I am not a quiter...

This challenge has gone on way to long (I knew it would) so this might get a bit long but I'm going to try to finish it in one post...

Day 9 Put your ipod on shuffle, first ten songs.

EASY... I don't have an ipod!

We have a few hanging around our house and I guess I could count my phone, but really I don't use it for that very often and for the sake of getting this done I'm just going to leave it there!

Day 10  Something I'm afraid of.

SPEED... this never used to be a big deal but the older I get the worse its become. 

Here are a few examples of things that I really like to do but am secretly (ok not really secretly, my whole family knows I'm a total wimp!) afraid of!

I don't like to be out of control and I guess excess speed makes me feel that way. 

Day 11 My favorite TV show...

EASY again! I really don't watch t.v

Seriously I'm not just trying to speed this up, I don't watch enough to say I have a favorite.

Day 12 What I believe.

I believe in the Savior Jesus Christ. I believe that by living his commandments and having faith in Him we can find true happiness in this life and joy in the eternities with our families.

I believe that being kind and showing unconditional love is the key to solving most of lives difficult situations. 

I believe in the restoration of the gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith. I believe that he saw our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and that they gave him the keys to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth again. I believe that Joseph Smith was given ancient plates and translated the Book of Mormon which is another testament of Jesus Christ. I believe that reading the Book of Mormon daily with real intent brings access to revelation as we ponder and pray. I love the scriptures and I know they are true.

I believe in a living prophet on the earth today and that these great men are here to instruct, guide and help keep us safe. I believe that the words the prophets speak are Gods message to us today and that as we read and follow their council will will always be on the right track. I love President Monson and his unwavering example of caring for and showing love to those around us.

I believe in families and that they are the "fundamental unit of society" as stated in this inspired and God given document. I believe that families are what matter the most and that the time we spend nurturing and strengthening them is critically connected to our happiness. My family means everything to me and I am blessed beyond measure to be a part of their lives!

Day 13 - Goals

I have a few goals but will just share one: Be healthy and free of back pain!

I have had to be creative in my attempts to accomplish this goal because simply put, I can't exercise the way I used to. I love to run and be active but right now it's just not an option. SO, I made the decision to EAT CLEAN! This can mean a lot of different things, but for me it's just this--eating whole, natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates. It also means staying away from the junk which includes man-made sugar, bad fats (hydrogenated, trans-fat), preservatives, white flour, and any other ingredients that are unnecessary. An easy way to remember if a food is clean is: "if man made it, don't eat it."...

So far it is going well and I feel like the changes I have made are making a difference in my energy levels and as an added bonus I feel like my clothes are fitting better too!

Day 14 - Some pictures I love-

in no particular order... just some of the good ones!

Dallin checkin out the crawdad

Baby Sam all decked out in Nike!  

Harles

Glacier climbing

Maryn and Grandpa D

Classic Jules

A few years ago but still my favorite!

Snow dog

Best buds!

So pretty

Very cool!

Handsome missionary

So lush and green

Duet 

In looking quickly through iphoto, I realized that i really need to make a concerted effort to take more pictures of MAX!!

Day 15! Pictures of my dream house

 

I know I'm not very original... this is exactly what Maryn put up as her "dream house" it's here for two reasons- 1. I am soo tired of this challenge and I really want to be done with it and 2. I really do love my house!  It is everything I need and so much of what I want. Of course their are things I would change and maybe in time I will but for now it is perfect and  I really do love it. One of my favorite things to do is make our "HOUSE a HOME"- it always feels better when my house is clean and a nice candle is burning and of course when it is full of happy kids!!

"The most important of the Lord's work you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home." 

— Harold B. Lee

A place I have travelled

THE REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK

The Redwoods August 2008

I'm not a world wide traveller. I've been to a few places near and far but this one is at the top of my list of recommended places to visit and if you live anywhere close to me you can even do this as a road trip! (My kids and I did it a few summers ago)

The Redwood National Park is found along the beautiful rugged coast of California. The park headquarters are located in Cresent City, Calif.

It is home to the world's tallest trees and is in the running for a place in the 7 natural wonders of North America. In fact if you really want you can visit this site and vote for what you think are the top 7 yourself!

Speaking of Natural Wonders- being able to see first hand something so amazing that I know was made by God's hand has an awe inspiring effect. I've seen the Aurora Borealis and it really is nature at its finest. I'd love to see all of these wonders someday!

Here is a fun list of "US Wonders"

How many have you seen?

17 Mile Drive

49 Mile Scenic Drive

Albany City Hall

Alcatraz Island

American Museum of Natural History

Angel Island State Park

Aquarium of the Bay

Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

AT&T Baseball Park

Balboa Park Miniature Train

Bayou’s of Louisiana

Beach Blanket Babylon

Botanic Garden at Tilden Regional Parks

Brooklyn Historical Society

Bryce Canyon

Cable Cars of San Francisco

Cabrillo National Monument and Point Loma

California Auto Museum

California Palace of the Legion of Honor

California State Capitol Building

California State Capitol Museum

California State Indian Museum

California State Railroad Museum

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Casa del Herrero

Coit Tower

Crocker Art Museum

Devils Tower

Discovery Park

Disney California Adventure Park

Disneyland Park

DL Bliss State Park

Echo Park

El Presidio de Santa Bárbara

Fairytale Town Sacramento

Getty Villa

Golden Vine Winery

Governors Mansion State Park

Grace Cathedral

Grand Canyon in Arizona

Grand Tetons

Griffith Observatory

Guggenheim Museum

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Iolani Palace

K Street Mall

Kailua Kona Makalawena – Pu’u Ali’i Bay

Kawai Nui Marsh

Kennedy Space Center

La Brea Tar Pits

Six of my very "little" children surrounded by giant sequoias!

My Favorite Movie-

I'm not going to go as far as to say this is my favorite, because to have a favorite I would need a comprehensive list of movies from which to choose from and for me that just isn't the case. Like I've said before I have an incredibly hard time staying awake for movies and have spent more than a few dollars on uncomfortable "naps" at the movie theatre. It's not that I don't like movies, in fact I'm very easily entertained and the movie that I am listing today as my "favorite" proves that!

NAPOLEON DYNAMITE!

I don't really know why, but for me this movie just doesn't get old. I laugh even thinking about parts of this movie and honestly if you want to judge/evaluate my personality based on this choice, I'm ok with that because I already know that my sense of humor is a little warped. I do have seven kids remember!!!

Songs that make me cry...

I first heard this song at Woman's conference in Utah, probably about 10-12 years ago. Although I can be a very emotional person, sharing my feeling about being adopted has never really been an overly emotional subject. So, I was totally taken back by the very strong feelings that this song brought out in me. Michael McLean wrote this song and although he doesn't have the best singing voice in the world he sure knows how to write very touching and meaningful lyrics.

I have never met my birth mother and most likely won't in this life by choice, but I am, and will always be, very grateful to her for the sacrifice that she made by giving me up and sending me to my family. Someday when life's complications are over and our Savior and loving Father in heaven have sorted everything out, I hope to have a chance to thank her and tell her that I love her for being such a strong woman and providing me with an incredible opportunity to be part of an eternal family.

I don't listen to this song very often but when I do it gets me every time!

So, here it is...

"From Gods arms to My arms to Yours"

Pictures of things that make me happy! - day 5

Ok- so here are some pictures that make me happy...

These handsome young men.

These lovely ladies

Sam and Harley... just makes me smile!

G and G Davidson- Every time we leave their house they come out and wave goodbye until we're down at the end of the road. I love these two, they are the best!

Double rainbow!!!

Babies make me happy!

Logan's pass- a very "Happy" place

Christmas time!!

Skiing with my family!

Running makes me happy especially with Mark!

Something I am looking forward to!

STOP, can you guess what I'm really looking forward to?

In 10 more days someone will be HOME to stay for a whole month!!!

You guessed it, MARYN is coming home. I can't wait!!!

LOVE YOU MARYN!

My Family- parents and siblings

Like everyone else out there I have the greatest parents in the world!

By them I was taught to work hard, to serve and care for others and above all to stay faithful even in times of hardship and trial.

My Dad was a high school math teacher and a mason. At 73 years old he is still laying brick and is in high demand for his artistic and beautiful work. I have fond memories and battle wounds to show for my days working along side my Dad on construction sites. He also spent a lot of his teaching years coaching basketball in the small town where I grew up. After many years coaching the boys he made the switch to coaching the girls when my sister and I were in high school. I loved having him for a coach and have great memories of those times.

I have never heard my Dad be critical of another person and he is always the first one to lend a helping hand to someone in need.

Nine years ago this month my Dad under went a live donor liver transplant at the U of A hospital. My brother Ron was the donor. After a lot of pain and many struggles he made a full recovery. I love my Dad and I'm so grateful that on his birthday, 42 years ago, he and my Mom chose me and brought me into their lives!

My Mom is Gold!! I love her and appreciate her for so many reasons. I'll name a few...

She taught me to love and appreciate beautiful music.

She is so smart and is always learning new things.

She loves the scriptures and reads them everyday.

She taught me how to work.

She is so resourceful.

She is full of FAITH.

I have always said that had I been a pioneer, I would have wanted my Mom in my company because their is nothing that she can't make, do, or figure out. She never complains and will work until the job is done no matter how long it takes or how hard it is.

My Mom has sacrificed so much to give me a life that I know I otherwise never would have had. I'm so grateful that she lives her life close to the Spirit and that she taught me how to do the same.

Just a little bit about each of my siblings.

Brent lives in New Mexico and works in airport security. He has four kids- Kennedy, Madison, Nelson and Bailey. They live in Magrath with their mom Sheila. Brent baptized me and taught me how to drive!

Mark lives in Augusta, Georgia and is married to Geri. They have 5 kids- Krista,(who is married to Evan) Matt, Scott, Graham and Hannah and 2 adorable grandsons-Thatcher and Levi. Mark is a chemical engineer and I think he works for Nutrisweet? If that's not right it's one of those artificial sweeteners! Though Mark and I aren't that close in age- our kids are. Our older kids have great memories of their older kids as they lived in Fort Saskatchewan before they moved away to Georgia.

Ron is married to Teresa and they live in Colorado Springs. They have two kids- Tanner and Tara. Ron is in the US Air Force and he holds the highest rank that a civilian officer can hold- don't ask me what his Title is- I just know he's pretty important!! One of my favorite memories of Ron was the time he let me curl his hair on a band trip... it was the early eighties and his longish blonde curly hair was the envy of everyone on that trip!! (ok maybe not the guys, but the girls for sure!!)

Ken lives at home in Magrath. He works at Nutters in Lethbridge and is the sweetest, most dependable guy you'll ever meet. Ken has a HUGE movie collection which makes him a pretty popular guy with all the grandkids.

Suzanne lives in Salt Lake City, she just recently got a new job working for Volunteers of America AND she goes to school full time AND she is MOM to five fantastic kids -Yuki, Isabel, Micah, Camille and Maggie. Suzanne and I are two years and 1 day apart in age. She is the sister who I will always regret not getting along with better as a young child, but who I gratefully connected with as a teenager. I will always wish that we could live closer to each other because she is my only sister and I miss her AND neither of us is very good about staying in touch.

What a cute bunch! This is a picture of my family just before I was adopted. My oldest brother Brent is standing right in front of my Dad. Mark is on the far right. The twins Ken and Ron are in front of my Mom and my one and only sister is in my Mom's arms. The girl beside my Mom is Donna Thompson who was a neighbor and one of our favorite babysitters. As you can see my parents had their hands full!

This picture is my family- minus my two older brothers who died as infants- and my three younger brothers who of course weren't born yet.

After I came along my Mom and Dad had three more boys... Brian, Trevor, and Keith

Below is my younger brother Brian and his lovely wife Linda. They are expecting their first babies- twin girls!! Linda's water broke last week and she is only 29 weeks, so she is in the hospital and is taking medication to help the babies lungs and brains develop quickly. Our prayers are with Brian, Linda and their babies.

Brian and Linda live in Denver.

This is my brother Trevor. He lives in Ogden with his fabulous wife Jeannie and their four kiddos - Parker, Morgan, Jonah and Kate. Trevor is a chiropractor and if he lived closer I would let him work his magic on my back but only because he's my brother!!!

Keith is the baby of our family and of course he holds a very special place in my heart!! I was ten years old when Keith was born and I was soooo sure that he was going to be a girl that I bawled my eyes out when my Dad came to my class room at school to tell me that the baby had been born and it was another boy!! It didn't take very long to decide that I could love him even though I didn't get the little sister that I was hoping for. Keith was born with fragile X syndrome which is a form of mental retardation. He is a lot like a Downs syndrome child but with different physical traits. Basically he is adorable! I can't even begin to tell you all the life lessons I've been taught because Keith is my brother. He is such a blessing to our family and is a constant reminder that Heavenly Father knows what our family needed and we needed Keith!

The very little picture below (I can't figure out how to make the scanner do it's thing) is of Keith and I at his graduation in 1996. He asked me to be his "date" for Grad and I gladly accepted!