Mindful Monday - Mothers

This quote was printed  in our Church  Program yesterday.  

♥  I LOVE IT  ♥

" Many years ago the First Presidency issued a statement that has had a profound and lasting influence upon me.  'Motherhood,' they wrote, 'is near to divinity.  It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind.  It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.' " Elder Russell M. Nelson

 via Eddie Ross

These are some other quotes that I love about the
beautiful blessings and responsibilities of motherhood.  

"In the soft and gentle arms of a mother's love, children can come to know the voice of the Lord." 

Dwan J. Young

via sweepmeup

"Be a Mother who is committed to loving her children into standing on higher ground than the environment surrounding them. Mother's are endowed with a love that is unlike any other love on the face of the earth." Marjorie Pay Hinckley

"When a mother provides an example of joy, the children's world is one of happiness." Barbara B. Smith

via toforever

"Nothing a woman can ever do will have anywhere near as much importance as the influence she has as a mother." George D. Durran

via o mag

I have a wonderful mother. 
I feel so blessed and I am forever grateful to have her!


But my life has also been touched by the example and influence of 
my grandmother, daughters, daughter-in-law, friends and YOU! 


via createfindadmire

I hope you all had a Lovely  Mother's Day~ I sure did!

A Cat Tale

The title of this story is:

Meet Sally

The story began last November... 

Once upon a time there was an adorable couple also known as my mom and dad. They befriended  a cute stray cat that frequently showed up at their back door.  She was very smart and in no time had  adopted them.
They named her "Cat" ...  I know , right.

"Cat" was a pretty white cat with splotches of black.  My parents already have 2 indoor cats so although they didn't let her inside the house they fed her and  made a sheltered sleeping area for her.
It was crystal clear, SHE had claimed them as "hers". ( its a cat thing)

Long story short, it turned out, Miss Cat was a Mama Cat.  My dad found 5 teeny weeny kittens on the side of their house. 

 

Guess who ended up with new kittens???

  Marci and Mike adopted a brother and sister team.  They are silver tabbies. Addie named her little boy "Tom" and Ella named her little girl "Beauty".  

Kayley and Scott adopted a pretty white brother sister team ~ "Winston" and "Samantha".

 BUT
long pause ...
there was yet another kitten.  She was black with perfectly placed white markings.
Did you guess?

We adopted "Sally".  When she is naughty and must be reprimanded her name is Sally Jean.  We love the way she is painted.  She has a white goatee and bib.  White boots and gloves and my very favorite detail is a sassy Marilyn Monroe beauty mark! If we'd noticed it sooner perhaps her name would be Marilyn.

As you might know we already had adopted a brother team when Marci's adopted stray cat "Meow Meow"
(named by Ella who was a toddler at the time) had a litter of ALL white kittens. 

When we brought little Sally home it was NOT 
love at first sight.
Bill and Blanco were not happy campers in the beginning.  
I was even fearful for little Sally Jean at first.

Senior Blanco

Silly Bill

(aren't his eyes cute!)

Such Brotherly Love

My Mom kept saying give them time.  Once again she was right.  They are one big happy family now.  They look so cute when all three are sleeping together especially with Sally in the middle.  They look like a yummy Oreo cookie in reverse.

Blanco is so patient 
and 
check out Sally's beauty mark!

My parents are thrilled with all of the adoption arrangements as now they can visit all the cute cats any time they want! 

Oh!  ....  and they all lived happily ever after♥

~THE END~ 

Author's Note: THAT'S it people.  I don't care who ends up with a stray cat and kittens.  We're good.   REALLY!

k

Today I'm Making a Chocolate Cake

It is my Adorable Mom's Birthday! Mom her Jr. Year

Carolyn "Kelley" Hansen, Partridge

We're having our family celebration tomorrow after church.

So today, I'm making her request...

a Chocolate Birthday Cake.

This is the recipe she wants.

Dinner will be "Hansen Tacos"...I can't wait!

The recipe is HERE.

My mom was the only girl in the middle of two boys ... as was I ♥.Mom with Her Brothers and Mother

I admire her and look up to her as a mother

but we're also the best of friends and she's the sister I never had.

Mom and I in her Kitchen

She is quite the powerhouse! She was born in Preston, Idaho. Her family moved to Rosemead California when she was a child (I think she was about 9). She has always lived life to the fullest! Growing up she was a tomboy. She kept right up with her brother and his friends. She loved to ride horses and even rode one into to town when she was a tiny girl, only 4 years old! Her mom made sure that never happened again...but I bet it wasn't easy.

My mom is strong and determined. She always accomplished anything she set her mind to. In High School she was on the dance team and starred in many theatrical productions. She was a Cougarette at BYU and loved everything about school.

Her dad LOVED baseball and she went to every game with him when she was a little girl. To this day she is a baseball fanatic. Acutually she loves sports in general. For a Mother-in-Law, she's a dream come true! She and Mark are great buddies and huge BYU Football Fans.

Mom & Her Baby Girl

I've never met anyone more organized. My mom loves to read. She goes to the library every week and devours books faster than I can open a page. She's very creative and loves interior design. Every house we had growing up was beautiful. Her style is impeccable. She loves all things BLUE. She has friends all over the world and has helped and influenced more people than I can count on my fingers and toes.

Happy Birthday Wishes to my Beautiful Mom!

Thank You Thursday

Happy New Year. It's here...again! I'm really a little "freaked" out about how time is just flying these days. Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 29...again! We went out for Mexican Food with the fam and had lots of fun. The Scotts had been paint balling all day and still had their camouflage on. I was just happy they made it in time. Addie had been sitting on my lap when the the waiters showed up with a big black sombrero singing. She was leery at first and definitely not pleased as it continued.

Mom's Mexican Bday Song from Marci Freeman on Vimeo.
Afterward, she wouldn't even let me hold her. Grammie enjoyed that though.
Today I went over to Marci's house and thank goodness I was in Addie's good graces again. Thank you to my sweet family for celebrating with me. Happy Wishes for a Happy New Year!

Bridal Shower

Today we had a little Bridal Shower luncheon with some friends from church. It was at my mom's house. It was so fun! Kayley told the story of how Scott proposed. It is so sweet, if you haven't heard it, check it out...too cute. Here are some pictures that Marci took. (Thanks Marci!)

Wedding plans are moving forward. So far we're on track with everything ... thanks to some very talented and generous friends. Cynthia and Leigh pictured below with Julie are doing all the flowers...We are so blessed!

I finished the last two pillows for my mom. Kayley took this picture for me. She's staying at my mom's house and I forgot to get pictures before I delivered them. She is going to get a picture of the last pillow and I'll add it later.

Pillow Talk

I made the first pillow for my mom this morning. She prioritized the order she'd like them for me, since I only have little tidbits of time here and there to sew.
I'm showing pictures of both sides. This fabric is so adorable.











This is the 18" X 18" inch~ she wants another pillow in the same fabric 16 X 16. I love to use Invisible Zippers.

They are so easy to work with and look fabulous....they're invisible!

Because I said so!

A friend of mine sent this to me a few months ago and I just came across it again. I'm sure you'll relate.... Enjoy!