We're still alive

Yes, we are still alive. It's been busy and I've been in a foul mood. So much has happened this month. I had a great show at Art in the Park, doubled my expectations. Then I had to get into an accident and there went that extra $$. I had a fun trip to St. George the night of my b day for witches night out. I just finished a nice weekend with my dad and sister with few pictures which continues to make me sad. Clarissa was in the primary program on Sunday and my mom came which was nice I was so happy that my dad was in town and that he and my sister came as well. I've had a busy week last week and this week does not look much better. I'm off to bed soon. To top off all the business I've not been feeling well but, have no time for sickness. I did buck up and go to the Doctor but, that has just lead to more test and appointments but, hopefully soon they will come to the conclusion it's my gallblader and just get it out so I can go on with my busy life.

I'll stop now or I'll rant forever. Just checking in that I'm alive.

My baby girl is 5!

My curly red head! At the beach

Showing her red haired attitude off! Still adorable, which causes all the problems.

I can hardly believe that 5 years ago I was spending 2 days of my life in labor. Praying that my baby girl would be OK. It was definitely one of the scariest and happiest days of my life. A true faith promoting experience.

Clarissa arrived 6 weeks early and had kept up on our toes ever since.

I can't imagine our house with out our little red head. OK I can, it would be quiet and pink less. But, it would not be the same. Clarissa you bring so much joy into our lives. There is never a dull moment with you around. I love your quick Witt, and zest for life. I love your determination, I like to think that's what kept you in the NICU for only 8 days. You are your mothers daughter. I love how you like to plan a party and create. I love how you are your daddy's little girl. I love the way you love your brother and you share with him.

Some of the things Clarissa loves right now are:

• 
  Camp Rock- This is the theme for her party



• cooking
• Barbies
• paper
• crafting
• jackets/ sweaters
• PJ's
• clothes
• shopping
• party planning
• zebras, monkeys and dolphins

Happy Birthday baby girl!

We love you!

She learned to make Cheese fries in cooking class. She loves to make them for her family.

Love,

Mom, Dad and Hunter

2 years running!

I am a huge fan of Tip Junkie and for the 2nd year in a row our/ my ward super Saturday has been featured! I feel like I make the Oprah of blogs when this happens.
To bad I don't get to walk down the red carpet. Oh well, I'm just here peeling away preparing for the big day! Now I'll never sleep.

I know I'm silly but, hey aren't all crafty people.
Check it out. If you are checking us out from Tip Junkie! thanks. If you are interested in supplies/ patterns/ vinyl or more please e mail me at lollipopsandbows @gmail.com or visit one of my blogs at Super Saturday kits or lollipopsand bows . Sorry for the shameless plugs! You know all stars have them. Can't wait for the big day! thanks Tip Junkie readers for reading us!

I hope I don't get the boot for my plugs, I'm so excited! Laurie probably thinks I'm a nut!

yesterdays

The pictures are from out trip to Michigan this summer. Hunter at the Park w/ Keb(v)in and Rissa after getting her face painted at the zoo with yaya!

Tonight I was once again reminded of reasons to be thankful for the trials of my youth and the blessings of the life I live today. I know my Heavenly Father allowed me to have experiences so that I may feel empathy for others! I am so thankful for those experiences and the faith they taught me! As I have often said I am who am today because of my yesterdays, most especially my youth that taught me that I have a loving HF!

I have always said I am who I am because of the some total of my experience. At times that may be good and at times that may be not so good. Unfortunately for some (not me), I was able to learn things in my youth that I would not have been able to learn otherwise. I leaned a work etichic and faith that only my life could have taught me. I have lived it and have a testimony of it! I know our Heavenly Father has a plan for us. I know at times I have been unsure of that plan and I have even questioned him and questioned experiences but, they have allowed me the opportunity to grow, for that I am thankful.

I know as life's challenges come my way I have learned in a way many have not had the opportunity to know, that my Heavenly Father will provide and carry me through. He has provided me with opportunities to exercise faith. As I write this tonight I am reflecting upon blessings and promises I have been given. I sometimes feel sorry that my family may have had to experience times so I could learn. I only hope it helped them to grow stronger.

Tonight as I was sharing the power of faith with a friend, I was reminded once again of it's power in my life. I keep thinking I need to start a faith blog but, don't want my name associated with it, not because I'm embarrassed by my faith promoting experiences but, because I told them sacred yet, feel others may be able to learn from them, the may be able to use them to gain hope. To know to hang on. The light will come. They will know that Heavenly Father does know when you are at the end of your rope and he will send you another. Often times it' not when you think it's the end but, when he knows it is. I know he does not give us more than we can handle. I also know he will give us as much and will test us.

I am so thankful for my relationship with the savior. That I am able to go to him. That I know he will carry me through the darkest storms, and celebrate my victories of life. I know he will never leave me fighting the battles of life alone but, he will allow me the opportunities to fight them for myself at times. I know he will work miracles through others, he will turn around planes if he needs to. I know he can move mountains and if I need to he will give me the power to do so as well.

I am so thankful for my many blessings in this time of economic crisis. I'm thankful for the insight to change careers, for the career and education that I have. For my husbands willingness to work and support of me working. I'm thankful for a family that supports me in that. I know it takes sacrifice on their parts as well. Tonight I am indeed counting my blessings.

I won again!

Check out this blog baggie taggies ! I won 4 of them. Hunter chose zoom. Clarissa chose Rainbow and I got the black and red damask for Kent and I for luggage.

I think these would be awesome package toppers for b day presents and Christmas presents. Check them out. I'm ordering a few more for the above purpose!

Thanks Kristi! you rock!
can't wait to share when they arrive

Fairy Daddy?

Some girls want a fary godmother not my daughter she wants a fairy Daddy?

Clarissa just offered her dad a kiss and a hug if he'd be a fairy for Halloween. She was assigning costumes. She is Sleeping Beauty, Hunter is a knight ( so he can rescue her) and I got the evil lady and Kent got the fairy. We haven't se...en a commtment on Kent's part yet.

Gotta love our little red headed planner girl.

My little planner is at it again. She is simoutanouly planning 2 parties (yes, one is not good enough for her). She is planning her 5th birthday that is a camp rock/ cooking party and a Halloween party.

Our Sleeping Beauty.

Yes, she likes to sleep with the mask on her head.

So precious who wouldn't want to be her Knight or fairy?

Especially if you get a hug AND a kiss!

Souper Saturday!

FINISHED! Check it out. I need better pictures. I think I want to turn this into a business. Yes, it's me thinking again http://chapelheightsenrichment.blogspot.com/search/label/super%20saturday%2009All but, one of the projects I've done.... If you are in the Las Vegas area come join us. If you want to order a kit if you are not that is great too. I'm hoping to do some kits for other wards too. Spread the word!

OK I'm for real. I want to do Super Saturday project kits! So if your ward is looking for some help. Look no further. I'm willing to travel up to 150 miles away from Las Vegas if the order is over $250.00. I can send you the kits with or with out wood (for shipping purposes). I would provide you with sign up sheets. Access to blog post about the projects. All you would have to do is show up. Of course the fees will be a little more than on he blog above as that was for my ward. I love ya but, not giving my services away. Let me know if I can help! I'll have a post soon on my Lollipops and Bows site!

Kindergarden

Just a few thoughts from this week.

I put a cute note in Clarissa's lunch that said Clarissa, we heart U! Heart, mom & dad.
So I asked her if she got the note. She replied, yeah I threw it on the floor. What did it say? So then the next morning she asked for another note. It was still in her lunch box when she got home.

Tonight at dinner Kent asked C what is your favorite part of school? C: Coming home. She is excited to go to school every day so I'm not to worried. I decided it's a compliment that she likes to come home. I know some kids don't. At least we know she likes us.

On the 2nd day of school she had a shelter in place due to sewer backup that smelled like gas. I teach next door and was in SIP as well. I guess they taped the door and said it was so liquid didn't get in. C's version is the teacher taped the door so the liquid didn't get in and they die. She was real upset. Which I understand. Death is very real to her right now as her grandma died just a few weeks ago. She was worried about my and my kids next door and wanted to know if we were going to die too and if I taped my door. She is such a kind girl.

She is doing great in school and is such a trooper getting up at 6 every morning, to shower and get ready for school. I can't believe how big she's getting.

First day of Kindergarden

So I uploaded the pictures backwards. But, here they are! Waiting to be picked up at the end of the day

Look at that tired face!

On her way in w/ Dad in the morning. She looks a little scared in this picture!

In her room, finding her seat.

Outside the house in the picture spot. Hard to believe that almost 5 years ago I brought her home and took her picture here. WOW my baby is growing up. Now she is a Husky! H. Huskies can do lots of things. Check out the outfit. It took us a long time in Gymboree to find just the right one. OK for us to agree on one. She wanted jeans or a sweat suit, I wanted a dress, we settled for this skort kind of outfit.


All I heard was it was a green card day! If you get to black they call your parents. She promised she'll never get to black. Her goal for this week is 5 green cards. She got to play on the big and little playground. She did not get to play with the kitchen (like she doesn't have one at home, that she plays with all the time). She learned the days of the week. She only ate 2 PB crackers and her apple sauce. She said she ran out of time. Her teacher is Ms. Linares. We are so excited for a great year.

My school year started off great as well. I have some great co teachers. My classes are a bit full but, that will change in time. My school if full of change this year and it will be a fun exciting year.

Ramblings of my sleepless night

My mind is racing with all the things that need to be done in the next few weeks. I should clarify that I have has a nice long vacation. I have visitied with family and friends, gone to the beach and amusement park (legoland), cleaned out my kitchen cabinets, my closet and have a healthy start of my craft room. Floors have been cleaned, beds moved. While my to do list has not been completed it has been worked on.

So you see I have had a productive summer.

I had a few more things planned. A buying trip to LA and a trip to the buying show which is in town this week (I didn't feel right leaving my kids after telling them their grandma had died) but, things change. Kent' s step mom passed away on Friday night and Life's responsibilities are more important. I also found out Friday I get to move my classroom (now, I'm not complaining about this, I'm moving out of the hall with all the loud 8th graders, I love to teach them but, their hallway behavior kills me). I am also in charge of our quarterly enrichment that will be next Tuesday night and Super Saturday that is in a month. I'm putting on a craft show/ open house with a friend. Oh did I mention I still have a family you know 2 kids, a husband, 3 dogs. I'm trying to be as helpful as possible with funeral arrangements and pack to leave soon. Probably in 28 hours from now. Plus I can't sleep! My mind is racing. So I'm here blogging a boring post but, maybe it will help me decompress. It's time to once again start my engines and get going. I'm a busy person. I stay busy if you my calendar is quite booked from now til Thanksgiving. I reserve December for me and my choice of fun activities. I guess it's only just begun.

I'm so thankful to believe Families are Forever. It made telling my children so much easier. Their simple faith is amazing. Hunter took the news well and accepts the fact that Grandma is in heaven with Heavenly Father. Rissa was sad and had engaged in some interesting questions.
* If Grandma is in Heaven, Where is Santa Clause?
* Can I take my blanket to Heaven?
* Is there food there?
* Did Grandma leave me a couch? (This comes from my mom telling the kids that she will give our couch back when she dies.)

This is one of my favorites
C: Mommy you'll dies someday and go to Heaven then it will be Daddy, Hunter and Me.
M: yes,
C: Daddy will die someday and then it will be Hunter and ME
M: yes
C: Hunter I love YOU-in a sweet voice.
H: Sister it's OK we all go live with Heavenly Father. His voice was so loving and concerned. Trying to assure her all would be well.

(secretly I'm just glad I get to be the first to die)

Hunter just wants to send Grandma a balloon up in the sky.


I feel so sad for my brother in law who is 14. His first day of High school was to be on Thursday instead he will be attending his mothers funeral. I remember his Kindergarten graduation. I can't believe he is going to High School.

Clarissa starts Kindergarten in a week and a half. I'm so excited for her to go to school. To learn and to make friends. I'm scared for her, scared people will be mean to her, scared she won't fit in. I think maybe some of my elementary school days are coming back. She's ready with lots of new clothes, a new hairstyle, new glasses and new shoes are coming. I've ordered pencils with her name on them. I'm scared I don't know what cool things to pack in her lunch either.