You Say It's Your Birthday...

Happy Birthday to my amazing sister-in-law Lynlee!

I have been blessed in my life with the most wonderful in-laws on both sides of my family. My sister-in-law, Lynlee, is no exception. From the moment I met her, I recognized something extra special about her. Shortly after she and my brother started dating, I told my brother Nate, not to let this one get away. Not only is she gorgeous on the outside, but there is an equally beautiful spirit on the inside. Lynlee is one of the most down-to-earth people I've ever met. She could be dressed from head to toe in designer duds (because she does have quite the eye for fashion), while carrying a crying niece or nephew in one arm, and throwing a football with the other arm. I love her sense of humor, her positive, out-going personality and her love of the gospel. She LOVES BYU football, which makes her a perfect fit in our Cougar loving family. More importantly, I know she makes my brother completely happy and treats him so well. You are a fantastic aunt and you will be a wonderful mother some day Lynlee. We love you and are so glad you are a part of our crazy crew! We hope your day is extra special. Wish we could be with you to celebrate.

Come Listen To An Apostle's Voice

Our Stake had the unique privilege of having Elder Russell M. Nelson, from the Quorum of the 12 Apostles preside at our Stake Conference this weekend. It was an incredible experience hearing from one of the Lord's witnesses. After the adult session Saturday evening, he stood ready to shake the hands of the entire congregation. It was an honor to meet him, shake his hand and utter a simple "thank you" to someone that I know is so close to our Savior. I know he is a true servant of God.

Girl's Night at Twilight

It was Girl's Night Out at the packed movie theater tonight. We joined the crazy Edward-loving teenage groupies at the opening day of Twilight. Go Team Edward! The movie did not disappoint. (Although, if you haven't read the book...it's even better!!)

Here's the story of three cluttered purses...

(Sung to the tune of The Brady Bunch.)

Here's the story of a crazy lady,
Who was bringing up three very active kids.
All of them had wants and needs, like their mother,
The youngest one in Pampers.

Here's the story of three cluttered purses.
That were filling up with junk all of their own.
All of them had piles of change, like the others,
the nicest one had more.

Till the one day, when the lady read her friend's blog.
And she new it was much more than a hunch
That these purses were so in need of purging,
That's the way she's motivated in a crunch.

The blogging bunch. The blogging bunch.
That's the way, she's motivated in a crunch.

Story behind this post: My friend Carrie is frank, honest and open on her blog. I love it. While she's pretty much next to perfection in my book, she did expose one deep dark secret. She keeps a dirty purse. (Shhh...don't tell her I told you.) She showed the world the contents of her purse on her blog. She then proceeded to challenge some friends to show the contents of their purses, claiming she would've "tagged" me, but she knows my purse would be clean & therefore boring. I'm here to prove her wrong. Not only do I have one dirty purse, I have 3! (Don't judge me...I know it's sick and wrong.)

Proof is in the pictures:

Here are the interesting things I found in my purse:

Frequent buyer punch cards for stores that no longer exist.
Ring pop. (You know, the sucker ring pop that we all pretent we're too old to enjoy?)
Receipts for items I no longer own. (You know, might want to hold on to those receipts for a couple more years "just in case" I need to return the items.)
Enough pens to last a year. (Not sure how they always migrate...)
Two zero balance unreloadable VISA gift cards. (Those might come in handy some day...right?)


Here are the useful things I discovered in my purse:

3 tubes of long lost lipgloss
24 stray pieces of gum
Best Buy Gift card in the amount of $28.80 (that may come in handy w/ Christmas approaching)
Toys 'R Us Gift card in the amount of $28.27
$5.15 in spare change--mostly pennies
20% off entire purchase Gymboree coupon
Free Pizza Hut personal pan pizza coupon
Free Dairy Queen treet coupon
Free Taco Bell Crunchy Taco coupon

If you dare expose your purses, I tag: Monica, Karen W., Rebecca & Mari.

A Miracle for Mia

I am about to burst with some miraculous news!! Seriously, if I could've scaled my roof late last night and shouted out the glorious news from my rooftop and not been in fear of being arrested for disturbing the peace, I totally would have.

IT'S A MIRACLE!! BABY MIA IS GETTING HER HEART!!

Late last evening I received an email from a good friend letting me know that Mia's miracle had arrived. After four months of waiting, the hospital called our friend Mimi last night and let her know that they had "accepted a heart for Mia". She is in surgery as I write and will hopefully be done before noon today. Keep in touch with her progress on their family blog!

Of course this is still an uphill battle for sweet little Mia, but the wait for a heart is finally over. Baby Mia will be receiving the ultimate gift from a donor family who has suffered their own tragedy in order that Mia might have a new chance at life. My heart breaks for the family that has lost their infant, yet I am so grateful that they have chosen to give their infant's heart to Mia. Organ donation is such a selfless act.

I thought you all would like the update. Thank you again, for your kind words, prayers, financial donations, etc...They have meant so much to me, but more importantly to Mia's family. I will keep you posted. Continue to keep her in your prayers.

From Our Hearts...To Hers

See this beautiful mother, Mimi, and her adorable baby, Mia?

Mimi McDonald is my friend. Mia is her 4 month-old daughter who is in desperate need of a heart transplant. As fellow mothers and friends, I know her story will pull on your tender heart strings and maybe you can do a little something to help her out.

A brief synopsis: Baby Mia was born with a severe congenital heart defect (Critical Aortic Stenosis) and is in need of a new heart. Mia has been patiently holding on for the past 4 months. But, she's one of 8 babies in the Seattle Children's Hospital on the Washington waiting list. In order to put Mia on other waiting lists around the country, the McDonalds need $450,000.00 up front (as a kind of desposit) for the even more expensive heart transplant, because their insurance company will only help cover the cost of the transplant if it is done in-state. So far, a donor match in Washington has not been found. Sadly, their insurance is falling short of paying for the surgeries and health care Mia has already received & will continue to need as she awaits her miracle. Whether the McDonalds choose to pursue a heart transplant out of state or not, the medical costs will continue to increase. This is where a gift of our hearts can help.

I ask all who read this to please help by adding the "help" banner located on the right side of my blog to your blogs, email, or Facebook. Join the Facebook group "HELP BABY MIA". Donate if you can and read about sweet little Mia. Miracles can happen one prayer, one dollar, one heart at a time.

If this was your precious little daughter, wouldn't you be willing to give from your heart?

You can read her complete story HERE. Warning, have tissues near-by. It's a tear jerker.

You can check out two t.v. news stories here:

http://www.komonews.com/home/video/28117749.html

http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?

Mia's story has been shared at www.wishuponahero.com . The wish is posted under "I wish for a heart transplant for my friend's baby.

I also posted her story on a SWATcash's GPT Site forum. It can be seen here: http://forumn.swatcash.com/index.php?showtopic=18756&hl . Already, people have offered up prayers, love & donations on behalf of Mia.

It is not every day that we can do something small that has the potential to help save a life. Have a heart. Donate for Mia's.

A Face That Only A Mother Could Love

Seriously? Who invented "biter biscuits"? It could not have been a woman. Our species would not have created something so messy. The only redeeming quality about these things...my little bug loves them. Just be prepared, you will have to call in the firing squad when your baby is finished eating to hose everything down, including your baby. You think I'm kidding? You have been warned. Lol. (Oh, I forgot...there is one other "good" thing...they come in a 12-pack. Only 11 more hose downs to go.)