Gneiting's C

Easy Chicken Parmesan

2012-01-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

Ok I'm sharing this again. This is one of my favorite recipes. We LOVE it!!!

It is easy and yummy. I posted it before a couple of years ago but thought

that I would share it again for my newer blogger friends.

Enjoy!

Easy Chicken Parmesan

1 jar (14 oz.) spaghetti sauce (about 1-1/2 cups)

1-1/2 cups KRAFT Finely Shredded Italian* Five Cheese Blend, divided

1/3 cup Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

6-8 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/2 lb.)

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted

6 cups hot cooked spaghetti

PREHEAT oven to 375°F.

Pour spaghetti sauce into 13x9-inch baking dish; set aside.

MIX 1/2 cup of the cheese and the bread crumbs in separate shallow dish. Dip chicken in butter, then in cheese mixture, turning to evenly coat both sides. Place over spaghetti sauce in baking dish.

BAKE 30 min. or until chicken is cooked through; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake an additional 5 min. or until cheese is melted. Serve over spaghetti.

Keep your Sunnyside UP!!!!

2012-01-21T11:48:00.000-08:00

We had a great Relief Society activity the other night. We had a Dr come and talk to us about depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder which is very prevalent this time of year.

Do you feel sad or down in the dumps more in the winter?

You may have Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD which is caused from a lack of sunlight.

It has been calculated that January is the most depressing month of the year. Even more specifically, this week, the third week of January, is the most depressing week of the year.

The calculation is based on weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing

our New Year's resolutions, as well as low motivation, and that puts the

most depressing day of the year at about the third Monday in January.

If you are wondering if you have Seasonal Affective Disorder here is a

good article in LDS Living that talks about causes,

symptoms as well as things you can do to combat SAD.

The Dr that talked to us obviously gave us information about the medical side of recognising and treating depression. But then he focused on the spiritual side of how to be happy and about turning to the Lord for help when we have these "blue" kinds of days in our lives.

He recommended a good book to read about being happy in spite of our trials and difficult things in our lives. He said that he felt like this is one of the best books out there on this subject. So I went right out and bought it. It is really uplifting and I recommend it as well.

It is called "Love Life and See Good Days" by Emily Freeman.

You can find it at any Deseret Book or order it HERE online.

We had a little handout (that was attached to a can of 7-up) with some good advice that I wanted to share with you.

7 UPLIFTING ways to keep your sunny side UP!

1- Wake UP -Decide to have a good day.

"This is the day which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2 - Dress UP -The best way to dress is to put on a smile.

A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

3 - Shush UP -Say nice things and learn to listen.

"Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou

mayest be wise in the latter end." Proverbs 19:20

4 - Stand UP - For what you believe in! Stand for

something or you will fall for anything!

5 - Look UP - To the Lord. "I can do all things through

Christ which strengtheneth me." Phillippians 4:13

6 - Reach UP -For something higher. As Jimminy Cricket sings,"High Hopes," always try to better yourself. Have FAITH!!

7 - Lift UP - Your prayers. Do not worry about anything;

instead PRAY about Everything!

Christmas is almost here!!

2011-12-07T17:23:00.000-08:00

My little buddy found a new friend!!!!

He also found some of his presents that his parents had hidden.

Christmas is going to be fun this year for this little guy!!!!

It's going to be fun for me too!!!

Our whole family will be together. That is the best gift ever!!! I'm so excited!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas filled with love, joy and fun!!!

Halloween Finger Food

2011-10-30T12:39:00.000-07:00

We took these to a Halloween party and they were the hit of the night!!!

If you can get past the thought of eating severed fingers they are actually pretty tasty!! They are simple to make so give your ghouls and goblins a yummy treat before they head out to fill there bags and bellies with sugary goodness!!

Here's how to make them:

Cut hotdogs in half. Then cut the lines in them to look like the knuckle lines and slice out a section for the finger nail then boil them till cooked through. Then you prop them up in a cupcake pan in ketchup and also use ketchup to glue almond slices on for finger nails. Then we sat the cupcake pan in an electric frying pan with water in it and turned it on to keep the hotdogs warm.

Then we had this little sign sitting next to them to add to the gory fun.

Happy Haunting!!!!

California"s Calling

2011-10-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Off we go..........

I'll put up pictures when we get back next week from our

Halloween trip to sunny California!!!!!!!

Check back in and see what we dress up like for Halloween,

who we see while we are there,

where we go and what we do!!!!

You dont want to miss it!!!

He's the little man that we adore!

2011-06-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

I never knew that being a grandma would be so special!!

I just love watching that little guy grow and change and develop his own little personality.

I miss him so much and wish that I could see him more often.

But I have the best son and daughter-in-law that send me pictures all the time of him.

And we do video chat online so I can talk to him too. Technology is amazing.

Its not as good as being there in person but it is the next best thing.

I love to hear each new word that he is learning and watch him play with his cars and Buzz Lightyear. I love hearing the stories of everything he does and says.

It is the highlight of my week!!

I hope that by seeing us and hearing our voices it will keep us in his memory so he doesnt forget us. I think he knows who we are because his face lights up when he sees us.

I am loving this stage in my life. I look forward to more little special spirits coming into our family in the future so I can spoil them and just give them lots of hugs and kisses!

Being a grandparent is the most awesome role ever!!!!

Joe and I LOVE it!!!!!

Today I saw this poem and it expresses just how we feel about our "little buddy". So I thought that I would share it with you and some recent pictures of this special little man that we adore!!!

Grubby little fingers,

Dirty little face;

Racing through life at the speed of light,

There's no one could take his place.

Riding on a stick horse,

With a cowboy hat and a gun;

Accomplishing his mission in life,

To bring mischief, laughter and fun.

There's no one like a grandson,

To bring a grandparent joy;

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails,

All wrapped in a little boy.

A little bit of sunshine,

A blessing from the Lord;

He's got us right where he wants us,

He's the little man we adore.

Allison Chambers Coxsey

Visiting his brothers grave on Memorial day!! Isnt this just the most precious picture?

He loves his new pool for summer fun!!

That water is hot!!!

Look grandma at my new bike!!!

He loves his helmet and wears it everywhere!!

That rock is almost as big as he is.

What a strong little dude!!

Can you see that someone decided to do a little decorating

while mommy was on the phone?

What a good little artist!!!

I didnt do it!!! Billy (the dog) did!!!!

Dont ya just love that little guilty face?

"If I had known how wonderful it would be to

have grandchildren,

I'd have had them first." ~Lois Wyse

Is it worth it to continue?

2011-06-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, as you may have noticed (or maybe you havent noticed) I havent been too good at

keeping up with my blog lately.

For one reason is the fact that I feel like my life is pretty boring and that I have nothing of value to share that anyone would be interested in.

(Are you interested in reading about my boring life?)

Secondly, I dont have alot of extra time and it does take time to enter these posts.

(Is it worth your time to read my boring posts?)

Another reason is I feel like so many people, that I know, have also quit doing

their blogs ~ choosing to keep in touch and

share their life on Facebook and Twitter, etc.

(Is Facebook and Twitter enough or is their still a need for blogs?)

So I'm asking for your help as I make a decision as to whether

I should keep doing a blog or not.

#1 - Does anyone out there in the cyber world have any interest in me, my life and my blog?

#2 - Will it be worth my time and yours if I continue this blog?

#3 - And......what kinds of things are interesting to those of you that do still read blogs?

So it would be really helpful if the 2 or 3 of you that follow my blog

will help me make my decision of how to spend my extra time

and if it is worth it in the end to spend it here in the blogosphere.

I look forward to hearing from you!!!

Easy Chicken Parmesan

2011-03-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite recipes. We LOVE it!!! It is easy and yummy. I posted it before a couple of years ago but thought that I would share it again for my newer blogger friends.

Enjoy!

Easy Chicken Parmesan

1 jar (14 oz.) spaghetti sauce (about 1-1/2 cups)
1-1/2 cups KRAFT Finely Shredded Italian* Five Cheese Blend, divided
1/3 cup Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs
6-8 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/2 lb.)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted
6 cups hot cooked spaghetti

PREHEAT oven to 375°F.

Pour spaghetti sauce into 13x9-inch baking dish; set aside.

MIX 1/2 cup of the cheese and the bread crumbs in separate shallow dish. Dip chicken in butter, then in cheese mixture, turning to evenly coat both sides. Place over spaghetti sauce in baking dish.

BAKE 30 min. or until chicken is cooked through; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake an additional 5 min. or until cheese is melted. Serve over spaghetti.

This and that.......

2011-03-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

Well I havent been very good at blogging lately. So this post is just to catch you up on some things going on at the Gneiting Home in 2011.

The most exciting thing that has happened so far this year is the return of our Russian missionary.

She is home!!!!!

Sister Gneiting (aka Mindy) flew home from Russia and arrived home on Jan 6, 2011.

Her total trip, including layovers, took her about 42 1/2 hours.

We were able to track her flights online through the airlines which was fun. They had a screen that showed her airplane while it was in route and so we watched with excitement as she got closer and closer to home. She flew from Russia over Norway, Iceland, the southern tip of Greenland, across the Atlantic Ocean, Newfoundland and dropped down into New York City, where she had a long layover. Then she flew to SLC where she spent the night and then on home to Idaho.

Rhiana and Amy were able to make it home to see Mindy fly in.

The rest of the family came the next day.

These are the signs we made to welcome her home. As you can see a couple of them are in Russian. We wanted to test her to see if she really had learned and understood Russian. haha.......and we found out the she did!!!!!

Our first glimpse of our Russian missionary!

Such a happy happy reunion!!

Back on American soil!!

All of our family came home to see her and we had a wonderful weekend together. She gave a beautiful report of her mission on Sunday Jan 9, 2011 and we all felt her love of the gospel and the country and people of Russia as she shared her testimony that day.

She is adjusting well but really misses her mission. Especially the friends that she made while she was there. But luckily through Facebook and Skype she is able to keep in touch with them. We are so proud of her and her willingness to serve the Lord and spread the gospel to the great country of Russia!!

Like I said - everyone came home to see Mindy. It was the first time we had all been together for almost 3 years. We had a lot of fun and crammed alot of stuff into a few precious days.

Our daughter Amy was able to go through the temple to receive her endowments that weekend. It was a very special day for her. And it was extra special because our WHOLE family were able to be in the temple with her.

We celebrated Joes birthday which was a few days after they all left. We also celebrated Christmas too!!!! And after Mindys mission report at church we had a luncheon and had several family members and friends come over to visit.

And of coarse we all played and played with the little Trentster. He was so fun and kept us all laughing. It was a great weekend and I'm so grateful for my family and how supportive they are of each other.

I hope it doesnt take us another 3 years to get together again!!

A little food for thought........

2011-01-28T13:37:00.000-08:00

Adult Truths

Someone sent this to me and I got a good laugh from it so I thought that I would share. It is amazing how many of these things I found myself nodding in agreement too.

Hope this brings you a little sunshine if you are experiencing the January doldrums like I am.

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How in the world are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5 - I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

17. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

18. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

19. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

20. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

21. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

22. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

Enjoy life!!!

Sister Gneiting is almost home!! 11 days!!!! YAY!

2010-12-26T18:34:00.000-08:00

Here's some pictures of Mindy enjoying the Siberian Winter.

This is her zone in Novosibirsk and the picture they sent to all of their parents in a Christmas card!

Modeling some of her winter wear!

Not sure if they are dancing or doing Karate. But it looks like she is having fun as usual.

Playing dress up?

Sister Gneiting with Russian members.

Mindy's time is winding down. She will arrive home on Jan 6. I cant believe that it is time for her to come home. It really has gone by very fast. It has been a joy to have a missionary again, from our family, serving the Lord. It really has brought such a sweet spirit into our home. Her emails have been a weekly gift that we have looked forward to and enjoyed and we will truly miss those emails.

I am having mixed feelings about her time being almost done. I am so excited to see her again of course but I know how much she has absolutely loved her mission and my heart feels sad for her that this wonderful experience is almost over for her. I know that she has met some wonderful people in the past 18 months and I know that she will have a hard time saying goodbye to her fellow missionaries, but especially to the wonderful people of Russia. And of coarse it has been wonderful to see her testimony and faith grow over the past 18 months.

We look forward with anticipation to feeling of her spirit when she gets home and of coarse

to get to hear her speak Russian.

No more wrapping woes!!

2010-12-22T14:46:00.000-08:00

I remember when my kids were little I would procrastinate wrapping the Christmas presents and then I would be up all night on Christmas Eve trying to get everything wrapped.

It drove me nuts and sometimes ruined my holidays.

Does this sound familiar to you?

Well if any of you do the same thing I have found the solution to the problem. I saw this on my friends blog and this could change your life!!!! (well maybe just a little!)

This would save alot of time and alot of headaches and you could actually enjoy the holidays.

No more "wrapping woes"!!!

To see what I'm talking about go HERE!!

Merry Christmas and you can thank me later for helping to

make your Christmas more enjoyable!!

Holiday Eating Tips!

2010-12-13T18:40:00.000-08:00

I posted this valuable information last year and thought that it was important enough to share again.

I hope this will help everyone enjoy a guilt free holiday.

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving fudge.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-oholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. STOP! Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's! You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Holiday cookies, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each! Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day??

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming:

"WOO HOO what a ride!"

Enjoy your holiday munching!!!

A light Unto All: A Christmas Gift

2010-12-08T19:48:00.000-08:00

Here is the Christmas story told through missionaries from 25 countries. This is a must-see video clip that will move you; it will move anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and wants to feel the spirit of the season. Share this one as much as possible.

If you want to add it to your blog you can go HERE.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

(Make sure to pause my music below first.)

An Attitude of Gratitude!

2010-11-20T08:39:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year . . . .

. . . I'm feeling an Attitude of Gratitude coming on!!!!!

I know that I shouldn't wait for Thanksgiving to express my gratitude . . . .

but I am grateful that we have this holiday that reminds me to focus on what is important in my life.

I am so blessed and have so much that I am thankful for.

The gospel, my family, good friends, blogs and other forms of media to keep in touch with those I love, a roof over my head, heat to keep me warm, running water, food to keep my belly full, to be living in this beautiful country where I enjoy so many freedoms, a car that gets me to and from the places I need to go, hot chocolate, computers, good books to read, the Lord's blessings over me and my family especially my daughter that is in Russia, good music, my Ipod filled with good music, exercise equipment to use while listening to my Ipod, airplanes that can take me to see my family and bring them home to us, toliet paper :), toothpaste, clothes and shoes, laughter, snow plows . . . well you get the point!!! My list is really endless and I am forever grateful to my loving Heavenly Father who continues to love and bless me even in my weakness and failings. I see His hand in everything in my life and the best way for me to thank Him is to try each day to be a better person and try to be more like He wants me to be.

I am trying . . . .but I know that I can do better!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

What are you thankful for?

A Powerful Book

2010-11-17T09:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, So I started reading the Book of Mormon once again.

It is such a powerful book and there is so much to learn from reading it. Everytime I read it there are different things that stand out to me. I wanted to share some of the scriptures that stood out to me yesterday and touched my life. (sorry this is long but I just felt like I needed to share)

Simple truths that

touched my life in a powerful way!!

At the end of 1 Nephi 6:6 Nephi explains that the Book of Mormon is written for our benefit when he says that he doesnt want to "occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men." I have heard this before, of coarse, but it really stood out to me that as Nephi was deciding what to write he made a conscience decison of what was important and what to include that would benefit us in our lives. Because of that I am trying to pay more attention as I read to the little things that can make me a better follower of Christ.

Then in the next chapter, 1 Nephi 7, it talks about how after they went back to Jeruselem to get Ishmael and his family to join them - some of them including his own brothers turned against Nephi and in their anger they bound him with cords and wanted him to die.

Can you just imagine how Nephi felt to have his family and friends turn on him like that?

He must've really felt discouraged and alone.

(Have you ever felt discouraged and alone? I know that I have many times in my life)

Well just as things seemed very bleak Nephi prayed to the Lord and he said in vs. 17: "O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound." And just as he said these words the bands were loosed from his hands and feet.

Nephi prayed for strength to be able to change his circumstances.

I realized that we can pray for the Lord to change our circumstances but sometimes we can pray for the strength to make the changes ourselves. That was so powerful to me! The Lord is willing to help us but we need to be willing to work hard and prove that we are worthy of his help. I appreciated in Mindy's last letter she said that she realized that even though she had been working hard at the missionary work she can always work harder. I feel that same way as well. I can do better in many areas of my life.

Then one more thing that stood out to me was in 1 Nephi 8 when it talks about Lehi and his vision of the tree of life. Lehi is telling about this dream that he had and in vs 7 he says that he found himself in a "dark and dreary waste." And in vs 8 he says that he "traveled for the space of many hours in darkness."

Do you ever have days when you feel like just giving up - that your world is full of darkness, despair and no hope? Satans loves it when we feel like that - and I'm sad to say that I have far too many of these kinds of days.

It was at this point though that Lehi began to pray to the Lord to have mercy on him and show unto him His tender mercies. It was after that prayer that he saw the vision.

Once again we are taught the importance of prayer

and relying on the Lord in our times of need.

As I read this it hit me that many times we travel in darkness in our lives not knowing what to do or where to go or what direction to take in our lives. It can be a miserable feeling to be so lost and alone. . .

. . . . but it is in those kinds of moments when we feel like there is nothing left and we are losing

our faith that we are humbled enough to turn to the Lord and we inquire of Him in an

attitude of learning.

We become humble and teachable and that is when the

Lord can mold us into who He wants us to become.

Life is hard at times

and yet it is through these hard times that we see the growth in ourselves IF [keyword]

we will pray to the Lord and turn our lives over to Him and then be willing

to walk the path that He wants to lead us down.

Again such powerful words from the book of truth. I am so grateful for this powerful book that was written by inspiration for us, in these latter days, to help us as we walk along this, often-times difficult, journey called life. I have a testimony that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that if we will read it and heed the counsel in it we will be much better people because of it.

If you are still reading this Thanks for letting share these feelings with you. I hope that you can find the peace, hope, comfort and knowledge from this great book as I do when I read it.

If you would like to read this book you can find it HERE.

To learn more about

The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints

you can go

Here and Here

You need to try this

2010-11-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

All I am going to say is

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad!

If you love it ~ you will love this!!!

If you havent eaten it ~ you need to try this!!!!!!!!!!!!

And you can find it HERE!!!

Amazingly yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

. . . . enough said. . . .

Someone help me please!

2010-10-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

Ok all of you blog experts out there - I need your help!!

I have heard that you can actually print your blog into a book or something.

Can anyone tell me how to do this?

It seems like I saw it once on here somewhere but now I cant find anything . . . .

I would appreciate any help that you can give me.

THANKS!!

Domestic Violence Awareness Month - Oct 2010

2010-10-10T13:13:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Oct is Domestic Violence Awareness month?

Thankfully I have never experienced this in my own life but I have had some close friends that have. One of my good friends had to actually run for her life in the middle of the night to protect herself and her children from her abusive husband. I also had a class awhile ago where I did a lot of research about abuse. The personal accounts of abuse survivors horrified me with the violence and pain they suffered through, but inspired me with their courage and resilience. What I learned touched me deeply and motivated me to advocate for victims and for an end to violence.

Did you know?
Nationally. . . .

• 25% of all women will be victims of domestic violence in their lifetime.
• 1 in 4 teens is shown to be a victim of dating violence.
• Each year, domestic violence costs over $4 billion in healthcare costs and billions more in workplace absenteeism and lost productivity.
• 60% of victims cited job loss, including being suspended and fired, as a direct or indirect result of domestic violence.
• Pregnant women are more likely to be victims of homicide than to die of any other cause.
• 75% of domestic violence related deaths occur during or after leaving the abuser.
• Adults who physically abuse their partners typically enacted a first episode of dating violence by age 15.
• A woman is beaten every 15 seconds.
• While women are less likely than men to be victims of violent crimes overall,
women are five to eight times more likely than men to be victimized by an intimate partner.
• 4 million women are victims of severe assaults by boyfriends and husbands each year and about one in four women is likely to be abused by a partner in her lifetime.
• Each day, more than three women in the United States are murdered by a male intimate partner.
• There are 16,800 homicides and $2.2 million (medically treated) injuries due to intimate partner violence annually, which costs $37 billion.
• It is estimated that anywhere between 3.3 million and 10 million children witness domestic violence annually.
• Research demonstrates that exposure to violence can have serious negative effects on children's development. Witnessing violence between ones parents or caretakers is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.
• Thirty percent of Americans say they know a woman who has been physically
abused by her husband or boyfriend in the past year.

Shocking statistics but this is reality for many women in our country!!

Even more shocking is the fact that these women are in our communities and are our neighbors.

If you want to read more facts about this subject and why it matters go HERE.

If you are as passionate about ending Domestic Violence as I am, share your voice to raise awareness during the month of October.

One way that we can help is to donate our old cellphones to give victims of Domestic Violence a voice. Go HERE or HERE to learn more.

If you want to learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of thousands of victims, survivors, and their families, go HERE.

If you are in an abusive relationship or you know someone that is please call for help at the

National Domestic Violence Hotline at

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Breaking the cycle of Domestic Violence begins with awareness!!

Zucchini Pineapple Bread

2010-09-18T18:12:00.000-07:00

I dont know about you but we have had a TON of zucchini and I've have been trying alot of different recipes with it. I have tried a couple of different bread recipes and this one has been our favorite one so far. So I thought that I would share it with you.

Zucchini Pineapple Bread

2 Loaves (or 3 smaller ones)

3 eggs

1 c. cooking oil

2 c. sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 c. shredded zucchini

8 oz crushed pineapple

1/2 tsp baking powder

3 c. flour

2 tsp soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

2 1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 c. raisins (opt)

1 c. chopped nuts (opt)

Beat eggs. Add oil and sugar. Beat until thick and foamy. Add vanilla. Stir in zucchini and pineapple. Combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins and nuts. Stir into zucchini mixture. Pour into greased pans.

Bake at 350º for 40 mins to 1 hour, or until toothpick comes out clean.

(This is a very moist bread and isnt too sweet.)

Enjoy!!

The birthday boy!!

2010-08-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

Has it really been a whole year since I got the call from my son telling me that I was a GRANDMA!!!??

And has it really been a whole year since I jumped in my car and drove all the way to California to welcome this little bundle of joy into our family?

I dont know where the time went but YES . . . . it's been a year!!!

And our little buddy just turned

ONE YEAR OLD!!!

Joe and I went down for the birthday boy's big day!!!

It was so fun to be there and celebrate with him!

And yes . . . we spoiled him!!!

I cant believe how much he has changed over this past year.

It is amazing to see all of the things that a baby learns in their first year.

Scott and Amy were very good at sending us pictures of the little guy so that we could see him change and grow. He is a very active little boy and into everything. YAY!! I'm so grateful that he has a strong little body that is growing and developing just like he should be.

He is always on the move.

We bought him this little chair and he loved it. He would just sit in it and be very content.

It was the only time that he ever sat still!!

He really seemed to enjoy all of the attention that he was getting and of coarse all of the fun new toys that he got!!! (Actually he loved the boxes just as much and maybe even had a little bit of sensory overload from getting so much stuff.)

Like I said ~ WE LOVED SPOILING HIM!!!!!

One of the best things about his birthday was his experience with his

birthday cake!!

Words cant describe how much fun it was to watch him start out slow . . . . just exploring with this colorful item placed in front of him. And then getting more and more excited about it and how yummy it was until . . . .

. . . he went in HEAD FIRST and just kept saying

Mmmmmm . . . . . . .Mmmmmmmm!!

It was priceless!!

What a blessing this little one has been in our lives and I cant wait to watch him grow and change this next year!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Gneiting love you!!!

And we're off . . . . . .

2010-08-05T07:04:00.000-07:00

. . . . to see some one turn ONE!!!! Yay!!!

It's time to party!!!!

Breakfast at Ginger's- golden retriever dog eats with hands

2010-07-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted something. I will be back soon but until then I thought that I would share this cute video with you. Enjoy!!!

The time has come!!

2010-05-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

I didnt want to do it. . . . .

But I'm going to join many in the blogging world. . . . .

I'm going PRIVATE!!!

June 15th is the big day!!!

Please leave a comment with your email if you would like to continue viewing my blog.

Or you can send it to me at: mommagneiting@yahoo.com

Thanks friends!

I did it!!!

2010-04-18T21:28:00.000-07:00

Five and half years ago I decided to take a couple of classes at BYU Idaho just for fun.

After a semester I decided that I wanted to do more than just have fun ~ and I began my journey to obtain a Bachelor's Degree. I love a challenge!!

And a challenge it was!!

I set goals - I worked hard -

I loved every minute of it!!

It became my passion - you might even say an obsession!

After taking many tests, writing tons of papers, spending hours upon hours of studying, losing sleep, sweating over assignments, at times feeling overwhelmed, stressed, inadequate and unsure of myself . . . saying many prayers, making many new friends, and learning all kinds of new things . . .

and after taking 134 credits. . . .

I am now officially a

Bachelor of Science in Sociology

with a minor in Marriage and Family Studies.

Graduation was great!!

But what was even greater was that my family were all here to support me. (Except for Mindy of coarse who is serving a mission in Russia. I cant believe that they wouldnt let her just make a quick trip home for her momma's big day. hahaha!)

But having my family here meant more to me than they will ever know.

I love them so much! It was great to share this special day with my most favorite people in all the world!!

It was an amazing experience!

Yep that's me in the front row. Right on the end. We were clapping and showing appreciation for our family, friends and teachers that helped us get to this special day!

There were 1544 graduates, biggest class yet at BYUI.

I graduated in the top 5% with a GPA of 3.93.

(Not bad for an old lady . . . hahahahaha)

Sitting with my comrades waiting to receive our diplomas!!

Receiving my diploma!

I couldn't have done it without this special friend. Thanks Brittaini!!

When Amy graduated from BYU Hawaii they have a tradition there of giving the graduates lei's.

So after I graduated my family all gave me a lei to celebrate my accomplishment.

I thought it was so cool!!

It takes a family to graduate a mom!!!!

Thanks to their support, love, encouragement, sacrifice and help I was able to accomplish this goal of mine. Thanks kids ~ I appreciate you all!

And now my best friend gets his wife back!!!

This has been a wonderful journey for me. I have learned so much more than just secular knowledge. I have learned alot about myself. I have grown so much and have gained more confidence in myself and in my abilities to do hard things. I know that I can face any challenge that comes my way. But most importantly I know that the Lord walks beside me daily. I have felt his help and strength helping me get through these past 5 yrs. I give all credit of my acheivement to Him. Yes, I put in the time and effort but it was through His inspiration and guidance and Him filling in the gaps where I fell short that I was able to accomplish this goal.

I hope now that I can use this degree and my new found knowledge to reach out and help

and strengthen others.

So on to the next phase of my life . . . . what ever that may be!!!

One more pic. . . .

2010-04-04T19:47:00.001-07:00

What a happy boy!!! He loves Disneyland!!!!!

More pictures of Mr. Trent

2010-04-03T19:09:00.000-07:00

Amys mom gave her the piano that she learned to play on. She drove it all the way to CA herself to take it to them. What a nice mom she is!!

. . . . and it looks like we have a "piano man" in the family. Or as Scott and Amy are calling him "Little Mozart!"

He is getting so big. I cant wait to see him!!! I think that they are coming to my graduation next week. In fact. . . all of my kids (except for Mindy of coarse) are coming. I'm excited to graduate but I'm way more excited to see all of my family.

But since we are talking about my graduation. . . I have one week until I am done. I cant believe that I have finally made it. Some of my professors arent going to be able to be at our graduation because they have a conference to go to, so last week we took pictures with them. This is about half of our class. The rest of them arent walking and they didnt want to be in the picture. Oh well . . . they missed out on being in a great picture. So here is a sneak preview of what I look like in my cap and gown.

These are my three favorite teachers.

Here we are ~ Class of 2010!!!

Just in case you cant find me

I'm the youngster that is 3rd from the right/middle row!!!

Surf's up!!

2010-03-24T16:57:00.001-07:00

I think we have a "surfer dude" on our hands!!!

Scott and Amy live so close to the beach and I think little Trent feels right at home there!!

Scott and his little buddy!!

Trents Uncle Josh teaching him how to surf!!! I think he is loving it!!

He may be surfing before he's walking!!!

2010-03-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

This post in is honor of Sister Mindy and the great work that she is doing. She is such an example to me and she inspires me to be a better person and to try to do my part in furthering the great work of our Heavenly Father.

This quote is about missionaries . . . but arent we all missionaries?

I just really liked this quote when I heard it and I thought that it is a good one for all of us regardless of our callings. We all must endure to the end and work hard at spreading the Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ. We dont have to officially be called on a mission to do that.

So I thought I would share this with you all and hopefully it will give you a boost like it did me ~ to try a little harder and to push ourselves a little harder in doing the work of the Lord. We can do it with our families, in our church callings, in temple service, in reaching out to the ones around us that need uplifting, and in finding those who are searching for the truth.

We can help the work move forward in our own way and in our own little corners of the world.

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tinted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am lifted up in prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed, will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table with the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the case of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me and when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me”.
- Elder Henry B. Eyring

To go private or not to go private

2010-03-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

It seems that everyone is "going private!"

I told myself that I wouldn't!

But now I'm thinking about it!

There are strangers looking at my blog!!

And leaving weird messages!

Who are they? What do they want? Should I be scared?

Or are they harmless bored people?

Kinda freaks me out!

But I'm still not sure what to do!!

I want to protect my family ~ especially my little grandbaby and my daughter

living in a foriegn country.

But I know it's more trouble for you to have to

log into a "private" blog.

Will you still come check in on me once in awhile?

Tell me what you guys think.

Should I or shouldn't I??

Update on Sister Mindy (long post)

2010-02-06T12:11:00.001-08:00

Well Mindy has been serving on her mission now for 7 months. She is doing great. She loves Russia and the people. She has been in Novosibirsk since she arrived in Russia 5 months ago. It is Russias 3rd largest city, after Moscow and St. Petersburg, and is the largest city of Siberia. This is where the Mission home is located. She loves this city and has enjoyed serving there.

Novosibirsk Skyline

Mindy with a couple other sister missionaries

(picture retreived from Bro and Sister Simmons blog - thanks!)

She was transferred this past week. She is now serving in Irkutsk. She had quite a journey getting there. Irkutsk is approximately about 1800 miles from Novosibirsk. She took a train to get there and traveled for 35 hours. She crossed two times zones. On the Russian map below (sorry its not bigger) Novosibirk is right in the middle of the map toward the southern border. Irkutsk is east of Novo (about an inch) next to a long sliver, crescent shaped lake (Lake Baikal - more pictures below). Considering that this is almost 2000 miles apart on this map it kind of gives you an idea of just how big Russia really is.

She is now the Senior Companion with another american sister that has been out about one month less than Mindy. Mindys other companions have all been Russian and they have been able to help her with the language and understanding the culture, etc. So now she is going to have to rely much much more on the Lord to help her with her understanding and speaking the language. She has great faith - I know she will do awesome!!

I have been studying about Irkutsk and its history and surrounding area and it is very interesting. I am learning alot about Russia. So I thought that I would give you a some interesting tidbits on this new area that she is serving in.

FACTS:

It is one of the largest cities in Siberia with a population of 593,604.

In the early 19th century, many Russian artists, officers and nobles were sent into exile to this part of Siberia for their part in the Decembrist revolt (Because this happened in December the rebels were called Decembrists) against Tsar Nicholas 1. (Hence the saying when someone does something wrong, "You are going to get sent to outer Siberia!")

Irkutsk became the major center of intellectual and social life for these exiles, and much of the citys cultural heritage comes from them. Many of their wooden houses, adorned with ornate, hand carved decorations ( see picture below), are still standing there today.

It has the nickname ~ The Paris of Siberia.

It is a very prosperous cultural and educational center for eastern Siberia with many museums and universities. The architectural design of many of the buildings and churches is very beautiful and ornate.

Kazansky Church in Irkutsk

Epiphany Minster (built in 1718-1746)

Irkutsk railway station on the Trans-Siberian Railway

(This is probably where Mindy arrived in this city)

A Decembrist house with distinctive hand-carved trim

Irkutsk sits near Lake Baikal. It is called "The Pearl of Siberia". It is the deepest lake in the world (about 2,442 ft) and it contains a total of about 20% of the worlds surface fresh water. It has a surface area of 12,248 square miles and is home to more than 1,700 species of plants and animals, 2/3 of which can be found nowhere else in the world.

The lake is completely surrounded by mountains, contains 27 islands (the largest is 45 miles long and is the 4th largest lake-bound island in the world. The lake is fed by as many as 330 inflowing rivers.

Irkutsk is toward the bottom of the lake on the left side.

Sorry that this post is so long but I thought that you might be interested in seeing and hearing about the new area that Mindy is in. I hope that you enjoyed learning something new about a country that most of us know nothing about.

Top ten ways NOT to visit teach!

2010-01-25T23:07:00.000-08:00

Well its the first of the year and many of you probably received new visiting teachers or you were assigned a new visiting teaching beat.

Visiting teaching is a serious and important calling, and one that should be considered with the utmost gravity. No joking allowed.

Over and over we've read lessons, listened to talks, and prayerfully considered how we can improve our visiting teaching.

Today, however, I'd like to help you by sharing just a few humorous ways NOT to make your service to your sisters a little better. As you evaluate how you are doing with visiting teaching, make sure that you are NOT doing one of these things.

If you are, well, I'll just grateful that you are not my visiting teacher!

1. DON'T schedule all of your appointments for the 32nd of the month. (That's what happens when you wait to call until the 30th and then schedule them all for 'the day after tomorrow'.)

2. DON'T ask the sisters you visit teach to give the lesson.

3. DON'T use the phrase, "Well, enough about you. Let's talk about me!"

4. DON'T ask the sister you visit teach when she plans to bring you dinner.

5. DON'T ask them to skip Relief Society so you can visit teach them (this is especially true if you or they are in the Relief Society presidency).

6. DON'T let your preschooler redecorate the walls of the home to include crayon sketches.

7. DON'T ask, "So are you pregnant, or have you just put on a lot of weight in the last month?"

8. DON'T fall asleep while your companion gives the lesson. Even worse, DON'T fall asleep while you're giving the lesson.

9. During the prayer, DON'T ask Heavenly Father to 'please help her be a better person - she needs all the help she can get!'

10. And, most important of all, DON'T put off your visiting teaching! Your sisters need you - and you need them!

(by Nola Redd)

Lets all do what we can to help!

2010-01-24T12:37:00.000-08:00

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appealed today to the worldwide membership of the Church to help relieve the suffering in Haiti.

In a statement published on the Church’s official Web site, Church President Thomas S. Monson and counselors Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf said they are “keenly aware that many in America are dealing with economic challenges brought on by the recent recession.” Many Church members have made substantial contributions to Church Humanitarian Services, but more is needed.

Church members and others wishing to contribute to the aid efforts may do so by using the Donation Slip they normally use for Church donations or by logging onto lds.org and clicking on Humanitarian Services Emergency Response.

Today’s First Presidency statement also addressed the emotional trauma the Haitian people are experiencing in the wake of the devastating earthquake.

“Money is not the only need in Haiti,” the statement continued. “People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation.

We invite people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people.”

As I read this statement from the 1st Presidency I was reminded of this scripture found in Matt. 25:35, 38 & 40

35. For I was hungered and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in

38. When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

40. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

You can read the full statement by the 1st Presidency HERE

You can also read HERE to see how the church is helping with the relief efforts.

The light at the end of the tunnel is shining BRIGHT!!!!

2010-01-08T06:21:00.000-08:00

Well........ I just finished the first week of my LAST semester!!!!

After 5 1/2 years of going to school I am almost DONE!!!

GRADUATION.......here I come!!!!!!!

See you on APRIL 9th!

A weekend of lights and music and seeing special people!

2009-12-20T16:37:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Joe and I went to Salt Lake City for a couple of days. We met up with our daughter Amy when we got there and took her to dinner for her birthday and then we went to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. It was so beautiful!!! We were also celebrating our 33 wedding anniversary which was on Dec 1 because we were married in the SLC Temple. It was a gorgeous evening and we had a really good time. Here are some pictures from our evening together.

Then on Sunday morning Joe and I went to the conference center for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. We got there real early and when we found our seats we were only 7 rows from the stage and we were smack dab right in the middle. The 6 rows in front of us were for dignitaries and important people. (We missed out on being important by one row!!!) Anyway we were just sitting there listening to the choir warm up when all of a sudden everything got really quiet and everyone stood up. I knew instantly by the feeling in the room that the prophet, Pres. Monson, had just walked in. Sure enough he was there and he actually sat directly in front of us on the front row. We were only 6 rows behind him. It was so special to see him there and to feel of his great spirit.

After the concert he got up and went up on stage and he presented the special guests, Natalie Cole and David McCollough with a gift and let them say a few words. Of coarse they both went on and on about how wonderful it was to work with the choir and to have that opportunity to be there. Then they were asked to turn around and look up to the choir so that they could sing a special song for them. Then the choir sang, "God be with you til we meet again." It was so inspiring and there wasnt a dry eye in the place. It was a wonderful experience to get to go to the concert and to spend the weekend with my "honey" in the place that we "tied the knot" so many years ago. Here are a couple pictures of the choir and Pres. Monson.

President Monson presenting gifts to the special guests. (Sorry it is blurry)

President Monson leaning over talking to his daughter. He was so close!!!!

Here is our Christmas card for 2009!

2009-12-07T20:28:00.001-08:00

We thought that we would share this video of Joe and I having a snowball fight

with our grandson and our two dogs.

Enjoy!!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

33 years and headed to Eternity!!!!

2009-12-01T09:02:00.001-08:00

I love this guy!!!

It's great being married to my best friend!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!!!!!

Please read this . . . .

2009-11-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

Here is some really important information that you need to know about. Please pass the word along to everyone you know!

Check it out HERE

Thank you!

Grandma's Brag Blog!!

2009-11-13T17:57:00.000-08:00

"The Grandson" is getting so big. I miss him so much but I'm so glad that Amy sends me lots of pictures of him so that I can watch him grow and change.

This picture looks like he is saying, "Hey Grandma , look how big I am!!"

Look at that face!!! Such a sweet little smile!!!

My two "Best Buddies!"

This picture was taken when he was only a month old. He has been able to hold his head up like that almost since day one. What a strong little guy!!

The Grandson and his watch-dog!!!

Grandma can't wait to see you little buddy

at Thanksgiving!!

Oh . . . and I'm excited to see your parents too!!!

I Gotta Feeling

2009-11-04T18:23:00.000-08:00

During The Oprah Show's 24th season kickoff party, The Harpo staff and more than 20,000 people pulled off a massive surprise for an unsuspecting Oprah.

This is really cool!!!

Watch it HERE!!!!

Help Save a Life

2009-11-03T07:07:00.000-08:00

Get your Christmas shopping done and help save a life.

Go HERE and check out all the great items!

Little Claire needs a transplant to save her life!

To see more pictures and read her story go HERE

(photo taken from givehopetobensonandclaire.blogspot.com)

These two adorable little babies live in Rigby, ID! Friends of the family put together this auction to raise money for their life saving organ transplants. Please donate anything you can... every little bit can save their lives! Check out the auction items... there are many great things. It's a great way to do some Christmas shopping and help save their lives! Think of them as your own children... what would you do to save them!?!

Thanks everyone! We CAN make a difference!

Our Russian Missionary

2009-10-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

A couple of mornings ago I was checking my facebook and I had a "friend request" from a girl. I didn't recognise her name but I noticed that she was in the Novosibirsk Russia Network. So I accepted it thinking that it must be someone from Mindys mission. I opened her page and everything was written in Russian except the status at the top which was in English and said, "My baptism will be on Saturday at 3 o'clock p.m. Invite you! :-)" I was so excited when I realized who this was. Mindy and her companion have been working with a young gal named Donna. In Mindys recent emails over the past few weeks she has asked us to pray that Donna would decide to accept the gospel and be baptised. This was such a neat surprise to read on her facebook that she has decided to get baptised.

Then I looked at her photos on FB. And the first one that came up was this one with Mindy. (Notice Mindys shorter haircut)
So I made a comment back to Donna thanking her for putting a picture of Mindy on her facebook so that I could see her. She wrote back and said this about Mindy:

"She is great! we have a lot of fun! I feel S. Gneiting change my life! And that's sooooo awesome!!! And Mindey’s mom can be proud for daughter.

We love and take care about her."

Then she said. "you can watch the album called "awesome!!!!!!!!!" on my page." (Which I assumed she meant to go look at her photos again, which I did and she had just put up some new ones of her and Mindy.)

I think the one above is Mindy and her companion (on the right) with Donna.

And this one below is Mindy with one of the Senior Sisters.

This looked like it was a party of some kind with some of the local members.

(Mindy is on the left in purple. Donna is at the end of the table)

Then in Mindy's last email she gave me the address for a blog of one of the senior couples there in her mission. So I checked it out and it is really fun to read. They update it frequently so I will be able to keep tabs on what is going on thre. They write alot and put alot of pictures on which is nice for us to read and see and understand what Mindy is experiencing. (Thanks Elder and Sister Simmons)

This picture was on their blog so I kinda stole it off (I hope that was alright Elder Simmons :) This was taken at their zone conference they had recently. Mindy is the 4th from the right on the back row.

I believe that all of these things were once again little "tender mercies" that the Lord has sent to assure me that Mindy is doing well and is where she is suppossed to be and doing what he needs her to do. I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father that understands us and knows how to comfort and send us peace. We are so pleased with Mindy and her desire to serve the Lord and we know that she is going to be a great missionary and that she is an instrument in the Lord's hands as she brings the truth and the Lord's love and happiness to the great people of Russia.

Our Little Buddy

2009-10-25T20:53:00.000-07:00

Joe and I just love this little guy. He is really growing and getting so big. He has started to smile and you all know how those little smiles just warm your heart.

We just cant get enough of him. We got to see him last weekend. He is so precious!

Yay for Bumpo Seats!!!

This last picture is "the boy" sitting and watching Baby Einsteins. He is going to be brillant . . . just like his grandma!!! hahahaha Isnt this picture so cute?!

13 ARTICLES OF MORMON CULTURE

2009-10-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

A friend sent this to me in an email and I just had to share it with you all. I thought it was pretty funny!! ENJOY!!

13 ARTICLES OF MORMON CULTURE

 1. We believe SUVs and minivans to be our form of transportation, and in  knee length shorts -- which are always nice and, of course, . . . . in multilevel  marketing. 

2. We believe that church ball players should be punished for their own  fouls, and not for unsportsmanlike aggression.
 
3. We believe that through bread crumbs, cheese, creamy soups, and rice, all  casseroles can be saved through obedience to ward cookbooks and creativity  in the mixing bowl.

4. We believe that the first layers and ingredients of the Dip are: first, beans; second, cheese; third, chopped tomatoes; fourth, the gift of sour cream; fifth, olives; sixth, salsa; seventh, guacamole, that is, if you have  it.  

5. We believe that a Mormon should have a distinguished or a cute name, that  it's appropriate to name a child after a church leader or a historical  figure including an ancestor, that alternative spellings and French prefixes  only add to a name, and that when referring to the names of General  Authorities, middle initials should be a part thereof.  

6. We believe in the same wall decor that exists in many Mormon homes,  namely, framed family proclamations, vinyl lettering, inspirational word signs, family photos, pictures of temples and Jesus, and so forth.   

7. We believe in the gift of re-gifting: church books, crafts, family  photos, baked goods, emergency supply kits, and so forth.  

8. We believe in sparkling grape juice -- so long as it is non-alcoholic; we  also believe in bringing root beer and sprite to ward and all other parties.  

9. We believe in all that we have scrapbooked, all that we will now  scrapbook, and we believe that  we will yet scrapbook many great and important things pertaining to our  family, friends, pets, and vacations.  

10. We believe in the literal mixing of ketchup and mayo and in the generous  application of ranch dressing; that CBAs (church-based acronyms) will be  used to describe YM/YW, PEC, the Y, NCMO, and CTR; that Mitt Romney will get  Mormons to vote for him any time he runs; and, that the Mormons will enjoy  reading Twilight and The Work and the Glory.    

11. We claim the privilege of trying to identify common acquaintances with  any visitor at church, and allow all other people at church the same  privilege; we also believe in name dropping the names of famous people and  general authorities how, where, or what we may.    

12. We believe in being subject to scoutmasters, pampered chef hostesses,  and the writers of the U.S. News and World Report Rankings for professional  schools, and in obeying, honoring, and sustaining Glenn Beck.    

13. We believe in being above average, good at crafts, optimistic, and being  fifteen minutes late everywhere we go. Indeed, we may say that we follow BYU  football. We believe rumors about famous people joining the church, we hope  to meet the three Nephites, we have endured many pyramid schemes, and hope  to be able to endure all pyramid schemes. If there is anything cheap, free,  sold in bulk, or given away when somebody is moving, we seek after these  things.

Two posts from me in one day - aren't you all lucky?!?

2009-10-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

I got this recipe from HERE. I thought it looked like a fun cake for this time of year. I haven't tried it yet so if anyone does let me know how it tastes.

Spice Pumpkin Cake

Ingredients:

1 pkg Duncan Hines® Moist Deluxe® Spice Cake Mix
2 large eggs
1 cup water
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup chopped nuts
2 tubs Duncan Hines® Creamy Home-Style Classic Vanilla Frosting
green, red and yellow food coloring
1 flat bottom ice cream cone

Baking Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 10-inch Bundt pan.
Combine cake mix, eggs, water and pumpkin in large bowl. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer for 2 minutes. Stir in nuts. Pour into pan.
Bake 40 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 25 minutes. Invert onto serving plate. Cool completely.
Measure 1/4 cup frosting into small bowl. Tint with green food coloring. Place ice cream cone upside down on waxed paper. Frost with green frosting. Refrigerate.
Tint remaining frosting with red and yellow food coloring until frosting is desired orange color. Measure 3 tablespoons orange frosting in small bowl; add green food coloring to brown frosting.
Frost cake with orange frosting. Make eyes, mouth and nose with brown frosting as desired on pumpkin. Place green frosted ice cream cone in center hole of cake for stem.

Food Storage

2009-10-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

Do your food storage shelves look like this?

Would you like them to look like this?
I have been feeling lately like I really need to get on top of my food storage. But sometimes it just seems so overwhelming and like such a big task. But with the way things are in our country right now I think it is more important now than it has ever been to be prepared. We have been told for years to have our food storage and for the first time in my life I am actually feeling like it is possible that we may all actually need to fall back on it for one reason or another.

One of my friends (thanks Sam I hope you dont mind me sharing) had a post on her blog about this very thing and she had a link to a Basic Food Storage Plan that is do-able, affordable, and not so overwhelming.

By the end of 52 weeks you will have:

700 lbs of wheat, 240 lbs of sugar, 40 lbs of powdered milk, 13 lbs of salt, 10 albs of honey, 5 lbs of peanut butter, 45 cans of tomato soup, 32 cans of mushroom soup, 15 cans of tuna fish, 10 boxes of macaroni and cheese, 500 aspirin, 730 multiple vitamins, 6 lbs of dried yeast, and 6 lbs of shortening. This should sustain 2 people for 1 year. All for only $5.00 a week. (Add $5.00 for each additional 2 people in your family.)

You can find the list HERE.

I just wanted to share this with you all. I am going to get started on it right away. We never know what the future has in store for us yet we have no need to fear if we are prepared.

If any of you have any other great ideas about food storage or even 72 hr kits please share.

Just a few of my thoughts

2009-10-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

Obviously we all love blogging.

It is such a great way to keep in touch with family and friends. I enjoy so much going to all of your blogs and seeing what you are doing and how your families are growing and changing.

It is so nice to keep in touch with family members that normally I wouldn't see or talk to very often. And yet through your blogs I know you and your families as if you live right next door.

I have been able to reconnect with friends that I haven't seen in years and now, through your blogs, I feel as though I am all caught up on what you have been doing for the past 30 yrs, and it seems like we are still as good of friends as we were way back when.

New friends or old, good friends or acquaintances - I love you all and you touch my life each day in some way through your blogs.

Some of your posts are informative ~ some are creative and fun.

It is fun to go to different blogs and see how you have "decorated" them with your own personal touches.

Some of you have recipe blogs that I use all of the time. Some of you have links to other fun blogs and websites that I enjoy going to. Thanks for sharing! It is amazng to me that we have this technology and that we can be a part of this blogging world.

In the Ensign this month is a great article on blogging. It is entitled, "Finding and Sharing the Gospel Online" and you can find it HERE.

It talks about how we can do even more with our blogs and make a difference one post at a time.

Some of the topics are:

* Blogging about the church in Everyday Life

* Being a Blogging Missionary

* Creating Blogs about Full-Time Missionaries

(Here is Mindys blog if you are interested in following her)

* A Strong Medium for Sharing Testimony

* Safety tips for Better Blogging.

I encourage you all to read this article and maybe we can all find ways to use our blogs not only to uplift and strengthen each other but to also use them to reach out and share Heavenly Father's love and truth of the gospel.

"We have entered a new age of technology, so we have new avenues of missionary work open to us. With a little creativity and boldness, we can help others to learn more about the gospel." ~quote from 'Be a blogging missionary'

I will return. . . . .

2009-09-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

. . . Someday

. . . maybe around Dec 18th

. . . . . when this semester is done!!!!!

But for now. . . . . .

all I do is

. . . .homework. . . . . eat. . . . . . read . . . . .read. . . . . . go to class . . . . . . eat. . . . . . homework. . . .

. . . . . read. . . . . more reading. . . . . . write papers. . . . research . . . . . . homework

. . . . . . sleep ( very little) and more homework and more homework and more. . . . .

Ok ~ you get the point!!!!

check back soon. . . . .

When in California. . . .

2009-09-08T21:11:00.001-07:00

. . . . go to the Happiest Place on Earth!

. . . . and have a good scream or two!!!!

Can you find us?

More baby pics

2009-08-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

Please indulge this new grandma a little bit and go to this website and see how

handsome my new little grandson Trent is.

Check it out HERE.

Sister Gneiting

2009-08-18T23:45:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Mindy in the MTC after about 5 weeks. This is Sister Emily Hegerhorst, one of Mindys BYUI roomates who is serving a mission in Tennessee. This was the day that Emily was leaving the MTC to head out. I actually stole this picture of off Emilys website.

Mindy is doing well. She has 5 more weeks in the MTC and then she will head for Russia. She is getting really anxious to get out there and serve the Lord and the people of Russia.

If any of you are interested in following her I am posting her letters at: http://sistergneiting.blogspot.com/

You can also write to her at:

Sister Mindy L. Gneiting
MTC Mailbox # 189-0928
Russia Novosibirsk Mission
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

I know that she would love to hear from you.

Grandma's baby boy!

2009-08-12T23:15:00.000-07:00

I just can't get enough of this scrumptious little morsel!!

Isn't he yummy!!!

Being a grandma is so great!

I never imagined it would be so wonderful.

The only problem is~ I live too far away from him.

What will this grandma do?

How am I ever going to be able to leave him?

Well I can't think about that right now -

I am just loving being here and spending time with him and

watching him grow and change everyday.

Grandma's little sweetheart!!!!!

Waiting and waiting. . . . . .

2009-08-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

The BIG question of the day:

When am I going to have my grandchild?!?!?!

The answer: Hopefully Soon!!

For those of you wanting a "baby" update ~ Amy Joy is due 2 weeks from today.

We are all getting really anxious to meet this new little member of our family.

And no (the answer to the next question) we don't know if its a he or a she.

It is going to be a big surprise!!!!!

and we can't wait!!!

It's kind of ironic. Amy had surgery to sew her cervix shut, spent about 23 weeks on bedrest, had several scares with contractions and hospital stays, had meds to stop the contractions, etc.

NOW she is off of bedrest, off the meds, living life like normal, coming and going...........

.......and NOTHING!!!!

No contractions, no baby!!! (but we really are glad that this little one is still cooking and is gonna come out well done!)

I guess we can see WHO is in charge of their family already!!

What do you think??

When do you think this baby is coming?

And is it a boy or girl?

Let the guessing begin!

Violets Custom Cakes

2009-07-30T09:33:00.001-07:00

I just have to give a shout out to a friend of mine and her custom cake business.

For those of you in the Rexburg / Idaho Falls area ~ if you are looking for a

great cake decorator you need to check this out.

For my Montana friends this is Justin Moss' wife Annette's business.

She is amazing and I just had to show you how talented she is.

Way to go Annette!!

Check it out HERE!

(and if you are interested in checking out their family blog it is HERE)

Golfing buddies

2009-07-25T21:01:00.001-07:00

About 4 yrs ago I told Joe that I wanted to learn to golf. I thought that it would be something fun that we could do together. So he started teaching me. I was really pretty bad at first. He felt sorry for me so he would always spot me several strokes so our scores would be closer and I wouldn't feel so bad when he beat me by alot. What a nice guy, right?

Well I kept working hard and improving and by the end of the summer I could give him a pretty good game all on my own without any extra help.

.......uh oh....... Not good for a man's ego!!!!!!

Well he started getting quite competitive and he would get frustrated when I would do good and almost beat him. (Wives just aren't suppossed to beat their husband in sports....right?

I can't help it that I seem to be a natural at golf.......and at bowling.....

............but that's a whole different post for later. hahahaha)

So we both decided that it would be much more fun if we didn't compete against each other and only compete against ourselves. So each week we only keep score so that we can see if we improved our own game. (Yeah right!!!!)

So after each game we total up our scores and see if we beat ourselves from the week before. Who ever looses (to themselves) has to buy the other one a milkshake. Sounds fair, right? .............hmmmmm

Today we went golfing!!!!

This is the first time for me this summer do to a bad back and shoulder. It felt so good to be back out on the golf coarse. I love it!!!

I only got a few pictures taken but here they are. (Just so you know.......don't tell anyone......Joe made me stop taking pictures after he started getting frustrated!!!!! I wonder why?!?! LOL!!!!!)

This is a funny picture. Where is Joe's golf club? It's there....somewhere....I promise!!

Taking a break for a drink. This is a beautiful coarse! We love to golf here. If you look really hard you can see a river in the background.

Oh......oh......oh.......is it going in?

Darn......so close!!!!

I know - I know....I have terrible form. But whose looking?

Well ~ I'm not saying who had the best score.........

But look who is drinking water.........

........and who got the huckleberry milkshake!!!!!!!!

Let's just say.........not only did I beat my score from my last game back in the fall.......

.........but I beat Joe by TWO STROKES!!!!!

Victory is SWEET in more ways than one!!!!!!

(In Joe's defense....he claims he was going easy on me since it was my

first time back golfing in 9 months.

Ohhh..........what a great guy I'm married to.

Wait till next saturday dear!!!!!!! I think I'll get a chocolate milkshake!!

Mindy's missionary blog

2009-07-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

I have created a blog to journal Mindy's mission experience. I will upload her emails and pictures so if you are interested in following her journey for the next 18 months in Russia

check it out HERE

The MTC - Land of the Missionaries

2009-07-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

We left on Tuesday to head to Salt Lake City to take Mindy to the MTC. It was just Joe and I because no one else could get away. I really wasn't looking forward to dropping her off, especially at the curb, it just sounded so harsh. Plus I hate to cry and I knew that I would be a blubbering idiot and that I wouldn't even be able to talk.

She didn't have to go in until noon on Wed. So we woke up at our motel and spent a nice relaxing morning just talking and going over everything to make sure we hadn't forgotten anything important. We gave our last pieces of advice to her. Then Joe gave her a father's blessing and we had our last family prayer with her, well at least for 18 months. It was a calm, relaxing atmosphere. There were tears shed but not uncontrollably. The spirit bore witness to me that she is ready, prepared, and heading to where the Lord wants her to be at this time in her life. I know that He needs her and she is going to do great things.

I am so grateful for that peace and comfort.

Then we loaded up and headed for the MTC. As we left our motel Joe pulled into a Carl's Jr. restaurant and pulled up next to a car that had Rhiana and Amy in it. They had gotten up early and drove down to see her off.

It was a nice surprise.

We got to the MTC early so we could park and walk around and take some pictures before she had to go in. Then when it was time we all piled into the car and drove into the MTC. They directed us to the curb in front of the main building. They checked her arrival on a list and two nice Elders unloaded her luggage. They took pictures of us and then after some quick hugs and good lucks, and good byes they whisked her off quite quickly. She was gone and out of sight before we even got back in our car.

They were very friendly, efficient and fast. It was much better to do it this way rather than going inside and feeling the strong spirit that is there, and crying and crying

and just dragging on the agony of saying good bye. It is one time that feeling the spirit feels like torture! LOL

Even though saying goodbye is never easy - this definately was a better way of doing it.

We are so proud of Mindy and I know that the people of Novosibirsk Russia are going to love her as much as we do. We have heard that they are a sad people with no hope. I am so greatful that Mindy can serve the Lord and the people of Russia by bringing them hope through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the love of the Savior.

If any of you would like to write to her she would love to hear from you.

For the next 3 months her MTC address is:

Sister Mindy LeAnn Gneiting

MTC Mailbox # 189-0928

Russia Novosibirsk Mission

2005 N. 900 E.

Provo, UT 84604-1793

Here are some of the pictures we took.

Heading to the MTC.

Rhiana and Amy following behind.

Being the great photographer that I am.........The only picture I got of her standing alone in front of the sign...........and her eyes are closed. Ughhhh!!!!

Daddys baby girl is all grown up!!!

Sisters......sisters!!!!!

Trying not to cry!!!!!

Do you think we have spent enough time at the sign?

Just posponing the inevitable of taking her inside!!!

More pictures ....... more delaying!!!!!

Having fun helps keep the tears away!!

More fun........

.........and more!!!!!!!

Even the dogs came to send her off!!

Only moments away from drop-off time!!

One last picture in front of the MTC.

Getting instructions before being whisked off into the Land of Missionaries!!

Bye Bye!!!! See you in 18 months!!!!!

We love you Sister Gneiting!!!!!!!!!!!

Sister Gneiting

2009-07-13T23:20:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful day yesterday!

It was Mindy's farewell. All of my kids, except my son Scott and his wife, were here and it was fantastic!!

We had so much fun together.

Mindy gave a beautiful talk and testimony. She was pretty much the only speaker and had to take 25 minutes. I was worried for her but I didn't need to because she was filled with the spirit and she taught us and touched our hearts and spirits. I know that the Lord needs her to serve this mission and I know that she will do great. I have no problem with letting her go. I will miss her terribly but I am looking so forward to her letters and every other great thing that comes from having a child out serving the Lord. But I'm really not looking forward to taking her to the MTC on Wed though and dropping her off at the curb. That just sounds so harsh. But I think it will be better than the old way of going inside to the "Mothers Torture Chamber" (as my friend calls it - LOL!!!) just to stretch out the agony of saying goodbye. I'm glad that they have changed that policy.

She is so anxious to just get going that I am more happy for her than sad for me.

After church we went over to the park and had a nice luncheon with many friends and family. It was perfect weather and we all had a very enjoyable time. Then we visited with relatives at our house for most of the afternoon. Then at 6:00 Sunday evening she was set apart as a full time missionary with all of our kids there (minus Scott & Amy Joy ~ we missed you guys!) to witness it. The counseler in our stake presidency did it and his counsel to her was very inspiring. He gave her a beautiful blessing when he set her apart. He told her that she would have angels surrounding her and guarding her every minute. As he said that I had a picture come into my mind of my parents and Joes dad, who have all passed away, standing there with her.

It was so absolutely comforting for me and it gave me great peace. Just one of the Lord's tender mercies given to mothers of missionaries.

Then we came home and topped off the night with root beer floats and watched the DVD of Pres Monson.

It was such a super great day.

As usual, I took my camera but forgot to take any pictures until everyone was gone and we were just cleaning up from the luncheon. Here are a few of the family:

Mindy with Cameron and Hollie

Sisters.......sisters!!!!

A couple of weeks ago Mindy and I were in Utah and we went to a place called the Sister Missionary Mall to shop for mission clothes. We were there about 3 hours and we had a great time picking outfits for her. The gals that work there and other women and future missionaries shopping all enjoyed watching her come out of the dressing room with each outfit on. She got alot of things that she can mix and match, layer and un-layer.....which makes it more fun.

Tonight she did a fashion show for us of some of the clothes that she got. See if you can count all of the different outfits she can put together. I personally think that she is going to be one of the best dressed sister missionaries out there. Enjoy the fashion show!

How do I tie this scarf??

Ready to hit the streets of Russia!!

Waa laaa!!!!! 3 outfits with just a little layering!!!

What can I say? I Love purple!!

Another 3 outfits in 1!!!!!!

We are so excited for Mindy and know that she is going to have an amazing experience for the next 18 months. I know that the people of Russia are going to love her as much as we do, especially as she brings to them the joy of the gospel and the love of the Savior.

We love you Sister Gneiting!!!!

Give me your opinion!

2009-06-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

Ok friends......I need to get my hair done again and so I want your opinions. Here are my last two hairstyles. The cut is pretty close to the same but the color is definately different. Be truthful ~ do you like me better with:

Dark Hair or

Highlights.

Thanks for your help!!!

It's going to be a LONG 4 years!!!!

2009-06-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

Obama has said "America is no longer a Christian Nation"?

Are we? What do you think?

I personally think this is scary that our President is making statements like this regarding our nation and the principles that it was founded on and that we hope it is still based on. This is just one more issue that we need to stand up and fight for.

In this video Congressman Forbes asks the questions "Did America ever consider itself a Judeo-Christian nation?" and "If America was once a Judeo-Christian nation, when did it cease to be?" on the floor of the US House.

We need more congressmen that are willing and courageous enough to stand up for what is right. And those that do - need our strength and support so that they will continue to have the courage to fight for these things that we hold precious.

Please watch this video and then let your voice be heard.

Contact your congressmen and let them know how you feel about this issue.

We just can't stand by and let our president or anyone else make outrageous statements like this.

Then please take time to write to Congressman Forbes and thank him for standing up for Christianity.

His email address is:
randy@randyforbes.com
It would be good if we all wrote him.

Should we be nervous?

2009-06-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

Many of us have gotten into this new fad of posting photos of our families and other things about our lives on our blogs and facebook etc. It is fun to see everyones families and it helps us all feel closer to each other. Technology is such a wonderful thing. Or is it?

Today I read an article about a family whose family picture was stolen and used on a store window for advertising in a foreign country. After reading this article I got to thinking that maybe we should all rethink how much of our information we want to put out into cyber space. Once we put it out there, we cant take it off, and it is out there for all the world to do with as they please. That is kind of a scary thought. This particular incident in this article ended up being an innocent situation - no real harm done. But the potential for what could happen is sorta frightening.

I'm curious to hear what you all think about this. Please read this article HERE and then come back and tell me what you think or give any suggestions of how we can avoid having this happen to us.

What a pain!!!

2009-06-06T14:29:00.000-07:00

Well I was gone for 2 1/2 weeks on my trip visiting Hollie and Cameron in Philly and Scott, Amy and Mindy in California. I had a great time and have so much to blog about. I even took alot of pictures to post. But it will have to wait for awhile. Last Sunday, the day after I got home from traveling, I threw my back out. So I have been in bed since then. The Dr. thinks it is just a bad strain along with severe muscle spasms. He put me on muscle relaxers and pain pills. I think it is slowly getting better but I have a hard time sitting up for very long. Needless to say.......it is rather difficult to do much on the computer. So, for now, blogging is on the back (no pun intended) burner. I'm just grateful that it didn't happen while I was traveling across the country. There's no place like home and your own bed when you don't feel well.

It's now official!!

2009-05-14T21:07:00.001-07:00

I would like to introduce to you to ~ my son-in-law,

Dr Cameron A. Kuehne!

Cameron graduated today from dental school and we are so proud of him and this great accomplishment. He has worked very hard for many years to get to this point in his life.

I am so happy that I could be here to share in this special day.

Hollie and Cam

This was where the graduation was held.

It was an amazing and beautiful theater.

Now they are moving to Boise and Cam will be working with his uncle who is a dentist.

We are so excited that they will be living closer to us.

This is the sign on the building where Cam will be working.

Pretty sweet, huh?

Good job Cameron!!!

I'm on my way . . . .

2009-05-11T07:14:00.001-07:00

First I'm headed here to see Hollie and Cameron for a week.

Then I'm headed here to see Scott, Amy and Mindy for a week.

Stay tuned for updates of my travels!

Philadelphia and Newport Beach - watch out - here I come!!!

Please Vote . . . .

2009-05-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

Let your voice be heard!

Here's your chance to let the media know where the people stand on our faith in God, as a nation.

NBC is presently taking a poll on "In God We Trust" to stay on our American currency.

Please put this on your blogs so that every Christian you know can vote on this important subject.

Please do it right away, before NBC takes this off their web page. Poll is still open so you can vote: HERE

This is cool. . . .

2009-05-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

Don't tell me your age; you probably would tell a falsehood anyway

-but the Hershey Man will know!

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH

This is pretty neat.

DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!
It takes less than a minute ...
Work this out as you read
Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!
This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun.

1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate (more than once but less than 10)

2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

3. Add 5

4. Multiply it by 50 -- I'll wait while you get the calculator

5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1759 ....
If you haven't, add 1758.

6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number

The first digit of this was your original number
(i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).

The next two numbers are

YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)

THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2009) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS.

Chocolate Calculator.

My greatest accomplishment . . .

2009-04-29T15:34:00.000-07:00

. . . . being a mom to the best people ever!!!!!

Since Mother's Day is just around the corner I wanted to do something different this year.

My kids are always so good to remember me on Mother's Day and make me feel so special.

This year I want to honor them and let them each know

how much I love being their mom.

~ Rhiana, Scott, Amy, Hollie and Mindy ~

You have always given me such great joy and I love each one of you.

You are such good examples to me and I learn from you each day.

The Lord really blessed dad and I when he sent you each to our family.

Thanks for being the best kids a mom could ask for!!!!

Rhiana with Grandma Gneiting

Scott with his wife Amy Joy (love you too Amy)

Amy

Hollie with her husband Cameron (love you Cam!)

Hollie and Mindy

Mindy

Another amazing talent

2009-04-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

This cute little girl was on Britain's Got Talent

and I think she may give Susan Boyle a run for it.

Take a listen and see what you think.

4D Ultrasound

2009-04-22T21:27:00.001-07:00

Here is Scott and Amy Joy's little one!!

4D Ultrasounds are amazing!

They went to their Ultrasound appt that they get every other week and were given a HUGE suprise. The Ultrasound tech did a 4D ultrasound!!!

What you are seeing is a side view of his/her little face, nose, and mouth.

Amy is 23 weeks along and right now the baby is 1.5 Lbs and 12 inches long, heart rate 149,

so everything is looking good.

Isn't this technology so amazing?

This is a treat. . . .

2009-04-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

This is an "amazing, feel good,

with maybe even a few tears" video.

A beautiful performance and a beautiful

lesson on how we judge others.

Watch it HERE

Out of the mouths of babes . . .

2009-04-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

If you want to put a smile on your

face today go HERE.

Enjoy!!!

April Fools Day scare . . .

2009-04-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

I got one of those types of phone calls you hate to get -

I almost had a heart attack from it -

Had a few hours of worrying -

We had a little baby scare -

But it looks like everything is Ok - thank heavens!!

It's gonna be a long time until August!

Go Here to find out what happened!

Introducing . . .

2009-03-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

. . . baby Gneiting #2

Aren't ultrsounds awesome!!!

This is my 2nd little Grandchild

Scott and Amy Joy's baby at 19 weeks.

They have decided not to find out if it's a Boy or Girl until he / she is born.

Amy is feeling good and is doing well on her bedrest.

Baby is growing nicely.

August is going to be a wonderful month!!

I can't wait!!!

It's Spring!

2009-03-25T18:31:00.001-07:00

. . . . in Idaho!!!!!!!!

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED

2009-03-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

Most women are just too high maintenance I guess.
Men are just happier people--

Yeah right!!! Life is just easier for them!!!

Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be President. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5,000, Tux rental $100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thougtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes--one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24th

in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier.

Drum roll please . . .

2009-03-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

da da da dum . . . .

Mindy has received her mission call . . . .

She will be serving in the

Russia Novosibirsk Mission!!

She will enter the MTC on July 15.

We are looking forward to learning all about this area.

Here are a few facts that we have found out already:

General information on the city of Novosibirsk:

The third largest city of Russia

Location – middle of Russia

Unofficial capital of Siberia

Area - about 500 square km

Population – about 1,5 million people

It is a large cultural center with many museums, a lot of churches and cathedrals,

beautiful historical buildings & monuments.

Here are some pictures that I found online of the buildings in the city.

We are so excited for Mindy!!

We think this is going to be a great experience for her!!!

If any of you know anything about this mission please let us know!!!

Where in the world . . .

2009-03-03T21:56:00.000-08:00

. . . is Mindy going on her Mission?

Yes, that's right! My baby girl is going on a mission.

She has submitted her papers

and now we are just waiting for her to get her call.

So take a guess - where do you think she is going???

Thanks for your prayers

2009-02-28T20:19:00.000-08:00

So far so good. Amy is doing better. Now we just have to help her stay down for the next 6 months on complete bedrest. Bless her heart! She is already bored and it has only been a few days. But I know she can do it. Scott is pampering her and I am going to try to go down and help them as much as I can this summer. I will be done with school for the summer April 10 and so I'm planning on going down to help if they need me. Anyway here are a few pictures that they had on their blog so I stole them to put them here.
Here she is in her hospital room. They are in Newport Beach, CA and the hospital is amazing.

One reason it is such a great hospital (aside from wonderful doctors, nurses, yada, yada) look at her view from her room. That is the ocean in the background. You can't get a better view in a resort in Hawaii.

Here is Amy's wonderful husband (oh yeah . . . and my son!) He is so good to Amy and never left her side while she was in the hospital. He is so good to take care of her and make her as comfortable as possible. What a guy!!!

And here is Amy at home making the best of this situation. As you can see she is doing pretty good right now. She just has to stay right there for the next 6 months. And as you can see they have a watch dog named Billy and he is keeping his eye on her. His job is to make sure she doesn't move!!! I think he is doing a pretty good job, dont you? Good job Billy! And good job at staying down Amy!! Love you!

Again, to all of our friends and family - thank you for your thoughts, prayers and concerns. I will continue with updates once in awhile to let you know her progress.

Update . . .

2009-02-25T17:50:00.000-08:00

Amy Joy is now home from the hospital. She is still having pain but it is subsiding somewhat. She is on medication to stop contractions and is now on complete bedrest. Please remember her and my little grandbaby in your prayers. Thankyou.

We need your prayers . . .

2009-02-25T11:52:00.000-08:00

This entry was on Scott and Amy Joy's blog this morning. I just copied it right over so you all will know what is happening with them and their little baby. Please keep them in your prayers. We are praying for the Lord to let them keep this baby (which by the way is doing fine) and of coarse we are praying for Amy's health.

Ok Amy's surgery was today. We have been getting lots of calls asking how it went. Well we have come across a few little complications. I just ran home to get some stuff and am just about to head back to the hospital to be with Amy. I am going to make this a fast blog. But this way you all aren't wondering why we haven't called you back yet. We showed up at 10:30 am and the surgery was scheduled for about 12. During the surgery she started feeling everything they were doing and that wasn't good. They had to stop, remove all the surgical stuff and redo the spinal tap. The anesthesiologist said that in his entire career of over 25 years he has never had to do a spinal tap twice. So that was weird. We were told that the recovery is usually about 2 to 3 hours even with two spinal taps and that she wouldn't have any real pain because of the surgery. Well 6 hours after the surgery she had still not regained movement of her lower body and she was experiencing some major pain and contractions. On a pain scale of 1 to 10 she was saying it was a 7 to 8. The pain seems to be getting worse also. We thought we would be home by 3 or 4 at the latest today. We are now spending the night at the hospital. We are hoping the pain and any contractions slow down and stop. If things go the way we hope they do then we will probably be home before noon tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers and calls.

Is it a coincedence??? You decide!!!

2009-02-13T17:21:00.000-08:00

Trivia about President Lincoln and Kennedy
(I stole this off of my friend's blog. It is really cool!)
Thanks for sharing Kathy!

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.

Now it gets really weird.

Lincoln 's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln .

Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.

Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.

Now hang on to your seat.

Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford'.
Kennedy was shot in a car called ' Lincoln ' made by 'Ford'.

Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.

Coincidence? You decide.

One year later . . .

2009-02-10T18:06:00.000-08:00

It was one year ago today, Feb. 10, 2008 that we all gathered to see and hear Pres. Monson dedicate our beautiful temple. We are so blessed to have a temple in our midst.

A little trivia:
The dedication was to be held on February 3, 2008; however, due to the death of Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley and his funeral planned for February 2, 2008, the dedication was postponed one week and was dedicated on February 10 by our new Church President Thomas S. Monson.

Have joy in your mothering . . .

2009-02-05T20:56:00.000-08:00

I have a college class called "The Family" and the whole semester is spent studying "The Proclamation on the Family." This week we have been studying about the divine responsibilites of fathers and mothers.

I liked this quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and so I thought I would share it with you. So this is for all mothers, soon to be mothers and future mothers out there.

"Mothers, we acknowledge and esteem your faith in every footstep. Please know that it is worth it then, now, and forever . . . Yours is the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are and better than you have ever been as you try to make honest effort, however feeble you may sometimes feel that to be . . . You are doing God's work! You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even ---- no, especially --- when your days and your nights may be the most challenging."

. . . i'm back at it

2009-01-31T14:57:00.000-08:00

some people call me

. . . crazy . . . nuts. . . insane

others say . . .

. . . i couldn't ever do that!

to which I reply. . .

. . . if I can do it - you could do it!!

and then they say . . .

. . . oh, but i would NEVER want to do that!! (implying that i'm CRAZY again!!!)

and some people say . . .

WHY are you doing it?

. . . alot depends on my mood when i answer this one (especially if they keep insinuating that i'm CRAZY!!!!!!!!!)

So pick the answer you would want to hear from me . . .

a) i'm not sure why i'm doing it

b) cuz i'm CRAZY!

c) i was inspired to do it

d) to help me through my mid-life crisis

e) cuz i need more face-book friends

f) so i can be smarter than my kids

then they ussually look at me and roll their eyes . . . ok, yes . . . thinking "she IS crazy!"

when people ask me . . .

. . . is it HARD?

I say. . .

. . . no, not really - - - time consuming. . . yes . . . but hard? no, no, not at all!!!!

(i wouldn't want them to think i'm CRAZY!!)

anyway . . . no matter what anyone thinks . . .

. . . after a nine month break . . .

. . . i've got my nose in the books . . . . . .

. . . and i am back in college . . . . full-time

. . . taking 14 credits . . . going 5 days a week. . .

majoring in sociology with a minor in marriage and family studies!

ok, Yes, I agree with you . . . I am CRAZY!!!

But I love it!!

and i'm almost done - - - only ONE semester left after this one

and I will have my bachelors degree!!!! Yippee!!!!!

I know I can do it! I HOPE I can do it!!

so . . . people say to me . . .

. . . what are you going to do when you are all done?

i smile . . . and with a sheepish grin (waiting for the CRAZY thought to show up on their faces again)

i say . . . what else???

. . . . master's degree?!?!?

Look at how we've changed

2009-01-24T08:03:00.000-08:00

Ok I stole this from my niece's blog but I just couldn't resist putting it on mine. (thanks Heather!) In my last blog I mentioned that it had been about 15 years since my family had been together. Well, this picture proves it. This picture was taken at my brothers house the last time we visited there, back in the early 90's. (In fact my other brother and his family weren't there then, so it has been even longer since we had been together with them.)

Anyway enjoy taking notice of the hairdo's, the big glasses, the 80's themed clothes and how young we all look.

The picture below is how we all look now. Take notice - Mindy, who is in the black & yellow striped shirt, is the little one on grandpa's lap in the previous picture.

Wow - what a difference 15 years makes.

I hope it doesn't take us that long to get together again!