ARE we there yet...?: November 2009

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Counting your many blessings Day 17

Novemebr 17th~
“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”
~ Henry Van Dyke

I don't know how people at church found out that I played the flute, but alas, the word got out and now I am being asked to play in a trio for the christmas program on Dec 20th. I am extremely hesitant to do so. I have not played the flute since I was 17 (15 YEARS ago!) I know what I HAVE to do. I have to play. I should not hide my talent. I guess I GET to particiapte in the christmas program. Gotta go get my flute out of the garage and start practicing. Practice, practice, practice. Hopefully it will all come back to me-just like riding a bike...right?
Today, I am thankful for talents.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Counting your many blessings Day 16

November 16th~
Naps are nature's way of reminding you that life is nice - like a beautiful, softly swinging hammock strung between birth and infinity. ~Peggy Noonan

Thankful for naps! Wouldn't the whole world be a better place if we ALL had an afternoon snack-like a chocolate chip cookie and a glass of milk, and then grabbed our favorite blanket and curled up for a nap? I just might petition the U.N.!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Counting your many blessings Day 15

Sunday November 15th~

Today at church, during the passing of the sacrament, I was desperately trying to get Evie to be reverent. As I passed the bread tray to her, she clumsily took a piece of bread. She held it up, and in a loud voice, she said, "This is the bread they make!" I quickly sushed her and bowed my head. I shut my eyes thinking to myself, "Why can't I get my child to be quiet during the sacrament?" Feeling embarrased and sorry for myslef, I was hit with a huge wave of emotion. The words my dear daughter spoke so innocently resounded in my head. "This is the bread they make!" This is THE best bread they make! She was right! What other bread in the entire world offers such powerful and spiritual nutrients! She gets it! Why can't I? This was a huge reminder to me. The Savior teaches us that to become humble is to become as a child.

This action called me to immediate repentance. I must valiently try to be humble and meek. I must remember that it is not possible to make real change all by myslef. My own willpower and my own good intentions are not enough. When I make mistakes or choose poorly, I must have the help of my Savior to get back on track. I partake of the sacrament week and week to show my faith in His power to change me. (D&C 58:43)

Renewing all of my covenants by partaking of the sacrament, is something I am extremely thankful for!

"When we partake of the sacrament worthily, we remember the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, that He gave up His life and took upon Himself the sins of the world that we may have the blessing of immortality. We take upon ourselves the name of our Savior and promise to always remember Him and to keep His commandments--that is, to 'live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God' (D&C 84:44)." Ensign 2007

Counting your many blessings Day 14

Saturday November 14th~

Thankful for smiles! Today we had family photos taken. I love all of "are" qwirky smiles! Some of us smile with our mouths open, some of us smile with our eyes and some of us smile with ALL of our teeth. Some have dimples, double chins and chubby cheeks, but ALL of us smile with "ARE" hearts.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Count your many blessings Day 13

FRIDAY the 13th of November~
Thankful that superstitions ARE just that..superstitions!
"Now Friday came, you old wives say, Of all the week's the unluckiest day." (1656)

Thankful to be alive and well for another great day!

Count your many blessings Days 11 & 12

November 11th~
I am thankful for wonderful Southern California weather. Where else can it be 80 degrees in November!?!

Had a nice picnic lunch with Grandmommy Christensen at Woodland Park. Evie rolled down some hills and slid down some slides. Evie rolling down the hills and Woodland Park!

November 12th~

Thankful for kind, curteous, and friendly people. It just MAKES your day when someone offers a smile, lets you cut into a long line of cars at at left turn light that turns green and makes nice conversation while waitng in line. There are good poeple in this world, you just have to inspire them! : )

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Count your many blessings Day 10

November 10th~

GLAD AS I CAN BE!
Today I am thankful for the end of today, and that the hubby came home and now I can have a break.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Count your blessings Day 9

November 9th~

The difference between friends and pets is that friends we allow into our company,
pets we allow into our solitude. ~Robert Brault
Thankful for pets and the joy they bring to my life!

Callie is our spoiled cat.

We adopted her from the pound 6 years ago. She sleeps in the master bedroom. She is the Queen! She loves to cuddle right inbetween Andrew me and Andrew. Her purring puts me right to sleep every night.

Titan is our BIG dog. A Boxer mix. We adopted him form the pound 4 years ago. He is such a LOVE. He gives the biggest wettest kisses and loves to curl up on the couch and rest his head on your leg. He has a terminal heart condition, which will cut his life short. We are just so happy that he is still around. We love ARE Titers! Evie likes to call him "Toots" especially when he has gas/bubbles!

The sisters aka The Single Ladies, Sophie & Maycie. Jack Russell Terrier mixes.

These pups we took off my cousins hands becasue she was extremely allergic. We had been looking for another dog to add to the family-to help ease the transition when Titan passes. So, when these puppies became available, we jumped at the chance to have them! They are just too precious. They are SO cuddly and cute and small! Evie loves having dogs that she can pick up and carry around. Titan loves having the pups around. They keep him young! He is such a good big brother.

Sophie aka Sopherini! Maycie aka Maycie Moo!

~Yin & Yang~ Sweet Sisters!

It is also a great way to teach responsibility to a 4 year old. Evie is incharge of getting the doggy's food and water and giving out snacks to the neighborhood cats. We call them the trick or treaters. They show up on our doorstep every morning and every night for some munchies and lovies! We love Boomer, Chubs and Squeak!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Count your many blessings Day 7 & 8

November7th~Knowlede is POWER! I am thankful for the ability to continually seek knowledge and to learn.
I spent Saturday morning at "Camp Mama!" It was a womens' workshop sponsered by the Stake Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. http://www.lds.org/ It was AMAZING!
Topics included:
“Where is the JOY?: Feeling tired and overwhelmed in the latter-days!”
“DISCIPLINE vs PUNISHMENT: When time-out just doesn’t cut it!”
“Hi Ho! It’s off to work WE go!: How WORK becomes a tool for SELF ESTEEM and SELF-RELIANCE!”
“BE” all that you can “BE”: It’s more than a homemade sign on your family room wall…BE FAITHFUL!

It was wonderful and uplifting to get imput from "seasoned moms" who have been there and done that. It was so encouraging to know that I am not alone in my struggles and self doubt as a mother.

Key things I learned during this workshop were:

Listen to and trust the spirit.
Don' be hard on myself.
Have a sense of humor.
Don't be a nag.
Learn to manage my emotions. It's OK to be angry, as long as you express it appropriatley.
Never use, "I'll be happy when..." instead, take action and choose the path to being joyful!
The easiest way to teach gospel principles is by living them.
It's never too late to start.
It's never too late to forgive yourself and move on.
Your children must know that Heavely Father and Jesus Christ love them.
Never Give Up, Never Ever Give Up!
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
Prioritize and Delegate. Stress is what happens when your gut says 'NO' but your mouth says, 'Of course'

Hooray for Camp Mama!

November 8th~
"I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich."

~Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford, "Identity Crisis," M*A*S*H
This quote rings true to my ears, especially this time of year as we approach the holidays. We have been drastically affected by this sunk economy and money has been hard to come by. Budgets have been enforced and pennies are being pinched. But I must always rememeber: Money only buys things, not happiness.
I am rich because of my family.
Today I am thankful for family. I have so many members of my family-immediate and exteneded, I don't even know where to start! YOU all know WHO you are! This is a shout out to you. You are loved, appreciated and thought of more than you could ever know and comprehend!

Sometimes, we may not have it all together, but TOGETHER we have it all.

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

~families ARE forever~

Catching up on counting my blessings

So...I am a bit behind in my daily quest to count my blessings. Here is the update!

November 5th~Thankful for friends.
Whether it is spending the day with a friend, a phone call just to say hello, a quick note on facebook, or a smile...Having friends makes life SO much more enjoyable!
"Friends are God's way of taking care of us."

November 6th~Thankful for the little things!

Never forget: Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things~Antonio Smith

Today was just simply a JOYOUS day. Sat back and took in the little things that surround me. SO thankful for the simple pleasures.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Count your many blessings Day 4

Service with a Smile! This past year, one of my personal goals has been to do more service. I wanted to find myself again, and the best way to do that is to lose yourself in serving others. I am pleased to say that I have been accomplishing my goal and have had a FUN time doing it! I am so happy that there are organizations in the community that recognize there is a need for service and do it! I am glad to be a part of several organizations that are so dedicated to the community and helping people help themselves. My father in law works for Interfaith Community Services, a wonderful organization that reaches out to the community. I have been volunteering some of my free time helping out in the fundraising department. I am in awe of how many wonderful and giving individuals there are, and surprised at the NEED! I wish I had more time to give to the cause.

Check out the website to this wonderful organization.
http://www.interfaithservices.org/

Through my journey, I have come to truly embrace and comprehend Mosiah 2 in the Book of Mormon. King Benjamin was a humble man who worked with his own hands to maintain himself and his family, refusing to live off his people or to surround himself with the trappings of wealth and power-being self suffient and living within the means (a lesson that many are being forced to learn in today's economic woes.) It never ceases to amaze me how modern life parallels the ancient scriptures.

If you want OTHERS to be happy, practice compassion.
If YOU want to be happy, practice compassion.
~Dalai Lama

Mosiah 2: 17 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

If you haven't tried it, do it! You have nothing to lose but yourself!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Count your many blessings Day 3

Tuesday November 3rd~

Today I am thankful for my beautiful daughter, Evora Talia Christensen. I know whithout a doubt that Heavely Father hand picked her to be a part of our family. My sweet Evie came to our family through the miracle of adoption. Which also makes me thankful for birthmoms and birthdads and for their selfless sacrifices. Ours was quite a turbulent adoption, but throught lots and lots of prayer and LOTS of faith, she made it to our home and into our loving arms and hearts. My Evora has given me a gift which she may never realize. She allowed me to become a mother; Something that I have always wanted to be, and at one point in my life, something I never thought would happen. Being a mom is such a blessing. I'm so glad that Heavenly Father trusted me to take care of HIS precious daughter. I feel so lucky to have the priviledge of being a mother on this earth. There is no job like it and I am so honored that Miss Evie is mine! I can't believe that my baby is now 4. She is a riot and has an infectious laugh. She makes me smile everyday! She is growing into quite the young lady. She has natural rythym and LOVES to sing and dance. She is incredibly outgoing and and has lots of friends. She is certainly a social butterfly! I love you bunches bunches Wooga!

Adoption Day March 1 2006

Blessing Day March 5, 2006~Sealing Day March 25, 2006

Happy 1st Birthday!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

More Two for you!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Evie is 3!

Four is Fantastic!

Mommy Rebecca has to sneak in those kisses whenever she can!

Check out the video of Evie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2m_DsnTsYI

Monday, November 2, 2009

Count your many blessings Day 2

Monday November 2nd~
I am thankful for my wonderful husband, Andrew. He is the most kind hearted, hard working, service minded, loving and caring person I know. I am truly blessed to have him as my eternal companion. He inspires me to become a better peron, wife and mother. With every kiss, glance, and warm touch, I fall deeper in love with him. Enough lovey dovey stuff... I am just so thankful that I get to share my life with him.

~November~ Count your blessings

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

Since we are in the month of Thanksgiving, I think it is fitting for me to blog about the many things I am thankful for. It is time to count my blessings!

Sunday November 1st~
I am thankful for my attitude and that I am the person in charge of it!
One of my fav quotes from Mary Engelbreit says: "If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it."

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween Happenings

After several days and nights of Miss Evie asking "Are we there yet? Is is Halloween?" I can officailly say Yes, we've made it through another Halloween season!

This year was a busy one, we visited Bates Nut Farm and their HUGE pumpkin patch, we had a fun Pre K Happy Harvest party with all of Evie's classmates. We went to CA Disney for Mickey's Trick or Treat, we enjoyed our annual Christensen family halloween party with kiddos in jack o lnaterns and of course Trunk or Treat at the church. I am EXHAUSTED! I need a month to recover, but alas we are moving quickly along to the holidays. I can't beleive Thanksgiving is just 25 days away and then Christmas less than a month later! I better get shopping! My hubby put me on budget this year, so I gotta scour the internet for those fantastic buys with free shipping and no tax! Luckily a 4 year old wants EVERYTHING, so getting gifts she will like should be fairly easy!

Pics from Bates Nut Farm:

Evie smiling with the pumpkins

Ev drivin a tractor!

Evie's Pre K class

Evie going for a wheelbarrow ride with her uncle Doug!

Evie was chosen as a volunteer at the educational talk. She was the sun that helps the pumpkins grow!

My little Miss Sunshine!

Evie and her good friend Allie on the Hay Ride!

Darling divas! Evie and Allie

Evie and the GIANT 120 pound pumpkin!

Pics from Evie's Pre K Happy Harvest Halloween Party:

My sweet Ariel!

Class Pic. I LOVE kiddos in costumes!

All the single ladies...!

Pretty Princesses in a row!

Pics from CA Disney's Mickey Trick Or Treat!

Ursula the Sea Witch (Rebecca) King Triton (Andrew) and Ariel the Mermaid (Evie)

Can you spy Flounder and Sebastian?!

We were celebrities at Disney! People were cheering and clapping as we walked past them saying great job on the costumes! We took so many pics with people we didn't even know! I'm sure we are all over the intenet!

Ariel and her daddy King Triton.

It was absolutely precious, all of the little princesess would come up to King Triton and ask if they could have their pic taken with him. He was King of the night!

Andrew is not used to all the attention, but he LOVED playing the part.