Celebrity Morph by MyHeritage

So I'm messing around at my heritage again tonight. Apparently, I look like the current first lady. At least I know what celebrity I look the most like if I ever have to answer the question "What celebrity do you most look like?" (like for the Elders Quorum's newlywed game!)

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity

Testimony as a process

Our lesson yesterday was from Elder Carlos A Godoy's talk from general conference titled Testimony as a process. It made me give thought to my own testimony and my conversion to the gospel. I grew up in an inactive home. In fact, to this day I'm not really sure if my parents were ever baptized. I'm assuming they have been; I guess I should ask. Anyway, I attended church on and off growing up but my mom always dropped us off and picked us up. I was baptized when I was 10. I'm not sure why or how but I'm sure that the bishop or primary president or someone was looking after me and anxious to get me baptized. I didn't have to take the missionary lessons like you have to these days if you are baptized after the age of eight. To be honest I don't think I knew what I was doing. Not that I regret it...

The next 6 years I spent attending church occasionally and making some choices I would learn to regret. I had all sorts of friends active in the church but being a teenager I found the rules set by the church too restricting so I pretty much stayed away. In 1991 my mom remarried and uprooted our family and moved us to the then small town of Lehi. I tried to rebel in the usual teenage ways but I found that the teens in Lehi were a tad bit more mellow than those I hung around with in Provo. To fit in, I had to be good. Still, I wasn't interested in being churchy. I remember one night siting in the car with some friends when Missy said she wouldn't get married in the temple because her dad couldn't give her away. I agreed and decided I would never marry in the temple either. I met Adam that year but didn't start dating him until May of 1992. Little did I know how my life would change.

Adam and I started dating the end of our Junior year. Adam had been chosen to be on the Seminary council and so I decided that during my Senior year I'd better take Seminary. I was afraid of how it would look if we were dating and I wasn't in Seminary. This is where I experienced my first powerful spiritual experience.

I had never been taught to pray. I wasn't quite sure how to pray. In fact, once in primary the kids laughed at me and my prayer. I never wanted to pray aloud again. So I said my prayers in my own little way. Laying in bed I said something like "Heavenly father, I need help. I want to be good. I want to feel loved." Those are the only things I remember saying. The next morning in Seminary the teacher Brother Anderson was calling roll. He called my name then stopped. "huh'" he said." Angela, I had a dream about you last night." The room full of teenagers giggled and Ooooohed. "no," he continued, "I usually dream about my students when they need help." Looking back I probably should have been embarrassed that he announced my need for help to the whole class. But, it that moment I knew there was a God, I knew that he heard and answered prayers and I knew he was sending me help. I hung on every word Brother Anderson spoke. We were studying the New Testament and I learned to love Christ. I learned that he loved me.

It was few more months after that day before Adam talked me into attending my own ward. At first I would only go to sacrament. Then I added Sunday school. I had a hard time going to Young Women's because I found the girls judgemental and snobbish. I lived in a home where there was drinking and smoking and they all knew it. Eventually I did start attending and my testimony grew.

My testimony was given a jump start so-to -speak but the rest of it was defiantly a process. I learned to pray. I paid my tithing. I read my scriptures. And, my heart began to feel as though it might burst. I knew it was all true. Adam and I grew closer and sadly, I started drifting from my family. Suddenly we didn't have the same things in common and I had a different goal. When it came time for Adam and I to marry there was no doubt where I wanted it to be. I was going to be married in the temple. I know that my choice to be married there was hard on my family. I am the oldest and was the first to be married. My parents were rightly hurt. But...I knew it was the right thing to do.

Over the years the Spirit has given me the occasional whisper to the truthfulness of the gospel. There has been no thunder, no lightening. But many times I have been "pierced to the soul". I have a testimony. I know that our Heavenly Father lives. I know He loves us. He hears us and he answers when we pray. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I know he died for us. I know we have a living prophet of God here on the earth today just as the days of old. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, just as the Bible is. It's all true. If you want to know for yourself...all you have to do is ask. I share this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

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MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

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MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Antique photographs - Geneology

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My Broken camera...

Turns out, is not broken. At my mom's house Christmas Eve I discovered my SD card was locked and the little switch on it was broken off. So, on our way home we stopped at the only store open at 9:00 on Christmas Eve, Walgreens, and bought a new card. $20 later we had a brand new 4GB SD card. I popped it into my camera and my camera no longer powered up. I switched the batteries and same thing...no power. So, I used Matthais Camera and his SD card to take pictures Christmas Eve night and Christmas morning. When we headed out to Adam's family party I popped the 4GB into Matthais's camera which I have been using ever since. This morning I tried to load all of the pics off of that SD card onto the computer to no avail. I kept getting an error message. Long story short. I bought a SDHC card. I don't even have any idea what that means other than it won't work with my camera or my transfer station. So...I have lots of new pics to share and stories to tell but they have to wait. Stayed tuned!!!

My Christmas Present

Followers of my blog know that this has been long overdue. I am constantly scrubbing something gross out of my carpet. Bound to happen when you have carpet in your dining room!!! After the last episode with syrup I decided it was time. So, I am happy to show you my FAVORITE Christmas gift!! I chose the lightweight version because of my four level-split house. I'm also hoping that my 2 year promise of hardwood floors is finally going to come to fruition this next year and I won't have to worry about the gross and dirty dining room carpet anymore. I am excited to give it a try. Or... maybe not. Actually, I hope it stays in the box a little while longer. Not a chance with my crew!

Christmas morning

At 6:01 I heard the pitter patter of little feet. Matthais had been awake since about 3:00 and as soon as the clock turned 6 he came upstairs. I remember doing this as a kid. I would lie awake watching the clock not able to sleep from the excitement!


I realized it after the fact but I got pictures of the kids opening their present from Santa but none of them after. So, here is Ian opening his spider man scooter.

Millie opening her FurReal kitty cat

Matthais opening his portable DVD player

Owen and his trains.


I have admit...I love our three gift tradition. I know I get a little self righteous about it at times but I really do think kids these days get way more than they need! Even with our tradition my own kids get more than they need! Just because we have more stuff does not mean that we are more blessed. Blessings come in all shapes and forms and I don't want my kids growing up to just EXPECT that they will be given all they want. This year Matthais didn't get what he wanted. It was a good lesson for him and he is grateful for what he did get. We did break the 3 present rule with him this year and he did get a little spoiled! At the last minute a relative gave us a bike that they couldn't use so Santa brought him a bike as well. I felt a little bad about the rule breaking but the other kids did not notice. It was a great morning! We didn't have to be anywhere until 4 so we spent the morning trying out our new toys and watching a new movie or two!

Christmas Eve

My Camera decided to die... On Christmas eve. It started out with a broken memory card. Then it decided not to power up at all. Luckily I have Matthais's camera. Christmas eve was a bust. It went from bad to worse with me crying throughout the day. I will spare you the details and instead I will share a few of the highlights

This is Millie sprinkling the "magic dust" on the porch. It was oatmeal to attract the reindeer and glitter to make our house shine like a star. She was a little disappointed that the reindeer didn't eat the oatmeal.

The kids frosting cookies for Santa. Ian and Owen kept licking their fingers and then smashing them into the cookies and frosting trying to get the sprinkles to stay. YUM! Santa loved them for sure!

The kiddos all ready for bed in their new pajamas. The kids went to bed very easily. I remember not being able to go to sleep when I was kid! We told the kids that they could not get out of bed before 6:00. I should have known that they'd stroll into our room at 6:01!

No suprise...

After reading Becky's last post and her mention that she is a yellow (The colorcode personality test) I decided to try it out. No suprise there... I am blue. Here is what it said about blue

Congratulations. You are BLUE.

BLUES are motivated by INTIMACY. They seek to genuinely connect with others, and need to be understood and appreciated. Everything they do is quality-based. They are loyal friends, employers, and employees. Whatever or whomever they commit to is their sole (and soul) focus. They love to serve and give themselves freely in order to nurture others' lives.

BLUES have distinct preferences and have the most controlling personality. Their personal code of ethics is remarkably strong and they expect others to live honest, committed lives as well. They enjoy meaningful moments in conversation as well as paying close attention to special life events (e.g. birthdays and anniversaries). BLUES are dependable, thoughtful, and analytical; but can also be self-righteous, worry-prone, and moody. They are "sainted pit-bulls" who never let go of something or someone, once they are committed. When you deal with a BLUE, be sincere and make a genuine effort to understand and appreciate them.

Those who know me, those who truly understand me and know the deepest desires of my heart will know why this is no surprise...

I wrote a big long post about this and decided not to post it. It was too personal and I was risking hurting some feelings. I saved it to be printed for my own personal use. This description of my personality revealed so much to me about why I feel the way I do about my friendships and why I desire so much more than I have. I've talked to some of you about this already so you know exactly what I'm talking about. It's just nice to know that maybe I'm not crazy after all...

Another family party

Saturday was another family party. It's tradition that we each bring an ornament. We exchange them white elephant style and my uncle Brett always starts out the exchange with wager on who's going to cry this year.

Owen was number 2 and he quickly hid his ornament behind the chair so no one would steal it! Smart kid!

The newlyweds Jordan and Abby. Brett kept teasing Jordan that he'd be the one to cry since this was his first year. They didn't keep this ornament long.

This is my sister, my grandma and me. Grandmas is recovering from her second bout of breast cancer.


This is my gorgeous niece Kelsey.


Matthais and one of the ornaments we ended up with. Owen got a snowman ornament, Millie a Hannah Montana ornament, Ian a miniature view-master ornament, and Matthais got a Santa/fish ornament. We were being the antagonistic family and stealing even when we really didn't want it. We'll be in trouble next year!

Party on!

Friday was the annual family Adult Party. We've done this for several years and we always have a blast. This year we were bummed because we were invited to party here in our neighborhood and really wanted to go but it was the same night. Just when we thought we were finally making friends...


This year was fun because we're getting nieces and nephews that are qualifying as adults and so they were there. I don't think they quite knew what to expect. You can read Brylie's take on it here. She brought a boy and was so nervous!!

We did the traditional white elephant gift exchange and I ended up with the one that gets brought every year...a five in one vacuum thingy! I think it has been at the last 3 parties and of course I ended up with it! We left it under Jayne and Jeremy's tree and I'm sure it will make it's way to next year's party!

I think it's really great that most of the family lives near each other and we get along so well. We have a lot of great times together!

Can you feel it???

Christmas is less than one week away...I'm starting to feel it! Such an exciting joyful time! However...school is out after today for 2 weeks. I am looking forward to no carpool, no activities, no schedule. I am not looking forward to the build up of emotions until Christmas and the crash afterwards!You know how it is...kids are so excited about the upcoming holiday that they can't contain themselves. I can't blame them really, I get the same way! The next six days will be hard with whiny, moody, fighting kids...And I can't just send them out...We live on the wrong side of the neighborhood. Any playtime my kids get has to be arranged since there are practically no kids on our street. What's a mom to do? Well, for starters, I'll be stocking up on diet coke! And lots of goodies and snacks! And I'll be looking for a lunch date or two...Any takers?

I spoke too soon...

Yesterday I got the last of the Christmas cards in the mail. In each of them was a glowing newsletter about my family and a mention that Ian has not had a seizure since March. I should know better. I should never talk about Ian's seizure's. I was setting us up. Last night I came out of my room to a pile of puke in the hall. Ian was in the bathroom with lots more puke. He was acting really strange and I wasn't sure if it was cause he was sick or because he was having a seizure. I had Adam come get him and I cleaned up the mess. When I came downstairs I could tell that he was not alright. He was responsive,thankfully, but he could form words and would reply to us in gobbledygook. It was much like the first seizure he had...the one that started it all... It started with a stomach virus too...He was pointing to nothing and talking in gibberish. Same as last night. Thankfully it lasted only a few minutes this time. Poor kid. Just when I thought we were headed in the right direction...

The great and terrible two's....

I was just telling Rach the other day how I love the 2 year-old stage. I really do. They are so filled with wonder and excitement. Everything is so new and exciting at 2. And yes, they are naughty. But it's all in the name of exploration right? They're just trying to figure things out right?

Ok, so I have to tell myself all of this. My little Owen; what a cutie. But what a naughty little thing. It never ends. Just this morning he took a bath with a scrapbook I spent hours on for Keegan. He just wanted to look at it. He "made himself handsome" AGAIN, after I had just spent 5 mins washing the hairspray out of his hair from when he "made himself handsome" yesterday. He climbed on the fridge to get some candy and broke the darling jar someone had just gave us for Christmas. When he didn't get the candy, he decided to raid the gingerbread house. I'm still finding cereal from his escapades from Sunday. And...all the marker on the wall...

He tells me no constantly. And his new favorite word is "stupid". He can now undo his carseat. And he loves to hit. Sigh.

Two-year-olds are busy. And mine is naughty. But boy...I sure love him
.

This is Owen after he rubbed lotion in his hair. He's always rubbing something in his hair. And he loves lotion.

What I love about the Christmas season...

You know how certain smells or sounds can bring a rush a feelings to you? That is how I feel at Christmas time. The smells, the songs, the familiarity...Here are a few of my favorite things about Christmas.



I love the nutcracker. I love the music, I love the movement, I love the story. When I was a little girl I dreamt about dancing in the nutcracker. I never really studied ballet much but I still always dreamt of the day I could dance on pointe. I never did. Now I have a daughter and even though I would never push her to live my dreams...I am so happy to watch her on stage dancing in the nutcracker.
This is Millie after her last nutcracker performance with our good friend Jen who, for those who know her, IS GETTING MARRIED!!! (december 27th Woohoo!)





This is my very most favorite Christmas decoration. It was a gift from the Rach a few Christmas's back. This is the reason I can't wait to get my holiday stuff out. Forget the tree. I want to play with the little people. (by the way, the other wise man is downstairs visiting the other little people...my kids love it too!)






I love opening my mailbox to a Christmas card. If it has a newsletter it's even better! I think that sending cards has kind of fallen to the wayside for most people but I still love to do it. It all started when Jen was first married and she sent me a Christmas card. It seemed like such a grown up thing to do and I couldn't wait to mail my first one! I have done it every year for 13 years now and I've saved every picture and newsletter we've received. Sorry, if you just mail a card, I cherish it during the holidays but I then throw it out. Sorry. I felt a little silly sending out newsletters this year because of my blog. I felt like I was just repeating myself. But since no one really reads this anyway...

I love the snow. For the most part anyway. You have to have snow for Christmas. There is just something about it that makes you want to huddle together with your loved ones and waste away the day. Oh ya, it's the COLD that makes you want to do that! Another great thing about the cold...you can keep a 12 pack of diet coke in the back of your van for all those Christmas parties that aren't serving it. It's always cold and then you don't have to try to choke down one of those other sugery concoctions they are always serving. I've already had to do it this year! And hey...the snow could always be worse right?

I love the Christmas music. I can't sing a note to save my life but I love to belt out those Christmas songs. They are so warm and familiar. And so beautiful. But, I do have to say...I really don't like them before December 1st. Sorry if you sit in front of me or next to me at church...

Last but not least...I love the feeling of love that surrounds us. It's amazing the goodness you feel from people this time of the year. It's that whole peace on earth goodwill to men thing. It's too bad we don't always have that in our hearts year round. We are always worrying about our loved ones, neighbors and heck, even strangers at Christmas time but during the year, sometimes we forget. We all have such capacity to love! We really ought to do as our Savior has commanded and love one another. Not just at Christmas but always!

It's such a great time of year to reflect on our Savior and his birth. He was born and he died for each of us that we may be free from the pains of this world. He has given everything for us and all he asks is that we follow him.

I hope you can find the peace and love of our Savior this Christmas season!

I take it all back!

So previously I posted about how I love being in the hustle and bustle of Christmas. I take it back. If I have to go back to Walmart one more time before Christmas I may just have to jump in front of a moving bus. Seriously. Even if I chose the shortest line, I end up being in the LONGEST line. And forget trying to return anything. It took me over 45 minutes to return something yesterday. And after I had waited those 45 mins and then did my shopping and stood in line another 20 minutes (like I said...I chose the WRONG line! Even though it was the 20 items or less line!UGH!) I realized they had overcharged me. I bought some biscuits...you know the ones that are in packs of four for $1.68...well, she charged me for 4! That's almost $5! I looked at the customer service line and wanted to die. But...I'm a cheapskate so $5 is a big Deal! Who wants to pay $8 bucks for biscuits? They're not even that good! Luckily I flagged down a worker who helped me out without having to wait. Seriously though...I'm done with walmart until AFTER Christmas. Just thinking about it makes my heart race and the walls start closing in...Xanax please!

A little boost

So normally I hate having parties. I hate inviting people over with the sole intention of roping them into buying something they don't need or want. I love Kris and I love Saying it Simply. I really wanted to see her and I wanted more people to know of her amazing talent so I had an open house for her. These kinda things are never simple. First there is delivering the invites. I got off to a late start with this and ended up delivering them on a very windy night. My heart cringed as I watched one blow off a neighbors door and I wondered how many more of them would end up just like that...blowing off in the wind. Second, it's Christmas time. If you're like me you have some sort of obligation almost every night. I was stressed about the turn out right from the get go. Then you have to think about the food. What do I want to serve? Then you get to spend the day preparing it (or, if your like me, buying it from Maceys! I did, however, make the sweets). And finally...you get to spend the entire day cleaning. And cleaning. And then re-cleaning. I thought I would beat my kids yesterday. I kid you not, minutes, MINUTES, before the first knock on the door Owen proudly announced "I pooped in my unders! Ha ha!!" So as I was busy cleaning up that mess I hear a CRASH! in the other bathroom. Ian had dumped out all of Emilia's hair stuff. Those tiny little elastic bands are hard to clean up! And this after spilled juice, spilled diet coke, smashed crackers and a raisin fight. I was losing patience fast. Luckily Adam rescued me and the kids and took them out to his moms. The turn out was great. Who knew I actually had friends??? Ok, so some of them were really there to see Kris but there were people in my ward and others who came who didn't know Kris. They were there for me. It was just the boost I needed. So now I know. Next time I need a little boost of self confidence I'll throw a party. And I promise. Next time I won't try to sell you anything!

A big fat THANK YOU to Janelle!

I was out and about passing out invites the other night when I stopped at Janelle's. Scott was playing with some trains and I mentioned how Owen is really into Thomas. (obsessed is more like it). Anyway...She had a train table that she was getting rid of. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I'm thinking to myself. And she says...if you don't want it I won't feel bad. I'm jumping up and down inside but I'm trying to act all cool and I say "no, of course. I want it" But what I really want to say is "I'M TOTALLY FREAKING OUT!" So...Thanks for making my day Janelle and Owen is going to freak out Christmas morning. And...Scott is welcome to visit it anytime!

Therapy for a fraction of the cost

Last night I was fortunate enough to spend the night (into the wee hours of the morn!) with my friend Becky. It was great to get out and away and to have someone to talk to who would withhold judgement and be helpful. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot about her and even more about me. I feel so much lighter today. I wish I could do that more often! It's amazing how talking about things can make you see them in a different perspective. And sometimes you don't see the whole picture. I came home and did a lot of thinking about who I am and who I want to be and for the first time in a really long time I am looking forward to a new day and the possibilities it holds. I choose not to be weighted down with useless worries and fears and I'm still finding joy in the journey. Here's to today!

Saying it Simply Open house

I'm hosting an open house for Saying it Simply on Thursday December 11 from 5-8. SIS has amazing home and holiday decor. Come finish your Christmas shopping! Call or email for any other details.

Tis the season to shop til you drop!

I'm done with my Christmas shopping. Yet...I can't shake off the urge to shop. There is something that is so therapeutic about shopping for me. Adam was out of town this week and I found myself at the store daily buying one or two things but walking around the store as long as I possibly could. Retail therapy. I needed my daily dose. So now, Adam is back and I don't need to spend another dime on Christmas and yet I'm thinking about all the places I would love to go and just "look". I went to the mall last week but I had four kids in tow so I didn't even window shop. The mall has been calling out to me.."come Angi...just take a look". I've even dreamed about it. The funny thing is...I HATE the mall. I HATE crowds. And I HATE shopping alone.... Normally. But, not at Christmas.

1,000,000

I love a new year. I love the chance to reflect and set new goals. I'm really good at setting goals (not so good at achieving them) and I do it several times a year...not just at New Years. I think that personal improvement is something we should constantly work on. I am so excited about our Stake's 2009 goals and I can't wait to get started.

— 1,000,000 Names (family indexing) Individually- one batch a week
— 1,000,000 Pages (Book of Mormon) Individually- read the Book of Mormon
— 1,000,000 Minutes (service, missionary work, temple) Individually-90 minutes a month
— 1,000,000 Dollars (reduce debt, or save) Individually-$1000 reduction or savings
— 1,000,000 Pounds (food storage) Individually-Each family store 1 year of basics.

I am really grateful for the leadership in our Stake and I know these goals were inspired. I am going to work really hard to follow and I know I will be blessed in my efforts.

A chance to reflect

Today my cousin Abby was married in the Salt lake temple. Not only was it a much needed break from my everyday routine, it was a great chance for me to reflect. It will be 14 years ago in February since Adam and I were married in the SLC temple. The decision to marry Adam was an easy one. At only 19 I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had made the right decision. Getting married in the temple was a bit harder. I never grew up dreaming of a temple wedding. The truth is, I had never even thought about it until I met Adam. Even though I had a testimony of the gospel and of eternal families, I was torn between what I knew was the right thing to and the disappointment of my family who wouldn't be there. In the end I know I made the right decision. I can't imagine my life without Adam. He is by far my best friend. He puts up with so much and loves me in spite of my weaknesses. He has listened to my countless hours of crying and whining about my girl issues (emotional, not physical! :) ) and he always tries to make it better even though he can't. He is genuinely concerned about me and never complains when he comes home to the house in shambles. I am very lucky to have someone who loves me, the way that I am. So many times I feel like I need to change the way I am for others (yes, I know, I have issues) but I don't feel that way with Adam. With all the things I've been struggling with lately I am thankful for the rock that Adam is. He always helps me see the light at the end of the tunnel and his hugs always stop the tears. It hasn't always been easy but I can truly say I am a better person because of him. I love him more today than I did yesterday...and I didn't even think that was possible. So thank you Adam. Thank you for letting me be me and Thank you for loving me.