Playdate for Caleb

Caleb had a friend drop by first thing in the morning and they played hard! I could hear them from my office so I kept working on paperwork. I left them alone for about an hour without checking on them. I had no idea.....

that they were having SUCH a great time!! LOL

The lego totes, the lincoln log totes, all the cars tote, the Thomas Train tote.... ummm... yeah... it was a hoot!! I could only just laugh at myself for leaving them unattended! LOL

Caleb did help me clean it all up after his friend left, though I also discovered they had gotten hungry and the toys were all intermingled with soda cracker crumbs. They each had eaten their own sleeve of crackers! LOL

Ahhhh to be able to enjoy just making messes again.... what a good time!! :)

Opening for the Basketball Game

I really love the school my kids attend. It feels a community instead of an obscure state run institition. The 2nd graders were invited to come and sing the National Anthem for the opening of the High School basketball game! (Their school is K-12) Cam was SO excited!! They did an awesome job!

And when they were all done singing I had tears in my eyes as the High School students roared with applause and gave them a standing ovation!! Talk about feeling like you belong!! Cam SO wanted to stay and watch the game after that! He LOVES his school!

And I loved that they asked him to wear his scout uniform!

(Now to get him all the components as soon as we can! LOL)

GOOD JOB CAM!!

HI Family and Friends!! I just wanted to let you all know...

Jestin has been super slow with our company JWD Electric the past few months, so now is the time if any of you have remodel or electrical projects you want to have done!

He is available and ready to be put to work!

Call him at (801) 836-8726

I know shameful exploitation of my sweetheart (heh heh)... but you all know with Jess you only get the best work he can do! And he offers 2 year warranties on all his work!

He was also talking about putting a coupon out there as advertising...so I am going to offer it here for those we love first! (dontcha just feel so blessed??)

* Free timer switch for your outside lights or dimmer switch for your inside lights with every referral, or job you have us do!

Also... if you know of anyone looking to buy or sell a Home... I am still actively working as a Realtor and would love to take care of those I love and care about to make sure they get the best deal for their money! And get the most honest services possible!

SWEET!!!!!!!!

I am SO excited!! I just discovered I can export copies of my blog to save on my hard drive...

AND I can copy & paste my posts into a word doc if I want and it carries everything over! Words and pictures!! YEA!!! I can print it off myself to keep in a scrapbooks!

I am excited!! I wanted to make a scrapbook of my heart stuff recently... and this will make it super simple!! YEA!!!

Strep Throat

Ah... yes... we do. ALL six of us have strep throat. Isn't that just fun!? LOL

We are so thankful for antibiotics, tylenol and sprite. And for Dr's who offer prescriptions without charging for an appointment when we have no insurance. Blessings from heaven!

They say it is an outbreak in the valley in the last 2 weeks! More familes have been testing positive than normal (Our Pediatrician in AF said he had a record 10 positives on Monday... and just with our 4 on tuesday, who knows how many more?) and it is a rampant one because not many are NOT catching it. Crazy fun!

Thank heavens for antibiotics.

And just so you all know... Emma's only symptom was on again off again tummy pains and headache.

SO FUN! I am going to go lay down now... It's my day to feel horrible... maybe the kids that are healing will wait on me for a change?? Ha ha... no... they want to play Wii. *sigh* Cuddle up with a good book it is! *GRIN*

Crazy Morning...

What a crazy day we have had! Nothing too major... but just crazy.

Cameron came in right after Jestin left to help a neighbor this morning saying his throat hurt really bad! I told him to drink a little cold water and let me know if it gets worse.

It's winter after all and everyone knows that scratchy morning throat because it's so dry kind of feeling. Plus he had been coughing most of the night with his asthma.

About 90 minutes later he started puking. His asthma flared up as well. I cleaned him up and gave him a breathing treatment. (He has been coughing at night for a few nights now) He often starts thowing up when his oxygen levels get down and he feels so constricted. In fact, when he was littler we always knew that throwing up meant he would be admitted to the hospital! He seemed a little better once his breathing treatment was over, but he is still dusky and pale.

He had his first orthopedic surgeon appt since his break today. I decided we better take him anyway - sick or not - his splint had broken and his finger was bruising more now than it did before! So I loaded him up and took him to the OS. We got him a mask - just in case it wasn't just asthma - and all he wanted to do was lay down. He kept saying he is just so tired. (also VERY common with his asthma)

The OS took xrays of his hand and told him it needed re-set (rebroken) and he could give him a shot to numb it first. Cam flat refused. The OS said he could do it without pain meds, but it would hurt really bad.... Cam didn't care. He was not having any shots.

(xray after it was re-set)

And so... my sweet 8 year old boy just laid there and let the OS re-brake his finger and set it. He didn't even whimper! I think he just feels so miserable he didn't care at that point. He said it hurt really bad... "but there was no sense in crying or saying ouch about it!"

He fell asleep for a minute or two after it was set...
It is broke in 2 places. The OS said it likely will heal straight as he grows, but they will recheck in a week... he may need surgery and a pins if it doesn't straighten a ton on its own. UGH! Poor boy!! Stupid ER doc! He wanted us out of the ER... you could tell... and if he had just LISTENED to me when I said we were told to come by the OS and that the OS KNEW we were coming and he wanted to set it, then Cam wouldn't have had to endure today! :( I felt so bad for him!

We left the office and before we got out of the building we were running to find a toilet to puke in. He says his tummy doesn't hurt at all... just his throat does... and his breathing is labored.

*sigh*

Then we came home and told the kids about Cam's adventures. Cody got huge eyes... and Emma turned to him and said... YOU BETTER TELL HER OR I WILL!! Reluctantly Cody admitted that HIS throat hurts bad... and his head hurts too.

I looked in their throats and sure enough... red. Cody has one spot of white. They have no fevers, but it looks like we may have strep throat at our house!

And I SUCK! I took it to the OS office! Even though he wore a mask... now I have guilt!

*SIGH*

Jestin is coming home shortly to give the boys blessings and we will feel it out from there. It could be just drainage and asthma... or it coudl not. Either way... it's not something we can afford right now! *whimper* Nor something I want to spread throughout the house.

KNOCK ON WOOD

We hope it will clear up as nothing more than a cold or something.... a mom can hope anyway....

Well... I did it!!

I gave up Farmville. Yep. Important stuff I know. But it was hard to make myself do!

I was addicted. I liked gettting sucked in multiple times a day to check my animals or crops or to accept fake gifts from my friends so they didn't pile up. It was like an email inbox that I had to keep cleaned out. And it was something I could completely control.

And I felt guilt about it! A virtual farm!! I felt like I was "getting behind"... hello? Getting behind?

I am feeling such peace about my decision. I have felt prompted to let it go for a couple of weeks now. It's so easy when things aren't going right or you are feeling sad to disappear into a game like that, one that you can be "sucessful" at and ignore your life! I had no idea.

I had fought the invites to join the game for quite some time. I know myself. I know that I like to be organized and perfectionistic. And in this game I could! OH! Bad combo...

I feel free today. Free from guilt, or feeling like it was "something important on my to-do list". I can use that free time to actually GO SEE a friend... or read a book (or my scriptures a little more)... or call a friend! I can be a better ME. :) As we were taught in the Women's conference I love to hear over and over... I am choosing the better part.

Now I can get back to feelin' guilt for not doing laundry, ironing or cleaning my house! If only I could stack my children in neat little rows and "harvest" them a couple of times a week... and it would all be a perfect world! Bwahahahaha!!!! :D

Valentine's Day and Love

I have an inner conflict. I do not love Valentine's Day. I don't. I love the fun times the kids have... I do. I love the decorating cookies and spending time together. I love the chocolate associated with this great holiday. Yep. Not a problem to love.

But the gift giving makes me crazy. (Here I go again... I know) I am not sure why I struggle with it so much! I think maybe because it feels required by a calendar date? I don't jive on required gift giving... it just doesn't feel like a real gift to me.

Gifts should come from the heart. Not from a quick stop at a grocery store, fighting off the other men who forgot as well and are stopping on their way home too. *blech* That is just NOT a real gift. That is a requirement. Not so heartwarming in my opinion. Gifts are meant to *SHOW* you think of the person... and what he/she would want/need/love. Gifts are expressions of how you really feel about someone... and I guess last minute cheesy crap just doesn't do it for me. LOL

For example: (Sorry... Ma... you get to be the example *grin*) I was at the Dollar Store and found these little note books that had the "Love is..." cartoons on them. Many may not remember those cartoons, but my parents collected them. They loved them. They lived by them when I was growing up. I grabbed one of each for them - and gave them to my parents on monday when they stopped by for Valentine's Day. It was FUN gift to give! It had meaning! And they love it!

On the flip side... Ma found this little night light with Valentine hearts on it... I love nightlights! It was a perfect gift! :) And I love it.

I guess I'm just not a "stuff" kind of a person. I would rather have sentimental value... or a gift of time and service. I know Jestin loves me. I know my family loves me. And if they found something they *know I would just love* and gave it to me on Wednesday August 7th or Friday June 11th etc THAT is a gift from the heart!! Not just because it is a frilly commercialized holiday.

Gifts are meant to be given on Christmas and on people's birthdays. Not for every holiday in between. These other holidays are times to honor the people for whom the holiday honors... and (at least in my mind) there are better ways to honor and celebrate these people in our lives aside from a quick stop at the store for anything we can find and spend money on! :P That is my 2 cents worth. LOL Commercialism has ruined the delicate affection of this holiday.

The "perfect" Valentine's Day gifts (or Mother's Day gifts etc) in my humble opinion are as follows:

• Date night I didn't have to plan or find a sitter for myself.
• Dinner made for me that I enjoy.
• A honey-do project completed with a smile.
• A love letter... a REAL love letter... not just a card you sign your name to all the time.
• Some time to be JUST ME. Alone time is a coveted commodity.
• Surprise lunch get together.
• A chore I dread doing done for me with a little note saying "Happy V-day/M-day" etc
• A good session of "laudry doing" *grin*
• Game night with friends we love.
• Watching a movie *I* would love together without being teased it's a chick flick - and something chocolate to share.
• Flowers unexpected! (not on the holiday they are required and cost 10x more!)
• My car cleaned.
• My hair colored and cut - it's so hard to make that call for myself and do it! Make me go!
• A massage to sleep

Time. Service. Expression. Togetherness. THAT is what Valentine's Day is all about.

Honoring and loving your sweetheart.

Phooey on all this stuffed animal, cheap chocolates, hugely overpriced once a year floral arragements! OOO! I am a Valentine's Day grinch! Bwahahaha!

Itchin' .... I am so just itchin'!

WHY? Why am I feeling almost DESPERATE to take my family, pack up the camper and run for the hills? I want to go CAMPING!!!!!!!! And I want to have left *yesterday* LOL

I love the closeness our camper offers our family. I love the undistracted-by-electronics play my kids enjoy. I love sitting on my camping chair watching the fire, laughing with family and friends, and feeling the crisp air on my face and the stars above me. I love the the food that we eat while camping. I love how Jestin always makes breakfast for us when we are camping... and how it tastes! I love smore's and I love fudge-in-a-bag. I love sleeping in my bed in the trailer (yes! I do!) because of the foam pads we put on the mattress it came with... it is almost better than my house bed! I love the sun on my face. I love watching the kids go exploring, fishing, playing games & just BEING TOGETHER!!!

*SIGH* This spring like weather is TORTURE!!! I love it... but it makes me want more. :) Greedy I know. LOL

A job! A job! After weeks of nothing to do...

Jestin had a small job!! YEA!! :) It was very strange to have him gone today... but yea!! A small job! He also has done 3 bids this last week. It is VERY encouraging!!

The Ely "curse" for Cam...

The last time we went to Ely Cameron got hurt.

Of course it was self inflicted, as he was promised the chance to hold Ema's hand if he let Amy pull his dangling tooth out. Yuck. She did... and he let her. And he held Em's hand.

He bled and it was all ok.

This time... it was self inflicted once again... but... umm... yeah... OUCH!

He tried to convince me it wasn't bad. LOL! He didn't cry (not in front of his best friend! nor could he take the risk of not being able to continue to stay and play!) but it was undoubtingly broken!

We had only been at the Sorensen's MAYBE 3 hours. He decided to show off his new somersaulting skills. I am sure it was a crazy double flip kind of a thing, knowing Cam, but he just landed wrong.

We had no first aid supplies (his momma had ignored the prompting from the Spirit to grab the First Aid kit off the steps in the garage as we left home :P )...

so we used popcicle sticks, tape, Motrin & a bag of Vegetable Stir-Fry to make him comfortable until we returned home. (We were advised to not seek medical attention in small town Ely... LOL!!)

We spent most of today (Sunday) between the InstaCare and the ER getting it taken care of.

Yes it is broken. Surprised? I didn't think so.

LUCKILY! He is only being splinted (for now... cross your fingers... your good ones ;) ... it stays that way when we follow up with the Orthopedic Surgeon) so HIS baptism in a month may be able to proceed without the extra complications of a cast. :)

My poor boy! His bones are just being very kind to him this last year! :( But I must admit I am AMAZED at his high pain threshhold! What a tropper!

A trip to Ely Neveda

Emalinne's Baptism Weekend

We did a quick overnight trip this weekend to Ely. The kids were SO sad it could not have been longer! We pulled them out of school on Friday and drove out, arriving about 4 pm. The best friends played hard, while the Mom's played in the kitchen preparing for the large family event the following day & the Dad's explored the remodeling possibilities.
The next morning the kids practiced a song they were going to sing... "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus"... and try as we may...

These two bestest friends just don't understand that they are a boy and a girl and WAY too young to hold hands, wrap arms around each other and give each other rings (Cam got a ring from the prize box at school and was thrilled to be able to give it to his best friend - since she's a girl and would like a girly thing like that! LOL) Innocence is fleeting and sometimes I don't want to tell them they shouldn't... they just seem to "get it" that they are best friends and treat each other accordingly. *grin* It is really sweet... and honestly I dread the day when girls become "yucky" and they can't be this close anymore!

It was a beautiful baptism. The kids sang beautifully, sans Caleb hiding and popping up here and there throughout the song because he was too embarrassed to be up there. (*sigh*) The company was AWESOME! I just love Amy and Austin's parents and family! They are wonderful! It was a little strange to be there for a family event, but it felt like we should be! We feel like we are family! :) It is fabulous!

Ema is the sweetest most loving kid you will ever meet! It was so hard to leave a few hours after the baptism on Saturday arriving home at 11:30 pm.

We wish we could have had just one more day! Jestin had too many meetings Sunday morning with his new calling and the Stake changes etc... and we had to get Cam to the Dr... (see next post...)

It was moments like this made the financial sacrifice and long hours driving WORTH EVERY MINUTE!!!

Thank you Sorensen family for including us in your special family event!! We had a wonderful time!!

CONGRATULATIONS Ema!! We are so proud of you for your example and faith!!

Science Project

Cody participated in the school science fair this year. It was great... he came up with the idea and executed the entire thing himself! I was so proud of him!! He didn't win any special ribbons, the projects you could tell the parents had done FOR their kids mostly won... but in my heart this boy deserved a 1st prize for completion and effort! It was no small thing!

He did his project on the differences between the bodies of water on earth... and which one makes you float better. He researched the concentrations of salt in each place - the ocean, the Great Salt Lake, the Dead Sea and a regular old lake. He made up the solutions to the right specifications and then used a hot dog as his "person". He took his own photos with his own camera, typed up all his own info, cut out and made his own poster and did a GREAT job! I ordered his photo prints and picked them up for him and Jestin got him to a search that would give him the results he needed online... the rest was all Code man! :)

GOOD JOB Cody!! We are very pleased with your passion for learning and commitment to finishing what you start! You are AWESOME!!! WELL DONE!

Busy Busy Busy

We have been a busy busy busy family as of late. Our talks went well I think. Everyong kept saying they liked them... so I guess that is good. I feel like mine may have been a little more in depth about my own testimony than maybe it should have? I probably should have used prophets counsels a little more instead - I dont know though - my own testimony seemed to fit best. Anyway... it's over and I hope it was what Heavenly Father would have wanted.

Monday we had family night. Cam taught us on the importance of the sacrament. He did a good job. It's fun to see how quickly they learn and understand. I am so thankful for FHE because they "learn" it so well when they teach it! :) We had some left over icecream for a treat (cleaned out the almost empty cartons from the freezer (yea for mom!) and Caleb was so proud of "his treat" - you know - because I let him get them out of the freezer! Bwaahahaha!

Tuesday I attended a Real Estate class most of the day and Jestin stayed home and took down Christmas lights. (STILL no work this week! :( If ANY of you have ANY electrical you can afford to have done - please call the man! He is feeling so "unneeded and useless") I was home for about an hour and then headed for my CERT training class where we learned our medical responsibilities as a CERT. It was heartbreaking to think if there is a huge event I may have to choose who gets what help and when. *gulp* Reality BITES! I had nightmares all night. Jestin woke up with me during one of the nightmares and asked if he could give me a blessing. I was so thankful. I still didn't sleep well... but at least the nightmares calmed down a bit!

Yesterday, we tore into our bedroom. We re-arranged furniture, evicted the TV and tower speakers to be sold, fixed the blinds, cleaned the ceiling fan and set up the hand-me-down treadmill so I can continue strengthening my heart (THANKYOU BISHOP CURTIS & MARIA!!!). The kids love it too... and so do the dogs! LOL

Sadee has walked many half miles since we brought it home! Go Pup!!

Last night Jestin attended the workshop for Small Businesses offered by the church. He said he hopes they get a little deeper into the meat and give him some good workable info in the next few classes (they are every week like my CERT classes) since last night was how to start your business! LOL.

Today I am headed out for a girls day with my visiting teachers! (FUN!) But we have to be back by 4pm for a special event at Cam's school. Then after that I really really really want to attend Bro. Wells gardening classes he is starting tonight and running for 4 weeks.

Tomorrow we are headed out to see Cam's favorite friend, Ema, get baptized. The boys are SO SO SO excited to see their best friends! We have this HUGE guilt for going when we things are so horribly tight, but I set aside funds to go a long time ago... and I feel like this is more important. Cam needs to be there for Ema and the other kids miss each other so! This is memories... and well... I think memories are more important in some cases. Call me irresponsibile if you must. LOL

Should be a good time. I just dont know when I am going to get church clothes ironed and the rest of the house picked up so I feel like I can go without leaving a disater in our wake! tee hee... I guess if we die in a firey crash on the way there or back... one of you will come in and burn my house down for me right? bwahahahaha!

I really enjoy weeks like this where we feel busy and involved. It makes sadness and discouragement harder to catch... appearantly these are slower emotions that can't catch up very well with "anxiously engaged". *GRIN* Such great commandments we are given!

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. :)