For my sweet Red Head

This post is for my sweet Red head. Who keeps me on my toes. There are some things I'd like to share about her.

I was inspired by the icecream troft Rissa is a party planner much like her mother. Someone asked me Sunday if I was that happy and spunky when I was her age. I'm sure I was. She has so many qualities that remind me of myself.

• a love for paper
• Shopping and clothes
• having fun
• Just the other day we were watching TV and Washington DC was on something she inquired where it was and could she go there. I said most definitely someday. Traveling is one of my many passions and I can hardly wait til my children are ready to hit the road. A few days after that she informed me she was going to live in Washington DC when she grew up. I was ecstatic. She is her mothers daughter. I dreamed of living in NYC as a child. I knew I had to live in a big city. That's how I got to be in Las Vegas (It's not quite the city I was thinking of but, I know it's where My Heavenly Father wanted me to be).
• She has recently discovered sweaters and loves to wear them. Now that our 6 week cold spell is over (I hope).
• I know she has a relationship with our Heavenly Father almost a month ago she scared me with this news Well just the other day she came to be again I said she would only be able to see me for 4 more weeks. When I inquired why she then explained she was then going to see Heavenly Father. I said OK, that I love her and I'd miss her if she went there to stay. Yes, I was screaming inside. But, I learned this lesson last time, Maybe it will be a dream as she sleeps, Maybe she is just pretending, Maybe she really will go see him. If she does I can only find comfort in knowing she knew where she was going. That being said I can not imagine my house without her. It would be quiet, (well her brother would be screaming for her, they are inseparable so he thinks) and clean. It does make me appreciate her paper left all over a little more. None the less I try not to think of it and pray that if she
• She loves to play dolls
• But, most of all she loves to cook. This was not something I learned to love until after college but, I love to create cool, cute food. If I'm going to make it, it needs to be cute.

A new Hope

I can't believe I am writing this. I am not an Obama fan. I have prayed for our president like no other. I have feared where he may lead us. Although I did know he had redeeming graces, as I was sure being the family man he is, that he would not embarrass our country like Bill did with his scandals.

I will say I had and do have many issues I do not agree with him on and I'd still make the same choice I made on election day. But, we have what we have.

After listening to his speech to congress tonight, I have a new hope. He spoke of 2 issues that are near and dear to my heart. Both issues I have chosen to support in my careers.

1- Access to Health Care. Having grown up with out this access I find this to be a basic human right that is lacking in our free country. I spent many days going out to play with the words don't break anything we don't have insurance being uttered to me. I'll admit there are many things I did not try for fear of breaking something. But, those days inspired me to be who I am, I grew from these experiences and would not change them they have allowed me to have empathy. I spent the first 4 years of my career promoting access to Health care thru March of Dimes and then as the Director of The Huntridge Teen Clinic. So I believe in access to health care, I have lobbied for it and will continue to do so.

2- Education. I know education is the key out of poverty. I know education is the key to the future. I could go on and on about this. I know that thru education your life can be better (notice I said better not easier). I am an educator. I'm a teacher why because I spent time with those in need and saw the lack of education, the lack of ability to do for one self, to read. I'm excited for all Americans to increase their education levels. I'd love to increase mine. If President Obama offered to pay for a PHD program I'd enroll in one tomorrow. I can't explain to you my desire for education for myself, my students and my children. In these hard economic times it's my education that will carry me through that will allow me to work. I strive daily to impress upon the young minds of my students what our President said tonight. I probably lecture them to much but, I need them to understand that an education will improve their future. I do hope we have reform in education. NCLB is only allow us to teach to test and not to students. I will say I do not agree with performance pay. I teach 8th grade. When I'm given multiple 8th graders who read at a first grade level it is difficult for me to accomplish 8th grade work. It is difficult in a time when many of our students are not in the American school system for 9 years by the time they reach 8th grade. But, this is another story for another day.

I must say I feel renewed after tonight. I was happy to hear that I would not be punished for making wise decisions. That Americans who bought more than they knew they could afford would be held accountable for their actions. I'm sorry guys I used less than half the amount the bank approved me for when I bought my current house. I fought them for a 15 year mortgage vs a 30 and I put 20% down on my house. I would have loved a bigger house in a different neighborhood (well kind of I loved my ward, at the time, I love my ward now too). But, I could not act responsibly and buy that bigger house in the nicer neighborhood.

I'm looking forward to more educated healthy Americans. Mr. President I can support you in these endeavors. I'm willing to do what it takes.

Oh and I love that checks are not being sent out but, extra money will be in our paychecks. (I'm anxious to see it). I do have on beef however. I could only wish to fall into this category and hope to some day. I'm sorry but, I don't think $250K is a lot of money for a house hold if you have 2 well educated people working. Yes, It is a lot more than what comes into my home but, If I was being paid what a person with the equivalent of 2 Masters' degrees should and would be paid if I wasn't a teacher. I'd be making close to that. Education should be rewarded with higher salaries. Thus the reason for obtaining it.

I'm hoping Mr. President you do something for our great state of Nevada's education system. My students need you. They need the resources to be 8th graders reading on an 8th grade level. They need to be prepared to obtain higher education. I'm excited that it will be financially available for them. That they will not spend years after paying for it as I have.

For a healthier more educated tomorrow I stand with you Mr. President and hope we can work together. I hope I can continue to be proud to be an American!

Pay it forward! round one

A friend had this on her blog and I was the first to comment so now it is my turn to have it on my blog. Sounds easy enough since I have an entire year to make a gift. I hope you guys have fun and keep it going. I also have another friend who posted this so I'll be doing it again if you miss out.

{The Rules}

1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!
2. Winners must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your 3 Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!
4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love! If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same! SO, REMEMBER...Pay it forward!

P.S. If you are one of the first three and don't have a blog to post on I have come up with a wonderful idea. Take the next three friends that call you just to chat and Pay It Forward to them! Then challenge them to do the same :)Let's help make this a wonderful world to live in and show our friends how much we care for them :)

Don't forget to e mail me your address.

I love you!

This post is for my husband.

I know I don't tell him often enough how much I love him. But, I do. I keep thinking I want to make one of those cute scrapbooks reasons I love you. But, I never seem to get things accomplished. So here it goes blog style!

1. I love that Clarissa can talk you into almost anything. Even if it is sleeping on the couch or new clothes!

2. I love your passion for things like Hunting and Star Wars as it helps you understand my passion for my hobbies. I love how you want to share them with your family. That you want me to go hunting with you, that you have turned our kids into Star Wars fans.

3. I love how you've taught me to have fun, have a sense of humor and joke.

4. I love how you now love to go to Disneyland with me.

5. I love the way you manage my custom orders for rooms, shelving and entertainment centers.

6. I love the way you cut wood for me with out complaining.

7. I love that we do projects together, I miss that as it's not as together as it use to be (before kids).

8. I love going on trips with you and spending time alone with you ( I always hating coming home as then I don't get to see you all the time).

9. I love the way you love me.

10. I love that you know what I like Boyd Bears, paper, craft things and that you do you best that I can have all the fun toys I want.

11. I love that you have an opinion about decorating our house.

12. I love that you make things my fireplace mantle, my scrapbook room, Rissa's entertainment center.

13. I love that we don't have a real schedule and you don't get upset about it. Dinner is when it is and clothes get washed when they get washed.

14. I love the fact that I can plan to do what I need to and when and it's never a problem. (trips out of town or to friends, I never have to ask permission)

15. I love the way Clarissa gets excited that her dad is coming home and how she misses him so much when he's away. (Even thou her airport scenes are quite dramatic it's nice to know she loves her Daddy Very very very much) I know you didn't believe me when I was pregnant but, do now. That girl would kick me to death when you came home and she heard your voice.

16. I love the way Hunter is loving more and more to be with his Dad (I do miss my Mommy's boy) how he loves to help his dad and spend time with him.

17. I love target shopping or maybe I should say bargin shopping with you. You understand my need for a closet full of gifts for someday as well as they cabinet full of party stuff for 5 different parties my children could have but, know I'll probably come up with a new theme and just add to my stash.

Thank you for our 2 beautiful children a home and taking care of all my needs and wants. For making my dreams come true, for understanding my desire to be educated and encouraging me in the process.

Love

Well I had great plans for cute valentines to be sent out but, it didn't get done. I decided that Valenties' Day is to close to Christmas. I mean it was only 6 weeks ago we were showing everyone how much we love them. I'm hoping they didn't forget already.

So for this Valentines I accomplished a few craft projects to add to my new mantle and my kids are having a Valentines party. Clarissa is so excited, she is a little forlorn as she has to share the party with her brother but, excited none the less. I have quite the little party planner on my hands. Last night we were at the store to get a few things in preparation for the big day. She informed me she needed cute plates and napkins. While I've been trying to stick to a budget, I had to agree as I guess she may be Daddy's girl but, her mother's daughter as everything needs to match. I'm excited for her. I'm not excited that I feel asleep a few minutes into Grey's Anatomy last night and didn't get the living room cleaned.

I can't wait for the party.
We are going to make braclets
Butterflies
Decorate cupcakes
and find the missing hearts.
I think that should take up an hour of time.

I'm still debating on gift bags for primary tomorrow. I'm sure I'll give in but, I have a tremendous amount of work I want to get accomplished this weekend as we will be having visitors for the next 3 weekends and then we go to SLC for my friends wedding.

Did I mention that Kent's 40th birthday is coming up soon? I can hardly wait! Seeing how I missed out on the promised Black cake for my 30th I'll have to get him good as I know he won't let up on my 40th. It's all in fun for me atleast. He may not think the hair dye. cane and sticker are funny but the rest of us will.

One Weekend

It's hard to believe how much I accomplished in SLC this weekend. Kent and I had some alone time which was nice. I think that was the most important part of the weekend. It would have been nice to have more. I kind of miss being alone with my husband.

I was able to find a great new place to buy vinyl. I love their vinyl it peels so nice. Now I know the secret to small vinyl projects. We went to the hunting expo and that was great fun. Ok it was neat they has some awesome jewelery booths. Yeah it was that interesting that I was looking at the jewelery. I did find some great bears I can't wait to have my own. Oh and a mink coat that was a great price but, unfortunately I left it there. It just wasn't in my budget for this trip. I still had plenty of craft stores to go to. We finished the expo earlier than anticipated so we were off to Quilted Bear and a few craft shows.

Then we had a great dinner at Kent's sister's house Thanks Kathy for the great dinner.

Then on to Saturday before I met up with my childhood friend Beth I was off to wait for a craft store to open. I felt like I had died and went to crafters heaven. A few products I have been looking for were there and then some. So lets say I spent my wad there to say the least. I can't wait to go back next month. I then met with my friend Beth (I was running a little late due to going to craft mecca) and we spent the afternoon craft shopping. I found some great new ideas I have never seen before that incorporate my favorite craft supplies. I'm excited to get things cleaned up and start working on a new line. Of course a visit to SLC would not be complete without a trip to Roberts-surprisingly enough I only found one thing I needed there and even decided to wait on that.

It was a great trip to spend some time with Kent and to get things accomplished in a quicker manner without children in tow.

I can't wait for March to come and to go back for Beth's wedding and some more crafting excursions.