tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26055675254988339942024-03-19T04:21:55.604-07:00In Sunshine & In StormsThe Best Thing To Hold On To In Life Is Each Other
2012Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-1569744908467642652014-03-26T21:35:00.002-07:002014-03-27T07:50:28.337-07:00A 180 <div style="text-align: justify;">
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Just over a year ago, I had a lot of life questions, I felt incredibly empty, unfulfilled, and somewhat abandoned. I was hurting as I'd had to let go of Kinlee in to full day school and pre-maturely be left with my arms empty wondering if this is truly my first and my last I just sent off in to the big bad world. That all comes with myriad of emotions and they run deep, it's so hard to explain to anyone. I questioned things I'd never questioned before and I honestly did not think I could go on. I tried for two months to find a job that would keep my mind off my trials and yet still give me the chance to be home whenever my baby was home...nothing worked out. I prayed for something anything and I was pushed to the very edge of every last thing at the time. I felt pretty stinking useless, and sad, my house and all it's empty rooms and quiet nothingness almost taunted my broken heart. It was pretty much exactly the moment I all but threw in the towel of life --- I interviewed for and was offered a job at the Elementary School --- it was good, so good, I got to work a few mornings a week, and one full day and only doors down from the very place my little girl was going to school, it was crazy how lucky and blessed I felt, I knew it was heaven sent in more ways than one --- plus the kids were so dang cute, they distracted me from the pain of secondary infertility --- I guess you could say they filled an aching void inside of me. I can't even describe how much I appreciated having a job there. I worked part time until in the fall when I started on full time and this is when I sort of lost the balance I once had in my life where I was able to feel needed somewhere and yet still able to function for my family and our business and my church calling and everything in between...I pretty much only worked at the school, helped Kinlee with her homework and got her to her piano lessons, made dinner (most of the time) and barely had enough energy to crawl in to bed, every single day, same thing and less and less energy as the months went by, I felt like I was drowning in life, unable to keep up with everything. There isn't much for a quality of life in that lifestyle especially since Mont more often than not is swamped at work with employees on extended leave for health reasons etc. Between the two of us we were quite a pair, lame, tired, sore, pathetic really. It definitely took it's toll on me. I was still so incredibly grateful to have the job though and to have so many kids in my life to love and help educate. But in the back of my mind I knew I could not keep up this brutal, severely undesirable schedule. I kept at it and Mont would keep telling me to hang on, June was just around the corner, that I wasn't working next year so I could do anything until summertime....about the same time Mont was trying so hard to encourage me, Kinlee said something that really hit me one morning while I was doing her hair before school, rushed as every morning was...she was trying to be silly and as normally, or back in the day, I'd either join in on the silly or I'd at least crack a smile or laugh hard, because heck the kid IS hilarious...I apparently did none of the above and the moment she said "<i>Mom, why don't you laugh anymore?</i>" I knew I was in this life thing way over my head. She was right, I was too serious, too tired to be myself except at school where I gave all my smiles and energy and jovial ways to all those kids all day...poor Kinlee was getting the tired, grumpy version of her mom. Sad :( </div>
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It was about this same time that a job I'd known for a year or so was going to come available was being advertised on LDS.org/employment. I always thought I'd apply for the job when it came up but when it came down to the wire...I was way too tired to even find the time or energy after every day's long exhausting hours at the school to even think about submitting my application and resume and I kept putting it on the back burner. Apparently, I even told Mont I wasn't going to bother applying for it even though I'd be crazy not to apply for it, it was at the perfect job description for me, in every way. I was just too exhausted and figured it would be a hard job to get as it is with any job with the Church and being that his is a small LDS community, there would be so many awesome people who would apply and be more suited for the job than myself. I literally was just too taxed out on the crazy schedule to think very clearly about how stupid I would be NOT to apply. I had too much on my plate trying to balance work full time at the school, my home and family and church callings, plus books for two businesses, deadlines up the wahzoo and we were cleaning the lab every weekend too...BUT something definitely lured me to the computer the night I finally sat down and applied...knowing full well that I had a really good chance of getting it. So one night when Mont was working late and I was dealing with some school drama with Kinlee and some other needs were pulling at me in every direction...I quickly applied for the job with an old resume and walked away. </div>
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The title for the job: Support Specialist at the Raymond Seminary, someone who is highly motivated and enthusiastic. The best part that was calling my name was that it was part time, 8 whopping hours a week. They wanted someone who would welcome and connect with the students as they enter the building, help with enrolment and attendance records, assist with creating lesson materials, decorate classrooms, order materials, correspond with stake and ward leaders and parents of students, reach out and rescue students and potential students, etc etc. The requirements were to have advanced computer literacy, ability to train others in computer programs, strong interpersonal skills, demonstrable skills in office management, bookkeeping and events planning and powerful presentation, writing and communication skills. I applied for it and didn't put a lot of thought in to it beyond that...I knew it was a great job opportunity, probably the best that I've ever applied for and the best I could ever hope to be offered but even though I felt very confident I qualified for the job with vast office experience, college educated in office systems management, a part owner in a business I do the bookkeeping for and of course all the church experience I have taken advantage of over the years as well...I still didn't want to be too greedy as I already was blessed with a job that was already a big answer to my prayers from the year before. So I hit submit and left it at that. I didn't hear anything back for a good chunk of time and I continued on with my extremely tiring and busy busy lifestyle. Then one day I got the phone call saying I'd been selected for an interview. I had asked my sister to pray for me but I didn't really feel right about praying for it myself for some reason, like it made me an ingrate because I'd already been offered and was full swing in one of the best jobs for a mom who wants to work a little but still be home with her kid(s). So the interview was on a Friday afternoon, I sent Kinlee over to play with one of her good friends and I walked in to this interview thrilled that I didn't have choose my words carefully when it came to my religion I could talk all I wanted about my experience in the church, my teaching opportunities as a full time Early Morning Seminary Teacher, my full time Mission experience as well as my mini mission and even got asked to talk extensively about my past church callings and which ones were my favourite. It was fabulous, actually ideal as the church is more my life than anything else is and I hate having to guard my words when it comes to the church, everything I am and have has literally been because of the church. Two men were in the interview, both head CES Area Office Administrators...both such great guys, easy to talk to, we laughed and really had a good time in the interview. Interviews don't really scare me, I don't get super nervous for any but this one was especially comfortable being that it was two great men, spiritual giants really, easy to be around and it was really just a great continuous conversation more than an interview. Even though it went so well, I still didn't put all my heart and soul in to hoping high that I would get it. I truly felt that the job would go to the best candidate and ultimately being that it is a church job it would go to the person the Lord intends for it to go to and no wishing or wanting on my part was going to change that, however I have to admit that deep down I almost knew without knowing that this was going to be my job. I was confident I had a really good chance as my experience in and out of the church was so applicable. When I got a text exactly a week later (and only after taking a brutal timed computer skills test that only two of the how ever many applicants were selected to take) asking if I had any other work related references I was a little nervous for 1/2 a second because I really didn't think I had a recent enough work related reference...I haven't been in the work place until recently for almost 8 years. But then it came to me that yes I actually do...I had two glowing reference letters from two extremely busy doctors I worked for in Cardston. I made their letters in to PDF's and emailed them off right away. At the same time and almost as an after thought I decided that I'd include two CES teaching certificates as well from when I taught the Old Testament in Early Morning Seminary 11 years ago. Interestingly enough, the following week, exactly another full week later I was offered the job and when I went in to talk about the New Hire Forms and have a little meeting with the Administrator and Head Secretary at the CES office, I found out that those two teaching certificates were the things that sealed the deal with the hiring committee here and in Salt Lake as the felt that could be an asset to them when it comes to supporting some of those early morning seminary teachers in the region I'll eventually be covering. </div>
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It's taken until just recently for it to actually sink in that I actually did get this dream job...I felt like it wasn't real---it still feels a little surreal to me. I've felt a little guilt too in getting this fabulous job as there were so many ladies who wanted it. I have literally felt ill at times talking to some of the people who applied but didn't get it. That part stinks.</div>
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This job is an opportunity that as I read my patriarchal blessing now seems to fulfill several of the Lords promises or descriptions of my life that I thought I was failing at. There are lines in there I wondered what I was going to do as to fulfill them...the moment all of this unraveled and is here for me now I know the Lord's hand was in it, this is where I am suppose to be. And though my Plan "A" would have been to be having my babies and raising them up unto Lord...I have to forever thank my Heavenly Father for Plan "B". </div>
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On my first day in the office alone it was so quiet and peaceful and after coming from a room of over 100 kids and grown ups all day, buzzing with noise and constant transitioning kids from one thing to the next...hectic, chaotic, exhausting...when that first day's silence was only broken by the opening hymn in one of the seminary classes I couldn't hold it in, I leaned my head back and sighed loudly and said, "This. Is. Heaven!" I still wonder if the guy in the office next to mine heard me, but honestly, it is the only way to describe what it's like to go to work now...it's heavenly, it's peaceful, its wonderful. I don't work every day, I work when I want to work, so I get to balance my week out between home, the dental lab/office and the Seminary building now. I even have energy for Kinlee when she walks in the door with her backpack loaded up with the evening or weekly homework sheets. I don't feel like I'm knocking on deaths door anymore when I wake up in the morning. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TBKbHuUZsQ3Yk1xiK995DysSCaECMcp1uphnVLg9N7Eu2mGifz3mzZNRUpY0xi_4Pz_lQhUUPVjyOP0cdJfHhoxYj9MBWF4LwQLIfmzRVTB8FT5cFMvmsIjkt6KdIGBjwEvp7Y8eYZeT/s1600/12199449694_0ced992e9f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TBKbHuUZsQ3Yk1xiK995DysSCaECMcp1uphnVLg9N7Eu2mGifz3mzZNRUpY0xi_4Pz_lQhUUPVjyOP0cdJfHhoxYj9MBWF4LwQLIfmzRVTB8FT5cFMvmsIjkt6KdIGBjwEvp7Y8eYZeT/s1600/12199449694_0ced992e9f_z.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a>With the new turn of events on the job front I thought for sure I might actually get to get caught up some extra things around the house, pick up on some hobbies again, do things I have meant to get done for the last year or so that I couldn't being so busy...I did open up a sweet artsy fartsy journal K&I got for christmas and coloured in it with Kinlee while we listened to "Be Calm" music by Paul Cardall and for a moment I foolishly thought I could make a habit of that and finally maybe get those spare moments here and there to actually read a novel again or finish the ones I've started. I was so excited...for a minute anyway...it took less than 3 days to fill up all those little moments I thought I was going to get to relish in at certain points during the week...the same week the job started the Bishop released from my calling as Compassionate Service leader and extended another calling, a much busier, probably one of the busiest calling for a woman in this church...he called me to be the Young Womens' President. Even though I swore I never wanted to be in a presidency again let alone EVER be the president of any thing...I said yes. And then I set out to spend the next week trying to wrap my head around my new responsibilities at the Seminary Building while praying constantly for the right counselors and secretary. As the week unfolded my testimony of revelation grew leaps and bounds...by Sunday I had a strongly validated presidency lined up and when the old YW President was released, I felt a huge weight on my shoulders and actually as it turned out that night it felt more like the weight of an elephant on my chest...I couldn't breathe, literally as I was looking through the old presidents binder, papers, names, lists, meeting agenda's, goals, lesson plans, class presidencies and activities, girls camp, winter camp, budget, less actives, non-member girls...as everything one by one piled in to my brain it overloaded my circuits or something because I am pretty sure what happened that night was an Anxiety/Panic Attack, I was hyperventilating, I thought I was going to die, my head was throbbing, my lungs couldn't get enough air, I was shaking and sweating and gasping for air...I was totally freaking out...It was doubt and fear overtaking me. I was questioning my ability to be a President, to be what I needed to be for the girls, to keep up with everything and do it all right and perfectly and please the right people. It was bad and I know it was the opposite of the spirit but once I got over tripping out over that and got on my knees and prayed some more, getting in to my scriptures and studying them with all this in mind and as I continue to do that I have felt more rest assured, more peace that I am going to make it, I can measure up if I do this in the right way and order, give myself some time and not expect it to all come at once I am going to do just fine. Although, I don't feel that comfortable in this role as a President yet, I hope I get there. If I humbly rely on the Savior to help me I'll be blessed in this calling, I have no doubt about that. I feel very secure in the fact that I picked amazing women to work with, the Secretary is incredible I can already tell that. I will make it and as we get a good system going between the four of us and include all the others on the board we will be on our way. Most of all, I am depending on the Lord to qualify me for this position, it's His work and I am here to do his work. </div>
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And that is how my life has taken a 180 from a month ago to today...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px;">from a room of 100 exuberant elementary aged kids to my own peaceful office & 200+ high school kids, & from serving as the director of the compassionate service board in RS to serving with these</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; line-height: 18px;"> beautiful & amazing ladies ((& the 27+Youth)) in the YW presidency. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; line-height: 18px;">Life is crazy, but this is one thing I have learned from the span of one year...the Lord IS aware of us, he DOES know us each individually, we should never doubt or let ourselves be misled in to thinking we are abandoned or forgotten, sometimes we have to go through really lonely and hard times because we are being prepared for </span></span><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">something, maybe it's not your plan "A" but it could easily be HIS plan "A" for you. I know that everything is in his way and time and we need to rely on Him whether our prayers are answered or they are seemingly going unanswered. He's in charge and I am so glad I can trust my future to Him. </span></span></div>
Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-89136563420630097612013-10-10T17:04:00.000-07:002013-10-10T17:04:03.472-07:00LIfe...in the fast laneHoly cow...time is going so fast and life is seeming to be even faster these days. This blog is so neglected, it's too hard to update now that I compile our family blog books from a private address.<br />
Kinlee started Grade Two. What?!?!<br />
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We did our usual tradition of crepes for brekky the first day and after getting school blessings from her dad picking a theme to remember all year long...Choose the Right couldn't be more appropriate especially as she prepares to be baptised this year.<br />
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I also had my own back to school experience...I'm working full time in the Kindergarten of the same school Kinlee goes to...we are in a room of 100 kids (divided up in to 2 groups of 50) and I have to say as tired and worn out I am at the end of everyday, I love my job. I work with friends who make me laugh, kids who love with all their heart and say the cutest, sweetest and darndest things ( this week I got envelopes with drawings and fake little crystals brought to me with big hugs to top it off, the best compliment today was the mom of one of the darling little boys in our class who told me that her son told her about the "teacher" in his class at school, her name is Mrs. Jensen...he told his mom "I like her face." Now that just made my day). What a fabulous place to go everyday and to leave all the stresses and strains of life at the door. That's exactly what I do when I go to work. There isn't a better place to spend my days at this point in my life. We are so blessed and life is good. We work dang hard...but it makes the moments where nothing is happening and we can just purely enjoy each other so wonderful.<br />
Kinlee is consumed with Grade two which entails a lottttt of homework, a great teacher and a big learning curve in her life. She is taking piano and loves it. She is still a little fire cracker and so fun and creative and crazy and like her teacher calls her "a ginger-snap"....fits her well. She's spunky and full of life that's for sure.<br />
Life at the Dental office is busy and crazy...I do data entry etc on the weekends there and Mont works super hard all week as well. We also clean the building on a Friday night and then do a family date night even if it's only dinner out afterwards. Mont and J. hired a new technician and that has taken some of the pressure off of Mont and freed up a little more time for him to do some marketing which has paid off well with new clientele...which is especially a blessing when others are retiring. It's stressful now but will only go up from here, I am sure. Mont works so hard, and is always so appreciative to me for working hard on our business as I have books to balance at home with the corp. banking, all day work at the school, evenings making dinner, housework and Kinlee's extra-curricular and homework too..we are both so beat by the end of every day but knowing how hard we are working gives satisfaction to the down time even if they end up being date nights on the couch in a daze. Ok it's not usually that bad. Well, Ok maybe it is. Haha<br />
Anyway, that's a rundown of where our time is going this fall...maybe things will change and maybe they won't but we can, we will be and we are grateful for what we have today...which if that is what the Lord intends for us to have, it is enough.Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-85708574398320935742013-07-23T08:12:00.001-07:002013-07-23T08:16:18.416-07:00Life, Satan, The Savior and FamilySometimes life just isn't sunshine-y. It can be confusing and frustrating and at times make no sense at all. It can pull you in too many directions and not always the ones you hoped it would. It can stretch you until you snap. It can shatter in to a million pieces very suddenly, too. It can fill you with hope or engulf you in despair. I feel like Satan is playing a violent and corrosive game of tug of war with couples and families everywhere. I hate the moment of truth that always inevitably comes declaring loud and clear who won in what family. I pray hard that the storms of life stop at the door for every family but I am especially trying with mine...I do it as much as I can in more ways than I can count and not nearly enough in others. To combat the powerful attempts of our ever trying and never relenting brother Satan we have to be putting in more effort than he is. It takes vigilant and watchful care of our homes and those who live there---we cannot cease to do the very things that will armor our children, and even our spouses, each reaching out to the other, providing vital and essential protective gear that we, each of us, absolutely and fundamentally need to succeed in beating against the worldly game of tug of war Satan is desperately playing with every family (&especially those sealed eternally), and each individual in those families. He is literally standing at the door of our homes, our lives, and he's taunting us through thoughts and temptations, he is coercing at any chance he gets...hoping someone, any one will leave their door open even just a tiny crack enough to let him put his menacing manipulative foot in and keep that door open little by little until he of course knows he's opened it wide enough that he can move on because those inside are as miserable as he is and he has officially succeeded in tearing apart and segregating those behind that door to the point that he moves on to the next family with a sneer and a smirk that he has succeeded in destroying another covenant marriage, once eternally committed families now left in ruins. When he moves on he leaves in his wake heart-broken, angry children and self serving, momentary pleasure seeking parents. Or heartbroken pain stricken parents and rebellious self serving children. <br />I know of no other way to invite only the Savior in to our homes than to keep that door closed tightly, dead bolted against the violent forces of Satan. To successfully combat those forces we have to gather our families around us & use our time for a daily meaningful studies of the Book of Mormon and coupling with that we can't miss a day of having a kneeling family prayer at least a couple times every single day. We must embrace the good that is in the world and encourage our children to do the same. Decorate the walls with pictures of Christ, family, temples, scripture stories and beautiful things. Hug often and Listen. Talk to each other, eat dinner together, read the Friend magazine to our kids and articles from the ensign as a couple. Set goals and work hard to meet them, avoid judgments and harsh words, speak in quiet voices and praise at every chance with thankfulness and appreciation. There are so many ways to combat Satan and become a stronger family unit following after Christ only and never veering from his pathway. Even if you have left that straight laid path there's never lost hope, there is always a way back. I know the Atonement of Christ covers every heart ache and every sin. I know even when hope seems lost and dark times threaten us there is always a way to access that peace again and to come back after you've wondered strange and crooked or sloppy paths. I know our Heavenly Father is real and loves ALL of his children not just the ones who never stray or sin but all of us I know he wants us all back in his arms again no matter what kind of dirty, rotten mean or seductive thing we have done, He is not only there for us he is here now and stands waiting. I hope not a soul will be lost. I hope my own little family can somehow get by unscathed. <br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-23862649082414440892013-07-08T11:05:00.001-07:002013-07-08T16:26:16.487-07:00Family Vacay Re-CapI missed my bed but that was about it! I already miss all the adventures and traveling, the full service hotels, seeing so many of my friends and family, reuniting with amazing people I love and hadn't seen in years, being blessed constantly on the road and in crazy Vegas traffic, laughing with my family while hours of highway stretched out before us. I loved not thinking about work or having much responsibility at all. I loved all the Temples along the way, the hilarious things our daughter came up with, the hospitality of so many great people, the valet parking and getting phenomenal mileage/900+ miles to the tank! The visits and sights, Temple Square, the Christus, scripture displays, tabranacle, the vastness of the conference center, the intricate beauty of the Joseph Smith Bldg and the Salt Lake Temple, lunch at the Lion House, all the visitors center displays, kind people, familiar missionaries and meeting a new neighbor we didn't know we had back home, it was the spirit on Temple Square and the power of the Gospel in action there. It was driving south the next day seeing cities turn to fields and then in to desserts and palm trees, joshua trees and cactus, the heat and the swimming, the complimentary tickets & fourth row from the front Cirque d'Soliel show we got to see, seeing Mont next to me during the show with the spotlight on him while masking tape was wrapped around his head and he was made to look like the Statue of Liberty with a goofy hat and holding up a candle for the entire audience to watch on (hilarious), the Billagio Fountains doing their thing to music, talking about & comparing the feelings Kinlee had on the strip vs. those on Temple Square. Meeting a family from Monty's mission, taking pix at the Las Vegas Temple and St. George as a whole! Visiting over breakfast with Uncle Leland and Aunt Gwen and getting a tour of his impressive woodwork shop, being given a large and beautiful frame he made with his own two hands. Seeing our nephew get baptized and having most of my immediate family together for the first time in a long time (missed you CB), making memories at Hoover Dam with an old college friend, combining meals with reunions though the reunions were much too short lived, late night talks just like old times with roommates talking about life and finding the positive in the tough things that have happened since we last saw each other. Eating lots of yummy burritos (the first four days that's all we either bought or were served) and all sorts of ice cream, gelato, frozen custard, fro yo's along the way (probably gained 10 lbs). Playing slip n slide kick ball with the fam in ID, doing a little shopping but not nearly enough, watching the kids at Lesa's neighborhood party while they played in the bouncy house watersides, rode in a bike parade, ate constant snocones and mini ice cream cones, played water balloon toss and just enjoyed the night and each other until the sun went down. We had late nights and never ending fun filled days, watched Monsters University at the hotel movie theater, enjoyed the palm tree surrounded pool at our hotel several times and a fun spray park in Provo while Mont got to sleep in in the comfort of my cousins beautiful home. We laughed and played the wii after the kids finally fell asleep and ordered pizza delivery at midnight with Paul&Lesa. We talked about teeth and laughed about everything, shared Canadian chocolate and chips and loved every last thing from the M&M and Coke Stores on the strip to the 40 degree temps at 2:00 in the morning, we almost died in St George when we walked out in to the oven of mid day to see the temple...it was worth it but we were more than happy to get back down in the A/C of our car and get out on to the open highway again. Seeing my mission president and his fun and feisty wife was a huge highlight for all us from the gated community to the mansion they live in to the visit around the table and plans for having them visit in Canada to Kinlee exploring their beautiful grounds/yard and getting covered in cat fur to her need to be near Sister Clifford at lunch the next day and seeing the two of them chatting over one Wisconsin dairy frozen custard sundae with two spoons. I couldn't stop smiling getting to introduce my family now to my family then in the mission, it was amazing! Where I live now has not been the highlight of my life for sure so being surrounded by the people who really know me and who love me and where the feelings are reciprocated was amazing --- can't describe it I just wish so much I could choose my perfect town and include all these friends as my own personal neighborhood! I got to see so many people who I love so much and who I know love me & my family without reservation or competition but genuine doesn't matter what you look like, wear or how much you make --- someday my heaven will include Gen, Alli, Katrina, Sharon and Douglas, Lesa and Paul, Elizabeth, Jody, Erin, Sammi, Tawnie, Emily, Kacey, Emma and Rick, Amy, Allison, Genny, Holli, Livi and a few of the choice others who live so far from me now but in my perfect world will be my next door neighbors! And that was what I realized on this trip was how many wonderful friends and family I have, yet just so far away and spread out all over the states. I felt so happy seeing them all again, being near such wholesome and loving kind old friends and family who were once people who lived with me in one way or another some never leaving my side 24/7 for months. What a fabulous much needed family vacation this was! I loved every second with my little family and we had a perfect balance of time spent with old friends and new friends extended family and then just us, which we loved more than we can say!!! Now it's on to work and summer fun until the next family camp trip or getaway, but man this was good! Better than good it was amazing in so many ways and levels! It was so great to see Mont relax like he did (except when he thought he lost the keys at Hoover Dam or the moments, sometimes long moments, spent in brutal traffic trying to get the car valet parked on the strip in time to pick up our complimentary tix to get us in to the show or the 4th of July traffic & turning in to one way taxi traffic at the MGM Grand---yikes!). Overall it was cherished memories made all over the place, it was new relationships and old ones rekindled, it was absolutely pure fun and few worries thought about. It was a family vacation none of us will forget! <br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-21168761558266962022013-06-12T12:52:00.000-07:002013-06-12T12:52:05.114-07:00Last Day of Kindergarten.<br />
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I've been working at the School for only the past 3 months and I still felt attached to every one of those sweet little Kindergarten kids as I said good bye to them all today. They are so sweet and it was so fun to help give them the beginnings of a great education. I can't even begin to say what a huge blessing it was to my first year of being childless during the daytime hours. To say I was really struggling this year would be a huge understatement. Kinlee in full day school, no more kids, babies, to love and tend and care for like I always imagined my life and my home would be busy and filled with ... was incredibly hard. I had the worst case of January Blues I've ever experienced. Wow, even I can't believe how bad it was for me. I've never felt so low or so sad in my life, I'm sure of that. I prayed so hard for fulfillment no matter the form it came in I prayed for hope and healing and something useful to fill my time with. It wasn't until March that my prayer was finally answered and I got a job at the Elementary School. You really can't beat hugs everyday, 40+ kids to influence, teach and care for, adorable faces, smiles and giggles and the ability to reach out daily to so many children---to teach them and help them grow was such a gift and a blessing and considering I wasn't sure how to go on with life as I knew it two months earlier I can't even begin to say how thankful I was for that blessing when it came.</div>
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Now, the kids have finished their last day of Kindergarten and I was surprised by the amount of hugs and gifts of appreciation that showered us all as we came in to class this a.m. I was so incredibly touched by each of them but these first few, especially the M&M poem, actually made me tear up.</div>
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I will miss this group of kids and I am soo thankful I got to have the experience to work with the ladies I did and the children especially. Everything it was to me was something I definitely thanked Heavenly Father for daily. </div>
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First of all here is the group of ladies I worked with this year....this was at our closing potluck, a good bye party and a double baby shower...</div>
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This poem was so touching...from Kalai</div>
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Candy Gram From, Hayden</div>
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The Gerber Daisy was from Cienna...such a sweetheart of a girl!</div>
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More little gerbers from Bree </div>
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And this trendy and darling gift from Lesha...</div>
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And Parker treated us to the Rolo Pencil Thanks...love it. </div>
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And then our little opera singer, Mataya who cried and made us all cry when she hugged us good bye...she'll be going to a different Elementary School next so she will be missed even more than the others since they will be coming back to our school in the new year and we should still be greeted by their darling faces and frequent hugs.</div>
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I have loved having this job so much. There's a special place in my heart for each of the kids we had in our class this year and as with all children they rate at the top of my favorite things in life---the source of all true happiness for me stems from babies in my arms and children all around me! I love them so much and again can't even begin to say how thankful I have been for each of these kids and this job as a whole this year! I'm not sure where I stand with having a job back this fall although I'd jump at the chance to continue...with the EA cutbacks going on and all I'm not so sure that's my fate. But again, sooo grateful for the work I had for the time I did and the friendships and love and the way my heart grew while in the presence of so many fascinating little ones!!<br />
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So if you want teacher appreciation ideas this should have supplied a few. I feel so spoiled!!<br />
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Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-6084612179878462482013-05-19T18:58:00.001-07:002013-05-19T18:58:04.597-07:00Belated Mothers Day Mothers Day was stake conference Sunday for our ward so the Primary did their cookie-flower deliveries today. They're always so cute! And almost always eaten by everyone but the moms. #kinleej<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/05/19/2929.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/05/19/s_2929.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-26278329871330791412013-05-12T22:27:00.000-07:002013-05-12T22:28:56.140-07:00Mothers Day 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGJkX7Q0TwaoxNIUtzNpDNc0jZZJNftIhZ2xeBSFbGowdIFNNSxqFffCVhai5WupP1tWiiDm8vND3wdPJ5iK4RuN6fgmnHtX-6FClf62ieFcGoAcdc_0fnm48r8JJ0nzJbLZGYGnFvIVD/s1600/249102_10151390057925812_2077535196_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGJkX7Q0TwaoxNIUtzNpDNc0jZZJNftIhZ2xeBSFbGowdIFNNSxqFffCVhai5WupP1tWiiDm8vND3wdPJ5iK4RuN6fgmnHtX-6FClf62ieFcGoAcdc_0fnm48r8JJ0nzJbLZGYGnFvIVD/s320/249102_10151390057925812_2077535196_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">This beautiful little girl made me the happiest woman in the world when she made me a mom. Being a mom was always my only real goal---it really was my little girl dream. I love that role more than almost any other! It was the easiest, smoothest, happiest transition I ever made and I have never wished for a job, vacations, trips, recognition or money to take me away from it. It is the one thing I al</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">ways wanted and I am so grateful I got it! I am so thankful for her and that she calls me "MOM". She's a gift...motherhood is a gift, both things I'll never take for granted...I know how hard it is for some to get it in the first place, others to keep it once they got it and even (for some) to really enjoy it in the moment of it all---good & bad, the ins, outs, the sleepless nights, screaming tantrums, difficult behavior whatever it is I will still always be thankful I have the opportunity here on this earth to be a mom and I look forward to eternity ahead of raising our children and loving the one I already have!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusEQGw2z-OAu3CGxhv_vi0cPhcxDcIqSI4_6p-n52Qc4e_2fFCczcZp6yjIQyB4hwwc_wFbA8DHbLp0PEHBZSxtD38zKJMKnlbbcarycqKMSksRuqg2gDfEWDPrKPWS5y3YmErW063W44/s1600/931369_10151390071745812_1003001299_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusEQGw2z-OAu3CGxhv_vi0cPhcxDcIqSI4_6p-n52Qc4e_2fFCczcZp6yjIQyB4hwwc_wFbA8DHbLp0PEHBZSxtD38zKJMKnlbbcarycqKMSksRuqg2gDfEWDPrKPWS5y3YmErW063W44/s320/931369_10151390071745812_1003001299_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span class="messageBody" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38;">Even though sad thoughts and feelings of "what if" and "why me" sometimes creep in to my thoughts every Mothers Day I have to say I still love Mothers Day more than I don't. Only because I love that I have the sweetheart of a daughter that I do. I am grateful for the wonderful man who made me in to a mother in the first place. And I could never forget the sweet mom who gave me life & who raised me with gentle soft spoken kindness, the without-guile-void-of-judgment<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>-example-of-placing-priorities<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span> in all the right places. And though we are so much different in so many ways from each other I have so much gratitude and love for the pretty awesome mother in law who loves and supports her children, each and every one, and who I can thank forever for the amazing man she brought in to this world. And finally the sisters and friends, and amazing other women in my life who I love so much, especially one certain one who never ceases to spoil me like I really was her daughter. Today I feel loved and I'm full of gratitude. And with that long winded spiel, I am now off to watch "Safe Haven" for the second night in a row with the wonderful guy who I have to thank for the greatest gift of all to me...my beautiful, wonderful, sweet, smart, enthusiastic little ball of energy and pure joy of a little girl who keeps me on my feet and gives me every reason to keep moving forward. I'm definitely one lucky mom and I know it.</span></h5>
Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-67129161039712388912013-05-10T22:20:00.000-07:002013-05-12T22:47:47.701-07:00Mothers Day (Early)<br />
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Mothers Day each year is one of the best and one of the worst days for me. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDufLfvC6xZYeYdKMlT567tybnIoWUmr76cIwsvqo6jUmxWipWJAHAcu-WXoaj7SdlxYXQcgK1ZKee65bxPQPCDuppTrYxF-d66tZErFCpHakdfz0FQL8JPv-LtF_DL8F-Ka2l__EGVho/s1600/IMG_9107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDufLfvC6xZYeYdKMlT567tybnIoWUmr76cIwsvqo6jUmxWipWJAHAcu-WXoaj7SdlxYXQcgK1ZKee65bxPQPCDuppTrYxF-d66tZErFCpHakdfz0FQL8JPv-LtF_DL8F-Ka2l__EGVho/s320/IMG_9107.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The best because I <i>am </i>a mom. </div>
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And the worst because I desperately want to be a mom (to more children). It's hard on a good day but extra hard on certain ones and mothers day can easily take the cake on being one of the harder of any days to deal with the emotions of it all. Secondary infertility is by far the heaviest weight and the most painful burden I have ever had to carry. It has caused more anquish and suffering than I ever imagined I'd have to endure.<br />
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So on that note and so I don't dwell on the latter...Kinlee wanted me to open my mothers day card from her today after school.</div>
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It's two days before Mothers day but why not. </div>
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It came with a booklet slipped in to a scrapbook paper watering can and though the words are spelled mostly all wrong I can still tell what they say.</div>
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And what they say melts me. </div>
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Being a mother makes me more happy than I could ever, ever say.<br />
And it's things like this that make me realize why being a mom makes me so incredibly happy...</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"This is my Mom and me...</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY MOTHERS DAY"</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My Mom loves....</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">yellow </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">and me and dad. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">She's the best.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My Mom is good at...</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">swiming </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">and luvng me. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">reding. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">(and) tuking me in.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My Mom is happy when...</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">she ses yellow.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">(and) wen she ses me do something good.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The best thing about my Mom...</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">my MOM is butifol </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">and she is nis. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">she is smart. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">she loves me. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I love my Mom because...</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">she is butifl. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">and she liks my dad </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">and </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">my mom is strong. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My Mom and I like to...</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">gow on </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">vakashins because </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">it is fun. and </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">bike ride.</span></b></div>
Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-67246775513071568802013-05-08T13:34:00.002-07:002013-05-08T13:44:47.125-07:007th Birthday, 8th Anniversary...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0y6-i3Mrk3WtHMtlYbhIkmEsG3iWYC05Xp3PAqkcm7d8g96wBJtJTi7hHxYmCw8753ph2xu3fYYcwA0F3Ig8MjDGMnu1Z9s_V-uj9jJ4jt6D5krvkEuhh3EIrDGSNHQ-1CdfYZhzBO7p/s1600/IMG_9216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0y6-i3Mrk3WtHMtlYbhIkmEsG3iWYC05Xp3PAqkcm7d8g96wBJtJTi7hHxYmCw8753ph2xu3fYYcwA0F3Ig8MjDGMnu1Z9s_V-uj9jJ4jt6D5krvkEuhh3EIrDGSNHQ-1CdfYZhzBO7p/s400/IMG_9216.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Kinlee's birthday party was almost a month ago. She had a blast with one friend and her family and the weather stunk bad so we ended up staying home to celebrate. She always wants Lasagna and garlic bread (2 of her favorite things) for supper so that was it. She loves animal print and I went the easy route and ordered her cake DQ style...that's our style around here. It turned out so cute and tasted pretty amazing too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGRnonzX2qfQou8IcyaA1rUXu6WWGbUJhthsLCSfmbFqbO1Jq7Nh1Fr1pLShgTD3Zj5mjH1auOToFMWDufaOhMpEzhLkYgaOWAdtB50QPWfTTuRyEi5vKG1hHrUOct85o7zlrufCnke-5/s1600/IMG_9223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGRnonzX2qfQou8IcyaA1rUXu6WWGbUJhthsLCSfmbFqbO1Jq7Nh1Fr1pLShgTD3Zj5mjH1auOToFMWDufaOhMpEzhLkYgaOWAdtB50QPWfTTuRyEi5vKG1hHrUOct85o7zlrufCnke-5/s400/IMG_9223.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Her immediate thought each off year in answer the question who she wants at her Birthday party is always Dani. So Dani it was! They spent hours playing and a good chunk of time enjoying the hot tub. They were too cute the entire sleepover weekend party! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdoLtQts-AG1hUYB6V54IK6aw5g6Vgi-PPg2RnFbMAa7rmIkseZ88hSjQTzud6OB2W_2JN61Nd6IXIFtW9FYgeQTC7J7v0JML0VqeY02a9eADG4Wkczis3GdpsSxoQ8y14FjTkLTf286g/s1600/IMG_9215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdoLtQts-AG1hUYB6V54IK6aw5g6Vgi-PPg2RnFbMAa7rmIkseZ88hSjQTzud6OB2W_2JN61Nd6IXIFtW9FYgeQTC7J7v0JML0VqeY02a9eADG4Wkczis3GdpsSxoQ8y14FjTkLTf286g/s400/IMG_9215.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Kinlee got a lot of fun gifts from clothes to movies to a skateboard and scrapbook to earrings and a Taylor Swift CD to this darling huge card from Dani. Such a sweet candy gram and thoughtful message. These two are the cutest little besties!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCN80QXZUHcfEv4kyhaGAya3ZKde48VaN9TyhWL3RuaovYEIQFNL0_5ncGL_ePn8NLfiNgVV2idnELl1hBUdvMelBc6pgnZjvoBGV_YgJRrJUuUhYSgVnIQc_UwPEI3m4sQ9clEvRPfHw/s1600/IMG_9183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCN80QXZUHcfEv4kyhaGAya3ZKde48VaN9TyhWL3RuaovYEIQFNL0_5ncGL_ePn8NLfiNgVV2idnELl1hBUdvMelBc6pgnZjvoBGV_YgJRrJUuUhYSgVnIQc_UwPEI3m4sQ9clEvRPfHw/s640/IMG_9183.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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Eating their cake...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVsf49SBONKnIDEBVXOjTslSP9D_obiT8sCR-KWbRT60YlqJXTJdSDjRQVq6fgTeM7TBVpkClrD4_x3sVWyHfz9owHQun-W8tC5VRjyxrNc9U1E1ZJtGplWnDgHNT_Kamk8H9UP20fpio/s1600/IMG_9220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVsf49SBONKnIDEBVXOjTslSP9D_obiT8sCR-KWbRT60YlqJXTJdSDjRQVq6fgTeM7TBVpkClrD4_x3sVWyHfz9owHQun-W8tC5VRjyxrNc9U1E1ZJtGplWnDgHNT_Kamk8H9UP20fpio/s400/IMG_9220.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Josie couldn't handle waiting until the evening to give Kinlee all her presents so Kinlee got to open one of them in the afternoon and they were so cute while working on Kinlee's new Smashbook, she's wanted one for awhile, just like Josies!</div>
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They are my favourite...my daughter, one I birthed and the other from another mother...love em both more than I could ever say.</div>
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Our baby is one year older and there is nothing we can do about it!</div>
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We feel so blessed to have this spunky, wild, crazy, fun, sweet, sensitive, kind-hearted little love bug in our life and we couldn't imagine life without her! </div>
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She is our biggest blessing. </div>
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She weasles herself in between us sometimes, has never wanted us to hug without her...she tries to steal her daddy's heart and tends to have jealous bone in her sweet little spirit. She loves with all her heart, adores her daddy, gets in trouble, shares her love, notices those who are sad, likes to be busy and involved, gives most people a run for their money and can melt the hardest heart in less than a heartbeat. She loves fashion and style. She has a love for the color aqua and loves animal print anything. She is a baby lover with the best of them. She's a spiritual giant, loves to pray and has a strong testimony. She loves to read and learn and isn't always the best at following directions. She is often stubborn and thinks she can do her own thing and sometimes she tests the limits as far as she can. But she's responsible and quick to help, she reaches out with a kind helping hand when the need is there and she loves people with all her heart. She loves to create and build and collect. There's so much I could say about this little gal and as much as it's the toughest thing in the world to have the trial we do of seeing her grow up so fast and not have the ease of choosing our family size and siblings for a deserving little angel we love getting so much time with her to get to know her the way we do to spend so much time one on one or all three of us at a time, she's a sweetheart who we feel we are blessed beyond measure with!!!</div>
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So whenever she turns a year older so do we...</div>
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Our eternal marriage together was performed on April 23, 2005 and it was only 11 days short of our first anniversary when we welcomed Kinlee in to our marriage. Knowing her personality now, I am not surprised she joined us so quickly and I would not be surprised if she wouldn't take no for an answer when she knew she wanted to join our family so soon here on this earth. I am also sure there are others much more laid back who await their turn to come to earth and join our family. </div>
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So for now we turn 8 while Kinlee turns 7. </div>
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And just as our wedding 8 years ago came before Kinlee, </div>
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so does our marriage...</div>
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it's my first priority in life, </div>
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my #1. Monty King Jensen will always be my #1. </div>
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I love him so much and could not imagine my life without him.</div>
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I know it would be dry and dull, boring and lame.</div>
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With him, it's fun and funny, it's enjoyable and full of spontaneity, laughter and a faith in the unseen deeper than anything I have ever felt. </div>
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It's because of him that I trust so much in tomorrow.</div>
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It's because of him that I hope for a better world</div>
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and things to come.</div>
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He gives me life and love,</div>
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a reason to live</div>
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and even, at times, a reason to love.</div>
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He is everything to me and I am so thankful every day and every night for him.</div>
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He's the hardest working man I know. </div>
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He's the toughest guy I have ever met.</div>
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He has the deepest stamina in all the ways a person can.</div>
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He's the manliest man I know.</div>
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He goes through things no one else could ever understand or comprehend and he goes through them without murmuring or complaint.</div>
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He lives his life to the fullest and gives his marriage and family, his career and everything he's given stewardship over everything he has. </div>
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He is the most amazing person I have ever known.</div>
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And he is mine forever and I thank my lucky stars he never took no for an answer or I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be where I am.</div>
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I love being married. I love who I'm married to.</div>
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I love laying down at night with a warm supportive arm around me, someone to talk to for hours if we wanted, someone to hold me no matter.</div>
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The kind of guy who gets up in the middle of the night in the middle of a deep sleep with work the next morning and walks down wooden stairs on to cold concrete pavement in to a dark corner of an unfinished garage to heat up a blanket in a dryer all because I said I was cold. Not because I expect it or even ask for it but just because of the kind of man he is.</div>
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I am grateful to be married to the kind of guy who when the hot water runs out in a tiny old house will heat pot after pot after pot of water to a boil and carry it from stove to bathroom to dump in to the bathtub until his sick pregnant wife can take a hot bath to ease her sore incapacitated body when she's got the body aches and chills so sick with the flu and 6 months along.<br />
I am grateful to be married to the kind of man who will lay his hands on my head and be at my beck and call to bless and comfort in times of pain and illness, trial or difficulty.</div>
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I am grateful that man is Mont and that I get to share his life and home, family and finances, that I get to have a sleepover every night with my best friend. And that I get to for the rest of our lives and in to forever and eternity. </div>
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I feel like the luckiest girl alive sometimes to have such a stud to call my own!!</div>
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I love him!</div>
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8 years strong and on to forever...</div>
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"Come Grow Old </div>
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With Me,</div>
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The </div>
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Best </div>
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Yet </div>
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To</div>
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Be."</div>
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Lucky Me!</div>
Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-82018663342831981452013-05-02T05:38:00.001-07:002013-05-02T05:38:36.792-07:00A Time & A SeasonWow I'm a horrible blogger and even sluffing at journaling as a whole which is so not like me. <br /><br />April, though it brought with it plenty of misfortune with a broken down washer, a rental car windshield we had to replace, bad awful weather, my baby growing up and turning another year older, sicknesses for the Little and me & Mont a little more absent than usual---gone til after bedtime for Kinlee almost every night this month....it also brought with it silver linings all over the place too...a new & pretty awesome washer, a fixed shiny grill on the truck, another job to add to my plate, a blessing for sure---I got hired with Westwind School Division and get to work only a couple blocks from home with tons of adorable kids at the school & just doors down from Kinlee's classroom every day which also means I get to work only while she is away from me and get be home when she's home (which is the only way to go for me if I'm going to work at all outside the home with school aged children). Kinlee had a fun birthday party & our 8th anniversary reminded me how incredibly blessed I am with the amazing hard working, driven, ambitious, kind hearted, faith-filled, family-dedicated supportive fun and phenomenal man's man that I am married to and get to be side by side with forever, we still have yet to get out on a real anniversary date night or getaway. However, considering the stage in life that we are with so much to learn in this busy and new for us yet luckily thriving 30 year business to manage...we know there will be a time and season for the getaways and fabulous vacations we dream about & see so many others taking these days. For now, for us, its long hours, government deadlines, paperwork, accounting, balancing, marketing & keeping up quality intake management and above average outgoing dental restorative units. I hold on to the knowledge that the days of ease, free of weighty pressures and deadlines will come but for now we live day by day grateful each moment for the gifts and blessings we have and the things that lie in wait, that are promised as things just "around the corner". We look forward with an eye of faith and even in moments that could seem bleak, and or completely overwhelming, we know there is something amazing and beautiful that is being orchestrated just for us, these are the days of hard work and unfortunately little play, for us sometimes its grueling effort but we are gaining a solid and new dimension to our life and relationship as it is definitely a time for us to pull together as a team and as we prepare for a bright future while enjoying the blessings of living day by day & doing what is right for us in the present moments we are given, and of course we always look forward to less busy, brighter days of the future. <br /><br />Life is good and we know its through difficult times, sometimes even stormy ones, that we learn the greatest lessons in life and for the depth of character that will go with us in to the eternities. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-66140977642727568882013-04-01T07:44:00.001-07:002013-04-01T07:46:39.686-07:00EasterEaster Weekend...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/01/889.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/01/s_889.jpg' border='0' width='323' height='323' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I love the Easter Season. This year was different and hard to enjoy like I like to. Kinlee got strep throat last week and was really especially sick on Thursday so I kept her home and sat next to her all day. She watched every Easter Mormon message and general conference talk there is on the Internet.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/01/890.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/01/s_890.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />She wouldn't eat much so I made her some jello and picked up some ginger ale. We had ordered some things from Forever 21 online and the package arrived while Kinlee was down and out. It seemed to cheer her up a little for a moment. She sat in the hot tub for a bit while she was so sick too. But it was a solid 10-12 hours of solely laying on the couch. It was rather sad. I came down with the same sickness by Friday and was in agony all weekend. I pulled off Easter the best I could and once Kinlee had Antibiotics in her system (thanks to her daddy) she started perking up. She loved the Easter egg hunt and enjoyed what Easter we were able to do. I'm still not feeling so great and Kinlee is off and on with how she feels. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/01/891.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/01/s_891.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/01/892.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/01/s_892.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />She was super happy to get this soft bunny she had desperately wanted from the store a month or so ago. She squeezed it and kissed it and said "Now I know you CAN ask the Easter Bunny for something you really want and get it." So cute! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/01/893.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/01/s_893.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/01/894.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/01/s_894.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/01/895.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/01/s_895.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/01/896.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/01/s_896.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/01/897.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/01/s_897.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/01/898.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/01/s_898.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />And all I could think was how did she get so big when just 7 Easters ago she looked like this: <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/04/01/899.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/04/01/s_899.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I am so grateful for her either age or size and I love that she came to us at Easter time! I love the Easter season sick or not but I sure would love for my health to return! <br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-59706635854733099822013-03-24T18:09:00.001-07:002013-03-24T18:09:41.267-07:00Ups and DownsWow everything feels like a whirlwind lately. Especially this past week. We went from a major pain in the royal rump tax season gut kick to a 2012 mustang trying to bulldoze over our solid 98 Chev 1/2 ton truck while barreling through a red light intersection to Kinlee being on one all week, to forgetting all about her vital-down-to-the-wire-last-of-the-dance-classes-before-the-recital class on Wednesday to having to come to terms with one of my favorite people vacating her house across from us. I was so happy to get to be able and available to help her pack but I am really sad that she's leaving (she could easily be my mom as far as age goes but she's become one of my closest friends ever since I moved here 7.5 years ago, I have loved having her so close, she's so good to me and is one of the best things about Raymond for me!) Luckily, she's not going far, still in Raymond, just no longer right across the road. So point is one bad thing after another not so great thing & this week really just bit the dust! Uggh. <br />The good part was that the week didn't stay full of unfortunate events. It ended off with a chain of good things too. On Friday morning, I interviewed for a position at the elementary school that Kinlee goes to and a few hours later got the call from Administration that I have a job if I want it. Well, I do. I'm super excited to get to work close to Kinlee, right where she is all day. That rocks! I could not be happier with that! I should still be able to balance my time between housework, homework and business too so I'm pretty happy so far. I have yet to find out where exactly I'll be working in the school but I do know its with the younger grades which I love! Also I was pretty flippin happy to hear that our company rooms were booked at Fantasyland Hotel. And bonus us girls will get to do some serious shopping at West Ed Mall while the guys are off at a Dental Convention. Evenings with the guys, a super fun theme room hotel and shopping during the day...sounds sooo inviting to me! After enduring a lot of long days and a series of unfortunate events it just sounds so nice to get away, relax, shop, eat, sleep-in do whatever I want. <br /><br />So although our life feels whirlwind-ish and it's filled with ups and downs, we really can't be too upset over the downs because we know that we really are so blessed and the not so great days pass and the downs always work themselves out the way they are suppose to and prayers even though some may seem to go unanswered, they are always answered in the right way and in the right timing. <br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-62561216003958805652013-03-21T06:42:00.001-07:002013-03-21T06:42:16.481-07:00Chloe<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/21/426.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/21/s_426.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Chloe went missing a week ago and gave quite the scare to Kinlee. She loves her dog and was super devastated to go out and find her rope and dog tag but no Chloe. We spent an hour or so driving around looking in desperate vehicles, Mont missed his Spanish lesson and it was just a gong show really. Kinlee was so sad and couldn't stop talking about all the alternatives of what might have happened to her dog. She said she prayed three times somehow and claims it was right after she ended her third prayer that someone approached her and her dad in an alley way near our house asking of we were looking for a dog. These people ha toed her up in their yard and the search came to a happy end for Mont and Kinlee. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/21/427.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/21/s_427.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/21/428.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/21/s_428.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Very happy and back to usual for Kin and Cloe. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/21/429.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/21/s_429.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />She's a pretty nice dog. I'll admit I wasn't feeling that good about her missing either and I was happy she made it back home. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/21/430.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/21/s_430.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />She's a really good dog and things aren't quite as bad as I thought they would be by adding a dog to the fam. There would be a sad little void for our family if she never returned. Kinlee loves taking care of and playing with Chloe and taking her out with her daddy in the evenings for a run and with them on their usual daddy/daughter Saturdays, too. There's definitely a bond we wouldn't want to lose there. <br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-11761805176485966072013-03-21T06:08:00.001-07:002013-03-21T06:08:52.541-07:00FinaKinlee has such a great connection with Josie (aka Fina and/or Grease). And I am so thankful for the two of them having each other. They share quite the bond. Definitely a sisterly one! <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/21/352.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/21/s_352.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Kinlee loves the Tuesdays I am at the lab and she gets to hang out with her teenage sister, Josie. And I love not worrying at all about them. This pic collage shows the two crazies reward to each other when they were finished their homework...girl Kinder Surprises. They treated each other, Kinlee bought first then Josie paid for the second round. They crack me up! <br /> <br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-44817107643863227912013-03-20T22:01:00.001-07:002013-03-20T22:01:47.719-07:00This Week......can rot!<br /><br />Monday set the tone with a lovely kick to the gut at the accountants office and the wonderful check we get to write to the Federal government (as if I haven't written enough already). How fantastic it is to have to grow up, to be adults, in this money grabbin' world, and to get ourselves a corporation to call our own and it body slams you in a corner at tax season. <br /><br />Tuesday took the honors of starting out with a phone call from my mr. whose first few words were I got hit by a car that ran a red light. I'm headed to the police station. In a pretty banged up truck I might add. At first I was just thankful I still have a husband. Today I'm just sad that the whole front of our truck is so smashed up. And even considering it could be a write off just makes me sooo sad. That's the truck we cranked the tunes, cruised and kissed in so many years ago (and since). Seriously truck is part of us, it was our dating days and so much more. It's a good truck and you couldn't tell it her but it is/was a nice truck, it's Mont's baby. I do not want to see it end up in some junkyard, not yet. Oh man I am such a sentimentalist. But for reals this sucked!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/20/2725.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/20/s_2725.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='299' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Today, Wednesday, wasn't so bad. That is, until I realized 3 hrs too late that I totally dropped the ball on Kinlees dance class and one of the final prep for the recital classes too. I helped a great neighbour and friend pack all day today and then didn't want to drive the truck so walked to pick up Kinlee from school and came home beat! We did some homework and hung out then I went to our ward RS 17th of March party. It was not a cool realization when it hit me either. I felt awful. Still do. <br /><br />I hope somehow I can get back on track and end this week out in a much better way than its started. Holy! <br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-11249389364546083412013-03-11T09:41:00.001-07:002013-03-11T10:11:45.172-07:00The Story of How We MovedSo last September a neighbor and friend we'd met only 10 months before came to me and asked if we wanted to buy the house they live in. They'd barely moved in 10 months before. When they moved in Kinlee and I took a treat over to them to welcome them in to the neighborhood and town. They came from up north, non-LDS in a predominantly LDS community, a very friendly family of 3. The man was the only person home the evening we stopped by so we left a treat and went home, across the road and west a couple doors. The next morning a knock on my door sent me 1/2 ready for the day to answer it. Her name was Dawn and we set up a time later that day to get together for hot chocolate in her lovely new place across the road, well the invite was for Coffee but I opted quickly for the hot chocolate as my religious beliefs are that I abstain from coffee and tea which I later explained over our glasses of differing drinks. We had a friendly visit & became friends from there on out. I invited Dawn out to Church meetings for RS and their family to ward activities. They accepted each offer and it was a mutual friendship. We invited them over to our home for wings and a few other get togethers and double dates were had. <br />
Mont put a For Sale sign on our boulevard in May last year. We/he felt we needed to find a new home. Not sure exactly why but he did. We had our eye on a house across town actually right across from Mike and Amy (Monts twin bro & his new wife) and built by his Uncle Murray. I thought it could work out but wasn't too eager for it to...when that house sold and nothing else on the market appealed to us, the For Sale by Owner sign came down. No big deal, we had a small mortgage utility bills as well were inexpensive and things were good as they were in that home we loved. It was a great little place, inexpensive in all ways and cozy for our little family. We decided we could stick around for another few years no prob. So when September rolled around and these new neighbors and friends extended the offer to me I said no we're content where we are at, we are good. Mont took Kinlee and I to Great Falls for my Birthday that weekend and I said nothing to Mont, not purposely just out I sight out of mind more than anything. Mont had expressed often to Dawn and Russ how much he loves this house, he even made an offer to the previous owners when they staked the ground with a for sale sign in 2011, that offer was declined and gladly so it was steep! Mont has reason to be passionately after this house, he grew up in this house from age 12-19 he lived here, his parents built it in 1993 and since his dad is a Mason it's an all entirely covered brick solidly built home. 20 years old with only minor cosmetic upgrades needed. Anyway, so we had a fantastic weekend away for my birthday virtually stress free. It wasn't until we were about 30 minutes away from getting back home that I remembered Dawn's offer for us to have first dibs on the house as they were looking to move in to the city. It was then 3 days after her offer to me that I even mentioned it to Monty. He was driving so he immediately had me dialing their number to set up an appt to make an offer ASAP. That was set up for the following night. We had Mike and Amy sit at our house as Kinlee was in bed and it was the start of her first days of Grade one and her school night routine and bedtime is rigid and early. I was a basket case this particular week...I did NOT need more added to my plate of stress and sadness. I turned another year older, got another huge evidence of a fail on growing our family (again!) and I was sending my baby off to full day school!! It was already pushing me to the brink of an emotional level I couldn't bottle up. Sooo we met with Dawn and Russ. Sat down feeling much too formal, and Mont made his offer. We headed back home 30 minutes later and over the next few days Mont was on the edge of his seat waiting for a response to find out if they had they accepted our offer, or not. I on the other hand was barely treading water and on the brink of emotionally drowning. Well, finally the call came and Mont was grinning from ear to ear for days! Then came the approval process on another mortgage, a meeting with a Realtor, paper work like you wouldn't believe, numbers were crunched and Monts excitement only escalated especially when everything was approved and things fell in to place. Rather quickly. I wasn't ready for such things and I was in no place in my life at the time to jump up or joy on anything. I was really just so sad! I missed being a mom to a child (children) at home all day, I was busy with business stuff a few subbing jobs here and there but over all my heart was just broken and I was anything but happy with the house details and process. Still didn't want it. I feel it was the right thing as Mont did but it frightened me a little. I was scared we wouldn't really have enough money each month as we would still own the other house and bills in every way would be larger and what of thy were hard to meet. I was afraid of losing the close knit bond we had gained over years and years in a tiny house as a young couple and then a baby too. I didn't want to lose that over a house purchase. A 1600 sq foot home with way more space and room. And I was just a downer Debbie the whole month of September. Less than 6 weeks later we were completely moved in to this house and our address went from 115 to 150, the only change we made in our big move across the street. And now that that whirlwind is over and I've kind of made some progress on making the house of brick an home we can call ours...I guess I'll post some pics and finally share this lovely story of our sudden move....and my attitude change...I have grown to LOVE this house...like I said the changes to the house are all cosmetic...and there's still one living room that needs a couch set (1st pic below) but otherwise we were able to furnish this house just fine. It's an amazing home with everything and more ... Things I love or will love ... <br />
Storage/cold room with shelving galore <br />
Office space <br />
5-6 bedrooms<br />
Craft/Sewing room<br />
A/C in the summer<br />
central vac, <br />
3 bathrooms, 1 in the master bed<br />
Garage AND Car port <br />
Side deck AND front porch<br />
Hot Tub<br />
Huge Kitchen<br />
Gorgeous Bay Window Dining area<br />
Hallways!<br />
Yellow walls, already painted fresh when we moved in! <br />
We received our bedroom set, a huge solid rectangle shaped therapy trampoline, a double bed and a dresser WITH the house purchase which we got for over 50 grand less than it appraises at<br />
Large back yard WITH a fire put<br />
Gorgeous treed lot mostly fenced in for privacy <br />
Oh man I could go on but I just have to say how thankful I am for how fortunate we were to make friends with these neighbors to get the chance to buy this house for cheap and for a husband who always just seems to know the right things to say and the right thing to do. We love our new place and we have been super blessed p get great renters in our other house too. I love how the Lord looks out for his people and directs us in to the right places and situations at the exact right times. We feel so blessed and we than the Lord every day for his hand directing our every step. We love Him, we love our new home, we love our life, blessings, little family and so much more! Here's a virtual tour of our new to us home (if you want clearer pictures click on the pic...I blog from my phone for convenance and time factors...sooo for some reason blogpress can't get the pix clear, grr)!<br />
We are so happy here!! <br />
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Okay, I can't say enough about how much I love lucking out on the buy&sell's around here off of Facebook...I needed, desperately needed, filing cabinets and with tax season hitting paper work is at an all time high...I've never had a good system for filing and organizing papers...I've tried but in our tiny home across the road there wasn't a lot of options. Well, last week, annnoyed with our lack of office space and order I lucked out when I happened on the Magrath Buy&Sell to see that there were two wooden file cabinets on there and no one had commented yet. I was the first. The next day I made the trek out in to the boondocks and finally arrived after getting lost once to the house of the lady who was selling these two. I bought them and was super excited to get them home. The sweet lady mentioned she had a desk that matches and was i sure I didn't want it too. I was sure. I didn't want to spend more money and I claimed I didn't have room. HA! As if I dont' have room. Excuses I suppose. Well, something told me to stop while I was pulling out of the driveway. So I did and it occured to me that I should in fact check out the desk. Well, for $60 bucks I drove away with two solid wooden Filing Cabinets and 1 even more solid Desk. And with a little arranging it fit perfectly in the spare room upstairs and I didn't have to get rid of that spare single bed either. Now its my favorite place to read or rest during the day if I'm unwell (like I was yesterday) and I'll soon be doing the corp book balancing, invoicing and filing from there...I'm just now on the look out for a couple chairs...one for this office space and one for my sewing/craft room downstairs. Anyway, long story short and you can't really even tell how great this room is...and the steal of deal I got on the desk and cabinets (which i know are quality by how they feel, how heavy they were and the fact that they are from a doctors office somewhere around here). So happy with this little area and these great purchases!! Love!<br />
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Kinlee's room is spacious and she loves it. It needs decor and that's one of my next steps in making this amazing house a home.<br />
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I love our bed. It may not be the style I'd pick if I went out shopping for a five piece bedroom set but a girl can't complain when it's handed to her from the previous owners and friends who downsized to move in to the city. Seriously, we are indebted to Dawn and Russ for the great home we got to buy for sooo cheap and the fabulous bedroom set and other wonderful things gifted to us with the purchase of the home. I can't say how very thankful I am for these things.<br />
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And downstairs....<br />
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There has been a lot of hottubbing going on around here...we love having this hot tub, so good for Mont stretching his tight muscles after a long and stressful week or day at work, great for his back pain and strain, too. We are so blessed! We also love a good Ping-Pong match before bed now and then...thanks to my parents for that! The kids will play fooseball now and again too and a little air hockey is even more fun than that, at least for the girls.<br />
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Downstairs is a work in progress...guest rooms I need to fix up...I just had my sister here and haven't taken the time to remake that bed, below...don't judge...haha.<br />
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A tiny room that severely needs cleaning...toy room, not sure how it's played in, but somehow it is.<br />
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This room has a psychodelic feel with the striped walls...that paper needs to come down...like I said the downstairs is so nice to have but it needs some work. It's more than livable and guest approved but definitely can't wait to do some painting and remodelling on the rooms down there. And actually decorate and make the beds. Ha!<br />
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This will be my sewing/crafting room...also another work in progress.<br />
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And this bathroom is a major winner...also kinda crazy, but it's a bathroom. It's also medium wood over-kill!<br />
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So there you have the overall tour of the new place. Like I said, we love it a lot!!! We will probably be here for many years to come.<br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneMont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-67144836170309056672013-03-09T08:10:00.001-08:002013-03-09T08:18:13.246-08:0011<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/09/943.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/09/s_943.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Ok I am so weird, don't laugh at me (or do I don't care either way)...I think I'm my dads daughter in this way---call it observant, a good memory or just plain freakshow but when it comes to dates, anniversaries and numbers I have this...probably inherited thing. Besides that its been 11 years since I left on my mission I don't actually know why I'm sharing this ...unless of course you end up agreeing with me that there might be something significant, instead of just plain silly, to this odd pattern...<br />so here it is:<br />I have this weird freakish, really---probably not significant at all thing with the number 11. I'm sure I'll forget something here cuz there's a lot, but seriously its a little strange to me, every important event or special moment or milestone in my adult years has had to do with the #11...<br />I got my mission call in the 11th month of the year, I had 11 companions and 11 convert baptisms. I started dating my future husband exactly 11 months after getting home from my mission, and not long after we started dating we discovered that I'm 11 months older than he is, I knew by 3 solid undeniable spiritual answers in the 11th month of that year that I was going to marry Mont, before those solid convictions I had this experience too...I was sitting in my car, with a different guy entirely (a good guy/great friend over the years gone complicated relationship...one where we'd had an over 2 1/2 year gap of seeing each other at that point) sitting next to me in my car. It was on Nov. 11th and coincidentally I happened to look at the clock (while this guy still sat next to me) at exactly 11:11 and no joke as weird as this is it was at that exact moment that it struck me with more conviction than I'd already had that I just wanted him gone (I knew clear enough before this precise moment) but I literally knew in that very second that I was in the wrong place completely...after that I couldn't get the guy out of my car fast enough I knew without question who I wanted to be with & it definitely wasn't him, although I knew that long before it was just so concentrated in that moment. <br />The very MOST significant moment in this whole 11 pattern for me came when Mont and I were sealed to each other for eternity just shy of 11 months after we met, and no kidding 11 months later I gave birth to our first child. On the first day of the 11th month in 2011 we started our first full day as employers, official part owners, in a successful dental restoration practice/business. <br />So there you have it...and truly I can say my life really began 11 years ago this month when I set foot on sacred ground, life changing soil, one of the holiest most spiritually relevant places on earth. The MTC. I loved every minute. My comp and I were fast made friends who worked hard in training and laughed and learned and lived and loved with all we had. We soaked up our time there in all the ways a person can. And my life began that way...I've never looked back. I've increasingly loved deeper and felt more since then and because of then. It was the very best prep for life and I couldn't be more grateful for that and all that's succeeded that! I am so blessed and the promise that more happiness and joy than you have yet experienced awaits you is so very very true! I have faced difficult heart wrenching things for me in the span of the past 11 years but the joy and happiness I have experienced far outweighs any I felt prior to that promise signed and sealed by a Prophet of God (President Hinckley no less, one of my favorite prophets, the one I've connected to the most in life). There aren't words to express what life has rewarded me with since those days where I carried one of the weightiest responsibilities in the world. I was mature in all the rights ways but just immature enough to still make it fun, and I had fun, I laughed and learned, grew up and grew so much, I've been stretched and purified and I clearly still have so far to go...but I can't say enough about this month 11 years ago and what it's given me since...and all significant things revolving around that odd and random number 11. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/09/944.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/09/s_944.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/09/945.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/09/s_945.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='303' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/09/946.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/09/s_946.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I look like such a happy little girl...haha, sometimes I almost miss myself from back then. Growing up stinks, life was so much simpler back then, I miss that too...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/09/947.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/09/s_947.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/09/948.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/09/s_948.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/09/949.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/09/s_949.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/09/950.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/09/s_950.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/09/951.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/09/s_951.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='302' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/09/952.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/09/s_952.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/03/09/953.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/03/09/s_953.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-17750081302302964772013-02-17T08:19:00.001-08:002013-02-17T08:19:31.285-08:00The Big V-Day, Valentines Love<br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/17/1032.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/17/s_1032.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />I always have big plans leading up to and on the holidays since I had Kinlee and especially as she's gotten older and sooo appreciative of every thoughtful thing. I loved everything about her excitement over keeping her room clean to see if her sweetheart iloveyou sign was hanging from her door after school every day for 14 days. She loved every surprise hidden in her room on the days her room was cleaned up...she only missed one day. Mont got a 3-day countdown in the form of candy grams & love notes greeting him in the jeep every morning before work. <br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/17/1033.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/17/s_1033.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='370' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />As for me I loved making Kinlees IPod valentines for her class and teachers and having her write notes of thanks on the teacher ones. It was fun splattering Kinlees bedroom with heart shaped balloons and hearts with notes all over her door to find valentines morning. Kinlee gets showered with love from so many people including neighbours we don't even live next to anymore...this holiday was once again no exception. She got spoiled. We also took the chance to deliver neighbour goodies around too. This was a corny one and fun to share...It's a jar of valentine candy corn and a hand printed note from Kinlee. **PS. All pix I post thru Blogpress are grainy until clicked on. <br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/17/1034.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/17/s_1034.jpg' border='0' width='381' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />It was even fun to get a 6:15am subbing call (I was already awake and nearly ready anyway) and to get to be at the school for the valentines parties. It was also fun to see my nephews excitement when I subbed in his classroom and then to sit in a room to help and quiz kids on their spelling etc that gave me a perfect view of Kinlee working in hers. <br />The only disappointment of Love Day was not being able to pull off a full on Fonduedinner by candlelight. It was an after school after work day fail. So it was take out by candle light and a delicious dessert by candle light complete with chocolate fondue & dipping strawberries, bananas and angel food cake. It was de-vine!! <br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/17/1035.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/17/s_1035.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/17/1036.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/17/s_1036.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='239' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/17/1037.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/17/s_1037.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='300' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />The sweetest thing of the night came before that though. It was a knock at the door and seeing Kinlee run to answer it. It was the man behind the door holding the single stemmed rosé and babies breath. It was the way he bent down toward his little girl holding the rose out to her that spelled love and made my eyes water. It was her genuine huge smile once it sunk in that he really was giving her the rose. I would have been completely content with that image in my mind forever...they have the sweetest father-daughter relationship and this sealed something in me that I never want to forget. <br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/17/1038.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/17/s_1038.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />But his next was to reach out to me discreetly and sweetly with a huge hug and kiss and handing me a giant bouquet of Daisies (my absolute fave and the traditional flower of our relationship starting way back at the beginning of us). They were beautiful! And anyone who says they don't need flowers or don't want them hasn't felt like I did on Valentines Day this last week. I am totally content with the bright happy flowers I got for Valentines Day even if they do die eventually. We have an unwritten agreement about gifts on every holiday...we don't go crazy with them so Valentines Day is the one we choose to opt out on and we generally just do a few thoughtful things for each other and leave it at that. I wasn't expecting these at all...<br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/17/1039.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/17/s_1039.jpg' border='0' width='299' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/17/1040.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/17/s_1040.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='398' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />I love my man so much --- I am so thankful for the marriage and the friendship we have. He is my best friend and I couldn't me more grateful for the blessing of knowing I'm loved as much as I am being married to him and getting to be with him forever. He is amazing and I'm so proud of him and so in love with who he is and what we have. It's a beautiful feeling knowing there isn't a single thing he wouldn't do for his girls. I lucked out somehow getting a man of his magnitude as mine!<br />One of the other best parts of the day was this shirt and the support it showed to our sweet nephew/cousin Grady who was born with some physical limitations and at almost 2 years old is still only getting his sustenance from a tube in his stomach. He's a very loved little sweetheart & we are so grateful he's part of our family and lives! He's a sweet and special little guy! Anyway, Dana (Monts sister, Grady's amazing mom) had her neighbor Simon Dewey design these shirts for all of Grady's cousins to wear to school on Love Day! <br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/17/1041.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/17/s_1041.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/17/1042.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/17/s_1042.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' align='left' style='margin:5px'></a><br />We DO love a Tubie (aka a tube-fed Baby). And are definitely on Team Grady. Love Him so much and we love these shirts!!! <br /> <br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-63094891000162029552013-02-09T09:43:00.001-08:002013-02-10T07:42:20.394-08:00HopeMan, I'm blogging less and less and I'm surprised at how unmotivated I am to blog. I am so behind...the whole move, Christmas rush of things & people and just living life with 3 jobs that take my time and energy while Kinlee is away at school every day and the time I'm desperately trying not to lose out on with her when she's not and then most of all trying to be the very best of a supportive and loving wifey in the process of everything else as a homemaker ... I am finding that my energy/priority for computer time and updates on personal stuff are pretty obsolete especially once I've done the books for both businesses. Surprisingly, for me, I'm even lacking in picture taking which is totally out of character. <br />Things that occupy life in the slow-fast lane for us as we try to stay balanced between work & play & unity as a family. Here are the contributors to my blogging inhibitions....<br />--The Dental Restoration Business is probably the most busy thing in our world. Mont is the hardest working man I know. He works intensely hard at the in-lab work he does making beautiful tooth restorations for a large clientele, the business coaching and weekly courses he's taking, marketing and advertising, and so many dimensions in his role as a business owner are just as or more so taxing on his time and energy as being at the bench. He's amazing, the most amazing person there is when it comes to work ethic and honest hard labor in the face of adversity and opposition. There isn't a stronger man around. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/09/1201.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/09/s_1201.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />--The other most involved part of our life of course falls with our role as parents. Kinlee is doing amazing lately and I'm so proud of her progress. She's brought home 100%ers in math recently and her reading has improved leaps and bounds since Christmas. She's really into reading the classic, "Where The Red Fern Grows" with her dad everyday sometimes for up to 2 hours at a time. She really is such a joy to be around, helpful sweet and kind and catches herself when she's not now. She makes every one ((and more than one of her teachers has told me this same thing)) feel like a million bucks with her sincere compliments of "You look beautiful today, ______." or that she loves something they are wearing or how they did their hair etc. She has always been like this since being a tiny little 18 month-er even. She is honestly a mini teenager in the way she thinks & stuff she says...its kind of freaky sometimes. mostly tho this is only in a good way and more often than not I find myself getting so excited to pick her up after school, so we can hang out! I just love being her mom and count myself so blessed that she is mine! I just don't think they come cooler and more with it & witty, sweet and fun than she is (most of the time). She just makes me more happy than anything else lately! I love being her Mom so much! I am SO thankful for her!!!! And I know her dad feels exactly the same way I do toward her and I love that we get to share such a huge blessing and devotion to her! <br />--Corp Books and ODesign Invoicing etc ... I just did a mandatory quarterly GST report without the Accountant walking me through it or right beside me the whole way. I was pretty proud of myself! Numbers have never been my fave thing in the world so this is an accomplishment that I'm rather proud of. One that I am in to for life---the long haul for sure or at least until retirement ... Which I'm kinda hoping comes sooner than later, this owner/employer role is a lot more stressful than working for a paycheck every month. It's a LOT more pressure and responsibility and is anything but easy or simple . We are in a whole new realm of thinking and life. We experienced quite the changes in past year and at times it's overwhelming to me. But we'll make it with hard work and lots of prayer.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/10/925.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/10/s_925.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />--We took on yet another job.... cleaning the lab each week or twice a week. This is a family affair and I think it's going to work out nicely. It was a grueling 5 1/2 straight hours on the first week but it felt good to do it and to make a dent in it again. We had to fire the last cleaning company, they just weren't doing it anymore. It was rather sick I almost gagged scrubbing down the men's public facilities. But I won't go off on that rant...I just can't fathom how far some men must stand away from the urnal, or something cuz the extent of pee on the walls was rather grotesque! <br />--My sub days have come much more frequently at the Elementary School lately & I'm loving the kids I work with the closeness it gives me with Kinlee and the extra mula is a great perk too. This feels heaven sent as I've wanted more subbing days for lots of reasons. We are all thankful for each day and call I get! Kinlee lives for it...she is a kiddo who loves being close to her parents so she kind of thrives on days I'm at the school with her. It's also nice for me to have adult convo mixed in with my love for children and getting to work with them. I love getting the work days in close to Kinlee while still getting time for myself and time for home, hobby and to work at the Dental Lab with Mont. <br />--We still own the other house so we have that upkeep and either trying to sell it or get renters when the ones in there now move out. <br />--I'm house sitting for my snow bird neighbors still.<br />--I'm always in the process of making our new house in to a home and I love that but some areas just aren't quite right yet and that bugs me. <br />--Chloe, Mont and Kinlee's puppy, keeps Mont and Kinlee busy. Feeding her, playing with her, teaching her tricks and taking her with them for walks, runs or bike rides everyday takes their time. Kinlee's great for after school taking Chloe out (shes staying in the garage for now) and Mont wakes up just early enough to take care of her before work and then again after work and before bed. He has her trained to sit and almost there on shake a paw. I think I trained her with one big bop on the head not to jump on me anymore. And otherwise we try hard to keep her from pushing her weight past us and in to the house even though she desperately wants in. <br />She puts up with a lot having Kinlee as a buddy! <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/09/1181.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/09/s_1181.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />--For fun Mont and I aim for date nights weekly whether its at home cuddled up by the crackling fireplace or out to a movie or nicer than usual dinner or even just a drive together with music and talking whatever it is we do try for quality time even if its super simple ... we also have a nightly date with the an epi or two in the series "Parenthood" usually snuggled up together in bed. We are trying hard to scrimp and save this year for a much over due family vacation so we will be sacrificing more than usual as a fam to save and prep for a Christmas Vacation that will knock Kinlee's socks off, at least we hope so! She asked her dad the other day if we are a rich or poor family he replied that we we are neither rich nor poor but that we are a family who works hard for everything we get. She was satisfied with that and I loved the simple way he put that. I hope our kids never know either way. I don't want them to worry about family finances like we always had to as kids but I also don't want them to be raised to think they are entitled. We want to teach that nothing is free and with some good hard work ethic you can attain anything you want and need. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/09/1202.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/09/s_1202.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />--Kinlee is lovin her life with a cute new doll house and old school Polly pockets as well as play dates with friends and cousins and a cold winter sledding/walk we took one day when there was no school. We were on the look out for anything that resembles a hill to slide on. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/09/1203.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/09/s_1203.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/09/1204.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/09/s_1204.jpg' border='0' width='251' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/09/1205.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/09/s_1205.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I have also never seen her room so clean as we have encouraged her to keep it clean anyway but leading up to valentines day if she sees this on her door she can know her room was clean to inspection and a treat or toy or craft is hidden for her to find for the 14 days leading up...so it's all hearts and pinks and red inspired by vday! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/09/1206.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/09/s_1206.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />She loved making cookies together with me and then decorating them with Jorja on an after school play date yesterday too.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/09/1207.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/09/s_1207.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/02/09/1208.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/02/09/s_1208.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />--I picked a 'word' for 2013 and it came to me quietly while reading the Ensign in January (the Feb issue very last page on the back cover--thx Mom for the new subscription :). I needed these uplifting words more than anything at the time and I still do. It says:<br />"Everyone of us has times when we need to know things will get better....My declaration is that this is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need. <br />There is help. <br />There is happiness....<br />Don't you quit. <br />You keep walking. <br />You keep trying....<br />it will be all right in the end. <br />Trust God and believe in good things to come....<br />Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven, but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come." <br />And with that I knew my most fitting word for 2013 was HOPE. At the start of this year that was anything but what I felt. <br />I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I feel guilty when I lack the vision the Gospel has, the big picture, the eternal timeline we are on and how this sometimes very difficult journey is truly just a tiny little moment and that we have no better choice in life than to hold on to HOPE in the Gospel plan and the knowing hand and will of God. I know that with the Gospel of Jesus Christ we can have the HOPE that good things await those who sincerely possess the faith that we need in Heavenly Father's understanding of time, not ours, and his perfect plan. And in that I know giving up is not an option. <br />My scripture for this year also shared with my mission theme which is engraved on my mission plaque and since this year marks (cringing) 10 years since my black name tag was ripped away from me...is:<br />2 Nephi 31:20 <br />((I know we aren't suppose to pick favorite scriptures but of all the great scripture there is this one is mine! And between that and the wisdom and hope Jeffery R Holland offers in that Ensign quote above...I'm starting this year off much better now and with HoPe I am holding out for the promise of good things to come! <br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-12864273185043842472013-01-26T11:40:00.001-08:002013-01-26T11:40:21.717-08:00Daddy's, Earthly and OtherwiseKinlee is a special little girl with an early strong developed relationship with her Heavenly Father. She also has a priceless and strong relationship with her earthly father. Every Saturday he takes special care and attention to spend it with his daughter. I am so thankful Kinlee is getting to have the experience on earth that she is...to understand a little more about the love of her Heavenly Father by the example, heart and time her earthly father gives her.<br /><br />They spend their Saturdays together. The deal was made years ago, I actually remember exactly where I was sitting at the moment it was said...definitely on the hideous hand me down 70s sectional couch in the living room of our tiny first home together. It was a Saturday and it was not that long after our first tiny little angel was born. Mont, a doting dad from day one, walked in while I was feeding our baby and somewhere in the convo he said 'when she gets bigger I'll spend every Saturday with her while you stay home with our next baby'. Oh man how I am loving to see that that has come to fruition and I joy in seeing Kinlee have this amazing bond with her daddy here on earth! It's something I never got growing up and I can't tell you how it makes me really feel inside that our daughter does.<br /><br />Today is just like any other Saturday. Kinlee and her dad. And now their dog as well. They made their dump run, Town Pump for a treat and they made the dog run down some random dirt road and now the three of them are out there changing the oil on the Jeep. <br /><br />As far as the end of that deal that concerns me...the part where I'm at home taking care of our babies, Kinlee's siblings, while he takes her on a Saturday like today and every single other one since Kinlee went and got bigger, so fast :,( ...I have yet to get to keep up that side of his futuristic image of our life. Even though thats a constant heart ache for me (us) and though I am in the home while they are doing their Saturday thing & my arms are painstakingly empty, I am still so beyond grateful that Kinlee has her daddy and that Saturdays are theirs. <br /><br />Just having Kinlee here with us and that I'm not still waiting for even her to join our family is something to be grateful for. I have so very many blessings and things to be so incredibly grateful to my Father in Heaven for. It really is nothing short of a beautiful life that we have together and Kinlee is one of the lucky ones to have a dad, on the earth and in her life, like him is blessing enough for a little girl like her. To have one so remarkably involved and heartfelt and fun-loving like he is is also huge! She has a daddy who is really there for her no matter what, she has a daddy who <i>wants</i> to be there for her, who <i>wants</i> to spend time with her, who loves her more than she will ever truly comprehend and one who she never has to doubt that he is always going to be there for her, her advocate and supportive constant, she never has to question that he really does love her and completely unconditionally, that he respects her & always always will, he takes every chance allotted him to teach her, he is patient in her quirks or trials, he is the kind of dad who will, at any seconds notice, lay his hands on her head and bless her no matter what, that all she has to do is ask and there isn't anything he wouldn't do for her. <br /><br />And that was honestly not the purpose of this post. The purpose of the post rather was the phone call I got from my little girl a few minutes ago. Her adorable excited little voice on the end of the line is the reason for this post. What she said that I hope she never forgets and I hope she continues to experience through out her life: she told me that she and daddy left a socket set (one that belongs to Uncle Mike) on the bumper of the truck and when they realized that they did it was too late. The tools were already gone. Kinlee excitedly told me what happened and how the socket set turned up...she said "<b>mom I prayed and I knew Heavenly Father would help me and daddy find them then I heard a voice tell me they fell off the bumper at the corner where we turned to go to the dump. Dad thought they were gone but I told him I had a feeling we would find them. When we going there there they were, they weren't gone! And I knew we would find them. It was all because I prayed and Heavenly Father heard me pray!" </b><br />To Mont she said <i>"This is the first time Heavenly Father has answered my prayer THAT FAST!!"</i><br />There's nothing that warms my heart more than hearing Kinlee share her testimony and spiritual experiences with me. I loved this humble phone call from my own sweet daughter and a daughter of God learning every day that she really IS one!! I hope she remembers these moments spent with her daddy on earth and that the experiences she gets, to know also that her Heavenly Dad is real and loves her too! And that He does hear and answer prayers, she's lucky to know these two vital relationships firsthand so early on in her life! <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-64593961101743728842013-01-09T08:47:00.001-08:002013-01-09T09:10:17.965-08:0010 Fantastic Truths to tell our DaughtersI'll admit I'm having a tough start to the new year, last night after a pretty decent day at work in the Dental Lab Office, I came home to the straw that ((once again)) broke this camels back. Without going in to too much detail, I will say that reading this Pinterest find (below)...written by someone other than myself (with the exception of a few lines & paragraphs) was such a great read! If I could express these and a few more things to my little girl right this minute & could know that they would sink in and be internalized, I'd feel so much more at peace about things right now!<br /><b>Ten things I want my 6-year-old daughter to know:</b><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/01/09/984.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/01/09/s_984.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='246' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />1. <b>It is not your job to keep the people you love happy</b>. Not me, not Daddy, not your friends, no one. I promise, it's not. The hard truth is that you can't, anyway.<br />2. <b>Your physical fearlessness is a strength. </b>Please continue using your body in the world: run, jump, climb, throw. I love watching you streaking down the soccer field, or swinging proudly along a row of monkey bars, or climbing into the high branches of a tree. There is both health and a sense of mastery in physical activity and challenges.<br />3. <b>You should never be afraid to share your passions</b>. You are sometimes embarrassed that you still like to play with dolls, for example, and you worry that your friends will make fun of you. Anyone who teases you for what you love to do is not a true friend. This is hard to realize, but essential.<br />4. <b>It is okay to disagree with me, and others. </b>You are old enough to have a point of view, and I want to hear it. So do those who love you. Don't pick fights for the sake of it, of course, but when you really feel I'm wrong, please say so. You have heard me say that you are right, and you've heard me apologize for my behavior or point of view when I realize they were wrong. Your perspective is both valid and valuable. Don't shy away from expressing it.<br />5. <b>You are so very beautiful</b>. Your face now holds the baby you were and the young woman you are rapidly becoming. My looks and your father's combine into someone unique, someone purely you. I can see the clouds of society's beauty myth hovering, manifest in your own growing self-consciousness. I beg of you not to lose sight with your own beauty, so much of which comes from the fact that your spirit runs so close to the surface.<br />6. <b>Reading is essential</b>. It is the central leisure-time joy of my life, as you know. I am immensely proud and pleased to see that you seem to share it. That identification you feel with characters, that sense of slipping into another world, of getting lost there in the best possible way? Those never go away. Welcome.<br />7. <b>You are not me. </b>We are alike in some ways, but you are your own person, entirely, completely, fully. I know this, I promise, even when I lose sight of it. I know that separation from me is one of the fundamental tasks of your adolescence, which I can see glinting over the horizon. I dread it like ice in my stomach, that space, that distance, that essential cleaving, but I want you to know I know how vital it is. I'm going to be here, no matter what, Kinlee. The red string that ties us together will stretch. I know it will. And once the transition is accomplished there will be a new, even better closeness. I know that too.<br />8.<b> It is almost never about you. </b>What I mean is that when people act in a way that hurts or makes you feel insecure, it is almost certainly about something happening inside of them, and not about you. I struggle with this one mightily, and I have tried very, very hard never once to tell you you are being "too sensitive" or to "get over it" when you feel hurt. Believe me, I know how feelings can slice your heart, even if your head knows otherwise. But maybe, just maybe, it will help to remember that almost always other people are struggling with their own demons, even if they bump into you by accident.<br />9. <b>There is no single person who can be your everything</b>. Be very careful about bestowing this power on any one person. There is only one relationship that will matter in the midst of any & all that you have. There will be times you may feel all alone in the world, it will even overtake you at times if you allow it. That feeling, Woolf's "emptiness about the heart of life," is just part of the deal. Trying to fill that ache with other people (or with anything else, like food, alcohol, numbing behaviors of a zillion sorts you don't even know of yet) is a lost cause, and nobody will be up to the task. Finding joy in the Savior and learning of him will fill any kind of void or loneliness you may experience in your life. Allowing Heavenly Father to be your everything will heal all hurts, loneliness and heartaches, don't expect any other person to take His place or fill the voids, because the the cold hard truth is that people will let you down. Pray. Always. Build on your already strong testimony of Christ and never ever forget that you are a Daughter of a very loving father in heaven. <br />10.<b> I am trying my best</b>. I know I'm not good enough and not the mother you deserve. I am impatient and fallible and I raise my voice. I am sorry. I love you and your dad more than I love anyone else in the entire world and I always wish I could be better for you. I'll admit I don't always love your behavior, and I'm quick to tell you that. But every single day, I love you with every part of my heart and soul. No matter what.<br />Forever. Always. <br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-24173578982422325832012-12-25T01:41:00.001-08:002012-12-25T01:41:49.701-08:00Merry Christmas <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/25/124.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/25/s_124.jpg' border='0' width='225' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's been another busy December leading up to today...Santa made his way and left a plethora of gifts around the mantle ... Cousins/extended family are sharing the day with us & I can hardly wait for morning to come, I'm so excited I feel 5 yrs again! It's going to be a great day! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/25/125.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/25/s_125.jpg' border='0' width='198' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We love this time of year and wish all our friends and family the most wonderful and happy Christmas season! <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/12/25/126.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/12/25/s_126.jpg' border='0' width='195' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-70068329321432729852012-12-12T09:19:00.001-08:002012-12-12T09:19:01.915-08:00Christmas RushThe Dental lab business stays consistently busy all year round but also consistent is its Christmas Rush which usually starts mid November and no later than the 1st of December and runs well in to the new year. Isn't that the way the song goes ..."All they want for Christmas is their two front teeth ((or back or bottom)).." Either way, we definitely notice a void in our home leading up to Christmas! Kinlee is in bed asleep by the time her daddy gets home from making everyone's two front teeth, or back ones, side or bottom...but this morning she crawled in to bed with me after the mr went to work already and after kissing my cheek and telling me she loves me she noticed the empty right side of the bed and asked why daddy never came home from work yesterday, why is he still gone?!?? From a daughter who loves her daddy with everything she has she was rather devastated & later on eating her egg omelet & toast for breakfast she informed me that she doesn't like Christmas anymore because she does NOT like that she feels like she never gets to see her daddy! It was rather sad really! But mostly, I just feel grateful that she loves him so much and that she can express herself with words now instead of just acting up more when we go thru this time of year that inevitably takes him away from home for longer hours leading up to Christmas. Luckily, we close the lab for a week between Christmas and New Years and that gives us uninterrupted time together. That's all we really want for Christmas! <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-66729251686480857542012-12-11T22:08:00.003-08:002012-12-11T22:08:30.302-08:0015 Days Until Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These two are total goofs, but they do whip up some great crafts when they want to. </div>
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15 Days Until Christmas</div>
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"PUT A START TO YOUR 2012 NATIVITY SCENE AND MAKE MARY AND JOSEPH FROM MINI TERRA COTTA POTS. HAVE FUN!"</div>
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and fun is what was had...they bring out the crazy in each other for sure.</div>
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This is her 3rd saved Nativity...shoebox nativity sets to save through the years. I love to look at them each year so far...they are probably more exciting to me than anything else during the Christmas Season. I love this time of year and I love Kinlee's enthusiasm for our Matchbox Countdown...it makes all the efforts and work to plan it out and put it together more than worth it. </div>
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Meet 6 year old Kinlee's depiction of Mary and Joseph...</div>
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<br />Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605567525498833994.post-13901476210532855392012-12-11T21:58:00.002-08:002012-12-11T21:58:56.976-08:0014 Days Until Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAvdHXHB6GTKpuHROgPrjV6R4TCqjtMO4S-ReXSklWIWNQSIznZMyC2ROGiIkz1YXhNLeV0q_U_oF2a4MLwC9lTnmcxY4YmF05nNjMhzuTFefT1_Yh1D7tHz6Xt3JIwHZ4KggVNyfwW63/s1600/IMG_7816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAvdHXHB6GTKpuHROgPrjV6R4TCqjtMO4S-ReXSklWIWNQSIznZMyC2ROGiIkz1YXhNLeV0q_U_oF2a4MLwC9lTnmcxY4YmF05nNjMhzuTFefT1_Yh1D7tHz6Xt3JIwHZ4KggVNyfwW63/s400/IMG_7816.JPG" width="372" /></a></div>
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14 Days Until Christmas...</div>
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I wanted more face to face service ideas for this countdown this year now that she's a little older and man it's been so wonderful, let me tell you. This adorable girl of mine, what a gem! Love her to pieces...she's amazing and fun and creative and kind and so many wonderful things and all these positives to her personality seem to really shine in moments like these ones tonight....what a sweetheart!</div>
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"MAKE A SNOWMAN CRAFT FROM A CHOCOLATE BAR, WHITE WRAPPING PAPER AND CRAFT MATERIALS THEN PICK AN ELDERLY COUPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO TAKE THEM TO."</div>
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Don't Ask...haha, either about the sticking out tongues or the crappy photos...whatever...the memories are still the same...even if this pic is creepy of me. </div>
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Our finished Snowmen masterpieces...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AqNhRGAxkF1wLCL8ZDv-lCs_8RLgOxYBPeOA1R-6JpUoU5CMbv36-EUdJQwMRgFHmA6V2MVjxPE5vjTlVhbETBb21gKoxFm1ROk4eDjo8Z4DkvlPwBysbUHT5wdybhwKeq6WdGfuom3t/s1600/IMG_7821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AqNhRGAxkF1wLCL8ZDv-lCs_8RLgOxYBPeOA1R-6JpUoU5CMbv36-EUdJQwMRgFHmA6V2MVjxPE5vjTlVhbETBb21gKoxFm1ROk4eDjo8Z4DkvlPwBysbUHT5wdybhwKeq6WdGfuom3t/s400/IMG_7821.JPG" width="290" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00zwEX2QnQ604k4bGfTeN8jnaM2BIzuf17zZPklUNupuYEnIJ7Qe62jsHafeshUWaSkF9sC1rLX_u-mwq9mBgWLlK-4rf1bp5Z7H8W7K-rz0V6Dk-oH0ElZV_wReZtLMpRYClrTQ0w9HU/s1600/IMG_7822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00zwEX2QnQ604k4bGfTeN8jnaM2BIzuf17zZPklUNupuYEnIJ7Qe62jsHafeshUWaSkF9sC1rLX_u-mwq9mBgWLlK-4rf1bp5Z7H8W7K-rz0V6Dk-oH0ElZV_wReZtLMpRYClrTQ0w9HU/s200/IMG_7822.JPG" width="168" /></a> We love these sweet neighbors but haven't taken near as many of the opportunities we've thought about to visit them. This was the perfect chance! We had such a nice visit. These two amazing people are some of our favorites. D. goes way back as buddies with Mont's grandpa and he shared a few great and touching stories with us during our visit. I love these two so much and I was so glad we got to visit like we did. And that we got to help out by going home to make two more for their missionary grandson's package that goes off tomorrow. Cutest thing ever was the tour Kinlee gave to E. when she dropped by to tell me not to worry about making those for her...I finished up the snow men treats/crafts while Kinlee gave the grand tour of our new place. It was honestly among one of the cutest things of the day listening to her lead sweet E around our house and explaining the rooms and excitedly talking about the things she knows we love about it, and that she loves. I love that girl! And I think this was definitely one of our favourite countdown days so far this year. </div>
Mont and Dawnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13939097496056781141noreply@blogger.com0