Confession

Okay, so I am just going to come right out and say it... I am going to vote for Barack Obama for President. Yep, that's right, I'm going to vote for a Democrat for the first time in my life. I'm not saying I'm a full blown Democrat, but I've decided that I'm not a full blown Republican either. I guess I'm just an idealist and I vote for whoever I think is the best person with the best chances for bringing about the much needed change in our worldwide relations, economy, EDUCATION, etc.. I believe that Barack is the best option. In fact, yesterday I did something for the first time in my life....I went downtown with my friend and we volunteered for the Obama campaign here in Asheville. I sat and called people for 2 hours reminding them to vote for Senator Obama in the North Carolina Primary next week. It was quite an interesting experience and I actually had a lot of fun doing it. I have never really been into politics very much but with the bad shape that our country is in right now, I realized that I need to get myself educated on the issues and make a stand. So that is what I'm doing...making a stand for the future of my children.

A Man of Inspiration

Yesterday, Cory and I were talking about his entrepreneur dreams. During this conversation he told me about how inspiring Abraham Lincoln was as far as how many failures and trials he faced and yet how he overcame them all. I was doing some studying up on his life today and I came across the following article. It really touched me and so I thought I'd share it with all of you....

At the age of seven, a young boy and his family were forced out of their home, and the boy was forced to go to work. When the boy was nine, his mother passed away. He had a job as a store clerk, but lost it when he was twenty. The young man wanted to go to law school, but had no education. He went into debt when he was twenty-three, to become a partner in a small store. It was only three years later that his business partner died, and left him with a debt that took years for him to repay.

He dated a girl for four years and, at the age of twenty-eight, decided to ask her to marry him. She turned him down. Thirty-seven years into his life, he was elected to Congress... on his THIRD try. He then failed to be re-elected. This man's son died when he was only four years old. At age forty-five, he ran for the Senate...and failed to be elected. He persisted at politics and ran for the vice-presidency at age forty-seven, and again lost. Finally, at the age of fifty-one, this man was elected President of the United States. His name was Abraham Lincoln.

And then, President Lincoln did a very unusual thing. In the midst of the darkest day in American history, in the midst of the Civil War which claimed more American lives than any other war, in the midst of great trial and tragedy, President Lincoln issued the following proclamation: "It has seemed to me fit and proper that [the gifts of God] should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens . . . to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens."

Abraham Lincoln had a grateful heart. He knew, that even in the midst of great tribulation and hardship, there was much to be thankful for. And he took the time to express his gratitude to God, and invited the American people to join him in giving thanks to the Holy One.

Happy Birthday Cloey!!

Yesterday my little girl turned three. It is hard to believe that three years have already come and gone since that unforgettable Sunday morning when I couldn't wait any longer so I checked myself into the hospital after enduring about 48 hours of non-progressing labor. After I was induced, I was dilated completely and ready to go after about an hour. It was the easiest delivery ever (thanks to the epidural that actually worked).

It is amazing how each child in a family is so incredibly unique. Cloey is so different from Katelund. She is easy-going yet very high maintenance all at the same time. She is very girly, prissy, and endearing. She is picky about who she gives her heart to, but once she does, that person will have it forever. She is very cuddly and loving to those whom she attaches herself to, and to everyone else she gives quite the cold shoulder. :) She is spontaneous, nurturing, moody, stubborn, fun, and absolutely ADORABLE!!! I couldn't even begin to imagine my life without her in it. Cloey, happy birthday! I'll love you forever, like you for always, and as long as I'm living my baby you'll be.

Cloey's Build-a-Bear (or Dog) Birthday

Uncle Logan

Cory's brother, Logan, plays baseball for SVU. This week they had a double header with Montreat College, about 30 minutes from Asheville. We went to cheer him on. We got there just in time to watch him pitch the entire 2nd game, which they ended up winning. Logan pitched an incredible game. There were only 5 hits off of him the entire game, and only one made it to the scoreboard. SVU's coach said it was the best pitch gamed in all of SVU's baseball history.
Here is a picture of Logan batting. We were cheering so loudly for him and his team. In fact, I came to realize two things at that game.....1. I cannot have a son because that means he'll probably play sports and I think I'll end up getting kicked out of his games, I get way to emotionally involved in games where someone I know and love is playing (I'll spare myself the embarrassment and just leave it at that) 2. It was the first time in my life that I have ever been able to scream out "Way to go, BRO!!!"
What a proud big brother!! Cory was so into the game, in fact he couldn't even sit down.

Scrapbook Retreat

My friend Laura invited me to go with her and some of her co-workers at her dentist's office to a scrapbooking retreat this last weekend. I was a little hesitant to go because Cory had to work on Saturday and I couldn't find a babysitter for Friday afternoon, but Cory knew that I really wanted to go so he got off early Friday and then took the girls to work with him on Saturday. It was so sweet of him and I was so excited to have some time scrappin' with the girls. I've posted the pages I completed. This is my friend Laura (who is pregnant with her first) and the girl next to her is Jaime. She was so much fun!

Life Lessons

This week has been an interesting week. I have made some discoveries about myself and I have come to realize a couple of things...

1. No matter how old you are there will always be bullies, but it doesn't matter how mean people are. What matters is how I react.

2. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people (especially those who don't even have any children) try to tell me how to mother my children.

3. When it all comes down to it, family should and will always be #1.

4. My husband is my best friend.

5. I really do "need thee (the Lord) every hour".

6. Faith is an action word.

7. Service brings some of the greatest happiness in life.

8. Sometimes life is just hard.

9. My sisters are my heroes.

10. I have so much to learn and so many ways to grow.

Tagged Once Again

Wow, it is getting really hard to come up with ten things that I haven't already listed as "things people don't know about me". I guess I'm just not that exciting, but I'll give it a try.

1. One of my all-time favorite movies is Swing Kids.

2. My 4-year old daughter beats me at Wii bowling every time we play.

3. I have a crooked smile. For many years, I thought that I was the only person who noticed until one day Cory teased me about it. I couldn't believe that he knew, in fact I even started crying!!! It is pretty obvious when you look at any picture of me smiling. He thinks it's cute, but as for me....not so much. I'm okay with him teasing me about it, but nobody else better say a thing!!!

4. My husband is way more high maintenance than I am!!

5. I LOVE old people. One of my favorite jobs was when I worked at an assisted living center.

6. One time when I was 17, Cory tried to get me to sneak out to go to a party at his friend's house. It was about 9 o'clock at night and my parents were out of town. I told him to hold on a second and then I ran to Andrea's room (my sister who is 18 months older than I am) to ask her if I could go. She told me it was too late and so I told Cory I couldn't go. I don't know why I didn't just go and why I felt the need to ask Andrea, but I guess I was just a really obedient teenager (no laughing mom and Andrea).

7. I hate Monopoly.

8. I love card games.

9. I cannot stay mad for longer than a day and I cannot hold a grudge (even when I really want to).

10. I love change. In fact, I have to change up my shampoo/conditioner and toothpaste pretty frequently or I get so sick of the smell/taste.

Okay, I tag Laura Hutcheon (make her do it Dean), Leslie, and my cousin Jenny.

Mmmmmm....

You may be wondering why I am posting a picture of a glass full of milk, well it is because it is my latest obsession. In my normal state, I would cringe at this picture unless it had a couple of oreos beside it or some chocolate cake. But, in my crazy pregnant state I just cannot get enough. In fact, yesterday I actually ran out of it and had to get more immediately!!! I have never in my life ran out of perfectly good, non-expired milk. I either use it in a recipe or make pudding so that I don't waste it before the expiration date or I just dump it out. I cannot stand to put milk even on my cereal if it is one day past the expiration date...anyways, it is my new best friend. This third pregnancy is making me crazier than ever!!!

Conference Favorites

This weekend was General Conference for our church. For those of you who do not know what that is, it is a worldwide broadcast from Salt Lake City where we are instructed and taught from the leaders of our church, including the Prophet. It was so WONDERFUL!!! At the end of the final session yesterday I felt so rejuvenated and came away with a greater desire to do better and be better. I love to take notes during conference and so for my post today I am going to list some of my favorite conference quotes....

"Salvation is an individual matter, exaltation is a family matter." -Russell M. Nelson

"We must stand as guardians of the God-given gift of family." -Kenneth Johnson

"The Lord often chooses the weak to fulfill his mighty purposes." -Joseph B. Wirthlin

"There are no signs on our meetinghouse doors that say; 'Restricted entrance only to perfect people'." -Joseph B. Wirthlin

"We must do better, we can, and we will." -Henry B. Eyring

"Our children should be encouraged to define themselves by their growing testimonies." -Dallin H. Oaks

"We can be united in following our leaders and independent in knowing the truth for ourselves." -Dallin H. Oaks

"Carefully assessing the condition of our heart is one of the most important things that we can do." -Gerald N. Lund

"The Holy Ghost will manifest the truth unto a heart, but we must choose to let it into our heart." -Gerald N. Lund

"Service refines our divine nature." -Carlos H Amado

"Understanding of the atonement, sufficient faith, and obedience are needed for healing to take place." -Richard G. Scott

"True religion should not originate from what pleases men or from tradition but from what pleases our Father in heaven." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child come together." -David A. Bednar

"You may stand alone for awhile, but don't ever lower your standards." -W. Craig Zwick

"This life is a time for giving and becoming." -Lance B. Wickman

.M Russell Ballard's whole talk

"You know that you love your children, but make sure that they know." -President Monson

...and the many many testimonies given of the Savior and His divine role and mission.

Cookie Dough Craziness

The youth in our stake are going to Nauvoo this summer. Each youth has to earn $200. So in efforts to help the girls raise some of their money, I helped organize a "brilliant" fund raiser... making and selling cookie dough. Really, I had no idea what I was getting myself into!!! We have 95 orders so far and we've only made about 40 of them. My counters are consumed with ingredients, my fridge is full of half-made dough, and the back of the expedition is covered in spilled sugar. I am trying so hard to keep everything organized. I've made spreadsheets and everything, but I am so consumed with it all that I have started to dream about cookie dough. It is taking over my life!!! AHHHH!! I don't think I am ever going to make cookies again, well at least not for a LONG time.