We have a live bat! (10/5/11)

We have a live bat living in our outside shed.  Been living there for two or more weeks.  Really neat opportunity to share this unusual situation with the kids.

US Marine Band performs at FSU

Tonight we are attending the 2011 National Concert Tour.

Delayed in posts/Office Setup

So, I have reviewed my blog over the past year. I was extremely dedicated until April and then I started dating BILLY. Then, we got married and then it was settle into married life which is something every night it seems. ESPECIALLY during Football Season!

BUT, I have posted more often than two of my brother's. Don't think I could ever keep up with SIL- The Rowdy Stroudy's. But today, even through MAJOR computer problems.... I finally feel like the computer area is setup.

It was dark but you get the idea. I love the board that holds all my pictures. It was given to me by my SIL Jacie last year for Christmas. It is suppose to be used to hold jewelry but since I travel so much and take my jewelry with me, I found a much better solution. Really like that I can change the picture out so often too.

Decorating for Halloween 2011

Carving the pumpkins was not the end, we also decorated. Had to make the candy corn trees again. Just this year we made three (3). My favorite is the fireplace with the cheesecloth web and black/purple spiders. Hard to see are the window decorations that the kids put in their room windows.

Looks kind spooky with the lights on at night.

Pumpkin Carving 2011

We carved pumpkins in an effort to get ready for Halloween. It was a fun Saturday afternoon activity.

Sydney's Left and Conner's Right

IT was Gooey! The fun part for me was that I didn't have to get my hand dirty. Actually, after taking a few pictures, I left them alone to finish and they worked great together. I finally get a break with having to help out 100%. So, this is what it is like to have two children that can entertain and help each other!

Do not dwell on days now gone

Do not dwell on days now gone, 

"I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future."

--Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Best Is Yet to Be", Ensign, Jan. 2010, 22–27
__________________

This was shared at church today and I felt a closeness to this quote.

Think positively by Rickenbacker

Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience.

~Eddie Rickenbacker 1890-1973, Decorated Aviator and Businessman

New Header...

I finally took time to make a header. Yes, it is 12:24am but sometimes it is worth missing sleep to get important projects completed.

The header is compiled of pictures that Carrie Stroud took at the wedding. To see her work, go to carriestroudphotography.blogspot.com.

Left Picture: Sydney and Conner at the wedding reception holding pinwheels.
Center Picture: Is of the beautiful box that my niece Brianna made for Billy and I as a wedding gift. It went so very well with the theme of the 4th of July. The saying is so true, "Let Your Love Sparkle".
Right Picture: Billy and I leaving the reception heading to the honeymoon suite at Brasstown Valley.

More pictures of the wedding will be posted soon. Yes, more pictures. It was great taking them, so got to share them!!!

Throwing a baseball

Saturday night, Billy got Conner a new baseball glove. He has been breaking it in this week. This evening, he was playing with the glove and saying that it was almost ready. I said let's go and throw the ball back and forth. So we did.

The best part was watching Billy's face as we started throwing. He had this grin on his face. I asked why he had that face. He responded that he was impressed that I could throw and catch. Made me feel good. All those years of playing little league softball proved itself tonight.

Notes from Stake Conference

Billy and I attended the Saturday night session of Stake Conference in Tallahassee. I took notes and below is what I got from the speakers. The spirit was very strong, I felt.

First Speaker (Topic: Firm a Foundation)
- Only in Jesus Christ can we have peace.
- Be of good cheer for I am in your mist.
- The more we know of the savior the more we can with stand our trials.
- I will ease the burdens that are on their backs.
- The lord will have a people that have been tried and tested. The trials will
be different.
- Trials and troubles come to all of us and we don't want to trade with anyone
else.
- When have trials we should ask yourself...
1) What would the lord want me to do with the situation
2) What am I to learn from this
3) Know that theses will give experience and strength
- Why trials... maybe it is because we are showing the lord that he can trust
us.
- Sometimes we can help others with the troubles that they go through.
- Quoted a song, "How Firm A Foundation" that goes along with talk....

How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

Second Speaker (Topic: Joy in studying the scriptures)
- Study the scriptures so that you need them
- The Lord knows us and He knows what we need. Important to rely on him because he knows us and by name (1 Corinthians 13)
- The scriptures are a way to speak to us.
- Ask as read, what would god have me do or feel.
- Go to the scriptures with a purpose.
- Going to the scriptures for what to do/Go for help.
- The Lord put HELP in the scriptures for us. They have they
answers for what we need.
- As read a scripture journals is a great way to recall what have learned.
- Set a time for self, like in the morning or evening. Once get used to regular scripture study will be missed if don't read. It's like food, we don't miss a meal.
- As we make the scriptures part of our lives, we can look forward to the scriptures becoming a part of us. For example, will begin to quote scriptures or use them in our lives daily.

Third Speaker (I chose to live by faith not fear)Billy liked inspirational quote
- True faith must be centered in Christ.
- Faith is a principle of action.
- Moroni Ch 7, discusses have faith.
- God is always faithful. He never flees.
- This speaker discussed a hymn that made a bunch of sense with faith and fear called, “When Faith Endures” hymn 128

I will not doubt, I will not fear;
God’s love and strength are always near.
His promised gift helps me to find
An inner strength and peace of mind.
I give the Father willingly
My trust, my prayers, humility.
His Spirit guides; his love assures
That fear departs when faith endures.

Fourth Speaker (Topic: Harmony)
- Many different stages of life.
- By power of Holy Ghost you shall know all things.
- Need to go to the Lord and ask what should do.
- Discussed what Harmony means
- Harmony, consider what struggle with and listen and feel.
- What could do to improve?
- Expects us to be unified as parents and have patience.
- Desire of harmony should help be more patient.
- Our responsible is to make each other be happy and not point out faults.
- Do best when serve those we love with peace.
- Speaker mentioned that whatever seems unfair will be made write in Gods time.
- Should anticipate the need to forgive....
- Story from Ensign in August 2011 “The Lords Grace is Enough”
- The atonement has no bounds, if willing to repent.
- Our imperfections can become our strength because with the Lord’s help able to overcome.
God loves us and forgiveness is progression.
- Come to understanding that we have weakness and as we strive to be better we can.
- Anticipate the need to forgive and forgive.

Cornerstones of a Happy Home by President Hinckley
- Have Mutual Respect (stop looking for faults but for virtues. Ask can you say anything good about me), an ideal wife is anyone that has an ideal husband. Husbands and wives respect one another.
- The Soft Answer (Proverbs... a soft answer turneth away wrath) when raise our voices a mole hill turns to a mountain. Might not seem raised to one but could be raised to someone. He that is slow to anger will bring peace.
- Financial Honesty (Malachi pour out a blessing. Those that are honest with god will be honest with our dealings. Isaiah 58 speaks of blessing as does Malachi 8
- Family Prayer (Kneeling together with family in prayer and the big storms will not be as big when take to Heavenly Father. Relationships will strengthen through the years and feel the security because of the spirit that lives in the home. Will mature and grow with faith in the living god of children in home. As we live in harmony we can identify what is missing in our lives but not of our spouse.

Choose your love and love your choice.

Financial Insight

"It is only when people shake off the baggage of financial misinformation they have acquired from their parents, teachers, friends and past financial disasters that they are able to advance themselves financially."  Todd Dean

I find much truth in this statement.

First day of Middle School

Sydney wouldn't poise for a pictures before school so I took it while she was walking with her new homeroom teacher, Dr Palmer.

2 kings 5:1-14

What I got from this...
Sometimes just showing up is half the battle.
Sometimes what is asked really not that hard.
Allow God to act in our lives.
Recognize him as he walks with us daily and let his providence in our lives.

My Matzo Ball Soup

Yummy. I made Matzo Ball Soup today because Billy and Conner are sick.  However it was a great reason for me to cook the soup. Ive not had any since NYC last summer.  Oh, how I love the memories that this soup makes me remember.  My dad would make this soup for us growing up. I love the memories of him cooking. A lot of times that I cook on Sunday are days that I remember my dad.

He also loved to shop for bargains so I am happy for share that I got 6 boxes of the soup for $.99 each regularly over $3.00 a box.  So that was one more additional memory of my dad. 

I hope this helps everyone feel better.

Also, this is so easy to make that it is an item that I am considering adding to food storage.

Santa Rosa Beach

We went to the beach Saturday with family. It was to celebrate the August birthday's and it was the last time for Billy to go since the teacher's come back on Monday so we could really relax and have fun.  Had a really great time spending time everyone.   Conner and Billy had the first  opportunity to spend time with my side of the family which was great for me to watch how well they fit in and are so loved.

Wedding pictures going to work.

Today I put some pictures in frames for Billy to take to work. It was really fun putting in frames and it was exciting to see his face light up as I put pictures in the frames.

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Quotable Quotes from Roberto Clemente

"Why does everyone talk about the past? All that counts is tomorrow's game."

"If you have an opportunity to make things better, and you don't do that, you are wasting your time on this earth."

Career Statistics
Batting average .317Hits 3,000Home runs 240Runs batted in 1,305

Roberto Clemente Walker (August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pirates (1955–72). He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in 1966. Clemente was selected to participate in the league's All Star Game on 12 occasions. He won 12 Gold Glove Awards and he led the league in batting average in four different seasons. He was also involved in humanitarian work in Puerto Rico and other Latin American countries, often delivering baseball equipment and food to them. He died in an aviation accident on December 31, 1972, while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was elected to the Hall of Fame posthumously in 1973, thus becoming the first Latin American to be selected and the only current Hall of Famer for whom the mandatory five-year waiting period has been waived since the wait was instituted in 1954. Clemente is also the first Hispanic player to win a World Series as a starter (1960), win a league MVP award (1966) and win a World Series MVP award (1971).

1st Run/Walk together

Yesterday it started! Billy and I are getting back into the groove of our lives. We had a nice meal together (used one of our new wedding bowls). We had more than a salad.Then we went for a jog together. Exercising with people has not been a preference of mine however Billy is different. That is because the people that I would start exercising with quit or had too many changes in their schedule. Billy already ran so us running together is "Just Perfect". We did a run/walk as we increase our mileage and I am going to look for a 5k for us to run in this Fall 2011.

BIG CHANGES...

Some major updates will be coming very soon.... I have been keeping some information on the down low.... So what is coming??? I got married July 2nd, 2011 in Hiawassee, GA to William Rayford Blitch. See some pictures below.... (this mean a new format but will take some time.)(Above photo by Carrie Stroud Photography)(Above photo by Click West Photo)(Above photo by Click West Photo)(Above photo by JP (http://clickwestphoto.com/)(Above photo by JP (http://clickwestphoto.com/)

I am now Carmella Stroud Blitch....

Sydney Smoothed her hair

On Friday, Sydney got her hair smoothed or some would say "straighten". Provana Perfection Smoothing System. It really does help with not making her hair "fluffy" as Sydney would say. See the pictures! She was very happy with the results!

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Breakfast in Bed/No Chores/Day at Beach/Home Cooked Meal

Breakfast in Bed/No Chores/Day at Beach/Home Cooked Meal....these are thing that we did for Billy for Father's Day.

Conner took him breakfast in bed, he buttered the toast and went and got the newspaper for his dad. I cooked the sausage, egg and cut up the fresh pineapple.

Then after church, it was off to the beach to relax.... Billy and Conner threw the football which I actually participated in a bit. Conner built a great sandcastle while Billy and I got some rays.

Then it was home where I cooked Pork Tenderloin, Pan-Seared Aparagus and Roasted Potatoes. Dessert was fresh cut and very cold watermelon! Yummy!

To top it off....Billy said this was the best Father's Day he had ever had. He didn't have to do a single chore (I even took out the trash for him). For gifts, he got a Watch with a wireless Heart Rate Monitor, Picture framed with he and Conner fishing (very adorable) and boxers.

Great Day for All.

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Sydney tries on a dress (6/7/10)

Sydney and I went dress shopping a few weeks ago. We settled on the teal one because it was more appropriate. Can't believe that she is only eleven sometimes.

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Oprah's Life Lessons Learned

Recently, as all the world knows, Oprah broadcast her last TV show. She offered some of her life lessons learned. Here are some Do It Tips to improve life....

• Be responsible for the energy you bring to another or into a space.


• All the energy you expend trying to hurt someone comes back to you as pain.


• When you get it that you and no one else are responsible for your life, you will get free.


• Release the shame.


• Never lose you sense of gratitude for life and beauty and kindness and love.


• Work to overcome the sense of unworthiness. You are worthy because you were born.


• Every single person wants validation. Give it. Allow yourself to receive it.


• Find a way to give some service to others.


• Think of God, not as a name, but as a presence.


• Be still and listen and know. Listen to the whispers in your life.


• Stand up for your inner child who has been hurt. Identify the hurt, however buried, and release it.


• Gratitude is what you should take away from experience.


• Don’t say goodbye. Say until we meet again.

National PTA Conf

Aloha!

This past week was me in Orlando, FL working the "Hang 10" Booth for AIL at the National PTA Conference. Below are captured moments in time. It was a very successful event and I really enjoyed visiting with my co-workers from around the USA.

Us working at the booth!

Me explaining the program to an attendee.

My Beautiful Director, Patti Morgan
Taking a break to check emails.
One evening we we went to Downtown Disney to eat at Bongo's, then we rode the water taxi back our car. But not until we had our Ghirardelli ice cream.
On the Water Taxi... Maricela, me and Patti