Sunday, November 27, 2011

A Little White Envelope ~ Touching Christmas Tradition

Hi! :D Happy Holiday Season! I am really looking forward to spending cherished time with my family as we enjoy established family traditions together... as well as the lights, music, and cheer of the Christmas Season, and the fun of starting new traditions for my teens! :) I'm sure I will be sharing some of this with you. But before writing about my own family's traditions I would like to share with you an especially touching story of another family's Christmas tradition. Should you choose to read this, prepare to be inspired! ;)

Corine :D

A Little White Envelope

It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.

It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas--- oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it...overspending...the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma...the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way.

Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford.

Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat. Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish just one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them."

Mike loved kids-all kids-and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That's when the idea for his present came.

That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years.

For each Christmas, I followed the tradition---one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.

The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.

As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure.

The story doesn't end there. You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But, Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.

Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope.

Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.


If anyone knows the author of this, I'd like to link to her page if she has one and also give credit to her. This is one of the most touching traditions I've ever read.

See website to where I found this story below...

http://www.annien.com/Holidays/Christmas/ChristmasTraditions/christmas_traditions.html

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Charity ~ Elder Marvin J. Ashton

"Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other."

Elder Marvin J. Ashton



I got this printable here after Ginger told me about it... :) Thanks Ginger!

This is one of my favorite quotes. It is a reminder of my goals and of so many of the Christ-like characteristics which lead to peaceful relationships and happy hearts. To me, it is about having vision... ~ Sapere Vedere ~ Seeing other people the way God does, and focusing on the best. When we do this, how can we not be filled with love? And how can those whom we love not be inspired and encouraged to greatness?

Charity... having Charity...  makes life beautiful!

Corine :D

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Favorite Thanksgiving Traditions

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!:D
I recently made a book order on Amazon... The books just keep coming in, and I love it! :D One of the books is titled Aspire - Discovering Your Purpose through the Power of Words, by Kevin Hall. The first night I could only read the intro, as I found myself nodding off to sleep too quickly. But already, I read some gems! :)

I am anxious to share with you a couple of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions. But first, in light of Thanksgiving I just have to share one particular gem which I enjoyed while reading the intro to Aspire. I hope you enjoy! :D

As I learned in Aspire, a world-renowned authority in the field of positive psychology (and author of Leaned Optimism, and Authentic Happiness) says we are

...brought to a new level of happiness through the act of reaching out and thanking those who have made a positive impact in our lives.

He goes on to say that science has proven that these "gratitude visits" are the #1 way to promote personal happiness.

WOW! I used to say that Christmas was my favorite holiday. Recently, I realized that Thanksgiving is actually my favorite (most likely followed by New Years Eve because of the goal setting and fun party dances etc..., but I'm really not sure; they are all so wonderful it's hard to decide which holidays are my favorite! :o). Anyhow, in addition to gathering with friends and loved ones, I think this is why I love thanksgiving...

As I contemplate upon my blessings, my heart is turned towards those who have blessed my life. When my heart is turned, I want to think about and express my gratitude to these wonderful people. When I contemplate my blessings and express my gratitude, I am filled with overwhelming happiness, and inexpressible joy. :) I can see that the person I am thanking also feels happy, and this in turn triples my happiness, engulfing me in a warm whirlwind cocoon of love and joy... What could feel better?

And so, I look forward to hugging friends and family, and sending out some phone calls and "thank you" cards to a few people who have made an impact on my life. By the way, I hope to make snail mail a permanent part of my life again. I also hope this Thanksgiving finds you overflowing in gratitude to the point of expressing it as well! :)

And now, a little about traditions...

I absolutely LOVE traditions!!! We have many traditions, but as our family grows older some of them lose appeal and change. One which I am especially fond of begins with sitting around the table writing what we are thankful for on our homemade name cards.

These are ALWAYS made by Mindy, which brings up another favorite tradition; every person has the same something special to contribute year after year. Miles makes "pink stuff" (a recipe he got from his mother years ago but modifies a bit each year); Mindy does place setting cards and sets the table, in addition to a pie and whatever else she does just because she is awesome; Devry makes a Mayflower center piece out of french bread and crackers; Dausen makes some kind of delicious finger food, this year he is making pinwheels again (yum!); Levi makes a layered jello with mandarin oranges and mini marshmallows (how ever he chooses to make it each year); and I do all the other traditional stuff (which of course I rope Miles and or whoever else into helping me with! :o)... turkey, potatoes, rolls, hot apple cider, stuffing... you get the drift.

Oh, but I didn't tell you the rest of the first tradition I started telling you about. While eating, and after some time to converse, the fun comes of taking turns reading our list of things we are thankful for to each other. If you think it sounds boring because you haven't done it (or if your family just isn't as awesomely cool as our is.. JK ;o) then you will just have to trust me that it is a ton of fun! For some reason this activity gets everyone to open up and get excited! :) I love it when something that is said resonates with someone and you hear them enthusiastically chime in with "me too!" as they add it to their card. It isn't uncommon for several of us to do this at the same time with some of the really good ones... (The cards get very full with small writing on them (another phenomenon which I greatly enjoy witnessing).

This is a very happy tradition for me. The feeling in the air while it is happening is AMAZING! Pure Joy and Happiness and an incredible swelling of the soul that leaves you feeling like a helium balloon! :D (Sorry, I don't know how else to describe that happy "full" feeling! :o) LOL

I hope you count your blessings and have a very wonderful Thanksgiving Day!!!

Hugs, and happy tradition making...
Corine :D

Thankful Thoughts: I'm thankful for home and family, friends and loved ones, good food, beauty, freedom, traditions, progress, Jesus Christ and His gospel, the Atonement and forgiveness, snowmen, candles, fun and laughter!

*And ~ My daughter stayed up all night last night, to make me a couple of aprons!!!! Can you believe that? That's just the kind of person she is... :) I am so blessed!!! I'm thankful for my beautiful daughter and my beautiful new aprons!!!! I

'm going to get my picture taken in them to show them off to you, so I will be back to post them here soon.
TTFN! :D

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Sapere Vedere

The day before yesterday my husband brought up something that he used to do which was a great trial to me and asked me what I would do if he did it again? In foolishness, I imagined him having that weakness again - forever - and told him the worst lie imaginable; I said I would have to leave him. How could I have been so thoughtless and blind?

I knew instantly when I said it that it wasn't true. It was the source of much frustration... but I had faith that things would change; I saw in him the desire, capability, and potential - not to change - but to chip away at all that held him down from being the person that I knew God created him to be! Just as he has ALWAYS seen and loved in me, even that which is still waiting to be seen by others! How unkind and unfair to be impatient and short sighted!

As I have felt the pains of my foolish words (how ironic after the last post!), I have done much reflecting upon the fifth chapter of a book I recently began reading, Aspire, by Kevin Hall. In it I learned many important truths...

Leonardo da Vinci painted The Last Supper, the Mona Lisa, and other world famous paintings. He studied birds, nature, how things moved and worked... When he died, among his notes were the designs of many inventions which would come about by his great genius. Even before people knew of what was in his book of notes, the living would often ask him where he got his great genius from. He simply said one word, "Sapere Vedere." It means, "knowing how to see..."

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, had the same gift of seeing what others could not see. He would look at a block of marble and see - not a block - but a figure within the block. To everyone else it was a block... but in his eyes it was a figure beneath a mass; he had only to sculpt away unwanted mass until he uncovered and revealed the beautiful figure within.
On days when I didn't lack vision, I, like Michelangelo, looked at my husband many years ago and saw in him an amazing and beautiful person. But it was not me who would sculpt him out. On days of vision, I treated him like the person he was within... helping him to catch vision of who he really was, just as he helps me to catch the vision of who I am... On visionary days, I loved him like he was already that person, just as he so consistently loves and sees the best in me! And both are uplifted, edified, and inspired to be the best we can be.


God created each and every one of us  beautifully, even masterfully.

He then lovingly placed us into this challenging and deceptive world where the only way we can see things as they really are is to live by faith and pray to see what only God can see... He placed us here so we may come to see and realize the amazing person He created us to be. And I think it is safe to assume that He desires us to see the best in others as well. ;)

Of God's love and will for us, we become subject to the trials and lies of the world. Underneath all the pains of this world and struggles which hide so much more... there are beautiful children of God with amazing potential for good. Potential which could never be discovered without adversity... With this adversity, we are given the quest and privilege to *live by faith, *find our way back to God, *discover what we were created for, and *choose for ourselves what we will chip away at... un-bury; and to what degree we will fulfill the measure of our creation.

We ALL lose our way to some degree and forget who we are and what we were created to be... And I think that most of us never realize that we ALREADY ARE that which God created us to be. All we have to do is BELIEVE it, SEE it, DISCOVER it, OVERCOME that which buries it, and LIVE IT as if we already are...

What was I created to do and be? We should all ask ourselves that. If we look at our passions, talents, dreams, desires... we will know! We will discover more about ourselves as we SERVE others and do the things we love...

I hope your Thanksgiving is fabulous! I hope that you are blessed to see through the eyes of God... your many wonderful blessings. Blessings of talent and beauty in yourself. And blessings of talent and beauty in the people you love. May God grant you these eyes for a day; and may you remember and treat these wonderful children of God as the beautiful people they really are...

Happy Thanksgiving!
Corine :D

Thankful thoughts: I'm so thankful for a patient and loving husband who treats me like I am everything I  could ever dream of being! :D I'm thankful that he is rubbing off on me, and that I am learning to see, a little better every day!  :)

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Words are Powerful...

I have been reading about words for the past couple of days. First I ordered a book called Aspire, and started reading it. On the front cover it reads, "Discovering your purpose through the power of words." It sheds light on the great unseen powers that words hold to help us to change, improve, and create... It is written by Kevin Hall, with a foreword by Steven R. Covy (one of my favorite authors); I'm really, very excited to read this book! :D

Next, I read a blog post, a quote by Douglas L. Calister, and part of a talk given from a General conference, all about the refined way in which our Heavenly Parents speak, and of our need to be like them so that we will be  comfortable in their presence. Each of these I found through on a blog post, shared by Becca... (How can I thank you enough... Becca!?)

I have always made an effort to speak appropriately, positively, and to avoid profanity and gossip. And yet, I did not realize until this morning how very much MORE there is to think about, and that I actually, truly need to improve in the area of how I use words! Words Are Powerful!

I am not at all discouraged, but am actually really excited for the challenge of speaking and writing in a much more refined and beautiful way!

I have an incredible appreciation for words, and am amazed by their power and capacity for beauty. And yet, they can be used by opposing powers....

Words can lift, or destroy. We know from the scriptures that through faith, words can create "And God said, let there be light; and there was light." We also know through the scriptures that words "defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." And that "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." (James chapter 3 is amazing!)

Words can provoke anger, aggression, depression, and other negative emotions... or they can cause one to feel the greatest and most powerful emotions of love and joy imaginable... lifting one up to heights of sheer ecstasy!

Words unveil the secret desires of our hearts, and the confusing or dominate thoughts of our minds. They tell how we think, and what we value... Our words tell others so many things which we ourselves may not even care to admit! Could it be that our words betray us? Or do they lift us up? Do they confuse their hearers? Or do they enlighten and inspire? I wonder how my words affect others and what my words reveal about me?

When others hear me speak or read my words, I would hope that the words I use will be edifying and uplifting, so those who take the time to hear them can feel the sweet beauty which I am absolutely sure God created and intended words to give...

In case you don't go to her post, here is the quote that Becca shared which sheds light on a few things which are unintentionally revealed through choice of words:


Here is a link to Becca's post about Refined Speech...


Thank you Becca... for enlightening us all! :D

UPDATE: 2:52 pm, same day...

Thankful Thoughts:

I'm thankful that I get to meet so many BEAUTIFUL people through blogging!!! I'm thankful to have met the sweet people who read and comment on my blog posts; thank you dear readers!!! :D

I'm thankful to Ginger for sharing the song and video Who Says on Ginger's blog today!!!! Thank you Ginger!!! (By the way, I added the song and video Who Says, by Selena Gomez to the end of my post, "Forget Not... The Lord Loves You." 

And, as I already stated, I'm thankful to Becca for the wonderful truths she shared on her blog (which I also shared here today) Thanks again Becca! :D

PS. Today I am again reminded of Bob... and his beautiful mission to make the world a happier place through the power of words... I love that man!

Corine :D

Monday, November 14, 2011

The Holstee Manifesto: Lifecycle Video


This video re-ignites the part of me that loved to cycle!




I think it is time I get my bike fixed! I also think it is time to start doing a few other things which I ALSO LOVE to do (like playing the piano; it has been since I was 16 that I played the piano regularly!!!!

It is time I made time...
Is there something you love to do that you are not doing?

Thankful thoughts: I'm thankful that I  DO make time for some of the things I love, like rollerblading, running, writing, reading (need to make a lot more time for this again, but I'm thankful for the time I have made and am about to make more of...), and learning to research my family genealogy, as well as helping others with theirs. I 'm thankful that I got to ice skate once last winter before going out of town and returning home to no ice... I'm thankful that I will get to do more ice skating this winter, because I know I'm going to ROCK at it!!! :D (Not to mention, my body is in love with the exhilarating experience of moving fast on wheels! :)

TTFN!
Corine :D

Grattitude Visits

I recently made a book order on Amazon... The books just keep coming in, and I love it! :D One of the books is titled Aspire - Discovering Your Purpose through the Power of Words, by Kevin Hall. I just started reading it last night as I nodded off to sleep, so only read the foreword and intro. But already, I have read some gems! :) In light of Thanksgiving being this month, I just have to share one particular gem with you today...

A world-renowned authority in the field of positive psychology (and author of Leaned Optimism, and Authentic Happiness says that we are brought to a new level of happiness through the act of reaching out and thanking those who have made a positive impact in our lives. He goes on to say that science has proven that these "gratitude visits" are the #1 way to promote personal happiness.

This is a scan of a "thank you" card from
my stationary... I can hardly wait to write
words of thanks and get this baby in the mail! :)
WOW! I used to say that Christmas was my favorite holiday. Recently, I realized that Thanksgiving is actually my favorite, and I think this is why!

No other holiday causes me to contemplate upon my blessings as much as Thanksgiving does... As I contemplate upon my blessings, my heart is turned towards those who have blessed my life. When my heart is turned, I want to express my gratitude to these wonderful people. When I express my gratitude, I am filled with overwhelming happiness, and inexpressible joy... :) I can see that the person I am thanking also feels happy, and this in turn triples my happiness, engulfing me in a warm whirlwind cocoon of love and joy... I know of nothing that feels better?

I am anxious to come back to this blog and share at least one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions with you. But for now, it is time for me to get back to LIVING... :) (I am also very anxious to finish writing the blog post I started last month about my twins! I will probably be posting the twin post before the thanksgiving traditions post; stay tuned for both! :)


Thankful thoughts: I'm thankful for my new books, my family, and the good feeling I get everytime I thank someone for impacting my life in a positive way!

Wishing you a happy month filled with many "gratitude visits!"

Corine :D

Friday, November 11, 2011

Thankful Thursday...

This is how I feel about tradition:

It is 1:09 AM (technically it's Friday)... However! I am going to PRETEND it is still Thursday. Do you know why? (Imagine one of my eye brows raising right about now...) Because, I decided to have a "tradition" of writing a "Thankful Thursday" post, every Thursday this month! LOL

Seriously, I have been too swamped to get this done sooner! Here are my "thankful thoughts."

I'm thankful for exercise (especially today, because I didn't get to, so I can't wait to do it tomorrow later today, after I sleep. :o

I'm thankful for sleep (especially since I should be sleeping right now; amazing how you appreciate something when you don't have it!).

I'm thankful that I got to help my husband work on our new health blog today! :D HE REALLY IS AMAZING! We make an amazing team, the two of us! :)

I'm SO thankful for my kids! (They ROCK! And I really am planning on getting photos added to the blog post I wrote about my twins so I can get it posted right away).

I'm thankful that I am a Family Research Consultant at the Family History Center! :D

I'm thankful for my new calling, that you can hear about on Sunday! (And that I can still keep the FH calling!)

I'm thankful that I get to teach 4 year olds for the next two weeks while my friend goes to Israel on a business trip, and that my husband and I are going to start following in their foot steps so we can travel around for fun business trips, too!

I'm thankful that I got to go to the temple tonight with twenty some women from my ward!!! These are AWESOME WOMEN!!!

And now, I'm thankful that I can get to bed! ;)

TTFN!
Corine :D

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Forget Not: ~ ...The Lord Loves You… / Who Says, Selena Gomez

HI. J Today in Relief Society we women discussed the October 2011 General Conference talk spoken by President Dieter F. Uctdorf, "Forget Not."

This talk was given to the women of the church, who were encouraged to “forget not” five ideas that women are especially prone to forgetting. They are as follows:

Forget not:

    1.)             …to be patient with your self.
      2.)             …to know the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish one.
      3.)             …to be happy Now.
      4.)             …the “why” of the gospel (happiness… eternal joy).
      5.)             …that the Lord Loves YOU. “You are second to none.”

The teacher, Stacey, did a wonderful job of leading the discussion (awesome teacher!).

I loved the things said; there was so much wonderful positive talk going on. And yet, there was also a great deal of evidence (as we discussed # 5…) to suggest that many women really do not love themselves the way they love others… or the way others love them. It was astounding to me.

...ASTOUNDING, because these wonderful women are constantly serving and loving others… they are kind, talented, beautiful, selfless, and amazing in SO MANY WAYS! I just had to wonder... Can't these women see how wonderful and amazing they are?

When we were children, we loved ourselves, as children usually do. We needed no reason or permission to do so, even though we weren’t perfect. We also knew that God loved us and created us with amazing potential.

Somehow, as we got older, we began to create conditions for ourselves; “I’ll love myself when I do X, or when I accomplish Y.” Or maybe without realizing it we loved ourselves because we thought we could and would do or be X or Y.

As children, we had the whole world ahead of us. Some of us loved ourselves unconditionally; but some of us loved ourselves IN ADVANCE  for everything we were going to be, accomplish, and do. However, when we grew up and didn’t be, accomplish or do EVERYTHING we thought we would – we stopped loving ourselves fully.

Why? Could it be that instead of seeing what we HAD accomplished, done, and become – we saw only what we hadn’t?

**Fortunately, that isn’t how others see us. Others don’t see what isn’t: They don’t see where we lack, or our unfulfilled dreams. They see what IS And they love us for it...

If we could see ourselves the way others do, we would love without conditions; we would see what IS; and we would love what we see; we are amazing! We could really love ourselves!!!

To you who are reading this now, I wish I could convey how wonderful and amazing the women around me are (both in the “real” world, as well as in the blogging world). They/you inspire, uplift, edify, and encourage me. Their/your examples make me a better person. And they/you make the world a more beautiful place.

I believe that if each woman knew the love that God put into making her: individually; purposefully; intently; intentionally; and with great love and joy… each would feel incredibly and overwhelmingly blessed, cherished, and loved. They might even find themselves thinking “thank God I’m me!”  I know I do! :)

Though this talk was given to a group of women, the truths apply to all... I hope each of you who read this has such an experience of your own, whether you are a child, woman or a man. In short, I really hope that you forget not that the Lord loves you; and that you also love yourself

I hope you have an awesome day!

Corine :D


PS. Upon writing this, I remembered seeing a beautiful Forget Me Not flower that Jocelyn created and shared on her blog when she heard this talk at conference. I'd like to show it to you with a link to her post to give her credit for her beautiful creation. It is a beautiful reminder of Elder Uctdorf's message... Thanks Jocelyn! And thank you Elder Uctdorf!!!


Corine :D
*(thankful thought @ bottom of page)



*I am so thankful to my Father in Heaven for loving me, and helping me to love myself. And for helping me to get back on track every time I stumble off... :)

UPDATE: November 15, 2011

I love this song! Thanks for showing it to me, Ginger!!!  I had to add it here... :)



Here are the lyrics to "Who Says" by Selena Gomez.
I wouldn't wanna be anybody else, hey
You made me insecure, told me I wasn't good enough
But who are you to judge
When you're a diamond in the rough


I'm sure you got some things
You'd like to change about yourself
But when it comes to me
I wouldn't want to be anybody else


I'm no beauty queen, I'm just beautiful me
You got every right to a beautiful life, come on


Who says, who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting
Trust me that's the price of beauty
Who says you're not pretty
Who says you're not beautiful, who says?


It's such a funny thing
How nothing's funny when it's you
You tell 'em what you mean
But they keep whitin' out the truth


It's like the work of art
That never gets to see the light
Keep you beneath the stars
Won't let you touch the sky


I'm no beauty queen, I'm just beautiful me
You got every right to a beautiful life, come on


Who says, who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting
Trust me that's the price of beauty
Who says you're not pretty
Who says you're not beautiful, who says?


Who says you're not star potential
Who says you're not presidential
Who says you can't be in movies
Listen to me, listen to me


Who says you don't pass the test
Who says you can't be the best
Who said, who said?
Would you tell me who said that, yeah
Who said


Who says, who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting
Trust me that's the price of beauty
Who says you're not pretty
Who says you're not beautiful, who says?


Who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting
Trust me that's the price of beauty
Who says you're not pretty
Who says you're not beautiful, who says?


Saturday, November 5, 2011

Mormon.org :)



Hi! I'm so excited because I finally did a profile of myself on www.mormon.org! :D Look, here it is!

I'm laughing at myself right now because I'm excited like a little kid who just got a Christmas present. It's just a profile! :o

Honestly... It's NOT that I'm stuck on myself or anything...  It's just that I REALLY love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I'm excited to tell people why I'm a Mormon, and how I live my faith. On that website, I also answer the questions: Why is it important for us to take care of our bodies? Why are our bodies called temples of God in the Bible? My testimony is dear to me; and I love to share it!

If you want to, go to http://www.mormon.org/ (or click on the link on my sidebar that says "I Believe") and check out my profile! You may enjoy reading other people's profiles as well; I know I do!

Thankful Thoughts: I am incredibly thankful that that missionaries taught my family (both my parents and husband) about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that they embraced it! I'm also really happy that I started running again yesterday, and that I got books in the mail today! :) Life is good! :D

Have a great day!
Corine :D 

PS. Mormon is a nick name that many people give to us because we use the Book of Mormon along with the Bible.

Friday, November 4, 2011

REMEMBER: 5 Minute Friday with Gypsy Mama

Today is Five Minute Friday with Gypsy Mama, and I'm linking up! Although, I was interrupted while writing this, so really don't know how many minutes I wrote... Oh well. :)

I used to be a procrastinator. But today, I am reminded to remember the futility of such lack of action…

I remember the scriptures given in the book of James, chapter 2:

14. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?”

James goes on to speak of how faith that food will nourish can not nourish without the work of eating that food.

After other examples we read 24. “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

26. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Today I remember the many wonderful truths that I believe in… even have perfect faith in. I remember that to believe in a truth without living it, is as useless as not knowing it…

I remember that I know I can do certain things… but that to know is useless if I do not do what I know I can do…

I remember a quote: “Do not put off for tomorrow, that which can be done to day.”

I remember that every good gift that I have been blessed with, has been the result of both faith and works.

And so I remember to go on working! J And to go on loving it! :D

Today, I choose to make “Do it!” as central to my life as “FAITH” is. They are the friends and companions which together make life so sweet!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Halloween - with Teens... :)

Yeah, our "kids" still "Trick-or-Treat." They almost abandoned ship a couple of years ago, wondering if they were "too old." I assured them they weren't! LOL Childhood goes by way too fast! ;D


AT A PARTY
Five out of 7 of the kids... (the kids had 3 friends with them)

Miles and I have a tradition of taking the kids to different neighborhoods by car on Halloween night. This year we had another adult friend with us... a mom of Levi's friend who also joined us.

I don't know why, but we really enjoy doing this! I guess maybe we do it so they can have the fun of hanging out with friends (not parents), but we still get to spy on them. :) They just think we're great (I think :o) because when we reach an area where the lights are all out, they can hop in the car and be escorted to another area. :) I know, we really are awesome parents! ;D

Here are a few of the common vies we see from where we sit in the car (the photos aren't the best; darn!):




At the party... The one on the right is a friend.
Dausen is behind him and Devry is on the Left... 

This is one of the things I always make sure that we do... visit someone who I know will really appreciate the visit! (This lady spent about $20 on candy, even though she only had one person come to her door last year! I knew she was looking forward to it.)




I decided to get out of the car and give her another hug for good measure... :)


Before I left, our friend looked into the candy bowl and told me that my kids were the first that had stopped that night (though she was the last house we stopped at). She said she was going to leave the candy out all night and see how much was left in the morning. Mindy heard that, so after our friend went back inside, she took another handful of candy for good measure! :o I love that girl! I think I better just slip a photo of here in here... :)


Mindy made this Cheshire cat costume herself (shopping at thrift stores for the clothes, then creating the tail and ears herself. She did get the wig new online for really cheap)

She also designed and made this rabbit costume for our little friend and buddy (I assisted :). Isn't she amazing? :D I wish you could see the buttons on his jacket (they are hidden behind his hands). Super cute costume!
Yes... Alice in Wonderland characters.
I joined the kids at another house to ask for a drink of water (that candy was making me thirsty! :o). I thought the kids would be humiliated to have their mom join them at a house; I was desperate for water, so I took a chance. :o To my surprise, no one complained. :) One of the kids even took a photo of Mindy and I together... :)


We took a few more photos at home... (actually, my daughter took a ton of photos! She was camera happy and had her dad and I posing!)







I took a few photos of the kids... :)














Miles took photos of my friend and I... 
OK... this one kills me! I made this STUPID expression, which when
I switched to a smile, my husband laughed and said,
"do that again... with your mouth." I did "it" again, and this is the photo he took.
You would think that after 22 years - I would know better!!! :o

There... that's MUCH better! :)
THAT is the real/normal me (when I'm not being crazy) :D

Enough for now. I wasn't the one who was camera happy this year (my daughter was, and husband took a few)... therefore, I was in a LOT of the photos. Too bad I scrounged through my own closet at the last second instead of dressing up properly (I was "supposed" to be a pirate). :o Oh well, it was fun! :D Time to get...

PS My twins aren't exactly "camera crazy." I'm going to have to get creative to get more photos of them... Meanwhile, I'm writing a blog post about them! :D Stay tuned... :)

TTFN!
Corine :D

ADDITION: As my first "Thankful Thursday" post (which idea I adopted the day after this was posted... thus the cleaver addition ;), I would like to say that I am soooo... thankful for my wonderful family; that my kids got to hang out with friends (and family!) for Halloween; and that they had fun! I'm also super thankful for my dear friend who comes and visits me regularly and also shared Halloween with me! :D I am so blessed!