wednesday what's up

Goodnews... shannon & aimee & kim sue were totally right!!

Keebler is making mother's look alike cookies!

(keebler has the cutest website, click on the words above!!)

Hurray- and for being so concerned & diligent about looking into this important matter- I'm running to my local grocery tomorrow morning & sending you each a pack- if I can find them- which I should be able to- right?

This way we can talk cookies & really "know" what we are talking about :)

This week is "early out week"for the elementary & "late start" for the High school. Oh my. It's okay. I can do hard things :). Seriously, someone on the administration level WAS NOT THiNking!!

Trent in all his excitement has been home & will be home everyday at 1:30 instead of 3:30. Jack in all his sleepiness has been sleeping in, getting up just before trent leaves & heading out the door at 9:15. That means I have a severely shortened work day, if you know what I mean?

One thing you need to know about trent- he hates, HATES going to the store. He always has... even as a baby. So I have tried to get anything & everything done as far as errands go before he gets home. Today I just couldn't get it all done so lucky for us Trent's sweet buddy lily came along to ease the errand tension. she really did the trick. Isn't she a cutie?!

When Lily went to piano- trent & I went to cub scouts.

Tonight we had yummy hawaiin meatballs for dinner, watched American Idol, worked on our taxes (brett did that) found out we have paid a lot of tax this year....

then look what arrived at my door!

JANAE THE baking wonder brought these amazing mini chocolate cupcakes!

For the first time in my whole life I cannot eat something because it truly is too cute & I don't want to ruin it. Chloe has just told me I am so lucky to have friends that are always bringing me something... (sky brought me a german chocolate cookie yesterday) She says she wants to be "cool" like me & my friends & do nice things for her friends-- but she can't--- she doesn't have any money & the money she does have she is saving for college. It's rough being a kid.

(she's already "cool", she made cupcakes on sunday & is ALWAYS making nice things for her friends... she just wants a cupcake & I won't let anyone have one)

Today I did 5 loads of laundry, changed the bedding on trent's bed, made pancakes for breakfast, scrubbed 1/2 of the painted floor, ironed 8 shirts, cleaned one toilet, wiped down three mirrors, fed two dogs twice, ate lunch with my sweetheart, talked to my college roomate marji on the phone, read & did homework with a now "9 1/2" year old, picked up an RX (pure torture 40 minute wait), taught 6 cubscouts about our community, made dinner, ran to the dollar store for cub scout supplies, did the dishes, I'm sure I'm forgetting something-- I don't know about you- but I am TIREd.

*how was your wed.?

still crying....

I'm sick about it!

What is this world coming to?

First-- my FAVORITE magazine shuts down &

Now this????

NO MORE PINK & WHITE CIRCUS COOKIES?

these are seriously one of my very favorite things of all time.

they've been closing since October & I am just finding out about it??

HOW CAN THIS BE?

See what happens when you try not to eat so much junk food? (I should've known that was a bad idea- )now the stores are probably all out.

I am devastated.

did anyone else know about this?

why wasn't something done?

so sad

young women who know

Weeks ago I was asked to be a "guest speaker" or guest lesson giver- today in Young Women's.

Young Women's is where young women (12-18) meet on Sunday, after Sunday school to learn about the gospel.

My subject was one of my favorite things:

Homemaking.

Some of the topics we covered were:

- HOmemaking & housekeeping are different, HOw?

- Every person is a HOmemaker, whether they know it or not!

- Our attitude is key to how we do in this position.

- Why is it a good feeling to be in a clean home?

- How does Homemaking add to the spiritual atmosphere of a home?

Quote: "When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children"

( Julie B. Beck October General Conference Saturday afternoon session talk- Mother's Who Know.)

The main idea today was:

Young Women who "know" want to be Homemakers!

YW who know realize that being an excellent homemaker is a choice & something to be proud of. We can be & do anything we want-HOORAY- but no success is more important than success in the home.

Imagine my delight when I woke up from my Sunday nap to these!!

Chloe had made strawberry cupcakes with lemonade icing-

OH MY GOODNESS-

delightful. yummy. surprise

-Today I feel like I am doing something right-

although it is a great feeling (I've had it before) it's usually fleeting and

typically is followed by intense moments of humiliation.

(I'm joking here people)

For now-

I'M LOVIN' IT

*how was your Sunday?

creating.... cupcake aprons

So this week- I have a couple of friends with birthdays.... I wanted to create something special- so I have been making cupcake aprons.

It's been really fun to get back to sewing & working with fabric. The problem is I really can't multi task when sewing. I get completely obsessed with finishing & perfection & everything around me falls down. I cannot clean or cook or think- it's a complete commitment.

Maybe that's why I like to sew.

Maybe that's why I don't do it very often

The only think I know for sure is. Jack is one great apron model- he's got it all! He's tall & skinny & boney & everything. I think this could be a career. If only he would not have taken the camera from me (while I was laughing so hard I almost started to cry) and deleted my other pictures... coward!
He says I owe him a blizzard - what do you think?

Happy Birthday Janae!

It had such a fun time earlier this week preparing for Janae's birthday.

I made her an apron (all the blogger moms went in on it) & wrapped all of her presents all matchy. It was really fun for me. I am realizing with these friends that I really do love giving gifts. I thought previously that it was not my "love language" but I am learning more & more about myself. Thanks to my great friends & family for helping me to learn so much about myself & the joy of friendship.

Why I am glad Janae is my friend & fellow blogger mom:

1. I thought I was the truest SEe's lover... but I have met my match!We both love See's - going into a See's store with her is so much fun! We have this See's common bond between us. Who else in the world can discuss the difference between a scotch mallow & a buttercream & really know what they are talking about?

2. Janae is a FANTASTIC cook!!! She has a way with salads that could knock your socks off & she can BAKE too. She even made these once & they looked exactly like the original!? that's seriously impressive~

3. Janae has this very sweet bond with her mom & sisters. I hope my girls love me like she loves her mom.

4. As the mother of FIVE darling girls Janae is a great mom. Five girls- wow I can't even grasp that in my brain. They are so cute & you should've seen them at Christmas. They were so darling in their Christmas dresses. It was like looking through a catalog at a darling Christmas family!

5. Janae is feminine. She is abounding with femininity & I love that about her. Sometimes I am a little rough around the edges... I wish I was more feminine. I love that quality in women. Women who really embrace femininity- not weakness- are really amazing to me.

she even sits feminine- see here I am sprawled all over the place & she is so cute!

7. Janae lets us blogger moms congregate at her house for our Creative Thursdays- she acts like it is no big deal... but I know it is. Besides the fact that her neighbors wonder- why does she has a bunch of cars over every Thursday in her driveway? she makes us feel so at home.

8. Janae is not a Utah girl- just like me- we didn't grow up here. Only another non-local understands what it's like not to be local- does that make sense?

9. Janae is extra good at showing GRAtitude! She is so over the top at saying thank you- she mentioned the other day that her mother in law told her not to bring her anymore treats/gifts after bbsitting for her. I thought- that's just like Janae to thank her like that! She is very thoughtful.

10. Janae is a good friend. She didn't expect & doesn't expect anyone to go out of the way for her, yet she would do it for you in a heart beat!

Happy Birthday Janae!!

super great thursday birthday celebration

Tonight for our creative thursday- the blogger moms celebrated Janae's birthday!

Talk about the MOST FUN EVER!!!

We went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner

The last time we tried to go there... Wende's birthday-

I broke my ankle walking the blankety blank- dog and we didn't make it.

We made it tonight!

We had a fabulous dinner, dessert, GREat conversation,

tons of laughter & lots of love for the birthday girl.We started out with Janae's favorite Avocado Eggrolls - mmmmI had Evelyn's pasta- loved it!

The food & atmosphere at the Cheesecake Factory was perfect for a birthday celebration. The music in the background was awesome. Funny to notice the background music...?- but it was rEAlly good. I kept thinking - oh I love this song- over & over.At one point during dinner- some lady from another table came up & said to us,

"you girls are having too much fun!"
It's true -we were having fun :)

The cheesecake of course is incredible!

I love these girls- I love janae-

I hope you have a great birthday weekend!

why do I have dogs?

I'm having a really rough day & just need to let off some steam before my head explodes...

I found out -after several phone calls- that I put, "you won (or were sent on to region)" letters in several of the non winning entries for reflections.... sorry kid, even though the letter says you are going on - you are not.

I feel terrible.

AFter the last (so far) phone call I decided I had to get the last two schools reflection entries OUT of my house ASAP, so after school chloe & I headed out. Upon reaching the second school I heard an unusual noise in the back of the car. Max was with us... and he was starting to throw up. I tried to pull over but ya- he puked in the bag of reflections. It wasn't a big bag- there was a whole car to throw up in- but he I guess he thought throwing up in the bag & all down the side, mostly on some poor kids honorable mention ribbon, was his best option. I got out of the car & threw the back door open. Chloe passed fast food napkins back to me as fast as she could, plus old, almost dried out, wipes from the glove box. I cleaned off the entries (it's a good thing they were in plastic) and wiped up the ribbon the best I could. by this time he had stepped in it & was getting it all over the seats.

the project I have been working on didn't turn out like I thought it would.

I have a headache.

maybe days home alone aren't my thing.

maybe I should change my word for the year to survive instead of create?

patches

Last night was my first official pack meeting as a bear den leader.

I squeezed into my scout "jacket"- and put a smile on.

Here is my den in their new patch vests I made them.

Everyone who finished the achievements at home I gave them to do got one tonight as a reward for following through. My older boys had these- patch vests- if you have a cub scout they are really great to have. In cubs there are so many patches & pins to earn that don't officially go on the uniform- so this is a great way to display & wear them proudly (also it keeps all those patches/pins from being shoved in a box & forgotten.){ To keep things private I am not taking any photos from the front.}

{the garden & shed covered in doggy footprints}
Yesterday I went to a convention put on by the school district on technology in the classroom. (I forgot my camera %$#@!) It was a great opportunity to see what new technology is being use & can be used to help kids learn. I went as the Community Council Rep. but learned a lot about things that can help keep kids attention & focus. I am applying some of the ideas to scouts/homework. There is so much technology out there & these kids- they don't know life without it. I am looking for some pod casts to help teach my scouts next month on information (newspapers, television, Internet) and to help Trent with his times tables--- if any of you tech savvy readers out there have any good ideas- drop me a note, please!

We got blasted by about six inches of snow on Sunday & it's still here. I love fresh snow- it has been so cold, it still looks fresh. I hear we are maybe getting more today.

Today I have CREated a day at home - like my non busy day last week!
I am so excited for today- just me & the dogs... I'm trying to be positive here- making home a better place & working on a project that is a surprise birthday gift so I can't show it... just yet.
*what are you creating?

why buying an umbrella at the dollar store is not a good idea

oops

happy birthday kristy!

*today is my dear friend Kristy's birthday*

For Creative Thursday this week we took her

(a surprise)

to a Japanese day spa for a massage!

-wow-
I know, I know... as we were driving her there I started to get a little nervous. Like, maybe she wouldn't want to be friends with us anymore after she found out our plans...?

You see Kristy is a giver- not a taker.

She gives & gives all the time to everyone she knows.

her family

(remember the great surprise party for her mom?)

the primary

(she's the president & she is always working on something amazing)

her friends

(she's a very loyal friend & knows everyone in town.

she grew up in our town & still has friends here-

that's sayin something!)

her work

(she works a night shift one night a week at a hospital)

volunteer

(we met volunteering at the elementary. she just went in last week & taught trent's class how to make Japanese food for the new year)

I could go on & on.....

I feel so lucky to call her my dear friend

***

we just wanted to give her a chance to be pampered

because we love her so much.

And guess what? She loved it!

Today is her real birthday

click on over & say...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTY

backward post

Today we went to the newest Latter Day Saint temple here in Utah. It hasn't officially opened yet, therefore there is an open house & tours. Brett got tickets a month ago. I didn't put it on the calendar (way back in 08) so I had totally forgotten about it. It was a scramble getting out the door & in the dreariest of rain & fog, but I am really glad we did.

Last week Megan emailed me about this place

in Salt Lake City called Pats BBQ. She & Tony were watching a show on the food network where it was featured. She was wishing she could try it & thought we would want to- she was right & on our way home we stopped for an early dinner.
It was definitely a dive (not too bad)- and really great BBQ.
Hailey is not too thrilled here listening to the interesting characters at the next table...
talking LOUdly about their recent trip to New Orleans-
especially after our beautiful trip to the temple.
I guess we should have picked a more appropriate time to go to a new place,
especially one rated as a "great dive?"

We were obviously over dressed- oh well-

the chicken was seriously melt in your mouth good.

I'm not really a meat eater-but the boys loved it-

except trent who wanted to go back to the car to get some wipes to wipe his hands.

Messy eating is not his thing.

We ordered a 1/2 slab of ribs, 1/2 chicken & a pulled pork sandwich to share.
Everything is smoked out in a smoker behind the place.
We had some cole slaw, red beans & rice with creole beans & rice on the side.
good stuff.
Just before going to the "dive" we came from the temple open house.
The open house runs for a couple of months. If you are in the area, seriously see if you can get tickets. It's a little crowded. It was a controlled & organized crowd though. We loved it. This is my third temple open house. I went to the Seattle open house when I was a kid, then we went to Mt. Timpanogas right after we moved to Utah & now Draper. Jack was 5, Hailey 2 1/2 & chloe just weeks from being born when we went to the Mt. Timpanogas open house. So this was a first for them. They were pretty excited, especially trent.

Brett took this picture of chloe & I just before we got back into the car.

AFter the tour everyone cycles through a meeting house next door to the temple. There was a light reception with cookies & bottles of water. All throughout the hall there were pictures of the temples throughout the world. We looked for a picture of the Santiago, Chile temple, but it wasn't one of the pictures up. There are over 100 temples all over the world.

Temples are where members of our faith make commitments to God,
to ourselves & each other.
We perform marriages for time & all eternity.
They are sacred & very special to us.
Brett & I were married in the Seattle temple.

We don't take photos inside temples, even during open houses.
Not that they are not allowed.
You can see pictures here. It's in keeping with the reverent atmosphere.
This painting was one that I loved inside the temple.
Another copy of is was in the reception area,
I was so glad so I could snap a photo of it there!

This is the plaque right above the front door.
For touring purposes we went in through a side door then out through the front door.

Because of the weather- there were tents set up all along the outside to walk through to go in. I was really glad since it was raining & cold. The tents were lighted, had windows & there were heaters throughout- nice.

This is our view from the shuttle bus ride that took us up the mountain.

Draper, Utah is a city up against the Rocky Mountains.

The temple is up so that it looks out over the valley.

The tours start in meeting houses down below where you watched a short movie on temples, then got on a shuttle bus that took you straight to the temple & back to the building where your car is parked when you are done. They do this to help with traffic & congestion. This temple is built in a neighborhood & this really helps to keep the temple grounds reverent & not so crazy with hundreds of people.

15 different shuttle buses were running-
Of course, we were here on a Saturday,

but I wonder how many people are touring during the week?

riding the shuttle

Trent loves a good bus ride.

On our way into the church building.

What a great day for us.

It was a wonderful opportunity to go to a temple open house!

*have you ever been to an LDS temple open house before?

*can you believe the rain? We never get rain like this, it's supposed to snow tomorrow.

*do you watch diners, drive in's & dives on the food network?

rainy friday

I have no where- I have to be.
no meetings.
no commitments- (well okay- I do have some commitments today)
just hot cocoa & my laptop & it's raining :)
In my quest for a more meaningful life...
I want to CREATe more days like this.

random

I have been trying to finish up some things around here & haven't had the chance to REally blog or read/comment on blogs. Sometimes life just takes over.

But I want to document a few things.

I took my scouts to the police station this week for a tour & then to get cookies at a bakery. They were really good. I found my old scout shirt from when I was Jack's den mother... 2000. It doesn't fit- like really doesn't fit. I'm talking 6 inches of open space. It's a scout jacket. I'm debating on keeping it as incentive to get rid of this extra weight or just getting a new shirt?

My word of the year necklace broke on Wednesday. Do you think that's a bad sign?

I have started posts on my word of the year over & over. I don't know why it's hard to document for me? I guess I am thinking it has to be this big deal- maybe because it is a big deal to me. But- my word, no surprise to those who know me (I had the same word last year) is CREATE. I have so much to say about this, why is it so hard to blog about?

Last week we fingerprinted & made plaster aparis imprints of our feet. some of the boys wanted to do it with shoes on/some shoes off. It was pretty cold & I was glad I brought wipes! Funny, secretly I would want to make mine with my shoe off too, so I let them.

My big project- okay, I have been doing Reflections on the council level- is almost done. The eight schools I have been working with are picking up their entries & awards today. Only one has come so far & the time frame I gave them to come is up in 20 minutes.... ? I. don't. think. this. will. ever. end. I love kids, I love the arts, I love kids & the arts & think it is so important for them. Thus I get myself into these things.

Yesterday was creative thursday. We celebrated Kristy's birthday & took her to lunch. Really great day. But, my camera battery was dead. Really not cool.

It is raining & I am so happy. I LOVE a rainy day.

Except for..... rain + dogs = mud.

Mud + the painted floor= mess. I hate the mess.

Yesterday Bronco peed on the carpet right in front of the door to go out.

Today he peed on the couch.

Animal cruelty is now a felony in Utah.

It's a good thing.

History in the Making

Yesterday it was an honor to watch & listen to

(part of the time we were in the car driving to/from piano)

the inauguration.

I am SO GLAD my kids had the day off &

we had the opportunity to watch our 44th president be sworn in together.

We have started praying for him every night.

I thought his speech was fantastic- so did Jack-Huge compliment there...

It was an amazing day