Polar Express

This looks like such a fun tradition to start. Here is the original post http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2011/12/mini-van-express-tickets.htm
You put the kids to bed like any other day but but when they go to their rooms they will find a golden ( or whatever ticket ) on their pillow with instructions to put on their slippers and head to the truck. There they will find popcorn and hot chocolate. They will need to get their ticket punched before entering of course and we might even pick up a few passenger on the way. On the way to where you say? Well we will be on our way to see Christmas lights and maybe Santa Claus assuming that she isn't terrified of him this year....I think that sounds fun what do you think? Any fun traditions your family does?

Ribbon Cutting!! 3 Year Anniversery

Yeah we finally cut the ribbon to our house. November 1st 2012 the day we cut the ribbon to our new home, in our old backyard. It feels like we finally get to come home. November 1st is now a bitter sweet day for us. We have not moved in yet but that post is for another day. There might be pictures to come im usually the one behind the camera but I was a little busy that night so I have to rely on others to help me remember this moment.

November 1st 2012 was also the 3 year anniversary of Nate's accident I cannot believe it has been three years. Some days it feels like yesterday I can still remember sitting on the computer playing that chef game on Facebook when I got the call from Nate's friend telling me that Nate had been life flighted ( is that a word) to the University of Utah. Nothing mattered after that I got on the phone called my parents to take Ashlyn. I called Nate's parents and told them to come pick me up because we were headed to the hospital. That was the longest drive ever, I could have swore that we were only going 3 mph. But we finally made it up there and got to see Nate before we went into surgery. #longestdayofmylife!

This might sound like a cliche and just something people say in bad times but I truly believe that God has a plan for us we may not agree with him at the moment we may even curse God and say why me, but there is a wonderful plan for us. If you look back on your life can't you see how things fell into place and the lessons you learned along the way? I know I can. You are where you are meant to be. The what ifs and the shoulda coulda woulda's don't mean anything.

These last 3 years has brought me closer to my heavenly father. It has made me trust my heavenly fathers judgement and his timing. And it has giving me a wonderful testimony about prayer, I always believe he was there listening to me but now I can say that I know he is there listening to me. The day after Nate's accident I was a wreck no sleep, we had just heard that he was probably paralyzed, he had more surgeries to do just a complete mess. I'll never forget the blessing I got that day about having comfort and the strength to cope with everything and the second those words were said  instantly I felt this rush of calmness and comfort that I believe is the only reason I have not completely lost it. I have never felt anything like it. Some days I would trade this experience to have a normal like, of course some days I wish it was normal, but I never would have found some of this inner strength I never knew I had. I'm sure Nate has a completely different outlook on this whole experience!

Well I better get to bed I have to get up in a few hours 4 to be exact for our annual chair bound hunters pheasant hunt. Pictures to come.

Here are a few quotes that I love! Hopefully they will brighten your day!

“The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.” President Gordon B. Hinckley

Never think that what you have to offer is insignificant, there will always be someone out the that needs what you have to give.

Ask yourself, 'How did God bless me today?' If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes, you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know were a touch of God’s hand in your life.” –Henry B. Eyring

Halloween 2012

Check out my new project on alltiedup-kendall.blogspot.com

wow its been a lot time!! Life has run away from me. We have been building a new house in PG with Habitat for Humanity and when I say WE have been building I mean Me and some volunteers. I wish that everyone could have a chance to build their house it has been an incredible experience. I have gained a new confidence and how many of you can say that you have built a house. I'm way late on posting this you you can't follow the process  but I will post some pictures and you'll just have to pretend these were weeks in advanced so here we go:
I have more pictures on my phone and when I figure out how to post them you will be able to see them. :)

This is the color of our siding and the bottom is the roof color.

This is a sample of what our cabinets will look like

The Hole

This was at our ground breaking we are the 50th house that the Utah County Branch has done so we get cake!

Above is our new dog he is about 6mo old in this picture. Well I'm guessing that he thought that little cement wall was gonna be the same on both sides...boy was he wrong. Doesn't he look so sad down there?

 These guys are amazing they are with Bike to Build and they ride their pedal bikes across the country making stops along the way to build houses. I had the wonderful opportunity to make them a very Nummy dinner and Ashlyn fell in love with one of the girls and would not leave her side!

 This is my Provo ward ( the one I will be leaving ). I am so blessed to have them they have come a couple times to help out. I am leaving them and they are still willing to help me out. They even came to me when they found out and wanted to know what they could do to help I didn't say anything to them.

 This guy on the left is my cousin and the company (Xactware) he works for came for three days in a row.  in that time they put up all the outside walls I was so impressed!!


Below is the first wall going up it took everyone there to try and lift that thing. It is the length of three bedrooms. Also from Xactware

These last four our from my parents ward. I only got to take pictures of this one build but this ward has been numerous times as well. I will always be grateful for this ward its where I grew up. They will always be special to me.

 This is me building my bedroom wall..

These two were for my family build day that I set up. We put up some of the siding. It was alot of fun watching them use nail guns and get on scaffolding etc. Love them!!

Grandma Kelly testing out Ashlyn's new slide

 Front of my house

This is the view from my roof. yes I even got on the roof and put up the shingles and let me tell you I was glad when that last one got nailed down!! It was so hot up there it melt the sole of my shoe!!

This is our old house ( before nate got hurt ), its really cool to be building in our own back yard. But in order to get a road up to our house we have to cut off some of the garage which sucks but I think it will be ok. The poor renter probably feels so redneck because not only is her garage torn off but now so is her drive way.

Well I think vivnt is here today! This company is amazing I think they have built half the house themselves. They have a whole department that looks for service projects to help out the community. Them even went down and helped with hurican Katrina a few years back.  Awesome company!!

We just finished the sheet rock on Monday. It looks so much better with the texture on it. I am so excited to paint I can't even stand it!! The picture on the right is Ashlyn in her room.

OK I think that I have done an over load so I will break here and be back another day

Time Outs

I am in need of some help managing my daughter she has crazy out burst totally dramatic its driving me crazy!! I  bought a small box and some puffy balls so that everytime she did something good she got to put a ball in the box. When the box was full she would get a treat. This worked great until i slacked off and she started getting treats whenever. Her new favorite thing is to go to the gas station and put quarters into those sticker machines and get a sticker, so maybe when she fills the box she can get a quarter. I even thought about letting her pull out a fun activity when she filled the box. Any thoughts suggestions?

I am also trying to figure out time outs. I saw this on pinterest that made me think differently about time outs. This lady made theses glitter jars that she gave her kids when they went to time out. When the glitter settles the child is calm and time out is over. My wonder is what exactly is the purpose of time out? To punish? To relax? To have the child think about their behavior? here sis the website if you want to read her post. http://crazyblessedlife.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/relax-bottletime-out-timer/

Way to long

Its been way to long!! I have a couple posts in edit that never got finished! Story of my life!  I always start out really strong then fizzle out. Lot of things have been going on since my last post. My little monster aka Ashlyn turned three which is so much better than 2 but she is still crazy out of control and one day I might be able to rope her in. I might have to start reading some parenting books and sticking to discipline. Nate Got a vehicle modified so that he can drive!! Happy day for me!! Video to come eventually. We have joined with Habitat for humanity to build us a home that is accessible for Nate. Yeah!!!

So it has been super crazy around here lately but we are pulling through and I will try to be better at posting in the future
Kendall

Kristina Curtis Photography: give away!

Kristina Curtis Photography: give away!

I love her photos and she giving away a free session! Hurry to her blog and become a fan!

Why did this happen to me today?

Thought this was a really cool poem I might have to put it somewhere in my house!


Me: God, can I ask You a question?

God: Sure

Me: Promise You won't get mad

God: I promise

Me: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today?

God: What do u mean?

Me: Well, I woke up late

God: Yes

Me: My car took forever to start

God: Okay

Me: at lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait

God: Huummm

Me: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call

God: All right

Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that?

God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that

Me (humbled): OH

GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.

Me: (ashamed)

God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.

Me (embarrassed):Okay

God: Your phone went dead bcuz the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.

Me (softly): I see God

God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.

Me: I'm Sorry God

God: Don't be sorry, just learn to Trust Me.... in All things , the Good & the bad.

Me: I will trust You.

God: And don't doubt that My plan for your day is Always Better than your plan.

Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, Thank You for Everything today.

God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I Love looking after My Children...

Miracle Pregnancy

Check out this link on Good Things Utah about a family we met when Nate got injured. Their story is a lot like ours expect there accident was two years before Nates and their baby a lot younger. This story touched my heart and made me bawl! It gave me so much hope that we can have children again i think that I will call them tomorrow! Nate has been wanting this for over a year now and I have had something holding me back, but seeing them first be able to get pregnant and then being able to handle having two children just might give me the courage I need.So cool!!!!!!

wow its been awhile

oh boy one day i will update the world on what has been going on lately but for now i want to share a very funny video that was filmed at our family reunion. My grandma is the one in the middle. Enjoy!!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR2exHZKnps&feature=share

Paparazzi Jewelry

I just started selling this Jewelry and I am having my first open house Tue Aug 2nd please stop by and check it out! each item is $5!

My Paparazzi blog has some of the items that will be available.

To Crisp or Not To Crisp

So my new project has been to organize my house sort of a spring cleanning. I started with the kitchen because I feel like the countertops and flow of the place just isn't working especially the fridge! I have been doing a little research on the best ways to store produce herbs etc. I have found out a lot of interesting things, but what I am still up in the air about is what do you use the crisper drawers for, and high humidity or low?

What are some of your fridge storage tips?

Paralyzed man walks

This is a really cool Discovery! I am very interested to see what come out of this.

Science & Technology

With Electrical Stimulation to the Spinal Cord, Paralyzed Man Walks Again

Published May 20, 2011

| Popular Science

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Rob Summers On the Treadmill University of Louisville via CBS News

Electrical impulses sent to a paralyzed man's spinal cord allow him to walk again, researchers say. Rob Summers, 25, can voluntarily move his feet and hips and walk on a treadmill with support, in what could be a major breakthrough for the treatment of paralysis.

The research team, led by Dr. Susan Harkema of the University of Louisville, Ky., stressed that the treatment is not a cure for paralysis and that it worked with just one patient in one trial. But researchers not involved in the study say it is promising - one UK doctor told the BBC it was "mind-blowing."

The findings appear to show that the legs and spinal cord, not the brain, are in control of movement. That means interruption of messages from the brain may not preclude paralyzed patients from walking again - they would just need new electrical signals to stimulate the spinal cord.

Summers appeared in various media outlets Friday to discuss the research.

Weeks after winning the College World Series with Oregon State University in 2006, Summers was hit by a drunk driver, suffering spinal cord damage that paralyzed him from the chest down. Neuroscientists implanted 16 electrodes in his spine, and sent electrical impulses to his lower spinal cord, mimicking the signals normally sent by the brain to initiate movement. Summers was suspended over a treadmill while the signals were transmitted to his spine. Writing in the British medical journal The Lancet, researchers say the spinal cord's own neural network, combined with sensory information from his legs, is able to to control muscle and joint movement.

Summers trained for two years with a treadmill and physical therapists moving his legs to help him stand and walk.

V. Reggie Edgerton of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA said sensory information is sent via neural networks in the legs directly to the spinal cord. The sensory feedback allows Summers to balance himself, bear his own weight and take steps over various speeds and directions, Edgerton said in a news release.

In a statement, Summers said the treatment has changed his life.

"For someone who for four years was unable to even move a toe, to have the freedom and ability to stand on my own is the most amazing feeling," he said.

He was left with some sensation below the chest, so it's not clear whether the treatment would work for spinal cord injury patients who experience no sensation. What's more, Summers was an athlete in excellent physical condition before his injury, which could have helped his rehabilitation.

Still, his doctors hope that someday, patients with spinal cord injuries could use a portable electrical stimulation unit to move independently once again.

The work was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

[via BBC]

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/05/20/electrical-stimulation-spinal-cord-paralyzed-man-walks/#ixzz1NF9HHF4n

Oops

oops Forgot the link. HEHE

http://chairboundhuntersut.com/?page_id=64

Nates Turkey Hunt

Here is a link to read about Nates Turkey Hunt. It was so much fun! Im glad that he was able to get one!!

My new projects

I have been Trying two new things lately the first one is loosing some weight I have not managed to loose any really but I haven't put all of my efforts into it yet. I have managed to stay about the same weight so that is a little accomplishment. Nate said that he would buy me a new wedding ring to motivate me so I better get moving, of course I don't really want to let the old one go...

The next thing is coupons. oh boy I had no idea how much effort this was going to take. The thing that makes me so mad is that the stores are out of everything that I was planning on purchasing by the time I make it to the store. It really frustrates me!! Check out the whole story at my other blog.

New posts

check out my other websites:

This is my photography website :

http://kendallleephoto.blogspot.com/. I just posted some of my recent pictures

This is my craftish website haven't updated it in a while but I will soon.... I hope. :)

http://alltiedup-kendall.blogspot.com/

Check us out!!

Dear Family and Friends,

ACN, the world's largest direct seller of telecommunications and essential services, is making an encore appearance primetime on The Celebrity Apprentice! This exciting episode will feature ACN, its revolutionary video phone and its home-based business opportunity, along with the cast of celebrities and Donald J. Trump! As an Independent Representative of ACN, this will be a historical night for me and my business, so I hope you will join me in watching the episode on March 27. It's going to be an exciting show you won't want to miss! Take a look at the information in the link below. I'll follow up with you after the show to get your feedback.

Click the
http://boswelliesfund.acnrep.com/v.asp?I=141241625D01&

Thank you,
Kendall Brandon
801-420-8639

Projects

So I have some new projects that I am starting one is going to be learning how to save some money with coupns. If you do it right you can same hundreds of dollars on your groceries. I will let you know how it goes.

The second one is loosing weight. Why isn't it as easy to loose the weight as it is to gain it. I am so out of shape I can't beleive. I don't know how I let myself get so out of shape. I feel like the biggest retard in the classes that were so easy for me. Its enough to drive me crazy...

So anywaise I will keep you updated on my progress. :)