Thursday, April 28, 2011
Family Photo
http://goodjobmomma.blogspot.com/2011/04/photography-giveaway.html?showComment=1304043121145#c547591060726520072
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Sisters
Honestly though, I have been so blessed with wonderful sisters, both by blood and by marriage. So I thought I would share with everyone why my sisters are so wonderful by sharing a little bit about each one...
Becky is a HARD WORKer, one of the hardest workers I know. She is always working, at home, at work, at play. Sometimes I get tired just hearing how much she does in one day, but it is amazing to me. For example, she wakes up early to help get the kids ready for school and then get to work by 7. She works a full day, leaving at 3 to pick up her 3 children, all of which go to different schools (elementary, jr. high and high school). Sometimes she will return to work to finish up loose ends, but even if she doesn't, her work is not done when she gets home. Once she is home she almost always makes a home-cooked meal for her family, (a definite feat in my mind). She then cleans up, goes to mutual/visiting teaching/dance classes/etc. After that she often works out, cleans around her house, spends some time with her husband, gets her kids ready for bed, probably only falling asleep herself close to midnight...then she starts G. Scott that says, "they became outstanding servants of God because of their discipline, hard work, and trust in the Lord." Tina Washburn
Karla Washburn
Karla is amazing! She is the first person I have ever met who was a doctor at the age of 24. I am only beginning to realize how much work it was for her to accomplish such a task in so little time. What amazes me even more is she is continuing on with her schooling. She is a great example to me of endurance. There have been so many times when I have wanted to quit nursing school because I was overwhelmed, but knowing how much Karla had to SACRIFICE to get to where she is today, reminded me that it takes hard work to accomplish great tasks. Along with that is also her sacrifice to give up her home and family to come to the U.S. to marry my brother. I cannot imagine having to leave so much behind, but once again Karla is a wonderful example of how important the virtues of sacrifice and compromise are when you love someone.
Marianne is my bosom buddy in a lot of ways. She and I have a lot in common and have endured similar trials in life and those trials have allowed us to bond in a special way. One of the things I have learned from Marianne is to set GOALs. I know a lot of us set goals for ourselves. I do all the time, but most of the time it seems that we forget our goals or give up when things get rough. Marianne on the other hand, not only sets goals, but makes a PLAN to acheive that goal. I have seen these characteristics in her when she planned her wedding, graduated from college, prepared her home for a new baby, lost weight after her first baby, started working as a teacher, started working out at the gym, I have even seen them in the simple daily tasks she has to do. Elder Wirthlin has said, "I have known many great men and women. Although they have different backgrounds, talents and perspectives, they all have this in common: they work diligently and persistantly towards acheiving their goals." I really believe that Marianne is one of these great women.
Becky Filhart is my sister from the Filhart side. I am so lucky to have Becky as a sister. I remember praying Dave would just propose to her so that she would officially be a part of our family. Becky is the epitome of FRUGALity. First of all she practically made it through college debt free because she knew how to budget and be frugal with her money. Second, she always has the cutest decorations and furnishings in her home, almost all of which were not only inexpensive, but also high quality. Becky has taught me that cheap is not always better, but that you can always find a good deal if you are patient and creative. In fact, although she may not realize it, Becky has taught me most of what I know about decorating on a budget. Becky definitely exemplifies the teachings of the church to be wise, frugal and provident.
Sarah. It's pretty amazing that all I have to do is write her name and tears start streaming down my face. I could say a lot of wonderful things about Sarah, but I think the one thing I would like to share is that Sarah is the GREATEST example to me of what a SISTER should be. I can say this because she has not only been a wonderful sister to me, but she is a wonderful sister to every person she comes in contact with. She is able to see beyond the flesh and blood and really connect with people on a spiritual level. Sarah not only knows that we are all Spirit brothers and sisters, but she lives her life and treats others like they are all part of her own family. Because if this I think Sarah has been lucky enough to have a little bit of heaven in her life. I love the quote by President Hinckley that says, "love is like the Polar Star. In a changing world, it is constant. It is the very essance of the gospel. Without love...there is little else to commend the gospel to us as a way of life." Sarah is like a Polar Star, I know her love for me is constant and not dependent on what I do, and for this I am eternally grateful.This post has been a week in the making and I'm glad it has taken me so long, because now it is Thanksgiving and I can close this post by giving thanks to all of my sisters, whether they are sisters by blood, marriage, church, or friendship. Thank you for your guidance, support and love in my life, I am so blessed to know each and every one of you.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Opening a Restaurant
For as long as I can remember, Wes has wanted to be his "own boss" by opening a restaurant and selling his Mom's excellent food. However, I kept telling him things like -it's not a good idea, that it probably would not work out the way he thought it would, that we could never afford it, it would be a lot of work, etc. Then this summer we started selling egg rolls to Wes's friends work. The first week we had an order for about 20 dozen and I thought, "this will never happen again." Then two weeks later we got an order from the same office for 32 dozen! Two weeks after that they ordered some more and I thought, "let's see how this will go over with some of our Facebook friends." So I posted on Facebook that we were selling egg rolls and the response has been overwhelming. We sold over 300 dozen in about 2 and half months and we continue to get requests all the time. In fact, we're making some more for Labor Day and instead of people ordering 1 or 2 dozen they are ordering 3 or 4 dozen.
So back to my original thought. Wes and I are seriously contemplating opening a restaurant that serves vietnamese cuisine with a focus on egg rolls. It would definitely be risky and very scary and I'm not quite sure how we would gather the money to do it, but at the same time it is exciting to think about. Who knows maybe it wouldn't go over the way we think it would, but the fact that we are selling so many egg rolls to our friends alone, makes me think that we might have a good chance at this restaurant thing.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Living on a Budget
Paint = $11

Guest Bathroom Now and Our Savings
(I could have saved another $30 if I knew how to sew...next time maybe.)

Dining Room/Office Now
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Happily Ever After
Often times I feel like I don't have much to say that is worth reading, but who knows, maybe it will be worth it to my kids later on in life. So here's what I have to say today. I'll start with part of a talk from President Utchdorf that he gave in May this year to the Young Women of the church.
He talks about the fairy tale stories we all grew up hearing as a child, in which we often hear the phrase, "once upon a time." He says, "Aren't those wonderful words to begin a story ? 'Once upon a time' promises something: a story of adventure and romance, a story of princes and princesses. It may include tales of courage, hope and everlasting love. In many of these stories, nice overcomes mean and good overcomes evil. But perhaps most of all, I love it when we turn to the last page and our eyes reach the final lines and we see the enchanting words, 'And they lived happily ever after.'"
Elder Utchdorf continues by saying, "Isn't that what we all desire: to be heroes and heroines of our own stories; to triumph over adversity; to experience life in all its beauty; and, in the end, live happily ever after?"
He then reminds us that we are daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us and has given us our own fairy tale. We have been given a "once upon a time" complete with adventure, trials, heartache and love. Yet the best part is the fact that we have the chance to truly live "happily ever after."
I love these words. I love the fact that this life does not end here. I love that although I am not perfect I can continue to perfect myself in hopes of one day spending eternity with those I love most. I can't think of anything greater than knowing that I am a princess and that I really can have a fairy tale ending.
I know that my Heavenly Father loves me SO much. I am reassured of this every time my husband lays his hands on my head to give me a blessing, every time I go to the temple and every time I get on my knees to pray. How grateful I am for this knowledge, because not only has it blessed and comforted me, it has also helped me to try harder to raise my kids with love and gentleness.
I guess that's about it for today. And yes Sarah- I will try to do better at keeping up with my "journaling", thanks for the reminder. :)
I was going to add a few family pictures from our summer trips and adventures, but blogger won't let me upload them right now so I will try doing it tomorrow.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
A Snip-It
Wes just signed his contract to teach a third year out on the reservation. It is not exactly his first choice, but the pay and benefits are outstanding and it's a job so we can't complain. We've been talking more and more about what he is going to do once I finish school and he is really leaning toward getting his PhD. (Will we ever finish school? :)) Once school is out this year he plans on helping me with some unfinished projects on the house and "hanging out". I can't wait!!!
I'm almost done with Block I and I couldn't be happier about it! Don't get me wrong I love what I am doing, but if I had known how difficult nursing school would be, I don't think I would have done it. However, with that said, I can't wait for Block II when I can start working in the hospitals. Once I'm done with Block I, I plan on getting my hair done (it's been 4 months, way too long), getting a pedicure and going to Taylor to visit my favorite family!!
As for the kids- Steele will be 4 next month. He amazes me everyday with the things he knows. He loves his babysitter, loves to play games and can't wait to go to school "like mommy".
Gideon is my sweetheart. He is learning some new signs (considering we can't get him to talk) and he LOVES to make you laugh. His facial expressions are the BEST! Wes really wants to potty train him, but I think we have a while to go before we hit that stepping stone.
Lily is growing so fast. She is standing by herself already, I can't believe it! She loves to wrestle and although I dress her in bows and flowers she is looking more and more like Steele everyday.
So that gives you a little snip-it on the Filhart's.

