIS WAS AROUND 6A.M., THE FIRST THING I DID WAS RUN OUTSIDE AND TURN ON MY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, THEY LOOKED SOOOO PRETTY, THEN I GOT ALL THE KIDS INTO THE KITCHEN TO LOOK OUTSIDE, THE TEEN-AGERS JUST SAID,"YA-HOO IS THERE SCHOOL?" BUT, MY LITTLE CASH-A-ROO WAS SO EXCITED, HE KEPT GOING TO THE DOOR AND SAYING, "WANT OUT, SNOW." I BUNDLED HIM UP AND TOOK HIM OUT AND HE HAD SO MUCH FUN, UNTIL HE GOT SNOW ON HIS HANDS AND THEY GOT COLD, THEN HE CRIED AND TOLD ME OWWWY. HE DID LAST OUT THERE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THOUGH, MY NEIGHBORS PROBABLY THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY, I HAD A TODDLER OUTSIDE AT 7:30A.M., AT ABOUT 16 DEGREES PLAYING IN THE SNOW!! ANYWAY, I GET TO MAKE AND DECORATE SUGAR COOKIES TODAY, YAH, I LOVE HOMEMADE SUGAR COOKIES, I ONLY EAT TWO AT THE MOST, BUT I LOVE DECORATING THEM!!! I TOLD MY KIDS THIS IS WHAT WE WERE DOING FOR FAMILY NIGHT, I THOUGHT THEY WOULD COMPLAIN, BUT THEY, MEANING THE TEEN-AGERS WERE ACTUALLY EXCITED!!! I AM RUBBING OFF MY CRAFTY SKILLS TO THEM HE-HE!! WELL HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY TO ALL THAT READ THIS AND I HOPE YOU ARE GETTING THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE STUFF!!

OH CHRISTMAS TREE!!

MARTY PICKED US A BEAUTIFUL TREE THIS YEAR, WE ARE GOING TO DECORATE IT TO NIGHT. I ACTUALLY DECIDED TO PUT UP ONLY THREE-YES THREE-BOXES OF DECORATIONS THIS YEAR, MY KIDS ARE SO EXCITED. WE USUALLY TAKE DOWN ALL MY EVERYDAY DECOR AND PUT UP ALL CHRISTMAS, TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE SEEN MY HOUSE YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS NO EASY FEAT, IT TAKES DAYS!! SO TO CHEROKEE AND CHEVY AND MARTY-MERRY CHRISTMAS, NEXT YEAR IT STARTS AGAIN!! I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON, I LOVE THE SMELLS, MUSIC AND LIGHTS AND THE LOVE THAT YOU FEEL IN YOUR HEART!! I GET TEARY JUST THINKING OF EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH AND KNOWING THAT MY SAVIOR LOVES ME AND THAT WE CELEBRATE THIS DAY BECAUSE OF HIM, I WANT SO MUCH FOR MY KIDS TO KNOW THAT THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS IS THE SPIRIT OF GIVING, I KNOW I HAVE TAUGHT THEM AND IT IS SO AWESOME TO REAP THE REWARDS OF THAT TEACHING, I HAVE PEOPLE TELL ME ALL THE TIME HOW SWEET MY KIDS ARE, THAT JUST FEELS MY HEART WITH JOY. I KNOW I AM RAMBLING, THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I EXPRESS MYSELF!! HAPPY DAY!! LOVE, CRICKET

IT'S OVER!!!

MARTY JUST LOOKED AT ME SUNDAY AND GAVE ME A HIGH FIVE AND SAID,"IT'S OVER!!" LITTLE DID HE KNOW THAT AFTER HE LEFT SUNDAY NIGHT I BAWLED MY EYES OUT, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN ON A EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW AND I JUST HAD TO LET LOOSE, TO SAY THE LEAST IT IS NOW THURSDAY DEC. 4, AND I STILL FEEL LIKE BAWLING SO WHAT IS UP WITH THAT??? I AM NOT SURE THAT I AM STABLE RIGHT NOW, MEANING MY HORMONES OR IF THIS IS HOW YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO FEEL AFTER GIVING YOUR DAUGHTER AWAY. I AM SO THANK-FUL THOUGH THAT EVERYTHING WENT SO WELL, CONTESSA LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL AND WAS SO HAPPY, I REALLY GOT TO GET TO KNOW LORIN THIS PAST WEEK AND I AM SO AMAZED AT HOW MUCH HE REMINDS ME OF MARTY WHEN WE FIRST MET, SO I KNOW SHE WILL BE OKAY, BECAUSE I HAVE THE GREATEST HUSBAND EVER!!! I HAVE TO THANK ALL MY SWEET FAMILY, I HAVE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE SAY TO ME, "WOW, WHAT A FAMILY," THEY ARE AMAZED THAT WE ARE SO CLOSE AND THAT WE PUT EACH OTHER FIRST. SO THANK-YOU, AND I LOVE YOU ALL!! NOW TO MY SWEET HUSBAND, THANK-YOU FOR KEEPING ME TOGETHER THIS PAST MONTH, I KNOW IT HAS BEEN HARD, I LOVE YOU MARTY!! TO MY OTHER THREE MONKEYS, THANKS FOR HELPING MOM DO ALL THE EXTRA THINGS THAT HAD TO BE DONE, I KNOW PLAYING WOULD HAVE BEEN FUN, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP AND EXTRA HUGS!! NOW A BIG THANK-YOU TO MY HEAVENLY FATHER AND SAVIOR, MAN THEY MUST REALLY LOVE ME, MY GREATEST THANKS AND LOVE TO THEM!! I LOVE LIFE AND THE ADVENTURE IT GIVES US!! GO! FIGHT! WIN! LOVE, CRICKET

JUST A FEW MORE DAYS!!

WE ARE DOWN TO THE COUNT DOWN OF DAYS BEFORE, WE MARRY OFF OUR FIRST CHILD, I TOLD MARTY THE OTHER DAY, "I DON'T THINK OF IT AS LOSING A CHILD, I THINK WE ARE GAINING ONE, A BIG CUDDLY TEDDY BEAR!" I JUST WANT TO REVIEW A LITTLE OF CONTESSA'S LIFE BEFORE SHE STARTS A NEW ONE. I WILL NEVER FORGET HOW EXCITED WE WERE WHEN WE FOUND OUT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A BABY, I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER SEEN MARTY SMILE SO BIG, HE WAS NERVOUS, BUT EXCITED. THE PREGANCY WASN'T TO BAD, A LITTLE MORNING SICKNESS AND CERTAIN THINGS THAT MADE ME SICK, BUT I GOT PRETTY BIG FAST!! WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR YOU TO COME INTO THIS WORLD, YOU DIDN'T QUITE KNOW IF YOU WANTED TO, SO THE DOCTOR HAD TO HELP YOU A LITTLE(C-SECTION), THEN YOU CAME OUT JUST A SQUALLING, THE FIRST THING I REMEMBER IS YOUR HAIR, YOU HAD GOBS OF IT AND IT WAS JUST AS BLACK AS COULD BE!! YOU CAME INTO THIS WORLD A WHOPPING 9LBS. 5OZ. AND WAS 20IN. LONG. WE WERE SO PROUD TO BE PARENTS, FROM DAY ONE YOU WERE SPOILED!! GRANDMA CAMPBELL WOULD COO AND GOO AT YOU FOR HOURS AND ALWAYS WANTED YOU TO BE BY HER, I AM NOT SURE IF THAT WAS BECAUSE SHE HAD TO MAKE SURE IF I WAS MOMMING RIGHT OR WHAT!!! YOUR TODDLER YEARS WERE FUN, WE DRESSED YOU TO THE T, RIBBONS AND BOWS, MATCHING SHOES, CLOTHES. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE ABOUT ONE, WE WENT TO THE MALL WITH GRANDMA AND YOU SAW THIS UGLY BIRD IN THE TOY STORE, YOU THREW THE BIGGEST FIT, WHICH UP TIL THEN YOU NEVER HAD REALLY THROWN A FIT, SO I DIDN'T QUITE KNOW WHAT TO DO. GRANDMA OF COURSE BOUGHT YOU THE BIRD AND IT IS NOW KNOWN AS,"BIRDIE BIRD," AT OUR HOUSE, I THINK IT STILL CHIRPS. YOUR"SUCKIE" HAD TO BE IN YOUR MOUTH AT ALL TIMES, AND IT HAD TO BE UPSIDE DOWN AT ALL TIMES. YOU HAD A WAY OF TURNING IT AROUND WITH YOUR TONGUE, IT WAS FUNNY TO WATCH. YOUR GRADE SCHOOL YEARS WERE FUN, YOUR TEACHERS WERE ALWAYS SAYING WHAT A GOOD GIRL YOU WERE AND ALWAYS WANTED TO PLEASE THEM. YOUR KINDERGARTEN TEACHER EVEN ASKED IF SHE COULD ADOPT YOU MORE THAN ONCE. YOU WERE A GOOD STUDENT AND LOVED TO COLOR AND READ, THEN CAME YOUR JR. HIGH YEARS, AND YOU TURNED INTO A SASSY LITTLE PRISS, YOU STILL GOT GOOD GRADES AND IT WAS FUN WATCHING YOU CHANGE INTO A TEEN-AGER. YOU LOVED TO FLUFF YOUR HAIR AND GO SHOPPING, BUT STILL BE A LITTLE GIRL AT TIMES. I DIDN'T THINK YOU WOULD EVER GIVE UP BARBIE'S AND PET SHOPS. YOUR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS WERE A LITTLE ROUGH, WITH THE MOVE AND EVERYTHING, BUT IT WAS STILL FUN TO WATCH YOU WITH YOUR FIRST BOYFRIEND AND FIRST KISS AND SUCH. THE FRILLY DRESSES AND CRAZY OUTFITS YOU WORE AT TIMES MADE ME SHUTTER, BUT I REALIZED YOU WERE JUST EXPRESSING YOURSELF. I HAVE SO MANY MEMORIES OF GOOD AND SOME BAD TIMES, BUT I AM EXCITED FOR THIS NEW PHASE INTO YOUR LIFE, I HOPE AND PRAY THAT LORIN WILL TREAT YOU WITH LOVE AND RESPECT, LIKE YOUR FATHER HAS TAUGHT ME. I WISH YOU MUCH LOVE AND LAUGHTER IN YOUR MARRIAGE LIFE AND OF COURSE A FEW TEARS AND TOUGH TIMES, BECAUSE THEY ARE WHAT BUILDS YOUR STRENGTH AND CHARACTER. I HOPE FOR LOTS OF GRANDBABIES AND FOR YOU JUST TO TRULY BE HAPPY, IT HAS BEEN A JOY WATCHING YOU AS MY DAUGHTER, GROWING AND LEARNING AND FINDING THAT LIFE IS GOOD!! I LOVE YOU WITH ALL THAT I AM, LOVE, MOM

THANK-FUL THINGS IN MY LIFE

SINCE IT IS THE HOLIDAY SEASON OF BLESSINGS AND PONDERING WHAT YOU LOVE THE MOST IN LIFE, I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE A FEW OF THOSE THINGS!!

1. MY HUSBAND, I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HIM AND HOW GRATEFUL I AM TO HAVE HIM AS MY BEST FRIEND, LOVER, AND HUBBY. HE TRULY IS ONE OF HEAVENLY FATHER'S GREATEST CREATIONS!! I LOVE YOU MARTY!!
2. MY CHILDREN, THEY EACH BRING SUCH A SPECIAL SPIRIT TO MY LIFE, CONTESSA IS MY CONSIDERATE CHILD, SHE IS ALWAYS AWARE OF OTHERS AND THEIR FEELINGS, SHE IS ALWAYS THE FIRST ONE TO GIVE A HUG OR SAY SHE CARES. CHEROKEE IS MY LITTLE COMPASSIONATE CHILD, SHE HATES TO UPSET ANYONE, AND ALWAYS TRIES TO PLEASE YOU AND LET'S YOU KNOW THAT SHE LOVES YOU. CHEVY IS MY LITTLE TEASE, BUT HE DOES IT IN A NICE WAY, HE ALWAYS TELLS ME I SMELL GOOD, AND LOOKS FOR WAYS TO HELP OUT WITHOUT ME KNOWING. CASH IS JUST THE ICING ON THE CAKE, HE JUST BRINGS JOY T0 ALL THAT ARE AROUND HIM.
THERE IS NOT A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT I AM NOT GRATEFUL FOR MY CHILDREN, AND THAT I TRY TO LET HEAVENLY FATHER KNOW THAT I AM GRATEFUL.
3.MY EXTENDED FAMILY, I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THEM, I LOVE THE MOMENTS THAT WE SHARE ON THE PHONE, E-MAIL, AND THE CHANCES THAT WE DO GET TO BE TOGETHER, THOSE TIMES ME SO MUCH TO ME AND I CHERISH THEM IN MY HEART.
4. MY PARENTS, I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THEM, I MISS THEM SO MUCH, BUT I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT THEY ARE TOGETHER, I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE WONDERFUL LIFE LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED FROM THEM AND BY WATCHING THEM. I WOULDN'T TRADE THOSE MEMORIES OF THEM FOR ANYTHING, AND I TREASURE THE PICTURES AND STORIES I HAVE OF THEM.
5.THE GOSPEL, IT IS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME, EVEN WHEN I SCREW UP, I KNOW I CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON IT TO TEACH ME AND LEAD MY FAMILY TO WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE.
6.MY SAVIOR AND MY LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER, MAN I AM SO THANK-FUL FOR THE ATONMENT AND THE PART IT PLAYS IN MY LIFE, I AM THANK-FUL THAT I CAN KNOW FOR MYSELF THAT THEY LOVE ME NO MATTER WHAT AND THAT I CAN GO TO THEM FOR ANYTHING AND THEY WILL HELP ME, I HAVE SUCH PEACE IN THAT KNOWLEDGE AND I LOVE THEM BOTH VERY MUCH.
7.I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE FREEDOM'S THAT I HAVE, I LOVE BEING ABLE TO EXPRESS MYSELF WITH NO LIMITATIONS AND KNOW THAT I CAN CHOOSE FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY WITH NO LIMITATIONS. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES SO THAT I CAN HAVE FREEDOM AND FOR THOSE WHO FIGHT FOR THAT FREEDOM EVERYDAY, MAY GOD BLESS THEM AND THIS COUNTRY.
8.I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE PRIESTHOOD THAT MY HUSBAND HOLDS AND FOR THE GROWTH WE LEARN FROM IT WHEN MARTY EXERCISES IT IN OUR HOME, WE CAN LEARN SO MUCH FROM THOSE BLESSINGS.
9.I AM GRATEFUL FOR A BEAUTIFUL HOME AND THE WARMTH IT GIVES TO ME AND MY FAMILY, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE PEACE AND SAFETY IN IT. I AM SO GLAD WE HAVE PROVISIONS AND A STABLE JOB, THANKS MARTY FOR WORKING SO HARD FOR US.
10.I AM THANKFUL FOR GOOD FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, BOOKS, MUSIC, THE CHANGING OF SEASONS AND ALL THE LITTLE THINGS THAT GO UNOTICED, UNTIL THEY ARE NEEDED, THANKS BE TO ALL OF THEM.
11.THANK-YOU LIFE FOR BRINGING SUCH JOY, HAPPINESS, SADDNESS, AND LEARNING TO ME AND MY LOVED ONES.

MAY WE ALL BE THANK-FUL IN OUR HEARTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON FOR SOMETHING AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS US ALL WITH LOVE AND HIS SWEET COMPASSION. LOVE, C

A BIG DECISION IN OUR LIVES

MARTY AND ME HAVE RECENTLY MADE A BIG DECISION IN OUR LIVES, WE HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IT ALOT SINCE OUR LITTLE CASH CAME INTO OUR HOME, AND WE BOTH DECIDED THAT WE DIDN'T WANT HIM TO GROW UP ALONE, SO WE ARE ADOPTING THRU FOSTER CARE. WE ARE TAKING CLASSES RIGHT NOW, AND WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO DO THIS, I KNOW THAT IT WILL BE HARD AT TIMES, BUT I ALSO NOW THAT IT WILL BE REWARDING. WE START HAVING ADOPTING KIDS IN OUR HOME STARTING AT THE END OF JANUARY, THEY WILL MOSTLY BE TODDLERS UNLESS IT IS A FAMILY GROUP AND THEN WE WILL JUST DEAL WITH IT THEN. WE ARE REALLY EXCITED FOR THIS NEW PHASE IN OUR LIVES AND TO BE ABLE TO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED. SO WISH US LOTS OF LUCK, LOVE YA, C

THE BIG FORTY!!

WOW, HAS TIME GONE BY, I AM NOT REALLY SAD OR ANYTHING ABOUT TURNING 40, I THINK I AM JUST OVERWHELMED TO HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR IN LIFE AND BE SO BLESSED! I USE TO THINK THAT AS YOU GOT OLDER LIFE SETTLED DOWN, BUT I AM MORE BUSY IN LIFE NOW THEN I HAVE EVER BEEN, I AM TRULY HAPPY WITH THE LIFE I LIVE AND THE PERSON THAT I AM. I WOULD OF COURSE LOVE TO IMPROVE UPON THINGS, BUT I JUST DO A LITTLE AT A TIME, IF I COULD MAKE ONE WISH THIS BIRTHDAY, IT WOULD BE TO LIVE ANOTHER 40 YEARS WITH MARTY AND OUR KIDS. MARTY IS SUCH A WONDERFUL HUSBAND, HE ALWAYS MAKES SURE THAT I KNOW THAT HE LOVES ME, HE GOT ME SOME NEW AND BIG SCRIPTURES FOR MY BIRTHDAY, I HAVE NOT HAD NEW SCRIPTURES SINCE THE 9TH GRADE, SO I AM PRETTY EXCITED TO HAVE THEM. HE ALSO TOOK ME OUT TO MY FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT, "THE OLIVE GARDEN," KIM AND MARY WENT WITH US, IT WAS NICE TO TALK AND JUST RELAX. THE KIDS DECORATED THE HOUSE ALL UP WITH BLACK BALLOONS AND STREAMERS, IT WAS FUN, CONTESSA AND LORIN GAVE ME SOME NAIL POLISH AND BATH BUBBLY. CHEROKEE GAVE ME SOME MONEY TO GO SEE TWILIGHT WITH HER OF COURSE!! WE ARE EXCITED FOR THAT ONE!! I HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND I THANK ALL MY FAMILY FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT. LOVE YA, C

SO I AM NOT REALLY INTO THIS BLOG THING

I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT MY PROBLEM IS LATELY, I AM NOT INTO BLOGGING OR REALLY ANYTHING ELSE FOR THAT MATTER!! I THINK I AM JUST BURNED OUT ON LIFE IN GENERAL, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN THROUGH SOME KINDA HELL, AND I AM TRAPPED IN THE PART WHERE YOU JUST DON'T KNOW WETHER TO GO BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS. I THINK I AM JUST NUTS!!! ANYWAY, WOW WHAT A FAST MONTH OCTOBER WAS, IT WAS WHAT YOU CALL AN INDIAN SUMMER, EXCEPT FOR ONE DAY, IT SNOWED REALLY GOOD, BUT OTHER THAN THAT IT HAS BEEN REALLY BEAUTIFUL, THE DAYS HAVE BEEN AROUND 60 AND THE NIGHTS AROUND 40, THE LEAVES AND THE CHANGING OF EVERYTHING FROM SUMMER TO FALL HAS BEEN VERY PRETTY TO WATCH, I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR, THE CRUNCHY LEAVES, THE SMELLS, I LOVE TO SMELL DAMP EARTH AND BURNING LEAVES!! IT HAS BEEN A BUSY MONTH FOR OUR FAMILY, MARTY AND ME WRAPPED UP THE PAINTING THIS MONTH, UNTIL WE GET MORE MONEY AND TIME TO START DOWNSTAIRS, IT HAS BEEN KINDA NICE TO NOT HAVE TO TAPE AND PAINT, IT SURE LOOKS GOOD THOUGH. THE KIDS HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY WITH ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH, CHEVY HAS BEEN EARNING HIS SCOUT BADGES AND IS GETTING SO CLOSE TO HIS EAGLE AWARD, I AM SO PROUD OF HIM FOR STICKING WITH IT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A PAIN IN THE HINY!! HE HAS BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT GETTING HIS HOMEWORK DONE AND KEEPING HIS GRADES UP, FOR THIS I AM ALSO VERY THANK-FUL!! CHEROKEE, WELL WHAT CAN I SAY, SHE HAS HAD A VERY BUSY MONTH, SHE WENT TO THE HARVEST DANCE WITH TRAVIS, THEY ARE SO CUTE TOGETHER, SHE REALLY LIKES HIM, AND HE TREATS HER SO GOOD. SHE ALSO WENT TO BURLEY FOR TWO DAYS AND PLACED IN STATE, THEN THE NEXT WEEK SHE WENT TO INDIANA FOR A WHOLE WEEK, SHE HAD SO MUCH FUN AND HAD SOME VERY GOOD EXPERIENCES. SHE HAS BEEN CATCHING UP ON SLEEP AND HOMEWORK, PLUS WORKING LOTS, I AM ALSO VERY PROUD OF THE YOUNG WOMEN SHE IS AND HER BELIEF TO STAND UP FOR WHAT SHE HAS BEEN TAUGHT AND KNOWS TO BE TRUE. CONTESSA HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET HER WEDDING ALL TOGETHER AND WORK LOTS, I TRULY HOPE SHE WILL REALIZE THAT LIFE IS GOOD, BUT CAN ONLY BE GREAT IF SHE IS DOING WHAT HER FATHER IN HEAVEN WANTS HER TO DO, I KNOW SHE WILL COME AROUND BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN TAUGHT WHAT IS RIGHT AND HER PARENTS PRACTICE THIS FAITH, BECAUSE WE KNOW IT IS TRUE. CASH IS JUST SO DANG CUTE, HE IS TALKING A LOT NOW AND FOLLOWS ME AROUND AND ASKS ME, "MOMMA, WHAT'S THAT?" HE IS SO FUN AND I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE MIRACLE OF HIS SWEET LIFE. MARTY HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO HELP ME THIS PAST MONTH, I NEVER HAVE TO DOUBT HIS LOVE OR COMMITMENT TO ME, I KNOW HE LOVES ME AND FOR THAT I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR, HE IS SUCH A HARDWORKER, I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE HE WORKS WITH WORK HARD, BUT HE IS ALWAYS GIVING MORE THAN 100%, HE STAYS LATE, GOES IN EARLY AND ALWAYS TRIES TO FINISH UP WHAT HE HAS STARTED, I WISH PEOPLE WOULD REALIZE HOW LUCKY THEY ARE TO HAVE HIM IN THEIR LIVES, HE IS THE BEST. HE STRUGGLES A LOT WITH HIS FAMILY, HE MISSES HIS DAD SO MUCH, AND I KNOW HE WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO JUST BE ABLE TO TALK TO HIM FOR 5MIN., THIS IS SUCH A HARD LESSON TO LEARN IN LIFE, WE CAN NEVER GO BACK, I TOLD HIM THAT HIS DAD WOULD BE SO PROUD OF THE MAN THAT HE IS AND THAT HE RESPECTS HIS RELIGION AND THE WAY HE LEADS HIS FAMILY, I KNOW THAT ALEX IS WATCHING OVER MARTY, I HAVE FELT HIS PRESENCE IN MARTY'S LIFE AND IN THE WAY HE LIVES. I TRULY AM BLESSED, WE ALSO HAD FUN CARVING OUR PUMPKINS, CHEVY HELPED ME PICK THEM OUT, HE WAS SO CUTE, HE HAS A VERY TENDER HEART, WE SAW A PUMPKIN THAT WAS QUITE DEFORMED AND I TOLD HIM TO PICK ANOTHER ONE, AND HE JUST GRINNED AT ME AND SAID, " NO MOM, I THINK I WILL GET THIS ONE, I DON'T WANT IT TO GET LEFT OUT." THIS IS COMING FROM A 13 YEAR OLD, HE HAS A TENDER HEART LIKE HIS DADDY!! ON HALLOWEEN DAY, MARTY AND ME TOOK CASH TO A HUGE TRUNK OR TREAT THAT THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS HAD, WE HAD FUN JUST THE THREE OF US, CASH DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, BUT LOVED WATCHING ALL THE OTHER KIDS. THEN WE HAD FRIED CHICKEN AND MASHED SPUDS FOR DINNER, THEN WENT TO OUR WARD TRUNK AND TREAT, AFTER THAT WE WENT HOME AND WATCHED A SCAREY MOVIE WITH CHEVY. IT WAS GREAT FUN BEING WITH MY BOYS!! OH, I GOT A NEW CALLING IN THE WARD, I AM THE NEW SERVICE AND COMPASSION LEADER, IT WILL HELP ME TO GET TO KNOW THE LADIES IN OUR WARD, SO THAT WILL BE FUN!! I AM SO HAPPY THAT I LISTEN TO THE HOLY GHOST AND HIS GUIDING LIGHT TO HELP ME KNOW THIS IS WHERE I AM SUPPOSE TO BE RIGHT NOW IN MY LIFE, IT IS VERY TOUGH AT TIMES, BUT I AM TRYING VERY HARD TO STAY CLOSE TO MY HEAVENLY FATHER AND I KNOW HE WILL GUIDE ME. WELL FOR NOW THAT'S ALL, SEE YA, C

THIS IS MY NEWEST BLOG SPOT, HOPEFULLY MY LAST!!

WELL, MARTY HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET ME TO SET UP A NEW BLOG, MY OLD ONE WAS A PAIN IN THE NECK!! SO HERE WE ARE AND HERE WE GO!! TODAY, WE WERE SUPPOSE TO GO TO THE SOCCER TOURNAMENT ALL DAY, BUT IT GOT CANCELED, BECAUSE IT IS SNOWING HERE, LIKE WE HAVE 2 INCHES ON THE GROUND AND IT IS STICKING GOOD, BECAUSE IT IS DANG COLD OUTSIDE TODAY!! SO WE WENT TO THE CAMPBELL'S HOUSE TO JUST CHAT FOR AWHILE, THE WE TOOK THE KIDS TO EAT AT JACK IN THE BOX AND WENT TO SEE THE MUMMY 3. IT WAS VERY FAR FETCHED, BUT IT WAS ALRIGHT FOR A MUMMY SHOW!! WE GOT THE LAUNDRY ROOM PAINTED AND I AM LIKING IT, NOW FOR THE BASEMENT REMODELING YA-HOO!! WELL I WILL BLOG LOTS MORE LATER, I NEED TO GET SOME LAST MINUTE SATURDAY NIGHT THINGS DONE. SO WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, HERE IS TWO GOOD THINGS TO DO WITH THEM.

1.MAKE LEMONADE OF COURSE
2. STUFF THEM DOWN YOUR SHIRT IF YOUR A GIRL THAT NEEDS THAT-HA-HA
LOVE YA, C