the McLeans

Couponing

2010-05-01T13:19:00.001-07:00

So I have become imersed in couponing and price matching!! I love it! So I'll be posting some of my deals on here. Heres oem recent ones.

You can see I saved %117 meaning I made $1.34!

Got all this for $10!!! You can see I also earned a $5 dollar gift card from Target and $7 catalinas from Walgreens!

All this for FREE!

Easter

2010-03-25T21:40:00.000-07:00

Taken in Las Vegas just last Tuesday!

Free Honey check it out

2010-03-04T19:39:00.001-08:00

Free honey

http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2010/03/give-away-176-oz-glass-jar-of-tropical.html

Give a day. Get a Disney Day!

2010-02-26T08:35:00.000-08:00

Hello those out there,
I just found this neat program and wanted to share! You volunteer for a day and Disney will give you a free Disneyland ticket. I was thinking of doing it so Jason and I could go for our anniversary. You can search for service projects nearby on the below link and find out more there. Sounds like a neat opportunity! I've already showed intrest in several projects.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day-Terms-Conditions-FAQs

Toddler tips I'd lke to share

2010-02-25T08:54:00.000-08:00

Article on sharing
http://hostingservices.epsilon.com/Beechnut/9123/toddlerarticles/month_30_article1.html

Incorporating veggies into a toddlers diet
http://hostingservices.epsilon.com/Beechnut/9123/toddlerarticles/month_30_article2.html

Teaching a second language
http://hostingservices.epsilon.com/Beechnut/9123/toddlerarticles/month_30_article3.html

Deals!

2010-02-19T09:48:00.000-08:00

Check out these amazing money saving sites-

http://www.utahdealdiva.com/

http://www.savvyshopperdeals.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,/topic,7404

Potty Party

2010-01-23T09:13:00.000-08:00

The potty party is a party I'm throwing for Tyson to get excited (and others as well) about potty training. I am having a discussion time so we can share tips etc. Also theres going to be games, prizes, coupons, and dvds from Huggies. (they are sending me a party pack.) Treats and fun, yeah thats basically it!

earthquakes

2010-01-20T09:07:00.001-08:00

With the Haiti earthquakes I found this map. Thought I would share. Its pretty interesting. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/

my boys

2010-01-17T22:00:00.000-08:00

so I thought I would share one of my recent projects- like my living room mural?

tanner at 2 months
(this is Tyson at 2 months)
my tyson and tanner!

In other news my sister in law had herself a girl tonight... that sounds hickish huh? Marie Nicole! i love boys but her girl is so cute it makes me want one. (I better not be getting baby hungry)

Christmas long gone

2010-01-11T07:55:00.000-08:00

so time has flown, we've been to Seattle and back. My mother-on-law is now here in Provo for my sister-in law who is due tomorrow!!!! Way excited for her. Tanner and her baby (they don't know the gender, I know how fun right?) will only be 2 months apart so I am kinda hoping its a boy so Tanner and her baby can play. there are already 3 boy grandchildren so if its a girl that would be nice. Bring on the cute headbands and frilly dresses! On other news my great grandfather Harlan Gurney made the cover of Air and Space. Check it out -http://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/Slim-and-Bud.html

not enough time

2009-12-16T11:53:00.000-08:00

With the holidays things are super busy, oh and did I mention I just had a baby. Thought I would blog really quick about life before too much time passes.

Here's whats going on with my life-

In the last month we've had our baby blessing and Thanksgiving with both our families.

I went to Vegas for a week.

Trying to get ready for Christmas.

Next week we go to Seattle.

Tanner is 9lbs 8ozs as of today.

Contrast

2009-11-17T16:34:00.000-08:00

So Tyson is at this really fun age but boy does it have it's moments (especially with baby). He has discovered that the baby is here to stay and has developed a recent habit of wanting me to hold him every time I am nursing. He is also a tad bit whiney... He's doing good most other times and says the funniest things! I truly love this stage. Any advice on the contrasting moments?

Tanner Devin McLean

2009-11-11T14:54:00.000-08:00

We are thankful to announce Tanner Devin McLean who joined our little family on Monday November 9th 2009 at 6:07pm weighing 6 lbs 10 ozs and 19in.

I am so grateful for smooth labors, modern medicine & epidurals , amazing support (mom, Carla, Jason, Jessica, and Kimberly, and many more) caring nurses, babies, jetted tubs, and lots of love from family and friends!

Just for fun

2009-11-04T15:19:00.001-08:00

Even though I am almost done here I am ready to go! Anyday now... hint hint... "ah hem" waiting...

Baby update

2009-11-03T13:00:00.000-08:00

So I just thought i would share I am 4 cm dilated, 60% effaced, and at a -1 position as of yesterday. My doctor gave me the option to be induced as early as tomorrow, but we are waiting till next Monday. So we will have baby at the latest - next Monday yippee!

Super adorable handmade goods

2009-10-29T07:33:00.000-07:00

This is definitly something to blog about. A friend of mine just opened the cutest Etsy shop. Check it out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6975091

Almost there

2009-10-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

Soon to come prego pics, and soon also to come ... baby! We will have a baby in less than 16 days! My OBGYN said he wouldn't let me go past my due date! Yipee. I am super excited!

Usborne Books

2009-10-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of Usborne books !?!

If you haven't I want to share these amazing Usborne books with you all. They are absolutely wonderful with entertaining stories and activities while still having educational information. They have books to teach and target most subjects for any level. For example ...they have adorable baby books that target sight and touch or on the other hand children’s encyclopedia complete with internet links on each page to expand your children’s knowledge (For example you and your kids can take a online tour of a pyramid after reading about one. How cool!?) I love them and will be buying them for Tyson throughout the years, so I hope I can share them with you.

I'm having a party- Usborne Book Party
Time: 7:30 PM Thursday, October 22nd
Location:1042 s 1000e Provo, UT 84606

If you're not in Utah or can't come, but want to look at the books anyway heres a link-

SHOP HERE

www.myubam.com/f3128

Tysons costume

2009-10-05T10:38:00.001-07:00

Yeah his costume just came today! I am so excited and wanted to share.

Tysons b-day

2009-09-23T21:05:00.000-07:00

This year has just flown by! It's like since we found out we were expecting time has gone a million miles an hour (no complaints). Well this week we are 33 weeks along and counting...

Heres a recap of Tysons party earlier this month. He had a 'vroom vroom' party and it was neat to have so much family and friends around. We played a couple of games, had some cake and then Tyson and the other toddlers fought over presents. I admit- it is kinda cruel to ask a group pf 2 year olds to watch one kids open presents and then insist "mine".

Well on another note you can see I am huge and wish I could stop growing... someday (not soon) my balloon will pop. I've decided that I am cursed and anyone due near me will have their baby early. It happened with Tyson and its already happening again. Well, heres to my complaining (sorry) and to on time babies!

Being frugal! This is a cool story

2009-09-19T11:46:00.001-07:00

Meet the Hildebrandts; their frugal ways lost debt, won an award
Five years ago, the Hildebrandt family of New Richmond, Wis., was juggling more than $100,000 in credit card and personal debt. Through frugality, determination and hard work, they are now -- other than a mortgage -- debt-free.
At the time, Russell and Kandy Hildebrandts' credit card balances totaled about $89,000, and they owed $17,000 to a family member. While they were current on all the payments, the card companies had begun raising their interest rates, adding hundreds to their minimum monthly payments. Kandy acknowledges that they presented a higher credit risk, given how their balances had ballooned. Even so, with the bump in the required payments, covering the monthly payments was a struggle. "We had to change," Kandy says.
Change they did. For their debt-fighting prowess, the Hildebrandts were on Tuesday night named the winners of the Professional Achievement and Counseling Excellence (PACE) 2009 Graduate Client of the Year Award. This national award, given by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, recognizes the hard work and commitment they demonstrated in repaying their debts, and their willingness to become effective managers of their money and change their lifestyle. (Disclosure: CreditCards.com Senior Reporter Connie Prater served as a judge in the awards.)
Slow Decline Into Debt
Not that the Hildebrandts' lifestyle was lavish. The couple, along with their twin daughters, Heidi and Holly, lived in a rented 1,000 square foot townhome. Vacations consisted of visits to extended family members in the Midwest. Russell was a chemist with a Twin Cities-based environmental testing laboratory; Kandy was a stay-at-home mom and home-schooled their daughters.
Photo: Jeff Holmquist
Russell and Kathy Hildebrandt of New Richmond, Wis., won an award for successfully tackling $106,000 in credit card and personal debt through thrifty spending, a second job and bit-by-bit payments on their credit card balances. They're shown outside their home surrounded by their three children, 14-year-old twins Heidi (left) and Holly, and 3-year-old Joey.
While the Hildebrandts weren't living extravagantly, they also weren't frugal, Kandy notes. They purchased most items, such as clothes for the girls, new. In addition, they had medical expenses related to Russell's diabetes and several miscarriages that Kandy suffered. At the same time, they remained committed to tithing, or giving 10 percent of their income to their church. The accumulation of day-to-day expenses left the family going a bit more into debt each year.
Bankruptcy? No Thanks
Several family friends recommended that they file for bankruptcy. That was out of the question, Russell says. "We were committed to paying off our debts." They also resolved to continue to tithe and home-school their daughters.
To get started, Kandy met with Linda Humburg, a manager with FamilyMeans Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) in Stillwater, Minn. Linda reviewed their finances, and developed a five-year debt management plan. While the schedule was daunting, the Hildebrandts signed on. "If we didn't make it, we knew that we would go out trying," Russell says.
Several steps were key to making the plan work. Kandy and Russell eliminated discretionary spending. Kandy began buying generic food and frequenting thrift stores for clothing purchases. They stopped exchanging Christmas and birthday gifts with each other and their relatives.
Even with the drastic cutbacks, the Hildebrandts couldn't cover the $2,000 they were sending to CCCS each month to be distributed to their creditors. At that time, the sum amounted to about half of Russell's take-home pay. So Russell took on a second job cleaning a local grocery store several nights a week from midnight to 4:30 a.m. He would arrive home from his day job, eat dinner, catch a few hours of sleep and head to work. After his shift, he would go back home, sleep a few more hours and then get up for his day job.
Slow Progress
The first two years were particularly tough. Russell's work schedule was grueling, while Kandy managed just about everything at home on her own. Moreover, while their credit card balances were going down, the drop wasn't yet noticeable. For about a year, the Hildebrandts made do with one car, until they received a used van from Kandy's family. Even so, "they didn't let anything deter them from progress," Humburg says. "If the money wasn't available, they simply did without." Equally, important the Hildebrandts kept their goal -- becoming debt-free -- in mind. After the first few years, the Hildebrandts' efforts finally seemed to be bearing fruit. Their card balances were coming down, and some were getting paid off. As one card reached zero, CCCS would apply the money that had gone to it to the remaining balances. As a result, those cards would get paid off even more quickly. About this time, Kandy became pregnant with Joey, who's now 3. While recognizing that a new child would mean additional expenses, the couple was thrilled. "The joy he brought to a negative, grinding situation was the light we needed," she says.
Dream Home Appears
By the fall of 2008, the Hildebrandts had one year to go on the payment plan. Russell even started daydreaming about a new home when he saw a three-bedroom rambler for sale in New Richmond. It had all that they were looking for, including a large yard and a separate bedroom for Joey. Russell let a real estate agent know that they liked the house, but added that the family would have to pay off their debts before taking on a mortgage.
Several months later the agent called and asked if the Hildebrandts would be interested in a rent-to-own agreement. The current owner of the house had some health concerns and was eager to move. The monthly rent would be $1,000, which included $200 to be escrowed for closing costs. They could manage it.
Earlier this year, the owner wanted to accelerate the sale process. In April, using the tax credit for first-time home buyers, the Hildebrandts were able to swing the purchase and pay off the remaining balances on their credit cards about six months ahead of schedule.
Now, the Hildebrandts are content in their new home and free of debt, other than their mortgage. Russell has been able to quit his second job and spend more time with his family -- and catch up on sleep.
Frugal Habits Stick
Several things haven't changed, however. Kandy remains a dedicated bargain hunter. Shopping online, she found eight bar stools for their kitchen island and basement family room for $24; at a yard sale, she bought a $2 desk for the girls. The Hildebrandts "had to completely rethink how they spent and what was a need versus a want," Humburg says.
Both Russell and Kandy say that while bankruptcy might have seemed like an easier option at the outset, it would not have been as satisfying. They wouldn't have learned to take control over their money and spending. What's more, with a bankruptcy on their credit record, they wouldn't have been able to purchase a house when they did.
Their advice to others? "Get out of debt," Kandy says. "It's a chokehold."

(THIS IS FROM YAHOO NEWS http://customsites.yahoo.com/financiallyfit/finance/article-107752-2691-0-how-one-family-shed-106000-in-debt?ywaad=ad0035 )

Happy Birthday Tyson

2009-09-09T07:34:00.000-07:00

I can't believe two years ago I was about to have my first. We were so excited and being two days overdue- releaved! My little baby feels so big compared to that brand new infant. He will always be my baby though. Happy Birthday Tyson!

Bikes

2009-09-05T16:02:00.000-07:00

So I noticed today that we had 2 of our bikes stolen last night. It reminded me that there are bad people around. We only have one left, so no more family bike rides... :( Good thing it the end of the summer.

MOUSE!!!

2009-09-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

I saw a mouse in our house today! EEEEeekkk! i just bought some traps... I feel really bad killing a mouse but its got to go. Happy hunting right?

Summer has gone so fast!

2009-09-02T05:45:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe summer is almost gone! This summer has made me appreciate the holidays and fall, boy I can't wait for the leaves to start falling. Heres to the sun setting on summer.

Never enough

2009-08-21T16:04:00.000-07:00

I feel like the 3rd trimester is the "never enough" stage - As much as I eat it is "never enough"...there is "never enough" maternity clothes to make me feel cute... I have all this new energy I haven't had for the last 7 months but there are "never enough" hours of the day... ::sigh::

Summer

2009-08-14T19:52:00.001-07:00

Summer has flown by for us. We've been to Vegas twice, Seattle, my family has been here twice (including my brothers staying at our house for 3 weeks), and Jasons mom here twice. I am busy organizing our new home and getting ready to move Tyson to his big boy room with his second birthday coming up. We have been super busy so I thought I would post some quick pics.

FUNNY!

2009-07-23T14:29:00.001-07:00

THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks. Each kid will play Two sports and either take music or dance classes. There is no fast food. Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean,correct all homework,and complete science projects, cook, dolaundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money. In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week. Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing. Each man must also take! each child to a doctor's appo intment, a dentist appointmentand a haircut appointment.He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care. =0 AHe must also make cookies orcupcakesfor a social function. Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times. The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done. The men must shave their legs,wear makeup daily, adorn himself with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes,keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed.During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.. They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting. They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am. A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight,shoe size, clothes size and doct or's name. Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up. The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice. If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right To be called Mother!

Family Fun

2009-07-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

I have had my brothers staying with us since the 4rth, and for the last week my sister and mother. My inlaws have been in town at the same time. On Sat we head to Seattle for a visit. Shhhessshh.... I love family! Things have been stressful, chaotic, and busy but also amazing, fun, and memorable. I love family and am so grateful to have them.

Fruits of my labors

2009-07-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

This morning I picked my first peas and green beans from my garden! There should be cucumbers, lettuce, and corn coming next!

Morning thoughts

2009-07-02T06:49:00.001-07:00

I just got up this morning before the sun had really came out to go tend to my garden. I have peas, corn, green beans, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, pumpkins, and cucumbers.

Since this is the first time I am blogging about my garden I will disclose that there have been abstacles from sprouts being eaten whole, to weeds growing at light speed. Well this morning it was the invasion of the snails! Yikes! And within 2 days they have managed to eat like crazy! [Any good inexpensive tips are welcome] I was spouting mean words and theatenings while chucking them across the yard. My neighbors must have thought I was crazy.

Another observance I noticed is while pulling some weeds in an area where I had planted seeds but nothing came up, I found some carrots growing! The thought immediatly came to me that "Good things CAN grow within so much bad".

This thought really yanked my heart. I have a very close friend to me right now who is struggling within herself. She is not living alot of the standards of the church. It has been hard for me to love her and not say much. She knows what I think and I want to stay her friend, but when I found those carrots sprouts in my garden growing under so much ick it made my heart have hope. And I feel it was a little message from Heavenly Father, that for my friend " The good that is already planted ,within her heart, CAN grow!"

Its... a brother

2009-06-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

Yes... another boy! We are excited and especially excited for Tyson. Anyone who knows Tyson knows he will love a brother! The top name for now (subject to change) is Tanner. And we are due November 12. So excited! Ultrasound pics to come!

Update

2009-06-11T14:16:00.000-07:00

Things have been so hecktick.. but good.

Heres the rundown-

My family from Vegas came to visit and see the new house
They took me back with them
WEEK 1 in VEGAS
The next day my brother had emergency brain surgery (yes I know crazy! I was so glad to be there)
Rest of the time spent at the ICU
WEEK 2 in VEGAS
Time to cram time in with the family including lots of touring around, waterparks, and trying to stay warm
Missing Jason
THIS LAST WEEKEND
Moms b-day
Brothers graduation
Our 3 year anniversary yippeee!

Help!!! Ants

2009-05-20T17:28:00.001-07:00

There are ants in my backyard and in my garden! Please save my garden from these little black ants... arg. I have tried bate traps and grits with no success. What can I do for the cheapest and quickest (most importantly most permanent)!!!

baby #2

2009-05-14T18:15:00.000-07:00

Thought I would let everyone know that we are expecting baby #2 on November 12th! We find out hte gender June 23.

Crazy life

2009-05-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

k, things have been super busy... so to recap-

*FRI the 24th we started moving into our home
*This last WED we finished cleaning and checked out (so nice to be done!!)
*Thursday- last day wit hour own interent (hence me using my sister-in-laws laptop right now)
*TODAY - my inlaws got here form Seattle for my other sister-in-laws baby blessing this weekend
*TOMOROW - baby blessing, yummy food, good memories

and thru all of this as much unpacking as possible... which has been a couple of boxes... next week

Enjoying our new home and family and UNPACKING!

Recently I have learned that life is exciting, surprising, sad, busy, all wrapped into a ball of much more emotions, but the best is to live life!

Fire Proof - the movie

2009-04-20T12:55:00.000-07:00

I am completely recommending this movie to everyone called Fire Proof. It is available at Red Box or other places. (http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/) It is really good, make sure you watch with your spouse and if you want to do the dare afterward heres a link- http://www.40daylovedare.com/. Let me know what you think.

Susan Boyle

2009-04-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

I thought this article was very inspiring! This is really interesting about how people are looking up to Susan Boyle who is "the frumpy church lady whose surprisingly sound rendition of a schmaltzy but heart-tugging musical theater classic ("I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables) has captured the imagination of so many (more than 20 million views on YouTube alone)." If you want to read about her and watch her click here - http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles_of_faith/2009/04/the_faith_of_su.html .

House!!!

2009-04-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

As you may all know we are buying a house and closing between the 21st and 30th. We already sold our contract and I am trying to pack (but getting distracted with blogger and facebook... argg!) Anyways heres our house! Its 4 bed 2 bath , living room, family room, cellar, laundry room, nice sized backyard! If you can't tell we are super excited!!! More pictures to come after we get averything moved in!

Cool for kids

2009-04-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

Tyson is in love with sounds! I found this site that is super easy fro kids to play with where there is interactive animal and vehicle sounds. All you do is drag your mouse over the object. I just have Tyson point to the vehicle or animal he wants to hear. Here's the site-

http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/9496/

White Horse Prophecy

2009-03-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

What do you think about the White Horse prophecy? Has it came to pass already?

Many of you LDS members out there have heard the prophecy that the constitution will hang by thread in the last days. I had heard the quote myself but yesterday while I was having a discussion with a friend about the last days and she encouraged me to read the whole prophecy which is quite long! I also did a little research about it to find out if it was really from Joseph Smith and heres what I found-

Bruce r. Mokonkie said "See BIBLE, BOOK OF MORMON, CANON OF SCRIPTURE, DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS, HOLY GHOST, LOST SCRIPTURE, MORMON BIBLE, PROPHECY, PROPHETS, REVELATION, STANDARD WORKS, WHITE HORSE PROPHECY. Any message, whether written or spoken, that comes from God to man by the power of the Holy Ghost is scripture. If it is written and accepted by the Church, it becomes part of the scriptures or standard works and ever thereafter may be read and studied with profit. Much of what is in the scriptures was given orally in the first instance and was thereafter recorded either by the uttering prophet or an inspired scribe. Other portions of what is in holy writ were written by the inspired authors by way of revelation and commandment."

Heres a copy of the prophecy itself-

Joseph Smith talking to Elder John J. Roberts, of Paradise, Utah.

"I want to tell you something of the future. I will speak in a parable like unto John the Revelator. You will go to the Rocky Mountains and you will be a great and mighty people established there, which I will call the White Horse of peace and safety." When the Prophet said, "You will see it," I said, "Where will you be at that time?" He said, "I shall never go there. Your enemies will continue to follow you with persecutions and they will make obnoxious laws against you in Congress to destroy the White Horse, but you will have a friend or two to defend you and throw out the worst parts of the law so they will not hurt you so much. You must continue to petition Congress all the time, but they will treat you like strangers and aliens and they will not give you your rights, but will govern you with strangers and commissioners. "You will see the Constitution of the United States almost destroyed. It will hang like a thread as fine as as a silk fiber." At that time the Prophet's countenance became sad, because as he said, "I love the Constitution; it was made by the inspiration of God; and it will be preserved and saved by the efforts of the White Horse, and by the Red Horse who will combine in its defense. "The White Horse will find the mountains full of minerals and they will become rich (at this time, it must be remembered, the precious metals were not known to exist in either the Rocky Mountains or California). You will see silver piled up in the streets. You will see the gold shoveled up like sand. Gold will be of little value then, even in a mercantile capacity; for the people of the world will have something else to do in seeking for salvation. "The time will come when the banks of every nation will fall and only two places will be safe where people can deposit their gold and treasure. This place will be the White Horse and England's vaults. A terrible revolution will take place in the land of America, such as has never been seen before; for the land will be left without a Supreme Government, and every specie of wickedness will be practiced rampantly in the land. Father will be against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother. The most terrible scenes of bloodshed, murder and rape that have ever been imagined or looked upon will take place. People will be taken from the earth and there will be peace and love only in the Rocky Mountains. This will cause many hundreds of thousands of the honest in heart of the world to gather there, not because they would be Saints, but for safety and because they will be so numerous that you will be in danger of famine, but not for want of seed, time and harvest, but because of so many to be fed. Many will come with bundles under their arms to escape the calamities for there will be no escape except only by escaping and fleeing to Zion. Those that come to you will try to keep the laws and be one with you for they will see your unity and the greatness of your organization. "The Turkish Empire of the Crescent will be the first power to be disputed, for freedom must be given for the Gospel to be preached in the Holy Land. The Lord took of the best blood of the nations and planted them on the small islands now called England and Great Britain and gave them power in the nations for a thousand years and their power will continue with them that they may keep the balance of power; and they will keep Russia from sweeping her power over the world. England and France are now bitter enemies but they will be allied together and be united to keep Russia from conquering the world. The two popes, Greek and Catholic, will eventually come together in their decline and be united. The Protestant Religions do not know how much they are indebted to Henry VIII for throwing off the Pope's bill and establishing the Protestant faith. He was the only monarch who could do so at that time and he did it because the nation was at his back to sustain him. One of the peculiar features in England is the established Red-coat; a uniform making so remarkable a target to shoot at, and yet they have conquered wherever they have gone. The reason for this will be known to them some day as red is seen in a different color threading through under all history. The lion and the unicorn of England comes from there being so much blood of Israel in the nation. While the terrible things of which I have mentioned are going on, England will be neutral until it becomes so inhuman that she will interfere to stop the shedding of blood and history will be more properly understood. England and France will unite together to make peace, not to subdue the nations. She will find this nation so broken up and so many claiming government, till there will be no reasonable government. Then it will appear to the other nations, or powers, as though England had taken possession of the country. The Black Horse will flee to the invaders and will join them for they have fear of becoming slaves again; knowing that England did not believe in slavery, they will flee to them that they believe will make them safe. Armed with British bayonets, the doings of the Black Horse will be terrible." Here the Prophet said that he could not bear to look longer upon the scenes as shown to him in vision and he asked the Lord to close the scenes. "Continuing, he said: "During this time the Great White Horse will have gathered strength, sending out elders to gather the honest in heart from among the Pale Horse, or people of the United States, to stand by the Constitution of the United States as it was given by the inspiration of God. In these days which are yet to come God will set up a Kingdom never to be thrown down, but other Kingdoms to come into it, and those Kingdoms that will not let the Gospel be preached in their lands will be humbled until they will." "England the Germany, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium have a considerable amount of the blood of Israel among the people which must be gathered out. Those nations will submit to the nations of God. England will be the last of the nations to surrender, but when she does she will do it as a whole in comparison as she threw off the Catholic power. The nobility knows that the gospel is true, but it has not pomp enough, and grandeur and influence for them to yet embrace it. They are proud and will not acknowledge the Kingdom of God or come into it until they see the power it will have. Peace and safety in the Rocky Mountains will be protected by the Guardians, the White and Red Horses. The coming of the Messiah among his people will be so natural that only those who see him will know that he has come, but he will come and give his laws unto Zion and minister unto his people. This will not be his coming in the clouds of Heaven to take vengeance on the wicked of the world." "The temple in Jackson county, Missouri, will be built in that generation. The saints will think that there will not be time to build it, but with all the help you can receive, you can put up a great temple quickly. You will have all the gold, silver and precious stones you need, for these things will only be for the beautifying of the temple. Also, all the skilled mechanics you want and the Ten Tribes of Israel will help build it. When you see this land bound with iron, you may look forward to Jackson county." "At this point, he made a pause, and looking up as though the vision were still in view, he said: "There is a land beyond the Rocky Mountains that will be invaded by the heathen Chinese unless great care and protection be given." Speaking of the heathen nations, he said: "Where there is no law there is no condemnation; this will apply to them. Power will be given to the White Horse to rebuke the nations afar off, and you obey it, for the laws go forth from Zion. The last great struggle that Zion will ever have to contend with will be when the whole of America will be made the Zion of God. Those opposing will be called Gog and Magog. The nations of the earth will be led by the Russian Czar and his power will be great, but all opposition will be overcome and this land will be the Zion of our God. Amen."

Going Green

2009-03-05T15:27:00.001-08:00

Like the good little crafter that I am I have found some cute St. Pat's Crafts and heres one I came up on my own.

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/clip-art-craft-st-patricks-day-pins?lnc=86d2ea87b7dee010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=collage_holiday_st-patricks-day-decorations

http://familyfun.go.com/stpatricks/

Another cool tip is if you have heart stamps, molds, or stencils you can make shamrocks from the hearts. Like this-

So to catch up

2009-01-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

It has been a while , and all I can say its taken this long to catch up from the Holidays! So heres whats been up for us.

-Tyson is my little monster who I love to pieces! I put away some towels... he pulls them out. I sweep and mop he throws his food on the floor. I wash the walls, and then he draws on them. Yep, thats the stage we're at. Tyson though is starting to say words, his new favorite is "Bubble" but of course his all time fav is "Nana' for BaNANA .

-I am busy perfecting and reperfecting my online boutique http://knottynurser.blogspot.com & making nursing covers. Taking care of Tyson keeps me pretty busy. I am also playing church basketball (I can't wait for volleyball , not as much running, I am sooo out of shape, hence the basketball)

-Jason (for all those who don't know) has been working at Dish Network as a Satilite Installer for the last 3 months and loves it! He works 4 days and 3 off so more time together.

And thanks to his job we will be buying a house this year! Yippie! We are already working on qualifying! So pretty exciting time! In our spare time we love the Office and American Idol, Tuesday through Thursday is booked! Which for all those who like American Idol what do you think about this? http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/123306/is-joanna-pacitti-the-next-carly-smithson/ Anyway hope your all doing well!

2008-12-22T15:30:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!

Check out some of these fun winter sites-

http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/

http://www.miniclip.com/games/santa-ski-jump/en/

http://www.holdman.com/christmas/ -This is here in Lindon!

Candy Cane Poem

2008-12-15T13:21:00.000-08:00

A significant symbol of Christmas

Is the Simple Candy Cane.

Its shape is the crook of the Shepherd

One of the first who came.

The lively peppermint flavor is,

The regal gift of spice.

The White is Jesus' purity.

The Red is sacrifice.

The narrow stripes are friendship,

And selfless brotherly love.

Eternal, sweet compassion,

A gift from God above.

The Candy Cane reminds us all;

of how much our Father cared.

He sent his Son, Jesus Christ

The greatest gift declared.

Twilight

2008-11-24T11:09:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! I saw Twilight on Saturday.. and there were some ups and downs! But bottom line I think the books are way better! What did you guys think?

Turkey Day

2008-11-13T08:39:00.000-08:00

In honor of the November/ Thanksgiving season I would like to share the blessings I am especially thankful for.

1. My husband - Jason

'A good marriage is like a casserole,only those responsible for it reallyknow what goes in it."

2. My husband good job (so I can stay home with Tyson)

"Winners take time to relish their work, knowing that scaling the mountain is what makes the view from the top so exhilarating."

3. My amazingly fun family

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.

4. All the friends and loved ones who care so much for us

"A faithful friend is the medicine of life."

5. Gospel and Jesus Christ

"Faith makes all things possible. Love makes them easy."

Great tip for Halloween

2008-10-29T16:12:00.000-07:00

So Halloween is right around the corner! Happy Halloween in advance! but I wanted to share this tip my sister in law told me!

If your Jack-O-Lantern has been carved for a while and may look droopy just let it soak in water and it will look as good as new! Cool huh?

Frugal Fall Centerpiece Ideas

2008-10-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some fun ideas I saw online and thought I would share!

This one is super easy. You can use real or silk sunflowers (silk will last longer unless the centerpiece is for a specific occasion then go for the real touch). And place on some ornate plates!
This one is almost the same as above. you will need to buy some small pumpkins from the grocery store. I think you could also use gourds. I think for the embellishments you could use flowers including sunflowers or even some dried fall leaves.
I really loved this one! If your crafty enough you could paint on the design or if you don't think you could paint then try a sharpie! You could try some fall leaf designs as well or whatever you could think of. For the pedistal you could use a ornate candle holder or if the pumpkins big enough try a cake server.
Branches in lemon water. I love how they used branches with acorns on them! Easy as pie and looks cute as ever!
Ok, whoever thought of this is truely creative and I vow to use this idea sometime in the future. The small pumpkins can be found at stores such as Walmart or I've even seen them at the dollar store. We all have stem wine glasses from our weddings that we all want to use someday! I think when I do this centerpiece I will use walnust or smaller pinecones or maybe nothing at all.

Either way these are all easy and cute centerpieces! Let me know which one was your favorite!

Tyson's infatuation

2008-10-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

Tyson's recent infatuation is anything with wheels. He loves to stand in the drivers seat and make sound effects, push buttons, etc. Jason captured this hilarious moment at his work.

Banana Bread for the cold

2008-10-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

Banana Bread

This was just the remedy for the cold weather for me today. Banana bread and hot cocoa! Yum!

Here's the recipe-

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Banana-Banana-Bread/Detail.aspx

Motherhood

2008-09-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

Well now as Tyson is growing I am finding parenting harder and harder! There are so many choices and options. Wean or breastfeed? Negitive reinforcement or ignore? And it goes on... I am just praying about what is right my son. I love him and just want him to be what our Heavenly Father intended.

{Any tips!?!}

One year already!

2008-09-16T10:16:00.000-07:00

So last week my (once) little baby turned 1! We had a fun birthday and I just can not believe that it has gone so quickly. As I held my son this morning I realized how big he is getting! I am so excited for his growth and development. Well we also went to the doctor last week and we found the following for Tyson-

Head size-30 percentile

Weight- 35 percentile

Height- 95 percentile

So we are now hoping it stays that way and we can have a basketball player on our hands! Well here are few photos of my growing boy ::sobbs::

Family + unity = family unity

2008-09-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post our new family pictures. It was really fun to take them! Hope you enjoy.

I also was reading this months Ensign this morning and found this amazing article on unity. I think unity is very important and I am grateful that we are striving for that right now in our family. I am also grateful for inspiried leaders and teachers who have been placed in my life as servants for our Heavenly Father. Here is a link to the article- http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=25ddbf9cd2f0c110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

Apple Orchard Overalls GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

2008-08-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

Take a look at these! so cute!

Apple Orchard Overalls GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Summer fun with my sista

2008-08-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

This is my younger sister Carla who is staying with us for a few weeks to vacation! She is amazing and I'm so happy to be spending time with her!

We went to a lake outside of St. George when we met my parernts to hand off Carla. Here's Tyson in the dirt.

Here's Carla and I water um... riding?

Tyson enjoyed wheel chair rides at Nana and Papa's!

And then he wanted to push!

Back in Provo Carla and I have been having fun by swimming...

and shopping!

Us on the lake. You will notice Tyson is being towed.

This last weekend we went to Camp Jackson in the Blue Mountains with 6 couples. Here's Heather "Toil and trouble"...

Twilight

2008-08-13T16:28:00.000-07:00

I had heard of Twilight but thought "Vampires, nah!" I don't have the time.

So last month I was doing my visiting teaching and I found myself feeling oddly out of place as my companion and teachee were chatting endlessly about the Twilight series. "huff...' Well, a couple weekends ago I was sitting at a babyshower with a room full of girls, and once again, I was the only one who had not yet read Twilight. That was it! I borrow the book that day and vowed to read it! Well I dove in a couple days ago and yes... I am sucked in! i just finished Twilight last night and read the "sneak peak" into the next book and all I can say is "Help!" I have to read them... now! Needless to say I am excited that the movies coming out in December and have already watched the trailers. Yes, I know pathetic. But if you haven't read them yet, take a stab and you'll understand.

Oh and check out this awesome site if you haven't already called http://www.goodreads.com/. Great book reviews and fun way to see what everyone else is reading.

Summer has gone so fast!

2008-08-08T22:48:00.000-07:00

Geeezz I can not believe it is already August! We've been having fun! Check out our recent adventures.

Fishing

Reptiles at BYU mueseum

Tyson watching Footloose at the Scera Theatre

Tyson and I have been going to the park often! He loves the swings and slides, and did I mention the bark!

Camping and fishing at Pelican Lake during pioneer day!

Peachy Apricot Jello Fluff

2008-08-05T15:59:00.000-07:00

APRICOT JELLO SALAD

1st Layer
1 lg. Peach Jello
2 tbsp. sugar1
1 1/2 c. boiling water
3/4 pkg. cream cheese (softened)

2nd layer
1 sm. apricot Jello
1 tbsp. sugar1
3/4 c. boiling water
1/4 pkg. cream cheese (softened)

Toppings
1 lg. Cool Whip
1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple
1 can apricots, chopped or fresh apricots to taste

Directions:

First layer- Beat Jello, sugar, water and cream cheese until foamy. Refrigerate one hour.

Second layer- Beat Jello, sugar, water and cream cheese until foamy. Pour onto existing peach layer. Refrigerate two hours.

Add Cool Whip, pineapple and apricots. Mix well or arrange on top and refrigerate.

Hint:

You can use peach or apricot in either layer. Also you can get creative and use other fruits and flavors.

Memory Game

2008-07-23T13:30:00.000-07:00

This blog idea came from Joanna. Play if you'd like to.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Recent Movies

2008-07-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

The Dark Knight- Just saw this Sat! Amazing movie with tons of great action scenes as well as character development! Heath Ledger and Christian Bale do an amazing job. Note: As a warning there was a little disturbing dialogue and lots of violence.

Mama Mia- Saw this Friday. Really cute story line. Merryl Streep is so funny and there is a great ending. There is a lot of references to adult topics! Also it is a musical so to appreciate it you will have to like singing and dancing and ABBA!

Hancock- Jason saw this one and said it was different than he assumed! Interesting story line and ending. He also said anyone who likes Will Smith will like this movie. He also mentioned the music was impressive.

Wall-e- Very cute movie that I greatly enjoyed. The humor will make anyone laugh and the idea is unique. the story line is much different than I anticipated.

Get Smart- Fun movie that shows a different side of Steve Carrell! It is funny and has some great stunts! I thought it was like a Charlies Angels meet Magoo. There is also a great twist!

If you cant tell we like movies, let me know what you thought of these films or others!

Baby comics

2008-07-15T15:19:00.000-07:00

As a Mom I have found that sometimes you have to laugh!

Family Fun

2008-07-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

I havent updated whats been going on with us recently so here it is in a large (I apologize) and picture filled blog.

We went to Bridal Veil Falls!

Camping with the Reys!

Our house warming BBQ!

Tyson and I go swimming at Veterans Pool!

Jason's family dropped off Kelly here at BYU

Fourth of July Fun- Hot Air Balloons

Parade
Fireworks
Kimberly's Birthday
Family Reunion

Fourth of July

2008-07-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July in advance! Here's some projects I'm up to today. Feel free to share any good snacks or crafts that your up to and have a safe and fun Fourth!

Snacky Sparklers

long rod pretzels

white chocolate, melted -or- white cake frosting

sprinkles (red, white and blue) or star cake decorations

Directions:

Melt the white chocolate. Dip the pretzel rod halfway into the melted chocolate then sprinkle the sprinkles over the wet chocolate. Lay on waxed paper or place in a cup to dry.

http://www.practicalkitchen.com/holiday/July_4th/pretzel.shtml

Sticker Star Spinner

(now say that 10 times fast)

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Plastic coffee can lid
Craft knife
Thick rubber band
Paper clips
Sticker stars
Flexible plastic straw
Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. Use a craft knife to cut a small X in the center of a plastic coffee lid.

2. Push one end of a thick rubber band up through the opening and stretch it around the center of a paper clip to keep it from pulling back through. Decorate the lid with sticker stars.

3. From a flexible plastic straw, cut one 4-inch straight length and one 4 1/2-inch length with the bendable portion near the center. Shape a second paper clip into a small hook. Then slide it into the straight straw length and use it to pull the free end of the rubber band through.

4. Insert one end of the bendable straw length through the protruding loop of the rubber band for a handle.
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11482

Fourth Flag Fan

(I have no idea why I made these all tongue twisters!?!)

CRAFT MATERIALS:
17- by 5 1/2-inch piece of white paper
Ruler
Pencil
Red and blue markers
Pushpin
Plastic drinking straws
Paper fastener
Tape
Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. In the upper left-hand corner of the paper, measure and mark a rectangle that's 8 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches high. Draw rows of stars within the rectangle and then color around them with blue marker.

2. Divide the rest of the paper into stripes and color every other one red. Now fold the paper accordion style.

3. Create a frame for the fan by using the pushpin to poke a hole through each straw, 1 inch from the bottom. Then, join the three straws with the paper fastener.

4. Spread apart the top of the straw frame, fit the flag onto the frame, and tape it in place.

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10381

Old to new - sunglass pouch

2008-06-30T15:07:00.000-07:00

Have an old t-shirt that still has a cute print or picture? Recycle you old clothes to fun new accessories or whatever your creative minds can come up with. Here's what I did~

I took an old t-shirt that had these cute strawberries on them!

I then added some other scraps of fabric laying around and ribbon.

And vwa-la! A sun glass pouch for my little sisters birthday! And I even included a homemade card in the shape of sunglasses for her!
The possibilities are endless! Coin purses, pouches, accent pillows... you can add an embellishment to anything!

Here's some other ideas from Marthastewart.com for recycling clothing~

Blue Shirt Pillow

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=dc4fd52add62f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=sew%20pillow&rsc=header_6&xsc=eml_crd_2008_06_15

Button Hair Clips

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=345ece908332f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&xsc=eml_crd_2008_04_24

T-Shirt Bag

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=37b1b744dd165110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&xsc=eml_crd_2008_04_16

Watermelon Bombe

2008-06-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

Beware tastes great but melts fast on a summer afternoon!

1/2 lb Lime Serbert
2 pints Vanilla Ice Cream
1 pint Rasberry Serbert

Chocolate chips or chocolate wafers, to taste
1 8-inch-round layer Vanilla cake

Directions:

1. Line a 3-quart metal mixing bowl with plastic wrap, and leave the edges overhanging. Place lined bowl in freezer for 10 minutes; this will be the mold. Chill the bowl of an electric mixer as well.

2. Place lime ice cream in the chilled mixer bowl. Using the paddle attachment of the mixer, beat on low speed until ice cream is spreadable, about 30 seconds. Remove chilled mold from freezer. Using a rubber spatula, coat inside of mold with all the lime ice cream, making a 1/2-inch-thick layer. Return mold and clean mixer bowl to the freezer for 30 minutes.

3. Place vanilla ice cream in chilled mixer bowl. Beat on low speed until spreadable, about 30 seconds. Remove mold from freezer. Using the rubber spatula, coat lime layer with the vanilla ice cream, making a 1/4-inch-thick layer. Return mold and clean mixer bowl to freezer for 30 minutes.

4. Place rasberry sorbet in chilled mixer bowl. Beat on low speed until sorbet has softened, about 1 minute. Fold in wafer pieces. Remove mold from freezer. Pack sorbet into center, making an even layer that comes to 1/3 inch below the top of the ice cream layer. Cover sorbet portion with sponge cake; trim cake if necessary. Return mold to freezer until completely hardened.

5. To serve, place a serving plate upside down on top of the mold. Holding plate against mold, invert both. Place a hot wet kitchen towel over the mold. Remove the metal bowl. Immediately before serving, remove the plastic wrap.

Original version: http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/watermelon-bombe?rsc=top7pop_recipefinder_recipefinder_1

Anniversary

2008-06-10T14:38:00.000-07:00

Today is our anniversary! On June 10th, 2006 we were married in the Las Vegas Temple for time and all eternity! Man I love my man!

Jason carried me out

The Las Vegas Temple

Whats a wedding without having rice thrown at you?

Our honeymoon cruise down to Ensenada, Mexico!

Homemade Spagetti Sauce

2008-06-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

I made this sauce the other night and Jason will not let me buy store brand ever again! Hope you enjoy.

1/2 lbs. ground beef or sausage or both

1 sm. onion (or chopped onions)

1 clove garlic (or chopped garlic)

1 1/2 c. water
2 6 oz. can tomato paste
1/2 tomato chopped finely
1/4 green pepper chopped finely
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. basil
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano
pepper to taste

Directions: Saute meat, add onion and garlic. Drain grease. Stir in remaining ingredients. Let simmer for 20-25 minutes until thick. Yum!

Movie reviews: Indiana Jones , Speed Racer, & Iron Man

2008-05-23T22:23:00.000-07:00

For any of you who know us well, you know we love movies. So after seeing Indiana Jones today we thought we would share our thoughts and we'd love to hear yours!

::Warning:: Parts of these movies will be discussed and we do not want to ruin any ones endings!

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: Okay so we saw this today and were sorely disappointed! The movie was jam packed with action and cool stunts which included a new one... vine swinging with monkeys! But towards the middle something was a little fishy, I think it was the cemetery scene when Indiana states, "It can't be crystal..." while holding the skull, which made Jason and I wonder why the movie was called the "Crystal Skull". Also if you see the movie you'll agree - Aliens and Indiana don't mix!! Shia LaBeouf does a decent job trying to break free of his Disney mold! Any who definitely worth seeing in a dollar theatre but save your big spending nights for Speed Racer or Iron Man.

Speed Racer: At first the bright overly saturated colors are a little overwhelming but after the first bit you begin to enjoy the awesome cinematography! Mega funny! Lots of great actors and great action scenes. I think one of my most favorite was when John Goodman takes on a Ninja! the movies is full of fun romance and neat footage! Some good twists and a movie that would make any family walk out of the theatre wanting to start up a racing team! Great movie and well worth the theatre experience!

Iron Man: Now Jason saw Iron Man while I was on my road trip, but I thought I would add in his comments! He states " Iron Man and Speed Racer in comparison are two different movies! Great movie! If I had to choose between Speed Racer or Iron Man... it would be Iron Man!

WE MOVED

2008-05-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

I had forgotten how hard moving is, and now that its almost done I don't want to move for another couple of years! YIKES!
So yes, we have moved to a larger 2 bedroom apartment! And despite the complaining it kinda feels like Christmas! Our bedroom is no longer the baby room/craft room/ storage/ bedroom! Yeah! Keep in touch 'cause we will be having a "house warming" party/ BBQ in a couple of weeks! I'll post some pictures once the house is put together!

P.S. And to make things even better its finally feeling like summer!! That puts a smile on my face!

The Knot Website!

2008-05-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

Hey girls! If you get a chance check out my new website for my Knot nursing shields. It's really fun but I'd love to hear what you think, so comment away. Thanks!

intheknot.blogspot.com

"On the road again"

2008-05-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

Firstly Happy Cinco de Mayo! So I've been on the road for the last week and a half driving all over the western US! So as a warning this is an especially long blog jam packed with amazing pictures!!

We (Tyson and I) left Utah Wed April 23rd and stayed overnight in Idaho. In the morning we started our drive again and made it in time for Erica's endowment. On Saturday we enjoyed her wedding to Danny Castrillo at the Seattle, WA temple.

We also spent time with the McLean family.

One of our funnest stops was at the Tulip Festival in northern Washington. It was so beautiful, don't ya think?

We also went to this Island where we found lots of fun crabs and Tyson enjoyed his first beach experience!

Tyson got to watch lots of sports games but his favorite was basketball!

This is Green Lake Park in downtown Seattle!

On Thursday May 1 we started on the road again! Bye bye Seattle!

We stopped at the Portland, Oregon temple! We also drove along the coastline in Oregon and through California!

On Friday we arrived in La Canada, California for Blake's wedding reception!

On Saturday we had the privilege of visiting Tyson's great great grandma! We also went to the Malibu beach! Sheesh Southern California is nice!!! Tyson loved the sand and kept crunching it in his hands! That night we went to Erica's open house in Grenada Hills, California.

We drove to Vegas that night and stayed with the Fulton's! Tyson was having an attention overload!

We got home Sunday May 4! Boy am I ready to be home and stay home for a while! Too bad I can't relax too much, we are moving next week! Yikes... wish me luck!

Happy Earth Day

2008-04-22T15:35:00.000-07:00

History of Earth day-

"In the Beginning...In 1963, former Senator Gaylord Nelson began to worry about our planet. (A senator is a person that the people of the United States have chosen to help make the laws.) Senator Nelson knew that our world was getting dirty and that many of our plants and animals were dying.
He wondered why more people weren't trying to solve these problems. He talked to other lawmakers and to the President. They decided that the President would go around the country and tell people about these concerns. He did, but still not enough people were working on the problem.
The IdeaThen, in 1969, Senator Nelson had another idea. He decided to have a special day to teach everyone about the things that needed changing in our environment. He wrote letters to all of the colleges and put a special article in Scholastic Magazine to tell them about the special day he had planned. (Most of the schools got this magazine and he knew that kids would help him.)
The HolidayOn April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was held. People all over the country made promises to help the environment. Everyone got involved and since then, Earth Day has spread all over the planet. People all over the world know that there are problems we need to work on and this is our special day to look at the planet and see what needs changing. Isn't it great?

Ideas for Earth Day-

1. Reduce electricity- Explain to your children that lights, computers, televisions and furnaces use energy, and that energy is in short supply. Jessica Altman of Buffalo, NY, encourages her 3-year-old to always flip off the light when she leaves a room and shut off the TV when she’s no longer watching. Now the toddler even reminds others: “Turn off the light!”
Appliances like DVD players use energy even when off, so cutting the power totally is the only way to conserve. Go shopping together to buy power bars and plug your electronics into them (watch little ones closely so there are no shocks).

2. Take small steps- There are dozens of small things your kids can do every day to save energy and keep the world cleaner and greener. Your kids can:
Shut off the water when they brush their teeth
Walk, ride a bike or take the bus instead of traveling by car
Take faster showers or baths in just a small amount of water
Help hang clothes on the line instead of putting them in the dryer
Choose products that are not over packaged

3. Recycle- Explain to your kids that every bottle and can they use is waste that just sits in a big pile at the local dump if we don’t recycle. Get them involved by making it their job to sort recyclables and take them out for pickup. (Remind them to watch out for broken glass and ask for help if this happens.) If there’s no recycling collection in your area, find out where you can drop off items.

4. Make a reusable bag- One of the first projects Poe and her friends did as pat of Kids FACE was to make fun bags for grocery shopping. Plastic shopping bas are a big garbage problem -- it takes 1,000 years for a bag to break down! Here’s how: Have your kids help you choose some heavy fabric and sew it into simple rectangular bags with handles. Or, buy some canvas bags at a craft or environmentally friendly gift shop. Then use fabric pens to draw pictures on them. (Check out our Canvas Grocery Tote bag craft for detailed instructions.) Take the bags out with you every time you shop."

Recipes for Earth Day-

http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/earth-day-recipes.html

Crafts for Earth Day-

http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/earth-day/recycling-or-reusing-materials-to-make-new-crafts.html

These ideas and more are from http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/index.html?source=holidayslnv&kw=earthdayholLN

Spring Flower Arrangments

2008-04-17T12:48:00.001-07:00

Lighten up your home for spring by adding some fresh spring flower arrangements... and you can do it for free!

What you'll need: All around the city there are blossoms and buds. You'll need to get some branches from the side of the road or wherever. You'll also need some gardening sheers or sharp scissors. Last but not least you'll need a vase, any will do.

What to do: You can do a short or long stem arrangement. You will want to cleanly cut the ends of each stem. Make sure each end is cut clean, this will help to lengthen the life of your arrangement. Arrange them off centered or symmetrical, you decide!

Tips: Try not to place your arrangement in direct light or extreme heat. Keep the water clean, you may have to change it. Remove any leaves or buds that fall in the water. Best of all be creative; use pastel ribbons around your vase or whatever comes to your genius mind! Have fun!

Story of Elder Eyrings recent experinces

2008-04-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a spiritual message that i was blessed to have received-

"Last night (Saturday, April 5) in the Priesthood Session of the Mormon (LDS) Conference, Elder Henry B. Eyring was speaking (among other things) about how the Lord will strengthen you and uphold you as you serve Him. He talked about how when you do the Lords work you qualify for the Lords blessings. Then he specifically mentioned that as you serve, angels will support you. During this time he got a little choked up, and you could tell there was context behind those words.

A few weeks ago when Elder Eyring was at home, he suddenly found himself waking up on the floor, with his leg twisted under him. He went to work, but soon realized he needed to have his leg checked. When he did, he found out it was broken (which is why he's currently using a cane, in case you wondered).

But then as the days went by, he continued to have times where he'd suddenly lose consciousness and he felt very weak. He was frustrated because he felt helpless. Newly appointed as the First Counselor to President Monson, he just wanted to serve. He got in to see the doctor, and had some tests done, and went back to work. Soon the results came in, and the doctor told him he had to come back to the hospital immediately.

Come to find out, his heart would periodically just stop. So last Tuesday, he had a pacemaker put in. Last Tuesday. I don't know if you've known anyone who's had that happen, but it's a serious surgery, with an extended recovery time.

He got a blessing from President Monson, wherein he was told that angels would support him. The next day - Wednesday, he attended the meeting with the General Authorities in the temple. Thursday, he participated in the General Authority training. Then today (Saturday), he stood up, looking as magnified and healthy as ever, and delivered a powerful address on trusting in God as you serve with all your heart.

He's living testimony of his own words (as he so testified).

Nephi said it well, when he said (1 Nephi 1:20): 'I Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.' How marvelous it is to be led by men of such faith, of such commitment, and of such stature."

-Thanks Heather!

Birthday days...

2008-04-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

I just had my birthday this last weekend! April 11th! Coincidentally I am born on my Nana's birthday, here are our adventures...

Heather, Natalia, and I went out shopping and Heather bought me the most amazing pair of shoes(picture to come) for my birthday!

For my birthday Jason and I went out to dinner solo at Suchiya! This is especially wonderful because through my pregnancy I was not allowed to eat sushi and therefore have been deprived for the last year and a half. After that a couple friends and I played Lasertag at Laser Assault! I got to chase Jason around a bit! Thankyou Kristen Flanders for watching Tyson!!! After that we headed back to the apt for cake! Yum!

Saturday Tyson and I headed down to Cedar City to throw a surprise party for Nana who turned 70!

To finish off the weekend we headed over to Heather and Dustins new townhouse! (I miss you guys already) After it all both my boys were spent! Yeah for birthdays, and sunny weather!

Coupon scoup

2008-04-07T16:05:00.000-07:00

Craft shopping tip: Did you know that coupons from JOANNS, ROBERTS, or MICHEALS can work between each of the stores. The stores match their competitors coupons. It's great! For example if your like me, you love Roberts 40% off coupon, and now you can use at JOANNS or MICHEALS! Happy shopping!

OUR March Madness with a side of the Tyson adventures

2008-03-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

March started with a trip to Vegas! Heather and Gavin stowed away and came back home with me! (Top picture: My baby sis Carla and Heather the coolest Bottom picture: Tyson enjoying the tools with Gavin and Heather)

March was also filled with glimpses of spring and showers! That is a bridal shower for Erica (Jason's sister, to be wed April 26)

Tyson enjoyed many fun days at home with Mom while she anticipated the end of the ice age!

We celebrated Heathers birthday! And what a birthday bowling game! You can see Jason, Heather, and I got a strike on our first frame. Sorry Dustin!

Not another trip to Vegas! This time for Easter! What a relief for the Utah weather! You can see I am happily enjoying shorts! Tyson enjoyed his first Easter! He also got to visit Aunt Dee, Evie, and Uncle Terry!

Jason always has great days off! This time we went up to Salt Lake to have lunch with some of my old chums from UNLV! We also had the chance to stop at an awesome park in Salt Lake!

The trips never end! We stopped on our way back from Vegas at Cove Fort! That monument is awesome! Alexa and Andrew were great driving buddies! thanks for the company!

My last trip (ffffFFeeeEeWWWww!)was this last weekend to Mesa Arizona where Jason's cousin Elizabeth was married! The Mesa temple was surrounded by springtime flowers and the chatter of relatives! What a beautiful wedding and the warmth was once again a reassurance that warmth does exist! Kimberly, Erica, and I enjoyed our bonding time during the 20 hour round trip drive! Some memorable lines- "Feels like a sleepover!" "What happens in the car stays in the car" "Do you need to throw up again?" "I didn't think that was the "I-15" we needed..." &"Bluffalo!"

And with that said Tyson and I are tripped out and ready to be a vegetable for a day or too! Onto the vegging we go...

How old is our baby?

2008-03-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

It is astounding how quickly time flies. Tyson is getting so big already. He sits, rolls, and plays on his own. Next step: crawling.

Spring Forward with new decor

2008-03-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

Springtime decor tips

"It's fun to feel cozy in the winter with warm colors and soft, fluffy fabrics. In the summmer, a cool, airy look is appealing. Read here to get some simple ideas for transforming the look of your home with the seasons.

Here's How:

1. When the cold weather arrives, have a collection of cozy, fluffy throws to place on your furniture for snuggling. Remove them or replace with soft cotton or silk throws for warmer months.

2. Remove the toasty down-filled duvet from your bed in the spring and substitute a light cotton matalasse bed cover or a simple cotton blanket.

3. Floral arrangements of pine and holiday colors can be changed for light, colorful ones for the spring and summer. Put away dark brass or pottery containers and bring out clear glass or crystal vases.

4. Change dark-patterned decorative pillows by covering them with fresh, floral prints or plaids for warmer weather. Either change out the pillows with a second set or alternate the decorative covers.

5. If you have a collection of plates on display, put classic holiday designs away for the winter and replace with pretty floral china from grandma.

6. Have your draperies made so they are reversible allowing you to easily turn them from lively to neutral with the seasonal changes.

7. Be sure to put garden magazines and flower books out on the coffee table in the spring and summer. That will help bring the outside in and add color to your interior.

Tips:
1. Keep spring and summer colors and accessories light, both in feel and color.

2. Changing with the seasons gives you an opportunity to get out some long-lost pieces and make them the center of attention for a while.

3. The change of decor can come all at one time, like spring house cleaning, or over a period of several days or weeks. You'll be surprised what a difference just a small change can make.

4. If winter seems especially long, forget the calendar and get your spring things out even if there's snow on the ground. You may still need the warm blankets, but the look can be light and uplifting."

(These helpful tips are from http://interiordec.about.com/cs/seasonaldecor/ht/ht_changeseason.htm?once=true& by Coral Nafie)

Here are some helpful and cute rooms http://www.pier1.com/TopMenu/GetInspired/tabid/137/Default.aspx

Easter Crafts: Part 2

2008-03-14T14:01:00.001-07:00

These are some ideas from Martha Stewart's Easter Workshop ( http://www.marthastewart.com/easter-workshop?xsc=eml_eas_2008_03_13 ) and Easter crafts. I've made some Spring crafts I'd like to share. Enjoy!

What I used:

1. Fallen branch

2. Spring flowers

3. Birds

* I hot glued the flowers to the branch and the birds I purchased at Dollar Tree came with wires. I twisted the wires around the branch. Using white thread (also can use fishing line or jewelry making thread) I hung the branch.

______________________________________

What I used:

1. Orange knitting yarn

2. Elmer's glue

3. Green felt

4. 3 Straight pins (per carrot)

5. Styrofoam star (Roberts crafts or any local craft store, shown below)

* I took the Styrofoam star and cut it into five pieces as shown in the first picture. Then I took a straight pin and wrapped some yarn around the top. At this time I also applied some Elmer's glue around the top where I wrapped the yarn. I continued to wrap down the carrot as shown in the third picture. As I worked down the carrot i applied glue to the bare Styrofoam.

* Once I worked down the carrot I secured the bottom with another straight pin and applied glue. To make the stem I cut two small pieces of felt and folded them like in the above picture. I then took a straight pin and placed them through the top. you can also use this method to make eggs with egg shaped Styrofoam as shown in second picture. I placed these carrots around my home or you could use them on an Easter tree. Thanks Martha!

Most of these instructions are also found on the Martha Stewart website or from my link on Easter Crafts: Part 1. Here are also some other fun crafts I will be doing this week!

Easter egg wreath

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=1bcbd52add62f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

Egg Garland

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=0705d0f19132f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

Bunny Garland

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=d461ba1fa9751110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

Cucumber and cream cheese snacks

2008-03-04T13:43:00.000-08:00

This snack was served at a recent enrichment activity I went to. I have been craving them since! Mine do not have dill weed but I would recommend it! Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce)package cream cheese , softened
1 package good seasonings Italian salad dressing mix
1 dash Tabasco sauce
1 package rye cocktail bread
1 seedless European cucumber , unpeeled
dried dill or fresh dill (to garnish)

Directions
1 I wash and score the cucumber with a fork along the entire length of the cucumber, all the way around, to make a design Slice thinly and set aside.
2 Combine cream cheese, Good Seasonings Italian mix and Tabasco sauce.
3 Spread cream cheese mixture, generously on each slice of cocktail bread, place slice of cucumber and sprinkle the top with dill.

The Tyson Adventures - Febuary

2008-03-03T11:44:00.000-08:00

Grandma McLean came to visit us in Utah. She was here for Jason's birthday and aunt Erikas. She is very good at giving me baths! Grandma McLean also brought me a new friends, a dog! He is a "TY" just like TYson! She also made the most delisous german chocolate cake for Daddy's birthday. "Yum!"

I went to me first BYU game. And it was againts Mom's school UNLV. Boy was it fun. Nick and Tricia was there! I got to meet Cosmo the Cougar and in the end BYU won! Sorry Mom.

I was at the Sievers (Thanks for watching me!) while Mom and Dad went snowboarding at Brighton! They went with Heather, Dustin, and Blake.

Heather, Mom, and Dad feed the ducks while Gavin and I took a nice nap. My last encounter with ducks was not so fun so I'm glad to have sat this one out.

Jaydens baptism was a blast! I got to pull on Jacobs tie and Mom played her violin.

the knot

2008-02-26T12:44:00.000-08:00

Refer to intheknot.blogspot.com

Easter Crafts: Part 1

2008-02-21T18:49:00.000-08:00

______________________________________

I know we still have to get through St. Patricks Day but I am so excited for Easter! Here are a few fun craft sites I found with some fun ideas!

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/just-hatched-by-hand?lnc=a489cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&page=2&rsc=articlecontent_holiday

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/projectlist?categoryid=47

http://www.hersheys.com/easter/crafts/

http://www.homeschoolzone.com/pp/easter.htm

Gordon B. Hinckley's Song

2008-02-09T12:56:00.000-08:00

Thankyou Heather for your email, I am really astounded at the marvels of our Savior. How tender are his workings among us.
This hymn was performed at the funeral of the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. It is special how the hymn came to pass. I would like to share the story.

The Story Behind the Hymn
“What Is This Thing That Men Call Death?”
By Janice Kapp Perry
"During President Hinckley’s funeral the Tabernacle Choir sang a hymn text written by President Hinckley which I
set to music in December. I would like to share with you the story of how it came to be:
About two months before my niece Kathy Blacker died, on January 11, 2008, she found a three-verse poem by President
Hinckley among her files. Although she was resigned to dying, she had some fears about the dying process and
his words greatly comforted her, especially the second verse which described exactly what she was feeling. She wrote
to President Hinckley’s office to ask permission to have the poem printed on her funeral program, and she received
a very nice letter from his secretary, Don H. Staheli, saying that President Hinckley gave his permission for her to
do so. The letter also conveyed some very comforting words from President Hinckley which were helpful to Kathy
in her final weeks, and he said he would remember Kathy in his prayers.
Kathy then suggested that I write and ask permission to give the poem a hymn setting. I did so, and Brother Staheli
conveyed President Hinckley’s permission for me to write the hymn. After offering some heartfelt prayers that
I might be able to write appropriate music for his profoundly beautiful and moving text, I wrote the hymn setting
and sent a copy to President Hinckley’s office for approval at the end of December. I received no immediate response.
Kathy passed away January 11 and after her funeral I sent a copy of her funeral program to President Hinckley’s office
so he could see how nicely his poem was displayed along side my brother Gary Kapp’s painting of Christ. When
I heard President Hinckley had passed away last Sunday night I was feeling a little sad to think I hadn’t received a
letter with his official approval. But the very next day after his passing, the hoped-for letter arrived with his approval,
his permission for me to publish it in a future volume of my series “Inspirational New Hymns for Choir &
Home,” and leaving it to my discretion as to whether to submit it to the Church Music Division. The timing was so
unusual and I was extremely grateful to receive the letter as a tender mercy in my life.
Then on Monday afternoon Craig Jessop, Mormon Tabernacle Choir Director, heard about the hymn and had his
office callme to obtain a copy of the hymn for consideration for President Hinckley’s funeral. On Tuesday, while traveling
in California, I learned that the hymn would be performed by the Tabernacle Choir at President Hinckley’s
funeral on Saturday.
Having seen the great comfort this hymn brought to my niece who died just two weeks before President Hinckley
passed away, my great desire is for people throughout the world to have a free copy of these magnificent words of
President Hinckley to comfort them in times of the loss of loved ones. This is just one more way his influence could
be felt down through time."

After reading this story I felt impressed to hear the hymn again. Here is a link to a page where you can listen to the hymn.

http://www.abc4.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=e08a3a6c-a06f-4076-8380-416f5c294245

Here is a link to the story and the music.

http://www.ldsmag.com/radio/images/WhatIsThisThingThatMenCallDeath.pdf

I love the teachings of our Prophets. I am grateful for their teachings and wisdom. I hope you all can feel the love of our Savior, especially through this hymn. I pray for our new first presidency. That they may have the guidance of the Holy Ghost as they lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Here is the text-

“What Is This Thing That Men Call Death”

By President Gordon B. Hinckley Music by Janice Kapp Perry

What is this thing that men call death, This quiet passing in the night?'Tis not the end, but genesisOf better worlds and greater light. O God, touch thou my aching heart,And calm my troubled, haunting fears.Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,Give strength and peace beyond my tears. There is no death, but only change,With recompense for vict'ry won.The gift of Him who loved all men,The Son of God, the Holy One.

Creamy Chocolate Marble Fudge

2008-02-06T14:50:00.000-08:00

My mother-in-law gave me this calendar for Christmas and it has a recipe for every month. This months was fudge and it was oh so good.

Makes about 8 dozen candies

Ingredients

• 6 cups sugar

• 1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine

• 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

• 2 jars (7 oz. each) marshmallow creme or 1 package (101/2 oz.) miniature marshmallows

• 1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract

• 2 cups white baking chips

• 1 cup milk chocolate chips

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

• 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa

• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions

1. Line a 9” x 13” pan with aluminum foil, leaving 1 inch of foil overhanging at two opposite sides of pan.

2. In 6-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat sugar, evaporated milk, butter and cream cheese to boiling. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly.

3. Reduce heat to medium. Cook about 10 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 225ºF on candy thermometer. Remove from heat.

4. Quickly stir in marshmallow creme and vanilla extract. Place white baking chips in large bowl; pour 4 cups hot marshmallow mixture over chips, stir to mix. Stir milk chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips, cocoa and nuts (if using) into remaining marshmallow mixture.

5. Pour one-third of white mixture into pan, spreading evenly. Quickly pour one-third of chocolate mixture over top, spreading evenly. Repeat twice. Using knife greased with butter, swirl mixtures together to form a marbled look. Let cool. Refrigerate, uncovered, about 3 hours or until set. Cut into 8 rows by 12 rows with greased knife. Store covered in refrigerator.

Each serving: About 130 calories, 1g protein, 20g carbohydrate, 5g fat (3g saturated), 10mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium

The Tyson Adventures - January

2008-01-29T14:14:00.001-08:00

Tyson got to spend some well earned time with Uncle Derek and Aunt Kimberly!! Tyson likes games and episodes of the Office!

Tyson was excited to spend a weekend with the Fultons! (Natashia's family) He loves his grammy!

Tyson got schooled on the basics of rock band by none other than his Aunt Carla and Uncle Skylor and Zion!

After it all Tyson couldn't handle anymore!

Bedtime...

Tyson's Grandma McLean arrives today. What more adventures will befall him?

the knot

2008-01-17T17:10:00.000-08:00

Refer to intheknot.blogspot.com

Tyson's latest photo shoot

2008-01-10T13:53:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Heather and her referral cards I was able to get this picture taken! You'll notice Gavin snuck in on one. Man I love my baby!

Dancing Tyson! (At the 99th X-Mas Party!)

2007-12-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

December decor

2007-12-13T15:05:00.000-08:00

Gift Tags

I bought these letters at pebbles in my pocket located by Arby's on State St. They were 10 for 1$! They have adhesives on the back so I tied some on (T he letter "k") and also put some directly on the gift(The letter "D") .

Hanging ornaments

Kinda a fun idea I saw on an Old Navy commercial. I hung them with push pins which you can see (below picture) and thread though you could also use fishing line. Someone also suggested putting some greenery around the top to hide the push pins.
Thought I would also throw out the tip that you can make any room feel like Christmas. Just take some leftover ribbon and make a picture into a present! This ones in my Rubber Duck bathroom!