A woman's worth

Last week I taught all the young women on thier worth. It was a lesson that I struggled with for some reason, and I figured out that it was because it was such an important lesson for these girls, and for me. To know that we are of worth to our heavenly father and he created us the way we are for a reason. So I asked them all to look for the gifts that they have been given, and I did the same. It really helps make you feel wonderful when you can recognize the good in yourself and not all the negative. Anyway, This is an email that my Mom had sent me a while ago, but I really like it. Hope it challenges you to look for the wonderful things inside of yourself!



By the time the Lord made woman,He was into his sixth day of working overtime.An angel appeared and said,"Why are you spending so much time on this one?"And the Lord answered, "Have you seen my spec sheet on her?She has to be completely washable, but not plastic,have over 200 movable parts, all replaceableand able to run on diet coke and leftovers,have a lap that can hold four children at one time,have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heartand she will do everything with only two hands." The angel was astounded at the requirements."Only two hands!? No way!And that's just on the standard model?That's too much work for one day.Wait until tomorrow to finish." "But I won't, " the Lord protested."I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my ownheart.She already heals herself when she is sickAND can work 18-hour days." The angel moved closer and touched the woman."But you have made her so soft, Lord." "She is soft," the Lord agreed,"but I have also made her tough.You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish." "Will she be able to think?", asked the angel.The Lord replied,"Not only will she be able to think,she will be able to reason and negotiate." The angel then noticed something,and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek."Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model.I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one." "That's not a leak,"the Lord corrected,"that's a tear!""What's the tear for?" the angel asked. The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy,her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love,her loneliness, her grief and her pride."The angel was impressed."You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything!Woman is truly amazing." And she is! Women have strengths that amaze men.They bear hardships and they carry burdens,but they hold happiness, love, and joy.They smile when they want to scream.They sing when they want to cry.They cry when they are happyand laugh when they are nervous.They fight for what they believe in.They stand up to injustice.They don't take "no" for an answerwhen they believe there is a better solution.They go without so their family can have.They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.They love u nconditionally.They cry when their children exceland cheer when their friends get awards.They are happy when they hear abouta birth or a wedding.Their hearts break when a friend dies.They grieve at the loss of a family member,yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.They know that a hug and a kisscan heal a broken heart.Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail youto show how much they care about you.The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.They bring joy, hope and love.They have compassion and ideals.They give moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE TINY FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.PLEASE pass this along to your women friends and relativesto remind them just how amazing they are.

New pictures

Dark skies in Costa Mya.

Rock climbing on the ship. Costa Mya, Mexico

Late nite walk on the ship. 4 wheeling in Cozumel. In the theater. Going to dinner. Scuba Diving in Roatan!

Okay so I really wasn't aware that anyone read my blog, so found that it was a waste of my precious "kid free" time, but as I have had a few requests for cruise pictures.. here ya'll go!! We had a great time and it was a much needed and well used vacation! and No I am not pregnant! (I know you all are thinking it!) Addie's Princess Party to come....

ELF Genelle

Carson and I are watching Fred Claus right now, and it is bringing back memories for me! When I was in 7th grade my Dad decided to go to Idaho and bring back a dozen or so reindeer. My brothers and I (being the entreprenewers we are) decided to make a little cash during our Christmas break, so we opened a petting zoo type business in our yard. One of my brothers was Santa and the other was in charge of asking for the money. Me and my younger siblings were elves. My Dad made up all these crazy stories about all the animals that we had at the time, and it was reallt quite amusing. We made the news and everything! It became quite popular, ended up opening Santa's workshop where we would sell "reindeer dandruff" (which consisted of antler shavings mixed with glitter.) Oh the stories I could tell! Anyway, I guess my parents saw the money and the genius in this idea and took it to the next level. We spent the next 10 years working as elves along side my Dad (Santa) and Mom (Mrs. Claus) At the time I could not have been more humiliated, but as I got older I realized it really was something special. We helped people bring the spirit of Christmas into their lives, and it really is my favorite time of year. One year we even worked Christmas day! We took the sleigh and set it up in someones home, and were there waiting when the kids came down the stairs. I will not ever be able to forget the looks on those kids faces when they saw Santa and his reindeer in thier living room! We have been in hundreds of homes and got to experience things that it's safe to say no other child got to experience. When Carson and I got married he got to share in the joy of elfhood. It was quite amusing how he and my brother really got into the elf thing. They even glued thier ears into a point, so that the kids would really know they were elves. That was the last year we were able to do the santa/reindeer business, and I wish that my little kids could enjoy the month of December like I was able to. I know I have some pictures around somewhere of the good ole days, so I will try to find them. I feel badly that I gave my parents such grief for making me dress up everyday, because as it turned out, those are some of my favorite christmas memories! Merry Christmas to you all!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Every year I try to write down one thing every day in November that I am thankful for. This year I had forgotten all about my tradition until a week or so ago, so I had been collecting them all in my head! I have a million things to be thankful for, some very obvious, and others not so much. First of all my family!
My husband, who is the greatest father I know, and very genorous to me and others. My parents have named Carson the ultimate gift giver because he puts so much time and effort into every gift he ever gives.
My Addie, she is the sweetest 2 year old I know.. maybe I'm biased.. But she brings so much joy to my day! When she laughs she makes everyone around her happy. She is very obedient most of the time, and always has something funny to tell you.
My Easton, he is so crazy and fun! I love when he is just so tired that he can't stand it anymore- he has to cuddle with me. (That's about the only time he is still) He loves everyone, but hates having his diapers and clothes changed!
My parents. who taught me most everything I know about how to treat others. They would give you the shoes they are wearing, and never complain. They devote so much time to serving others.
My siblings, who are my very best friends. All 4 of them! How lucky am I?!
Sisters in law, Let's see.. I have 6 wonderful new sisters who I love talking to and miss so much!!
Friendship, I have wonderful friends, some far away (that I miss always) and other rite down the street. Nobody is complete without great friends.
Okay, now the not so obvious ones...
My flat iron, Oh I should probably say this is my very best friend. Without it I would be doomed to walk a life with terrible frizzy hair! Plus it makes my job a whole lot easier, and people think I am fabulous because of this tool!
Cameras, I love being able to capture lifes moments to remember them later.
Technology, Although I am what one would call "tech challenged" I will still say I am very grateful for cell phones, and computers, Ipods, GPS's, and all that! Don't ask me how to use it all, but I love it still!
Doctors, I am glad someone knows things that I haven't a clue about. Modern medicine is amazing.
(By the way.. if this post isn't making sense, sorry. These are thoughts floating out of my head before I think about what I am typing, and I probably won't have time to proofread..)
Television, I love putting my kids to bed and sitting down in front of the TV to watch some pointless mindless show. It is how I relax after what always seems like a long day.
Hot Chocolate, I love it when is starts getting cold outside. Quiktrips is the best!
Coats, nobody can tell how fat you really are in a coat! (if they can then buy a bigger coat!)
The beach, although it has been a while.. I love laying in the warm sun on the sand!
Okay, I could go on all day about all the things that I am glad I have in my life, but I am going to go spend time with the most important of all those things, MY FAMILY.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Invisible Mother

My friend Kali emailed this story to me, so I share it with all of you.....

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'
Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more! Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this??
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude -but now, they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!?
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it t o me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof, No one will ever see it. And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does.
No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become. At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for 3 hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Great Job, MOM!

The Summers family

This morning Duane Summers passed away after fighting cancer for over a year. He left behind his wife, Becky, and thier seven children. Becky used to babysit my siblings and I when she was 11. We knew then that she would be an excellent mother, but did not know that she would have to finish it alone. Lucky she has so many people who love her and Duane, and who are willing to give all they have to help this family. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for them, and pray that their faith in the Lord will help them through this.
Watching her yesterday and the way she looked at her husband really helped me to appriciate my own husband. I don't know how I would live my life without him, and am grateful for all he does. He is a great daddy, and a great man! Thank you Becky for loving Duane with all your heart. I saw that in your eyes, and learned from it. Becky is a inspiration to me. Through this whole ordeal she has made life go on for her and her children. I aspire to be the kind of wife and mother she is.

Utah trip and Easton's birthday

Here are a few pictures of our recent trip to Utah to visit the family! We had a great time and already miss you all!! Addie and her cousins at the kagaroo zoo.

Easton opening his presents.