Okay. Blogger has switched things up in me. I guess some people just can't leave a good thing alone. :) But, change is good right? I noticed that Picasa (a photo editing program I like) changed things up a bit too and I love the new editing features.

I haven't been doing too much photography the past year or so. I have been either too busy or way too busy. I don't feel too bad...I get plenty of little snap shots here and there of the kids...and if a neice or nephew gets married or graduates from High School...I am there with camera in tow. I do feel some guilt about not doing a photo shoot of the kids since Connor was about 4 months old. I really want to get them all dressed up and take them over by the Temple. I know a good place. One where you can get the whole Temple in the background (not easy to do with our Temple.) My kids LOVE the Temple. We drive past it at least 6 times a day now and EVERY time we do, you'd think it was the very first time Connor had seen it! "Mommy! A Temple! Look mom! A Temple! MOM! Temple!" And then he asks, "Mom, drive pass Temple? See waterfall?" So. At least once a day we drive up around the Temple. We stop at the bottom waterfall and I roll down my window so that the kids can hear the water. Then we drive up to the waterfall near the entrance and stop to listen to it. We've gotten out once and walked around the Temple. But I am usually in pajama's or slippers or I don't have my hair done...so we just drive by...and talk about how shiny Angel Moroni is and how we will all go be in the Temple together someday. This happens EVERY day. I don't think I will ever get sick of it. I hope my kids don't.

Zach

We have a sweet boy in town who was just diagnosed with a form of Luekemia. Zach Hansen is a fun kid. He is in Brandon's mom's ward and Zach's mom (Cyrena)is good friends with my sister in law.

He is going through Chemo treatments (in the valley) right now. His mom has taken a month off of work...which will take a toll on the family income. They have a blog set up for him where you can go and get updates and make a donation.

Brandon and I were at a new resturant in Show Low today and they had a donation jar by the register with Zach's picture on it. I couldn't resist putting some money in. Zach also has autism. One time, when we were visiting their ward (for a baby blessing or missionary farewell?) we sat behind his family. He held my hand through part of Sacrament Meeting. (How sweet is that?)

ANYHOW. Check out his BLOG! :)......and to help speard the word...go blog about it and share it on FB!!

More from President Monson...

"Is there a way to safety? Is there an escape from threatened destruction? The answer is a resounding yes! I counsel you to look to the lighthouse of the Lord. I have said it before; I will say it again: there is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what the lighthouse of the Lord can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. It calls, “This way to safety. This way to home.” It sends forth signals of light easily seen and never failing. If followed, those signals will guide you back to your heavenly home."

"Life by the yard is hard; by the inch, it's a cinch..." ~Pres. Monson

Indexing

I have heard about indexing for years. I finally got an account this month. I tell ya...indexing is fun! I love being able to do family history work right here in my house! To be honest...I haven't done much family history work ever.

I read about the 1940 census being released....and since I love that "era"...I wanted to be able to help.

Indexing is totally easy. I have worked on a few baptism record cards...and a few death certificates...and a lot of draft cards. It's fun...and interesting. Today I was working on some draft cards and there was a family of 5 or 6 men who were signing up...and all of them but one had their birthday in October. Last week I did a death certificate for a baby boy who only lived a day. He didn't have a name.

SO! If you are reading this (one of the 3 people who read my blog...) click on the "INDEX!" button to the right (the tree). Sign up and get started! :) Then invite others to do it too.

*seriously...set a goal to index a batch before you let yourself look at FB or Pintress or whatever...you'll love it.*

I love listening to the Mormon Music Channel! Makes sense cuz I am Mormon and I love music! (click on "music" under the "live stream" heading).

The three oldest kids are out in the back yard making mud even though I asked them to not make mud today. I am choosing to ignore it which means I can't get mad at the mess they will make when they come inside. I shouldn't get mad at stuff like that anyways. But there will be 3 little kids cleaning up mud later that's for sure!

The "bug man" (aka Joey Neff who has been our Bug Man for 6 years) came to spray the house today. Things are starting to warm up and I don't want any little critters thinking that they are invited inside. A good dose of poison might teach them that lesson....for good. (That sounds so mean...but I really can't stand having bugs in the house...I am sure Heavenly Father understands...after all...He did send seagulls to eat up crickets right?)

My dad is still in the hospital. Still not sure where his infection is coming from. I think it is from the gall stone that is in his small bile duct. Just hoping the infection will clear up. But then again...if his health gets worse, they will bump him up and the transplant list.

I finally downloaded the indexing software from Family Search yesterday. I worked of a few batches. It was pretty fun. Although, I think next time I get an image that is faded, I will send it back. I was praying to know what letters were...and I am just not sure if I got a couple of the last names right. I did a little of the 1940 Census Index Simulation. Looks like it'll be quite the project. I am excited to help with it.

Well. The boys are back. They are muddy and hitting the shower. I have to go do Adelin's hair for school and I still need to get in some exercise today.

Have a good one.

Rescued

I have been rescued.

In the dark of night and on my knees
He has rescued me.
He has heard my cries.
Through the "still small voice"
He has spoken to me.

I haven't seen
The nail prints in His hands. Yet,
He has touched me and
Made me whole.

I haven't looked into His eyes. Yet,
He sees me and
Helps me to see.

I know Him.

Because of his journey,
I have a path to follow.

Because of his suffering,
I have peace.

Because He has risen
I will rise
Again and again.
When I falter,
He lifts me up.

Through Him
The old is new.

The heartache, healed.
The broken, whole.
The life, renewed.
Eternal. possible.

(Me, Feb.2011)