February Blessings

• Hi. :) The title of this blog is "Joy in the Journey" and the purpose is to make record experiences which bring joy... I have found that it helps me to feel better if I write when I am stressed; it helps to clear my head and work out solutions. I also somehow find it natural to write about things that I am learning... But when it comes to recording moments that bring joy it is easy to simply exclaim "horray!" say a thank you prayer, and go about my merry way... Thus finding time to write about all the good stuff isn't as natural a thing to do and actually takes conscious effort. But now and then I will have a moment of quiet - where I actually reflect upon my many blessings and have a little down time to write about it - at the same time. Such was the case as I wrote in my journal last night...
•  
  February 28, 2012 Tuesday night
  
  
  This past week or so has been BEAUTIFUL! :D My heart is full tonight and I have time on my hands, so I’m just going to take a few minutes to count and share my beautiful February blessings…
  
  
  Valentines Day was wonderful. My Relief Society President asked if my husband and me would join her in the temple to perform sealings for her ancestors. I was so honored to be asked to do this and did not take for granted the sure knowledge that my husband would also be excited to go. :D Can I just tell you how wonderful it is to go to the house of the lord with the man of my dreams – the man who I know will love me FOREVER? I can’t think of a better way to spend Valentines Day than to go to the temple with my husband and be reminded of the promises we made to each other to love each other for eternity – and also to give others the same opportunity - to love and be sealed to each other for eternity, too… It’s just so romantic! :D After the temple we went out for dinner together and just spent time talking and enjoying each others company… ~ Beautiful Valentines Day!
  
  
  My birthday was also wonderful. Of course, my husband and children had cards and gifts up their sleeves. I told my husband NOT to get me a gift… He insisted I go to a local book store and get a book I’ve been talking about (but don’t recall the title to it – thus I must go get it myself – still need to do that - :o). INSERT PHOTO OF CHOCOLATE PIECES HERE He also got me, not one, but TWO boxes of 60% cocoa chocolate shell - Lindt Lindor Extra Dark Chocolate Pieces… It usually takes me months to finish eating a sugary treat that I have all to myself. Eventually the kids find out about my stash and weasel the rest of it out of my hands (Honestly, Valentine Day was my first time eating AN ENTIRE TREAT – IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS! :o – My birthday was the second time. Yes, it was also a Lindt Lindor Extra Dark Chocolate... I have just recently discovered these. And yes again… They really are that good! All I can say is “Wowsers!” Oh, and Ahhh… Truffles! :) I LOVE the way he loves me!!!! :D
  Mindy got me a pair of head phones and made a karaoke CD for me. Can you believe that? I know… she totally rocks!  Of course, I can’t enjoy it without HER!  I LOVE doing karaoke with her!!!! What a totally AWESOME gift. J Of course, we ended the day together singing around the stereo… My sons made cards for me, though Dausen has yet to find the one he made (he will though...:). Devry drew a picture of a darling little Aname girl, and Levi wrote the most amazing poetic letter to me (in which he lists off ways in which I am amazing! Sigh…). My mother sent me the movie Ice Princess; yeah! :D And my dear friend Valerie shocked and surprised me by baking me a cake and giving me flowers, a card, and a pioneer movie to go with it! I was so happy and felt so loved when I saw what she had done that I immediately started crying. By the way, do you want to know the best part about the cake? She was a little embarrassed because she thought it looked ugly – but said her intentions were to make the cake “cheerful and sunny like I am.” Now, if that doesn’t make a person smile, what will? :D I absolutely LOVE this cake! And I absolutely love and adore these wonderful people!! PS. Aren't friends and family great? :D
  
  
  Speaking of Valerie - Remember how last year I wanted to be in the local triathlon, but was afraid I would drown since I didn’t get around to lessons… but since my friend Valerie started teaching me how to swim (though I only swam with her a couple of times), I jumped at the chance to attend a friend sponsored mini triathlon being advertised THE DAY BEFORE THE EVENT (I still think I’m kind of cool for having taken courage and done that with less than 24 hours notice! ;). Anyhow – Valerie and I just started swimming together a few days ago and she started coaching me. – AND, as of ¾ the way through yesterday’s swim - I think I actually learned how to breathe while swimming!!!! – Seriously – this is monumental! Today I swam for the third time and I don’t think I panicked even once. And I didn’t fill my sinuses with water as bad as I usually do either! :o  YEAH! :D
  
  
  Seriously – I swam on my back for the entire ½ mile swim in the Mini Labor Day Triathlon I did last fall because I was afraid of hyperventilating from lack of oxygen… (Of course, it doesn’t help that I only swam 4 times in the last year prior to the triathlon.  :o) This year – it is still February and I have already swum 3 times! :D Oh yeah… I’m going to do a little LOT better this year! (Don’t’ you just love the way it takes me  no time at all to start rejoicing over something? ;) I By the way, I took Levi swimming with me two of the three times I went and I am happy to say he is also improving greatly (the rest of the kids in the family can currently swim our socks off)! The two of us are going to work hard and be able to swim with the big boys this summer! ;) I can hardly wait to knock the socks off ‘em! :D
  
  
  Well, that is enough for now…
  Good night.
  
  
  Corine :D

Teachings and Atonement of Jesus

One of the things I enjoy most when blogging is visiting Diapers and Divinity for a weekly General Conference Book Club discussion. I have copies of the General Conference magazines at home and read them spontaneously on my own, but sometimes I like to go to the Sunday posts at Diapers and Divinity and read what others have to say about the talks. So this morning I went there to read the Last General Conference post (I read last Sunday's post - before she got today's post up). It was from the talk Teachings of Jesus, in which we were reminded of so many wonderful things that our Savior Jesus Christ has done for us… There was also a video there on her blog in which I was reminded of how through the power of the Atonement our very natures are changed. Sins which may have once been appealing lose appeal; we lose all desire for evil and are “born again,” and our ability to handle burdens is increased. I would like to share it here as well for those who have not been to Diapers and Divinity...

A feeling of peace and awe came over me as I contemplated the many blessings in my life through my Savior Jesus Christ. I thought of my many struggles, weaknesses, and imperfections; I have SO MUCH to overcome. I have SO MANY weaknesses. And yet, as I look back on my life it is obvious that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ,  my weaknesses are being transformed into strengths; I have overcome much; and know I will continue to overcome. I am comforted to know that God sees so much more in me than I see in myself, and that he believes in me. I believe in Him; therefore I choose to believe in his belief in me. I am filled with happiness and hope knowing that through determination and dedication to doing the Lord’s will (rather than my own) – I can continue to be made perfect, just as Jesus Christ has commanded me to;

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your father in heaven is perfect.” 

I know a lot of people like to dodge this scripture and say it is impossible to become perfect. But I believe in His words and know that all I do in this life to obey him and BE what He asks me to be (honest, faithful, enduring, kind, virtuous etc.) will help me to one day attain the perfection he knows I can attain – even if it is in the next life...

I used to think perfection was about never making a mistake. Now I believe it is about BECOMING… allowing Jesus Christ to refine me and make me better than I am; about making Jesus Christ such a big part of my life that through him I am made whole and complete.

Why do I care? Because when ever I have desired to do something which has been contrary to the teachings of Christ fear, anxiety, and the feeling of emptiness have been with me; “wickedness never was happiness.”

In contrast, when I have surrendered to thinking, feeling, and doing only what the lord desires me to think feel and do – I am filled with immeasurable joy. A joy that fills me and leaves no room for emptiness... :)

Though I am far from perfect, I work towards perfection with great faith and patience as I continually do His will, repent of my sins, and allow Jesus Christ to turn my weaknesses into strengths.

I am so happy and so thankful to be a member of His church and to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion; I am thankful that the Holy Ghost gives me strength and hope - to help me to keep my covenants with the Lord and never give up. As I strive to live the teachings of Jesus Christ and constantly repent my life is filled with peace, happiness, and joy... This is why I love living. :) I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Corine :D

Athelia Lesueur - Choosing Fear or Faith

Hi. :) I think it would be a great adventure to dream up a dream or two, then exercise faith to work and make those dreams come into reality...

YEAH... I've just decided, I'm going to go on such an adventure!

Corine  :D

We are NEVER Alone...

The past three days have something in common with Thanksgiving; both include a three day feast. The first is physical. The second is spiritual, cognitive, and emotional… While the first one sometimes leaves me feeling heavy; the second leaves me feeling much happier and lighter.

Saturday night in Stake Conference our local RS President began her talk by referencing a quote given at the end of Elder Uchtdorf’s famous talk Forget Me Not, (a talk which I have blogged about).

“No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.”

Immediately upon hearing these words a powerful feeling came over me as the Holy Spirit confirmed to me the truthfulness of these words; the feeling was so strong I could not help crying...

As I sat in conference in the 30-60 seconds following this remark, my mind then switched back and forth between remembering the pioneer scene and a recent scene of my own life. So much went through my mind in such a short period of time.

In my minds eye I saw a scene from the movie The Seventeen Miracles in which an elderly woman, being so exhausted and overwhelmed from their journey – sat down and wept as the rest of the group continued on. The woman’s daughter begged, cried, and plead with her mother to get up and stay with the group, knowing that if she refused to continue on with the group she would be alone and unprotected, and would likely be devoured by wolves. Several of the party also implored her, knowing that they must continue on… but the discouraged woman sat crying and would not budge. As the daughter eventually found herself alone with her mother she finally fell to her knees and in tears and great faith, plead with the lord to help her mother to get up and catch up with the group. Upon opening her eyes the faithful daughter found upon the ground a big round pie. She looked around and saw no one. Through tears of joy she picked up the pie and took it to her mother exclaiming, “Mother! Look at what the lord has left for you!” Her mother saw the pie, and knowing it was from the lord was renewed in strength and energy to continue on in her journey.

I then just as immediately saw in my own minds eye the scene of seemingly never ending financial struggle in addition to other struggles I don't care to mention at this time.

In just a few months time, we experienced several very unfortunate events...

Our suburban broke down, and an acquaintance offered to fix it up and sell it "to help us out financially." This man ended up giving us only $200 from the deal - he got the rest (though we could have parted the vehicle out for much more). A few weeks later someone hit our car and totaled it. The insurance company offered only $800 for it (which we are still waiting for). We are very fortunate to have Miles’ father’s truck; however it only gets $10 miles to the gallon on the freeway and even less around town (we seldom drive, and I am so thankful to have this for when we must but losing the car that gets such great gas mileage is a loss). As if these losses weren't enough, we then let a troubled youth in our home - giving him a second chance at having honest good friends… though he has not admitted to it, $2,200 belonging to a man we sold a boat for went missing the same day he suddenly had an angry and irrational outburst, followed by quietly slipping out of our home without telling anyone…

All of this happened in only the past few months – all during our down season with very little income. I was beginning to feel overwhelmed, and needed to not allow myself to get discouraged.

I continued to remember so much in just a moment’s time while sitting in conference…I remembered how I prayed for help. Usually, I am happy and strong despite trials, but life is a roller coaster, and at this moment I felt weak and wanted a friend to lean on. I told the lord I needed someone to talk to. I called a friend intending to ask her how she handles life without getting overwhelmed, but she didn’t answer the phone so I left a message for her to call me. I didn’t know who to call about my problems or why I even wanted to tell someone at that moment, but I did; who wouldn’t mind listening? Who would understand? Who had time? Who wouldn't rather not know? I didn’t know where else to turn. I prayed to know…Each time I prayed the song “Where Can I Turn for Peace” came to mind. I knew the lord was telling me to turn to Him. And so I prayed harder. (Though I know I have friends who WOULD have been there for me had I talked to them, but I needed to turn to the Lord - first and foremost.)

I remembered feeling so alone. My husband had a business appointment but talked to me as long as he could, trying to comfort me before he left. The lord made it known to me at that moment how much my husband loves me; I was surprised. I had next to me my best friend, even more deeply and truly than I had ever supposed or realized…

I then remembered looking at my phone and realizing that my very dear friend, Jolynne called me back and I had missed the call. I called her back and was blessed with the emotional feast I had been needing... During the course of that phone call Jo paused and said to me, “Corine, I want you to know that I am here for you – 100%” She told me that she loved me, and understood what I was going through. I could feel the depth and honesty of her words, and through the power of the Holy Ghost the lord testified to me that I am not alone. The emptiness and despair within me were replaced with hope, peace, happiness, and a feeling of being so loved and watched over that I knew everything would be OK.

As I reflected, I realized, the lord had given me a miracle in the same way he gave a miracle to this pioneer. The Lord did not take all her struggles away. But he met her most basic needs – and assured her that he loved her and was aware of her. This was all she needed to have the strength and courage to get up and move forward. And it was all I truly needed as well...

I believe the Holy Ghost prompted my friend to tell me the things she did; He knew I needed to hear it. The lord wanted me to know that my husband loves me, my friends love me, and that He loves me; and that He was sending me my husband, the Holy Ghost, and a friend – just as he sent that pioneer woman a pie – to let me know that I was remembered, cherished, watched over, and loved, and to give me hope and strength to get back up and keep living. My dear friend told me other things that I also needed to hear. She told me that we have something in common with the pioneers... we are all on a journey and will make sacrifices we didn't know we would have to make, but that there is a reason and purpose; and it IS all worth it.

The result - I was again happy and filled with hope that together we can make it through very challenging times. I was reminded that all the struggles we go through are blessings of experience which strengthen and teach us. And I knew that everything would be OK...

I don’t know if any of us are ever truly aware of the impact we can have in a person’s life by doing the simple little things that Heavenly Father inspires them to do. I don't know how often we are the answer to another person's prayers, just by doing some small act that we feel inspired to do... But I know He hears and loves us, and He always will. I know without a doubt – that thanks to Him - WE ARE NEVER ALONE…

PS. You will probably want to watch or read the talk I mentioned at the beginning of this post a few times (it is really THAT LOVED). To view the famous talk in print click here...

Or, you can just watch the video bellow. Enjoy! :D

And to the Republic for which it Stands...

...and to the Republic for which it stands..."

Hi. :D I feel really good today. I read with the kids again the 12th principle (“The United States of America Shall be a Republic”) from the book “The 5000 year leap – Principles of Freedom 101” As I read it I felt so good about what I was teaching my kids that it filled me with joy. I remember one of my kids receiving a Priesthood blessing in which he was told that the day would come when he would look back on his school days and realize that the really important things… he learned at home.

As I read to my sons emotions often flood over me as we learn and discuss principles of such vital importance. I feel SO BLESSED to have had the opportunity to home school my children all these years. I thank my Father in Heaven for giving me the courage and faith to undertake this great challenge.

I teach all three of my sons together, so the oldest are learning Government at the age of 17, and the youngest is only 13 (we have studied it some off and on through the years so they should get a great grasp of it now). I’m thankful that Levi has enough interest in such topics to keep up with his brothers, because it sure helps me to teach them all at once!

Today Yesterday we reviewed the basics of a Democracy, Republic, and Democratic-Republic. Since so many Americans don't seem to know which form of government was written into our Constitution (including a few of our presidents), and since our Constitution is what granted our country so much freedom and prosperity, I feel this is an important topic for Americans to understand when voting in leaders for our country.

In a Democracy everyone helps to make the laws regardless of whether or not they have time to study the issues or even care about them. The reality is that day to day living gets people so busy that most people don’t have time to study most of the issues adequately. This is one of many reasons why a pure Democracy does not serve a society well. In 1928 the US Army printed a training manual to help clear up the confusion people had between Republic and Democratic governments (though many still haven't learned to know the difference). In the definition of a Democracy the manual points out that majority rule even if based upon passion, impulse or prejudice - with no regard to consequences (among other negatives not mentioned here). James Madison had this to say about Democracy;

"Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths."

 (Federalist papers, No. 10 p. 81.)

In a Republic the people choose legislatures/representatives to make the laws; if these representatives are chosen wisely, we can have laws written by people that have time to study the issues in depth. Because of this, in a Republic those making the laws can make more informed and wiser decisions than would the general public or those under a pure Democracy. The government manual points out the many benefits of a Republic government among which include that a Republic government has respect for law, order, individual rights etc, and is also one in which does NOT result in either Tyranny or Anarchy.

Because the founders combined the Democratic principle of mass participation so far as voting is concerned, and combined that with the Republic principle of voting for representatives to make the laws and administer the government rather than having the masses make the laws directly - the United States have what is called a Democratic-Republic. This is very different from a pure Democracy...

Because of these and other benefits of a Republic government, I am very thankful that our Founding Fathers carefully structured our government and wish that society wasn’t so confused (which is obvious since many very wrongly think our country was founded upon Democracy). Our founders hoped we would have a clear understanding of the difference between a Democracy and a Republic and recognize that they had established a Republic government (as stated in our pledge of allegiance and as is evident by the structure of government as outlined in our Constitution); this is the government which made it possible for America to prosper financially; this is the government that has preserved for us so many wonderful freedoms. This is the government we need to preserve if we are to retain the freedoms which were granted through it!

Well, enough for now. Thank God for our founding fathers and our wonderful free country! And thank God for home schooling! :) Talk to you another day...

Corine :D

All About Me - Circle Journal

This post is of some Circle Journal Pages I created for another woman's journal with the theme "All About Me." I just found it among my unpublished blog posts, though I thought it was published a long time ago; better late than never! :)


Hi. One of the gals in the circle journal I am participating in asked if the rest of us could produce some "spoilers" LOL. So, here mine are. I have to admit... I'm a little nervous to show them after seeing the incredibly artistic journal entries other women in the circle have done. I had never done a circle journal before and actually imagined them much less artsy/creative. So I am really stretching myself to make something a bit interesting. Perhaps my style's uniqueness will make up for my lack of artistic talent! :O (I can hope! :D) The theme the author chose is "All About Me." Drawing a picture of myself was absolutely OUT OF THE QUESTION! So I did the silhouette she sent for us to draw on, and covered it with words that tell about things that I love. :D he he! A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! ;D (I am very much displeased with that page and wish I would have done something like make a real silhouette of myself and just leave it; darn!) Oh well. TTFN. Corine :)

Faith in Ourselves and Self Confidence

“One of the greatest weaknesses in most of us is our lack of faith in ourselves… When you live close to the gospel, the Lord is always there. I have proven it to be true that if I would do my homework, if I would study and be prepared, the Lord always ratified the direction I should take. The Lord has always been there to rely on.”

"I think that the greatest talent that the Lord has blessed me with is enthusiasm. I am hard to keep down. I will try to keep people charged up about their responsibilities, and duties and about their great potential . . . The Lord's business has to be the best in the world.”
– L. Tom Perry

This man, Elder Tom Perry, is coming to speak at the Hayden Lake Stake Conference this month! Yeah!!! You know, he reminds me of me when it comes to enthusiasm. I was told in a workshop once that enthusiasm is my greatest asset; I think it may be true... However, I'm still working on the whole faith in self thing! :o Darn!!!! I do think "confidence" may be my word this year for the next 11 months. Confidence encompasses MANY things, beginning with confidence or faith in Jesus Christ, and ending with self confidence, or faith in ones self. To do this, I believe I will have to START DOING the things that I have not done due to lack of self confidence. The only way to get over it is to get through it!

Here are a couple other quotes that I like:

The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, 1996

 Seventy percent of success in life is showing up. ~Woody Allen

 To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. ~e.e. cummings, 1955

Do you think self confidence and faith in ones self are the same? I think I'm using them iterchangeably when they are in fact different. I think faith has more to do with belief before proof, and confidence perhaps comes later as it implies a solid surity. Perhaps I should rethink the word I will focus on... How would you define or differentiate between the faith in self and self confidence?

Quotes about Thoughts...

"You are a living magnet. What you
attract into your life is in harmony
with your dominant thoughts."

- Brian Tracy
 
 
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"You are today where your thoughts
have brought you; you will be
tomorrow where your
thoughts take you."

- James Allen

God's Plans for Our Lives... Must Read - Part Two!!!

Hi. :) A strange thing happened. I checked the mail the day before yesterday and discovered that my Ensign subscription did not end; I just got the January Ensign at the same time that I received the February Ensign. :o Don't know why, but I'm glad I got that January Ensign because I need the messages (I devoured several of them immediately since I hadn't gone on line to read them). One article really got my attention - since I just posted a blog post a few days ago titled "God's Plans for Our Lives." It is titled "The Book of Mormon and God's Plan for Us." Seriously... is this God's humor? Why did my Ensign come a month late and two days AFTER I posted an article with nearly the same title? For what ever reason, I'm thankful for them both.

This was a learning experience for me because as I compared content of the two articles (which are, by the way VERY DIFFERENT) I came to realize that I know some things so completely that I almost disregard mentioning them simply because I assume that everyone else knows them too... :o

For example, in my post I never even mentioned WHAT GOD DOES PLAN FOR US! (Ironic, really, since that is the name of the post); I merely wrote about how He has plans to help us accomplish our own plans. But what about the plans HE has for us? That is where this article comes in to remind me that I wrote an incredibly incomplete post which needs to be completed! After all, though God DOES desire to help us accomplish our own dreams for ourselves, He also has plans and desires for us; and honestly, as good as our own plans get I really don't think they can compare to His! :)

So, what are God's plans for us? I don't believe in re-inventing the wheel, so I'll refer you to what has already been written on the subject by way of a couple links at the end of this post. But first I wish to point out a few of my own observations about His plans for us...

First, His plans are all very small and simple, so simple one would never expect life to be so sweet as a result of such simple acts. My plans for myself are often overwhelming and big, but God knows that "by small and simple means are great things brought to pass."

Second, I noticed that His plans for me have one goal - to make me happy... This is why his plan for us is often called The Plan of Happiness,  also known as The Plan of Salvation.

Third, I noticed that the greatest happiness that I have received in my life has come from doing the things which I knew HE planned for me; and the joy I receive from accomplishing my own plans is magnified by accomplishing His plans... Because I trust Him and know that He wants me and my family to be happy, I strive to do the things He counsels me to do. There have been times when I struggled to follow His plan for me, and times when I followed His plans with near exactness; the times when I followed His plans were the times when my life has been most filled with peace and joy. (He really does know what He is doing!)

There are some things which most of us know He wants for us; we know He wants us to read His words from the scriptures and pray to Him. We know He wants us to live for Him and love Him with all our hearts, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. But there is so much more He plans for us that many of us take for granted and doing these simple things helps us to be in tune with Him and accomplish the rest as well...

Are there things He has planned for you that you are not aware of? Would you follow His plan for you if you realized the plan? What specific things do you know in your heart - He desires for you to do with your life?
 
Links:
*The Book of Mormon and God's Plan for Us
*The Plan of Happiness - (several links here - for more information on the plan of Happiness look for a missionary near you)
*The plan of Salvation - there are several links at the bottom of the page this link takes you to...

UPDATE: *See comment section for more! :)
Also, a THIRD part was added to the topic of God's Plan for our Lives - briefly highlighting The Family: A Proclamation to the World; you can view Part Three here if you wish...

Family Campout...

Camping... Ahhh :)

Moore Memoir ~ Quick Quips...

Life has been grand! :) Stress just seems to be fleeing from me in the past couple of weeks and moments like these are in greater abundance. I think this calls for celebration by way of posting. ;)

Me - "Miles" sigh...

Miles - Looks up from his computer at me (Corine) and asks if I was going to say something...

Me - Sighs again. "Oh, never mind. I don't want to bother you."

Miles and Levi both look at me like, "What?"

Levi - "Oh, come on... just spit it out."

Miles - "Yeah!"

Me - "OK." Sigh. "I was just wondering if when you get done working on the computer if you could go clean out the mess in the storage room, so I can start putting things away early tomorrow morning." (I know! It is pathetic, really. I just don't want to clean up his wood chip mess from making adjustable shelves! :o)

Miles - This time it is his turn to sigh. He looks me over and says, "I don't know. Maybe if you shake that cute little tush."

I decide to reward him well for his consideration (he is my husband, after all!). I pull my shirt just so... showing off my hourglass figure (which is usually well concealed ;o). Of course, I top it off with a cute pose and a "shake."

I'm sorry to say, I don't recall Miles' response (I'm sure his jaw was dropped ;) ~ Levi distracted me. :o) But Levi's response was priceless...

Levi - "Mom, it seems like you are getting younger instead of older." He then turns to his father, "Next thing you know she'll be going through a teen age rebellion! It's already starting!"

We all had a good laugh... :)

PS. I wrote this about a week ago, but for some reason I never published it. Since then the storage room has been cleaned out and re-stocked. Just a small amount of work there left to go; yeah! :D It feels so fabulous to accomplish big projects! :D (And I we have done a few of them lately!)

Have an awesome day!
Corine :D