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! :)

The 12 Days of Christmas 2009

To make the holiday a little more special we tried to give the kids a "gift" to open each of the 12 days before Christmas. Each gift was of something we already had or cost very little.

They opened our "It Came To Pass" card game one evening and we played it as a family. Another night they opened the cassettes for our camcorder and we watched Christmases of the Past. I wrapped their favorite Christmas movie one night and another we made feeders for the birds for Christmas!

Caleb had gathered the pine cones on a camping trip in the fall and had asked all fall if we could make the feeders I told him they would be good for. Every time he saw them on the fridge he would ask about making them...so he was VERY tickled to get to finally do it!

Cam had to wear gloves to spread on the peanut butter! LOL He decided that he didn't even love the smell and quickly became the spectator...

The finished product!

Dad tied the strings and we hung them on our front porch for all the little birds.

I had found two different winter puzzles at the Dollar Store and wrapped them up... Caleb's FAV!

It was a ton of fun to put the puzzles together as a family!

Caleb is a puzzle WHIZ!

I really enjoyed putting the ideas together and the kids loved opening a "gift" of something to do as a family every night! It was a brilliant success!

We have definitely found a new family tradition! THAT is what Christmas is all about! *GRIN* and it cost me next to nothing to do!

My Kids Greatest Gift

Every year the kids take their money and hit the Dollar Store for thoughtful gifts for the adults in their lives. Some memorable favorites are a screen for a frying pan, a whoopie cushion and a plastic chain necklace with a huge gold colored medallion that said "Bling" on it for Uncle Ty. LOL This year they all agreed to do something a little different. And Mom and Dad couldn't be more pleased!

They pooled their little amount of funds and we made a trip to the Dollar Store. They remember how bored they were during their many stays in the hospital and so they bought all sorts of toys & activities for the kids at their regular hospital...

Containers of cowboys & indians, puzzles, coloring books & crayons & dry erase boards. We wrapped them up and headed to the hospital... which also at the time was the location to go visit Gramma Annie. She was hospitalized with Pneumonia that weekend.

We took the presents to the Pediatric Unit and donated them in the names of both of their Grandparents and all their aunts and uncles.

We love the staff at this hospital. They have been so good to us! We hope they have a great time making other sweet children's stay a little better with some fun items to share! :)

I love my kids so much! They have more wisdom at their young ages than most kids deserve! Merry Christmas Grandpa's & Grandma's & all our brothers and sisters! Our kids love you very much!

Growing and Growing...

Aunt Jenny measured all the kids over Thanksgiving... I can't believe how much my kids have grown!

Caleb - 3' 6"

Cameron - 4' 1"

Cody - 4' 9"

Emmalee - 5' 1"

Emma has grown a little since then too! She is almost as tall as her mom! :O

Where does the time (and babyness) go??

Gratitude + Expression = Joyful Attitude

I am thankful for:

1. Jestin having some sort of small job every day this week! It is a Christmas miracle! LOL

2. For a very thoughtful youth in the ward who nominated our family for a small sub for santa at his school club and now I dont have to be sick about having a gift for each of the boys but nothing for Emma. My kids will each have something plus some undies, socks and a few little extras this year! And I can go aheadand pay my bills instead, and keep us from drowning yet again. Whew. He truly was an answer to a mother's heartsick prayer.

3. I am thankful for how well my 12 days of Christmas is going for the kids! So far we have played a game, made pine cones for the birds, and put together a puzzle! They are LOVING having a gift to open and even more so loving the time dedicated to just being together! I am so thankful for the friend who gave me the idea!

4. Am thankful for a gift that turned out so well! It didn't spend anything (at least not recently) and I think she will like it! Thank heavens for my "lack of finishing of projects" LOL It turned out perfectly and I am so excited!

5. Am thankful for my life experiences. They truly bring me great insight and growth. And it is nice when I can use them to help others... it helps heal some of the sorrow I sometimes feel.

6. For Pres. Monson and his quote - "The future is as bright as your faith". It really has lifted my attitude lately. I have felt the tugs of "the blackness" creeping in again... and I see that quote and am reminded that my attitude, outlook and desired outlook is ALL UP TO ME! :)

7. For great family, friends, neighbors. I am blessed more than I know. And I do know some of it! :)

8. For my kids. They bring so much joy into my life! I love the excitement and anticipation they are feeling - even when they are naughty because of it! LOL

9. For my warm soft bed. It is so hard to get out of in the morning - but it brings me such joy to lay down on it at night! LOL

10. For this Christmas Season that softens everyone's hearts to each other and brings joy, happiness, and love into our homes and lives. I am thankful for my Savior who came to this earth to endure all that we have in order to better understand our struggles and woes so that we would have someone to lean on and depend on. I am thankful he sacrificed HIS time here for me. I wish I could say I did better at following His example...but I try.

I am just so THANKFUL... and it truly does bring me joy! :)

Drip.... drip.... drip

Jestin woke up the other morning to a drip drip drip from the ceiling and looked up to see this!

He quickly discovered that something on our (only 3 year old) water heater rusted out and *everything* in the utility closet that was slightly cold had condesation on it and it had soaked through the ceiling to downstairs!

The drain pan looked like it had been draining at least all night, as the ice had formed on the run off from the house.

The top of the water heater was puddled and everything was wet!

Jestin cleaned it all up, drained the paint bubble and a kind neighbor loaned us some fans to run to dry everything out.

Jess has a plumber that he is good friends with and they came and replaced the water heater (under manufacturers warranty) in just a couple of hours. They even let us pay the small difference and upgrade to a 50 gallon instead! Sweet! Blessings in the long run! We are thankful to have hot water again... and for the damage to be minimal!

Maybe I will get my ceiling re-textured sooner than we thougtht! *grin*

Decorating Ornaments

We made ornaments for someone special in our lives for a Family Home Evening this month. Caleb did his own... and then...!

He gave it to his best friend Jesse's family... but this is the first time he has EVER written his name!! He copied it! Jesse's mom got teary eyed and promised to keep it always! (She is just like his second mom and knows how exciting it is to have this milestone in "my baby"s life! LOL)

Cody gave his to Grandma Annie

And Emma gave hers to a friend she has lost touch with somewhat.

I was proud of each of them for the people they picked. They are all getting so grown up!

Cameron did do one... but he had to go to bed and make it the next morning because he was making wrong choices and being mean. He fell right to sleep so we think he just was a tired boy! LOL I just forgot to take a photo of his... but he gave it to his new friend here in the neighborhood. :)

Settin' up the Christmas Tree 2009

The kids couldn't wait to start decorating for Christmas... we have such fun working as a team to get the tree up! They sort out all the branches and away we go!

Emmalee was in charge of lighting...

Jestin decided to add a timer on the switch for my Christmas Tree lights, so we dont have to turn them on and off anymore! And at 10:30 they remind us to go to bed! LOL! (there really are advantages to having an electrician for a husband! :D )

Caleb and Cam were the assembly crew...

And we HAD to play Christmas carols and eat our traditional Orange Sticks!

YUM!

What would tree-setting-up be without them??

Look Mom! Decorate me!!

Cam was really good at keeping the piles separated and keeping the flow moving right along...

We lost a few strands of lights this year... but all in all we are ok! Lots of lights = prettier tree! *grin*

Caleb became distracted by the tote the tree goes in!

And, as always, before you knew it... they all were! LOL

So Mom moved forward with the light assembly while they played.

Cody and Cam tried to repair a couple of sets of lights... but when they flicker and pop... umm... yeah... we throw the whole strand away!

And then there was the favorite tradition of "I Spy" under the tree...

They could stay there for hours

And they really did this year!

I was playing with settings on my camera... and I LOVE how this one turned out! *GIGGLE* I am so thankful for the traditions we have that make us a family!

Caleb would hardly let me rest until all our decorations were out and set up and the totes put back away! He LOVED being my helper this year while the kids were in school!

Our Halls are Decked! We are all ready for the Holidays!