All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. ~Walt Disney

Thursday, February 26, 2009

today.....

christopher

My little brother Christopher was called to serve in the Concepcion, Chile mission yesterday!

Christopher, I am so happy for you!! You will be such a wonderful missionary for the people of Chile. I am so thankful for the great example you are for my boys and for the choice you have made to serve our Heavenly Father teaching the gospel to his children In Chile. I know that you will be a valuable and dillangant servant during your time there and that many blessings will be bestowed upon you. Our Heavenly Father will guide you and protect you during your time in Chile and you will become closer to him as you teach and learn the gospel. I am so blessed that you are my brother and I love you....Congratulations!!

Monday, February 23, 2009

after 15 months...


Ryan and I went to Celine Dion last night and it was AMAZING!! She is so fabulous in concert and puts on a wonderful show... I think she changed 6 times and she sounded perfect :) Her stage was in the middle of the arena so our seats were great. We had a wonderful time....Thanks Celine it was worth the wait!!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

In memory....

I can't believe it has been 10 years since Ryan's brother passed away. I would like to share a special memory I have about Todd. We went to California for Christmas in 1998 and I was 10 weeks pregnant with Jackson. If you know me you know I love Disneyland but being pregnant and going to Disney don't mix. I spent a better part of the day sleeping in the backseat of the car to nauseous to even move. Todd and Ryan took turns running back to the car to check on me every hour to see if I was ok. Todd was so happy we were expecting a baby and said "it was just what everybody needed". I now look back and wonder if somehow he knew how much Jackson's birth would mean to our family. Jackson birth wasn't planned but our Heavenly Father knew just when to send him....5 months after Todd's death we were blessed with our precious little Jackson at a time when we need joy, hope and faith. From a very young age Jackson seemed to know things about Todd he would point to pictures of him like he really did know him and say "remember when Todd use to play the piano" not a question a statement. The vail at times is truly thin. Todd's death brought me closer to my Heavenly Father and gave me true unwavering faith and peace knowing that we will be united with our lost loved one's again.

Michael Todd Cundick, 28, passed away from this earth February 22, 1999 to join his Heavenly Father.

Todd was born April 18, 1970 to Russell Charles and Adrienne Beckstead Cundick. He leaves behind him many loving friends and family members.Todd was an accomplished pianist and he loved to write poetry. He had a natural ability to express himself through his music and his poems. He was a student at Salt Lake Community College, he was studying the fine arts. Todd loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, skiing, biking, rollerblading, and camping. He shared his love for Gods earth with everyone around him. Todd loved working with his hands drawing and anything that involved detailed work. Todd will be missed for his tender heart and sweet spirit that he shared with those around him.

Survived by his parents, one brother, Ryan (Renee) Cundick, grandparents, Larry and Marguerite Huber, grandmother, June Beckstead, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins that cared for him greatly.

We will miss you Todd.

Friday, February 20, 2009

FAMILY

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
'Oh excuse me please' was my reply.


He said, 'Please excuse me too;

I wasn't watching for you.'


We were very polite, this stranger and I.

We went on our way and we said goodbye.


But at home a different story is told,

How we treat our loved ones, young and old.


Later that day, cooking the evening meal,

My son stood beside me very still.


When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.

'Move out of the way,' I said with a frown.


He walked away, his little heart broken.

I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.


While I lay awake in bed,

God's still small voice came to me and said,


'While dealing with a stranger,
Common courtesy you use,
But the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,

You'll find some flowers there by the door.


Those are the flowers he brought for you.

He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.


He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,

You never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.'


By this time, I felt very small,

And now my tears began to fall.


I quietly went and knelt by his bed;

'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I said.


'Are these the flowers you picked for me?'

He smiled, 'I found 'em, out by the tree.


I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.

I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue.'


I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;

I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.'
He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway.'


I said, 'Son, I love you too,

And I do like the flowers, especially the blue.'


FAMILY

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company

That we are working for could easily replace us in
A matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss

For the rest of their lives.

And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more

Into work than into our own family,
An unwise investment indeed,
Don't you think?
So what is behind the story?


Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

what do you consider an apology....



I thought I would share this with all of you....I just got this book and it was truly eye opening, we all can learn this valuable lesson and strengthen all of our relationships :)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

landon and the wii

Over the past 3 weeks Landon has discovered the Wii and he has become really good at it. He loves to play tennis, golf and bowling and even beats his dad and brothers!! This morning I was getting his brothers ready to take his brothers to school and found him in the toy room playing golf...he is getting so big :) How is it that I have a hard time figuring out how to hold the controller to make my Mii do what I want and he is already a pro *lol*

Monday, February 16, 2009

what kind of communicator are you?

I Communicate Passionately
You speak from the heart. You can't separate your feelings from what you're saying, even in a professional context. You tend to speak dramatically, with lots of passion and emotion. It's easy for you to get swept up in what you're saying. You like to connect with people early on so that you can personalize what you are saying to them. When you converse, you try to find common ground and harmony. Even if you disagree with someone, you try to emphasize where you agree.

What Kind of Communicator Are You?

Friday, February 13, 2009

school valentines...

This year Jackson class voted to make their own valentine boxes at home. Jackson wanted a football themed box so we put our heads together and came up with this......it turn out to be really cute and we even used real grass!!
Ayden's class made these cute valentine mail trucks at school....it was so cute and Ayden did a great job. He was so excited to go through all his valentines from his classmates :)




Tuesday, February 10, 2009

yummy red velet, my favorite...

I wish I could take credit for this yummy Valentine treat....props to Bakerella, a girl after my own heart!! I will be making these this week :)

Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies

They are sweet and red and a perfect little treat to give on the 14th. And even better, they are super-easy!

All you need is

1 Box red velvet cake mix*
1/2 Cup butter, softened to room temperature
2 Eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix ingredients until combined.
Drop spoonfuls of cookie batter onto baking sheet about two inches apart.
Bake for 10-12 minutes.Cool.

Cream Cheese Filling

1/2 Cup butter, softened to room temperature
1 8 oz. Package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 1lb. Box of confectioner's sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
**In a mixer, cream butter, cream cheese and vanilla. Gradually add sugar and mix until smooth......Makes about 24 cookies or 12 cookie sandwiches ENJOY!!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Bringing BACK the Romance!!

10 Simple ways to bring back romance!!

Love Note's... it's one of the simplest ways to say I love you! Hide them in unexpected places such as in his brief case, dry erase marker on the bathroom mirror, with sidewalk chalk, on his rear view mirror...you get the idea.

Theme room's... transform your bedroom or any room into a jungle, the beach, camping and have foods to go along with your theme...use your imagination :)
Follow the string...when your hubby comes home from work, have a note attached to a sting instructing him to follow it wherever it leads over and under tables..make sure the "prize at the end is worth it ;)

Impromptu picnic... put the kiddos to bed early and set up a simple picnic on your bed of in front of the fireplace complete with the gingham table cloth and picnic basket.
Formal "invitation"...send your hubby a formal invitation to meet you in a special place at a specific time. Your date can be fancy or simple but he will look forward to it all day :)
Bed of roses...place tea light candles and rose petals leading to your bedroom when he arrives home ;)

Hurry home honey... drive to his work and place a little wrapped gift bag of lingerie on the front seat, see if he can get home without getting a ticket ;)

Overnight getaway... you can get great overnight hotel deals just by planning ahead, don't forget to arrange someone to watch the kiddos

Write him a poem... our hubby's love this just as much as we do :)

365 love notes... make heart shaped love notes and put them in a jar, they can include coupons for a back rub, movie night, favorite candy...you get the picture ;)

Love dinner... make an all red/pink dinner :)

Use Rain-X Anti Fog and a cotton swab to write him a secret love note on the bathroom mirror that will magically appear when he takes shower ;)

If haven't heard about the book called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman it's simply a must have for all couples. Read it together, it will help you express heartfelt commitment to your mate. There is even one for Children!!

Monday, February 2, 2009

something to look forward too....


The Twilight DVD will be released on Saturday, March 21st!!!
You can pre-order your 'Special Edition' DVD's on amazon.com

SPECIAL FEATURES — DISC ONE
* Five extended scenes with director introductions
* Audio commentary by Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart
* Three music videos by Muse, Paramore, Linkin Park

SPECIAL FEATURES — DISC TWO
* Five deleted scenes with director introductions
* Seven-part documentary: "The Adventure Begins: The Journey from Page to Screen"
* Comic-Con Phenomenon featurette

Movie night at my house...are you in???
Liz can you bring the popcorn?? *LOL*