New Blog Address

Here is the new address http://preventiononechildatatime.blogspot.com. Please share this with your friends/family anyone you think could benefit.

Thanks for your support!

Drug Prevention Blog coming soon "Preventing, One Child At A Time"

You're wondering what this means aren't you? Well, I am starting a new blog. This blog will be dedicated to preventing kids from using drugs. For many years now it has been my dream to help kids to not do drugs. But how? Can I really make a difference? What do I have to offer? These are questions that have filled my mind for years now. I want to be a motivational speaker so I can speak to kids in Elmentaries, Junoior Highs, and High Schools anywhere that they will let me. :) I am currently working on my degree in Psychology with a Certificate in Drug Prevention and Substance Abuse. I unfortunately am still a long ways off from accomplishing this goal. I want to do something now! Do I have to have a degree at first, well yeah if I want to be viewed as credible. Lately I have become discouraged because I still canonot see the light at the end of the tunnel with my degree. Will I ever be able to speak at schools? Can I make my dream come true with out a degree at first?

After watching the movie Julie/Julia the other day(horrible ending by the way) I started thinking that I CAN do something right now. I can blog about my experiences/knowledge and the experiences/knowledge of others. I was reading a book about Jesus Christ to Tanner the other day, one page talks about showing love to the Savior through your talents. Another book says, "Because I am God's child, he shows me the way to my dreams." I don't know why, but these two little sayings made me stop and think about a couple of things. One, I think I am descent with words, I do feel this is a talent the Lord has given me. I can express myself in words. I love to write. It is also one of my dreams to write/compile two books one day. One about the effect of drugs on those who are around them unvoluntarily, and two the effects of drugs on those who are using them, in their own words. Two of my passions writing, and drug prevention in one blog. :)

Will the blog really make a difference? Maybe, mabye not, BUT at least I am doing something. Over the years I have told James, "I want to save Greenlee County (where I from, lots of drug abuse), and get others excited about doing so too!". James being the great supporter he is says although it is a huge thing I want to accomplish I can do it, with help of course. Seems like every year I go home it gets worse. It seems like a lot of people just don't care, and the ones that do are besides them selves over it and do not know what to do or where to start. I too have felt this. A lot of people say to themselves, "Who am I that I can make a difference, or have a right to do so." I am here to tell you, if you care then you have a right to make a difference, and if you know all too well the effects of drug abuse due to someone else's choices or your own, then you have a duty to make a difference.

I invite you to, if you will, take part in this journey with me. If you have stories please share them with me so I can share them with others. If you have knowledge or a desire to help please let me know and together we will make a difference. "If I only save but one, just one, then I will have done my part." I often think of the Savior who took the time to save his lost sheep. He said we should leave the ninety and nine to go save the one. What a great example we have to look too.

New blog address coming soon!

Saying Goodbye/Growing/Following Promptings

Why do I have 3 titles for this post? Well instead of making different posts for each one I decided to combine them. :)

One would think that 9 years in the military would make me good at saying goodbye. Honestly it is just as hard today as it was when I left my family almost 9 years ago for an adventure I will forever be grateful for. Over the next few months we will be saying a lot of goodbyes. I am trying to prepare myself once again to say bye to dear friends, knowing that with some of them our paths will not cross again, at least for this life. I learned a long time ago the hard way that often when two friends part their friendship grows distant with life and miles getting in the way. Most the time your love for them never fades leaving a part of them with you always. Over the years phone calls/eamils get less and less and before you know it you really don't know who they are anymore. It takes work on both sides to keep a friendship strong when distance and time is between it. I have also learned that just because you don't talk to someone everyday like before doesn't mean that it has to change everything. I love it when I talk to an old friend on the phone and it is like we were never apart. And so the old saying goes, "some people come in our lives for only a season and some are there to stay for a lifetime." Both I feel are equally important having helped shape and are shaping you into who you are! I love the song, " A circle is round it has no end that's how long I am going to be your friend. Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold"! Having said goodbye to soo many close friends over the years whom I still love today just as much as I did when we were together I choose to keep this song my theme song! :)

Today we said goodbye to Britt, my neice. I know I will see her very soon, but it was hard to say bye. She has become a part of us. It was hard for me to let her go, but I know she needs to be there for her family. She is going to be their rock, I know it. She is so much like me, this is good and bad. LOL Watching her grow in so many ways has been a joy. I can not even begin to tell you how she as blessed our lives.

Was it easy to have an 18 year old girl with a lot of attitude in my house who is just like me you ask? NO! There were sacrifices made on both parts that is for sure. BUT, I have learned more in the last few months about myself, teenagers, how the gospel really changes people making them better than before, and that following feelings/promptings is an amazing blessing. Britt if you are reading this, we love you!

It seems as though over the last year James and I have had so many feelings to do certain things. Feelings that at first we could have never imagined the reasons we were following them or their outcome. First it was for me to go home for Christmas last year while James was deployed. I fought and fought with this feeling not wanting to fly by myself etc. Of course I listened (I know it is just as bad when you fight the feeling as it to not listen, that is for another post ha). We will be forever grateful that we listened. James' Aunt Kathy past away after a car accident took her life just two short months later. While I was in AZ for Christmas Aunt Kathy got to meet Tanner and DeeDee got love on her. I have her on video singing to James. James obviously didn't get to say goodbye. That video with just a few moments of Aunt Kathy will be something he will cherish forever. Then it was for Tanner and I to stay longer after her funeral while James and DeeDee went home so I would be able to attend my neice Chantel's wedding (Britt's older sister). I was never really sure the reason I stayed for Channy's wedding other than I love her and would have never forgiven myself for missing it, until now. Because I stayed James and I were able to invite Birttani out here, and she was able to accept. We had a strong feeling that she needed to come. Which she said last night saved her life. :) Who knew? Who ever knows why they get the feelings they get, and what they mean? Sometimes it is evident right away what that feeling meant, sometimes we don't know for a long time, and sometimes we never know. I know there are times when the Lord just simply wants us to be obeident, and there are times when it is for a reason; sometimes big sometimes small.

I know I am so grateful for a gospel/parents/church leaders that have taught me to listen to the still small voice and follow on faith alone not knowing why at first. I am also grateful for a gospel that taught me that really there are no goodbyes. For family, knowlege, and friends are the only things we can take with us when we leave this world.

And so, I think I am prepared as much as I can be for the next coming months which will most definitely be bitter sweet!

Because I Have Today Tribute To One of The Greates Men I know

I decided to enter a contest to award the person who has had the greatest impact on my life. I entered my husband. Here is what I wrote, thought I would share.

There are so many people that have touched my life over the years and have helped me to be who I am today, too many to mention here. However; I nominate one person and only he can get the credit for making me a better person each day of my life, my husband, James Giacoletti .

A member of the United States Air Force for 10 years he proudly, very humbly serves and makes many great sacrifices each day for our great country. At 20 years old he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints claiming that it was the best decision he ever made. In January 2001 at 21 years old he embarked on the greatest selfless most stressful missions of his life, he married me. J Of which I am forever grateful for. Two years later he added to that mission becoming a father of a precious little girl who stole his heart. Finally in June 2008 one of his greatest dreams came true, our baby boy was born. We believe he is one of the best fathers/husbands out there. We are blessed each day because of him and who he is.

His many Christ like attributes remind me each day of the Savior and his love for me. His faith is so firm often reminding me that no matter what the Lord will see me through. I can honestly say that I have never met another person in all of my days that loves like he does. He loves so perfectly, so openly, no conditions, no fears. His love is truly that of the Saviors. He is slow to anger never getting offended and rarely upset. He forgives freely even when at times others may not. He is always the first to say he is sorry and admit when he is wrong. The glass is always half full with James. He most definitely makes a gray world bright. He touches everyone he meets leaving a mark forever on their hearts. He lives each and every day as though he might not see tomorrow. When he walks into a room it is not long before he has people smiling, laughing, talking, and being their true selves. He brings out the best in the lives of those he touches. His love for life is contagious. He loves and connects with the youth even with those that others cannot. He is very humble in every aspect of the word. He is light hearted reminding all that there is hope for a better tomorrow. His love for the Savior and Father in Heaven grow each day despite life’s many challenges.

He is my world, he is my everything. I would not be half the woman I am today had it not been for him and his greatness. When I am sad he is sensitive. When I am mad he makes me laugh. When I feel like I do not have the strength to go another day he is there to lift me up. When I am weak he is strong. When I need someone to talk to he gives his ears. When no one else understands me he does. When I need him he is there. He cheers me on in everything I do. He encourages me to become all that I can. When I try to do the impossible he is the first to hold my hand. He is able to see me for who I am and through the Saviors eyes. He appreciates all that I do and even the things I don’t get done. He thinks there is nothing more beautiful than me 9 months pregnant, bonus. J Each day he shows me and our children how much he loves us in small and simple ways. I pray that when I grow up I will be like him.

As life gets the best of me and time goes by I forget to stop and realize what a wonderful man I married. As petty things get in my way and my heart grows hard I forget to show him how much I appreciate him. I forget why I married him. But to him I am forever grateful for taking this chance with me for eternity. For shaping me each day so that I will be worthy as I stand before my Savior when that day comes. Because of him I not only have wings, but I am able to fly!

I thank you Hilary for providing me this opportunity to stop and think of the greatest treasure in my life, my eternal companion. I have included pictures that I feel represent James’ best qualities.

Thanks to all of you who helped shape me as well!!

Its All For Mama

Well, we are now taking orders for christmas, so if you want something specific or if you want to buy something already done, now is the time. Or you can just donate to the cause... To remodel Mama's farm house. Make donations to It's All For Mama P.O. Box 603 Duncan AZ 85534 cash, checks or money orders. We have decided we are going to remodel the kitchen first. It will be a family event. Since my brothers are all pretty handy I don't think we will have to hire much outside help, which should save a bit, I am hoping. My sisters and I can do the bossing around (which we are very good at lol) and decorating. The plan is to keep my mom in CA for a week with the oldest ones kids, she won't have any idea. We are going to try to tackle this project sometime in the spring around mom's bday. The plan is for my sister to take mom to Home Depot something like that and pretend she is going to finally redue her kitchen that way she can really feel mom out for what she would like. If any of you have any ideas, let us know.

http://itsallformama.blogspot.com

This site is still very much in the works bare with us!

London

We had a very adventours time in London. With us, it always is. Here is a run down of the excitement: First, we couldn't figure out the train system that everyone said was so easy, DeeDee lost her favorite stuffed animal had to deal with that drama for a day, James got irritated with Britt and I cause we were talking with a British accent the whole time-he said he is proud to be an American(ruined our fun, punk!), the hotel was less than desireable, mold in the shower, continential breakfast was toast, cereal, and canned fruit(gotta love Europe and cheap hotels), hotel was quite a distance from the train station, we walked, we walked and we walked some more, ate so many sweets got sick, ran out of British Pounds and had to get more money, the train almost left James behind with Britt, I and the kids already on the train-James being James couldn't help himself and started laughing uncontrollably-DeeDee started crying lucky for us the Driver saw James and opened the doors(I wanted to hit him), to top it all off when we got back to the airport in Germany and went to pay for parking that we figured was about 40euro ended up being a 130euro! ouch that was like $180. We had a great time laughing and walking, and seeing the many wonders of this world! It was nice that everything was in English for a change. :)Brit and I saw Wicked it was amazing! By the way Glenda the good witch isn't who you think she is.:)

4th of July

this is the story of our lives!!

I love 4th of July. It gives me a chance to stop and think about how greatful I truely am to be an American. With a husband in the military, being proud to be an American takes on an entire new meaning. I have been around the world literally and can still say it, I am Proud to be an American!

We had a pancake breakfast an a ceremony at church, followed by the carnival, should have been fireworks next, but the rest of the fam whimped out so we went home. Here it gets dark so late that they can't start them until like 11ish.