Families of the Dump

We were able to spend our Christmas-Eve-eve feeding the people of Magisterio, Mexico. It was a lot of fun and really good to see that my kids can work hard all day without complaint. Our contribution was so small in comparison to what we came home with. I feel like I need to adopt the saying, "Give more, want less."

I am so touched by the volunteers running this program. They are such Christ-like examples of service. They give and give and all they get in return are hugs. Brenda, in the hot pink has been living in Puerto Vallarta for 5 years running this program with her husband Jon. They left their family in Canada to service this community.

I'm touched by the multi-millionaire who owns Paradise Village, Graziano. He is a self-made millionaire who seems the benefit of helping others. He is building a 92 unit housing complex that will take these squatters off the dirt roads and give them a roof. He also donated these 2 truck loads of food we passed out.

There are so many organizations trying to do good, yet the major problems of this world are still so present. So many people deal with dirty drinking water, hunger, lack of education, poverty, sex trafficking and slavery, political unrest, war, disease, lack of health care, and on and on. If only there were good solutions. After reading books and watching documentaries and learning about some of these problems, real solutions seem fleeting. I secretly wish I could pick an issue, say clean drinking water, and fix it. I know its not possible, so I've resolved that I just have to do what little I can and hope it matters. One goal for 2012 is to spend a little less time "consuming" and a little more time "sharing."

home for the holidays

Tessa is our Old English Sheepdog. She was bred by an ultimate dog lover in Texas. He decided to take her back this summer to train her and winner her a championship free of charge. All we had to do was get her there. She was gone seven months. My kids and husband had a hard time with that. She's home now. She's very different than when she left. She's behaved. She's pretty. She's calm. I've started to get how dogs can be part of the family. I'm not a natural animal lover. They're cute and all, as long as I don't have to touch them or smell them. I'm feeling differently though. She's kinda fun.

We've been trying to decide what to do with her. We got her thinking my 8 year old would like to "show" her. She just makes you smile when you see her. She attracts people everywhere we go. She's very unique here in Utah, and too much fun not to share somehow. We're thinking we might start by making her a therapy dog and taking her places like the children's hospital. Lucy had a dog visitor while in primary children's. She would definitely break up the monotony for kids who are in the hospital long term. I'll keep you apprised.

It's been a while

Blogging has been unappealing to me lately. I feel strange posting about frivolous things when there are so many more important events happening in life. I feel that way towards my business too. It's so unimportant in the scheme of things. I guess I'm an all or nothing kinda girl. I feel weird posting about meaningless things I do with my time/money when people are going through such hard times. If you want blogs with more substance than mine read my sister's and my cousin's blogs. With that said, here's the meaningless things I've been doing around my house...

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Are you ready for this?

Cause ready-or-not here it comes!

In case you were wondering...
1. no I don't have my tree up yet, this picture's from last year
2. yes, that's a diet coke on the mantle.

Costume Blues

We went to look for costumes tonight. It's 5 days before Halloween. There was nothing left. I guess it's time for the DIY route. I wish my kids would be cute little owls and flamingos. But no, they want to be Captain America (x2), Rapunzel and an old lady.

Tutorials to help...

Rapunzel wig

Old Lady

Captain America

She Changed Me

My sister and her husband lost their beautiful baby girl yesterday. She was only on this earth for a short 15 months but she was such a presence. Everyone who knew her fell in love with her. Her spirit was so strong and vibrant.

Lucy's short life has brought so many people to their knees, pleading to their Father in Heaven. She has brought me so much closer to my Savior. I believe one of Lucy's missions while on this earth was to teach us to see life through our spiritual eyes. To turn to the Savior to find answers and understanding. As section 101 says, “Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me (Jesus Christ), your joy is full.”

I remember hearing stories of when our brother passed away. My oldest sister and I were were most likely to understand our mother’s pain. But Eliza, the baby of the family, was the one who would sit by her side, day after day offering comfort; understanding her pain. She helped our mom through an extremely painful time. She is so empathetic. During the darkest hours of Liza's life she offered those around her comfort, and said so wisely, "Lucy was not just mine."

I'm so grateful we know the plan of happiness. This life is not the end for their little family. Lucy will be with them again. This life will be extra long for Chuck and Eliza, but someday they will be together again. I can't imagine anything harder than what they have and will yet have to go through, but I know they will get through it. My prayer is that we can learn to see with our spiritual eyes so that veil which separates us from Lucy can grow thin.

Joseph Smith teaches us, “All your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection, provided you continue faithful. By the vision of the Almighty I have seen it.”

Thank you Lucy for changing me. Through my minimal sacrifices in your behalf the Lord has changed me. He has softened my heart and brought me closer to Him. I am changed after holding you in my arms and partaking of your sweet little spirit. I am changed from the countless times I dropped to my knees to plead with Him in your behalf. My journal is laced over the last year with spiritual experiences that have happened to me and my family because of your little life. Lucy, you have changed me in ways no one else could and I am eternally indebted to you for that. I will always love you. xoxo

DIY Halloween

Here

Here

Here

Here

A Great Escape

When I need a little retreat from real life I visit pinterest. Here are a few finds

Here.

Here.

Ready to Nest

No, I'm not pregnant but I feel like I'm ready to nest. With the kids going back to school today, and my whopping 9 hours to myself a week, I have lots of projects in mind. My first priority is to get ready for Holy Cow. But on the side I want to do lots of canning, harvesting in the garden, and re-decorating. I'm working on my youngest's bedroom right now. I'd also really like to turn my dining room into a library/study.

What a dream!

Recipe here.

Never canned this, but love to eat it!

Heavy Hearts

I just can't focus on anything else right now. Little Lucy, my niece, is in the CICU at Primary Children's. Her open heart surgery 6 weeks ago was unsuccessful and she will need another one next Wednesday. There are many more risks this time around and things seem much more serious. My sister and her husband are such troopers. Lucy is such a trooper. Thank you for all your prayers.

Mormon 5:21
21 And also the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for them.

Seasonal Depression

I'll miss you baseball fields,
snack shack and quilts on the grass.
I'll miss you heated parents, cute little boys and
girls kart-wheeling in the background.
Goodbye KC Royals, until next year.

My very first harvest

My husband comes from an amazing gardening family. My dad always had something growing in our backyard. You'd think we would have a pretty good shot at being good gardeners but that hasn't been the case. We have tried a few times over the years but have never made it to harvest time without completely giving up. After a few too many years of this dirty little secret in the corner of my backyard I decided it was time to take things into my own hands.After a lot of work and some great help from my husband and my amazing friend (yes, she did the sprinklers all by herself-I watched and learned) this is the finished product.
My dirty little secret is now those amazing (but tiny) strawberries. Hopefully I can figure out how to get them a little bigger.

2 Days and counting...

We are only just beginning our summer vacation and I've already heard "I'm Bored." Here's an idea to occupy many summer hours. Hopefully it will keep their attention longer than the slip-and-slide.

Late Night Projects