THANKFUL Thursday

Things I am THANKFUL for today

1) My washer and dryer
2) Thoughtful, life changing conversations with my sisters that happen almost daily :)
3) Evans arm tickles... oh my they are the best!
4) Music, especially the folky acoustic type
5) That I am finally beginning to like myself

End of Summer Days

Though it will still be summer feeling here for another month or 2 we have had a few days of dry northern air and made me miss my hometown. I have imagined the trees were changing their colors and the brisk fall breeze.... ahhhh, oh well, we'll just have to vacation I guess. It has been a fabulous summer!


BurgerFry and Abe-y Baby enjoying a little time in the fresh air.

Fueld Office and Recent Shoot

This is a commercial that B/Fueld just did here is Austin. It is a little different from what he generally does because it required stop motion animation so we flew in his brother Chad Hurst who is a professional photographer to man the camera. It was a very successful day! Now B spends today with his out of state clients to edit and then more clients from a different state the rest of the week ;).



Here are some photos of their new office. Penn Field is an old world war 1 air force base constructed in 1918 that has been renovated,. The facility offices lots of cool design firms, architects and now a really talented production company :) All the offices have original brick and remnant of history in its construction, it is way cool. Ben and Brady have been given the green light to do some remodeling but so far have had very little time to even think about it let alone meet with contractors. I'll post pics of all their improvements as soon as they are done.

BUILDING a Testimony - Make a Plan

In relief society my sweet dear friend Natalie gave the lesson on the PLAN OF SALVATION. She did such a beautiful job. She summed up the "plan" in literally 30 seconds and then led a thoughtful discussion about the power of knowing where we come from and where we are going. What struck me was her question about "What do you plan for?"... I was immediately flooded with confirmation that a "plan" is essential. .... We need to have a plan to make life and each day more meaningful and more purposeful even a plan to have fun with your family, a plan to bring to pass the peace, happiness and joy we all crave. It can be simple and concise but taking the time to think things through and write a little "to do" note would make all the difference.

I believe this is true, it is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ
Amen

For more on this go to BUILD YOUR TESTIMONY

THANKFUL Thursday

Things I am thankful for today..

1) That Ben is coming home from Denver! :)
2) A home that provides us safety and shelter, in lieu of Ike heading our way.
3) Daidy's drawings and the way she cocks her head to the side (like Forest Gump) when she colors a picture.
4) Kids chores... it is great that I never have to clean a toilet or empty a garbage anymore.
5) Good and LOYAL friends.

I Think I AM a Cinderella!

You Are Cinderella!

Dignified and hard working. With a gentle and soft-spoken manner you have something many people don't. Patience. Even through the moments of heartbreak you're still able to hold onto all of your hopes and dreams. Bide your time; your dream will come true.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Why Do You Blog?

I have been focused lately on making my life more meaningful, in every area. A few months back I was telling someone why I blog and it occurred to me that I have never really known why. Besides the obvious fact that it is a great way to stay connected and it is my family "Scrapournal" =scrapbook+journal. My intentions are at the end of every year to publish our blog into a book for our families yearbook. I am a big journal keeper and have many volumes for many different reasons, 15 to be exact BUT I do not scrapbook so I thought blogging would be a great thing, which it is and it has become a bit of a hobby for me. My quandary has been that I have not wanted this little hobby to consume me nor did I want to have the guilt of "wasting time blogging". The other thing that has pursued my conscience is not wanting to expolite me or my family.... hard not to do. So I have found a middle ground that has worked for me. For me making my blog more meaningful has increased my blogging pleasure. I hope I do not bore you with my random thoughts or ideas and trust me I do pretned to know all the answers (not even close) but a large part of my quality of life comes from making my life more meaningful in every way. So I wanted to pose a question to you few fellow readers, "WHY do YOU blog?"

BUILDING a Testimony - Mothers Who Know

Sister Julie Becks talk, "Mothers Who KNOW" given in General Conference November 2007. As you know this is one of my MOST loved talks and have had it quoted on my blog for many months because it spoke right to me . I believed everything she said and I fundamentally believe I am most of what she said though I fall short often... all too often that is why I love it so. It builds me and reminds me what is most important and where my focus should be... all the time. I have very intense feelings about my motherhood and this talk sums up a great deal about what I am passionate about.... These brilliant and inspired words below are Sister Julie Becks words but they could have been mine. I believe them, I know our work as mothers is paramount, I know this it true, that is my testimony!
In the name or Jesus Christ
Amen

"Mothers who know desire to bear children. Faithful daughters of God desire children. In the scriptures we read of Eve (see Moses 4:26), Sarah (see Genesis 17:16), Rebekah (see Genesis 24:60), and Mary (see 1 Nephi 11:13–20), who were foreordained to be mothers before children were born to them. Some women are not given the responsibility of bearing children in mortality, but just as Hannah of the Old Testament prayed fervently for her child (see 1 Samuel 1:11), the value women place on motherhood in this life and the attributes of motherhood they attain here will rise with them in the Resurrection (see D&C 130:18). Women who desire and work toward that blessing in this life are promised they will receive it for all eternity, and eternity is much, much longer than mortality.
Mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes
These mothers plan for the future of their organization. They plan for prayer, scripture study, and family home evening.
Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all.

Women who know are strong and immovable and who do not give up during difficult and discouraging times.

When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children."

THANKFUL Thursday

Things I am THANKFUL for today...

1) That I can be a stay at home mom and love up my children ALL day!
2) Cell Phones... what did we ever do without them?
3) Family Home Evening and family council
4) Free Public Schools and great teachers
5) Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

Preschool is Back

Preschool Coop is back in action for Douba. She started yesterday and though we were late, I totally spaced it thinking it was Monday when it was really Tuesday, she still had a great time and loves being with friends!

Labor Day In Dallas

We went to Dallas to visit B's parents (Reed and Jolene) of the weekend and had a great time. We were also able to spend a good deal of time with Ben's Sister Haley and family) and his youngest brother Clay (and family) since they do not live too far away. We all had a really good time. Here are some pictures of out fun weekend.

Lots of swimming and pool time




Fishes Skateboard lessons with Uncle Nick! Thanks Nick your awesome!


The long awaited feast at Costa Vida... yummy. BTW as long as B insists on being a dork (note the food sticking out of his mouth)in our pictures I am going to start posting them. Then when he complains about the pictures I posted of him, I can say "serves you right... not so funny now huh buddy!?"

Sunday Pictures



All the "Girl Cousins". Douba and Jada, the one on the far right are only 3 months part, had so much fun together getting to know each other. I was really impressed how well they got along, BFF.

Super YUM lunch at Hard 8 Barbecue! Holy smokes it would be worth the drive to Dallas for that yumminess!


Scooby Doube. She is just too cute!

BUILDING a Testimony - Spiritual Journal

I am beginning a new tradition in my BLOG. Since we have been encouraged by the 1st presidency of our wonderful church to share the gospel using whatever medium possible. I decided to start a new tradition every Sunday to share a small part of my testimony that has grown as result of attending our sabbath services or some other event that has strengthened my testimony throughout the week.

I will post a small piece of that testimony on this blog each week but will elaborate on those feelings on my "spiritual blog" Build Your Testimony. If you have interest in reading please contact me.

I KNOW this church is true and I know we all receive personal revelations. I am very passionate about writing down the spiritual events in your life. If you will record them there will more direction and guidance from our Heavenly Father to follow.

I KNOW this is true. It is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ
Amen

THANKFUL Thursday

1) That I am alive
2) Maggie (my dog)
3) My kids SPECIAL blankets (Baa Boo, Boo Boo, Way Wee)
4) Early mornings
5) Road trips and long conversations

Politics Shamolitics (edited)

Don't they look good together? I can see it.

Earlier today I posted a rather emotional post, once I cooled down I realized I was ranting. I decided to edit my original post for fear I was being too harsh. What I was trying to say was that politics in general are on my nerves. I will apologize in advance and want to preface this by stating no offense intended to my liberal and democratic friends or family, we are all entitled to our opinions and I respect that. I won't bore you with all my political ideas, I am not smart enough or know enough anyway besides deep down I really hate politics but I do have to say that after watching the democratic convention the last few days (which Hannity says it is the "convention of this country sucks") it has been confirmed to me I am defiantly a conservative and a republican. The outspoken democrats that seem to steal the limelight on prime time TV bug me! Do they ever have anything positive to say, EVER? Though they are stating THEIR opinions, generally THESE democrats are overwhelmingly whinny, negatie, critical, self righteous, fake, full of shallow words and promises and appear to have few things in mind other than taking control of our country's government. They talk about having unity but what it seems they are really after is a monopoly. That would be scary!

John McCain is not my "favorite of all time" candidates, I have issues with him too but there really is no such thing as a perfect politican, he certainly is the lesser of evils and his fundamentals I agree with most, so REPUBLICAN I am through and through!

Go McCain Romney!

Back to School

Back to school here we come! The boys 1st day at Nan Clayton Elementary was yesterday and is was a huge success. It is just the cutest school! School starts very early here and that is going to take some getting use to but besides that, they had a great day, already making friends and they all seem to have fabulous teachers. I am just so proud of my boys, they are all confident and kind and natural born leaders. You would have never suspect it was their 1st day in a new school, from all it appearances it looked liked they'd known the kids in their classes for years.





They get to ride the bus which is new experience for them.

Pedernales Falls State Park

This is the coolest place, Pedernales Falls. It felt like we were right on the bayou, I could have closed my eyes and heard the sirens from "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" singing on the rocks beside me. We had BLAST! We packed a picnic lunch, Sam and Daidy Bear dug in the sand, the boys (B included) floated their bodies down the river and jumped from huge boulders into the water, it was just tons of fun!