Just thinkin

I am just wondering if I am going to make it to Hawaii in 2008. Would it be too much to hope for another trip in 2009? Just wondering.

A typical night

It is not uncommon that I am the first one to start settling down for the night. I love to chill for awhile before the lights go out. Often, Dave is still involved in things, so Aubrey will come up to my room and we will watch food network. Such was the evening last night. I was dutifully doing my chill out stuff (stitching or reading) and Aub comes in to hang with me. She believes the 50% middle of the bed is her spot. That is usually OK until Dave comes in. Inevitably he has to use a little sliver of the bed to start chilling too. I was on my side, Aub in the middle and Dave on his side. After teasing Aub about taking up the bigger percentage of the bed, I decided to wedge myself between Aub and Dave and re claim my rightful spot by my husband. I rolled over Aub and went face down between those two. Everything seemed like it worked right, but then I realized Aubrey had not moved one inch and there was a plopping sound on the other side of me. Now because I was face down, I am not sure, and I don't really want to know, what happened. But when I looked to his part of the bed, Dave was gone. I started laughing so hard, no sound came out, only my shoulders shook. Aubrey was busting up and Dave slowly stood up laughing too. We laughed for a long time... one of those tears-down-the-cheeks type of laughing. Dave refused to tell us if he really had been shoved out of bed. But not to worry.. after the laughing was completely in control, I used my legs to move Aub farther to the north, and nobly defend my man. it was just a funny thing that happened on my typical night.

Indulge me for 50 seconds

We have been in drum lessons for awhile, and I had heard many a drum practice, but I recently watched my boy do his thing. He looked very good and like he knew what he was doing. So I share with you now. We are in the middle of using our garage for a storage unit while we attempt to finish some of the basement, so the garage is a complete mess... what ever...

One more post before I forget

The other day my sister and mom were going to send a box to Niece Robin in Washington. I had been to the high school a few nights before and saw a girl with cute flip flops on. I made friends with her, asked her about them and made some for Robin. So here they are

Pixton attack

On the day of Aubreys graduation from Lehi High School, we had the great opportunity to bring a smile to our favorite two Lehi High bigwigs.. Mari Braithwaite is the Vice Principle and Darci Bugden is the high school officer. They know all three of my girls and it is so fun and great to be friends with them. Incidentally, Mari grew up in Huntington Beach, same stake that I grew up in. Her big brother was one of my friends. We know a few of the same people from HB. She is awesome and will be so missed as she changes positions in the district. Thankfully Officer Bugden will still be there to keep the next group of Pixtons in control at the high school. "Pixton Attack" was a spontanious idea and it was a good one

Dave wisked us off to Sundance ski resort right after we had the celebratory family out to dinner after aubs graduation. It was so beautiful and a perfect decompression spot for the last day of school. Here are a few pictures

Hey I was tagged

Some of these have been previously answered, what ever... here ya go Bobbin Robin


four jobs I have had:
1. Birth mother assistant at an adoption agency
2. office worker
3. nurse
4. gift wrapper at Christmas time

Four movies I have watched more than once:
1. The Lakehouse
2. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
3. Mulan
4. The Sound of Music

Four places I have lived:
1. Lehi Utah
2. Salt Lake City Utah
3. Huntington Beach Calif
4. Payson Utah

Four TV shows I watch:
1. Good Eats
2. re runs of Everybody loves Raymond
3. the news, while I am tredding
4. re runs of ER

Four places I have been:
1. Belgium
2. Germany
3. New York State
4 Tijuana

Four people who e-mail me regularly:
1. Kyle, through Jim
2. Kendall, through Laurie
3. Power school so I see my kids grades
4. Utah grocery deals… its true

Four of my favorite foods:
1. salsa from Los Hermonos
2. the chocolate cake from Macaroni Grill
3. Chocolate and pecans or almonds or caramel
4. Strawberries and chocolate

Four places I would like to visit:
1. England
2. North Carolina
3. Hawaii
4. Figi

Four things I am looking forward to in the coming year:
1. family vacation
2. a mysterious trip with Dave, probably to Scotland
3. maybe maybe maybe a grandbaby
4. fixing up our house

Four friends I am tagging:
Laura
Jess
Alisha
chelsea

The Drama of 2007-08

What I have been sewing

a few of the bags I have made, and my civil war replica fabric quilt, and a few burp clothes and crocheted edge blanket.. doing a different quilt now

A night at the Hale Center Theater

Last year, my great dh gave me season tickets to the local theater in Orem. It is not community theater, so I guess that makes it professional theater, I think they pay their actors.. whatever
We have enjoyed all shows we have seen. Mostly... I do not find one writer that great... which is fine, cause they don't use him often. (Neil Simon) But, last week, we went to see The Miracle Worker. It was fantastic. It was beautiful. Between the very sweet portrayal of Helen Keller's mother, and wonderful Anne Sullivan, and the cute 12 yr old girl portraying Helen, I was in tears most of the night. That had never happened to me at the Hale. I happened to be there with Dave and my parents and 2 of my sisters and their husbands. My Dad confessed to tearing up as well.
The instant at the well was by far the most amazing scene. After struggling to get Helen out to the pump and refill the water pitcher that had become empty during an earlier struggle, Anne tries to convince Helen the meaning of sign language as it pertains to the actual item. It was so great. I think what made it so great was knowing it really happened and all the good that came from that long long heartache.
I wondered, during the show, what is inside me, and what is inside you that only a obstacle would bring out, or has brought out already.. hummmm..
go see it if you get the chance, let me know how you like it

>

Hugs

I have recently had two separate experiences that have taught me the same lesson. I blog it to you so that you too, can learn this.

I recently came across a person I had met just once before, and consequently talked to and teased him as well. Maybe just "made him smile" is a better term then "teased". He had been a dance teacher and he was recently in a performance at BYU that my daughter was in. After the show, I spoke with him, congratulating him on his show and reminding him that we had already met. I don't think he really remembered me but his eyes lit up and he acted like he remembered me and gave me a huge hug. Wow! I did not expect that!! It was very kind and nice. Lesson- Hugs are good. They make others feel happy.

Second experience, same lesson- A few years ago one of my friends passed away, leaving her good husband alone with 2 kids. Thankfully he was able to meet and marry a woman I never got to meet. Well, I did get to meet her a few weeks ago. When I introduced myself and told her how I knew her husband and kids, she just gave me a huge hug... Wow! I did not expect that!! It was very kind and nice. Lesson- Hugs are good. They make others feel happy.

There ya go.. actually, there I go!! learn the lesson Connie.. give freely and maybe surprise a few folks along the way ;)

Cousins, Aunts and Uncles

Yesterday I had the great experience of heading off to a city up north with two of my siblings and my parents. We were going up for my Moms brothers birthday. His
80th birthday. It was great fun and so good to see people at a happy setting. My cousins have been a constant part of my life I was never one of the "in" group, but was always entertained by watching it all. I think watching each of my parents with their siblings taught me how important my siblings were to be even in my adult life.
I guess the most surprising moment, though it might seem unsignificant, was when we sang Happy Birthday to Uncle Tom.
First, a little background. Growing up in a big family we had a birthday within the group every few months. I grew up singing two songs during the candle/cake part of dinner. One was the traditional "Happy Birthday to you..." followed by another short one. That song came from my Moms family. I dont know why or how that song came along, but no matter, we faithfully sang it right after the traditonal song every time there was a birthday. It didnt take long for me to realize that it was a -My Family- type of thing, as friends would sometimes look a little lost if they heard us sing the second song. As I created my own family with Dave, we of course incorporated this tradition. His side of the family cleaverly has added their own 2-3 primary songs just for kicks.. what ever....
So back to the party. We all sang the first song, then for the first time in my life the whole roomful of people knew and sang the next song. It was more awesome then you think. A three or four generation tradition living on. I am so happy I was there

MIA for awhile

I've been Missing In Action for awhile, but I am here now.
Its been a busy little while. I've been mending hearts, sewing stuff and driving to lacrosse. I even made a quick trip to Driggs Idaho for a funeral of the coolest uncle I had. Uncle Wayne Moss passed away, leaving my dear Aunt Julie.. He always struck me as the surfer dude, very cool kind of guy. I am sorry he had to leave, but I know he is no longer suffering and he is in a better place.

Motherhood has thrown me a few labor pains as I see my kids struggle with different things. I never knew it hurt moms so much when their kids are hurting.

I did get to go to Hale Center theater and see "She Loves Me" with Dave. It was awesome and wonderful. I do love that place.

I have been sewing a certain pattern from a local girl. She has a line of bags. I have made about 5 of the same one recently. It can be a church bag or a diaper bag, or a take to the library bag.

Most excitedly is the arrival of a new baby in our extended family. Greg and Jess will welcome tiny man Adam to the party soon, and we just found out BobbaHolly are going to have a GIRL!!

That is my update for now

1. Age I will be on my next birthday - 45
2. Favorite Food - spicy stuff
3. Favorite Color - pink
4. A place I would like to visit - hawaii
5. Where I live -Lehi
6. Name of a past or present pet - ziggy
7. One of my favorite places -Nauvoo
8. Favorite holiday - Thanksgiving
9. A bad habit - unfinished projects
10. Favorite animal - Kittens
11. Favorite cartoon from childhood - Mighty Mouse, he was alway singing yet masculine and a hero at that
12. My name (or nickname) - connie
13. Favorite sport- Wii
14. Favortie extravagance (what I do or get when I have a little extra time and money) quilt stuff
15. A phrase I over use - feed the kitties

another friend, meg

well, while I am waiting for my camera battery charger to come in the mail, I havent been posting much. After reading Jess' blog, I realize that I could post the cute things little people say to me.
First off has to be my niece Meg. She is one great 5 yr old chicka. One day she looked at me and out of the blue, said, "when I am a grandma you will be dead." I thought and said, "ya, probably, but I will be an angel and watch over you if I am" Then without thinking at all, she promptly asked "when you are are will you make ange be nicer to me?" that is her older sister... I laughed and thought of the fun of haunting little angie and told megs I would see what I could do.
Just the other day meg was bonking her head against her younger sisters head. Megs disapproving mom said, "Meg- dont head butt." Meggie gave her mom a disgusted look and said "Mom! it was head head!"
she is such a little bug.

So, Robin tagged me so here tis

10 years ago- all my kids were home and I was one busy mama. Taking kids to dance lessons and doctors appointments. I think I was serving in YW then. We lived in the same house we live in now.

on my to do list-many sewing projects like the womans voices quilt, a scarf for cubs birthday coming up, a stitchery/quilty pillow for two weddings coming up...

5 places Ive lived- Payson Utah, Santa Ana California, Huntington Beach California, Provo, Orem, Salt Lake City and Lehi... that is every one, not just 5

5 jobs Ive had- christmas gift wrapper at a store, office assistant, cashier, shuttle driver, office driver.. going around to get the mail and other offices (Didnt like that one much) LPN at a clinic and a hospital and a nursing home. I have actually clapped my hands for money as well. again, more then 5

What I would do if I became a billionaire- be more involved in humanitarian work, serve a mission with my dh, travel, take care of my parents, buy more clothes and shoes for me and my people. Make my home the way we want it in more detail. Get rid of the annoying jeep and get Dave a different car.

bad habits- buying too much fabric, eating junk at about 3 pm, talking way too much, never folding socks, and never stopping at 5 of anything.. oh except kids :)

things I enjoy- a great sewing project while watching celestial tv like conference, KBYU tv, or a decent telestial movie,the best ya can hope for. Laying in my bed with my daughters and laughing while dh tries to go to sleep.. it's really funny. Hanging with my sibs and parents, snuggeling with who ever will snuggle with me, my kids, dh, even sweetie kitty. Dating my dh and talking with him and laughing with him.

things people don't know about me- I AM really sick right now...so headachy and sore throatish and my nose is totally doing its own thing.
also- I think I packed my camera battery recharger away with the christmas things. so I can not post pictures for a while :(

who do tag? jenny, brandi, and alisha!!

Merry Christmas to all

We have had such a great break. Dave scheduled our December so well, we went to the community symphony,with the three youngers, a showing of The Nutcracker with our ballet dancer, a early show of A Christmas Carol at the Hale Center Theater and even a christmas cruise on the provo river with the whole group including laur and steve. The fun will continue as dave will take time off work just to play and do daddy jobs here at home. I got a new camera thanks to laura and steve!! :) and photoshop from dave, along with some diamonds :) we will probably visit my buddy James, a jewelry artist, and he will help us set the 2 pink diamonds and 1 clear diamond into a beautiful necklace. Its truely a great time of year.

a recent incident

incident, incident.. that is what a nurse calls it when there has been a mistake made. You have to fill out an incident report. Well, here is my incident report.

A while ago, I was in a city a few cities away from mine. an undisclosed city. I had an hour to kill. I decided I would go to a near by store, an undisclosed store, and get a few things for my dh s birthday breakfast. As I walked into the store, I started texting on my phone. I had no longer set foot in the store when the thought came, -you have an hour to kill. The bathrooms are right here in the front.- So I wandered in that direction, still texting. I saw right by the bathroom entrance that there was a wet floor sign, meaning it had just been cleaned.. okay.. then the first stall I saw was one with a little kid seat hooked to the wall, so no mama would have to set her child on the floor while the mom used the bathroom. I headed right in there since I knew it was empty. I quickly took care of my business and as I was tucking all my clothes in, I heard a mans voice. I thought, well that must be from out in the store. But then, another man made a comment to the first voice about how busy the bathroom was that night. I peeked out of the crack in the bathroom door and realized, to my horror that I was actually in the men's bathroom. oh man... what to do what to do.. I figured that I would just wait them out.. I looked a little under the bathroom wall and saw that the fella next to me was sitting down, so he might be awhile.. hum mm... the men are waiting... I have breakfast things to get... my hour to kill is dwindling... whatever! So, I make my decision. I unlocked the door and marched promptly out of the bathroom.. I walked right past those 40-45 year old men. I started to giggle when they did a double take. They started laughing when I was passed them. I was so embarrassed, even though I was laughing. A woman was right outside the men's bathroom door and saw me come out. She stopped me with her big eyes and said "were you in there?" I said "yes and I am so embarrassed". I couldn't stop laughing... I went and hid in frozen foods hoping I would not see those men again. I got my breakfast stuff and chuckled as I checked out. When I got to the car, I text ed many people sharing my incident. It really was funny and embarrassing. what a dork. ah well. I did rush over to a near by Starbucks and get a hot caramel apple cider as immediate therapy. So do I quit texting? quit going to the store? or quit going in public bathrooms? as Rachel Lind would say, its the demon texting s fault! (BTW, there where no signs that is was the mens room, except for the sign out by the door. I had been distracted by the wet floor sign) and yes, there really is a starbucks in that city

just recently

take a look at my pictures to see what has been going on with our family