thinking back...

It was 25 years ago today that I was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, in sacrament meeting by my father. The day before, I stepped into the font in the Cardenas Ward building in Panama (the country) and was baptized by my father. It had been about 10 years since he had joined the church, so it was full circle for him. I remember how cold the water was and that we forgot my towel. My mom made me a beautiful white dress to wear that day but I had to wear one of those white jump suits for the actual baptism. I remember the warm feeling inside, feeling loved by my Heavenly Father. I know deep within that I made the right decision to be baptized then. I can't believe it's been 25 years. 25 more years of scripture study, prayer, church attendance, and serving in church callings. Next year, my daughter will have the opportunity to be baptized herself. And I hope that years from now, she too will know she made the right decision.

I served a mission and returned 10 years ago (as of next week) and I watched several people I taught get baptized. I've sat in the temple with a few of them. Some were there in the temple with me on my wedding day. I've had the privilege of seeing photos of them baptizing their children. That is when you know what you taught really stayed in their hearts, because they received it by the Holy Ghost. I know they know that they made the right decision. As I reflect on all of these things, my heart is filled with joy and I know that the Savior feels joy when he sees us making the right decisions. Have you ever thought of that? Being able to bring joy to the Savior. Sometimes I just think of the Garden. Today I am thinking about the joy.

An inspirational quote

The beginning of last week, I was reading through some conference talks and I came across a quote that I just can't get out of my mind.  Not that I want too.  I love this quote!  So I thought I would share it.

"In the strength of the Lord, I can do all things."

Sister Elaine Dalton

We, as women are always trying to overcome something.  Big or small.  Whether it's a trial, whether it's pushing ourselves to become better at something, whether it's just making it through the day.  There is always something.  I know with all of my heart, that with Heavenly Father by our side, we truly can do all things.  We can make it through all of the trials that he sends our way and endure all that he asks of us to endure.  He wants to be there to help us do it.  He doesn't expect us to do it on our own and he isn't going to ask us to do anything that we can't do.  Even when we feel like we can't.   During every stage of our life, there is going to be something to overcome.  Ten years from now, it will be something different than it is today.  Ten years from now, we will still have our Heavenly Father by our side, telling us that we can do it.  That we can do all things!

Cold Day Activity.

My friend gave me a great cooking with kids cookbook this weekend.  Yesterday, Stella and I just couldn't help ourselves.  We just had to try one of the recipes.     So we made...

Homemade Face Paint

It was so easy and fun to use.  We turned Stella into a butterfly.  I loved watching her pretend all afternoon to be just that.  This was a wonderful activity.  It makes plenty to use on another day, and it washes off beautifully.

The Recipe:

1/2 Cup Cornstarch

1/4 Cup Cold Cream(I used Ucerin Cream because I had that on hand)

1/4 C. cold water

Food coloring

Mix Cornstarch and Cream together until well blended.  Stir in water.  Then separate in to the bowls depending on how many colors you would like.  Add food coloring one drop at a time, and stir well.

I used a fine paint brush to paint her face.

You can store  the left overs in the fridge covered with saran wrap to be used again.

When you are ready to remove it, wash it gently off with a warm wash cloth.  I didn't even use soap, and it came right off.

I can't wait to paint up a new adventure.

 

What Being a Woman Means to Me

This past Sunday, I was asked to speak to the Mia Maids & Laurels in my ward. The topic they gave me was "The Joys of Being a Woman/What Being a Woman Means to Me". Hum...the "joys" of being a woman...would that include the spreading hips that come with pregnancy, or maybe the sleepless nights that come after the baby is born, or changing a million diapers a day, or breaking up at least 33 fights an hour, or my new favorite...cleaning gum off the carpet!?!

Anyway, I decided to sit down & make a list of little joys that I've had throughout my life because I am a woman. I posted it on my personal blog & had a lot of women say it was exactly what they needed to read that day, so I decided I would post it on here as well. So, here you go (it starts at birth & works its way up to motherhood)...

Being a woman means that, as a baby, I can be blessed in a beautiful white dress
Being a woman means my mom gets to glue cute bows on top of my bald head so that no one thinks I’m a boy
Being a woman means I get to wear cute frilly dresses
Being a woman means that I can hold tea parties with my friends & teddy bears
Being a woman means I get to play dress up & wear my mom’s high heels and my grandma’s wigs
Being a woman means that I get to watch all the Disney princess movies & dream about MY Prince Charming that will come someday
Being a woman means that I can dress in pink from head to toe & TOTALLY pull it off
Being a woman means playing with Barbie dolls & listening to my Whitney Houston records (What? It was the early 80s, give me break!)
Being a woman means I get to look up to my mom & dream about the day when I, too, will be a mom
Being a woman means that I can be a friend and example to my sisters
Being a woman means that I can be baptized...& then make everyone wait afterwards while my mom blow dries my hair for 10 minutes
Being a woman means that I get to join Young Womens when I turn 12 and get away from the “annoying boys”
Being a woman means that I can attend Young Womens camp every year…which is WAY more fun than scout camp
Being a woman means that I have the ability to be outgoing & make friends with anyone I meet
Being a woman means that I can wear my hair a variety of ways…long, short, curly, straight…whatever I want
Being a woman means doing my best in school to gain as much knowledge as I can
Being a woman means not having to shower together after PE like the boys do
Being a woman means actually using stalls in public bathrooms…YAY FOR PRIVACY!!!
Being a woman means I don’t have to collect fast offerings in the freezing cold!
Being a woman means that I can be a good friend
Being a woman means that I can be a good example to those friends
Being a woman means having sleepovers with my friends & staying up half the night talking about boys
Being a woman means that I can figure out what my talents are & then work on developing them
Being a woman means that I can learn more about my Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ through studying the scriptures daily
Being a woman means that I can smile at others as I walk down the halls in school
Being a woman means that I can sing into my hairbrush when I’m alone in my room
Being a woman means getting 100% on a test that I studied really hard for
Being a woman means that I can develop my own personal relationship with God & Jesus Christ through prayer
Being a woman means that I can babysit to earn money…which is a lot better than mowing lawns in the heat of summer
Being a woman means that I can serve in my Young Womens class presidency & help the other girls
Being a woman means that I can use yummy smelling shampoos & lotions
Being a woman means that I can have faith in my Heavenly Father & that I can help others increase their faith as well
Being a woman means that I can talk to my friends on the phone for hours…as long as my homework is already done
Being a woman means that I can go to chick flicks with my friends & then laugh when we’re all crying at the end
Being a woman means having integrity & the courage to stand up for what I believe in
Being a woman means that I can use makeup to cover up all my zits & use one of God’s greatest creations…mascara!
Being a woman means that I can develop my own testimony of the gospel, instead of relying on others’
Being a woman means I want to serve others, so that I know what Christ like love feels like
Being a woman means that I can learn all that I can about the gospel by attending church & seminary
Being a woman means that I can wear modest clothing & still looking smokin’ hot
Being a woman means that I can be asked out on dates
Being a woman means my date opens doors for me & pulls out my chair for me to sit down because I deserve it
Being a woman means that I can come home from that date & talk to my mom for an hour about it
Being a woman means I get to shop for a prom dress
Being a woman means that I can break up with a boyfriend for not treating me the way I deserve to be treated
Being a woman means that I am allowed to eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream because of the aforementioned breakup
Being a woman means figuring out for myself what my divine potential can be
Being a woman means that I can exercise and take care of my body
Being a woman means I can accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!
Being a woman means that I can choose who I think would be best to lead our country & vote for that person
Being a woman means I don’t have to register for the draft like the boys, but can join the armed services if I choose
Being a woman means joining Relief Society & being part of the largest women’s organization on earth
Being a woman means having faith
Being a woman means having hope
Being a woman means having charity
Being a woman means serving God wherever I am needed
Being a woman means going to college & gaining as much knowledge as I can
Being a woman means realizing I can be anything I want to be as long as I’m willing to work hard to get there
Being a woman means that I can set a goal & really accomplish it
Being a woman means deciding whether or not I want to serve a mission
Being a woman means realizing that, even if I don’t serve a mission, I am a missionary everyday of my life
Being a woman means I can wear red, patent leather pumps
Being a woman means I can choose any career I want and probably do it as good as or better than any man would!
Being a woman means finding that Prince Charming that I’ve been dreaming about my whole life!
Being a woman means marrying my Prince Charming at the right time, in the right place & by the right authority
Being a woman means that I get to plan my wedding & feel like a princess for the day
Being a woman means that I can be a good visiting teacher
Being a woman means that I can be a good listener when someone needs to talk
Being a woman means I can support my husband & be his soft place to fall
Being a woman means I am the first one to see the result on the pregnancy test
Being a woman means being able to buy myself a whole new wardrobe…even if it IS maternity clothes
Being a woman means feeling my baby practice his soccer kick on my insides
Being a woman means sending my husband to Taco Bell at 3 am because “the baby” wants a chalupa
Being a woman means knowing my life will never be the same the second I see that new baby
Being a woman means I am the CEO of my family
Being a woman means that I am the one my boys come to when they are hurt or sad
Being a woman means that I am the first teacher & main influence in my children’s lives
Being a woman means realizing that through influencing my children, I influence the next generation of leaders
Being a woman means I can make sure my family is holding Family Home Evening, family prayer & family scripture study
Being a woman means making sure homework is done, carpool is driven & that there is a lunch in everyone’s backpack
Being a woman means being there when my children go to school & when they get home too
Being a woman means being my children’s biggest cheerleader
Being a woman means constantly putting the toilet seat down!!! Seriously...is it really that hard boys?
Being a woman means cleaning pee off the wall! Why do little boys (and sometimes big boys) have such bad aim?
Being a woman means that I can teach my boys how to work
Being a woman means that I can teach my boys to respect women…and to put the toilet seat down
Being a woman means everyone has to eat what I want to eat, because I’m the one that does the grocery shopping
Being a woman means that I can use PMS as an excuse for being grumpy
Being a woman means I can make a “honey do list” & then just sit back and “supervise”
Being a woman means that I can have a night out with my friends when I need a break
Being a woman means realizing that I need to put myself first sometimes, and not feel guilty about it
Being a woman means being able to wear pink from head to toe and STILL pull it off…even at 30!
Being a woman means being a leader in Heavenly Father’s church & realizing that I really can have an influence on others
Being a woman means realizing that I can be an “angel” in someone else’s life
Being a woman means that I can pull my family through any trial it may encounter & we can be stronger because of it
Being a woman means having lots of other women to look up to as role models
Being a woman means realizing that I am a role model for others
Being a woman means I can choose to be happy
Being a woman means that I can continue to gain wisdom everyday of my life
Being a woman means that I am one of God’s greatest creations (remember, a woman was God's final creation...after He had worked out all the kinks on the man)
Being a woman means REALLY realizing what it means to be a daughter of God & ACTING LIKE IT!

Afterwards, I blathered on for the rest of the time about something...but I, honestly, can't remember what I said exactly. Then, I closed with this quote from Elder Holland:

"I want you to be proud you are a woman. I want you to feel the reality of what that means, to know who you truly are. You are literally a spirit daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and an eternal destiny. That surpassing truth should be fixed deep in your soul and be fundamental to every decision you make as you grow into mature womanhood. There could never be a greater authentication of you dignity, your worth, your privileges, and your promise. Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows you circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him. Because of this divine heritage you, along with all your spiritual sisters and brothers, have full equality in His sight and are empowered through obedience to become a rightful heir in His eternal kingdom, an heir of God, and joint-heir with Christ."

How can you not read that without feeling like you are the coolest thing on the planet? While there are many things I don't like about being a woman, I've decided that there are MORE things that I do like about being one! I don't know if what I said helped the girls. But, I hope they left knowing how awesome it is to be a woman & that they have the potential, with Heavenly Father's help, to become all the wonderful things they are meant to be! So, here's to some girl power my sistas!!! We rock!

Digital Scrapbook Classes by CKmedia

If you are interested in learning digital scrapbooking, or wanting to take it to a whole new level, let me recommend this:



click on this link to learn more

Registration begins June 3rd. I'll be there for sure ...

Free LOOT, FOR ALL OF YOU.

No, not here, but go to Mormon Mommy Blogs to enter to win some great stuff!

Young Women Values

In our Young Women we are trying to incorporate using the values more. So, I made these blocks. We are going to display them all together at big activities (New Beginnings, Young Women in Excellence, etc...) and then every month we'll have the value that we are highlighting sitting on our front table. They were pretty inexpensive. We used 1 2x6 piece of wood which was cut into 8" pieces and painted white. This cost about $3 at Home Depot. Then used vinyl letters, a lady in our ward cut them, but they would'nt have cost very much. The ribbon was our biggest expense but I was able to find most of it on clearance at Michael's.

Using "a carrot and a stick" in teaching your kids to Be Nice

Or rather, "beans and rice".

This is another gem from my very own parents (see Super Kid post).

Do you ever feel like you are always asking your kids to do the same exact things? (put away your shoes, put away your backpack, put away your dirty socks, etc.) Or NOT to do the same exact things?! (please stop chewing with your mouth open, please stop provoking your brother, please stop singing the Thomas song, etc.) Can you tell I have all boys? :)

Do you ever feel sad that your sons don't open the door for you? Or that no one appreciates the okra stew you spent two hours making?

Do you ever wish that you could ask your children to do/not to do something without that sound of barely subdued rage in your voice?

Well, I do. (I actually don't make okra stew, though. That sounds faintly disgusting.)

Mom and Dad also got fed up with this type of repetitiveness in parenting, and devised the following method.

 

1. Get a bowl of beans (dry pinto beans) and a bowl of white rice

2. Get cute little containers, one for each of your children who are old enough to be expected to obey, and label them with their names.

3. Explain to your little sweethearts that there is a new game you'll be playing every day. And there will be a prize at the end of each day.

4. "Here are the rules: When you do something nice, I will give you a bean. When I ask you to do something and you cheerfully do it, I will give you a bean. When you do something REALLY nice without my asking (like hold the door open for me when I'm Primary President and trying desperately to carry armloads of handouts and my scriptures and your "reverence" stuff into the church without letting your little brother escape back to the parking lot), you get MORE, like maybe even FIVE BEANS.

"When you do something naughty, I give you a rice. When you disobey, I give you a rice (think: then make sure you obey! :).

"For each rice you have, you will lose two of your beans when we count them."

5. At the end of the day (I usually do this after supper, when they're still at the table), I bring over the cute little containers, and we tally up the scores. For each bean, I give the little sweethearts an MnM or a chocolate chip. Some days they don't get any! But usually they get probably around 15-20.

Another way of rewarding with the beans is to let them save up for something. Like, "when you have 50 beans, I'll take you to DQ for a dilly bar." (Or if you prefer something more healthy, "when you have 50 beans, I'll make you your very own pot of okra stew.")

Anyway. It's a great system! Our boys have started racing to the door to open it for me (good thing there are two sets into the church!) :)

Tweak this any way you would like. . . .whatever works in your family! It's nice to have a ready reward and a ready consequence even for the little things.

Thanks to Wikimedia Commons  for the pix, except the "bean and rice cart" one is my very own.

Crock Pot Recipes

I think that the Crock Pot (or slow cooker) is one of the best things ever invented. It can make life SO much easier. For me, it seems I have time to think about dinner early in the day but by the time it's time to make dinner, there is no time! So, this useful little tool solves my dilemma. There are so many YUMMY! recipes for them. One of my favorite recipe books is the "Fix It and Forget It, Lightly" book. I found mine at Sam's club for less than $10. I thought I would share a couple recipes that are super, super easy and just as yummy!

Swedish Meatballs (lower fat)

Meatballs (I use the ones from Sam's club they're about $12/bag)
fill the crock pot about 1/2 full with meatballs

2 cans of chicken broth (I use low sodium)

2 Tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce

Cook on low for 4+ hours.

About 15 minutes before serving, remove all meatballs and mix in 2 Tablespoons of corn starch and mix until lumps are gone.

Return meatballs to crock pot and let cook for 15 minutes or until sauce is thick. Serve over rice or noodles.

I got the original recipe from "Fix It and Forget It, Lightly" they made turkey meatballs it would be lower fat, but that was too much work for me! ;)

French Dip

2-4 pounds Sliced Roast Beef (frozen or from Deli)

2 cans beef broth

1 Au Jus seasoning pack

1 Italian Dressing packet (dry)

Put in crock pot and let cook until warmed all the way through. This can cook as long as you want it to.

Serve on rolls. Yummy!!!

I hope you like them. If you try them be sure to let me know if you and your family enjoyed them.

It's finally here!

Remember this post? Angels in Real Life

Well, my album kits are now for sale. A portion of the profits are going to support cancer research through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well as the American Cancer Society. But you don't have to have a dramatic illness to want the albums. They are perfect for sharing your story of triumph over cancer or other illnesses, difficult times in your life, achievements you've worked hard for, everyday moments, and more. Of course, if you know someone who has or has had cancer, this is a great album on which to record their Journey through Cancer Treatment.

Here is what they look like. There is even a professional use license available for pro photographers and the like.
CottageArts


Here are the links to the albums:

Here are the links to the albums:
One
Two
Three
Four

Now I must tell you, Doris and Michelle made the papers and the elements. I put the albums together using their work and re-colored a few things and I made one or two bits and pieces myself. But can we give a high five to those talented ladies! And to Michelle for all her work with her site!

Silhouettes...

I know these are floating all over the Internet right now.  I have had them on my to-do list for months.  I finally finished it, and it is so easy.  Here is how I did mine:

1.  Took some great profile shots of the kids.

2.  Download them on your computer, and then import them into a program that allows you to make smaller or bigger.  I used Photoshop Elements, and placed it on a 5x7 document(my frames are for a 8x10 picture, but I knew I wanted white space around it so 5X7 was perfect.)

3.  Drag it to fill the whole page.  Print it out on Card stock.

4.  Cut around the profile.

5.  Trace it on Black Card stock, and cut again.

6.  Glue it on the center of white Card stock that is trimmed to fit your frame.

7.  Place in your frame.

8.  Hang on your wall, and enjoy.

P.S.  I got my frames at Hobby Lobby.  They were half off.  That made them $8.00 a piece.

Happy Birthday Club and free Ice Cream!!!

If you love Cold Stone Icecream as much as I do, then you'll want to sign up for their Birthday club and every year about a week before your birthday they'll send you a coupon via email for free ice cream. This time I enjoyed the Love It size creation (medium - which is more than enough!). I love this because it means I get to go at least 4 times a year and someone in our family is at least enjoying their treat for free. You can sign up every family member but unless things have changed, you have to use a different email for each person (which can be difficult when you have a lot of little ones). And it's nice because they don't send junk mail. Go here to sign up:
Cold Stone Creamery

Rocky Road Popcorn

I just wanted to share this recipe with all of you. I've taken it to the church Christmas Party and served it at our Polar Express movie party in our theater room. And it was a hit!!! After some fine tuning I think we've got it where we really like it. I don't put the almonds in mine because I am allergic to nuts so I just call it Triple Chocolate Popcorn for me. If you need a higher resolution copy let me know. And you might take some copies of the recipe with you to hand out because you just might get asked...


fonts: American Typewriter and CK Becky - I made the popcorn elements and the background paper too.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Not another Healthy recipe that is for sure...

I wanted to share this yummy recipe I tried the other night.  It is not for you health conscious people out there.  Do not get me wrong, I eat healthy most of the time, but every now and again you need to throw a fattening meal in there; just to remember what they taste like.

Chicken Chimichangas

with Cheese Sauce

1 Pound of cooked shredded chicken

1 8oz package Monterey Jack Cheese

1  80z Package of Cream Cheese(softened)

1 package Taco Seasoning

Mix the following together in a bowl, and then place a heaping spoonful inside the tortillas and roll up.  You will need 8 flour tortillas.  Then add enough vegetable oil to the bottom of a frying pan to cover the chimi's halfway.  Cook on both sides until golden brown.

Meanwhile mix the following in a blender:

1 Can Cream of Chicken soup

1 Can fiesta nacho cheese soup

1 can diced green chilies

2 T. fresh lime juice

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

Once mixed, pour into a saucepan, and heat.  Serve over the browned chimis, and top with sour cream and green onion.(optional)

My husband loved these, and said they were better then any that he has eaten at any Mexican restaurant. Enjoy!

FHE Chart Ideas

I've been working on a few crafts for Christmas gifts that I can't post yet, but here is one I have done for our family. I realize my family is not this big yet, so for now we will just double up our pictures. I have little tiles that I will put our pictures on and hang from the knobs with ribbon. Then we will just rotate them each week. This idea can also be used for a chore chart! and it would make a great Christmas gift.
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