Still Undecided? Not feeling it?

If your mind is made up, I can't change it, (and won't try) so skip this post, (please don't leave me mean comments!) BUT if you are unsure, or even just not passionate about your decision, read on for a minute. It's a tough time to be a republican- a lot of our leaders have let us down. Obama is so eloquent and really makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and hopeful, he's intelligent and respectful, I wish he could be my candidate. I used to be of the belief that the President's job is basically to be a good cheer leader. It wasn't until a few weeks ago I became passionate about my decision to vote for McCain. If I thought he was a bad leader, or an evil, corrupt guy, who was only pro-life to try and trick all us dumb people to vote for him, then I would take a look at another candidate, but when it comes down to it, is there anything so GOOD about Obama's (or so BAD about McCain;s) economic/tax/healthcare/education plans, that it puts the value of human life second? (and I personally believe McCain has the better economic/tax/healthcare plans) It's suddenly so clear, please click HERE. And this is the third time I edited this post, but (click) THIS video just arrived in my inbox- it's powerful. Watch it, and go VOTE! It's not over till it's over. I won't get political on here again.

Go get the kleenex

I was late for church yesterday, partly because I spent way too long reading the Republic article by Jaimee Rose about Stephanie Nielson and her sisters. (and partly because I'm just slow.) It was awesome, read it HERE. And there will be follow up articles all week- you can read the one from today HERE. I didn't get to go to the benefit concert this weekend but I wish I could have been there- I bet it was incredible. If you have read their story I'm sure you don't need a reminder to keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and if you haven't go read it!

Shower Pretties

I can't believe my baby sister is having a baby! (congratulations Diana!) We had her shower this weekend and Becky T. did a great job on the decorations. I wanted to show my favorite things, those big pink puff balls hanging from the ceiling in the right hand corner:Somehow I didn't get a good picture of them though. They are so cute, I think I need to go get some for my girl's bedrooms! They were just at Walmart in the Martha Stewart crafts kit section- here's the picture from the website:I got to do the favors and filled these boxes with pink M&M's and Strawberry Whoppers. I got the white boxes from Michael's and wrapped a strip of Glitz Hot Mama Damask paper around them and then made the stickers on my computer with the Glitz Create-a-Card CD (vol 2) and printed them on sticker paper sheets and then used a circle punch to cut them out.Sounds pretty simple, but it took me hours of staring at them to figure it out, especially how to make the ribbon work, (fyi- I wrapped the black ribbon around the box lid, and then stuck a couple pink ones in the knot) but I liked them in the end. There were a few left over and I left them out last night and the kids woke up and helped themselves to candy for breakfast today! At least I got to sleep a little longer before anyone needed me for anything.

Thanks Lyndsay!

I was mindlessly going through my Google Reader list and found myself tagged by Lyndsay! So here goes- 6 non-important things/habits/quirks about myself:

1- I've always considered myself to be very logical, mathematical, organized and non artistic, however, in the last few years it has come to my attention that I am actually very unorganized, often illogical, and quite interested in art and artists! I am curious to see if creativity can be learned, I think I have gotten a little better.

2- I am a big rule follower- I follow recipes to a T, I faithfully sleep on my left side when pregnant and take my vitamins, always wear my seat belt, and thoroughly read directions before starting any project.

3- Social situations are stressful for me, but once I get talking it's hard to stop- particularly if I've got some caffeine in me, or if I haven't been around any adults in several days.

4- I'm a junk collector- I keep cute tags from clothing, shoe boxes, jars, pretty catalogs and interesting direct mail pieces, the buttons that come in little baggies on new clothes, bottle caps, ribbon and other things like that.

5- I like to think I'm smart- I would rather someone see me as ugly than dumb.

6- When I empty the dishwasher, I put the dishes away, even if they are not completely dried, because they will dry right? I never considered taking out a towel to dry them until a couple weeks ago when I unloaded someone else's dishwasher and they were appalled that I hadn't towel dried the dishes. Is that weird? Am I really the only one who doesn't do that?

I only like posts with pictures- so here's my 2nd grade pic. Miss B was able to pick me out of my class picture "because I saw those big teeth!" She was kind not to make fun of my hair or outfit- I know she wouldn't be caught dead wearing that in the 2nd grade.

Now I tag Shauna, Stephanie, Leslie, (that's you mom) Katie Prince, Katy McDonald and Keri!

Rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you 2. Post the rules on your blog 3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself 4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs 5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website. 6. Let your tagger know when your entry is UP.

James Avery

I got a James Avery catalog in the mail the other day and almost tossed it out (overcoming my compultion to look through every catalog that comes in my home) but then I remembered this Dr. Pepper silver charm by James Avery I used to drool over, and I decided I had to take a peek. When it said "Religious Jewelry Selections" I expected a lot of crosses (which he had) but there were also a lot of other things I wanted to share. Like this Ichthus Bracelet: (I guess that's what the "Jesus Fish" is called) And this La Paloma (dove) charm:

And this pierced butterfly ring:

And though I don't wear crosses, I thought this one was beautiful and adorable:

And I decided to add a list to my sidebar of my favorite artists- all kinds, so check those out sometime!

The holidays are here!

The first sign of the holidays beginning is my mom's house turning into a haunted house, followed soon by the matching pj's from Sam's mom for all of the grandkids and the photo shoot that gets more interresting each year!

These are the GOOD times

Somehow, Miss E and Miss G cannot resist the urge to "improve" our home with their artistic talents. There are few surfaces in my home that have not been "decorated" by their hands at some point. I get so sick of telling them "we only color on paper" as I try and get them to erase their drawings, and often even with my help we can't get it all off. They've colored walls, furniture, beds, blankets and even carpet. The other night, just as I was closing my eyes for the family prayer, I paused on these pen marks on my dresser. They were made weeks ago with an ink pen, and carved into the surface and I don't think they're coming off. I first felt a twinge of anger and frustration seeing them again, but when the prayer started, I had the thought that someday, seeing those marks would make me happy. If something were to ever happen to my Miss G, or just years in the future when she was more grown up, I would look at those pen marks and smile. I thought about that again during conference today when someone (sorry, I can't remember who) spoke about enjoying right now in our lives. There was some quote about how if we fill our days with dreams of the future, we leave behind lots of empty yesterdays. (something like that, I will find it when they are typed online and post the link- it was good!) Anyways, I know it is true. I hear it all the time from parents whose children are grown, they actually MISS this stage I'm in! And even now, when I look at those pen marks on my dresser I do smile. These are the good times, and I appreciate the reminders that I need to be doing more to make them good.
And thanks to Kyle & Ashley who let us visit them this weekend, and Kyle who suggested I go get the camera today and take the picture of Sam and the kids- it's a good one.