A Christmas Ornament from 20ish years ago

Well Tis the Season, Merry Christmas, warmest wishes, etc. etc. etc.

This year as I got the ornaments out to put on the tree, I ran into this sweet reminder. 20 ish years ago on Christmas Eve my cousin Heidi cross stiched this for me. C for Chelsey H for Heidi, FF friends forever (wow this was before texting was even around:) I remember at the time thinking, wow I wish I was talented enough to cross stitch, I loved it A LOT! I have packed this ornament to Canada, Kansas, Utah and now here in Washington. It makes me smile every year. My cousine has shared all the up's and down's of life with me. I have known her since the womb, we have done everything together.

She means everything to me, makes me laugh, let's me cry, fixes everything with care, defends when needed (seriously she could be an attorney) She is a hottie, always up on the latest greatest, she loves her man, well actually I think she has the biggest heart around, she has been the crutch that I have needed these last couple of years, I don't know how it works in the pre-exsistance but I know we pinky promised to help each other through thick and thin, and let me tell you, she has kept her promise. Love yah Heidi ...Oh how I have needed you and appreciated you, YOU have made a difference in my life, a HUGE difference. Coke is it!!! LOVE YAH!

No Heat No Flame No Wax

Well I have been a Cierra Ashley Advisor for about 3 months now....let's just say I have caught the bug! I have met some super fun people, and I have taken 20 steps out of my comfort zone. My cousin AKA "super woman" introduced me Cierra Ashely and the rest is history...today she called me, she is a gold advisor already, 2nd in the company to achieve this!!!!

My best of best friends Josi also is an advisor and is blowing me away with

her AWESOME-NESS! The thing that makes it easy to sell is that is such a great product that works. Seriously no heat no flame no wax! I have my scents at Bella Scrapbook store in Yakima, say hi to Juile and enjoy our cranberry scent in her delightful store. Soon I will be in a Spa in Yakima. I am the ONLY WA/OR consultant so the potential for this company and me is huge! Wish me luck...I would love to do a open house for you, as a hostess you can really get some great discounts! If anyone has some ideas on how I can introduce some Seattle folks this great product please let me know!

This picture is my cousins display....I wish mine looked half as dazling. But for now enjoy and trust me this product ROCKS! www.cierraashley.com/chelseysmith For my local friends I have some $5 diffusers with scent and reeds in a cute clear bag, already to go. I have baby powder in Sadie's room and it is oh so baby nice!!! Super Christmas gifts! Thanks to Karine for her braveness in hosting my best attended openhouse..you are oh so loyal and wonderful. Kelly Herrud is having an Open House 12-3-09 from 7-9, come join in on the fun, get your home smelling DIVINE! I swear you will love it! My favorite scents are Cranberry, cranberry orange, lavendar vanilla is so perfect for your bathroom, people who dont like lavendar like this! Ocean Wave is another have to have and one of my top sellars. Berry Orange, Cinnavanilla, Red hots are just of few must have's!

Sadie Bug... Twinkles... Poodles...SADE...Sadie lady

These are just a few names that we call Sadie. My good friend Kelly took pictures of Sadie... she is amazing, and I am so grateful that she will share her time and talents and her wicked awesome camera with us!

HALLOWEEN FUN!

This year was a no stress day on Halloween. Hudson went to girls choice, Madison was with her buddy Kendyl they went to a surprise b-day party. Talon was an Archer and Shad was a Ninja, Sadie was a butterfly. I use to work and worry about all the details. This year was simple and I enjoyed it the most! We went to Trick or Trunk at the church. It was so fun!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREA

This is a little birthday shout out to my sister Andrea! Happy birthday Sista!

I had to wait 14 long years for her to enter this world, I had pretty much given up on getting a sister, (5 brothers in a row will do that to you:) I thought that the man upstairs was punishing me for some reason. BUT October 28th the clouds parted and the heaven's opened and the sun began to shine. I remember coming home from school and holding her for hours on the couch. It was like I couldn't let her go. I love her life, it is totally different than mine.

She is single, she is a college student, she works full time, she works for Provo Craft and hates scrap booking(how does that happen????), she writes songs, she is smart, she is blond, she has perfect teeth and a great smile! SHE UPDATES AND UNDERSTANDS MY SILLY I-POD, She is magical with photo shop, she is LOVED by all my kids, for fun she gets me a years subscription of Rachel's Rays magazine, she is giving....For my birthday she wrote a song about me....I wish I was poetic and clever to do the same for her. BUT that is not one of my gifts!

One thing I know for sure, she is not only my sister BUT my friend! I love you sis!

Sadie

Sadie has now joined the "gold club" for driving Wenas Rd more than any 16 month old, AND for attending more soccer games & practices than is good for your health...oh and let's not forget all the Dr Appointments....we have had fun!!! She is at this delightful stage mixed with tornado's where ever she goes. Truly she is a gem!

Shad

Mr Smile, 2 goals, full day of school, wall words, readers, PE, mileage club...this boy is so loved!

Talon

3rd grade, soccer, intense spelling words, reading, reading, reading, learning the 6th Article of Faith that has been Talon's world. He is amazing and has had some super assits in soccer and some oh so close shot's at the goal. He is on the best team ever!

Madison

Madison made the Varsity Soccer Team. I am so pleased!!!! She is working so hard, and it truly amazes me!!! The level of play is intense...soccer is not for wimps!!! She has been so focused!!! Go Madison!!!!

Hudson

Hudson turned 16 in September, it will be a b-day that he will always remember, NOT because it involved cars, dating and fun, BUT he tore his ACL and he had surgery and was recovering and feeling horrible. Hudson is the most healthy kid ever and he has not really had much experience with pain. His surgery went well, his biggest concern was missing

school...that floored the DR, he said most kids want to be excused

for longer than needed. So Hudson life has been full of

ice

elevation

wraps

crutches

physical therapy

and major Pain!
I have been his nurse which is a scary thought...we have had some choice heart to heart talks through all of this(might be the meds..haha) and he makes me laugh and happy! He is choice!

Cierra Ashley

Hi friends...I am doing something that I have not done before...I am now the only consultant for a fabulous fragrance company called Cierra Ashley. I love it for many reasons. You get great home fragrance without flames, heat or wax. Check out their home website http://www.cierraashley.com/chelseysmith of coures I would love to do an open house for
anyone! I am also the only Washington State Consultant!!! Let the fun begin!

Septmeber is here!

We started September out the best way possible. We headed to Utah and FINALLY did my brother Tate's Temple work. I love love love the Logan Temple! It was peaceful. Getting to Utah was another story. I dont like having drama, but it was drama getting off and going. We were challenged in every possible way....Temporally, Physically, Mentally. Under any other circumstances I would have canceled the trip, but for TATE, I would do anything.

Recipe

Well, I love to look at blogs and learn something at the same time. Months ago I helped with a preparedness fair and our committee found a recipe for CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP,using your powder milk and other food storage items. I was excited to give it a try. I use this in replace of the can of cream of mushroom, much cheaper and my kids haven't noticed (what they don't know wont kill them : )
This needs to be stored in an air tight container and I 4 X the recipe.

CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

2 c powder milk
3/4 c corn starch
1/4 cup chicken bouillon
1-2 TB dry onions
1-2 tsp Italian seasoning

1 can of soup= 1/3 cup dry mix add 1 cup of water.

(my suggestion is a little less than 1 cup of water ( it can seem a little runny) and this is a little less than a can of soup but close.

Rain Gutter Regatta

Talon participated in his first ever "Rain Gutter Regatta" it was so fun!!! Drum Roll please, he took first place!!! He created his sailboat like a Viking Ship, we hardly helped him, the key factor that helped him was he put his sail low, we stabilized his sail with a glue dot (yahoo for scrapbook supplies) it was such a fun night! Way to go "T" dog!

Many pictures and a BIG prayer = ONE FUN PICTURE

July

I love everything about JULY!!!! The best month ever!

Hiking with my Boy's

H & M went to EFy at Puget Sound University. On the way home the boys and I went on a hike, it was spectacular, fresh raspeberries on the way, it was all perfect, and Sadie was in heaven. I have to say it was a perfect week. H & M LOVED EFY. I love summer!

Happy Father's Day

Talon made Dave his tie and Dave wore it to church! Ha Ha! What a Dad. Oh I miss my Dad, I still find myself weapy over him and it has almost been two years. He was amazing!

Shad's Six/ Graduated from Kindergarten

I dont have a picture of Talon but he did receive a t-shirt from the mileage club. Every Friday after lunch they can choose to walk/jog, he did 25 miles throughout the year! IT IS A BIG DEAL! Shad is six and still smiling about that!

H & M

H & M both recieved an award from school for their GPA (we know who their Daddy is)

Sadie is One !!!

June Happenings

Wow JUNE has been full! Here is a bearable recap...Sadie turned one, Shad graduated from Kindergarten, SCHOOLS OUT FOR THE SUMMER! H & M were both given an award for great grades (we know who their Daddy is) Shad turned six. Collette moved out, it was crazy and full and now this week has been lazy and boring!!! Let the Summer fun begin!

y7

Wahoo... Introducing the 10th grade Secretary

Congrats to Hudson who is now the 10th grade Secretary! Wahoo Wahoo! I was bummed that he wouldn't let me come listen to his speech at school, I promised to sit in the back and not talk, AND I even told him I would pay him BUT he still gave me a big fat NO. He said it went well, I am so pleased he is such a great son and boy!!! Who would of thought I would have a son who get's 4.0 and is good! Feeling very blessed.

Surprise Baby Shower FUN

Shad has the most adorable kindergarten teacher EVER!!!! She is due with her first baby and so we planned a "SURPRISE" baby shower for her at school with the kids. We pulled it off and I swear it was the most fun I have had!!! She was delighted, I would catch myself smiling all day. This is a picture from my sisters phone, this is us outside waiting to for Mrs Short to go to her fake meeting. We used the schools shopping cart and it was full to the brim. You have never lived until you see five Mom's running down the hall getting ready for the surprise. Good times!

Sadie Again

I don't know why I always want to post pictures of Sadie....I guess it is the Proud Mom syndrome! I love how Sadie is giving us the #1 sign, she is pretty awesome!

Wedding Day!

We had a great weekend with two weddings this week. It was the perfect day with perfect weather and a lot of reflecting. Congrats to Rachel and Michelle!!! It was fun to have a mini reunion with S2 YW...Love these girls!