Endeared yet again

I have been endeared yet again by my "SIL" or Son In Law. I will give you the most recent reasons for such affection.

Yesterday Laura and I chatted on the phone while Steve was at a meeting. We talked and talked. I was on my cell, she was on hers. I was in the sewing room and when someone knocked at the door, I ignored it. The "white-guilt" soap salesmen have been walking the neighborhood and I have no desire to talk to them. The house phone rang a few times, but I ignored that too. So we chatted on. My phone battery died, so Laura called back on the house phone. Eventually I had to get something out of the car so I took my phone outside. Just as I went outside, carrying my sewing project, I saw Steve coming up the drive way. I told Laura her husband was at my house. Steve said, Is that Laura? Is everything OK? I told him yes everything was okay, and gave him the phone. He chatted with Laura for a bit, and was relieved everything was okay. He hadn't been able to reach her on her phone, or me on my phone, or anyone on our house phone, and for some reason the text messages didn't go through, so he was worried something was wrong. He drove to Lehi to figure out the status of his Laura. He was very sweet to my girl/his girl, and agreed on providing dinner for my 12 hour shift weary daughter. He's so good to her.
Love that!!

second reason, same night... as we were sitting outside I told him what I was sewing was for his baby. He was SO complimentary! Usually you have to pry that kind of sensitivity and praise out of the men.
Loved that too!!

Then the icing on the cake.... while outside the minority race salesman guy walked right by... I think he was going to stop and pitch his soap, but Steve gave him the Don't-bother-my-mother-in-law look, and the dude just kept walking. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!
So, Steve is the hero for sure. He is a definite keeper to be sure

Sewing for baby Jack

A grandson!!! Wow wow wow! It is still amazing to me that I will be a grandma this summer. A few weeks ago Laur and I, and Kimmie too, went and got some fabric. Laura has chosen a jungle type theme for her babys room and this is the fabric for her crib skirt and window valance. I finally got it out to work on tonight. It's a pretty simple pattern so it might be finished tomorrow. I just hope it looks okay. The window is bigger than the pattern so I'll have to be tricky there, but I'm feeling up to the difficulty! Wish me luck

A common scent these days

The boys, mostly Joseph, have been building fires most nights recently. The patio is not too far from my "sewing room" window so I usually get to smell the campfire when they get it going. Tonight for home evening we're going to cook out over the fire. All the propane is gone so the little fire pit will work just fine. We planned things in for smores too. It's going to be a great dinner.

Many years ago, on this very day

When I was a teenager I had a mad crush on a guy in my school and in my stake. He was a great kid. We had a fun friendship and eventually started dating. Things ended as he wanted to concentrate on preparing for his mission. He was called to Argentina but after only three months on his mission, he was tragically killed on May 13, 1981. It was the first real heartache I ever had. Time, among other things, and people ;) have helped heal my heart. However on this day since 1981, I have thought of that day. I mourn for the missionary's mom, and family. I also mourn for that 17 yr old girl that was me hurting so much.
I was at Hoag Hospital doing some nursing aid schooling on the 3rd floor. I was working with the new mommys. My Mom called at the hospital to ask me to come home. I knew something was up, but I didn't know what. I changed out of my scrubs and on the way out to the car it came to me. Being called home had something to do with this missionary. I have since realized that that "revelation" was a great blessing in preparing me for the next few days ahead of me.
The next day a huge bunch of lilacs were delivered to me. They came with a beautiful letter and card from my oldest sister Holly. Though I was just a teenager and my relationship with the young man was just young love, she recognised my pain. I so love her for that. So it's easy to remember this day so many years ago. Lilacs are everywhere. Sometimes I can smell them in the spring air. They are my favorite flower I think. And now you know why

A really good thing

Tonight was a wedding reception for my cousins son. Marianne is my cousin. She was a little older then I was, so as children we weren't really close. When we moved to Utah our friendship began to grow and eventually David and I found our selves in the same ward as her and her husband. Her husband was our home teacher and a great friendship continued. So tonight I dragged my two girls with me and we went to the reception. I was supposed to meet my folks there, but they were kinda late. Kim Aub and I tried to make it as "family friendly" as possible, reminding my cousins I was one of their people, and attempting to be fun and friendly. I totally messed up on the cousins names, but laughing at myself went over well. All of Mariannes sibs are older then I am, so I really don't have history with them. If only Jim were with me we could mingle with the best of them, but as time went on, I did okay.
It really loosened up when Mom and Dad showed up. These cousins were little kids when my parents were newly married, so there is huge history there. My Dad taught two of them in school, when they were in fourth grade. My Dad and his younger brother are the only siblings left out of that whole family. I'm sure the cousins that have lost their own parents love seeing my Dad and Mom. Jeanne was so so sweet with my Dad, she kept putting her hand on his cheek. the picture didn't turn out too well.

By chance, one of Davids uncles was there, so I chatted it up with him and his wife. They are good tall people. He is so great, being a history teacher at BYU. He asked me the connection with the bride and groom, so I explained my relation with Marianne, the grooms mother. Uncle Paul quickly asked me my genealogy , and I was unrighteously proud that I could give it to him from memory. He wrote it all down. It was cool. I tend to get a little intimidated with him being such a uppity up on campus, but when I was able to ramble off names and a few dates, I think I impressed him.. well he said he was :) His wife Mary is just as great. She is so sweet and such a good talker. She really can get me yacking too.... I know... shocking.

Here's a few pictures for those of you that know these people. I am again reminded and thankful for the great family I have. We don't see each other often but nonetheless, there is such an obvious connection somehow. It is so awesome, and such a great blessing in my life.

Mothers Day 2009

This might be a long one...

So many thoughts in my head tonight. Today was mothers day and of course it was delightful. The family made breakfast from me, and the little kids around here sang in church. Thankfully, the gift from the wars was not a plant. They always die so quickly that I've decided when I get a plant as a gift, I will kill it as soon as possible just to shorten the agony of it's eventual demise. We got the new pictures- in- a -spiral -notebook the church recently put out. I like it very much. I was able to have dinner with my own wonderful Mom and the men did all the cookin.

My Mom is great. She has taught me almost everything through her example. Very rarely has she ever sat me down to "teach" me something. How to be a loving fun Mom, how to be a compassionate friend, how to turn back into a younger version of myself when I am with my siblings , how to be a faithful wife and certainly how to be a woman of God.

I also honor those that have mothered me through the years, my aunts, my girlhood friends moms, the older ladies at church, and of course, my sisters. I learned so much by how they treated me, and how they lived their lives.

My life would be no where as happy without the mothers that came in my wedding package. Dhs mom did an amazing job raising such great men. Dh' s Mom, and his grandmothers were always so kind to me, and great examples. His paternal grandmother was a mother 6 very tall boys, yet very much a lady. She was more on the proper side yet not too formal. Still trying to master her buttermints!! When we first moved onto this home she lived in SLC. One day when we went to visit her she took us to her backyard with a shovel and she told us she would help us with our landscaping. She dug up some iris plants as well as the little "star of bethleham" plants. That is what the picture is at the top of this post. She gave us alot of plants and these babies hve survived for the duration!!
His maternal grandmother was just as sweet and I think more in my husbands life.

I'm so thankful for my children and for thier good hearts. I love my nieces and nephews that trained me up, and now tolerate me, by letting me mother them. I love all the cute friends of my kids that call me mamaconnie.

Truley, being a mom is an honor I treasure with my whole heart.

Mothers Day painting

This week we went to color me mine for sisters day. We went to
celebrate Mothers Day. It was really fun. My mom decides to do a fun
little plate. She used the bubble method to put the paint on.

I was kinda huffy cause I am so uncreative. My project is the last
picture, three little dessert cups. I figure a "tiny bit" is just the
perfect amount for a late night ice cream fiesta or even a naughty
late night date.

It was really fun and I need to go more often to loosen up my creative
mind.

I'll post pictures when the items get finished

Blowing paint for the effect she wanted

Mothers Day fun

my heart is so full it just might burst

Yesterday we were all at my parents home and this awesome kodak moment happened. Thankfully Krista had her iphone to snap a picture. Im not sure how to describe my feelings about these pictures. My heart is so full of happiness and awe and wonder. How could this be happening? My life is so good already, how can I be given more? How can I be a grandma when Im not "grandma" enough? Im not wise and confident and all that... How can my baby be having a baby? How can these big kids be my own children? How can my circle of love be getting bigger? Life is so amazing. Im so thankful I have this moment captured. It is certainly a highlight and milestone in my little life.

I found THE best ice so far

Through a few miscalculations Laura and I had the chance to go get some lunch together. We went to a newer place in Alpine. It is called the Blue Lemon. It is kind of trendy and very Eco-friendly. Laura got a panini and I got raspberry chicken salad minus the feta, double the pecans. It was delicious. The big surprise was the quality of ice they had! Yes yes, it is even better than the tosoro station in AF, the previous champion of ice place. I had to get a picture of it with my handsome grandson in the background.

Junior Prom 2009

Ah! Doesn't he look handsome? Today was full of prom activities. Joseph had a great time. I wasn't home when he left to get his date, nor did I embarrass him by following him to his dates home so I could see them together. Maybe the girls mom has some pictures for me. Joseph said that when he went to pick up his date there were two sets of grandparents, an aunt and uncle maybe a few more too. The daddy of his date teared up and cried when he saw his youngest child all beautiful and on the arm of a good looking and awesome young man. So glad he had fun.

How she's healing

Kim is healing and bandanging is no longer needed. She's doing okay but still a little sore.

Not of this world

In a time when very little is respected, let alone reverenced, the
temple is so obviously not of this world. Timeless wisdom and it's
connection to heaven make this place immensley soul soothing.

The power of the jellybelly

Awhile ago I bought a huge container of jelly bellys at costco. At the time I didn't realize how important they would be. In March we found out we owe a ton of taxes on money we ended up losing in the stock market. It was a bummer. Dh and I were not happy. Thankfully, we had the jelly bellys. Since I am a little sensitive to too much sugar, it was mostly a good distraction for the dh. David can now pick out the flavors from the pack. My favorites are the hot cinnamon- and of course, the pear flavor too.

My poor Kimmie

Kim took the long board out. It was the same long board that was
involved in the broken arm incident. Kim took a spill going down a
major road with a dip. Thankfully my other son Dagen was with her.
She hasn't cried or anything but each knee and each elbow is abraised.
Is that a word!? I do wonder if the long board is really worth all
this fun.

Road rash

Where is everyone?

I couldn't figure out where the boys were. It was time for home
evening. This is where they were. Silly boys

When FHE plans fail

FHE during good weather

a favorite FHE is going to play frisby golf. We usually go to the high school football field, but last night we were racing the sun so we stayed a little closer to home. We went to our neighborhood park. Heres a few shots of our adventure. Im wont say who won or lost, but I will say I paid for the milkshakes after.

my girl

My Kimmie has been gone since March 10, back to Hawaii. She comes home today. We are all happy to have her back Hopefully the weather will agree more with her then it did when she came home in December. Kim spent the past weekend in Arizona where one of her good friends was married. My niece Chelsea posted such a sweet letter to Kim on her blog. Give it a read. You'll be proud to know that girl.

http://thedalchelslogantings.blogspot.com/2009/04/dear-kim.html

excitement with the visiting kitty

I always thought that if a cat went up a tree it could get down. Sweetie kitty is a rare case as she came with no front claws, so she had to fall out of the tree the one time I saw her "get down" from climbing a tree. So our visiting kitty went out to play and promptly started climbing our front tree. It was all fun and games until she started meowing really loud and distraughtly. She was as high as the roof, and I think that is were she really wanted to get to.
The awesome kids I have couldnt help but want to help the sweet little visitor, this is the excitement I got on camera. I couldnt get the actual rescue since I was stabelizing the ladder.

Our 72 hour kit experiment

The results of our 72 hour kit eating experiment are in. One day of eating the limited food was just okay, even with cheating. My breakfast of a nutragrain bar and hot chocolate held me for about 1 1/2 hours. I had made a trip to costco with my sister and her littles and when they bought some pizza, I brought 2 slices home to the boys, and they each gave me a bite. Later, the ramen noodles were a little lacking since they had expired. The hard candy snack was not satisfying at all. Surprisingly the trail mix was great tasting after 18 months. The jerky was okay. The Vienna sausages were just too far out of what we usually eat to really enjoy. In talking with the family everyone else said it was all okay, but more food would have been better. I also realize that one day of this with the option of cheating is one thing. But having to go with this program for 3 days would really make me grouchy I think. SO the plan now is to keep the remaining 4 mylar bags in our 72 hour kit, for another 6 months, and add more things to the kit. We will definitely rotate out our food on a regular schedule. Some peanut butter and graham crackers, maybe some shelf stable milk, and dry fruit (like the mango's at costco?) need to be added. So now I'm on a hunt.

april 15th?

I thought we were done with this weather. I really dont mind the snow and rain. We were given a few teaser days of beautiful spring weather though, and so it makes snow like this extra surprising.

The thing about weather like today, is that all I want to do is read, bake or sleep. I did go out to mail our taxes, and it was kinda gross travel. Its supposed to be more of the same weather tomorrow, but then up to 70* by Monday. yikes... that is too hot all at once I think. Kim comes home on Monday so that warmness will be a good thing for her.

Ive been listening to a book on tape of "The Hiding Place" and it is more of a show or play on tape rather then someone just reading. I am enjoying it so much and so amazed at the strength of the TenBoom family I am reminded through that book to give thanks in all things, not just in joyful things. So I am thankful it is not June. Getting snow in June would be very weird. I am thankful we are getting water for our hot dry summers. Im thankful I dont have to be out driving or anything in this cold. Im thankful I can read cook and sleep today in my comfy warm home.

He has been answered

Joseph has asked a young lady to the prom. He gave her a candy filled curious george piñata as part of the asking. He has been waiting for an answer for about a week. We all worried about the answer. So tonight, right between scriptures and prayers, the door bell rang. It was 10:20 pm so we were all surprised. This is what he found on the porch. The boys had to search each item for some official answer, and found a small typed message saying- yes! I'm going bananas waiting for prom. Now we can all sleep well tonight. It was extra lucky that all these goodies came to Joseph on the same day at our 72-hour-kit-food-day. Let's just say the allotted food, for one day, was ok but not really enough. I'll write about that next time.

So? why is this so funny?

I have a chance to buy 72 hour kit food in mylar bags. I got 6 of these in early 2008 and figures it's time to rotate out the old. We pulled out the old packs and the two boys can not stop laughing about it. We decided to try a day of eating the rations, just to see if it is enough. For some reason this idea was insanely funny. Joseph is relieved that there are 4 pieces of candy per day for a snack. The boys were able to pack one days worth of food in a sandwich sized baggie. Ya, that was funny too, oddly. I'll let you know what is decided on the experiment.

More books

For a little while Ive really gorgon off on these "dear America"
books. They are written for a younger age group, but they really make
history interesting for me. They are clean fast reads. I wasn't that
taken with history in school, and wonder why I couldn't have had these
back in the day. So if you want a cool look at history, take a look at
these books from your library. They are some of my favorites.

if fabric were illegal, Id be in trouble

Our laundry room is almost done! Getting the new sink hooked up is the last thing to do. Joseph brought in my fabric boxes and now I need to organize and sadly probably weed through and donate some. I have alot of fabric! Fabric I bought with a specific project in mind, some I bought cause I just loved it- (and I'm really kinda picky) and a lot of leftover fabric from other completed projects. It's a good task, I suppose and it gets me thinking of settling down with my machine. I have a few things in mind for the new grand baby :)

David really wanted a stone floor in there, as well as in the new bathroom. I didn't like that at all because it always is so cold. We decided to compromise with a heater under the stone in the laundry room. It is still waiting to be turned on though. We have to make sure the stuff is all "cured" before we turn it on. kinda makes me grumpy.

Sweetie kitty always hangs with me and its nice not to be alone all the time ;)

MFLT

Soon after we moved to this house, I was sitting in church and a new lady walked in. Out of no where, I thought, *there's my friend* which was weird cause I never met her before. I later chatted with her and her name was Laura T. We became fast friends. She is so funny and clever and so fun to be with. Shes a great cook and she sews and has farm animals on their land. Her husband is just as funny. We were walking buddies for awhile.
When I would speak of Laura to others, like my sisters or my husband, I would call her "my-friend-Laura-T" because if I just said Laura they would think I meant a different Laura in the family. Soon "my-friend-laura-t." became "MFLT". She lives close by but I don't see her often, in fact only a few times a year. When we do see each other, it's like we are still close buds.
This past Sunday, MFLT and fam came to our meetings for a missionary welcome home. It was so good to see her. She gave me some good news too. She has become a quilter! she hosts a quilting night every week at her home, and she invited me to come too. I am so happy about it. It's just what I need to get my piecing act together. Something else to look forward to.

what's for dinner tonight?

What are we having for dinner? I get asked that at least twice a day , sometimes more then once from the same kid. Meal planning is such a pain, and certainly there is an easier answer. How do you do it?
Tonight we are having a family favorite Creamy Italian Chicken.

* 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
* 1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix
* 1/3 cup water
* 1 package (8 ozs.) cream cheese, softened
* 1 can (10 3/4 ozs.) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

* Hot cooked rice or noodles

Preparation:
Place the chicken breast halves in a slow cooker. Combine salad dressing mix and water; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together cream cheese and soup until blended. Stir in mushrooms. Pour cream cheese mixture over chicken. Cook 1 to 3 hours longer or until chicken juices run clear. Serve Italian chicken with rice or hot cooked noodles.
Serves 4.

I'm doubling the batch so I can serve it again Wednesday or Thursday, I'm sneaky like that.

Tuesday- Soft shell tacos
Wednesday- speghetti
Thursday- Leftovers
Friday date night
Saturday- Pizza, always pizza

This place takes on a whole new meaning

Now that I have a grandbaby coming

Lacrosse lacrosse lacrosse

We've been involved in lacrosse for about 4 years. There is a spring season and fall season. Aub and I were calculating which we have seen more of, ballet recitals and shows, or lacrosse. We think lacrosse will take the lead soon. 8 seasons (some seasons with both sons playing) 10 games a season vs. 20 years (sometimes with 3 daughters dancing) 2 shows a year. Joseph actually got his first penalty yesterday for "aggressive play". Right.... He also started a dog pileup where he ended up on the bottom. I usually dread going to the games for some reason, but really enjoy myself once I am there. It's great when the weather and sunlight are agreeable.

It's pi day

3.14 is pi day. Did you know that? Thanks to Mrs Lambert, we know.* Pi* as in math pi. I haven't had a lot of experience with pi. I married into the serious math, you know the math you're forced to learn but by the time you need it again, it is long forgotton? Nonetheless, with a brainy husband and kids "pi" day has come to my attention in recent years. (Mrs Lambert, our favorite math teacher
made a thing of this day. Her birthday is on pi day too. She is an excellent math teacher btw.) At my suggestion, AJ made a pie in honor of pi day. She made lemon meringue pie from scratch :). It is tasty!! Nice and lemony. Since she made enough for two pie crusts I made a chocolate chip pie for tomorrow. We, as saturday tradition goes, had pizza tonight. Remember when the flintstones used to call it pizza pie? So here are my three ies for pi day. Happy 3.14 day

My Zupas favorites

We are getting a new zupas near by so I'll post a few of my favorite
things to get there. The drink options are great even if the ice is
marginal. Here's what I do-

A fun addition to the drink

I pump in a few squirts to flavor my drink.

The Thai salad

I get it without the chicken, extra nuts and add in mandarine oranges.

What I am reading

Here's the book I am reading. I finished one by the same author last
week. The author is an lds man and mostly writes kinda mystery
stories. I'm not big into mysteries because I get lost in all the
characters, but this one has my interest. Though the guy is lds, and
most of his characters are also, the book really isnt churchy. The
two I've read are set in Utah.

Books are so great as a distraction. When David is watching
sports, or worse, the news, I can check my brain out by reading. Love
it love it love it! Do you have any suggestions for books?

Stage makeup

Ds came home with stage makeup on. I took a few pictures and he almost
look like a drawing. I thought it was pretty cool.

Cinderella once again

Kim was asked to be Cinderella for a birthday party nearby. She looked
so beautiful. She has played the role of Cinderella many times,
usually dressed in a tutu. All the little girls were dressed as
princesses too. There was a prince charming there, but he got little
attention. I guess that attention will come at a teenage girl birthday
party. Poor fella

My guitar

A few years ago, maybe 7, David gave me a guitar for my birthday. I loved it and took a few classes. Those classes were not exactly what I was looking and eventually the guitar became a little noticed friend.

Fast forward to February 09.

I was talking to my friend Ellen. She's taught me several things, like how to piece a quilt and how to keep stats at a lacrosse game.
She told me she was taking guitar lessons and told me the name of the teacher.

So I'm now taking lessons again and loving it. In order to catch up with the teachers beginners class, she taught me privately twice a week for two weeks. Each lesson of packed with new stuff. She teaches chords, strumming and picking. In picking and strumming can be done in many different rhythms. I would walk out of the lesson thinking there was no way I could master the new picking or strumming. I guess I'm doing okay cause I am now in the group lessons. Thankfully this will allow more time to master each assignment really well before learning new techniques.

I can play several songs and always have one in my head. Sometimes its Songs I don't even know, like "for baby" by John Denver, or Jamaica farewell. Last Sunday I played edelvies while aub sang for my parents. She sounded so beautiful. I can do "surfin safari" pretty well and " feeling groovy" is a good one too. The teacher sometimes plays the real song from a cd and we play with it. She and I played along with "achy breaky heart" it was very fun. Watching her play is mesmerizing to me. She has been playing since she was a little girl. Her mom developed a course for byu and she teaches from that. It's really all very amazing and a fun part of my life these days.

Del taco

One tray is mine, the other is for the 16 yr old. Ummmmm , mine is on the left if you could not guess.

A tradition with Joseph

My sister in California and her family has a thing with del taco, and so does our family. Every other week when I would take Joseph to drum lessons about 40 min away, we would end the night filling that boys tummy. The event usually happened at del taco in springville. Trust me the boy can eat. Today we went to fix a tire, which was damaged coming home from a ski trip. Since the tire store is across the street from del taco joseph and I hung out there.