Daily Gem

Learning by Personal Experience

“It is clear that for us to have [God’s] gift [of eternal life] and to be given [the] trust [of our Heavenly Father], we must be transformed through making righteous choices where that is hard to do. We are prepared for so great a trust by passing through trying and testing experiences in mortality. That education can come only as we are subject to trials while serving God and others for Him.”

Henry B. Eyring, “Adversity,” Ensign, May 2009, 24

p.s. we are all moved into our new place...slowly unpacking and still working on cleaning out the old house. what an experience!!!!!!!!!! thanks so much to all of you who have helped!!!

dear family and friends,

I have a bad case of BLOG BURN-OUT!

Just in case you haven't noticed!

Oh, and we're moving to Huntington Beach in a week.

I'm pretty sure that's a big part of the "burn-out."

So, see ya in a few weeks!

love, Shari

p.s. do you like my new header?

i have a blinking problem...

today jakob started 1st grade.

how is it possible? how can time just zip by like this? how can he already be starting his second year of elementary school? AHHHHH! the next thing i know he's going to be in jr. high...then i'll blink and he'll be 15, eating me out of house and home and drinking a gallon of milk every 2 days. i'll blink again and he'll be taking a girl to prom. then i'll blink another time and we'll be shopping for suits for his mission. another blink and he'll be getting married. a few more and i'll be a grandmother.

i guess i should just stop blinking! ha!

here he is...wearing his new SIZE THREE shoes...and looking as excited as ever to start first grade.

i ♥ my 4-yr-old

he loves to snuggle, hug, sit on my lap, give eskimo and butterfly kisses, and real kisses too

he loves to be tickled

he has a slight obsession with MarioKart right now

he is learning how to love and have fun with his little brother

he loves to pray

he is so expressive and enthusiastic ( a little too much sometimes!)

he loves his big brother and tries to be like him

he is loud -- he wants to be heard

but...he is sometimes shy...hard to believe, i know!

he has cool light-up police sketchers

he started full-time preschool today (5 days/week, from 9am-12pm)

i am excited for him to learn and grow...but i will miss my little buddy while he's gone!

isn't he a handsome boy?



i think so... :)

am I a traitor for looking forward to this????

** turn off my playlist before watching this video, and also click on HQ for a better view **


It is SO "Twilight-esque" -- did L.J. whoever her name is rip off Stephenie Meyer?? I see too many similarities in the storylines...

but I can't WAIT to watch this series!!!!!!!! :) tee-hee

* * FYI * * I just read a bit about L.J. Smith...her books were published early 90s...so no, she did not "rip off" Stephenie Meyer. And I just googled "The Vampire Diaries and The Twilight Saga" and there are a TON of things...a lot of people arguing for both sides. aHHH! I am not getting sucked into this debate! I am just going to sit back, relax and be entertained!