February Photo A Day

In an attempt to blog more I will be posting my Photo a Day pictures here...

Day 1:

My View

Mexican Caviar

This is a Potluck favorite of mine...

It is relatively healthy and easy to make.

Ingredients:

1 15oz Can Pinto Beans - drained

1 15 oz Can Black Beans - drained

1 15oz Can Kidney Beans - drained

1 15 oz Can Corn - drained (or 1 package frozen corn)

2 Large Tomatoes Chopped

1/2 Bunch Green Onions Chopped

1/2 each Red Bell Pepper, Orange Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper

1/2 small bunch Cilantro - diced

2 Tbsp. Minced Garlic (Or 2 Tbsp. jarred minced garlic)

1 Small Bottle Light Italian Dressing ( I like Kraft the best)

1 Tbsp. McCormick Mexican or Southwest Seasoning

1 tsp. Cumin

a Pinch of Chili Powder

Mix all ingredients together

and let it stand overnight.

Mix well again before serving, it will have a lot more juice once you let it sit overnight.

You can serve it with Chips, Fajitas, Quesadillas, or just eat it all by itself.

Enjoy!!

This image has been racing through my mind all week.

I have been struggling for a very long time and finally let myself receive help.

I am so blessed to have a knowledge of My Savior. I have had some pretty incredible experiences this week and I would not have had them if it wasn't for Him.

Life is never easy and it never goes quite the way we want it to, but if we rely on The Lord and allow him to help us, we will not fail.

Christmas Eve

This was Christmas Eve with the Kleiner Family.

Livy and Nixon couldn't get enough of "Papa's Tractor"

Marlee was just content being held going for a ride.

Kids make Christmas so much more fun!

2012

This is my new motto and quote to live by for 2012.

2010 and 2011 were extremely difficult years to live through,

but the most amazing thing is:

I'M STILL HERE!

I made it through, most definitely not perfectly, but I made it.

I found this framed quote at Hobby Lobby on sale, and new I just had to have it.

I'm going to hand it above my bed so that every night when I kneel down to pray, I will look and see those words before I speak to my Father.

He is the reason I am here. He is the reason I have made it. He is the reason that we go through hard things. So that the day when we finally get to go back home, He will be proud of us.

My goal for this year is to strengthen my faith in everything, because I truly think you can never have enough faith.

5 Incredible Years

I cannot believe that 8/4/2011 (tomorrow) Marks 5 incredible years with Jeff.

We have been through plenty of "UP's" and "DOWNS"

Magical moments

Tears, laughter, joy, heartbreak, sorrow, and love

There aren't enough words in the English language that can express my feelings as to how lucky I feel to get to spend every day knowing I have my best friend by my side.

There is not a single day that I would take away

Because we have learned so much together

My heart overflows with sincerest appreciation that I am married to this man for eternity.

I never knew that being married could make you into the person you were meant to be

I thank Heavenly Father each day for my life.

It's never been easy, it's never been perfect, it's never followed the "plan" or "map" I thought it should.

But I AM HAPPY.

Happier than I ever thought I would be.

I'm sobbing as I write this because I am so overwhelmed with love for my man.

Here's to the past 5 years and looking forward to the next 50!!

I love you Jeff!!

2nd New Addition

As some of you may know, my dear hubby served his mission in Moscow, Russia.

When he came home brought some Matroshka Dolls with him.

His mom has one and it is extremely beautiful and he gave another to his grandmother.

Well they were here for a wedding in November and she brought her doll with her

because she felt like I should have it.

So here she is and I think she is beautiful.

She has lots of dolls inside of her that get smaller and smaller, etc.

I was overwhelmed with joy when she let me have this because I feel like we know have a little piece of Russia and Jeff's experience there inside our home.

Thanks Grandma Roberts!

New Additions

So lately I have a new found obsession with OWLS.

I like vintage, cutesy, black, white, you name it I probably want it.

Well last November I was in San Diego and realized that my brother and sweet wife lived amazingly close to a favorite "dream" store of mine. Meaning I love everything in the catalog but can't afford much in it. My mom and I decided to go into West Elm and I instantly fell in love with these little guys...

My heart instantly melted when I realized how adorable and affordable they were, so I bought the big one and brought him home to stay. A few short days later, I couldn't resist the temptation and went online and bought the 2 little ones to go with it.

These little friends bring me so much joy every time I look at them. I am SO pleased with my purchase and can't wait to add more Owls to my collection. But for now, I am completely thrilled. Especially when I found out there is now a store in Scottsdale!