Favorite Children's Book

Last week for FHE I read the story "The Tale of Three Trees" If you haven't read it, it's a must-have. It's my favorite children's book ever. Mr H. had never read it before and he really liked it. (You can buy it from Amazon for a penny!) It's about three trees who have such great dreams for what they want to become...but what is actually planned for them seems to be such a disgrace as compared to what their dreams were before they were cut down. But the book goes on to show that Heavenly Father has a purpose for us all. Even when we think the trials and the pathway our lives lead, at times, is not what we expect. But it just goes to show that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us and if we only endure to the end we will be blessed. Every time I read that book it is so touching to me that I start to tear up a bit. The message is just so powerful to me, because I have felt as those trees do...that my pathway is not what I dreamed of and I feel that the book is speaking right to me. It is a great lesson for us all. But I just wanted to share that I feel so blessed to be a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sister. I am grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with Mr H. and an opportunity to have a complete family again...I would not have been married again if it were not for my Father in Heaven's hand leading the way. I did not want to be married...I was so hurt before and it made me afraid to trust again. I am thankful for the gospel and how it comforts me in times of need. For the first time in a long time I am full of love this Christmas season. I want to strive to become a better person this next year and I am excited to see what the year brings me. In the name Jesus Christ, Amen

Heating or Cooling Packs

I would love to say that I thought of this all on my own...but I didn't. My sister, RR, came home from Church yesterday and some of the Relief Society women made these for the sisters as Christmas gifts. I thought they were a totally awesome, quick, and easy thing to make. So I came home last night and made 4. Now they're not exactly the same dimensions as the one my sister had...I made them a little more rectangular to fit the lower back or stomach (for cramps). I tried to make this as fool proof as possible:


Fold in half, matching the 13 inches to the other 13 inches, and sew the sides (inside out). After they're sewn, flip the pouch right side out and sew the top halfway. Then:

This worked perfectly for Mr H. and I. We had some rice that was really gross and NEVER became tender. We put the rice in a crock pot for a couple of hours with the soup I was making and it STILL wasn't tender. And resourceful me never likes to throw anything away...so I kept it. And I am glad I did...because this little project was perfect for it. But anyway, after putting about 4 cups of rice in the pouch sew it up, so that it's closed.

It'll stay warm for about 15 minutes and it kind of smells like oatmeal. I thought about putting some lavender in there...but they were already finished. I wouldn't recommend putting anything in there that would make the rice wet, like oils or perfumes. I would be afraid the rice would rot if gotten wet (I could be wrong) but try and keep them dry

You can also put the pouch in the freezer and it'll stay cold for a while.

If you have anyother quick and easy projects or any suggestions when making this project please let me know about them. I love doing this kind of stuff

My little Brother

My little brother JW is coming home from his mission in 2 days - on Tuesday! I can't believe that it has been 2 years already. I am so excited to see him. KK was 2 when he left and he will be 4 on Wednesday! I'm sure JW will think that KK has grown a lot since then. I'm sure JW has grown a lot since then. I'm just so excited to see him. What a perfect birthday gift for KK, JW will be here a day before his birthday. Here are a couple pictures of my brother:

This is when he was reading his mission letter telling him he was going to serve in Anaheim, Ca...Spanish speaking, but later turned to sign language

This is one of JW's companions...look how tall! He makes 6 ft JW look so short!

Well, I'm sure that there will be more photos and more stories when JW is finally here on Tuesday.

Dusting

KK loves to dust and he is really good at it too.


Aren't you scared? I'm scared! I don't think those dust particles know who they're dealing with

Breaking in the new bed

Mr H. and I have been sleeping on an old bed that I bought at a garage sale for $20 during my college years. This bed is old, no longer comfortable, and it's way beyond it's time. The Friday after Thanksgiving we found a great deal on a new bed...we decided to buy it. We spent a little more than we expected, but found a bed that was a little more soft. The bed was delivered today and Tom and I decided to break it in...




















...by letting the boys do this:

and this:

and this:

Tonight is the first night we will be sleeping on it. We are excited and hope it helps us get a better nights sleep...because we both need it!

Do you like the quilted crocheted blanket? I made it...I just had to put that out there, I'm so proud of myself because it took me about a year to finish it.

New life = New blog

Welcome friends and family

I decided that I should start a new blog to begin another chapter in my life and to try and put the others to rest behind me. I'm not sure what I am going to be doing with the other blog...I'm still going to keep it...but I do not know how I will be splitting up the posts. But for now, I will be posting on this blog. I hope that this blog helps you keep in touch with us as we live our lives day in and day out in our household.