Half Empty?

I am having an "I feel sorry for myself" kind of day. To start off with I woke up with major allergies. AAaaaChoo! I have 5 (yes you read that right) 5 cold sores. I am bloated and crampy. And I just looked out the window and it is SNOWING! To make matters worse I have an appointment to take pictures at a pre-school today. Yippie! I get to take pictures of preschoolers all afternoon! Just imagine it. When I try to get them to smile, my lip will crack and start bleeding. I can't wait!!!

So, I stumbled down stairs to make breakfast and of coarse the first thing I see is this quote we have up on our fridge which reads:

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes. Charles Swindoll

So, I have decided to put it to the test. I am going to see my glass as half full. I am so glad that it is cold today. I get to wear my baggy sweatshirt which means that no one will know that I can't button my pants. hee hee Wow! I am feeling better already.

Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway! Emory Austin

The Secret Garden

Last weekend Johnny and Lonica performed in the ballet The Secret Garden. It was such a wonderful production. The music was composed, and the orchestra conducted by Kurt Bestor. If you haven't heard his name you have heard his music. His credits include more than 30 film scores and more than 40 themes for national TV programs and commercials. It is his music that introduces Good Morning America, Monday Night Football, and and ABC's Sunday Night Movie. It was such a privilege for my children to get to meet and work with him.

Johnny has really been a trooper. He had no interest in being in a "ballet". Infact, he is not happy that I posted these pictures. But they needed a boy his age and with a little bribing he said yes. It hasn't been easy. We have been going to rehearsals for about 12 hours/week for just over 2 months. It was a difficult schedule. Especially when you have to add in gymnastics, soccer and basketball. But the outcome was worth every minute of it.

I was asked to take pictures for the media and advertisements. So I figured I would take advantage and share a few of the shots that Johnny and Lonica were in. Johnny was in the waltz scene or has he put it "the little dude in the tux that dies". He was also the little gardener. Lonica was an orphan and a little crocus. They were amazing and I was so proud of both of them. Hope you enjoy!

What do ya think?

One tradition around here (maybe it is everywhere) is that you don't just ask someone to a dance, you need to come up with some fun, elaborate plan. It's cute, don't get me wrong. It has just been a bit overwhelming for my boys. It is so not their style and is one of the reasons they dread school dances.

Justin has given in and has asked a girl to the prom. He TEXT her. I told him that even though she already has accepted his offer, he needs to do something "special".

In the past we have had girls do some cute things to ask my boys to the girls choice dances. I thought I would share them so that I would have a record of them. And, to give you some ideas if you ever have to do something like this at your house. Here are a few that stick out in my mind.

#1 Jordan's room was filled with die cut stars, Starburst, and confetti stars. A poster was left on his bed that said something like "Be my star and go with me to the dance" and then there was a P.S. that said "My name is written in the stars". So he looked and looked through all the stars around his room and didn't find anything. That night when he went to bed, her name was written on his ceiling in glow and the dark stars. Pretty cute!

#2 Justin's entire bed was COVERED with punched out hearts, all colors and sizes. Then right in the middle was a pretty big red plastic container with a note that said "It would melt my heart if you would go to the dance with me". Inside the container was a huge piece of ice in the shape of a heart. Obviously the name of the girl was inside the frozen heart. Justin waited a day and a half and still couldn't get to the card to reveal the name. Finally he ran it under hot water to find out who it was. Fun stuff!

#3 Hundreds of Tootsie Rolls were THROWN ALL OVER Jordan's room. (This was over a year ago and I still don't think we have found them all Ü) A cute poster was on his wall that said "Hey Toots, wanna roll to the dance". That was creative, even though I don't really like the image of him "rolling" with this girl. hee hee

#4 Justin received a gift basket full of EVERYTHING you could possible need to make banana splits with a card that read "I'll go bananas if you won't go to the dance with me." Now this was a family favorite since Justin was nice enough to share his treat with the rest of us.

Well back to today. Justin came up with this idea all on his own. It is so funny and is totally his personality. But I wanted to get some other opinions. So, I will tell you what he came up with, and you tell me what you think:

He wants to get a bunch of Baby Ruth candy bars, unwrap them and put them all over her room. Then leave a roll of toilet paper which has the message, "Thanks for going to prom with me. If you would have said no, I would have felt like crap".

I know you are crack'n up. It is so dang hilarious. But is it too much? Would you be offended if it was your daughter? Be honest! We really want to know!

The Perfect Choice

Yesterday in church we were discussing Adam and the fall. Someone commented that Adam made the choice to disobey. The teacher then asked, "Was it a bad choice?". "Because" she said "I think it was the perfect choice!"

That got my wheels a turn'n. We have been taught to "liken the scriptures unto us". Could the bad choices we make be part of the plan? Would our Heavenly Father only set up this scenario once? And if so, why would it be important that we know about it? Hmmm it makes me wonder.

My son Jordan is in the process of figuring things out for himself. He is not sure of what he believes and has made a few choices that have been difficult for me to accept. Have some of his choices been bad? Absolutely! Will there be consequences? Of course, just as there were for Adam and Eve. But, could they be the perfect choices for him? I don't know! I have never really thought about it in this way. I wish I could see the bigger picture. I guess that only time will tell. It is an interesting concept.

This I do know. He is a wonderful young man and I know that he will accomplish great things in his life. He is talented and loving and I am grateful that I was chosen to be his mom.

What's Not to Like

A few nights ago Justin, nonchalantly, mentioned that he was nominated for Prom King. He quickly added that it was no big deal and he wasn't even planning on going to prom. I didn't really know what to think and figured that maybe it wasn't that big of a deal. But, being a curious mommy I decided to give the school a call. "No big deal?" came the response on the other end of the line. "The entire school voted and only the three with the most votes were selected."

The little stinker! I was a sort of surprised. Justin is a amazing, don't get me wrong. In fact, everybody loves the kid. But he is one that just does his own thing. He doesn't try to fit in. He doesn't try to be cool. He doesn't care if he is popular or belongs to a particular "group". He is just as happy around the athletes as the thespians or the honor students as the drop outs.

I guess I just don't remember kids like him getting noticed. You know "the nice guys never win". But this time he did and I couldn't be prouder.

See what I mean!

When I saw this picture I just had to laugh. There is Justin (team captain) right in the middle with this big smile on his face. The only one smiling out of 35 boys.

Justin, you crack me up!

Game On

These pictures totally make me laugh! A few weeks ago Rick (my bro in-law)and our cousin Jerom came to visit from Texas. We had a great time with the two of them. Spent a day skiing/snowboarding. Had a big Sunday dinner and played games. And then, on the night before they left, we all got together for pizza and basketball. I actually had to be talked into going, but I was so glad. It was fun for young and old alike! I didn't end up playing but had a great time behind the camera.

I always love finding activities that everyone can enjoy together. Of course the teenagers balled their dads. (sorry hunny! but lets's face it, you're just not jumping as high as you used to. Ü) And the little ones didn't think they got passed the ball enough. But all in all everyone ended up tired and sweaty with a smile on their face. What fun!

We Need Not Dispare

We thank thee, O God for a prophet! I have been edified and uplifted. There is no doubt in my mind that President Thomas S. Monson is truly a Prophet of God. How grateful I am that I was able to sit in my home with my children and listen to his words during general conference. It was encouraging and I am determined to follow him.

We were invited to "cast off the old person and to measure up to the stature of true potential". And reminded that "change for the better can come to all". That is just what I needed to hear. It is so easy to get set in our ways. To be okay with things the way they are. But let's not settle, we can be better. We MUST be better! It is a choice.

He reminded us that "our homes are sanctuaries" and "storms stop at the door". Easier said than done! Sometimes it seems like I need to leave the house to escape the storm. How sad is that?! I need to make changes. How lucky I am to know that I am not alone. Because like Pres. Monson said, "God is at the helm". I know that with God all things are possible. I am learning to put my faith in Him. How blessed we are to be Latter-day Saints.

He started to wrap up his Sunday morning address with this:

"We are waging a war with sin my brothers and sisters. But we need not dispare. It is a war we can and will win."

Thank you President Monson. I feel it a pleasure to serve thee, And love to obey thy command.

I've Been Tagged

I'm it! Thanks Kelsi Ü
I've been a little slow to start playing but finally I am in the game.

5 Things On My ToDo List:

1. Take all the bags of clothes to D.I.
2. Get my hair colored.
3. Decorate the guest room.
4. Burn an inspirational music CD for my son.
(I'm looking for uplifting "cool" songs. Any suggestions?)
5. Clean out the pantry.

5 Jobs I've Had:

1. Cashier at K-mart. (while in high-school)
2. Server at The Brick Oven (while in college)
3. Photographer at Fotogenix.
4. Dance Instructor.
5. I own Monell Photography with my cousin. (we take pictures at a lot of the Dance Schools in the area)

5 Places I Have Lived:

1. Norco, Calif -where I grew up and my parents still reside.
2. Rexburg, Idaho-while I attended college, got married, and had my first baby boy.
3. Provo, Utah-while my husband finished school and we had our second baby boy.
4. Roy, Utah-first home, gave birth to two more baby boys.
5. Syracuse, Utah-broke the pattern had our baby girl.

5 Favorite Snacks:

1. Recess Peanut Butter Cups. (Just thinking about them makes my mouth water)
2. Snelgroves Frozen Custard
3. Cheetos
4. Eggo Waffles
5. Chips and Salsa
So much for my diet! hee hee

5 Things I would do if I were a Billionaire:

1. Buy a few houses around the world.
2. Start a college scholarship program for low income families.
3. Donate millions of dollars to http://www.signsofhopeinternational.org/ (I love you Erin)
4. Set up a fund to help less fortunate, neglected or abused children.
5. Get liposuction, a boob job, hair extentions and a personal cook, trainer and maid. (hey, it's a billion dollars)

5 Things you do not know about me:

1. My favorite color is GREEN. Just seeing it makes me smile!
2. I've always thought I should be a country singer. (even though I'm not a fan of Country music I have the perfect voice for it)
3. I LOVE listening to talk radio and have a secret crush on Glenn Beck. sshhh!
4. I will one day publish a childrens/youth motivational book.
5. I wear a girdle and a padded lift-up bra. (but not after I make that billion hee hee)

So, there it is. Everything you wanted to know about me and probably way more. Ü

Now it's your turn. I am tagging Erin, Grammy, Trish, and Susan. I actually wanted to tag everyone but figured we needed to leave some players in our little circle.
Sooo...Your it!!