He's finally home!!!!!!!!

Waiting for him to come down the escalator. Seemed like forever.

Finally, my sweet baby brother has come home from serving in Bulgaria

Kami and her RM uncle Aaron

Mom embracing her last missionary and baby.



Oh how wonderful, that we can now hug him in the flesh, and be able to tell him to his face how much we love and adore him, and how proud we are of him for serving the Lord for 2 years. Bulgaria was a tough mission, and he been through a lot. Including being beat up twice, and mugged. But it's over, and he is home. We are so happy and so blessed.

My DI project

I found this dresser at DI and could see the potential. It used to be cream with gold leafing. I was pretty ugly. I thought it turned out great. It will go in Brooke's room. I could not find any cute contact paper, so I used scrapbook paper. I love working on projects.

I know, I know it has been a while. I have no excuse that is worthy of using here. I am just lazy. The topic of this entry: SCHOOL IS STARTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I act a little over zealous about that? Well, I am, and I am quite happy school starts on my b-day this year. It's the best present EVER! Here are some pic's of the ever excited kids doing their fashon show for us this year. So cute!!!!

The latest of my kiddo's

I feel like my kids are growing up so fast, I feel like Brooke is already a teenager, even though she is only 10 1/2. Before I know it, she will be. It makes me a little sick. The teenage years scare me, so I hope I will be a good mom then.

I took the kids up the canyon to take some pictures. I have to admit, nothing was going very well, and I was a little nervy. The did not turn out as I'd hoped, but I think I got a few cute ones.

Wedding

Saturday was such a great day! My sweet brother Jason got married to the sweetest girl ever, Naomi!!!! We had a wonderful day starting with the luncheon at the church, marriage at the Draper Temple, and reception in Provo, in a beautiful backyard setting. I am so happy for them both!!! Although exhausting, it was still very nice. Yeah!!! They're finally married!!!!!

Women's Conference

Over that last 2 days, I have had the wonderful opportunity to go to Women's Conference for the first time. My dear sweet friend Sheia and I went. What a great, and wonderful experience. I cannot believe that we have this so close to us, and none of my family has really made it a tradition before. It was packed, and yes at times, I felt like cattle going from one class to the next, in herds. But worth it for sure. It's fun to see where people have traveled from to be apart of it. There were many speakers that were great, and did a great job, but I did have some in particular that I loved. I loved the concert that was Thursday evening. It featured some really great people, that before then, would not have really listened to their stuff, but will now. I liked them all, but in particular, I loved Hilary Weeks the best.

She was so real, and funny, and had a great message.

The opening and closing sessions on Friday were wonderful, and my favorite.

The opening speaker was Julie B. Beck. I think she is a wonderful woman, and she has a special place in my heart. I don't know why. I don't really know her, but did sit in a session at the temple, and looked back, and she was sitting 3 rows behind me. I felt like I was in the presence of a remarkable woman..
The closing speaker, was Elder L. Tom Perry. He and his wife spoke, and I love that too.



The class I enjoyed most, that spoke to my heart was "I have learned, in Whatsoever State I am, therewith to be Content" The first speaker was a young woman who'd been widowed after only 3 years of marriage, and has a toddler. She had some wonderful things to say. She shared just enough of her personal life, but not to much, and had a very sweet and humble attitude towards life. She got the waterworks going, and It took all I had to hold back the awful wail kind of cry that was ready to burst any minute. I had such a wonderful time, and will go next year for sure. I hope to convince more people to make it a top priority on their list. JUST FABULOUS!

It's been too long!

I have not updated this for a while!!! Sorry!

Monday night, Brooke and I got home from a trip to California to see my brother, his family, and to attend his graduation. It was a very short trip, and there was A LOT of driving, but well worth it. It was so fun to go and be with them. We went boating on Saturday and got to visit San Fransisco on Sunday for a short time. We left cause it was so so so cold. It was also hard to walk around the Fisherman's Wharf, and pass by the Giradelli (sp ?) chocolate factory, and other yummy shops with an empty stomach, and not get to buy anything. (cause it was Sunday) So, we went back to my brothers house, and got all comfy in Jammie's, and had his graduation cake, and laughed and talked. We reminisced of the good old days, funny things our father always says, and recalled all of Steve's pranks. He will go to any length to prank anyone. From garage door tricks from across the street, to posing as a cop with his dog, and sniffing out a poor unsuspecting souls car for drugs, (that of coarse he planted) and arresting people. He loves to laugh, and have fun with life, and so when the day he called my mom to say he had a brain tumor, my mother of coarse thought it was a prank. (which would not have been funny at all), yet we all wish it had been, so he would not have to go through this. He is doing well from what we can see. He is positive, and in good spirits, though, to me there has been a change I cannot put our finger on. All in all, it was a good trip, despite Brooke having to deal with an ear infection. :( poor thing!

This is one of my brother's jumping from a rock/cliff, as my mother shed real tears. Scary to watch actually.

Top: Steve just getting his diploma. Gee, is he happy? Bottom: Steve posing with his adorable wife at the graduation! He got his master's in business and graduated with honors! Great accomplishment!

Jason's fiance' Naomi, and Brooke on the raft/tube! Go girls!!

Home sweet home

My poor house! I have totally neglected it. My responsibilities for enrichment are over for a little bit anyway, so on Saturday, with the help of my kids, and sweet husband, we spent a whole chunk of the day cleaning. It was after 5 when I said, "I've had it, we are done." Although we did get a lot acomplished, I was suprized at how much was still left to do. Man, it is never ending!!!!!! I plan on, (we'll see), keeping it this way for a while. It took so long, I don't want to ruin all the good we've done so soon. I plan on getting to the things we didn't get to Sat. and do them this week, and just keep everything up. It feels REALLY good!

List of done things!
pantry
fridge
kitchen
all bathrooms (4 is a lot for me to keep up)
all bed rooms (well, master is half done)
playroom (huge undertaking)
living room
family room
entertainment room
vacuuming of all rooms, halls, and 2 sets of stairs

Still need to do!
my craft room (looks like a bomb hit it)
rest of my bedroom & closet
laundry room
inside kitchen cupboards (so random and unorganized)
wash baseboards/walls
computer hutch

Then just keep it all up. Sigh!
Not that you really wanted a run down of everything, guess it was more for me.

My Sweet brother, Steve

I got some pretty scary news today, that my brother just 11 months younger than me, has a brain tumor. Let me tell you, you can never really prepare yourself for that kind of news. I don't don't get to see him or his adorable little family very much, but when we do get together, we have so much fun. I love and adore him with all my heart. Growing up, we did not exactly get along. I had the nails, and dug him when we'd fight, and he would wack me with random household objects like a brooms and such. It doesn't really matter anymore. As we have reached adulthood, and have begun our own families, we have grown to love, and respect one another very much. My brother is the kind that will go over and beyond, out of his way, to make people feel good. He is also quite the jokester, and we have had our share of belly laughs cause of him. It's sad that it takes something like this, to really hit you, and realize that life is so precious. And to NEVER take it for granted. I really feel like he is going to be ok. He has to have surgery to remove the tumor, and see if it is cancer. We are all praying that it is not. I have also really thought a lot about how dumb my problems seem now. They are nothing in comparison. I am so grateful for my life, parents, family, husband, kids, friends, and my Heavenly Father.

I love you Steve!

Congratulations Jason & Naomi

Thursday, Feb. 26th

I am very happy, and proud to announce the engagement of my adorable brother Jason, to sweetheart, and cutie, Naomi Stewart. They are the cutest couple, and so in love. I am so excited to have her a part of the family. We have all been saying, it's like we have known her all our lives. (they have only been dating 2 months) She is so easy to get along with. I LOVE her.

My brother has been through a lot, and really deserves this. He is 30, and she is 26. They are really perfect for each other.

6th Picture Challenge

1. Go to the photo folder in your computer
2. Go to the 6th folder of photos.
3. Go to the sixth picture.
4. Put the picture on your blog and description of it.
5. Invite six friends to join the challenge.

So, this picture is of Kami and our little fashion show we had just before school started. She loves the camera! (can you tell)

Now, I don't have a lot of people who read my blog, so I will just tag those that do.

Angie C, Angie W, Angi J, Kriss, Sheia, Tricia, Ruby, & Mindi

Oh, what a day

So, I was on my way to take Kami to school, and just as we are almost there, I look back In my rear-view mirror, and she is laying to the side, and pale as can be. I pull over (we are 1/2 a block away from her school) to investigate, and she finally after coxing it our of her, said her tummy hurt. So since we were right there, I just went in, and told her teachers. One of them came out to the car and gave her a kind "We'll sure miss you" and we left. (What nice teachers huh) Well, almost home, and I start smelling something. I keep thinking, there must be a leaking, rotten, sippy somewhere. I did not consider that Kami could have thrown up (she did by the way) because I heard nothing. sorry, probably too munch info. I too, being really sensitve to vomit, felt yucky for the reat of the day. So, sorry family for being a grouchy, rotten mother today. I owe them a lot for putting up with me, and my many, many flaws. June Cleaver would have been ashamed of me.

We just want to get well!!!!

My poor boys. They are sick with ear infections, nasty coughs, and I can't stand it anymore!!! Last week it was Brooke. I just want everyone to just get better. Is that really so much to ask. I stayed home from church to care for the little guys. I guess I should be grateful they don't have the flu. Cleaning vomit is just possibly the very WORST job as a mom (parent, Ry cleans it up more than me) Hey you know that show, "Dirty Jobs", I am yet to see it feature a full-time mother. It is one for sure!

Happy Birthday Sheia

Sheia, I hope you have had a fabulous day today! You totally deserve it!!! You are such a wonderful friend, and really love and appreciate all you do for me, and my family. You are so loved!

Cute

My mom made this adorable table runner for me. I had a vase, and wicker balls to match, that where just kind of hang'n around. My mom is ALWAYS doing something for me. I love and appreciate her so much. I hope she knows of my love for her. I probably don't say it enough. I love her for so many other reasons besides the things she gives. She is always in tune! So she knows somehow when to call or say the right things. She is so loveable, and kind. She is a crack up, and she is unconditional. She loves you no matter what. She deserves more recognition for that for sure. She is my best friend, and I love her!!!!!

Hasn't Spring Sprung Already?

I know where I get my impatience.

My sweet mom!

She is always doing something for us, and her latest...... spring outfits!!!

Hayes is wearing the shirt, and will have to wait a few months til he can wear the shorts.

Kami looks so cute in her bright spring clothes. My mom made the skirt. So cute.

Handsome Derek in his shirt. He wanted to wear the shorts. Sorry, buddy, in due time.

Brooke in her duds. She loves brown and teal. So cute! She growing up too fast. Her skirt is also handmade with love from Grandma.

I know I could have waited, but then who will carry on the legacy.

Thanks Mom! We love you!

Chore Charts

In despiration to try and keep my (our) home in order, I came up with these charts. They have everything on them from daily chores, and laundry day, to homework and reading. They start on Monday, and end Friday. I personally, hated cleaning the house on Saturday as a kid, and want this to be a sort of day off for the kids, but mainly ME. I feel I am cleaning all week, and need a break. Anyway, they get tallies on each day, and for each thing passed off, ans earn points. I then have different things they cand spend their point on. Like money, outings, prizes etc. Well, the kids seemed pretty excited at first, but already it's worn off, (well except for Brooke) She has over 100 points, and reminds me regularly that she has them. I have found that without my encouragement still, it will never get done. So, I will need to really be on top of this one.

Derek, washing up after dinner

Brooke, cleaning the counter. Go Brooke go!!!!


Kam and Hayes doing the dishes. (Not sure if it was actually helpful, but they are learning to work)