Carving Pumpkins

We had fun! Notice the Happy Birthday tablecloth ~ it’s my friends birthday today, and she was up visiting so we had a Happy Birthday pumpkin carving party. Jayden drew his pumpkin’s face. He’s pretty proud of it.

It was Family Home Evening and everyone jumped right into the carving pumpkins before I could give my lesson. So, while everyone was carving I was talking about prayer and asking Jayden questions about prayer ~ Jenise probably thinks we’re a bunch of religious psychos LOL. It’s so important to have that 1 day a week that you’re together as a family. It’s what builds strong families, and I owe it to my family to ensure that it’s done every week…. even if it’s a quickie 🙂

These are the moments that I’m so scared to lose. I don’t want them to grow up and not get excited about sitting around the table together to carve pumpkins. I truly treasure every single moment with these kids. Even the screaming fits I get out of them. Their personalities just shine through them and I love it! I love how they are their own individuals and I hope they stay that way. I don’t want them to change themselves for ANYBODY!


Carving Pumpkins

We had fun! Notice the Happy Birthday tablecloth ~ it’s my friends birthday today, and she was up visiting so we had a Happy Birthday pumpkin carving party. Jayden drew his pumpkin’s face. He’s pretty proud of it.

It was Family Home Evening and everyone jumped right into the carving pumpkins before I could give my lesson. So, while everyone was carving I was talking about prayer and asking Jayden questions about prayer ~ Jenise probably thinks we’re a bunch of religious psychos LOL. It’s so important to have that 1 day a week that you’re together as a family. It’s what builds strong families, and I owe it to my family to ensure that it’s done every week…. even if it’s a quickie 🙂

These are the moments that I’m so scared to lose. I don’t want them to grow up and not get excited about sitting around the table together to carve pumpkins. I truly treasure every single moment with these kids. Even the screaming fits I get out of them. Their personalities just shine through them and I love it! I love how they are their own individuals and I hope they stay that way. I don’t want them to change themselves for ANYBODY!


Pumpkin Patch

Can’t believe it’s already that time of year! We took the kids to the pumpkin patch yesterday and took lots and lots of REALLY cute pictures. Ella loved it out there. She cried when we left. I think she enjoyed just wandering out in the beautiful country. Since we went on a weekday we weren’t able to do all the fun stuff (pony rides, tractor rides, corn maze…) so, we’ll have to go back this weekend. My friend Jenise was up visiting from Sacramento and she came along with us and picked out a pumpkin to carve too! Hope you enjoy the pictures and video!! BTW ~ I bought the video camera I was raving about a couple days ago, so expect many videos of the kids! Here’s one I took at the pumpkin patch ~ I have some of carving the pumpkins too, but that’ll be in the carving pumpkin post 🙂







Pumpkin Patch

Can’t believe it’s already that time of year! We took the kids to the pumpkin patch yesterday and took lots and lots of REALLY cute pictures. Ella loved it out there. She cried when we left. I think she enjoyed just wandering out in the beautiful country. Since we went on a weekday we weren’t able to do all the fun stuff (pony rides, tractor rides, corn maze…) so, we’ll have to go back this weekend. My friend Jenise was up visiting from Sacramento and she came along with us and picked out a pumpkin to carve too! Hope you enjoy the pictures and video!! BTW ~ I bought the video camera I was raving about a couple days ago, so expect many videos of the kids! Here’s one I took at the pumpkin patch ~ I have some of carving the pumpkins too, but that’ll be in the carving pumpkin post 🙂







You had to know a complaint/vent was coming…

The baptism was beautiful and wonderful and everything that I expected, but I can’t hold this in anymore.

My inlaws and my brother were the rudest ever! Gino’s parents held it together through the baptism, and honestly I think my MIL felt the spirit, because it was hard not to. We had such an amazing turn out of supporter that they had to hold the talks before the baptism in the chapel…. I was told that never happens. My brother laughed through the baptism. I have no respect for that boy. He made me so mad.

I had a talk with Gino parents who seemed so concerned and full of questions before they came here that it would be really cool of them to stay the entire 3 hours of church so they could get some answers AND so they could support their son. This was going to be Gino’s 1st real time (we don’t count the first time he went to church) of staying all day, for all the classes. If anything it was mainly for Gino. It would be nice to have his father there for him, supporting him, even if he didn’t agree with our religion. I’m not asking the man to get dunked right there. I was just asking him to be a dad for once.

So, first off, they showed up 30 minutes late to church, with my son. They missed the confirmation, and walked in during the passing of the sacrament…. I cringed. The Sacrament meeting was amazing. My friend who sang at Gino’s baptism got up and sang His Hands in front of the church. The church choir got up to sing and the talks had me bawling in the mother’s room. This girl gave a talk that gave me chills. She just talked about life experiences of her’s and how the Holy Spirit has touched her life. One thing she said was how you don’t have to be LDS to know the phrase Listen to your heart. That’s the Holy Spirit. Listening to your heart is listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. She talked of how she had a miscarriage and how the comforting of the Holy Spirit got her through that time, and strengthened her marriage in a completely different way…. much like my situation with Mya.

So, nothing was said during Sacrament that would have people running for the hills. Yet, when it was over Gino’s dad rudely wanted nothing more to do with it. Yet, they can call and run their mouth with a bunch of questions. I could feel the contention in them and it made the trip difficult. After church Gino’s dad wouldn’t even look me in the eyes. I just found his actions so selfish and sad. The people in my ward tried so hard with my in-laws. I couldn’t be more thankful for them. Everyone was so nice and accepting.

Gino and I were walking to Gospel Principles and he said, “Amanda, this is why we didn’t invite them to this in the first place. I knew they would act like this, and all that matters is that we’re here doing what we’re supposed to be doing.”

I know that not everyone on this earth believes in the Mormon church. I’m not asking for everyone to believe in it, and I especially wasn’t asking my in-laws to believe in it. But what harm is there in giving it a chance? What harm is there in listening to a couple of hours of words of God that can actually inspire you? Why are you so quick to judge something you know nothing about? When you don’t even go to church, don’t pick up a bible…. you think your way is so much better than ours? So much that when you are offered a FREE Book of Mormon by your own daughter in law just so you could possibly learn what your son is doing with his life (since you seemed so concerned and full of questions just a week ago) you say NO. Your so quick to hate, and that makes me so sad for you.

I tried to keep these feelings to myself. It’s hard though. I needed to talk about it. I have no idea if they read my blog, and if they do then maybe they were meant to read how I felt about how they acted.

Next Sunday is the Primary Program. The primary will take over Sacrament and sing songs and give talks. Jayden will even get up to say something. I can’t wait. Sadly, Gino got scheduled to work and will be missing it 🙁 They better get his work situation fixed soon!

The Baptism

It was such a beautiful baptism. It actually turned out even better that I imagined it would. The spirit was so strong. I kept tearing up and had chills throughout the majority of it. I am so proud of Gino. His testimony has grown and grown and I love it. So many members of our church showed up and it was so wonderful to have all the support from our ward. They’re like a family, and it feels good to have them around. The closing prayer was given by Jayden and it was beautiful. Tear welled up in my eyes, and I hope that he remembers that day forever. The coolest thing ever is that Gino will get the honor of baptizing Jayden and Ella. How cool for him!

Today Gino was confirmed into the church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. The spirit I think was even stronger today than yesterday. I hope that he can learn and

Gino stayed all day at church today and LOVED IT! It’s kindof weird at how different he is now. I know that seems strange, but it’s almost like I can feel the spirit gleaming off of him.

Another random rambling of mine

Jayden had 2 games today. At first I didn’t even think he’d be playing any games, because his shin guards are MIA. We ended up buying some and he ended up 20 minutes late to his game. He played great though!

It’s a lazy Saturday for us. Gino’s at work and will be until 9pm. That means work for me, movies, and just laziness. It’s rainy outside and that makes me want to grab a blanket and cuddle up on the couch with the kids to watch a good movie.

In a week from today my husband will be baptized. Talk about exciting!!!!!! The missionaries were over last night for his almost last discussion. I learn something every time they come over, and every time I learn something it excites me and motivates me. It makes me feel good about the decisions that we’re making for ourselves and our family.

I’ve been racking my brain to figure out the second hymn for Gino’s baptism. We are having the closing hymn be Families Can Be Together Forever. In the program we’re also having our friends Autumn & Jared (they are married) sing A Child’s Prayer, but I can’t figure out the opening hymn.

Tomorrow is Sunday – no church, but we’ll be watching Conference on TV. We’re going up to the Bishop’s house for a little while, but other than that – I’m planning on a very relaxing day. That’s what I’m hoping on.

A Strengthening of my faith

In less than 2 weeks my husband is going to be baptized!!!! I’m getting so excited for him. I think the most exciting part is that we’re 1 step closer to an eternal family…. I LOVE THAT!

My MIL called last night and had some questions, and they were a little hard. They were questions about the church that I understand, but I’m not good at explaining. My biggest fear is that they’re going to have a negative attitude and ruin it for Gino. It’s hard to understand when you don’t know, and I’m hoping to have the missionaries come over and answer any questions they might have before the baptism. This is a huge decision for Gino, and probably the best decision he’s ever made for himself. I did suggest to his step-mom that they get the discussions if they’re interested in knowing what their son is getting into. The main thing they should be happy about is that we have a strong family and the church makes us stronger. Hopefully they take my suggestion and get the discussions…. what’s it gonna hurt?

Last night when I got off the phone I thought it was amazing how much stronger my testimony felt. Whenever I’m faced with someone who doesn’t believe that this church is true I have this burning feeling in my soul, and my testimony just gets stronger and stronger. It’s sad to me. It’s sad that there are so many people out there that I love that have no idea how this could be the most important thing in their lives, but I can’t force it on them. All I can do is continue to do what I’m doing and be thankful that I have the gospel in my life. That my children are being given the opportunity to have the gospel in their lives, and that my children will be a forever family. That in itself is one of the best blessings I could ever ask for.

General Conference is this weekend!!!! I’m so excited to watch it.

They’re all leaving….

Remember when we moved to Oregon and it was just us. There was no stresses, we were just peaceful and happy. Well, we’re moving in that direction once again. Mitch is moving out tomorrow. He found a room to rent!!!!! Very happy about this. My Grandma is leaving today, and I’m hoping that after the winter she moves back here so we can set up the office at her house. Norm should be leaving w/in the next couple of weeks.

I AM GOING TO BE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s only Tuesday, and I wanted to voice a couple of my goals for the week.

2 Loads of laundry/day – includes folding & putting away
A/P filed in my new cute hot pink & blue filing totes (I have a sick obsession w/office supplies)
Norm’s bills paid
All deposits in the mail
Brochure completed
Home cooked meal EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!

Those are very easy goals for me for the week.

Surprise Baptism!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? This is a question that I think we’ve all heard in our lives. I look at my life 5 years ago and it’s nowhere where it’s at right now. We’ve taken a roller coaster ride with more ups and downs than I ever imagined.

I didn’t expect to be where I’m at right now. I didn’t expect to be in such a “family” mode. I didn’t expect to be staying home with my babies. I didn’t even expect to have another child.

You know what I really didn’t expect….. even a year ago? For my husband to have a baptism date. October 11, 2008 my husband is planning on getting baptized. I’m still in shock, but I’m so excited. I finally have a chance at going to the temple and getting my family sealed to each other, and I have gotta say that it is by far the most amazing feeling I’ve ever felt.

This all came on kindof sudden. Ever since Gino started going to church he liked it, but he was holding back. Really holding back. Then as we started the discussions it seemed like everything was going against us. Things would come up where we had to cancel our discussions, or Gino wouldn’t feel like it. I was starting to lose hope. Then, a week ago, my Grandma invited the missionaries and us over for Gino’s second discussion. He loved it. He loved learning about the priesthood, and when the missionaries asked if he would make a goal to be baptized by 10/18/08 Gino said Yes!

The missionaries came over last night and we made a plan to get the rest of the discussions done by next week so Gino can get baptized on the 11th.

I asked Gino last night while laying in bed if he was sure that this is what he wants. He might feel guilty if he drinks wine after he gets baptized, and he really should go into this with wanting to uphold all of the rules of the church, and he said that he’s ready for it. He says he doesn’t care about wine all that much, and he cares more about his health. Alcohol isn’t good for high blood pressure.

5 years ago I never would have expected this. A year ago, I still wouldn’t expect this.