Laira's first day of School

Waiting out side
Standing by the school sign
Pointing to her name M&M
Laira's cubby

Laira and her teacher Mrs. Thibault. Laira thinks she is the greatest person ever! I am so happy that she is so excited for school. I love her and am so thankful to have such a smart, loving child.

I LOVE YOU LAIRA!

I love her!

Stay tuned for tomorrows 'Laira's first day of Kindergarten' post

Dear Friends,

A heart felt THANK YOU to everyone who came out and helped support the Clark-Nielson Families.

The Turnout, amazing.
The Balloons, beautiful
The Food, fabulous
The Spirit, overwhelming
The Money raised, $1131.18

Thank you for making a difference!

~Denae

Balloons of Hope

Ok so I posted earlier about Christian and Stephanie who were in the plane crash. Well since then I have felt like I wanted to do more but I didn't know what. Well I was always checking her sisters blog to look for updates and such and there was this posted one day.

Some of you may know that Steph and Christian have a family tradition of writing wishes on helium balloons to release them in the air (see:here.) On Saturday, we'd like to invite people anywhere, everywhere to write thoughts of faith and hope to be released at the same time. (Nie is going to love this!) Lets do 5:00 AZ time (6:00 MST/7:00/Central/8:00/Eastern). Will you all take pictures of the release where you are and e-mail me so we can post them on Monday?


Well I read that and then thought to my self.. Hey .. I can do that. So I posted on the blog that maybe we could go to the park those in Provo who wanted to join would. Well since then I have created a facebook group dedicated to their updates. The response has been HUGE! The Balloon launch has become huge. Needless to say I have been overwhelmed but at least I feel like I am doing something to help.

I received a phone call from Steph's brother and he filled me in on some other stuff, like they are trying to make it a big party. They have had catering donated and are trying to get some form entertainment. They want it to but just as big as I do. They want it to make a difference and I do too.

We are talking about and working on ways to help raise some money and show support. Its fun and exciting to find ways to help and that will actually make a difference.

So.. PLEASE if you are in Provo and have the time Come to Kiwanis Park in Provo ( 820 N 1100 E) around 5:45. Let off some Balloons , enjoy some fabulous food, Good company and show some support for some wonderful people who are fighting for their lives.

Pocket Pies :)

So, at my house someone usually makes some sort of treat on Sundays. Its just always been that way. I think I am actually the one who started it. I just love sweet carbs and I was always baking something. Well recently my little brother has taken a fondness to the Food Network and to cooking things. He watched a show called "Good Eats" and on this show they give the history and sometimes the molecular make up of one type of food. Well the one he watched was on Pocket pies. So he decided he wanted to make some of his own. He started the dough and asked if I would help with the fillings.

So I made a delicious Peach pie filling and a chocolate pudding filling. we spent over an hour getting them ready and cooking them. We decided to pan fry some and bake some. We had some peach ones that were finally cool enough to eat and I took a bite. Something wasn't right. My Brother looked at me and said.. "You're just messing with me .. right? Remember you are the one who made the filling" I replied with a mouth full of pie. "It isn't the filling" He took a bite and had to agree. I asked him if the Oil we fried it in was rancid and then he said. "Well the shortening I used smelled a little funny" So I went to the cupboard and pulled it out and it was VERY rancid. It smelt like Kerosene, and so did our little pocket pies.

Pies frying in the pan

Pies baking in the oven

Cooling pies.. waiting to be tasted

Tasted pies being thrown away

All of our hard work.. in the trash

PRAY!

Stephanie and her Husband so lovingly referred to as Mr Nielson on her blog were in a plane crash Saturday evening, Both are being treated for serious injuries. The Clark-Nielson families are requesting prayers and are having a fast today. Please join in and pray for a speedy recovery and that they can soon be home with their 4 adorable children.

I went to High School with Stephanie and I never really got the chance to get to know her as well as others but I enjoy reading her blog and seeing her love and zest for life, her children and her husband.

From Stephenie Meyer's Website:

The good people at Summit were thrilled to let me know that now Twilight fans are going to get their movie three weeks earlier than scheduled. That's right—Twilight will be released in theaters November 21st! Let the merry-making commence!

--Stephenie

Phlebotomy Class

So my 2nd Phlebotomy class was on Saturday and let me tell you, I am loving it! We got to poke eachother. I had been practicing turoqueting people at work and home to feel their veins so that I would do better at finding them. I really only stuggled to find them on a few people. So when I got to class I was pretty confident that I would be able to find the veins and hopefully poke them as well. The first girl poked someone and she shook so bad that I think it made everyone nervous. I volunteered to be poked next since that was what I was worried about most and if I got that over with I probably wouldn't be so nervous. So she poked me and it didn't hurt at all. We didn't know if we were in the vein until we attacked the tube and saw if we got blood flow. Well the girl attached the tube and all we could hear was a sucking sound and if totally freaked me out.

What had happened was she didn't all of the bevel (see picture) into the vein just the tip. so when the vacutainer was attached it just started sucking air. She pulled it out and man did my arm ache. Its better now but we all learned a lesson.

It was my turn to poke next and after all of my vein palpating preparations I was ready but still nervous I was going to hurt her. Well I put on the turnoquet and couldn't see a vein anywhere so I started feeling around and there was a great one, I just couldn't see it. So the instructor told me that I needed to trust my self. I felt it and just becuase I couldn't see it didn't mean that it wasn't there. So I slowly pushed the needle in and then attached the tube hoping for blood and WOOHOO I did it. I was so excited that I got it.

I am excited for the classes coming up and hopefully will get to start an externship so that I can get it done and hopefully start with Phlebotomy here at the hospital.

anyone want to let me practice ? ;)

Struggles... I feel like my life is full of them right now. I don't know which way is up.

I need to find a place to live but I also struggle with the fact that I don't want to talk Laira out of her school and put her in a different one. I found one that is in her school boundaries.. but I don't know if it is really available or if its just listed. And I also don't know if I can pass the credit check. But my cousin was telling me that if the stuff on your credit is medically related then they usually over look that. I did "apply" and so hopefully I will be able to get it but who knows.

There is so much in the unknown right now that its really starting to take a toll. I feel hopeless and just feel like giving up.

You Are Belle!

Intelligent and kind. Your beauty goes much further than your apperance. Also, you make judgements of people based on their personality and not their looks. Attaining all the knowledge that you can is one of your major goals in life, but you are also a person who can make things happen.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

UPDATED*****
I am half way through Breaking Dawn. All I am going to say is that I so didn't see it going this way!

OK I've finished the book. I was hesitant the 1st half of the book and I have to say that I am completely content with the way everything ended. Its a great book and a great ending to a fabulous series that I will continue to read over and over for a long time

10 of my favorite things..

Music is such a big part of my life I know that some things can be told so much better with music than just words alone. I am so thankful to be "musically cultured"



I LOVE THE MOVIES! It is great to have a place to go to experience something new.



Learning! I wasted so much precious time in High School and after not learning things and now I have such a thirst for knowledge and I am great full to work in a industry where there is endless potential for learning. I start a Phlebotomy class on Saturday and I am so excited to learn something new.



I really enjoy the creative ability the camera gives. I also love that it gives me the chance to document happy times to remember for ever. I love that technology allows us the chance to change and manipulate images to make them unique. I love taking pictures.




This one is a self explanatory Denae working graveyards = a lot less sleep



Blogging has become such a great therapeutic outlet for me. I love having a place that is all mine and I can write what ever I want and noone can tell me its wrong or that its one continuous run on sentence with no meaning. It also lets me keep intouch with people that I normally wouldn't .. I am blessed to be a blogger.



I love having books! I love that they can take me to a different place, a different life and let me enjoy feeling and being a new person for a while.

SO excited for Breaking Dawn.



Our neighbors brought us some fresh Cucumbers yesterday. I LOVE having a garden and fresh Veggies I am still trying to talk my Dad into finding a place where it would work to have a garden. Meanwhile I will take the Belnaps extras any day.



Friends. I have made some WONDERFUL friends lately. 2 in particular that I honestly don't know what I would do with out them. I am so happy to have friends to hang out with. When are our next Pedicures and when is our trip girls?



I LOVE Ruby Red Squirt. I have long been known as a fruit bat and I have a fruity soda that I love. Its ONE of my guilty pleasures.

What does Denae mean?

I found this on another friends blog. It kinda freaked me out while reading it how accurate it seems. What do you think?

What Denae Means

You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

So we were watching pictures on the TV from past vacations as a family today. This picture comes up

Laira yells with surprise. "Look at you mom you were so skinny"

What a selfesteem builder.

I am taking a hint from my friends and posting about memories. We all have memories of each other...building relationships...things we remember from years ago or a week ago that make us who we are.

So, I am going to treat this like a TAG. You are ALL tagged. Everyone who reads this post is challenged to make a comment about a memory you have of me. It can be big or small. It doesn't matter. You all play a role in my life. If you comment...I will leave a memory on your blog as well (unless you tell me not to!)

And if you don't have a blog...today is a good day to start one! (yeah, you knew that one was coming....)

PS.. Yes I did copy and paste this from Maureens blog. And I am absolutely terrified by the memories that some of you could post.

Do you need to be spiritually fed? ... then here you go

I received this email today from my Dad who got it from my Aunt. It was amazing. Please take the time to go to the link at the bottom. You won't regret it!

"I think this slide show will uplift you and touch your heart as well. It reminds me of this month's Ensign article by M. Russell Ballard on using the Internet.
I hope you find it as touching as I did.For many years the Mesa Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had exhibits on the temple grounds during the Easter season. This year, there was also a 'Reflections of Christ' photography exhibit in the Visitor's Center. The photographer was given permission to photograph Pageant cast members for the exhibit. They traveled to various locations in Arizona that the photographer felt looked like the places in Israel where the events took place and recreated the scenes. The photographer worked with a few other individuals to put together a 5 minute slide show which includes every image from the exhibit set to the hymn 'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.'Remember when you're watching the video that the photographs are real, they aren't paintings. Maximize the video so you can see it full screen. You can expand the screen to fit your entire computer screen for a better view by clicking on the lower right hand square icon (next to the volume). Rog."

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

Elder Darrington

Pictures from my brother on a mission!

I am at work thinking thoughts and you are reading them

Trying really really hard not to fall asleep while typing. Sometimes I wonder if working is the right thing for me. Then I think about my long and short term goals and there is no other choice. If I am going to get where I want to be by the end of the year then I need to work.

Sometimes I wonder if the Graveyard shift is what is best. So I will possibly pursue other possibilities and shifts in the future. Right now I am focused on getting through my Phlebotomy class and being able to move onto something new. I am excited to learn a new element in Health care but I am also not too excited to get poked by my fellow inexperienced pokers. But I suppose I will have to suck it up and tell my self that it really is all in my head.

another one of my goals has sort of morphed. I still don't know exactly what I am going to do about it. But I had the goal of having a new car soon. Something that had AC, all the windows and blinkers.. that isn't too much to ask is it? Well my dear sweet wonderful Dad did some calling around for me and found a new door that will solved some of the more pressing problems with my car. He had the new door shipped to him and he brought it home today. So after the new door is put on really the only 2 things that will need to be fixed will be the AC and the blinkers. Hopefully they won't be too pricey and I will be able to get it all done with the money I have in savings that was for the down payment on a new car. If I can get this car fixed up and make it last at least another year or 2 I will hopefully save enough money to be able to buy a new car out right and not even have to deal with a car payment. Which would be nice.

Another goal and one that stresses me out far beyond my means is the goal of living on my own again. In a lot of ways this would be very good. I would have my own place with my own rules and be able to do my own thing. sorta.... Staying at my parents house has done several things for me. So I suppose I should weigh the pros and cons

Pros

• I don't have to pay for daycare
• I don't have to pay rent or utilities
• I can put my money into savings (which I don't do but should)
• My children get to build close and lasting relationships with my family
• I can go out at night after the girls are asleep and do things for myself
• I get to live with a lot of amenities that I wouldn't have on my own such as cable and Internet and also a Big yard
• I get to spend quality time with my Dad, Brother , Sister and wonderful Nephew.

Cons

• My Mother ( I know it sounds awful but sadly its true)
• there are lots of different rules and things that my girls have to follow that I don't always make them follow unless certain people are there to yell at my kids.
• I feel like I am taking advantage of my parents any time I ask for a sitter
• living with a grumpy sister
• Living with so many people/not a ton of privacy
• I always feel like my kids are in the way or getting on someones nerves (ie: bailey crying in the middle of the night)
• not wanting to go to church because everyone treats me weird cause they have known me forever

I am sure there should be more on both accounts but being as it is 4 am my brain may not be fully functional but It would hope that you get the point.

anyways this is the ends of my ramblings. .. Thank You for Patience

Mama Mia

Last night I kidnapped Maureen and we went to see Mama Mia. I had read some reviews and heard it was very cheesy and not very good. But I still wanted to see it. And I am glad that I did. This movie was very empowering and just an all around good time. I laughed and Cried. I would suggest it to anyone willing to watch it.

My only disappointment is when I downloaded the soundtrack from iTunes its not the same as the movie. Or at least it doesn't seem like the songs are the same the arrangements are different. But its still enjoyable!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzhxHsqQvsI Here is the trailer

An interesting experiance

So me being as clever as I am, Decided to save some money on scrubs and try to find some on ebay. Well I found 2 different listings that I liked and they were by the same seller. So I bid on them both and ended up winning both and actually got a great deal on the scrubs. I sent the seller an email during the bidding asking if I won them both if he could combine shipping on them. And after I won them both I emailed again about the shipping and a question about payment. I never received an email in reply. I was annoyed.
I sent payment with full shipping for both listings which was around 15.00 and it took a week and a half to get to me. So I was a little put off with the customer service. So when it came time to leave feedback I was very honest and stated that I never received replies to my emails it was a negative feed back. Ebay recently changed their feedback guidelines lately so that sellers cant give negative feedback to buyers. Cause then the buyers are scared to give the honest feedback because the seller would retaliate whether it called for or not with negative feedback .. anyways!
Not an hour after I left my negative feedback we got a phone call and my sister answered it. It was the seller and he was yelling and very profanely let my sister know that he was very upset about the feedback. She had no idea what was going on and started laughing. She later gave me the phone and I heard "didn't you get your package?.... I am taking this to court Lady" I laughed when he hung up. I called back and he didn't answer the phone so I left a very kind calm message letting him know that I wasn't displeased with the goods that I purchased but was very displeased with the customer service which is part of the feedback criteria and let him know that I didn't appreciate him calling my house and maybe next time he could work on the things I was displeased with and he would get better feedback.

I also emailed Ebay to figure out what there standards are about him using my information to call me. They told me that because it was a phone call it was considered private. Then they suggested I change my phone number.

The whole situation makes me laugh but also bothers me. Anyways now I have some new scrubs hooray!

Dear Sexy RT Man,

I believe I am going through with-drawls I haven't seen your gorgeous blue eyes for almost 2 weeks now. I know we only really get to see each other when one of "our"( I love the way that sounds) patients are having fits of respiratory duress so I may have to claim all of the lung deficient patients so that my odds of seeing you are increased.
I have wonder if you found your man pink stethoscope and am saddened that we never got a chance to "make our own fireworks" on the roof on the 4th of July. So here's hoping that I don't have to go toooo much longer with out seeing you.

Sincerely,

A dorky PCT

I don't know about you

but I know I am going to go buy this

Cakes #2

I had to do this in 2 posts becuase when I put the text on the cake post the slide show didn't work so now its 2 posts that should be one.

I have been feeling a little down lately for reasons unbeknownst to me so I declare today "TOOT MY OWN HORN DAY"
A friend of mines son celebrated his birthday and had a fabulous cake to smash with his new "vroom vrooms" and while I looked at the picture I thought to my self you "you know you need to get off your arse and make birthday cakes for the girls like you use to" The last couple of Birthdays and mostly Baileys have lacked seriously in the cake department. I use to make wonderfully fun cakes for birthdays. And I really enjoyed it (although I really need to find a better frosting recipe that doesn't melt in room temperature)So here in Celebration are some pics of the cakes that I've made and No they aren't perfect or restaurant quality but my girls loved them and that is whats important.
Bailey's butterfly cakes from Last year are not on here because I can't find the pics but just know they were awesome.

Cakes

Emily Wedding

I was a shadow Photographer at my good
friend Emily's Wedding.
This is a small sampling of the pics. Enjoy!

What is Denae addicted to?

TICKET TO RIDE!
Jessica introduced me to this board game and also told me that you can play it online. It is a ton of fun and I find my self craving it. I am going to have to find out where to purchase it and some of the others that are at www.daysofwonder.com they are great games!

No good very bad day!

Today was a no good very bad day. I wont go into all of the reasons but I will say that when I got to work and Sexy RT Man wasn't working my face looked just like the one above.

That is all