Disney ROCKS!

So a friend of mine told me about the GIVE A DAY GET A DAY Disney Program and I decided to give it a try seeing as we were planning on heading out to SOCAL the end of this month, well, it turned out to be the funnest thing! We made blankets for the project Linus foundation and the kids had a total BLAST. Vie said, we should do this all the time! Kael, who is a little tenderhearted felt sad for the kids who were sick, had to be taken from their parents, or lost their homes to a fire, for whom the blankets would go to. Even Sax got into it! So we spent an evening talking about how lucky we are and that there are many who aren't as lucky as we are and we should do everything we can to try to help. They were already planning the next family service project that they wanted to do! So I thank Disney for motivating us to do this project! I did however notice that when we stacked up all of our blankets, Kael shouted out, "Wow! Thats like 5 free days at Disneyland! WOOHOO!" You can only hope they get the real point!

Angels Among Us

Every now and then I am exposed to people in my life that act as angels. Many times they are life-long friends who help me realize something profound. Or complete strangers who perform even the smallest deed that I admire. Or finding someone who has corageously endured extreme hardship or loss. I am so grateful for these people who have inspired me in my life. They have inspired me to be a better wife, mother, daughter, and woman. I honestly feel that we are all here to help each other along on this difficult and trying journey. Without shining examples in our lives, we can too easily forget why we are here, and how are we going to get through this. I'm grateful for a mom who is my biggest fan and who wants more than anything, my happiness and success. I'm grateful for friends/sisters, no matter how close or far away they are, who exhibit unconditional love and who continually inspire me to "hang in there". I'm grateful for the women who share their stories of courage and strength while they endure hard times or loss of children while demonstrating an unshakable faith in Christ. I am very blessed with so much. I know this. My heart is full. I only hope that in return to those angels who have touched my life, I can somehow do the same for someone else. I can in no way believe that I can be as influential as some have been to me, but I can try. This is my Thank You. Many who have tremendously touched my life will read this, and many do not even know I exist, but no matter. Thank You, for being my angel.

Festival of Trees!

Close up of the sea turtles.

Close up of one of the other turtles.

Vie, her friend and her cousin at the Festival.

Decorating Day.

Vie putting on the topper, myself, and mom. Decorating day.

So, last year I was inspired to put together a tree for an event here in Utah called The Festival Of Trees. Its a charity event where people donate trees that are then auctioned off and all the proceeds go to the Primary Children's Medical Center. It is amazing event and every year my family enjoys seeing the amazing trees and being a part of the whole event. I was inspired to do a tree because of a situation that a family in my neighborhood and ward was in. This amazing family took on an 8 week old baby who was shaken and abused by his father at only 6 weeks old. He was shaken so badly that both of his optic nerves were severed and he had such severe brain damage that there was little hope for recovery. He was thrown and both femurs were broken, his rib cage was smashed and he wasn't expected to live very long. This foster family took him in and gave this tiny little baby so much love and cared for his every need. He was the same age as my little Cache and it was absolutely heartbreaking to compare the difference. Here my little guy was growing big, hitting milestones while this sweet little baby was just strugging to stay alive, and all because of a man who's lapse of control changed this little boys life forever. This little baby was never going to see, interact with others, or function at all by himself for the rest of his life, but through the love and care of my friends, he made unbelievable strides in his recovery. Sorry to say he passed away at 8 months old from a seziure he suffered in the night. My friend told me sadly, why would God make him stay and suffer for so long. (He had grueling rehabilitation visits) I told her that I knew exactly why he had to stay. He for the last 5 months, got a chance to feel love here on this earth. He wasn't lucky to be born into a loving home, but he found himself among a family who cared about him very much, and gave him a live of love, regardless how short it was. This little boy touched my life and he touched many other lives. I feel greatful to have been born to loving parents, and to have children of my own that I can love and care for. His little spirit had a purpose here and I felt compelled to remember him. The tree was called Turtle's Tree. He was known as Turtle by his foster family for the adorable little mannerisms he had. It was an absolute joy to put the tree together and to let my children have a hand in it too. It was a very special experience, one that I will never forget. So here I present to you Turtle's Tree.

Halloween!

I'm on a blogging roll I guess you could say! Haven't had internet for awhile because of a downed modum, so I'm getting all caught up now! Halloween was so much fun this year! I absolutely love this holiday! I love anything creepy, scary, and most of all, I LOVE scaring my kids! What a mean parent I am. I know. So this year we decorated the yard and my awesome nephew sat outside in a mask and scared kids coming to trick or treat all night! What a blast it was! Kids have to earn their treats when they come to our house. My kids went candy collecting with all of their cousins and got all the candy their little hearts desired. Saxon was Nacho Libre, Kael was a Zombie Army Guy, Vie was a football player, and Cache was a Skunk (my little stinker!). It was a great Halloween! Grandma Higbee put on a fantastic Halloween party the night before too. Complete with games, food, pumpkin carving, and a spook alley. Kids had a blast (parents did too!).

I LOVE FALL!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love this time of year! The colors, the weather, the coziness of it all! Thought I'd share a few pics of fall!