The View From Here

I have a young friend who turned me on to all the EFY cd's!  Many years ago she copied a ton of them for me and I have loved them ever since. This is one of my favorites from EFY 2003 "Look and Live" and I believe it is the song that inspired my dream about climbing that mountain.  Thanks Christin!  I love you!

The View From Here

From where I'm standing I can see for miles
I see the world more clearly than before
I can see the path I chose that brought me to
  this place
A way I once questioned but not anymore

Up here peace flows like a river
And the light is so much brighter coming down from
   the sun
Up here I am standing on a mountain, on a rock
   that cant be moved
I feel no fear
It's beautiful
The view from here

I know you can see the peak and wonder if it's
   worth the climb
Sometimes it hurts and can bring you to your knees

On your knees is where you find strength beyond
   your own
To keep on moving until you see

Up here peace flows like a river
And the light is so much brighter coming down from
   the sun
Up here you'll be standing on a mountain, on a rock
   that can't be moved
Please don't fear
I want you to see
The view from here

Jesus went before us and he has marked the way
And he is standing at the top with outstretched
   arms
Can you hear him say

Up here my peace flows like a river
And my light is so much brighter for I am the sun
If you keep climbing, keep building on my rock
You won't be moved
No need to fear
I want you to see
The view from here

Won't you come and see
The veiw from here

The Mountains Inspire me!

     Well, can I just say that I woke up this morning and the mountains  looked like this.  With the weather changing now sometimes you cant even see them anymore because of the fog and clouds.  However,I am so enjoying the mountains since I've been here in Utah and I really look forward to seeing them covered in snow!

     So yes, the mountains so Inspire me!  I didnt use to feel that way.  In fact for many years we have come to Utah for one reason or another and Mike would always say how much he missed not being able to see them in California like we do here in Utah.  I would think, "so what".  Then I had a dream...yes one of MY dreams.

     This was about 7 years ago while I was going thru a very difficult time in my life.  I was trying my hardest to do everything I needed to do in order to get thru this trying time and for some reason I could just not pull myself out of the rutt I was in.  I felt like the walls were closing in around me and I just didnt want to be here anymore.  After going to bed one night, once again feeling terrible and praying to Heavenly Father to help me to see something good.   I had the following dream... 

     I dreamed that I was led thru a forest of trees for a bit by a young friend, and she brought me to this wide open beautiful feild.  I was left standing in front of a river bed and beautiful nature all around me and ahead of me were tall mountains.  I thought "oh how beautiful".  Then my young friend said, "you just have to go up that mountain"...and she was gone.  I looked at the mountain ahead of me and it didnt seem too awfully big to climb so I headed towards it and I heard someone beside me say, "no, that one", and a man was standing there beside me and he pointed to another mountain and it was at least twice the size of the little one.  I paniced!  And I said "I cant climb that one, it's much too big". But the man said,"yes, you can, you 'll be fine" and he took off ahead of me up the very mountain I was to climb.  He didn't wait for me, he just went ahead very determined.  So, there I was alone with this huge mountain to climb. 

     So, I started towards the mountain.  After traveling for a bit I found it was getting harder to climb.  In fact, there was gravel underneath my feet and they began to lose their grip.  So, I stopped and looked down and realized that I had gotten about a third of the way up.  I then found an edge so I decided to sit on it and just relax.  I looked down and thought "wow, what a beautiful sight"!  So, I just sat there.  Then I saw something fly thru the air and land on the waters banks below.  They looked like eagles with beautiful wings and once again I was in awe! Then suddenly as I looked closer, the so called "eagles" were not eagles at all, they were vultures and they had spotted me.  I could see their peircing eyes looking straight at me as they started walking towards me.  So, I knew that I could not stay there all comfortable anymore.  I had to continue up the mountain. So, reluctantly, but quickly, I began again to climb.  Now it was even harder to climb this mountain as I was scared and the gravel continued to be so loose that I began to cry.  With each step now I was sure it was my last and that I would not make it and fall to my death.  Finally I found a large tree to hide behind where the vultures could no longer see me.  I felt safe.  But I knew I could not stay there.  So, I continued on to climb.  I looked up and saw that I still had so very far to go to reach the top and I began to cry harder and to give up hope, even though I knew that I could not stop because there was no where else to go.  I continued to climb and cry with every step.  In my dream I could feel the unsteady ground beneath me, it was so real and frightening, and I felt extremely insecure as I climbed and cried.  Then suddenly I came to a beautiful platform out of no where with a beautiful doorway.  And then I woke up!

And this is what I got out of this dream....

  We all have mountains to climb. We will want to give up at times and at times we will want to sit and just relax.  But to sit and be idol is dangerous and leaves us open to the adversary.  We must continue to climb no matter how hard it is.  Someone has led the way and is waiting for us.  And we never know when we will reach the top, so we just have to do our best, not give up, and trust that our Heavenly Father is aware of us and is always there for us.

 This dream gave me hope, changed my whole perspective and my life!

Now I love the mountains! 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

As you can see this receipe is delicious!  About finished the first pan before I could tear myself away to take a picture of this yummy recipe!  So, here's the recipe!

2 1/2 c white flour

1 c whole wheat flour

3 c granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon salt

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

1 c canola or vegtable oil

4 large eggs

2/3 c water

1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans or three 8x4 inch loaf pans.

In large bowl, mix fours, sugar, baking soda cinnamon, netmeg and salt together.  Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together canned pumpkin, oil, eggs and 2/3 c water until well combined and stir into dry ingredients, just until the dry ingredients are moistened and no dry streaks remain.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Pour batter into prepared pans.

It did not say how long to bake.  I baked both pans at the same time for one hour and it was perfect!



I dont mean to be a bad Mom....I love my Sugar Bear!

I am feeling sick this morning.  Not literally, but emotionally.  That's always how I feel when I know I have let my kids down.  Especially when they have worked so hard.

 Last night Stephen played his last Sophomore football game for the year as well as his last JV game.  It was a busy night.  I had activity days and an appointment and Mike had to take Bryce to a concert at the high school for his music class.  So, since the high school is so close we went to the games off and on throughout the night.  Grandma Nelson was great and attended both games beginning to end.  She was Stephen's greatest support yesterday. However, by the time the second game was over, no one was there and Stephen felt very unloved:(  The first thing he did is text me and ask where we were.  I told him that we had been there but that I had an appointment, but it didnt matter because when he finally finished and looked in the stands for his family...we werent there.  I am sick, sick, sick!  Mike and I felt like a couple of "Loser Parents" last night! 

Stephen is a fantastic football player and often is the guy making the touchdowns for his team, so it is very exciting to watch him play.  However, last night he did not do as well as he usually does (even though he still made a couple of touchdowns) and so I know that made it even worse.  Many of his friends parents drive 3-4 hours away to watch their kids play football and we never did.  So, we probably look like the non-supportive parents of the bunch.  Anyway, Stephen is usually pretty understanding but last night was the breaking point for him.  Not only was it his last games, but he also needed to see our support because he did not play as well as he had hoped.  This moring when he left he did not say a whole lot to me.  I want to cry:(

  We really are not bad parents...I swear... we usually go to all his games.  We did miss 2 or 3 this year though.  So, I've learned my lesson.  It's not so much that we cant ever miss, it's just that some games you just CANT miss... which are...Homecoming game, biggest Rival game, at least one of the far away games, and the LAST games....oh, and be in the stands when he is finished and MAKE SURE he sees us!  I dont mean to be A Bad Mom.....I really dont.   I love my Sugar Bear!  You better believe we will be there tonight for his last Varsity Game...I hope he does something amazing!!!

p.s. thanks for your input on the gables....still up in the air but I'll let you know what we decide.

Taking a vote...

Idea #1 stone peak

Idea #2 timber peak with single posts

Idea #3 timbers with double posts

Okay, we like all 3 of these views for the front gable of the house (the place where the roof peaks in front)

I'd like your vote.  Which veiw do YOU like best? 

View #1, View #2 or View #3?

Leave a comment and let me know...thanks for your input!

RS Activity for October

Last night I attended our RS Acitivty for October and we made these!  Aren't they so cute?  I ordered 15 of them.  Some for my sisters and some for myself to give as gifts.  They are super easy and they cost $1each to make.  Which is why we ordered so many. You can go HERE to get your own picture of the temple.   I would also like to use wider ribbon on mine.  But this is what they had there and i wanted to show you.

Always something changing these days

So, it seems that ever since Mike has been out of a steady job, life for me is ever changing.  In some ways this has been good (life is never boring) and in other ways it is a bit frustrating.  So, I was all ready to start this cleaning business with my little sister Theresa, and I was just taking my time getting everything in order and then we talked to "The Contractor" (my father in law) and he is ready NOW to start building.  Well, that changes things a bit.  First of all I know we have been way spoiled since we've been here. I could not be more grateful for all that my in laws have done for us.  But, let's get real.  Someone needs a steady income.  The truth is that I have been dragging my feet hoping that Mike would land something premanent, but no such luck.  But with the house going forward a.s.a.p. I have felt like something had to give.  However, the desire to go back to work full time was just not in me.  So, last week when Mike and I attended the temple I had gone with the intention of recieving some kind of answer to wether or not I should try to go back to work full time.  After our visit to the temple, I still felt that same "nothing" feeling.  However, when we spoke to "The Contractor" a few days later, the urgency was there and also the desire to try to find a full time job.  I am grateful because I certainly would not want to have to go back to work full time grudgingly.  I know Mike is going to want to work on the house (in between side jobs)as much as possible and I am very thankful that we live right next door to my in laws for the sake of my kids and all their coming and goings.  But with as busy as they are with sports these days, I dont think it will be much of a problem.  So, there you have it, another change.  Me looking for a full time job!  So, today I will be attending a workshop at the LDS Employment agency called "The Career Workshop" where they help you prepare to find the best job possible.  It is a 2 day workshop 9-4...that's like a full time job in itself.  Oh, the life of a 47 year old woman who is "Still Standing"...I'm actually kind of excited...Wish me luck!

More Journals

So the boutique on Saturday was a lot of fun.  I didnt sell many memories journal kits however, I did sell a lot of carmel sauce that I made. 

Go HERE to get the easy recipe...its yummy. 

 I am hoping in another setting , another time, I will have better luck selling my memories journal kits.  However, I did sell one journal to a girl who needed a baptism gift.  So, that got me thinkng and so I made these cute journals. You cant see up close but the blue one says.."I love to see the temple" accross it, the yellow one says.."I am a child of god"...and the red one says "choose the right"...I really thought they turned out so cute!  I did not make anymore of the missionary journals but wish that I had.  I think I will be making more of those as soon as I can find some more missionary scrapbook paper.  I havent been able to find more of it so I need to go on the hunt.  So, if you know where I can get some please let me know.  I will continue to make these because they are so fun and adorable, and I will save them for the next boutique or just give them as gifts to some cute girls.   Carry on...because I will be:)

Memory Journals

So, remember when I made that memory journal for my Mom for her birthday?  Well, that got me thinking about making more and so here are some of the ones I've been working on lately.  Since my sister is having her boutique this weekend, I thought I would try to sell some of these beauties!  And it's right up my alley because I love to journal and save memories and this is a beautiful way to do it!

This is how I'll be packaging them to sell...with a "jog your memory jar" which is filled with questions about things that you might want to remember in your past that you can record.  A nice gift for a loved one or a treat for yourself.  It's been fun playing with these and making them look so cute! 

Our Fall Boutique will be held tomorrow
Saturday October, 9 from 9-3 at
8565 S  4770 W
West Jordan, Utah

Thick Skin....Thinning

So, I dont know about you but since I have been in my 40's I have been changing inside so much.
Maybe it is because my thick skin is starting to thin.  Let me explain.  I grew up in a very large family.  I was #7 of 8 kids.  Lots of struggles off and on thru the years and my parents divorced by the time I was 14.  I was very close to my mother and very protective of her.  I guess maybe I felt I needed to be tough.  Then my first heartbreak came and I was thrown for a loop.  I think this is when my thick skin really developed.  I thought I was pretty tough.  I did learn how to not be affected by things that happened to me that were hurtful.  But, the way I did that was to not get too close to too many people.  There were few people whom I really trusted.  Then I served a mission and I learned to be more spiritually in tune with the Holy Ghost and to learn to recognize good people and I began to trust those that I knew were spiritually in tune.  That is when I met Mike and we married and I knew without a doubt that he was the one for me.  However, life goes on and the fairytale ends and reality sets in.  That is when my thick skin came back into play.  When I talk of thick skin I am really referring to walls or being tough.  Walls that I learned to put up in order to protect myself from the possibilty of being hurt.  Well, since Michael left on his mission, the walls have started to come down.  I'm not sure why, maybe it is because I put so much of myself in to him and his life that now I have had a chance to deal with me again.  Maybe where I left off is where he is now.  Whatever the reason, I am so thankful to feel the thick skin thinning.  Not so protective anymore....more open to deal with change.  More open to my sweet husband and more forgiving, more trusting, more grateful for all that I have been blessed with in my life, more understanding and accepting, more vulnerable...and because of it I feel stronger today!  Okay, this might be a bit heavy for a Thursday morning but this is what I was feeling today so I thought I'd share...have a wonderful day!

What I learned from General Conference

I loved General Conference this past weekend.  Michael said in his letter...."General Conference is the Super Bowl for Missionaries!"  So true!  You wait 6 months to attend that great event!  It is like a feast for the soul!
So, the following is just a little bit of what I learned while listened to General Conference.

I learned that we show our faith by following the Lord with exactness and not by being selectively obedient.


I learned that to live with gratitude forever in our hearts is to touch heaven.


I learned that we should do our best to safeguard our homes and make them places of refuge from the world.  That we should black out lethal bombs from our homes.


I learned that as parents we need to be courageous and love our children enough to give them high standard to live by.  The Lord is counting on valiant parents to bring up his children today.


I learned that our righteous choices as parents increase our children's ability to walk in the light.


I learned that we should repent and change and then "dont look back"


I learned that love is spelled T. I. M.E.


I learned that turning our way into his way is the beginning of our wisdom.


I learned that our YM have the great responsibility to declare the gospel to the world.


I learned that the world will teach our children if we do not.


I learned that when stress levels rise we need to slow down.


I learned that studying the scriptures trains us to hear the voice of the Lord.


I learned that our struggles define our character.


I learned that the simplicity of the gospel is a plentiful source of joy and peace.


I learned that we must forgo some good things for things that are better or best.


And much, much more!


Always so much to learn at general conference!


 Now it's time to get to work!

Notebook fun

So I saw this great idea using these cheap composition notebooks. Got them for .25 a peice at Walmart.  I know everyone has probably used these to make journals in YW, but I loved the idea of making one for my missionary. 

So fun!  Isn't it so totally awesome?  I love the way it turned out!  So simple and cool!

And here's the inside so far...did the same on the back cover minus the sticker.  Think I'll add a picture of Elder Nelson inside too.  Then I plan to laminate front and back and send for Christmas.

And here's another cute idea...I made this for a special birthday coming up.  Pick a memory from the jar and write about it in this notebook.  Cant wait to give it!

So fun!