Mia Maid Class Planner

I love serving in the Young Women's organization!  It has been my most favorite calling by far.  Anyone in this calling knows how important it is to stay organized.  I know that when I am organized our activities are of higher quality and our lessons are filled with the spirit.  One of the things I feel that is stressed by the leaders of the church is helping the girls become better leaders.  I mean, Mia Maids are only a few years from being able to serve missions.  So I try so hard to let the girls be in charge.  I have been searching for a long time to find a planner that would help my our Mia Maids run their presidency meetings following the guidelines of the handbook without too much of my intervention.  I could not find anything I liked, so decided to create one myself.  I printed it double sided and had it bound.  I had mine bound by a neighbor, but I think its only a couple of dollars to bind at Office Depot or Office Max.  I hope this helps someone else.

You can find it here.  Mia Maid Class Planner

Best part about the snow we got today!

Warm Weather & My Garage

Its the end of January and we have had the best winter weather. The sun has been shining and you can't see your breath when you are outside. Its a beautiful thing! Last week we even BBQ'd--it was the best. I have been especially grateful for the warmer weather because of my garage. My garage is full of stuff. When we finished the basement we moved all of the stuff from the basement to the garage. I am almost embarrased to open the garage door because it looks like we belong on an episode of "Hoarders". In the meantime my van has to sit in the driveway until we haul all the junk away. The bad part is that when it gets cold the doors freeze shut. Even better than that if I try to open the sliding door behind the driver seat it will open just a crack, but will not shut again. So, I end up driving kids to school with my baby on my lap and all the lights in the car on. I am SOOOOOOOO grateful for my garage and an unfrozen car in the winter. I never realized how much until I didnt have it. Next winter I am going to smile everytime I look in the garage and see my van. :}

Happy to be a Super Star

I am going to start out with an easy one. I am grateful for my baby! He is the sunshine in my life. I love all my children, but McKay makes it all worth it. He doesnt talk back, he doesnt complain, he doesn't fight with his brothers or sister, and he smiles at me like I am a super star. I love being so important! I wish this stage would never end!

Word for 2011

Inspired by a talk given by Henry B. Eyring I have decided that my word for 2011 is RECOGNIZE. I need to take time to recognize God's kindess in my life. In spite of my inability to be a good blogger I am going to (or at least attempt to) blog each day this year with this thought in my mind:

Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch me or my family today?

My life is just too busy to stop and see the good. I have become cynical and most of the time just see my trials instead of my blessings. I am eager to start this year with a new outlook.

I have decided to make my blog private so I can express sincerity with just a few and not the whole world. If you would like to view my blog just let me know.

School Portraits

Can you believe how fast this summer is flying by? What happened to June?

Well, if you are getting ready for the new school year like I am you need to check out the fantastic deal that I am offering on school portraits.

You will receive a CD with 5 images of your child to print as you would like for only $15!!!!

Check out
http://www.cmomentsphotography.blogspot.com
for more information!

Our Memorable Weekend

This weekend Nathan and I got away without kids. It was our first getaway (for more than an afternoon or evening) in years. We didnt go far, but it felt like we were. We spent our weekend in St. George. It was nice! Our relaxing weekend included:

a very nice hotel. A friend of Nathan suggested La Quinta. We were skeptical, but read the reviews and thought we would try it. They are reasonably priced and have great accomadations. I was impressed!

holding hands at the movies. We saw the new Star Trek movie. I am not a Star Trek fan, but the previews intrigued me and I have to say this movie was pretty good! We both gave it a thumbs up!



lots of yummy food. On Friday evening we took a drive to a small town called Pine Valley to eat at a 5 star steakhouse. That was the best steak I have ever had! We also got to have an In-N-Out burger which Nathan enjoyed so much that he had to have another. We also indulged in a Cranberry Coke from Sonic!

an hour massage. SO NICE!!!

shopping at the outlets. I found tons of bargains (.99 cent bargains) at The Children's Place and $1 flip-flops for everyone from Old Navy.


and a visit to the St. George Temple. We spent about an hour just sitting on a bench in front of the temple just enjoying the peace. It was nice just being together and enjoying each others company.

It was only three days, but it was long enough to relax and spend time with my sweetie! We are already planning our next one. Does anyone have any suggestions of a great cruise?

The Month of May

The month of May has gone by so fast. Some of the highlights of our month include:

We celebrated Camden's 7th birthday with a yummy ice cream cake from Coldstone.

His favorite gifts were his electic scooter and a clock radio he received from Grandma.

Riley has been busy with soccer. There is never a dull moment when Riley's playing soccer.

Riley also finished Preschool. They had a graduation celebration with songs and poems and alligator cake.

After the Rain

Saturday was a slightly warm and muggy wet day. We had a soccer game at 8am that morning. It was sprinkling when we got to the field, but by the end of the game it was pouring. Even with our big beach umbrella, blankets, and coats we were all soaked and dripping by the end. Riley was such a great sport. He put in his best effort dispite his wet clothes sticking to him. Actually, we had a great time and laughed a lot about the rain. After we got home from the game I got this picture of a fantastic rainbow. I took it at a darker exposure to capture the color, but it really lit up the sky.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

Last week was a fun and busy week for pictures! I have been working hard to get them all processed! A few of the highlights include:

"Oh my word!" is all I can say!

Love babies in tutus! I will share more of these later. This was definately a week for cute girls in tutus!

This little guy is an angel! As long as he had his binki he was game for anything. He never made a peep! At 2 weeks he showed us lots of his sweet personality.

I have to admit that High School Seniors are my favorite! LOVE, love, love them! These were so fun! We took them at a great location with perfect light.

I currently still have a few spots left in June and July. If you want some pictures call me soon! I am filling up fast.

Time For Something New

Hey, now dont get any ideas. I am not starting any new hobbies. My husband has been watching a gardening show. The show's host, although I cannot recall his name, prides himself on his homemade tonics and how they work wonders on your lawn, flowers, and veggie gardens. The lawn tonic, lucky enough, has beer in it. The funny thing is that I have never shopped for beer before. It is crazy all the different brands, types, and varying prices. How does anyone choose their booze?? Keystone Light is probably the big K of beers because it is considerably cheaper than the rest. I made Nathan put it in a bag and keep it in the fridge in the garage. However, when he got it out to make his tonic I let each of my kids smell it so they could see how awful it smells. Good lesson! Kids, Never drink beer its just better used as a lawn fertilizer--Look smell!

Friday was overcast, but nice enough do work on the yard. Nathan planted seeds for the garden with the boys. The boys have been grounded for the last few days, so they LOVED being outside with Dad.

Its Positive

Okay, so I have been non-existant in the blogging world for a while, but I really have a good excuse. We are expecting! I am only 12 weeks along, but it has been a long 12 weeks. I was sick with both Riley and Morgan, but this little peanut has thrown me for a loop! I am not complaining because I know other women have it worse than me or are not able to be pregnant, but I am looking forward to the next trimester. I know that I will feel better soon because I always do! I am due in October which is exciting because each of my children were born in a different season and I have always wanted a fall baby! We are so excited to have another little person join our family.

The Draper Temple

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go and visit the Draper Temple open house. It was a neat experience for our kids. We parked at a church a few blocks from the temple. Inside the church we watched a video about the history of Draper and the temple. After the presentation we loaded a bus and drove up to the temple. The colors and furniture and details are so beautiful! As we went into each room I tried to explain why it was special. I was overwhelmed with emotions as we sat in a sealing room together and we talked about the mirrors and how we go on forever. I would say it was a one of the only times my kids have been quiet for more than 5 minutes straight. Afterwards they served cookies and water. It was really nice! We took a few pictures in front of the temple. We even got a family pictures because this nice lady approached us and asked if she could take our picture. What a sweet lady!

Tonight I got to go kidless and visit my cousin (more like sister), Nancy in the hospital. She just had her 5th child. She has 4 boys and just had a little girl (YAY!!). I got to hold her sweet little girl and I have to admit it makes me a little baby hungry. I havent been truly baby hungry in a very long time. I had to take a few pictures. I can't wait to take more!

Doesnt she have the cutest name!