Home for the Holidays...Yeah....

Everyone is home for the holidays....

Enter...My hero, and early Christmas present...

Very blessed...with the family that made the mess, and the wonderful husband who will clean it up for me!

Let's make some Men!!

My youngest came home the other day, and said, "Mom, I want to make some MEN!"

It was so much fun! And although we only technically made 2 men (their cut-out process was a little frustrating for a 5 year old!) our circle designs were just as cute! Plus, I have NEVER seen five jars worth of sprinkles on ONE gingerbread man...

Yes...I'm Fabulous!

Thanks to my beautiful niece (in-law ; ) ) Amanda, for finally stating the obvious...JUST KIDDING! I hang out with her and my other wonderful niece Stephanie, so I can pretend I'm young and cool....Is it working?

Five blogs that I adore, and look at every day, and who are truly worthy of the word FABULOUS:

1) Melissa: She is my blogging-world, new-best-friend, soul mate...We have always just "gotten" each other. She keeps it real, and someday, maybe on Dec. 27th?, we will meet?

2) CJane Run: Courtney, though I don't even know her, has given me a glimpse into an amazing family of love and support...Whenever I need a "lift," I read her blog. Her sister, Stephanie, or "NieNie," is traveling an inspirational road of recovery...you may have heard about it...

3) Carrie Ann: She is my Martha Stewart meets Project Runway guru...She is amazing!! She is one of the most creative people I know!

4) Kacy: She just makes me laugh! She's smart, sassy, and makes you think about things you normally wouldn't...like "When Chen Fei Screamed I Felt Weird"

5) Steph and Amanda: Yes.....trying to be cool by association...And they pretend that I am!! I love to see all their babies and kids growing up!

Five Fabulous Things:

1) SHOES..........enough said.....you've read the title of my blog.....

2) My Ballet and Pilates classes each Wednesday night...what a fun and FABULOUS escape each week!

3) Flexi-Fit lids....yes....you heard me....I HATE trying to find the right lid for the right tupperware bowl...This is an item I would actually buy from a late-night TV ad (just asked Andy how giddy I was when I saw it!)

4) My Blackberry....I just feel better, neater, and more "FABULOUS" with it...I love that I can text, talk, email, and photograph from it.

5) Books....Cannot read them fast enough.....

6?) And I must include my husband....who puts a pillow over his head while I'm reading all my books!!!

Alright ladies, here are the rules to receiving this award:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.

Instructions:On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gadget. Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.Now get to it I can't wait to see your creativity in recreating your own blog awards!

I'm Trying to be like Jesus...

So...have you read the latest Ensign and New Era?

I believe the line has been drawn, and I've known for years which side I have been on...

I was browsing the New Era December edition, and there it was...A huge article on ENERGY drinks (not a problem) as well as CAFFINATED drinks (problem?). I told myself, "Yeah...the youth really shouldn't be drinking that stuff..." I kinda equated it with the "NoDoz" phase of my teen years. But then, I went to read the new Ensign...

BLAM!! Five full pages of "Laura, this one's for you!!" (the following is MY interpretation, and is how I AM reacting to its message...) I've known for years the gray line I've walked....I'm not one of those who have to have their 44 ounce mugs constantly full...but, I've attributed it to " I don't have many options, since I'm a diabetic...there is not a lot of diet Sprite on tap!!" to other self-appointed beliefs of "it helps settle my stomach....it helps with my migraines...." But, all the way, I've known it to be true...My yummy Diet Dr Pepper, or Diet Mountain Dew, or Sonic Diet Coke with Vanilla was just a marvelous and intoxicating mirage...The line has now definitely been drawn, and I have to choose a side...

I know I have plenty that I need to work on...So as I considered the articles, of course I thought the eloquent, "if this is the WORSE thing I do...." statement. Then my dear husband came home. I showed him the articles...and I waited. This would be my moral compass on the issue...which I thought would definitely fall on a pre-conceived side (my man works HARD for the money, and sometimes works 20 hour days...hence his delight in beverages that allow him to work HARD for the money for those 20 hour days...). I surely thought he'd say, "well...we aren't addicted....I do it for work, you do it for health choices..." or something like that....

"I'm done...I'm not drinking it (caffeine) any more..."

What?!

This was the clincher for my husband...and probably should have been for me...in the article it stated, "...the Word of Wisdom does not specifically prohibit caffeine. However, I believe that if we follow the spirit of the Word of Wisdom, we will be very careful about what we consume, particularly any substance that can have a negative impact on our bodes..."

Then, I thought of a recent talk I gave at a Stake Young Women Conference...and one of my favorite scripture references I had quoted...

"And behold, the watchman upon the tower would have seen the enemy while he was afar off; and then ye could have made ready and kept the enemy from breaking down the hedge thereof, and saved my vineyard fromt he hands of the destroyer." (D&C 101:54)

We DO have a watchman...Pres. Monson...He knows what's coming...We are simply down among the hedges, presuming our safety...Whether it's drinks, modesty issues, or morality, HE KNOWS what the adversary will strike at to make us less than what we are!

I figure, it's time to draw the line, and be on the right side! (At least I know this is one less thing to worry about!)

So...farewell my sweet elixirs...hello to Fresca and other mouth-watering liquid Meccas...

(We even made it a family statement...so now I KNOW I'm bound, because I have three extra pairs of eyes, ever-vigilant for the cause!!)