Spirit Week

Sierra has always been a big fan of spirit week ever since she began high school. She is a junior this year and this week she dressed up every day. The first day being 'Sports Day' in which she just wore her tennis shirt from her school. The second day was 'Neon day'. The third day was superhero day in which she designed her own costume and called herself 'Nerd girl' (see picture above.) 

The fourth day was 'Crazy hair day' in which she left one side of her curly and straightened the other side. That might not be crazy as spray painting it weird colors, teasing it and making it look wild...but at least she did something with her hair whereas no one hardly didn't do anything on crazy hair day. Her favorite day was Spirit Day!! She has so much enthusiasm for her class, and she really expressed that to the entire student body this past week. 

The colors for juniors is green and on Friday she dressed up as a green fairy.

 Isn't she adorable! Her and her friends all had fun participating for spirit week!

 Her favorite costume she wore for spirit week last year was 'mix and match day'. This was another favorite of hers (and mine.) She also loves the tutu!

Mix and match day, sophomore year 2010

 You can totally see that she is fun and full of life!! She definitely has spirit!

JUNIORS! JUNIORS! JUNIORS!

CLASS of 2013!

Team Noah

Noah watching Forever Strong on the tube.

One of Noah's favorite movies besides the Lion King is watching Forever Strong with his sisters (and mom.) He especially loves the part when they chant and do the maori dance. He even tries to say 'Kia Kaha' (which means be strong). He's so cute and too funny. One of these days I need to record his words, and his moves. For now, what you see in these photos is hopefully what'll I'll get in the near future...a true Rugby player who won't wear knee pads. 

KIA KAHA!

A creative genius

"Have the course to follow your heart and intuiton. They already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

~Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

I am blogging about Steve Jobs because in my eyes his brilliance is blog worthy. He was an icon and an answer to the world of technology.  He marketed the best computer and brought it into the homes of millions of people. He simplified our lives by the ingenuity of how he designed these beautiful pieces of technology by just simply touching the screen with the tip of your finger on the iPhone, and making iMac computers user friendly. It's sad to say that this amazing man passed away at only 56.

I was five years old when the Apple computer came out, and was exactly 14 when Macintosh was introduced to the world. To be honest I really didn't pay any attention as to what hand me down computers we got during the first years of our marriage. It wasn't until your dad began working for AT&T in 2004 that we actually owned a cell phone, then an iPod, then an iPhone, and now an iMac. Working for the company has it's perks, and we got a good deal when we bought these beautiful pieces of technology...in cash.

Y'all remember the excitement Dad brought into the house when he first purchased the iPhone in 2007, and how y'all would play with it and look at all the cool things it would do? I certainly do. I personally didn't care for it because I was satisfied with my Motorola razor. Then your dad bought me one for my 36th birthday. I had no choice but to join the 21st century and own an iPhone, and...

I. Love. It! 

Y'all know very well that I will never revert back to a push button cell phone. Ever!

And now all of you girls (except Noah) own one, and know how to use these beautiful pieces of technology better than me, and I am grateful to know that y'all are computer savvy.

Noah is watching the 'The Duck Song' on my I4

Being a sales representative selling Apple products, your dad would constantly be watching Steve online giving his key note address at the developers conference for the announcements of when the new launches of Apple products would be announced. Pretty cool huh? He would get excited when a new Apple product would come out. He would even watch the nostalgic key note addresses Steve gave. "Why?"  I asked. "because it's so cool to look back at how this genius would come up with all these new products", is what your dad would say. I would always have to tell him to turn off the computer already and come to bed!

Over the last few key note addresses we noticed that his energy and demeanor began to fade. That's when they announced he had pancreatic cancer. He endured, and kept on working until he felt he could no longer perform his duties as CEO. He stepped down and in his resignation letter he wrote, "I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come." Little did we know he would pass away six weeks after writing that letter.

Just like your grandpa Joe's sudden death was a shock to us...Steve Jobs death was a shock to the world.

Y'all are the future generation of this world, and I want y'all to try your best to take charge of your passions and ambitions in this world. Become someone and do something with your life that you have a love for. Steve Jobs didn't finish college, and yet his successes landed him a billionaire.

Still...finish high school and go all the way to graduate school. The future with technology will keep getting better and bigger. Y'all will know that by always owning an Apple product...just ask your dad.

My 'Noah time'

Noah is as restless as they come. He seriously does not have a bedtime schedule, and yet he is the happiest little boy on earth...especially in our home. 

Last night right before bedtime consisted of the following:

He loves all of his toys and playing with sisters. He loves books. Oh! So many books that he takes them off the shelves, fumbles through them, and puts them back even (upside down sometimes.) 

He loves lining up all his small cars and trucks on the green chest. 

 He makes cute crashing noises. He's such a boy!

At the end of the day I am exhausted! After all the kids have gone to bed (except Noah) sometimes, and I mean sometimes he will sit on the couch with me, and watch a little bit of television until he falls asleep. Which in this case took only five minutes. All that playing around with his sisters, and reading wore him out. I only do this on the nights my better half comes home late.

There are many times where I've sacrificed my 'me time' in the evenings after all the girls have gone to bed for 'Noah time'.  Right now at this point in my life, I am taking in all the 'Noah time' I can get, because next thing you know...he'll be all grown up not wanting to cuddle with mommy anymore. 

Harvest time

So I found this really cool recipe inside the fall 'Health Talk' issue of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center. Normally i just dump them in the recycling bin (they are free), but lately I have been diligently looking through them, and reading them in its entirety. For the past month I have been on this health kick of eating healthy. Maybe it's because I've joined the elite 40's and in 10 years I'll be 50! Who knows! All I know is that I am more conscientious about my weight, and eating healthy in this house. 

This apple cinnamon bar recipe came into my mailbox at the right time!

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup uncooked oats
1/2 cup shortening
4 medium apples, peeled or unpeeled

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, brown sugar and oats in a mixing bowl. Stir.
3. Add the shortening to the bowl. Use two table knives to mix the ingredients and cut them into crumbs.
4. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of the baking dish with a bit of shortening.
5. Spread half of the crumb mixture in the greased baking dish.
6. Remove the core form the apples and slice them. Put the apple slices into the baking dish.
7. Top the apples with the rest of the crumb mixture.
8. Bake in the oven for 40 to 45 minutes.
9. Cut into squares.

Serving size 1 bar; 24 servings. 
It has 0 cholesterol. 

Warning: It will fall apart easily. 

Note: You can use canned apples or 16 ounces of applesauce in place of fresh apples. 

I personally prefer fresh picked apples!

Perfect for a Family Home Evening treat!

A Marvelous Work

"Behaviors which once were considered inappropriate and immoral are now not only tolerated, but also viewed by ever so many as acceptable. The laws of God remain constant. They have not changed; they will not change. The 10 commandments are just that: Commandments; they are not suggestions. They are every bit as requisite today as they were when God gave them to the children of Israel."

~President Thomas S. Monson (181st  Semiannual General Conference)

General conference was so inspiring this past weekend. I loved all of the talks that were given to us. As a family we all watched them together and talked about the sessions afterwards. I can see that my kids enjoy watching conference and try to take everything in without feeling overwhelmed (or the little ones getting restless.) With my mother moving in with us soon, listening to conference at this time really gave me all the answers, and the peace to know that all will be well in our future. As members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we strive to live a life like Jesus Christ. Although we'll never gain perfection in this life, we can sure try our best each day to lead by example in hopes that others can see that we truly try hard to abide the laws and commandments in which we have been taught. 

What makes me less guilty and more grateful is the fact that L. Tom Perry talked about how we can use the Internet for good. Ever since I started blogging I have never hesitated in sharing the gospel, writing about my conversion story, publishing all the pictures about our past temple trips, or anything that pertains to the LDS church. I am not a professional writer or a columnist, but I have a passion for writing, and feel compelled to share it with the world. I love sharing the gospel whenever an opportunity comes up. I may not have all the answers, but if you read the Book of Mormon for yourself, you will feel the spirit that it brings. I am not ashamed of my faith. Converting to a life of Christ saved my life, and I am grateful to have the boldness in my heart to write, talk, and bear testimony of what the Book of Mormon is all about, and how being a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has changed my life for the better. It has saved me from a lot of heartache, trials, and it even gives answer to my prayers. Listening to the conference talks gives me the same sentiment. If you really listen, and I mean really listen to the voice of the brethren, your prayers can be answered through the holy spirit. To listen to L. Tom Perry's talk you can go here. 


President Thomas S. Monson always concludes the last sessions of the day expressing his love for us, and telling us that we do have a loving Father in Heaven who hears us and wants us to go to Him in prayer.  I know that I need Him in my life everyday while living in an increasingly toxic world. Knowing that I have the gospel in the palm of my hand, and my faith on the other, I know that my children including yours will be guided and protected, and that if we all strive hard to keep the commandments we can make this world a beautiful place to live in. You can listen to all the general conference talks here. 


Pray about reading the Book of Mormon, and accepting its truth. The Lord has always been there to guide us and to never lead us astray. This is another testament that'll prove His love to you even more...if you just give it a chance.

A be-lated Birthday note, and a Testimony

I just had to share this letter with the world. I love the brightness in color, and that it's handwritten, the beautiful words, and the person who wrote it. One of my favorite sister missionaries who served in our ward for a short time sent this to me a few days after my 40th birthday. I was lucky enough to have had her and her companion over for Thanksgiving dinner last year. Sister Moeai is someone whom you once meet...you immediately fall in love with her, and her personality. We are like sisters. We probably even look like we can be related. She is from Hawaii. Every single person that I have met from Hawaii becomes a friend for life. I thank my Heavenly Father for putting her in our path, and for continuing to have missionaries serve in our ward.

The kiddos, Sister Moeai, and me~Thanksgiving 2010

I am grateful for the testimony that I have for missionary work and the restored gospel. We as members are responsible in helping the missionaries share the gospel with our fellow man. They are here for a purpose...a divine purpose that can fulfill the life of any family or individual soul. They certainly fulfilled my life nineteen years ago when I converted to a life of Christ. They hold the truth in the palm of their hand (or backpack) to share with the world, and it's called The Book of Mormon. I love that book. I know that it is a true testament of our Father in Heaven. I know that it testifies of Christ. I know that because of prayer, and after reading it in its entirety...I believe that it is true. It has blessed my life in so many ways. I know that the Book of Mormon was restored by Joseph Smith who is a prophet of God. I know that the Bible is the word of God as long as it is translated correctly. I am grateful to have a firm testimony of the gospel and the truth that it holds. I know that we have a living prophet today who guides and leads us into trying to live a path like Jesus Christ, and to avoid destruction that life brings today. I look forward to hearing President Thomas S. Monson, and his counselors at General Conference this weekend. Conference is coming at the right time for me, and so did this letter from a wonderful sister and friend. 

If any of you are interested in a Book of Mormon, e-mail me, or contact the LDS missionaries in your area to request one. The best part is that it's given to you FREE without any obligation. I did it, and it truly changed my life for the better.

Keep Your Standards High

Libby, Sierra, & Amber. Thanks for coming to see us on Standards night!

Every year the youth of our church coordinate an evening called Standards Night. This entails speaking from the pamphlet titled For the Strength of Youth about how to keep morally clean, and how the youth today can fulfill these duties if they strive hard to live a life of purity. This past week all of our young men and women put together skits, and prepared talks of how the youth today should strive to live high standards, and keep morally clean.

In this video Boyd K. Packer is counseling the youth on how they can find happiness through family, thrift, education, purity, good friends, and faith in Jesus Christ.

Amen to his counsel!

This program is something that I wasn't raised with. There are times when I wish I was raised with it, and times that I'm glad I didn't. It makes me extremely grateful to have experienced all the rebellion, and to know of the things to teach my teenager, and her siblings all about how to keep morally clean while at the same time having a strong love for the gospel, and having clean fun. All of these standards are true, and I just wanted to share some of my thoughts and give counsel to my children as well as all the youth who are reading this as to why it's so important to live a life with high standards:


Agency and Accountability:

Although you have your free agency...we hope and pray that you will continue to make the right choices that are pleasing not only to your parents, but to your Father in heaven as well. 

Gratitude: 

So often we forget to say thank you for even the smallest things. Sometimes its even hard to express it. It's so important to cultivate and live a life of gratitude. 

Education:

I know that every single youth out there, no matter who you are, have the potential to do something big in this life. Do your best in finishing high school and college. So many of us didn't have the opportunity. 

Family and Friends:

Always honor your parents, and no matter what, love your siblings. If you have the right attitude, and pure love of Christ, the family bonding will begin, and never end! Without judging anyone in your life, do your best to have friends who respect, and believe in your standards. Those who don't respect and believe in who you are...are not good friends.

Dress, appearance, music, dancing, and the MEDIA:

Whether its homecoming or prom, your dress should be fully modest! Just because all the other girls are wearing strapless dresses doesn't mean you have to also. The way kids dance today is so offensive and unnecessary. Keep yourself clean in the way you move your body. I love music too, but remember what you listen to can describe who you are. Movies today, and even prime time television is becoming immoral. Choose what you watch wisely, and that is conducive to the spirit. Just imagine Jesus knocking at your door...would you answer it immediately? Or would you wait to turn off the TV or take off the earplugs because of what was being played in your home was immoral? Something to think about.

Dating and Sexual Purity:

I sure did learn my lesson when I had a boyfriend at a very young age. Save yourself for the perfect mate. Don't date until you're at least 16, and go on group dates. I know it's hard with the way the world is today, and what it's teaching y'all. Just because everyone is doing the things that are low...stand tall and believe in your standards. Just because people are gay doesn't mean they are a bad person. Love the person, not the sin. Be strong, and endure to the end. Following these standards will truly keep you on the right path and help you become a happier person.

Just ask my daughter.

"Wait until marriage and play it safe. Yeah, wait until marriage and exercise faith. If you do this, then I for surely know, to the celestial kingdom you might surely go!"

~Jordan Jones (Purity rap song)

Click HERE to listen to the Purity rap song. (Sung by Sierra & Jordan) 

(Lyrics by Jordan Jones & filmed in the comforts of home.)

My Children's Bookshelf

Every week Chelsea brings home a new book to read from the school library. This week she brought home The Apple Pie Tree. Its a story about two sisters who have an apple tree in their backyard and witness robins building a nest, laying their eggs, and as their birds grow so do the apples on the apple tree. Such a sweet story with illuminating color illustrations and it even has an apple pie recipe inside. As soon as we read it I had to buy it. It is a storybook that will never age, and a perfect read for Autumn.

Chelsea just informed me that Fall is her favorite season and she wanted to choose a book that related to the season we are in. Excellent choice I'd say. Her reading skills are getting better. She absolutely loves books. She always gets excited when she finishes a short story on her own. She literally jumps up and down like a cheerleader. She loves to make her own little books and carry them around in her bag. She loves it when her teacher makes these little books allowing the kids to color inside them.

 Chelsea is such a bright girl, and looks forward to when she can read the big thick chapter books like her older sisters do. I enjoy this time as a mother when I can read with my two smallest children. They are growing up way too quickly, and I am taking advantage of every moment spent with them in reading to them. There is something so heavenly about reading aloud to your posterity. I don't ever want that to end...even when the time comes when I have grandchildren. Which will be a long time from now!!

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs is good for him."

~Maya Angelou

Forget not...

"Sisters, there is something inspiring and sublime of the little forget-me-not flower. I hope it will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet. Please never forget that you must be patient and compassionate with yourselves, that some sacrifices are better than others, that you need not wait for a golden ticket to be happy. Please never forget that the "why" of the gospel of Jesus Christ will inspire and uplift you. And never forget that your Heavenly Father knows, loves, and cherishes you."

~President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

One of the best things about the internet is that if you miss an important event that pertains to the church you can instantly watch it the next day online in the comforts of your own home. That is what I had to do since the General Relief Society Broadcast was held on the same night as my 40th birthday. I was sad that I didn't get to sit with my sisters in the chapel to watch this glorious event, but I am extremely grateful for the time I took in viewing it over the weekend.

Every year I look forward to the broadcast. I know that as sisters in the gospel listening to the words of the General Relief Society Presidency uplifts our soul and helps us to want to be a better sister to others. Relief society is a vital part of the Kingdom of God and I am grateful to have a firm testimony of relief society and to have that be a major part of my life in the church. Julie B. Beck talked about how we can be a better sister of discipleship. "Although we all have different difficulties, we as sisters should unite together and strengthen each other. We should never wait to be a visiting teacher. We need to just do it!"

Sylvia H. Allred mentioned that if we lack charity that we should have the desire to have it and pray for it. I know that by reading the scriptures helps us to become more like Christ and that will also help us develop charity.

Barbara Thompson talked about how the temple is the source of the covenants and how our covenants sustain us in good times and through hard times. Temple blessings is a great goal for every LDS woman to have. I hope and pray that all my daughters continue to have the desire to enter the temple and to cleave unto the covenants they make. She also mentioned how her grandmother was a devout member, and did a lot of temple work in the House of the Lord. I hope that I leave enough evidence of spiritual experiences and doing temple work so that my posterity can one day share it with others.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has a strong love for the sisterhood, and I always appreciate his loving words of wisdom. He always brings a unique, inspiring, and meaningful talk to all of us. He mentioned his favorite flower being the forget me not flower, and how each of the pedals have a significant meaning. There are five pedals on the flower, and these are the five crucial things he mentioned we should never forget:

Forget not to be patient with yourself

Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice

Forget not to be happy now

Forget not the "WHY" of the gospel

Forget not that the Lord loves you

With the daily mundane that goes on in our life, these five things can be easily forgotten. I am so grateful for the reminder. It will truly help me to increase my spirituality and to know that the gospel is the pathway to Jesus Christ. 

May we all never forget all of these talks ! I can watch them over and over again!

An Evening with Legacies

"Tennis has stuck with me after more than a decade; it's in your blood. You don't know how much you miss it until you don't play, its amazing and tennis is my life."

~Jimmy Connors (September 24, 2011) 

For my 40th birthday Jon surprised me with two tickets to the Champions shootout game, and took me to Philly to see two of my favorite tennis players that I followed back in the 90's play against each other. I have never sat in on a tennis match before (except for my daughter's), and it was definitely a night to remember. 

As you can see it wasn't a full house, but there were enough fans to make this evening memorable for these tennis legends as they all entered the court to cheer them on.

There were three matches. Andre Agassi and Jim Courier were the first ones to play against each other. It was so fun watching these two play. Andre showed off his power swings and Courier played with finesse. They both played well and Agassi ended up winning the match.

The second match was Pete Sampras (my fave) and Jimmy Connors  (my mother's fave!) This part was surreal. I couldn't believe I was actually watching Connors play. This is a man after my mother's heart, and as I watched him I had flashbacks of when I was a little girl watching him on T.V. I wish my mom could have witnessed this moment. I couldn't believe how well Connors played at his age. He is 59 years old and played so well with his huffing and puffing and all. After the first set was done Connors said, "Is it over yet?" Everyone chuckled. He was out of breath, but was a great sport. I could tell he still has a strong love for the game.

Can I just say how much I love the outfit Jimmy sported on this evening. I love his chartreuse green sweater vest (so preppy), and check out his vintage Nike's. At the end of the game the MC asked him where he found his vintage Nike's and Connors said in his closet. He's old school, and apparently he dug in his closet and grabbed his 20 year old racket and 20 year old Nike's. They are both in excellent shape (including him.) I think Connor's looks good at 59! He's always been a bit of a show man and he still has it!

Pete Sampras showed off his tricky flutters. He is so good with the racket and ended up winning against Connors, hence having Sampras and Agassi play against each other in the end. They both put on a big show. It was like this: Deuce, advantage Sampras, Deuce advantage Agassi. I mean they were really keeping the game going. Sampras hit a few aces, and hit the net a couple of times, but the ball went over. It was a great evening, and I really didn't want it to end. 

I wish I could afford to attend every game in person (including Wimbledon). I look forward to the U.S. Open next year and hope to attend with our oldest daughter. My mother will be here, and she just may have the opportunity to finally sit it on a tennis match...besides her granddaughter's.