I didn't mean to go so long without posting...

I've had so many great post ideas this week- but then I would run out of time.

My work schedule was different & it just threw me off.

So this post is just a little bit of everything.

What my phone looks like.

The wallpaper? A photo of Jack & Brian the night before Jack left for Brazil.

I made a delicious baked spaghetti that I found on Pinterest one night for dinner.

I've thought of making this before, it's really easy & there in melted cream cheese in the noodles. YUM

(my view walking into work)

Last week at Trolley Square they were filming a movie for ABC Family.

It's a Christmas movie. It was so strange to have Christmas decorations going up everywhere. Customers would come in & ask why they hadn't taken down the decorations yet. Um -- these are new. So weird, since Christmas was like... yesterday, wasn't it?

(my view of filming on my way out from work)

Does the blond girl look familiar?

It's Tori Spelling. 

It's so interesting to watch filming- the sound is all off. The dub the sound in later. 

  

There were loads of "extras" standing around & a Kraft Services truck. 

At work we were wondering if they would've let us slip in line for lunch?

Of course, we were too honest scared to try that! Ha- it was so slow at work with all the commotion- I don't know how other businesses did but it really slowed things down for us! sad

I made buttermilk biscuits & broccoli cheese soup for dinner-

 after we got 5" of snow.

It's been a snowy week!

On Dr. Seuss's birthday, a sweet 5 year old friend of Chloe's made her these "Lorax" inspired trees.

Chloe made two different compound butters to go with almond encrusted French toast for dinner Friday night. Oh boy.. so good.

(almond encrusted French Toast with honey pecan butter)

The highlight of the week was having Johnny come visit!

This is Johnny & I playing on the floor.

(I mopped this week- my least favorite household chore)

Isn't he cute!

He's starting to look like a kid, not a baby- wow. 

He was so much fun & made me even more excited to have the boys (Charlie & Joey) here soon!!

They will be here 5 days before jack gets home & for over a week after. 

Today: I went to sacrament meeting then off to work to teach a class on cooking with citrus. I made this & a few more things... it was so good. You should try this recipe while oranges are still in season. Can I say this week-- I am grateful for my job, that I love it. I am grateful for health insurance- we had several doctors appointments. I am grateful that Megan's kidney stone is out, yes she had a stone & now she is recovering- I wish I was there to help. I am thankful for my sweet heart! we got to meet for lunch one day. Good week.

sweet cheeks

 Look who came to my house last night!!
It was pretty sweet. This fellow is cutting SIX teeth & has been pretty crabby... nothing some peek a boo & ripping up paper couldn't fix. We had a great time & the word is- that he fussed a bit when I left the room!? ya- there's pretty much nothing better in the whole wide world than a baby. Especially a cutie who smiles & giggles as much as Johnny. Love this kid.

johnny & hailey are friends

On Sunday Johnny came over. He was stylish in his fall flannel & khaki pants (so cute!) He brought his mom & dad - aunt & grandma & grandpa with him. He played with us & especially loved giggling with Hailey.

Oh so fun.

visitors from Brazil!

Tonight was extra special. Where Jack is serving in Aracaju, Brazil there is a family who is very good to the missionaries. In fact, this sister has the missionaries to her house for dinner, or even takes them out to dinner on a regular basis. (she tells me all the families are good to the missionaries) Lucky for us, this sister & her husband came to the United States & Utah to visit her sister & cousin-- then visited with us! She called last week to say she was here & I invited her for dinner.
They couldn't come for dinner but did come to visit. They were such wonderful people! They have grown close to missionary Jack. What a thrill it was to visit & hear about how he is doing from someone who really knows. Jack helped them recently do some painting. He used to be in their congregation, but isn't now. He does meet in the same building though & they see him there.Marcus who also served a mission in Brazil & who just graduated with a bachelor's degree in Portuguese, came too- with Brittany & John. Yes- John is a charmer- he is such a good baby. It was fun to hear Marcus speak Portuguese & talk about Brazil with them.
She showed us pictures of Jack from a month ago when they went out to lunch. She told us how he & his companion would come & visit with her & her children. How she had invited other friends who also speak English over & the American missionaries & they all spoke English together. She said Jack is a very good missionary & easy to love... those were her words- "easy. "

funny- that's how I like to describe him myself.

I am so very excited to send these pictures to missionary Jack next week! He just wrote yesterday, but she called after he wrote so he has no idea they were here. She offered to take Jack something from home- so this afternoon I put together a little photo book for her to take. She will see him at church a week from Sunday. I can't wait for her to see him & give him the photo book!!

How fun is this!?

What a great blessing