FHE = I *heart* monday nights

I look forward to Monday nights every week. Not to be mistaken for MonDAYS, those still stink but at night I can shed the worldly worries and focus on what is most important...family.

This year I wanted to strive to hold Family Home Evening (aka FHE) more often then last year. Then I found this wonderful blog that has the FHE lessons already with monthly themes and new songs to learn and some fun activity every lesson. It is because of this wonderful site I am happy to report an almost perfect "attendance" yay! I missed one this month because I was uber sick but Joe and Maribel had their own mini lesson without me so they are 100% while I am behind by one. That's okay because there's no rule that says you can't have more then one a week so I'll sneak the missed one in. Can't be too blessed if you ask me.

Tonight's lesson was on missionary work. It was so sweet watching and listening to Joe share his mission experience with Maribel. I asked him the questions about his mission and he eagerly answered while Maribel listened so intently which is rare since she liked to wiggle and roll around during every lesson. But afterwards she was our teacher showing us pictures and basically repeating the lesson back to us. I love hearing the lessons through her sweet little voice using her super sweet words like "Lestertime" (yesterday and last time combined) and trying to keep our focus by clapping her hands in a rhythm so we would have to repeat the same rhythm back. So cute!

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday! I'm off to 'cultivate my talents.' That's code for I need to scrap my layout for my March challenge at Skrap n' Chat. Guess I better get crackin'.

>^..^<

the aidanator

This kid makes me laugh all the time. During my visit he was constantly talking. Seriously, I don't think he even paused for a breath. He would talk about future inventions he will create, favourite robots, his crazy adventures, and his favourite TV shows. You know, typical boy things. The only time he was quiet was when he was eating and sleeping. Even then, there were moments of convo but I didn't mind one bit.

Have a wonderful weekend! I'm soaking in the messages from this year's General Conference. So many important messages that I really need to hear. I need all the help I can get.

>^..^<

easter terrariums

I was inspired by a recent issue of Martha Stewart's Living magazine to create my own Easter terrarium center pieces. I may or may not have performed the quality taste test on several pieces of....well I won't bore you with the details of each jelly bean, malt chocolate speckled egg, or milk chocolate robin's eggs. But I will share that the grass is edible. Green apple flavoured to be exact ;0)

In the break between General Conference talks today, Maribel and I coloured some eggs. Yay!
psst I'll let you in on a little secret. *I have never died eggs before today. Ever. For rizzle.* I definitely had fun and I know Maribel did too. I love how creative Maribel is but she is also a little impatient.

Tomorrow we will be turning these colourful 'fruits of the chicken's bum' into delish deviled eggs but as you can see, one won't be making it tomorrow.

" 'Dust one little egg Mommy? Can I have 'dust one? Teensie Blue egg?    Please?"

Fine. Just one...

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serving is sweet!

Maribel and I had to do a little shopping and she saw the Sculpey clay display and thought it was play dough. Well it's sort of like play dough. I promised her some cupcakes and I just couldn't help myself, I stayed up pretty late making these calorie free cupcake charms and naturally I couldn't stop there hee hee.

On another note, I received a new church calling last week and today was my first day "on the job" so to speak. You may or may not know that we do not  have a paid ministry so what ever calling we get is purely voluntary. So imagine my surprise when I was asked to serve in the Primary Presidency. *insert stunned smiley here*

As I sat there on the sides learning and observing, the Spirit of the Lord was so strong confirming to me that Primary is where He needs me to be. I love children, always have and always will and my love for our primary is great. Each child brings so much to our ward and how blessed I am to have them teach me the things I need to keep close to my soul. I assure you, they are teaching me as I do my best to bring them closer to our Heavenly Father.

Good thing I chose Prepare as my word for 2010. Now to brush up on my public speaking skills as I have to prepare a sharing time lesson...any tips on how to keep the attention of 3-11 year olds would be greatly appreciated.  *insert nervous laugh-but really freaked out smiley here...heh heh...heh...*

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create

The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—

I cannot express the joy I feel when I see one of Maribel's artwork creations. I love that she loves to draw and colour and cut paper, it truly makes my heart sing. As long as she desires to create, I will continue to provide her the tools she needs to work on her mad skills ;0)


You can read the entire talk here.


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6 more sleeps

This video really hit home and reminded me that it's not the money we spend but what has been given us so long ago.

Turn off the music on the side bar====>


They showed this video at our ward Christmas party last week and I had to fight back the tears. I want to give a special thanks to my friend Lisa for posting it on her blog so I can "borrow" it. Thanks Lisa <3




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bitter sweet

This visit was too short! But I don't think any time frame is ever long enough when my family comes down to visit. At least in my books.

This was the first time my brother Dave has visited Florida so he had his list of must do’s which included fishing, going to the beach, and paying a visit with Mickey. The tides were rough, so rough that he lost his snorkle and came back with a broken flipper. And If it wasn't for Joe there wouldn't be any proof that he caught any fish, and well, you can see how the kid pops out when visiting the Mouse. LOLMaribel is one lucky girl! She has 2 uncle Philip’s and she adores them both! This visit Maribel really attached herself to her Uncle Phil (with 1 ‘L’). They played a lot together. It was so sweet and brought tears to my eyes on several occasions when I would sneak peeks at them playing.So this is what my dad looks like 150 lbs lighter! Such and inspiration!
This was his 4th visit to Florida and this time we took him to Disney for the first time, revisited the beach, and ended it with something extra special that I will never forget.On the last day, Dad and I visited the Orlando temple and had him sealed to his parents for all time and eternity. Words cannot express the emotions felt, so powerful and so sacred. What a way to end a trip.

Until next time dad and bros! Hopefully I’ll be the one crossing the border next time =)

keeping busy and receiving blessings

I'm missing our lil' Stinky Winky something awful. *sniff*

Thursday evening Grandma went up to South Carolina for the weekend and asked if she could take our little Boo with her. Who am I to deny Maribel a fun trip with her grandma? So naturally I said yes.

Hmmmm what to do... what to do...

~* Keeping Busy *~

With the borrowed time Joe tidied up the garage and cleaned the aquatic turtle tank. Good thing too because it was getting a little pungent and if I can smell it, then goodness knows who else down our street could smell it and wonder where that stench is coming from. Oi!) So he was very productive. I on the other hand was stuck at work wishing I was home, or in South Carolina with my lovelies :0)I played some more LocoRoco to pass the time. I've now found 5 little LocoRoco dudes! Woo Hoo!

Later we went to see "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince." Awesome BTW! It was my second time seeing it but since Joe hadn't seen it yet I was totally willing to take one for the team :P

It's so nice to have some time together kid free, but we found that most of our conversation was about Maribel so really, we weren't alone. Our little miracle was with us in our thoughts and words.

~* Receiving Blessings *~

Today we went to the temple to do some work for my paternal grandparents. Oh to feel the Spirit and serve our Lord. It was so awesome and humbling to be able to do the work needed for them. I only wish I had known them better. I have the memories of talking to them on the phone when I was a child and having my Dad right beside me reminding me to "speak up hunny, they can't hear very well." I would very much love to hear their English accents again. I'll just have to wait a little longer ;0)


I'm so happy Maribel comes home tomorrow. I need her little whirl wind self to play with me so we can make a mess out of her toys together. Well, not a huge mess. I just cleaned the living room. heehee


Have a great weekend!