Sisters...

I have been blessed in my life to have 10 amazingingly beautful, sisters.  4 of which are my sisters I grew up with and 6 who are sisters by marriage.  Either way, I love having sisters, and I love being a sister!  Sisters have a bond that can not be forged.  We are tight and we stick together.  Seriously don't mess with sisters, especially MY sisters.  You are putting your life on the line if you do.  I'm just sayin...
I don't see my sisters NEAR as often as I would like.  But let me just tell you, when we are together, watch out!!!  As Mari says, "I think our maturity levels go down when we are together."  Yes ma'am I believe you are right.  We do some of the funniest (and stupidest) things when we are together.  I laugh so hard I...well nevermind, but my sisters know what I mean,  even James knows, but he's kind of like a sister.  Love you James. :)
My sisters can make me do things I didn't think I could or would ever do, (actually James can get me to do things I NEVER thought I would do, James are you sure you aren't my sister?)  we laugh with each other and at each other,  we call each other when we need a shoulder to cry on, or just need to talk.  They are honest with me when I ask them if I look ok, or if I need an opinion about an outfit or things of that nature (husbands aren't allowed to give honest opinions in that department, that's why God made sisters!)
I can't imagine my life with out my 10 sisters (and James).   Each one of my sisters is beautiful and has been such an inspiration and example to me.  I have learned so much from each one.  I am thankful for each of you and hope you know how much I love you.  The Lord has truly blessed me by allowing me to have 10 awesome sisters to love and that love me, even when I am a turd. 
And James, I know you aren't my sister, obviously, but you are there just as much as they are.  You are an amazing brother that would do anything for his sisters!  I love you too brother!

13 inchaes and counting....

So...all those who prayed for snow, here you go, We got snow. 

And a TON of it!!!

Family pictures

Today we had our family pictures done for our Chrsitmas cards. I was hoping for a little bit of snow in the back ground, but instead we got dead grass, leaves, and a beautiful pine tree. Believe it or not it was a hot day. It was difficult to believe we were doing Christmas pictures.

December...

 I am so excited for this holiday season.  I can't wait to get started with gift wrapping, parties, cooking delicious sweets, gift giving, family, friends, gift buying, the hustle and bustle, the lights, the music, and so much more.  But what I am most excited for is the spirit that Christmas brings the whole month long.  I love that everyday I think of my Savior and his humble birth. 

December also brings a bucket full of emotions for me.  I remember several years ago feeling the spirit so strong that I wasn't interested in the gifts, and the parties and all the normal Christmas activities.  The spirit enveloped me and my family, and taught me that the most important thing I could ever have or want is my family.  I remember praying that what I was feeling would never leave me.  Every year as December approaches I begin to have anxiety attacks, dreams brought on by fear, and I break into to tears just a little bit easier than normal because I want so badly to feel that feeling I had 11 years ago.  I lost so much that year, but also gained more than I could have imagined.  I lost my brother to cancer, something I could not bare to go through again, but I gained such a testimony of my Heavenly Father, my Savior, and the atonement, that I wouldn't change the events of December 1999 if I were given the chance.  The love I felt, the spirit I felt, and the peace I felt can never be described.  Don't get me wrong, if I could have Jared here I would, but that wasn't the Lord's plan for him, and I am thankful that the Lord was able to teach me through Jared's death.  I cherish that more than any gift I have ever been given.

Over the year's I have learned to enjoy the traditional Christmas activities again, but never without the memory that brought me so close to my Heavenly Father, and my family! 

I hope that everyone has the most wonderful Christmas.  I pray that it will bring peace, joy and love to each of you!  Merry Christmas!!!

Attitude of Gratitude...

During general conference President Monson gave a talk about gratitude.  This talk stuck with me and I think about it daily.  I refer to it when I am feeling picked on, or just having a no good, horrible day.  I try to remember that no matter what I am going through at that moment, it could always be worse, and that I am so extremely blessed.  I find myself feeling guilty for allowing myself to think that I am anything less than blessed.  I truly have so much to be thankful for.  I need to be better about remembering that, and thanking my Heavenly Father sincerely each day for  all that I have been and will be blessed with.  It's hard to be selfish if you are always grateful.  It's is easier for me to serve the Lord, serve my family, and serve my friends when I have "an attitude of grattitude".  I feel like smiling more, and I feel more in tune with the Spirit.
In Presdident Monson's talk He said, "My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love. My beloved friend President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.”
As we draw near to Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is my prayer that we all will take the time to sincerely thank Heavenly Father for all the blessings we each recieve daily, even if life isn't going just as planned (it never does) try to remember what you have at that moment, and what you have been blessed with in the past.  Life can and is rough, I know I have had my fair share of trials, and will continue to have them, but I am going to try more diligently to be thankful.  There is always something to be thankful for even if it is the dirty dishes in your sink, the dirty clothes in your laundry room, or the messy house.  Because if you have dirty dishes, you have full bellies, if you have mounds of laundry you have clothes bodies, and if your house is a mess (like mine always is), then you have a roof over your head and place you can call home.

16 years and going strong...

Happy anniversary Mr. Schiess! 

I love you and am so blessed to have you for a husband and best friend! 

I can't imagine my life without you and your smile!

LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL KNOW!!!

Ok, Ok so our anniversary was a week ago! October 29 to be exact. But, as I always say, better late than never!