Puppy Post

This is Vlad. (top)  That is Jasper. (bottom)
They are our two new additions.  They are English Masstiff puppies.  Their personalities are perfect for our family, you just have to get past the drooling.  Otherwise, they are perfect home bodies.  We have had this breed before, and love them dearly.  When we had to put down Gus, who had a horrible case of bloat, we did not think that we would want another so soon, but it turned out we did. Here they are.  Our new loves, even though Gus is never far from our thoughts.

A thought

The greatest gift we can give is a little bit of ourselves.

Just a thought.

The Gilbert Temple Open House

  I got a chance to go to the Gilbert Temple open house, here in Arizona, on Thursday with my family.  We have watched them build this spectacular bit of heaven almost since the beginning.  To go through it and see its extraordinary beauty for ourselves was quite a gift for the spirit.  I feel that I am incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to see on a regular basis.  I also feel blessed to have the knowledge that these buildings are a gift from my Father in Heaven, because he wants us to have every opportunity to have eternal families, and all of the strength he can offer us.

Quote I Appreciate

I love this quote from Gordon B. Hinckley's book, "One bright shining Hope".

He said, " Life is never a failure until we call it such.  There are so many who need your helping hands, your loving smile, your tender thoughtfulness."

That is so true. We can do so much good in this life, if we only take the time, besides we only fail if we don't try.  I hope that you will take the time to look for those things that will uplift you, inspire you, or make you feel happy and peaceful.  This book of quotes has been all of that for me.
Hugs friends.

Winter Wishes

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Christmas thought on tolerance

Christmas is almost here!  I am so excited!  It is my absolutely favorite time of year.  I just love the feeling of it.  However I wish there was more tolerance in our country.  We founded this country on the right to religious freedom. Only when it comes down to it, opponents of religion feel that they have the right to force us into retreat.  I am not offended by the Menorah, because I am not Jewish.I am not offended by anyone's faith if it is what is in their heart and is important to them.  It actually makes me sad.  Not because someone does not believe in God, of course that saddens me to a point, because I know how He has impacted my life for the good, but I would not ever make someone feel less than me because we do not agree.
This is a time of year that we can show love, gratitude, compassion, and serve one another.  Why then does it bring out the worst in others?
I hope that you all have what you wish for at this holiday season, and I hope that we will work on our tolerance. Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving

I love Halloween, but like all holidays, it is over much too fast, and now we are fast approaching Thanksgiving day.  I can't believe it.  I am far from my extended family this holiday season, but I am sure that it will be a good one anyway.  I have made a goal of carrying some of the holiday traditions that our families have had on to our own family now.  I am excited to make memories with our children.  My husband Tony and I have been together for such a long time and come through the other side of so many trials that we have so much to be grateful for... things that I want our children to be aware of and grateful for also.  When you survive anything that this world throws at you, there is a reason for gratitude and joy.  The only thing that makes me sad though, at this time of year, is how shopping has become the main reason for the season.  We launch ourselves into Halloween, and Christmas, but somewhere along the way, we have lost sight of the real reason that we should be celebrating.  It should be a time when we celebrate our triumphs, survivals, and small victories.  We also need to be grateful for the family, and/or friends that are in our lives.  For those who have answered our prayers and lifted our spirits.  It makes me sad that we (as a society) have started to value the greatest deal at the store.  The 50% off or more that we can get for stuff.  We are forgetting about the smiles, laughter, joys, moments of peace, and moments of kindness that happen around us everyday.  We tend to be either too tense, too stressed, too lonely, too angry, or too worried about the stuff we can buy.  Are we buying each other's affections, or are we sharing in the love that we have for each other?  I worry about that question a lot.  I want this time of year to reflect those loved ones and those moments that mean more to me than anything that could be bought at a store.  

Sorry.  I don't mean to go on, and on, but I do love these holidays and I hope that good things have happened to you all.  I hope that you have memories and moments that can be shared, remembered and will make you happy.  I hope that at this hectic time in our lives we will take the time to say thank you... for all that you have done for me. It does not have to be spectacular, magical moments, it just has to make you smile to remember.  

Please don't rush right over Thanksgiving.

Stop and smell the turkey, pumpkin pie, potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, and other foods that you save for just this time of the year.  

Don't hurry on to Christmas.  

Stop for a moment and show your gratitude for those you love, and have a very

Happy Thanksgiving.