The 'Power' of Prayer

Along with many others, we lost power last night.  About 3 a.m. my eyes shot open for some odd reason and all I saw was pitch black.  I didn't really fall back asleep very soundly because of the baby bump and the loud noises outside.  I kept saying little prayers about the power coming back on, thinking about the Thanksgiving turkey in our fridge and the insane amount of water that we wouldn't be able to pump out of the basement.

Around 5:30 Payton and Savannah crept inside our room.  "Mom, we lost power. It's really dark!  We said a prayer so we could make it downstairs!"  They climbed in bed with us and started talking about the weather and how much they didn't like it.  Savannah, bless her heart, is just like her mother.  She gets a little worked up over things like this and starts worrying about everything.  "I really don't like this at all." She said.  There was several minutes of silence and then Savannah said, "Mom...Dad...Payton.  Can you say a prayer with me?"  Dad asked what exactly she wanted to pray about.  And she said that the electricity would come back on.  We told her to go ahead.  It was a short and simple prayer.  She thanked Heavenly Father for the day and asked Him to help us be safe. And then she asked that the power would come back on and ended it.  In the instant she said amen...the kitchen light that we always leave on at night for the kids flickered back on and the heat turned on in our bedroom!  She sat up straight in bed and yelled..."THE ELECTRICITY IS BACK ON!!"  We were all a little stunned and started laughing a little. "That is so awesome," she said.  Seriously, it was pretty dang incredible.  I just can't help thinking about it and smiling.

So, to anyone living near by us whose power was out, I will just have you know that your power came back on because of the faith and prayer of my little 8 year old sweetheart!

ONE YEAR AGO...

For the past week I have been reminiscing about Hawaii.  Surfing, para sailing, jet skiing, luau's, walking the beach, soaking up the sun.  Oh that glorious sun!!  Sweet memories.  That's where I was one year ago.  But with those memories come the memories of the night after we got back.  November 17th.  Can't help but drift to those moments...when things changed. 

Not that I'm not constantly reminded of my accident with the dizzy spells, nerve damage and scar tissue from the surgery, but

hopefully this date will forever be a reminder to me of how blessed I am, how deeply I love and appreciate my friends and family and how grateful I am to be here.

MOZARTS in the MAKING

Piano Recital

November 12, 2011

Payton and Savannah have been taking piano lessons for the last year.  A sweet lady in our ward offered lessons for free.  We couldn't pass that up.  It hasn't been the easiest thing in the world to get them to practice the way they are supposed to.  But it has been awesome to hear their progress.

They each played 3 songs.  Unfortunately, the recital was held in the chapel so I couldn't record it.  Just know that they ROCKED IT!!  Doug and I were beaming!

Savannah and Payton with Lila Burgin.  She is very sweet and patient and we greatly appreciate the (free) time she devotes to teaching our kids.  What an amazing gift and act of service!!

Halloween Weekend

Thursday; Pumpkin Carving

Jillian's (the big one)

and

Izzy's (the polka-dot one)

Savannah's (back)

and

Payton's (front)

Mine.

If you couldn't tell, it's a G for Gifford.

Friday; Party Time.

Jillian's class party.

Butterfly and Bumble Bee

They had a blast buggying down with Mr. Coyner's music!

Also, on Friday, Doug and I went to an adult Halloween Costume party.  We did dress up, I just didn't get any pictures.  We went dressed as our host and hostess whom have a blog called 'Training With a Track Coach and his Adorable Wife'

So...we were Track Coach and Adorable Wife.  I even had a little spy (the sister) go to their house and 'borrow' some of their athletic gear.  I'm proud to say that everyone thought it was hilarious and we won for most creative costumes!  Glad they were good sports about it!!

Saturday; Trunk or Treat

Savannah the Pirate Princess

Isabelle the Bumble Bee

Payton as Zorro...without his mask.  (It was a last minute costume)

Jillian the Butterfly

Doug and I headed to the temple with the youth that night, so the kids got lucky when grandma said she would take them to the Trunk or Treat.

 Monday, we hit the streets of Onalaska for our very first time taking the kids trick or treating.  We usually just stick to the Trunk or Treat.  It was an interesting experience.

We visited a few friends and then came back to Grandma's house for some family activity's with the cousins.  It involved donuts and apples and lots of spit.  Good times.



A VERY LONG ROAD...show

October 22, 2011

This year our stake had a Road Show.  That's where every ward has to come up with an original 15 minute play and then perform it for the entire stake.  Oh, and it's a competition!  For some odd reason, I got myself all caught up in it...ended up writing the script and helping direct!  I think I'll think twice about that next time around.

I tried to get as many people in the ward to participate as I could.  Of course that meant my children.  They were thrilled to be a part of it.

The title of ours was "Dot and the Seven Seekers."  We had a theme that we had to base the play on.  That happened to be the 13th Article of Faith.

The girls were part of the 'Mini's' and Payton ended up taking on the roll of a Triple D (he was Disobedience).  They were so stinkin cute and enthusiastic!  I think I might have some thespians in this little family of mine.  The audience LOVED the hair-do's!

Jillian among some other Mini's.

Isabelle...that hair was pretty impressive!!

We used small water bottles!

Payton with the other Triple D's and their followers. 

The lady that was taking pictures for me didn't get a straight on shot of Savannah...so this is as good as it gets for her.  You can almost see her behind Izzy's hair!

It was fun to be a part of.  Lots of work and time, but fun.  Unfortunately we didn't win the big prize, but everyone had a blast!  And that's all that really matters...at least that's what I keep telling myself!

26 Weeks...

and counting...slowly.

Instead of complaining about every little thing that I don't like about being pregnant, I am going to stay positive and recite what I read the other day and leave it at that.

"I GROW HUMANS.  WHAT'S YOUR

 SUPER POWER?"