Interview

1. In what place do you find peace and happiness, and why? Several places, i'll try to pick a couple... one is the Temple... Why? because I am closer to my Heavenly Father and he touches my heart and eases my troubles easier because I am more in tune and listening to his voice. My home... because i try to make it a place of peace and safety and of course I love my family.

2. What goals did you have when you graduated high school, and did you acheive them?
Goals... one was to move around and get out of Texas... yea I accomplished that one, partially, I wanted to go to Europe too... still haven't accomplished that one, Another was to get married in the Temple, Yep I accomplished that one, another was to be able to be somewhat self supportive so that I knew I would be able to support my family if anything happened to my husband and I needed to work. Still working on that goal. I will be finishing college in just over 2 yrs. I make a good wage and I love what I am doing. But I still don't make as much as my husband... But we could survive off of my income just on a lower level of living. Which is still living. I'm proud of the things I've been able to accomplish.

3.. Who do you respect the most and why? My husband, his honesty and just who he is, I respect most people, I think I'm genuinely a good person and try to show respect to everyone. Especially people who have overcome adversity positively and have helped others overcome adversity as well. That is just something that is amazing.

4. What is your favorite activity? hard to say right now. sometimes it's just hangin' out with my girlfriends (Not alot of time for that these days) or just spending quality time with my hubby continuing to build that eternal relationship. :)

5. What is one place you'd like to visit (money is no option), and why? All of Europe... does that count? I would love to take tours and visit historical places. I love history and experiencing new things. I'd also love to visit Hawaii... Beaches, sun... beautiful scenery.. need I say more? :)

And don't forget the rules to post on your blog:
If you would like to play along here are the directions:
1. Leave me a comment & your e-mail address saying, "Interview me." If you dare.
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

The first five 'askers' get the interview!

Valentines Weekend....

Well, it has been a productive weekend as well as partly relaxing. I have done alot this weekend. But I think it all went pretty smoothly. I started my valentines day weekend on Friday, I babysat for one of my friends so she and her hubby could go and celebrate their Valentines day alone. We watched their kids overnight. The kids had a blast! they watched movies, and played. Saturday we all went and registered my three boys into little league baseball, then come to find out that they will have practice 3 nights a week and a game during the week and one game on saturdays. Luckily it won't start until April. I also signed up to go back to college. I start March 23rd. I can hardly wait. I will be finished in 10 months with my Associates in Business Administration and then 13 months later my Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. It will be non stop, but worth the sacrifice. Then it will be Bill's turn for him to finish. Leading by example. Saturday afternoon, my friends took the boys and Bill and I left for out date for Valentines Day. We went to a nice Italian restaurant called Cesca in Bethesda MD. It was a nice meal. my favorite dish was their ravioli's with potato and leeks with a mascapone cheese sauce. MMMM tasty... I crave that now! We had a nice leasurely meal. 4 courses to be exact. Then at the end of dinner Bill gives me my gift. a 5 diamond journey necklace. It's beautiful. I have noticed a theme with his jewelry he gives me. There seem to always be 5 diamonds. My anniversary band has 5 diamonds, the wrap on my wedding ring has 5 diamonds and my new necklace has 5 diamonds. He said it represents our family of 5... how sweet. AWWWW. He is such a sweety. Then he and I went to go pick up some flower, a pot of tulips from Sams Club so I can plant them around the front tree. They are beautiful. And we picked up a few movies to watch at home. Nights of Rodanthe, and The Secret Life of Bees. They are both goood movies. We snuggled on the couch and then fell asleep. It was so nice and relaxing to have some quality quiet time with him. We were well rested for church. We went to church on Sunday, I did NO house work on Sunday except made a nice dinner with marinated steaks and a wild rice with artichoke and roasted red peppers. I knew I would clean up on Monday so I wasn't worried. Yesturday I busted my behind... Luckily I had the help of a neighbor's daughter for most of it as I spent most of the day sorting, throwing away and washing laundry. But the house is much more organized and cleared out. What a relief to have it finished. I'm finishing up the laundry. But other than that... I'm done. I couldn't have finished with out the help of Jillian and Bill and the kids. When they came home from building their pinewood derby cars, helped finish the downstairs. I am so blessed to have the friends and family I have. I am so grateful for them all. What a filled weekend. It was wonderful!

What's next

Well, It seems every year at the beginning of the year, my husband and I try to figure out if we are going to do any major vacations and try to plan for them. We look into hotels, locations, times, things we want to do or teach the kids about. Huge discussions happen around these topics. Then we decide what we're going to do. and pray we'll have the money. time and energy to complete our plans. Oh and barring any outside forces of stopping us. We've been talking about taking a trip to Utah for years now. Every year we say we're going to go, we plan it out, we put in time to take off of work. and Bam! something happens and we can't go. last year, Bill's heart surgery, the year before, Bill was told he could take the time, but then they took it back, and said he was needed in Germany that time and then the day before we were originally scheduled to go after we reallocated the funds. Was told they needed him to go to Germany after when we had originally scheduled to go. So we still couldn't go, no more planning. I am getting a little tired of planning a trip we can't seem to go on. Why is it so important to go to Utah, you might ask. Well, Bill served his mission in Salt Lake City, over 10 yrs ago, and hasn't been back since. While he was on his mission he had open heart surgery right before he came home. He want's to go back and show us some of his favorite places and some of the people he knew there that he still keeps in contact with, after all these years. I love Utah, it holds a special place in my heart. I lived there before I met Bill. I lived in Provo UT, I worked at the Brick Oven and went to Beauty School there at Von Curtis Academy of Hair Design. We also have several friends who have moved to Utah. Plus church history and the temples. So needlessly to say, we were again planning a trip to Utah for this year. We were planning on driving out, so we could see different parts of the country on the way out and see my sister Kat on the way back in NM. Stop in at the Grand Canyon and all that. Well, we were going to go over the kids spring break in April. I was going to have the money, but we owe some taxes this year, and will have to pay that instead of our trip to Utah. Bill also wants to do other trips this year. He has good intentions, but I think our on the spot quick weekend trips seem to be the best. No planning really except the day we want to go. We check the budget and then pic a direction. In a usual 3 day weekend we've been know to do things like, take a trip to Boston, Go to Palmyra NY and Niaghra falls Canada. Or trip to Ocean City, MD, or Indianapolis IN. We like to drive and the kids are pretty good. too bad Utah is a 3 day drive one way. Well, eventually we'll get back there. It just might not be this year. I'm also trying to plan my family reunion in Texas. That should be fun. If I can pull it off. Here's hoping. Where should we go? What should our next big trip be or little 3 day weekend trip. We have one coming up next week with Valentines day/President'sday. hmmm will we go any where? We'll just have to wait and see. :) Do you have any ideas of where we should go?>

Family Reunion Planning - Dickson Clan

Ok, Here it goes, I'm going to kick off the newest Dickson Family reunion to be held in 2009. Hopefully from now on we can make this a yearly thing. When I was a kid my we'd all meet at Blanco State Park in Blanco TX. It would be great if we could all converge on that place again this year. I asked my mom how they did it before. She said that her and my dad would just let the family know when they were going to be there, and invited the rest of the family to join. Each family is invited. If your a decendant or addition to the Dickson line... From Joyce Dickson/Frazer. Your invited to attend. If you'd like feed back as to which month this summer we do this please feel free to let me know. We I think are planning on being down there in June. If that doesn't work for the majority of you all. Let me know and we can pick a different month. WE hope all can make it. Bring your tents, your lean-too's, your RV's and trailers. It's time to get the Dickson family reunion re-invented. if you'd like to converge at a different location. please let me know. Our home is always open for the fam. We are 90 min from DC. We love visitors. If you want a cheap vacation, stay with us! :) So for now. I'll get my calender and pick a weekend in June and I'll schedule us to be there. I hope you all can join us!

Disappointed Bitter-sweet

I was so excited my team the Pittsburg Steelers made it to the Super Bowl!!! I was so dissappointed at their poor sportsmanship! They had some really great plays and very methodical with their running game. It was such a close game. I could just not believe they would be so grossly horrible with their on field behavior toward the Cardinals. They were doing some personal fouls, but last I checked two wrongs doesn't make it right. I am a still a fan, just a dissappointed fan. I know they could have been better behaved toward the Cardinals. I wish they would have behaved better. I watched the SuperBowl with a house full of Cardinal fans... Lets just say I was royally imbarrassed to see the behavior of my team. All were appauld at their behavior. Yes they won... but at what cost. It was a win that due to their poor sportsmanship should not have gotten the win. But they did win. A bitter-sweet win. Go Steelers, but I will have a heavy heart.

It's cold outside

Well, here we are on our second snow day. My house shows it. Mess everywhere. Yesturday it wasn't too bad during the day since the boys were out alot of the day in the snow. Today, however, everywhere I look is a mess. I'm trying to work but I really need to be drill sergent on the kids for their rooms. You can't even walk on their floor. Getting hungry, need to make lunch. It doesn't help that I'm watching the food network while I'm working. It's icy and cold outside. I want to just send the boys outside. But i'm not going to... It's too bad out there. We have a really nice neighbor come over and they cleared our driveway and our cars. How sweet of them! We are so greatful for great friends. It's cold outside, but warm in the house.

Surviving craziness

Hello, I survived... I've made it thru a whirlwind weekend. It wasn't bad actually. I think my husbands tensing made it seem worse. I declined the trivit making class with my mother-in-law. Since I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to pull away from all the crafts they were working on that day. I spent the morning working on the house, I had a spent friday night trying to get a jumpstart on the day. I cleaned the kitchen, dishes done, countertops cleared and cleaned, swept and mopped, It looked great! Unfortunately, when i woke up, the kids had messed up the beautiful kitchen and living room. that were clean. I was so upset. I started laundry and made them clean up the mess they made, then I added a few chores to their list as punishment to their distruction. We cleaned what we could before the Baptism. We made it to the baptism of Chuck and Tommy, It was so special and spiritual. What a great experience. We headed home, finished cleaning up, got into some cleaning clothes and then headed to the church to help clean the building. We were there from 4-6pm. rushed home to finish dinner. Luckily earlier I had set a roast with potatoes and carrots in the crock-pot. So I made some Mac n Cheese and hotdogs for the boys, we were glad to have the missionaries over for dinner. My friends were supposed to come, but their daughter fell asleep and didn't make it to dinner. So we ate then went there for the discussions. We talked about the Plan of Salvation. It was a wonderful conversation and spirit. The missionaries challenged them to set a date for baptism. My friend Vinney committed to Feb. 7th. His wife (also my friend) Jovan needs a little more time. So she set a date of Feb. 21. It will be such a blessing in their life and their children for this choice they are making. We are excited. We will be having more lessons with the missionaries and Jovan and Vinney two this week and then two the following week. Leading up to Vinney's baptism. I've seen the change the gospel has had in his life. It is so sweet. He has become so happy and joyful. It is so wonderful to see the change of heart in someone who is looking for answers and is lost. I am grateful to be a witness to this change in someone. It was a remarkable experience. Also, to day at church it was awesome. So spiritual. I feel so renewed. Vinney, Jovan and family attended. Our lessons were on Missionary work, and Temple Marriages. What great messages and testimoneys were shared. Jovan and I stayed for Choir practice. It was nice. The boys took the kids home. When I got home Bill was making lunch. It was so nice to come home to lunch almost being done. Chicken tenders and french fries. deep fried. not too bad. The boys and I hung out most of the day, I made some really yummy cube steak, with white rice and corn. so yummy. (THANKS JOVAN for the recipe). We're sharing recipes I shared my meatloaf and she shared her spanish cube steak. mmmmm yummy. I even had her come down and sample the recipe I made to make sure it was right. She said I passed. Yea me! I like getting new yummy easy recipes. Well, Bill is home from his Priesthood meeting he had tonight. I'm going to spend a little time with him. Have a good evening :).

crazy days

well, it's been a crazy week. Monday was such a lazy day, I don't think i left the couch all day... i really needed a day of nothingness, Tuesday was a crazy day, everything i wanted to get done didn't get finished...I worked from home and watched the Inauguration on TV. I thought it was amazing. Then tried to finish working but just could't focus very well. I thought for sure Wednesday would be better, it was the worst day... I got up at 6am (my normal time to get up for work) Things went pretty well that morning, I even got out of the door on time, and traffic wasn't too bad... Then i get about an hr away from the house close to work, and I realize as i'm going thru the things in the day i need to get done in my head, that I think i left my laptop, my badge and important documents needed that day at home, i call Bill, they're at the house, So I have to turn around, drive back an hr to the house, get my laptop, badge and lunch. (Still haven't had breakfast and it's 915 the second time i'm leaving my house. I get to work just after 10am... Finally there, rush around trying to pull together the documents i need for a training class i'm supposed to give at 2pm. I am finished editing and printing my documents just a little past the time i needed to be there to set up for the training class, I set up, Meet my boss there who is supposed to give a 15 min overview of our team and what we're training on that day, and then i was supposed to give the training and answer questions. Well, My boss gets carried away easily, she is very passionate about what we're doing, she talks most of the time, eventually letting me speak about 10 out of the whole time, I become her "Vanna White" in the training class, Realizing that it's getting way out of hand, and hadn't even finished training 1.5 hrs later, when everyone needed to leave. I thank everyone for attending, hoping it was ok.... I go back to my desk by 330 realizing i have to be in Court at 5 for the traffic citation i got for the accident on 31 Dec. I try to find out how to get out of going as i won't make it in time, due to the paperwork left from the training class I have to finish. I write a letter to the judge, requesting a new time due to my work schedule and fax it in. I hope it was ok. I finally leave at 5. Head home for crazy night. Bill working late and needing to make dinner, the car finally was finished at the body shop, so we needed to return the rental and pick up the car, it just went on and on... finally went to bed. Then started late out on Thursday, Bill and I both work in the office on Thursdays so we have to put the boys on the bus and then go in. Got lots of responses from the training class, and lots of 1:1 training time for some of the people in the training class. Lots of requests for another training session (without my boss) a couple of people were offended by some of the opinions of my boss. Tried to give constructive criticism.... i now feel i'm on shaky ground with my boss for sharing. But it needed said. All in all quite productive. Got to go home ontime and see my boys. watch Ugly Betty and Greys Anatomy, Love those shows, then went to bed. It is crazy sometimes at my house, not much house work gets done and i feel like a failure since my house is such as mess all the time. I have a neighbor who comes over and likes to point out that my floor isn't moped , or the table has food stuck on it. Sometimes it is just hard to wash it's all i can do some days to load the dishwasher so we have clean dishes to eat off of. I know i'm a horrible mom for not keeping a clean house and everything in it's place. I try. I feel like i get no help from my husband or the kids, they help they do... but i get in a rut and that is how i feel. I know we are all trying to keep it all together. I'll work on Laundry, kitchen and living room tomorrow with all of my other responsibilities, making trivots with my mother in law, baptism attendance with neighbors investigating the church, cleaning the church, and feeding the missionaries dinner and the investigators with a discussion. Hope it get it all done, and somehow keep the spirit with me. I need prayers. Thanks, :) Shae

My Husband Rocks

My husband Rocks

1) Where did you meet? In our Single's Ward Family Home Evening Group
2) How long did you date before you were married? 3 months
3)What does he do that surprises you? When he brings me flowers :) for no reason.
4)What is your favorite quality? humor
5)WHat is your favorite feature of his?His comforting arms. That hold me when he shows me he loves me and holds me when I need him to care for me.
6) Does he have a nickname for you? I'm his Shae Shae (kindof like the Tom Tom)
7) What is his favorit food? lots, he loves food
8) What is his favorite sport?Participating - PaintBall and Mountain Biking Watching....Football
9)When and where was your first kiss? On our 2nd date, outside of my Aunt Jeanne's house when we said goodbye... let's just say i still remember the fireworks :)
10) What do you like to do together? Camp, travel, watch tv, everything
11)Do you have children? yes
12)Does he have a hidden talent? He remembers little known facts and pulls them out at the most amazing moments... it surprises me how scary smart he is sometimes :)
13) Who said "I love you" first? He did... He tried once but I made him pray about it... I had heard it too many times from the wrong type of guys, so I wanted to know it was really real. After he prayed about it, he told me he loved me... I was literally speachless and couldn't breathe. It was very memorable.
14) What is his favorite type of music? Pink Floyd! Classic Rock
15) What is your favorite thing about him? All of him.
16) Do you think he will read this?Probably not. But I hope so :)

Pictures of Christmas in Indiana 20008

We spent Christmas with some friends in Indiana. We had a lot of fun. We were so busy with 15 baby puppies, and 7 kids. Lots of fun, but busy, Enjoy the pictures. We had a blast! To see more pictures of our fun, check out my photo's on my Facebook page. :)

Christmas in Indiana

We are spending Christmas in Indiana with some really close friends. They breed rotweillers, and one of their dogs had a litter of puppies, 10 puppies... too cute. One of their puppies is having issues, so i'm helping to take care of this sweet little baby. I'm getting so attached it's sad. I hope it pulls thru. I'll try to upload some pics of the puppies. They are so stinkin cute! We are having such a great time with our friends, The kids are having so much fun hangin out with their kids. It's a house full but fun filled. Have a great Christmas!

To see my friends business check out her website... www.guardianrotweilers.com

My husband ROCKS!

My husband rocked this weekend. We had a lot of fun things to do, and he helped with the kids. We had a busy Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was a primary activity, bowling from 1-3 and then we had the missionaries over for dinner, we ordered pizza and invited some neighbors over for dinner with the missionaries. We stayed chatting with them until around 8 and then watched a movie with our neighbors while their kids played with ours until late... then helped clean up the dinner mess. (usually he's not very social). He was also had a good spirit about our busy day. then sunday, he was tired, I let him sleep in a little, He then helped get the kids ready for church, while I was taking a shower, then we went to church and then after church, we met up with our neighbors from the night before and the missionaries for a trip to the Washington DC Temple Festival of Lights - Concert of the Mormon Choir of Washington. It was fabulous, We could only get tickets to the concert for 9pm. We got there at 7pm. We walked around and visited with our neighbors, watched the live nativity and looked at lights. By 8pm, my neighbors had enough and went home. We stayed for the 9pm with the missionaries, as they wanted to see the concert. Stayed in a good mood and walked the kids around while I waited in line for the show. He was in good spirits the whole time. It was amazing to see, even though there were huge crowds and lots of things going on. We got home late last night but it was a very fun weekend. I will post pictures later. Thanks Bill for all you do... YOU ROCK!!!

Christmas Fun!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper and Gift bags - depends on who it's for and how much time I have.
2. Real tree or Artificial? we own an artificial tree... but i like both, it's just easier with the kids to have an artificial tree. plus it's more cost effective
3. When do you put up the tree? just after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? after the New Year - I heard that brings good luck..
5. Do you like eggnog? oh yea, I love eggnog mmmnnum yummy
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hard to say I got a lot of gifts I loved. I think it would have been my fake cabbage patch doll. My grandma Lancaster made it for me.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My husband, he gives me his list of electronics he wants and usually will buy them himself, and doesn't let me get him what I want or he'll make me tell him what I'm getting him. It's really hard to keep a secret from him. I have to do better. I say that every year!
8. Easiest person to buy for? my boys typically. They are boys... pretty easy, nerf guns, bionicles or legos, and Cars for my youngest.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Oh yes, I love them so much I collect them, I think I have about 5 or 6 so far, and every year I see another one I want to add to my collection.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?I buy cards, and some years i've even written the name and address on them, even signed them just never get around to mailing them off. I was good the first part of my marriage, but after three kids, i've been really bad, I'm planning on sending out cards this year. WE'll see how well that goes.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?I think it was last year or the year before, my husband bless his soul... he tried to get me a gift he thought i would love and needed. He got me a franklin planner purse. It was not what I wanted or needed. He has learned not to do that again. I love him for his efforts and trying to help me make my life easier. I applaud him for his effort. but yea worst gift I ever got.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story, White Christmas, The Nativity, Its a Wonderful Life
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try right after christmas on all the after christmas sales, but those usually get used for birthday gifts throughout the year. So usually after Halloween.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? heck yeah. Those are the best gifts to give to someone else;)
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Chocolate, Ham, Bill's Grandmother's christmas cookies, Homemade yeast rolls, everything basically.
16. What story do you read on christmas Eve? We read the night before christmas as well as the story of Christ's birth.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night, and What child is this?
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Usually we stay close to home, we are home the first part of the day then we usually go to Bill's parents house. This year we are traveling to Indiana, unless my dad passes and then we'll be going to Texas. That's the plan so far.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course. Who can't... I don't know anyone, do you?
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? nothing at the moment, but usually an angel
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? one on Christmas Eve the rest on Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? materialism, crazy people in the stores
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? kids, my kids decorate the tree with things they've made, to me that is so special. Usually red, green, white, yellow
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? ham
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Time spent with my family and friends, Love and peace

My Husband Rocks Bunches this weekend

It was a very busy weekend! We didn't have alot scheduled, but alot was put in. We ended up with two appointments at 9am but we just didn't have too much of a hard time deciding what we should be doing, first appointment at 9 was a Daddy and Me at work, and then the second one was a last minute call for people needed to help with food orders at the church. We saw that as a great opportunity to teach the boys about selfless-service for those in harder cercumstances than we are in. It is a great program thru our church. So we went to serve. We were there til 2pm or so. While I was there a friend called and said she was moving and wanted to know if I still wanted her couch, she couldn't keep. She was able to deliver it if I helped her put it on her truck. So, Bill took Bryen and Mikey home to pickup for the new couch while Braeden and I drove the hr or so to get the couch and load it up on her truck. Bill had worked so hard on the food orders, he over did it. He might have pulled something in his chest. So I didn't want him to help with the couch. Even though he wanted to. So, My friend and I loaded the truck with the help of two of her neighbors and we drove it to my house and with the help of two of my neighbors we were able to get the sofa safely in my house and in place. Yea me, new to us couch!, lots of work, but we had a deadline. My friend had to head back to Richmond VA. I had a ward christmas party to get the family prepared for. Bill was still in a little pain and uncomfortable. I got the boys dressed. It was a night in Bethlahem. We were to dress in period dress. We had sheets as dress, and then pillowcases on their heads. It was a lot of fun. Bill even dressed up and went. It was I think the best most spiritual christmas programs we've been too. We had to walk thru Bethlahem to the cultural hall of the church where we were in the middle of Bethlahem and had a few items we could participate in, story telling by an elderly person, we could make stars of David, play dradel, make a bracelet, and hangin out. While the Roman Soldiers roamed around and pestered people. Each family was given a bag of golden shekles to "pay" for the things to do. Then they closed the activities, and we were to sit in our family groups and have one of the family members go to get their famlies food, period food, grapes, pita bread with a yogurt sauce, honey cake, and bread with olive oil. While we were eating our finger food and enjoying each other's company on the floor on our blankets, Mary and Joseph walked around looking for a place to stay, knocking on doors and being turned away. There was a narrator and music... and Mary and Joseph ended up in the Stable and had a baby. It showed the kids it really ment. Bill was in good spirits for the whole thing. It was a lot of fun and spiritual. Bill when he was around the boys put on a good face and was energetic. I appreciate all he does for our family and his desire to help our family feel the spirit and to teach us about what is truely important. Thanks Bill for your willingness to enthusiastic even if you were feeling bad. You Rock! Thanks for helping to make it a great day, busy, but great!

My husband Rocks!

My cousin started putting a post about her husband once a week on how he rocks! I want to let you know that my husband Rocks too! Yesturday was so nice. I had to go into the office yesturday for work (I work from home a few days a week). When I got home from work a little late, he had dinner almost done, the trash was taken out and homework done for all boys! While working himself. How amazing. It was so nice to come home to dinner and things started. I am so grateful for his efforts when he helps around the house. It makes the whole house seem easier to feel the spirit when all are pitching in. I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband who helps around the house and can make dinner. His spagetti was awesome along with his cresant rolls. Here's to you Bill... You ROCK! Love ya and Thanks

Talk on Obedience given by Shae Clark

Hello all,

I was asked to speak in sacrament meeting a few weeks ago. Here is my talk. Enjoy. :)

   

First, as a mother with three boys, there is always in one form or another lessons on obedience. For example, when I ask my son's to clean up their room. A simple task expecting obedience, returns with great opposition and disobedience. I get complaints "Why do I have to?" or "It's not messy? or "I don't want to" the list can go on and on. I have been praying and thinking of how I can get my boys to obey, to do the right thing. To have them WANT to do the right thing without being compelled. Even in smaller tasks they stray, from obedience, such as when they are asked to put their shoes away, or to throw away the wrapper from the string cheese they were eating. The request rarely gets fulfilled. A messy clutter-filled house results and the spirit leaves with the arrival of the mess. I am reminded of the small things we are asked to do to follow the Lord. Such things as reading our scriptures, write in a journal, say our prayers, listen for promptings and acting upon them. be nice to each other, be grateful for what we've been given. Just to name a few. how often do I say, I'm too tired, or I just read my scriptures yesterday, I don't need to read them today.  I just don't have time to write in my journal, or I'll do it later when I have more time, or I don't need to call so and so... I'm sure their fine. But time never comes. I get sidetracked. I don't call the person that needed a call from me. I know I have good intentions at time I'll even remember. I'll even have my scriptures in hand, or sitting at the table/computer ready to follow thru and low and behold... the kids start fighting and I have to break them up, or the phone rings - it's important, or I just don't know what to write. So it doesn't get finished or even started. Sidetracked again. Just as easily my  children get sidetracked on the way to the trash with the wrapper from their string cheese, by a passing sibling, or a flashy cool commercial on the t.v., or just plain forgetting what they were doing in the first place. As we become distracted or as we re-prioritize our list of the rising demands on our time. How easy like our children, are we being disobedient to the commandments and covenants from the Lord without meaning to. And how many times do we create opposition for the spirit tot dwell within us? Thru our own disobedience to the things the Lord has asked us to do. In the October 2008 Ensign is a great little story of how those little distractions and detours can affect the whole outcome. "Lines, Levels and Living the Gospel" by: Sandi Matlock Fairbanks. (It can be found on Lds.org, search articles). 

After my husband and I finished some remodeling on our house, we decided to paint our daughter’s bedroom. She requested that we paint the top half pink and the bottom half purple. I never imagined that such a simple task would teach me so much about the gospel.

On the day I wanted to start painting, I couldn’t find a tape measure to mark the dividing line. I used painters’ masking tape instead and decided to eyeball the line. After all, how hard is it to tape a straight line across a wall? After I had one wall taped, it looked so good that I thought I’d find a level and check my work. Initially, the line started out even, but to my surprise, it moved fractionally downward. By the time I got to the opposite corner, the difference was about half an inch (1 cm). Although the difference may seem insignificant, if I’d continued on all four walls, the ending line would have been at least two inches (5 cm) below the beginning line!

After discovering my mistake, I found a yardstick and measured from the ceiling to the desired height on the wall, marked the measurement in several places, and then connected the marks by drawing a straight line with the yardstick and a pencil. I repeated the process on all four walls.

As I worked, it occurred to me that living the gospel of Jesus Christ is similar to painting a room. Sometimes we use our “tools” to keep us on the strait and narrow, while at other times we go through our days “eyeballing” our spirituality. We have the tools we need to stay on a straight course—scriptures, church, daily prayer, family home evening, counsel from Church leaders—but we don’t always use them. We often think that we are faster and better off doing the task on our own.

Painting my daughter’s room, however, showed me that I wasted time by not using the proper tools in the first place. Instead of making an even line on my first attempt and finishing the job faster, I had to fix the mistake and then finish the other three walls correctly.

We can also be the tools to help others. As home and visiting teachers, we have the responsibility to help both those who are struggling and those who seem to be fine. As teachers, we can prepare our lessons prayerfully and in advance, allowing the Lord to work through us. We can serve our families and others by being an example of one who strives to live the gospel.

As a Latter-day Saint in these troubling times, I have learned that I can’t get by with just eyeballing my spirituality. I need to use all the resources and tools I’ve been given to constantly check my bearings and remain on, or return to, the straight path that leads back to Heavenly Father.

Just as "eyeballing: and not using the proper tools in her painting, she ended up off course, just as my little child with his string cheese, and we to with the little things of forgetfulness, can easily get off course and further from our goal of returning to live with our Heavenly Father.

What are some things we can do to help us remember to be obedient to the things the Lord would have us do? For instance, if your reading your scriptures and he phone rings, don't answer it. It can wait 5 min or so until you've finished reading. If your sitting down and going to write in your journal, start with a prayer and ask the Lord what you should write and the Lord will place in your mind the things to write, just by starting simply. If your writing in your journal and your kids are around, have them write in their journals with you. It helps teach them the importance of Journal writing as well as time well spent. Even in they can't write they can draw pictures. To help us remember to keep the spirit with us we can place signs in our house to help us remember the savior, or play calming music. I have tried recently to not yell at my kids when I'm trying to get them to obey. Which helps keep the spirit in our home and still helps them accomplish the task they were asked to do. Does the Lord yell at us when we are being disobedient? No. He still quietly and lovingly tries to reach us.

Recently, I had an experience with my mother that I'd like to share. She recently sprained her ankle. She calls and needs a ride home from the emergency room. She assures me she is okay. When I arrive I have her recovery plan already planned out for her. She will stay at my house where I can take care of her needs. Mind you this is without asking her first what she needs or wants. I try to be persuasive. I try to tell her it is what is in her best interest. Then it dawns on me... Duh?! Did she even ask me for this? Is this what she really needs or wants? How many times when we are given a situation from the Lord that would normally require us to receive counsel from the Lord on what he would have us do, do we try to take over? Think we know best? and not go to him for what the situation is in need of.? When we finally do... do we try to persuade the Lord into doing what we want to do, not obeying what he asked us to do? In the end, I obeyed the wishes of my mother and let her take care of herself. And I had to submit to the will of my mother, juts as we need to submit to the will of the Lord. He knows what needs done. If we would only listen and obey what he has to say. How much easier would our life be?

In the 3rd article of Faith it states: We believe that through the atonement of Christ, All mankind may be saved, by OBEDIENCE to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. Those laws and ordinances of the gospel grow as your understanding of the gospel grows thru the first four basic principles of the gospel found in the 4th article of Faith: We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are first: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; Second, Repentance, Third: Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; Fourth: Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. By following those things and the things we know we should be doing such as reading our scriptures, saying our prayers and waiting for the answer from the Lord,  acting upon those answers, following the counsel of our church leaders, writing in our journals, not getting sidetracked into the worldly things. We can draw closer to our Heavenly Father and be ready willing and able to obey. We will truly be blessed.

I know this church is true. I know that by being obedient to the teachings of the savior and by obeying the laws and ordinances of the Gospel we will truly be free and blessed. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Christmas - Getting to know you

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy (not forward) this entire email and paste into a new e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you......Tis the Season to be NICE! 1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping and gift bags 2. Real tree or Artificial? we put up a fake one.
3. When do you put up the tree? the weekend of thanksgiving. usually friday.
4. When do you take the tree down? usually after the new year 5. Do you like eggnog? OH, Yea!!!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? a basketball 7. Hardest person to buy for? my husband, and giving my husband an idea of what I want. 8. Easiest person to buy for? the boys!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? yep several, i collect them. I just love them! my favorite one right now is the Willow tree nativity set. 10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I try to mail cristmas cards, but i usually get so busy i don't get them out.. I know i'm bad. maybe this year the boys can help me. :) I have several boxes from the other years. So luckily I don't have to buy any. :) 11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? a franklin planner/purse from my hubby.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas and the Nativity
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? last minute due to lack of fundage... but this year i'm already ahead. The boys are mostly done. Just afew odds and ends.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yea. Those are the best!!!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Ham, mashed potatoes, Bill's grandmother's cookies, pecan pie, christmas cookies, orange rolls, the whole shibang!!! 16. Lights on the tree? oh yea... we have a fake tree with it's lights already on it. Pre-lit. I know lazy but effective.red, white and green! 17. Favorite Christmas song? It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... every where you go! ..... 18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Doesn't matter as long as I'm with family!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? dasher, dancer, prancer and vixen, comet and cupid, donner and blitzen..... and of course Rudolf 20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star... but some years it's an angel. both significant
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We give the kids one gift on christmas eve, usually christmas pj's.... then the rest on Christmas
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? my husband's bah humbag attitude...
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? my favorite ornament.... hmmm... would have to be a heart. Bill got a glass heart right after his first heart surgery. to me it represents the love of christmas and the blessings that we have.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? all of my favorite foods.... mmmmm yummy
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? don't know. to see my side of the family, a little girl, a horse, a farm. things I can't have yet. oh well, it's good to dream!
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? don't know, those in the christmas spirit!
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? those who are bah humbags... scrooges!

Employee's first article

I moved internally at AOL this year. I was asked to answer the following questions about my time at AOL... It was what they call Employee's First Article. It is posted on the Internal AOL web page. I thought I'd share my experience. It also was posted with a picture of me. Here is the picture they used. Enjoy.


After working as a contractor at AOL for nine years in several positions, last year Shae Clark became a full-time employee in Human Resources. She then transitioned into a role as data analyst for the Global Workforce Analytics team responsible for ad-hoc reporting, data integrity auditing and project management. In the Q&A below, find out what brought Shae to AOL in the first place and how she turned a temporary position into a full-time career.

When did you begin working at AOL?
It's an interesting story. I had been a contract worker on and off for nine years in various groups such as Broadband, Marketing Operations, System Operations, Network Operations and others. The temporary nature of the role gave me flexibility -- I have three small children -- and working for several groups allowed me to learn a lot about the company. As time went by, I wanted a more stable situation. My last contract position in 2007 working for Michaela Oliver led to a permanent position as an administrative assistant in Human Resources.

What attracted you to AOL?
My husband has worked at AOL for 10 years and has always enjoyed it -- that influenced me. Also, it made sense for us to work at the same place since we only had one vehicle. Once I began temping I enjoyed those roles and the people I worked with, so even after we owned two cars, I wanted to continue to work here.

What were you looking for in your next role?
A challenge. I did administrative work for nearly 13 years and wanted to use my knowledge of the company to expand my horizons. Through networking with my colleagues in HR, I was intrigued with the newly forming Analytics team and was given an opportunity to cross train and devote some of my time to that team. It was a wonderful learning experience and ultimately I was offered the chance to work on the team full time. I still have a lot of learning to do, but I'm excited about the position.

Why did you decide to look internally versus looking for positions outside of AOL?
I just love AOL -- some might call me a "lifer." It's a great company to work for and I have so much history here, it would be hard for me to leave.

What did you perceive to be your biggest roadblock when considering a job change?
My own insecurities about breaking out of the admin role. I needed to find a group that recognized I could do more and that was willing to give me an opportunity.

What steps did you take to prepare yourself?
Networking was a huge part of it. Through discussions with my manager and other HR colleagues, I identified opportunities.

What steps worked best for you in your search for a new role?
Communication and action -- I tried to be proactive and speak with people about my interest in changing roles. I was willing to step out of my comfort zone and take on new projects that were exciting and challenging at the same time. Talking to my manager about my goals and what I wanted helped me to get those new projects and ultimately a new position.

Which skills were most transferrable from your previous job to your current position?Relationship building, knowledge of the company, understanding the environment at AOL, networking, organizational skills, communication skills, time management and the ability to multi-task. Having energy and excitement about the future also helped me transition and to continue to perform well.

How did your manager support your career development?
My previous manager was very supportive of my career development. She gave me opportunities and allowed me to take on more responsibility. She encouraged me to try new things, and I appreciate her efforts to help me succeed.

Any advice for those looking for other positions internally?
Don't be afraid to discuss what you want with your manager. Be open and honest about your current job, but share that you would be interested in a change if something came up. Be willing to take on new responsibilities and keep the lines of communication open with your manager on how those new responsibilities are working out. Be honest if it isn't a good fit -- the only way your manager will know is if you communicate that.

AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

As a mother, I try to be objective.  I got up this morning on time, a little tired but not too bad, got ready for work, went to work thinking today is going to be a good day. Optimisim.... I'm trying.... Well, I'm not at work (mind you I have a 1 hr and 15 min commute.) more than 30 min... and my kids school calls.... no they aren't sick.... my oldest (9 yrs old) is suspended from school for 10 days!!! he brought a pocket knife on the bus/school. He lied to the bus driver, and then proceeded to lie to the assistant principal. Deep breath.... okay, so I'm notified that an expulsion hearing will be held where we need to get an attorney. Also, the police were called and he could be removed from my home, if deemed a threat to others. Yea so much for my good day. I proceeded to finish the conversation with the assistant principle, told my boss I needed to leave work and go home to try to handle the situation, call my husband, breakdown in my bosses' office. Pull it together, head home and try to figure out what I should do next. 

So, I do a lot of thinking, praying, and trying to be calm on the drive home. My husband picked him up from school, as it was his day to work from home. We still don't know what he was thinking except he wanted to trade the knife for something else from another student. 

I continue to pray for guidance on how to reach him. I would like to get some advice from those few readers that read my blog. I'm struggling with the right course of action. We have grounded him, he now has to do all of the house work since he will be home for the next couple of weeks. There will be no thanksgiving celebration with extended family. We are just so furious. I have not spanked him... even though I've felt like it a few times, when he gets smug with me. I'm trying to be level headed. Tough love and discipline. It is not tolerated in our home. but this is his second offense at the school that he's been suspended for this year. AHHHHH Luckily we have his therapy appointment tomorrow. WE will be discussing his latest infraction and behavior issues with her. Please pray for us and feel free to comment.. I would love some outside perspective. Thanks, 

Testimoney

Yesturday was a great day. We went to church and felt the spirit, sang in choir practice, had a great lesson on Knowledge and how important it is to have Truth! We then went home and had dinner and then the missionaries came over to share with us a Preach my gospel activity. It was so good. The boys drew pictures of things like their interpretation of heaven, our family (all with smiling faces and no bodies, thanks Mikey) and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The boys did those things while Bill and I shared our testimoneys and prayed over some of our friends names with the missionaries on who would be open and ready to hear the gospel in their lives. I felt very blessed to have 5 names on my list come to my mind after the prayer. I am so grateful for the gospel and the love of my Savior. I know that the Lord in a healer and will bless the lives of those who allow him to enter their hearts. It has happened to me in my life. I am so grateful for my Savior and all that he does for me. For all of his blessings he showers upon me daily. He is my deliverer when I am down and out! I am grateful for the prophets who lead and guide the church and for their example. I am grateful for a wonderful Family immediate and extended. I am grateful for their example to me! I KNOW the Book of Mormon is true! I know that Jesus is my savior and died for me on the cross. I know that we have living prophets that lead and guide our church today. I am grateful for Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel in this Dispensation. I know that the Savior can heal all wounds and make us whole again. I know that Miracles still happen. I am grateful for the knowledge that I can talk to my Heavenly Father. And that he knows me by name, and loves me. I am truely grateful for the lessons i've learned.