Bella Blog GIVEAWAY!

Just wanted to let you know I am having a giveaway on my Shabby Creations site. Check it out and tell all your friends and family. It's going to be fun.

President Gordon B. Hinckley (June 23, 1910 – January 27, 2008)

I awoke this morning to hear about the passing of our beloved prophet. I am a bit saddened as I think about his departure from this mortal existence, but I cannot help but rejoice as I visualize the great reunion with Our Heavenly Father and his sweet, sweet wife, Marjorie Hinckley.
I am so gratetful that Heavenly Father sent such a great, but humble man to earth to help teach and inspire me. He has accomplished a lot in our church history. There is a brief biography in wikipedia titled Gordon B. Hinckley that gives a few facts about his life as a prophet. According to origin.sltrib., during his nearly 13 years as president it’s said that Gordon gave more than 2,000 speeches, visited more than 150 countries, and greeted hundreds of diplomats and ambassadors. He was interviewed by journalists from nearly every major American newspaper, charming many with his folksy wisdom and self-deprecating humor.
I will miss this great man, but know he has been called home, and is needed to carry on the work with our Heavenly Father. He has touched my life, made me laugh, and inspired me to be better.

If you have any questions about the LDS church or any of President Hinckley's teachings, please visit: www.lds.org

Getting Back to Normal!

We have had a crazy week and a half. For a while there I was feeling a little overwhelmed. But, things seem to be getting back to normal. Matt and I went to Orlando, Florida for one of his business trips. Mimi came to stay with the kids...bless her heart, while we went kidless. We were able to go to Universal Studios and Universal Adventure, and I was able to go to Epcot alone while Matt was in meetings. It was so much fun riding roller coasters, eating out, and spending time with my favorite guy. We have no pictures of our trip. As I was frantically trying to get out the door to catch the plane, I could not find our camera. So I guess our trips memories will live on in my mind only.
Of course I called home daily to check on the kiddos. Poor Mimi! Jack and Cole were sick (yes, throw up and the "other") the entire time we were gone. She said she must have done 20+ loads of laundry while we were gone for 4 days. Of course it snowed the entire time we were gone too, so Mimi and the kids were cooped up in the house (not that the sickos were going anywhere) the entire time. Poor kids are just getting over this doozy of a flu. 8+ days! I was starting to think they had eaten some parasite or something.Here are a few photos of Jack and Lily in the big snow storm we had. Cole is not in any of them because he didn't really go in the snow. He's like me, doesn't like to be cold.So, the kids are feeling better, I am caught up with all my Shabby Creation orders (I was way behind after the trip) , the snow is melting, and life is calm....for now!

Just Saying Hi

For some reason I feel like I need to write a post. I don't have much to write about, but I start to feel guilty for not posting when more than a week goes by. Our lives are pretty simple right now. That is a good thing. Lily started a new preschool, and even Jack and Cole will be going to a school on Wednesdays for the entire day. DREAMY!!! They start tomorrow. From now on I have every Wednesday to do what ever I want. I'm pretty excited about it. Lily also starts swim lessons on Thursday. Other than that, we are adjusting to life in the big...I mean small city.
On Saturday I am going to Florida with Matt, for a business trip while Mimi so graciously comes to stay with the kids. Should be fun. Bye for now!

ERIE-Home Sweet Home

We made it. Our move is complete. We are official residents of Erie, PA. Everything went really smooth. We are being spoiled by having movers come in and do EVERYTHING. I hope I never have to move on our own. I didn't pack even 1 box. They packed, moved, unpacked, and even took away the empty boxes. They were ahead of schedule, so we only had to stay in a hotel for 2 nights. We moved in on New Year's eve day, and by the evening time, Matt and I were exhausted, but we managed to stay up and watch a movie and bring in the New Year in our new home with a little Martinelli's. The kids are adapting well. It is as if they have lived here forever. Tomorrow we will go to our new ward and check things out there. And then Matt is starting his next assignment on Monday. Here are a few pictures of our last night in our Chicago house. The kids had fun wrestling with their dad and climbing on him.

































The movers let the kids get in the truck and honk the horn. I can imagine the neighbors we not too happy as Jack pulled on the horn and didn't let go.




























HOME SWEET HOME.....for5 1/2 months!