For You.

       I love you. I'm so glad I have you forever. I miss you while your gone.

Ward Trunk or Treat

Decorated the trunk of my car all Halloween-like. Hooked up all the kids with handfuls of candy--they had alot and its two days before the real trick or treating! 

Locked out

I never thought I would be the person to lock myself out of the house. With no spare key.  Luckily, we have a doggie door. Even though I didn't need to jam my head & shoulder through the door, at the time I felt it was the smart way to get back inside. 

It took me 3 or 4 attempts to use my momentum, snag the lock and unlock it. Later that night when I was reenacting my break-in, I challenged Evan to see if he could get in through the door. This was his way. 

Needless to say, he is the brains of the family! It was much easier to just put my arm in the door and reach up than to cut off my angle by putting my head and shoulder in. Learn something new everyday.

My Faith

I had a discussion aka "exchange of personal beliefs" today with a man {Luthern Pastor} that comes to my fitness center. He was working out and I was making sure he was doing it right.  I had mentioned a series I had been watching about the King James version of the Bible on BYUtv and the things I found interesting about the series. He then asked me a succession of questions regarding my faith "Mormonism" {The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints}. What I found interesting about our "discussion" was that in all the things he asked me it was never about whether I believed in Jesus Christ. If I knew he was my Savior and Redeemer. He focused on trying to bait me into a contentious argument about whether I felt he was "saved" and going to heaven. He focused on our differences of his belief in the trinity {God in 3 forms} and my belief in the Godhead {3 separate beings with 1 purpose}. Our differences about true scripture and my belief that God still speaks to a prophet today, continuing revelation. I was grateful for my conscious effort to keep the Spirit in our discussion. I was grateful that I was able to point out our commonalities and bear my testimony of my Savior, His redeeming love and grace. I just dont quite understand how people who believe that the life I lead and the faith I believe isn't considered "Christian" yet the first opportunity this man who calls himself a "Christian" because he "reads the Bible" is bashing the Catholic faith for worshipping Saints and "having it all wrong." I wonder what the world would be like if people would consider asking the questions," How has Christ strengthened you in your life? Or what does Christ mean to you? Or How do you feel we can come closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?" Our world has a tendency to focus on how we are all different. But God knew that there would be differences in peoples beliefs and opinions after Christ was crucified. He sent the Apostle Paul out to teach the people. I love this record of when Paul went and taught the Ephesians about the reasoning for missionaries around the world and messengers like himself sent by God. In Ephesians 4:11-16 he records:

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

I will be grateful for the day when someone won't just assume I am not Christian because I attend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I will be grateful for the day when someone will ask me who my Savior is instead of asking me why I don't drink coffee or alcohol and assume I must not be Christian. Until that day, I will be grateful that I can live my life in such a way that someone who doesnt know Christ will learn of him because of my example.

YES!

It's Wednesday! We have been busy with work, new Zumba routine to teach to my oldies but goodies class {I been doing the Zumba dancing} and researching and writing a paper {well Evs has been doing the school part}. It sure is a beautiful day today in sunny So Cal. Partly Cloudy and 65 degrees, love me some sweater weather.

Hard at work

My nephews Brian and Jason have been selling caramel popcorn for weeks now to raise money to cover their Boy Scout Camp costs..etc They go out with their wagon filled with popcorn in hopes that someone will buy some. $20 or even $50 for a bag of popcorn never hurt anyone! Surely anyone could find a cheaper bag of caramel anywhere else in the world, but what's the fun in that right? Besides, look at how cute and dedicated these Boy Scouts are, they are out roaming the streets of Oregon, even with a missing wagon wheel! Such a motivation!

This is the boys calling me on skype when they weren't hard at work with the wagon. How could I possibly say no to beggars with those cute faces. They even did their "official" door approach.

Being Strong

I have a member that comes into my health center that is 77 years old. His famous words are, "Let me tell you a story.." Of course I am not going to say, "No!" So I just sit and listen. Yesterday he was telling me about how weak he has become since he was in his younger years. And the story goes like this: He was working at a Ranch doing all the clean up and feeding and such. One of the Animal Docs wanted him to work with him because he was bilingual. So one day he was driving around with the doctor in this big truck. The doctor stopped and got out to make a visit and he decided he wanted to get into the drivers seat and try to drive {note: he was intoxicated??} Well instead of going forward he went in reverse and hit a pitchfork flattening the tire. He hurried back into the passenger seat and the doctor came out and asked what happened. He put on an act as if he had no idea what the Doc was talking about and was shocked to see a pitchfork in the tire. Well the Doc was unable to get the jack underneath the car so my member said he got out of the car, walked over and just lifted up the truck! He said I didn't even know I could lift up a truck. I used to be so strong...the story goes on but I dont want to document it for boredom sake. All yesterday I tried to ponder what I got from his story. What I got from it was that we are stronger than we think we are. We all have weaknesses and we experience trials in our life that drain us and make us feel weak. But really things we endure and experience can make us strong. I love this scripture from the Book of Mormon:

Ether 12:27

      And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Our Heavenly Father and Savior will make us strong when we are weak. Often times its the things we feel are draining our strength that develop our strength and in turn make us stronger.

When my member told me how weak he has become since his younger years, I knew it wasn't completely because he is now a young 77 and not 19, its because he failed to maintain his strength through exercise and taking care of himself. I wonder if I could apply that to myself. When I am feeling weak, is it because I have failed to pray often? Or failed to study my scriptures consistently? Have I failed to serve others? Or have I failed to "Come Unto Him" as the scripture(s) state? Whatever it may be--I know that I can become strong especially when I need it most.

He always finds a way...

to make my day!
He found a giant bag with these mixed inside with another candy!
I love you my hubby!

I have been searching everywhere for this yummyness and apparently its SPECIAL EDITION. I found it at one store, bought 2 and went back and they were gone..I am not a chocolate (milk,dark) eater {more like despiser} but I sure do like these things even though they are very bad for me!

I also got some of these bad boys. They were a bonus {they came in the medley bag}.

THANK YOU HALLOWEEN TIME!! Sorry Trick or Treaters I will NOT be sharing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY..

to my nephew Jason L. Ritchie!

8 years old-what a great age! I hope you enjoyed your donuts and juice you had at school this morning. I wish we could be there to celebrate with you!

Taking a Sunday Ride

They love taking a ride in the car.

We spent our Saturday...

Sleeping in til 9am.

Watching Naders soccer game with the Fallans & T&M Greco.

Eating apple pie and a ginormous pickle{me} @ Riley's Farm in Oak Glen.

Taking fun fall pictures with Britt.

Eating Cafe Rio with J&B Greco.
What a nice day!

   Happiness is a choice. Make the choice. Be Happy.

Happy Birthday...

to my identical twin nieces: the TWO miracles

Aliyah Jane {3lbs 3 oz} & Chiara Mae {4lbs 6oz}Born on October 12, 2011--9 minutes apart and 6 weeks early.  

Congrats to the proud parents my baby brother, Corey & his fiance, Martika Biehn.

Dog Party

Last Friday, Grandpa "B" went into surgery for a pacemaker. My Mom has been back and forth to Orange County, sometimes she sleeps over night at Grandpas, other times she comes home then goes back the next day. Yesterday a package Evan had shipped to my parents house had arrived and he was so anxious to go get it, so at 9 pm at night he drove to my parents and got it. Well he also found Libby, my Mom's wire haired dachsaund, all alone and whining. Needless to say, Sage and Jade were excited to have Libby over to play with them. Im sure they were thinking P-A-R-T-Y-T-I-M-E!! Libby will be staying with us until further notice.

In the car on the way to our house.

Libby misses my Mom, but she is enjoying the party. She had fun at the dog park running all over. She has even learned to use the doggie door.

Hmmm... Libby seems to be a little out of place... Or maybe it's Jade! She is such a bed stealer.

Having a Hope



       

               {Picture from: Tao the Giraffe}

 "Eventually all things fall into place. Until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moments, and know everything happens for a reason." --Albert Schweitzer

Farewell Chandler

Dear Chandler,

You were a good snake to me and to those that had custody of you while I was gone for many years and couldn't take you with me {to Washington, Oregon, Hawaii}. I am sorry that I don't have time to handle you as much as you deserve to be handled. Please don't feel abandoned by me, I just wanted a better life for you in captivity.

Have a good life Chandler with your new girlfriend. Make lots of offspring!

Weekend fun with the Uda's

This weekend we were busy busy. We headed to San Marcos, CA early on Saturday morning to surprise our niece, Mia, and nephews, Kai & Kade. All three had soccer games and we were glad to be there to cheer them on. We had a good time with the kiddies. Its so fun to be so close to family. While we were there we dropped Sage & Jade off at the nearby groomers, they smelled so clean and looked so bright white after their day @ the spa..{I wish I could keep them that clean}. After the third day, Sage was peeing and Jade was sniffing around the same area, the next thing I know Jade had pee on her head..geez! Here's our day.

{We hadn't seen Kade since he lost a front tooth. We laughed that we both have a missing front tooth}

{Kade played hard. He ran fast after the ball; he even got to play goalie. He was the most excited that we were there, he stopped what he was doing to be excited--it made my day, to make his day--}

{the supporting crew 2 games down already 1 to go}

{Little boy loves his trains}

{studly hubby}

{Trace is such a cutie}

{Kai would not let me take a picture. He wasn't feeling well today, but still went after the ball and had a few good plays.}

{Superstar Mia-we were taching her earlier about containing the player instead of stabbing at the ball. She did well with her knew knowledge considering she learned it that morning}

Weekend fun with the little Greco's

   On our way to J&B house from San Marcos, CA. Can you say bored?? Or maybe just call it age TWO?

                                            
She must have been so bored that she took my hand sanitizer that was hanging on my purse, {mistake for setting that next to her} and rubbed it all over her like lotion. Boy was it fragrant in my car. I just assumed my air freshner started working really well.

This little guy is such a ball of fun. He is happy and you just want to kiss and hug him a million times!

What a happy camper in the morning-first thing she requests is to watch a show, food and juice

                                     

                                     {Fresh & Clean with their adorable Halloween bandanas}

           Fun @ the Park

Such a smart little girl. You show her how to do it once and she doesn't need your help anymore.

Second round of either being bored or at the age TWO. Took the shampoo bottle went under our bed and dumped it out. After finding her, she says "Uh-Oh I made a mess, I need toilet paper."

Since Jade did not want this loveable 2 year old brushing her, Ru took it upon herself to be sneaky and corner Jade in the doggy bed to brush her.

I love these kids so much! What fun we had!

After the park, we went to my childhood Best Friend, Selina, her daughter, Elizabeth's, birthday party. It was alot of fun. Good food and good fun! Of course there was a pinata, a mexican party just wouldn't be the same!