Rachel-her BIG Heart and Her lOve of SeWing

The other night real late, I am down in my office talking to Kelly. Rachel runs in and says, "Look mom at this apron I made." Immedietely followed by, "Don't ask where I got the fabric." Since it came from my scrapbook supply. I am amazed with this girl. She has such a creative spirit and no fear of failure. I got her a sewing machine for Christmas, and Aunt Kelly showed her the basics and away she went. Doesn't need instructions or a pattern. She just wants to create. Here is her first project her own apron in the picture below. She than did jobs to earn money and organized Leah and Lizzie's room so i would take her to Walmart to buy more fabric. She was so cute. She picked out all the fabric herself and how much she wanted of each. She than came home and made her three sisters matching aprons. What an awesome sister!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SORELLA!

tODAY is the birthday of someone very special! She is one of my favorite people in the whole wide world. Let me start by telling how we met. Our love story if you will. On October 30, 1991, we both entered the missionary training center in Provo, Ut. We both had been called to serve in the Italy, Catania mission. After we said our goodbyes to our parents and families that we wouldn't see for a year and a half. We were given our room assignments and a map. As I walked down the corridor to my room (which was at the very end facing the corridor). I had the first glimpse of my dear Nunzia (Italian for nancy). I walked up and we instantly hugged. Have you ever had that experience? Meeting someone that you feel you have known a very long time before even a word is spoken. There was instantly a strong connection between us. An excitement of seeing a dear friend you haven't seen in a long time. From that moment on we could not be parted (luckily since we were companions and you aren't allowed too). We were always arm and arm laughing, talking, singing. Much to everyone's annoyance at times. Here we are being goofy doing our cleaning assignment at the MTC. WE even had fun cleaning bathrooms together. Maybe that is why I don't like to do them anymore. I just need Nancy ha.

It is very unusual to be assigned a companion that is going to your same mission, but we were. We spent Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas in the MTC together, and new years on the plane going to Italy. We celebrated it twice in two time zones. We both made it to the Cataniai, on Sicily and met our mission president who gave us our first city we would be serving in. After being put on a train by ourselves sending us up north we crossed the Messina together and continued on another train up to Bari for me and Foggia for her. It was a tearful parting. But we begged our mission president to put us together for the holidays again the next year (which he did) and than for the last couple months of our mission.

Isn't this old city street amazing. OOH I just loved Italy.

Here we are at our ending our mission party that the branch in Cosenza gave for us. This was how we made our entrance.
If it is possible to have a girl soul mate. She would be mine. Our husband's just have to understand. Nancy's husband calls me the prophet because she will do anything I say. That isn't true Barry! We just highly respect each other's opinion. I can't believe how blessed I am to not only have 3 sisters but also Nancy and others (sorry my love) that are just as dear to me and I know would do anything for me. Nancy, you are dear to my heart. You make me laugh with your funny stories! You uplift me with your strength of character. I love your patriotism, your love of protecting our beautiful earth (yes, I am recycling, and turning off the water while I brush). I love your strong feelings on motherhood and being a woman. You are such an example of doing what is right, being friendly and kind to all, and sharing your strong convictions with all you come in contact! Happy Birthday bella mia. La tua sorella

I'VE BEEN TAGGED

tHE truth is I have been tagged many many times, but I never do it. I can never think of 7 odd things about me that everybody doesn't already know. So determined to finally respond on the latest tagging, I asked my kids what were some things unique to me. BAD IDEA. Leah offered that I look different without makeup on. RAchel that I look like a witch with my pointy chin and nose. And they just go down hill from there. So again, never ask your kids. That kind of honesty I can do without. Anyway. My 7 items are going to take seven posts (I just don't do things fast.) So here we go.

#1. I am obsessive at times. No secret there. But one of the things I just can't keep my fingers off of are loose teeth. My children are aware of this and stay clear of me. I beg them to let me just wiggle it. Promising I won't pull it out. But inevitably, I will do one hard push. CAse and point on this first picture. Leah just lost her first tooth yesterday (thanks to me I might add, ha). They start out teary eyed and mad after I do that. Then it is the endless looking at it and playing with it (pictures 2&3). The whole family usually is involved in this process. Then the final outcome. Either they get brave enough to do the final pull, or they succumb to my need to pull it out.

But it always ends in this way. Smiling and so excited that they lost a tooth, and can't wait for the tooth fairy to come. The tooth fairy is a whole other story. Why can't she ever remember! Either someone responsible (like Jacob) covers for me, or I end up throwing it behind the bed and having them look to see if it just slipped out while they were sleeping. We really do have the slickest sheets around. ha ha. That is what happened this morning since Jacob is out of town. ha

Family Home Evening

FHE was spent out in the pool playing with Dad's fathers day gift. And no, Jacob hasn't shrunk. That is Sean my friend's son who is staying with us while his brother is in the hospital.

Dave lovin it! I love the legs sticking up. They must be Rachel's.

The Father of my Children

Someone was spoiled by his girls today!

Our lesson in Relief Society today was on integrity. The definition being the willingness and ability to live by our beliefs and commitments. Integrity is a state or quality of being complete, undivided, or unbroken. it is wholeness and unimpaired. it is purity and moral soundness. it is unadulterated genuineness and deep sincerity. It is courage, honesty, uprightness, and righteousness. Integrity in individuals and corporate bodies is not to ask, "What will others think of me, and my practices?" but, "What do I think of myself if I do this or fail to do that?" Is it proper? Is it right? Would the master approve?.... The lesson talked of men in the scriptures that exemplified integrity. May I add another. He is pictured above. I am in daily close contact with a man that fits this definition. I have always said that I know that Heavenly Father loves me because he gave me Dave. How wonderful to be connected to someone who is unwavering in following what is right, and keeping his commitments to his family and his Heavenly Father. What peace that brings. Even today on father's day he kept his committments to a family that he hometeaches and is determined to care for as the Lord would. It is a family of eight children and a single mom. He went over last night to make sure the boys had their church clothes ready and said that he would be picking them up the next morning. The mom called this morning and said that she was at the hospital with her oldest son so Dave went over this morning and got the kids up and ready, brought them to church. Then tonight went over to do scriptures and prayers with them. He then took the 10, 12, and 13 year old boys to the hospital with him and the Bishop to visit their 19 year old brother, give him a blessing. Then they all went to where the mom was working (she had been there since 3 p.m. and will work until 7am tomorrow morning). What an incredible example he is to his children of love and service to others. I could go on for hours. Just want to shout it out that my heart is full. Men like Dave are rare in a world like ours. How blessed I am to celebrate today that my children have such a father.

p.s. If you are wondering where Jacob is he is at my sister's in Illinois having the time of his life!

happy father's day DAD!

(the other half of the layout is down below, click on it to enlarge and read journaling).

Here is a scrapbook layout that I did recently on my Dad. A tradition that we all love! He was good with traditions. Family softball, our two weeks every summer that we planned and planned for. He lived for those two weeks. We loved going to kmart (or Kfart, as he called it, and pic-n-save or pic-your-nose was right next door). He would get us flip flops, new coloring books and crayons, shorts. Whatever we could prove that we really needed for the trip. Usually our trip was to the sierras. One week at Grant Lake and one week in Tahoe. A tradition that we all still carry on. Who could forget ice-creams at the silver lake store. I know my siblings are smiling as they read this reveling in the memory. My dad ( and mom) always had a new hobby they were pursuing and would teach us all. One year racquetball, one year tennis, water skiing, motorcycling, snow skiing, golf, ping pong, bowling. Pretty much every sport. That is how I later impressed the guys I dated. ha. Thanks dad. Depending on your age in the family you missed out learning some hobbies. Being in the middle I pretty much got them all. Lucky me. Now my Dad works on the grand kids. He has them all playing disc golf, the latest thing he is into, since he is such an old man now. ha ha. The cool thing is he was always looking to learn new things, and enjoy life to the max. Something our husbands may have learned too late. ha ha. We like to play! Anyway, thanks dad, for working so hard, and being so fun! I'll whoop you at tennis this summer. Love, your seemingly sweet and innocent heather.

ps. do you see where I get my big round eyes?!

What's a mother to do?

So this is what Dave did for me for mother's day. He knows I love robes, and bought me this one I love from the marriot we were staying at in hawaii. He had room service brought to me on the balcony as I was reading my scriptures that fine sunday morning where I had a beautiful view of the ocean. It was sooooo yummy. Whole wheat pancakes with macadamian nuts and bananas, eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, juice and a muffin. It was heaven. The question is.... How am I going to top that tomorrow for fathers day? I have a few little tricks up my sleeve. I'll share on tomorrow night's post.

Wanted to add a few things that I am happy about today. Of course a sunny sky and beautiful weather, and fun family time in the pool (dad was the shark). I am very happy and thankful that my dear friend Amie haroldsen and family are ok after being in a car accident on Friday night. What a scare. Also, I am so grateful to have been able to go to the temple with Christy Snow who was going for the first time today. She was just glowing to be there and surrounded by her ward family. We love you miss Christy!! Speaking of my ward family. I really love them. How wonderful to know that we really are all brothers and sisters and children of a loving Heavenly Father.

BABY CRUE IS FINALLY HERE!

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Today at the library

One of my favorite summer memories when I was little was going to the library. I grew up in Southern California and it got pretty hot in the summer and we didn't have air conditioning. It was the best feeling in the world to walk into the freezing cold library. As I saw Rachel today browsing all the books it totally took me back. My mom would go off and look for books and I was left to browse on my own. I loved to stand over the air conditioning vent (they were on the floor). Then I would take all my books to a table and read them. Just like Leah down below. It was so relaxing to be in a place where it was quiet, cool, and calm. My life at home wasn't always that. To this day I love to go to the library, especially during the summer! I hope that I have instilled that love in my children too. Who can resisit a room full of books. Not me. I have library fines to prove it. In fact we had to search all of our cards for the one with the smallest amount of fines. I know Dad you are cringing at that one. Too many memories of having to pay mom's fines before you could check out a book. ha ha

i love how Lizzie's face is all red from the heat. We were out playing tennis at the park before we got there. She thought this was pretty cool.

of course Rachel can't be content with the normal use for things, and I turn around and she has Lizzie trying it out a new way. SO HER!!!!!

the oh so fabulous result.

REBECCA -the middle child

As per request, a picture of the middle child. My Rebecca Mary. Here she is sporting her new swimsuit. I finally went in the BX (base exchange) for the first time, and I have lived here two years. What have I been thinking? Great prices, and no tax. That is where I picked up this bathing suit. Wait til you see the others. I have lots of other fun photos of last day of school! Woooo Hoooo. Schools out for the summer!! My mary turns nine this month and lost a tooth today. oh yah, I better check on the tooth fairy and see if she has already come. She is so dang forgetful! smile. One thing that I love about Rebecca is how she loves to help me, and is always asking me if I think she will be a good mom or worker in the relief society. She has a very loving heart! This girl could hug you all day and still need more love. She is proof that there is love in the world!

What Confidence Looks Like

This one has definitely been told all day long every day of her life how wonderful she is. She is the most confident kid. She seems to just sail through life, not causing waves, doing her own thing, not worrying about what others are thinking or doing. She is an easy kid. She isn't super talkative, but when she does say something it is always surprisingly creative, clever, and silly. I love that about her. She is smart, but doesn't flaunt it. She likes to fly below the radar. Probably gets her way more that way. Thinking of it, Dave is like that. ha. I love every minute I spend with her. I love how tonight she came up to me while I was talking to my brother on the phone, lay her head on my lap and fell asleep as I stroked her hair. All without a word said between us. Not a day goes by that I don't thank my Heavenly Father for five kids that fill my heart with joy.

weech photo shoot

Another fun family! Fun to try a new location. Go check out the rest here

Who is the fairest graduate of all?

Why it is miss elizabeth jane ives of course. She did it! She graduated from kindergarten.

here she is with her teacher miss dellinger. Of course rachel and rebecca just had to jump in! and yes r & r are wearing eye make-up. They came straight from dance where they took pictures in their recital costumes.
SO congrats to little miss lizzie. She chose to go to red robin for dinner to celebrate. The kids favorite restaurant. Everyone was so happy. The kids sang all the way there together. Sometimes when there is an hour or two of complete family harmony. I think my family and life is perfect. They may be rare but those are the moments that carry you through.

Hawaii part IV

Every time we go on vacation we rent a car and cruise and see everything. On this trip we did a trip around the island in one day. Here is my favorite viewing position. Feet up, reclined back, Dave driving and me just soaking it up. It was on this day that we went to akaka falls, and the botanical garden. We loved about the big island the quaint, and clean little towns like this one below.
We also went to the volcano park. You could spend days there. I was happy with 30 minutes. I was in a big hurry to get to Outback steakhouse, which has become a tradition as well to find one wherever we travel. We have been to Outback Steakhouse in Japan, Guam, Miami beach, of course ever state we have lived in and the hawaiian islands that have one. It is our one creature comfort.

and of course here is my favorite place to end up. my spot on the beach in front of our hotel. Isnt' it delicious? Just add a good book (i was reading eragon) and an oreo or fruit smoothie.

DJ's baptism

Tonight at 5pm my friend (Christine's) husband DJ was baptized. It was so wonderful. The spirit was really strong. Everyone there was all smiles. A very happy evening. Christine just was baptized last August and is an amazing person. She has been my secretary in Relief Society for a couple of months now, and the more I know her the more I love her. She is an example to me of love and service. She is so excited about the gospel. It has changed her life, she is full of joy, and wants to share it. She has mainly been wanting to share that joy with her sweetheart DJ. Well, her prayers were answered. Are they not the picture of a happy couple. They are so cute together. Today was also their five year anniversary. He is hoping to take her to the temple and marry her for time and all eternity one year from today on their 6th anniversary. This picture was taken right after he was baptized. Do you think their smiles will be bigger one year from today? Check my blog a year from today! They said I get to be the photographer! Love you Christine and DJ.

RAchel's recital

This girl is SO HOT right now! Last night was her recital for her hip hop class with Prestige. All of her other dance classes are at another studio, but we had to keep her with her teacher james for hip hop at prestige. He is this young black guy who is not only amazing at hip hop but a really good teacher. His choreography is so incredible. There are five girls in her class and they are all really good. Rachel and her friend Aida (from Bosnia) are the only ones that aren't in the dance troupe. They were so incredible I can't tell you. I wanted to watch the dance over and over. Rachel's strength is her body rolls. I think they are called that. Of course I was too cheap to buy the dvd, although Dave said we could if we would skip watching the second half of the show. ha ha. It really was long and Dave looked like someone trying to sleep on an airplane (totally uncomfortable). Remember how we could never tell who the real Rachel was when she was little. It was if she was always playing some role. Rarely did we see a genuine smile. Well, here they are. The ones when her school teacher mrs. Garretson is giving her flowers. Her teacher is so awesome and loves Rachel so much. She came to watch her and Aida. Iwas going to move Rachel to a different school next year with Jacob, but just decided to leave all the girls. When I told Mrs. "G" she started crying. Rachel has really blossomed with her as a teacher. She gets Rachel and loves how smart and unique she is. She said Rachel keeps her challenged as a teacher. I know just what she means, she keeps me challenged as a mom. She is a wonderful girl, we are so lucky to be along for the ride with this one. Can't wait to see how she changes the world. Today she is in the school production of Princess and the pea. So pictures from that later.

sorry

ok finally I was able to upload the rest of the pictures from my last photo shoot on my photography blog. Ugh! It was so frustrating for a non computer person like me. So anyway here they are!