Fun Projects

This is the cutest blanket ever!!! A lot of girls from my ward make these and I had to make up a few for gifts. I would actually like one for myself but a little bigger of course.

I have been making gift bags for a change of pace and they have turned out pretty cute.

Cleaning Weekend

This weekend was pretty much spent cleaning. As you can see from this picture we rented a Rug Doctor with another couple in our ward and split the cost. It was a pretty good deal that we couldn't pass up. It was a work out even after running 10 miles before we started.Lifting that thing up two flights of stairs while cleaning was pretty awkward. Luckily there was the two of us to get it done quicker.

After we cleaned our place thoroughly we went to the church and cleaned there too. My hands were pretty raw by the end of the night. To reward ourselves after all that cleaning we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant with a few friends who also cleaned the church.
"GOOD" food and "GOOD" company = FUN!!!!
Noelle, Me, and Allyson. (our hubbies were sitting across from us.)

Happy Birthday Mom!!

I wanted to write a few quick thoughts about my mom Laura. Today is her 51st birthday and she looks like one of the kids. She is so amazing, talented, beautiful, and inspiring. My mom is my best friend and has always been an example to me. She may be small enough to fit under my armpit but she is one spunkie woman. I am so glad I am able to learn some of her amazing talents. For those of you that DO know my mom you know exactly what I am talking about. For those of you that DON'T know my mom you need to meet her. She makes Martha Stewart look like Mr. Rogers. Some of my favorite memories are of working on some kind of craft with her and my sisters. I miss all our shopping trips to Roberts, Rodworks, Target, Pier One, the mall, Tia Pan and more. Oh and I must not forget eating out at Costa Vita because it's one of my favorite resturants and I got her hooked to the pulled pork salads. (I can't wait to eat there when I go home in April for my sister's wedding.)

Mom I just wanted you to know how much I love and appreciate having you as my mom. Thanks for always being there for me, for your support, and for teaching me so much through out my life. You have always been there for me. May this be a wonderful birthday for you.

Love you MOM!!

Because I have been GIVEN much I too must give.....

Today was a very spiritual and uplifting day at church for me. The testimonies given during sacrament were amazing and our closing song was "Because I have been given much I too must give." This is a special hymn to me because it was my Grandma Olsen's favorite. She passed away about 5 years ago and we sang this song at her funeral. When I opened the hymn and saw what it was I got a rush of the spirit. As we began to sing I only made it through one verse before my eyes started to water and the tears followed for the rest of the verses. I was overwhelmed with the thought that I have been given so much and I need to give so much more to many. I am so grateful for all the wonderful things I have in my life. I have been so blessed and in return I need to give thanks to my father in heaven and serve as much as I can to anyone in need. Being here in Ohio in my ward I have had many experiences where I can serve and I am so happy that I can be of help to those in need. I hope and pray that I can keep focused on what I do have and not what I don't have. We have been struggling with not being able to get pregnant for the last year and a half and I know that one day both Todd and I will be blessed to be parents. We know there is a time for everything and the Lord has a will and a way for us.....we just have to keep our faith strong and continue forward.

Today was a reminder to keep focused and to remember why we are here. We are here to learn and to grow in the gospel. We are here to learn from our trials and tribulations. We are here to learn from each other and to share what we know in our hearts. Each day we may touch someones heart with a little bit of who we are. We need to be examples in our everyday lives and to be more Christ like.

I am not sure why I felt like sharing all this to those that are reading but I felt very strongly about getting it out. I hope that it helps or at least gets some of you thinking about your own personal lives. Thanks for reading and for listening my thoughts.
Love you all!!