I recently ccame across this article that I was really impressed with. NOT to say that our country doesn't have it's share of problems, but I am truly thankful for all the wonderful things about my country that I tend to take for granted. I am thankful for our forefathers (& mothers) and I am thnakful for all who stand to defend the USA...even facing death, pain or great loss. Here's to you... Grandpa Bert for sacrificing so much so that me and my kids enjoy peace and freedom. Here's to you... Josh Daniels for sacrificing precious time with your beautiful wife during her first pregnancy in order to keep the terrorists at bay in their own land instead of ours.
Thank you!

Posted: November 20, 2006
By Craig R. Smith

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The same magazine that employs Michael (Qurans in the toilets at Gitmo) Isikoff. Here I promised myself this week I would be nice and I start off in this way. Oh what a mean man I am.
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''
Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
-Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
-Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
-I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough.
-Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved.
-Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home, you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.
-Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
-This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents.
-Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
-How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
-Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells. Just ask why they are going to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn't kill his wife but if he did … insane!
Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.
I close with one of my favorite quotes from B.C. Forbes in 1953:
''What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.''
I suggest this Thanksgiving we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don't, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the ''greediest and most ungrateful generation.'' A far cry from the proud Americans of the ''greatest generation'' who left us an untarnished legacy.

Memories...

Maybe it’s the upcoming family reunion…I don’t know…but I’ve found myself waxing nostalgic lately…staying up late browsing through all my scrapbooks and re-living old memories. I truly LOVE my scrapbooks. The memories that the pictures invoke are truly priceless $$$. I love them so much that I even have an “escape plan” for them in the event of a fire. If the fire is on the other side of the house, I will make sure my family is safely outside first, and then I will quickly scoop my scrapbooks into the laundry basket that is always in this room and then proceed outside. I know, I know…PATHETIC isn’t it? I thought I’d take a moment to share a small sample of some of my favorite pictures. In honor of this post, I have changed my music selection to represent certain memories. Mom, Dad, Troy and Grandma and Grandpa in heaven know the significance of the chosen songs. Awe…fun times!!

Me & cousin Teri on the trampoline at Bear Lake.
Troy found me in my favorite hiding place! That is...until I got shut in one time. After that I found a new hiding place!
I call this one "Stud Muffins"!
Since I've exposed Troy to humiliation, I should do the same to me. Looks like someone got carried away with the crimper!!
The "Dynamic Duo" at Graduation. Oh happy day!!!!

Happy Mother's Day

I spent Mother's Day away from home this year. Brooklynn, Isabelle and I went to Columbia, TN with Lorna, Grandma Mavis, Amber and Bruce to stay the weekend with Lorna's sister Gail and her family. It was a cramped 4 hour drive but Bruce and Amber provided much entertainment! I got to attend the Nashville Temple Saturday morning and then go see Emily, Kevin and Amanda (Gail's kids) in a wonderful stage production of the musical "Into The Woods". Amanda played the music for the WHOLE show which adds up to about 40,000 notes on the keyboard...EACH SHOW!!! Emily was ravishing as the lovely, tower-abiding Rapunzel while Kevin did an outstanding job as one of the dramatically, comedic princes. It was a very fun weekend. As you can see from the pictures, they have a large trampoline that Brooklynn was loath to leave. I thank the Palmers for their generosity and kindness.

But, of course, my thoughts were far away at times…thinking of a lovely lady who resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Mom…I truly appreciate you more and more with each passing year. I am thankful for your gentle kindness and (when needed) your bold toughness. I’m thankful that you taught me that everyone falls, but you’re only a loser if you CHOSE to stay down. I’m thankful you taught me to reach for the stars…but even more for helping me believe that I actually could touch them! You’re the BEST! I love you!

Tub Time

My little Bubble-Heads!

9 Months Old...

Isabelle is now 9 months old and has her two, front, bottom teeth in. She enjoys using them on crackers, fresh fruit and...pretty much anything from our plates. She still likes baby food (especially sweet potatoes) but always wants whatever we're eating. She is also finally crawling! Yeah!!! She's been crawling backwards for a long time now, but a week ago she finally learned how to switch from Reverse to Drive. Now she's everywhere and into everything. You can see her teeth in the video and the picture is of her eating a nectarine in her little food-holder-thingy.

Isabelle is now about 16 pounds. I call her "My Little Bean" because she is just so small compared to other babies her age. Most people guess that she is 6 months old. When Brooklynn was 6 months old, she weighed twice as much as Isabelle! Not only are they different is size but most people tell me that they don't think they look alike, either. Of course, I see the similarities...but they definately are different. I look forward to the coming years and seeing even more similarities and differences.

9 Years & Counting...

On April 3rd, 1999, I married my best friend. I often brag to my friends and family how lucky I am because my husband has only gotten better with time. With each passing year he has become more understanding, more forgiving, more patient, more spiritual, funnier, sweeter and hotter! :~) When I was younger, I had several important dreams:

-To marry my best friend

-To marry someone who valued his relationship with Heavenly Father as much as he valued our relationship

-To become a mommy

-To be able to stay at home with my kids if possible.

I am amazed and grateful to be able to tell Russ that he has made all my little-girl-dreams come true. When I prayed to God to send me a friend, I had no idea just how good of a friend He would send me...and for that, I will be eternally grateful!

I love you Babe!

Totally Rad Dude!!!

I've seen this list before, but I just had to post it because...I can say "YES" to every single one of these!!! Can you???

You Know You Grew up in the 80's if:
1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton
3. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom
4. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"
5. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
6. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head. (unless you were a boy then it was the shaved steps above your ears)
7. On Friday nights you stayed in to watch Full House, Step by Step, and Family Matters
8. You played MASH (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)
9. You wore a lot of plastic jewelry.
10. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"
11. You wanted to be a Goonie.
12. You ever wore fluorescent clothing.
13. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
14. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
15. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard (I used to steal/borrow my brother's "Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom" lunchbox. Sorry Troy.)
16. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
17. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.
18. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
19. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.
20. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"
21. After you saw Pee Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"
22. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates. (Classic Skating Rink in Riverdale was THE place to be on Friday nights)
23. You have ever played with a Skip-it.
24. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that. (I had a PINK one.)
25. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
26. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
27. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
28. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB" (Okay...I admit it...I WENT TO THEIR CONCERT!!! There...I said it.)
29. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By the Bell" the ORIGINAL class.
30. You know all the words to Bon Jovi "Shot through the Heart"
31. You just sang those words to yourself.
32. You still sing "We are the World"
33. You tight rolled your jeans. (Why did we do this??!! It only made big hips look bigger.)
34. You owned a banana clip. (I had one of every color)
35. You remember "Where's the Beef?"
36. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"
37. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!

Help...please.

Alright all you digital-scrapbooking QUEENS...I need your input. I've finally decided that the only way I'm going to be able to keep scrappin' is if it's quick and easy (The last page I did was for Brooklynn's 1st birthday!!!)...so I'm going to try going digital!! I have NO IDEA how to get started or what software is best. Any advice, suggestions or recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

More Easter Fun...

Happy Easter!!!

What a bunch of EGG HEADS!!!

Izzy stayed inside where it was nice and warm.

Ah hah! Found you!!!!

Egg Hunt at Church

On your mark...get set...go!!!!

"Mommy look!! The eggs look just like Christmas lights

in the bushes!!"

Sweet little Savannah making sure Isabelle doesn't get left out!!

Nope! She's not pouting...this was during the closing prayer and this is how she says her prayers so she doesn't have to close her eyes. You know...because it's "too dark".