Our Giving of Thanks

I always get a little sad around Thanksgiving being far from family, but this year my sadness was patched up a bit when this wonderful, loving couple in our church, the Heidamens, invited us into their home with some other Logan students. She decorated her home beautifully and the kids even had their very own table. The food was so awesome and we had about eight pies to choose from! After our dinner the kids all watched Polar Express, while the girls chatted and the boys played pool in their awesome basement. My favorite part of the evening was when we all went around the table and talked about what we are all thankful for. I love this time of year when we all reflect upon what we are grateful for. I am so grateful for this time in my life. To have great friends around us, to be out here in beautiful Missouri, for my wonderful family, and of course for the gospel in my life. We all have so much to be grateful for when we really stop and reflect upon our many blessings. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

A New Life

Yesterday marked a very special five year anniversary that is near and dear to my heart. Inspired by and entitled after my husband's best friend's blog, I wanted to share my conversion story to our church. It is something that I love talking about because it was such a wonderful amazing time in which marked a complete change in myself, and the start of a brand new life. With the fall season and the brisk cold air around, it always brings me back to this very special time in my life.

I had just graduated high school, started up at our local junior college, and I was seriously contemplating life, its meaning and purpose, and just which direction I should be headed. Growing up, God wasn't talked about in my home and we never went to church not even on holidays. The only religion I was exposed to was through some relatives on occasion and mainly through my grandparents who are very religious. As a young girl and through the influence of my grandma, I had my first communion in the Lutheran church, but as I got older I never went to any church, although some of the teachings from the Bible stuck with me and I feel now that this time in my life laid a perfect foundation for what was in store. Throughout my childhood I went to different Christian churches and Catholic churches and none of them felt quite right to me. My grandmother convinced me one time around the age of 10 or 11 to go to a tent revival. This was notably one of the craziest experiences of my life! People were chanting, closing their eyes, waving their arms in the air, and speaking in tongues (this is weird gibberish that doesn't make any sense), and then they were claiming to be so filled with the "Holy Spirit" that they were falling backwards into chairs, meanwhile the music in the background was getting louder and louder. With people falling down left and right, the Pasteur was wondering why I was the only one who wasn't falling over, so they laid their hands on me and starting praying/speaking in gibberish on me to get me to fall over. Well, I felt something that night and I don't think that it was any spirit from God. Even as a 10 year old I was questioning why God would want someone to fall over into a chair and get hurt meanwhile speaking stuff that no one can understand? So needless to say, I went a long time with many questions unanswered.

Being in college and starting this new chapter of life, left me feeling empty. I just knew that something was missing and I wasn't quite exactly sure what it was. I had a feeling that it was religion or rather a yearning for a deeper knowledge of what I know now as "The Great Plan of Happiness." I had questions that I was wanting answered and emptiness that I needed filled. Like "Why are we really here on earth?" and "Is there more out there, than just living day to day going through these motions of life?" So I started going to different churches. I went to one Christian church where this girl that I worked with went and sang at in the band. During this time my brother, strangely enough, was searching for religion as well. He starting talking to some Jehovah's Witnesses, and him and I would talk about different doctrines together. Each church I went to or learned about still never felt quite right to me.

One day in my freshmen English class the teacher told us to get in groups of three and read to one another each other's essays without giving any criticism. I had noticed that a friendly looking boy who dressed really odd had starting sitting up in the front row next to me lately, which I found out later was because he couldn't hear in the back of the class. So I just formed a group with this young man and one other sitting by us and we introduced ourselves. This boy introduced himself as JJ and I don't know what the other boy's name was, doesn't matter. So we began reading our essays out load to one another. I have always loved writing papers and editing so I just couldn't contain myself and had to tell him a better way of writing this part in his paper....totally ignoring the teacher who said to not give any criticism. It was constructive anyway ;) I find out later that JJ was thinking "Who does girl girl think she is, when the teacher said not to give criticism!" Anyway he got over it, and after class JJ and I began talking. I asked him how old he was and he said 22, and I said, "Why are you so old in a freshman English class?" and he said, "Because I spent two years and served a mission for my church." I said, "Ahh really, what church is that?" and he said, "The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" and I said, "Is that Mormon?" and he said, "Yes it is." Well this initial conversation got me interested in his religion and why on earth someone would dedicate two whole years of their life to it. Week by week we started cultivating a friendship and after class we would spend hours just discussing his religion. I wanted to know every detail, so everyday I would come with a new question or some crazy thing that I had heard about the Mormons for him to answer. I began to really like and understand the things that I was learning, although with each new question I would bring up, I was convinced there was no way he could answer it in a way that was pleasing to me and then I could find a new religion to try. But he would show me in the scriptures and talk to me so that I really understood each doctrine. He gave me my own Book of Mormon to study and said that I could find out for myself if the things that he was saying were true, and that if I prayed with a sincere heart and real intent to want to know if the Book of Mormon was true and if Joseph Smith was truly a prophet, that Heavenly Father would answer my prayer and then I would know for a surety for myself. I loved how the church didn't just say, here are the true doctrines, now you should believe them, but they actually wanted me to find out for myself by asking and praying to God.

We starting spending more and more time together, and he introduced me to the singles ward and their activities as well as the LDS institute which was right across the street from our school. Probably wondering when the romantic feelings came into the picture? not for a little while. We were becoming great friends and I was still really trying to understand this new religion and see if it was right for me. I wanted to be sure that I made a life change for the right reasons. After many experiences together and talking about doctrines he asked me if I had read the Book of Mormon, I told him that I was reading it and that when I read it, it felt as though it is God's words that I was reading. When I would read the Book of Mormon I could feel good feelings, and that I felt that the book was true doctrine. When JJ heard this he was completely in shock that I had been reading it and even more amazed at the feelings I shared with him that I felt as I read from the book. He told me that those feelings were the Holy Ghost testifying to me of the book's truthfulness. It just felt right. The Holy Ghost would not be knocking me down into chairs, but rather give me good, peaceful feelings as I read God's word, this sounded and felt right to me.

Although I was gaining a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, I was scared to meet with the missionaries because I felt like all they would want to do is baptize me. I told JJ that I didn't need to meet with the missionaries and that he could be my missionary. I quickly found out that it doesn't work like that in this church and that you have to have the discussions in order to get baptised to be sure you really understand the commitment and doctrines. Reluctantly I met with the missionaries at JJ's sister and brother in law's house, and JJ would come of course. The missionaries that taught me were Elder Willingham and Elder Durrant. I was gaining a testimony of the church and knew that it was true, but was still hesitant to be baptised because I knew that this was going to be a life change for me. During my first discussion the spirit was strong, but it wasn't until the very end when Elder Willingham bore his testimony to me of the truthfulness of this church that the spirit hit me so strong and there was then no way that I could ever deny it. It was as if I could feel such a powerful feeling in my heart or my chest and it completely consumed me to the point where tears of joy were running down my face. I have yet to have felt the spirit that strongly testify to me. I knew what I had to do. I knew that God was telling me that I was on the right path, that this was His true church that He established on the earth. I knew that Joseph Smith was the humble boy that He chose to establish this church and become its first prophet, and I knew that Joseph Smith received revelation from God to do so.

So I entered the waters of baptism in the way that God has directed us and by the proper authority in His church, and I can honestly say that was the best decision that I have ever made in my entire life. Every ounce of joy that I feel to this day can be traced back to that very important choice I made on November 23, 2003. I feel very blessed to now say that my husband baptised me and brought me the greatest gift one person could ever bring to another in this life. I am eternally grateful to him for it.

My Bestie

She would do anything for anyone even if it means being away from her hubby for a month to drive you across the country and get stuck in the ghetto in the middle of the worst blizzard, then trek two miles with snow up to her knees to carry your laundry to the laundry mat.

She would hold your hand through the worst, even if it is through a 14 hour labor and delivery. Then she would love your kids seriously as if they were her own, and buy a webcam just to see them.

She would deal with your raging hormones as they are leaving your system, meanwhile cleaning the house and taking care of your child so you could rest with your newborn.

She would understand your weirdness as you tell her things like her eyes are too close together or she has a neanderthal head. She would love you for your weirdness.

She would always tell the truth when you ask her if you look fat, and understand that she tells the truth out of love.

She would come over just to kill a very large strange looking bug that you couldn't dare get near.

She would jump in a freezing cold pool with her work clothes on just to save your cute little white poodle who fell into the pool and almost drowned while you sit there freaking out not knowing what to do.

She would drive you around everywhere in high school when you blow a gasket in your car for not putting water in it and fixing it would cost more than the 90' Honda Accord is even worth.

She would comfort you and assure you that life does go on when your heart is broken and assure you that you were too good for him anyway.

She would be sure to tell you when you found the right one and list all the reasons why.....all the time!

She would be excited for your big day and the best maid of honor one could ask for.

She is the first to know even before your hubby when you're prego (which, btw, is a good indicator if you were ever wondering where you are at on some one's friend list) just so she can help you find a clever way to tell him.

She would make you laugh with her morbid jokes about being buried next to each other.

She will comfort you when you start out watching a tear jerkier together, she falls asleep and wakes up to you crying.

She would make you feel super special on each birthday even embarrassing you with writing on her car window, "Honk for the birthday girl" as she drives you around doing special birthday activities.

She would remind you often of the reason why you and her won "best friends" in high school.

She is an incredible example of love and service.

"She" is my best friend Stephanie more like sister really, and I feel blessed to know her. Happy Birthday Stephed! It was fun reminiscing on our past 12 years of friendship, we have had some great memories, look forward to many more!

Twilight

Last night a group of us girls got together and went to the Cheese Cake Factory followed by the midnight premiere of Twilight. It was a fun well needed night out with the girls. All of us were pretty pumped about seeing this movie as we have all loved the books. Well lets just say there were high expectations and on my end, the movie did not match up. Some of the girls really loved it, but I wasn't too impressed to be honest. I felt that with all the hype that the book got, that they would have at least tried to put some more money into the film. It just seemed like a low budget film with really bad acting to me. Okay, let me back up a bit. Bella was great in the film, but Edward just kinda creeped me out and I imagined him as being a little better looking with more sex appeal and confidence. So I don't know that I would watch this movie again, but I would see the sequel.

Mine, Mine, Mine

Dominic is in this phase where he is SOOO possessive, but its not just of his stuff its even for others. Let me shed a little light. There is this one big yellow cup that JJ likes to use because it is the biggest cup we have, so Dominic has claimed it as Daddy's cup. So if mommy uses daddy's cup, boy I am going to hear about it! He will cry and say, "No, that is daddy's cup!" and just tonight Dominic pointed to our laptop and said, "Mommy's puter," and JJ said, "Daddy's puter," and Dominic said, "No Daddy!! that is Mommy's puter!" It is usually really cute until he starts crying and throwing a fit when the other person uses the other's claimed property. I didn't realize I needed to ask my two year old what my rights were in my own home?!


Maybe I am an evil mom, but I get so much joy out of pestering Dominic and using someone else's "claimed" property, or in this case claiming Dominic's property as "sister's property" and seeing his reaction.

Before I got this on tape, he starting labeling every one's towel in the family and it was so cute, and when I said that the yellow towel (which really is Dominic's lion towel) was sister's he was getting so mad, and it was so funny. I know, I am a mean mommy, but it was just too funny. He calmed down some for this video though.

New Found Hobby

So I will take a break from all the proposition 8 stuff and talk about my new found hobby. Anyone who really knows me, knows how much I love hair so it seems rather fitting that my favorite thing to do nowadays has to do with hair. I am in love with making hair bows. The crazier the better, and the more I can be creative using different types of ribbon adding unique style and matching individual outfits. Having a daughter now makes it easier to have this type of hobby, but the problem is she doesn't have any hair! Boy would I have a hay day with my friend Maria's baby ;) (you can check out that baby's hair at the Gilbert's bloghttp://http//trevorandmaria.blogspot.com/ to see a real head of hair) so I have had to improvise on my baby girl.

This was right before going to our ward Fall Fest

And this, I thought, was just a cute one of the two of them together. And yes I use Dominic as my model when ever I make a new bow. His hair makes the perfect model and he looks so beautiful in my bows :)

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg25CnuBE0M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTpa12QyLKg

It Passed!!!!!

I know the rest of the country hasn't been as in tune with the Proposition 8 campaign, but since we are from California, we were constantly hearing about this issue. If the Proposition 8 didn't pass, then Gay and Lesbian marriage would be placed on the same plane as regular traditional marriage. Both types of marriage would be taught in school systems to our kids, and all adoption agencies would have to adopt to same sex couples. So this was a big deal, especially because whatever California tends to do, eventually the rest of the country will follow. The prophets of our church encouraged everyone to get involved to protect traditional marriage. Thousands of volunteers made phone calls to inform people on this proposition, as well as private donations were made. Members of our church donated the most money to advertise this proposition, and well, every one's hard work and efforts have payed off because it passed!!!!!!

Any google search on this issue, will show and mention the Mormon church's involvement on this issue. I am absolutely sure that the Gay and Lesbian community pretty much hate us right now, in fact many of them picketed in front of our Oakland Temple to prove it. And that is okay because we had to protect what we know is right and true in the eyes of God. We do not hate them, but we do not want their views imposed on us and our children. I just find this pretty interesting how with such a crucial topic, and all the churches in California, that our church had the most involvement on this very important issue. What the prophets of our church say is coming to pass. As the world get more and more wicked, churches will become more as the world is, yet the true church will stand out among the rest. Each day my testimony grows and I know that I am in the true church which is Gods church here upon the earth as Jesus Christ, His son, set up upon the earth for us to follow. I love this gospel and how it teaches that the true importance rests upon the family unit and what it was defined as by God Himself in the Bible. I know that my true happiness comes from following His commandments and having joy in my prosperity as he directed us to do.

Our Hallos Eve

Halloween was fun but a bit stressful. We had a few couples over for a pumpkin feast and I got a bee in my bonnet like I do every year around this time of year, and thought that I would make homemade pumpkin chili, homemade pumpkin spice bread, pot roast and mashed potatoes. Everything turned out okay, except that homemade bread. So basically I WILL NEVER make homemade bread AGAIN!! All that work, and the bread wasn't even good, so sorry JJ, its time for a bread maker because you wont get homemade bread from me ever again (yes, there is a bit of anger in my voice).

Looking at the pictures, it might take you back a few years, but I bet you can tell what Dominic was for Halloween. Yes he was the infamous Alfalfa from "The Little Rascals" except the one thing that Alfalfa is known for, seemed to not be working out too well when I was getting Dominic ready. So it was a little stressful as I was about to think of a plan B costume, but thankfully Cambria came through with the gel that she puts in her boy's hair which is basically like glue. It was the only thing that worked. So we ended up with an Alfalfa and a caterpillar. I was pretty proud of myself as I made that cute bow to match Amariah's caterpillar costume, but sad that we lost it while trick-or-treating :(

This was Dominic's first official year of trick-or-treating and he was lovin' every minute of it. So he was very adamite about dragging his own candy bag to each door. He looked so cute with this big ole' bag dragging behind him, except he must have lost his footing and went face first on a cement step. So we thought that would be a good time to end that eventful night. Oh by the way, as you will see JJ used the left over black spray on his hair, and I wasn't anything this year because I was personally boycotting the no trunk-or-treating that we had in this ward this year...yeah that was pretty disappointing.

This was the first house ever that Dominic went to.

Dominic's bruise on the middle of this forehead by the end of the night.

Umm Appitizing?

These were the treats we made this year for Halloween, chocolate mice. Please take note of the shredded paper and chocolate sprinkles that were to resemble....well I'll let you figure that one out. We had fun making them :)

Pumpkin Patch

We took our annual trip to the pumpkin patch before Halloween (sorry for my delayed post). It was a fun day at the pumpkin patch but pretty cold that day. Dominic liked the little Haunted House portion. Didn't buy a pumpkin there though because they are a little pricey, so we just went for the experience.