Well I finally did it. I have been making Jewelry for a couple of years. Mostly just for fun or for gifts. But now I have created a blog where people can go and see what I have made and if they like what they see they can order it in pretty much any color they like. Check it out. www.kristas-kreations.blogspot.com

I am Woman...Hear Me Roar!
As a young girl you might have looked at me as a tom boy. I was always playing sports and trying to keep up with them. I was never the prissy type. Well as a teenager I still was always wanting to do what the boys were able to do. Scouts always did way more adventurous stuff then us girls and I was always asking our high school coach if I could play football. Alas, my ambitions were never taken seriously.

Today I proved that I, a WOMAN, can do anything a man can do ( and better I might add). I noticed a van stuck coming out of an icy alley way today. It was a middle aged woman driving with her 8 year old daughter in the back. I went over to see if I might be able to help. The wheels were stuck in really deep icy holes which were only made worse every time she decided to lay on the gas. I told her to not press the gas until I got the van rocking and then she could press the gas slowly. It took a few tries, but I was able to push that van out of the alley. Me....alone....with my woman muscles. Amazed? I am since it took a MAN and myself to push my van out of the same situation only 2 days before.

Just had to brag ;)

Twas the Night Before Christmas....

and there was a knock at the door. It was a delivery van from my Anthony's work. The delivery guys said that Santa had called Anthony and asked if he would deliver a surprise to Sydney and Haylie. You see, it was too big to fit in Santa's sleigh. This is what Santa got for the girls this year. They will be keeping this until they go to college, cuz I am never putting up another one! ( or paying for another one!!!!!)

I have a feeling our house is going to become sleepover central!

Christmas Spirit.
Most years I feel a bit out of Christmas spirit due to not having my family around. I usually try to keep busy making someone's Christmas cheery. Well as our little family began this Christmas season, Sydney asked me a simple but profound question. " What is the Christmas spirit and how do we know when we are feeling it?"

I tried to give her examples and explain that it is not just the feeling we have at Christmas time, but rather the feeling we should have all year when we give service to others. She seemed content with the answer.

Today as we were at Walmart picking up some last minute groceries for Christmas dinner, we saw the salvation army " Bell Ringer" at the door. He was an older gentleman. He had a less than perfect winter coat on and a pair of gloves and a stocking hat....you know, the stretchy kind. Keep in mind, it was only a positive 2 degrees out.....very cold and windy. Sydney and Haylie looked at the man and then looked at me. We all had the same thought . Haylie said that the poor old man didn't look very warm. With that we went straight to the glove and hat section where we picked out a warm scarf to give him. It was not much, but it would at least cover his face when that frigged air blows at him.

As we left the store, we put a few coins into his collection basket and then pulled out the scarf and presented it to him. He looked confused for a moment. Then I told him that the girls wanted to get it for him to help block the wind. He thanked us and wished us the warmest Merry Christmas we have ever heard. Waking back to the car was not as cold as when we came in and Sydney turned to me and said, " mommy....I feel it. I feel the Christmas spirit. I felt it when we first saw the man. I knew I wanted to help him." I told her that we need to feel that all year round....That desire to help others. And then in return we feel the Saviors love.

What a wonderful Christmas lesson we have learned this year.

Snow Fun

It was finally warm enough today ( 19 degrees) to let the kids out to play in the freshly fallen snow. Even Tui was willing to let me bundle him up to let him out. The kids made snow angles and went sledding down the hill in our back yard. I remember being that age and not minding the cold....but after a few pictures, I headed back inside for some hot cocoa. The kids played and played until their scarves and hats and gloves were completely covered and frozen.

Kissing Friends

As part time work, I babysit a few of my friends kids. One of these children is a girl about the same age as my son, Tui. She is a cute little girl with curly hair and long eyelashes. When we go to the store together, people ask me if they are twins or say " what cute twins". I have gotten tired of explaining that she is not that I now say yes or " thanks" to the compliment. What I find absolutely adorable is how well these two get along. They sing together...they dance together. Sometimes they just make noises at each other until they are both laughing uncontrollably. They have also began kissing each other. Mostly when they are apologizing for something or when one of them is sad about something. It is so adorable!

No Way , No How!
I am very pleased to hear that there are a bunch of people and organizations that are backing up the Mormons and the others who fought to defend traditional Family values in California. There was an article in the New York Times that spoke out against the threatening nature and actions of those in California who are targeting Mormons. I am grateful to those who are not of our faith, who are still willing to stand with us of similar beliefs, to preserve the Family and to stand against those who would morally corrupt this nation.

I took this link off another friends web site. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-12-07-iowagaymarriage_N.htm . I think that it is a warning that we are not out of the woods. We, here in Iowa, will need to fight just as those in California did. Heck....if they can do it in a state that is so filled with " worldly" ideals, then why can't we, here in the quiet Midwest, put up the same fight. I have never had to write letters to legislators or to our state representatives, but I have a feeling I am going to have to start doing it. Petitions people.....we, as " the people" can not vote on issues until they have been voted on by legislature, but that doesn't mean we can not take a stand now. Change legislatures mind before they have a chance to think twice about it. If they know they are going to face opposition from the voters, then they will be less likely to even discuss changing laws and amendments. Am I wrong?

Has anyone done this before? Written letters to government officials? Started petitions? Anyone know where to start?

Story Time.

Well, I have been in my new calling for 3 months and so far I am loving it. Not that I didn't love being Primary President. My heart will always be in primary. But now as Enrichment Leader, I have the opportunity to get to know and serve my fellow sisters. I have a wonderful committee that has helped me transition from primary to Relief Society.

This months activity was a Christmas story time and sing along. We would read a story and then sing a Christmas carol....then another story....song....story, etc. I read one that was entitled " the Twelve Days of Christmas". It was not the traditional 12 days story...it is hilarious. Let me know if you would like a copy. Then a couple of other sisters read a story as well. Each was heart warming and a quiet reminder to our souls of how we should be feeling....not only at this time of year, but all year round.

Then we made neat little cards. Amy( our R.S. pres.) found a book that showed you all kids of patterns to make with ink and your fingers. It was fun to see how many things you can make with just your fingerprint.

Thank you to everyone who came and made it a special evening!

Oh Christmas Tree...

As I was preparing for this Christmas season, I had mentioned to Anthony that I would like to have a big tree all decorated in co-ordinating colors. Like all blue and white, or red and golds. I wanted to have a classy Christmas. But alas, I was convinced otherwise. We stuck with the old 7-footer and all the ornaments we have collected over the years. The kids picked out their traditional new ornament from the store to put on the tree which fit right in with the other mish-moshy ornaments we own.

Then as I was watching and helping the kids decorate, my mood had changed. I realized that I don't need to look or feel classy. All I needed was right there in our small living room. My husband and my three children....singing Christmas songs and smiling and helping one another to bring joy into our home. I am truly grateful for the wake-up call! Christmas is not about how it looks...but rather how it feels.

Here is my favorite part of the whole night. Tui has only heard " Jingle Bells" twice and has already been singing it all over the house. Sorry the lighting is bad.

A Jolley Good Time!
I just wanted to say thank you to my Jolley family. We do not always have the opportunity to be with family over the holidays, but...we are always welcomed with open arms by the Jolley family. When I find myself sad and missing my family, I instantly have brothers and sisters and wonderful adoptive parents who are so kind and loving.

We had a wonderful dinner of all the Thanksgiving best. Turkey and ham and all the sides you could think of. Oh and the deserts were to die for! Once again I have stuffed myself to the point of bursting buttons. The kids were wonderful ( hardly any fights) and the weather was gorgeous! What a wonderful thanksgiving...so thanks to my Jolley family!

Thankful Thoughts.

Some times it is hard to be thankful. This time of year is always particularly hard for me. I am not the type of person who likes to feel depressed or in a slump....but through the months of November and December I find myself crying at the drop of a hat. And every year it gets worse. I miss my family, who all live close enough or have the ability to go home for every holiday. So everyone is together...except me.

So to remedy my gloominess, I like to give extra service, focus on giving my husband and kids a wonderful holiday season, and think happy thoughts. I feel the need to remind myself that I do have things to be thankful for.

I am thankful for:

• My parents, who love me no matter what
• My siblings, who taught me patience and love me no matter what.
• My ancestors who believed....and lived the Gospel.
• My husband....for having the love and patience to put up with me!
• My daughter Sydney....she is so tender and thoughtful!
• My daughter Haylie....who makes me laugh and cry all in the same day.
• My son....I almost didn't have him. He is my miracle boy!
• Friends who are my family when I am so far away from my own!
• Rekindled friendships.
• The first dentist I worked for....he taught me so much!
• My years in Utah....I will cherish all those memories!
• All the places I have travelled. This world is so beautiful.
• Money. Without it I would not have been able to travel.
• My extended Family...they have always been so supportive of me.
• My home. It may not be the prettiest thing, but it is home.
• My van!
• Sunsets....I love the colors.
• Warm cloths...I hate being cold.
• All of the callings I have ever had. Each one has helped me to understand my weaknesses and how to make them strengths.
• My senses...I would be very sad if I could not see the beauty of this earth, or hear my children's laughter, or smell a cooking turkey!
• My pain...it lets me know that I am not invincible
• My sadness...it helps me to cherish my joys.
• Doctors who have saved my life more than once and who have healed my daughter.
• Prayer....not my own, but all of yours.
• My hands...I love to create with them.
• For our freedoms...may we always have them.
• And so many other things. This list could go on.

Lastly, I am thankful for the deep and steadfast testimony I have that we are loved by a Heavenly Father who has provided a plan of happiness for us. I am grateful for His laws and consequences without which we would not have an appreciation for His love and Mercies. I am forever grateful to our Savior, Jesus Christ for His gift of unconditional love and sacrifice. I hope to someday fully appreciate that sacrifice.

Girls Night/ Birthday Night.

There are a bunch of us who have Nov. birthdays and we usually all go out for dinner. I always end up eating so much, I don't have room for desert, so tonight we did a desert night. One of my favorite deserts of all time is the Olive Garden's White chocolate raspberry cheesecake. However, I can not go to the Olive Garden without getting a bowl of their Zuppa Toscana soup. It is perfect on these cold nights. Warms you up all the way to your toes!!!! It was a fun night. We talked and laughed until nearly closing time. I love all my Waterloo gals! Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

9 down...a life time to enjoy.

November is a crazy month for us at the Nai home. I my birthday, my sisters birthday and my mothers birthday all within a 4 day span. On top of that, 9 years ago I decided to get married.....2 days before my birthday. Don't ask me what I was thinking!!!!

I was thinking the other day of where we were every year for our past anniversaries. This is what I came up with.

Year zero: Married in Canada.

Year one: Living in Erie, PA( not liking it) and pregos with Sydney.

Year two: Living in Erie still ( and still not liking it)

Year three: Living in Terre Haute, IN. ( loving it)

Year four: Living in Waterloo, Ia ( not sure if I like it yet) ( haylie is 2 mo. old) .

Year five:Loving Waterloo! moved to new house.

Year six: Still loving it

Year seven: Recovering from a Pulmonary embolism and giving birth to my baby boy.

Year eight: Totally forgot anniversary!!!!

Year nine. Still in IA, Still Happy, Still in love.

Well for the past couple of years, I have been playing the role of the forgetful husband. Last year I totally forgot our anniversary and my birthday was on thanksgiving. ( yuck!). The year before that...who knows. I actually can not remember the last actual anniversary we did something out of the ordinary. I love my husband very much....but he is not the romantic type at all. Any planning for a date is done by me. Well this year I was not going to let it slip by again. I am not high maintenance or picky, so date nights don't need to be too detailed.

The 9th anniversary is the pottery year, so I planned a date to this neat little place where yo can pick a piece of pottery ( plates, mugs, vases, etc.) to paint and then they fire them and you have yourself a little creation made by each other. Anthony painted me a vase. He is very talented when it comes to drawing, but painting is not his favorite. Bless his heart....he at least had fun trying something new. I painted him a card holder for all his business cards. I must say, mine is way cute! It was fun to do something together like that.

Then it was off to try something else new. We went to the Hu Hot. A Mongolian grill where you pile on meat and noodles and veggies and watch them cook your food on this huge round slab of hot stone. It was fun to watch and fun to eat. All in all a pretty good anniversary. Next year is a big one, so I told Anthony to start planning now.

I don't have any pics of the pottery yet. I will post them when I get the pottery back.

Hello Operator?

Quick funny story.

I was on the couch all wrapped up in a blanket ( I hate being cold!) when the phone started to ring. Sometimes I just have Sydney look at the caller I.D. and let me know if it is a 800 #. I never answer them. But sometimes it comes up unknown #, in which case I wait to hear if they leave a message or not. Sorry to any of you that I do this to.

Any way, Haylie wanted to get the phone for me, but she can't read yet, so she just let the answering machine get it. When I asked who it was she said.....

" Don't worry mom, it was just the operator from the phone company. She said that they were not there right now, but if we give them our phone # , they will call us back later."

Maybe it is the cold, or the fact that I am just brain dead, but I didn't clue in to what she was telling me. I need to call the phone company? well I almost did when Anthony gave a little giggle and then I figured out what my dear little helper was telling me. She had heard our answering machine message and thought it was the operator. What will she do next?

Here We Go!
The trend is starting!!!!! We do not tend to look at fashion trends in a bad way. Most fashions are descent and harmless...but are they really? Fashion designers are getting more and more risque in their choice of designs. And usually the public goes with the flow. If big stars think it is fashionable then so does the rest of the world.

The same rings true for the world of politics and " political correctness". As of this morning, eHarmony, a New York based company that helps singles find suitable dates, has lost a lawsuit. This company is a privately owned and operated company and should have the constitutional right to decide whom they sell their product to. If I owned a pet grooming shop and some woman or man came in demanding a hair cut, I would have the right to say " we do not provide services to humans"
Now think about the trend that has been growing with the homosexual issues. More and more organizations are being " FORCED" to provide services or change their policies to include the homosexual minority. It will not be long now that churches of all faiths will be FORCED to accept and provide services ( including temple worship) to the people who are fighting to change policies.....not our policies, but God's policies. So are we saying that God is not politically correct? SOOOOOO SORRYYYYYYY people!

Anyhow, I am sorry for ranting about this. I just think it is ridiculous that all this is happening! And I would like to say that I am sorry if I offended anyone, but at this point I am not.

Be Informed!!!!
I will not get into the recent political drama we are all so sick of, but I would like to express my deepest desire for all of us to be more informed. I wish that we could all look a little deeper into the future when we vote on issues ( that is key...voting on issues, not people and their personalities!). Democrat or Republican, we all need to see the impact our choices create for our future.
As a result of the recent elections, we now have a government almost completely run by the Democratic party. This means that all laws and amendments will be voted on by people in congress and the house of representatives who have a more liberal view of our freedoms. Certain rights and laws will be overturned to please the " worldly"and immoral view that most of this country has. Congress has set their sights on abortion laws. They are determined to allow abortion rights regardless of age or procedure. If any of you do not know what those procedures are ( especially partial birth abortions) I would gladly fill you in. I encourage all decent people reading this to pass on this link. It is an official web site that gives facts about the laws and what they really mean. So read it, and determine for yourself which laws you agree with and which ones you do not. http://www.nchla.org/issues.asp?I
As for our futures, I am not a mind reader. I do not know for a fact that we will all be doomed because of the next presidents future decisions. But take a look at what is going on in California. Things are changing. I have always believed that, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we will come full circle. When our church was first organized, we were outcasts and persecuted for what....for being good and decent people and for having a religion that does not differ in a big way from other religions . Now we are seeing that again. Or at least the beginnings. In California, Mormons are being targeted for a law that was passed in part by many people not of our faith. But we are the ones to blame.
As we look into the future, I want to know what I am voting for and I pray that I may have the courage to stand up and vote when it is not the " Popular" vote. We will be persecuted for standing up for what is right. And I would rather do that than " go with the flow"!!! I don't want to be like the masses of lemmings who allow change to happen without knowing the consequences of those choices. Let's not be lemmings!

4 Years Ago....

In April of 2004 gas prices hit a high of $2.00/galon. Today I filled my van for $1.99/galon. Is this a trend that will continue? Gas prices will eventually start to rise again, so Do we start to fill up canisters and store them for the day when prices are back up to $4.00? I say yes. The reports I have been reading say that part of the reason for the declining prices is that consumers are being more frugal with their gas consumption. So the less we buy gas...the lower the prices will stay. I know for me it is hard to save on gas when there are always errands to run and places to be, but there are ways to cut corners and make shorter trips. As far as storing gas, anyone know of the propper way to do this?

And More!!!!

Well, one more year of Trick or Treating has come and gone ( Thank goodness!) It is always fun for the kids, but what a head ache for me. Especially since this year, Anthony had to work and could not help me. But all went well regardless.

Sydney is a very imaginative kid and doesn't like the everyday normal costumes sold in the stores. I was like that too growing up. I wanted something unique. Well this year she wanted to be the Headless Horseman. It was not an expensive costume to make...but it was a pain in the toosh to rig so that it looked as though she had no head. Haylie, thank Heavens, just wanted to be the owl my mom had sent years ago for Sydney . That made things a bunch easier. And as for Tui....He was a Toucan. Thanks to Stacy for letting me borrow it. It was perfect. Tui would go door to door saying " Trick-Treat....more....tankoo!" He would then come running down the side walk saying" Yay mommy....candy". Every house he did this. Mommy is candied out!

Well now Sydney tells me she wants to be a Sentar (sp?) a half horse half human thing. Guess I'd better get planning how to make that one.

Hope everyone had a good Halloween!

Halloween Fun!

Our good friends, the Jolley's, invited us over for soup and some Halloween fun. The kids each got to carve their own pumpkin. It was quite a mess by the end, but they had fun. Someone even figured out that if you squeeze a pumpkin seed between your fingers, it shoots really far. So there was a pumpkin seed fight in there as well. All good fun and a nice way to spend a cold yucky night. Thanks Jolley's!!!

Pumpkin Farm.

Every year we go to Heartland farms. They have wonderful things to do all year round. They allow you to come all year round to pick the foods they grow. We love to go pick strawberries, raspberries, and especially pumpkins.

Unfortunately I always go to late in the day and the lighting is not the greatest ( so sorry for the bad pics).

Anthony doesn't always come because of his work schedule, but this year we were all able to go together.

We usually go through the haunted house they have there, Actually there are 2 haunted houses. One for the " big kids" and adults called " The Heart of Darkness" and the little kids haunted house. Last year I was surprised at how scary the little kids one was, but we made it through ( with Haylie hanging on to me for dear life!) Needless to say, she didn't want to go in this year and I was not about to take Tui in. He hides his face in my shoulder when we walk down the Halloween isle at Walmart saying " mommy....care me, mommy...care me" . Which means mommy it scares me. So that left Sydney begging to go in. Anthony ( the big, brave, smartie pants) said he would take her. I told him there were 2 signs. One for the entrance of the adult haunted house and one for the little kids. I pointed out where to go. Where did he go? In the wrong house. He went into the back entrance of the adult Haunted house and took Sydney crying and begging to get out all the way through the dang thing. Then he gets out and can't understand why she was so scared.....DUH! Poor Sydney!

Captain Underpants....

Haylie used to empty her entire shirt drawer....pants drawer...any drawer to find something she wanted to wear. It is still that way except that now, after 4 years of training, will now put everything back when she is done. Fhewww!

Well now it is Tui who does this. I have no idea what he is looking for until he finds it and asks me to put it on him. Well the other night, we were getting ready for bed and Tui decided to go through all of Haylies drawers. Now I really had no idea what he was looking for. Well, this is what he found and the girls thought he was so funny that they just had to join him.

Fashion For Me....Yay!
I have found myself lacking in the fashion department. I will gladly blame it on the fact that I have 3 kids and they always come first! But I have to admit that I am also a penny pincher in a way.
So when I came across a link for Handbag Planet and a free drawing, I couldn't pass it up. Lake a look and if you see what you like ( who wouldn't!), then go ahead and enterhttp://www.handbagplanet.com/ . Nothing to loose!

Short, sweet, and stinky!

Hipp-Hipp- Hooray......Tui went Potty today!!!!!

He is my sweet little boy! He did a quick potty trip before bed tonight.....just to get him used to the idea of sitting on the potty. And what do ya know, plop---plop. Yay, maybe potty training a boy won't be so hard. Cross my fingers...knock on wood!