Finding inner peace.

Last week I was able to attend a Stake Relief Society meeting,  The topic was finding inner peace.  In a crazy world with SO many distractions, this meeting was truly a blessing to me.  The questions were posed, "What are the things that keep you from feeling the spirit" or "distract you from becoming closer to your Heavenly Father".  I was thinking that I was actually doing pretty good, but soon realized, I have A LOT of work to do.  I know in my life right now, things seem so hectic and crazy, and I have a hard time turning off all of the thoughts and worries that occupy my mind!

My goal is to simply just make time to ponder and think, and thank my Heavenly Father for all of the blessings in my life.  I have been blessed so abundantly.  I know that he is very mindful of me, and my family
and he wants me to be happy.  I see his hand in every aspect of my life, and I do know it is because of him, that my life is so full.

I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who loves me and who is there for me no matter what.  I have also realized, that life is a gift and that the time I have is unpredictable and precious and shouldn't be cluttered with all of the negative thoughts that many times creep in!

I am determined to do better and to make time to count my blessings, and leave those things alone that are unimportant and  distract me from being a better person, and to really focus on what is really important!

Things to look forward to in 2011

Christmas has come and gone and since January IS  the most depressing month of the year.  I was thinking about how many fun things I have  to look forward to this year.
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1~I am a spring/summer kind of gal so that is always something I look forward to and LOVE!

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2~ The U2 concert that I got tickets to LAST Valentine's day is May 24th.

3~James will Enter the Missionary Training Center to serve a mission. in the Summer.

.4~New York City in September.

5~ "Wicked" the musical in New York City in September.

6~Honolulu, Hawaii in October.

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2011 is looking better already:)!

The 70"s called, and wants it's hair back!

No words needed:)

Christmas 2010

Christmas has come and gone and once again, we ended up spending WAY too much on our kids!!  I am pretty sure that they get much more than they should.  The problem really is me, they would be happy with HALF of what they get, I always shop on the impulsive, so I buy a movie here and a video game there and before you know it I've spent a heck of a lot of money:)!!
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We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  This will be the last Christmas with James before he leaves for his mission.  We have spent so much time together and it has been so nice to just be able to relax, play games, watch movies, and DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!!  Here is what we spent our money on this year.......
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JAMES

~Snowboarding Pants

~Snowboarding Jacket

~Watch

~The Patriot

~Mario Kart

~Gift Cards

~Money

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JAKE

~Halo Reach

~Super Smash Brothers WII

~Unleashed II

~Inception

~Hoodies

~Lots of Jeans

~Gift Cards

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ASHLEE

~Black Pea Coat

~School Pants

~Jeans

~Carrie Underwood C.D's

~David Archuleta C.D

~Super Mario Bros Game for WII

~More Clothes

~I-Tunes Gift Card

~Panda Express Gift Card

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~Family~

~WII

~WII Fit

~Games

~WII Accessories

~WII Games

~Movies, Movies, Movies

There you have it.....PROOF that Santa came to our house:)!!

Traditions:)!

Christmas Eve at Grandma Smith's is one of our very favorite traditions!  We love the time that we can spend with our Smith cousins......Grandma is such a gracious host and she feeds us way too much!!!  

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 ~Every year since I was little my mom would buy us Christmas pajamas. We were allowed to open one gift Christmas Eve, our pajamas.  It was so fun to wear brand new jammies, so when we had kids that was something we wanted to continue for them,. They LOVE it!

Christmas past:)

~~First, let me say that I believed in Santa Claus way longer than I probably should have!  

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When I was putting stockings together for my kids, I was remembering  when I was a little girl.   I remember year after year , the excitement and wonder I felt as I walked down the  stairs on Christmas morning, KNOWING that Santa would bring me exactly what I had asked for......AND.....seriously I never felt sad or disappointed
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@ 7 years old  

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My MOM was the best Santa ever!!

One Christmas I remember asking for a Barbie and Ken doll, seems like a pretty simple request,  I'm sure my mom must have looked everywhere., BUT  she couldn't find the one's  that I wanted, obviously they were also on lot's of other little girls  Christmas lists too......so like most parents she bought something similar, hoping that it would be appreciated!!. As if that wasn't bad enough (changing your mind on Santa a.k.a mom is never a good idea), a  few days before Christmas, I saw a commercial for the Sunshine family. It was even better than Barbie and Ken!!!  PLUS, they had a baby!  So I told Santa that was what I wanted instead. I mentioned it to my mom also.  Christmas morning sitting in my Barbie Townhouse was the Sunshine family!!!  I knew that morning that there was a SANTA!!

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Years later, as an adult, I was told by my mom that she had bought the Sunshine Family dolls  days before I changed my mind.  I think about that Christmas often and smile... I had such fun memories growing up.  Christmas was always a favorite.....and still is thanks to my mom  I still wonder how she did it, she had 10 kids, had to be Santa all alone, and still  made each one of us happy!! 

I am GRATEFUL.....
to have had such a blessed childhood:)!

 

"For unto us a child is born.............

....unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father , Prince of Peace. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I have to admit it has taken me a little longer than usual to get the Christmas spirit.  This year I have felt so totally overwhelmed with getting things done.  I guess I was a little caught up in the shopping and presents and I wasn't as focused on the true meaning of Christmas.  As I started reflecting on that I started to feel it more.  I do REALLY love this season.   We finally got the decorations out and the Christmas spirit is finally in the Hulet home:)!

Christmas Card '10

Anyone who knows me knows that I love my photoshop and digital scrapbooking! I decided this year I could make my own Christmas Card... So here it is.....

I loved this idea, unfortunately, I didn't come up with the it on my own,  (thanks Erin). 

I thought it turned out really cute!!   

....just to warm your heart......

.....on a COLD day!!!

The Utes vs. The Cougs;

The BYU~Utah rivalry is very much alive at our house.  Someone is always upset every year. This year it was Don and James who came out the winners of the game!! James wanted a "close" game.....I guess he got what he wanted.(it was a real nail biter)!!!!!

Each team was very well represented........Don and James are on a high right now.The University of Utah is Mine and Don's Alma Mater.  That is where our loyalties lie.  Actually I do have to say I have some loyalties for BYU as well!    Basically,  I just stay out of it!

James showing Ashlee who will come out on top!

Two very cute "underdogs".....such good sports:)

Giving Thanks

Another successful Thanksgiving day, We all had good company, ate way too much good food,  played games, and gave thanks for our many blessings:)!!
                                                               

                                                                       

A= Outstanding

After the first Semester in 7th grade Ashlee did AWESOME.....She even got an award for having outstanding behavior at school. Her Grade point average was in the high 3's. Way to go Ashlee!!!

One Eagle down......One more to go!

James had his Eagle Court of Honor this last Sunday!  After a lot of hard work and time, he finally got it!!  He has learned many valuable life lessons from Scouting, and even more from the men in our Ward who serve our boys.  We love him so much and he has made us so proud:)!!  

He chose to give the "Mentor pin' to Earl Whitmore

...Although every leader there was a Mentor to him!

Tying his Neckerchief...Thank goodness he knows how to tie a square not...Phew!

The Eagles Nest

These are the men who have been such good examples to my boys... We are grateful for all of them!

~Kade , Sean, James, Nate  Jake, and Anthony~

James and his Primary class:  Hopefully future Eagles.

This picture is just how he feels when he is with these boys..He just loves teaching them...and they all love him too!

To read about James' Project click here

Happy Birthday to me: (

This year I gave myself a gift that I really wish I hadn't.  Last Thursday after taking Ashlee and Jake to school, I was involved in a very minor traffic accident.

The X-ray.  11-11-10

Because I was wearing flip flops....(.yes, flip flops in November, I know Crazy,) I didn't have the protection of shoes and broke 3 of the metatarsals and fractured 1 in my left foot!!!  

 My foot 7 days later  11-18-10

I have learned a very painful lesson....ALWAYS wear shoes when you drive!

***On a positive note, I have been the recipient of a lot of acts of kindness from  many friends and family!
and I couldn't have made it without the help of my husband and kids!!!  Dinners, lunches, phone calls, running errands, cleaning &  going on Diet Coke runs. etc!!!

Left foot~~~~~~~~~~Right foot

I guess by looking at my feet, you can see that I didn't get my Birthday Pedicure.  I guess when I do go in for one it will really be SWEET!