Patriotism

Yesterday my sister said something to me that really got to me. She said that she no longer feels pride to be an American, that she does not feel an obligation to put her hand on her heart when she hears the national anthem. I was shocked to say the least. I might have problems with some of the things going on in America, but come on! I told her, her very own grandfather fought for freedom in WWII, how could she be so ungrateful. Her and my brother think Americans are selfish, and we deserve anything we get. I just wonder how they can sit here and say these things, while enjoying the very things they are putting down. Instead of seeing anything positive, they only see the negative. I feel sad for them in a way, that this is how they view life. I for one, will be forever grateful for all that I have. Yes, there are injustices in the world, and things need to be done about it. But, I am still proud to be an American, we are very lucky people, and we should be thankful for what we have, and in return, try to make the world a better place, by doing uplifting things, not tearing down the very fabric of who we are.



I did this layout awhile ago of my three girls. The quote says:

"Freedom, is one of the most precious gifts that heaven has bestowed upon men; no treasures that the earth holds buried or the sea conceals can compare with it; for freedom, as for honour, life may and should be ventured."

So, I can see how she can feel bad about how we have freedom, and others don't have it, still, we need to treasure what we do have, and try to make it so others in the world have the same opportunites that we do. We need to build up, not tear down.

WATER EVERYWHERE!

So, just an hour ago, Ken looked out the window to see water overflowing from an irrigation well right into our backyard. The kids immediately wanted to go play in there. I snapped these pictures and came in to make dinner. Ken is still out there watching them. Anways, I came to upload them, Ken walks in to see me on the computer and says, "Oh, there's the oven!" LOL! He can be so sarcastic sometimes! He was just joking, pretty funny guy I married though, huh! Anyways, I'm going to go make dinner now (we're having Garlic Chicken), but first I had to come upload my photos and see what they looked like. Then, I wanted to come record this moment, what an interesting day it turned out to be!

PROUD!!!

This week, Keilani, my oldest daughter who is 9, decided she wanted to do something scrapbooking related for her talent at a talent show. So, we came up with this page together, it started out 8.5x11, then I just kept saying, oh, how about we add this, or that, etc. I really like how it turned out, and really enjoyed the process of scrapbooking with Keilani and teaching her the basics. Before, my girls always just treated scrapbooking as an arts and crafts, let's throw down some stickers and call it a scrapbook page. But, now I am trying to teach them how to make good pages, and it is going well. The other two are standing in line waiting to do a page with Mommy too!

10 Things I wish I had known in high school

Thought this was a cool challenge, that NEEKA posted on 2peas:

10 things I wish I had known in high school:

1. No, Burger King is NOT a cool place to work at!
2. If something is telling you to stay away from something, LISTEN!
3. Take care of yourself, don't just roll out of bed and throw your hair into a ponytail!
4. Stop telling yourself you are not beautiful because you aren't blond or skinny. There are so many forms of beauty.
5. Don't worry about being alone, you'll meet the man of your life soon enough.
6. Apply yourself to your schoolwork. Stop skipping school. You'll have the rest of your life to have your days free to do as you please.
7. Nothing really good does happen after midnight, you are fooling yourself.
8. You don't have to be like others, just be yourself! It's okay to be different, in fact, it's what's really COOL!
9. Really, your friends you have now, you will hardly talk to when you grow up. Stop thinking they are the world, and nothing else matters.
10. Set higher goals for yourself, and don't be afraid to go out on your own.



I think this picture was taken my freshman year. I was a band geek, on the debate team, my freshman year. My sophomore year, pretty much the same, but my junior year, I really started rebelling, and thankfully my senior year, we had to move to the Philippines where I met my dh, and really turned myself around.

Flowers! Flowers!

Oh my! I am addicted to flowers now! I was so happy to find these at a yard sale. This lady was selling them for $1 a bunch, and so all of this was only $4.00! I love deals like this. Right now, they are in my scrapbook room, adding a little punch of color to the place!

Saturday we got to go watch fireworks and go to Summerfest in Orem. The kids got to go on rides, but we got all rained out! That wasn't fun! My mother also threw a party for my girls. A "Tahitian Tea Party". She made the girls these dresses, and summer bags full of sunglasses, shells, bubbles, hair things, etc. What an amazing grandma they have! They made crafts, had a water balloon fight, etc. Here is a picture of them, with their baby cousin Maeva.

Long time, no see

WHEW, this last month we were busy moving! I think I am back in the game :) I am going to try and post some pics of my scrapbook room, hope it works!!!



And, luckily, my computer is right in there too:



I have been busy scrapping, trying to get some layouts done to hang in frames and decorate our house with, it's so fun to scrap without any pressures or deadlines!