Shower me Saturday

Yesterday was a really big day around here. Megan had a wedding shower in the morning & one in the afternoon! She was so excited- and so was I. The first one was at my neighbor Linda's across the street. Linda is the amazing caterer- but no I didn't take any pictures of her....??

It was a shower for friends from H.S. & friends from our old neighborhood, etc. It was a lot of fun, with tons of yummy treats... I didn't take a picture of them either. I am so lame.
H.S. friends.

The blogger mom's came! They are the best. We are standing in front of the delicious spread made by linda. These guys are so wonderful. I know some of them have probably never met megan until now- even though she told me she feels like she knows them all from the blog- it was really sweet of them to show so much love & support!

Lori & Sky.

Sky was huge help- made all the invites, etc. ARen't they cute!

Linsey, Megan & Emily.

Linsey is one of megan's dear friends growing up & linda's daughter. Emily roomed with megan last summer. She's a great friend to Megan.

Linsey & megan spent a year volunteering every Saturday when they were 15- at an old folks home running bingo in the morning. They used to come home & tell the funniest stories.
The afternoon shower was at my sweet friend Karen's house.

Yep, I don't have a picture of her either.

(I am really frustrated with myself posting this,)

These are megan's two new sisters!

They were really great & drove an hour to get here with Tony's mom. Ya, no picture of her either. She's a sweetheart. megan is so lucky to be marrying into such a great family.

Emily, megan & heather.

Megan & heather have been friends forever. Heather has been megan's roommate for a year or so now. She's from our town & a really great friend.

Lots of people came to both showers but I didn't document it very well.

She was given so many great gifts! I am amazed by the love & generosity of my sweet neighborhood. I swear I am NEVER moving if I can help it!

BrittanY & chloE!

Ruthie was here-again no picture. In between showers she took trent & her son, plus her daughter & chloe to build a bear for my nephew's birthday. Fun stuff. Trent is in love with his bear Winston. He slept with him & wanted to take him to church.

The food, friends, gifts & everything was amazing.

Thank you everyone who came Or helped. It was such a memorable day for Megan & me too.

Later that night- was the closing of Annie get Your Gun.

Hailey had a blast doing this show! Brittany & megan came, plus jack, chloe & I & brett of course. jack left at intermission.... I let him on the condition he brought all of the shower gifts in from the car. (desperate measures)

This is such a fun show!~ Great music & kissing... woo hoo- Jr. high kissing.

I mentioned to jack that he was probably bummed that they didn't do this show when he was in the cast, with all the kissing... he said- how did I know if there wasn't any kissing going on in his production???

(smarty pants)

My girls!

It was a great but very long day. I am still recuperating tonight.

I forgot to mention- Jack had a rugby game during one of the showers & made his first goal!! Dang I missed it, but dad was there. He has a home game on Wed. so I will post some pictures then.

day 150- the mission

My emotions change from moment to moment when it comes to my missionary. People ask me all the time how I feel about my daughter getting married... I just can't think too deeply about that- I am still thinking of my missionary. I can only wrap my mind around one "loss" or one "gain" depending on how you look at it- at a time. You see, megan left home 3 years ago. She's independent, she's a woman now & she is doing great so I am happy for her. I look at the wedding as a definite gain. But the mission... it's a gain, & a loss, in that I miss him so much sometimes.

"i remember time out with mom and dad was one of my favorite things ever. you all are so lucky, jack hailey chloe and trent, take advantage of the time you have... they´re getting pretty old hahaha. no but for real, we are so blessed to be in the family that we are in and to have the parents we have, i hope you all know that."

The emails are amazing! No kidding... a definite mom & dad pay day for sure. Every week it is so exciting for all of us to hear what he's doing. I think every one of my kids want to be a missionary now. He is having the time of his life- intermingled with very short periods of homesickness.

"so for starters i have probably the funniest story ever... i hope you agree. yesterday in sacrament meeting my comp was giving a talk and everything was all good and the people were listening. he began to give his testimony and got about half way through when the daughter of our mamita here in futrono opened a little fireplace heater thing in the back of the room... well with the luck that we have out jumped a BIRD! haha it began flying frantically the length of the chapel and freaking out. of course chao espiritu santo (bye holy ghost) everyone was busting up. my comp looked back at me with a big smile on his face, i was dying! anyways it did about 3 laps from one end to the other, and flew right past my comps head. it flew down to the other end and was making its way back up to the stand. my companion was standing there stiff as a board as the bird headed straight for his head, it made a slight left turn but my companion was just too fast, he threw his right hand up as if it was nothing and snatched the little sucker out of the air IT WAS AWESOME! he then walked calmly to the door, threw it out into freedom walked back to the pulpit and said, comparto estas cosas en el nombre de jesucristo amen (i say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen)"

Something in me has definitely changed in me these last couple of months. I don't worry about him as much anymore. I just know he is going to be okay. I am sure even more than before that he is in the right place at the right time, doing the right things. I am grateful for that.

i spoke yesterday too, about the life of Jesus Christ. i studied this week and being the same old me finished writing my talk the morning of haha. but it was really cool to study the life of our savior Jesus Christ. i read some in Jesus the Christ, i love that book and found out some different things that i hadnt ever really thought about. i love the story in ... Luke about Christ as a youth in the temple sharing with the people. when his mother finds him she says, why have you treated your father and I like this, we have searched for you sorrowing (something like that) and his response is so awesome, he said, ¨¿por qué me buscabais? ¿no sabíais que en los negocios de mi padre me es necesario estar?¨ something like why did you search, shouldnt you know that i was about my fathers business? i love that, in Jesus the Christ it says something about how it was almost as if Christ was kind of reminding mary of the reason he was there in the first place. i love the way that Christ answers the questions of the people. he was such a great missionary. people ask me questions here and i have no idea what to say sometimes but he always had the right answer to either edify them or shut them up. (i could use the latter sometimes...)heehee

He spends a good deal of time defending or teaching about the United States, about our religion & helping others who are very unfortunate in this life. I am amazed it's been 150 days. It seems like longer- lately the wedding plan are making the time go faster.
I am so grateful right now for so many things. I am blessed. It's a good life.

surprise fun

Today I had a long list of chores. Ironing, emails about the benefit concert & luncheon, cleaning the painted floor, kitchen, etc. etc. Anyhow... surprise- my dear friend Karen called & asked if I could spare an hour to go get a pedicure with her-

Uh~ YA!

She had a gift certificate & a babysitter- and I have deep love for pedicures & haven't had one for a year. Not to mention I have been so busy these days it feels like I haven't seen Karen for a year.We chose matching polish, not cause we're weirdos who think they're in 8th grade... we just liked the same polish.

Today I ran to the Jr. high to pick up Hailey then 1/2 hour later ran to the H.S. to pick up Jack- he had a test. Max came with me & refused to get out of the car. He loves the car. I finally left the side door open & came inside. About another 1/2 hour later I remembered he was still in the car. I ran to the garage, opened the door & there he was sitting in the driver's seat. Just lookin' around. I wonder if he pretends he's driving? It took another 1/2 hour before he would come in. He is so funny.
*do you have a dog?
*do you think people who wear matching clothes are weird?

*man I love a pedicure- do you?

service awards night

For the past two years, my dear friend Jeanine & I have chaired the service awards at the H.S. Jeanine is the best. We used to be in the same neighborhood. When we first moved to UT eleven years ago, she was one of the first people I met. Brett & I were called to be assistant cubscout masters & she was the cub committee chair. We instantly hit it off. Her oldest three & my oldest three are the same ages/opposites sexes. We used to take them on little field trips together in the summer & she had a big baby shower for me before Trent was born. Her oldest son was Megan's first crush- they used to stand on the corner & talk in 8th grade, it was really cute. He's on a mission now in Leed's England & comes home in two months- hard to believe.

(I made cupcakes~oh ya!)

The service awards are one of my favorite things the H.S. does.

Students & faculty nominate outstanding people who wouldn't normally be recognized. Jeanine & I read through the nominations (120 this year) then seperated out the sillies (this is H.S. but there weren't too many) from the serious etc. We then take them to a committee of administrators, PTA & teachers where we narrow them done to 12 or so. It's a tough but fun process.

I am lucky to live in an amazing community where so many- really so many - people could qualify for this award. This year the award went to a young man who started a chamber orchestra on his own in the school. Three handicap students who started a recycling program & pull garbage cans with their motorized wheelchairs around the school to pick up papers from each classroom- they do it with such cheerful enthusiasm. Teachers who come early & stay late REally helping & teaching. A student who is the president of the best friends club. The janitor who goes out of his way to really make friends with the students, besides keeping the school ship shape. A parent volunteer who sewed all the costumes for the musical- without a student at the school!And more...It's all amazing really, how ordinary people do extraordinary things!

People ask me why I am always doing what I do-- can you see why?-- it's great to be a part of great things!

Jeanine & I.
We are not chairing this committee next year.
I have to think of another way to make sure we can get together

She is truly one of my favorite people.
I just feel like there's not enough time to visit & see all the people I love.

I guess that's what Heaven is for!

Happy Birthday MOm!

Are we seeing spring on the horizon finally?

I hope so!!!

hailey... i mean annie get your gun- parent preview

Last night Brett, Chloe & I went to the parent preview of Hailey's show. We opted to not bring -for obvious reasons- Trent which meant Jack stayed home. Jack is so willing to bbsit for jr. high events when needed- aren't you impressed? It was so great!- experience tells me it will be even better by Saturday, closing night.

All of my kids so far have taken this musical theatre class in school. It's been a great experience. Meg, Brian & Jack have made some of their closest friends as a direct result of this class. Funny how even on stage Hailey seems to hide from the camera?? I think she could see me taking this video. What a stinker.

Looks like fun, huh!?

I'm feeling guilty because I didn't help with the show this year, I'm just too busy. I just can't be everywhere. It sure is fun to sit back & watch!

great good mail

It's been much too long since I posted any good mail. I hope I didn't forget anyone. Getting good mail is such a treat. Forgive me if I did forget you... please oh please!

Wende- sent me this great dvd, her personal favorite for exercise & an encouraging note- knowing about my diet. okay, okay I haven't used it yet... but I'm gonna... really I am!! I'm serious, I will... stop nagging me blogasphere, gosh~

I got this amazing card from Amanda :). It was so cool to get a letter all the way from her house! It even had a great stamp and UK flag on it. I loved it- what a treat!!!

I swear at least a month ago Becky sent me note thanking me for the birthday card I sent her. So sweet & completely unnecessary but wonderful. I have had it on my counter all month.

Karrie sent me some sand from her trip to Mexico! She sent it in Mexico & it took a month to get here. It's beautiful white sand with little white shells in it. It looks great on my bathroom window seal with my other bottles of sand, in my sand collection.

Upon hearing of all the good mail I have been sending, Jill sent me more good mail labels!

These are even cuter than the last ones I ordered- if you can believe that. I love them.

Good mail- I love it. Life changing, trust me. Make some one's day & send a note. You won't believe how great it makes you & the recipient feel. One of the most amazing thing about good mail is eventually it comes... back to you.

You really have to try it.

look who came to visit

Brett's mom!

She came to town this weekend for a visit with her high school friends & sisters. I think it's so great and amazing that she has kept in touch with her high school friends. She's not going to be thrilled I put this picture up since she doesn't have her "hair done." I think she looks great.

These are her three sisters.

She was supposed to stay today, tomorrow & go home Thursday but a storm is brewing & she needs to get home, out of the mountains before it comes. Even though it was short, it was fun to have her here.

These ladies are so funny. As they were getting ready to go this morning they kept coming back in because they had each forgotten things. They make me chuckle. You should see them when they get around water in the summer- or maybe not. There's for sure to be a water fight. My mother in law is a great lady. She raised an amazing son- for that I am eternally grateful.

sunday conference wrap up

Conference weekend flew by so fast.

It was great!

(hailey under blanket hiding from the camera)

I loved all the talks, but especially loved President Monson talking personal about his family & sweet wife at the end.
Trent & I played some yahtzee to help me stay tuned... and keep me from killing him. He only asked me 100,000 times if he could have a friend over. Then exclaimed at least a dozen times- I hate conference... it's so boring... why can't I have a friend over etc., etc.
At one point during our game I mentioned to brett out loud- -that was one of my favorite talks ever. Trent piped in- mine too. Such a funny guy.

Afterward we went out & jumped off some steam & got out some energy. Notice -I was so wiped out last night, I slept in these clothes then never got out of them today. One of "those" days. It was supposed to rain/snow all weekend. HA~ it was nice. I don't know why I check the weather- I swear they just play cards in the back all day then make all this stuff up.
Megan came home for a little bit. I taught her to make cupcakes, of course.

My diet is officially blown this weekend! Crap-

is that proper to say after watching conference ?

*do you ever sleep in your clothes?

*it's the worst, I know.

*what did you do during conference?

conference, cards & cupcakes

I LOVE my churches bi-annual general conference!

It just happens to be the best two weekends of the year for me.

This year was extra special. Because our beloved president Gordan B. Hinckley died, a new president- Thomas S. Monson was sustained.

What a privilege to raise my hand in support for him, one of my all time favorite speakers, by the way. I am so thankful for a prophet.

Knowing my own weaknesses- I keep myself busy during conference- as to not fall into deep sleep. The music, the speakers, my soft couch (conference in Utah what a joy), can induce sleepiness. So I had a spiritual & creative & wonderful Saturday yesterday. I worked on announcements (I'm almost done! woo hoo), made cards for card club,

and made & decorated cupcakes with these two gals.

Mmmmm are they good & so fun to make. Thanks for the piping lessons, wende!

Chloe painted with her art set that she got for Christmas from Grandma.

"the tree of life"


Max had no problem watching conference. He didn't fall asleep at all!

Strawberry lemonade & double chocolate cupcakes.

When I was a kid we had to listen to conference on the radio- very difficult. My kids have had the very opposite experience. They have been there in person, watched from our home & before we lived in Utah... gone to all four meetings at the church to watch by satellite. When my older kids were little Brett had to work on Saturdays. I would pack up the kids, some toys & coloring books & head to the church by myself to watch conference. That memory is precious to me. Being a young mother I wanted to impress on my children the importance of conference. Those were not easy times but powerful & so wonderful now that I look back.
I am rejoicing today thinking of my son watching conference, in Chile as a representative of Christ. Of my daughter who had a dress rehearsal but stopped to raise her hand to the square in the dressing room to sustain president Monson.

I love this gospel.
I am so looking forward to tomorrow- the last two meetings.

this week

This is how my week started. 3 inches of snow on Monday morning...

I made pies for FHE! Okay- I make great pies. Peach & mixed berry.

We went to Elder Thompson's for FHE- of course- see post below. Saturday night I found out that his parents own the local DQ. TAlk about pressure- I had offered to bring treats. What do you bring to someone who owns Dairy Queen?

I have stopped by here- A LOT-

Because of this bag... it may not look like it but yes, there are 500 wedding announcements in here!

I am getting them out a few batches at a time. International addresses & those invited to the ceremony & dinner - first. Those invited to just the dinner- second. Then those just getting announcements- third. If you think you have a wedding in your future-- ever-- start collecting addresses now- it's harder than it looks, even for a good mail lover like me.

I met Megan & her roommate heather at the wedding photographer to pick out her bridal portraits. Luckily I had brought Sky with me or I would've had to get a second mortgage on my house. They were all so beautiful, but the voice of reason (sky) reminded me I didn't need to buy them all- there are more wedding photos to come from the actual wedding you know!???
My dear friend Steph stopped by --SURPRISE-- from California. We got to visit for 2 hours before she left for the airport. I am so glad I was home!

I have been sorting posters for the upcoming fundraising benefit concert, & addressing invites to a PTA volunteer of the year luncheon. (both I agreed to help with way before the wedding stuff)

Helping plan a H.S. service award- this I agreed to work on a year ago- my poor co-chair- her sister passed away unexpectedly. Everyone is busy- EVERYONE. I know I am not the only one. I love my life - busy or not. This too shall pass- but for now. I am living everyday with a smile on my face (most of the time) & praying I don't forget anything truly important.

Like reading with trent & leaving a six pack of Gatorade with a note for Jack & his far away rugby game. Or, staying up talking to Hailey about dress rehearsal- her show- Annie Get Your Gun starts next week. She asked me if I would be sad if she didn't do musical theatre next year? Ya- like I'm gonna complain that I don't need to make another costume?

Today- blog & home catch-up with ballet carpool on the side.

*how's your week wrapping up?

blogger girls cook...cupcakes

Yesterday morning I made these cupcakes. I was so excited because it was my monthly blogger mom's lunch. I picked up salads at a local shop then we all met at Wende's to eat & learn to make her delicious butter cream frosting- plus how to frost them so cute like she does.

As I was leaving the lunch crowd came in. I haven't taken a picture for a long time of these guys so I said hey look at the camera- what a bunch of turkeys!

Wende makes the most delicious fresh lemon butter cream frosting! She had sweet packages for all of us- including these disposable pastry bags, her favorite decorating tips, & sprinkles. Plus- the cutest soaps. She is so over the top thoughtful.Look at this talent-she's a natural.

We all had a blast!!

This was so much fun! I have really grown to love these ladies. We have worked together for years- at our kid's schools. But- blogging has made us real friends.

Vivi liked the pink ones! A lot. Me too.

We all left with goodies- I took a dozen to Brett's office & guess what, one of his co-workers called me his hero!? When I got home I promptly gave away all of my cupcakes-fewwww! I had my fill and certainly didn't need them around.

*can you believe I didn't get a picture of all of us?

*or of lunch??

*do you like cupcakes?

30 For April

1. I don't have photo shop.
2. I really want to make a new banner, refer to #1.
3. I'm not sure if you need photo shop to make a banner, but I think you do.
4. I had never broken a bone until Jack was a baby & I broke my pinkie toe in the middle of the night tripping on the vacuum cleaner.
5. I had to go to the ER in my mickey mouse, one piece, zip up pj's. I couldn't get them off over the protruding toe.
6. I wore a long coat.
7. A few weeks later- I did it again- I didn't really think I needed to keep my toe taped up anymore- foolish, foolish young gal---ouch!
8. I have had 5 kidney stones- YES FIVE!
9. 2 lithrotripcys- 2 passed - 1 taken out with I don't know- they called it a basket?
10. I had shingles when I was 5 months pregnant with Trent.
11. Passed one of my stones at 7 months pregnant with Trent.
12. My pregnancy with Trent was my hardest- duh!?
13. I love rainy days, they make me want to stay home & clean.
14. I never use paper plates unless I am giving treats away.
15. Not using paper plates all year I don't feel one bit guilty buying new plates & dishes every now & then.
16. NO surprise, doing dishes - no sweat.
17. I do a lot of dishes, my kids rarely do.
18. I like to do dishes & hate waking up to dishes in the sink!
19. The announcements, figuring out addresses, stuffing labeling, & making insert cards has been the only hard part of the wedding so far.
20. Oh, except for the fact I don't have a florist- she canceled- I don't have time to hunt one down right now.
21. I love new pajamas, but rarely buy them for myself.
22. I have been on WWAtchers for 5 weeks now, but only my good friends know about it- until now.
23. I know I can't lose all the weight I need to before the wedding, but I seriously don't want to feel like this- so bad - for another event in my life. what a waste of my life worrying so much about my weight!
24. I want to be done with it- these extra pounds have got to go.
25. I lost 4 lbs. the first week, just a little every week since. It's tough stuff, this mess I got myself into.
26. I have had a pink room in every home I have owned- 4- except for this one.
27. I don't like white towels. I don't care what oprah or anyone else says. I have bleached them, etc. -they don't come all the way clean, not with kids & mud & a dog in the house!
28. Getting sand from Kristy this week reminded me- that I have always wanted to go to Coronado & stay in the Hotel Coronado. Dreamy~ thanks Kristy. I also got sand from Karrie- I really have the best friends in the world.
29. I really need to blog good mail- tomorrow.
30. Done :)

family night with the thompsons

(picture of Futuro, Chile)

Last night we had the most amazing opportunity. Elder Thompson's family invited us over for Family Night. We learned so much about Chile & where Brian is serving. Elder Thompson knows Brian's current companion & the area he is at- Futrono, city of rivers.
We tasted Chilean candy & watched a DVD from the mission. Elder Thompson's mom told us some interesting things like, her son couldn't eat American food for a few days. His tastes had changed & the thought of it made him sick. Also, he won't walk around without some shoes or hard sole slippers on- people don't vacuum their homes there. They are too concerned about the cost of electricity so they sweet them & the floor is very unsanitary. People don't sit or put things on the floor, like a pillow.
Elder Thompson told us & you can see it is beautiful there. Even though the government is very friendly with ours, many people don't like Americans. Stray dogs are everywhere. The missionaries carry rocks in their pockets for protection. One time Elder Thompson told a native companion he could walk around his home neighborhood for at least 20 minutes without hearing a dog bark- he didn't believe him & accused him of lying.
It was amazing talking with someone who had been with Brian down in Chile. Fun & interesting to hear about the culture. I learned so many things I didn't know. I didn't know the food was so different. My Brian says he eats a lot of french fries, & the mission president's wife said there is American candy around so I thought... the food's not that different- I'm such a gringo.
In the southern area of the mission there are penguins, just like we thought. Elder Thompson never served down there but showed us a special hot drink the Chileans drink out of a little pot with a metal straw that strains the grassy stuff the cook in it.??? (hard to explain) He says it's good.
Even though I couldn't help tearing up- I could just imagine him there, teaching & happy. It was fantastic. What a great opportunity!