Holiday Time.,

One of my favorite things to do in Arizona is to walk around the Mesa Temple to look at all the lights. It is so beautiful. I love to walk way out to the fron of the temple and be able to see the 3 wise men and the camels on the big front lawn.. It was a nice night to share with Allison and Jason and the kids. At first we were not going to go but I realized if I don't go something will come up on the weekends and we will miss it. So, I'm glad we took the kids and went.On the temple grounds there are beautiful lemon, orange and grapfruit trees. I went underneath one and had to take a picture of the fruit. by the way, it's not forbidden you can pick it..

Ava and Haylee thought they were at Disneyland...

It's that time of year where you try and pack as much into one month and stay in touch with the real meaning of Christmas. I love this time of year. Although I'm going through some of my "lasts" with having my youngest child growing out of the I believe in Santa phase. It makes me want one more little one in the house.

We decided this year we were going to put a Christmas tree up in the loft of our home. This is where we gather in the evenings and do homework and also the computer is in the loft. We do allot of family organizing up here. We bought a little tree and set in on the credenza. We choose some special ornaments of when the girls were very little and put a little topper on it. We sat around the tree one night and read from the New Testament. Luke Chapter 2. We decided we were going to read up here every night before bed and then have a family prayer. Yeah, I bet you think awwwwwwwww, what a perfect family.. Yeah right. We started this on December 1st and well it is now December 13th. We read an entire 7 days out of the 13.. Although the desire is there.. ha ha.. The nights just get busy with three girls and their different schedules.

When we get done reading the scriptures as a family I place them under the tree ready to read the next day. After, we read a few chapters and everyone went to bed. I sat up by myself and and was looking at the tree in the dark loft. I was reflecting the past year and some of the challenges we have faced as a family and individually. I thought about some dear friends in my ward that have faced harder challenges than my family. I know that loosing such a loved little child is very difficult no matter how long there have been on this earth. I though about 2 special friends from California who lost her Father this year. I though about the hard economic times that have affected some of my own family members and their children. This year seams to bring so much sadness to so many people that I know.

THEN, I looked at the tree and focused on each ornament and reflected the happy times each ornament brought to my heart. I skimmed all the way down to the bottom of the tree. I noticed my scriptures sitting waiting for our next reading time. The room was dark and lights from the little tree shinned on them and the thought came to my mind.

What a perfect gift these scriptures are. I thought about my Dad and almost felt as if he placed the thought in my mind.

How can I forget such joy the scriptures can bring, the peace that can fill a room the instant you open them and begin to ponder the meanings. How can I forget the gift of the savior and the joy that he gives to me and others. I know that it is through the scriptures we can change our sadness to happiness. I know that the teachings if applied to our lives will change the way we think and look at each situation. This I'm so thankful for. I'm so thankful for this tender moment. I love that I try and find down time to reflect. I used to run myself into the ground and rush through the memories. As I have gotten older I have made many attempts to "BE STILL" and enjoy the tender moment.. You can't hear them when you are rushing.

Here is a glimpse of how this thought came to be. I was so happy my batteries were charged in my camera to capture my tender moment.

Haylee's Birthday.

I love this little girl...

Haylee's celebrates her 11th birthday. We had her party a few weeks early. Looking at the calendar for the month of Decemeber we realized we don't have a free weekend. Decemeber birthdays are hard. Haylee is so a minnie me. She is an event planner. She had a notebook of all her ideas for her party. I literally had to no planning at all. She planned for a Rock Star party. With coloring hair it temporary bright colors, and music notes hanging all over the house. She loves the fact that she can read music since she started playing the flute. She is still in the beginning stages but she is doing well with it. We had a fun night with her friends. I still can't believe she is 11 years old... Where does the time go.

she loves her "New Moon" cd she got from Shaila.. Thanks Shaila

Here they are outside piled on the swing with their colored hair and silly faces.The girls painted these cute ceramic cupcakes. This was a great quiet activity.. they came out so cute. You could almost eat them. We spray painted them with gold glitter. I'm so glad that Haylee has a great group of friends to play with. I love the fact that she is 11 and still loves to play. She loves barbie dolls, and toys.. As long as she loves and plays with them she can have them.

11 things I love about Haylee.

1. She is very independant

2. She goes after what she wants and stays focused.

3. She is quick learner

4. She keeps her room cleaned up without being asked.(most of the time)

5. She reminds me to say my prayers

6. She loves to play girls stuff and as well as dig in the dirt with her Dad.

7. She is doing great with her grades.

8. She follows me around the house hugging me from behind as I'm cleaning the house.

9. She loves to cuddle still.

10. I love to watch her twirl around the house doing her dance routines.

11. I love the she has her own personality and that she is funny, and silly and serious when she needs to be.

I love being her Mom.

Happy Birthday Honey !

Time sure flies when you are " Stressed" You thought I was going to say "when you are having fun" right? Well, yeah we are enjoying living even though these are stressfull times for our family. I'm just so happy that we could celebrate my "GUY'S" Bithday. Can you believe he is 45 years old. WOW, To think I met him when he was 15 years old. We have known each other for 30 years and have been married 21 years.. How amazing is that? The girls made thier Dad a happy birthday banner and hung it up on the railing ovre looking the entry way in our home. I took Mike out to dinner that night and when we walked in the door the girls poured little cut out hearts all over our heads and yelled " Happy Birthday" It was cute..

one of my favorite pictures of him. This is what we love to do when we go back home to California. We visit the beach and just sit and stare at the ocean. I miss my beaches... Here is mike today. Yeah, I can "clearly" see the handsome grey hairs all around. Thankgoodness I'm going to Cosmetology school. I was able to color the grey right out. He was also pampered with a manicure and a pedicure from me as well. " he was pampered"

My sisters Allison and Carla and thier hubby's and all the kids went to the Bass Pro Shop for dinner. It was fun all going together. We spent a few hours in the store. There is so much to look at....

I can't wait to spend many more years with my best friend as we move into the different phases of our lives...

Update on Cosmo School

WOW, What an adventure it is.. I have been in school 3 weeks. I'm so exhausted. Going to school full time literally wears me out. I can't even think straight. I feel I have no time for my house. By the time I get home from school it is dinner, homework, dance, softball practice, I'm only home an hour a day besides sleep time.. What was I thinking.. I keep telling myself it will pay off once I get done with all my theory/anatomy classes and can do "just" hands on only.. That is when I will be able to use my creativity more.

So, far I have learned all there is to know about scalp treatments, head massages, and I have done at least 15 manicures/pedicures to my classmates in the last 2 weeks. This week we have focused on acrylic nails and nail design. Now, that was fun. I was able to create designs and polish in some creative ways.. I applied my first set of acrylic/tips overlays on my daughter Emalee. They came out pretty good for my first time. I think she is happy with them.

My classmates are pretty cool. I have learned to appreciate each one of them and what they have to offer our class. Each one has their own walk of life and experiences. There are a few that have made some hard choices and are suffering the consequences of that choice. There are times when I look at them with sadness and think If they only knew how much their Heavenly Father loved them ,how important they really are, They honestly don't have a clue. I treat them with care and also caution. I encourage them to keep coming to school and continue to make good choices. I think they will.

I'm so happy that Mike has given me "wings" he always encourages me in what ever I do. I know he is proud of me. So, I just have to keep telling myself to keep going on this road. It will end shortly and when it does I will be happy that I graduated and finished this study. I know I can choose my own schedule and have a career that I will be able to use my creativity and enjoy doing... I can do 9 hour days and come home and be a mom as long as I have my man to pick up where I leave off. He is doing a fine job...

COSMETOLOGY?

I have a new ADVENTURE in my life. I have reached a time in my life where I want to do something that I have always wanted to do. Cosmetology. I have been tossing and tossing this around for sometime now. When my younger sister Allison started school for this a few months ago. It inspired me to start thinking about "ME" so, I pulled out my Patriarchal blessing and read it. I started sorting some old items from High School. Praying morning, noon, and night. I came upon our Class of 1984 Senior Wills. Under my name I wrote I want to be a Cosmetologist. I want to own my own salon. It hit me as well. I REMEMBERED THAT I REMEMBERED I wanted to do this as well. I guess I needed to get back those feelings of those yester years. The Me before kids and before being a wife. Yes, I love being a Mother and a Wife to a great Man it is my ultimate priority. However, I realized that I would love to own my own salon and decorate it my style and enjoy the company of Fun women coming in and out all day long. Besides, I have 3 daughters just think how much money that can save me in hair styles and color. I love hair styles and coloring my own hair. It has always been a passion of mine.
My hours will be perfect enough to get home with my girls after school. With the support of my wonderful Husband who is already making plans for my salon. Maybe even hooking up a salon with Allison as she is further along in the program. So the Journey begins on October 26th. I will be a full time student at Empire Beauty School. I can't wait, I can't wait. I hope I will have lots and lots of friends and family who will step up and want me practice on them. LOL. (with of course assistance from a teacher) I'm excited!

My Mother

Lately, I have been thinking allot about my Mom. I don't know why. Maybe cause she is coming to visit. I like when she comes to visit. It just reminds me that I can be "me" and that is ok with her.I love that when I'm with my Mom or family I don't have to entertain I can just sit and be in the same room if I want.
My Mom is a fun mom. She likes to be busy and on the go. She is often sitting on the edge of her seat ready to go somewhere. I think her favorite thing to do is go shopping at Walmart and Target. She always finds a gadget. It's pretty funny. When you talk to her on the phone she will tell you all about her shopping adventure. Being a Mother to 9 kids. I know my Mom had to go with out allot of things. Allot of finer things. She stuck to the basics that is what worked for her. My mom would go without many things to make sure we had the things that we needed. I always tell my girls that I was lucky I had a lip gloss in my pocket. Now days kids have way to much. I had my sisters and our imaginations that is all. I loved it.

I can remember my mom setting up big blankets in the living rooms one for each of my sisters. We would build our home on it. We would pretend that it was a raft and we were floating in the river. We would be so excited when mom brought out the rafts.. (how funny that I remembered that)

Below is a picture of my mom the older child on the floor. This was Christmas morning. I loved how she is dressed alike with her sister. So fancy. I guess the tradition continued. All my growing up years my mom always made sure we dressed cute for Christmas. I don't know how she did it

Here is my MOm, looking so proud of her 4 daughters by the time she was 26. Yes, that is me in the red shirt. Still have those same cheeks. Love the simple times.

Here is My Mother and I now. She has had some challenges in her life. Loosing my Dad a few years back as set my Mom up for some pretty challenging times. She is a strong women who loves her kids. Although her mind and thoughts are all over the place she is loved. She has since found a companion to be with. They enjoy life together and share good times.

Cant' wait to see her and spend some time with her.

Haylee is excited about growing up

She is running for student council at her school. I think she was most excited about making the posters all by herself and posting them all over the school. She is loving this 5th grades stuff. Although I just noticed she spelled Secretary wrong. Ohhh well what do you expect out of a 5th grade Secretary. ( I guess I should have helped more.)

She also is taking on the challenge of learning to play the flute. It's only been a month however, she practices every day.

Some kids just like to be busy. She is one of them. I know she will do well.

Update, Update

Here is our first day of school. I can't believe that It has been a month now since the girls started school. Haylee, loves school. She loves being involved and being right in the middle of everything going on. (like her mom) She loves to help plan and stays in at lunch to help the teacher decorate boards and anthing else the teacher needs help with. She is a big 5th grader now. This is her last year at Elementary School.

Ashle, is in the 8th grade and is ready to take on the world. This year the 8th grade class is at the High School. They keep them seperate from the other high schoolers. They basically just borrow a building. The high school is brand new this year and only holds 8th. 9th, 10th. Each year they will grow into a regular high school. Ashlee is taking a Spanish class to get this out of the way. She wants to work on some harder classes before she gets to high school.

Emalee is a freshman this year. She is excited to be in high school and so far loving her classes. She is taking a TV Production class that has all the equipment for filming. She is working on a piece with a few class mates. She is the anchor person and is doing a segment on Traffic in the hall ways. She is filming crowded all ways and is prividing alternate routes to get to different destinations. She is loving this class. She is also taking a dance class

After school we always sit around the table and talk about the 1st day of school. We drin rootbeer floats and share the day. So far so good. It's been a month of school and the girls are doing well. despite girls drama that happens every year. I'm so glad that the my girls look out for each other and protect each other.

Here is the Church, Here is the Steeple

MorningSide Ward is finally getting our "OWN" home. We are all so excited. On the way to work I drove by our new stake center and this is what I saw. Yep, It's our steeple. I was so excited. I didn't have time to take the picture so I borrowed it from Cori's blog (thanks Cori) It was just a neat feeling to see it. I drive by the site at least 4 times a day sometimes more. Each and every day the building is looking more and more complete. The first thing that the Haylee said when she walked in from school was. Mom, The Pointy thing on the church is up....and it's pointing up. Funny girl.. We San Tan Vallians are so excited. ( our new city name). We are told December the building will be complete. It's only a half a mile away from our house.

P.P.P.

Haylee is a huge fan of Demi Lavato and Selena Gomez. She even remembers them when they sang with Barney when she was small. So when she found out that the two of them were teaming up to make a movie together. Haylee was soooooo excited. So, She wanted to have a Princess Protection Party. (that was the name of the movie) She invited a few friends and cousins and they came with thier blankets and pillows and had a late night over at our house. I got this cute idea from my sister Carla. Dip the pretty glasses in water than dip the rim of the glass in sugar and poor strawberry lemonaide in the glasses. Ohh my heck the girls loved this. Of course the sugar kept getting thicker and thicker on the rims. They felt all important drinking from a water gobblet.. (ha ha) you know little girls anthing to act like a grown up.
Haylee and Shayla on thier 3 rd glass (notice the thick sugar on the glass, sorry Tara is your girls get cavities, It would be my fault.

Cousin Brooke made a new friend with Sydney. They are the same age.

I just love this little girl. She is so girly and cute.

Haylee and Alicia. They just kept sippin the night away

watching the movie was the best part. They ended the night with a pillow fight and then around 10:30 I took them home... It was a nice night for Haylee. It's the little things like this that make them feel special. Haylee dvr''s the movie and I think I have heard it playing around 20 times now.. She is like her Mom once she is focused on something she goes overbaord until she is sick of it...

I painted my bathroom

I have this pretty small little bathroom down stairs. It is has a toilet and a sink and that is about it. I'm all about small and have what you need right now, easy to clean, economical, and I'm trying to teach the girls to be reasonable in your choices just get what you need. Know the difference between needs and wants. ( Now, I need to learn this) I love this bathroom because it takes a good 10 minutes to clean. Anyway, the walls in this house were all white when we moved in. Mike and I are not fans of white walls in our home. When I find a color I like I want this color all around me. SO, I need to learn to control myself. Ha Ha.

So I know that I want this limey green color with brown. I found this color at Walmart it is Burnt Green by Dutch boy. Here is the finishing look to this pretty small bathroom. There is this little cubby in the corner of this bathroom. I painted the inside brownish. This bathroom in under the stairs so it is tucked in the corner.

I found this cute little butterfly metal art pieces at Marshalls. Loved them because of course the green on the butterfly'sIt's pretty green huh? We have this ridiculous window in this bathroom it is 10x10 in siz. It is in the wrong spot. When you sit on the toilet you could look up this window and see right into the neighbors window. They could look down on you and see that you are sitting on the toilet.. (so wierd huh) Why did Shea homes make such a stupid window. So I bought some window film and covered the glass and this is how it turned out. Now, they can't see in and well I don't need to see out. A couple of candles on the ledge and VIOLA all done.

You still get the light effects from outside.
This bathroom in so me. I love it. I like going in here and checking out my work..

Cute Little Ashlee at 13 years old

OK, So I was snooping through Ashlee's photo's on the computer and I saw these darling pictures of my sweet daughter. I had to put them on my blog so I can see her sweet smile. Ashlee is just so loveable. She *Smiles* all the time. That is why everyone calls her *Smiley* She loves life and loves to take pictures of herself. Take a look at her sweet little face.


Ok, Sorry, I'm bragging but I can't help it.. I love her and I'm rpud to be her Mom!

Come on You have to AGREE WITH ME! She is darling inside and out!

BOOOO HOOOOO.. Softball over !

Softball Season is over. Waiting for the Allstars List to come out to see if any of the girls made the Allstars team. This was closing day and the girls wanted to take pictures in the mirror. Girls are so silly.

much earned awards.

At the field one last time!

Something about a softball field in the night. The way the lights are and the smell of a dirty old mit and the grime on a softball. Getting one last look.

See ya next season Softball field!