Proud to be an American...

I've heard recently a lot of people that are saying...'i'm FINALLY proud to be an American..'

Does this upset anyone else? I hope they don't mean that they weren't proud before...because i've been proud to be an American since I was a little girl watching parades where the old soldiers walked down the street with the American flag. It brought tears to my eyes then, and still does now. I have been proud to be an American since the space shuttle Challenger blew up and all the American flags came out of homes and were displayed. I have been proud to be an American since I was little and said the pledge of allegiance with my classmates. I have been proud to be an American since I worked in the scouting program and was able to salute the flag with my boys. I have been proud to be an American since 9/11 when those towers fell and America came together to support eachother because if it's one thing we have in common, it's the fact that we are ALL AMERICANS. Despite our differences we are all brothers and sisters of the same God that gave us life, and we are all here on this blessed land to learn and grow together.
I am proud of America for wanting and needing equality in this last election, however it is not just the fact that we've elected the first African American president that makes me proud. I am glad that America has gotten passed prejudice, but it's the fact that I have lived here all my life, and i've always been proud to be an American where at least I know i'm free, and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me and I proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today. Because there ain't no doubt I love this land. GOD BLESS THE USA!

Blogging Safety...

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=4699330

I saw this story on KSL the other night, and it made me need to change my blog...
So from now on, i'm not going to list my kids' names or too much more info about my family. Hope you can keep up with the initials instead...THANKS Monica for posting this on your blog as well...

JS is 5 years old!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my hansome JS! We love you big guy!!

What did you say??? Halloween is over??

Here's JLat her school parade...Thanks Jenny for getting this one! Sooo cute!


TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!!! JS as Buzz Lightyear!!! Isn't he handsome? And What?!! He's turning 5 tomorrow!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET JS!!!


It was kinda a silly costume, but cheap! And here's Jaden Terrel dressed at Terrel. Hehehe! My Dad was pretty surprised, too. Soo funny...and I taught him to say DADBURNIT!! Which is the closest thing to swearing i've ever heard my Dad come.



JL dressed as a spider witch! I am not sure what she's doing with her cheeks there...but yeah. She and I had a lot of fun doing this costume. Thanks Angie for letting us borrow it, and for the fun idea! It was a blast to do her hair and make up, she's so dang funny and cute! Love that girl!

Finding joy in the journey...

Thank you to everyone who left NICE comments on my last post. I was really having a bad, bad day, but I am feeling much better thanks to good people like you and my sweet friends and family.

Today I was excited when the mailman came with my copy of the Ensign's conference report. I have really wanted to read President Monson's talk on Sunday morning. I guess I could have looked online at LDS.org but didnt. I'm glad I read it this afternoon. In his conference talk his remarks are about enjoying the journey that we are on. He talks about how the one thing that is constant is change. It is so true that life comes at you fast, and it can change in an instant. But his remarks are about those changes that happen gradually, like that of raising children. I just want to share a couple of his quotes:

"...If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will-to your surprise-miss them profoundly."

He also talks about telling people now that we love them... "...Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It's so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they're gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of "what if" and "if only." Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, "The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone."

I want all of my family and friends to know how much they mean to me. I will try to be better at letting you know this. I will be a better daughter, Mother, Wife and friend. I know i'm not perfect, and I definately am not allowed to have a bad day, but I am trying. I am trying to do what my Heavenly Father needs and wants me to do. I have 3 fantastic children and an amazing Husband who loves and cares for me. I love my extended family and Steve's as well. I know that they don't think i'm great, but we are all doing the best that we can, and for me...that's all I can do. I know that I am a daughter of God. That I was sent to this Earth for a purpose and that if I continue to stay on the path i've chosen, then I will be blessed beyond measure. I can look at myself in the mirror everyday and know that God loves and cares for me because I am His daughter. I have asked Him to help me feel of his love for me, and I feel it. I know He is there. I know He loves and cares for each of us individually. He knows our hurts, our wants and our needs and I am going to be better at finding joy in my journey.

Trying to smile...

Why is it that everyone around me has exactly what they want? Or at least it seems that way...? I mean, I do what i'm supposed to do...I pay my tithing, I go to church, I have Family Home Evening, I pray, I ask and I beg for help...for something to happen to change our situation. And still...no matter what happends, everyone around me is happy, healthy, and moving along their path very well, and I stay put. Right here. Right in the same spot. Never moving. Always sticking to the same lonely place. Why? Why am I still in this rut? Why can't I have what I need? Why do I have to have these problems?
I know I sound ungrateful, but I am grateful. Is it so wrong to want something better for myself and for my family? Am I a horrible person for wanting a safe place for my children to grow and learn? Is it wrong to want more? I want more. I want a place for JL to grow...a little room for her. I want a little backyard without any drug needles in it. I want to be happy.
I've always thought that happiness was a choice, and i've chosen to just be happy for a long time now. I think i'm tired of faking it. I'm tired of pretending that it's all ok. It's NOT ok, but i'll keep trying to smile.

CONFESSION...

My bloggin buddy, Wendi helped me get this out...

Ok...I LOVE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL!!! I know, i'm a grown woman in love with Zac Efron. Call me a cougar, whatever. I love him. I love the whole series!

Of course, my camera is broken, so I don't have any pictures of our day at the theater, but JL and I went with our friends, Olivia, Angie, and Melanie to see HSM3. I laughed, I almost cried, and cheered right out loud with all the other 7 year olds in the theater. (I think I might have embarrassed JL). LOL

So thanks to Wendi and all the other girls for letting me get this out...I LOVE IT! ALL OF IT!!

It was a good time, and a good girls' afternoon!