'Turn Up The Music' :D

So I heard this song by Point Of Grace a long time ago, but never got around 2 looking it up. I heard it again this past week & put it on my 'TO DO' list that I was going 2 YOUTUBE it & lo & behold. . . . . :D I was able 2 locate it w/no problem @ all. And when I say 'no problem @ all' I truly mean it. I didn't know the name of the song or even the group that sang it so I thought it would be a little bit of a challenge, but it was the 1st result that came up & I was so HAPPY!! :D And I mean, it's 10 o'clock @ night & I've played it over & over & over cause I love it so much!! Lol. With our older kids being asleep 4 a couple of hours now, it's just me, Savou in my lap, baby Hoko behind me standing on the same chair I'm sitting in & Sila dancing around my desk singing her little heart out as if she knows the words!! Hahahaha. . . . .definitely a kodak moment that's being put away mentally in my sub-conscious 4 those hard times I come across very rarely, but in all honesty. . . . .they do still come when I sit & think about the 'PRE-EXISTENCE' & it amazes me how emotional I get & the peaceful feeling that comes over me & I feel nothing, but CALMNESS filtering throughout my whole body. :D And along w/that CALMNESS comes feelings of GRATITUDE 4 all that I am continually blessed with on a day 2 day basis. I have a very CONSIDERATE & HARD WORKING husband, very HEALTHY & ACTIVE kids, very SUPPORTIVE parents & AMAZING siblings that are always there 4 me in whatever I may need. :D

The lyrics 2 this song is so 'ON POINT' 2 me cause it's everything I've always practiced w/in my own life. I've always believed that how you live says a lot more about you then 'who you know or what you did' The Savior always taught by example & it's been the best way of teaching because you are living your beliefs & others around you will take notice. :D As a member of the church, we've always been referred 2 as being 'peculiar' In the dictionary, this is defined as: strange or odd; unusual. And ain't it the truth?? We may live in this world, but we are strongly encouraged 2 not be of this world. And 4 good reason. 'For the natural man is an enemy to God & has been since the fall of Adam' For no man other than Jesus Christ is perfect. But it doesn't mean that we can't & shouldn't strive 4 perfection. The Savior is a perfect example of CHARITY & LOVE 4 all despite the many many weaknesses we all have. One of the many stories that comes 2 mind is the one about the adulterer that was taken 2 Jesus & told that she was 2 be stoned 4 her adulterous actions. The Savior draws a line in the dirt & tells them that whosoever hath no sin, cast the 1st stone. By the time he stood up, there was no one there. And he told the woman 2 go & sin no more.

There have been 'many a times' in my own life where trials & tribulations have come up & there have been many ways that I've wanted 2 respond that wasn't Christlike & I find myself always talking 2 my husband 1st & I am eternally grateful that he has the insight 2 be able 2 advise me otherwise. :D We've found great comfort in knowing when we need 2 turn 2 the Lord whether it's through personal & fervent prayer or through his ordained servants, which in our case is our wonderful Branch President. :D Life without the gospel in our lives would be meaningless & I can honestly say that we would be utterly lost. So 4 that I am always GRATEFUL 2 have the gospel in our lives. Being able 2 renew our covenants every Sunday as well as being able 2 live higher standards in our lives in order 2 be worthy of our temple recommends means more 2 us than any worldly or material thing in this life. If that means that we are labeled w/the rest of the saints as being a 'peculiar people' than we'll proudly stand by it & declare that that is exactly what we are. :D These were my thoughts & here's the lyrics 2 my MOST FAVORITE SONG right now. I think we could all 'TURN UP THE MUSIC' in our own lives & the results would be very rewarding in our own rite. :D

How You Live (Turn Up The Music)

Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open

Don't hold in your anger & leave things unspoken

Wear your red dress, use your good dishes

Make a big mess & make lots of wishes

And have what you want

But want what you have

And don't spend your life looking back

Chorus:

Turn up the music, turn it up loud

Take a few chances, let it all out

Cause you won't regret it

Looking back from where you have been

Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did, it's how you live

So, go to the ball games & go to the ballet

And go see your folks more than just on the holidays

Kiss all your children, dance with your wife

Tell your husband you love him every night

Don't run from the truth

Cause you can't get away, oh no

Just face it & you'll be okay

Chorus

Oh, wherever you are & wherever you've been

Now is the time to begin

So, give to the needy & pray for the grieving

Even when you don't think that you can

Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you

So, think of your fellow man

And make peace with God

And make peace with yourself, oh yeah

Cause in the end there's nobody else

Chorus

1st FHE Of 2010. . . . .

With this past week being the 1st official week of 2010, I thought it really important 2 start a family tradition w/the kids in 'GOAL SETTING' :D It's something that my parents always did w/us throughout the years & so I thought it'd be great 2 carry on this tradition in my own growing family.

We started out w/a story out of the Friends Mag that was just issued out this month. I love that magazine. It has FHE ideas in there that are kid-friendly & really keeps in mind families that have a LOT of younger kids in theirs. Such as ours. :D It also has enough activities/lessons in it 2 last the WHOLE month. :D So back 2 the story that we started out with. It's called:

Amy's Goal

When Amy R. decided 2 read the Bible all the way through, her 1st thought was, "Wow, this is going 2 take so long."

It was 2006, and Amy had just finished President Gordon B. Hinkley's challenge 2 read the Book of Mormon. Because she felt so good when she accomplished her goal, she decided 2 read the Bible next.

"When I 1st opened the Bible, I thought maybe it was too much," Amy says. "But I also knew that if I never started the Bible, I would never finish the Bible."

Amy began reading a little bit every night, just as she had done with the Book of Mormon. She did that for the next 2 yrs.

Sometimes Amy's schedule was busier than usual. Sometimes at night she was tired & just wanted 2 go 2 sleep. But even when these things happened, she kept going.

There were times when Amy didn't understand what she was reading. She would pray 2 Heavenly Father & ask Him 2 help her understand. Amy says those prayers were always answered. She also says reading the scriptures helped her know how 2 use words such as Thee & Thy when she prays.

In December 2008, when she was 10 yrs old, Amy finished the Bible. As a special Christmas gift, she wrote a letter 2 her dad about her experience. When her dad read the letter, his eyes filled w/tears. "I almost felt like crying too because I was so happy," Amy says. "I knew I had done a good thing."

Does Amy have a favorite verse from her reading? No, but she often thinks about the people in the scriptures.

"Knowing stories from the scriptures has helped me w/my problems," Amy says. "When I start feeling bad for myself, I compare my own problem 2 the problems of the people in the scriptures. That helps me 2 have a better attitude & be more thankful about my situation. The scriptures have changed my life & helped me be happier."

What an AMAZING story of this little girl who is DEFINITELY on the right track 2 arming herself w/the BEST tools in life 2 keep her on the 'straight & narrow' path. :D After sharing the story w/the kids, we asked them a couple of questions & were pleasantly surprised that they answered every question correctly. With Sila & Baby Hoko, who have no kind of attention spans whatsoever (lol), we were EXTREMELY happy that the 3 older girls were able 2 still catch the example Amy was setting in this story. :D

Our activity afterwards consisted of us taking 5-10 min 2 think of a bad habit that we each have & set a goal that for 21 days we would turn that habit into a good one. We were given another set of SURPRISES when all 3 older girls' bad habits that they set a goal 4 & would turn into good habits was 2 stop lying. WOW!! I was really caught off guard & in that moment. . . .said a quiet prayer in my heart & thanked Heavenly Father 4 placing such an IMPORTANT factor & always EMPHASIZING fhe in the church through our wonderful prophet as well as many other leaders of the church. After we all stated our bad habits that we were going 2 work 2 break & turn into good habits, we took a little time out 2 talk 2 the girls about lying & how it makes them feel & how it always starts w/just a little lie before gradually getting bigger & bigger as the years go by. We're so so GRATEFUL 2 have the gospel in our lives 2 help direct us & give such specific instruction on how 2 lead ourselves as well as our families in these TRYING times. It had NEVER occurred 2 me in the past that my kids ever struggled w/lying. And I'm eternally grateful 2 the concept of FHE that we've faithfully been consistent in holding every week that we were able 2 address this issue while they are so young. They've never LIED 2 us about anything major, mind you they're all still so young, but we had a pretty 'IN-DEPTH' discussion w/them about how even little lies like saying they've already cleaned their rooms when they haven't can become 2nd nature 2 them & as they grow older, the lies will only get BIGGER. Suffice it 2 say, we're EXTREMELY proud of these little girls 4 stepping up 2 the plate & owning up 2 their wrongs & 4 even taking it a step further & accepting the challenge 2 track their goal that they have set in turning this UGLY bad habit into a good habit by not lying for 21 days. I printed out a GOAL TRACKING CHART that they're able 2 mark off every single day that they accomplish their goal. If any of us mess up, we have 2 start our 21 day trial all over again. And I have 2 be honest. . . .Hoko & I are already starting ours again as of 2day. Lol.

It was a very successful FHE & we were both so happy w/the outcome & excited 2 be getting rid of our bad habits one habit @ a time. :D This weekend I'll be working on 'REWARD BOARDS' that'll track the kids' chores, homework, scripture study & so forth w/cute stickers 4rom the dollar store. An added incentive 4 the girls 2 be able 2 actually see their charts up & know where they stand & what needs a little more attention & working on. :D I'm so EXCITED!! :D It'll also help me a lot in being able 2 know when 2 reward them. It's great. I came across this idea when I was googling the goal charts online. :D I'll be sure 2 keep you all updated on how it goes. :D

'Out With The Old & In With The New'

It's a new year & I've officially put my blog on PRIVATE. :D It's been kinda weird & maybe even a little bit scary that I had upwards of 21 followers & I don't even know half of them. :( Also, I've been quite the 'BLOGGER' & so w/so much of my family information being shared through photos & so forth. . . . .I thought it best 2 keep such things under a more CONTROLLED environment. :D Consider yourself 'LUCKY' if you got an 'INVITE' There weren't many that were sent out. Lol. So kidding. . . .on the LUCKY part, that is. :D

2010 Is Here & In 'FULL SWING' :D

New Year's Eve day & night were filled w/nothing, but FAMILY FUN!! :D We started out our day cleaning house so that we could welcome 2010 feeling REFRESHED & hittin' the ground RUNNIN' :D I'm happy 2 report that this was definitely ACCOMPLISHED!! :D Hoko took the kids TUBING @ our neighborhood park w/his brothers & nieces & nephews. They had a BLAST. I stayed back w/Savou & threw down in the kitchen Betty Crocker Style, LITERALLY!! Lol. Out of her cook book was born 'Fiesta Chicken Lasagna' :D It was my 1st attempt in making this wonderfully easy & quick meal & it tasted DEE-LISH!! :D

We had a couple of hours before our ward New Year's Eve dinner/dance started so I took the opportunity 2 sit back & really think about some 'NEW GOALS' for 2010 & I honestly couldn't come up w/any. I pretty much have gotten myself in the 'GOAL SETTING' mindset this past year & so it's been a continuous & ongoing thing 4 me. It took me a couple of days 2 put my list 2gether & I'm very HAPPY & very EXCITED about it. :D

We got 2 our dance & had dinner 1st. The food was soooo YUMMY!! :D We socialized w/family & friends & then we got our BOOGIE on on the dance floor!! We had a BLAST & were so GRATEFUL 2 be able 2 'RING IN' a NEW YEAR w/our dear friends & families. :D We danced all night long 'til the kids were all POOPED. :D Then we headed home & went 2 bed feeling very BLESSED 2 have each other, our health & the gospel in our lives. :D Life has definitely been GOOD 2 us & we're so READY 4 this another year. :D Happy New Years Everyone. :D

Christmas Day & The Day After. . . . . :D

Christmas day started in our home @ 6 am w/baby Savou being the 1st one up. :D We had some last min gifts 2 wrap 4 the kids 4rom Jr & Emilee so we were already up anyway. Polu Marie made her way up the stairs @ about 7:45 & then she woke everyone else up 2 come up. So we had it all planned that we weren't going 2 buy our kids any gifts this year in hopes of getting into the TRUE meaning & spirit of Christmas, but Hoko couldn't hang. Tuesday came along & he walked into the house bearing gifts 4 all the kids. Especially 4 baby Hoko. Or it might've just seemed that way cause he was so slow 2 open up his gifts being that he's only 2 yrs old so he wanted 2 play w/everything he got before moving onto the next. By the time he hit his 3rd gift, he was done opening gifts. Lol. He was wayyyy too EXCITED 4 the ones he already had. :D









Before the gift giving started, I printed out the story of the Savior's birth & the 3 wisemen & we read it 2 the kids before all the CHAOS began. Lol. The story comes 4rom the New Testament book of Luke Ch 2. :D We asked the kids a couple of questions, then offered a prayer of thanks 4 all that we've been blessed with as well as 4 being able 2 celebrate the birth of our dear Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. :D As soon as all the HOOPLA was over, we got dressed 4 the day & headed 2 Salt Lake 2 see my sister & her family. :D We chatted it up as the kids played & played & played. . . . .Soon enough, it was time 4 us 2 head back home & start cooking. We had planned 2 go TUBING after we ate, but the kids wanted 2 stay in & play w/all their stuff they had just received so we did just that. :D My nieces & nephews came over later & we baked brownies & ate til we couldn't eat no more. Lol. :D











Day after Christmas came & Hoko & I headed 2 the gym 4 an early morning workout!! :D It felt so GREAT & we'd never seen the gym so packed!! Lol. I guess we weren't the only ones there running off the holiday goodies. :D When we returned home, we showered, got the kids dressed & headed 2 our neighborhood park 4 some TUBING fun!! :D And it was a TON of FUN!! :D But I think being out there all day did it 4 my kids. Most of them @ least. That night was when the fevers started & the throwing up followed by the body aches & all. :( Saturday night was the worst, but they're still recovering as of now. We kept them home 4rom church so as 2 not get any of the other kids sick. I don't even remember the last time we missed church. With all the kids being sick except 4 Aaliyah, I'm glad that we did. They seem 2 be recovering well. Savou's been the worst of the bunch. But I'm so GRATEFUL 4 his SWEET spirit cause he's still such a HAPPY baby. Even though he's up all night long fevering & coughing, he's still so SMILEY FACED!! :D He teaches me so much. . . .as do all my children. So selfless & finding joy in the most SIMPLEST of things. :D I guess that's why children are of the kingdom of God. They are so pure & so loving. :D 4giving in a blink of an eye w/out being asked 2. Loving unconditionally regardless of our weaknesses/faults. Always filled w/endless curiosities so innocently pure. And that is the very reason why Hoko & I love being parents 2 these AMAZING children of ours. It's so EXCITING 2 see them grow up & we're so GRATEFUL 4 the opportunity we've been given 2 be their parents. :D We ended our week w/a GREAT temple night. :D Came home & my sister was waiting 4 me so we can go watch 'Sherlock Holmes' Unfortunately, when we got 2 the District, it was sold out. We'll try again next weekend, maybe. :D It has been a very busy & very fulfilling week thus far & I'm anticipating another one @ this beginning of a new week. Happy Holidays friends & family & wishing you all a very Happy New Year. :D