The white in this photo represents the purity of Christ, the Deity, the stark difference in the red really shows up. The meaning in the red is the sacrifice and blood we shed for each of us! I think this picture says so much and really speaks to my soul. Like remember me, remember what you fought for in the preexistence with me. Remember what you promised me, and never forget I am here and I live!

I have been asked many times why we are Foster Parents why we would bring these strangers and troubled souls in to our home and lives, well there are actually many reasons why and when I saw the pictures bellow those reasons were brought to my mind again so real. I have read Greg's words regarding his paintings and was inspired by them, but I would like to share my thoughts on what his paintings mean to me. 

The children that are in foster care are there for many reasons, some for the choices they have made and some for nothing that they have done at all, but the victims of someone else's choices. Either way most, if not all of them have had VERY difficult and challenging lives. They have not all known love and kindness, boundaries, shown that they are worth EVERYTHING, that they have people in their lives that care for them, keep them safe, that have taught them that the Savior LOVES them and that He sacrificed for THEM. They think that they are alone in this journey of life and that they are not worth caring for, or that they can be safe and loved. These feelings lead a lot of them to take paths that none of us would ever chose for our children or for those that we care for. They are the epitome of Christ's LOST sheep. They were once among the flock and shielded and protected from the wolves and dangers of the outside world, then the ones that were charged to care for them rejected them and went on their own paths leaving their charges to fend for themselves. 

Christ told the Pharisees in Luke 15:3-7;

And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

I feel as if God has given us the ability to care for and love these lost children, to help them, and hope to guide them back to happiness and the Love of their Savior. It is not always an easy road nor not filled with complications and bumps and detours along the way. There are rewards along the path as well, tender mercies, miracles, joy, and Love. We had one young man in our home for just two days a few weeks ago and I have to say that in that time he truly touched me and my life, it was one of those times that someone touches you if even for a minute and forever imprinted themselves on your life. This is why God has lead us to this path. I only hope that we can help and impact someone's life and give them back what has been taken from them or that they have lost. As Greg's pictures depict to us Christ is there for them just as the little children, that they are just as important to Him as each of His Children are. No matter were the wayward path has taken them He is there for them and will bring them back with Him to Our Father. 

Lost and Found by: Greg Olsen

I love how Greg shows Him just sitting and listening to them. That's all they need sometimes, 

for someone to care and show them LOVE. 

 The Masters Touch by: Greg Olsen

There is of course our personal miracle that was given to us through Foster Care that was our wonderful Family! They too have been through so much and I pray that we will live up to what God has in store for them and has trusted us to do on his behalf. There is still a lot for us to do and accomplish yet, but we will all make it with the strength Christ gives us. 

THROUGH HIM ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE... 

I shared this picture on Facebook and wanted to share it here as part of my tribute.

Footprints
Also Known As "I Had a Dream"

One night I dreamed a dream.

I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."

The Passion of The Christ (movie)

I really feel that these two pictures go hand in hand. Christ carried ALL of us when He was forced to carry His own cross to his death. It is the symbolism that is true with the the long loved poem from above. He has physically carried us on that day and continues to carry us everyday in our lives. He carries  us during our hardest, toughest, loneliest and quietest moments. I wonder if I make CHOICES that could lighten his burden from me, and give him rest. The physical burden was so great and I'm sure that the spiritual burden is just as demanding for my Lord and Savior to carry. I pray that I can make those choices and walk beside Him through this journey of life.

 I LOVE MY SAVIOR and hope to show my respect for him

 for all that he has done and sacrificed for me.

(Adversity)

I have, like so many others, gone through some very difficult times (more than once). While my posts, the research and work that I am putting into them, is truly helping with all the things that come with ADVERSITY, I thought that I would share with you some of my thoughts. I tend to do exactly what I have done with my blog, not dwell or "talk" about the problems that are going on in and around my life. As I've stated before I withdrawal, take care of the ones that are in my care, and reconsider where I am in my life and what if any needs to be adjusted. I have been doing a lot of the adjusting lately, hoping that it will not only help me but my family. One of the major adjustments has been our focus on Christ in our lives, family and home, another is the focus of our family first and the rest afterwards. We have a daily morning and evening family meeting, we have family night once a week, we have family game night once a week, and family movie night once a week. I hope that with some of these adjustments and focuses as well as others and with God's and Christ's assistance we will all be stronger for the effort we are putting in now. Strength will help us all through the adversities in life that we no doubt will all have. These are just some of the strength words that give meaning to the ones that endure, even if it's just to the end of each day as I like to say.

Perseverance, constancy, determination, drive, endurance, immovability, moxie, persistence,  purposefulness, steadfastness, tenacity, attentiveness, commitment, dedication, diligence, honor, honesty, and love.

Here are some photos and quotes that I thought shared and showed this message, including Christ and his one true adversity he had to endure, that we will never have to know because of his true and everlasting love for US his sisters and brothers.

“Adversity is like a strong wind. I don't mean just that it holds us back from places we might otherwise go. It also tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that afterward we see ourselves as we really are, and not merely as we might like to be.” 

― Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha

"I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature." John D. Rockefeller

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all." Dale Carnegie

"All great masters are chiefly distinguished by the power of adding a second, a third, and perhaps a fourth step in a continuous line. Many a man has taken the first step. With every additional step you enhance immensely the value of your first." Ralph Waldo Emerson 

"If I had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being most highly correlated with success, whatever the field, I would pick the trait of persistence. Determination. The will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get up off the floor saying. "Here comes number seventy-one!" Richard M. Devos 

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan, 'press on' has solved, and always will solve, the problems of the human race."
Calvin Coolidge

He is there to help us, guide us, stand with us, and endure with us till the very end. He gave ALL that he had for us, he BLED for us, He cried for us, He prayed for us, and He gave his life for us. All he asks in return is for us to follow him and know him. He is close enough that if we just extend out our hand for Him He is there to receive and assist us. Have we shown our respect to Him, have we shown Him even the tiniest bit of the Love he showed us? He hasn't asked much of us but does expect ALL from us, like any parent or elder brother would expect. My hope and prayer is that YES we have and that we continue everyday to endure through the adversities of this life with his help, and show our LOVE for him by doing so.

I was thinking that I would take the pictures of Christ this month and put them in chronological order according to his age. I have found that to be more difficult than I first thought, as well as that I just couldn't do it. I am being guided through this experience and I really need to stay true to it and post what is inspiring me at the time and moment. I do have a special woman/friend in my life that has a chronological picture order for me and I can't wait to get it and share it, I really do want to see them all together like that. However in the mean time I am going to continue to post what is inspiring me each day. I found this one last night and truly fell in love with it. How could I not with my boy, I just smile right back at it!!!

 My dear friend Lindsay came over today with her little guy (not so little lol.. he is the same age as Chris and taller than Jimmy already) and stayed for several hours. It was so wonderful to have all the boys together and watch and listen to them play as well as be able to do some VERY much needed catching up. I could just imagine one of the boys going right up to Christ and playing with him just as this little boy is doing!! I included the artist's statement because I could't say it any better and agree with every part of it fully!!

"Innocence" by: David Bowman

This is David's artist statement for his piece:

"The Savior tells us we need to become as little children to inherit the kingdom of God. I’ve often wondered what it is about little children Jesus loves most, and I think its their innocence. They are clean slates, seeing the world and others through untarnished eyes. Their hearts are pure, without the baggage of cynicism and self-doubt. In this piece, I’ve tried to imagine how a child would act upon meeting the Master for the first time. Without reservation or inhibition, I think he would simply want to play with Him. He would be at complete ease, allowing his pure little heart to soak in the love and laughter of His pure, infinite heart. Its no wonder Christ delights in these little ones and sets them up to be our examples."

I hope that I can live up to their examples!!

The very moment every parent cherishes...

The Nativity Story... (movie version)

The moment your new born child is wrapped in blankets (swaddling clothes) and nestled up to you, a moment as a Mother (parent) you will never forget. I wonder how Mary looked at her Son and Savior as he grew, and then up to the moment she knew that his mortal experience was over. Did she remember this moment that forever bonds a child and his Mother, or the moment that the spirit told her that she was caring God's child, the Savior to the world, or the moment that he began teaching her and the Elders what God's Love truly was and so on. I venture to say that she remembered ALL of it!! His whole 33 years!! EVERY minute, EVERY detail, no matter how small it seamed, just as any of us would as we saw our SON die a horrible painful death that we knew we could not stop. 

And then THIS very moment would be the thought that I would cherish and hold fast to... 

**I'm going to dedicate the next month to Christ in all that I do to make a conscious decision and thought of Him as many times during the day as I can!! I'm going to see how many pictures touch me of him and share them. So I'm starting tonight/this morning, I guess, and see how the next month goes and really celebrate his life and sacrifice he made for me!!**


This was my Facebook post on Friday November 25, 2011 at 12:46 (I've been having a hard time sleeping lately)... I have decided to see this through and to the best of my ability share my experience with my family, and document it here on my blog. I do use pictures a lot, I feel like I can get my thoughts combined with my feelings out in pictures, but I know that it is more than just a picture it is my soul, my spirit.


I hope that my family and friends will get something from my sharing and that my living testimony of Christ will be documented as well as grow over the next month, as I try to stay focused on the TRUE SPIRIT of the SEASON.

Baby Jesus in Manger by: Simon Dewey

One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Mary Did You Know". 

I have been thinking about the song a lot and really listening to the words, and how they relate to me and my life. I have the words to the song here:

Mary, did you know

that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know

that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know, 

that your baby boy has come to make you new? 

This child that you've delivered, 

will soon deliver you. 

Mary, did you know 

that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? 

Mary, did you know 

your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand? 

Did you know, 

that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? 

When you kiss your little baby, 

you've kissed the face of God. 

The blind will see 

The deaf will hear 

The dead will live again. 

The lame will leap 

The dumb will speak 

The praises of The Lamb. 

Mary, did you know 

that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? 

Mary, did you know 

that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? 

Did you know, 

that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb? 

This sleeping child you're holding, is the great I AM.

"Christ My Son My Savior by: Simon Dewey

I know that she knew, but can you imagine, DID she REALLY know!?! Can you imagine the worry and the awesome responsibility that she felt, knowing and preparing for 9 months for the time she would deliver the SAVIOR to the WORLD, that she would raise him and instill in him all that he would need for his mortal life, that she would have to watch her Son and Savior Die on the cross, and that she would then know that he lived again!!


Did the mothers of the Stripling Warriors know that as they were teaching their son's that they would one day free them from danger and slavery? That they would honor their parents and heritage in a way that God had no other choice but to protect every last one of the 2000. Did Albert Einstein's mother know that her son would be considered the most influential physicist of the 20th century? Did George Washington's mother know that her son would be the first president of the new country, The United States of America? Did Abraham Lincoln's mother know that her son would be instrumental in changing the history of our nation and begin the process of the new birth of freedom? Did Emma Hale Smith's mother know that her daughter would marry the Latter Day Prophet of God's gospel being restored to the earth by him. That she would do so at great sacrifice to herself and her family. Did Joseph Smith's mother know that her son would be God's voice and would restore Christ's gospel back to the world for all. Did she know that she would see her Son tortured, tared and feathered, suffer, and die because he never faltered in his testament of Christ and never denied who he was and what he was ordained to do. That he had the character and faith to stand as a witness to the the truth, and brought back to the light that which had been lost and forgotten.


Do we know what our Son's and Daughters are destined to do or be? I know that I do not, I have not been let in on the secret destination of their lives. I hope all things for them and know that through our Lord and Savior all things are possible. I hope the best for them and hope that God will lead me and direct me to help mold them for what their unlimited futures hold for each of them. Am I living up to the responsibilities that God has given me? Will my son's be counted among the Stripling Warriors of our time? I'm afraid that they may have such a battle fought in their lives, and I hope that I can plant that foundation that they need to withstand all that they must and stand as witnesses before man, and have the faith to testify of God and his truth. This is my hope and that I will live up to those responsibilities as have many of the mothers God has trusted with his children before me.

For many years I have needed and wanted to have a family motto, but in my ever to search to make it just right (perfect) I have always came to a HUGE brick wall. Well this weekend it came to me, partly because I prayed for the inspiration to have something help us at home right now and partly out of pure desperation. This is what I came up with during a "family mtg" again on Saturday, we've averaged 2 each day for the past week...

I will RESPECT myself

I will RESPECT my family

I will RESPECT my home

I will RESPECT others around me

I am a visual person and have always loved putting my thoughts to photographs... here is what I came up with tonight while I couldn't sleep, because Chris still hasn't been to sleep yet tonight and just got through asking me if he could just get up and get dressed for school now.......... mind you that was at MIDNIGHT!!!!!! UUGGHH!!!..... 

See DESPERATION!!!!!

*note that I have included one of my best friends paintings in my collage and haven't had a chance (since it is midnight after all) to ask her permission to use her photo, so I might need to change the collage.

Women's Conference September 2011

Like just about everyone else that I know that saw 

President Uchtdorf's never forgettable talk: Forget Me Not 

I was truly touched and even though I'm posting this a week later I started it the night we all heard him address us. I put together this collage that night because I couldn't get his words out of my mind and I just wanted to capture the the way I was feeling and one of the best ways that I could do that for me was through pictures. I have had it on my wall paper all week and printed and posted on my front door so that I could think and ponder his words during the entire week.

I haven't gone to the church to listen to Women's Conference in some time, I have either watched it online or read it latter when it was posted. I was inspired that I needed to attend this time. I had been struggling some with all that we have going on in our lives right now and just that morning was feeling a failure as a Mother. Now I know that all parents have such feeling; that is just where I was last week. I enjoyed all of the talks, however when President Uchtdorf began to address us I knew that his words was the reason that I had been inspired to be there that night. The 5 pedals represent the 5 points of his sermon. I will not ever again be able to look at a Forget Me Not again and not think of and ponder on his talk, it was beautiful and touched my life for good.

I was also inspired to ask my niece Ashley to attend with me and I am so glad that I was able to listen to the Spirit in-spite of my failing feelings at the time. We went out for Ice Cream afterwards and we were able to just sit and talk like we haven't been able to before... no kids or teasing husband around to interrupt us! It was a great girls night out and something I really needed and enjoyed the opportunity to bond more with Ashley.

The night was a spiritual and personal high for me and helped me to

regain some ground and start anew. Something that I was truly in need of!! 

I am SO GRATEFUL that the LORD still reveals to us his love for us through his Disciples. 

I am SO GRATEFUL that I listened to the spirit and didn't ignore the promptings that I received. 

I am SO GRATEFUL that we have a LOVING Heavenly Father that knows his children and what they need, and that he never leaves our sides, and caries us when he knows we don't have the strength any longer on our own. 

I am SO GRATEFUL for the knowledge that I am HIS Child and I will be once again in his arms one day!! as well as my earthly Parents!! Oh how I miss them and having that cheering section in my corner, but also GRATEFUL for the knowledge that I will once again be with them as well and my boys will have the opportunity to know and love them.

I'm a little excited to see Jimmy's response in the morning...

He has his first fourth grade Book Report due in the morning.

He read the second Percy Jackson book,

'The Sea of Monsters'

He really enjoyed the book and loves the series. They have to do a different type of report each month on different themed books. The themes have been decided by his teacher for the year already and this month was the students choice. He decided for this months report he would do the book in a bag. I told him that I would help with his work this year but that he had to do the work and ask me for the help when he needed it. So he has done the work and put all the things together. He asked me if I could print out a couple of pictures for him and that is all he needed. So that is what I did... and then a little special surprise for him... 

I had seen a great tutorial about printing pictures onto paper snack bags. So I went on the hunt and found it again, here, and then printed this surprise for him. :)

When he gets up in the morning I'm going to have him cut out his pictures and then place them in his bag in his backpack, and when he pulls the bag out.... there it will be already replaced with his items in it. :) 

Here are some pictures with how it turned out!!

Good Luck BABE!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Well it's that time again that I have realized (again) that I am extremely behind in my posts... This however does not mean that I am going to put everything in one post. I am going to work on it as I can, especially like tonight when I can't sleep. I do want this as our family journal, so I'm going to pick out the high lights from our summer and probably our year. I was going to go in order, but I'm not promising anything... lol  :)

The first and biggest update that I need to post is
  OUR ADOPTION DAY!!

I can't believe that I haven't posted this yet, I know that it's been a busy time around here but I feel really badly that I haven't posted about our day yet. I did post a lot on Facebook about it, but really it's not quite the same.

I really want to get my blog caught up and kept up!! For me and my family...

It was such a beautiful and happy day for our family!!!

Thank you to all those that have been there, with and for us, during our journey!! 

We are VERY BLESSED with wonderful people in our lives!!

Well it's Birthday season around here... It starts out with Eric's Birthday today, Chris's next month, Jimmy's in November, and Chad's Mom in December. Add the Holidays mixed in there of course, it's a busy time for all.. :)
Here are some pictures from Eric's Birthday!!

This was our family party at Grandma's!!

I think that he had a good time!!

Actually we all did!! :D

The boys are having fun playing in Grandma's desert!! :) and now Dad is having them run laps up and down the long, long, driveway!!! Can we say burn some energy!! :)

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Well here it is 4:15 in the morning and I haven't been to sleep yet and no matter how hard I try I can't seem to. 

Chad is leaving tomorrow~well today now~ for work in TX. This was a very tough decision for us, but one that we feel strongly is the right one for us. It is going to in the long run bless our family, even though the next few months will probably be tough ones. We have never had Chad gone for work since we got the boys, not like before when it was just the two of us. I know that we can do it and I know the Lord will bless us. The boys are doing good because we have had time to prepare for him leaving but the past couple of days they have expressed how sad they are and that they are going to miss him so much. They understand that it is a decision we all made together as a family and they understand why we made it. They show such strength and character I'm so proud of them. I love all of my boys (Big and Small) and know together with the Lord, our family and friends we will make it successfully through this next stage of our lives. 

SEVEN PEAKS 

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We were given passes to use for 2 weeks, and even though we didn't get to use them as much as we would have liked to due to the boys having colds and not feeling their best, we did get a couple fun days in!!

Jimmy is having a blast playing his games after not doing so over the past 6 months. Chad was playing with him and its so cute to hear them "gamer talk", buts especially to hear Jimmy giving Chad "instructions on here he needs to be and for him to listen to him ...lol...

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We got to spend the day with Grandma!! We meet in Wellington and eat, play at the park, and share Dad's first official Father's Day cake with him. As you can see we all had fun :) . So much that when it was time to leave all the boys said bye to mom and dad and piled in grandma's truck. They were VERY disappointed to find out they couldn't go and were "stuck" coming back home. Jimmy was sure to let us know that if grandma left a list he could take care of things while she was at work :)... Love these guys!!
Thanks Mom for a great day!!!

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He came running in with this practice board he got at the parade on Saturday.
I broke it!! I broke it!!! I'm ready for karate lessons mom!!! Lol Love this kid!!!! :)

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Last year the boys and I gave Chad a smoker for his birthday and he tried a lot of different things and we enjoyed his efforts. He was sad when winter came and we put it away. Well today he had me help bring it back out, and even though it hurt to move I was glad to help out. It was one of the best pork roasts I've had in a really long time!! Thanks BABE for yet another awesome smoked dinner!! LOVE YOU!! :)

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Here we are getting a review of the rules as we head out to the Swim Park!!! Hurry Mom we're ready and want to go!!!

YEAH we're on our way!!! :)

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The boys only have 2 days of school left and got to eat lunch together, awesome day for them!! :) Their smiles always make me smile!!! :D

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A few weekends ago we had a really great day it was Chad's and my 12th anniversary, so we spent the day with the boys and then had a great date night with dinner and a movie. Here are some pictures of the boys during our day together. :) We went to Thanksgiving Point to the Lamb and wool days then the park.

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We roasted hot dogs and smore's in the back yard tonight ... in the rain even... Chris I think really got into dinner!! Lol :) I love family time!!

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Fun times with good friends :) I'm so glad I've had some time with them!!!

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Jaden and Jordon
enjoying the first day of  spring 2011!!