Christmas Memories

We had such a great Christmas. I think I've put on about 10 pounds so I've got to get walking again soon. We've been receiving treats all throughout the Holiday, but yesterday Christy Oldham returned my pan with a pan of absolutely delicious orange cinnamon rolls plus my friend Robyn Nogales dropped by some amazing treats. Robyn and Christy are amazing cooks, so of course I had to try a little of everything! The diet will have to start again in January! :-)

My brother Chad and his wife Camille surprised us by driving all the way from Miami (36 hours) to spend Christmas with our family, my mom, and my grandma. It was so fun to have them all here. Santa and his elves had quite a time assembling the air hockey/pool/ping pong table that now fills our front room. In fact, we called our neighbor whose lights were still on at 11 p.m. to get him to come help Ivan, Chad, Mom, and I flip the table into it's correct location once the legs were put on. I couldn't believe how heavy it was! And of course, then we had to stay up later to make sure it worked! I was doing great at winning until my mom skunked me! How dare she do that to her own flesh and blood! :-)

My brother Chad and his wife took off on Sunday to head back to Miami. Mom and Grandma are still here. Today Ivan, Devan, and I went to help with Andrew Miller's Eagle Scout project at the Marana Rodeo grounds. I painted the racing barrels while Ivan and Devan helped with the weather proofing and rebuilding of the announcing boxes at the arenas. It was a huge project, but a lot of people came to help which made the work a lot less per person. While we were gone, mom started cleaning and reorganizing my linen closet and finishing up my laundry. I'll be sad when she leaves. Well, Ivan needs my help. He's finally tiling the bathrooms upstairs. Yeah!

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to share one of my favorite Christmas songs by Hillary Weeks put to video! Enjoy! I wish you the merriest Christmas and best wishes for a money saving new year!

He's back!!

Ivan's back! Yeah!

I don't have to drag all 4 kids through the grocery stores today!

Hip Hip Horray!!!!!!!


Ivan surprised us by returning two days early. They had a break down and had to close up early. I don't think anyone was too disappointed. Today I was planning on running to two grocery stores and CVS (to pick up my Christmas Pictures) with all 4 kids in tow. I was looking as forward to doing this as I would an appendectomy. So, now it's just Lizzie and I going. Happy day! I have a huge appreciation for all the single moms and military wives whose husbands are deployed. I have no idea how you do it. I was a wreck after three days. God bless you all.

The Christmas Story

Here is the Christmas story told through missionaries from 25 countries. A must-see video clip that will move you; it will move anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and wants to feel the spirit of the season.

The Mom Song

You've got to hear this song which basically goes through what a mom says in a typical 24 hour period! It's pretty funny! If you need a good laugh, watch this clip!

Missing Ivan

Ivan left today for a short business trip to Yuma with a good size group of people from work. He gets back on Saturday. I always hate it when he has to travel. I can't ever sleep. Every noise freaks me out. So, it's midnight and I sit posting on my blog!

Today was an exhausting day. I ran the kids with all their stuff for their class parties to school and Emma to Sister Delgado's house. I hurried home to meet Jenny Anchondo, the morning KOLD13 anchor, and Jason, the cameraman to shoot our segment. I had been up until 2 a.m. the night before making cookies for the segment. We were showing how you can make 10 different kinds of cookies with the same basic dough recipe. The taping went well.

I ran to the school to take Spencer's backpack that he had forgotten at home and Devan's lunch box that he left in the van that morning. Then, I went to get Emma.

I spent the majority of the day making cookies and delivering them to neighbors. We still have a lot of cookies to make! The kids had fun singing "We wish you a Merry Christmas" when the neighbors on our street answered their doors. They really liked that.

Well, I hope this finds everyone enjoying this Christmas season! In the busyness of it all, let's not forget the true reason for the season-the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Lots of love,

Stephanie

Blueberry French Toast Casserole

Last week 12/11, I showed the following on KOLD. Click here to go to the link where you can watch the video. Hopefully they will have the video to watch from my news segment tomorrow!

As a child, I would love when my mom would occasionally cook breakfast for dinner! My kids also love when I do it from time to time. This is one of our favorite breakfast casseroles!


Blueberry French Toast Casserole (from 101 Things To Do With A Casserole)

1 loaf (20 ounces) bread, cubed
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
12 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup maple syrup or pancake syrup
powdered sugar

Place 1/2 the bread cubes in a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Layer cream cheese cubes evenly over the bread. Sprinkle blueberries over top. Cover with the remaining bread cubes. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, and syrup. Drizzle egg mixture evenly over bread. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 25-30 minutes more, or until center is firm and top is golden brown. Lightly dust casserole with powdered sugar. Serve with blueberry or maple syrup. Makes 6 servings.

How many zeros in a billion?

Ivan's brother, Sid, just forwarded this on to me. It got me thinking!

"The next time you hear a politician use the
word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about
whether you want the 'politicians' spending
YOUR tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend,
but one advertising agency did a good job of
putting that figure into some perspective in
one of it's releases.


A.

A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B.

A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C.

A billion hours ago our ancestors were
living in the Stone Age.

D.

A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

E.

A billion dollars ago was only

8 hours and 20 minutes,

at the rate our government

is spending it.

While this thought is still fresh in our brain...

let's take a look at New Orleans ...

It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division.

Louisiana Senator,

Mary Landrieu (D)

is presently asking Congress for

250 BILLION DOLLARS

to rebuild New Orleans . Interesting number...

what does it mean?

A.

Well... if you are one of the 484,674 residents of New Orleans

(every man, woman, and child)

you each get $516,528.

B.

Or... if you have one of the 188,251 homes in

New Orleans, your home gets $1,329,787.

C.

Or... if you are a family of four...

your family gets $2,066,012.

Washington, D. C

< HELLO! >

Are all your calculators broken??

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax

Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Fed eral, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sal es Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago...
and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt...

We had the largest middle class in the world...

and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Can you spell 'politicians'!

And I still have to

press '1'

for English."

What Mormon Leaders Really Teach

I really loved these clips from what was taught to us in October in General Conference. If you are interested in what our world wide church leaders are teaching us, watch this clip!

Ready for a laugh???

Everyone needs a good laugh. On Friday I got an email from a producer of the ABC show Wife Swap. They are searching for a money saving family to pair with a family who lives off their credit cards. At first, I thought one of my friends or family members was playing a huge joke. Ivan just happened to be home, so I called him down to read the email and we both had a great laugh together. I called the producer at the number she provided. She fedexed me 2 dvds of previous episodes to watch and sent me a copy of the application she wanted us to fill out. I told her we'd watch the show and we'd let her know on Tuesday what we thought.


I thought at first how it could possibly be a great missionary opportunity, but the more we thought about it the more we decided it wasn't something that we could do morally. Ivan asked me, "Could you picture Elder and Sister Bednar doing this program?" That pretty much answered it for me.

On Monday, the DVDs arrived and I watched them as I promised I would. They really try to pair extremes and as money saving savvy as we try to be I don't think we are the extreme. On Tuesday, I emailed her and gave her some contacts from my favorite money saving blogs who might be interested and politely declined the offer to apply.

Yesterday, I found my cell phone which had been missing for several days. There was a message from Brian Howard, the man behind the show Latter-day Profiles on BYU-TV. They are interested in showing my story on their program. This summer when we go up to Rexburg for our summer visit they will tape it. Then, it will air in the fall on BYU-TV. I feel 100% more comfortable doing this program than I would being on Wife Swap!

Letter from Jesus

My good friend from high school, Kristen, sent me the following letter. Let us not forget the true reason for the season this year!


"As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer. It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .. and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor! At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no-one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart. I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements.. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party. See you soon. I Love you! "

Jesus

Idaho

Our past neighbor in Idaho, forwarded me the following which gave me a great laugh. I vividly remember some of these things happening to us while we lived there! I have to say that Arizona was a huge shock to us when we first moved here from Idaho. Now we freeze on days like today when the high is 60 degrees!

FORGET REDNECKS; THIS IS WHAT JEFF FOXWORTHY HAD TO SAY ABOUT IDAHOANS !
If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Idaho.
If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Idaho.
If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Idaho.
If 'vacation' means going anywhere south of Salt Lake City for the weekend, you live in Idaho.
If you measure distance in hours, you live in Idaho.
If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Idaho.
If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Idaho.
If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked, you live in Idaho.
If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Idaho.
If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in Idaho.
If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph --you're going 80, and everyone is still passing you, you live in Idaho.
If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you live in Idaho.
If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Idaho.
If you find 10 degrees 'a little chilly' you live in Idaho.
If you actually understand these jokes, you live in Idaho. (Or have lived there!)

The Little Cowboy

I love this radio call done by a little cowboy. CBN covered the story. I thought I needed to share it. Grab a Kleenex before you watch it. You'll need it!

Joy To Everyone This Christmas

I really liked this video clip. The story behind it is really good too. Enjoy!

Remembering Elder Wirthlin

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, age 91, passed away at 11:30 p.m. on Monday. Elder Wirthlin served faithfully as an apostle of our church since 9 Oct, 1986. He will be truly missed. We are grateful for the life he lived and for his testimony of Jesus Christ that he bore often.

I want to share part of a talk that he gave that touched my life immensely.

"I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross.

On that terrible Friday the earth shook and grew dark. Frightful storms lashed at the earth.

Those evil men who sought His life rejoiced. Now that Jesus was no more, surely those who followed Him would disperse. On that day they stood triumphant.

On that day the veil of the temple was rent in twain.

Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, were both overcome with grief and despair. The superb man they had loved and honored hung lifeless upon the cross.

On that Friday the Apostles were devastated. Jesus, their Savior—the man who had walked on water and raised the dead—was Himself at the mercy of wicked men. They watched helplessly as He was overcome by His enemies.

On that Friday the Savior of mankind was humiliated and bruised, abused and reviled.

It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God.

I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world's history, that Friday was the darkest.

But the doom of that day did not endure.

The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind.

And in an instant the eyes that had been filled with ever-flowing tears dried. The lips that had whispered prayers of distress and grief now filled the air with wondrous praise, for Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, stood before them as the firstfruits of the Resurrection, the proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wondrous existence.

Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.

But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.

No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come." - Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Christian Bell

My friend, Jenn, emailed me this bell. It's always good to remember who we are!

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in G od (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are?