Done

Notice I am smiling.....and I didn't swear......just wanted to ;)

Not to bad.....lots of boo boos but I don't care, no one can tell unless they are really close and frankly only one person will be close enough to notice and he doesn't care.

Sewing

Notes to self:

When sewing for the first time in seven or eight years.....Don't try to make own bias tape.....especially if it has to be 1/4 inch bias tape.......it might make you swear.

Music

Today in church I was sitting between George and Tayler. We started singing a song and it just hit me, the spirit and motherly love combined with music touched my soul today.

Midas Touch

Now before anyone gets excited and starts thinking of things you can bring to me so I can turn it to gold for you......keep reading.

Enter Christmas morning:

We woke, we unwrapped, we smiled had fun, ate breakfast (usually german pancakes....yum), we played games, we ate junk....... you get it. Normal Christmas morning. I Love Christmas and I love Christmas morning. I love the feeling of love we all have.

Anywho George bought me a sewing machine for Christmas (I got it before Christmas and it is a story all on it's own). I have never had a sewing machine all my own so I am way excited! Christmas day after all the morning excitement I decided to look online for some fun ideas (I found some really fun things by the way). It was getting late, we were going to head to Sid and Connie's so I clicked off all my links, when all of a sudden the computer let me know that we had a virus......blah blah blah......long story short, I can find a virus anywhere any time, so if you want gold you will have to go to someone else but if you would like a virus I'm your gal.

As a matter of fact I dare you to go check out some fun craft sites and see, just see if you can get a virus....... I bet you can't :) Maybe be kind and tell me where you go for all your ideas and I will go there too and hopefully(fingers crossed) not get a virus.

Christmas Break

When I was little my Mom would have us do spring cleaning. We would clean everywhere. The fridge was the most hated for me, and that is why it is a rare day when I WANT to clean my fridge. I caught a bug and off we all went.

It really didn't take long and we had it done. It wasn't even as bad as I thought it would be. Kind of like getting a shot.

The finished fridge looks so nice. No more "Science experiments"...... Yay for the cleaning bug, it felt good and now my fridge looks good.

OUCH!

This is what happens when you kick a couch! Not very pleasant looking, is it? What's your vote,is his pinkie toe broken or not? (this is George's foot, not mine)

2 Thousand 4 Hundred Miles

This year for Thanksgiving we decided that we would go to Nevada to be with Hope and my family.

We headed out Monday night and got home Sunday night. We drove and drove. Believe it or not the driving was not the hightlight of the week. I had so much fun being with my family. I love my Brothers and Sisters and all of the in-laws. I wish we could have spent more time with Hope, she had to work so we had two late evenings with her and Thanksgiving day. We were also able to see Grandma Blake also, it was a nice visit.

I love being around family. We laugh we watch our kids get together and just have fun.

We ended the trip with a visit with my good friend. We get along just like sisters.....counting friends I am very blessed with a great family.

Thanks for the great week!!!

Driving

Woke up to a wet and windy morning. It's ok though, do you want to know why? I didn't have to drive with my daughter to early morning seminary!

Jackie got her license Friday. Such a great thing. I have missed having a teenage driver in the house. Hope was always willing to drive anywhere for me, and when she wasn't willing she got over it. So to have Jackie able to drive is great. She will really appreciate it when she doesn't have to walk home in the rain all winter long.

Now all we have to do is get her used to driving all by herself, I think it won't take her long. Yay to another driver on the road ;)

Give away

Ok I am following the rules, my sister had a link to this lady on her site, I checked it out and this site has a way cute purse they are giving people a chance to win so I am giving it a try, if you want to try it go to http://bluecricketdesign.blogspot.com !! Good luck!!

Love my crafty sister!

This is the craft my sister made for me! I love the necklace!

Thanks Heidi!

Hope update

I couldn't find a good picture so this will have to do. For those of you who may not know, I left Hope in Utah. It was her idea ;) As I am typing this I hope she got a job and is having fun.

P.S. I posted three time today so keep looking down on my blog ;)

Camping at Cape Look Out

The week before we moved and I taveled to Utah we went camping with my Brother and his family and my sister. We had so much fun!! It was cold but fun. We spent lots of time on the beach looking for shells and just enjoying each other. I am so glad that family comes to visit so I can drag them on long hikes to see gorgeous views! Love you guys!

Two weeks in Utah

We drove to Utah on the 29th of July. Me, my sister Judy, and Jackie and Hope. It was very nice to get away from the 105 degree weather we had just suffered through. Thursday Krissie and Katie drove Tayler and Emma to Utah. They had spent the week in Elko with my Brother and his family. On Friday we went to the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house. What a beautiful temple. Maybe someday I will be able to go to this temple. Jaxon went to the temple open house with us. It was fun to watch Tayler explaining the baptismal font to him.

We saw the Hulets there. It was fun to see the few people that we recognized. It was a great experience, I am glad I was able to take my kids to another temple open house, they don't remember the Timpanogas temple open house so it was a great opportunity.

On Tuesday we went to Lagoon. We were trying to remember the last time we were there. I am thinking around 9 years. That 's a long time. We spent the whole day there, it was great. We split up into groups and just had fun. Noreen tried to talk me into going on Wicked first. We got in line and I looked at the ride and started questioning my sanity when we noticed the line wasn't moving and it looked like the ride was shut down for a while, so I got a break and rode some other rides first. We had soooo much fun. I love amusement parks.

Wednesday we headed to Fairview to go to the family cabin. It has been three years since my kids had been there and not counting the Anderson family reunion on the previous saturday it had been many years since I had been to the cabin also. So many great memories were made for the few days we were there.The swing is a happenin' place, tons of time is spent swinging like a monkey. The loft is another loved place. Boy the memories from the hours spent there and the fights over whether or not the boys got to sleep their or the girls.

Cache spending some time waiting to pass out candy to those strong enough to make it to the top of the rope.

George showing us that he is strong enough :)

Karaoke with the girls (we were the only ones brave enough to get up there and do it)

Boy scout skits (they were the only ones brave enough to do those)

Trevor and his broken ankle, he went rock wall climbing the second day at the cabin and this is what happened. Hopefully it heals and heals quickly.

Saturday we headed to Tooele.

Sunday and Monday we went to Sutherland. It was very sad to find out that Wednesday our good good friends and cousins lost there 18 year old boy. We went to Delta to be there for them. I was glad we could be there to show our support. Our prayers will be with them.

Tuesday we headed for home. My good friend Stacey is so kind that she let us come to her house and stay. It was soooo good to see her and her family. She is such an awesome friend that she made a birthday cake for Tayler. Not just any old cake but one with jello and good stuff on it. We ate, sang happy birthday, ate some more and played games and watched movies all night. If that isn't a good 14th birthday then I don't know what is.

Happy Birthday Tayler!!!
One of the movies we watched was 17 again, makes you think, would I change anything about my life if I had a chance to do it over again? Check it out, tell me what ya think.

Wednesday we finally truely headed for home. On our anniversary I was driving all day and George was home sick. He went to Utah at a different time and drove home before us. Twenty years and counting! Happy anniversary!

He came back

First before I say anything else, let me say I am so thankful for the men that are willing and able to take time off of work for a week to take my son to scout camp.Now that I have said that, let me tell you how much anxiety I feel for that week. I worry that my son is warm, well fed and not lost somewhere out in timbuktu. Every horror story we hear as mother's comes to haunt us while our sons are out in the wilderness. I was so happy to see Tayler, walking and smiling. It is such a relief. Not that I don't trust Men or anything. I am almost certain though that had a woman been at camp my son's back wouldn't look like this.

This picture doesn't do it justice, he will be in pain for some time. After all our talks on NOT burning since he wanted to do the canoeing and the rowing merit badges (which he earned, so the pain is not in vain). I am glad he is home, safe and sound.

Blueberries!

Look at those berries! Emma wins the award for picking the biggest berries. We went with our good friends, Julie and Emilee. We went berry picking in the humid, sticky heat. But the berries were soooo worth it. YUM!

I love that we have all these great U-pick farms around. Hope and Jackie picked some raspberries on Monday and now we have blueberries and marionberries, we are looking forward to lots of yummy smoothies and shakes!

Summer #1

Schools out and we are off and running! Doing what?

Well let's see, friends, more friends and still more friends. Tayler took a Jr. Lifeguard course and has been working hard on more merit badges. Hope is looking for a nanny job, hopefully she can get one soon. Jackie is going to get that license now that she isn't swamped with school work, she also needs it so she can do some driving to Utah with me this summer. What have I been up to, well I got talked into going to Girls camp this year, it was fun but exhausting. Girls and girl drama, so much fun ;) Then got home and forgot we had booked a cabin for the weekend so off we went again and I just got back. Summer is up and running!! Hopefully I can keep up ;)

Graduation June 9, 2009

She is done!

No more School
No more books
No more teachers dirty looks ;)

Look out world here she comes!!

Tayler's Concert

We were sitting down to dinner on Wednesday when Tayler remembered he had a band concert that night. It was at 7 and I had to be at YW so Hope taped it for me. No Tayler is not a cancer patient, his father thought that since the do looked good on him it should look good on his son ;) Hope says sorry it's shaky she was tired by song three. I also asked her to zero in on Tayler because after all he is the only kid in the band that I want to see. Enjoy

I Love Mother's Day!

It's nice to feel loved and appreciated. Here are my surprises... flowers and perfume from George and the kids.

And this last one Hope earned in a Service Auction from seminary. This is part of it. Thanks Hope!

Whirlwind week in Utah

I have never experienced a real tornado but whenever I visit family I feel like I am caught up in something so big. We rush around because we don't have enough time, we laugh til we cry, then we cry til we laugh. Then it all ends and everyone goes home, back to work..... family...... life.

I flew to Utah on Tuesday, it was a great flight. Definitely the way to travel, but I did miss going to the Gooch's Bed and Breakfast ;) One of my favorite destinations (maybe this summer). My Mom and Dad picked me up at the airport and we were off. Went to my awesome sister's (N) salon and got my hair done (I am blessed with the greatest family) my other awesome sister (J) came to visit and we had a good time laughing and visiting. Drove to Tooele and visited with my other awesome sister (H) (I know you are wondering how can they all be awesome, just believe me they are) played with her cutie pie kids and then we were off again. Went to my wonderful brothers (D) house, they are a house full of boys and lots and lots of friends. I don't know how they keep up with it all but they do and they are raising great kids. My nephew was doing his last minute things before he left for the MTC, so exciting and it was fun to visit with everyone. We went to my parents house and I fell asleep.

Wednesday: I woke up and realized I didn't have to do anything that day :) Always a nice feeling. Got ready and headed to my sisters (H) house. She got her kids ready and we headed into Salt Lake. Three of us were heading to Womens Conference and my Mom and other sisters (N) and sister-in-law (J) were meeting us at the hotel. With kids and many schedules and things that needed to be done we didn't make it to the hotel until 5 ish. Met up with my other, yes you guessed it, awesome sister (R). We went to eat and then to the hotel to spend some time in the hot tub (my stupid back). It was great, everyone kept coming and then I went and spent the night with my sister-in-law at her parents house to save some moolah (Thank you!). We had a great time catching up on everything. It was nice to have some one on one time.



Thursday & Friday: The sun is shining! Yay. Most WC we have rain or snow or something. We got to WC later than everyone else so we had to meet up with them after the opening. At WC every year we sometimes go to the same classes and sometimes we don't. I went to a great class on depression. For the first time in my life I have suffered with this and I have to say Depression is Depressing (I think I might have that printed on a shirt) It was a great class and gave me a lot to think about. The man who talked is a doctor and he said as a doctor there is rarely anything he can guarantee, but he guarantees that if you are suffering from depression, Exercise, Reading your scriptures, Prayer and of course following the Word of Wisdom you will see improvement. We went to other great classes, tons of choices and lots of topics. If you ever get a chance to go to WC, GO!! It is an amazing experience.

Friday night My Mom and my sister (R) and I went back to Tooele.



Saturday: Tried to sleep in (WC we always get a little behind on our sleep ;)) woke up with a raging headache, YUCK. Luckily it went away fast. Spent the day, helping each other. It was great, I am thankful for my sister (R) and all her wisdom. She is such a blessing to me and others. She headed to Salt Lake later in the day, and my Mom and I went to my sisters (H) to play with the kids again. Later we had a sibling dinner, I have missed out on all of them so far and so has my older sister so it was fun to get together and eat and have fun. Stayed up way late and then headed back to Tooele.

Sunday: So excited that I got to go to the baby blessing! Kate is such a doll, and it was great to see Mike use his priesthood to bless her. Later at their house, Mike actually went and got the baby from someone and brought her to me, almost made me cry. I got to hold and cuddle her and remember how precious we all are. Babies........ they are a true miracle.
Then I went to one of my Mom and Dads resorts with them. It is called Wolf Creek, up Ogden canyon. By the town of Eden (beautiful valley). While we were there we saw Geese and their babies, the house that David O Mckay(Huntsville) was born in and got to play lots of games and of course sit in a hot tub.

Monday: Woke up to birds chirping, I think it was a meadow lark. It was very quiet and then I heard a little whisper "everybody it's time to get up" isn't that cute! Got up went and sat in the hot tub again, played games and just enjoyed being together. My sister (H) went home and my other sister (J) and her husband came up for dinner. We had a good time.

Tuesday: Got up sat in the hot tub one last time. Went to the Ogden Temple, it was nice. Went back to my parents home, my sister (J) came out to visit. Mom and Dad went to see Kolten get set apart for his mission. Then we went out to eat with my Brother (D) and his family at a Thai restaurant. LOVE Thai. Had a good time getting reacquainted with everyone and getting to know those that I have never met. It was fun to see everyone and just be there for all the happenings.

Wednesday: Woke up missing my family, I have only talked to them a couple of times. I know they miss me too. Looking forward to going home.
Went to my Sisters (H) again, to say goodbye to everyone. Said Goodbye to my Dad, he had some work he needed to do and me my Mom and sister went into Salt Lake. While we were there we went over to visit my Aunt Norma, I haven't seen her in ages or Karen, it was nice to visit with them. Then we went out to eat and went to IKEA, my first time ever! Shocking I know! So I have that out of my system now. Check that off my bucket list, HA HA. Said Goodbye to some of my sisters (N)(J) and headed to the airport. Said Goodbye to my other sister (H) and my Mom.

It was a great week, so much fun to see everyone and just be together. I love my family!

Oh No! Not again!

Yesterday I woke up a little stiff and sore, from what? I have no idea. I don't think I had a rough night or anything.

I ate breakfast went through my normal morning, got the kids off to school, got ready for my walk. Debated on whether or not I should walk......... walked anyway.

Came home, sat down for a couple of minutes and TWANG! My back decided to have a spasm. YUCK! I spent yesterday, alternating between heat and cold on my back but it still hurt. Had a back rub or two and took some 800mg Ibuprofen and went to bed.

Woke up this morning still sore, not as bad as yesterday though. I have a trip to Utah coming up on Tuesday, I don't have time to be sick. I started picturing my sisters pushing me around in a wheelchair at Women's conference, not a cool picture.

Looked up some different Chiropractors and a friend called, said she had heard that my back was hurting me and told me about her doctor, so I gave him a call. Went and was adjusted, going back tomorrow. I have my fingers crossed that maybe I will feel OK and not be in pain the whole week I am in Utah. Come on back, lets work together here :)

Spring time

Every day of my life, this little guy gives me this look. Who can resist that face, it just begs for attention.We get his leash and head out. The monkey tree is always entertaining. Jackie got an awesome shot of it.

This picture is to remind me why I need to walk, and to keep me motivated ;)

The flowers are all blooming it is so pretty, I am looking forward to the Rhododendrons and Azalea's, they always look really pretty. I just love springtime! Looking forward to more days in the 70's and 80's.

Craftiness

I have decided to give this a go. The first three people to leave a comment on my blog will win a special something from me. The rules are:

1. I make no guarantee that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It will be done this year.
4. You have no clue what it's going to be.
5. I reserve the right to make something extremely strange.
6. You must post a picture of what you win when you get it.
LET THE CRAFTING BEGIN!

Who am I

I am a little girl. Bare foot, hair flowing, running through the trees.

Care free.

Fascinated by the little things in the world like the color of a robins egg.

I am the awkward teenage girl.

Never sure about anything but doing the best I can.

I am the woman.

Mother of my children.

My husbands wife.

Wanting to be the little girl.

Not wanting to be the teenage girl.

Realizing that those girls made me who I am.

I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father.

Always praying.

I am..........

Emma

Today Emma is officially 12.
It has been so much fun watching her grow. I look forward to seeing great things from her.
It was a little weird to have my youngest graduate from Primary, but she is ready and I guess I will just have to get used to the idea.
I love you Emma and I am glad I am your Mom.

Jacqueline

Where has the time gone. Jacqueline is 16 today. I feel honored that I was chosen to be her mother. She is beautiful, intelligent, has a great sense of humor and puts up with me, what more could a mother want. Happy Birthday Jacqueline! I love you!

?

What to blog about, that seems to be what I think about a lot. Especially after reading every ones blogs.

I have ran dry. I haven't even wanted to do flashback Fridays or anything.

Emma told me yesterday that I need to blog, so here it goes.

As of this week I have I have been trying to play Guitar Hero. For some reason my mind and my hands are not coordinated. I may have to play "easy" forever. I wonder if this will up my brain age.

I am learning how to knit. My girls have really taken off with this and made some amazing things. I am making a dish cloth and am afraid that is taking me too long. I might have to knit on "easy" forever also, not so sure if this will help my brain age.

Some ladies in my ward are playing volleyball a couple of times a month. I figure the more I move maybe the more I'll lose, ha ha. It is fun though and I have enjoyed it and look forward to more.

I talked my walking buddy into training for a half marathon. Not sure if we will get it done this year or not but we will keep at it. We walk four miles every weekday. I am also trying to jog every so often just to see how far I can go before I feel like one of my lungs will burst or my heart will fall out of my chest, I can go about a mile and a half. For someone who hasn't ran for years that isn't bad, I hope.

Those are a few of the things I have been up to. My kids are on spring break right now. I love spring break, I get to sleep in! 7:30 or later is a fabulous time to wake up. We are going swimming today and rollerskating on Thursday and in between I am going to force my son to do his scouting (yes I know I shouldn't force him, and that he should do all that scout stuff on his own, I say show me a boy that does scouting all on his own and I will..............probably not believe you). Make Hope get her senior project done before company comes and try hard to get Jackie to hurry and finish some of her Personal Progress and hopefully get her homework done before Saturday :) Doesn't that sound restful and fun :)

Hope

Eighteen years ago today, I became a mother.

I had no idea what that would mean in my life at the time.

Looking back, it has been the hardest and the greatest thing I have ever done.

I was able to help make a person, a great, wonderful, beautiful person and I am blessed to say I am her Mother.

Happy Birthday Hope! I love you!

Dancing

Last night the youth, from the three wards that meet in our building, had a combined activity. A couple came from another ward and taught them how to dance.
When I first heard what they were going to do, I was a little concerned because most of the YW in our ward have told me they do NOT want to do anything with dancing.

The man taught them and then he would show them what the dance was supposed to look like with his wife.

He had the YW stand against one wall the YM against another and then he made them tap out the beat of the music and then walk to the beat and then he told the YM how to ask a girl to dance and then he had them do it. It was interesting to see the looks on the YM faces and the YW faces. Looks of shock, surprise, Horror ;). It was great. A bunch of boys and girls ran from the gym. This didn't stop the guy he just went to it and taught them a few things and then had them do it and then he would add music and then after a song he would teach them some more and have them do it. He would have the YM change partners, he told them to never leave a date standing alone, the YM and YW had to walk to another couple and the YM would ask the other YW if they would like to dance. It all went very smoothly I thought. It was great and he really took the time to explain things to the youth. The only thing that was bad was that there were about 10 YM without a girl to dance with, my son included.

He didn't mind ;)

Heroes

I like giving blood.

Some people don't, and I used to be one of them.

My first time "trying" to donate was a disaster (to me). It was at Women's conference and there were thousands of women donating. We walked in they gave us a name tag with little boxes to be checked off as we moved through the process. I did fine until they took my blood pressure, it was a little high, they asked me if I was nervous. Ummmm nervous is a nice way of putting how I feel about needles and most things medical. My blood pressure didn't go down so they wouldn't take my blood.

Giving Blood became my shame. I was so embarrassed because I couldn't do it. It took me some time but then I set out on a mission to overcome my fear and embarrassment.

Second time donating blood, I dragged my friend along. We didn't have a lot of time because she had a Kindergarten student and we drove together (that way I couldn't get out of it). We go, I passed the blood pressure test and they took my blood. It didn't end so easily. I got light headed and this little tiny nurse (probably 4 foot something and only weighed 90 lbs.) wheeled my lounge chair over to the side and made me sit there for a long time. My poor friend had to wait for me. So that is two embarrassing stories.

Third time donating. I passed everything again :) I decided to let them know that my last time donating I got light headed. The embarrassing part is that the person taking my blood says in a loud voice "Could I get some help, laying her down?" Then they put my lounge chair down so that I am out flat. I have never seen any one else do this but it works for me. I don't get light headed and I can leave.

Why am I telling you all about this. Because I think donating blood is a very good thing, you save lives! Isn't that amazing! I can't be a doctor,nurse or EMT because I faint at the sight of blood but I can give blood and not watch :) Give blood, it makes you feel good! Kinda like a Hero!

What!

I am not even sure what to say or how to say it.

I am very concerned about our country and our new President.

Does he seriously think that 90% of new jobs generated in his presidency or what ever (I actually stop listening after a while, I start feeling physically ill) need to have something to do with building bridges and roads?

I sure hope that isn't what we have to offer to future generations.

SCARY!

Sixty Two!

This guy!

Laughs at me and then tells me to keep trying.

I don't know if I should keep trying or curl up in a ball and cry.

I feel like an "old dog" learning a new trick.

My mind and my body are not in sync any more.

New goal:

Learn new things

Do new things

Keep playing Brain Age.......

Sandwiches

Today my Visiting Teachers came. While we were visiting one of the ladies said that she hated sandwiches on homemade bread and then explained why. I have always felt that way.

What is it that we don't like:

For one we never seemed to cut the bread uniformly

So as she put it, "Part of the sandwich has thick bread and part of it is really thin"

Sometimes the bread had big holes in it where it wasn't kneaded well enough or something.

So as you are eating the sandwich it is a mess.

I just thought it was funny.

I love homemade bread, just not in sandwich form.

When I was a little girl I thought it was a HUGE treat to get store bought bread, we would pull off the crust and crush it into a ball, mmmmm we thought that was soooo good. My kids think homemade bread is a HUGE treat. Boy how times have changed.

Flashback Friday

(Hope 1992)

(Jackie and Katie 1996)

(Cody and Tayler June 1998)

(Emma and baby doll that Mom made 2000)

Why

Last week my parents surprised me with another visit. It was wonderful, the weather was gorgeous and it was just nice to have company.

Well the company is gone and they took the gorgeous weather with them ;) We woke up to more of this kind of weather this morning. I drove Tayler down to his bus stop, more like I tried to drive. The roads were icy and our van is just not a bad weather vehicle. Needles to say, I couldn't make it back up the hill. George (who is not feeling well) had to traipse down the hill with chains and save me. One inch of snow and we need chains! Hopefully it will all be gone by this afternoon.