Friday, December 4, 2009

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Update with Pictures

My mom helped us recycle Mackenzie's old jeans with holes into cute capris with trim for the twins!


Because we are selling the house we had to say goodbye to Jacob's Darth Vadar wall

Our "Goodbye to Summer" Trip to Bear Lake with our friends!! The weather was chilly at first but the sun finally came out!!!


















Sunday, September 20, 2009

Framed Temple Portrait Classes or Super Saturdays



$46 {class only}
Difficulty Level: Medium


Available Temples:

Salt Lake
Bountiful
Timpanogas
Logan
Idaho Falls
St. George
Manti


Schedule a class to make this beautiful piece of art. 18" x 24" temple portrait protected by a glassless finish and surrounded by a 4 1/2" chunky, black frame. The total size is 26" x 32" - HUGE! Cost for the class is just $46, and includes all of the materials needed to make the project.

A teacher will bring all of the supplies and stay to teach the class. The project can be completed in 2-2 1/2 hours. Fall dates fill up fast, and a 10 person minimum is required. Classes are available along the Wasatch Front, Logan, Idaho Falls, and Southern Utah. If you are outside of the area but are still interested in the project, please email us for more information.

Once you have scheduled your day/time, we will allow you the use of one of our sample displays for two weeks (deposit required). Payment is due in full two weeks before your scheduled date.

To schedule a date, please email me at amyturner6@yahoo.com or info@poppyseedprojects.com.

You can also visit http://www.poppyseedprojects.com/ for more information.

Available Class Dates are:

Tuesday, October 27th
Tuesday, November 17th
Thursday, November 19th
Tuesday, November 24th
Tuesday, December 1st
Thursday, December 3rd
Tuesday, December 8th
Thursday, December 10th
Saturday, December 12th
Tuesday, December 15th
Thursday, December 17th

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Testing as Part of the Essential Experience

I came across an article by Elder Christopherson in the June 2009 Ensign. This was exactly what I needed to find this week. Here is my favorite section of the article. I have italized my favorite parts......enjoy!!!!

A consistent effort will educate and refine our desires so that in time our desires will become aligned with the Father's. But we should expect to be tested. The gift of agency is intended to give us experience. We "taste the bitter, that [we] may know to prize the good" (Moses 6:55). And Jesus, "though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8).

Joseph Smith was told to expect some severe opposition despite making good choices. Said the Lord, "Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good" (D&C 122:7). We are in a mortal experience because we cannot become as God without that experience. We must prove to Him and to ourselves that we can consistently make the right choices and then stick to those choices, come what may.

Some think that they should be spared from any adversity if they keep God's commandments, but it is "in the furnace of affliction" (Isaiah 48:10; 1 Nephi 20:10) that we are chosen. The Lord's promise is not to spare us the conflict but to preserve and console us in our afflictions and to consecrate them for our gain (see 2 Nephi 2:2; 4:19-26; Jacob 3:1).

Exercising agency in a setting that sometimes includes opposition and hardship is what makes life more than a simple multiple-choice test. God is interested in what we are becoming as a result of our choices. He is not satisfied if our exercise of moral agency is simply a robotic effort at keeping some rules. Our Savior wants us to become something, not just do some things.5 He is endeavoring to make us independently strong-more able to act for ourselves than perhaps those of any prior generation. We must be righteous, even when He withdraws His Spirit, or, as President Brigham Young said, even "in the dark."6

Using our agency to choose God's will, and not slackening even when the going gets hard, will not make us God's puppet; it will make us like Him. God gave us agency, and Jesus showed us how to use it so that we could eventually learn what They know, do what They do, and become what They are.

Remember that with His gift of moral agency, our Heavenly Father has graciously provided us help to exercise that agency in a way that will yield precious, positive fruit in our life here and hereafter. Among other resources, we have the scriptures that contain the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, mentors and parents who love us, the voice of prophets and apostles living among us, the covenants and ordinances of the priesthood and the temple, the gift of the Holy Ghost, prayer, and the Church. May we draw upon these resources constantly to guide our choices, always doing those things that please God.

Monday, August 10, 2009

The Kind of Person I Want to BE!


WWII Pilot


In HONOR of a FALLEN HERO


"Our Life Together is Our Happily Ever After"

My dear grandfather passed away a couple of weeks ago, at the tender age of 86, just 6 short months after my grandma (his childhood sweetheart) passed away. His health wasn't too bad, his mind was still sharp as a nail, he just missed his sweetheart too much!! I miss him A LOT, but know that he is so happy to be reunited with his companion, his son, his grand-daughter, and other family members. Part of me is jealous thinking of the wonderful reunion they are having without us. But, I will patiently wait my turn. I was lucky to be able to attend his funeral and be with the rest of my family. What a blessing FAMILY is!!! AND, what an AMAZING man my grandpa was. I always knew he was one of a kind, but to hear and learn more about his life at his funeral, I am proud to be his grand-daughter. Here are "some" of his life accomplishments....just to name a few (thanks Liz for the summary).

He flew B-25 bomber planes during WWII and was enormously devoted to his country
He spent over 30 years as an educator, and an administrator at Mt. Sac College in CA
He recorded Math textbooks for the blind for 20 years
Was a member of the Lions Club for 40 years
Member of the Christ First Baptist Church for 57 years (and sang in the choir for 40 of those years)
Has four children, 21 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren

WHAT A LEGACY!!! I only hope I can accomplish HALF of what he did in his life. I want to BE like my Grandpa.

Here are some pictures of visits we had with them over the years in California. I am so happy my kids were able to know both my Grandma and Papa Bell. I hope I can keep their memory alive FOREVER. I will always be their #1!!





Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Still here...........barely!!!!

Again.......time has flown by since my last post and I am sure you guys think I have given up on the blogging thing. I almost have. But then I look at all of your cute blogs and think I should share pix of my cute kids too. So here is a quick update of what we have been doing since my last post......

Jacob had his first Pinewood Derby and built a GREAT car.




The twins spend most of their days playing with Erin from across the street...they might as well be triplets. They love jumping on the tramp in their swimsuits with the hose on.



The kids had lots of fun field trips and end-of-the-year school parties. Almost too many. Their school spoils them. I accompanied Jacob on his field trip to the Hogle Zoo. JP, Kelsey and Kayley came along too!!




I worked 9-5 for 12 days in May at Lagoon (our local Amusement Park), during their Field Trip/School Days, so I could earn Free Season Passes for the whole family. I worked in the games department. Luckily, my game was next to one of my GREAT friends and her sister, so we got to hang out together and visit during our down times. OH, the sacrifices of a mother.




The kids and JP LOVE Lagoon. They go at least 2-3 times a week. JP is able to take them a lot cuz he only works 4 nights a week. The twins are actually tall enough to go on everything (except 4 rides). I can't believe how much they love those BIG roller coasters. I'm almost getting too old for them. What a great FREE, summer activity. No more complaints of being bored. I go too, every once in a while. Sometimes I just stay home and enjoy the peace and quiet.





With the money I earned from Lagoon, I bought myself a new beach cruiser for my birthday. Now I just need a bell, a basket and a boardwalk. I even spent a day cleaning out the garage so my bike could have it's own special place. I'm hoping to ride it a lot and lose some more weight this summer.




We've already had a special visitor this summer......one of our cute cousins Abby!!! What a doll. She wanted to help me sweep my kitchen. It must have been real dirty!



We also got to spend a FUN day at Lagoon with our BEST friends from Idaho.....The Buchanan's. Sad that I only took these 2 pictures.......We LOVE and MISS them so much!




We are still doing great with our new HEALTHY lifestyle. JP is now down 30lbs. total. He won't let me post his before and after pix. He is really looking good. In fact, I think he needs to stop losing weight. We can only afford so many new clothes. I am still holding strong at 20lbs lost. I am hoping that by starting to exercise with my bike that I can lose some more this summer. I still have a long way to go. BUT, JP is a constant support. I am feeling great.

Our house has been on the market now for 8 months. A couple of homes in the neighborhood have been up for only 2 months and have just recently SOLD for asking price. We found out that the difference is their basements are COMPLETELY done. So, looks like we are going to finish ours by putting in some carpet, trim, doors and finish the bathroom. AND, the darth vader mural has to go. Apparently, buyers aren't too fond of it. Sorry JP!! Hopefully by doing all this work, we can raise our price a little and get it sold quickly. PLEASE PRAY FOR US!!!! We really need to sell it ASAP! Well, that is it for now. We hope you are all having a WONDERFUL summer. AND, we look forward to seeing most of you soon!!!!!