Me & Mom on Mother's Day

Me & Mom on Mother's Day 2009

This was from Facebook, I was supposed to pick 5 things that reminded me of my Mom. As you can see I couldn't stop at just 5. I Love you Mom!!

Christi Leonard Williams Share 5 things that remind you of your mom: She is always there when I need her, She is a great cook, Heaven Scent, She is my best friend and she is an example in all things.

Glassware, Hummingbirds, Jacks, Marbles, Paper Dolls

Camping, Girls Camp, Oil Lamps, Christmas, Coupons

The Temple, Family History, Pictures, Nativities, Costumes

Smart, Creative, Talented, Funny, Scrabble (the queen)

Service, Honest, Pit, Dorabella, The Night Sky

Hugs, Long Phone Calls, Yard Sales, DI, Homemade Ice Cream

Preparedness, Wise, Tomatoes, Praymantis (hates them), Cherries

Roller Skates, Kip, Reading Light, Pyrex Bowls, Pots

Kites, Mashed Potatoes, Blocks, Camp Fires, Table Clothes

and so much more!!

Mother's Day cont.

My day started with a wonderful breakfast of french toast with homemade caramel syrup, bacon, fresh strawberries and orange juice. It was so yummy. (my camera was lost, so no pictures of the morning, but with earnest prayer we found the camera!) I got a call from Alissa in Palmyra, NY to wish me a Happy Mother's Day.

We went to church and than enjoyed a great dinner with my Mom and Dad. Ashley called, it was good to talk to her. I had everyone else with me, I love my family so much!! It was a GREAT Mother's Day! Thank you!

My stash ;-)

Another Ballroom Dancer? Lindsay's Jive

Looks like we have another Williams' dancer. This is Lindsay's Jive. Watch until the last hit (almost at the end). It looks just like big sis Alissa. (she is only 3 in this video)

Star - Flair

I Love Stars

.

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3

A Blog Post from a Host Family - The BYU Ballroom Tour

What a sweet experince. This post is from the Norton Family they hosted Alissa for two nights at their home in Indianapolis while the BYU Ballroom Team is on tour. She took the time to contact me. Thank you Traci.
.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009

BYU Ballroom Dancers

Last night the BYU Ballroom Dancers performed at the University of Indianapolis' Ransburg Auditorium, thanks to the hard work of Kelsey Lambert who organized their visit for the BYU Alumni Association. It was spectacular. Coley was an usher and Hannah and I watched. We took Emily and Brooke Kinard, too.
.


The best part, however, was having two of the dancers stay with us Monday and Tuesday night. Shayla Kennington (front row in the white dress above and left below) and Alissa Williams (front row in the purple dress above and right below).
.


They were outstanding examples for Coley and Hannah of what comes of hard work and dedication, along with living the gospel. They were overflowing with positive attitudes and excitement. Indianapolis is such a clean city, Fishers is so green and beautiful, the houses and neighborhoods are so nice, the Speedway was really fun and the Indy cars were impressive, meeting Danica Patrick was awesome and she was so tiny and pretty, breakfast was just what they wanted, they slept like a rock in our beds, our children are so great and fun to visit with.... I swear, the world through their eyes is a glorious place. I love it.

I'm so thankful that they stayed with us. If you are interested in details, here are a few: The dancers are on a 3 1/2 week tour. They perform nineteen numbers at least fourteen times during the tour. They started in Kansas City, where Shayla is from, so her family got to be there. They end in DC, where they get a free day. They get to go to lots of church history sites all along the way. All this time they wear matching clothes and name badges. They sleep in members' homes, do workshops for young single adults, visit the local sights, and several of the single ones date each other. That is what we learned in our sneak peek into the world of BYU Ballroom Dancing.

Shayla has been dancing since she was 8. Her mom home schools(ed) all five kids. So far they have all graduated from high school in three years with 30 college credits under their belt and transferred to BYU--wow! She has been married for three years and just graduated last week in Ballroom Dance. She will be coaching a high school team now while her husband finishes at BYU.
.

Alissa has a family full of all kinds of activities, with nine kids in her family. Most of the girls are involved in ballroom. Alissa started ballroom dancing in 8th grade and danced at Provo High (she's from Provo). She just finished her third year at BYU and is majoring in dance education.

Posted by Traci at 7:41 AM

Traci said...
This is Traci Norton. Alissa stayed at our house in Indianapolis last night and the night before and I made a comment on your April 14, 2008 entry before I realized I should have commented here so you would see it. Yay for Alissa! We loved having her stay with us. Thanks for having such a fabulous daughter.
May 6, 2009 6:21 AM
.
Christi said...
Traci,
Thank you for opening your home to Alissa and the other BYU dancers, As a mother it is comforting to know that she is being so well cared for. And I think she is pretty fabulous myself. :-)
May 6, 2009 11:51 AM
.
And thank you for your wonderful post, I hope you don't mind I put it on my blog. It is fun to see a little inside of what they are experiencing. My The Lord bless you and your sweet family.
May 7, 2009 2:42 PM

My New Favorite! Right Now

The Prom 2009

Provo High School Prom
May 2, 2009


Katie acting like she is pining on the Boutonniere
(I have pinned on ALL the boys Boutonnieres
for ALL the dances for ALL my girls - shhhh)

Katie & Austin

Joe, Kayla, Katie & Austin

Chesk out those shoes

That's my girl!!

It's not just all about dance - Softball too!!

We love the game of softball; my five oldest girls have played on softball teams. It's just not all about dance in this family. Katie & Sierra played on the softball teams for Provo High School. These girls play hard and they are not afraid to get dirty and to take one for the team!

.

Sierra playing 2nd

.

The Cheer Leaders

Sierra

Katie

.

This is Katie's leg but Sierra's looked the same

Way to sacrifice the body!

.

Sierra & Hannah

.

Sierra playing short

.

Katie playing short

.

Katie

7 Ways to Discover Joy

Find More Joy in Life

Many of us reach a point when our lives become routine, dull, and thankless. We lose our sense of meaning and direction. There seems to be a lack of purpose and feelings of hopelessness permeate our very being. We do reach a time when we are tired of being emotionally constipated and seek out ways to break this numbing cycle. The time has come to venture into something new.

.

Listen to Music

.

Select songs that will make you happy or if you haven't cried for a long time, select songs that will induce sadness. The release of tears will help you let go of what ever is keeping you stuck.

.

Follow Your Dream

.

.

If you have had a long term dream of writing a book, opening a store, moving to the country or running for political office, now is the time to pursue that dream instead of merely fantasizing about it.

.

Let Go of Grief

.

You may havebeen deeply hurt during your childhood. One of your parents may have died abruptly or you may have been abused. If you are having difficulty forming and keeping relationships and if you have had a loss or traumatic event years ago and it seems like it happened yesterday, you may be suffering from stuck grief. Seeking out a psychotherapist or an appropriate self-help group may be very helpful.

.

Change Your Job

.

.

If have been working at the same job for a long time, perhaps it is time for a change. It is difficult sometimes to know when you have outgrown your current position and you stay because it is familiar and secure. However, the lack of new challenges is deadly for your personal growth and creativity. It may be time to move on.

.

Celebrate Your Positive Changes

.

We tend to focus on the negative aspects of our being and the positive parts of us tend to be overlooked or ignored. Tune in to the positive changes you may have recently made such as: "I used to be so reactive and now I am able to stop and think before I blurt out something that will be hurtful." "I can now walk for three miles without getting exhausted."

.

Give to Your Community

.

Volunteering to help those less fortunate than you will not only be appreciated by many, it will also reward you spiritually and allow you to connect with others who are helping and receiving assistance. This activity will move you out of the intellectual realm and into your emotional world.

Decide to Break Your Addiction

.

Whether you are addicted to substances, another person, video games or anything else, getting assistance and eventually breaking your addiction will eventually make you a happier, more productive person.

.

Psychotherapist Bob Livingstone is the author of "The Body-Mind-Soul Solution: Healing Emotional Pain Through Exercise" (Pegasus Books, 2007). He specializes in helping victims of trauma. For more on his work with emotional healing, visit http://www.boblivingstone.com/