Thanks for the offers for help!

AWE!! I am so thankful for the offers of help when I posted that my washer was broken! I have such good friends! If ya'll would like I could pretend Jestin didn't fix it and bring some laundry over as an excuse to play and visit... or we could just get together anyway! :)

Anyone want to jump in and help with my dilema tomorrow? LOL! We have been asked to speak in church. I am not terribly affraid to speak in church, I just dont want to not say the right thing. Our topic is on "Our Heavenly Father" and "Our Heavenly Family" and if any of you have read or attended your 3rd hour lessons this month, you will recognize that they are the very same topics covered just in the last few weeks! ACK!

I have prayed about it, and I hope what I have written will be ok... and that it will be uplifting and pleasing. We shall see.

So if any of you would like to help me out with this particular problem I am more than happy to take it! *GRIN*

Just call me Smoky!

This is Camille and I... we are the Emergency Preparedness Specialists for our ward. We are taking the CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team) classes here in town and last night we had to learn how to put out fires!

It was REALLY quite fun! I was nervous about how much of a test it would be (thinking they would throw different kinds of fires at us to test our new found knowledge) but luckily we all got the same kind of fire.

Albeit they did give us different SIZES of fire... and we two got the LARGEST fires (gulp!) but it was blast!!

The firefighter helping would walk you up to the fire and coach you... it was comforting! LOL

I really enjoyed learning how to use a fire extinguisher! I *have* one... but I learn hands-on so I was affraid I would be in an emergency, trying to read how to do it while my house burnt down! LOL!

YEAH! Preparedness really DOES bring peace!! :)

Mt. Washmore

It is growing growing growing...

My 3 year old washing machine decided to start making a horrible grinding noise when it agitates. I am so very sad about it.

I know I do a lot of laundry, but I never realized just how much! I seriously run the washer almost every day of the week (except sunday...but that usually means I just re-wash a load monday morning that I forgot from saturday afternoon LOL). I never seem to have too big of piles in the laundry room because I am pretty darn good at keeping up on washing/drying them. I seriously have struggled with FOLDING and PUTTING AWAY said clean laundry...but I was starting to get better at that too!! (think huge Mt Washedmore piles in my bedroom LOL)

Now here I am... 3 days from using the washer and I have piles. Laundry baskets full! And some of the members of our family are out of underwear or pants... depending on who they are! :/

Jestin researched online and followed the "how-to" on this particular washer and sure enough... the water pump is seized. CHA-CHING. $100 we didnt really have later.... *sigh* And now they say it will be 2-3 days before the part comes in.

So... I am deep in debate with myself... do I really raid the Disneyland funds the kids have been squirreling away dillegently for quarters and tote all these piles to the laundry mat? Or do I beg/plead/borrow a neighbors washer and just do the stuff we really can't live without?

It really is amazing how dependant you become on items in your household. First the water heater and now my washer! I tell you! We are spoiled! I suppose I *could* get out my hand clothes washer my Mom-in-law gave me for emergencies and try it out in the bathtub.... and then still use my dryer...

Or maybe not! *GIGGLE* Decisions decisions! :P

A temple in Payson!!!!!!!

Ask and ye shall receive!!!!!!!!!! WAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/president-monson-announces-new-temple-in-payson-utah

The song that is playing...

If you have speakers, you know which song it is. If you dont, well then I guess I will just have to tell you! *grin* It's "When You Say Nothing At All" by Allison Krauss. This was suppose to be "Our Song" at our wedding.

We decided last minute to take my car, that had recently been repaired from the car accident, and hide it in a family members garage to prevent the new paint from being ruined with the traditional "smear" that happens when you get married. Inside that car I accicentally left my cassette of this song. We instead danced to "Finally Found the Love of a Lifetime" - which is a really pretty song, but we meet at age 16-17! It's not like we had been looking for each other for a super long time! LOL!

I love the words of this song. It stirs within me a rememberance of why I fell in love with Jestin, and just how much a part of me he has always been! We could communicate with our eyes very soon after meeting. We could sense how and what each other was feeling without speaking most times. Our hearts were entwined and there is just no other way to describe it! :) He truly is "the other half that makes me whole"... corny or not... it is true. ;)

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart.

Without saying a word, you can light up the dark!

Try as I may, I could never explain

What I hear when you don't say a thing...

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me.

There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me.

The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall.

You say it best... when you say nothing at all.

All day long I can hear people talking out loud...

But when you hold me near you drown out the crowd.

Old Mr. Webster could never define

What's being said between your heart and mine.

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me.

There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me.

The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall...

You say it best... when you say nothing at all!

Jestin, I love you. I love and appreciate all you have done and still do for me. I truly would be lost in this world without you and your strength and caring. I have survived some of the darkest times in my life with you right by my side. Your quiet strength lifts me up and gives me hope. I am so thankful that when I am weak you are strong and that when you are weak I am strong. I am so thankful that I can tell what you are thinking and know what you need and visa versa... even when we want to hide it from each other. You are my very best friend... and I love our life together!

As we lead up to Valentine's Day I would love to read what makes you all smile about your sweethearts... is it a special song? Is it a funny way you tease one another? What makes your love for your sweetheart swell inside you?

Stake anyone??

It is exciting to think that tomorrow our Stake is splitting! I am looking forward to a little less "lost in the crowd" feeling about callings and who I can contact for my calling and Jestin getting help with his calling! It should be great fun! :)

We attended Stake Temple Night last night and it was phenominal!! The 1st counselor of the Provo temple Presidency spoke to us before we went and did a session, and every word he spoke felt like pure testimony. The spirit was full and burning bright. We are so blessed to be able not only to go and review our covenants, but also to bless and serve those who are waiting on the other side for *someone* to free them from bondage. The air in the room as he spoke almost felt electric! It was amazing! I feel so honored to have gone and been where I was suppose to be!

Tomorrow Emmalee and I are singing in the Stake Choir. It tickles me more than she knows that she loves to sing, and that she wants to come to Ward and Stake choir with me! She has a beautiful voice and is learning quickly how to follow music etc. (since her mom can't teach her what she doesn't really know herself! LOL) We get to attend both sessions of conference, and we get to sit on the stand with a member of the 70! Very cool!

I am sad for some of the changes members will have to likely endure... I know change is never easy... I just pray they seek out the Lord's confirmation in all the changes that do take place and that we all find joy in the recognition that this end of our little valley is bursting at the seams and could use a little modification! *grin*

Temple down here next??? Let's keep hoping and praying!! *GRIN*

Mom is head banging??

The other day I was in a hurry and did not have time to blow dry my hair. With naturally wavy hair, that makes a recipe for a poofy hair-do - so after getting out of the shower and while cooking my breakfast - I would grab ahold of the fridgerator door to steady myself and flip my head back and forth in hopes the straightening of my hair in the flip motion would lessen the waves while the air dried my hair some so we could leave the house sooner.

I had flipped my head a couple of times.

The next time I do it... I hear Caleb from the family room..." no! no! No! MOM! Mom's aren't allowed to do dat! Only da ROCK STARS are allowed to do dat"

Bwahahahaha!! Dully noted Caleb. Thank you. ;)

So... I guess it is time to break out of my shell...

I have been playing a little turtle named Thumper. You know... hiding myself inside myself and taking on the mantra "if you can't say something nice, dont say anything at all."

I miss posting. I miss sharing lifes up and downs. For some reason I have been telling myself that no one really cares what I have to say or likes to read all about me & our family. Another excuse is that I am too "out there" for everyone to judge and talk about. Another is just that everything seems so "whiney" in black and white. Or the thought that I dont want anyone to think they have to "rescue" us.

And then I realized something. Mostly after reading my dear cousin/friends blog who is having the same thoughts: re-reading what I post makes me happy. I *love* remembering how I felt, what the kids said, what we have been through and recovered from, and all the good, bad, and ugly! For a while I have been posting little snipets on my Facebook status... but there is not real record of them. I cant look back and re-read them very well! They just aren't the same!

And so! Here is my promise to me...

"Heather... you love posting on your blog. You love having it recorded and being able to retrieve the stories and happenings from your little family's life whenever you want. You love it when friends post comments and you know that they care. You love seeing how much your children have grown and being able to remember that cute way one child or another dealt with whatever was ailling them. Heather, I promise from this day forward to no longer allow the adversary to talk you into not posting, to talk you into not caring and to talk you into feeling unloved. It isnt true anyway and you know it ;) . And if someone does pass judgement on you for something that you post... well then... let that be their sin to work out and do not let it get you down. The only person you can control is you... so do what brings you joy! You cannot find Joy in the Journey... if you don't take down your milage! So I promies to post as often as I can."

Update on Us

We are healthy. We are mostly happy. We are trying to swim and not sink. :)

I have thought about posting all about all the blah blah blah, but that is just not fun at all! LOL

I have tons of photos from Christmas to get posted and I think that has been my stumbling block keeping me from posting! I will just have to add them later and post when you have to scroll down to see them? :) Sound good?

We are busy as a family...

Emma is loving being fully involved in Young Women's and all the activities. We had our first "raising our voices at each other" confrontation last week, one for me and one for her Dad, but she quickly apologized and we have had some good talks about the fact that we as her parents would like to be talked to like friends, and if she feels the need to yell that she needs to walk away for a bit and scream into a pillow or something. LOL. Strange experience having your first major confrontation with your child. I am thinking terrible two's aren't so bad! Bwahahaha

Cody is getting into the swing of school schedules again. He joined the Drama club (I *love* this school! He's in 5th grade and can be in Drama already! Mentored by seniors in the school! sweet!) He has LOVED his camera that he got for Christmas and has quite the "eye" at a young age! He takes some great photos! Makes his momma's buttons stretch in pride! *grin*

Cameron is playful as ever. He only really wants to play. Play with friends. Play video games. Play pretend. He LOVES being a kid! He loves his new bike... but the snow is bummin' him out! He is ready for summer! LOL! He turns eight on Monday - and we are trying to start planning his baptism. It is hard to believe I will have 3 baptized children already! Where does the time go??

Caleb is my little man. We have such a good time together! He didn't love Cody going back to school at first, but now we are ok again. He and I play a lot. He is my helper. He spent an entire day (focused mind you!) helping me take down Christmas and the Tree... and putting it all away. He is so big when it comes to that! He has a great love of work... which I think he comes by naturally if any of you have met his dad! LOL

I am trying to figure out how/what/where to meet our financial obligations with little income. It is not fun and I spend a lot of time on the phone, on the computer and balancing this to match that. I have a lot of hope and faith that it will all work out in the end and I am trying to keep a happy attitude.

Jestin has had some work the last week and a half. He worked a total of maybe 40 hours the entire month of December and not much more than that in November. It has been hairy, but we have a great family that had helped with our crazy prescription costs, and a few other windows have been cracked on our behalf. I know we will be ok. Jestin is starting to figure out his new calling... and being in charge is not all it is cracked up to be. We both joke we would like to go back to teaching our Primary classes! LOL. He is full of love for the men he serves and I feel immensely honored to be able to be the one to hear him plead for them in our prayers at night. I have also loved seeing the strength he is gaining and the stretching that is taking place. I just hope I can somehow keep up!

I feel slightly guilty I never sent out any Christmas cards this year... I truly meant to! *blush* I thought of all of you, our family and friends, and hope that you all had an amazing holiday full of fun! (((HUGS))) I will try to be better at posting I promise! :)