I never have to go to McDonalds again!!!

I hate McDonalds, but I LOVE their chicken nuggets. Weirdness, I know!!! However, I never have to go to McDonalds again. I figured out how to make chicken nuggets almost exactly the same way as McDonalds. And they are soooo delicious! YAY!!! They even look like McDonalds chicken nuggets. (See above picture) My kids loved them, Grant loved them and I loved them. The best part is that they are super easy to make! Maybe I will save a little bit of money!

Grant + Lizz = True Love!!!

I am so blessed to have Grant as my husband and best friend. As with most things in life, he just gets better with age!

Thank you for all you do and continue to do for our family Grant. You are an amazing husband, and fabulous dad! I don't know what we would ever do without you!

We LOVE you!!!!

Something scarey this way comes...

Friday was the last day of school. All week long I have dreaded this day. Not for the reason's you might think. I actually enjoy having my kids home for the summer. I have dreaded THIS last day of school more than any other because my boys are no longer elementary kids.

Next year they start middle school and I am terrified.
First of all, because they are growing up to fast. Second, they are on to new and different experiences, some good and some bad. It's the bad that has me scared. Jayce and Alek are so smart and so ready for this next chapter. They are excited to move on to "teenagerhood". I, however, am struggeling with it. So much, that I actually ALMOST home-schooled them next year. After many restless nights, many long prayers, and much counceling with Grant, I decided I was taking their right away from them to become mature, responsible adults, and that I was hindering them by not allowing them to have these new experiences that are about to come their way. In essence, I would have controlled their every move. Not allowing them to grow and have the life experiences they will recieve and that they will need so they can teach their own children. And though "the bad" that they will have the pleasure of seeing each day in the halls scares the you know what out of me, I have come to the realization that they need to experience the bad so that they will know the good, and be able to choose for themselves which way they want to go.

Grant and I have taught them, we have bared my testimony to them, Grant gives them blessings, and we express often to them Heavenly Father's love for them, and that he has a plan for them. It is up to them to choose the right, and be an example.

A friend once told me that if I shelter my kids TO much that I deprive those around them the chance to see the example they will set. And by doing so I deprive those around them from feeling our Heavenly Father's love.

Jayce and Alek both are such amazing boys. I will struggle this coming school year, but I hope to also grow.

I don't know why I let myself freak out like this, but these are my children and they are about to enter a world that I prayed they wouldn't ever have to see. BUT, like I keep telling myself, how will they KNOW to choose the right if they never see the bad. It just sucks, that's all!

When I had Jayce and Alek, I never pictured them above the age of 5. I guess that was just wishful thinking. Now they are 11 and will recieve the priesthood in about 2 1/2 months. I don't know how to be a mom to teenagers.

I guess when it boils down to it, it's not the boys going to middle school that REALLY scares me. I think it's ME and my inabilities that REALLY scare me.

Thankfully I have awesome parents and in-laws that have been through this that I can rely on for advice. Most importantly I have a Heavenly Father who help me guide my children to safety.

Just a thought or two...

Today a friend of mine shared two thoughts with me. I LOVED them, and wanted to share them with you.

#1 thought...

"It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and all situations. They presented him the words: "And this, too, shall pass away.""

~Abraham Lincoln

I loved this thought. In times that seem especially difficult it seems as though the time has slowed down, and that I am stuck and will never be able to dig myself out. But everything does pass away, and eventually things will get better.

#2 thought...

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."

~Unkown

This needs no explanation!!!

Thank you Aubrey for sharing these two amazing thoughts. I needed them!

To whom it may concern...

Lately it seems like too many people that I LOVE with all my heart are faced with intense trials and challenges. I wish I could do or say something to make everything go away, or vanish into thin air. I wish I had that power, but I don't! I am so sorry!

I know this won't mean much, or even really help! But I love you and I continue to pray each and every day for the well being of those I love! I pray that you will find peace and strength in Heavenly Father. I pray that you will find peace with in yourself, and I pray that you will know how grateful I am to have you in my life.

I am not going to name names. But you know who you are! And though I don't call as often as I should, and I am not the best sister/friend that I should be, I truly do thank Heavenly Father for you!

Be strong, be brave, and endure to the end. The Lord knows your needs, He knows your heart, He knows how to bless you, and most importantly He knows YOU and He loves YOU!

Listening...

Yesterday in primary we learned about the Holy Ghost and how we can recognize the still small voice, and how as long as we are "plugged in" or in tune, we will be able to feel and hear the Holy Ghost direct us and keep us safe. As I was talking to the children I remembered times in my life that I have been guided and directed by the Holy Ghost and it made me realize that as of late I have been slacking. My Scriptrue study and personal prayers have been spotty at best. I have found myself saying, "I will do it in a minute" or "I am to tired, I will do it in the morning", or (this one is embarassing) not kneeling to say my prayers. I haven't been in tune like I should be. In turn I haven't been as receptive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

When I got home, I was reflecting on the things I taught, I realized that The Lord had planned for me to teach this lesson so that I could re-group and re-dedicate myself to my scripture studies, and my personal prayers.

I am so grateful that I can have these experiences and that I can recognize and learn from them. I am grateful that The Lord cares for me, and that he will never give up on me, even when I give up on myself.

I am grateful for the Gift of The Holy Ghost. There have been so many times in my life that I have felt His guidance.

I can't imagine my life without the gospel. It is such a comfort to me.

I am especially grateful that I have been given the opportunity to serve in the primary. I learn so much each and every week. The children teach me unconditional love, and help me to feel the pure love of Christ. I am grateful for the women I have the priveldge of serving in the presidency with, for their amazing strength, their continual dedication, and their beautiful testimonies.

I am truly blessed beyond measure, probably more than I deserve.

I know I wouldn't be where I am today if I had not listened to the Holy Ghost to kneel in humble prayer, submit to the Lord's will and allow the Lord to guide me. I know we were lead to Vernal as part of the plan Heavenly Father has for me and my family. I am so grateful that I listened to that prompting. I love Vernal, I love the friends I have made here, and I love that my family is happy. I haven't ever regreted moving here, because I submitted to the Lord's will knowing that he would bless and watch over us. And though I miss my family with all my heart I know that I won't be away from them forever, because the Lord has promised that we can be together forever!!!