two quilts finished

Last week was very productive!

I finished two darling quilts & I am so thrilled to introduce you to them both.

First up is this one for my friend Krystal who is having a baby girl next month.

A couple of posts down is the matching doll quilt for her 3 year old daughter to carry a doll around. It was so fun to make this- I love to make baby quilts! It's bright & has a bright pink minky back. SO Soft!

This one is for my niece's son Cole.

It's already packed an off at the post office.

Here it is all washed up & wrinkly.
I love a fresh made quilt out of the dryer.
I'm sure it's hard to tell- but they come out so soft & finished after washing. I couldn't resist putting another photo up after the wash.
I'm on a quilting roll with several Christmas projects going on...
I wish I could show them all!

Can it be... 17!?

Last week was Hailey's birthday

(I'm seriously behind in the blogging world I know, I know)

Can you believe it?

She is seventeen....

oh boy- how did that happen?

Brian was spending the night, the night before & wanted to see her open presents... so we all decided to get up early with her & have a special breakfast party!

We ate donuts & opened presents at 6:45 AM- before she left for school at 7:00 AM.

wow- that was early!

but fun

No one agreed to have their photo taken

- except her-

the rest of us were still sleepy & in our pj's.

Isn't she cute!? Even at 6:45 in the morning!!!

She got some jewelry, a really cool make-up mirror, a skirt & new shirt.

fun, fun, fun- almost as fun as dinner!

For her birthday dinner

she chose to invite two friends- tiffany & lizzie- to join us at the newly opened

In & Out Burger!!!!

It has been opened for over a week.

Finally, for Hailey's birthday we braved the lines.

It was totally worth it & really pretty quick.

Cheeseburgers, fries, cokes...

is there a better way to celebrate a birthday?

Hailey is truly an angel.

She sings like an angel, acts like an angel.

She's an absolutely fabulous teenager.

We are so happy to have you Hailey as our girl.

(I'm speaking for dad & I.)

I love you.

Happy Birthday!

sewing up a storm

Yesterday & today...

I've been sewing up a storm

First up
Tonight I finished a doll quilt to match the baby quilt I took to the quilter a couple of weeks ago. It's for a darling little girl, Lily who is going to be a big sister soon. Hopefully she will love snuggling her baby doll while her mom snuggles her new sister.
I will be posting the full sized quilt as soon as it's ready!

Yesterday I finally....
made this pillow.
I've been thinking about making this pillow for over a month now.

I saw a similar pillow at an upscale store & Loved it.
I thought for sure I could find an old sweat & make my own.
Then I was cleaning out my closet- and found an old yellow sweater.
Ta Dah!
It made a perfect yellow throw pillow to go in my red & yellow living room.
Oh it feels good to get a project done!

concert in the park

It's been a good weekend here at our house.

My In laws have been here & Hailey had a "real" gig Saturday night!

Some H.S. students were putting on a concert (fund raiser)

for a trip they are taking later in the year.

They asked Hailey to participate.

It was such a beautiful & fun night.

Loads of people showed up!

There were lots of different musical artists.

Hailey sang two of her original songs- Airplanes & Taxi's & my new favorite Ferris Wheel.

It was extra special to have Grandma & Grandpa here.

Trent loved every minute & was on pins & needles enjoying the show...

not.

Good times
P.S. I love being outside in the crisp fall air.
Fall in Utah is marvelous

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.