family

In my family growing up, I felt we were all a really close knit family. Yet as we've grown and gone our separate ways it seems that some of my siblings married people who try to do everything in their power to tear my family apart. The thing that surprises me most is that my siblings have let their spouses do that to my family. Once I complained about someone in my husband's family and James told me that was mean and not to say negative things or gossip about others in the family. I completely appreciated him setting me straight. I didn't realize that was how I sounded and I don't want to sound like that. As a family that I am getting to know, I may not agree with their personal choices in life, but I choose to love every one of them. All of them have been kind and loving towards me and I should reciprocate to them the same. It is nice to see that they think better of me than my own family does. I have chosen to not include those people in my life that are negative and who spread vicious gossip, who does that help? What makes me really sad is that this has happened repeatedly in my own family. I don't understand why these people have chosen to behave so meanly. Do they feel inferior? Do they think this is a Christlike behavior? Perhaps they have forgotten God's path of righteousness or perhaps they don't intend on living it. The only thing I have come up with is that these people who are members do not understand the true meaning of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They pay the gospel lip service, yet their actions tell a different story. Perhaps I don't know what is in a person's heart and have no right to judge. Yet, I am also told to choose my friend's wisely. Well I've come to the conclusion that I need to forgive everyone but should only include those in my life who help me become a better person. Isn't that what we're all striving for? PERFECTION.... Now I sound like Seven of Nine and if you don't know who that is.... well, nevermind.

(Shame on you James! I never watched star trek until I got married!!!)

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

Forecast

The weatherman was talking about getting snow on Saturday. I was so excited and kept getting up throughout the night to see. It was clear but windy and yup, it finally snowed around 1:00 p.m. A few flakes here and there and that was it. It's just been really windy and rainy. I think we'll have to go up to the mountains soon to play in the snow before Christmas. I wouldn't want to live in the snow constantly anyway, what a pain. I'd rather go to the snow instead of it coming to me!

Happy 2nd Anniversary

new baby

Heather and Craig finally found out the sex of the baby!!! I've been long awaiting the call. I'm so excited for them, the doctor told them this baby looks perfect. I'm so excited for Heather, I can't imagine the stress and emotion of continuing to get pregnant and then miscarrying time and time again. I can't wait to see how their genes meld into a tiny human being. I bet since Heather and Craig are both blonde that the baby will be a little blondie. I guess we'll find out!

I think they're worried about the temperament of this new baby. Alea is such a sweet girl and very social. Craig said he was worried the baby would have Heather's temperament and Heather said we'll I'm worried the baby will have your TEMPER! HA HA HA HA HA!!!

I'm sure the baby will be a little angel.

Memories of Thanksgiving

In addition to loving Halloween.... I love Thanksgiving. (I love all holidays) I've been thinking about past Thanksgivings recently. I remember some of my most favorite memories of Thanksgiving when I was a child were at my Grandma and Grandpa Radmall's. Grandma was always so thoughtful. Whenever we went to her house after traveling, there was always food to eat. She always went the extra mile for us. She was the kindest Grandma. I remember spending two weeks with her right after my Grandpa died. She seemed really sad, but didn't say very much. I made brownies for her and she showed me the stitching she was working on. I read a little to her. Grandpa always was laughing and telling hilarious stories. He could barely tell them because he was laughing so hard. Those are cherished memories. I have good memories of my Grandma Mencl also. I went to her house one summer and spent two weeks with her. She helped me make a quilt and we watched baseball together. My Grandpa cut the strips of fabric out for us and my Grandma helped me arrange the squares into a pattern. I have it all put together, hopefully during the Christmas break I'll be able to get it quilted. I'd love to have it in usable condition since all of my Grandparents have now passed away. Then I can have it spread on a bed where I can think about them more often instead of folded up in a closet upstairs. My Grandparents were wonderful, I miss them.

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Cute halloween costume

I just thought this was the most adorable costume. Heather and I both love bunnies. Alea looks so precious in this costume. The carrot is a cute touch. Look at those little rosy cheeks, what a doll! I wanted to put her on my blog so I could see her often since they live so far away. She's adorable. I can't wait to have babies that I can dress up as cute.

Hugs

Something I read that I thought important....

"Through our many years of marriage, we have discovered an important truth: we can’t survive without our daily hugs. After a hard day of work, there is simply nothing that replaces a good long tender hug.

Something almost magical happens when couples hug each other. It’s as though an electrical charge passes from one to the other, giving a new feeling of strength and ability to face the tasks ahead. It’s the ultimate supercharge. And it doesn’t cost a penny. It doesn’t even take much time, but the benefits are enormous."

James, if you took the time to read this, I expect lots and LOTS of hugs from you!!!


For more....
http://www.ldsmag.com/familyconnections/071030hugs.html

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Sealing pictures

I've been trying to get someone to send me photos of my brother's sealing pictures with his wife and little daughter. I wanted to go too, but school has a way of taking up all my time. My heart was with them at this wonderful time in their lives, I thought about them the entire time. Their daughter was adopted last March and she is the light of their life. I don't think anyone could ask for better parents. Craig and Heather were married in the Portland Temple and now they have been sealed to their daughter in the Nauvoo Temple. The Photos are so sweet and my sister in law is pregnant! I think she's had about 5 miscarriages and so far everything with this baby looks good. YEA, for her!!! She'll have two babies 12 months apart. I hope I can go visit after the birth.

Writing

I write all the time. It is enjoyable to me and my dream is to be a published writer one day. But even if I never get published, one of my professors said that I can still classify myself as a writer. She said I am able to communicate on paper very well and with more practice, she thinks I could be published one day. My geography teacher said that the last paper I wrote was darn near perfect and he thoroughly enjoyed reading my essay. He gave me 40 out of 40 points! I felt good about my paper, but I didn't know it was that good!!! Even though school is difficult because I am taking 16 credits while trying to be a good wife and take care of James and I by cooking healthy meals, (thanks mom for your help) and also trying to keep my house clean, bunnies to care for, laundry to do, yard work, and remodeling of the house to finish... it is still rewarding. So my goal is to do 1 hour of creative writing a day. Just like practicing music, the more you do it, the better you'll be at it. Last year, I wrote a children's book and got an A on the project. It was fun and now I read children's books on a consistent basis.

crochet

I love to crochet. I found the picture below in some of my old things. My grandma crocheted that poncho for me. I always loved it. It's funny how old things become new. My crocheting isn't as good as my grandma's, but hopefully it will be one day. Maybe by the time I have little granddaughters, it will be. I love this picture of me. James didn't believe I once had straight hair. I used to also have dimples, but the scan of this picture didn't come out so you can see them. Hopefully my girls will look like me, aren't I cute?

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does anyone feel like dancing now?

more cool dancing...

dancing dancing dancing

west coast swing

I've been studying all day and it is 3 am. I'm tired, yet have more to do. I took this funny aura test that said maybe I should be a dancer. Wouldn't that be fun.... This is the kind of dance I'd like to do... west coast swing...

My aura is red

Your Aura is Red

You have a high level of emotion. This can mean passion, but it can also mean rage. Usually, you don't take these emotions out on others. You just use them as motivation - and it works! The purpose of your life: embracing all the wonders of the life, lots of travels, and tons of adventures Famous reds include: Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Jennifer Lopez Careers for you to try: Dancer, Boxer, Surgeon

What Color Is Your Aura?

My adventure in Jamaica

So soon after moving to Salem, my friend's mom decided to plan a trip to Jamaica. It was announced in Relief Society that whoever wanted to go should call her and the more people we had, the cheaper the flight and hotel because we could get a group rate. I immediately called her up and my mom decided she wanted to go also. I had a great time, these are some of the pictures. Among all the wonderful things we did, going to church with these people was at the top of my list. They were humble and kind, just the type of LDS people we all should be. This little bit of travel gave me a small taste of the world and now I would like to travel to every country.

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Influential people

The sister missionaries and I were the same age when they served in our area. I was amazed to see how service oriented they were and how happy they were. I loved them and was constantly invited to go on splits with them. Once while out with Sister Aholelei, we had a wonderful visit on why she decided to serve a mission. She was influential in helping me decide to serve a mission also. I felt so much love from these sisters, we loved having them over and invited them often for dinner. Tyler loved Sister Breedlove, she was so kind to him and she played basketball with him. She also has the most amazing singing voice I've ever heard. I met up with Sister Aholelei after her mission and enjoyed being with her. Sister Breedlove is still in contact with my mom, she is married and has a couple of children. Great Memories!

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Check out my Slide Show!

My Mission

I've been thinking about my mission a lot lately. I served in the Boston Massachusetts mission. I was called to speak spanish. I loved my mission, there were incredibly difficult times but also wonderful times as well. Some companions were so difficult to get along with and others were pure joy to be around. I learned so much about myself and learned how much Heavenly Father truly loves each and every one of us. I met people who were excellent members of the church and others who weren't. People who had done terrible things and others who were incredibly service oriented. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love each and every one of us. How blessed I felt to know this and it increased my desire to show people how much their Father above loved them. At the end of my mission my Mom and Dad and little brother, Tyler came to tour my mission and bring me home. We had such a great time exploring the area and being together. These are some of my most treasured memories. The pictures below are some of the things we did together. I'll post more pictures of my mission another time, mostly I'm trying to scrapbook all the pictures and if you come to my house and are interested, I'll show you more.

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It's all coming up roses

My favorite color is a rose pink, so this is why my site is so bold and brightly colored. My apartment used to be decorated in pinks and burgundy. In one apartment I even got permission to paint the walls a bright pink color. When I married and moved in with James, he said... "please, not too much pink." HA HA HA HA. That's ok, I think I've gotten over my phase of wanting the walls pink, nuetral colors are more soothing. I think we're in need of a calm atmosphere and a mellow feel to our home.