our first ice storm

Where Megan lives- Ice Storms are not uncommon.

But--- at our house-- They Are!

It's been a frigid winter & here is more proof

(up close-- ice covered car)

On this morning- Brett needed to be at the airport for a day trip to Vegas. I took him at about 5:45 AM. On my drive home from the airport-- about 6:15 AM- the ice storm hit. 

It was white knuckle driving, to say the least. The freeway speeds slowed to 30 MPH. Cars were off the road & I was just a little nervous. I MADE it home & then-- 

I was determined to pick up Chloe. 

She was to be discharged at 10:00.

 I didn't care if I had to crawl all the way to the University of Utah- I was picking her up & bringing her home! It only took me an extra 1/2 hour to get there. The ice wasn't as bad.

 

We got home alright-

but then I couldn't get the car up the ice covered driveway-

then we couldn't get ourselves up the ice covered driveway!!

Chloe finally decided to climb through the snow.

The soft snow was covered with crunchy ice. It was like creme brulee- that's what we called it.

A crunchy coating on the soft snow.

Thank you so much to all of you who have been praying for Chloe. 

And double thanks for those who have fasted & put her name into the temple.

Thanks for the good mail packages & cards. 

Thanks for the anonymous packages dropped on our door.

Everyone around us has been so kind & generous to our family.

Chloe has had an extreme increase in Tourettes tics which has increased her OCD & affected her mood & overall anxiety. She spent 10 days in a treatment program in the hospital. She is now in an out patient program & working with new meds & a lot of therapy. It's been a very emotional month for all of us. I can't even imagine how much for her!? Through it all she remains our sweet Chloe. I adore her. She is amazing. She has decided to beat this- and someday-- become a motivational speaker.

 If anyone can do it- she can!

winter chickens

Laverne & Shirley

They just keep on producing eggs!

Even in all this snow- they are two sweet ladies.

We LOVE them.

Every evening at dusk

they wander back into the chicken coop & settle in for the night.

We get 1-2 eggs a day.

We should get more as the days get longer.

I feel bad for them out there in the cold. They seem happy though.

They are such good friends.

***

I have some excellent news.

Besides the fact that Chloe is doing very well...

Megan & her sweet family will be here on Monday!!

MONDAY

Chloe should be home on or around Tuesday and then ~

all my chicks will be home for a time.

Brett & I could not be happier about it.

In the mean time I have myself some baby bedding to make!

TWO sets for our TWO identical, twin grandsons-- who will be here in less that a month!

Oh the joy

Every Little Thing

 Is Going To Be All Right

snow day 2013

Last Friday will go down in history in this family.

It was the first ever

"snow day."

We have lived in Utah for nearly 17 years & we've seen a lot of snow.

But never once have we seen a snow day.

Thursday night as Trent was getting ready for bed he kept asking me- do you think they will cancel school? Absolutely not-- was my reply. Just go to bed & forget about it.

 It Won't Happen.

Low & behold-

I was wrong!

 (this picture is before the next 4-6" fell)

Friday morning I woke up to an early text from the day's carpool driver-

 No School. Sleep In.

-nice-

I think our town officially got 22" in the storm- but our yard, which faces north still had old snow. On Friday morning we had 32" in the front yard. This is not in a pile either.

I could just imagine- every kid in the County shouting for joy!

Even my older kids called- Is it really a snow day?

Yep - a miracle occurred & a true snow day was called.

Brett still had to go into a work meeting- but I spent the day catching up on some cleaning (I was supposed to have week 2 of my cooking classes.) Trent- played outside off & on nearly all day.

It kept coming & coming.

Saturday morning as I was headed into work, Brett insisted on driving me. I thought he was nuts. They always have the freeway & main roads clear.

He was right & I was wrong!

It was a mess & I was so glad he drove me. 

I can drive in snow, but this was really bad.

Happy day- the inversion is gone, the snow has stopped, but continues to be beautiful.

The temperatures record cold. The low last night was 0.

But it was fun while it lasted- our first ever true snow day!

creating

Last week- besides finishing the quilt-

( I forgot to mention I am naming that quilt "snow day")

I finished two pinterest projects!

I had some fabulous orange hand soap that I made a soap dispenser to match- It is sitting on my sink next to the dish washing soap.

I also made these birthday cards. I need a lot of birthday cards throughout the year. This idea I found at Ucreate. Kari at Ucreate is the best! She used to be missionary Jack's Sunday School teacher!

Being creative is the best way to improve the winter blues.



the view from my window

 Winter is here

I've gotta say-- I'm not hating it.

On my mind:

73 days.

It feels like he has been gone for 10 years.

I am so done with this.

COME HOME JACK!

JACK-- COME HOME!

please

I miss you

{Am I a bad person...? selfish? I just miss my son... 73 days, 73 days, 73 days}

Last night I was thinking about the airport... how there will be a lot of us there when he comes out of the secured area. I'm thinking-- I will bring a stool. Jack is too tall for me to really hug him unless I'm standing on a stool- or the stairs or something. Tears welled up in my eyes. I will be first to hug him... then Brett- then me again. then it's a free for all.

 BYU sent a confirmation email last week letting him/us know if he was re-accepted for fall semester. I don't know his password, so I hope he made it? I didn't apply for him, so he must have done that? He emails today... so you know what that means--- me checking my email every few minutes or so. You know, just in case he's there. Then I can write a message at that minute & say hello live! Like in person, kind of. Technology- I Love it!

Can I tell you? I am so very relieved & happy to be in love with my sweet husband. I couldn't live through losing all my kids to real life without him.

 He is my true love & my rock.

still-

I miss my kids- it just doesn't matter how many I have. I love them all. They are a piece of me. Like a part of my heart went with them when they were born & I will never get it back completely.

Maybe I am still sick? Just missing Jack today.

blown away

It's been a very hectic, crazy, scary & long couple of days.

The wind came for a visit.

East wind- came to my town & blew hard. Gusts up to 102 MPH to be exact.

It started early Thursday morning around 2:00 AM. I was awake... so I know. Around 3:30 AM Trent woke up & we went downstairs- hoping not to wake up Brett. The power was out- and we landed on the couches. We didn't sleep much... and around 5:30 the power was back on & we turned on the news. Semi trucks were knocked over on the freeway, trees were down all over town. The weather man said if you live in our town- do not send your kids to school no matter what! School had not been canceled. Soon after that the power was out again & we all were up.

Brian & Laura came here- they have single pane windows & were worried.

Our fence blew down.

We watched the roots of the tree just behind our house- rocking almost out of the ground back & forth. Brett ran to Home Depot- bought 100 feet of rope. He & Brian tied it to the tree, then to another tree & anchored it. It wouldn't have hit the house- but would have crashed threw the deck.

 (I finally cleaned up all the Thanksgiving decorations in my warm hoody)

It got cold. Really cold- 15 degrees with the wind chill outside & 50's inside. Brett was out & about helping neighbors & checking on people. Chloe & Hailey were at the Johnson's-- their house was slammed!!

 You can see past the car there- the tree roots coming up threw the driveway! Below: two more trees down- one went through Carolines bedroom wall. They had windows blown out too.

We ate dinner at WEnde's house - their power was back mid day.

School was canceled- finally- and for today too- no power!

WE all slept in the family room with the gas fireplace on. It was cold- but around 1-2:00 AM came on. It was quite an adventure. We are truly blessed. There are still people tonight without power- we just hope ours stays on for the night!? All & all we are blessed- and remembering that truly things are just that-- things. Family, friends, the gospel- our relationships. Those are truly the important things in life. 

more here

winter is getting me down

I know it's April 3rd... You know it's april 3rd... but somehow Mother Nature hasn't clued in yet. It snowed off & on all week- ALL WEEK. I know I should'nt complain, we are not flooded like so many people in the Dakotas, we need the rain, yada yada yada. StILL. I got up this morning, saw the snow & I've been dragging all day. To top it off- spring break has officially begun. More snow expected tomorrow.

*is it just me or does extreme unseasonal snow drive everyone crazy?

view from my bedroom window

Science Fair Wrap Up

Chloe ~ Science Fair 2008 Today was the annual school science fair... you know the science project we turned in by the skin of our teeth last week. Anyhow I pulled myself up by my bootstraps- walked on the treadmill (yes exercise does help)-took a shower - & went to check it out. Doesn't Chloe look excited? She really was excited. After the judges had gone through all the projects the parents were invited to take a look. Military personnel from Hill Air Force Base came to judge- so cool. Chloe was excited because the "nice guy" came to judge hers. I didn't meet them so I'm not sure what that was about but she said he was really fun & nice to the kids & not too serious- all important qualities.
Look at this baby~ Not too shabby!
Here are Chloe's favorite picks from the other kids.
(all of 4th-5th & 6th grades participated this year)

Will a gold fish live longer in water that is changed daily, weekly, or monthly?
We have had the same goldfish- Zore for 3 years & we love him so this is an important subject at our house. His "girlfriend" Ellie died after 1 year this summer which was very traumatic for Trent. If you're seriously bored you can read about it here. (it's really cute)

Acid Rain.

I didn't read too much about this one- Chloe like it though.

My favorites...

besides the best one- Chloe's (as Trent would say...duh!)

Coke will it turn a nail rusty?

Now that's something I want to know!! Guess what, this kid tested Coke, Diet coke, Mountain Dew, Sprite & water. The good news...nothing rusted. The bad news... water was the hardest on the nail???? Now I'm scared.

Then, the diaper debate.

Which hold more liquid- the expensive name brands or economic generic?

I loved this... very practical & YES GENERIC WON! I love to root for the underdog.

Here's our self portrait! It was really fun walking around with her & learning so many fun facts. I guess the science fair isn't that bad... I'm still glad it's over.

After that I went to Costco & out running errands. Nothing cheers me up like a trip to Costco. I love this place. Costco continues to be the best place to fill up my car.

How much is gas at your house?

Thanks so much for all the kind comments today. I'm feeling better. Although it's absolutely blizzard-like outside- but it's okay- I've figured it out.

The best way to beat the winter blahs- GREAT COMMENTS ON MY BLOG. Now let's hope it'll last..........hmmmmm.

THANKS FOR READING

I Feel Like I'm Taking A...

Nose Dive

I just can't seem to pull up out of the winter blahs.

I don't want to start the projects in my head, I don't want to clean my house- I am keeping all the basics up at least but that's it. I don't want to do my regular volunteer work. I just keep finding myself looking through my summer posts. Here is sunny July...

I used to think I was a pretty positive person, but it seems I complained about the heat of summer a lot too.

Maybe blogging isn't such a good thing. Maybe I need a sun lamp- since I won't be seeing the sun again anytime soon. The forecast calls for snow, snow & more snow. I normally really like snow in moderation- I'm just spinning downward.

*does winter get you down?

*do you know how I can pull up?