For the L♥ve of PoLkA DoTs!

Julia & I had a great time this year carving pumpkins.
This one is our favorite!

I have to admit Julia did most of the work.

Julia said it was easier to do without

my help, so I took pictures!

We both used gloves so we would not get so messy.

Julia loved using this cool tool...

I purchased this apple corer from

Williams-Sonoma to making carving circles a snap!

My mom carved stars in her pumpkin...so cute. ♫

Award for Best Picture?

This is the best Halloween picture I have.
Happy Halloween!

Mark, is that a nail in your head?
I will never forget Dec. 4th 2007.
Mark said to the doctor, "I think when the nail hit my cheek bone, the nail bent & went around the bone.
The doctor said, "You don't think the nail went right through your cheek bone?"
Mark said, "Well, I drink a lot of milk."
Mark cracks me up, even when he has a 3 inch nail in his head!

The Witches Inn

What can I say, this witch is beautiful!
I absolutely love her. She is flying above my bed.

I think her painted toenails are adorable.
Thank you Andrea for finding her for me.

No other witch can compare.

Bedroom Makeover

Now that Mark is on his mission, it was time to
do some work in his room. Andrea motivated
me to get this room done over UEA weekend.

We tore out the carpet, that was a nasty job.
Thank you so much Udo for all your help,
you are the strongest man I know.

We painted the walls, the closet & even the ceiling.
Thank you Andrea for painting with me until the
wee hours of the morning! I would have never attempted this project without your help.

Thank you Julia for painting this closet,
you have more patience than anyone I know.
You did a fabulous job!

I love the how the new paint lightened up this room.

We changed the Cookie Monster Blue carpet

to a beautiful Neutral Brown.

We changed the light switch & all 4 outlets to bright white instead of ivory. It is amazing how something so small can make such a huge difference. I am so grateful for Andrea who taught me how to do this without getting electrocuted. Safety First!

There was no light fixture, so I bought a new one.

I am so glad that Andrea talked me into painting

the ceiling, it looks great!

My favorite picture "Perfect Love".

The lap quilt at the end of my bed was made by my Mother when I got married many moons ago. When my Mom came to look at the progress I had made, she gasped! She had thought I had given it away because she had never seen me use it. I assured her that it was always safely stored in my hope chest, waiting for the day it would match my bed spread. I love anything homemade...why would I ever give it away? I love you mom, & I will always treasure the things that you make for me. I painted the headboard & foot board black, it looks fantastic! Does anyone remember the blue blinds that used to be here? UGLY! I decided to hang window treatments instead. I love the new look.

Thank you to Andrea, Udo, & Julia.

I could not have done this without you!

Thank you Mom for letting me do this project.

I know Mark has no idea what has happened to

his room, but I want to thank him. Mark, thank you

for letting me enjoy your new room...I Love It!

Would you like to have some fun?

Carve Your Own Pumpkin Here!

It is all about the ShOeS!

Tagged by Andrea!

Go to your 4th picture folder & 4th picture & post it!

This picture was taken in 2007 during our annual Pumpkin Carving. Julia designed Frankenstein
& I carved it... we had a fabulous time!
Julia & I look forward to this every year.

A Letter To My Daughter

Dear Julia,
Happy Birthday! My wish for you is to be happy each & everyday. For 9 years I have been blessed with your sweet loving spirit. I have many fond memories of you. When I was pregnant with you, I was so happy. I talked about you all the time, I could hardly wait for your arrival! Our home was filled with love for you long before you were born. While you were in my tummy I sang to you, read to you, & I prayed for you. We went to the beach, attended church, & traveled from California to Maryland, visiting all of our family along the way.
My dreams came true the day you were born.
Bringing you into the world was the hardest thing I have ever done, but October 19, 1999 was also one of the best days of my life! You were beautiful & healthy...you were mine. When your daddy laid you in my arms, your eyes were open & you looked at me while I talked to you. I said "I know God loves me, because he sent me an angel. You are more than just my baby girl, you are my sunshine." I could not stop smiling at you because you were so radiant, healthy & perfect. Your daddy & I took turns holding you & kissing your sweet soft skin.
I have always thought you have the most beautiful eyes. You had blue eyes until you were 3 years & 10 months old. Your eyes turned green just like your daddy just after he died. I know he is proud of the
big girl you are growing up to be.
I love the age you are today because you still have
time to read with me at night, I will treasure that for as long as it lasts. Even at 85 lbs, I love to carry you up the stairs. I love the way your arms & legs wrap around my body like a baby koala bear. My sweet Julia, your life has changed me for good. Because of you I try harder, I laugh louder, & I smile brighter. You are so happy, loving & compassionate. You make the world a better place, you are my angel here on earth. I admire your desire to follow the prophet. Nothing is better than being your mother & the proudest moments of my life involve you. I will always cherish you & love you. Thank you for being my sweet girl. Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mommy

LIFE IS GOOD...

ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention
of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body~but rather to skid in broadside~thoroughly used up~totally worn out & loudly proclaiming:
WOW WHAT A RIDE!"

Election 2008

Behold Your Little Ones

My friend Andrea told me about this wonderful blog A Daily Scoop back in June. The first post I read on June 25th was so inspiring to me and I loved Stephanie immediately. I have read her blog religiously ever since for daily inspiration

& for a beautiful perspective on life.

Her message for the day was -- Love your little ones--even the ones that drive you crazy. If you could see them the way God sees them -- you would be astounded at their glory.

You may read the entire post Here.

This is the 1st comment that I left on her blog:
Karilyn said...Hello, you do not know me but I have spent much of my morning reading your blog from the beginning. I love your family and my heart and prayers go out to you. I think you are an amazing woman. Your girls are so blessed to have you for their mother. I admire your strength, testimony and life. You inspire me to be a little better. I will hug my daughter longer tonight because of you. Thank you so much.
June 25, 2008 11:15 AM

Wordless Wednesday

Mere words can't possibly express how excited I am to get off work & spend the rest of the evening with the sweetest of the sweet. I love you Julia!

Angels are among us.

Julia, You are my angel.
"Not all Angels are on the other side of the veil."

Sunday General conference quotes
that spoke to my Heart:

"In the strength of the Lord I can do all things."

"We are not going to suffer any more
than is for our good."

"The next time you are tempted to groan,
try to laugh instead."

"He's not asking us to die a martyr's death,
he's asking us to live a disciples life."

"The piles & piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon, & you will miss them."

The best is yet to come.

These are my favorite quotes from the 1st session of General Conference today.
"Faith is not just a feeling; it is a decision."
"In righteousness there is simplicity."
"I may not know everything, but I know enough."
"Jesus will make everything alright."
"Come what may and love it."

Past favorites!
"No success can compensate for failure in the home."
"You reach the greatest heights while on your knees."
"There is no 1 perfect way to be a good mother."
"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it
won't make it worse."
Tell me some of your favorite quotes!

I was excited to hear our prophet,Thomas S. Monson, announce the locations of 5 new Temples.
Rome, Italy is one of them...I told Julia I wanted to take her to that temple someday. Julia wanted to go to Italy for spring break last year, I told her maybe someday.

Missionary Training Center

Elder Mark Lunceford & Julia

Julia loved helping Mark with his luggage.


Julia is going to miss her Uncle Mark!
Mark smiled more once we went inside the MTC.