~Seeking Sisterhood~

Spotlight of my Angel Mom...

2011-10-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Today I would like to spotlight my Angel Mom...

Here she is feeding me when I was one week old. The girl watching on the left is my sweet sister Ellen. You can see my spotlight of her by going here.

I am so thankful for my sweet Angel Mom! What a blessing she is and truly an Angel here on Earth.

My Dad took this picture of my Mom when she was younger. My Dad titled it, "Beautiful Rose of Spring". How cute and sweet! I agree with my Dad...she is beautiful! Not only on the outside but the inside too! My dear Angel Mom is so sweet and loving and a wonderful example to me and all! I am so very thankful and blessed to have such a precious Mom that I love with all my heart. Thank You Mom for all you are and all you do! ~I love you eternally~

Think Do Be Positive!

2011-04-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

How is your attitude today?
Is it negative? Is it positive?
The difference between the two can have a profound effect on your life. Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching? Our lives become a series of habits over time, including our thinking process. You must begin each day with a choice about your attitude.

Life is too short to go about it grumpily, moaning, and complaining about how unfair it is.

Having a positive attitude helps us to cope more easily with the daily affairs of life. It brings optimism into your life, and makes it easier to avoid worry and negative thinking.

A positive attitude leads to happiness and can change your whole life. If you look at the bright side of life, your whole life becomes filled with light. This light affects not only you and the way you look at the world, but also your whole environment and the people around you.

One thing that really helps me personally is to think of things on an Eternal Perspective. An Eternal Perspective makes every problem temporary, no matter how permanent it may seem right now.

I am thankful for all the awesome positive thoughts people share daily by clicking on my button I made below. They truly uplift me and make me smile :)

Let us all...

Choose to be happy

Look at the bright side of life

Choose to be and stay optimistic

Find reasons to smile more often

Meditate on our blessings

Have faith in yourself and in our loving Heavenly Father and Savior

Associate yourself with happy people

Keep a daily gratitude journal

Give more hugs

Learn to master your thoughts

Read inspiring stories

Read inspiring quotes

Learn concentration and meditation

Visualize only what you want to happen

Repeat affirmations that inspire and motivate you

Find something to laugh about

Make positive thinking a habit
Hope you all have a positive day!

Love and Hugs from me to you :)

Tonight for Dinner...

2011-01-10T13:35:00.000-08:00

Crockpot Meatball Sandwiches

40 frozen fully cooked meatballs
26-oz. jar pasta sauce
1 onion, chopped
6 slices mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
6 buns toasted warmed or toasted
top with grated parmesan cheese

These are always a huge hit at our house and they are really easy and yummy!

Now I am off to plan our family home evening for tonight...

Hope you are all having a very Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

Let us all think
of His L♥ve and warmth
and share His Light this
beautiful Christmas time!

Merry Christmas with
l♥ts of l♥ve
from our family to yours!

Biaggis... Bloggers... Blast!!

2010-09-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

Thurs. night was party time for us girls! Jackie from House of Sarager was in town and planned a dinner out at Biaggis for the girls! It was a BLAST! I was so excited to meet Jackie and the others in person.

These women know how to party!! Getting out with the girls was so needed and lots of fun. Jackie, Holly, Kyann, Lisa, and Krista you are all awesome! We totally need to do this again!

Thanks Holly for the great pictures. Someday I hope to own a camera as sweet as yours! Girl nights are the BEST! Thanks again Jackie for the invite! ♥ HUGS ♥

It's a Girl Thing :)

2010-09-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

When I was first dating my sweet hubby he loved me to dress up for him and he would take lots of pictures of me. So for our Anniversary we went to the same place we had our Wedding engagement pictures taken and he took these pictures below...

Pineapple Ham Casserole Recipe...

2010-08-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

Since the kids are back in school now I have been looking for some new fast, easy, yummy dinner recipes! As I try them out I thought I would post the ones my family and I like. Tonight I made a Pineapple Ham Casserole. It was very easy and everyone loved it!

Pineapple Ham Casserole Recipe

4 Servings Prep: 15 min. Bake: 30 min.

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked wide egg noodles
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
3/4 cup milk
2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
2 cans (8 ounces each) crushed pineapple, drained
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs or Ritz crackers

Directions

Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. In a large skillet, saute celery in 1 tablespoon butter until tender. Stir in cream cheese and milk; cook and stir until cheese is melted. Add the noodles, ham, pineapple, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
Transfer to an ungreased 1-1/2 qt. baking dish. Melt remaining butter; toss with bread crumbs or Ritz crackers. Sprinkle over the top. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minute

This will also be listed as a comment under my Easy Recipes button here. Feel free to add your favorite fast, easy, yummy recipes that you and your family love! Love and Hugs to you all :)

Fast, Easy Yummy Recipes Button...

2010-08-26T15:10:00.000-07:00

I have had such a positive response to my Positive Thoughts Button that I came up with on my Trying To Stay Calm site! So I thought it would be fun to come up with a button for this blog! As women, I know it's always great to try new fast, easy, yummy recipes. So this is a place when you can't think of what to make for dinner....

Ding Ding Ding... just come visit here and look through the comments for some great ideas :)

Thanks for visiting and please leave a recipe that your family has tried and all loves with us in a comment.

This blog featured come see...

2010-07-30T06:32:00.000-07:00

This blog has been
featured on my
friends DEDE Land's
blog! Thank you so much!

You can
come see here: http://dedeland.blogspot.com/2010/07/share-blog-wednesday-seeking-sisterhood.html

Hope you all have a blessed and beautiful weekend!
L♥ve and Hugs to you all :)

Make Time For You...

2010-07-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

We have more to give and more energy when we make time for us!

Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you forget to take care of your own needs. Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury!

Set aside relaxation time. Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule. This is your time to take a break from all responsibilities and recharge your batteries.

Connect with others. Spend time with positive people who enhance your life. A strong support system will buffer you from the negative effects of stress.

Do something you enjoy every day. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be stargazing, playing the piano, reading, spending time with friends or whatever you enjoy.

Keep your sense of humor. This includes the ability to laugh at yourself. The act of laughing helps your body fight stress in a number of ways.

Exercise is also great to include in time for you. People who exercise regularly have more energy, maintain a healthy weight, and are happier since exercise improves your mood.

Try something new. When life feels like it is getting into a rut, it is merely an indication that you are ready to move into a new phase. To do this, you will need to explore new options for hobbies, studying and things that you enjoy that are uplifting.

To me even just soaking in a warm bath feels so good. It gives me a little quiet, calm time away from everything. I like to listen to relaxing music and light a candle also when I take a bath.

Let's all make time for us in our lives :)

What are some things you do to make time for you?

A Healthier, Happy Me?

2010-05-21T15:25:00.000-07:00

Yes... A Healthier, Happy Me! I am excited to share my story with all of you!

Remember my post about me finding out I had scary high blood pressure here last December? Well I have changed my life since that visit to the doctor's office!

After that doctor's appt. I was talking with a good friend Michele Ashman Bell and telling her I need to start exercising and to start eating healthier. I told her how I DO NOT like exercise. She told me about a class she teaches at the gym called Zumba. I had never heard of it so I went online to research it and bought a book about it. Then I decided to try it out.

Zumba is a fitness program inspired by Latin dance. I have always loved dance, so I was excited to find out about Zumba! It's fun, exciting and to me exercise in disguise! I go to a few different teachers that all have different styles and I love the classes!

The next thing I did was a TON of research on eating healthier. I don't use the 4 letter word DIE-t! I wanted to make this a lifelong goal to be a healthier, happier me :)

I continue since Jan. to go 3-4 days a week to the gym. What has this done for me? Well, my blood pressure is now normal! I have more energy and have lost 24 pounds! I also feel better and less stressed! Anything that can help ME feel less stressed is HUGE LOL!

What have I done to change the way I eat?

Wow this one was very challenging for me! I used to eat a lot of junk food! With keeping my blood pressure in check I am really watching my salt and sugar intake. I also am trying to eat more fruits and vegetables and brown rice instead of white etc.

I just want you to know that if I can do it, you can do it! Don't wait until you have to hear a doctor tell you, like I did! Take care of yourself and you too can be healthier and happy :) You are totally worth it!

I have so much to share and can't wait to hear all of your feedback! Please let me know your thoughts.

Thank You so very much for all my family and friends love and support! You are all precious to me and uplift and motivate me :)
♥ HUGS ♥

Sisterhood Spotlight...

2010-05-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

Today my Sisterhood Spotlight is of my friend Taunya. Here we are at the Cheesecake Factory having lunch together. I am thankful for the closeness Taunya and I share! She is a sweetheart and a great friend! Taunya and I worked together years ago. We have continued to keep in touch and stay close and I am so glad! Forever friends we are! Thanks Taunya for being such a special part of my life! I love you lots! ♥ HUGS ♥

Thank You Sweet Susan :)

2010-04-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

This is my sweet friend Susan...
Susan is very sweet and talented! She just sent me this drawing below she did of Jesus and I! Thank You so very much Susan! She now does drawing full time from home and does a beautiful job! If you would like her website to check out her
other work or if you want to order a personal drawing from her please e-mail me for details at tryingtostaycalm@gmail.com

Thank You for the Birthday Wishes...

2010-04-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

Today is my Birthday and I want to thank all my dear family and friends for the sweet wishes! I woke up to several messages on my Facebook, blogs, e-mails, and texts!

I am so blessed and thankful for good friends and family! Thank You to all those I share a close relationship with and for putting forth your love and effort into keeping it strong!
I l♥ve you all lots! ♥ HUGS ♥

Happy Easter...

2010-04-04T00:10:00.000-07:00

I am so very thankful for our Savior and this special time of year! I hope you all have a blessed and beautiful Easter Sunday!
♥ Love and (((HUGS))) to you all ♥

A sweet friend of mine shared this video with me and I wanted to share
it will all of you...

Sharing Is Important...

2010-03-02T08:37:00.000-08:00

It's very important to share! This blog is a great place for us to share, uplift, encourage and bring out the best in each other! One way I think will help us to do that is to share. Good friends share. By talking, discussing, exchanging ideas, smiling, listening, laughing and crying together. We all have different gifts and strengths that we can share with each other. We can also share our love.

So with that said, this post is all about sharing!

Now here's the fun part...

Please leave a comment sharing something :)

Hope you all have a very...

2010-02-14T09:53:00.000-08:00

Lots of L♥ve and Hugs from me to all of You!

Bring Out the Best in Yourself and Others...

2010-01-29T00:10:00.000-08:00

Here are some thoughts on ways
to bring out the best in yourself
and others...

Become an instrument of inspiration! Your words, actions, energy, even your smallest thoughts will either promote or prevent the growth of those around you. Choose to be the type of person who inspires others to become better and brighter!

Speak as if others already radiate their potential. Instead of saying, "You would look great in that outfit if you did a few more lunges," say, "You look smashing in that outfit." Instead of saying, "You would have nailed that presentation if you had talked slower," say, "You did an awesome job on that presentation."

Praise generously and sincerely. Find admirable qualities, talent, wisdom, dedication in everybody around you and verbally acknowledge these talents on a regular basis.

Always make eye contact when you speak. It is inspiring when a person looks you directly in the eyes.

Treat yourself lightly. We all have weak spots. That's okay, it's part of being human. And you must not beat yourself up simply for being human. Treat yourself with a loving heart, speak kindly and take care of you. You cannot inspire others to greatness if you aren't also inspiring yourself to the same.

Human relations guru Dale Carnegie wrote, 'Become genuinely interested in other people.' When we are genuinely interested in others, really curious about them, they feel respected and valued.

As we show our interest, people tend to become more interesting, more creative, and more capable.

The simplest way to bring out the best in people is to hold an attitude of positive expectations.

Instead of looking for what's missing, or what's wrong with a person, we can re-frame our expectations to look for what's positive. The management phrase, 'Catch employees doing something right' captures the sense of this attitude.

Service is a great way to build ourselves and others up! You gain a special love for those you serve! During His ministry on the earth, Jesus Christ spent His time serving and helping others. True disciples of Jesus Christ do likewise. The Savior said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

I feel strongly that it is so very important to bring out the best in ourselves and others! To help strengthen testimonies, be positive, uplifting, supportive, complimentary and most importantly l♥ve!

Thank you my sweet friends for bringing out the best in me! I am thankful you are a part of my life and I l♥ve you all lots! {HUGS}

Friends are Forever...

2010-01-12T07:24:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for all of you my precious friends! Hope you have a blessed and beautiful day!
Love and Hugs :)

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust

Broaden your friendships, and lift your lives to a higher pathway as you journey toward perfection. ~Thomas S. Monson

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. ~Oprah Winfrey

It's important to know that when one of us is down, it becomes the obligation of his friends to give him a lift. I hope that each of us will cultivate a sensitivity toward the feelings of others, and when encouragement is needed, make an effort to extend it. Be a friend, and you will have a friend. God be thanked for wonderful friends. ~Gordon B. Hinckley

My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me. ~Henry Ford

How grateful I am for the gospel and the assurance that even friendships are eternal. Sisters, we are all in this together. We need each other. Oh, how we need each other. It is a sociological fact that women need women. We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance.
~Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light. ~Helen Keller

A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked. ~Author Unknown

Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.
~Joseph B. Wirthlin

I feel that friendship is a fundamental need of our world. I think in all of us there is a profound longing for friendship, a deep yearning for the satisfaction and security that close and lasting relationships can give. ~Joseph Smith

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.
~Douglas Pagels

If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.
~George MacDonald

OUCH EAR PAIN HURTS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2009-12-30T10:55:00.000-08:00

Hello my Sweet Sisters!

Last night I went to the doctor in horrible pain! I found out I have a bad ear infection, sinus infection and also high blood pressure. They are really worried because it was so high. I need to eat better and exercise. YUCK! Doesn't sound fun to me! Please pray for me. I am not only in lots of pain but I am nervous and having a hard time. I keep hearing from everyone calm down and take care of you. Yeah right! That is like telling an over weight person to lose 100 pounds over night or an a alcoholic to just stop drinking right now. I wish I didn't stress so much and that it was easy for me to just relax and calm down! Now you know why my other blogs named Trying To Stay Calm! :)
I'm off to take some meds and get some rest.
I wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Year!
I love you all lots and I am thankful for you!
♥ HUGS ♥

Merry Christmas Sisters 2009...

2009-12-25T00:10:00.000-08:00

The Reason for the Season...

2009-12-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

I l♥ve this time of year and wanted to
share these beautiful videos with you all...

Happy Thanksgiving Sisters...

2009-11-26T08:05:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for Sisterhood and each one of you! Thanks for being such sweet friends!

I hope you all have a beautiful, blessed and very Happy Thanksgiving! Lots of L♥ve and Hugs!

Photographic evidence of my new haircut...

2009-11-08T18:30:00.000-08:00

I really don't like pictures of myself at all! But several of you have asked to see a picture of
my new haircut.
So here you go...

I had to cut it!

2009-11-06T22:18:00.000-08:00

Hello Sisters ;)

I have been growing my hair long for a change. It was getting really long and looking well let's just say not so good! No bounce at all!
I couldn't take it anymore... so I got a hair cut today :)

I decided my hair just looks fuller and better on me shoulder length or shorter. Hope you are all doing well and having a wonderful weekend! ♥ HUGS ♥

Happy Halloween Sisters...

2009-10-30T23:18:00.000-07:00

Sisterhood Spotlight...

2009-09-21T08:06:00.001-07:00

Today my Sisterhood Spotlight is going to be
my beautiful friend
Jeni (Miss Daisy)! Jeni is such a sweetheart! I love that we have a lot in common! Whenever I get to hang out with or just get together to visit with Jeni I have a blast! I am thankful for the closeness we share! Jeni has a really cute gardening blog so make sure to go check it out here! I want to thank Jeni for being such a special part of my life! I hope you all have a beautiful day and show some love to a special sister :)

Let us uplift each other :)

2009-08-23T21:40:00.000-07:00

Here is an award for all of you my uplifting friends :)

I am reading tonight and just got to a chapter
on friendship.
I wanted to share a few things I read that I really liked...

"Your alliances should add to your life, not subtract from it. They should bring increase to you mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. They should build you up, not tear you down; encourage and exhort you to grow, to dream, to flourish!"

So true... I l♥ve it! Let us all uplift each other!
Hope you all have a beautiful week! L♥ve and Hugs!

Sisterhood Spotlight...

2009-08-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today my Spotlight is my precious friend Angela! Angela lives in Scotland and is such a blessing to me! Today I got these beautiful roses from her! She knows roses are my fav! Thank You so much my precious friend! Angela is always spoiling me and such a sweetheart! She also sent me this cute bear, some pink Scotland socks and a beautiful letter. I'm thankful for our close friendship Angela and want you to know I love you lots! What a blessing to have you as my Forever Friend! ♥ Hugs ♥

Thank You My Precious Friends...

2009-08-07T00:10:00.000-07:00

I want to thank you all for your friendship, love and support! I'm so blessed and thankful to have such supportive, sweet friends! Thank you also for being patient and putting up with me & for l♥ving me just the way I am! A special thank you to my sweet friend Danyelle for helping me with the buttons I made and for teaching me some new things on my blogs! Hope you all have a super weekend!
♥ HUGS ♥

I hope you all...

2009-08-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

Thank You Jenny...

2009-07-31T21:03:00.000-07:00

My sweet friend Jenny sent me this awesome package!
I love everything! Thank you so very much!

Secret Sister...

2009-07-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

I l♥ve to uplift and serve others! Who wants to join me in making someone smile? There is just something special about surprising someone with some love without them knowing who it is from :) Please leave comments of ideas you have to help us be secret sisters. I know that we will be blessed for serving others! I am excited to see what ideas we can come up with! I hope you all have a beautiful Sunday! ♥ HUGS ♥

Sisterhood is Awesome :)

2009-07-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

I love Sister Hinckley!!! Here are some of her sayings that I share the same feelings on.... How grateful I am for the gospel and the assurance that even friendships are eternal. Sisters, we are all in this together. We need each other. Oh, how we need each other. It is a sociological fact that women need women. We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance.

This is so true! I was thinking today about how thankful I am for my sweet, precious friendships! You are all dear to me! What a blessing to know we have each other and that we can be there to strengthen, uplift, encourage, and laugh together!!! It truly blesses my life to be able to lean on Sisterhood! And believe me it is extra important to me since I live with a house full of boys :) Sisterhood is AWESOME!!

Sisterhood Spotlight...

2009-07-21T07:47:00.001-07:00

Today my Sisterhood Spotlight is going to be my sweet Sister Ellen! She is my super duper pal! I look up to my big sister and love her lots! Look at the sweet smile she is giving me in this picture.

(I'm on the left and she's on the right). Ellen is always there for me and the first person to make me laugh instead of cry! She can turn a oh no moment into a I am going to pee my pants from laughing so hard moment! I love you Ellen with all my heart and I am so thankful for you and the closeness we share! Big Hugs to my super duper pal!

Sweet Sunbeams...

2009-07-19T09:42:00.000-07:00

I teach the Sunbeams (3-4 year olds) at church on Sundays. There are a couple of the kids that will only come to me and no one else. Their sweet cute little smiles melt my heart each week. Today I am thankful for my sweet Sunbeams class! Hope you all have a beautiful Sunday! ♥ HUGS ♥

Thank You Beth...

2009-07-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my sweet friend Beth surprised me and showed up at my house with warm hugs and this beautiful surprise package above! It truly melted my heart and meant the world to me! Thank You Beth!

Beth also inspired me after talking to her to get this blog up and running! I l♥ve you all and I'm thankful for the friendship we share! Sisterhood truly is wonderful and a blessing in our lives! ♥ HUGS ♥

Welcome Sisters!

2009-07-16T20:08:00.001-07:00

Welcome to my new Blog :) Since I live with all boys it is good to feel like I can write and have a connection with other women out there. Sisterhood is AWESOME and so important to me! Sisters are Eternal!