Mount Rushmore Roadrip

We were able to take a road trip with my parents and brother's family to Mount Rushmore. We covered a LOT of country in just 5 days and saw a lot of really cool things! It was a fun and memorable vacation and a great way to end the summer! These pictures are out of order, but oh well! ;)

Bella, Jake, Wyatt, Aspen, and Chloe with Fred Flintstone at Bedrock City

This is possibly one of my favorite pictures of all time! Oby and I were doing a road trip selfie while we were at Little Bighorn Battlefield. When I looked at the picture after taking it, I saw that my dad had photo bombed us! I cannot explain how funny this is to me. I had no idea Dad even knew what a photo bomb was, let alone how to do one! Even his hands are spot on. It kills me!!!

This is Travis' car ahead of ours driving through the Black Hills with our first view of Mount Rushmore

Oby and Chloe on the train ride at Bedrock City. This was likely Chloe's very favorite part of the entire trip. She squealed the entire time!!!

Katrina and Travis' road trip selfie - cute :)

Chloe and Oby checking out the tortoises at Reptile Gardens. Pretty awesome.

Oby and Chloe at Bear Country, USA. This was my favorite part of the trip - it was fascinating to me and I loved every second of it!

Oby and Chloe checking out the snakes at Reptile Gardens. I couldn't believe how much Chloe loved the snakes, very unexpected.

Jake, Wyatt, Bella, Chloe, and Aspen (with Bugsy!) in the saloon where Wild Bill Hickock was murdered in the historic town, Deadwood. We all loved Deadwood, it was lots of fun and a beautiful night!

This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. My two sweethearts in front of Mount Rushmore. Perfect.

The whole crew on a corner in Deadwood

Aspen, Jake, Bella, Katrina, Porter, Wyatt, Chloe, and Oby with the tortoises. It was so awesome that they would let us so close to them and even encouraged the kids to rub their necks. Everyone loved it!

On the train in Bedrock City. So fun.

Tuckered out in the hotel

Me and my love at Mount Rushmore

Grammy and Chloe in Deadwood

The kids in front of Reptile Gardens

Chloe with the train conductor at Bedrock City

Chloe swimming with the boys at the hotel

A bear chilling on some logs at Bear Country, USA. Super awesome.

Oby and Wyatt with some, uh, interesting photo props in Deadwood ;)

Even though I look like a COW in this picture, I absolutely LOVE it! My mom, brother, dad, and me (with Sam) at Mount Rushmore.

Chloe at the Mount Rushmore museum in front of this amazing quote - touches my heart.

Angels Among Us

I wanted to share the details of a Christmas party I helped plan for our ward's Relief Society. In case anyone needed any Christmas party ideas (a few of you have asked), and as an excuse to share the recipe we used. :)

It was themed 'Angels Among Us' and was about how small acts of service make a big impact on the lives of others and help us to become more like Christ. It was simple and lovely. We got the original idea here on Sugardoodle.

Those of us in charge served dinner to the ladies. It was a nice change from the typical potluck-style. Our centerpieces were divine, I really wish I had gotten a picture of them! Oh, and dinner was delish! We served this Parmesan Baked Chicken along with baked potatoes, salad, rolls and cheesecake. Yummers!

Parmesan Baked Chicken

2.5 lbs. chicken, cut into nice size portions
4 slices bread (the cheap stuff works best)
3/4 c parmesan cheese (not fresh)
1/8 c parsley flakes
1 t salt
1 t garlic salt
1/8 t pepper
1/2 c butter (or less)
Mayonnaise

Blend the bread in the blender, then mix with cheese, parsley flakes, and
seasoning. Dip chicken breast in mayonnaise, then roll in crumb mixture
until coated. Place in pan. Drizzle butter on top. Cover with foil and
bake 1-1/2 hours. Uncover and bake 15-20 minutes more or until slightly
crispy. Bake time may be a little less, depending on the pan and oven.

After dinner, we showed this video:

For a few weeks before the party, we had passed around papers during Sunday School asking people to share anonymous stories about how someone from the ward had done an act of service for them and how that impacted their life.

Then we read the stories that had been shared anonymously. My very favorite part of the stories was that the acts of service were truly sooo simple! The littlest things like scooting over to make room for someone to sit by another person, being understanding when someone couldn't make it to something because their child was ill, not being in a rush to get home after church so they could visit and become better friends.... I don't remember everything, but honestly almost every story was about such simple acts of kindness! It really is the little things!

Two teenage sisters in our ward sang a duet of O Holy Night. They really sounded like angels singing! And the 2nd verse went perfectly with our theme!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!

Everyone was given an angel favor with a quote:

"When we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.” ― Jeffrey R. Holland

This party was just one more thing that has brought the Christmas spirit to this bursting heart of mine! Usually when I think of someone who is having a hard time, I wish there were something I could to help, but think there isn't so I do nothing. But that night truly did teach me to stop thinking and feeling that way. Now if anyone ever comes to mind, I try to do something -- anything. I hope I don't forget this little lesson, because as I look back and think of the things that have helped me the most, many of them were small and simple kindnesses by others. There is always something we can do.

I'll end with this video because it's a song about angels, but mostly because Chloe loves it. She seriously goes bazurko when she hears it! Totally makes me giggle :)

Like a Good Book

I love my birthday. Besides that it's Hitler's birthday, 4/20 is a symbol for marijuana & it's the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing & Columbine shootings. Aside from that, though, it's just a wonderful day! I really do feel special on my birthday. I wish everyone felt like that every single day! Thank you to everyone who makes every day special, and especially my birthday. Here's a quote that helps explain why I like getting older and don't hold onto my youth like some people do. I love the wisdom that comes with each day and the joy that comes with that wisdom.

I think of life as a good book.

The further you getinto it, the more it begins to make sense.

~Harold S. Kushner

Happy 4/20 to everyone!!! ;)

To Do

To do lists.... we've all got them!
Mine is pretty simple and to the point.



I get stuff done and I try to be awesome.
I've recently had two pretty major priorities under the category of "stuff":
working out and spring cleaning.

This is the workout that's been making me sore, if nothing else.
Hopefully it pays off on the scale as well!



This is what I've been using to clean things up around my house.
I love the smell!



It makes me truly happy to know that there is a deep-down clean in at least two of the rooms in my house! Between a full-time work schedule and all the other things going on in life, it's slow-going, but it's getting done nonetheless! In regard to spring cleaning, I can honestly say that I'm really, really glad that our house is small and quaint! ;)

Another sub-category under my list of "stuff" to do is thrilling and exciting!
I've got to study up and really learn how to use my....

drum roll please....

new camera!!!
(Squeal!)



This is an early birthday present
from my parents and hubby.
Yay!

Here are some pix I grabbed this weekend. Please keep in mind that I barely know which button to push and forget to take the lens cap off half the time. This camera has much more potential than what these pictures show, but they are still high quality and I'm so very happy about it! Yay!!!

Chloe loves french fries, especially from Crown Burger, and especially when they're dipped in fry sauce. She gets so excited when I get some for her, and I usually do on the weekends. I just love this silly girl!





We frequently go on scenic drives on the weekends with my parents. Today was such a beautiful spring day, and we had a delightful drive!



Papa let Chloe listen to some of his music and Chloe found out that she loves Ricky Skaggs! She did not stop squealing for over an hour. Papa was overjoyed that Chloe liked his music.... I think he may have squealed a time or two as well! ;)



My to do list usually consists of creating a music soundtrack at least once a week. However, the soundtrack to this weekend's cleaning and scenic drive was LDS General Conference. It was so wonderful! I am so grateful for the direction of a living prophet. I was enlightened and spiritually fed.


President Thomas S. Monson

Maybe it's the spring cleaning?
Maybe it's the lessons I learned in this book?
I don't know, but I feel like I have been cleansed,
like a light has been lit inside me....
My mind and heart feel more in sync,
and I feel like every single day is filled with so much possibility,
and like life's potential is limitless!
Of course, these are not new concepts,
but somehow the concepts have truly resonated in me recently.

It's no news, we struggle financially,
even with both of us working,
it's hard to make ends meet.
This has been the hardest thing for me in the past couple of years.
I had worked hard my entire life to achieve excellence,
not so I could be rich, but so I wouldn't struggle.
And here we are -- struggling.

But guess what, folks?
In a global and eternal perspective,
we are richly blessed.
Until recently, I didn't realize that.
I focused on what we didn't have.
What a sad mistake!
I was waiting to enjoy so many things,
focusing only on getting ahead financially.
Again, not to be rich, but not to struggle.
What a waste of days.

I love these quotes. Perhaps they express what I'm trying to get across more clearly. I'm struggling putting my thoughts into words (mostly because I'm also watching Celebrity Apprentice while I type).



One of the main things I was always feeling discouraged about was our house.
Don't get me wrong, I love our house and always did.
But I glossed over all the good things,
and deep down I just wanted to have tens of thousands of dollars
to finish all the unfinished projects and decorate exactly like I want,
and THEN I would be happy.

Sheesh! How silly!
You create your happiness, not by what you have or don't have.
Again, words and concepts I understood before,
but now, somehow, I think I really get it.

So I decided if there are things I want to be different in my house,
by golly, I'm either going to change them in whatever way I can,
or I'm going to change the way I think about them!

So one of the first things I've decided to do is to update our family room.
This is the room where we spend most of our time.
We spent $5 on a can of paint to update the mantel,
found a killer deal on a scratch and dent mirror,
and spruced up a flower arrangement.
Between those few small things along with the deep cleaning I just did,
the room feels like a brand new addition to our home!
Then I found this creative idea and decided to recreate it above our television.


idea from flickr: sweet sweet life

I just used paper scraps I had on hand, dusted off my Cricut, and went to work!
I think it turned out pretty cute.
It adds whimsy to the room, and now I've always got a Beatles song in my head!
What's not to love?!?!?



***
Notice what Chloe was watching when I snagged the picture!
"Meeska Mooska" is always on at our house!

***

What's on your to do list this week?
You can just borrow my to do list,
then go ahead and check off: be awesome :)

Weekend Plans

I'm so excited for the weekend! We have some fun things planned and I'm SO looking forward to it after having an exceptionally hectic week!

Last weekend Chloe and I were both so sick, that it came and went in a blur. My house still has evidence of our sickness strewn about, as well as laundry that didn't get done when my usual routine got the rug pulled out from under it. So tonight I'll be cleaning and doing laundry, and dreaming of the day that my laundry room looks like this....

Are you squealing too? I know! I already have the "LAUNDRY" detergent holder, so I'm pretty sure it's meant to be :)

I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much, but Oby told me today that we would probably be getting a new camera tomorrow. I've been begging for one for heaven only knows how long. You may have noticed that there are fewer and fewer pictures of Chloe on this blog and that's because I just down-right detest my camera! It takes terrible pictures, so I hardly even use it. I love memories and pictures and blogging and scrapbooking, so I need a camera! Everyone cross your fingers that this little beauty is mine tomorrow!!!!!

We're also planning on going to the Ice Castles in Midway tomorrow. I can't believe I only recently found out about this exhibit that is so close to my house. It sounds so amazing and I cannot wait to see it in person! How cool will it be if I get to take pictures of the Ice Castles with my new camera tomorrow? (Insert super cheesy grin and annoying squeal here!)

GASP! As I was creating this post, I went on the Ice Castles' website so I could link everyone to it, only to find out that Wednesday was their last night. I am so bummed because we planned on going for the last three or four weeks and something always came up, and now we've missed our chance. I'm wiping away my tears and will just have to look forward to going next winter (sniff sniff).... Good thing Utah is so beautiful, I'm sure we'll still find somewhere lovely to go! (Trying to find the silver-lining here, people!)

Speaking of finding the silver-lining, we have something very special to do on Sunday. We are going to see Nick Vujicic speak.

The first time I heard of this amazing man, I was in a dark place about Chloe's condition. Hearing his story was a miracle for me and truly life-altering. (Watch the video here.) It changed my perspective on.... everything. Those words just do not do justice to how much watching this video on that day meant for me then and going forward. I wish I could express it better, but hopefully you get the point.

The way I found out he was in town was also miraculous. I stopped at a gas station on my way to work this morning. As I was checking out, the guy behind me asked if I had ever heard of Nick Vujicic. My eyes immediately lit up and I said, "Yes! I love him! Uh (awkward giggle).... why do you ask?" He explained that he saw him speak last week and heard he was speaking again this Sunday. He said for some reason, when he saw me, he thought he should tell me. He was not a weird guy, folks. In fact, he seemed embarassed.

I told him not to be embarassed, I just stood there shaking my head, and writing down the information. I told the stranger about my daughter and about the first time I watched the video, and how it truly changed my life. The man told me that going to see him speak last week changed his life as well, then we went our separate ways, both trying to figure out what just happened.

Life is amazing, people! I'm telling you! It makes me so happy all the time, all the zillions of little things that happen all around me that make life so wonderful and blessed.

Here is a paragraph from his website that explains what he teaches:

Nick shares with his audiences the importance of vision and dreaming big. Using his own experiences in worldwide outreach as examples, he challenges others to examine their perspective and look beyond their circumstances. He shares his view of ceasing to see obstacles as problems, but instead begin to see them as opportunities to grow and reach out to others. He stresses the importance of how attitude can be the most powerful tool we have at our disposal and illustrates how the choices we make can have a profound effect on our lives and the lives of those around us. Nick shows through his own life that the major keys in fulfilling our biggest dreams are persistence and choosing to embrace failure as a learning experience, rather than allowing the guilt and fear of failure to paralyze us.

Last but NOT least, we will be adding our prayers to all the prayers for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. My heart has been broken all day because I cannot get the images out of my mind of the water just eating everything up so quickly.

I pray that the love of Christ floods their hearts and homes as quickly as the tsunami flooded their country.

Only with the help of Christ can we fully overcome tragedy. It is necessary to develop our faith in Him as the Redeemer of the world. He taught us: "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33)." --Carlos H. Amado