Shrek the halls

OKAY girls, if you have a story to submit about an Act of Random Kindness you have done, please email me by Saturday morning so I can post

your stories and share your lovin' spirit!!

I will also pick the winner to double the spendings they gave!!!

luckiestgirlalive@hotmail.com

Thanks for participating and I hope you had/have fun trying to

do something good for someone else. If you still haven't done it...YOU CAN! Go walk the street tomorrow and

I'm sure some random happening will occur where you can find

something within yourself to

give...money, food, a helping hand...

We have so much to be thankful for and we are truly blessed people!!!!!!!!!! I hope I never forget that and always have a helping hand and loving heart.

Thank you all for being fabulous friends.

Enjoy the Christmas Spirit...it's not even December yet! Yipee. We have tons of time.

Speaking of Christmas. Did anyone watch the Shrek Christmas Show on TV last night?

It was hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!

I was the recipient today!

I have been sick for over a week with a nasty cough and headache...it has been getting better and last night I was able to fall asleep without hacking my lungs out...until I woke up at 3:00 am nauseated!! It was awful. Nausea is just plain evil. The day has progressed with more symptoms, some that I don't need to describe for your viewing pleasure!

Anyways an Act of Random Kindness was performed for me!!!!!!!!!!! It was fabulous. My dear kind friend took Tanner ALL DAY so I could rest in peace. It was so nice to just lay in bed without a 3 year old jumping all over me. The quiet house was just what I needed to recuperate. I am still weak and sick, but have been able to endure because of Lisa. She had Tanner from 11-5 and then brought him back with dinner for us as well...plus a SPRITE and my favorite DR PEPPER. She rocks. It meant the world to have her help today. I haven't been a recipient of kind acts for a long time and it felt great! I can't wait to help someone else in return now.

I missed my little guy though. It was good to have him back, but then he started jumping all over me!!!!!!!!! He is just one big ball of energy.

Oh, the love is great!!

WINNERS

Today two fabulous ladies are going to get an extreme make-over...for their blog!!!!! How fun is that. Big shout out to Laura for donating her time and talents as part of my ARK game.

The winners can contact Laura through her blog and arrange how their

fun can begin :)

themomart.blogspot.com

I wish all of you could have won, but some of you must remain with ugly boring blogs like me too!

Congrats and enjoy girls!

The winners are:

MANDY

and

KACIE

Getting to know you

Here is another great game to get to know your friends. Go ahead and play, it's fun!!!!!

Hi, my name is: Jill

But you can call me: Jill

Never in my life have I: broken a bone, bungee jumped, taken illegal substances

The one person who can drive me nuts is: people easily bug me, but I can't think of anyone right now! Give me a minute!!

My high school is: awesome. Go LHS. Forever a Layton Lancer.

When I'm nervous: I get sweaty and shaky. My face goes bright red when I’m nervous and embarrassed...can’t hide anything that way!

The last song I listened to was: Celine Dion, Power of Love (just added to my list!)

If I were to get married right now it would be to: always and forever Landon.

My hair is: getting longer by default. Should I cut it again?

When I was 4:I kissed a worm goodbye and placed him back in the dirt!

Last Christmas: was so fun...Tanner was 2 and starting to understand Santa and presents! SO CUTE! We had a blast spoiling him.

I should be: cleaning the house, making my Christmas cards, going to bed.

When I look down I see: my thighs

The happiest recent event was: Thanksgiving and a weekend with my husband home!

If I were a character on Friends: I would be Courtney Cox!! She’s hot!

By this time next year: I pray I will be delivering my first born child!

My current gripe is: being unable to keep my house clean for one day! I only have one child, but that is the problem. I have to entertain him all day and can’t get anything done!

I have a hard time understanding: why my profession is SO IMPORTANT, being a nurse, but basketball players get paid millions more than me. SO MESSED UP!

There's these girls: Shauna, Jay, Kim, Mom, Andrea, Ashley, Emily, Mandy, Jan, Amber... The best girls ever! And all of you!!

If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be: Landon, parents, sisters

I want to buy: Landon LASIK surgery

Where do you plan to visit? Utah, California, Tennessee, Florida, NYC, Bermuda

If you spent the night at my house: we'd sit around and laugh our heads off and eat until we puked our guts out!

The world could do without: Satan

Most recent things I've bought myself: a new outfit from the Gap

Most recent thing someone else bought me: Landon bought me new hot boots for my bday! He let me wear them early!

My middle name is: Marie

In the morning: I will wake up and go to play group at the church (but wish I could sleep in).

Last night I was: watching my reality TV shows, blogging and tired from restless sleeping the 2 nights before because of my cough, so I went to bed early (11pm! Ha)

There's this boy I know who: works his butt off every day to make me happy

If I was an animal I'd be a: bird so I could fly

Tomorrow I'm : going to play group, need to clean the house and then find something constructive to do with Tanner.

Tonight I am: watching the finale "So you think you can Dance!"

My birthday is: in 2 weeks. December 11th

Kindness isn't dead

I love this post...I was reading a girl's blog and this was her post the other day! It was awesome. Check it out:

http://hollyscharmedlife.blogspot.com/2007/11/kindness-isnt-dead.html.

We have this in all of us...the opportunity to brighten someone's day, improve their outlook on life, or simply place a smile upon their face.

It was especially refreshing to read her story after hearing the events of blood bath's in stores and fist fights standing in line for toys...it is embarrassing to the human race. These people might as well go ahead and just slaughter the Christmas spirit with their own steak knife.

Have fun doing your ARK and let me know your story.

(see previous posts for details)

I will announce the winners for Laura's blog make-over tomorrow. Stay tuned and submit a request if you haven't already.

Email me your ARK story if you have it done, big or small! luckiestgirlalive@hotmail.com

oh, and HAVE A FABULOUS DAY!!!

Evan Almighty

Don't forget to do your ACT of RANDOM KINDNESS a.k.a. ARK- (Noah's Ark)...this movie coincides perfectly with my quest for goodness in the world. We just watched it again this weekend and I still love it. I think it's funny and it has a great message. It really hit me when God is explaining to Evan's wife how if we pray for patience, do we just become a patient person all of the sudden? No. We are given experiences, and most likely trials that help us develop patience! Often it is something difficult but that is the way we learn!! He also explained how Evan prayed to become closer as a family, thus, building the ark and going through their rough times could bring them closer as a family!!!!! At the time it was tearing them apart, but their experiences had the potential to bring them even closer and unite together!

It was so good.

It totally made me reflect on my life and the trials Landon and I have been through and the things we have learned from them. It's so true, out of everything we experience we can find something meaningful. Too often I think we overlook that maybe a trial is how our prayers are being answered.

I'm not saying trials are meaningful!!!!! Don't get me wrong. I hate my trials,

but what I've learned from them and who I have become through

them have made me a better person, and for that I am grateful.

So, if you want to join me and also "change the world" like Evan wanted, and I have always desired...it starts with ARK: one Act of Random Kindness at a time.

If you haven't seen this movie yet...go rent it now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you need a little extra help coming up with something to do as your ARK, go rent this movie and take in a bucket of treats or a wrapped gift...some fun surprise and give it to the girl you check it out from and tell her it's your ARK! She will love it :)

so easy, so simple, so selfless, so satisfying

Yippee, the tree!

We had the holiday fever today! Actually, Landon did. He and his dad hung some lights outside and got our lame, artifical, anorexic, but good enough for me, Christmas tree up! Tanner had fun "helping" which is his definition for destroying the decorations. It was fun and super fast putting up our skimpy tree and few snowmen ornaments we have! I'm not high maintenance when it comes to my tree, obviously. It sure makes the house fun and festive though!!

My sister is burning me a Christmas CD and soon the tunes will ring through the house as well. What a fun time of year. I want to enjoy everyday until Christmas because it comes and goes too fast. I hope we can all find some random acts of kindness to do as well. That's what the holiday's are all about!!!!!

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Change all the answers so that they apply to you. 1.

1.Wrapping paper or gift bags? Either. I like cute gift bags, but wrapping paper is fun to rip off!

2. Real tree or artificial? I love real but do artificial. I don’t like to deal with the mess of real.

3. When do you put up the tree? When Landon gets it out!

4. When do you take the tree down? A few days after Christmas

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, yes, yes!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I remember one year (when I was 8) specifically because that is when I found out the "secret" about Santa...and I got a "my doll" and CD player.

7. Do you have a Nativity scene? Yes-precious moments

8. Hardest person to buy for? Step mother-in-law

9. Easiest person to buy for? My mom and Landon

10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received? I really can’t think of any

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? MAIL! Hello!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yep

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Anything pumpkin, eggnog, chocolate and all the fun goodies you (hopefully) get from neighbors!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I really don’t mind either...but probably clear over colored if I HAD to choose.

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home :(

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher Dancer Prancer Vixen Comet Cupid Donner

Blitzen...but do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? RUDOLPH

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star (I need to find it)

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One or maybe 2 (if lucky) on Christmas Eve, the rest in the morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? COLD COLD COLD COLD COLD

Additional note: my all-time favorite thing about Christmas is the Christmas cards, photos and letters I receive from family and friends in the mail. Going to the mailbox is the highlight of every day in December! (Hint hint....I gladly accept cards from ANYONE)! If you need my address, email me here. Luckiestgirlalive@hotmail.com I don’t want to publicly post it, but I will gladly share it with you!!MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL!! Feel free to consider yourself tagged!

Tday come and gone

I can't believe Thanksgiving is over. I didn't even have time to get out my decor!!!!! Where in the world did the time go? Well, I'm tired and my hands are freezing, especially my right hand because I can sit on my left hand while I click on the mouse to see other people's blogs...so I'm not going to type much. ANYWAYS. Thanksgiving was great. We went into Landon's work and ate with the students and their families. It was a good time had by all. Tanner loved running around, playing with his girlfriend, chasing the dogs and getting attention from everyone! The food was gourmet! It was DELICIOUS. CALO has a hired cook and one of the students mom helped as well and they did a FABULOUS job. It was all to die for. A nice perk with Landon being a big wig for CALO is we got to take as much food home as we wanted. SWEET. We have yams up the ying yang and THREE pies...one for me, one for Landon and one for Tanner. ha ha. They say the average person gains 7 lbs during the Holiday's. YOU KNOW IT...I did it all today!!!!! Here are some shots from this afternoon. Hope you all had a wonderful day as well. I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO thankful for my life and everyone and everything that is a part of it. I am so blessed it is incomprehendable (spell check said that's not a word, but I like it anyways).

My uncooperative child making this face when I told him to smile!

Lots and lots of people, lots and lots of food!!!

I love this kid :)

Tanner playing hard to get...cute Rylee!!

My uncooperative husband making this face when I told him to smile!

Playing with the pups! Actually, they aren't pups anymore...they are HUGE!

A good good day.

Looking back...

Tanner, 364 days ago

My sappy side again!

I love Sunday's.

I haven't always been able to say that, but I am so grateful for my faith and all the blessings I have in my life. I try not to take things for granted and I want to exemplify a Christlike life. I have a LONG LONG way to go...but I am trying. I am thankful for the opportunity to practice my beliefs without restrictions. It is hard to live day to day and be all consumed with the vainness and evilness of this world. Sunday's are a for sure time to take a deep breath and rededicate yourself to what you want to achieve and get out of life!

We need Sunday everyday!!!!

I didn't mean to preach a sermon but my religion means everything to me. I am mormon and I am so proud of it. Since moving from Utah I've learned alot and seen a whole different world out here. I took alot for granted being in Utah...talking to the cashier, a complete stranger, at the grocery store about how her RS lesson was last week doesn't happen out here!! I'm not just another member anymore, I am one of a few and people know it and are watching. Not to say that doesn't happen in Utah, but it's just different here.

I hope I can continue to progress and become a better person each day I live.

Now, onto what I really wanted to post...this cute conversation I heard while sitting in Sacrament meeting today. It touched my heart!

I was sitting in front of an adorable family at church today. I couldn’t see behind me but I heard their little boy, 4 years old, talking to his dad about Jesus. I am assuming they were looking at a picture of the temple and the little boy said (who has the sweetest little voice) "is that where Jesus lives?" The dad replied "Yes Jesus lives there." The boy stated, "I thought you said Jesus is in our hearts!" The dad answered back, "yes, we can take Jesus with us wherever we go and keep Him in our hearts." "Oh!" the child responded. He then added "so when we come to church He is with us in our hearts?" "Yes son" the dad replied. The little boy then proceeded "Well what if I always want to keep Jesus in my heart, how will he get home!?"

Is that not the cutest thing you have ever heard!? I thought it was so touching and adorable! No wonder we are told to be as children. They are so sweet, innocent and humble!

Our weekend so far...

Today was BEAUTIFUL!! It was perfect outside so we enjoyed some time in the yard. I tried to help rake the leaves yesterday and after 10 minutes was worn out!!!! Landon was out raking today for HOURS. We had so many stinkin' leaves it was crazy. Tanner had a blast playing in them.

He is sooooooo obsessed with pirates and has to look and act like a pirate all day. He is so funny! He plays with his pirate ship, acts like a "mean pirate" he says, watches Peter Pan and has to hear a pirate story before bed...everyday!! It's pretty humorous. He is crazy about pirates! Daddy is glad though because a year ago he was obsessed with wearing mommy's high-heels and necklaces!!!! He's moving in the right direction :)

The boys rough housing and playing football last night! It was really cute and fun to watch. Go Tanner go!!

I had a fun day with some friends teaching a Stampin' Up class and making these fun projects. I love having such a fun outlet!! If you ever want some cute stamps, paper, accessories or more, just ask me about Stampin' Up! I would be glad to provide for your scrapbooking and card making needs :)

www.stampinup.com

Why is it that I am a picture taking mamarazzi non stop except when it comes to my classes and having scrapbook parties (for me to scrapbook my pictures) and I FORGET TO TAKE PICTURES. Ironic. Who woulda thought?

Go Jaguars!!

Landon's NFL team is the Jacksonville Jaguars. He LOVES that team and is loyal through and through. Some of you may not even know that team. They aren't top dog like the Bronco's or Patriots. Landon grew up in Florida though and that will always be his team. I think it is cool how dedicated and supportive he is to them!! I would have ditched them a long time ago (since they never get close to the superbowl). ANYWAYS, Tanner now loves and supports football as well. It's cute! He loves to play with daddy and watch with daddy. He yells "go jaguars!" That should make Grandma Jan happy to hear!! I like football now as well. Landon had to teach me all about it when we were first married and it took me awhile to learn the rules of the game. Embarassingly enough, I must admit when I cheered in highschool for the football team, I had no idea what was going on! BUT I DO NOW. Football is a great sport. We are also loyal BYU COUGAR fans. I get angry at them when they loose though!!! I'm a little too competitive.

It's all good.

This is a pretty random post about football. I thought these pictures were cute of Tanner and thought Gma Jan would like to see them! I do like football though.

Have you girls conformed to watching it as well, or let your hubbies at it by themselves?

Honey, I'm ho-ome!

Well, we are all back in our humble abode again. Landon had a great trip to CALI with his buddies from work. Not only did he get to see WICKED but he also saw ANGELA from "The Office" too!! Fun work trip :)

Tanner and I had a blast in Tennessee. We loved seeing G&G and Shauna and family. Tanner was seriously in heaven the whole time playing with cousins nonstop and getting attention from his grandparents.

I had fun shopping, eating out, doing crafts with the girls, having adult conversation, watching the BYU game, watching the Jazz game, enjoying my family and watching our cute kids play nonstop!!

Shopping at an awesome outdoor mall! Don't you think these two below could be the next A&F models!! Too cute :)

There was a primary activity while we were there...they had a drive in movie!! All the kids made cardboard box cars, had yummy treats and watched David and Goliath on the big screen wall!

Love my moms and pops!! They are awesome!!

The pictures below are in downtown Memphis. We took a horsey/carriage ride around the streets, walked the famous "Beale Street" and ate at a YUMMY restaurant. It was a fabulous BBQ place with delicious BBQ nachos, sweet potato fries and we even got to cook our own smores at our very own table!!!! Too fun :)

Beale Street-"I was walkin' in Memphis, I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale. Yeah I was walkin' in Memphis. But do I really feel the way I feel!!" (I hope I sang those words right!)

Tanner dancing and jammin out to the rhythm and blues songs blastin' loud on the street!

Yummy yummy restaurant with my sweet potato fries!!!! Give me more!!

Roasting marshmallows and eating our tastey smores.

These pictures below are my favorite...Marissa has a HUMMER that she drives around and Tanner got to learn how to drive as well. He didn't quite understand, but it was so cute and hilarious to see these little 3 year olds driving around and talking on their cell phones!! HA!

Sooooo cute! I loved just sitting there watching Marissa drive like she was born to, and Tanner trying to figure it out. Pure entertainment at its finest!! It was a simple little trip packed with tons of fun and memories.

The Holiday's will be kind of lonely for us without family...but we will enjoy making new traditions. I'm excited and looking forward to some more vacationing coming up still...Utah, Palm Springs, Florida, NY and Bermuda throughout Jan, Feb and March.

More fun times for me!

Love yall