Have Trunk will Travel

Catching up is hard to do!

2009-06-24T16:56:00.002-04:00

So I have not written very much on my blog...so busy. I figure it might be the only way to keep in touch. Time flies when you are so busy. I will try to catch you all up here. Adoption for Angelina is difficult because of the system here. They tell us one thing and we have to do all things. It is a pain in the butt! There are lots of growing pains with the kids and some with the adults. All in all the Adults get along wonderfully, but the kids.... Darius is the Young Men's President in the branch and I am the Primary Chorister in our little branch here. Darius is actually away from the computer at an activity with the youth, so I am able to get on and do a little blogging. The Farmer's Market is going well and we are looking forward to being able to supply everyone with great fruit and an amazing variety of prepared meals. That is where you all come in and try some of our stuff. It is wonderfully tasty and is getting around by word of mouth! Go "VIVA LA VERDE!"

Satsuma!!!

2009-05-26T14:12:00.001-04:00

Well!

We are here! Satsuma is quiet and we are still unpacking. Organizing a house into a few rooms and 5 sheds is a lot of work! We are constantly doing something. There is no laying around! Not even for the kids...they earn their keep... of course most of the time it's done with a lot of whining! (sorry if my spelling sucks...spell check sometimes works!) We moved Friday morning of last week. I went to get the Penske moving truck. I got there and found out I reserved the wrong day for the move. They luckily had a truck big enough for the move! It was a 26-foot truck and we filled it. What is sad is we had to leave some of the stuff still there in the house. We will go back later to get it. So much stuff. Special thanks to all who helped move and load the truck: Nick Eckhardt, Steven Heywood, Mike Richards, Mom and Dad Trunk, Stephen Miracle. We drove to Satsuma slowly unloaded the truck while cleaning out sheds and spaces to put our stuff. While unloading cluttler from the other sheds, we loaded it into the moving truck. Returned to Jacksonville to unload the new load into the house for the garage sale the next day! We unloaded and went to get gas. We had issues with fueling up the vehicle. The truck kept spitting out the fuel as we pumped it in which made us think it was low. The fuel gauge said it was still low! Needless to say we had an additiona charge do to the fact of this "common error" usually result in under filling by 10 gallons and they charge you $65.00! This company is sneaky and I would highly recommend you do not rent from them. We returned it by 1am! Then went to sleep on a few blankets after starting to organize and throw trash away. Got to bed at about 2am. We woke up at 6am to get stuff ready for the garage sale at the house and also the farmer's market.

"Viva la Verde" is getting there name out!!!! HURRAY! We are grateful the Lord has directed us to where we are now! We know this is where we need to be. "Viva La Verde" is a great way to recieve education, great produce, and to receive encouragement, love and support! We want our customers to know they are not alone in choosing to eat healthy with organic produce or wanting to change their lives in a healthy way.

On another note! I am stating up a little business and I feel really good about it. I believe the Lord is directing me to do something that will help our family. My company's name is "Bags and Boobles". I am excited about starting this business. I have been really thinking of ways to benefit the world and ourselves. Recycling is the material I use. I want to help reuse other products. I will be putting together a website soon I hope!

We are never dull, bored, or lazy! We are all moving, and sometimes in the same direction! Between the kids keeping us more busy then we should be, we have all our business: Deseret Academy, Viva La Verde, Bags and Bobbles, Tru Creations. We are still in the process of adoption of the kids and it is taking time. We are grateful for the Spirit, who has let us know this is where everyone is suppose to be.

Til later!

CHANGE

2009-05-11T17:46:00.003-04:00

I changed my background and I love it. I wanted something light and airy for the summer. We will be leaving hopefully by the 23rd of May for Satsuma, Florida. I am in the mist of packing. Our last Sunday will most likely be this Sunday which is the 17th of May (there could be changes). We live out of a suitcase remember!

Mother's Day was interesting, but nothing new really. Just another day! I love the Moms in my life they are very special. Moms are a blessing! THAT IS WHY GOD CREATED THEM!

The Farmer's Market was interesting and we have a lot prospects.... we will see what happens.

Life is interesting!

Farmer's Market

2009-05-08T17:43:00.004-04:00

Howdy All!!!!!

I know it has been a while since I have been on here.... a lot has happened.

Darius lost his job and since has decided not to find a conventional job with him working for someone. We have decided to invest our time into our many endeavors, which are real estate, and now the farmer's market selling organic produce!

We are very excited to be doing this. We understand that it is going to be slow to start but there is such a market for it. People want to be able to get really good deals on organic prices. So if you want excellent food come on down and look forward to a website coming your way where we will be helping you to incorporate more raw food into your bodies...

Also, in case you have not heard we are moving in the next two weeks out of Jacksonville. We are very excited and yet sorry to say good bye to all our friends up here. Hopefully we will all be able to keep in touch!!!!

One more thing than: Gotta love life and never let it pass you by...always aim for the stars. Take a chance after all it is only mortality!

Darius' Job

2009-04-10T17:49:00.002-04:00

Darius was let got from his job April 9th in the morning. We felt peace and comfort from the messages that were shared with us at General Conference the weekend before from our leaders. I love the Gospel. I know we will be just fine...it is so much fun being alive today!

Mother Board Crash

2009-03-19T07:05:00.001-04:00

Wanted to let all know our motherboard crashed on our laptop and I have not been able to post for a little while. I have not been able to figure it out on my new palm centro phone. Well hears to learning!

Training session is in order! Present your case!

2009-03-04T18:12:00.003-05:00

Listen all of those who want to know what I do at the gym. Well here it is. This is just one of the ways my Trainer, Daniel,likes to switch it up! Yeah just you see...

this was my training schedule...

1st- warm up on treadmill for 10min.
2nd- see how many push ups you can do in 2 min (30 thank you)
3rd- see how many crunches you can do in 2 min (80+ / lost count)
4th- treadmill for .70 mile as fast as you can go
5th- Lunges from wall to wall you can do in 2 min (50+/ lost count)
6th- treadmill for .70 mile as fast as you can go
7th- see how many step up and downs you can do in 2 min (30 +/ lost count)
8th- treadmill for 1 mile as fast as you can go

and that was an hour of soreness...anybody care to join me.

random thoughts at the pool in MIAMI

2009-02-26T08:56:00.003-05:00

Before reading this entry just remember it is random!

Today we are in Miami for a Dr. Graham seminar. I look forward to learning a lot. It will be awesome and very insightful. Right now we are at the pool at our hotel, La Quinta. Darius is swimming and I am off to the side in the sun, and not in a swim suit. I am in a skirt and shirt. I wanted to sit in the sun. The sun was here just for a few minutes. It now has gone behind the clouds and the wind has picked up. Darius is about to dive in but is having second thoughts after feeling the water. Hummm…will he or will he not? That is the question and he did it. He is screaming and calling on God to get him through to the other side (whole length) of the pool. He made it and now is going for a second time. He will probably do this 7 times. It is so cold and Darius thinks it is about 60 degree water temperature. The sun is out and the wind died down. It is going to be beautiful today. So wonderful!!!! I love the sun!

I know this sounds funny but I love the heat, warmth, humidity. I love it all! I am grateful for the break in between. I am grateful for the gospel, for the earth that our beloved Lord created with our Father in Heaven. It is so beautiful. I love being able to just relax. Angelina is at my mother’s house in Palatka. She is having a blast with all the animals. I will name them for you to give you the understanding of it all. I will start with the cats: Marzy (Marmalade), Galaxy, Salt, Pepper, and Blue, plus two cats out doors. Chicken and ducks, and geese galore, and dogs: Sheila bird, Pistol, Mariah, Chance, Reese, and visiting for the week were my Dad’s dogs: Bailey and Onyx. Then there are the two horses: KD and Sierra. I think that is right, but I reserve the right to change it. All of the cats and dogs live in the house with my mom and sister, Amanda. Amanda is a vet tech and takes home the strays. So, we will leave it to she has a lot and the majority of the animals in the house.

Darius loved the pool and is now sitting out in the sun with me. Yeah!!!! It is a beautiful day outside!!!!

Okay so we went to see Dr. Doug Graham yesterday and this was the reason of us coming to Miami this weekend. It was so very nice for all us to here this man. He is really in tune with the way our Father in Heaven views our eating habits. He is a really neat man. He is not someone who is in your face trying to tell you that you should eat this way but instead encouraging you in a non-threatening way. There were a lot of good points he brought up. I felt the spirit telling me this is what I need to do for myself. Darius felt the same. Life is good and I know that as we listen to the Spirit, it will direct us in our paths to stay in conjunction with Heavenly Father. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I will write more later.

HATS!!!!

2009-02-18T10:37:00.003-05:00

This is the 1st hat I did called a Biker’s Beret.

The next day I made this Heads Up hat. It’s like a sun hat.

Today I made this hat, Skullcap!

I love to make hats. It is great to see the work so quickly finished. A great accomplishment!!!

Faxes

2009-02-12T14:07:00.002-05:00

I am pleased to announce we have finally installed our fax machine for our business. I was able to install it with little hardship. I thought it was going to be this drawn out process, but it was nothing. It is exciting. We wanted to let you know that our home phone number 641.0178 is our fax number. We are excited to really get started with this business with the ease of technology. HURRAY!!!

Super Sunday layout

2009-02-10T08:16:00.001-05:00

This is what we ate on Super Sunday! It was delicious! We had burgers, tabouleh, fruit with fruit dip, veggie sticks or crackers with red pepper hummus and cheese, etc. All of this is unprocessed (no canned food), all wonderfully raw. Dessert was apparently not photographed, but it was a chocolate moose pie that was out of this world. Mom and Dad Trunk along with Wyatt and the three of us watched the game together. It was great to be together.

Alicia's Food Rampage

2009-02-10T08:01:00.001-05:00

Food for me has always been a substitute for the not dealing with the emotions, worries, concerns, heartache, sadness, and events going on in my life. It started when my parents started fighting which ended in divorce and still is going on today. I know I have lost over 100 pounds, no longer am a diabetic, asthmatic, and allergic to everything that is outside and some things inside. My food addictions still occur today like they did two years ago, before our family changed our diets. I still get the cravings, emotional outbursts, and need a break from daily life. The only difference between and another person, who is not eating the way I do… is that I don’t succumb to the cravings. I have to fight it. I don’t want to eat it. It would make me very ill. When you do this type of diet for over a year, your body begins to change. You are still subject to chocolate, burgers and fries, soda pop, etc., but for me I would be violently ill. I have done so much research on this subject; I cannot imagine eating that type of food. My thoughts on this are plain, simple and true. We are what we eat! I am not trying to persuade people to eat the way we do or even hurt anyone’s feelings. I write these things to benefit myself and someone, who needs a change in their lives. This would certainly do it. Anyways the reason why I am speaking about my addiction to food is this. I do not have an avenue of bottling up those emotions, thoughts or urges. I have to deal with them when they arise. Sometimes it is not pretty and definitely not one of my finest hours. I have had feelings come up that I haven’t thought of for years. I cannot put them aside it does not work that way. You deal with them. You work them out. Going complete 100% raw makes your body start reversing the effects of what you have done to it since you were out of the womb. For some like Angelina it is only a few years, but for others it is much longer and the effects are more in-depth.

I am not making excuses for my actions, but I do try to understand them. I try to put myself in someone else’s shoes, so I can maybe feel what he or she is trying to say. Sometimes it is difficult to do this because of people, who say things with out thinking of the consequences. We have to forgive them over and over again, but on the same token why do we put ourselves in those positions to be hurt over and over again. Why is this? Is it because we are trying to be like Jesus that we get beet down as he was? We will never feel the magnitude of the Savior sacrifice for us, but we will all have some sort of cross to bare. I am unhappy with being around some of the people, who I know. I will not name names, but I will say this. I love all people even my enemies and the people that hurt me the most. I forgive those who hurt me or my family. The world is not perfect and we are not perfect; for this reason we are asked to forgive all.

When we for sake all. We truly give everything to the Lord. When I read in the scriptures about the Law of Consecration, I thought to myself why is it we are not able to do this yet. I know if we take care of our brothers and sisters in the world along with our family then we will be doing as the Lord intended. Our government has a law called “No Child Left Behind” it is unfortunate children are left behind. This law is not working. If we as whole cannot help our children to learn it is hardly worth entertaining the thought of consecrating all that we have to the Lord. Our society is vein and envious of others. Children even act this way! Why is it we do this to our spirit? We were not created to be like this, yet here we are jealous of individual’s bodies, looks, jobs, creativity, etc. Is this of the Lord?

Blogger's Procrastination

2009-02-10T07:32:00.003-05:00

I did not like looking at the background of my blog so I decided to not look at it. Therefore not blogging til I found a background I really liked. Well TADA, here it is folks! I know this probably is not an issue to some, but for me and for some unknown reason I could not open the blog because of it. It seems like forever since I wrote.

Today I am outside enjoying this beautiful weather. My house is freezing at 72 degrees. I feel like I am in a freezer. To most this is not an issue and they think I am crazy! Well I guess I am and that is okay to me. I like crazy…sometimes. Angelina is riding her nifty little bike with training wheels. She has been shredding the tops of her shoes when she stops on her bike. She finally got it today on how to stop the bike!!!! So happy for her to be able to ride and keep her new shoes from getting scratched up. This Angelina riding her bike she received from Grandma and Grandpa Trunk for Christmas. Hurray for grandparents.

Also, there have been some interesting events happen in the last couple of weeks. Darius and I received the adoption papers for Angelina and Wyatt (Darius’ parents are adopting him) from their biological mother, Bonnie. My heart goes out to their parents. I know from the stand point of not having biological children how difficult and complex the emotions can be. Before Darius’ tumor we were actually in the process of having biological parents consider us for their unborn child(ren). We learned through the process a parent is never prepared for what he or she is going to go through. I know for Wyatt and Angelina at this time in their parents lives it is best for them to be in a stable environment. They need stability, understanding, guidance, structure, nurture, and love. They need to learn the Gospel and I am great for the wonderful guidance of the teachers in the scriptures. Lehi was a wonderful father, who loved his children no matter what they do in their lives. It is clear in the scriptures how Lehi, felt when Laman and Lemuel did not partake of the fruit. It crushed him. I know for parents out there who go through this it truly are heartbreaking. It is a blessing to know if children have been brought up in righteousness, love and support; they will return to the Gospel. We do not need to stop loving our children, but we do need to let go. There are times in life when we have to let each one of our brothers or sisters go where they may. We all have choices to make in this life. We are shaped by these events in our lives. We are made to become better and like our Father in Heaven. This does not mean we are to never be there again for them, but we do need to listen to the Spirit in this matter. The Lord uses the Holy Ghost to lead, guide and direct us into the paths where we need to be. Sometimes it is only that one friend, who is the one who will help a friend in need. We are all children of God. We are all needed. We are all loved.

Todays List

2009-01-21T08:45:00.000-05:00

Today is a beautiful day. It is freezing and I have lots to do and accomplish today. I need to finish my booties. I need to go to Sally Anne’s, home depot, rental house, Satsuma for Sprout class, Target, bank, eat and crochet, plus there is my needle point project. I have already cleaned the fridge and organized it by alphabetical labels, made nut milk, yogurt, washed dishes started a load of towels, taken a shower and got dressed made breakfast and Darius lunch for today. Also, changed both filters in the Air conditioner and got Angelina dressed in warn clothes. I need to read my scriptures, too. That is only some of the things I can remember today. I know I have other things to do, but I want you to know it is only 8:45 in the AM!!!!!!! I love cold morning!

Angelina's World

2009-01-19T21:00:00.002-05:00

We were watching the movie "Are we there Yet?" She saw the little boy in the movie throw-up all over the front of the moving vehicle's window. She exclaims while covering up her eyes, "I wish we hadn't seen that!"

Food

2009-01-18T13:44:00.001-05:00

Okay, it has come to my attention that people want a detailed agenda of what we do for food. This is what we are going to be doing. We will be holding classes on learning how to eat raw. There will be a charge since there will be either food to eat or speakers. The prices will vary. Also, we will be making products, such as, meals, dressing, dips, crackers, and such a pricelist will be coming soon. Please, let us know when or if you want to be a part of this. I want all of you to know that this is going to be beneficial to you and your family.

This is what we eat…

Whenever you walk into a store some if not most go to the shelves in the center of the store, the dairy isles, the meat department or the frozen department. Did you notice what I left out! It’s the forgotten produce department. We have chosen to stay only in the produce area. It is so bright and colorful. You can feel the oxygen illuminating from the food there. Also, we kick it up a little by doing only organic or garden chemical-free grown. We will sometimes eat frozen fruits or vegetables. Whatever you see in the Produce department is what we eat. You name it, see it, or smell it…we eat it. We do dehydrate and that is another segment!

We do not do any cooked, canned, jarred or processed products. So, if it sealed in anything other then plastic for sun-dried items. We do not consume it. I know there are those, who try very hard to accommodate us and we are grateful. There is so much people on the (SAD) Standard American Diet do not understand. Green Peppers, for instance; are not fully ripe and can cause intestinal issues. You wonder why you burp green peppers. Yellow, Orange and Red peppers are considered ripe and are wonderful for you and do not give you the burps. There are certain things that we as Raw Vegan’s are use to eating a preparing for ourselves.

It might seem like a lot, but we learned this very quickly and we had to. This does not mean we still are not learning. I love to learn and I am so very blessed to have all of you around me to show me the way. I am in no way trying to offend anyone in the least. We have decided that when there are events anywhere, church, family, or friends. We will bring the food we need to eat, because we choose to eat all organic or garden chemical-free grown and raw. Organic for people can be pricey, but it is well worth it.

I know all of you, friends and family, will understand what we are asking. I am grateful for the support, guidance and love you all show.

Thank You!!!

MRI Results

2009-01-16T09:53:00.001-05:00

We love to announce that Darius is "CANSER FREE" and it is through our loving Heavenly Father and Savior. They have taken our lives into such a new realm these last couple of years. I know people are interested in our diet and have lots of questions. I will be bring information via this site and we will be opening up classes to those who want to learn. CONGRATS BABY!!!!!!!!

TOO COOL!

2009-01-13T09:35:00.002-05:00

Okay this is really cool and I just notice it. My google email background mimics the weather. I have the school bus and it is raining with umbrellas on days it is raining. It is sunny when it is sunny. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! My email background tells me what the weather is like with the type of design!!!!!!!!!

Angelina's World

2009-01-12T14:37:00.002-05:00

Crocs Vs. Crotches

Well we were in Target today shopping for some tennis for me and what do I hear, "Alicia, do you want some CROTCHES!" I thought to myself why would I want crotches? Then I look and see what she is pointing at and they are the cheap Crocs. I about passed out laughing. Well she just kept repeating it til I answered 'yes' or 'no'. I said to her, "Those are Crocs not Crotches!" I am still laughing at that!

Angelina's World

2009-01-09T22:05:00.001-05:00

Honest to goodness this just happened! We had to blog it!

Tonight, Angelina comes into her bedroom after brushing her teeth for bed. She comes in so proud and announces to us, “I made sure to brush my LUNGS this time!” Darius and I looked at each other and started laughing. Darius says, “I have never met anyone, who can brush their lungs?” We then explained to her, she meant gums not lungs. After this getting it all straightened out, she points her finger at the top of her gums in her mouth and says, “My LUNGS didn’t bleed that much this time!” I think we will have to go over what gums and lungs are. Again. We have been showing her how to properly brush her teeth after finding out she did not know.

Darius' MRI

2009-01-09T13:07:00.004-05:00

I wanted everyone to know Darius had his MRI to see if CanSer is present. We know it will not be, but I am asking for all of us to send up a prayer in Darius' behalf. He will be getting the results on Wednesday the 14th of next week. We will let you all know the great news when it comes.
We are so blessed to have close family and friends, who support and love us so much. We are grateful for the blessings of having a wonderful Father in Heaven, who loves us and hears and answers our prayers. I know that Jesus Christ suffered so much for us and he understand every little hurting scrape or bump to the massive heartbreak that enters our lives. I know he hears us and helps us to the safety of the Gospel. It truely is a blessing to have the gospel in our lives and to be able to have it restored to the our day is AMAZING!!!!

Crochet!

2009-01-09T08:55:00.003-05:00

Went to Crochet class yesterday which was the same class as Tuesday. It was great I actually started crocheting a scarf out of ribbon yarn the night before and it is beautiful. I will show pictures of it later. I should be able to finish it today. These classes are fun and Kathy (Peg's mom) is really good. She also knows how to knit, so maybe she will be able to teach those who want to knit, but that is another topic.

Alicia's Mind

2009-01-08T11:31:00.002-05:00

Today's thought is grammar! The difference between helping and linking verbs and this is a little difficult since the words used for helping and linking verbs are the same. They are: is, are, was, were, be, been, am, have, has, had, do, does, did, may, might, must, can, could, shall, should,will, would. Once you have identified the Helping or Linking verb, then look at the next word that follows it. If that word is a verb then the word is a helping verb. If it was not, for example, it was a noun, than the word is a linking verb.

crochet! Thursday!

2009-01-08T08:51:00.003-05:00

PLEASE ALL GO!!!! Give a shot what do you have to loose. I am sure kids are welcome....I would call 1st. It will be a blast!!! Don't forget it's TONIGHT!!!!

Crochet!

2009-01-06T20:22:00.001-05:00

You know I thought I knew how to crochet, but as it turns out I did not!! It is so fun and I am so glad that I went to Peg's for lessons today with her mom. Lois Jansen and I were the only ones to show. It was Amazing. Peg's mom is a really good teacher and we are lucky to have her. She is so prepared... those of you who are going are going to be in for a real treat. Well hands up to this new class...what a way to open the new year.

Books, Books and More Books!!! #2

2009-01-05T15:09:00.003-05:00

Okay since no one can read what I have written in the 1st Books... so on. I am rewriting it. I wanted to get a list of really good books from friends and family that I can read. I have received so good recommendations and thought this would be a great opportunity for people to share what their fav's are. So tell all ....

Books, Books and More Books!!

2009-01-05T09:37:00.007-05:00

I wanted to know what books you all like or love. I am looking for really good books. I do not care what type they are. Just looking for some neat books to read... thanks!

Angelina's World

2009-01-03T20:42:00.000-05:00

So Darius was going to ask Angelina something, but he said, “I forgot what I was going to ask you.” Angelina said, “Well, you can ask me that later, because I’m kind of busy right now.”

Happy Birthday Mommy!

2008-12-31T09:50:00.004-05:00

I wanted to send a Happy Birthday shout out to my mom. She is 59 years old. We spent the day with her and my sister, NeeNee in Palatka. We went to Chili's and then went to see the movie "Bedtime Stories" with Adam Sandler....EXCELENT. So clean and great for all ages. One of his best. Highly Recommended!

The Book of Mormon.

2008-12-30T13:51:00.002-05:00

Darius and I had a goal to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year....And we did it!! We love the scriptures. I love listening to them, studying them and learning about the Gospel through them. I hope there are more who followed suit and was able to read the scriptures this year from cover to cover. I know it is going to be a great year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh, Christmas Tree!!!!

2008-12-16T16:26:00.002-05:00

I went to play group today and thought to myself. Our tree is not even up yet. How silly is that! We always have it up right after Thanksgiving. I thought well I might as well get it up!!! So Drum Roll EVERYONE>>> Christmas Hit the TRUNKS today.

World of Angelina

2008-12-16T07:32:00.003-05:00

I wanted to give you insight into the world of Angelina. She has done some funny things...

1st was the miss wording of the 11th Pipers Piping in the 12 Days of Christmas. She said, "11 Peppers Pimping!" Darius and I were in the front seat and she was in the back, reading it out of a book!
_______________
2nd was when she .... (Can't remember).... just remembered! She was trying to blow up a balloon after seeing me blow up a balloon for a school lesson in science. We were learning about electricity/ static. Anyways I blew with my cheeks buldge out. She didn't see me blow with my lungs. So anyways, she tried really hard puffing out her cheeks til the sides of the her cheeks were red. She then said, "My cheeks hurt really bad. I don't think I can eat dinner." She tried to eat a carrott and couldn't. She just held those cheeks like the kid in Home Alone. I told her try eating a banana. She started eating a banana and it was the same result. She just held her cheeks in the Home Alone style. I said, "Okay well just take a break from blowing up the balloon." She waited and then wanted to try again. So I watched her and figured out what was wrong...she wasn't breathing into the balloon with her lungs. Once I told her this she got it on the first try.
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3rd not all of you above the age of 27 sit down this might blow your mind! We were watching the Grynch that Stole Christmas Cartoon (the old one). She asked if I had ever seen this one and I said, " I think it came out before I was born. I grew up watching this every Christmas when I was a kid." Darius said, " I don't remember it, but i did grow up reading the books." So she looks between the two of digesting that and says, "WAS it Black and White then?" I about flew from the kitchen to the living room. Couldn't believe my ears! Was I that old... So ....

Alicia Mind: hummmm trees

2008-12-12T13:31:00.003-05:00

Christmas gifts are done!!! The trees not up and no lights are on.... Is it really Christmas? This is a very interesting thought. I am trying to get motivated to put up our tree, but with the house on the market, everything *mostly* packed up, no room and a massively wide tree...I think we'll put it on the roof! (NOW please do not try and solve this problem by giving us a tree. ) That is not my intent on the entry. The Gospel is true and we are all healthy and strong. We are loved by family and friends and each other. We will find some place to hook up the tree and all of the decor . . . promise!

Alicia's Mind: Anger

2008-12-08T19:04:00.002-05:00

"The devil made me do it!"

I have been thinking about this quote for a couple of days. Can we honestly say that? Is it a flaw in our character that Lucifer knows about and tries to increase? How can we overcome this to be more like our Father in Heaven. The Lord loves us and has suffered all for us. What is "Anger"? Webster says that the noun Anger is a strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism. The verb Anger is to make or become angry. I have issues with my anger and it is a difficult character to overcome. You constantly need to be aware of what triggers your anger. I know that my anger is always triggered by people, who act stupidly (like cutting you off while driving). Also, having to prepare myself when I am talking to someone, who does not have a hearing problem. There are other triggers, but not very many. I wonder if I am the only one that has these issues? Well, I guess not considering the world is often a very angry place. I know I need to work on this, and I thought since I have this blog that one of the ways I can repair the cracks in my personality is to call them out. This was I am held more accountable for them, because I know them and have written them down.

Tampa,,,Daddy's Thanksgiving and Corn Maze

2008-12-07T20:05:00.006-05:00

These are the different foods we had...The First one is a topless tomato sandwhich. The second is a fully loaded tomato sandwhich. The third one is the Grand Finale Carrot Cake.

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This is Zellwood at Scott's Long Corn Maze in Mt. Dora.

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Tampa, my Dad’s house!! We went to Dad’s house for his 60^th birthday! It was nice and I think he enjoyed us being there. He met Angelina for the first time. We all went to Zellwood to the maze. At Long and Scott’s farm there is a 6 acre maze for the adventurous ones and a 1 acre maze for the timid. It was a blast. Each year they create a new maze, so you can go back over and over again. Also there are exits at every corner for those, who need to use the facilities or just can’t hack it.

This is a picture of us at my dad’s house and we even took pictures of his two dogs. Bailey is a white with brown female, and Onyx all black and is a male. They have not been around children and I think they did great with a little girl in their noses for a few days. Angelina loves Animals!!

Driving down into the depths and coming back up with Hermits

2008-12-07T19:06:00.008-05:00

The waters in the Florida Keys were amazing!! But let me tell you what led up to this and our beautiful sun burns during the week of Thanksgiving....

We got home Sunday late on the 23rd of November from Tampa (my dad's), to leave again the next day for Satsuma (in-laws: Mom and Dad Trunk, Wyatt (nephew, who is living with them) and my mom and sister, and Darius maternal Grandma *MAMA and JaRay, who was not able to come due to being sick) for family Thanksgiving (RAW STYLE). They loved it! We spent the night there and left right after Mom, Dad and Wyatt got home from Seminary on Tuesday. Mom is the Seminary teacher for their branch in Crescent City.

The ride was interesting... we had the ice chest between the two kids so that they would not argue...but that only worked to a point. All in all it was not a bad drive to Ft. Lauderdale where we met up with Randy (Dad's brother, who is living in an Assisted Living Facility). We saw him and stayed the night in a hotel. We hit the Salvation Army there, also which we always do in the areas we stay in. *Anyways that is another topic.*
(All of us in one hotel room...Gotta love it!)

We left the next morning for the Florida Keys and it is here that we spent the week of Thanksgiving. It was beautiful!! Absolutely gorgeous! The weather was chilly there but we still managed to burn. Darius peeled!! So Funny! We stayed in a condo down there at Sombrero Beach which is on Marathon Key. Very pretty there and we were on the dock of a bay. At least, I think it was a bay there were ships and people were catching fish off of it. Anyways the salt air was just what we needed.

The First beach experience… we saw so many different shapes of Hermit Crabs, and snails, and crabs, and fish. The water was absolutely breath-taking and extremely COLD! Here are just a few of the stuff we saw. (Sorry there are bathing suit exposures).

Angelina pick a very large conch shell, which is the shell you hear the call of the ocean if you put it up to your ear. When she picked it up she immediately felt something reach out and touch her. She screamed and dropped it in mid thigh deep water. After the water cleared, I picked up the offending ...

In order to reach Bahia Key we had to travel the 7 mile bridge and here are pictures of the old bridge. Some of the bridge is broken up due to explosive plots in a movie....

We went to Bahia Honda Key and went snorkeling (Angie and I for the first time). It was wonderful. Darius and Angie were like one of the fishes in the sea, happy and content. While I on the other hand, loved the ocean and being in the water, was sore from the sunburn and cold from the weathery wind. I was very surprised at the wind gust there. They were frigid and it was bone chilling, not just the ones that make you say burr. No these rattled your marrow. We attend a class on Sea Beans which are different seeds in the ocean that make up the plant life in the ocean and on the shores. Really neat and the person, Donna Moore, did very well. She let us hold the collection of sea beans she had while she discussed it. Heavenly Father has truly created some beautiful seeds, just wait till you see the “Hamburger” seed.

We then traveled to see a friend of ours, Marty. Darius worked with him at Dick Environmental (or whatever their name is NOW!) He is now a ranger in Long Key National State Park. I’ll tell you what it is awesome!!! There are so many neat opportunities to view God’s creations. They have camping there and I highly recommend it. You need to book things in the Keys at least 11 months beforehand. YOU need to keep that in mind. At this state park you’re able to camp on the ocean. They have electricity, running water, camp fire site, picnic tables, and bathroom with shower facilities in walking distance. The bathrooms are sparkling clean; I was very impressed with the cleanliness of it all. You need a code to get in and out of the main camping area which allows tents and RV/ pop-ups. They even have primitive sites which have a gazebo effect and NO electricity. It’s nice!

This picture is of Angelina looking at the Portuguese man-of-wars we saw on the beach in Long Key that day there were so many there. Little ones and puffy big ones no bigger then you hand. They feel different to almost like wet silicon and they are very slippery.

We left the Keys on Saturday to go to Hollywood, Florida and this is where we went to church the next day. Later that night (Saturday) we went to LIFE FOOD GOURMET, which is a RAW restaurant we eat at every time we go down there. The food is great! The people are so nice and accommodating. They will answer all the questions you have and if the waiter or waitress doesn’t know they go get the chef or owner. It is awesome and I have never been to restaurants that treat you as well as all RAW restaurants do. We happened to attend a church less then a mile and half away. Not only was it close, it was also a Spanish ward. The ward is called the Holly Hills Spanish Ward. They were a large ward and very nice. Some of them that came up to me knew both English and Spanish. This is nice because I am not as fluent as Darius, but I can hold my own; after all, I did translate the whole program from Spanish to English with out MUCH help from Darius. I was so proud of myself!! “Snaps for me.” I have accomplished reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish; now I’m on to translating ward and branch programs. We then traveled home and here I am finally able to write the events of the day.

Alicia's mind: Pioneers were they victims?

2008-12-07T18:40:00.006-05:00

Today was an interesting day in my mind. I have decided it would be interesting to put topics on this blog that just pop into my head. This is a discussion and I would love to hear from everyone on the topics that interest you.

Just a few minutes ago, I was thinking of the early saints and the treck they had to do from where ever they were currently living. Often times they had to move across rivers and mountains. Endure different circumstances that changed them forever as individuals and as a whole. I thought about how these Saints had the faith of angels. I don't recall ever reading anything where they felt like a victim in adversity. Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail was often said to be a blessed event in Joseph's life. He was able to learn and grow in the gospel and also in the spirit. The Lord showed unto him so many things. Personally, I never thought of Joseph as a victim, because he never considered himself one. I think we can all take a slice of the humble pie and remember the Eternal fact that we choose our families, friends, the circumstances we lived in, now live in and will live in. Life is divine and wondrous and a gift from GOD. There are no victims only sons and daughters of a Heavenly Parents, who love us. We were watching the Singles 2nd ward movie today after church and there was a line said I really liked. It basically said we were sent here in this life to see if we can live as family for the Eternities. I thought that was wonderful! The Spirit told me this principle was true. I am really grateful for the Gospel, for the early Saints and the love and faith they had to follow the savior. I am so blessed to be a daughter of our Heavenly Father and a sister to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Traveling Yet Again: Ft. Lauderdale and then to Miami

2008-11-26T08:17:00.004-05:00

We are here in Ft. Lauderdale to see my father-in-laws brother. He needs to live in an Assissted Living Facility and we are trying to find a place up north for him. If anyone knows anywhere, please let us know. THANKS!
We are going to travel to Miami today and the the KEYS!!! How Jealous are YOU! We are going to go to the Keys for Thanksgiving. That is totally AWESOME! I have never been there... so this is going to be a kodak moment. That is for sure! There is six of us here. Darius' parents, Darius and I, and Wyatt (10 year-old-nephew) and Angelina. All of us are in a van and loving the closeness we feel traveling together. Life is DIVINE. Til I blog again... nanoo nanoo.

RAW celebration calendar

2008-11-20T15:34:00.004-05:00

Life is GREAT!! We are heading to Tampa tonight to be with my Dad, Don, for his birthday he turns 6* years old today! Happy Birthday, Daddy. We look forward to seeing you. We are packed and bringing lots of food. I am making a *RAW* Carrot cake with *RAW* whip cream. (I know all of you are drooling!). There is going to be lots of dips and sauces, beans and salsas, lots of food prep today. Then we get back Sunday and go down to Darius' families house in Satsuma on Monday for Thanksgiving *RAW* dinner. We all leave for Miami and the Keys on Tuesday and will be back on Sunday. So that takes up this month. YOU want to know what will be happening for the month of December... Well you will just have to wait. We will be thinking of all of you while we eat our veggies and fruits. {the picture is of a salad Darius was eating the other night} I will post pics of the cake and stuff in a later blog.

Angelina

2008-11-19T07:46:00.003-05:00

Angelina is a girlie girl. Her favorite color is pink and she only sees PINK. Everything has to be Pink! So needless to say she draws, wears, and breathes pink. This is one of the outfits she has and you will see.... in the first picture she is eating a banana lettuce wrap. YUMMO!!!

Family

2008-11-17T15:45:00.002-05:00

Early in this blog, I wrote about Life...don't get settled. I wrote that for a reason. The day before I wrote that we were asked to take in our seven-year-old niece, Angelina. There were somethings happining in her immediate family eventually led to the removal of the children. Wyatt our ten-year-old nephew is being raised by his grandparents (Darius parents). Life changes! We would do anything for our family and our friends. I hope that everyone can say that. What is interesting we choose the family we are born into and marry into. We know there will be love, hardships, difficulties, and some of the greatest joys in life. Family is an eternal concept. It is not something new or just created in this time period. It is an eternal principle. Families are eternal.
Darius and I are grateful for the opportunity to raise this little girl. She needs stability, guidance, and direction in her life. She needs to know she is loved and a daughter of a Father in Heaven, who loves each one of us. Despite our faults. There is a lot of things happening in our life right now and when the time is right we will blog about them on here. I feel the time is not right yet. I am grateful for the Holy Ghost. The direction we have personally received in our lives for the last eighteen months has been amazing. We feel it an honor to be given this helper from our Savior and Father.
I want to tell you a little more about our Angelina. She is an amazingly smart little girl. She loves to learn and is being home schooled by me (mostly). She loves to read and reads very well. The first night she was here, we read out of the "Book of Mormon" in 3rd Nephi where Jesus is talking about the three Nephites and she just whips out TRANSFIGURATION without a glint of staggering or struggle. Shock ME!!! She is only SEVEN! I thought this was so cool. She loves to say prayer and help with chores. She watches very little tv now. She eats raw and loves all of the food. She always eats healthy and organic. She loves to play with kids and keeps them occupied. (Anyone wanting to watch her for us, who have young children will get an automatic babysitter. Just ask the Eckhardts. You might have to fight them for her.) HAHHHA.
I just wanted to update you on this. It's important to let people know whats going on especially those who live so far away now. We love you all and miss you all!!! I will add pics later. This mom thing is a little knew! AND to a seven-year-old!

Quintessence Restaurant -New York

2008-11-11T09:07:00.004-05:00

This is a raw restaurant that we ate at and it was amazing. I am so glad that we found and ate at this place. I recommend this place anytime they are in New York.

New York, New York....NEW YORK!

2008-11-11T07:55:00.004-05:00

This is a really neat place to go. There is so much to see. We went with my in-laws and loved it. We went to two met games. We saw so much... enjoy the show. I am going to show the city first. We randomly just took pictures.

Adam-Ondi-Ahman #3

2008-11-10T19:06:00.004-05:00

Here are pictures of Darius and I loving Adam-ondi-Ahman. It was so cold and so beautiful. This truely is a great place.

Adam-Ondi-Ahman #2

2008-11-10T19:01:00.003-05:00

Here are some more pictures from Adam-ondi-Ahman....

Adam-Ondi-Ahman

2008-11-10T18:56:00.002-05:00

Adam-ondi-Ahman is absolutely breath taking. It is so pretty and there is such a sweet spirit of peace, comfort, and strength there. I hope all can see it. You just follow the signs...

Blogging...

2008-11-10T17:02:00.005-05:00

Not guite sure if I like blogging yet. I write a lot because of all the thoughts I have inside my head. Not quite sure if everyone wants to read it or even enter into my world. I will give you an example of how much I write. Since Darius enter the hospital for his tumor, Timi handed me a journal and said, "write everything down, no matter how stupid, funny or insignificant you think it is." I have done that and do you know I am on my fifth journal. THE FIFTH JOURNAL. I write, contemplate, discuss, pray, ponder, everything in my journals. I has been a 14 months since the day I got my journal from her. I love her for that. I have a great love for journal writting. I love just sitting there talking to my Father in Heaven. My Journals are to my Father in Heaven. He hears me and answers my prayers. I don't know if I want my Blog to be like that. But I think I would do an in justice if I didn't thank my Father in Heaven for this invention. Letter writting is becoming a lost art. I would encourage all who blog to also keep a journal with them. Mine is normally in my purse, so it is always on me. It is important our ancestors have our handwritting to read, touch, and compare to their own. I know I will ramble in here and you will all just read over it, but I do hope that this blog inspires and touches peoples heart. Its important to journal, just think what it would be like to not have the scriptures because they weren't tangible. It would have been funny to me to know that Moroni handed over the internet and a computer to dis cipher it. That is really funny...I wonder if it would have been as heavy as the plates?

Life...don't get to settle.

2008-11-10T14:28:00.002-05:00

I look out the window of our hotel room in Kansas City from the top floor to see all of the beauty amongst the hustle and bustle of the world below. Is it a wonder we get so bogged down with the daily duties of the world. I love the colors of the trees on this fall November day. I wonder if people take the time to think about the bigger picture, even if it is only for a couple of minutes. I challenge all to look outside either down at the greenery or up in the sky at the clouds and just ponder your relationship with your Father in Heaven and the Savior. I am grateful for the time I have to think as Darius is at work (OSHA training). It gives me the opportunity to think about yesterday's church lesson on the Second Coming. It is a beautiful life and life only gets better...

Liberty Jail

2008-11-10T14:20:00.004-05:00

Liberty Jail! My oh my the spirit is so different at each of the sites we visit here. They are such sweet spirits...none are sorrowful or painful, but grateful and loving. Full of faith, hope, charity and obedience. Pioneers Rock!!!!

Kansas/ Missouri

2008-11-10T13:54:00.005-05:00

We are in the freezing cold and loving the scenery... we are blessed for the lives we have. The church history in this area is amazing. It is a true blessing to learn and be where the saints started out. We have a lot of pictures on this one so it is going to be big....and probably several entries.
I will start out with the Visitor Center, which is across the street from the RLDS- now called Community of Christ churches/temples. Their building is architecturally amazing (it is the one with the cone like spiral).
I love the Cristus! It's beautiful!

Green Bay

2008-11-10T13:36:00.002-05:00

This was quite the experience for us all. None of had been to the "Big Cheese" state. It was a lot of fun. We stayed in a nice hotel with my in-laws, who are also two of our greatest friends. We get into a lot of trouble together which makes that relationship interesting. I mean how many of you would actually spend days together in the same vehicle or hotel room together with your in-laws...not to many huh. We truely do have a lot of fun. These are a few of the pictures from that trip. We went to a Packers game, which was my father-in-law's first time and he is one of their biggest fans. He is a lifer! They lost that night against the Titans, but it was a great game. We went and checked out the sites. Here is where my mother-in-law got hooked on thrift store shopping!!!! I am the queen. I will be starting a blog on stuff I buy at thrift stores.

Raw Emotions

2008-11-10T13:30:00.004-05:00

I thought, it would be a great idea to write my feelings of being a raw vegan. I know for me it was essential to find the way our Heavenly Father wanted us to eat and to be able to heal ourselves from illness... diabetes, cancer, asthma, and allergies. I know it is not what everyone wants to do or ever thought of doing it. I know for Our family it is the best thing for us. I know we talk about it a lot in our blogs, because it plays a great part in our lives. In some instances it has separated us from family and friends. We don't want to exile people from our lives, because we are happy eating the way we do. We love our family and friends. I know the differences of opinions can hurt feelings and damage family connections and interactions. I love my extended family and friends. I love the food I eat. The feeling I get when eating raw is almost euphoric. I feel so healthy and clean. I feel energized and awake physically and spiritually. It has been a healing aspect in our lives. I know for us it has healed us, each person has their own healing power when Heavenly Father directs you to do it. It similar to the story in the bible where the men had to just look and they would be healed and some didn't. Who am I to go against our Father in Heaven's wishes for us. I love eating the food our Creator blessed this earth with to nourish and heal our bodies. Food is essential to our lives and can also be harmful to our bodies.
I hope anyone who reads this understands the feelings we have as a family for raw food. We would not do anything to our bodies to harm them. We believe each one of us is a temple of God and for us this is the way we need to eat.

The Wedding

2008-11-10T11:46:00.003-05:00

These are pictures from our wedding...enjoy.

Darius and Alicia

2008-11-10T11:08:00.003-05:00

It all began with a boy and girl met at Institute Class in Palatka, Florida. He had just gotten home from his mission and wasn't even released yet. Luckily, that happened that night! When she introduced herself to him, he shook her had and stole her heart with those crystal baby blues. He asked her out on the computer using AOL instant messaging. She said, "Okay, but is this a friend thing or a date thing?" He didn't respond for a few minutes then, "it's a date." She thought to herself, "okay, this is going to be interesting. He just got home and probably wants to get the first date out of his system." That was partly true and then she stole his heart. They were in love!!! He scared himself by proposing on bended knee. It all happened in her bedroom, he asked for something to drink and she went and got him one. He was searching under her bed as if he dropped something. She stood by him handing the glass of water for him to take. He wrapped his arm around her waist and said, "Alicia, Will you Marry me?" She looked down into his face and thought he was joking. She didn't see the ring in his other hand because he had it in the dark. She repeated her answer several times while slapping his shoulder..."Are you Serious?" After a full minute she saw the ring glisten in the light of the luminating from the computer. She said, "YES!!" That was May 10th and they married July 18th and she is still asking, "Are you Serious?"

Have Trunk will Travel

Catching up is hard to do!

Satsuma!!!

CHANGE

Farmer's Market

Darius' Job

Mother Board Crash

Training session is in order! Present your case!

random thoughts at the pool in MIAMI

HATS!!!!

Faxes

Super Sunday layout

Alicia's Food Rampage

Blogger's Procrastination

Todays List

Angelina's World

Food

MRI Results

TOO COOL!

Angelina's World

Angelina's World

Darius' MRI

Crochet!

Alicia's Mind

crochet! Thursday!

Crochet!

Books, Books and More Books!!! #2

Books, Books and More Books!!

Angelina's World

Happy Birthday Mommy!

The Book of Mormon.

Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh, Christmas Tree!!!!

World of Angelina

Alicia Mind: hummmm trees

Alicia's Mind: Anger

Tampa,,,Daddy's Thanksgiving and Corn Maze

Driving down into the depths and coming back up with Hermits

Alicia's mind: Pioneers were they victims?

Traveling Yet Again: Ft. Lauderdale and then to Miami

*RAW* celebration calendar

Angelina

Family

Quintessence Restaurant -New York

New York, New York....NEW YORK!

Adam-Ondi-Ahman #3

Adam-Ondi-Ahman #2

Adam-Ondi-Ahman

Blogging...

Life...don't get to settle.

Liberty Jail

Kansas/ Missouri

Green Bay

Raw Emotions

The Wedding

Darius and Alicia

RAW celebration calendar