YOU are so ~b*e*a*u*t*i*f*u*l~ to me....

We thumb through the magazines and see page after page of beautiful women, thin women, flawless skin, teeth perfectly straight and whiter than a piece of paper. The sad thing about this is... we actually believe what we see! We don't get to see the airbrushing, touching up, thinning and whitening that goes on before the pictures ever get printed in the magazine. In reality, the pictures are not even real...they are what sells and what we believe to be true.  These women just like all of us are not exempt from freckles, acne, weight gain, aging or anything else we must face.

Well...this girl here in this picture is the REAL thing and that's exactly what makes her so beautiful!!!! She recently had her pictures taken and upon receiving the printed pictures...she says to me "Where is my birthmark?" I knew that it had been taken out of the photos, but was wondering if she noticed it or not. So I continued to listen to her, because I was not quite sure if she wanted her birthmark in the picture or not.

(I should give a little explanation about the birthmark: when I was pregnant with Makayla the Dr's told us that she may be born with disabilities. We fasted and prayed much on her behalf and when she was born she was a perfect beautiful baby girl.  I immediately noticed a very pink birthmark on the end of her nose. We always made it into a positive attribute and told her how lucky she was because before she came to this earth, an angel kissed her and left her lipstick on her nose. That was always the story she told her friends.  To me, her birthmark has always been a reminder of what could have been.)

But at 16, she tells the story far less than before, so did she want the birthmark anymore or not? I honestly did not know how she felt about it and whether or not she would choose to keep the pictures with the birthmark taken out.  She looked at all of the pictures up close and then says to me..."that is not me, it is strange to see myself without my birthmark.  Can you get them remade with my birthmark in them?" so of course I say would.  My calmness at the situation even surprised me. Because on the inside I am just jumping up and down and cheering about it all....she proved to me that day how beautiful she truly is!!!

She has chosen to embrace something that may be a little different than everyone else.  There is only one person that is capable of giving her that birthmark...and that is her Father in Heaven.  He gave that to her and she knows it is a part of her.  I am so thankful that she knows who she is and what is important.  I love that she does not try to be perfect, that she is willing to be fun and let her hair down and be herself!

Makayla is beautiful on the inside and out! She is the one that always lingers after dinner to help me clean up, she is the one that when  her little sisters sleep in her room she takes time to remind them about having their personal prayers, she is the one that lights up a room when she enters because of her beautiful smile and happy nature.

In my eyes she does not need any touching up! I know that she is not perfect...but for our family...she is absolutely perfect!!! I love this girl that looks in the mirror and is happy with what she sees, is accepting of others that may be a little different and embraces each and every day.  She has compassion for others and just makes you feel good about yourself, just by being around her. I am just so blessed that she calls me....mom!

Easter thoughts........

My Easter thoughts......

How can I not blog today about something so dear to my heart, the Crucifixion of our Savior. As much as this blessed event

breaks my heart and brings me to tears, I know that it was also a necessary event.  Lately my thoughts have

been on this very thing...."necessary events".  What are they and why are they so?  Another necessary

event was when Eve partook of the fruit, had she not we would not all be here so we learn that necessary

events are actually gifts from our Father in Heaven.  If He loves all of His children the same, then wouldn't

it make sense that He also sends us trials which are simply "necessary events". He knows us, He knows

exactly how to mold and shape us.  He knows when we need humbling and He knows exactly the

"necessary event" and trials that will in the outcome make things happen just the way that He wants them to.

Unfortantely, most of our biggest learning and growing experiences come when one has sinned or done something

that requires a lot of forgiveness from us for something they have done to hurt us.  When we truly study the

 Atonement and gain a true understanding and testimony of this event.....our hearts are softened, broken for the

sacrifice that He made for us and full of love for others!  He has done the work!!!! All that He has asked from us is acceptance of His gift.  The acceptance of His gift comes by way of lifting the burdens of others, love and acceptance

of others with His Christlike attitude and most importantly forgiving others....not who we choose, not who is

deserving but ALL! When we truly forgive others and love them unconditionally we show by our actions that we

 have accepted the gift he so freely gave to us.

I am so very thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ and for all that He has done for each of us.  I think of my

Savior alone in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He endured the greatest pains of all.  We all have those days when

we think that no one understands! I am so thankful when I am reminded, yes...there is ONE who understands.

He understands all of the pains that everyone has gone through for He experienced this in the Garden and

somehow it is just a little easier to endure these trials just knowing there is ONE awaiting me.  Waiting to hear my

cries, my thoughts, my sincere prayer of pleading for His help in my life. 

 It is sad that sometimes He literally needs

to take us to our knees to bring Him more fully into our lives, but maybe the next time something bad happens or

you are going through a major trial...you can simply look at it as a "necessary event".  If we look at our trials with

a little more faith in the situation.....that we are about to get to know ourselves, our Father in Heaven and

our Savior a little better, maybe the trial will be a little easier to endure the gift He is trying to give us. It is

always for our good and the blessings we can gain are always worth it!

My Father's Retirement.....

I got a letter from my Father telling me that he was retiring.  At first, not much thought was given to the topic because I knew

this day was coming in the very near future. But as the day went on and I was thinking what this milestone in his life

meant to me.... I decided it really had much more to do with me than I thought. As the day progressed I decided to write him

a letter, this is what it said~

Dad...

Let me personally say thank you! Thank you for the hours and years of work you did on my behalf! Thank you for being a good man and supporting our family. Thank you for always having a roof over my head and food on the table. The Water District was a great job for you and allowed you to do many things and grow all along the way. I remember bringing you down Sunday dinners dozens of times and playing around the rooms and touching buttons I wasn't suppose to. I remember going with the older kids to take pictures down there and all of the many changes that have taken place with construction of the water district. I remember visiting you and thinking it was so great that you worked so close to Grandma's house. I think that always made mom feel good to know you were so close if they ever needed anything.


I sure love you dad and so very much appreciate all of the selfless hours you worked on behalf of our family. Now that I have a family of my own.... I get it! Its a hard job that is rewarding and tiring!


I hope this will give you more freedom to visit us....we would love it!!!


~~~CONGRATULATIONS~~~

I am so very thankful for these memories I was able to have about my Father's working and providing.  It has been over 23 years since I lived under his roof....so to blessed and reminded of all that he has done for me was truly a sweet tender mercy.  I am thankful for

my Dad, I love my Dad, admire and respect him. He always has sound advice for me and is always willing to talk ideas out

with me. He has taught me to be a hard-worker, care for others, to get off the bench and get into the game and one of the

biggest thing he has taught me is to think out of the box....ask questions, even uncomfortable ones and to never just believe

 what I am told, but to do the work and find out for myself!

Thanks Dad!



She's my Sister!

She's My Sister!

One rule at my home has always been....if you can't get along with your own siblings...you can't play with your friends.  Many times, I have had unhappy children because they had to stay home and play with one of their siblings.  I have always had a strong desire to raise children that liked each other...not just tolerated each other!

Well, it was around Christmas time this past year when I started noticing Makayla and Breanna were not tolerating each

other well....in fact, I am pretty sure they were not liking each other at all!  My heart breaks every time I hear a mean thing

said to each other...I knew it had gotten a little out of hand and it was time for me to step in...but how does one make

them like each other. I thought for a few days on this and came up with a plan! 

We got them into the car and told them they needed to go do some service! We told them that we were going to drop

them off at a family members home to clean. I think they would have been ok with doing some service, but the fact that we were dropping them off to do it...did not make them happy. Especially, Makayla who doesn't like to ask for ketchup at

McDonald's...she still sends her little sister to do that! I told them that I had to stop and pick up something at the mall

 real fast before we went. When we got right in front of the mall doors....we handed them an envelope each and a camera

 and said "Get out" we told them there was instructions in the envelope.  They hesistantly got out of the car and walked

into the mall.  It couldn't be too bad right....we thought we were going to clean and now we are at the mall!!!

Inside each envelope was a note with $10. The note explained how much I loved them and how I felt about

how they had been treating each other and that it was important to me that they were friends with each other. I told

them how I felt they were lifelong friends....and should treat each other better. Our sisters can be our best friends when

we grow up and realize what is important in life! Their instructions were this....

1. Pick an outfit out for the other person, try it on and take a picture in it.

2.  Take a picture of each others favorite Christmas decorations in the mall together.

3. Buy dinner for the other...something you think they would like to eat.

4.  Spend the rest of the money on the other person...such as a earrings at Claire's etc.

5.  Spend all of the money...even if you have to find someone to give it to.

6. Don't call for a ride home....until you have had fun together and are friends again!

When we picked them up...they were both happy and laughing and seemed to have had a great time!  The funny thing about the evening was that they actually both walked around the food court without each other and ended back up at the table with the same food for the other!  Breanna bought Makayla her favorite lipgloss and Makayla bought Breanna a cute wallet.

I am glad that they had a good time together and during the next few weeks....

I could really tell they were trying to get along better....

even if it was just to make me happy!  I will take it!!!!

About 4 months after this experience as we were all sitting and visiting after eating dinner...and Makayla states

 "I like our family, I mean I really like it. I like how we all can talk and get along and have fun together."

 Those are the quick moments that flee by if we don't take the time to absorb the feeling and spirit of the moment.

MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER JUST SAID SHE LIKED US!!!!

That moment may not come again....ha ha! But it is definitely these time that we can sit back for a brief moment and think...maybe I am doing something right!

Darlene's Sugar Cookies

This is my mother-in-laws cookie recipe.....I am happy to share, but only ask that you keep the name...."Darlene's Sugar Cookies"....she spent a lot of time perfecting this recipe and it is one we cherish in our family!  When John was growing up she would make these every Valentines Day.  After we got married she would come to our house to visit and make these with me and John would always talk her into making tons and tons of extras to put in the freezer for him.  We miss her dearly but her tradition lives on!

True story about these cookies: John gave a two of them to our dear friend Ernesto in Vegas. (Two doesn't sound like much but the heart we use is really large and for John to part with 2 is BIG!) Well anyway, about a week later John asked Ernesto about them and Ernesto revealed to John that he had been taking only a bite a day because he loved them so much! So awesome....and Yes I did make John give him a few more from his safely and double packaged supply in the freezer! 

The Recipe is for about 20 large hearts(about a 6 inch heart shape cutter)

(When we make this we do it times 3 or 4 is that nuts????) 

1 lb margarine or butter

2 1/2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1/4 cup milk

4 t. vanilla

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t salt

2 T baking powder

8 c. Flour (may need more) 

Mix all ingredients. You may need to chill if it is too hard to work with. Roll out on floured surface and make sure they are thick...you do not want them thin.  Cut into heart shapes and bake for 350 for 12-15 minutes and don't overcook.

THIS IS THE BEST PART OF THIS COOKIE!!!! Each cookie after it cools is dipped in a very red glaze, I buy the bottle of red food coloring.  The red glaze is flavored with cinnamon and each cookie is decorated with an icing that is flavored coconut. Such a great combination!!!! Put the icing in a bag and decorate each one differently....my kids love this part cause they go wild!! (if you don't have an icing bag set you can even just put in a ziploc and snip a very small corner)

Glaze:

1 T. Veg oil

1 1b powdered sugar

Water (a few tsp, just to make a glaze consistency, you want the glaze to be thick enough to stick to the cookie and thin enough to dip the cookie in and let the rest slide off)

cinnamon oil flavoring (like you would use to make suckers) add to your desired taste or hotness

red food coloring

Decorating Icing"

1/2 c. shortening

1 lb. powdered sugar

2 T milk  (may need a little more)

Coconut Flavoring (to your taste) this is found by the vanilla

few grains of salt

Bake all of your cookies and then start the decorating.  You will want to glaze a few and decorate a few....the glaze dries quickly and you don't want to wait to long to decorate or the icing does not stick as well.

Please leave me feedback if you try these....I would love to hear????