five for friday... I should of taken a picture addition!

1. I forgot to mention in the post below that I met a fellow blogger at the Nie Nie speech last week!? Probably because I was too much of an idiot to take a photo... when will I ever learn?
Anyhow- I met Andrea & it was wonderful that she came & said hi to me- what a thrill!

2. I also didn't mention that one of the really fun events last week after conference--- was that Brian (aka: former missionary) brought a date home for dessert! woe nelly!! She was a very cute. A darling girl from Mississippi & I purposely didn't take a picture this time because I didn't want to freak her out. Good Mom move- ya I know!

3. We went to Orange Leaf Yogurt as a family TWICE!
Orange Leaf Yogurt is my new- true- love.... I LOVE it {{swoon & sigh}}
The night Brett told me he got laid off from work- this is how it went down:
brett: "I need to talk to you about something"
me: "just a minute I forgot to do something" (I then ran downstairs & ordered a copy of this & this & $40 worth of Orange Leaf coupons for $20 on Go Deal Go)
me: (I jumped up on the bed all smiles) "what's up?"
brett: "I lost my job today"
me: "I just bought $40 worth of Yogurt!?"

4. I've made one darling apron, two baby quilts & one throw quilt!!
The apron was for Wende & the quilts are at the quilter already... again- no photos. When the quilt gets back- I'm on it.

5. My parents were here over night yesterday... and I forgot to get a photo.
My parents haven't spent the night here for multiple reasons- mostly because of the dogs, which we don't have anymore- for years. Neither of us (my mom or I) could remember the last time they had slept at our house. Sad, I know. Oh we've seen them- they just don't come to the house.

This week's goal-- take some photos darn it!

a week in review....

It's been a great week here!

I've wanted to blog every. single. day....

but it just didn't come?

My mind just doesn't want to write-- I don't know whY?

But, I'm working on it anyway because I love this blog.

Lucky, Lucky us!!

Last week- right after school one day- we traveled down to Utah Valley to see the darling Nie Nie speak at BYU. It was amazing! She is gorgeous, wonderful & so very inspiring! We got there more than an hour early & waited for a seat (we were about the 40th people in line.) There were thousands there but we got a seat in the middle- six rows back. It was thrilling. The girls were on pins & needles waiting for her to come out. I was expecting a great speech on Inner Beauty. I was expecting it to be a packed house. I was expecting to love seeing Nie & family. I was not expecting the wonderful feeling in the air. My heart was touched immediately by her spirit. She permeates beauty & love. I was so overwhelmed with emotion, even though I already know her story. It was a remarkable experience & one my girls & I will never forget.

Luckily Brett came with us- he helped so much & picked up some dinner for us while we waited in line. He was surprised that there were not very many men there. Not to worry, he & this guy- bonded right away. That guy was saving a seat for his girlfriend (who came just in time... before a bunch of ladies scratched his eyes out for saving a seat for so long... Inner beauty?)

The Wilkinson Center Ballroom was overflowing with people. I heard someone say it seats 3,000. I don't know.. but there were people trying to sit int he aisles & people standing in the back & up both sides of the room.

Nie was completely taken back with emotion at the turn out!

She talked about the accident &

divine intervention.

She talked about our loving Heavenly Father & that He knows each one of us.

About, loving yourself no matter what size, style, shape you are &

taking care of our bodies. About not taking for granted the everyday joys of life.

A statistic: Only 2% of women describe themselves as "beautiful."

interesting

How much more beautiful would our lives/the world be if we understood our beauty?

None of this would have been possible if it weren't for Marcus & Brittany keeping Mr. Trenton with them at their apartment.

THANKS GUYS! He had a GREAT time!

***

Conference WEekend

this past weekend was General Conference.

One of the best weekends of the year!!

We loved it.

It was so nice to be home & listening to a prophet's voice.

Brian was home, we were all together & it was great.

It was sweet to think of our dear missionary Jack- also watching conference right along with us- in Brazil. I miss him.

today

he has been gone

exactly

6

months

He is doing wonderfully & emailed this week about his love of conference & how he got up on a crowded bus & testified of a living prophet. Then invited all on the bus to listen to his message about Jesus Christ.

what? Our Jack?

wow

the Johnson's joined us Sunday morning & brought cinnamon rolls- heavenly

Afterward- Hailey played for us.

It's been a great week here.
This week I'll be working on being a better blogger.

a week ago yesterday....

Was BRiAN's birthday!!

Happy 22!

Can you believe it... 22?

Where does the time go?

For Brian's day

We invited the cousins- Brit, Marcus & Brittany & Brittany's parents who were visiting from North Carolina for dinner & dessert.

It's been record HOT weather here in Utah so we opted for Chicken salad sandwiches & fruit outside. Of course- had to top that off with Brian's favorite

Peach Pie & Ice Cream

It's hard to believe that this was the first time we had celebrated Brian's day at home for three years. The last two birthdays were in Chile.

Can I just say-

I'm so happy to have him home.

Brian continues to amaze his dad & I with his ability to teach us.

He also continually amazes his younger sisters with his ability to tease them until they want to punch themselves in the face. He is a super tease. Super, out of this world, drive you crazy until you want him to LEAve...... craZy tease!

Two days after Brian's birthday...

is Brittany's birthday!

Yep- they are exactly two days apart.

We love you Brittany.

Happy Birthday

Brian & Brittany!

We are so happy we could celebrate it with you.

just so you know...

*Missionary jack loved the 4 rolls toilet paper I sent in his suitcase.
He asked, "since when was American toilet paper made of velvet?"
I guess he hadn't really thought about it until now?

*He also loved the sour candy. He said it was fun watching his Brazilian friends trying it!
In fact- he had forgotten about sour candy (funny because it was his favorite) they don't have anything like that in Brazil. He said the sour patch kids I sent- "rocked his world & kicked his butt."
wow- that's impressive...?

*Tonight is the start of The Biggest Loser- one of our favorite shows. Trent says when he grows up he wants to be on The Biggest Loser!
okay then...

*Chloe- was chosen to be THE ARABIAN SOLOIST in the Nutcracker!
Have I already told you?
I've told every. single. person. I have seen since Saturday. (Much to Chloe's embarrassment.)
I can't help it- we are all so excited!

*One week ago today... we found new homes for both of our dogs. Yes, you read it right- we are dog less. All I can say is- it was time.
We found incredibly, wonderful homes for them (max is the new best friend of a 5 year old boy who is blind.) We were truly blessed to find the perfect homes for them & are at great peace about the whole matter. We are seeking to "simplify"
really.
simplify.
not just talk about it-
this has truly simplified many aspects of daily life. Yes- even the kids have agreed it was the right thing to do.


*This morning Trent said he had a bad dream last night. He said his friend was a, "bad guy & chasing him." He said the only way to fight him was to find his, "weak spot." I made the mistake of asking what that would be? His reply, "his nuts, you know... his privates, mom?"
Oh boy.
Let's not use the phrase "nuts" in that way at school. please.

*I made two loaves of bread today & took them to friends.
*I made cookies & sent off some good mail.
*I visited with Wende & Kristy- saw Kristal for a second & finished two sets of cards for card club.

The job situation is looking okay. Much better than you'd think. I will post more on that later.

Life is Sweet

especially when you consider how great the toilet paper is around here

I mean, really? Who could ask for more!?

p.s. this was written yesterday

family night

(reinactment photo)

In an effort to be more positive & get that sad post off the top of the blog I am posting about yesterday...

warning-

this will be boring.

Yesterday I:

made breakfast & one lunch

ironed 16 shirts while my favorite show was interupted by breaking new... I hate that!

finished a long over due sewing project ~ it's a surprise so I can't show it

did the dishes-

laundry

changes sheets

made beds

and dinner.

played a game on my Iphone (man I love that phone)

watched some dancing with the sluts- some of those outfits are just wrong.

taught a family night message about the "traps" of temptation - eww that sounds scary?

it wasn't.

then lost at UNO- three times!

Hailey won twice & Brett once.

Not such a bad day?!

a really hard week....

it's been a really hard week here.
Last week- my sweetheart brett....
was unexpectedly

laid off from his job.
He was really good at his job, even though he didn't always love it.
Like- really good people!
often top in his department ...
even top in sales this past summer.
but still-
the axe
it.

fell.
hard.
and it hurts
a lot.
I think I took it harder than he did?
he strapped on his work attitude & has been working non stop at finding a new job.
He has several (3-4) promising leads already.
His resume was polished & published within two days.
What did I do...?
cried a lot.
then cried some more.
then got angry- really, really mad angry.
then humbled myself into an attitude of gratitude-
and now I am just numb. (well, and still grateful)
I ran into one of the members of my church congregation yesterday at Walmart.
Yes I shop at walmart- (revenue for my son in law, who just got a promotion- love him!)
He- asked me if we had figured out what lesson we are supposed to learn from this?
I then knew I hadn't learned a lesson because-- I flipped him the bird.
NO I DIDN'T... but I thought about it, just a little.
I've only flipped the bird once....
I was in H.S. with a carload of my cheer leading pals when the boys football bus passed us & mooned us all.
I still feel bad about it- I knew better.
We are going to be okay- really we are.
We are so blessed- SO SO SO BLESSED.
I mean- wow- what more in the world could you ask for?
Hailey hasn't had one- NOT ONE- seizure since school started.
We are healthy!
Chloe is doing amazing & is an Arabian dancer again in the nutcracker!
Trent is coming along well with 5th grade... school is difficult for him so this is BIG!
Brian is wonderful- teaching the gospel to missionaries...
Megan & Tony- are the best example of a strong young family that I know.
and Jack...
I am so happy to have a missionary!

Tonight as I scroll through summer posts...
I am so thrilled to have this blog!
The good times are so good.
The bad times are just temporary & this too shall pass.
It's going to be okay.
We have everything that really matters-
and for that matter-
we have enough money for a bit...

this may be my new favorite!

he got it!

nice girls

Yesterday was another big day at our house.

Chloe auditioned for her ballet school's annual Nutcracker performance.

SHE MADE IT!!!

(tickets go on sale soon- $6 or $9. It runs thurs, fri, & sat the week before Thanksgiving at Weber State University if you are interested let me know!)
And...

Hailey went to Homecoming!

Hailey & her friend Hannah are peer tutors to a couple of students with special needs. When neither one of them were asked to the dance-

they took matters in their own hands.

They asked two boys with special needs.

One with Autism & one with Cerebral palsy.

They had the best time!

I can't wait to get the pictures back.

*I can't believe it's this time of year again?

Summer went way to fast for me- how about you?

a debut...

many of you know that Hailey is an amazing singer/song writer! but some of you may not know this... ? Check her out here on Youtube- if you like this one... there's more! look for Hailey Messer- sometimes we sing!

one of the best gifts I've ever been given

About 21 years ago I was given a gift.Brett's sweet Aunt Barbara gave me her sewing machine.

I'm sure when she bought it - it was the top of the line.

Most of her life she made her own clothes.

This machine had seen a lot of use, but had been treated royally.

She gave it to me & I started learning. I had taken a sewing class in H.S. - that was great, but I had a long way to go. One week in R.S. Homemaking meeting there was a sewing class. I brought my "new machine" and a baby megan along. A really nice girl- I can't even remember her name- helped me with a project & taught me the basics on how to use this gift.

Last winter- she broke. The machine was really touchy when it came to the bobbin. Hailey was using it & pushed it a little too far. No problem - no sweat- because when Brett's Grandmother passed away, she left me this:

The exact same machine.

It was waiting in the basement. Who knows how long it had been since it had been used? Years & years- probably decades. DEfInateLy decades. Brett's Grandmother was over 90 when she passed. I oiled her up & started off again.

Unfortunately... over a week ago- it was over. sigh.

She can spin a bobbin- but not a good one! After a good week of trying & a phone call to the sewing repair shop... it's over. Really over.

Lucky for me-

4-5 years ago I bought this little singer on clearance for $40 at Target.

It was up in Chloe's closet. She had big plans for it.

It's Not the top of the line...

It's NOT my dream machine.

But it works-

and will have to do for now.

Even though I have thanked her many, many times for the gift - again I thank you Aunt Barbara for the sewing machine. It has brought so much joy to my life- learning to sew.

a whole suitcase!

A couple of weeks ago-

We got some very exciting news!

Someone we know (it's a secret so I'm not going to say who)

called to tell us they were going to

JACK'S MISSION!

YES THEY ARE GOING TO

MACEIO BRAZIL

This very lovely person offered to take Missionary Jack a package.

I was thinking - hmm?

What can I fit in a shoe box?

Maybe I could send a bigger box?

I called & asked-

just how big a box are ya talkin' bout?

A WHOLE SUITCASE!!!

HE HAD ROOM FOR A WHOLE SUITCASE

Last night for Family Night- we packed it all up.
I've been buying a little here & there- and ya- this suitcase really cut into my grocery budget- but hey- this is a once in a mission opportunity. We never had this opportunity with Brian.
4 pounds or less stuffed into a priority envelope cost $15 to send. I sent Brian one a month & I've sent Missionary Jack one a month also. (I skipped this month- duh) So a whole suitcase of stuff sent down for free- wow!

so...
he's a fairly new missionary
what do you send?
He doesn't need shoes or underwear (yet.)
I went all out & sent loads & loads of American junk food & necessities.

We had a GReat time putting notes on lots of the items.

Like the great advice on the kleenex package above.

We are sending:

cheese & crackers

twix

snickers

lots of PB & J

American Toilet paper - this is a big deal

American - tissues

chili

skittles

rootbeer flavored dum dums (i didn't think a can of root beer would be a good idea?)

ranch dressing

religious music on CD & some classical music

marshmellows

hershey's chocolate syrup

gushers

deodorant

his favorite hair gel

fry sauce

family photos

butterfinger

reeses peanut butter cups

mac & cheese

pancake mix & syrup

chocolate pudding mixes

instant flavored mashed potatoes

salsa

nacho cheese

frank's red hot sauce

tony cachera's cajun seasoning

good pens

sour patch kids

swedish fish

journals

hand sanitizer

double chocolate chip cookie mix

boxes of cereal....

that's all I can think of- but I know there is more in there---

It's going to be like Christmas! In Brazil they eat a lot of meat - but even more beans & rice. Then they wake up the next day & eat more beans & rice and more beans & rice...

oh & they eat a lot of fruit & drink loads of fruit juice- this is according to missionary jack.

NOW I JUST HOPE IT'S NOT TOO HEAVY!

Happy Birthday Chloe---

YEsterday was a VEry SpeciaL day at our house!

Chloe turned 14!

She & I planned her birthday for weeks...

(there were a lot of big decisions- people)

party or no party?

what to do at party or no party?

She decided on ballet in the morning,

shopping with the family for her big present,

then a party with friends.

We invited 14 of her closest friends... yep
just 14! No sweat right?!

We had a BBQ with hamburgers, pasta salad, watermelon- the works.

She opened gifts-

wow great gifts...

then we played games.

this year-

the weather was a bust.

We were having a super winding - blow you down- wind storm.

So- it was indoor games, not as fun, but still fun.

Another big decision- dessert.

She opted for chocolate cupcakes with coconut frosting & birthday party ice cream.

I guess the boys were bored- or neglected in the blogging world- because I found these pictures right in the middle of the party pictures? hmmm- ?

cuties!

blowing out 14 candles is a big job!

AFter the cake & ice cream, more games- the candy bar game & murder in the dark... ahh fun times. Last year I was right in the middle playing. This year- I got a headache right off the bat. Wow- fourteen 14 year old's can get pretty loud.

Still- what a great group of kids!

I love you Chloe!

Having you is one of the greatest blessings of my life.

the return of creative thursday

The greatest thing happened today...

it

was

thursday!

***

The very first Thursday since school has started.
You know what that means?
The return of creative Thursday!
lauri, kristy, wende, kristal & I all met at my house.
Janae is down with a cold & karrie is back to work full time.
(Don't worry karrie we made a monthly GNO schedule!)
Not much creativity was going on....
We've gotta get our groove back.
But- we had wonderful take out for lunch, laughed ourselves silly, I actually cleaned the painted floor (thank goodness for company or some jobs would never get done) and I made these for a bishopric dinner tonight.

Cupcakes!
I am really looking forward to the next 9 months of Thursdays!

a really big night for T-biz!

Last night was Trent's last pack meeting as a cub scout!

He had a lot of awards coming to him...

from camp & other activities this summer.

He went "fishing" to get them!

I have to admit...

I'm really sad that he won't be wearing this uniform or red vest any more.

I think it's so cute.

He also was awarded cub scouting's biggest-

The Arrow of Light!

We have a fantastic cub committee who put on a small program-

to honor this huge achievement.

As you can see-

Trent was just a little emotional.

Actually he sobbed.

He didn't want to cross the bridge over to Boy Scouting.

Cub scouts- Pack meeting- having mom for his den leader

has just been so much fun

Can you blame him?

We haven't had a scout move on for a year...

so I think he felt kind of like he was leaving his friends.

don't worry buddy- they're coming right along too!

He has been attending

Boy Scouts weekly,

has Over the Top- great leaders,

went on a FAntastic Over night Camp out...

still

no more pack meeting?

it was just too much.

We feel so blessed to have such a great troop for my little guy.

and

It was also announced- that this was my last pack meeting as a leader.

I'm being released.

I've been teaching R.S. for six months now & ya-

it's time for me to go too.

I am going to miss my boys!!!

I'm so glad I get to keep at least one.