K2Cole +3

Elder Cole and his new suit

2012-01-24T13:16:00.002-07:00

Today is Elder Cole's Birthday. When I opened Facebook looking for a message I saw all of the postings on his wall, it made me cry just a bit. I sure miss that boy!

Happy 20th Birthday Dallin.

Elder Cole is now in Boston, England. These are the pictures he sent of his new suit.

and his new shoes! According to him the American trousers are MASSIVE!!

Mildred Frances Hamilton Young

2011-11-30T18:48:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is the funeral - it has been a strange two weeks: lonely...

I am giving her life history and I thought I would share it here for my posterity.

MildredFrances Hamilton Young, Mother, Grandmother, great grandmother and great greatgrandmother was born on the dry lands of eastern Colorado December 9, 1919near Sligo to Frank and Lillie Hamilton. She died on November 14, 2011, 3 weeks shy ofher 92^nd birthday.

Mildred ispreceded in death by her husband, Everette. They were married almost 63 yearsbefore his passing.

She issurvived by her daughters, Judy and husband Patrick, Janet and husband Dave andLinda and husband Jerry. She has 7 grandchildren, Larry Grubbs, NatalieCollins, Bret Drury, Kelly Naughton, Dean Naughton, Ryan Naughton and myself.She has 18 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren.

She wasraised in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Whileattending grade school she would walk 10 blocks to school, home and back forlunch and then home after school, sometimes it was so cold and the wind blowingso hard she would walk backwards so she could breathe. Shegraduated from High School in 1938. She often told my children she didn’t havea bike growing up, she had a horse. Shewould ride her horse to the roller skating rink, leave him tied up, skate toher hearts content. When she was doneboth the dog and the horse were waiting for her and she would just tell thehorse to take her home. And he did. She loved riding horses and participated inCheyenne Frontier Days several times. Being an only child she loved livingclose to all her aunts, uncles and many cousins. She went to work at Woolworthsfor 15 cents an hour after graduation. On April 6, 1940 she married EveretteYoung. They were blessed with three daughters, Judy Annie, Janet Kay and LindaMae.

Mygrandparents moved to Colorado in 1948 and over the next 49 years lived inRifle, Grand Valley and Grand Junction. Grandma loved being involved with youngpeople. Over the years as her girls grewup she was very active with Christian Endeavor, Central High School Mother’sClub and Band parents. She also was a force behind establishing a museum inGrand Junction.

She was amember of the Clifton Christian Church and gave many hours of service to thechurch.

She was aretail clerk in several different businesses including Newberrys, Woolworth,Kress and Keith O’Briens, but she found her niche working as a florist whereshe could share her creativity through flowers. I remember her doingflowers. Lots of wedding flowers. Even in the last few years when Brenn wantedto make boutonnieres you could just put the materials in her hands and theywent on automatic. Her love of natureinspired her flower designing.

Grandmaloved to travel and was able to visit wonderful places like Alaska, Hawaii, theNew England states in the fall and most of all she liked the Hamilton familyreunions in Elmo, Missouri where her parents and grandparents were from. Aftermoving to Arizona return visits to Colorado and Wyoming were special for her soshe could spend time with Jan, Dave, Bret, Natalie and 2 great grandchildren.

Grandmaloved nature whether it was the Colorado mountains, lakes and forests or theocean. She always reminded us that Arizona was not her cool colorful Colorado.Her favorite season of the year was fall when the trees were bright with color.Grandma loved to share her love of nature with others and often took friendsand relatives on rides to enjoy the out of doors with her. Of course she nevercame back from a trip empty handed. Rocks, wood, moss etc. would follow herhome.

MyGrandmother was one of the most creative people you can imagine. She made allof the clothes for herself and the girls including prom and wedding dresses.She made cheerleading and twirling outfits not only for her daughters butanyone else who couldn’t sew. Otherprojects included satin collars for the High School chorus, altering band uniforms andtoy soldier costumes for a kindergarten class just to mention a few. The listis long and varied. To say she lovedcrafts is an understatement. We always had a project to do when we got to herhouse, plastic snakes to decorate, beads to string, or dolls to dress. She elaborately decorated her house not onlyfor holidays but just to display her latest craft project.

Grandma wasvery good at gathering her family. Weall made trips to be together for Christmas or the summer. Eventho there were only 3 bedrooms and one bathroom. The travel trailer was alwaysher extra guest room and we loved it when we were old enough to sleep out. Little kids were given homemade sleeping bagsand bedded down in the living room. Shetaught us well, we still all gather for holiday dinners.

Grammy wasthe best example of service I know. Sheroutinely knew all of her neighbors and helped with what ever she could. Whether they were elderly and needed to bewatched over, or younger and needed mentoring. I distinctly remember the night her mother died, Kelly, Dean and I werevisiting and we all went up to the nursing home visit with Great Gma. As were loading up the car out she came withabout 10 plates of sliced peaches and tomatoes. As we walked thru the care center she stopped at each door and deliveredthe plates, each containing whatever that person liked. I know she didn’t think she was doinganything special but I know each of those patients greatly appreciated it.

I also blameher for my penchant for volunteering to help at school. She was such a willing soul to help out withwhatever was needed.

MyGrandparents moved to Mesa in 1997 where they could be closer to family astheir health began to decline. The last 6 3/4 years she lived with my familyand me. She has been a very special part of our family life.

I have oftentold people she was the perfect Grandma, wooden spoon and all. She always had time for us. We played cards, go fish, rummy and Uno. We had bowling in the hall and tents set upin the backyard. Always candy in thecandy dish and cookies in the cookie jar. She came to our sports, performances or whatever we were involvedwith. She always made us things, dollsout of dish soap bottles, sweatshirts with applique and glitter paint, alwaysglitter paint. Green for me and Purplefor Kelly, no matter what! It was alwaysa treat to be able to spend the night at her house, except for Ryan. We would pop some corn and watch a movie onthe TV. Then settle in with thespecially made sleeping bags to sleep on the floor. She hooked us on All My Children at a veryyoung age. Mostly she was just alwaysthere, steady and loving. I knew withouta shadow of a doubt she loved me and she loved God. She personified the good Christian Woman andI hope I can be just a little bit more like her. I love you Grandma.

A very hard blog post....

2011-11-13T22:29:00.001-07:00

This has been a very hard but sweet week. My grandmother(Grammy) isn't doing very well. That is an understatement, she is very close to dying. She has been in a coma for a couple of days and I don't think she will be on this earth much longer.

I always said I would be sad for me but happy for her. She wants to see her husband and parents. Her beloved aunts and uncles and cousins, even if they did call her mild red with a ton of ham. She was a red head named Mildred Hamilton, kids are nothing if not creative.

I am happy for her, I wish she didn't have to struggle so hard.

But I am sad for me. For the last (almost) seven years she has been a big consideration in my life. Have I fed the Grammy? Is she safe? Is she content? Is she lonely? Does she need to go potty? Especially these last six months when I couldn't leave her alone, ok wouldn't, but it was better for her.

What am I going to do without her?

I am never alone. Which is good because I am not much of a loner. I always figured if Ken goes first I will have to get a roommate because I am just not a solitary person. I always have someone to tell me if my shoes match. Or to keep me company. She was always cheerful and full of mischief. I find myself thinking about the future and feeling very off balance.

My dogs are going to be crazy. They are never alone either and do not handle that well.

I guess I just want to say,

"Be seeing you and be sure to watch out for us until we meet again. Love you."

PS: I wrote this last night before bed and didn't post because the spell check is gone on my Ipad and well, I cannot spell worth beans!

This morning my wonderful Grammy passed away and I will miss her more than words can express. I know my Heavenly Father has a plan and I count myself blessed that I have that knowledge of where she is and that family is eternal.

Negative comments

2011-11-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

My bestie Jen is having a blogaversary (3 years) and is hosting a giveaway. Click on over and sign up!

I have to admit, I have never had a negative comment either but felt it my duty to be her first! I do wonder if people will defend her or laugh....

I know she will laugh!

But really, I read a few blogs everyday - sorry but I cannot keep up with ALL the great ones out there everyday. I know that some of the really popular ones no longer allow comments because of the negative ones. I want to know why you would purposely read a blog you don't agree with and then skewer that person with nasty, mean words? Why would you waste your precious time? And why, oh why would you think the blogger would care?

I do read NieNie - she was a member of our stake when she was hurt in a plane crash and a few months before that a friend of ours was in a similar crash too. So it interests me. I do not read it to judge her - seat belts caused a huge comment storm due to a picture of her children in the car without them - but I have to admit to being fascinated by the people who felt it necessary to correct her without being asked.

I rarely comment on a blog of someone I do not know (except Sue, but I know you!) unless they ask a specific question and my wisdom and input will change their entire life. I rarely get comments from people I do not know, well, except some fun spam.

Maybe I am not interesting enough to hold the attention of those who do not already know and love me....
But I mostly figure they are like me and don't want to seem totally creepy.

Do you ever leave a negative comment? I want to know why? and where?!

Halloween...

2011-10-31T13:13:00.000-07:00

I am not a fan of Halloween.

Nary a decoration in sight this year - sad I know!

I cannot really put my finger on WHY I don's like it,

I just don't.

I really thought I would be past the ole making of the costumes but

Brenn had a specific want and she was trying to do it and needed help.

So....

Tah Dah!!!

The pictures don't do it justice!

Logan went to a party on Saturday night and hadn't dressed up, when he and his friends arrived at the party everyone else had a costume so they improvised. Logan took off his shirt and was an Abercrombie model....not sure I like that! He is so very proud of his abs and pecs, almost too proud!

Wrestling practice starts today - I think Logan will be very tired when he gets home.

It is starting......

If you give a mouse a cookie...

2011-10-28T08:33:00.000-07:00

Or, If you buy a new TV,
then you have to have something to put it on,
then you have to shop until you drop to find a cabinet,
then you have to hang it from the wall,
then you have to figure out how to hook up your Tivo,
then you have to figure out how to hook up your stereo,
and your DVD player, and your Wii.
Then you have to refigure the wall art,
then you steal from other walls and have to redo them too.
Then you frantically call your bestie,
interrupt her bedtime routine with her kiddies,
to help you, reassure you, and generally make you feel better.
Lastly you have to figure out how to run your new TV.

Times 2!!

I wonder if it was worth it?

Funniest sign on the way home!

2011-10-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

In Kanab. Late Sunday night. We had to stop and eat. Where else would you find Steak, Ribs, Burgers and VEGAN??

October Break

2011-10-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

It has been 2 weeks since October break and I am just now recovering!! We went to Utah for my nieces wedding. The original plan was to go up on Wednesday, help where we could and enjoy the time up there, but Ben Kjar and the Kingdom Klub invited the Mountain View wrestling team to a 3 day camp starting on Monday. So we left on Sunday, Brenn, Logan and I. We had a great trip up considering it was snowing on Saturday! The fall colors were beautiful!!

Before we left we had to bid good-bye to our sweet Jeff Moore who would be entering the MTC on the following Wednesday and we wouldn't get to say good-bye. My plan was to be ready to leave by 8am, shoot over to his house and catch him before 8:30am church. Silly me! I thought especially since Ken was staying to work and fly out on Wednesday we would be able to get out without a hitch. Unfortunately I did not count on a sleepy daughter and son! So by the time we left it was more like 8:15 and I knew Jeff would be at church. Luckily Logan has a motto, "Never be embarrassed" and he is really good at following this motto. So dressed in our traveling clothes (stretchy black pants and a t-shirt) we drove to the church and sent Logan in to find Jeff and bring him out to us. Mission accomplished and we departed for the land northward.

It was lovely to sleep in on Monday morning and just sort of relax until noon, especially since my MIL and I stayed up talking until 2am. I am not great at that kind of thing but it was to be a foreshadow of the next 7 days!

I wish I would have taken a few pictures of Heber City Utah. What a beautiful place! My in-laws have a gorgeous house there and it was so nice to stay. We went to lunch with the parents of the bride at the restaurant where the reception was being held. Really nice place but not real convenient to decorate because they were open for business all day Saturday and time was limited between the wedding and the reception. Thankfully they did agree we could put up lights anytime that week.

So then I had to hightail it up to north Salt Lake to give the wrestlers a ride to a BBQ and then they were wrestling at UVU. So Brenn and I took the opportunity to shop a little for the wedding and for shoes for Sonja. She had bought a great dress but didn't have time to find the shoes and since she was in Hawaii (such a tough life) we bought her 4 pairs of shoes to choose from. She ended up keeping 3 of them, I'm just sayin'.... We found a great fabric store, I could have spent MONEY in there but we were trying to stay focused and since we were not quite sure what the Bride wanted and we had a meeting with her that evening AND the next day was senior day and if we brought our senior we got a 10% discount we decided to wait. We rushed back to Heber, needless to say the fabric store is exactly the farthest point from Heber either go through Salt Lake or Provo either way it was the same distance and time.

We meet with the Bride and she has a list of detail stuff she wanted to do but didn't have time for, she and her parents work full time, actually Shelley is a teacher so she works more than full time and Mike is trying to sell solar power to Hawaii and he works WAY more than full time and Michelle, the Bride, works lots and then is in the throws of love so she has no time either. But Brenn and I had lots of time so we were happy to do the projects.

I will not detail out the rest of the week because it was just lots of work and LOTS of fun! Sonja came Wednesday night and baked cakes like a maniac for 2 days, 42 cake mixes and made me feel lazy going to bed at 2am. Not a single night did I go to bed any earlier, but we sure enjoyed being together and having fun creating Michelle's vision.

My List:
16 white pumpkins for the family dinner - burlap underneath with a scarf to make the pumpkin pop.
Signs for the reception
2 30ft curtians - one to block of the business part of the resturaunt and one to frame the doors.
3 wooden signs to point the way
Dessert favors for the family dinner
help set up and take down the reception.

Results:

Lights

Sonja made this wedding cake plus 4 decorative cakes and 4 cakes to serve to the guests.
4 different flavors too!

I will leave you will some pictures of the wedding - Ken and I missed all of them because his mom, Kathy, was really sick and we took her home pretty fast after the wedding.

Shelley and Michelle

Mike and Michelle

Bridesmaids

Sisters

Can you pick Brenn's "white like flour" leg? Hard to believe they are cousins
and I have the darkest skin and she is the palest girl!

Ed and Nate - I think Ed is getting passed up by his grandsons! He's not short either.

Lauren and Spencer

Sonja and Mike

The Ginger

Handsome!

Kate

Tyse

Rylee

Jason and Scott

Avery

Marrawge...

2011-10-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

I found this and I love that it is celebrating something I think is important. It encourages me to see things like this featured on the Yahoo info bar. I think good values are mocked by the media, good things are portrayed as naive or old fashioned, out of date and I was glad to see such a great video. Not to mention what a sweetie the guy is!

Enjoy!

Recipes

2011-09-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

I am not much of a cook....wish I liked it better.

I have been looking a Pinterest* lately and it seems like I am drawn to the food and the recipes.

I find this weird!

But I did stumble across someone who made no bake cookies and used half Nutella, half peanut butter. I love the no bake cookies and since I found out I am sensitive to peanuts they have been on the DO NOT EAT or you will have a headache the size of Australia list. Thanks to Pinterest* I started to crave them like I do a good cold Ding Dong. So I thought I would try it.

a food photographer I am not!!

Yummy! They turned out pretty well and although they lack the lovely peanut taste and the texture is really smooth but they are really good and healthy too! Whole grains baby!!

My Recipe (which means I got it from my mom!)

Chocolate No-Bake Cookies

2 cups Sugar 1/2 cup Nutella

1/2 cup butter 1t vanilla

4t cocoa powder 3 cups dry oatmeal

1/2 cup milk .

Combine the first column in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil on Med high heat, stirring to prevent burning. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add the second column. Stir to combine and drop about 1 tablespoon per cookie or so on wax paper to cool. Fight over who gets to clean out the pan!

As a kid I got many a mouth burns because I couldn't wait for them to cool before eating!

As I try more of the recipes I will blog about the best ones (or worst) as I go.

*Warning: Pinterest is addicting and time stealing!

Homecoming 2011

2011-09-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

Logans first date and what a lovely date she was!!

They went to the Lake for the day date and then the mom's hosted a dinner and then on to the dance!

Lis and Logan

New person

2011-09-18T22:12:00.000-07:00

We have a new person living at our house:

It was her 21st Birthday too:

I am not too sure I have gotten used to the new do but she looks good!

Blue Boy

2011-09-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

The tradition at Mountain View High is the wrestlers are the 'Blue Boys' - they paint themselves and help the cheerleaders excite the crowd at the football games. They also have to do push ups on a board elevated by the cheerleaders as the team scores.

It is a right of passage for my boys. I think Logan enjoyed it. He could be as loud as he wants and flirt will all of the girls in the front row!

Do you wonder what they use to get blue?

Do you see the paint brushes? I am pretty sure they are the same ones they used last year.

Sadly, the football team is awful! MVT is usually a power house when it comes to sports but the game on Friday was saaddd!

On another note, Grandma is not doing well. I am pretty sure the end is near and I am both happy for her and sad for me and my family. She has been such a great Mother and Grandmother. Service has been her life, I cannot remember a time she was not taking care of someone, neighbors, friends and even strangers. I love her and hope I can be like her!

Change is inevitable.

2011-09-01T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hospice,

Does that bring dread or comfort to you?

Right now I am feeling comforted.

Comforted that someone with lots more experience medically will give us the tools and information to keep Grammie safe and comfortable.

Comforted that the necessary equipment (hospital bed, etc) will be provided and will help keep Grammie comfortable.

Comforted that the nurse will monitor her conditions and if she should fall again, bring the X-ray machince to my house.

Comforted that the Doctor will make house calls. To be fair, her regular Doctor is wonderful and will let me bug him for things, this will alleviate the guilt I feel taking him away from his family time.

I am sure you wonder, Why now?

The last two weeks have been hard and have kept me on my toes. Last Friday (Aug 26th) the shower chair leg went down the drain and dumped my Grammie on the shower floor, against the wall and on top of the shampoo bottles As she hit, she banged into the shower door, it flew open and scared me to my toes!

After a long trip to the ER (Thank Heaven for an Ipad and Angry Birds) she was pronounced bruised and sore but nothing broken. I am not sure how she didn't break anything but Thank You Fosamax!

She is a riot on Tylenol 3! And strangely lucid while she also hallucinates, hmmm.

Regardless, she is still too sore to sit up by herself and is not doing real well. This is the 3rd time she has fallen in 6 months and I will admit that it worries me.

Now I find my self strapping her in her chair, she cannot remember she is hurt or to ask for help. After finding her in precarious situations I find myself strangely grateful for that strap. It makes her mad though, I don't like that part.

Then I also put the rails on her bed and my mom commented she can't get out unless she goes off the end and sure enough by that evening she shimmied down the bed and got in her chair. I may or may not have had a mini breakdown before calling my mom and having her go get the third rail. Grammie doesn't like her 'cage' either but I can at least sleep at night.

She is just not healing this time and I worry that I am missing something. So I am looking forward to the technical help from Hospice and I know they are unfailing kind.

Nothing like a new adventure!

Sweet 16....

2011-08-17T14:57:00.000-07:00

Pretend its then end of May.

Pretend I am not the worst mother in the world for waiting 2+ months before documenting the momentous occasion.

He has to pose!

He is such a great kid!! Got his license the first time and is enjoying being independent! Now if we could just get him to go on a date.....

First day of School

2011-08-16T18:34:00.000-07:00

My next to last, first day of school! Only one more to go.....

Its nice he can drive and park, no more running to the school for me!!

I know its been a busy summer when its been 6 long weeks without a blog post!

2011-08-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

Whew!! I realize I only really have one kid to keep track of this summer but he has taken all of my time! Not only does he now drive but we have spent the whole summer wrestling. I know I should say that Logan spent the whole summer wrestling but I have been there too! We went to Pocatello Idaho for Western Regionals and it was fun. We got to spend the week with the Masons and we managed to go to the hot springs and the Body World exhibit.

We also went to Fargo, North Dakota for Nationals and we managed to go to Radio Shack and the Mall of America. Somehow Pocatello was a lot more fun! Fargo has almost nothing to do for a tourist.

I can hear you asking how Logan did and I am going to tell just because this is supposed to be a journal - he lost - every match - he really only had one or two that he even had a chance and he was so nervous and sick in Pocatello that I am amazed he could still wrestle (bad flu!) and in Fargo the competition was amazing!! He had a bad draw too, last years national champ. But he wrestled really well and feels like he did his best. I am so very proud of not only the hard work he put in ALL summer but that he was so tough to beat!

I am also switching from a Windows PC to a Mac - quite a change. Just dippin' my toe in the mac waters to see if that is where I want to go. So I bought a Mac Mini. I had a lot on my last computer and I am trying to go thru and purge but with thousand and thousands of pictures it has taken me quite a while.

Elder Cole is doing splendid!! Here is a picture he sent today:

This is his two investigators Sean and Chuck (I think its Chuck he keeps typing Chunk).

He looks so happy! I miss that kid but I am so grateful he is serving!

Brenn is working 2 jobs:

Victoria Secret and
Janie and Jack

So one store helps to make the babies and the other clothes the baby once they are here!

More to come.....

Stella Sue

2011-07-08T22:12:00.000-07:00

I forget how big our Stella is, as I sat on the couch finishing Harry Potter 5 (yes I am reading them again in preparation for the last movie) I looked down at her sleeping and my shoe right by her foot....

WOW!

I wear a size 7 and so does she!!

Missionaries are FUN!

2011-07-05T22:25:00.000-07:00

I am loving having and missionary. Each Monday morning at an impossibly early hour I roll over and check my phone for an email from Dallin. My goal is to catch him at the computer so I can have a back and forth conversation with him. Unfortunately he is 8 hours ahead and I have yet to be up at 3:15 am.

Now there have been two Mondays I haven't gotten an email, once while in Pocatello at the wrestling tournament (I worried and then turned it over to the Lord, then repeat) and yesterday.

The first time I was a little nervous but figured it must be transfers or something and I was right.

This Monday, I knew it was too soon for transfers and wondered if he got carried away having fun on P-day and neglected to email his mother. Today I got an email with accompanying pictures:

With the explaination

Well im sorry that this is a bit late and i will tell you why at the end. well this week has been great, i dont have much time to email but i will go over the good parts. Well we went over and worked all day on tuesday in a part of our area called bromsgrove. it is about 15-20 mins by car so not much work goes on there. so we went and worked hard there. it was great we were knocking doors and three doors in a row we had good talks and they said we could come back. we had lots of good stuff going on this week. we did alot of finding and we found a lot of good people. For the 4th we had a big party at Gerrys house on sunday. it was great, we had some root beer (which was soooo good, they dont have it here) and some chicken and hot dogs and it was super good. We had a great p day yesterday. our whole zone got together to celebrate the 4th. We meet some missionaries at the bullring in birmingham. i think it is the biggest shooping center in england, most certainly in our mission. we went and wandered around there a bit. Then we took a bus to the church in Harborne. So we got there and met tons of missionaries there. we played soccer, had rootbeer floats, did a football (soccer) tournament, and played some ultimate frisbee. now to the reason i didnt email yesterday. So we were playing frisbee and i was running after the frisbee and i stepped in a massive rut, and rolled my ankle. it was bad i heard it pop and crunch. so i was carried off to the sidelines, and Chunk our investigator who is taking university to be a sports therapist checked out my ankle. it was swelling up lik a balloon. so we got some ice on it. and we drove home and we were looking at it and decided to go to the hospital to get it checked out. so i was seen by a doctor and he said that there was a chance that my ankle was broken. so i got an x ray and it isnt broken! but it is messed up, possibly some ligament dammage, but i will be alright! anyways i love you and promise to write more next week

love elder cole

p.s. here is a pic of my ankle

and me at the hospital

Up until now he has written nice long emails, lots of detail and I have reread them several times. Each time my heart swells with love and pride for this young man serving and enjoying his service. He is happy, therefore I am happy!

I am singing Dolly Parton

2011-06-17T12:18:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures of my Boat cover of many colors:

Somehow the boat cover got lost in Utah and we have been searching for a replacement, we used tarps for the winter but they were hard on the boat. I finally found and ordered a new cover but in the mean time something needs to keep the brutal (110 yesterday) sun off the seats so....

I went to the thrift store and bought the thickest and prettiest (*snicker*) sheets I could find and laid them out and sewed them together. I guess I could say it was with love and I did tell a story to my RS President who dropped by and asked what in the world was I doing?

So this is what I keep hearing in my mind every time I walk by:

I am AWESOME!!!

2011-06-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Just ask me when I have completed a big or difficult project and I will tell you

I am Awesome!!

It's kinda funny because my kids do this too, I guess I was not the best parent for humility.

But Look at this and tell me I am not Awesome (good thing Hyrum doesn't read my blog!)

Garage before:

After:

But the real awesomeness was the tool room.

Before:

After:

This room hasn't looked since we moved in, OK BEFORE we moved in!! It only took us two days, which was about half of what I thought. We did this for Father's day - I think he will eventually come around.

AWESOME!!!

16 years old

2011-06-03T19:05:00.000-07:00

Logan is now 16 - Holy cow!!!

He had to wait one day to get his license since Monday was a holiday. He was nervous but passed!! And drove himself to wrestling practice....twice!!! I stayed home!!! (cue the music!)

I have no pictures of that because I am a loser. He left on the Trek on Thursday and I keep wondering how he is doing. For his birthday I am cleaning out his room (we do this every summer) and letting him go the the bin way of storing his clothes - what is that you say? Well since my boys cannot seem to get their clean laundry out of a laundry basket and put it in a drawer, I devised a system. Shelving unit, big tubs, labels - just toss you laundry into a bin - slide said bin back in to shelf, done!

So, as I am doing this I pause for a pit stop, now I rarely go into the downstairs bathroom because it is inhabited by BOYS!! Since we are down one boy, I thought it might be safe. I sit and this is what I see:

What an amazing boy, as I start to look around I see this:

I wondered where the stack went from the living room. Then I see his mirror:

He is preparing.

what more could a mother want? sniff, sniff.....

23 Years

2011-05-31T14:05:00.000-07:00

Linky Party...

2011-05-26T10:14:00.000-07:00

Wait, you thought I was hosting? Surely you jest! My linky party would be more like:

What do you read/do while sitting on the throne?

Is that your only peace and quiet or do your kids still bug you?

Instead my bestie Jen is hosting and her question is much more appropriate.

What are the most important things I need to teach my children? What are the principles that will lead them to being productive, independent, spiritual adults?

You can be as narrow as the most important thing or as broad as a list.

As I have pondered, I can do that I just don't often, my principle would be

Obedience.

Not only to parents, but obedience to our Father in Heaven and his commandments. To me, one of the best examples the Savior set was obedience to his Father. He followed God's plan for Him, even though it was hard, even though He didn't think He could do it, He did and we all benefit.

I want to be that obedient. I want my kids to see me being obedient. In one of the other links, Granny Sue (a fav for sure) spoke about how kids watch what you DO and they learn a lot more from your actions, then what you say. I wholeheartedly agree with that! It is my responsibility to model, sincerely, what I want my kids to copy. It is our responsibility to study the scriptures, pray for guidance and know what we need to be doing.

I am still a little emotional about my missionary and I can't express my gratitude for him serving. For being obedient. That just makes my heart so full it could burst.

I love Monday's!!

2011-05-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

New email and we also got snail mail from our missionary!! The only problem is he included letters to Brenn, Logan and all of the Naughton's across the street. What did he send his mom, who has written him faithfully both by email and by snail mail???

bupkiss!!

Which means nothing, nada, zero!! WHAT!!???

At least I am comforted to know the emails are long and detailed so I guess I shouldn't complain.......

much......

Now presenting the latest from the Elder:

Dear Family and Friends,

First off i want to say CONGRADULATIONS! to all those who graduate this week! secondly i want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Grandma Naughton and Grampa Ed, who both have birthdays during this coming week! Thanks for all your love and support and i hope that you have great birthdays!

I have officially been a missionarty for a whole month!!! it doesnt seem like is been that long, but at the same time it seems like its been ages already! its really wierd!

This week has been a great week full of awesome and fun experiences! I played football on Monday and totally owned! it was so much fun! Then on tuesday i went on exchange with two elders in Harbourne. Elder Pavan had a leadership meeting so we went and proselyted while he did that. I was With Elder Jean and Elder Kunz. harbourne is Elder Kunz's area and it was an hour and a half bus ride just to get there. We stopped off at the flat and ate some lunch and then we went out to work. Elder Kunz was in my MTC group, and had only been in the area for about a week. needless to say we had absolutely no idea where we were and only a slight idea of where we were going. but we turned our problem into a blessing by asking every person we passed how to get where we were going. It was an awesome way to start a conversation with people! We ended up giveng out 7 Books of Mormon and we got them 3 potential investigators, and 1 appointment! it was a great and successful day!

on Wednesday i went on exchange again! I went to Nuneaton with Elder Card while Elder Matthews went to Redditch with Elder Pavan. Elder Card and I went and taught some investigators and saw a less active sister. Then we went to a dinner appointment with literally the wierdest, most annoying family in the entire world... It was legitimately the oddest house ever. after dinner we went with the ward mission leader to visit some less active sisters. While at one house, the power cut out, and Elder Card said the closing prayer and prayed that the power would come on soon and not 30 seconds after did the power come back on! It was a tender mercy of the Lord and it was awesome!!

Then we had district meeting on thursday in coventry. afterward adrian picked us up and we taught tracy at her house and that went really really well. Afterward they took us out to a chinese buffet and it was SO GOOD! the had a chocolate fountain and it was yummy.

Friday we taught Tracy again first thing in the morning. It went really well and she is super excited to get baptised! Then we did our weekly planning and went to a D.A. at a members home and she made the most delicous lemon drizzle cake. I have eaten so much food during this last month im suprised im not 4000 pounds! After the dinner appointment we went and helped out the youth by reffing their basket ball games, for their stake youth activity. Now i thought i was bad at basketball, but these kids were absolutely terrible! It was the funniest thing ever to see these kids just suck so bad at b-ball. hahaha so funny.

On saturday we helped out Jerry with his yard and itwas honestly the oddest thing i have ever done. We dug out his grass, put it in those reusable, green(earth friendly) bags, ran them across the street and dumped them out over this fence. I felt like i was smuggling drugs or something, and everytime a car would drive by i didnt know wether to hide what i was doing , or continue on like there was nothing wrong. but after he made us a yummy breakfast of sausage, bacon, egg, and toast. then we went to drop off my dry cleaning, and proselyte in the city center. Right after i dropped off my suits i realized that i needed them on sunday, and that ther wouldnt be ready until monday... way to go dallin, way to usar la cabesa. hahaha luckily Elder Pavan lent me one of his suits. we're pretty close to the same hieght (im slightly taller) but he is a good 50 60 pounds bigger than me, so his suit looked massive on me! and i gave a talk in church so i was in front of the whole ward looking really goofy in a suit that was to big. good stuff.

now one of the greatest moments of my week. on Sunday after church we went to Dinner at a members house. they own a porsche. They let elder pavan and myself drive the porsche.... it was sooooooo awesome! definatly better than my corolla back at home. hahaha so much fun! after that we went and had some pancakes :) Great Great Great week

love you all :)

Elder Cole

Love this boy anyway!!

Sunday, Sunday

2011-05-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

As I sat in Sacrament meeting this morning I realized I hadn't been to church for a month! I went to Tuckers farewell but to my own ward it has been a while. Between being really sick and Grandma falling, I haven't attended. So when I walked in this morning, early, I might add (8:30am church is killing me), and I chatted with a few people and I hugged on the boys who are graduating, I started to tear up just a bit. I haven't been bad in the missing Dallin department, or at least I thought I hadn't, but I realized I haven't been exposed to his peers much lately. To top it off, the choir sang the As Sisters in Zion/Army of Helaman song, that song touches me anyway and today the tears just rolled down my face. I am so proud of my missionary! I am so grateful he is worthy and willing to serve, and I think I cry because of the gratitutde more than the missing. My heart is so touched and the Spirit feels so close when I see these boys who are preparing and knowing my son is serving both the people of England and as an example to these boys he loves so much!

Can't wait for tomorrow to hear how his piano playing went!

I love MAIL!!

2011-05-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

See what I got in the mail this week:

President and Sister Ogden

Elder Pavan and Elder Cole

Plus a sweet letter from the Mission President and his Wife. It was a needed look see at my Elder Cole. It came on Wednesday. I was already a little teary because of Tucker leaving and this put me over the top. Just a little!

What's a mom to do?!

Are you ready????

2011-05-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

I first read about this a couple of weeks ago and I thought it was funny - especially when it quoted a guy who works for homeland security - that kinda makes you go hmmmmm.

From the Arizona Republic:

"Have you heard the awesome news?" the side of the RVs asked, in big bold letters. "The End of the World is Almost Here!"
As if the message weren't scary enough, the dozen or so occupants of the RVs - vanguard of a national campaign funded by a fundamentalist Christian radio network and fueled by bus ads and Internet buzz - wore highlighter-bright yellow shirts that said "Earthquake So Mighty, So Great." They offered pedestrians handouts saying there was "marvelous proof" that "Holy God will bring judgment day on May 21, 2011."......

The man pushing the current forecast is Harold Camping, an 89-year-old Christian fundamentalist radio host and co-founder of the Family Radio network, which broadcasts on dozens of stations across the country. His group has sponsored the end-of-the-world caravan and plastered cities, including Washington, with billboards and signs.

This is not Camping's first end-of-the-world prophecy. In a 1992 book, he predicted that the world would end in 1994. When he woke up in 1995, clearly something had gone wrong......

Among them was Gary Vollmer, who took a leave of absence from the Department of Homeland Security to spread the word. He's supposed to go back on May 23. "But I'm not going back," he said. "I'll be gone on the 21st."

Camping, an engineer by training, says he came up with the very precise date of May 21 through a mathematical calculation that would probably crash Google's computers. It involves, among other things, the dates of floods, the signals of numbers in the Bible, multiplication, addition and subtraction thereof. Camping describes his equations with absolute conviction

Now I didn't publish the whole article but really there was just so much there to enjoy - first that it will be a great earthquake - haven't we had several of those lately? Then I wondered what Mr Vollmer was going to do on the 23rd if he is still here, work? or not? Then I would have liked to see Mr. Camping on Jan 1, 1995 - how did he explain that? Lastly I had to rib Ken because Mr Camping is an engineer - to which he responded "What kind? Certainly not a Civil Engineer?" Plus the complicated calculation would probably crash Google's computers? Just too funny!!

But the best part was published the next day:

Bart Centre, an atheist from New Hampshire, started Eternal Earth-bound Pets in 2009. He offers Rapture believers an insurance plan for those furry family members that won't join them in heaven: 10-year pet care contracts, with Centre and his network of fellow non-believers taking responsibility for the animals after the Rapture. The fee -- payable in advance, of course -- was originally $110, but has gone to $135 since Camping's prediction.

Centre says he has 258 clients under contract, and that business has picked up considerably this year. But he's not worried about a sales slump if May 21 happens to disappoint believers.

So I guess my question is....

Why wouldn't my pets go to heaven???

The Latest from England

2011-05-18T17:56:00.000-07:00

I am so glad to have a missionary! My 2nd son left this morning to enter the MTC in Provo you can see that here. Jen and I have raised our older kids together, it is wonderful to see these two strong young men go and serve the Lord!

This weeks letter:

peeps,

Wow!!!! you guys just cant live without me can you! you've pretty much been sick since ive left! hahaha Anyways THIS GOES OUT TO MY FRIEND SINCE BIRTH(well 4) TUCKER CHRISTIAN DENTON!!!! I LOVE YOU BRO! AND IM SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO GO TO THE MTC THIS WEEK!!! YOUR STAY AT THE MTC WILL BE UNLIKE ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER DONE BEFORE (it wont be quite as cool as mine because you going to provo... but) YOU WILL REMEMBER IT FOREVER! THE SPIRIT WILL BE WITH YOU THE ENTIRE TIME THERE IF YOU LET IT, AND IT WILL TEACH YOU MORE THAN YOU EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE IN SUCH SHORT TIME! I LOVE YOU AND I KNOW THAT YOU AND GABE WILL SPIRITUALLY TAG TEAM THE NEW YORK, NEW YORK SOUTH MISSION INTO ETERNAL HAPPYNESS OBLIVION!!!!

now that i have that little all capitals love shout out out of the way i can get on with my email =) well its been like 3 days simce my last email but it feels like its been FOREVER!! so many things have happened! We have spent a lot of time with the members so they can grow to love me :) hahaha story time, so i had always heard of people who went on missions and had to play the piano for the ward their serving in because no one there new how to play. and i thought to myself, that will NEVER happen to me... the Lord LOVES it when you say NEVER, because then he can make sure it happens... the Redditch ward has a little cd player they use as accompaniment to their hymns, and once i let it slip that i could play the piano, they got all excited because for the first time they are going to have someone accualy accompanying them.. yay. they got me a little keyboard for the flat that i can practise on. haha im actually really excited to be able to serve the ward like that! they will love me! and if they love me, then they will give me referals and then i can convert people!!! it will be good... i hope

i taught my first lesson on friday! it was awesome! we taught a lady named Tracy. She is dating Adrian, who is inactive, and he helped spike her interest in the church. She is so Golden that it is slightly ridiculus! She has a baptism date for june 4 and she is so excited! Adrian is the man too! He is so helpful! he helps answer questions and he gives awesome insights! he served his mission in bristol, so he knows exactly whats going on and what to say, its so cool!

We are also helping a guy named Shaun he is pretty much the coolest kid ever. He's like 22 and is the nicest guy! His dad Andrew was a member when he was younger, but he fell away from the church for a while, his wife was baptised like 2 weeks ago, and they are planning to go to the temple next year! His younger brother Harry was also baptised not to long ago. Shaun knows that its good, but he just needs to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about it, but he's had exams for university and hasnt had much time to do anything but them, but it will happen! Tonight we are going to Family Home Evening with their whole family! ( their cousins live down the street a bit and are also freakin cool) We're going to have a quick lesson and then we're going to play football!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited i havent got to play since the MTC! Elder Pavan and i have a ball we kick around the flat, but its not the same! I cant wait! im even getting some football boots so i dont die like i did at the MTC!

I have eaten more in the past 5 days here in Redditch then ever in my entire life ever!! its a bit ridiculus! members feed us dinner all the time! and they go all out! Every single time with out fail there is just a mountain of food on our plates!! I am so close to literally exploding every time i eat! and our flat is famous for its sweets cupboard! Its just loaded with candy that the members give us! we've already made it through like 4 Chocolate easter eggs! and the Chocolate here is about 1000000000000000000 times better than at home! Its soooooo good! i could eat myself into a sweet chocolate death if given the chance.

on sunday Elder Pavan and I taught the high priest group, and it went really well. we taught about how small and simple things bring about great things! and we related it to member missionary work. We challenged them to pray for missionary experiences, and to pray for the courage to act on them. We showed a video about it and it had a talk by president eyring and it was so powerful! i love that guy! he is so inspired and you can easily see it every time he speaks. then Elder Pavan gave the opening prayer, We blessed the Sacrament, I shared my testimony, AND i gave the closing prayer. AND we are both giving talks next week on how to show love to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I'm going to tie it to missionary work and pull a President Wright and challenge them all from the pulpit! it will be epic!! wether epicly good or epicly bad i am not sure but epic, it will be!! well i have got to be going now so

TTFN

Love

Elder Cole

p.s. to send me anything you just send it to the mission home and they will get it to tme at district meetings! I will try to get you the address to the flat if i can.

I have to admit 3 email and one phone call in a week is the BOMB!! With Tuckers farewell and leaving and I am missing Dallin some it has been an emotional week. But I love it anyway!

I am behind....

2011-05-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Latest from the missionary:

well Im being transfered tomorrow at 6:00 am!! its crazy!! its really a bittersweet time because im so excited to get out to the mission field but sad to leave all the friends ive made that i wont see maybe ever. But im mostly excited! ive been packing up all my stuff and its a little weird. i feel like im leaving my home all over again, but more sad. ive bonded so much with everyone here and will miss them tons! i love you all and i might be able to email you when i get to the mission office.

love Elder Cole

Then on the next day we got:

The subject line said: the epistle of Elder Cole to the people of Mesa

So I'm staioned in a place called Redditch!! it's an awesome place! but ill get to that later

so i had to get up at 5 o clock yesterday for transfers!! ive had trouble getting up on time my entire stay at the MTC, and i not only went to bed way way way late (midnight), but i also got up right on time! It was a sad, sad night on tuesday night... we watched the joseph smith movie, and i was touched by how happy he was even though he had such a hard time, all the time. then we had a testimony meeting and it was beautiful! everyone who could bore their testimony (one elder was so sick it was all he could do to just not throw up) After word we sang ''God be with you til we meet again'' that song makes me cry like a baby every time! its a little bit ridiculus!!! haha but then we went to pres and sis walkers apartment and had some cake and ice cream. One of the things i will miss the most will be the pastries that the MTC chef made... he was a magician...

so we woke up early, packed up the coach (bus) and said our heartfelt goodbyes, only to get on the bus, drive about 1 hr, and stop at the same rest stop as the other bus... it was pretty funny.

i wasnt even nervious until we pulled onto penns lane (the same street the mission home is on) then i was super crazy ridiculusly nervious. we pulled into the mission home and met the president and the ap's. and luckily they were all super nice. we met with the mission president (who is awesome btw), and i met Elder Matthews! he's really cool and i think he's in my district! which is pretty cool (represent AZ) Then we went over to the mission home and had some pizza. and then the ap's told us to line up single file and to walk to the stake center... it was like a little GREENY PARADE!!! all the missionaries were out i front yelling at us try ing to get us to look away, but the ap's told us to keep our heads down... so i only looked up once... to give a big thumbs up to ELDER BOEHME!!!!! then we went in to meet our trainers ...................................................

ELDER PAVAN!! he's from Canada and he is really really awesome! ive already learned a ton from him! None of my MTC friends are in the same district so we all said our goodbyes and elder pavan and i set off to the train station and off to our flat. Which is freakin cool bytheway. so story time, so on the way home my father (elder pavan) was telling me about our landlords, one is a lady and is very kind to us, the other is a short old man who does not like the missionaries at all. he also told me that one of them would be waiting at the flat to give it an inspection... so i was praying for the landlady to be there. we walk (up the biggest hill ever with both of my suitcases) to our apartment and, of course, their is a short man standing at the gate yelling at us as soon as we get there... so we walk up to our flat and he just starts tearing the place apart, this bathroom is unbearable, this is terrible, that is terrible, im going to have to kick you out its so messy. Then he starts interogating me about my political standpoints, and at this point im freeeeaaaakin out. on no! i just got here and am already being kicked out of my apartment. wow way to make a good impression in the area. then he and elder pavan start crackin up. they thought it would be funny to play a little joke on the greeny.; ha ha h-not very funny... jk i laughed. his name is jerry and he was just reactivated and just went through the temple! he helps out us missionaries all the time! he's actuallty a really cool guy.

so i unpacked a bit and we had some dinner and we went out to a member of the bishopric and watched a video we are going to use when we teach the high preists on sunday. They are such a great family. and today we went over there and the helped my get a pretty nice bike FOR FREE-ish i can use it as long as im in redditch, once i leave i have to give it back to the ward, but Brother Mason said that if i like it i could buy it off them for like 50£. witch is good for a decent bike. but this place is way way way way way hilly... on the way here we climed most likely the biggest hill ever in the history of the earth and my thighs are killin me! but in the long run i will have the thighs of a champion! haha well thats pretty much it... i wont be able to send post for a few days so hopefully i can write all those who have writen me. I LOVE YOU ALL! STAY SWEET

LOVE

ELDER COLE!

He also sent an Oh yeah my Pday is now Monday. I love this being a missionary mom! I feel a little spoiled to get 3 emails in one week!

I have some post rolling around in my head I just need to have the time to sit and type. We'll see!

Next installment....

2011-05-07T21:40:00.000-07:00

It has been a caaaarrazy week! i was thinking back on it and what to write about and it seems likes its been a month! on thursday we went into manchester to street contact and man was that scary!!! but it was such a great experience! the first guy we talked to was a professor of ethics, and he was very interested i what we had to say from a scolarly standpoint, but i bore my testimony that if he read the book of mormon and pray to know if it was true that he would recieve an answer. and he said that he would read it not only for his job, but for his own spirituality and that he would pray about it!! it was so exciting! we talked to like 5 or 6 other people, gave out one more book of mormon, and came back to the mtc exhausted, but happy! we taught our ''investigator'' sam again and it went soooooo well. even though it wasnt real and i was teaching a teacher, the spirit was so strong. it was so amazing! ive learned so much in the short time tht ve been here in the mtc! it feels like a whole semester of school, crammed into a couple weeks. its taught me that with the spirit, anything can happen!
well since this mtc is so small, theres only like 40 misionaries total, they are letting us call home! it ll be around 8:30 mothers day morning!! i can only imagine your excitement, being able to hear my beautiful voice! haha that will be fun!
there are two teachers that are mainly teaching my district, brother day, who looks remarkable like kai, and brother jacobe, who looks like a mix between rufio form hook and andrew sheifer, and they and soooooo awesome!! they are such great teachers and they bring the spirit so well! we also got a little mix up in my district. we got a new sister! sister sebauld was moved to nephi district and we got sister binnie from scotland. she was supposed to go to sweden but her visa wasnt going through so she got her call changed to london south!! whe is really cool and that makes 3 scots in my district!! it is so much fun!
today we got to go on a church history tour! and it was so great! i woke up this morning and i felt off, it was the only time that have felt at all homesick. but (not that i dont love you guys at home) i was thinking about spencer, i just couldnt get him off my mind and i was feeling homesick, and then we were standing near a small stream wheree the early missionaries baptised loads of people and we had a short testimony meeting. i felt the spirit so strong and it told me that this is where im supposed to be, and that im doing what the Lord wants me to. Spencer i love you! email me or write me asap!! i sent you a letter and i dont know if you got it or not....
any ways i ve got to run, i love you all!!

elder Cole

I am wondering if the call will be my time or his, but no matter I will be so glad to talk to him and I am not sure I will be able to sleep!

We have all been really sick all week, as Grandma would say we have the 'Epiczookic'! Lots OSS snot and coughing. I feel really bad for Grandma because of her cracked rib and all of the coughing!! I have pretty much done nothing all week, at least until I reached my threshold.

Do you have a threshold?

By a Threshold I mean, show dirty can your house get before you can't stand it and have to clean no matter how bad you feel. I reached that on Friday. Wore myself out but at least the vacuuming got done and the house picked up.

BTW it was 101 degrees today, first hot day........of many!

On another note..

2011-04-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

Saw this today and I cannot wait!

I love the part 1 of the seventh movie! What a great story! I will probably have to read all 7 books again (yes, again!) before the premiere!

Guess my Favorite day will be WEDNESDAY!!

2011-04-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

Email from my Elder Smiley Cole:

Well Hello there!

It has been one crazy, crazy week! My companions name is Elder Shaw and he is so cool! he is quiet and usually lets me do all the teaching, but yesterday i focused on having him teach most of the lesson and when we work together and each teach about 50% the spirit is so much stronger! there are four elders in my room Myself, elder shaw, elder day and elder sims. elder sims is the funniest guy! we're always firing jokes back and forth and it makes life here so much more bearable. Elder day is from dundy scottland and is the coolest guy! our room is the best room by far and the guys in it are probably the closest of all the rooms! IM A DISTRICT LEADER!!!! ive been made the leader of the helamen district. which includes the guys in my room, elder snow, elder root elder wilkey, elder goulding, and two sisters. sister Keogh and sister Sebauld. Elder wilkey is from england and he has the coolest accent. sister keogh is from scottland and sister sebauld is from germany. Our district is not only a way fun district but we are still very spiritual. we all get along really well. Our sisters are so cool, but they are having a little trouble, so if you could keep them in your prayers, i would really appreciate it!

I have learned so much already and i can feel my self changing already. ive been praying for the spirit every time i pray and its making such a difference in my life. they aree having us teach mock investigators. ours is named sam and elder shaw and i have taught him once and we are going to teach him tomorrow. so pray for us to be able to teach with the spirit.

during our excercise time weve been playin futbol and it has been sooooo much fun! i am way way way out of shape though! trhe other day i was in goal after one of my lungs callapsed (JK IM OK) and i made 3 awesome saves! im a regular british futbolsmen!

ive just been having a blast and i cant wait to get out into the missionfeild! Thanks all those who have sent letters so far I was the first one in my district to get letters! (thanks to grandparents Naughton and Scottie Glen!) it really means alot to me and will write back later today. hopefully. well after this im off to asda witch is like there walmart to get a sweatshirt to play futbol in! i love you all and expect letters soon! :)

love Elder Cole :)

Waiting.......

2011-04-25T17:25:00.000-07:00

I was really hoping today was P-day (that is preparation day that missionaries get once a week and that is the day they email home) but apparently

NOT!!!

The last week has been absolutely crazy!! Getting a Missionary ready seems pretty straight forward but really it takes a toll - Ken and I have been so tired since he left!

First, our Bishop took the 3 missionaries in our ward who have their calls, my nephew Kai, Ken and his Son in law Cory to Mexico for 3 days before his farewell - they came back Saturday night and we have 8:30am church. I had the busiest weekend with them gone! Track meet concessions, dinner to Ken's home teaching family, irrigation and a Grandma with a cracked rib who is really funny on Vicoden but very wobbly!!

In addition, Dallin's passport and Visa were still in Salt Lake City. I worried briefly on Thursday when Dallin remembered and was wondering how he would get out of Mexico without a passport but I decided the Lord looks after Missionaries and I had enough to do/worry about, and I left that to Him. It came on Wednesday about 2:30pm - We really didn't need it until 9:30am the next day at the airport!!

But it was a fun week - Saturday night Ken's brother Mike and his family came from Utah, we had take-out at our house - Ken and Dallin got home before Logan and I (longest wrestling tournament EVER!) then on Sunday Dallin gave a wonderful talk. When he was finding his scriptures he did it on his phone, but he was just a little embarrassed so he prefaced it, then said, "Deal with it" we all laughed. He spoke on developing Christ like attributes, he did great! I now have to figure out how to get the recording off of my phone and clean it up.

I have to admit to a pet peeve - People who speak before the missionary at a farewell should leave the missionary at least 15 minutes. All of the people crammed into the chapel and overflow are NOT here to listen to you speak for 25 minutes - I almost made a sign and held it up!! Funny enough, Ken almost did the same thing!!

Sunday, we hosted a family dinner for 56 people! BTW - that is alot of people! It was fun and since I made the dinner the Wednesday before it wasn't too bad. I wish it would have warmed up in the oven a little faster though. Then in the evening our ward came by to sing to the missionary - "God Be With You Til We Meet Again" - what a great tradition!

Monday, Ken's cousins wife and 3 kids came in to town from London and we had Ken's parents and sister, and cousins to dinner - it was so much fun! Brenn and Callan played with nail polish (sorry Kathy) and the boys were a hoot!

Tuesday we had an open house with cinnamon rolls - all 96 were GONE!! Our last person came at MIDNIGHT!! (Love you Chandler!)

Wednesday we finished up the packing and he was set apart- One of my friends in my ward told me that it was extra special and to slow down and enjoy it and she was right! What a beautiful experience. My missionary was truly ready! We got done and he gave me his phone and ipod, saying he didn't want them to be a temptation. We went to dinner, just the 5 of us and had a lovely night.

Thursday we got up and finished a few things and headed to the airport. At the airport we met up with 2 other missionaries going to Preston for the MTC.

I did pretty well in the crying department - a little at the farewell, a little on Wednesday when he bore such a beautiful testimony, and some saying goodbye at the airport. I pretty much cried the whole way home, I just had to look at Kai in the passenger seat and it would start. We had to stop by Sonic and get an Oreo Blast to make me feel better! The only other time I got choked up was on Sunday when Nathan Epstein passed me the Sacrament (he leaves in July).

On Friday morning I checked my email and this is what I found:

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm alive and well! The flight to ohare went fine. when we got to ohare we were greeted by a crowd of missionaries!!!! Huzzah for Isreal!!! it was so wonderful to see so many missionaries in one spot! and their all here in england with me :) we have three sisters and they are the coolest. the flight to manchester was really ong and i only got like 2 hours of sleep, but it is so beutiful here! i love you bye

Elder Cole

Is there anything better?

Brenn took his mission pictures - so handsome!!

This one is for his plaque in the hallway of the church:

Maybe P-day will be tomorrow!

Busy.......

2011-04-20T16:42:00.000-07:00

I will be a lot less busy after 11:15am tomorrow.......

and probably a little wet around the eyes!

14 days and counting...

2011-04-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

I am unable to come up with the words on how I feel preparing my missionary (mine opposed to Ken's and mine) to leave for 2 whole years.

Joy

Pride

Satisfaction

Busy

Lists of things to get and do

Tender

Panic

Wonder

etc.....

Today we have been cleaning out his bedroom. Lots of mysterious underwear, lots of broken toys, tools and various parts to things he has taken apart to see how they work. Dust in large amounts. Books, school papers from Jr high and College. I am waxing a little nostalgic after finding a picture of his first camp out with the boy scouts. Some of the boys are home from their missions already.

As we do this I keep thinking, Is he prepared both physically and spiritually? What have I done? Could I do different? Does he know what I know? It is enough to drive you crazy and yet he is showing a maturity that impresses me.

He is preparing himself,

and I think that is the most important thing.

Linky Party with Jen...

2011-03-10T17:09:00.000-07:00

It seems like I need a prompt (and a little peer pressure) to post. I am running like crazy and counting the days (35) until my missionary leaves. So here is the Prompt:

If you had your choice, would you want to know the future? Would you want to know that your life will be markedly, frighteningly different than you’ve planned all along? Or would you rather have the change come quickly, like an uncontrolled locomotive, leaving disaster in its wake, with you scrambling to pick up the pieces?

Easy for one who thinks not too deep:

NOPE!!

Would rather enjoy the ride and wait to see what happens.

As I read Jen's post and the others linking I still feel that way. No need to contemplate or ponder on this, for me, it is simple. Plus, I trust in my Heavenly Fathers plan, so why would I worry? I also find it interesting that the alternative is disaster and scrambling, I think of it as more of an adventure and exciting....

Hhmmm....

Valentines Day

2011-02-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

I woke up

GRUMPY!!

Had a Doctors appointment, they took blood so that means needles! Never a good thing? Also,

Feel free to skip this part

Had to collect a stool sample, can I just say

YUCK!!

I know I deal with this all the time with Gma but somehow.....

Startings of a headache by 3pm and a whiny kid who didn't want to mow the lawn.

I should back up and say I woke up Dallin and Brenn before the Doctor and gave them some chores, I don't care that they are 19 and 20, they still get chores! Both had them done before I got home, that included mowing the front lawn, the whining was from a different kid and the back lawn. If that is tough to figure out I only have 3 kids, come on!!

So I laid down to rest and hopefully get rid of the headache because I knew Ken would want to take me out for Valentines Day.

Door bell rings after 10 minutes, my new Visiting teacher with some goodies.

Phone rings, something I had to handle - can't remember.

Door bell rings again

You get the picture, right?!

By about 5:30 Ken came home with roses - he always gets roses. He is very sentimental about them. He has a hard time buying anything else because they just seem so right to him. So he came with red and white roses. The white are because we tease him a little.

So we went to dinner. We ate Italian because we almost always go Mexican or to a Steak house because he likes those and I really don't care. Food is not really important to me. I like it. I want it to taste good. But I am not a foodie. As long as it fills me up and is not gross, I am good. But I do like Italian and he is not such a fan.

So we try this new restaurant that Brenn found.

Alessia's

It is a little restaurant, tucked in the corner of a strip mall (Higley/Brown). It looked a little hinky. We waited quite a while, but it was Valentines day and we figured we would have to wait no matter where we went.

We ordered the specials - one of each.

I had Pork tenderloins in a sauce with mangoes and grapes.

Ken had Lobster spaghetti.

Ken's was really good.

Ken was

JEALOUS!!!

because mine was the best thing we had ever eaten!!

I gave him a bite to be kind. Before I even tasted it. If I had tasted it first

he wouldn't have gotten any!!

I wish I could pronounce or spell the dish.

I wish it was a regular menu choice.

Then I could google it and try to make it every night for dinner.

I googled:

pork mango

Italian pork dishes with mango

Grape mango pork

Pork tenderloin fusion food

and about 10 other combos.

No luck.

But I did give my email so they could send the specials for the week.

There is still hope!

At least I was in a better mood when I got home.

Mission Ready

2011-02-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday I got a call from My Bestie Jen and she had some real excitement going on at her house! As I read the blog post about it I am tearing up, it was such a sweet experience. I am getting a missionary ready too and I realized I am busy and neglecting my blog/journal for my posterity and missing out on recording the experience, excitement and frustration of getting my missionary ready. Whoops!

Mostly, I nag. I had to nag him to look at suits. We bought some at a great sale - buy 1 and get 2 free - of course the first suit was $800 but when you do the math it's not to bad. Problem is only one pair of pants and no way to order more. I thought about this. I dreamed about a 2nd pair of pants. And then nagged him in to going to Pomeroys, the missionary store here in Mesa. Unfortunately, one of his buddies recently returned from a NY mission warned him against Pomeroys. So, although they had suits designed for bike riding, two pairs of pants and free alterations (savings of $60 per suit) he was not convinced. He wanted to talk to his friend - which in guy time takes at least a week. Finally, we went with the Pomeroys suits and bought him his overcoat. What an accomplishment. The best part is Dallin is funding his missionary preparation. He is working very hard at Pizza Hut to save as much money as his can for when he returns but is buying most of his mission stuff.

I have picked up most of the incidentals here and there like towels, socks, white shirts and he got nice long johns for his birthday. But I had to nag again to go and buy shoes.

Actually, the shopping trips are awesome! I get to spend the day with my son, just he and I or sometimes Ken comes. We laugh and talk. I will miss him for the two years he is serving but I am so very pleased that he is willing to serve the Lord. I feel the Spirit around our family as we are preparing and I am happy. I am looking forward to hearing of his experiences and seeing him preparing is something I can't quite describe.

We are shopping again today - He is going through the temple on Thursday evening. Another big step with great blessings.

I noticed that several of the comments on Jen's blog had questions about missions and probably Mormons too, so if you click on the temple link it takes you to a good site about Mormons.

I am ahead of the game!

2011-01-31T17:57:00.000-07:00

My bestie is hosting a linky party tomorrow and I thought I would go ahead and post then link tomorrow. She warned us a few days ago and I have been running it around in the back of my mind and thought I would participate.

The prompt:

Straight after a shower or after you've washed your face, take some time to really look at that woman in the mirror. What do you see that's beautiful? Ignore or re-evaluate those things that have always bugged or challenged you. What is your singular, personal element of beauty? Is it skin, ears, hair? Is it wisdom or humor or understanding in your eyes? We all have one thing that not only makes us individuals. That one thing makes us beautiful. What is yours and why?

Now I have confessed in other posts that I am not really a deep thinker, I do not ponder upon those things that bug me or spend much time in contemplation. To be honest, I tried to meditate and couldn't do it, to boring. So when I read Jen's prompt my very first thought was:

"Wait, I am supposed to be unhappy with what I see in the mirror? Crap!"

I am not vain (really, you can believe me) but I think I look OK. I am not the most beautiful woman out there (except to Ken) but I am not ugly either. I have always been OK with how I look. I wish I was taller. I wish I could lose a few pounds. But I get ready in the morning and that is the picture I carry in my head the rest of the day. Sometimes I glance in a mirror and am shocked that my hair is flat or my makeup is smeared (okay, on Sundays when I wear makeup) but for the most part I don't really think about it again.

Here is the caveat:
I think cameras LIE!!! The pictures they take do not match what I see in the mirror. I know that I am not very photogenic but I am usually shocked at the picture. I see the flaws in film. Saggy body, wrinkles, gray in the hair and a sick smile.

Case in point - I went to Jen's baby shower, it was really nice. Someone took a picture of the two of us. It was exclaimed by several of our friends as a wonderful picture of the two of us. One dear even said that we should be glad to have such a great picture of the two of us. Apparently it looks good, I only see the old lady on the right! I swear, in person, I don't look like that! I am less wrinkled, gray and certainly younger!!

So as for the thing in the mirror - I'm good. The camera? I have a nice smile. Thanks Jen!

American Idol and other stuff

2011-01-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

I am not a long time fan, but in the last few years have enjoyed it. I was not too sure how it would be with the new judges. No Simon?! Well, I am happy to report a nicer AI and a little ashamed to admit that I love Steven Tyler. He is so much fun! He seems to enjoy ALL music no matter how good or bad. I was pleased to see that Jennifer Lopez feels bad for all the people she has to say no to and she is really very beautiful. It seems to be a kinder AI, showing more of the people who can sing, instead of making total fun of those who are clueless. There are some really talented people who have made it through. I don't like the lower age of 15 - that is pretty young for all of the hoopla that goes on.

In other news I am now a certified home healthcare worker. I shocked several of my friends and family when they got the calls for references from my new employer. Really, I have been doing this for the last six years, only now the state will pay me to care for my Grandma. It was honestly the most useless training, but the lady who did the training was nice and I did learn a few things.

Wrestling is winding down, Logan is doing really well. I am so impressed with how much he has improved this year. He took 3rd in a tourney in Tucson last weekend, of course his first match was a girl. I feel really bad for these girls, because they really have little chance of being as strong in the upper body as the boys. But since there were several girls, they got to have a few exhibition matches against each other and they were really good.

Dallin is getting ready very....

s...l...o...w...l...y,

not that it's a shock, but he thinks it is still very far away and I think it will be here before I can blink. We did get his suits and he picked them up yesterday. He is preparing for the temple and looking for his recommend for his patriartical blessing, which is lost somewhere in his room. Is it to much to expect a mission to help all of this?

Because this will eventually be bound and saved for my posterity, I want to mention the shooting in Tucson. I feel really bad for all of the families involved including the shooters parents. They are being judged in the press without anyone really knowing them, its sad. I have been praying for all involved and hope the best for the Senator and the others recovering. I am heart sick for those who lost family members and friends, especially those who shielded others and literally took bullets for them. It shows the best and the worst we have to offer. I am impressed by the intern who stepped up and did his best. The others who ran towards the shooter to help the injured and to stop the him.

Visiting Teaching

2011-01-12T21:36:00.000-07:00

My sweet Mother in Law is the new Visiting Teaching Coordinator* in her ward and was looking for a story to give in her conference. She called me and asked me to write my story for her and I figured since I am

NEGLECTING

my blog big time I would post it here for all to read.

My Visiting Teaching story,

As a young mother, married just over 2 years, I had could count on one hand how many visits I received from my Visiting Teachers . Or for that matter, how many times I went Visiting Teaching, it didn’t seem very important. You know, the Lord knows how to teach you by example and will usually challenge your unbelief with a loving hand. Mine came from an older lady who was faithful in her Visiting Teaching.

My Husband and I had just purchased our first home and were members of an extremely large ward in Mesa Az. The past six months were some of the hardest any parent could go through, our baby daughter, Brenn, was diagnosed with cancer and had to be treated in San Francisco Ca. On top of that stress I was expecting my 2nd baby and was worried about the timing. You see, my daughter had a check up, her first since undergoing treatment, in San Francisco Ca. and I was due to deliver my baby about the same time. I knew the airlines would not let me fly and was not dumb enough to try to drive all of that way 9 months pregnant. But I felt really strongly, too strongly, that I had to be there for whatever news the doctors were going to give us. So I consulted with my OBgyn and we decided to induce labor about 1 ½ weeks early, I would have 10 days to be up and around before flying to San Francisco and leaving my newborn with my lovely Mother in Law Kathy. All went fine in the delivery, Dallin was born and he was long and skinny (just like he is now). But within a few minutes the nurses swept him off of my tummy and left the room. They told us he was not doing very well and needed some attention. He ended up in the NICU with under developed lungs and was not oxygenating his blood enough. The situation was very grave. The doctor let Ken and his Dad administer to our small son but he did not seem to improve.

Brenn had developed a cold and so she stayed with Kathy and Ed to keep Ken and I germ free for the NICU. I could not drive due to just having given birth, so I had to wait for rides to the hospital to visit my baby. We were not allowed to touch him or make any noise around him, pretty much all I could do was sit there and quietly cry. It seemed useless to be there but yet awful to be home alone too. At this point Dallin was 2 days old, I was home on my knees pleading with my Heavenly Father to keep my son on this earth, to give us a good report on my daughter and to help comfort me. Unfortunately, I was unable to feel the comforting influence of the Spirit and was inconsolable.

My phone rang. On the other end was a voice introducing herself as Kathy Williams, she was my visiting teacher and she apologize for it taking so long to contact me. She asked me how I was doing.

I lied.

She asked me how many children I had.

2, - I was thinking ‘for now’

Then she asked me how my day was going. I told her she probably didn’t want to know the answer to that question. And she told me,

“Of course I do!”

That opened the flood gates. I told her the whole story and figured she would stammer a few things and ask for a new person. But she was wonderful. She told me it sounded like I needed dinner brought in and a big hug. She was right. Just knowing she was there was a big boost. I still to this day, almost 19 years later, refer that day to the worst day of my life. The day I lost all hope.

My Heavenly Father knew my troubles and heard my prayers and knew exactly who I needed. I needed a Visiting Teacher.

*a Visiting Teacher explained:
In the LDS church the Relief Society (RS) is all of the women (or sisters) of your ward approx 18 and over. In the RS each sister is visited every month by 2 other sisters - these pairings are companions and they are assigned 2-3 sisters to visit each month. Almost all sisters are called to be Visiting Teachers. The Coordinator is the sister who keeps track!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

Our yearly Christmas letter, written by my son Dallin. I always get one of my kids to write it because I love to see their take on the year and quite frankly it cracks me up!

Merry Christmas

So it’s that time of year again when people get all nosey about “how our family’s been doing…” well to you I say, “none of your business!” My mother, however, didn’t like that version of this letter so I guess I let you have some insight into the wonderful life of the Cole family.

Well Ken and Karen are doing well and are ever getting closer to 50.  Mom is having a great time with her full time job of being team mom for the Mountain View Wrestling Team. They love her and her cinnamon rolls! Dad has had a great time helping coach the freestyle and junior high teams or the East Valley Wrestling Club.

Brenn has been living both here at home and in Tempe with her friend Audrey. She has been taking a few classes at MCC. She also has been working as an office assistant at a life insurance company and is enjoying it. She is also doing very well with her photography you can see some of her awesome pictures on facebook.

Well I’m doing really well! I graduated from high school in May. Post high school life has been treating me pretty well! I work at Pizza Hut as a server and as a driver. I also have received my mission call to Birmingham England! I leave April 22! I am super excited to go!

Logan is a sophomore at Mountain View this year and loves high school. He has been doing very well in wrestling. He took second place at city for his freshman year, and is doing very well on the Mountain View team.

Well that is a look at the Cole family! Have a Merry Christmas and Cool Kwanzaa!!

Love Dallin and the Rest of the Family

I love that it's from Dallin and the rest of the Family, shows you who is important.

Merry Christmas my family and friends, I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and his willingness to be obedient to his Father. For coming to earth to save us all. That example of Love is what I want to fulfill in my life, as always I will follow Him.

My Friend Katie, made me cry.

2010-12-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

A Missionary Mom Christmas (author unknown)

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because...

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.
I've reread November's Ensign, Felt strength come from His words.
Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion; their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence; I'll miss his smile a ton For two years we will pray for him,

I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him, that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year,

I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter; I think I finally understand Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns; that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make, This year...

I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give, The toll it will be taking.
For He has done it all before... Greater love - there could be none.
For years ago God gave to me,

His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, The hands I taught to pray; Now knock on doors to find the ones Who will listen to what he'll say.

Because I know Christ needs him, Until all the gathering's done, My gift has taken years to make.

This year...I'm giving Christ my son.

My Friend Katie and I spent a lot of time with each other when our kids were little. She and I and our double strollers walked everywhere!! She told me after her second child, who cried ALOT, to slap her if she ever thought of having any more children. But she really wanted a girl, so I let that one go, especially since her daughter was born on my birthday. She has since had 5 more children! She is extremely sick when she is pregnant and worked really hard to bring these kids into this world. Her oldest, who when 3 came into our house crying because Brenn wouldn't agree to marry him in the temple, is on a mission in SLC, UT. They, Brenn and Tres, did go to his Senior prom though. Fun stuff. But I do feel like this Christmas we are concentrating less on the stuff and more on the mission. We are blessed.

Birmingham, England

2010-12-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1606879423271

Here is the link to see Dallin opening his call!! I am so very proud of this boy!! He leaves on April 22nd and goes directly to the MTC in Preston, England. Needless to say I have been really busy! I am sure there were at least 150 people in our home for this event. I made 60 cinnamon rolls and they were gone in an instant. I wish I would have taken pictures of the crowd but by 9pm I was so wound up! I managed to keep busy from noon until about 7 when we attended an open house with our ward and they were all excited too, so that made me ready to hear but Dallin didn't get off until 8:30pm so. By 9pm my house was full and no Dallin. He did finally come home and honestly, I will count that night as one of the best ever!

On to traditions...

My bestie is having a linky party and up to now I have been a no show. At our house we are all about traditions. My husband is a big Christmas person and so we developed important rituals and up until this Christmas we have always done these things. What is different about this year? I am not sure. We seem too busy. Wrestling every weekend in December and putting on one wrestling tournament the Saturday before Christmas. Planning my in-laws 50th anniversary party and reunion, plus the usual Christmas stuff. But at least I will record our traditions.

First, we always try to put up the tree on my birthday the 7th, we are more flexible as our kids have gotten older because of busy schedules. We always decorate the tree together. A few years ago Ken complained about our ornaments, they are the kids creations from school, primary and various activities. So I bought him his own tree with the white lights and red balls, he and Brenn decorate this tree and the boys and I decorate the other tree, we have blue and red lights added to the white and put lots of old ornaments. Then we put on the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, the cartoon one, and string popcorn for our tree, when the Grinch is done we watch The Year Without a Santa Claus. This is something we all look forward too.

Second, we spend one day, usually the 23rd or so baking and taking treats to all of those we love. We are grateful to have such good people in our lives. The best way we know how is to make them fat! I will give out one of my most complimented recipes:

Bon, Bons

1 package of Oreos, either plain or mint but not double stuffed
1 8oz pkg of cream cheese

In a food processor grind up the Oreos, white stuff and all in to a fine powder.
Add to a bowl the powder and the cream cheese.
Mix together well - you have to use your hands - that is just the way it is.

Take about a teaspoon of the mixture and roll into a ball, stick a toothpick 3/4 of the way down and put on a tray. After all of the mixture is gone place tray in freezer for about an hour.

Melt Almond bark either in the microwave or on the stove according to the package.
Use toothpick to dip the bon bon and set on wax paper. Let the chocolate set up.
Take out toothpick and dip the top, sometimes I dip the top in white chocolate to note the mint ones.

Store in an airtight container or ziplock in the fridge. I recommend hiding them.

Last is Christmas morning. We line up according to age and wait for Ken to turn on the lights. Then we open our stockings and gather to open presents. This is serious business for Ken. We start either oldest to youngest or youngest to oldest depending on Christmas Eve. Then you open one present on your turn while everyone else watches. It usually takes us a couple of hours. Mostly, we get to spend the morning together.

Made you look!!

2010-12-08T14:56:00.000-07:00

I felt like I was getting a bit predictable by breaking in to my mom's blog on her birthday, so I'm doubly surprising her by doing it today instead! SURPRISE!! :D

Now you guys already know that my momma is the bee's knee's, but I'm gonna tell you a few more things that make her even more awesome.

She just finished making super awesome ward directories. Which take up a bunch of time. If you have ever made one of those bad boys, I salute you. They take time. And patience. And persistence. Three things my mom doesn't always have. Mostly she's short on time. The other two she's pretty much good with. Did you know she hand printed each and every cover of the directories? Kinko's couldn't do it the way she wanted without doubling her price, so she came home and printed them herself. This gets even more impressive when you learn that our printer has a pretty serious inferiority complex, and that she had to pull each and ever piece of paper out of the printer at exactly the right time so the printer didn't mess it up. Like I said, impressive.

She handed out those ward directories last night, and I woke up this morning to her printing a whole new directory that she had made on the side for the wrestling team. I'm telling you, this woman in awesome.

She is also very selfless. She gives up so much for our family. This year, she convinced us that it was a good idea to give our Christmas to someone else. She is such a good Christlike example to me; she is always thinking of others and how she can help. I'm so excited for Christmas this year because I think our family will really be able to focus on the really reason for the season, without the worldly distractions.

I usually post a really flattering picture of the two of us together (remember last year??) but I don't really have one for this year, so instead I'm going to take a picture of the really super awesome birthday present Logan and I (Dad helped!) gave her.

Custom framing! Woo!! :D Love you momma, hope your birthday was the bestest!!

Have a laugh...

2010-12-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

Things that made me laugh out loud this week!!

Home Protection

A must have in every home in America!
For everyone who would rather not have a gun in the house!
In view of the recent Supreme Court ruling, sales of this new product
may skyrocket. The dummies in Washington think they are going to take
away our guns, so check this out.
I like it!
They'd NEVER think of NAIL GUNS!
They're concentrating on doing away with the BULLET-TYPE of ammunition!
HAH! I think I'm gonna buy ME some NAIL GUNS and NAILS!!!!
AND, we don't even have to REGISTER them or have LICENSES for them!
HA! HOW STUPID ARE THEY!!!
AND, you don't have to worry about them being CONCEALED!
Just a LOT of good stuff to do with THIS!

New Nail Gun, made by DeWALT
It can drive a 16-D nail through a 2x4 at 200 yards.
This makes construction a breeze, you can sit in your lawn chair and build a fence.
Just get your wife to hold the fence boards in place while you sit
back, and relax and when she has the board in the right place, just
fire away. With the hundred round magazine,
you can build the fence with a minimum of reloading. After a day of
fence building with the new DeWalt Rapid fire nail gun, the wife will not ask you to build or fix anything else, probably, ever again.

This was a forward email from my Uncle. I can just picture someone somewhere trying to put up a fence this way and being shocked when it doesn't work!

Last but not least is the link to "The Real Story -How Amish Friendship Bread Came to Be". This made my day and has kept me chuckling for a couple of days!! Love that boy!!

Catching up....

2010-11-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

Why have I been so busy? Well, here are the before and after shots of all of the drywall repair due to the new hot water heater and other such fun things like roofing!

Boys bathroom - I went ahead and just repainted the whole bathroom because they are pigs and the walls were so scraped up.

Down stairs family room ceiling. It took many trips to many different paint stores to find the right color of white paint for the ceilings. But worth the time because I didn't want to paint all 5 ceilings!

Logan's room didn't turn out so well - some how the drywall was thicker and we will need to work on it but for now it better than a hole in the ceiling. It took lots of paint matching to pull it off, some didn't turn out so I had to paint all of Dallin's room, all of the bathroom, and one whole wall of the stairs. If you ever come to my house the stairs have 2 different colored walls but they are close enough that most won't notice.

Have I mentioned I feel cursed? Well on Saturday Ken noticed some water coming from under the dishwasher. Now my dishwasher is not that great, it works OK but not nearly as good as my last one. I figured I am not too happy to spend the money but won't miss the dishwasher. Unfortunately, after laying on the floor for 7 minutes (a rinse cycle) we found it is not the dishwasher it is the drain. More specifically, after calling my faithful plumber (Dirt Dog Plumbing 480-558-3190) he suggested it would be the pipe that runs from the kitchen sink drain to the clean out and under the house to the sewer. So Ken carefully knocked out the slump block and found the leak. Sadly, it has been leaking a while and the water has been going under the cabinet and then under my floor - UGHH!!

I feel cursed.

Some lady hit Dallin in the grocery store parking lot - her fault but still a pain

Had to get Dallin's car fixed ($1500) to pass emissions

a week later same lights on car dashboard! This time only $20 to fix

Brenn hits Dallin's rental car on the way out of the driveway.

It seems like one thing after another! I wonder if it is Satan trying to make it hard for us to afford Dallin on a mission?

Good Things.

Dallin just has to interview with the Stake President and his papers are in.

He is getting anxious and excited and wants it to hurry.

His job is giving him between 30 and 40 hours a week.

He is very responsible about getting to work on time and being a good employee.

Brenn is feeling better.

Logan is kicking butt in wrestling and the first match is Wed the 1st.

Christmas is around the corner and I am mostly done with shopping.

Ken's parents are celebrating 50 years of marriage.

The gospel is true.

Black Friday!!

2010-11-27T20:46:00.000-07:00

My horoscope for Black Friday:

You have many options, which can be quite distracting. Therefore, you need to put stronger boundaries in place to keep you focused on your chosen track.

HHmmm.....

Did Jen and I stay focused? Well we were a little rusty having missed last year due to Evie's birth and my being at Disneyland, but we were persistent and very successful.

Up at our earliest (2am) we froze!
Coldest Thanksgiving since 1933.
Yes, it is confirmed. I wear Grandma bras!
Macy's has crappy service.
No one shopping at Toys R Us buys Ipod touches.
JoAnns clears out after noon.

Jen is the BEST to shop with!

Strangest thing I saw on sale - a drinking game for $11.99 - UGH!! Really for throw away glasses and a few ping pong balls.

Guess I should do a review of Thanksgiving too. I had 40 for dinner.It was so much fun! I always have everyone bring something so all I did was cook the turkey and make the gravy. We had such a nice visit with the family.

Hosting is very satisfying. I am grateful for a close family and that I can invite both sides and they all have a good time.

Time running away with me!

2010-11-24T14:04:00.000-07:00

Time is running and I am chasing and not keeping up with my blog!! I do stop every few days and catch up with my favs but comments are few and far between! I will catch up after BLACK FRIDAY!!!

Here is my newest Favorite:

http://tuckercdenton.blogspot.com/

I love this kid! He is almost one of my own and I am enjoying his posts.

Love,
Me

PS: Just for kicks Shanty2Chic is having a giveaway. I really don't know what it does but why should that matter?

My Mothering Story

2010-11-10T17:45:00.000-07:00

I am linking in to my besties blog - it seems like she is the inspiration for my blog posts lately. Thanks Jen for keeping me posting.

When I graduated high school my friends predicted I would be the first one married. Since I hate to be predictable I decided I would NOT be the first one married. So off to college, Georgia and the world I went secretly and not so secretly determined to stay unmarried until I was 25. I really didn't like children - I am sure I was one of the worlds worst babysitters (all children were returned safe but they ALL went to bed early!) During my 2nd year at Ricks (3rd year of college - I college hopped like crazy, but that is another post) I was attending a devotional with one of my good guy friends (Hi Troy) and it was on families and looking for your future and I felt impressed that I would have 7 children (laugh now Jenny).

Speed up a few years and I am married to Ken (at 21, and not first by any means) and I get that itch. You know the one that makes you want a baby. I was shocked and it took a few months for me to even admit it to myself let alone tell Ken. We had been married about 18 months went it hit and Ken was starting his last year in school. I am pretty sure it was a surprise for Ken since I had told him from day one that I did not want to be a stay at home mom and I wanted a career. I wanted to get my Masters in Economics and teach at a Jr. College or Community College. I wonder how he decided to marry me since he really wanted me to stay home with our children but we were young and in love, I guess.

So we decided we would stop birth control and go from there - we decided since we had good insurance (the good old days) that either we would have a baby before we left school or we would have to wait until he got a job and the insurance started, but that seemed too long. Towards the end of November I had missed a period and since we lived in good old Provo, you could drop off a sample to the hospital and they would test it for free. Success. We were due the following August. When I told Ken the color drained out of his face and he was a little weak in the knees but he recovered. Then we told everyone. What fun that was. On Dec 7, 1989, my birthday, I started to bleed really heavily. As we rushed to the Doctor I kept my legs squeezed together and prayed. Unfortunately it wasn't enough and I had miscarried. We decided that maybe it would be better to wait a bit and we went home for Christmas. Ken's oldest brother and his wife just had their first baby and they were there as well. It was a hard Christmas. Sonja and I had the flu for the family picture and it shows.

I was sick the entire Christmas. After going back to Provo I missed the next period and wondered but chalked it up to the miscarriage, but by February I was flummoxed and went to the Doctor. Guess what? I was expecting again. Ken and I have often wondered when that happened. I was grieving and then had the flu, not to mention we were staying at his parents house with is little brother Scott who didn't understand a closed door. Still not sure where she came from!

September 13, 1990 out lovely Brenn came, she was so tiny and so perfect. When I had to go back to work after six weeks it was hard. Much harder than I anticipated. After about a month I quit my job because I couldn't stand it anymore. I felt like half of me was missing. The Lord knew what I needed to do and He has a way of humbling you with a loving touch. That is how I felt. I was privileged to have this perfect little person depending on me for EVERYTHING! I felt the tremendous responsibility to teach her what she needed to know and that I would do the teaching. What a change of heart. I never would have expected it. I was not the maternal type, I did not want to be the maternal type, I did not want to bake bread (cinnamon rolls do not count). But lots of that changed, not everything, but lots of things.

Ken graduated a month later, we moved and started our life in Arizona. After our new insurance kicked in we discussed when we wanted another child. No sooner than our discussion I found out I was expecting again. Brenn was 6 months old.

A few months later Brenn was diagnosed with cancer, hereditary cancer. Much transpired and all was well. Dallin was born in 1992 and I struggled with having any more children. As we had Dallin screened for cancer every few months, along with Brenn, it was stressful. I knew my chances were good to have another child with cancer and I was worrying. We attended stake conference (usually with 2 small children I didn't go because ya know but...) the speaker was a preacher from another church. He spoke about a baby who was born with problems, who the Doctor did not expect to live and would not do anything to save and yet the baby grew in to the speaker. He spoke about how the Lord sends us here to do His work and it wasn't up to us who could come or what problems we would have. We just needed to trust in Him. This speaker (whose church now persecutes the Mormon church in our area) changed my perspective. I knew it wasn't up to me to choose the problems my children would have, just to help them navigate them. I knew I would give life to the children I was supposed to bring into my family.

Funny it was just one more. Logan joined our family in 1995 and I felt like I could deal with more children but I was done having them myself.

The years 2000-2001 were tough years. I am glad I didn't have really small children to deal with since I was pretty much comatose with migraines. After gaining control of that, I kept having dreams of little girls wanting to come to our family. I am sure I never prayed as hard to understand as I did then. I knew my health and the medication I was taking would not be good for a fetus. I was praying for direction.

I was visiting my parents when my sister and my niece Kirsten came and told us Kirsten was pregnant with twin girls. Kirsten was 16. I felt like I had been hit with a bolt of lightning. It felt so right. I offered to give them a good home. What followed was one of the hardest times in my life. I physically yearned for those babies. Kirsten and my sister waffled back and forth on adoption. I finally prayed my heart out for Heavenly Father to take the yearning away. It was destroying my relationship with Kirsten and taking over my life. This was a lesson I needed to learn. Heavenly Father cannot make someone choose the right thing. He gave us free agency. After lots of babysitting, CPS, and other awful things the twins were taken from Kirsten and given to her Dad and Step mom. A couple of times it looked like we would be getting these precious girls but it did not happen. I mourned. I still babysit (she now has 5 kids) but I have a hard time with the girls because I wanted them to be part of my family. They will turn 8 in December, I have no idea if they will be baptized and it breaks my heart. I have to say the Kirsten straightened up and is a better mother than I ever thought she would be and I a proud of how far she has come.

As I look over this really long, boring post I echo Jenny in saying that the Lord knew that my heart would change (so did Ken, I guess). I wouldn't trade my stay at home status for a career. When I was younger and went to social functions for Ken's work I was slightly embarrassed to say I didn't work. As I got a little older I decided to change my perspective and I would say "I get to stay home" and that made a big difference. I am the biggest influence on my children and that is the way it should be.

As I have gotten older and I was given the opportunity to quit having a period to help my migraines it meant no more children EVER. I was a little sad, to have that time in my life over. But I look forward to mothering as a GRANDMOTHER! I am a little jealous of Jen who gets to go first but I truly look forward to being a Grandma and enjoying those little ones again.

Things that make you go hhmmmm....

2010-11-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful time in Ohio and Tennessee - Big thanks to my mom for taking me and making time to go to Tennessee to see the Stockingers!!

On the plane ride home - big plane and only 3 bathrooms :( - this gentleman and I were patiently waiting for the restroom. About 15 minutes later (no kidding) this man comes out of the airplane bathroom with his laptop and a movie on pause! Seriously, the other guy and I looked at each other and shrugged. I guess to each his own. Guess he isn't bothered by claustrophobia or the smell!

Makes you go hhmmmmm!

Halloween in Ohio....

2010-11-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

It's a good thing my mother knows me well. She needed a travel (wanted really) to go visit my Brother Ryan in Ohio for his youngest 2nd birthday and Halloween. My dad came down with shingles (I hear there is a shot for that) and couldn't go so she called me up a few days before to see if I wanted to go. Really there is no question. I love to go. Ryan has 4 of the cutest kids and it's fun to get away for a little bit. Ken was excited for me to leave (should I be suspicious? or have I just been that grumpy?) so arrangements for Gma and off I go for a week.

Cutie Abbey is Minnie Mouse thanks to Grandma Judy

Makenna is Princess Leia

Notice the the buns on her head.

Garrison the Ninja

Alison is Alice in Wonderland

And what a fun week!! Athens, Ohio celebrates Halloween for 4 days. The sororities and frats have trick or treating on wed night and a little carnival at one of the bigger houses. What a blast that was. Then trick or treating is ALWAYS the last Thursday in Oct from 5:30 to 6:30pm - the cannon goes off to start and to stop. Friday is reserved the school parties which start with a parade at 1:30 and then the parties in the classes. Garrisons class made a lot of pumpkin things they then ate - pumpkin pie, bread, muffins, etc. On Saturday it the big city Halloween party with everyone attends and families leave by 10 to avoid the college type of partying (OU was voted the best party school). The branch had a trunk or treat and then a fun party planned and excuted by the young women. Sunday was church and movies. Fun, Fun Fun!!!!

This is what it is all about!

Then we celebrated the birthday on Saturday! Garrison has a Naughton mouth for sure!

I know the cake looks a little dodgy but it IS chocolate frosting not......

Tomorrow I leave to go see SONYA!!!! I am so excited!

Today - the unedited cut

2010-10-20T20:49:00.000-07:00

OK Jen, I warn you that I have felt crappy for a month (can we say Mono?) and so my day is sorta sad and embarrassing.

5:09 - Logan stumbles into my room to tell me he is up - Should I explain? OK

I set my alarm for 5:10am so he can get up for running (required for the wrestlers) but it's cold in the morning (Ken turns the A/C to 74 at night any yes, that's cold) so instead of my trying to text him awake (did I say I was lazy?) he sets his alarm for 5:05am and comes and tells me he is awake - that way I don't have to get up (or get Ken up to get him up) and I can reset my alarm for Ken at 6:30am.

6:30am - alarm goes off and I shake Ken and tell him it is time to rise - Explain again?

Ken lost his alarm privileges many years ago when he would go to bed at 3am, set the alarm for 5:30am and proceed to snooze the alarm ever 5 minutes for 1 1/2 hours EVERY MORNING!!! Oh, and he put the alarm in the bathroom so he had to get up to turn it off and he couldn't hear it very well and I had to wake him up to get up and snooze it. In his defense he did turn out to have sleep apnea and that effected his behavior but I still maintain alarm privileges.

8:54 am - I wake up for the third time with a nasty headache - raining today. UGGHHH!! Roll over and grab Catching fire (I borrowed you books Jenny) and finish the last 25 pages.

9:20am - Get up, take a pill, get the shower ready for Grandma, go downstairs and scare Dallin into getting out of bed.

9:25am - Shower Grandma, get her dressed, comb her hair and lead her to the kitchen, 'nuff said.

9:45am - Make Grandma breakfast and give her pills, take my pills, fix Dallin breakfast (honestly, I asked him what kind of cereal and poured him a bowl, milk and gave it to him, informing him I MADE him breakfast) eat my breakfast and read the paper.

10:15am - Dallin and I head downstairs to clean up the mess from drywalling. Yell at the dogs because they are under my feet the whole time I am vacuuming and I keep tripping.

11:00am - Dallin abandons me and goes to the gym with Gabe. Before he leaves he closes the gate to the downstairs and blocks the railing so Fritz cannot fit through either. Thanks Dal.

11:55am - suck up Ken's MP3 player with the shop vac and have to go thru the bag and find it - can you say drywall dust? GRRRRR!!!

Noon - I am now allowed my first PEPSI, only PEPSI of the day (I am trying to lose a little pudge)

1:00pm - Make Grandma lunch and give up downstairs - Logan can finish the rest.

1:15pm - SIL Kirsten comes over so we can plan a quilt for Maggie my cousin who is having a baby shower on Sat.

2:00pm - Put off going shopping - Need to go spend down Grandmas checking account so she qualifies for in home help.

2:30pm - Walmart - Call Ken on the way and chat.

2:50pm - JcPenney's - Grandma gets a new wardrobe - she really needed it.

4:30pm - Head to Costco - Call my mother and confess to spending $400 on Grandmas new wardrobe. Really, most of her clothes are worn out and my mother told me she was just going to suggest I do that very thing. I love my Mom!

4:45pm - Costco - buy groceries, a down comforter ($25 dollar coupon and I have been wanting for a long time)

5:45pm - Home - yes I can spend $500 at Costco in less than an hour. Put away groceries and start dinner.

6:15pm - Ken walks in and dinner is ready - that NEVER HAPPENS!! Just made Chicken Quesadeas - quick, easy and everyone likes it.

7:00pm - show Grandma her new clothes to see if she likes them (pretty sure she would never tell me if she didn't)

7:30pm - Sit at computer and start reading my blog list - see Jen's challenge and VIOLA!!

Dogs at my feet as I write

My self portrait - cheesy smile!!

PS: Jen - I want that People when you are done - I passed it up and was sorry.

Light at the end of the tunnel

2010-10-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

This is what I am finally seeing!! Dallin is perking up. He is definitely not fully recovered but he is starting to tease Logan and want to go out with his friends instead of stay home and watching Netflix with this parents!

Brenn seems to be doing OK too. She likes her new job and hopefully school is going well too.

My computer is working OK but I STILL cannot connect to the Internet!! I am using my netbook (which I love) but sometimes a teeny screen is a pain. Hopefully I will figure out why the network connections say they are connected but none of my programs can connect. I have spent four days so far and hopefully the things I picked up from my dad today will help!! He has been in Big Lake for the last few weeks and I had to go it alone. They didn't want to hang around for the 107 degree heat but when it threatened to snow they hotfooted it home!! YEAH!!! If the Malwarebytes finally eradicates the virus/Trojan than I vote it best ever!! I will let you know if it works! So far 3 more viruses and I already used AVG and Superantispyware.

Fall break starts on Friday and I am hoping for a couple of work days, a couple of lake days and some laying around watching Netflix!

Have you tried the Netflix thing? For $9.00 per month you get one DVD in the mail to return and receive as many times in the month as possible and then the best is streaming movies on your laptop, Wii, or PS3 (XBOX too but we don't own one of those). It's great, you can only watch one movie at a time (for the 9 bucks) but we all gather and watch some fun movies! It was fun to introduce the boys to "So I Married an Axe Murderer" and other Mike Myers movies that are right up their alleys (or alleies?) I would recommend it. We have watched and laughed like crazy this month and it hasn't been hard to engage the teenagers and spend some fun time together!

I feel I should have mentioned this a little sooner but wasn't conference the best?!! I really enjoyed the talks and it seemed like the time flew by! Each time I checked the clock we were only 20 minutes away from the end. I particularly like the talk about not letting bad influences in your home (hello Netflix, I did set the parental controls) because you don't want to upset the already raging teens in your family. My boys are going to stop playing Call of Duty for me. I anxiously await my November Ensign so I can read and take notes while I study.

PS: The spell check want to replace Netflix with necrophiliacs.

My friday

2010-10-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

First off I babysat Nick. He is my cousin Andi's little boy and I have him 4 Fridays in a row while she does her student teaching. He is such a cute and easy baby! Please excuse the devil eyes as my phone is only a so-so camera!

While babysitting Brenn was hanging out and I thought it was funny what she uses for her mouse pad.

Yes that is what you think it is! Too Funny! She finally grew in that area and I am glad it comes in useful. Actually she was over because we have been to Mayo twice this week. She has been having problems with knowing if she is moving or not. She will put her car in gear and she cannot tell if she is going forward or backward. Or even sometimes when she is standing still it feels like she is moving. I really thought it had something to do with her meds but the doctor was pretty concerned and ordered an MRI and a tilt table test. The MRI was normal (of course) but the tilt table test showed some strange reactions of her heart. So off to the cardiologist. She was great and thinks Brenn might have POTS or

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Often more simply referred to as postural tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, this disorder is characterized by the body's inability to make the necessary adjustments to counteract gravity when standing up.

So she went home with a monitor for 24 hours and then we will see. She will need an echo cardiogram and then to see a special cardiologist. Hmmm, not really sure what to think but hope it eventually helps with her head.

Dallin is still bad with Mono! He hardly moves and looks really pale and pitiful. He had to withdraw from school, which I am really bummed about. He was doing so very well with a job he liked and school he liked. We have to wait to go to the doctor for his mission papers until he can get the shots he needs. UGHH! I hate this! Pretty sure he hates it too!

Logan is doing really well. He is tired, 3 mornings a week he gets up at 5 and runs 4 miles then goes to school and either lifts or practices after school. He is a little grumpy but who blames him. Some of his friends are getting their licenses and he is looking forward to his permit. He also went to some obscure website and my big computer has a virus or a worm or both!! I have spent all week trying to fix it and hopefully I have finally kicked its butt!! Of course my usual computer guru is up at Big Lake fishing!! Can I hear another UGHHH!!

TMI but.......

2010-09-27T22:06:00.000-07:00

So tonight I am getting my grandmother ready for bed. We walk across the hall in to the bathroom. Now we have this routine where she turns away from me and I rip her depends off and tell her she can now sit (on the toilet). And tonight she chants,

"I'm sitting not shitting. I'm sitting not shitting."

Then she looks up at me and says,

"Aren't I witty?"

Sorry for the delicate nature of this post but really - it's to funny!!! I am lucky to have her in my home where I get to enjoy her sense of humor.

Thank You

2010-09-24T17:10:00.000-07:00

My friend Jenny challenged us to write a thank You letter to someone who made a difference in your life. I have been pondering this all week and the same name kept coming up.

Sister George.

She was my first seminary teacher. The George family had not lived in our ward for very long when she was called to be our teacher. She seemed really unhip the first few days, after the first week we all loved her. Well, most of us anyway. She worked so hard to help us with our scripture mastery and to prepare for the Seminary bowl. In the olden days, at the end of the school year, we had S day. This was a day dedicated to Seminary. Each class in our stake were in competition in 3 areas, scripture chase, seminary bowl and attendance then a dinner and a big dance. We cleaned up that year even though we were only freshman. I found her to be quiet and humble, she taught her children to take care of each other and I admired how nice they were to each other. The oldest 4 were girls, starting a year younger than me. I got to know the girls as well as Sister George. After seminary was over for that year she became my Young Women's leader. She remained my Young Women's leader for the remainder of my youth in some capacity or other. I learned some of the most important lessons from her. She was very kind and always had a big smile for you. She had gone on a mission, something I didn't know girls could do. When I think of her I always get a warm fuzzy feeling. She was not into big productions but small and effective teachings. I always thought she was the most Christ like person I knew.

So I messaged her on Facebook - which I find really funny. She and her husband have been mission presidents twice and are now temple presidents. I say it like she is the president and her husband helps even though I know it is the other way around. One interesting note is her sister was in my ward in Provo, on the first Sunday I couldn't place this lady but she looked so familiar. Actually she is a semi famous LDS author and the sister of my Sister George.

I know my testimony of the church was influenced by this great lady. I have been blessed to have her and others in my life to teach me, including goodly parents who made sure I was there for these teachings.

Thanks for the prompt Jen.

DWTS Recap

2010-09-21T21:16:00.000-07:00

I have to confess I only watched the last 5 minutes of the results show tonight because I cannot stand the results show but I did watch the whole thing last night and truly believe that

David Hasseloff needed to go home!!!!!

The host said he did not expect it and was surprised but I think he was by far the worst and showed no class or ability. I did feel sorry for his partner Kim because she is great.

I always wonder when the pros get their assignments I wonder if they ever get mad. I mean the pro who got Macy Gray had his work cut out for him and I believe he lucked out to go home so soon!!

I was surprised by Kyle Massey - he was fabulous.

I actually voted for Bristol Palin so she at least wouldn't go home first. I felt really sorry for her since she is the only one who has never preformed in front of people. Yes she was stiff and looked uncomfortable but she gave it a good try and I think once she gets used to it may surprise us.

Jennifer Gray was good of course and she lucked out with Derek, I wonder who she bribed. Also I wouldn't recognize her from her youth - got her nose fixed and a little other stuff I think.

Kurt Warner was passable (*snicker*)and I thought did a good job.

Rick Fox is sooo tall - I think that will be trouble for them

Lastly, I am a little ashamed to admit that The Situation has charm. He started at least a week behind everyone else and was a little nervous and actually did a decent job. I am interested to see if I continue to find him OK.

I am a lot more excited to watch this season. Last season I was not too happy with the cast.

Still love GLEE!!!!

She has the forehead of a 20 yr old!!

2010-09-13T14:13:00.000-07:00

My Brenn is 20!!!

How does this happen? When did she grow up? Where have I been? It seems like the last 5 years have flown by at hyperspeed!!

I could not be more pleased with the person she is. When people compliment her to me I just say,

"she came that way."

And she did. She has always show grace under duress, kindness in the most basic way and a loyality that cannot be faulted. I have always felt priviledged to be her mom and wondered how in the worrld I was chosen to be the one to guide her in this life.

I love her and hope she has a great day today!!

You have WHAT!!??

2010-09-09T17:24:00.000-07:00

Yep - that strep we thought Dallin got when his wisdom teeth were yanked is really MONO!!

Hopefully he hasn't shared with the rest of us but I wonder......

On the bright side it will cut down on the opportunity to gain a girlfriend before the mission!!

Tah-Dah!!!! (with rising music in the background)

2010-09-07T15:50:00.000-07:00

My word

Willing

I thank you for your comments (and emails) and compliments, for sending me to the drawing board yet again. I have thought about it quite a lot and I decided on willing. It is an action word because I am usually in action somewhere. As I pondered this word and rolled it around in my head I thought:

I am willing to:

help with anything

follow God's plan for me

talk

listen

obey

play

serve

read

teach

read my scriptures

take care of

have company

do what I want, not what your want

babysit

pray

Sometimes I force my willingness on people because, of course, I know best!!

I can see both sides of this the good and the bad. It seems like there wouldn't be a bad but sometimes I take on to much, or force myself on someone because I can clearly see they need something they don't see (roll your eyes now). I am sometimes only listening to MY will instead of the will of my Father or have a hard time taking direction from others who are more wise.

So that's it!

Just one word???!!!

2010-09-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

My bestie Jen has posted a challenge to come up with one word that describes you, as I read the blogs that have taken up her challenge I am awed, humbled and, well, entertained! Since she is my bestie (aren't you glad I didn't misspell it as beastie?) I have been really pondering on what word I would choose.

My friend Sue used her post to write it out and peel back the layers to come up with a great post and a wonderful word.

My friend Jamie also rocked her word.

I am still blank.

I keep thinking of these words but they are not very flattering or require deep thought:

immature

flighty

(I did attend 4 different colleges)

talkative

insensitive

(sorry for prolonging the conversation for your birthday lunch, you should have kicked me under the table)

lazy

(I am blogging instead of cleaning)

What do you think?

Where is Smiley going?

2010-08-30T12:55:00.000-07:00

In our ward they are starting a tradition with a world map and guesses as to where the missionary might serve. Last week we were given the map and a charge to display it and when we are done to hand it to the next missionary going! Dallin is planning on turning in his papers on the 24th of Sept so if you would like to guess either comment and I will put up your sticky arrow or come on over and do it yourself. I am thinking the correct guess gets you cinnamon rolls!

WOW!! Big things happening at our house!

Been a little busy...isn't that always my excuse?

2010-08-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

I have had a very busy August. My Brother Ryan Graduated From Purdue with His PhD in June (yes it requires the capitals because it is a big deal). He got a job teaching at Ohio University in Athens Ohio. He and his family (Risa, his wonderful wife, and 4 of the cutest kids ever - Makenna (11), Garrison(9), Alyson (8), and Abbey(almost 2)) have spent the summer here in AZ with the families, waiting patiently for a teaching position. Here it is August and finally Ryan is offered a good job....in Ohio. Luckily they left all of their stuff in storage in Indiana. But have no place to live in Ohio. So a plan hatches. Mom, Risa and the baby flew to Indiana, picked up Ryan's car and drove to Ohio to find a house in 2 days. Ryan, Dad, Karen and 3 kids loaded in the mini van and DROVE 30 hours to Indiana.

Actually it was a really fun trip. Fun to spend time with Ryan and his kids and my Dad. We drove lots of miles, listened to the Lightning Thief and Sea of Monsters on the way. Ryan has the best kids! 3 days in the car and not one fight. I would say 'stepford' but they are just really great kids!

We get to Indiana and Ryan has some great friends who hosted us for dinner for 2 nights and Ry and the girls stayed with them. Dad and I stayed in a hotel so he could get some good rest. We helped another of his friends pack for their move to Oregon and loaded the Penske truck. Seriously, I am a great packer the front of the truck was tight and organized, but then the humidity got to me and I had to rest. Really, I can take 110 degrees easier than the 85% humidity!! I looked like I had just gotten out of the swimming pool!

We go up the next morning and Dad and I drove the big truck (which is only slightly bigger than the one I drive normally), Ryan drove the van and we drove 6 hours to Athens Ohio.

Mom and Risa found a nice house (one of only 3 they could even find to rent at this late date)

Front

Back

We are blessed to belong to a church dedicated to helping people move! The Elders quorum showed up in Indiana and again in Athens to help us unload the truck!

We spent the next few days putting away and putting together furniture.

See this bed...Risa and I put it together. It took forever!! I can't believe how many pieces were involved. It took us a good 3 hours. It does have shelves in the headboard and drawers underneath!

Makenna's room

Abbey Ann - she loves shoes!

My cutie girl!!

I was not expecting to go on this trip, it was kind of a spur of the moment thing. I also thought Brenn would be here to take care of Grandma but Brenn moved out while I was gone. So a big

THANKS

To my SIL Kirsten and My Aunt Linda for helping out with Grandma so I could go.

I was gone for a little more than a week and while I was gone Logan started High School. I did check with him before I agreed to go to make sure he didn't need his mom and he just looked at me funny and said.

"Why would I need you to be here?"

So I don't really think they missed me at all. I called and texted several times and was rarely answered by my boys. Ken and I had nice talks though they were short due to the

VERY HARD WORK!!!

But I did get a few 1st day of school pictures!

So far 10th grade has been good!

And just to catch up.....Brenn and Dallin both started school this week too. Both are at MCC. I signed them up for the same institute class. Yes, I am sneeky. Hopefully all will go well this semester (meaning Brenn will attend 98% of her classes and Dallin will do ALL of his homework and get good grades)

A mother can hope!

Dallin's first day of College!!

Math is DONE!!

2010-08-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

WE are done with Algebra II!!! YEAH!!! I have really enjoyed the time spent with Logan but will not miss how much time it has eaten up this summer. On the High School, College, and Mission Papers!!

Oh and Zara and Kobus got together again and well........I am pretty sure she is preggers!!

Puppies ready for Christmas.

The Price of Hot Water

2010-08-06T16:43:00.000-07:00

You would think that getting a new hot water heater would be pretty straight forward. Unfortunately we do not roll that way!! In order to install a tankless system it is required to have a 3/4 inch cold pipe and a 3/4 inch gas line. We had neither in the spot of the old water heater and so our Handy Dandy Plumber (Dirt Dog Plumbing) Bret and I started hunting for the needed pipes.

Here....

and here.....

and here....

and here - oops that is left over from this!! But was very helpful, I knew there must be a reason

we hadn't fixed it besides laziness.

Here is the new Hot water heater. No tank to flood my house again!! All the hot water you need without having to heat the tank the whole time. The literature says it will pay for itself in 3 yrs, it lasts at least 2 times as long as a regular tank and the federal government has a 30% tax credit - all in all it was still a little more than a tank but I think it was worth it!!

Behind again!

2010-08-02T22:18:00.000-07:00

I am catching up so here is the scoop in a nutshell:

Algebra II is taking up all of my life. Actually I am teaching it to my son Logan. I can teach math. Don't ask me about English, you only have to read my blog to find out I am crummy at English. Really, I think it's that I don't care so much, in about 5th grade we did an English packet that taught me to combine sentences with the words 'and', 'or', and 'but', I liked the idea that I could do such a good job on the packet. Then we went on to the next packet that involved chopping up long sentences into smaller ones. What??!! I did so badly because I thought they were supposed to be long. I never got over it, English became my least favorite subject and loved Math. It is always the same, the rules always apply, no i before e except after c and sometimes y!! (Sorry Sue and Jenny.)

ANYWHO, on to what is taking up my life. 4-6 hours a day with Logan learning the finer points of Algebra II. We are almost done. Not to shabby to do 1 full semester in about 2 weeks.

Saturday our last hot water heater went (cold showers are bad even when it is 105 outside), so we are trying to get it replaced with a tank less system. This requires holes all over in my basement ceiling and the wall in the hall. What is a little more drywall work, we still haven't patched the holes from re roofing.

Really this post was entertaining and funny in my head while taking my cold shower, somehow it lost its zing in the translation.

My Brother Ryan and his family are here from Indiana. They are waiting to find out where Ryan will find a teaching job, so we get to enjoy them. They come over most days to swim. I am usually doing math, but still manage to spend some time with all of them. They really have the cutest kids ever!

Brenn is back from her trip to Australia and New Zealand, she has been full of stories and fun things they did including skydiving and horseback riding. They encountered a few problems but were able to figure it out. I am envious of her travels but excited for her to have the opportunity. Check out her blog if you want to know more.

School starts in about a week and I am not ready, I like my kids home!!

Well that is about it - wish me a warm shower soon.

Dallin's Habit

2010-07-21T21:49:00.000-07:00

Dallin started his official training at his brand new job today. He said it went really well today except when he passed out. Then he said,

"We did a lot of standing around today."

I asked if he knew NOT to lock his knees and he assured me he tried not to but....

I also asked if it freaked them out a little, and he said they took a break right after so he could get some water. He did point out that at least he hit the floor and nothing on the way down, so I guess he is improving. Next I guess he ought to figure out the warning signs and SIT DOWN. I did learn this when I was around his age, so I guess he does inherit it from me.

On another note, he did get his password to start his mission papers. The Bishop thinks he might have a call by Halloween. Iam both proud and terrified!!

I did get to skype with Brenn in New Zealand tonight (well tonight for me, its tomorrow afternoon for her). She is doing really well and she and Lauren are having alot of fun..

Lake Powell July 2010

2010-07-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

Lake Powell is awesome!! On July 8th at 3am we headed for our favorite vacation. We had to leave so early because the alternator went out on the ski boat and the only one we could find was here in Phoenix. Since we invited my brother Dean and his family and Ken's sister Sonja and her family we wanted to get there first and switch the parts out so we didn't have to roast waiting around for the fix. We convinced Ken's Parents (who stayed with the boat waiting for us) to stay a few days with us on the houseboat. They left on Saturday, I am so glad they stayed.

Ken brought a pop up shade and it worked really well. By 2pm when Dean arrived the boat was working and we just had to wait for the houseboat to motor over from Bullfrog. As we finished loading the boat I thought to myself "it would be great if Sonja came right now" and over the hill she drove.

I have never had such luck with the timing and the fixing of the boat. Usually it takes lots of patience and work to make it run like clockwork but this trip was starting out so smoothly I was so grateful!

We went and camped at our favorite spot, or close to it because the water was so high our fav spot was under water!! We camped right next to it and enjoyed 7 days of peace and fun. Did I mention it was all boys? 11 boys not counting the Dads.

Dallin, Kai and Logan

Kai's Spectacular Fall!!! Don't you love high speed settings on your camera?

Logan ripping it up!

Dallin jumped so high he is out of my frame!

Kai in better form.

Sonja and her family had to get to another family reunion so we took them in on Monday, the water was really rough and it rain a little but Hunter (Hargrave, Treven's friend) slept the entire 45 minute bumpy boat ride in to the marina.

We did climb a little. I KNOW what happened last time but was sure we could do it! This is a slot canyon found about buoy 106. It was awesome!

We did not get stuck and everyone enjoyed the adventure!

Teaching my nephew William (age 6) to wakeboard. He was a trooper, he tried and tried. I am sure next time we will have success. And we won't leave it until the last day in the very late afternoon!!

All in all, we had a blast. It was slow, with lots of books, naps and wind. I love the togetherness of a houseboat with no TV, computer or phones. Even though the ski boat had a few abnormalities, like only starting if Ken was touching it and the throttle giving us a little trouble both boats ran really well and we had battery power the whole week. This was really one of the smoothest trips considering we came up having to install a new part.

The only down side the this trip was that Brenn left for Australia and New Zealand while we were gone! Her first big international travel and I am on vacation. My Mom stayed with Grandma for the last half of the week and helped her get off. If you want to check out her adventures Down Under this is her blog.

We actually had the houseboat back to the buoy and ready to go on time for once. What a great trip and I am glad we can mix our families and really enjoy each other.

Quick update

2010-07-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

Wow its been a little while but we have been super busy! Ken and I and our boys, along with several others have been lounging at Lake Powell for the last week - I will post more about that later.

While we were gone my Darling Brenn went on her first solo big trip to Australia and New Zealand!! She left on Tuesday and is updating her adventures on her new blog. So enjoy her updates I am excited for her and the adventures she will have!!

Buzz and Woody

2010-07-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

In 1995 I loaded a 4 year old, 3 year old and a baby in my car and went with friends to see Toy Story. I think when the video came out it was one of the most played videos at our house! Even today I know for a fact it gets more play than any other video (except maybe Hot Rod, all I can say is teenage boys). When we put it on for which ever kid is with us for the day, most if not all of my kids are watching by the first 10 minutes! I wonder how many times both Toy Story movies have played at our house? We have about wore out the videos but I did replace both of them on DVD.

Ken and I went on an actual date last weekend and went to see Toy Story 3. Ken was a little embarrassed to be there with no kids but it was 9pm and we were not the only adults with no kids!

Christmas 1995 brought a promotion at Burger King, I picked up Buzz, Woody and RC for $2.79 each with the purchase of a Whopper. I threw out the Whopper but bought 2 sets of toys. Today they are still the most played with toys at our house and most little boys beg to be able to take them home. But I am firm that they stay here and after seeing Toy Story 3 I will never be able to throw them out!! Buzz's helmet is a little beat up and this Woody is missing a boot (but still has his hat!) but they are well loved and played with often!

I never quite realized how maniacal the smiles are on these toys!!

I imagine when the DVD comes out for movie #3 I will buy it and it will get lots of play time too!!

Because Buzz and Woody have a friend in me!!

Homemaking.......

2010-06-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

Last night Kirsten and I taught a class at Relief Society. It was Christmas in July. Just like an old fashioned Homemaking meeting!

It started with a display and a sign up sheet. Minimal cost but cutie things!

Monday, Kirsten and I spent the afternoon doing our Visiting Teaching and shopping (in 111 degree heat I might add).
Tuesday we went early to set up and prepared for our class.

A lite dinner was served, we chatted and giggled. A short cooking demo was hosted by the lovely Taina, she taught us how to make truffles (I call them bon bons) and they are wickedly good!!

Then we all started our classes. We taught our cute boards, made with scrapbook paper, Elmer's glue, and a picture frame (see here). Women flitted back and forth because they signed up for multiple classes, we talked, created, met and got to know new people, and had a lot of fun!

I miss homemaking meetings. I know we are all really busy, but it was such fun to talk with women in the ward who are in Primary, or are not within the circle of ladies I work with or know. I felt like I made several new friends, caught up on some old friends, and played with my SIL Kirsten. Brenn got to come too, it has been a while since we did a mother/daughter homemaking.

The only thing missing was a quilt to tie for homecraft.

*sigh*

Haircut

2010-06-26T11:26:00.000-07:00

So last Sunday we went to my cousin Andi's Sacrament meeting because her new baby was being blessed. It was honestly a lovely baby blessing and the most boring Sacrament talks I believe I have ever heard. And it went long. While trying to listen and failing my boys and I were discovering new and interesting things about ourselves:

Logan can touch his nose with his tongue

So can Dallin

Logan can roll his tongue

Dallin can't

Dallin can turn his tongue over without the help of his teeth

Logan can't

Logan can make his tongue look like a clover

Dallin can't

I know, riveting stuff but really. After investigating all of the above Dallin proceeded to talk Logan into letting Dallin shave his head. Did I mention it was a long meeting. Dallin succeeded. So between the first Sacrament meeting and the time ours started this is what happened:

Moral of the story: Pay attention in Sacrament meeting no matter how boring or bad!!

My Poppa

2010-06-19T12:47:00.001-07:00

I have always felt special to my Dad; I think all of his children feel this way. For me I was born 2 days after his birthday and 2 days before my Grandmothers birthday. I always felt like we all shared a special bond because of this, and the birthdays are all odd numbers and, well, so are we!

I trusted my Dad to fix anything. When my pink ten speed bike I bought with my own money broke down he was the one to fix it. When my car broke down, I could count on him coming to the rescue (even at my advanced age I still call my Dad). He taught me all about my car and engine. I helped him rebuild it, install dual carbs, and do the mainetence required for the care of a car. I impressed many a boy with my knowledge of cars, including my husband. The only lack in my knowledge was radiators. I bought my first car from my Dad, a blue Volkswagen square back. This vehicle was a cute car, baby blue with cloth interior that was plaid with blue and yellow. It was an automatic thus it went from 0 to 30 in about 6 minutes (hence the dual carbs) and I went a lot of miles in that car. He gave me a red bug for my 18th birthday. This had been my Mothers car and I was so excited. I had my first accident in that bug. Just a fender bender and Sonya and I had to get in on the passengers side for about 4 months before we were able to get it fixed (I am pretty sure we won body work at a church auction to get it fixed). I wasn’t allowed to take it to Rexburg to college, no way to keep it up and it was really cold up there. But when my parents moved from Colorado to Phoenix I drove it all twelve hours (with the 8 track and radio that didn’t tune). Dean rode with me and we thought we were so cool! I did not realize what I was in for in Arizona, I worked about 45 minutes away and had to be to work at 1pm, can you say hot? Volkswagens, well especially those built in 1969, do not have air conditioning. They also have black vinyl seats. I got really adept a parking in shade and leaving my windows down, one of my colleagues at work asked if I was worried my stereo would get stolen and I said, “No.” I mean who wants an 8 track (this was the 1980’s so 8 tracks were hard to come by) without the ability to tune in a radio station? The second time I broke down and the car caught on fire (I got it out without too much damage) my Dad declared I should probably think about buying a new car. The thought of A/C was a great motivation and He and I started to look. That was one of the best times with my Dad, looking, comparing and trying to figure out what I wanted and of course what I could afford. We ended up with a Ford Tempo, brand spanking new. I loved that car. It was so dependable and great on gas. You could be cruising at 95 mph and not realize it, which my Dad found out on a trip to Colorado with my Mom! I am so grateful my Dad took the time to teach us, even though we were girls, about cars.

Botox Baby....

2010-06-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

How many mother/daughter botox parties do you know? The daughter is only 19 but we wouldn't want any wrinkles to mar that lovely brow!

Okay - kidding - Brenn and I did get our Botox - for migrianes at the neurologist! This is one of the best preventives I have found. Just because I still have an unlined forehead doesn't mean I do it for the wrong reasons! The Dr at the Mayo clinic wanted Brenn to wait a little longer to see if she still needed it due to her new meds as so we went 5 months between (instead of 3) and whoa baby!! We both still need it badly! This was the second time and hopefully I will feel better than I have.

Now on the Algebra II - Logan is taking this online this summer - I am his awesome teacher! Brenn got an A so I claim awesome teacher status. This has cut into my blogging time (reading time) and I am in withdrawls.

Nothing much to report. Dallin still needs a job - if anyone out there has a job for an 18 yr old who is a good worker and wonderfully smart to boot please contact Dallin!!

I love Kai's new haircut.

Dreaming

2010-06-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

Do you dream? Do you remember your dreams? Do your dreams effect your 'real' life?

I dream very vividly. I usually remember my dreams. I have a lot of deja vous. Sometimes I dream about situations and when I wake up I am mad or glad or whatever.

Yesterday I took a nap (see previous post) while I was sleeping I had a very vivid dream. In this dream we are on our way to Lake Powell. My Father in law (FIL) is driving and we are all in the truck. He stops about 2 miles from the boat ramp and gets out with my Mother in law (MIL) and gets in the boat. He tells my 15yr old, Logan, to back the boat down. Ken and I are in the back seat. Logan has never backed the boat anywhere, he is going backwards, about 40 mph and I am yelling at him to stop. Ken, on the other hand, is telling him to keep going. Ken is telling me to chill out and that he is fine. I am yelling "STOP" at the top of my lungs. I am so angry with Ken I can only hit him. Logan blows by 2 stop signs, barely missing some big trucks and gets to the boat ramp. I get out of the truck more angry than I have ever been. Ken then tells me - "what is the big deal? We are fine!" I am just staggered that he would let Logan take that kind of responsibility and recklessness. I am yelling about all of that and trying to figure out how I can get home.

At this point my Mom comes in our house and wakes me up. My heart is pounding and I am so mad at Ken. Luckily, Ken was at work and I was able to separate it into dream and reality. But sometimes he is just such a jerk in my dreams.

This has happened often in our marriage, I will be mad at him for something that happened in my dreams. Usually something totally out of character for Ken, but I have a hard time separating it for the first hour or so after waking.

I used to feel bad about this but Ken's Grandma Cole was mad at him for 2 days once because he sold her car and kept the money for himself, well, in her dream. I laughed out loud when she told me this. She was ready to read Ken the riot act when she finally figured it out.

Too funny.

Do you dream?

Nice and Quiet

2010-06-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

I called Jen yesterday and caught her running kids here and there, while I had all the time in the world. Now that school is out and the roof is done our house is very quiet. I feel a little guilty about that.

Dallin went to Cali with some friends for the week. The ocean claimed his cellphone and one shoe. They thought they had put their stuff up high enough on the beach (such newbies) and along came this big wave and..........

Logan is at wrestling camp all day and until today I only had to shuffle him to the high school and that was that.

Brenn is working and looking for another job and gone most of the day and night.

Ken is working, working, working.

Grandma is just Grandma. We watch a little TV together, eat some and then she takes a nap.

Karen........

OK I did clean out a few of our pile spots, you know those spots that no one sees but just keep getting taller? One is the dresser in our closet.

I found:

Old Easter candy
2 pairs of Ken's pants - one needed hemming, the other to the cleaners - both layered in dust.
Several boxes of ammunition in the bags the store put them in. Ken came home and asked where it all came from.
Brand new water bed heater - Dallin thought his broke, I checked and it was unplugged.
Several piles of clothing destined for DI
Miscellaneous trash.

Guess it was time. I plan to go thru a few other pile places too.

I know as soon as Dallin comes home and Logan is done with camp things will pick up but I am enjoying the lull.

Stupid is as Stupid does....

2010-06-04T17:40:00.000-07:00

Not to brag or anything but I rarely do really stupid things. Anymore, I should say. I know in my youth stupid things sometimes ruled my life but since I married Mr. Steady and matured to this ripe old age my stupidity factor as gone way down.

Except for last week. Busy on the roof, busy with graduation, busy with the last few days of school and busy with whatnot, I participated in 2 truely stupid thing.

Thought I downloaded all of Dallin's graduation pictures off the camera into the correctly marked folder, check. Delete said pictures off of the camera card because Ken says I leave to many on and therefore create duplicates on the computer when they automatically download. Feeling righteous, (a sure sign of my stupidity) I then go to upload all of the pictures of graduation, including the hour I spent trailing my son as he hugged, congratulated and posed with his friends, the appointed folder is E-M-P-T-Y!! AAAHHHHHHH!!!! I have not felt that panicked in a very long time. I got up and paced, fretted, cussed (sorry Mom) and then confessed only to Brenn. So I spend the whole rest of the day searching and paying $30 for a program to recover data - I heard that it is never lost and Abbey (NCIS) recovers things all the time, isn't that what google is for? So I did recover them, the resolution is not as good as usual but.....at least we have the pictures. Did I mention that the Dentons didn't have their camera and I took pictures for them too?
Saturday I am up and running early so I can go to the store and pick up the last of the groceries Ken needs for his camp out and water, Gatorade and lots of ice for the workers on the roof. In and out of the store, load groceries, 40 lbs of ice in the back seat of my truck, shut door, walk basket to collection place (see, righteous again) come back to truck to open door and get purse and keys out and yep - locked keys in truck. We only have one set of keys because we misplaced the second set and are sure to find them anytime (2 yrs ago). Call Ken, no help because of no keys at home, call my Dad - aren't dads great? you can call at 7am and they will come to rescue you. He has a slim jim but we cannot for the life of us unlock it. I could unlock my VW bug with a coat hanger in about 30 seconds but apparently I am rusty. Call the dealer. He needs the truck to make a new key so he can program it, well that and $220 for a new key. I explain the little problem and he tells me he can make a key that will just unlock the door but I need to bring my title. Where is this dealer? 68th and McDowell. For the record about 16 miles from my home. So my Dad kindly takes me, I get said key for $7.50 and go to rescue the ice. Key does not work. Call dealer back. Go back 16 miles and get 2 more keys he made that look identical to first key. Pray. Try one key, no go, try 2nd key - success. My early start ends at 10:30am. UUUGGHHHHH!!!

Let's just say I like the less stupid path!

Mostly Done....

2010-06-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

When I am right I usually love it and proclaim it from the roof tops. But this time I worried, (unlike me) stewed, grumped, and was rewarded with a few days of nasty headaches!! At the beginning of last week, after a weekend of roofing I told my hubby that there was no way we (he) could finish the roof by Monday May 31st. Important because all of the males in our home were going on Super Activities for church starting early Tuesday morning. I also knew that he could not work on the roof on Wednesday or Thursday due to our son graduating from seminary and high school. So Ken's solution was to take Friday off. I was somewhat pacified but still knew it would be an impossible task. Friday morning came and when Dallin came home from Grad night Ken and Logan got up and got on the roof. Kens plan was to work until 9 and then he had to go to work for a couple hours, come home and wake up Dallin and work until they dropped. Get up Saturday and repeat,(except for the work part) rest on Sunday, Monday repeat. So Friday when does Ken get home from work? 4. What was my blood pressure? Actually I already had a killer headache and knew if I didn't chill I would pay big time. I was not too worried until we had to replace all of the plywood under the shingles, 150 pieces of plywood, YIKES!!

Luckily, on Sunday Ken spoke with a friend who finished his roof the weekend before and he volunteered to come on Monday and help. Plus he brought another roofing nailer. Note to self: 2 nailers are sssoooo much better than one!!! Between Jason, my brother Dean, his boys Kai, Jake and Treven, Ken and Dallin and Logan - not to mention my SIL Kirsten who made me look bad by being on the roof at 5am Monday morning while I was in BED waiting for medicine to work!! After 3 trips to Home Depot - a break at 3pm for BBQ at the Dentons (I know this seems weird but it was too hot to keep moving the shingles) then back at it at 6 with ME on the roof too we shingled the whole thing! I am sure my neighbors hate us! Most nights we knocked off by 11-12 but Monday it was at least 1 when we got off the roof and still had to pick up and put things away. Needless to say there are a few things to finish but for the most part it is done!! I am sore and tired. I am sure my boys and Deans boys slept all the way to Utah!!

What a job!! At about midnight on Monday, my bro Dean looked up at the teenagers and

said " so who is going to college?"

All agreed to finish college......hhmmm wonder why?

Just a few things to finish up this weekend and hopefully it doesn't leak!!

Graduation!!!

2010-05-29T15:43:00.000-07:00

Dallin graduated from High School on May 27, 2010 and also from 4 years of seminary.

This is for the Dentons!

Tucker and Dallin

Grandma Kathy

Grandpa Ed

Lots of Family!!

Lots of Girls!!

Triumphant!!!

It's official!

2010-05-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

I have finally done the one thing

GUARANTEED

to change my status:

I wrapped 2 pieces of chicken fingers in a napkin and put it in my purse to bring home!!

I guess this is not far behind!!

Dallin graduated from Seminary last night and will walk for the high school tonight!! Pictures to follow.