Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

How many times have we wished to be "Over the Rainbow?"

As we continue with each new day of 2009, I am astounded at how fast the time goes by. I am astounded how long the days are; yet the weeks and months pass by in the blink of an eye.

So, as I think about what I plan to do or accomplish this new year, I can't help but think about what already went by. I'm not just being nostalgic...it's that I want to know, what have I done or accomplished? Did I get to my "goals" that I so eagerly awaited, and did it make a difference? Am I a better person today because I made it through yesterday?

Sometimes, I feel as if we focus too much on the future and the "if I can only get pass this moment or that event, I will be fine..." How many times did I wait for those moments, and then realize that they already happened as I was waiting for the next one to come?!

Some of the waiting was for big moments that didn't go unnoticed. It seems like yesterday that I was waiting to graduate from high school...go on a mission...meet my knight in shining armor...get married...and then I got to those wonderful moments. Then, as we got to those certain moments, we then had to wait again for the next ones. We were waiting for Ella...to own our first house...for Border Patrol to call...for Leif to come...and then, they came and we were happy.

It is wonderful to get to those amazing moments and be in total awe of life itself. But then I have to question myself, "how many moments did I miss because I was so focused on getting pass other ones?" All I have to do is look at photos of the past and I realize that part of life is done and no matter what I do now, I can never get that yesterday back. I can't have any "do-overs" for yesterday. I can't get back all those days of Ella being very much a two-year-old; I wanted to get past those days of major tantrums, that I sometimes didn't stop to appreciate the experience that I was given. I was so anxious for the days that Leif would crawl and walk...that when he did, I wish I could have another day to have him be content all day cuddled in my arms.

Sometimes, we focus getting passed certain moments in life that we would rather just not have; those moments make up this life we have. No one is immune from trials. No one is free of pain, stress, or frustration. No one is free of the opportunities to learn and make our life what it is.

A few weeks back, I taught a lesson in Relief Society from the Joseph Smith Manual. It helped me so much to clear a little bit of my vision and help me see beyond the moment. If you haven't read or studied chapter 19: "Standing Fast through the Storms of Life," you're missing out.

Joseph Smith's words helped me see that how I handle the moments that I am waiting to pass by, determines what I learn in this life and who I become. At times, I (among us all) feel that I am in over my head with what is happening in my life. I love that Joseph Smith said:

"The destinies of all people are in the hands of a just God, and He will do
no injustice to anyone...(p. 230 JS Manual)."

I know that every moment, good or bad, that I am given...is given
to me by a just God. We all are in His hands in every moment. In the last General Conference, President Monson gave a talk "Finding Joy in the Journey." It struck me as I re-read this talk how much I lose the focus on the what I have right now...not what is waiting for me in the future. I love how he said:

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."

So, as I look at what I want to accomplish in 2009...I want to accomplish today. I want to look at the moment I am in and look forward to each moment that comes my way. If I am given trials to experience, I want to seek the lesson that I am to learn. I know that I cannot go back to yesterday to fix it...so why dwell on it? I can learn from yesterday to help me learn from today. I can use today in order to be prepared for whatever may come tomorrow.

Sometimes, I do wish to get "Over the Rainbow." But just as Dorothy had to learn, I have to realize that what I have now in my life, is my experience to enjoy as it is given to me from God. At times we have to go through a scary tornado to recognize the goodness that is already in our lives...oh, how wonderful that I am not forgotten by my Creator...that He'll always help me to learn and get closer to him.

Here's to 2009...loving every day that I get...even when I don't appreciate every moment.

My friend Serene tagged me, so here we go...sorry that it took so long...
5 Things tag



5 FAVORITE PLACES I’VE LIVED
(I’ve lived in so many places that I have loved…some just stand out more for me at the moment)
1. Benson, AZ (our current location)
2. Provo, UT (BYU baby)
3. Ventura, CA (dear memories of the teenage years)
4. Uruguay – (I have to put down all the places: Florida, San Jose de Mayo, Progreso, y Santa Lucia)
5. Vernal, UT (great memories of starting our life together)
**Very Special Extra #6** The Attic (that's for you Anne and all the other Attic girls)


5 FAVORITE SNACKS
1. Chocolate (anykind)
2. Green Olives on crackers with cheese (thanks Stacy).
3. Pickles (have to have the Clausen kosher dill kind)
4. No-Bake Cookies (shameful how much we have eaten)
5. Bread (soft and chewy)

5 JOBS I’VE HAD
(I have had a few more than the 5 listed thanks to moving)
1. Unishippers (thank you Jeanne & Bill Tanner for teaching me so much)
2. Ventura Pest Control
3. MTC cafeteria (good memories with Jeni)

4. BYU Auxiliary Maintenance Dept. (among a few other BYU jobs)

5. Khalsa Montessori Middle School (interesting place to say the least)

IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS I WOULD
1. Pay off debt and Put some into Savings!
2. Buy the property we want and build our own house.
3. Go visit Uruguay and Argentina for an obscene amount of time.
4. Finish school.
5. Shop! New car, new clothes, and some new furniture.

5 THINGS I LOVE
1. My Hubby Josh – you rock my world baby!
2. Ella – my sweet princess

3. Leif – my little man and nap buddy.

4. Friends & Family

5. My home ward.

5 PLACES I HAVE LOVED VISITING OR WOULD LOVE TO:

(I had to change this because we never go anywhere)

1. South America (I want to tour a few countries)

2. Hawaii

3. New York

4. Washington D.C. (history aspect)

5. Alaska

5 People that I tag

(if you already have done it, don't worry about it):

1. Stacy

2. Teralyn

3. Erica

4. Jeni

5. Carrie

A Dream, A Reality

"What an exciting and momentous few days it has been here in America. First, after 45 years to the date of when Dr. Martin Luther King gave his "I have a dream” speech, (one of the finest speeches ever spoken,) America nominated the first African American as a candidate for the office of President of the United States of America. We as a nation have come so far in this regard, and I hope all of us can reflect on this historical moment and what that means for us as individuals and as a nation. It's been awesome to explain this history making moment to my kids, and answer their questions about civil rights in America and around the world. I personally do not agree with Barak Obama and his party’s platform, and at the same time I am excited for him and his family to be the first black man to receive this highest honor as a nominee for President." - Michelle Shirley


There have been many Presidents in the history of America that did not represent the beliefs of many of the citizens...but, oh Beautiful America kept going on and shining to the world. Obama is history in the making for our country...we have come so far...we are seeing Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream...let us take part in that dream and support our country. We can always fight for our beliefs...look at the propositions...look at the example that we show in our daily lives. Whether we like it or not, Obama represents us now. I still Pledge my allegiance to our country.

I had a student once tell me that if President Bush was to be re-elected, she had friends that were going to leave the country and that her family wanted to also. I took the moment to teach her about the beauty of democracy and how all of our choices mean something, but that we don't run away if we don't get our way. We need to always take the time to learn and grow from what we experience. As Elder Wirthlin's mom would always say, "Come what may, and love it." Even if I didn't vote for the President, I would never desert America and it's people.


Coretta Scott King once wrote a forward to a book about her husband; in it, she said: "My husband, Martin Luther King, Jr., had a great dream for America. He believed that people of all colors and religions could learn how to live together and treat each other like brothers and sisters. In his dream, the people of America would put an end to hatred, injustice, and violence, and a new spirit of kindness, sharing, and unity would spread across the land. He believed that we could achieve this dream if we would all make a commitment to forgiveness, justice, and love for each other."

What a dream we get to witness. Times may get bad...and it may be just because of the times that we live in. We might be surprised and find life to be more fullfilling than we imagined. If anything, let a us have a prayer in our hearts for the President Elect and his family as he receives one of the hardest jobs in the world...and as he begins his Presidency in already crumbling circumstances.


"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." — Martin Luther King, Jr.

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Halloweenies...

This year was a fun Halloween for the kiddies and me. We went up to Gilbert to Trick-or-Treat with my sisters, Shelley & Stacy and their families. Alas, Josh could not join us as he had to work...when the nieces and nephews asked where he was...I told them that he was dressed up as a Federal Leprechaun -- he was wearing all green and some gold (ok, so he dresses like that everyday and he's not gonna being giving anyone gold if you catch him -- in fact, he does the catching -- too bad he doesn't get the gold).

Halloween at the Shirley's is a huge and fun event. Everyone dresses up -- everyone! In fact, they even go by themes. The Erickson's went as the gang from the Wizard of Oz and the Shirleys went as the redneck/white trash family. There were lots of laughs and fun. Our little family's theme was an unplanned "dress according to your name." Ella means Beautiful Fairy Woman ... so she was a fairy and a red one at that (Allred); Leif's middle name is Fierro like the famous Argentine character, Martin Fierro -- it represents the life of the Gaucho and it's culture...so, Leif was a Gaucho. As for me, my name is Sarah... so I took advantage of the current events and presented myself as Sarah Palin (Neiman Marcus tags and all)... here are a few pics from the night...

Sarah Palin with her constituents: a Redneck & Dorothy (Kansas is on her side...maybe).

I made sure to shake the adults hand and ask for their votes...the negatives enjoyed my expensivley priced clothes from Neiman Marcus (ironically my whole outfit was from Target).

A good politician puts on a good face no matter the situation...


My little gaucho, Leif Fierro (his pants are authentic as they were made by a sister that Josh knew in his last area in Argentina)...he looked more like a Boracho as the night wore on...

Our Beautiful all-red Fairy...Ella puts on airs as she went door to door...she gets more candy for it too!

I hope that you all had a fun time on Halloween and that you made many family memories as we did!

Hey you...with the Hair and the Face...

I haven't done some serious blogging for a while...so to catch some things up...Leif got his first haircut (ok, so that was over a month ago and his hair has already grown some since)...here are some fav photos of the Leif Hair Hall of Fame...

What one-year-old can pull off a FauxHawk making it look good?

Unfortunately, he lived with the sheepdog look where his own hair obstructed his vision for the longest time (sometimes I used clips and his sister's hair ties to help him out...Daddy wasn't too impressed by that).

When it was styled...the heat and humidity during Monsoon Season was just too much for good hair.

So off to Uncle Ric's Salon we went... that is the Ric Erickson Studio in Tucson, AZ (Grant & Swan).

Leif was exceptionally good for his Uncle -- Daddy was good too...

...Lookin' good...checkin' himself out in the mirror.

Thanks Uncle Ric!

Save the Family -- don't let it become an endangered species!

Visit http://www.yesformarriage.com/ -- we are at a crucial time in the world where we need to take the time and energy to preserve that which is sacred to us. The family is being torn apart by its definition and we have the opportunity to let it remain as "One man, one woman." So fellow Arizonans, make sure you get to the polls on November 4th and vote!

VOTE YES ON 102!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Three years ago, you came into our lives and made us parents.

You came and brought a trail of stardust that touches everyone that you meet.

You are our shining star and a joy to have everyday.

You have smile that can melt any heart...

a contagious laugh that infects anyone within earshot...

a hug that can make any day...

and the sweetest voice that is music to our ears.

We love when you bless us with a song or dance performance...

we love it when you perform magic tricks...

we love it when you help out with cleaning and with your brother.

Thank you for choosing us as your parents and teaching us so much.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

We are experiencing some technical difficulties...

I have been meaning to get a new post up and going for the last 2 weeks...after having guests for a week (fun with Holly, Justin & kids), I sat down to blog a little when my computer decided that it doesn't want to play anymore... luckily it's under a guarantee and DELL will be sending another one to us this week. For now, we are using our old dinosaur and it takes too long for my short patience to do any serious blogging (plus I have to recover my pics from the other). So, I hope y'all are having a great time and I'll be catching up soon...I hope.