give hope

My cousin Carinne's little guy Asher is about a week older than our Connor. Asher had open heart surgery soon after birth. Carinne sent me an email with some great information about an organization she and her family are involved with called HopeKids! Here's a little bit of that email (hope ya don't mind me sharing Carinne!):

Hello All!

We're taking part in the HopeKids Wasatch Adventure to raise money for HopeKids. You all know what we've gone through so far in Asher's short life. HopeKids has been a fantastic support organization that we've been involved with. They've provided countless activities for our family, like going to the State Fair, private movie screenings, and soccer games; and they've provided me with daily inspirational messages and a great support network. Please help us keep this organization going!.....
Thank You!
Carinne, Adam, Taylor, Jonathan and Asher

Anyone who's gone through anything hard (that pretty much covers all of us) knows how important having support is!...feeling like someone understands, talking to someone who has 'been there'...knowing there is a shoulder to cry on or a smile to share!  I am so grateful Carinne has found this organization and I hope they are able to keep it going! Click on the super cute picture of  baby Asher to the right to make a donation! I know times are tough....so even if you aren't able to make a donation at this time, copy and paste the HTML code onto your blog and spread the word!

Thanks!

P.S. I know the donations link button is kind of big.  If that's a problem for  you...or if anyone knows how to make it smaller please let me know! (I made the button...*pat on back* I am not sure who took the picture, or I'd mention them too!)

P.S.S. I used the instructions found on "blog designs by shiela" to make the button. It was super easy...which I didn't think was possible! Anyhooo....there is a link to that blog to the right, in case you are interested! Look under "freebies" for the instructions!

Okay....so I have been having a little fun with blog buttons...not creating them....(I don't have that kind of time, or those kind of 'skills') But, I did figure out how to make it so that I could take a button that someone else made and make it so that when you click on it, it'll take you to a link. (see "Highland Primary School over in the sidebar)...pretty impressed with myself over that one. ANYHOW....just thought I'd send a little shout out to anyone who has a blog button for maybe their company or a cause (someone who could use donations or prayers)...anyhow....guess what I am trying to say is: let me know if you have a blog button that you'd like for me to put on my blog! :) I know my blog is private but you guys who read it are pretty much the same people who would read it even if it wasn't private....(except for the weirdos who might have been leerking...you never know) 


*I have family and friends in Utah, California, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan and Texas who read this....so as far as advertisement goes for your company...those are the states that would be reached through my blog....plus whoever they might refer to your blog.*

...just a thought.....

From the mouth of babes.....

I was singing in the kitchen and my grouchy little Weston was telling me to "stop singing" (he really has been a grouch lately)....I sang a little more....just to prove who's boss. Then I said, "I'll stop now...I know my singing stinks." and Weston said, "Yeah, it stinks up the whole bathroom".

random writing..."What do you think about movies? What is your favorite movie and why?"

Movies can be good......just like all media.....you have to be selective. They can entertain and inspire....for good or evil.

 My favorite movie is Steel Magnolias. You know the one....with Sally Fields (love her) and Julia Roberts who plays a diabetic...and they live in a small town in Louisiana with all the funny ladies? I have some favorite one liners....and can pretty much quote the whole movie. I actually did quote part of it in 11th grade Drama. I wasn't a good actress....pretty bad on stage....but my teacher (Mrs. Bartlett) was also my English teacher...and I have always been good in English...and she and I were sort of friends....so she gave me a good grade in Drama too.

ANYHOW....I love this movie because it's funny, it's sad....it is about women and friends and being there for each other...and making choices and living with the consequences and being happy.

THIS is the part I did in drama! Can you just imagine me pretending to be hysterical and doing a bad job of it? This is one of my favorite parts of the movie though. Now I want to go watch it! Maybe I will put it on while I fold laundry?!

something to think about...

(painting by Jared Barnes)

"...No matter how difficult and impossible the circumstances we face, we must retain the attitude that we are still in the Lord’s debt. Just keeping the commandments, while laudable, may be enough to maintain our faith but not enough to increase it. We must continue sacrificing and serving with no thought of reward. We do it out of love and gratitude for the Lord, to whom we owe everything...too often we allow ourselves to think or even say words like these: “I don’t deserve this setback. You’d think after all I’ve done, it would not have to be like this. Why must I prove myself over and over again? This is my time to rest from all this responsibility. I’ve done enough.”...if we are serious about desiring greater faith, nothing short of maintaining a constant eternal perspective will do. If we place any condition on our willingness to serve the Lord with all our hearts, we diminish our faith. If we have complete trust in Him, our faith will increase, and that means the strength of our belief and our power to act will increase. We will not think we have done our duty and that is enough. We will continue with pure intent and total commitment the rest of our lives..." (John K. Carmack, “Lord, Increase Our Faith,” Ensign, Mar 2002, 53)

P.S. Brandon...if you read this....don't you think that a canvas of that painting of Christ would look great in our home?*hint hint*

One of my BFF's (I just had to use that term...even if she doesn't agree) Skye has an amazing company...you've seen it over there in my sidebar....babyhalfoff.com It's their birthday today and they are doing a giveaway...only...I am hesitant to tell you that part cuz I really want to win. BUT...go visit the site...and follow the link to their blog. You wont be disappointed!

2nd grader+a preschooler

Kaitlyn started second grade! She has Mrs. Sims and so far she seems to like her. She got her hair trimmed for the beganning of school. It was funny to me how very specific she was about how she wanted her hair to look on the first day of school. She's really becoming her own person. I really miss having her home. I wasn't ready for summer to end. Kaitlyn has been so helpful with Connor and really just fun to be around.

Here she is...goofing off for the camera:

 

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Adelin is an offical preschooler. No more if that homeschool/co-op stuff. (thank goodness). She goes to Busy Bee Preschool (same as Kaitlyn did) twice a week for 2 hours. She LOVES the play ground! I think she's getting used to having a little more structure. She's a fun girl with LOTS of energy. Preschool is going to be a great headstart for her.

Adelin also got a new hair cut for school. It's super cute!