No School? Let's Go See the CAKE BOSS!

What do you do when you have a day off of school?  How about leave the house at 6:00 a.m., meet some friends, and drive to Hoboken, New Jersey to see the Cake Boss!!  Definately one of the bonuses of living on the east coast!!

The drive from our home in south-eastern Pennsylvania to Hoboken, New Jersey is just a short two hour drive.  It couldn't have been a more beautiful morning.  The trees are teasing us with their beautiful yellows, reds and golds.  Sometimes it even feels like it's raining yellow leaves.  The fall weather this week has been spectacular!

Here's a few pictures of our Family Field Trip to Carlos Bakery! 

Click here to view these pictures larger

Just for the record, I think we broke it when we walked out of Buddy's shop with a mere $80 worth of pastries.  We bought an authentic New York Crumb Cake, another kind of cake, Bob's favorite Napoleans, Italian lobster tails, chocolate cannolis, and just plain overkill of every other kind of pastry and cookie that we couldn't resist.  (This is, after all, the one, the only Carlo's Bakery!!)

Hey, when you drive 100 miles to get to THE bakery, you better have something to show for it!!  (Let me just say.....the crumb cake was TO DIE FOR!!)

Boxes, Boxes and More Boxes...

The end of this school year has been just a little nuts.  Wrapping up the school year with four kids is crazy enough.  Add to that trying to move a household across the country at the same time and it gets a little insane.  We managed somehow with the kindness of friends and some pretty awesome kids. 

Here's what our house looked like for a week or so...

Answered Prayer

I know that our Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers.  He has answered ours.  For everyone who offered prayers in our behalf, Thank you. 

We are truly looking forward to finally being together as a family in Pennsylvania this summer.   

A Texas Tradition...

"What?  You've never been to Canton?" 

Saturday morning, my friends, Stacey, Christine and Chris took me on my inaugural trip to Canton, TX. 

What is Canton?  Only the world's largest outdoor flea market.  Trade days takes place Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of every month in Canton, Texas. Every month, thousands of vendors from across the country turn this friendly East Texas community into a shopper's paradise where you can find rare antiques and collectibles, furniture, fine home decor, arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, tools, produce, and much more.

Take a peek at our fun Saturday...

We found some beautiful serving utensils at this cool store.

The 'real' Canton shoppers all bring their own shopping carts.  Stacie and Chris brought theirs.  As you can see, they came in quite handy as we piled our 'treasures' in them.

Christine and her cart.   (Isn't she beautiful?)

Today was actually Stacey's 49th birthday.  We took a moment to rest so that Stacey could listen to all the birthday wishes that were coming in to her voice mail. 

Picking out charms for some cool necklaces.

We all made our own unique charm necklace. 

Every girl needs a little 'bling'.

Man, the smells at this place were out of this world!  Kettle corn, funnel cakes, and fresh corn dogs to just name a few.  Stacie opted for some protein, the hugest turkey leg you've ever seen!

What a Fun day spent with Fantastic Friends!!

Thought For the Day

Here are a few beautiful roses from my yard. 

I've waited four years for my pink rose bush to finally bloom.

I think it's a Tender Mercy just for me.

Thank You.

Enjoy this little story...

LOVE THIS MOMENT   by Lisa Frost

One day as I trudged wearily down a path not far away,

I came upon a bright old man traveling the other way.

He walked along with a jaunty step that was so free and light,

While his smile shone like the fullest moon upon the darkest night.

When our paths did meet I begged of him to stop but a little while,

For I had to ask in bafflement, "Dear sir, why do you smile?"

"For I walk this road every single day through wind and rain and sun,

And for each heavy step I tread I wish the journey done."

The man replied in a merry voice that was music to my ears,

"My friend, I've learned a thing or two throughout my many years."

"While it's great to have a purpose from which you do not stray,

More important by far it is to love your journey along the way."

To that reply I looked askance and voiced my inner doubt,

"How can you love a well-worn path that rambles all about?"

"For it does not run straight and true towards my desired goal,

Instead it wastes my precious time with all its bumps and holes."

"And do you know the worst thing of all, that makes me quite lose heart?

While every morning I reach the end, each night I'm back at the start."

That wise old man smile knowingly and gently turned to say,

"You won't travel very far in life marching the same track every day."

"You think that to gain your far off dreams this path needs to re-arrange,

But there'll never be a different end unless you decide to change."

"To reach a dream that seems remote, you must round every bend,

Instead of always turning back to retrace your steps again."

"And once again I say to you, if I might be so bold,

While the dream may be the silver, the journey is the gold."

"For every person's true desire throughout their very soul,

Is to live a life of love and joy.  To be one and true and whole."

"It is our hope most precious to connect with all the Earth,

To feel life's energies within all moments from our precious birth."

Then he answered my next question, which was very simply, "How?"

"Just live each day inside your heart.  See the beauty of right now."

"For no matter if the path you step is an old one or a new,

Behold it with the eyes of your soul to find wonder in all views."

"When you are grateful for all the world as a gift from up above,

You'll realize that what you're doing is simply allowing love."

"And when that love completely fills every crevice of your heart,

Your journey will be one of joy - What you wanted from the start!"

Then satisfied he'd made his point this great man turned away,

To continue down the splendid path of magic every day.

Since that encounter I have walked many roads towards my goal,

With forever his gift inside my heart; to love this moment with all my soul.

Race for the Cure

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world. It affects women more than men. Each year 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in United States alone.

Did you know the exciting thing about breast cancer is that your chances of getting it are now only one in twelve women? (Up from the previous number, eight.)  And that's directly from the Breast Cancer Institute. The other good news is that it is preventable and 90% of women diagnosed in the early stages go on to lead normal, healthy lives.
 
In celebration of our Nanny, Mary Fitzpatrick, a 18 year breast cancer survivor, the kids and I ran (okay, walked) the Race for the Cure in Fort Worth, Texas this perfectly beautiful spring morning

With each passing year, I have even more hope and optimism for a cure for this disease in my lifetime.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if someday breast cancer was thought of the way we think of Polio or Mumps today.  I think it's possible.  Truly possible. 
 
Here's a glimpse of our morning...

  

It could not have been a more beautiful day in Fort Worth, Texas

Why do we walk....  For Nanny

Balloons filled the sky during the National Anthem.

At the starting line.  The energy is electric!

We're ready!

On your mark, get set, GO!

Isn't it amazing to feel a part of something

so much bigger than yourself?

The Best Boy in the World.

We made it!!

What a fantastic start to a beautiful day!

Shoes

"There will be a day when you can no longer do this...

Today is not that day."

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

"Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue,

and the dreams that you dare to dream

really do come true."

Lyman Frank Baum

Yes, She Is Blogging Again...

Beautiful Full Moon Over Texas

March 29, 2010

What to do when you haven't posted a blog in over seven months? 

Begin again, today, to tell the story of our lives... 

Here's a copy of a talk in gave in Sacrament meeting in January.  It might help explain my absence.  I'm done having my own little 'pity party' and am looking forward to a new leg of our journey here on earth.  (Sorry, in advance, for the length of this post.)

I Am A Child of God - given January 17, 2010
 Keller 2nd Ward, Colleyville, TX Stake

Good Morning brothers and sisters.  I'm happy to have this opportunity to share a few thoughts with you this morning.

I would like to begin with a short story that is found in the April 2008 Ensign.

"It was around my 14th birthday when my mother started talking in code.  Just as I would be running out thedoor for some new adventure with my friends, she would call out, "Remember who you are!"

I wasn't quite sure what she meant by that, but I would fake an understanding and yell over my shoulder, "Ok, Mom.  Bye!"  At times I would mull over her coded message.  What was she trying to say?  I knew who I was.  I was Traci, sixth child in my family, big deal.

I decided my mother's message was the result of her occupation.  She had been a registered nurse for about 25 years, so maybe she had seen children who had been left with amnesia after some horrible accident.  "Yes," I decided, "She wants to make sure that if I am ever hurt, I will remember my name and other vital information.  That must be the reason for her emphatic message."

As I was growing up, life with my family was not always pleasant, despite the face that we were members of the Church.  After one particularly bad night, I remember staring at myself in the mirror, hardly recognizing the reflection staring back at me because my face was red from my father's repeated slaps.  I started crying, not knowing what to do or think.  Thoughts of running away crossed my mind.,  Even worse ideas wormed their way into my confused thoughts.

At no other time before or since have I felt so alone.  I felt worn out, almost willing to let the surrounding darkness take over.  I looked in to the mirror once more.  The words "I don't even know myself" tumbled from my lips.  That was when I heard my mother's voice repeated clearly and distinctly in my mind, "Remember who you are!  Remember who you are!"

I can describe that moment only as enlightening,  For the first time I realized what my mother's message meant.,  It was her plea  for me to remember my divine heritage.  A phrase from a Primary song echoed in my mind, "I am a Child of God"  the knowledge that my nature was divine would help me endure to the end.  My mother understood that.  I know she hoped that someday I would gain this eternal perspective as well."

The topic I have been given to speak on today is 'How knowing that I am a child of God motives me and impacts my life.'

I'm sure that one of the first songs I ever sang to any of our newborn children was "I am a Child of God."  Maybe it was yours, too.  It's amazing the simple truth that is presented to us at such a young age is taken for granted by so many.

To think that there are literally millions of people the world over who wonder "Where did I come from?" "Why am I here?"  "Where am I going?"

What a sweet blessing it is to come to know - to actually gain a testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost - that there IS a God and the He has a plan with an exalted purpose for each of His children.  It is also a very powerful, personal driving factor to be able to accept that we each have a particular role to play in this plan.  We owe it to ourselves to make an extra effort to discover, in every detail possible, who we  really are - to discover our eternal potential in God's plan.

We are blessed to know that we are each a child of God, a son or daughter of a loving Father who has structured a glorious plan for the salvation and happiness of each of His children.

We understand that we were in the presence of our Father in Heaven in premortal councils, where His plan was presented to all of His children.,  We accepted His plan.  Jesus Christ was there and He became the leading advocate for the plan - the objective of which is to provide all of God's children the opportunity to come to earth; obtain a body; and, during our period of mortal probation, prove ourselves in faith, repentance, obedience and endure to the end.  We each, individually accepted that we would one day stand before the Lord, Jesus Christ and be judged.  Those found worthy would be exalted and would dwell eternally in the presence of the Father and Son in eternal family relationships.  All others would be assigned to kingdoms of lesser glory.

We also know that because of His prefect love for each of His children - this loving Father offered up His Only Begotten Son, that through His atoning sacrifice in Gethesemane and on the cross and Calvary, He would become the Savior of all humankind, the eternal hope of the world.  Through His sacrifice He would ensure resurrection from the grave for all, as well as provide the opportunity for forgiveness for every repentant soul.  We know that without a Savior there is no plan of salvation and happiness.

What a blessing it is to have this revealed doctrine as foundation upon which to build our lives and for our trust and hope in eternal happiness.

Life here on earth is an opportunity and a blessing.  It also has its share of challenges, trials and heartaches as well.  But, with a testimony of the restored gospel, an understanding of the atonement and a knowledge of who we are, we are able to face these challenges and look at them as a blessing.

I used to think that lucky were they who escaped this mortal probation without the trials and challenges that so many talk about.  I have come to understand that someday, sometime, we will all face these challenges and trials in our lives.  For some it may be the lingering illness of a spouse, for others the difficulty of a wayward child.  For some an unanticipated move and for others, the unexpected loss of a job.

No matter what our challenge or trial may be, if we can change our perspective and see beyond the immediate, we can see our unique challenge for what it truly is; an opportunity to grow closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  This makes our own unique particular challenge or trial so much easier to bear.

Due to some executive changes at Bob's work, in September of last year, we found ourselves without the security of having employment.  This has been an unforeseen challenge and trial for our family.  But, it has also given us the opportunity for personal spiritual growth as we have put our faith and trust in a loving Heavenly Father who knows us.  I have learned to be humble and teachable.  I am grateful for the prayers of many.  I have truly felt their power and impact.

I count myself lucky to have parents who are still very active and healthy.  They continue to be the unconditional support that I have needed not only throughout my life by especially these last few months.

I am ever thankful for my earthly father who is in good health and is always a listening ear and someone who I can share my deepest concerns of my heart with.  Sometimes my phone will ring and as I look down at my caller ID and see my dad's number, I smile.  My dad calls  just to see how I'm doing at seemingly the times when I need to heart his voice the most.  I am so thankful for him and his unconditional love for me.  Just hearing his voice seems to put my mind at east and put my heart to rest.

I can testify to you that just as we have an earthly father who loves us, we also have a loving Heavenly Father wh loves us and is as mindful of us, if not more so.  He knows each of us individually by name.  As we reach out to Him, He is waiting to help us and let us know that He is aware of us and that we are not alone.

As an example, I share with you a simple, personal journal entry.

"Today I received an tender mercy from the Lord.  Upon driving to institute today, I said a small prayer asking Heavenly Father to tell me something, instruct me, or give me something that was specifically just for me.

As institute was beginning, Sister Call asked for a volunteer to lead the music.  As no one was raising their hand.  I volunteered.  We sang all 4 verses of Joseph Smith's First Prayer.  I love that hymn.  It was one of the first hymns that I learned as  Primary child.  It is a true story set to beautiful music.  It reminded me not only of the restoration of the gospel, but that Heavenly Father does indeed hear and answer our prayers.

Our lesson was wonderful.  The Spirit was present.  At the conclusion of our lesson, Sister Call asked for a volunteer to say the closing prayer.  A sister from the Colleyville ward offered the prayer.  As she was about to conclude, she hesitated, and then she specifically thanked those who had offered the music this day.  It was then that I knew that this was not just a nice thought or gesture.  This was a tender mercy extended to me from a loving Heavenly Fahter who loves me, knows me and is aware of my needs and desires.  He just had to tell me through the voice of another.  Thank you."

As we face challenges in our lives, because we know we are each a special child of God, we know we are never alone.

During this mortal experience, Heavenly Father knew we would face challenges.  As our family faced our, I took the opportunity to search what our modern prophets and apostles have said about such experiences through recent conference addresses.  I would live to share a few.

Joseph B. Wirthlin shares, " My mother always said, 'Come what may and love it.'  I have often reflected on that counsel.  I think she may have meant that every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don't sing and bells don't ring.  Yet, in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times becoming stronger, wiser and happier as a result.  If we approach adversity  wisely, our hardest times can be  times of greatest growth which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happines.  Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understanding our suffering.  He understands our grief.  We experience hard things so that we  too may have increased compassion and understanding for others.  I know why there must be opposition in all things.  Adversity, if handled correcdtly, can be a blessing in our lives. We can learn to love it."

Elder L. Tom Perry shares, "One of the challenges of this mortal experience is not to allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us - but to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic.

Elder Neil L. Anderson, of the Seventy states, "Faith is not only a feeling.  It is a decision.  Fear and faith cannot coexist in our heart at the same time."

Elder Quentin L. Cook shares in his talk, "Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time" quoting President Harold B. Lee, "Sometimes the things that are best for us and the things that bring eternal rewards seem at the moment to be the most bitter."  He adds, that "we know from the scriptures that some trials are for our good and are suited for our own personal development.  'Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you and will stand by you."

President Henry B. Eyring shares, "My purpose today is to assure you that our Heavenly Father and the Savior live and that they love all humanity.  The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of their infinite love.  I have seen faith and courage come from a testimony that it is true that we are being prepared for eternal life.  The Lord will rescue His faithful disciples.  And the disciple who accepts a trial as an invitation to grow and therefore qualify for eternal life can find peace in the midst of the struggle.  He can and will  give us strength to rise through every trial."

Elder Rafael E. Pino quoting President Howard W. Hunter shares, "If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his resotred gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong.  On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teaching, no other success can ever be permanently right."

Brothers and sisters, because we know that we are each a unique child of God, that He knows each of us individually and will be with us and even carry us through our struggles and challenged, we can have much peace in this life. 

My testimony of the Savior motivates me to want to be better and to do better each eay of my life.  I know what the Savior said to the prophet Joseph is true.  "My son, peace be unto thy soul, thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment.  And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high."

It is my prayer that we may each endure life well knowing that are are each a unique, special and beloved child of God.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sunflowers

I saw these at Central Market and just had to buy them.

Isn't there something about Sunflowers that just makes you Smile?

"In Simpleness, there is beauty."

Now, Smile!