High School Musical on Ice

High School Musical on ice came to Rio Rancho a few weeks ago and would you believe that tickets on opening night were only $11??!!!! So my next door neighbor Becky and her daughter Sophie came along with us. We had such a great time. The girls all sat and sang along to every single song. It was so fun watching how excited they got. We had such a good time.

Getting Better

This is me and my next door neighbor Becky and my neighbor Amy!!!

This is me, Stephanie, Danae, Amy and Becky on our girls night out!!!

So after my last post I thought it only right that I let everyone know that these past two days have been my best (emotionally) since I moved here. I made a few new friends and even went out to dinner with a group of girls and had a blast. Then me and my next door neighbor decided to dye my hair!!! We had to do it twice because the first time made no difference. The second time however....wow!!! I love it. In the pictures it looks red but it is really just brown. Not very much red at all. It looks awesome.

Are You Kidding Me?????

It is no secret that since I moved to Albuquerque, I have struggled. I am not happy here and spend more time crying and sad than I do with a smile on my face. One of my new years resolutions was to try and help myself before I lost my mind; literally. So I made some very personal commitments that each involve bettering myself physically, emotionally and most importantly spiritually.

Every April and October Buddy and I DVR each session of conference so that we can watch it throughout the next 6 months until the following session. Well just this morning, I was listening to Elder Wirthlin's talk "Come What May, and Love It." It is a beautiful talk that brings tears to my eyes each time I listen to it or read it (In the Ensign). Well, if you haven't heard it, it talks about smiling and laughing your way through life; don't take things so seriously. Life is too short to get mad over everything.

Today has not been a good day. I won't get into a lot of details but it just seemed to be one thing right after another. Tonight, I left the kids with Buddy and went to do some shopping at Walmart. Those of you who don't know, New Mexico is home to some of the rudest people on this planet. That is not a secret. The rudeness of people here never ceases to amaze me. Tonight was the ultimate. I was in line to check out and started putting my groceries onto the conveyer belt when this couple walks up and just starts putting their stuff on at the exact same time right behind me. I wasn't even done putting my stuff on. I had a ton of stuff left. They didn't put a divider down or anything. I turn around and say "Are you kidding me?" They completely ignore me and just keep going. So I take about 5000 deep breaths and grab a divider to at least seperate our things (I had to push some of their things back just to make room). I am thinking "where in the heck am I supposed to put the rest of my stuff?" I litterally have no room. So, I scoop up the several items still in my cart into my arms and have to hand each item to the cashier. I was blown away. Now those who know me well, know that I don't handle rudeness very well. Normally I would have caused a big ole scene and probably have made myself look just as stupid as them. I thought of Elder Wirthlins talk and how it just wouldn't be worth it. So I bit my tounge (I wont be able to talk for days I bit so hard) and just paid for my items and left. I called Buddy right away and just broke down in tears. I was so angry. How can people be so rude? I just don't get it. It seems every where I go here, people are just like that.

Now I know that I didn't laugh at the situation like I probably should have but hey, I didn't deck the guy either so that has to count for something right????

So here is to trying to make myself happier in a place that I hate. I am really trying everyone. I honestly am.

P.S. I have to add that there are things that I love about Albuquerque. Most importantly, my awesome husband whom I have missed so desperately the past 2 years and especially the past year. I would follow him anywhere just so we could be together.

I am grateful for a cousin whom I have a renewed relationship with. Without her, I don't know what I would do. She has been an angel in my life since I moved back here. I love her dearly.

I also LOVE my house. It is perfect for our family. It is so beautiful. LOVE IT!!!

I also love that we are closer to our "biological" families. I have missed living so close and being able to just drive in a few hours to see my nieces and nephews who have all been such an important part of my life. Not to mention being closer to my mama!!!!! *I say biological because I feel that I left a family (some biological, but most not) back in Omaha when we left.*

Lasagna Anyone???

I don't think just a wipe will clean this big mess up!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Garrison playing his new Wii game

Our new Trampoline (safety net is not up yet)

After Santa came

Jammies opened up on Christmas Eve

Our family wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Let us all take some time to remember that without our Savior Jesus Christ, none of us would be here. I am grateful for Him and all that he did and continues to do for me and my family. I am grateful for Mary and Joseph and their undying faith. I am grateful for the great care they took in caring for the Prince of Peace.

I am thankful for my family. This year has not been an easy one for me or them and I know that without each of them, I would not have made it through. My children give me strength to go on and to realize that this beautiful life is truly a treasure.

I am thankful for my husband. He truly is my everything. Without him, I would be nothing. I am grateful for all of the sacrifices he has made for our family. I am grateful for his testimony of the gospel and his love for our Heavenly Father and Savior. Thank you Buddy for everything.

I am grateful for my friends. You know who you are. I am grateful for their love and guidance. I am grateful for their faith during tough times. I am grateful for their love for me no matter what. They do not judge me and love and respect me for who I am. Some who read this have been my friend since birth (literally) and others have been my friend for a few months but you all mean so much to me. Omaha, I love you!!!!!

I am grateful for my wonderful parents who have given me so much. The testimony of my parents has carried me through many difficult times. Even though my mom lives far away, and my dad is gone, I feel their love each and every day.

I am thankful for this wonderful day. I am thankful that it gives me the opportunity to sit and realize just how lucky I truly am. I have four beautiful children, an amazing husband, friends and family that all mean everything to me. I am thankful for the gospel. It is why I am who I am.

I am most importantly thankful for my Savior. I cant express enough how thankful I am for the Atonement. He paid the price for me and my sins and I find myself much less than worthy of that kind of love. However, He gives it to me none-the-less. I try every day to do as He would have me do. I can never repay Him for all of my blessings. Merry Christmas everyone. We love you.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today would have been my dads 69th birthday. This day is always rough especially since it is so close to Christmas. Christmas always makes me miss my dad as it was such an important holiday to him. My dad LOVED Christmas. It meant that he got to buy gifts for not only his family but many times other families as well. He loved to make others happy. He was such a generous man. He also loved to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. My dad had such a love for the Savior. He had an incredible testimony of the gospel. He loved The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints. He was proud to be a member of this great church.

My dad was such an amazing man. Of course he had his faults and knew very well how to embarrass me but what an incredible dad he was. He loved his family unconditionally. He treated my mom like a queen and expected her children to do the same. He always complemented me. It is funny how siblings can be to each other and he would hear some comments made and then later in the day would pull me aside and let me know how special I was. I cannot tell you how many of those instances I still remember and carry with me close to my heart.

When my father passed away, it was just me and my mom there with him waiting together for the paramedics. The last thing my dad ever said to me was "Don't cry Heather, everything is going to be okay." I knew at that moment that he was going to die that morning. Moments later he did. Once we found out that my dad had a terminal illness (8 days prior to his death) he was not afraid of dying. He knew the gospel was true and he knew that he had tried his hardest to live righteously. His concerns laid with his wife and family. He was worried about us being okay without him. That is the kind of man my father was. He never worried about himself. Always putting others in front of him. At times when you thought he would be so angry at you for something, those were the times that he was the most compassionate. At least with me. I cannot speak for my other siblings.

I miss my dad so very much. There is not a minute of a day that goes by that I do not think of him. I miss him so much. I just want him to be proud of me and know that I love him so very much. Thanks for being my dad. Thanks for loving me and giving me such a wonderful childhood. Thanks for loving our mom and showing us how to not only respect others but to be respected. I love you daddy poo!!!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!!!

It has been snowing all day today and the kids couldn't be more excited. Now when it snows here, it doesn't always stick like it does in Nebraska but sometimes we get lucky. By the end of the storm later this week we may actually have some decent accumulation. As of now we have a few inches. The kids came right home from school and started playing. After they played for a little bit, they came in and had some hot chocolate. It was so fun.