SISTA HIGHLIGHTS!!!

FRIDAYS ARE THE BEST DAY!!!

SISTER HIGHLIGHTS

are here again! BAM!

Say hello to the beautiful

Christina!!!

(wow...she's a stunner!!)

WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? 

Christina Vierra

WHAT IS YOUR INSTAGRAM USERNAME? 

@snarkysoccermom

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? 

Georgia. I love the south and can't imagine raising my family anywhere else, but I will ALWAYS be a New England girl at heart. We're WICKED cool. ;)

 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TREAT? 

What isn't? I'm a habitual snacker. Salty snacks are my weakness, though -- like french fries. Or Pringles. Whole cans of Pringles at once. It's a sickness. I need a 5-step program. They make "veggie" chips that come in a Pringles-type can now, so I'm making the steps to get healthy. (you can do it! hahaha)

HEELS OR NIKES? 

Flip flops. Definitely flip flops.

TELL US 5 THINGS THAT ARE IN YOUR PURSE RIGHT NOW! 

Keys, gum, lip gloss, Lightning McQueen, and hand sanitizer. Basically, every modern woman's essentials list.

TELL US ONE OF YOUR UNIQUE TALENTS?

 Ummmmm. I know A LOT about viruses, bacteria, and outbreaks (epidemics and pandemics). A lot may actually be an understatement. It's kind of a combination of pure scientific fascination and hypochondria, but I totally missed my calling as virologist/epidemiologist. Maybe someday when my kids don't need me as much, I'll do something with it. Hopefully I won't be one of those little old white-haired ladies who "accidentally" trips up with her walker in an infectious disease class and has to break her fall by grabbing onto some nice, good-looking young man's backside. (We call dibs on her for the zombie apocalypse)

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE? 

When you know better, you do better -- Maya Angelou

TELL US ONE PERSON THAT INSPIRES YOU AND WHY? 

This is one of those questions that haunts me because, no matter how hard I try, I can never just choose ONE. There are many people who inspire me, for many different reasons. I love a good story. A story that makes you think or feel. Strength. Love. Kindness. Wisdom. Courage. Beating the odds. Chances are, if you've exhibited any of those qualities -- whether you're in the public eye or the woman who sells me popcorn and a soda at Target every week -- you've probably inspired me at one time or another. Also, the guy who invented coffee. Nuff said.

FABULOUS!!! We totes sang that...

Thank you Christina for sharing yourself with us!

We love you!!

And then there's this little superstar....

Say hello to
TIFANY!!

(hottie little cali girl!)

What is your full name?  

Tifany Orellano - my mom gave me one "F", she wanted it to be unique. I have no middle name- none of the girls in my family do. My mom kind of thing... 

What is your Instagram user name?

@gr8tfulhearts

 I really believe if I look through life grateful, it immediately changes your perspective on EVERYTHING!! 

Where do you live?

Murrieta, CA- So Cal girl my whole life. Born in San Clemente 

What is your favorite treat?

Peanut butter in all its varieties . My absolute favorite is holiday Reese's (hearts, trees, eggs, pumpkins). I have been known to eat my own case, without batting an eye!! Popcorn, caramel, See's peanut butter chocolates, cheesecake. 

Heels or Nikes?

Definitely nikes!! I'm about 5"11. Always felt too tall for heels. But I have a love of the gym!! Played competitive volleyball for a lot of years- I'm still a gym rat 

Tell us 5 things that are in your purse right now! 

Protein bar 

Glittery lip gloss 

Mints (Cuz I can't have gum)

Victoria secret body spray 

Gift cards from Christmas 

(we know you have ZipFizz in there too woman!)

Tell us one of your unique talents? 

I 100% love the gospel of Jesus Christ!! I have always thought I didn't have a lot of talents. I'm not good at gardening, sewing, scrapbooking etc. But I have been blessed with a strong testimony for as long as I can remember. I remember being so young and talking to my family about my feelings about the temple. I have not lived a perfect life, I have fallen short, but my Heavenly Father knew I would not make it through this often times difficult life without a deep rooted love for my Father in heaven and His son Jesus Christ. It's as much a part of me as my size 9 feet . 

and I love to work out- is that a talent? 

I fall often. I've fallen down the 3 steps at church. Yep, I did it. After saying the opening prayer. Is that a talent? (not sure but we would love to witness it..haha)

I care for elderly patients for a living. I love them!!! Talking to them, listening to their amazing stories brings me so much joy!!

What is your favorite quote?

We shouldn't wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover happiness was already available- All the time!!! 

~Deiter F. Utchdorf

Tell us one person that inspires you and why?

It would have to be my grandma. She has inspired me my whole life!!! She taught me how to love!! She taught me how to gather family together often. She taught me that love is unconditional and doesn't mean you agree with their choices, but love is required to be given freely. She gathered me close to her often, she was my biggest cheerleader, she made me feel like I was GOOD and capable of so much!! She had to much faith in me and what I was capable of. The greatest thing is, she was like that with EVERYONE!! she made everyone feel like that. She just knew how to love!! She left this earth 2 years ago this month. And she still teaches me all the time. Love you grandma ❤️ 

I love my sisters!! Blood or not, they strengthen me to be the best version of me I can be!! Love u all

Seriously tho.... just being around this girl makes you feel good.... she is purely amazing. 

THANK YOU TIF!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

(play right!)

#hugstimesfive

Miss Trunchbull's Chocolate Cake

HOLLA!! #3 here....

YOU ALL REMEMBER THE MOVIE MATILDA?!

With Miss Trunchbull....and her Chocolate Cake?!!
Freakin love that movie!!!

I posted the pic below on my Instagram and promised to share the recipe with the sistas that asked for it...

HERE IT IS!!

MISS TRUNCHBULL'S CHOCOLATE CAKE

1 pkg chocolate fudge cake mix

1 sm. box of instant fudge pudding

8 oz sour cream

1/2 C vegetable oil

1/2 C warm water

4 eggs

12 oz. chocolate chips

1 jar of hot fudge topping

Heat oven to 350*. Mix all ingredients except hot fudge topping. Grease and flour a bundt pan. Pour batter into pan (it will be thick) and bake for 55 min. Cool 10-20 minutes before inverting onto serving plate. Cool an additional 10 minutes and drizzle with hot fudge. 

ENJOY! 

DON'T PUT ME IN THE CHOKEY!!

:)

Youth Conference........

Sometimes we need a little quiet reminder.........

:)

We NEED not worry!

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Over this past weekend Amie, her husband, boys and daughters, myself and Autumn went to "Winter" Youth Conference in our ward.

Amie and I were called to do the food!

BIGGGG JOB!!!

Me, being food challanged...lol

{No really,,}

Amie directed me and I obeyed!

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The Bishop in our ward Challanged our youth and primary and adults to read the B OF M by June 30th. 3 pages a day!

we have ACCEPTED that challange. He promised many blessings in our home!

Super Excited to do this with my family!

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Amie and I played......

Mostly alone in our own little corner...lol

Amies Daughter got to come and do Snow shoeing and Cross Country skiing with the Youth.

Me and Amie listened to Rascal Flatts in the kitchen and sang and cooked.  :)

WE had MANYYYY amazing speakers come, with an incredible Testimony meeting afterwards!

Cute little servers....

Ping Pong WARS!

Autumn gave a BEAUTIFUL devotional on "seeking the sweet" in our lifes.

Finding good in ALL THINGS! and not comparing!

She did wonderful!

Our "Fire and Ice" Hoodies!!

Fire representing-------Find Individual Revelation Everyday

Ice representing------Include Christ Everyday!

More cooking.....

our feet KILL!

Who doesn't sneak in chocolate on a spoon?  duh!

Killer Hot coco BAR!! 

I seriously feel SO BLESSED AND HAPPY!

To be able to experience this with my daughter, but also with my nephews, nieces, sister and brother in law!

It was so SILLY, stressful and spiritual all at the same time!

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Here is a little SNEAK peek at amie and I's grannie laughs......as we Twisted and turned down the hill on a razor. IT WAS SOOOOOOO COOOOLD!!!!

So glad I didn't pee......  ;)

SISTER Highlights!!

Sister Highlights have returned!

YES in deed!!!

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season.....

Meet SARAHN

Love the LIPS Sarahn!

 What is your full name?      

 SARAHN ANGELA DURFEE MUND

                      What is your Instagram user name?                      

@SARAHNMUND // @DODAWRAPS

Where do you live?

 PERRY, UTAH 

(BUT WILLARD WILL ALWAYS BE MY HOME)

{All five sisters are from Perry too!! Woot!}

What is your favorite treat?

EUROPEAN KIT-KATS...AND RICE KRISPY TREATS

     Heels or Nikes?       

HEELS FOR LIFE!

Tell us 5 things that are in your purse right now!    

ABOUT 25 LIPSTICKS, GUM, NOTEBOOK, NOVEL (ORPHAN TRAIN), INHALER 

                    Tell us one of your unique talents?                        

 I CAN YODEL! BUT--I REALLY LOVE TO SING AND SHARE MY FEELINGS BEST THROUGH SONG.

                        What is your favorite quote?                                   

"Sometimes you just have to put on lipgloss and pretend to be psyched." -Mindy Kaling 

(Because...you can't go wrong with lipgloss! 

And, if you fake it long enough...you really will feel psyched!)

         Tell us one person that inspires you and why?       

My only (and best, most favorite) younger sister, Kelsey, inspires me every single day. She was epileptic from 11 months old until she was nine--and endured a serious brain injury when she was seven. She is also on the autistic spectrum. But--nothing stops her! She has a way of reaching the unreachable and touching the (seemingly) untouchable. She is quick to forgive and loves fully and easily. Kelsey has the kindest heart and fights through all of the mean and hard that comes her way. I am a better mom, friend--and person because she is mine. Heavenly Father knew I needed her!

 Beautiful Family Sarahn........

We love the love you have for your SISTER.  

Thank you for sharing yourself with us!

  ~Meet Jill ~

Hello Jill and all those darling smiles!!

What is your full name?  

Jill Marie Kirk

 

What is your Instagram user name? 

@luckiestgirlalive
 

Where do you live? 

Osage Beach, Missouri 

(forever a Utahn at heart!)

 

What is your favorite treat?

 gooey brownies
 

Heels or Nikes? 

slippers!!

{ha ha, way to think outside the box!  love it.}

Tell us 5 things that are in your purse right now! 

diaper, lip gloss, gum, receipts, cash

Tell us one of your unique talents? 

 I don't know!!  ahhh.  I used to play sports.  Too old now.  I used to work as a nurse.  Now SAHM.  I love to craft and do photography but declare myself amateur.  I have to say my talents are still blossoming!!  Oh, but I can sleep REALLY good.  Anytime.  Anywhere ;)
{lol. sleep really good}
 

What is your favorite quote? 

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough."  

I totally and completely believe this.  

Gratitude is the key to joy and fulfillment!!!  

It is magic. It.changes .everything.

{WOW.  Love that.}
 

Tell us one person that inspires you and why? 

My husband.  He's a combo of superman and batman.  He can just do it all!!!  Ugh.  It's almost aggravating ;)  And he has NO pride. He's so amazing and I'm so thankful he's in my life.  He shows me so much patience and forgiveness and love.  It's amazing the power of love that can change you when it's given so freely.  He chose me and continues to choose me every day, and because of that it makes me want to do and be better for him and our children!!!  Our parents are obligated to love us and that's such a beautiful and safe love, but when another person chooses to love you despite all your flaws and weaknesses, of their own free will, it is empowering!  I'm getting all sappy...but geez I just love my man and I love watching him serve in his profession, in his church callings and with our family.  He's the most amazing person I've met on this planet!  His motto in life is to "Share Gods Love."  He is the perfect example of that and you can see the humility in this mission statement.


Pictures are: family portrait of my wild and crazy family!  Gotta love it!  

And from our temple sealing to our baby this past Summer. All three of our kids are adopted.  We're so blessed!!! Adoption rocks.

I just want to thank you ladies for sharing your time and talents to empower us all and help strengthen one another!!!  It DOES make a difference.  I'm so grateful for you!!

Thank you Jill!  You and your family are simply inspiring!

Thanks for your example and your sense of humor is pretty fabulous too!

Until next time....

#hugstimesfive

#unplugged

I recently joined a #unplugged challenge....

I chose a day to completely unplug from Social media and my phone to be more PRESENT with my children and family!

This week i did it. IT WAS hard the first few hours, as I am addicted to my phone, i like keeping my hands busy and my phone is usualy right at my fingertips.

Pinterest, Instagram, Jane.com app, Amazon, and editing pictures on Rhonna.....:)

Those are my LOVES!

I find myself on there sometimes not even realizing it. {addiction...eh?}

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After a FULL day without and putting my phone away I cannot believe how much I enjoyed my day with my kids....lol

Altho I still took many pictures.......{wink wink}

I think I will be #unplugging MORE........and hoping many of you jump on this train. :)

For all those who #unplugged  or will SOON unplug.....tell me about it!!!

Tell me what you did with your families!!!

I will choose someone and sent you a pink #unplugged Tee! whoop whoop!!!!

I will wear mine and post on Instagram.

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So I started my day with this fabulous book.... B OF M! #Boom

*a zipfizz

*dove chocolates

*Winter candy Apple from bath and body

Took this little Sugar out for Lunch!!

She Shopped at Quilted Bear for American Girl clothes.....she found some DARLING things there!!

We hit the MEGA sale at Bath and Body and got our favorite scents for 75% off...

$3 a bottle??? 

Charlee got some of her very own....she was pretty thrilled!

Chatted with Autumn about clothes, BOYS, food and MORE BOYS!

{HEAVEN HELP ME}

I've been trying to talk talk talk to keep the communication open...Teens are a whole different ball game. gah....

Charlee and I were the cheerleaders to Mike and Jax's NERF GUN WAR late at night....

And Charlee wrapped presents for her AG doll "Lily Ann" and used all my GOOD/ favorite tags....

{I bit my lip on this one.....I didn't want to burst her bubble...and i let it go}

Charlee gathered everyone in the kitchen so we could watch lily open presents....

{the Struggle is real}

Mike and I started on our very first HOME project!

It was so FUN doing this together.....

B&B board in our entry way. LOOOOOVE!

I secretly hope this lit a little fire on his bum! I soooo want to do more..., because I secretly have a wish list of fun projects for our home. Secretly of course. {Mike are you reading this?}

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Who is doing #OLW this year?

Last year my word was "Reach". and I surrounded myself with that word all year long....to accomplish goals and have a reason to focus on.

THIS year......I chose "SHINE".

Two weeks ago I was having a rough few days. A situation from those you felt you could trust became non trusting and hurtful. Having hate in their hearts with full intentions to do NOTHING good or right. Only to hurt.

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It took me a few days to recover. Satan WAS all over that deal........he was feasting and loving every minute of it im sure.

After I wallowed in misery I got on my knees and prayed. I prayed HARD.

First of all to try and forgive them, and second to GET MY POWER BACK!

To stand in my power!

Its our personal duty to work hard and to be who we are MEANT to be. OUR joy, happiness, relationship with Christ and successes are our responsibility. PERIOD!

Stand in our truth of who we are....there is so much POWER THERE!

Our hardships, shortcomings, journey is like no one elses. We are all sent here to fulfill and learn our OWN purpose. we MUST work hard!! 

LET HARD DAYS AND TRIALS fuel us!!

 Fuel our own personal fire to do MORE GOOD!

Keep pushing forward.....take BACK your power and SHINE!!!!

DO NOT SHRINK!!!

Don't let others make you feel small.

But we can ONLY do it with Christ!

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AFTER feeling all this power inside me three days after.....I had a dear friend stop by and give me a handmade framed word with a star that said "SHINE".

She felt prompted to make it and bring it over. NOT knowing what was even going on in my personal life.

I CRIED!

I was so thankful for loving friends and for a loving savior who works through people.

I was trying to decide on a word for this year,I had three words I was thinking about..........two days ago I looked over and saw her little frame sitting there......and "SHINE" screamed at me and tears filled my eyes and I KNEW,.....I knew this was my word for the YEAR!!

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Shine through your talents.

Shine for HIM!

Shine and see yourself as GOD sees you.

Shine so MY CHILDREN feel loved when they are around me.

Shine BECAUSE he did NOT create us to be DULL!

Shine for others so others feel HOPE.

Shine to show gratitude for YOUR LIFE and blessings.

Shine so others know you have a close relationship with Christ.

SHINE!!!!

Freely shine.......:)

One last thing................

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In 2015

I will NOT shrink.

I will Shine for myself, for God and for others.

I have finally decided to write a book.

THIS IS MY YEAR!

Its been on my mind for MONTHS....I know this is my journey.

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I have SO MUCH to share....

I've been to hell and back and I want to share my true raw struggles in hopes to LIFT those around me.

My story matters!

YOUR story matters...

We all have a story to write, and im going to write mine!

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