Spring break was a blast with a trip to California to see Gma Shirley. Kellie brought along her friend, Elise, whom, I love, and she and Kellie did Disneyland together and spent a lot of time at the beach. We also went to Medieval Times where Kellie received a rose from our Knight and Elise received a pendant for being the quenn of love and beauty from our Knight. They flirted up a storm and had a blast. I would definitely recommend paying the $10 extra dollars to sit up close and personal. Riding bikes on the beach with Tammy Rafsten was peaceful and fun for me. Meeting Tanner Rafsten, Tammy's 18 year old son, was mucho fun for the girls too. Even on the night when he hit a pole with his car, things still turned out swimmingly.
Hyrum came to Colorado for his Spring Break and we did a museum and got him a haircut. His bangs, which he wears forward, came to his top lip- think cousin It. After the cut, the bangs are to the bottom of his eyes. My 20/20 hindsight tells me I should have insisted on a real haircut as I don't know when Robin will be able to get him to the salon again. It was great having here. On Friday, Jeremy and I drove back to Utah and spent the weekend there for conference. Jeremy stayed with friends. I stayed with Robin the first night. I had the lovely opportunity of supervising a 14 year old resistive teenager in the proper cleaning of his bathroom. For those of you who haven't had the experience of this, it is a joy beyond measure. Robin sure has her hands full. Tyler and Jodi hosted me the second night and it was great fun spending time with them. We all went up to Duffin's for breakfast and conference and ended the evening with a wonderful dinner at Dan's parents' home.
I've been working and teaching seminary- alot. Jim asked if I would rather have just taught my own class, and the answer is a resounding YES. I've been teaching 2-4 days a week most weeks after not teaching at all the first 2 months. In the schools, I work mostly in middle schools with High School splattered in here and there.
Last week I was called to be the stake coordinator for Seminary in our stake. Gwen Woodhouse has been doing it for the past 4 years and I'm nervous and excited for this calling.
Talon comes home from college tonight. He flew into LAX last night and gma Shirley picked him up. He wanted to spend a day with her and tonight he arrives here. I'm so excited. Tomorrow we will be off to get him mission ready.
2011
True colors
Monday, January 27, 2014
2013 ends, 2014 begins
2013 ended in Portland with Jamie and Mathew being married on the 28 of Dec. They are soo sooo happy. Jeremy will have to take the credit for their marriage as he helped Jamie know what to pray for when she was debating whether or not to marry Matthew. The Open House was very nice in Oregon and the reception in Colorado was awesome. We had it at the Calvary Church in Broomfield and it was magical.
We were joined in Portland by Tyler, odi, TUcker, Jeremy, Krystal, Carly, Talon, Kellie, Grandma Shirley, Darlene and her girls, Julie and Wayne, and their daughter, Alicia, who was our photographer. It was awesome having all of them there. Portland weather leaves a bit to be desired, but it didn't rain. Misty and overcast were the order of the day. The temple there is gorgeous and it was a busy, beautiful, wonderful day. Alicia also took family pictures, which we are excited to see.
We were introduced to Voodoo donuts, a Portland specialty, which does have addictive qualities. The maple bacon and voodoo doll were a favorite. Powell's Books is a huge (think a city block and three stories tall) bookstore downtown where we spent an afternoon browsing and reading one day. Also they have two full blocks of food carts with all kinds of ethnic specialties. Jim was quite excited to try something he'd researched, but unfortunately it was closed. Regretfully, he choose something German-who are famous for literally shutting down their businesses for holiday. Americans could adopt that and be better for it.
I found a 15 passenger van, which worked out great and fit everyone, even with two car seats for Tucker and Carly. It was wonderful being all together. Everyone, but Jeremy's family could be home for Christmas this year, so we were looking forward to the wedding to officially all be together.We also went to the Oregon coast, Astoria (where Goonies was filmed), Multnomah Falls, and did a Tillamook cheese factory tour, which was YUMMY and had wonderful clam chowder at a trailer across the street, which looked like a dive, but was a find.
Family is the best. Nothing can replace it.
Pain wise, 2014 has started with a bang. Justin blew out his knee in a snowboarding accident. We are trying to figure out his no insurance and his need to have knee surgery. He does not want Obamacare. I fell through a cupboard and whacked the heck out my legs from my shins to my toes, as I was kneeling on the cupboard. I have all kinds of lovely colors going on. Helene fell in her bus and whacked her shoulder and hip. You would almost think we were getting older and not as agile and mobile as we used to be.
Jim is in California seeing Amy play Water Polo her senior year. He comes home tonight. Plans are for me to go to Iowa for Carly's birthday in February, and then Jim and I head to Hawaii to party with Dave and Sara Graff. Woot woot! Can't wait to see Tyler and Jodi and sweet baby, Tucker, soon. He is in his last semester of class work in med school and actually did an autopsy last week. Uggg, but interesting.
We were joined in Portland by Tyler, odi, TUcker, Jeremy, Krystal, Carly, Talon, Kellie, Grandma Shirley, Darlene and her girls, Julie and Wayne, and their daughter, Alicia, who was our photographer. It was awesome having all of them there. Portland weather leaves a bit to be desired, but it didn't rain. Misty and overcast were the order of the day. The temple there is gorgeous and it was a busy, beautiful, wonderful day. Alicia also took family pictures, which we are excited to see.
We were introduced to Voodoo donuts, a Portland specialty, which does have addictive qualities. The maple bacon and voodoo doll were a favorite. Powell's Books is a huge (think a city block and three stories tall) bookstore downtown where we spent an afternoon browsing and reading one day. Also they have two full blocks of food carts with all kinds of ethnic specialties. Jim was quite excited to try something he'd researched, but unfortunately it was closed. Regretfully, he choose something German-who are famous for literally shutting down their businesses for holiday. Americans could adopt that and be better for it.
I found a 15 passenger van, which worked out great and fit everyone, even with two car seats for Tucker and Carly. It was wonderful being all together. Everyone, but Jeremy's family could be home for Christmas this year, so we were looking forward to the wedding to officially all be together.We also went to the Oregon coast, Astoria (where Goonies was filmed), Multnomah Falls, and did a Tillamook cheese factory tour, which was YUMMY and had wonderful clam chowder at a trailer across the street, which looked like a dive, but was a find.
Family is the best. Nothing can replace it.
Pain wise, 2014 has started with a bang. Justin blew out his knee in a snowboarding accident. We are trying to figure out his no insurance and his need to have knee surgery. He does not want Obamacare. I fell through a cupboard and whacked the heck out my legs from my shins to my toes, as I was kneeling on the cupboard. I have all kinds of lovely colors going on. Helene fell in her bus and whacked her shoulder and hip. You would almost think we were getting older and not as agile and mobile as we used to be.
Jim is in California seeing Amy play Water Polo her senior year. He comes home tonight. Plans are for me to go to Iowa for Carly's birthday in February, and then Jim and I head to Hawaii to party with Dave and Sara Graff. Woot woot! Can't wait to see Tyler and Jodi and sweet baby, Tucker, soon. He is in his last semester of class work in med school and actually did an autopsy last week. Uggg, but interesting.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Sept 2013
It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon and as I listen to football in the other room, I hear silence blanketing the rest of the house. Yep, empty is the house that remains. Jamie and Matthew came this weekend and we played 31, went to a movie and hung out together. I love those two kids. Who knows when/if they will get married, but I'm thinking it will happen. Jamie graduates in December. Non-Profit Management for a minor and Commercial Rec. Management for a major. Matthew is a Mechanical Engineer graduate.
We have the Schwab's 6 month old border collie living with us, which I am training. He is a hoot. His favorite position in the kitchen is laid out with his back legs stretched out behind him and his front legs stretched out in front of him. All he needs is a cape to be Wonder Dog. He is slowly learning manners and is starting to want to listen to us. I blog his life for his owners. Last night was his first in the house and he did awesome. Jim's snoring sure peaked his interest when he walked into our bedroom. He walked around the bed and sat by the bed looking at Jim and then put his chin on the bed sniffing Jim. Luckily, Jim was out of range of his cold nose.
Kellie and Talon love BYU Idaho. Jeremy, Krystal, and Carly moved to Iowa in August, and Jim and I drove out to help them move in to their new apt. They have a nice place and Jeremy is working for Go Daddy. The drive out was like driving on a treadmill for hours at a time. Corn field after corn field after corn field. Tyler, Jodi, and Tucker are doing great. This past week was finals week for Tyler and he said it was the craziest one yet. I feel so blessed that both my daughter in laws love being stay at home moms and are such great mothers. Kudos to Tyler and Jeremy who provide for their families so they don't have to work. I wish we lived closer (or they did) so they could be a more active part of our lives but we will take what we can get. We have been so blessed.
Last week I spent time in Utah and loved seeing Robin and Hyrum. I love them and miss not being able to be around them more. I'll never understand Robin's reasoning for staying in Utah. She has a nice condo, lives in a good area and Hyrum attends a good school, so those are all pluses. Her new dog is gorgeous and Hyrum really likes him too. Hyrum and I went to a movie together and he shared his thoughts and after graduation goals. I really hope he can do all that he wants. I love this kid.
We have the Schwab's 6 month old border collie living with us, which I am training. He is a hoot. His favorite position in the kitchen is laid out with his back legs stretched out behind him and his front legs stretched out in front of him. All he needs is a cape to be Wonder Dog. He is slowly learning manners and is starting to want to listen to us. I blog his life for his owners. Last night was his first in the house and he did awesome. Jim's snoring sure peaked his interest when he walked into our bedroom. He walked around the bed and sat by the bed looking at Jim and then put his chin on the bed sniffing Jim. Luckily, Jim was out of range of his cold nose.
Kellie and Talon love BYU Idaho. Jeremy, Krystal, and Carly moved to Iowa in August, and Jim and I drove out to help them move in to their new apt. They have a nice place and Jeremy is working for Go Daddy. The drive out was like driving on a treadmill for hours at a time. Corn field after corn field after corn field. Tyler, Jodi, and Tucker are doing great. This past week was finals week for Tyler and he said it was the craziest one yet. I feel so blessed that both my daughter in laws love being stay at home moms and are such great mothers. Kudos to Tyler and Jeremy who provide for their families so they don't have to work. I wish we lived closer (or they did) so they could be a more active part of our lives but we will take what we can get. We have been so blessed.
Last week I spent time in Utah and loved seeing Robin and Hyrum. I love them and miss not being able to be around them more. I'll never understand Robin's reasoning for staying in Utah. She has a nice condo, lives in a good area and Hyrum attends a good school, so those are all pluses. Her new dog is gorgeous and Hyrum really likes him too. Hyrum and I went to a movie together and he shared his thoughts and after graduation goals. I really hope he can do all that he wants. I love this kid.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Summer 2013
Wow, so much as happened. Justin, my dear sweet 25 year old nephew, is living with us and we love having him here. He is working and doing everything he needs to and coming to grips with my singing and dancing in the kitchen. He does not appreciate my Christian music, and liked the quiet while I was off in Europe for the past 3 weeks. Talon is home from his mission. He is such a gentle giant and I can't get enough of being around him. We did P90X today- YogaX, which is a killer. He is going to BYU I with Kellie and opted for that over BYU Provo. He wants to spend the rest of the summer in Provo with Jamie and hopes to find a job there.
I'm heading to Utah for an extended stay this summer with family, but hope to have Jeremy, Krystal and Carly, who are flying in on Saturday, come with me.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Tag. You're it!
I got blog tagged. Who doesn't like a friendly game of tag? So I've decided to play along.
THE RULES:
1. Post these rules.
2. Answer the questions provided by the one who tagged you.
3. Tag 11 people.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag.
So these were my questions to answer. Please find your questions at the bottom of this page.
1. If you could go back and relive any day in your life, what would it be? September 17, 2009 My dad passed away that day and I was planning on visiting him the next day.
2. What's your worst fear? Having my children fall away from the church.
3. What is the single most important thing to you? My relationship to God.
4. What's your most embarrassing moment? I had to go in after hours to pick up a package from a UPS warehouse. I was on my way to a R.S. meeting and was in a nice dress, and the men in the warehouse all stopped and looked at me when I walked through to the office and also when I returned with my package and left. I was feeling pretty good about myself, until I walked into the church and a woman immediately stopped me and told me I had tucked my dress and slip into my pantyhose.
5. Who have you learned the most from in your life and what did they teach you? I learned the most from my mom. It’s weird. We didn’t get along very well, but my faith, my love for others, my ability to talk to anyone, not caring what anyone else thinks, baking cookies every time it snows, and loving animals all can be traced back to my mom.
6. What is one regret you have? That I was so incredibly stupid in high school.
7. If you could leave on vacation anywhere you wanted tomorrow, where would you go? Western Europe
8. Do you believe in soul mates? Why or why not?
Can I say yes and no? I think some people have soul mates, like Abraham/Sarah, Joseph/Emma, Issac/Rebecca and others. But for me, I think not. I look at the different guys I dated and loved and could have married at different times in my life. I would be a different person today if I’d married them. Probably happy, but different.
9. What's your favorite time of day and why? I love nighttime. Late.
10. What's your ideal date with your boyfriend or husband? Hiking/walking in the mountains with a clear blue sky overhead and a temperature of around 70, then a nice lunch followed by a nap and then hot tubbing under the stars, would be a perfect date.
11. If you could give young women one piece of advice, what would it be? Read the Book of Mormon and find out if it is true early rather than later.
I'm tagging : Helene Burton, Susi Powers, Toni Melchior, Gwen Woodhouse, Jodi Pitchforth,Amy Woodhouse, Krystal Pitchforth, Barrie Goettsche, Amy Jones, Nila Watterson, and Sheri Denny.
Your questions:
1. What is your favorite song to dance to?
2. Would you ever skinny dip/have you?
3. Describe your perfect day?
4. What did you like best about your spouse when you first met him?
5. What movie/TV character is most like you?
6. What do you like to do best on vacation?
7. If you could redo any time period in your life, when would you do your redo?
8. When you have time to chill, what do you find yourself doing?
9. If you exercise, what is your least and most favorite exercise?
10. HOw many children do you see yourself with OR how many children did you see yourself having when you were first married?
11. What is your dream car/truck?
THE RULES:
1. Post these rules.
2. Answer the questions provided by the one who tagged you.
3. Tag 11 people.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag.
So these were my questions to answer. Please find your questions at the bottom of this page.
1. If you could go back and relive any day in your life, what would it be? September 17, 2009 My dad passed away that day and I was planning on visiting him the next day.
2. What's your worst fear? Having my children fall away from the church.
3. What is the single most important thing to you? My relationship to God.
4. What's your most embarrassing moment? I had to go in after hours to pick up a package from a UPS warehouse. I was on my way to a R.S. meeting and was in a nice dress, and the men in the warehouse all stopped and looked at me when I walked through to the office and also when I returned with my package and left. I was feeling pretty good about myself, until I walked into the church and a woman immediately stopped me and told me I had tucked my dress and slip into my pantyhose.
5. Who have you learned the most from in your life and what did they teach you? I learned the most from my mom. It’s weird. We didn’t get along very well, but my faith, my love for others, my ability to talk to anyone, not caring what anyone else thinks, baking cookies every time it snows, and loving animals all can be traced back to my mom.
6. What is one regret you have? That I was so incredibly stupid in high school.
7. If you could leave on vacation anywhere you wanted tomorrow, where would you go? Western Europe
8. Do you believe in soul mates? Why or why not?
Can I say yes and no? I think some people have soul mates, like Abraham/Sarah, Joseph/Emma, Issac/Rebecca and others. But for me, I think not. I look at the different guys I dated and loved and could have married at different times in my life. I would be a different person today if I’d married them. Probably happy, but different.
9. What's your favorite time of day and why? I love nighttime. Late.
10. What's your ideal date with your boyfriend or husband? Hiking/walking in the mountains with a clear blue sky overhead and a temperature of around 70, then a nice lunch followed by a nap and then hot tubbing under the stars, would be a perfect date.
11. If you could give young women one piece of advice, what would it be? Read the Book of Mormon and find out if it is true early rather than later.
I'm tagging : Helene Burton, Susi Powers, Toni Melchior, Gwen Woodhouse, Jodi Pitchforth,Amy Woodhouse, Krystal Pitchforth, Barrie Goettsche, Amy Jones, Nila Watterson, and Sheri Denny.
Your questions:
1. What is your favorite song to dance to?
2. Would you ever skinny dip/have you?
3. Describe your perfect day?
4. What did you like best about your spouse when you first met him?
5. What movie/TV character is most like you?
6. What do you like to do best on vacation?
7. If you could redo any time period in your life, when would you do your redo?
8. When you have time to chill, what do you find yourself doing?
9. If you exercise, what is your least and most favorite exercise?
10. HOw many children do you see yourself with OR how many children did you see yourself having when you were first married?
11. What is your dream car/truck?
Monday, January 23, 2012
Life....
So, I thought, "I'm not a dummy. I can figure out how to tile and grout a shower and floor, how to do a flat texture, how to put in a new vanity countertop, how to cut the countertop and drop a sink in." Guess what?! I was right! But I sure had a tone of angst and am so grateful for friends who helped me. Pictures to follow.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Getting ready to send off the mission packages
It's the time for making fudge and English toffee to send in the Christmas packages for my missionaries so they can have a touch of home on their mission. I love them and am so proud of the them and the choices they have made to serve God. I made peanut butter fudge especially for Jim as it is his favorite. True love!!!
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