10 IS LOOKING TOO OLD.

Can you see it? Look into this little girls eyes. She has such a beautiful spirit.  Kind, creative, smart, pure....angelic. Even though she is looking so grown up, she remains sweet as ever.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADELINE!If you're lucky enough to know her, you love her. 

We love you soooo much!!!

I WOULD STILL BE GOOD, EVEN IF...

 The perfectionist:
I have always had the ingrained thought that I had to be a certain way in order to be loved, accepted, or  "good".  No matter how much my heart intercepts, and my brain intercepts, I somehow believe this absurd thought. Trying to reprogram myself is quite a slow and torturous process.  I guess many think they must "perform" in one way or another, but is our worth dependent on that? Some may say if we didn't, we must be worth-less. But, in D&C 18:10 it reads that  "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." Just being a soul makes us great and worthwhile.   If we could all just build on that, and make something of ourselves because we're already great, Not to prove to ourselves or others that because of what we accomplish, or how we look, or how popular we are, or how much money we have that we now qualify as great. We are counciled to "^aBe ye therefore ^bperfect, even as your ^cFather which is in heaven is ^dperfect". Which is only possible through Christ's atoning sacrifice.  Not, "be perfect, even like the person in that parent, fortune 500, fitness, or high fashion magazine". If we all looked upon others without judgment, but love, knowing that they are a son or daughter of God, learning and growing on this great green earth, we wouldn't have to seek the approval of others, because they would already approve despite our faults and failures.  Anyway, surely I'm not making sense by now, but if we can all believe that we are quite valuable, and make it our mission to convince others of this by loving, serving, and caring- rather than judging, our worth and happiness, love, and closeness to perfection would probably increase ten-fold.


These songs lyrics really struck a chord with me. Weird?  I never claimed to be normal...and I've been accused of being too deep... oh well, at least I'm worth a lot.

*********

"That I Would Be Good"


that I would be good even if I did nothing
that I would be good even if I got the thumbs down
that I would be good if I got and stayed sick
that I would be good even if I gained ten pounds

that I would be fine even if I went bankrupt
that I would be good if I lost my hair and my youth
that I would be great if I was no longer queen
that I would be grand if I was not all knowing

that I would be loved even when I numb myself
that I would be good even when I am overwhelmed
that I would be loved even when I was fuming
that I would be good even if I was clingy

that I would be good even if I lost sanity
that I would be good
whether with or without you

 ALANIS MORISSETTE

!!!WANTED!!!

WANTED: BABY FACE TY

For being a stinker

(and his parents, for allowing it to happen)

A VALENTINE MEANT TO BE

 

THE VALENTINE'S DANCE

 If you weren't aware, Greg and me met in high school. 

Here's the story-shortened.

So, I'm 16, allowed to date, and it's a girl's choice dance. 

Who to ask? That's the problem.  Well, not to brag, but I've always kind of known things- like I know what's up without knowing what's up. Make sense? Good. I'll now continue...

No one that I knew sounded fun to take. I started to think of older grades. Hmmmm....

I noticed this guy in my art class. I didn't sit by him, but he always seemed like a fun guy.  I knew he was part of student council, and I knew his name was Greg Hunt. That's all I knew. Maybe I'll go out on a limb and take him. I don't dare. (I was pretty shy.)  I told my enthusiastic and not so shy best friend, and she ran with it. "I'll ask him for you!" Ya, I was one of those.  (At least I didn't put 500 balloons outside his window, and make him pop all of them, only to be covered with graffiti to find out who it was that might be taking him.)  Well, he says he thought it was a joke, and that he must be on candid camera.  He also said that he had this secret crush on me from the time he saw me. What are the chances? He already liked me. We had never spoken a word. I asked him out. 

 This was our first date. Documented in this cheesy picture. I had never curled my hair before. It looked terrible. I borrowed the dress, and wore flats. (Good thing, cause It looks like that would have made things more difficult. ) He had grown his hair to be quite high just so he'd be taller.  Ha ha. He is taller. Really.

 We were friends. Just friends.  I didn't like him as a boyfriend, but I loved him as a friend. Apparently, he pulled hard guy to protect his pride. I was hurt.

We went on a date right before he left on his mission. We wrote a few times. I fell in love with him, head over heels, while he was away for 2 years. He would say it's because he was an awesome missionary. I agree, and, I think I realized that he was the guy I was actually looking for. My brothers also liked him, and for some reason their approval was cool.  Lucky for me, he was still interested when he got home.  

And the rest is history.....

Awww, Amour......

MOLLY'S VOICE

I hope you can all take a minute to watch this short video of my sweet friend, Molly Jackson.  I love her, and have learned so much from her.  (and, her little boy Peter is  the cutest thing ever.) Cheers, Mol. Keep pushing forward!

MOLLY'S STORY ON KSL 5
Go down to "Good Grief-Molly's story"

AS BAD AS IT MAY SEEM, WE DON'T HAVE IT SO BAD

Service

Posted: 07 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST

"The Savior taught His disciples, 'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it' (Luke 9:24)."I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives." Thomas S. Monson, "What Have I Done for Someone Today?" Ensign, Nov. 2009, 85

 

(following earthquake in Haiti, reuters photo caption: "A injured man carries his dead daughter...") 

thanks for the pic, Stephanie...

to donate go to:

Humanitarian Services

I THINK WE CAN ALL TAKE THE TIME TO HELP IN ANY WAY WE CAN. I SLEEP IN MY HOME, CUSHY BED, CLEAN WATER, FOOD,  COMFORTS, LUXURIES, ECT. WITH THE ONES I LOVE PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR. I CAN'T IMAGINE THEIR PAIN. WE MUST ALL PRAY FOR THEM.

LAUREN TURNS 7.

On Dec. 10, Lauren turned 7 years old! We decided to take a little family trip to Las Vegas, both to celebrate her birthday, and to go to the Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds concert. We had 2 free nights to stay at the Belagio Hotel,  so we thought what the heck. It turned out to be really fun. The kids think it's so fun to stay at a hotel. It doesn't happen too often. They really enjoyed it. LV isn't my first choice for a family vacation, but for a quick stay, you can make it work.  I took Lauren and Maddi shopping for a new outfit for Lauren's birthday. (It's what she told me she wanted. ) Then, we went to Game Stop, a huge arcade/ games place where we had a little family party for her.  What really made it special was to have Grandma and Grandpa Hunt come and celebrate with us!!! They stayed at the hotel, and played with the kids, and babysat (thank you), while Greg and I went to the concert. (Which was AWESOME).  I was so happy to have all my kids there with us on this trip. They are truly the greatest kids ever.  Thanks Grammy and Grandpa for truly making it extra 

   special!!!! 

For the love of LAUREN!

This past week, as I attended my Grandma Campbell's funeral, Lauren wrote me this note. She told me that when I was gone, the only way she knew how to express her love for me was through a note. Is this not the most beautiful thing? The gum is such a sweet extra touch. (sorry, couldn't help it). I AM SO THANKFUL FOR MY LARZY!

I love how Lauren's personality shines in these three pictures playing by a fan. This is Lauren. This is her. What more can I say?

Larzy is really flexible. She does the splits like a champion. I wish I was this flexible. Even when I was her age I couldn't do that.

WILLIAM JOSEPH

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF IT, AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF WILLIAM JOSEPH, THE GREAT PIANO COMPOSER, HE IS AWESOME.

I'm telling you, he is an up and coming super star. He also happens to be in my ward and is very active. He has 3 kids and an adorable wife. Greg and I went to his concert Saturday night, and was blown away. Maddi and myself are going to take piano lessons from him. Please take a moment and check him out. Buy one of his 2 cd's, become a fan on Facebook, etc.  He's very talented, humble, and great looking too. Click HERE  to get a taste.

HALLOWEEN ENTERTAINMENT

This Halloween was quite a crack up. Why does it seem birthdays and Holidays are more like a week long event, rather than a day long one? Anyway, we had fun. Greg and I went to a fun costume party, put on by the Proudfits. They did a great job, and we had fun.
And now....a couple of performances to share. Click HERE for the soon to be famous TY. Also, if you haven't seen it already, a break dancing number by Greg. Click HERE to be amazed.
and then......a Halloween gone by. Should I go blonde?


A little game we like to call "grab your ankles"
Since Greg has a bunch of fireworks left, he set off a bunch of his biggest ones. While wearing this mask. (fireworks are illegal in AZ, so I guess illegal ones are illegal, illegal. And I guess since Halloween isn't a firework holiday, it was illegal, illegal, illegal. And since it was around 11 pm, and we disturbed the peace, it was illegal, illegal- well you get the idea. We all were safely inside when the cops arrived. No harm done, and so much fun.
The kids made bank on the candy. Too much. Greg's trying to sell it all by the pound on ebay.
Wondering what Maddi is supposed to be? White trash. She has a mullet and a "MOM" tattoo. A little Preventive advertising doesn't hurt. Of course, it's Ty with a bunch of women.


OHHH, and a Halloween gone by....cute Maddi.


How is it that I have a 6 year old diva? She just knows the poses, and only allows certain things applied to her look. Apparently she knows what she's doing.


What was I doing with Ty on this one? I literally woke up next to him that night, thinking I was sleeping with the Joker. I kissed him anyway.


When Austin was 4 he dressed up like an old man. Now he's 12, and the old man is back. His hair just grew a bit, and he's older. It's gonna happen to all of us.


Here is the cute couple that threw the fun Halloween party. I should have gotten a picture of them when they were in their costumes. Oh well.


And here is our favorite new neighbors. They are so cute! When the moon is full, though, I always have to yell at him to "keep it down!"

NO BULLYING!!!!!!!

If everyone could take a minute to check out THIS website and read about what all of us can actually DO about bully problems, and no friend problems, perhaps we can make a difference. Even if your child isn't being bullied, he can still make a difference. There is some awesome info. CHECK THIS OUT! (p.s. don't pay attention to Ty's shirt right below this.)

Ty's 1st day of school

The 2nd was Ty's 1st day of pre-kindergarten. That's right. Not just preschool... pre-kindergarten. There is a huge difference. This means he's getting extremely big, and extremely smart. My baby needs to stop growing RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!