My happy heart

She looked and sounded so good! I'm so thankful she happy and growing and serving.

Is it unfaithful to wonder if I can do this for the next four Christmas'?

Look what I won!!

On a recent Studio 5 segment, Mandy Douglas introduced a new way to journal. It was using a calendar and just noting a few events on each day. It certainly isnt my ideal way of journaling, but it is far far more than I have done in years-- decades!! Well, I didnt see her segment live, but I did see it on her blog, a day after it aired. She had a promotional code for 40% off and free shipping if you ordered the journal on the day it aired. I tried to get it for the discounted price, but it wouldnt go throught. Bummer. I looked at her blog again, and she had a give away of two of these journals. I thought, well, Ill give it a go. My odds were better winning on her blog, that getting the discount code to work. AND I WON! cool hua? It came Wednesday, and surprisingly the calendar begins with Dec 2011, and goes through Dec 2012 so I can start immediatly! very cool hua?

Guys just do it differently

After Joseph got his mission call, he didn't say when he wanted to go to the temple. Since I was asked not to pressure him, we waited for him to take the lead. Come to find out the SP had asked him to attend all the temple prep classes before he went--- anyway he got his SP signature on Tuesday night and we planned a temple trip for Thursday. Joseph wanted to go to the Draper temple. That meant we needed to hustle and make sure we brought everything since they don't have clothing rental there. I totally got out of Christmas shopping so I could hem his new pants ;)
As expected it was a wonderful experience.

It was bound to happen

A tiny bit of AB positive blood got on the white fabric. I got it out though.

A huge payoff

I missed her call

Today while I was in the family room my phone was in on my bed. I went to get it about 1/2 hour ago. I had missed a call that came through as "blocked" but there was a voice message left by "unknown". I listen to the message and it was hard to understand. I was 20-30 seconds in when I realized it was Aubrey!!! She was going to call tomorrow--- I immediately started crying cause I thought I had missed my chance to talk to her for just a second. Jacob saw my reaction and quickly put his arm around me. David noticed and got wide eyed. At this point aub said she'd call again tomorrow to get skype info for Christmas day so I told the two it was ok. I just thought I had missed something- I was so surprised at my thought process, and freak out. My spirit is truly in a different place this Christmas. So I'm still a little bummed I didn't get to talk to her today, but having her message on my phone is AWESOME.

How its going

We've had buddy boy Jack here since early Sunday morning. Generally things have gone better than I thought, but night and nap times have been as difficult as I worried about. I decided early on I was in no emotional place to be fighting a two yr old for a week, so we've been playing it pretty loose. Heres a picture I found on my phone--- kinda self incriminating for the anonymous person that took the picture hua? Jack calls my phone "mh-phone" as in "my phone" with a little country accent. The monkey preschool app has been awesome for him.
Today I learned the mall + 2 1/2 year old + grandma = almost certain fail. So we cut the visit short. We swung by and got JC popcorn chicken at sonic and me a good ice cfd coke and called it a win. I am enjoying the simpler days but I will appreciate a full night sleep when that time comes. He's a doll and charming us all, including the uncles.

I think I've figured a part of this out

So, its two weeks out until Christmas. I have two Christmas things up in my home. The tree is up, yet not decorated, and I put out some awesome potpourri with the "scent of Christmas" on it, in my entry way. I'm just not feeling it. I wasnt sure what was going on. I knew I'd have a great week with Jack while his parents are in Hawaii, and I didnt want to put too much pressure on myself while he was here to do things just right, but it was more than that. I wasnt even motivated to get things done before the big JC came over. Then I got this poem on an email

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because... This year I'm giving Christ
my son.
I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.
I've reread November's Ensign, Felt strength come from His words.
Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because, This year I'm giving Christ my son.
I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion , their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton
For two years we will pray for him, I'm giving Christ my son.
I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him, that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year, I'm giving Him my son.
Past gifts have lost their glitter; I think I finally understand
Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make, This year... I'm giving Christ my son.
I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give, The toll it will be taking.
For He has done it all before Greater love - there could be none.
For years ago God gave to me, His only begotten son.
The hands I washed, the hands I held, The hands I taught to pray;
Now knock on doors to find the ones Who will listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him, Until all the gathering's done,
My gift has taken years to make. This year...I'm giving Christ my son.


Having Aubrey out and Joseph on the launching pad this year has had a bigger affect on me than I ever thought it would. It's not that I want them anywhere else, but it certainly throws my groove. All in all its ok, not having the energy? motivation? whatever, to get my stuff up and festive. It is weird though. (AJ would say "weirdy") :)

Before

Joseph by our Argentina wall. Soon to be shared with Florida! :)

During

After

I think I know him!

It's my honeys birthday!!

Today is my good mans birthday! He is such a joy and wanted him to have a happy day. I had all the kids write favorite memories of their time with him on post it's. I took them down to his work and put them all in his car! It was an awesome idea I found on the web somewhere. I even had some memories from A J to include. It was a good part of his day. :)

I've joined the elf on a shelf happiness

While my kids were young we really played down the whole Santa thing during Christmas time.
Now that we are mostly through that part of parenthood, I have pretty much swung to the other side of the scale. The new (to me at least) thing is the Elf on a Shelf thing. The elf comes to your house for the Christmas season and reports nightly to Santa of the happenings in your house. Kim, Joseph and Jacob patiently giggled though the story book that comes with the Elf. When presses to name our new little friend they chose "chipwood" which has a connection to the family naughty word, "dip". (If you don't know the dip story please don't mention anything about knowing us to the officers in the city I live in. I'll tell you later.). Anyway, I choose to call him Chip or Chipper.
Chip brought us donuts this morning! We must be doing okay so far. Jack came and may I say he certainly appreciated Chips offering with more sincerity than some others.

A close up

A new hot cocoa idea

This I must share! I came upon it a while ago and now I must tell you. Now that the cold weather had come Dave and I have hot chocolate almost every night. I have found I like to have both marshmallows AND whipped cream on my drink. The cream pushes the marshmallows down so they soften in the warm cocoa, and the cream, if you use enough ;) keeps the heat in the cup longer. I sprinkle the cream with either Choco sprinkles or these new chocolate chips that are half peppermint half vanilla chips. Delightful!! The Starbucks hot cocoa mix from Costco is awesome, but not for the weak as far as dark chocolate goes. Dave likes the Stephens better, but I love the starbucks with some french vanilla creamer added. Give it a try. You'll thank me

I can't tell you how this messes me up

The quiet book inspiration

Profess so far

Until I figure out how to post the video

The call came on my bday!!
Joseph is headed to Tallahassee Florida English speaking January 25!!

Connie

12 white shirts!!

Fwd: Jojo mission call

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We're starting to get excited around here

Josephs papers went in Tuesday night after he spoke with the stake president. Maybe the call will come on Wednesday, or the next or- my last offer is the next. We are starting to guess!

A good idea

I read somewhere or a few somewheres of a few good ideas for being a missionary mom. Here's what I've come up with. The clock above is Argentina time, and we have a count down chart on the lower left. I can probably find a better map, but this was a quick find at Costco so I'm using this one. I have a little map of Bahia Blanca taped to the lower part of the map.
I'm saving the right half for our next missionary ;)

Fabric I couldn't pass up

Last week I was in a fabric store near my home and I saw this awesome flannel!! Dr Suess' Grinch!! oh man, how could I resist? There was a sample quilt made up and I just couldn't pass it up. So here is one of my current sewing adventures. I'm so happy I got use that fabric. Not much fabric impresses me. I'm very choosy. That's how I was with men ;) and I still have the one that impressed me so long ago :) and I'm still impressed. this was supposed robe about my fabric

A pinterest inspired recipe

Have you heard of "pinterest"? It's kind of new and kind of weird to figure out, but it's really fun. It's kind of like google images in that you type in something you are interested in and pictures come up under that topic. There are people you "follow" and who "follow" you, kind of like *friend* on Facebook. So I can search organization and pictures with their original link come up. If I just go to my main page all the recent "pins" that my friends have marked come up. It covers lots of topics

SO! Here is a pinterest inspired idea. Homemade caramel is pretty much kryptonite to me yet I had to make some. I used gala apples I had and they were pretty good. In the back are some fast caramel apple slices-- er I had a meeting to get too. Whatever. Wish I could have made just half a batch cause all that caramel is still calling my name.

So that's where they are

Joseph "hit the button" to do his part in his mission papers on September 16. It's been a little slower going than I ever would have predicted. Today I got a call from the stake missionary secretary. (a man in our stake that handles the leg work on the missionary papers that come in?) he said the dr hadn't filled out all the papers correctly so he, the man in our stake, couldn't do his part of the submission. I raced over and got the papers that needed more info, raced to the Lehi clinic then back to the mans house. I was so glad to get this glitch smoothed over in one day. Joseph still needs to visit with the stake president and we've been asked to wait for that invitation----- waiting..... Waiting..... BUT at least we know what stage the papers are in. I asked the man that called what the process was after I got him the completed papers. He said he needs to put the info in the computer, then Joseph will need to see the stake president. Then it will be up to 3 weeks for the call to come. Ok! Good to know. So there's the update on the papers. Btw, Joseph is wanting to keep his hair long curly until he goes to the temple. Eye yie yie.....

My Friend Mal

On Google reader, I read a blog of one of Lauras friends. She's one of my friends too. She's so fun and perky and happy and smart. She's also a RM, which I love more and more every day ;) On her blog she talked about a personality test that she took, and she invited us to take it as well. So heres the test, and her challange-
Quoted from her blog
"So I just took this fun little personality test... this is link. How's about you take it and then post your results so I can see?! "
http://psychcentral.com/personality-patterns/

And here are my results. I'd say they are pretty accurate, though somethings are not true.

Passionate
You are in touch with your emotions, and sometimes you react before you think. The good news: you don't tamp down your feelings. The bad news: you sometimes say or do things that you later wish you could take back.
You do not live your life on an even keel; you do not go for long periods without experiencing some mood swings.


Warm
You have a genuine interest in other people. You're a natural host, and are always thinking about how you can increase the happiness of those around you. When friends have problems or are in trouble, you're usually the first person they turn to for aid and comfort. Scoring high on the "warm" trait suggests that you are among those who enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place.
You don't always say exactly what you're thinking; you don't like the idea of causing anyone pain because of your criticism.


Understanding
You are willing to take the time to find out what's going on with other people, especially if they're in distress. You're a good listener, you don't criticize, and you offer unbiased, respectful, honest advice when it's requested. With a high score on the "understanding" trait, it is likely that you are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place.
You don't feel the need to impose your standards on others or say things that, even though true, cause pain.


Tender
You are gentle with others, both physically and emotionally. You are careful not to upset people and go out of your way to find the nicest way to say something. You naturally focus on the fact that the world is full of wonderful people, places, and things. More often than not, people with a high score on the "tender" trait enjoy spending time with children, love romantic movies, and are enthusiastic about making the world a better place.
You don't think of yourself as tough-minded or gruff, nor do you need to be seen as some kind of objective source of truth and rationality.


Empathetic
You are in touch with your own feelings, which helps put you in touch with the feelings of others.
You don't buy the logic that your happiness comes ahead of everyone else's because unless you're happy you're incapable of making anyone else happy.


Sympathetic
You have a knack for knowing what's going on in the hearts and minds of those around you, without their having to tell you explicitly. People tend to turn to you with their problems because they know you care, and that you will likely offer good advice and a helping hand.
You do not feel that people with sad stories are just looking for attention, or have brought their problems upon themselves.


Friendly
You would rather hang out with others than spend time alone, and you'd far rather be doing something with your friends than just sitting around. You're happy in a crowded room, club, stadium, or auditorium.
You're not a private person who is ill at ease in a group; you don't view excessive socializing as a waste of time.


Rash
You get excited easily, allow yourself to react without censoring your feelings, and sometimes blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.
You generally don't consider what you're about to say before you open your mouth to speak.


Emotional
You let it all hang out, and those around you always know what you're going through.
You are not isolated from your emotions; no one would call you "cold-blooded," or even "cool as a cucumber."


Accessible
You're comfortable expressing yourself in words and actions, with no self-censorship. You believe that if someone doesn't like what they see it's not your problem, but theirs. A high score on the "accessible" trait suggests that you have a lot of friends, socialize often, and enjoy rap/hip-hop music.
You don't see the need to keep your thoughts to yourself, or to have a zone of privacy that encompasses only yourself and a small circle of friends and relatives.


Take the test and let me know how close it was to how you see yourself! kinda fun hua?

The pants-more difficult than it looks

The coat

The "day dress"

Will sew for surprises

well, it should say, will sew for happy surprises. Everyone that sews knows that sewing comes with a few frusterating surprises.

I was asked again this year to help sew for the jr high play. I really enjoy it and this year I sewed for 3 different kids, a few pieces each. Some pieces were a little tricky but I was able to turn in the last piece today. When I walked into the drama room to give the teacher the dress, I saw the other costumes there and some of them were ones I had sewn. It was a happy thing to see them. The deadline for the sewing was tomorrow, so I was happy to get the dress done this morning. I still may get to sew more, w'll see. I do need time to sweep and mop and feed my family and catch up on laundry. Ive just been baby-ing those jobs along. But I do enjoy the reason to hide down in the basement and sew with Dr Quinn on TV.
Last week one of the moms of a teenager I sewed for brought me flowers!! LOVED THEM!
Then today, a Dad of another of the actors brought me this!! WOW! NICE! well yes, of course Ill do something that challanges me and that I enjoy for treats! :)
It was a happy surprise! Ill try to post the pictures I took in the drama room of the things I sew-ed... I sewn? That I prepared on a sewing machine.

My little girl is 27

Monday marked a special day. All day long I was thinking about what I was doing 27 years ago at the same moment of the day I was living now. Does that make any sense? 27 years ago I had my first baby. My Laura. The beginning of a whole new education I thought I was prepared for-- and I still think I was in lots of ways but not all of them.
Laura spent her 27th birthday on a huge boat with her two best boys. I'm glad she had a great special day but I missed her. I missed making her a cake or going out for lunch. This birthday thing is more a mama thing than I ever realized.
Happy birthday my girl. Thanks for helping me learn how to be a mama and making your dad and my dreams come true. You are wonderful and beautiful and amazing. We both love you more than you'll know

Picture of the day

White handkerchiefs and the sign on the wall by the soon to be #2 temple in Provo!!!

Look what came today!!

Yes! So pleased with this almost free happiness! I'm saving it for Christmas though I think I'm the one that is most impressed with it. Have you ordered yours?

a great idea

My friend Mandy was recently on KSL studion 5 showing ways to keep memories. Here's a link to her blog, and the good deal I just scored, pictured above.
$40.00 worth of paper corterie things could knock out one or two Christmas gifts!!

http://mandydouglass.blogspot.com/2011/09/studio-5-capturing-growth-moments.html

What's a cat lover to do?

Oy!!
heres the story! Last week I was downstairs sewing. One of my favorite things to do actually. Sweetie kitty and even Oz like to jump up on the counter and jump out the window, then jump up to the grass level and play around. The window by the sewing machine is the only place they can come and go as they please, as long as the window is open. There is obviously no screen on that window. So all is going well, when I run upstairs for some reason. Just as I come down the stairs I see sweetie-kitty coming in the window with a SNAKE in her mouth. She sometimes catches snakes and brings them to the back door. The snakes have always played dead, and we scoop it up with a dust pan and throw it in the bushes, only to have it disappear a few hours later. So when I saw her bring in this snake in, I figured, ew, gross, as soon as she drops it, it will play dead, and we can throw it outside. Ummmm, nope. She put it down, and it slithered about. I froke out and called to Jacob, Joseph and Jenner (a bud that hangs out here sometimes) Jacob used a piece of interfacing to grab the snake and throw it back out to the window well. I didnt want it that close, but I did want it outside the most, so I was ok with it. So..... I calm down about that after a few days. I figure it was a fluke, an innocent cat thing to do. Okay.
Well, this morning, I woke up after taking a sleep aid and felt really happy that I slept ok with out David here. I sat up in bed and heard sweetie kitty under my bed. I checked my email on my phone, and my schedule. When I went to get out of bed, I saw a little shocking something. A snake all coiled on my side of the bed, on the carpet. It was thankfully playing dead or it was dead. Joseph was the only one home with me at 8:30 am, so I got off the end of my bed and ran down the stairs to have him come help me. He lifted it up and examined it, and said he could tell it had been bitten or hurt somehow--- He flung it out by the hydrangas. I went in to get ready for the day and saw a little crime scene where the tail was left and a little blood was on the carpet and the tile---I cleaned up the crime scene and took the rug out to the garage. I was, again, FROKE OUT!!
I broke all the rules, but getting peanut butter M & Ms and a twix and went shopping at RodWorks, a home decor place near by. Im still a little frazzeled--- I think the kitty found the snake in our garage and brought it in through the kitty door. UGGGGGGHHH--- maybe we have to lock that kitty door for a while. sheesh

This, the detached tail

This plus----

Equals this

And this

Look what I made!

Considering my last post

I walked in the little grocery store right by my house today and look what I saw! I almost laughed cause it made me think of my last post. I wasn't there to buy cookies- and I certainly didn't want those cookies calling my name all day, but honestly how could I pass these babies up?

Reasons to love living in Utah part 1.

Happy picture of the day

Day 19 – a picture of somewhere you'd like to travel

remember this little challange? ha ha, ya, in Januaray. Well here's day 19! "Somewhere I'd like to travel"-
I must say first that I never ever ever thought I'd have the chance to travel as much as I have. My parents weren't big travelers. We'd go to Idaho and Utah from California, but that is about it.
Dave has had the opportunity to travel internationally for work, so I've been able to go with him on a few occasions. My good husband has been really good about planning family vacations. We've been to many places I never thought I'd go. I'm so thankful for all those opportunities and the memories we've made traveling with the family. We've gone north to Canada, and Montana and East to NY and Virgina, and West the pacific NW and California and even to Hawaii. I could actually die now and be a happy woman with all the places I've been. However! That all is not the assignment, so though we've been there before, I'd have to say the number one place I would love to go is.....

my can hear my children groaning now

Back to having 5, at least for tonight

Tonight we ended up with 3 extra young men at FHE. It was great. For this mama that keeps loosing kids, it was great to have so many with us. Last night we had one extra friend, Jenner, for "spiritual time". David taught the boys how to consecrate oil for the healing of the sick. It was a great discussion and Joseph was able to consecrate some oil. That event lead to some great questions so tonight we watched a conference talk from last fall by Elder Oaks. One of these visitors is one month behind Joseph in preparing for the mission. I'm not sure what the other guys plans are but either way they were all attentive and respectful during our FHE. It was just 25-30 minutes king, but it was a great FHE!!

for my next lesson- mute the music on the right side first

Should we come to Hawaii again

Mornings are very slow. You'll want to wake up at 4:30 am for the day but you can sleep in until 9. That's 1:00 pm Utah time

If you don't want to sleep in, hit
the beach early like by 7 or 8. The crowds are non existent so parking is a breeze. The sun isn't too intense so the whole sunscreen issue is relaxed as well. You'll be done after an hour so you can go back as sleep or just start your other adventures after that.

It's not like So Cal with a jack in the box across the street, so you have to bring your own snacks and drinks.

Sunsets are not to be missed, but for me, bedtime soon followed. Even though it's only 7 at night the Utah time factor is very real.

Good water shoes are so awesome, as well as a good effective sun hat.

Have mac-nuts and pineapple everyday in some form, not too much. Just some.

Our busy summer-

May 12-15 
       19-21
Two weekends of wood badge camp- David
May 22-Mission farewell, open house 
May 23- Houston miracle (David could be in town for Aubrey's leaving on the 25)
May 25- departure to MTC 
June 2- Joseph graduation
June 2- grandbaby #2 announced
June 9- Jacobs license 
June 10 Jacobs first date
June 16-18 Youth conference
June 20-22 Girls camp
           Jacob ordained a priest
June 28- July 5 Virginia reunion/ DC 
July 14-16 Solo idaho trip Idaho reunion
July 15-Harry Potter 7.2 in Idaho opening day
July- Read "learned optimism"- I'm a pessimist. Bummer
July 26- August 13  
3 weeks in a row of scout camp for Jacob
July 30- Sundance outdoor theater. Sound of music 
July 31- Joseph ordained an Elder 
August 4-Wedding shower- Sara
August 6-Wedding & then reception at my house
August 10 The Help opening day
August 11 & 12 Kim graduation 
August 12 scera shell outdoor theater-  Aida
Aug 15-23 Hawaii

A great break

After a good and busy summer we have been fortunate to run off to Hawaii for a few days. Two years ago we bought a voucher for a vacation in hawaii on a really great deal. It would have expired in October. So we decided to use them this month. It's been a super good summer and this get away is perfect for us. We've been so involved in different things that to stop everything is very relaxing. We've been staying in Kona but we have not even taken a picture of the coffee everyone wants us to drink. We do love the "ah sigh ee" bowls though. Sorbet type smooth berry at the bottom, granola and fresh fruit drizzled with honey is great. We also had alcohol free peenya coladas. I know. Such a non islander to not know how to spell those words. Ah well. I did buy a Hawaiian blouse so I fit in better and now David and I are a match! It's been a great break but when it's over I'll be happy to be home. This is a great time!

A very good day

Today Kimmie graduated from BYU. It's been such a hard road for her. Dancing has taken it's toll on my girl. With all the bumps and bruises and disappointments and the surgeries on her feet, and crutches in the winter weather, the schooling was rougher than anyone predicted. But she did it! So proud of my girl. All her set backs and her perseverance and determination adds more to the fact that she graduated. I couldn't help but get all teary and emotional as the music started. Then every blond girl that came in fooled me and I thought they were her. Joseph was able to come but Laura and Steve were working and Jacob is at timberline scout camp but we still had a nice time. More ceremony tomorrow- it's a good day!

Picture of the day yesterday

found this and it made me so happy,

I was blog hopping, and found this site http://idoparties.blogspot.com/
this picture makes me so happy even thought I have no clue who these guys are. Had to share

a fun little something for nine bucks

When I cant sleep at night I sometimes read blogs on my bloglist. I found this great lead for a little journal. It costs about $9 for shipping, but the book is free. how ever that works out--- books only "cost 3.99" to ship from amazon...what ever. I figure its a good deal for the customized journal cover. Heres the link
https://www.papercoterie.com/promo/journals/
see what fun you can have
the promo only goes till the 20 of this month, so ya gotta get a move on if you want to cash in on this deal.
Ill post a picture when I get the one I made.

Much to catch up on

I've taken a few pictures to blog about but this one takes front and center now. Last night Jacob and friends were playing night games ad there was a running head on collision of two young men. Jacob took it in the knee. He texted me about 10 pm saying he had "busted up" his knee but he was staying at his buddies house for awhile longer. I figured he wasn't hurt to badly if he wasn't headed home. Some time later as I dozed, I heard him say goodnight to David then heard him painfully going down the stairs. About 3 am I woke with that feeling that someone was watching me. I looked over and Jacob was on Davids side of the bed crying in pain. He asked for a blessing and we contemplated taking him to the ER. Jacob wanted to try to get some sleep and wanted to wait for an e r visit. Today he missed church and we went to the hospital this afternoon. Thankfully there is no bone involvement bit possible cartilage or ligament problems. They put him in a brace, gave us some pain meds, and instructions to see an orthopedic doctor. So there it is. I did snap a picture in the ER an Jacob played it up with a little drama. Enjoy ;)