The Big Apple

For those of you who have been to Times Square in New York City you know it's impossible to get a decent photo with the ones you love. Impossible because there are thousands of people surrounding you (note the lady on the right side of me.) That's okay. After all... it is the theater district!

This past Tuesday my mother wanted to venture out to the Big Apple and try to pack in seeing as many sights as she can. We pulled Chelsea out of school early while Sierra, and Lexie stayed behind. This was the first time we've gone to New York without them. This was a spontaneous trip so when you do things at the spur of the moment sometimes things don't go quite as planned. It didn't help when my two year old was crying nonstop due to his molars coming in, and also being cooped up in a carseat all morning (because I was running errands), and the hour and a half drive to the city. It also didn't help when my youngest daughter didn't pee all the way (we stopped at a Rite Aid ten minutes before we got into the city), and needed to go again while driving in NYC traffic! Luckily with a driver like my husband, we found an On the Run gas station just in time before she literally went in her pants! After that things became calm, and we enjoyed seeing some of the sights.

Of course you can't see New York in eight hours! There wasn't much time to see everything which gives us more reasons to come back! My mom absolutely enjoyed New York, but emphatically said she would NEVER live there. It was a sporadic, well spent evening in the city of lights. 

People say, you either love New York or hate it. In my mother's case...the New York city lights definitely inspired her, and she LOVED the Big Apple.  

On the streets of Philadelphia

My mom survived her first week in New Jersey, and she is doing pretty well. It was a beautiful fall day this past Saturday, and we decided to take her out to Philadelphia to see some of the sights. There is so much history to see and places to go here in Philly that we just took our time, walked around Washington Square, and spent most of our time around Independence Hall. 

We had a great time. My mom couldn't believe she was actually here. She's lived her whole life in Texas and never had the opportunity to see anything that has so much meaning such as the Declaration of Independence or the Liberty Bell. 

Before we ventured out to see the sights we had lunch at this pizza place called the O.C.P. Grill which was actually pretty good. I'd recommend it.

My mom is not used to being in pictures. It's been three years since we've seen each other, and never has been a great fan of photos. All that is about to change. When you hang out with me... be expecting to be in a picture! I was just pleased as can be that she was in a few photos of our trip from this day. 

I think I took more photos of the history sights than my mama. I always appreciate everything that took place here. I never grow weary of Philadelphia. After all...it is the birthplace of our nation. Plus we are only 15 minutes away!

I obviously love taking photos of my kiddos. As much as I wanted to have my mom in most of them she obliged to be in this one. I think she looks the most happiest in this photo. Being around these four beautiful people...who wouldn't be!

Scenes of a 2nd birthday

Noah's 2nd birthday was indeed unique in its own. We didn't have a big birthday bash or balloons! No party hats, kazoos, or a huge birthday cake. His sister Lexie wanted to make him cupcakes and she cut out letters and a number two out of card stock. Pink frosted cupcakes with sprinkles...not your normal birthday cake for a boy, but Noah was satisfied and he was happy with the way they turned out. He blew those candles out so fast that I didn't even have time to take a picture. I tried to light the candles again, but to no avail. It's okay...he's only two, and he will have more birthdays. 

I had to get him in the mood to open his gifts. He's two, and doesn't quite get the meaning of 'birthday gifts'. It took him a while to understand that he needed to open the gifts, and not play with them. I'm sure he'll catch on real quick next year. 

Notice that he's on my bed opening gifts. I know...not your normal place to open gifts huh? 

 Although he officially turned two on the ninth, we decided to wait until my husband had a day off this past week to take him to the Philadelphia Zoo. It was a beautiful fall day to go. There were not too many people which was kind of nice. We were able to take pictures without waiting for someone to move out of the way, or have other people's kids intervene while I'm taking pictures. 

 Noah LOVES zoos! He LOVES animals. He shows such interest and compassion for them. He's beginning to talk more, and his sentences are beginning to make sense. He especially loved this Red Panda. Their color is much brighter in person.

SEALS! Noah LOVES them! He was running back and forth while they were being playful in the water. For a moment he stood still and just stared at them playing around. 

I think we wore him out by the time the zoo closed. We had a great time. I treasure these moments, and always want to remember this day. After all..he'll only be two for a year. 

 Happy Birthday Noah! 
I know you probably won't remember this day, but hopefully by having looked at these photos they'll spark a memory. 


We love you!

Stand for Truth and Righteousness

WE ARE DAUGHTERS of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love Him. 

WE WILL "STAND" as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places" 

As we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith*Divine Nature*

Individual Worth*Knowledge*

Choice and Accountability*

Good Works*Integrity

and Virtue.

WE BELIEVE as we come to accept and act upon these values, WE WILL BE PREPARED to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessing of exaltation.

I love the young women theme, we recite this with the young women in Relief Society every fast Sunday, and that is what every young woman should be, and become.

 When I found out two years ago that I can be able to begin and accomplish my Personal Progress I had my daughter grab me a book, and I got started working on it. This is another wonderful program in our church that I didn't grow up with. Of course you have to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in order to participate and complete it. 

My daughter and I have both been working on it together and our goal was to complete it by the end of the year. We will have accomplished this goal by December 1! (I actually already completed it!) I cannot believe I started working on this right after my son was born in 2009, and I am so grateful that I have taken my time into reading the Book of Mormon, For the Strength of Youth, and completing all the tasks and projects that were required with patience, and that I put my whole heart into it. It has been so much fun to work on this. It literally gave me a spiritual boost every time I completed a value and in reading the scriptures. I have been filled with the spirit of the Lord, and my love for our Heavenly Father grows stronger each day. I feel so blessed to have this in my life, and to have worked on it. I am also excited to do the program AGAIN with my middle daughter who turns 12 in January next year. She is so excited to enter into the Young Women program and to start working on it. What a great start to 2012 it'll be for us!

Every time a value is completed we receive a colored ribbon. Each value specifies a color. We use them as bookmarks for our scriptures. Once the personal progress is completed we will receive the Young Woman recognition award. This reward is a medallion. It signifies all the hard work and effort you put in for the Lord in accomplishing all the tasks in said personal progress. I am so excited!

Just a note, and a testimony...

I encourage every young woman between the ages of 12-18 to work hard and to strive to complete your personal progress. These values are so important to learn, and by reading the scriptures daily your testimony will be strengthened. I know it may seem time consuming to some, and you might feel it's too late, but please know that this is something so important that it will make you feel confident, and it'll uplift your spirit. You will feel the love from Heavenly Father more that you'll ever know. I know that it'll prepare you on how to handle the hardest trials of your life. I know that it'll turn you into a more compassionate, mature, strong daughter of God. I am grateful to have my daughters involved in this, and that I gained a testimony of it.

 It's never too late to begin working on it either!

 I am 40 years old and just completed it...with four kids!! It's taken me two years, but it was so worth my time! So whether you are single, married with children, or widowed it is a wonderful program to accomplish. It has been such a blessing in my life to be working on this with Sierra. I've grown spiritually, and I also see the spiritual growth in my daughter as well. I know why these values are so important in our lives, and how crucial it is to uphold them as well...they have become more important to me as my daughters get older. I am grateful to have been involved in this program, and I plan on doing it with all of my daughters. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have it in your life.  For the Strength of youth book is not just for the youth...it is for everyone!

Especially in the kind of world we live in today.

Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him.

Moroni 10:32

An afternoon with Ms. Griffith

How many teachers do you know take your children out to eat lunch, and then to a movie? Well...I don't know very many, but this past Tuesday Chelsea's kindergarten teacher from last year Ms. Griffith took her out to eat lunch at Friendly's, and to the theater to see Puss N Boots in 3D.

Do you want to know why?

I can think of several reasons. 

Chelsea is a vivacious, sweet, and a very good listener when it comes to school. She loved having Ms. Griffith as her teacher last year, and Ms. Griffith said the same thing about her as a student. She said she wishes there were more students out there like her. It reminded me of what Lexie's kindergarten teacher told me about Lexie. She said she wishes Lexie could be reproduced because she was such a great child! All of my girls seem to have that knack where all their teachers just love them, and appreciate them as a student.

Chelsea has been quite the little missionary. She had invited Ms. Griffith to church, and has attempted to come twice already and was running late that she couldn't make it! That's okay. There will be other opportunities. She came after sacrament meeting last Sunday, and that's when she told Chelsea that she would make it up to her by taking her out to lunch, and to go see a movie.  

Chelsea was so happy when she left as well as arriving home. She sure had fun with Ms. Griffith. It's so nice to develop a good relationship with your children's teacher(s). I am grateful for the time that I took to get to know her on a one on one basis. Although I've known Marianne for two years now it seems as if I've known her for 20. She's such a sweet lady, and I am so happy that we developed this friendship, and that she saw Chelsea more than just a student.

Chelsea is as fearless as they come. She even invited her to attend our Interfaith concert which is an evening of music and art hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The events include a musical presentation featuring musicians from a variety of faiths and organizations. There will also be a Christ-centered art show, and dessert buffet!

The Prince of Peace:

A Celebration of Christ through Music and Art

The Prince of Peace:

A Celebration of Christ through Music and Art

December 11th at 6pm

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

260 E. Evesham Rd. 

Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

 This will be our second year hosting this event, and it's something you don't want to miss. It is a perfect place to be to start off the holiday season, and to get away from the hustle and bustle that the holidays tend to bring. It'll also be a strong reminder of the true meaning of CHRISTmas. 

Crunching leaves down the bike trail

We took advantage of the weather the other day, and went for a walk down the bike trail near our house. I am so glad we did this because we woke up to 45 degree weather today! Brrr...it's pretty chilly today!

We have been entertaining our birthday boy all week. Noah is just as spoiled as can be. He has all of his sisters wrapped around his little finger! It seems like each day this week has been a celebration for him. It's been an extra treat for him since his two youngest sisters didn't have school since Tuesday. He has had a lot of time for them to take him to the park so he can run, and play in the leaves.

I love the bright yellow leaves on this tree. It is right next to our house, and it is so beautiful. I just love walking down our neighborhood to see all the different colored trees. 

 Some of the trees are looking a little bare. That is a sign that tells me that winter is just around the corner. Noah just loves the sound of the crunching leaves. He kept running back and forth, up and down the bike trail just crunching and stomping on those leaves.

Yeah...I think he'll definitely carry on the autumn tradition of all those things I posted on his birthday.

Stomping and running so hard that he grew weary. He began to rub his eyes, and that is when I knew it  was time to go home, make dinner, and pick up dad.

We managed to have some fun exploring the outdoors, and seeing all that mother nature has to offer. We still have the whole weekend to continue to make Noah's birthday week special.

Just a note to all the veteran's out there:

Thank you for having served our country in the past, and for all that you went through while fighting. We will always remember you. Another thank you goes to those who continue to fight for our country today...our prayers run deep for you, and your families. You are never taken for granted!

Happy Veteran's Day.

A beautiful Autumn day

I was itching to take some more fall pictures, and since the girls have no school for the rest of the week (except for Sierra), and being that it's Noah's birthday week we all decided to venture out to another park across town to see how vibrant the foliage is on the trees. It was also a nice break for Sierra to take from the never-ending homework that she has been accumulating, and she was in dire need of stress alleviation.

Poor Sierra. She sure has a lot of homework to do almost every day. They say your junior and senior years are the hardest. I believe it. Freshman and sophomore years are a piece of cake (according to Sierra.) So if your freshman, or a sophomore in high school saying 'I have so much to do', or 'it's so hard'...just wait until the last two years of high school. They'll be even harder. So enjoy your first two years of high school!

She is such a good sport though, and truly has proven that she holds on to that iron rod no matter how hard things get for her. She has this shield that helps her get over the stresses of life, and focuses on the fun things that we can do as a family in times like this. She has learned to never take anything for granted, and to always make the best out of any bad situation. She loves playing with all of her sibs, but on this day she gave all of her attention to Noah. They both were throwing leaves in the air. They did this for about a half hour while the other two were climbing trees. The evening grew dark real quick! 

One thing I have always taught my girls is to never take anything for granted. Not the weather, not your friends, not your family, not your talents, and not the Lord. I have told them to make each day count, and to live it as if it were your last. You just never know when hardships or a tragedy will occur.

I have to admit that there was not a lot of affection in my home while growing up. I know my mother did her best in giving me the right kind of love, and I know there were times in my toddler years when I received it, but I honestly don't remember always being hugged by my mother between the ages of 11 and 18. Maybe I did, and I don't have any recollection of it. Having my mother living with me now gives us both the opportunity to hug each other every day. I want to be able to do that each day without having it be an obligation. It feels good to know that after all these years, no matter what we both endured during those tough times, that we can move forward and make up for those non huggable moments.

 I pray to pass the kind of affection that never ends to my children. 

SIBS FOREVER!