There Is Beauty All Around...

I had Jillian take pictures of some interesting things going on in our yard this season.

I love this white Veronica plant...but who is that visitor?? My in-laws bought me this plant when we first moved into our house 7 years ago. They even helped me plant it as well as several others. It's been white for the full 7 years until now. All I can think of is that seeds must have blown and I DO have a purple Veronica. BUT, the purple is really far away from the white. Waaaay across the yard. And why only 1 stem that is purple? I don't know, but I'll enjoy the show while it lasts.


I love pansies and I usually see them growing in the cracks of my sidewalk each year. But this year, they really went to town! I have them all over. I don't have the heart to get rid of them just because they aren't in the actual garden. They are beauteous no matter where they put down their roots!

Ok, not a garden photo, but a cute one anyway. Ava climbed up in the computer chair and took a little snooze. She doesn't look too comfortable does she?!

Jillian also took this one while on a boat on Lake Michigan over the 4th of July weekend. I'm not a fan of summer, but I am a total fan of a view like this!

Something To Think About Saturday

Elements by Sarah Bennett & Jamie Dell

I agree J.D.!

Pursue the Steady Course

Word art by Sugardoodle.net

"While standards generally may totter, we of the Church are without excuse if we
drift in the same manner. We have standards—sure, tested, and effective. To the
extent that we observe them, we shall go forward. To the extent that we neglect
them, we shall hinder our own progress and bring embarrassment to the work
of the Lord. These standards have come from Him. Some of them may appear a
little out-of-date in our society, but this does not detract from their validity
nor diminish the virtue of their application. The subtle reasoning of men, no
matter how clever, no matter how plausible it may sound, cannot abridge the
declared wisdom of God."

--President Gordon B Hinckley, "Pursue the Steady Course", Ensign, Jan. 2005, 5

Leanne's thoughts: I really think ALL of the youth of the church need to read this quote. Heck, some adults do too. Maybe it should be read out loud in a statement kind of way. I don't mean in a lesson (although that is still a great idea), but as a message all by itself to be pondered over. Sometimes we need a 'to the point' message that has a tinge of bluntness in order for it to hit home. Saying that neglecting the standards can bring embarrassment to the work of the Lord, is quite to-the-point don't you think?

I think most youth would try harder to honor the standards if they really took a moment to sit down and think about the reason behind the purpose of those standards. It's so easy to get caught up in what is 'cool' and let some things slide. I like an 'in-your-face' approach sometimes. Of course a touch of love would be added so as to not offend. I think Pres. Hinckley's quote was a perfect blend of both.

I know that when teachings were put in my head strongly as a youth, I listened and thought about it that much more. That's why I really enjoyed going to stake youth activities. They always seemed to be well planned with a purpose. Now, as an adult, I need to make more of an effort to attend the adult stake events. What am I thinking by not attending some of these?! As parents we expect our youth to attend their youth activities so why wouldn't I want the same for myself?! Hypocrisy? Ugh. I vow to get better!!!

For the strength of youth and adults!!

Something To Think About...on any day

Elements by Vera Lim & Enchanted Studio Scraps

Try it Tuesday......Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme

*Help!* I really need some guidance when it comes to home hair coloring kits. I'm in a place right now that has no room for a trip to the salon. I have to color my own hair. I don't have very much gray, but I'm past the point of just being able to rip those suckers out. I have to color. I have very dark brown hair so every gray shows.

I used to be able to get away with just buying a root touch-up kit. It would cover the gray and I'd be fine. Not any longer. I need the whole sha-bang. I've only used 3 different kits so far.

Today I used the Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Color Creme. I chose it because it was on sale for only $4.99 at Walgreens. I love sales. I can't bring myself to pay twice as much without atleast trying the one that is on sale.

I grabbed the Dark Chocolate flavor.....I mean color....hee hee. I don't usually stray from food Try It Tuesdays do I??

The first thing I noticed about this brand is that it has fruit oil concentrate. Hmm. What will that do for me? Hopefully hold the color longer? The oil has avocado with vitamin E and fragrant grape seed oil. Well, I don't know exactly what those will do for me, but the scent is fabulous! I always thought that hair dye had to be smelly. That's just the way it goes. Not. This is a great scent. I'm used to my hair stinking for the first day or so and this is a nice change. The scent alone would make me want to buy it again. I'm not saying it's as nice as a perfume, I'm just saying it's a nice break from the normal strong chemical smell that hair dye has.

The cream was easy to put on my hair and stayed without dripping. I was able to pile my hair (which is quite long) on top of my head without it falling all over and dying my shoulders. I don't like hair nets or plastic hair covers. They make me feel especially old. I don't know why....it's just how I roll ok?

Anyway, the wait time is a little long. I had to sit with the coloring on my hair for 1/2 hour. But since it stayed in place so well, I guess I didn't mind the wait so much.

It comes with a one time use conditioner and was easily rinsed out in the shower.

I can't say how long this color will last since I'm just trying it for the first time today. But so far, so good. It's shiny, smells good and looks pretty good so far.

I would really like to hear of more opinions about home hair coloring kits. I could use a little advice as to what works well, has lasting color and shine. HELP ME! I think for a while I'll be doing this task on my own and not the salon. I like to stick close to my own hair color since I actually *like* the dark color. I primarily use the dye to cover the gray. I'm not much for changing my hair color to suit my mood. I guess I'm not that daring.

Anyway, if anyone has a good brand that they stick with that might be helpful to me, I'd love to hear about it. And you never know...you might just be rewarded. Yes, I'm thinking of doing a *~GIVE AWAY~* sometime soon! Who wants a Try It Tuesday product for freeeeeee???? Just think about it.....a Try It Tuesday of your choice sent right to your doorstep!

I'll fill you in later if I decide to join the give away bandwagon! Should I?

Oh hey...today is my sister AND my brother's birthday! I'm giving a shout-out to wish both Michelle & Lee a

*vErY HaPpy BiRThDAy*!!

EDIT: Ok, so I had to add an update about this coloring product. It's been only about 2 weeks and my gray roots are already showing. NoT HaPPy! I don't think my hair grew that fast. I think the color didn't stay in on the gray as well as it should have. I'm wondering if I need to ever use this product again. Someone else weigh in will ya? I really need to know what other brand works for gray hair.

G&G Time

We spent a little time with Grandma & Grandpa today. I thought I'd share a few photos. Grandpa brought over his Trikke. Brycen had a *blast* riding it!

First we watched from the window as Brycen learned how to ride the Trikke, but I just haaad to get out there and snap some shots. So much fun!Quality time with G'pa.

Look at the smile on his face! I love that HE was loving it.


I guess Grandpa rides his Trikke on the bike trails here in town. He received this fun bike from my sister in-law Sheryl for his Father's Day gift. What a cool gift it is! And unique.


Ava and Grandma watching from the window.


What a sweet picture huh? You know I'll be digi-scrappin' it!

Sunday was a good day to spend with family. I love making new memories!

Something To Think About Saturday

Element by Kris Mazy

Macie had hernia surgery this week (July 8th). She did great! She was quite groggy coming out and felt a little light-headed. But she recovered just fine. She has been resting and enjoying her down time since the surgery. I'm proud of her for going into this with a positive attitude. After the surgery she still had a great attitude. :)

~Addicted~

I just can't stay away from the digi-scrappin'! Scrappin' has gotten in the way of Try It Tuesdays, cleaning my house and kissing my husband. What am I to do?! I need an intervention or something.

Queen of Random??

Today I might be the Queen of Random....because I've got tons of random pictures to share from random events. I'm so bad at keeping up with the events! I guess posting the pictures this way is the only way to document them since I'm so lame!

Get comfortable because this is a loooooong post!
Here we go.....

February 2009. Kind of blurry since I took this one with my cell phone. I thought it was so sweet that Molly wrote this on my van for me. BUT...when she got mad at me an hour later, poof! It was gone. Can't win 'em all.

-sigh-

Rick & I used one of our date nights to head to Detroit for a Red Wings game. It was a blast on St. Patrick's day! Although it looked more like Christmas with people wearing a sea of green hats/jersey's and then the usual red shirts for the Red Wings.

Red Wings triumphed 2-3!

I forgot the camera this night, but was still able to document the event with my cell phone. Molly was the narrator for her 6th grade choir musical Aladdin! She would speak while the show took place to the left (not showing) and the choir would sing behind her. She was very sick that night (swollen glands, fever) but the show must go on! We were very proud of her.

Another one taken from my cell phone. Rick had several Hurricane machines ready to go! It was awesome to see so many built in one place. His dream is on it's way to become a reality!

Ava just being cute.

On my Dad's 82nd birthday. (Left to Rt) My niece Kara, sister Sheri and Dad.

Ava & I in the spring. I love the green grass!

Ava loves the spring flowers. May 2009

Brycen received a trophy from his school reading program in May. He put in a lot of effort this year in the program. He worked hard on spelling too. Most tests were A's & B's. A big effort for a guy who would rather do math!

A rainbow blessing.

*sigh* My kids had a marker fight. I'm pretty sure they were permanent markers too. May 2009

Jillian and Brycen being goofy. Don't ask me why, but my kids thought it would be funny to put paper bags over their heads and get cars to honk at them. Weird!

Jillian was super glad to be out of school and head to the beach. June 14, 2009. We sure are lucky to live only 10 minutes from the big lake.

Molly's 1st year at Girls Camp! June 2009

Macie (middle), Jillian and friend Giselle at Girls Camp. This was Macie's 2nd year and Jillian was a YCL.

During Girls Camp this year (and last) the youth were able to volunteer their time to work on the old ship LST 393 by doing some interior painting. It's docked in Muskegon. Of the 1151 LST class ships built in WWII, this is only one of 2 remaining. (We are so lucky that girls camp is right here in our neck of the woods by the way.)

Doesn't Molly look totally stoked to be able to do this project?!

Molly really had to reach to paint. She came home with paint in her hair. Heck, she still might have paint in her hair!

Jillian with Ava t the Ward ice cream social in June. Ava loooooved the swings! Boy, did she ever cry when we had to leave!

Jillian and the GR stake went to Nauvoo, Ill. for their Youth Conference at the end of June. One of the most beautiful Temples! A few years ago, we went to Nauvoo ~3~ times in one summer! One of my favorite places. I'm so glad Jillian got to go again.

The beautiful view from the city of Nauvoo overlooking the Mississippi river.

I'm not sure who these youth are, but the kids had to pull these handcarts for about a mile so that they could get a glimpse of what the people of Nauvoo had to go through when leaving the city with whatever belongings they could handle. So many people had to leave much behind.

Jillian at the Carthage Jail near the visitors center.The jail in the back round. The statue is of Joseph & Hyrum Smith who were killed by a mob at the jail.

Carthage Jail, Carthage Illinois. The top window is the the one that Joseph Smith fell out of after being shot.

Not sure who this girl is, but here is the infamous bullet hole in the door. I wonder how many people have touched this? Can you imagine?

Typical Jillian :) And her friend Melissa on the bus ride home.

Poor Austin .....he fell asleep so some girls put paper in his mouth. Jillian insists that she didn't do it...she only took the picture. Hmmm.

Bubble fun! July 1st. Ava kept wanting to put the blower part right up to her mouth. I'm sure it didn't taste so great.

June 30th. I liked the pose in this photo.

June 30th. Jillian at the Wasiura's condo for Martin's birthday. She is trying to look studious, but look at the reading material she chose! haha.

4th of July fireworks in Montague/Whitehall this past Saturday.

I realize this one is super up-close....this is because that IS how close we were!!! No zooming needed! Sometimes it felt like they were going to come right down on us! We are lucky to be invited every year to my friend Liz's house which has THE best view of the White Lake fireworks display. I'm not kidding or exaggerating. Even the house next door doesn't have as nice of view. It IS THE BEST VIEW. Sometimes we have to crane our necks straight up in the air to see the larger fireworks. The kids have to lay on their backs in the pool. We sit on her huge deck and enjoy. Everyone (about 50 people?) brings a treat to share and the kids play in the heated pool. It's enjoyable for all. Plus, I get to see friends that we usually only get to see when they come from out of state during the summer months. I really appreciate that Liz invites us every year. She is a really sweet person.

I have more pictures but I think you would get really bored if I posted them all. I'll try to be more diligent in posting photos, but really, I spend too much time digi scrapping and Facebooking! I know, Bad Leanne.