Kardashians Give Big

So last night I had the most amazing dream ever. I know it was dream because this kind of thing only happens when I sleep. So there I was watching Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe Kardashian (who I know nothing about, other than their brother was on Dancing with the stars) and they wanted to do something big. Something so big this Christmas, that Oprah would look like the Grinch. So what they did was have a guy randomly ask people what their Christmas wish would be. They could pick three things, any three things what would they wish for. I happened to be one of these lucky people he asked on the street.

I answered, "I would like to be out of school debt, visit my parents, and buy my parents a van or house." As I spoke these words out pops Kim ans says, "Here is a check for $30,000 to pay off your loans." I saw myself scream with joy and then a rush of tears fell from my eyes. I could not stop crying and saying, "Thank you!" I think I hugged her to death. Then she asked me why I was so emotional. I told her not only could I know pay off our debt, but that I would have a little left over to pay for a plane ticket home to see my dad. She just grinned from ear to ear and said, "Hey Khloe, come here." That is when Khloe pops out with four plane tickets, a rental car pass for Hertz, and a hotel suite for my family. I think that's when I knew that the Kardashians were always going to get Christmas cards from my family. I could not believe their generosity. Off we went with film crew in tote to see my family. We surprised them for the holidays. It was by far the greatest feeling ever. I didn't think there could be more for I was in Heaven for sure.

This is when the best part of my dream happened. You thought that part was amazing, just wait until you read what Kourtney and Kim did. SO there we were hanging out as a family tears like Niagra when Kim says she has a holiday surprise friend she wants us to meet. So my family and parents go off in a limo to this beautiful home. At the door we are met by Kourtney and her special friend Ty Pennington (I told you this was a cool dream!) He welcomes us into his home and it is beautiful. We have dinner with them and then he gives us a tour. He shows us his cool basement with this pool table that turns into a hockey table and ping pong table. Down in the basement is three treadmills, so he and his buddies can walk together when it is too hot to go outside. If you have ever experienced n Arizona heat, you know he is one smart guy. He then shows us this beautiful back yard with a coll playset, which my siblings play on for the next 30 minutes while we eat dessert. We are getting ready to go and Ty says, "I have a surprise for you" out pops a brand new mini van for my parents. This is a HUGE deal. My family has not been able to ride in the same car together in years, too many people. They are in desperate need of a new car. You can now imagine Niagra is a leaky faucet compared to the tears that are beginning to flood the desert sands of Arizona. He hands my mom the keys and says to my mom and dad, "Oh, by the way, welcome home Camarena family, welcome home." We look at each other surprised and then it hits us he not only handed her keys to a new van, but to a new home. The very home we were just in was a gift from the Kardashians and Ty. I was overwhelmed with the joy on my parents faces with the weight that had been lifted from their burdens when I felt a knee jab into my back and a small body cuddle next to me saying, "Mama, t-u wake up?"

I was dreaming. Oh, but it was a beautiful dream. I wish it was true. I was so sad being ripped away from the joyful faces of my family. I was so ready to just call the Kardashians family. At this point they deserved that title. They had given big. They, in my book, had blown Oprah out of the box.

Kim if you ever read this and you want to make my dream a reality, please do. I already have a title for your show, The Kardashians Give Big!

James

"What are you thankful for, James?"

"My sister."

Shout out to Picnik.com

I am one of those people who cannot afford really cool shots of my kids by a pro. I would LOVE to have someone take our picture and mount a photographers artwork all over the walls of my home. Some day I will be able to do this, but for now I get to play photographer. On occasions I get some really great shots of my kids. Like the following one of my daughter.

It is really cute, but the coloring is all wrong.

Look what I did in about 3 minutes.

My secret:

Messing with the exposure button on PICNIK

If you have not been to this site you should.

Two reasons:

1. It's FREE

2. You can make your

pictures look this cool!

You can also do this!

Sunday Talk

Sundays are always days to get back into the sweetness of life.

I was able to give a talk today at church on charity.

I spoke on how charity can be shown in three ways.

1. We can show others the pure love of Christ and

put off the natural man by showing them we love them

I expressed this with my conversion story, how my sweet (step)mother INVITED me to church on a Sunday, as she often would. I sometimes declined and sometimes accepted her invitation. I wonder if she ever felt like inviting me, but didn't because she was sacred to? If she did I am glad that that day she had no fear. She showed me that

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

I used to think this passage meant I had to die for my friends, but I have become smarter and know it means that I should put others before myself. That Sunday she did that for me. She showed me she had no fear to share with me the most beautiful part of her life with me. I am eternally grateful for that. I hope she knows that.

I am also grateful for my Father who had enough love for me to bring me up in a way that gave me pride in who I am. He taught me from an early age that I was a child of the Most High. He taught me to respect myself and others. He taught me to work hard for what I have. he taught me life has no short cuts. He taught me that God knows me and what I do. He taught me how to pray and the importance of scriptures. I remember as a child sitting on my Dad's bed as he gathered my sister and I to read scriptures and to pray before bed. I remember he would play spiritual music every Sabbath morning as we got dressed for church. I remember how diligent he was in showing us to respect the Sabbath to spend that day worshiping and reverencing our Father in Heaven. He taught me that I was special to him as he came to my soccer games, cheer practices, and wrestling practices to get me. He taught me that I was smart and I could be anything I wanted to. He taught me to never give up because God would help me when things got tough. My Father taught me a lot for a man who was on his own a lot. He may not be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, as I am, but he prepared me for the day I would find God's church restored. He helped me prepare myself for the blessings I have at this moment, my children and my husband.

2. Charity towards our families

Sometimes we think that helping someone we don't know, like the Good Samaritan, is when we are showing true charity. I used to think this way. One day I heard a talk that spoke on motherhood and how it was one of the greatest things we could do in this life. I thought, "Really?" The more I have thought about it being a mother is the best and most essential job on the planet. I did not have a mother for most of my childhood, but I had a Father who taught me things I am sure his mother taught him. I have learned that great charity is stop reading my book and look at my child's new Lego building. Stop fussing about my dirty house and take my children outside. My husband shows me charity when I am tired from caring for the children ALL DAY and he will do the dishes or pick up toys without being prompted. He does it because I know he loves me. The Savior would do that if he were here. I know he would. If we show those who are closes to us the love of Christ when they grow up they will do the same to those around them and to those closes to them.

3. We need to show ourselves charity.

You are special.

God knows you.

He made you.

He loves you.

He sent his only Son to die for you.

If you ever get to a moment where you doubt who you are and you will do as Enos. Enos prayed until he KNEW who he was. God told him a lot about who he was when Enos finally got his answer. God said, "Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee."

In that moment Enos knew he was special, God knew him, God loved him, he could be forgiven, he had a purpose on this Earth, he was of some worth, the things his father had taught him were true, and that no matter how rough things got he had someone to turn to. We need to have enough love for ourselves to spend time with our Heavenly Father. Life gets busy and we let everyday life take us away from those things we know we should be doing. I do not know one person who spends time in the scriptures and on their knees daily, regularly, and with devotion that feels alone and without. I know that once we do not spend time with our Father in Heaven we slip out of his sight and into darkness. For some of us this is a slow processes and for others it is quick. Show yourself love and do not allow yourself to get away from what is important. I have had to many special and sacred experiences to let all that I have learned and love slip away from me. I have at times not been fully invested, but I cannot allow that for I know this gospel means to much to me. My Heavenly Father's love mean the world to me. I want to return to his presences with my spouse and children at my side. Some may say that we don't know if such a thing is possible, but I know the feelings I have felt are real. I know them for myself. The beauty of the Lord's gospel is that we can all feel it for ourselves.

I am glad I was able to write some of my talk down. This is not word for word what I said today, but close with some added thoughts I felt like I wanted to express. I hope to increase my knowledge of my Heavenly Father. I also hope that my family both here in Georgia and Arizona know how much they mean to me. I have been blessed with the greatest and most loving family one could ask for. I do not know why I am so blessed, but I do not question it I am just humbled to have what I have. I could not ask for more. I love you guys so much and I miss you guys more than anything! I hope someday soon I can show my Arizona family my children and that I can just spend sometime with you all. I hope it is sooner than later. Love you!

Pre-Halloween fun!

Happy Halloween from my little ones!

Pre-fall fun

It is being to look like Fall!

Can you say that I am excited? YES!!!!

I love the way I can go outside and play with my kids AND husband. He is not a fan of the heat and can take a lot of persuasion to go outside with us. When there is a crisp smell in the air and a cool breeze he is the one saying let's go outside. I love it!

I also love having baking smells in the air. My Mother-in-law happens to be a master baker. She makes the most yummy things. I sometimes have to stay out of the kitchen because I think to myself, "One more bit won't hurt......okay just one more.......one more.......no more....well maybe just one more........" If you have never had her baking you are missing out! NO you cannot have her. Find your own awesome in-laws.

One last thing about fall that I love....can you guess?

CLOTHES!!!

Fall has the best clothes. I can also hid my post pregnant belly in sweaters and stuff. I am getting down with my big self, but it is harder than last time. I don't have a walking buddy. Anyway back to the clothes. The fall clothes for children is so adorable! I can't afford many of the cute things, but if you wait long enough Target always have nice clothes for cheap! I got three pair of jeans, 1 khaki, 1 black pant, a pair of tennis shoes (James), a leotard, and tights for $44. Yes 5 pants, shoes, and the other two things for that price. I love the sales at our target.

Happy beginning of fall (while it last, but it will be back!)

Stationery card

French Toile Scarlet Birth Announcement

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