february 28... can it really be march tomorrow?

1. I cannot believe March is here
2. Already?
3. Missionary Jack has his 20th birthday in exactly 16 days.
4. He was born 2 minutes before midnight-
5. 2 minutes before St. Patrick's Day.
6. I mentioned to the OBGYN that I was disappointed he would be born on St. Patrick's Day
7. So- he wasn't!
8. 2 weeks ago I sent off his birthday package.
9. I took it to the post office open... just in case it was too heavy.
10. It wasn't, so I taped it up & filled out all the over seas paper work.
11. It took some time - it was a big box (14 lb.)
12. I finished & walked it to the counter. The kind employee asked me for some details to put on the paperwork about what was inside.
13. I listed off-- candy, newspaper articles about BYU basketball, a journal, etc.
14. then I did it
15. I said- "Beef Jerky"
16. She stopped typing into the computer & said- uh oh!
17. some countries don't allow dried meats into the country. Yep- Brazil is one of them.
18. Panic!
19. Please don't write it in the list- Please don't make me claim it in the box- He's a missionary- it's his birthday- It's the only thing he asked for- he has parasites & diarrhea- there's even toilet paper in the box if you don't believe me!?
20. Okay calm down...
21. She sent it.
22. But if the Brazilian mail people open the box they will confiscate the jerky.
23. It's a risk I am willing to take.
24. I just hope he gets the box- full- or even empty- just something...
25. in time for his special day.
26. He's a man now... but he was such a good baby.
27. My easiest baby by far.
28. I miss him

bird watching on a Saturday morning

Yesterday morning Brett talked me into driving over to to the Farmington Bay wetlands. I didn't want to go because it was cold & snowy & I didn't think the birds would be visible.

BOy golly was I wrong!

I was so glad we went!

It miraculously stopped snowing most of the time we were there & we saw so many beautiful birds. Have I ever mentioned here what huge bird lovers we are in this house? We have many feeders in the back yard. Brett comes from a long line of bird lovers. His parents & grandparents were all bird watchers too.

Way off in the distance- hello? my iphone camera just doesn't do justice- did I mention I didn't think we would see anything? I'm so ridiculous...

anyhow- those four posts in the distance are Great Blue Heron nests. With Great Blue Herons in them! They were so beautiful & so awesome to see sitting in their nests.



We really went to see the bald eagles.
I counted 27 in one group - we got in the car to drive over & get a closer look.

Meadow Larks on the way-- hard to see them-- but they sound so pretty.

We are on the very East side of the Great Salt Lake.

It's pretty here- can you believe this former SEattle- ite is saying that?

I never thought this place would look pretty to me.

There they are- majestic.

Eagles in the wild- in their element. It was stunning.

This golden eagle wasn't afraid of people, not one bit.

Amazing- I'm so glad Brett talked me into going.

On the way out I was taking a photo of this guy & missed him flying right over our car.

wow

catching up

So- it's been a busy busy week here at the Messer's.

I'm happy it started with a day off & a trip to Sam's Club.

Seriously- it was fun going to Sam's club... really!

There is a brand, spankin', new store downtown & I love it's crisp clean freshness.

We got hot dogs & a new exercise bike- we've been waiting for the price to go down after the January rush to buy & it finally did. We've been slowly adding one piece at a time & we have nearly a gym now in the basement. It is really a fun place to go & exercise plus watch a movie etc. The bike is great for reading too. I am a believer in having all this equipment, even though I don't use it as much as I should- because folks- it's snowy & cold here. It's hard to get outside in the snow & frankly we get a lot of pollution socked up against the mountains. The air is at times- down right gross. Trent spends hours down there burning energy & maybe someday I will too- ha- don't count on it. (just keepin it real)

I sure love these two cuties!

They spent the rest of the afternoon putting up the bike & guess what? Trent put the whole thing together himself- with supervision of course- but totally alone!

Besides a trip to Sam's club this week ...

We've had ballet, carpool, I've worked some, the missionaries came for dinner, we went to the Blue & Gold Banquet, & last night was New Beginnings for the girls.

crazy

busy

New Beginnings is a first of the year kick off kind of deal for all the young women of our church. It's a time we celebrate each girl, the new girls coming into the program & all the great opportunities that come with being a young woman in our church.

I love how this picture turned out of chloe- hailey's was great too but I was talking too much & didn't get a photo before they took it down... darn it.

did I mention amongst the chaos-

Brian is still working on the floor.

So the whole dining room is taken apart & we eat in the family room- NO SHOES allowed. It's looking GREAT & I can't wait for it to be done... but it's a slow, painful, process & we are trying to get it just right. The paint is drying/curing. Only the white kitchen squares are left. Hopefully early next week I will put the first coat of sealant on it!

I am having a recurrent nightmare of someone walking across it with stilettos. I would seriously take then down. then cry.

How is your week coming along?

better- thank goodness!

Have you ever been sick-
then gotten better & feel like life is worth living again?
I was sick last week with a sinus infection.
The kind that knocks you into bed & you can't get your heavy head off the pillow.
Lucky for me- my Visiting Teachers brought an amazing dinner - it truly helped me & my hungry family.
I got me energy back Saturday- worked the early shift- than ran all over town with my sister & my girls.
Sunday came- I made it to sacrament meeting...
where I nearly collapsed.
I headed home & back to bed.
Now I think I'm really better.
Yep
all
better
fewww!

five minute friday... I thought I give it a try..?

start-
I've been sick all week & today I am finally feeling better- hooooray!
I have a sinus infection, again.
I am loving American Idol this year- love it! did you watch it last night? the talent is incredible- and I think the new judges are actually better than the old ones...? wow
We got 4 inches of snow yesterday- but it was 75 in megan's town- not fair!
Megan, Tony & charlie are coming to visit next month!!!!!!!!
I am so excited-
we are going shopping, eating out, taking Charlie to the zoo (if the weather is good enough) and to the children's museum. We are picking out the new baby boy bedding fabric (say that 10x's fast) and spending lots of time with Laura- megan & laura know each other but not very well so this is going to be fun.
Jack has parasites. It is on my mind a lot. I am worried about him, but he would be so mad at me for being worried or even putting this on my blog. His mission president has him living near a doctor who can see him & give him good medical attention. We thought they were gone, but they or something is back. He of course, has never mentioned this in his emails to us- he just told his dad in a private email.
pray for him- okay?
stop-

a conversation

Trent: I need to start a new business.
Dad: how about washing cars again?
Trent: That didn't work out- I need to get new employees.
Dad: Well who were your employees?
Trent: Just You- You never did help whenever I asked you to.

currently on his door

valentines day

Yesterday was the big Valentine's Day.

I always try to make Valentine's day extra special at our home because I always hated Valentine's day as a kid. So- I had big plans as usual for the day.

It started with waiting...

waiting for the ultra sound news from megan & tony!

We are so happy for them & to be having our second Grandson.

Life just doesn't get better than that- a healthy new Grandson on his way.... ahhh.

After milling around waiting for that news I ran to the store (I was already behind because I wasn't feeling too good- I could feel allergies or a cold coming on.) I needed to get the ingredients for some centers.

chocolate centers!

Trent's 5th grade class were dipping chocolates in the afternoon!
I made oreo & cherry centers.
oh my goodness
this was so fun!
So fun for the kids- I love when teachers give kids an opportunity to do something different- even though it's a lot of work- I think it's such a valuable experience for kids to try new things. Of course, not my kid. He refused to participate. He didn't want any part of chocolate or getting his hands in it?If I wasn't completely sure he was mine... I would wonder.
Last Friday the teacher had told the students whomever didn't have their homework turned in- would not get an opportunity to dip chocolates. Trent took this as his opportunity to skip doing his homework. He told her (very matter of fact) he wasn't going to do his homework this week because he doesn't like chocolate anyway..
oh boy
Um- Hello? Rude!
He had to do his homework & apologize.


We got home & my cold was coming in hard...
I had a million things to do to get the Valentine dinner ready, but my body was shutting down. Even this elaborate gift from trent

He set up this table in the basement as a valentine gift for me since his crap is all over my desk in the office. I have been asking him to clean it up but instead he declared that he put up this table just for me, just for valentines day, so I can have my own space --- seriously? I already have my own space in the office on my desk- you little stink!
Finally- I stopped in my tracks & got sick.
Brett saved the day, came home & took us all to dinner.
It had to be quick & it had to be local. We still had a lot to do. Valentine cupcakes to deliver to the girl's friends & Brian needed to get a dozen roses off to Laura who was at work.
I didn't want to leave the house at all, but didn't want to miss our valentine dinner!

I slept all afternoon today.

I did get up & make day late valentine dinner of Manicotti, bread sticks & salad.

then forgot to take photos!

oh well- Even though I've got a doozy of a cold- I'm feeling a lot better tonight

Happy Valentine's Day

Love, Patsy

chloe & I on a Saturday night

Last night Chloe & I went to see BYU Ballet's production of~ Cinderella with her ballet buddies & their moms. Chloe had received the tickets in her Christmas stocking, so we have been planning this for months.

We had a wonderful time!

First we went to dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Orem~

De Lish...

and then the ballet on campus.

Oh ya- love that campus.

!!!GO COUGARS!!!

hello??

We didn't take a group photo?

Oh well- thank heavens I got this one- even though it spotlights my lazy eye - drunk look?
Chloe & I came home to

a. Hailey gone on her date to the Valentine Dance at the H.School. (photos to come)

b. Brian off somewhere with his fiancee... ahhh cute...

Plus

Brett & Trent who had -

1. finished the laundry (almost)

2. ran to the grocery store to pick up my list

3. picked up the house

4. and finished all the tan squares on the painted floor!

Oh my goodness!

what a couple of great guys...

it's official~ updated

last night...

Brian Proposed!

To his sweet heart Laura

(oh... and she said YES)

We of course knew it was coming.

I mean hey... we have the Salt Lake Temple scheduled & all.

I. could. not. wait-

to make the official announcement here!!!!

A photo will have to come later.

If he were home I would wake him up - or take a photo of him in his sleep (wouldn't he love that?)

but he's not home & frankly we don't really want to see him without her anyway.

Where is he? He got up early to drive down to Provo to be at work at 7:45 AM.

Yes, he still has a job & an apartment down there in Utah County 45 minutes away. He is never there & always here because our Laura is from our town.

Imagine that?

He is marrying a girl he went to Jr. High & High school with! They actually liked each other in the 9th grade. She brought a Christmas present that year. It happened to be during family dinner & we teased him mercilessly.

Who knew??

They are very much in love & we are seeing a side of Brian we never knew existed.

It's fun & weird all at the same time.

Still-

we are the lucky ones!

to have such a wonderful daughter joining the family.

details:

Wedding dinner May 10th

Wedding May 11th at the Salt Lake Temple

Reception that night

It's going to be a busy & exciting Spring.

re-do

It's time.
In fact...
it's past time! To refinsh our painted floor.

I love this floor all painted up. But it is a REallY, REally difficult process. Brian & I started it this week. It's slowly on it's way. Between all the sanding, cleaning, taping, painting, waiting- then more painting and & coats of sealant.... it's going to be a couple of weeks before it is done.

but-

It's going to be GREAT!

elizabeth

Yesterday I got a phone call from my sister in law Beth.

She got the quilt!

I sent it Monday & it was already there.

She was so happy, but I was too.

So happy she liked it.

I've wanted to make something special for her for YEARS. I've been looking for just the right fabric. When i saw this line- Authentic By Sweetwater for Moda

I knew immediately - this is it!

I started it early Fall because she has a November birthday.

missed it

I thought- hey I'll get it there by Christmas.

missed it

Wouldn't you just love to get a gift just for the heck of it?

Now I think, it's almost better this way?

Just so she knows...

she is loved.
(unfortunately the Authentic line of fabric is nearly impossible to find anymore! I wanted some for the backing--- but it was no where in my town or near it. Still- Sweetwater has some other great fabrics. Plus ,that is where I got my super cute fabric labels- You can custom create your own & they are fabulous!!)

hope on a target shelf

For the

second week in row...

SECOND WEEK IN A ROW PEOPLE
Megan's baby ultra sound has been postponed due to snow.

I feel for her.

When I was pregnant with Chloe- Brett & I went to the big ultra sound appointment. Right as we got there- there was a huge power outage. I was so upset. We had to postpone a week. I couldn't believe it, it was such a big disappointment. I couldn't wait to see her- to see that she was really there & growing & healthy & yes a girl....

Gosh- I thought one week was bad- but two times being rescheduled?

If only Trent could get to Arkansas, he would totally punch somebody.

It's hard being pregnant!

If it makes you feel any better megs,

according to the good people at Nabisco-- spring is on it's way.

taking matters into his own hands

Tonight after dinner the girls, Brett & I were cleaning up.

I suddenly noticed....

Hey, where's Trent?

Hailey went to check- he was in the office, on my laptop & the telephone.

Brett went into investigate.

He had called:

Apple- Customer Service Department.

background story

It just so happens that after school he had some chores to do. While he was doing his chores, his sisters were too, but with their Ipods playing in the background. This kid has many, many toys a room full of crappy old computers that he messes around with, a CD player/radio & a brand new Nintendo DS Lite from Christmas... but alas- NO IPod.

He came downstairs to complain & beg & nag me about the unfairness of his life. I went over the usual--

Ipods cost a lot of money, Itouches are more expensive then when the first came out, You have a million & one toys, You could save up for one, or maybe you could get something like that for your birthday, no kid your age needs an IPad ... yada yada yada.

NO I am not buying you an ITouch- not now- not in the near future.

Period.

Well I guess that did it.

He had had enough.

He was going to, "call Apple & insist they sell them cheaper or punch one of their employees!" Well, hello?

Threatening people on the phone is illegal kid.

Back to after dinner.

Brett investigated & sure enough he was on the phone with a customer service rep.

He wanted to know why?

Why are they so expensive & when are they gonna fix that?

The nice gentleman on the other end of the phone took him into the Apple website, talked to him for a bit then-

(trent did not think this was funny & took the matter seriously. He also didn't want hailey taking his photo!)

That's where I came in.

I got on the phone- to hear this guy cracking up. It was a first for him. No one has ever called him to complain about their prices. Well- what do you know? (I could hardly contain my own laughter) I explained that he is is 11 & not happy that all his older siblings, you know- have Ipods. He told me that he showed him where the refurbished products can be found online & that he explained that they do have sales around the holidays but they are only one or two days & the discount- maybe $20-30. He also told him he should never order something online without asking his parents first! WEll THANK HEAVENS FOR THAT.
Life is hard being the youngest in a large family.
Trent- you gotta love the kid.

I finished it!

Last fall I started this little lap quilt.
Last. Fall.
I hate unfinished projects... I loathe them


Last night I finished it!
This morning I put on my tag- and now it is going in to the washing machine to get all spiffied up & clean & wrinkly soft. I can't wait to get it out.

It is going to a new home & I cannot tell where.
It's a surprise to someone special to me.

(I have a bunch of unfinished - well, not started projects for special people- serenity now!)

It feels good after a really hard week to have this done. Like I accomplished something great, against the odds even. Maybe Hollywood will call & want to make this past week into a movie?

(read with a deep voice)

"A blogger finishes a quilt against all odds"

it would be riveting.

Absolutely fascinating.

just a few things....

It's been SUPER cold here.
This picture is from last week when it wasn't cold~ ya last week was all balmy & warm in the 20's & 30's. This week it's in the single digits or below zero!

Last Friday my creative day friends & I went to dinner to celebrate a couple of birthdays.

It was so much fun!

The food was fabulous- and the friendships, priceless.

I really think we should do this more often.

(peanut butter pie, pumpkin chocolate chip buttermilk cake, key lime pie & tollhouse pie)

Can you believe these desserts?

Ya- they were as good as they look.

Megan sent me this darling photo for our Valentine's Day card...

(oh goodness... I hope I get that done)

Her, tony & charlie at the temple.

What a beautiful family!

Just in case you were wondering-

Yesterday was not better than the day before.

It was worse.

but it's okay... Today

it's a new day.