Vanessa, you brat!

Okay, so I love Vanessa, and she's not really a brat. But she tagged me, so you all will have to skip this post if you don't want to be bored silly. ;)

10 years ago I was: living in Smithfield, Utah, Tyler was a baby, and I really don't remember much else. I was probably a much nicer person than I am now. Oh, and we were close to buying our very first house... a 100 year old charmer in Newton.

5 things on my to do list for today: I already checked one bathroom off the list, and running (I got to run outside!! Yay!!!) but I need to clean the other bathroom, go talk to the manager at the gym, so I can start teaching a class there tomorrow, get the house clean so I can substitute at the high school Thursday and Friday (for the health/fitness teacher... so P.E. maybe? or Health class?), read my scriptures, do some laundry, oops... I think that's more than 5.

If I were a billionaire I would: Buy a ranch for Brandon. Give money to my family and friends and random strangers. Travel. Have a cabin in the mountains. Give Oprah samples of all my favorite things. :P

3 bad habits: Laziness, Procrastinating, Popping zits. (I know, you didn't want to know that.)

5 places I've lived: Newton, Utah, Missouri (for a month or so), New Hampshire (for a month or so), Swan Lake, Idaho, Bountiful, Utah.

Jobs I've had: Violin Teacher, Fitness Instructor, Floral Counter and Cashier at Mac's Hobbies and Crafts, Racquet Re-stringer at Al's Sporting Goods, Utah State Fair Ticket Sales (really... sit around and play card games all day.)

Thing most people don't know about me: I think I'm pretty much an open book! I've got to think hard about this one... Oh! Here's one only 2 people know so far... I just got called to be our ward Activities Chairman. Don't ask me how I feel about it.

you're tagged: the first four people that tag themselves, and do this on their blog, and comment here to let me know will get a big surprise!!

Answer the questions and post them on your blog. Leave me a comment when you're done-then you tag 4 new people! Ahhhh, good fun!

Quilting Retreat

It was wonderful! Fantastic! Everything I could hope for! I am so glad Brandon found it in the paper, so glad he wanted me to go, and so glad Felicia could come with me! We got a lot of "catching up" done!

It was at Red Canyon Lodge (look it up online... it's amazing!!!). Everything was so beautiful, and the cabins were so big and nice, and everyone was nice, and I learned some stuff, and got a lot done, and ate waaaaay too much delicious food, and thoroughly enjoyed myself! This is the cabin we stayed in. I didn't even know we were staying in cabins, so I was pleasantly surprised!

Sorry pictures are out of order... just deal with it! This is the wall hanging Felicia worked on part of the time (in addition to making a lap quilt for her grandparents). Isn't it sooooo cute?! (It's not finished here, by the way. The chickens will have legs, and it has more borders, and stuff like that.)
This is the bedroom in the cabin. Huge, cheery, comfy!
The living room in the cabin. There was also a little table to the right of this picture.
The view from our front porch. So beautiful, and still, and peaceful!
Another view from our porch.

This is what I worked on most of the time. It's Brenda's quilt top. The stars were very time consuming, but I learned some stuff. I am so pleased with how it is turning out! I also worked on something else, but I can't say yet... I'll have to post a picture of it later.
The group! It was a small group, but perfect size for the room we worked in, and it was nice to be able to get to know everyone! From left to right... Peggy, me :), Ruth, Toni, Cathi, Felicia, and Jodi seated in the front.

The "loft" at the Lodge where we sewed and sewed and sewed and ironed and cut all day!
Mine and Felicia's table. We were right by this gorgeous big window with a view. It was so pleasant and cheery! I'm getting one of those mini irons like Felicia's here in the picture... it was great!
Our window...

Some more of the scenery.
The pathway to our cabin.
The kitchenette in the cabin, and the cute little stove.

I fell in love with this place! I am definitely going back, and taking my family! I would definitely go on another Quilting Retreat too!

Mom... the Rock Star!!!

I've helped at Cooper's class in school a few times, and in Tyler's class today. I will be going every week. The great thing is that these kids LOVE me! I walk into the classroom, and they say "Cooper's mom is here!!" They all come over and stand by me, and smile at me. Mrs. Carter has to make sure that they all get to come to my "center" activity, or they get upset. The cutest boy in the class even runs up and gives me a hug and a kiss!! (That's Cooper, just in case you're wondering.) When I leave, they all wave at me. Anyway, it makes me feel pretty special. I'm glad I get a chance to help in my kids' classrooms. Thanks, Jason, for inspiring me! (My brother, Jason, helps in his daughter, Olivia's classroom every week... do you help in Ashley's too, Jas?)

Presidents Day...

A Post By Aubrey

Yesterday was Presidents Day, so us kids were off of school. My mom was amazed at how good we were for usually bored kids. We did a few chores. Later in the day we walked to Family Dollar on Cooper's behalf. Then we went to the grocery store and bought bagels, grapes, and a treat for lunch. We walked back home for lunch and ate. We finished our chores... then my mom owed us a prize. She usually doesn't give us a prize, but today we were home all day so we had to do a few extra things. So we drove to Wal-Mart to pick out a Kool-Aid package. Why? To make playdough. We make playdough with kool-aid to give it scent and color. (If you're interested in the recipe ask my mom.) We came home and made playdough. One of our favorite "tools" is a garlic press to make spaghetti, hair, or whatever. That was the day I wanted to share with you that we had.

Sunday Thoughts

Don't spend your life wishing you looked like her...

Spend your life becoming like Him.

We went to New Beginnings with Aubrey tonight (which was really weird... being at New Beginnings as a parent instead of a leader). It was such a beautiful program, and I love the new scripture theme for this year.

Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen. -Mosiah 5:15

The quote at the beginning of this post was from a video clip that was so good! I really wish all girls could understand how important that is! I loved watching all of those beautiful girls singing and talking about their Savior, and being a Light and a Star... steadfast and immovable.

Brandon was also set apart today in the Elders Quorum presidency. That seems to be the place he needs to be right now! This time around should be a lot easier, though, since he's not the president, and the ward is small. I am so thankful for a husband who takes his church callings seriously, and who loves the Lord and wants to serve Him.

We had a nice visit with Brandon's parents this last weekend! We love it when they come to visit, although I'm not sure they'll want to come very often. Grandpa told the kids that they were making it easy for him to stay up in Idaho. ;) They were extremely naughty when Grandma and Grandpa were here! They do love their Grandmas and Grandpas, though, even if they torture them! Lynda, Aubrey, and I went to stores to find Aubrey's birthday present (she chose some shoes she has been dreaming about for awhile.) Lauritz and Lynda also gave me a birthday present... a steam canner! I am so excited to use it this summer with all of our fruit! I appreciate their thoughtfulness so much, and love them with all my heart.

How grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father, for His son, who is the Light, and I am eternally grateful for my family. I am so blessed!

My Valentine

Look what came for me today! Yes, my very own pajama gram! Isn't my husband sweet? I love him! Too bad I didn't get anything for him...

Sigh... What is it With Our Houses??

I swear, we have the worst luck with houses! Septic tank problems! Rocks! Shingles blowing off! Now we have... sewer problems! Ice! Roof falling apart!

Yes, that is our ceiling. Lovely, isn't it? There has been so much snow, that our roof had a huge layer of ice on it. Since it's been slightly warmer, that ice is melting underneath, and has nowhere to go... but in. So we've got lovely leaks all over, and this happened in our living room.
That's our chunk of ceiling... on the floor. Brandon spent 4 hours last night on the roof with a sledgehammer. I thought I was going to have heart attack just watching him! He's standing on our steep roof, on ice, with this heavy sledgehammer, lifting it over his head and breaking the ice. Every time I heard something fall, I was sure it was Brandon.
Another view... just for fun. So, we're going to have a roof replacing party this summer, if anyone wants to come! It'll be fun!!!

Reminiscing

Brandon and I had so much fun Saturday night, going through the boxes of old pictures. We had to find some of Aubrey for her New Beginnings program. It is so hard to believe that our kids were so little, and so cute! And even harder to believe we looked so young! I wish I had a scanner, so I could show you some of those pictures. I settled on posting the oldest pictures we have on our computer. These are from the summer of 2004.

Don't you wish you could just go back in time for only a day or so? I've always thought it would be so much fun to have my kids all be about 1 or 2 years old for just a day, so I could see them all at that age together. I can tell you, their cheeks would be kissed away by the end of that day! I practically kissed the pictures when I was looking at them!

Time For Another "Random Thoughts"

Since I have thoughts flying around my head all day, and rarely anyone to tell them to... I thought I'd throw them all on here.

*I made bread yesterday, and experimented. It didn't turn out very good, and my family is not happy with me.

*I think I need to buy new yeast. It seems to rise okay, but it doesn't foam up as much at the first. That might be affecting the finished product.

*My hands are so dry. I found this burt's bees stuff that seems to help, but every time I put it on, my family starts sniffing and wailing, "What is that smell?!"

*I like to watch Little House on the Prairie. I can borrow the seasons I don't own from our library, so I've enjoyed watching them in order. I know... they can be cheesy, but I love them anyway!

*I think I'll go take the substitute teaching training on February 14th. I'm scared of the kids, but I think it could be fun. For some reason I am just not ready to get violin students yet.

*I realized that I don't get to spend much time with my boys at all. They get home about 4:40 from school. That doesn't leave much time to do chores and homework and such. I'm thinking of letting up on the weekday chores and having them do more chores on Saturdays.

*I walk to school with Aubrey every morning, and she's talking more and more. At first we'd walk mostly in silence, except for the short answers to my questions. Walking is always good for loosening up conversation.

*I really love my house. It feels so comfortable to me. I love my stove and my dishwasher. I don't miss anything about my old house, except my friends.

*Everyone is freaking out about the cold and the snow. I'm excited for spring, but I don't really mind this winter weather. Am I weird?

*I'm going in to Cooper's class today to help make Valentine envelopes. I'm very excited. Does that mean that I need a life?

*I'm still dying to see my niece (heck, I'm dying to see any of my nieces and nephews!!). Brandon says we'll go in March.

*We still don't have callings in our ward. I can't decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

*I'm hungry. I'm going to go eat some lunch.

Home SWEET Home!

It is SO good to be back home! It was fun to spend time with Brandon in Vegas, and we did some fun things, but Vegas is not my kind of city. It's just too much! Too much smell, too much extravagance, too much noise, too much flashing, too much flesh... give me a small town any day! I did get to ride on the roller coaster at New York New York, which was fun. We also got to take a taxi twice. I don't like that. I hate watching the money meter go up so fast. It makes me sick. I got to try sushi for the first time, and it was delicious! I got to listen to the people in the next room have a huge fight about inheriting inconsiderate genes and so on. I got to walk around until I thought my legs would fall off at the World Market Center and the Surfaces Show at the Sands Expo. These were huge shows where a million different companies have their flooring stuff, and furniture, lights, accessories, etc. etc. etc. It was fun to look, but after awhile it all starts looking the same. I got to ride on the "Deuce", which is the double decker bus that drives up and down the strip. I got to go in the Miracle Mile Shops, which is a mall in Planet Hollywood. I think it really is a mile long. I got to see a quite large lady fall on the lap of a little old asian lady on the bus. It wasn't funny, but it kind of was. I admit, I laughed silently. Of all the people's laps she could fall on... I got to hear two little boys argue in Russian. I decided it would be okay if my kids argued, if it was always in Russian. It was amusing. I got to eat a lot of good food, and I got to go without food for long periods of time. One morning Brandon asked if I was hungry. I wasn't really, so we didn't worry about it. Then 5 hours later when I said I was hungry, he said, "I asked you if you were hungry, and you said you weren't." I had to remind him that it had been 5 hours. We got a good laugh over that one. I got to go to the Outlet Mall, and the Fashion Show Mall. I got to see a fashion show. At the Fashion Show mall they have a runway and a stage that rise up out of the floor, and then they have a fashion show. When it's over, it all goes back underground. It was fun critiquing the models' runway walks. One wasn't "fierce" enough, and another had too much "bounce". (If you watch America's Next Top Model, you'll laugh at those.) So, I think that's most of what we did. It was fun to spend so much time with Brandon, but it was even better to get home with Brandon and our kids. Oh, and thanks, Mom and Dad for watching them!!!

Look What I Got For My Birthday!!!

I got a beautiful little niece for my birthday! How lucky am I!? Her name is Haylee Megan, and I can't wait to meet her!! I love her so much already! Congratulations, Landon, Melissa, Josie, and Payton! Congratulations, me!!! I love her name... good job, Melissa! Thanks for the times you let me "help" you find names. I can't even tell you how much fun that was for me. (I was a little worried that she might be named Honey Kisper...)

You Will Be Missed

Last night our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley died. I am so sad, and feel like I've lost my Grandpa. I never met him in person, but I feel I know him, just the same. I am also so happy for him, and for his dear wife, Marjorie. How I love her too! They have both been incredible examples to me. I know that President Hinckley is a prophet. I know that he was Heavenly Father's spokesman on this earth, and I know the words he spoke were all true. I smile to think of his welcome into Heaven! What love that all have for him, too! I love him so much, and I know that he loves me too! I am so blessed that I could live in this time, to have the privelege of learning from him. We thank thee, O God, for a Prophet!!

Discovery

I went visiting teaching yesterday, and one of the sisters told me her brother is an artist. His name is Valoy Eaton http://www.valoyeaton.com/ I saw one of his paintings on her wall, and LOVED it, and I've been looking at his website. I wish I could buy a bunch of them to go all over my house! It's so much fun to discover a new artist! He lives in Mapleton, Utah, but used to live in Vernal, so a lot of his pictures are of that area.

Got My Hair Done

I couldn't wait until the next time I would see Felicia (my sister-in-law... not Felicia Graves) to get my hair highlighted, so I made an appointment and had it done today. She highlighted my hair then cut it a bit. When she washed it, she gave me a head massage, and boy did it feel good! I hate getting regular massages, but anyone can play with my hair and head... that I love!!!

I'm so EXCITED!!

I'm going to a Quilting Retreat in February at a lodge in Flaming Gorge with my good friend, Felicia Graves!!! I'm so excited! I've always wanted to go to a Quilting Retreat, and now I really get to go!

When I Have Lost My Temper

WHEN I HAVE LOST MY TEMPER

When I have lost my temper,

I have lost my reason, too.

I'm never proud of anything

Which angrily I do.

When I have talked in anger

And my cheeks are flaming red,

I have always uttered something

Which I wish I had not said.

In anger I have never

Done a kindly deed or wise,

But many things for which I felt

I should apologize.

In looking back across my life,

At all I've lost or made,

I can't recall a single time

When fury ever paid.

So I struggle to be patient,

For I've reached a wiser age;

I do not want to do a thing

Or speak a word in rage.

I have learned by sad experience

That when my temper flies,

I never do a worthy deed,

A decent deed or wise.



author unknown

Random Thoughts

I had to copy my good friend Kate's blog and do a Random Thoughts post, just for fun.

This is the first week I actually have a bunch of stuff on my calendar! The kids have scouts, and yw activities, we have a dinner appointment with the Hanchetts (the ones we met sledding), I have a hair appointment for highlights, I have 3 visiting teaching appointments, and I must get to the library to see if I can rent the other Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow so I can compare while it's still fresh in my mind.

I'm excited to go to Vegas for my birthday next week! Okay, so it's not for my birthday...but we do leave on my birthday! Brandon has to go to a Surfaces show, and I'm along for the ride.

I don't quite know how I feel about turning 33. It's not too old...but it's getting further from young. And speaking of young, how come I never get to look like I'm in my 20's? When I was in my 20's, everyone said I look like a teenager. Now people think I look my age. How in heckfire did that happen?

I feel kind of mean... Brandon has been painting his store, and keeps asking me to come help him, but I just can't. I'd rather clean 5000 toilets.

Why is it so hard for me to have my kids out of school for an extended period of time (such as this last 5 day break), and other moms can homeschool their kids? How do they manage having their kids underfoot 24/7? Why am I such a bad mom?

I found an Alison Krauss CD at the library that was made in 2004. How did I miss that Alison Krauss had a new album? I think I own every other album she has. I have no idea how this one slipped by me.

What is up with having zits when you are in your 30's? Why did I think I was so lucky to be zit-free as a teenager? This is horrible payback for that, and completely unfair.

Why do I have such a hard time getting links to work in my blog? What am I doing wrong? It always takes me a bunch of tries.

Memory

I decided to run home after walking my daughter to school today, just to see if my legs remembered what to do. (less than a mile...no big deal) They do! They remember! It's like I never stopped! Now, I know if I decided to run 6 miles today, it wouldn't happen, but it felt great just to run. I love the sound of my feet hitting the pavement (although there were a few slips and slides...I didn't fall, though!) I love the feel of my breath, steady and strong. I love the way my whole body warms up, and feels like a well-oiled machine. I could have done without the frozen snot, and the itchy fire my legs felt when I came in from the cold, but it was good. Yes, it was good!

Running Friends

I just discovered that my cousin is a runner too! This may not seem like that big of a deal, but when you deal constantly with people telling you how stupid it is to run, how they wouldn't run unless someone was chasing them with a knife, how horrible it is, and wondering why anyone in their right mind would run... it's nice to find someone who gets it! So, Lisa, thanks for letting me know I have one more runner on my side, someone who knows the thrill of putting on a pair of running shoes and letting your legs take you far away, and the power of knowing that you can accomplish something that makes you feel good... physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally.

We Remembered the Camera!

On Aubrey's birthday, January 19th, we took a family drive to Flaming Gorge. This time we remembered the camera! We had a fun time hiking on a trail along the Green River, and enjoyed the "warm" 30 degree weather. We can't wait to go back again and explore more of this beautiful place! Brandon just looked at the river, and couldn't keep a grin off of his face. He can't wait to go fishing here with his pontoon again. He kept telling me how fantastic the fishing is here, and you could see it in his face. A little kid in a candy store...
We found this written on one of the rocks... ALS... Aubrey's initials. We teased her that she needed to marry a boy with the initials JPS. What a meaningful picture this would be then!
Tyler wanted to climb into every crevice and cave he saw! And he'd wait patiently until I took a picture of him.
It took Aubrey awhile to warm up. This was her "worst birthday ever" and she did not want her picture taken.
This was such a neat rock formation! We all stuck our hands through, and had a great time! Cooper loved it!

The kids loved these "ice-falls".
Some of the rocks looked just like bricks stacked up.
The dam... you have to see this to get a sense of it's hugeness. It's amazingly tall. I can't even imagine what would happen if it broke. I just hope it never does!

Aubrey finally started to pose and show me her cute smile. Happy Birthday, dear Aubrey!
Tyler wanted me to "make it look like he was really far up". So, I got down to the ground and angled the camera... oh wait! I wasn't supposed to tell you the secret! Let's try again... wow! Look how high Tyler climbed up!
Cutie Cooper next to another Cool Crevice.

This was my favorite scenery!
This is my special rock-sitting pose.

We saw so many elk and deer! I can't believe how many elk and deer we've seen since we moved here. They're beautiful.
Here's a goofy goodbye! Thanks for sharing our memories of our Flaming Gorge Trip with us!