Young Women

These are a few pictures of my Young Women. My calling at church is the YW secretary and I think I am way to spoiled and have the best calling in the ward. Lacy loves it too. Here she is with one of her most favorite babysitters, Kailin at the temple.

Here Lacy is smiling at a party we had at our house for Michelle who is leaving us all any day now to go to BYU... boooo Michelle!

And here is Paige covered in balloones that Lacy brought to her on the couch while playing a game. (and Danielle and Maddy are also in the picture- the wonderful party-throwers)

I know these are totally random but I love all my young women so much, they are so fun and even if they think I am a total wacko- I love them and love love love my calling!! Yea for me!

Back up a bit

I just sent all the pictures I have taken on my phone to my e-mail and decided to blog about them. They are not any good quality because its my phone... my dad just gave us one of his old camera's so hopefully we will have more pictures to prove we are alive coming soon.

My wonderful mother in law had Cameron and Anna one afternoon so we all spent the day at the pool. Just one of those sweet moments caught on camera. We've seen alot of them so far this summer (including this morning when all 4 of Ryan and Krista's kids came to play on the playground- Mimi has them while their parents are in Hawaii. Rough life, huh?)

We love these kids!

Lacy Lacy

I was at my parents house after her dance class today and decided to grab my dads camera and snap a couple shots of Lacy in her new dance outfit. Plus, then I can brag about the adorable skirt I made her. I'm pretty proud of it, just don't look to close. I basically just made up the pattern. I was bummed when I bought the wrong fabric for the cute petti-skirts Chantal and I have been wanting to make, but I am not one to waste good material. I sat down one day and decided to sew away!
This one is all vintage looking. It was hard to get this one bright enough, but I think it is still adorable.

She loves being in front of the camera, what a hamm!!

I had to take a close up... I am most proud of the ruffle I made. I got a little creative, but after about a hundred pins, it seemed to have worked.

And of corse we had to get a cute shot of her spinning in action...

On a different note, Lacy said something really cute today. I asked her this morning what she wanted to do and she said she would give me clues and I had to guess.

Clue #1: She has a pretty house

Clue #2: She's a grandma

Clue #3: She has a nice big couch

Clue #4: She has a dad who lives with her

Clue #5: She has a big TV

Lacy: Now what do I want to do?

Me: Sounds like you want to go to Grandma's house!

If we cant go to Grandma's house, this is what she wants to do...

Clue #1: She doesn't live far

Clue #2: She loves Lacy

Clue #3: Lacy loves her

Clue #4: She has a pretty house

Clue #5: She's a person

Lacy: What else do I want to do?

Me: Sounds like you want to go to Mimi's house!

Unfortunately we didnt really do either, but I thought it was super cute anyway. How she came up with the clues and made me guess. She's a crack up!!!

Help :(

I have a confession...

I am a huge dumb prego with a new mad addiction to Dr. Pepper. I know its bad and the caffeine is no good for baby or for my sleep.

I know Caffeine FREE Dr. Pepper is sold in AZ... but WHERE??

Help, anyone. Tell me where!

My Very Talented Sister- and a giveaway!

Check this out, and be sure to check out her etsy shop. She can do some truly amazing things and she is having an awesome giveaway to get her name out there.

copied from her blog:

In honor of my new Etsy shop (and to generate more traffic and advertising) I am going to give away $100 worth of services to one lucky winner. To enter this contest, you will need to go and visit my shop http://myluckyblue.etsy.com/ and tell me what you would do with your $100. To earn more entries, you can:

1. Place the Lucky Blue button in your sidebar (just grab the code from my sidebar).
2. Favorite me on Etsy
3. Blog about Lucky Blue and this giveaway with a link back to THIS post.

So that's a total of 4 entries you can get. Please leave a new comment for each entry. (That's easier for me.)

The contest will end next Monday night - April 6th - at midnight. Come Tuesday (or Wednesday at the latest) I will announce the winner. Make sure I have a way to contact you, either by visiting your blog or through email.

I'm so excited! This will be so much fun! And get this, the first Monday of every month, I will be giving away something different to one of my followers here or someone who heart's me on Etsy. They won't all be this big though. So, get going!

Another Skirt Giveaway

These are just so dang cute, I'm dying for one. Chantal and I actually went to the fashion district in LA and went to some fun fabric stores and bought some fabric to make our own. The only problem is... I suck at sewing.

check it out http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/03/twilight-tide-pettiskirt-giveaway.html

Irrigation

I have fond memories of growing up across the street from the elementary school and playing in the water anytime they irrigated the fields. I know it is probably super gross and un-sanitary, but we were just a bunch of hillbillies and it was one of the few fun things to do outside in 130 degree summer weather.

Plus my parents didn't mind. My dad actually one summer taught me and my brother to skim-board in the irrigation. He took us to Home Depot to buy the wood, paint, sealers, etc. Cut the wood to the right shape and size. Let us each paint our own board and then sealed it and let it set for a few days. I think he even warped the wood just right so it had some good curves and everything. Then he took us one Saturday afternoon over to Mariposa's ball fields when they were irrigated and taught us the tricks of the trade to skim boarding. It was so much fun and my brother and I spent the rest of the summer and summers for years to come skim-boarding any chance we got.

This is a picture of my dad back in the day (who knows when) skim-boarding on the beach in CA. He was a total hottie and definitely a pro. Perfect person to teach the skill!!

Well the other day my parents were irrigating their back yard and I couldn't resist letting my kids get down to their skivvies and play in the water. I had fun flashbacks when Shawn ran out to their barn and cut a piece of wood to size and tried teaching Lacy to skim-board. It was sooo cute and I loved every minute of it. We also got out the old snow toys, dusted them off and had fun putting the kids on the disks and spinning them around in the shallow grassy water. (If you ask me, that's a true AZ native)

I was glad my dads super nice camera was near by so I actually have some pictures to prove we are still here and having fun!

Long time no post

I have been anti-posting lately, I admit.

I have had it with camera's. We got an awesome camera and it got stolen, then got a crappy camera that broke. Now we just have the video camera that only takes half-ace still pictures. Plus my mom's camera is also on the fritz so I haven't really been able to document our everyday lives as well as a Fuller girl has been taught to.
Luckily I had my dads super-nice camera near by the other day and got some cute cute pictures of the kids playing in the irrigation. I promise, we are all still alive and kickin! (post about that coming next)

I have also totally had it with computers. About 2 months ago our computer crashed for like the THOUSANDTH FREAKIN TIME. And if I had any money at all, I would give in to Charmaine and Patrick's testimonials and buy myself a Mac. I lost lots and lots of info and pictures and have just been to frustrated with it all.

So there it is. My lame excuses for not blogging lately. Not good excuses but excuses none the less.

An update on the Browns...
As for Shawn, he is doing pretty good, considering everything he's been going through. Due to the awesome recession we are all in he was laid off work. We figure this to be a perfect time while we are young and everything else, for him to go back to school full time. He has applied for all the grants/loans etc. that he can, but can't really start anything until Summer school. He is still looking for work of any kind to try and help us get by. So if you hear of anything, please let us know. I am strongly convinced that the best job he can get is one from a referral, so the word is out. Super talented, super hot Shawn Brown is looking for a job :)
Join the club... it seems everyone is looking for a job.

Lacy is as adorable as ever. She has been such a joy lately. She is still as feisty and smart as ever, and cracks us up everyday. She loves her cousins and friends more than anything and is very sensitive when it comes to them. She surprises us all the time with the things she knows and says- she is our genius child. Right now she is on this kick of sounding every word out and telling us the letters in the word. I am convinced that there isn't anything in this entire universe she can not figure out.

Hugo is our little man in the making. He loves to be outside and will sit by the door with his shoes on until we let him out. He loves to scream, happy or not, and is the cause of a lot of headaches. He is for sure a man's man. Don't get me wrong he loves his mommy and his grandmas, but He screams and squeals with joy anytime Shawn walks in the door and when he is home, Hugo doesn't want much to do with me. He also adores his Papa, G-Pa, Uncle Samuel and Uncle Patty (those are just a few, but they are the men he sees the most) I do have to say though he is the biggest sucker for his Great Grandpa Bald-head and Grandpa is just a big a sucker for Hugo. They both light up when they see each other and it is so fun to watch.

As for me, I am 7+ months pregnant and huge as ever! I feel like I am already ready to pop this one out. He is going to be a big one, I can tell. Other than that I have been doing pretty well. Just trying my best to keep us all from going insane. I have been enjoying doing all the little things around the house that I have been doing. (I'll hijack someones camera and post about them soon). We have been swimming 6 times this past week. It is my favorite thing right now to not feel the effects of gravity on my huge belly when I'm in the pool. I am there any chance I get!
Annnnnyway. I know this is a super-long post. I hope you all didn't read it all because HOLY COW! I am just trying to catch up, mostly for myself.

Publicity in the Church

This is a letter my bishop sent out to members of our ward. I thought the link to the article was perfect and thought I would share it!

The Church has just published the following on their website;

http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma

In an earlier time of persecution, Joseph Smith corresponded with John Wentworth, a Newspaper Editor. A portion of letter has been memorized by tens of thousands of missionaries.

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done” (History of the Church, 4:540).

Surely this is a time in which calumny defames. However, we remain confident in the divinity of this work. The teachings of the Savior inspire us to respond to attacks with forgiveness. Our best defense against controversy is silence.

Looks like fun!

Lucky you! The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1 - I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! (Though I may ask some questions during the process.)
2 - What I create will be just for you.
3 - It'll be done this year (might take a little while).
4 - You have no clue what it's going to be.
5 - I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same. (Don't worry, it can be a card or cookies or whatever - it doesn't have to be outrageous, just homemade.)
The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!
Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

Random

Haven't posted for real in a while. I will soon, I promise!!

I had fun with this. I don't know if anyone else will find this interesting, maybe Charmaine.

1 - Go to "wikipedia." Hit “random”or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:RandomThe first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations"or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7daysThird picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use photoshop or similar to put it all together.

5 - Post it with this text in the "caption" and TAG the friends you want to join in.

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

I know Lacy would love this, as would ANY little girl. I agree with Charmaine though, I want one for myself!!

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

just like his mommy

I snapped this real quick with my camera phone. Hugo is into American Idol as much as I am. He was totally into all the singing and music. I can already tell he loves music, it always calms him down.

He'll be one of those really hot guys that play the piano or guitar.

Oh, and FYI... that blanket is LACY'S... he just loves the silkyness of it. I plan on making him his own, very manly, silky blanket. :)

Lacy's Birthday Celebration

This little girl really had a birthday week.

Tuesday at pre-school Lacy got to celebrate her birthday by bringing treats and having the class sing to her.

Wednesday was her actual birthday. She started off the day going to her science class with one of her most favorite friends, Carson. She got to go out to lunch with her Uncle Samuel and Lelan who took her to "Kings Burger" to play. She had so much fun and they spoiled her with treats and a milk shake. Then Papa came over and brought her a balloon and some ice cream sandwiches. Then while I was at mutual my parents took her out for ice cream. On top of all that she was receiving phone calls all day from family. She had a wonderful day filled with people who love her.

On Saturday we had some friends over for a barbeque. She got some presents there and some yummy cupcakes. I think her favorite part was definitely seeing her friends that she hadn't seen in a long time.

Finally on Sunday we had a big family dinner. She waited so patiently to open all her presents until this day so it was super special. She got an easy bake oven, an adorable tea set, a bunch of cute clothes and much more. We had a lot of fun and now Lacy keeps asking if it is still her birthday. When I say no, your birthday is over, she will always reply with, "well I'm still 4 aren't I?"

She is such a cutie and I am so glad to have her in my life!!!

Of corse the boys spent most of the time in front of the TV watching the super-bowl. Thank goodness for DVR so we could all see the best parts of the game, and un-fortunately the worst parts too :(

Awesome family

A sweet letter I had to post from a friend in my ward. I know its long, but if the situation were reversed and I was in need of help, I would wish everyone I know and love would step up and help.

Dear Family and Friends (and family & friends of family & friends),

A miracle happened for us in 2006 when Carter joined our family through adoption. The love and support you gave us at that time was deeply felt and appreciated. We have been so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who have continued to be mindful of us and prayerful in our behalf. We have been certified, waiting, and hoping for another miracle for about a year and a half now, since October 2007. After a recent failed adoption situation, we are renewing our efforts to "find" our child. We are again asking for your prayers and assistance. Since our chances of adopting increase with exposure, we want to remind you that these days, most successful adoptions fall under the category of designated adoption. Designated adoption is when the birth parents and adoptive parents find each other through a third party.

That is where you come in!WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?* E-mail this message to everyone in your address book who might be willing to help us.* Copy and paste this note into a post on your blog or online community profile (Blogger, Typepad, Facebook, Myspace, etc.).

* Link our Internet profiles on your blog accounts.-

http://www.meganandshane.com/ http://www.providentliving.org/ses/birthmother/viewsingleprofile/0,12272,2133-1-8973-1-1,00.html-

https://beta.itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/12733830/ourMessage.jsf

* Bookmark our online profile(s) for future reference.

* Have our pass-along cards with you at all times (feel free to ask for some if you don't have them).

* If you know of a woman who is thinking about placing her baby for adoption, or doesn't quite know what to do, please give her one of our pass-along cards or our web address. You could also post our cards on bulletin boards wherever you think a potential birth mother or someone she knows might see them (such as those in dorms or on college campuses) or share our information with health care providers, ecclesiastical leaders, or other friends and contacts.Adoption in itself is a miracle. We have grown to love adoption and it has become a big part of our lives. We are always willing to talk about our adoption and give you more information, feel free to ask anytime.

You or any potential birth parents may call our toll-free number (1-888-279-9920), e-mail us (shaneandmegan@gmail.com), or call our LDS Family Services adoption caseworker Calli Tidwell (480-968-2995). Thank you in advance for all your help as well as your love and support.

Blessings,Shane, Megan, & Carter Hilton

http://www.meganandshane.com/

shaneandmegan@gmail.com

"We look at adoption as a very sacred exchange. It was not done lightly on either side." -Jaime Lee Curtis, Adoptive Mother