More 2012 adventures--Musical Pursuits

I hoped to have more photos and a video of this adventure...

Mekenze had an exciting (we thought) opportunity to perform at the Hollywood Bar and Grill in LA. She prepared 3 cover tunes and we made a quick weekend trip (yes, I drove in LA--thank heavens for the GPS invention.) Let's just say, without going into details, that LA isn't ready for Emee-Kay, and we will never be ready for the type of environment that we endured (for way too long) and then finally left--without Mekenze ever taking her turn on the stage. It was a sad, eye opening, heartbreaking, etc etc etc experience, but it was also a VERY good learning and growing experience that helped Mekenze see her path more clearly...so be ready to hear more from Emee-Kay in the near future!

Arielle and I went to San Francisco--a last minute decision--so Arielle could try out for America's Got Talent. This experience was much different than her American Idol audition a year and a half ago. For one thing, she got to sing for 90 seconds instead of 10...and she felt very good about it. You never know what the judges are looking for and there are lots of talented (and some really strange) people in the world--she didn't get called back, but she did leave with a good feeling about her performance and isn't hindered in continuing to give it her best shot until she finds her niche.

We did spend the rest of the afternoon really enjoying San Francisco!!! We didn't have time to see the wharf or the Golden Gate Bridge, but we did enjoy the shopping and some really yummy food! We WILL go back! (Maybe for the X-Factor...???)

Catching up on 2012 (January)

Dave and I went on the Heritage Makers TAC trip. This year it was a 5-day cruise to Belize and Cozumel. It was nice escape from reality and COLDness. Dave had been traveling a lot, so we needed the time together. Mission accomplished!! We didn't spend a whole lot of time with the HM group so I have almost zero pictures of my Heritage Makers leader friends.

We went snorkeling in the most beautiful water near Belize (hence this gorgeousness of this photo. Some people can come away from water adventures and look so beautiful. Not I.) We stopped for an hour at a private beach on the way back to the ship. This is where I got to soak up the sun and bring back a tan of sorts. Enjoyable!

This was Cozumel. We had been here before, so we almost felt like natives. ;) We rented a scooter, ate lunch on the beach, went shopping and just enjoyed the day.

Dave bought me this ring!!! Since I lost the diamond out of my wedding ring, my finger has been so lonely! This is not a diamond, obviously, but a tanzanite. I guess it is rare and supposed to be valuable. I think it is pretty. It will do until we are able to find me a new diamond for my original wedding ring that I am apparently very attached to.
I thought I had a picture of the necklace that another vendor talked us into because it would look so pretty with my ring, but alas, I can't find it. I came away from Cozumel adorned like a queen.

What a great day!

Karter got baptized yesterday. He turned 8 on December 6, but because we wanted to wait for Curtis to turn 16 so that he could baptize him, he had to wait a whole month and a half for this special day. There for a little while I was afraid that Curtis wouldn't get to baptize him after all and I wondered if waiting had been a mistake, but it was a wonderful event! I couldnt have asked for a better day.

The first wonderful thing about it was that it was a family baptism, not a stake event. I don't mind stake baptisms. Any baptism is amazing, and it is neat to see a group of cute, innocent 8 year olds eager to enter into the Kingdom of God. But my family really needed a wonderful spiritual experience, and this was definitely it!

The program started with Mekenze, Arielle, Mady, and I singing I Know That Redeemer Lives acapella with 3 part harmony. (it was amazing, I must add :) but how could that song not be?) The Spirit entered in at that moment... Mady offered the opening prayer, then Mekenze spoke on baptism. This is when the Spirit bore His first witness that this church is true and that baptism is an essential living ordinance, not only to the congregation but I think even more importantly to Mekenze. There is a time in everyone's life when he or he needs to gain personal testimony. Mekenze's tears were a strong indication that her testimony was definitely strengthened at that moment.

Watching Curtis baptize his little brother, using his new priesthood ordination to further the Kingdom of God in his own family was an out of body experience. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. Dave told me later that when Karter was changing out of his wet clothes he said that he felt awesome! Second witness of the Spirit...

Arielle then spoke on the Gift of the Holy Ghost. More tears. Another witness... Then Dave gave Karter a beautiful confirmation and blessing which I wish I would have written word for word! Karter is a strong young man with a great work to do on this earth! And during the blessing the Spirit bore witness to me of the power of the priesthood and of the worthiness of my husband and of my gratitude for him. I am truly blessed!

The talks by the primary president, Lyla Thomas, and by Brother Platt, member of the bishopric, And the beautiful closing prayer by my brother, Zach, were just icing on the cake. The Spirit was so strong! It really could not have been more perfect!!!

The extra amazing thing about the baptism is that Arielle's boyfriend was there. He is investigating the church and is currently seeing the missionaries in earnest effort to discover for himself if the church is true...or not...and if baptism is truly essential for entering into God's Kingdom. He shed tears, many tears. He can't deny what he felt...we are praying that he will continue to have undeniable spiritual experiences that will allow him to move out of his head and let the Spirit guide him.

**My only regret...I failed to take many photos. Here are the ones I did take. My favorite is the one with Karter cuddling up with his new scriptures.

Curtis with Karter in front of the font, before and after being dressed

in white

Karter with his very own baptism book that has the testimonies of all of our family (priceless)

Personal AHAS from The Book of Mormon

Our bishopric challenged us to read the Book of Mormon in two months, starting January 1st. I have been offered this challenge before, but I was always in the middle of some other study or whatever else excuse I had, but this time, even though I had JUST started over and was only in Mosiah, I decided to take the challenge seriously, and for 4 whole days I have been faithful!!

I want to share the thoughts I had today as I read...they are simple, but they apply directly to my life at this time, so to me they are profound. (I feel like I need to journal it to remember, and what better journalist avenue than my blog, right?)

You know the story of the Liahona? The one where Lehi's family had been commanded to leave Jerusalem and travel in the wilderness for an unspecified amount of time to a Promised Land because Jerusalem was soon to be destroyed... Soon after they had begun their journey, but after they were far enough away from Jerusalem that a "quick trip back" would require some effort, they were commanded to return-not once, but TWICE-to first retrieve the brass plates and then to bring back the family (and most specifically) the daughters of Ishmael to marry. After these two missions were successfully accomplished, they were ready to move forward in their journey, and THEN, the morning that they were to continue on, (and after having proven himself faithful in whatsoever the Lord should ask,) Lehi finds the Liahona (his olden day GPS) outside of his tent.

I have heard this story several times, so it almost seems like I, personally, have taken the journey several times. I know it like the back of my hand. But today as I read, I started thinking about how Lehi and his family were totally going in faith. They didn't google "Promised Land" and print the directions before they left. They had no idea where they were going, what "Promised Land" really even meant, but they went forward in faith, hoping that the Lord would give them the directions they needed AS they needed them, and as is apparent in this story, not until the VERY moment they needed them...

My other AHAH moment this morning was during the story of the broken bow. Nephi broke his bow, and the other bows had lost their spring, so basically, they were without means to acquire food. Even Lehi murmured this time...Nephi remained strong and faithful, reminded his family that all they needed to do was ask the Lord what they should do, then go to work in making another bow. The part that touched me was, although Lehi had murmured and was "less righteous" at that moment than his son, Nephi still turned to him to ask whither he should go for food. Lehi was still the head of the household, the Patriarch of his family. He was also human and had weaknesses--he was tired and his family was hungry. Nephi did not judge him. He boosted him up, then he honored him and turned to him for guidance.

This was in answer to a question I had earlier this week. A family study session had "failed"--and without placing blame here, I was left with the question of whether I should take charge and wear the pants and, in my wrath, strongly insist that so and so get out of bed and get to work, or whether I should quietly go about my own personal study, pray about what to do, and counsel with said "so and so" about making our family study work. I chose the latter... Yesterday we had a mini version of our study, headed up by the proper authority, and it was fine, but I still wondered if I had chosen the weaker path. I think this story today answered my question...

New Year's Resolutions

January 1st. New Year's Day! I'm not sure what it is about a new year that feels so good. It is refreshing to just have a new start...even though it is really just another day...there is just something about it

So it seems kind of obvious, then, that I love New Year's resolutions. I know I have many for 2012, but when it comes to verbalizing them, it is hard to put them to words. I know I need to find a renewed passion for my life. I don't know exactly where it went, but I have had an apathetic, passion-stealing cloud over me for a little too long. So my resolution #1 is to breathe and appreciate the beauty of each new day.

#2 I have been feeling like my body needs me to do yoga. The pain in my knee is becoming debilitating and affecting the quality of my physical self, and I am certain the pain comes from my lack of flexibility, etc. I have done a few yoga sessions from a tv program and last Saturday I went to my first hot yoga class. I was a little embarrassed, but it felt really good. I am going to go again tomorrow. I am hoping that I learn to love it and that my body enjoys the benefits.

#3 I need to be better organized. Not necessarily physically--I manage fairly well in that department--but with time management and mental organization, I struggle. (I kind of hope that yoga might assist in this area as well.) With school, young women's, busy kids, housework and meal preparation (which I have barely done lately,) as well as my business, which has thankfully been running itself with the amazing clients and team members that I work with, I really need to master my calendaring skills. I want to do well in all the areas of my life, and I know it is possible with organization. I'm not sure how I am going to go about it. I'm hoping that the fact that I am writing it down will magically create a solution that works. :)

#4 Family Meals...enough said...

#5 Be debt free. So, I do have a plan for this one! I will live within the allowance that Dave gives me, then I will work my HM business enough so that I can pay off all bills that I have created for myself (don't ask...) I can do this!!!

#6 So this last one sounds terrible, and I am almost hesitant to put it down here or anywhere besides my own mind, but I am choosing to as an act of faith in the power of stating my intentions and as an accountability action... this year I will remember and act upon what it feels like to enjoy being a mom. I have a deep love for my kids and for my calling as a mother, but somewhere in the hardness of it all, I have lost the ability to find pleasure or fulfillment or success or.... I don't even know the word... I will find it again. Sooner than later. My family doesn't have time to wait for me. I am starting by getting to know my Savior better, trusting Him as my partner. I am also making myself take time for quiet peace each day, meditation of sorts, to connect with the Spirit and to find the little joys (another desired yoga benefit.) A lady I was speaking with the other day told me to picture a white, bright room with a throne. Every time I am "dealing" with kids, imagine myself sitting there, peacefully listening, and returning love instead of judgment. It sounds like a nice idea. I know for a fact that it is going to take time and --ahem--personality changes to follow through with this suggestion... "Let them know I love them. That is all I can do and all that matters."

Well, there are a few little "filler" resolutions that I am sure I will squeeze in, but these are the big ones. I am excited for 2012! A new year is just what the doctor ordered!

It's Christmas!

I am still struggling with the idea that it is even here, and now it's pretty much over. It has been a wonderful day-a wonderful season, in fact-but it has come and gone in such a flurry that I feel like I'm standing here all jaw dropped and wide eyed...

The thing that has stuck with me this season, above all else, is the TRUTH to he Christmas story. Mary and Joseph really did travel to Bethlehem as very young expectant parents to pay their tributes to Caesar. They really did exhaust all options for a place to stay and found themselves in the lowliest of conditions, but that humble crèche became a literal piece of Heaven as Mary gave birth to he King of Kings, the Savior of the world. I am forever grateful for the circumstances in my life that have allowed me to know this beautiful, true story. I know it more than I know myself.

Today I was blessed to hear my oldest daughter and her friend sing "I Know Tht My Redeemer Lives" in her singles' ward sacrament meeting. It was beautiful. Tears filled my eyes as the spirit bore witness to me once again ...HE LIVES!!!

Gingerbread Houses!

I have always wanted to make REAL gingerbread houses. The one time I tried (my kids were all really little) was a disaster. It was a skeewampus shape, and it never really did stand up...I'm sure you get the picture...so we resorted to graham crackers or packaged kits or just looking at them at the Jubilee of Trees.

My visions of gingerbread houses were reignited when I saw my friend, Jen's, blog. SHE MAKES AMAZING GINGERBREAD HOUSES with her family!!! Even better, she included the recipe and pattern that she uses. SO, of course this year was the perfect year to make REAL gingerbread houses.

Mekenze and Mady got off to a great start. I was thinking their house would win for the most creative. But then...

They started a little late and kind of lost out on the choice of candy. They had decorated one whole side before they realized that the candy was gone...

Not to be hindered, they ran to the fridge and found...well...see for yourselves!

My favorite is the bologna front door and the mustard snow...

It wasn't long before they deposited it in the trash...

Dave and Karter teamed up, and I must say they make quite a team!

Arielle and her boyfriend, Braxton, also teamed up and did a great creative job.

After sitting as a decoration on the kitchen counter for a week, we couldn't handle it anymore...they looked too yummy! (they were hard, but taste is what matters, right?)