Reflections of '08

I love that in 2008 I...

-am the mother of 5 children
-have courage
-find peace
-feel closer to a guiding light within
-have more patience (thanks Byron Katie)
-live in Arizona
-a home with my own personal shower and a garage (fabulous)
-am related to the CRAIG family
-treated to dinner almost every Friday Night!
-am inspired by Steve Hardison
-READ...impelling books
-learned about the four agreements (thanks Lorri)
-met Steve Chandler and attended one of his seminars (thanks Brandon)
-live so close to the temple
-have met great new friends
-have Jillian Michaels to "TONE"
-went on a great vacation
-am supported and loved by so many
-am continuing to grow...

When you transform your whole dream, magic just happens in your life. What you need comes to you easily because spirit moves freely through you. -Ruiz

Christmas in Utah with the Craig's

Thank You

Brandon and Lorri

for inviting our family

on this AWESOME Christmas Vacation

Little Miss Emmie

OK, so have I mentioned how much this "Little Miss Emmie" LOVES to dance!

This "MOVE" is just for you Michelle!(since this is the affects of her knowing you)

GLADGIVING

"Anonymous GIVER"

Yesterday I was invited to attend a seminar by Brandon Craig at BILTRITE Corp.; the guest speaker was STEVE CHANDLER which is an author I have grown fond of. I have read many of his books but this was my first time to attend one of his seminars. I was blown away with his talent and humor all wrapped up in a profound way. The 2 hour seminar seemed like 20 minutes to me. Someone, before the seminar handed me an envelope and said "someone wanted me to give this to you" and then walked away. I didn't know the person so I assumed they thought I was Lorri, my twin sister. I looked down at the envelope and one side read MERRY CHRISTMAS and the other side had my name on it so I then knew it really was for me. I tucked it away and after the seminar went in the break room and opened it. Someone had left for me money wrapped in paper. Has this ever happened to you? If so, did you feel as though I did, deeply touched and warmed from head to toe! I love that someone had my family and I in mind.

I was first introduced to the concept of "GLADGIVING" about a year ago by someone that continues to inspire me when I'm in their presence. After the invitation to read a book that magnifies this concept I find myself absorbed in the beauty of it. You donate 2-5% of all money received, yes... ALL money received. This was easy for me to apply because of the principle of Tithing taught to me as a small child, this does not take the place of tithes it is all bundled up in its own category. You then donate to your choice of charity or person...YOU CHOOSE!

Let us be mindful of the impressions to GLADGIVE as they come, it touches deep!

Speaking of GLADGIVING... that is the word that came to my mind yesterday for all those who worked together to create the SEMINAR “The Power of Optimism in a Down Economy.”

FABULOUS...

All I want for Christmas...

Emmie Lyn

Love living by the Temple!

We were able to see the annual

Mesa Arizona Temple Gardens Christmas Lights and Concert

Series 2008

~Beautiful~

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Some of the highlights of Thanksgiving Day...

Turkey Bowl

Christmas movies

Family

slusing around in the mud (you can go to Dallin's blog to see photo's of this)

Feasting

and enjoying the weather in Arizona!

Feeling Thankful!

I gave a talk in church Sunday and I reflected on this special day of our Family Sealing, feeling grateful for the blessings of the Gospel and family unity! I will never forget the way I felt as a young girl kneeling around the alter as a family; I knew we were doing it the Lords way and it felt beautiful! Thanks Mom and Dad for your courage and strength in those tender years of growth and the support you continue to be for all of us!

Isaac

Time Out for Women and Girls

~My personal favorite was Hilary Weeks~

Her message in/through songs composed and her talent in speaking is inspiring!

Can you see how tickled we are to "just be together" today...

I feel blessed to have my sister with me right along side me.
Lorri when you read this know I love you so much!

This was an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday, just us girls growing in love and unity as daughters, mothers, and sisters! www.deseretbook.com/time-out

I hope you have wonderful plans for the weekend!

Feeling Halloweenie

Emmie

Dallin

Isaac

Isaac loved being a cowboy this year.

He was out to get all the scary

things Halloween Evening,

his gun came in handy.

Planet Earth Drama

Planet Earth Drama

It was Monday afternoon, always on the move to help my children not be educationally deprived as I feel I am still playing catch up! Emmie and Isaac were first excited about the genius idea to pull out the Planet Earth Video. We don't watch much television so this is exciting! We started with GREAT PLAIN, JUNGLES, and SHALLOW SEAS. Isaac is loving every garing minute of this video. Emmie on the other hand had at least 3 breakdowns during the interval of the fox interrupting a nest of baby chicks and caught one (can you guess what she did with it) to a herd of lions feasting on an elephant to which minutes before was minding her own. I believe this experience was....well lets just leave it at IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE. Emmie's thoughts were pretty much leaning toward sacrilege treatment but I assured her that this is the way wildlife just...is! Wow, way to go Kel!

What did I learn from this? ...um', Emmie has a big, HEART! ...Isaac, only 2, truly is a boy at heart!

Really, in a broad array it was educational.

Ride Away Cowboy!

Want to share our amazing evening... Our little family gathered around the computer and watched "On the Lord's Errand": The life of President Thomas S. Monson.

It is our hope that you feel the warmth of this amazing piece, we sure did!

www.lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference&event=178&lang=english


President Thomas S. Monson truly is an ordinary man who continues to do extraordinary things! What an example. We are blessed to have him serve as our Prophet in these the latter days!

It is true...
I am going through a divorce. Everyone has there own perception of why? Everyone in my life has and is my best teachers. Although I am parting with my companion I have learned a great deal from him and I am learning it's not your job to love me_it's mine! I am respecting myself and moving on with appreciation!

You tell the story that I am this, or I am that, and you fall in love with your story. What do I have to do with it? I am here for your perception, as if I had a choice. I am your story, no more and no less.

Lots of love to all of our friends and family. We truly miss you ALL and are adding to our circle of friends! It's Joyful!

Recent Family Photo

Spencer at scout camp summer 08