First Five Gimme Gimme

First Five Gimme Gimme

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. for you. this offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2. What I create will be just for you.

3. It’ll be done this year. {translation: you may be waiting a little while}

4. You have no clue what it’s going to be … it may be cards, a poem, a bookmark, something yummy or a complete surprise to you (and me!) … who knows? not you, that’s for sure!

5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

6. Most importantly, you must offer the same deal on your blog - the first 5 people to comment on your blog (or if you do not have a blog, facebook) get something made by YOU! the first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me …

Those were the rules as copied exactly from my friend Tiffani's blog. She added an idea. If you’re not the kind of person that wants to make something tangible for others, how about some kind of service for them, any type, any size?  Thanks Tiffani for the great idea - Pay it forward!!  (I always loved that movie)

February 21, 1989

Today as we were at the hospital in West Jordan visiting a ward member I realized it was exactly 20 years ago that my very own daddy passed away today.  Can I just say that I loved and still love him so much???  I tell my kids all the time they would have absolutely loved my dad.  They were very young when he died and their recollection of him is nearly gone.  He was the best dad any girl could ask for.  Of course I was his baby.  Whenever he introduced me to anybody no matter how old I was he always said "This is my baby."  I loved it and was never embarrassed.  

He was a great example of the gospel, hardwork and how to be happy and enjoy every moment in life.   Tifani was a very hard baby (she cried alot - I am sure because of colic) but whenever we would go visit mom and dad she would curl up on his lap for hours on end and he would rock her forever.  Him and mom would come by our little tiny home in Boise and ask if they could take Stephani with them.  She loved to be kidnapped by Grandma and Grandpa because she got whatever she wanted -which of course included a meal at Popeye's chicken.  They always called Stephani  - Their little "ladybug".  Which stuck with her forever since we often still call her "Bug".  

Whenever we would go to visit before we left Dad would always ask the girls to sing for him.  Along with Perry they would sing primary songs, Joseph and several other songs.  Even though they were only 4 and 6 they sang at his funeral.  His very favorite song was "Where is Heaven."  It concludes by saying - When your with the ones you love it's right where you are."  So true!!  Heaven is the time that I get to spend with my family right here on earth.  I am so blessed!

I am so thankful Heavenly Father sent me to the parents that I had.  I was loved and learned how to love.  Someday I hope they can wrap their arms around me again and tell me what a good job I was able to do along with their small promptings from Heaven.  I love you Mom and Dad!!  

Thought for the Week

Here is my thought for this week.  It comes from a Women's Conference that I attended at BYU in 2006.  It is from Sandra Rogers - She is the person in charge of Women's Conference and always does a fantastic job!!  Us girls live for Women's Conference - YEA!!!!  Great memories.

"Rise to the Divinity Within You"  

We need to be confident about who we are.  Satan is trying to destroy us, to undermine our divine roles.  There is no confusion as to who we are.  The prophets have told us who we are.  We are "Children of God" with a divine role for each of us.  We need to rise to our inherent potential. Don't ever subdue your divine nature.  Remember that you are spiritual offspring of God the Father.  If we know this we will never fall.  Don't ever struggle or doubt as to who you really are.  

We all have dents and scratches but we have potential.  Find your spiritual gift that has been given to you, individually.  Remember  - "I am a work in progress."  Don't nag yourself with thoughts of failure.  Pres. Hinckley said "Try a little harder to rise to the divine nature within you."  We can make steady progress in the "hands of the Master."  We can't be a match in the darkness we must be a huge fire!!

Snow Angel

Isn't my baby the cutest around?  This mother sure thinks so.  She doesn't think she is spoiled at all.  We all know that she is probably by far the most spoiled.   What a gorgeous girl!!  I'm glad she's mine.

Kali has the cutest smile and dimple in her right cheek.  Personality plus!! - Cute kid!!

Perry is working on a painting of a Snow Angel.  Isn't she the cutest snow angel you have ever seen??  I think so.

Cute kids!!

Cute little Esme at her favorite Aunt's house

Skyler giving me the big cheesy grin!

The cutest kids on the block.  Alayna had so much fun with Esme and Skyler.  She just loves it when the "kids" come to play.  She is very social little pumpkin.

Esme and Alayna taking a break, munching snacks, drinking drinks and warming up by the heater.

Valentine's Weekend with Mike's family

If you ask these guys who their favorite Aunt is of course they will say "Aunt Lan".  Now that is not necessarily because they have been primed and questioned repeatedly about who their favorite aunt is.  This is Cambri, Gabe and Skyler.  We love it when they come to visit.

Two of my very favorite people in the world.  The cute Bishop holding his darling granddaughter, Alayna.  She was eating a yummy rice krispy valentine that Michelle had made.  She loved it.  We are always real glad when we get a few minutes with the Bishop on a Sunday!!

I had to get a cute picture of Mike and Ginger.  We don't get them to our house very often.  We had a super fun weekend with them.  I am glad they always call and invite us when they come down to see Michelle.  

We invited Mike and Ginger's family over for Sunday dinner.  Coby decided to make a homemade pineapple upside down cake.  It was to die for.  Of course everything that Coby touches is done with perfection (that's why he will make a great doctor).  He made it all from scratch.  It was absolutely delicious, to die for and gorgeous to look at.  Thanks Coby!!

I just had to take a picture of Michelle with her "goggles" on.  She is getting lasik eye surgery done today and for the week before she couldn't wear her contacts.  We teased her all weekend about her glasses.  She had to dig deep to find them and then she told us they were from the "80's"  Too cute not to post.  Good luck on your eye surgery!!

Juli's hot date

Here's a close up of her cute face!

Juli got asked to go to the Institute Valentine Dance.  It was semi-formal.  After having several fashion shows and practically emptying her closet the overall vote for her dress was this one.  Doesn't she look so pretty??  I think so. 

Thought for the Week

The thought for this week comes from Juli.  I thought it was too good not to post.   It is actually quite a famous thought but it is worth repeating.  ****SMILE - IT'S THE 2ND BEST THING YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR LIPS******  Since this is from Juli I wonder if she has something to tell me???

San Fransisco for a Day

We decided to go to San Fransisco for the day.  It was my birthday and Preston had never been there.  We hopped on the first flight of the day and came home on the last flight out of Oakland.  We rode the airplane, BARTS, trolley car, cable car and an airbus.  We tried out several modes of transportation.  It was a fun day and the sunshine felt wonderful!!

Juli and Kali on BARTS.  These two have a pact that they always sit together.  They have a lot of fun.

Here's my cute sonners, Preston.  He doesn't get to go with us very often so it was real fun having him with us.  He accidently left his cell phone at home so we had him all to ourselves all day.  

We bought a bag of candy from a candy store at Pier 39.  Here are the girls diggin' for a treat.  (Sugar Free of course)

Family Photo overlooking Alcatrez.  It was cold and windy at the end of the Pier.  

San Fransisco for a Day

Yummy cookie dessert with ice cream and whipped cream that we shared.   We ate at Bubba Gump's on Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf.

Ghiradelli Square is a must see.  We had to sneak in for a chocolate sample and then of course buy some.

This is probably my very favorite tourist attraction in San Fransisco.  This is the famous Bushman.  He actually makes a living scaring people from behind these bushes.  It is sooo fun to watch.  He always gets the unsuspecting tourist who is deep in conversation.  The sidewalks are lined with people watching him.  I think he actually makes a good living doing this.  He is a great entertainer.

None of us had ever ridden a trolley car so we hopped on it at Powell street and rode the famous trolley down to the wharf.  It was slow going but fun to ride.  We got to see the famous Lombard street on the way.

Waiting for the flight to board in Salt Lake City.  It was fun.  We ended up getting 3 seats in first class.  

Our Utah Baby - Alayna June - Also known as AJB

When AJB comes over she likes her toes painted.  This was the first time Kali painted her toenails.

Alayna loved our Christmas tree.  It had an ice cream truck that would play music.  Here she is getting ready to play the tunes.  

Isn't that the cutest covered ice cream face you have ever seen?  She loves to bite the bottom out of the cone.  Why do all little kids like to do that??  

AJB eating broccolli when she is just a tiny muffin

Look at that cute little round face.  We are real glad she lives close because if we didn't have one grandbaby living close I think we would all be real grouchy.  She loves to come to grandma and grandpa's house.  (Really she walks in and starts calling for Kali)

Our Indiana Baby Girl - Madeline Rose - MRD

Madeline on our last visit to Indiana.  She finally warms up to us by the time we leave.  However, when she was here at Christmas time we worked and worked on her and by the time she left we had her saying "Grandma" - YEA!!

Look at that cute face!

Showing off the cute pigs and big smile! - She has big brown eyes just like her mama.

Here's Madeline's protective daddy guarding her with his life.  She knows how much her mama and papa love her....TONS!!

Look at those gorgeous brown eyes!

Grandma's and Grandpa's Pride and Joy

Here are some pictures of Alayna and Madeline that were just too cute to pass up.  They are Grandma and Grandpa's pride and joy.  Here are our babies when they were less than one month old in Disneyland

Grandpa is being just a little protective of his newest additions

Every opportunity I can I have to show these cute little buggers off.

Once again  - Grandpa guarding the prized possesions

CUSS FREE ZONE

I have decided it is essential for this mother to post a thought each week on my blog and my refrigerator for the family to see.  I have a journal that I keep my best thoughts in that I refer to all the time and I think it is time to share.  Here is the thought that is going on my fridge this week.  CUSS FREE ZONE - why this you may ask??  I saw this article in a church news and loved it and I want my house to be a cuss free zone always.  Here is the article:  Apparently, swearing has become so commonplace that when this Southern California city declared itself a "cuss-free zone" for the first week of March, the media saw it as big news.  All the fuss came bout through the efforts of McKay Hatch, a freshman at South Pasadena High School and founder of the "No Cussing Club".  A South Pasadena proclamation that the first week in March will be No Cussing Week was proposed by McKay.  It quoted Mayor Michael Cacciotti saying of the proclamation, "It provides us a reminder to be more civil, to elevate the level of discourse.  McKay said, "My mom and dad always taught  me good m orals, good values, and not cussing was one of them."  A member of the South Pasadena Ward, McKay formed his club while attending middle school.  It now has members in all 50 states, a total of more than 10,000 worldwide.

WHAT A GREAT CAUSE!!!  

Sunday Fun at the Stewart House!

Every time Muffy (Alayna) comes over she walks in and runs to grandma (and after I get a big hug and kiss) she looks at me with her big blue eyes and asks me if she can have a tubby with bubbles.  Of course I have to cave in and before she goes home she gets a big tubby with lots of bubbles and splashes the entire bathroom and each of us in the process.  She is our little bubble monster!!

This is the beginning of our first game of Snorta.  We each have a barn that we hide our little animal in.  Then we all snort and he haw and quack at each other.  It is a real fun game.

We are HUGE game players.  For my birthday Steph and Coby bought me this new game.  It is called Snorta.  We were laughing so hard.   I love it!!

Here is a picture of two of my favorite girls.  Alayna loves us all but she loves her mom the most!!  They are the best of buds!!

The super bowl had 3D commercials.  Kali got her 3D glasses for us all to share that she got at the Hannah Montana Movie.  However, you can see who rules the roost.  Alayna was the only one lucky enough to get to see everything in 3D.

The Day Kali lost her wisdom (teeth)

Kali finally agreed to a picture.  Here she is Day 2, after surgery.  The cheeks are hardly swollen at all.  She truly is our miracle kid....(haha)

Did she really get her wisdom teeth out you may ask???  Look she isn't swollen at all.  Well, yes she did get them out and this is on Sunday.  She has recovered incredibly well.  She contributes it to the Loritab.  We were playing a game and you can tell she is feeling much better.  She has her spunk back.  She is threatening to squirt the Bishop with water.  Hasn't she learned yet that you never win a battle with the Bishop.  You will always come out soaked when you have only spritzed him.

Here she is with gauze in mouth - Really loopy since she is on her first dose of Loritab.  She was really mad at me for taking her picture.  I thought she was real cute - Gauze and all

On Friday afternoon Kali got all four of her wisdom teeth out at once.  The surgery took a total of 15 minutes.   She was told to take it easy and not do alot.  So she took the advice literally and here she is on her computer surfing guess what??  Facebook as usual.  She parked in front of the fireplace and lived on Loritab all weekend with her computer in hand.