HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I just want to share my celebration with you! This year has had its challenges for sure but by far this has been a wonderful year overall. I've gained new friends, more confidence in myself and have enjoyed being a mother and wife. My children made such wonderful cards for me this morning... I was able to sleep in thanks to Marc staying home for the day and they made cream of wheat for breakfast with a small amount of help from dad. They are so sweet and I'm proud to be their mother. Here's to year # 32 being another great one!

Park City FUN!

Marc took me to Park City this past weekend for an early birthday present and we had tons of fun. There was over 2 feet of snow by the time we left on Sunday and going down Parley's canyon was insane! It made me grateful we had 4 wheel drive. Here's some fun pictures!

You were made in God's image

This video touched me and I hope it can touch you too.

Surgery Scheduled/ Updates

Just wanted you all to know I've been scheduled for my surgery on December 30th. If you don't already know the story, after my son Jaidyn was born I elected to have a tubal ligation. I've already had 4 babies in my short life time and my body just has a hard time keeping the sweet little ones in until they're ready to be born. So, after much prayer and careful consideration I had my tubal ligation right after Jaidyn's birth. Well, apparently it failed somehow leaving an opening or regrowth occurred over the years. The only way it came to my attention is in the past year I've suffered 3 miscarriages due to potential tubal pregnancies. In order to prevent further suffering and potential health issues dealing with that, I decided to have the tubal ligation re-done.
It's been a long hard road for me full of bumps and deep canyons to overcome but my faith in my Heavenly Father has only grown. These trials although unexpected (are they ever expected?) have given me a very strong appreciation for those who have suffered loss in such a way. I'm very grateful for the children I have been able to bring to this earth... The first two with such a wonderful family and I'm so proud of them. I know I did the right thing at that time. I'm especially grateful I have been blessed with two sweet children of my own. I love motherhood and am so grateful for all that I have and at the same time look forward to learning more and growing with my children by my side.
I'm grateful for a wonderful supportive husband. He's an amazing father and husband and we've also grown closer through our trials.
I'm also grateful for you reading this as well as being my friend...

AMAZING Banana Bread

Last night I made the most amazing banana bread and I want to share the recipe I found with you. It's seriously the best one I've had ever! I got it from Betty Crocker.

Banana Bread

1 1/4 C Sugar
1/2 C butter softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 C mashed very ripe bananas (3-4 medium)
1/2 C buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 C chopped nuts, optional


Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in the center of oven. Heat oven to 350 deg. F. Grease bottoms only of 2 loaf pans. Mine are 9x5x3

Mix sugar and butter in large bowl. Stir in eggs until well blended. Add bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt just until moistened. Stir in nuts. Pour into pans.

Bake loaves about 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 min. in pans then remove from pans and place on wire rack to cool. Cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing. Wrap tightly and store at room temp. for up to 4 days or refrigerate up to 10 days.

If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute 1 1/2tsp. lemon juice or white vinegar and enough milk to make 1/2 cup or use 1/2 C plain yogurt.

Updates

So after much prayer and deep thinking I've decided to go ahead and have the tubal ligation repaired. It's been a rough and deeply emotional time for us and we feel this is the best route to take. I couldn't bear the thought of having to choose to abort a baby due to a tubal pregnancy or loosing my life. Loosing 3 babies with miscarriages was enough to bear but also having them end like that was a blessing as well considering the risks. I go on Monday the 14th to see when to schedule the surgery which may be that Wednesday. Happy Birthday to me eh for Friday... Oh well, it's for the best.

Thank you to those who prayed for me and sent good thoughts my way. I felt them for sure.

Additional Christmas

Here's some updated pictures of what more we did last night. I love having lights inside the house. So cozy!

Tis the Season!

Here's my awesome (at least I think) home made Christmas countdown chain! We start tomorrow!



Here's our fun tree, it's fiber optic so you can't really see the lights but it's fun!

Post Thanksgiving

I know this is a bit late, but I want to let you all know what I'm thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for my faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and for my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior.

I'm thankful for my husband and for our eternal marriage. For my 2 beautiful children that I've been blessed with.

I'm thankful for my family and that now I have the opportunity to get to know my father who I haven't known since the age of 5. I am so grateful for my mom's hard work in raising me and for the unconditional love she showed me no matter what bad choices I made.

I'm thankful for my extended family. I've learned so much from them and miss many of them who live so far away, mostly my Uncle Tom and Aunt Christine and cousins who I haven't seen for a few years. I love them very much and hope to be able to see them soon.

I'm also thankful for my friends... Many of you have taught me so much and you don't even know it.

Pre Black Friday Avon Sale!

Starting today through Saturday my personal AVON website is having a "Black Friday" sale! Everything is 30% off! Then if your order is over $30.00 you get free shipping with the code listed on my website, great deals for you! Take a look at the catalog and find that perfect something for you but hurry before the sale is gone! Let me know if you have any questions!