10 Christmas Highlights 2011

1.  Having Michael home with us again!
2.  Getting what I actually wanted and bigger than I thought!
3.  Being in our new home for Christmas!
4.  Having lots of visitors on Christmas Day
5.  Going to Bryce's (Mike's brother) grave site on Christmas Eve
6.  Going to church with Jerry, Rhea and their family
7.  Our family getting spoiled with the 12 Days of Christmas by 2 of Bryce's friends.
8.  Stephen acting like a homeless person and visiting our neighbors
9.  My boys crocheting blankets for their friends
10. Sleeping in til 8:00 Christmas morning....the kids are finally growing up!

A different season

It is a very different season in my life as of late.  I would have to say that I have never felt quite like I feel these days.  This is the part of life that I never really gave a lot of thought to because it always seemed to be so far in the futurre.  Now that it's here it is very difficult for me to get used to.  So much is different and so many things are new.  We finally moved into our newly built (but not quite finished ) home and it's nice to have finally made this much anticipated (for a year) move!  I am trying to get us all settled in and organized. I know it will take a little bit of time til we get to that point.  The kids are loving the house and so are we.  Mike tells the kids, "the longer we are here the more and more comfortable we will become here".  So true. 

So, I am also working fulltime now Monday through Friday.  I am grateful that I found something that I really love considering I really didn't know what I was looking for when I was looking for employment.  Funny how the Lord just knows us so well huh? 

The kids are all doing well and growing so fast.  Busy with activities, responsiblities and friends.  Michael is going to school, working and dating a really nice girl pretty seriously now.  He has been having somewhat of a difficult time getting used to us I think.  Mike and I are much more on the same page than we were before he left for his mission.  It is interesting to have a young adult in our home.  Michael sees so many things differently than we do and it can be very frustrating at times.  I am so used to seeing eye to eye with him and now that is not always the case.  This has been quite a different thing for me and an adjustment for both of us I think.  Mike is so good about being patient, understanding and letting things go and ...Me?  I just want to force him to see what we see right now.  However, I think I will take Mike's approach on this one and just be patient and calm and just let him learn on his own.

Having a young adult and return missionary in our home is so different from raising teenagers.  It's nicer in some ways and scarier in other ways.  The control, power and influence you have as a parent of a teenager is so reassuring in so many ways.  Where the freedom a young adult has and the loss of responsibility we have as parents to teach them what they need to know right now, is so frustrating for me.  However, I am learning and I'm trying to be patient. 

I am also learning a little bit more about myself these days.  Not always good things either.  I've recently learned that I express my stress much more differently than I used to or maybe I just notice it more now. I'm one of those people who looks like I am handling everything fine on the outside but subconsciously I am out of control....stresswise.  And it's really not good.  I can be somewhat impatient, a little too honest and thoughtless.  It's been a hard lesson to learn, but I have to admitt that I am having to learn to forgive myself as much as I am learning to ask for forgiveness. 

Such a different season in my life.............

I miss my boyfriend

Okay, can I just say that I have had just about enough of not going on dates anymore with my boyfriend (My Man).  Since we have been building we have gone on maybe a couple of dates and that is it!  I miss my one on one time with My Man! I have really been feeling it lately.  It makes such a difference when we can spend that quality time together.  Otherwise we are just so busy that it starts feeling like I am living with a stranger or like this a business relationship.  My Man works so hard and I think he is really comfortable just working.  I honestly dont know how he does it.  I just don't have that kind of stamina.  I have to have my down time and I just get so burned out after working all day. But he comes home after working all day and then works the rest of the night on the house.  Life has been far from normal (whatever that is) for a good year now.  I'm not sure what normal is but I know it isn't this.  And I know that I need my dates now.  I guess so much has been unpredictable over the last year or so and our dates have not been a huge priority, but that has to change now.  It must because I miss my boyfriend! 

The long awaited job

Well, now that I have finally had a very successful first full week of my new job, I thought I would finally talk about it.  This looking for a job thing has really been a pain this time around.  However, I have to say that once again the Lord pulls me thru according to my faith.

I really thought that maybe that last job with the Social Network Marketing company was gonna be the job for me.  I put my trust in the Lord and figured that this is where he wanted me to land. However, I was not happy there but I was happy to have a job.  Luckily after 3 weeks they decided that they did not need me afterall and I was let go.  So, there I was on the hunt yet again.  I started to get a bit frustrated as I hate sending out my resume to companies and waiting to hear from them.  I firmly believe in Networking and getting myself out there in front of people.  But there I was searching the internet!  Yuck! 

I started to seriously consider looking into going back to school and even borrowing the money to try and land a job in the Healthcare industry.  There seemed to be a lot of jobs there.  However, that was becoming a discouraging pursuit since any way I looked at it it was gonna cost me a lot of mula!  But the thought of working in a Healthcare environment sounded like something I thought I could really enjoy.  So, out I went again to seek for employment and a way to get my foot in the door at some Healthcare facility. However, I kinda decided to put that thought on the back shelf of my mind.

The Temp Agency that I had found the last job at told me that they didn't have anything for me.  So, come Monday I was happy to be home again with my kids taking care of things at home.  On Wednesday I decided to follow up on a couple of leads out in Provo and Orem.  Those proved to be a waste of time too!  So, on my way back home to search the web again.....I decided I would stop by one more time at the Temp Agency and poke my head in and just remind them that I was still looking.  Well, once again they told me that they did not have anything at the present time.  Then the gal in the office said she might have something coming up and that I should stay in touch.  So, I went home.  About an hour later I recieved a call from her and she told me that she might actually have a job for me at a Chiropractic office.  That was very interesting to me as I had worked for a Chiropractor when Michael was just a baby and I really did enjoy that environment.  So, she sent my resume and set up an interview for the following day.  Well, needless to say, I got the job.  And....I LOVE IT!  It seems to be the perfect fit.  They hired me on permanently as the Office Supervisor. I am learning a lot and I feel right at home there.  Great people to work for, Great Doctor, Great customers!  I love working with the general public and talking to new people every day and serving them.  I feel so blessed to be working there.  They are compensating me well and it's a Healthcare facility!  Not what I originally thought it would be, but it is a familiar environment and it fits me perfectly..... It is both challenging and fullfilling!  I am hoping that this is a very long term relationship. So, wish me luck!

Reflections of a teenage girl..."Celestial friendships"

Sitting at the desk in the family room I could feel that my whole life was about to change.  I was 17 and it was 11:00 pm and I was so happy to get his call.  However, the happiness faded when on the other end of the phone I heard a very heart wrenched young man who obviously loved me...well, as much as an 18 year old boy knew how to love.  I knew without a doubt that he was the best thing that had ever happened to me.  Having grown up without the unconditional love of a good man in my life, this young man had fullfilled all my dreams of what it really was like to be loved so unconditonally by a man, a good man.   So, why was I about to let him go?  He was away at school and I was back at home.  He should have been having the time of his life, but he wasn't.  I smiled inside when I realized that the reason why was because of his feelings, even though we were so far away from eachother, for me.  Me...just Me!  Wow, how lucky, how blessed was I at such a young age to find someone so good, so true...true to Me? 

Deep down I knew I needed to let him go.  But, I knew that this might be the stupidest thing I would ever do.  But out of pure unconditional love for him, I knew I had to free his heart.  Deep, very deep down inside I knew that the timing was all wrong for this particular sweet relationship.  Had I not been so young and so hopeful, had i known all the heartache I had still yet to endure, I probably would not have done it.  But, by this time in my life I had been blessed with a conviction, which he had helped to confirm in me.  A conviction that there was something more, a conviction that I was worth all the blessings that I desired.  And I knew my time would come and I would once again meet someone else. Someone just as wonderful. Someone just as good.  Someone just as worthy as he was of my love.  However, this was faith.  The kind of faith that caused you to do crazy things. The kind I then called "blind".  Blind because I could not not see, I did not know for certain.  Those few words in my blessing instilled that faith in my young heart and I mustered up the courage to tell him.  To tell him that it was okay.  That he was free.  That this sweet union of ours was not to last past this time anyway.  I took a deep breath and I said it. 

I wanted to take it back as soon as the words left my lips.  I wanted to rewind and take it all back.  But I knew what I had done was right and it tore at my heart for a very long time.  Those words also tore at his as he tried to choke back obvious tears.  Why?  Why? Why, did I do it.  Why would I let go of something so good, on purpose? 

The years that followed proved to be difficult with many ups and downs in the "Love" department yet, somehow it kept me going.  To do something so difficult, so courageous at such a young age, somehow gave me the strength to not give up.  It was like a rollercoaster ride.  My twists and turns and ups and downs of faith.  And as often as I had let go of that faith, I would come back to it again.  And then after 18 years of agony, doubts from time to time, and moments of regret...I finally met Him!

He was absolutely perfect!  Perfect for me.  He came in to my life and I once again felt like the luckiest girl in the world.  But this was different.  It was more, it was better in so many ways and on so many levels.  I cried for days.  Literally, to and from work.  Truthfully, what did I do to deserve such a wonderful man?  Why did I deserve to have such unconditonal love and devotion in my life?  Afterall I had faltered from time to time, I wavered here and there.  There were times I wanted to give up, for good. Mom would always say, "you just can't ever give up, because you never know what's right around the corner"...and so I didn't.  And now after 18 years, her statement proved to be TRUE. 

Fast forward now 23 years ahead. 3 children, and many many trials later. I am very aware of  the many ups and downs that have played a significant part of the 48 years I have been alive. And oh so many blessings, more than I ever thought possible. Now with "Him" at my side and a wonderful family of good, valiant, righteous beautiful boys, I sit in awe.   And I realize that there were some very tender and significant moments and choices I made in my life that have played a very important role in where I am today.  And some people will never be forgotten and are appreciated now more than ever.  Celestial friendships.....that's what I call them. 

Faith - Value Experience #2

2

Discover the principles of faith taught by the mothers of Helaman’s stripling warriors. Read Alma 56:45–48 and 57:21. Review what “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (see page 101) says about a mother’s role. With a mother, grandmother, or leader, discuss the qualities a woman needs in order to teach children to have faith and to base their decisions on gospel truths. How can these principles help you in your life today and help you prepare to be a faithful woman, wife, and mother? Record your thoughts and feelings in your journal.



So, I've been working on experience #1 in Faith these past couple of weeks. So, now I am working on the second experience in faith.  Just thought I would share what I am reading and studying about.

Happy cleaning!

I had a friend request four sets of 2 washcloths.  So, I've been busy making these little lovelies!

Aren't they pretty?  Darcie and I sit in Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School and we crochet. 

My Mom says it's irreverant....hmmm. I'll have to think about that.  

(I always put mine down when it's time for the sacrament.)

A lady in our ward taught us how and now we are hooked!

Mike say's we look like a couple of Old Granny's...;) 

And here they are all wrapped and ready for delivery.

These are gonna make a great homemade gift this year.

Happy Halloween!  Happy Cleaning!!

It's about how we handle the rough times...

Well, life is a never ending circle of surprizes!  First off, the job that I had finally landed ended up being a temporary situation after all.  The 2 guys that own the company are very young and still learning what it is they need.  So, after 3 weeks of working at the computer and not doing much in the Administrative Assistant department, my boss decided that what he thought he needed was not actually what he actually needed.  He was very kind and very apologetic as he brought me into his office to explain the situation.  I knew something was up when I was stuck sitting at a computer doing data entry this and calculate that all day long for a good 2-3 weeks that I was there.  I personally did not enjoy sitting at a computer all day.  I didn't feel like he needed an assistant at all as he was gone most of the time and he didn't need me to do much for him back at the office.  So, when he called me into the office last Friday, I wasn't dissappointed when he informed me that the job was temporary after all.  I am glad it was thru a temp agency that I was hired and I'm sure he was glad too.  He was very complimentary, gave me extra hours, and even gave me a big hug as he said good-bye.  Did I need that job? Yes. Did I want that job after working at it for 3 weeks?  No.  So, I am back to looking for a job again.  However, I am grateful to realize now, that I do not want to sit at a computer all day for a living.  So, I am being a bit more choosy in what jobs I apply for. 

I'm not stressed.... I should be, I know that seems weird to me, but I'm not.  I know I will find something else.  So, I just keep trudging along.  I do have to admitt that it was nice to not have to go back to work on Monday morning.  So, I've been enjoying my kids again.  Getting myself organized again and back at looking for another job this past week.

So, you know how everything happens in 3's?  Well, on Wednesday morning we woke up to our new home being flooded.  We were all frantic.  Long story short, we did have flood insurance that was due to expire on November 1st....Wednesday was the 26th.  That was not just luck.  With every tragedy there are blessings.  My intention was to start packing since I had the time again.  However, now that it will be a bit longer til we move in, I will be spending my time instead looking for another job.  So, what's #3.  I'm not looking forward to it.  We could name some other things that already happened prior to this as #1 but I'm not sure that will work.  Well, only time will tell.

What I have learned thru all of this is that life is not about the hard things that happen during our journey.  It is about how we handle the hard things that happen along the way.  It's about all the rough terrain that we trudge our way thru, the mountains that we climb.  And then every once in a while we see the beautiful open valleys of splendor and grace...right  before we climb another mountain. So, merrily on our way we go....until we reach the valley-o!

My latest little project...

 I found these little bottles of dish soap at Walmart for .94 cents each.

I decided to wrap one bottle with one of my crocheted washcloths as a little gift to give my

V.T. sisters. 

 I just wrapped them in little celophane bags tied a piece of yarn

around the middle.

Added a little scripture to the front to go along with the "cleaning" theme.

The washcloths are made with 100% cotton yarn and a simple single crochet stitch.

About 5x7 size. Easy and so much fun!

Just some thoughts on being patient...

 Okay, can I just say that I am trying, trying to be patient.  It's getting to be that time of year when I like to do some baking and decorating to enjoy the fall and this wonderful season.  However, we are completely immersed in the finishing of our home. And it is taking forever!  Last weekend I planned to spend the entire day on Saturday helping paint but because I am now working full time, on Saturday I play catch up all day just to be ready to start another week of work and school on Monday for our family.  It was exhausting.  So, this week I am really trying hard to keep up on the house on a daily basis so that I can help at the house all day on Saturday.  My Man hates to eat fast food especially when we are home, however, I think it's gonna have to be a fast food weekend if I am gonna be able to concentrate on the house instead of cooking and cleaning.  Right now it's all the finishing touches.  A lot of painting of trim, baseboards and walls.  Putting in light fixtures.  The carpet is supposed to be the last thing that goes in and we are scheduled for next week.  But we still have toilets to set, the cabinet doors to finish and install, etc, etc,....

So, the sad thing about it for me is that all my fall decorations are packed away.  I feel like I am going to totally miss all the holidays this year.  Before we know it, we'll be knee deep in snow and I will just be setting up house and it will be Christmas.  Then the new year will start and it won't be til next year that I get to enjoy this time of year again.  I never realized how much I loved fall until we moved to Utah.  The season changes are so beautiful!  Especially when you get to see the mountains all around you and how much they change with the passing of one season to another.  Well, back to work I go.  I'm hoping that I can practice making  patience a virtue!

Faith- conference talk 2

The Faith to Move Mountains

Gordon B. Hinckley
President of the Church

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Increased faith is what we most need. Without it, the work would stagnate. With it, no one can stop its progress.

Here's the second Conference talk that I read.  I love President Hinckley.  He was so awesome and his testimony so simple.  Our Faith can move mountains!
 

Faith- conference talk 1

Faith—the Choice is Yours

Richard C. Edgley
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

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Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism.

This is one of the 2 Conference talks I have chosen to read for my first experience under the first YW Value in my Personal Progress "Faith".  I remember this talk well, it's a great one! I'm still working on this experience where I am getting in to a habit of praying every morning when I get up and every  night before I go to bed for 3 weeks.   Enjoy this message!

Still Standing: Setting Goals

Faith  

  Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true (Alma 32:21).
I am a daughter of Heavenly Father, who loves me. I have faith in His eternal plan, which centers on Jesus Christ, my Savior

Required Value Experiences

Complete the following three required value experiences. Have your parent or leader sign and date each experience after you finish.

1

The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Learn about faith from the scriptures and living prophets. Read Hebrews 11; Alma 32:17–43; Ether 12:6–22; and Joseph Smith—History 1:11–20. Read two general conference talks on faith. Exercise your own faith by establishing a habit of prayer in your life. Begin by regularly saying your morning and evening prayers. After three weeks of following this pattern, discuss with a parent or leader what you have learned about faith and how daily personal prayer has strengthened your faith. In your journal express your feelings about faith and prayer.


I've decided to try and get my YW medallion, especially since in order for an adult woman to get it we only have to do the first 3 experiences in each value,  no projects.  I'm excited!  

Eating Healthier

I have been wanting to find an easy way to start eating healthier.  Especially now that I am working full time.  I work sitting at a computer a lot and I need to snack from time to time.  I want to start making my daily routine a bit more productive in the healthy living department.  So, I am starting something new this week.  I'll tell you how it goes if it works for me.  But in the mean time I found this awesome list of low calorie healthy snacks to eat during the day.  I love variety!  I mean who likes to eat the same things all the time? Not me!  So, here's a list I found on the internet that I am excited about using.

28 Low Calorie Healthy snacks 

1. One can Low Sodium V-8 100% Vegetable Juice
(30 calories, 1 gram of protein, 0 grams fat, 7 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram dietary fiber, 80 mg sodium)
2. 14 Whole Natural Almonds
(80 calories, 3 grams of protein, 7 grams total fat, .5 grams saturated fat, 1.5 grams dietary fiber)
3. 1 small box of raisins
(130 calories, 1 gram of protein, 0 grams total fat, 31 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams dietary fiber)
4. Fruit, sliced and packed in plastic mini-bags, or whole
(Think apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, and more…)
5. Sliced Veggies
(Cut them up and keep stored in the refrigerator so they are ready to go. Think carrots and beyond such as sweet peppers both green and red, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, snow peas, celery, cucumbers, fennel, and radishes. Calories vary but you can eat a cup or so any of these for less than 100 calories.)
6. Babybel Light Cheese with 50 calories per piece.
7. Laughing Cow Light Cheese Wedge with 35 calories a wedge.
8. 3/4 cup Kashi Heart to Heart Cereal
(110 calories, 4 grams of protein, 1.5 grams total fat, 25 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams dietary fiber. How about ½ cup Kashi Heart to Heart with 1 Tbsp. of either raisins or craisins for a total of about 100 calories. Makes a great low calorie, crunchy and sweet trail mix.)
9. ¾ cup Quaker Crunchy Corn Bran
(90 calories with 5 grams of dietary fiber, 2 grams of protein, only 0.5 grams saturated fat)
10. ½ cup Quaker Oatmeal Squares
(105 calories with 2.5 grams of dietary fiber, 3 grams of protein, negligible saturated fat)
11. ½ of a Balance Bar
(Full bar has about 200 calories, 14 grams of protein, 6 grams of fat, 22 grams of carbohydrates)
12. ½ of a Luna Bar
(Full bar has about 180 calories, 10 grams of protein, 4.5 grams of fat, and 24 grams of carbohydrates)
UPDATE: I’ve now learned that you can buy a box of Luna minis each of which has only 80 calories. You get 18 snack-size bars with 6 each of 3 different flavors: White Chocolate Macadamia, Peanut Butter Cookie, and Lemon Zest. They’re pretty good! Available at Walmart and elsewhere.
Another good choice is Larabar. These bars can be purchased 12 mini bars per box with 90-100 calories each. The three flavors offered include Cherry Pie, Cashew Cookie, and Apple Pie.
13. 2 medium Kiwis
(90 calories or 45 calories each. Do watch how you transport these they will bruise easily!)
14. 1 carton Vanilla Soy Milk
(120 calories, 7 grams of protein, 4 grams of total fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 14 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of dietary fiber)
15. 1 carton of low-fat plain or flavored yogurt with 100 calories or less
(Read the labels there are a number of choices. (Keep in mind that yogurt is highly perishable so remember to eat within 2 hours of taking out of the refrigerator or keep cold in an insulated bag. Examples: Dannon Light Nonfat Yogurt with 50 calories.)
16. Orville Redenbacher Smart Pop 94% Fat-free Butter Microwave Popcorn
(Has only 110 calories for a full mini-bag that makes about 6 cups of popcorn with 3 grams of protein, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 4 grams of dietary fiber)
17. Finger food puffs
(I haven’t tried this but I know others who say the “finger food” puffs made for babies are a great treat. They come in flavors such as strawberry, cherry, sweet potato, banana, and apple cinnamon. Evidently you can eat as many as 80 for only 25 calories! I haven’t been able to verify this.)
18. String cheese
(Look for convenient individual packages or larger packs in a variety of brands. For example, Reduced Fat, Low Moisture Mozzarella String Cheese by Sargento has 50 calories each, 6 grams of protein, 2.5 grams of total fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of carbohydrate)
19. Individual fruit cups
(70 calories, 1 gram of protein, 0 grams fat, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber)
20. Organic Applesauce Cups
(Earth Kidz is one brand with 50 calories per cup, 0 grams protein, 0 grams fat, 13 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram dietary fiber.)
21. Pepperidge Farm whole-wheat mini bagels
(1 bagel has 100 calories, 4 grams of protein, 0.5 grams total fat, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of dietary fiber)
22. Mi-Del Old-fashioned “Swedish Style” Vanilla Snaps
(These are all natural, made with canola oil and have no trans fat. A serving size is 5 cookies with 130 calories, 4.5 grams of total fat, 21 grams of carbohydrates, and 1 gram of dietary fiber.)
23. Salmon Jerky
(1 package has 40 calories, 7 grams of protein, .5 grams fiber, 0 fat, 2 grams carbohydrate, 274 mg sodium. This product comes in various smoked flavors that are surprisingly good. I liked the Hot & Spicy Smoked Salmon Jerky. Can be ordered from Tony’s Smokehouse and Cannery in Oregon City, Oregon. http://www.tonyssmokehouse.com Sadly these are not cheap at $1.49 each and the shipping they charge is high! Know anyone in Oregon who could buy some for you?)
24. Reduced Fat Triscuits by Nabisco
(A serving of 7 crackers has 120 calories with 3 grams of protein, 3 grams of total fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 21 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of dietary fiber.
25. Wasa Hearty Rye Crispbread
(45 calories per serving, 1 gram of protein, 0 grams of fat, 11 grams total carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber)
26. Rice Crisps with cheddar cheese and other flavors
(O.K. admittedly, this may be one of my least nutritious recommendations but it satisfies my desire for higher calorie snack foods and cheese which I have to limit at my age. As such, it provides a lot of great flavor for only a few calories per chip. The basic product is made by a number of different companies. The brand that I can find locally has 70 calories for a serving of about 9 chips with 25 calories from fat. It is not a whole grain product and has no fiber. The good news is that is has no saturated fat or trans fat!)
27. Grace’s Sunflower Seeds Petite Cookies
(These little cookies are deliciously satisfying. 6 cookies makes for a serving with 130 calories. Stick with just four or five for about 110 calories or less, 2 grams protein, 2.5 grams saturated fat, 15 grams of carbohydrate, 1 gram dietary fiber. You may have a hard time finding this particular brand where you live. If so, check your local natural foods co-op or health food store to see what else you might find.)
28. One Pomegranate
(Yes, this could get a little messy and be time consuming to eat but it is also very satisfying and nutritious. Look for the juicy flesh-covered seeds inside. One pomegranate has about 100 calories, 1 gram of protein, 0 grams of fat, 26 grams of carbohydrate, 1 gram of dietary fiber.)

P.S.  Don't ever say I never gave you anything! :) 
Happy Healthy Eating!
Enjoy!

Crocheting....my new favorite pass time...again

Recently I bought a small crocheted washcloth like these here.  I brought it home and was extremely impressed with the way it cleaned my granite counter tops.  So, I instantly fell in love with it and decided that I needed to learn how to crochet my own washcloths.  So, I enlisted the help of my friend Marie down the street who brought out several of her own and proceeded to teach me how to crochet them.

Here are a couple of green ones that I made and now I'm working on making more.  I am hoping to have several colorful ones made that I can sell at a boutique we are doing at the end of the month.

You need to use 100% cotton yarn for these and an "H" hook. Super easy and super strong washcloths.

Years ago when my kids were little I became friends with a young girl I met at girls camp.  She and I quickly became very close friends even though I am about 19 years older than her....what can I say, I'm young at heart;).  Anyway, she taught me how to crochet.  She used a very big hook like the blue one you see here.

Anyway, she made some blankets for my kids and then she taught me how to make them and I went crazy.  Seems like I made about 4 or 5 of them for different people.  So, since I started making the washcloths, I decided to make me another afghan of fall colors.  Here's the starting of my new one.  You do use 3 scanes of yarn at a time and you'll probably do this about 3 or 4 times.  I'll post the finshed product when I am done.  Crocheting is so relaxing and rewarding.  If I can do it....anyone can!

Perfect timing

So, General Conference just ended.  It's always sad when it ends.  You can feel it in the First Presidency's voices too.  They dont want to say goodbye anymore than we want them to leave.  However, I was just thinking how blessed we are with technology these days.  Every six months without fail we get to see them and listen to their words of wisdom and love and to see their smiling faces.  It is such a blessing! 

Well, this was all perfect timing I might add.....because....on Friday night as I was realizing that the week had come and gone and once again I was left without a job.  So, I was preparing myself for the coming week when I would be once again out looking for a job.  I had just come home from the store and it was 7pm.  I was in the kitchen talking to My Man and my oldest son when my phone rang.  I recognized the number and could not believe that the temp agency was calling me back.  They called to let me know that the company I had inteviewed with on Wednesday wanted to offer me the position with their company!  I was shocked!  It was so late.  But I guess it was the end of their day and they had made a decision.  Finally!  So, I now have a job.  It was thru a temp agency but the job is actually permanent if it all works out okay.  I'll tell you a bit about it......It is a fairly new company of a couple of years which is doing quite well.  They are an Internet Social Network Marketing Company.  There are 2 owners and and they have about 10 employees but one of the owners is in need of an Administrative Assistant to keep him organized and on his toes.  So, that's me!  I really dont know what to expect.  These guys are probably in their early early 30's.  They are doing pretty well and they have a very nice office in Provo....sooo.....we'll see.  I start tomorrow!  Wish me luck!

and I'm Still Standing....

Okay, so I had a real big let down last week when I didn't get the job I wanted.  The last one I told you about....they hired someone else.  I was feeling really really sorry for myself.  I really wanted that job!  Well, that made me start to question everything about myself.  I am amazed how something like that could make me question my confidence, and just so many other things.  I was really bummed!  So, I decided that I needed direction and inspiration in my life.  Because truthfully, I didn't know where to go from here.  I guess I could have just thought, "oh well, I'll just keep looking".  But that's not what I thought.  But, what I did think about was the fact that the General RS conference was coming up that next day and I had tickets to go to it!  I just gave a lesson a few weeks ago in RS about General Conference.  I love General Conference and I know that is is our road map for the next 6 months in our lives. 

I got up Saturday morning feeling really low.  I decided that I would go next door to help do some painting inside the house.  Even though I felt like poo poo!  So, there I was working along side my oldest son and my husband....painting away.  I had a small can of paint that I had just finished cutting in with on this big wall downstairs.  Then I started to roll out the rest of the wall.  So, there I was rolling and rolling and then suddenly I hit the small bucket of paint off the ladder and it spilled all over the basement floor.  So, what do you think I did?  I started to cry!  Me!  I cried like a baby!  I couldn't believe it.  I said to Mike, "see, I cant even do this stupid painting"!  Mike said, "it's okay hunny, we can clean it up...you're doing a good job"!  Michael looked at me and said, "Mom, are you crying?"  I just cried like a baby,it was funny and a bit pathetic ( I dont usually cry so easily like that) but......oh so real!  I quickly finished the wall and went back inside the house, got into the shower and got ready to go to the RS conference.  So, what if it was 3 hours early.  I wanted to get away and to get to that conference a.s.a.p.!

So, Conference was wonderful.  We sat in the 10 row from the front.  Afterwards I felt renewed.  I knew that going there I would find answers to my questions about where to go from here.  I was a bit surprised to learn that I just needed to continue to put my family first and just go about my life the way I had been and that everything was going to be okay.  That I just needed to slow down and take one day at a time and everything else would fall into place.  The next day was Sunday and I had a great day!

This week I am back at it.  Looking for work and being open to whatever happens and just being myself and being okay with it. I actually got a call back from the company that I interveiwed with and they let me know that they have some other Administrative Assistant positions coming up that they want to interveiw me for in the near future. That was great news because I realized that they must have found me overqualified and better suited for a higher paid position which the Admin Asst positions are.  That made me feel a ton better. I also had another interveiw today with another company.  Who knows how it will turn out. And who knows if I will like it if it does.  All I do know is that I am thankful to be a woman and to know that I am loved and not forgotten.  Can't wait for General Conference this weekend!  Oh, and by the way....
I am Still Standing!

Hoot Hoot!

Made these tonight....

Aren't they cute?  Got the idea HERE!

EFY 2008 A Woman's Heart

That's the way of a Woman's Heart! Enjoy your sabbath!

Don't be jealous!

Isn't this just a great picture of Autumn?  Well, I think so anyway.  So, don't be jealous out there in California, but we have been having THE best Autumn or Fall.  It has been just perfect weather everyday, knock on wood, it's been like 70's 80's all the time.  And every morning my friend Darcie and I take about an hour walk.  And we always try to take a picture of something we see each morning on our walks. So, this is one I took a few mornings ago. This is up the hill over looking part of Springville and Mapleton. 

So, this morning I missed my walk in order to make an 8:30 appointment to a second interview with a company that I really really want to work for!  I am ready to go back to work full time now.  Especially since we are about ready to be done with the house in like another month at the most and we need to make that house payment.  I figure the kids are all old enough for me to be gone during the day now.  I thought it would be a good time to try and find a job with a solid company that I can work for and grow with.  Maybe even retire from.  Well, this job is just perfect for me.  In fact it is here in Springville.  It is a receptionist position at a large manufacturing company.  They are looking for someone to be the main receptionist with the ability and interest of moving onto a more demanding positon with the company in the not too distant future.  Well, that's perfect and that's ME!  Don't worry, I told them.  So, hopefully they are narrowing down their search.  I was told that they had 200 applicants and they narrowed that down to 25 and then down to 3 for the last interview and I was the first to interveiw the second time around.  So, keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer for little ol' me.  I neeeeeeeed this job so bad.........and it's just perfect in every way for me.

Beautiful Fall weather and a Beautiful job oppotunity for "yours truly"....don't forget;)

College Days

So, I've been thinking a lot about my young single adult days.   I have especially been thinking about some of my college days.  Probably because I now have a college student.  Well, here I am at Rick's College in 1982!  Yep, that's me wtih all my studies.  Truthfully I hated it!

Here is a good depiction of how I felt there.  First of all I felt cooped up because it was in the dead of winter (Jan) that I was there and we lived in this little apartment and I missed California so much!  I never was one for studying and doing well in school in the first place.  But my good friend Jodi was there and she wanted me to join her.  I had an exboyfriend who had been there and raved about how much fun it was.  So, I went.....and I almost dropped out of the semester and went back home. But I stuck it out for one semester.

We made our own fun though, while I was there.  Like the time we took one of our roomates bed room and put it outside.  That was a hoot!  We pretended to be drinking on it too.  A bottle of sparkling cider did the trick for this picture.

We also took out all our magazines and cut out all of the cute guys we could find in it and plastered them all over the kitchen wall above the table.  Made for fun conversation and enjoyable meal times:)

I also made a good friend there.  Ginger was just a tiny little thing.  She was a lot of fun and one of the reasons I could stand to stay there for that one semester.

Those were the days.  They were short lived and I'm glad they are over!

This is what it's all about

So, I'm sitting here at the computer for a moment on a Saturday afternoon in my house all alone while the rest of the family is next door working on the new house.  We are in a hurry to get it done before the weather breaks and it starts snowing again.  For now we are enjoying a beautiful Autumn day. Our friends, The Robinson's  are anxious to get into their rental(the house we are in now) and we are anxious to get into our new home.  But just for today, I am enjoying my life, my family.  The goodness that is all around me.  I truly am blessed.

So, this is truly what it is all about for me.  Michael was dating this cute girl that he really thought the world of, but unfortunately that relationship ended earlier this week.  She was a great girl, but truthfully, I am a bit happy about it.  Mostly because now he's home more again.  I know that is probably very selfish of me. But, he has been wanting to spend more time with his brothers than he did before his mission and with him going to school, looking for a job and dating her there wasn't a lot of time for his brothers.  Well, now there is time again.  I think my favorite time is when all my boys are together either working or playing and just being together.  Like today. I want to freeze this moment in time.  It is when I think I am happiest.  I feel deep satisfaction, joy and love.  I am a proud Mom.  I am in awe and in love with my boys!  The Lord has truly blessed me with good men in my life.  I married one and together we have raised more of them.  This is what it is all about!  I love my life!

Super Saturday Fun Ideas

We have a Super Saturday coming up in October. 

 So, I spent the whole week trying to come up with ideas and finding people to teach them to our RS sisters.  I think we came up with some good stuff.

  Our Theme is Strengthening Families Thru the Holidays!

The first hour of our Super Saturday we will have two instruction classes that will take a bit of time.

We will start with the Holiday breads, cinnamon rolls, cinnamon bread, etc..

Then while the bread is rising we will move to a nearby classroom where we will have a class on

deorating your Holiday table the easy way, with a few different and inexpensive ideas.

During lunch we will have a short message about the importance of

strengthening our families thru the Holidays.

Then we will break for lunch and have homemade soups, salad and rolls.

And we are asking the sisters to bring their favorite holiday treat to share for desserts.

Then we will break into our second hour of a round robbin style of holiday crafts.

Holiday Craft Ideas

#1 wood plaques with a vynal last initial. 

But we will be making them on the 8x10 plaques like the one in red. 

#2 crocheted cotton wash cloths

  Maybe I'm behind but I recently bought one of these great simple washcloths at a little store here in town and I love it!  It cleans my counters better than anything else that I have. 

So, I decided that we HAVE to make these!  Love them!

#3 Wooden spool christmas ornament

I thought these were super cute.  My sister makes jewelry so she will be teaching the sisters how to do the

bead work at the bottom and then you attach that to the ribbon and pull it thru and decorate

your spool with some cute Christmas scrapbook paper.

#4 Dry erase framed menu

You can use it like a dry erase board.  Just fill in the menu for this week.

Then erase and do it again next week.(change out your scrapbook paper as the seasons change)

  Simple, cute and a great christmas gift idea!

#5 Family Blocks

We picked up a 2x4 out of the backyard and cut them into 6 pieces.

  This is my friend Darcie's blocks we used as samples.

She just glued scrapbook paper, letters from my cricut,

and a package of matching embellishings. Are these cute or what?

And that's our Super Saturday!

Here's what I did with my 6 pieces of wood.

Mine are double sided. 

Here's the other side!

I love, love, love the way these turned out!

Ready....... Set........ Go!!

So glad today is the first day of school!  I was so ready yesterday.  I was having one of those "nobody appreciates me" kind of days yesterday.  One of those days where you are tapped out and nobody even notices how much you do all the time and that you could use some nice compliments.  No, instead they just continue to harrass you and expect you to do everything.  Sounds like perfect timing to go and find me a job!  Then maybe they will miss all that I do for them....yes, all of them!  The only problem is that I HATE having to look for a job.  The whole "send your resume" thing is just stupid to me.  I need to get out there in front of peoples faces.  Ideally I would like to find something close to home where I can be home quickly and where I can drive Mike's truck so that Michael can take my car to school since it gets better gas  mileage.

Today I am just enjoying the fact that the boys are in school and my house is nice and quiet.  I will go shopping and then come home and work on my resume'.........Ready........Set......GO!!

The balancing act

Okay, so how do you do it?  I mean seriously.  It doesn't matter how hard I try I just cant keep all the balls in the air at the same time.  I can not get all the plates to balance at the same time.  Something always has to give.  So, what has to give?  How do you decided where to put your priorities?  I mean there are always the priorities that you know you have to keep.  But then there still seems to be this other long list of priorities that you have to decide between.

Life is getting crazy again.  School, work, callings, sports, house cleaning, shopping, personal time etc...  I just cant seem to get a handle on it.  And it seems that what always has to give is my personal time.  Well, I just cant give it away anymore.  I am falling apart here!  I am tired of never having time for myself.  It always seems that what gives is either exercise or down time for me.  Because everyone else needs so many things from me, so that they can continue on with all they have to do.  So, when do I get to do just one or two of the things that I want and need to do?  Now, I might sound like I am whining, and maybe I am but I really need to start letting go and actually being a bit more demanding about things around here.  Probably my biggest problem is that my kids seem to think that if chores dont get done, it's okay because Mom will do them.  Well, if and when I start working I'm not going to be abel to do them. I used to look forward to the kids going back to school because at least my house would stay clean while they were gone.  But when I get a job again, a full time job, I will not be home to clean up behind them anymore.

I've been trying for years to get these boys to take their chores seriously.  But, with everyone being so busy doing other extracuriicular activities, there never seems to be a long enough period of time where it ever becomes a habit.  But honestly, I think if I could just get the kids to do this one thing...."CHORES"...consistently, I think I would be a happy girl!  I would be able to function.  I would be able to keep up with all that I have to do plus take a bit of time for myself to exercise, read, or do something relaxing for me!  So, do you think it is possible?  Do you think I could sit my family down and explain all this to them and they would actually get it?  Well, I'm gonna try once again.  Maybe they have grown old enough now that they will?..........One can always hope!

Bursting the Bubble

You know how everything is just going great and your happy and having fun and smiling and laughing and then all of the sudden someone comes a long and bursts your bubble?  Well, that is me today.  I guess sometimes someone just has to slap you back into reality.  I am the kind of person who just wants to have a good time.  And I want everyone else to have a good time too.  I just don't see why bad things have to happen.  Not that anything too bad has happened.  I just hate having to be the one to spoil the party.  I guess that's what comes with being an adult or a parent.  Yah, yah, I know I am just a big kid at heart and I don't want to have to be all responsible all the time.  Why cant we all just have our cake and eat it too?  I really don't see what the big deal is.  However, I guess there are always bills to pay, laundry to do, dishes to wash, bathrooms to clean.  Doggone it!

So, we've had a great time celebrating and running around since Michael's return.  But now reality of life has set in and I have to get serious.  And I have to be the one to remind everyone else to get serious as well.    For example, I have to find me a full time job.  I've been in and out of part time jobs up to now, but I need to get serious about it now.  The older boys need to get jobs too.  School is about to start and the house is still being built and not fast enough.

So, how do you do all of these serious responsible things and still have fun and not get discouraged and keep your chin up and have a positive attitude?  Well, I am determined to find out.  It's not gonna be easy I know, but someone has to be the adult around here right?  Okay, so here goes..........

Lovin my life!

     So okay, I have to say that life is pretty good right now.  Mostly because I have all my kids home again and I love it!  It was a bit hard at first to get used to the new and improved Michael.  He came home so happy, so confident and so determined.  I really didnt know how to react at first to him.  I mean he has always been a great kid, but he is a man now.  A determined hardworking man.  He also has this new sense of humor.  He told me how I told him something before his mission which he used alot in the mission field.  I told him that he should be having fun and loving his mission and if he wasnt having fun, then something was wrong.  I guess he really took that to heart and he had a blast out there doing the work. As a Zone Leader he motivated his Zone by using this theory.  He said it made a world of difference.  He worked hard and had a great time doing it.  I am sure it helped having so many great companions and serving some of the fun loving people that he did in Australia.  But back to this new sense of humor.  It is a bit sarcastic and well, I am used to that with Stephen because he is like that all the time, but Michael, when he will say something sarcastic to me it hurts my feelings.  So, I am having to get used to this new sense of humor and his new confidence.  I think it is starting to grow on me.  WE have a lot more fun now that Michael is back, as a family.  The boys have such a good time together and it is so much fun to see.  I especially enjoyed our vacation that we took last week to California.  The boys all laughed and joked and razzed eachother the whole time.  Such a nice change from fighting and arguing all the time like they did when they were younger.  It's a mother's dream to have all her children love eachother and get along so well.  I know some families just have that natural kindness and love towards eachother and I always have envied those families.  I never thought I'd see the day that my boys would all get along so well, but it's here and a lot sooner than I would have thought.  It's wonderful!

So, now we are all very busy getting on with life.  We have added another young man to the equation in our home.  Michael's best friend Adam is now living with us.  We are so excited!  Everyone loves Adam, he is super fun and hardworking.  I worry a bit about he and Stephen together because now I have 2 clowns around the house.  But it is so much fun, we are laughing all the time.  I remember when Adam was younger and would come over to our home, Stephen would sit and stare at him as he would make the rest of us laugh.  I know Stephen idolized Adam for his fun spirit and sense of humor.  It is interesting how boys have such an influence on eachother.  Anyway, so now the boys are all busy getting ready for school, work and fall sports.

Michael came home wanting to play rugby.  He got to play alot while in Australia on his p-days.  So, when he registered at UVU he asked about their team.  Well, they told him they didnt have a team.  But, fortunately I ran into a man at Costco with a BYU rugby shirt on and found out that they do have a team at UVU but it is not a NCAA team, and neither is BYU's rugby team.  Anyway, long story short, they are both club teams and they play eachother every year.  So, Michael started practicing with the UVU team last week.  He loves it and is so excited to be playing again.  It is kicking his butt though :)

Stephen is back on the football team gearing up for the fall season.  His doctor told him in 2 weeks he could be back on the field.  He is also taking drivers ed right now.  He is gone pretty much all day with drivers ed and 2 a days at football.  It is kicking his butt and that is a good thing....he thrives that way.

Bryce has decided to take a break from dancing this fall since he is playing football again.  He will get back to it in the winter and spring.  So, every night all the boys are at their practices and we have a bit of peace and quiet around here.  I love that they are all engaged in good works and stretching their bodies.

We've been having some great scripture study sessions at night since Michael has been home.  It's been a  pleasure to have 2 return missionaries in our home.

Mike is busy, busy, busy!  He has actually lost a lot of weight this summer.  Which is NOT a good thing.  He does not have much to lose.  But between the job and the house, he is just crazy busy.  So, between sports and trying to keep the weight on him..... the following is what we try to keep on hand in our home.

Food staple #1in our home.....ICE CREAM
Food staple #2 in our home.....PROTIEN POWDER
Food staple #3 in our home ....... CHOCOLATE SYRUP

As for yours truly, well, as soon as I can get a moment free.... I will be job hunting again!  So, back to the drawing board!   It's a good life!

Feeling again

The anticipation had left me numb.  I had cried off and on over the past few weeks as I thought about his return.  But at this point, standing in the airport, I no longer knew what to feel.  Truthfully, I had gotten used to him being away. " The ambilical cord had been cut" (as he put it) and he no longer needed me to give him constant advice and encouragement.  He had learned to get along well without me now.  On top of that, he seemed as though he was happier than he had ever been.  All this was okay however, since he was on a his mission and that is the way it was supposed to be.....right?  So, after a few months of adjusting to this new way of life, I had finally gotten used to our lives being separate.  So, what was I supposed to expect now after 2 very long years?  Mike had regretably found out the day before that his boss was going out of town and he would have to hold down the job the next day, the day Michael would be returning.  I was tempted to be very angry, however, I finally came to the conclusion that Mike was just as disappointed as I was and we were lucky that he had a job. But this was it, the day we all had waited for.  The moment of truth.  The truth about what our lives would be like with him in it again.

So, there we were, my little family, a group of extended family members from both sides, along with 4 other families waiting the arrival of our missionaries.  It seems that we waited forever and I figured if I knew my son, he would be making us wait until the very end.  Grandma Rose finally ran over to me and said, "I see him, he's coming!"  I was afraid to look.  I turned my back to the on coming passengers for a minute, nervous about how i would react.  Finally, everyone around me started to scream and I saw Mom reach up and grab her grandson.  Someone had led me in the wrong direction and gave Michael a short cut thru to the crowd.  As I re-routed my way thru the crowd and approached the hugging couple, I started to feel.  The reality of his return was tangable now.  I covered my face and began to sob.  As he approached me with "Hi Mum", I grabbed him and held him closer and tighter than I ever had before.  With my face buried into his shoulder, I let go.  I sobbed uncontrollably and the deeper my head was buried the harder I cried.  I finally caught myself as I realized that my sobs were so loud that people were probably wondering what was wrong with this crazy woman.  I then tried to get it together and I took a deep breath and apologized to my new son for losing it.  He was crying too now as we locked eyes........ I could feel again.

GOING HOME

Well,  you might think that I am going overboard with Michael coming home and writing about all of my feelings and the anticipation all the time.  Well, that's the beauty of blogging or following blogs.  You don't always have to read what has been written!  However another very beautiful thing about blogging is that the blogger has the freedom of expressing herself however she sees fit.  For me, my blog is very much like a journal.  I most oft times write about my feelings ,during this journey I call my life, of any particular given experience I may be having at any given moment or time.  It's a great outlet for me and may or may not be interesting to anyone else. And that's okay.

I certainly don't want my life to just pass me by or to just get thru it.  I want to remember what it is I felt before, during and after.  I want to savor the good times and bask in the beauty of my most precious moments.
And right now I am basking in the beauty of having our first missionary come home from his mission.  I have been doing really well lately (besides a little bit of crying here and there) as I have been preparing.  However, yesterday right as RS started I began to cry, unfortunately I was conducting....not good.  The lesson was on Families.  It just hit me like a ton of bricks!  The spirit was so strong and I just could not hold the emotions any longer.  I was like a fountain over flowing.  The tears didn't want to stop. Well, by the end of the meeting I had finally gotten it together.....thank goodness!

I can only imagine what Michael must be feeling right now.  I remember coming home from my mission, I cried on the flight all the way home.  Today is Tuesday in Australia and so Michael probably didnt sleep much last night and is probably up early preparing to fly home.  That has got to be such a weird feeling for him.  He is probably feeling like he is leaving home again.  Australia has become his home.  Being a missionary has become who he is. The people he taught, the wards and his companions are his family he is leaving behind.  Such a sad time and yet so much joy awaits our son.  So many of us are so proud of him and all of his hard work!  We are so anxious to see him again, to be reunited with him again. To celebrate his success.  What a joyous occasion awaits us!  To be welcoming him home, for those of us  who have loved him all along.  Who have written to him and prayed for him and have patiently awaited his return.

This must be what it will be like when we return to our Heavenly Home.  When we pass on to the next life.  We will be so sad to leave our loved ones here behind, but so happy to be reunited with those we have missed and those we have loved all along.  To celebrate the hard work we have done here on this earth.

This truly is the true and living gospel on the earth today.  How eternally grateful I am to my Heavenly Father for the many many blessings that he has blessed me with.  For his goodness, his mercy his forgiveness and his unconditional love.  His Gospel truly is in it's fullness here on the earth.  The abundance of his love is truly felt in his church on the earth today.  There is so much he wants to give us if we just choose it.  Choose to believe and choose to follow in his ways.  I love him with all my heart and soul.  He is my greatest friend!

For Michael today there will be tears of sadness and tears of joy!  Tomorrow we welcome home ELDER MICHAEL NELSON......A FINE SERVANT OF THE LORD.....one of his SOLDIERS....and oh how PROUD WE ARE!!

Keeping it together

Well, I must say.  The time is flying right by until Michael's return.  Since Stephen was injured last week we have been busy with Dr. appts and surgery and just dealing with him.  But to add to this, my camera broke, and our dryer broke also.  Not to mention that Bryce has a friend here from Idaho this week.  He'll be here til Sunday.  Mike fixed the dryer last night, so if I can just get my camera fixed, my house cleaned and a pedicure before Tuesday we will be all good.

Stephen had a rough night last night adjusting to his medication.  We called the doctor and he told us to give him a double dose....thank goodness....it was a rough evening!  But we will continue with that for the next couple of days while we are dealing with the affects of the surgery.  He finally got the feeling back in his arm now.  That was a bit freaky for him.  Unfortunately he had visitors right at the peak of his pain....not good.  He is sleeping well this morning and I am waking him up every so often for more meds.

So, by Monday they say he should be holding his own with little medication.  Just in time for Michael's arrival.  Needless to say the time is flying by quickly!  Once Michael returns, we will have a whole slew of new visitors.  Thinking about all of this you would think I'd be losing it by now.  But, actually I am doing pretty well.  However, I had a dream last night that I lost it and I took it all out on my poor husand...do you think it is supressed stress?? I do!! So, I'm trying real hard to keep it all together.

Already crying

So, today marks one week until Michael returns.  I know, I know, I'm so trunky!  But, that's just the way it is. Sorry folks! I need to write in order to get control of my feelings...plus it just makes me feel better.  So, this morning I was driving down the road thinking about Michael's last letter home and it made me reflect on his sweet companion who is from a small island in Tonga.  And the reality of all the Michael has probably been thru over the past 2 years really hit me.  I honestly don't know what to expect when he walks off that plane but I do expect to see a very different young man than the one that left 2 years ago.  Thinking about all of this made the tears come to my eyes and they didn't want to stop but I took a deep breath and whipped them away and thought about something else. From the time Michael was a little boy and knew what a mission was he has wanted to go.  He prepared so well and kept it in the back of his mind always thru every choice that he made.  It has been such a joy to know that he has felt the blessings that he so looked forward to all those years.  That he was not disappointed and that he has been such a great example to his younger brothers.  The boys are starting to remind me each day and each minute just how long until Michael is home again and that just makes me even more teary eyed.  And on our way home from the doctor today Stephen and I stopped for lunch and while we were there it happened again as Stephen just mentioned again how Michael will be here this time next week.  So, if I am already crying, what is it gonna be like when I actually see him walk off that plane?  Well, maybe by then I will be all cried out and I wont need to cry anymore?  Maybe?  Well......we'll see.

However, I just want to soak in all of the blessings and love and tenderness from the Lord that we have received over the last 2 years.  This has truly been a time to remember.  Part of me really doesn't want it to end.  I can feel that special spirit of having a missionary start to fade and I will miss it so much!  I am so very grateful that I have to more to go....how can anyone ever tire of the great blessing of having a missionary serving the Lord?  Well, let's see how long til I cry again...it's going to be a long tear-filled 6 days! 

Starting to Freak out!

Today marks 11 days until the return of our missionary sonl.  I am seriously starting to freak out about it!  I have started waking up with anxiety each morning this past week.  There are so many things that I want to have done before he returns.  I am excited and anxious at the same time.  We are planning to have a big welcome home party on Saturday and then on Sunday he gives his homecoming talk in our ward.  Then we will come home right after for a lunch.  Then Michael will have an opportunity to share some more personal and funny experiences that happened on his mission as well as answer any questions that his close friends and family have for him.  I am also in the process of making him a welcome home quilt.  I am really excited about starting this tradition in our family for all of each of our return missionaries.  We have a lot of people that will be coming in and out of our home starting next week until the first week in August as we prepare for Michael's return.  We will then leave for California so that Michael can visit our ward members there and reunite with all of his friends.  So much to do in the next month.  Anxious, nervous, stressed, excited and emotional!  But such a joyous occassion!

Back to normal

What is normal?  I think that for me normal has changed many times over the years.  It's funny because it seems that in my mind all I wanted was normal.  But normal to me was something different than I expected it to be because I learned that normal changes all the time.  So, I have to admitt that change in this way can be very difficult.  When life is just as you have created it to be at one point in your life and you get used to having it that way, it is really  hard to get used to another way of being.

Well, once we moved here to Utah, normal became me home during the day by myself taking care of my family and home with My Man at work and the kids at school.  Then they would all come home and we would be together to enjoy our togetherness.  Then life changed and my normal became something different.  I started watching my nephews on a daily basis and I was now a daycare provider with small children in my home again and I felt like a grandma.  With my kids all grown up and able to take care of themselves for the most part this was a change and an adjustment that took a different mind set.  But I did get used to it and it became my new way of living and I actually missed my normal that I had created for myself.  However, it didnt really interfere with anything important in my life and allowed me to still take care of my own so it was all good.

Well, my normal has changed again.  This week was my first week no longer watching my nephews.  With Michael coming home and job hunting again it is time for my normal to change again.  I like my old normal again.  I love being home alone taking care of my home and family while they are out taking care of business.  But, now I need to readjust my thinking again.  I am hoping to find a good steady job that will give us additional income and help us to take care of our own a little more fully.  Always changing I know.  I am grateful for the things I have learned as my normal has changed.  I am really enjoying my back to normal I must admitt.  However, normal will change very soon.