I'm a Pushover

Look what happens when I say "no". Here's Brandon's new puppy. She's a German Shorthair/Chocolate Lab mix, which means she was free. (That part is good, at least.) She is like our dog, Molley, who we got when we were in Newton. Hopefully she acts more like Molley and less like Trout and Max.
She doesn't have a name yet, but we were thinking maybe we should follow the tradition of using Hannah and Jake's girl's names, and name her Annie. ;) In our defense, Hannah told us to name our last girl dog Molley, and it was long before her Molly was born. Cooper thinks we should name her Olley.
They're so cute when they are little. Too bad they grow up to be big naughty dogs that I have to take care of.

You know how hard it is to get Brandon to smile for pictures? He smiled in every picture today. I'm glad he's happy. Lynda, take note for future family pictures.... have Brandon hold a puppy.

She has three perfect spots, right in a row. It's kind of funny.

Can't. Move.

I. am. so. exhausted. I would substitute High School ANYDAY over 1st graders. Holy crap. Elementary teachers are amazing. That's all I have to say.

Cooper's First Loose Tooth!

Cooper, who will turn 7 next month, just got his first loose tooth! He is so excited! He was a little bit concerned that everyone else his age already had lost teeth, and he hadn't, but Aunt Melissa (dental hygenist) says it's good to lose them late. So, watch for future jack-o-lantern pictures of Cooper!

Running in Place at a Stop Light

I've heard lots of people talk about those silly runners who run in place at stop lights. I admit, I kind of thought that was silly too. But that's when I lived in a place where I could run 10 miles and not encounter one stop light! Now I live in a place that in a one block distance I had to cross at 3 lights! I also have a lot of stops at crossroads where I have to wait for cars. So, it starts getting ridiculous. You almost feel like you're waiting more than you're running. So, just so I didn't look too silly, I ran in circles at the stop light instead of in place! ;)

Proof That My Kids CAN Be Quiet

What I've Been Up To

I learned how to make this fun bag at my quilting retreat, and I'm hooked! My next step is making it in different sizes. These are all pretty big... a perfect small diaper bag size.

This is the first one I made at the Quilting Retreat. I made it for Melissa. I just love the fabrics! It was one of the most fun things I've ever sewn, and it turned out so cute! I love love love the ties on the sides. That is one of my favorite things about these bags.

Here's the detail of the button I put on the second bag. I loved how the button echoed the fabric pattern! I haven't decided for sure what to do with this bag yet. It may be the first one I sell, or I may just keep it for myself! :)

This one I made for Hannah. I love the colors! Melissa and I are going to make more bags when I go up there this weekend. I can't stop!

Womens Conference

I went to a wonderful Womens Conference today. It was for this whole area, so there were TONS of ladies there! The speakers were great, the music was great, the spirit was great! I am so glad I was able to go.

The theme was: O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. -Isaiah 64:8

The speakers were Liz Lemon Swindle, and Shanna Labrum. Sister Labrum and her husband just returned from serving as Mission President in the Phillipines. She spoke so beautifully, and humbly, and was a wonderful example of allowing the Lord to shape us, and make us into something beautiful. Sister Swindle was amazing. I loved finding out about her as a person, and not just an amazing artist. The things that really touched me were finding out how intensively she studies the life of Christ to do her paintings. (I was sitting just 3 rows back, so I could see her scriptures... they were proof of what she said about studying!) Also, how much she relies on the Spirit to help her in her painting. She told some amazing stories. The thing that probably touched me the most, was when she shared her deepest reason for painting these pictures of Christ... to share her love of Him, and to testify of Him.

I loved the theme too! It was such an uplifting morning!

Since You Asked...

I got a few questions, so I thought I better give some answers!

Melissa and Tanner or Leisha, no Cooper did not break both his arms, and yes, I'm saying bum wiping never ends... at least when your kid is Cooper. He is so silly about it. He'll sit on the potty and call for me forever. He has wiped his own on occasion, but for some reason he really doesn't like to. (Not that I like to either...)

Leslie, I would LOVE to be your personal trainer! Too bad we don't live close to each other. I'd have to tell you to "do as I say, not as I do" though! ;) If you ever need any email support, let me know!

Tanner or Leisha, the Red Canyon Lodge is only $85 a night for a nice cabin with a kitchenette and everything... in the winter. We're going the very last days of winter pricing. Yay!!! Do you guys want to come?

Vanessa, I'm not teaching aerobics... it's a toning class--weights and abs and stuff. I'm sure you are in better shape than I am. Seriously. You'd do fine. Is there a gym in Loa? ;)

Melissa, how about we clean together while someone else takes care of your kids? That would make both of us happy. I actually cleaned 1 1/2 houses today with Brandon and all of my kids. I think I will not complain about cleaning by myself anymore!!! (Brandon was great... the kids... didn't enjoy it so much.) I can't wait for Red Canyon Lodge either!!! If we have the time of our lives, maybe we can convince everyone else to go there for a big vacation (like the Oregon coast vacation.)

Felicia, you would clean houses if you got paid what I'm getting paid. I thought I'd never clean houses either. In some ways these houses are better than cleaning a normal house, because there is no grossness. Nobody has lived there yet. It's just a lot of dirt and scraping adhesive.

Whew. Hope I didn't miss anything!

Since I Have Nothing to Say...

I'll just do a Random Thoughts post! I'm sorry, Hannah, to deprive you of my extremely interesting blogging this week! ;)

I have 3 houses to clean this week, so I cleaned one on Wednesday (7 hours), spent 3 hours at one today, and I'm going to finish that one (it's a big one) and the other one tomorrow, with Brandon's and Aubrey's help. I'm excited to have someone there with me. I get pretty lonely cleaning a house all day by myself, and long for someone there to share the workload... and the money!

We're finally getting a hint of spring here! It's fun to see the ground, and be able to walk on the sidewalk! We're going to have a ton of yardwork, and cleaning up to do (leaves, garbage, etc.) when the snow is all gone. I already threw away some very very rotten moldy pumpkins left by the previous owner.

Aubrey had two babysitting jobs last week! She was very excited, and got to babysit just one little girl at each place. One of them will probably be a continuing job most Saturdays.

We're going to be signing the boys and Aubrey up for baseball soon. That's the sport they love to play, and since I'm a mean mom that doesn't let my kids play every single sport, that's the one we do!

We have a fun little getaway planned for the end of this month at Red Canyon Lodge (where I had my quilting retreat)! Melissa and Landon are coming, and we have 2 cabins reserved for 2 nights. We're all so excited we can hardly stand it! Brandon and Landon are going to fish the Green River, and Melissa and I are going to have a fun time with the kids.

I've taught 2 classes so far at the gym here, and so far so good. I've been a little sore after each one, since I was lazy and didn't do anything for awhile, but it definitely feels good to exercise again. I think the people here will need a little time to get used to my class, but they'll learn to love it. ;) They've never done toning with the ball, stretching on the wall, etc.

If anyone has any questions for me, feel free to ask! I'm really having a hard time thinking of anything else even remotely interesting to write!

Oh, shoot, I lied. I just got up to wipe Cooper's bum, and my legs are really stiff! I've just been cleaning all day, so I didn't notice until I sat down for awhile how sore I am.

Quick Note

I know you are all just dying to know what is going on in my extremely exciting life! I haven't been able to blog much, because I've been having too much fun! I subbed at the High School Thursday and Friday, and it was great! Easy as pie, and I got a lot of reading done. ;) I've been sewing up a storm since then, and hanging out with my kids and hubby.

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...)