Brownies

Brooklyn's 2nd birthday

2009-05-03T15:40:00.000-07:00

Today is my niece, Brooklyn's 2nd Birthday. I am in Nebraska for two weeks and fortunately I was able to be here for both her's and her sister's (Kayllen)birthday. We went to church today and I just have to say that the testimony meeting was the best one I have ever been to. With the exception of one--they were true testimonies! The first testimony was borne by a boy maybe eight years old and he gave the most purest testimony I have ever heard by a boy of that age. Following him were a grandmother and her granddaughter. The granddaughter spoke first and the grandmother second. The grandmother was visiting and she shared a wonderful testimony. Then a few more people spoke followed by another couple of children. After the meeting a president came up to me and shook my hand. I am guessing that it was the Stake President. I thought that it was neat that he came up to us and introduced himself but I forgot his name. I am so bad with names. Oh,well my dad couldn't remember his name either and my bother-in-law and sister just moved into the ward. So needless to say we were pleasantly welcome.
After church, Brooklyn and I went outside. She has a swing and I pushed her while Max played in the yard. While I we were doing that Jennifer and our mom made chocolate pie for Dustin and Blackberry Pie for Virgil. Then Jennifer made the most amazing dinner! I have been waiting for 5 months to have this meal! It is chicken and asparagus with creamy dijon mustard sauce.
Then we sang happy birthday to Virgil with a single candle like the one in this video. Brooklyn was so cute after she woke up from her nap. We had High School Musical playing in the back ground. Brooklyn got a white dress from me and Grammie and Papa. She got princess shoes from her mom and dad. So, after she opened all her presents, Brooklyn put on her princess shoes and danced with her Papa. It was the most precious thing I have seen her do! I getting all teary eyed. I captured the moment by taking a video on my camera. I would have made a video of the dancing but my camera was out of memory. Well, this is beginning to sound like a journal more than a blog but whatever. So, all-in-all it has been a perfect day!!!

Haircolor/cut evening with a twist...

2009-04-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

So yesterday my mom got the works! She asked me to color her hair so I gave her two better and added a haircut and style to the mix. Usually hair has to be dirty for an updo to look it's best, but since she has naturally curly hair and super coarse, it is easier to style just after it has been colored and cut. She was being VERY patient with me today and so I figured why not give her the works. As you can see-- this is what I came up with. The bottom is in a twist and the top is hanging out. The other side looks like I swirled the hair to make an "S" shape. (I did not take a picture of that side, but it looks like a backwards S.)
For those of you who know what her hair looks like on a typical day you will notice that I have cut a shorter layer at the top of her head. I did that because the last time I cut her hair I forgot to cut that section of hair so now it looks like it was meant to be that way. I showed her how much hair was cut and she commented to me that it was a lot. Maybe I did go a bit too short. Oops...my bad. Oh well, the good thing about hair is that it grows back. :0)

P.S. Mom, if you are reading this...don't be mad. :)

P.P.S. The rose was left over from the arrangements from Carlyn's reception. It was the last one to look decent after 5 days! Pretty good for five days and a ROSE. I gave the rose to my mom when I took it out of her hair and it is sitting in a glass full of water.

Lizzie and Easter Hairdos

2009-04-26T00:21:00.000-07:00

Well, some of these pictures were taken after Easter and the last one was taken Easter Sunday. On Monday and Tuesday of this week I babysat my beautiful niece Elizabeth. We are playing peek-a-boo in these photos.
She was being so cute, as always and I wanted to have something to share with my readers. SO, here they are. Lizzie and I playing peek-a-boo.
I like how in this picture she is just about to smile. If you can't tell there is a monkey on her face. *He he*
Notice how her shirt says i *heart* u in bold green letters on her onesie.
I bought her a onesie that says, I want lots of kisses. She is too big for it now. Which is good because that means that she is growing! :)
I am not sure what is happening in this picture. I think we are still playing peek-a-boo at this point but I caught her when she was almost done laughing. As you can tell I am not the worlds greatest photographer. But I like her so much that any picture of her is cute to me.
All in all, it was a day to play with Lizzie! Hooray! Everyday should be play day with Lizzie! Kerrie, I am jealous! You get to play with her EVERY day. I love you Kerrie!
Lizzie is such a beautiful girl and so much fun! Thank you for letting me play with her on Fridays! I look forward to the next play date!

I found a blog one day and on it there are different hairdos and I copied a few of them. I like fixing my hair for Sundays and special occasions. Easter was the first time I wore my hair like this, I made the hair pieces out of ribbon. They are very easy to make. You cut a short piece of ribbon and fold one side on top of the other and apply glue to the middle and back . Glue to the end of a bobby pin and apply pressure. Let the glue dry and then push the pin into the hair at the twists. I took sections of my hair and wrapped a pony tail holder around the section and then braided the pony and gathered the five sections at the top and put a holder around them all in the center and top of the crown. Then I made four more sections in the nape and two just above the nape. Then I ponied all the sections together at the back of the head. Then I took pieces of hair from the pony, curled and pinned each strand of hair that was curled. I also left some curls hanging down so that they were layered. To see where I got the idea from go to girl hairdos.blogspot.com.

Happy Easter!!!!

2009-04-12T16:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! Church was lovely today. I can't think of a time when Easter was on a fast Sunday. The testimonies were beautiful. It was like we were having mini talks. A whole bunch of them.

I just love Easter. It is my favorite holiday. Christmas is a close second. The reason I like Easter so much is because of the weather. The flowers are blossoming and the sounds of spring fill the air.

It is so wonderful to celebrate this time of year. It is a time when we can reflect on our Savior, Jesus Christ and the Atonement. The sacrifice of all sacrifices. The reuniting of the Savior's body to his awe-inspiring spirit. I would like to take this opportunity to share my testimony with you.

I know that the Savior reigns, that he suffered on the cross and in the garden of Gethsemene. I know that we have a Heavenly Father who know us and loves us. HE sent his son, Jesus Christ. To atone for our sins. He gave us a most precious and wonderful gift. It is up to us to share our talents and knowledge of this gospel. The one and true church on the face of the Earth today. I know that it is the only true church here upon the Earth. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. He shared that plan with us in the Pre-Existence. I have a loving family and I love them too. I know that the prophet Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that thru him the Book of Mormon was translated. I believe in the prophets of old and I know that we have a living prophet on this Earth today. His name is President Thomas S. Monson. I know that holds the keys and authority to lead and guide the church on the Earth. He loves us and serves us with all his heart. He is a prophet of GOD. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I have read it and prayed to know if it is and I have received a witness to this truth. I love it and love to share it's stories with people who do not know what it is about. I am grateful to be on the Earth at this time. I love my friends and know that they are special. I know that we are CHILDREN of GOD. We are spirit sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. We love Him and hope to one day return to live with Him again. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

General Conference Part 2

2009-04-05T22:36:00.000-07:00

Well, here I go again. Today as I was listening to Conference, I could not help but listen to what Elder Dallin H. Oaks said about the temple. Him and Elder David A. Bednar (who was the President of Ricks College when I was there) spoke so eloquently about my favorite place on this beautiful Earth, and that place is the temple. I like what was said about The Temple being the Lords house. If I remember right, what was said, and I said it to myself as he was saying to repeat the phrase; something like, "the Temple" should be said with emphasis. I could not agree more. The T in Temple, he said, should be capitalized and I agree with that as well. I wish I could remember who said it. I must look it up in a day or two when the printed version is sent over the internet.

General Conference Part 1

2009-04-04T23:17:00.000-07:00

Today as I found myself alone watching General Conference I couldn't help but listen-- there were no distractions (which isn't a bad thing considering those distractions would be my family)--to the talks that were given. I was able to spend a few hours with my beautiful niece Lizzie. The thought occurred to me that I should probably take a picture because she was being absolutely adorable as she pretty much is like 90% of the time. I didn't, and am now kicking myself in the foot (literally) if I had then I would have a picture for you all on here. Sorry! Next time I have an idea like this I better listen to and follow through...
So, while listening to Conference today I am reminded of how much the Lord loves all of us and how inspired the men and women of the church are. They have so much wisdom and care for the people of the world. I feel grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me and my family and you and yours, He is a true friend. I love Him with all of my heart.
Yesterday, as I was riding in the car home with my parents I was reflecting on the peace that I felt after serving in the temple for some of my ancestors. My mom and I were able to have a really good discussion about our family's history. I was able to perform ordinances for my great grandmother on my mother's side. My mother was able to perform the same ordinances for her aunt who she was very close to. I will never forget the feeling I felt when I heard my mother say her name. It brought peace to my soul. I love my great aunt. She was single for most of her adult life. She lived in San Francisco for a time and she wore the business suits and walked the streets of that famous city every day of her life back then. She was a very STRONG woman and I have much respect for her. I feel close to her because she too did not bear any children of her own. I have come to the realization that I may never have that privilege in this life but I have faith that one day in the eternities I may be able to multiply and replenish the Earth. Having a goal like that brings much hard work and dedication but I am willing to fulfill the promises I have made with my Father in Heaven to share His message with my fellow brothers and sisters on the Earth today, I know it will not be easy but I have a loving father and mother who know what its like to share and live the gospel. I look to them as the greatest example that I have with the exception of the Lord himself. But are not we all servants of the Lord; doing his work and "bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of men"?
I am indeed grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and a family who loves me unconditionally. I am so blessed to be a member of the only true church on the face of the Earth. I know it with every fiber of my being. I pray that one day I may stand before the pleasing bar of God and hear Him say, "well done thou good and faithful servant". Thank you to all of my teachers, leaders, neighbors, friends, and family for giving me a second chance at happiness. I love you all and hope that one day we can all be with one another again in the eternities. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Eternal Cupcakes

2008-06-11T14:33:00.000-07:00

I just love cupcakes and the joy that comes from eating them. This day was a very special day not only for my family but for me as well. It was at this time that I realized that if I were to ever have joy in my life I must go to the place where we are closest to God. The temple is my favorite place on the earth. Even though most recently I went to the church to clean it and I found myself in the bathroom again. It always seems that if there are some cleaning that needs to be done, the place where I feel the most comfortable is in the bathroom. All my life I have found myself in the bathroom. Wow I am really getting off subject here. Anyway, my point is that this time I found peace in this little church building cleaning bathrooms. Service has always been a challenge for me but this time I felt happy. Last time I cleaned the church I was by myself and I felt the spirit there. I always seem to find myself most happiest when I am serving the Lord. And it's like eating a cupcake. Only when we eat a cupcake we feel temporary happiness and when we are in the temple or a dedicated church building we feel lasting joy. Eternal happiness can be felt in the temple and I feel it every time I attend. Getting back to my topic. This day I ate several of those yummy cupcakes and I went to the temple. You can't get any happier then that, in my oppinion.
Family is another Eternal Cupcake. My family is so good to me. My sister is a rock. She is my example. I love her to pieces. She can always make me feel better. These last few weeks have been a joy to me as I have spent time with her and her two cute little angels. Both of which I love with all my heart. I was looking at pictures today of little Kayllen. Brooklyn too. I laughed today as I looked at those little angels. I really do care for them. Being an aunt is so much fun. They are my Eternal Cupcakes. The icing on the cake is their laughs. The laughs are so sweet and innocent. Some times I imagine what my kids would be like. How much joy I would feel. Someday I hope to have Eternal Cupcakes of my own. Eternal Cupcakes are the things in our lives that bring us the most joy and it is through this joy that we obtain all we desire. I hope and pray that one day I will look back on my life and smile because I have everything I've ever wanted. I pray that my Heavenly Father will show us all how much he loves us and how much he wants us to be happy like he is. He wants us to be happy and every day he waits for us to call upon Him and to talk to Him. He is waiting to share that abundance. Every minute of ever day He waits and it is through our Savior Jesus Christ that He first showed us how much He wants us to return back to Him above. I hope and pray that we will all come to Him in mighty prayer and supplication. I know that He lives that he loves us and that we can be eternally happy if we do our part. By sharing the truth we know and living it every day of our lives; enduring to the end peacefully.