Poor Baby

My sweet little pooh bear is not feeling well. She came from school crying because her head was hurting her so badly. I took down her hair, just in case it was a pony tail induced headache, got her dressed in soft pj’s and put on the couch downstairs where she could watch some TV and eat an after school snack. I gave her some Advil and she seems to be doing better. I asked her why she didn’t call for me to come and get her and she said the teacher didn’t let her.

The thing is Emma only gets sick about once a year. The timing would be right, it's always in the winter. (Last year I missed it because Paul and I were in Las Vegas with friends) I hope she gets to feeling better soon. I'm not used to having a sick baby girl.

Close To My Heart

***I took down the picture just in case there are copy write issues. I was informed that until the paper line is released it is kept pretty hush hush. It was a pretty boring photo anyway LOL!***

I was asked to me part of a photo shoot for Close To My Heart's summer catalog. It was a ton of fun to see how they did everything but it was also really challenging. We were asked to talk, laugh, scrapbook, and smile all at the same time. The shooting took about an hour but we were there for a total of two hours while they worked out the set accents, got the lighting right, figured out our outfits and positioned us.

It was very America's Next Top Model-esqu. They would take a picture then everyone would hover around the computer to see how it looked. The stylist would come over and brush our hair or fix our tops and they would do a few more shots and then make adjustments again. The photographer would come back and give us feedback and then we start all over in a new position.

There was me, another lady I know really well from church and then the demonstrator was a model. She was so pretty! Almost all the shots had my profile. I hate my profile. I hope that somehow the post shoot magic will make it okay. Since this is for the summer catalog we were asked to wear short sleeves. I am so pale white I am almost translucent. My arms are way scary. I felt bad!

Look for us online in a couple of months. The photo they select will be on page 2. Oh and I almost forgot.....click here http://www.closetomyheart.com/Ideabooks/Fall08US.aspx and go to page 60-61 and look on page 61 bottom left. Yep, that's us! One of the designers (Hi Gail!) used our photo on her page. Isn't that cool!?!

One step forward, ten steps back

Today we called the lender. While he has no problem approving us, all the fees and the down payment were a lot more than we have or anticipated. We are assuming that we will not get anything more than what we owe for our house at this point that's if we are lucky. Dang economy!

In this situation we would have to get “creative” to have a big enough down, cover closing costs and pay the realtor. We refuse to go into debt to make this happen. We are enjoying life too much right now to get dragged back down with debt. I also don’t think that Heavenly Father would want us to go against His counsel of avoiding debt.

What does this mean? I have no clue. We are still planning to proceed, but slowly and more cautiously. (Yesterday I was ready to go all out, full speed ahead) Paul and I both feel like we need to move forward, we are still going to get our house ready to put on the market but we don’t have any idea how this is going to play out. What I do know is that I got an answer to my prayers and I am not ready to give up yet.

Here we go!

I got the confirmation I was looking for during Sacrament Meeting today.

While I was pondering, I was reminded of counsel that we received in the temple while we were kneeling over the altar. We were told to have a house where our children could bring their friends. He went on to say things about being the cool house, with pizzas, where everyone would always want to be, things like that. I always looked at this house and wondered how we could do that. I feel like that other house is a righteous desire, one that can make that counsel we received a reality.

The talks today were about prioritizing our time and to put God as our number one priority. I knew that I needed to hear that because getting our house in order is going to take a lot of hard work and faith. We are going to have to really stay focused to make this work.

Logically I can't understand how this dream will become a reality. I am going on faith here and hoping for the best. If all goes as planned we will have our house on the market very soon. I once had someone say, "It's amazing what can happen when the Lord is your realtor." I am hoping and praying that the Lord will take us in His arms and find a buyer who will love this home and feel drawn to it like we were. If it is meant to be, it will happen. I have to keep reminding myself of that.

Project 365

I guess I had been living under a rock. I was on my scrapping message board when I saw a girl mention that she was going to take a picture everyday as part of her New Year's resolutions. I thought this sounded like a great idea so I told her that I planned on trying it as well. Late in December I made up all the rules for myself and set it as one of my resolutions. Little did I know that Project 365 was taking the scrapping world by storm. It's what *everyone* is doing. I really had no clue until I was about four days into it and starting seeing things about it on every scrapping board I went to. Apparently everyone thought it sounded like a good idea.

So far I have enjoyed this challenge and so have the kids. They are very good about reminding me to take a picture.

I had planned to just make a photo blog (Link is up there on the top right) and post everything over there. Now I'm thinking I might as well do Project 365 right. I am putting each picture and it's caption on a "page". Here is my first week. This cover page is a template that I got from ikeagoddess' blog.

This is a complete list of my resolutions. I am hoping that doing all of these things will keep me in a positive frame of mind and that I won't get the winter blues. So far it is really helping.

I'm getting deep here...

There is no doubt in my mind that we bought the house we were meant to live in 5.5 years ago.

When we first came to Utah we knew we would be living near St. George for a couple of months before moving the business north. Were renting a home very temporarily in the pathetic little town of Ivins.

As the move north came closer we set aside one Saturday to find our house. I had been doing all the legwork from my computer and had compiled a list of homes I wanted to look at. Paul looked over my shoulder and asked why we weren’t looking at that house pointing to one on a list that had been sent to me by our realtor. I said, “Because it is small, has ugly heart railing, terraces and a really steep driveway.” He then said, “I want to see it.” So we added it to the list.

This house was probably the 3rd or 4th house we saw. When we walked in it was like the heaven’s had opened and we could hear angels singing. It was so far superior to the rest we couldn’t believe it.

We quickly toured the other houses but knew that this was “the one”. We went back home and found out quickly that our offer had been accepted. At some point Paul went back up to Utah Co. to do the walk through and called me to let me know how it was going. He mentioned that it was a little rougher than he had remembered. Oh well, it was our first home.

We moved in and quickly started to realize there were flaws. Structurally the house is great but there were features we neglected to look for and it was lacking storage and living space. There was no way we could deny that we saw this house through rose-colored glasses.

I kept waiting for the day, or overwhelming experience, when I could say “Ah, now I know why this house was suppose to be ours” but it never really came.

I sit back and wonder if it was so I could meet Maggie and all the other fabulous ladies of the ward, or if was so Emma could become such good friends with the amazing Jenna. Maybe it was because my Heavenly Father knew how much I would enjoy looking out my living room window and seeing the breathtaking view of the entire valley below us. Maybe He knew how happy it would make me each time I saw the majestic mountains out my kitchen window, or the cities lights reflecting off the lake at night and knew the joy I would get from watching the amazing sunsets every evening. It’s also possible that it was so I could get excited time and time again by seeing all the deer going through my yard or crossing the street in front of me. Maybe it was so the kids could attend one of the greatest schools around with fun, loving and attentive teachers and staff. Or it could’ve been so we could get to know and become friends with our amazing neighbors.

There have been so many great experiences and fabulous perks to living in this house that it makes it hard to think about leaving. The time has come though where we might be at that point.

We are ready for more space, ready to live somewhere a little flatter, and without so much yard to take care of.

Saturday I was playing on the internet and found a listing for a newer, larger house that we could afford. It had everything we were looking for and the kids wouldn’t have to change schools. I’ve played this game before but for some reason this was different. Usually I forget about it and move on but this has been consuming my every thought.

Maggie and I walked through on Monday and as much as I wanted to hate the house so I could move on, I fell in love.

It would be a great step up for us, but all the stars would have to align just right for it to work. I mean with the housing market the way it is, we might have to stay here indefinitely! We are praying though that if it is meant to be ours we will know it like we did with this house and that things will fall into place.

Right now it seems impossible and unlikely that we could pull this off. So many things would have to happen, but you never know. In one hour Paul and I will be touring it together and we will decide if we want to begin the journey of trying to sell our home.

WE ARE GOING TO MAUI!

This year is lucky 13. Paul and I will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary! Where does time go? We need to get away, just the two of us. It's been what? A couple of years since we went to Chicago and Mexico and enjoyed a vacation with just the two of us. So it's official, everything is booked. We are going to Maui in April. I can't wait. The 6+ inches of snow we got yesterday (and that we are still getting) really pushed us over the edge. Aloha!

I Hate Snow

This may not look like much to some of you but let it be known that it continued to snow, and snow, and snow, and you know what? It's still snowing. That is my poor little car that could not get up my driveway last night. After much shoveling we did get her back in the garage.Can you tell I'm bitter?

The news said we got six inches. Why then were my kids walking in snow that is up to their knees? This was a double bundle day for sure. They had to put on their regular clothes and then snow clothes, boots, gloves and hats. It took twice as long to get them dressed.

This is what happens when you get to the bottom of your driveway and find out that there is old ice under snow. You fall and get cut on said ice. Now stop laughing. No, I mean it! It isn't funny that I feel on my fat butt at the bottom of our driveway. Not funny at all. Too bad the ice didn't just slit my wrist open completely so I would be out of my snow misery LOL!

Do you hear that?

It's silence.

The kids have gone back to school!

Paul started back today also. He had an early class so he left before the rest of us got up.

It was 9 degrees when the kids headed  out the door. This is Andrew's impression of Randy from A Christmas Story. Don't worry, it has already warmed up to 10 so they will be fine. Have I mentioned lately that I hate Utah in the winter? 

Welcoming 2009

New Years Eve is always a sore spot for me. I long to be at a fabulous party, preferably formal, amidst a crowd, welcoming in the New Year. In reality, I am always at someone else’s home, or mine, watching that darn ball drop and usually I am wearing pajamas and a stylin’ hat made of paper. This year I didn’t even get the hat.

My favorite New Years was a few years back when my uncle Rodger ordered live lobsters from Maine. We had lobster, crab cakes, scallops and shrimp. Even though we were at my parent’s home, we did something unique. Dinner was followed by some illegal fireworks, so…you know, overall it was a good time.

Last year we got to my parent’s house late. We had just flown in from Seattle. We almost didn’t make it in time to celebrate. I had vowed that the next year would be better.

Getting people to commit to anything this year was like pulling teeth. We weren’t even planning to go up to my parent’s because it didn’t sound like anything was going to be going on. Finally it was decided that someone would go to Evanston and buy fireworks. I really wanted to go. I hadn’t been to Wyoming before.

The next thing I know 11 of us (My mom, dad, uncle, aunt, three cousins, my two kids, Paul and I) are heading to Wyoming. A lot of time was spent picking and buying just the right thing. Too bad Jen didn’t get to take home her Full Metal Jacket ;)

There was about $200 worth of fireworks purchased. We did not take this home.

My cousin Brandon

Have you seen anything like this before?

I swear this is for a recipe!

Above is my youngest cousin Will being cute at the restaurant.

These are some of the goods we took home.

Paul and Emma putting sparklers in the snow, it looked really pretty.
Just a few fountains

Awwww (Not really)
Emma with a Roman Candle
Check out my cousin Talon! How cool is this shot?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ice Skating

Look! I'm standing on the ice.

Emma just kept disappearing. We had to make her to stop so we could take a couple of pictures.
Hey, watch where you're going

We did it. We took the kids ice skating. I wanted to go before Christmas but this was just as good. We all had a great time.

I have no athletic prowess at all, but I did managed to go around at a decent speed and I stayed off of my butt the whole time. Of course Paul was all over the place going forward and backward and zipping all around the kids. The man has skillz.

Emma took off and did an amazing job. Thank goodness she takes after her father. You would never have known it was her first time on skates.

Andrew is less like his sister and more like Bambi. He stayed close to the wall and went at very low speeds. Once he got his cone though he was unstoppable. He pushed that sucker around and around all on his own and his speed did increase dramatically. It became a crutch though, he wouldn't even try to go without it.

We can't wait to go again.

Does this happen to you?

Paul has been off work since Dec. 22nd and doesn't go back until Jan. 2nd (in reality it will probably be the 5th).

Nothing is getting done around the house. All the Christmas stuff is still up. My routine has been thrown way off. We are doing "family things" all day long and as a result, the laundry and other household chores are getting neglected. (Let's not talk about the fact that I've been slacking anyway because of all the time I spent making his quilt)

I got up early today to do a couple of loads before we head out to go.....brace yourselves....ice skating. Keep me in your prayers. I'm a lot of woman to be up on ice skates! At least if there is an accident we will all be in clean underwear.

Christmas 2008

How do I put our Christmas into words?

It was excellent, magical, fabulous, relaxing, wonderful, peaceful and spiritual.

On December 23^rd we went up to my parent’s home and ate some delicious Chinese food from the Mandarin Palace. I love their house beef, but let’s just say it doesn’t look like any beef I have ever seen before. Just sayin’! That night we just hung out.

The next morning Paul and I ran some errands and when we came home Andrew had a bloody nose and scratches all down his face. He decided that sliding down ice was more fun since he could go faster. Everything was fine and dandy until he slid down the ice on his face.

That afternoon we made our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of ham, potatoes and rolls. I was in charge of the rolls and funeral potatoes. Dinner was just okay. We forgot to bring the stuff for my fabulous green salad and the ham was a bit dry. Hey, the rolls and potatoes were great! We were worried about getting home, the weather was suppose to get bad, so we took off shortly after we ate.

When we got home we got the kids showered and they waited, not so patiently, for the elves to bring their pajamas. This year Maggie discovered that something had been left on our porch when she brought us some cookies. We just can’t figure out how they get there every year.

After we took our pajama pictures we all went our separate ways and I was a little upset that we weren’t doing anything Christmassy. I got a little pouty about it, I’ll be honest, so Paul called us all together (even Marius) and we talked about the birth of our Savior. We used one of the nativity sets that we have as a visual. The kids blew me away with all of their knowledge. They are special little spirits.

Emma got cookies ready for Santa and I wrapped a few more gifts. It wasn’t too much later when it was time to tuck the kids into bed and much to my surprise they went to sleep rather quickly. This year Paul and I were more prepared than we have ever been. We had everything set up and ready to go well before midnight!

That night’s rest left something to be desired. I heard Emma up coughing, the cat got me up to let him out, and then there was the snowplow went by, loudly. At a few minutes to seven I got in the shower. I don’t ever want to make anyone wait on me so I am always the first one up on Christmas morning. By 7:30 Andrew had gotten up and Paul was in the shower. We had to make a lot of noise to get Emma out of her deep slumber. Finally we were ready.

The kids have us hang a sheet at the end of the hall so if they get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night they won’t see anything. We always torture them by making them wait behind the sheet while we start the Christmas music, turn on the tree lights and do any last minute things. (A tradition carried on from my youth) This year was a little different. We said a prayer before we went to the living room. I choked up a bit while offering the prayer. Both kids wrapped their arms around my waist and gave me a hug. It was very sweet and the Spirit was with us all day long.

We set a budget for Christmas this year and did a good job sticking to it. We had a pretty good idea of what we wanted to get them and that is what we shopped for. We were able to avoid all the impulse buys, you know that junk that ends up in the garage, going to DI or broken in a matter of months. I was really proud of us LOL! The kids got everything they wanted and there wasn’t any guilt about going over board.

The kids got some clothes, DS games, Wii games, movies, books and Webkinz but overall it was a Lego Christmas. There are Lego’s taking over every inch of my house! Andrew’s “big” gift was an Ipod (and we have been listening to him sing ever since) and Emma got a ticket to see Wicked with my mom, Maggie and I for this coming April.

The last gift that was opened was the quilt that I made for Paul. Years ago I had started cutting out denim squares from old jeans. Paul had visions of a quilt made from old denim that still had pockets attached and seems, just really rustic looking. We could never decide on a top fabric. The denim was a pain to work with and the idea just got tossed aside.

Right before Thanksgiving I decided that I was going to surprise him with his quilt. I bought a couple yards of denim to finish it up and sewed the back all together. I bought several different BYU fabrics but just couldn’t get them all to work together. I decided on just doing the two colors on the top. Finally I had the top finished so I talked to my quilting friend and she said that the weight of denim really messed with the quilting machines so my only option was to tie it.

My parents came down with the racks and we tied it in one afternoon. Thank goodness Paul didn’t come home for lunch that day. After it was tied I realized that because of some pockets on the edge I couldn’t do a rolled edge, I had to do binding. Ugg. I went back out, purchased more denim and sewed the binding to the front, just like you would for any old quilt. I should have sewn it on the back but didn’t realize it until it was too late. I was left hand stitching the binding through two layers of denim to the back. OUCH!

It took a while but finally, on Monday, I finished. I wrapped him gift in a gigantic box and boy did that confuse him. He was very worried when he started unwrapping it. He really hates things that are large. We were teasing him that it was the big Hello Kitty from Build a Bear. When he finally saw what it was he was stunned. He was so appreciative and excited. He loved it. I was thrilled and relieved by his reaction.

That afternoon the kids built their Lego’s and then Joi, David, Megan and Matthew came over to exchange gifts. Later my parents came and we opened more gifts. They were very generous and gave us some great things. I was able to give my mom and dad the autographed picture from Greg Olsen (he even wrote a message to them on the back). That night we had our traditional Christmas dinner of fondue.

The blankets above were made by my mom for the kids.

This year I felt so blessed by our good health, the many opportunities we had to do fun things with friends and family, and especially the fact that I wasn’t working. Last year I had quit right before the holidays, I really don’t think it had really set in yet. In years past all the activities seemed like burdens because my nights off from work were the only chances I had to shop, wrap and relax. This year it felt like a luxury to be able to do everything and more. There were so many factors, I can’t put my finger on just one thing, but this was the best Christmas that I can remember.

Tender Mercies

In early December I had a heart to heart with my bishop. We talked about a lot of things. I wasn't in a good place. He told me to let him know what he could do to help. I mentioned that once I was done with the Christmas enrichment dinner I felt like I might be ready for a change. He asked me to let him know where I wanted to serve and he even promised me a month off between callings! At that point there wasn't one calling that I felt like I wanted to do.

The next Sunday they released the Teaching for our Times instructor and I knew that was where I needed to be. That night at tithing settlement he asked how I was doing. I told him I was better and I mentioned that I could see myself teaching RS. He said he could make it happen. I said "No, don't make it happen. If Mary asks for suggestions mention me, but I don't want you to push me on her." He agreed to that. I decided to make it a matter of prayer. If that is where I was wanted I asked that Mary would feel inspired to ask for me.

Less than two hours later Mary called me. She was so funny. She said "I have to ask you something, it is terrible, horrible, really bad.... Are you going to be around the Sunday after Christmas?" When I said yes she asked if I would teach the TFOT lesson. I started to get emotional. I asked her if she had been talking to the bishop. She said, "no, why?" I told her of our conversation and she said, "That's it. I'm going to tell him to call you and hopefully we can have you in by Sunday."

At that moment I felt the love of my Heavenly Father so strongly. I knew that I was important to Him. I had been feeling so insignificant and I knew that I was given this experience so I could feel His love and concern. He is always there to grant the righteous desires no matter how small they may seem.

I am grateful that Mary was in tune with the Spirit. I told her she works quickly. I was impressed!

I was called and put in the following Sunday. When Mary came up to me after Sacrament meeting tell me how excited she was to have me I mentioned that I didn't get my month off. She laughed and said, "no one gets that anymore!"

This week before church started Mary asked me what lesson she had asked me to teach today. I about fainted. I had been working for weeks on the wrong lesson? Oh my. Well it ended up that we both had it right.

She said "I have something to show you." It was the lesson schedule. Guess what......January is Stake Conference, I don't have to teach. February is Ward Conference, I don't have to teach. Do you know what that means? I GET TWO MONTHS OFF! Isn't our Heavenly Father the greatest? He really does know me and he wants me to be happy.