Me and my girls (well, 2 of my 5 girls)

Cute Cousins

Sleeping Beauties

Have you ever heard the expression, it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission? Well, I am going to need Mark and Kate's forgiveness after this post. I just couldn't resist taking this picture. We love conference, but 8 hours is bound to induce sleep.

Cookie Fun

I made Trevor a deal when we do sugar cookies. I make the dough, he rolls it out and cuts them with the kids, I bake them and frost. I think I got the good end of the deal. He is so good to have agreed to it. Anyone who has done sugar cookies with kids knows how hard it is to roll them out and cut them efficiently with little ones helping.

Say "Cheese"

When we got home from dinner, Kate and I realized that we hadn't taken any pictures together, so we asked Trevor to take one. Well, one turned into many. Am I the only one that has the fattest arms ever in pictures? Maybe my arms are that fat. So, I was trying to find a way to make them look slimmer. Kate showed me some tricks that she thought might work and that is when it happened. We started laughing and we couldn't stop. It took quite a few pictures before we got a normal one. I have to admit, it felt so good to laugh, to really laugh. Thanks Kate.

We were able to get a babysitter and have a night out together. We went to Tokyo Gardens, where they cook right in front of you and do lots of fun tricks with the food and utensils. I was thinking how great it would be to have my own personal chef.

Conference Weekend Fun

These are just a few glimpses of the fun that we had.

Happy Early Birthday Kate

Kate, Mark and their kids came for our semi-annual General Conference weekend get together. It just happens to fall close to both of their birthdays. I am always looking for a reason to bake and celebrate.

Tender Mercies

Yesterday was our ward's Primary Program. Ali was assigned to give a talk on the May theme which is, Heavenly Father planned for me to come to a family. "The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children" ("Proclomation," paragraph 1). Trevor and I asked her to start working on her talk by herself and then we would help her elaborate. So, she came to me a week or so ago and handed me a small piece of paper. This is what was written on it:

A couple of months ago my aunt died. I was so sad that I never got to say goodbye. But I know that when I pass away, that I will be able to say "Hello" to her. I am so glad that I know that families are together forever. I couldn't imagine how sad I would be if I didn't know that.

While I was reading those words, the tears began to flow. I think she was surprised by that. I reassured her that my emotions were already on the surface and her words just made them overflow. Needless to say, she didn't end up including this in her talk. She was worried that she would get too emotional to talk. I was so grateful for these words that she wrote down. I had begun to wonder if my children were missing their Aunt Ginger. They seemed so unaffected by her passing. I know that they are each dealing with this loss in their own way. Thank goodness for the answers that the Gospel offers in these trying times. It is wonderful to know that my children know that families can be together forever. We will see Ginger again and what a joyous reunion that will be.

Maddi? Are you sure it was My Maddi?

Well, it happened today........Madison not only participated in her first ever Primary Program, but she even sang a song with two other girls in front of the whole congregation. Those of you who know my shy little girl, will know how impressive this is. Next we just have to get her to be baptized. I am open for suggestions on that one.

What a Beautiful Baby

I have been tagged, YEAH, finally.

Some of Ginger's (my sister-in-law) most precious posts were from when she was tagged. These questions make you really think. They reveal a lot about a person. Let's hope you all still love me after you read my answers.

Three joys:
1. My husband of 13 years this December
2. Ali, Heidi, Madison, Reid, Kandrea and Lilia
3. Being part of this huge Zierenberg Forever Family

Three fears:
1. Not being a good mom
2. Not being a good wife
3. Letting anyone down

Three goals:
1. To lose 5-10 more pounds
2. To keep my family healthy
3. To tackle the chaos that is my household

Three of my Current Obsessions:
1. Pictures, pictures and more pictures and blogging. I just got a new camera and I can't seem to take enough pictures
2. No sugar diet (both Trevor and I are off sugar til Halloween) and trying to be healthier all around
3. Essential oils and foot zoning (it's a long story, you will have to ask me.) So far Trevor and I have seen great results

Three Regrets:
1. Worrying away most of my time on this Earth
2. Not taking more pictures
3. Not relishing in every moment that I have had with people I love.

Three Facts about Me:
1. I expect a lot from people
2. I use to love animals more than anything. Don't get me wrong, I still love them, it's just that that love seems to have transfered to my kids.
3. My plan growing up was to never have children (haha). My friends said that I would be living alone with tons of dogs and cats and a huge pool out back full of dolphins.

I am going to tag Summer, Jason and Jen, Heidi and Rod and Monica

Ali and Mom's 1st time doing baptisms for the dead

Our stake had a temple trip planned shortly after Ali turned 12. I am still nursing Lily, but I didn't want to miss Ali's first time in the temple. So, we brought along Justin Lee and he stayed outside and babysat while we did baptisms for the dead. I can't believe I have been a member for 14 years this December and I have never done baptisms for the dead. It was neat to share this first with my first daughter. I am still in awe at how she is maturing. I love to watch her grow.

Believe it or Not......My baby is 12

Ali's 12th birthday was a bitter sweet thing for me. Turning 12 marks that Ali is really growing up. I don't know when it happened, but Ali has turned into an amazing young woman. Did I blink between her turning 8 and now 12? I feel like the time has flown by.

3 things that Ali loves about being 12
1. Being in Young Women's
2. Getting her ears pierced
3. And, last but not least being able to go to the temple.

3 things that I love
1. Watching her grow up as a member of The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
2. Being able to be her Mom and witness her growth first hand
3. That Heavenly father decided to bless me with her special Spirit

Mermaid, Again?

I let my kids choose what cake they want me to make for their birthday and oddly enough, Ali chose the same birthday cake that she did for her 8th birthday.

Mermaid cake 2008


Mermaid cake 2004

I get yet another Mom of the Year award. Is this life as #6?

The Puzzler

I don't know how it happened, but one day we got out some puzzles for Kandrea and the rest is history. She is doing 100 piece puzzles on her own with no help from us. She gets quite possessive over her puzzles. You are pretty special if she will let you help her do the puzzle. The girl must have a photographic memory. It is interesting to watch her put the puzzle together. I have yet to figure out her strategy.

Ginger Dee Clinton (Mom, Wife, Sister and Friend...)

My sister-in-law (I think of her as my sister), Ginger, passed away on July 20, 2008 in the early morning from a rare heart condition. She leaves behind an amazing husband, Jason and their four children, Erin(8), Jenna(6), Brady(3) and Holly(1). All of our hearts are breaking for the loss of our sister and friend. We all feel a void without her presence here with us. None of us feel what her sweet husband and amazing children have to be feeling at this time. Our hearts and prayers go out to them. What peace the Gospel can bring at this devastating time of loss. I am truly grateful for the knowledge that I will see my sister again. The other night, I had a dream about Ginger. It gave me the opportunity to see her sweet smiling face in person once again. Right as I went to hug her, I woke up. I am awaiting the day when I will get my hug....You are loved Ginger Dee Clinton...You will live in our hearts until we meet again...

Ginger's Sweet Family

A Mom's Words of Wisdom




This is a letter that Ginger wrote for Erin and Jenna's school emergency kit. What a sweet note that her children will always have. It is great advice for the rest of their lives. While I was preparing my talk on The Gift of The Holy Ghost for Erin's baptism, this letter kept coming to my mind. I felt like I should incorporate it in my talk. I likened the letter to something similar to what Jesus would have written to his followers before he had to leave this Earth. I think that He would have said a lot of the same things that Ginger said. What a priceless gift for her children.

Mary or Martha?

When Ginger and I were together it was a case of Mary and Martha. Which was Ginger do you ask? Well, those of you who knew Ginger, knew the answer to that question right away...she was Mary and I was Martha. In the New Testament, it reads, Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou are careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (St. Luke 10:38-42)
Let me explain a little. Ginger spent her time building relationships with the loved ones and friends around her. She didn't sweat the small stuff. She didn't waste her time trying to put on a show for others to admire. She was always the first person to be willing to just hang out and talk. When I really needed to talk about everything and nothing at the same time, she was the one I would call. She was never too busy to talk. I am sure that she was busy when I would call, but she never let me know it. She understood that time here on this earth is precious and I feel that she knew without really knowing that we do not have a moment to waste stressing and sweating the small stuff. I hope that in time, I can learn that wonderful lesson that she so freely lived.