Thankful

I've been reminded lately that I have a precious and wonderful family. In church on Sunday we had a lesson on finding joy in the journey of life and it was brought up several times of how life often gets in the way of our families and our time with them. It brought to mind the little things I used to do when the kids were little and we practically had no money but were still happy together. Like singing them to sleep, doing crafts together, cooking together, sitting and snuggling.

We also finally got a Wii for Christmas and it has been fun to play the games together as a family. It's especially great to see Ken playing with the kids. He hates playing regular board games so it's been exciting to see him play these and have a good time with the kids.

And last night for family night we had a lesson on the family and how important the family unit is. We had to think of the things we like best about our family and the things we like to do together. It was good to hear some of the things the kids came up with.

It's kinda sad that I needed to be reminded of how precious my family is but I'm glad that I have a loving Heavenly Father to help me remember and keep me on the track to eternity.

A Leap of Faith

We've been looking forward to this for a long time -- and Hannah was so thrilled for her big day! On December 6, Hannah was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! My last child to take the "plunge" (sorry for the pun there) and it was a memorable day.

Of course, being Hannah, she didn't want the traditional white dress...we thought we would celebrate the Christmas season as well with a gorgeous red dress with white furry trim. She couldn't have looked cuter! And this time was extra special for me because, being my only girl, I was able to help her get out of her wet clothes and get dressed and relish the first moments after baptism.

We had many friends and family there so it was a very special occasion.

Miracle Cream

I just had to do this "plug" for the most awesome foot cream ever! When I had my foot surgery, my friend Christine gave me a gift bag of "foot care" from Bath and Body Works. In it was the Shea It Isn't So foot cream. I had to wear a sock every night on my foot to keep the toe spacer in place so I started using this cream every night on that foot.

Sorry, this next part might be gross but I'm just amazed!! I had two warts on the bottom of my foot (the doc said that when the surgery was healed he would see about removing them), and the usual callouses as well...but now they're all gone...without the doctor intervention!! Both warts have disappeared and my foot is the softest it's been since I was a baby!

So, if you have rough, dry feet, I highly recommend this foot cream!

Piano Recitals and Birthday Cake

November is always the most busy and exciting of months in our household. Three birthdays, Thanksgiving, taking down the Halloween stuff and decorating for Thanksgiving and Christmas. And this year, we've added a piano recital too.

Hannah is now 8 years old and is looking forward eagerly to her baptism in December. We had a family party on her birthday and then a friends party a few days later. They went swimming (had a great time there!) then came home for pizza and presents. We did the cupcake "cake" this time and I loved it!! Makes it so much easier! Hannah was spoiled by her friends!

Sam and Hannah are both taking piano and this was their first recital. It was so exciting to hear them play their pieces so well -- they've been practicing up a storm so they were very prepared. We just love their teacher, Mrs. Johnson!

Better Halloween Pics

So I mentioned in my last post that I had two costumes this year. My close friend took these and was kind enough to pass them along.

Scares and Stares

I absolutely love Halloween and love going crazy with dressing up! There were actually two costumes for me this year! At the school I dressed up as a Biker Chick (sorry don't have a picture) and then during the Trunk or Treat, I dressed as Morticia from the Addams Family.

Connor was some sort of Star Wars Jedi person -- he actually made his own costume this year. Sam was a Clone Trooper at school but changed into his Ninja costume for the Trunk or Treat. Hannah was an Ice Queen. We all had a great day and got too much candy.

I told Ken that next year, I'm going to coordinate our costumes. Take my poll and let me know what you think we should be next year.

Holiday Boo-tique

I'm going to be a part of a fun holiday boutique and you're all invited! If you're interested in coming or ordering please let me know and I'll forward the information to you!

They will have Scentsy, Heritage Makers, Vinyl Lettering, Lia Sophia, Slumber Parties, Pampered Chef, Usborne Children's Books and Mary Kay Cosmetics!! It will be in Syracuse so I know some of you won't be able to make it. But orders can still be taken over the phone!

Preparedness

They've released me from my Relief Society Teacher position and called me to be the Preparedness Coordinator on the Enrichment board. It's a little humerous because just two weeks ago I met with my neighbor to ask her how to go about getting my food storage planned and bought. I never would have thought that I would be the one called to be over the Preparedness -- I stress every time I try to work on it. But, it's amazing how the Lord has made me calm and comfortable with this calling and I know with His help it can be accomplished.

In my little lesson from my friend, Sonja, I've learned a lot about how to figure out what we would need. And it was a big relief to focus more on a three-month plan, according to the advice from the Church, rather than worry about a whole two years. So what we did was figure out some of our favorite meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - to make it easy, come up with seven of each. Write down all the ingredients you will need for each meal along with measurements, times that by 4 (for a month) then times that by 3 (3 months). Now you know what it would take to feed your family for three months! It's amazing to see just how much food this is! Ken and I decided to use his latest bonus from work to buy our 3-month supply. Of course, we don't have it all but it's a great start! And we're having to remind the kids that just because we have all this food doesn't mean we can go crazy and eat it all. We're trying to teach them to eat moderately.

Through this process I also learned to adjust some of the foods we eat. If there was ever a chance we couldn't get foods like milk and eggs, what would we do?? So we're starting to mix our milk with powdered milk so that if we ever have to do without, it won't be such a big adjustment to drink the powdered milk.

So, if you're thinking of trying to get your three-month supply together, I would suggest focusing on one meal at a time. Start with breakfasts. What do you eat? Figure out all the ingredients you would need for one month and each time you visit the grocery store buy a little extra until you have all the breakfast foods you would need for the three months.

If you want a little more information on preparedness and food storage visit www.providentliving.org. There's a lot of great information there.

Yes, You Heard Me, Zucchini Jam!

Hi all! I have to tell you of my hilarious happenings this morning! Like many of you out there, my zucchini plants are producing a very healthy crop this year and I'm forced to dig up any zucchini recipe I have. I remembered many years ago my friend had me over to her house to teach me how to make zucchini jam. Weird? Yes! Yummy? All who have tasted it think so. So...anyway, I have been making several batches of zucchini jam this month and proceeded to put my "fruits" to good use this morning. The jam was cooked and I was putting the lids and rings on -- now you have to know that part of the process is to turn the jars on the lids as they cool and this makes the seal -- when next thing I know, I turn one over and it spills everywhere!! I couldn't imagine what had happened!! Did the top of the jar break due to the heat of the jam?? Did I not get it tight enough?? So I pick it up prepared to clean a mess of glass when I find that I had forgotten to put the lid on!! Yes, laugh with me! I forgot to put the lid on!! Needless, to say, I think we have enough zucchini jam for the next two years and I'll stick to making my famous zucchini bread...

Speaking of Heaven!

OK so today I had to run in to town to get gas in the car and drove by Arctic Circle. I usually try to avoid looking at their advertisement sign because I'm always tempted but I gave in to it today. Guess what they have now???? Sweet Potato Fries!! Have you heard of these?? Have you ever tasted them?? Speaking of Heaven!! Now I'm not one to even think about enjoying anything that has to do with sweet potatoes -- it used to bring horrific thoughts of Thanksgiving when they try to smother and disguise them with marshmallows -- but last year Ken and I tried them at a local BBQ rib joint and I loved them! Who would have thought! So now every time I drive by Arctic Circle, which is every time I go in to town, I'm going to be tempted by the newest thing on their menu -- Sweet Potato Fries! If you haven't had them before, give it a try! You better get them soon or I might eat them all....

We Cry While the Angels are Singing

What an emotional weekend this has been! I teach in Relief Society (the women's class in church) and the lesson this week was on the Plan of Salvation (or after-life). I was very teary as I told the women of my grandmother - my only grand parent left and the one I knew best. She has recently been at an assisted living facility but due to her recent decline in health, was to move back to my parent's home to live out her last days.

I remember when she lived just across the street when I was young and I would visit her and loved to look at all the little ceramic and glass trinkets and animals she loved to have on display. Later, after my marriage, I worked close to where she lived and I visited a few times during my lunch hour. I was always amazed at the colorful furniture she had! And more recent, when she lived with my parents and pretty much kept to the one room set aside for her. She loved to read - my mother was always trying to keep good books on hand for her.

Well, this morning, my mother called me with the news that my grandmother has left this life and continued to the eternities. I cried.

I will miss her deeply. I loved the way she talked. I loved the way her kisses were always a little wet. I loved her fingernails and wished that they could have been passed down to my genes, but alas, I wasn't that fortunate. I loved that she was always happy and loved to talk about all the goings-on of her family. I loved that she made me feel loved when I was with her.

I am sad that I wasn't able to see her before she left us. But I can imagine her in heaven -- keeping busy with all there is to do there.

Love you Grandma!!

Surrounded by Love

Mom invited all of us to a final summer dinner on the deck. It was good to get together with my brothers and sisters and their families. And the kids sure love to see their cousins and go crazy. The food was great! You should have seen Krista's dessert! It makes me a little sad to live far enough away that I can't just drop in more often. Love you all!

More Pictures from Ken's Trip

Here's a few updates:

My appointment with the foot doc went well this week. I can now start wearing shoes and trying to get my foot back to normal motion. It's great but makes my foot hurt again.

Hannah's scabs are all gone and she's looking pretty good now. Hooray! At least I dont' have to worry about school pictures looking silly.

And Ken got back safely from his motorcycle trip to Milwaukee for the Harley-Davidson 105th anniversary celebration. He had a great time but we both were eager to see each other after two weeks of separation.

Here's some pics of his trip...

Queen of the Road-(rash)

This Saturday, Hannah had an intense "meeting" with the road. Her bike (stupid thing) decided to go the wrong way and swiftly bucked her off onto her face. We rushed to the Insta-Care Clinic with Hannah complaining and crying to see if stitches were needed because it looked like her tooth went through her top lip. After the brief visit and lots of tears they sent us home with her lip taped up (not very professionally). What a relief to not have stitches!!

The most interesting thing about the whole issue was that Hannah was more worried that she would have to go to the hospital and stay overnight without me and that's what brought on so many tears! It took a while until she understood that it was only like a doctor visit and then we get to go home.

I'm glad to report that she's doing very well now and hopefully all the scabs go away before school pictures!

Coming Apart at the Seams

Went to the Podiatrist again today and they took off all the tape and stitches from surgery. It's so nice to be free of all that on my foot -- it's in desperate need of good lotion! During the exam the Doc noticed a couple of warts on my foot and told me they would "zap" them on my next appointment in two weeks! Wahoo! It will be good to be rid of them too! Still have to wear my boot though. But, hey, it keeps me from just hopping in my car to go to the store cuz I have to wear a different boot to drive and it's just a pain to undo the whole thing then make the change again when I get to the store. Thank heaven for drive-through's!



Here's some pics from before and now...

(Date is wrong on this picture....having a hard time with the camera)

I'm glad to have all that orange stuff and the lovely "Yes" finally washed off! It will be good when the swelling goes down and to be able to get into normal shoes again!

Now I can't wait to get the other one taken off so I can go buy NEW shoes!

School Kickoff!

I just noticed that I've been very selfish about my blogs and I need to show that I do have a family who I love dearly.

School started yesterday for my two youngest and I was able to walk them over in the morning. So far they love their teachers. Sam has a new teacher to the school and that's very exciting. He's one of two male teachers. I haven't met him yet but I've heard he's "sporty and hunky". I did see him when I popped my head into Sam's class but I didn't look very closely. (tee-hee-hee)

Hannah has a teacher who was at Meadow last year but I'm not sure how long she's been there. I think she's been there for a while though. She seems nice.

Connor is now in Jr. High so I wasn't able to get pics of him (as if he would let me)....

Here's a few pics I took yesterday.....

Doctor Visit

Went to the doctor today and they took off all the gauze wrapping. Now all I have are stitches, some tape and, of course, I still get to wear the very fashionable black boot. (Still having a hard time finding a shoe that matches).

I can now shower, close family and friends will be grateful for that fact, and I get to take the boot off and do some stretching exercises too. Still have to put ice on it and keep it up as much as I can because it's still a little swollen but Doc says that I can go at whatever pace it will let me. I was also able to get a different boot which will allow me to drive. Wahoo!! And Ken said that I have a good excuse now to use the motorized carts at WalMart too. Maybe I'll go shopping.....

Anyone interested in seeing the incision and stitches????

Honey....I'm Home!

Hi all!

I was able to come home on Friday after a week of peace and quiet (kinda) and it's great to have my kids around me again!

My foot is doing well -- a little painful at times when I over-do it -- but I'm not in major pain. I'm planning on walking my kids to school today for their first day so here's to hoping that I don't pass out on my way.

I have to keep my foot elevated as much as possible and can't get it wet. I'm wearing this lovely boot which will be my friend for a month. I told Ken that I need to find a pair of shoes that are the same height so I'm not hobbling around quite as much! Oh!!!! And bath time is hilarious!! I have this huge garden tub and trying to keep my foot up and out of the tub while trying to bathe is just comical! I can't wait to have them take my bandages off so I can at least take a normal shower or something!

Thanks to all of you who sent me "well-wishes"!! I really appreciate it!

WOW! What a week!

For this person who hates to schedule anything because I'm afraid of forgetting - this week has been "overload"!!

Connor is at a week-long scout camp so the house has been quite a bit quieter than normal but this also takes away my built-in babysitter. Tuesday, Sam had his scout den meeting and, of course, complained that it was going to be "boring" but came home with a huge smile and a rope which he proceeded to show me all the knots he learned.

Wednesday the kids went to their weekly piano lessons in the morning -- and their teacher didn't even have to call and remind me -- but then that evening Ken had a work dinner which wives were invited to. That was a little more comfortable than I anticipated because I knew a few of the people there but still had a hard time participating in the conversation. I just never know what to say because I don't want to make a total fool of myself!

Thursday was our 16th wedding anniversary and we decided to go to Boondock's to have some fun! It was much better than the usual outing because we were able to spend the whole time talking and just having fun being together. Ken won the miniture golf game but only because I just couldn't make the last hole. We also played laser tag and raced on the go-karts. Then we went to dinner at Olive Garden. Yummy!

Also, on Thursday, I took the kids with me to the RS Humanitarian day and they helped me start some knit hats. But there we learned that the lists of their school classes were up so we went to see who their new teachers would be. That was fun until we learned that both Sam and Hannah needed to go through some DRA testing to place them. At this revelation, Sam proceeded to have a fit. He pouted and cried but wouldn't tell me what the problem was until we were almost ready for him to go in....he doesn't like to write. I told him that they just want to see what he can read and remember! but he fought the whole way in. .......About an hour later, he comes out of the classroom with a huge smile on his face and told me it wasn't so bad..... I swear he will be the death of me...

Now, this weekend is my 20th Class Reunion and I'm having to find a babysitter again! We'll be touring my old/new high school -- I say new because they have totally rebuit it and it looks nothing like the old. Then we will be meeting for dinner and "events". I hope we have a good time!

I hope this busy-ness and excitement lasts me through next week because that's when I'll be stuck at the Scirex facility, banned from visitors. I plan on crocheting many hats for the Relief Society Humanitarian project, reading, crocheting blankets, reading, talking on my cell phone, reading, and crocheting some more. Sounds fun huh!?

Keep Ken in your thoughts -- he's worried that he will get lonely without me...

Surgery

Ok, so has everyone seen the commercials for bunion removal from Scirex?? I've finally decided to have them remove one of my bunions and I'm a little nervous. Have any of you or your friends done this? The research is on the pain medication so that's the nerve-racking part. Stomach butterflies.....

But I'm excited to have this finally done and not have the pain in my foot anymore. And to wear my boots again will be heavenly. I go in for a preliminary checkup tomorrow and then X-rays too. The surgery will be in August.

Side note -- I'm debating on if I want to ride my motorcycle in to Salt Lake for this checkup. Gas will be cheaper but I'm still a scaredy-cat when it comes to the freeway riding. I'll let you know if I have any courage...cowardly lion.

Memories - Old and New

Got together with some of my life-long friends this past weekend and we had a lot of fun reminiscing about old times and getting re-aquainted. It's definitely different when husbands and kids are thrown into the mix.

Our destination was Lava Hot Springs and, in my opinion, the best camping site this year because it was all grassy, the weather was incredible, and the camper didn't get quite as dirty. We visited the olympic size pool but not the hot springs because, duh, the weather was pretty toasty and we really didn't want to get boiled. We'll have to go back when it's cold to really appreciate the Springs. Anyone game to go???

July 4 Campout

We had a great holiday but it was spent differently than we've done before. We went camping this year.



We went with our friends who were in Virginia with us - the Pulleys - and the kids had a great time!

With the water nearby, there was lots for all of us to do. Fishing, going out in the Pulley's raft, playing in the stream/river that went over the road and lots of other things. The boys were all prepared to keep busy with their GameBoys too.

Other than the crazy amount of mosquitos, it was a perfect vacation.