Thursday in Carthage

We started the day going down to Carthage. The presentation has changed from the last time we were there. It's a bit less intense than before. All but Kaylee and Jack went through the tour. Later Kim Joseph David and I went to the nauvoo temple. It was miraculous and wonderful to be there.

Wednesday in Nauvoo

I love it here so much and could spend much more time here. We got to see a few of the sites when we got here. We ended the evening at the senior missionary performance. Its so great to be here

Hannibal

We had lots of fun today looking in caves and trying out the zip line. Later we traveled to hannibal where we are spending the night. We are making good memories and seeing this part of our great country. The Mississippi river is right behind us.

The top of Saint Louis

We began our family vacation this week. Thankfully Laura and Steve and company could join us. Our first stop was the Gateway Arch. The day was kind of cloudy and a Monday and the crowds were sparse. We got up to the top in a little willy wonka type elevator train pod. It started to mess up my crystals (meaning it made me dizzy) until I just closed my eyes to the whole thing. Joseph tried to trick me into opening them. Speaking of which he did not even flinch or stress about the airplane ride, nor the freaky tiny tight elevator, nor being up 630 feet in the air. All issues that have been too much in the passed. Major score!
This picture is at the base of the arch. You can see the south end of the arch just over Joseph's head. Notice jacks awesome smile it's our favorite.
More to come

The final look

The dress

We finished the dress really last night, but had to make a few stitches to gather the sides up at the last minute. Kaylee was not thrilled with the whole primping. Kimmie made her a little pearl bracelet to finish off the look.

A new sister

My brother got married yesterday. He found his true princess. I am so happy for them and for me.

What the sisters did on sister day

Some of the brother in laws pitched in too.

What I did on sisters day

I figure it was kind of lazy, but I also figure I won't always be able to hold his hand.

One person FHE

While David and Jacob were at Timberline all last week, I found myself alone for FHE. What's a woman to do? I went to a nearby place and got a great pedicure. They have a great sugar scrub and then use warm lotion. It was awesome.

The dress so far

Here's the second sample dress I sent to Laura. She added the sleeves and the ribbon. The real sewing on the real fabric starts tomorrow. Could be interesting 8)

Guest appearance in the year book

I had lunch with the pope youngers I think it was in the fall. It was so fun and the oatmeal cookies were amazing. AND it got documented in the school yearbook

A very very good night

Tonight has been one of the very best nights for awhile. We were able to spend some time with an Elder that has been serving in the same mission Joseph was called to. He is home for some medical treatments. Though he has only been a missionary for 4 months, this Elder is wonderful and powerful and humble and very much an angel in earth. He is still a set apart full time missionary and came over with a great spirit to strengthen and comfort and bring hope to us all. It was an amazing night Words can not describe all that was communicated. Joseph is making progress and still wants to serve in Florida, and this night was certainly a high dose of ....? Happiness? Motivation? Hope?
I am so thankful.
Elder Dumas now has an extra aunt or something to send him stuff when he gets back out to Florida ;)
I'm so thankful

Kim and Aaron to the rescue.

It's Friday- my steady date is off being an awesome father. Instead of being all alone ( Jacobs with David, Joseph is at work) Kim and her bud Aaron took compassion on me and made me dinner!! Chicken curry on rice. Frozen yogurt at nearby orange leaf for dessert. They are too good to me!

The challenge

I'm going to attempt to sew THE blessing gown for little Kaylee. I will attempt something based off the pattern pictured on the baby--- with a few custom requests. I'll keep ya posted.

I found a book

I'm usually a very devoted library book reader. I usually don't buy books. The advantage of buying a book is that it's safer to read in a bubble bath when it's your own book. Sooo when I was at Costco the other day I was looking at the books. This one had the hero (?) or love interest (?) named David Paxton. Well--- for 4.89 I had to get it!! Dave just laughed when I read him the back cover. I'll let you know how he does in the book.

Ah mothers day!!

Mothers day was great. I was treated so well. Not only did I get to be the mother but I also got to be the daughter to a wonderful mother. We spent the evening on Provo with my folks. I know she doesn't read my blog, but I have to say my mother is a true angel. She has taught me how to be a good wife, a good mother, a good grandmother, and a good sister. I've watched her my whole life and strive to be like her. She's been my ideal my whole life. To this day, as she lovingly and effectively cares for my Dad, I watch her and she teaches me without her even knowing.
We did have the extra special opportunity to talk with Aubrey. I'm so thankful we got to. She is very happy and even thinking she'll come home in December Rather than November when her 18 months is up. We'll see.
It was a great day.

Indexing happy

this is a little gem I found while indexing.  look at the wifes name just below the yellow rectangle.  Im thinking Ill change my name to pretty connie ;)

More happiness

aaahhhh, I love to get her pictures.  Her hair is getting long again.  I get to skype with her in about a week! last time till she gets home probably.  Then we wont skype much at all

Prom

getting ready for prom.

Pippin again

Last night of Pippin.  The kids had such a great time, and when my kids are happy-I'm happy---- usually

Signing more autographs

Watermelon train

Missing this boy!! Here's a picture Laura sent me of his ever favorite thing--- trains. In this case, its a watermelon train

More and more pippin

After the show Wednesday night

More pippin

at the end of each show, during the curtain call, Jacobs character threw out autographed pictures of himself to the audience.  Dave was lucky enough to get one

Missing this girl

what a doll!! can't wait to see her in a month and kiss her little toes and cheeks and neck... and hands  and tummy

Prom

after opening night of Pippin, Jacob came home to a "yes" on his prom request.  He went with a very awesome and fun girl Brelyn from Highland

Pippin

Katie

Another car

Feeding the giraffes

It was not with out some Kimmie squeals.

Kaylees awesome!

Bubbles with Kimmie

Trains and blocks

The German restaurant

We got to Laura's place on Thursday. Unfortunately Steve wasn't there because he was in Utah. His grandfather had passed away so Steve came out for the funeral. We went to a great German restaurant the first night and ha a great time with the Clarks.

Spring break 2012

Jacob spent most of the week in NYC with LHS drama kids and teachers

Spring break 2012

Jacob flew home the day we left for Colorado springs.

The end of an era

Laura and Steve left for Colorado on Conference Saturday. It was something I had not looked forward to. It's just the way it is, and I certainly don't blame them-- it's a new phase I guess. I've had the awesome blessing of being great friends with my little bud Jack. He brings so much happiness to this home. The aunts and uncles adore him and gma and gpa can not get enough of him. He is such a joy and a doll. When he came at Christmas time, I put little white Christmas lights on my headboard of the bed. When he would come over to visit after Christmas time, he felt it his duty to go turn the lights on and he often asked to go play games on my phone in my bed. I know he won't remember these times, but I will. We would watch the movie about the snowman, the all music one so we have sometimes would watch that with him even after Christmas. It will just be different. I can't get another cat.... what am I going to do?

Sundance!

Last week Davids company had a conference up at Sundance. He had a room to himself and a kingsize bed. Since it's only about 40 min away, I went up for two evenings. Though they had very little snow, even on the mountain, the air smelled so great and fresh up there. We had a snapping fire in the fireplace and watched movies. I invited the boys to come up and have dinner with me, but after looking at the menu on line, they werent impressed and we went to Applebys before I met Dave for the night.
It is a great perk of working for a company based else where! I just took one picture from the bed with many awesome feather pillows while I read. It was great

Family pictures, a few of my favorites

First snake of 2012

It's kind of difficult to see this one but Joseph found sweetie-kitty messing with a snake today. Thankfully she didn't try to bring it in the house. Joseph and I are going to start naming the snakes. This one had to have a name that starts with an "A". Albus was chosen by Joseph--- it didn't feel right to me-- but we went with it. Next snake will be "B" and maybe a girl name. We'll do this like the hurricanes. Oy

Pinterest try #2

I fixed the flowers so they don't look so wild. I do wonder how long it will be until the candy starts to ah... walk away. Not by me, trust me. I'm saving it all for real chocolate ;)

I do some indexing almost every day

I think I've written about indexing before and I'm still kind of obsessed with it. It has the same power of a good book on that it can take me to a different time. I do feel more productive indexing then reading. The other day I was working on the 1855 New York census. I came across a family with the last name "Goodenough". Awesome hua? Then I came across this little gem. Joseph Jones, 93 years old but "hoeing corn today" WOW how cool!! Thought I'd share the fun. Is it strange that I think this is fun?

A very sobering day, a good day

Today David and I went to the funeral of one of the funnest guys we know. He lived further down in the ward than we did, but he was in the ward just about as long as we lived there. It was typical to see Gordon driving down the road in a convertible I never knew he had, or on a gas powered scooter or some other fun devise you'd think to only see the under 18 crowd propelling down the road. (He was in his upper 40's) He has a ready smile and wit and laugh.

His wife Dixie is awesome and such an example to me. She was the RS president when we moved out. She is so kind, and so calm in every situation. I ache for her.
Gordon was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after Joseph didn't go to the MTC. That alone has helped me keep perspective most of the time. I knew Dixie was carrying on and doing what needed to be done, with out too much drama. I know this not because I was with her, but because I know her. This is her example to me, as well as for other reasons.

There was so many of their family members were there, so most of the cedar hollow 2nd ward sat in the over flow and cultural hall. It was heaven to be among so many members of our Lehi ward. So much love and and friendship and history there. Other members that had moved were also there. It really is a family with them. I'm so thankful to know them, to know Gordon, and Dixie. One of my dear friends wrote about Gordon on her blog. Her daughter was in Gordon's primary class. This little gal told her mom that her favorite thing about Brother Calkins was that after every primary class he would tell each child "love you". So that is my new goal. I teach some great young women at church, I need to tell them that I love them. They helped me more than they know in adjusting to our move.

There is no reason to with hold love from the ones that I do love. There is nothing wrong or weird about saying "love you" I'm going to do it more.

I know heaven is a better place with Gordon there. I know he is with loved ones, and hopefully time goes faster there, so he won't hurt too much for those he left behind. He has two missionaries out and hopefully he can help them.

I'm thankful for life and that we are here with many we love. It's certainly not an easy life, but friends and family continue to show me the way and add so much love to my life.

Pinterest dreams

Pintrest FAIL

So just how many jelly beans do I have to get?

We made cards for sisters day

This past Tuesday cute Jess showed us how to make cards. She had made some herself and they were so cute and happy. I made my two cards right off-- kinda copying Jess' design. One was a happy birthday card, and the other a thank you card. I was awesome. So awesome that my Mom asked me to make her cards for her. I started to get the things together to make her cards and I asked her what she wanted her cards to say. She thought a minute then said "Go To Heck" SOOOOO... that's how I made her card. It was awesome again. We were all giggling about it and decided we could have a line of cards under the name of "anonymous angry woman cards". You know, for those times you want to send a card with a certain message. Other ideas besides the original "Go To Heck" were, "you're not as cool as you think you are" and "no one cares". Though I try really hard to be sweet and keep my mouth shut, this silly idea was just fun to run with with the ladies of the sisters group.
What were the other angry messages we thought of?
Please dont think of me for this idea, and please please please never send me a card from an anonymous angry woman ;)