Alpine Live Nativity

Each year Alpine host a live Nativity. It is an enormous scene with real live camels and everything. It even includes actors prancing around on large horses dressed in full roman soldier costumes. The girls love going to this. This year it was very cold and snowy but we stayed and waited in line anyway. First we walked through the village set up with shops from days of old. Our neighbor Jan sat in the "bakery" handing out bread while Barry was dressed as one of the three wise men. Animals were everywhere! We finally reached the end and came across a beautiful couple posing with their newborn as Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. The best part was watching all of the little children running to see Jesus. My kids asked if it was really Jesus...it was so sweet! As you leave the Nativity hot chocolate is served and donations can be made for a cancer organization. My friend Colleens mom (from Alpine) died of breast cancer and so her family raises money each year for the cancer center. The Nativity is organized by her family with the help of Will Jones.

Gratitude and Thanksgiving

I love this picture! Lindsay fell down and Lauren knelt down to check on her! I am so grateful for my children! And I'm so thankful for simple love.

I was asked to give a talk last week at church. It was after a bad day of cramps and bleeding due to the start of our third miscarriage and I wasn't sure I'd have the strength to stand and talk. I woke up Sunday morning feeling ready and excited to share my message of gratitude. I didn't feel sorry for myself I felt empowered by my strength and testimony. I also felt I had too much to be grateful for to not give the talk. After church I soon felt weak again and it was straight back to bed! But I was so happy God gave me the strength to get through our church service. So here is my talk. It is a long post I know. But I want it here in my journal. If you don't have a place in your heart for religion you need to not bother to read it. But I know I will be so grateful I have saved my thoughts and feelings here to look back on.

My talk went sort of like this:

I am so grateful to be at church today. I’m grateful for this ward building, for the sacrament and for all of your friendly faces. I’m also very grateful for this thanksgiving holiday. However I am not exactly thankful to be up her because I strongly dislike giving talks at church. It’s a bit uncomfortable and I worry I’ll say the wrong thing and not express myself in the way I truly feel, just because it is hard to be up in front of people. Last time I gave a talk I cried though most of it. If any of you remember. It was so embarrassing because it was the ugly cry! You now they kind of cry where you make a really ugly face and you know people are embarrassed to look at you! I can’t even believe I was asked to give a talk again after that one. So I won't cry today! Dan doesn't believe me so he has to give me a pedicure if I don't cry!!! I know your all here to feel the spirit and learn of the gospel please keep in mind that I’m not a religious scholar or a great public speaker. That’s not my talent in life. But I do have the gift of a grateful heart. I have much that I am grateful for. This week we will all have the opportunity to celebrate thanksgiving and think of what we have gratitude for. I bet each of you like me, has a long list of things you’re grateful for. I could take easily take up ten minutes reading some of my list but it is infinite. It has no end. I have no end for the gratitude of my blessings.

A few years ago my husband emailed me a quote from Ezra Taft Benson. It was on gratitude. I love this quote and I have kept it saved on my desktop and read it from time to time.

"We need to be more grateful. I think there's no true character without gratitude. It's one of the marks of a real strong character, to have a feeling of thanksgiving and gratitude for blessings that are ours.We need more of that spirit in our homes, in our daily associations, in church, everywhere. It doesn't cost anything. It's so easy to cultivate the spirit of appreciation and gratitude. And it's so easy, also, to be dissatisfied and to be envious of other people." Ezra Taft Benson


It is so easy to have feelings of gratitude. And like president Benson said it does not cost anything. It uplifts us for free. But it is also just as easy to focus on the negativity. We can make a choice to choose gratitude rather than be destitute. Just this past few weeks I can think of plenty to complain about but by doing that I miss out on the uplifting moments to think of my blessings. My sister called with news of possible breast cancer, my other sister is worried about loose her house and their job, my mom called and said my grandma needs to have heart surgery again is likely to have another heart attack and I also lost something very special this week. With everything going on this past week and month and I still just couldn't stop my self from being happy! Its not that I don't have concern or worry its just that I find power in gracious living. I choose to be happy because my list of reasons to feel gratitude is endless. And mostly we always have more blessings than opposition because of our Heavenly Fathers love. It always outweighs the negative. There is power in gracious living.

Well known author Melody Beattie, wrote
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance,chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast,a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,and creates a vision for tomorrow.

I believe when one finds gratitude their life changes. You can turn your life around by living daily with gratitude. A certain calmness and inner peace and joy is found in a life lived with gratitude. Most of my feelings of gratitude can be attributed to my testimony.
My involvement with the gospel of Jesus Christ has only brought me gratification, happiness, love…I had a friend recently tell me that she left the church when she found the truth and that when she was LDS she was living ignorantly and while her own ignorance was bliss she felt she couldn't’t think for herself. I disagree and I know without a doubt she is wrong. It is not ignorance but rather knowledge and knowledge is power. I am empowered because I believe in Jesus Christ. No, I am not better than anyone else for it but I have become a better person because of it. I could never deny the gospel after the good it has shown to me. I admit it may be easier to say I don't believe. I could wear tank tops, see an R rated movie, drink alcohol (which I don't like anyway), go to Costco on Sunday when it is not crowded and never feel guilt about anything and we would’t get to share 10% of our earnings and so on. No thanks! I'll wear my modest clothes, watch uplifting movies, say prayers with my children and only be with one man. I'll keep doing service and teach my children to be forgiving and to believe in a higher power. It is not always effortless but it is indeed worth it. I'd rather have faith in this world and be spiritually strong than not be. And Yes, I told my non believing friend I can still think for myself. And yes I am empowered by this truth and I feel much gratitude because of it!

In True to the Faith, a church booklet it says:

Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation and thankfulness for blessings or benefits we have received. As we cultivate a grateful attitude, we are more likely to be happy and spiritually strong. We should regularly express our gratitude to God for the blessings He gives us and to others for the kind acts they do for us.
In D & C 78:19 the Lord promises us
"He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious" (D&C 78:19). Gratitude is an uplifting, exalting attitude. People are generally happier when they have gratitude in their hearts. We cannot be bitter, resentful, or mean-spirited when we are grateful.

True to the Faith booklet also reads:
We should be thankful for the wonderful blessings that are ours and for the tremendous opportunities we have. We can be thankful to our parents, family, friends, and teachers. We should express appreciation to everyone who has assisted us in any way.
We should thank our Heavenly Father for His goodness to us by acknowledging His hand in all things; thanking Him for all that He gives us, keeping His commandments, and serving others. We should especially thank Him for His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, for the Savior's great example, for His teachings, for His outreaching hand to lift and help, for His infinite Atonement.
—See True to the Faith (2004), 78–79

I am grateful for the atonement and I know what we are taught is true; He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious! We do get to feel that glorious power in gratitude when we are not mean spirited and we express feelings of thanksgiving. We are given more direction on how to live this way in

THE BOOK OF PSALMS
PSALM 100

A Psalm of praise—Serve the Lord with gladness, all ye his people—Be thankful unto him and bless his name.

A PSALM OF PRAISE.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath amade us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with a thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.


In primary this past month we have learned this simple verse in Doctrine and Covenants 59:7
Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.

I am very happy, very blessed and have overwhelming gratitude for my life. What I have to be grateful for is infinite. I sometimes do think of the things that are not right in this world but I don’t let it bother me and often time I feel almost feel selfish because of my contentedness. I know it helps that I have faith and I guess I can contribute much of my happiness from that. I want everyone to know this and I hope to teach my children this that no matter what is going on you still have choices. Choose to be happy. Choose to submit yourself to Gods will. Choose to be a better person than you were yesterday. Choose daily to recognize your blessings and always carry the spirit of gratitude. Remember the gospel is power and it will bring you happiness. Happiness is also powerful. Find the truth for your self and live it and live it with all the thankfulness you have in your heart.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said

"May we live worthy of the glorious endowment of light and understanding and eternal truth which has come to us through all the perils of the past. Somehow, among all who have walked the earth, we have been brought forth in this unique and remarkable season. Be grateful, and above all be faithful."

I am thankful for my husband and children and for the rest of my family. I am also thankful for Michelle Madruga for bringing me chocolate chip cookies yesterday. I'm thankful to serve your wonderful children in the primary. As I said before my list of things I feel gratitude for is never ending. I'm grateful to know I have a Savior. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ , Amen.


I wish you all a happy thanksgiving.

Kissing the Garden Goodnight

This post is over two months old but better late than never! I was waiting until I could find the picture of the girls kissing the garden goodnight.

October notes - Our garden is officially closed for the season. Pretty much every thing died when we had that little bit of snow. No more fresh herbs and vegetables. Yesterday I pulled out all of the dying flowers in our flower bed and Dan has started to blow the leaves into piles. We are moving closer to winter, although the weather is still amazing and the golden trees through out Alpine are gorgeous.

The girls will miss the garden but we will let them help us plant next spring. I remember this summer Lauren kissing the garden good-night. Here are a few cute "girl talk" moments I want to remember.


One night this summer we walked in the garden just before bedtime. Lauren decided to kiss all of the plants goodnight. She was singing and dancing between the planter boxes and leaning over to kiss each leaf. It was pretty funny and soon Lindsay joined in on the garden dance. Something must of worked because a week later we had a dozen huge cucumbers, lots of peppers and the cantaloupe finally started to grow.

A few weeks later the kids were eating cantaloupe and Lindsay offered me a bite of hers. She was so cute wanting to share with me. I don't like cantaloupe and told her no thanks, I don't like it. Lauren went crazy and shouted "WHAT? You don't like it? Come on you have to try it! You have to try new things, you'll like it"! She sounded just like me trying to get them to try something new. I had to laugh. So I promised to try a bite and told them that we have more cantaloupe growing in our garden. Lindsay was so excited that we actually have cantaloupe in our own garden and she said, "Really...Oh Mommy, that is sooo nice."

Other cute moments-

Lauren and I were playing at home and she said out of the blue, "Mom I wish you could have your baby". I told her that was sweet and that Daddy and I will try. She replied, "Cause you don't have one yet...Jesus is going to get one for you". A few minutes later she said, "Remember when I was a baby in your tummy? Cause I told you you're gonna have a baby". "We can have a baby brother so when he grows up we can play with him and have so much fun together as a family". I guess she really wants me to have a baby. She has been talking about it for a year and tells people all the time.

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I asked the girls to get ready to get in the car and Lauren said, "No, we are playing our game. Its called good guys and bad guys and the good guys are trying to save their babies in this princess crown. Isn't that cool"? I don't know where she came up with this game, she is either very creative or was just really bored!

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I don't know where they came up with this word but the girls always refer to yesterday as "Lasterday" or "Last day" or "Lastgo".

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Translations of Lindsay's language:
"I love jew" = I love you
"Mamma jew my shunshine" = Mom, you're my sunshine

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Lindsay loves to look at the stars just like her Mom and Nana Lyle. She often will ask to go out on the deck or front porch to look at the stars. One week late in the summer she was star gazing and enthusiastically said, "Mom, come here! Hurry come look at the stars they look like an ogstacle course"! She was trying to say they looked like an obstacle course. Another time she said the stars were making a pattern! She is so cute. She has also asked if she can be a shooting star for Halloween.

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When I say we don't have money for something the girls like to remind me that Daddy has money. Yes, Daddy has lots of coins in his office so we can buy whatever we want!

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At the video store one day Lindsay said, "MOM! LOOK this is my favorite movie I've NEVER seen"!

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The girls love to play with my jewelry. Lauren keeps asking me when she can have my wedding ring. I told her when she is a big girl a nice boy will marry her and give her a ring. She said, "I want to marry Daddy, I don't want to marry a different boy. I want to marry Daddy and stay in thissss family"!


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Lauren walked up to me and said, "Mom I have to tell you something special about you that I love". I asked her what? She replied, "your heart". (aah, how she makes me melt)

Hope & Pippy!

Hope is a great word. It invokes a warm feeling inside. Everyone has hope and everyone loves to hope.

When I was in elementary school I had a friend named Hope. She only lived in our area for one year. She was staying with her christian grandparents while her own mother got her life in order. She and her sisters, Faith and Charity, were placed with family members due to their moms inability to be the kind of mother they deserved. But Hope was so full of the meaning of her birth name, she had a wish for something greater than her experiences and expected fulfilment of her wishes. She never doubted. She had brown freckles, gangly longs legs that were so bouncy and an upbeat disposition. She wore her long blond hair in braids and was a bit tomboyish! A blond Pippy Longstocking! I enjoyed the year I had her as a friend. I learned the meaning of Hope through her. How could one little girl be taken from her mother and still be happy and bouncy? She really had hope! I attended church with Hope and her grandparents one Sunday. In that one day I memorized the names of the books of the New Testament. I was proud of myself. But I was more proud to have Hope as a friend.

I still have Hope. Hope exists within me daily. I hope for my parents to be healthy and to always find meaning in their lives. I hope for my father to know he has a father in heaven. I hope for my sister to not get breast cancer (it runs in our family genes). I hope for my other sister to have a new home and new PTA president (ha ha). I hope for my little girls to be strong and to make good choices. I hope for my husband to know how incredible I think he is. I hope for sunny days and clear skies. I hope for Jackie to find out how powerful and beautiful she is. I hope to laugh out loud every day. I hope to learn forgiveness every time it is needed. I hope to bake a really good cake from scratch. I hope to get organized. I hope to go back to Russia and China and hug my former students. I hope to read the news and see people making money and not loosing jobs. I hope to run another marathon when it is not raining. I hope to have one more baby and see a little heartbeat on an ultrasound. I hope, I hope I hope!!!

I love Hope. If anyone happens to know of a 34 year old woman named Hope who has a sister named Faith, send her my way so I can say hi. I miss her but I still have her with me. I embrace Hope daily.

PS. Shell & Steph, you should watch this pippy clip...it totally brings back memories of Saturday mornings when we were kids.

Messy Monsters Part Two!

I bought my sweet little girls the umbrellas that they dreamed of. They were so happy. Just take a look at how cute they are holding them and dancing with them. I thought for sure I was onto something and could expect them to continue cleaning because of the benefits. It didn't last longer than a day. I focused on the kitchen for one hour just to clean up and make dinner and look what happens. Messy little monsters are at it again! No they didn't toilet paper the house this time. They just left stickers on the wall, took all the cushions off the sofa, dumped a box of cereal, and you know how the story goes. I found them hiding in the corner with a can of whipped cream and ice cream cones and of course Lindsay was naked, I promise she has clothes. It feels like groundhog day at the Hausers! A broken record in my head of the silly clean up song!

fire and prayers

UPDATE: After I posted this a few heroes came to the rescue and saved the neighborhood.
This photo is taken from my Aunts drive way...scary!
Please start praying. Southern California is on fire again and it is concentrated in Orange County, my old stomping grounds. It happens so often and each time until now, I have been lucky it wasn't near my friends or families homes. Always close but not too close. My favorite "Aunt" Renee along with her family has been evacuated tonight from her home in Anaheim Hills. I'm a nervous wreck! 50 homes less than a mile from her have been destroyed. They fled their home with the dog and computer but had no time to grab anything else. My uncle John left in such a hurry that he forgot his wallet and cell phone. He has no identification. I'm worried they will loose everything. As they were leaving they saw their neighbor's palm tree catch fire. Please pray for them and everyone around them. Orange, my former home town, is also on fire and my former church building is near the flames, as well as many homes of my old friends. Please keep them in your prayers tonight. Thanks.

try again

November 15Th - For several nights now I have been dreaming that I am pregnant and then I wake up and have a full bladder. Several times last night I woke up, well I was half awake but too tired to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. Again I was dreaming and this time of me taking a pregnancy test. So at 6:40 AM this morning on Saturday, November 15, I took a pregnancy test. POSITIVE!!! Oh, happy day! I am so excited. I began to giggle and jump and then laugh out loud so much that I thought I might wake up Dan. I peeked and he was still sound asleep. I started to think of fun ways to tell him but not sure if I could wait. Lindsay woke up. I carried her back to bed and was still beaming and I had to tell someone. So I said, "Lindsay Mommy is going to have a baby for you. I have a baby in my tummy". She gasped, her eyes went wide open, she smiled, hugged me and then went back to sleep. I went back to my room to my sleeping bear and stared at him until he woke up. He said asked if I was pregnant. I jumped on him and shouted, "You're a stud! Yes, I am pregnant"! For the past three years we have debated when we should have another baby and if we should even have one. At first I wasn't ready for another one and then I started running and wanted to complete my marathon. But the girls constantly talk about having a baby brother or sister. We decided to give it six months and if no baby Dan could get snipped. October 14Th I discontinued birth control. October 20Th Dan returned from his California trip. I am now I think 6 weeks pregnant. Nice work Dan, knocked me up with one shot! Is this too much information? I took a few pregnancy test a few weeks ago because I was having symptoms. I didn't think I would get pregnant right away but I was so sleepy and craving cream cheese won tons like crazy. Both test were negative. But with other symptoms and our intuition we decided on one more test. We have told a only few people and our families. So I won't post this for a few more weeks until I have had an ultrasound.


November 17 - After the first ultrasound:
The first ultrasound shows me behind six weeks which was confusing because she couldn't find a sac. I also had unusual spotting. My suspicion is an early miscarriage. I am no stranger to disappointment. Yes, I have much to be happy about but I know disappointment when it comes to pregnancy. I have already had two miscarriages. My first pregnancy was a gruesome and painful miscarriage. The second one resulted in a DnC. The third pregnancy I had blood clots, bed rest and 14 weeks of Dan giving me shots. But it also resulted in my first beautiful baby, Lauren! The fourth pregnancy I took hormones but it wasn't so bad and I ended up with my little joy Lindsay Jane. So here I am at my fifth pregnancy and hoping things would be smooth sailing. After all I am a veteran to this. Unfortunately it hasn't been so easy.

One week later - I had my third miscarriage and another DnC. Its OK. We will try again. Its funny though how when you want to be pregnant everywhere you go you see beautiful pregnant women. I stayed home for a week. We missed Thanksgiving at Bill and Brenda's but they understood. We have to wait a few months before we can try again.

messy little monsters

My little girls are actually helping me clean today! Is this for real? Is the Hauser home entering a new stage? Is this too good to be true? They have tried to help me clean before but usually just make a bigger mess as though it was a game. But today they're taking it seriously! Lindsay tried to make her bed and put away her laundry. Lauren tried to mop the floor and is picking up all of her toys! I praised them for the great job they were doing. I told them I was going to buy them a Little Mermaid umbrella because they were being so good. Lauren ran over to me crying, she hugged me and said she was so sad because I was being so nice. What? OK, I think she meant to say she was crying happy tears because she is getting her umbrella that she has been asking for the past few months. I just laughed and gave her a big hug. She is the best girl ever! She has matured so much over the past few months. Today I feel like a lucky mom.


Typically when I leave them unattended it means trouble. Like the last time I updated my blog/journal. I walked out of my office to find that the basement had been toilet papered, Lauren was wearing a costume and Lindsay was streaking! I wonder what they are doing right now? I can hear the noisy footsteps upstairs and I know they're running around and I can also hear Lindsay howling. I'm sure I will have a mess to clean up! At least today they feel like helping.

OBummer

Barack Hussein Obama will be our new president. I'm not nearly as upset as I thought I would be! He actually gave a great speech last night, as did John McCain. Both men acted respectfully. I was proud of McCain, offering to reach out to Obama and help if needed and proud of Obama for publicly saying he would work with him. I'm excited about the possibilities that have opened in the minds of young black Americans. They may now choose to have more hope for themselves, a better outlook on life and strive toward better education within their poorer communities. I was disgusted by those who admitted this morning that they committed voter fraud and voted multiple times for Obama. And I was equally disgusted by the Black Panthers, this isn't 1960! I just hope if Obama gets his wishes for socialism that the American people will not get even more lazy and wait around for government hand outs. I'm concerned that Obama wouldn't pass a background check to join the FBI however he is deemed qualified to be our president. I have so many thoughts on this election and so many more on Obamas questionable track records and associations but I don't have the time to write about it today. So at another time, I'll add it here in my journal. But for now I'll just say that I have the audacity to sincerely hope he does a good job and proves me wrong. His little girls are gorgeous and what an exciting life waits ahead for them! But whats up with Michelle?? Who helps her with her wardrobe? That dress was hideous!!! Somebody please help Michelle!

Robin Hood & Walt Disney

I just heard the Robin Hood songs online and I had to laugh out loud! I love this music. Walt Disney was a genius and his legacy will live on forever! I want every original Disney song ever recorded for Christmas.

Growing up Robin Hood was one of my favorite Disney cartoons. Good boy Robin Hood running through the forest with Big John stealing from the rich to pay the poor. It occurred to me that he is a bit like Obama. Bummer...I should have voted for Obama today. HA HA! Remember what Friar Tuck said, "Praise the Lord and pass the tax rebate". Or may be Obama is more like the nasty Sheriff of Nottingham who robs from Friar Tuck and puts anyone in jail who goes agianst him. Or he might do a background check on you if you disagree and show it to the world. Sound familiar?

choose to be happy

October notes - No matter what bad comes around I have found there is still too much good, to not be happy. I am blessed to live in a beautiful place with a great family so I always have reasons to be happy. I can not look out our picture windows overlooking Alpine and not be happy. My mother in law calls Utah, Gods country. When I look out our windows I think of her Utah nickname and agree. It seems a bit strange how much I have fallen in love with this place. I actually loved it here years ago the first time I drove through this little town but I never thought I would love living here so much. I still miss sunny California, Disneyland and the sound of waves. But it is good here. Anyways I am feeling happy. I am happy about Octobers beautiful weather and the changing leaves. I am happy my kids love me so much that they fight over who I am holding and hugging. I am happy my husband is my best friend. I am happy I can run. I am happy for so many reasons. It would be easy for someone to get depressed with the way things are but I have chosen happiness. My Grandma is sick, my parents are not healthy, everyone is struggling financially, we have lost on a business investment, my car battery will not stay alive, Obama is in the lead (scary for our nation... he is even scarier than the opponents), I just found out two families in our neighborhood are moving (not by choice) and we don't want to loose either of them, I am getting wrinkles (so vain of me), I'm too tired to read at night and so many people I know need help and I feel helpless because I can not offer them assistance. But then I look outside and I'm happy. I almost feel selfish because of my contentedness. I know it helps that I have faith and I guess I can contribute much of my happiness from that. I want my kids to know that no matter what is going on you still have choices. Choose to be happy. Choose to submit yourself to Gods will. Choose to be a better person than you were yesterday.

"We need to be more grateful. I think there's no true character without gratitude. It's one of the marks of a real strong character, to have a feeling of thanksgiving and gratitude for blessings that are ours.
We need more of that spirit in our homes, in our daily associations, in church, everywhere. It doesn't cost anything. It's so easy to cultivate the spirit of appreciation and gratitude. And it's so easy, also, to be dissatisfied and to be envious of other people." - Ezra Taft Benson

Relief Society

Last night was our wards annual Relief Society Visiting Teaching Dinner. The presidency and a few others put together a beautiful and tasty homemade dinner. The tables were all decorated for fall and you know how much I love warm fall colors! Dozens of 8 x 10 black and white photos hung on the walls as a back drop along with leaves and pumpkins. All were amazing photos of women in our neighborhood. All faces I recognize and love. I felt warmth and love the instant I walked in the door. I sat with a few women that I don't get to talk to very often and I was so glad I did. We had a good time sharing our lives and a few childhood memories. Dinner was completed by a decadent pumpkin dessert. I don't even want to know how many calories I ate last night because every bite was worth it. After dinner we all moved into another room and listened to stories and testimonies of moments in the history of the Relief Society. Of course I cried happy tears! Some of my favorite stories were over 100 years old and other stories happened recently in my own neighborhood. The musical piece was a song I think titled, Angels Among us. I know sometimes we do have angels helping us out but we can also each be acting as angels for each other. Isn't that what they say, the errand of angels was given to women? We can do that by being good friends, loving neighbors and good visiting teachers. My first visiting teacher, Vicki, came to mind. I was single and attending the Hacienda Heights Ward. She took me under her wing. Each month she took time to visit with me sharing scriptures and personal stories. Some how she always knew what I needed to hear. I haven't forgotten her. I love the women that I get to visit with each month and I'm grateful for their friendships. Jan Vincent shared the story of a pioneer who traveled across the plains, buried a son a day before giving birth to another. She never asked for help or said why me. Her Relief Society sisters stepped in so she could rest with her newborn in the hand cart until she was strong enough to walk on her own. You must read the full story to feel the spirit of it. Last year a family around the corner was experiencing many trials including a bitter divorce(I won't mention names). I remember how bad things had been for them. The church kept stepping up to help out with out any thanks in return. At one point they were about to be evicted. The Relief Society sisters encircled the family with love, support and service. Over a dozen women showed up to clean, shampoo stains out of the carpet, patch holes in the wall and wash mildewed laundry. These women could have easily said No, we have done enough, but being full with the love of God they wanted to once again help this sister in need. Time and time again I see women silently helping the women in my neighborhood. Like Rachel who was having a bad day and trying to finish painting her house. Her friends showed up one day with paint brushes in hand ready to help. Last year when I had a bad sinus infection and was out energy Jan sent over a home cooked meal. I never even told her I had been sick! And then there is the older woman down the street who needed help with yard work and was helped out by the boy scouts whose mothers had sent them that way. We also talked about Sister Beck and her visit to Africa in which she trained the women and organized visiting teaching for them. They now look after one another, making sure each home has water, grain and friendship. I am so glad I went last night. In these stressful days where money is tight and politics are blazing I needed this comfort. I love being part of Relief Society. It reaffirms my beliefs, makes me feel loved and encourages me to be a better person. Last night was amazing!!! Thank you Relief Society.

FYI for those reading who do not know what the Relief Society is :
The Relief Society is a philanthropic and educational women's organization and an official organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Founded in 1842 in USA, the Relief Society today claims more than 5.2 million members in over 170 countries and territories, and is one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the world. The motto of the Relief Society, is "Charity never faileth". The official purpose of Relief Society is helping sisters [women] and families come unto Christ."
The official objectives of Relief Society are to:
1. Build faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and teach the doctrines of the kingdom of God; 2. emphasize the divine worth of each sister; 3. exercise charity and nurture those in need; 4. strengthen and protect families; 5. serve and support each sister; and help sisters become full participants in the blessings of the priesthood.

First Snow

Saturday, Oct. 11Th -It started snowing this morning during breakfast. The girls were so excited as they ran to look out the window. Lindsay said, "Mom, its snowflakes outside in winter, I'm so excited to sledding. Daddy will be so happy to sled us"! Lauren was equally excited and started screaming and said, "Oh my gosh, its snowing! I love winter. Mom, lets call Daddy and tell him its snowing, he will be so excited". I wish I could say I was so enthused about this early October snow! At least it didn't snow on my birthday yesterday! The snow is melting before it even hits the ground and next week it will warm up again. I'm not quite ready for another long winter, but it is approaching. I just hope it stays warm until Halloween.

Sunday, October 12Th - OK, forget about yesterdays little dust of snow. I woke up this morning to a blanket of snow covering Alpine. It is at least a few inches of snow. So much for hiking this week and so much for global warming!

Monday, October 13Th Yeah! the snow has all melted and it is getting warm again.

Splendid b-day at Dear Lizzie

Lauren, Lindsay and I went to get a treat and shop at Dear Lizzie on my birthday. Dear Lizzie, is a foo-foo, fluffy, ultra girlie boutique and bistro. It is so cute, I love it. Everything is pink, brown and Parisian. Its also way overpriced. So we usually just look and don't buy. But it is fun to sit down and eat a treat on the bistro side of the shop. Everything is served in pretty little glass dishes. This time we ordered miniature eclairs and a Dizzy Lizzie. The Dizzy Lizzie, is their signature drink; a cherry cream soda, served in a tall fountain glass topped with whipped cream. We also looked at some of the clothes. I picked up a silky black blouse but Lauren told me is was "too dark and blackie". She suggested I look at something lighter. I kind of giggled but she was serious and started weaving through the clothes looking for something. She picked out a cute red, pink and black tweed dress. She liked it because the thread was "sparkly". I amused her and tried it on. Surprisingly I liked it but it was too short. Lauren said she would find something longer and ran out of the dressing room. She came back with a huge dress and said it was prefect because it was longer! Lindsay decided she need to help me shop too. She came back with anything she could find that had rhinestones on it! Lauren peeked her head out of the dressing room and said to Lindsay, "Linz, try to find something in Mommies age. Good Luck"! I have never had so much fun shopping with my little girls. Another splendid day.

Best Birthday Ever!

October 10, 2008 - Today is my birthday and it has been a great day. I feel so loved! Dan and Kay are both of of town so I am here with just my two girls. Dan went to California to work with his brother Marc for a few weeks. Kay went to Arizona for a wedding. So on Tuesday we all went out to celebrate my birthday early. We drove up Provo Canyon to Sundance and had lunch. Then we drove around the scenic Alpine Loop. Its a gorgeous drive. Kay gave me a $100 Visa card so I can go shopping! Dan gave me the sweetest birthday card ever and a gift card to Cabelas and Nordstrom. The kids love to shop at Cabelas and he knows I want new hiking boots, so it is perfect. On Thursday I received a few surprises in the mail. My Mom and Grammy Wanda each sent a birthday card and shopping money. Brenda sent me a box of cake mix with cupcake pans and a carrying case. So cute because she knows we love cupcakes in his house! I was already feeling pretty special when my birthday rolled around. I really didn't feel bad at all that Dan was going to be gone and didn't expect anything from anyone. Birthdays are more about the kids. But the calls and gifts kept on coming! Sidney and Kelle called me first thing in the morning to sing to me. I can't wait until they live here with us in Alpine! Then my Mom called to sing to me and wish me a happy day (she is in New Mexico). Then Dad called and Steph, Shell, Jackie and Bill & Brenda. Then Marci Madruga and the kids stopped by with a perfect gift. They gave me pomegranate lotion and a cupcake from my favorite shop, Dear Lizzie. Rachel LaComb and Kelle Ivie each sent me a birthday email. That was so nice to open my emails and read warm wishes from friends. Later I noticed pink balloons tied to the mailbox from Alisa Orrock! She knows I love pink. I even got a card from Sue Lessley in CA (she is the best) and $50. Then Jessica called to invite me over to dinner with the kids. Can this birthday get any better? I think I must know the nicest people. Of course it gets better. I later got a message that my running girls, Rachel, Alisa and Jessica scheduled pedicures for us on Saturday with a free babysitter to watch Lauren and Lindsay! After lunch I took Lauren and Lindsay with me to Dear Lizzie for a cherry soda and a treat. We had so much fun I'll have to write about that in another post. In the evening we went over for dinner at the Crooks and Jessica's fun loving kids had decorated their house for me with streamers, balloons and cupcakes! At bedtime Lauren and Lindsay cuddled with me... I'll be having sweet dreams!

leaves whisper

It has been so beautiful this week. I'd like to stay outside and stare off into the colorful mountains all day long. But I can't, so I took a picture. The leaves are changing and I love it. Here is a view of our Alpine mountains taken from our front yard. Up this mountain is Horse Tails Falls, where I hiked during the summer. I'm looking forward to hiking it again next week. Its lovely and peaceful. There is something special about the gentle sound of the leaves in the mountains. Its like God whispering, I made this for you.


God's miracles are to be found in nature itself; the wind and waves, the wood that becomes a tree? All of these are explained biologically, but behind them is the hand of God. -Ronald Reagan

September Weekend

Warning: Long boring journal entry (photo not related, just cute).

Friday was a good day, long but good. I didn't run in the morning it was my day off to rest from exercise. Dan went over to his moms to help her with a few things. While he was gone I cleaned out the car and let the girls play outside. They were riding their tricycles and scooter in the driveway. Lauren took off skipping and running to play on the grass and the next thing I know she comes running to me screaming. She was screaming in pain and with fear, not fake tears. I ran to her and noticed a few wasp or bees buzzing around her head. She had found a swarm of them. She ended up with two stings and one live wasp stuck in her hair and one dead one also stuck in her hair. For the next half hour she cried and shook uncontrollably. She was traumatized. My poor little girl. I held her to comfort her as she was screaming, "SHUT THE DOOR"! "SHUT THE GARAGE"! She was afraid the little buzzards would fly into the house and attack her again. She then said she didn't want to live in Utah anymore. I had to laugh at that and let her know bees can be found in California too. I went outside to find the source. The little devils were creating a nest under our bark on the side of the house. Dozens of them swarming together, it reminded me of watching Amittyville (horror movie from the 80's). Dan came home and killed all of them. He brought with him a few surprises from Nana Kay. Jacks big wheel, so fun and a new bike for meeee! I haven't rode a bike in years. Kay bought her self a pretty periwinkle blue and silver Schwinn last year that she rode once. Being six feet tall she found that she is too tall for it. So she just sent it over for me to enjoy. I'm excited to start riding a bike again. I hopped on and rode it around our street for a few minutes. I just need to get a helmet and put air in the tires. In the afternoon Lauren and Lindsay went to a play day over at Rachel LaCombs with Ana, Aja and Naomi. I had free time to read and clean the house. Later on after dinner we all went over to Nana's again to hang out with her. Dan and I snuck out for a date. We went and had a couples massage. It was relaxing and much needed.

Saturday morning began early with a 12 mile run. Only a few weeks left until the marathon! Later in the morning the girls and I went to a birthday party while Dan went to a BYU football game. We went to a party at Bounce U (a big inflatable bouncy play place)for the twins Abigail and Eden. They just turned four. We met them over the summer at The Little Gym, in one of Laurens classes. Their Mom Mandy, is so nice! The kids love her twins but often confuse their names with Abam and Even rather than Abigail and Eden. HA HA. They had a great time. After we left I stepped into the fabric store next to the party place and found a republican print cotton. Unbelievable! I'm going to make a pillow case for Brenda (AKA as Grammy Brenda with the pool in Vegas) and send it to her with a note that says sweet dreams! It was her Birthday on Sunday.

Sunday we went to church. The kids love church and beg to go all week long. They love their Sunday school teachers, learning about Jesus and new lessons and wearing pretty little dresses. They're always in a good mood on Sundays. After church we called Grammy Brenda and the girls sang happy birthday to her. Lindsay asked if we could go to her house (its only a 6 hour drive). I told her they were in Hawaii. Then she really wanted to go to Hawaii. I told her we didn't have enough money to go visit her on a plane today. She was so cute and excited when she said, "Yes we can, Daddy has lots of money"! She says he has lots of coins in his office. What a cutie!

Go Cougars

The BYU Cougars showed no mercy as they shut out the UCLA Bruins 59-0 in this weeks football game. Touchdown pass after touchdown pass they were able to throw down the sad Bruins in the first half of the game. Not even trying to be the nice guys for a minute. I thought this was "The Lords University" so what happened to playing nice? No, not the Cougars they were in this for more than the win. At one point I felt sorry for those big fellows crying on their knees in the hot field. I guess I felt sympathy for UCLA because I wanted to go there as a child. My mom would take me to the UCLA Medical Center for experimental treatments on her Lupus and I decided I should attend college there to help find a cure for her disease. I ended up at good ole CSU Fullerton. I did make it back to UCLA campus my senior year for a journalism contest where I was awarded first place in the radio broadcast competition covering a Democratic Convention. I like to remind myself of that event when I feel like I need to get back on the yellow brick road to find my brain. So Dan and I went to the BYU game with our friends the Langfords, die hard fans. I fell asleep sometime during the third quarter after exhaustion from my 20 mile training run, only to be woken up by screams of joy from the crowd. Another touchdown and cute Kristi Langford singing the BYU fight song. Go Cougars. I'm slowly converting to college football and I have no other options of a team to cheer for besides I love the sound of Cougar growl after every first down. Grrrraaahh. So I guess I need to buy something in navy blue for the next game.

kindred spirits

"What a splendid day!...I pity people who aren't born yet for missing it. They may have good days, of course, but they can never have this one" Anne Shirley of Green Gables.

Tuesday (9-2-08) was the anniversary of kindred spirits. 100 years ago "Anne of Green Gables" was published and Anne the feisty, imaginative and kind girl came to life. I love her! L.M. Montgomery was the woman behind the stories of these books which have never been out of print and sold over 50 million copies. I grew up watching the movies on PBS. Last year for Christmas Dan bought me the collection for Christmas.

Anne often spoke of kindred spirits which I liken to a dear and true friend who you can always be yourself with. Anne said, "Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out that there are so many of them in the world". My little girls are two of my kindred spirits. On Tuesday together we had a splendid day. I started the day at 6:00 a.m. with my friend Liz doing yoga in the basement. Then the girls woke up early and wanted to cuddle. Next Lindsay had her three year check up and was so well behaved in the Dr. office. She is growing well and scored 60/60 on her developmental, social and fine motor skills exam. She had one shot and just said "Ouch". I dropped her off at preschool to join Lauren. After school we went to the Peppermint Place. The P.P. is a small candy/treat/ice-cream/gift shop in Alpine. It sits on the corner of Main Street under a few big trees in an adorable cottage. The girls were looking forward to this trip because we haven't been in about six months. Today was a perfect day to go. It felt like autumn with the warm sun and a cool breeze. We each had an ice-cream cone and went outside to enjoy them. We sat under one of the big trees on a bench and the girls danced around and sniffed the blue flowers. The P.P also had gentle music playing on the outside speaker. It was the perfect setting. I told them I was so happy and asked them what made them happy. Lauren said eating ice-cream and Lindsay said gummies and treats. I asked them what other things made them happy. Lauren said the "smiling sun" and her "little people toys". Lindsay's response was "flowers, Barbie and kitty" (a stuffed animal). I told them that Lauren and Lindsay make me happy! This gave Lindsay a cute grin and she started to happily dance around. Lauren smiled, grabbed me by the back of the head and put a big sticky ice-cream kiss on my forehead. What a perfect day.

Unfortunately at the same time somewhere else in the country many people were trying to flee their homes in fear of the hurricane Gustav. Looking at pictures and footage of the many faces was a little depressing. You can tell most of them have lived a rough life and struggled. One boy on his way to saftey was carrying his things in a white garbage bag probably because he does not own luggage. They all looked lost. Luckily the storm downsized and lives were spared. These situations remind me of how good I really have it. I hope I can teach my children to realize the blessings they have and want to serve others. In the mean time I will as often as possible make their childhood one of many "splendid Days." Just like today in Alpine.

divine destiny

"All of you need to drink in deeply the gospel truths about the eternal nature of your individual identity and the uniqueness of your personality. You need, more and more, to feel the perfect love which our Father in Heaven has for you and to sense the value he places upon you as an individual. Ponder upon these great truths, especially in those moments when you might otherwise wonder and be perplexed" Spencer W. Kimball (How can I understand and attain my divine destiny).

I received this quote from my visiting teacher (Sheri Maude) and a personal message from her to strive to end the day with good thoughts. She placed the note in a little pocket of a homemade pillow. She made it made it from two hand knit hankies from Hong Kong. I liked it enough to copy it here in my journal/blog. I am so happy to know who I am. I am a daughter of God. I have a divine purpose in this life. Even the days when I am distracted and or have a little bit of doubt I know it is better to have faith than to not have it. I know my faith is in some weird way a concern for others but I ask them, what is the worst thing that will happen in the end if all I believe is not true? I would have lived a good life full of hope, faith, family, service and fellowship. I am happy. It is part of my eternal nature to be happy, and to be loved and forgiven by God. And it just feels good to believe.

first days of preschool

This is Laurens second year of preschool and Lindsay's first. I remember last year after taking Lauren to school I felt so guilty. I thought may be I should wait one more year because she is still so young. I felt a pit in my stomach for the first few weeks and almost pulled her out. Then I decided that two days a week for only two hours a day wasn't bad and she loved it. She even had her best friend Aja from our neighborhood in class with her. Mrs. Bailey her teacher soon called me and couldn't believe how advanced she was and she asked if she could start reading with her. So Lauren began reading at three years old. Now its Lindsay's turn and she is so thrilled to be in school with the big girls. She happily says "Mom I'm growing". Both girls just attend two days a week. I took them to "Meet Your Teacher" day last week and then Thursday was the first official day. Lauren walked right into her class, sat down at the table and picked up a pencil ready to work. She didn't care that I was leaving her. Lindsay went in wide eyed and curious. She was happy to see me when I picked her up and said she made a friend but that a lot of the kids cried. She said she didn't cry because she is a good girly.

rodeo queens

Earlier this month was Alpine Days. The most wonderful time of the year in my opinion or at least the most fun time. The first time Dan and I went to the Alpine Days Parade we were like two little kids stuck in a movie set of a perfect small town life! We loved it and we even got all sentimental over it. This was our third time going. Each year in August Alpine has a week full of activities including water games, other games and booths, storytelling, a pet show, the parade, fire works and the rodeo. The rodeo last for two nights with one night being just for the little ones. It is called Little Buckaroo Rodeo. Lauren and Lindsay were both contestants. Lauren was in the Mutton Busting (sheep riding) and it was hilarious. She didn't last more than a few seconds but when she fell off she jumped up off the ground and threw both arms up in the air like she was a winner! She was so cute. She wore her pink cowgirl boots from Auntie Cheryl and was saying things like howdy partner and yeehaw all night. I should have signed Lindsay up for the same event but thought she was too small. What was I thinking, she is my tough girl? She was so excited to wear her baby blue suede cowgirl vest from her cousin Sidney. She did the chicken chase. She didn't catch one but after she realized the kids got to keep their chickens she said she will come back and catch one next time. I hope not! We left covered in dirt and cotton candy with pockets full of lollipops. I can't wait until next year Alpine Days so my little girls can be in the rodeo again and watch the parade with friends.

girl talk

After church today the girls were hopping around the house. Lauren said, "Lindsay you have to talk to Jesus before you hop on one foot." Lindsay replied in her three year old language, "OK, where he is?" Lauren answered her by saying, "He is in the gospel". Lindsay asked, "In your heart?" Lindsay continued hopping and whispering in search of Jesus. It was kind of cute. What they talk about is usually so funny or innocent.

Laurens new thing is writing notes. She tries to write them herself or dictates the words to me. On Papas' birthday card she had me write that she "knows she loves Papa in her heart ever, ever and ever". On Sidney's birthday card she asked me to write that she misses her when she is in California.

Last month I asked Lindsay to come inside from playing and she told me, "No actually I'm pretty busy".

When I told the kids Nana Lyle and Gorgeous Grammy Wanda were coming to visit with Shell and the kids they were both so excited. Lauren said, "And papa is coming too?" I told her Papa couldn't come. She was disappointed and said, "But I like Papa. He is a good boy like Daddy".

I said to Lauren after she was able to reach something high in the refrigerator, "Wow, you're tall!" she said back to me "I'm just growing. You'd think I'm five...I bet I am five!" She later helped me with the laundry. She was being so cute and helpful. I thanked her with a kiss and a smile. She was gratified and softly stated "I'm just glad to help"

We have been talking about having another baby for about a year. Lindsay wants a girl and wants to name her Lilah. She has currently named all of her dolls and animals Lilah Genevieve. Lauren keeps telling people I have a baby in my tummy. No not yet! A few days ago she asked, Mama when are you going to hurry and get the baby out?" I told her I didn't have one yet.

13.1 in the dark (Moonlight Marathon)

Last night I ran a half marathon (13.1 miles). My neighbor Aundrea Esplins brother organized it. He is obviously a runner and so are a few of his sons. One night they ran under a full moon and got the idea to do a midnight marathon. He lives in Mapleton, in a giant house on an awesome piece of property. Mapelton is a beautiful but small town with a combination of cute farms and breathtaking mansions. So he put together this small marathon and sponsored all of it including the excellent shirts and a BBQ. The shirts are made of athletic material and have a big red moon and mountain on the front with a clock covering it reading midnight. The back of the shirt says 13.1 in the dark. About 65 people drove up to the canyon in Springville and ran down hill back to his home. It was so much fun. Several people from our ward (church) participated in the run. I ran with Jessica Crook and Rachel LaComb. It was a bit too dark and hard to see in front of us. They had us lit up with so many glow sticks so people on the road could see us coming. Everyone had a good time but today I am so tired and sore. I'm sure I'll run it again next year...unless I'm pregnant.

Olympic Memories

I have been watching the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. I have loved watching the Olympics since I was a little girl. When my sister Shell and I were young we would get so excited after watching that we would pretend to be Olympians! We had so much fun. If it was winter we would put on our slippery socks and pretend to ice skate on the dinning room floor. If it was a summer we were pretending to be gymnast throwing both arms up in the air. Or my favorite was doing the long jump. We would run from the front porch down the side walk and jump onto the grass and see how far we could go! We had big imaginations. I never was an athlete growing up but it was fun to pretend. I am now actually more athletic than ever (other than my cheer and dance competition days). I have started running with my friends and I love it. We are running the St. George marathon this year. This is the closest I will ever come to being an Olympic athlete. Back to the Olympics. I have been watching soccer, swimming, gymnastics and volleyball. The USA swimmers are unbelievable. Micheal Phelps has swept in ever division and will be taking home 7 or 8 gold medals. Women's gymnastics is my favorite. I got teary when the graceful Nastia Liukin won the all around gold medal. Shawn Johnson was also amazing. The controversy was over the Chinese girls being underage. They looked it! But who knows, Chinese women are so tiny.