My Livingroom

My chandelier I bought from a neighbors wedding reception, isn't it darling? It is hanging in the Entryway I had to but the berry ball up just for the holidays!


This is a work in progress, these are hand me down couches and hopefully in the next few years I can get one like the couch on the post below! But for now these are it and we are greatful for them! I am going to go get new pillow for them. I want the rose pillows from Pier 1! I've had my eye on them for a while now, and I guess that is what I'll have to spend my money on! I added the vinyl behind on the wall, which is a light green wall, it didn't show up to well in the pic. I found that old window in my basement, what do you think of painting it turqoise and distressing it??? the little end table is from the DI and I will be paint that black I think!


This was my great find at the DI a few months back! I love it, I think it looks like a piece of jewelry. I am looking for the right shade though, let me know if you find one!


Don't you just love built ins? that is part of the charm of an old home!


My lovely Christmas Tree. I love my ornaments which mostly came from my Grammy and my mom! It means more to me that way. I have started the same tradition with my kids and when they grow up and move out they can have them to decorate their trees! My Grammy has made some really special ones, the angel at the top, a an angel made from one of her mother's hankerchiefs, another passed down as well! Love them! Also, a pinecone from Pinetop AZ!!!


And our great fireplace, one of three, another charm of an old house!!!

My wish list...

My house has been so much fun to redo and decorate. I have some major plans for this place but it'll be years 'til I'm through with her! We have painted in a few rooms, brought in our furniture and decorations, Brody built an island in the kitchen, that I designed. With the help of my sister in law I distressed my cabinets. We switched out all of the old toilets and a lot of the fixtures. Added new curtains, knobs on all the cabinets in the house, and much more. I will be showing you some rooms over the next few days but to start off I wanted to show you some things I am wanting and hoping for your input on your likes and dislikes as well as some more ideas with each room I show you.
Isn't this a darling "fainting" couch from Urban?It'd be a fun one in my livingroom, maybe one day, or maybe I can find something similar on KSL. Ya never know!
I want to wallpaper my kitchen, I can decide which patern to go with, There are a lot more that i like as well, any ideas?


This would look nice in my closet, I know, who needs a mini chandilier in their closet? Me, cause I'm obsessed! But it costs $58 at Urban. So, maybe I can try and make one?
Isn't this lovely? I can picture it... above my kitchen sink...~sigh~ Back to reality, I'd NEVER spend $398 for it though! So, maybe I can whip up something similar to this Anthropology

thanks for my health

My Health!
My Great Aunt Lou was diagnosed with breast cancer soon after her husband died. It has been a tough journey for her to battle. She has had chemo a few times and now they told her it isn't working. She is home and comfortable for now, but they predict she won't make it to Christmas. Breast Cancer runs on my mother's side. My Grammy's mom and all of her sisters and brother's had it or another form, and there were 10 of them. My mom's dad died of cancer and her brother died of Luekemia when he was 4yrs old. What tradgedy my Grammy has had to indure and now her one and only sister dying of cancer as well. She feels bad that she is healthy. I think she is in the toughest spot though. To lose that many people to cancer is just unbearable in my eyes. I am so greatful that my Grammy does not carry the gene, it is still possible to get breast cancer but a lot less. I love you Aunt Lou and am praying for you to have peace and stay comfortable. I am happy for you to meet up with Uncle Don though!
Also, Brody's great Uncle died last night due to illnesses he has endured for a long time. He was only 74yrs. He left a wonderful wife and many kids and grandchildren. Dennis you are walking again and out of pain, we will miss you, but we know you are in a better place!
We have had our share of illnesses with Bingham and Boen, but we are mostly healthy and greatful for that!

The next list....

Today I am thankful for many things, my heart is full! It has been a tough year for many different reasons. And today I am feeling the mercy of my Heavenly Father! I am thankful for the love of my family and friends. I am thankful that during hard times they know just what to say or what not to say. I know that because my Father in Heaven loves me and you he sent his only begotten son to pay for our sins. With his mercy and love and forgiveness he has made it possible for us to live with Him and our Heavenly Father again. I do not like to judge, I feel it is not my place and yes I am human and have done so, but I try really hard to remember a time when I didn't want to be judged.
A year ago almost to the day was a very hard day for me and with my family and closest friends they helped to pull me through. A lot came from my Grammy, she taught me that I am not just any woman, I am a woman of substance. I do not need to wallow in my own sorrow I need to pick up and do something about it. I need to be strong and pull from deep down within. I did and am thankful for that!
I am thankful for the scriptures because without those I would be lost. Especially the Book of Mormon it has brought me answers when I needed them the most. My Aunt Suzan once told me to read the Book of Mormon every day, I had heard that many times before, yet for some reason it stuck! I made better choices and felt the spirit in my life because of it. I can't explain it, but know for sure I would not be here in this moment without that book.
My friend called me to see how I was yesterday and tell me she was thinking about me. I cannot explain how much that meant to me. I am thankful for her and her kindness. She is a true friend and exemplifies the true love of Christ! I want to be more like that, when I am hurting for someone or thinking about them I need to be more proactive and let them know! I don't know much, but I know I am thankful for that!

I am thankful for...

my two boys! Bingham and Boen!!! They are the light of my life. I am so thankful that I get to stay at home with them and experience full on motherhood. I get to do fun things like in the pics above, bake cookies, carve pumpkins, trick or treat, go shopping, go to the playground, and much much more. They have been such a fun addition to my life, although sometimes it gets crazy and hectic, (thats what I call my birth control), but mostly we have fun and I am thankful for that!!!

thankful!

During this season of Thankgiving I like to share what I am thankful for.


Lets start here with the basis of my belief! I am thankful for my church. I am a member of the LDS church. Everything I am begins here. I married my husband because he shared my same values, goals, and of course he is the love of my life. We were married in the SLC LDS Temple for time and all eternity, so our family can be together for EVER!!! I am thankful my husband and I are an eternal family!
To learn more about our beliefs go here.

Af ew more pics of the missionary to be!

Making a Difference

My baby brother is really truly leaving on his mission. I had the priviledge of taking his pictures last week. And believe me we all take any time we can get with him these days. One week from today he'll be flying on a plane across the world to a very small 3rd world country, or more like 8th world place. I am so excited for him and I am so proud of the decisions he has made. He will love those people. Everyday he will experience a society immersed in a raw physical and spititual survival. Those who have the Gospel of Jesus Christ are so strong. When told a scripture you'd ask, "Do you believe that?" and they'd say, "Yes." Why?" and a chorus of voices would say, "Because of the spirit." What strength, what faith. Jeff is so privledged to be apart of something so great. Satan used to have such a strong hold on this country, he will be a witness to the great changes taking place. My dear friend Brother Opare said,"Patience and a sense of humor, a sense of humor and patience, you are dead in the water in Africa without both!"

I finally got ahold of my dear friend Brother Opare who is a native to Ghana. He is excited to meet Jeff and he told me he'd do what he could to take care of him for me. He even has a place for us to stay when we travel there! Ghana is where my testimony developed to more than I ever new it could. I found Christs love in the people, I felt like they were my long lost sisters and brothers (which they are). I know he will see and feel heartache and I don't blame him. It won't be because of missing his family or friends it will be for the people. I had to remind myself they don't know anything different. They lived in one room tin homes or mud huts. I learned not to feel bad for all that I have, but to take on a strong responsibility because of it. I know Heavenly Father didn't want me to forget about my family in Ghana. I know now I don't have to have much, to give. And so a new chapter opens, Jeff will be serving for two years and I will return with him and my family in the future. God Speed.

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween from our family to yours. Hope you have a fun and safe day!!!
Bingham the itsy bitsy spider
and Boen the cutest little pumpkin!!!

Happy Birthday Harrison!

I can't believe its been a year already since my sweet nephew Harrison went to live with Heavenly Father! I love you and I love your family, thank you for saving you mother's life and leaving her here with us! Please watch over her and your new baby brother or sister as it enters this world! To read the whole story go here!

Candy overload

Who needs Halloween? Boen found Brody's stash for work in his office.
Needless to say he sleeps great on a full belly!

Bootique

Anybody?

is anybody out there that like to clean? i seriously must have something wrong with me. i hate cleaning, but not for the reasons you may think. i hate to clean because i can't just pick up and vacuum a bit. i am ocd. for example, i have to color code my closet, i have to have my shoes lined up just so according to style, i have to have the book shelves in the boys rooms color coded, the dishes have to be put in a certain way, and so sometimes it is just not worth the effort so i just don't clean at all. anybody have similar problems?

The Still Small Voice

I wanted to share a spiritual experience with you today. If you are a parent you'll appreciate this one.
A few weeks ago I was putting Boen to bed. Brody had gone outside to back the trailer, full of stuff into the driveway. Bingham was downstairs watching tv, or so I thought...
After putting Boen to bed I had to go to the bathroom really bad. (I have to share this sorry) As I was starting to pull my pants down, and almost wetting my pants, I had a feeling (which to me is the Holy Ghost) to run outside. I didn't pause for one second. I ran down the stairs and pulled up my pants as I do so. I opened the front door to find Bingham standing about two feet behind the trailer as Brody was backing up. I screamed to the top of my lungs and Brody stopped just in the nic of time. I ran a grabbed Bingham. It was a miracle Bingham didn't get hit. He had just wanted to help, like always. And that need to go to the bathroom was completely gone, BTW.
I just wanted to say how thankful I am to have the gift of the Holy Ghost. I know that the LDS church is true. I believe that if I hadn't listened to his prompting at that moment or thought, hey, it can wait at least until I finish going to the bathroom, Bingham would have been badly injured or worse.
Life gets busy, and sometimes I forget to stop and listen. I forget the small things, which are really the most important things. I hope we can all remember, even if you think you're being silly, to listen to the still small voice!

And a quick QT from Bingham:
Me: Oh! Bing you have an eyelash. (grabbing it from his cheek)
Bing: Let me see.
Me: Make a wish and blow it. (holding it out in front of his face)
Bing: (looking at it seriously, thinking)
Me: What is your wish?
Bing: I will wish for Jesus. (then blew it)
Me: (my heart melted, thinking, I wish for Jesus too!)

Familly pics, pumpkin patch and Brody's baby!

Isn't he the cutest little guy you've EVER seen? I seriously could pinch his cheeks so hard!



This is Brody's new baby, he bought it for such a great deal and is starting to fix it up. The boys sure love it, I can't get them out of it!

Below are our family pics. I took them, so I know they aren't perfect, but they work!





This is the boys at the pumpkin patch, Bingham said he was a scarecrow and Boen just waved and said cheese! So cute!

I found my ghost!

Well, I started thinking, maybe a ghost really wasn't such a bad thing. After all it hadn't done my family any harm, just a few startling moments, nothing too life altering. Of course my imagination takes off and I think maybe its Patrick Swayze, I could take up pottery, I like to be creative. But no that is wrong, after all I am a married woman!
I was up in my bedroom on Friday making my bed and low and behold the ghost, of course he comes when Brody is at work, he darts out from under my bed. I give the most ear wrenching scream, which of course wakes the baby. A rat! Ahhhhh! Like the size of a small cat! I jump up on my bed, but really all I saw was the tail, it looked wet and slimy almost just as it reached my dresser to squeeze under for safety. Buddy, I am more scared of you than you are of me, I'm thinking! But why oh why couldn't it be a ghost, ghost can't hurt you. They aren't even remotely scary compared to a dirty slimy hairy stinky old rat! I called Brody and told him and he promised to bring home traps. Traps I think, traps can't catch that monster, it will have to be some sort of gas to lay this guy out! So, last night while I was trying to fall asleep I remembered how when I was a little girl I had a wild imagination. I used to catch grasshoppers and sing to them on my Grammy's porch, I imagined they were playing their violin legs along until I had to let them get home to their families, who of course were worried at home. And I thought about the time I caught a squirrl in the cabin at Pine Top. I set a peanuts up the back steps and proped the door open. I dreamed of how jealous everyone would be about my darling new pet that I'd put on a leash and take on walks and he'd sleep in my bed, if only. But when I caught him my Aunt Lauri told me he'd hurt me so I let him go. So, I guess I imagined I had a ghost, it still doesn't explain the HELP ME on the wall or the hidden room, but maybe I have a literate rat that is spoiled and needs his own room that is carpeted!
Early this morning I woke up to some noises, I laid in bed so still, then it happened SNAP! Blood curdling scream, Brody jumps out of bed, but that little stinker got away. I did happen to see its tail again, this time with less imagination, it wasn't a ghost, or a rat at all just a simple mouse. But as it ran under Brody's closet door its tail seemed to flip me off as it had before. So, as of now we don't have our Ghostly mouse, but soon very soon I am certain of this! I'll keep you posted!

So, goodbye dear ghost, and hello to the literate mouse!

My first wedding cake!

I made this wedding cake for my darling sis in law and new bro in law! It was fun, and actually not to difficult! It was a beautiful wedding with some amazing details, oh the details!

Could my house be Haunted???

I absolutely love my new house. There are so many wonderful things about it, but things aren't always what they seem...
My house was built in 1937, so it is now almost 73 yrs old. I'd like to find out a little more about the history. I know the past two owners, so I may have to check with them about what I am about to share with you...
I have been hearing some strange noises since about the first week we moved in. It sounds like a child is running up and down the hallway upstairs. I heard it, but didn't want to say anything to Brody because I knew he'd get mad at me. (I am always the one that has to look into the attic, ever since he saw Grudge, and check out scary ghostly things). He gets too freaked out!
The first time Brody noticed it he called me when I was in California and said he had heard some strange noises. He said he heard a child in the hallway, he jumped out of bed to look, but nothing was there. He did this a couple of times each night, but never saw anything. I told him I had heard the same thing. I know it is not in the attic, because you'd hear it above you, not next to you, and we know it is not a small as a mouse or a rat, it is distinctly the size of a child, or at least a dog, but sounds like two feet... I looked in the attic which is small because our upstairs is basically the attic, but saw nothing unusual. I did find a hidden room behind Brody's closet. It has carpet, but the walls aren't finished, spooky! And last week Brody found the strangest thing in the hallway upstairs- HELP ME -carved into the wall. Yes, carved not written. It is so small but totally freaks me out. I thought I could help the spirit of this child find the light, like on Ghost Whisperer, but now I think its time for a professional intervention, because things are getting creepy with the HELP ME. Brody doesn't like talking about it so I thought I'd see what any of you guys thought I should do!
Oh and when I am home alone when the kids have been asleep I always hear strange noises, doors and creaks, I always think I am getting robbed, but it could be tied together.
Proof is in the picture
Proof is in the picture

Second post today!

I just wanted to share a few good reads with you!
Hunger Games this was a great book, I read it a couple of months ago and really enjoyed myself so much that I read it in a matter of hours! It really gets you thinking about life and war and what could happen to us in the future! READ FOR SURE!!!
Catching Fire the sequel to Hunger Games, almost more exciting than the first and yes I read it in two days! I really enjoyed this book, as far as sequels go I usually don't even bother, but glad I did! CHECK IT OUT!
and of course I am reading the newest Nicholas Sparks book The Last Song I'll let you know about it when I am finished!

Summer is officially ending

We are so sad Summer is coming to an end, but we are excited for the changing season with the beautiful leaves and cool air (hopefully coming tomorrow). I think the thing we will miss most about summer is swimming and playing in the water. I am trying to come up with some creative ways to fill the next season. The pics above are from Labor Day spent at Aunt Lauri and Uncle Greg's where we swam and ate to our hearts desire!
This is a picture of Bingham's new "BFF" he is such a darling little boy and we are so greatful to have a little boy just Bingham's age so close by! During this particular playdate they decided they needed to put glasses on because of the bright sun! They sure are cute, don't you think?
And last but certainly not least I need to thank my hard working husband for hsi labor of love. Look out our bounty! I have been cooking with these each night and it sure makes it more fun when it comes out of your own garden, and not to mention much tastier! We are still getting tomatoes galore. I am afraid I might turn a bright shade of red very soon due to the mass quantities of tomatoes I have consumed! My sister told me a great easy recipe for tomatoes!
Tomato Sandwiches
one piece of your fav. whole wheat bread toasted
spread Veggie cream cheese on top
and simply slice a tomato on top
I always add a bit of season salt on top!
De-lish!