Monday, August 16, 2010

I Can Color!

Finally!  40 years old and I learned how to color!
Thanks Jen for the FANTASTIC class!
Wish I could come to the next class,
but fortunately for me, my feet 
will be planted firmly on the Southern California 
sandy beach!  Laguna Beach, here we come!
In real life it looks like I painted it.  I am so happy with the results.
I cam home and looked at some other things I've colored...
hmmmmmmmm. . . let's just say. . . 
not so pretty.  Copics are worth it. . .
at least to a paper and ink enthusiast like myself.

Hopefully I can hone my skills from here!


Sunday, August 15, 2010

Agency Is a Gift

Another Set of Young Women Handouts.  
What I CHEWS to be is up to me.  Agency is a gift.  See 2 Nephi 2:27
These are from last week's lesson on Agency.
Young Women Manual 2, Lesson 28


They were a hit.  Just to carry the theme a bit
farther, I used different flavors of gum.


The lesson was on using our agency to make good choices.
When you make a choice,
 the consequence-
good or bad-
is fixed to the choice.


Not that any gum can be "bad," but some flavors
are definitely not favored by 12 and 13 year olds!


Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

An Apple A Day!

Another Young Women Handout. . . Had fun making them!
Cricut Apple
The Lesson was on sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ
just by being a friend.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

"Just" Jessica Turns 9 - Happy Birthday Girl!

Just Jessica is how we explain this amazingly wonderful, extremely talented, wildly outrageous bundle of girl she is and the wildly exasperating and often mind bending things she challenges us with.   No one else could be, well, Jessica!  Truly coincidentally (or maybe not so) Jessica was asked to speak today in primary.  The topic is the first line of her talk.  There wasn't a dry eyed adult in the room.  Love you girl!!!


Jessica's Talk for Sunday, August 8th

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He is a God of miracles.  We all know of stories in the bible where Jesus worked miracles for others, but he still works miracles today.  I know that this is true.  I know it is true because Jesus Christ has worked a miracle for me.
9 years ago today I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana.  The same day I was born my mom was at gymnastics with a friend watching Mikensee at her practice.  They were discussing the desire of my mom's heart to have a baby.  For several years my mom, dad and sister had prayed for a baby girl to come into their lives.  They tried to adopt several children through the state, but something always happened and they had to say good-bye to several kids that they loved.  Because of this they were very sad, but continued to have faith that God would work a miracle for them.  A stranger, sitting behind them overheard their conversation and asked my mom if she heard her right.  "Are you trying to adopt a baby?" she asked. 
My mom said,  "Yes, why do you ask?."
The woman proceeded to tell my mom that her sister was an adoption specialist in Utah and then asked, "Are you a Mormon?"
My mom's heart sank.  They had been passed by for other adoptions and had been told by some agencies that they wouldn't even work with her because of her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  She knew she couldn't lie and said, "Why yes I am, is that a problem?"

The woman said, "No!  We are too!"  They were both relieved.  She gave my mom her sister's number and once they got home my mom called her right away. 
The woman's sister was an adoption specialist for children with medical needs.  My mom was a little sad and told the woman, that while she really, really wanted to be a mother to another baby she didn't think she was strong enough to adopt a baby that would have to spend so much time in hospitals and at doctor's appointments.  The woman asked if she would have a problem adopting a baby of a different color.  My mom said "Absolutely not!"  The kind woman gave my mom the name and number of a friend who only worked at adopting babies with the same skin color as mine.  My mom was so excited.  She called TLC Adoptions immediately!  The agency sent her the paperwork to begin the process and my mom and dad stayed up almost all night filling out the paperwork.  Early the next morning my mom received a call.  It was TLC Adoptions.  They said a baby girl had been born the night before and that the family that was going to adopt the baby had changed their mind due to some other circumstances.  She told my mom that if our family wanted to adopt the baby girl that she would need to complete the paperwork, arrange to speak to my biological mother on the phone and be on an airplane to Indiana that day.  My mom cried with joy and excitement.  She hung up the phone hugged and cried with Mikensee, called my dad and then her mother.  Everyone went to work and she was on a plane that night to meet me.    After almost 5 years of prayers and effort my family had me.  I was a miracle and so were the circumstances under which we were united.

I have no doubt that my family is mine.  I don't know why I had to come to this earth with a different biological mother, but I know it doesn't matter.  I know my mom is my mom and that she always has been.  I know that when we were sealed in the temple my blood became the same as theirs and that they are my family.

I know Jesus is the son of God and the He IS a God of Miracles.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Don't Fall Over Just Yet. . .

I know that if you are still out there, hanging with me,
you are most likely falling off your chair!
The thought of an actual post gracing the pages of my
 blog. . . I know I am!  Truly, it's not for lack of material.
 My life, is, as always, eventful and somewhat creative. . .
it's just also short on the time spectrum!  






On Tuesday we had a back to school swimming pot luck and party 
for the young women in our ward.  I had a cute idea to send them 
back to school with something to remind them of who they are. . .
 and that they are oh so important!  I hope you like them!  
The girls seemed pleased.  I also made one for each of my kids.
 I will attempt to sneak them in their backpacks the 

day they start school this year. . . shhhhhh, don't tell them!
Finished Project

Mini Squeeze - Drink Mix and Water
Cutesy Note
Hope you have a Beary Grand year.  Have a treat and a squeeze to get you through your first day.

Most of the product was CTMH,
but I did make the card using Digital Technology.  :)
 I'm so tech savvy!  
LOL!

I won't promise anything, 

but I'll try to get 15 minutes of blogging
in a few times a week.  

Not that anything I have is worth your 15 minutes,
but as always, this isn't about you. . . 

(that was my 3 seconds of evil for the year!)

Love ya!  and if you are still around, 

you must really love me!