All I want for my birthday...

Is to go camping with my family and to go fishin'!

Cody is so easy to please! All he wanted for his birthday this year was to go camping and fishing. He loves to spend time with family. So we took off on a Thrusday afternoon and stayed away until Saturday evening! It was lovely!

We grabbed some $1 whoppers on the way up and they gave us hats for the birthday celebration! LOL! Emma found some ring pop's from last year in the trailer so they had a treat to boot! :)

DELICIOUS!!

Zoey has come to live with us again. She loves to go campin'! We had a family meeting while camping and decided that we needed to try and "make her ours" for real this time. We agreed we needed to name her as a family. She responds to and we like "Sadie". So now we have Sophie & Sadie. *grin*

HEY! We was sleepin'!

Dad & Mom took the chance to slow down seriously! We actually took a nap! HEAVEN!

Cam had a bad bout with asthma in the days before we left, and we wondered if we could still go! But thanks to a very noisy generator he was able to keep up on treatments and the fresh air up the canyon really seemed to help him out.

Isn't she getting SO grown up??

"DRAaaaMMM AAA!!!!!!"

Caleb knew that Grandma Annie was coming, so he was calling for her! LOL She wasn't coming until after dinner the next day... but he was excited anyway!

The kids enetertaining Cam during a treatment...

Then it was time for S'mores! We sang old camp songs (the ones Dad and Mom could remember the words to! LOL) and enjoyed the quiet, the stars and each other...

We went inside and played Uno until almost 2 am! Then Cam needed one more treatment before we all crawled into bed....

The next morning we ate breakfast and the kids went exploring for a bit. Then it was time for the whole reason for going! Get yer poles! Let's hit the fishin' hole!

Cam casting and reeling. Casting and reeling.

Emmalee found a comfy rock and settled in...

Caleb wanted CHEESE for his hook. He was SURE the snack we brought for us would catch him a fish!

My birthday boy enjoying the day...

Even Dad got some fishing in himself (between un-knoting and re-tying! LOL)

Then Caleb discovered "wetting his toes" and fishing was forgotten! They all begged to bring swim suits next time after seeing the lake fill up with swimmers and boaters.

We are so blessed to live so close to such amazing places to visit and explore and enjoy!

We love times like this. We love being a family.

Look at that face! Trying to keep it clean while camping is like shoveling snow while it is still snowing!!

Back at camp we ate lunch and took quiet times... Emma was carving a stick...

Caleb and Cam plotted explorations for when the neighbors got there!

Just Chillaxin' with her Daddy

Then Grandma Annie and Papa arrived, and so did Cody's friend and their family and the party began!

THIS is what a wanted!! Quality Time. Love language met! LOL

Papa was a good fire watcher

They hadn't been camping in years and we had a great time relaxing and laughing and telling stories...

Caleb got eaten alive by mosquitos... his eye is all fat! :(

But that nothing a lunch of gummy worms and skittles couldn't fix! *GRIN*

We had a great time! We are so thankful for a son who wants such simple things when we are struggling the most! He is a blessing from heaven!

This product really works

I am here to tell ya... they work!

My Emma is about the age of needing to start shaving her legs... but her mommy likes her legs without razor cuts etc... so a couple of months ago I picked this up for her. I forgot about it until just a couple of weeks ago... and WOW!

Not to sound like a commercial... but it really works! Her hair buffed right off with no real irritation! And for my stubbly old momma legs... it works even better! They even have a little one for use on your face, knees and ankles! Even your toes! The only thing we discovered was the need to use a circular motion - alternating directions. Done!

I got mine at ShopKo for about $10... it came with the big one and refill pads and the little one with refill pads.

Thought I would share in case any of you wondered... *giggle* Too bad I can't get some kick backs huh??

Just case you know someone who...

would be interested in seeing this:

http://www.saltlakehomeforsale.blogspot.com/

or this

http://indianhillshome.blogspot.com/

or even this

http://2007doublewidefleetwood.blogspot.com/

*grin*

Cody's Birthday Party

We had all his Daddy's family over for dinner (one of his favorites: Hawaiian Haystacks -http://ihatetocook.blogspot.com/2009/03/suzies-hawaiian-haystacks.html) and cake and homemade icecream.

Cody let Caleb and Kenly help him open his presents...

Earlier in the week he told me that he liked Christmas better... because *everyone* gets presents and you dont have to grow up! LOL

He was surprised by a new pair of Heeley's. Hopefully our boy who has no sense of depth perception will enjoy something that can get him around, but not go too fast? (And his Mom and Dad are so thankful for the Millionaire who gave them to us for him because her son didn't like the color... blessings from heaven!)

Cody loves his new Smash Brother's game for the Wii... they played it all day the next day!

Lovin' on his name sake!

Make a wish Bubba-son!!

Uncle Ty and Uncle Greg were more excited about the shoes than Cody I think! They got them all set up for him and laced! LOL! Cody is still a bit nervous... but our next trip to Walmart we are making it a long trip so he can hold on to the cart and get a feel for them! LOL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CODY!!!

A sad weekend for us...

This is one of my dearest friends, Amy. She and I seemed to hit it off from the day she moved in ('course her son came marching down to see if the kids that lived with me were play-worthy..so I had to go introduce myself before allowing them to gather in my house! LOL) From the moment I met her I knew we had been friends before.

We learned all sorts of canning and recipe ideas from each other. We blew up apricots, burnt things, made huge messes, squealed at the shots of applesauce/pearsauce while juicing, learned how to use different equipment together (from canning supplies, to camera's, to sewing machines) We have laughed together. Cried together. We ate yummy food together. We loved to get as many ladies in the neighborhood as we could together to chat and play! We grew a garden together and plotted and planned until it got to the point our husbands would just roll their eyes at us. We disciplined our kids together. She was here and always available to me during some of my most darkest hours, when everyone else was not, Amy was. Cold Stone or a newly tried home made treat was often shared between us on bad days. I have been so blessed to have her in my life these last couple of years! A friend like she has been to me is a true gift from Heaven Father!! And I am truly thankful for the sweet whispering through the veil so I knew as soon as I met her how much she really meant to me. I know she was sent here at this time to be here when I needed her... and vise versa.

Amy's husband finished school this spring. He found a job... in Ely. They drove away, no longer to be just 2 doors down, yesterday afternoon.... and they took not only my friend, but 3 of my children's best friends with them. :(

Henry & Cody

Cameron & Ema

Caleb & Liza (And missing is Sammy)
We are so very happy for them in their new adventures... and we will be friends for eternity! (Thank heavens for unlimited long distance minutes on cell phones! LOL) We are just SO going to miss them... especially next week when my little Caleb doesn't understand that his Sammy and Liza cannot play with him whenever he wants them anymore! LOL

A couple of weeks before they left we had one last short "Happiness" blitz. We ate one of our favorites for lunch - quesadillas and black bean salsa!

And we canned the meat from her freezer for better transport!

We browned the Roast (oh did it smell good!)

We stuffed jars full of chicken...

The beef actually looks edible! LOL

The chicken, as always, looks a little "science experiment"-ish! LOL

We will miss you Sorensen Family!!! We wish you all the very best in your new home town!! Thanks for all the great memories here in Spanish Fork!!

For Cody's Birthday

So... to celebrate double digits... (and to try and get that cow-lick dilema resolved!) Aunt Jeannine came over for a hair day! We had SO much fun! Cody got a cut and he got highlights for the 1st time ever! They look wicked cool! Almost the same honey color as his eyes! I love them!
Then Cam wanted to play... he got some highlights and THEN decided to have a haircut...so half of his blonde got cut out! LOL

Emmalee decided to try a couple of streaks... they look great!

It was a lot of fun! It took much bribery to get Caleb just to let us CUT his hair... but everyone got a new look look!

THANK YOU AUNT JEANNINE! We love having you come visit!!!

Caleb's View

FABULOUS!! LOL :)

This last week was tough for me. Really tough. And yet I am glad I went through it. I have learned that I need to allow myself to feel a little bit more each day. I need to "re-center" myself a little bit more each day. I need to not run faster than I have strength and to say no once in a while, and then not feel the guilt. The Lord did not do more than He needed to... wisdom and order. Wisdom and order. And most things that I have let stress me out this week really dont matter THIS week. LOL. One day at a time... and finding the joy in the journey. I have GOT TO KEEP UP THIS MANTRA!!

I am alive... at least I think I am...

I can't even begin to describe this last week. I have sobbed uncontrollably. I have shouted for joy. I have been so angry I couldn't see straight. I have begged for the light of Father in Heaven to ease the crushing feelings. I have felt guilt upon guilt for what I should be able to do and can't. I have pushed and shoved and given it all my heart and soul. I have left my kids to fend for themselves while I try to do the things I *have* to do right now. I have tucked my kids in only to have only seen them for that brief moment all day long. I have not been truthful to my husband about how I really am feeling, just to avoid the lecture about not doing the things that I have no choice but to do. I have thrown my hands up in despair and decided that I can't care about one more thing. I have screamed into my pillow that I cannot do one more thing! I have had such huge changes happen that nothing will ever be the same, and had not a breath of real time to mourn for it. I have felt Heavenly Father's blessings and love pour out upon me and give me hope. Hope! I have witnessed the pain of others and realized my trials are so trivial in comparison. I have found great joy in a gospel lesson given to my kids that they *got* for Family Home Evening. I have feared. I have had faith. I have wanted to walk away. I have wanted to fight for all it is worth. I have cared a little too much. I have held it all in a little too much. And already... I have shared just a little too much. And none of it is really anything I can or want to talk about anyway.

Tonight...is it too much to ask? I just want off this rollercoaster. Really I do. But that is not on the horizon. Not any time soon. And I am suppose to be counting my blessings... naming them one by one...

1... It could be so much worse.

2... It has been so much worse.

3... I am sure I am not alone in these feelings that no one ever really expresses... because well... we are suppose to be strong and have faith... Aren't we?

Double Digits!

Happy Birthday Bubba-Son!!!!

My oldest "little man" is 10 today!! I can't believe how time flies...

I was going to post all these fun baby photos...but my scanner appearantly is still not talking to my computer. *sigh*. So you get some fun facts instead:

• Cody loves to read, study & ponder
• He never lets us forget scripture study at night
• He loves to eat lettuce. Raw. Or any other vegtable for that matter! LOL
• He doesn't love meat, sweets or sodas
• He is almost as tall as Emma, and she is almost as tall as me!
• We share "Cody cuddles" often... they always make Mom feel better!
• He is an excellent Massage Therapist already
• He wants to be a beekeeper, a Massage Therapist, or a Genetic Modifcation Scientist when he grows up.
• He loves his DSi, the Wii and any board game you will play with him! He caught on SUPER fast to the new game Uncle Greg and Aunt Katie taught us last weekend...and it was a quick thinking game! His mind is so quick!
• He has lost 6 or more teeth in the last 2 months! The tooth fairy is going broke!
• The tooth fairy is ALWAYS a week or more late in picking up Cody's teeth.
• He often allows Caleb to climb into bed with him when he is scared at night and we find him squashed against the wall the next morning as Caleb has spread out!
• He had some vision issues when he was little and has little to no depth perception... so he never rides a bike because he doesn't feel safe... his scooter is often un-used as well.
• His asthma has not bothered him at all since we moved to the new house.
• He loves things organized and clean
• He takes EXCELLENT care of his Gecko Gilligan... and the fish... and the dogs... and the chickens. He loves animals.
• Cody is VERY responsible.
• Cody has a strong testimony of the gospel... though he likely will never get up and share it anytime soon. ;)
• He got his nickname "Bubba" from Cameron... Cam called him that for "Brother" when he was little.
• He loves Homeschooling... and it has really brought out the social side of him! He plays with friends all the time now! (yea!!!)
• His love language is physical touch. He loves hugs and pats on the back and his hair ruffled up.
• He has a horrible cow-lick ring around the back of his head! His hair *always* looks messy.
• He skips "useless" words when he reads aloud - something his mommy does too dang it! He is a good speed reader!
• He still has a soft spot for anything Pokemon...even 7 years after he first discovered them! He loves fantasy... especially the "pet ownership" with special powers kind! LOL
• He likes clarifiaction on almost everything.
• He is a smart alleck & a jokester! BIG TIME! (when he is not being shy)
• He loves to go fishing and camping...he could fish all day!! Which is what we are doing for his birthday! *GRIN* So I had better get moving and get the last of the trailer packed so when Jess gets back from work this morning we can go! *GRIN*

We love you Bubba!!

4th of July?

What are you traditions for the 4th? We can't seem to get our minds wrapped around what to do... and can't recall any traditions! So... I am just wonderin'... what do you all do to make the 4th a fun family time? What do you do? Where do you go? What do you eat? I need some good ideas!
~~heather

Dorius Family Update

So... it has been a while since you have gotten any "meat" of a post from me... I know. I know. It's summer... and that's all I have to say about that! LOL

Jestin has had very little work. Times are tough. Somehow we trudge along, and though we have had a couple of completely hopeless days, we are happy, healthy and have faith in the principle of tithing. Jess has been finishing up the last few items on the coop, keeping up with the garden, taking care of kids and being a good hubby all the way around.

I have been very busy with Real Estate. It is SUCH a blessing. (Can't wait for at least ONE of them to actually pay though! LOL!) We listed a Million Dollar Home in Provo, as well as a $68k Mobile home in Kearns. (We are covering the spectrum man! *wink*) (Anyone know of anyone looking in those price ranges?? *giggle*) Have 4+ active clients looking for homes right now, a few of which are under contract, but with short sales so that doesnt mean much. I have shown homes or listed homes everyday for over a week and a half. It is very encouraging! The bummer part is I feel like I have not seen my family but for a few moments here and there, the laundry is all clean - just in a huge pile on the bedroom floor, the house is falling down around my ears, and I haven't spoken to any family or friends for enjoyment in days and days. I feel like I am either on the computer working (except now... 'common! cut me some slack!tee hee) or gone. But! we have done well in either Jess or I home with the kids most of the time. A few days this last week I have deeply craved to "turn off" Realtor and/or JWD Electric Office Manager and just be Mom. I know it is just a season though... and I am SO SO SO very thankful for the work that I am not complaining by any means!

Emmalee is taking the brunt of the busy. She has been my saving grace. She gets meals and keeps an eye on kids. Yesterday was awesome for her! She got to go the city pool for the 1st time ever alone... she and her girlfriend Jessica spent the afternoon just playing there and being kids. It was so good for her! She so deserved it! She is a little sunburned on one side... but what's a little sun for a day of fun? eh? She loves to relax in front of the TV... and it has been a little discouraging for her since we turned off the cable to save some pennies.

Cody is good. He turns 10 next week. He wants to go camping for his birthday. He takes such good care of all the pets and plants around here... he saves me that way too! LOL He is itching to get back to school work. We are all feeling that way a bit. Summer has been too instructured for us all. He loves to garden with me and help Dad with the chickens. I think a slight vegetarian personality is emerging in him. He's not loving meat of any kind, but can eat veggies out of the garden all day long (as I type he is standing at the kitchen counter eating the peas out of the collander that Jestin just picked)

Cameron is LOVING summer! He loves to play with his friends, Caleb too! And both of them would be out the door at 9am to play if I would let them. They are up trying to clean up their disaster bedroom since they had friends over and then let them leave without helping. Hard lesson. Cam is excelling in his reading. We started letting all the kids have turns when we read scriptures and he has REALLY done well with it! He knows some pretty big words! It's great!

Caleb is Caleb. He is busy as ever. He loves his friends. He wants to have fun all the time. The other night he told us at scripture time he couldn't stand it 'cause it was just too boring for him. LOL. He loves summer.

Now that it is getting hot my heart has started acting up. There have been some hard days, but over all I am great! Jestin's eye is still not good, but he can see fine with the other one and it seems to be compensating for the bad one. We have enjoyed a few miracles around here with "the windows of heaven" and well... life is good. There is joy. And our family is eternal...

What more...really??... do we need? *GRIN*

Fridge Repair?

Does anyone know of someone that knows appliance repair that can look at a fridge for us? We think it is missing a part, but aren't sure.... HELP!