Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Branch!

This isn't going to be elegant but...

I just wanted to let you know how much I love you. It is a lot!

You mean the world to Little Miss and I.

We appreciated everything you do for our family.
You are an awesome father and a wonderful husband!

You're my best friend.
You make me laugh everyday (and roll my eyes too!)

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

Our Thanksgiving

(First of many updates coming! YEAH!)

We had an interesting Thanksgiving week.

It started Monday when we drove to Provo to have "Family Home Eating." Our niece and nephew were not able to be with us for Thanksgiving so we went to Chuck-a-rama to celebrate with them.

Tuesday, Little Miss and I went to my sisters house, made some cute hand turkeys, and had a yummy steak dinner. So nice!

Wednesday, we drove to Spanish Fork for Pie Night. Pie Night is a tradition in Branch's family. The night before Thanksgiving they have a pie extravaganza. The idea is that your so stuffed after dinner you can't enjoy the pie after so why not enjoy as much as you can the night before.

On Thursday we went again to Spanish Fork. It started out kind of funny. Branch doesn't like to listen to Chrisgtmas music before Thanksgiving but I decided that we were going to listen to music on the way down. We stopped by Alberstons on the way there to pick up the ads for Black Friday. As I got out of the car I told Branch that he had better not turn the station OR ELSE and slammed the door. I then walked away with a mean look on my face. As I walked into the store I passed a lady with the scowl on my face still. When I came back to the car, Branch said that lady gave him the meanest look and was just shooting daggers at him. He said that it was almost like she was thinking "How dare you?" It was so funny to me and just made me laugh the rest of the day.

We had Thanksgiving dinner in Spanish Fork with about 40 members of Branch's family. It was really fun and really good. They figured that they had about 94 pounds of turkey. Later, "the boys" went shooting in Spanish Fork cannon. We decided to visit Jacki, his grandma, but stayed only for a little while because Little Miss, who hadn't taken a nap, was being a real stink.



That is were the "fun" started. About three houses down from Jacki's house we had the right of way and the car on the right had a yeild sign but they didn't stop and we didn't have time to stop before we hit him. We then slid 90 degrees and stopped.


(Doesn't look that bad, but it damaged some REALLY expensive stuff)



The car kept going and my thought was we had just been in a hit an run and I tried to look at the licence plate and remember the number but they did stop on the side of the road. Branch made sure we were alright, got out and made sure they were all right and called 911.I also got out went to the back seat to sit with Little Miss, and also called 911. They sent an ambulance just in case Little Miss was hurt. I ended up being checked out because my shoulder was hurting.

Poor Little Miss was so upset. She definitely didn't like the flashing lights and sirens. Becky, Mont, Amberly and Keelen came down to help. Grandma was able to take her so I could be checked out and help calm her down. She also got a stuffed animal from the ambulance crew. I She discovered it has a rainbow and keeps saying "Rainbow!Rainbow! Rainbow!"

I remember thinking in the short time that we slid "I can't believe this is happening". On the way to Spanish Fork we had seen two accidents on the side of the road and thought to myself how sucky it would be to get in an accident on Thanksgiving. I was right. It sucked.

BUT in the spirit of Thanksgiving I am so thankful that we are all ok. It could have been worse, a lot worse. It is just a car and cars can be fixed or replaced. I am so thankful for Branch and Little Miss. I LOVE YOU! Heavenly Father has given me so much, so much.

So, to wrap it all up. The car was totaled. We are now the proud owners of a new(ish) 2004 VW Jetta. It is really nice. Heated leather seats, sun roof, turbo... So, sad we lost the Nissan and all the extras hassle but it is ok we are all alive and kicking and we have a nice car.

Just to let those of you who don't know, we were in a car accident last night. We were leaving Spanish Fork and a driver didn't yield and we didn't have time to stop. He was ticketed. Anyway, Luckily, no one was hurt, though I do have a sore shoulder from the collision.

We are waiting to see if our car was totalled or not. Pictures are coming later.

The thing that really sucks is that as we were driving to SF we saw two accidents and I felt bad for them and thought that it would suck to get in an accident on Thanksgiving. I guess I jinxed myself.

Sleepy girl

So Little Miss isn't so keen about taking naps and more, she now takes only about 4 naps a week. And it sucks...but I will learn to deal with it.

(Waiting for L to pick us up)

So today when she didn't take a nap I wasn't suprized. My sister L and her daughter E decided to go do Deseret Industries (like a Salvation Army store) today, and shocker of ALL shockers, she fell asleep in my arms. She NEVER does that and I mean EVER! She was so tired I was able to put her in the cart. So stinking cute!

I never get to see her sleeping anymore. How cute!!
The carts at D.I. are really small so she is squished.

It was so loud there, I can't believe she slept there!

This is Halloween!

This is Halloween! This is Halloween!

We had a lot of fun this October with trick or treating.
Little Miss was a ...

But much cuter...


We watched scary movies. Well, not really scary movies.

We ate tons of candy.

We decorated with skulls!
(or as Little Miss says "Scary Pumpkins!!)

Daddy skull...

Mommy skull...

Little Miss skull...

Celebrated with Family!

We love Halloween!!

LEAVES ARE MY FAVORITE PART OF FALL!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

(Sorry the pictures are so small)

Brody Vs Bull

(Sorry the video is kind of longish)

This last Saturday we went to the Thanksgiving Point Cornbelly. It was awesome and totally worth the price (thanks Mom and Tony!!) It was an absolutely beautiful day and so nice being able to spend the time with Brody and his family and mom and Tony.

The best part of the day was when my sister L told Brody she would buy if he rode the bull.
And.It.Was.Awesome!! Enjoy!!

Little Missisms

First...Branch is going to be home TONIGHT! He has been in Arizona since the 5th for training for his job. He has learned a lot but we are so excited to have him home soon! Plus it is only fair that he is as cold as we are here not nice and warm as it is in Arizona!

Little Miss has been really funny lately. Here are a few of her funnies:

*If you ask her what a doggy says she will say "Woof, woof", what does a kitty say "Meow", what does Mommy say "NO Maya!!!" (I taught her that...now I just need to get a video of it!!)

*This morning I asked her what she wanted to eat. She always says "Nana!" Not this morning though. Her answers were in this order..."Baby!" "PooPoo!" "Ghost!" and "Ooooaaaaeee! (which is what ghost say"" She is so funny.

*When ever Little Miss sees a big building she always calls it a Temple. Sometimes it sounds a little different. Yesterday we were taking a walk and as we walked by grandpas church building she yelled and pointed "Tampon!!....Tampon!!!...Tampon!!!..."

*We were in Green River visiting family while daddy was on his business trip, and while we were gone her cousin E really missed Little Miss, when we came back and we were at Donalds House (McDonalds) Little Miss and E kept looking at each other and saying "Miss You!" E even kept giving Little Miss kisses without wiping them away and saying "Ouch!"

Anyway, having fun being a mommy but not a single mommy with Branchy gone so I am so glad to have him home tonight!! Yeesh!!

I love weddings!

Pam and Jim get married tonight. So happy! Congratulations to the happy couple!
Watch the video of them this last 5 seasons of The Office:


Click here ---->Video (Does anyone know how to put video from Youtube on a blog, not just a link?)

I am so excited I am putting Little Miss to bed early and eating cupcakes to celebrate!

HOPE

In my last post I mentioned that the last time I went to the temple I kept feeling the word "Hope", well the Church came out with a web page centered on Hope...please check it out at this link.

On that page is a youtube video of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf that I was also going to post here but I don't know how. Please take the time to watch. It is amazing.

About 2 weeks ago I was able to go to the newest Temple with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. It was the OQUIRRH (oo-cur)MOUNTAIN TEMPLE. It was an awesome experience because I had gone through the open house just two weeks prior and it was at the dedication that I decided to do visit every temple in the state of Utah. Two Temples down, eleven more to go!

As for my "theme" it was hope. I turned to Ether 12 in the Book of Mormon while waiting for my family and it kept coming up.
***
4. Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with ^asurety ^bhope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which ^chope cometh of ^dfaith, maketh an ^eanchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in ^fgood works, being led to ^gglorify God.
***
6. And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that ^afaith is things which are ^bhoped for and ^cnot seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no ^dwitness until after the ^etrial of your faith.
***
9. Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith.
***
32 And I also remember that thou hast said that thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the ^amansions of thy Father, in which man might have a more excellent ^bhope; wherefore man must hope, or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared.
***

For another great message of hope please read "The Infinite Power of Hope" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

I fave felt a great increase of faith and hope since I made the commitment to attend the temple more often. Thank you for following me in my Temple Trip

(My computer is being weird. Please click the link above to see a picture of this beautiful temple.)

Some facts abou the
OQUIRRH MOUNTAIN TEMPLE

Announcement		01 October 2005
Groundbreaking		16 December 2006
Open House		01 June 2009 - 01 August 2009
Dedication		21 August 2009

I HEART Couponing

People have been asking me about couponing since I have gotten into it. I am going to be dedicating my next several post to this subject to impart my limited knowledge on this big topic.

First off, I have only been couponing now regularly for the last 5 months. Still in that time I am now spending half of what I use to spend. But in that time I have noticed that I pay attention to what food cost, what we are eating (and tending to waste less, though that is not always true :), and actually enjoying shopping.

Secondly, I have found a ton of resources that help me save money. Believe me I couldn't do this all on my own!!

So for my first post I am going to tell you about my shopping trip tonight.

(Sorry about the picture quality, poor lighting and taking on a cell phone)

I got 15 cans of tuna, 26 cans of Campbells Chunky soup, 9 Jello packets, 4 boxes of cereal, produce, a loaf of bread, 2 boxes of pop tarts, 2 frozen dinners, a bag of vegetable steamers, juice, batteries, and a foot scrubber thing not in the picture. How much do you think I spent on this shopping trip?

Leave your guess on my comments and the winner receives my love and respect :)

Please check back later for more on the wonderful world of couponing!!

Ok, question...

What would you give up if you had to give up chocolate or butter? and why?

Bestest...

I heard an interesting saying today...on a Disney channel movie, while Little Miss is sleeping, while making a Texas Sheet Cake...mmm...

"There is a huge difference between being The Best and and being Your Best. Being The Best, is fruitless, it is just a matter of opinion. Being Your Best, that is were you find your spirit"

It really hit me. A lot of people try their hardest to be The Best, and when they fail, which they will, they are crushed and down trodden and dejected and..... It is a lot of pressure to put on yourself for a goal that can never be beat. There will always be someone better than you and then there is nothing wrong with that. No one can do what you do, especially in the way you do it.

So I vow to do to be My Best as a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a church member, etc, etc, etc.

Any way, what do you think?

These are old pictures off my cell phone (that is why Little Miss looks so young)

(I just wanted to add these two cute pictures of Little Miss)

Update....

Just a couple of things...

My first trip to the Jordan River Temple was wonderful. Liz watched Little Miss So I could go with Branch to the temple. It is so pretty. My theme of faith in ever footstep made me concentrate on my faith and what I was doing there. I did have a little experience happen to me where I told myself that it would be ok if I had faith and it worked out. I am so excited for visiting the other temples!

A lady from my ward said that I could take some of her family names and do the work for her so I am excited to make this experience more personal.

****

Seth and Julies friend Ryan Hess is having his bone marrow transplant today. Ryan was diagnosed with cancer a couple of months ago. Please look at the link on the right side of the page and read about his fight and family.

If you could keep Ryan, his brother (the donor), and his family in your prayers today that would be appreciated.

****

Last week we were in Green River for the extended weekend. It was so wonderful to see family. Though Little Miss was a stinker pretty much the whole time. She learned how to get out of grandma Hunsakers pack and play she was sleeping in. Great... Then she learned how to get out of Grandpa Johnsons pack and play...then yesterday...she learned how to ipen the child safety locks in the kitchen. Great. This kid is crazy. I can't take my eyes off her for a second.

Now for some random pictures for your viewing pleasure... Sorry they are so small...

Little Miss with her Grandmas.
This is one of the reasons I love living so close to family!

Little Miss in her tutu and her pink balloon. She LOVES balloons. (Sorry it is sideways...)

She loves to play with my glasses (or as she calls hats sometimes) so we decided to
let her get her own! She loves putting them and looks so cute when she puts them on upside down.

Maya and I are so lucky to be able to play with E while her parents are at school and work.
We have a lot of fun together!