Lets go to lunch!

Let's pretend you and I are out to lunch.
Oh my goodness we are having so much fun!

 I am eating a yummy salad

and you eating a chicken sandwich.

Can you just smell it?


 You begin to ask me about my family and especially my sisters. 

You wonder why we began 
Your Sister's Circle 
and you ask me 
How do you possible have time to for this?

Then I tell you to get another dirty Diet Coke and listen for a minute....

 Why they are so special?

 Why they are so incredible? 
Why would I take this adventure with them?

We are not perfect! 
Far from it -
but 
WE KNOW 
in our hearts that a 
WOMAN'S ROLE 
is DIVINE!!! 

di·vine¹

diˈvīn/

adjective

1. of, from, or like God or a god.

   "heroes with divine powers"

   • .
2. informaldated

   excellent; delightful.

   
   

And if we can help each other see that 
....haven't we accomplished a lot???

That is why we do what we do.... 
We want others to see what we see in each other! 

So I begin sharing about each of my sissies...

 to open your eyes

THEN YOU CAN SEE

why the sisters around 
YOU 
are 

so amazing

 and wonderful 

and delightful!

We need each other! We need support and love, and kindness.
No more judging, comparing and self-pity.
That is the OPPOSITE plan!

We like our Savior's plan better!
That is why we are here...

KERI-

#1 
{I like her sayings on the wall next to her curly hair}

Keri is very compassionate.

 She loves to help others and and would give her left shoulder, her right arm, 
her left leg to help someone in need. 

If we needed anything she would be there in a hurry! No question. And she would have a game plan, written out agenda and

 it would be completely organized! 

She is passionate about her children. 
I love how she loves the details of their lives. 

She has a wonderful testimony of her Savior and you can feel it when she talks. 

Ker-Bear you are loving, kind 

and the best big sister.:)

{Cute little clover... Keri's only daughter}

KRISTI-

#3 

Kristi can hold her own! 
She has had a rough ride but no one would ever know it! She doesn't use the "victim" card....ever! 
Which is amazing! 
I said that Keri would do anything for you ...Kristi is the exact same way. She would give you the shirt off her back even when she doesn't have the money to replace it. She is truly a giver!

If you want a good laugh...hang around Kristi for a few minutes. She will have you rolling. 
Her humor heals our family. 

And she has raised 2 incredible children. 
They are just like her!

{Kristi Loves to crochet!}

Kristi has always had the Light of Christ in her. You could just look at her and know she KNOW'S. 
She has always known. I love that.....

Tisti.....You are one of a kind!:)

AMIE-

{She has become quite the garnder!}
#4

Amie has always been quiet.
 But I have so say she is bold! She is firm. She is resilient! 

I love the way she mothers her children. They love her and respect her. They look up to her. She has taught them about responsibility and honor. Her boys and girls work hard! They know how too! 

(maybe Chad had something to do with it too)

Amie can keep the cleanest house! Seriously! She is one tidy lady... Her house is beautifully put together which I know brings her joy! It's where her family resides. She is creating a HOME. 

Amie has such an amazing powerful spirit. She is quiet when it comes to her testimony. It is hard for her to express how she feels 

but you can see it in her life. 
It is powerful!

Mamie- You are truly incredible!:)

And the very last of all the game-

ANNIE!

#5

Annie has always been the life of the party. She is still that way! Always wanting to do something, create something, go- go- go and do- do-do. 

Heavenly Father has trusted HER with 4 great kids. And she is doing fabulously!

  

Annie has become a refined Woman of Christ.
 It has been an amazing journey for her. And I have loved to watch her Light Shine bright. 

To see her and Mike together and the love they have for one another is truly inspiring!

 She is a gift to our family!

Nannie Goat- You're magnificent!:) 

ya know....
We are not any different from any of you!
 We are just ordinary women 
having extra-ordinary experiences!!

LIFE has a way of 
bring you those extra-ordinary experiences 
and we wouldn't change it for the world!


Now... my challenge to each of you sissies out there! Write a card, send a note, an email or text! 

Tell your "sister" out there why you love her! 

How has she inspired you? 

List all of her good qualities and take her to lunch! 
Have a chicken sandwich and a dirty diet coke and TALK!!!

We should praise each other! 

Lift and Share!

That is my challenge!

Lift a Life and Share!

Hugs times 5!

#2 out!

Now... Who really would like to go to lunch??

Sister Scribble

 

 

Todays Sister Scrib   

 #sisterscribble

 fit in perfectly with what our family did this week!

{thanks #4}

My dad owns this WONDERFUL building in Brigham city. Its an old Hotel built in 1902.

He has worked hard over the years to make the rooms into charming little apartments, perfect for newlywed couples. {My dads Favorite}

He has an elderly lady up top that needed to move to the bottom outside apartment.

She has no family........

All it took was a group text from my dad asking for our service for this weeks FHE.

And we were there.....:)

Helping----Serving------and lending her OUR family!

.

 

 

When we HELP others and serve.....it naturally helps ourselves.

Our Lives are busy-------it seems to be easier when our children are included.  Its good for them to sweat, work and think outside of themselves, games and friends.

And meet those they are serving....

Xoxo!

 

 

 

 

We had a sister meeting this last week.......

and as always Annie DEMANDS pictures!

{they will thank me one day}

Sister #5 had it at her home with a little surprise waiting for each sissy......

 

Who else is in love with Succulent plants lately?

 

 

Real Quick-------

#5 here showing my recent RE-do.

 

 

 

As per my husbands request, he wanted a side table downstairs in his manly cave.

He has this old filing cabinet that wasn't being used and super ugly.....

I spray painted it, cut and sanded wood, stained it and then screwed them in!

WA-LA!

Manly man-cave worthy of his remotes. :)

.

.

Think outside of the box.....use what you HAVE!

Re-remember its  your home, nobody else's!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SISSY HIGHLIGHTS!!

It's Sissy Highlight Friday 

on AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday 'Merica!

Meet CUTE Corinne!!

What is your full name?

Corinne Klc 

(yep that's how its spelled!! Its pronounced Kelch and its from Slovakia)

What is your Instagram user name?

@wheniwearlipstick

Where do you live? 

We just moved to Brigham City, UT, but I'm originally from Idaho!  

Forever a country girl---showing my husband 

the beauty of small town living.

{all five "your sister circle sisters" are Box Elder Bees.  yep.}

What is your favorite treat? 

Seriously? I'm such a foodie. 

I will eat almost anything you put in front of me besides 

fish, and tomatoes. With that being said, the way to my heart is to cover it in chocolate

-- bananas, cherries, strawberries... 

{now were talkin' sista!}

What is your favorite color? 

Right now Tiffany blue is killing me! I can't get enough! 

{ack........LOVE THAT COLOR}

Tell us one of your unique talents? 

Hopefully I don't sound like a freak. My husband calls it obsessive awareness. 

I have a thing for noticing and remembering small details about people that go unnoticed. I can remember these random details for years to come. 

Has anyone seen the show Psych? That's the easiest easiest way to explain it. Just by over observing details I can piece together information. 

 Haha my family doesn't always appreciate my "talent" 

they are always trying to test my abilities. 

One of these days they are just going to accept the fact that Mom is just really good at her job and them testing me is just sharpening my skills. 

What is your favorite quote?

  

We have had quite a fun time these last few years. In searching for answers and trying to have faith in the Gods plan I came across this one: 

"Being humble means recognizing that we are not on earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others." 

- Gordon B. Hinckley

I have been humbled (boy have I been humbled) through my trials and one thing I have learned is a better understanding of others and their trials. Being at rock bottom and looking up. I selfishly look for ways to serve not only because I understand the struggle a bit better but because it helps me to feel good when my own life is a bit out of control. 

Tell us one person that inspires you and why?

My baby girl. 

Last August I was 6 months pregnant with my son, finishing up my first semester back to school (in 10 years!!) and running at about 50% energy. My husband has had type 1 diabetes since he was 4 years old ... so the first thing we do at our house when someone isn't feeling good is check their blood sugar. I am a bit of a weenie when it comes to needles and was terrified to poke my finger and check. Jocelynne -- who was 2 at the time-- said, "Mommy I'll do it." So we made a deal that if she poked her finger and checked her blood sugar I would do the same. 

 My husband and I were in denial when Jocey's blood sugar came back in the high 500s. (normal people have a blood sugar of 80-120.) We checked again on 3 different meters and they all showed the same result. To make a long story a bit shorter we spent a few days with her at Primary Children's Hospital where she was officially diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just like her Daddy. 

Can you imagine someone telling you that you have to prick your toddlers fingers 8 times a day and give her 5-7 shots of insulin? I was devastated and the pregnancy hormones didn't make it easier. We had to physically hold her down to complete these tasks and I begged and pleaded with God to let me take this away from her and put it on myself. Little by little the days have gotten easier. I was blessed with an understanding of the disease where to most it is confusing.

 Jocelynne's fingers have built up some callouses to where the finger pokes don't hurt as much, we found an amazing doctor and Jocelynne is now on a pump which makes the disease a bit easier to manage and although we still have bad days we have found strength in helping others and talking openly about our life and experience. 

The scariest part of type 1 diabetes is what can happen if it is not managed. Extreme highs for long periods of time will start to effect her eyes, kidneys, heart, limbs, and nervous system. Extreme lows will cause her to have seizures,which, if not treated, will result in death. It's a constant balancing act daily to keep this girl healthy and give her the best possible chance at a long and happy life. We call her our "Little Warrior Princess" and she is the bravest kid I know.  

We recently embarked on a new adventure of owning a diabetic alert dog named August to help us out. This guy is amazing and through scent he can tell us if Jocelynne or my husbands blood sugars are high or low. We get up every two or three hours at night check blood sugars, but he helps me sleep better those few hours at night because I know he's also looking out for my girl. People tell me I'm crazy to take on a puppy with everything we have going on right now but I was on the crazy train a LONG time ago. 

I have a motto I live by-- I can do hard things when I wear red lipstick--- let me tell ya it works! My red lips are on almost daily!! 

{LOVE THAT!!!}

  

We have created an Instagram account 

@littlewarriorprincess if you want to follow our journey.

I love Your Sister Circle and everything it brings to the table. I feel grateful to have found such an amazing group of sisters to share our life's journeys with. Can't wait for the retreats!!

WOWeee SISTA Corrine.  Your amazing!! What a most precious journey to share with us.  Thank you.  Thank you. May your family be forever blessed.
 

Well...............HELLO there TERESA!

{dying over the gorgeous blue eyes. hello.}
 

  

What is your full name?

 

Teresa Ann Manookin Jones 

(That's how it appears on my Facebook--to distinguish me from the gazillion Teresa Joneseseses there are in the world.) 

What is your Instagram user name?

I have two accounts 

@sweetcreekmoon and @sweetcreekcloset

Where do you live? 

Smithfield, Utah

 What is your favorite treat?

Favorite anything usually has to do with the moment I'm in. A lemon/raspberry cream cupcake of deliciousness at Kneaders at the moment.

What is your favorite color? 

I love CoLoR--lots of it.

Tell us one of your unique talents? 

Uhm. 

1.  I can say the alphabet backwards. 
2.  I love pie crust. My favorite birthday treat is actually a flaky, delicious Apple Pie topped with a crispy, crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth piece of heaven--sans the apple pie. Not kidding. (A friend sends it every year. I savor the tasty morsels.)
3.  I have beautiful feet. ~grin~ 

What is one of your favorite quotes:

"It is well to remember that the entire universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." 

Andrew J. Holmes

Tell us one person that inspires you and why?

As far as inspirational people go, I am quickly and profoundly impressed by people who do creative, kind and wonderful things without recognition. They are silently remarkable, I suppose. Okay--I'm actually inspired by anyone who is creative, kind and wonderful. With or without recognition. My very small part of the world is filled with them. 

Anything else you'd like to share? 

I love acting. This is me as Dolly Levi, in "Hello, Dolly!"--one of my favorite roles.

And--one unusual talent is that I wait until after something crazy has happened to go berzerk--which means I'm excellent at handling emergencies but you'd better give me some alone time afterwards.

For instance--a company was installing extra insulation in our attic and one of the workers fell through the ceiling. I was about 15' away working away at the computer when he "dropped in." Handsome Dude (my husband) wasn't home and the other insulation fella just ran outside to the truck in a panic. Luckily, I had my super hero cape on underneath my hoodie and grabbed the guy's legs and guided them to the banister. It seems crazy that it happened at all. The pics are the aftermath. What a mess.

{Ok this story is the best!.....super hero cape.  ha!}
 

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As a side note to Your Sister Circle--I think you are doing 

wonderful things--and am particularly delighted that you are doing it as sisters.  You're amazing.

Sister #1 here....adding in my two cents about Teresa. I'm going to toot her horn a bit more. 

...toot!
 

Teresa is an institute teacher and an excellent public speaker.  She knows how to make words come alive and speak to the heart.  I've personally heard her on several occasions (girls camp, young women's and recently at BYU Women's Conference).  Her light is bright.  You could say she's a bit of a Cache Valley celebrity with her speaking and acting talents. 
 

Teresa has a husband, affectionately called 

"Handsome Dude"

  
Teresa is also a blogger!  She blogs just like she talks, which makes for fun reading.  Love it!  Check it out.  Her last blog post is wonderful masterpiece. 

sweetcreekmoon.com

THANK YOU TERESA for sharing a piece of you with us!  YOU make the world a brighter place by your goodness!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!

We love you ALL!

Hurrah for the Land of the Free!

Operation Craft Room

Howdy....#3 in your face!!

Ya know how sometimes your house can just get away from you? Like far far FAR away? 

I've lived in my house for 4 years this week...and never had a ME room....My spare bedroom just collected junk and I never had time to get to organizing it. I badly have been needing a ME room...so I decided it was time to get things handled.. I don't have much down time...so I had to do it fast, easy, and CHEAP!

I thought I'd share the process and maybe help you with some ideas for creating a YOU space!!

First of all...I rent my home...so painting the walls is frowned upon...so I had to find another way to add color....and that is "painting everything else!" hahaha. I would have those walls SO painted if I could....SO PAINTED!!

So here is what I started with....

Piles of junk... just basically thrown in this room as storage. Yikes....

So...first I cleaned everything out...went through it all... and started painting the furniture I already had. (prior finds at local thrift shops....again.. just sitting in there waiting for my attention) USE WHAT YOU HAVE!!

First the dresser.

Just a basic couple coats of paint and then spray painted the wooden knobs gold. HI BAXTER!! He refused to move..haha! (I used the cheapest walmart had to offer on both paints...I will share the colors later in the post)

This is a shelf I borrowed from my Mom a few years ago and forgot to give it back on purpose...haha..HI MOM!!  Love you!

Slapped some fun gray paint on it...took off the wood shelf backing and modge- podged some gold scrapbook paper on it! BOOM!

This table I have had for YEARS...It was sad and oh so ugly!! I painted the top with gray and painted the legs with a fun coral color!!

 NEXT......I NEEDED CHAIRS!!! I went thrifting!! #poppintags

Found this beauty at the DI for $3...coral paint and some left over fabric I had from making sister quilts a couple years ago. BAM!

Found this gem at a local antique store for $10...you heard me...and its gold!! GOLD! I found it one evening driving around and almost had a stroke the next day waiting for the store to open....OPEN OPEN OPEN!!

Here are the paint colors I used...

Cheapest at Walmart in Satin finish...then I bought the cheapest can of gold spray paint!

Here are some after pics...

Organized all the crap...I bought the plastic shelf in the closet for $20 at Walmart... spray painted the basket on the table with gold.

Made the opposite wall an "art wall" added some wire to some old frames that will collect paintings and other shenanigans as they are done!

Always surround yourself with things you LOVE...

I love my new room....it has become my sanctuary... I feel calm and peace when I sit in here....

Got my music playing....scriptures available....paints on hand... yarn is ready to go....

I CAN CREATE.....

LOVE YOU SISSIES!!!
#hugstimesfive

Sister Scribble

LET FREEDOM RING!!!

Enjoy this wonderful Holiday! Stand proud to be an American! 

We live in such a great country!!!

Think of ways you can practice, protect, and preserve the freedoms you enjoy...

Happy Independence Day!