yard decor

Last week

Trent came home

absolutely Thrilled with himself...

seriously excited!

Why?

He had found this-

An old tire.

An old tire in the church parking lot just a block away.

my response-

What the heck are we supposed to do with this?

"I got it for you mom-

It can be a decoration in our front yard!"

Is the Junk Yard look In?
Now what are we supposed to do with it? I don't want him to take it back & have the whole neighborhood thinking we send trent to dump our ol' tires in the church parking lot? Can it be thrown away in the garbage can? Should I put it in the shed & let him do something with it in the summer? I guess I could bing - "How to make a tire swing?"

What on earth?

brazil is calling my name

Monday I got these photos in my inbox!
I was ecstatic to say the least...

I don't know why they are loading so small?

Can anyone tell me how to fix that?

These photos were taken right outside of the church- he wasn't kidding when he said it was right across the street from the beach- ooh that looks so nice... it snowed here yesterday, 4 inches. blah.

Jack titled these photos- ugly ties & nerdy glasses.

Sweet. I'm glad he hasn't lost his sense of humor!

His companion is on the far left- Our old neighbor... FOR REAL is on the far right.

It's a small world-

two months of privacy

It has been two months since I took this blog into privacy.
I still wonder if I did the right thing.
Missionary Jack mentioned a while back that he had given someone my blog address... huh.
I didn't tell him I was private.
I am not being "more honest."
Like I thought I would.
For instance- I haven't written once about the struggles I am having internally- or those with my family that i don't even feel I can write about
now.
It's a good life.
Even if sometimes it's hard.
I guess that's how I choose to see it & write about it.
It's almost like- if I don't write about problems
they may go away
get better
disappear
huh
Denial? I don't know?
maybe
It's personal - it's just personal.
So as you read this blog remember that- It's not always family dinners & holidays here. But it is always family & it is always important & it is always personal.

a full table

Last Friday night (or was it the Friday before? Ya it was)
we had a full table of children for dinner.
It was really fun.
Meatloaf, green salad & baked sweet potato & russet potato fries.
It was delightful.
My girls have the most darling friends!

The next Saturday we had another full table to celebrate Marcus & Brittany's birthdays.
Zesty Crock pot Chicken with Leslie's Orange Salad
Tonight-
Brian & Laura were here for
Skillet Steak with Au Gratin Potatoes!

I made a goal for January - to make dinner every night!

What was I thinking?

I'll tell you what I was thinking-

I had received two new cookbooks for Christmas-

I'm working at a cooking store-

and I wanted to use my creativity in the kitchen...

I've made it- except for two days. They really almost don't count... I mean one night Trent & I got pizza at Sam's club (hardly a five star restaurant) and another day we had corn dogs & make your own. Not too bad, huh!? It's not that we go out for dinner a lot- we really don't. It's just that family dinner is so important to me & this month I have worked hard at it.
I have to admit -
next Friday I am going out to dinner with the blogger moms.
I am so excited...

chuck e. cheese

Monday we all had the day off!
Hooray for MLK day!

In anticipation of Christmas break... months ago I purchases some coupons from City Deals to Chuck E. Cheese. We were to busy to use them during the break--
but Monday was the perfect day!
It has been YEArs- since we have been to Chuck E. Cheese.
The last time we went was long before Chloe was born, when we lived in the Denver area.
Sadly, neither Megan nor Brian could even remember going? (we only went once or twice? still I wish I had been blogging then... the older kids probably don't remember anything fun?)
Anyhow--- the teen girls were not sure they wanted to go- they didn't complain- but hailey did mention she was hoping, there would not be anyone she knew there to see her. I can't say I blame her.

With in minutes we were having a BLAST!!

The Sweethearts came... so cute.

I think we all decided the lizard tongue, spitting, game was our favorite... ?

Hailey has mad skills.

Trent will luckily- not be driving soon.

It was nauseating to watch him drive...

SURPrise--- the pizza wasn't that bad?!

(Brian was dressed up because he had to leave early & go straight to work)

Are these two photogenic or what?!

It's official- hailey, chloe, trent

and I

are dreaming of celebrating our birthdays

with the mouse.

Brett- was just happy there were multiple hand sanitizing stations.

last week

Last week was very busy-
Besides having no camera cord -
I was without my sweet husband...
he was on a business trip for his new job!
It had been a LOnng time since he had traveled for business & an even LOnnnnger time since he had been gone a full week.
Needless to say- I was busy! I was busy working- only 3 days...still.
(I always drive home the scenic way- past the Salt Lake Temple- then past the Capitol building.)

Busy sharing this darling photo of Charlie - that Megan sent to me via text.

I love it!

Isn't he big in his new front facing car seat!?

Baby sitting

I had a preschool day here with three of my favorite preschoolers & got lucky & got to tend these two cuties for a full hour! I sat & held this sweet baby the whole hour. Joy.

I Made loads of Chocolate chip cookies.

Made a "new to me" recipe-- Baked ravioli's-- YUM

(Check out blogger mom's cook for the recipe coming soon!)

Busy helping kids with homework & then surprising them with an end of semester breakfast treat-

Cookie Crisp cereal.

(I had no idea what a HUGE deal this would be...

wow- Trent nearly passed out with excitement- who knew?)

I went to my sewing class & drove home in a snow storm.

Shoveled snow.

Then, Friday night Trent & I went to the Capitol Building as part of a surprise party for my niece Brittany's 30th birthday! Her roommates had planned a Huge party. A limo delivered her to the capitol where 30 guys were waiting with 30 kisses & roses. Trent was one of the guys.

He was so thrilled to be a part of the surprise & loved seeing the limo! Afterwards we went on a date to mom's work (Trent's choice??) and then to Sam's club for some pizza & shopping. In case you didn't know- going to the capitol building & Sam's Club with Heely's on (tennis shoes with wheels in the bottom) is a super fast fun time... if you are 11. Later that night (or should I say the next morning) we picked up dad at the airport after midnight! His plane had been delayed. Boy, were we glad to have him home.

There is no photographic proof due to tiredness.

All in all-

it was a good week.

Not a blogging kind of week.

but a good week.

sew happy

This year for Christmas my mom surprised me with a wonderful & expensive gift!

She was here for the Nutcracker & not happy with my current sewing machine.

Hooray for mom- because she bought me this beauty!

I was thrilled & overwhelmed & extremely intimidated.

Lucky for me- the store she ordered it from has classes on how to use the machine.

(remember I mentioned a while ago that I am taking a night class.) I'm taking a sewing class on how to use my new machine. It has been so much fun. I am learning so much I never knew, I never knew!

(notes on fabric)

It's crazy to think I have been sewing for so long without knowing so many things!

I feel like a beginning sewer all over again. The class is once a week - 3 hours each- for 4 weeks. I can only hope & pray I don't forget everything. Lucky for me you can take the class as many times as you want.

Get a load of this...

My dear friend Sky- just happened to buy the exact same machine!

She & I are taking the class together & are planning on sewing at the store once a week- even after the class is over. This has been a huge bonus- going with a friend- although the first week the teacher threatened to separate us for talking too much... oops.

*when was the last time someone told you to stop talking or be seperated?

*do you sew?

where in the world is missionary jack?

Missionary Jack was transferred last week.
He is now in Sergipe, Aracaju- Brazil.
Sergipe is the city, Aracaju the state. Sergipe is the capitol of Aracaju. Are you impressed by how much I have learned?
After watching this you tube video...
I'm pretty sure I need to pick him up from his mission!

missing: camera cord

I can't find my camera cord.
which is keeping me from blogging.
which is not making me happy.
I WILL find it & catch up on what's going on around the Messer house!

a photo-less post:
I can't believe it's January 10th... time really has to be speeding up.
We are back to our daily routine & it feels good, to me.
It's the end of term, which means loads of homework & stress for the girls.
It will be over friday-
Hang in there ladies!!
Piano lessons, ballet, carpool, and...
the science fair.
Have I mentioned lately how much I HATE the science fair?
because I do.
I told trent if I had known how many science fair projects I would have to do...
i would have only had
megan.
I was joking-
JOKing people, calm down.
Lucky for me- Brett has done most of the project with Trent this year.
This has earned him serious husband points.
I can do a lot of things but not science fair- I have a bad attitude.
I used to love doing it- well maybe
We all know the parents do the whole thing.
With trent & aspergers-- it's a little hard to fake. so he has to do it & he has to be disappointed, because his crazy, way out ideas cannot. happen.
This year (last year he wanted to make a "real" robot to do his homework & chores out of cardboard) he wanted to make a real airplane out of card board... or was that the year before? I try to forget.
His wonderful teacher, came up with the idea of experimenting with music.
His question- how does music affect your heart rate? It's brilliant! doable & he has really enjoyed it.

Last week:
I worked on Saturday
had a bunch of guests for dinner friday
started taking a night class... the subject? TBA with photos!
made dinner every night & used my new pot a bunch :)
had creative Thursday here.

Now if I can find the cord- we are in business!?

a couple new favorites

For Christmas this year

I got something...

something I have always wanted.

Something I have swooned over & possibly coveted.

Just possibly.

I told myself when I got my little job at W.S. that I would buy one with my first paycheck- but I didn't. Why? cause I'm a mom & it was Christmas time, silly! But-- don't you worry your pretty little head off- my sweetheart took me shopping & we bought one together. (I have the discount or I'm sure he would have gone in & bought it himself, wink wink.) I brought it home & put it away with the other hidden presents. Just to make sure I didn't peak at it too much and... I didn't take it out until Christmas Eve.

what could it be... you ask?

(the beginnings of Beef Stew)

A Red-LeCreuset-

Enamel Covered-Cast Iron

Dutch Oven

Oh heavenly day
I am so happy to have one!

What? A pot? What's so great about a pot?

JUST EVERYTHING

Hello?

She & She cook with them all the time!

I've just always wanted one.

There are a lot of copies out there.

But the original-

I have one.

and I like it.

I also got this for Christmas

Mad Hungry

By Lucinda Scala Quinn

I happen to love Lucinda Scala Quinn.

I met her on PBS. She is a friend & employee of Martha at Everyday Food.

She has her own show now (my new favorite show- I watch it EVeryDAY) on the Hallmark Channel. She has three sons & a husband & cooks real food. She has a gift for making real food fast. She understands the importance of family dinner & I like that. It's not just for feeding men & boys. It's about cooking good, economical, family food that's not boring.

guess what pot she cooks with a lot... ?

ya- I got one for Christmas.

Tonight I am making these to go with meatloaf.

I make great meatloaf.

One of these days I will include the recipe on the cooking blog.

Another new favorite.

I am in love with this spiced chestnut hand lotion.

It smells so good.

It smells just like the store to me.

I used to use the sample every time I worked-

just before I left- so I could smell it all day.

It's on sale right now 1/2 price!

I don't know if they will carry it next year?

They mix it up a lot...

Do you have any new favorite things?

the last of the missionary photos... so far

Here are a few of the last section of photos Missionary Jack sent home.

this section of photos is titled Parque Municipal-

I'm guessing he & buddies went to a state park?

He's definitely in the jungle!

What the heck?

Alligators just hanging around in the park?

NO park ranger or gates or fences...?

Jacks says these guys were just little ones..

only 5-6 feet.

He told us there was a family from the congregation who had a 3' alligator living in their back yard (when he was out in the country.) He & his companion took a camera with them to their house to get a picture one day. When they got there they were disappointed to learn that the family had killed & eaten it the night before. That poor mom, how embarrassing? I can totally relate cause- we do that all the time here too.

I don't know what this look is all about but I can bet he is acting out some Book of Mormon character.

Any ideas of what lives in that hole?

scary

this is one of the monkeys that the kids in the country play with.

Jack says they ride bikes with these monkeys on their shoulders.

That just makes me smile.

I'm not sure what this is?

Marcus- you went to Brazil- any ideas?

and what do the signs say?

You guys will all have to read the comments

to see if my nephew Marcus answers those questions.

I know this is Bamboo!

big monkeys!

I really hope he gets a chance to send another photo CD home!

These have been so fun to post & look through.

I mentioned yesterday that he... you know?

had worms

I was getting ready for work on a Saturday morning before Christmas while Brett was sitting on our bed talking on the phone to Megan. He casually mentioned to Megan that Jack had been sick?

WHAT? WHAT- JACK IS SICK?!!

WHAT ON EARTH?- HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS?- WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!!?

Supposedly the little rat had written his dad & told him he had been really sick with worms. They are pretty unavoidable in the country side no matter what the health department says- and that he had been going to the doctor, had been in the ER, and was all better after taking a series of pills... losing some weight... and spending some quality time on the Jon.

(Insert expletives & swear words here____________.)

Supposedly Brett forgot to tell me... ya right?

He said I would, "just worry & get upset," that's just a bunch of bull- cowards.

Our call on Christmas day confirmed that he is A-Okay now-

that the health system in the good ol' USA cannot be beat-

and that he is gaining back some weight...

The kid is a 6'1" string bean now-- gee whiz.

kids

what are ya gonna do?

I'm just glad he is better... so far.