Memory Boards

My house is shrinking and I have no room for these beauties any longer! So sad to see them go, but it would be much worse to have them stuck in storage! They are memory boards made by my amazing mom and dad! One is green gingham material, and the other is purple gingham material. The flowers on top can be painted any color, and both have adorable crystal knobs to hang things from. Both measure 29" x 21". $35.00 if you want them! Leave me a comment, e-mail me at jessimoo30@yahoo.com, or call me!

Somebody lock me up . . . quick!

So here's the story. I have a problem. A big one. I can't stand to see any animal suffer in even the slightest way, and it makes me act a little crazy once in a while . . . Fine! All the time! Apparently my problem is even driving me to steal other people's dogs . . . or just borrow them for a few days anyway.
Remember that horrible storm we had last week? You know, the one where all of your kids came into your room at 1:00 a.m. screaming because the wind about blew the house down, and the thunder literally shook the windows? It scared dogs too.
The morning after the storm, my running partners and I took off for our weekly run at 5:00 a.m., and less than a mile into it, the cute little guy in the pictures was hot on our heels. My running partners don't love dogs, and we all gave our best effort to ditch him, but he wasn't having it. He ran into the road on more than one occasion, and I panicked. I wasn't up for a squished puppy so early in the morning - believe me, when it's that quiet outside, you can hear everything when the car hits. Been there, done that. I tried my best to carry him while we ran so that I could call his owners when we got to a phone, but my friends strongly suggested that he might just puke on me from all the bouncing. After six miles, the little guy couldn't keep up anymore, and I was worried about how far from home we had taken him. We ended our run, and I felt obligated to go back and get the dog and get him home.
This is where all our troubles started. His tag only listed a vets office 50 miles away. No owner's phone number. Luckily the vets office was not too busy and started a long history quest for me. This story is getting really long I know - so to make it a little shorter, it took three days of chains of people and phone calls to get this little guy home! He stayed with us for those three days, and the girls were in Heaven - I don't think the dog minded his stay much either based on the pictures. Thankfully, he is finally back with his rightful owners, and I'm sure, very happy.
And as for our house? We actually miss the dog just a little, but are still catering to two cats and one frog, and three little girls . . . and waiting to see what Mom brings home next! I did see a couple of skunks the other morning . . .

Good News

I'm not much in the blogging mood lately, so I'll bore you with a million posts later . . . but I do have good news! The bunk bed is sold (it took three days!), and we are in re-decorating mode (yes, AGAIN!)! Pictures and updates to come soon! Thanks for all of your help!

For Sale

(View of the upper bunk)

Okay blogger friends, I need your help. My dad made this adorable bunk bed for my girls a couple of years ago, and unfortunately, we have officially outgrown it. It's time to sell it, so if you happen to know of anyone who wants this, please pass the information along! It retails for about $1500.00 in the store. We would like to get about $600-$700 out of it. It is in almost perfect condition and is made out of very high quality materials - all wood, no plastic! It can be painted to match any color scheme, and has a very roomy five drawer dresser built in, as well as two cubbies with lots of space for storage. It can fit a twin mattress vertically on top, and can accommodate a twin or a full mattress on the bottom (mattresses not included). My dad spent hours and hours building this and put a lot of time and thought into it, which means it's not only well built, but very child-proof! We have loved it, but we are transitioning to "older girl" styles! It's also listed on KSL if you know of anyone who might be interested! Thanks!

Little Miss Ella

These pictures were just too cute not to share! Little Miss Ella gets

to play at our house a couple of days each week! Isn't she adorable???

WARNING

WARNING!!!
Excessive use of artificial green food coloring by leprechauns comes out the same color it goes in, freaks out four year olds, and leads the four year old to believe that she has been cursed and/or poisoned by the leprechaun forever!!!

Inspiration

Here is a little inspiration and encouragement for the blah month of January! What a thought to start off the new year with! I was so uplifted by this! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it as well! (Pause my music!)

Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

Here are 60 reasons (out of hundreds) we love my mom and our grandma!
1. She gives the best hugs!
2. She has a huge heart!
3. She loves us more than anyone else in the world possibly could!
4. She always has good things to eat at her house (especially for her starving son-in-law!)
5. She lets us (the girls) sleep in her bed with her!
6. She likes to go camping and be part of nature.
7. She lets us stay up a lot later than our mom does!
8. She gives great advice.
9. She tells us stories in funny voices.
10. She was there when we were born, and she loved us before we even were!
11. She keeps me grounded - especially when I get too caught up in life!
12. She helps us remember that we are blessed.
13. She never gives up on us.
14. She carries us through the hard times, and is there with us through the good as well.
15. She supported everything I ever did in school - even if it meant cutting out 5 million things for posters and elections!
16. She believes in all of us!
17. She is courageous!
18. She is kind.
19. She believes in God.
20. She prays for us.
21. She always helped me chase my dreams.
22. She is my strength.
23. She is our friend.
24. She is fun!
25. She gives wise counsel.
26. She is always involved in things we do.
27. She is beautiful, inside and out.
28. She is special in every way.
29. She has a fierce competitive side, but doesn't mind when we win anyway.
30. She has amazing decorating skills.
31. She can make any ordinary thing extraordinary and beautiful.
32. She has countless talents.
33. She gives us confidence in ourselves.
34. She is a great listener.
35. She is adventurous.
36. She rubs our feet with lotion when we have sleepovers.
37. She "fixes" everything!
38. She loves each of us unconditionally.
39. She lets us have sleepovers a lot.
40. She buys us things we need - and even things we don't need.
41. She loves animals.
42. We can count on her for everything.
43. She constantly makes sacrifices on our behalf.
44. She is a healer.
45. She'd sell her soul for us.
46. She loves her children.
47. She loves her grandchildren.
48. She always has yummy treats - lots better than at our house!
49. She is forgiving.
50. She encourages us to be the best we can at everything.
51. She is respectful.
52. She brings us joy.
53. She is honest.
54. She loves to serve.
55. We love her laughter.
56. She can see the importance of details.
57. She doesn't judge us.
58. She protects us and makes us feel safe.
59. She teaches us everything she knows.
60. Her love is forever, and she is the perfect mom and grandma!

Happy 60th Birthday Mom and Grandma!!!

We LOVE you!

LOOK WHAT YOU DID!!!

Thank you so much to all of you who contributed to the drive for the Road Home! What a huge blessing you all are to those in need! Thank you for opening your hearts, closets, and pocket books to make a difference this Christmas! The picture on this post is only about a fourth of what was collected! Baby diapers, wipes, bottles, hygiene items, clothes, coats, hats, gloves, blankets, towels, pillows, shoes! WOW! As I have done more research on the Road Home itself and other charities, I am so overwhelmed by all of the need this year. While it is a hard time for all of us, you all gave of yourselves anyway! My heart is so full - and someone is warmer and happier thanks to you tonight! May God bless each of you, and may you feel the Spirit of Christmas in your home this season!

Baby It's Cold Outside . . . But It's Warm In Here!

It's done! Presenting the fireplace! Finally!!! Thank you to all who helped so much on it - especially my Dad and Todd! It turned out better than I ever hoped it would!

To My Daughter

I must be in a sentimental mood lately! I love this story sent to me through an e-mail.

To My Daughter - by an OK. Police Officer

* Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

*Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

*Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard, and blow bubbles.

*Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

*Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

*Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

*Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

*Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

*Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

*Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

*Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

*Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

*I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.

*And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day . . .

In Honor of Our Veterans

I don't always appreciate some of the holidays we recognize throughout the year . . . I do now! (turn my music off so you can hear the words to this - they are touching!) Now go thank a veteran for your freedom! :)