news

I feel so blessed to have the family that I do. Today the girls got together to discuss Piper & Chloe. We get so excited when we're together, even when things seem they may not work out, they always do because I think we all boost and motivate each other. Can't wait for the Showcase, hopefully we find a venue asap. My amazing momma helped organize my basement. I mean serious organization. The idea was to have a playroom and craft room and she went above and beyond and now I feel so good about going down into the dungeon and getting loads of work done!! She makes me see things in a whole new light. To top off the day the in-laws invited us to Outback, I think someone felt bad about spilling the beans. We gladly accepted and I haven't felt so good in a long time...I guess baby needed some protein. Which leads me to announce to those who don't know, baby 3 is on the way!! We're not sure the exact due date but think probably first of September. My poor kids watch way to much tv these days and if I have to hear Thomas and His Friends one more time, I may lose it. I'm glad they have each other though. I find those two boys to be the most entertaining and funny little guys and love them with my whole heart.

Piper & Chloe

I can not wait for April 13th and 14th! Piper and Chloe is back people and I'm giddy! Me and the boys have been dancing to the playlist all morning. You should too on this drizzly day...and we'll see you at the hippest place on the planet!

Joyschool: Oo

Back in September a few girls in the ward decided to hold Joyschool. It has been such a fun experience for Ty and occasionally Emmett. I love teaching them just because they're so happy and eager to learn. This week we're studying 'O', so today we focused on the color orange and owls. 

We read 'Mouse Paint', then we mixed red and yellow paint to make orange. They loved finger painting so much, we mixed all the colors and ended up with a mirky purple-brown. Then they pressed a piece of paper into their paint creation and the result was a very beautiful abstract. 

We moved on to playdoh next, mixing yellow and red and then used cookie cutters to cut out pumpkins and leaves. 

Next we played 'What's missing'. I found about 10 orange objects, they looked close and closed their eyes and I took one away. They took turns telling me what was missing.

After playtime and snacks - round crackers, cheese and oranges - we moved onto owls.

The kids picked out a pinecone, the owl body, and were given paper ear tuffs, eyes, beaks and feet which they attempted to glue on..this was a little scary, they haven't quite controlled the glue yet.

Then we peanut buttered another pinecone and rolled it in bird seed, then hung them out in the trees.

I hope they had fun! Such cuties!

fluffy snow and blue sky

Aww! I felt so refreshed when I woke up this morning to 6" of snow. Doesn't everything seem so much cleaner..all that nasty yellowish air gone, and now hopefully all of us sick folk can get better! The sun popped out in the late morning while the boys and I were shoveling/playing in the snow. We felt so good, so energized. Oh, you fluffy white goodness, you've been missed and it's good to see you. Josh went snowboarding tonight, and I was a bit tempted...but to be honest I'm super scared! It's been 5 years since I went, can it really be that long ago? If a girl with my skill level(1 out of 5), clumsiness and awkwardness would accompany me then I would love to go again. Any takers?

That's me!....oh wait, maybe this is!

Tackled one of my organizing projects today...My Closet! Yikes! But you know how instantly great you feel when everything is in it's place, excess gone, ch'i flowin. I feel like a million dollars. Here's what I did...

• tried on EVERY piece of clothing
• each article went into one of five piles
• workout/swim
• grubby(for painting, etc.)
• clothes that fit(all hung up!)
• clothes to donate(why I have the things I have is a mystery...is my torso really going to get shorter and my shoulders narrower? not likely.)
• clothes to be crafty with(hello pinterest)

I have about a million pins on how to recreate old sweaters, shirts. How to upcycle shirts into scarves, sweaters into pillows, etc. That pile I have to say is a bit large and it reminds me of Tiffany's craft closet before her move:), but hopefully it will get me rollin'. Everything is neat and tidy and I hope it will stay this way until next January.. okay, February it is then!

Happy organizing!

new calling

I guess it's not that new, but it feels like it is. I'm the Sunday School teacher for the youth and I can't tell you how happy it makes me!! I love the gospel of Jesus Christ, and realize I've had wonderful experiences and influences that have shaped my testimony. As I study, my mind fills with insights and understanding of my life and how I can possibly influence the youth. My trials seem insignificant compared to others', but because of them my testimony grows everyday. I've also been blessed with so much and don't take it for granted for a minute. It helps to have such smart youth, I was never at the stage they are now, and can only attribute it to wonderful parenting and that they are 'the rising generation'. They are so incredible and devoted to the gospel, they will have amazing influence over others. I'm seriously in the best mood after preparing my lesson.

design

I was excited about our Christmas present to the in-laws. They've been wanting a plan for about 4 years. I'm a huge slacker, I know.
I'll share the details... more for my sake.

• get rid of the table on the bigger deck, move the grill to the smaller deck
• build in a bench on the bigger deck, add cute wooden rockers
• between the neighbors add a Birch grove for privacy
• remove the existing bed along S fence and put in an AWESOME herb/vegie garden, complete with bubbling fountain
• move shed to SW corner and place pavers in front
• extend bball court and plant along fence line to soften
• extend patio to double its size, add chunky furniture, overhead trellis
• build steps in to the gentle slope leading to fireplace area
• add huge chimney fireplace with seating and wood storage, comfy couches and chairs for hanging out
• build into the existing landscape and along the fireplace area a recycling river
• add a play area for the kids in the NW corner
• soften fence line with simple, low-maintenance plantings

The End.. I can't wait to design my own yard!

good things

Still pretty weak today, but some wonderful moments in my day made me realize just how blessed I am...

woke up to a beautiful, sunny, blue-skied day,

my funny boys entertained me with interpretive dancing, not lying, a good hour,

i got to spend a few moments with Emmett, hearing his breathless stories, and outbursts of hilarity,

we were able to take a winter walk, so peaceful and pretty, surrounded by mountains, rivers and fields,

heard giggles echo off the bathroom walls,

my family helped me fold 2 weeks worth of laundry,

my sil gave us dinner since I can't fathom cooking at the moment,

those kids still love me even though I'm yelling at them to get in bed.