making it to the temple

This morning I had two meeting to be at-

the first one was canceled & I got an email yesterday night saying I didn't have to go to the second one after all. Hurray- unexpected time on my hands. I got a bunch of little things done this morning. Late morning I kept hearing this loud banging noise. It sounded like someone was shutting a door, but no one was home... except max & me.

Bronco went to the vet today to get the Big Fix. Or as Brian called it when max had the same procedure done (before he was a missionary & was taking Spanish in H.S.) - NO Dos Huevos-

I finally realized after a lot of looking around- that the huge icicles on my house were falling off. That meant even though it was 71 degrees a week ago it was just getting to be around 40 today. We got five inches of snow Sunday. Another five inches of snow Monday- none today (with the big warm up & all) and yes... we are expecting snow tomorrow.

Spring in Utah?

I hope it's not a lot because - look you can almost see my grass again!

At Christmas when I talked to the missionary on the phone he asked me if I had been going to the temple. Yes- I said. I had gone in November & December- but no I don't make it every month. I thought when my kids were all in school it would be so easy. But it hasn't been. It's all about priorities I guess? So- I promised myself- that if my son can spend two years of his life, postponing his education & everything else to teach people of Christ- I could at least make it to the temple every month. I mean- hey- I only live 8 minutes away- I clocked it.

I wasn't sure I was going to make it.
But I did! Even if it was the last day of the month.


It felt so good to be in the temple today.
I couldn't help but tear up over & over recounting my enormous blessings- especially in the past two years. I am so grateful not to miss this month. I won't wait so long next month. I hope.

dogs & little boys

Every morning I try to walk the dogs. I try to walk them again in the afternoon- we don't go very far but they love it. It's good for us all. They get so excited, especially the puppy-- that by the time I get the leashes on them I'm ready to call it quits- Just kidding.

They are crazy though! Of course, I'm not the world's smartest dog trainer so that doesn't help. Poor Bronco was sitting...

This afternoon I took the cub scouts (with two other moms/leaders) to the University of Utah Museum of Natural History. We earned the museum walk patch. It was a little crazy... kind of like the dogs, but really educational & fun.

Besides cool dinosaur bones, minerals & precious stones, there was a great hands on lab

and a super cool, temporary, live amphibian exhibit.

There were frogs from all over the world. They were really fun to see.

The first Monday of every month is free at the museum.

If you are local & don't have plans- it would be a fun/free start to spring break next week!

journaling a saturday

It has been a really busy weekend. The kind of weekend when you feel like you need a break & you're ready to go back to school & work to get one. AFter a long Saturday of yard work & a nagging nine year old who is ready to put in a roof with solar panels on his tree house?? (heaven help us)- brett went to HOme Depot to buy weather stripping for the back door (bronco chewed it up & a snow storm is a comin'.) He brought home some rope for my scouts. How thoughtful - I know?!! Romance is not dead. He & trent measured it off & he taught trent how to burn the ends & tie it up into neat bundles. Now when there is down time with the boys I will have them start working on knots.
It looks like he tying trent up. Hmmm... that's got me thinking?

(quilt squares- I'm working on two quilts for the twin beds in chloe's room)

The Girls had AIM= achievement in music. It's a music testing day... hard to explain- they play two songs for judges, scales & more, then have a written test. There are 10 levels in AIM. Hailey is level 6 chloe is 4. It's pretty tough. But remember- we can do hard things :)

One of these days I will put video up of them playing. Their songs this year were amazing- fabulous & so hard. They are wonderful musicians. March is tough, but one day they will thank me.. right? I tried to take video at their recital last week & my camera wouldn't work!aargh!! Now they probably won't let me... we'll see...

AS I was thinking about telling them 'they could do hard things' I refrained. Moods were low. there was some serious frustration & even piano pounding going on... I kept my mouth shut- but thought to myself. I can do hard things! I got down on the floor & cleaned it! Scrubbed it! the whole painted floor- whole thing. Then cleaned all the floors & got tons of laundry done. I cleaned most of the day. Yes- I can do hard things.

Rugby Jack came home with blood running out of his under armour. Gross. Bronco thought he smelled good though.

Friday I went to Costco & bought this evil stuff that has sustained us through the hard times this weekend. Que Bueno. Have you ever tried it? Don't judge me until you've had it! It's so, so good. Brett tried to read what was on the ingredients but I wouldn't let him- I don't want to know. Let me live in happiness. I only buy it maybe once a year. I mean come on... it's a whole can of cheese sauce. Once a year/can of cheesy queso = happiness.

Later Saturday night the girls & I went to the general YW conference broadcast at the stake center. It was FAntaSTic! I cannot wait for next weekend- Conference weekend is my favorite weekend of the whole year!!!

Now it's Sunday night- Brett was in charge of a YM stake fireside on the duty to God program. He is a great motivational speaker. He did a great job. It was nice to sit in the audience with jack. It snowed at least 5 inches today, but it's melting. More snow to come tomorrow. I just wrote to the missionary. Monday is email day. My favorite. I hope he is good. I know he is.

a conversation

(note: we went to the library this week & Trent checked out "Treehouses & Playhouses- You Can Build" pluse "Backyards for Kids"-- oh, when will I ever learn?)

Trent: Mom, can I use your computer?
Mom: sure
Trent: how do you spell HOme Depot?
Mom: h.o.m.e. d.e.p.o.t.
Trent: how do you spell Solar Panel?
mom: ?
Trent: when are we going to put the roof on my tree house? I need to put in a solar panel so I don't have to wire it. Does Jack know how to use a nail gun?

all kinds of creative goodness going on

Yesterday for creative Thursday we met at Kristy's house.

I got there a little late - rough morning.

When I got there look what was waiting-This BEAUtiful Lunch!!

Pasta Fagioli- Homemade Breadsticks & Salad

Kristy is a FABulous cook -(these recipes will soon be on Blogger mom's cook.) The soup- so good- makes 9 quarts- so there was enough for us- her daughter & friends- then dinner later. Kristy is one smart gal! She made the bread sticks with her bread maker & I can't wait to get the recipe myself... they were Fantastic.

Oh ya- she even made LEMon BArs -that were out of this world- I love lemon bars. I can't make lemon bars. I can't. I've tried. I can make anything... but lemon bars. Every time I make them they don't turn out. It's a curse. I've quit trying.

This week I worked on some baby bibs & burp clothes of the humanitarian center. My R.S. has been doing this on going project- donating fabric & making these. I've been doing 3-6 for a couple of weeks now. So cute & easy.
Wende was working on her fantastic cupcake birthday cards.

ARe these so cute or what!?

There was a whole lot of creative goodness going on-
but better than that - great friendships.

I was thinking...
if you are local (you know who you are) would you like to join us?
In the future would anyone be interested in a big Creative Thursday?
Kristy's friend stopped by when she saw all our cars at her house & brought us a treat. WE tried to get her to stay, but she wouldn't. So if anyone is interesting- i will plan a big creative thursday.


*are you in?

unexpected blessing...?

I had a bunch of errands to run today-

lots of good mail to sendAnd a scout patch to pick up.

I am officially nuts over scouting. Brett went up to turn in Jack's Eagle papers (hurray!!) earlier this month & they didn't have the patch I needed. Someone inexperienced tried to give him the WRong patch... I called today, they said they had it in- I went to get it myself- instead of putting it on the list for the cub master. I was worried they would give him the wrong patch... you just don't promise boys a patch- then bring the wrong one. Am I right?

So off to Salt Lake City I went this morning.

{AFter dropping off Hailey's homework, which she left in carpool & after I made her promise to pick up the upstairs bathroom EVEry morning this week as payment for bringing it- (what a sweet deal!) She crossed her heart, hoped to die, stick a needle in her eye. So she better do it. I would hate for her to be blinded. In our house this commitment is binding & serious.}

I was on my way to a restaurant supply store to pick up something for Janae - since I was already downtown- & look what I happened upon.

OH my- a bakery I had never seen before!

Tulie Bakery

in case you didn't know...

I have a thing for bakeries

Which is obvious when you see my backside- or front side for that matter.

I wasn't going to stop- no- no.

But then, something just came over me.

I made a u-turn & went inside. Let me just say...

My life has been changed for the better.

It was wonderful!

I didn't take my camera in for fear of having to explain myself, but I really wish I would have. Look at what I bought.

Chocolate mousse & a cookie for Janae.
The chocolate mousse was
ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE!!
i WISH you all could taste it.
It was seriously the very best I have EVEr had
It had three layers:
A thin layer of dark mousse on the bottom
milk in the middle
sweet cream with a hint of orange on top.

I'm not sure I will ever be the same.
I will have to drive in to Salt Lake all the time now.
My rear end is in real trouble.
Maybe I should have stayed home today :)

off to work

So yesterday there was No School due to the end of term last Friday. I'm all good with that- except for the weather was rough- snow/rain mix all day. Trent didn't care- he was over the top thrilled - because dad had invited him to lunch at his office. This is a rare occurrence & therefore VEry exciting for the big/little guy. He got up & got dressed- I reminded him he needed to look nice at dad's office.

He replied that sometimes he doesn't "do his hair very good"

so we decided he should wear a hat.He took along his NIntendo DS - just in case he got bored.Dad decided it would be a good thing to let Trent come up to his office on his own...? I'm a little over protective- but agreed & dropped him off, watched him walk in, then waited for brett to confirm he made it off the elevator- feewww. I guess I should lighten up?

Trent had so much fun & was so good, he ended up spending the whole afternoon. this was so helpful for me - I finished my quilt & dropped it off at the quilters. (This is thrilling- making a quilt was one of my year goals & here it is only March!!) We used the same system picking him up- He looks so big.

(I don't know why this is sideways? I didn't take it sideways like I usually do-)

My house is TRashED & I am feeling really low.
I am plagued with negative thoughts & overwhelmed with the mess I have created.
Maybe it's the lazy eye taking over--
or the severe wrinkles on my forehead?
Somehow- making a quilt- threw me off my groove.
Oh the price of getting something done.....

Yesterday this good lookin' stud & I went to watch rugby jack.

Isn't he cute?!!

He always looks so cute on saturdays with his holey jeans & bbcap.

I just look like one of those frumpy, lipless, mom's who has lost all desire to live.

I have no sense of style...

Oh how I wish I had one!

-I just don't-

There was this really cute mom there with cute jeans & darling mary jane shoes on. I just kept staring at her. I'm sure she thought I was a nutso out of my mind. I was studying her clothes, thinking-- how did she do that?

It was Super Windy & sunny & I had to use my Sunset magazine to keep the sun & wind out of my face. I forgot to mention the other day that I get Sunset magazine. It's okay. The publishers of Cottage LIving are sending it to me since they have been discontinued! I am so sad about this. I read it faithfully from cover to cover. It was my very favorite magazine of all time!! If I would've known I would've saved all my past issues. I was trying to be good, get junk out of the house, recycle- dang it!!!

I am in mourning still....

Trent & his asperger friend were playing in the park behind me. I have said this before- when those two get together They SAy the FuNNIEst things!!

NOw of course, I can't remember them exactly- but one of them had to go to the bathroom, the bathrooms were locked, we ended up running to mcdonalds & I got the play by play on how it all came out- if you know what I mean- over & over.

We don't talk about these things unless we really need to- or if we want to explain the whole drama to dad who missed the whole story- we repeat it- that way dad knows what mom had to go through on the way back to the rugby field.

rugby jack's team won by a whopping 60 something to 9.

I think. I was watching intently. REally I was! When jack got taken down by the neck, I gasped, then just decided not to watch as intently. Maybe what I don't know won't kill me? It was a really good game. No injuries. We won.

He's got a good team this year.

They mixed with another high school in the area so now he's not the team captain & doesn't start every game- so that's a bummer. But it's a decent team & they are making a good showing.


(the stud & his boy)
I have been so inspired lately by
V & Company
I found her great blog last week & I keep going back.



I decided to get out some material & make a quilt.
I have been working on it a little this week then I got CRazy & couldn't stop working on it Friday night & Saturday. I pretty much didn't get my chores done & now Sunday is not set up like it should be..... I love sewing love it- but I LOSE what little mind I have whenever I start a project like this. I just can't stop. If I stop- it won't get done- I think?! Balance- where are you?

But- look how great it is turning out to be!

The sashing is a little wider than I wanted it to be...

My sewing/laundry room is completely trashed now. It just never ends. I am hoping to get the quilt done tomorrow & take it to my friend who is a quilter. I cannot wait until it is ready to be bound!

I am wrapping this up to put in the mail tomorrow!

Today at church it was a missionary farewell. (sniff sniff)- this missionary is going to Mozambique. Oh I am so grateful, for my baby being in Chile. I thought Chile sounded far away?

It was a great meeting- I can't really sum it up- just really good

All in All- it's been a crafty, sewing kind of weekend, mixed with some rugby, dishes, grocery shopping, ballet carpool & cooking.

I am putting one of my all time favorite desserts on

blogger mom's cook tonight-

check it out later :)

creative thursday with photos!

Even though my camera wasn't working...

I got some pictures this week from creative thursday

thanks to Janae for letting me use her camera!!

(view from my place at the table)

I am on a sewing kick & loving it.

I don't usually like to tote my machine around-

besides being old... it's really heavy.

I am so glad I brought it today - I got a lot a project done that

I am thrilled about.

Having a day out of the house-

getting something creative done-

spending time with these great friends-

PLUS janae made the most delicious chocolate cake-

MY FAvorITE!

Not to mention hearing all about Karrie's

fun trip- Karrie just got home this week from a cruise.

She is so adventurous. Traveling to the Dominican Republic and on stand by!

Oh the stories...

I'm so glad you made it home-

And with SAnd for my collection!!

thanks

Here's what I'm working on-

(done with) a cherry apron for megan.

It was a very productive Creative Thursday!

friday favorite

I have an addiction.

It's a serious problem...

I love, love, love

MAGAZINES

-LOVE THEM-

I try to tell myself that I am not buying them.

I have enough.

I subscribe to way too many....

and heaven knows I can find most of what I am looking for on the Internet for free!

But there is just something about getting a magazine in your mailbox.

It's great good mail!

I love this one

and this one

and this one

and this one

and this one
WHAT?- THIS ONE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED??

another death of a magazine....

I'm depressed now

gotta go

happy st. patrick's day

So I did it!

I followed the advice of the 2 clever mom's & bought Lucky Charms for breakfast-

then made the cutest ever

green lunches for my kids.

I took GReen loaves of bread to my VTeachee's & made a quick

but yummy GReen dinner. Besides all that it was our R.S. birthday party.
I had signed up to decorate a cake
I opted for taste over St. Patrick themed...

and went with my favorite chocolate cake
Black Forest Style
I LOVE this cake
SO EASy & SO darn moist & good!

Every RS activity involves the Young Women in our ward.
It's the BEST Idea for Relief Society EVer!
The Young Women leaders get to come to the R.S. activity & the girls get to hang out with the women & their moms. They are just so fun to have around- all the women gush over them.

After the party I ran to Target to grab a couple of things...
while I was waiting for a RX to be filled I ran into these
CUPCAke SAndaLS
They are so cute!
Too bad Chloe & Hailey won't wear them- they won't fit me either!
-Bummer-

On a not so happy note-

today wasn't my best day...

I had a long Community council meeting with the worst cramps-

(holy hell- when is that going to be over??- I'm talking about the cramps)

came home to two sickos, then got ready for a scout service project.

Let me just put it this way- I only swore once.

I may be getting released from scouts....?

At least it was just two boys overhearing me say -

what the hell were you thinking?

to my own kid-

but still--- I'm pretty sure swearing is frowned upon.

getting nine year old boys to do work is really not easy, especially my own scout who sat in the car & pouted & now is throwing a huge fit because he didn't get the scout treat.

LESSON LEARNED:

**PMS & CUB SCOUTS do not mix**

*does your local bakery bake GREen Bread?
*do you consider Hell a swear word????

a whole lot of birthday goin' on

Tonight was Jack's birthday dinner.

We invited three friends & his cousins Marcus & Britt over for dinner, pie & ice cream.Jack's choice-

Grilled steak, garlic & parmesan mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus

Plus-apple & blueberry pie with vanilla bean ice cream! One thing about your kids getting older

their birthday menus get better!

We waited for Jack & Seth to get home from rugby practice as long as we could

then started with out them... they got here 1/2 hour late- but soon caught up with us.

Here's Jack & his good buddies

Seth, Zach & Cory

I really like these boys!

I forgot to take pictures of the rest of us- aargh!

(I'm rolling my eyes)

So today after a council meeting I was in charge of-

I ran around town buying presents & dinner ingredients

then came home, made pies, wrapped them, hung up the birthday banner, cooked dinner-

The selfish me was thinking--

***

wasn't it me who was working 18 years ago?

wasn't it me pregnant 9 months then in labor?

***

I guess I am kind of wiped out.

I feel like this is a special day in the history of my life.

18 years ago I gave birth to this boy, this young man.

It's reverent & sacred- bringing life into this world.

I want to celebrate my child.

It is his day.

But in my heart I know it's my day too.

One of my best days in my whole life.

ThIs LIFe

what a privilege

I'm so happy to be living it!